Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-05


.((NANA," said Mr.. Atkins as we
sat at the small table together
in his sitting room, 81 look at
you and wonder what's to become of
you. You are a very alluring small
person, with all the bravery, 1 think,
of complete ignorance"
ooh, Mr.. Atkins 1 protested. That's
not very nice of you. 1 haven't gone
to school, but 1 know quite as much
as girls of my age do. And l can
speak French and Spanish quite we'll.
Mr. Atkinss eyes twinkled.
The French and Spanish l concede,
he said. But the language of life, 40,
my dear. And what l am wondering
just now is who is TO teach it to YOU
81 don't know what you are talking
about, 1 answered. But 1 only know
I an glad you are not angry with me
any more.
wen, let it go at that" said Mr..
Atkins.
1t was about 10 O'Clock at night and
I had crept to this mans suite after
1 had heard my mother retire. 1 only
had feigned undressing and going 70
bed while my mother was listening TO
my movements. AS soon as 1 was sure
she could no longer hear me I had
slipped into the hall carrying my shoes
and smiling to myself childishly.
had paused at the first stair landing
to thrust my stockinged feet into them.
Then sealthily l had gone on to the
second floor to find Mr.. Atkinss suite.
SO now we sat thus opposite to each
other: l very happy at his permitting
me to come to see him like this; he
evidently determined to behave as he
said, "as though he were really my
father"
80 you are fourteen?" he asked.
Tell me, Diana, have you never had
a beau-a sweetheart
1 laughed.
"Oh, no. I told him and shook my
head violently. I'm really just a liz
tie girl. I've never met any boys"
added wistfully, nor any\girls either.
My mother never let's me play with any
one. She said the little girls and boys
1 met were not good enough for me.
They seemed very nice to me-
Poor bdddie!" said Mr.. Atkins and
patted my hand lightly. What do you
do all day."
ooh, 1 go out with mothers maid
when she does the marketing" 1 told
him. "And sometimes walk in the aft
ernoon and mother let's me buy some
plain ice cream. L can't have soda be-
cause she says it will make my skin
ugly. ana lneH at night L Tedu-On,
all sorts of books; some of them are
nice but some of them are silly-all
about men and women loving each other
so much they kill each other, and all
that. l wish l had some children'S
books. Did you ever read Robinson
Crusoe,' Mr.. Atkins? 1 think that's fine.
It's the only children's book ever had.
Ny father got it for me-"
There was something very tender in
the expression of the face of the man
before me.
"Why, you poor kidr' he said again.
II didn't realize what your life was
like. Wen have to do something about
it. How would you like me to bring
you some real books? Did you ever hear
of Louisa Alcott or Mark Twain? They
were wonderful people who wrote books
to make little lonely girls and boys
happy. They are just the kind of a
friend you need. I'll get them for you
'Will your / cried, and stretched out
my hands to Mr.. Atkins. ''Oh, you are
good,' I said. II knew you were!'
And just at that moment, without a
knock, the door of Mr.. Atkins's suite
flew open and my mother, flashing and
furious. stood framed in it's entrance
For a moment there was a tableau!
1 must say l think my mother was the
one most affected by the situation. AL
though expected my mother to scold
me, l did not fear any very terrific
punishment, because my own conscience
was free of any great guilt. think,
too, Mr.. Atkins was not really worried.
He knew that he had treated me kindly;