isa-normaladvance-1913-00089

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE89Mothers brown eyes softened as she lookedat the pleading, up-turned face of the littlegirl. She pushed the curls back from theflushed cheeks and answered with a note ofwistfulness in her voice, I really wish youcould have it, dear. I always wanted a catwhen I was a little girl and I never did getone. But father said he would not have onearound the house. We wouldnt think of disobeying father, would we? And as the littlegirls frown still lingered, she stooped andkissed the soft red lips, whispering, bemothers own dear little girl and take your disappointment bravely.Mother went back to her baking and Mar-jorie climbed slowly down from the high stooland w7alked across the sunny kitchen. At thedoor she paused. I guess Ill go over toLucilles, mother, she said, and play withher kitty.That will be fine, said mother enthusiastically, and while youre gone Ill make alittle pie for you, with criss-crosses on top.Yesm, answered Marjorie in a flat, colorless voice, and went out into the yard. Motherstood looking after her.Poor child, she said softly to herself. Iwish father wouldnt be so strict with her butwhen he once makes up his mind—-. Shesighed and went back to her pies.Meanwhile Marjorie w7as walking slowlydown the broad road, kicking the dust to rightand left with her sandals. AVhy cant I havea cat? she kept thinking to herself. It isntfair. It isnt one bit fair. All the girls canhave them but me. Fathers just too mean. Hedoesnt love me at all, and I dont love himeither. She kicked the dust viciously.Mother doesnt love me either or shed makefather let me have one. I wish I was somebody elses little girl thats what I wish.Then Id—.Hullo! She gave a startled jump andlooked up. There was red-headed Don Williams swinging on his gate. Wanta see thekittens? he asked cordially, his blue eyesbeaming. Theyre peaches, all right. Comeon in.Marjorie hesitated. She had not intendedto go near Dons house. She did not want tosee the kittens again. It only made her disappointment greater. But now that she washere she might as well go on in. It would dono harm to look at them. Don was holding thegate hospitably open and she went in.Gotta tooth out, said Don proudly, asthey went towards the barn. See the hole?Its a whopper. He grinned from ear to ear.Dad pulled it with his fingers. Naw, it didnthurt. Ill let you see it if you want to. Say,changing the subject, that malty cats a humdinger. Hes the smartest thing you xever saw.Im teaching him tricks.They were in the barn loft now and with acry of delight Marjorie dropped on her kneesbeside the rolling, tumbling kittens, and gathered them into her lap. The little grey cat putout his paw and patted her cheek. Marjoriecaught him up in a rapture of tenderness andheld him close to her cheek, crooning a littlewordless love song.Don was perched on a beam, chewing straw.Say, he remarked, if you w7ant that cat,youd better take it now. Virginia Haines wasover here yesterday and she said she was goingto take it if her mother w7ould let her. But,condescendingly, Id lots rather youd haveit, cause I like you better. Virginias such afraid cat.Marjorie started to tell him that she did notwant the cat, that she could not take it, butthe words stuck in her throat. The kitten wasrubbing his wet nose against her bare neckand purring softly. She thought of him inA^irginias arms, sunggling against Virginiascheek, and a fierce determination took possession of her. Virginia should not have him.He was hers and no one should take him awayfrom her. Her eyes were shining and her voicesounded strange and far-off as she said, Illtake him right now, Don. Im awful glad toget him. Hes so sweet.
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34534
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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