The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-18
Chapter 20
TRUTH FROM PIMA

TRUTH FROM PIMA
DHINA asked her some rapid ques
L lions in French, and then nodded.
"Yes-good. Well. we have a winter
before US here in New York. and |
hope in spite of lessons you'll have
time for some fun. You can ride till
late in November In the country
after that in Central Park. Now get
your bath and get dressed. and come
down to the place for a fitting"
Aunt Pima was an avalanchei
Iris was beginning to understand
why Owen went on being a designer
when he wanted to be an architect.
What she couldn't understand was
why Uncle Will hadn't meekly mar
ried her the first week they met. such
a general was she. That strong IRE
sistible sureness that you would do
what she said swept you along like
a tide.
But, oh, a kind tide! Iris dressed
swiftly. Life was beginning! This
forming fitting for beautiful
clothes; this afternoon a gorgeous
party :. If only Morgan were to
be there, Morgan with his quizzicaI
slow phrases that conveyed subtle
comfort and encouragement and adj
miration!
Well, Morgan was there in the
background, waiting. Love with its
strong hands out to hold her. Per-
haps he'd come over soon. or she'd
run back to him-they were young.
and there was plenty of time to de-
eide, meanwhile, here were the pleas
ures and palaces and Morgan was
altogether too cynical about life. :.
She splashed through her bath,
and, in an echo of remembering Nor
gan and Uncle Will and her other
life, began to sing as she went down
stairs, the old signal.
"Just as sure as it is half past
eight,
Someone's tapping at the garden
gate"
whats that you're singing?"
Pima called from the desk where
she was going over stack Of bills
like intelligent lightning.
Zone Of Grandmother Lanning's
funny old songs that Uncle Will used
to like. to the guitar. in the evening.
used to dress up in her clothes and
put on performances for him, bless
his heart, and sometimes l did it
for parties"
Something Ella taught you?"
sharply.
Ella was the one chink in Phina's
smooth armor.
"No Aunt Phina, after all
you're wonderful person and you've
done it all yourself. Why do you
mind about poor Aunt Ella?"
The handsome dominant we'll
groomed middle-aged woman sitting
at her desk. mistress of herself and
of most other things about her.
changed before Iris's eyes.
She became suddenly twenty
years younger and forty times an
grier: the outraged capable pretty
thing who had come to the aristo-
cratic old town with only needle
between herself and the wolf at the
door. half defiant, half frightened
Her face worked. The words poured
out in a stream.
Because Ella Lanning had been
entrenched in money and position a
generation ago-because Jean and |
were common sewing girls as she
called us-and because she was in
sane on the subject of your father,
she was insolent-merciless
She broke off my marriage with
Will-she wrecked Jeans with
Lawrence. I've gone a long way
I'll end higher than any Lanning
ever dreamed of being. When l am.
I'll go there again-and show her
tell her."
\ UNIT PIMA. stopped. painting.
white. shaking. Iris shrank
back. Was this the driving force be-
hind that dominating capability?
Phina Ross saw what effect she
had made. and was suddenly herself
4. again. the quiet masterful unmoved
woman. She smiled.
81 went theatrical as you young
things say. didn't /? That's all non
sense. of course. l really owe the
poor soul a good deal: l doubt If
I'd have made as much success or
money without that feeling. I'd
really supposed there was nothing
left of It. Now sing your dramatic
old auntie the song about the garden
gate. want to know everything you
can do. You seem to have all the
talents" She put an affectionate
hand on Iris's shoulder.
Glad Of some outlet for her own
shaken feelings, Iris went TO the