Bab: a Sub-Deb eBook

Mary Roberts Rinehart
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 323 pages of information about Bab.

Bab: a Sub-Deb eBook

Mary Roberts Rinehart
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 323 pages of information about Bab.

5.  Never wear sleeve holders.

6.  Never leave shirt or coat unbuttoned at the throat.

7.  Have leggins and trousers properly laced. (Only leggins).

8.  Keep shoes shined.

9.  Always be clean shaved. (Unecessary).

10.  Keep head up and shoulders square.

11.  Camp life has a tendency to make one careless as to personal cleanliness.  Bear this in mind.

We then gave the Milatary Salute and disbanded, as it was time to go home and dress for dinner.

On returning to my domacile I discovered that, although the sun had set and the hour of twilight had arived, the Emblem of my Country still floated in the breese.  This made me very angry, and ringing the door-bell I called William to the steps and pointing upward, I said: 

“William, what does this mean?”

He pretended not to understand, although avoiding my eye.

“What does what mean, Miss Barbara?”

“The Emblem of my Country, and I trust of yours, for I understand you are naturalized, although if not you’d better be, floating in the breese after sunset.”

Did I or did I not see his face set into the lines of one who had little or no respect for the Flag?

“I’ll take it down when I get time, miss,” he said, in a tone of resignation.  “But what with making the salid and laying the table for dinner and mixing cocktails, and the cook so ugly that if I as much as ask for the paprika she’s likely to throw a stove lid, I haven’t much time for Flags.”

I regarded him sternly.

“Beware, William,” I said.  “Remember that, although probably not a Spy or at least not dangerous, as we in this country now have our eyes open and will stand no nonsense, you must at all times show proper respect to the National Emblem.  Go upstairs and take it in.”

“Very well, miss,” he said.  “But perhaps you will allow me to say this, miss.  There are to many houses in this country where the Patriotic Feeling of the inhabatants are shown only by having a paid employee hang out and take in what you call The Emblem.”

He then turned and went in, leaving me in a stupafied state on the door-step.

But I am not one to be angry on hearing the truth, although painfull.  I therfore ran in after him and said: 

“William, you are right and I am wrong.  Go back to your Pantrey, and leave the Flag to me.  From now on it will be my duty.”

I therfore went upstairs to my father’s dressing room, where he was shaveing for dinner, and opened the window.  He was disagreable and observed: 

“Here, shut that!  It’s as cold as blue blazes.”

I turned and looked at him in a severe manner.

“I am sorry, father,” I said.  “But as between you and my Country I have no choice.”

“What the dickens has the Country got to do with giving me influensa?” he exclaimed, glaring at me.  “Shut that window.”

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Bab: a Sub-Deb from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.