The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-20
By Sophie Kerr


 gaze and because Jane was a stranger remarked politely. "Ha- yo," adding, after a second, Were by muvver?"
 She's coming" said Jane, feel ing perfectly idiotic "You-you're Nancy, I suppose" She thought, land why did they ever give her that name! I always detested it! Nancy! Such a silly-soundtng name!" She advanced cautiously and sat down in Amys chair, which reused Nancy's expectance. "Supper?" she asked, scrambling up.
 She was tall for her age, but Jane did not know that. She seem- ed very small. Her hair was curly and light, her eyes dark blue. Jane couldn't see her the slightest re- semblance to herself, or to Roger Thorpe either, and while the last was desirable, she did feel that she had been somehow cheated. Upon my word," she said aloud, you look more like Amy than you do like mel"
 Nancy settled down again since the stranger had offered no supper. She had another rag doll, a little more battered than the one down. stairs, and she began to rock 1t and sing to it in q worthless hum- ming which stopped as Amy came in with tray.
 "Oh Jane, was she singing?" said Amy, eXcitedly. Do you know, as tiny as she is, she can carry a tune? The other day she hummed part of Rubmenstein's Since First I Met Thee I'd been playing for Mother"
 Do you expect her to be musi- cian?" asked Jane.
 T certainly do." Amy put the cereal, the milk and toast and junket on the table and Nancy sat down in her chair and waited to have the napkin tied around her neck. Then she began to eat, her little hand holding the spoon properly.
 q have no talent for music at all. any kind of it," said Jane.
 "Oh we'll, I believe in environ ment rather than heredity," said Amy. Jane would have liked to slap her. She was sure that Amy understood her flat disappointment and was enjoying it. Amy wasn't disturbed now that she might take the child.
 I'm going to give her music les went on Amy, "a few minutes every day. shes not going to be forced. But she's much a healthy, normal child"
 she's not very good looking, broke in Jane, doubtfully.
 "Oh, she's no art calendar che rub. but she's perfectly shaped and her teeth have come through even ly 50 far and did you notice her hands and feet, and her lashes?"
 Jane did not answer. She leaned back and looked around the room. It was very plain-looking, almost poor. But there was something here and in the whole house-Amy had it, too. Amy in her shabby dryess - something balanced and warm and rsstful and we'll ordered She couldn't define it. It was like that Vermeer painting she had seen in one of the exhibitions and fingered before, trying to analyze it's charm. This undefined some thing-it reduced her own import ance, made her an outsider and of no account. It was all of a piece with the child not looking like her. Her gaze came back to the child. Nancy had finished her supper and her head was dropping. She's ready for bed," said Amy. Then with an effort" Jane-wouldn' you like to kiss her goodnight?"
 "Well-yes-" She didn't espe- cially want to. and the kiss was rather awkward. but Jane was sur prised by the fragile softness of the cheek and the delicious fresh orris and violet flower smell of it. Why, isn't she sweet!" she ex- claimed.
 She is sweet" said Amy. "And she's the most loving and gentle baby! She tucked Nancy in opened the window ventilator pushed the screen tight before the fire. But she's got temper, too And she chatters like a monkey now that she's learning to talk She was quiet tonight because she was so sleepy"
 Back in the living-room again with Howard, Jane pulled herself together, but she felt constrained and did not know how to begir what she wanted to say, but sht certainly wasn't going to leave without making Howard really look at her and think of her "YSd've been wonderful to her. she began tentatively, "I wish-l wish you'd let me do something fol her, give her something, too" l Tt would be better all around fl you didn't do that" said Howard wed rather not"
 An, now he must at least argue with her. But why? And w might as we'll look at the practical l side of things. As she grows older