The Washington times., 1922-04-02
By w. l.. George

"Hints!" cried Mrs. Caldscot
What do you mean! What's all
this IDLE cackie that you've collect.
ed to insult me withy"
"Oh, it's not cackie," said Pa,
tricia. titteriy. "You know quite
we'll it's true. Why don't you own
up and lot me make an end Of thi
People have said things to me-
about your bsing great friends.
What a fool ! wAs!"
mo. you weren't" said Mrs. Cal
decot, quietly. But you are . fool
now. think you'd better 80. Don't
imagine Tn going to take unlimited
impertinence from a little chit JUS
escaped from school"
"Ob, Mrs. Caldecot." cried Pa.
trtcia, suddenly, don't be nasty to
me. I can't bear It," The energy
she had collected for this interview
seemed suddenly to exhaust itself
With uncertain steps she went 10
the sofa. and there flung herself,
weeping, q crumpled little heap OF
delicate stuffs.
Mrs. Caldecot stood looking at
her for moment. at the curly head
buried In q cushion. At q slim foot.
gold-shod and stockinged In q silk
which clashed with the frock. She
was sorry for Patricia, but sorry IN
q strange. impersonal way, as If
the girl we're an object for charity.
for which one must do something
II one can, but without too much
emotion. Also she felt helpless. did
not know what to do. After a mo-
ment Patricia's sobs ceased, as "
she had not enough vigor even to
weep. She lifted up a little wet
face and said in a white voice:
Take him back. He never be.
longed to me. It's breaking my
heart. but you can't help It. Take
him back since it's you he loves."
my poor child" said Mrs. Calde-
cot. feeling motherly and laying h
hand upon . shoulder that first re.
voltsd and then lay quiescent,
you're not your self tonight:
you've taken a silly fancy and it's
upset you. OF course. you've mis-
understood things"
"Wha. Is there to misunder.
stand?" asked Patricia miserably.
When you've lived a little longer
you'll know what the world Is like.
It's such a beastly world that 1t
thinks everybody beastly. The
world Is so incapable OF friendship
that II cannot believe in friendship
between . man and a woman unless
they're ninety. The worlds like
that, and that's why all this tittls-
tattle has arisen to injure your hap
piness. But II shan't; we won't let
1t. Take your happiness while you
can; you won't often get the
schance."
For a moment Patricia seemed
convinced. She looked up into the
face OF the elder woman, as IL she
sought here a confirmation of her
own desire. To be treasured, to feel
ha auarythipg .t-A,t d..
just as Mrs. Caldecot added, 1T was
only a great friendship" Patricia,
looking at her so close, impressed
by her beauty Of that night, the
splendid gray eyes. the beautiful
white skin, the splendor of the
broad shoulders In their garment Of
violent blue, could not believe. She
knew Just enough OF men and W.
men TO realize that no man could
for many years have resisted Mrs.
Caldeco., even as she was then. So
IL infuriated her to feel that plaus!.
BILE argument and experienced lying
we're going to overwhelm her. She
revolted against the charm that was
being thrown over her. Shaking of
her hand and jumping up, her face
rather near that OF her antagonist
she said In q low voice:
Friendship! How could you be
friends with Bob and leave 1t at
that? Oh. this is ridiculous. OF
course. there's no friendship be
tween men and women. I've known
that since was fifteen. and so have
you. So don't stand there trying to
make me- believe that you haven't
deceived me. And Bobs deceived
me. ! know all about It. Mother
and had tea at his fiat Just after
we came back to town. There wee
two pictures of you in the sitting
room and found another IN a sort
OF locket. Your face, years ago"
WELL" said Mrs. Caldecot, rea.
sonably. what harm is. there in
that? bob's a great friend of mine
and he always will be-if you'll lie,
him"
; Hes more than your friend
Whou hA WA lookin0 for sOm Of In 4