Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/51

 loud pedal with all her strength, and struck the last chord confidently.

It was in the same mood an hour later that Sheilah kissed her mother and father good-bye before going to school—her mother tenderly on her cheek, yielding generously to her arms, her father lightly on his forehead, bare within an inch of the top of his head now.

'I am going to measure it with a tape-measure to-night,' gayly Sheilah warned him. 'It isn't disappearing half fast enough to suit me! I adore bald babies, and bald fathers. I always want to kiss their heads,' and she put her cheek down and rubbed it kitten-fashion against Sidney Miller's shining brow.

'Get away. Get away,' he grumbled, and pushed her off.

But he loved her playful caresses, nevertheless, and lately her gay and sprightly moods had the same effect upon his spirits as placing a big order in business. For lately Sheilah seemed troubled a good deal of the time. Dora said it was nothing but a little physical weariness. Dora ought to know. Dora had read up a lot about girls.

Sheilah kissed her mother a second time before she left the room—her mother always liked to be kissed last—and gave her an extra squeeze. Afterwards a look passed between her mother and father which she didn't fail to catch. She often caught it.