FICTION

A TALE OF TWO MOTHERS

PART II Continued from TVia #91

Laura-PA

It was a Saturday morning only a few days before their scheduled departure, and although several hours had elapsed since breakfast there had been no sign of Mrs. Moore for her usual cup of coffee and conversation. Mrs. Wright was somehow disturbed as she had noticed a quietness about her neighbor when they had last visited a couple of evenings ago, and she could not help but wonder if something were wrong. When Betty put in an appearance a short time later, wearing a very attractive blue cotton frock and white sandals, she inquired regarding his mother and if possibly she were displeased about any thing. Betty confessed that he too had noticed his mother's moodiness but had no idea as to the cause, unless it had to do with their impen- ding trip. Mrs. Wright had entertained the same belief that this might be the reason, so leaving the two "girls" together to discuss their never ceasing interest in clothes and what they would be wearing on their vacation, now so close, she went across the two gardens to find Mrs. Moore sitting morosely at her breakfast table.

Although she was greeted politely, there was little of the usual warmth of their past meetings. Mrs. Wright being a forthright person wasted no time in asking what if anything were wrong. Mrs. Moore first evaded the question, but after repeated prodding, confessed that she could not help but be depressed over the thought that she and her son would soon be separated. This would be the first time since he was a child, and knew that she would be very lonely during the three weeks they would be gone. Mrs. Wright immediately went over to her neighbor, and putting her arms around her shoulders, said, "May I call you Alma, for we have been friends for so long, and in turn please call me Ruth. My dear, I have been very selfish in planning

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