San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-11

scOrching your shoes
Absorbed in the London Observer,
Warren pushed back from the glow
ing crate.
Its after FOUR" Helen was distri-
buting on the mantel her 5ought-on-
the-Continent antiques. Aren't you
going TO change your suit before they
Gomez"
What's the matter with this?' no
grunted. Now, don't doll up for
tea. Here, leave those alone"
"All over the place" picking uD
the Sunday papers. And look how
you've rumpled the rug. Lift your
chair! Be careful, that stand-that
china figure !"
Wonder you wouldn't put away
some Of this truck? Can't turn round
without knockin' somethin' off. Trust
the English to clutter up with gim-
cracks
"Yes, I'm going to put lot of 1t
away. l did last year-in the bath
room cupboard. But they're coming
i thought I'd leave, it out today"
Huh, one of your show-offs, Ell:
Here. hand me that other paper
Dear. it is wonderful to have
London flat like this! ! know they'll
love it. They always stay at hotel.
Yes. come in, Judkins."
"Shall | put on a Bit more coal,
madame?' the maid, in her crisp Sun
day cap and apron, knelt by the fire.
YES, and brush up the ashes.
m
friends for tea. Dear, move back
you're in her way"
VISITORS ARRIVE.
Cheerful opcn-fire sounds. The
clink of the tongs and the hiss of
fresh coal.
-Oh, that can't be the brakes :"
fluttered Helen. Its not near
five! :"
Dropping the brass scuttle. Judkius
hurried to answer the door-bell.
Yes. the brakes. Effusivcly apo.O-
getic because they were so early.
"We dined with the Kennerleys at
Putny. Came back by the Tube-so
much quicker than we expected"
"Why, it's nice to have you early.
Is that chair too near the fire."
"This dampness gets in your
bones" sbivered Mr.. Drake, his back
to the crate.
"James loathes fog" his wife
stretched seude pumps to the fender.
81 love it, glowed Helen. Moth
ing's so fascinating as London
fog"
Nor so raw" grumped Warren.
I'm like Drake - gets in your
bones"
The London weather disposed OF,
after the manner of Americans
abroad. hotels and prices were next
assaiIed.
The brakes were at small,
smart" expensive hotel in Half
Moon street. But never again! Here.
after, the big hotels-lcss exclusive
but more comfortable.
"Yes, you pay more and get less in
those small smart hotels than eny-
where in the world" shrugged War
rem. ave struck one our first trip
fore We knew the ropes. Trimmed
us plenty"
Helen awaited the expected lauia'
tions on their fiat. But the brakes
dilated on the high prices and poor
service Of their hotel. until the on
trance of the tea wagon.
A formal English ten. CcremOn-
iousIy served by an imposing waiter.
HOUSEKEEPING DETAILS.
Dainty sandwiches Of egg and mus
tard-crcss. Buttercd bread cut in
crrdibly thin. strawberry marmalade,
and the inevitable 'Dundrc" cake.
81 wish we could get this mustard
nnd-cress in New York" from Mrs.
Drake.
'Don't You love Il? Last year I
took back some sepd-but forgot IN
plant them" admitted Helen. "Thcy
say it's 50 easy 10 grow. just in a
box-Or on wet blanket. And the
moro you cut ii, the more it grows"
ayes, I've heard that, James. we
must get some seed IN take home"
comfortable outfit you got here"
Mr.. Drake was glancing around
How many rooms|'
"Only two" Warren gulpcd another
sandwich.
Dear. three with the reception
hall-and that huge bath" supple
mcntcd Helen. "Tt's Sir Robert
Treadwel's flnt-this's the third year
we've had it,"
'How do you work It? Sublet from
him-or from the house,"
ooh. from him. He's a friend n a
friend Of Warrcn's. He has n large
country estato-so he's here very lit
tie. A member of Parliament" i'm
pressivcly. ale wrote us last year we
could have the flat whenever we're in
London"
"Ycs. it's cinch." Warren dug
into the marmaladc. "Once you're in
right with an Englishman-they're the
finest ever"
'YOu have your meals sent up?"
''No. we go down. Warren likes
their club restaurant. About twenty
clubs herc-the Authors. the Junior
Army and Navy. the Golfers. the Lady
Golfers. and the West Indian. This's
one Of the largest buildings in Lon
don"
YES. I know Whitehall Court
but didn't think they bsd apartments
here"
Service flats-thcy call them.
And the famous people whO'vc lived
here, The booklet says Lord Kitch-
cner, the Grand Duke Michael Of Rus
STA. and 7 think. Gladstone. for
awhile" boosted Helen.
1--WE noticed the names on the hall