The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-06-03
SHORT
SHORT
STORY

buJ Wn6n got
home Alice called
up, and it seems there's something
on her mind and only reading"
can straighten it out. And Annie,
too; she tells me there's something
she wants to know, and 1on't l 60
to the mediums with them? I don't
believe in that stuff myself, but
like Annie and Alice and, if it will
help her peace of mind, well, I figure
l can go to the mediums and get
back home before Eddie (this being
his night at the lodge) and do every
body favor.
Sol says to her, Sure, I'll go; let's
get an early start"
But Annie had to put all her kids
to bed-six of 'em. And Annie's
husband didn't like the idea of her
going to a medium.
l guess he knew what it was she
wanted to know.
When we got there we had to
stand on the stairs until somebody
came out and made room for us to
go In. And I didn't enjoy that very
much, as l was wearing my new
satin slippers, the ones with the
spiked heels. l don't like spiked
heef, anyway, and I would never
have bought them if I'd known how
long / was going to have to stand
on those stairs.
1t wasn't raining when we started
for the mediums, just sort of driz-
zllng, and l thought it would clear
off, so l wore my new spring coat.
Annie and Alice hadn't seen it be-
fore.
Before the medium was ready to
read us, Alice was looking at the
clock, and Annie was telling one
OF the attendants that she had left
her six children to come, but the at
tendant didn't seem to mind, and
there was nothing to do but wait.
And then our turn came, and we
were the last three.
Annie first and then me and then
Alice. We would have saved little
time, if she'd put me last, because
l wouldn't have waited. l don't be-
lieve in that stuff, although she told
me the truth.
She said everybody thought Annie
was millionaire, and that pleased
Annie, cause she had her diamond
engagement ring up where it would
show. She said I should have been
a lawyer and that was going to New
York. She told Alice that no one
could ever take the place of some
one who had gone, and Alice cried
and got her moneys worth.
Then we got out and it was rain
ing terrible. Annie wanted to take
taxi. 1 guess she felt like a mil
ionaire after what the medium
said. Alice didn't want a taxi, and
had to smooth matters over by
saying there was a street car COM
ing. We took it, and when we got
to the end of the line, Alice had
to take another car, and Annie and
l had a long walk in the rain.
Annie said her husband might not
let her in, so 1 had better go to
her house and explain about stand
ing on the stairs so long.
felt sorry for Annie having such
a cross husband and for Alice who
had lost her husband. was glad
had such a good husband who I'M
derstocd me.
So / went to Annie's to see that
everything was all right there and
then l started home alone. I Just
realized it was awful late, after mid
night. I wasn't afraid. That is not
afraid of anything in front of me,
but l kept looking behind. You
couldn't hear a step, it was raining
so hard. And how the wind blew!
1 didn't mind. I knew I would find
my Eddie when l got home and l
wanted to be sympathized with.
was cold and wet.
When I got there l rang the bell.
And Eddie opened the door. "Oh,
darling" I said, "I'm ruined"
showing him my rain-soaked slip
pers and listening for sympathy.
Serves you right" he said, "run-
ming around a night like this"
"But, Eddie, DEAR" l said, trying
to explain.
81 don't care where you've beer"
he yelled. land l don't even want to
know. But this partying out is a
game l can play, too"
l couldn't say anything; was so
cold and wet and tired. / walked
into the kitchen and l smelled the
imported bacon. knew Eddie had
cooked his own supper and l just
sat down in chair and cried
had tried to please Alice by 60
ing to the mediums, and to please
Annie by going to her house, and
to please Eddie by going to Market
street for the imported bacon, and
everything was gone wrong.
l don't know how long / was cry
ing when ! decided better take off
the wet clothes. Then l felt the
spiked heel slippers being slipped
off my feet; first the right and then
the left Then Eddie took off my