New Britain herald., 1924-04-28
Why Madgc Pulled Up" Her
 Imagination

Dicky's announcement that he meant to accompany me on my auto mobile drive home to the farm, had curious effect upon me.
 Under ordinary circumstances, the prospect of such a jaunt alone wlth him would have sent my mental ther- mometer perceptibly upward. But this morning ''his spirit, sir. was one of mockery." while my own emotional organism was so far from being nor nal that I knew it would take very little to throw it entirely out of bal ance. The possibilities of friction. Of dangling disagreement. upon such trip were many, and I f1inched from the thought of any more unpleasant nes. as if, I told myself with savage self-contempt, I were a child dread- ing a school-master's ferrule.
 But Dicky must gain no hint Of my thoughts. He had proposed the trip, from what motives l did not know. He might cherish an odd idea Of aton- ing for his rudeness, or the idea ot driving down through the country just throwing off the handcuffs of the winter season might appeal to him. But he had clothed the proposal-in smiling good nature, and common courtesy-as we'll as conjugal duty must dictate my reply.
 ..I'd love to have you" I said raily. But for sheer pleasure Of your company, please understand that; not to keep the cops away as you stipulate. You're much more apt to attract them"
 4 Merry Moment
 Lillian I appeal to you 7" Dicky intoned solemnly.
 Not an atom of use. Dicky-bird,' she retorted. putting dishes on tray preparatory to setting the table in the living room. Who's going to drive?'
 "Madge is" my husband affirmed quickly. T wouldn't touch that bus of hers for any money. A hen with one chicken isn't in it with my spouse where that car is concerned"
 Lillian paused speculatively. a tray of dishes held high above the table.
 And you taught her to drive" che unused. "I can see where per- fectly good time is going to be had by all, including the traffic cop who arrests Madge after the coroner has performed the usual function over you"
 "of all the crepe hangers :" Dieky declared wrathfully If only fn- neral mutes were in style, you'd be of untold value to an undertaken. No, take that back There's nothing mute about you. But what a Cas- sandra you'd make '"
 "Her predictions came true, how ever. though they were discredited,' Lillian retorted.
 "Don't Be Captious."
 Dicky threw. himself into a lan- gushing pose. and smirked at her.
 T suppose you mean 10 compare me to Apollo" he drawicd. Well. Of eourse--"
 "You'll be comparable 10 lump Of putty. very much flattened, in about two seconds. if you don't get out of my way" She advanced toward him elreatcningly.
 He lodged. and then with deft movement, took the tray of dishes from her.
 Don't be captious, old dear," he sdnonished her. Tt doesn't it the wide, free. open spaces of your gen- erous nature. Let me carry this. Where do you want it?"
 "rn the front room. Put it on the Gable until ] come"
 "You walk along with mo. or I'll have 10 stand there holding it. wouldn't dare to put it down with either Of you women in the mood you are this morning"
 Underneath the nonsense I caught his desire to speak to Lillian by her self, and all at once the meaning of bis early morning return flashed upon me.
 Jiiiian's announcement that she meant to use the apartment while we were gone had puzzled him. and he wished to find out what she meant by it Perhaps--T knew what sincere respect he gives Lillian's powers Of observation and deduction .Dicky wanted to find out whether she had any knowledge of-
 pulled up my imagination with