New Britain herald., 1924-05-12
The Wa Katherine Promised to
 fave the Day

am sssa Leila Durkee did not realize the joyous secret relief voiced in her tremulous question to her sis ter She and her husbands mother have been unusually close friends, and that she has a sincere affection for the elder woman no one who knows them can doubt. But there was q distinct mother-in-law complex in the tone of voice with which she inter- preted her sisters crisp queries to Katherine concerning Mother Dur kees ability to take a twenty-four hour railway journey.
 Edith slipped her arm around Leila before she answered, and l was sure that she pressed the young CT woman's shoulder with a caution ary signal.
 "I mean just that" she said. "What could be better? Aunt Dora is lonesome in that big house, and those old colored servants of hers need something more to do. North Carolina will be exquisite in a few more days, for spring already has come down there. Can't you imagine what a wonderful time Mother Dur kee and Aunt Dora will have on the yerandas and in the grounds gossip ing happily over everything in the world? And there'll be no chance of your mother-in-law's bronchial trOu- ble returning as it might mp here"
 "And-and---" Leila's brown eyes were fixed on her sisters. does that mean you will stay up hore with me while sho is gone?"
 Leila is Nearly Hysterieal
 Edlth's white throat constricted, and I knew that she had gulpcd back a sob. But her voice was steady.
 "of course, Kitten, what else should I mean?" she demanded. Unless, of course" with a note of raillery which I saw was the key for the rest of lis, ''you prefer Lucy. I'm not the most perfect housekceper ih the world, you know. Remember how Aunt Dora used to lecture me upon the duties of house mistress?
 Bnt Leila for the moment was be- yond railery. She was clinging to hers ister, laughing and crying at once.
 "Oh, Edie. Edie :" she hreathod. .Just to have you again, just the two of us, while Alfred is down town, to be together as we used to he. all by ourselves--l.--I.--won mind-after- ward--but just at first, l need you so '"
 Katherine and I were standing close to the sisters, and we barely caught the murmured words. Dicky across the room. heard them not at all, but with our common knowl- edge that Leilas emotion might cas- fly become hystcria, he interrupted with characteristic drawl.
 Believe mo, Ede, Lcila's a better sport than I'd be, 10 trust herself to your cooking. Remember that choco- late cake you tried 10 make?"
 "Iea,e Her to Mo"
 Tho recollection evidently was n vivid and mirth-proyoking one, for Leila giggled, naturally instead of hysterically, and Edith's lips twitch- ed. Psychically, l knew that she would have given much to sec my face herself unobserved, for this memory of ludicrous experience was one I had not shared, one of which l never had heard. But her poise was undisturbed as she answered:
 If you ever refused anything in the line Of cake, Dicky-bird--or in- deed, any other eats--I don't rcmem- Der it, do you, Madge?"
 II must have cost her an effort 10 bring me thus into the discussion, remembering, as she must what lay between us in the past. And recognizing the sportsmanship be- hind her words, snatched at her cue.