BARBARA'S PIE

BARBARA, DURING HER NURSE'S TRAINING

AT A HOSPITAL JUST OUTSIDE WASHINGTON, DC,

HAD LITTLE MONEY FOR MEALS,

SO SHE OFTEN RESORTED TO THE FOOD

PROVIDED AT THE HOSPITAL REFECTORY,

EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD A GREAT

DISLIKE FOR ITS RATHER BLAND TASTE.

BARBARA OFTEN TOOK HER BREAKS

IN THE KITCHEN, AND SOMETIMES KINDLY

VISITORS WOULD GIVE HER SOME OF THE

TREATS THEY HAD BROUGHT FOR PATIENTS

WHO HAD NOT WANTED TO EAT THEM.

ON ONE PARTICULAR EVENING AN ENGLISH WOMAN,

FROM THE EAST END OF LONDON,

BROUGHT A HOME MADE PIE TO THE KITCHEN

AND SAID TO BARBARA,

“WOULD YOU EAT THIS UP, LOVE?”

BARBARA AND HER STUDENT FRIEND

DEVOURED EVERY LAST DELICIOUS CRUMB.

SOON THEIR BENEFACTOR RETURNED,

HOWEVER, AND ASKED,

“IS ME 'USBAND'S PIE 'OT YET, DEARIE?”