The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-05
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l1Eja 3E

THE STORY: The tension be- tween Thayer and Brooks mother flares into open antagonism with his return. Mrs. Kittridge has arranged a small sleeping room for Brock on the first floor so that he won't have to climb the stairs.
 
 CHAPTER V
 THEY were alone, she and Brock. | Her heart beat heavily and her throat felt tight. She found she was trembling and held herself stittly to conceal 1t.
 Brock let himself down into the chair as If he no longer had the strength to remain standing. Clear to her mind came remembrance of how he used to stand in that lightly balanced way of his. She remembered dear Lord what a time to be remembering - the CO., ordinated grace of their dancing together. An agony of feeling swept her. Brock ."
 T make helluva mess of get- ting around" Brock said harshly, and the tight-lipped grimace ot his smile tore at her.
 Brock, anything takes practice. Oh, she shouldn't have said that; he seemed to bounce upon the words. Practice Well, ought to get good - with the rest of my life to spend at it."
 He had placed the crutches so that they struck out beside him like a barrier, his injured leg was on the other side. She said un- steadily, You're back, Brock; that's everything that matters"
 "Is itP" His gaze swept her then dropped to the injured leg. The voice controlled, almost emotion less, did not sound like Brooks at all. You know what thought when I found-what had hap. pened to me?"
 'What?" Thayer asked eagerly. If he'd talk to her, If this wall be-. tween them would 30 down. Tell me, Brock"
 He was running nervous fingers up and down the polished wood of one of the crutches. Then he gripped the chair arms hard so that his knucxles stood out. Il thought, What rotten break for Thayer'." He looked at her with the eyes of stranger. Yeah, give me credit for 1t; that's what I thought"
 TT was door slamming in her l face. Her hands which had moved involuntarily toward him dropped back to her sides.
 Brock, are you trying to hurt mep Is that what I've waited forp"
 "A guy with one leg. IS that whta you've waited for2 Don't ge noble, Thayer. know it's a jolt to you. l saw all of you there at the airport looking over the wreck age" He said grimly, Il heard Pete Grimshaw yelling into old Hattie's deaf ear. "The poor devil,' he said Well, the rest of you were thinking it." He cried savagely, T don't want pity, anybody's pity. I don't want yours, Thayer; couldn't bear it."
 T never thought to pity you Brock"
 He hitched himself around to face her more directly. Any thing about me to remind you of the man you were married to for a week?" Terrible demand in his voice. Come on, be honest"
 Thayer felt her heart turn over Between them there must be hon. esty, now if ever. No" she said that man wouldn't have been sorry for himself
 So that's the way you feel?"
 "Oh Brock, don't you see"-heI voice shook - Tt isn't your injury that matters; it's only that you let 1t matter"
 Sure, come home half man and 1t doesn't matter"
 Brock, didn't say that. Let's not talk any more now, let's not say - the wrong things ."
 Maybe now we'll be speaking the truth; maybe later we won't I've got to get this said, Thayer. His eyes were dark, suffering. Look, I put no claim on you Thayer; I hold you to nothing .'
 She could bear no more. The words were a cry wrung from her. Brock, have you forgotten Drumhead HIP"
 HIS face was brittle thing that HI shattered as she watched. HI! arms went around her waist, hi face was pressed hard against her he was crying, his whole body wrenched with sobs. She cradlee his head, stroking back his hair feeling his forehead damp witf sweat. She was fearless. She fell the anguish of pity and a fierce protectiveness that seemed torr from the very core of her being xt rose in her like c fire which would fan at last into the hotter flame of passion.
 Through the house without