The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-10-31
GEORGE TALKS
Chapter 80

Had Pan been in any way a coquette
she would have evaded Georges ques-
ton, or answered it chafingly. But be.
Ing Of direct, honest and truthful
mind, she said simply:
Yes, great deal" Then added
quickly. as though she knew she had
confessed to much:
I'VE both missed you"
And George, who read her thoughts
easily, was both touched and amused
by these statements. When they were
seated in Pans tiny living room and
George had stretched out in the one
big chair, lighted cigaret held limp
ly between his long fingers-exactly as
she had seen him so often at Gloria's-
Pan felt suddenly perfectly happy and
contented She reached for her work
basket and began to sew while they
talked
do you work all the time?" George
asked, watching her fingers busy with
needle and thread.
mo, but if / have something. to do
with my hands can talk better" Pan
answered. "They don't get in my way
then I've tried to learn knitting
Everyone knits nowadays but I'm slow
and awkward at its
so you're making frankie a suit?'
Goodness, mol" She laughed with
amusement. only putting back lost
buttons"
George puffed at the cigarette al
ways seemed to take a puff just wheI
it was ready to die out from neglect
and watched the mending with the cur
iosity of a man clever with his fingers
at big things, who has all respect, but
no comprehension, of the minute diff
culties of sewing.
You're such a comfortable person
to be with, Pan" he observed after g
time. I'm glad you missed me.
wasn't particularly happy over thery
either"
Because of Gloria! Pan thought in
stantly. but said nothing.
George went on:
There were lot of things to WORRY
me. The man | was painting was baC
tempered and restless and difficult tC
do-took me twice as long as an or
binary portrait. 1t was hot, too. an
had trouble selling a house | wanted
to dispose of
Pan knew that George, in his stu
dent days, had purchased a countr,
house outside Paris. Being young anC
enthusiastic, he had been badly cheat
ed, according to Gloria, and was will
ing almost to give the place away nov
to be rid of it.
And | was worried about Gloria
He had said il, so Pan felt she coulC
talk of it now
Il know. If only you had been here
or if you hadn't gone over there a
all"
But why? My presence would hav.
made no difference one way or thu
other-except / would have known
sooner that Santley was back. But you
were angel enough to tell me finally.
Yes, ] would have written sooner
only I didn't want to worry you. Wher
/ wrote, it was because I thought /
you came in time"
'1n time? What do you mean
What difference would my comins
have made?"
Pan hated to answer this. She pre-
tended q great interest in the buttol
she was attaching to very diminutiv,
pair of trousers, and hesitated.
. What do you mean, please?" Geor
urged.
"Oh, I don't suppose your presenc
would have made any difference afte
all" Pan said finally. ut was clea
that Gloria was very much in low
with Santley-of course, there was
little time when she tried to preten
she wasn't, but it never was seriou
pretence, after she knew Santley ha
followed her at once TO New Yorl
She had to go on with it, just becaus
she'd begun that way
She shipped off a thread. and lai
the little suit aside. Being so earnes
in what she was saying, she felt n
self-consciousness now, her hand
clasped in her lap naturally, and sh
leaned back in the chair. at ease an
graceful because of it, and looked a
George with her serious, dark eyes.
so even if you had come back,
wouldn't have made any difference