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

EdWtna. When Bruno was four he hac
pneumonia and after that his hear
was weak and he had always to bt
very careful.
John said: 81 think Bruno should
learn to do everything-swim and all
that. Easily, you know. Perhaps he will
! outgrow the heart condition if he goes
at 1t right" But Nells mother was
shocked at such q notion. You'll kill
himl" she said. mo, Bruno, you stay
right here on the sand and be quiet
No, no-you mustn't touch Edwina's
sand pail"
Nell floated away from the shore
and stared up at the sky, blue as the
water. Suppose I floated aWay-away
one at ALL" she said to the sky. Then
she turned and saw John swimming to-
ward her, lovingly, anxiously, and she
swan toward him quickly.
It was then she began to write poetry.
! One day the children were out in the
yard playing and Martha was fixing
them a picnic for their lunch in the
grape arbor. Nell walked out toward
the children but they seemed not even
family aware of her coming and sud-
denly she turned and walked back to-
ward the brick house.
Then she went into the little study
that had been hers since she was IA,
sat down at the desk and out Of her
pain and bewilderment began to write.
She was surprised at how good her
poem was. She was surprised, too to
get it published. TITS just an acct
dent. It won't happen again." she said,
1t did happen again.
Often, now, when John came nome
at night. he found her in her small
room.
TN finish by being married to a
famous poetl" he said
mo. No. I'll never be that" she said
"I'm not very good. But 1t gives me
something to do. I get so restless,
John"
Presently it was time for the chill
dren to go to school and then Nell |
chauffeuered them back and forth. I
They went to Rackham. "Now-not /
word John" Nell's mother said. II
know what 1t costs and. I'm glad to do /
it. want to do It,"
'It will give them false notions of
their financial status" John said.
"Nonsense-you can't spoil children
brought up simply the way Edwina
and Bruno have been OF course,
you have pampered Bruno, but that has
to do with thisl" John turned
away and said no more.
At Rackham they expected Edwina
to be gifted because her mother was
a poet. But Edwina had only facility
for everything and no desire to work
at anything. Bruno had the talent,
really authentic talent for writing. Ev-
he said or wrote had its own
peculiar grace, but Bruno was always
Tired and Bruno, too, knew nothing Of
The meaning Of work.
One day when Edwina had company
Tor supper and Bruno was refused a !
yuest, John said TO Nell: Nell, shouldn't !
Bruno have his chance at guests, as
much as Edwina?" :
But when Nell said: Mother, you
probably don't realize it, know Ed '
vina's been 'Nanna's girl forever-but
you do favor her over Bruno quite no.
iceably. He's been Ill. And he's a
onely boy" "
"Why should he be lonely? He just /
likes to play on his illness to get at
ention and make disagreeable scenes {
or effect" '
"He hasn't enough to do" Nell said. I
John did want him to weed, to swim h
nd such things-but you've always
bjected." Y
II haven't objected to his occupying h
dmself," her mother said. "He doesn't a
ave to weed to make some life for
imself." h
"But Edwfna-you make her life for b
er," Nell said. "
'T? Nonsense. She's young and alive h
nd she makes her own life" h
But John didn't let it go. wouldn't a
be possible for us to 60 away some
here this summer-Just you and and