The Coolidge examiner., 1936-10-16

I
en-. Bryn didn't love Pillar, Bryn
didn't love Pillar the words
sang in Deborah's heart so loudly
that she was almost afraid Pillar
would hear them. He had said
Il love you"
There was a sudden loud noise,
to Deborah's ears a mans unmis-
taxable cry. Grandmother started
forward in her chair. "Bryn," she
said quickly. "Surely that is mans
voice?"
Bryn stood up. ITS steam es-
Gaping, Grandmother, that's ALL" he
said reassuringly, and then, Lets
not stay here and have it worry
you. 1t may go on for some time.
How would you like to go for a lit
tie drive with me? You haven't
been in the car for a long time"
II think I should like it very
much," she replied hesitantly. But
that noise are you sure :"
Positive" Bryn said definitely.
He offered her his arm and led her
down the steps.
They were gone.
Deborah, after a little, remem-
bered Pillar, and turned to her. I'm
sorry, Pillar" she said politely. II
forgot that you don't know what
this is all about"
Il do know" Pillar murmured
"Bryn told me the whole story, of
course"
81 see," Deborah said slowly.
Tubby Strengthened. "Why do you
say of course Pilar?"
She glanced at him. 1T is a nat,
ural thing to say, surely?"
mo, it is not Not under the
circumstances. You would suggest
to Deborah that Bryn goes to you
as a matter of course with all his
concerns and interests?"
Pillar rose. II do not mean to
suggest anything in particular to
Deborah" she said coolly. But if
she chooses to be reminded that
Bryn always has come to me with
his interests and concerns, that is
no fault of mine. 1t is true"
1T is not true" Tubby said. 81
know exactly what you have been
to Bryn, just how little you have
really meant to him. These others
know, too; Sally and Simon and
Madeline. Here and now, before
them, l ask you to repeat to Debo-
rah the statement you have just
made, and if you will repeat it, we
will take the matter up with Bryn
when he returns, all Of US, togeth-
er, Pillar"
Pillar stared at him. She stamped
her foot furiously. You are i'm
possible!" she stormed, and then
turned and ran through the door
and up the stairs like one followed
by demons.
I'm terribly proud of you, Tub
by" Sally said with a catch in her
breath. But l don't know wheth-
er it was wise or not. You may dis
cover some bright morning that Pi-
lar has put ground glass in Made
lines coffee"
I'm my coffee?' Madeline in
quired. rs it permissible to ask
why mine, particularly?
Sally looked at Tubby helplessly.
Tubby fidgeted. He stood first on
one foot and then on the other.
WELL" he said.
"Well?" Madeline repeated.
Look here, Sally" Tubby expos
tulated. That wasn't fair. That
wasn't a bit fair. didn't /
don't that is, can't :"
Sally took Madeline's hand. Ills
ten" she said. II suppose I'll have
to step in. He'll go on like that for
hours, just Numbering. Tubby is
very good at taking care of other
peoples love affairs, but he's ter
rible at his own. Madeline, | may
as well tell you he came into
our room last night-didn't he, ST.
mon-and he sat on the edge of
the bed didn't he. Simon? =.
and talked about you for hours.
And he ended up by practically ask
ing Simon for your hand, although
anybody but Tubby would know it
isn't done any more. There That's
what's the matter with him. And
that's why Pillar will want to put
ground glass in your coffee. Pillar
always wanted Tubby if she
couldn't have Bryn."
Tubby stepped forward and lift
ed Madeline'S hand. He tucked it
under his arm. Come on, Made
line" he said. After all. this things
got to a stage where an audience is
practically unnecessary"
Sally dropped down in the step
beside Deborah, exhausted. There"
she said family. That's done.
Aren't men idiots?"
1t was long time before Grand
mother and Bryn came back, near
ly two hours. Graham pounded and
tried to make himself heard a few
times, but after a while he appar-
emily decided it was useless. and all
was quiet.
They came in at last, chatting
comfortably. Grandmother kissed
Deborah goodnight and went direct