Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-10-07
CHAPTER II
The Heroic Day


Little Patience had forgotten the
red balloon, overnight. Lydia had
known that she would. Nevertheless,
with the feeling that something was
owing to the baby, she decided to turn
this Saturday into an extra season of
delight for her little charge.
*Do you care, dad" asked Lydia, at
breakfast, eff baby and I have lunch
over at the lake shore?"
"Not If you're careful" answered
Amos. He dug into his coat pocket
and brought up handful of tobacco
from which he disinterred two pen
MES.
"Here," he said, zone for each Of
you. Don't be late for supper, chick
ems"
He kissed the two children, picked
up his dinner pail and was off. Lydia,
her red cheeks redder than usual,
smiled at Lizzie, as she dropped the
pennies into the pocket Of her blouse
and stuffed gray and frowsy little
handkerchief on top Of them.
"Isn't he the best old daddy" she
exclaimed.
"Sure," said Lizzie absentmindedly,
as she poured out her third cupful OF
coffee. Lydia, that dress Of yours is
real dirty. You get into something
else and II wash It out today"
ST haven't got much Of anything else
to get into, have I, Lizzie?-except my
Sunday Dress"
"You are dreadful short Of clothes,
child, what with the way you grow
and the way you climb trees. I'm
trying to save enough out Of the gro
Gerry money to get you couple more
of them galatea dresses for when
school opens, but land-your poor
mother was such hand with the
needle, you used to look perfect pic
ture. "There," warned by the sudden
droop of Lydia's mouth, ri tell you
you'll be in and out of the water all
day, anyhow. Both of you get into
the bathing suits your Aunt Emily
sent you"
Gall right" answered Lydia, sober
ly. wouldn't you think Aunt Emily
would have more sense than to send
all those grownup clothes? Who did
she thinks going to make 'em over
now?" ~
ST don't know, child. The poor
thing is dead now, anyhow. Folks IL
always thoughtless about charity
Why I wasn't taught to sew, l don't
know. Anyhow, the bathing suits she
got special for you two"
"Ypu bet your life, I'm going tc
learn how to sew" said Lydia, rising
to unite the baby's bib. 'T'm practic
ing on Florence Dombey. Mother had
taught me straight seams and hat
Just begun me on over and over
when"
"oyer and over" repeated the baby
softly.
Lizzie put out a plump, toil-scarret
hand and drew Lydia to her. "There
dearieI Think about other things
What shall poor old Liz fix you fol
iunchf"
The child rubbed her bright cheel
against the old woman's faded one
"You are solid comfort to me, Liz
zie," she said with q sigh. Then aft
er a moment she exclaimed, eagerly
"Ohl Lizzie, do you think we could
have a devped egg? Is It too ex
pensive?'
"You shall have a deviled egg If
have to steal 1t. But maybe you nigh
dust up the parlor bit while I &c
things ready"
Lydia established little Patience OF
the dining-room floor with liner
picture book. brought In broom ant
dustpan from the kitchen and begaI
furiously to sweep the parlor. Wher
the dust cleared somewhat sht
emerged with the dustpan heaped witt
sweepings and the corners of thu
room still untouched. Then with
sense of duty well done, she lifted Lit
tie Patience and carried her up int
the little bedroom.
The bathing suits were pretty blue
wooden things, and when the two pre-
sented themselves to Lizzie In thu
kitchen the old woman exclaimed
"Well, IL ever seen two fairies !"
: "a thin one and fat one" chuck
led Lydia. "Push the baby carriag,
down over the steps for me, Lizzie
and I'll, prepare for our long, hare
voyage"
Patience was established in he
perambulator with her linen pictur,
book. Florence Dombey was settles
at her feet, with .Men Of <Iron.s Thu
bits of cigar box and the knife packet
In pasteboard box were tied to on
edge of the carriage. Patience's milk
packed In tin pail of ice. was lait