The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-02-23
ERNEST AND THE LATCHKEY QUEST III B

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When rvmor proclaimed that the
Chandler estate-the show place Of
haywood and for many years vacant
was let for the summer. JOY reigned
In the Martin family.
For various reasons IL looked as IL
they would have to spend the sum-
mer at home. and new ncighbors. es-
pecially IL they proved interesting,
p could much alleviate that situation.
Mr.. Martin was glad because the
opening OF the Chandler place would
undoubtedly have a quickening effect
on their end OF the street. He had
been conscious OF vague homesick
feeling as, one after another. the
houses In the vicinity closed up.
Mrs. Martin was glad, because she
felt that the new family might prove
a sop to the children" SecreteIy,
Mrs. Martin was delighted that they
were going to spend their summer at
their home. The rest of the family
loved the sea, and so. invariably. to
ever suspected that Mrs. Martin hated
the ocean. that she longed with a
yearning that was a positive ache for
summer greenness and calm Ordi-
narily, too they left haywood just
as the azaleas and rhododendrons
were in bloom. Her Hlacs and roses
wasted their sweetness on the little
mucker-boys who so wantonly pilfered
and destroyed them. This year-plant-
ing. wedding. pruning-Mrs- Martin
was enjoying the grounds" as she
had not had chance TO enjoy them
in years.
Phoebe was glad because she re-
membered the big dance hall at the
top Of the Chandler house. On the
first star Of every evening and on I'M
countable loads OF hay she wished that
the new family might include a daugh-
ter of her own age.
Ernest was glad because he remem-
bered the well-appointed billiard room
leading off the dance hall. He hoped,
with a hope so fierce that il amounted
almost to eX0rcism. that the new fam
lily might include son of his own age
And both the children agreed to be
satisfied IL the heir of the house were
either male or female, provided it
played tennis.
AS a matter of fact. Mr. and Mrs
Ventry proved to be childless.
Mrs. Martin called promptly with
Phoebe.
What do you think Of her. moth
err" Phoebe asked as soon as the door
closed behind them.
Phoebe always asked her mother's
opinion Of everybody. And IT was
ed. she did not Immediately forstau
by her own vivid, eager. dogmatic
commentary. Mrs. Martin often won
deTed why her opinion was thus hon
ored. A mild maternal asteism ex-
planned the phenomenon on the pTin-
ciple that in order TO Bring out all the
dazzling contrariety of her own view
point. Phoebe required the stimulus
of an exact antithesis of opinion.
II think she's very pleasant" AIRS.
Martin said. with an effort. she's a
typical New Yorker, though"
As IL released by a spring Phoebe's
enthusiasm poured out - Did YOU
ever see hair done so beautifully in
your life?" she exclaimed. 4 love
that wide look her puffs gave her head
here" Phoebe's hands went just above
her temples. ''Pd give anything II my
hair was black. oh. mother. 1 do
wish you'd let me wear puffs- Lots
of girls do. Did you notice that one
wide gold bracelet on her arm
wasn't that the darlingest thingl And
hasn't she corking figure? Just the
kind TO look grand in those skinny
dresses. Wasn't she just lovely and
cordial?"
Mrs. Martin hesitated as Phoebe,
breathlessly brought 10 a full stop,
gave her a chance to speak. But. as II
in obedience TO some inner, self-criti-
cising prod, she seemed to assent to
all her daughter had said with And
she's got the most beautiful eyes I ever
saw in my life"
How old should you say she was.
mother?"
'Well!" Mrs. Martins tone seemed
20 hold the dregs OF recent meditation
on this subject. She's one of those
women who seem younger than they
really are. She locks about %.
guess she's 80"
Thirty" Phoebes voice whirred
with horror. "Oh, mother, how can
YOU She can't be a day over %.
Thirty" There could be no doubt as
TO the year that. in Phoebe's opinion.
marked the beginning OF feminine de-
suetude.
What do you think of her. Ern?"
Phoebe asker after their call had
been returned.
In the unease inevitable To mascu-
Unity when compelled to give a snap
Judgment on womenkind. Ernest
grunted and shuffled. IT hate TO see
a woman wear earrings" he said at
last.
"Oh. Ern!" Phoebe exclaimed. Her
accent indicated that of the many
things ne could have said he had hit
upon the one least sapient. Those
earrings are simply swell. They make
her look so quaint. Have you no.
ticed those long gold ones she wears,
mother II mean the old-fashioned
ones with the black enamel and
pearls?"
IT guess I have" Mrs. Martin re-
piled, with unexpected interest. II
think they're beautiful. / have a
stairs in my jeweiry box. Your Aunt
Mary left 1t to me. She always treas
ured that pin, and / think a sight Of
It. used to wear it all the time, but
] haven't put ii on for years now
eomehOU IL looks so Old-fashfOned