Thirteen
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| From Jennie's Collection of Tennyson Quotes Given as a Gift |
an hour to retrieve them.
Jenny had heard about the place for the four years she had been in Columbia, but this was the first time she had ever gone inside. She was astounded at the decor. Everything was done in what she guessed was meant to be an Egyptian mode. And, of course, there were potted palms placed discreetly throughout the room. It had the feeling of a grand hotel, though it was only a café.
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“Oh, Aunt Ella! This place is incredible! I hope that the desserts are not formidably expensive.”
The two were seated by a girl Jennie recognized from her German class, Miss Eulalie Church. She looked to the girl to see if she should address her or treat her as a stranger serving her. Eulalie was pleasant, but never acknowledged Jennie, which made Jennie wonder if she didn’t know who she was or perhaps was forbidden by the management to fraternize.
Jennie had a profound respect for anyone working their way through college or working to supplement their expenses such as she was. There was a humility that could have been a shared experience, except each person in the circumstance either was too busy to be concerned about what others were doing or they simply did not want it known.
Pity, Jennie thought. We could have been of help to each other. Maybe this summer.
But she reconsidered.The Palms would likely be this side
of the quadrangle, or to the left
“Hello, Miss Church. I was in German class with you. Deutsche est wunderbar, nein?”
Jennie immediately regretted attempting a German phrase. Firstly, it no doubt was incorrectly constructed. Mainly, though, it prompted a rapid response in German she could not understand.
Classroom at the
University of Missouri
“I apologize, Miss Church. I did not continue after one semester of German because I was not particularly good at it. I should have paid more attention when my grandparents spoke it occasionally.”
Jennie noticed Eulalie fidgeting, no doubt wondering if she should resume her duties or stand politely while her customer rattled on. “I don’t want to keep you from your duties, though. I just wanted to say hello.”
Eulalie curtsied and departed.
“Goodness, that was odd,” declared Aunt Ella. “She was behaving as though she was the chambermaid and we were royalty. I bet we are more countrified than she ever was.”
“Auntie, it no doubt is a part of her employment. Her manager could be watching for such things.”
“Which reminds me. Doesn’t it strike you as strange that as fancy as this place is, they advertise here on their menu that their food is ‘made at home.’ Do you think it truly is? I wonder, do they not have a kitchen to prepare things?”
“Auntie, I suspect that pies and cakes and maybe soup and some of the sandwiches are made elsewhere—such as at a house down the street. But of course, the ice cream is right here!”
Jennie had ordered the Swiss chocolate ice cream sundae which the menu promised as “famous.” When it was brought with Aunt Ella’s slice of blueberry pie, the two ladies lit up.
“Oh! Divine!” Jennie exclaimed between bites.
“Indeed!” responded Aunt Ella.
The two ate in silence, Jennie remembering to not devour her dessert as a ravenous wolf, but only after the first bite or two. Then she realized she should savor every moment.
“Auntie, I noticed the prices were not stated. Do you think they vary the price from person to person at their whim?”
“Jennie, I understand this is the practice of finer establishments when presenting a ‘ladies menu’. Of course, when there are two ladies and no gentlemen, it does make you wonder.”
When Miss Church returned to see if there was anything else they desired, Jennie decided to venture further into the prior conversation.
“Miss Church, I live and work in town. I tutor students and teach piano to help with my expenses, and my father has worked for the University so my tuition is free. At least, while they employed him… But at any rate, I am graduating, but I will remain for graduate studies, and I would love to get together with another ‘townie’ from time to time.”
Eulalie hesitated, but the corners of her mouth slowly upturned.
“If you have something to write with, I will give you my address. I would love to get together for tea! Or an apple or a sandwich, or no food at all.”
Eulalie fished out a pad of paper from her apron pocket and handed Jennie her pencil.
As Jennie wrote, she offered, “If you are not far from me, then drop by any time. I won’t have students after next week, and only a couple of classes, so I will be there most of the time.”
“Thank you, Miss… Stark. Goodness, with such a German name, you should reconsider and take another class! Anyway, I look forward to seeing you. And…” Eulalie took another sheet of paper off the pad and wrote her own address. “Here is mine. You see, we are nearly neighbors!”
Ella inquired if it was all right for the two ladies to linger a while.
“Our ride will not return for another half hour, and it would be lovely to stay and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Eulalie nodded, then retreated.
“Now, Miss Jennie. There is a matter I have been hesitant to bring up…”
“Oh?”
“First, I want to explain the circumstances. I was sitting at your desk, intending to write a note, when I discovered something there.”
Jennie shifted in her seat.
“Well, it was your transcript of your marks.”
Jennie’s eyes grew wide as her cheeks flushed.
“I could not help but notice it, it was right there…”
Jennie looked down at her hands.
“I was at first surprised at your marks. I thought certainly I would see several ‘E’s’ there. For ‘Excellent,’ of course. But… not a one?”
Jennie remained silent.
“Anyway, I got to thinking about how you have so many responsibilities and concerns, beginning with your father and brothers. And then you have all the tutoring and lessons you give. On top of that, you have to walk over a mile each way each day to class. And sometimes, I bet,” she drew a breath, “you do that more than once in one day.”
The younger woman glanced upward. Where is this going?
“My purpose is not to chide, my dear. But I am concerned about one thing…”
Jennie cocked her head sideways.
“I saw a mark of ‘Incomplete’ for ‘Physics of Light.’ And I wondered, what does this do to you being able to graduate on Friday?”
A long exhale could have been heard twenty feet distant. Jennie smiled.
“It is all worked out, Auntie. I had one paper to finish which I was unable to bring in because of, um, circumstances. But I did complete it. And my professor let the registrar know, so I do not know why the transcript was wrong.”
Aunt Ella’s frown deepened.
“I double-checked, and there is no obstacle to receiving my diploma! So, Auntie, you need not be concerned.”
Ella reached over and squeezed her niece’s hand.
“I am sorry I intruded.”
Jennie pondered a moment before responding.
“Apology accepted.”
She realized protocol almost required her to tell her aunt that no apology was needed, that is was perfectly all right to have intruded. But, Jennie thought, she should have realized it was a transcript and put aside or told her about it, to give her a chance to put it away without further intrusion. She thought it better to accept the apology, thereby notifying her aunt of the breach of etiquette.
Jennie glanced outside. No sign yet of her father. Oh, where is he? She was anxious to leave, to change the subject through action.
Aunt Ella motioned to Miss Church who stood attention in the corner but pretending to fold napkins. There were no other customers at the moment.
“What do I owe?”
“Twenty-five cents.”
“That is all?”
“My father is the owner. That is what he said.”
“My goodness. Well, please thank him for me.”
Ella gave Miss Church a quarter, and after she walked back to her previous station, Aunt Ella took out a silver dollar and plunked it on the table.
“That is so generous, Auntie!”
“I expected to pay at least that much. And I happy to brighten her day. But, do you think she will be allowed to keep it?”
Ella motioned to Miss Church once again, and the waitress complied.
“Miss Church, this is for you.” She held out the silver dollar. “Now, I do not think your father or anyone else can see, so I insist you put this away in your pocket and tell no one. This is for you, and you alone. And if anyone asks if a tip was given, feel free to rant and say, ‘No, those cheapskates!’”
Eulalie giggled. Aunt Ella winked as the girl did as instructed.
“Miss Church,” interjected Jennie. “I’m wondering if you can stop by on Tuesday afternoon. I see that The Palms is closed on Tuesdays. Say, at three o’clock?”
“That is perfect, Miss Stark.”
“And, one more thing. You are not yet graduating?”
The girl nodded.
“Then, would you like to be our guest at the graduation ceremony? We would be pleased to have you.”
“I would be delighted, or would have been so, but I am working. Everyone will head here after the ceremonies, of course. You don’t think my father would miss out on the opportunity for great profit on the busiest day of the year, do you?”
It was Miss Church’s turn to wink.
“Well, then, see you on Tuesday.”
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