The Topeka state journal., 1921-12-24
THE NEW
GENERATION
Bv JANE PHELPS
MALCOLM IS INTRODUCED TO
BOHEMIA.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER 1O2.


Now, Malcolm, where shall we go? ~
1t was Sunday night, and Malcolm had
called at the studio to take Joan to
dinner He was to leave for Cambridge
on the midnight train, but up to that
time he was ready for anything SO
long as he could be with Joan:
DO you know Greenwich Village at
all ?" she asked.
mo, I've heard it is wild and
woody place, tho"
Things are horribly exaggerated.
People expect to be horribly shocked
down here, and when they see how
very mild it all is. they are disap-
pointed"
Joan rather enjoyed visiting restaur-
ants in the village altho, to be honest,
she seldom ate very much. Either
before she went or upon her return
she foraged in her tiny ice box where
she always had some dainty or whole
some dish. But she liked to watch
the people at the restaurant. the diff
ferent types who made them their
rendezvous. She loved to listen on
their talk of "Cosmic Vibration and
other things they thought they under
stood, but of which most Of them were
woefully ignorant. The long haired
man and short haired, smock draped
girls intrigued her. She liked their
independence. They dressed as they
1iked-were a law unto themselves,
they liked, sure of their ability to
look out for themselves if necessary.
"I am bobbed too, Malcolm" she
said when telling him of them, "and
it seems an open sesame to their
friendship; at least they think me
enough of one of them to be natural
with me"
In one of the larger restaurants
they found places at a long table at
the side of the room, on one side
long bench, chairs on the other. But
as sitting on the bench gave them
and sat uncomfortably close to those
already seated. The tables were sup
posed to hold SO many, and they
usually-as tonight-had their full
quota.
1t was a weird and interesting scene
to Malcolm. as it is perhaps to every
first-time visitor to the Village Every
one was friendly and helpful. A
bobbed haired girl in yellow smock
and abbreviated brown. skirt passed
them the silver and the paper napkins.
Joan spread the napkins on the table.
Then she asked for more to protect
her gown and Malcolm's knees.
'They are apt to spill something so
look out" she told him as the full
plate of soup was handed across to
them. Everyone was talking and
laughing At times someone rose from
table and sauntered to that of son1e
acquaintance and helped him or her
self to a cigarette. or talked q bit of
the last new play the Villagers had
put on. or of the magazine in which
they each and all ere discussed
Il wonder who that chap is, that
one over there? He seems to be
popular"
''Oh, he makes musical instruments
out of cigar boxes, acts in the Village
plays, and is really a sort of a genius.
But you aren't eating your dinner,
Malcolmi'
Il don't see that you have slowed
away so much either"
''It isn't very good, is it? You sse
people who scomeahere are supposed to
be soulful, and soulful people aren't
SO hungry as ordinary mortals are
they?" Joan asked with a laugh.
The trouble is. Malcolm, it isn't quite
clean. 1 could stand anything else
the bad cooking, I mean-if it were
cIean.''
rs uncleanliness necessary to
toned, making funny face. Joan
recalled his mothers neatness. anu
felt he had season to be shocked.
The people at the table with them
were engaged in a heated discussion
regarding Nietzsche, psycho-analysis,
amusing to "a stranger-not because
of the subject matter. but because of
the ruthIessness with which they
handled all subjects.
Come, Joan, let's get out" and
after they had crowded their way past
those at the table, had answered sew
eral good nights thrown at them and
reached the street, Malcolm dwhistled
for a taxi.
ITO Delmonico's!" he told the
driver. To Joan he said, Now for
a real feed We have had food for
the soul; now it is our stomach's
turn"
(To be continued-)