Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15

You're-you're house cleaning!" There was a
stunned sort of look on her face
"Of course. This is September. But if I'd
known you were coming-come here to the
window. Let mother see you. Is that the
kind of hat theyre-why, it's a Winter one,
isn't it? Already! Dear me, I've just got used
to the angle of my Summer one. You must
telephone father"
MIz' MERz, damply calicoed, rose from a
corner and came forward, wiping a moist
and parboiled hand on her skirt. "Ha' do.
Pinky? Amt forgot your old friends, have
you?"
Its Mrs. Merz!" Pinky put her cool. sweet
fingers into the other woman's spongy clasp.
why, hello Mrs. Merz! OF course, when
there's house -cleaning-Id forgotten all about
use-cleaning-that there was such a thing,
mean"
Its got to be DONE" replied Miz' Merz
severely.
They smiled at each other then the mother
and daughter. They descended the winding
attic stairs happily talking very fast and inter-
rupting each other.
Mrs Brewster's skirt was still pinned UP.
Her hair was bound in the protecting towel.
You must telephone father. No. let's surprise
him. You'll hate the dinner-built around Miz'
MerZ; you know-boied Well you know what
a despot she is"
1t was hot for September in Wisconsin As
they came out to the porch Pinky saw that
there were tiny beads of moisture under her
mothers eyes and about her chin. The sight
Infatuated her somehow We'll, really mother!"
Now just what does that mean?" said Mrs.
Brewster equally Take off your hat and
coat, Pinky, but don't treat them that way
unless that's the way they're doing in New
York"
OF course, Pinky laughed then, and kissed her
mother and Rugged her hard. Its just that
it seems so idotic-your digging around
in an attic in this day and agei Why,
itS-its-' Pinky could express herself much
more clearly in colors than in words. There
is no such thing as an attic. People don't clean
them any more. I never realized before-thiS
huge house. It has been wonderful to come
back to, of course. But just you and dad"
She stopped. She raised two young fists high
in impotent anger. do you like cleaning the
attic?"
I've always done it, Pinky. And while they
may not be wearing attics in New York, we
haven't taken them off in Winnebago"
1t was cool and serene young daughter who
greeted Hosea Brewster as he came limping up
the porch stairs He placed the fiat of the
foot down at each step, instead of heel and
ball. 1t gave him queer, htching gait. The
girl felt sharp little construction of her throat
as she marked that rheumatic limp. Its the
beastly Wisconsin Winters" she told herself.
Then darting out at him from the corner where
she had been hiding: "S'prise S'prise!"
His plump blond face flushed with the IN
wonted heat, went darkly red He dropped his
hat. His arms gathered her in. Her fresh
young cheek was pressed against his dear,
prickly one. So they stood for a long minute
close.
Need a shave, dad"
WELL gosh, how did I know my best girl
was coming" He held her off. whats the
matter, Pink? Don't they like your covers any
more?"
mot thing, Hosey. Don't get fresh. They're
redecorating my studio-you know-plasterers
and stuff. couldn't work. And was lone
some for you"
Mrs. Brewster's light footstep sounded in
the hall. She wore an all-enveloping gingham
apron. How did you like your surprise,
father?" She came over to him and kissed the
top of his head. I'm getting dinner so that
Gussie can go on with the attic. Everything's
ready if you want to come in. I didn't want
to dish up until you we're at the table, SOS
everything would be hot" She threw laugh