New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-04-22
Why Nadge FerventIy Exclaimed:
Thank Goodness for Ny
Mother in Law.

But if you're going to be away
several weeks, Dicky. wont you need
a trunk %
] hardly knew what / was saying.
Dicky's announcement of his coming
trip so closely following Cousin Aga
tha's malicious heraldinE of the same
news had played havoc with my nerve
centers. I seemed unable to co-ordl-
nate my thoughts, and, therefore,
asked the first questions that came
into my head.
There was the same odd hesltation
in Dicky's manner that 7 had noticed
before.
NO, ] don't think So he said. AT
any rate. I'm not going to take ONE
I had hard work to repress my as
tonishm ent. Fastidious Dickv. on
trip Of several weeks and living in q
suit case! 1t didn't fit any precon-
ceived idea I had ever had Of my
husband But I was rapidly regain
ing my poise, and I knew better than
to express my surprise.
We'll Your suit case is an i'm
mense thing" l commented carelessly.
And now, III look up your things.
You want them in your room, L sup
pose?'
''No--o.' He seemed undecided for
a moment. then spoke with sudden
determination. I'm going to be
fearfully busy with some work in my
room. I'll just put couple of chairs
outside my door, and you can pile
the things on them. Then, whenever
I want them, [ can get them"
! couldn't keep back one question.
when do YOU START"
Il Hope You Can"
Tomorrow night Dicky rejoined.
But I shall have to spend a good part
of tomorrow In the city, SO I want to
get everything packed tonight
He stretched his arms above his
head in a characteristic gesture, one
I have often seen him use when very
tired Or puzzled.
Gee, it's a peach of a night" he
said, shifting approximately at the
spring odors. Going to sit out here
again? ?"
There was. or I fancied there was.
a. certain Wistfulness in his manner.
MY heart leaped, but I made my voice
casual,
Indeed I am. It's too lovely an
evening to spend indoors I'm going
back here just as soon as I see to
your things. But that won't be very
soon, I am afraid. They may not he
quite dry, But don't you worry. I'll
have them all ready
Don't bother too much" Dickv's
tone had lost all the irrita ton that
had cl1ara cterized his first request for
his clothing "And-if T get the time.
/ may come down here myself again.
Il hope you can I returned cordi-
ally. 1t was on the tip of my tongue
to tell him I would wait for him. no
matter how late the hour, but I was
too fearful Of spelling things. 1t
wouldn't be unlike DiCl<y to declare
that he had changed his mind and
that it was absurd for me to think Of
waiting UP for him
Wait For Him:
But I know him we'll enough 20
realize that no matter how angry he
might have been at me, or what sus-
picions might have been aroused
against me, he was unwilling to go
away for several weeks without at
least an hour Or two of our old time
comradeship.
wait for him." I exclaimed to my
self, as he left the veranda. would
I not indeed.'
My heart thrilled as I set about the
homeIy task Of gathering together the
clothing for which he d asked. ! put
aside from me resolutely all the dis
paraging thoughts I had cherished
against my husband Time enough for
the inevita BILE judgment of his appar-
ent lack of patriotism, which I knew
must come back to me He was going
away for weeks. and he evidently
meant that his farewell to me should
t.