New Britain herald., 1920-12-11

Madgc.
 ! Dicky's jaw dropped as I gave him
 his mothers message, and a comical
 look of lively apprehension flashed into his face.
 1 "Aw, say, have a heart!" he quot ed. That's a fine greeting for. fel- low. I left her in an awful wax, too. She must be in fine fettle by this time. Won't you go in and cool the boil ing oil just a little? I know she's going to simmer me in a kettle of it."
 I laughed in spite of my irritation , at him and at his mother i You know what would happen to me if I dared to substitute myself for you. I'm afraid you'll have to walk up and take your medicine, my dear. 1 But if it's any consolation. she ap- peared a shade less wrathful than she did when she banished you this morn ing"
 Well. every infinitesimal trif1e helps!" he said, as he started toward his mothers door, and I gave little mental sig of relief that he had asked me no more questions.
 I was Jagged mentally and phys ically, and I wished for a foolish min ute or two that I could take Dicky up on the rash, tempery proposal he had made to go back to Marvin and pack all the furniture himself Some how I infinitely dreaded the tedious task I saw before me.
 With an inconsistency of which was fully aware. I found myself re- gretting my refusal to delay our re- turn North until after the trip to Blues Ridge Dicky had planned. I really had seen very little of this beau- tiful and odd sahdhill section. My own nervous collapse when I came down, the complication which Grace Draper's nearness afforded, Leilas troubles and Leila's wedding, and, last of all, Mother Graham's inf1uen- ga, had kept my nose to the grind stone.' And now, this most arduous of all tasks, packing and moving, loomed before me. If I could have had one days outing with Dicky, such as the canoe trip to Blues Bridge would have been, I felt I could have faced the tasks before me with much better grace.
 Blu I had put that away from me firmly. and had told Dicky we must return North at once, because T k. how little time I had for the stupen- dous task Dickys rash action had laid across my shoulders. So with a little shake I reminded myself of the old adage concerning spilled milk. Going to my own room I began to pack my trunk and bags for the journey North
 There is an idiosyncracy of mine in packing which amuses Dicky in- tensely, but which I always find use full I always pack first of all the small bag which holds all my toilet articles, my night attire, and the changes of clothing, and litter of mis- cellany which one needs for a nigl,t on train or anywhere else away from home. I set that to one side and live out oft until I go. Next I put the things I might need if my trunk were delayed into my suit case, and then, last of all, I put everything left over into the trunk. As a consequence, I never at the last minute find a lot of leftovers which have to be cram med somewhere.
 Diclxy Is Delighted.
 I went over my wardrobe. laying in one pile the things I wished to put into the bag, in another those for the suit case, and in third those for the trunk. In the midst of my work Dicky tapped lightly, then rushed into the room uBceremonious- ". grabbed me round the waist an swusg me into a waltz which was sadly circumscribed by the smallness of the room.
 However did you manage it, you wonderful grill" he exclaimed when he stopped finally for breath. Mine had gone some time before, and could only grin weakly at him as I piled up my tumbled hair
 Manage what?" said demurely at last.
 Changed Plans.
 My respected mother. Oh, you needn't deny it. Of course, she wouldn't admit even a miracle could change her opinion, but somehting did. She wouldn't come round like that unless some strong pressure was brought to bear, and there was mo-