New Britain herald., 1924-01-11
Dkcky Promised When Lillian Cracked the Whip

Cracked the Whip
 Lillian gave an extra curl of the whiplash to her last words, and |, standing near her and listening tense ly to her telephone conversation, was not surprised after an instants inter val to see her lips relax into satis- fled smile. It told me that Dicky had eapitulated, and would carry out his nother's wishes.
 All right is right she said. and l could ina zine Dicky's impa- tient reiteration of the phrase, when he finally felt compelled' to yield his objections 10 having the will drawn up which his mother wished William Harrison to have an op- portunity to sign before he died,
 Please keep us advised Of condi- tions as often as you can, on your mothers account" she went on. and khen with a quick glance at me. she added, Yes Madge is right here
 She handed me the receiver and I took 1t with a reluctance and feeling of pique that l would not have had succeeded in conquerins Dicky's temperamental objections to his mothers plan where I had failed, and although was heartily glad of her success, because l could see the necessity and the wisdom of the scheme Mother Graham had pro posed, yet there was a pricking barb for my vanity in the knowledge that my husband had yielded to her in sistance instead of mine.
 Msdge Is Modified
 Whether Dicky realized this or not, l do not know. but there was balm for me in the explosive irrta- ton of his greeting when, l had spoken the simple words. Is there anything you want me to do?"
 "Yes, there Is. Take LII out and boil her in oil, You've got crust, sicking her on to me about that will thing. when you know she's got ten bull pups tied to the mast for stub bornness and persistence. I suppose you felt you didn't have the strength to wear me down yourself, although you knew 1t was only q matter of time, so you turned the job over to her. Oh. I'm going to go thruogh with 1t, now that I've promised m no welsher-but you two know-it- alls will ind out before you get through that this Is about the cra2i- est thing you've ever tried to put over.
 Advise the precious child to roll hts hoop" Lillian whispered, and l translated the phrase in as concilia- | tory fashion as l could manage
 Held Up By Will Power
 Perhaps you're right" l said l meekly, with moue at Lillian, but | nothing matters now. only assuring | Mother that you are going to do | what she wishes. I must go up Co | her now, for she is anxiously watt ing to hear what you said.
 Well, tell her I'm the goat as usual. How ts she standing 1t all, | anyway"
 Tho swift transition from anger Co anxiety was characteristic ot my | volatile husband. but in some curi- ous. inconsistently femlne fashion, felt my own resentment against him gone. and answered his query gently
 Wonderfully, so far, but ain afraid she is using every ounce Of will power and strength she has in the effort. 1 think you ought 10 get the children here as soon as possible, If you think it best, could come in to New York and meet you with them and bring them out here. and you could return there for-for anything that was necessary
 That might be a good idea" Dicky returned, suddenly trsctable. "Good-by; take care Of yourself" and the receiver clicked it's signal Of dismissal.
 "1ll go straight upstairs and tell Mother everything is going as she planned" I said, turning toward the staircase.
 with no mention of the difficulties incurred" she warned with a smile.
 Indeed mo-" returned. but when [ reached my mother-in-law s room, where Mrs. Tfcer sat. ready 10 an- s~er her slightest summons, she looked up at me with the wan, set