The Holbrook news., 1922-05-05

minute 10 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 all my books from school. I had asked her to when knew that I was not going back. There were the lessons that had been assigned for the next day, of course. and I supposed probably Father would want me to study those. But couldn't imagine Father teaching me all alone. 1 couldn't ima zine my self reciting lessons to Fatherl
 But l needn't have worried. If could only have known. Little did I think-But, there. this is no way to tell story. l read in hook. How to Write a Novel" that you mustn't anticipate" q thought folks always anticipated novels. do. I thought you wanted them to.)
 Well. to go on.
 Father got home at four o'clock. saw him come up the walk, and 1 waited Till I was sure he'd got settled in the library. then I went down.
 He wasn't there.
 4 minute later I saw him crossing tie lawn to the observatory. Well what to do didn't know Mary said to go 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 10 hear my lessons? Fla ther? Well. I guess not! Besides it wasn't my fault. was there all ready. It wasn't my blame that he wasn't there 10 hear me But he might remember and come back. Well if he did. I'd be there. So went to one of thnSe bookcases and pulled out a touch -me-not book from behind the glass door. Then sat down and read tIll the supper bell rang.
 Father was five minutes late to SID. per. don't know whether he looked at me or not. l didn't dare to look al him--uniil Aunt Jane said, in her clilliest manner:
 'T trust your daughter had good lessons. Charles"
 had to look at him then. l just couldn't look anywhere else. So was looking straight at him when he gave that funny little startled glance into my eyes. And into his eyes then there crept the funniest, dearest little understanding twinkle-and l sudden ly realized that Father. Father. was laughing with me at a little secret be- tween us. But I was only for a sec ond. The next moment his eyes were vary grave and looking at Aunt Jane.
 "i have no cause to cOmplain-of my daughters lessons today" he said very quietly. Then he glanced over ut illt but i.iu tO ioOh dNdN quick, or I would have laughed right out
 When he got up from the table he said to me: "I shall expect to see you tomorrow in the library at four. Mary"
 And Mary answered: "Yes. Father" polite and proper, as she should; but Marie inside was just chuckling with the joke of 1t all.
 The next day I watched again at four for Father to come up the walk; and when he had come in went down to the library. He was there in his pet seat before the fireplace. (Father always sits before the fireplace, whether there's fire there or not. And sGSnetimes he looks so funny sit ting there, staring into those gray ashes just as if 1t was the liveliest kind of fire he was watching.)
 As said, he was there, but I had to speak twice before he looked up. Then, for a minute. he stared vaguely.