New Britain herald., 1923-06-18
The Welcome M4llEs Get From Katie aad Neither Graham

As my iaNioah turned into the faTm' yard gate. I sFaRed my neck to see fl any of my family weEe outside,
 The sounds of an sK in The Noe1lei north of the house told me ef Jim's sndeayeF 10 keep up with Mother Grahamas unsuitable demand for wood for the fireplace, aggravated now ny the most iisgFaeefnl dallianee Rf win ter with spring which the world had seen for many years,
 There was no sign 0f any one else outside the house, but as inc iaAir driver held open the door af the car for me to allghi. The side hall daer flew open and Katie tumhled, rather than ran, down the steps, and grabbed my shoulders with eager hands
 "oh, Mitsis Graham My Missis Graham, you coon home You saom home 10 Katie !" she earoled. and then with a quick movement re. lease me and turned to the doorway,
 "coom. ha-bee. see Here's Ma. ma :" she called. and caught my first glimpse of my small son run. HiHk tufnNkH NfAN AAnsA td tAN NENA door. calling delishtedly;
 Mama come here, Mama come home"
 But before he had reached it my mother-in.law's majestic hgure loomed large in the hall. and with a swift. effective movement. she collared him by the neck of his romper and |, held him firmly. while she called i'm. 1 peratively:
 A Grim Reproof
 Come in here quickly. and shut that door. This child has cold al- ready, and he's likely 10 catch his death with this fool performance"
 was not particularly alarmed by the announcement of Juniors cold. for I know my mother-in-a little ways. When she Is particularly dis pleased at anything. and is prevented by the proprieties from disclosing the source of her rancor. she is always able to find some appropriate pretext for resentment.
 That she strongly disapproved of Katie's hystericai welcome to me, well knew. and guessed that when the girl was out of hearing I would lis- ten to recital of her disapproval in several volumes of many chapters each. Pending that hectic time. I was curious to see just what discipline she would mete out to me for my lit- tie maids effusive welcome.
 I had not long to wait. for when with a cordial greeting 10 her, I ctn Int ha nd fn pick up my little boy. she swept him behind her with superb gesture. and faced me with grim, critical face.
 Margaret, are you crazy to kiss and embrace this child without first changing your outer clothing, and washing your face and hands7 How do you know what infection you may have brought from the city? Besides, you're cold. You ought to get thor oughly warm before taking him."
 "Play Lots?"
 There was just enough truth in her words to make me flush painfully with a sense of guilt. Usually I, too. take the precautions she had named. But even as I prepared to obey her I wondered grimly whether she wouldn't have forgotten some of her precautions if Dicky, not l, had been the unexpected visitor.
 It took all the grace I had to speak in conciliatory fashion to her, but I finally managed 1t.
 You are perfectly right, Mother" said. as I made my way to the stairs, Juniors disappointed little wall tugging at my heartstrings. Be good boy. Junior" tossed back at him encouragingly. Mother will be right down. and we'll play"
 Plays lots?" he demanded. drying his tears. And lots of lovings?"
 choked bit as the familiar It, lie request doated up to me. Lots of ovings," is the quaint phrase which Junior gives to a cuddle in my arm, o with it's accompaniment of caresses il