The Wilmington morning star., 1946-03-17

anyone has to suffer, it had better
be you," she said, 10y, "and not
Dick
.Honestly. .''began Eide.
"You didn't think about that be-
FORE said Jenny, "did you? 1t
isn't going to help now. Dick has
right to come back to the sort OF
life he's been dreaming about and
the wife he remembers. The wife
he believed in. - Il
EIDE said after while, II don't
know what will happen. Maybe
he'll go back to war. .as an IN
structor here or something. could
follow him. Maybe he'll get med
ical discharge and go back to civil
ian life. He'll want to stay out in
California, that's his home"
"All the BETTER" said Jenny
cheerful.
EIDE said, "All right, I won't tell
him. But is it all right, Jenny. Is
it,"
Jenny said, IT don't know, EIDE.
I can't seem to think about it that
way, whether it's right or wrong,
officially. Only what's right for
Dick"
The short time before Eide left
for the Coast was crowded. The in.
vestig cation into the circumstances
of the Barnacle fire was concluded,
the holding company, which owned
End leased the various buildings
| was heavily fired and, despite all
the lawyers could do, the manager
of the Barnacle was recommended
for trial for criminal negligence.
Justice Hathaway came home
from New York and Washington.
Production was n OF slackening
with Allied victories in the various
theaters of war. He brought with
him future plans and pressing
present business. Jenny, working
late one evening, was not aware OF
the time until lie came in and
stood at her desk and looked down
at her.
"Call it a day." he suggested.
Jenny looked at her clock, star
tied. She Strengthened up and
sighed. "Golly, I didn't know the
time. I've a kink in my back at
that, and feel little wilted," she
admitted.
He said, 81 have to stay, but you
cut along home" He gave her a
little pat on the shoulder. He add
ed uneasily, II hear Ede's going
out to the coast. Mary told me at
breakfast
''That's So" said Jenny. She
hadn't mentioned it to him. 1t
wasn't his business.
When she reached home Gram
had a cold supper waiting. It was
still very warm, as 1t often is
around Labor Day. Eide had had
supper and gone out to say good
by to some of her friends in town.
Jenny, with tray on the back
porch, grinned at Gram. She said,
I'm sorry I didn't phone, Gram.
I clean forgot"
'That's all right" said Gram,
smoothing her apron. She added,
EIDE seems a little more cheer
full, doesn't she? I suppose it's
well, doing something. Packing,
planning. Getting ready to move.
Anything's better than inaction
and waiting"
Jenny said, II guess so. Gram,
don't look so sad. You've got me-"
Gram said, II wasn't being sad
for myself. I'm glad Ede's going
She added after moment, She's
too used to us, Jenny. And there's
nothing for her here. Mrs. Aims
lee, now, that will be different.
She's Dicks mother. She can talk
to EIDE about Dick, what he was
like when he was a baby and a
little boy and young man grow
ing up. And EIDE will have to think
of her. She'll even feel a little re-
sponsible for her. Mrs. Airslee
isn't young, she hasn't been very
well, and she's alone except for
servant in that apartment. EIDE
can take over, run the house, do
things for her. She can't here"
said Gram stoutly II run things.
you're busy and self reliant. She
needs to be taken out of herself.
She's selfish" said Gram, "sne al
ways has been. Maybe we've
spoiled her,
Jenny said, ''Well have to do
bit of budgeting, darling"
There was that factor to be con-
sidered. Eide had forgotten it, ap-
parently. Jenny didn't.
well MANAGE" said Gram,
.just the two Of us. I'll miss her
ration book, though" she said I'M
expectedly.
Even if EIDE remembered and
offered to send money home from
the money Dick sent her, Gram
wouldn't take it, thought Jenny.
And she had occasion to think |
about it again later.
She was upstairs, wearing a
very scant prewar robe of faded |
silk when Justice Hathaway's car
stopped at the door and Gram
went out to see who was calling.
Jenny heard them talking in the |
hall and Gram called, Jenny, Mr.. |
Hathaway wants to speak to you"
Jenny said, startled, 'Half a
minute >, flew into the nearest gar.