Evening star., 1935-06-28
Misleading
Manners in
Shock Case
Return of Parents Is
Time of Caution
. With Children.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

EATHER and mother had been
l. long time away, so long that
Marilyn had no recollection Of them.
Grandmother had been father and
mother and playmate for the two and
. half years that business had held
the childs parents on the other side
of the world. Now they were coming
home to see their baby.
DO you suppose she will know US
Ken?" asked the mother.
mo, of course not. How could
she? She scarcely had her eyes open
when we went away. think she will
like the doll I have for her, don't
you?" ~
And won't she be delighted with
the cuddly bear and the little pram
and the doll dishes and the tricycle.?
I can hardly wait to see her face when
she gets them"
Grandmother told Marilyn that
daddy and mother were coming, told
her so in excited, happy tones, tnen
with clear emphasis, then with de-
tailed explanations. but Marllyn
seemed uninterested. These were
strange people. whom she had never
seen. They meant nothing to her, just
words-daddy, mother. She changed
the subject quickly whenever tney
were mentioned because something
queer rose in her little chest. Daddy,
mother-strange words.
They came at last with q rush and
roar and a scraping Of wheels. Then
excited voices and quick little cries:
"Marilyn, where is Marilyn?"
Shes right here" said grandmother
fondly. "Oh. where did she go?
Marilyn, where are you?"
After a hunt Marilyn was found
hiding behind big chair in the back
sitting room. She refused to come
out. Finally grandmother carried her
out. but she refused to look or speak
to her new-found parents.
Look what We have brought you,
dear" said mother. setting over the
lovely things one after the other. Mari
lvn gave one look, shivered little and
hid behind grandmother. No excited
10y. no thanks, no expression OF any
sort.
She hasn't much appreciation for
us, has she?" said father. Nor man
ners. At least she might have said
thank you"
It took days before Marilyn would.
or could, speak to her father ana
mother without confusion. Slowly
thev won her confidence. They felt
everything was settled when she
climbed on mothers lap and thanked
her for the lovely doll dishes and the
pram, and daddy, too, for the dollie.
Then came a birthday. I'VE will
surprise her" said mother. I'VE will
make up for the birthdays we missed
with her" So there were gifts and
flowers, a new dress and a party in the
ofing. The chief gift, a toy piano that
played itself, stood in the middle of
the room. They let Marilyn 60 In alone
and stood back to witness her delight.
The child edged past the shining thing
and hid behind the draperies. Again
no word, no sign, no appreciation OF
the affection and kindness shown her.
Mother was deeply disappointed and
father was plainly angry. What was
the matter with such a child?
Shock. Emotional shock 50 deep that
it shook the child's innermost being
and choked of all expression. The
thing to do was to leave her alone until
she could adjust herself. And consider
her happiness by less dramatic attacks
on her emotions. There is a shyness
so deep and so powerful that 1t numbs
consciousness. Better not shock 1t. Be
patient and wait and try to be more
matter of fact. Go around the emo
tional block without humping into 1t.
Then things will be easier.
Copyright, 1880