The Holbrook news., 1922-05-19

course, Aunt Hattie laughs at us. But dcu't mind And Mother doesn't. either But oh. how Aunt Jane would love it, if she only knew!
 MAY
 What do you suppose am learning now? You'd never guess. Stars Yes, stars And that is for Father, too. Mother came into my room one day with book of Grandfather's under her arm. She said it was very won derful work on astronomy, and she was sure l would find it interesting. She said she was going to read it aloud to me an hour day. And then, when l got to Andersonville and Father talked to me, I'd know some thing. And he'd be pleased.
 She said she thought we owed 1t to Father, after he'd been so good and kind as to let me stay here almost three whole months of his six, so 1 could keep on with my school. And that she was very sure this would please him and make him happy.
 And so. for most week now, Moth CT has read to be an hour day out of that astronomy book. Then we talk about it. And 1t is interesting. Moth- CT says it Is, too. She says she wishes she'd known something about astrOno- ny when she was girl; that she's Ire it would have made things a whole lot easier and happier all around, when she married Father; for then she would have known some thing about something he was inter- eSted in. She said she couldn't help that now, of course but she could see that I knew something about such things.
 It seems so funny to hear her talk such lot about Father as she does, when before she never used to men, tiOn him-only to say how afraid she was that would love him better than l did her, and to make me say over and over again that I didn't. And I said so one day to her-I mean, said thought it was funny, the way she talked now.
 She colored up and bit her lip, and gave queer little laugn. Then she grew very sober and grave, and said:
 q know, dear. Perhaps I am talk ing more than l used to. But, you see. I've been thinking quite lot, and I I've learned some things. Pm trying to make you forget what said-about your loving me more than him. That wasn't right, dear. Mother was wrong. She shouldn't try to influence you against your father. He is a good man; and there are none too many good men in the world-No, no, won't say that" she broke off
 But she'd already said 1t, and. of course l knew she was thinking of the violiaist. I'm no child.
 She went on more after that, quite a lot more. And she said again that l must love Father and try to please him in every way; and she cried a lit- tie and talked lot about how hard it was in my position, and that she was afraid she'd only been making 1t harder, through her selfishness, and must forgive her, and try to forget ii. And she was s,.re she'd do better nOw And she said that, after all, life wasn't in inst being happy yourself It was In how much happiness you could give 10 others.
 Oh, it was lovely! And l cried, and she cried some more, and we kissed 'ach other and l promised. And after she went away l felt all upraised and holy. like you do when you've been Io q beautiful church service with soft music and colored windows, and ,yerybody kneeling. And I felt as if q never be naughty or thoughtless
 gain. And that I'd never mind being Mary now. Why, I'd be glad to be 'lary half the time, and even more or Father
 But, alas.
 Listen. Would you believe it? Just hat same evening Mother stopped me against laughing too loud and mak- ing too much noise playing with Les 'er; and l felt cross. just boiled Inside of me. and said 1 hated Mary, and that Mother was getting to be just like Aunt Jane. And yet, just that morning
 Oh. if only that hushed, stained windowsoft tmusc feeling would last! JUNE
 We'll, once more school is done. my ..unk is all packed. and I'm ready to go to Andersonvlle. leave tomorrow morning. But not as I left last year. Oh. no. II is very. very different. Why this year I'm really going as Mary. Honestly, Mother has turned me into Mary before l go. Now, what do you think of that? And if Eve got to be Mary there and Mary here, too, when can l ever be Marie? Oh, l know I said I'd be willing to be Mary half. and maybe more than half, the time But when it comes to really being Mary out of turn extra time, that is quite another thing.
 And I am Mary.
 Listen:
 I've learned to cook. That's Mary.
 I've been studying astronomy. ThaI's Mary.
 I've learned to walk quietly, speak softly, laugh not too loudly, and be a lady at all times. That's Mary.
 And now, to add to all this, Mother has had me dress like Mary. Yes, she hegan two weeks ago. She came into my room one morning and said she wanted to look over my dresses and things and I cOuld Spp hv the way