The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-15
Chapters From a
Woman s Life
DOREEN PLANS A DINNER FOL;
MRS. PAGE
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 5

Chapter S5.
''I think Doreen we'd better give a
little dinner for mother, what do you
say?" Walter was shaving and turned.
his face covered with lather
Yes. if you think can do it. She
is so awfully particular and with only
Jennie
"oh, you'll do it all right Not a
large dinner. just some of the older
people she has met. Mr.. and Mrs.
Gordon. Might have Claire too, the
Mater likes her, and the Howards.
That will be only five, besides our
| selves, eight in all.''
VERY well. I'll do the best I can
| 1t was the morning after our lovely
afternoon in the country. and after
Mrs Pages pleasant recognition of my
| efforts to make her room dainty, felt
I could attempt almost anything in
my present mood. Yet 1 knew if my
dinner were not perfect it would be
| better not to have attempted it-that
she would not be flattered unless
everything was done as it should be
as she thought it should be.
At breakfast she, told us all about her
visit to Mrs. Eldredge, spoke of her
patience, her beautiful character; ex-
patiated upon her fondness for ami
mails, her delight in Fido. 1 waited
until she had finished, then spoke of
our plan.
'I think 1 will have small dinner
party" 1 said and mentioned the
names of those Walter had suggested
Ou nave Deen with US some tim e
and I think it would be pleasant
1T would under certain conditions" +"
she replied. But I doubt your ability
to manage a formal dinner"
why not have it informal" Walter
suggested before ] could speak.
IAN informal dinner party is an
abomination." his mother replied. IAN
informal tea, or supper, yes. But a
dinner!" her voice held horror at the
thought.
"Well, think you can trust Doreen
not to make any very great blunders.
So get the invites off, dear" to me,
"and well have it the first of the
week"
After breakfast I sent off my invita-
tions. Then, altho the dinner was
nearly a week away, commenced to
think of the menu.
Mrs. Page, seeing me occupied at my
desk said
when you have your menu ready
let me see it,
ooh, 1 Aavh't decided anything yet!''
replied. Then, seeing her frown,
You may be able to suggest some
very likely" she returned pursing
her lips in a way she had that I de-
tested.
I told Jennie we were going to give
a dinner but that 1 would have some
of the things prepared outside.
IT WOULDN'T 3s be, be no 40 better better for doin
never has no taste like them you cooks
at home"
''TH get the dessert, anyway" I told
her. II guess we can manage the
rest"
81 should say we could!" she replied,
almost insulted that had doubted our
ability to cook and serve a dinner.
I did little less for two days than
make up menus. and discard them.
Then finally took one to Mrs. Page |
and asked:
what do you think of this?''
She read it over carefully, suggested
a different soup and salad, but ap-
proved of the other things.
eff it is properly cooked and served
it will do very we'll she said.
The day of the dinner was a busy |
one for me. I was perhaps foolishly |
anxious that everything should be per-
feet. I really wanted to please my |
to show her 1 could do |
things right; also. I wanted to make |
any slurring remarks impossible.
My finest linen, my best china, silve
and glass were laid out. the glass TO
have a last polish, the silver to be
rubbed up again. I bought flowers for
L lovely low centerpiece, and some for
the mantle, as well as for the table in
he living room. There would be an I
even number, and Walter had pro-
posed we have bridge after dinner
Mrs. Page was very fond of the game;
IN excellent player. When walter
.ane in about 2 o'clock he asked:
Flows everything going Dereen? ?"
''Al1 right so far, but pray that MOTH
ng goes wrong tonight"
He laughed, kissed me, and hurried
Jack to the studio, promising to return
,arly to dress.
(Tomorrow-The dinner party.)