Evening star., 1939-05-12
Making Home
Attractive
Child
Unless This Is Done
Youngsters Will
Go Elsewhere
BY ANGELO PATRI.

Susie fell into the habit OF visit
ing a neighbor child after school,
Her mother warned her each morn
ing. Come right home after school.
Don't go home with Violet Now
remember what say. Come straight
home. I will be waiting for you"
But Susie went along with Violet
and forgot about coming home until
darkness set in to warn her.
In vain her mother punished her.
Susie would promise not to go
there again, but the next day she
went as usual, and then, dread
ing to go home, fingered as long as
possible on the way. Her mother
was alarmed and appealed to Susie's
teacher for help.
Miss Caroline was surprised to
learn that Susie, a neat and shin
ing child from well-managed
home, should be interested in 60
ing to Violet's home, which was
quite the opposite. Have you
visited Violet's homer" she asked
the anxious mother.
MY, no! I wouldn't think of
going there. I can't imagine my
self there. That's why I am so
worried about Susie. What does
she see in this child? Why doesn't
she make friends with some of
the others? My friends children?"
Miss Caroline, puzzled by the
situation, decided to visit Violet's
home without notice. She went
there one afternoon when school
was dismissed. AS she entered she
caught a glimpse Of Susie seated
at little table with Violet. Violet's
mother lowering over them with
the greatest solicitude. "1s your
chocolate sweet enough, Susie?
Move your chair little from that
window. I hope you like that cake.
I always make it for company"
Miss Caroline did not have to
stay long before she understood
why Susie liked to be there. This
was a home where children were
welcomed and made to feel impor-
tant. Nothing in it was too good
for their use. There were no signs,
visible or invisible, that said keep
of. Susie was free as air here and
had all the prestige and honor OF
a princess of the blood.
At home she was under strict
discipline. Her things had to be
hung up on the right nail, at the
right time, and there were regu-
lations about eating between meals,
and about what should and should
not be eaten by little girls. There
was no broad sofa to welcome
heaps of books and hats and coats.
No little table in the dining room
window where two children might
enjoy little lunch between meals.
Everything at home was just so,
with no allowance for variation and
children; the child of the house
must speak when she is spoken
to- and be mannerly at table, at
least as far as mother could see
her. Susie liked the release she
felt in Violets house, and that was
why she went there. And there was
the companionship Of the other
child, while at home there was no.
body but mother, who was very
grown up indeed.
Miss Caroline and mother talk
ed this over, IF you could go and
see them there, so happy in each
others company, and the affection
that Violet's mother showers on
them, you wouldn't feel the way
you do. Her way Is not your way,
of course, but it is q good way, too.
And If Violet could come here some
times, and you and her mother visit
too. maybe 1t would be quite all
right"
Why not? A good way is a good
way, even II it Is different and our
children are not with us. A bit Of
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