Rockingham post-dispatch., 1921-03-03
Relatives
By CLARA BARTON
q. l0ai. western Newspaper Union.l

1
| Smiths Invitation in such an ungra-
cious, abrupt manner" asked Elsie in
astonishnlent.
"Didn't you hear her intimate that
she'd treat me just like one OF the
family?"
Isn't that the height of hospitality,
to make guests feel as If they were
at homer"
"There's no place just like home"
answered Helen emphatically, land I'm
rather glad of it. Who wants to be
treated when she's visiting with that
easy familiarity and the realisms
showered upon relative?"
| ~ haven't done much globe trotting
and my experience has been rather
limited" said Elsie. but what has
made you so cynical?
"When visited my aristocratlc cou-
sins the Sterlings, was received with
cordial greetings and had visions of
a very gay weekend, until Cousin Jane
announced, Put your wraps and bag
anywhere; the maid is out. 1 hope
you're not hungry as we have only
| light lunch. We're not going to make
any fuss over you, but treat you just
as though you were one of u.s.
Didn't you have enough to satiate
your hunger?"
Hardly. A simple repast served on
gorgeous dishes is no more sustaining,
even if a butler. stands In back Of you
and picks up your napkin, than if you
are served on premium dishes that
come with a pound of coffee. We were
hardly through when the baby com
menced to whine. Wen have to stay
with her while the nurse goes on an
errand,' said my hostess. The next
hour was spent in entertaining the
youngster, who broke my eyeglasses
and then laughed with JOY"
| 81 suppose you had to meet all Of
your cousins friends and be on eX-
hibition the rest of the time said
Elsie sympathetlcally.
"No such luck. AS the infant could
not be trusted alone he was left in my
charge for the greater part of the af-
ternoOn while Mrs. Sterling enter.
tanned company. Upon the departure
of her visitors, my aristocratic cousin
said in her most charming manner.
I}'Dearie, Mrs. johnson can't attend the
meeting of the U. S. L., so l have to
write paper to read In place of hers.
Will you assist me? You're so clever,
1t will be real quiet here tonight.
knew you'd prefer spending the eve
ming with us rather than by being
| bored by strangers"
"How selfish. Didn't you meet any
young menP
"Not that you could notice 1t. We
labored over the intricacies of the suf-
frage question until crept to my room
weary with the words, Votes for
Women ringing in Sny ears. Hardly
had fallen asleep when a laundering
= knock at the door awakened me. Has
tily dressing l rushed downstairs tC
inquire what the trouble was. My
, host accosted me with smile. We're
early risers, he said. Usually ouI
: guests have their breakfasts in theil
room, but as you're just like one Of
the family, we thought you'd prefer
: to join u.s. Didn't you rest well? Yor
look rather tired assured him
felt splendid, and then sat down tt
listen to family arguments and com
plants about the high cost Of living
eytravagant wives, and sarcastic re
marks about husbands who were grow
ing too stout"
Rather interesting" commented
f Elsie. you're usually so tactful
presume you had eyes that. didn't SCI
e and ears that didn't hear family squad
bles."
"Just So"
II "Did you go motoring often?"
"No. l was compelled to refuse al
invitation as my cousin said it was s,
n rarely she had anyone whom she cOul,
! trust to tell how a gown would fit
that should 60 with her to the dress
maker. Do you think 1t was any grea
pleasure to go to the florists and t
F" the caterers to order flowers ant
a French pastry for dinner to be give
vi after I left7"
a "At any rate, you didn't have an
:. expense" said practical Elsie
"You forget the tips for the sery
IL ants, and the presents fot the chiidrer
c. Then Mrs. Sterling forgot her gol
toI bag and had to borrow mine, saying
There's no one I'd rather ask tina
you Evidently five dollars is met
IS trifle to her, for she didn't return tn
he money left in 1t and never had tn
arl courage to give her gentle reminde
That evening was requested to sh6
~ the cook how to make a fish timbal
III with mushrooms"
Is "Did they compliment you or you
culinary ability?"
"Not nearly as much as they b,
moaned the. fact that I burnt one
e. the cooks favorite pans, and that 81
II, threatened to leave, because strangel
40 came into her kitchen"
Z. did you remain long?" interrupte
w Elsie in sympathetic tone.
ne 'aToo long. was persuaded to tel
re graph Carl that it was an utter ID