The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1944-01-13
CHAPTER iii

Footsteps sounded in the kitch-
en-, the door clicked. Morning,
Miz Fits" Belle, the cleaning
woman, called cheerfully.
Toni Fits encountered old Mrs.
Peppercorn in the hall that ev-
ening as she prepared to mount
the stairs to the third floor. Stair
climbing afforded an excellent
opportunity to slim the calves
and thighs, the beauty parlor in
structor had informed her, so
that when Mrs. Peppercorn had
reached the second landing on
her way to the street, the old
lady was a little alarmed to see
a tall, thin woman balancing her
self on one leg with her other
knee pressed against her chest.
"Oh-good evening"" Toni Fits
resumed her normal stance. "I'm
on my way up to see your new
neighbors. I don't suppose you
know whether the Thames are at
home, Mrs. Peppercorn?"
The old lady shook her head.
she had good deal of very white
hair massed under her brown hat.
Though both hat and the black
coat she swore were perfectly
neat, the one was too large and
the other too long to be mistaken
for the seasons models. They're
nice, quiet folks" Mrs. Pepper
corn volunteered. cts hard to
tell when they're in or when
they're out" Under her arm a
bundle of silky white stirred and
the bright, mischievous eyes of
"Doggie,'' her poodle, leered at
the efficient Toni.
"Well, I hope Mrs. Thane is at
home-I tried to phone, but they
have no telephone" Toni had
been honestly startled by her dis
covery earlier that evening. II do
wish you'd come down to the
workrooms, Mrs. Peppercorn, and
see what wonderful things are
being turned out. You couldn't
resist sewing for us, I'm sure"
The old lady absently stroked
the dogs curly head. ''I'm not re-
sisting, my dear"
'Well-" Toni tentatively rails
ed a rather bony knee. IT must
run along. I left my husband
tending the phone and it's never
long before a message follows
me, no matter where 60. Good
night, Mrs. Peppercorn-Doggie's
feeling fine, see."
She climbed the stairs correct
ly and arrived, very soldierly and
erect, at the door of ga. She
smiled and extended her hand
cordially as Andrew Thane open
ed the door. ''Mr. Thane, of
course, I'm Mrs. Bertram Fits
your neighbor in 2-B. I'd love to
come in a few minutes and see
your wife, if she is at home"
She was at home, the dark
young man was assuring her,
holding the door Hospitality wide.
A step into the square hall, then
another into the large, pleasant
living room and a tiny figure
turned from the fire and crossed
the rug to greet her guest.
my wife, Mrs. Fits" Young
Thane spoke as if he were pre-
senting the Fairy Queen.
"You sew" Toni Fits glanced
curiously about the room.
She had book that showed
how to cut and make slip covers,
Candace said. II haven't a ma
chine and that handicaps me to
some extent. I get the covers
cut out and basted, then I fit
them and make alterations if
necessary and then I take them to
a friends house where there is a
machine. The basting is tricky,
but I'm learning it."
Toni listened half-absently. It
wasn't the kind Of room that ap-
pealed to her, she decided, but
her tastes were modernistic.
eve love the apartment" Can
dace Thane said, smiling above
the lowered cretonne that filled
her lap.
Candace said earnestly, "Tm
making slip covers for the faded
upholstery - we had it cleaned.
We painted the bookshelves and
Andy is going to do a lot more as