The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-30
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@ 1929 ny NtA SERVICE INC

Curtisl Merry Christmas" she
added TO the child, her voice tender
in spite Of herself.
I'm on my way TO the courthouse
now" Iris spoke hurriedly. Then,
caiolingly. and I've the most ire
mendous favor to ask Of you, Nan.
Curtis new nurse didn't show up TO-
day Of all days: Estelle is taking the
day of to do her Christmas shop
ping, ard the cook positively refused
TO keep the baby for me. Her inso-
lehce is absolutely amazing, Nan, but
what can one do? So I told him his
sweet Mana would take care of. him
while Mother goes to hear Daddy
spellbind the jury. You will, won't
YOU, Nan? Curt comes bearing treas
ure, Mani Merry Christmas and
love from the Morgansl Give Mana
the package, lover, and then give
Mother a big kiss before she leaves.
I'll come for him just as soon as
courts adjourned, Nan"
Nan was too angry at first to
speak, and Iris took her silence for
/ consent. or pretended to do so
Leaving behind her the mingled
odors Of delicate perfume and rich
furs. Iris was gone. 49,.
Wanna typewrite, Mana, petu-
LIANT little whine pierced Mans
turbulent rebellion. She had flung
herself into her desk chair and had
buried her head on her arms.
mol" Nan gaSped, without rails
ing her head BE qUieti I'm not
going to wait on you all morning."
The child's voice was lifted in a
sudden. ear-splitting howl but Nan
resolutely paid no attention to him.
She could not remain inactive,
however. There was that filing
which was to have gone over until
after Christmas; two or three un-
important letters that might as
well be answered now as later;
that supreme court opinion to be
looked up
Now and then. as she worked,
her eyes fell upon the package
which Curt had brought her. Let
it lie there, silly thing.
Mamma, I wanna scissors and
pastel" The little boy, trifie sub
dued by her angry ignoring of his
presence, began to follow her about
the Office, his voice plaintive and
COaxing by turns Mana, I'm
hungry! I wanna cup o. not choco-
late Mana! Mana. I wanna go
see Sandy Claus. Mana. ,"
Nan shook him off resOlutely. But
when at last he gave up and sat
huddled forlOrnly in one Of the
big chairs, tears slipping down
cheeks. that were always frighten-
lngly pale, Nan was stricken with
remorse and pity.
After all it was not the cllild's
fault. He probably wished to be
there as little as she wanted him,
and no child of six could be eX-
9ected to amuse himself in an Of
fice for two hours without help.
Smiling at him for the first time
that morning, she fastened to get
out the old battered typewriter
which had been relegated to the
status of plaything; set it on the
edge of a table, added paper, scis-
sors paste pot and colored crayOns.
Then because his fearful smile
touched her heart, she drew big,
not very clever picture Of Santa
Claus stepping into chimney with
his pack on his back.
Now you draw one Just like it
for Nan" she told him. I've got
to work, honey"
He was so quiet, so happily busy
for the next hour that Nan, with
the cockiness of a girl who has
never had a child to rear, congratu-
lated herself: You Just have to be
drm with them. He's good as gold
since I disciplined him
IT was nearly noon when his utter
L silence made her apprensive.
Turning in her revolving chair
she saw that the child had