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MARIAN KING
It was in March； six months later； that Marian King came。 They had
hoped for it； but never expected it。 And she came。 Four people were
waiting in the living room of the big Baldwin house overlooking the river。
Flora and her husband； Adele and Aunt Sophy。 They sat； waiting。 Now
and then Adele would rise； nervously； and go to the window that faced the
street。 Flora was weeping with audible sniffs。 Baldwin sat in his chair；
frowning a little； a dead cigar in one corner of his mouth。 Only Aunt
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Sophy sat quietly； waiting。
There was little conversation。 None in the last five minutes。 Flora
broke the silence； dabbing at her face with her handkerchief as she spoke。
〃Sophy； how can you sit there like that？ Not that I don't envy you。 I
do。 I remember I used to feel sorry for you。 I used to say ‘Poor Sophy。'
But you unmarried ones are the happiest； after all。 It's the married
woman who drinks the cup to the last； bitter drop。 There you sit； Sophy；
fifty years old； and life hasn't even touched you。 You don't know how
cruel life can be to a mother。〃
Suddenly； 〃There！〃 said Adele。 The other three in the room stood up
and faced the door。 The sound of a motor stopping outside。 Daniel
Oakley's hearty voice： 〃Well； it only took us five minutes from the
station。 Pretty good。〃
Footsteps down the hall。 Marian King stood in the doorway。 They
faced her； the fourBaldwin and Adele and Flora and Sophy。 Marian
King stood a moment； uncertainly； her eyes upon them。 She looked at
the two older women with swift； appraising glances。 Then she came into
the room； quickly； and put her two hands on Aunt Soph's shoulders and
looked into her eyes straight and sure。
〃You must be a very proud woman；〃 she said。 〃You ought to be a
very proud woman；〃
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