Carolyn Wells
Raspberry Jam
Chapter I
The Great Hanlon
You may contradict me as flat as a flounder, Eunice, but that wont alter the facts. There is something in telepathythere is something in mind-reading
If you could read my mind, Aunt Abby, youd drop that subject. For if you keep on, I may say what I think, and
Oh, that wont bother me in the least. I know what you think, but your thoughts are so chaoticso ignorant of the whole matterthat they are worthless. Now, listen to this from the paper: Hanlon will walk blindfoldedblindfolded, mind youthrough the streets of Newark, and will find an article hidden by a representative of The Free Press. Of course, you know, Eunice, the newspaper people are on the squarewhy, thered be no sense to the whole thing otherwise! I saw an exhibition once, you were a little girl then; I remember you flew into such a rage because you couldnt go. Well, where was I? Let me seeoh, yesHanlon Hmhmwhy, my goodness! its to-morrow! How I do want to go! Do you suppose Sanford would take us?
I do not, unless he loses his mind first. Aunt Abby, youre crazy! What is the thing, anyway? Some common street show?
If youd listen, Eunice, and pay a little attention, you might know what Im talking about. But as soon as I say telepathy you begin to laugh and make fun of it all!
I havent heard anything yet to make fun of. Whats it all about?
But as she spoke, Eunice Embury was moving about the room, the big living-room of their Park Avenue apartment, and in a preoccupied way was patting her household gods on their shoulders. A readjustment of the pink carnations in a tall glass vase, a turning round of a long-stemmed rose in a silver holder, a punch here and there to the pillows of the davenport and at last dropping down on her desk chair as a hovering butterfly settles on a chosen flower.
A moment more and she was engrossed in some letters, and Aunt Abby sighed resignedly, quite hopeless now of interesting her niece in her project.
All the same, Im going, she remarked, nodding her head at the back of the graceful figure sitting at the desk. Newark isnt so far away; I could go aloneor maybe take Maggieshed love itStart from the Oberon Theatreat 2 P.M. Hm, I could have an early lunch andhidden in any part of the cityonly mentally directednot a word spoken Just think of that, Eunice! It doesnt seem credible thatoh, my goodness! tomorrow is Red Cross day! Well, I cant help it; such a chance as this doesnt happen twice. I wish I could coax Sanford
You cant, murmured Eunice, without looking up from her writing.
Then Ill go alone! Aunt Abby spoke with spirit, and her bright black eyes snapped with determination as she nodded her white head. You cant monopolize the willpower of the whole family, Eunice Embury!
I dont want to! But I can have a voice in the matters of my own house and family yes, and guests! I cant spare Maggie to-morrow. You well know Sanford wont go on any such wild goose chase with you, and Im sure I wont. You cant go aloneand anyway, the whole thing is bosh and nonsense. Let me hear no more of it!
Eunice picked up her pen, but she cast a sidelong glance at her aunt to see if she accepted the situation.
She did not. Miss Abby Ames was a lady of decision, and she had one hobby, for the pursuit of which she would attempt to overcome any obstacle.
You neednt hear any more of it, Eunice, she said, curtly. I am not a child to be allowed out or kept at home! I shall go to Newark to-morrow to see this performance, and I shall go alone, and
Youll do nothing of the sort! Youd look nice starting off alone on a railroad trip! Why, I dont believe youve ever been to Newark in your life! Nobody has! It isnt done!
Eunice was half whimsical, half angry, but her stormy eyes presaged combat and her rising color indicated decided annoyance.
Done! cried her aunt. Conventions mean nothing to me! Abby Ames makes social lawsshe does not obey those made by others!
You cant do that in New York, Aunt Abby. In your old Boston, perhaps you had a certain dictatorship, but it wont do here. Moreover, I have rights as your hostess, and I forbid you to go skylarking about by yourself.
You amuse me, Eunice!
I had no intention of being funny, I assure you.
While not distinctly humorous, the idea of your forbidding me is, welloh, my gracious, Eunice, listen to this: The man chosen for Hanlons guide is the Hon. James L. MortimerhmHigh Street Why, Eunice, Ive heard of Mortimerhes
I dont care who he is, Aunt Abby, and I wish youd drop the subject.
I wont drop itits too interesting! Oh, my! I wish we could go out there in the big carthen we could follow him round
Hush! Go out to Newark in the car! Trail round the streets and alleys after a fool mountebank! With a horde of gamins and low, horrid men crowding about
They wont be allowed to crowd about!
And yelling
I admit the yelling
Aunt Abby, youre impossible! Eunice rose, and scowled irately at her aunt. Her temper, always quick, was at times ungovernable, and was oftenest roused at the suggestion of any topic or proceeding that jarred on her taste. Exclusive to the point of absurdity, fastidious in all her ways, Mrs. Embury was, so far as possible, in the world but not of it.
Both she and her husband rejoiced in the smallness of their friendly circle, and shrank from any unnecessary association with hoi polloi.
And Aunt Abby Ames, their not entirely welcome guest, was of a different nature, and possessed of another scale of standards. Secure in her New England aristocracy, calmly conscious of her innate refinement, she permitted herself any lapses from conventional laws that recommended themselves to her inclination.
And it cannot be denied that the investigation of her pet subject, the satisfaction of her curiosity concerning occult matters and her diligent inquiries into the mysteries of the supernatural did lead her into places and scenes not at all in harmony with Eunices ideas of propriety.
Not another word of that rubbish, Auntie; the subject is taboo, and Eunice waved her hand with the air of one who dismisses a matter completely.
Dont you think you can come any of your high and mighty airs on me! retorted the elder lady. It doesnt seem so very many years ago that I spanked you and shut you in the closet for impudence. The fact that you are now Mrs. Sanford Embury instead of little Eunice Ames hasnt changed my attitude toward you!
Oh, Auntie, you are too ridiculous! and Eunice laughed outright. But the tables are turned, and I am not only Mrs. Sanford Embury but your hostess, and, as such, entitled to your polite regard for my wishes.
Tomfoolery talk, my dear; Ill give you all the polite regard you are entitled to, but I shall carry out my own wishes, even though they run contrary to yours. And to-morrow I prance out to Newark, N.J., your orders to the contrary notwithstanding!
The aristocratic old head went up and the aristocratic old nose sniffed disdainfully, for though Eunice Embury was strong-willed, her aunt was equally so, and in a clash of opinions Miss Ames not infrequently won out.