New Britain herald., 1922-04-17
The Way Madge Managed to soothe
 Mother Graham.


 I did not wait for further argument from my irascible mother-in-law, but sped to the Kitchen bent on soothing Katie.
 l guessed that the meekness the girl had displayed under Mother Gra' hams stingng and undeserved re- buke had been artificial and main. tained because Of her sympathy for the older woman's broken arm and her very lively remembrance of the experience she had undergone during her absence from us, That my guess founded upon ong experience Of my little maids tempestuous moods, was a true one l saw when I entered the kitchen. For Katie stood with her arms flung out over the refrigerator sobbing stormily. while the scent of scorching toast came to my nostris,
 I dashed to the stove, pulled the toaster away from the flame hoping devoutly that Mother Graham's un- usually keen ofactory nerves would be off duty for a few seconds. Then without appearing to notice Katie, ]  toasted 1t in the fashion Mother Ora ham likes best, and spread 1t daintily with butter. was starting for the dining room with it when Katie flung herself upon me.
 Madge Contrivcs Well.
 "Oh '" she walled T no want you to do my work r."
 Don't make me spill this toast" said practically. "Bathe your face while I take this in, and then sit down and get calm. I want you to do something for me"
 I did not wait for her obedience it is generally wise. I have found, to give Katie time for a second thought but hurried on to the dining room and put the toast before my mother in-law, who sniffed as she looked at the covered dish containing it.
 You needn't trouble yourself to bring me any toast that has been scraped off after burning" she said tartly. making no attempt to lift the cover of the dish.
 T haven't" I returned laconically. This toast isn't burned"
 How dare you stand there and tell me anything like that |" she snapped. 'I distinctly smelled it burning"
 My sympathy with Katie had been steadily rising since I entered the room, and if my other-in-law had been well l am afraid I should have answered her in distinctly irritated and disrespectful fashion. But the lines of pain etched in her face dis armed me, even as they had Katie. and only laughed lightly in reply as l lifted the cover of the dish and waved my hand eayly over it.
 Dot Very Nice
 If you can see a speck of char on that piece of toast I'll give you a dollar" I said. There was piece of toast burning, but it was one Katie had put on. I threw that away and toasted this"
 She put up her lorgnette and in spected the toast as if it were some new species of animal discovered by a scientist. I knew that the action was, in Dicky's parlance, "a stall' meant to give her time to change front on the toast question.
 T might have known better than to ask that ape of girl to make a piece of toast" she said at last. keeping her voice discreetly lowered, however. '"This looks all right-mieht be a tri1e browner-it will do, though. But knew I wasn't mistaken about smelling that toast burning I may be losing control of my mental faculties but there's nothing the matter with my nose as yet"
 I repressed with difficulty the re- tort that her tongue appeared also 10 be in splendid condition, instead I made a placating suggestion.
 Wouldn't you like another cup Of coffee?" I asked ingratiatingly.
 Why believe I would" she answered. and I hastened to bring it. Then I slipped away again unob- summon me no more. and that I was free to turn my attention to Katie.
 She was sitting in q chair near the sink dabbng at her eyes with wet towel, evidently determined 10 follow my instructions 10 the letter. I took the towel from her. gently then turned her face toward me.
 You mustn't mind Mother Ora ham, Katie" l said firmly. You know she doesn't mean a word she says, and she likes you very much in deed"
 Katie looked at me shrewdly. her eyes beginning to twinkle
 Dot very nice" she said, but wonder me vot she do to me eef she