Part 8 (2/2)

”It's been sticking for forty years, and I suppose it will go on forever.

You see she doesn't have him around much and so she probably forgets how he is. He is always out with father, and she is asleep when he gets home.”

”Well, don't worry about it. He had no business being married, for it was a lovely plan--but it can't be helped now. Never mind.”

”Listen,” said Mrs. Severs suddenly. ”Hear the sizzling. That's onions.

Didn't I tell you? I was going to have chicken croquettes and creamed peas, with lettuce salad and fruit jello. But how can Dody and I sit down to a decent meal with the whole house reeking with tobacco and onions?”

”Never mind, dear. We'll find the adjustment in time. Just try to be patient.”

For another night, and another day, Eveley puzzled and pondered--during intervals of studying motor folders and reading advertis.e.m.e.nts. And the next evening she found Mrs. Severs wringing her hands on the front porch.

”What is it?” she asked anxiously. ”Did he kill himself?”

”No such luck,” wailed Mrs. Severs. ”He won't sleep in the bedroom because he says it is too shady under all those vines, and he has moved himself out into the living-room on the couch. He says there is no sense having a house all cluttered up with rooms anyhow, he doesn't believe in it. He says two rooms are enough for anybody. You can cook and eat in the kitchen, and sit and sleep in the other room, and anything more is just plain tony.”

”I tell you what,” suggested Eveley brightly. ”Be mean to him. Be real snippy and bossy. Don't let him have his own way. You just fire him right back into the bedroom. Tell him you are head of this house, and he's got to mind. Then he'll be only too glad to move out and then you'll have some peace.”

”I can't,” moaned Mrs. Severs. ”He's really kind of nice if he wasn't so awful. I couldn't be mean to Dody's father. And Dody would not let me if I wanted to.”

”Well, don't worry,” said Eveley automatically. ”I am still working. We will try every different adjustment, and in time we shall hit the right one. Just keep happy and--”

”Keep happy,” wailed Mrs. Severs. ”Don't be sarcastic, Miss Ainsworth, please. I never expect to be happy again.”

Then she went home, and Eveley called Nolan on the telephone.

”You must come immediately and have supper with me. And stop on the way and get a small steak, and ask the drug-store to deliver a pint of ice-cream at six-thirty sharp. And you might bring a nice tomato if you can remember, and I shall have everything else ready. We won't have much to-night, just steak and salad and ice-cream. I need professional advice.”

Nolan never dreamed of refusing an invitation of any sort whatever from Eveley, and he started immediately, gathering up the dinner on his way.

As he put his foot on the lowest step of the rustic stair, Eveley's head thrust itself suddenly from between the curtains.

”There is a proper adjustment,” she said, in a stern voice. ”Just keep your mind on that. Painful duty is no duty, and can not be. There is a right adjustment--and we must find it.”

Nolan continued warily up the rickety stair, greeting her at the top cordially.

”h.e.l.lo, Eveley. My, the coffee smells good. I am hungry as a bear, too. I saw you out last night with that sad-eyed Buddy soldier, and I do not approve of it. I shall deem it my duty to administer a proper adjustment of his facial characteristics if he doesn't mind his own business. The ice-cream will be here at six-thirty sharp. How is Kitty? You have flour on your ears. Shall I fix the tomatoes?”

”I did not bring you here in a social capacity to discuss personal matters,” said Eveley coldly. ”I told you yesterday that my home is saddened by the grotesque figure of maladjustment stalking in our midst under his usual guise of Duty. As I have explained so many times, there is bound to be a happy adjustment. But this time I can not figure it out.

Now I call on you.”

”Retainer's fee, one hundreds dollars. Payable, of course, in advance.”

”Oh, well, it is not strictly legal. Let's just talk it over nicely as dear good friends, and if you have an idea I can absorb it. Nolan, Eileen said she saw you at lunch to-day with a woman.”

”Eileen? How is Eileen? I haven't seen her for days. Let's have a party soon, and invite Kitty and Eileen and Miriam and me, and you give us a midnight supper here in the Cote, will you?”

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