The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-09-16


her husband and the two children.
Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis came last.
Helen had told Maggie they would
have dinner promptly At two, but it
was twenty minutes after before they
were all seated at the table. And
Helen was wondering anxiously if
Maggie could manage to keep SO many
things warm ON the gas stove.
The first few moments at-the table
were relieved from awkwardness by
the children's delight in the little fa-
vors at their plates. There was a
quaint wooden Santa Claus with bas-
ket on his back filled with tiny rib
bons, and dainty red ribbon bound
box, which they were not to open until
after dinner.
Instead of oysters they had Italian
hors d'oeuvre, tiny eurled up anchoives
and pimientos. Helen thought the
pimientos delicious appetizer, and
their bright red color seemed particu-
larry appropriate.
But to her dismay. Mr.. Curtis spar
ingiy tasted of an anchovy and prom
pity laid down his fork. Oh, why had
She tried to have anything different for
the Curtises2 She should have known
they were narrow and old fashioned
and would disapproye Of anything they
had not always" had.
She felt relieved when Maggie took
away the plates and served the soup,
cream of celery. That, at least, was
delicious enough
All the time Helen was conscious
that Carrie was taking in every detail
of the table.
Dessert is Missing.
Carrie had always made a speciality
of her table. She was noted for the
correctness of its appointments and
the faultless luncheons, which she fire.
quently gave. Yet Helen, as she look
ed around, was proudly conscious that
her table today could bear even Car
rie's critical survey
May I speak to you moment.
ma ?" said Maggie over Helen's
shoulder, as she passed the cauli-
flower
instantly Helen sensed that some
thing had gone wrong. With a muir
INJURED excuse She left the table and
hurried out to the kitchen.
That cream amt come yet, ma am,"
announced Maggie
Not comet" Why didn't you tell
me before?' excitedls.
L kept thinking it would be here.
You said it was on the way
"Oh, something must have happenedi
wrong address, Maybe it's down
stairs?'' eagerly.
No, ma'am, l just called down and
there amt nothing there"
Maggie, Maggie, what shall we do {?
We haven't a thing for dessert"
We've got fruit and nuts, ma'am.'
oh, that's not enough. The whole
Curtis family would feel they hadn't
had any dinner if they didn't, have des-
sert. It's too late to phone again.
They couldn't get it here in time now.
Oh, can't you suggest something's.
desperately. Couldn't you go out and
get something?'
There wouldn't be no place open
to-day
IF we only had a can of plum pud-
ding, you could heat that up. Oh,
We ought always to keep something
| like that on hand" Then eagerly:
Do you suppose we could borrow some !?
Oh, Maggie, surely in all these apart
ments some one would have a can of
pudding or something
"Oh, ma'am. I have it, Maggie's
| face lit up with a sudden inspiration.
Jane, that's Mrs. Martins girl. just
sent me down this" taking from the
| cupboard an expensive looking candy
basket filled with minis. "They had
! 'em for each plate, but Mrs. Martins
folks, who live somewhere in Jersey,
| Just telegraphed they couldn't come.
SO they've got big dinner up there
and nobody to eat it. and I'm sure
Borrowing Ice Cream.
But Helen did not wait for further
| explanations. She had already dashed
! out in the hall and was ringing wildly
for the elevator. She knew Mrs. Mar
tin only slightly, but the thought of the
4 f1y.fy e.
pectantly toward the dessert made her
| too desperate to stand on ceremonies.
J, viii you tell Mrs Martin that Mrs
!. Curtis wishes to see her for just mo-
ment?' she demanded excitedIy of the
maid who came to the door.
Mono, 1 haven't time to sit down.
| as the maid ushered her in. oh" as
Mrs. Martin appeared, IL came up to
ask you-Oh. / hardly know how to put
! it, but I've all of Mr. curtis's family
for dinner-and-the ice cream didn't
come-and-and we haven't a thing for
dessertt And I'll wondered if
Helen never forgot Mrs. Martins
quick and sympathetic response to her
stammered appeal
We've a whole freezes. full of ice
cream out there-three quarts of it,
III have Jane send it down on the
dumb waiter. Mono, don't stop to
thank me--I know what it is to enter
! tam ones husbands people" laughing
~. Hurry back now, and when they're
gone, yon and Mr.. Curtis come up and
have supper with u.s. It will be real
benefolence to help to get rid Of some
Of this food
Helen rushed down to her apartment
and into the kitchen with joyous e.-
citement
! Its ali right, Maggie Mrs. Martins
sending down a whole freezer of
cream, :,