The Pulaskian., 1921-12-22

Don't you think your cousin Herbert and Henry Rooter have got the incest eyes of any boy in town?"
 "Who?' Florence was staggered.
 T do," Patty said in her charming voice. T think Herbert and Henry've got the incest eyes of any boy in town"
 You do2" Florence cried incred- ulously.
 Yes really do, Florence. I think Herbert Atwater and Henry Rooter have got just. the incest eyes of any boy in town"
 "Well, I never heard anything like 1 this before!' Florence declared.
 But don't you think they've got the incest eyes of any boy in town?" Pat ty insisted, appealingly. q think" said Florence, "Their eyes are just horrable!" "What?"
 "Herbert's eyes," continued Flor ence ardently, "are the very worst loolzin' ole squinty eyes I ever saw, and that nasty little Henry Rooter's eyes"
 But Patty suddenly became fidgety; she hurried away from the fence. Come over here, Florence" she said. Let's go over to the other side of the yard and talk.'' And it was time for her to take some such action if she wished to show any tact Messrs. Atwater and Rooter, seated quietly together upon box on the other side of the fence tthough with their backs to the knot hole) were beginning to show signs of inward disturbance. Already flushed with unexpected ineffabilities, their compilations had grown even pinker upon Florence's open-hearted expres- sions of opinion. Slowly they turned their heads to look sternly at the fence, upon the other side of which stood the maligner of their eyes. Not that they cared what that ole girl thought-but she oughtn't to be al- lowed to go around talking like this and perhaps prejudicing everybody that had word to say for them.
 Come on over here, Florence" called Patty huskily, from the other side of the yard. Lets talk over here.''
 Florence was puzzled, but consent ed. What you want to talk over here forY' she asked.
 "Oh, I don't know" said Patty. Let's go out in the front yard'
 She led the way around the house, and moment later uttered a cry of surprise as the firm of Atwater & Rooter, passing along the pavement, hesitated at the gate. Their celebrat- ed eyes showed some doubt for mo- ment, then brazenness; Herbert and Henry decided to come in..
 Isn't this the funniest thing?" cried Patty. After what I just a while ago-you know, Florence. Don't you dare to tell 'em."
 T cert'nly won'tl' her hostess promised and, turning inhospitably to the two callers, What on earth you want round here?" she inquired
 Herbert chivalrously took the duty of response upon himself. Look here; this is my own aunt and uncle's yard, isn't it? If I want to come in 1t, I got perfect right to-"
 "I should say so,' his partner said warmly.
 "Why, of coursew the cordial Patty agreed. "We can play some nice Sun day games, or something. Let's sit on the porch steps and think what to do."
 q just as soon" said Henry Rooter. q got nothin' p'ticular to do."
 q haven't, either" said Herbert.
 Thereupon, Patty sat between them on the steps. "I'his is per-fickly grand p she cried. Come on, Flor ence, aren't you going to sit down with all the rest of us?"
 "Well. pray kindly excuse mel" said Miss Atwater; and she added that she would neither sit on the same steps with Herbert Atwater and Henry Rooter, nor, even if they en- treated her with accompanying genu- factions, would she have anything else whatever to do with them. She with drew to the railing of the porch at a point farthest from the steps, and, seated there, swung one foot rhythmic ally and sang hymns in tone at once plafntive and inimical.
 It was not lost upon her, however, that her withdrawal had little de- pressing effect upon her guests. They chattered gaily and Patty devised, or remembered, harmless little games which could be played by few peo- pie as well as by many; and the three participants were so congenial and noisy and made so merry that, before long. Florence was unable to avoid the impression that, whether she liked 1t or not, she was giving quite party.
 Henry Rooter-Herbert, too they make sick-that's what II kk.w 1< ss II |