The state journal., 1884-11-22

HAOAA w AaN DSVA PINdoSAf AuN
given warning four days after Mrs. Dim
PHYS arrival, stating unreservedly thai
two ''missuses" in one house were one
too many for her. And l cordially sym
pathized with her.
The "week or two" had expanded into
three. and the three into four, and still
there was no sign of mamma in law &
departure. Indeed, she had begun to
to talk of her ROOM" and to make little
alterations in the furniture, which be-
tokened very heightened visit. / now
began to understand why she had taken
such warm interest in the upholstering
Of the spare room. | remember her tell
ing Rosie that tastefully furnished
spare room gave such style" to a
house l began to wish the spare room at
Jericho, or even farther. But relief was
at hand, aud it came from most unex-
pected quarter indeed, in a shape which
at first sight seemed to threaten an ag-
gravation of our grievance. l have no
doubt disciple of Hahnemann would
claim it as grand exempliflcation of HON
OpathiC principles 1t certainly was a
case of similia similibus curantur. But
the reader shall judge for himself
don't think have yet mentioned that
l myself have a mother living, a good
old soul, without any of Mrs. Dimply's
town bred graces, but withal remarka-
bly, keen old lady, and Yorkshire to the
backbone. Mrs. Dimply had been with us
just four weeks, when one morning | re-
ceived telegram as follows:
To II. A. SMITHERS, M. r G. S.,
II, JEssAMINE VILLAS, :
ST. JOINS WOOD, n. w. )
Letter just to hand from Brodby &
Grigg saying must come up to town at
once. Shall rely on you to give me a
bed. Meet me at Station at 7.
From Mrs. Smithers, Hunslet, Leeds.
| should here explain that my mother
was interested in chancery suit, under
which she was entitled to share of
t Rnt MsssPs Brody F0eGS rSg ane
her lawyers. For the moment
[ did not know what to do. 1t
would never do to send the dear old lady
to a hotel, and yet our only spare room
was occupied! What on earth was to be
done? After a little reflection 1 decided
to do nothing at all, but to let
OuI ImO fISLbOL5 5GtllC buO LldLLCI DC-
tween themselves. They were both
self invited guests. We had only one
room to give them, and they must share
it. We, at any rate, should be doing all
in our power, and they must make the
best of the arrangement. Mrs. Dimply
was out when the telegram arrived; but
at dinner time broke to her, as gently
as | could, that my mother was coming to
town Unexpectedly, and would have to
share her room.
"Dear me-" che said, I'm afraid that
will be very inconvenient for both parties.
And l am such very light sleeper
Couldn't it be arranged for Mrs. SmitherS
to sleep at hotel? don tmind on my own
account in the least, but should think it
would be so much more comfortable for
her" l explained that my mother, being
bred and unused to London
ways, would feel nervous in a strange
house; but if Mrs. Dimply thought it
necessary. l would secure room for her
at a hotel. This suggestion did not meet
her views at all.
"Oh DEAR no, don't think Of such
thing on my account, she said.
81 suppose your mother won't stay very
long, and We must make the best OF 1t. l
daresay we shan't quarrel, she added,
with her accustomed sweetness.
Seven o'clock came and | met my
mother at the Great Northern Station.
On our way homeward told her that she
must excuse our only being able to give
her half bed, as Rosa's mother was
stay ing with US.
What that forI" she said in surprise.
Rosa isn't i'll, is sheg"
"Oh, dear, no" said. "She never was
better, | am happy to say"
Then is she 50 weak or so foolish that
she must always be tied to her moth
er's apron strings? | suppose it's her do
ings?"
''Oh, dear, no." | said. Mrs. Dimply
invited herself, and between you and me
[ think poor Rosa is as tired Of her COM
pany as l ain, but of course she doesn't
like to be undutiful.
"Un- f1ddlestick" said my mother.
That's how the land lies. is it? And
how long has she been with you"
-Four weeks" said.
my poor dear boyl why she must have
taken possession the very first week after
you got home.
Not quite that" l said. "but very
s Don after"
Hume said my mother, land she and
| are to occupy the same room, are we ?
Very good. If don't make things lively
for her, my name not Betsy Smithers!
You leave it to me-
But what do you intend 10 do?" l
said.
"Never you mind; you just leave it to
me-" And not another word could l get
out o f her.
On reaching home my mother kissed
Rosa with great affection, and the two
politeness. l hardly know
why, but they reminded me somehow of
pugilists at sparring match, shaking
hands before they begin topunch one an
others heads.
1t is curious coincidence, Mrs. DIM
ply" said nay mother, beaming amiably
through her spectacles, that you and |
should have hit On the very same day to
come and visit these young people.
This was a gentle facer, but Mrs. Dim
ply came up smiling. "Oh, l have been
heIe-some days" she replied.
Mamma came on the Goth of last
interjected Rosa, who wasn't
going to have any mistake upon that
subject.
dear me, so long as that" said my
mother lifting her eyebrows. "Don'tyour
other daughters miss you very much,
Mrs. DimplyF"
"Well, they are beginning to
a little. In fact was
saying only this morning that as
soon as dear Rosa can spare me l
really must take my departure. Of she
had said anything of that kind, I'm a
Dutchman but of course We didn't con-
tradict herr
mo doubt it is very nice for Rosa to
have you (Rosa made little face at me,
privately, over her mammals shoulder) !;
bat think myself that the sooner young
people get out OF leading strings the bet
ter. Nothing teaches housekeeping like
a "a l..