New Britain herald., 1921-10-29
The Way Mrs. COSgroye
 Delighted Madge.

Delighted Madge.
 Mrs. Cosgrove looked at me, be- wilderment in every line of her face, when I asked her for the loan of her discarded old-fashioned long skirts. Then I saw amused compre- hension drawn in her shrewd eyes, knew that she had a pretty clear inkling of my little scheme, and knew also that she would make no comment which would betray her knowledge.
 "Of course you can have any one of them you like" she said heartily. but with a dubious intonation. you know they'll wrap around you three times, don't you?"
 I laughed at her perplexed expres- sion. Mrs. Cosgrove is a soodish way past the half-century mark, and in Dicky's parlance 'carries weight for age" But she was exaggeratlng her own size, as, I have noticed, do all stout women who have finally given up vanity on the subject. wonder sometimes if it is not a kind or armor which they put on. f1inging out jest at their own expense to ward off the only too ready jokes of their families and friends.
 A "Find."
 You forget the modern waistline," I said. 'Your skirt probably will just fit"
 .rYes. no doubt you'll have to let out the band,' she retorted dryly, and the next moment she had taken down from spare closet a skirt which I seized eagerly, for it spelled in every line exactly the effect wished. Black, rather full, and bearing in every stitch the mark of an unskilled country dressmaker visualized myself in it with mental chuckle.
 This is perfect !' I said enthus- iastically May I have this one?" "Of course. And it doesn't in the least matter if you tear it or spoil it. I think I shall cut that skirt up for rug rags There are other better skirts here if you would rather have them. That was the first to my hand"
 NO, indeed, I clutched the old fashioned garment tenaciously. troopers to get this away from me now. But tell me, haven't you a jacket somewhere of the same vim tage as this?''
 She turned to the closet and took down a coat such as I had not seen for twenty years. I guessed that it was at least that old, and I took 1t from her hands with lively gratitude, for I saw in it the successful fruition of my mischievous little prank against Dfcky.
 'oThis ought ito fit you pretty we'll" Mrs Cosgrove said. "I was more your size twenty~years ago. Slip it on.'
 I did so, found that it was, indeed a fair fit, and with a laughing ex- pression of thanks to Mrs. Cosgrove wrapped the clothing in a compact paper-covered bundle, sped back to my bungalow and gained my bed room without Dicky seeing<me. wher had caught my breath and had enjoyed a quiet little anticipator, . laugh, gathered up Juniors nigh things and went over to Lillian'' bungalow where he was to sleel for the night and where he hat gone with Marion directly after Oupper.
 aClimb On Your Shelf.''
 Marion greeted me rapturousl. from a big old chair, in the depth OL WHICH Sue ana JuHlOT SIdTSQ large illustrated alphabet book, on which my sons adoring grandmoth had given him, and which he prize, highly.
 "Oh, Auntie Madge!" she cried "Junior can say almost all of his al phabet. Tell mother, Junior. Ge down now and stand up.'
 My small lad slipped from his sea put his hands behind him, an straightened himself to his full bab height
 "A. B. T, D. E, F. D. he intone proudly. when Marion interrupte anxiously:
 ''He can't say and G. she es piained apologetically, so he cal them TT and 'D'. But he know them. Go on, Junior"
 Junior went on, finished the a phabet in triumph, and then, as hypnotized by his own achievement began at "A'' and he went throug the whole thing again, this time gallop. As he finished the "Z Marion, with an anxious > schot ma'am air which convulsed he mother and me, said authoritativel.
 That will de, Junior." But Junior had tasted applaus and would not be ~squeIched. A thir time he began his rattling list all was highly indignant when I swel him up from the floor and stoppt tn erecital with a hug and numerol Kisses
 "Dooner doin' read bid book" announced proudly. and Marie loked up an answering pride in h. winsome face.
 He's so smart, -Atlntie Madge
 
 not to improve the time with hir You don't mind if I teach him,