Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-03
CHAPTER XII
From CamilIa's Diary


TT is nearly six months since I came
L to live with Mrs. Francis, and I like
housework so well and am so happy at
1t, that 1t shows clearly that / am not
a disguised heiress. My proud spirit
does not chafe bit at having to serve
meals and wear cap (you should see
how sweet / look in a cap). l haven't
got the fear on my heart all day that I
will make mistake In a figure that will
rise up and condemn me at the end OF
the month as used to be when was
bookkeeping on a high stool for the
Western Hail and Fire Insurance Com
pany (peace to its ashes y can work Is
expression" Fra Elbertus says, so why
may i not express myself in blueberry
pie and tomato soup? ....
Mrs, Francis Is an appreciative mis-.
tress, and she is not so entirely wrap
ped up in Browning as to be insensible
to a good salad either, am glad to say.
One night after we had company and
everything had gone of we'll, Mr..
Francis came out into the kitchen, and
looked over his glasses at me.
He opened his mouth twice to speak, &,
but seemed to change his mind. ] knew
what was struggling for utterance.
Then he laid fifty cents on the window
sill, pointed at it, nodded to me, and
went out hurriedly. My first impulse
was to hand it back-then ] thought
better Of it---words do not come cas- I.
lily to him. So he expressed himself
in currency. put the money into my
purse for luck penny.
Mrs. Francis is as serene as q sum :
mer sea, and can look at you without
knowing you are there. Mr.. Francis is
peaceful man, too. He looks at his
wife in helpless way when she begins
Elizabethan and the Victorian poets
I don't believe he cares a cent for either
Of them.
Mrs. Francis entertains quite bit
! like it, too, and ! do not go and cry
into the sink because l have to wait on
the guests. She entertains well aud IL
delightful hostess. but some Of the
people whom she entertains do not ap-
precinte her flights Of fancy.
I do not like to see them wink al
each other, although know it Is funny
to hear Mrs. Francis elaborate on the
mothers influence in the homo and thu
proper way to deal with seltishness IL
children but she means well, and they
should remember that, no matter how
funny she gets.
April 1S--She gave me surprise to
day. She called me upstairs and reat
to me paper she was preparing to reat
before some society--she belongs t
three or four--on the domestic he'll
problem. Well, it hadn't very much Il
do with the domestic help problem, bu
Of course 1 could not tell her that. s,
when she asked me what thought O
it said:
IF all employers we're as kind as 70,
and Mr.. Francis there would be no do
nestle help problem"
She looked ut me suddenly, and some
thing seemed to strike her. believ
It came to her that ] was creature o
like passions with herself. capable o
gratitude, perhaps in need Of encour
agement. Hitherto / think she has re
garded me as a porridge and cofe
machine.
She put her arm around me and kisse,
me.
Camilla" she said gently-she ha
the softest, dreamiest voice l eve
Iheard-"I believe in the aristocracy o
brains and virtue. You have both.
Farewell, oh Soulless Corporation
A long. last, lingering farewell, for Ca
milla Il. Rose, who used to sit upol
the high stool and add figures for 70,
ut $40 q week. Is far away maxim
toast for two kindly souls, one Of whom
tells her she has brains and virtue an
he other one opens his mouth to speak
and then pushes fifty cents at her in
stead.
Danny Watson. bless his little heart
is bringing madam up. lie has woun
himself into her heart and the why
ness of the what" is packing up to &c
May Mrs. Francis is going sill
over Danny. 4 few days ago sh
asked mo il could cut n pattern fo
II pair of pants. told her / had mad
pants once or twice aud meekly in
ouired whom she wanted the pants for
She said for a boy. of coursc--an
she looked at me rather severely.
knew they must BE- for Danny, and Gu
the pattern about the size for him. Sh
went into tho sewing room, and onl
saw her at meal times fortwo days. Sh
wrestled with the garment.
! CONTINUED MONDAY