New Britain herald., 1923-07-18
The Reason Katie Was Troubled
About the People Across
the Road

the Road
Heartened by Katherine's cheeri-
ness, | walked with her to the kiteh-
en-, finding Katie with her face close
TO the kitchen window, which COM
manded view of the road She
turned as we entered. and | saw that
she was puzzled about something
Something's foony about dose peo-
pies cross road" she said, as she saw
us.
NJ How Is that. Katie?'' I asked with
interest quickened by ner comment
'Dey have no vashings out on line"
she replied, and Katherine raised her
eyebrows at me in mute questioning
as to the meaning of the apparent alb
surdity. ! knew that Katie needed no
prodding to keep on talking, and con-
tented myself with the first inane
query which came into my head.
rs this their washday?" I asked.
No" she answered emphatically.
'Dot shoost vot trouble. Dey nefer
wash dis day. und dey nefer borrow
notings before. But dis morning
womans COON offer, ask me for yum
wash tub, say she got beeg wash, too
much for her tubs. I know you al
ways say, Katie, always be kind und
lovings by neighbours SO I lend dot
tub and dey no wash out all dees time.
no understand"
Katie Is Puzzled
/ heard little choking sound from
Katherine. smothered by cough, and
knew that she was as amused by
Katie's Interpretation of my instruc-
tons to her. as was. But also
knew that we must not betray our
amusement to the sensitive girl, SO I
made q quick banal comment
1T looks like rain, so perhaps she
won't put out the clothes until to-
morrow. Don't worry about 1t. If
she spells the tub, I'll buy you an
other.
Il no worry about tub" Katie an
swered a bit sullenly. "Eef dey spoil
dot tub take eet ont of dere hide.
But no like tings | no understand
Dey oop to something's, dose peoples
Maybe, dey keel somebody, und cut
heem oop. und-"
Katie !" l cut short the CORY de-
tails of her imagined five-reeler. I
forgot to tell you. Mother Graham
wants you upstairs right away with
Mrs. TIGER and Mamie She wants to
get great deal accomplished this |
afternoon with the three of you
cleaning"
The ruse succeeded brilliantly. |
Katie faced me belligerently arms
akimbo. the oddities of the family
across the road forgotten.
How she tink l goin' get dinner
eef stay oop dere und clean all aft
ernoon?" she demanded.
Mrs. Beckett and l are going to
get the dinner" l answered pacat-
ingly, and wash the dishes after
ward, SO you can go upstairs immedi- |
'stely. I'm sure l know where every
thing is, and | see the chickens are
all nicely cleaned and ready for cook
ing"
Tll Help YOU"
Yah, dot Jeem he do goot Job"
Katie's Indifferent draw was ire
sistihly laugh provoking. "Und all
oder vegeta bles in cold water ready
to cook. You shoost put dot schick-
en- offer now, und den you got nod
ings to do until you want put vege-
tables on, except feex salad. Dere
apple pie in pantry. Eet Won't be
hard for you But dot old vomans
has crust, making you get dinner ven
you only home dees leete--Oh l
forgot vunce more. I no call her old
vomans.'
See that you don't forget again."
] said, but l did not make my voice
severe-things were already too tense
in the household for any further COM
plications. And don't worry about
me. like to cook. you know"
You no like eet so veil eef you
have to do eet all time" Katie re-
torted, with cheerful impotence, and