Evening star., 1938-03-01
Unnatural
Goodness
In Child
A Signal of Failure
Somewhere That
Must Be Found.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

hUEEN1E was becoming veritable
thorn in the family side. There
was no use in trying to cover it, Thir-
teen years old, the one girl set between
two brothers, she had taken on airs of
angelic piety, not so much because she
was on that side as because she longed
to point out that her brothers were
not on that side. She was being good,
pointedly. determinedly. annoyingly
good. The boys were growing irrit-
able.
1t was getting along toward dinner
time. The table was set, the kitchen
smells indicated that before many
minutes there would be a call to beef
steak and onions. The boys liked them
and so did father. Queenie would look
at them with dainty disapproval and
then eat two portions. Mother would
not allow any remarks about this sort
OF thing, but the boys noted it and
set it down against her. Tonight she
was doing her math lesson ahead of
time. Just to be industrious and
good. Her gentle tones floated down
the stairs, reaching the kitchen, where
mother was browning the onions.
Mother dear, could the boys please
stop their noise SO that I can think?
am doing my math and can't work
because they are making such a noise
with the radio"
Boys, will you turn down the radio
bit? Queenie says it is too loud"
There were few grumbling noises
and the radio was lowered.
Mother. could the boys please
bring some towels to the bathroom?
I have wet my hands and there are
no towels. They dirtied them all when
they washed for dinner. I'm sorry to
bother-"'
Then don't bother" called Junior
loudly. Make an effort and reach
the closet. There are plenty Of towels
there. Or are you too good for such
rough work? You give me a pain in
the neck, you do"
Junior! Junior! Don't disturb
the house. Noise gives Queenie q
headache. Never mind. Just keep
still"
After dinner the boys went upstairs
to do their lessons. They romped
about the room for a few minutes
until Queenie called. Mother, could
you please ask the boys to be quiet?
I have to think. They made so much
noise this afternoon that I couldn't
get my work done" Mother hushed
the boys.
The house was quiet for about an
hour and then the boys returned to
the living room. Can we use the
piano. mother2 We want to practice
new song we learned" Mother
looked at the clock. Yes. You have
IS minutes before bedtime" They
raced to the piano and began. Two
minutes later q sweet voice called.
Il hate to complain, mother. but
simply cannot work in this noise. I'm
going to have headache if it doesn't
stop. I don't believe that Frank and
Arthur have done their themes for
tomorrow. They ought to have them
ready. Mine is done. And didn't
have to do it until tomorrow, but
I thought it better to get it done ahead
of time. It is better to be early than
late, isn't it?"
Then 60 ahead and be it," shouted
Junior. Il don't have to write mine
until tomorrow. I'm no angel. You
only think you are. Too good for
this earth, you are. Let you tell 1t.
Unnatural goodness Is q signal OF
failure somewhere. Find why such
a child feels that she needs to tell
the, world she is good, better than
the rest Of mankind. and help her
ind healthy way of success.
(Copyright 193SO