The Wilmington morning star., 1947-09-06
CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Jane Morrow's picnic thar after
noon was. fun and once more Gail
had the happy, war; feeling of
being secure and welcomed. There
were plans for more parties and
the young men flirted gayly with
her, and it was all very pleasant
and agreeable.
That night, %uneasily, Gail lis
tened again for the sound of tears
from Norah's room, but all was
silence. Yet oddly enough the 81
lence made her almost more I'M
easy than last nights desolate
sobbing had done.
She came downstairs the next
morning In the early dawn, her
young chin set at a defiant angle.
As she reached the door into the
kitchen Norah came in from out
side, carrying two trimming pals
OF milk, which she almost drop
ped as she saw Gail.
'"Hi-what are you doing up this
early?" demanded Norah. Her
eyes widened as she took in Gail S
costume: datfodil yellow pants
that were too long for shorts,
reaching below the knee, but too
short for Stacks; a cornflower
blue blouse; her hair tied up in a
bright blue and yellow scarf.
what a cute get-up. What do
you call it? Not shorts Or Stacks,
I know that much"
TITS a pedal-pusher," answered
Gail, grinning a little. "In case l
wanted to ride a bicycle, I sup
pose"
"Cute!" applauded Norah, ad-
miringly. I'm afraid there isn't a
bicycle handy. How's about Mehit-
abel?"
"I'm working in the fields today
with you and Father-and Greg
said Gail, and there was a stub.
born tilt to her chin.
ooh, gosh. Gall" Norah gasp
ed, shocked.
There's no need. Gail" That
was Kate.
Either I work in the fields or
do my share Of whatever is to be
done-or I pack my satchel and
60 back home" Gail told them
firmly. And hid a small tremor at
the thought that she had no home
to go to.
whats all this about going
back homer" asked Charles, from
the doorway. "1'm sorry, chick. ]
thought you felt that this was
home. I hoped you did"
Gail turned to him swiftly and
his arm went about her.
II do feel that I'm at home,
Father" she told him eagerly
"That's why I don't want to &C
on being treated like a house
guest. I want to learn to do my
share. I've never been allowed te
learn anything about being indie
pendent. This is my chance"
We'll be glad to have you
chick" Charles said quietly
There's a lot Of work to be done.
plants to set out and every HAND
helps that much more"
Behind them Greg said sharply,
But she doesn't know the first
thing about setting out plants"
II am Of average intelligence
No doubt I could learn" Gail told
him sharply.
Charles was studying her with
a light in his eyes that was re.
Elected in his smile.
"Of course you can, chick-o1
course you can," he told her, ig.
noring Greg, and patted he1
shoulder.
"Tn show her. It's no trick al
all once you get the hang OF it,
promised Norah eagerly. But mo-
in that pretty suit, Gail. You'c
ruin it in 20 minutes. I've an extra
pair of blue jeans and a shirt you
can use."
Gail beamed at her, ignoring
Greg's dark look.
And so, the minute breakfast
was over, Gail and Norah scam
pered off upstairs ane Cal
changed the yellow pedal : pushel
for strictly unitarian blue jeans
a much washed soft blue shirt
and clumsy looking brogues. Eye
ing yer reflection in the mirror
She thought Of LISA and almos
laughed aloud at the fit Liss;
would throw if she could see hel
daughter now. She would eithel
faint or 60 into Mysteries. Cal
chuckled to herself as she fol
lowed Norah downstairs and GU
into the freshness of the dew-we
morning.
1t was that loveliest hour of tn,
early summer day, when the dev
%glistening thickly on every wee'
or blade of grass was bediamone,
by the rising sun. Later in tn
morning it would be hot, but nov
1t was fresh and cool and the al
was a cares against ones .ace
The field had been treshl,
plowed, the rich black earth wa
moist and crumbling. The furrow
were deep and straight, and be
side each was a box of plants
green and fresh, yet already be
ginning to wilt a little, SO tina
their roots must be firmly bedde
in the rich earth and wet dow
with as little delay as possible.
Norah took Gail under her wing
demonstrating the job TO be done