South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-29
HOW MADGE MADE THE BFST
OF AN ODD SITUATION OF
MOTHER GRAHANrS
MAKING

Well, children. have you made
any plans for Dicky's birthday vet p"
nearly fell off my chair I'm aston
ishment at the frtendIiness i'm NV
mother-in-laW's tones. She had
been sulky ever since we had come
home from our summer outing in
the Catskills. a sulkiness caused by
her resentment Of what she chose
so consider the indiscreet interest
taken in me by Robert Gordon. the
mysterious millionaire whom / had
discovered to be an old friend of my
parents / shrewdly suspected.
however, that her continued resent
ment was more because Dicky chose
to take my part in the matter
against her, than because of any
real feeling toward her.
Nearly a years experience. how
ever had taught me how best TO
manage my mother-in-law When
she INDUCED herself in one Of her
frequent "tantrums" adopted a
carefully courteous, scrupulously
formal attitude toward her, and dis
missed her from my mind Thus
I saved myself much worry and ir-
ritation, and deprived her of the
pleasure of a quarrel, something
which / knew she would be glad to
bring on sometimes for the sheer
pleasure OF combat.
Her question was so sudden. her
cordially so surprising, that I could
frame no answer Instead 7 looked
helplessly at Dicky To tell the
truth / rather Instructed this sud
den amiability. From past expert
ences. L knew that when Mother
Graham made a sudden change
from sulSiness to cheerfulness, she
had some scheme under way.
Dicky's answer was prompt
That's entirely up to Madge,
mother" he said and smiled at me.
I'VE shall BE Delighted"
I smiled back at him with proper
wifely appreciation of his courtesy.
but ] had hard work to conceal the
malicious amusement that lay be-
meath the smile Ever since the
mass meeting at Madison Square
Garden when L had been SO nearly
hurt, and Dicky had acted in such
bOOrish manner to my rescuer. DR.
Petit my iege lord had been on
his very best behavior. 1t was like
q small boy trying TO propitiate
stern teacher.
Although his mother tried hard
she could not keep the acerbity out
of her tones as she turned 10 me
She always resented any Difference
of picky to my opinion.
We'll. as Richard has no opinion
of his own, what your plans. Mar
garct2"
why. 1 have made none so far
7 stammered wishing with all my
heart that 1 had made some detin-
lite plan for the holiday. 7 could see
from my mother-in-law manner
that she had some cherished scheme
n mind and my prophetic soul told
nae that IL would be something
which 7 wound not particularly like
Good" she returned Then /
shall not be interfering with any
plan of yours 7 have already writ
ten 90 Elizabeth asking them TO
come out here for Dickys birthday
Z This is an awful shack. of course.
but 10 Is the country. and the chill
dren will enjoy the woods and
brooks and field even if il is cold.
picky turned Go her abruptly. his
brow stormy. his eyes flashing.
Mother. do YOU mean % say that
YOU have already written 20 Eliza
beth without first consulting Madge
as 90 whether il would be convent
ent9
7 trod heavily on his toes under
the table i'm the vain hope that /
would be able 30 stop him from
saying the words when ] knew
would indame his mothers temper
Failing I'm that, I fastened TO throw
T "a sentence or two OF my own into
T the breach in the desire 20 prevent
further hostilitcs.
Mother GrahamS Parting shot.
"Dickv stop talking nonsense"