"Oh, mother says father does all this just to show off to the neighbors." And Jennifer, to show her disdain, walked away.
"Paul, did it ever occur to you that Jennifer is receiving the wrong impression of things?"
"Yes, and it worries me."
These two were thinking the same thoughts, yet neither one mentioned the possible source of their sister's misdirected ideas. They loved their mother, in spite of the fact that each day they withdrew a little further from her, and against which, they struggled. But young as they were, there was an awareness of an unpleasantness between their parents.
It was at the dinner table that evening when Maggie again brought up the subject of selling the home. "I know someone who will buy this place." Without looking up, Philip said matter-of-factly, "I know several people who would be happy to buy it, but it's not for sale."
"But we could get a very good price for it."
Philip was finding himself more easily stirred to anger of late. Now he didn't try to hide it, as he demanded.
"Maggie, why do we always have to disagree and discuss this subject, and especially at the dinner table! I've told you it is not going to be sold!"
Paul excused himself and left the table. "You didn't finish your dinner, Paul." "I'm not hungry, father." The boy went on to to his room and shut himself in. He stretched himself on the bed as he thought, "Why does mother always bring up these unpleasant subjects, why does she keep nagging father."
When their dinner was over, Philip decided to walk over to his father's home. He had not gone there very often recently, and now his parents were glad to see him, as was Susan and her husband, Todd Watson, who were staying a few days here.
His mother greeted him cheerily. "Why Philip, I was beginning to think you had forgotten your mother."
"I've been very busy, mother."
Todd said, "I guess all this new building keeps your place busy."
"You're right, Todd, the lumber business is growing."
Philip's family was aware of the long hours he spent at the yards and in the office, but did not realize that much of his absence from home was to keep away from Maggie's nagging.
Edward DuFrow now said to his son, "But is it worth risking your health for?"
"Never mind my health, father, I'm fine."
Nelda DuFrow looked at her son with tear-filmed eyes, knowing all too well the reason for his fatigue-lined face and thinner body. Her resentment against Maggie was growing, as she thought, "How could Maggie treat him so?" Philip was hard-working, and ambitious, he was kind and generous, and loved his wife and family. That Maggie could be jealous of her husband's success and popularity had never occurred to Nelda.
The following morning Nelda decided to call on Maggie. She didn't know what she could accomplish, but she had to try. The children were all in school, and she wanted to reach her daughter-in-law before she decided to go out on one of her mercy mission, as Maggie herself, called her frequent absences from Home.
"Well, Maggie, I'm glad I found you at home."
The younger woman did not look up as she continued her kitchen work. "And why should that surprise you?"
"I am not really surprised, Maggie, only you are away from home so often, I was not sure you would be here this morning. And that, my dear, is what I want to talk to you about."
Maggie did not hesitate in her work, but went on with her busy-ness. Mrs. DuFrow sensed the hostility in the other's voice as she answered. "All right, now what do you want to talk about?" Maggie seated herself as she looked at Philip's mother with wide blue eyess, as innocent as a childs.
But the older woman was not deterred, she had considered this course for some time, and now was determined to carry it through, much as she hated interfering in her children's private affairs. "It is just this, my dear girl. Philip's father and I are worried over the state of his health, and wondered if we couldn't do something about it." As she spoke, Nelda looked steadily at her son's wife
"What is wrong with his health, I've seen nothing different about him."
"That is just the trouble, Maggie, you are away from home so much of the time, you are neglecting your family."
"Oh, now, really mother, aren't you exaggerating? After all, the girls are old enough now to help, as a matter of fact, Ruth can cook as well as I, and they all get enough to eat, no one goes hungry."
A little hesitant, Nelda now replied, "Did it ever occur to you that there are other hungers besides the physical one. There is the spiritual hunger that is just as hurtful as a physical one."
Maggie's eye's opened wider as she said, "What in the world are you talking about?"
Slightly shamed at the other's not understanding, she decided to speak it all clear. "My dear Maggie, there is in man, as in all human beings, a hunger of mind and spirit, for the sustenance of kindness and understanding, free from nagging and quarrels, he needs respect and love. And yes, he needs the companionship and comfort that only a wife can give him."
Nelda DuFrow was angered when the only reply from Maggie was a derisive laugh. Nelda stood up. She said, "I suppose I am detaining you from one of your 'mercy missions', so I will leave now."
Reaching the door, she turned, saying, "I hope you will think seriously of what I have said."
"Of course, how could I neglect such sage advice?"
Mrs. DuFrow found herself walking rapidly toward her home. She was agitated and distressed over her son's position, and greatly puzzled over Maggie. How could her nature change so drastically, or had it always been so, lying dormant in her consciousness until she had lived with reality, to stir it into the ugly thing it had become.
Grace Benson and Helen Bradley had met in the Wicker's grocery store that morning, and as friends, were discussing the Philip DuFrow family. Grace was saying, "I simply cannot agree with Rod that Maggie is not sincere with her ministering to others. Mrs. Johnston think she is an excellent nurse."
"I agree with you, Grace, but why does she want to do it?" She has her family to care for, and they are quite comfortably fixed."
"Oh, Helen, she doesn't do it for pay, and that is the reason I admire her."
"Well, Phil don't like her doing it, and have you noticed how he looks lately? If I were Maggie, I'd stay at home and care for my husband, first."
"Well, let's not judge dear Maggie, but Rod thinks she is a fraud."
"Oh, men, they always see things in a different light than we women. You know Rod thinks Phil is worried about Maggie."
"I don't think he needs to be worried in that direction," Grace said. The two friends walked together into the sun-warmed street.
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