The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-14
THE ELCTERS CHAPTER XVII

 WHEN they reached the Hall ". house little after one on the following morning they found the lights blazing in the lower hall and kitchen. Emily said, startled:
 T wonder if anything's hap pened?"
 But, when she went in with Frank following. it was only Jim and Nancy. Nancy, in sea-green pajamas under 8 brocaded coat, with bare feet thrust into mules, at the Kitchen table drinking milk and eating crackers, and Jim sit- ting on the table.
 Home early" said Nancy, yawn- ing, .have good time?'
 ''Gimme that milk" said Frank seizing the pitcher, land by all that's holy, do I see huckleberry ' pie?''
 Don't they feed you at the club these days?' asked Nancy, idly.
 "Watered punch" said Frank, "arid sloppy sandwiches. I didn't know was hungry" He regarded Nancy reflectively. You look de- lightful," he said with extreme courtesy, T admire that al fresco getup."
 Its hot she explained, care lessly, T couldn't sleep. Jimmy was called out just before mid- night. I heard the telephone. So when he came in I thought he might relish little hospitality"
 Jim was staring at Emily. He announced, solemnly:
 I've never seen you dressed up before
 "She should make a habit of it." commented Nancy. Looks elegant doesn't she-Frank?'
 Frank said, i've been telling her so most of the evening, but she won't listen."
 Emily smiled. She said, I'm going to bed Thanks, Frank, for a very nice evening. Nancy, see that the lights are out and the house locked. will you?" She looked at Jim, hesitated nd then asked, Father all right?"
 Karin to go. He'll be back on the job Monday" said Jim "and I'm delighted. But hate to think how many cases he'll decide I've bungled."
 Going up the stairs, her skirts gathered in her hand, Emily thought, Both of them well, she's welcome to them. SUNDAY was a dull day. Emily O had promised her mother to drive with her to the nearby town of Yarmouth and call upon some relatives during the afternoon. Nancy f1atly refused to go. Sunday night Doctor Hall insisted upon re- suming office hours. And Monday was like any other Monday, a Work day. Emily spent some time Monday | morning with new patient, a Mrs. | Blister. The Elster's doctor had | called in at headquarters and given | his report. They were pitifully | poor, he said, since Elster was out of work. There was a 13-year-o | daughter. If the V. N. A. could | send . nurse in to instruct the | child 8 little in the care of her mother?'
 Mrs. Elster's illness was patent. l Overwork - she had been going out | to do housework by the day - and | undernourished. A tricky heart | and,ra recent bout of flu. She was frail. small woman, with a de- termined chin and tired eyes. But | the. child, small wisp of a crea- ture with huge eyes, was compe- tent little thing.
 Thirteen. She looked eleven, she was so small. Her name was Mary. She had an astonishingly deep voice. She watched Emily bathe her mother, she watched her re- make the bed.
 You understand about the med iciner Doctor Mannering left?" said Emily. If your mother feels faint, If she calls you you measure it out, just this many drops in the little glass"
 Mary nodded.
 What are you giving her to eat?" asked Emily.
 The child took her into the small dark kitchen, there was very little in the cupboards But there was some ice in the old refrigerator and bottle of milk There was oatmeal, in box, crackers in tin, a loaf of bread, and some tins of soup.