The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-28
Chapter Four
The Reception

ne heceptIOH
4 DELAIDE thinks Hugh Saltus
"A treated his wife badly and
forced her TO leave" Isobel told
Brenda.
But why? Why does she think
so, mean?"
Isobel grinned. Because he's
an artist, my dear. Adelaide dis
trusts artists on general prin-
ciples. She had a boarder who
left, owing her a big bill He said
he was black and white That's
what Adelaide always calls him
anyway: that black and white
that skipped without paying his
bill She's not awfully keen on
writers either" she continued
Warningly. Not unless they're
strictly commercial like - like
Mac" Brenda noticed the inVol-
untary softening of her voice at
the mention of that name. IF you
hadn't been Burnham, and the
niece of your aunt, l doubt If
she'd have taken you in here"
Brenda'S small chin rose trlfie.
II was not for anyone named
Rosttetor to refuse a Burnham
anythingi ISobel, reading her
thoughts, grinned again.
But Adelaide owns the house,
you know" she reminded the
newcomer. "She paid hard cash
for it. Even if everybody in The
Street-with exception of Hugh
Saltus, of course-is prepared to
fall on his face at the sight of a
Burnham, the fact remains that
this is clearinghouse and you're
just one of the boarderS in it."
She spoke deliberately, half
hoping to lure Brenda into a dis
play of temper such as Mac had
limited at. She wanted desperate
ly to find flaws in this girls char
acter. B eSi de the pretty and
dainty person Brenda was, ISobel
felt more than usually awkward
and gauche. She was convinced
that Brenda was badly spoiled. It
would be a trifle gratifying to
have her fly into a passion now
over Adelaide'S aversion to writ
ers. Instead Brenda murmured:
THANK you for reminding me
of that. Isobel. l expect l needed
il. As for the writing part, hope
to convince Adelaide it's an limo
cent occupation" Her mind went
back to Saltus. docs everybody
on The Street feel that way to-
ward him? / mean-is he more or
less an outcast here? Hugh Saltus,
/ mean?"
"We-ell-" Isobel considered
the subject. Mac and Eric like
him. They're always dropping
into his studio. Poor old DR.. Will
son sneakS over there whenever
his daughters vigilance is relaxed.
But most of the women avoid him.
They think his cartoons are bit
ter, even a little suggestive (thCy
aren't rcaliyD and they resent the
mystery az his wifo'S being away.
Or no." she corrected herself. 1T
isn't that they resent, ! think, but
Just that Hugh won't discuss the
subject with theml" She rose.
stretching her arms YEARLY. I'm
calling it day! Night, BrendaI"
The next few days saw much
running back and forth between
the houses on The Shortest Street.
Conferences were held in living
rooms, in bedrooms, the most i'm
portant of all in kitchens. There
was, bleSsedly, no servant prob
lem on The Street. Most house
keepers ruled over and were ruled
by a duSky serVitor who had been
in service for a score of years. If
death (and it was only death that
removed the cooks of The Short
est STREET. deprived a family of
its faithful retainer, there was al
ways daughter or a niece ready
to step into the waiting place.
Mrs RoSttetor'S Grenadine was
the daughter of Pearl who had
tied the SaSheS of the little Burn
ham girls forty years ago. There
fore menus and guest lists were
as closely ScrutiniZed in The
Streets kitchens as they were in
the parlors, and miStreSSes and
maids conferred long and tire
lessly.
Social Sponsor
IN THE end an evening recep-
L ton was decided upon.
$50 the gentlemen can all at
tend" said Miss Wilson elegantly.
In Miss Wilson's world there
were no men, only gentlemen;
and she had a way of pronouncing
the word which called up visions
of Conservatives, and bouquets in
silver holders, and lace edged
handkerchiefS, "and even the
schottische," Isobel said, though
I wouldn't recognize the dance if
! saw it,"
There was to be what Miss Will
son called a collation." too;
chicken patties, tiny sweet
pickles, hot biscuits and preserves,
a quivering tomato aspic, iced
coffee and, to top it all, brick ice
cream and chocolate layer cake.
Brenda, accustomed to the more
sophisticated suppers of New
York, gaSped at this menu.
Cocktails" she had asked Mac
somewhat timidly.
He smiled and shook his head.
my dear child. The Street
frowns on the Demon Rum"
''Is Hugh Saltus to be invited?"
the guest of honor further de-
manded.