Evening star., 1937-03-14

She let the dishrag slide into the water, and
stood with wet hands on her hips. But,
Larry, why didn't you say so before?' she
said, at last understanding Vic's silence and
why Larry had dwelt on their childhood rather
than their college years. You've always said
he was your best friend
Il didn't say that" He was looking at her,
or rather, id that strange way he sometimes
had, through her, as if she weren't there at all.
He lived next door; that's all
She stopped once more to plunge her hands
into the greasy foam. This only made it worse.
He wouldn't give up a grudge even to get a
job. He Vas too stubborn, too proud.
Understand, Marlan?" he said. and from
his infection she knew he hoped the matter
was settled.
Yes" she said, YEARLY Il understand
That night she lay beside him. sleepess in
the dark. Was he selfish, as she had accused
him of being? She hadn't really meant it then:
she had merely wanted to gOad him on, to
force him to action. For action was necessary
now. They couldn't continue like this, from
week to week, from month to month, always
hoping and never doing.
He turned slightly in his sleep, so that his
arm slipped across hers She felt the warmth
of his skin, almost felt that the blood was
coursing down his arm and back up hers in
one unbroken stream.
Larry" she whispered softly, not to dis
turb him but because she loved the very sound
of his name He gave little moan; but he did
not waken.
BY morning, she had decided what she must
do She was going to New York to see Vic
Sayres Larry would never weaken - she
knew his hardness - but this time, for once
she would have to disregard his wishes.
The train she planned on taking left Broad
Street shortly after noon At eleven she had
concluded that Larry would never leave the
apartment. He had been sitting at his drawing
board since breakfast.
Aren't you going out?" she said, at last.
IF you are, I've few things I'd like you to
get"
"All right" he said in minute
But it was nearer thirty minutes before he
finally stood at the door and called, so long"
She lifted her head from where she was in
dustriously polishing a chair. Better have
sandwich downtown she said. Il may run
over to Myra' this afternoon
"Okay."
1t was only when she was on the train that
she began to be afraid that Vic Sayres might
have left New York. She should have wired
him, as she had thought of doing; yet if she
{ had, he might have sent an answer which
Larry would have found before her return.
And Larry must know nothing until it was all
settled He would be furious enough when she
told him, but he would be less furious if when
she did tell him, she also reported the offer of
a job. She saw the scene already: Larry at
first outraged and indignant, then sulky, and
finally, after he realized the outcome jubilant
They would celebrate - have dinner down.
town, perhaps 60 to a play. Or it might be
better to defer the celebration until she got a
new dress. -.
But she must not count definitely on job.
Perhaps Vic Sayres, too. had pride Still, after
she had pleaded with him - and she would
get down on her knees if she believed it would
do any good - he would have to find some
thing for Larry. Even if there was nothing in
New York, there might be an opening on the
Coast. They could move if necessary; perhaps
buy a cheap second hand car somehow and
drive out.