New-York tribune., 1921-12-04
Alfred Colt

piano mango. la ike really good dinner
turkey-or a steak that cost dollar and
half a pound, with fresh mushrooms and
artichokes They're so cents apiece now)
And alligator pear salad, followed by real
dessert and Roquefort cheese and-and-after
dinner mints"
She gazed defantly around at her astounded
listeners and wild laugh burst from her
lips. She realized she was almost free-free
from toadying and subterfuge and everlast,
ing pretense. Free from always being on the
defensive, eternally smoothing things over
ashamed, hurt.
"1f / ever see prunes growing on trees" she
went on recklessly, "and I look at them they
Will wither on the branch' This coffee" she
took sip and made grimace isn't fit to
drink. like good coffee, but this cost only 25
cents pound, so what can one expect?"
Spellbound, fascinated, the boarders regard
ed the woman at the head of the table as she
swept on: Il guess we will all be glad of
change. This house is shabby and run down.
Needs a lot of repairs and new furnishings to
make it liveable. only regret that this didn't
happen before the war; instead of struggling
through all that high cost of living business
hoping things would get better. Well, got
through it somehow, but / think I've had about
enough!" She arose and with no little dignity
bowed and left the room.
''Well, declare" Mrs. Cribbage broke TIE
silence. II didn't think that was such bad
dinner; that is, not any worse than usual"
The next evening as the boarders came
trooping home it was Mrs. Cribbage who broke
the news to each arrival.
"The deals busted" she cried iubilant1v
And the agent is going to give her lease.
Seems the man backed out and the owners
have decided not to SELL Isn't it splendid for
poor, dear Mrs. Canary? She's got on her
black canton crepe and diamond earrings. I
didn't know she'd taken them out again"
Something smells good,' commented Dave
But that's nothing to bank Nothing makes
a Shower odor than that confounded lamb
stew when it's cooking"
"Good evening, everybody" greeted the land
lady, calm and serene at the head Of her table
II suppose" with lift of the brows in the di-
rection of the old lady, "Mrs. Crbbage has
told you the news? At least we aren't to be
put out in The street in the midst of a snow
storm. The agent has offered to give me a
lease. told him I would give him my an
swer tomorrow at 2 o'clock"
demanded Mrs. Cribbage excitedly.
Mrs. Canary smiled inscrutably. "well,
really, don't know. must consider the mat
ter carefully. l asked my friend, the Major,
to come over this evening to discuss it with
me. His advice is excellent. For years he has
been urging me to give this place up'--
The protests that broke out drowned the
speakers voice.
why, Mrs. Canary you've just got to stay
doomed Dawes voice. "You can't turn your
little family out into the world. Don't we all
look on this as our home and regard you just
like our mother?"
mo other place would seem like home
echoed May Whitley.
Didn't I come right here when I got back
from France?" demanded Gertie Golightly.
Wasn't it the only place l had to call home
and the only folks I had to welcome me-na
being out in Seattle at the time?"
Mr.. Binney and myself just couldn't recon-
clle ourselves to living anywhere else Why,
Mrs. Canary you must keep on here"
Another matter suddenly claimed attention.
1t was the dinner; the ideal meal of Mrs Ca
narys outburst of the night before.
Its as good as you'd get in a restaurant"
rejoiced Mrs. Cribbage with full heart-and
mouth
1T is a fairly good dinner admitted Mrs.
Canary coolly. 'If had the money no one
would enjoy marketing extravagantly more
than would. If l stay (doubtfuly) l go
ing to fix the place up. New curtains, chintz
covers lots of things. Of course, Dy raising
my prices could serve better meals Now
adays, if you have things first class you can
get first class prices"
Everybody hastened to assure the lady that
they didn't see anything the matter with things
exactly as they were. They were satisfied
Mrs. Canary sighed. Then she Strengthened
IN her chair and beaned, even upon Mrs. Crib
bage. You've all stood by me SO Loyalty" she
afflrmed. II just haven't the heart to break up
this happy little family" AS her eyes Travelled
around the room and alighted upon familiar
objects they were no longer sssecond hand junk
OF small value in the marlsetpace. but her own
things, elegant furnishings, in fact
What cheerful room this is!'' Miss Ounce
voiced her thought.
why don't you all come into the front
parlor?" invited Mrs. Canary.
For once everybody did, 1t was Gertie Co
lightly who began playing "Home, Swess
Home" on the tinny square piano and Dave
Hemisphere started to sing it and every ono
tiulidly Joined in and in two minutes the5o