New Britain herald., 1924-01-26
Lillian Dropped a Disquieting
 Hint fO MadgG


 Harriet Braithwaite stared at her husband as If she could rot believe the evidence of her own ears. Then, with little choksd cry of ."Oh, you. too, Edwin '" she turned and hurried out of the room, and a few seconds later the emphatic closing of her own door told us that she had shut her self in her room.
 I think the rest of us were as as- tonished as she at Dr. Braithwaite's s suddenly revealed lack Of enthusi- asm for his wife's project of adopt ing the orphaned children of her dead sister. We had so taken for granted that the childless man, whose longing for children we all had known, would jump at this seem- ingly Heaven-sent opportunity that his reluctance where we had ex- pected eagerness left us gasping.
 Mother Graham was the first to speak after her daughter had rushed out of the room. But I noticed that her voice when she addressed her son-in-law was not so assured as it had been. Evidently his unexpected attitude was a blow to her plans which left her at a bit of a loss. Characteristical1y however, she gave TO hint of her feeling in her words.
 I'm glad you have some sense, Edwin" she said, glancing doubt fully at him, however. And you'll be able to bring Harriet to hers. Surely you see that the only logical place for those children is here with me-"
 Her face contradicted her words, and asked mutely for negative re- ply. But the big surgeons assent was quick and emphatic.
 Dr. Braithwaitc Agrees
 Why, of course. Mother." he said heartily. 'I confess l hadn't thought of 1t before. but now that you've shown us your wishes so clearly, there's nothing else to bo thought of. You'll have to leave Harriet to me. though. imagine she'll be little difficult at first. for she has quite set her heart on having the children. But I can bring her round to your way Of thinking, 1 am. sure"
 It takes woman 10 be success full liar. At least very few men succeed in deceiying any but the morons Of the feminine sex. Dicky's face still mirrored his astonishment at his brother-in-law's unexpected att titudc, but as Dr. Braithwaite talked, saw his mother-ln-law start and look at him shrewdly, and l saw in Lil- Hans amused eyes the reflection of the conviction which had just come to me, that the big surgeon not only had fathomed his mother-in-law's rise, but meant to abet her scheme in every possible way.
 I wondered. as I looked at my brothor-in-law's face. which never had lost certain hint of boyish- ness, and at his eyes. in which tho indefinable, wistfnl searching look had changed to joyful eagernoss, If he was not glad of the opportunity his mother-in-law had given him to make certain his chance of keeping the children so tragically thrown in his way He knew his wife better than anyone else, knew that oppo. sitlon would make her 80 determined to take the children that never in the years 10 come. when she should have time to regret the step. would she yield to the regretting for very shame at the remembrance of her obstinacy.
 I.iIlian's Point Of View
 Lillian turned an interesting side light upon the whole proposition at our first moment alone together.
 Depend upon it. that man knows what she's doing" she sald "If he | doesn't get his wife to believing that | he and everybody else are against | her in this proposition, he'll have | his own troubles in the years q to ! come"
 You mean that she'll get tired of l taking care of them?'
 Iiliian looked at me a bit impa- tic ly.
 Gou usually aren't so obtuse," 1 sf said No, 1 don't mean that at l all. Tn. free to confess. I don't like | your sister-in-law. as you very well | know. but 1 hope I'm just enough | to give her her due, and whatever i other faults she may have. laziness is not one Of them. Neither Is a of responsibility. No, I hon.