The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-28
Chapters From a
Woman 5 Life
AN UNPLEASANT DISCUSSION.
BY JANE PHELPS
Chapter 90

Chapter 90
How is Miss Ralstrom getting
aIong?" 1 asked Walter.
SLOWLY. The doctor says it will be
another week before she can come to
the studio, Thea I'll have to go for her
and take her home"
"Or send a taxi" his mother had
come quietly into the room and had
spoken.
THAT'S foolish expense when 1 have
a car" Walter replied with a frown.
perhaps, but it will look better
she replied, then changed the subject.
When we were again alone, Walter
referred to her remark.
THE Mater must think I am made
of money!" he declared impatiently.
''The idea of sending taxi for Helen
when 1 have a car, and can't go on
with my picture without her. 1 sup
while a taxi is rolling up the price on
me. If it was only a block or two,
but way up where she lives would
cost a small fortune"
Your mother thinks a good deal of
the conventions, Walter" replied.
Damn conventionsi There are
other things worth more than what
people say. I want to get that picture
finished in time for the Academy. And
don't see any sense in throwing
away a lot of money unnecessarily"
You Lust do as you think best" l
returned, not wishing to provoke him
further. I felt his mother had said
all that was necessary; all 1 could say
without making him angry.
You bet 1 Will" and he flung out
of the house.
1 knew he had been seeing Helen
that he had bee to her home. / had
not asked him, had simply inquired
how she was, but 1 knew. His mother
reopened the subject as we lunched
alone.
ct hope Walter will not visit that
girl she said. ct doesn't look weIl."
walter isn't a bit conventional 1
replied, especially where his work is
concerned. He'd trample every con-
vention ever mad under foot for the
sake of a picture he was painting
She shrugged and I could see my
reply had annoyed her She was cross
with Jennie, unpleasant about the way
Fido's chicken was prepared, and
finally said:
why you keep so incompetent a
girl I can't imagine. I'll have Fido
sick on my hands again.
I'm ready to go any time!" Jennie
impudently answered. ct didn't hire
out to wait on a dog anyway"
Leave the roomi'' Mrs. Page or
dered, while I cast an appealing
glance at Jennie.
THAT suits mel The kitchen is a
sight pleasanter," she replied as she
left, slamming the door after hers
You must discharge that impudent
girl at once. Doreen," Mrs Page said
as we left the table. She'll be poison
ing Fido next
All my resentment against Walters
mother returned. Discharge Jennie!
Break in a new girl, perhaps half a
dozen before found one half as COM
petent. ] went into the kitchen. Jen-
ME was sitting idly in chair. her face
red with anger. her eyes blazing.
"Oh, Jennie, what made you answer
her 2" asked. You must apollo
gize.''
mot me, Ma'am! I've put up with
all I'm going to from that old woman.
Her and her Cogi"
But, Jennie, she won't stay much
longer" she had said nothing about
leaving, land I can't let you go. Please
apologize for my sake"
''Say Pm sorry when ANTI Why
I didn't tell her half what 1 thought.
will before L go tho. It'll choke
me if I DON'T
Tears rushed into my eyes.
couldn't help it. Mrs. Page was again
hard to live with, Walter was in one
of his tantrums, I was Jealous and
miserable and now Jennie was going.
why, Ma'am-pleaSe don't cry
awful to do it and I'll be lynn some-
thin fierce, but if you feel so bad I'll
stay-unless she throws me OUT
I sank into a chair, and laughed
almost Historically
THANK you, Jennie, go at once and
tell her you are sorry before she has
time to think any more about it. And
take this plate of chicken to kFido''
While I talked I had cut the breast
from a cold chicken into small pieces
and arranged them on a decorative
paper dolly, as Mrs. Page insisted
Fido's food should be served
(Tomorrow-Walter sympathizes with
Doreen.)