The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-19
LETTERS FROM HOME
CHAPTER


Next day we INDUCED ourselves in
the great luxury of lying in bed until
8 o'clock. Then We ate the rest of the
sandwiches and jam. But both of US
had country appetites, and we had
money enough for simple necessities,
so we went out and walked until we
found little restaurant and there we
ordered eggs and coffee, and felt
better.
This is the second time I've been in
a restaurant" Violet whispered, look
ing about the little place curiously.
That one Bud took us to yesterday
was the first. Just wait, Aunt Enid,
before we're through, we're going to
eat in every restaurant in New York.
Good Lord, child. what an ambi-
toni" l smiled.
This day was given over to sight
seeing. But first we went back to
our room.
1T is dingy." | said, critical for the
first time. I looked about it, the faded
tan walls. the ornate lace curtains,
clean enough, but with gray-clean-
ness that would have shocked the soul
Of any country woman brought up to
sun-bleached clothes. They were torn,
too, In dozens of places, and the car
pet was worn to the back. 1t, too,
was a faded tan, and the counterpart
had also the gray cleanness that
comes from careless washing and in
door drying.
Violet went to the closet and took
down my Paisley shawl, a possession
of my mothers. She mounted chair
and hung it against the wall, twisting
the fringe in some tacks to catch it.
1t made a gorgeous pattern on the long
bare wall.
Then the girl, her eyes alight with
inspiration, unpacked the big patch
work quilt Esther had sent us, and
flung it over the terrible counterpart
Last, she brought out her yellow silk
scarf and threw it over the bureau.
There" she said, stepping back to
view the room.
And, indeed, with those three things
she had turned piece of dingy ugli'
ness into one Of life and color.
Violet had the homemaker's touch
1t was never so much what she did,
as the way she did it. The woman
who has that touch, carries a magic
wand with her, to transform barren
places into comfortable homes. Such
4 woman has a thousand times more
chance of being happy than the one
who accepts the ugly places, and com
plains of them, without trying to bet
ter them.
But the girl herself, more than her
actions, worked the transformation
Violet was so alive, she glowed with
health, and radiated happiness. Part
ly under her influence, partly because
the sense of oppression that Esther
exercised began to lift, l. too, found
myself feeling lighter and happier.
At this moment, there was knock
and Mrs. Topper put her head in the
doorway around the open door.
Il guess these is for YOU" and she
held out a couple of envelopes. Il see
they're both addressed to Miss One
is Miss Violet Haines. Ones Miss
Enid. Is that how it's pronounced
Haines?'
I'm Miss Enid" | answered, hold
ing out my hand. I'm Miss Violet's
aunt
Il thought you wasn't her mother
/ told 'em so too. Them at the door
asked me last night when you went
in. | says | knew you wasn't married.
She did not say | looked like an Ole
maid. Henly Falls would scarcely
have been so conSiderate.
Il see you been dom things to the
room,'' she went on.
"Of course if you mind" vi begar
sarcastically.
Mind? Oh. no. never take nc
one but nice people. And nice people