The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-07-09
Chapter 10
EyasiNe Shin

tuoAtC oUtU
EVE and Gina went hesitantlv
4'into the kitchen. where Eve
explained to Mrs. jackson that
they were going to prepare 4
lunch for the men working down
ON the shore.
No need to cook ANYTHING /" the
caretaker finally agreed. esThere,s
cold: nam. and plenty of bread
there IN the box. Pickles. too. if
you want them, in the pantry I
hope the men don't expect Mr.
jackson to help them. He has
enough to do"
I'm sure he has" Gina said sar-
castically glancing out to where
that overworked individual, was
l0iilng in the sun. a pipe in his
mouth and his hat pulled down
over his eyes.
Mrs. Jackson's eyes followed the
girls, and her face became almost
purple with anger not at her
husband, Eve noted with amuse-
raent, but at Gina.
Do you want me TO make
coffee? she demanded sullenly
oh, mol" Eve approached the
huge pot competently and tried 10
smile at the grim face of the care
taker Tll make it. And while
were at it, I'll just make some
sandwiches for ourselves - then
you can forget mealtine for a
WHILE
Mrs Jackson, far from looking
pleased, seemed to become more
gloMering at this. But she only
shifted and, the picture of injured
dignity, Stalked from the kitchen.
The girls heard her bang the door
as she went through the hall.
/ was afraid to let her make
the coffee" Eve giggled. "She
might have put poison in it,"
can't make out why she re-
sentS US So" Gina said, attacking
the ham with more vigor than
finesse. You'd think she'd be glad
to see the end of us, but she's just
as reSentful today, when we're
really trying to maxi an effort to
get away, as she was when we
were all cooped up here by the
rain"
Maybe we've spoiled some
thing for her by staying so long"
Eve said sagely. Perhaps it won't
matter, by tonight, whether we go
or stay forever"
Gina, absorbed in her carving,
did not answer, and when. Eve
saw how perilously close to her
fingers the sharp knife came, she
tiptoed around the kitchen. They
got through the sandwiches with
out mishap, however, although it
took them longer and was more
arduous than they had thought.
Even when the basket was packed,
they found unexpected difficulty
in carrying it to the beach.
"Do--do you think they can eat
all this2" Gina painted as they
went along the sand Maybe
maybe they aren't hungry"
They'd better bel" Eve retort-
ed with determination. After we
shaved like that they'll eat and
like it.
Almost A Raft
a RRIVING at the most wooded
~ spot of the island, they found
a group of men more than ready
to eat everything they had
brought, Brett Rodman was look
ing hot and tired. but more
pleased than at any time during
the visit, Eve thought. Neil, his
blonde hair runpled wildly and
perspiration dripping from his
forehead, wiped his face on the
sleeve Of a gritny shirt and
shouted:
you're couple of sweethearts-
This Simon Legree here is making
us chop trees SO fast we can't even
think. I'm just about ready to
give up the raft idea and starve to
death ON this blasted five acres of
nowhere"
Ham and Jim Droissard We're
less articulate, but equally glad
to see them. Eve was pleased to
note that Gina found time to say
softly to Ham:
'sYou look tired, my pet. I'll bet
it's the first honest work you've
done in years. =.
Ham grinned, as delighted as If
Gina had pinned a medal on his
sweat-stained shirt.
tIt's almost as bad as the time
l ran away from home" he adj
mitted, "and got work in a steel
mill. decided then that I'd never
try manual labor again--but look
at me now"
The men washed up, after a
fashion, in the calm water that
Tapped at the sh0re---as different
as possible from the angry, lash
ing waves they had seen for the
last few days. While they were
getting ready, Gina and Eve
spread their feast under the shade
OF a nearby tree and poured the
coffee into tin mugs. It was graft
fying to see the food disappear,
once the men had settled on the
grass. They all seemed TO take
added zest in criticizing the way
the meat and bread were cut. and
the lack of variety on the menu.
sBut / noticed there's nothing
but an empty basket to carry back