Norwich bulletin., 1920-08-24
SAID WITH FLOWERS

Lewis Denton stretched himself with aa weary sigh and ran his hand through his curly brown hair He looked with tired satisfaction at the pile of papers on his desk, in his gray eyes the contented light of work well done.
 "It's been hard week." he muttered, "but I've caught up again now. Well, it's Saturday afternoon and I guess I'll take a holiday. I told Bella I'd sure be home early today and take the children out, but I guess I'll call it off" He reached for the telephone and called his home number 1 Hello, Bella, mind if take in a show today? ri be home to supper with my ]! usual appetite. The children expecting me? Well. I need a change from this eternal grind at the office. That's a good old sport. All right, good-by." He hesitated a moment after he hung up for his wife's voice had sounded wist- ful, though she had gallantly told him to run away and play, as she knew he worked hard.
 "A man has to get away and rest his brain," he assured himself. to silence the guilty voice in his heart. In the pretty suburban home Bella turned slowly away from the phone and faced the eager, anxious glances of the year old twins.
 No, daddy is not coming home early, after all she said sorrowfuily. Let's put away his dinner and save the sur prises for next time" Hes always coming next time" vail ed Bessie, while Bob gulped and rubbed his eyes.
 we have such good times when he comes, but he don't con1e.'' sniffed the little boy.
 Daddy works very hard and needs a change explained their mother. but we'll have a good time by ourselves. We'll take little walk. No. I'm not too tired to go as far as the park. We'll come home early and have tea party
 Bella smiled brightly and the little downcast faces frightened in response She sighed as the children scampered away for their coats. for it had been a full week and the position of housekeeper and mother, wife and nursemaid kept her busy every minute. She had looked for ward to the afternoon holiday for the companionship of her husband and the rest rest he brought by sharing the care of the children.
 Silly woman" she scolded herself as she put on her hat; you're lucky to have a dear, good husband anyway. There's lots worse things he might do than go to the movies on Saturday afternoon"
 In the theatre, crowded with people en- toying their half holiday. Lewis watched and laughed and forgot his business wor- ries.
 That's a pretty thing" he murmured as a quartet of f1ower-laden girls ripped on to the stage.
 They can sing" he thought as their sweet young voices sang the old-time melodies, while the quaint hoopskirts fes- tooned with flowers swayed back and forth in sedate minuets and graceful waltzes.
 At the hearty encore they srilingly re- turned, bringing large fiower-flled bas- kets on their arms, tossing roses on the stage as they sang a tender little love song:
 'The roses will tell that you love her
 dearly.
 The violets that you love sincerely, The lily speaks of devotion
 With love as deep as the ocean Each little flower will tell that you love
 her"
 Over and over, as the quartet glided away, came the chorus, first loudly and then softly and hauntingly: Say it with flowers, the fairest that
 grow
 They'll bear message from you. Say it with flowers
 Tulips, carnations and Tiolets, too Say it with flowers"
 The lights and people faded away and suddenly Lewis saw again the square hall of the big. old church in the little town of his boyhood, on droWsy Sunday morning He saw himself standing at the foot of the stairs waiting for Bella. She came down slowly, her fair hair shining in the noontirle sun, her blue eyes sweetly serious as she listened to the white-haired lady at her side.
 When they reached Lewis the little old lady shook a playful finger at him as she