New Britain herald., 1916-02-26

How Dicky's Mother Made Coffee.
 | heard voices in the kitchen when l aWolle, after my farewell to Jack and the reconciliation to Dicl1y which had followed
 The sounds startled me. Who could be with Katie at this hour, for it was barely daylight. One would naturally think that after my long Wakefulness of the night before, when i could not shut the image of my hTother-cousin's sad, stern face from my mind, that l would sleep late. But 1t is a peculiarty of mine that a |akeful night with me means an un- usually carly awakening.
 D1cky was sleeping soundly, his mouth trifle open. He did not look particularly attractive in the strag- gling light of the gray dawn. I have heard it said somewhere that no one but a little child should ever be seen asleep, and I thoroughly agree with the person who said it.
 I slipped quietly out of bed so as not to awaken Dicl<y, and drew the covers which I had displaced snugly about hlm Then I put on my heavy hathrobe and thrust my feet into pair of high, fur-trmmed bedroom shoes before going into the kitchen.
 As l neared the kitchen door I could distinguish the identity of the voices. They were those of Katie and my mother-1n- law. I wondered if Dicl1y's mother could be ill., and had re eded hot water, or Katie's aid.
 As I opened the door I saw that my fears were unfounded My nother-1n-law stood by the kitchen cabinet, fully dressed, in the neatest of gray wool gowns, sheer embroid- cred linen bands att her neck and throat. Her hair was carefully coifed with the merest trife of lace set on the top of it. ' businesslil1e white apron enVcloped her from head to f Ot.
 Before Mrs. Graham, on the cabi- net, stood a handled saucepan. A glass of freshly ground coffee, an egg, an eggcup a measuring cup and a spoon were also on the shelf of the cabinet. Katie stood by with curious ly mingled emotions written on her face. She was a trf1e sullen, evident lN a bit resentful at the elder Mrs. Graham's invasion of her kitchen. But also on her face was written the look of eagcrness with which Katie welcomed the learning of any new culinary trick.
 Very Special Instructions.
 ] suppose my face must have shown 11y astonishment, but my mother-in- law was not in the least discomfited.
 Good morning, Margaret she said pleasantly. "I was just show ing Katie how to make coffee.'
 Ii was on the tip of my tongue to say:
 "We always have been perfectly satisfied with ![atic's coffee" but I refraincd.
 You do not care for coffee made in tho pcrcolator I inquired, try ing to keep my voice casual.
 'It is not fit to drink she re- turned crisDIy, and then turned to Katie with the appearance of ignor- ing mo completely.
 "Nlow. Katie" she said briszly, "plcasc attend to mo. I shah have to go over these instructions again" Her manner was that oc the mistress of the Kitchen resenting the intrusion of an outsider.
 felt as though my presence was not desired But there is a streak of obstinacy. in me, and I made up my mind that I would not be driven from my own kitchen by the covert insolence of any women, even that of my husbands mother.
 "Take one tablespoonful of coffee for each cup that you expect to yerve" said my moth n-laW. For instance. I always take two cups, my son one, Mrs. Graham here," she paused hesitatngly
 "ITsually one,' I said coldly
 "One." she repeated calmly, "and yourself one?' she looked at Katie.
 .Katie always takes more than one cup,' I said. knowing the girls fond ness for coffee.
 "She can add more water then" my nootloer-in-law said brusquely "M orc than one cup isn't good Tor a e.ir1 makes her sluggish about her york;
 saw Katie flush rescntfully. I knew a saucv answer was trembling on her tongue. I flashed her an ap- pealing glance. and saw her lips tighten over the retort which she was ready to fling.
 My mother-in-laW's voice flowed on. She was smoothly unconscious ] of any unplcasantness. Ihat makes five c,Ds' J she said Therefore you will put in this saucepan fNe taole- snoonfuls. rounded not heaplnS, of freshly ground coffee. Now break that egg into that little measuring cup,' she commanded Katie sharply. Katie's ChecTfulncss Gone. Katie did as she was bidden, but l T saw that underneath her seeming alacrity lay a smouldering su1cnncss 1 V hich threatened to burst into flame. "Reat the egg slightly with spoon, my mother-in-law continued, and put half of it into this egg cup to be set away for tomorrow mornings s 1 coffee Put the rest of it in this 1 coffee Fill your measuring cup with cold water and stir so as not to waste any of the egg. Pour the water on 1 the coffee.
 "Now stir the coffee, egg and water