The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-12-10
HER LOST AUTHoRITY
BY JANE KELLY.

Within the recollection OF the fam
fly -nother~ had never before been Ill
She had tied up cut fingers and filed
hot water bags and portioned out
medicine 70 everybody else. but never
had she taken 10 her bed and caused
these services TO be performed for
her.
So when she fell I'll recently the
LoHeti family was badly disorganiEed
a. though a bomb In good working
order had dropped and exploded. With
united zeal everyone turned TO and
took care Of Mrs Lofiett When she
was too ~ to mind they had lovely
time. They piled or blankets and
then held consultations and took
blankets on: 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. soo;hingly, IL Mrs. Loffett
attempted to throw back one OF her
bed coverings. you must keep that
on. YOuIl 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 shrek in horror.
'No. mother" said Loffett, anxious
ly, you stay in bed and get a good
rest while you have the chance"
Il should say so!" added Ruth Lof.
felt. And let me wait on you. / am
so glad to do IL. Don't throw that
cover back, motherl"
And il you get up" put in Henry
Jr., you'll be eating all sorts Of things
that you shouldn't. You wanted grid.
die cakes this morning, remember!
Griddle cakes, mother!" Henry spoke
in tones of horror.
Then Ruth lowered the shades five
\ inches and Henry absentmindedly
raised them 10 inches, while Loheti
distracted 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. Lotiett breathed hard
and glared at the ceiling. Haven't
I got sense enough to know when I'm
well?" she demanded OF herself
finally. Then she smiled grimly to
herself.
'TIl be all right with this maga.
zine" she told Ruth when that young
person had Brought up a scanty lunch.
con. You run along to that card
party this AFTERNOON. | shan't need a
thing"
I'm tell Mary" said Ruth, dubious
ly, ito keep an eye on you. | don't
like leaving you at all. mother. You'll
be sure to do something foolish
ooh, mol" 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. Il wish you would go
back downstairs and bake me a lot OF
| griddle cakes at once. And bring
! plenty OF butter and sirup. And I'll
have coffee, too, and you might as well
fry an egg or SO while you are about
it. I'm hungry"
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" or
dered Mrs. Loffett. Il Just phoned
him that | was well and he neednt
come around. I'm tired OF this fool
ishness. Ruth, you'd better change
that dress at once. Henry. have you
fixed the furnace2 And father what