Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-02-14
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS x \ n n
WHEN
POLLY'S MON
SPRUCED UP

n her with pardonable pride;
Nv she had wiped down the
walls and scrubbed the floors,
the rugs were shaken and there was
nothing in the apartment that could
show a bit of dust. Don't see how
things could be any cleaner" she muir
INJURED, Strengthening sofa pillow.
Thanks, yes. l shall love It, No,
don't think mother would care to go;
you know she loves to stay home and
read. Good-by."
Mrs. Hewitt had listened 20 the tel
ephone conversation with a sensation
of surprise. She could hear Polly
moving about the dining room hum
ming a gay song as she tidied her
desk.
"Polly."
"Yes." Polly's bright face appeared
In the doorway.
"Who telephoned just now2"
marion Stokes"
"She invited you somewhere" Mrs.
Hewitt wondered at the hardness that
had crept into her voice and her
daughter was visibly surprised.
why, she just asked me to come
over; we will study our English to.
gether tomorrow night"
But you said something about me-"
"Oh." The girls tone was relieved.
She had feared, from her mothers
odd manner that something had gone
seriously wrong. "Why, Mrs. Stokes
called out and said to ask you to
bring your embroidery over and sit
with her while we studied, but knew.
of course"
II don't know why you should re-
fuse an invitation without consulting
me, Polly" and this time the hard
ness was edged with a growing re-
sentiment.
Polly looked amazed: "You have
never returned Mrs. Stokes call; you
refused to meet the Williams because
you said your frock was out of style
and you simply won't go downtown
with me to get your winter hat. Mrs.
Stokes goes everywhere with Marion
and she wears such pretty clothes
WAoh JOu dAOA always want W Sldy
home. The reason I didn't call out
to hear you say mo- as you always
do was because 1t sounds so much
more curt if l have asked you and
you have refused"
1t was the mothers turn to look
amazed; the tumbling words fell out
with vehemence that showed there
must have been previous thought on
the subject She remembered, too,
that the last time Marion had studied
with Polly in the Hewitts' apartment
she had been very tired from doing an
enormous ironing and not wishing to
change from her print house gown had
hurried into her own room when the
bell rang announcing &drfonfs arrival.
"Well, mother, will you go2 I'd love
to have you; 1t looks SO uninterested
when you never want to see any
friends or" There was a tiny sob
and the girl looked out at the snow
that was filling the air with spar
king particles. atT o
Mrs. Hewitt had made up her mind
with her usual firm decision Eyes,
call Marion and tell her l shall be
glad to accompany you" She kissed
the round, young cheek and left the
room.
In her home village Mrs. Hewitt
had been of some Importance. No one
cared there whether she bought new
hat or whether she ran bareheaded to
exchange book at the library or to
chat with neighbor. When she had
first come to the city the hustle and
unfamiliar sights had somewhat be-
wildered her and she had confined her
energies toward keeping clean,
cheerful home for Polly and In sewing
for her. Now as she looked back over
the three months she saw that she had
become merely a house-mother while
Polly had plunged into her school
work and made new acquaintance
with the facility Of the young. "Tve
forgotten that there is world out
side my four walls" she murmured,
whinsically. 1--WE sunk the mother
and companion in the housewife and"
she looked regretfully in her looking
glass, II certainly look as though !
took no interest in my appearance
should think the child would be
ashamed to have me go anywhere
with her."
There was a little sting connected
with the visit of Marion's mother and
this was because she presented such
contrast. She was not especially
pretty, but she was very youthful look
ing to have so mature a daughter and
she was both well-dressed and smart.
One knew, instinctively, that thought
as well as money had been expended
upon her clothing.
There Is no reason why | should
not be as well dressed" went on Mrs.
Hewitt as though arguing with the
flushed face that looked back inter.
estedly from the mirror. ~ haven't
much to spend, but have enough"
She was downtown when Polly re.
turned from school and hustled In Just
as the girl was ready to serve din
ner. "Well, m0msic, ! was just begin.
ming to worry about you. You look
awfully bright and happy"
~ am" returned her mother with
shining eyes. "Polly, I've been buying
clothes ~
"You certainly needed some; look
at that hati" Polly looked as pleased
as her radiant mother.
Next evening Polly wished to see
the contents Of the mysterious boxes
that had been arriving. but her moth.
or refused. you see, want TO burst
on sou In all my glory" she explained.
When the bedroom door finally