The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-21
Chapters From a
Woman S Life
BY JANE PHELPS
A VISIT TO THE STUDIO
Chapter IA.

The next afternoon I asked Mrs.
Page if she would like to go to the
studio. She agreed that it might be
pleasant and so I called taxi. 1
had not yet learned to run the car.
When she came down she had Fido
under her arm and said:
The poor dear needs an airing
Tell the man to drive a bit before We
go to the studio"
I told him to take us thru the park
then stop at the studio. 1t was a
glorious afternoon and the park
looked enchantingly lovely. Mrs. Page
seemed to care little for anything,
however, save F'ido's pleasure; and
talked to him most of the time.
When we arrived at our destination,
leave for the day. Walter introduced
her to his mother and 1 almost
laughed aloud as she raised her lorg-
nette and subjected Helen to an even
longer scrutiny than she had favored
me at the station; then turned
abruptly away, taking some bits OF
cake from the tea-table, feeding Fido.
''I see we a-e late for tea I said.
Mrs. Page wanted to ride around the
park before We came here"
81 never drink tea at this hour in
the afternoon; never after o'clock
Git was nearly 50 it ruins digestion;
spoils my dinner" she returned as she
walked about the room, scrutinizins
Walters sketches. When she came to
the picture he was working on; the
one in which he was using Helen Raj
strom for a model, she said:
The composition is very good,
Walter. But I don't think I approve
of your model; her type" Helen had
fingered, and now Mrs. Page turned to-
her, again scrutiniZing her closely.
You have, however, idealized her
so; but should have selected a more
spiritual type. Miss Ralstrom-is
that the name?-is too altogether
modern 1
Walter flushed with annoyance and
Helen went out with an icy good
bye" that included us all. 1 had no.
ticed the roadster parked at the curb.
Had she fingered hoping we would
leave so that Walter could take her
home?
spoke to Mrs. Page. 1 wondered. if
she wanted to be called mother yet
felt she might consider it liberty
were I to do SO. So while Walter was
getting ready to go home with US, I
timidly said: -, 81.
'T scarcely know what to call you,
please tell me if 1 shall keep to Mrs.
Pager" I had intended to ask her if
she wanted to be called mother" but
1 couldn't.
"Of course. I have no patience
with in-laws familiarity. Mrs. Page
is my name, prefer to have it used"
I felt relieved, altho there may have
been a little hurt feeling in my heart
also. My mother had been so pleased
when Walter called her "'mother'' had
always returned it by calling him
"son." But mother was a duckie lit
tie old-fashioned woman, not at all
like Walters aristocratic parent.
II don't like that model, Walter"
she said when he appeared I soon
learned she never hesitated to express
any disapproval she felt. |
'FWhy not Mater?' he asked.
81 don't believe she's good. oh,
don't mean she is immoral, But she
has bad eyes and doesn't look straight |
at one. She looks too as if she had a
bad disposition"
But I don't paint dispositions. |
Mother. I paint faces
1.-The disposition shows in the face |
and that is why you had to idealize |
her to make your picture what you |
it to be. But come, F'ido is /
getting restless"
AS I followed them to the elevator, |
[ smiled. Mrs. Page might be dis |
agreeable to me in some ways, but her.
instant dislike of Helen Ralstrom /
had intrigued re in her favor as per-
haps nothing else ~ould have done. /
And I ed home while Walter
" any resentment when after Walter
old me to hop in-that We wouldn't
mind being crowded for the few
blocks we had to go-she said:
''Your car isn't large enough for /
three. Walter, and I can't have Fido
''F'ido is her hobby!" I muttered,
not sorry to be alone.
Tomorro.--Many changes in the
!, H. 4 \