The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-25

one of those things that isn't really
necessary, just stop and make up your
mlnd TO let it slide. I'm sure you
Wouiont get half SO tired if you'd do
The little mother listened to her
daughter's harangue at first indignant,
then quizzieal
Then an idea seemed to come to her.
| would you really like to have me
try it. Marjorie?'' She asked.
| OF course; will you %
Il think I WILL said the little
| mother slowly.
When l come home from work I'll
md you much less tired. I'm sure
you could be just as well as not IL
you didn't putter so.''
The new order began the next day.
The first recognition of its presence
was by Marjorie that night
Mother, what does all Duke? He
Keeps coming in here and teasing for
something
Perhaps he wants his supper, Mar
Jor1e. thought that was outside of
the regular routine that you outlined,
so l didn't do it,
oh" from Marjorie, as she fol-
lowed Duke out into the kitchen and
picked UP his pan.
perhaps you'd better tend to the
bird, too called the little mother.
"Of course. didn't touch him and his
cage is awfully dirty"
slept and came hurrying down to
breakfast. ''How much time have
got?" she demanded. why, what's
the matter with the clock! It's stop
ped, mother
EYES," agreed the little mother Sc
renely. IT didn't wind it, you know.
was afraid that was puttering."
Mother" this from big brother
that evening, 81 can't find match
in single match box in the whole
house."
Mother" this was from Marjorie
the following morning, 81 can't find
my clean chemise. What did you say?
You didn't think you ought to put
away the clothes? Oh!''
Mother this was from father next
day. there hasn't been any soap in
this bathroom for three days. What's
the matter?''
err this was from big brother. you
didn't send the laundry? Why not ?"
Mother this was from Marjorie
again. what do you think has hap
pened. The buttons weren't taken out
of my white skirt and the washerwom-
an did it up with them in, and they've
rusted and most ruined the skirt. Put
tering? Oh, mother, that isn't fair.
No, I'll take it all back If you'll just
help me get the iron rust out of this
skirt SO it will be fit to wear canoeing
tomorrow"
And then little mother, being one
of that wonderful sisterhood of al
most superhuman forgivers that all
good mothers belong to. suppressed a
desire to tell her daughter that get
ting the rust out of a white skirt was
out of the prescribed routine, and pa
tiently worked away at the stains until
she had them out and then pressed
the skirt neatly.
That was the end of the experiment.
And Marjorie doesn't use the word
"puttering" now.
/ wonder if there is any suggestion.
in that little tale for any other Mar
jorie who can't see what her mother
finds to keep her so busy all day.
=
81 have half a dozen invitations to
visit different friends of mine this
SUMMERTIME or three of them people
I'm very fond of. too. said the pretty
curled up in my Gloucester hammock
"and yet I'm going to take my hard
earned money and go to a hotel for
two weeks vacation
-.Why?' in answer to the expected
question on my part. because I'm
tired. and L know it will rest me just
about twice as much as visiting even
people I love. There's no two ways
about Twisting, even the incest peo-
pie. is a strain.
"Now don't think I'm ungrateful
Ruthie," surging UP on her elbow in
the enthusiasm of her subject, be
cause, really. I'm not And don't think
I don't know what I'm talking about.
because 1 do. I've done good deal of
visiting at one time or another, and ut
some very pleasant places, too, and
it's all very well when you have
plenty of energy to spare, but when
you want a complete rest-nerve and
body and soul-thank you, no.
Let me tell you about last year.
81 went to see one of my young
married friends, as nice and jolly a
girl as ever lived and a lovely home,
but-well- you don't know who she is
and never will, so what's the harm in
telling you why I'm going to a hotel
this year?
I'm the first place she has three
small children who wake up a little
before the birds. 1 should say. and
consequently all have to have break
fast by o'clock. Rita said 1 was to
lie abed, but of course 1 couldn't up
set the house like that. so / was up
at every morning-half an hour
earlier than I am the rest of the year.
Because of her husbands business
hours she has to have a late and
hearty dinner at half past two in the
afternoon, and supper at about s. The
peculiar hours and the richness of the
food Rita serves knocked my digestion
all out. Mind you. I'm not complain
ing; I'm just showing you why fitting
in with the routine of other peoples
households-as a visitor has to do, of
course-isn't always the most restful
thing.
Then Rita is one of those people
who will w ,rk their fingers off trying
to make things nice for you, but who
are hurt unless you respond by keep
ing in a perfect frenzy of gratitude