Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-10-31
Dinner for
Four
By MARY CAREY

IT IMPHI" said Jimmy as the cold
~ spray splashed his fat little chest,
and "Glugl" said Jimmy as he was
lifted pink and dripping from his rub
Der tub.
Heavens /" cried Timmy's mother.
there's the phone"
THAT you, dear?" Peter, on the
wire, was stern and ouslnessllke. I'm
bringing the Clarkes home to dinner
tonight. Sorry didn't know little
sooner"
Both gasped. Clarke was the chief
engineer, the boss; she had never
met him, nor his wife. "T'll do my
best" she began, but
Good Usual train. BY, dear"
No details, no explanations; tina;
was Peter for you How like a man.
thought Beth. delicious dinner
charming hostess. Lovely little home
boss deeply impressed: Never ap
preclated you, my lad; do take a vice
presidency and $10,G00 year. Beth
grinned to herself "I'll probably put
salt In the fruitcup and spill soup ID
his lap No, won't either. Peters
always teasing me about losing my
head I'll show him this time"
According to Beth's way OF think
ing. men guests could always be i'm
pressed by plenty of good food, women
by an immaculate house. The present
emergency called for both.
blouse cleaned, silver and brass pol
ished, cake made, vegetables ready
late that afternoon Beth checked over
her list on weary fingers.
Fruitcup finished and put on ice.
dishes laid outs 30; strawberries
hulled and sugared cream whipped
and sweetened-5:45 Then Tim had
to be conducted, messy but jovial
through a great bowl Of oatmeal.
She was just tucking the baby into
his crib when there came the unmis-
taxable sound of rattly, wheeling
MIranda-the family car, turning into
the driveway.
Beth reached her bedroom closet in
three leaps Thank heavens for mod
ern clothes that slip on over the head
In a single motion Thank heavens
for shingled hair Two minutes later
she was Mt the door. all In white. n
calm and graciously smiling hostess
Mrs CInike-how nice of you; and
Mr. Clarkei" Peters grin made a
silent background of husbandly pride
and affection.
The dinner proceeded with the
smOothness of perfection From green
sherbet glasses. to the last delicious
crumb of strawberry shortcake, not n
dish could have looked or tasted BET
ter. and the Clarkes were outspokenly
nppreriative
MY dear. you're simply marvellous.
Mrs. Clarke insisted, as they fingered
with real regret over their good-bys
Such wonderful dinner; and you do
II all so easily and so calmly"
Beth glowed with delight: "Oh, II
wasn't one hit of trouble It's all in
beine systematic, guess" And at
that. over his wife's blond head, Jim
Clarke gave his hostess deliberate
and whole-henrted wink.
Fiercely attacking the great piles
Of dirty dishes. Beth pondered the
meaning of that wink. Could II be
splash went a spoon into the half
fllPd gravy boat Beth sprang away
from the SCATTERING drops, bent over
her frnck to look for possible damage.
md groaned aloud in sudden and utter
CONSERVATION. PicOt-edged inner
seams. stitched outlines instead of
patch pockets. indentatiOns where but
tons should have been-her white
crepe de chine sports frock was quite
obviously wrong side outl
"Oh. Peter. she walled, rs he came
bustling back from his trip to the sta.
tion "Oh. Peter why didn't you
tell me?"
"Tcll you what? He followed her
tragicalIy pointing finger and rOared
with laughter. Wrong side out
Thai surely Is good one. | never
noticed"
"But Mr.. Clarke did, I'm sure That's
why he winked NJ me when his wife
was saying was so efficient. Oh dear
and you said he hated carelessness
above all things?'
"Carelessnessf Jim Clarke? Why,
he's the worlds most absent-minded
man Once. when we were In col.
lege. :"
Beth interrupted ferOciously calm:
Peter. what Clarke was that?"
He gazed at her blankly. "Why, Jim
Clarke. of course. Down from Boston
for a visit. ran into him on Broad
street. You've often heard me talk
about Jim Clarke Once when we
we're in college
"Peter Blythe, you never mentioned
such a person in your life. You never
do mention anything, Clarke to me
meant just one person, your boss. :"
"You poor lnfantl" Peter sank
onto the davenport and gathered her
into his arms. $50 you went to all
that trouble. and thought you had
made such hit. ="
"And then spoiled II by putting on
my dress wrong side out"
But the big Joke confessed Peter,
rs that Clarke isn't my boss any
more"
"What2"
district manager"
"a raiser"
Sure"
She snuggled contcntedly against him.
oh. Pefer--and sou never told me.
It's perfectly great. and maybe by
The time you get Ia he vice president
m really he calm and efficient and
everything
"Maybp." hr griuned down al her,
hut I rather hope not"