WHEN SUSIE WAS READY

New Zealand Tablet, 10 September 1908, Page 37

WHEN SUSIE WAS READY

4 Good morning, Mrs. Babcock! Is Susie ready?' 4 She's upstairs, dear, dressing. You didn't expect to find her ready on time, did you? You know Susie too well for that.'

Mrs. Babcock 's . laugh ended in a sigh, and Rose laughed, too, as she ran up the stairs'.

4 Poking along as usual!' she cried, gaily, throwing open the door of Susie's rcm after a hasty knock. 'Were you- ever known to hurry?'

, 'Oh, there's plenty of time!' said Susie, serenely. She was brushing her hair before the mirror with her usual leisurely air. 'Do sit down, Rose. I never could see the use. of getting into a flurry just to be ready half an hour beforehand.'

Rose laughed and subsided into a chair. Then she caught sight of a glove thrown across the white bedspread, with sewing materials conveniently near. • Something (he matter with your glove?' she questioned. -

'Yes, there's a button off, and one of the forefingers is ripped a little. Would you mind fixing it for me, Rose? Oh, thank you ! '

By the time the brown locks were smooth and in place, Mrs. Babcock came into the room. ' You haven't many minutes ,to spare, my dear.'

4 Oh, I guess there'll be plenty of time, mamma! Wiir^you get me my dotted swiss? I think it's in the wardrobe in the hall. And I want a fresh ' ruching bastecf in.'

Mrs. Babcock, returning with the white dress over her arm, found her daughter thoughtfully scrutinising a pair of shoes. .. 4 They really must be cleaned, mamma. I had forgotten tfckt it rained the last time I wore then*. ' I wonder where Arthur is?'

Til see, Susie; though it is entirely wrong to have left them for the last moment.'

Mrs. Babcock disappear hurriedly, and a minute later" a fresh-faced boy dashed up the stairs, seized the muddy shoes and rushed away to. clean,. them, his manner indicating that it was not the.first time-he had- been called on in such an emergency. • Is your cake ready to take?' asked Rose, knowing; from long^ experience, that the question was not uncalled for. • ' Oh, dear ! I completely forgot about it. - Rose, r.'m to, the head of the, back stairs and ask Mary to put it" in. a box and put tissue-paper around it, so it will carry well.' . Rose obeyed. Mary, stopped in .the midst of ironing a white shirt-waist, ,set her iron on the stove with a thump, and rushed*. to attend to the neglected cake. '

The time was getting short. , Mrs. Babcock helped Susie .into the white dress and buttoned it. Arthur came running uqstairs with the polished shoes; in his 'hands, arid, gallantly going down on one knee before his sister, slipped on the shoes and tied the lacings firmly. Rose stood holding the hat and mended gloves. Mary appeared breathless, with a neat package in her hands. ."

• That's everything, .1 -guess.!' Susie declared with a satisfied glance about her. • Oh, a handkerchief; mamma ! Good-bye everybody)' . . .- ..we'. ww c'' c '

Seated in the car, a few minutes later, she spied a clock in a neighboring steeple,- and turned on her friend, triumphantly. 4 Well, Rose, we are noT late ! I told you tljere .was no reason to hurry! I knew I could be -ready in time!' And then she wondered why Rose laughed.'