The Holbrook news., 1922-05-12


 We went up on the hill through the Benton woods, and it was perfectly lovely up there He didn't say much at first. Then. all of sudden. he be- gan to talk about anything and every thing. And l knew. by the way he did it. that he'd just happened to think he'd got to talk.
 And how he talked, He asked me was I warmly clad (and here it Is August ), and did have good break fast. and how old was I. and did l en- ioy my studieS-which shows how lit tie he was really thinking what he was saving. He knows school closed ages ago Wasn't he teaching me himself the last of it. too? All around us were flowers ana birds, and oh, 50 many, many lovely things. But he never said d word about them. He just talked because he'd got to talk. I knew it, and il made me laugh inside. though all the while it maue me sort of want to cry, loo. Funny, wasn't It?
 After time he didn't talk any more. but just walked on and on and by and by We came home.
 Of course. 1t wasn't awfully jolly that walk wasn't; and I guess Father didn't think It was either. Anyhow, he hasn't asked me to go again this week, and he looked tired and worried and sort 0f discouraged when he got baak from that one.
 But .hes asked me 70 do other things. The next day after the walk he asked me to play to him. Yes, he asked me t0; and he went Into the parlOr and sat down oh ons of the chairs and listened while I played three pieces. Of course, l didn't play loud ones, nor very fast ones, and 1 was so scared I'm afraid l didn't play them very well. But he was very p0- lite and said Thank you. Mary" and. That was very nice"; then he stood up and said Thank you again and went away into the library, very po- lite. bur stiff, like company.
 The next evening he took me out to the observatory to see the stars. That was lovely. Honestly l had perfect ly beautiful time. and l think Father did, too. He wasn't stiff and polite one bit. Oh, don't mean that he was impOiite or rude. It's just that he wasn't stiff as ii was company. And he was so happy with his stars and his telescope, and s0 glad to show them to me-0h. l had a beautiful time, and told him so; and he looked real pleased. But Aunt Jane came for me before I'd had half enough, and I had tu go fo bed,
 The next morning l thought he'd be different. somehow. because we'd had such lovely time together the night before. But he wasn't. He just said. Good morning Mary" and began to read his paper And he read his pa per all through breakfast without say irg another word to me. Then he got up and went into the library. and l never saw him again all day except at dinner-time and suppertime. and then he didn't talk to me.
 But after supper he took me out again to see the stars, and he was just as nice and friendly as could be. Not Lit like man that's only father by order of the court. But the next day!
 Well-and that's the way it's been all the week. And that's why I say he's been so queer. One minute he'll be just as nice and foiksy as you could ask anybody to be, and the very EeXt he's looking right through you as if he didn't see you at all. and you wonder and wonder what's the mat ter. and If you've done anything to displeaSe him.
 Sometimes he seems almost glad and happy, and then he'll look so sorry and sad
 I just cant understand my father at all.