Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-28

TE.
ing doing. Highway robbers. The
can't play me for a rube.''
Even then Granma did not suspect
what was to follow. 1t was David
who spoke. still proud because Isabe.
had finally acquired a husband.
Il say, You folks. what You wan
to be running around in the rain for.
finding a hotel room? You got you.
suit cases here. Why not stay? Amt
we got room,
'Sure we have" agreed Mary. She
was the type of woman who nevel
gets used To men. no matter how Ions
she has been married. Despite her
lack of good looks and charm and he
prime. almost auStere ways, she Co
quoted ever so slightly with every
man she met. a mere suspicion of
giggle. of flourish. a combination OF
shyness and self-consCiousness She
did this now and added, Il COuldnt
think of my daughter-and my new
son-going out in this weather. as if
we didn't have Il home for them"
but you haven't got room enough
I'm afraid, protested Walter. politely
I'VE got my room" said Isabel.
=
GRANDMA understood now-under-
stood trembled but refused TO be
lieve. She wanted TO say something
but couldn't. What could she say?
"Grandma's got that" said Ralph.
"She has" Isabel was cool. almoSl
bit sneerinC. She was in hurry
about it, ii seems to me-
''You-you said ! could have it: al
ways said | could" Grandma voice
quavered. She wanted to add some
thing important. vital. She waited.
Yes, we did say if Isabel went away
you could have her room,' said David
heavily. "Ill agree to that. But Ise
bel amt away. Isabel'S right here
He gave his slow. patronizing smile
We can't put Isabel out. can We
Isabel and her husband?" he went on
What's the use of them going to Il
hotel or hunting around in times like
these for an apartment? If they found
one, they'd have to give the landlord
all they've got. No. sir. as long as
got roof over my head, my home is
open to my children"
There was a pause. Martin looked
around. expecting praise for his elu
quence.
well. if YOU insist said Walter.
lit sure suits me if Isabel wants To-.
e,
if Isabel"
"Papas right" said Isabel TT
need enough money. with everything
so high. without spending it on rent
We might as well stay here at home
1t amt as though we aren't going L.
chip in and help with the table, Wal
ter and L." she finished grandly, with
a nod to Walter
Sure thing. That settles that W.
amt no charity patients said Wal
ter.
I'D better see about our room.
said Isabel. Then. TO Grandma. you
moved your things in and all. 7 sup
pose"
Grandma nodded She couldn't
trust herself to speak.
Maybe Isabel saw the pain behind
the expression of calm that Grandma
tried to assume: perhaps only her
own selfishness cut her.
"Tm-sorry. she said. ~ wish
/ you could keep your things in my
closet Tiff it wasn't for Walters
things there might be room. but with
my things. and him here now
era ndma's got the hall closet she
always had amt she?" asked David
1T amt as if we We're turning Grand
ma out into the street. Nobody dom
need to take it hard. Grandma car
have the room she's always had, and
her own bed. again. Walter and
| Isabel will have lots of space in lisa
bells room. It's a big. fine room. with
two windows; better than you'd cej
at one of those foSsy hotels for s.
a day. And Grandma Ora ndma
amt got any complaints. She's got
| a good home. As long as | got y
! home. | got room enough for all of
, my children and for my mother
Why. right now. Grandma's bed is
better than the one that / sleep or
and years newer. Yes, II Is; it's lots
better than the bed I got"
Grandma got up and followed 1sa
bel from the living room into Isabel's
room. She took little, slow steps. She
felt tired. Shed get her things OUT
right away, so that Isabel and Walter
could have the room. II was al
right. of course. as David said: she'd
have what she'd always had. had for
T. years the davenport in the dining
room Ii didn't much matter. after
all. She'd had lots of happiness. lots
of good times-Grandpa. the wears
! with him. the children when thev
were LA bies; the years with Jessie
She might even have the room again.
some time. when rents got lower OF
lSdbtl SIeN ulSCOUlenleU At nome
One can't expect too much. She ought
TO feel satisfied; she felt that with
Ruth married and happy. a nice fam
lily. and Jessie with them. and David
and Mary happy in their way, and
/ Isabel married. Walter was % good
man. would he too good to Isabel
After all, she was an old woma n
mustn't expect too much out of life
After ALL she had had good times.
'Ill-I1l get my things out right
away; just take me a minute" Grand
ma told Isabel in her usual. cheerful
way. I'm tuck 'em right ava Y
! where I always kept EN-, SO you and
/ Walter can make yourselves com
Portable. It's nice room. II
hope you and Walter are-are right
| happy here
Copyright. 1920
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