Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21

NO street car came. There was no sound
except the crunching of their tired feet
1t seemed a month of effort before they were
at last within their own hallway, their faces
red and distorted and o white patch on one
Of Marys cheeks. Frank put snow on 1t.
Poor old girl" he said, patting the frost
bitten cheek.
"Oh. that's all right. It's the car and YOU
How are you going to manage your calls IN. the
morning. Do You suppose it has anything
really wrong with it,"
Probably just needs thaWing out. III tele-
phone a wrecker now"
She heard him telephone the city for Q
wrecker, and shook her head 1t the clock,
which pointed reproachfully to 3 O'Clock In
about three hours the children would be awake.
If only they'd sleep just . little longer than
usual Just long enough so her head would
stop swimming and her eyes wouldn't feel rs
II some one were trying 10 push them back
in her head.
At half-past three the house was silent.
The stockings, bountifuIly filed, hung from the
mantel Of the wing room The Christmas tree
rustled imperceptibly as stray needles dropped
from its branches to the red crepe tissue paper
at its base
The children woke relentlessly at 8 O'Clock.
Mary managed to keep them in bed untn Z
but no longer. She woke Francis then. He
was even more in need Of shave, and in his
dressing gown looked unkempt and haggard.
1t was perfect picture Of a family on Christ
mas morning with Betty pulling horn out Of
her stocking and Peter beating a drum and
the tree giittering in the corner.
Pictorially, it was quite as 1t should be; but
the picture Of course blurred some details The
children were inclined to quarrel over posses
sions and dificult to interest in breakfast The
living room was strewn with blocks and small
toys within five minutes, and Mary found her
self picking things up so that they wouldn't be
stepped on, and then picking them up again.
But at last they all gathered at the table,
Cathy, the baby, in her high chair beside her
mother.
well have dinner sharp at one, Frank"
said Mary, so that Jennie can go out. Have
you busy morning."
81 promised Allerby that I'd see what was
on his list this morning. He's not going to
make many calls today"
Mary said she supposed not. She had o
grievance against this older doctor, who worked
his assistant as Francis was worked and
showed no sign Of giving him more recognition
or more money.
81 suppose Doctor AIIerhy intends to spend
Christmas with his family" she remarked with
just trace Of verbal acid
Francis looked at his wife quizxicalIy, as II
he knew perfectly what was going on IN her
mind, and used the customary defense:
He's been through the mill, Mary Don't
forget that"
81 know. But 1t seems 10 me that, In JUS
tice-"
She remembered that 1t was Christmas, and
broke on, torn between justice and good viii
to all men. even elder doctors
When are we going to have the presents?"
asked the doctor $50
He didn't mean the children's early -mDrnine
Ones but the family gift-giving which was held
around the Christmas tree after the relatives
had gathered. >
after dinner That's another reason for
having IL ON time. You know how the chill
dren act later in the afternoon, and the baby
will have to be put to beds soon No it's over
You won't be hate. viii yoa1". ~
you bet mott guess I'd better can up and
SeeyH the cars thawad OUT - ees So. ~ s,
@An4sI must get &c TIM salad sBetty. yuss s
and Peter 80 in the other Ba0nE and paayywtths
the ,trafnao Jennics take tAe 6aty upstaiEE wHap
yoUs please2s ~ ~ 80 s. ~ ''nas a. s.