Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-11-29

.LX kN1<&A her presents,
MIR. PICKERING 10 was noth-
ing 10 her big surprise
She got her own box Of bath
powder; she had a box of candy
OF her own and ate only one
piece Of il; her eyes were round
and sparkling when she got
"a real nightie like Mama Kit
tvs" as a sign that she was
growing past the age OF wooily
pajamas.
But il was the surprise that
outshone all else, when we told
her that she could 60 out 10
dinner Friday night. Just like
grown-ups. AS if > years old
ISN'T "grownup."
So Kittens fifth birthday was
a day of exquisite agony. How
she kept from exploding and
blowing away like a million bits
of thistle down, we do not
know.
But she did live through the
day. and she had on her red
bonnet, her red dress and--an
added wonder To her--her first
corsage of yellow rose buds
pinned TO her blue coat when
they met me at the hotel. For
this she had waited since morn
ing. And oh. how long one day
can be!
The Terrace ReeHl must have
been fairyland, and what pity
that little girls heads aren't
on swivels so they can go com
pletely round. How do the rose
colored lights get on the ceiling?
What's that great big thing,
like fiddle that the man has
in the band? tShe'd never seen
a bass) Is everybody going 10
dance7
Questions, questions, on her
tongue and in her eyes.
So many questions. so much
wonder that even the food was
secondary-ard everything she
wanted. including a cocktail,
which, of course. was ginger
ale. Frat cup. creamed chicken,
chocolate milk and ice cream.
Utter perfectionl
"She didn't ask for humming
birds tongues---Coburn Good
win, our friend In the Little
Women" cast told us about that.
Somebody else's little girl,
about the size of our Kitten.
was taken To the st. Regis In
New York and blandIy told the
waiter she wanted hummiug
birds tongues on toast. The
waiter wrote II down, without
question, and came gravely back
with some fragile slices Of
bacon on toast. Genius turks
beneath n walters livery.
But. with all honor TO the
chef, Kittens spirit was soaring
beyond food. Nat Brandwynne's
music entranced her. She was
spelIbound when Elaine Castle
sang, and when the song was
over, Kitten shrilled. where
did that pretty girl go? Isn't
she coming back ?"
But marvel followed marvel
and when the dance team swept
into the spotlight, Kitten gave
up all interest in eating.
She said she had a stomach
ache, but she didn't show any
sign of pain. and we SUSPECT
that IL was her tactful way of
S4y.ns, ssS,>. -...-----s Der win
eatiag when there's 80 much 70
sees"
Kitty suggested. You're just
too excited TO eat, arep't YOU,
honey" and ! guess that was
right. because kittens reply
was, "Aren't you excited, too,
mama? Can YOU est?"
Columbus and Carroll might
be interested 10 know that they
have inspired in Kitten her first
desire for a career. for when
their dance was finished Kitten
told us, her words stepping on
each others heels
'T'H he glad when TIN old
enough 20 do that. about when
Pm Is or 10. I'm going "a do
that, and I'll be big enough 10
dive off the diving board at the
lake"
Carried by the Contagion Of
laughter. she Slapped her. hands
for John HoysradtS mimicry Of
a lady from Boston az Tho
symphony. but we knew She
didn't understand IL and wercnt
surprised when she whispered
sloofly later, isn't that man
sillyl"
But she loved h. She loved
II all, including dipping hcl
fingers (clear up 20 the wrist.l
In her fineen bowl and being SD
proud Of knowing how y \
Five is such n wonderful age
And the first dining-Out - ~
thrilling. Have YOU any idea
how wonderful u is It's ~
wonderful that we were hall
way home before Kitten remem'
bered that she'd forgotten Ia
'go see the store where Santa