The National tribune., 1884-10-09
MY MOTHER N-LAW
Her Lengthy Visit, and How | Got
Rid of Her.
Concluded from last lueek.)

Concluded from last week.)
don't think have yet mentioned that
myself have a mother living, good old soul,
without any of Mrs Dimply's 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 mern-
ing received a telegram, as follows:
From Mrs. Smithers To Ii. A. Smithers,
Hunslet, Leeds. MI. R. G. S., IL Jessa-
mine Villas,
ST. Johns 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 seven.
i 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 g. Grigg
were her lawyers For the moment / did not
know what TO do. 1t would never do to send
the dear old lady to hotel, and yet our only
spare room was occupied! What on earth was
to be done? After a little reflection decided
TO do nothing at ALL but to let our two visitors
settle the matter between themselves. They
were both sef-inyited guests. We had only
one room to give them and they must share it.
| We, at any rate, should be doing all in our
rangement. Mrs. Dimply was out when the
telegram arrived; but at dinner time broke
| to her. 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 I
am such very light sleeper! Couldn't it be
arranged for Mrs. Smithers to sleep at a hotel
don't mind on my own account in the least,
| but / should think it would be so much moro
comfortable for her." / explained that my
mother, being country bred and unused to
London ways would feel nervous in strange
house; but if Mrs. Dimply thought ii necessary
| would secure room for her at hotel. This
suggestion did not meet her views at all ''Oh
dear no, don't think of such thing on my ac-
count shesaid suppose 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 home
ward 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?D she said in surprise.
Rosa isn't i'll, is she ?'
"Oh dear no. said. She never was better,
l am happy to say"
"Then is she so weak or so foolish that she
must always be tied to her mothers apron
strings? suppose it's her doingY
"Oh dear no." said. Mrs Dimp1y invited
herself, and between you and me | think poor
| Rosa is as tired of her company as am, but oil
course she dosen't like to be undutiful"
Un-fddlestick !" said my mother "That's
how the land lies, is it? And how long has
she been with you ?"
Four weeks" said.
any poor, dear boy! why, she must have
taken possession the very first week after you
got home"
"Not quite that" 1 said, shut very soon
aftern
Hum" " said my mother, and she and ]
are to occupy the same room, are we?- Very
good If don't make things lively for her
my names not Betsy Smithers. You leave it
| to me.v
But what do you intend to do?n I said.
Never you mind; you just 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 po-
liteness. hardly know why, but they re-
minded me somehow of pugili5ts at a sparring
match, shaking hands before they begin to
punch one anothers heads
1t is curious coincidence, Mrs DimpIy, y
said my 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 gentle facer, but Mrs. Dimply
came up smiling. "Oh, / have been here
/ some days." she replied.
Mamma came on the Goth of last month u
interjected Rosa, howasn't going TO have any
mistake upon that subject.
Dear me, SO long as thatl" said my mother
lifting her eyebrows. Don't your other
daughters miss you very much, Mrs. Dfmply ? u
Well, they are beginning to complain g
| little. In fact, was only saying this morning
that as soon as dear Rosa can spare me really
must take my departure" If she had said
anything of the kind Pm Dutchman, but o.
course We didn't contradict her)
No doubt it is very nice for Rosa TO have
you,D Rosa made a little face at me- privately,
over her mammals shoulder; shut | think
| myself that the sooner young people get out oil
| leading strings the better. Nothing teaches
housekeeping like few mistakes TO begin
with"
Yes, perhaps So" said Mrs Dimply; bui
dear Rosa is so very inexperienced
No doubt" said my mother, still more
sweetly. Il suppose all young wives are al
! first starting. But the inexperience soon rubs
off when they are left to their own devices
Never fear, Rosa, my dear, you'll soon learn
your business if you are let alone"
Mrs. Dimply looked uncomfortable and
changed the subject. rather to my own relief
We had supper that evening, my mother being
in the habit of dining at midday, and soon
after the cloth was removed Mrs DimpIy, com
planning that she felt tired, went TO bed My
mother sat chatting for an hour or so longer
and then she, too, wished US good night and
retired.
felt little anxious as to how the old and
new tenants of the spare room would get on
together their habits being as unlike as vel
could be. Mrs. Dinply was, if | may be per
mitted the expression, rather "stuffy" in he
ways. She liked a fire in her bedroom and
warm water to wash with, and was dreadfully
afraid of drafts. Ny mother affected colo
baths, slept with her window open Summel
and Winter, and always declared that she coult
not breathe in close room. Mrs Dimpii
liked to lie in bed in the morning and fonn(
it hard work TO get down stairs in time for
nine o'clock breakfast. Ny mother set he
alarm for five in the Summer and six in Win
ter, and did couple of hours work of SOM
kind OF other before breakfast. ] did no
know how far she would transplant her coun
try habits to London, but the next morning
punctually at SIX Rosa and ] were awakcnet
by sound like sky-rocket of the largest siz
suddenly going of in the adjoining room.
Good gracious what's that dreadful noise p