New Britain herald., 1919-12-09
Ml HEART and MY HUSBAND
 ReDeiafions of Q Wife

mcnt and more than} d little shame facedness, as he realized, l fancE. from my face that I knew of his en- joyable motor excursions during hlH enforced idleness.
 "What's the big idea ?:' Altrcu Durkee called 10 his mother a' l0 jumped from the driving seat 'o ground q thought the stage W"0 set for you to be at the olo 'oll l.it, stead gate in gingham apron anu ':,, the odor of pumpkin ples l'o"1s', around you, ready to welcome prospectiye relatives and such e>>V0'' baggage as the Dicky-bird'
 >Irs. Duri<cc'S Defense.
 ,i+1o Mrs. Durkee laughed Whol'' unemba!.l.a ssed by the feNelat'o'i sho had known of the proposeu n'ot'' drive from New York;
 .-\yeI. VOL said you wanted to say .s,rn,,ise. surprise, to the rest ot uS' 1i6n,t vouo" she defended herself. ..So when I was offered a chance to play gooseDerry upon a most dellg ht- ful auto ride in this most scrump- 1ious of all cars, what else could do but wind the clock, put out the cat and leave a note on the door SaylhS l would be back anon. l couldn't say No. kind people, l must stay to Wel~ come my fam-i-lee,' could l noW?
 Evervbodv save DiclIy and Major Grantland laughed at her ridiculous farrago, delivered with the pretty, childish, poutinG manner when women of her type are always able to carry off successfully, whether they be 16 or 60. and which, alas, makes so supremely ridiculous the women Ot other types, no matter what their age, when they attempt it. But neither my husband nor the man sitting be- side me smiled even faintly at her nonsense | think the attention of both men had been caught by the word s'gooseberry,' which, I felt re- sentfully, in Dickys parlance, twas surely being worked overtime' by my little neighbor. Major Grantland flushed resentfully and with embar- rassment at it, while Dicky's answer ing flush held astonishment and anger.
 "Oh, we'll forgive you this time fl the pancakes are up to Standard! Alfred retorted airilN, blissfully un- conscious of the tenseness in the mental atm osphere. By the way, guess we'd better give some of these people a knock down to each other Allow me-
 "Alf's'' Plan.
 He burlesaued formal introductions of his pretty 4iancee and her sister tC Major Grantland, then turned to me Mighty glad you're able to be out Mrs. Madge.'' he said cordially "WhH not change our program and all run down to the beach for dinner? The matters grub can keep till tom orroW, can't it?' He turned to his mother smiling.
 She clapped her hands in delight I have never known another woman so fond of dining out as is my little neighbor.
 "There isn't d thing that will spoil she said. And [ simply dote on the beach dinners. You can come, can'1 you. Madge?''
 II am afraid I'm not up to it. said with feigned reluctance, for at that moment the least alluring pros pect in the world was a festive din ner, and, besides, I knew that nH physician would absolutely prohibit such an extended outing if ho knew of it.
 ''Indced she's not" Lillian chime et in, "anu as for me, I simply cannot do it tonight, much as I would love such an outing some other time. Bu it will take only a few minutes to rur us back again and then you can al go on and enjoy yourselves"
 'I-' began Major Grantland, evi dently also beginning a refusal, wher Dicky struck in masterfully.
 Il have lt!' he said. ''Grantland q yours is the car for these festiv; pleasure-seekers to roll up to a Lons Beach hotel in. This of ours is ; f1ivver compared to your outfit. Sup pose I take Madge and Lillian hom> in my car while Ali and the girls transfer themselves to your charge You may hie yourselves to you wicked demi tasses.' I'll take mt wife and her lady friend home out o danger