The Connecticut labor press., 1919-10-25
CHAPTER xl-continued.

3y -9-
 When they went down to the dining room, he pronounced acceptable the cake which Fanny made ready for them without disturbing the servants. The journey had fatigued Isabel. she ate nothing, but sat to observe with tired pleasure the manifestations of her sons appetite, meanwhile giving her sister-in-law a brief summary Of the events of commencement. But presently she kissed them both good might and left aunt and nephew alone together.
 Tt never was becoming to her to look pale" Fanny said absently. few mo- ments after Isabel's departure. "I suppose your mothers been being pretty gay? Going lot?"
 "How could she?" George asked ,cireerfully ''Inf mourning, of course all she could do was just sit around and look on. That's all Lucy could do either, for the matter of that"
 ''I suppose so," his aunt assented. @How did Lucy get home? Did you drive out to their house with her be- fore you came here?"
 .tNo. She drove home with her fla 4her, of course" ,.5.
 ''Oh, I see. So Eugene came to the station to meet you"
 .sTo meet us?" George echoed, re- newing his attack upon the salmon salad. How could he?"
 sI don't know what you mean" ~ iva fo voice that had. become her habit. 'I haven't seen him while your mothers been away"
 Naturally" said George. He's been East himself"
 At this Fanny's dropping eye1ids opened wide.
 Did you see him?"
 swell, naturally, since he made the trip home with us."
 Fanny's eyelids dropped, and she sat silent until George pushed back his chair and lit cigarette, declaring his satisfaction with what she had pro- yided. You're a fine housekeeper," he said benevolently. 'I don't believe you'd stay single very long If some of the bachelors and widowers around AU"n COuLu Just OhSS SSS- a She did not hear him. "It's little odd" she said.
 Whats odd?"
 Your mothers not mentioning that MT. Morgan had been with you"
 Didn't think of it, I suppose" said George carelessly; and, his benevolent mood increasing, he conceived the idea that a little harmless ral1ytng might serve to elevate his aunt's dropping spirits. 'I1l tell you something, in confidence" he said solemnly.
 She looked up, startled. "What?"
 Well, it struck me that Mr. Nor gan was looking pretty absent-minded, most of the time; and he certainly is dressing better than he used to. shouldn't be a bit surprised if all the young fellow had been waiting for was to know he had an assured income be- fore he proposed"
 What young fellow""
 '@This young fellow Morgan" laughed George. Honestly, Aunt Fanny, I shouldn't be a bit surprised to have him request an interview with me any day, and declare that his intentions are honorable, and ask my permission to pay his addresses to you. What had I better tell himT'
 Fanny burst into tears.
 "Good heavens!" George cried. "I wAs only teasing. I didn't mean"
 "Let me alone" she said lifelessly: aDda, continuing to weep, rose and be- gaA to clear away the china and silver.
 &eorge was distressed. II didn't mean anything, Aunt Fanny! I didn't know you'd got so sensitive as all thHt.'
 "You'd better go up to bed," she said desolately, going on with her work and her weeping.
 He obeyed, and could still hear pathetic sniffing from the dining room as he went up the stairs.
 "By Georgey' he grunted, as he reached his own room and his thought was that living with a person so sensi- tive to kindly ratllery might prove iugubrious. He went to the window and looked through the darkness to tlPW great silhouette of his grandfa7 thHr's house. Lights were burning over there, upstairs; probably his newly arrived uncle was engaged in talk with the Major.
 Georges glance lowered, resting cas- f1a1ly upon the indistinct ground, and he beheld some vague shapes, unfa- maliar to him. Formless heaps, they seemed; but, without much curiosity, he supposed that sewer connections or water pipes might be out of order, making necessary some excavations. Not greatly disturbed, he pulled down the shade, yawned, and began to un- dress, leaving further investigation for the morning.