New Britain herald., 1922-04-19
The Question Lillian Asked Madge.

Katie was CloSeted with Lillian fot over half an hour while Mother Ora ham tumed and si2zled because the breakfast dishes had not been removed from the table,
 II was only my hint, dropped as a last resort, that Lillian was question ing Katie concerning the events Of the memorable night when Jim had left us, which finally quioted her Never theless, she fired q grumbling last shot to the effect that Lillian might have waited until the breakfast dishes were done before taking Katie away,
 I had hard work to keep from echolng her irrtahility--not. how ever, from my concern for the kitchen work but because, aside from the in terest l had in Natie's revelation, I was so filled with amazement that my little maid should have chosen I.il- Han instead Of me as the recipient of her momentous confidence, II was an astonishment which, to my self scorn. held distinct traces of piqued resentment. suppose il was q fem mine application of the old saying which deals with a mans being q hero to his valet. l had been wrapped for so long in katie's funny but sincere adoration that it iolted me a little to have her take so important secret to Lillian, ignoring me altogether.
 At the end Of the half hour, Li- lian came in search of me. There was a look upon her face which surprised me, as if she had just undergone some unexpected emotional experience, and there were the distinct traces of tears in her eyes-tears from Lillian, who almost never indulged in them.
 Quieting Mother Graham
 T have sent Katie to her room" she said abruptly. "l knew you wouldn't mind, for she is all in. I told her I'd see to the breakfast dishes-she knew Mother Graham would be on the warpath about them and l must confess I'd like some kind of absorbing work for a little while. I don't know when I've been so stirred by anything-come along to the kitchen-wel get Mother Gra- ham quieted down first-and then I can talk while we work
 We did not need to look long for Mother Graham. She was moving around the kitchen, guarding her ban daged arm from knocking against any thing, and trying with her uninjured hand to pile up the breakfast dishes.
 "Oh, Mother You mustn't do this." exclaimed, genuinely afraid that she might hurt herself.
 Somebody's got to do it." she re- torted tartly, 'and I haven't seen any body else breaking any bones to do it."
 "Now, Mother Graham" Lillian laid,I a privileged and affectonatc hand upon the elder woman's shoulder .Madge and l are just waiting the chance to break our bones out here And we'll promise to rinse every dish properly with hot water, and polish them until we can see our face in them, if you'll only go upstairs and rest"
 My mother-in-law grinned reluc- tantly and glanced at us shrewdly.
 You won't see anything very cheerful she observed acridly, "judg | ing from the looks of both of you now. Where's that ape of girl?"
 Have You Guessed?' !
 q sent her to her room,' Lillian ! said. I've had session with her she lowered her voice portentously- questioning on that business-you understand"
 She might have been the chief | figure in the third act of a nleodrama | in the gravity and emphasis of her words and manner, But Mother Gra-