They began to play. The music transported everyone in the room, and they played together as if they had practiced together for years. As he played, Bert looked down at Doris, and Mr. Craig nodded and stroked his chin. It was obvious to him that they would see a great deal of Bert Cramer this summer, and not as part of Tommy’s gang.
17. Judge Ellis Is Trapped
After great spluttering and fussing, Judge Ellis had finally yielded to Aunt Becky’s ultimatum that he go to the clinic for a checkup.
“Confound that woman!” he muttered under his breath as he clamped his straw hat on his massive white head and tucked his walking cane under his arm. The impressive man of law had met his match when he had married the stern New England woman a few years before.
Aunt Becky stood in the front door waiting for the judge to get ready to go out. She looked fondly at her husband as he surveyed himself in the old-fashioned, full-length mirror which stood in the hall.
“And you can stop muttering those terrible things about me, too!” she commanded.
“Bah!” Judge Ellis snorted. Then he leaned over and laid his cheek against hers. The tender little gesture was a token of the great love these two strong-willed people had for each other.
Aunt Becky held him back at arm’s length and studied his appearance. “You’re a shameful man,” she said gently, “to be so handsome at your age!”
“Humph!” the judge exclaimed. “You talk as if I belonged in my grave!”