New Britain herald., 1925-11-05

have a tree" demanded Billy.
They're unsafe, for one thing.
There is a liability TO fire."
I'VE use electric candles"
"A waste OF current A tree also
entails an unnecessary amount OF
cleaning In the house. Further
more, II Is wicked, because II rep
resents an attack upon the natural
resources OF the country. The
decorations that are placed on It
are tawdry and without artistic
merit. Such gifts as are hung upon
It or placed under It are almost in
Nariubly foolish and unnecessary.
The entire custom and practice re-
lating to Christmas trees is waste
ful and extravagant and serves no
useful purpose. No tree
The Brooke children studied the
creature who had thus developed
a newly horrid aspect. Alice, still
secure in her daily pittance, rallied.
Very we'll" she said haughtily.
If you will not get us tree, !
viii buy one"
You may buy it," Fl. Hedge IN
formed her. but 1t will not enter
the house
Il cannot bring my own tree
into the house,"
No"
why. We have always had a
tree right In this very roomt
You can't have Christmas without
one"
You can have the 25th OF De-
cember without it, at any rate"
answered the efficiency man. That
is what We will have - the 25th
OF December"
why even the poor have
trees"
Sure; we're entitled to one"
added Billy with fine irony.
NO tree"
Just little one" pleaded
Alice.
NO"
why, even the servants have a
tree.'
DO they? I'm glad you mention
ed it," said Hedge, making a me-
morandum, the sinister character
Of which the Brookes understood
This Is the very last straw
cried Constance.
We'll. it shows which way the
wind blows" returned the efficl-
ency man hrutally.
lie wanted to end the argument
and he succeeded. The three
Brookes, as had become their
hs bit under such circumstances,
retired for conference. AS an inter-
change OF counsel and advice 1t did
not amount TO much: but as an IN
dignation meeting 1t was a superb
success. Everybody made a speech
and some of them we're delivered
In unison.
AS a. Christmas morning resolu-
ton, Fl. Hedge decided to square
| himself and when he decided
anything, It was equivalent to do
ing it. He summoned the three
Hrookes from the gymnasium. Con-
stance was flushed from a vigorous
session with the punching bag, al
though she was breathing easily.
Fine con 1:tlon," the efficiency
man told himself as he looked
upon her with frank approval.
Sound wind and a remarkably
good short punch. Choppy
little hook, too, If she would only
extend her efficiency"
well, what's the particular
crime now" demanded Billy.
I'VE are giving a party" said H.
Hedge, coming out OF his reverie.
The Brooke children Hoped into
chairs.
"A party December a." added
the efficiency man.
Ooh" exclaimed Alice. New
Years Eve"
II believe so--yes."
What sort Of a party?' asked
Alice.
is there more than one kind ?"
Several affirmed Constance,
finding her voice. There are bridge
| parties, dancing parties"
This will be a dancing party,
then. Remember, December 81.
Party. o. K"
He made a memorandum on &
pad.
That's ALL" he added. You may
60"
The Brookes arose from their
chairs and the efficiency man dis
missed them with q wave OF his
hand.
The Brooke children fled out Of
the library and went back to the
gymnasium. Billy tapped his FORE
head knowingly.
"Balmy," he said.
The three Brookes waited for II.
Hedge to say something more
about the party and in vain. They
were afraid TO bring up the mat
ter themselves, for fear of an ar
gument and a clash that would
lead to cancellation. They simply
knew that invitations had gone out.
for Horace mailed them. Who had
been asked and who omitted they
did not know; the efficiency man
had possession of the social list and
had used his own judgment.
II hope he didn't forget to IN
vite u.s." observed Alice, 80 long
as it's going to be In our house"
He said it was our party" Con-
stance observed, although we
, don't seem to have anything to do
with it. Still, I don't want any,
thing to do with 1t. because he'll
do what he pleases anyhow. This
Is his last chance, so far as l am
concerned. He stands or falls on
this party"
He's been falling for 20 long
that it doesn't seem TO make any
difference whether he hits bottom
or not" complained Alice. III he
fell q million miles Ned still be
Il