The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-20

he would like to be a doctor. But
he thought he'd rather drive two
fiery bay horses like DR.. Gordon
and go around saving peoples
lives. Suddenly he recalled that
day DR.. Gordon operated on Willy
Macintosh's father. He remem-
bered the terrible yells that came
from that upper winoow, and
WHY'S wild face as he tugged
at the front door and cried, "I'll
kill him, I'll kill him!" Perspira-
ton wet his upper lip as he
thought of it.
1t seemed that everybody talked
to him about what he would do
when he grew up. Goodness, he
thought, l like to look at things;
like to looW at everything, but
I can't think Of anything else in
the whole world I really like to
do.
He realized that he loved this
place - this, right here, the ground,
the crisscross pattern the wiry
grass made, the shiny red stems
of vines, the dusky blue coat on
winterberries. 1t was familiar and
comfortable. He sighed happily
his own place in the world!
But even in that instant a small
unease returned. He knew what
the feeling was, and what it came
from. Other boys had parents
who were not so old as his grand
mother. They had brothers and
sisters and relatives. He had only
his grandmother. What would
happen when - when p" He
couldn't say the word even to him
self. Then-all of this would be gone
somehow. Where would he go?
Madame Won Elm sat on the ter
race that same afternoon talking
with DR.. Gordon and Colonel Skef-
fington.
Upstairs, Anna and another maid
stood looking down at the three. An
ma shook her head. "Wslen a body
sends for a doctor and a lawyer at
the same time" She left off.
Anna began to cry silently
"She looks worse every day. No.
body else notices because She
SO quick and bright about every
thing, but I notice"
The younger maid turned and
peered through the curtain.
you see, Colonel" Madame
was saying. 81 must be sure that
arrange everything. The boy
has no one-no one in the world
but me-"
Colonel Skiffington folded and
unfolded his gold-rimmed glasses.
eyes, you. OF course. You
know, Madame, if anything should
happen to you-unexpectedly
1T wouldn't be unexpected, now,
Isaac"
Well, we'll, now. What I was
going to say is this: if = if your
grandson finds himself alone, he
can come to me any time, for as
long as he wants to. Fine boy he
is. Rather make lawyer of him,
though, than a doctor" He slapped
DR.. Gordon on the knee, but he
did not smile.
Thank you, Isaac. know your
generous heart. IL think Paris
leans to medicine as much as to
anything-except, maybe music"
"Music!" The Colonel dismissed
that. This time DR.. Gordon
laughed a little with his habitual
quick intake Of breath.
Madame nodded. II don't take
that inclination seriously, Isaac.
I have him study because I think
it will keep him from being lonely
sometime, maybe"
Colonel Skeffington looked hard
at her. II have to be plunt, Marie.
How much time do you think you
have?"
Madame looked at DR.. Gordon.
His overnight eyes searched
Madame's face.
Madame has year, maybe
two-tWo at best"
The Colonel looked steadily at
Madame for a moment.
Il don't believe it," he said. II
don't believe word of it, but
We'll act as if Gordon knows what
he's talking about, which I very
much doubt
But Colonel Skeffington was not
telling the truth. He was sure DR..