GRANDMA'S ATTIC SERIES by Unknown

nothing but bread crumbs and a knife with jam on it!
    Ma turned and smiled at me. "Did you have a nice morning?"
    "Yes, ma'am. But don't I get to eat with you this noon?" "Oh my, yes," Ma replied. "Just clear away your breakfast things and set your place."
    I did so, but my ideas about freedom were beginning to change.
    "Shall I help put the food on?" I asked.
    Ma looked surprised. "No, thank you. Just sit down, and we'll be ready to eat in a few minutes."
    I sat down at the table and watched Ma dish up the food Something was just not right about this arrangement, and it made me feel uneasy. But I decided not to let the boys know how disappointing it was. When they and Pa came in for dinner, I attempted to look happier than I felt.
    "Well," Pa boomed as he sat down at the table. "Do we have a visitor here today?"
    "I'm not a visitor, Pa," I said. "I live here!"
    "Of course. How could I forget that?"
    "I'd like to forget it sometimes," Roy added. "I could get along real well without her for a while."
    I looked at Ma quickly, afraid that she might decide to send me away so Roy could try it out, but she was giving him a disapproving look, and he bowed his head for prayer. Pa prayed, as usual, for the Lord to bless the food and the hands that prepared it. It occurred to me that I hadn't helped, so the blessing was not for me.
    "What are you planning to do with your afternoon?" Pa asked as he began to eat.
    "I don't know exactly ... but I'll have fun," I added quickly.
    After dinner I wandered out to the porch and sat on the edge, swinging my feet. The rattle of dishes reminded me that mine would probably not be done unless I took care of it. When Ma finished and left the kitchen, I crept to the door to look. Sure enough, there was my cup and plate. The rest of the table was cleared.
    That's not fair! I thought. Ma did the boys' dishes. She could have done mine too.
    "And you could have helped her!" a little voice inside me said. "She did the boys' dishes, because they are out in the field working."
    As quietly as I could, I rinsed off my dishes and brushed the crumbs from the table. I felt ashamed that I was the only one in the family who hadn't done anything all day. Even our dog, Pep, had taken the cows to the field that morning. Slowly I walked to my room to think things over. The unmade bed and the clothes on the floor looked worse than they had when I left them.
    I picked up my clothes and made the bed, then sat down on the edge and looked around the room. Why had I thought that having no chores to do would be so wonderful? How had I planned to spend the time?
    I picked up a mail-order catalog and flipped over a few pages, then put it down. Emily sat in the chair watching me, her sober, shoe-button, doll eyes inviting me to play. But I didn't feel like it. The clock in the parlor struck. Only one hour had passed since dinnertime!
    I sighed and walked to the window. Ma was in the garden picking vegetables for supper. Maybe she would let me help her get them ready.
    "Ma, I'm tired of being a lady of independence. Could I shell the peas for you?"
    "Are you sure you want to? What about your day off?"
    "I think I've had enough of it. I can't think of anything I want to do."
    "You've found out something important today!" Ma said. "It often happens that if you don't do anything, there's nothing you want to do. That's a pretty sad way to live." '
    I agreed with Ma, and I didn't try that again.
    Grandma looked at me, and her eyes twinkled. "Do you think you'd like to try it?"
    I shook my head. "I don't think so. I guess it's nicer to have something to do."
     
     
How News Spread
    The telephone rang in the old farm kitchen, and Grandma went to answer it. "Yes, Mr. Jenkins. I'll be in to get it this morning. Thank you."
    Then Grandma turned to me. "Would you like to walk to the store with me? The material is here. We can begin a dress for you this afternoon."
    Of course I was eager to go, and we started off down the shady lane to the