Evening star., 1937-12-19

peoples stories. other peoples homes.
The sound of laughter, and the radio
Z. playing. Or the Doctors car drawn up
at a gateway. and an upper window shining
out into the darkness, and child crying in
the night
What do we know of our neighbors, save
that this one seems prosperous and happy,
and this one seems sad? Glimpses caught of
other peoples lives, at random through chinks
in the curtains. Two people facing one another
angrily over room or pair of lovers hold
ing hands on sofa, or light swapping out in
an upper room. Only glimpses, and whispers.
and the curtain falls. and the blind comes
rafting down. And whether the sad ones are
really sad, or the happy ones happy. or the
fortunate ones as fortunate as we think -
none but themselves can know.
There is light shining in the window of
Number 10.
Often, in winter time. you have to turn on
the light at breakfast. when people have to
have it in time to catch the 8:45.
Over the table, Mile Winton stared at her
husband, Lorne in blank dismay.
Coming here! At Christmas time"
He threw the letter over to her, avoiding
her eye. His heart was heavy. and he felt tired
and sick and disheartened. He could not stand
another quarrel with Mile just then, and of
late they did nothing but quarrel, or at any
rate bicker.
Darling, we simply can't get out of it.
You see what the letter says. She can get
three days rest, if relations will have her. Nuns
aren't allowed to stay anywhere else We are
her only relations"
Trailing nun around. At Christmas
time. 1t wiA be jolly. And l suppose you'll
20 off to town and leave me saddled with her!"
well, can't take her along to the Office.
can II" said Lorne, wearily. "You won't find
her any trouble. She'll 60 off to church at all
hours And you might like her Here is her
letter."
How very kind of you to have me, Aunt
bling hand Il am much looking forward to
my little trip into the World"
Sounds as if she was coming from Mars"
said Mile, acidly, land no doubt she will be-
have as if she did. haven't forgotten your
Uncle Harry. So you wrote and said she might
come without consulting me-"
He said, ashamed, Il was afraid you'd say
no. And we've got to have her."
when married you, didn't bargain for
all your outfit of odd relations"
You don't get many of them"
She laughed shortly, nastily.
"You Uncle Harry was pretty queer
number, anyhow. He did me no good here.
People have been very standoffish since we
took him to that sherry party, where he would
sing The Gardullas have never had anything
to do with me, ever since. After we've had
your Aunt Marianne cadging around we'll
just about be finished socially"
Lorne stared at her, but he said nothing
He did not like to say what was in his heart -
that it was more likely to have been her own
rudeness in public to an amusing old man,
odd accent and unconventional behavior
Practically everybody has queer relative of
some kind.
Don't let's quarrel at Christmas time,
darling" he pleaded.
"Who is quarreling? certainly am not"
said Mile "All know is, the Gardullas are
giving marvellous party. All the smart set,
and we have not been invited"
What had come over Mile of late? He
stood, his back to the fire, his newspaper