The Washington times., 1938-06-22
CHAPTER TX


CHAPTER TX
Silly" Biff replied expan-
sively, with all his newly-ac-
ouired city wisdom. THE people
here are human, like everybody
else. But they're alive. They
hustle and worry-but they
create. Back home we wait for
crops to grow, hens to lay, suns
to rise. Here, they make their
owl. sun-rises, chart their own
destinies, build, create"
II wish I could understand
your point of view, Biff," Har-
riet said, thoughtfully. He Of
fered her a slice Of gum, and
they chewed on abstractedly. A
tall, naughty woman passed, dog
on leash, and Biff whiStled to
it. But both stalked on.
THAT'S New York." said
Harriet. "They pass you by. Up
home I'd have patted the dog
and chatted with the lady"
TRIES TO EXPLAIN
Biff was silent. Harriet was
with him again and there must
be no quarrels. He tried to ex-
plain: "At home there'd be
nothing else for you to do. Here
people are going somewhere, and
there's no time for small talk.
"Where we come from, sweet"
she seemed offended, SO he
kissed her hand-"they spend an
hour every day discussing the
weather. Sure, it's Quieting and
restful and all that, but 1t does
not get anything done"
She patted his arm and
laughed in a rippling, girlish
manner. What do YOU want
done, foolish boy?"
IT want to live. I want to
make a place for us in this
world. Darling, I want to marry
you'll"
The expression on her fc-s al
tered. "Biff, I'm sorry you said
that"
"But why, darling?"
I'VE mustn't talk about get
ting married, Biff. The way it
is, we're happy. We don't have
to be with each other all the
time. You can have your swing.
I can have my singing. Let's
keep it that way"
MUSIC GUSTS HAPPINESS
"But l want to be with you
all the time!" he said, forcing
his arm around her waist.
"Biff, we could never be
happy with this gulf between
us. No, it's impossible. It's
been wonderful ever since I've
been here, but why? Because
we never mention music. I try
not to think about your play
ing in that Dorsey band!"
Harriet, please" he inter
rupted, "that subject is taboo"
"Have it your own way, Biff.
she said, a note Of impatience
creeping into her voice, "but
you know well enough that most
decent people don't listen to
that kind of music and Ger
tainly don't play it."
Then I suppose that makes
me indecent?" he rejoined, bit
terly moving away.
II don't know what it makes
you, Biff. I only know what
feel" Then, trying to be friend
" again, she touched him lightly
on the shoulder. There, we've
gone and spoiled q beautiful
evening""
SAYS WHAT HE WON'T SAY
Don't say we," he replied
IT didn't have anything to dc
with it. Your remarks about me
and the band were entirely un
called for. I could say q few
things about your longhairec
friends and the schmaltz they
call music, but I don't out ot
respect for your feelings. THANK
heavens, I play music with lift
in it!"
I'm sorry if I hurt your feel
ings, Biff."
But he became glum. The.
rode home in comparative Sil
ence. He didn't kiss her good
night.
A few days later they wer
friends again. It seemed som,
force outside themselves simpl!
refused to let them be separated
But, simultaneously, other force
were at work underneath widen
ing the gulf between them. HI
was becoming more and NOR
broadway" and she was "gc
ing" Carnegie Hall.
Harriet developed a circle o
friends. people who read Schc
penhauer and talked socialism
and faScism. who gave musicale
of Bach and Brahms in thei
apartments; people who sut
scribed to the Musical Courie
and Musical America.
She became interested IN moo