The Glenwood post., 1923-06-21
CHAPTER v
The Pink Sweater.

MY grateful goodness I knew
somep'n was up" Mrs Wopple, who
had struggled through the kitchen
door, paused at the entrance to the
living-room to emit this commentary
on Mrs. Penfield sewing by one of the
windows in the midst Of an unusual
array of materials.
Come right in," invited Mrs. Pen
Held, as cordially insistent as if Mrs.
Wopple had not already done so
"Wait till I move this nice comfort
able chair into the sunshine for you
Amt it lucky you came in just's the
sun didl"
She moved the best chair into the
narrow shaft Of yellow radiance. If
the sun were not mercifully acrobatlc
In its possibilities, twisting its way
into incredible intricacies of city ar
chitecture, 1t would never have pene-
trated into Mrs. Penf1eld's living
room at all; but by marvellous as
Economical provision, there was a pre-
cious hour in the afternoon when 1t
struck her neighbors white wall and
was detected, nearly full strength,
through one Of Mrs. Penheld's win
dows.
She took up her sewing. Mrs
Wopple's gloomy eyes fastened upon
It with glowing curiosity.
"What In time you makin'T' she In
quired.
Mrs. Penfleld exhibited the pink
garment, rich with basting thread.
'.This here's a sweater for Lettie."
Mrs. Wopple reached over and
nipped a piece of the goods between
two thin fingers. "Ain't that under
wear silk?"
"It sure is. It's going to make a
beautiful sweater"
mot suitablel Why, ev'rybody's
wearing EN-"
mot silk. 'Tain't noways suit'ble
to dress Lettie so fine"
Mrs Penfield laughed. would you
suggest my making her a calico
sweaterT' she asked pleasantly. "No
Mrs. Wopple, l been wishing l hat
some nice clo'es for that child, cause
she needs 'em to pull herself up with
Amt nothing going to help her *
much as taking pride in something
and she's the kind that'll live up II
her clo'es. Poor dear, she's alwayi
been doing 1t; 'tain't no wonder SHE
hasn't riz faster"
Mrs. Penfield reached for a soft rol
of white goods. Look here. Didn'
this wash fine? Couldn't anything
pleased me more'n white corduroy
Yes, I saw that streak; 1t had an nc
cident spilled on 1t, l guess. But TAX
ing that out, there's 'nough for COLA
and cuffs for Lettie's sweater an,
'nough for skirt, too. I'm going t,
let her wear 1t Sundays when she'
been good through the week. It'll b,
reform dress, If there ever was one
She's going to be the happiest child Ii
The Custard Cup. My! I can't source
ly wait for her to get home l want t,
see her as happy as she's bound to be.
"If I was in your place, Mis- Penfield
wouldn't count on it too much. Tv'
always heard that If folks wasn't happ.
inside em, there couldn't nothin' max
'em happy from the outside"
Mrs. Penfield smiled. Yes, that,
so, but there's something got to star
the happiness going inside 'em. Som
folks have got factory of their own
and they make their happiness fast
they can use It, and some folks hav,
had so many hard knocks that thei
happiness machinery has grown rust.
and set. Then It's got to be oiled VI
md started going. Why, look at th'
birds, Mrs. Wopple. You never heart
q bird sing on the ground but give hin
Il bit of encouragement in the way Of I
fencepost or a bush or something witt
an outlook to 1t, and he'll sing hi
little head OF. cause he's so bubblln;
over with Joy. It's up to me to Civ
Lettie that encouragement"
Mrs. wopple rose. II must bs goln
All I got to say is, it's mercy you go
such faith In Lettie. sh'd call her q
. nnliction If she was to my house"