Evening star., 1938-10-09


The soup was okay. Some sort of jellied
tomato, Bill decided. Gloria was giving her
all for the cause. Bill hurried back to Pamela
He caught Abbie's eye and winked
Am l bit touched or is there really
little subterranean strata of strain around
this board?" Pamela inquired.
You're the seventh lovely daughter of a
seventh lovely daughter" Bill assured her.
There is''
What's it all about"
Fried chicken had aroused Bills enthu-
siastic gustativeness.
Unless mistake the signs," he told
Pamela gleefully, you're about to find out.
When Abbie coughs that way, it means she is
getting ready to say something important"
But what the big lady in black said did not
sound sinister or even important to Pamela:
Maybe Mr.. Harlow would like coffee with
his dinner, Gloria:" she suggested throatily.
Gloria made fluttering movement with
her hands. Her eyes rested for brief moment
on her mother. Mrs. Tucker was smiling
innocently. Glorias eyes we're reproachful
But her reply was quick, decisive.
Its so warm, mother darling. We planned
to have coffee on the terrace afterwards
Il think that is sensible Ethel chimed
in valiantly.
Much pleasanter,' her husband agreed
swiftly. 'How's your golf game, Mr.. Harlow::"
Gloria rewarded her brother-in-law tact
with a warm smile II think that settles it,"
she began.
Jimmy was staring at his plate. He was
smiling grimly.
Young Bill caught his mothers eye. No
one but himself noticed the slight f1utter of
the right lid. He nodded. bent his head and
whispered out of the corner of his mouth to
Pamela, IF you want to have some fun, say
that you'd like your coffee now. Tell 'em you
have to have it for your health"
Pamela smiled around the table.
Il hate to be contrary" she said apollo
getically, but if it isn't too much bother Il
mean l m sort of silly about having coffee with
my dinner. You see
of course it isn't too much botherw Mrs.
Abbie Tupper doomed, us it, Gloria?" Her
eyes approved the girl las a matter of fact,
spent half hour in the kitchen while you
folks were guzzling alcohol for the express
purpose -"
''Of course, it isn't too much bother"
Gloria cut in. Her voice was shrill. We'll
have cup brought in and -
I'D like tea, Gloria" Bill put in. His eyes
avoided his sister.
Bill always has tea in the evening" Mrs.
Tupper told them with vigorous nod. Ever
since he was nipper."
Ethel glared at her brother. Her eyes said.
You dirty little traitor'
Gloria was staring helplessly at her hus-
band. Allan was coughing into his napkin.
LAS matter of fact, think Ill take my
coffee now" MIR. Harlow announced smiling.
though it S news to me. Pamela, that you"
That merely shows how urobservant you
are, Father Pamela said.
Thanks, my sweet" Bill murmured.
In that case. say let's give our guests
what they want" Jimmy suggested with loud
heartiness. But the heartiness did not fool
young Bill. What his brother-in-law was
really saying was, "Okay, Mrs. Tupper, you
asked for it,"
lis somebody about to be poisoned or
something?" Pamela inquired in small voice.
But Bill had no opportunity to answer.
Jimmy was speaking. His words were indul-
gently explanatory, shrewdly strung together
to form an apology for an old woman's va
carries. They were directed at Mr.. Harlow.
We we are going to have little sur
- I ~