Budlong's well-meant
attentions. It was sometimes embarrassing when relatives
appeared--for everybody has Concealed Relatives that he is perfectly
willing to leave in concealment.
Mrs. Alex. (pronounced Ellick) Stubblebine never forgave Mrs. Budlong
for dragging into the limelight some obscure cousins of her husband's
who had drifted into Carthage to borrow money on their farm. Mrs.
Stubblebine was always bragging about her people, her own people that
is. Her husband's people, of course, were after all only
Stubblebines, while her maiden name was Dilatush; and the Dilatushes,
as everybody knew, were related by marriage to the Tatums.
But these were Stubblebines that came to town. Mrs. Stubblebine
could hardly slam the door in their faces, but she would fain have
locked the doors after them. She would not even invite them out on
the front porch. She told them the back porch was cosier and less
conspicuous. And then Mrs. Budlong had to call up on the telephone
and sing out in her telephoniest tone:
"Oh, my dear, I've just this minute heard you have guests--some of
your dear husband's relatives. Now they must come to me to dinner
to-morrow. Oh, it isn't the slightest trouble, I asSure you. I'm
giving a little party anyway. I won't take no for an answer."
And she wouldn't. Mrs. Stubblebine fairly perspired excuses, but
Mrs.
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