S'PRISES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 65, 17 March 1928, Page 14

S'PRISES

"What time is Moiher coming home?" asked Jean, leaning lovingly against Grandma's knee. , "I'm afraid she will be late to-night, honey. What is the matter with the dollies? 'Are they tired or so much play?" Grandma smoothed the silken head of the little girl gently. "No, but I am. Isn't there something I could do to surprise Mother:1 Could.l put the kettle on?. It's nearly supper time." . Grandma looked doubtful. "Do let me try, Grandma. I'll stand on a chair and hold the kettle under.the tap and not fill it too full." .../... "Well,■■well, I see you know something about it already. Be careful not to spill it on yourself." ' Jean gave a happy little chuckle as she ran out to the kitchen. "I can set my dolls' table, Grandma," she called back, "So why couldn't I set our table? Wouldn't that surprise Mother?" It would indeed. .1 believe I'll let you [try," Grandma answered. Jean filled ihe keltic and carried .it to the stove. Tt was heavy. "There, that's done. Let me sec.llie doilies go on first. Oil, I know I'm just going to love setting the,table." : ... ". ■; It was fun picking out the cute'lillle linen pieces with the daisies on them. Grandma's fingers had worked ihem all. :•. "And now the knives and forks",'' said Grandma. "Cm you tell me how you should place them?'' : ; "Well, I suppose so that they will be easy to pick up and use," said Jean, opening the silver drawer of the .buffet. . "Yes.1 If; we cut with the knife then we shall hold it in the right hand," said , •■'; . i ~ • , ... "And so it goes to the right of the doily," added Jean. 'Ihals just the way I dowilh my doll's things.' JThe fork goes on the left. Only 1 have trouble sometimes remembering which is left. How many spoons, Grandma.?" •■••,.'■■• . "Two, dear." ' ■ Jean hustled about distributing the silver gleefully. She. found the napkin rings, the pepper and salt shakers, the sugar bowl, and the cream jug. And then, just as the keltic was beginning to sing, Mother's key was heard in the front door. . "S'prise! S'prise!" shouted Jean, running to meet hsr. ''Come andsee, our s'prise!" , ■ Mother kissed her fondly and followed her to the dining-room. - "Well, well, my own little daughter!" she exclaimed looking from Jean to the neatly set table and back again. "What a help this is! Now it won't take a minute to get supper. ; You have made me very happy, darling. And Ihave5 a surprise for you!" Jean's eyes sparkled.: There wasn't anything quite as fascinating as a surprise—unless it was a secret.' And this one was both, because it wasn't until Jean had eaten all her supper, the soft cooked rice, and bread and butter and a glass of milk, that Mother brought it out. And then,/ what do you think.it was? Ice cream with colours and nuts on! "It's just like a party to-night!" cried Jean, turning the pretty dessert around on her plate. "We did need the two spoons, didn't we,. Grandma?" Grandma nodded and smiled. "I think, Moiher, I'd like to set the table for you every night," said Jean, as she took a very big spoonful. '-....-