A. C. during dinner, as I was
waiting to see if father would give me ten dollars before I
organized it. But I am a person of strong feelings, and I was
sad and depressed, thinking of my dear Country at War and our
beginning with soup and going on through as though nothing was
happening. I therfore observed that I considered it unpatriotic,
with the Enemy at our gatez, to have Sauterne on the table and
a Cocktail beforehand, as well as expencive tobacco and so on,
even although economising in other ways, such as furnature.
"What's that?" my father said to me, in a sharp tone.
"Let her alone, father," Leila said. "She's just
dramatising herself as usual. We're probably in for a dose of
Patriotism."
I would perhaps have made a sharp anser, but a street piano
outside began to play The Star-Spangled Banner. I then stood up,
of course, and mother said: "Sit down, for heaven's sake,
Barbara."
"Not until our National Anthem is finished, mother," I said
in a tone of gentle reproof. "I may not vote or pay taxes, but
this at least I can do."
Well, father got up to, and drank his coffee standing.
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