New Britain herald., 1915-12-03
What Dfckey Said About Madge's
 'Tnconvenient Engagement,


 women call "a good cry" But when I remembered that my engagement to meet Mrs. Smith was the same day that Dicky had planned such a de- iightfu1 jaunt to the country, I shed angry tears
 TO make matters worse, when Dickv proposed the trip I had forgotten the engagement for the moment. I had let him go on making plans, and had acquiesced in them joyfully.
 Now he had gone out for. some cigars, and when he returned I must spoil all his pleasure.
 Knowing Dicky's explosive temper, and his persistence when he had set his heart upon anything, I dreaded his return and the moment when I must tell him that I could not go, and worst of all my reason for not go- ing. I knew that he would consider it no reason at all, disapproving as he did of the leadership, which Mrs. Smith wished to discuss with me.
 He noticed my red eyes and woe- hegone face the moment he came in with the cigars.
 Whats the i matter now?" he querted. His tone sounded a trif1e inn patient. 'I thought I had chased away all your; blues, and that you were, all ready for a" good time to- morrow"
 That's the trouble, Dicky. I can't go tomorrow"
 Cant go tomorrow! What do you mean?"
 . Why when you were talking about your plans, forgot that had made an engagement to meet Mrs Smith at 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon"
 "Who in thunder is Mrs. Smith ?"
 Mrs. Helen Brainerd Smith, explained patnstaking1y, "the secre- ta1y of the Lotus Study club, the woman who wants me to take the leadership of the clubs history class"
 D1cky sprang to his feet with an exclamation that consigned innocent Mrs. Smith to perdition. "1 knew it," he said, raising his hands high above his head, a way he l has when angry. ''I knew if you be- ! gan that stunt of going out washing i for pin money, there'd be something like this every time we planned any pleasure trip together"
 Laundering Their Brains.' . Going out washing!" I exclaimed. .' What on earth do you mean?" l
 "I'd like to know what else it is,'' he returned sardonically. '"The jani- tors wife goes to the homes of these club women and washes their clothes. 1 My wife goes to their club and laun- ders their brains with course of l lectures on history. What difference | does it make? You both are earn l ing money to help your husbands out. l And the time of neither of you is l your own. You both are at the beck | and call of other women. A nice l state of affairs for me I must say"
 You know you are saying what is l untrue, Dicky," I said patiently. 1T l explained to you fully when we dis c, ssed this, that I was not trying to than enough for our every wish. But I felt that if I acceded to your wish and kept a maid for the housework, I must earn the equivalent of the extra expense in some way. l do not want to be parasite wife, Dic!1y, neither doing any work inside the house or out"
 "Please spare me any more lectures on that subject" Dicky's tone cut like a knife q told you once that would give in to you about this, and I am going to keep my word. But why in creation can't you telephone this woman and tell her you will have to change the day of your engagement to meet herr"
 ! "Oh, Dicky, I couldn't do that. It is business engagement. You ought to know I couldn't change that ap- rcintment, only for the gravest reasons"
 "Fiddlesticks, I'll bet she'll change ; it fast enough if she happens to think ; e any little thing like getting her hair dressed or her nails manicured, that she wants to do.''
 How absurd, Dicky! Mrs. Smith is a we'll known club woman. I have 1 heard of her frequently. She is a 1 woman of boise and experience. couldn't have her think I would change an appointment lightly for anything She would be justified in thinking I might not always keep my appointments with the history class
 That wouldn't grieve me any," | Dicky n1uttered. "See here, I've got it. I'll call this precious Smithy up, though the Lord knows I hate to do it. and tell her you're sick. You are, too, sick of having to keep that ap- rointnent I know you"
 The Unexpected Happens.
 ''I am so sorry. Dicky." I tried to smile as I spoke. "But I cannot break this appointrn Why can't we go Wednesday instead of tomor- 1 row?"
 For two very good reasons" Dic,Sy's tone was extremely unpleas- ant. 'In the first place, there'H never 111o1 oss t0