The Coolidge examiner., 1937-07-15

torla agreed eagerly, giving SKIP
Of sheer delight because it was sum-
mer. and Saturday morning. and al
most time for lunch. and Dad was
here. Il know because she tried to
telephone Johnny last night"
johnny"
1.-The polo Johnny"
"Oh, yes - Mr.. Kendrick. II
sounded like one Of your friends. "
You're my friend, Dad" Vic
toria said, kissing his hand.
They went up the path where the
daisies and marigolds were stirring
uneasily in the soft sea wind, and
past the white gate that always
looked as if it were washed and
blown clean by the winds, and into
the big wide-open porch door of
the boarding house.
Her hand was still in his as they
crossed the hall and entered her
mothers room-an airy room, with
flowers in it, and the good scent of
the sea.
Not here" said Keith Herren-
deem.
"She's playing golf, maybe"
"Well. what shall we do?"
Victoria, feeling a little uneasily
apologize for her mothers absence,
regarded him hopefully.
What would you like to do?"
Lets have lunch first-then we
can decide" So they went out to
the Salisbury steaks and the corn
mullins and the baked potatoes, and
Victoria had two pieces Of peach
pie. You'll get fat, VIC" her IA
ther said.
"Salt air." said Vic.
They went to a little tent circus
that afternoon: all the children
were going, and Victoria was en-
chanted.
The circus was wonderful, too,
and Victoria was tired and blissful
and quiet on the way home; but she
did rouse up when she and her IA
ther went into their big room to find
Mother there stretched out fat on
the bed with the powder-blue tat
feta cover over her. sleepy, deli
cious. affectionate.
"Oh, hello. you darlings." she
said. She stretched a hand toward
her husband, and he stopped over
har for one Of their quick kisses.
Il knew you'd carried her off some
where because the Kinsolvings
nurse came up here half an hour
ago." she added. jerking her long
lovely body over so that he could
find a narrow ledge on which to
sit. 'Sit there, Keith. Did you
have nice time. Vicky?"
Victoria burst into a very de-
lirium of reminiscence, but as she
presently discovered. neither par
ent was listening to her. Her father
took off his coat and vest and col
lar and began to walk back and
forth between the bureau and the
washstand; there was an old-fash-
ioned washstand in an alcove, and
he washed his face and hands there.
combed his wet hair, found himself
fresh collar. Meanwhile there was
a little idle talk between him and
his wife. and Victoria had an un-
comfortable familiar sense that
something vaguely unpleasant was
brewing.
Nice down here?"
Perfect days; that is. except
Tuesday. Member that Tuesday
was windy and foggy. Vic?"
1T was cold in town." Keith Her
rendeen said, without waiting for
Victoria's answer.
so someone was saying" Mrs.
Herrendeen punched her beautiful
shining fingernails and looked at
them thoughtfully. Great doings
here for the Harwoods-the news
paper people," she said.
Tonight" the man asked even
ly. after a pause.
Small party" his wife said
lightly and briefly. Bridge for
Lady Cuthbertson. She's here on
the Harwood yacht They've all
gone mad over her.
You've got to go. l suppose?"
A pause
You wouldn't. l suppose?" An
other pause.
mo" Dad said briefly and qui-
etly.
Il suppose not. But-being bridge
" Victoria's mother began hes
itantly. She looked at his face as
she spoke.
You feel you have to go?"
We'll Keith" his wife began,
with an eloquent shrug. you see.
it's only two tables" she went on
making a fresh start
That's all right" Keith Herren-
deem said heavily in tone that be-
lied his words.
DO you play good bridge. Moth
err" Victoria asked, to Tighten a