New Britain herald., 1923-12-26
Madgc Called On Mrs. Durkee
 At the Hosnital

"Smarty, Smarty, had a party" Lit
 tie Mrs. Durkee's voice had he
 familiar lifting laugh in ii and
 stopped short halfway between th'
 door and her bed' to stare at her il amazement, Dr. Braithwaite had tolG me the evening before of her wonder ful rally from the operation and after
 his morning call upon her and tcle-
 phoned me that she wished to sec nr-, With my preparations all made for accompanying my sistcr-in-law to the rarm-unable to sleep because of my uncasiuess over the unknown in- truder Of the night before, l had arisen early and worked steadily I had hurried over to the hospital. But even with the expectancy of seeing a eonvalescent instead Of a worn shock shattered patient, I was not prepared for the shining eyed vision which confronted me.
 You're the most colossal fraud l know" I declared emphatically. Don't tell me you're a surgical case. You've simply hypnotized Knth- crime and Dr. Braithwaite--'
 "I wish I could hypnotize him" The adorable little woman whom we call "Her Fluhiness" tried to achieve a sentimental look and sigh then laughed merrily al her failure Isn't he the most adorable thing" she cried. But l think you were mean having a party without me. I just told the doctor so this morning too."
 She shook her heard emphatically, and Katherine, who had been sitting vstchfuily at one side of the room, with only a smile for me, arose and crossed to the bed.
 Katherine Makes It Plain
 Don't you get rambunCtious,' she sad with an HhcCtionate smile hut there was more than a hint Of au- thority in the words, and l saw my little friend start as might restiHe colt at a touch of restraint.
 Goodness gracious, Katherine" ,he exclaimed. don't you go 10 put. ting on any trained nurse authority with me. I've known you too long. And I wasn't doing anything ,"
 No Of course you weren't" Katherine replied smiling mischiev. ously down at her. But see that you don't move quickly like that again"
 What will you do if l doF" Mrs. Durkee asked with n gamin-like im- pudent smile at her.
 "Tell Dr. BraithNpite he must get another nurse" The smile was still on Katherine's lips, but there was that in her voice and eyes which told she meant exactly what she said, and which evidently penetrated our little friends volatile mental processes, for into her blue eyes there flushed a look like that of n frightened child.
 "oh Katherine, l WILL be good, she said contriteiy. "Dnly don't leave me. should die If l had a strange one"
 Katherine stopped and kissed her tenderly. You won't have 10 order tho flowers today. Madge," she said over her shoulder, 'Ill keep a strange one out. Now you mag talk threc minutes more, and then you must make your adieux."
 cemprehended the anxiety be- hind Katherine's ultimatum and realized that wilful little Mrs. Durkee in her childlike excitement would tax her own strength beyond endurance were sine permitted 10 do 20. was suddenly glad that [ had decided 10 go to the farm, for if I we're within reach, she would wish to sec me often and talk herself into exhaustion at every visit The Promise to Write
 What a pretty room you have " {. l struck into the first innocuous scn- | lence I could seize.
 "Yes. it is. But how's Leila' ! Alfred said she had one of her head . lches over at tho hotnl and couldn't ! some over" Katheriuc's swift warm ] Ing gesture had kept me silent until ! Inc end of her patients little speech, | 10 that I was saved betraying Co her | he exciting fact that her daughter | n-law WAS in another room Of the 1 hospital recovering from nervous ! not serious. requiring only wo or three days rest. but which iurely would alarm her mothsr-in-law ,houid she hear Of it.