Evening star., 1939-02-05

DScIl SlltAlS Will IlllIl dill lHe lOIR IllOIIlllR
on the high fagstoned terrace, and her gentle
voice was mixed in his ears with the droning
of the bees in Mara's roses the croaking of
the small frogs in Mara's pool, the singing OF
the wind through the Lombardy poplars that
Mara had planted. Mara's children were
playing with the two Great Dane puppies,
shouting and laughing as they chased one
another through the light and shadow of the
eucalyptus grove. Mara had been dead for
three weeks, and her mother went on talking,
while politeness, custom, whatever it was,
forced him to pretend to listen to murmur
assent or dissent, to look alive.
An airplane buzzed like giant dragonf1y
in the sky overhead, and Mara's mother said,
philip. why don't you learn to f1y?" She
misunderstood the response which he could
feel leap into his eyes, because she smiled and
went on. Il imagine you d enjoy it. And you'd
make good pilot, my DEAR
He smiled back, thinking to himself,
Steady, Philip - careful Don't let her see
what she has given you" Aloud, he said,
evenly, You know, believe l might enjoy
it," and felt shadowy sense of guilt, because
ne IedllZcu WIldl Sic was lillilhlIS, dIld
cause it was so far from the truth.
Philip Ventry knew what they had all been
saying, for three weeks, knew why they so
seldom left him alone. We've got to rouse
him. somehow, make him interested in some
thing as though he could feel interest in
anything, when Mara was dead The children,
travel, some hobby. 1t was strange that
there should be so many things in the world
as the things they suggested to him. dangling
them before him like bright toys before sick
child - business ventures. archaeological ex-
petitions. cruises, causes, Crusades.
He leaned forward and patted his mother
in-laws hand and she looked up at him,
quickly. intently Because the idea had come
through her, because of his own parents and
the children and what people called his good
name, he would have to be very careful very
skillful. But planes crashed
Amber sunshine streamed over the flying
field. as though the sun were gigantic flood
light, and the hills, and the mountains rising
behind them. we're still shrouded in mist.
Pete Carter said, Tomorrow at the same
time Mr. Ventryo Oke," and walked across
to the shadow of the hangar where Larry
Smith stood, his hands in his pockets, watch
ing the Wentworth girl solo. That s a funny
egg Ventry." said Pete. Il can't make him
out His eyes, puzzled. watched the long gray
and chromium roadster slide forward through
the gates. Thought he was a natural pilot, at
first, but today =" He shook his head. Il
don't know He seemed sort of cuckoo
"One of the first requirements, isn't it,"
Larry asked, grinning.
NO." said Pete, sourly And the sooner
you bright young birdmen get over that
idea -" He frowned, and let it 60. Ever
notice that most people are more concerned
at first with learning to land ship than to
fly it? They always seem afraid that Teachers
going to pass out or forget how to come down
and that everything will be up to them" He
snorted Know what this guy said today"
He mimicked Philip Ventrys low modulated
voice. The law of gravity rather takes care
of landing, doesn't it?'"
Don't you know when you're being
kidded?" Larry inquired, and looked up as
plane circled the field and pointed down.
Hey, l think that's Ventry's new bus. now
and is it honey!' He raced across the hard
packed earth toward the plane which landed
as smoothly as gull upon the water and was
taxing toward them. and Pete followed after
him. still frOWning.