Men do not expect truth from us, so why disapoint them?
During the salid mother inquired what I had done during the afternoon.
"I made a few purchaces," I said.
"I hope you bought some stockings and underclothes," she observed.
"Hannah cannot mend your chemises any more, and as for your----"
"Mother!" I said, turning scarlet, for George--who was the Butler, as
Tanney had been found kissing Jane--was at that moment bringing in the
cheeze.
"I am not going to interfere with your Allowence," she went on. "But I
recall very distinctly that during Leila's first year she came home with
three evening wraps and one nightgown, having to borrow from one of
her schoolmates, while that was being washed. I feel that you should at
least be warned."
How could I then state that instead of bying nightgowns, et cetera,
I had been sending violets? I could not. If Life to my Familey was a
matter of petticoats, and to me was a matter of fragrant flours, why
cause them to suffer by pointing out the diference?
I did not feel superior. Only diferent.
That evening, while mother and Leila were out at a Festivaty, I gave
father his neck-tie. He was overcome with joy and for a moment could not
speak. Then he said:
"Good gracious, Bab! What a--what a DIFERENT necktie."
I explained my reasons for buying it for him, and also Tom Gray's
objecting to it as to juvenile.
"Young impudense!" said father, refering to Tom. "I darsay I am quite an
old fellow to him.
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