The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-06-06
REVELATIONS
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BV &ele Gorrison~
What Madge Found by Accident

IWIhioh room should | give the
w guest whom Dicky had telephoned
he was bringing from the city
with him to dine and spend the night? {?
This was the question which perplcxed
me as mounted the stairs to the second
floor after concluding the arrangements
for the dinner with Katie
The room OF my mother-in- n-law-who
was in the south with her daughter and
grandchld-wa OF course IN readiness.
II would only need little busting,
fresh linen and vase of flowers. But
| had not heard from Dickys mother
Tor nearly a week and, she had. had
plenty OF time since the date OF her
epiStle to start for and be almost home
She was given TO little surprises like
that. and had very vivid recollec-
ton OF the last time she surprised Us,
when Harry Underwood. whom she de
tested, was occupying her room. II had
taken most adroit work upon the part
OF all four of MS, Harry, Lillian, Dicky
and me, to get his belongings out OF
the room and keep her from suspecting
that II had been proianed by his pres
encc would not risk the repetition
OF that dilemma.
OF the two possible rooms remaining
mine and Dicky's that of my hus-
band was infinitely the more desirable
II was the largest room on the second
floor. with windows az the front over
looking the lawn, while the side win
dows gave wonderful view OF rolling
woodland. Dicky had fitted it up with
artistic taste as studio sitting room
his simple bedroom fixtures being hid
den behind a wonderful Chinese screen
reaching almost from the ceiling to the
floor. decided TO remove Dlcky's toilet
things and clothing TO my room for the
night and TO put the room in order for
the expected guest
drew long, dsmayed breath as
stepped into the room. for DiCky's thing
were strewn everywhere had no rea
son Tor surprise. Dlcky had no bump oi
order at all. and almost every morning
have to pick up his things and put
them away before Katie does the morn
ing chamber work When Dicky''
mother is with us, she always relieve,
me OF the duty early found out tha
she not only enjoyed caring for he,
sons belongings, but resented the in
,rusion OF anyorr else. even his wife
| had almos, written especially his viii,
into the sanctuary.
But there was now no mother in Law
to tidy the room. so set about the tasl
Systematically Dicky has habit q
leaving his letters and papers whereve
he happens to drop them. and then HI
is most indignan, il in the picking VI
process anything happens to be dis
,urbed | solved the problem in th
early days OF our married life by pro
curing large pastcboard box in whicl
each day ! put every loose paper ] fin,
IN his room. Then when DiSky is es
pecially good natured | induce him I,
sort the contents of the box, put IN
. things he wishes to preserve away, am
. make fresh start
! Fortunately Katie had given the room
, It's thorough weekly cleaning bu, a da
4 or two before, so | knew that few
( minutes work with carpet sweepe,
( a polishing mop and dust cloth woul
: make everything immaculate.
: | had very definite ideas about guest
9 and their treatment From my earlies
4 childhood ! had absorbed the idea fror
r my mother that guests, even for owe
n night, should have bureau drawers va
3 Gated Tor their use, plenty OF vacan
Q hooks IN the closet. late magazines an
3. books, together with writing material
. upon the table and fresh flowers /
I welcome them
y so | gathered up the loose paper
J. and put them IN the box, aiterwat
carrying !, 10 close, in the hall uni,
: the guest should he gone, cleared sew
n eral hooks in Dicky's closet removin
: the clothing | took away to my ow
room, and started 10 open a drawer @
. Ditky's chiiioniet that | nigh, max
y II ready for the use of the guest. eve
. though ! knew tina, in all probahilt
. a man coming for but one nigh, woul
: make ne use Of IT,
" With my hand upon the drawer
paused. startled by a curious ieelins
- II was az II hand were laid npo
mine pushing the drawer shu, in,,ea
OF opening IL
| have learned TO pay respectful a,
or ten,ion to these uncanny rtesen,meu,
~ oi mine Almost invariably when IN
nv of them comes to me. some Nar,linI
d. unusually unpleasant, experience follow
y But the Unconditional, practical side ,
I. me which is always at war with N
mystical strain in my nature general