The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-17
TWENTY

The six girls were delighted to
STAY for dinner at The Oaks.
you've been working all morn
ing and afternoon on the play
Gayle told them. But we simply
must have a dress rehearsal to-
night. Do you mlnd?'
ut isn't work." somebody pro-
tested. Its fun
.'Sh-h-h-h!!" another protested.
warily. It's a job, isn't it? Don't
we get paid?" Don't admit it isn't
hard!"
Hers was the standard attitude
of workers everywhere, workers
who are scared their jobs will
evaporate from under them. This
odd employment in The Oaks was
indeed more fun than labor. In
truth. it was much like a house
party all the time, although there
is a tedium to preparing a stage
play. Nevertheless, Gayle and Bill
repeatedly told hem that first con-
sideration was to be cheerful and
gay so as to make friends with
Jeremy Tucker. Mr.. Merrifield had
specifically requested it, they said.
Therefore, Gayle wanted the din
ner to be like a party again. She
gave some thought to it soon after
Bill departed.
II know!' she jabbed a finger at
little Tempe Hyde. Lets make 1t
a picnic-on the lawn. It's a glori-
Gus evening. Tempe. Won't you just
love it,"
Tempe was bubbly with enthusi-
asm for it, and together they went
to the cook to make their plans.
Sure, whatever you girls like
Wallace declared himself at once.
If The Oaks amt got it, we'll
get it."
oh, everything is so nice here
Wallace." Gayle burst out, sudden
ly grateful anew This great
kitchen is like a hotels. And every
body is friendly. Goodness
Wallace spread greasy hands on
a meat block and leaned on them'
looking at the two girls.
You wasn't-you-wasn't rich
before you come here, was you,
Miss Gayle? What I mean
you've worked?'
I certainly have, Wallace. am
not in the least ashamed OF 1t. I'm
out of place here
No" He shook his head. NO
o amt. Well-how's pigs III
blankets sound to you? I'll toast
'em brown here and scoot EN- out
to you while they're sizzlin'. Gin
ger punch-that's lemons n
oranges and a dash of ginger and
ice made into snow. Ovocada salad.
on a lettuce ear, huh? french
dressing. And I'd baked up a cou-
pie of coconut layer cakes anyway:
| was gonna broil T-bones, but I'll
keep them friz til tomorrow.
Where you want your picnic att"
Goodness, Wallace, we said a
picnic, not a banquet! Out by the
biggest oak, l suppose. 1t makes a
canopy there
Right, ma'am. In bout hall an
hour"
Wallace turned to plop open a
huge refrigerator and drew out
links of sausages to start his
blanketed pigs. He whistled as he
worked; his white hat sat at a
iaunty angle, and he looked nearer
30 than the 40 he claimed. Gayle
and Tempe smiled their thanks and
went away.
They found the other girls and
told them of picnic plans. One girl,
Lola Montesa, stayed behind, but
the others joined Tempe and Gayle
to go pick out the exact spot.
They came back then to hunt for
Mr.. Merriield and Mr.. Weems and
invite them. Six girls trooping
through the big mansion, laughing
and calling and talking incessant-
ly made quite a gay hullabaloo.
Mr.. Mortified found them before
they came to his study.
"Greetings, my d r 81" he
beamed at them. You are beauti-
full, all of you. Why do you not
come to see me oftener? Do you
not work for me? Do l not pay
your salaries? I order all or you
to report to me once each day here
after, in a body. I want to hear you,
and see you Smile!"
Bella ~LANAN-COURT I
Founded nm Ar