New Britain herald., 1922-04-25
The "Fcw Words" Graham Had 10
 Say to Nadgc.

44aH '' r'i"'-''
 Luncheon was all that Katie had promised it would he. Perfectly cooked, perfectly served, 1t was q meal to delight the palate Of an cpl cure To normally hungry man such as Tom Chester 1t was a deight so patent that Lillian and I smiled maternally at each other when at our urging he nearly fulfilled Katic's prophecy of the tree, four plates" Of chicken and hNings,
 "I am really ashamed of myself. Mrs. Graham" he said l'eyishly, when katics culinary cimaN, the short cake Of cverbearing strawberries had vanished, But have been out in the open air ever since my carly breakfast. and everything is so good if tastes as my mothers cooking used to taste"
 There was little catch in his voice, quickly smothcrcd, which told us, if we had not before known the fact from village chatter. that Tom Chester's mother had stopped cooking for her beloved boy and had been laid to rest in the quaint old churehyard on the hill And no woman who is mother needs to be told that sud- denly found a lump in my own throat as visualized the possibility of my own little lad, grown up, mothorless and missing me,
 Don't apologize for giving the cook so perfect tribute" l said gay ly, to hide the emotion which his reference had brought to me. "You'll learn when you set up housckeepine for yourself that nothing so distrosses a hostess as the posscssor Of a tinicky appetite
 I'm afraid III never be lucky enough to get hostess who can plan dinner like this" he answered with a diffdent little laugh. His honest, boyish eyes pointed his mean ing.
 "If You're Surc--''
 saw Lillian smile as if inyoluntar- fly to herself. and then l saw some, thing else, also-iny mother-i in-laws glare of disapproval. not at young MT. Chester, but at me.
 It was as if shadow had fallen across my pleasant luncheon table, taking away all the enjoyment had felt in entertaining the yolth who had rendered us so signal a ice. l felt chilled, sef-conscious, and found my self actually flushing in wretchcd em- barrassed fashion, as l tried to an swer Mr. Chesters innocent sally.
 "Thank VOL" l bngan, and was grateful indeed when Lillian atrrck in -I was sure with intention saving me the necessity of further speech.
 'I'm sorry to have to give my weIl-knoNn imitation of Simon l. e. gree cracking his whip she said, but if you're positively sure, Mr. Chester, that you cant swallow another mor- sel-" she pushed back her chair
 He took the hint. rose with her. and with thoughtful courtesy pulled back my chair for nc he was seated next me-and bent over Mother Ora ham.
 Thank you. young man." she said grimly, with q chilliness of manner that l think quite astonished our guest, but | think l shall stay righ, here for little bit I want another cut of tea. Margaret, Mrs. Under wood doesn't need you, and I've go, something to say to you.'
 MadGc Is Apprchcnsiyc.
 Behind her back Lillian flashed me an understanding commserating look.
 But l do need her, Mother Ora 1 ham-badly,' she said. although l don't need her for few minutes. You won't haze to keep her longer than ten minutes, will you?"
 "What have to say won't take three" my mother-in-la retorted tartly, and with a patently- puzzled face, and a courteous boyish bow, Tom Chester escorted Lillian out of the room. Marion had been given luncn- con with Junior at q little table on the veranda, the mode Of eating which most delights her, so that my mother-in Jaw and I were left alone. I felt little shivcr of apprehension go over me, for I felt it lin my bones," as Katie says that she was going to he especially dsagreeabe
 She did not leave me long in doubt. Putting Up her lorsnette, she sur yeyed me grimly for d long minuur, then lowered it to say caustiCally:
 T didn't know but you were sick ening of brain fever or something, but