CHAPTER XXII
關燈
小
中
大
ngofpityforherandherstarvedlittledreams.Shewaslookingtiredafterawakefulnightwithaheartattack,followedbyabusyday.Shehadsolittlefun.He’dgiveheranoutingforonce.Besides,Abelwasinthekitchen,atthepointofdrunkennesswherehewasdeclaringhedidnotbelieveinGodandbeginningtosingribaldsongs.Itwasjustaswellsheshouldbeoutofthewayforawhile.BarneyknewRoaringAbel’srepertoire.
Theywenttothemovie—Valancyhadneverbeentoamovie.Andthen,findinganicehungeruponthem,theywentandhadfriedchicken—unbelievablydelicious—intheChineserestaurant.Afterwhichtheyrattledhomeagain,leavingadevastatingtrailofscandalbehindthem.Mrs.Frederickgaveupgoingtochurchaltogether.Shecouldnotendureherfriends’pityingglancesandquestions.ButCousinStickleswenteverySunday.Shesaidtheyhadbeengivenacrosstobear.
