New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-05-24
The Was Res Dean iinnlorahsls
Mnn "IIor NAY"

Non "ller Nay"
"New, then, isn't that something
like"
Bess Dean turned from the fire
which she had Just built with an air
Of tsiumph fully justified by the lean
Ing. cracking flames In the big fire
place which Is Alfred i1urkee's pride,
III surely IT," little Mrs, burke
aeauisseed, holding her hands out TO
the blaze, why don't you go into
the business, liess9 There are plenty
of able school teachers, but people
who can build good fires are rare, and
you seem to enjoy doing II so much"
Only one who knew Her Fluffiness
intimately could have detected the
delicate malice which tinged this III,
tie speech. Her aspect Is always so
sweetiy ehild,like. and she Is so gen
timely lorahle little person, that one
does not realize the capacity for
dainty cat.like thrusts which is hers,
To do her Justice, she rarely per-
niits herself this feminine luxury nm
less she has great provocation, But |
realized that II was her only weapon
against Bcss Dean. Tho girls adroit
pose of friendly helper made II i'm
possible for Mrs, Durkeo the soul of
hospitality, To show her any open dis
courtesy,
glanced fur'iYey at my former
colleague To see II she fecOgnizcu the
thrust Mrs. Durlicc had given her. 4
girl of keen perceptions could not
have helped understanding that her
hostess saw through her pose OF en-
joying mental tasks. and Hess Deans
mentality liz far above the average.
but not the culver of AN cyelash be-
irayod anything more than humorous
appreciation of Mrs. Durkoc's quip.
I'm thinking of using II as matri-
monial advertisement" she drawled.
"If any gentleman will furnish the
fireplace IN guarantee TO keep tlr
home fires burning"
'You'rc Always Welcome
II is impossible not to smile at Bess
Deans drawl and quizzical, crooked
eyebrows, and Mrs. Durkee and ]
laughed heartily at her sally, although
both of us would have preferred CIV
ing her an Fashioned switching.
Anu W Idl ipINhS Iullb lily SInOOl-
ma'am instinct yearned anew for
fcrrule when she danced up to Mrs.
Durkee, put her arms akimboo, and
spoke ingratiatingly:
What else kin ! do for yous,
ma'am! It's strong an wilin ] be-"
Not thing" Mrs Durkcc re-
turned, laughing at her.
"Oh, don't be tellin' me that now,
an you just in from the cit. with
all your pretty clothes on Isn't the
dinner TO get? It's a fine touch I
have on pecling potatoes. -ma'am, and 1
as for setting table"
She blew an airy kiss to the cell
ing, then turned briskly toward the
kitchen.
Just 80 upstairs both of you and /
take your time. can get lot done /
before that 5:45 train back home"
There was but one response for
Mrs. Durkee to make to this brazen
bid, and she promptly made it:
Never mind the 5;45. Why can't
you stay to dinner"
Ross Dean made deprccatory ges-
No reason except that don't want
to become a permanent free boardcr,
" been here so many times"
And you're always welcome Mrs
Durkee returned with every appear
ance Of heartiness Besides,
wouldn't exactly call your entertain
ment free, You work for it harder
than like to. Mind that you pare
the potatoes thin now
III scrape en- Tess promised,
laughing, and disappeared into tho
passageway leading to the kitchen.
But | did not need Mrs. Durkccs
gesture of caution to refrain from
any comment concerning her until We
were safely out Of hearing.
Mrs. DurLcc Has "H,nch."
Where shall | put these suit
cases" ] asked. ~ only need this
bag upstairs, and there's no need of
dragging them down again in the
{
put them back in that closet" She
one Of the built-in rccosscs
which abound in the old fashioned
house. "Alf or Leila will never look
In there.
! disposed of tho suitcases. and bas
In hand, followed her mp the staircase
10 her room, and was amused to sec