Framingham State University - Dial Yearbook (Framingham, MA)

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I0 Realizing the utter inability of words to convey her opinion of her neighbor's conduct, Miss Miranda lapsed into a grim silence. Well, said Sarah, unwinding her apron and carefully smoothing it out, I must be going. And, she added with more decision than she had ever before shown, if you don't want a washin' machine, Miranda, you know you don't have to take one, I ain't so sure but I shall. Sarah Tink went out, shut the door, and hastened fearfully across the street. She almost expected Miranda to come after her, but that lady sat staring before her, with the hat she had been trimming fallen idly to the floor. f The idea! she said when she could speak. The idea of her talk- ing that way to me! I always thought Sarah wan't burdened with any too many brains, but I never expected she'd make quite such a fool of her- self. The withering glance which Miss Miranda bestowed upon the in- nocent hat made the trimming look a little more stiff and rigid than before. Miss Miranda did not consider herself curious. She never thought of such a thing. She considered it her right and duty to know everything that went on around her, especially all that concerned Sarah Tink. Mi- randa did not watch her neighbor's house or spy upon her affairs, but when seated in the straight backed chair trimming hats or making patchwork, she could command a good view of the house across the street and Miranda's' eyes were very sharp. ,At about two o'clock that afternoon, Miss Miranda, making patch- work, saw Sarah come out and walk briskly down the street. She had a red ribbon tie on and her hat was tilted coquettishly to one side. Miss Miranda sniffed, I should think she'd be ashamed, she said. An' her thirty years old last spring, an' tryin' to flirt with a dish washin' machine agent. , An hour later the red auto whirled up street and stopped at Sarah's with a grand flourish. Miss Tink's smile as she alighted was more bland than usual. She went into the house followed by the agent, carrying a large package. ' A look of grim determination overspread Miss Miranda's face as she watched the scene. She rose and carefully and deliberately folded the patchwork and placed it in the right hand comer of the drawer beneath the counter. If folks can't use no common sense, somebody else'll have to use it for 'em, she said crisply as she took out her shawl and pinned it round her shoulders. Crossing the street she went up Sarah's walk and gave a decided rap on the door. Sarah opened it and when she saw Miss Miranda she giggled nervously. Won't you come in, Miranda? she finally inquired. I intended to, or I shouldn't have come over, announced Miranda icily. She followed the hesitating Sarah into the little dining room, where upon the table was the dish washing machine in all its splendor. The spruce looking young man was just completing arrangements for a final

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9 Exit Agent MISS MIRANDA HIGGS sat in her little living room and millinery shop combined, in scomful meditation. Her stern features were drawn into rigid lines, and disdain was written on every feature of her countenance. Miss Sarah Tink stood opposite, leaning against the door. A look of submission mingled with mild apology overshadowed her face. She looked like a child caught in some prank which it acknowledges, but for which it is only half sorry. Miss Miranda broke the silence very grimly. I must admit as I'd never ha' thought it of even you, Sarah Tink. If anybody'd told me, I'd either thought they was makin' flm o' you, or else didn't have good sense. I never heard o' the like. , The speech ended with one of Miss Miranda's withering looks at which Sarah giggled feebly and attentively twisted her apron round her hand. Why, Miranda, she said mildly, I don't see no harm in it. Sarah was still busily engaged with her apron and so lost the expres- sive gaze which her companion bent upon her. As I said, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes. I was disgusted with that feller when he come here. When he stopped that glaring machine in front 0' my house an' come hopping up my steps, I didn't like the looks of him. An' when he let on as he was goin' around advertisin' a dish washin' machine in a automobile, I don't con- ceal as I was clean disgusted. I told him in tones as I don't believe he's for- got yet, I told him that if women didn't have to be bothered so much with agents they'd have time to wash their own dishes and a little to spare. He didn't get inside my house. An' then, Sarah, I see him hustle that machine across the street to yolu' door. I see him go in your house, and- after an impressive pause- how long do you suppose he was in your house, Sarah Tinl-r? Well, really, Miranda, giggled Sarah, he got toutalkin' an' I couldn't stop him an' then he insisted on trying?- One hour and twenty-seven minutes! declared Miranda, answer- ing her own question. No, you needn't say nothin'. I ain't done my- self yet. Knowin' you for so many years as I have, Sarah, I wan't so surprised at that, but the next day when he come bringin' you home from down town in that red automobile 0' his'n, when I see him help you out an' go in your house an' stay an hour an' a half more, I allow as I can't ex- press my feelin's.

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demonstration. He looked up at Miss Miranda's entrance, and seeing that lady's glance bent full upon him, he gave a nervous cough and said, Your friend has decided to take one of these machines of such ines- timable worth. Couldn't we persuade you - But Miss Miranda paid no attention to him beyond that first annihi- lating glance, Sarah Tink, she scornfully began, if you've washed dishes upwards of twenty years and now don't know how to do 'em without a machine, I'll come over any day an' teach you. Now, addressing her- self to the astonished agent, you pack up your dish washer an' take it where they ain't got any more sense'n some folks I know. The women in this town don't want you insultin' 'em by makin' out they haven't got brains enough to wash their own dishes. But, Miranda, weakly protested Sarah, l've-- She's bought the machine , put in the agent shifting uneasily under Miranda's glance. One dollar down and a dollar a week for two months. I-believe you were just about to give me the dollar, Miss Tinkf' Miss Miranda drew her tall figure to its full height. She presented a striking appearance. One long arm pointed straight toward the door. The plaid shawl hung loosely about her like the robe of an Oriental. Not a muscle of her rigid figure moved. The peculiar gaze of her piercing eyes was bent full upon the man before her. The look, the attitude, the significant gesture, all said, Col in language plainer than any words. The agent squirmed under Miranda's gaze and fingered his machine nervously. Well, Miss Tink, he began hesitatingly. But Sarah was not permitted to speak. Miss Tink's got no more to say about it, announced Miss Miranda decisively as she dropped her ex- tended arm and satistiflly upon the edge of a chair. You can stay here all night or you can leave your machine if you want to, but not one red cent o' Sarah Tink's money will you ever get. Now see here, began the agent. But Sarah interrupted him. I guess you better take your machine, she said with a little giggle. I hadn't exactly said l'd keep it, an' anyhow Miranda won't let me pay you nothing. With a smothered exclamation under his breath the agent rattled his machine together, and a look of grim triumph overspread the face of Miran- da Higgs. She rose and hospitably opened the door, and without a word the agent gathered up his dish washing machine and banged toward it. Sarah arose with a sigh. I hope you'll call -she began, but the slam of the door cut short her remark. Miss Miranda readjusted her shawl. Now, Sarah, she began, as the auto snorted angrily down the street, now, Sarah Tink, I've settled up this affair, and don't you ever let me know of you're actin' this way again. You better get 05 your red tie an' take them Howers off your dress an' do some o' the work you've been neglectin' these three days.