Page:Adventures in Thrift (1916).djvu/170

 Mrs. Larry laid down the letter and looked at her husband with dancing eyes.

"And so, you see, after all, this matter of cooperative cooking and living practically resolves itself into the question of lemon meringue pie or—Brown Betty, according to your individual finances. And to-morrow you get Brown Betty, because Lena, having picked up a bargain in apples, has laid in a stock which must be used."

"Lena!" exclaimed the astonished Mr. Larry.

"Yes. Lena, too, is studying short cuts in economy and having little adventures of her own. She has developed a good-sized bump of responsibility since I have been making these trips, and she is alone with the children. She takes great pride in saving pennies. To-day she bought the apples from a huckster at three cents less a quart than we pay at Dahlgren's.

"To insure solid fruit, she insisted upon picking out each apple with her own hands."

Mr. Larry, who had been opening his evening paper, laid it down, turned to his wife and spoke seriously.

"You know, little woman, when I hear your