New Britain herald., 1915-12-02
A Quiet Hour at Home.
IL, old girl, what sort of day did

you have?'
 Dickys cheery voice came like a fresh breeze through the stale air of closed room. I had been breeding all the afternoon. The discourtesy and ingratitude of the woman across the hall, and my experience with Harry Underwood on the omnibus had depressed me.
 l had sat pretending to read, but in reality idly thinking ever since I had come back from my unpleasant bus ride. I had eaten no luncheon, for we had breakfasted so late, and this was the first time I had seen Dicky since ;norning.
 "A perfectly horrid day, Dicky. Oh! but I'm glad to see you!"
 I chung to him as he kissed me He evidently read my need of his sym pathy, for he picked me up and car ried me to our armchair, and sat down gathering me close to him and smoothing my hair.
 "Now tell me about it, he said Get it out of your system and you'll feel better"
 had to decide swiftly how much I , annoying persistence in seeking my society. I knew Dicky's unreasoning, childish jealousy. I did not wish to arouse it if I could possibly handle the situation myself. I made up my mind to hold my tongue concerning his friends ridiculous actions for a while, at least.
 You were right and I was wrong this n1Ornino a hnJ1f thnco the hall," I began.
 A Comforting Hour.
 "Why! what did they do? Were they rude to you" Dicky bristled at the mere idea of rudeness to me.
 'I'll tell you all about it, and you can judge for yourself"
 So for the second time I retailed the petty little story of the rudeness of my neighbor across the hall.
 By love" Dicky ejacuated when I had finished. T never heard any thing to equal that. We saved her taby's life among us, and she con- siders it a bore to meet you. Well! guess the next nursemaid who rushes n here with a dying infant will be told to beat it to the nearest hospital
 I could not help but smile at Dicky's Indignation and his way of express ing it.
 There couldn't anything like that happen again. It is too strange an occurrence to come more than once.' T should hope so.'' Dicky's tone was still wrathful.
 Let us forget all about it. I'm sure I never want to think about it again.
 'All right. What did you do when yru walked away like a tragedy queen?'
 Nearly walked into an automobile and had my life saved by police man." I smiled at the recollection.
 What! You're joking, Madge!"
 Indeed, I'm not, but there wasn't any danger, I think, even if the po- liceman did scold me-"
 "Tell me all about it, this minute.'
 He listened quietly until l had finished, then took me by the shoul- ders and shook me playfully, yet the grip of his hands hurt me. But 1 did rot mind, for both the clasp of his hands and his scolding words warmed my heart with the message of love and concern for me they betrayed.
 Don't ever, ever do such a thing again." he said. What do you think would become of me if anything should happen to you? l don't want 10 think or talk of it." He shook his shoulders as if throw .rg off the memory of the occurrence. 1T hope you had pleasant ride. 1t surely should have been dandy to make up for the rest of the morning. v ] ] smiled grimly to myself at the , hateful memory of the ride. But l must not let Dicky suspect the truth. "The ride was well enough,' I said 1 inGifferently. "Mr. Underwood board 1 cd the bus a few blocks after I did 1 and rode a number of blocks with me 1 He is rather tiresome, don't you think so?"
 l Dicky looked at mo keenN.
 Not many women say that abou him. he replied.
 What Dicky Suggested. Well, I think him decidedly tire l some,' I returned. When 1 ride o1 the top of a bus, l either want to b. | alone, or have a really congenal com
 panion with me-
 "Likc me?'' Dicky leased, smilin at me.
 Like you," I answered, returnin
 his smile.
 Dinner ready Katie's voic
 broke in.
 And here I have not even my over 1 coat off, That's what comes of com