New Britain herald., 1930-03-15
When Robbie Is Late For Supper, As Usual

Every parent in New Britain IS confronted with one major difficulty that few of them solve etfectually.
 When the youngster is seven. or eight. or nine years old-or maybe a little older-what is to be done when he comes home late for sup per"
 The kid is told to be home at five o'clock. That doesn't mean a thint, half the time. Dad himself, when he was that age. wasn't punctual when his mama laid down a similar rule.
 G. s. C., in a letter on this sub- ject. gives q valuable hint to every parent in New Britain-and else where. Her letter, deservedly of wide publicity, first appeared in d western paper. We reprint it for the good it may do:
 Although my son is only nine years old he has already given me cause to moan Where is my wan dering boy tonight?' He is reQuir-
 
 o'clock each afternoon. More often thanr not he is few minutes late and sometimes a half hour. But when tho clock strikes :, and 1ht wretch is still abroad, the occasion calls for much maternal hand wiring ing.
 This is what happened recently came home late to dinner to tinG Bob missing and the household 1T a state of hysteria. The neighbor hood had been combed, garage: searched and lids lifted from cis terms. Ever since his powers of To, comotion have developed, Bob ha, been guilty of these mysterious dis. appearances. Ihe fact that h, comes back as inevitably as the tra ditional cat never seems to lesser the strain of his absence. On that evening of trouble I hat guests for dinner who advised the old fashioned licking. But l am ar ardent advocate of spare the rod no matter what happens don. see what right parents have tc pound the flesh of their children Blows are q nice emotional outlet for the parent, but of doubtful valut to children. We were arguing thl point when Robbie came in, plainl, scared to death
 Never in my life have l seen hin so dirty. Hair askew, face coatcl with Grime. trousers torn and shoe. muddy. Pieces of straw clung abou him here and there, mute evidence. Of some wild adventure. prefer red to ignore him utterly. but curi ! oSity pushed me to q stern question Where have you becn"'
 A boy lighted mo. He held m, so l couldn't come home Of course, he would lie. Whcl will l learn not to ask question: when lies are so plainly inevitable The straws gave me a clue 10 hi whereabouts. He had probabl, been playing in the fairground, anc that is forbidden territory.
 You cannot cat at our table to night. You're too dirty, and beside i just don't want you
 Tt sounded like a mild dictum and l admit that l felt like shakin; the socks off him. But with critica guests weighing in the balance. l herolcally refraincd. Bob knew whd | he was in for Hours of painful eX l fo | breaks his spirit-crushes his soul He flew upstairs to the source o soap and water. But before he Ina, restored his pristine cleanliness. din her was over downstairs.
 I'm hungry he walled.
 Then get your own dinner. Tn not interested,' l replied.
 While he was eating cold food il the kitchen I took his little brothe David into the bathroom and locke the door. David got in the bathtu and We sailed boats and played wit suds and shrieked and howlcd wit ! pleasure. Bob came and stood out side and smellcd the warm. plcasan odors Of soap and talcum powdc, Now and then he kicked the doc vlciously. Occasionally he suueake 'Mother-rr-r' in q hcartbroic voice. But no one answered. Dav and l shouted and sang and splash ed. When we emerged. and 30 cav the immaculate David in
 Woolly white sleeping suit vii 
 damp rcd curls clinginG to his bro, he howled, T want a bath. too
 Sorry, The hot waters gone.
 Bob suffered severely. He know