The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-10-30
CHAPTER XVII

CHAPTER XVII
 A look of surprise spread over J c. Johnson's face. "WeH now, Ii tna' doesn't beat all for coincidence! Se this boy Webber goes into the plan, when he graduates, eh? Who prom ised him the job? Whats he golne to do? Is he bright?"
 She shook her head in despair. l, was always difficult to answer Whef he machine-gunned questions at her
 "You've got me. Pops. Only once did he confide in me . said nc had worked in a pottery in his home town and that his old boss had re- commended him to the Acme Super- intendent. or something like that"
 He chewed his cigar vigorously Hmm - and he doesn't like you does he?"
 She clutched his hand. Pops you're not going to - I mean, just because he doesn't like me, you're not ?"
 Lord, no, child. I couldn't be that mean. Just thinking what he'll do when he finds out who his new employer is. Pretty sem sible boy, from what you say though
 He took her hand again. Come on, now, tell me more about you The sorority the girls !. do they like you? you like them? What've you told 'em about yourself?
 She told him the whole story, from the time she first got of the train until she caught the plane for New York. But I think they like me much more now. Y'know Pops. I'm glad you insisted on me going to big coed school instead of some florncy Miss Somebody brothers seminary. I'm learning to know people and how to get along with them. It's something l missed when I was running around like mad couple of years ago"
 She pulled out the end of his necktie and toyed with it. And all I've told the kids about you is that you're big hardware dealer"
 Hardware - hawl Still, you're right at that, aren't you? We do have a hardware business some where along the line"
 They went shopping and took in a couple of shows before she boarded the return plane. She got back Thursday night, rather late. She hadn't given the girls much of chance before she left so now they piled her with questions from all sides.
 What was the big ideaP' Elaine wanted to know. What was so important that you had to fy?"
 Carol was a little more dip- lomatic. T hope nothing was wrong at home, she said.
 Nope nothing wrong at all Everything's fine" she told them after she had unpacked and sprawled into a chair. Just wanted to see Dad for awhile. He's all alone you know. and so busy most of the time. wanted to get there as quick ly as possible, so I flew. Simple enough, isn't it?"
 It was simple enough, Marianne agreed as they prepared for bed but Keith had seemed rather peeved when he came over and discovered she had left without calling him.
 aOh, he'll get over it." Joan prophesied. Anything happen ot real importance?"
 50 Keith isn't of real impor- tance-unquote."
 Joan heaved a pillow at her That isn't what I mean, squirt and you know it. C'mon, give out with some choice gossip. Or even plain news if that's all you have at the moment"
 Mariann grinned. "Well, then reading from left to right respec- lively. I f1unked my economics mid-term; Eddie Larson finally planted his pin on Bonnie Harris and Dan Webber is definitely out of the Duquesne game Saturday How's that?"
 Terrible. I knew you'd bust that exam. I also knew that Dir planting ceremony was due and noticed on the sports pages that Dan would be out"
 So you're reading the sports pages lately, eh? What're you doing clipping Keith's pictures for the family album?"
 "Oh, go way, squirt"
 Marianne grinned and duckec out.
 "Howdy, stranger" Keith greeted in history next morning. T see yor finally decided to drop in on u. again. When did you get in?"
 ~Late last night"
 "Thanks for calling"