The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-10
FORTY-ONE

6tVIJ ~ -
dlched from a garbage can. settled
on . gable roof near Bill Balley's
window to fight it out. The hour
was approximately 6 am.
"Squeee-e-e-er, squeeee-e-e-er,
chick" one blue fellow called the
other, and apparently it was an
pathological insult. The second
bird cursed ever louder, squeaking
and shrieking to high heaven.
Their wings were %fluttering and
they dived at each other, gathering
against the roof and even against
the window screen.
"For pete's sake, what the de-
Wis going on?" Bill growled.
They ignored him. Unafraid OF
man, much, anyway the jays went
on fighting, almost within his arms
reach. He sat up to be a spectator.
They made such an unholy
springtime clatter of it that Jer-
envy Tucker awoke in the ext
room also. Bill heard Jeremy
laugh.
I'm betting on the blue one!'
Bill called.
IT say-see here, they're both
blue, Bill"
That's what I know. I can't
lose.'
Wide awake now, the two youths
put on robes and house slippers
and came out on the broad second
story porch of the mansion, a roof
less expanse with banisters a n d
chairs and hammocks, command
ing exquisite views around w o
sides of the house. They talked OF
the birds, watched them fly gar
rulously away.
Grand morning." Bill declared,
inhaling prodigiously. wouldn't
mind fighting myself"
He squared off in a mock attack
On Jeremy, jabbing, feinting, duck
ing, grinning and cutting up like
the healthy boy he was. Jeremy
responded in kind, albeit, a bit
awkwardly.
"You ought to box, Jeremy.
Ought to know how. I wish we had
some gloves.
"I-1say-ah, there are some.
In the attic. Hanging on a nail.
Quite dusty, no doubt. MI. Weems
said they were fathers"
Lets go get 'em!"
The gloves were old, none too
strong now, but serviceable. Bill
showed Jeremy how to get them
on, began teaching him the rudi-
ments of self-defense.
mo, when you see a chance to
hit-hit! Don't swing in an arc,
Jeremy. If you do, your opponent'l
dart straight in and smack y o
down. Hit straight, hard! Like
this"
He demonstrated, Earring Jer-
envy considerably, but not painful
ly. NOV get the feel of it. Try a
quick, hard jab onto my chest. See
how it feels.
Jeremy jabbed weakly.
Come on, man, puncht"
Jeremy let 60. It was a good
punch this time and Bill was jolt
ed backward, but he took it grin
ming. That's the stuff"
For a half hour they exercised,
stamping, stepping, blowing, talk
ing and laughing, and striking at
each other as only youths C an.
Both turned pink from the exer-
else and the %exultation as well.
The morning air was cool, the exer-
else invigorating.
Both of them had dropped loung-
ing robes, skinned off pajama tops,
and were boxing naked to the
waist. Slap! Smack! Slap-slap!
They had no timed rounds, Just
practice ad lib, with Bill instruct
ing. Then their bodies hit an iron
table and overturned it, and all at
once they laughed and stopped to
blow hard.
Round two coming up!" a
voice called.
They turned to see Gayle, MIR.
Merrifield, Mr.. Weems and even
the butler, staring at them with
deep interest. Mr.. Mortified sud-
denly laughed heartily. Gayle, look
ing ever so lovely in her powder
blue robe, came out and slapped
Jeremy lightly on the back.
Bella LANAN-COURT R
Eo,.~l Al