The Coolidge examiner., 1937-09-02


planatory letter, gay and confident,
unashamed, unapologetic. Magda
and her Lucius had been in a low
ers' paradise in Tahiti then, and
their escapade had seemed to them
justified by their complete happi-
ness.
After a year Of that they had trav-
eled, first to South America, and
then to Europe. and finally had
found themselves "divinely placed"
in some tiny German town with
Rosa taking care of them. 1T costs
us exactly nothing" Magda had
written her daughter, "apd that is
the main consideration with beg
gars like ourselves! Lucius can paint
to his hearts content, and l can at
last catch up on some reading and
go on with my French. which these
hectic years have sadly interrupted.
Paris is near enough for an occa-
siona. spree"
That had been the last heard from
Rothenberg. Just why or how this
ideal arrangement had terminated
Victoria never had known. But her
mothers next letter had been from
Biarritz, and not in that nor in any
subsequent letter had she ever men,
toned LuciuS Farmer again. She
had usually been with delightful
friends" or she had tiny diggins"
in Paris, in Florence, in Monte Car
10. And always the cramped note
of money shortage had beer there.
Once she had been selling darling
Sibyl Hudderstone's divine things
giving them away, rather!"-and
once she apparently had had some
sort of agency for powders and per-
fumes; because one must make
ones poor little 40 per cent if one
can" she had explained.
The last letters had quite frankly
asked for financial help; Vicky was
married now, and if she could help
her Mummy just a little it would
be such a godsend. For we don't
count money here as you do. dar-
ling" Magda had reminded her
daughter What You spend on those
frightful ice-cream sodas and on
movies would take care of whole
family here"
In the morning after she and
Quentin had shared their early
breakfast, and after the usual visit
to the kitchen and to the surging
and shouting nursery, Victoria
somewhat wearily prepared a tray.
not forgetting the continental touch
of pitcher of hot milk. and add
ing tiny clear green glass vase in
which Sprawled three stiff brilliant
nasturtiums. Mrs. Herrendeen was
awake when her daughter came in.
"Oh. you darling child. with all
you have to do-and the newspaper.
too-but l shall miss my Paris pa
per; these American papers never
have anything in them"
Did you sleep, Mummy" Vic
asked, with her kiss.
Il slept divinely. l always sleep
divinely." the other woman an
swered. her cheerful voice and
freshened face bearing witness to it.
Il meant to lie awake" she went
on. beginning her breakfast, land
think what a smart child l have.
and what a lovely home this is. -
Quentin liked her; that was a
great help. Magda had still the Sc
cret of pleasing and interesting
men. whatever it was. Faded,
fussily dressed. affected and artifi-
cial, yet there was something real
and affectionate and clinging in her
nature that all males liked. About
a week after her return Quentin
electrified his wife by suggesting
that they make up a party for the
first night of the opera. Stern had
sent him a box; Stern was on the
committee; it might be rather
fun" Quentin, who never wanted
to go anywhere!
Fun" Vicky echoed. excited and
interested. 1t would be the time of
all times to return the Perrys' hos
pitalitv. and for sixth they might
ask me-, old. musical DR.. Ward.