Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-10-17

The three of them walked up the
drive to the house. Elinor had left
the front door open. They passed in
side the cool of the hall. Mary shiv-
cred a little. Elinor looked at her
sharply. She said: what is it,"
Mary said: ooh, nothing-just a
SILVER. 1t was coming in-out of the
sun.
Elinor said in a low voice: "That's
queer. That's what I felt this morn
ing"
Nurse Hopkins said in a loud
cheerful voice and with a laugh:
"Come, now you'll be pretending there
are ghosts in the house next. | didn't
feel anything!"
Elinor smiled. She led the way in
to the morning-room on the right OF
the front door. The blinds were up
and the windows open. 1t looked
cheerful.
Elinor went across the hall and
brought back from the pantry a big
plate of sandwiches. She handed it
to Mary, saying: "Have one?"
Mary took one. Elinor stood watch
ing her for a moment as the girls
even white teeth bit into the sand
witch.
She held her breath for minute
with the plate held to her waist, then
at sight of Nurse Hopkins slightly
parted lips and hungry expression
she flushed and quickly proffered the
plate to the older woman.
Elinor took sandwich herself. She
said apologetically: 81 meant to make
some coffee, but forgot to get any
There's some beer on that table
though, if any one likes that?"
Nurse Hopkins said sadly: IF only
I'd thought to bring along some tea
now"
Elinor said absently: There's lit
tie tea still in the canister in the pan.
try"
Nurse Hopkins face frightened
"Then I'll just pop out and put the
kettle on. No milk, I suppose?"
Elinor said: eyes, brought some.'
"Well, then, that's all right" sale
Nurse Hopkins and hurried out.
Elinor and Mary were alone togeth
er. A queer tension crept into the at
mosphere. Elinor, with an obvious
effort, tried to make conversation
Her lips were dry. She passed he
tongue over them. She said, rather
stiffly: "You-like your work in Lon
DOM"
Eyes, thank you. I'm very CRATE
full to you"
A sudden harsh sound broke from
Elinor. A laugh so discordant, so un
like her that Mary stared at her il
surprise.
Elinor said: "You needn't be s.
grateful"
Mary, rather embarrassed, said: "
didn't mean-that is" She stopped
Elinor was staring at her-a glanc
so searching, so, yes, strange tina
Mary flinched under it. She said: II
is anything wrong?"
Elinor got up quickly. She said
turning away: what should b
wrong?"
Mary murmured: "You-you look
ed"
Elinor said with little laugh
"Was 1 staring? I'm so sorry. I d.
sometimes-when I'm thinking o
something else."
Nurse Hopkins looked in at tn
door and remarked brightly. "I'v'
put the kettle on" and went out a
gain.
Elinor was taken with sudden fl
of laughter. "Polly put the kettle on
Polly put the kettle on, Polly put thu
kettle on-we'll all have tea! Do 20,
remember playing that, Mary, whel
we were children?"
eyes, indeed I do"
Elinor repeated: when we wer'
children It's a pity, Mary, isn't it
that one can never go back?. e."
Mary said: "Would you like to &c
back?"
Elinor said with force: eyes.
yes. l."
Silence fell between them for q
little while. Then Mary said, her face
flushing: miss Elinor, you mustn't
think" She stopped, warned by the
sudden stiffening of Elinor's slender
figure, the uplifted line of her chin
Elinor said in a cold, steel-like
voice: "What mustn't Ithink?"
Mary murmured: "I-I've forgot
ten what I was going to say"
Elinor's body relaxed-as at dan