New Britain herald., 1916-02-12
Why Madge Left Home.

abOmlnatlOn Of mine in the years be- fore my marriage. I suppose it is a Judgment on me- as my little
 mother used to say, that I seem to be unable to control my tears when Dicky is unusually unkind. A flaming self-contempt consumed ne as I lay on my bed trying to quiet the sobs which Dicky's brutal recep- tion of Jacks letter had caused. Where was the cool, cynical, self poised woman who I had fondly i'm agined myself to be? I could not recognize myself in the nervous, weeping creature on the bed.
 But the anger which I felt toward my husband helped me to control my nerves and tears. l arose and Dathed my face carefully, put on some powder to hide the ravages of tears, and donned my hat and coat. I had no very clear notion of what I was going to do, or where l was going. One thing I knew, that in my blind wrath against Dicky l could not endure his presence for the rest of the afternoon.
 On the other hand, I did not want to give him a chance to go away and leave me alone with his mother, SOmeIn1nS WHICH ne was qulIo CdpdUlo of doing if it happened to occur to him. That, to me, was a more terrify- ing possibility than braving Dicky's anger.
 As I unlocked my door and step ped into the living room, Dicky stop ped pacing the floor a habit he has when excited or angry.
 'Where are you going?' His voice was fairly a Snarl
 1T do not know,' I replied truth fully and coldly. "T am going out for the rest of the afternoon. Per haps you will be able to control yourself when I return.
 It was not the most tactful speech in the world. But I was past car ing whether Dicky were angry or pleased. I am not very quick to wrath, but when 1t is once reused ] my anger is intense.
 You know you are lying he 1 said loudly. You are going to see 1 this precious cousin -brother-1over- br ! whichever he may be- i
 My fear that Katie or his mother 1 would hear him overcame the l primitive impulse I had to avenge 1 3 man would.
 An tnWeiCOme InteffuDtIOn. ]
 You will apologize for that language to me when I come back [ said icily. 'I do not know whether | [ shall go to bid Jack goodbye or l pot I have no idea what I shall do, 1 ave that I must get away from here for little while. But if you have {, my sense of the ordinary decencleS 9f life you will lower your voice.  ,ither your mother or Katie overhear this edifying conversation
 Much you care about what my mother thinks" Dicky rejoined, and 1 this time his voice was queruious, but decidedly lower. ''Fine courteous treatment you're giving her, leaving her like this when she has been in the house but a couple of hours.'
 Your mother has shown such l cagerness for my society that no l doubt she will be heartbroken if she 1 awakens and finds that I am not ! here"
 That's right, slam my mother. l Why didn't you say in the first place | you couldn't bear to have her in the same house with you?'
 "Dicky, you are most unjust l began hotly, and then stopped horror stricken.
 What is the matter, my son?' The 1rcisive voice of my mother-ln-laW sounded from the door of her room.
 "Go back to bed, mother" Dicky said hastily. 1T am awfully sorry we disturbed you.''
 'Disturbing me doesn't matter she said decidedly, 'but what you were saving does. I heard you men ton me. and I naturally wish to know if I am the subject of this very re- mark ble conversation
 I know now where Dicky gets the sneering tone which sets me wild when he directs it against me. His mothers infection is exactly like her sons The contemptuous glance with which she swept me nerved me to speak to her in a manner which l never dreamed I would use toward Dicky's mother.
 Her Decision Made
 Mrs. Graham I said, raising my head and returning her stare with a look equally cold and steady, my husband''-I emphasized the words slightly--'and I are discussing some thing which cannot possibly concern you You were not the subjel4 of conversation, and your name was brought in by accident. I hope you will be good enough to allow uA to finish our discussion"
 My mother -in-law evidently knows when to stop. She eyed me steadily for moment.
 ''Dicky," she said at last, and her manner of sweeping me out of the universe was superb, Fin five minutes I wish to speak to you in my room." All right, mother" Dicky's tone was unsteady, and as his mothers ] door closed behind her I prepared | myself to face his increased anger. l How dared you speak to my