New Britain herald., 1924-05-05
The Hurry-Up Call Leila Gave Katherine and Madec

II had not been mistaken, Kath- erine was worried about something connected with her nursing of Mrs. Durkee.
 had felt it psychically when I first saw her, although nothing in her calm face or her unruffled de- meanor had betrayed any uneasiness of1spirit So intensely relieved was 4 to ind her concern was pot caused by any dread of the return of Mrs. Durkee's malady. that l answered her lightly.
 i"Nothing else matters. so long as that possibility is discounted
 "Oh, doesn't it?" Katherine sank down on the bed. clasped her hands over her crossed knees and began to rock lightly backward and forward. Slre sign of controversial mood with her. You ought to know by this time that you can be stung to death by ants or mosquitoes just as surely as by cobras, if you stay long though where they can get at you"
 l turned a startled face toward her.
 'sWhat do you mean?" I asked.
 'I don't know what 10 do." she returned slowly. "As far as actual nursing goes. Mrs. Durkee won't need me after his week. Leila can help her dress and undress, and there is nothing else she will re- quire. She ought to go up and down stairs to her meals. and take light exercise. And don't need to tell you that all this has meant horrible ex- pense to Alfred. E
 "of course, Alfred has fine salary" she went on, but that lets him out, and I've seen little things which make me think he's rather up against it. It's crime for me to stay longer than the week, but don't dare leave under the preset circumstances. I'd offer to stay for nothing, only I know what Alfred"
 "Of course," I assented hastily as she paused. and then with a sudden remembrance of Leila's confidence, I added:. T suppose it's the ques- tion of the maid"
 'sDid Leila Tell You?"
 "oh. did Leila tell you?"
 ''She said that you had kept Mrs. Durkee from contact with the sullen goddess of the kitchen, and that if Her Fluffiness would consent to keep away from the homework, the maid could be dismissed and Leila could take the helm"
 That's the situation exactly" Katherine returned. "Housework is just the thing for Leila---now---" she gave me significant glance. | "Bnt--worry-isn't. If her mother in-Iaw would keep out of 1t, Leila could have d wonderful ume--therc are plenty of charwomen to be had 1 for the heavy work. But--you know | Her Fluffiness well enough to know what will happen the minute the maid leaves"
 T know what will happen if she stays" I returned gloomily. Mrs | Durkee will never stand her imper- tinence.''
 T know" Katherine returned. l That's why I'm staying on to keep | of the climax as long as I can. If | only Leila were well. the problem would solve itself. She could stand | the strain of keeping her mother-in- iHW tfVni Nnf NOlhs put ollf icll she's extremely likely to have an- other nervous breakdown if she isn't watched. If only there were some other relative. strong minded and strong armed to step in."
 The Issue Joined
 Mrs. Durkce hasn't even an inc law that I know o." said.
 And you know how long an in- law would last running Mrs. Dur kee's house, don't your Leila could manage if she were well, for her Jaw is extremely fond of her, but just because of that devo- fion she is anxious about Leila, now, and she would visualize herself as things for Leila to do, and then she would begin running around in circles. No. there's nothing for me to do but stick on until my patient is stronger. l could help with the homework If the maid leaves. some thing I expect at any minute-and she was the last one out of captivity, DO the agencies assured us"
 T can sec one thing clearly" I said, smiling. This is no time for