The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-15
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ing!" making all the right ges- lures, doing all the right things, and thoroughly well pleased with the world and himself.
 Mrs Hill came, and there were more greetings, and kisses, and laughter, and Nary Frances on lag ging legs followed the three into Mrs Hills chastely charming yell lew-and-white kitchen.
 Uncle Chaney heaved the hamp- CTS to the tables shining top and said, for the third time. "Essie figured if l was going to camp on you folks. I'd betetr bring a little something along" and Mrs Hill and Ermintrude began to dip into the baskets, and take things out, and exclaim. and say that Essie shouldn't have-the idea!-and that Uncle Chaney shouldn't have. and "Salt rising bread" and "enough for a regiment for month," and all that sort of thing.
 Chickens, spring ones, ready to fry; two quarts of Jersey cream as yellow as cheese; chubby brown cookes, crooked with raisins; and angel-food cake, lacking only WlHSS, dnu SLTdWDcTT1eS, tdTIy wings, and strawberries. early picked with the dew on them, and fragrant in fresh green leaves. brown crock; white lettuce, crisp bers; bolIy-red tomatoes, and fas- cinating things in glasses that Els sic just put in Cause she wanted you folks to sample 'em-she didn't know how good they were. All these, and more, too, were fed to the refrigerator, and plans were afoot for strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, and Mary Frances watched and listened, faint and forlorn.
 Since breakfast Mary Frances had eaten one salted wafer. She and Ermintrude had lunched to- gether. When Ermintrude's cousin Esther had been married she had not eaten one bite the cousin whole days preceding the event. Ermintrude's standards were high. Ermintrude' tongue was a just tongue. For years and years after wards Ermintrude would say, If she could say it truthfully. We were together all that day. and she was fin a land of dreams. Nothing could persuade her to eat bite"
 Mrs Hill looked at Mary Fran ces and though that the child seemed miserable and said, "YouIl stay and have dinner with us, won't you, Mary Frances?'
 I-can't, thank you," said Mary Frances weakly. Oh, so weakly!
 "Yes. but you must. All this com pany food needs company"
 "T can't. Grand isn't very well. I'll be needed at home"
 Mrs Hill said. You know best. dear, if that is the case" and felt meanly humbled. Here she had been wondering of late about the complete desirability of the little Fenwick girl a sa playmate for Err mintrude. She knew that Mary Frances was q nice little girl; still, she had been planning to encourage Ermintrude toward other friend ships during the summer. And, all the while. the poor little bunny was perfectly sweet, with a real sense of responsibility and capa- city for sacrifice that Mrs Hill feared even Ermintrude might be unable to match.
 Uncle Chaney suggested. Maybe the little girls would relish slice of the cake" Gle wanted to see it cut, the fox, and hear. the ex- clamations over the white velvet of it's texture.) "Essie said the oven was acting up little, but shouldn't wonder if it would be fit to eat, anyway"
 Mrs Hill hesitated only second before she saind bravely (after all, 1t was Uncle Chaney's cake, though she had intended to have short cake tonight and save the angel food for tomorrow. when she might ask the Mercers in), Bring me the cake knife. please honey"
 Honey brought the cake knife in a flash. Mary-Frances walked to- ward the door. Large virtues lies within man who knows his own limitations. Don't cut any for me, thank you. Mrs Hill." she said. "I don't care for any right now"
 "I'll have a piece." said Ermin- trude.
 "No, you won't" said Mrs Hill.
 Ou takc some COOkleS.
 Cookies in hand, Ermintrude joined Mary Frances on the front porch. She said. You do love him, don't you. Mary-Frances? I mean, you do really love him. deeply and truly and everything" and took an- other large bite and crumbs fell where they listed.
 ''Um." said Mary-Frances. and looked away; perhaps into rose ate. ovation-flooded future-per- haps into q pantry or an ice box.
 The cookies crunched and crunched.
 "Love." said Mary Frances furi- ously, "is. well it's just a perfectly thrilling. awful thing. Its-well just perfectly awful, I mean"
 'Um." said Ermintrude. and licked her fingers.
 (To he COntinucdD