The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-10-18

must own that she offered to pay for her
self, but on my saying politely that | could
not possibly allow her to do so, she yielded
without a murmur. An evening at the
opera had similar result, and found
that she would sit out lecture on the
driest subject in the whole range of science,
say protoplasm, or even go down in the
diving bell with us rather than let us go
alone. In the daytime matters were little
better. myself was generally out all the
morning, but poor Rosie was so lectured
and instructed and advised, all in the
sweetest and most aggravating manner, that
she began to look quite haggard and wor-
ried Our cook, a really valuable person,
with whom we had been much pleased,
had given warning four days after Mrs.
Dimply's arrival, stating unreservedly that
two "missuses" in one house were one too
many for her. And l cordially sympa-
thized 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's de-
parture Indeed, she had begun to talk of
cher room," and to make little alterations
in the furniture, which betokened very
heightened visit. now began to under
stand why she had taken such warm in
terest in the upholstering of the spare
ROOM | remember her telling Rosie that
tastefully furnished spare room gave
such "style'' to house. [ began to wish
the spare room at Jericho, or even further.
But relief was at hand, and it came from a
most unexpected quarter indeed, in a shape
which at first sight seemed to threaten an
aggravation of our grievance. have no
doubt a disciple of Hahnemann would
claim it as grand exemplifcation of ho-
meopathic principles. 1t certainly was a
case of similid siailiJas 0urdntur. But
the reader shall judge for himself
don't think | have yet mentioned that
myself have mother living, good old
soul without any of Mrs Dimplys town
bred graces, but withal a remarkably keen
old lady, and Yorkshire to the backbone
Mrs. Dimply had been with us just four
weeks, when one morning [ received a tel
egram, as follows:
From Mrs Snithers, Huslet, Leeds, TO II.
Il. OHJlJHeTS, III. IL. Z. IL JcSSuHttHC
YiYas, 81. Johns Wood, N. ":
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,
l should here explain that my mother
was interested in a chancery suit, under
which she was entitled to share of some
considerable property, and that Messrs.
Brodby & Grigg were 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 little reflection de-
clined to do nothing at all, but to let our
two visitors settle the matter between them
selves. 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 l broke to her, as gently
as could, that my mother was coming to
town unexpectedly, and would have to
share her room.
'Dear me-" she said, 'I'm afraid that
will be very inconvenient for both parties.
And l am such a very light sleeper !
Couldn't it be arranged for Mrs. Smithers
to sleep at a hotel? l don't mind on my
own account in the least, but should think
it would be so much more comfortable for
her" [ explained that my mother, being
country bred and unused to London ways,
would feel nervous in strange hotel; but
if Mrs. Qimply thought it necessary |
would secure a room for her at the hotel.
This suggestion did not meet her views at
ALL ooh dear no, don't think of such
thing on my account, she said. II sup
pose your mother won't stay very long, and
we must make the best of it. | dare say
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 staying with us.
"What's that for ?" she said in surprise,
"Rosa isn't i'll, is she2"
aQh dear no." said. "She never was
better am happy to say"
"Then is she so weak or so foolish that
she must always be tied to her mothers
apron strings? l suppose it's her doing"
"Oh dear no" I said. "Mrs Dimply
invited herself, and between you and me l
think poor Rosa is as tired of her company
as am, but of course she doesn't like to
be undutiful"
Gun fddlestick " said my mother
'That's how the land lies, is it? And how
long has she been with you?''
"Four weeks" l said
"My poor, dear boy Why, she must
have taken possession the very first week
after you got home.
"Not quite that said, "but very soon
after"
"Hum p said my mother, "and she and
l are to occupy the same room, are we ?
Very good. If L don't make things lively
for her my names not Betsy Smithers
You leave it to me.
"But what do you intend to 2" l said.
"Never you mind; you must leave it to
me-" And not another word could | get
out of her,
On reaching home my mother kissed
Rosa with great affection, and the two
mothers in law saluted each other with
ceremonious politeness. 1 hardly know
why, but they reminded me somehow of
pugilists at a sparring match, shaking hands
before they begin to punch one anothers
heads.
at is a curious coincidence, Mrs Dim
ply" said my mother, beaming amiably
through her spectacles, "that you and l
should have hit on the very same day to
come and visit these young people"
This was gentle facer, but Mrs Dim
ply came up smiling "Oh, l have been
here-some.d days, she replied.
mamma came on the goth of last
month" interjected Rosa, who wasn't 60
| L L Al.