South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-30
WHY KATE DECIDED TO LEAVE
IN a TEMPEST OF JUSTI-
FABLE, RAGE.

There are six OF them" said my
mother-in-law rehectively. my
daughter Elizabeth. her husband
and four children, three boys and a
girl"
Wherever are we going to put
them ?" 1 explained incautiouslly anC
the next moment regretted my
speech, for my mother-in-law gave
me a whitening glance
There Will be plenty OF room. q"
she said icily. The girl is the
youngest, and we can get crib for
her and put IT in your room, which,
OF course. you will naturally give 70
your sister-in-law and her husband.
while they are here Then an ex-
ira cot in Dicky's room viii fix that
room very nicely for the three
boys"
Where do you think Dicly and
will sleep2 / asked, and I am
afraid my tone was as frigid as her
own. for her utter disregard of my
position as mistress Of the house
was fast getting on my nerves. much
as ! tried TO conceal IL from Dicky
MOTHER GRAHAMS DEMANDS.
This rejected birthday visit Of
Dicky's sister and her family, which
has been arranged by my mother-in-
law without even the pretence Of
consulting me until after her invi-
tation had been sent, caused me
much misgiving. The incursion of
six strangers. four of whom were
children, into a household were suf-
fciently upsetting OF itself. But
when the mother OF the family is a
critical sister-in-law. for I had no
reason TO believe that Dicky's sister.
Elizabeth, would be less captious
than his mOther-the prospective
hostess may well be pardOned for
having qualms Of anxiety concern
ing the outcome Of the experiment.
Ny mother-in-la laws answer was
not particularly soothing to my
fears.
There is perfectly good bed
room next to Katie's." she said cool
ly, with that walnut bedstead Of
mine in il. II is a most comfortable
bed Dicky has slept in it many
time in his boyhood."
III Il be so comfortable, why
could not the three boys sleep in II ?"
I asked rebelliously and regretted
the words the moment they left my
lips for Mother Graham was re-
garding me with Mortified amaze
ment.
"If that is your notion Of hospi-
tally. TO put your guests in a room
next the servants at the end of the
hall. while you yourself sleep in
bedroom. have nothing more to
say" she rejOined and then went
on talking in sublime unconscious
ness OF the silence vow she had
just taken.
However. I am afraid for this
once you will have to modify your
very peculiar ideas" she went on,
for Elijah boys are subject 70
Group. and must be near their moth
er. They must not sleep, in so cold
room as that back one. either.
They are not used TO It"
ooh. OF coursei" I agreed instant
". for a sick child or one who is
subject to illness appeals to me very
strongly was really a trifile
ashamed OF my own reluctance to
entertain Dicky's sister and her fam
ily but to do myself injustice. be-
lieve / would have feIr very differ
emily about it II Mother Graham
had not adopted such a high-handed
attitude toward the matter.
NV mother-in-la paid no atten-
ton 20 my sudden capitulatiOn con-
corning the rooms. evidently consid-
ering my attitude favorable or un-
favora bic. as not worth considering
i'm her plans
We must nave all these windows
and window curtains washed" she
said. and the house given a thor
ouch cleansing. Katie is getting
rather careless since her marriage"
She passed her finger over the edge
Of the window frame and withdrew
60 triumphantly. showing me the
mark OF dust upon IT,
was so used 20 these captious
structures Of my mother-in-law con-
corning Katie's work. that did not
give her the indignant answer her
words we'll deserved. Dear loyal
Katie whose god was cleanliness,
and who was generally TO be seen in
whirl Of brooms and scrubbing
pals 7 had a sudden foreboding
that this projected visit with tho
general cleaning and upsetting that
my mother-in-law appeared 10 deem
necessary. would mean trouble with
my faithful maid
You remember Katie cleaned the
house thoroughly just before she
was married in October, and has
gone over II weekly since" I re-
piled. IN an endeavor to modify the
tempestuous time 7 saw coming.
That may be your idea OF get
ting ready for guests at a birthday
celebration. my mother in-law re-
turned causticaIly. but it isn't mine.