Bellows Free Academy - Alpha Omega Yearbook (St Albans, VT)

Page 20 text:

22 THE MERCURY plained the situation, watching him carefully as she did so. Some jokeli' he said, almost helpless with laughter. !'Oh, what a joke! But I'll have to hand it to you, Sis. You are some looker in that outfitf' A step on the stair sent David out of the kitchen followed by his wife. But Mary Ellen stood where she was, her eyes on the door swinging shut after her brother and Marion. Hm-m-m-! she said at last, slowly and thoughtfully. I donlt like the way that boy acted. There is something fishy back of that laugh of his, and I am going to find out what it is, too. She did-much sooner than she expected! When lunch time came around, the family seated themselves at the attractive table. The guest looked with pleasure at the sight of the dainty doilies, the crisp rolls, the fruit cocktails in tall amber glasses. Out in the kitchen Mary Ellen had the lunch all ready to serve. She washed her hands and powdered her nose, then tiptoed Over t0 the door for one look at the guest. She swung the door open a bit and took one peep-and jumped back her face filled with horror. What in the world should she do? Perhaps she had been mistaken. She would look once more. Again she opened the door a crack. No, she was right the first time, and her brother's guest, was no other than Dr. Ernest Allen, the head of the Science Department at her own college, a man she had always admired and worshiped at a distance. That was why Dave had laughed! He knew and yet he had let her go on! Ah, he'd PHY for this! But just then the buzzer sounded, and setting her cap more firmly on her red head she opened the door and entered the dining room. As Mary Ellen came toward the table Dr. Allen looked up from his cocktail. For a moment he sat there, spoon in hand, his startled gaze on the maidg then he regained control of himself and returned to his lunch. But he closely watched Mary Ellen as she capably removed the cocktail glasses and served the rest of the meal. When at last she left the room he turned to his hostess. f'Rather unusual type of maid you have, Mrs. Leslie, he said easily. Has she been with you long ? Oh, yes, indeed. She has been with us for years,', she answered rather quickly. Do have another roll, Dr. Allen. For some reason or other David Leslie kept out of his sister's way that afternoon. He saw to it that Dr. Allen was always in sightg and he chuckled wickedly when he saw Mary Ellen shake her small fist at him from the kitchen door. He could not let a joke like this go by him. Dinner passed off smoothly, and with a and sigh of relief Mary Ellen saw Marion David with their guest disappear into the living room. As she cleared the table she wondered if he had recognized her. She had not been able to tell by the few glances she had managed to steal. Ah, What a mess! Out in the living room the men were smok- ing. What could three people do? How llvlarion wished for lllary Ellen to make a fourth at bridge. At length, Dr. Allen threw away his half- smoked cigarette and said, I believe I'll wander about the garden a bit, Leslie, if you don't mind. It looks inviting. Why, we'll all go, Dr. Allen, said llflarion. This is the best time of the day. Just a minute, Marion, said David quick- ly. Run along, doctor. We'll be with you presently. Well of all things! exclaimed Marion when the doctor was out of earshot. David Leslie, you are positively rude to let Dr. Allen go off by himself like that. VVait a minute, honey, said her husband. Wait a minute! Unless I am mistaken our honored guest is at this moment at the kitchen door talking to our new maid. Out in the kitchen Mary Ellen had just finished her dishes. Good evening, Miss Leslie, said a voice from the doorway. I hope your mistress fContinued on Page 24,

Page 19 text:

THE MERCURY 21 This story Won the S150 scholarship offered by the University of Vermont for the best short story submitted by high school students of the state. WANTED-A MAID llIary Ellen sat dreamily in a garden chair, watching the butterflies in the bright garden. All during the winter months Mary Ellen was an instructor in English in a co-educa- tional college in a distant part of the state, but when summer came she put all thought of work behind her and settled down to enjoy herself. Suddenly she was aroused from her happy thoughts by quick steps coming through the hall. Then a voice called, Mary Ellen! Oh Mary Ellen! Where are you? Before Mary Ellen could answer, the owner of the voice appeared in the doorway leading from the porch to the house. She was an attractive girl, several years older than Mary Ellen, but now she was frowning, and spoke in a voice filled with exasperation. Well, Nora has gone! she announced, as she dropped into an easy chair near her sister- in-law. Mary Ellen regarded her visitor rather absently. Why make such a fuss about it. she aksed. You and I can get along until you can find someone else. Is that so ? said Marion Leslie. That's all you know about it. Have you forgotten that Dave is bringing a man home with him tomorrow to stay several days? If it were pos- sible for us to get some one out here-which it isnlt today, how could We break her in by lunch time tomorrow? Do come out of your dream and try to figure some way out of the awful mess we are in. Mary Ellen was in a dream no longer. She had forgotten all about her brother's friend, this noted scientist he was so anxious to please. Why in the world had Nora taken this day of all days to leave? What could be done ? P77 For some minutes there was silence. Then, suddenly, Mary Ellen gave a little cry and began to giggle. She sat up, her eyes dancing with fun. I have it! Oh I have it! Marion. What a lark! Behold in me the new maid of all works! she said between giggles. Marion looked at her laughing sister-in- law. It's no laughing matter to me, if it is to you, she said, sharply. Dave is so par- ticular about this man that I can't tell him not to have him come out. I might have known you would see only the funny side of it. Mary Ellen stopped laughing, but her eyes still sparkled. 'Tm not making fun, Marion, Dear, she said quietly. I mean it. Why not let me be cook and waitress until this man has gone? He doesn't know that Dave has a sister, and you know I really can cook. It would be like a play. Oh, I'd love to do it! Why not ? Marion Leslie sat looking at Mary Ellen, too astonished for Words. Then she said, slowly: Mary Ellen, I believe you could do it. I don't know what Dave will say, but I can't seem to see any other way out. And, after all, it's only for two days! So you do think it will work? Yes, I believe it will. The next morning when David Leslie and his friend arrived, they were met at the door by Marion, cool and charming in white linen. As she kissed her husband, she managed to whisper, Don't ask any questions. David was puzzled, but he followed in- structions g and when the guest had been shown to his room, Marion rushed him to the kitchen. There his startled and surprised eyes saw! a trim maid, in a neat black dress, a tiny white cap and a wisp of organdie that answered for an apron. Suddenly the maid burst into laughter, and then, for the first time, he realized that he was looking at his sister. What in thunder-- he began, but Marion let him go no further. She quickly exf

Page 21 text:

- s S fq. ITYES 1934