WAITING ON ROSALIA

New Zealand Tablet, 25 September 1913, Page 61

WAITING ON ROSALIA

Rosalia would be late; that was a foregone conclusion. Or, if she were not actually late she would come hurrying breathlessly up at the last minute, smiling apologetic, it is true—Rosalia was nearly always —which was in no sense a balm to indignant feeling that had been kept waiting. When has Rosalia ever been on time Elvira asked herself resentfully as she paced impatiently to and fro in the lobby of the concert hall. *lf I’d given her a ticket she could have taken her seat when she was ready and I need not have waited,’ she added regretfully, taking the opportunity to step into the fresh air as a gentleman pushed open the heavy door and stood courteously aside to allow her to pass. Elvira gazed anxiously up and down the street, but no slim, girlish figure in a neat blue serge suit came tripping along, and, disappointed, Elvira returned to the lobby, ‘ I don’t know what ever made me invite Rosalia to come with me to the concert when Madge or Gertrude would have been quite as delighted to come and neither would have kept me waiting,’ she murmured to herself, taking up her stand on the other side of the box office out of the way of the incoming rush of concert-goers. ‘ There! It’s chiming a quarter of three and the concert begins at three. I told Rosalia I loved to be in my seat early and watch folks come in. She’s too provoking for anything ! And we got out of school at a quarter after one to-day, so she had ample time to go home to lunch and get here. I’ll wait five minutes longer and if she doesn’t come I’ll go in and leave her.’

At this moment an elderly lady, accompanied by one younger, drew near the box office and the former asked for two seats near the platform. The answer was f disappointing and she turned to her companion, saying: t ' * Sometimes tickets are returned at the eleventh hour. I have often been fortunate in securing seats this way at the last instant. Shall we wait?' The younger woman assented and the other continued : ' I hoped to have had Rosalia Sercomb accompany us this afternoon. I telephoned her immediately after inviting you, only to learn that she had accepted an invitation to go with a school friend.' ' I think Rosalia is the dearest girl,' the other commented warmly. ' And the best, my dear,' added the older woman. 'Few people know, and even those who do know fail

t'j realise in the fullest measure the burden that Rosalia carries on her young shoulders. Her mother is an invalid-. Rosalia is the oldest of five children, and as far as possible she takes her mother’s place in the home. Frequently in the morning I catch glimpses of -her hurrying backward and forward, getting the children ready for school, taking her mother’s breakfast upstairs, and doing a dozen-other things to make comfort for those dependent upon her. At night she often helps her father with his- account books—-Rosalia is quick, at figures. And she is always cheerful. I believe she is so happy in the privilege of being able to keep up her school work and fulfil in addition what is expected of her at home that she looks upon herself _as a very fortunate girl, and she:simply can’t help radiating happiness.’ 14 ‘ ‘ , ... - ‘ She assuredly cannot have much leisure,’ observed the younger woman. ‘Practically noneand amusements that girls of her age love to indulge in Rosalia has little time for. Still she does not make hard work of her daily tasks, but goes about them in a happy, whole-hearted fashion that brings a certain amount of recreation and a great "deal of pleasure with it. Rosalia is a truly wonderful girl. I’m proud to own her as my neighbor and friend.’ Elvira had not meant to listen to the conversation at her elbow; indeed, almost before she realised it the two ladies had moved away and she was left standing there with this new glimpse into the life of her school friend. She recalled now how with a gay word Rosalia invariably parted from the girls after school to hurry home and take up the care of her family. ‘ And she must long sometimes to go off to the park with us, or to the girls’ houses, or to remain for the ball game —oh, how unselfish and good she is, and I never have known it before. Indeed, I’ve criticised her for coming at the last moment, and all the time it has been because she couldn’t help herself.’ ‘ Elvira, it is a shame to have kept you waiting,’ broke in a happy, girlish voice a trifle breathlessly. And you asked me to come early, I simply couldn’t. It is Nora’s day out, mother had to have her beaten egg, and father came in at the last minute, hadn’t had a bit to eat, and, of course, I insisted upon making him one before he went out again. But here I am at last and I’m going to enjoy myself to the very last note—you dear, you, for inviting me.’ Rosalia linked her arm in Elvira’s and smiled into her face with a happy eagerness there was no withstanding, You dear, you, for coming.’ Elvira laughed. To herself she added: ‘ Rosalia is worth waiting for. And I shall always be glad I had to wait for her in this instance because it has helped me to know her better.’