what diantha did-第23章

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installments；　same　as　you　mean　to　with　your　furniture。〃

Diantha　was　dumb；　but　her　mother　wasn't。　　She　thanked　Mrs。　Weatherstone
with　a　hearty　appreciation　of　her　opportune　help；　but　no　less　of　her
excellent　investment。

〃Don't　be　a　goose；　Diantha；〃　she　said。　　〃You　will　set　up　your　food
business　in　first　class　style；　and　I　think　you　can　carry　it
successfully。　　But　Mrs。　Weatherstone's　right；　she's　got　a　new　investment
here　that'll　pay　her　better　than　most　othersand　be　a　growing　thing　I
do　believe。〃

And　still　Diantha　found　it　difficult　to　express　her　feelings。　　She　had
lived　under　a　good　deal　of　strain　for　many　months　now；　and　this　sudden
opening　out　of　her　plans　was　a　heavenly　help　indeed。

Mrs。　Weatherstone　went　around　the　table　and　sat　by　her。　　〃Child；〃　said
she；　〃you　don't　begin　to　realize　what　you've　done　for　meand　for
Isobeland　for　ever　so　many　in　this　town；　and　all　over　the　world。　　And
besides；　don't　you　think　anybody　else　can　see　your　dream？　　We　can't　_do_
it　as　you　can；　but　we　can　see　what　it's　going　to　mean；and　we'll　help
if　we　can。　　You　wouldn't　grudge　us　that；　would　you？〃

As　a　result　of　all　this　the　cooked　food　delivery　service　was　opened　at
once。

〃It　is　true　that　the　tourists　are　gone；　mostly；〃　said　Mrs。　Weatherstone；
as　she　urged　it；　〃but　you　see　there　are　ever　so　many　residents　who　have
more　trouble　with　servants　in　summer　than　they　do　in　winter；　and　hate　to
have　a　fire　in　the　house；　too。〃

So　Diantha's　circulars　had　an　addition；　forthwith。

These　were　distributed　among　the　Orchardinians；　setting　their　tongues
wagging　anew；　as　a　fresh　breeze　stirs　the　eaves　of　the　forest。

The　stealthy　inroads　of　lunches　and　evening　refreshments　had　been
deprecated　already；　this　new　kind　of　servant　who　wasn't　a　servant；　but
held　her　head　up　like　anyone　else　（〃They　are　as　independent
asas'salesladies；'〃　said　one　critic）；　was　also　viewed　with　alarm；
but　when　even　this　domestic　assistant　was　to　be　removed；　and　a　square
case　of　food　and　dishes　substituted；　all　Archaic　Orchardina　was
horrified。

There　were　plenty　of　new　minds　in　the　place；　however；　enough　to　start
Diantha　with　seven　full　orders　and　five　partial　ones。

Her　work　at　the　club　was　now　much　easier；　thanks　to　her　mother's
assistance；　to　the　smoother　running　of　all　the　machinery　with　the
passing　of　time；　and　further　to　the　fact　that　most　of　her　girls　were　now
working　at　summer　resorts；　for　shorter　hours　and　higher　wages。　　They
paid　for　their　rooms　at　the　club　still；　but　the　work　of　the　house　was　so
much　lightened　that　each　of　the　employees　was　given　two　weeks　of
vacationon　full　pay。

The　lunch　department　kept　on　a　pretty　regular　basis　from　the　patronage
of　resident　business　men；　and　the　young　managerin　her　ambitious
momentsplanned　for　enlarging　it　in　the　winter。　　But　during　the　summer
her　whole　energies　went　to　perfecting　the　_menus_　and　the　service　of　her
food　delivery。

Mrs。　Porne　was　the　very　first　to　order。　　She　had　been　waiting
impatiently　for　a　chance　to　try　the　plan；　and；　with　her　husband；　had　the
firmest　faith　in　Diantha's　capacity　to　carry　it　through。

〃We　don't　save　much　in　money；〃　she　explained　to　the　eager　Mrs。　Ree；　who
hovered；　fascinated；　over　the　dangerous　topic；　〃but　we　do　in　comfort；　I
can　tell　you。　　You　see　I　had　two　girls；　paid　them　12　a　week；　now　I　keep
just　the　one；　for　6。　　My　food　and　fuel　for　the　four　of　us　（I　don't
count　the　babies　either　timethey　remain　as　before）；　was　all　of　16；
often　more。　　That　made　28　a　week。　　Now　I　pay　for　three　meals　a　day；
delivered；　for　three　of　us；　15　a　weekwith　the　nurse's　wages；　21。　
Then　I　pay　a　laundress　one　day；　2；　and　her　two　meals；　。50；　making
23。50。　　Then　I　have　two　maids；　for　an　hour　a　day；　to　clean；　。50　a　day
for　six　days；　3；　and　one　maid　Sunday；　。25。　　26。75　in　all。　　So　we　only
make　1。25。

_But！_　there's　another　room！　　We　have　the　cook's　room　for　an　extra
guest；　I　use　it　most　for　a　sewing　room；　though　and　the　kitchen　is　a　sort
of　day　nursery　now。　　The　house　seems　as　big　again！〃

〃But　the　food？〃　eagerly　inquired　Mrs。　Ree。　　〃Is　it　as　good　as　your　own？　
Is　it　hot　and　tempting？〃

Mrs。　Ree　was　fascinated　by　the　new　heresy。　　As　a　staunch　adherent　of　the
old　Home　and　Culture　Club；　and　its　older　ideals；　she　disapproved　of　the
undertaking；　but　her　curiosity　was　keen　about　it。

Mrs。　Porne　smiled　patiently。　　〃You　remember　Diantha　Bell's　cooking　I　am
sure；　Mrs。　Ree；〃　she　said。　　〃And　Julianna　used　to　cook　for　dinner
partieswhen　one　could　get　her。　　My　Swede　was　a　very　ordinary　cook；　as
most　of　these　untrained　girls　are。　　Do　take　off　your　hat　and　have　dinner
with　us；I'll　show　you；〃　urged　Mrs。　Porne。

〃IO　I　mustn't；〃　fluttered　the　little　woman。　　〃They'll　expect　me　at
homeandsurely　yoursupplydoesn't　allow　for　guests？〃

〃We'll　arrange　all　that　by　'phone；〃　her　hostess　explained；　and　she
promptly　sent　word　to　the　Ree　household；　then　called　up　Union　House　and
ordered　one　extra　dinner。

〃Is　itI'm　dreadfully　rude　I　know；　but　I'm　_so_　interested！　　Is
itexpensive？〃

Mrs。　Porne　smiled。　　〃Haven't　you　seen　the　little　circular？　　Here's　one；
'Extra　meals　to　regular　patrons　25　cents。'　　And　no　more　trouble　to　order
than　to　tell　a　maid。〃

Mrs。　Ree　had　a　lively　sense　of　paltering　with　Satan　as　she　sat　down　to
the　Porne's　dinner　table。　　She　had　seen　the　delivery　wagon　drive　to　the
door；　had　heard　the　man　deposit　something　heavy　on　the　back　porch；　and
was　now　confronted　by　a　butler's　tray　at　Mrs。　Porne's　left；　whereon
stood　a　neat　square　shining　object　with　silvery　panels　and　bamboo
trimmings。

〃It's　not　at　all　bad　looking；　is　it？〃　she　ventured。

〃Not　bad　enough　to　spoil　one's　appetite；〃　Mr。　Porne　cheerily　agreed。

〃Open；　Sesame！　　Now　you　know　the　worst。〃

Mrs。　Porne　opened　it；　and　an　inner　front　was　shown；　with　various　small
doors　and　drawers。

〃Do　you　know　what　is　in　it？〃　asked　the　guest。

〃No；　thank　goodness；　I　don't；〃　replied　her　hostess。　　〃If　there's
anything　tiresome　it　is　to　order　meals　and　always　know　what's　coming！　
That's　what　men　get　so　tired　of　at　restaurants；　what　they　hate　so　when
their　wives　ask　them　what　they　want　for　dinner。　　Now　I　can　enjoy　my
dinner　at　my　own　table；　just　as　if　I　was　a　guest。〃

〃It　isa　taxsometimes；〃　Mrs。　Ree　admitted；　adding　hastily；　〃But　one
is　glad　to　do　itto　make　home　attractive。〃

Mr。　Porne's　eyes　sought　his　wife's；　and　love　and　contentment　flashed
between　them；　as　she　quietly　set　upon　the　table　three　silvery　plates。

〃Not　silver；　surely！〃　said　Mrs。　Ree；　lifting　hers；　〃Oh；　aluminum。〃

〃Aluminum；　silver　plated；〃　said　Mr。　Porne。　　〃They've　learned　how　to　do
it　at　last。　　It's　a　problem　of　weight；　you　see；　and　breakage。　　Aluminum
isn't　pretty；　glass　and　silver　are　heavy；　but　we　all　love　silver；　and
there's　a　pleasant　sense　of　gorgeousness　in　this　outfit。〃

It　did　look　rather　impressive；　silver　tumblers；　silver　dishes；　the　whole
dainty　serviceand　so　surprisingly　light。

〃You　see　she　knows　that　it　is　very　important　to　please　the　eye　as　well
as　the　palate；〃　said　Mr。　Porne。　　〃Now　speaking　of　palates；　let　us　all
keep　silent　and　taste　this　soup。〃　　They　did　keep　silent　in　supreme
contentment　while　the　soup　lasted。　　Mrs。　Ree　laid　down　her　spoon　with
the　air　of　one　roused　from　a　lovely　dream。

〃Whywhyit's　like　Paris；〃　she　said　in　an　awed　tone。

〃Isn't　it？〃　Mr。　Porne　agreed；　〃and　not　twice　alike　in　a　month；　I　think。〃

〃Why；　there　aren't　thirty　kinds　of　soup；　are　there？〃　she　urged。

〃I　never　thought　there　were　when　we　kept　servants；〃　said　he。　　〃Three　was
about　their　limit；　and　greasy；　at　that。〃

Mrs。　Porne　slipped　the　soup　plates　back　in　their　place　and　served　the
meat。

〃She　does　not　give　a　fish　course；　does　she？〃　Mrs。　Ree　observed。

〃Not　at　the　table　d'hote　price；〃　Mrs。　Porne　answered。　　〃We　never
pretended　to　have　a　fish　course　ourselvesdo　you？〃　　Mrs。　Ree　did　not；
and　eagerly　disclaimed　any　desire　for　fish。　　The　meat　was　roast　beef；
thinly　sliced；　hot　and　juicy。

〃Don't　you　miss　the　carving；　Mr。　Porne？〃　asked　the　visitor。　　〃I　do　so
love　to　see　a　man　at　the　head　of　his　own　table；　carving。〃

〃I　do　miss　it；　Mrs。　Ree。　　I　miss　it　every　day　of　my　life　with　devout
thankfulness。　　I　never　was　a　good　carver；　so　it　was　no　pleasure　to　me　to
show　off；　and　to　tell　you　the　truth；　when　I　come　to　the　table；　I　like　to
eatnot　saw　wood。〃　　　And　Mr。　Porne　ate　with　every　appearance　of
satisfaction。

〃We　never　get　roast　beef　like　this　I'm　sure；〃　Mrs。　Ree　admitted；　〃we
can't　get　it　small　enough　for　our　family。〃

〃And　a　little　roast　is　always　spoiled　in　the　cooking。　　Yes　this　is　far
better　than　we　used　to　have；〃　agreed　her　hostess。

Mrs。　Ree　enjoyed　every　mouthful　of　her　meal。　　The　soup　was　hot。　　The
salad　was　crisp　and　the　ice　cream　hard。　　There　was　sponge　cake；　thick；
light；　with　sugar　freckles　on　the　dark　crust。　　The　coffee　was　perfect
and　almost　burned　the　tongue。

〃I　don't　understand　about　the　heat　and　cold；〃　she　said；　and　they　showed
her　the　asbestos…lined　compartments　and　perfectly　fitting　places　for
each　dish　and　plate。　　Everything　went　back　out　of　sight；　small　leavings
in　a　special　drawer；　knives　and　forks　held　firmly　by　rubber　fittings；
nothing　that　shook　or　rattled。　　And　the　case　was　set　back　by　the　door
where　the　man　called　for　it　at　eight　o'clock。

〃She　doesn't　furnish　table　linen？〃

〃No；　there　are　Japanese　napkins　at　the　top　here。　　We　like　our　own
napkins；　and　we　didn't　use　a　cloth；　anyway。〃

〃And　how　about　silver？〃

〃We　put　ours　away。　　This　plated　ware　they　furnish　is　perfectly　good。　　We
could　use　ours　of　course　if　we　wanted　to　wash　it。　　Some　do　that　and　some
have　their　own　case　marked；　and　their　own　silver　in　it；　but　it's　a　good
deal　of　risk；　I　think；　though　they　are　extremely　careful。〃

Mrs。　Ree　experienced　peculiarly　mixed　feelings。　　As　far　as　food　went；
she　had　never　eaten　a　better　dinner。　　But　her　sense　of　Domestic
Aesthetics　was　jarred。

〃It　certainly　tastes　good；〃　she　said。　　〃Delicious；　in　fact。　　I　am
extremely　obliged　to　you；　Mrs。　Porne；　I'd　no　idea　it　could　be　sent　so
far　and　be　so　good。　　And　only　five　dollars　a　week；　you　say？〃

〃For　each　person；　yes。〃

〃I　don't　see　how　she　does　it。　　All　those　cases　and　dishes；　and　the
delivery　wagon！〃

That　was　the　universal　comment　in　Orchardina　circles　as　the　months
passed　and　Union　House　continued　in　existence〃I　don't　see　how　she　does
it！〃



WHAT　DIANTHA　DID


CHAPTER　XII

LIKE　A　BANYAN　TREE


The　Earth…Plants　spring　up　from　beneath；
　The　Air…Plants　swing　down　from　above；
　　But　the　Banyan　trees　grow
　　Both　above　and　below；
　And　one　makes　a　prosperous　grove。


In　the　fleeting　opportunities　offered　by　the　Caffeteria；　and　in　longer
moments；　rather　neatly　planned　for；　with　some　remnants　of　an　earlier
ingenuity；　Mr。　Thaddler　contrived　to　become　acquainted　with　Mrs。　Bell。　
Diantha　never　quite　liked　him；　but　he　won　her　mother's　heart　by　frank
praise　of　the　girl　and　her　ventures。

〃I　never　saw　a　smarter　woman　in　my　life；〃　he　said；　〃and　no　airs。　　I　tell
you；　ma'am；　if　there　was　more　like　her　this　world　would　be　an　easier
place　to　live　in；　and　I　can　see　she　owes　it　all　to　you；　ma'am。〃

This　the　mother　would　never　admit　for　a　moment；　but　expatiated　loyally
on　the　scientific　mind　of　Mr。　Henderson　Bell；　still　of　Jopalez。

〃I　don't　see　how　he　can　bear　t