The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-19
Chapters From a
Woman s Life
MRS. PAGE RETURNS WITH A
MAID -
BY JANE PHELPS

N1<11D
Chapter 3s.
Jennie had been gone a few mo-
ments. and I was standing at the win
dow, when 1 saw a taxi stop at the
curb. Mrs. Page alighted and follow
ing her was tall, lanky woman carry
ing a rusty black bag. She had kept
her word, had brought a maid with
her.
slipped into my room. She desired
to run things. would let her. 1 had
fHlly determined to do no more about
the house than I had been doing to
help Jennie.
t'Doreen,k Mrs. Page called.
Yes" 1 replied, stepping into the
This is Mary Pagan. I have hired
her. Mary, this is Mrs. Page, my sons
wife. She will show you your room,
and the Kitchen
Come this way?" I said quietly,
noting the sour-faced middle-aged
woman, SO different from Jennie.
I showed her her room, told her to
leave her bag, then led the way to the
kitchen.
you will find enough in the ice-box
for luncheon" I said. I'VE have it
promptly at one" I walked out of the
kitchen.
'she had good references?'' I asked
Mrs. Page.
Excellent. read them carefully -
Did you call up any of the peo-
= ~A@N~
them ?'
There was no need" she replied
stifiy. aside from her written refer
ences, anna good reader of character.
sure"
Il sincerely hope so, I should hate
to have the remainder of your visit
spoiled by another poor servant. Jen-
ME left this morning"
At one o'clock the bell tangled
nniSiIu re pa Iar h nd
her ears.
You failed to tell Mary not to ring
that thing; to announce meals?" she
questioned.
''why yes, did forget. Yet If she is
a perfect servant as you claim, should
it have been necessary?"
wen excuse it this time; but please
do not let it happen again. she re-
piled, following me into the dining
room.
Mary. Mrs. Page doesn't like bell
rung to announce a meal is ready.
Hereafter you will come to the door of
the room where we are and say: Ma
dame, dinner Cor luncheon) is
mot mel" Mary's arms akinbo,
hands resting on hips. IF youse want
to put on style youse will have to have
more'n one girf.'
I bit my lips to keep back a smile
and looked enquirfngly at my mother
in-Iaw
''Tll talk to you after luncheon" she
said to Mary.
The luncheon was well cooked, but
she had given US only what was prac-
tically ready-had broiled the chops
and made salad. But we invariably,
since Mrs. Pages advent, had either
toast or hot biscuits of some sort for
luncheon. She never ate cold bread
There was no dessert, Jennie always
fixed something simple, a custard, or
hot gingerbread for US.
Bring a jar of JAM told-Mary
when she informed me she had noth-
ing more. But Mrs. Page declared she
didn't care for it, and I meekly fol-
lowed her from the room.
Dinner was better. But her sour
face caused Walter to say it took away
his "a appetite and ask where Jennie was.
Your mother insisted I discharge
her. She was very kind and found
Mary" said in pleasant voice.
'Oh, we'll! I suppose 1 don't know
anything about such things, but I'd
rather have Jennie's good natured face
around and less to eat. than that cross
looking creature. I'll bet she has a
temper. Better keep away from her
Doreen. She's bigger than yeu." he
joked in his careless way. II noticed
the bell for dinner and wondered what
it meant"
"Oh, Til keep out of her way all
right! Mrs. Page is going to caution
her about the bell.'
'1'Il bet she drinks!" he said to me
when we were alone.
'1 hope she does" I replied, and
a1tho he was curious, 1 made no ex-
PLANTATION.
Mary has consented to announce
the meals Mrs. Page said with self
satisfied air, as she Joined US. IT'S
all in management, Doreen. Not be-
ing accustomed to servants, naturally
you fail in knowing how to handle
them
(Tomorrow-A disorganized house
hold.)