The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-04-27
CHAPTER x.-contInued.

CHAPTER x.-contInued.
III
This formula, which was the frank
result Of collaboration, had been per
sistently rehearsed before a limited
audience; otherwise 1t would probably
never have withstood Lettie's heavy
distaste for its general sentiment.
Nor was Mr.. Wopple's acceptance
characterized by that gracious mag
nanimity which would have eased the
tension of the interview; rather, 1t
was prickly as with little hooks, from
which hung various taunts and COM
ments and admonitions not calculated
to increase meekness. Lettie felt her
temperature rising swiftly. Some
thing must be lone. Her legs being
at the moment far fresher than her
right arm, she discarded the thought
of the gong and took to her heels,
clipping through The Custard Cup to
the freer air of the street. And let
no n think 1T Is always a coward
that runs; flight is frequently only
the more active form of courage.
Somewhat later Mrs. Penfield came
out into the yard, with the purpose of
interviewing. her neighbor. "Mr.
Wopple." she called, in the tone n
Isl to find out whether a person Is
sleeping or not.
Mr.. Wopple was not. He appeared In
his back door, his small eyes peering
cautiously to take in the lay of the
land.
Mrs. Penfield, standing scrupulously
within the boundaries of her own
yard, crooked her forefinger In brief
authority. II want to talk to you"
He came slowly down the steps. He
was slightly stiff from rheumatism.
Lettie's treatment had not contributed
to limberness of joints or muscles.
Mrs. Penfield went straight to the
point. "What's your idea bout Letter"
Mr.. Wopple was relieved. He had
feared criticism to be approached for
advice was therefore doubly accept
able.
well, my idee Is" he said in a high,
In a reform school,"
"Uml On what grounds?" Mrs.
Penfeld's voice was low and pleasant.
ION the grounds Of bein' a nui-
sance."
She smiled. Its your idea. then.
to put all human nuisances into re-
form schoolsY
Mr.. Wopple glanced at her sharply,
and a dull red crept up under his sal
low skin-gratuitously, because Mrs.
Penfield's question had been wholly
impersonal.
"Thats my idee with young 'uns."
he confirmed.
with young ones? What would
you do with the old onesT" Her lips
curved in amusement.
at don't matter" he retorted.
"We're talkin' bout Lettie, amt we?'
1--WE started with her." agreed Mrs.
Penfeld, still smiling. but your max
ing a distinction that way set me
thinking. Sounds like the younger a
Teller is and the more he needs help,
the more you'd be for branding him as
had and showing him out of some
body's home care. Way l look at it Is
the main reason we older folks are
hanging on to existence Is to look for
the younger mes and try to help 'em
go ahead of anything we've done. l
f1gger that's the only way to keep the
world moving ahead.
Mr.. Wopple's lips snapped like a
81 can tell you one thing
straight, Mis- Penfeld. If you want
to shove the world along, you can
get right In and shove. Me, / don't
pretend to be one of these here new
social workers that thinks
is the first consideration.
| do my part, and / amt goin' to do
40 more"
"Your part?" queried Mrs. Penield !
sweetly. "What is that?'
why, 1 don't ask nothin' from no.
body. / work hard, and 1 earn ev'rv-
hing 1 get" {
"Landi I" laughed Mrs. PenfieId. {
That amt so muchl Amt n cow I
n the country that don't do more {
Why, there wouldn't no COW have any I
respect for herself If she didn't more'n G
earn her W living; I'M so longs
7ou're a hunan being and belong to 7
society, you got TO do more. You got !
% do your part toward that society '
That's what I'm asking you to do i
oward Lettie. You got a social re- /
possibility toward her." r
Mr.. Wopple twitched his head Ina c
'atiently. "iTain't a subject that's a
pecially i~nt'rustin' to me, and" f