The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-23
CHAPTER xLviII

CHAPTER xLviII
 1t was just Q year later. Mrs Kendall, Millicent and Carol were waiting at Ann's home, waiting for Ann to come back from the hos pitai. Ann and Peter and their three-weeks'-old son.
 Here they are now" Carol said, from the window.
 And here they were. Ann, being lifted by two stalwart attendants. A<nurse in crisp white following. Peter, carrying his flrst-born care- fully, marching proudly.
 Soon they were all crowding about Ann's bed.
 Hello everybody" Ann said. "It was sweet of you to be here for Peter Thirds homecoming"
 Millicent said. You couldn't have Kept us away. Look at this young ster, Peter! He's holding hands already" A tiny hand had curled around her finger.
 What a man, what a mani" mocked Carol But her eyes were soft.
 Peter was sitting by Ann's bed, his eyes never leaving her for very long. The last three weeks had been hard on Peter. Everyone talked about how splendidly Ann had gotten along. But 1t had been q period of fearful suspense for Peter.
 "You would think Ann is the only woman in the world who ever had baby" Millicent had said. Tearing up to the hospital every few hours, worrying the doctors and nurses to death2 And perfectly incredulous when they said Ann could come home! And scared!
 Ann had known how scared Peter was. "I'm going to be all right darling" she had whispered as Peter stood, watching anxiously, while she was being lifted to the stretcher.
 In the ambulance later she had said, "I'Il be up in another week. And soon after that we'll drive out to Kendallwood and show off young Peter."
 Then slight shadow had crossed her face. Everybody in Kendallwood wanting to see the baby-except the owner of Ken- daIIwood.
 Mrs Kendall had long since be- come reconciled to Peter's mar riage, had even grown fond of Ann But during the 12 months Peter's grandfather stubbornly refused to see "the girl who had hopped up and married Peter and hoped away from him almost as quickly" as he phrased 1t.
 Ann couldn't, be perfectly happy, with Peters grandfather feeling as he did.
 "He doesn't feel any way at all," Peter told her. Its that darned hated to acknowledge he's been wrong"
 Couldn't you try once more-?" Ann had asked to-day.
 ''No," Peter said hotly. "If he doesn't care any more about his first great-grandson, let him stay awayp'
 Ann had worried about Peters attitude.
 At first confident that his grand father, would relent, Peter had visited him regularly, as before. But, as the months went by and his vehement protests against his grandfather's treatment of Ann left the old man unmoved, Peters atti- tude changed.
 He was becoming bitter, Ann could see, She couldn't bear it. Peter feeling that way toward his grandfather, his face darkening when his grandfather's name was mentioned.
 When the new home was being built Peter had gone out to bring his grandfather to see it-but had come back alone.
 On the day the baby was born Peter had gone out again for his grandfather.
 Ann named him Peter-for both of us," he said, She says she hopes there'Il be q Peter Kendall for every generation"
 Every interesting" said the old man dryly. "Nc. Peter. I won't go back with you. I'm an old man
 Every well, sir," Peter had an- swered. And had left without an- other word.
 Peter had not asked his grand father to come to-day. There had been an ominous set to his jaw when Ann mentioned 1t.
 "In be darned if I will" He bent down swiftly to kiss her, and she smiled at him. When she smiled her brown eyes lighted as though a little flame were burning within her heart. Such warm, human, understanding smile. If it had been anyone but Ann his grandfather had hurt, it would not be so hard to forgive him.
 Mrs Kendall was holding the baby. Her usually smooth hair was slightly disheveled. her face was flushed. She looked almost moth erly. Ann thought.
 1t doesn't take me long to get my hand in with children" Mrs Kendall was saying proudly to Mfllicent. "I think I'll come over :to-morrow morning and see how that nurse bathes him. I've for gotten more than these new-fash- toned nurses will ever know about babies"
 Come on, Mother, before you undo all the good work that has been done training this infant, Millicent said. Its time Ann was getting a little rest"