The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-03-09
CHAPTER L
MAN AND WIFE.

CHAPTER I,
MAN AND WIFE.
IN lOBERT GRANGER, JR., who
tk had already learned 1.-The Pur-
I'M pie Cow" was endeavoring to
~ master another gem from the
Burgess Nonsense book. The draw
tngs appealed to him immensely. He
sat on the edge Of the rug, his back
against his fathers chiffonnier, his
legs of six years growth stretched out,
the book open upon his knee. Occa-
sionally he made dash with his hand
at an inquisitive fly.
Across from him on a low rocker,
her shining head bent slightly over in
the serious operation Of sewing a but
ton on coat, softly hummed his young
mother. Presently the boy shuf1ed
along the floor, still keeping the book
ON his lap, till he got close to her and
lodged his chin on her knee.
"See If I don't know it, muddie,"
said he. And he began:
1.-THE roof it has lazy time
A-lying in the sun:
The walls they have-they have''-
An incipient d1mple showed in his
mothers cheek.
Ito hold him up;
They do not have much fun"
Finished she gayly. She pushed the
boys hair back from his brow and
kissed him. snow run down into the
garden, honey, and play with nurse
and Baby Harold. Plenty of sun and
fresh air and deep breathing, you
know. That's what makes little fell
low into big, strong man, eh-not
too many nonsense verses?"
Robert put his book away reluctant
~. but I love poetry, too, darling,
DEAR. asserted he, stroking her face
prettily, before quitting the room.
"He's his father over and over again
-gentle, appealing, winning. And
sentimental, too, I'm afraid" added
Anna, with slow, enigmatical smile,
as she shipped off the thread with her
sound, perfect white teeth.
She rose to put the coat away. In
doing so the contents slipped from one
Of the pockets that had been hanging
over her knee. She stopped to replace
them, the contents varied and inconse-
quential as any boys. Then her glance
fell upon bill of fare-a French bill
of fare, full Of naughty things to eat
and drink for two. 1t bore the date of
the day previous.
A dancing little spirit Of mischief
played in the beautiful gray eyes.
I'll keep it forninst my lords re-
turn," quoth she. *Tll chaff him with
1t bit when he gets home this after
noon, pretend I'm catty and jealous,
injured virtue through and through.
Oh, lordy, lordy, fancy me being jeal-
pus, and Of dear old Bobs!''
Robert Granger reached his subur-
ban home in Westdeld early that aft
ernoon. 1t was Saturday, fine sum-
mer day, and he'd promised to take
his boys to Crawford, a few miles dis
tant, for sail on the river.
"Glad you have on that dress, Anna"
said he. "It's awfully becoming, and
want you to look your prettest. Bra
dy is coming out this afternoon, and"-
but the boys-the riverT' Her
first thought was of her children's dis
appointment Though her dislike for
the man Brady, who always "got on
her nerves." came in close second.
1.-THE boys? I'd quite forgotten.
We'll, you'll have to fix it up with
them: put them off till some other time.
r.
Robert, wish-I wish you wouldn't
forget like that. It's growing to be
a habit with you, dear, and I hate-I
hate to have the children lose faith In
your promises. want them to learn
that promise MEANS
He interrupted with some sharp in
consequence, and Annals wide, sur
prised eyes goaded him into tempest
Of words.
Are you so burdened with mother
hood" he cried, "that you can't even
be wife? It's plain to see that I'm
only worth to you what I may be
worth to the children. and no man
no man, I repeat-can stand that sort
Of thing"
Anna flushed and wondered what
the could have done to cause this ex-
traord1nary outbreak. Her first i'm.
pulse always where Robert was con.
cerned was to try to ascertain where
she herself had been found wanting
In the symphony of womanhood she
had but played over and over again
the largo Of motherhood, this slim
girlish figure with the exquisite flow.
erlike face, for her physical attitude
toward even her boyish, irresponsible
husband was largely maternal.
She wondered. but in this instance