Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/139

 its contents. In a dizzying rush, memory of the afternoon came back to him. He remembered the look on Gaylord's face at noon. Remembered him saying ‘I'm not hungry … This glare is too bright … I've got a headache …' He remembered the look on the boys in the opposite car too … There was something wrong there … something very wrong or why had Gaylord wanted to move so quick. The sun was not in his face but he hadn't said anything. He saw Gaylord in his thoughts as he had seen him then.

"What's the matter, Glenn?" his mother asked. "Aren't you hungry? The stew's real good … I made it because you like it so much … There's some fresh bread too."

"I know it's good, but I'm just not hungry. Gay and I had a coke and a candy bar after school. Had two hamburgers for lunch. Gay took me to lunch. Guess I'm still full."

"I'll get you a glass of milk." She started for the ice-box.

"I don't want any," he said quickly. "Honest, I'm still full." It was useless to suggest it again Mrs. Rogers knew. But she was not angry, only a little concerned. She had prepared the stew because it was one of his favorite dishes, and during the long wait for his arrival she had heated it over and over again. Something was wrong for he had never turned down stew before.

"How was school today?" she asked.

"Fine."

"Gay must be a very nice person, taking you to lunch and riding."

Rogers felt the eyes of his mother upon him. They knew when he was troubled; they knew his bliss and his agony; they knew his dreams. Did they also know about the strange feeling within him now?

About him were things with which he had grown up. Even the plate before him had been brought from the old home; so had the table, chairs and all the other furniture around him.

The glare from the electric light lay on them strongly; but the air that drifted through the open door and window was cool; so was the scent of blooming tuberoses. It reminded him of Gaylord. Tuberoses and Gaylord seemed to go together. Silence drew his mother closer and as he felt this and sought the release of conversation, presently, he said, "Gay is nice, mom … He's one of the nicest fellows I've ever 129