The Glenwood post., 1922-08-24
SYNOPSIS


Deacon, in the small town of Warbleton
Lulu Bett leads a dull, cramped existence
with which she is constantly at enmity.
though apparently satisfied with her lot
She has natural thoughts and aspirations
which neither her sister nor her brother
in-law seemingly can comprehend. To Mr.
Deacon comes Bobby Larkin, recently
graduated high-school youth. secretly
enamored Of Deacon's elder daughter
Diana. an applicant for Job" around
the Deacon house. He is engaged, his
occupation to be to keep the lawn in trim.
The family is excited over the news of al
approaching visit from Deacon's brother
Ninian, whom he had not seen for many
years. Deacon jokes with Lulu. with
subtle meaning, concerning the coming
meeting.
H-MAY.-Chlefy because of the ripple
In her placid. colorless existence which
the arrival of Ninian will bring. Lula is
interested and speculative, meanwhile
watching with something like envy the
boy-and-cirl love-malSing of Bobby and
Diana. Unexpec tedly. Ninian arrives, in
the absence of Herbert, at his business,
and of Ina. resting. Thus be becomes
acquainted with Lulu first and in a n eas
ure understands her position in the house
To Lulu, Nlnian Is a much-trayeled man
of the world and even the slight interest
-ause 1t is something new in her life.
"Since Dwight isn't here !" she cried
and shook her finger AT him. Inas
conception of hostess-ship was def
mite: A volley of questions-was his
train on time? He had found the
house all right? OF coursel Anyone
could direct him. she should hope. And
he hadn't seen Dwight? She must
telephone him But then she arrested
herself with sharp, curved ding of
her starched skirts. No, They would
surprise him at tea--she stood taut,
lips compressed. Oh, the Plows were
coming to tea. How unfortunate, she
thought. How fortunate, she said
The child Monona made her knees
and elbows stiff and danced up and
down. She must, she must participate.
"Aunt Lulu made three pies," she
screamed. and shook her straight hair
"Gracious sakes," said Ninian. 81
brought her pup, and If didn't for
get to give 1t to her.
They adjourned to the porch-Nin.
ian. Ina, Monona. The puppy was
presented, and yawned. The party
kept on about "the place" Ina de-
lightedly exhibited the tomatoes, the
two apple trees. the new shed, the
bird bath Ninan said the unspell
able "m-m," rising infection. and the
81 see" prolonging the verb as was ex-
pected of him. Ina said that they
meant to build a summer house, only,
dear me, when you have a family-but
T.
that Ina was using her eyes, she was
arch, she was coquettish. she was fir
tatious. and she believed herself
to be merely matrOnly, sisterly, won.
anly
She screamed. Dwight was at the
gate. Now the meeting, exclamation,
banality, guffaw good will.
And Lulu, peeping through the
blind.
When "tea" had been experienced
that evening, it was found that light
rain was falling and the DeacOns and
their guests. the Plows. were con-
strained to remain in the parlor The
Plows were gentle, family lustrous
folk, sketched into life rather lightly,
as II they were, say, looking in from
some other level.
1.-The only thing" said Dwight
Herbert, that reconciles me to rain is
that I'm let off croquet" He rolled
his RS, favorite device of his to In
duce humor. He called 1t 'croquette."
He had never been more irrepressible.
The advent of his brother was partly
accountable, the need to show himself
fine family man and host in a pros
porous little home-simple and pa
thetic desire.
"Tell you what Wen dol" said
Dwight. min and I'll reminisce lit
tie"
"Doi" cried Mr.. Plow. This gentle
fellow was always excited by life, so
family excited by him. and enjoyed Its
presentation in any real form.
Ninian had unerrngly selected
dwarf rocker, and he was overflowing
1t and rocking.
"Take this chair, do!" Ina begged.
"A big chair for big man" She
spoke as II he were about the age OF
MOnona.
Ninian refused, insisted on his re-
fusal. A few years more, and human
relationships would have spread san
lty even to Ina's estate and she would
have told him why he should exchange
chairs. AS it was she forebore, and
kept glancing anxlously at the over
burdened little beast beneath him.
The child Monona entered the room.
She had been driven down by Di and
Jenny Plow. who had vanished up
stairs and, through the ventllator,
might be heard In lift and fall Of
giggIing. Monona had also been driven
from the kitchen where Lulu was, for
some reason. hurrying through the
dishes. Monona now rnn to Mrs. Bett,
stood beside her and stared about re-
sentfully. Mrs. .Bett was in best black