Evening star., 1919-05-04

never disturbing our cozy circle. This
in itself is significant-that I could
stand in a place dedicated to the care
of one hundred children and be
pleasantly reminded of my own happy
childhood and not of that frightful
word, institution.
Childish Fears Taken Seriously.
I had yet another vivid reminder
Of my own fool young-un" days. l
sat alone in the small salon after
luncheon, when I heard commotion
outside the door-scurrying feet.
shrill cries. The door opened and an
excited maid appeared with four very
scared little girls. One was in tears.
in their bedroom. playing with their
dolls. when suddenly some strange
creature began to scratch in the CHM
ney, trying to break through and eat
them all up. They knew it was a
giant, or negre. or wild beast. The
She asked fthey might remain with
me while she went up to drive the
dreadful creature from its lair in the
chimney. Together we discussed the
affair, the children and 1. 1 dared
not fall in their estimation by telling
them it was no such thing. l eX-
planned that they were so we'll guard
ed-not only by adults, but by doors
with bolts-that no harm could come
to them inside the chateau. oh" said
the little madmoiselle. through her
tears. but 1t came in through the
window and hid in the chimney. The
window was Open" l could have
hugged her for her vivid ina gination.
Then I assured them that they were
such good little girls no one would
wish to harm them. The teary
mademoiselle came back at me with:
Not always good. madame. some
times naughty" They had a purely
their terror the details of how each
conducted herself under the trying
experience, their pallor. their tears.
1t was a fine bit of unrehearsed play
let. The maid returned with the eX-
planation of the mystery-the wind
blowing a bit of loose paper, hence
the scratching sound. The maid Of
fered to sit with them till the older
girls, who had gone for a walk, re-
turned. l was impressed by the way
in which she accepted the children's
fear as genuine and set forth to in
Nestigate. greatly concerned.
Once again | saw myself as a child.
fleeing from giants, dragons or
wicked witches into zone of safety.
1t was all natural. so like normal
kiddies. We have all undergone the
same thrills of fear in our fairytale
days
Keeping the Children French.
I saw the children at Boullav-Thierry
in holiday time. But l Sa w the school
rooms where French teachers teach
all the branches. primary and gram
mar grades. / saw the cunning little
gray house in the woods where the
older girls learn to cook scientifically
and by hygienic methods. / saw the
old, old church where the children are
taught the catechism in the faith Of
their fathers.
After all. what are these externals?
1t is the spirit of the place which
registers its mark on works like our
children's colony. l feel from the
bottom of my heart that the American
committee for devastated France
holds these children Of the soldiers of
France as sacred charge. 1t is
placing the children in clean. whole
some. cheerful, sanitary surroundings
Il is building strong, healthy bodies
1t is supplying education. secular and
religious. 1t is inculcating principles
of national patriotism and Of good
citizenship. 1t is endeavoring to keep
the childrens colony essentially
French, supplying French teachers
and French domestics.
When the fathers are demobilized
and the real home is once more es-
tablished l know the committee will
hand over its wards fitted to play
their part in the future of France.