Miss McGuire’s procedure must be condemned from the moment she began her
interview with Lucius; instead of her method the following is
recommended:
“How did your marbles get away from you?” should be the first question.
Put the boy entirely at ease if possible.
“What a fine lot of marbles you have. How do you keep them; your pockets
are too small, aren’t they!”
“Now, I tell you—I have room in the bottom drawer of this desk for them.
Put them in there and get them when you need them.”
[Sidenote: Keep Score-card]
Let the matter rest for that day. Next day, in a chatty fashion, get
Lucius to tell about his games. Let him tell about playing for keeps. At
a still later time begin giving him your ideas on gambling. Do not
disclose the fact that you have seen the boys playing for keeps. Lay a
foundation about stealing, leading up to getting something for nothing,
and thus help the boy to draw his own inferences as to gambling.
Finally, insist that common conscience forbids gambling, and that all
strong boys avoid it. Offer to keep records on a chart instead of
keeping the marbles that formerly have been won. Next year be on hand
with the records plan when the marble season opens and encourage
competition for championship in marbles.