Page:Stella Dallas, a novel (IA stelladallasnove00prou).pdf/135

Rh almost black—like the pools of meadow-brooks in mid-morning sunshine. When Laurel came home at noon her eyes seemed to have faded like the pools when the sun is hidden behind clouds. Instead of the blackness and the sparkle there was a grave, wondering, bewildered look in them.

"Nobody can come to my party, mother," she announced briefly.

All day Sunday the mothers of the recipients of the pink envelopes had been busy at the telephone.

Twice Laurel had to tell her mother that nobody could come to the party before Stella grasped the significance of the announcement. Then fiercely she threw her arms about Laurel, and held her to her tight.

"We don't care. We don't care!" she burst out. "Let them stay away! We'll have our party by ourselves! Don't you mind, Lollie. We'll have the party just the same—you and I and Uncle Ed Munn. Cats! Just because father runs off and leaves us all alone! Well—we've got each other, Lollie, anyhow. I won't ever run off and leave you, and, oh, Lollie, you won't ever run off and leave me, will you—ever, ever?" Stella was crying now.

Laurel did not cry. She stood very still, and listened, and afterwards remembered.