South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-06
WHAT MADGE IRAN INTO"
WHEN SHE REACHED HOME

As Lillian and I drove into the
farmhouse yard after our early
visit to DR.. Petit. we saw Elizabeth
Harrisons four children and Marion
busily engaged in dragging boxes
and barrels from the rear Of the
barn to various vantage places on
the front lawn.
What do you suppose they're up
10 now?" / asked. careful. however,
TO keep out Of my voice the dismay
I felt at having the 'front.' lawn lit
tered In so unslghtly a fashion. l
suppose when Junior gets 20 the rest
less age l shall be as indulgent to
the development Of the play spirit"
as any other up-to- cate mother, but
Just now I fear that l am not pos
sessed Of a rapturous enthusiasm
for some of the activities of some
OF the modern children" 1 have
seen.
Lillian looked over the array with
an experienced eye.
1T looks to me like 2 circus" she
said judicialy. Marion and her
chum used 10 stage one occasional
ly in the drawing-room with has
socks and chairs, and small boxes.
But one never can tell. It may be
a mail-coach hold-up, or any other
movie-fed fancy. When I was a
child in the paIezopc age. and even
in the more recent years when you
flOuriShed. we used 10 have 10 de-
pend upon our own imaginations for
our dramatic amusements. But the
modern child can run the gamut Of
ideas from the brain factories Of
scenario writer's. I think I'll keep
half an eye on taat outfit. That
small daughter Of Eliza beth's has
almost too much Imagination TO
make. her absolutely sare.'
Lillian Beats Tt"
She lowered her voice 20 an al
most inaudible whisper as she spoke
the last words. for I had rounded
the turn in the driveway which led
rast the kitchen door 10 the harm
the only serious fault I find in the
arrangement Of the farmyard is the
Jack of any place 70 park the cars
except in fun view of the kitchen
activities-and we nad seen Eliza
beth framed in the doorway for an
unforgettable instant Her face was
flushed and as I stopped the car I
distinctly saw her angrily dash her
hand against her eyes.
Mother Graham had succeeded IN
reducing her apparently placid, in
dolent daughter 70 tears, with less
than an hours work l. who knew
~ f- Ia -
gift for Raging" Acknowledged
aeain her superiority in that partic-
ular line. FOR L had not appeared
possible 70 me- that anything short
or an earthquake could disturb Mrs.
Harrison's Irritating placidity.
I'D better beat -. Nadge" Lii
Ian whispered as we alighted. II
never saw a more promising pros
pect for a family row Call me II
YOU need me. and remember. I'll
do kitchen police arter breakfast.
TT predict Elizabeth VIII ne mere
pulp by that time"
Gutter" I Kissed neIodramatic-
ally after her. Then 7 walked slow
" into the kitchen. calling loudly
some banality 70 william as 7 did
so, that the warning pair IN the
kitchen might have due notice Of
my spproach.
Elizabeth InstructS Madge
Elizabeth was az the stove. stir
ring the cereal sullenly ~ inconsru-
Gus as such an expression seems n
connection with her supposedly IN
varying cheerfuln ess-while Mother
Graham, the light or battle IN her
eyes. was heating a yellow batter
iuro 1ighcness at the kitchen table.
Margaret" NV name heralded
my entrance. L was uttered in the
explosive manner I know 80 we'll
and I recognized the meaning Of the
sound. II meant that Mother era
ham now intended 10 turn her at
tention 20 me.
Yes. Moher. what is it," an
swered dutifuny
What - it," she Knocked scath-
ing'y. ct should think anybody
with two eyes in her head could see
what IL is Here we are with
breakfast ali ready and not soul
in the house ready 10 eat it. Dicly