Árdís - 01.01.1953, Page 58

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ÁRDÍ S
“How about some coffee? I’ve had no lunch,” he said a little
gruffly, coming inside, and ignoring the child who was fond of him.
“He is unhappy about Marge,” Grace thought, as she ran water
into the percolater. She had intended taking the coffee into the
living room, but Mike came to the kitchen and sat down at the table.
“I hope Marge will find happiness in her new position,” Grace
said.
“Few people are truly happy.” Mike poured cream in his coffee,
and cut into the apple pie before him.
Grace had no patience with lover’s quarrels. “You and Marge
love each other,” she said. “You two could be happy.”
“It’s too big a risk.”
“All marriages are a risk. But many people take it, unafraid.”
“That’s different.” His face was stern, unsmiling. “You see, I’m
a foundling. An Ugly Pugly. I don’t know who I am, nor who my
parents are, or were. I have no nationality, nor background.” He
finished the pie and pushed the plate aside. “Marge is the mother
type, and should have children. I don’t dare father a child.”
Grace had never before given this thought. To have no back-
ground must be a strange feeling. She had been standing, now she
took the other chair.
“At the orphanage,” Dr. Mike went on, “other little boys were
adopted.” He held up his cup for more coffee. “Mrs. McCormack,
the matron, always dragged me in for inspection, but prospective
parents took one look at my ugly mug, and spindly frame, then
ignored me.” He lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. “When I
was ten,” he continued, “Mrs. McCormack parked me with a farmer
family during school holidays. I shall never forget the first time
I saw them. Four husky blond boys, and two pretty girls.” A slow
smile began in his eyes. “And one of the girls, Disa, said I was an
ugly pugly.”
“Did you resent that? Did you dislike her?”
“No. She became my favorite.” He flipped the ashes of the
cigarette into the saucer. “Right off the bat I was given a small
calf, and a young kitten, all my own.” He paused, his face relaxed,
with a half smile. “I had never slept alone in a room, but I wasn’t
afraid for I was allowed to keep the kitten for company. It purred
me to sleep. The loveliest music I’ve ever heard.”