New Britain herald., 1924-01-10
Dicky and Lillian Clashed Over
 the TplpnhOnc


 I never have put in a more hectic afternoon than the one following Harriet's departure for the city, hel first stage oi the journey to the scene 0: the accident which had killed heI sister and mortally injured her broth er-in-law. While Mother Graham lay quiet, exhausted but tcnsely watchful Lillian and Iput in call after call on the telephone trying to locate Dicky anl Edwin that we might transmit her wishes to them. And when after wr had tried every ingenious eNpedi- cnt that clther of us could devise we finally located Dicky, he baked so decidedly at his mothers command, that l turned to llllan with hope less gesture of defeat.
 Are you all crazy" he demanded vehemently over the telephone, Have you lost all sense of dccency and re- spect for the dying? What sort Of figure would I cut rushing into a hos pital and saying to n dying man. Here, sign this on the dotted line before you breathe your last? Why, they'd throw me out of the window, and serve me right"
 What does he say" Lillian whis- pered, and I repeated his words rapidly and in a low murmur.
 What are you mumbling""" ." Dicky's voice sounded sharply in my ear. Il can't understand a word you say. Come closer to the telephone
 May F" Lillian queried softly, her eyes on mine. There isn't much time, you know
 Lillian At the Telephone
 -of course" l whispered readily, handing her the receiver. l knew as well as she did that there was no one in the world who could re- duce my temperamental husband to reasonahleness as soon as she could, but the knowledge always gave me a tiny unreasoning pang. It was no feeling of jealousy - Lillian's own sane thoughtfulness had plotted that from my heart years ago. IL was rather the resentment a wife might feel toward an older sister or mother of her husband. whom she is com- pelled to ask for aid in securing his assent to some imperative measure.
 It was lucky, l told myself grimly, that my own affection for Lillian was so firmly rooted. For l can conceive nothing more aggrarating to a wife than 10 have a suggestion flouted when proposed by her and then acceded 10 mcekly when some other woman insists upon it. Yet l know that many wives undergo the humiliating experience, and l can not imagine that 1t is much mitiga- ton for them to realize that the chief reason for the husbands capi- tulation is tho fact that he docs not feel privileged to treat any other woman as cayalorly as he does his wife.
 Lililans tone was as croamily soft as the velvet 80 beloved by young writers when hunting for similes for a contralto voice, but l was sure that Dicky recognized as well as l did the firmness beneath it.
 Dicky ENpostulates "I am as close to the mouthpiece as it is possible to get Dicky-hird. Lillian cooed, flor 1t is most neces- sary that you hear every word. Now as to the matter Of throwing you out of the hospital, has 1t occurred to you that pr. Braithwaitc will be with you? Do you imagine that there is hospital in inc United states where tbat mans actions would be qucstioned?" I knew from her face that Diclly was expostulating volubly over the | telephone, and her next words had the tinkie of ice in them. Wait just a minute. This isn't i anything for your decision or mine !