The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-29
DOREEN PLANS A DINNER FOR
MRS. PAGE
CHAPTER 35

ODdHLCI -
81 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
Eyes. 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 Towards.
That will be only five, besides our
selves eight in all"
Very we'll I'll do the best | 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 | could attempt almost anything IN
my present mood. Yet | knew If my
dinner were not perfect 1t would be
better not 10 have attempted lt-that
she would not be flattered unless
everything was done as it should be
and she thought it should be,
At breakfast she told us all about her
visit to Mrs. Eldredge,s spoke of her
patience, her beautiful character ;ex-
patiated upon her fondness for ami
mails, her delight in Fido, ] waited
until she had finished, then spoke of
our plan.
Il think | will have small dinner
party" | said, and mentioned the
names of those Walter had suggested.
You have been with us some time and
/ think it would be pleasant"
OF
she replied. But | doubt your ability
to manage a formal dinner"
why not have it informal Walter
suggested, before l could speak.
An informal dinner party is an
abomination,' his mother replied. IAN
IAinformal tea, or supper yes But a
dinner" her voice held horror at the
thought
We'll, / think you ca ntrust Doreen
not to make any very great blunders
So get the invites off, dear to me
and we'll have it the first of the
week"
After breakfast sent off my invita-
tions. Then, although the dinner was
nearly a week away, | commenced tt
think of the menu.
Mrs. Page, seeing me occupied at my
desk, said:
When you have your menu ready
let me see it"
"Oh, / haven't decided anything
yeti" | replied Then, seeing he
frown. | added: "Of course | will show
it to you. You may be able to sugges
some changes
Very likely" she returned pursins
her lips in way she had that de
tested
told Jennie we were going to Civ
dinner, but that l would have sons
of the things prepared outside
1T won't be no better for doin' that,
she said Then things you buy
never has no taste like them you cook
at home"
I'll get the dessert, anyway" l toll
her. Il guess we can manage the rest.
Il should say we could" she replied
almost insulted that | had doubted gu
ability to cook and serve dinner.
| did little less for four days thai
make up menus and discarded them
Then finally | took one to Mrs. Page
and asked:
What do you think Of this?
She read it over carefully, suggeste
different soup and salad, but az
proved of the other things.
IF it is properly cooked and serve
it will do very WE'LL" she said
- The day of the dinner was bus
zone for me. l was perhaps foolishl
anxious that everything should be pc
feet. | really wanted to please m
mother-in-law, to show her | could d
things right; also | wanted to max
any slurring remarks impossible.
My finest linen. my best china, silve
and glass were laid out, the glass
have a last polish, the silver to b
rubbed up again. | bought flowers fc
a lovely low centerpiece, and some fc
the manteI as well as for the table
the living room. There would be a
even number. and Walter had propose
we have bridge after dinner. Mrs. Pae
was very fond of the game; an exec
lent player. When Walter came
about 2o'clock he asked:
"How's everything going, Doreen