The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-22
CHAPTER VI

It was almost midnight when Barry came in. At sight of ms tense, tired face old Miranda got slowly to her feet, her hands trembling Q little on the head or her cane,
 "WellP" she asked simply. "WellP" and stood waiting.
 Then. when he only nodded, she said, q sec" and sat down q little heavily on the chair behind her, her eyes never leaving her grand- sons face,
 For what seemed m eternity to Linda, old Miranda and her grand. son faced each other in silence, the old lady's hands very tight on the handle of her cane.
 "When2" demanded Miranda Trent at last.
 Probably not until early dny after tomorrow An extra lew hours of preparation may add more Co my chances of getting them out alive than the delay can possible add to their immediate danger"
 After . pause in which she seemed to think thiS over, old Miranda nodded and asked, You're trying it alone then2"
 "It seems best" Barry was standing before the fireplace, lighting q cigaret his slim, 1.-the fig- ure dropping with Weariness, i've got to carry extra fuel in case l have to be out longer than l hope, Not to speak of emergency supplies"
 Your plans are oil made, l supposcp"
 "Bcen at it oil afternoon. It took little time to get the official okay."
 They were strangely quiet, thiS old woman and her grandson -- strangely alike in their curt mat- ter.of.fact directneSs. Question and reply waB as internationally business like a8 tho checking of an invoice. Gone the raillery, the little ceremonies, tho half.plnyful bickerings Of their daily inter- course. It was aS fl you saw them now stripped for action, and you could not iail to notice how ut- tesly thoSc two were made Of tho same fiber.
 "Lieutcnnnt Rust would have some means Of signaling aSldc from radio, mean s- Co q plane flying oyerhOnd2"
 "Io would -- unless the whole outfits wiped out"
 Suddenly Linda broke through the icy sheath of horror that had been closing In about her since She began Co understand, and cried out, Barry You're not going down there -- alone In thNt Junglep ,,, Oh, mol You said, yourself, It wes hopeless"
 She knew from their faces how childish her outcry sounded in the contained stiffness of that room, They turned to look at her ".. Barry, detached, almost grim m his woarineSB, old Miranda, rigid with incredul0uS annoyance.
 My dear Mi8 Benton" she said, her clear old voice like Il trickle of Icy water, "t think you forget yourself"
 Her Cy0S apologeticnlly swept tho galaxy of Superi0. Trent women hut looked on from tho pancled walls.
 If my grandson has decided what is best for him Ot do, it ia not for you or for mo a-. or for any other woman to tell him th0t hO must, or must not {, Now, " her manner dismissed Linda nS completely As If Bhe had not been there, "what Can 1 do to be of the most help, BHrryp"
 "Just have Jefferson Stlr me up something hot, and then shovel me Into bed, Duchess" BarryB smile held c gllmmcr of his usual carc- free self "nnd stop hopping on Titania for not wanting me tO fall among bon ConBtrICtors and croco- dllos. l think its mighty aWcet 0I her 0oshl" ho yaWncd and stretched. "i'm too dog tired and hungry Co care, myself"
 Miss Benton --" MrA. Trent glanced briefly nt Linda, whC stood like c stricken child, tht back of her iist pressed against hcl quiycrlng lipS--"Wil have to learn some time that making a fusf about things that have Co be i' about hB intelligent aB trying tl dam Niagara with chicken wire"
 Bho raisod herself briSkly from her chair.
 No, don't ring, Barry. pro" fer Co direct Jefferson, myself,
 
 Poor little 'ritanlHl" Barry took Linda Into his arms M tho lnd0mit. able tap Of Mrg Trent's cane faded into the distance. "itB q tough world for goBsamcr wings, Isn't it? Now this tlcB itl We tell grandmother akAltI a.N