South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-25
THE WAY MADGE "TRANSIIAT-
ED" KATIE To MRS. TIGER.

ED" KATIE To MRS. TIGER.
From the kitchen, as / neared II,
came the sound Of feminine voices
-Katie's shrill and rapid, Mrs.
TIGERS deep and measured.
I quickened my footsteps almost
10 a run. for there was danger OF a
domestic catastrophe # these dis
| tinctly opposing types OF femininity
became engaged in any argument.
I certainly am not anxious TO,
| help you. i heard Mrs. TIGERS voice
say calmly as I reached the door.
7 would not have come in here at
all, but old Mrs Graham asked me
ITO get supper I supposed you were
still in bed where you've been for
| three days"
There was an edge TO Mrs. TIGERS
calm voice which told me she was.
/ in her own parlance, "huffy," and
which / knew was enough 10 drive
Katie into hysterical anger.
''Vot ess eet your beeznis we're l
vos?" she demanded holly. 4 no
tell you notings ven you go by your
bed. You tell me notings about my
beeznis. IND I tell you NOW. no
body but me, myself, feexes supper
for my darling Meesis Graham
She had not seen me enter, and
behind her back I made a silent
appeal for tolerance 10 Mrs. TIGER,
whose always highly-colored face
was taking on the hue of a turkey
gobbler's. while was afraid that the
buttons Of her tight gown would
share the fate Of Peggotty's If she
became much angrier. I crossed TO
Katie's side, placed myself between
her and Mrs. TIGER, so that the elder
woman could not see Katie's face,
and murmured softly, but firmly:
Katie. If you want me to save
you as you said. you must stop this
at once. and tell Mrs. TIGER you are
sorry for speaking to her so rudely.'
'Det Us Both Help"
She looked at me in widely rebel
ious fashion for an instant. Then,
either the thought of her great
danger. or the old habit Of obedience
to me put its curb upon her. and she
lodged around me, both hands out
stretched 10 Mrs. TIGER Katie never
does anything by halves.
II shame myself. Meesis Ticer"
she said contritely. Il no beeznis
spik like dot to yo+i. You plees for
gif?"
cot course, Katie" Mrs. TIGERS
, smile illuminated her whole face. 4
, knew you didn't mean it. And now
let me help you"
Let us both help you, Katie"
said. deeming il wiser 10 retain my
: place as a buffer between the two.
Mr. Graham is awfully hungry,
! and"
Il know" Katie interrupted with
! cheerful unconscious impertinence.
} He shoost like vun old bear got
sore head, ees Meester Graham ven
he hoongry. But I know vot he
like. eef he hoongry. und dot qveeck,
too-ham and eggs. und fashed
brown potatoes. ind hot beeskit.
, und preserved strawberries, Nnd a
salad"
Don't name anything else, Katie,
or I shall begin TO eat you!" I cried
and in her answering giggle and Mrs
TIGERS broad smile I saw the final
5 averting of hostilities.
Lillian is Amused.
But I stayed in the kitchen trans
lating Katie's orders into requests
for the benefit Of touchy Mrs. TIGER
and working feverishly myself until
in really credita ole time the deiic-
:ous supper was on the table, and
the family gathered eagerly around
it.
We're well sandwiched. five
= grownups, and FIVE youngsters.
e Dicl1y commented genially from the
= head OF the table-the prospect OF
. food when he is hungry always
makes him good-natured. Eliza
e beth, your four and Marion ought
to have some bang-up times here
; Mrs. Harrison smiled vaugely al
s him.
Il am afraid my children's play
= would alarm Mrs. Underwood s
, daughter" she said sweetly. II find
I so few children who can enter into
I it."
+. I never have heard anything more
subtly offensive than her tone. II
= sweepingly consigned Marion 70 the
e outer limbo Of those who never
y can know and never can under
r stand" and contrasted her ordinary
[ mind with the rarefed intellects 81
q her own darlings. l glanced across
- the table at Lillian. expecting TO sec
, her furiOusly angry. But I had for
r gotten her inestimable gift Of humor
Her eyes We're dancing. and with
out laughing or even smiling