Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-08-01
GRANDMA
DECIDES
TO BECOME
A BRIDE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
(0 by D. J. walsh.)

N thought she was entering Sec
ond childhood when,. after her
husbands death, she told her
daughters she craved independence.
"What are we going to do about
mother" Queried Anne, the youngest.
"She's forever trying to do something
beyond her age and strength"
There's nothing we can do" Julia
put in, "if she persists in living her
own life"
ED and l have asked her repeated
ly to live with u.s." Nellie told them.
'The children adore her. But the last
time l asked her she spoke Of trip
to Europe. Imagine travelling around
the country alone at her age" Nellie'S
idea was an old-fashioned grandmOth-
er with lacy cap. full-waisted gown
and knitting needles busily plying
yarn for mittens.
But the object of their discussion
was not at all "sit-by-the-fire" per-
son. Mrs. Perkins was vibrant with
health. Her life had always been one
Of action, and she protested against
her daughters patronizing smugness.
1t was nearsighted, unimaginative,
and often brutal. They were too mis-
takenly kind, she reflected. 1t was a
question in her mind whether to re-
main as a rational adult, with her
own tastes and privileges in an empty
house. or go to any Of her daughters
and be miserable. She was trying to
figure out a way when the telephone
rang.
Mother, DEAR" it was Nellie, we've
an invitation for the weekend from
Mr.. Waller, the head Of Eds firm, and
Ed feels that we shouldn't refuse.
There won't be much to do, as Lucy
will take care Of the Homework, but
the children-Pd feel safer If you
were with them, mother, because IL
anything happened"
They didn't give her credit for be-
ing able to live her own life, and yet
they knew she could be depended
upon in any emergency, was the
thought that went swiftly through her
mind as she answered.
"Of course, I'll come"
The next day grandma, with Nellie's
children clustered around her, waved
the party off.
Il won't even think about the chill
dren while I'm gone" was Nellle's
parting message.
You'd better hurry on to school,"
Grandma reminded Helen and Ed, Jr.,
when the clock pointed to eight-thirty.
Dear, lovable children! They were
Mrs. Perkins pride. Shed like to live
with them and yet
Hello mother" called out Julia,
coming in the back door. do you
mind taking the baby while run over
to New York to shop? She's got
little cold and 1 don't like to leave
her with the maid"
"One more will make 1t all the mer-
rler," grandma treasured her second
daughter. Children never bothered
Mrs. Perkins.
The baby seemed drowsy, thought
grandma, as she rubbed little salye
on her nose and head Her expert
enced hand noted slight tempera-
ture.
Get me another pillow for baby
Nancy's head" called out grandma to
Tracy. Nellie's youngest. She'll
breathe easier with her head raised"
she told her little helper.
The baby began to cry. Her face
was very red from the exertion. Too
much so to be natural, thought grand.
ma as she unbuttOned the baby's
nightle and looked at her chest.
A hurried call brought Doctor Win
tiers.
This looks like scarlet fever, Mrs.
Perkins"
Il thought so, too, doctor. What
about the other children?"
"We1l inOculate them today, and II
they take 1t at all it'll be light" the
doctor spoke rapidly. No need to
worry with Amanda Perkins in charge,
he thought, secretly admiring her
poise in this emergency He'd been
struggling along for so many years
with inefficient hOusekeepers that he
appreciated a woman with such calm
ness and self-contrOl.
The hard part for grandma was wiz
ing Nellie to stay on few days
longer. She explained to Julia, also.
that everything would be all right. In
quarantine, under grandma's skillful
guidance. the household worked auto
matlcally. Lucy was very willing
aid. At the end Of the third week
Nancy was on the road to recovery.
Nellie'S youngest took 1t in the light
est possible form, while Helen and Ed
were spared entirely. The children
agreed they'd never had such a good
time ana wished grandma could be
with them always. Mrs. Perkins re-
GREETED she cOuldn stay on, but
Nellie would make her take Il too
easy. Besides there were other an
giles to be considered
when the sign was taken down and
every one was home. grandma made
startling announcement.
"Glrls know how you feel about
my staying on alone AT the big
house, and as ! cant possibly live
with all three OF you. | have decided
(the three waited breathlessly-if
grandma could handle situation like
the recent one. Of course she was
capable Of going to Europe or any.
where alOne) to accept Doctor Win.