Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-10-29

mother went. too-and Martha, to look
after them.
Nell walked out on the pier with
John one night and said: John it's
worse instead Of better /. Mothers
frightened all the boys around off, tell
ing them Bruno's sick, and he sits
brooding day after day He could do
almost anything l almost have
the courage to tell Mother we are go
ing to move by ourselves"
John stood abruptly still. There was
the smell of water and wood of rotting
old piles. If we only could he said
simply.
But that was the summer Nell's
mother fell and broke her hip. The
break didn't heal and there her moth
er lay, week after week, month after
month.
Nell did go into her study one day
and close the door, lean against 1t and
say: "At least, now I shall run my
own housed"
But she did not. Her mother was
quite capable of managing 1t from bed
and did. And Martha knew by now all
that needed to be done.
All the girls Edwina knew were to
have coming-out parties. ITS ridicu-
lous," John said. I'VE could not even
consider it. You're welcome to have
your friends here, and we'll do the best
we can for you in the way of clothes
and vacations but we can't have any
formal presentation"
Now, see here" Nell's mother said
to John one night, I'VE can have a
tea for Edwina here in the garden.
There couldn't be prettier place and
certainly I'm not ashamed of the
house. Martha can make food better
than any caterer and surely Edwina
could have a new dress for 1t :. Why,
1t would be cruel not to let her have
what all her friends havel"
So Ansel put on a white coat and
to look a very respectable
family retainer, Martha made her per- !
feet salads and cakes and they had
the garden party. And then Edwina /
was caught into a whirl of winter par /
ties and suddenly she came in one /
night, flew into her grandmother's I
room, woke her and said: I'm going I
TO be married, Mammal" Married? No
such thing. You're too young" her
said. But in six months
she was married-to Sam Bowen and
lis sister Sue.
isn't this sister Of Sans something
II a tartar?" John asked Edwina be-
ore the wedding. "She's always lived
With him, hasn't she?
Tartar is no name for herl" Ed
vina admitted. But I can manage
ler."
But Edwina had never managed any
hing, except her grandmother, and
he could not manage Sue Bowen,
rho had thought herself secure with
bachelor brother forever. Sue would
lot have her She set out to spoil
he marriage. Edwina and Sam began
D quarrel at once, quarreled violently,
4 the manner of coddled people who
ave never had to give in. 1t was
ohn's and Nell's fault. Nells mother
aid. They shouldn't have allowed Ed
ina to have her own way.
The doctor said Bruno wasn't to go
ack to college, at least for year or
NO. He must be quiet at home. Il
Tonder" John said hesitantly, IF per-
APPS it wouldn't be better II Bruno
Id go to school and take only two or
lree subjects. To be at home here
18th all you women folks making
ESS over hint doesn't make for
ealth, that sort Of thing"
But Nell's mother said: 1.-THE trouble
it'll you, John, Is that you've never
ad an ache or a pain. You haven't
ny imagination"
oddly, Bruno didn't want to stay at
OLue. ne O1Qu I WhIlb 10 20 70 COleBt
1t he did want to get away. He
anted to take a canoe trip with boy
2 knew. Don't be ridiculous, boy"
S grandmother said. He turned sullen
Id restless and rude to everyone.
Nell looked up and the dessert had
,en served and eaten, the coffee fin
he'd. They were rising from the table
Id no one seemed TO know she had
zen years away. Only John said, q
tie anxiously: Better come out in
e garden a while, Nell. It's pleasant
ere now"
tn get mothers tray first" she said. =
er voice was her own voice and r
unded quite as always.
She moved toward the stairs but Ed
ma was slipping ahead Of her I'D the
airs and reached her grandmother's
or first
Don't go In therel" Nell said sud-
My and sharply.
Edwina turned and started at her.
ont 20 in2" she said
NO, keep out Of your grandmother's
om tonight I win bring the tray
wn." She spoke colby and pre- h