New Britain herald., 1922-02-02

1 husband would raise cain at the way she's been acting lately. But, for all that-look here, Margaret haven't you a tongue in your head? Did Jim tell you he was going 10 leave Katie for good?"
 Not exactly" I returned. thankful. indeed. that my promise to Jim con- corning his plans extended only to Katie could confirm Mother Gra- hams guess with conscience all the clearer for the opportunity it gave mo to warn her against saying anything to Katie about Jim's departure. wanted to deal with my little maid on that question by myself.
 Not exactly she mimicked. What sort of an answer is that? Now, don't you come any of your high-and- . mighty airs with me, Margaret for won't have it. have right to know what is going on in this house, and if you cant tell me I'll go straight to Katie and get it out Of her"
 She started to the door, her head held high. That she would make good her threat l well knew, and l returned Lillians wink of understand . ing commiseration with wry grin, as l followed her and put restrain ing hand upon her arm.
 'I haven't the slightest intention of keeping anything from you, Mother. Come into the library and I'll tell you what Jim said"
 l made the mental reeervation, as I followed Dickys modified mother from Che kitchen, that l had not promised to tell her all Jim had said, and l carefully censored my report of the conversation as I repeated it to Mother Graham. But it satisfied her curiosity. and provided her with a new grievance-always good thing to give her when she is especially rampageous--in the proposed substi- tuition of Jerry Ticer for Jim in the doing of the farm chores.
 Madge is Kept Busy.
 Jerry Ticer '" she ejaculated Jerry Ticer Well, I might as we'll put in the order for my coffin now, for l know that boy will worry me into my grave. Why, that eternal yes, ma am of his makes me feel like throwing the poker at him And I know he'll forget every single soli- tary thing tell him to do"
 I mentally agreed with her, for the redoubtable Jerry, although one of the most obliging lads in the world, and a good faithful worker, of whom even Mother Graham ap- proves in her good -natured moments, has a most wretched memory. But I always get around that deficiency of Jerry's by checking each order give him with a similar request to his mother. And as Mrs. Ticer could give cards and spades to anWmemory teacher, I always feel secure about any tasks l may lay upon Jerry's willing shoulders.
 | l knew that Mother Graham would forget all about Katie in her con- temptation of Jerry Ticers deticien- cies, and I encouraged her. in mon- ologue upon the boy until she ran down for want of words, and re- membered that she ought to make an inspection of Richard Second and the other sleeping children.
 If you'll sit up to let Richard and Elizabeth in" she said, yawning, T believe I'll go to bed. I'm fright fully tired.'
 "Of course" acquiesced, but I looked at Lillian ruefully when my motherin-law finally left us.
 will this day never end?" I asked. with every nerve and muscle remind ling me that l had risen at dawn, had driven over a hundred miles, and had i just experience one of the most i strenuous hours of my fife.
 'Ies,' smiled Lillian, looking at her watch, fin an hour and a quarter more. And we'll have just about time before Dicky and his sister get her to take the wheels of tonight's happen lngs apart and see if we can find out what makes them go round"