The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-03-04

4
won't fire you from the NeaoS, all
your enthusiasm and interest in
the job has gone. You're always
grumbling. But are you sure you're
fitted for anything else?"
'How can I tell, unless ] have
the chance to try?"
II don't think you'll have the
chance, until you're fit to take it.
Tony Lance and most of the war
correspondents speak three or four
languages. You speak Russian we'll,
French passably. You ought to
learn more German, then Span
ish."
But l could never do that. It
takes year. to become foreign
correspondent. Languages are aW-
full"
"You might not need to speak
f1uently, for some jobs abroad.
Though I believe you'd soon learn.
You're quick at them. But at least
ask Rowdon if there is any pos
sibility of an opening, if you do
work tremendously hard. How is
he to know you are seething with
ambition? You scarcely ever speak
to him, and you don't tell him."
Peters head jerked up. by jove,
my darling girl, 1 believe you're
right"
He sat still for a second, then
bounded to his feet. He walked
straight to the door.
Where are you going?"
"To ask him, now! He works late.
He'll be there!"
He was back within an hour.
When she heard RoWdon's an
swer, Petronella was content. It
conveyed 4 promise. go right
ahead. You never know. We could
probably use you," he had said. 1t
brought bright new hope to Peter.
Thereafter, it was her task to fos-
ter it. He started at once on a Ger
man course. She went with him.
to see that he did not miss classes.
TLove You
GRADUALLY, as June changed
~ into July, the interest of peo-
pie, and parties, became less of a
t e m p tion. Casual visitors,
abashed at finding them working,
waited to be invited. Also, the f.
nancial situation was curbing gai-
ETY.. When men met, they talked of
the alarming withdrawal of for
eign funds from Germany; of the
Communist riots in the Rhu-. OF
the world wide deficits facing
other countries, and of the budget
deficit facing Great Britain.
! just don't understand what
has happened to all the money!"
said Petronella, in beWilderment.
She read her daily paper with
this same feeling of numbed I'M
derstanding, and helpless fear. 81
must try to understand it." she told
herself fiercely, wrestling with the
names of Chinese provinces, war
lords, Communist leaders, COVER
nors, and generals.
There was a military rebellion
in the north, she gathered. But be-
yond that, it was a constantly
changing story of banditry, flood,
famine, and rebellion. Tony Lance
was still in China.
It was a fiercely exhausting
summer for Petrol. They went to
German class on Thursdays, and
Spanish conversation lessons on
Tuesday nights. The other eve
nings, whenever Peter was at
home, they sat on either side of
the table in the sitting-room, hear
ing one another's verbs, reading
Russian. As the summer advanced,
London became close, and sitting.
The economic crisis broke at the
beginning of August. Gold was
flowing out of Britain. The emer-
sency was so grave, that the Eco
nomic Committee of the Cabinet
sat all day, in Downing Street, dis
cussing means of balancing the
budget. Petronella and Peter went
on working. They took their books
to the park, and sat there till it
grew dark.
1t seemed to Petronella that she
was ways stiff from sitting, and
weary from learning. James pro-
vided her only real escape to
pleasure. In June, Aunt Maisie had
chaperoned her in Cambridge for
two of the lay weeF balls. She
had danced till daylight, in a great
| befioWered marquee. On alternate
Friday evenings, James came to
town in his small sports car. He
took her to dinner, theater. or to
dance.
1T isn't any life for a girl, work
ing as you do" James told her. She
defended Peter against his impli-
cation, quickly.
II went out to Burma half
educated. I'm finishing in London.
instead of Paris, or Lausanne.
that's ALL"
'You wouldn't be expected to
learn anything in a finishing
school, or take examinations, or
do the cooking, and washing up.
You're looking tired"
''It's only for little while. 1t
will be worth it, eventually. He
will speak Russian. French, Ger
man, and Spanish, moderately
well, and I shall speak them badly.
Peter is quick at languages, Jamesi
He'll also understand the political
troubles of the world, and the gold
standard"
After their Friday evenings to-
gether, they drove down to Sussex,
through the fresh country air.
James would kiss her, restrain
edly, when she said good night. On
this particular evening, he held
| her for a minute LONGER II uyaS a
warm September night. The gar
den was filed with the scent of
Aunt Maisie's roses. They stood on
the doorstep, facing one another.
docs this career business come
first, and love poor second?" he
asked. I've been meaning IN fell