Detroit evening times., 1942-12-29

mother anu my HoAh'I s''N''
both decide 10 visit New York
at exactly the same time - II
was amazing, she thought, how
naturally pleased and hearty her
voice sounded. Inside She felt a
little hollow.
Its swell. isn't it," re-
sponded Ben. Il just know
they'll hit of beautifully to-
eether." Was it just her imagi-
nation. or did Ben's voice have
a tinny ring 10 II?
"It'S lucky we have a guest
room with twin beds in it,
went on Nan as she poured her
self a second cup of coffee.
you're sure your mother won't
mind sharing the ROOM
"Ok, mother isn't fussy," re-
turned Ben. "She doesn't mind
anything" He glanced al the
Special-deliveTy letter lying on
the gay checked Mexican break
fast cloth
But a. matter OF fact,
Nan, IL know mother, she
really expected 10 stay at n
hotel. she'd hate 10 put you 10
any bother, really"
THEIR FIRST MEETING
"I wouldn't dream of it," re-
turned Nan. firmly. II want her
10 stay right here with us. and
besides, IL will he a wonderful
chance for them tn get ac-
quainted."
Ben glanced proudly around the
immaculate, sunny dinette. "And
boy" he enthused, ''are they both
going 10 be thrilled at the way
you've fixed up our home."
Almost Nan spoke aloud her re-
action TO that. That's what you
think. 50 About Ben,s mother, she
couldn't of course, say. But as for
her mother-well, Ben was due for
a slight shock. Ben had never met
her mother. Nor had she met his.
Nor had Mrs. Perry and Mrs.
Weston met each other.
Ben laid down his napkin.
picked up his paper and rose. He
leaned across the table and kissed
his wife.
She leaned too and for that
length of time they both rallied a
little from the double impending
threat TO the blissful honeymoon
atmosphere of their cozy 4 Staten
Island house.
BREATHLESS ROMANCE
Ben left whistling TO catch his
train 10 Manhattan and Nan got
busy with the dishes and her mis-
givings.
Right al this point Nan really
wanted so much 10 be left alone
with her new husband in her
home. She sighed. She had been
so happy fusSing over the getting
acquainted with both.
After all, she had only met Ben
less than six months ago! Their
romance had been breathleSs and
sudden.
One Of those things where two
people meet and fall in love
seemingly independent Of time,
place, background, past eXgeri-
ences-or family.
They had discussed little as yet
except themselves and their inn
mediate problems.
Nan wished now that she had
told Ben more about her mother.
Sort of prepared him TO meet, not
the widow from the Middle West
who dabbled in group theaterI
movements, but Persia Perry, the
actress.
KNOWS HER MOTHER
VINO had toured the country
many times over, who had gone
abroad with many a theatrical
enterprise. who had slept ali over
the world, who had been cht rus
girl. bit player, understudy, fea-
tured performer and-almost-a star.
Who had written her daughter
that the war was making her rest
less, somehow. and she was coming
on for visit 10 see what was
cooking on Broadway.
And Ben was no doubt expect
Ing 10 see his mother-in-law fuss
and COO over the furniture and its
arrangement and perhaps help run
up curtains!
Nan had suddenly felt like both
laughing and crying when Ben had
innocently remarked:
II just know they'll hit il Oft
beautifully together"
Persia Perry never hit II off
with the average domestic woman,
especially with the averag @
domestic smal-town woman and,
Judging from the little Nan knew
of her. Ben's mother coming
down from Hemlock, Mass, must
be Just that
Nan had seen her picture, a not
too clear snapshot. She looked
dowdy. slight and timid The kind
who would be afraid 10 90 abou;
New York by herself.
Nan would have 20 lug her
around sightseeing. The Empire
State Statue OF Liberty
Greenwich Village antique shops
Times Square dimmed out e.
tea rooms.
Nan groaned. She did so want
10 stay home and finish those
drspes she had started she Shrank
from tho picture Of Mrs. Weston
wanting. perhaps 10 exchange
recipes With Persia Perry, who
r.I'a. - L..-...- =. Ill. L-..a III /.