The Nevada County picayune., 1922-05-25
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such senseiess questions. sometimes. Naturally wasn't going to say l had been disrespectful and disobedient when l hadn't; and of course, l couldn't say I hadn't been when Aunt Jane said I had. That would be just like saying Aunt Jane lied. So, of course, had nothing 10 say. And said s0
 ] "But she says you refused to go back to school, Mary" said Father then.
 "Yes, sir"
 linen you did refuse?'
 "Yes, sir"
 "Well. you may go and tell her now. please. that you are sorry, and that you will go to school this afternoon. You may go now" And he turned to the table and picked up his book. I didn't go, of course. I just stood there twisting my handkerchief in my fingers; and. of course. right away he saw me. He had sat down then.
 Mary, didn't you hear me2' he de- manded.
 .'Yes, sir, but-Father, I can't go back to that school" choked. And l began 10 cry.
 But tell you that you must.'
 shook my head.
 'I can't"
 Do you mean that you defy me as you did your Aunt Jane this morn ine2-that you refuse to go back to schoolf'
 Yes, sir"
 For a minute he sat and stared at me just as Aunt Jane had done; then he lifted his head and threw back his shoulders as if he was throwing of heavy weight.
 Come, come, Mary" he said stern- ly. "I am not a patient man, and my temper has reached the breaking point You will go back to school and you will go now. mean that, Mary" But, Father, can't" I choked; and I guess there was something in my face this time that made even him see. For again he just stared for minute, and then said:
 Mary, what In the world does this mean2 Why can't you go back7 Have you been-expelledi'
 "Oh, no, sir"
 linen you mean you won't go back"
 "I mean canton account of Mother"
 l wouldn't have said it if l hadn't had to. l didn't want 10 tell him, but I knew from the very first that I'd have 10 tell him before l got through. I could see It in his face. And so, now. with his eyes blazing as he jumped al- most out of his chair and exclaimed: !: "Your mother!" I let 1t out and got 1t over as soon as possible.
 "I mean on account of Mother that not for you, or Aunt Jane, or anybody will I go back 10 that school and associate with folks that won't associate with me-on account of Mother"
 Apd then l told it-afl about the girls, Stella Mayhew, Carrie. and how they acted, and what they said about my being Dr. Jekyll and Mir. Hyde because l was Mary and q Marie, and the ice-cream, and the parties they had to give up if they went with me. And know was cry ing so could 6ardly speak, before l finished; and Father was on his feet tramping up and down the room nut tering something under his breath, and looking-oh, l cant begin to tell how he looked. But 1t was awful.
 And so that's why l wish" l fin- ished chokingly, that it would hurry up and be a year. so Mother could get married"
 'Marriedi" Like a flash he turned and stopped short, staring at me.
 Why, yes" explained: flor if she did get married, she wouldn't be di- vOrced any longer, would sheT
 But he wouldn't answer. With . queer little noise in his throat he turned again and began to walk up and down, up and down, until thought for minute he'd forgotten was there. But he hadn't. For after a while he stopped again right in front of me.
 'So your mother is thinking of get ting married" he said in a voice ss queer 1t sounded as if it had com, from away of somewhere.
 But. 1 shook ny head and eaid DO