The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-02-13
THAT ZERO LUNCHEON
BY CORNELIUS voIeHr.

pened!" This came from Ruth, a.
wildly excited, her brown eyes a
round as saucers, she bounded into tn
room.
What, child Where? When?" eS
claimed her mother, while her it'll
brother stood by, breathless.
IN SCHOOL, Dorothy told on me
And it's not true l didn't do it,"
do what, dear? What did Doroth,
tell?"
"she said l whispered And didn't,
Honestly, truly, mother, l didn't"
ING, she didn't" chimed in little
brother, who knew nothing whatever
about r.
How did she happen to say you
did?" asked her mother
Il wouldn't let ger play in the dol.
house yesterday. She wanted to be
the teacher and did, too And then ]
told her it was my yard and my doll
house and she'd better go home She
said she'd get even, and when Miss
Marion came back into the room this
morning and asked who whispered
while she was out Dorothy said did
And | didn't, either. And all the girls II
prove it, too-Emily and Elsie and all
of EN-"
We'll, | wouldn't get so excited
Ruth. dear You can tell Miss Marion
that you didn't whisper. can't YOU"
But maybe she won't believe me,
And I'll have to stay after school, And,
oh, m-m-mother motherl' Great sobs
shook her frame. "I'll get a zero in
department, and if you get three zeros
you can't ever, ever go into another
grade" Here she broke down com
pletely. Little brother began to cry
with her.
Come, come, children. let's have
our lunch" urged the mother in sooth-
ing tones, putting her arms about
Ruth and wiping away the tears
Maybe while we're eating we can
think of something to do about it,"
81 don't want any lunch" Ruth man.
aged to say in a choking voice.
ME neither" accompanied little
brother, who then scampered to the
luncheon table as fast as his legs
would carry him, followed reluctantly |
by Ruth.
The big sister and the father came |
in and took their places at the table. |
Between sobs Ruth again related her
troubles.
"I'll go and see Miss Marion" an
nounced the big sister.
'Or III write her a note" added the
mother
We'll, let's eat" suggested the
father.
We'll, let's eat" echoed the little
brother.
For few moments the mother was
kept busy serving. Ruth was begin
ming to forget her troubles in the sol
ace Of introducing steak and potatoes
into her hungry, growing little body,
when the brother, with his mouth
stuffed full, innocently remarked:
Daddy, don't you think these round
potatoes that Eva makes look like
Instantly Ruth stopped eating. Tears
began coursing down her cheeks. The
title brother continued Tears look
ike zeroes, too
we cont talk about zeroes," COM
handed the mother Come, Ruth,
lear, finish your lunch
Wiping the tears on her bib, Ruth
'egan again to eat AS she was about
o put some of her favorite vegetable
nto her mouth she walled: Mother,
ear, don't you think peas look like
eroes and spoons DO little bit, too?
)h, everything's just full of zeroesi"
The father burst out laughing.
Well, Ruth" he said, "if we could
ave EN- all in row with ones in
ront of them and dollar signs wouldn't
re have lots of fun? Come on, now.
cts forget all disagreeable things,
ecause they're bad for our digestion
Iothers going to help you"
Say, dad" exclaimed the little
rother, do you see those round
lings on the tablecloth-"
Hush brother" commanded his
other.
But he wouldn't be hushed. These
,und things on the tablecloth-'
Ruth's eyes began to fill
"They- they-look just like little "
By the time the meal was over the
other had decided what to do. She
ould go to the school and give that
acher a piece of her mind for ex-
ting little child over such a trife.
necessary, she would go to see the
hool principal also. The father
andy suggested that she might call .
the police force or take the case to
e supreme court.
She found the teacher a pleasant,
light looking young woman, who was
UGH surprised to see her .
you came about Ruth?" she asked.
m glad to see you. She's the best
haved child have in the room.
But she came home crying at noon
day She said she was going to be
nished because Dorothy said she
lispered." .
why, didn't pay any attention to l
at, for l knew it wasn't true" an 81