Books › The Red Book 1911-04: Vol 16 Iss 6, 1911 › scan 50
Scan 50
The Red Book 1911-04: Vol 16 Iss 6, 1911
39 lines. Read by computer on 14 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1A tremendous tea-party was in progress
3Delicia
5BY JOHN LUTHER LONG
7Author of "Madame Butterfly," etc
9ILLUSTRATED BY BLANCHE FISHER WRIGHT
11I—WHO WOULD NOT BE A WOMAN?
13UP IN the top story a tremendous tea-party was in progress. There was music constantly and flowers everywhere. And, though it was only three o'clock, the guests were in evening dress. Of them, I know that signore Tetrazzini and Doria were there as well as signorine Garden, Cavalieri, Pianissima and Dolcissima—these latter two being she who slept as soon as she lay down and she who said "Mama" the moment she was embraced.
15As for the flowers—they were of tissue paper, but so like the real ones and so anointed with artificial odors as to have deceived the flowers themselves.
17The music proceeded from a round, tin box, which, as often as it was wound, would produce:
19Ever of thee
20Fondly I'm drea—
21and, then, after some measures of arid buzzing,
22—spirit can cheer—
23then, more buzzing, and Da Capo—back to "Ever of thee—" again.
25This aberration, almost unnecessarily, was always, and gracefully, explained by the hostess, Delicia, to be caused by the loss of pegs.
27II—WHEN ALL WAS AT ITS BEST—THEN CAME THE WORST!
29When all was at its best, came heavy feet on the stairs. He who had entered first had a violin under his arm and wore a velveteen jacket with frogs instead of buttons. She who followed carried such a large wooden spoon as is used in cooking, and fanned, breathlessly, for air, with her apron.
31"Good-a evenin'," said the first.
32"I have brought you Cavallo," said she of the apron, in gasps.
33The young musician bowed, smiling.
34"I did not wish to see Cavallo," said Delicia.
35"He has something to say, daughter."
36"He was not invited," answered Delicia.
37"Then shall I at once go!" said Cavallo, very softly—not at all angrily.
38"Me? What and who am I that I should come uninvited? I go!"
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