The Wilmington morning star., 1947-08-28

Norah's manner made it almost
pathetically plain that she felt it'll
was right and proper that Gail
should have all these lovely things
while she herself probably had
one best dress" a year.
Gail drew a deep hard breath
and tears stung her eyelids. She
and LISA had felt themselves
shabbily poor, yet they each had
lovely clothes, they lived in lux.
ury even it, to do so, they must
make of themselves professional
houst guest. Now, for the first
time. Gail was seeing poverty
stark and brutal; a poverty that
was unashamed, that made no eff
fort at concealment; poverty that
was accepted without complaint;
poverty endured with a sturdy
~self-respect that gave it dignity.
On a sudden impulse, Gail stood
and and went swiftly to the big
old-fashioned wardrobe where
Norah had carefully hung the
IVA oA10 wraps o11O AOShS.
Swiftly she rummaged and came
out with her arms laden. and held
them out to Norah.
Here, there's much too much
for one-we'u divide them equal
ly." she said, and dumped the
armeul Of rainboW-tinted softness
into the astounded Norah'S arms.
At the drawer of the big dres-
e she caught up foamy bits of
underwear, half a dozen pairs Of
the cobwebby stockings, and turn
ed back to Norah, holding them
out.
But Norah was scarlet and
there was resentment in he- eyes
as she laid the armful of finery
on the bed and stood back from
Calls further bounty, Her chin
was up and her shoulders were
Thanks, Gail, you're very gen
erous," She said and there vas a
chill in her voice. But l couldn't
possibly accept them. You misun-
derstood my excitement. l wasn't
greedy or envious-I wasn't cadg-
ing"
Her voice shook a little and she
set her teeth hard in her lower
lip.
Don't be silly. AS if l didn't
know that" protested Gail sharp
ly. But 1 want to share with you,
Norah. I want you to have hem"
Norah shook her head stubborn
ly, her eyes still hot.
Thanks, no, I couldn't not
possibly" she said, and tried to
temper her tone a little. Besides,
where in the world would l wear
them? We run strictly to blue
jeans and percale in these parts.
Picture me doing the milking in
that little cornflower blue number
or dropping corn for Uncle
Charles in pink sharkskin Stacks
and a halter"
She managed small laugh.
Her hand found the door knob be-
hind her, and over her shoulder
she said lightly, Thanks Just the
same, Gail. 1t was kind OF you."
She went out and closed the
door hard behind her.
Gail stood for a moment holding
the apple-blossom tinted lingerie
and the stockings. She stared at
the closed door with incredulous
eyes. Early in her career as al
professional house guest she had
learned to accept gracefully and
gratefully whatever lsrgesse
came her way; in one OF her IN
frequent moments of bitterness
LISA had reminded her faulty
that "a professional house guest
can't afford the luxury OF pride!
You should have let Mona Ste
phens give you the new frock. Art
err all, the cost of it is nothing to
her, but it is simply out OF our
You were very silly"
But now she had come up
against a stubborn, unyleldlng
pride that had been cut to the
quick by her careless, impulsive
Generosity. Norah had been hurt;
She had rejected the generosity
with q stiffness and a blazing re-
sentiment that had been only too
plain.
Ito Be Continued