Debutante Hill by Lois Duncan

exhausted!”
    â€œHe is,” Anne said, dropping her voice. “Sometimes I think maybe that’s why he’s so hard on Dirk. He’s just so worn out, he can’t relax and take things easy. And Dirk—well, Dirk could be making things easier for him if he wanted to. Other boys work in the afternoons, after school. Look at Ronnie Turner, for instance! But not Dirk; he’s too busy with his own activities.”
    Lynn asked, “Will he be here for dinner?”
    â€œI certainly hope so,” Anne replied. “If not, this will be the third time this week that he’s missed dinner, and Dad will be furious.”
    But Dirk did not show up. The meal was a hurried one, as Mr. Masters was running slightly behind schedule and had to be at his job in a short time. He bolted his food, scarcely stopping to chew it, got up quickly without excusing himself and snatched his jacket off the back of a nearby chair.
    Now I know where Dirk gets his manners, or lack of them, Lynn thought with distaste. She could not remember ever seeing her father shovel food into his mouth or leave the table before her mother was finished, unless there was an emergency call from the hospital.
    But then, she reminded herself sharply, Daddy’s had advantages Mr. Masters hasn’t enjoyed. Perhaps he was brought up this way and honestly doesn’t know any better.
    Her opinion of him softened as he stopped by her chair
and laid a hand briefly on her shoulder.
    â€œI’m glad you came, Lynn. You and Anne have a good time together. Poor kid, she must get lonely in the evenings with nothing to do and no one to talk to.” He turned to Anne.
    â€œâ€™Night, baby. Thanks for dinner.”
    â€œGood night, Dad.” Anne’s face was tender as she rose to give her father a quick kiss. “I’ll have something in the refrigerator for you when you come in.”
    â€œFine!” Her father started for the door and then turned back. “When your brother gets in, you can tell him for me—
    â€œNow, Dad,” Anne broke in gently, “we don’t know what delayed him. I’m sure he has a reason for not getting here in time to eat with us.”
    Her father did not bother to answer. He merely opened the front door and went out, shutting it a little too loudly behind him.
    After helping Anne to do the dishes at the miniature kitchen sink, Lynn wondered what in the world they would find to do to pass the evening. It was only six-thirty and still light outside. There was no television set or record player, and she could not remember seeing even a radio. She glanced at Anne.
    Anne caught the look and interpreted it correctly.
    â€œThere isn’t much to do here in the evening. Usually, I study and read or paint for a while and go to bed early. Sometimes, when Dirk is here, we play cards together. Or I go over to Clara’s, or walk downtown.” Suddenly her face brightened. “Why don’t we go to a movie?”
    â€œFine,” Lynn said. “If we leave right away, we can make the early show.”

    They left the dishes stacked in the drying rack and caught the bus at the comer. When they reached the movie theater, she hesitated in the lobby, waiting for Anne to lead the way to where she wanted to sit. She was relieved to see that she did not choose the balcony. Though, there’s no reason why she would, Lynn reminded herself. Anne may be Dirk’s sister, but she certainly doesn’t go around with the disgusting people he does.
    The movie was a long one, and there were a lot of short subjects, so it was nine-thirty by the time they got out. They wandered through town, looking in lighted store windows, and stopped at a drugstore for a Coke before catching the bus for home. By the time they reached the Masters’ house, another hour had passed, and it was almost half-past ten.
    Dirk was sitting in the living room, eating a sandwich. His eyes widened when he saw