Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-02-25
HER LOST AyTHoRI7y
By JANE KELLY.

Within the recollection of the fam fly mother" had never before been i'll. She had tied up cut fingers and filled hot water bags and portioned out medicine to everybody else, but never had she taken to her bed and caused these services to be performed for her.
 So when she fell i'll recently the Loffett family was badly disorganized, as though bomb in good working order had dropped and exploded. With united zeal everyone turned to and took care of Mrs. Loffett. When she was too i'll to mind they had lovely time. They piled on blankets and then held consultations and took blankets off; they raised shades and then decided to lower them; they reg ulated what she ate and they talked in subdued tones and kept the light burning dimly. And when she began getting better they had grown so to enjoy their unaccustomed authority that the invalid could not cope with them.
 "No, no, mother" Ruth Loffett would say, soothingly, if Mrs. Loffett attempted to throw back one of her bed coverings, you must keep that on. You'll catch cold"
 "But I'm really too warm," protest ed the invalid.
 You'll feel all right presently '' Ruth would say in level tones as she tucked back the blanket about her parent. Just lie still, mother"
 Loffett was exactly as bad. When she appealed to him he merely shook his head and said, "Now, mother. you just lie quiet and let us manage things"
 Rebellion slowly grew in the breast of the invalid.
 As she felt the returning health in her veins her eyes often snapped after she had been routed and laid low by some solicitous' member of the family. The idea that Ruth, who was scarcely past the age when she had been spanked and put to bed supperless, was actually bossing her reused Mrs. Loffett's grim ire.
 Likewise that Henry, who only a short time ago had been refused more Jam, should be regulating what she ate and depriving her of what she wanted bewildered and irritated her.
 The day Mrs. Loffett said she want ed to get up the entire family proceed ed to shriek in horror.
 "No, mother" said Loffett, anxious ly, you stay in bed and get good rest while you have the chance"
 T should say SOL" added Ruth Lof- fett. And let me wait on you. am so glad to do it. Don't throw that cover back, mother!"
 And if you get up," put in Henry, Jr., you'll be eating all sorts of things that you shouldn't. You wanted grid de cakes this morning, remember! Griddle cakes, mother!" Henry spoke in tones of horror.
 Then Ruth lowered the shades five Inches and Henry absent-mindedly raised them 15 inches, while Loffett abstracted the salt cellar on her table and removed one slice of toast from her tray. You must not overeat," he reminded her.
 "Now, just lie quiet, mother" they said in chorus as they left her.
 Alone, Mrs. Loffett breathed hard and glared at the ceiling. Haven't l got sense enough to know when I'm well?" she demanded of herself, finally. Then she smiled grimly to herself.
 "rll be all right with this maga- zine," she told Ruth when that youns person had brought up scanty lunch con. You run along to that card party this afternoon. I shan't need a thing"
 'I'll tell Mary" said Ruth, dubious. ly, ito keep an eye on you. I don't like leaving you at all, mother You'll be sure to do something foolish"
 "Oh, not" promised Mrs. Loffett, while she clutched the bed clothes in order to restrain herself.
 When Mary appeared. according to promise, to cast her eye upon the in- valid she found Mrs. Loffett up and dressed.
 "How do you do. Mary?" said the in valid, casually. "I wish you would go back downstairs and bake me lot of griddle cakes at once. And bring plenty of butter and sirup. And III have coffee, too, and you might as well fry an egg or so while you are about it. I'm hungry" l..
 The family, walking in upon Mrs, Loffett just as she finished her repast fell against the wall and then stag gered toward the telephone.
 "You needn't call the doctor,"s or dered Mrs. Loffett. T just phoned him that I was well and he needn't come around. I'm tired of this fool ishness. Ruth, you'd better change that dress at once. Henry, have you fixed the furnace? And, father, what on earth are you wearing that disrepu table tie for?"
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