Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-07-24

mo" Miss Phelps said good hui
moredly though she colored slightly at
the woman's tone, but we think that
Virginia has been taking slight advan-
tage of her excellent standing in the
school"
"You think she imposed on you-de-
liberately?" the woman asked her face
showing sudden anger.
Il don't know, Mrs. Hale. That is
what am trying to find out. What is
wrong with Virginia."
have four girls, all good girls Virginia
is the best of them all. There's nothing
wrong with Virginia"
But there is" Miss Phelps said
firmly. Il am not worried over her
hardness, or over her ditching class
not especially. merely want TO know
why she did such a stupid thing. We
have not considered her stupid, you
know
She's not stupid" the girls mother
said gloomily. I'm not so sure about
the rest of us-about you and about
me-"
How are we showing our stupidity?"
Miss Phelps asked, still good-humored
The woman smiled grimly. The
child's education has not been prac-
klca1, she SdlQ.
we should have given her type
writing instead Of Latln?" Miss Phelps
asked, little YEARLY.
The woman snorted. I'm not spring.
ing the old stuff" she said contemptu-
ously. mo. We've made the mistake of
teaching her to be good. That's what's
the matter with my little girl: she's
good--and God knows she's lonesome"
@See here, Mrs. Hale" Miss Phelps
said protestingly, there are lots Of
good girls passing through these cor
ridors every day. Girls every bit as
good as your Virginia"
Maybe. But not quite so docile, may |
be. Not quite so ready TO respect the |
judgment of those they love-"
Why, Miss Phelps" the woman said |
stormily, mo weak human being should |
be trusted as implicitly as Virginia |
trusts you We are not wise enough TO 1
be minded as the girl minds us. Look |
what we've done to her. She won't |
rouge, she won't use hpStick, she doesn't |
swear, she doesn't smoke, she doesn't /
drink She doesn't tolerate the slightest |
familiarity, and at an ordinary petting |
party she would be an icicle."
$50 she's lonesome" Miss Phelps said
quietly. Il don't doubt it. I don't doubt
t In the least
Something in the understanding SYM
oathy in the teachers voice unnerved
he girls mother.
shes so unhappy" she sobbed-
She Just loves to dance, and she goes
% dances and sits in a corner. thought
hat she was pretty young, and her
line would come, but so far 1t hasn't.
bought her some pretty slippers and
made her some fluffy dresses for the
lose Of school. But the child Is just
She gets up every morning,
md tries TO eat to please me, and then
he gets sick :"
And she has to wait till she feels
! little more secure, and then she can't
Vobble to school on time" Miss Phelps
applied.
That's right. She's lost eight pounds,
nd she really had none to spare. Pure
lerves, the doctor says" The woman
wiped her eyes fiercely When they
hose her for class prophet, I thought
urely that would mean some fun on
lass day. Now she says fatty that
omeone else must read what she wrote;
hat you once said that any girl who
lewed like a sick kitten had no bust
ess TO infIict herself on an audience"
Miss Phelps, most undemonstrative
oman, laid her hand suddenly on that
the woman facing her.
Go home, Mrs. Hale" she said, re-
ssurtngly, "and quit worrying. win
andle this case"
II you can you are q smart woman"
FRS. Hale said pessimistically.
The teacher laughed. Just expert
1ceG. perhaps" she said.
Gh@ showed Mrs. Hale out, casually
ave Virginia q note admitting her 70
a@aaas ana then went into q little