Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-03-17
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

ITS REALLY because of me
that mothers renting tii>se rccaI;s,
Dinah explained in her friendly
way, as she led Iona into the
kitchen of the wing of the Morriss
home Iona was planning to rent.
"You see, mothers had to go to
work in the library downtown.
Some of the investments father left
us have gone wrong, and she must
make living. I'd do it gladly for
her if l could, but-you see how II
if with me-" She shrugged, and
looked down at the wheel chair IN
which she sat, and a shadow
crossed her bright face.
"It worries mother to have me
here alone all day." she went on.
"She thinks 1 can't manage. 1 can,
of course, but if it will make her
feel any easier, I'll be glad to have
you in these rooms that is, II
YOU want them."
"They're perfect" Iona told her.
"Just what I've been hoping for.
I'm sure my husband-Mr. Bennett
will like them, too. Could move
right in, do you suppose 2"
Dinah laughed. "Of course.
Everything's ready" She wheeled
over to the shiny cupboards and,
.fiinging open the doors, revealed
neat rows of shiny dishes against
the painted interior. Can you
cook?" she demanded, and Iona
laughed.
II kept house for my father for
years." she said, sudden impulse
to confide in this new found friend
almost overcoming her.
would you-do you have to go
for your clothes right away?"
Dinah asked, then, her tinkly voice
a little wistful. Gould you-stay
for lunch with me? 1 was just
ready to get it when you came.
I hate eating alone!" The eyes
clouded.
"Why, I'd love to-" Iona heard
herself asserting, and knew that
she meant it. She, too, had disliked
to think of going back down town
and eating alone. She wasn't to
meet Jim until three o'clock, and
there were almost three long hours
before that.
She already felt at home in the
roomy old-fashioned house as she
followed the trundling wheel chair
with it's bright-haired occupant
back across the hall into the SUM-
lit living room.
1--WE could have lunch together
every day like this" Dinah said,
later, as they dawdled over tall
glasses of iced tea across the
white-clothed lunch table. THAT is,
if your husband-will he be home
, at noon? ?"
Iona shook her head. "It's 60
ing to be nice, having friend" she
said shyly. "I-somehow haven't
had many girl friends. Not since
was youngster back home"
You'll have friends here" Dinah
told her. This is a friendly town.
Some time soon I'll have a party
and you can meet everybody" Her
eyes glowed.
"You mean you'll introduce me
to-your friends ?" Iona knew sud-
denly how much she wanted to be-
long to people again, how much
she missed being part of a circle.
"Of course" Dinah laughed her
bright, merry laugh. 1--WE know
everybody, mother and I. And
they'll all want to meet YOU"
ut won't make any difference
that we're just-your renters ?
You've only known me an hour or
so, you know"
Dinah laughed again. IT feel as
if I'd known you always" she said.
Besides, can judge people pretty
well. Being always quiet the way
I have to be, mas made me sharp.
I've nothing to do but study peo-
pie. A shut-in gets to know ex-
pressions and what's in peoples
minds just by looking at them.
We're sensitive, you know. Always
afraid we're being a bother to
someone, or making someone un-
comfortable by our helplessness.