Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-06-21
CHAPTER III.-continued.


Mrs. Penfeld covered her ironing
Board with an old sheet and propped
1t in a corner. Turning, she stood a
moment in deep thought, her brown
eyes on the prickly piece of childhood
on the wash bench, her mental vision
absorbed in problems of arithmetic.
The question confronting Mrs. Pen
field was complicated only by the limi-
tation of food for the family. The
ugly accretions of speech and be-
havior disturbed her very little, be-
cause she believed that underneath
them there is always bit of life
that is sweet and true; one has only
to pry off the handicaps and give 1t a
chance.
81 was only thinking" she said
briskly, that it might be mercy If
Lettie'd stay. I got most box full
of clo'es that Mrs. Weath'stone sent
down that's betwixt and between, too
small for me and too girly for Thad.
/ expect they'd fit Lettie fine"
That young lady shot wise glance
out of bright black eyes. The eyes
were young, but the expression was
centuries old, full of gathered shrewd-
ness and mockery. "My clo'es hain't
never stumped anybody yet" she OBJ
served scornfully. tits victuals that
cuts the ice, anyway.
"And I'll get her d sleeping-box
down to the grocery" added Crink
eagerly, more and more captivated
every minute by the sterling peppiness
of the newcomer.
"Sure. Well have it worked out
in no time. Bout all the real diff
R'runce an extra one makes is that
you're happier to have another one
in the family. Now, Crink, you SET
the table-and be spry, cause I'm go
ing to dish right now. You'll find an
extra spoon in the egg box. Lettie
won't need no knife and fork. This
here supper's simple to eat"
With the cover of the saucepan In
her hand, Mrs PenfieId made a dash
for the outside door. "Thadp she
called, in a practiced neighborhood
yell. 'Thadl Tha-a-ad! My land,
she continued, dishing up stew with
a worn agate ladle, II most forgot
TO call that blessed baby. He's been
watching Mrs. Catterbox' garden. She
promised him penny to keep the
chickens out two hours while she
went uptown. He's been in bout
I,.o,-o,, +s,,ooc En- Ivooxx, 40 I,o e,,ro oo,,I1
spend it himself, the dearw
These intimate revelations were cut
short by the entrance of the new cap
itaIist. One glance at the occupant
of the wash bench reduced his higf
enthusiasm to a round, double stare
framed in amber eyelashes.
"Thad," said Mrs. Penfeld for
smally, '1ook what we got while yor
were gone" With the agate ladle she
pointed toward Lettie with the air OF
an entomologist who indicates a par
ticularly fantastic bug. "This here's
Lettie. And Lettie, this here's Thad.'
Having thus separated their person
aIities with the convenient ladle, she
reached for another bowl.
The setting of the table had moi
been a difficult thing for Crink tc
learn. On a cloth composed of -four
flour sacks, united by hand, were -four
plates, four bowls, four tumblers OF
water, four spoons, and, in front OF
Mrs. Penfeld, a plate Of cornbread
a small piece of butter, and knife
'Now. boys" signaled Mrs. Penfield
sand mind you go slow and near
what you say. You know God cans
near nothing unless you mean it."
Then the mixed chorus said slowly
e'I,ord. we thank Thee cause we got
big appetites and good things to eat
Amen
Lettie forgot her hunger momen
4arily and opened her black eyes
wide. "That beats me-" she comment
ed. "Do you always talk that way
fore you begin What in tarnation dc
you do it forT'
$50 we won't forget for minute
how thankful we are" returned Mrs
Penfield mildly. snow sail right in
Lettie"
Lettie sailed-or rather she plowed
No engrossed letters of resolution ever
held so deep a tribute as was accom-.
plished by Lettie. When the meal
was over, she hunched down on her
stool in the relaxation of absolute
content, and fixed her black eyes on
Mrs. Penfeld.
"Pn stay with you forever, if you
want me to-" she announced.
Mrs. Penf1eld acknowledged her tri
hmph, but bore it with remarkable
nOdesty.