The Coolidge examiner., 1936-09-04
CHAPTER vi
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~ to the house. The shadows
were beginning to lengthen; the sun
was already dropping down toward
the western hills. In the garden
the men had turned on the spray
of the new watering system that
had been installed. and the water
spread up in a wide jewelled fan
against the orchard green.
From the road outside the wall
came the steady hum of an ap-
preaching motor. The motor slowed.
The gate was open; the car turned
in and came cautiously up the drive
not with its usual swift rush to
the house.
1t was Mr.. Forbes.
Here | am" he said cheerfully
Don't say you don't remember me !"
"Of course 1 remember you," Deb
orah said, smiling.
He took her outstretched hand
He smiled down at her, the warm
est and most comfortable kind of
smile. where's Bryn?" His eyes
searched her face, and she flushed
family as she answered.
"He's gone to town. You must
have passed him there"
well, he'll come back" Tubby
said with assurance, and turned to
the man who had come with him,
still sitting in the car. IT'S the
place, all right" he said, and the
man began to climb out. Tubby
turned back to Deborah. 1--WE
brought the new butler"
"Oh." Deborah's eyes flickered
over the grave and dignified mien
of the new butler. She nodded to
him. "I'll call Gary" she decided.
turned, stepped inside the kitchen
and called out Gary! Oh, Gar-eee 7"
In moment he came, putting, red
faced, his coat only half on. He
was fumbling for the sleeve. Never
mind your coat" Deborah told him,
and took it away from him. "This
is Gary, Mr.. Forbes" she told Tub
by. ''Mr. Forbes is is Bryn's
best friend" she informed Gary.
HE has brought us a butler. You
will take care Of him Gary, and Mr..
Forbes, too, l must run and tell
Grandmother"
who was that, dear?" Grand
mother inquired as Deborah reached
the foot of the steps,"
..It's -. Mr.. Forbes, Grand
mother. l told you about him. He
was at my wedding. Bryn calls him
Tubby. Because he is so pink and
plump, l suppose. And the man
with him is the new butler. Gary
is taking care of them"
Grandmother sighed contentedly.
II can scarcely believe it," she MUIR
INJURED.
Footsteps sounded in the hall in
side the open door, and Tubby ap-
peared in the doorway. He hesitat-
ed, and Deborah went to his side.
Grandmother, this is Mr.. Forbes" +"
she murmured, and Tubby crossed
the porch to bend over the wrinkled
hand held out to him. He looked
very nice indeed in a suit of gray
blue, perfectly tailored suit.
II am so glad you have come"
Grandmother was saying. She set
tied herself again into her pillows
and drew the thin Paisley smooth
over her knees. Il have suggested
to Bryn any number of times that
we might have some of his friends
come and visit US, but as yet we
have been so busy putting the house
and ourselves in order"
Tubby was frankly staring at her.
do you call him Bryn, now?" he
i;quired.
Yes. He explained it to me, and
asked me if | minded. OF course
l did not mind. l have become very
fond of him, even in this short
time"
A stately figure appeared in the
doorway. 1t was the butler, bland
and serene, with small silver tray
holding a bell. He looked at Tubby
and waited.
oh" Tubby said. Mrs. Larned,
this is Burch. | think he will be
able to make you comfortable"
How do you do, Burch," Grand
mother said gently. Burch bowed
and murmured an acknowledgment
Of the introduction. He advanced
slowly and put the bell down on
the small table at GRANDMOTHER 5
side. His movements were quietly
majestic. He began to withdraw.
Hi" Tubby called after him.
Bring me my bag, will you, Burch?'
Yes, sir"
In a few moments he returned
with a heavy pigskin bag which he
set down before Tubby on the
porch. Tubby opened the bag. He
looked at Deborah.
I've brought you some wedding
presents" he said with his fasci-
mating lisp. There wasn't time to
tell anyone before you left San
Francisco. Bryn made me promise
/ wouldn't tell, anyway, as if 1t
could have been kept quiet. The
city IS buzzing."
"Oh, DEAR" Deborah said family.