The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-31

have a very strong cup, so TIL
wait a minute or two. I'm rather
tired"
you? You look as II you
never relaxed in your sleep. How
do you keep it up??"
ooh, think of the life the
younger women lead. Mine is
quiet amble along country road
by comparison :. But mo-
potoEousr'
The last word came out with
:. the effect OF a tiny explosion.
1t evidently surprised Miss Trevor
herself, for she frowned, poured
out al cup of tea that was almost
black, and began slipping it with
a somewhat elaborate concentra-
ton for one so simple and direct
OF method.
I'm afraid good works are apt
to grow monotonous. A sad COM
mentary on thetriumphs Of CIV
iyization over undlluted nature"
Mary continued to watch the torch
bearer OF the East Side. Don't
you sometimes hate tit"
An Idle Question
She asked the question Idly,
interested for the moment in
probing under another shell hard
ened in the mould OF time, and
half hoping that Agnes would be
natural and human for once, cease
to be the bright well-oiled ma
chine. She was by no means pre-
pared for what she got.
Miss Trevor gulped down the
scalding tea in an almost unIady-
like manner ard put the cup
down with a shaking hand.
That's what I've come to see
YOU about" she said in a low
intense voice, and her teeth set
for a moment aS If she had taken
a hit between them. Mary,
you've upset my life."
IT? What nextY'
II suppose you have troubles
of your own, dear, and I hate to
bother you with mine"
ooh, mine amount to nothing
at present. And IL 1 can help
YOU" She felt no enthusiasm
at the prospect, but she saw
that the woman was laboring
under excitement OF some sort,
and IL she could not give her
sympathy at least she might help
her with sound practical advice.
Moreover, she was in for it. Bet
ter tell me all about It."
TITS terribly hard. I'm so hui
mi1iated-and-and I suppose no
more reticent woman ever lived"
ooh, reticence! Why not EMU
late the younger generation? I'm
not sure-although prefer the
happy medium myself-that they
III AOL "ISCI IHdU lIlGlE SEd11u-
mothers and their maiden aunts.
On the principle that confession
Js good for the soul, I don't be-
1ieve that women will be so
obessed by-well let us say. sex,
in the future"
Miss Trevor flushed darkly. 1T
is possible. That's what, I am
a maiden aunt. Just that and
nothing more"
Nothing more? I thought you
were accounted one of the most
useful women in serious New York.
A sort of mother to the East Side?"
Mother? How could I be a
mother? I'm only a maiden aunt
even down there. Not that want
to be a mother -"
II was going to ask you why
you did not marry. even now. It
is not too late to have children of
your own -"
ooh, yes it is. That's all over
or nearly. But 1 can't say that I
ever did long for children of my
own, although I get on beautifully
with them"
"Well?" asked Mary patiently,
what Is 1t you do want?"
"a husband"' This time there
was no doubt about the explosion.
Mary felt faint sensation of
distaste. and wondered If she were
reverting to type as a result of
this recent association with the
generation that still chung to the
distastes and the disclaimers Of the
nineteenth century. "Why didn't
you marry when you were a girl?
I am told that you were quite
lovely"
II hated the thought. I was in
love twice, but I had a. sort Of cold
purity that was proud Of. The
bare idea of-of that nauseated
me-"
pity you hadn't done settle.
ment work first. That must have
knocked prudishness out of you, I
should think"
1T Mortified me so that for sew
eral years 7 hardly could go on
with 1t, and I have always refused
to mix the sexes in my house down
there, but, C: course, could not