The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-02-02
hurry. deari Is the sample in

and Mother tucked 1t inside her bag.
tits probably all gone now" she
said with a plaintive sigh. such
lovely shade Of lilacw
jamie smiled to herself. Mother al
ways worried about things like that.
She was sure the cream was sour be-
fore she tasted 1t, that the pipes would
burst next winter and that every I'M
opened letter contained distressing
news. It was remarkable, she thought,
that Mother had managed to keep her
youthful prettiness in spite of such
mountains Of worry. She was plump,
In dainty fashion, and not much
taller than jamie. Her skin was
smooth and fair. There were few
threads Of gray in her way light
brown hair. Her eyes were the high
lovely blue Of picture post card lake
and seldom Swallowed with real anx-
iety. Worrying, with Mother, jamie
decided, was merely habit, like put
ting on your left stocking first and
picking up pins in the street.
Il hate to walk up town." Mother
was looking at herself in JAMES mirror.
1.-THE sun is SO hot"
Don't go them" jamie advised b.
No, Mother didn't worry inside. She
was preening herself like pretty
But / promised Celia I'd send her
another Dress"
"She isn't exactly in rags and tat
ters." jamie remembered the bags
and the shiny new hat box. "She
should be able to manage"
'You don't understand, dear" Moth
er's blue eyes were reproachful. "Celia
is sensitive. She can't take too many
favors from dear Aunt Rose"
"RatsI" said Janie-but not out
loud.
"It's hard for her to be dependent"
Mother powdered her nose. "And
she's always so brave about it. Celia"
she added tenderly. "has a beautiful
disposition"
jamie made no comment. Celia's
courage was family myth. So was
her sweet disposition. There were
other myths about Celia Celia was
delicate. Celia was martyr to cir
cumstances. Celia, in a setting more
glamorous than Mulberry Square.
could marry anyone she pleased.
Mother believed all the Celia myths.
Useless to argue. It only provoked
scene. JAMIE changed the subject.
"There are some French silk flow
ers in Leland's window marked less
than half price," she said. "You want
ed one for Celia's Dress"
Mother remembered her errands up
town.
ut is hot, isn't it," She picked up
her bag and her lowered silk parasol.
II hate the belt-line trolley. If only
had a car of my own"
"Tll go for you," JAMIE offered.
"No, thank you, dear" Mothers
tone indicated that the mission was
too important to be entrusted to JAMIE.
"There's a sale at Aliens. l might
be able to pick up something or other"
jamie did not insist. Mother. she
knew, liked shopping and sales. In
the stores she was almost sure to meet
somebody who would tell her how
clever she was to make Celia's dresses
or how pretty Celia looked at the last
club dance. Mother liked that. She
wore such bits of praise like medals
pinned on her chest.
"There are wicker porch sets In the
sale at Aliens. Goodness knows we
need one." Mother considered mo-
ment, her lower lip caught in her
teeth. Il might get it on installments."
"Father hates installments," JAMIE
reminded her. "You promised him,
Mother"
Father has no idea how dreadful
it is to be shabby" Mothers voice
was sharp. Sometimes l think he
doesn't care about us at all"
jamie set her lips She adored Fa-
Their, It was hard to hear Mother
pick at him without flaming to his
defense But what was the use?
There were myths about Father which
Mother also firmly believed Father
might have been famous surgeon.
Father was foolish to bury himself
in Mulberry Square. Father cared
more about the foreigners and the
poor white trash in Vine and Juniper
streets than he did for his own dear
children. Mother believed those things.
No use to argue. Nothing to do but
change the subject again.
"The forget-me-nots were darling"
she said. II think Celia would like
them best"
"They'Il probably be gone by the
time / get there" Mother said merely
from force of habit. Help Rachel
with dinner, jamie. If I'm not back
by FIVE. This is her lodge meeting
night. She's as cross as bundle Of
sticks"
Mother disappeared in flutter Of
Powered voile. Her slim high heels
tapped sharply on the stairs. A scent
of violet perfume fingered for a mo-
ment on the air. grew fainter, vanished
connlefolv Presently the front door n