Evening star., 1926-05-16

many little things. She went mechan
| ically from one duty to another
| enumerating them unconsciously as
| she did so.
Poor tired Barbara" said her hus
band. Call me If the children fret
won't you?"
lie was asleep when Jack coughed
! l. l. with the harsh barking cough that
| indicated Group.
| Barbara got up the first time to
| give him ipecac, the second time to
make hot congresses, and the thlro
time to light steam kettle in his
room. 1t was o'clock before she
went to sleep. and when she wax
| ened to listen to the children laughing
and talking.
She called across the room to her
| husband, and he stirred in his cheer
| full, sleepy fashion, asking her If she
had had a good rest.
Jack had Group"
He sounds all right now" saiG
Alan. I'm afraid that you just
fused over him."
He didn't say it unkindly, but with
| sympathy.
| Barbara did not answer. Her head
| was light with fatigue. but already
| she had started to put her day In
| order. AS she had feared, the milk
man was late. There was only a lit
| tie milk for the children'S cereal anC
| for them to drink. Barbara gave
what cream there was to Alan and
| drank her coffee clear. though she
didn't like it that way.
I'VE used nearly all the cream last
night and the milkman isn't here yet
children. You'll have to be content
with what you have" she told Made
line. who wanted another glass OF
milk.
Don't bother. Barbara" said Alan,
this is just fine
Barbara's eyes held little satire as
she looked at her husband. OF course
it was fine for him. He had the cream.
And he had the cream. she reminded
herself. because she had carefully put
away enough for his coffee.
There were times, she thought 10
herself. when Alan seemed eXasperat-
ing. However, one couldn't say that
in the face of his good temper and
kindness and ready sympathy.
You're not to work too hard to-
day" he told her. Il don't want to
find you all tired out tonight. Don't
do a thing. Just rest all day"
Its ironing day, and Sarah will
have to iron" she answered shortly.
We'll, let things go then"
Barbara's mouth shut with a little
snap, but Alan did not notice.
"I wonder, dear. when you get
around to it, would you ask Sarah
when she's ironing, to press those
ties of mine
I'm press them"
"No; have Sarah do it"
he .-I,a lOl lox,
promise.
Don't bother about them, will
you?" But Barbara knew that when
he came home the ties would be lying
in renewed freshness on his bureau
and that he knew it and secretly
would expect it, even while he dis
claimed the intention to cause any
one work. He still had not left the
room. There was something on his
mind.
Yesterday I had letter from my
brother John"
Yes. How is he?"
Hes fine. He said that his wife
was coming on next week and could
for Europe again"
Next week."
''IIe says that he doesn't want us
to go TO bit of trouble. Just that
she'd like to stop off and see the city
and that she wants to get acquaint-
ed and be treated like one Of US. She
thinks it's time the families got to-
gether. Nice way to put it,
wasn't it?'
Barbara broke out.
Its a stupid way TO put it, She
can't be an imbecile and she knows
that any guest, particularly one that
you've never seen, can't be treated
like member of the family 1t means
all kinds of extra things; extra food
extra service-and after that lunch
con I gave last week I practically
promised Sarah not to entertain any
more this month"
'Oh, well, we needn't entertain her
And. of course, if you don't want her
to come, / can simply wire John that
1t isn't convenient to have her"
Nonsense. You can't refuse to re-
ceive your only sister-in-law"
"Well, If 1 let her come, you
mustn't allow her to bother you You
mustn't go to one bit of extra work"
He smiled, obviously glad to have
the matter pleasantly settled on that
basis.
Il think you'll like her lot, Bar
bara. l met her once. She's supposed
W bc SOIlclHlHS OL d Deduly, you
know. Johns come on tremendously
since he married her, three years ago.
He's making lots of money"
Il suppose they have everything"
suggested Barbara.
They live pretty well. I guess"
well, we'll try to make your sister
in-law-Janice, isn't it-well try to
make her comfortable.
She couldn't help being comfort
able here" answered Alan, and
breezed out, whistling.
Sarah came in to take out the
dishes, and Barbara regarded her wor-
riedly Sarah would have to be told
Sarah, next week, Mrs. John
Thomson, my husbands brothers
wife, will be spending few days with
u.s." Sarah's face became sour. "She
is charming lady and 1 want her to
have a good time while she's here
She'll just be like one of the family
You needn't go to any trouble or extra
work I'll look after her room myself,
and manage to help you with the cook
ing while she's here"