Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-26

MY MARRIED LIFE
What Happened at the Restaurant
BY ADELE GARRISON

! ssYTNIIE chicken salad Is very good today
l. The waiter bent deferentially toward
my mother-in-law We were sitting at a
table near the fireplace In Fraunces's Tav-
ern. the old pre-revolutionary inn of down
town New York. which has been restored
by the Sons Of the Revolution.
Have you ever eaten the chicken salad
here?' the elder Mrs. Graham asked the
question of me sharply, totally ignoring
the man at her elbow.
Yes. indeed, and have found It very
good" replied. My mother-ih-law shifted
There isn't a restaurant cook in the world
that can prepare chicken properly, even for
salad" she said decidedly.
Her tones were clear and carried half
way across the room. A number of diners
turned and stared frankly at U.S. and some
of them could not conceal their smiles at
my militant companion.
TO me there is nothing SO painful as to
be the object of attention in a public place.
But from my slight experience with my
husbands mother, think | can count upon
being subjected to many wondering stares
II | accompany her on her trips.
The elder Mrs. Graham has no thought
for the opinion of any one save herself.
Whatever she wishes to do she does with
royal disregard of criticism which would
be superb If 1t were not SO annoying
l wondered idly If this characteristic of
hers was not one reason why DiCky had
shifted the conducting of her sightseeing
trip from his shoulders to mine
What else is there?' Mrs Graham
turned TO the waiter with a movement so
quick and imperative that 1t brought him to
attention as If he were a soldier.
Almost everything, ma'am." he muir
INJURED. crab fake salad. lobster salad"
My mother-in-lsw cut him short. II do not
mean salads. | mean meats"
He was evidently an inexperienced
walter, for he flmblpU with the m card
aud started TO look through the list of
meats. His slow movements seemed to en-
asperate the elder Mrs. Graham, for she
took the card from his hand and put up
her lorgnette
''lf this is a specimen of the service"
she commented acidly ''it strikes me that
the diners who had Sam Fraunces for a
host were much better off than we are"
81 WAS CHILLED THROUGH"
] made no reply, not knowing. indeed but
that any answer of mine might irrtate her
further. She scanned the menu frowning-
iy. rs there anything special you want to
eat?" she demanded in a tone that seemed
TO admit or no answer save the one l gave
her.
NO, just duplicate your own order" I
said quietly. [ had no idea of what she
was going to order. but il did not matter
much to me. ! was too much upset over
the scene of few moments before to care
what 1000 went into my mouth
The elder Mrs. Graham evidently an
proved of my decision She turned TO the
waiter. Two chicken saltjs, two orders of
French fried potatoes. order of olives
and one OF radisEes and some French rolls
You may bring two cups of chicken broth
before the salad. but be sure to have it
steamng hot. Bring two cups of coffee
with the salad, | will choose the dessert
later"
ha har t., 10.
had chosen an appetzng lunch. even if she
had been arbitrary about it's selection
leaned back and gazed into the immense
old fireplace near which our table was sta
toned.
But our table. the nearest one to the fire.
place, was altogether too close for real
comfort Ny mother-in-law had selected il
when we entered the dining room wanted
10 suggest then. much az | love to sit
before the open fire. that we would be apt
to find it uncomfortable, but she was so
chilled from the winds along the sea wall
that | did not venture the advice
| undid the fastenings of my cloak re-
moved the garment and laid it across the
back OF my chair will you not be too
warm with your coat?" / asked Shall
not help you off with it,"
In some inexpicable way she twisted the
into reflection on her judgment i'm
choosing table mo, thank you" she re-
turned stiffly 81 was chilled through That
was the reason why | chose this table or
course. younger blood is warmer" with an
acid smile. 80, if you cannot stand the |
heat. perhaps we had better move"
A PROBLEM IN DIPLOMACY
"Oh, no. indeed :" / protested "I am |
luite comfortable now" I smiled coyertJv
as | uttered the half-truth at the uncon |
scious irony of my mother -in-law's sugges-
ion. Imagine any one venturing to change |
any arrangement OF hers when it was once
made.
If | could have borne any malice iowa rd |
NY husbands mother for her arbitrary |
manner, the feeling wouro surely have
'een satisfied by the discomfort which she |