Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-03-15
CHAPTER xV-Continued.

you, Auntie, and"
IT already have" she answered,
laughing at their frantic energy.
sand I put out these white dresses
for you to wear, and"
"Gracious, auntie! They button in
the back and have sixty buttons
apiece. Well never have time to
fasten Them" expostulated Carol,
without diminishing her speed.
"Tll button while you powder, that1l
be time enough"
II won't have time to POWDER" called
back Carol from the bathroom, where
she was splashing the water at a reck-
less rate. "I'll wear veil and pow
der when l get there. Did you pack
any clean handkerchiefs, auntie? Pm
clear out. If you didn't put any in,
you'd better go and borrow Comics.
Lucky thing she's not here"
Shining with zeal and soap, Carol
dashed out, and Lark dashed in.
"Are there any holes in these stock
ings?" Carol turned around, lifting
her skirts for inspection. "Well, I'm
sorry, won't have time to change
them. Did they come in the auto?
Good" She was brushing her hair as
she talked. Eyes, we had luncheon,
all pie, though. We played tennis
this morning; we were intending to
come home right along, or we'd have
phoned you. We were playing with
George Castle and Fritzie Zale.-Is it
sticking out any placer She lowered
her head backward for her aunt to see.
"Stick pin in it, will you? Thanks.
They dared us to go to the pie counter
and see which couple could eat the
most pieces of lemon pie, the couple
which lost paying for all the pie. It's
kind Of reward of merit, like Sunday
school prize. No won't put on my
slippers till the last thing, my heels
sore, my tennis shoe rubbed the skin
off. My feet seem to be getting ten
der. Think it's old age?"
Lark now emerged from the bath
room, and both twins performed fly
ing exchange of dresses.
"Who won?"
Lark and George ate eleven pieces,
and Fritzie and only nine. So Fritzie
paid. Then we went on the campus
and played mumble-te-peg, or what
ever you call it. 1t is French,
auntie."
ibid they ask us to stay whole
week, auntie?" inquired Lark.
"Yes. Jim was wearing his new
gray suit and looked very nice. I've
never been out to their home. Is it
very nice?"
"Um, swell !" This was from Carol
Lark being less slangily inclined
''They have about sixteen rooms, and
two maids-they call them 'girls'-and
electric lights, and a private water sup.
ply, and-and-horses, and cows-oh
it's great! We've always been awfully
fond Of jim. The incest thing about
him Is that he always takes a girl
home when he goes to class things and
socials. l can't endure fellow who
walks home by himself. Jim always
asks Larkie and me first, and if we
are taken he gets someone else. Most
boys, if they can't get first choice, pike
off alone"
"Now, Carol" said Aunt Grace, smil.
ing. "Be easy on him. He's so nice
1t would be a shame to-"
Carol threw up her eyes in horror
"I'm shocked" she cried. Then she
dimpled. "But wouldn't hurt Jim fol
anything. I'm very fond Of him. Dc
you really think there are any-er-
Indications"
"Oh, don't know anything about 1t
I'm just judging by the rest of the
community"
Lark was performing the really diff
ficult feat of putting on and buttoninl
her slippers standing on one foot fol
the purpose and STOPPING low. Hel
face was flushed from the exertion.
"Do you think he's crazy about you
Carol?' she inquired, rather seriously
and without looking up from the shoe
she was so laboriously buttoning.
ooh, don't know. There are few
circumstances which seem to poin
that way. Take that new gray suit fol
instance. Now you know yourself
Lark, he didn't need new gray suit
and when man gets a brand-nev
suit for no apparent reason, you cal
generally put it down that he's wax
ing romantic. Then there's his mother
she's begun telling me all his goot
points, and how cute he was when h,
was born, and she showed me one of hi
curls and lot Of his baby pictures
1t made Jim wild when he came in ant
caught her at it, and she tells me how
good he is and how much money he
got. That's pointed, very. But mus
confess" she concluded canddly, "tha
Jim himself doesn't act very loverly.
"He thinks lots Of you, I know" salt
Lark, seriously. whenever he's alon,
with me he praises you every minute
IF the time"
"That's nothing. When he's alon,
with me he praises you all the time
too. Where's my hat, Lark? I'll he
Connie wore it, the little sinner! Nov
what shall I do?"
, 'You left it in the barn yesterday