The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-04-14
Chapter Six
Telling Polly

y
your room"
"You mean I'm to have a room
all to myself"
Maybe. For a little while, any
how" said David.
A room for Aunt Susan. A
room for Peter. Maybe Aunt
Susan didn't like small boys
Maybe Peter wouldn't understand
an old maid aunt. Maybe this
and maybe that; a thousand and
one doubts and fears and worries
rushed through David's mind.
Here we are" he said to Peter,
opening assdoor. This is. where
your Great Grandfather X Wiley
used to sleep"
Gee" said Peter, cycling the
room, "what biz bedl I'd sure
hate to have that high old head
board topple over on me-"
at won't" said David. shilling.
cts never toppled over on anyone
yet" He crossed the room, and
turned back the bedclothes. "You
get undressed and into bed. I'll
get your suitcase for you"
This is one time" Peter said
sleepily, when l won't hate going
to bed"
When David returned with the
suitcase, Peter was under the COW
ers. He looked up and said. Good
night, Cousin David"
Good night, Peter" David said.
pleasant dreams"
Cousin David"
"Yes, Peter? What is it?"
"Would you - kiss me good
night? I'm pretty old for that sort
of thing, guess-but Dad always
did it."
"Sure. Peter. understand"
David bent over and kissed the
small boy on the cheek, the boy
who looked even smaller there in
the huge bed which had been
made for the tallest of all the
Wileys.
He then tiptoed from the room.
and closed the door.
A short time later he was turn
ing in at the Jenkins cottage.
Aunt Susan was rocking upon
the porch. David could hear her
favorite chair as it squeaked on a
loose floor board.
Where's Polly?" he asked after
he had greeted the plump little
old lady.
"She's in the kitchen. washine
the Dishes" said Aunt Susan. q
wanted to do it myself. but she
told me to come out here and gel
comfortable, cause she had some
thing important to talk over with
me-"
Then Polly hadn't told her aun,
of their plan to marry a week
from today. In a way he was glad
and in a way he was sorry. II
Polly decided not to go through
with the wedding. after she
learned about Peter. then she
wouldn't have to explain to Aunt
Susan that their plans had been
changed. Then. again. if she had
told her aunt, maybe she wouldn't
let Peter stand in their way,
maybe she would go right on with
the marriage just as though moth
ing had happened
Thanks. Aunt Susan" he said
'T'll 90 find her. Maybe I'll be in
time to wipe the dishes"
And he was
II thought you were going tr
stay hops and read that book or
forestr3n Polly said. handing him
the drying towel.
rThat's what ] planned to do
said David. "but when l got home
| found that | had company"
David" Polly stared at him. q
wet cup held in mid-air. do you
mean another relative has
moved in on your"
David nodded. "Yes. Polly
he said. Then he told her about
Peter.
Postponed Again
NHY, the poor little thing?'
W Polly said. when he had fin-
ished.
mo, you mustn't say that" he
said. Peter wouldn't Ike il. He
doesn't want folks feeling sorry
for him. He's a swell kid"
Polly searched David's face
Darling she said, you talk a.
though you'd known him for Z
long time and were terribly fond
OF him.
David grinned selfconsclously
He did sort of get hold Of my
heartstrings. ne Said Especially
when ! saw that that iron con-
traption Startling ~ the bed
Gosh, Polly. imagine having x
wear that ,thngi around all tbs
time. except when You're asleep
Polly put down the last OF the
dishes She stepped close 20 David
and kissed him Darling" shs
said. 4 think you're Just aboui
perfect
Then you don's mind Peter?'
David said
'Of course mott"
@You mean you won't let hh
coming keep yoa from marrying
uae next Saturday,"
THAT'S different" said Polly
She turned back 10 the sink. and
stood sort OK sloShinE the soapy
water hack and sogth. Il
thlrs maybe we o1g5tu's 20 rust
SIrRSHRIpIr -sfAp THE