Page:Flaming Youth black on red.pdf/31

 FLAMING

YOUTH

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Delia as he was leaving, “marry Pat. Nobody else ever will,” There was a pause as for consideration, “A stinkin’ liar,” it concluded with conviction.
 * “You’re a liar!” came the hoarse voice from outside.

“Pat!” called her mother. “Oh, very well! But I bet I’m married before I’m Dee’s age. And to a better man than Jimmy James. He’s a chaser.” “We've got to send that child away to school,” said Mona Fentriss in amused dismay as the door closed behind Osterhout. “She’s growing up any old way, and she seems to know everything that’s going on. . . . Dee, are you really going to marry Jimmy James?” “TI think so. Any objections?” “Well, Ada Clare, you know.” “She’s the kind that men don’t get through with so readily. It’s gone pretty far.” “It’s gone the limit probably. Well, I never thought Jimmy was President of the Purity League, Mother.” “Do you really care for him, Dee?” “Of course I do. I don’t mean that he gives me an awful thrill. Nobody does.” “Perhaps the right man would.”
 * “He’s through with her.”

“Then I haven’t seen him yet.

Mother,” she turned

her cool regard upon Mona, “tell me about it.” “About what?”

“The thrill.

The real thrill.

You know.”

Mona’s colour deepened. “You’re a queer child, Dee. There are some things a woman has to find out for herself.”

“Or get some man to teach her,” supplied the girl