One afternoon, with Louise and Nellie both unavailable to stay with their younger
sister, Julia reluctantly took her six-year-old daughter Leta with her to
return two dresses she had adjusted to their owners and to the market. She
dressed her daughter in her prettiest clothes, even taking the time to curl the
child’s hair. The effort was to pit the child’s vanity against her greed. While
dressing the girl and flattering her as much as any mother with sense could,
Julia laid down Leta’s share in the activity. If she kept herself tidy and
quiet throughout their afternoon of errands, she would have a special treat
when she got home. Leta agreed with eagerness, dutifully took her mother’s
hand, and the duo walked to their first destination.
What
Julia hadn’t bargained on was that Leta truly was striking and both of the
women they visited fawned all over her. What
a beautiful little girl. Such a pretty dress. Look at how lovely your hair is
curled. Such beautiful blue eyes. And on the women went. The second, a
rather wealthy widow, went so far as to give her a penny, just for being so pretty and well-behaved. Julia was busy with the
dress and failed to notice the flash of excitement that flared in her
daughter’s eyes. The mother also failed to realize how her daughter watched the
cash pass from the women to her mother as payment for the work.
Julia
actually was relieved that Leta remained so well-behaved throughout the
afternoon, whatever the reason. She had a cookie at the first house and a glass
of lemonade at the second, which satisfied her sweet tooth, or so Julia
thought. And this certainty distracted Julia from her own stern composure and
original intention to quickly pick up her market needs and get home. While
walking down the street to the market, several other neighbors noted to Leta
how beautiful she looked. The girl politely voiced her thanks, which resulted
in one of the women squealing with delight. “What a lovely doll baby!” the
woman screeched.
They were
only in the shop three minutes when the dreaded request came from Leta’s very
confident voice: “Mama, can I have a candy?”
At that
moment, Julia hated that the shopkeepers kept the candy right in the front,
where any and every child could see it.
Julia set
her basket down and squatted to meet her daughter’s eyes.
“Now,
Leta,” Julia said firmly but gently, holding her daughter’s upper arms, “we
talked about this before we left home, remember? You can have a treat when you
get home, if you behave. But I’m not going to buy any candy today.”
“But I’m
hungry,” Leta said.
“I know
you’re not hungry,” Julia corrected. “You just had a cookie and lemonade.”
“But I
want a candy,” Leta whined, her voice growing in volume and frustration.
“Remember
what I said. Behave or no treat at home,” Julia repeated with growing anger.
“You are not getting a candy. “
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