Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-01-17

katie ana ME "Whaf IN the WOrld
were you doing down In the base.
ment at this unearthiy hour7 No,
you needn': look at Richard" as she
caught the furtive appealing glance
I sent my husband. I'm not talk.
Ing 10 him; I'm talking 10 you"
For the fraction OF a second DIcky
kept silent and l wondered a BIT
drearily IL he meant 10 let me bear
the brunt OF his mothers exaspera-
ton. as he has done so many times
In the past. And, after all. I re-
minded myself. with a belated sense
OF justice, he was not the originator
Of the plans for fitting up the base
ment for a Christmas surprise for
the children I was the logical per-
son 20 explain the matter TO his irate
mother. and ! braced myself for the
ordeal-the only word which fits a
grilling from Dicky's mother.
Dicky Steps I'm.
But l had not opened my mouth
for the first word when Dicky threw
up his hand with a peremptory ges-
ture for silence.
I'm the lad who should get the
hickory stick, Mother" he said firm.
ly. II evolved a great thought yes
terday about Christmas for the boys
which involved fixing up the base
ment. I emitted a few deep thoughts
about II 20 me girl friend here last
night and asked her 70 look over the
ground and tell me what she thought
about g. And you ought 10 know.
Mother. that Madge. besides being
the most obedient wife in the world,
also doubles for the very earliest
bird that ever went after a worm.
That's the explanation for her trip
downstairs this morning."
You NEAR that's the explanation
you're giving me-" his mother re
torted tartly. But l saw the corners
OF her mouth quirk into a reluctant
smile. a tribute which Dicky's non.
sense generally wrests from. her. and
knew my husband had saved the day
for me.
Mother Is Placated.
But l did not dare 70 send him
even tho most fleeting glance OF
gratitude. for ! knew that his
mothers keen eyes were watchine
both Of us. Instead. ! turned 70 her
with wath Lillian calls my best 60
connecting smile"
Won't YOU let me tell you about
Dicky's plan. Mother?" asked
you were asleep last night when he
told me about Il. or L would have
come over then. But I'm sure you'll
love II. for it's a wonderful scheme
That's TO be SEEN" she said short
~. I've listened 70 a great many OF
Richards wonderful schemes in my
AnW "a YfxvM -A.n-nNu FnVVHA nvtt
that about one-ihird OF them had
behind them. AS for the rest
OF them-the least said the better
And ! don't want 20 hear anything
now. I'm not even dressed. After
breakfast I'll talk TO you. Well!'
She turned truculently toward Katie
who had taken advantage Of Mother
Craham's diverted attention 70 take
her apron from her head and tiptos
over 70 her range. tits about tsme
you woke up. Everybody will bs
starved 20 death by the time you &c;
breakfast on the table"
Il feex terrible qveeck.' Katie
murrnured neekly. But a few sec
onds later. when was following
Dlcky and his mother out or thu
kitchen and she supposed herself q
be alone. there came a different NUT
ter from her place In front OF the
stove.
Dot old scollop face! Me. ! gel
breakfast. two. tree times ofer. vile
she get on Stats und shoes"
But there came no answering 70
proof from me TO make her realize
that she had been overheard. Hug
ging TO my breast the time-honorec
comparison of discretion and valor
I hurried after my husband TO thank
him for saving the day
CONTINUED Tomorrow
. C7Srisht lsse. Newspaper Feature Service, In