The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-08-30


"would You Like to Stay and Live
With Us, Letter"
floor, and not until she had finished
this fascinating operation did she
make any reply whatever. II don't
know" she said frankly. I'D have to
see what think" Then, as If to
ease the blow Of her ungraciousness
she added hastily, "But I'll stay to
supper. anyhow"
Mrs. Penfield closed the oven door
and rose. She put her hands on
Crink's small shoulders and looked
into his eyes with unaccustomed seri-
BUSINESS. "You know what it'd mean,
Crink, If we was to take her in?
Would you be willing to divide what
we have to eat into fourths, stead of
thirds7"
"Sure," agreed Crink easily. "rd
as soon as not and besides, she"
"LordI" exclaimed Lettie, aghast.
''Do you think I'm a piker? I've al
ways brung in more'n I've ct. Lord"
Brought in?" queried Mrs. Pen
field. Brought in? From where?"
Dumps and places" explained Let
tie, with generous wave of her arm.
Honest, Penzie," contributed Crink,
in confidential tone, she's the
quickest grabber l ever saw. know
she'd find heaps of things we need.
That's one reason l thought"
Lettie, lending an attentive ear to
this eulogy, broke in with amplifica-
tions. She had no intention of>iden-
tifying herself with any household so
speedily as to minimize the honor she
conferred; rather. she meant that
household to appreciate fully that
here was no ordinary suppliant.
"Pm easy the best skiver there is"
she announced. "If somep'n goes to
pieces or there's fire or anything.
you oughter see me. I'm sure Johnny
on-the-spot, horns and bells to boot.
Way tis-if / don't get there first, l
lick the feller that does, so 1t all
comes out in the wash. Trust me for
the best pickings" She shrugged her
thin shoulders. like one who carries
honors easily.
board with an old sheet and propped
1t in 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 a bit of life
that is sweet and true; one has only
to pry Off the handicaps and give 1t a
chance.
II was only thinking" she said
briskly, "that It might be a mercy II
Lettie'd stay. I got most a 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.
I expect they'd fit Lettie fine"
That young lady shot a 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 cio'es hain't
never stumped anybody yet" she OBJ
served scornfully. Its victuals that
cuts the ice. anyway"
"And I'll get her a sleeping-box
down to the grocery" added Crink
eagerly, more and more captivated
every minute by the sterling peppiness
of the newcomer.
"Sure Wen have 1t worked out
In no time.- Bout all the real diff
frunce 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. Penfield made a dash
for the outside door. "Thadw she
called, in a practiced neighborhood
yell. "Thad! Tha-a-adl My land"
she continued, dishing up stew with
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
seven times to know If he sure could
spend 1t himself, the dear"
These intimate revelations were cut
short by the entrance Of the new cap
italist. One glance at the occupant
Of the wash bench reduced his high
enthusiasm to round, double stare
framed in amber eyelashes.
"Thad." said Mrs. Penfleld for
mally, look what we got while you
were gone" With the agate ladle she