New Britain herald., 1923-07-03
The Problems Mother Graham Brought Up to Puzzle Madgc

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 Katherine and I had little time after all to enjoy the surprise" whicf Katie had painstakingly prepared al the chief de-oeuvre of my first lunch con at home.
 It turned out to be special kino ] of omelet, one of her best culinary achievements, but Mother Graham kept a watchful eye on us, plain ly berudging every second which kept Katie away from the house. cleaning plans engendered by the news of the Braithwaites' probable visit to us Under her grim scrutiny. we fairly bolted our meal, and when we had finished she had an errand ready for me.
 T see you have the car out" she said in tones that indicated my pro- per location to be in front of a firing house half an hour before you went gallivanting out in it. But you can make yourself useful at that. l want you to stop at Mrs Ticer's and see if she and Celia can come over and clean woodwork and windows. Good ness knows, I hate to have 'em around deliver me from lady helpers--but they're good cleaners, and I can stand 'em for that long"
 You won't be able to get Celia" :" Katherine said quietly. T saw her at the hospital this morning"
 Not i'll, surely?" I asked con- cernedly, for bright-faced, capable Celia is a favorite of mine.
 "Oh, no, indeed But one of the cooks is i'll, and Celia is taking her place until she recovers."
 Madge Makes Mistake
 If that isn't just like the Iicers!" my mother -in-law declared angrily They're the worst family to stay put ever saw in my life. I never want ed 'em yet but what they were at the other end of nowhere
 T resisted the impulse to tell her that unless she employed the family on a steady salary she could not ex- pect them to hold themselves ready for her possible needs. It would lave had no effect if I had uttered the comment. My mother-in-law's subconscious attitude toward an em- ploye is that of the old slave owners, and she is too old and too set in her ways to attempt to change it. But 1t occasions me many embarrassing mo- ments.
 T intended going to the Ticers, anyway" I said, and I am afraid my tone betrayed my resentment at her comment upon my 'gallivanting." "Katherine wishes to take her uni forms down to Mrs. Ticer to be laun- dered--a rush order, of course"
 I should have known better than to mention any other work for Mrs. Ttcer than that which Mother Gra- ham had planned. I knew it the in- stant the words left my lips-knew it by my mother-in- Jaws stiffened figure and narrowed eyes. knew it also by Katherine's quick. frantic signal from behind the older woman's august back.
 ''Why, Mother !"
 Why, of course?" Mother Graham asked icily. Are you summoned to . case? 2" She whrled on Katherine.
 I stepped into the breach promptly. Why Mother :" I exclaimed as if in astonishment. Who else would take care of Mrs. Durkee? She sent an especial request that Katherine should come to her if the surgeons found an operation were necessary"
 "Oh, I see !' Mother Graham said x1 | upon Katherine's face, and there was that in her voice which brought glint to my friends eyes, although she betrayed in no other way that she understood the touch Of malice in the | older woman's words
 But I, who knew from experience what hateful absurdities Mother Ora ham could utter if her anger were aroused, tried to hasten our depar- ture. I knew what had reused her anger. It was the idea that Mrs. Ticer might presume to put Rather ines work before hers.
 Wed better hurry" said brisk ly. If I know Mrs. Ticer, she'll have these uniforms on the line in no time, and be up here ready for work while they're drying" !
 But Mother Graham was not to be placated so easily, The Ancient Mari ner himself could not have exhibited a more glittering eye than that which she fixed Katherine.
 Has Dr. Braithwaite been con- suited about this-arrangement? ?" she asked icily.