The Coolidge examiner., 1936-09-11
CHAPTER VII

er to tell me I'm not dead. 1 don't
want to be disturbed"
She sat on the cool grass in the
wavering shadow of the tree against
whose smooth trunk Deborah was
leaning. The leaves overhead rus
tied softly in the faint MONDAY
breeze. They had congregated, all
six of them, on the highest corner
of the sloping lawn. The orchard
| behind them, a smooth stretch of
sward unrolling down to the stone
walls below.
"Me, tOo," Simon muttered. He lay
stretched out in the grass, his pipe
in his mouth, his head on Sally's
| knee.
Bryn sighed. He shifted his posi-
ton and moved few inches closer
to Deborah He turned on his stom-
ach, propped himself on his elbows
and gaZed up at her. A few days
ago, before these others had come,
and after she and Bryn had decid-
ed to be friends, she would have
smiled down at him a little. 1t was
fun to smile at Bryn, once one had
started. He always looked as if he
liked being smiled at. But now
| Deborah pretended not to know that
he was looking at her, and regard
ed steadily the hills far away. Be-
| cause Madeline was here now, and
Madeline might not like it.
A mist came into her eyes, as
she thought of Madeline, and the
| hills swan in a monday fog. Poor
Madeline wasn't happy, for all her
pretense Of light-heartedness, Debo-
rah told herself. How could she be
happy, seeing Bryn married, actu-
ally married, to another girl. Bryn
was lovely. He acted exactly as if
they really were married, really
loved each other, and he didn't try
to keep Madeline from seeing.
That night, as usual, Deborah
went into Grandmothers room to
make sure that she was settled
comfortably, and to kiss her good
night. Grandmother was sitting I'D
in her big bed, her silvery hair
brushed smooth and drawn back
into neat little braid.
Deborah"
Eyes, GRANDMOTHER"
do you not like these friends of
Bryn's, my darling?
Deborah looked up in surprise.
why, yes. Yes, of course. l think
they are lovely. Sally is sweet. She
Is like talking doll. And she Is
very kind"
"And Madeline?"
Nobody could help liking Made
line" Deborah replied. "She's
charming. isn't she, Grandmother?
l love to hear her talk. It's so
slow and lazy. It's because she
and Simon are from Texas, Sally
says. And Madeline is beautiful.
Don't you think she's beautiful,
Grandmother"
mot as beautiful as you are, nv
child" Grandmother answered fond
ly. But she is very attractive"
She was silent again. Then, IF
you like them, Deborah, and find
them pleasant company, what is it
that has been troubling you ever
since they arrived?"
"Troubling me?" Deborah an
swered, startled. But am
not troubled"
"Oh, Deborah" Grandmother said
reproachfully.
Deborah raised her eyes, and
there was a deep, happy smile in
them.
Il am happy, Grandmother dar-
ling" she said.
And you love Bryn? He loves
you, of that l am sure. But of your
! love for him sometimes | am
not so sure. You admire him? You
think him strong and thoughtful
and quick, and kind"
Yes, Grandmother"
you respect him? You are proud
of whatever he does?"
"Yes, Grandmother"
And" she put her hand out gent
ly and lifted Deborah's chin. "Why.
you are blushing, child! Surely
that ought to be sufficient answer
to my next question, but l must
have your words, Deborah. For
give me. But you know your COM
plete happiness means everything
| to me. Deborah, tell me; when
you see him, and he smiles that
| twinkling smile of his. don't you
want to go to him, and caress his
| cheek, as you are caressing mine.
and put your hand on his hair, and
| touch his shoulder? Isn't that what
you'd like to do, Deborah?"
Deborah caught her breath. Her
eyes darkened. Her lips quivered
family. And then, Yes, Grand
mother" she said
"Of course" Grandmother said
happily. 'Well, then you love him.
You couldn't help loving him. Go
my child. Kiss me goodnight. I
shall rest. tonight. I am happy"