New Britain herald., 1917-03-31
What Happened When NotlSe Gra. ham and Madgc Had EveEyt thing
 PrellarHd for the Eeaaf.

Prepared for the Feast.
 Richard, did you bring that 1ose- water with you? Mother Graham l fired the inquiry at Dicl<y before he l had fairly gotten through the outer l door. He gave the quick little start ! which: experience has taught mo means that he has forgotten the l errand intrusted to him. and flashed a rueful look at me.
 "qee! Mother, forgot everything about it!": he said. 'sPut whats the big idea of bringing it from the city I'll bet you can get 1t out here,, what | ever 1t Is, or what in the world you 1 want 1t for"
 His mother crunlpled him up with ] a look before she made him any answer.
 T have repeatedly explained to you," she said at last with cRushing di8nity, '.that these village groceries dofhot keep roscwater.'' Why don't you try the drug stores" Dicky interrupted. 1T had not though of that" his mother admitted. Please cali np right away and find out. If they have it, ask them to send some up, at once. :" When Dicky came back from ithe INACRAAVnC anu dnH0uuCSu tuAL IAS rosewater would be at our door pres ently. he added curiously:
 Why all the row about rosewatcr, Mother? Some more of that dinner dope?"
 ''The manner in which you couch your question does not deserve an answer, Richard" his mother re- turned severely, ':but I will tell you once more something which you ought to know, that no other flavor but rosewater is permissible in mince- meat"
 Glad to know it." said Dicky flip panty. 1T infer we are going to have some old-fashioned- homemade mince pies for my birthday"
 "You are, my son. his mother re- turned. beaming, and pumpkin pies
 That That will be bully." D,cky re- joined enthusiastically, then quickly added loyalty. "But they'll have to go some if they're better than the mince pie Madge made me out of a can the first week we kept house. Member, Madge?"
 '.You Haye Sadly Changed
 Did I remember? Would ever forget the day I made that pie, when Dicky wrestled with a broken can opener, while anxiously read and reread my mothers recipe for pie crust in her old cook book. Dicky had mischievously insisted upon my kissing him when was preparing the pie, with the result that we were both literally besprinkled with flour. But how I wished that he had chosen any other time for his "reminiscences, for his mother had stiffened perceptibly at his words.
 "Out of a can" she said scorn- fully. gro compare a. pie made of stuff taken from a tin can with one made from mince meat such as have prepared today! But need not have expected anything else from you. Richard. You have sadly changed nowadays. But at least Elizabeth and William and the children will appreciate real mince pies.''
 I did not miss the little pin prick concerning the change in Dicky since his marriage. It was a familiar one to me for his mother always used it in one form or another when she was displeased with me.
 Mother Graham Is Disappointed.
 And of course I knew that secretly she still angrily resented my ultima tum that she give no more orders to Katie concerning the household routine. Outwardly, however. she gave no hint that she had ever been a participant in the stormy scene when Katie swept her cake bowl and batter to the floor and announced that she would leave dis minnit."
 I was quite proud of my powers as 8 diplomat when I reviewed the way in which I had managed the belli- l gerent opponents. Katie, remorseful and eager to atone for her fit of 1 temper, had worked like a beaver ! all the week, while my mother in- ! law, calmly majestic, had busted l herself with the birthday dinner l cookery. 4sssss
 For we were In the midst of the 1 preparations for the visit of Dicky's l sister and her family. had man. | aged to satisfy Mother Graham's de- 1 mands that general house clean ! ing precede the holiday, and at the same time placate Katie's very natural | resentment at so much extra work, ! by engaging 8 strong colored woman for several days to work under Katie's ] direction.
 As Q result every nook and corner | of the old house was as spic and span | as skilful hands and soap and water l could make them. And packed away l in big stone jars were stores of | cookies and doughnuts ready for the | onslaught of four hungry children.
 By playing the part of a. scullery {