The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-15
ALICE ADAMS
bU BOOTH HARRINGTON
Copyright. 1921. by Doubleday. Page & Co.

Your friendsr' ne repeated, going to
the door. ooh, yes! Certainly! Good
nightr'
And looking back over his shoulder
to offer final brief view of his de-
risive face, he took himself out of the
room.
! Alice gasped: Mama"
III stop him. her mother respond
ed sharply; and hurried after the
truant, catching him at the front door
with his hat and raincoat on.
| Walter
Told you had a date down town, 4"
he said, gruffly; and would have
opened the door, but she caught his
arm and detained him.
Walter, please come back and fin
ish your dinner. When I take all the
trouble to cook it for you, think
you might at least"
Now, nowr' he said. THAT isn't
what you're up to. You don't want
to make me eat; you want to make me
listen"
We'll, you must listen!' She re
tanned her grasp upon his arm, and
made it tighter. Walter, pleasew
she entreated, her voice becoming
tremulous. please don't make me so
much troubler'
He drew back from her as far as
her hold upon him permitted, and
looked at her sharply. Look herer'
he said. 81 get you. all right! What's
the matter of Alice goin' to that
party by herself?"
''She Just can'tr
why not?"
1T makes things too mean for her,
Walter. All the other girls have
somebody to depend on after they get
there"
We'll. why doesn't she have some
body7" he asked. testify. Somebody
besides me. meanl Why hasn't
somebody asked her to go2 She
ought to be that popular. anyhow,
I sh'd think-she tries enoughr'
II don't understand how you can
be so hard" his mother walled. husk-
lily. You know why they don't run
after her the way they do the other
girls she goes with, Walter. It's be-
cause we're poor. and she hasn't got
any background"
backgrounds" Walter repeated.
81 Background What kind Of talk
is that?"
You viii so with her tonight,
Walter?" his mother pleaded, not
stopping to enlighten him. You
don't understand how hard things are
for her and how brave she is about
them, or you couldn't be so selfish,
It'd be more than 1 can bear to see
her disappointed tonight! She went
clear out TO Belleview Park this aft
ernOon, Walter, and spent hours and
hours picking violets to wear. You
will"
Walters heart was not iron, and
the episode of the violets may have
reached It. "Oh, blub" he said, and
flung his soft hat violently at the
wall
His mother beamed with delight.
That's a good boy, darling! You'll
never be sorry you
cut It out" he requested. IF I
take her. will you pay for a taM?"
ooh, Walter And again Mrs
Adams showed distress. Couldn't
your"
NO, I couldn't; I'm not goin' to
throw away my good money like that.
and you can't tell what time O. night
itIl be before she's willin' to come
home. What's the matter with you
payin' for one?"
4 haven't any money"
We'll, father"
She shook her head dolefully II
got some from him this morning, and
I can't bother him for any more; It
upsets him. He's always been so ter
ribly close with money"
I guess he couldn't help that"
Walter observed. We're liable to go
to the poorhouse the way it is. Well.
what's the matter our walkin' to this
rotten party?"
'In the rain. Walter?"
well. it's only drizzle and we can
take a street car to within block
Of the house"
Again his mother shook her head.
1T wouldn't do"
We'll, darn the luck. all rightr' he
consented, explosively. IN get her
something to ride in. 1t means Is
cents"
why, Walter." Mrs. Adams cried.
much pleased. do you know how
to get a cab for that little? How
splendidv'
''Taint a cab" Walter Informed
her Grossly. It's a tin Lizzie. but
you don't hat to tell her what 1t is
till I get her into It. do you?"
Mrs. Adams agreed that she didn't.