Evening star., 1939-05-21
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Anita was only twenty-One, but she had
everything settled in her own mind. Settled
for ever and ever. They were going to get
married and have an apartment on Long
Island, where rents were low. They were 60
ing to keep on knowing the people they knew
now, be forever just what they were now.
They were going to be sensible and happy;
she thought there were rules for being happy.
If you worked hard. played hard, took care
of your health, saved some of your money,
and read good books :.
Il don see where she S wrong, he thought.
"Only she is wrong, somewhere
He wondered if he could reason this thing
out, prove to himself that he really was in
love with her She was pretty and clever and
good tempered. 1t was wonderful luck to have
a girl like that caring about him. He remem-
bered how. in the beginning. it had seemed
too good to be true. Maybe -
The train was slowing down now; he took
his bag from the rack and went along the
aisle She'll come to meet me - happy
Happy, and not dreaming that this was the
last time; that he would never come again
Hello, Doug!'
"Hello.'' he answered. A tall girl in slacks
and white blouse, sunburnt and dark-eyed
and laughing. She had Vera's battered old
car there; they got into it, and she set Oft up
the hill He wondered if she had noticed that
he hadn't kissed her :.
Il wish you'd been here last night, Doug.
We had midnight picnic, the whole crowd.
He wasn't listening Now that he was here
beside her, that anger came back; he was
angry at her for driving so stupidity and care
lessly, not even turning her head when they
came to a crossroad. Angry at her for being
50 cheerful, not noticing not seeing anything.
"Id know" he thought But she did not;
she read nothing in his face, or in his voice.
or in his silence "She may not care such
lot, after all, he thought
If only he could believe that HE
looked at her, and somehow she was aware
of it. and turned her head, her dark face
glowing. She was happy - because she felt
safe. She trusted him. 1t was not anger that
he felt; it was compassion that was anguish.
Il can't make her pay when I'm the one
who's changed Maybe can change back.
Back and forth. all the time, between his
irritation against her and his pity; between
his desperate urge to be free and his recoil
from wounding an innocent creature.
You look tired Doug" she said
Il am" Let that explain his silence.
She drove around the lake to the little
landing stage; they got into the launch and
she took the wheel. The wind blew her hair
back from her happy face; she began to sing,
She'll be coming round the mountain IN
clear. sweet voice, little fiat Join in.
Doug!'
mo-" he said. II can't!'
She laughed. After you've had a swim
You'll feel better She ran the lunch INTO
the cove on the island and jumped out. They
started up the hill. She reached for Randall's
hand, and they went on like that. hand in
hand. to the cabin where her friend Vera
lived, in an unceasing stream of guests. Vera
was forty or 50, amiable and nonchalant,
plump and pretty; she was sitting on the
veranda, wearing overalls and big straw
hat she waved at them.
Hello, Doug! Come on and have drink
There was a crowd, as usual. He didn't
want to 20 up and talk to them, and he didn't t
want drink. But Anita still held his hand,
pulled him after her Long drink, or short
one, Doug? Was it hot in the city? -.
(Continved on poss 12)