Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-15

1
| - room ard took the tray I carried. 1t
| held my prettest teapot filled with boiling
! water, tiny plate Of salted crackers. to-
| gether with cup, saucer, spoon and napkin
SAY, sweetheart" he whispered, II want
| to tell you something. My mother isn't
| always like this. She can he very sweet
| when she wants TO. But when things don't
| go to suit her she takes these awful icy
| dignity tantrums, and you can't touch hcJ
| with a teufoot pole until she gets over
them. She was tired from the Journey
| and the fact that you kept her waiting
In the taxicab made her furious, But she'll
get over it. Just be patient, won't you
darling?"
| II the average husband only realized how
he could play upon his wife9 heart-strings
| with a few loving words / believe there
would be less marital unhappiness in the
| world. a few minutes before i had been
| hercely resentful against Dckys mother
| And my anger had reached to Dicky, for
| l felt in some vague way that he must
be responsible for his mothers rudeness.
But the knowledge that he, too, was used
/ to her injustice and that he resented 1t
| when directed against me made all the DIFF
| ference In the world. I reached up my
| hand and pattcd his cheek
| Dear boy, nothing in the world matters
| if just YOU are not cross and displeased,"
| ] assured him. Run along now with that
| hot water and call me IL you need anything.
Your mother probably will want to be alone
| with you for a while. as she has not seen
| you for so long. l will see to the luncheon
| and arrange the flowers"
DON'T BE CEREMoNIoUs"
'Dicky!" The querulous voice sounded
impatient Dicky cast a comical glance at
me and fed with his tray. l went into my
own room and removed my hat and coat.
Then, taking the box of flowers, l spread
the blossoms oyt on a clean sheet which |
laid on my bed There really was no other
place where I could arrange them, told
myself, with queer sense of being an out
slider In my own home.
The carnations were soon in their bowl
and vase on the table and mantel In the
living room. ! went to the kitchen, found
the brown crock whose possibilities Dicky
had first revealed 10 me, filled 1t with water
and brought 1t back to my room, where I
set II carefully on my low stand and ar
ranged the deffodils and narcissi and aspar-
sgus fern in It. Carrying IL to the dining
table and placing II in the center, forgot
my annoyance for moment in admiration
of its delicate beauty
What should do with the sweet peas?
In the face Of Mrs. Graham's manner,
did not feel like Offering them to her. And
yet had bought them for her room, and
I felt that Dcky would like me to show
her the little attention.
After ALL she can't do any more than
tnTOW tneIn Ut nedu, TeHoCleu WnlIn-
sically, as ! lifted the fragrant beauties
from their box.
Which was exactly what she did do, only.
of course fguratively. / carried them to
the door of her room, which stood ajar. !
knocked and Dicky's voice said, Come In,
Madge. Don't be so blamed ceremonious"
Mrs Graham was sitting in the low chair
with my tray before her. On it she had
placed a tiny alcohol stove. out of one Of
the prettiest teapots had ever seen she
was pouring her tea into cup and saucer
which matched the pot. advanced TO the
dressing table and picked up the small vase
had left there.
IT did not know your favorite flower. but
I hope you like sweet peas" said, arrans
ing the blossoms In the vase. Now for
some water for these"
KATIEs NEW ROLE
You are very kind" Mrs. Grahams voice
dripped icy indifference. but / must ask
you not 10 leave those here. cannot sleep
10 there Is any odor, pleasant or otherwise.
In my room. Besides, flowers are very un-
healthy in bedrooms hope you do not
have them In Dicky's."
"If that be So" retorted, how very odd
II Is that physicians so often allow. even
encourage, their presence In sickrooms."
was sorry for the words thu moment
they slipped out 1t was no part of my
plan TO get into any controversy with
Dicxy's mother.
But need not have worried. Mrs Ora
ham did not answer. She simply lifted her
lorEnette. which hung by an exquisite chain
from her neck and gazed at me long mo-
ment, as II she were examining some
strange specimen OF insect In a museum.
Then, lowering II, she said coldly:
II do not think we need discuss the mat
ter should like 10 lie down for while.
II you don't mind"
n
Katie's face II the luncheon she was pre-
pairing with such care should be spoiled
flashed across me. But luncheon is almost
ready 70 serve. VIII you not eat first?"
II could not possibly eat anything now.
am too much upset after the Journey
Dioi<y, you and your wife eat your lunch
con- You may bring me something when
wake up. or can very well wait until
dinner"
1T shail be Just AZ you prefer" MY voice
matched hsrs for GOODNESS now. rs there
anything can do 70 asaist your"
Nothing. thank you" she returned. III
ypu Will kindly asnd me your maid for
few minutee ~ een e eyegy1hI1g J r.
e1lre n9e 1z<ce4 g I.