Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-11-17

They're glad to see US. We mean
something here. These people are
satisfied. why can't I be? But can
] sit back alls my lie and be satisfied
with Hey, folks? They want shouts
on Main Street. and l want violins
in a paneled room. Why-"
V.
Vida Sherwin ran in after school
q dozen times. h was tactful, tor
rcntially anecdotal. She had scuttled
about town and plucked compliments:
Mrs. Or. Westlake had pronounced
Carol a very sweet. bright, cultured
tinsmith at Clark's Hardware Store,
had declared hat she was "easy to
work for n awful cas- to look at"
But Carol could not yet take her
in. She resented this outsiders
knowledge Of her shame. Vida, was
not too long tolerant. She limited.
You're a great brooder, child. Buck
up now. The towns Quit criticizing
you, almost entirely. Come with me
to the Thanatopsis club. They have
some OF the best papers. and ur-
rent events discussions-so interest
! ing"
In Vida's demands Carol felt a
compulsion, but she vas too listless
to obey.
! 1t was Bea sorcnson who was really
her c~onfidante.b
However charitable toward the
Lower Gases h may have thought
herself, Carol had been reared to as
sumo that servants belong to q dis
t:nct and inferior species. But she
discovered that Bea. was eXtraordinar-
lily like girls she had loved in college,
and as a companion altogether su-
perior to h young matrons of the
Jolly Seventeen. Daily they became
more frankly two girls playing at
housework. Bea artless'y, considered
Carol the most beautiful and accom-
plished lady in the country: she was
always snrieking, My, dots a swell
hat" or, Jay t'ink all desc ladies
yoost die when dey see how elegant
you do your hair!' But it was NJ,
the humbleness OF a servant, nor the
hypocrisy of a slave; it was the ad-
miraticn of Freshman for Junior.
They made out the days menus to-
gether. Though they began with pro-
prietS. Carol sitting by the kitchen
table and Bea at the sink or blacking
the stove, the conference was likely
to end with both of them by the table,
while Bea gurgled over the ice-man's
attempt to kiss her. or Carol admit
ted. Everybody knows that the doc
tor is lots more clever than DR.. Nc
Ganum.' When Carol came in from
marketing. Bea plunged into the hall
TO take off her coat. rub her frosted
hands, and ask, "vos dere lots Of folks
uptown today?"
This was the welcome upon which
Carol depended. :.
vi.
Through her weeks of covering
| fhnr~ Hn,o q ~. 49, -.
life. No one save Vida was aware
of her agonizing. On her most de.
spairing days she cnatted to women
on the street, in stores. But without
tho protection of kennicott's presenct
she did not go to the jolly Seven.
teen; she, delivered herself to the
Judgment Sof the town only when she
went shopping and on the ritualistit
occasions OF formal afternoon calls
when Mrs. Lyman Cas-! OF, Mrs, Geo
Edwin Mott, with clean gloves ant
! minute handkerchiefs and sealskir
c~ard-cases n c~ountenances of frozer
appreciation, sat On the edges @,
chairs and inquired, do you fin.
Gopher Prairie pleasing? 2" Wrher
they spent evenings of social profit.
and Loss at the Haydocks or the ny.
ers' she hid behind Kennicott, plsy.
ting the simple bride.
Now she was unprotected. Kenni.
colt had AIKEN a patient to Rochester
for an operation. He would be ava,
for two or three days. She had moi
minded: she would loosen the mat.i.
monial tension and be a fanciful CIR
for a time. But now that he was gon Il
the house was liste ningly empty, Bes
a out this afternoon-presumabl,
drinking coffee and talking about
Fellows with her cousin Tina. il
was the day for tho monthly suppe,
and eveplng-bridge Of the Jolly Sew.
en.een. hut Carol dared not go
She sat alone.