Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-01

Mr.. Monroe always came to tea on Sun
day evenings. The sisters shared him as
scrupuLousIy as they shared Claudia.
EGYPT-clear star-lit skies-Fred and Claudia.
married just six weeks, still dazed with their
own happiness. Claudia opened her smart green
bag and fumbled for a cigarette. 1t was half
way to her mouth when she caught Miss jean
cites eye upon her.
"Oh, SorTyP she faltered and started TO put
1t back.
But Miss jeanette rustled toward the dining
room door,
Matte" she called, will you bring Mrs.
Murray ash tray?"
The sisters ranged themselves around the
lamp. Miss Catherine produced table mat
which she was crocheting. Miss Lucy began to
turn the hem of napkin. Miss jeanette pol
ished her spectacles and cleared her throat
"Ahem! Egypt and It's Monuments by
Amelia b. Edwards. Published 1884, Chapter I,
The Explorer in Egypt. What is the matter,
Lucy?"
I'm afraid" faltered Miss Lucy, eve run
out of white thread. If you could lend me
some just for the evening"
Miss jeanette and Miss Catherine both dived
into their work baskets. Miss Lucy had her
choice between two spooIs, one initiated ~" and
the other &C."
I'll keep track" she said, blushing at her
own carelessness, land pay you back tomor-
row.
She helped herself alternately from ~" and
&C." Miss jeanette read Chapter / and passed
the book in order of seniority to Miss Cath
crime. Claudia stroked the cat and looked
from one to another of the gray heads. The
darlings reading their improving books and
doing their fancy work"
Miss Catherine finished her chapter and
passed the book to Miss Lucy but just after
Miss Lucy began to read 10 o'clock struck
from the black onyx clock with gilt knight
in armor atop. Miss Lucy promptly inserted
a canvas bookmark embroidered with violets
and a sentiment from Emerson. The cat
jumped out of Clauda's lap and stood waiting.
The sisters closed their workbaskets and rose
Miss Lucy put the three cats in the kitchen
Miss jeanette lighted the hand lamps that
stood on a table in the hall. Miss Catherine
blew out the Rochester burner.
In the large dim bed rooms Matte had
already removed the spreads and holsters from
the high double beds.
Now that the Fall evenings growing
so chilly" sad Miss jeanette, 1--WE usually leave
our bed room doors open for ventilation"
Perhaps Claudia is used to having her win
dows open," suggested Miss Lucy.
Some people do" said Miss Catherine, but
I can't make myself believe night air is a
good thing to let into bed room.
Claudia opened her windows, but she left
her door ajar too After the good-nights in
the hall not word passed from bed room to
bed room, yet she wasn't quite so lonesome
with her door open. She wondered If, back in
the apartment in New York, Fred had closed
his door
CLAUDIA awoke in the morning to find
herself alone on the second floor, and
dashed through a cold bath in huge tub
neatly matchboarded like the walls But when
she got downstairs Matte was just setting the
table for breakfast.
The ham and eggs and pancakes daunted
Claudia, who was used to beginning the day
with a cup of black coffee and a cigarette.
After breakfast the three sisters scattered to
their tasks. Miss jeanette inspected the ice
box, ordered the meals and made chocolate
custard. Miss Catherine looked over the
washing and did the mending. Miss Lucy be-
took herself to the tall iron plant stand that
occupied the bay window in the dining ROOM
Were always busy" she said to Claudia, as
she shipped dead leaves and turned each plant
through half circle. I'm house like this