VALLEY

50 RAINBOW VALLEYwhen I was six. My ma had hung herself and mypa had cut his throat.""Holy cats! Why?" said Jerry."Booze," said Mary laconically."And you've no relations ?""Not a darn one that I know of. Must have hadsome once, though.I was called after half a dozenof them. My full name is Mary Martha Lucilla MooreBall Vance. Can you beat that ?My grandfather wasa rich man. I'll bet he was richer than your grandfather.But pa drunk it allup and ma, she did herpart. They used to beat me, too. Laws, I've beenlicked so much I kind of like it."Mary tossed her head. She divined that the mansechildren were pitying her for her many stripes and shedid not want pity. She wanted to be envied. Shelooked gaily about her. Her strange eyes, now thatthe dullness of famine was removed from them, werebrilliant. She would show these youngsters what apersonage she was."I've been sick an awful lot," she said proudly."There's not many kids could have come throughwhat I have. I've had scarlet fever and measles andersipelas and mumps and whooping cough and pewmonia.""Were you ever fatally sick?" asked Una."I don't know," said Mary doubtfully."Of course she wasn't." scoffed Jerry."If you'refatally sick you die."