Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-07
CHAPTER XVI.

The play is my life-next to you"
Sam Wrights Sam was saying to his
fathers tenant. He had left the Top be-
fore the two visitors arrived. and. as Dr.
Lavendar had foreseen, had gone straight
to the Stuffed Animal House.
Helena was in low chair. with David
nesting sleepily in her arms: Sam. look
ing UP at her like a young ST. John, half
sat, half knelt. on the step at her feet
The day had been hot, and evening had
brought no GOODNESS; under the sentinel
locusts on either side of the porch steps
the night was velvet black but out over
the garden there were stars. 4 faint
stirring of the air tilted the open bowls
of the evening primroses. splitting a heavy
sweetness into the shadows. The house
behind them was dark. for It was too hot
for lamps. 1t was very still and peace
full and commonplace woman, a doing
child and the soft night. Young Sam. so
sensitive to moods. had fallen at once
into the peace and was content to sit
silently at Helenas feet. Then
David broke in upon the tranquility by
remarking, with sigh, that he must go
to bed.
II heard the clock strike" he said,
sadly
~ think you are very good little boy"
Helena declared, with admiration.
DIR. Lavendar said I must" David ex-
planned. GROSSLY. You're msbehavious if
you don't do what DR.. Lavendar says.
Mrs. Richie, Is heaven up in the SKYE"
why, 1 suppose so,' she said. hesitat-
What do they stand on?' David in
auired. There isn't any floor" he in
sisted. doggedly. for she laughed under
her breath.
Helena looked over at Sam. who was not
in the least amused. Then she kissed the
top of David's head. 81 wish l could make
his hair curl" she said. Il knew little
boy once she stopped and sighed
She took the sleepy child upstairs her
self. Not for many guests would she
have lost the half hour of putting him to
bed. When she came back her mind
was full of him: He hates to go to
bed early she told Sam, but he always
walks off at 3. without word from me.
because he promised DIR. Lavender he
would l think it is wonderful
Sam was not interested.
And he is so funny! He says such
unexpected things. He told me yesterday
that Sarah slept out loud'-Sarah's room
is next to his
the curious literalness of the poetic tenn
permanent. entirely devoid of humor But
he did not wait for an answer: he locked
his hands about his knee, and. leaning his
head back, looked up through the leaves
at the stars. How sweet the locust
blossoms are!" he said. One of the vel
low-white fakes fell and touched his
cheek.
"They are falling so now" she said
that the porch has to be swept twice
day"
He smiled. and. brushing his palm along
the step. caught a handful of them
Every night you sit here all alone: l
wish
oh like to be alone" she INTERRUPTED.
AS the balm of David's presence faded,
and the worship in the young mans eyes
burned clearer. that old joke of Lloyds
stabbed her. She wished he would 60
How does the drama get on?' she asked.
with an effort.
Sam frowned and said sonnet hing of his
fathers Impotence with his writing But
/ am only happy when l am writing, and
when l am with you. The play is my
life-next to you"
please don't!'' she said. and then held
her breath to listen. II think I hear