The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-13
CHAPTER XIII


 Nancy was sitting very straight on the sofa. her eyes wary. her ex- precision defiant. Before her, in Miss Rosa's most comfortable chair, was Jane, so light and girl zsh in her velvet pa ajamas, with her dark hair curled up in a mop at the back, that for q moment Amy had the Illusion of the Jane she used to knew.
 "Oh, hello. Jane," said Amy, "1 didn't know you were here. When did you come?"
 Last night, quite unexpectedly" said Jane sweetly. How are you, dear-how well you look!"
 The tone made Amy understand fashion, her hat even more so, and her hair struggling, and she could scarcely keep from smiling.
 "You look pretty well yourself, and as decorative as ever" she re- piled cheerfully Miss Rosa must have been awfully glad to see you. It's been so very long since you've paid Marburg a visit. Weren't you surprised to find Nancy grown up? I don't believe ycu could have rec ognized her. She was about four when you saw her last"
 Nancy could keep still no longer. s'Mother, Miss Terry's been asking me to visit her in New York. She'd like me to come and stay as long as I want"
 What a nice invitation to come right out of the blue!" said Amy.
 And l was saying" went on Nancy quickly. that l was sorry, but couldn't possibly do it-l mean, there's so much here and"
 Jane broke in with a composure so perfect that no one might guess rancor beneath "I wish you'd let her come, Amy-you must think it odd, my speaking to her about it without talking it over with you first, but-well-my old friends daughter-and all that-and could give her very good time. I've a wonderful penthouse apart ment and my own car and chauf- feur-I motored here, by the way and l was think of Europe this summer, and what fun it would be to have someone young and fresh and gay-and so very pretty-to go with me-"
 Mother and Father and young Howard and l were in Europe last summer" said Nancy. We had the most marvellous time. 1 wouldn't really care to go so soon again"
 You see. Jane - Nancy makes her own decisions" said Amy. "She's-she's like her mother in that.''
 Nancy was restless and uneasy. "Yes, l am," she said, and so, though it was very sweet of you to think of it, I really can't do it. Mother, we ought to be going home. It's nearly time for lunch"
 T haven't been up to see Miss Rosa yet" said Amy. You can run on ahead, if you want, and get things ready"
 All right" said Nancy. "Ill do that. Goodby, Miss Terry-I do appreciate your asking me-" She shook hands with Jane and went out quickly, patiently glad to get away.
 .iWhy did you do it, Jane?" asked Amy. Do you really want herr"
 Jane lit cigaret. "oh, don't know. It was hunch, an im- pulse. I'm lonely sometimes. I've de heaps of money, Amy I got out of the market at the right time and I've watched my properties and my investments. I've probably lost as little as anybody in Amer ica during this depression, hardly enough to notice it. And when Nancy came in here to-day, so alive, and so awfully pretty (and after all she is my child,3 Amy), I thought suddenly that I'd like to give her a chance"
 "Oh, I see. A chance for what exactly ?"
 "A chance to get out of this slow little city and right into the mid dle of things. A chance for lux ury, travel, lovely clothes, meeting people whose names are in the pa- pers all the time, theaters, music, art, all that sort of thing. thought of what a deadly time she must have here, the kind of time I had when was a girl and so, almost before I knew what was saying, I asked if she wouldn't like to visit me. I thought I'd like to show her things, and for the first time 1 was actually curious about her, about her tastes and her brains and her ideas, whether she had any head for business. If she has I could do almost anything for her. But she turned me down cold! Amusing. isn't it?" She shrugged her shoulders.
 But so suddenly, Jane! What did you expect her to do?"
 If anyone had come along and offered me the same thing when I was her age I'd have had my trunks packed by this time! Oh we'll, that's that! And how about you, Amy-I needn't ask, I sup