The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-08-18
LET THEM HELP
MILDRED SIZEMORE

as that the twelve o'clock whistle ?"
Mrs. James hastily gathered up her
mending. 81 had no idea it was so late.
Time passes so quickly"
at certainly does," replied Mrs.
Blake. won't you stay for luncheon,
Margaret? Ellen has it nearly pre-
pared, and she is so proud of her bis
cults; she has just learned to make
them. She will be disappointed if you
CO."
"Thank you; since you put it that
way, how can refuse? Jean and Betty
are visiting their grandmother today,
and it is lonely at home"
A few minutes later, as she butter
ed fluffy white biscuit, Mrs. James
said to Ellen, "My dear, you certainly
are an accomplished cook. Pm not
surprised that your mother is proud of
you. | only wish that Jean were as
interested in cooking and housework
as you are. You're the first girl ever
knew who liked to do dishes"
ooh, thank you, Mrs. James," Ellen
laughed 81 can't say that really like
to wash dishes, but Mother says that
we have to do the things we dislike
in order to do the things we like, and
| love to cook, and, of course, cook
ing requires washing dishes. SO | just
do them"
"What happy thought! | have
never looked at it in that light, my
self, and | must confess have never
had much love for dishwashing, either.
That has been one reason | haven't
blamed Jean very much when she re-
belled against it"
Later they heard Ellen singing at
the unpopular task. "How do you do
it, Grace" Mrs. James asked. 81 have
so much trouble getting Jean to take
an interest in housework. No doubt
it is lack of proper training, but ! have
tried to teach her. Ellen is so differ
ent from other girls, though. suppose
that is the reason you can get her
to do so much"
"You are wrong, Margaret, Ellen is
no different from other girls of her
age, but / have always shared duties
with her, and now she assumes them
. without protest. :" 1880, ss.-..,-.,. ,t.
81 can't understand how you do it.
What is your secret ?"
"There is no secret. When Ellen was
just tiny girl she was naturally in
terested in everything Mother did,
just as all small children are. If had
to make a pie, she was given some
dough to roll with her toy rolling pin
and make into a small one. She baked
loaves of bread in her doll pans, and
also cakes and cookies. 1t hindered me
at times, but | realized that if that
eager interest were ignored it would
die, so | encouraged it, Then, as she
grew older, let her cut the cookies
and gradually learn to cook. While it
took great deal Of time and patience
| have been rewarded many times
over. Now, on Saturdays, which Ellen
calls Mothers day Off, she takes
charge of the kitchen Immediately
after breakfast, and until time to start
dinner in the evening, it is her respon-
sibility. This leaves me free on Sat
urdays to catch up the tag ends of the
weeks work. | usually have number
of things that can't find time to
finish earlier"
"Grace, you have given me clear
picture Of the mistake | made with
Jean When she was little and wanted
to help, | wouldn't allow it. | thought
| could not take the time to have her
in my way; could get through so
much more quickly alone. | didn't
realize the harm was doing to the
child and to myself. 1t won't be easy
to undo But | see now that Jean is
not to blame, so | shall have more
patience with her.-Well talk the
problem over together She is very
sympathetic.--l think she will want
to do her part, and she and | will be
able to interest little Betty"