The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-04-29
SHORT
SHORT
STORY

as he hung up the receiver. eff
only" he thought, "she would let
mother come and help her with
Junior!"
But Annabel had fear of moth
ers-in-law that amounted to mania,
and a morbid dread of old-fash-
Toned methods in collaborating. He
sighed, realizing that if she knew
his mother she would feel different
ly about it. But the elder Mrs.
Crosby lived at a distance, and
having been i'll at the time of her
sons wedding the two women had
never met. In the meanwhile he
and Annabel were being mentally
wrecked and financially ruined by
baby doctors-without any percep-
tible benefit to Junior. To be sure,
Annabel had high hopes of Doctor
Miller, the latest authority called
IN, but Len was skeptical.
He fastened home, after taste
less restaurant dinner, to find Anna
bel in bed, with cheeks too pink
and eyes suspiciously bright.
What's the trouble, sweetheart"
he asked, nervously. "You look
feverish."
"Pll be all right after I get some
Sleep" replied Annabel. Pm just
tired"
"Do you think" asked Len, un-
easily watching his wife's prepara-
tons for Juniors airing the next
morning, that it's wise for you to
go out today? You look pretty
seedy to me-"
Il don't feel right" she confessed.
The inner voice which had warned
Len early in the day that all was
not well with Anrabel justified itself
when she telephoned later, saying
she was suffering from a pain in
her side, which interfered with her
breathing. Even Lens inexperi-
enced eyes told him, when he saw
her that she was seriously i'll, and
he was not surprised when the doc
tor said she had pneumonia, and
ordered a nurse to care for her.
"Who-who's going to look after
Junior?" asked Annabel, when the
physician was gone.
'Tn-Ill telegraph mother" de-
clared Len, firmly.
Annabel sobbed Historically.
OutWaroly at least the elder Mrs.
Crosby was not an alarming vision.
why, you're just a baby your
self" she exclaimed, entering the
sickroom after her arrival. "And
such frail, tired babyl"
cts about Junior Pm worried"
explained Annabel. Hes so deli
cate. You'll find his formula on the
kitchen shelf, and he has to be kept
in the open air all day. Doctor
Miller"
Don't worry, dear. Junior will
be attended to-"
The invalid had her doubts, but
she knew it would benefit nobody to
express them.
Many days passed before she
aWoke one morning to find herself
very weak, but free from fever and
decidedly alive, alive. Len, seated
at her bedside, kissed her forehead.
Better, darling?" he asked.
IL think So"
She wondered where Junior was.
She had not heard him crying of
late.
Has babe been well lately?" she
asked.
Len grinned, and called out,
Mother, come in, and bring Junior,
pleased"
"Coming!" And presently the eld-
er Mrs. Crosby appeared, carrying
in her arms pink and white
cherub, who crowed, and smiled at
his mother, in great glee.
Annabel looked at him a long
time. Hes wonderful" she said.
'He must have gained a lot of
weight"
"Three pounds!" announced Len
triumphantly. "And he sleeps all
night, and never cries unless he's
hungry"
"How did you do it?" Annabel
asked her mother-in-law, awe in
her eyes. II worked so hard!''
"You worked too hard" returned
the older woman, gently. Hours
over the range, preparing that diff
ficult forlnula-pushing that heavy
carriage all day-a slim little thing
like you'll"
"But Doctor Miller said"
IF doctors had to carry out their
own instructions, said her mother
in-law, quietly, they'd change them
very quickly. Women brought up
babies long before there we're any
doctors to advise them. l forgot
all about Doctor Miller, and used
my judgment.
CT owe you an apology. never
knew mothers-in-law could be So
so wonderful. People told me-"
People generally do" said Mrs.
Crosby, calmly. She turned Junior
over to Len, and kissed Annabeps
tumbled locks. Sometimes the
things they say are true, too. But
IL want my children to love me"
"Oh, mother, now can they help
it?" asked Annabel, out of the full.
ness of her heart.