Free House Divided by Ben Ames Williams Page B

pay, hasn’t he?” She was more intent than she pretended. It was for this, above all else, that she had come.
    â€œI guess so. He used to brag about it all the time; but it bored me, so I never listen now.”
    â€œYou should. Men—even husbands—like to talk about themselves and their work.” Her hair suited her at last. “There, that will do.
Enid, I think Tony may decide to take Chimneys over, now that Great Oak doesn’t earn its way.”
    â€œOh, nobody will ever get Trav away from here.”
    â€œWouldn’t you like to live at Great Oak?”
    Enid’s eyes shone. “Of course I would! Trav’s never even taken me there! I was always going to have a baby or something. It must be wonderful, people to see, things to do!”
    â€œSomeone said Mrs. Currain felt that since Trav had done so well with Chimneys he might be able to bring Great Oak back. If she wants Trav there, you ought to make him go.”
    â€œMake him? Why, Mama, no one can make Trav do anything he doesn’t want to do! You can argue and argue, but it’s like pounding pillows. He just grunts and does what he was going to do anyway.”
    Mrs. Albion smiled, sure of her powers; and she held to her design. Out of Tony’s past generosity she had saved, in secret ways, a considerable sum; but now that he had cast her off, she would have to spend her savings, and money spent was gone. Yet, if Tony had Chimneys, she was sure she could recall him to her side. “You can manage Trav if you try,” she urged. “But perhaps you don’t really want to move to Great Oak.”
    â€œOh, I do!”
    â€œMaybe I can help you with Trav.” Certainly Enid had no notion how to handle him. She rose, and they came downstairs, and she thought that reference to Sapphira, when they joined Trav on the veranda, was just plain silly. Sensible wives, if they suspected that their husbands had noticed one of the wenches from the quarter, pretended not to see. Enid was a fool, no doubt of that; but Trav could be managed. When they were at table—she had taken care to make herself perfection, in a low-necked lilac-colored gown with angel sleeves that did not conceal her round arms—she watched him appraisingly. Enid ignored him, chattering as though he did not exist; so Mrs. Albion sought to draw him into their conversation. She expressed some opinion, asked him directly: “Trav, don’t you agree?”
    Enid spoke in a quick impatience. “Oh, don’t bother Trav, Mama. He doesn’t like to talk when he’s eating. Always thinking about his crops, I suppose.”
    â€œWell,” Mrs. Albion smilingly commented, “he thinks to some purpose,
I can see that.” All men liked flattery. “The change in Chimneys since I first saw it is just unbelievable. Trav, does your mother ever come here?”
    â€œNo,” he confessed. “She never has.”
    â€œNot even to our wedding!” Enid’s tone was sharp with resentment.
    â€œShe’s pretty old to travel,” Trav said defensively.
    â€œShe’d be mighty pleased to see all you’ve done here,” Mrs. Albion suggested.
    â€œOh, she won’t come,” Enid said positively. “I’ve never laid eyes on her. Trav goes to see her every year, but he doesn’t take me. He always says it’s just a business trip to Richmond; but then he goes down to Great Oak too. I think he’s ashamed of me!” And as though weary of this topic: “Mama, have you sold your house in Richmond? Why are you moving to Washington?”
    â€œOh, Trav’s not interested in my doings, Enid.” Mrs. Albion held him in play. “Trav, is Great Oak as prosperous as Chimneys?”
    â€œNo.” He added as though in apology: “I reckon Tony’s not much of a farmer.”
    â€œToo bad you can’t take charge there for a year or two, put it on its feet again.