The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-09-13
CHAPTER VI
Perennial Prue.

~ can't set down, Mis- Penfeld.
iust come in to borrow an egg. |
didn't know was out, but I'll get
some more termorrow."
"Bess you, Mrs. Wopple. you came
to the wrong place. hain't got an
egg right now. used the last one
Saturday and I shan't nave any more
till-till later"
MY landy Goshenl" cried the
amazed Mrs. Wopple. 81 never heard
Of anybody keepin' house 'thout havn'
eggs constant"
Mrs. Penfield laughed. "Well, I'd
hate to be so beholden to a hen as
that. Seems like exalting a bird
above a human being, don't itY' She
thrust her darning needle placidly into
Crnk's stocking.
"You got an awful light way of takin'
serious matters" disapproved Mrs.
wopple. me, 1 shouldn't-heavens to
Betsyl What's thatT Her eyes
rolled wildly toward the ceiling.
Its my Uncle jerry" smiled Mrs.
Penfeld.
Your Uncle Jerryl What's he
don' up therer
'Livlng-or getting. ready to. He's
Just moved in"
my landr' Mrs. Wopple. who had
been standing in the doorway. leaned
against the jamb, as If props in her
system had suddenly given way.
well, If he's goin' to try to live up
there, he must be awful poor"
Il don't know" replied Mrs. Pen
field calmly. "I haven't asked him."
"Guess there amt no need" shifted
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
field cordially. "Ain't nothing so sat
isfylng as being satisfied"
There you go laughin' again." said
Mrs. Wopple, with touch of exas-
peration. 81 s'pose in another min
ute you'll be tellin' me you like failure
oetter'n success"
Mrs Penfield was amused. rather
than offended mo. I shan't, although
sometimes there amt much dIf'runce
EN-. Depends on what kind you
mean. There's some kinds of success
tnat Ia be glad to head straight for.
nut expect you meant money, cause
'aats what Uncle Jerry amt giving
many symptoms of having"
Sure meant money. Way tits
win me, hain't got no respect for a
uan mat can't make money"
is that so? Mrs. Penfield's ques-
on was purely rhetorical; also care
.aHy impersonal, although mentally
sue glanced for moment at the
seazened man who was Mrs. Wopple's
husband, with the selfish, inquisitive
S S.s and the selfish, grasping hands.
money success is something I've
.peciated bout considerable; It's
n vae OF the queerest things I know Of.
a.. .eafs like 1t amt anything in itself;
40 ~. Just something that you can use
any way you like"
At. EXACTLY" put in Mrs. wopple, nod
as vigorously. "That's why"
,,. oay' Car'line, where in thunder's
t,I' t,. hammer? And you got any old
N. Inc mouse-holes is as thick"
,t az voice, growing nearer, stopped
tS.sptly as Uncle Jerry entered the
ss,a.e .aen and perceived an unknown
Mr MsHOor' Mrs. Penfield introduced
l,, rieased to meet you, I'm sure" ac-
'"'edged Mrs. Wopple irreproach-
,or,. @ i hope you're goln' to enjoy
,oos 'eii In Mis- Penfield's loft" Her
te W was acidly sweet.
-mat Winston's eyes twinkled.
tsIDn taaks' Z, I'm going to s'prise you by
mat very thing"