The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-19
Revelations
of o. Wife
How Dicky's Mother Refused the
Flowers That Madee Offered.
BY ADELE GARRISON.

Dicky met me at the door of the
dining room and took the tray car
ried. 1t held my prettiest teapot filled
with boiling water, a tiny plate of
sailed crackers, together with cup,
saucer, spoon and napkin.
Say, sweetheart" he whispered, ~
want to tell you something. My
mother isn't always like this. She can
be very sweet when she wants to. But
when things don't go to suit her she
takes these awful icy dignity tan
trums, and you can't touch her with
a ten-foot pole until she gets over
them. She was tired from the journey,
and the fact that you kept her wait
ing in the taxicab made her furious.
But she'll get over it. just be patient,
won't you darling?"
If the average husband only real
lied how he could play upon his wifes
heart strongs with few loving words
I believe there would be less marital
unhappiness in the world. A few
minutes before had been fiercely re-
sentful against Dicky's mother. And
my anger had reached to Dicky, for
felt in some vague way that he must
be responsible for his mothers rude
ness.
But the knowledge that he, too, was
used to her injustice and that he re-
scented it when directed against me
made all the difference in the world.
1 reached up my hand and patted his
cheek.
Dear boy, nothing in the world mat
tiers, if just YOU are not cross and
displeased." I assured him. Run
along now with that hot water, and
call me if you need anything. Your
mother probably will want to be alone
with you for awhile, as she has not
seen you for so long. l will see to the
luncheon, and arrange my flowers"
"Dicky!" The querulous voice sound
ed impatient. Dicky cast comical
glance at me and fled with his tray.
/ went into my own room and re-
moved my hat and coat Then, taking
the box of flowers l spread the bios
SONS out on a clean sheet which
laid on my bed. There really was no
other place where l could arrange
them, told myself with queer sense
of being an outsider in my own home.
The carnations were soon in their
bowl and vase on the table and man
tel in the living room. / went to the
kitchen, found the brown crock whose
possibilities Dicky had first revealed
to me, filled it with water and brought
it back to my room, where l set IL
carefully on my low stand and ar
ranged the daffodils and narcissi and
asparagus fern in it. Carrying 1t to
the dining table and placing 1t in the
center, 1 forgot all my annoyances Tor
a monet in admiration of its delicate
beauty.
What should I do with the sweet
peas? In the face of rs. Grahams
manner, I did not feel like offering
them to her. And yet / had bought
them for her room, and / felt that
Dicky would like me to show her the
little attention.
after all, she can't do any more
than throw them at my head, re-
Elected whimsically. as lifted the fra
grant beauties from their box.
Which was exactly what she did do,
only. of course. figuratively. | carried
them to the door of her room, which
stood aiar. 1 knocked, and Dicky's
voice said, Come in" Madge. Don't
be so blamed ceremonious.
Mrs Graham was sitting in the low
chair with my tray before her. On
it she had placed a tiny aicohol stove.
out of one of the prettiest teapots
had ever seen she was pouring her
tea into a cup and saucer Whlcn
matched the pot. / advanced TO the
dressing table and picked up the small
vase had left there.
Il did not know your favorite flower,
but / hope you like sweet peas, SAID,
arranging the blossoms in the vase
Now for some water for these.
You are very kind" Mrs. Graham
voice dripped Icy indifference, but
must ask you not to leave those here.
L cannot sleep If there is any odor,
pleasant or otherwise, in my room. Be
sides, flowers are very unhealthful in
bedrooms. l hope you do not have
them in Dicky's."
IF that be So" j retorted. how very
odd it is physicians so often allow.
even encourage their presence in SEX