The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-03-22

~ OOD MOhAlANO' Mrs. YAM AhS
" neighbor from across the street
hesitated a moment at the foot Of
the front steps. Only moment, how
ever. for hers was not a timid soul.
Rapidly mounting them, she went on
talking. a little breathlessly. I'm
looking for Teddy. Have you seen him
anywhere? 1 can't be happy one
minute unless I know just where he is
I'm like that. Isn't it funnyy
Good morning. Mrs. Whipple. He's
playing in the sand box with Ben. DO
you want him to come homer" Mrs.
Cain rose from her porch chair and
laid down her sewing on the swinging
seat.
"Oh. no-thank you, ] just wanted to
turb them for the world. When chill
dren are quiet ! always say let them
stay quiet. But like to have him in
good company. think it's 30 i'm
portant. Teddy's such a. perfect little
mimic-the kind of child that copies
any one. l can always tell by listen
ing to him just whom he's been with"
ave noticed" Mrs. Cain was still
standing. Just yesterday morning
where he and Ben were playing In the
yard"
.Oh. love having him play with
Ben." interrupted Mrs. Whipple. He
never learns anything here that we
don't want him to. But you would have
laughed if you could have heard him
copying you yesterday, after he came
home. He was pretending to tele-
phone the grocer, and, my dear, he
gave a perfect Imitation of you! He
even remembered the very thing you
had for dinner last night. Clam chow
der, wasn't it?'
and hated herself for blushing. 1T
was Thursday, you know-and Tecla
goes OUT
the same to me. When you do your
own work it's that way,-isnt ~!
please sit down and 60 right on
with your sewing. Don't let me in
terrupt. That's the beauty about being
real neighborly-being able to run in
at any time and not interrupt. I'll
sit down a minute, too, II you don't
mind. I'm all out Of breath from run
ming after that child.
What are you making? Curtains?
How lovely! I've been wanting new
curtains for years. But l guess your
husband makes twice what mine does.
Anyway, / know we can't afford to
entertain the way you people do. Oh,
YES you do, my dearp Mrs. Whipple
shook her finger, playfully accusing.
"Three nights last week and three
couples every time. counted the
cars.
But what yeu want of new cur
tains I simply can't imagine. If
mine looked half as well as yours do.
I'm sure I'd not complain. Those red
drapes in the living room are so ef-
fective, especially when you light the
lamp after dinner, and you sit there
with q book and Mr.. Cain plays soli-
taire. Now Mr.. Whipple and play
Russian bank. 1 try to do anything
he wants me to in the evenings. !
do believe in making home pleasant
for your husband--pleasant and socl-
able. I'm like that"
"Oh, don't. It's sociable not to-.
Every nights, when your lights go on,
/ say to Mr.. Whipple, We'll, the Gains
are home tonight And when your
house is dark. I know you are having
dinner out, the way you did on Tues
day. But when you do stay home,
and don't have company, / notice your
husband takes his coat off after dinner,
just the way mine does.
Desperately Mrs. Cain looked mp
and down the street. Was no relief
in sight? Not in sight, but in hear
ing-and from an unexpected quarter.
Her deliverance came from around the
corner of the house, heralded by chill
dren's voices and laughter :. laughter
that stopped under the lilac bushes at
the side of the porch. Voices that
floated up, clear and distinct, to the
two women that sat there. One voice,
rising above the others, conquering
them. The shrill, insistent voice of
Teddy Whipple. ~.
This is my house." he squealed,
"and this place between the leaves,
that's my window. Now I'm playing
| mamma looking out. This is the way