The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-03
THE NEW
GENERATION
Bg JANE PHELPS
JOAN WINS HER BET.
CHAPTER VI.

Often Margaret felt the barrier OF
non-comprehension she was beating
against But as often she refrained
from making any complaint either of,
or to Joan. The girls girlish air of
sophistication was amusing. She did
nothing she was not perfectly willing
to talk about with her mother, altho
at times Margaret knew she felt it UNI
necessary and foolish.
There was nothing about living,
about life, that frightened Joan. She
grasped it with both hands, and looked
it squarely in the face. She was what
she herself called "a game sport"
II don't see how Hortense stands
it." Joan said to her mother, referring
to a girl of her own age.
Stands what?" Margaret inquired.
Her mothers interference. Hor-
tense daren't call her soul her own.
She hardly dares breathe without ask
ing if she may. I'd run away If you
treated me like that" The long, thin
12-year-old legs swung back and forth
from Joan's perch on the edge of the
table.
what does her mother do to which
"Everything! It's you can't do this
or you must do that until should
think Hortense would tell them she
would do as she pleased. You never
why? y
Perhaps because I think it is better
to let you decide for yourself. Per-
haps because had too much of what
Hortense has in my own childhood"
Poor Mumsie! But you know bet
ter than to try to boss me, don't you :?
wouldn't stand for it. Why, Hor-
lenses people treat her as if she
hadn't any brains, or any sense. It's
insulting. You see. times have
changed, Mumsie. We girls aren't
like the wishy-washy girls who used
to be afraid to play games Tor Tear
they w ouldN spoil their complexions
and who thought of nothing but
beaux."
Then after a moment:
81 think, Mumsie, I shall begin TO
smoke"
yes, joan" Margaret was shocked,
terribly shocked. She must not allow
loan to smoke, but how prevent it?"
"a lot of the girls smoke-most OF
them are a little older. of course. But
1 might as well commence now. OI
course shall anyway when L am a
year or two older"
1.-The greatest objection to smoking
is that it stunts a girls growth,
Margaret knew how intensely Joan
longed to be tall. She used to swing
from the top of a door to stretch her
self. and go thru all sorts of gyrations
to increase her height.
ives. dear. Doctors are all agreed
upon that point. After one has their
full growth it hasn't that effect, OF
II guess I'll wait then. I can't at
ford to lose an inch of height for the
sake of q cigaret. I'm sorry tho;
think it's awfully sporty to smoke.
"a great deal more sporty not to
under the circumstances.
'tI guess YOU are right Mumsie."
The 124year- old legs ceased swinging,
and Margaret heard nothing more
about smoking.
Il wonder what she will want to do
when she is really grown up?" Mar
garet said to herself. 81 am afraid I
shall find her rather difficult at
tines
On Joan's thirteenth birthday she
declared to Margaret:
'Mumsie. I'm thru!'
''Thru what, dear?"
"School."
Aghast. Margaret looked at the slim
young thing sitting on the edge OF the
bed. She had gone in with her birth
day gifts as soon as she heard Joan
stirring. At Joan's reply to her ques-
ton she gasped. Thru school at 10!
st have been thinking I would stop
for a long time" Joan went On in her
assured manner, but hated to both
er you about it. I just hate every one
there. If you will send me where
there are no boys. I won't mind go=
ing a year or two longer. But those
silly things in pants make me tired.
They think they know it all, and just
because they are boys"
Margaret breathed freely once
more.
every well. dear. you may go to
Miss CoreyAs school,"
Bully for you, Mumsie! You al
ways come up to the scratch. I shall
win my bet.''
your bet ?"
eyes, I bet Hortense IS I would
leave school and go to Miss Corey's."
Margaret once again reminded her
self that Joan might be difficult at
times-as she grew older.
Monday-Margaret Is Absorbed in
Motherhood.)