The Wilmington morning star., 1947-09-02

likes plenty of elbow room when
she is in the kitchen, and I'd
much rather work out of doors.
That's why we divide the work
up this way"
you're sweet" said Gail husk-
lily, gratefully.
"Oh. sure, so are you-and I'm
starved, too, so let's get back be-
fore the last muffin vanishes or
gets cold" said Norah gaily, and
together they went back to the
house.
"We're waiting, girls" called
Charles cheerfully, and grinned
at them as they came in. "Wait-
ing just like three hungry pups
wait for two laggards."
Kate smiled warmly at them.
Gail and Norah slipped into their
places and accepted the laden
plates that Kate and Charles
handed them.
Il don't see how I could posi-
bly, eat again. I had the worlds
most perfect waffle and elathers
of this gorgeous butter and heav-
emily syrup not more than two
hours ago." said Gail. She felt
Greg's inimical eyes upon her and
flushed.
Charles beamed at her.
Ever run across a fancy, high
priced chef here or abroad that
could hold a candle to Kate's
cooking?" he demanded.
II never did," Gail answered
warmly and honestly.
-"You two!" said Kate lightly.
but there was a pleased light in
her eyes.
When the meal was over and
Greg rose, walking out without a
word. Gail turned quickly to
Charles.
Couldn't I help?" she begged.
Charles laughed and patted her
shoulder fondly.
"How? Setting OUT tobacco
plants? I don't think so,' he told
her lightly. "After all, you're
company. You find yourself a
good book and relax"
Gail turned almost humbly to
Kate.
will you trust me to wash the
dishes if I'll promise not to break
any?" she begged.
Kate studied her for a minute
and nodded.
"Tll be glad to - thank you,"
she said quietly.
Gail flushed with delight.
"You see? Kate knows I'm a
big girl now and that I want to do
my SHARE" she erowed happily.
Charles grinned at her. Keep
it up and you'll find youself milk
ing, churning, busting, sweeping
and maybe even plowing," he
warned her.
Washing the dishes, her mouth
set grimly, and hating the feel of
hot soapy water on her hands
that were SO unaccustomed to
such tasks, Gail promised herself
that she would be doing her share
of all the chores soon, no matter
how difficult or how unplea SAINT,
if for no other reason than ~
make Greg Thompson ashamed Of
his contempt for her. But there
was a little uneasy twinge in her
memory Of that brief, ugly scene
beneath the live oaks. He had
said, "You came here hoping to
wiring a few more dollars from
your father" He had been guess
ing, Of course. but the guess had
come so startling close to home
that it shook her a little. How
could he possibly know? And taen
her heart sank. When, after years
of denying Charles pleas for a
chance to know his daughter, Lis
sa- had written asking for an in
vitation. it had been inevitable
that Greg should guess. And
guess so close to the truth. And
her arrival had only added fresh
fuel to his fire of hatred.
He was a most unpleasant
young man, Gail told herself
~fiercely as she proudly put away
the last shining clean dish and
washed out the sink and tried I'M
successfully to get the dishcloth
snowy white. She decided that she
despised Greg, too. After all, he
was completely lacking in ambi-
ton. Why should he be willing to
sacrifice all the training he had
had, the education that was to
have fitted him for a legal career,
to stay here on this miserable
little place and try to whest a
living from it? 1t must be be-
cause he was essentially lazy. But
even as the thought came, she
had to abandon it. No man who
was lazy would choose the life OF
a poverty-ridden farmer in pref
erence to the ease and comfort
of practicing law. Yet it was hard
for her to believe that any man
chose this rough, hard life be-
cause he honestly liked it.
AS she hung up the dishcloth,
she promised herself that she
would very carefully avoid any
contact with Greg Thompson In
the future. She felt secure in her
fathers affection; Moran and
Kate were frank in their welcome
and their cordially; she would be
silly to let herself be troubled by
Greg's savage dislike.
Ito Be COntinued)