The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-29
By Charles G. Norris.

ing tea to three or
four of her women friends.
She performed her small duties
with pretty niceness that
did not escape even her brother.
He was much impressed by the
wheel-cart upon which the tea
and dainty refreshments arrived,
having never seen one of these
contrivances before. He Won
dered where Lucy picked up such
things. He recognized she had a
social gift she delighted in exer-
sising.
Among the tea callers was
stout gray.haired. homely woman.
Miss Beckie Meriweather. 1t was
evident from the difference paid
her by the other women she en-
joyed social prominence. She
was coarse-featured, loud.voiced.
brusque and-Philip decided-ex-
ceedingIy amusing. He liked her
at once. She had way of say
ing witty things so crispy as to
intensity their drollness.
An Effusive Woman.
Miss Meriweather evidently had
taken a warm liking to Lucy.
She addressed herself exclusively
to her hostess, and on departing
kissed her vigorously. and made
her promise to telephone the next
morning. Philip could see his
sister was pleased. When Wilbur
came in from q run out to the
beach in his new automobile, after
the other callers had gone, Lucy
told him in detail about Miss Meri.
weather's graciousness. Her hus-
band. however, was frankly un-
interested. He listened patiently,
but his brother-in-law could see
he was anxious to talk about his
new car, and as soon as Lucy
gave him the opportunity, he
turned eagerly to Philip.
''She's humdinger. Phil! Runs
like a sewing machine! :.
Y'know that grade up Jackson
street from Van Ness? Well.
sir-sEe made It in high! -.
She's got the power and plenty Of
speed. I got her up to
fifty 8 easy as kiss your
hand. >"
Dinner was formally served
with many appurtenances that
made the table look charming.
Small silver vases held a few
sprays of heather; the center
piece was of heavy. rich lace;
there were rows of polished silver
knives, forks and spoons: the but
ter plates were Of silver, and the
finger-bowls Of rock crystal in
which sfloated leaves of lemon
verbena. Lucy loved the nett
cuIous care these small niceties
required; Wilbur was as oblivious
to them as IL they did not exist.
He showed his cutlery to either
side as soon as he sat down,
stopped red juice from the roast
on the spotless cloth when he
carved, and dropped ashes from
his cigar on his butterplate, on
his bread. on himself. Lucy
frowned in distress, and Philip
saw her bite her lip; only when
he commenced to make a little
wet mess of his cigar ashes upon
his plate did she protest.
I'LL at Ease.
Wilbur did not seem to feel at
ease in his own home. For a
long time he wandered restlessly
about the luxurious rooms, NOV
ing from chair to lounge and
back to chair, never relaxing,
never permitting himself either
repose or tranquility. He did
not seem to know how to make
himself comfortable. When at
last he succeeded. it was as If.
with great elaboration, he had
finally shut his eyes to the rich
upholstery about him. He spread
himself out on a deep-seated, soft
piIlowed davenport, his feet in the
heart of brocaded cushion,
fIecking ashes from his cigar in
the direction of an ash-receiver
on the tabaret at his elbow. heed
less where they fell. Finally at
ease, he stared up at the ceiling,
and rambled along interminably
about his affairs, discussing bus.
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