New Britain herald., 1923-12-17
How Nadgc and Dicky Got Ready For the I,yrnino


 Dicky stared at my comment that perhaps l believed in absent treat ment also. Then he turned away huffily, all his good humor gone.
 ''As you wish,'' he said loftily, and my treacherous impulses urged mo 10 revoke my promise to Harriet and tell my husband that l would net go to the farm. But the remembrance Of the look of recognition which had been in Mollie Fawcett's eyes at her meeting with him in the hall, when so far as my knowledge went she never had seen him before, was like a strip of whalehone inserted into the corSage of my detcrmina- ton, and l made him no answer whatever, but going to the ward robe took down from its hanger the gown I had decided to wear.
 The Best Answer
 "lf you can wait five minutes I'll be out of here Dicky said cross ly, but ] know by experience what his five minutes meant, and l calmly went on taking all my requisites for dressing from wardrobe and bureau,
 "Fll be through with my shower in five minutes" ! said as l left the room, my arms filled with my be- lonGings, and then I'll dress in the front room so you can have clear field"
 Tied 10 the stake with the flames just tapping your toes, aren't you?" he sneered with the old familiar taunt,
 Aren't you ever going to learn new simile?" l sighed elaborately. Really, ] have heard this one so many times"
 'Its a wonder you wouldn't profit by the hearing" ncky retortcd. But you go on making bany martyr of yourself just thr same l notice, however, that you grab tho shower first"
 l have seen the time in my carly married life when l would have wept bitter tears at his sncering. My first: impulse was to make him an angry retorL but experience had taught me trick Infinitely more effective.
 Naturally" I laughed. wishing Co finish my dressing sometime this evening, You are SUCH n slow poke. Dicky dear'
 l made an airy exit. apparently unruffled by the angry exclamation which Dlcky sent after mo. But when. after finishing my shower, md donnins lingerie. evening hose and dancing pumps, l slipped on gaa .1 eomblng before the mantel mirror in the living room. l found my fingers trembling so that conid hardly hold the comb
 Tor memories had flashed upon me Of other times when Diclty had been royalty good-hnmored over get ting ready 10 go out for the evening when he had insisted upon putting on my slippers and had more than once upset n carefully urrangod eoiifure by an' eNtrayagantly admir- ing hug, Sometimes ] had been al- most impatient with him for his boyish oXuberance. but I confessed shameiacedly to myself that l would give much could l hear him rush. ing into the room with a slangy praising comment Of my appearance and feel his hands upon my shoul- ders, twisting me around for an approving inspection of my costume.
 same old Dicks There was too wide gulf between US just now, however, for such care- less bridging. and l steeled my heart and nerves 10 the callousnoss I had determined to affect When | had finished my dressing 10 the last de- tail, l spread my evening coat over the davenport, laid upon it an cm. broidered scarf, mouehoir and my long gloves and then sat down to wait for Dicky 10 complete his | toilet. He was So long about it. however ] that l guessed he was indulging in ! one Of his most provoking tricks that of stopping his dressing 10 lie | down and read something which had l