The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-28

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Chapter %
Betsy's Apology
A HALF hour before supper Bob
"A and Gretchen and Tally
chan ged into swim-Suits and
splashed and swan in the warm
summer surf. When the sun was
halt over the horizon they came
out Of the breakers, laughing and
calling to each other.
Race you up to the house." Bob
challenged.
Jocelyn,s car was In the Macks'
driveway. She was waiting for
them near the back door, looking
smart and expensive In q suit Of
pale green linen, a fioppy linen hat
framing her vexed face, her small
feet tucked into high-heeled green
sandalG
Hello, Lyn," Bob said. aT'd kiss
ycu II ] wasn't dripping"
Gretchen and Tally started on
INTO the house.
Just minute. please" Jocelyn
ordered. u wish to speak to all
three Of you"
She held out q red hair ribbon.
Els this Betsy's?D
Why-why, yes" Gretchen af-
drmed. Where did you find it,"
In my room. My French doll Is
Missing-you know, Bob, the one
Ge0h brought me from San Fran
eisco-and the musical powder
box and my emerald bracelet.
Since ] found her hair ribbon ON
the floor beside my dressing table,
I gather that Betsy took the
things"
Bob looked at his wife, who APP
peared completely astounded. "I'm
very sorry. Lyn," he said. "I'll get
the things. Of course, and return
them to you"
Jocelyn had meant to be rea-
sonable about the whole affair, but
Taily's eyes were so scornful that
she heard herself hurting:
1T isn't that the items are val
liable, Bob. But the child certainly
should know better than to steal.
You must punish her severely so
Il won't happen again!"
Gretchen pushed the damp black
hair OF Of her cheeks. II will not
punish her, Miss Russell" she de-
clared. II don't blame her one bit.
We've always been too poor to buy
her fancy dolls and other toys. The
ones we gave her were cheap and
shoddy. She never saw beautiful,
expensive things before. She's not
q thief and she knows better, but
she wanted them so badly she took
them anyhow, knowing she
couldn't keep them and knowing
she would be punished. Don't you
realize she's still a baby? Only Ave
years oldf ] haze taught her not
10 take things that aren't hers -.
but even grown people sometimes
forget II they are tempted enough.
III get the things for you and I'll
talk TO her about It. but ! refuse
% spank her or let anyone else!"
Gretchen hurried into the house,
Tally following. Bob looked at his
listers perturbed face.
I'm so ashamed of you, Lyn,"
he said, then turned his back and
into the kitchen.
Unfair
pETSY'S misdemeanor cast a pail
- over the usually gay dinner Ia
bic In the Macks' kitchen. Betsy
herself was not present, having
been confined to her room by her
mother, who had talked to the
flushed, defiant child until she
burst into tears.
= couldn't>get a word out Of
her" Gretchen said miserably. 81
don't know what to do. wouldn't
have had this happen for anything.
Whatever possessed her, any
h0w7"
@JoceIyn needn't have made
such q FUSS" Bob asserted.
would you like me to handle
TT" Tally asked. realizing that
both Bob and Gretchen were too
distrauRht to be reasonable.
The young couple nodded. "Tal-
Tvs allus the goat" Gramp COM ]
nented. Don't you 20 startin'
1Rht with Josie now. She prob'ly
feels lest as bad as US about II"
When the meal was finished Tai
" went up to Betsy's room, collect
q the purloined articles and the
1919 .s-,1 ex@r,@< . x.x.,.I -, A.. nt,~
sslls' front door.
Jocelyn came out on the porch,
Observed the little girls tear
Stained cheeks, and felt wretched
about the whole affair. Betsy re-
gsrded her with solemn. chastened
eyes rs Tally gave her . little
shove forward
'T'm terribly sorry looked your
doll and things she recited duti-
fully as per instruction Then on
her own she added. Il didn't steal
'em, though. Mister Bob said one
time he'd get me q doll like this
one and / Just wanted to show IL
% him SOS he'd know what kind
20 get mem ] thought maybe
II ne saw the box that sings and
the bracelet. he maybe would get
me those. too. was going to put
every single thing back. ! was.
Honest and truly, Miss Joshlynl"
You didn't tel me that Betsy"
Tally chided.
Il couldn't. Uncle Tally. cause
everybody scolded me so much"
There were tears in Jocelyn's
eyes Is she knelt down before the
little girl I'm sorry. too. " she said