The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-08-21

Il believe I'll try" said Mrs. Rich
mond.
Accordingly the next morning she
cornered her eve lamb in the nur-
sery.
Nov, Frances, darling" she said.
with the carefully assumed veneer OF
buoyancy in which she had seen
kindergartners and other guardians OF
the infant intelligence enwrap them
selves as with a garment, you and
are going to have dear little school
right here in the nursery"
II would rather" remarked the pros
pective pupil refectively. have big
apple and a piece of candy"
We'll. may be We'll have those, too."
agreed the embryotic instructress.
but not until after we've had our
lesson"
Whats a lesson?" inquired the
pupil.
"It's-let's see. It's to teach you
your letters, so you can read lovely
stories out of books"
Frances pondered this for mo-
ment. But I'd rather have you read
them to me-" said said. after proper
reflection
But you can't always have me to
do that, DEAR" said Mrs. Richmond
firmly. She drew Frances into her lap
and opened the book with which she
had decided to begin the fray. "All
the little girls learn to read and
mother would be terribly ashamed II
her little girl didn't Now, look at
this funny letter with the two legs and
the piece across the middle like a
queer little ladder. What do you think
that letter is?"
Il never saw it BEFORE" said Fran
ces, 80 guess don't care about its
name"
We'll, that letter is named A." said
Mrs. Richmond. Now, here's one
with two funny little fat balloons
stuck on stick. The name OF that
one Is B."
rs it," Frances inquired with per-
functory politness. Il guess don't
like to read very WE'LL" she explained
cOurteously, as she made tentative
effort to get down from her mothers
lap.
But you'll have to learn, dearie,"
said Mrs. Richmond patiently Nov,
tell mother what this letter with the
two legs Is"
Frances put fat foretinger on the
letter
We'll call that B." she said sweet
ly. Nov, can I 60, muvver?"
mo. lambkin," said her mother
firmly. That's A. See how funny it
looks with the two slanting legs and
the little piece between them. Now,
what's its name?"
Frances heaved deep sigh Il
guess we'll call it B." she said. with
gentle firmness.
But it's A. precious" insisted her
mother.
rs it," inquired Frances. Il think
FL call it e."
Nov, Frances" said her mother
sterniy, you know that letter is A,
and you must say it,
There was no reply. Frances was
observing a sparrow shaking itself on
the window ledge.
Frances" her mother said, tell
mother what that letter It,"
"Oh, mother" Frances cried joyous
ly, did you see that sparrow picking
his tooth with its feather?"
Mrs. Richmond set her small daugh-
ter down on the floor. Nov, Fran
ces," she said, tell me the name of
that letter or I'll put you to bed"
Frances looked up at the ceiling
and crossed her fat hands on her lit
tie stomach. We'll call 1t b." she
said finally.
Half an hour later Mrs. Richmond
went into Frances little room. A
sweetly smiling face looked up at her
from the bed.
Baby" she pleaded. please do as
mother wants you to. Mother hates
to punish her baby. Tell me the right
name of this letter"
She drew out the book and laid her
finger on the much discussed letter.
There was breathless pause.
We'll, muvver," said a bored voice
deliberately, may it's an A for you,
but guess I'll call it B."
II think I'll have to send Frances to
school after ALL" admitted Mrs. Rich.
WAND RI Erancoc' father that ovonino