Evening star., 1941-12-28

For the time belng, however, T.
wait. and play the part of the
thoughtful host to Vic ShaWbriose.
And that wasn't Lard because Vic
was as much at hcme in this houje
which he'd never seen before, as he
had been in Ogilvy Hall during the
years they'd roor1ed together at
Oakcliffe.
How about having Dobbins bring
us a drink" he called through the
bathroom that connected their peC-
rooms as they were dressing lor
dinner.
Johnny was startled into ladsI
Sure, Vic What do you want?-
Try to remember that his name is
Robbins. incidentally"
Robbins or Dobbins. what's the
diff? I'd like some scotch. Do YOU
suppose the old boy has any?"
Johnny frowned, thinking the ref
erence might have been to his
father. Then he decided 1t must
have been to the butler and he said
"Sure, all kinds of it. I'll give ain
call" He went out of his room
and down the hall and called dUNn
to the kitchen from the top OF the
back stairs. He heard Robbins gasp
before replying that he'd be fight
up with everything they needed.
Going back to the room, Johnny
thought. Poor Robbins! He'll never
get used to serving people like TIE
Mulvaneys. Now bring a guy like
Vic here as a house guest and he
turns out to be Just as crude as
Dad. and I have to see to 1t trat
his crudeness is sven every consld-
Grafton"
Robbins Dignity Suffers.
When Robbins, tall and dignified
In a black suit, his hooked nose and
receding chin giving him the ap-
pearance of a Hollywood version of
the English butler, brought in the
tray with glasses, Scotch and siphon
bottle, Vic came rushing through
the bathroom, still In the act OF
tying his tie.
That's the stuff. old boy" he ez-
claimed. He glanced quickly at ihe
tray, then snapped his head up with
look of surprise for Robbins
"Only two glasses? he said incredG,
ously Aren't you going to have one
with the young gentlemen. old boy?'
II beg your pardon, sir. I didr't
know"
1t was the first time Johnny had
ever seen Robbins genuinely EN-
barrassed. Invariably in the past
no matter how gauche Mike had
been. Robbins had always held the
upper hand, looking sterner aud
more certain of his own dignity with
every added remark.
Johnny laughed and ducked into
the bathroom, bringing back a wa.cT
glass. Here, Robbins he Said
Fix ours and pour yourself stiff
one. 7 dare say you'll need it." AID
for the first time in the three years
Robbins had been with them-ever
since the death OF their housekeeper
Mrs. Collins-he looked at Johnny
with genuine understanding and
deep appreciation
Il think perhaps you are
right, SIR he SAID. Thank you
sir" And he poured three. stiff
drinks, downed his without water
and Withdrew with his dignity draG
ging behind him.
Johnny Is Puzzled.
There were only two places set
for dinner and Johnny stared at tbs
table in annoyance as he and Vic
entered the room. Robbins ap.
peared from the buffers pantry al
the same moment and replied tt
Johnny's unspoken question.
your father has been having hi!
dinner upstairs, sir, for the pas
month. Doctors orders. I though,
he had probably told you, sir"
"Oh. Oh. see" Johnny movet
jerkily to the chair at. the head O
the table, pulling out the one at tn
side for Vic as he passed. H:
couldn't conceal his surprise ant
worry at Robbins announcements
and he was vaguely curious as u
why Mike hadn't told him the.
wouldn't pe eating together. They't
been with him over an hour in TIT
library, but he'd never mentiCne'
that he would De retiring to his room
as soon as they left, and for th'
evening at that. Again he recalie:
his. fathers reply to Vic about hi
health-"I1l go into that with john
ny at some other time"-and agdtl
he felt that surge of apprehension
by golly." Vic exclaimed, pulnnl
his chair up c'ose and LOOKING
around the handsomely spread table
"You Mulvaneys sure put on tn
style. We don't do any better tnal
| this at our own Joint, and though