The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-12-25

dance.
The house was still--rather queer,
that was. It couldn't be SO awfully
early, since there was daylight in the
room but 1t couldn't possibly be late,
either. She'd lain awake most Of the
night, and what sleep she'd had had
been a mere succession Of maps dis
turbed by dreams. @as
Was Ed awake YETI She called to
him, not loudly enough to waken him
If he were asleep, but so that he could
hear in the adjoining room IL he were
awake. 1t would be awfully nice to
have him come in in his pajamas and
sit down on the edge of the bed and
have good long talk before 1t was
time to get up and dress. Shed earned
mornings rest. mother had said, and
wasn't to bother about helping with
the breakfast.
Ed didn't answer. He must have
come home awfully late, for she
hadn't heard him come in. She got
up and Shut the window. and then
tapped on his door. No answer. She
opened 1t and looked in. His bed was
empty. She padded out to the head
of the stairs for a look at the hall
clock. Half past ten. It couldn't be!
The clock must have stopped last
night. But it was ticking away with
an air Of self,conscious rectitude as If
it knew 1t was right. She heard her
mother coming up the stairs.
where's Ed?" she asked.
"Oh. he went out about half-hour
ago." mother said. HE didn't say
where. Glad you've had such a fine
sleep. Go back and dress and Til get
you some breakfast"
She was still thinking about some
thing, Edith perceived, and 1t made
her suddenly blue. She wished Ed
hadn't gone out without seeing her.
She felt hollow and forlorn. She
hadn't much to do, either. The day
had got started wrong.
When she came down to breakfast
she asked mother If Agatha had tele-
phoned, but it seemed she hadn't. She
was probably spending the whole
morning in bed. Agatha liked to do
that. she remembered.
"Why don't you run over and see
herr" mother suggested.
''Oh, I don't believe I WILL" Edith
said. She didn't mean very much by
it when she spoke, but 1t came over
her stronger and stronger as the morn
ing advanced that she didn't somehow
want to run after Agatha. After last
night 1t was Agatha's place to come
and see her. or call her up. Agatha
had lots Of new friends now. She had
changed a lot since year ago.
Ed was different, too. Last Christ
mas.
She pulled herself up short. If she
got to thinking about that, she'd cry.
Mother seemed sort of worried about
her low spirits and tried to cheer
her up.
II guess feel sort of let down after
last night" she said. isn't it funny,
mother,7 All the time you are in
school you keep wishing it was vaca-
tion time, and then when vacation
comes, you sort Of wish you were
back in school, That's the way / feel
this morning. anyhow"
Mother acted sort of queer about
that. She tried to change the subject.
And then, after minute, she got up
and went away.
About noon Agatha did telephone,
and in the uprush Of pleasure at the
mere sound Of her voice, Edith forgot
her doleful imaginings.
II thought you were probably Sleep
ing off last night, and didn't want to
disturb you." Agatha explained. "But
come over now, can't you, and stay
to lunch?"
Edith started to say she would and
then thought Of something. II don't
believe I'd BETTER" she said. ED went
out somewhere before got up and
really haven't seen him at all. He'll
be. back pretty soon, guess. Why
don't you come over here?"
There was perceptible hesitation
over the telephone. Then Agatha said,
"Why, Eds here. He's going to stay
to lunch, too. So you'd better come
along"