Arkansas State press., 1942-06-12

ale swore we starved him on Sun
days"
Bigger forced smile and looked
down at the black and white lino-
lemm on the floor. What would
size think if she knew? He felt
very kindly toward Peggy just
then; he felt he had something of
value which she could never take
from him even if she despised him.
He heard a phone ring in the hall
way. Peggy Strengthened and
looked at him as she wiped her
hands on Ter apron.
"Who on earth's calling here
this early on a Sunday morning?"
she mumhled.
| She went out and sat, waiting.
Maybe that was Jan asking about
Mary. He remembered that Mary
had promised to call him. He
wondered how long it took to go
to Detroit. Five OF six hours? 1t
was not far, Mary's train had
already gone. About four o'clock
she would bye due in Detroit. May
be someone had pianed TO meet
herr If she was not ON the train,
would they call or wrie about it
Peggy came back, went to the
stove and continued cooking.
"Things'll be ready in a minuta,'
she said, "Yessum."
Then she turned to him. "Who
was the gentleman with Miss Dali
ton last night?' 4
81 don't know, nam. | think she
called him Jan, or something like
that
Jan? He just called" Peggy
said. She tossed her head and her
lips frightened. Hes no-good
one, II there ever was one. one OF
them anarchists who's against
the government"
Bigger listened and said nothing.
"What on earth a good girl like
Mary wants to hang around with
that crazy bunch for, God only
knows. Nothing good'll come of
it, just you mark my words. If
it wasn't for that Mary and her
wild ways, this household would
rrn like a clock, It's such a pity,
too, Her mothers the very soul
Of goodness. And there never was
a finer man than Mr.. Dalton. But
later on Mary'll settle down. They
all do; they think they're miss
ing something unless they kick
up their heels when they're young
and foolish "
! She brought a bowl Of hot oat-
meal and milk to him and he be-
gan to eat. He had difficulty in
| swallowing, for he had nc
Iappetite. But he forced the food
| down. Peggy talked on and he
F, wondered what he would say to
/ her; he found that he could say
nothing. Maybe she was not ex-
lpecting him to say anything. May
he she was talking to him because
she had no one else to talk to, like
i his mother did sometimes. Yes
he would sec abou. that fire agar
when he got to the basement. He
would fiji that furnace as full oil
coal as it would get and make
sure that Mary burned in hurry
The hot cereal was making lin
sleepy and he suppressed a yawn
"What all ! got to do today
= mann"
Gust wait on call. Sundays 6
'dull day. May be Mr.. and Mrs
Dalton'll 60 out"
II He finished the oatmeal.
"You want me to do anything
now? ?"
"No, but you're not through eat
ing. You want some ham and
eggs?"
"No'm. | got a plenty"
"Well, it's right here for you
! Don't be afraid to ask for it."
, 81 reckon I'll see about the fire
now"
"All 1ighb, Bierel'. Ju,H you
listen for the bell about two
o'clock Till then don't think
there1l be anything"
He went to the basement. The
fire was blazing. The embers glow
ed red and the draft Groned up
ward. It did not need any coal
Again he looked round the base
men5 into every nook and corner,
to see if he had let any trace
of what had happened last night.
There was none. He went to his
room and lay on the bed. Well,
here he was now. What world
happen? The room was quiet. No,
He heard something! He cooked
| his head, listening He caught faint
sounds Of pots and pans rafting
in the kitchen below. He got up
and walked to the far end of the
room: ire sounds came louder. He
heard the soft but firm tread OF
Peggy as she walked across the
kitchen floor. She's right under
me, he thought. He stood still. lis
tening. lie heard Mrs. Dalton's