The spectator., 1919-12-12

V
 silent But when the curtain fell at last her little form was trembling with fearful joy. and she clung ec- statically to her father.
 Now we are going round to Nam mas dressing room,' said her father. and before Eunice knew where she was she had passed through the tun- nel again. and through second tun- nel longer and gloomier, into queer l little room, in which her mother sat 1 before a mirror. Her shining dress lay over a chair. and she was deadly tired, and her face was all red ano white and streaky Eunice looked at her and her heart was full of helpless misery. She burst into sudden sobs
 The child's tired to death. Jack. i said Hida Groves petulantly She ought to have been in bed long ago What made you bring her here ?'' i Eunice behaved uncommonly badly l She cried and cried. and the more her mother scolded her the more un- controlable became her sobs. So that l at last she had to be carried out in the arms of the dressing woman and put into a taxicab. with a very cross mother and a very subdued father. and after that she found herself in bed
 It must have been all a dream :! Eunice was old enough to be able to distinguish dreams from reality Dreams were things that happened to you when you were asleep. and she had been asleep; but she was wide awake now. wondering why 1t was so dark in the room. and looking through the crack of the door at the streak of light that came from the room ad- joining
 Her parents were talking: she heard her mothers petulant voice
 I'm sure l don't know what We will do with that child when she gets older, John" Hilda Groves was say ing. "Of course the profession is not to be thought of for her"
 But if take that position on the
  our own" answered her father.
 And have me give up my work just when l am beginning to attract the attention of the managers. an swered his wife sarcastically After ten years of drudgery. to be robbed of the reward of it all! No. thank you. my dear"
 But l, too, will have to make the sacrifice answered her husband. Frankly, Hilda. l am not thinking of you in this matter, nor of myself. I am thinking of Eunice"
 "Eunice!" repeated his wife bitter ly. The child is quite happy with her dolls, and Mrs Holmes will take all the care of her that may be nee essary. It is only when you take her away from them and try to amuse her that she becomes troublesome. I sometimes wish We had no child to be a burden to us
 Eunice understood. and all her world seemed to tumble into a fathom- less abyss Her mother did not want her, then.
 John Groves accepted the offer. but Hilda went on with her work. Be tween them they could live comfort ably and save money. but there could be no home for Eunice If Hilda left the stage their means would be strait, ened The disagreement between them on this subject bred rancor which brought suffering to the child. Eunice's mother could hardly bear to look at her, and Mrs Holmes became more and more indignant.
 "rll wager therell be no Santa Claus for you, my lamb" she said despondently, as she put the child to bed two days before Christmas But you'll hang up your stockings" she continued angrily giving the pillow a shake 'Ill fill 'em, mean. I'll tell Santa to do so. Tell me, dearie, what would you like Santa Claus to bring you?"
 "Thanta Clauth,' repeated Eunice and her eyes frightened Gives everybody everything they want"
 Yes said Mrs, Holmes. Good little boys and girls like you can get most anything. What would you like most in the world, dearie?'
 ''I want my Mamma to love me like the fairy children" Eunice an swered
 Mrs Holmes understood and hur ried out Of the room to give vent to her tears She approached Hilda Groves that evening on the matter.
 Wont you be telling Eunice tr hang up her stockings tomorrow night, ma am?" she inquired
 q certainly will not teach her that