The Holly chieftain., 1922-10-19

eoodyi Last time you wouldn't lie,
me CO."
'That's why papa's going to take
you this time" Ina said.
These ethical balances having been
But" she said, -but. you must eat
more supper or you cannot go.'
Il don't want any more" Monona's
look was honest and piteous.
'M.kes no difference. You must eat
or yeu'll get Sick
"Now
"very well, then. No ice cream
soda for such little girl"
Mnnona began to cry quietly. But
she passed her plate. She ale. chew.
ing high. and slowly.
"See? She can eat if she will eat"
Ina said to Dwight. "The only trouble
is, she Will not take the time
"She don't put her mind on her
meals" Dwight Herbert diagnosed 1t.
"Oh, bigger bites than that" he en-
cournged his little daughter
Dis mind had been proceeding along
Its own paths.
Are you going to take Jenny and
Bobby too?" she inquired.
Certainly. The whole party"
"BObbyll want to pay for Jenny
and II.
me, darling" said Ina patiently,
punctiliOusly-and less punctiliously
added: Nonsense This is going to
be papa's little party"
But we had the engagement with
Bobby. It was an engagement"
well" said Ina, II think we'll just
set that aside-that important en-
gagemenr. I think we just will"
Papa! Boby'll want to be the one
to pay for Jenny and L"
"Di!" Inas voice dominated all.
"Will you be more careful of your
grammar or shall i speak to you
again?"
"Well. I'd rather use bad grammar
han--than--than--" she looked re-
sentfully at her mother. her father.
Their moral detection was evident to
her, but 1t was indefnable. They told
her that she ought to be ashamed
when papa wanted to give them all a
treat. She sat silent, frowning, put
upon.
Look, mamma" I" cried Monona,
swallowing third of an egg at one
impulse. Ina saw only the empty
plate.
Mammals nice little girl!" cried
she, shining upon her child.
The rules of the ordinary sports of
the playground, scrupulously applied,
would have clarified the ethical at
mOsphere of this little family. But
there was no one to apply them.
When Di and Monona had been ex-
cused. Dwight asked:
Nothing new from the bride and
groom?'
mo. And, Dwight, It's been week
since the last"
"See-where are they then?'
He knew perfectly well that they
were in Savannah, Georgia, but Ina
played his game, told him, and retold
bits that the letter had said.
II don't understand" she ndded.
why they should go straight to Ore
gon without coming here first"
Dwight hazarded that Min probably,
had to get back, and shone pleasantly
in the reflected Importance of a
brother filled with affairs.
II don't know what to make of Lu-
LUIS letters" Ina proceeded. "rhey're
$3.50"
you haven't had but two, have
you?"
That's all-well, of course It's only
been month. But both letters have
been So
Ina was never really artIculate.
Whatever corner Of her brain had the
blood in 1t at the moment seemed to
be operative, and she LET the matter
go at that.
II don't think it's fair to mamma
going OF that way. Leaving her own
mother. Why, she may never see
mamma again" Ina's breath caught.
Into her face came something Of the
lovely tenderness with which she
sometimes looked at Monona and Di.
She sprnng up. She had forgotten to
put some supper to warm for
mamma. The lovely light was still
In her face as sle btstled about
against the time of mammals recovery
from her tantrm. Dwight's face was
like this when he spoke of his foster
mother. In both these beings there
was something which functioned as
pure love.
Mamma had recovered and was ent-
ing cold scrambled eggs on the corner
of the kitchen table when the ice
cream soda party was ready TO set
our. Dwight threw her casual Bet
ter come, too, Mother Bett." hut she
shook her head She wished to 20,
wished 1t with violence. but She con-
trived to give to her arbitrary refusal
quality of contempt. When Jenny
arrived with Bobby, she had brought
sheaf of gladioli for Mrs. Bett, and
took them to her in the kitchen. and
as she laid the flowers beside her, the