Motion Picture Classic (Jan-Dec 1916)

CLASSIC the irresponsibility of a chattel. I wont be responsible for a business which I do not control. So you can take the books.” ‘‘But, my dear ” began the doc tor, in a conciliatory manner. ‘‘I mean it,” interrupted Norma. ‘ ‘ I will not continue to be the nominal housekeeper while you insist upon auditing the bills and making all of the checks. I shall so instruct the servants.” And so saying, she walked out of the office without waiting for his reply. Dr. Ellis had scarcely recovered from his surprise, when his younger brother, Ned, arrived and asked if he could see him alone for a moment. Dr. Ellis knew what that meant ; Ned was after money. Ned, it seemed, was always after money. The boy had fallen into evil habits. Disconcerting reports of his conduct and his manner of life were reaching Ned grinned in a half-impudent, half-sheepish manner, but remained silent. “Well,” said his brother, “I’ll give it to you this time, but let me tell you that if I do not hear better reports of you, it will be the last time. They tell me that you are spending your time on the East Side ; that you frequent Norma insisted that it be given to her husband. Professor Bowe showing some surprise, Dr. Ellis explained the argument he had had with Norma concerning their financial affairs. “But you are wrong,” said Norma’s father. “I know, for I used to take care of the household matters myself. My wife had died and Norma was just the elder brother every d a y. He was about to launch into a lecture upon the subject, when the maid knocked. She had a bill from the butcher. “Will you look this over, please?” ‘ ‘ Whv dont vou take it to Mrs.' Ellis?” “I did, sir, but she told me that you were to take full charge of the house. There is some question about the amount of the bill. Will you see the boy?” Dr. Ellis went out, leaving Ned alone in the office. Ned was no sooner left alone than he cautiously picked up a key from the desk and, passing into the operating-room adjoining, opened a cabinet and extracted some cocaine. A part of this he sniffed, after the fashion of cocaine users, and the rest he thrust into his pocket. Taking a bit of wax from his pocket he made an impression of the key — it would come in handy later on. Then he returned the key to the desk and sat down to wait for his brother. “What did you want to see me about?” asked Dr. Ellis, as he again sat down at his desk. “I suppose you are after money again?” 1 o w dancehalls and associate with t h exp eri men ting with drugs. Let me tell you, my boy, that your y o u often. Here is money ; see that use it to advantage. Ned took the money V and made a hurried exit, glad to be off so lightly. He had known that some day his habits must become known to the doctor, and he had expected a worse lecture than he had received. There was an unexpected guest for dinner at the Ellis home that evening. Professor Bowe, Norma’s father, dropped in, and a place was laid for him at the table. The dinner had scarcely begun before the maid again appeared with the corrected bill which the butcher had presented that afternoon. She again attempted to hand it to Norma, but a young girl. Isuff e r e d from c o nstant interruptions in my work, and it was impossible for me to give the time and attention which I should have given to my philosophical writings. There were bills to pay, change to be made, and all that sort of thing, until I thought I should go mad. My work suffered. “Finally my little girl — Norma, here — asked me to give her a bank account and let her look after the housekeeping. I did so, and from that day on I was bothered no more. As a consequence I began to succeed in my work, and I owe it to her efficiency. After all, why shouldn’t a wife have a fair share of the money to expend? Isn’t she a member of the firm of Husband, Wife and Company?” With the word “company” the professor humorously indicated little Roy Ellis with a wave of his hand. ‘ ‘ I am the firm part of this family, ’ ’ responded the doctor, dryly. “When I married Norma, I did so because I wanted a wife and a mother for my children, and, of course” — he patted Norma’s arm affectionately — “because I loved her. If I had wanted a cashier I should have hired one. I dont believe in the economic independence of women. It ruins them: it makes them extravagant ; it makes them lazy ; it unfits them for the duties of motherhood.” Professor Bowe thereupon discreetly dropped the argument. Ned Ellis did not profit by his brother’s warning. He made frequent use of the duplicate key which he bad made for Dr. Ellis’ medicine cabinet, surreptitiously replenishing his stock of cocaine, which he shared with his associates. The doctor con (Nineteen)