The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-10-15
CHAPTER II
The Heroic Day

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, 'if baby and 1 have lunch
over at the lake shoreT
"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 daddyw 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 1t out today"
81 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 a hand with the
needle, you used to look perfect pic
ture. There" warned by the sudden
droop of Lydia's mouth, 81 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"
"All 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?"
81 don't know, child. The poor
thing is dead now, anyhow. Folks is
always thoughtless about charity.
Why 1 wasn't taught to sew, / don't
know Anyhow, the bathing suits she
got special for you two"
"You bet your life, I'm going to
learn how to sew" said Lydia, rising
to unite the baby's bib. I'm practic-
ing on Florence Dombey. Mother had
taught me straight seams and had
just begun me on over and over,
when"
"Over and over" repeated the baby,
softly.
Lizzie put out plump, toil-scarred
hand and drew Lydia to her. There,
dearieI Think about other things.
What shall poor old Liz fix you for
! lunch?"
The child rubbed her bright cheek
against the old woman's faded one.
'You are solid comfort to me, Liz
zie," she said with a sigh. Then aft
er a moment she exclaimed, eagerly,
"OhI Lizzie, do you think we could
have a deviled egg? Is it too ex-
pensive?"
You shall have deviled egg If
have to steal 1t. But maybe you might
dust up the parlor a, bit while / get
things ready
Lydia established little Patience on
the >dining-room floor with linen
picture book, brought In broom and
dustpan from the kitchen and began
furiously to sweep the parlor. When
the dust cleared somewhat she
emerged with the dustpan heaped with
sweepings and the corners of the
room still untouched. Then with a
sense of duty well done, she lifted lit
tie Patience and carried her up into
the little bedroom.
The bathing suits were pretty blue
wooden things, and when the two pre-
sented themselves to Lizzie In the
kitchen the old woman exclaimed,
"Well, If ever seen two fairies!"
"a thin one and a fat one,' chuck
led Lydia. push the baby carriage
down over the steps for me, Lizzie,
and I'll prepare for our long, hard
voyage"
Patience was established In her
perambulator with her linen picture
book. Florence Dombey was settled
at her feet, with Men Of Iron" The
bits of cigar box and the knife packed
in a pasteboard box were tied to one
edge Of the carriage. Patience's milk,
packed In tin pail Of ice, was laid
on top of "Men of Iron" The paper
bag of lunch dangled from the handle
bar and Lydia announced the prep
arations complete.
The way to the lake shore led I'M
der the maple trees for several blocks.
Then the board walk turned abruptly
to cross marsh high grown now with
ripening cat-tails.. Having safely
crossed the marsh, the walk ended in
a grass-grown path. Lydia trundled
the heavy perambulator with some
difficulty along the path. The August
sun was hot. She painted. "You are
getting fat, babyl Darn 1t, / wish
had a bicyclei"
"Ahoy therei Hard aport with your