The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-02-18
THE PET NAM e.

Mother, dear"-there was little
flush on Caroline's cheek and GER
tain tightness about her pretty mouth
II wish you'd speak to Aunt Emme-
line; it might have some effect. I've
said all l can say, and it's SO much
wasted breath. She goes right on
calling me just the same, Callie!
It's perfectly dreadful nickname;
but now, when I've at last succeeded
in getting every one else to drop the
absurd, soft, squashy thing, it does
should keep it up. Can't you make
her understand that I've evolved into
Gardiner" ~.s-
"I'l try, child" mother promised,
little obviously "but she's elderly,
and she may understand but not re-
member. Old folks memories bark
back to the accustomed. You must
| try to be patient"
Caroline did not feel patient; and
an hour later, calling on Katherine
Wilmott, annoyance again possessed
her mind as she sat waiting for her
friend in front of an open fire in the
library. Katherine's name was never
abbreviated to Katie, or Kitty, or
Kate, although, as her mothers name
was Katherine, also, there would have
been at least the excuse of conve-
nience. Perhaps it was because Kath-
crime had unusual dignity for young
girl; some day she would be like her
mother, who was a stately and beauti-
full matron with wonderful manners
and the grand air. t:t .-
And if they'd been Carolines in
stead of Katherines," reflected Caro-
line enviously, "Carolines they would
have stayed, that's certain Nobody
would have babyfied their names into
absurdity." @E" ...s
Katherine came in just then. apollo
giving for her delay. - ~..r'4
| Mother has just had a telegram
| that Cousin Adelaide isadead," she
Explained. land it upset her. She
isn't upset often, and when she is she
needs fussing over and petting all the
more III
| Your mother doesn't seem as If
she could ever need petting, though
she'd be lovely to pet if she'd allow
it," said Caroline. "She always seems
to me rather like a queen, you know. y
We'll, 1 suppose queens have their
troubles" responded Katherine. ANY.
way, mother has. When that tele'
gram came-well, it was queer. We
hardly ever see Cousin Adelaide and
mother knew her death would be a
release, and know they'd never been
very intimate, but-well, mother put
her head right into sofa cushion
and had hard cry. And you'd never
guess what she sobbed out when
was dabbing her forehead with CO
logne. She said she was a goose to
give way, and she could only be glad
that poor Adelaide had found peace
but now there was no one left in the
world to call her Kitten!"
ITO call her-what?" cried Caro-
line.
Kitten; her little-girl pet name
And when said l would, if she want
ed, she laughed through her tears ant
said no. Mother Kitten wouldn't do;
she was a grown-up cat to her most
grown-up Katherine, and she couldn'
go back, and didn't want to. Only
Cousin Adelaide belonged to the OLE
days, and it used to sound so good tt
hear that cracked voice of hers wei
| come her always with, so here yo'
are again to see the old lady, Kitten.
| Wasn't it queer and touching, Caro-
, line? I'd no idea silly little pc
name could mean so much"
: Nor l." came the answer softly
| Mrs. Wilmott-Kitten? Suddenly
, Caroline seemed to see herself in thu
| future, an old, old Caroline, thinking
t with a tender reminiscent smile of
!, young, young Ca1lie. Callie was no
> SO bad after all, although she still
! meant to be Caroline to the world il
general. But at least she would asl
l Aunt Emmeline to go on calling he
t Callie.