New Britain herald., 1921-02-12
HUSBAND
dtiOns Of q Wite
I3 Garrison's New Phase of

holder in the line of sustained and lengthy chatter.
 Wiping our streaming eyes. wo pity you" Lillian quoted at last.
 \ Keen Command.
 Our handkerchiefs were really in use. for our little neighbor'a naivetd had suddenly loosened tho tension under which we had been laborinc. and wo had actually laughed until wa cried.
 Don't you quotc that stun to me" Mrs. Durkeo threatened. 'or won't givo you one bit of dinner. Ali thinks Lewis Carroll made the world and then died. I'm sure I don't sec any thing SO funny in him"
 "You'n sec nothing funny in life Lillian retorted dryly. unless you get busy on these rooms. Isn't there something we can do to help you with them? How about your room? ls 1t ready to put these draperies up?"
 Little Mrs. Durkeo jumped to her feet with n movement like a startled rabbit
 "Goodness. no" she cried. "I'n just run down to see that nothinE's burning. and then we'll get busy talk ins down curtains in my room. One good thinG-it'a passably clean"
 I took hold of her shoulders and swung her around facing us.
 "somcthings tho matter with her ego" I said gravely to Lil1ian. She's getting conceited in her old age. This is tho first time ever heard her acknowledge that any room in. her house wah it to enter.'
 Lillian laughed merrily. for shc also had heard Mrs. Durkee. most fastidiou1 of housekeepers. claim fussily that her rooms looked n sight" My little ncighbor wrenched hersel! free indignantly.
 You think you're just too cum ming for anything. don't you she asked scathingly.
 But there was a gratified twinkle in her eyes as she hurried toward the stairs that told me she was not of fcndcd by my reference to her care- full housekee ping.
 As the door closed behind her l rushed over to Lillian and hugged her
 You wizard" cried.
 "Pcrhaps-"
 The works all to do yet" she re- minded me. "And-don't you think it would bc advisable to Givo Edith q tin as to Mrs. Durkee's change of heartc She was decidedly resentful, don't YOU think. and we can't have her spiIlng the beans with Her Fluff finest by being offish.''
 "No-of course" assented. slowly -."but---I wish you'd speak to her. Ill bc sure to make n mess of it."
 Lillian looked at mo keenly.
 Yes, you are so tactless," she re- torted mockinEly. But I'll he the goat. Only--you must come with me"
 Her look told mo plainly why she wished mo tc b" present at her little colloquy with Edith Fairfax. although sho would never have put the thought into words. But I knew that sha did not wish the girl to think that I had any reason to avoid her. any reluct- anco to sco her.
 wo hurried to tho back of tho house. where wo found Edith strid- Ing hurriedly mp and down the studio. her fingers clcnchcd in her palms. She was evidently trying 10 walk off tho anger that waa consuming her.
 Shc started us she saw us. but Lil- Han gave her no time for either re- sentiment or embarrassment.
 ''I don't blame you for fighting the atmosphere" she snid brusquely. but Pve news for you. Mfrs. Durkee saw tha light a few minutes ago, and we're to have n busy time tomorrow changing Lcila's room over into bower Of hor favorite rose color. And wc'rc counting on your help. 20 don't bo sore nt Her Flufincss. It was merely thoughtlessness. I'm sure
 Perhaps" Edith Fnirfax returned dryly. then she looked with warm af-