The Jasper news., 1922-07-13

"StudyT Aunt Jane asked the Ques-
ton with hateful little smile that
Father would have been blind not to
have understood. And he was equal
to it--but | most fell over backward
when found how equal to II he was.
Certainly" he says. study. I-Pn
hear her lessons myself--ln the IL
brary, after l come home In the aft
ernoon. Now let US hear no more
ABOUT It."
With that he pushed back his plate
and left the table without waiting
for dessert. And Aunt Jane and
were left alone.
l didn't say anything. Victors
shouldn't boast--and | was victor,
of course, about the school. But
when l thought Of what Father had
said about my reciting my lessons to
him every day In the library-I
wasn't so sure whether I'd won out
or not. Recite lessons to my father7
Why, l couldn't even imagine such
thingi
Well, Aunt Jane ard l didn't speak
that night at the supper table. We
| III 0hht
Jane went upstairc to her room and
l went up TO mine. tYou see what
perfectly wildly exciting life Larry is
livingl And when think of how full
of good times Mother wanted every
minute to be. But that was for
Marie. of course.)
The next morning after breakfast
Aunt Jane said:
"You will spend your forenoon study
ing, Mary. See that you learn well
your lessons, so as not to annoy your
father"
"Yes. Aunt Jane" said Mary. po-
lite and proper. and went upstairs
obediently; but even Mary didn't
know exactly how to study those les
sons.
Carrie had brought me oil my books
from school. ] had asked her to
when / knew that ! was not going
back. There were the lessons that
had been assigned for the next day.
Of course, and | supposed probably
Father would want me to study those.
But couldn't imagine Father teaching
me all alone. couldn't imagine my
self reclting LESSONS to Fatheri
But | needn't have worried. II
could only have known. Little did |
thlnk-But, there. fhis Is no way to
tell a story. | read in book. "How
to Write a Novel," that you mustn't
Anticipate" q thought folks always
anticipated novels. do. thought
you wanted them to-
Well, to go on.
Father got home nt four o'clock.
saw him come up the walk. and
waited till was sure he'd ~ot settled
in the library. then l went down.
He wasn't there.
A minute later l saw him crossing
the lawn to the observatory. Well
what to do didn't know. Mary said
to so after him; but Marie said nay
nay. And In spite of being Mary just
now. let Marie have her way.
Rush after him and tell him he'd
forgotten TO hear my lessons? Fa'
ther? Well. guess notl Besides. II
: wasn't my fault. was there all
ready. 1t wasn't my blame that he
wasn't there to hear me. But hC
might remember and come back. Well
; II he did. I'd be there. So l went e
} one Of those bookcases and pulled on
: q touch-me-nOt book from behind thu
glass door. Then l sat down and reaC
J till the supper bell rang.
Father was five minutes late TO sup
/. per. don't know whether he looked
? at me or not. ! didn't dare to look a
e him-until Aunt Jane said. In he
D chilllest manner:
'T trust your daughter had goo,
). lessons, Charles"
r ! had to look at him then. 1 Jus
r couldn't look anywhere else. SO
d was looking straight at him when h
( gave that funny little startled glanc
into my eyes. And into bis eyes thei
there crept the funniest. dearest lIttl
I understanding twinkle-and l sudden
v ly realized that Father. Father. wa
laughing with me at a little secret be
n tween us. But I was only for sec
I ond. The next moment his eyes wer
!" very grave and loo,-ing at Aunt JANE
q ~ have no cause to complain-o
" my daughters lessons today" he sal
Il very quietly. Then he glanced owe
n at me again. But had 10 look ava
Y quick, or l would have laughed righ
l. out