1940-12-13 — Page 2

THE CHINA MAIL FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT, DECEMBER 13; 1940.

SHORT STORY.

OVERCOAT FOR DAVE By KEITH AYLING

Poising her beret on her blonde hoad, Anne decided that this time Aunt Mary had gone too far, Dave wasn't good for nothing. He was energetic, industrious and loyal, the ideal husband.

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Anne's smooth brow furrowed' ing something for yourself," Aunt grocer's she thought of Aunt aunt did want to invest some He would jolly well send her back as she put down Aunt Mary's let Mary had written. I shall be Mary's £5., She wanted a new money why should it not be in the cheque, and tell Aunt Mary ter after reading it for the third very angry If I hear that you have winter coat, some new shoes, and Dave's business. She did not think tell her what, he asked himself. -

She was Anne's only relative. He time. It was all very well being spent it on housekeeping or on in the spring she was going to her aunt would interfere either. her aunt's favourite niece, but that good-for-nothing husband of have a baby.

Dave was thinking of Anne's had promised Anne to be tactful there was a limit. Changing from yours.”

Dave needed a new overcoat birthday as he went back to the with the old dear. His face was her pale blue house-frock to her Anne sighed as she put the let- desperately. He would have to buy office. He had started saving up gloomy as he surveyed the-che- black costume Anne felt hot and ter back in her handbag. Ever one soon...Salesmen had to look for her present at the beginning que. That fiver would have been unhappy.

since Dave had given up a safe smart Dave's Birthday, was two of the year with the idea of giv- so useful.. She sighed. She wanted to avoid position in a bank to go into the days, after her's Ame felt the ing her something really good. But when at the josychological mó- a row, as she always did, but since wireless trade with the iden, of oranges, and yondered ir bananus there had been so many things ment of the interview his client Dave, her husband, and Aunt starting in business on his own, were more economical,

If Daye and bust

had been bad. His refused to sign on the dotted line Mary had been at tacit logger- Aunt Mary had not approved of didn't have a new overcoat soon commi account had nut come he wondered if a new suit would heads over nothing at all, it had him, And Dave was beginning he would look terribly shabby, up to pectations, Anile wanted have helped him to clinch the deal. really been difficult to keep the to resent the old lady's attitude. The last time his coat had come a winter coat with a silver fox Outside bgain he stopped in front peade, p

"If she wasn't your only rela- back from the cleaners there had collar. He would have ked, to of a shop window, and, contem- tive, and if you weren't the most been so many little squares of red have given her something likn his reflection, Phillips was wonderful woman in the world, cotton to mark the worn places.

that before the baby came. Tight He was getting to look like I'd tell her something," he had

Choosing the meat she wonder- As he rounded the door of the a tramp. He would have to do said. huh, wäre et a humát, ed if she dared to defy Aunt Mary main office of the firm where He something about it.

Anne's blue eyes were troubled If she bought herself, a cheap coat worked the girl at the switch- Aunt Mary's coming to tea on as she glanced at the clock. She on credit, she might manage, to board, signalled him. Letter for Sunday," Anne amounced after grabbed her shopping bag. Dave pay for it by tightening up the you, Mr. Lander and he wants to dinner, She shuddered with alarm came home at half-past twelve. housekeeping. Dave had never see you.” She nodded her dark as Dave Snorted, "Pah! That old She hurried off. Waiting in the noticed, when she gave him mor- head towards the sales manager's cat, I'm sick of being nice to her.

garine instead of buter...or he had office,

Why does she have to come on my been too sporting to notice.

birthday of all days, We ought to Dave was a sport, the remein-

spend birthdays, alone. She'll want bered with pride as the butcher

to know what I have given you dropped the meat into her, bag,

for a present, and she'll look down and he was clean and honest. It

her nose at whatever it is." was just as exciting boing married

Arifle was sitting on the big to him now as it had been five Dave Settled his spare years ago. Jogging home with body in the deep leather chất the heavy bag she could think of quick eyes studied his Boss. nothing but to give him a new smart Philips was. He was overcoat, endistes

per the ce of efficiency arid When he arrived home för. Inch

aye envied him his Dave dropped a fondly apprecia- blue suit the spotless linen tive, kiss on her eur. Darling, the, and the burnished 'dark what would you like for your shoes.

She read the letter again. "I am: sending you £5 for your birthday, and I insist on your buy-

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Dave slipped the letter into his pocket. He tapped at the frosted glass door panel. Mr. Phillips, the sales manager, grøsted him brisk nod. "Sft down, I'll talk to you a second."

*a

birthday? 1 expect I'll be able to His eyes were unhappy as they find something in the old sock-"". went to his own that were show

She supped her arm round his ing signs of wear and tear, and neck and kissed him on the side his suit that didn't answer to of the mouth. "Why not postpone pressing very well these days. the present business until next He started from his reverie year, darling.!!

kute aware that Mr. Phim He shook his head and made a ing it him. "Oh, E face. Not a birthday's a birth- the sales manager. day, and you deserve, one every well but you're day of the year, my sweet." ing well enough as

It was nice to be loved that

way. Anne thought as she answer-

ed:

الا

salesman. I've made

of the fact that we've

I want a packet of smokes you for as

and a box of Turkish delight, so am going to talk to you.

Pouffe at his feet with her de curls tald against his knee. darling, please be nice to unt Mary this time. I have a

She pat- "Please, time,

Th utways alice to her. I If I let go sometimes she'd respect me more. She seems to cause I accept all she says." He think I'm a, spineless nit-wit be-

ran. his fingers through her hair.

"But I'll be on my best behavi- Soun for your sake, my sweet.,

promise, but it's going to be

ult Lou'see

door bell rang. Anne At the door Dave, I forgot to "checks were bright Now she was

spots

that I can make a pig of myself. I want you to give me that little frightened of what she had done. in the afternoon when you are extra effort, and I want you to "Dave, please don't be cross, but away."

look an ad a bit. Phillips paus Mr. Martin, the tailor called. Over Junch Dave suddenly stop-ed thoughtfully, his fresh grey, While business is slackc he is mak- ped eating. Anne félt a little un- eyes on Davo. "Lander, has it over ing Clothes for his old clients at a comfortable as he studied her, his occurred to you how important a special reduction. I thought you dark blue eyes, full of concern. part. appearance plays in “Here, I say, darling," he remark- game?"

we

of

12

our needed, an overcoat and 'er-I

prom

to pay it off at five bob 'I can manage that out hous

feeping. Dave's eyes flashed with sudden

fion "as"

she stood up. Anne to came over and stretched up

thing when you began to zák. Dave knew his face was getting

ed anxiously, you're not eatingYes, sir, I have. As a matter anything. What's up, Anne, tum- of fact I was thinking of that very my ache or something?”

Before Anne, could answer. had come round the table and hot. wus: hugging her tenderly, Tell me, darling," he whispered. "What is it. I hate to see you worried,"

She shook her head, and her Voice convinclog nothing wrong, my sweet, well oh. I've just got the ies. I suppose."

"Ob. Indeed, well I'll have kiss them away and risk giv

you indigestion....... Dave laughed

lovingly as he took her In his

"Good. I am glad of the der. I was afraid you ting a little slack. App

at deal to do wit

of sales succe In the sma

prefers to

-dressed was yo to buy clo

You see, I

--He held her slender to his. He remember- terview with the sales..... manager. So, Anne had noticed, too. After a Hittle while he said: “All right, Anne, we can do it on I do need a coat it went against the

ed "grain,

While the tailor was measuring he wondered if he dared tell

Dave was det ding, but Anne about Aunt Mary's cheque arins. They hugged each other. Mr. Phillips baulted him sharply. He would not for the moment, the They seemed to melt into one. "So had I Lander. She sta.v.d, matter needed" thinking over very person, with the same hopes, the too. Now she reaps the benefit." carefully.

was

same great purpose to love each He wagged a lean freckled finger The next morning Anne other always. Their eyes grew at Dave. "Make your sacrifices wrestling with the housekeeping misty with happy contentment, while you are young. You have accounts when the noise of Dave's To think that two people could the right stuff in you, Keep your key in the door disturbed her, It be so happy together," murmured sales going up, and I'll raise you was 11 o'clock. She fled to the Dave. It's too wonderful.”

in two months. In the meantime hall. "And it's going to last for c "I want to see you the best-dressed Dave caught her in his arths. breathed Anne. one couldman on the best-dressed staff in He lifted her off her feet to kiss ever, come between" us.",

the business."

her, "Sweetheart, you're having a Dave's grip on her slac ened a Marching his heated self out new coat, too, for your birthday. minute. His face was resolute Dave admitted that Mr. Phillips, I've had a bit of lucka. Es he ech

ht, and what could he do bonus for getting a dificult client. bout it?

Hurt lip with lunch, and we'll <lous-go-and buy it." He began to Instal- "Whistle a fox-trof"

tand they danced "into"the"-kitchen.

into a

"No one.

"Not

famous Aunt Mary,

Immediately the front dðb

closed behind hin

went to ways und

ing

tled

chair

ot red, she be

the

the ed

•"the" "wind

Aunt

vas that 50-d

had anythi

nd clench-

cry. Ho

ew over

Anne met night in her

at the 'offl

lovely. I m' Dave's dark

that Darling,

ičky

lit

if

Korked"

fus to

PLAIN

CORK TIPPED

The SUPER Cigarettes.

Obtainable at

C. INGENOHL'S CIGAR STORES

LA PERLA DEL ORIENTE

other tobacconists.

tell her

Dave

for his work. that.

Dave Rad

were married. He

when hi

out it. His ráco

as he studi

Who would write to him

co? Although

iilfar he could:

ore it oper and Kis eyes Golly it was Aint Mery

Wh

His ·

own, and

ed that

she would

Dave had turn flat.

idn't: aunt, darling."

Idea down

ened

your had, Bald. “She, hday.

had

Five pounds Tave

menns ell

Bhe would want to run

puts a farthing into the

lilm £52 Yor, his

From Heaven) ...

the gas

9. But his faca sobered all at once,

to

tó

go

to Aunt

bought

Bout

he was tfully as

what to

tell auntie how

There was a postscript. "You are much you give for my cunt," she I'll work my way up to sales mán- to buy something for yourself (ho, hazarded ater as she snuggled on 'ager of this "Orm, then I'll raise read) and you are not to tell your his lap in her blue padded dress- the capital on my record. It wild about this cheque. She would ing gown. “She might think we' won't be dullcult. Let's keen, the, not understand my being gener-- were extravagant."," ['family out of the business." our with you, having been spoilt Dave's answer sent her alarm

Antro reflected, Dave, was: In- all her iffo."

brocket high. clined to be a little too sensitive Dave grunted in sudden anger..⠀ “Oh, - "won't over Aunt Mary, who had been n. Of all the chock... » So the old girl shouldn'e llegi jolly"well" will." father and Snother to her. If hur's was cross with Anne în well now.. (Contiffsfed “un¬Fagr:6)

And: