The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-12

by information from Mrs. Adams
Yes. She went up to Miss Mildred
Palmer's to see what she's going to
wear tonight"
Adams looked at Miss Perry
YEARLY, but remained passive, making
no inquiries; for he was long ac-
customed to what seemed to him a
kind Of jargon among ladies. which
became the more incomprehensible
when they tried to explain it. A mans
best course, he had found, was just
to let it go as so much sound. His
sorrowful eyes followed the nurse as
she went back to her rockingham
by the window; and her placidity
showed him that there was no
mystery for her IN the fact that Alice
walked two miles to ask so simple
question when there was a telephone
in the house. Obviously Miss Perry
also comprehended why Alice thought
it important to know what Mildred
meant to wear. Adams understood
why Alice should be concerned with
what she herself wore-''to look neat
and tidy and at her best, why, of
course she'd want to-" he thought
but he realized that it was forever
beyond him to understand why the
clothing Of other people had long
since become an absorbing part Of her
life.
Her excursion this morning was no
novelty; she was continually going to
see what Mildred meant to wear. or
what some other girl meant to wear;
and when Alice came home from
wherever other girls or women had
been gathered, she always hurried to
her mother with earnest descriptions
OF che clothing she had seen. At such
times, If Adams was present, he might
recognize "organdie," or "taffeta," or
chiffon" as words defining certain
textiles. but the rest was too tech
meal for him, and he was like a dis
nal boy at a sermon, just waiting for
it to get itself finished Not the least
Of the mystery was his wife's inter
est; she was almost Indifferent about
her own clothes, and when she con-
suited Alice about them spoke hur-
rledly and with an air Of apology;
but when Alice described other peo-
eagerly as the daughter talked.
There they co. he muttered to-
day. a moment after he heard the
front door closing. a sound recogniz-
able throughout most OF the thinly
built house. Alice had just returned.
and Mrs Adams called to her from
the upper hallway. not far from
Adams's door.
What did she say?"
'She was sort Of SIMPLY about It.
Alice returned, ascending the stairs.
she gets that way sometimes. and
pretended she hadn't made up her
mind. but I'm pretty sure it'll be the
maize Georgette with MaIines
flounCes"
Didn't you say she wore that at
the Pattersons'?" Mrs. Adams in
quired, as Alice arrived AZ the top
OF the stairs. And didn't you tell
me she wore it again at the"
Certainly not" Alice interrupted.
rather petulantly. She never worn
it but once, and of course she wouldn't
want to wear anything tonight that
people have seen her in a lot"
Miss Perry opened the door Of
Adams room and stepped out. Your
father wants to know If you'll come
and see him a minute. Miss Adams"
Poor old thing, OF course Alice
exclaimed, and went quickly into the
room, Miss Perry remaining outside.
What's the matter. papa? Getting
awful sick Of lying on his tired old
back. I expect"
I've had kind Of Z. poor morning"
Adams said. as she patted his hand
comfortingly. Il been thinking"
Didn't tell you not to?" she cried,
gaily. "Of course you'll have poor
times when you go and do just ex-
actly what I say you mustn't. You
stop thinking this very minute"
He smiled ruefully. closing his eyes:
was silent for a moment, then asked
her to sit beside the bed Il been
thinking Of something I wanted to
say" he added
What like, papa"
well, It's nothing-much," he said,
with something deprecatory in his
tone, as II he felt vague impulses
toward humour and apology. IT Just
thought maybe I ought to've said more
to you some time or other about-well,
about the way things are. down at
Lamb and Company's, for instance.
Now, papa" She leaned forward
in the chair she had taken. and pre-
tended to slap his hand GROSSLY. isn't
that exactly what I said you couldn't
think one single think about till you
get all well?"
well" he said, and went on
slowly. not looking at her, but at the
ceiling. IT just thought maybe IT
wouldn't been any harm II some time
or other I told you something about
the way they sort Of depend on me
down there"
why don't they show it, them"
she asked, quickly. That's just what
mama and have been feeling so
much; they don't appreciate you"
why. yes. they do" he said. Yea,
they do. They began h'isting my
salary the second year ! went In
there, and they've histed 1t a little
every two years all the time I've
work for EN-. I've been head OF the
sundries department for seven years
now, and 1 could hardly have more
authority in that department unless
was a member of the firm itself"
We'll. why don't they make you a
member CT the firm? That's what
they ought to've done Yes, and long
agol"
Adams laughed. but sighed with
more heartiness than he had laughed.
They call me their oldest stand by