The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-08-03


There's nothing thar So pleases =
hostess as to ask how some special
dish is made. And Mrs. Boothby was
most highly flattered by their interest
| in her kippered sandwiches.
When they had finished tea, Mrs.
Boothby said abruptly, Now wen go
! into the house and have some music"
Helen murmured vaguely That
VIII be very nice" wondering what
the music would be.
| The parlor was small and stuffy.
The old-fashioned furniture, not old
enough to be antique. was OF that un-
fortunate heavy walnut and marble
top period. A cheap upright piano
was conspicuously placed.
When they were all seated, Mrs.
Boothby said.
Now Emme yorAplay for us first"
To Helen's surprise, shy and self
conscious as she was rose obediently
without a murmur. They all waited
silently while she selected a sheet OF
music from the stack on top of the
piano.
1t was an old-fashioned piece on the
order of The Storm or THE Battle"
with thunderous chords in the base
and reckless runs and trills on the
treble Emmas awkward fingers
blundered over this as best they could.
Mr. and Mrs. Boothby listened with
evident pride
When at last the piece was brought
to tempestuous, discordant end.
Helen murmured some few vague
words of praise.
Yes, we think she plays very WELL"
said Mrs. Boothby. complacently. She
has only been taking three years. Mar
jorie. now you play something for
us"
Marjorie, like her sister went TO the
piano without a word of protest. Her
piece was less stormy, but her execu-
ton was equally bad
Then Mr.. Boothby suggested that
they play their duet" And to Helen's
horror they took donw Chick piece of
music and began the "Poet and Peas
ant Overture"
A Terrible Time"
Here Warren leaned over and gave
Helen a sly nudge, and she turned
her uncomfortable laugh into a forced
cough. The poor. cheap piano groan
ed and quaked under the onslaught Of
the four strenuous hands. The loud
pedal worked overtime and when at
last they finished both girls were
flushed and perspiring from their Wig
orous efforts.
Helen had no words with which TO
commend this performance, so She
clapped her hands applaudingly, nudg-
ing Warren to do the same.
Eyes, we all like that piece" said
Mrs. Boothby with the same pleased
complacency. How long were you
learning that, girls?"
About three months answered
Emma, who was now lingering the
end of her sash.
ooh, what a lovely doggie," murmur-
Helen. glad of an excuse to change the
subject She stoored over to pct tie
fat and aged poodle that now cam
shifting around her skirts. The dcS
ignoring the caress, suddenly sat
down and began scratching al elusive
fleas.
go show the lady how you can
Mrs. Boothby Go on rs he con-
tinued to scratch. Shut the door
Poughy, shut IT."
Suddenly he waddled over to the half
opened door, backed up against it
and showed 1t to. then promptly SAT-
down again in pursuit of the flea.
Dear. let's go as soon as we can"
Helen managed to whisper under COW
er of the laugh that followed.
But 1t was fully half an hour before
they could break away. They decided |
to go back by bus and Mr.. Booth
by went with them down the hill and
put them on.
When they had waved him a gotl-
bye from the top of the bus, Helen
sat back with sigh of relief.
eOh, dear, I thought we would never
get away. Wasn't that music dread
full? And the way Mrs Boothby an
nounced Now we'll have some music
and those girls going UP and playing
as a matter of course Why we didn't
even ask them And the fat old dog
shutting the door-at least that gave
an excuse to laugh. l thought I'd
explode when they played that over
ture.'
A Curt Reply.
well. it's not exactly good form TO
call on people and then make fun of
them, said Warren CURLY.
Helen looked up in surprise, why. |
dear. I didn't mean to make 1un OF
them"
sounds mighty like 1t"
But that music-why you were al
most convulsed."
well. I'm not harping on IL now.
They're mighty fine people, / tell you,
and it's Idevilish bad taste on your
part to laugh at them.
But, dear. helplessly. / dloht mean
il that way
"Then cut II out. When you accept
neopIe,s hospitality have the decency
not to ridicule them
Just what ruffled Warren, Helen ala
,ot know. But she had learned TO &C
cent these unreasonable outbursts OF
irritation without argument or pro-
test. She might have recalled TO MIN
nany instances where he hao rloi-
cuIed their host or hostess lar more
severely than she had done no"-pul
she wisely refrained. |
A quick side glace showed hef eha1
Warren was still scowling.
s.T,- +hosa herrtng sandwiches |