The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-05-01
Chapter 81
Marg0's Puzzle


go hungry" said Polly. Mind
getting those four cups out of the
basket l brought? They're odds
and ends, but good enough for
picnics."
Mango found the cups. She was
placing them on a board near the
oven when the two men joined
them
Boy, does that coffee smell
good!" Warren said.
Ready for me to broil the hot
dogz?" David asked.
Eyes" said Polly. "And don't
waste any time. | feel as though
| could eat six of them myself"
And where" Warren asked,
looking at Polly's small form.
would you put them?"
Maybe I've got hollow legF
said Polly.
Soon the meal was in full
swing The sun disappeared. An
afterglow filled the sky. An indie
scribable peace settled over the
scene.
Warren got out his cigarettes
He passed them around.
Soon they were all smoking.
relaxed about the remains of the
picnic supper.
Get your banjo, David" said
Polly.
Eyes, do" Warren urged. Lets
do some singing. / haven't done
any in ages"
do you know any negro
spirituals?" David asked.
Il used to. Let's see! Oh, how
about the one about standing in
the need of prayer
"It's a favorite of mine." said
David.
mime. too" said Polly. "Then
let's see if we can remember
Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party
Yea know that one. don't you,
Margo?"
II think So" Mango answered.
'I have a faint recollection of
singing it in public school,"
"Of courSel" said Polly. We
had it once when we gave an en-
tertainment."
David got up. SWELL" he said.
We'll sing ourselves back into
the good old horse and buggy
days"
Which," said Warren With.
touch of usefulness. weren't bad
days, by any means. More init
macy and friendliness then-and
not so much mechanism. People
got together and did things
danced, sang. played games. con-
tributed bits of talent; and now
we'll, all people do now is sit
around with their mouths open
listening to lot of asininity that
comes over the air. They don't
even read any more. Just sit and
sit and stand never use their
brains or their hands"
You sound" said Mango. "as
though you had lived your life
during those horse and buggy
DAYS"
mo" said Warren, 81 came
along a little too late for them.
But just the same. sometimes
wish that l had lived then"
That's another thing we agree
on. Warren" said David. He
started for his car. "Ill get the
banjo. ard wen pretend we're
back when ladies wore rats in
their hair, and mems shoes had
buttons"
An hour passed. two hours.
three.
The four young people sat un-
derheath the old apple tree and
sang-tried this old song. that
old one. Then they did some
things that were more modern.
No use" said David: they
just don't go with banjo"
No. said Warren. they need
sillv-looking men footing crazy
looking horns with plug hats
stuck on them. A banjo was
meant for songs that have feeling
-meanIng-sentiment."
Indeeision
MARCO was oddly quiet.
w She had been watching War
rem closely, watching David the
same way. Two such handsome
men. and with such old fashioned
ideas. To hear them talk, YOU q
think the modern world had MOTH
ing at all 10 offer. Both of them
apparently perfectly content TO
60 on living in town like Arden
dale And Warren was waiting
for her 10 make up her mind
about marrying him: waiting,
while she hesitated. wondering.
and not little worried. Warren
Mcneil. David Wiley.
Let's sing the one about all
Gods chiIlun having shoes, said
Polly. and then ned better clear
up this mess and 20 home.
David began 70 struna the han-
10 once more.
Has voice, Warren'S and PoIIys
blended nicely Msrgo did not
join. She said she didn't know the
words.
Then hum" said Warren.
I'm an awful hummer" said
Margo.
Warren reached over and took
one Of MaFgo's hands.
Isn't this . lot nicer than the
alvlerag" he said
No, said Msrgo. Il doa't think
SC"
! do" said Warren And he
released the hard he Vas hold
ing.
Polly sprang % her fess. She
ba~-cd herself Essherlng - ths