The Short Story Club of Shanghai recently concluded a competition among its members. The "North-China Daily News" will publish from time to time some of the best stories submitted, beginning with the ome below.
Jack Hicks awoke, fresh and bright, at six o'clock on that lovely English September morning, and couldn't understand why his two bed-room companions—already up and about—seemed, by their demeanour, to consider it exceptional. True, they would all have to be out of the room, for good, by eight o'clock; but what did that matter? Eight o'clock was still two hours off. He never could understand people getting jumpy under any circumstances—there was never any need in his opinion.
This lodging had been forced upo him by circumstances—a tempora: arrangement for a month at most—and he had to admit that he had mever liked it; but when no charge was being made for either his board or lodging he couldn't reasonably complain. In its favour, the food was certainly wholesome and well-cooked, the service good, -and everything scrupulously clean. Besides, his roommates—strangers to him—had from the beginning been quite friendly He did feel though, that pictures of some kind or other should be allowed on the walls, if only to brighten up the place. He had weakness, himself, for coloured prints—specially of galloping horses—and also for the photographs of little children.
"It She Had Lived"
Women didn't interest him. The only one that ever did, had died not long before he came to this place. He thought of her now "Funny how things go," he mur mured, stretching himself prior to rising. "If she had lived, I shouldn't have come here."
But he wasn't in any way disturbed by the thought That morning at seven o'clock, he was going to have a special breakfast. They were considerate that way. A kind of send-off, as they knew he had no idea where he was going when he left the place. This would allow him plenty of time there being no last minute packing to be done—that had all been taken care of. With the other two it was different, their arrangements had already been made.
He had a parson friend who took quite an interest in his future, but the only definite offer of help received from him was mixed up with religion, and Hicks couldn't accept it, because he was neither religious nor a hypocrite.
His two room-mates never talked about the future to him. They wer: too interested in the past: How Aston Villa had managed unexpectedly to w with the Arsenal; how Tommy Farr should have got the decision over Louis, the negro boxer; and things like that.
Without Work for Several Weeks Their present jobs were seemingly sure, even if not too well paid. Personally, he wouldn't like the idea of going to work in a uniform. but they didn't seem to mind. He was a bricklayer by trade, himself, like his father and grandfather hat been. although he had not done any work at all during the last few weeks; in fact, not since the one woman in life had passed out of the picture. They had only been married a year in all, and her going had certainly changed his future. He waèn't a morbid person, far from it; but he never would forget how she had d that last time, lying on the bed in the candle-light; the eyes that awan move any nu but still stared at him He kad been angry with her only once in his life, but even now he felt he had been justified. He was never one to give way if he felt that he was in the right; not sentimental that way, not a bit. And not even death could alter facts. How could it? That would be just silly "Come on, mate, breakfast's ready."
So it was seven o'clock! Well, he was practically dressed, having given the bath a that morning "Aren't you fellows going to eat?" he questioned, casually, of his two companions.
Not hungry, Jack. We were up before you were awake and had a munch then," one of them replied.
2 Special Breakfast How he had dreamed of this meal —ever since he had heard of it—and by the look of things he wasn't going te be disappointed. The uncertainty of his future, and of when and where he was going to eat next was not ing to blunt his appetite, if he knew anything about it Porridge, ham and eggs, kippers, plenty of thick toast, butter and marmalady, coffee—half boiling milk—the way his wife used to always make it for him. And a second helping if he wanted it.
It must have been 7.30 before he was through. They had to vacate this combined bed-sitting-and-dining-room, by eight. That was certain; so he couldn't dally too long. He was just swallowing his last piece of toast, when one of his roommates called to him:
Padre to see you, Jack Looking around, Hicks nodded in genuine welcome, but remained seat-
The pa being quite at home, ulled up a chair beside him.
Well, Hicks, my L" he com-roncet, speaking earnestly ana gently patting the others shoulder What about it?"
Hicks appeared dogged "Td have to have more time to conder it, sir. I never was one to hurry, unless I was certain.
But you know, Hicks, that time i" one thing I can't possibly give you—much as I wish I could. It's all perfectly straight-for ud simple; why don't you trust me?"
Hicks thought for a while, then rose to his feet "N I said. yes; I should be deceive ing you, sir, and thats somer I've never done to anyone yet."
He hesitated before continuing: "1 take this opportunity to thank you ery kindly, sir, for all your friendship to me during my stay here. Do I say good-bye now. sir?
The padre, jumping up, gripped the man's extended hand "No, Hicks," he replied. "I never ay good-bye....besides I'm not going yet.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.