Evening star., 1932-12-18

Jerry said. Hello, midget, what are you hid
ing fcr?"
Ann didn't think she was hiding. so she
answered politely, Mummy likes me here"
Everybody laughed at that, even Mummy.
But Mummy said, I'VE ought to be in bed long
ago." and she smiled very meaningly down at
Ann She didn't say airy more becaue Jerry
interrupted, "Cigaret Biff, then I'll explain"
Ann knew what that meant. Jerry would
chatter away and If she sat very, very Stlu tney
would forget her
Jerry said, "Jims got the job in South
America!" and she twirled around on her CHAIR
and looked at Daddy.
MN knew Daddy wouldn't like that. be-
n cause yesterday when they were in the
woods back of the house cutting the Christmas
tree and Daddy cutting the tree and Ann
and Jerry were watching him, Jerry had said.
Il think we're going to South America,
Daddy had said, "HeIv Then he had put
his ak down and walked right up to Jerry and
had taken held of both of her arms
He said: "You can't 60. You can't CO." And
he said it over and over again. Ann thought
Jerry was going to laugh because Daddy looked
so funny, but she didn't She put her hand up
and patted his face and she said very gently
"Oh, Biff!"
And then suddenly, Ann knew Jerry noticed
her standing there because she put both hands
in her pockets again and she made funny
little face at Ann. She said, "Brr-r, it's coad;
race you to the house" Ann hadn't thought
that was very nice to leave Daddy, but he said
Go ahead
She waited for him to say something this
time, but he didn't say word; he just sat there
and looked at the floor. Mummy said: "Oh,
you'll love it, Jerry. When do you go?"
Jerry smiled at Mummy. It wasn't one OF
her best smiles. Ann had seen Mummy smile
like that often when she knew Mummy wanted
to cry.
First of the year. Oh, shall miss you all
SO! hate to give up the little house, hate
to 20 away hate" She didn't finish
what she was going to say because Daddy got
up then, and he made such clatter pushing
his chair and stretching himself that Mummy
interrupted:
"Fcr heavens sake, Dick!'
But he didn't pay any attention to her. He
walked to the window and pushed the
curtains back and stood there.
"It's beautiful night" he Said and he held
the curtains way up 80 they could see. too.
Ann could through the window. She
knew why Daddy,s voice had that note in it.
There was so much snow and it was so white
and way over far as she could see were little
houses.
Some had yellow lights in the windows and
some had red, and all the lights shone down
on the snow in geld and crimson patches. And
right on the other side of the road-down
little way-was Jerry's house.
That, too had light in it, because Jim was
there; but if Jim took Jerry to South America
there wouldn't be any light in the little house.
She was awfully glad when Nora came in
and brought some hot coffee There were
sandwiches too, and milk for her, because it
was Christmas eve-and Mummy said she could
stay up. Every one was happy again.
Jerry opened package and showed her
beautiful doll she had made for her. and Ann
said, THANK ycu." politely. But she Rugged
the doll up tight to her, because it was the most
beautiful doll that she had ever SEEN
Finally the old grandfathers clock said 10.
and Mummy said Ann simply must 60 to bed"
and Jerry said: rs it as late as that? must
CO." And then she explained why Jim had not
come with her because he was working SO hard,
and Daddy said. "Iu take you home"
Ann knew Daddy was gaing to say that. be-
cause he always said it. even II it wasn't night