The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-30


 more often they did not come. ant three months went along, some how, and 1t was Ann who sough I.osalie for the second talk. Sh' began 1t forthrightly. "Rosalie didn't father leave any money q all?"
 "Darling!'-done in two long syllables not wholly reproachful "A college professor, and three babies in IA years!" It was us II Rosalie had said, "14 babies ir three years"
 "Yes, know" Ann said. "But I thought, perhaps, there might have been life insurance-or some thing
 Rosalle leaned back In her chair and held out her white hands-lit. tie dimples, and Hitler diamonds but big amethysts and one gold flower filigree with seed pear -"Come to Rosalie, darling--ncs- tie here. want to have q talk with you. heart-to-heart talk with my little girl"
 It developed that there had been a small life insurance, but that John ("He wasn't practical. Aren't you glad and happy Ann dear, that your father was not Q wholly prac- ticnl man?") had, months before he had passed on, borrowed heav. fly against 1t to meet-well, very urgent obligations. (Parents should be considered very urgent obliga. tons, one supposes0 No--beautifu memories, high ideals nnd--um-- things of that sort were all that John had been able to leave be- hind him. All----and yet every thing.
 And us girls, of course,' Ann suggested.
 ITO carry out his visions, to ful. fill his hopes and ideals, to--un1 -" She paused. Ann had sighed heavily. Itosalie began again; Was there something, dcar--some 1 girlish adornment, some little pleasure that you had set your heart on? Tell me. Tell me all about 1t. and perhaps, if 1t is wise Grand and l can manage 1t fol you"
 "No." Ann said. "Nothing. l had thought-hoped--No. l guess I'll have to quit school for this term anyway"
 And that, 1t leaked out, was pre- cisely what Grand and Rosalie had been desiring but disliking to men, ton. They had noticed (they watched their three more closely than the darlings knew) that Ann was growing too slender, that rose buds were leaving her cheeks, and that circles were shading beneath her brown eyes. and they had feared for her health, cooped ur in those old dark buildings, study ing and getting stoop p-shouldered.
 "They aren't old buildings, nor dark They are beautiful" Ann, amdzingly for Ann. had disagreed "But--l was talking to the Dean Of Women to-day. She is wonder full. Yes, I'll have to quit for thls term, l suppose"
 Grand and Rosnlie were delight ed. There was plenty of time Ann was so young. It would nave been terrible If she had been forced to wear glasses In front Of those great lustrous eyes. A good long rest at home was what she needed rest and very little reading and plenty of fresh air.
 Ann inhaled some fresh air, nl least during the next two months when she stood often in the front doorway, blushing and gasping confronting bill collectors. She ana ten-year old Cecily talked it all over one Wednesday evening after school, and together they de- cided that, since Grand and Ro- salie seemed unaware of the fi- nancial situation in the Fenwick mansion, they-Cecily and Ann must take matters into their own hands and do something concern. ing bills and such things without further delay.
 on Thursday afternoon Ann went to see Dr Elm and asked him to lend her $50 which was tRe tuition fee charged by the business college she had selected. He wrote the check, and n prescription TOT q tonic, and could not remember what 1t was all about when, four months later, Ann called at his office to pay him five dollars.
 "I have position" she ex' plained. But get only $10 | week. and have something to pay with this other five. I'll bring 1 five again next week"
 Dr Elm detained her. He asked questions. Ann answered them all. The Redfern Plumbing and Heating Co. She liked 1t pretty we'll She was feeling pretty well Yes she had gone to Reed college but she had stopped for num- Der of reasons. Her sister, Cecily was going to college. No. Cecily now was in the sixth grade al grammar school.
 RosaIle and Grand accepted Ann's entrance into what Grand called the world of commerce will girls will -be-girls expressions. II was so odd of the darling. How ever, both Rosalie and Grand be- lIeved in autonomy for children Too, as ROsalie explained to theil best friends the carmichaels. wht lived on the corner across tht street. she and Grand felt ever more reluctance in opposing ths whIms of their grandchildren thar they might have felt in Opposini the whIms of children of theii own. When ceclly, in her seniOi year at high school. determined tt quit high school and 20 at Onc' t0 the business college to whief Ann had gone they again offered no objections.
 "Of course,' ceeiiy said to thu peaehy English instructor who h. sisted that surely she could wal until after graduation. "I did hop' 10 finish here and go on t0 college it doesn't seem possible just nov But nay sister Ann and ' nre g0ini t0 manage so that our little sister Mary Frances, can have e0ileg' laataa0lann n