New Britain herald., 1920-12-07
Tho Ultimatun, Mother Graham of-
 fcrcd Dicky.

hAthmMkun notfhsT oa-
 .... fcrcd Dieky.
 Dicky sauirmed uncasily in his chair.
 ..I don't believe I did mention the date of possesson. did IT" he said.
 He was evidently sparring for time.
 but it did him no good. for his mother
 was in n militant mood. which. had not been modified but rather accent uutsd by DiclSy's news of the proposed canoe trip from which the physicians . vordict had barred her. She would not |. havo gone under any circumstances. but, like many other elderly women, 1t trritated her exceedingly to think that she could not go if she had wished to do SO.
 No. you didn't, not so anybody could notice it. So out with 1t. When ia it?'
 "I made them give in on some extra tinie." Dicky said virtuously. They wanted it in a week, but l wouldn't hear Of that of course. It would have cut short our stay down here"
 A Hopeless situation.
 Tn q week!' his mother shriiied. Have you gone out of your mind?"
 sat silent, apprehensive. I sus- pectcd that this prcpostcrous mention of n week was only made to distract our nttention-"to let us down easy" ns D.cky was no doubt mentally phras- . ing 10 before his revelation of a time which would be only a little less start iinE.
 'I told you I made 'em give us moro timc." ho went on, defensively. You don't think I'd stand for that, do your"
 Let's hear what you did stand for shn retorted crisply. "I don't want any more fooling. but tho exact date when we've got to he out of there.".
 "wclI-May rrst." Dicky replied. a lit sulkily. Whats the matter with that?"
 My mothor-ln-law and I looked at each othcr with utter despair fin our facea Tho date gave us a bare three weeks to find a home dismantIe a hoisc and move our belongings. And We were 100 miles away! Any house. Eceper In the world will understand our feelings. and we felt 1t would bo useless to try to make any one else them. especially any one belonging to the masculine side of hu- manity. particularly Dicky.
 Mother Graham found her voice first. Indeed, resolved. as I saw her fnee set in lines of battle. that would l leave the contest to her. For reai- t-cd better tran she that if the date Of posse ssion already had been given as I May first. it could not be changed. So bega to readJust my thoughts and prepared to gird myself for the ardu- 1 ous task saw before me.
 Both Arc Determined.
 "Richardf't his mother began, in her | most impressive tones. then paused as | 1T she were too stunned for further speech. But in a moment she went on. | in scathing haste:.
 Sometimes I wonder what sin ! In my youth''-her voice ! hold something of the sound one gets In tho filing of a saw-'thnt provl- 2 dcnco should see fit to give me a child ! so absolutely lacking Tn common sense na you appear to be. Don't answer mef'-her voice rose truculentiy, as her son oponed his eyes and mouth in llidicrous astonishment st her indict- ment. unless it Ia to say that you are ready to change that date of posses sion to-let me see''-with an air of tho greatest magnantmity-"June 18th | ought to be about right" why. mother! Have you gone out of | your senses?'' Dicky pingiarized his ' mothers outburst of a minute before. The reason the man who Is buying this !" willing to pay so much is that ho smpiy has to have the house May liirHt, and is too busy q man to spend Dnuch time hunting q place. Timo Is worth moro to him than money. and he simply has to have the house May first"
 T told you I wanted 10 hear nothing from you except that one assurance. LUntil you can give mo that l am going to my room. Margaret. you may come 10 me and tell me when Richard re- turns to his senses or whatever passes Afor them in his case
 She roso and maJcsticaiiy swept out ! f tho room.