New Britain herald., 1922-05-15
Why Lillian and Madge Postponed.
 For a Time. Tom Chestcr's story.

Tom Chester's honest. boyish face was flushed when we opened the door at his knock and he loosened his top coat with a haste that betrayed nm comfortable warmth, though the evening autumnal air was chill. That he had been running was plainly 10 be seen, and Lillian put up a playful admonishne hand as he started 10 speak
 Nothing that won't kesp a few minutes, is there 2" she asked. and al his haf-pu2zled shake Of the head she made a peremptory gesture toward the dining-room.
 of with your topcoat and into a chair" she commanded lightly We are firm believers here in the prim- itive principle, Feed the brute and we're going to act upon our principles before we have any reports or con- fab
 He shrugged out of his topcoat with a quick, graceful motion, de- posted it and his hat in the hall and followed us to the dining-room.
 You are the most wonderful peo- pie ' he said with boyish enthusiasm. Upon my word, l smell coffee I'm just beginning to realize I'm hungry. can assure you that here is a brute who's very willing to be fed"
 Don't stand on ceremony then, Lillian smiled, pushing him gently in- to a chair. wen dispense with the standing at salute until the ladies arc
  girl Madge. Bring the percolator to the table. Then we won't have ta walk so far out for second and third and fourth cups. But how are you going to keep it hot? Oh, I see You're an ingenious lady.
 An Impromptu Supper.
 had put my tiny canned-heat stove upon a small iron tray and had placed over the stove a shallow pan of bubbling hot water in which l set the percolator, The whole contrivance was on a small table at my elbow. where I could reach the coffee easly. l saw Tom Chester look at it keen ly, then he rose, came to my side of the table, and with quiet, Pardon me" lifted the small table with it's burden and carried 1t to his own side of the table.
 Tt was too near the loose sleeve it's only fair that I should have the labor of pouring the coffee. as I ain afraid I shall drink more cups than any one"
 That's why we made full pot" smiled, revising my mental estimate of MT. Chester a bit. l had thought | him a brave, resourceful, attractive l boy I still acknowledged those quail 1 ities. but now added a touch of ma turity, of dominance, which sat oddly upon its youthfulness yet still became him
 II promise fully to justify your forethought" he replied, and when the end of the impromptu supper was reached I found that he had kept his word. The percolator held barely a | spoonful of coffee when the three of us. valiant trenchermen all. rose from the table and went into the living room.
 "Xou Must"
 sur up the nre, MT. Chester, Lll- lian commanded And then-you | have our permission to smoke. I'm sure you need whiff or two.
 I took a humidor from the table l and passed it to him when he had l mended the fire, but he shook lis | head and drew cigarettes from his pocket.
 T got so used to them when l was overseas" he said, that l don't be- lieve I'll ever again be able to smoke | anything else"
 He lighted the cigarette, and after a few puffs relaxed a little from the | stiff almost military picture he had | been holding in his chair. Uncon- sciously he settled deeper into his seat. hitched the chair nearer the fire and put foot upon the fender
 This is the most home-like room I ever saw" He spoke with boyish | earnestness, punctuatng the compli- | ment with an unconscious sigh.
 We knew that he was comparing | his room in a village boarding house. | his only home since the death of his | mother, with the firelit living-room, upon whose homeliness I especially |