Evening star., 1940-03-31
Il Short Story Complete in This Issue


Reynolds house with final rafting
flourish. Audrey Reynolds had tripped down
the stairs and paused before the mirror in the
hall for moment, simply from force of habit.
Then she had said goodby to her parents with
very bright, forgiving smile.
Mr. Reynolds and Mrs. Reynolds listened,
in silence to the sound of a banging door and
racing engine. Shortly, with number of loud
but unidentifable sounds, the ancient vehicle
pulled itself together and headed towards the
movies.
And now Mr. Charles Reynolds - ordina-
rily an amiable man - turned on Audrey
Reynolds mother irascibly. "You tell me
what's the matter with that kid" he said.
1t was the tone he used when he disclaimed
any share in Audrey heritage. Mrs. Reynolds
was, not unreasonably, a little annoyed. Pur-
sing her lips little, she looked back on the
scene at the dinner table.
1T was your quarrel" she reminded him.
And l must say you didn't handle it very
tactfully, Charles"
Il didn't know had to be tactful had
some crude idea could ask my own daughter
simple question - and get simple answer
Apparently was wrong"
Mrs. Reynolds decided to be soothing. His
feelings were really hurt. 1T hadn't anything
to do with you," she assured him. 1T only
had to do with Christine Deacon - and what
ever in the world is the matter with her."
What is the matter with herr"
Il don't know" Mrs. Reynolds said,
thoughtfuly. Il met the child, you know, the
day called on Mrs. Deacon And she was
very attractive, thought"
We'll, it's downright mortifying" MIR.
Reynolds said What am supposed to say to
Deacon - the next time see him?"
Il really don't know, darling"
And they brooded again in silence
HE Deacons were newcomers to Medville.
As family, Mr. Reynolds thought, they were
a decided asset to the community. Mrs.
Reynolds was planning to introduce Mrs.
Deacon to the bridge club, and Mr.. Reynolds
was planning on an extremely pleasant busi
ness relationship with Mr.. Deacon. Audrey
alone held aloof from the general concord. She
would have nothing to do with Christine
: Deacon. And this her parents thought. was
an astonishing thing.
What did Mr. Deacon say, exactly?" Mrs.
Reynolds asked at last, breaking the silence.
Tell me calmly, dear"
We'll, as l told you" Mr.. Reynolds said,
Deacon came to the office to discuss some
leases and one thing and another. And then,
!, naturally, asked him how he liked it here
in Melville and how it seemed to live in
small place like this after living in big place
like Chicago"
"Yes," said Mrs. Reynolds.
well, he said he liked it all right, and he
said Mrs. Deacon liked it all right, but he said
this pem kid of his this Christine - she was
having an awful time. And then he came
right out point blank and asked me what was
the matter with the young people in this
confounded town.
"Oh, dear! said Mrs. Reynolds.
YES The way his daughter was being
prosecuted and ignored, he said, he and Mrs.
Deacon were thinking of moving right back to
Chicago. Now whether Deacon kaec had a
kid with her hand in every doggone thing that
happens in that high school
NO." Mrs. Reynolds put in hastily He
probably didn't know. But he will know, of
course. So will Mrs. Deacon. And they're