The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-05
Listening In On Foe

were leaving immediately, so I went right out to be with little Elizabeth found her playing happily in the yard with another child.
 T thought it was Miss Fannie whC was coming said Molly, grumpily the minute she npened the door, to me
 ''She was too busy at hOme," an. swered pleasantly, "and I was glad tC take her place. I'm going to ask some friends to dinner, Molly, so we must plan one of your delectable little ban quets."
 II haven't much time to be cooking up fancy meals" she said ungracious. ly. "I'm supposed to launder all the upstairs curtains while the folks is away"
 "YOu can put the curtains to soak right now and it won't be any task at all to rinse them late this afternoon, and then you can press them tomorrow morning." suggested in my efficient way. I'll run out and get you some soap that saves all rubbing, and while I'm out I can do the marketing for dinner. We don't have to have an elaborate meal. Molly, for you are such a wonderful cook that anything you prepare is feast. By the way, I brought you my pink sweater. l think the color is just right for you. It will be lovely on you"
 She cheered up considerably at the sight of the sweater and I was pleased to have her have it. Although it is only slightly faded, don't feel that, in justice to myself and my family, 1 should be seen in it another season.
 I was fortunate in securing Dexter Haines, George Requier and Bobby Coates on short notice for dinner, and we had a delightful evening of bridge. I have been socially indebted to Bobby for some months, and I was glad of the opportunity to entertain her at Betty's, where the silver and china are handsomer than at home.
 went home soon after breakfast the next morning to see whether Cousin Fannie could get one of my blOuses done for the golf foursome that our little dinner party had planned for the afternon at the Wayfarers. Greatly to my surprise Betty telephoned before I had been in the house a half hour. She appeared to be in one of her worst moods.
 "Lucile," she said, "why didn't you tell me that you were coming instead of Cousin Fannie?"
 "Why, I don't know. I guess it didn't seem a matter of moment which one stayed with little Elizabeth. How did you happen to get home so soon I had no idea you were coming today"
 "No, I suppose not" snapped Betty I'm afraid you'll have to cancel your invitations for dinner tonight Molly tells me you were having another party this evening. It's too bad that the change in our plans should inconven- fence you.'
 "Oh, it is all right, dear,' I an- swered, overlooking her sarcasm.
 I'm glad something is all right" she returned. "Al that candy you let Elizabeth eat has upset her stomach, and I've just put her to bed. How in the world did you happen to put hot ashes on my once lovely hydrangeas, I'd like to know?"
 "Why, Betty, don't you know that wood ashes are a wonderful fertilizer? It was a little chilly late evening, and we had fire on the hearth for cheer fulness, and this morning l got up early and put the ashes around the hy- drangeas, for I knew you would be glad to have them petted."
 T am not glad to have them burned. Those ashes had live cOals in them, and the bushes are ruined, Lucille"
 ''Oh, Betty" I began, but she had hung up her receiver.