The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-04-23

Not that it was Edwards fault.
He'd tried terribly h al d to get
work. He turned down every IN
vitation that meant spending even
a tinv amount of money. He, too'
was looking worn.
And still Mrs. Wilson made her
daily shopping tour, coming oack
laden with delicacies, in ana OUT OF
season, berS;2S-because Cne
first ones are so exciting! THICK
T-bone steaks-becauSe they are SO
nourishing Cans of this and thaC'
Bags and pasteboard boxes OF rlcn'
delicious little cakes.
For the love of heaven" Bee
said. exasperated, lets not eat up
our last dollar. Other people sup
mort life on hamburger and carrots
and stuff like that-we don't neeo
chicken and steak and roast beef
Mrs. Wilson'S eyes filled. Two
tears tricked slowly down her
cheeks. It try to think OF your
health" she said. 80,
I'm trying to think OF the ollis! :"
Mrs: Wilson smiled through her
tears. ooh, the bills!" she said.
"They're all right. I paid some
thing on all of them this month,
and no one complained at all.
That's all you have to do-Just
show good faith! Except the ice
box man. That's a contract, he
saws, and really must keep up
the agreement.
"I really must have $3.50 by the
fifteenth, Edward. I don't like TO
be insistent, dear, but you promised
me $40 a week, or I wouldn't nave
bought it. I knew that with $lO
extra a week, could do it easily.
But if you'll just let me have $3.50
Just once a month"
Edward looked at Marie. His
face was a dull red. Keep your
shirt on" he said, "I'n have it"
mol" Bee said. "if you have
five.fifty, put it on the board, for
heavens sake, Edward! She
doesn't need that ice box any more
than I need an ermine coat-not
as much! I told you, Nom, not to
buy anything more without tell
ing mel"
Pop spoke, with his mouth full.
He said, beating the table cloth
with his fork, When your mother
and I have to ask our children
what to do, then it's time for us
to move over the hill to the poor
house, and it isn't time just yet.
Your mother knowns what she's
doing, Bee!"
That's Just it. She doesn't! Oh,
for heavens sake-why do you
drive me half crazy! AS if didn't
have enough already, without ice
boxes!"
She knocked over her glass, ran,
sobbing loudly, from the room.
CHAPTER XXI
Mr.. Wilson picked up his fork.
sighed, went on eating. Mrs. VIII
son dabbed at the spreading gray
stain, with her napkin. She said,
st wish Bee could take her vaca-
ton now, she's nervous and tired.
She's so high-strung.
And Edward said viciously, Il
wish my vacation was at an end,
wish had a job-any kind Of
job"
That" Mr.. Wilson said, sis the
kind of spirit that gets you job,
son. You'll have one soon"
Marie smiled at him gratefully,
but Edward hardly heard.
That afternoon Marie did lit
tie washing and ironing for Be-
atrice. When she had offered,
at first, Bee refused fatty. MON
will do what can't manage my
self" she said.
But she does everything! And
1 haven't anything to did be
so happy if you'd let mel"
well, if you want to. There's
my pleated silk blouse, if you feel
like fooling with it. Nom can't
iron pleats and I oughtn't to send
it to the laundry"
Time was nothing to Marie.
She pinned each pleat with elah'
crate care. She found few more
of Bees things to press, and was
delighted at her praise.
Mother always said I could get
a Job in a French laundry" she
boosted happily.
But Edward was angry. my
wife doesn't have to take in wash
ing yet, and there's no reason why
you should do Bees things, and
fight with Nom to iron my shirts.
Now you've got her to thinking
I'm dissatisfied with the way she
does them. Heck. she does them
all right"
1T was just that I wanted to do
something! I feel so DEPENDENT"
Her lip trembled. If she could
only make him understand! If
she could have written her heart
out to her mother. But that was
the one thing she couldn't do.
Julie mustn't know.
Edward didn't get the job. 1t
was filled when he got there. but
there might be another opening
soon.
Lets go to a movie and forget
It," he said after dinner, but
Marie was cautious. Whatever he
had in his pocket was the last
money they had in the world.
do you think we ought to spend
the money? You might need it
for carfare."
Suit yourself. just wanted to
give you a little pleasure.
So he put on his hat and swung