South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-20
AHard Task fora
Very Young Lady


something more than her usual en-
ergy and enthusiasm. Although the
house always showed the results Of
careful attention. certain II was that
on this particular day. the furniture
was unusually beautifully polished,
this copper and brass on the buffet
shOne with extraordinary brilliance,
fresh flowers were arranged taste
fully in the bowls and vases. and the
house was filled with the pleasant
odor OF newly baked cakes and
cookies. There was no doubt in the
mind Of the family that mothers
little "at home" would be a success.
II loving preparation could make il
so
The younger daughter Of the fam
lily. Of high school age. had been
particularly painstaking in her eff
forts 10 make the affair go smooth
Is. A generous supply OF cakes,
large and small. she had beautifully
iced that morning. blanched al
monds. stuffed dates. and delicious
nut fudge also testified Of her skill.
When all was in readiness. more
over. she approached her mother
with some hesitation. Il want 70
do everything l can 10 help" she
said earnestly. but I'd like 10 ask
one thing. Please don't make me
come In this afternoon and meet
your friends I'll do anything but
that. II you'll only let me stay out"
she urged.
Not come in and meet mothers
friends How ridiculous, why OF
course you will. Don't you suppose
want the ladies 10 know my daugh-
ter and 10 see what a little woman
she is getting to me- mother said
fondly Il can't understand why IT
is you seem 10 feel that way about
meeting grOwn-ups. when you have
SO many OF your own companions.
Besides. I shall need YOU TO help me
with the serving"
AS there was nothing left 10 do
but 20 accede in the matter and
since she felt that she was really
needed the daughter did her part
faithfully But. when the last guest
had departed. she could stand it no
longer and unbosomed her griev-
ances TO the family circle.
Il wonder why it is that ladies
think they should treat girls my age
as though they were mere children
said she, with feeling Somehow,
when YOU come in TO meet them,
they always look you over as If YOU
were on exhibition; all talk 10 you
nj once. asking millions of ques-
tions. All my girl friends say the
same thing happens TO them. too
First they tell YOU how much YOU
have grown. and how you must be
nearly as tall as mother now. and
what a pretty dress YOU are wear
ing. and ask II mother made it;
and then they ask YOU what grade
YOU are in-they always do that
and tell YOU what class their own
Mabel or Dorothy is IN. just as If
YOU didn't know it anyway being
in the same SCHOOL, Then they ask
YOU II you will be glad when school
is over or sorry that II is going TO
begin, whichever IL is. and admire
your curly hair and ask If il is nat
ural and wish MabeTs and Dor
othy's was. but il has always been
as straight as a stiCk'-and ali that
sort Of thing If they would only
realize that we would like TO talk
about something worth while. that
We know things. too il would be all
right. But here I am a sophomore
in high school and they talked to
me as II I were about eight
think it's disgusting she said
pausing for breath
You have always taught me that
il is rude 10 make personal remarks
20 people. TO make them conscious
IN any way and 1 try not TO do it
with my friends" she continued
But that's what these people do
whenever I come into a group, as
did today. They really act as if IL
were expected TO show interest in
your children. and meanwhile I feel
as If I were a specimen in a museum
or freak at a Circus,' she ejacu
lated. in the midst of a burst Of
laughter.
She's perfectly right" said the
a moments pause. Il know, be-
cause I went through the same
Thing when / was at that stage, only
I didn't protest against il openly.
suppose. I've always thought that
children's feelings ought 10 be con-
sfdered more than they are in most
homes. anyway Not that they
should be pampered. but just talked
10 as though they could understand
practical facts as well as grown-ups.
Otherwise. there is always gap
somewhere between children and
their families. which is never quite
filed. That's why so many say they
are not understood and everybody
laughs at them. They really mean
what they say and they are entitled
10 consideration OF the right kind
20 treatment as MISUNDERSTANDING
beings" she concluded stanchly
MATRTMONN.
Be married privately. Room ;.
4