She started to tell him about it, but noticed his troubled
expression and asked him what was on his mind.
"Oh, nothing tremendous," Roger said. "I hate to be any damper to-night. I
hadn't meant to tell you to-night--but I think I will now, for you look as
though you could find a solution for anything."
"Then I must look like an idiot," his daughter said good-humoredly. "What
is it?" she demanded.
"It's about John." Her countenance changed.
"Oh. Is he worse?"
"Edith thinks he is--and she says it's not safe."
"I see--she wants him out of the house. Tell me what she said to you." As
he did so she listened intently, and turning to Allan at the end, "What do
you say to this, Allan?" she asked. "Is there any real risk to the
children?"
"A little," he responded. "As much as they take every day in the trolley
going to school."
"They never go in the trolley," Deborah answered dryly. "They always go on
the top of the 'bus." She was silent for a moment. "Well, there's no use
discussing it. If Edith feels that way, John must go. The house won't be
livable till he does."
Roger looked at her in surprise. He felt both relieved and disappointed.
"John's only one of thousands to her," he told himself aggrievedly. "He
isn't close to her, she hasn't room, she has a whole mass meeting in her
head. But I haven't, by George, I like the boy--and I'm the one who will
have to tell him to pack up and leave the house! Isn't it the very devil,
how things all come back on me?"
"Look here, father," Deborah said, "suppose you let me manage this.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251