The Neshoba Democrat., 1922-10-12
shd she luvNua Al aD6a, tIg waA t3gps

Il hope can do something that's nice
before quit" she said. Nor was this
hope now independently true. but only
surprising longing to appear interest
ing in his eyes. To dance before him.
What would the folks think of me.
going on so?" she suddenly said. Her
mild sense of disloyalty was delicious.
SO was his understanding glance.
You're the stuff" he remarked alb
sently.
She laughed happily.
The door opened Ina appeared.
swell r said Ina. 1t was her re-
hottest tone. She took this mar. to be
peddler, beheld her. child in his
clasp, made quick forward step, chin
lifted. She had time for very javelin
of look at Lulu.
"Hellol' said Ninian. He had the
one formula. Il believe I'm your hus-
bands brother. Amt this na9
1t had not crossed the mind of Lulu
to present him.
Beautiful 1t was to see Ina relax,
soften, warm, transform, humanize. II
gave one hope for the whole species
"Ninianp she cried. She lent a
faint impression of the double to the
initial vowel. She slurred the rest,
until the sound squinted In. Not
Neenyun, but nearly Neenyun.
He kissed her.
"Since Dwight isn't .here" she cried
and shook her finger at him. Ina's
conception Of hostess-ship was def
mite: A volley of questions--was his
train on time? He had found the
house all right? OF coursel Anyone
could direct him, she should hope. And
he hadn't seen Dwight? She must
telephone him. But then she arrested
herself with sharp, curved fling of
her starched skirts. No! They would
surprise him at tea--she stood taut,
lips compressed. Oh, the Plows were
coming to tea. How unfortunate. she
thought. How fortunate, she said.
The child Monona made her knees
and elbows stiff and danced up and
down. She must. she must participate.
"Aunt Lulu made three pies!'' she
screamed. and shook her straight hair.
Gracious sakes." said Ninian. ~
brought her pup, and If didn't for
get to give ii to her."
They adjourned to the porch--Nin-
ian, Ina, Monona. The puppy was
presented, and yawned. The party
kept on about ''the place. Ina de-
lightedly exhibited the tomatoes, the
two apple trees. the new shed, the
bird bath. Ninian said the unspell-
able "m-m,' rising infection. and the
Il see" prolonging the verb as was ex-
pected Of him. Ina said that they
meant to build summer house, only,
dear me, when you have family---but
there, he didn't know anything about
that. Ina was using her eyes, she was
arch, she was coquettish, she was fir
tatious, and she believed herself
to be merely matronly, sisterly, wom-
aniy
She screamed. Dwight was at the
gate. Now the meeting, exclamation,
banality, guffaw good will.
And Lulu, peeping through the
blind.
-
When "tea" had been experienced
that evening, 1t was found that light
rain was falling and the Deacons and
their guests the Plows, were con-
strained to remain in the parlor, The
Plows were gentle, family lustrous
folk, sketched into life rather lightly,
as If they were, say, looking in from
some other level
"The only thing" said Dwight
Herbert, that reconciles me to rain Is
that I'm let off croquet." He rolled
his RS. favorite device Of his to In
duce hnmor. He called It "croquette,"
He had never been more irrepressible
The advent Of his brother was partly
accountable, the need to show himself
a fine family man and host In q pros,
porous little home simple and pa
thetic desire. 4
Tell you what well dor said
Dwight Min and rllreminisce lit
tie"
dol. cried Mr.. Plow. This gentle
fellow was always excited by life, so
family excited by him, and enjoyed its
presentation In any real form.
s. Ninian had unerringly selected
dwarf rocker, and he was oyerfiowing
It and rocking.
Take this chair, dol" Ina begged.
"A big chair for big man" She
spoke as If he were about the age Of |
Monona.
Ninian refused, insisted on his re-
fpsal. A few years more. and human
relationships would have spread san.
Ity even to Ina's estate and she would |!
have told him, why he should exchange
chairs. AS II was she forebore. and |
kept glancing anxiously at the over
burdened little beast beneath him.
The child Monona entered the room |
She had been driven down by Di anf
Jenny Plow, who had vanished up |
stairs and, through the yentllator
might be heard In lift and fall 81
giggling. M0nona, had also been driver
from the Kitchen where Lulu was. fo