The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-11-15
STRANGENESS

IAIdplSI Q.
Mrs. Talbot had always worked hard,
but she expected to rest a bit while
her son and his wife were at the farm,
ito enjoy little visit" as she put it.
But somehow she only found herself
working harder. so the days seemed
far too short for the immense amount
that had to be done in them.
First of ALL there was Luther, who
wrote he was going TO help but who
was quite incapable of carrying out
his good intentions. Luther had had
a serious nervous breakdown, and was
ordered to rest and sleep.
Then somehow Claire made work,
though she very prettily begged that
no one bother her.
DO let me help" she would say sew
eral times a day. coming into the kit
chen, or out of the garden. Mrs. Tai
bot never noticed that Luther was al
ways near when these offers were
made.
Once she did let her help. She was
picking strawberries for jam making,
and she let Claire help pull the
green stems from them And Claire
in spite of an apron, managed 10 drop
one that was too soft upon a lovely
white chiffon dress.
It took Mrs. Talbot hours to remove
the stain. Then she insisted on laund-
ering the frock, which took hours more
since it was delicate work. Claire beg
ged her not to. saying the frock was
old. But somehow Mrs. Talbot felt
personally guilty about the stain.
You'll spoil your hands" she
would answer an offer TO help weed.
Go read to Luther, he likes to have
you"
When possible she would take her
work to the lawn, where Luther lay in
the hammock. and listen while Claire
read. The girl had a sweet voice and
she read very well-theatrical training
had taught her just how TO INFECT, and
how to bring out the real feeling in
the words. For awhile Mrs. Talbot
got only snatches of the stories. Is
minutes perhaps while she prepared
potatoes or shelled peas for dinner.
One morning Jordan Talbot came in
10 the kitchen, his face black with
fury, his black eyes swapping.
That woman is out there reading
immoral stories" he announced.
When particularly angry, he always
said that woman" or that man" and
never used the proper name.
'Jordan-oh, I'm sure you didn I
near. I've heard only bits. but never
anything"
I've been sitting for an hour mend
ing harness the other side of the
hedge. I've heard enough-mOre than
enough to make me ashamed. ! went
away so | wouldn't hear more"
Amy Talbot was worried Jordan
further announced that that woman
had corrupted his son. And he storm
ed off, to reappear only at meals and
then to sit without speaking all that
day.
So Amy managed to take enough
work 10 the hammock TO hear more
than a snatch of the story. And she
agreed with her husband, as she usual
" did. Claire read through a love
scene that made the poor little woman
blush from head to foot. and fairly
writhe with an unaccountable shame.
She made a comment that by its
very naivete and innocence kept her
listeners from laughing
At this Claire could not restrain a
giggle, To explain it, she said hurried,
~.
They're not married. This is a
French novel"
From her tone this both accounted
for and excused the scene that had 50
shocked Mrs. Talbot.
But the French novels are wicked
Denunciation was in Amy's tones. She
was glad her young daughter was bust
ly engaged in the house, so she would
nor hear the conversation.
This is by de Maupassant. He's 4