The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-19
CHILD'S PLAY
By Philip E. Stevenson


 darI-eyed man in a very tight-fitting grey suit.
 ''Nossir, the madam ain't beck. yet. Will ye wait, sir?"
 The dark eyed man left his hat and stick and entered a room off the entrance hall. He did not im- mediately sit down, but moved hither and thither about the room gazing familiarity at-or rather, through-the elaborate furnishings. It was plain he knew them too well to examine them with any interest. He seemed preoccupied He looked at his watch, replaced it inpatient big oak table near the middle of the room. What silly things, he reflect ed these American books-But what was that?
 He listened T. {. A child's voice. Angelina, it must be. In the ground floor nursery, probably.A
 However can. you be such an naughty girl"
 2. It seemed preternaturally quiet where the dark-eyed man sat listen- ing absently. The voice came more clearly:
 = However. can you be so bad! Mom spank? Get undressed this minute, do you hear! For shame, such big girl like you making such an awful fuss! Here, nurse, help me unbutton her dress" ii q. "Yes, madame" said another voice, very small and precise.
 "No, not like that. Phyllis-Annie never says madame. She always Now-Here, nurse, take off her other shoe."
 ''Yes, num-" said Nurse Phyllis. trying hard to eide all vowels but failing miserably.
 F "oh, Phyl-lis!"
 But Angelina! I can't say 1t any better than that, real-ly."
 Well all rightey. Oh! You would run aroun' in your bare feeti For shame! Slap her, nurse-no, not like that. Annie does it with the back Of her hand, like this.'" A papier nache object resounded with the blow There, thati1 teach you. Missy"
 Shall get her nightgown mum?"
 Angelina clucked her tongue in exasperation, but only assented yearly:
 you're ready, child. Nurse thatll do Now you mus got out, Phyllis-An- snie always does. And I'll say pray CTS with Baby. No, you don't have to really go out Jus turn your back or sonen. Thass all right.-'Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep if I should die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take. G'night, baby, happy dreams ..... Not yet, Phyllis. I mus call up MT. Paglioni first. I'll tell you when to come in. hollow, dolling. I'm mawful well. Are you taking anybody out to the See.---cs-e.cc-- tonight? You wan me to go? Oh, dear, MT. Pax mean-og, dolling I'd jus love to go. Papa I mean-Jim said he wouldn' be go. G'bye.
 Now you mus come in, Phyllis. You're papa-awfy1 mad, member what I told you? Now you mus come in.''
 Well! :. Are you talking to that da-darned-darned was it, Angelfna?'
 "Wop." There ensued pause of several seconds before the dark eyed man heard Angelinas voice again. The air was electric with silent con tempt Never mind it, Phyllis" said Angelina. T guess I better be papa 'n'you can be Mom.s l guess ats bet ter. Now l come in.
 .Lookeer, you been calling up that dam wop again? Why don chans- wer? Now go on, Phyl; you know"
 "Yes, Angelina-Oh! Jim, do not speak so loudly. You will awaken the baby-Was that right?"
 Yes, but Phyllis why can't you talk jus natchal? She didn't say that, anyway. She jus said: Shld- dup Jim, baby's sleep. See"
 "Shut up. Jim, the baby is asleep" said Phyllis, apologetically.
 Well, I don care! She won hear us You been calling up that dam wop again. Now you say"
 "Oh I know, Angelina. Please let me do it-Yes, he is friend of mine, and I like him. He takes me to the theatre when you-
 And the opra, Phyllis.''
 "-theatre and the opra when you are out. I only call-" 'Wa-ait, Phyl! Then I say, Look ger, I heard you call him dolling. Then you say"
 "oh, yes-stop. Jim. you hurt me then! I only call him darling be- cause he likes me to. He"
 "Oh Phyl-wait. Then I say, H-m! zatso?. Now you mus go on"
 He would not take me out so often if I didun't call him darling, Angeli- I mean-darling, Jim."
 'Thass right Phyllis. Now I laugh-Ha! ha, ha.-Not- don intrup, yet. So thass why you call him dar- ling, Hal ha! hal" Yes, Jim, that is why. Ha! ha! hal
 The dark eyed man moved nearer the door whence the voices came more plainly He still held the book open in his hand; but 1t was open at the title-page, and the hand trem- bNed. He strained to catch Angelina's next speech.
 Less see Phyl. whats he say mex --oh yes. Eat why you call me .doll- ing. too?"
 Phyllis hesitated before she be- gan. NO. Jim, I call you darling be- cause I love you and you are-so big and strong and handsome and r. no-dont you love me, Jim; if you do kiss me. Jim, and now may I go to the theatre. thought that you were not coming home or would not go. ; That was a long one, Angelina" ad- ded Phyllis, hopefully.
 Good work, Phyllfs! Now I mus kiss you-and then I say. Course you < mus go with the wop, an you can call him darling s long s he'll take