Indiana daily times., 1921-10-24
Keeping House
With the HoOpers
MONDAY.

mONDA4s
Mr.. and Mrs. Hooper were seated to-
gether IN the living room for the first
time in many weeks, and it seemed to
both of them that they had been sepa-
rated for a year. Mrs. Hooper had never
before been out of touch with her fam
lily for SO long a time, and the curious
part of it was that she should have felt
40 far removed from them when they
had all been actually living under the
same roof. The anxiety attendant on
Betty's illness had been terrible strain
to Henry and it seemed to have told on
him even more than 1t had on Mrs.
Hooper, in spite fthe fact that upon her
had fallen the care Of the sick child as
well as the anxiety which she had shared
with her husband.
As they sat together IN the glow Of the
fickering light from the fire in the open
crate, they scarcely knew how to begin
a discussion of the details of the house
hold that had always been the subject
of their after dinner conversations be-
fore.
Finally Mrs Hooper spoke, as she care
fully laid the hem of Helen's serge skirt
that she was lengthening in order that
it might see service for another winter.
You know Henry" she said, that the
doctor insists that 1 should take Betty
away to a warmer climate at least for
a few weeks as soon as she is able to be
moved"
yes. he spoke to me about it." re-
piled Henry, "and I have just been wait
ing for an opportunity to talk 1t over
with you. Where do you think you
ought to go?"
Il have considered the matter very
carefully, ever since the doctor first
brought up the subject" was Mrs. Hoop
er's reply. "And 1 have made up my
mind to stay right at home with Betty.
"I don't see why you have come to
that decision" exclaimed Henry, when
the doctor thinks it is so important that
she should have a change"
"Well, I don't agree with him that 1t
Is absolutely necessary" responded Mrs.
Hooper with emphasis. He has sug-
Eested It as very good thing, but
when I told him how l felt about it, ne
admitted that it was not absolutely es-
sentiaI to Betty's return to perfect
health"
But I'm not SO sure, Mary" was
Henry's comment, "and 1 don't believe
that we ought to take any chances, even
If the doctor doesn't insist on it as
positive necessity. Is it tecause you
think that we can not afford it that you
are ging to keep her homer"
THAT is partly the reason" acknowl-
edged Mrs. Hooper. But if l believed
that she couldn't possibly get better
without being taken TO a warmer climate,
1 should manage it somehow, but with
care 1 know she will get entirely well
here"
But how about you, Mary?" asked
Mr.. Hooper anxiously. Il think that the
doctors idea was that you needed
change nearly as much as Betty did"
"Oh. I shall do very well, now that
my anxiety about her is over" answered
Mrs. Hooper, "and 1 should worry my
self sick about finances if I went away
on my own account"
Even if we do so into debt for an
emergency of this kind" protested Henry,
there is nothing to worry about, be-
cause we can make it up in time, and it
would be false economy to take any
chances on either you or Betty. Be-
siGes. I am sure Belle will lend me the
money for anything as necessary as this
kind. and we can pay her back as We go
along"
II told you Henry" insisted Mrs
Hooper impatiently, THAT I didn't con-
slider the trip necessary and there will be
no need Of borrowing any money of
Belle"
Have you enough IN your savings ac-
count to pay the doctors bill or will We
have to sell q Liberty bond y was
Henrys next question.
Il haven't any idea how much the bill