Milford chronicle., 1937-07-30
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Lille NJ. Saunders


MRS. Martin, ! wish you would
tell me how you have taught Mariel
such perfect manners. / tell Ruth
over and over what to do and what
not to do, but still her lack of even
common politeness shocks me dread
fully sometimes" The plea was
made by young Mrs. Neal. the mo-
ther of lively six-year-old girl.
Certainly, l will tell you. Or, in
stead, I'll show you, IL you will just
step into the dining-room and find a
seat where you will not be seen
through this open door. Mariel will
be more natural If we are alone"
Mrs. Martin, too, was young mo-
ther, but one who had made study
and real art of motherhood.
AS her caller left the room, Mrs.
Martin stepped to a door which
opened on to side porch, and stood
watching her child, busy with her
diminutive household in a playroom
ON the screened-in end of the porch.
A rich growth of ornamental vines
served as a protection from the in
tense rays of the early summer sun.
Mariel's eyes met her mothers
with a look of inquiry. Don't you
want to bring your fancy-work and
come and visit with me for a while,
dear%' asked the mother.
"I'll be glad to, Mother, just as
soon as / change Marjory's dress"
She picked up her doll and replaced
the little print dress with a dainty
dimity, put the doll in its carriage,
and advancing to the open door.
knocked.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Martin had re-
turned to her seat in the living
room. In answer to the knock, she
went to the door. saying, "Oh. how
do-you-do. Mrs. Jones. viii you
come in?"
Thank you, Mrs. Martin. My baby
Is asleep, so I'll leave her out here
in the shade" replied Mariel, as she
entered the room, carrying her work |
basket.
Take this chair by the window.
Mrs. Jones. 1t seems to be a little
cooler here. May take your hat?"
"Yes, Mrs. Martin, thank you. The
sunshine is so warm today"
at is. And one feels the first warm |
lays of summer very much. Would
you like to have a drink of cool wa
.er?"
eff you please, Mrs. Martin" The
mother brought the refreshing drink
md was thanked. AS she again seat
ID herself, she said, 81 see you have
Tour sewing with you. What are you
naking?"
"a quilt for Marjory's bed. I'm
It. Look" and she
leid out a square of gingham STREET
,hed over a small embroidery hoop.
/ partly worked design was marked
IN the squares.
"Oh. how pretty that will be-" ex-
laimed Mrs. Martin.
The visit continued as between
wo grown friends. Marjory awak-
ned, was taken into the living-room
nd properly admired and discuss
d.
After a time Mrs. Martin said
oftly. "Mariel, will you excuse me
ow, please?"
Mariel properly took her leave.
fter cordially inviting Mrs. Martin
} visit her soon.
After the child had again become
bsorbed in her play, Mrs. Martin
invited her caller to re-
line her seat in the living-room.
"Oh, Mrs. Martin. that was won
erful. 1t is not surprising that
ariel has such charming manners
o you always talk about the same !
lings?"
"Oh, no, and next time Mariel will
J hostess. Sometimes, she serves a
nch and I am the guest. At other q
mes she is the guest. If she makes :
mistake, I call her by her own
ame, and correct her, in an under
ne. On each visit stress some a
lase of good breeding. Today. It >
as solicitation for another's COM y
rt. I am teaching Mariel tnat true y
'liteness is showing consideration =
r others. =
saT,banlr you On much for YOUR e.