The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-21
THE MOTHERS HOUR
81 ADA PATTERSON
By ADA PATTERSON

colors are those of the peace and
quiet" Of the matron' s craving. The
wainscoating Is OF slate-colored wood
The walls are Of a light grey. Thaf
full-length windows, doubled to deaden
the street sounds, are draped with
creamy silk. through which the after
noon sunshine pours softened rays
The chairs are broad, low-seated and t
Inviting. There is a willow lounge
with a rose-colored screen before IT. !,
the quietest corner Of this quiet room.sl
In the centre is a table with quiet
periodicals. not q printed sheet among
them. f5is
But the keynote OF the Quiet Room
is the simple notices. simply painted
sweet restorative deli ght 20. 20 rest
ha%ans. nc iae diSine spiays
the scout and walks his rounds.
equipped with shoes Of felt and mans,
tie brown "a great charm of sol tude
is revery,'' ut is easier to be alto
gether silent than not 3 to iced mi
which great things fashion them.I
Selves Here the best rrace Of Wi \. /.
LIS turned into silence and the SWEET
est speech into med tati Ion. rs It'll 9 {
the mark OF great minds to say many
things IN q few words. so & 1t Is ssof "A
q
| to say nothing g.
s SO we are remind ed by sa gesS FROM
Thongs a Il empis and Aristotle to Jean
Paul Richtar and Raohe foucauld that
silence Is a balm tor the spirit Z and and 81
tonic Of the mind. The hour Lone
lis the growing time Of the best
mental power. Contact with other
minds In conversation sand papers the 1
WITS It makes for surface brilltancy.s
But the hour Of reflection. the time /
/ Aeeev4A a4V1yrH ~lSN
worker needs An hour OF peace and
luuiet all to u myself every day, butt
the mothers and d housewives need, /
| of this reat In the loud chorus OF life i
lis the greatest
snow shows WI Whether she enjoys this hour
or whether Existence 81 Is but for her
continual performance Of no se and !
interruption tina end 81 only In night
and sleep. Alienists say J, that tbs. ma-s3
ayslums are farmers wives and sot hers
| who lead what the great men. . who
know we'll the mar Of the human
mind, call, mono onou us lives.
But, despite their MOI stony, they 9 re ss
busy, crowded, noisy lives where he
shrek OF children and the = chorus az
ever recurring demands s, minute by
minute, Is In their ears. "A silence
room or a. silent b Would .dlmtnist.S
the tired faces WITH nomatty SSorlE
eyes and premature grey hair thaS
faces OF women distraught. that We
SEQ in these melancholy Institute . ID
Every woman should claim such q r.8
hour as her light her y re y 4 ers
|indoor5 one, her hour n lone ma ssha
a walk in quiet streets OFF, in th IA
country II her life as pressed close
ltlcal duty, the hour Nigh y K hs. spent
Fin her own room with a bools Co. n her
taste. II she choose IL might :ba' spent
Int the piano Sw the mns 81. shs. !oYfsss
T n she Is physically Swornsi Z. ouida ~ q
spent In her darker ~ ssss cha nshhs
upon lounge or 4 bed, herr saseHss
c,o--s a her gRrn,ants loose. tho SrnnA.&!
oles that have been stretched 10 Ina issss
|, ful tension. for hcse Messed IN stxt ssSs
tni-utes relaxed.
< Rtt however she sNargs tk Tor 5lleBS
!, bodily OF mental rsfreshme nts n MI
3s,ept our n her riwhts Eyeyy5
5tired woman should insist upSn fhs n
hArA Hama s3ssaS