“Tell me all about it,” said Mother.
Bobby and Betty told Mother they followed the organ-grinder. They told
her they skipped and danced to the music the organ man played.
They told her they started home when the organ man stopped playing.
They told her the big policeman came and asked them where they were going.
“Were you afraid of the policeman?” asked Mother.
“I was at first,” said Betty. “But, Mother, he is a big brother. I’m not
afraid of him now.”
“This policeman is a kind man,” said Mother. “I wish all policemen were
like him.”
“Aren’t they all big brothers?” asked Bobby.
“That is what they should be,” answered Mother. “But not all policemen
are big brothers.”
“I am glad we found the big-brother kind,” said Betty.
“So am I,” said Mother. “But tell me, children, why did you follow the
organ-grinder beyond the end of this block?”
“He played beautiful music,” said Betty. “The music pulled us along,
Mother.”
“I know,” answered Mother. “I know how music pulls you along. But my
little ones must not let music pull them away from home.”
“Next time it pulls, I’ll pull the other way,” said Bobby.
“Bobby did pull a little,” said Betty. “Next time I’ll help him and we’ll
come back to you.”
“That is right. Listen to the music when the organ-grinder is in this
block,” said Mother. “When he goes to the next block, it is time to pull
away from the music and come home to Mother.”
“I’m glad we are home now,” said Bobby.
“I wish you had been here this afternoon,” said Mother. “You can’t guess
what you missed!”
“What was it, Mother?” asked Betty.
“Mrs. White came over with some ice cream,” said Mother. “She had more
than she needed. She wanted you to have some.”
“Did you save it for us?” asked Bobby.
“I wanted to save it,” answered Mother.
“Did you save the ice cream, Mother?” asked Betty.
“I had no way to keep it, children. So I called in John and Josie, and
they ate the ice cream.”
“Oh, fudge!” said Bobby. “I wish we had come home.”
“So do I,” said Betty. “I wish we had turned back when John and Josie
did.”
“If we had turned back, we should have had the ice cream,” added Bobby.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
_For study and play_:
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Dare to say no.
If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek,
Five things observe with care:
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever.