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Show I CONFIDENTIAL MESSAGE I By Elinor Ringland I I been married several months and ' I bet you've been wondering what the score Is." "1 can't say that It's any of my business," Anna turned to get more coffee, smiling, to herself. It was nice to think of new grandchild grand-child She wondered whether to start knitting with pink or blue or maybe the yellow they used so much these days "Well, sure it's your business. It's just that Gail Is sort of embarrassed em-barrassed around you. Well, not really embarrassed, but you make her feel so Inferior." "I never Intend to " Anna pushed aside feeling of hurt Maybe now Gail would be so busy she would let Anna do some of the cooking, bake some of Jack's favorite fa-vorite desserts, help with "Oh, Jack, you don't know how good It makes me feel to have you at my table again." "Now Mama, let's talk about Gail I don't mean to be critical but you seem to know more about things like this than she does. That is weU I guess it's Just something every woman must learn by experience." "Of course, we all do Now don't you worry bit These things happen every day I know Gail will get along with no trouble at all.." Anna let her hand linger on her son's shoulder. "I'm glad you think so, Mama. But I keep telling her to let you know ahead of time You may not be able to come if she waits too long to tell you. But she's so nervous and excited, she's afraid she'll want to change her mind about the whole thing the very last minute." "Change her mind?" "1 mean about the food You see she's just finishing this course at cooking school, and if she DOESN'T change her mind she'll invite you over for Sunday dinner. She finally feels she's to the place where she can cook you a meal and ask you for recipes and advice on baking." I JACK burst Into Anna's kitchen. 'I've got news for you. Ma- ' II1M " i "You startled me," she laughed, dusting hri floury hands on her apron and turning to greet him. His lips brushed her cheek, then he began pacing up and down the ! length of the room. Anna tuined on the burner under the entree "You know I haven't si-en you or Gail for days I keep baking, hoping you'll stop by, and when you don't come I give the food to the paper boy or a neighbor neigh-bor or " She shrugged and pushr her bread board back to make room for a plate and cup on the oilcloth covered table. "I cun only stay minute. GaU will be expecting me for lunch. But I want you to promise not to repeat any of our conversation if you happen .to see her." "See herT Not Likely." Anna pressed her lips together. She had never felt welcome In Gail's home. Gall , was a sweet little thing with her big brown eyes and shy smile, hut too pampered and spoiled to know the duties of a wife. Tin afraid Gall would be disappointed dis-appointed that I didn't wait to let her surprise you It's really her secret." "You mean oh, but I won't mention it to her." Anna should have guessed Jack always said he wanted a large family, but Anna thought they would wait a bit longer till Gail became more at ease around her home, till she was ready to the added responsibility responsi-bility "Good pie." Jack said as he lifted a laden fork full. Anna sighed The boy looked thin She wondered If Gail ever cooked a really respectable man-.size man-.size meal Probably didn't know a skillet from a spatula. Anna was able to bake bread and get a hearty meal on the table before be-fore she was twelve. Jack pushed back his empty cup "You know GaU and I have |