Wives and Lovers by Margaret Millar Read Free Book Online Page A

other, very faintly, so that Ruth wouldn’t notice.
    She noticed anyway. “I don’t see what’s so humorous about the high cost of food. I realize that I don’t contributeany actual money to the household, but it’s my job to keep expenses as low as possible, even at the risk of incurring unpopularity.”
    â€œYou’re not unpopular,” Hazel said. “Now forget it.”
    Ever since Ruth began having trouble with her nerves, she had to be treated, on occasion, like a child, to be given firm yes and no answers, and sometimes strict orders or very abrupt changes of subject.
    It was Hazel who usually provided the change of sub­ject.
    â€œI thought you were going to babysit for the Fosters this afternoon.”
    â€œI was, yes.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œI don’t know. Mrs. Foster came home unexpectedly and paid me for a full hour, seventy-five cents, though I was only there half that time. I’ve saved fourteen dollars now . . . Do you think that’s enough?”
    â€œEnough for what?”
    â€œThe suit,” Harold said and kicked Hazel under the table as a reminder. “The suit she’s going to buy to wear in front of the School Board. Herringbone tweed.”
    â€œNo, not tweed.” Ruth paused, looking reflectively up at the plaster ceiling. “I’ve changed my mind about the tweed. Silk shantung, I think, very simply cut. Don’t you think silk shantung would be better, Hazel? It will still be very warm in September . . . And perhaps if I’m lucky enough to get a real bargain on the suit, I’ll be able to afford a hat as well. I’d like to cover up my hair.”
    â€œThere’s nothing the matter with your hair.”
    â€œI don’t want them to see what a change there has been in it. They might think something drastic has happened tome the past year, the way I’ve suddenly become gray like this . . . A turban would cover it up nicely. Are they wearing turbans any more, Hazel?”
    â€œSome people are.”
    â€œThen I shall aim for a turban.”
    â€œRuth—”
    â€œThen, when I have my outfit all ready, I’ll phone the superintendent and ask for an interview. They say the teacher shortage in town is very acute. Of course they say that every year. I mustn’t build my hopes too high.”
    â€œNo, you mustn’t.”
    â€œBy September, I should have at least twenty dollars.”
    She picked up the wooden bowl of cabbage and carried it over to the sink.
    Hazel looked at her brother. “Where’s Josephine?”
    â€œSleeping. I told her to lie down, she looked bad.”
    â€œYou didn’t tell her she looked bad?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI hope to God not.”
    Harold’s responsibilities as a future father weighed heavily on him. He had always been a sweet-natured, dreamy man who could spot a silver lining a mile away, but as soon as Josephine missed her first period, Harold became a worrier. He worried nearly all the time because Josephine looked very frail and had a chronically delicate constitution. Harold had never been ill a day in his life and delicate constitutions fascinated and alarmed him.
    â€œShe’s so little , Hazel.”
    â€œYou talk like she was a midget or something.”
    â€œIt’s not only her size. It’s—well, she’s no spring chicken.”
    â€œFor God’s sake, don’t tell her that. I got enough trouble on my hands.”
    â€œSure, I know that, Haze.”
    â€œFor instance, that yard. You’d think a bunch of for­eigners lived here the way that yard looks. We might as well go live in a jungle.”
    Ruth turned sharply. “Are you implying, Hazel, that I should attend to the outside of the house as well as the in­side?”
    â€œSpeaking of the jungle,” Harold said. “You know what a guy down at the plant told me the other day? He said, in the jungle the