The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-18
Why Dieky Said to Madae THE Goals
of Fire are Searching my
Topknot"


ToPknot"
When I came down stairs I found
Dicky looking ruefully at the living
room which was literally covered with
piles of books, magazines and old
! books.
What the devils to be done?" he
said as soon as he saw me. Mother
and Cousin Agatha will have fit
when they see this mess"
His tone held distinct appeal to
me. I couldn't help contrasting it with
the gruffness Of his response but a
few hours earlier to my protests
against his bringing the stuff from
the attic into the living room.
BY adroit management I had been
able to get Dicky's mother and her
cousin agatha past the closed living
room door and up the stairs without
their noticing the rooms condition.
Since then both my mother-in-law and
had been busy Strengthening out the
domestic unpIeasantness caused by
Cousin Agatha's verbal attack upon
Katie. I knew that Dickys mother
would be occupied for sometime to
come with her cousin, who had gone
to bed with a nervous headache, so
room back in order.
A Wistful Note
But a remembrance of the arrogance
with Dicky had taken possession of
the room, giving me the alternative OF
removing all the afurniture and rugs
or having them ruined by the dusty
accumulation from the attic, hardened
my heart.
Why? They know were moving"
said nonchalently. "Of course they
expect US to he torn up. Wen just
keep this room shut until we go, and
sit in the library
You know mother hates that Ii
brary," Dicky said, despondentIy and
more than anything else she hates to
have old things around. She never
allowed any collections around her
house. I always had TO sneak my
things outside. Mother was what
they called a cracker jack house keep
err, and while she spoiled me in every
thing else. she never allowed me to
litter the house with anything"
There was wistful note in his voice
that went straight to my heart. I.
could see the child he had been. griev-
ing because he could not enjoy his
collections" in peace. Then I real
lied again the child he is, and knew
that l must mother Peter Pan, for in
the doing so lay my only chance of
happiness. / had a swift vision, gone
as soon as it had come. OF a wide-eyed
lad, mine, who should never. never
have to SNEAK" his collections" out
Of the house. and the thought of the
shadowy dream child who might not
voice tender TO my husband, although
in strict justice the vision should
have made me bitter against him.
l moved nearer to him, and put my
hand on his arm.
IF you'll bring him in and promise
to work like sixty l said gayIy. L
think we may he able to put all this
stuff in the library and get the living
room put to rights again before your
mother comes down stairs"
DIcky had the grace to look ashamed
of himself.
you're a trump. Nudge" ne ex-
claimed, ESPECIALLY after my Crouch
this incoming. But you know I don't
mean things l say. don't you. sweet
hearth"
50! ought to-" ] smiled, ~ this time
Now hurry up and get jim"
paid a flying visit to Katie in the
kitchen while DiCky wet in search
OF Jim, and found her much more cor
posed than when left he: I assured
her that the much dreaded Cousin
Agatha was in bed and would in all
proba bility not come down 10 dinner,
so that the problem of waiting on the
table was solved for my little maid.
How Dieky Repays.
"Vot you say to her dot she go to
bed?" she asked slyly as l left the
kitchen.
I shook my head at her reprovingly
and went on, with the resolution to
take Katie in hand. I was afraid she
was taking advantage of my kindness
to be Familiarity impairment
Then for a fever hshaIf- hour Katie, |
Cousin Agatha and all other problems
were forgotten in our rush to get the
living room settled. And so well did
we labor that long before my mother !
in-law came downstairs everything |
was in perfect order again
in a few minutes. Jim, l want you
to come upstairs and help me to put !
up my bed again and get the furniture |
and rug arranged I said when we
had finished"
What's that for?" Dieky asked, as