Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

. Every Tuesday of the line, sjicakiiiK from lils oflico at HlP hosjiitul, and wluit lio liiid (o say oaiisod Stoplien to clench liis teolli uh lie lislenod. "Yes, it's like dyiuimito when it hits the heart," the siiperintendent went on. " You've got to find some way of eoiintorBCtiiig tlial one >ery bad feature." "But, doctor," Stephen protected Kindly, "you can't consider Unit a fair te^l. 'rii(> niiin was almost dead wheti you gave liitn (lie .injection." "No matter what onui-ed the patient's death," camo the grave rejoind(>r, "the specific contains that eloinent of shock which .voii've got to cliniinatc. Otherwise it's dangerous." "Well—er—thank you for calling," luiit- tored Steplien, and ho put down the telephone and lit a cigarette. A few ininut(>s afterwards Virginia and Helen appeared bearing traye. "Hero we are 1" cried Virginia gaily. "Sandwiches, cookies and tea. How's tluit'/" The trays were sot upon a table, and then she noticed the expression upon lier hnsbancrs face. "Steve!" she exclaimed. "Anything .wrong?" "Hospital just called,'" he gritted, patient died." " You moan the one they gave medicino toT' gasped Mrs. Foster. Stephen nodded and dropped heavily a cliair, and iliroe pairs of eyes were staring at hiiu blankly when Imogetie came rushing down the stairs from the hall with her cousin behind her. "Mom—dad I" she cried. "We just saw the swellest movie! It was all about cowboys and " "All right—all right I" snapped her father. "But, Stephen," faltered Virginia, "I thought everything was " "I think we'd better go along home," said Foster. "Yes, I think we'd better," agreed his wife. "But can't we stay for something to cat?" shrilled their offspring. " Imogene, we're going home!" The girl was marched off by her mother and father, and Virginia followed to see them off. Little Steve went to his father. "Has something happened, dad?" he asked in a concerned voice. "No, sonny." Shephen thought it better rot to disturb the boy's mind unnecessarily. "I guess I'm just a little tired." Virginia returned from the front door to " Tlic your into BOY'S CINEMA End the youngster on hix fatlAr's knees, and she told him to go to l)(;d. "Aw, gosh, mom, it'b early yet," he objected. "Do ns I tell you !" she commanded. Ho kissetl his father, ignored his niolhcr, and went slo«l.\ from the room. \'irginiu seated herself on the che.slerfield. "Well. Stephen." she said disnnill.\. " what'.s going to happen to us now?" Stephen looked up with a start. "What did yoii sayV" "I said what's going to haiJpcn to ns?" "Well," he sighed, "it looks like we have to start all o\er again." "Start all over again?" she echoed sharply. "Stephen, we've got to face the facts I" "All right, I'll give yon the facts. 'I'iie doctors say tliat my fornuila caused u terrific heart shock. I don't believe it, but I've got to prove to them that they're wrong." "But we can't just keep on like this!" she cried. "How are wo going to live?" "Suppose you let me worry al)OUt that." She was silent for several seconds—silent and upset. "Stephen," she said suddenly, "don't you think it would be a good idea if you went back to the company, just for " "Don't go into that again!" he rapped. "That's been settled I" "Oh, I see," she said bitterly. "And I sup- pose we can start dej)riving ourselves x)f everything while you cling to your precious scruples !" "Have you deprived yourself of anylhing yet?" "No, and I'm not going to. either! Suji- pose some other chemist should discover that explosixe of yours and cash in on it?" "Well, that's a chance we have to take. At any rate, it won't bo on v\y conscience." She jumped up in a temper and she shouted at him: "I'm sick and tired of hearing about your conscience! You'll either go to the company to-morrow and niakc a deal with them, or—or we're finished !' "Is that an ultimatum?"' he asked in a hard, cold voice. "That's exactly what it is!" " I'll give you until to-morrow choose between your your family !" "And lliat's final ?" "That's final. Stephen." He shook his head at her. "I'm sorry," ho said slowly already' have your answer." She bturi'd at him, C)fhasl; bho bad lelt no confident that he woidd give way. " Well !" hhf ejacuhiliil, an<i tliiMi li-iripi r got the belter of lnT ugain, ami hhe losieil ncr lu<ad and sunl hcalhnigly : " Vory well, if Slevie and I mean no liiile to you we'll g'l out I" The lM)y ci(<|)t into the rcxjin (to<iti after (the had slonned out Irom it, and he wax f>lill fnll.v drensed. Stephen was silting with HIh face buried in his liandH and had no idea (he child was there till he felt a little arm round his neck. "Why, Steve," ho cx<laime(l, "I thought .you'd gone to Ih-cI!" "No, (lad." Steve i)eiched on the arm of the chair, half-crying. "I couldn't help ovei- hearing .you and mother. She ditin't r(-iilly mean thai about us leaving you, did she?" "Don't worry, son." Stephen patted the tousled head. " I'eople often say things thtj don't mean when their nerves are on edge. Besides, it might do a lot of good foi both of you to get awa.\ for a while." "But, dad, she - she said " "Never mind what she said. Sle\ii'. ^'oi see, there arc a lot of thinifs your mother doesn't understantl, and it's ii|) to you and me to help her. Don't .von think that'.s a better way to look at it?" "Yeah, I suppose so." "Of coiir.se it is.' Look, as soon as I fini.^h this job we'll straighten the whole thing out." "But won't 1 be able to see you at all?" whimpered the bo.v. "Why. sure. We'll Iiave every Sunday to- gether. And. in between, vour job will be watching after mother. Oka.y?" "Okay." "And in doing thai voii'll be helping mf>. Okay?" ■ "Okay, dad." AN ATTEMPTED BURGLARY NEXT morning Viiginia packed her own personal belongings and the bov'n dollies and went off to stay with her brother I suppose you're going to be a chemist, just like your father ? " jeered Iinogene Vvbruary S4tl>, IMO.