The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-17

And that Sherry smiled, lis
where you came in"
I'VE had a lot of talks down at
Urbana." Steve agreed. Il like the
boy. l wanted to see him get the
right start. 1t isn't easy, making
a break like that, starting a whole
new way of life at twenty-seven.
And there was a girl-there still
is-who thinks he's completely
crazy even to think of it,"
Sherry's heart skipped a beat.
obj"
Anyway" Steve went on, what
it all boils down to is that l offered
Lex a job and he took it. This way
he'll work on a farm for a while
before he actually invests money
in a place Of his own. He'll learn
his way. And when-and if-he
does buy a farm, he'll know what
he's doing and how to do it and
whether. it's really the thing ne
wants to do"
Steve said then, frowning a lit
tie. I'D be a lot more sure Of him
if it weren't for the girl. He's
still in love with her-very much
Sc! And she's fighting the farm
idea with everything she's got.
Steve shrugged. Maybe she'll ac-
cept it when he actually buys a
farm of his own. Or maybe she'll
talk him out OF it. l wouldn't
gamble a great deal on the odds
either way right now
Sherry said, through the small,
persistent ache in her throat, but
If they love each other-why
isn't she willing for him to do what
he wants, to live the way that will
make him happy?"
"Weii." Steve said. 81 suppose il
seems unreasonable to her. She's
a city girl. used to an urban sort
of existence and perfectly satisfied
with it, not liking the idea OF
change. She figures this urge Of
Lexis is a temporary thing, that
he'll get over it. She thinks he's
lost all ambition. Their viewpoints
are so different-although / guess
they used to be congenial enough
before Lex got fed up with the city
and sick of his old job. The thing
is. he's still in love with her
That's why I don't know how i
will turn out. After he's been witt
her, he's moody and upset fol
days-but he always snaps out O
it,"
Sherry said thoughtfully. THAT:
how things were between ny
mother and father. isn't it, Steve:
Only-all their difficulties tool
place after they were married, IN
stead of before" .
Steve nodded. "There is a slml
larity." He sighed. sometimes
can't see that nature planned
things very we'll. having opposite
attract each other. 1t would bt
simpler if a man always fell II
love with a woman who shared hi
viewpoint, instead Of opposing it
But that's how it goes"
Sherry said. pursuing her owl
thought. ''My mother felt my
father was lacking in ambition
didn't she, Steve? She says he wa
perfectly content, just making
bare living on the farm
After a moment Steve said. "Ht
wasn't without ambition, though
1t was just that-his goal was diff
ferent from the one your mothe'
wanted to achieve. A simpler wa,
of life appealed to him. The trim
mings Leda always yearned TO
weren't important to him." Stew
looked down into Sherry's upturn
ed face. Mot that I'm implyin!
your mother was wholly at fault
People are the way they are-sh
couldn't change. And Leda has to
dominant a personality to fit her
self into a way of life completei
alien to her nature. In the end.
think Tom simply decided tn
struggle wasn't worth while. S
he gave in
Sherry said. her young volc
plying, Il suppose that's how
was. l guess l never thought niue
about it before" ,
Somehow, her father SCENE
clearer in that moment than h
ever had. A man of flesh an
blood. of human needs and desires