Chapter 36
THIS PAINFUL HOUR
In Congress the last Sunday in October 1925 Vida Bertrand cleaned house while her father slept off his Saturday night drunk. Grit from Friday's dust storm had sifted over everything in the house, unchanged since her mother's death in May. She swept and polished vigorously as though to make it last because by this time next Sunday she would be back in New York.
Later in the afternoon she sat having coffee and cake with Mae in Aunt Mabel's kitchen.
"When you counted your money every payday it reminded me of Pussy and myself before we went to New York," Mae said, her eyes crinkling.
"I thought I would never be able to save enough because there were always unexpected expenses for the house. The screen door tore, then there was a plumber. Pa hasn't forgiven me for using that $283 Ma saved without his knowing it. He says it was my duty to pay the doctor and funeral bills. I couldn't, I didn't have it. He's convinced I have money in New York. People don't believe one can be poor in New York too. I'll have to look for a job when I get back. I can't wait to show Lucy the swell dress and coat you made for me."
Mae rocked back and forth comfortably. "I think it turned out well too, and you're so thin now you look like a fashion plate. You worked too hard this summer, clerking and keeping house. The Bittner shop is doing well, isn't it? Miss Bertha told me they are better off than when they made to order and I sewed for them. Congress is certainly growing fast."
They had had this same kind of conversation many times in the past five months Vida thought as she replied, "Yes, the new pack-
