The Glenwood post., 1923-07-26

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The Heavy Face of Mra Percy Ap-
peared.
wonder Yes, see! Ny hat was IN
its box and it's all right Lorene
held up a small brown travelling hat
"That's fine. MY. but you're lucky
girl, Lorene. Now you take part of
these things and we'll go back and
get to work"
But scarcely had they reached Num-
ber At when Mrs. Penfield reversed
her orders. "Ain't no need for you
to stay, Lorene. Washing is simple
thing for me, you know, and III en-
Joy doing something toward the occa-
sion. Besides, we might disturb the
children If you stayed. You run
along. You've got lot Of tTinkets to
scrub up and your hair to wash. I'll
put these white things a-soak and
squeeze 'em out. They can be ironed
later"
Lorene hesitated. II hate to have
you, buff set the alarm and come
over real early, you'll leave the iron
Ing for me, won't you? And 1t wouldn't
disturb your
Dear child. you can't disturb me.
Come over as early as you like
Lorene kissed her gratefully and
went.
Mrs. Penfield started up the fire
and strung the kitchen with many
lines of heavy twine. Contrary to her
careless protestations, the task ahead
of her was by no means simple.
Diversity was Its keynote. Some of
the things required hot water. some
cold. some lukewarm; some demanded
soap, some could not survive 1t. Lace
had to be ripped out and cleansed
separately. The blue silk was put
through water that had been made
milky by one of Mrs. Penfeld's washing
bags, devices of her own for the laun.
dering of delicate colored fabrics. The
two tubs were supplemented by pans
and basins. Rinsing. blueing starch
ing, all took time. Even the drying
was matter for constant supervision
constant rearrangement, owing to the
uneven heat in the ROOM
When 1t came to the ironing, Mrs
Penfield found the electric bulb too
far from the prescribed position OF
her board; but by putting the lamr
on top Of the cupboard, she was able
to get sufficient light to go on with
her work.
Day was breaking when Lorene
came around the house Seeing the
light, she went in softly; then stopped
short in amazement The kitchen was
hung with dainty garments, smoothly
ironed, each on hanger formed by o
rolled newspaper and suspended by a
string. Her eyes fell on three elabo-
rate white blouses that she had not
realized Mrs Penfield had taken. The
white georgette gown was like new
every one of its many plalts pressed
crisp and fiat; the lace that outlined
the square neck was fresh and fluted.
The blue silk showed no slightest
trace of the evenings experience.
! Mrs. Penfield was sitting on the
edge of stool, her body crumpled
forward, her cheek resting on the
ironing-board, her holder in her out
flung hand. She was asleep.
"And l let her do IT," breathed the
girl In contrition.
Mrs Penfeld reused, in the midst
Of her weariness sensing the presence
of another person. There were tired
shadows under her eyes, but she
smiled brightly.
II guess I'm all through, Lo.ene. ]
was Just resting a minute"
Lorene sprang forward aad threw
her arms around Mrs. Peniell's neck
She kissed the tired cheeks.
-, Mrs. Penfield held her close. Fleet.
ing pictures jerked through her brain
OF her own life. starting in promise
like Lorene's, breaking In despair as
she hoped Lorene's never would.
Dear little girl, may you be happy
always" she whispered.