The Coolidge examiner., 1937-10-07

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lunch, and take his presents. and
hate me. Hate me because l won't
give you your way. But in the end
III win!"
Victoria and Violet Keats sat on
the Hardisty lawn on hot spring
afternoon and discussed. with limi-
tations, their husbands and chill
dren, their homes, servants. and
friends. their lives generally. The
long Saturday had been spent by
Violet and her own quartette, Of
youngsters with the Hardisty troop;
now it was late afternoon, and the
problem of getting Kate, Duna,
Bunty. and Babs Keats amicably
separated from Gwen, Kenty, Sue,
Dicky, Bobs, and Madeleine Har-
diSty was like an uneasy under
current to the women's talk.
II suppose you couldn't leave
them all with us, Viz"
What, all four of theml" Violet
calculated. II couldn't leave one.
Mothers birthday tomorrow.
"Pd forgotten that-although l
sent her flowers"
Did you really think to send her
flowers, Vic?"
Il did, and a book"
You're charming, and she really
loves you, and always has," Violet
said, touched into a rare display of
feeling. II don't know why you
worry so about this baby of yours,
she added, going back to earlier
talk. He may be just slow. Duna
was terribly slow; he didn't walk
until he was nineteen months DID,"
Vic looked down at the yearling
baby in her lap.
"Marty's not Slow" she said gen.
tly. ITS more than that, vi. My
own boy!"
The last was murmured to the
child. who looked up at her with
smiling blue eyes. Small and re-
laxed and secure. he lay in her
arms. He never fretted, he did not
seem sick, but this littlest of the
Hardistys had only been loaned to
her for a while, and his mother
knew it.
Quentin think so?" Mrs. Keats
asked abruptly. You've had an
other opinion?"
knows So" Victoria spoke mild
ly. but her whole body was torn
with a sigh.
Violet was silent
Isn't it strange?-this little fell
low means more to Quentin than
any Of the others did. He's always
loved them as soon as they got in
teresting, but only this one from
the very start!"
"All men are like that" Violet
put into the pause.
Martin he adores. It's strange"
Vic unused. Hell come home night
after night and sit holding him. He
used to say Marty understood him;
he doesn't say that now. he doesn't
say anything"
Il feel so badly for Quentin"
Vicky presently continued.
For Quentin" Mrs. Keats tone
was sharp and quick. She appar-
emily reconsidered what else she
might have added. and when she
spoke again her tone was milder.
II feel sorry for you, my dear"
she said. Il think you're a re-
markable woman. Vicky."
"Oh. thank you!" Vicxy answered
gratefully, with little flush.
And so does everyone else" Vio-
let persisted. And sometimes
there is someone I'd like to talk
tot" she added. significantly.
Vic's eyes laughed, but there was
a CLINT of warning in them, too.
Because adore Quentin-we
both do" Violet proceeded further.
I'VE both do" she repeated, trying
to open a door.
"Quent's a genius" Vic said
simply. closing it once and for all.
How'd he like Germany, Vic?"
the other woman asked, abandoning
her other lead.
He had a remarkable expert
ence. He stayed with the Won Hoff-
mans and almost worked himself to
death. But he said it was a Won
derful experience.
He got home last week. you
said?"
Last Saturday. He looks thin,
older, somehow" Victoria said.
"Ah. here they all come!"
Painting, breathless, exhausted,
the children now emerged from
cover and flung themselves about
on the lawn. They ranged from
Kate Keats and Gwen, sixteen years
old apiece, to Madeleine Hardisty,
who was four. Brown, tall, hand
some children in white shirts and
tan shorts, they glowed, sparkled,
shone with the beauty of bright
eyes and clear skin, flashing teeth
and tumbled masses of rich soft
hair, firm young legs and arms.
They had had luncheon on the lawn
today; had had two swims of in
deterninate length. Now Susan's
brilliant thought was that the
Keatses should stay to supper, and
that they should make it picnic.
Victoria considered this temperate