Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-12-02
Married Life The Second Year
Helens Thanksgiving Dinner and the Critical Attitude of
His Family
By Tad
Critical Attitude Of
By MABEL HERBBRT URNER.

Mrs Curtis to distract the attention from
Roy, who began to whlmper. ''You had
so many given you when you were mar
ried-but that isn't one OF them. Is .ity''
mo, / bought that several months
ago." answered Helen. when they were
having sale at As"
IAN women are ahke--they buy things
at sale whether they need them or not"
said Mr.. Curtis pointedly.
Helen made a laughing protest, but she
could not help think that this was . most
unnecessary comment.
There had always been a smouldering
antagonism between warren's father and
herself And almost always when an OPP
portunity offered he would make some
slightly unpleasant remark.
II say. Helen. this is bully good dress
ing" said Frank the one member OF the
family OF whom Helen was really fond.
I'm glad you like it'' she smiled. II
think the chestnuts do make It nice"
TITS the best ever he declared.
This was the first complimentary thing
that had been said about the dinner, ex-
copt when Mrs. Curtis sat down she
murmured vaguely: THE tablets very
pretty"
But Helen did not expect them to praise
the dinner. II they had. she would have
been much surprised. All she hoped for
was that everything would go smoothly
that there would be no unpleasantneas.
whats THAR" demanded Carrie, hur-
riedly pushing hack her chair. There's
something under the tablet Why. it's
cat!"
"oh, it's Pussy Purr-Mew." laughed
Helen. II wonder how she got here?"
PUSSY Purr-Mewi"
"Yes, winifred's ktten-didn't I tell
you about II. A beautiful Persian kitten.
some one sent II to Winlfred-we never
knew who"
cats are not ut to have around chill
dren." Mr.. Curtis broke IN gfuffly. "They
breed disease. Nothing worse for carry
ing germs"
"ohl but not Pussy Purr-Mew. She's
so sweet and clean. Lookl isn't she
pretty?" as the kitten bounded lightly
across the room.
"oh, a kitty--a kittyr' cried Roy, wrig-
Cling down from his chair. Now you
stay right here" said his mother. draw
ing him back. you know you're not
allowed to play with cats!''
II was only trivial incident. but 20
Helen Il seemed but another proof OF the
antagonlsm of his people, directed to her
through the kitten.
Later, when they were all having coffee
In the sitting room. there was still an
other incident which proved the same
thing. Carrie was turning over some
magazines on the table.
what lot Of msgaxinss, DO you
subscribe for all these7"
"Oh no." answered Helen quickly,
conscious OF the lurking criticism OF her
tone. Occasionally Warren brings one
home and buy one now and them"
well, we get the Cosmopolitan and
Good Housekeeping--and / feel that's all
we can afford"
Again Helen flushed. It seemed as
though they were trying TO find excuses
for criticism and disapprovai. And the
day seemed endless. II It were only over
If they would only goi She was grow
ing more and more resentful under their
repeated cutting remarks.
When at last they did go, Warren went
with them part way. And she was left
alone to brood over II all and to
straighten up the disordered house.
The dinner? The dinner In itself had
gone off we'll enough. Nothing had hap
pened, and It had been perfectly served.
But OH what strained, uncomfortable.
unpleasant day It had been.
Why WAS itl She asked herself that
again and again. What had she done TO
incur their continued disapproval? Was
IL often so? Did most wives have to en-
dure this attitude from their husbands
family? Or was it an exceptional thing?
And IL Ho--was 1t in any way her faultg