The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-22
Chapters From a
Woman 5 Life
MANY CHANGES IN THE HOUSE,
HOLD,
BY JANE PHELPS

sChdpt6r D.
| I had no preconceived ideas that
motherS-in-law were unpleasant, crit
| ical of the women their sons married.
| But in the first days OF Mrs. Page S
visit, it seemed Sometimes as If she
went out Of her way to make things
hard for me.
1 was continually smoothing Jen-
MES ruffled p1umage;s constantly wor-
red about the dog, her food, drafts,
and so on. Everything in the house
seemed to reyolve around Fido, told
Walter one night when L had been ex-
asperated almost beyond endurance.
Il know, dearI but it's mothers only
| weakness. I guess we all have at least
one"
1 said no more. would not COM
plain of his mother to him no matter
how uncomfortable L was. I had
drilled Jennie upon points of service
that offended her, had agreed to hire
a cleaning woman to tighten her work,
to raise her wages, before could per-
suade her to wear a cap, and do the
other things she declared must be
done if her visit were to be a comfort
able one.
Walter had flushed and looked an
noyed when his mother dfsparaged
Helen RaIstroIn. always thought
him more attractive when he frowned,
aitho L wouldn't have told him so for
worlds 1t made his face stronger. I
knew that his mothers criticism would
not hurt Helen with him. One had
only to object with Walter to make
him the more keen. He couldn't en-
dure criticism of himself or his ac-
tons, his taste or judgment. And he
had WINGED perceptibly when, his
mother expressed disapprovaI.
Mrs. Page met our friends, and was
either dignifiedly gracious, or colby
disapproving. Claire Gordon she APP
peared to like and said:
Miss Gordon is a dainty, well ball
anced girl, but don't understand your
liking for Mr.. and Mrs. Harter'' She
addressed her remarks to Walter, but
1 answered:
Mrs. 7Harter isea very old friend of
Grace is all right, mother. altho
she is a bit abrupt and unconventional
at times" Walter broke in.
TT doesn't do for a woman, espec-
laIIy young woman, to defy the con-
Ventlons. They are the buIwarks of
society. Her husband is cynical,
seems always to be laughing at some
thing- can't endure such a charac-
ter. Again Walter replied:
George has been rather spoiled.
Hes a great favorite with the ladies'
Would make love to you if you'd give
Ihim a chance
f. I wondered how he dared say such
things. to his dignified mother. Il
knew I wouldn't. But she smiled and
preened herself a, little as she said:
Such men are often discrimina ting
when they wish to be. He is we'll
manRered and perhaps I am wrong in
my deductions But on first acquaint-
ance he isn't intriguing
How I wished George could have
heard heA I had all 1 could do to
keep from laughing aloud. Yet Mrs.
Pages remarks had shown a keenness
that astonished me. She had expressed
exactly the feeling II always had felt
with George: that he seemed always to
be laughing at something, some sc cret
of his own. That he was cynical any
one could sees
For a time Walter came home very
regularly; seldom was late for dinner.
He took his mother and Fido to drive
when she wished, and we went often
20 the theater.
"a good play is a tonic for me" she
told him, ia poor one disgusts me-
So, altho he always tried to select
plays Well spoken of, occasionally We
would find ourselves at one that held.
no interest for her. Then she would
insist upon leaving, no matter how
well either of US might be enjoying it.
1t annoyed me exceedingly. Before
she came we had been very economical
in our pleasures, especially our theater
going. I loved. the theater, and to be
dragged home after the first act. ofNin
the middle of the second one was ag-
gravating. Once I rebelled. had
seen Grace and George in the audience
and I told Walter I would stay and re-
turn home with them; that 1 was en-
joying the play.
1T is. astonishing what the unculti-
waited taste can endure" Mrs Page
said as they left. 1 knew she was dis
pleased. that she would complain of
me to Walter. But I didn't care. L
wasn't child TO like or dislike a thing
because she did.
Tomorrow-FAdo is i'll and the doc
tor calIed.)