The Jasper news., 1922-11-09
u
May.

Lulu. was busting the parlor. The
parlor was rarely used, but every
morning II was busted. By Lulu.
She busted the black walnut center
table which was Of Ina's choosing, and
looked like Ina, shining, complacent.
abundantly curved The leather rocker.
too. looked like Ina, brown, plumply
upholstered. tipping back bit. Real
ly, the davenport looked like Ina, for
Its chintz pattern seemed to bear a de-
sign Of lifted eyebrows and arch, re-
proachful eyes.
Lulu busted the upright plano, and
that was like DwIght-in a perpet-
uai attitude Of rearing back, with paws
out, playful, but capable, too, Of roar
Ing ready bass.
And the black fireplace-there was
Mrs. Bett to the life. Colorless, fire.
less, and with dust Of ashes.
In the midst Of all was Lulu herself
reflected In the narrow pier glass,
bodilcss-lookIng in her blue gingham
gown. but somehow alive-natural.
This pier glass Lulu approached
with expectation, not because of herl
self but because Of the photograph on
Its low marble shelf. A large photo
graph on little shelf-easel. A photo
graph Of a man with evident eyes. evi-
dent lips, evident cheeks-and each Of
the six were rounded and convex. You
could construct the rest of him. Down
there under the glass you could lima gine
him extending, rounded and convex,
with plump hands and curly thumbs
and snug clothes. 1t was Einian
Deacon, Dwlght's brother.
Every day since his coming had
been announced Lulu. busting the par
lor, had seen the photograph looking
at her with its eyes somehow new. Or
were her own eyes new7 She busted
this photograph with q difference, lift
ed, busted. set 1t back. less as process
than as an experience. AS she busted
the mirror and saw his trim SEM
blance over against her own bodlless
reflection, she hurried away. But the
eyes of the picture follow ed her, and
she liked II.
She busted the south window sill
and saw Bobby Larkln come round the
house and go to the woodshed for the
lawn mower. She heard the smooth
blur OF the cutter. Not six times had
Bobby trayersed the lawn when Lulu
saw Di emerge from the house. Dl
had been caring for her canary and
she carried her bird hath and went to
the well. and Lulu OWNED that Di had
deliberately disregarded the handy
kitchen taps. Lulu busted the south
window and watched. and IN her
watching was no quality Of spying or
Of criticism. Rather. she looked out
on something In which she had never
shared, could not by any chance i'm.
agine herself sharing.
The south windows were oren Airs
| Of May bore the soft talking.
ooh. Bobby, viii you pump while !
hold this7' And again: "NOw wait
till rinse" And again; "You needn't
be so glum' village salutntion sig
nifying kindly attention.
Bobby now HFst spoke: "who'I
| glum7" he countered, glOomily.
The iron of those days when she had
laughed at him was deep within him
and this she now OWNED, and said alb,
sently:
II used TO think you were pretty
nice. But don't like you any more.
"Yes. you used tor Bobby repeat
ed derisively. rs that why you madl
fun Of me all the timer"
At this Dl colored and tapped bel
foot on the well-curb. He seemed tt
have her now, and enjoyed his tri
umph. But Di looked up at him shyIy
and looked down. II had co." she ad
mitted. "They were all teasing m,
about you"
"Tney wereT' This was new
thought 10 him. Teasing her abou
him, were theyi lie Strengthened