New Britain herald., 1923-07-02
The Way nIadgc Speedily Won Her
 Battle With Katie

, Battle With Katie
 Tn the course of long and necessar- fly close study of Katie's tempera- znent I have learned two things to which she invariably reacts with en- thusiasm, no matter what the state of her mind when she receives them.
 One is the prospect of excitement of any kind. The other is an appeal for aid. I also have learned the fu- tility of trying to gloss over Mother Grahams aggravatng treatment of \ her. although l think Katie, in her calm moments, realizes that my moth- er-in-law's seeming resentm ent against her is but a sagnifcent ges- ture of discipline which the older woman has now neither strength nor opportunity to wield.
 Armed with these weapons, I had my offensive arranged, even as I closed the kitchen door after mo, and released my grasp upon the girls tense arm. I must give her no time to reflect further upon the familiar but offensive epithet, Ape of girl" which was sure she had heard 4 MotHeT dTdHdH utleF DuI HllHute before.
 T know you heard Mother Gra- ham. Katie" I began rapidly before she could speak. And I don't blame you for being angry, butt hurried my words as I saw Katie snatch at her apron and throw it over her head, her inyariable prelude to an hysteri cal outburst of tears--"but-I wish you would pass it over just this once more. at least until I know whether Mrs. Durkee is going to live or not"
 Dot Big Doctor?"
 The shaking apron stretched itself into tense quiet, and then, after a sec ond's pause. came down with an em- phatic jerk. Katies eyes, blinking with the first tears of her arrested brain storm, looked with wide, curi- 1 ous interest into mine.
 ''Vot dat you say?" she queried ex- citedly 'Missis Durkee. she die?"
 T don't know" l returned, my heart heavy with the knowledge that was speaking only the truth. But she is ill, and must go to a hospital for possible operation"
 Den she die all right" Katie com- mented, with the pessimism of her kind toward hospitals. "Oh, dot poor, sweet Missis Durkee, and she so goot! | tell you feel awful bad by her"
 Genuine grief showed through her grotesque phrasng, and I hastened to reassure her with the hope which had frightened my own heart.
 T am very sure she will be all right, Katie,' I said. ''I have just wired Dr. Braithwate, MT. Grallam's brother-in-law, asking him to oper- ate. and am awaiting a reply from him."
 Katie's eyes opened wider than ever. N
 Dot big doctor vot vas in var und get sooch nice medals?" she demand ed excitediy.
 Sfadge Is Relieved I'
 ''The same doctor" I returned, smiling at her chidlke enthusiasm. and remembering her hero worship of my famous brother-in-law when he had visited us before
 "Oh-h :" she enrolled ioyously. "Eef dot doctor coon. den Missis Durkee she live all right. Say "-a brand new thought evidently had assailed her, and I fairly could see it rambling through her brain cels-"Eef dot beeg Doctor Braithwaite coon on , here, he will coon to house. not?"
 l seized the opportunity. N" Yes, Katie, that is why I wanted to get you into the kitchen so quick ( N. Both Dr. Braithwaite and his wife $ will make a visit here in all prob- , duality. And you know how excited Mother Graham gets at the prospect of visitors. She hasn't seen her daugh- ter and son-in-law in a long time, and V she is so happily upset over it that a she doesn't know just what she is ss-ying or doing. You mustn't mind her.
 T no see how eet make her happy ss Q call me bad name," Katie answered ' ,ullenly. Nor do I, Katie" I acquiesced z heartily and truthfully, but with low Toice and wary eye for my doughty = nother-in-law's probable approach. But you ought to know by this time hat she doesn't mean a word of what he says. It's just bad habit"
 You spank babee's legs met leetle