Evening star., 1937-10-31
Mooozins Section

She didn't care about the milkshake; it was
the principle of the thing A person he was
crazy about didn't mean as much to him as two
dimes That was what hurt. He had taken the
love OF a person who had refused to believe the
awful things said about him and kicked it in
the dust for twenty cents. She wasn't mad at
him; just terribly, horribly hurt nd-and dis
llusioned.
She was so disillusioned - not furious at
Bud, indeed not - that she forgot all about
the ride they were to take until he appeared
the next afternoon. After an aghast and raging
second, Isabelle was herself and greeted him
with no perceptible change in her usual manner.
10 let him see what he had done to her, to let
him suspect she cared whether or not she meant
two dimes to him - never! She'd be polite and
pleasant until this date was over; then there'd
be no more dates with him.
Would you mind if stopped by my house
minute?" he said as they started out This is
the Hst OF the month and I've got to speak to
Mom.'
why, of course, do stop. I'd love to meet
your mother" Funny she'd never thought
about him having family.
Ihatu be ssoeH," he said. 81 didn't mean
for you to get out of the car l was just going to
run In for second. But Mom1l sure like il if
you will come in.''
Oh, for heavens sake! Now she'd gotten her.
self into this when she could have stayed out of
It, And why was he looking so happy Just be-
cause she been polite about what she d thought
was an invitation to meet his mother?
His house was cottage in small garden
set In the midst of vacant lots. 1t was in nice
part OF town. She had expected him to live in
that shabby district known as lover bv the
Light plant" You'd think he would, with his
ideas about the almighty penny.
The cottage was attractive inside. its verv
small living room nicely furnished. Bud led her
on through the room to the kitchen, where
mddle-aged woman sat at table, pasting
labels on jars of preserves.
Nom! This is Isabelle Cummings"
Mrs. Haines stood up and held out both her
hands to Isabelle.
How I've wanted to meet you, child" Her
face was alight with look that made Isabelle
Ill at ease; made her feel she was being piven
some nameless yet precious thing to which she
had no right.
1T certainly is nice for me, Mrs. Haines."
she murmured. She had to get out of this house.
His mother wasn't what she'd expected. His
mother was nice and sweet the way she'd once
thought Bud was. And she couldn't be drawn
into being friendly sort of like into the family.
when she never wanted to have anything more
to do with Bud Haines.
Bud reached into his pocket and drew out an
envelope. Anybody been here yet Mom?"
mo. Son." Mrs. Haines sat down again fac
ing Isabelle who sat on the edge of chair.
That envelope has the money for the install
ment men. The stove and the icebox Buds
giving them to me-
How lovely!" Isabelle exclaimed automatic
ally and looked at the fine large stove and the
icebox. Then she saw Buds face. He was look
ing the way her father had looked.last Christ
mas when he'd given her mother the black
coupe and Isabelle the fox scarf.
A bell rang. Probably the stove man, Bud
said, and went to the front door.
His mother picked up one of the Jars of fruit
and stared through its clear amber as she said
to Isabelle:
You've made my boy very happy these last
two weeks. l wonder if he's told you ANYTHING
about HIMSELF"
well" Isabelle wished Mrs. Haines
~A-