Milford chronicle., 1937-04-02
Take Another Look
Hiida Richmond

Mrs. Morse was telling her friend
Mrs. Snow, humiliating story
about her little daughter, Nancy
Belle. She shed bitter tears, and al
though her listener was familiar
with the usual trend of Nancy Bellies
eonduct when away from her mo-
ther, she gave no outward sign of
this knowledge. Mrs. Johnson had
given party for her twins who
we're about the age of Nancy Belle
and had invited some of the mothers
TO stand behind a flower screen and
watch the games while the children
played on the lawn under the direc-
tion OF a young niece of hers.
's"If I thought Mrs. johnson did 1t
on purpose to show me how Nancy
Belle behaved, l believe ia never
speak to her again." Mrs. Morse
sobbed. you know Nancy Belle is
nervous, and we dare not correct
her, but she was very naughty that
day. 1t must have been the excite
ment or something, for she was
very rude and even played very
roughly with some of the children"
Mrs. Snow, who had often watch
ed Nancy Belle, knew Mrs. Morse
was speaking mildly, but still she
said nothing. The humiliated moth
er went on with her recital, and fin
ally said she did not see what more
she cpufd do. She had apologized to
Mrs. Johnson for the things Nancy
Belle had accidentally broken, and
she thought that ought to end the
matter, but the way some of the mo-
theirs had looked at her plainly
showed they felt that she was at
fault in the whole matter. In fact,
she had overheard one of them call
Nancy Belle poor child" and Won
der what her future would be If her
mother did not Change her atti-
.ude." The troubled mother laid all |
he blame on Mrs. johnson and said.
If she had not asked the guests to
stand behind the screen, there |
wouldn't have been all this talk"
Then Mrs. Snow suggested frank
y, but kindly, that it might be well
or Mrs Morse to take another look
It the situation. 1t would be COM
)aratively simple, she pointed out.
or Nancy Belle to correct her atti-
udes, now, while still almost baby,
{ her mother would help her.-Of
;ourse, patience and gentle firmness
would need to be used. Then "this
,retty little girl" would not grow up
o be disliked by everyone.
"You tool" sobbed the mother.
John says things like that! But a
ather doesn't understand like a mo-
her. Actually he. and my mother
ay am responsible in a large mea-
ure for Nancy Bellies nervous at
acks. You don't think that could be
rue, do your"
II most certainly think 1t is true"
aid the friend. "And you can SO cas-
" change things for Nancy Belle. :
on have read good books and you
eally know what your child needs.
on have a dear little daughter who :
ill some day be very grateful If ,
OH will help her to understand now )
lat other children have rights and =
rat she must despect them" =
For a long time the unhappy mo- {
Ter sobbed on the couch while Mrs. =
now sat thoughtfully sewing. Then, G
! was quiet; Mrs. Morse, too. was n
linking. Suddenly they were arous- :
by the slam of a door and the 1
ice of Nancy Belle demanding L
udIy that her mother come home. =
ie hostess waited anxiously. Mrs. al
Drse stood up and looked about ra- {
er helplessly. Then she straighten-
her shoulders, slightly, took Nan &C
Belle by the hand, excused her ~
If and left the room. The clock
ked on for five minutes, but Mrs. al
ow knew the mother and child
re still in the hall, so she con-
ued sewing. At length Mrs. Morse y
.urned and went back TO the couch. -
Hardly had she done so when Nan FL
Belle came in, closed the door p5n
ietly, hesitated. then hurried over -
her mother and spoke to her in =.
' tone. nj
The mother rose at once, and -
hin taking the child by the hand.
d, "This is my daughter. Nancy Ga Ga
lie, you know. Mrs. Snow. Thank =
| for letting us visit together in
lr house. We must go home now" So So
III three walked toward the door. =
ere the mother looked up CRATE ~
" at her hostess, and once more s.
said, Thank you" AZ