New Britain herald., 1916-01-28
Final Preparations for Dicky's
 Mother.
"TOday my mOther-in-laW!

aWOk6 on the morning Ol lIle udy which was to bring Dicky's mother to live with us.
 I am afraid if I set down my exact thoughts I should have to admit that I had a distinct feeling of rebellion against the expected visit of Dicky's m other.
 If it were only visit! There was just the trouble. Then I could have welcomed my mother-in-laW, enter tained her royalty, kept at top pitch all the time she was with us, guarded every word and action, and kept from her knowledge the fact that Dicky and I often quarrelled.
 But Dicky's mother, as far as as could see, was to be a member Of our household for the rest of her life. She herself had arranged 1t in a let ter, the calm phrases of which still irr1tated me as I recalled them. She had taken me so absolutely for granted, as. though my opinion amounted to nothing, and only her wishes and those of her son counted.
 l had no reason to love Dicky's mother. I knew that she had ob jccted violently to Dicky's marrying me because she had other plans for 1 him. She had even refused to come to our simple little wedding. And tere she and I would have to live III the same house for the rest of our lives!
 But suddenly my cheeks famed with shame After a1l this woman who was coming was my husbands mother an old woman, frail, almost an invalid I made up my mind to put away from me all d1sagreeable features of her advent into my home, and to busy myself with plans for her comfort and happiness.
 I hurried the breakfast, for I wanted plenty of time for the last preparations before Dickys mother should arrive. Dicky was to go to his studio for a while and then go over to the station in time to meet her train, which was due at 11:3O.
 Dicky's Parting Shot.
 What time will you be here" I asked Dicky for about the eleventh time when he had finished his hrcuk- fast and was ready to start for the studio
 "How do I know?" Dicky rejoined irritably. 'If the train is on time we ought to be here a half-hour after it gets in That would bring Us here about 12 o'clock. But those trains are often late.'
 Cant you telephone me if it is late?'' I asked, although I dreaded to hear Dicky's reply.
 will you tell me why in creation I should telephone you that the train is late? If it's late, why it is, that's all I'll have my hands full with mother, I can tell you. She's more fussy about her things than you are, and you're bad enough.'
 My cheeks flushed at his contemp- tuous tone, but I strove hard to keep my temper.
 "You don't understand, Dicky, I want to have luncheon all ready and piping hot when she comes. If I don't know whether the train is late or not I won't know how to manage to keep some of the dishes warm, and I'm afraid they will be spoiled.
 ."Oh. piffle!" Dicky snorted mother isn't the Queen of England, and you need not be so blamed par ticular If she has a cup of good tea when she gets here that will be about all she'll want"
 He put his hand on the door knob, then turned back to where I stood trying to keep the tears back. Don't think I don't appreciate your efforts to have things nice for my mother" he said, kissing me, ''but you always try to do such elab- crate stunts that you get on my nerves"
 He went quickly out leaving me as indignant as I was grieved. His tone and words were so very patron izing.
 I looked at the clock. Half after | I had just three hours before me. | I looked around the apartme ent to see what last touches I had to give ] things.
 Dickys things were all moved from l his room into mine. He had slept in | his own room for the last time the night before, but it would take very little time to put the final touches on the room that had been his, and W hich would now belong to his mother.
 Katie appeared at the door of the ] living room.
 Won't you have another cup of coffee, Misses Graham? The Last Straw
 'No thank you, Katie. Finish your dishes, and get your kitchen in per l feet order, then attend to the bath | room. Be sure that you have plenty of clean towels out, and that you put fresh soap in the holders. I will dust and arrange things in here. l Then we can get 1uncheon.'.'
 .'All right, I feex,' and Katie l vanished.
 I made up the beds in both bed
 rooms, putting everything in place,
 removed the little dust in the living
 room and dining room which had col lected since the polishing of the day
 before. Looking the rooms over ]
 could find no fault with them, so
 went in for a final look at the room
 which was to be given to Dickys
 mother.