New Britain herald., 1922-03-18
The Way Dicky Bantcrcd Madgc
 Into Keen Valentines.

"'rhe waiter is laying the table in the sitting-room by the fire, Madge. Is there anything l can do to help you dress?"
 Dicly was standing in the doorway of the bedroom in the hotel suite Dr. McDermott had secured for us, his face holding the anticipatory com placence which the thought of good food generally brings to masculine features,
 I brought myself back from my drowsy dreamland with difficulty and smiled up at Dicky.
 You sound most attractively Dick enesquc," I said. "If you could only produce Mir Micawber to grill a chop or fix something in saucepan, now" You're only talking to postpone getting up," Dicky grinned down at me. T know you when you're sleepy. But it's no use. Up you get, unless, of course, your head is hurt ing too bad. If it is m bring your dinner in here'
 My head isn't hurting at all-that is, nothing to speak of l amended conscientiously and I'm not sleepy any more. But, Dicky, what will the waiter think of me looking like this?" l put troubled hand up to my forehead, and felt myself flushing a little at the quzzical grin l saw upon Dicky's face.
 "You Don't Mean--.''
 Think, he echoed. There's only one thing possible for him 10 think, and that is, that you've been up 10 something which you shouldn't, and that I very properly gave you hus- bandy Diff on the bean. The waiter will not express any opinion. of course, being a properly-trained gent, but I'll bet a cookie he'll silently applaud me in his heart"
 "Oh, Dicky, do stop your nonsense!' I groaned. For if there's a grain of truth in what you say l won't go in the other room at all"
 What is it Lii always tells you: Don't be an anointed idiot just be- cause you know how" Dickys voice held a touch of impatience. What dye think you're going to do during the time you're getting rid of those black and blue spots, go into a nun nery? Cant be done, my dear. You've got to hunt up Katie and get back home. and that all entails being seer in public. I'll grant you that I'd balk on entering the public dining-room oi this hotel or any other with you just now, for I'm the ultimate goat ill this business but a dinner in our oWr rooms like this with just pr. Nc. Dermott and one lone waiter present k something 'else again. Here are youl shoes. Stick out your feet and I'll put them on for you.'
 "You Little Idiot !''
 I obeyed him. but mechanically. fo was much upset by his reference t himself as the ultimate goat
 "Dicky", I pleaded, you don mean that people will really think That ] gave you yours good ant plenty" Dicky asserted with madden ing cheerfulness. why, of course they will. You ought to know that All you've got out of this is a bacl eye. But the reputation of being {; wifeslugger is pinned on me forcvc and ever. I don't care so long as it only hotel walters and house physi clans and people of that sort to whom little affairs of this kind are only in stances of almost daily, or, rather hourly occurrence. But if ever tn boys heard about it I'd never hear tn last of it. Most of 'em wouldn't reall believe it. but they'd pretend to, a right, and existence would be just on hectic little slice of purgatory unt they got a chance to get some othe fellows goat. Don't you dare let an of the Durkees see you until you map is all straight again, l ca imagine what old Ali would do to m if he'd get a glimpse of you now.'
 The jealousy which always turks my heart at any reference, no matte how remote, to Edith Fairfax leape up flaming unreasonably irrespons ply.
 You needn't worry I said chile ishly. "I'll not be apt to go near tl Durkees, or shame you with any ( their relatives by my awful appea ance."
 For tremuous, remorseful secon thought l had made my husbar furfously angry He scowled blackl and muttered something under h