New Britain herald., 1916-05-30
How Mrs. Graham Dismissed Miss
 SOnuOt

sounded through the closed door of my room I was dressing rapidly that I might be ready to greet Dlcky's sister and her husband, who were to arrive on the 1925 train.
 Surely" I responded. "Come right in.''
 II feel guilty, indeed, to trouble you when you have been so hurried and worried" she began, as she closed the door behind her. "but I have just received a message which demands an answer, and which l must refer to you.'
 If you were all that bothered me-" I exclaimed impulsively, and then stopped short, flushing. Not even to this girl, who had witnessed all my worries. ought I to complain of the exasperating trifles which had made my life so uncomfortable in the two days just passed.
 For my mother-in law, always past mistress in the gentle art of nagging had surpassed all records. including her own, in the days of preparat ton for her daughters visit. Only the fear of a relapse, a fear hich I knew had been sunningly fcstered by Miss Sonnot, had kept her from elbowing me aside and taking active charge of the household affairs As it was she had kept every detail in her mind, and inquired at least a dozen times day about the progress of everything from the polishing of the dining table to the results of the cakes Katie was so carefully preparing.
 "I know" The little nurses voice expressed in the two little words all the sympathy she was too we'll poised to offer more openly.
 'Thank you" I wanted her to know that I understood and valued her unspoken friendliness. What is it you wished to ask me?'
 Have you any idea how much lcnger you will require my services?' She hesitated a moment, then went On. T know this is not quite usual, but you know as we'll as I that your mother-in-law does not need a trained nurse any longer, and I am expecting she will say so to me at any minute Ordinarily, it would not matter, but I promised a comrade of mine some time ago that if possible I would re- lieve her for three days on chronic case she has been on for weeks. Her sister is to be married Monday, and she wants to go tomorrow night and come back Tuesday. Of course if Mrs. Graham needs me I must send word to my friend that I cannot keep my promise. But I thought perhaps you could find out--diplomatically fly for me how much longer she wishes my services'
 Edwin and Harriet''
 I smiled ruefully at the idea of ex- tracting any informant tion diplomatic ally from the elder Mrs. Graham. understood the little nurses position. She did not wish me to tell my mother-in-law that she wanted to be relieved from the case. But. frankly, wondered how on earth I was to find out the elder womans wishes in the matter.
 "Ill do the best I. can" I promised, as I adjusted the last fas- tcning Of my gown and put a brooch m the lace at my throat As I glanced in the mirror I saw that my face held lines of worry. No one would ever know how unspeakably I dreaded this coming visit of Dicky's brilliant sister and her famous hus- band.
 "Margaret!" As opened the door my mother-in-law imperious old voice summoned me to her bedroom. Miss Sonnot with little whimsical grimace at me glided past me and req ched her side before I did.
 Do you know that it is nearly time for their train, that they will be here in half an hour?' the invalid de- r'anded. "You have been all of half an hour dressing
 AS a matter of fact l had used but half of the time she mentioned upon my toilet The other half I had spent in final tour of inspection of our own apartment, and the other one on the floor above, which we had rented for the week in order that my sister in-law might be given my room and De constantly near her mother.
 All Dicky's personal belongings and my own had been moved to the floor above, and the best room in the upper apartment had been set aside for the use of the dis t'nguished surgeon, Dicky's brother !n-law. l had gone critically over every room, and I felt that as far as the limitations of furnished apart ments would permit, I had prepared fl proper welcome for Dicl1y's rela- tives.
 But my mother-in-law carping at titude effectually pricked any little bubble of satisfa ction I otherwise might have had with my work
 Are you sure Katie has everything on the table except the cream, the rolls, the water and the hot dishes? ?" she asked. Tt is maddening to be as helpless as I am to see to things. That girl will never in this world get that meal together properly I am sure. And Edwin is used to such perfect service. Harriet has been so