New Britain herald., 1916-05-17
Why Did Dicky's Mother Champion
 Madge's Work?

sudden illness had been. Upon the morning of the day which was to see the beginning of my work with the Lotus Study club, she was so bright and strong at her breakfast that Miss oonnot said smilingly:
 If you are very careful this morn ing, you may sit up twice as long as you did yesterday, and may come to the dining room for luncheon. pro- viding the room is warm enough.'
 Thank you, but I do not need sny ones permission for what 1 in tend doing anyway" retorted the elder Mrs. Graham crisply.
 'Is there anything you would par ticularly like for luncheon ?' the nurse asked quietly She got along ad- mirably with her testy patient yet without any loss of her own dignity l enved the quiet tact which en- abled her to smooth things over, and ignore the grabbed speeches of the elder woman.
 My mother-in-laW'S answer was as prompt as her decisions always are:
 "Brcued lamb chops, mashed pota- tees, French peas, and lettuce hearts with mayonnaise dressing. Katie can make another of those custards
 
 was really very good"
 'I am glad to find you are so hungry" Miss Sonnot returned "Thcse are all things you can eat"
 If you will pardon re. I will tell Katie about them at o. 2e," I said going swiftly out of the room.
 My mother-in-laV menu had made a domestic complication which I had to unravel. Because I wished tc get away early to the club, I had planned simple luncheon, creamed clipped beef, potato cakes and sliced oranges, and had already given Katie her orders. I knew she would be annoyed at having to change things.
 Mrs Graham's Plan.
 I knew also that I must telephone Dicky to be sure to come home to luncheon. I dreaded the caustic comments he would probably make upon my engagement for the after noon, but there was no help for it. His mother was old and sensitive. She would remark his absence at her first meal away from her bedroom.
 Katie was more gOOd-hum Ored ever the proposed change in her plans than I had dared to hope
 
 "Oder tings do choost as well tomor- row"
 Dicky was less Obliging.
 "Oh. I suppose I've got to do it.' he grumblcd But I wish it had been any other day. I'm fearfully Eusy. However. I'll be there at r.
 At one." I gasped. "That won't do. Luncheon will be ready at 12.'
 My engagement with Mrs. Helen Rrainerd Smith, of the Lotus Study club was for 1:30.
 But I knew Dicky would be furious lv angry if I told him the real reason for having luncheon early. With my cheeks flaming With self-contempt 1 took refuge in a half truth.
 You know your mother is Just getting over an illness and she gets so hungry by each meal time. You simply must come at 12."
 "All right. Good bye" Dicky fairly growled out the words, and hung Up the receiver with an inn patient bang. But I had gained my noint. I knew he would be on time. He had too much respect for his mothers grabbed temper to risk dis pleasing her.
 When I returned to the bedroom, I found my mother-in-laW sitting up comfortably in a rocking chair cowned in a pretty lavender neglfgee. Miss Sonnot was arranging her hair. In the elder woman's hand was the telegram of the day before telling her of the expected arrival of her daugh- ter.
 Twill Richard be home to 1uncheon?' she demanded, as I en- tered the room
 "Yes. I have just telephoned him you are to eat your luncheon with us today, and he will be here at 12."
 That's good. I want him to see fl there isn't another furnished apartment in this building, that he can get until Harriet and her hus- band sail. Of course Harriet will wish to be near me, so she can have your bedroom for the week she is here, and you and Richard and Edwin can sleep in the other apartment"
 Madge Quietly Agrees.
 1 suppose my face must have re- fiected the amazement I felt at this high handed way of arranging my household, for she snapped out curtly:
 You have no objections, I hope. Naturally l would like to have my daughter near me for the week be- fore she sails on such a perilous errand"
 'Indeed I have no objections" I returned 'In fact it is the very thing I had planned to do"
 I spoke only the truth. Upon the receipt of the telegram I had thought of another furnished apartment as the only solution for the housing of the expected guests. But I should like to have expressed my astonish- rnent and resentme ent at the calm way my mother-in-law ignored me