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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1918-12-19, Page 34th THE 1114. 051.11. QGIVING. By IlethernHafl Dixon Eleanor rocked slowly and squeals;• :fly in 't'he Loanhouse living-royxn�- =not the "white house with green ;Mut* Iters auli red 'barn" farmhouse of On- tario, but a 'two -room shack on a 'southern Alberta irrigation 'tract. Suddenly, with a sigh that pronoune- „#cl itself the period to a Mug reverie, ,She rose and walked to a cheat at one 'end of the room, She lifted the cover, and as she did se a letter slipped to the floor, t!e "lensed from an accidental hiding place. It was sealed and addressed -'but not' stamped, "Now, bow in the world—I" ex- claimed Eleanor picking up the let - 'ter, and, after examining it, "My first letter to Eva, and i had to write an- other." She tore open the letter and be- came immediately engrossed by the lines from her own pen, written six :menthe before to her dearest girl 'friend back in Toronto," her own form- -tar home. It avas like meeting a ghost of herself to come face to faee 'with her thoughts of six months ago 'set down in black end white, i'John built our little home him- self," she read, "And what do you ',suppose I have in the kitchen? A 'sink!" Just where it ought to be, I suppose you'll say, but I want you to 'know that I'm the first woman on this tract to have a sink. "Our home has just two rooms. The 'combination living -room and bed - 'room is 16 by 16, and the dining - room and kitchen is 9 by 16, John stained the living -room woodwork in brown mission, to match the furni- 'ture we bought.. We have one large 'window in the front, where we get a beaubiful view of the mountains in 'the distance, and the rest of the win- dows arethe small -cottage style. I 'have curtained them in scrim. Our -rug is tan and the walls are covered with burlap. Our bed pulls up to ' 'the wall in daytime and does service as a mantel. So you see, Eva, when 'we get our pictures hong it will be very homelike.'.' Eleanor looked around, The pie - 'tures were hung. It was homelike. "There isn't much room for argu- ment in my little kitchen," she con- tinued in the letter,."bub there are advantages in being able to stand in the middle of the floor and reach 'everything you want" And then came the details in ar- rangement of the kitchen, told with 'such accuracy that Eva might have :entered in the night and have put her hand- on any pot or kettle. While this was a truthful descrip- 'e* 'tion of her new home, there .was 'something which Eleanor had not 'told about her 'arrival in the little 'town of Murvale, and that was of the big lump that had come into her throat when the train began to slow down for the station and her eyes could see nothing but miles and miles of 'sagebrush from the car window. Timidly she had touched John's coat - sleeve and strained back the tears as she had asked: "Why, John, why—where is Mur - vale? Where is the town, John?" And how sweet and patient and jolly he had looked when he had bent down to say: "Cheer up, dearie. There's a cow standing in front of it." And then they had both laughed and the day hat been saved. John was always saving the day. Eleanor blas the only woman on the tract who had a sink. Christmas was 'but ten days away. She had exactly sixty- three cents with which to get a pres- ent for John her John! So the thoughts jangled about in her 'head, She returned to the letter. "I really haven't had time to get homesick and I think I'll keep so ibusy that 1 never shall have the time . I know that you and all our friends are still wondering why we came out here. John came in March to prepare the way when you thought it was a business trip, POT menthe there had been a heavy black cloud over our little home by the lake. It seems to me like a nightmare now :those terrible days when John had to stagger home from world in semi - blindness. And then came the ver - diet of the specialist—unless John could break entirely away from the office; iba'fidon ' his law, and live out of doors he would be blind in a few months."' In spite of her cheerful resolve not "to be homesick, and in spite of the work which ltacl kept Eleanor's fin- gers constantly busy, there had been, days when her heart was so heavy that it seemed by virtue of its vett' preponderance to drag her mind, oilt ly-nilly,: back to the little home they had lett, And never had this feel- ing seemed -harder to confiner than in 'these clays just before Christmas. She missed the bustle and hum, the shop- ping hordes, the gayly trimmed store windows and red .Santa en the street morners,,the parcel -laden delivery wagons—all of which bespoke for 'weeks before'hand, in the city, of pre - t parations for the holiday season. 'Out here—well, even :the great 'thrill of empire -building had not yet had time to overcome her Love for the old order. Choses went on, chickens were tended, cows milked, ' • e......-.fioxses led -to water, fences patched. Where were any hints of thrills to opine? Any sweet mystery of an-. ablolpated joys? 13 exit horse there would have been a big dinner on Christmas eve, ,w.lth `o es'bs and' gii!ts and good things eat, and John world have worn his dresri Solt acid she would have 'worn her 'wedding dress, which was her only party gown and bespoke the 'nest extravagant gayety. Why not 'have the dinner party anyway? It would be minus the guests por'haps, but site co'u'ld cook a good dinner and John had his dress •suit and she liar 'wedding gown, Once more she lifted the lid of the ehest, and. -this time she took from it a soft, shapeless paokag'e 'that rustled strangely 'amid the "severity of mission furniture. She loosened a few pins, and the tissue paper wrappings fell away, releasing a aloud of white satin that billowed frdni her hand tothe floor like a foamy meringue and lay silently glis- tening with a soft dull splendor as she hold It up at arm's length, her bosom heaving with unexpected emotion at the sight, Her wedding gown! As she ga•zecl, faces rose in tiers before her, glad, tender fades with shining eyes and smiling lips—her friends as she had looked upon thein when sire bad turn- ed from the altar by John's side a year-ago, She remembered how her slippered feet' had scarcely seemed to touch the rose -strewn aisle, and she felt as if she were again floating to the majestic tones of the organ re- cessional, her hand enveloped in the curve of John's proudly extended arm. A queer noise brought her to the present with a start. It was the teakettle boiling over! There seems to be a teakettle in :the life of everyone. As she walk- led.to the stove to set the kettle back Ther hens were unloosing tlre'fasten- ings of her gingham house dress, but in a moment a new thought assailed her. Suppose -suppose she had changed too much! The absurdity of the thought was lost upon her, and she sprang in real anxiety to the narrow mirror that hung over 'her sewing machine, and 'stood staring' into her own reflection with tense interest. Except for the 'lines which fatigue had deepened around her mouth, :'there was nothing especially the matter with what she saw. Her hair still waved. It wes nice hair, red - brown with gold glints in it. Her forehead wasn't intellectual. It was too low for soaring intellect, but it was broad and smooth. No fault Was to be found with thetbrown eyes, and the nose was unobjectionable except for the faint, hardly visible glints" of a few freckles which last sum- mer's sun had whipped into being. Reassured that she would be spared the pain of seeing an old -worn face above her beloved gown, she caught up the wedding dress and with a few deft motions slipped it over her head. Then she becania absorbed •before the narrow mirror in an endeavor to get an accurate reflection of herself in foto by presenting a rapid succession of longitudinal strips.,. Suddenly the door. behind her burst open, She wheeled, and confronted the pop -eyed countenance of Mrs. Valentine, wife of the chief construc- tion engine'hr for the big irrigation project of which John and Eleanor owned eighty acres. Mrs. Valen- tine's love of finery was attested 'by one glance at 'her purple broad- clothed person. She was very short and very fat—one of those women who change when they reach- thirty, become good, simple, and fat, and then do not change any more at all. "Oh!" she gasped at Eleanor. "Ohl" Eleanor returned in startled echo. Then she recovered enough to add explainingly: "My wedding dress." "Lovely, perfectly lovely, my dear!" gushed Mrs. Valentine, advancing to 'touch appreciatively with a pudgy forefinger the delicate tracery of lilies of the valley embroidered in pearls upon the bodice, the work of Elean- or's own fingers. "I wonder— No, I shouldn't dare ask it," she declared with a ponder- ous sigh. "Clothes are such a prob- lem out here. You wouldn't, I sup- pose—" Once more she stopped. Eleanor stared inquiringly. What favor could the ehief's wife possibly wish of her? Mrs. Valentine was like a roly-poly kitten whom you hat- ed to deny things. - "What is it?" Eleanor asked en- couragingly. "I really oughtn't to ask it. The •Oddfellow's Ball is to be on January fourth. We have received an invi- tation, and Jim has to be in Calgary that very week. It seems too good a chance to lose, but I haven't anything to wear—not anything! You wouldn't sell—" she fingered the bugled sleeve suggestively. Eleanor drew back as if stung by the touch. "Oh, I couldn't, Mrs, Valentine: It's my wedding dress. I made it every stitch myself and it's the dear- est thing I own." Mrs. Valentine turned away with a Panty look of defeat. ' "Just as you feel about it. It's a dream, and the style's as good as when it was made_. Hand embroidery is always good, and especially in 'pearls. The fullness about the waist could easily be adjusted to fit me. If you should change your. mind, I'll give you—fifty 'dollars for it." .After Mrs. Valentine's visit, Elwin, or, as a vent to het -feelings, plunged ante a frenzy of house-cleaning. With n armful of garments to be shaken she 'went out to the' 'clothesline in the back yard. She , was surprised to hear voices, and, shielding her eyes frons the glare of a blanket of anew Under the bright Alberta stun she SAY/ John in conversation with a 'stranger on horeebaek, As sise flung the clothes over the line their eonservaa. tion came clearly to her oars through the still :frosty air. "TVs first -clues," affirmed the stranger, "Gen -u -wino rawhide cantle, hand -stitched, brass cap, and this here's real russet leather." Most of this unintelligible to Eleanor, but not the answer to John's question: "How much do you went for it?" "Fifty dollars," was the answer. Once more in the house Eleanor went oto the telephone. Rural ser- vice in this new country was slow. "Hello!" she called. "hello, Opera- tor, get me the company's camp, please. I want to talk to Mrs, Valen- tine," As she rose from the 'telephone, Eleanor looked through the kitchen window just in°time to see John lead - Sing Beppo out to be admired. John, too, had a prized possession, It was a 'thoroughbred riding horse, gift e Ontario -th t of a wealthy uncle. e. It laid been presented to John when he came West, the 'uncle's idea of ranching being, apparently, to mount a blooded steed and ride over vast estates each day. John had not questioned his necessity for the :beau- tiful creature, but had accepted him enthusiastically because Isis natural love of animals had been intensified by years of city life. Beppo was never put to the heavy fatm implements, never hitched at all, in fact. John could not ride him because he didn't have a saddle. Once he bad tried him bareback, but, being an inexperienced mount, he had not cared to 'repeat the trial. Beppo, -.therefore, was enjoyed only through the medium of •caresses and groom- ing and display to visitors, as great 'That" had 'been a: tiny string 0 pearls in one corner, and he had hop*• pentad to read the tag attached. It had made him -turn away thea. Tie remembered It w1s;tfully now, Ito reached h:o'iite, µnhitched with numb fingers and heavy heart, .fad and bedded hie horses, and turned to leave the stable tyhen a soft sound, half -snort and half-whinny—s horse's plea for recognitdon•-••,arrested itiana le turned back, entered Boppo's stall, and took the satiny nose in his hand. On Christmas eve the table in the little ranch -house k be'ben was set with the 'best silver andlinen for 4 formal dinner --for two, Aunt Julia's silver candlesticks shell a soft pink -Shaded light, A sliver fern dish reflected in a fiat mirror stood in lieu of flowers for the centrepiece, and wedding -present china and glass- ware completed the appointments. Eleanor In a summer dread of fig- ured lawn announced the .meal, and from the living -room Strode John in full evening dress, a majestic, per- fect John as he had looked back home. He stopped in 'the doorway, "Why didn't you wear—" "SAI" cautioned Eleanor. "Don't speil things by askingany questions to-nighb, Shall we have aur gifts first?» • She led him to the centre of the liv- ing -room and touched his eyes light- ly with her fingers tips to close them. He heard a pullingand straining that ended with a final bump •and a huge bundle lodged at labs feet. "Wait a minute," he begged, and, stopping to the table, he drew from the drawer a tiny jewel ease which he presented to her, "Now!" he announced, and both be- came busy with wrappings, As John rose from his stooping posture 'their eyes met in a peculiar look, It was not anger, nor sur "I wab talking to him about 1t1110 only a few moments ago when I found him leaning over your gate as 1 drove -up, By Jove, sir, the old boy knew me." "I'll go right out and put him up while I"lleanor makes you comfort- able," said John. "Here, nut so fast!" , Uncle Stove stepped to the back door and dragged from the porch a big 'bundle which he set before John. From his coal pocket the produced a smaller package for Eleanor, "Open 'em right away and tell me if I'm a good prophet," he said with a 'twinkle in his eye. The rustle of wrapping paper drowned all remarlcs. Eleanor pushed en ivory button in a little plush ease and held up—a string of pearls! At John's feet lav a shining new saddle, "For Beppo," chuckled -Uncle Steve; "that is," he added severely, "if you promise to treat 'tint better, So you didn't know he was lost, eh? Well, where" in tarnation did you think 1e was? "Yes, I—I—knew he was gone," John made answer. "You see, Uncle Steve, I sold ---I mean, I loaned him to e ditch rider at the irrigation camp. He must have broken away" Eleanor could hold in no longer. "But it's all so wonderful! What brought you away out here, Uncle Steve?" Uncle Steve emitted a thunderous guffaw, "That's a good one, I've owned the 160 acres alongside of you here for the last four years. In fact, I sent the agent' to John in the first place for the very purpose of getting you out here. I'm sort of particular about my neighbors, you see, Where you going?" he broke off to inquire as Eleanor suddenly turned away. At the kitchen door she turned. "I'm going to 'tell Mrs. Valentine that I shall be glad to loan her my wedding gown," she said happily. �_. ey THE TRAPPER. 11,11 h,!It1 0303 • "Dearie," he whispered, "I'm going to put my Christmas pres:.n` away for a while. It's—it's too nice to use right away." an object of pride, no doubt, as Joseph's coat or the Queen of Sheba's jewels. In the long meantimes he pastured contently in the corral or champed impatiently in his stall. Eleanor did not know it, but thoughts of Christmas had also come to John. Driving home from town one evening he had wondered about it. She needed a sweater coat and a pair of heavy mountain boots, he 'thought, and then a feeling of shame swept over him. Eleanor was the same Eleanor, whether city dweller or rancher's wife. And be lov- ,ed her, not because she worked bard and was helpful, but because she had nice hair, red -brown with gold glints in it, and a forehead that wasn't intellectual, perhaps, but was broad and smooth; because no fault could be found with• her brown eyes and her nose had a few glints of freckles on it; because she had an adorable mouth that, for all it had a tired droop in "the last few months, still seemed made only for smiles and hisses. Hotly he rebuked the thoughts that had Baited her Christmas with a sweater coat and mountain boots, I1'0 remembered a day when they had stood in front of a Jeweler's window. Every shade and glitter 'mown to iridescence was caught and lay gold - imprisoned in the purple bed of that window; a fortune in green fire, an- other in red flame, another in costly white light, beside the beautiful gleam of turquoise, topaz, sapphire, and jade. "What will you Have?" he had laughingly inquired of her. "Oh, that!" 'she had glowed back over her black muff at • Shim. "It would look so sweet with my wedding gown," prise, nor disapproval, nor horror. They simply stared. Then, with a laugh that held in it a sob and a myraid of unreadable things, Eleanor wentstraight to her husband, warm lips and arms and starry eyes. "Dearie," he whispered, "I'm go- ing to put my Christmas present away for a while. It's—it's too nice to use right away." "Oh, John, don't you like it?" she asked with a catch 1n her voice. "It isn't that, little 'wife," he con- fessed, giving her a mighty squeeze. "I may as well be honeet. You see I—well, I can't' use that `" handsome saddle because I sold Beppo to get this," and he pointed to the jewel ease. "John! Did you? Why, how funny! '1 can't wear niy pearls either because I sold my wedding dress to get— this," and she tapped the''.saddle. - At the, same moment they both straightened to a listening attitude. "It sounded like a sleigh," she whispered. "Listen!" "Uncle Stevel" they both' cried in unison a few moments later to the muffled figure stamping himself free of snow on their little back porch. "Merry Christma•sl" cane from under the mufiiers, accompanied by a plume of frosty breath. "How in the world— Do come in to the fire. When did you— Wisy didn't you 'tell us-" "Hold on1 Hold on!" begged Uncle Steve. Turning to John he said sternly; "What kind of a stock raiser are you, young man, to leave a thor- oug'hbred,'.Ontario-raised horse out in this weather?" "Beppo? What do you mean, Uncle Steve? Heppe—is-isn't here. Ile—" Raccoon Trapping Methods. After finding raccoon runs and trails near lake or stream, set trap out in-water'deep enough to cover it, " Then cuttwo separate pieces of brush, scent with the best raccoon bait, and place one on each side of the trap. Or the trap may be con- cealed in a path made by the coon, covered 'carefully lwbth loose earth and baited. On catching the scent the coon will be sure to investigate. Another good place to set coon traps is at the mouth of small creeks or at the bottom of old logs that have fallen across a stream. 'Coons are attracted by bright ob- jects and always investigate the un- usual. In the majority of eases their curiosity proves fatal to them. A bright tin fish to be attached to the pan of tate trap will glitter in the sun or moonlight and will draw the coon over to the trap. • In preparing for the market coon should be talsen off open. When trapped in the northern and central sections of the country, the furs should be stretched in their natural shape, care being taken not to over- stretch. Southern pelts should be stretched as nearly, square as pos- sible. All ,superfluous meat and fat should be reproved, but :the pelt should not be scraped too closeIy. `Skins should be dried in cool place, not in sun or near fire. They are (ready to ship when dry enough to 'hold their shape. 7' Christmas Carol. The eaith has giown old with its bur- den of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music bursts forth on the air When the song of the angels is sung. It is coming, Old .Barth, itis coming to -night! On the snow fakes which cover thy sod; The feet of the Christ -child tells gentle and white, And the voice of the Christ -child tails out with delight That mankind are the children of God. The feet of the humblest may walk In the field Where the feet of the Holiest trod, This, then, is the marvel to mortals re- vealed When the silvery trumpets of Christ- man have pealed That mankind are the children of Cod. --Phillips Brooks, Christmas Day, 1518, Ile shall come down like showers Upon the fruitful earth; And love, joy, hope, like flowers, Spring in his path to birth; Before him on the mountains, Shall Peace, the herald go; And ltiglsteousness, in fountains, Prom 11111 to valley flow, w Furs VOX, COON, SKUNE WASTO SHIP NOW 'FOR HIGH PRIcas Wo pay naprcoe I5*40 7t''ortaa'o, 3e.enn4t Within, 24 gears. Send for Illustrated Booklet and Price List OLIVER SPANNER & CO. rogi49x?i410t4: 243 ELM' sTREE'1'e• TORONTO The Future of the Live Stock Iiidust.ry The arrival of peace has created new conditions in the export of meat and produce and some uncertainty in the minds of Canadian farmers as to future markets. Information in the hands of The Honorable T. A, Crerar, Minister of Agriculture, convinces him that the export market will con- tinue to absorb at farm prices, as cam • pared with the prices fon,,all other agricultural products, every pound of beef, bacon and other Animal pro- ducts that Canada can _supply, Iii discussing the situation the Honor- able Mr. Crerar said: "In view of the great soaroity of cattle and live •stock of all kinds in Europe, and be- cause of the great demand for live stock and live Stock products of all kinds sure to continue for some years at least, I am going to ask the farmers and live stock men of Can- ada to maintain their 'breeding opera- tions on a war time scale, to properly finish all feeding stock, and to con- serve all good breeding females, and to still further improve their herds and flocks by using even greater care in the selection of the sine," Star Song. Tell as thou clear and heav'nly tongue, Where is the Babe that lately sprung? Lies he the lily banks among? Or say if this new birth of ours Sleeps laid within some ark of flowers, Spangled with dewlight:" thou oanst clear All doubts and manifest the where. Declare to us, bright star. if we shall seek I•Iim in the morning's blushing cheek, Or search the beds of spices through To find him out? Robert -Herrick. PFLTRY of all kinds. Better quality preferred. Write for priced. STANFORD'S, Limited 125 Mansfield St, - - Montreal Rl ri'dW Ffed OYS ma k.t yriaeelfor RAW FURS and GINSENG ROOT 21 years of reliable trading. Reference—Union Bk, of Canada, Write for Price List and Tags 14. SILVER see St. Paaadonni, t.e The Highest Price N. RAW FURS to us, no matter what quantity, We pay the highest price, also express charges. Try once and you are assured of satisfaction, ABBEY FUDR COMPANY 310 St. Paul W. Montreal, P.Q. Reference: Bank of Aoobelaga. St. 73enry. In business for 30 years You Cant Afford to take chances!!! Send your 428 Si. Paul St. Wast MONTREAL Being manufacturers, and not buying to re. sell we always 0,50,0 the fairest grading and the highest market prices. Quick returns! alaaazt We want millions of muskrat, skunk, coon, mink opossum, Emu/elf-eye rabbit skins -and will pay spot cash, highest prices! Funaten's relabtegradin gets you every, cent of value in your furs, enever Promise impossible prices and t ten cut do tt v n� rade What yourors re rimeg a Checl, le what we th tis sengintolls Check sent you within 2Q hours, Write for Free Shipping Tags and Trap- pers' Guide, Market Reports, etc nsteR>1 ;, a'os0 & Co intnmallanal Fur e,ahaapa 002 HaaaetessBasilaitg g0o lIS, MO, A Chlicee Sona of Chrletrnae,. Aly counterpane is soft as My blanicets white ne preemy lufilr, The hay was soft le I1im, 1 anew; Our little Lord of long ago. Above the roof the pigcone ny;. In silver wheels•aoroatathe• sky. The steible-cloves they 'cooed to 'them, Mary and Christ in Betlilehent, Bright shines the eun'across the drinte, And beasts upon my Clirietmaa,gifts. They brought I:lim'ineeisse, ruyrrli rand Our litt:v Lord who lived"of old, 0, soft and clear our mother singe Of Christmas joys and • Christtnae things.' . God's holy angels sang to them, Mary and Christ in Bethlehem. Our hearts they hold all Clu'ietnaas deaf, And earth seen'is sweet and heaven emus near. 0, Heaven was in His sight, i lamer, That little Child of long ago. --Marjorie L. 0. Pickthall a----_- Winter Music. Far off, the mellow music Of silver -sounding bells; The lowing' of the cattle; The tale the swung axe toils; The hoarse "Bailee" of hunter's; The baying of the hound;— Fall through the realm of snowflakeri With soft and soothing sound, Near by, the chirp of sparrows; The saucy "thiels -a -dee:" And faint foot -falls of feathery flakes Make up the minstrelsy. A Seventeenth Century Carol. So now is come our joyful feast, Let every man he jolly; Each room with ivy leaves is drest, And every post with bolly. Though some churls at our mirth re, pine, Round your foreheads garlands twine, Drown sorrow le a cup of wine, And let us all be. merry. Now all our neighiors' cilatneya' smoke, And Christmas blocks are burning; Their ovens they with baked meats choke, And all their spits are turning. Without the door let sorrow lye, And if for cold ithap to dye, We'll bury't in a Christmas -nye And evermore be merry! How to Live Twloe. (A Now Year's Lesson for Youth). To -day my friend is seventy -live; He tells his tale with no regret: His brave old eyes are steadfast yet His heart the lightest heard alive. IIe sees behind him, green and :ride, The pathway of his pilgrim years; He sees tite shore, and dreadless hears The whisper of the creeping tide. For out of all his days not one Has passed and left its onlaid ghost To seek a light forever lost Or wail a deed for ever done. So for reward of lifelong truth He lives again. as good men can, Redoubling his allotted span With memories of a stainless youth - Old and New. A toast to the old year; a toast to the new, May its pleasures be many—its sot'. rows be few. A hope for the future—a sigh for the past -- A smile for the present -the hours speeding fast. A toast to the old friends—a toast to the new, A toast to the clear friends—and one to the true; A prayer to our Maker—in reverent fear, When we meet in a twelvemonth-., that all may be here. A Christmas Song. When mother -love makes all things bright, When joy comes with the morning light, When children gather round their troop Thos, Christmas Babe; We sing to Thee! When shadows of the valley fall, Wen sin and death the soul appall, Onfe light we through the darkness see; Christ on the Cross, 1Ve cry to Thee! Christmas Invocation. Upon you I bestow this meagre token, Not as full measure of that which is spoken; But as the bearer of thoughts never spoken-- Thoughts which invoke Cod's bless- ings down from heaven Upon you in this time of love and giv- Ing. May His gift for the Yuletide be no less Than blessings which make lite •quell worth the living: Faith, health, love, peace;—all wrap- ped in happiness! "Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to -night, Christmas where snow peaks stand sol- emn mid whits, . Christmas where cornfields Us manna and bright, Everywhere, everywhere, 'Cbr stmae to- night,"