Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-05

room with its inexpensive furniture and
small amount Of cut glass. Even Tommy
understood that his mother meant that
home was too combining. He felt sorry
for his father Tommy was young enough
to sense the undertow Of pain that
dragged at the anger. And he was sorry
for his mother.
Before the long weeks Of silence there
had been several exchanges of these
same hot words: usually at the breakfast
table. And always as soon as his father
left the house his mother sat down and
cried. Tommy, feeling his inability to
In futile sympathy. then reached for his
cap and gone out the front door. down
the street and around the corner to old
Mr.. Hyne's photograph shop. Mr.. Hyne
liked little boys. And when he came
back at noon for lunch his mother had
wiped away all trace of tears and was
reading magazine calmly.
But this was Sunday. His father
wouldn't go to work and the photograph
shop would be closed. Tommy sighed.
day. And then he wondered curiously
what his father would do II his mother
cried before him. That had never hap
pened yet. He wondered why grown-ups
never cried before each other. He won
dered-''
ther was speaking. It's been a mistake
contest it."
Doubtless 1t will be a relief" his
mother said. in that clear icicle voice
that Tommy Wriggled at. It seemed
years since she had talked pleasantly.
His father did not answer; merely
shrugged his shoulders and retreated be-
hind the outspread newspaper. Tommy
hated to see people shrug their shoulders
It always signifed something unpleasant
He could see around the corner of the
paper, though. And for one panicky mo-
ment he was sure that his father was
going to cry. His father! Tommy's
stomach cramped. His lip trembled in
fear He had no desire to see a grown
up man cry. Why. oh, why, couldn't
life again be nice and ordinary? Tommy
leaned his round. fat chin in one elbow
propped hand a1d pondered. He wished
that his mother could see around the
she would quit smiling in that angry
way. But she was sitting directly oppo-
site his father. He had a notion to tell
her that his father was feeling bad. She
to NEEDLE in an affair SO far beyond his
ken. Who could tell what would harper?
And little boys always got the worst of
1t. no matter what their intentions.
He slipped out Of his chair presently
and went lonesomely out to the back
waste basket and the winding stairs
left small room for a boy to play. He
sighed. If he only owned photograph
he wouldn't mind Sunday bit Pres
emily he heard the front door slam. His
father had gone out. His mother was
moving around, washing the dinner
dishes and putting them away. He went
in after while. She was sitting in the
pretty living room, a book in her hands
But she was not reading. Her eyes
were fixed on the air. apparently. and
her cheeks were SO very pink. even red
that Tommy stared.
II wish.' he began, plaintively-
go away" Grossly. Don't bother me"
Tommy looked at her resentfully. When
she wasn't doing a thing!
His father came in at supper time. He
sat down in the big chair near the corner
of the living room that Tommy had
chosen long ago as the best place for a
was out slicing cold meat and cake for
supper. Il WISH" said Tommy, deter
minedly. to his father
Don't mention that thing again." said
his father, angrily. go away. Don't
bother me- Tommy's lip went up His
busy, either. Merely sitting there with
an unlighted pipe. Tommys heart swelled
resentfully. He hadn't intended to men
ton the photograph. He merely wanted
to go to a moving picture show that
night. He should think his father would
home.
Tommy went out to the supper table
reluctantly when his mother called them.
He really did not think that he could en-
dure another dreadfully silent meal.
father and mother sated ss fast as thes
could; at the same time. too. And neither
seemed to listen to the other. Tommy
was tired. Tho day had been long and
stupid. And he was sleepy. His yellow