New Britain herald., 1926-08-11

IHefflinger Papa" or at least Uncle Ed" But Merry stubbornly stuck to "Mr. Hefflinger." She, like Cassie and Jimmy, resented his marriage to
 Mons.
 'I think Cassie beat AIr. Heffling- CT to the bathroom this morning. Moms,' she said sweetly. That's why he's late, I suppose Mons poured a little hot water over the drying lamb chops, and put a lump of butter into the pan with the potatoes.
 Dear! Dear!' she fretted. every thing will be ruined for his break fast She began to tap the floor nervously with the toe of her shoe.
 Run up and tell Cassie to hur- ry' she said, frowning. She can't lock herself up in that bathroom the way she used to in the old days!" As Merry reached the top of the stairs, Cassie was just coming out of the bathroom. MT. Hefflinger all most knocked her down as he rush ed past her, and slammed the door behind him violently. | Cassie looked after him with wide, insolent eyes. Sweet little thing to have around. the house, isn't he?" she drawled. What ails him? Is he going to catch a train, or something | like that?"
 Merry giggled. "No. But he's kind of sacred COW around here" she laughed, pushing her sister ahead of her into the bedroom. Hes supposed to have the bathroom to himself every morning at seyen- | thirty"
 Isn't that lovely" mocked Cas- sic. ''I suppose his whiskers are just ready to be cut at that time, don't you? Is that the reason, or is it be- cause he breakfasts at eight? l seem l to smell broiling meat and boiling coffee and other comforts of home"
 Merry nodded. "Yes, he has break fast at eight sharp" she replied. Bath at seyen-thirty, breakfast at eight, leaves the house at nine. He's a regular railroad timetable, he isl" | Cassie smiled, and uttered the thought that was in both of their minds. Its too bad Dad couldn't have had some of the attention she wastes on this Hefflinger!" she said bitterly.
 | They went downstairs together. In her slim little tube of a dress, Cassie looked like young girl in the sud- den April sunshine that flooded the dining room. .. She looked as unreal as one of | the velvet orchids that are sold in dry goods stores.
 | Her hair. cropped close to her head, had been touched up" to pale gold. Countless beauty treat ments had given her skin fresh ness and a sheen that nature had never given it. She had had her white eyelashes dyed. so that they remained dark until they grew out. ! Rings sparkled on her thin white hands. and when she moved, the delicate odor of French perfume came from her clothes. | In Mons shabby. comfortable dining room, with it's cuckoo clock, it's plain white muslin curtains, its golden-oak furniture, she was as out of place as the Czarina of all the Russias would have been in soviet hotel.
 Could I have some grapefruit, Moms?" she asked, with sidewise glance at the two halves that wait ed. iced and sugared, at MT. Hef- l fingers place.
 Mons looked unhappy. There isn't one in the house" she said. except that one. And it's all fixed for Ed. He has two oranges one morning, and a grapefruit the next. Doctors orders" A crooked little smile just touch ed Cassies reddened lips. "Does he have to have both halves?" she ask ed.
 Then, as her mother picked up one half and put it on another plate for her, she shook her head. NO, thank you" she refused it with freezing politeness. "No, thank you. I wouldn't touch that grapefruit"
 The door of the dining room open ed and Lillie came in.
 She was looking even more gay and colorful than usual. Merry knew that she had put fresh henna on her hair the day before, and her head glowed like a torch. A rhinestone pin was stuck among the puffs and waves of it. She wore a pink Jersey jumper over her black buckles on her satin shoes.
 Hello, folkses!" she greeted the three women, in her kindly smiling way. Isn't this morning to drive the blues away? What are you do- ing here, Mrs. Kaufman? Left your husband?"
 She meant that question as