The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-07
BY FRANK KERN LEVIN

They were all coming down the wooden stairway. First there was Ma Brocker with the biggest basket; then there was Elsie with Q basket slightly smaller; after Elsie came Anna and Freddie with la basket between them; Tommy was youngest and last, and carried the bag with the fruit in 1t. MT. Brocker watched them for a moment, and then stepped for ward to help ma carry the basket to the family's secondhand car. Mr. Brocker helped ma put the basket in the car because he didn't ! want her to brush against iti the car was still oily from the polish- ing which he had given it the af- ternoon before.
 Tommy and Anna got into the rear of the car with ma: all the baskets and bundles were placed at their feet. Elsie and Freddie sat in front with Mir. Brocker. Freddie edged over toward his sister in order to interfere as little as pos- sible with MT. Brocker's driving. Its a good thing to get up early once in a while on Sunday" Ma Brocker said as her husband ma neuvered on a beautiful day like this. Amt it fine out?"
 MT. Brocker lit his cigar before
 answering.
 "It's a fine thing for you. But Sunday is the only day in the
 week can rest. It's altogether too
 much. I get up every day in the
 week at 7:30 and sweat in a ship ping room for eight hours and
 to take you to a picnic"
 Ma regretted that she had re-
 vealed her enthusiasm.
 we only go on a picnic once a year, pa. It's for the children" she !, said soothingly.
 i If you want to go on picnics i why can't you go on picnics with I out me? The children are old | enough. Elsie isn't child any
 more; she's 15 years old" MT. i Broeker said.
 Well, we won't go on picnic
 again for a whole year, and by that time Elsie will be 16, and she'll be able to help me with the others
 and we'll take street car. That'll be the best way. We'll take a
 street car next year, pa."
 l "All right, let's not argue about it any more. We're going to the picnic now; we might as we'll have
 a good time" MT. Brocker said. and the children all felt much better. They began to smile and chat and grow excited thinking of the joys that would be theirs in 8
 short time.
 l AS MT. Brocker drove out of the city and down the highway, as he
 saw the trees and grass and nearly
 ripe corn spreading great distances on either side of him, he did begin to feel better. The irritability of the early morning passed off; he en- loved the fresh air, and now and | then joined in with the conversa-
 tion of the children. MT. Brocker was only Al. He was still young | enough to enjoy himself even though his badness was really pe- ginning to show.
 They began to look for suitable place to have their picnic. All ol them-even ma-had quite forgot ten MT. Brocker's bad temper al the beginning of the ride.
 That looks like a good place there" said ma as she pointed ou'
 a bench. The children thought SC too and implored MT. Brocker to stop. MT. Brocker glanced at the place, and agreed.
 He slowed up suddenly to turn off the highway and a car travel ing at fairly high speed behind him screeched and swerved around. It's driver shook his fist at MT. Brocker.
 "There you are. That's what comes of everybody shouting at once!" exclaimed MT. Brocker. lf you'd let me drive, ma, instead or telling me where to turn off and where not to turn off, such things wouldn't happen"
 MT. Brocker drove in alongside the bench. For the time being the happy mood again passed from the children. Ma very silently got out of the car and pulled the baskets out after her. She was a fairly stout woman and 1t was somewhat f''srlcult. Elsie, seeing her tug ging at one of the baskets, came