The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-04-15

SCcaI Debts


: :
- ca. !" said Mrs. Westcott dramat-
ically 70 her husband az she took the
news PAPER out Of his hands to com
pei ann to give his undivided atten-
tlon to her, we've got to entertain!
That's all there is to it'll"
''Well. why have we?' demanded
Westcott.
why, I'm simply ashamed to look
our friends in the face, and actually
the Ruggleses and the SQuires viii
think we are stingy! They've lived
here nearly year and I've never even
had luncheon in all that time. Think
of it.! And / receive invitations almost
every day! But there's one comfort
don't go any more! So really don't
owe a lot of people more than the in
vitation itself"
Westcott listened heipiessly, trying
in vain to catch glimpse of the head
lines in the newspaper that his wife
held. YES" he said, in most desul-
tory manner, feeling In duty bound to
make some remark in the pause.
Eyes, that's it!' went on Mrs. West
colt. Wen entertain. Well do some
thing big, too! Come. help me plant"
She beamed on him as she threw the
newspaper behind her. regardless of
its landing on the floor.
But" demonstrated her husband,
weakly, 'these big affairs are rather
an expense, aren't they?"
"Oh, why didn't think of it be-
fore?' Mrs. Westcott asked, ignoring
his remark. There. they've been
gone only two months and I've owed
them something so long. could
have had it a week. say, after they
sailed and" She. paused in rapt
contemplation.
"Why, my DEAR" interposed West
colt, surprised by the peculiar trend
Of his wifes remarks, You say you
wish you could have given it week
after they sailed ] assume that you
mean the Rankins. But why week
after they sailed. Why was that time
any better than the PRESENT."
why, you see" Mrs. Westcott
gazed on him in pity for his lack of
comprehension, you see. l could have
invited them!"
Westcott took a deep breath. He
looked at his wife earnestly while his
brain tried to fathQm the mystery,
"4ou wanted to give it early so you
could invite the Rankins to come to
it week after they sailed! All, yes!
SO clear so-so-shall we call it
1ucld?"
ION, bother!'' Mrs. Westcott impa-
tiently exclaimed. ''Why can't you I'M
derstand things? l alwas have to ex-
plain everything to you! II l invited
them then they'd owe me al invita-
ton. I'd have paid what owe them,
but they couldn't come because they'd
be sailing for Europe at The time"
Westcott eyed his wife IN admira-
ton,
Are you going TOTO run the whole
party on the same principle?' he que
ried, respectfully.
eWell, wen issue about twice as
many invitations as the hose can
hold" she explained, the fire Of vac
tory in her eyes. There are tne
Browns. They're going TO Florida tn-s
winter. beard shat gAey leaYs n
about a week. That's tive. for "a
have to have the girls, too" she
looked at her husband exultantly.
"Oh, and there are the MarteAs and
the Smiths. They're going hunting
together this fall somewhere up noTth
and they'll go gone month, | know!
That's seven with Mr.. Warren's sis
terE," Westcott pulled oqt an enye,
lope and put DOWN the tigarss,
Then there are the doctor and his
mother. He told me the other day
that she wasn't at all well and be
thought hea Jake a run out Msst 10
go with her t9 bis sisteFs In galifor-
MIA, / gould inYite them!"
And there are the minister and his
wife and his son and daughter" put
in Westcott, with proper prioe ia his
offering. Hes going to accept that
church in Rochester. so we can IN
vite them!"
Mrs, Westeott glanced at her bus
band t9 detect any fraud In bis air Of
frankness, but he was adaing the
names to his list enthusiastically.
There are twenty that can't come"
he counted, finally,
Mrs. Westcott sighed a deep sigh
Of thanksgiving. That's all right,
then. she said, Now, Wen just ask
our own immediate friends in to tea
that night and have good time.
That'll be eight or ten altogether
and, thank goodness, most OF my OBJ
legations viii be paidl'
Then she handed his newspaper to
him smilingly.