The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-07-11
Chapter Seven
Anergy To Work

Allergy To Work
NORMA told herself this man
' was JAMS business, not hers.
She heard Frank coming down
the stairway with Lance and
went to meet them.
Silently Jan handed the small
package TO Derek, noticing for the
first time how he looked In the
trousers were several inches too
short and the shirt was a bit
tight, yet he wore them with a
manner Of careless indifference
which made you know he was ac-
custon1ed to better.
How tail are you, anyhow"
she asked, perceiving her small
straight nose was about in line
with his solar plexus. Those
were the longest trousers in the
salvage store"
"Six-three." He Knocked, whim-
sically. "Pn have my tailor alter
these morning trousers at once.
Say, what's in this package you
handed me?"
"Open il and find out, and those
trousers happen to be all day
affairs!"
He inspected the items she'd
purchased and flushed. why did
you bother7"
Il didn't want to hear Johnny's
how1s when he discovered some
one sharing his razor. Now, young
man, take that scrubbing brush
over there and get busy on these
carrots"
81 feel spell of allergy to work
coming on"
The best cure for that is going
hungry" she snapped. Carrots"
he deplored. Nevertheless, he
picked up the brush. She had to
show him how to slice off the
feathery green tops, scrub them.
and cut them into thin slivers for
cooking. While she hustled about
the kitchen preparing potatoes,
fish and salad. setting the big
breakfast table. he kept watching
her from the corner of his eyes.
He finally asked, why don't you
eat IN the dining room?"
IF you want to set the table
and carry the food back and forth.
it's all right with me. ! just have
too much to do, that's all. Cook
ing, cleaning, marketing, caring
for Lance, trying 20 make an art
ist Of myself" She halted She
hadn't meant Derek to know she
painted. She had fair intuition
he knew a great deal about many
things and wouldn't hesitate to
be critical Of her work
$50 you want to be an artist?"
he asked, momentarily intrigued.
Let me see some Of your work
sometime, viii you? Do you
sketch, do crayons. or use oils?"
"Al three. and water colors."
she said shortly. "But ! won't
show you anything. I'm not very
good"
"Art school?"
TOO much, perhaps. Let's talk
about you. It's perfectly ridiculous
for me not to know your name.
Pm not going TO hire detective
TO look you up and report on your
past"
Smith Or Brown
I'D LIKE to believe you, Jan. .
he said, his voice free Of the
mockery she had come TO dread
already. But others may not be
so reluctant to inquire and lie
might weigh too heavy on your
undoubtedly honest soul My
name is Derek. As for the sur
name - make it Smith, Brown,
White - to your queStioners. !
like my present status of ano-
nymity don't want to talk about
myself and ] refuse to. Sometime
you'll find out all about me-" He
heSitated and when ne spoke
again the harshneSs was once
more In his voice. 1T may disap-
point you. but Pm still ungrateful
70 you for saving my life. | don't
want II any more today than ]
did yesterday and ! don't care
what you do with it or about il.
I'll work, If you say so, it doesn't
matter. won't 60 back where ]
left of. that's all"
'sYou sound like a whipped
pup" she goaded, hoping resent
ment would betray him into con-
fdence.
Ignored pup Is a better ap-
pellation," he Knocked. Il was
never important to anyone. least
Of all 10 my parents"
Then it's a plain case of hurt
egol" she declared. "Its always
lot Of fun to 60 around feeling
sorry for oneself. I'd enjoy it If
! had time. Derek-White."
Here's your darned carrots. I"
he said violently. I'm going up
stairs and shave"
Johnny came in while they
were eating dinner. He glowered
az Derek. $50 you're still here
Wen, don't use my razor againl
You've got a beard like barbed
wire"
Without looking up Derek said
mildly, Il rinsed your toothbrush
In nice hoi water, though"
Johnny looked as If internal
combustion would blow him
apart. Norma giggled and Lance
ieoughed behind his napkin. Jan