New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1925-10-19

sense" returned the efficiency man
Internationally. as he studied Con-
stance with a contemplative gaze.
1t was not properly a battle OF
eyes, for the fire OF combat lay only
In those OF the girl. The eyes Of
the efficiency man were merely
placid although they we're singular
ly steady. 1t was like trying to
stare the Sphinx out OF counte-
nance, and Constance soon aban-
doned the task.
II shall join my sister," she said.
"You you are \ boor."
"As you wish" he said pleasant
ly, although I should not have
asked you to retire until eleven
o'clock, as you are obviously sew
eral years older than your sister.
And I am not a boor; I am simply
an efficiency engineer. Good night"
Constance did not answer him.
She walked from the library, her
shoulders squared, her head erett.
her steps measured and deliberate.
But when she had turned into the
hall. beyond the sight Of H. Hedge,
she ran.
II. Hedge had been sitting Ct the
library-tabe for an hour and a
half before any member OF the
family appeared. He was busy ex-
aiming, asserting. and piling an
array OF books and documents.
Seven o'clock had found him there,
when daylight was still SO wan and
feeble that he needed the assistance
of an electric bulb. He was be.
ginning to get hungry.
Alice was first to observe him
She walked hriskly into the room
humming, stopped short and saw
the efficiency man. 1t was such ar
agsressively cheerful morning. with
sunlight now streaming through
the broad windows, tn Alice, II
| buoyant response to the mood OF
the day, had utterly forgotten tht
presence Of this creature under the
Brooke roof-tree.
The tune died In a dismal little
wall. She wheeled sharply and dis
appeared into the hall. 1t woult
have been quite proper II grea
cloud had covered the face Of thu
sun at the same instant; although
as 1t CHANGED, none did.
| Constance appeared five minute
later but with no evidence of tn
surprise displayed by her sister,
Good morning" said Hedge
rising. He nodded and smiled Ii
perfect friendliness. There was no
the least suggestion In his name
or voice that betrayed memory O
having been described as a boor.
Good morning" replied Con
stance crisply.
She hesitated for an instant
then approached the desk an
stood facing him, across the broa'
mahogany expanse.
, breakfast is ready now" sh
said.
Very good. We will go in"
Before we do, ! wish to say on
, thing, Mr., Hedge She spoke wit.
composure.
He nodded.
There Is one fixed rule In gu
house, which I must ask you t
observe. No matter what has hap
uaon5 %ba Ayay,i1w befnpo pafod
is permitted to be disagreeable q
breakfast. My father has always In
sisted on this and it has becom
our custom. This, so far as posi-
BILE, is applied to all meals: In tn
case Of breakfast, invariably. Ma
ask you not Toto"
mot to break IT." he supple
with a smile. Certainly. I'll oh
serve the rule. It's good one"
Thank you" said Constanc
: graveyl. "of course, after break
fast"
= She ended the sentence with
shrug that was non-committal.
"Oh, of course" he responde
nonchalantly.
Constance led the way into tn
: dining-room. Billy and Alice wer
at the table, the latter half-choke
with laughter over something he
brother had said.
5 Good morning." nodded Bill
= cheerfully, glancing up.
Good morning" said Alice, q
though she were beholding the Ell
ficiency man for the first time tina
: day. she was still laughing.
Good morning." said Hedg
: cordially, and he sat down.
well, Connie, have you treate
him as you would father7" de
manded her brother with a grin.
. gravely. "Of course, after break
fast hour still resisted shock. Con
stance neither blushed nor froEnet
She laughed heartily. H. Hedge di
likewise, but with a little wrinkl
OF perplexity between his eyes,
"If there Is anything I am mis-,
Ing" he remarked, II leave 1t I
your sense OF fair play to see tha
I get It."
Alice whoored. Billy, with an a
of grave inquiry. stood UP an
gazed fixedly at the top Of the e.
ticiency mans head. The heay
thatch of dark hair caused him
groan regretfully.
mo; you can't get it-not II
way father does" he said sadly.
That's too bad; Ii there's an!
thing l can do"
Alice whooped again.
You you might live to I
: fifty or sixty or seventy or eigh!
= years old" she said, land the
maybe you'd be"
Alice! Fair play, now eontiI
0 ued Constance.
o "Oh, well. II he doesn't want
q wait that long, he could"
Constance reached across Il
& table and laid her hand across b.
sisters lips.