South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-16
REVELATIONS OFA WIFE
DICKY AT THE CHAFTNG DISH.
BY Adele Garrison

DICkN AT THE CHAFTNG DISH.
Don't forget the lemon juice.
Dicky You haven't put it in yet"
Are YOU sure you haven't too
much butter for that number of
oysters
Let me put i'm the red pepper
You got too much in the last time"
Dicky looked around al his tor
mentors in evaporation.
IF you say another word I'll pitch
these oysters into the sink"
We were seated around my table
in the dining room. which Lillian
Gale and ] had arranged in the
afternoon. The spring flowers in the
old earthen jar which Dicky had
brought from the kitchen in spite
Of my protest. really were very pref
" in the center of the table. The
piles of sandwiches which 1 had
made looked extremely appetizing.
thanked as they were with dishes of
olive. and of the sailed almonds Lii
Ian and 1 had prepared with so
much pains
Dicky looked at the head Of the
table, the chatting dish before him.
Ii was connected TO one of the cleo
trio light sockets and the water be-
meath the blazer was bubbling mer-
rily He held in his hand a large
spoon, with which ne was stirring
some butter which he had put in
to the blazer
At his right little Mrs. Lester
watched the proceedings with much
interest. Next to her Harry Tn
derwood lolled indolently against
the table. I came next, not having
been able to escape from this ar
rangement of seats any more than
had from his companionship dur
ing the evening. Mr.. Lester upon my
other side while Mrs. Underwood.
between Mr.. Lester and Dicky, COM
pleted the circle.
Hush" Harry Underwood lifted
his hand we forgot that Dicky
can only cook these oysters properly
when there is complete harmony in
the circle Who will lead in prayer 20
I suppose my face reflected the
distaste l felt for his remark Any
thing approaching perseverance, dis
pleases me intensely, for Lillian
Gale quickly came to the rescue.
shut up. Harry" she said forci-
bly, if inelegantly, Mrs. Graham
isn't used TO that bar-room brand
Of conversation you are handing
out"
"An right, sweetie," her husband
grinned provokingly at her across /
the table
"Madge," Dicky's voice was
impatient Where's the oyster
juice ?"
l looked at the dishes thanking
the chatting dish.
Butter-Dicky had that in the |
chatting dish. stirring it. Lemon |
juice-it was ready to his hand in |
a pet cut glass Of mine. The oysters /
drained and ready for cooking were /
in a large dish at his right. but the |
bowl Of oyster juice. which I had |
seen Katie drain with much care /
under Dicky's direction, was no
where 10 be seen.
/ touched the bell with a feeling /
Of nervousness 1 could not conquer /
I was afraid something might have I
happened TO the oyster juice but /.
more than anything else I feared /
what Katie might do or say when I
she came into the room and saw
Frank Lester She had promised I
10 control herself, but I knew her /
impulsive tempers ment and I trem- |
bled as I heard her footsteps IS
she came into the room, Mrs. IN /
derwood asked Mrs. Lester some
thing about her baby, thus divert /
ing her attention. / stole a glance |
at Frank Lester He was bantering /
Dicky, seemingly oblivious to Katie's |
presence, but / noticed that his face I
was red.
will YOU bring the oyster juice. |
please Katie ." I said quietly.
1 was proud of Katie in that mo-
ment Not a flicker of an eyelash, /
not a glance betraying anything but /
the correct attitude of a well train |.
ed maid. Shs vanished without a
word and returned in a moment /
bearing the bowl Of oyster juice.
"Ah-h," Harry Underwood heav- +
ed a deep sigh. THE country is .
saved. Dicky l warn you that if I
you don't pull that oyster stunt I
pretty soon shall begin on Mrs. /
Lester"