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

prettier than her picture she smiled; and
Claudia, who was beginning to feel like Skin
about her mouth, smiled back and forgot
for a moment the burden that had grown
heavier as mile after mile separated her from
Fred.
I'VE have supper at g." said Miss jeanette
"That will give you plenty of time to unpack."
CLAUDIA didn't unpack much-about tomor-
- row she'd be getting a frantic telegram
demanding her return-but she scrambled
through her wardrobe trunk for her plainest
dress.
The supper table was set under a hanging
lamp heavy with crystal pendants; the damask
cloth almost hidden under rows of forks
and spoons and dishes of preserves and relishes.
Matte set down the soup tureen before Miss
jeanette.
Perhaps you are accustomed to dinner at
night?" asked Miss jeanette.
ct don't think I'll starve" said Claudia, BEAM
ing with delight over the bone dishes. If she
hadn't visited the Skinner girls when she was
little she wouldn't have known what the
bone dishes were.
I'VE try to set a good table," said Miss
jeanette.
did you have good trip" asked Miss Cath
crime.
"Horrid," said Claudia 81 had to take a
section instead Of state room"
"A state room is very comfortable" agreed
q
we went to the Buffalo Exposition in 1901"
I'VE had such good time at the exposition"
said Miss Lucy.
"And it was so educational besides" said Miss
Catherine quickly; then after ponderous
moments delay, "but not, think, as educa-
tional as the fair in Chicago in 1893"
Il preferred Buffalo," said Miss jeanette. "I
have always liked the East"
The oyster stew was succeeded by cold meat,
fried potatoes, cabbage salad and hot biscuits.
Miss jeanette brought up the next topic Of
conversation in its turn.
Did you leave Mr.. Murray well?"
Call him Cousin Fred" said Miss Catherine.
"After all, he's kin, too"
IF Claudia doesn't mind" said Miss jeanette
mot at ALL" said Claudia yes, he's WELL
Perhaps you'd like, the lamp lighted?" sug-
gested Miss Lucy. I'VE don't usually light it
until the third week in October, but we're hav-
ing such cloudy weather this Fall"
Miss jeanette rang a small silver bell that
stood beside her plate and ordered Matte to
light the lamp.
We've been speaking of having gas put into
the house."
mot electricity" said Miss Catherine.
Certainly not" agreed Miss jeanette. ''Elec-
tricity causes fires. A good many people who
did have electricity put in are now having 1t
taken out for that very reason"
Dessert was magnificent chocolate cake and
b large bowl of branded peaches.
Next week." said Miss Lucy, 1--WE must see
about man to put up the storm windows"
And We must order our fur coats sent up
from storage" said Miss Catherine.
Papa bought us all our sealskin coats" said
Miss jeanette Fur fur in those days, not
dyed init tions."
do you know" said Miss Lucy 1T thought
last Spring my coat was beginning to get a little
shabby?"
Miss Catherine looked shocked, but Miss
jeanette disposed of the subject by saying
firmly, "a sealskn coat is sealskin coat"
She rang the silver bell for Matte to clear
away.
Miss Lucy went to the sitting room to light
the Rochester burner on the center table. Three
CATS who had sat decorously in the hall
throughout the meal, followed her.
Miss jeanette objected. ct thought we'd sit
in the front parlor tonight"
But Claudia sat down in the sitting room.
The largest cat jumped in her lap at once.
Don't make company of me-" she said hastily.
Gust go with what you usually do in the
evening"
"One of us reads aloud and the others sew"
admitted Miss Lucy. Living in New York, you
must keep track of what is being written. Per-
haps you've brought along some new books?"
Claudia had the newest translation Of
Proust
why don't you go on with what you were
reading?" she suggested. "You probably read
great deal more than do"
I'VE like something rather solid and educa-
tional" admitted Miss jeanette. This after
noon Lucy brought home from the library q
book on the monuments Of ancient Egypt"