Ralph Henry Barbour

“ I took a book from the center-table and curled up in the big green rep armchair in the corner. I opened the book and then put my arms over my head and thought. Presently I heard Mr. Tully come up on the porch and heard Jocelyn say good-morning. The next thing I knew they were in the hall, and then, before I could jump up or cough, or do anything at all, they had come into the parlor. They stopped just inside the door, which Jocelyn half closed, and Mr. Tully whispered “Jocelyn! Jocelyn!” ”

“ One of my gravest superstitions concerns Fridays. I was born on a Friday, and ever since I was old enough to know anything at all I've regarded Friday as especially momentous. And you'd be surprised if I told you how many important things have befallen me on Friday. ”

“ Jocelyn looked very pale and unhappy at breakfast, just as though she hadn't slept well. Larry and Ned went off early to the Country Club and I went up to my room, telling Jocelyn that I was going to write letters. You see, it was her last day there and it did seem a pity not to let her and Mr. Tully have a few minutes alone. But it was rather dull upstairs, for I hadn't any idea of writing, and so, after a while I crept down again and went into the parlor. The parlor, which is kind of stiff and formal and uncomfortable, isn't used very much ”

“ I know you will be as silent as the grave, Marjorie, but Jeff, while he agreed with me that you ought to be told, feels that, once a third party knows it, it is our duty to inform those who are most concerned. What do you say, dear?”
I sat up and wrinkled my forehead a moment. Then I said:
“If I were you, Jocelyn, I'd sit right down this very afternoon and write to my parents and tell them all about it. And I'd have Mr. Tully write too. I think it's perfectly absurd to go on this way and be miserable, and upset, and nervous. Money has nothing at all to do with it. Mr. ”

“ I asked.
“After that he used to come over for a day or two days, every little while. He had begun his new book then and so he couldn't spare much time for me, you see. And then, it was two days before Christmas, the twenty-third of December, we quarreled.”
“Mercy! What about?”
“About men. You see, nobody knew I was engaged and so—so, of course, the men were just as nice to me as ever. I couldn't tell them not to be, could I? And Jeff got jealous, terribly jealous.” (I closed my eyes and tried to picture Mr. Tully in a jealous rage, but had to give it up.) “It was hard on him, Marjorie ”