Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1946-03-08
CHAPTER VII

the money they get for it. That's
ALL,
Elizabeth smiled appreciatively.
Its refreshing to meet a man as
honest as you are"
Thanks returned Spratt,
though I didn't know there was any
special virtue in speaking ones
mind"
There is in knowing ones mind"
said Elizabeth.
Spratt laughed little. They had
finished dinner in a restaurant, and
as Spratt happened not to have
show to cover that evening they had
ordered more coffee and stayed to
talk. She asked,
What do you want to do in pic
lures ultimately, Spratt?"
Produce them," he answered
without hesitation. II like the ex-
ecutive end. But I shouldn't want
to be producer until I've had some
experience in writing, or at least
supervising a story, and directing.
It's good thing to know what other
people are doing before you try to
tell them how to do it."
"And you'll do your BEST" she
added, ito pack an honest product
in your little tin cans?"
Certainly" he said, laughing
frankly. "a first class product
worth first-class price,"
She laughed back at him. you're
not an idealist, are you, Spratt?"
mot the classic variety, at any
ratep He pa,,sad n rooroept and re-
marked, Elizabeth, it's so much
easier to dream about the ideals we
can't reach than to do the best
job we're capable of doing" He
paused again, poured cream into his
coffee, and in a rare expression of
confidence he added, 81 guess saw
too much of that when I was a young
ster. I come from long line of
Missionaries who were too sensitive to
take the world as they found it and
get anything done. don't like it."
"Please go on" she urged.
Half my fathers salary was al
ways going to support relatives so
delicate-minded they couldn't do
anything but write bits of verse for
the magazines and lament the de-
cline of culture. The other half went
mostly for books, and soap. Books,
soap, toothbrushes, neat patches and
the appurtenances of gentility.' He
shivered.
II think I'm really getting to know
you," said Elizabeth. MAY I ven
ture guess?"
go ahead"
$50 now half your salary goes for
postage on letters to the delicate
minded relatives, telling them they
can either go to work or starve, it's
all one to you"
How right you are" said Spratt.
They began to laugh again, and
Elizabeth started telling him about
Aunt Grace and her cups Of tea.
my aunt would really be sorry to
see the millennium arrive, for if
there were no affliction there'd be
nobody for her to poster with good
works. In consequence sometimes
think I'm hard-hearted. But SIM
ply loathe patronizing the poor"
'Now we do understand each 9TH
err" said Spratt. He gave her a
companionable smile across the ia
BILE. II like you, Elizabeth"
81 like you too" she said.
By this time they were spending
their evenings together several times
a week. 1t was characteristic Of
Spratt's fortnight habit of mind
that several nights later, when they
were having dinner again, he sud-
denly interrupted pause in the con-
versation to say to her,
Elizabeth, may 1 ask you a per-
sonal question:"
"You can ask it, of course" she
returned, Though if it's very per-
sonal I don't promise to answer it.
What do you want to know"
"About your husband" he said.
Elizabeth looked down at the re-
Election of an overhead light on the
surface of her coffee. "My hus-
band was killed in the war;" she an
swered briefly.
"Forgive me, won't your" said
Spratt.
She looked up. Spratt was regard
ing her with friendly contrition.
''I'm sorry" he continued. II can
see it's not easy for you to recall
it."
mo, it's not" said Elizabeth. Aft
er an instant's pause she went on,
"Why did you want to know"
He smiled. Frankly, for SELF
protection. Shall I EXPLAIN"
''Why yes, I wish you would"
He leaned trifle nearer her.
well, this isn't an easy town to get
around in, Elizabeth. You are Mrs.
and you wear wedding ring, but
you live alone and I've never heard
you mention your husband. We've
been seeing good deal of each 9TH