The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-06
THE NEW
GENERATION
JOAN OBJECTS TO HER MOTHER
LOOKING YOUNG.
By JANE PHELPS

JUAN M HEX nOlIH Esft
i LOOKING YOUNG.
Chapter 8.
Realizing that Joan might become
somewhat offensive in her remarks
II not curbed in some way, Mar
garet talked to her in a general way
about being broad, allowing other
people to think and do as they liked
the same as she did, without criti-
cism..
eff we all thought and acted alike,
what a stupid place this world
would be, wouldn't it, Joan?" she re-
marked as if casually. She tried al
THAT we all have a right to our
opinions, to express ourselves in our
own way, makes life interesting
where otherwise it would be dull.
believe you are capable of Judging
for yourself Mrs Thompson does
girl is, therefore. you and Hortense
are different, and so interest each
{ other. If you were just alike, thought
alike, acted alike, you would simply
be bored
That's right, Mumsie! It would
be terrible to have two or a dozen
of me-" Joan replied, and from that
time Margaret noticed that while Joan
often showed by her manner her in
tolerance of the actions of other girls
more conventional than she, it was
seldom that she expressed herself as
intolerantly as before.
Joan had moments of frankness
which sometimes almost alarmed her
mother One day Margaret came
down to breakfast with her black hair
coiled loosely around her shapely
head, instead fof drawn back in a tight
knot, as had been her custom for
years.
seWhv-whv Mumsiel whatever
have you done to yourself? You look
almost pretty-but SO silly for my
mother
Margaret laughed, then apoIogized
little, claimed she had hurried. But
after Joan had gone to school she sat
for some time before her dressing
| table, fluffing out her hair a little
more, smiling vaguely as something
| in her face recalled her youth to her
mind.
" SO silly for my mother she<said,'
| Margaret told the person reflected in
the mirror. Then with unnecessary
violence she drew her heavy hair into
(, it's accustomed unbecoming knot and
went about her duties bit more care
fully than usual. She must not forget
that she was Joans mother.
There, old dear, you look like
yourself again!" Joan declared when
she returned from school
Yes, dear" The answer was meek
Some women make sHch awful
| fools of themselves, dressing up and
trying to appear young. I'm glad yor
| aren't such a fool, Mumsie. When
get as old as you I shall be sensible
| AS Margaret was not quite "a, this
remark was. to say the least, enlight
ening as to what Joan considered
"old"
After this Margaret was even more
quiet in her dress and actions. Once
/ cb fn1 oh ,a+ nv
affair at the church they attended
Joan remarked in reply:
81 can't see why you care abou
going. When I am as old as you
shan't want to eat ice cream and cake
and hang around at church socials''
Once again Margaret meekly stood
rebuked.
az am going to college, Mumsie"
Joan had been quiet for some time
Margaret furtive1y watching her, knew
the child had something on her mind
something she would soon diyulge. Sht
had SO closely watched her child tina
she could read every change of ex
preston as if her countenance were
printed page.
What made you think of college
Joan?"
Her question was quiet, but he
heart beat strangely, and her breath
came in little gasp. Was she to los
JUS
when she would need it most? No
that Margaret objected to college, blu
she had planned differently for hersel
and Joan, when Joan finished at Mis-
Corey's. They would travel, see tn
world. Margaret only knew othe
countries thru books. She longed TO
a closer, more intimate knowledge o
them. And it would be SO delightful
to travel with Joan-her naive re
marks, her fresh, unbiased opinion
would make travelling with her 1
pleasure.
"Oh. every girl of any characte
goes to college nowadays! 1 want t.
live in the college environment, to b.
, free and independent of home, of you
Mumsie, and"
Independent Of me! Why, Joan
Eyes, Mumsie, independent even o
you.'
at will be a long time before yol
can enter college, Joan, you ma
change your mind by that tine-'\
I'll tell you if I do, but don't banl
on it. am going to college"
: Tomorrow-Joan has a naive idea o