New Britain herald., 1923-04-25
What the Expansive Mrs. Marks and
 Her Petcy Kindly Offered

Her Petcy Kindly offered
 moved slightly to one side as Dicky put himself between me and the small sleek man whom the fam boyant Mrs. Marks with such patent naive pride, had just introduced as her husband.
 was oddly, tensely curious to note every detail of the appearance of these queer new neighbors. l was al- so anxious. if possible, to mitigate the intense frigidity which Dicky was displaying toward them l knew his dislike of anything common or under bred or pushing, and Mir, and Mrs. Marks indubitably possessed and were exhibiting all three of these qualities.
 But also realized what Dicky's masculine impatienco and quick tenn per would have scorned to consider that these people were our nearest neighbors. neighbors also in an unus- ually intimate sense, because of our being compelled to share a common entrance and hall. and that it was far better not to antagonize them with any manner which they could con- strue as snobbishness.
 "Get Move On. Nell"
 With a little bound of my pulses realized that the diminutive Mfr. Marks not only had correctly gauged Dicky's protective movement and curt manner but that he resented them. His beady black eyes darted from Dicky's face to mine, and then rested malevolently upon his wifes face, with her vermilion lips and thin line of plucked eyebrows standing out grotes- quely from the rest of her rouged and powdered mask
 Get move on. Nell" he growled. We can't stand around here, all night"
 Keep your shirt on," she advised him with such hearty good humor back of the inelegance. and so infec- tious twinkle in her china-blue eyes, that shocked as l was, I had hard work to keep my lips from quirking into a smile. Were going right away"
 She turned to me with a broad friendly grin.
 Me and Petey, we always do some of our marketing around this time" she said expansively, and seeing as you're new to the neighborhood, I thought maybe you'd like to have me do some errands for you. I know all the places around here, and they don't any of 'em put nothing over on me, I'll tell the pop-eyed world So when you want me to show you the ropes, just give me wireless, and Hi be on the job. Is there anything you want tonight?"
 "My Petey's in thc-''
 Not a thing" Dicky said curtly. but I moved toward Mrs. Marks with disarming smile.
 You are most kind to think of me- l said in as friendly fashion as could manage, and some day ] shall be delighted to take advantage of your offer"
 ''I'll be there with sleigh bells on whenever you're ready she re- sponded Help me on with my coat, Petey. that's good kid, and don't be sulky."
 The saturnine Petey, thus adjured, unfolded from his arm the most gor- geous fur cloak I had seen in many a day and folded it around his liege lady. Its lustrous folds of real seal rippled almost to her feet, while it's immense collar and deep wide cuffs were of the finest quality of mink Then he shrugged himself into an overcoat whose trimmings of seal were as elaborate and costly as the fur Of his wifes coat
 Then ne muttered surly "So long" and started for the door.
 'Ain't my coat the cats whskers?" Mrs. Marks demanded with childish pleasure as she saw the involuntary admiring glance had given the gor- geous wrap-really good furs--the best--are an unsatisfed longing with me. You see, my Petey's in the---'
 "Tchk'' It is the only interpreta- | ton I can give of the queer snarling noise which her spouse made in his throat at this juncture.
 Whatever it's significance, it was sin !. gularly effective, for Mrs. Marks gave a quick frightened glance at him, an other at Dicky and me, and scuttled toward the door.
 Dicky advanced rigidly and shut it after them, but we could hear from the hall outside quick, frightened, high pitched
 ''Oh, Petey, I didn't---and a low guttural growl that was like the snarl of a suddenly reused wild animal, Then the outer door slammed, and i Dicky and I were left facing each ] other in angry astonishment.