The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-11-14
Home Education
The Child's First School 10 the
Family"-Fr0ebel
Issued by the National Kinder
garten Association, 8 West 10th
Street, New York City. These arti-
cles are appearing weekly in our
columns.
JANEY STANDS
ALONE
II1CIA MALL ODX
LUCIA MALLORY

Lucia" telephoned Alice Loring, 81
need to ask favor Of you. It's about
something that's tremendously import
ant to Janey and me-"
Knowing Alice's tendency to over
devotion as a mother, felt instinctive
ly that | might prove to be a better
friend if l refused her request. In
that case it would be better to be
talking face to face than by telephone.
"Could you come over?" asked.
"Why, yes" Alice agreed, 81 can
come for a few minutes before my
next pupil arrives"
AS | waited for my friend, kept
thinking about the slender, sober
faced little girl that had been, since
her fathers death three years before,
her mothers constant companion. The
two shared an intense love of music.
At ten years of age, Janey had ac-
quired a proficiency on the violin that
made her playing constantly in de-
mand. How many times had watch
ed the small musician, with rapt face
bent above her violin, while her
mother, at the piano, played a per-
feet accompaniment!
"I'll tell you what | want, Lucia"
Alice began breathlessly. "Mr. Barnes
wants Janey to go with him to play a
violin solo when he gives the Com
mencement address at Fairfield, and
he wants to take little Edna Dixon
along as her accompanist. That child
would just ruin Janey's solo. Do you
suppose you could possibly drive over
that evening and take me-I'd pay for
the gas"
"You don't need to go, Alice" | in
terrupted. "Mr. Barnes will take good
care of Janey. Anybody that's been
superintendent of schools for twenty
years knows how to take care of child
rem"
"But you don't understand, Lucia, y
my friend answered tragically. "Janey
has never played without me! You
know how | follow her every move
ment! Edna Dixon would be just an
other child playing solo. Tll have
to find somebody else to take me-"
AS Alice was turning away, | de-
cided that the time had come to tell
her some of the things she needed to
know. . ,.
"Wait a minute, Alice" urged. 81
wish you'd think the matter over care
fully before you make the mistake OF
going with Janey."
"What Go you mean-make a mis-
81 thought you liked to hear us play
together"
'Indeed l do enjoy your playing"
hastened to assure her. "It's just that
you won't always be with your daugh-
ter. The time must come for Janey tC
stand alone. Good mother that you
are, Alice, you aren't giving the chilo
a chance to prepare for that time.
''It isn't easy to say this" | went
on as my friend listened soberly, "but
| believe you and Janey would both be
better off if, part Of the time, each OF
you had outside companionship."
Lucia, do you really think | ought
to let Edna play for Janey, even if il
-spoils her solo ?"
The audience Will De pleased tt
hear two such small children play"
told her. "They won't expect per
fection.'
"All right, Lucia, I'll call Mr.
Barnes and tell him that Janey may
play with Edna. I've been too much
wrapped up in the child to think clear
ly about such things" Alice gave me
a warm handclasp as she hurried
away to the studio.
A few weeks later | heard the two
children play together on school pro
gram Janey's mother sat beside me-
and shared the pleasure of the entire
audience in the children's perform
ance.
81 want to thank you for your sug
gestion, Lucia" she said. 1t is goot