Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-06
WALKED directly from my tele-

walled directly from my tele-
phone conversation with Mr..
- Levy, which had taken place in
the phone booth under our stairs, INFO
the sitting room, where l knew | would
find nv mother. For now my pride
was wounded beyond all bearing. 1t
was necessary for me 10 put some of
my hurt into words; to pour it out
vindictively upon some one. l was not
big enough as yet 10 admit my mis-
takes had been my own. L wished 10
Law them at some ones door. And for
some time now a feeling of antagonism
against my mother had been growing
within me. l told myself it was she
who had iusbilled within me the phllos-
ophy of life which was proving my
undoing. She had told me never to
give, always to get as much as possible;
never to consider a persons feelings
in any way if there were financial Or
worldly gains involved. I had played
the game of life as she had taught 1t
TO me. Now I was left with neither
money nor friends.
The tears weer very near my eyes
as / opened the sitting-room door. The
anger which was raging within me
dried them in my eyes before they could
fall | saw my mother, as usual, lying
comfortably ensconced upon the lounge,
reading one OF her eternal French nov
els.
Mother" cried You've brought
me up wrongly! You've wrecked my
whole life!"
NV mother no longer attractive as
she had been but a few years before,
put fat and lazy and old-looking, laid
down her book with languid ges-
ture.
But, DIANA" she said YEARLY, what
IS all this? What are you talking
aboutT'
She sighed.
Il suppose" she said. lit is some
love affair"
1T is not a love affair" 1 said. Il
have never had a real love affair,
thanks to the things you have taught
me! Every man who has come any
where near me l have just tried to see
what / could get out of him! Now they
have all found me out. They've called
me the most horrible names! l don
think anybody will ever take me any
where again. 1 ended childishly.
Nonsense" remarked my mother in
a business-like voice. Just because
YOU have quarreled with some boy or
other doesn't mean the end of the world
is at hand. Don't be silly, Diana. AS
far as / can see you've been having "A
very good time these last few months.
yes, 1 know 1 have" I admitted.
But now, don't you see, I've got TO
paw for it! Oh. if you could hear the
things they've been calling mel!
But don't pay for ii, you little SHY!
said my mother. If you have quar-
relied with these men you know get
some more. There are just as good tlsh
in the sea as ever yet were caught. I'm
oh
enough, my dear, to get anything you
want"
I collapsed into chair.
"No. I'm -notr' [ answered stubborn
". 81 can't have anything 1 want!
What 1 want is some man to care Tor
me really and to know nice girls and
he entertained in nice homes! How do
YOU know what 1 want" 1 added IN
sultingly. "All you do is just lie there
and read. You don't care what becomes
of mel"
Nv mother was really aroused now.
She sat ND on the edge of her lounge.
But, DIANA" she said, this is not
fair. I ought TO be angry with you, but
I can only tell you that I do really care
for you; that everything 1 have told
YOU and taught you L believed was for
your own good"
She crossed to my side and patted my
shoulder.
"There." she said soothingly. you're
tired and nervous. ! promise you the
end of the world has not come.
She raised my face TO hers with her
hand.
You are very pretty, DEAR she
said. You will yet have many admir-
ers who will give you many beautiful
things"
There was silence for moment and
then:
'-But there are other things in the
world besides the things that money can
buy" 1 whispered.
And 1 scarcely could believe II was
nv own voice speaking. TINS was the
first time had admitted anything OF
the kind to my own conscience.
ru ~