Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-07
INTERESTING SERIAL-VYVETTES- S-FASHION FF
MY MARRIED LIFE
Final Preparations for Dickys Mother
BY ADELE GARRISON

TO-DAY my mother.in-law!
l. That was my thought when I awoke
on the morning of the day which was to
bring Dckys mother to live with u.s.
I am afraid II / set down my exact
thoughts should have to admit that l had
distinct feeling of rebellion against the
expected visit of Dicky's mother.
IL II were only n VISIT There was just
the trouble. Then | could have welcomed
my mother-n-law, entertained 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 l often quarreled.
But Dicky's mother, so far as I could see,
was to be n member of our household for
the rest OF her life. She herself had ar
ranged II in n letter. the calm phrases of
which still irrltated me as l recalled them.
She had taken me so absolutely for granted,
rs though my opinion amounted TO nothing,
and only her wishes and those of her son
counted
/ had no reason to love Dicky's mother.
I knew that she had objected violently TO
Dicky's marrying me because she had other
plans for him. She had even refused to
come to our simple home wedding. And
here she and | would have to live in the
same house for the rest of our lives!
But suddenly my cheeks famed with
shame. After all. this woman who was
coming was my husbands mother, an old
woman, frail. almost an invalid. / made
up my mind to put away from me all the
disagreeabe 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 be-
fore Dckys mother should arrive. Dicky
was to go to his studio for n while and then
go over to the station in time to meet her
train, which was due at 1880
DGCKY'S PARTING SHOT
What time will you be here" I asked
Dicky for about the eleventh time when he
had finished his breakfast and was ready
to start for the studio.
How do I know" Dicky reioined irr-
tably "1f the train is on time we ought to
be here within half-hour after II gets in.
That would bring us here about IL o'clock.
But those trains are often late"
Cant you telephone me If it is late?" I
asked although | dreaded to hear Dicky's
reply
will you tell me why in creation | should
telephone you that the train is late? If it's
late, why, it is, that's all. I'll have my
hands fun with mother. can tell you. She's
more fussy about her things than you are,
and you're bad enough"
My cheeks flushed at his contemptuous
tone, but | strove hard to keep my temper.
You don't understand, Dicliy. | want to
have luncheon all ready and piping hot
when she comes. If don't know whether
lit lIdll IL ldle or not ! won I know now 10
manage to keep some of the dishes warm,
and I'm afraid they will be spoiled"
"Oh, piflle"' Dcky snorted. Mother
isn't the Queen of England, and you need
not be so blamed particular. 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 doorknob, then
turned to where ! stood. trying to keep
the tears back.
Don't think don't appreciate your
efforts to have things nice for my mother"
he said, kissing me, but you always try
to do such elaborate stunts that you get
on my nerves."
He went out quickly. leaving me in
dignant as I was grieved. His tone and
words We're so very patronizing
| looked at the clock. Half after s!
I had just three hours before me. | looked
around the apartment to see what last
touches | had to give things.
Dicky's things were all moved from 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 which would now belong to his
mother.
Katie appeared at the door Of the living
room.
Wont you have another cup of coffee
Mssis Graham"
THE LAST STRAW
mo, thank you, Katie. Finish your
dishes, and get your kitchen in perfect |
order, then attend to the bathroom. BE
sure that you have plenty of clean towels |
out and that you put fresh soap in the |
holders. | will dust and arrange things |
in here. Then we can get luncheon"
"All right" I said, and Katie vanished |
I made up the beds in both bedrooms, |
putting everything in place, removed the
little dust in the living room and dining |
room, which had collected since the polish |
ing of the day before Looking the rooms |
over 1 could find no fault with them, so I |