The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-07-12
CHAPTER Confined

High this year practically over
Mothers dead body, have to stick
at them" Debby walked reluctant
ly toward the door. "She wanted
me to 60 to college,"
"Why didn't you want to go?"
Gay asked. IF you dislike it
here"
Debby glanced away, a flush STAIN
ing her olive cheeks. "I'm talking
too much, I guess" She turned,
came back to Gay, threw her arms
around her. II think you're love-
ly,' she said in rush Of impulsive
words. 81 don't know quite how
John managed it-you-but I'm glad
he did. Don't you listen to anything
anybody says, not that they'll say
much but"
''What do you mean, Debby?"
Gay asked, puzzled.
But Debby did not explain. GIVE
got to CO." she mumbled, not look
ing at Gay, and went running out OF
the room.
"You shouldn't have gone to extra
trouble for me, Mrs. Houghton,"
Gay said, as Johns mother came
into the living-room with tray.
"It's no extra trouble" Ann
Houghton arranged dishes on the
small table before the open fire
in the iving-room. "It's warmer
here than in the dining-room."
Johns mother smiled family. Her
skin was dark like Johns and Deb
by's. Her dark eyes, deeply set
under straight dark brows, were as
somber as Johns were when he
was troubled. She held her taller
than average figure erect but .rath-
err, Gay thought, because some in
domitable purpose, through sue
cession of years, had stiffened her
spine, than because she realized or
gave a thought to the decorative
value of a fine carriage. Her hair
was lovely, dark with only a sprin-
king of gray. It waved back from
her forehead and temples, softening
the bony contours Of her face. Prop
erly dressed and with the stiffness
relaxed she would have the distinc-
ton Uncle John had had. Gay won
dered if she had ever had his warmth
and hunor, If she ever laughed
aloud.
1.-THE fire is pleasant" Gay poured
coffee into a thin porcelain cup with
a red sea-weed pattern. 81 had no
idea it could be so cold here in
March,"
Were accustomed to the cold"
Ann Houghton, seated in wing
chair at the opposite side Of the
hearth, took length Of knitting
from a bag hanging on the arm of
the chair. She was never idle, Gay
had observed in the two days she
had spent in Johns home. Her
housekeeping was ritual meticu-
lousy performed. In those mo-
ments, as now, when she was not en-
gagged in some active task, her long
hands with prominent knuckles and
nails, nicely shaped but unmani-
cured, were busy with knitting or
sewing. tits healthy but not very
comfortable, especially since you've
just come from Florida"
81 don't mind at ALL" Gay said
quickly. Cant we go for walk?"
"I'm afraid I can't spare the
time" Johns mother said in the
cool deliberate tone which held Gay
at an impossible distance. ''But
you go, if you like. Only you must
wear Debby's moccasins." Her
glance fell to Gays sturdy but dain-
tily fashioned oxfords. cts so easy
to get your toes frosted. I shouldn't
want you to suffer from chilblains
the rest Of your life."
"You would probably enjoy a
walk" Johns mother said after an
interval of silence during which the
needles had clicked and Gay had de-
terminedly finished her breakfast.
''It's dull for you while Sarah and
Debby are in school. If we had
known you were coming, we might
have arranged something entertain
ing, though everybody has been
storm-bolind during the past two
days"
'sIt was inconsiderate Of me to
have brought blizzard. Coming
almost directly from Florida. /
should have done better"
Ann Houghton's faint smile was
her only acknowledgment OF the
pleasantly.
81 don't, ordinarily, encourage
gaiety during the week." she went
on. "This is Sarah's first year of
teaching in the high school. She is
naturally eager to make a favorable
impression and she isn't very
strong"
Sarah looked strong enough, Gay
thought, though little subdued and
unhappy. No, not actively unhappy,
resigned. A little gaiety, the thought
continued, would do Sarah more
good than her mothers persistent
coddling. Still that was Sarah's
concern-and her mothers.
It's pleasant just to be here,'
Gay said. She pushed her chair
back from the table. slipped her