The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-11-27
Ing scandal that involved nv moth
COPYRIGHT BrpoUBLEnAXR PAGE coiRANY &

Ing scandal that involved my moth.
er's name"
Mr.. Minaferw
isn't that the truth?"
II don't feel called upon to answer,
Mr. Minafer." she said with visible
agitation. II do not consider that you
nave any right"
my aunt told me you repeated this
scandal to her"
II don't think your aunt can have
said that" Mrs. Johnson returned
sharply II did not repeat a scandal
of any kind to your aunt and think
you are mistaken In saying she told
you / did We may have discussed
some matters that have been topic
OF comment about town"
Yes" George cried. 81 think you
may have That's what I'm here
about, and what I intend to-"
Don't tell me what you intend,
please" Mrs. Johnson interrupted
crisply "And should prefer that you
would not make your voice quite so
loud In this house, which / happen to
own. Your aunt may have told YOU
though think 1t would have been very
unwse in her If she did, and not very
conslderate Of me--she may have told
you that we discussed some topic as I
have mentioned, and possibly that
would have been true. If | talked 1t
over with her, you may be sure spoke
In the most charitable spirit, and
without sharing in other peoples dis
position to put an evil Interpretation
on what may be nothing more than
unfortunate appearances and"
my God" said George. 81 can't
stand thisr
"You have the option of dropping
the subject" Mrs. Johnson suggested
tartly, and she added: "Or of leaving
the house."
"Tll do that soon enough, but first
l mean to know"
II am perfectly willing to tell you
anything you wish If you will remem.
Der to ask II quietly. I'll also take
the liberty Of reminding you that I
had perfect right to discuss the sub
ject with your aunt. Other people"
"Other people!" the unhappy George
repeated viciously. "That's what
want to know about-these other peo-
pie! You say you know of other peo-
pie who talk about this
81 presume they do."
"How many?"
"Whatr
II want to know how many other
people talk about it2"
'Dear, dear!" she protested. "How
should know that?'
Haven't you heard anybody men,
tion it2"
81 presume So"
swell, how many have you heardT'
Mrs. Johnson was becoming more
annoyed than apprehensive, and she
showed 1t. "Really. this isn't court
room." she said. "And I'm not q de-
fendant In libel suit, eitherl"
The unfortunate young man lost
what remained Of his balance. "You
may be I" he cried. II intend to know
just who's dared to say these things,
II l have to force my way into every
house In town, and I'm going to make
them take every word Of 1t backl
mean to know the name Of every SLAM
derer that's spoken Of this matter to
you and Of every tattler you've passed
1t on to yourself. mean to know"
you'll know something pretty
Quick!" she said, rising with difficult
ty; and her voice was thick with the !
sense of insult. you'll know that /
you're out In the street. Please to
leave my house!"
George stiffened sharply. Then he |
bowed. and strode out of the door.
Three minutes later, disheveled and |,
but cold all over, he burst |
into his Uncle Georges room at the
Majors without knocking. Anderson
was dressing.
"Good gracious. Georgie!" he ex-
whats up3"
"Tve just come from Mrs. john
son's--across the street." George pant |
ed.
"You have your own tastes - was |
comment. "But curious as |
they are you ought to do something |
better with your hair and button |
your waistcoat to the right buttons
even for Mrs. Johnson! What were !
you doing over thereT
"She told me to leave the house,"
George said desperately. II went |
there because Aunt Fanny told me the
whole town was talking about my |
mother and that man Morgan-that
they say my mother is going to marry |
him and that proves she was too fond
Of him before my father died-she |
said this Mrs. Johnson was one that |
talked about II, and went to her to |
ask who were the Others"
Amberson's jaw fell In dismay.
Don't tell me you did that !" he said.
~ a low voice and then. seeing 1t was !
true, "Oh. now you have done iti'
''I've done itf' George cried. "What
do you mean: I've done it2 And what
have I done7"
ANDERSON had collapsed into an |
easy chair beside his dressing table.
the white evening tie he had been
about to put on dangling from his
hand, which had fallen limply On the |