The Coolidge examiner., 1934-05-18

It's probably all gone now she
said with a plaln;ive Sigh. such n
lovely shade OF lilac,
JAMIE smiled 10 herself Mother nj.
ways worried about things ike that.
She vas plump in a daluiy fashion.
and not much taller than JAMIE. Her
skin vas smooth and fair. There
were Few threads OF gray IN her
wHvy light brown hair Her eyes
were the high lovely blue ot pic
iure post card lake and seldom
shadowed With real anxiety. Wor-
Tylng. with Mother. JAMIE decided.
vas merely a habit. Ike putting on
your LETT stocking FIRST and pick
lnE % pins in the street
4 hate 10 walk % town Mother
was looking at herself IN JAMES
mirror. The sun Is 50 hot. But l
promised Celia Ia send her another
dress
she isn't exactly In rags and tat.
iers" JAMIE remembered the bags
aud the shiny new hat box. "She
should be able 20 manage"
You don't understand. dear"
Mothers blue eyes we're reproach-
ful Celia is sensitive. She can't
take too many favors from dear
Aunt Rose"
Rats said Janle-bui 10; out
loud
Its hard for her 10 be depend.
cnt" Mother pow wdered her nose.
And she's always so brave about
H. Celia" she added tenderly. has
beautiful disposition
JAMIE made no comment. Ceilas
courage was family myth. So was
her sweet disposition There were
other myths about Celia. Celia was
delicate. Celia was a martyr 70
circumstances Celia. IN a setting
more glamorous than Mulberry
square. could marry anyone she
pleased Mother believed all the
Celia myths. Useless 20 argue. Il
only provoked n scene
Mother remembered her errands
uptown.
1t Is hot. isn't ~" She picked
No her bag and her lowered silk
paraEol. Il hate the belt.l.ne troll
ley. II only had a car OF my own"
III 80 Tor 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
! might be able to pick up something
oy other"
JAMIE dld 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 10 make
Cella's dresses or how pretty Celia
looked az 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 a
moment. her lower lip caught IN
her teeth. Il might get Il on In
siallments."
Father hates Installments. jamie
reminded her. You promised him.
Mother"
Father has no idea how dreadful
II Is 10 be shabby" Mothers voice
was sharp. Sometimes ! think he
doesn't care about US at all"
jamie set her lips. She adored
Father. II was hard 20 hear Mother
pick al him without flaming 10 his
defense. But what was the use7
There were myths about Father
which Mother also firmly believed.
Father might have been a famous
surgeon. Father was foolish TO
bury himself in Mulberry Square
Father cared more about the for
elgners and the poor white trash
In Vine and Juniper streets than he
did for his own dear children. Moth
er believed those things. No use
10 argue. Nothing 10 do but change
the subject.
The forget-me-nots were dar-
ling" she said. Il think Celia would
Ike them best"
They'll probably be gone by the
time | get there" Mother said mere
ly from force OF habit Help Rachel
with dinner. jamie, II I'm not back
by Ave. This is her lodge meeting
night. She's as cross as a bundle OF
sticks"
Mother disappeared In flutter OF
lowered yoile. Her slim high heels
tapped sharply on the stairs. A scent
OF violet perfume fingered for a
moment on the air, grew fainter,
vanished completely. Presently the
front door closed. jamie looked
down from the window. The after
noon was a little spoiled. She lost
her interest In the theme" and sat
looking down into the Square. II
was dingy and down at the heel
The benches, shaded by locust and
maple trees, needed a coat OF new
green paint very badly. The lamp
posts staggered like tipsy old men
with their lantern-top hats askew.