The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-11-24
CHAPTER XXVII

NAhAI ESHb AAVh
 THE Doctors farewell to his re- A cent boss, the Hon. MT. Ernest Wheyflsh, was unexpected. He had pictured Soapy Ernest denouncing him as a traitor and sneak, but Ernest only caroled, Going to be associated with Marduc, eh? I envy you. No, Gid, you mustn't forget the happy times we've had here together, shoulder to shoulder to put over the principle of Chris tian giving, just like joyful old time prayer meeting, and let's see If we can't go on working together. Fix me up lunch with old Mar duo. God bless you, my boy. I never did find fellow that liked to work with better, and I hope your contributions will come roll Ing in like salmon in spring"
 THERE was, at first, no need of Il general contributions. Colonel Marduc supported the preliminary survey, as 1t was technically called, and if he did not seem displeased by mysterious newspaper items mem tioning him as a possible President, he never demanded them.
 For months pr. Planish held con- ferences with the leading thinkers and humanitarians and read their typed memos, which he called highly suggestive" even If each one did contradict all the others.
 Sherry Belden, whom Colonel Marduc had detached from a fine job as an account executive to assist Dr. Plapish, took for him, at first, three-room suite in a hotel, with small but distinctive bar in a closet Here he worked with Sherry, Coolnel Marduc, Winifred, Major Homeward, Natalia Hoch- berg, Senator Bultitude, Governor Blizzard, Bishop Pindyck, Rabbi Lichtenselig, Ramona Tundra, the actress. and, naturally, the Rever- end pr. Christian Stern.
 DETWEEN conferences, the Plan- lO ishes proudly became intimates of Winifred Homeward and her little boy, the Major. Winifred lost so many friends, talked them to death so quickly or just forgot them into oblivion, that 1t was not hard for newcomers to step in and be friends-while it lasted.
 Peony was a competent listener, and Winifred permitted her to come often to the red-brick Geor- gian chateau of the Homewards on East 68th Street, where Peony's position presently came to resem- ble that of a highly paid con- panion and maid-except that she did not get the pay. For a while, she was perhaps Winifred's only woman friend - Winifred com plained that most women friends were selfish and jealous and were always interrupting her.
 Peony was rapidly promoted, in this romantic chornicle of modern court life, from milkmaid to lady in waiting. She confided to the Doctor that she was at last enjoy ing to the full the social and in- tellectual advantages of New York, and, without paying one cent (ex- cept for taxi fare), she could all ways get cup of tea (not very hot) at Winifred's.
 Dr. Planish saw the great lady informally. too. Once, after tense conference on the wickedness of dictators. Winifred said gaily to him, "Oh, let's go out and have a sandwich at a cafeteria. I love cafeteriasl So jollyl"
 Tn that vast white-tiled room shrieking with light. they took their trays and edged along the counter, inspecting cakes with marble icing, cakes crumbled with sugar. ingenious cakes like sections of a tree.
 Isn't it amusing!" Winifred screamed, so that a policeman on the corner outside nervously grasped his club. T love an adven- turel And don't you hate these people who come into a dump like this as though they were slum- ming? The whole pleasure of 1t Ss to feel that you're not really any better than the Common People"
 winifred set down her tray and