New Britain herald., 1923-10-03
Jh< .De.l- Maass Made Win 'he
 Jsnilas,s Wife

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 Al my proposal to rent the gas stove ef my isHltoF's wife for The rrepsrstieH of a dinner, Mrs, eehsartss faded eyes looked quickly, pessessiysly at her glsamlng stove, while into them sprans threading protective laak.
 it was almost the glance fearful mother gives her child when sending ii away from her for the first time,
 have seen enough of inc effect af ioneliness on a certain type Of femi- ninity 10 know that in Mrs sehwartz's case. The term household gods" as applied 10 furnishings was not misnomer, She had indeed deliied her homsly possessions. and paid them the worship of constant care, Her children, long since married and gone. ihe friends of her younger days sep- arafed from her by many leagues, she had no other interests than her hus- band and her belongings.
 Vat Do ymu Nant to BaLe?"
 Her eyes came hack from her stove and rested on me speeulatiyely. Was ! careiess7 Would scratch the nickel or do other damage? The questions were as clear 10 me as if she had spoken them.
 'I will he very. very careful" pleaded. T never saw SO niceiy-kept . stove. but 1 am sure 1 will not hurt iA"
 "oh. am not worrying about that !" she said with the quick dis stimulation Of her type. "i was Just wondering how much l could help yon If kent sitting down. Your hands don't look used to work"
 But they are" l protested quick ly. don't mean that l do house. work all the time, for I have a maid at home. But here in the city l am doing all my own cooking. However, do take very good care of my hands. But you must not try to help me; unless you could keep an eye on the oven after the things are in, for fear l might be few minutes late in coming down 10 see to them That is all. however. I will prepare all the things up in my kitchen. and bring them down here ready to pop into the oven. You haven't told me yet how much l am to pay you"
 You will pay me notings," she said firmly "only schust vat the gas comes to. I have dot over all figured out to penny. vot it costs an hour. Und dot iss all I want. For the rest, you are very welcome. Und you need not run down here to watch your tings. can do nothings else today, but sit here, and l can watch your stuff. It will give me something's to do."
 That-in Dicky's slangy parlance- she was sold" on the proposition to font her gas stove. was plainly to be seen, and I experienced an absurd lit- tie triumphant thrill at my victory.
 Vat do you want to bake?" she asked. Pies? A roast? Have you pans up there?"
 An Instant Decision
 NO. I haven't" I confessed, an- ewering the last question first. And l haven't decided yet just what I am going to have for dinner. must see what the markets have first. But know I shall need an oven. can buy what pans I need. however"
 But that is unnecessary" she pro- tested, horror of waste echoing in her voice You have all those already at home, I am sure, and I have them all here, and you are welcome to use them'' l,
 You are too kind" expostuated, and indeed l was touched at her re- sponse to my request, for could see pathetic enthusiasm in my project reflected in her face, That she was already dramatizing it. enjoying it as another woman might play could see and l finished my sentence in different words than had planned.
 And shall be very glad to use your pans" l said. Now I want your advice. Where is the best place to get fresh roasting chickens?
 For had remembered suddenly that Dr. Edwin Braithwaite had once praised roast chicken dinner of mine most unctuously, and had eaten of 1t with enthusiasm. His wife had been less effusive, but she plainly had enjoyed the dinner, while Lillian and Marion-how well | remembered I.il-. Hans frequent comment that in their love for chicken, she and her daugh- ter outrival the plantation darkies of the south. Roast chicken would be