The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-20
Chapters From a
Woman s Life
A DIsORGANIzED HOUSEHOLD
By JANE PHELPS
Chapter 3 3,

CnapLeT oS-
Consistently I followed the line I
had mapped out for myself. 1 did the
marketing, cared for my own room.
and the living room, saw that we had
flowers for the table-sonething Mrs.
Page insisted upon-then let Mary do
the rest. She was good cook, but
was always grumblng about some
thing, and wouldn't let F'ido in the
kitchen, unless he was in Mrs. Pages
arms. 1 could not see that she served
any better than Jennie did, but 1
made no O1cOmments.
One afternoon-she had been with
US about a week.-Mrs.. Page and I
had been out returning calls until al
most dinner time, Before we laid off
our wraps Walter came in. We
chatted, expecting every moment to
hear dinner announced. Finally he
said:
I'm hungry as bear! What's the
matter with the dinner?" he started
from The room, only to return in a
moment, his eyes dancing, and said:
Come along you two! Here's some
thing that will anuse you.''
We followed him into the kitchen
There sprawled on the floor was
Mary, the room smelling of whisky.
shes drunk" Waiter said attempt
ing to make her get up, while l grab
bed the potatoes off the stove as they
started to burn. Il knew she drank
Mater. I told you so that first day"
Walter loved to prove himself right.
But he did not know that when she
drank she was ugly. She wanted to
fight when he got her up and 1 was
afraid she'd hurt him; she was as tall
as he, and strong. 1t was simply dis
graceful! Finally he got her into her
room.
When she sobers a little out she
goesi" he said, coming back to us.
The potatoes were spoiled. the roast
chicken scorched, the table wasn't
laid.
you'll have to take US out. Wal
Right you are! When we come
back I'll throw that girl out bag and
baggage"
I enjoyed my dinner hugely, but
Mrs. Pages discontinue more. Wal
ter was as good as his word Upon
our return he marched Mary off, she
threatening vengeance.
After Mrs. Page had retired / in
spected my kitchen. Soiled pans un-
der the sink, the pantry in disorder,
the ice box needing attention. took
everything out of the latter and left
it open. Then 1 too went to bed. Mrs.
Page could see how neat her paragon
was in the morning e-El
Il wouldn't have believed it," she
proachable.'
viii you find another maid ?' I
asked.
"Of course! There were several
looking for work. I'll go at once
knew she was glad to escape from the
dirty kitchen.
To condense the doings OF the next
two weeks. We had no less than FIVE
maids, all of her choosing. One stole,
another was impudent, all were in
and careless. Every single
one objected to Fido and to Mrs. Page
coming into the kitchen.
Finally she said:
You try your luck, Doreen."
1 went out and telephoned Jennie
She came in quietly and no one saw
her until her broad good-naturef face
appeaFed announcing: Dinner is
served
Come here. Jennie! want to hug
you"' Walter cried, while she BUSH
ing and giggling fled.
I had to hire woman for a day to
help Jennie clean. But it was worth
it. Neither I nor Mrs. Page ever re-
ferred to her return. nor to the ex-
perience we had that two weeks But
Waiter would not let it drop. For days
he annoyed his mother by telling her
she was poor picker and kindred
expressions.
The house was running smoothly |
again, and Jennie said:
Il don't know what you done, but |
she's been almost decent to me since
come back
Never mind. Jennie. 1t turned out
all right, just as L thought 1t would" |
(Tomorrow-An eventful motor ride.) |