River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-11-27
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mother for a decoy duck. She does
everything in the world she can to
keep your mothers friendship with
Eugene going, because she thinks
that's what keeps Eugene about the
place, so to speak. Fanny's always
with your mother, you see; and when
ever he sees Isabel he sees Fanny.
Fanny thinks he'll get used to the idea
of her being around, and some day her
chance may come! There! D'you
see?'
Well suppose So" Georges
brow was still dark, however. IF
you're sure whatever talk there is, is
about Aunt Fanny. If that's So"
"Don't be an ass" his uncle advised
him lightly, moving away. I'm off for
a weeks fishing to forget that woman
in there, and her pig of a husband"
(His gesture toward the Mansion indi-
Gated Mr.. and Mrs. Sydney Amber
son. Il recommend like course to
you, if you're silly enough to pay any
attention to such Furnishings! Good
by!"
George was partially reas-
sured, but still troubled: word haunt
ed him like the recollection of night
mare. Talk
He walked rapidly toward his own
front gate. The victoria was there
with Fanny alone; she jumped out
briskly and the victoria waited.
where's mother?" George asked
sharply.
"At Lucy's. / only came back to get
some embroidery, because we found
the sun too hot for driving. 1 haven't
time to talk now, George; I'm going
right back. I promised your mother
"You listen!" said George.
"What on earth
He repeated what Amelia had said.
This time, however, he spoke coldly,
and without the emotion he had ex-
hibited during the recital to his uncle
Fanny was the one who showed agita-
ton during this interview, for she
grew fiery red, and her eyes dilated.
What on earth do you want to bring
such trash to me for?" she demanded,
breathing fast.
Il merely wished to know two
things: whether it is your duty or
mine to speak to father Of what Aunt
Amelia
Fanny stamped her foot. "You lit
tie fool!'' she cried. "You awful little
fool! Your fathers sick man. and
you want to go troubling him with an
Anderson family row! It's just what
that cat would love you to dor
"Well, r.
"Tell your father if you like! It
will only make him a little sicker to
think he's got son silly enough to
listen to such craziness %
"Then you're sure there isn't any
talk?"
Fanny disdained reply in words.
She made a kissing sound of utter con-
tempt and snapped her fingers. Then
she asked scornfully: Whats the
other thing you wanted to know?"
Georges pallor increased whether
it mightn't be better, under the cir
cumstances," he said, eff this family
were not SO intimate with the Morgan
family-at least for time. 1t might
be better
Fanny stared at him incredulously.
"You mean, you'd quit seeing Lucy?"
Il hadn't thought Of that side Of It,
but if such thing were necessary on
account of talk about my mother, T.
L" He hesitated unhappily. II sug-
gested that if all of us-for a time
perhaps only for time-it might be
better if
"See here" she interrupted. "We'll
settle this nonsense right now. If Eu-
gene Morgan comes to this house, for
instance, to see me, your mother can't
get up and leave the place the minute
he gets here, can she? What do you
want her to do: insult him? Or per-
haps you'd prefer she'd insult Lucy?
That would do just as well. What is
it you're up to, anyhow? Do you really
love your Aunt Amelia so much that
you want to please her? Or do you
really hate your Aunt Fanny SO much
that you want to-that you want to-"
She choked and sought for her hand
kerchief; suddenly she began to cry.
"Oh, see here" George said. Il don't
hate you, Aunt Fanny. That's silly.
DON'T
"You dol You do! You want to-
you want to destroy the only thing
that THAT ever" And, unable to
continue, she became inaudible in her
handkerchief.
George felt remorseful, and his own
troubles were lightened: all at once it
became clear to him that he had been
worrying about nothing. He perceived
that his Aunt Amelia was indeed an
old cat, and that to give her scandal
GUS meanderings another thought
would be the height of folly. By no
means insusceptible to such pathos as
that now exposed before him, he did
not lack pity for Fanny, whose almost
spoken confession was lamentable:
and he was granted the vision to un-
derstand that his mother also pitied
tie ~.