The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-02

be another like it in Broadway an
nails for a long, long time.
After the performance Mr.. Dur
bin was giving a supper party for
Molly He had invited her parents,
and included Jack, at her sugges-
ton. Red Flynn was to be there,
and the stars of the play. There
were also to be a few newspaper
people. and some more friends OF
Mr Durbin's.
Molly had asked Jack to bring
her father and mother back after
the play. Now she waited for them
eagerly.
She wished her father had worn
evening clothes, and that her
mother had at least bought new
wrap. She wondered if Jack could
have been ashamed of them. But
no-she knew better than that. Be
sides. nobody could ever be ashamed
of her father-nOt if he wore over
alls. His speech was colloQuial, and
he looked exactly like what he was.
A bit untutored perhaps, and un-
polished. He even made grammatl-
cal mistakes. though he really knew
better. Quite the sort of man smart
novelists poke fun at. But Molly
loved him with all her heart.
Mollv's mother was better edu-
Gated than her father. She had
been to normal school, and studied
elocution and piano.
That was why it annoyed Molly
70 have her wear little white net
cuimpes under her dresses. And an
iron gray switch twisted into an UNI
seemlv pug. Mrs. Burnham wore
her skirts at decorouS ankle-length.
And she wore high. button shoes.
1t isn't as if she couldn't afford
better" ragged Molly. Its just plain
contrarinesS. that's what it is. 1t
wouldn't hurt her a bit to have had
A new dress for tonight, and to have
coaXed dad into evening clothes.
He'd have worn them. too. if shed
asked him. And he'd have been
tickled to death if she'd bought a
whole new outfit He'd love to have
her dress up. I know he would
Molly had appraised her parents
from the wings. Her mother was
wearing A. black dress with a Y neck,
and net guimpe that had 4 collar
stiff with whalebone. Mrs. Burn
ham always had what she called
one decent black" And decent"
it undeniably was. But it wasn't
smart, and it wasn't pretty. The
/ sleeves were elbow length and she
wore an old pair of sixteen-button
black kid gloves. Her hat was vel
vet and it looked a little green, but
that is the way black velvet gets
when it is pretty old.
THEY left the theater by the
/ 4 regular exit. to enter again by
/ the stage door. Molly suspected
that her father was anxious to hear
what people were saying in the
lobby. She was waiting for them
now in the alley that led around
from Broadway She had slipped
out quietly, to have a moment alone
with them. before she must present
her new friends.
They we're coming now. They
weren't talking at all Her mother
was in the middle. and Jack was
I holding one arm. and her father
was holding the other Molly
roticed that she was carrying a
large umbrella with great curved
handle. The night was soft and
clear. and full of stars.
That's just like her" she re-
1ected impatiently. and I'll bet
dads best suit smells of moth
balls"
Then. in a moment, she was in
his arms.
Daddy Dsddy-dearl And moth
err and jack All my dearests!"
4 She kissed them impartiallv.
clinging to her father And he
patted her with his big clumsy
hands. and talked 10 her as ne had
when she was q little girl.
Well, Molly-O. Little Molly-O.
Wasn't il wonderful, Dad? Aren't
you proud of your little old
/ Molly-O? Wasn't It heavenly,
Mother? Jack9 Aren't you al proud
/ OF your Molly?
She flung herself on Jack.
Those we're your roses I car
/ ried. Jack. They we're perfectly
lovely. I know I spilled them. But
somebody picked them up. and
have them. every one"
I'm glad if you liked them he
said. Gee, Molly. you can buy
orchids now, just like dandelions,
If you want. You're all set, honey
ctrl