New Britain herald., 1915-12-20
Bad news Dicky ?

mind. Tacitly we had avoided all discussion of Grace Draper the beau tiful girl Dicky had discovered there and engaged as model for his draw lngs, promising to help her with her art studies. Btu because of my feeling toward Dicky's plans breakfast had been formal affair.
 Then had come special delivery letter for Dicky. He had read it twice, and was turning back for a third rerusal when my query made him raise his eyes.
 "ln a way, yes,'' he said slowly. Then after pause, Read it." He held out the letter.
 It was postmarked Detroit The writing reminded me of my mother; older generation.
 My darling son." it began
 Edwin has just decided to go over to the other side to help in the relief work. The wealthy men who are sending corps of physicians and nur- ses from here are insisting that he must head the expedition. Of course Harriet will not let him go without her. You know what that means, Richard. My home here will be broken up. Elizabeth's home is im- possible because of the children. I love them dearly. I enjoy them for a short visit. but with my heart and my nerves I cannot stand it to live there. Besides, you know Will liam and I are not as congenial as we might be.
 So there is just you left, my boy. ] have always said that a mothers place was with her daughters, that there was not room in the same house for >daughter-in-law and mother in-laW, but I do not know what else to do. I could live alone on what little l have and what you send me, but I do not dare do it on account oe my heart. And of course know that you would not allow me to do it even if I dared try the experiment.. never have seen your wife, but from what you have written me I am sure she is very sensible woman, and that we shall get on very we'll to- gether. I know she is good to you, and that after all, is the only thing that counts with a mother. Regards to Your Wife.'
 ''If it is perfectly convenient for you I should like to start next Monday. ar irving the next day, Tuesday Will ] you write me at once whether or not l that will be all right for you? " You cannot know, my darling boy. 1 how anxious am to see you again. l You are my only son, you know. have thoug t&sonetimes the: last year that I n1iglftf never live to see <, your face once more but now it looks as l if I might spend my last days with you. -.r~ .",@.. ~... ..,. .+,.,
 "Please do not neglect to write me at once, telling me what road and i train will be best for me.
 l "Give my best regards to your wife l and remem Der, dear boy, your mother loves you just the same now as she did when you were a little lad at her | knee. Lovingly. your mother,
 "HARRIET GRAHAM" too, read the letter twice before making any comment upon it. I Won- dered if Dicky's second reading had been for tho same purpose as mine- 1 to gain time to think.
 ! was stunned by the letter. I had never contemplated the possibility of Dicky's mother, living with us. For years she had made her home with her childless daughter and namesake. Harriet, whose husband was one of l the most brilliant surgeons of the l middle West
 l I knew that Dicks mother and sis ters had spoiled him terribly when they all had a home together before l Dicks father died. The first thought l that came to me was that Dicks ] whims alone were hard enough to l humor, but when I had both him and 1 his mothtr to consider our homo life would hardly be worth the living. l knew and resented also the fact l that Dicky's mother and sisters disap- proved of his marriage to me. In ] one of Dicky's careless condolences I l had gleaned that his mothers choice for him had been made long ago and 1 that he had disappointed her by not marrying a friend of his sister felt as if I were in a trap. To | have to live and treat with daugh- terly deference a woman whom I knew so disliked me that she refused 1 to attend her sons wedding was un- | thinkable.
 1 On the other hand, I knew that
 there was other way out of it. I ! could no more refuse to receive
 Dicky's mother than I could have de-
 serted my own.
 Phrases to Mask Feeling. Of course I could not say so to
 Dicky, but secretly I thought her let
 ter in bad taste. She might have
 considered my feelings enough to ask
 if she would be welcome instead of
 so calmly taking for granted that my
 home would be hers for the rest of
 her life. I said this to myself. then
 flushed with shame to think I had
 been so ungenerous even in thought
 of my husbands mother.
 But the cutting little remark, ''I
 have always said that there was not
 room in the same house for daugh-