| Show i t Y Yo o- o 1 f. f two keys to 0 a cabin cabin l BY LIDA LARRIMORE A RIM ORE mL I s 6 e MACRAE SMITH CO SERVICE t CHAPTER XIII X Continued SUI-Continued Continued I 20 20 The door opened before Debby reached it John stood there smil smil- smiling smiling ing his face glowing with cold above the collar of the bear skin coat his bis bat hat in his hand Hello HelJo he said The smile fad fad- faded faded faded ed as his eyes moved questioningly questioning about the room the mat mat- matter matter matter ter ter he asked hesitantly going on here herc Debby conquered her sobs Her head lifted Gay wants to take me back to New York with her she said and Mother wont won't let me go So uSo you threw a tantrum Over Debby's head Johns John's eyes flashed Bashed a question at Gay She tried to smile reassuringly but his expression con con- concerned concerned concerned and apprehensive told her that she had not succeeded I 1 think it is wiser for Debby to remain at home Gay saw that Ann Houghton's eyes lifted quickly to her son were frightened now heard beard the shaken note in her voice Wised Debby's Debby voice rose again to an nn hysterical pitch She whirled from her mother to face John stand stand- standing standing standing ing grave and silent in the doorway You know why she wont won't let me go You know that she doesn't ap ap- approve approve approve prove of of- of Go uGo to your room Debby Johns John's voice cutting through her hysterical cal outburst silenced Debby She went past him out of the room her head drooping again her defiance crumpling beneath his stern uncompromising uncompromising uncompromising promising expression Sarah fol fol- followed lowed The door closed CHAPTER APTER C XIV What is it it Mother John threw off 1 11 his coat and walked to the hearth What started this What Is it all about I ul dont don't think we need to discuss it It Ann Houghton resumed her knit knit- ting During the interval of silence which had followed the closing of the door door- she had regained her com Her hands bands manipulated the amber needles steadily Only the thc dull red flush Bush that burned in her cheeks checks betrayed any inward tion I ul dont don't agree with you John stood with his back to the fire his bis glance turning from his mother to Gay then back again to Ann Hough- Hough ton I ul find Debby in hysterics Sarah crying you and Gay obviously obviously obviously distressed I should like to know if it you please exactly what has happened Gays Gay's hands bands tightened on the back backof of the chair behind which she stood It was my fault she said I I 1 invited Debby to go back to New NewYork NewYork NewYork York with me And you dont don't want her to go Johns John's eyes grave and concerned turned again from Gay to his moth moth- mothe er e I ul dont don't think it advisable Un Un- Unfortunately Unfortunately fortunately Debby had her heart set seton seton seton on it She was rude to me and in inconsiderate considerate of Gay I did think shed she'd outgrown tantrums I should have consulted Mrs Houghton before I spoke of it to Debby Im I'm sorry It didn't occur I to me that any objection would be raised Why do you object Mother Ann Houghton regarded her son with a studied deliberation which chilled Gays Gay's sympathy aroused her antagonism As deeply as memories of her own turbulent adolescence had moved her to sympathy for Deb Deb- Debby Debby Debby by she had pitied Johns John's mother too Now watching her manner m with John its effect upon him pity crys crys- crystallized crystallized into resentment Debby's accusations had held a measure at least of truth If she had bad not seen Ann Houghton's gesture In Johns John's room tl ll morning if she had not had that thai revealing glimpse of the possessive passion which burned be be- beneath beneath neath her controlled and reasonable manner with her children she might now be convinced that only wisdom motivated the thc decision she had made But she had seen She knew knew- You know how difficult Debby has been Ann Houghton replied her eyes holding Johns John's troubled glance This year especially She's I Just beginning to show a real inter Inter- interest Interest est in the courses she's taking at atthe att t the high school Im I'm sure it would be bc unwise to allow her to mate make ma a break now Perhaps youre you're right John said doubtfully I offered to have her tutored Inthe In Inthe inthe the courses she's taking Gay said or send her to a business school Its It's quite probable that she might make more rapid progress with a aS tutor than In a class at the tho high S school here She had not meant to give an im Im- Impression im- im impression of patronage But that she saw was the effect of her words upon Ann Houghton upon John very generous Gay Johns John's mother said but quite un un- necessary f John gave a short laugh You arent aren't going to assume full responsibility for all of us are you he asked I think we can leave Deb Deb- Debby's Debby's bys by's education to Mother I wasn't thinking of Debby's ed ed- education education ed- ed education she said lightly I thought she would enjoy a visit In New York and that I would enjoy having her there My motives as usual Im I'm afraid were almost entirely selfish John looked at her then questioningly question question- questioningly pleadingly She smiled and I his face tace cleared She would enjoy it he said always been crazy about you The idea of you before she met you I suppose now after these past three days she's your slave He Hei Hel i l 41 n 1 t. t I i iJohn John stood there smiling turned to his mother Let her go with Gay Mother She isn't doing much here The distance between them nar nar- rowed Gays Gay's spirits lifted It was wasas wasas wasas as though he had come to stand be be- beside beside beside side her and taken her hand in his I I dont don't feel that it would be wise John Ann Houghton said reason reason- reasonably reasonably reasonably ably quietly Debby is impression impression- impressionable able and immature It would be mistaken kindness if It you'll permit me to express myself frankly Gay to give her at this time a taste of something she cant can't have perma Im I'm afraid she would be bemore bemore bemore more discontented than ever when she returned Good Lord Mother Johns John's voice held a note of irritation No Nobody Nobody Nobody body wants to eat fruit cake for ev ev- every every ev- ev every ery meal but its it's pleasant once in ina Ina a while Ann Houghton smiled faintly I 1 think that sort of fruit cake Just now she said would be very bad for Debby With this notion she has of singing on a radio pro pro- program program program gram or In some place of entertain entertain- entertainment entertainment ment Im I'm afraid that being in New NewYork NewYork York with Gay would turn her head I completely I 1 shouldn't allow her to do any any- anything anything anything thing of which you would disapprove disapprove prove Mrs Houghton I 1 dont don't question that but your life Is so different from our life here hereIm hereIm hereIm Im I'm afraid that the contrast contrast- You know Debby is a chameleon Mother She adapts herself hersell easily to any environment Just why I dont don't she broke off glanced quickly at John at Gay Im not presuming to criticize criticize cize your mode of living Gay but Im I'm convinced that for Debby Just lust Justat at this time It If If It were Sarah that would be a different matter She folded her knitting into the bag bagI bagI bagI I shouldn't think you would want her for a visit after the scene youve you've just j st witnessed I feel that she that I owe you an apology No please Mrs Houghton She was terribly disappointed It was my fault I should have consulted you Its It's all right I understand how you feel but Im I'm disappointed too John made a restless movement on the hearth Then Its It's settled isn't it Debby doesn't go back to New York with Gay Now may we talk of something else Food for In In- stance Im I'm starved Did Huldah make chocolate doughnuts Come out to the kitchen with me me Gay Ann Houghton Boughton rose from her chair If It you please John Id I'd like you to go to Debby with me Oh let her alone You know how she Is when she's had a tan trum Dont Don't play up to her and shell she'll get over it I dont don't think she's welL She's not been herself hersell these past few days turn her into a neurotic if you dont don't stop coddling her Debby is sensitive in a way which I think I understand better than you John turned to Gay In smiling exasperation What was the use of my spending four years in medi medi- medical medical cal school and two years interning when mother by instinct knows more than I do about my sion slon Again a faint chilling c smile touched Ann Houghton's lips lipsI lipsI lipsI I should like you to go with me John she repeated Debby is nervously excited Shell She'll probably need a sedative to put her to sleep The doughnuts doughnuts- will wait walt and Gay will excuse you for a few minutes Im I'm sure Certainly Mrs Houghton Back in a minute Gay Gap Johns John's eyes were pleading His smile was strained Good night Good night Gay night Good Mrs Houghton John went out of the room with his mother The door closed Gay stood leaning against the back of the chair staring into the fire Gay did not turn when the door opened She remained seated in the thc chair beside the e hearth looking up at the painting above the mantel Were you asleep John asked coming to the chair Im sorry Ive I've been so long No uNo not asleep Ive I've been getting acquainted with the gentleman up there Its It's your great-grandfather great isn't it Abner Houghton Houghton yes You dont don't look like him In an hour of intensive study I haven't been beon able to find a trace of blance Im sorry its it's been an hour I wanted to get back to you you He bent to lift her hands lying in her lap Come over here where we can be close together I haven't kissed you for fot three days Has it been only three days Darling have you been miserable miserable miserable ble She drew her hands from his sat looking down at them silent What is it What are you think think- thinkIng thinkIng Ing I want to go with you tomor tomor- tomorrow row row Into Portland I meant to take you And then on to New York York York-to- to morrow But Mary expects you to stay And the kids Nat made me prom promise ise to bring you dear of them but but but- Look at me me Gay She raised her head Seeing his grave and troubled face she gave a little ittle cry He bent toward her Her arms went around his neck Their lips met and clung Presently he drew away straightened took her hands to pull her up from the chair Did taking Debby to New York mean so much to you I should have enjoyed having her ler but that isn't Important That act she pulled must have been unpleasant for you It wasn't an act She sat beside him ilm on a sofa with a high back curled at one end like a snail Deb Debby Debby Debby by meant every word she said He looked searchingly into her eyes Do you believe that Gay Of course I believe it Ive I've been here for three days Mother told me I hadn't real realized 1 I dont don't want to discuss your mother John But you cant can't believe the things Debby said were true They are arc true Im I'm sorry If 1 it offends you but you asked for It ItHe It He drew a little away from her Mother is only thinking of what is best for Debby She is emotional and immature and she has this no no- notion notion tion about singing singing- Why shouldn't she have a chance That Isn't what Mother wants for Debby What does she want for Debby She wants her to go to college So that Debby can spend the rest of her life being grateful to her Her voice softened Oh Oham I Iam Iam am sorry John I shouldn't have said that You can say what you like t to tome tome me what you think how you feel No I cant When I do we quare rel reI Debby isn't important insofar as we are concerned But your you mother Is She doesn't want Debby to go to New York with me be because cause she's afraid of ot me of tb the things I can do for or her She wants want to be everything to all of ot you natural isn't It Natural perhaps oat exit selfish Yes selfish John Cant Can't you see sec If It you knew v what h t Mothers Mother's lif life has las been Her every thought has been for us It would have been better for forer her er for you if she had to plan for fors forus forus us s Gay There wasn't much money You cant can't understand I suppose No frankly I cant because you have the pro- pro protection protection of wealth he said stiffly Oh money Because my grand grand- grandfathers fathers athers left a trust fund for me we bicker icker and quarrel Antagonism sharpened her voice a sense of the distance istance widening between them You attach too much Importance to what I have have have- haveIt It Isn't because you have it now he ic said slowly with measured de- de liberation Its because youve you've al ale always al- al always ways had it From the hour you were born every thought youve you've had every very move youve you've made has been colored and shaped by the fact that both oth your grandfathers were wealthy men Your mother mother- How absurd we arel are She gave a short strained laugh In New NewYork NewYork NewYork York we quarreled because my mother did not display a properly maternal attitude Now we quarrel because your mother is a model of ofU 1 i as r rb rya b ya i I ar r 1 1 f I Il l If U you knew what Mothers Mother's life had bad been maternal devotion Oh is it Important important important tant John Jo n We are each of us the product of our separate environments he said carefully thoughtfully You had lad nurses and governesses You were sent to camps to schools to the shore sea in summer to dancing dancing dancing ing class For your birthdays ma ma- magicians magicians magicians were hired to entertain you and your guests When you were sick there were nurses Mother di did everything for us When we were sick she couldn't afford to engage a trained nurse There was no money for elaborate toys amusement en en- Mother made fun for u us at home She scrimped and save saved to send me to college to send Sarah She managed it in ways you couldn't couldn understand hamburger instead o of steak never quite enough heat In Inthe Inthe inthe the house dried vegetables instead of fresh ones In winter Sarah's Sarah dresses made over for Debby Debby- TO BE CONTINUED |
