| Show two keys k s to a cabin t 1 B Y L I 1 D A L A R R 0 MACRAE I 1 SMITH M CO 0 R SERVICE E CHAPTER XIII continued SO 20 the door opened before debby reached it john stood there smiling his face glowing with cold above the collar of the bear skin coat his hat in his hand hello he said the smile faded as his eyes moved questioningly about the room the matter he asked hesitantly going on here debby conquered her sobs her head lifted gay wants to take me back to new york with her she said and mother wont let me go so you threw a tantrum over debbas head johns eyes flashed a question at gay she tried to smile reassuringly but his expression concerned and apprehensive told her tha that tishe she had not succeeded 1 I think it is wiser for debby to remain at home ga gay Y saw that ann Hough tons eyes lifted quickly to her son were frightened now heard the shaken note in her voice wiser debbas voice rose again to an hysterical pitch she whirled from her mother to face john standing grave and silent in the doorway you know why she wont let me go you know that she approve of go to your room debby johns voice cutting through her hysterical outburst silenced debby she went past him out of the room her head drooping again her defiance crumpling beneath his stern uncompromising expression sarah followed the door closed CHAPTER XIV what is it mother john threw off his coat and walked to the hearth what started this what is it all about 1 I dont think we need to discuss it ann Houch houghton 0 ton resumed her knitting during the interval of silence which had followed the closing of the door she had regained her composure her hands manipulated the amber needles steadily only the dull red flush that burned in her cheeks betrayed any inward agitation 1 I dont agree with you john stood with his back to the fire his glance turning from his mother to gay then back again to ann houghton 1 I find debby in hysterics sarah crying you and gay obviously distressed I 1 should like to know if you please exactly what has happened gays hands tightened on the back of the chair behind which she stood i 1 it was my fault she said 1 I invited debby to go back to new york with me and you dont want her to go johns eyes grave and concerned turned again from gay to his mother 1 1 I 1 dont think it advisable unfortunately debby had her heart set on it she was rude to me and inconsiderate of gay I 1 did think shed outgrown tantrums 1 I should have consulted mrs mis houghton before I 1 spoke of it to debby im sorry it occur to me that any objection would be raised why do you object mother I 1 ann houghton regarded her son with a studied deliberation which chilled gays sympathy aroused her antagonism As deeply as memories of her own turbulent adolescence had moved her to sympathy for debby she had pitied johns mother too now watching her manner with john its effect upon him pity crystallized zed into resentment I 1 S accusations had held a measure at least of truth if she had not seen ann Hough tons gesture in johns room this morning if she had not had that revealing glimpse of the possessive passion which burned beneath her controlled and reasonable manner with her children she might now be convinced that only wisdom m motivated the decision she had made but she had seen she knew you know how difficult deb debby by has been ann houghton replied her eyes holding johns troubled glance this year especially ashes just beginning to show a real interest in the courses ashes taking at the high school I 1 im m sure it would be unwise to allow her to make a break now perhaps youre right john said doubtfully 1 I offered to have her tutored in the courses ashes taking gay said or send her to a business school its quite probable that she might mig hi make more rapid progress with a tutor than in a class at the high school here she had not meant to give an impression of patronage but that ohp saw was the effect of her words upon ann houghton upon john very generous gay johns mother said but quite u unnecessary n john gave a short laugh 44 you arent going to assume full responsibility for all of us are you he asked 1 I think we can leave deb bys education to mother 1 I thinking of debbas education ti uca tion she said lightly 1 I thought she would enjoy a visit in new york and that I 1 would enjoy having her there my motives as usual im afraid were almost entirely y selfish john looked at her then questioningly pleadingly she smiled ind and his face ace cleared she would enjoy it he said ashes always been crazy about you the idea of you before she met you I 1 suppose now after these past three days ashes your slave he john stood there smiling turned to his mother let her go with gay mother she doing much here the distance between them narrowed gays spirits lifted it was as though he had come to stand beside her and taken her hand in his 1 I dont feel that it would be wise john ann houghton said reasonably quietly debby is impressionable and immature it would be mistaken kindness if permit me to express myself frankly gay to give her at this time a taste of something she cant have permanently im afraid she would be more discontented than ever when she returned good lord mother johns voice held a note of irritation nobody wants to eat fruit cake for every meal but its pleasant once in a while ann houghton smiled faintly 1 I 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 program or in some place of entertainment im afraid that being in new york with gay would turn her head completely 1 I allow her to do anything of which you would disapprove mrs houghton 1 I dont question that but your life is so different from our life here im afraid that the contrast you know debby is a chameleon mother she adapts herself easily to any environment just why I 1 dont she broke off glanced quickly at john at gay im not presuming to criticize your mode of living gay but im convinced that for debby just at this time if it were sarah that would be a different matter she folded her knitting into the bag 1 I think you w would want her for a visit after the scene youve just witnessed I 1 feel that she that 1 I owe you an apology no please mrs houghton she was terribly disappointed it was my fault I 1 should have consulted you its au all right I 1 understand how you feel but im disappointed too john made a restless movement on the hearth then its settled it debby go back to new york with gay now may we talk of something else food for instance im starved did huldah make chocolate doughnuts come out to the kitchen with me gay ann houghton rose from her chair if you please john id like you to go to debby with me oh let her alone you know how she is when ashes had a tantrum dont play up to her and shell get over it 1 11 I dont think ashes well ashes pot not been herself these past few days turn her into a neurotic it if you dont stop coddling her debby is sensitive in a way which I 1 think I 1 understand better than you john turned to gay in smiling exasperation what was the use of my spending four years in medical school and t two wo years interning when mother by instinct knows more than I 1 do about my profession F again a faint chilling smile touched ann Hough tons lips 1 I should like you to go with me john she repeated debby is nervously excited shell probably need a sedative to to put her to sleep the doughnuts will wait and gay will excuse you for a few minutes im sure certainly mrs houghton back in a minute gay johns eyes were pleading his smile was strained goodnight good night gay goodnight good night mrs houghton john went outi 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 chair beside the hearth looking up at the painting above the mantel were you asleep john asked coming to the chair im sorry ive been so long no not asleep ive been getting acquainted with the gentleman up there its your great grandfather it abner houghton yes you dont look like him in an hour of intensive study I 1 been able to find a trace of resemblance im sorry its been an hour 1 I wanted to get back to you he bent to lift her hands lying in her lap come over here where we can be close together I 1 kissed you for three days has it been only three days darling have you been miserable she drew her hands from his sat looking down at them silent what is it what are you thinking 1 I want to go with you tomorrow into portland I 1 meant to take you and then on to new york tomorrow but mary expects you to stay and the kids nat made me promise to bring you dear of them but look at me gay she raised her head seeing his grave and troubled face she gave a little 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 1 I should have enjoyed having her but that important that act she pulled must have been unpleasant for you it an act she sat beside him on a sofa with a high back curled at one end like a snail debby meant every word she said he looked searchingly into her eyes do you believe that gay of course I 1 believe it ive been here for three days mother told me I 1 realized 1 I dont want to discuss your mother john but you cant believe the things debby said were true they are true im sorry if it offends you but you asked for ita it he drew a little away from fier mother is only thinking of what is best for debby she is emotional and immature and she has this notion about singing why she have a chance that what mother wants for debby what does she want for debby she wants her to go to colleges college so that debby can spend the rest of her life being grateful to her her voice softened oh I 1 am sorry john I 1 have said that you can say what you like to me what you think how you feel no I 1 cant when I 1 do we quarrel debby important insofar as we are concerned but your mother is she want debby to go to new york with me because ashes afraid of me of the things I 1 can do for foi her she wants to be everything to all of you natural it natural perhaps but selfish yes selfish john cant you see if you knew what mothers life has been her every thought has been for us it would have been better for her for you if she had to plan for us gay there much money you cant understand I 1 suppose no frankly I 1 cant because you have the protection of wealth he said stiffly oh money 1 because my grandfathers lefta left a trust fund for me we bicker and quarrel antagonism sharpened her voice a sense of the distance widening between the them M you attach too much importance to what I 1 have it because you have it now he said slowly with measured deliberation its because youve always had it from the hour you were born every thought youve had every move youve made has been colored and shaped by the fact that both your grandfathers were wealthy men your mother how absurd we arel she gave a short strained laugh in new york we quarreled because my mother did not display a properly maternal attitude now we quarrel because your mother is a model of 7 V if you knew that mothers life had been maternal devotion oh is it important john we are each of us the product of our separate environments he said carefully thoughtfully you had nurses and governesses you were sent to camps to schools to the seashore sea shore in summer to dancing class for your birthdays magicians were hired to entertain you and your guests when you were s sick i c k there were nurses mother did everything for us when we were sick she afford to engage a trained nurse there was no money for elaborate toys amusement entertaining mother made fun for us at home she scrimped and saved to send me to college to send sarah she managed it in ways you understand hamburger instead of steak never quite enough heat in the house dried vegetables instead of fresh ones in winter dresses made over for debby TO BE CONTINUED |
