The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-06
TWENTY-FIVE

to his wedding, that h reailze'
how Ellen might take her casua
announcement that "of course" sn'
would be going back to live Will
her mother"
ut isn't that I don't love 1t mere
Ellen" she said with a wistful al
tempt to make the ether girl un
derstand, because I do. But .
but mother has a big place ane
n1entv of servants" She realized
that that was a mad way to say IT.
and finished desperately, I'm Still
pretty weak in the knees and l neeo
a lot of taking care Of. I'm only
4 burden around here these days.
you are. not"! Ellen denied
"However much I shall miss you, !
understand. With the wedding
coming off and all that, it is nat
ural for you to want to be with your
mother and do all you can to helr
with the preparations"
Fabienne gave her a grateful
glance. Dear Ellen; trust her 10
make it easy.
'I'm not sure I approve or 1t al
ALL" Bill said calmly. You're a LOT
better off here where we can keep
an y on you. It's going to be
some time before you have your
strength back. A round of parties
isn't going to be the convalescence
I recommend at all"
Fabienne gave him a glance OF
simulated hauteur and said, pr.
Mallory, when I ask your PROBES
sional advice" Then she laughed.
will you ever forgive me for that,
Bill? I was beastly, ill.bred and"
Skip it," he said, standing over
her with a broad grin. But if you
want any more names to call your
self I'll supply a few"
Ellen got up and went into the
bedroom.
Fabienne said loudly, I'm aw-
fully tired, and I have a very good
book. I think I'll go to bed. Good
night, Bill. See you in church." She
held out her hand.
I'm still the physician in attend
hllCSs liz lSl11411ASo ~ -
have not discharged your case"
BE a lamb and discharge 1t
now" she told him. II promise to
sleep fourteen hours a day, take my
medicine and cal all the horrible,
fattening things you advise. When
you see me at the wedding, you'll
see a great Improvement" She
hoped that Ellen heard her, that
Ellen would know she didn't intend
to see Bill again until the wedding.
Ellen didn't hear her for the SIM
pie reason that Ellen was not in
terested in listening to what Bill
and Fabienne had 10 say to each
other. If only things were going as
she hoped they would. Bill and Fa-
bienne we're her Two favorite per
sons md she hoped that some
day
Fabienne came to her door.
Darling, don't feel that my going
to mothers is anything more than
- than a change and what you
said"
81 DON'T" Ellen said. smiling re
assuringly. Il think a change will
be good for you. You've been
cooped up here much too long. But
I'd like you to know that I want
you back whenever you wish to
come-1F EVER you wish to-"
Fabienne did something she had
never done before. She crossed the
room and put her arms around
Ellen, holding her close for a mo-
ment. Then with a little embar'
raised laugh, she let her go, say.
ing, ELLEN, there isn't anything l
wouldn't do for you. And not one
thing that would ever hurt you!"
Surprised by the other girls in
tensity, Ellen said, II know that,
Fab. Now, off to bed with you.
You're still under doctors orders"
From her own bedroom Fabienne
called, Darling, will you please
bring home the copies of the first
play we're to do? Bill said the
parts had been copied. I'm awfully
anxious to get to work on them"
I'll try to remember" Ellen
said, signing. Bill had told her that
Fabienne would not be able to go
back to work for man weeks.
'Those flu germs. on top of too
much work have left her far from
WELL" Bill said. THE work at the
settlement house is entirely too hard
for her. She burns up all her ener
BY and gives too much of herself"
She might as well tell her, not
let her go on thinking that she must
get back to work.
Reluctantly, Ellen went into Fa.
bienne's bedroom and sat on the
side of the bed. She said, Listen,
colder, I'm going to exercise some
Of my authority. I'm not going to
let you come back to work for a
long time"
Fabienne's eyes widened.
II want you and I need you. But
II o start a project and break
down in the middle of it, where will
we be-"
But I WON'T. Fabienne pro
tested.
Fab, you're a grand worker, as
I've said before, but I won't go
against Bills orders. If you want
to confine you activities to organ
ling the theater group and direct
ing 1t and that will not
more than two or three hours work
At a time for not more than three
times a week-come back when you
are able. But 7 will NOT consider
assigning you to anything else"