The Glenwood post., 1923-06-21
CHAPTER VI
Perennial Prue,

Perennial Prue.
"I can't set down, Mis- Penfeld.
rust come in to borrow an egg
didn't know I was out. but I'll get
some more termorrow."
"Bless you, Mrs. Wopple, you came
to the wrong place. hain't got an
egg right now. I used the last one
Saturday, and I shan't nave any more
till-till later"
MY landy Goshen" cried the
amazed Mrs. Wopple. Il never heard
Of anybody keepin' house 'thout havin'
eggs constant"
Mrs. Penfield laughed. "Wel}, I'd
hate to be so beholden to hen as
that. Seems like exaltfng bird
above human being, don't itY' She
thrust her darning needle placidly into
Crink's stocking.
"You got an awful light way of takin'
serious matters" disapproved Mrs.
Wopple. me, l acknowledgements to
Betsy! What's that?" Her eyes
rolled wildly toward the ceiling.
ITS my Uncle jerry" smiled Mrs
Penfield.
"Your Uncle Jerryi What's he
doin' up there?'
''Living-or getting ready to. He's
Just moved in
"My land p Mrs. Wopple, who had
been standing in the doorway, leaned
against the jamb, rs If props in her
system had suddenly given way.
"wer, If he's goin' to try to live up
there, he must be awful poor"
'I don't know" replied Mrs. Pen
field calmly. 81 haven't asked him."
"Guess there amt no need" sniffed
Mrs Wopple. ACTIONS Is good 'nough
evidence. At his time Of life, he must
be failure If he's willin' to hang
out in place that nobody ever
thought of livin' in. Me- I'm glad I'm
well connected. Amt nobody in my
family but what lives better'n I do
and I'm pretty comfort'ble."
"That's NICE" commented Mrs. Pen
neld cordially "Ain't nothing so sat
isfying as being satisfied"
"There you go laughin' again." said
Mrs. Wopple, with n touch Of exas-
peration. "I s'pose in another min
ute you IL NC tCiilh llC Sou bhC Ian V
better'n success"
Mrs. Penfield was amused. rather
than offended. "No. shan't, although
sometimes there amt much diff runce
in 'em. Depends on what kind you
mean. There's some kinds Of success
that I'd be glad to head straight for.
But I expect you meant money. cause
that's what Uncle Jerry ain't giving
many symptoms Of having"
"Sure I meant money. Way 'tis
with me. hain't got no respect for a
man that can't make money"
"Is that so?" Mrs. Penfleld's Ques-
ton was purely rhetorical; also care
fully impersonal, although mentally
she glanced for a moment at the
weazened man who was Mrs. Wopples
husband, with the selfish. inquisitive
eyes and the selfish, grasping hands
Money success is something I've
specialized bout considerable; It's
one of the queerest things l know Of
Pears like 1t amt anything In itself
It's just something that you can use
any way you like"
Exactly" put in Mrs, wopple, nod
ding vigorously. "That's why"
"Say, Car'line, where in thunder's
your hammer? And you got any old
TIM The mouseholes is as thick
The voice, growing nearer, stopped
abruptly as Uncle Jerry entered the
kitchen and perceived an unknown
neighbor Mrs Penneld introduced
him.
PLEASED to mest you, Pm sure" &C
hB hobs M yoSls %sDps sen tS resaas
yourself in Mis- Penfeld's loft" Hel
voice was acidly sweet.
!. Jerry Winston's eyes twinkled
.. Thanks I'm going to s'prise you b,
doing that very thing"
= To Mrs. Penfeld's amazement, the,
looked steadily at each other through
a moment Of tacit appraisement mors
significant than speech. And 1t wal
n as II each felt the decision of tn,
other and acted upon 1t, for Mrs
Wopple flushed and departed witt
= stammered leave-taking; and wher
she had gone. Jerry Winston laughed
Sweet little dame" he murmured
Pepper up an icicle, and you got hel
duplicate, ehT
"Sh-h, Uncle Jerry" begged Mrs
Penfield in a whisper. Here's Per
ennial Prue coming. and wouldn'
have her hear you"
"Who's she" inquired Uncle Jerry
I in corresponding whisper. 'T gues,
p I'll get out"