b'while George cautiously walked past. Hehe said to make conversation. KnewHarry had visited Potters studio. On could see that his father did not knowsome of the townspeople. I remember atheir way home they had gone him. girl named Mary Thatcher. She marriedswimming. Harry had been seized with a Art Jenkins, I heard. You must knowcramp, he remembered. He had pulledIs the lady of the house in? he asked.them.him out of the water and had thought His father waved toward the door. Gonothing of it. But suppose he hadnt Of course, his mother said. We knowbeen there! on in, he said cordially. Ill chain thisMary well. dog up. She can be mean withIm sorry, he said miserably. I guess strangers. Any children? he asked casually.Id better go. I hope you like the brush. His mother, who was waiting in the Twoa boy and a girl.And I wish you both a very Merry hallway, obviously did not recognizeChristmas. There, he had put his foot in him. George opened his sample kit andGeorge sighed audibly. it again, wishing them a Merry grabbed the first brush that came to My, you must be tired, his motherChristmas when they were thinking hand. said. Perhaps I can get you a cup ofabout their dead son. Good evening, maam, he saidtea.Brownie tugged fiercely at her chain as politely. Im from the World CleaningNom, dont bother, he said. Ill beGeorge went down the porch steps and Company. Were giving out a freehaving supper soon. He looked aroundaccompanied his departure with a sample brush. I thought you might likethe little parlor, trying to find out why ithostile, rolling growl. to have one. No obligation. Nolooked different. Over the mantelpieceHe wanted desperately now to see obligation at all. His voice faltered. hung a framed photograph which hadMary. He wasnt sure he could stand His mother smiled at his awkwardness.been taken on his kid brother Harrysnot being recognized by her, but he had I suppose youll want to sell mesixteenth birthday. He rememberedto see her. something. Im not really sure I needhow they had gone to Potters studio to be photographed together. The lights were on in the church, and any brushes.the choir was making last-minute Nom. Im not selling anything, heThere was something queer about thepreparations for Christmas vespers.assured her. The regular salesman willpicture. It showed only one figureHarrys.The organ had been practicing Holy be around in a few days. This is just Night evening after evening until well, just a Christmas present from the That your son? he asked.George had become thoroughly sick of company.it. But now the music almost tore his His mothers face clouded. She noddedheart out.He stumbled blindly up the How nice, she said. You people neverbut said nothing. gave away such good brushes before.path to his own house. The lawn was I think I met him, too, George saiduntidy, and the flower bushes he had This is a special offer, he said. Hishesitantly. His names Harry, isnt it?kept carefully trimmed were neglected father entered the hall and closed theand badly sprouted. Art Jenkins could door. His mother turned away, making ahardly be expected to care for such strange choking noise in her throat. Herthings. Wont you come in for a while and sithusband put his arm clumsily around down? his mother said. You must beher shoulder. His voice, which wasWhen he knocked at the door there was tired walking so much.always mild and gentle, suddenlya long silence, followed by the shout of Thank you, maam. I dont mind if Ibecame harsh. You couldnt have meta child. Then Mary came to the door. do. He entered the little parlor and puthim, he said. Hes been dead a longAt the sight of her, Georges voice his bag down on the floor. The roomwhile. He was drowned the day thatalmost failed him. Merry Christmas, looked different somehow, although hepicture was taken.maam, he managed to say at last. His could not figure out why. Georges mind flew back to the long- hand shook as he tried to open the I used to know this town pretty well,ago August afternoon when he andsatchel.When George entered the ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!BACKSTAGE GUIDE 21'