Hyde the rest of the
day. Jims's latest exploit was to paint the cushion of the big arm-chair
in the sun parlour with molasses; and before anybody found it out Mrs.
Fred Clow came in on Red Cross business and sat down on it. Her new silk
dress was ruined and nobody could blame her for being vexed. But she
went into one of her tempers and said nasty things and gave me such
slams about 'spoiling' Jims that I nearly boiled over, too. But I kept
the lid on till she had waddled away and then I exploded.
"'The fat, clumsy, horrid old thing,' I said--and oh, what a
satisfaction it was to say it.
"'She has three sons at the front,' mother said rebukingly.
"'I suppose that covers all her shortcomings in manners,' I retorted.
But I was ashamed--for it is true that all her boys have gone and she
was very plucky and loyal about it too; and she is a perfect tower of
strength in the Red Cross. It's a little hard to remember all the
heroines. Just the same, it was her second new silk dress in one year
and that when everybody is--or should be--trying to 'save and serve.'
"I had to bring out my green velvet hat again lately and begin wearing
it. I hung on to my blue straw sailor as long as I could. How I hate the
green velvet hat! It is so elaborate and conspicuous. I don't see how I
could ever have liked it. But I vowed to wear it and wear it I will.
"Shirley and I went down to the station this morning to take Little Dog
Monday a bang-up Christmas dinner.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237