The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-06-07
CHAPTER vIII-Continued

-
leading John through the art gallery
or that you'd be sitting here in utter
silence"
"You underestimate the privilege
1t is to me to be permitted to talk
without being interrupted"
II suppose So" Gay was silent for
a moment, then asked, Have you
told John, Dad?"
John saw David Graham's express
sion alter. The diffidence he had
lost while he had talked of Johns
uncle returned. He glanced at John,
almost, he thought, watching, in
apology, then up at Gay, consider.
ingly. NO." he said. 81 haven't"
cts about getting place for
you in the research department at
Johns Hopkins" Gay said, eagerly.
"That is what you want?" John
heard the hesitancy in David Ora
hams voice, saw the considering
expression in his eyes.
"I'd hoped that I might work and
study there" he said slowly. cts
seemed pretty far in the future to
make definite plans"
"There will be an opening for you
the first of the year. I've been in
communication with the authorities.
Your training and ability will be
investigated, of course, but that's
largely matter Of course"
Grandfather had an operation
there" Gays voice was excited and
happy. "Considerate of him, wasn't
it,"
John looked directly at David Ora
ham.
81 appreciate what you've DONE"
he said, "but I couldn't accept a
place there the first Of the year."
"Gay has told me-" David Ora
hams embarrassment visibly in
creased. "But I-we-she seemed
to think that some arrangement
might be made"
''Isn't it possible, joint"
''I'm afraid not" He saw little
of the brightness go out of her face
but continued, "I've given DR.. Sar-
geant my promise to remain in Port
land until October. You see, Mr..
Graham, I'm discharging an obliga-
ton. DR.. Sergeant made it possible
for me to complete my medical
course and that was the stipulation"
"But if it's only a question of
money" Gays color deepened and
her eyes were very bright. Couldn't
you" She paused at a warning
glance from her father. looked down
at her hard.
'It isn't entirely. I've been work
ing with DR.. Sergeant since October.
He's leaving for a cruise the first of
the year. There wouldn't be time to
break in another assistant even if"
Even If you could swallow
your" She broke of, her eyes blaz-
ing, her chin held high.
Gently, Gay" David Graham's
face was very troubled. "This is q
decision which John must make"
They were staring at each other
like strangers, John thought, antag-
onism humming between them in
vibrations across the dim, richly
furnished room. But he could not,
he would not yield. It was not, he
told himself, entirely pride, not only
stubbornness. There was a deeper
reason, something he was unable to
analyze fully. It had to do with
all the other pressures being ex-
erted upon him by this life into
which he had been plunged.
''I'm sorry" he said, conscious of
David Graham's eyes fixed upon
him in compassion. 81 can't break
that promise, Gay. DR.. Sergeant is
depending on me. ] can't let him
down."
There was silence for moment.
Then Gays expression softened. She
gave low shaken laugh.
''I'm as bad as Aunt Flora" she
said. "I've just been despising her
because she very kindly offers to
arrange your life for you. I'm doing
the same" Her breath caught on a
sob. Forgive me. I'm sorry" She
slipped from the arm Of her IA
theirs chair and came toward him.
'I'n be patient. can wait"
He looked down at her as she
stood beside him, lovely in this
changed and softened mood.
"You do understand, Gay?" he
asked, wanting to take her in his
arms, to heal the hurt he had been
obliged to give her in the only way
at his command. Diffidence held
him motionless, self-conscious in the
presence of her father.
Her eyes fell away from his plead
ing glance. "Of course I under
stand" She laughed too quickly, too
brightly. "It's just that GRANDPA
theirs offspring have always had too
much of everything, suppose. We
don't accept disappointments grace
fully. Except you, Dad. You're the
only one of us who doesn't snatch
and grab" She linked her arm
through Johns. 'sHave you finished
with John?"
Il hope not" David Graham
smiled but his eyes were grave. II
hope to have the pleasure of pro-