The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-06-07
CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VII
 "Who?" startled. 'Me?" Joe was nonplused. Another new thought. sNo," he said finally. That ain't up my alley. You need somebody that's giving you a play. A boy friend"
 "But I'll never have any," she said. Please do it!"
 He looked at her. He chuckled. He was amused. All right. I'll take 1t on. When?"
 Tonight"
 "Right now? O. K"
 They crossed the street and turned the corner, walking little faster in the excitement of their purpose.
 Joe was amused at the way she sort of sneaked him hopefully into her home, like a little boy bring ing home stray dog he knows is most likely to be ejected forth with. The difference was that this stray dog had bark and certain strong opinions, and the election would be difficult, and there was no way of knowing if the whole thing would result in his accept ance or in extraordinary punsh- ment for her temerity in thinking of such 8 thing.
 They entered the MalloW flat through the front door that led off the stair landing into the parlor. It was stuffy, sugar and candy and acid kind of living room with no warmth or good feeling like the Murray parlor, as might be ex- pected. Terry lighted lamp and then went back into the other rooms to explain herself. Joe sat there, and he could hear the NYoices, querulous and little rasp- ing with suspicion, in the back, and Terrys bland, always bland and gayly hopeless, explanation.
 The grandfather came from the rear to investigate. He was a solid, heavy -jowled man with white hair and mustache and small eyes, and he had the contradictory look of being well fed and dyspeptic to- gether. He stood with his hands in his pockets and grunted, look ing at Joe.
 Joe smiled pleasantly, got up and crossed the room. He put out his hand to the old man, and waited, without saying a word, just smiling and looking at him and waiting.
 The old man looked at the hand, hs face took on a more sour ex- pression than ever, and he moved his solid shoulders a little, un- easily. He grunted again. He did not know what to say, because he did not want to say something pleasant, and Joe gave him no other opening.
 There is a strength in men that is like a flowing force, and II two men meet and the forces run side by sled together, they are friends; and if the forces meet head on or at an oblique, the stronger pushes the other back or sidewise out Of the way and goes on, dominating And that was what happened as Joe stood there waiting, bucking the old man and backing him down, till the old man pulled his hand from his pocket and gave 1t to Joe.
 Joe gripped it hard, but pleas antly. He explained that Terry and he had run into each other and he walked home with her. He said Terry had come to be a most welcomed visitors at the Murray home, that he was glad to return a visit, that he would take occa- sion to do the same often again.
 And that old man stood there and listened, looking hateful and unwilling, and did not know what to say to Joe. When he got his hand back again, when Joe was ready to give it to him, he thrust 1t deep in the pocket. He merely grunted once again in reply to Joe. He looked at Terry, and with that he found his opening.
 Don't you go out again" he said sourly. When your new beau goes, you come right back. You've got better things to do than entertaining company"
 "Yes, grand-dad," she said.
 He turned around to go, and added grimly, "You leave this door open while you're here. We'll be sitting inside" And he went off, rearward.
 The back of Joe's neck stung, as if it were scalded, and he was hot with sudden, baffled fury. A man would need to be awfully dense to miss the unspeakable point to that. Terry, for the moment, was acting as if no- thing had happened; she was an enigmatic creature, well trained at hiding her feelings. Joe swore, and looked at the door, and put hand on it as if to slam 1t shut forthwith
 But Terry sprang to him, to hold his hand, first hard, then as she felt him waver, soft and gentle Please, don't!" she whispered.
 Joe studied her, her face and her big eyes, and he put hand on her hair, stroking it roughly and gently and puzzledly, and ther he took her in one arm and pulled her to him and held her. She came quickly and put her head against his shoulder and left il there, eyes closed. They were moi in immediate view from the rear They stood so minute, and Joe looked down at her so quiet and