New Britain herald., 1922-03-24
The Way Katie "Eircd Herself"

II.
 katie's course from the door oi The restaurant kitchen to my chair was as direct as that of an arrow shot from a how.
 She paid no more heed to the little waiter seated upon the floor wtth the broken dishes of his tray scattered around him than she did to the out ragged proprietor, who, at her tempes- pestuous entrance, had left his seat at the desk in the front and rushed toward our table.
 Here Here Vot you tink you do?" he sputtered You no hizncss out of kitchen. Get back, und l take dees stuff you spoil out your pay"
 By this time Katie was clingng to me. much to my embarrassment, grooming over me, her fingers gingerly exploring my bruised forehead, She royalty ignored the protesting pro- prietor, presenting an uncompromis- ing back 10 him.
 "oh. vot happener to you, my dear Messis Graham?" she walled. You look as eef you almost keeled. You sure you not better in hospital?"
 No, Katie, l am all right now l said reassuringly. "A door swung to and hit me, but I'm all right now"
 A snort, it could be called nothing else, came from the little waiter who was painfully picking mp the remnants sound but more expressive noise l never heard in my life. Dicky chuckled audihly.
 You may be able to get away with that explanation 10 everybody else" he said teasingly, but our diminutive friend over there--he knows! You can't rob me of any of my caveman glory in his eyes"
 ''Vot foolishness you talk Meester Graham, Say! You peeg-you spoiled bunch of soup greens--who you tink you are anyway? Shut your old trap now qveeck, or I shut eet for you---und take your dirty hand off me-" q
 Katie Leaves.
 For a second I thought Katie had taken leave of her senses and was ad- dressing Dicky in this choice assort- ment of Billingsgate, for she had not turned her head. Then l saw that the proprietor. evidently resenting her Ignoring of his command. had laid remonstratinE and angry hand upon her arm. I wondered why he had not discharged her for her first breach Of discipline, then I reflected that he probably was shrewd enough 10 realize the girls vaue in his kitchen, But her abuse brought a mottling red to hi oho to his eyes.
 "You get back in dot kitchen, dis meenit," he growled, Tor I fire you now"
 Katie whired and faced him, the light of battle in her eyes.
 You fire mel she said in a clarion voice. You Wy you poor shrimp. you talk like you somebody. I let nobody fire mo. not even my dear dir ling Meesis Graham. l discharge myself, tNs meenit. Mecsis Graham, don't you eat nodings here. Eef you could see dot icebox--"
 Hush, katie.' I said peremptoriy, for l saw that the, proprietor by this time was reallyV enraged, and I dreaded an unpleasant scene. "Gete your things at once, and we will leave. but. of course, we we will pay for our order" l said the last words slowly and distinctly, that the proprietor might be sure to hear them.
 All right" Katie reioined obedi- ently. T coon back right away
 You no get vun cent vages,' the proprietor said savagely. "und you no leave here till you pay for dose broken tings und dot spoiled food"
 "Soied food." Katie flung back at him. "Eet couldn't be worse spoiled dan eet vas before eet cooked"
 You dam" The man had but begun a string of epthets, when Dicky shot out a powerful arm and gripped him firmly,
 Dicky Settles the Bill.
 Cut that out!" he commanded crspy. Now, tell me what that upset tray was worth. No. on second thought. I guess I'll not hand you fat chance like that, l'lI just estimate it myself. Bring that back here" The little waiter who was almost at the door with his reassembled tray by this time, came back submissively at picky's command His furtiyc glance at my black eye as he did so be- trayed the determination he had not to offend so masterful man with such visible evidence of the prowess of his fist.
 "H-m! Coffee cup intact--pate and glass broken--coffee and meat |
 --------------