The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-28
CRISIS FOR NANCY CHApTER XXTX


 AS Nancy sat in the car she won- dered what excuse she could give to go to Boston. It wouldn't matter, really, nothing mattered. Drew was crazy and careless, he would be un- faithful to her, he would come to hate her perhaps, he would beat her she thought, absurdly, but he was in love Gith her. He hadn't been able to forget, he would never forget. Tomorrow, in Boston. He had to have hel, he said in the wire; if she remembered, if she cared, she would meet him tomorrow; they'd run away, they'd be married.
 The house door opened and Jim ran to the car. He said, You've got to help me. Get out, quick
 She was dazed, pulled down to earth, she stumbled out asking, { But how-what can I do?"
 He said. Its that kid - the { grandmother can't help. You must" He was dragging her up the steps, practically tearing her things from her. She saw the old woman, shaking, white to the lips, standing by the crib wringing her tremulous hands. She saw the child . heard it's terrible struggle for breath, saw the little white face contorted, with anxiety. ..
 Jim parked at her.
 You've had diphtheria?" "Yes, but"
 He said, No time to lose. Get into the kitchen, put water on to boil. Find me sheet"
 She did not hear the other com- mands. She was staring at him. She cried, T can't, Jim, I can't v" She felt faint. She said, again, stumbling toward the door, T can't!'
 My God, what are you made of ?" he seized her wrists, hurting her, but she whimpered and fought him.
 T hate it." she said, T won't, I tell you. Let me go.
 He obeyed so suddenly that she almost fell. "Very we'll" he said. "Go next door, find someone, a woman who can keep her head. Send her here. Telephone Emily, tell her to come at once"
 Long after the next door neigh bor, capable elderly woman, had hurried into the Hanson house, long after Emily drove up in her fathers car and went in, Nancy sat Shivering in Jin's coupe. She thought: It isn't fair, I hate ill., ness, it disgusts and frightens me.
 She clutched the wire flercely. She thought :. Drew ..
 She could see people moving about against the lighted windows She took deep breath, slid into the drivers seat, started the car and drove home. No one would be there except Ellen in the back of the house. She left the car in the driveway, and went up to pack. She could catch the II o'clock, go to the hotel and wait. Her answering wire had said, twill be at Parker House before noon."
 Clothes, flung in the bag. Money. She had enough. A note for her mother. Telephone the taxi stand. If she could get away before Jim and Emily came back
 She hated Jim. He had hurt her, ! he'd looked at her as If she were beneath contempt. All women weren't like Emily, competent and cool, able to see hideous things, not ninding.
 The taxi horn sounded on the frosty air. She fled downstairs, her suitcase pumping. The driver came forward to take it from her. She said gasping, T have to catch the Ii o'clock to Boston,
 Lots of time, lady," said the driver, soothingly.
 At midnight Jim and Emily stood in the living room of the Hanson house. The neighbor had gone home. Grandmother Hanson had been put to bed. Emily would stay the night. Tomorrow they could get nurse. But no one was free on the registry tonight.
 You won't be fit for work to- morrow" said Jim.
 Its Sunday, have you forgotten? I can sleep. Ask Nancy to pack a bag for me. No, Ellen. She will know what need.'
 His face darxened.
 Don't be too hard on Nancy" she said. "she can't help it, really"
 He said, Tt was life, wasn't