New Britain herald., 1923-12-12
Nadge Made Plain Course Harriet
 should Adopt

I was not prepared for Harriets furious and suspicious query as to the source of my comment upon her too assiduous care of her brilliant husband. Like many other people, l had been so absorbed in making my point that I unconsciously had em- hroidered my conversational fabric. My own observations, supplemented by Lillian's and bolstered by things Dicky and his mother had said con- cerning Harriet's sheltering of the eminent surgeon from all annoyance, had been responsible for my stric- lures. But of my own knowledge I did not know that he was known as .'the man who cant get along without his wife at every step and I was abashed at her anger, although l did not let her guess my feeling.
 That l cannot tell you," l said gravely, with the mental comment that at least l was speaking the truth now, but you may be very sure of one thing, I did not hear it from Katherine. Forgive me, Harriet. if l have been too abrupt. l wanted only to help you"
 l think she heard nothing at first but my assurance concerning kath- crime. The anger died from her face, and she sank into her chair, her eyes fixed upon tho fiickering flames in the grate. As for me, I sat tensely silent, not daring to speak, wondering if l had destroyed my chance of helping her.
 Futile-Eyen Harmful
 When she looked up at me at last, every yeetige of fury had died from her eyes, but there was in them the anguish---than which there is none more poignaut-of the dis Covery that d carefully charted course of toll and sacrifice which one has followed through the years has been futile, even harmful.
 "You=-have-helped me" she said duly. Tt is only what have glimpsed myself many times, but l always have pushed the thought away, because Edwin seemed to need me so. He really did, Mar garrett" her face was abjectly pitiful lost without me-"
 How l longed at that minute to put into her arms child, near enough in kinship to have right 10 her love. yet sorrowfnl, neglected, needing swift and unremittinE care and lavish affection. l saw clearly enough that it was the thwarted maternal instinct of the woman who through 8 mistaken ideal had sacri- feed motherhood to her husbands career which had led her to such un- necessary shielding of her husband from all contact with the rough edges of life. Children in her home but that was impossible, and as the vision of them for her faded from my eyes l rose from my chair. and taking her hands, pulled her to her feet, facing me.
 The Truth iS Told
 Look here, Harriet I said roughly you arc jumping from hot but tenabe frying pan into fire which will shrivel you in an in. stant Edwin does need you, always has always will. Don't run awpy with the iHa that your course has been absolutely wrong. It's only that there has been too much Of it. There is no doubt that you have helped him materially. and ho IS lest without you. What ] am tell. ing you is only that you should acc custom him gradually to rely more upon himself for the little details Of life. Don't take it so seriously. Go down to the farm and put Edwin and everybody else save yourself out of your mind for awhile. Your mother won't give you time to think of Edwin or your duties, she will be so busy talking, and | will make