Page:Minnie Flynn (1925).pdf/134

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"Sure she does, the old tease," and Minnie put her arm around Nettie's waist to draw her close enough to whisper, "Watch your step, do you get me?"

There was quite a little hubbub when Jimmy came in. After he had shaken hands with Eleanor he cried, "Well, Miss Grant, what d'you say if we put on the feed bags?"

"I'd say fine," smiled Eleanor politely. "I guess that's what you'd want me to say."

Strained laughter.

A moment later Minnie was in a panic of fear. Looking up she caught Jimmy's eye focused upon the glass butter dish. She tried to get over a signal but Jimmy's glance never rose to meet hers. Just when Nettie reached across the table to pass Eleanor the butter, Jimmy bawled out:

"Ain't that the Molowonskys' dish, ma?"

"Why, Jimmy Flynn!" cried Mrs. Flynn in accusing tones, while Minnie flushed scarlet, "if that ain't just like a boy!" Turning apologetically to Eleanor, "Have a couple o' pieces of butter, won't you, dearie? Don't be afraid of it. It's the very best. Minnie got it after she come home over to Shultz's. She. . . ."

"Yeh, have a couple o pieces," urged Minnie, while she signaled frantically to Jimmy.

But Jimmy paid no attention to the four flashing pairs of eyes. He was thinking, here was his chance to take his family off their high horse, and he sincerely believed it his duty. "It is the Molowonskys'," he persisted. "I seen it there the other night. Ivan got 'em saving premium coupons on tobacco. He says he collected two hundred coupons in eighteen months and bought 'em for his folks."

"Who'll have soup?" cried Mrs. Flynn, now almost unbalanced. "Speak up, we got lots of it in the kitchen."

Without waiting for any response she hurried out of the