San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-28

Hello. YOU two hcrmits. aren't you
glad to see us? Isn't it jolly TO he
rescued from the boredom of family
breakfast" cried Nicholas Perry gaily
rs he stepped through the open French
windows and into the studio of the
Birchcs.
At the sound Of steps on the
gravel outside, Jim's arms had fallen
away from my shoulders. and with
a sense OF Il chill premonition ]
stepped out of the warm circle that
had been EMBEDDING me.
Jim had just gone into raptures
because | hadn't scolded him for the
wreck of his breakfast plans. but had
serenely accepted his burned toast and
boiled coffee. Just as Jim was nam
ing mo brick aud thoroughbred be
cause l hadn't commented on his
failure to produce the promised
sausagcs and griddle-cakes, company
dropped in. This seldom happens.
We have almost no visitors here at
the Birches--c certainly no unan-
nounced ones. Why must today break
that rule? And why must it he
Nick Perry and Arlette Valleau of
all people who intrude on my para
disc!
Suddenly I recalled that Jim had
spoken OF going to Grandma Samson's
today. All his plans for the day have
fallen through. He has calmly tuaen
for granted that / would put up with
this. He hasn't offered explanation
or apology, but has high-handedly ex-
pected me to acquiesce in whatever
he offers in the line Of substi-
tutes. -r's
perhaps he invited them over :" my
bad angel whispered in my ear, just
as Arlette cried gaily:
"You have just finish the break
fast. | shall wash the dish for you
81 got the breakfast" Jim said
with stately dignity. 81 will permit
YOU to help me if YOU like. Arlette.
But ! had planned TO do the clean
iugup myself"
"For me is it jolly to help you"
Arlctte insisted. 1T is for me no
trouble to get big meals and clear
them away. but if you think you
need to help me, l let you"
Jim made no protest against Ar.
lette's taking things out of his hands.
He didn't tell her that he was run
ming things as he had done with me
just before the wreck of the sausages
and griddle-cake program. Perhaps
my thoughts etched themselves OIL
my face with heavy lines, for as j
turned to Nicholas Perry to ask if
he'd rather sit on the front porch OF
on the other side Of the living room,
he said with a spitefulness that hardly
seemed masculine:
"We'll stay inside. I know you
couldn't bear it if you had no chance
to keep your eye on your husband
or your household, ! mean"
But / knew very well that he had
meant what he said first and that he
knew I knew it. This did not add to
my peace of mind or comfort or offer
me any reinsurance that Nicholas
Perry had come as my friend or that
he failed to share my feeling that Jim
was unduly interested in Arlette.
"You know / came over here with
Il funny proposition" said Nicholas
Perry. "And I'm making it to you
first, though III be darned if l know
why. Jim would say yes in a minute.
You're as likely as not TO crab my act.
I'm not so darn chivalrous / like to
deal with fussy wonderland yet l
come to you. Some triumph OF per-
sonality, I'd say"
Perhaps you're afraid Of me-" ]
said dryly. "But you surely realize
I'm not the man of my family"
"You're the womau all right" agreed
Mr.. Perry. "But that's not forgetting
that the female of the sDecies is a
darn sight deadlier than the male.
However-this is what | came about.
Time hangs heavy on my hands. And