Evening star., 1935-04-27
BY BARBARA ANN BENEDICT.

alone In the gathering twilight and
considered the matter. He couldn't
understand this untidy trait in Peg
and wondered why he hadn't noticed
1t before. He supposed other wives
were that way, too. And then. think
ing about himself. he wondered at his
own mania for orderlineSs.
The explanation occurred to him in
flash. His own mother had been as
orderly as he. He had been brought
up in 1t, had known nothing different.
had accepted it and never taken any
heed. Small wonder that the mania
IN him was a surprise. He had never
realized before that it existed.
And now that he thought OF it, Just
the opposite was true With Peg. Her
mother was as untidy as his was or
derly. That explained his wifes care
lessneSs. 1t wasn't her fault. II was
just something she had known all her
life and was naturally that wav her
self Poor kid. Well, something would
have to be done. They'd have TO have
a heart-to-heart talk, get at the root
OF the thing. Somehow a change
would have TO be made. because un-
tidineSs came nearer than anything
else to drive Jerry of his nut"
Peg, he was sure, would understand.
Shed be willing to cooperate. OF
course, she would. And he'd cooper
ate, too. He wouldn't scold her. but
he'd agree to help her do the house
work, keep things picked up. When
she saw how willing he was to help 1t
would, unconsciously, stimulate the
desire in her also.
And so Jerry smiled to himself and
picked up the living room as best ne
could and then went into the kitchen
and began washing dishes. He was
drying them when Peg arrived She
stood in the doorway and eyed him
with family hostile look
Hello, sweetness" said Jerry.
Whats the trouble? You look mad"
Peg removed her hat and coat and
came into the kitchen. Jerry" she
said, there's something I've wanted
to say to you long while. Something
about you that-that bothers me-"
Me? Bother you?" Jerry looked
surprised and laid down his towel.
why, HOHty, Wndt Is II!
Peg bit her lip. Its the sarcastic
way OF reminding me l don't do things
exactly as you like. 1 mean, the way
you wash the dishes without saying a
word, wear your soiled socks, tramp
out to buy a neWspaper-making a
martyr of yourself It's-I'm sorry,
but it's getting on my nerves"
Jerry opened his mouth 10 speak.
but Peg stopped him with a little ges-
ture. oh, know you can't help it.
I appreciate the fact that that's the
sort of thing you've been brought up
in and it's second nature. II isn't your
fault. But I've thought it all over. and
something's got to be done. I'm will
picked up more, II you'll only stop
making yourself out hero. II you'll
only give me the-the-devil once in
while and let it go at that"
Peg paused, almost on the verge Of
tears. Jerry swallowed, gulped, and
struggled to adjust his senses. After
moment he wet his lips.
you're on" he said grinning. "I'll
give you the devil once or twice a week
and you keep things picked up better.
We'll cooperate"
i knew you would, darling. Oh. I
knew We understood each other. But
you don't know what relief it Is to
hear you say it."
Jerry took her in his arms. "You
bet" he said. We understand each
other perfectly-I'm beginning to
Think"
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