CHAPTER XIII
THE LADIES' AID MEETING
Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us, To see oorselves as ithers see us.
_----Robert Burns._
PEARL went to the Ladies' Aid Meeting, which was held at Mrs.Ducker's, and was given a little table to sit at while she took thenotes. Pearl was a fairly rapid writer, and was able to get down mostof the proceedings.
Camilla copied the report into the minute-book, and as Mrs. Francisdid not think about it until the next meeting, when she came to readit she found it just as Pearl had written it, word for word. Thereading caused some excitement. The minutes were as follows:
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The Ladies' Aid met at the home of Mrs. Ducker. There were sevenpresent when it started; but more came. Mrs. Burrell doesn't know whythey can't come in time. She told them so. Mrs. Bates said, Landssakes, she had a hard enough time getting there at all. She left abig bag of stockings all in holes. Mrs. Forrest says it's been so hotthe holes are the most comfortable part of the stockings, and if shewas in Mrs. Bates's place she'd let the girls go barefoot. Mrs. Batesis going to let Mildred go, but she can't let Blanche--she's solanky--she'd look all legs, like a sand-hill crane. Burrell says,Let's open the meeting by singing, "How Firm a Foundation" but Mrs.Ducker says, Oh, don't take that, it's in sharps; take "Nearer, StillNearer"--it's in flats, and Maudie can handle the flats better. Thenthey sang, and Mrs. Burrell and Mrs. Ducker prayed. Mrs. Duckerprayed longest, but Mrs. Burrell prayed loudest, and for most things.Mrs. Bates read the last report, and they said it was better thanusual, she'd only left out one or two things. Then they collected themoney. Nearly every one paid; only Mrs. Burrell couldn't find hers,she was sure she had it in her glove when she came in, and shecouldn't see how it ever fell out. Mrs. Ducker will get it when shesweeps if it's in the house at all. Mrs. Williams had her ten centsin a tea-cup all ready, but when she went to get it it was gone, andshe's afraid she gave that cup to one of the boarders by mistake.Mrs. Williams says that's the worst of keeping boarders, your home isnever your own. Mrs. Forrest says if she only knew which one got it,she should charge it up to him. Mrs. Williams wouldn't ever think ofdoing that. Total receipts of evening, $2.20.
Then Mrs. Burrell asked what about the new stairs carpet. She'sashamed every time she takes any one upstairs, it's going somethingawful. Mrs. White hasn't had time to think anything about it, she'sbeen doing up rhubarb; it's so nice and tender in the spring. None ofMrs. Bates's folks will eat rhubarb, and so she never does any up,though she really is very fond of it herself, done with pineapple,the shredded pineapple--half and half. Mrs. Ducker is doing rhubarb,too, it's nice in the spring when everything else goes flat on you.Mrs. Burrell says, What about the stairs carpet, now if you're donewith the rhubarb?
Mrs. Forrest said linoleum is better than carpet. Mrs. Ducker saidit's too cold on the feet. Mrs. Grieves said, Land sakes, let themwear their boots--they don't need to go canterin' up and down thestairs in their bare feet, do they? Mrs. Burrell said linoleum woulddo all right if they couldn't afford carpet; but there wasn't anydecent linoleum in town, and even if there was you have to pay twoprices for it, but she saw in the Free Press that there was going tobe a linoleum sale in Winnipeg on Saturday. Mrs. Ducker does not likesales. Mr. Ducker got a horse at a sale one time, and the very firsttime they hitched it up it took blind staggers. Mrs. Forrest thinksthere would be no danger of the linoleum havin' it, though. Mrs.Burrell said she wished they'd talk sense. Mrs. Snider said she wouldmove that Mrs. Burrell gets whatever she wants for the stairs and theLadies' Aid will pay for it. Carried. Mrs. Burrell said what aboutthe knives and forks committee. Mrs. Bates hasn't been able to go outsince she fell down stairs. There's a black patch on her knee yet.Mrs. Bates blackens easy. Mrs. Snider has had her hands full,goodness knows, since Aunt Jessie has been laid up with erysipelas.Aunt Jessie is pretty hard to wait on, and doesn't like the smell ofthe ointment the doctor gave her, it's altogether different from whatshe got when she was down in the States. Mrs. Burrell said she wouldget the knives and forks herself if anybody would make a motion. Twomade it, and three seconded it. Carried.
Mrs. Burrell said, How are the things getting on for the bazaar? Mrs.Ducker had a box of things sent from Mrs. Norman in Winnipeg. Mrs.Snider thinks Mrs. Norman must have been at a sale: You can getthings so cheap there sometimes. When Mrs. Snider was in at Bonspieltime, she saw lovely lace stockings for eleven cents a pair, andbeautiful flowered muslin, just the very same as they ask sixty-fivecents here, going for twenty-nine cents. (Couldn't get all they saidhere, everybody talked at once about sales.)
Mrs. Burrell said: Where'll we hold it, anyway, if we do get enoughstuff? Mrs. Ducker thought the basement of the church. Mrs. Batescan't get used to holding sales in churches. Her mother never couldeither. Mrs. Burrell said when the church was having the sale, whatwas the odds where it was held? No use turning up your nose at a saleand still take the money. Mrs. Smith moved that sale be held inchurch, though if the stuff didn't come in faster, a piano box woulddo. Mrs. Allen said, hurry up, do, please. She left the baby withJim, and he's no good at all if She begins to fuss. Mrs. Sniderseconded the motion.
Mrs. Burrell said, where will we meet next time? Mrs. Graham said,come to my house. Mrs. Forrest said it was too far. Mrs. Graham saidthe walk would do her good, she had just been reading in the FiresideVisitor that that's what's wrong with lots of people, they don't walkenough. Mrs. Forrest is glad to know this, for she has often wonderedwhat was wrong with lots of people, but Mrs. Forrest doesn't thinkmuch of the Fireside Visitor--it's away off sometimes.
Mrs. Brown would like to come every time if she had company home.Mrs. Burrell said bring Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown wouldn't come. Youcouldn't get him within three acres of a Ladies' Aid Meeting. Nevercould. Decided to meet at Mrs. Burrell's.
R. J. P. WATSON, Sec.
Just for this time.
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Pearl and Mrs. Burrell became very good friends before Pearl left thenext morning. Mrs. Burrell, while they were washing up the breakfastdishes, apologized in her own way for her outburst against thecountry appointment.
"I'm a crabbed old woman, Pearl, dear," she said.
"Not old," Pearl said promptly, with wisdom beyond her years. She didnot deny the other adjective.
"I'm a crabbed old woman, Pearl," she repeated; "but I am alwaysafraid he'll catch cold and get sick he is so reckless, and neverseems to have serious thoughts about himself, or realize what wetfeet will do for him if he persists in them; and really, child, it'shard to be a minister's wife. You've so many people to please, andwhen you're pleasing one, some one else doesn't like it. Now, did younotice Mrs. Maxwell wasn't at the meeting? She got miffed with meover the smallest little thing. You know her boy, Alec, playslacrosse, and there's going to be a big game here on the 1st of July,at the Pioneers' Picnic, and she was talking about it--he's sofoolish that way for a woman of her age. I said to her, just askindly as I am speaking to you now: 'I do hope Alec will be able tocontrol his temper,' I said. 'I know it's hard for people with thatcomplexion to control their temper.' You see, I know, for my youngestbrother has hair just like Alec Maxwell, and I told her this, andI did it all so kindly. But what do you suppose? She tossed herhead"--Mrs. Burrell showed Pearl the way--"and she says. 'Just lookafter your own, Mrs. Burrell. I guess Alec can control himself aswell as most red-headed people.' Red-headed, mind you! I was so upsetabout it. Of course, I know there is a tinge of red in mine--more ofa gold, I guess it is, just when the sun shines on it--but no onewould think of calling it red, would they, Pearl?"
"No, indeed," Pearl answered truthfully. "It isn't a bit red."
Pearl was thinking that sorrel was nearer the colour, but she knewshe must not say it.
"I am always getting people offended at me when I do not mean anyoffence. John just laughs at me when I tell him. He often says,'Mattie, you are a wonder in your own way,' and I am not sure justwhat he means by it; but often, Pearl, I'm afraid I haven't
tact."
Pearl assured Mrs. Burrell that she shouldn't worry about it.
"Sometimes I think I do pretty well, and say the right thing. Onenight I met Miss Rose, your friend, and Mr. Russell out walking. Imet them going past the McSorley house, and you know they're buildinga piece to it since the twins came. So I said to Mr. Russell: 'Besure to get a big house at first, so you won't have to be adding toit all the time; it's so expensive to enlarge a house.' I guess Mr.Russell took it all right, because he said: 'Yes, Mrs. Burrell, justas solemn as can be, but I don't believe John liked it, because hebegan to talk to Miss Rose right away. I often think, Pearl, if myown little girl had lived I would have been a lot happier; I wouldn'tbe depending, then, so much on other people for my happiness. I am apoor, cross old woman, and I really do not mean to be. I feel realkind to people, and would be if they would let me."
"You're all right, Mrs. Burrell," Pearl said soothingly. "You've keenkind to me, and I like you just fine."
Mrs. Burrell looked at her gratefully.
"I believe you do, you blessed child; you see the good in everybody."
When Pearl went home that day she announced to her family that shewas happy in four places. "I'm happy because we're goin' to havechurch now, that's one; and I'm happy because Mrs. Burrell gave meall those pansy plants, that's two; and I'm happy because Camilla isgoin' to be married, and she has made me the loveliest white silkdress you ever saw, just the spittin' image of her own, because I'mto be her bridesmaid, that's three; and I'm happy because"--shehesitated, as a sudden shyness seized her--"oh, well, I'm justhappy."