Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-05-19
THURSDAY.

Belle was rather anxious to know
what you would like for a birthday
present, Mary" observed Henry, as she
Joined him In the living room after put
ting Betty to bed. "She seemed to think
I ought to know and expected me to
tell her. but for the life Of me 1 couldn't
suggest a thing that I'd heard you say
you wanted"
at suppose she will dash out tofnor-
row and buy me some cool thing to
wear-or at least that can never wear,
replied Mrs. Hooper, as she sat down 10
hem by hand the skirt Of the nc" graz
tricotine dress that was fast nearing
completion.
Il wish Belle could be made to under
stand that she almost ruins the senti-
ment attaching TO the celebration OF our
family birthdays by making her preten-
tious gift the most important feature OF
coming to dinner with US" said Henry
as he turned over the pages Of magazine
in search Of something to read aloud TO
his wife while she sewed. But there
isn't any use of trying to head her on.
Mrs. Hooper laughed -naturedIy'
ssI wouldn't mind it so much she
didn't buv me hats and blouses-that are
40 expensive and so ugly. But lets mot
criticize our relations after the reprl-
uand gave Helen this morning TOT
,ossininc about her mother to the girls.
oDon't Won think Helen is getting
bit impertiuent-or perhaps dip is
ha++or wsv to describe it," inquired
Henry mildly. e.. A.
at have been watching Helen for the
mast two weeks and I'm rather puzzleu
abort her" admitted Mrs. Hooper, ana
intend to get at the bottom OF the
mystery very shortly. But TO change tue
subject" she continued, Il wish you
would take forty dollars up to the city
with YOU In the morning and pay tne
premium on our house and furniture IN
surance. It is due this week, you know
VERY WELL" answered Henry. no"
much did you pay the carpenter Aof
putting up those screens1
"Just six dollars" said Mrs. Hooper
reaching for her housekeeping book that
lay on her desk.
sWeu that is all right" remarked
Horny. sThere isn't anything else that
needs immediate attention, is there
"No." replied Mrs. Hooper. 1 shall
have the kitchen done over bit later,
but it will be mostly painting and put
ting I'D a few new shelves and Roger
and I can do that very nicely with
little expense.
"Our little party to the city and the
theater tickets will about wipe out the
Advancement part Of the budget and
when / pay an installment OF fifty dol
lars on the washing machine the operat-
ing expense surplus will be eliminated
also"
But why worry, since all your bal
ances are turned into proper channels
when you do spend themf p observed
Henry. 1.-THE equilibrium Of your bud
get isn't disturbed and you just begin
assembling a surplus again"
ct takes great strength Of mind. I as
sure you, Henry" laughed Mrs Hooper,
ito keep me from punching a few of
these balances and insisting on your
buying a new summer suit"
We've always gone over the same old
story, Mary" was Henry's rejoinder.
whenever you thought any Of us needed
anything that couldn't wait until the
proper fund was large enough to buy it.
But you never have yielded to the temp
tation to do fl yet"
Il expect I shall some day" said Mrs.
Hooper ruefully. when l think how
I've fallen from grace by planning to
buy the watching machine on the install
ment plan shall never feel very certain
OF myself again.
Besides" concluded Henry as he pre-
pared to begin the reading Of a short
story by an amusing author they both
liked, II don't need a new summer suit.
l had one last year which will do me
for two seasons anyhow-perhaps three"
Mrs Hooper's shopping for the week
had been rather light in spite of the
fact that she was preparing for a dinner
of a little more pretention for Sunday.
Rather. this was the reason that her
marketing was a little more sparing-as
she cut down her meat bill for the rest
of the week to make way for the expense
of the fried chicken for the family and
two guests on Sunday Also they were to
have ice cream and she spent the 0S
cents Of her months food surplus for
nuts and raisins and mint candles as a