The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-19
Listening In On Foe

She welcomed him warmly, however, and tried to make him feel at home. | Would you like to play q game of croquet with meY she asked him after he had finished a hearty lunch.
 Nav, that ain't no game for live people. ain't seen nothing but old guys playing it in the park"
 'Then it will not do for us," laugh ed Miss Belinda. Maybe you'd rather help me in the garden, William"
 T ain't workin' up here, am I? thought this was goin' to be vacation" /"
 No, William, you don't have to do lany work, unless you wish. But come down in the garden, and watch me. J"
 "Sure. Say, how do you get that William stuff? My names Bill"
 "All right, Bill, I just thought per haps you would like to be called by what fancied was your real name. I like Bill though. It sounds big and strong and kind"
 Say are you tryin' to kid mel"
 Why, no, Bill. really do think that"
 Bill gave Miss Belinda a sidelong glance, and then with a rather sulky air followed her into the garden. She began to cultivate her aster bed.
 T s'pOse you want me to do that for you," he remarked.
 "Oh, no, thank you. I'm very fussy about hOeing. l really don't trust any one hardly except myself. 1 really meant it, Bill, when I said you aren't to do any work unless you felt just like it. had thought maybe you would think it fun to do some digging down at the other end of the garden, where I'm going to put in some tulip bulbs. for next summer. There are lots of worms down there, and I thought maybe you would like to dig some for fishing, but if you would rather rest it's per fectly all right"
 Say, fishin 'ain't work!" swered Miss Belinda smiling. Would shovel is, and what place is to be dug?"
 When could 1 use the worms if I did dig 'em?"
 "Well, there's Tim, the man cutting the grass over there. He likes to fish and I'll ask him to go out with you little while this afternoon if you get some worms, Bill"
 Gee, I'll sure get 'em if there's any there. Can 1 row the boat?'
 Sure" replied Miss Belinda gravely.
 Just before dinner when her young guest came running to the porch with blue gill and three little perch on a string and waved them excitedly before her, she looked as happy as he.
 You did have luck !" she exclaimed. That's splendid. After dinner you may watch Katie clean your fish"
 ''Gee, cant | do it?"
 "Yes, if you don't mind working. Katie will show you how"
 That evening Miss Belindas brother asked her how she was getting on with her gamin.
 "Why, Ben, you shall not call Bill such a name. Tonight when went up to his room to see that he was all right and to take him piece of jelly roll and a glass of milk, he said, My gawd, ain't this service? Gee, Miss Belinda, you're the swell teacher.'"
 I'm not q teacher, Bill," an swered.
 1T s'pose then you're visit nurse"
 1''NOt exactly, Bill I said.
 Well, you're some swell dame even if you ain't got a man, he said feel iigly. And do you know, I'd like to keep that yOungster all summer"
 "Oh, Belinda, you're susceptible" said Ben. Perhaps it might be wise | to keep him until he learns not to use such frank words to his lady friend" i Miss Belinda laughed as she reached out and toOok her brothers hand