isa-normaladvance-1915-00128

Description:	128THE NORMAL ADVANCE?\|oto 3t Jf aiiebBy MARGARET MORGAN GILLUMWouldnt it be fun to spend the night hereat Bampas! exclaimed Winifred, suddenlyjumping out of the swing.Glancing around the circle of boon companions she could easily read joyful acquiescencein both expressions and actions. Joe was turning a series of handsprings in the soft grass,and Lulu, her eyes tight shut, was sendingforth shrill, delighted little squeals. Eventimid Polly beamed approvingly upon the suggestion.Do you suppose your grandfather ud keepus all night? questioned Mary doubtfullyafter the enthusiasm had worked its way intoquieter channels, but Winifred interrupted hermasterfully. Vinegar, as she was familiarlyknown, was never unprepared. Course he wouldnt, but wed just have tomake him, she announced. You see, we canrun and hide when he begins to put the harnesson the horse, and then wait till it gets dark, sothat he wont take us home.But what if he hunts for us? persistedMary, refusing to heed Winifreds crushinglook, which told her, more plainly than words,to stop questioning.Then if youre fraid to hide, Polly, we canplay be asleep right on the bed, and hell notwake us, continued the plotter, who seemedwell versed regarding Bampas probable actions.But Lulu appeared unsatisfied with thatsolution.Bampa can always tell when Im playingasleep, and then he tickles me, she explained,and then added importantly, but if you reallywant to go to sleep I know just how to do it.At that, everyone became attentive, even Joe,who sometimes pretended to scoff at his big sisters wisdom. When all was quiet she beganimpressively, Did you know that poppies putpeople to sleep? Not really! The announcement brought an expectant stir, and all eyesturned instinctively toward Bampas flowergarden, now ablaze with color from thousandsof poppy blossoms.Yes, continued Lulu, unconsciously answering the almost incredulous looks in eachpair of eyes, Miss White said that the reasonpeople in China go to sleep is because theysmoke opium in their pipes instead of tobacco and opium is made from poppies.Oh, lets try it right away quick. If wejust smell it, I spect itll be enough, criedWinifred, jumping up, and almost falling overherself in her haste.Humph, bet it wont! muttered Joe in pretended masculine scorn, but, nevertheless, hewas first in the race to the garden.After permission had been obtained fromBampa to pick as many poppies as theywished, and his curiosity had been successfullyevaded, the children took their flowers to thehouse and tumbled pellmell on the large old-fashioned bed. For a few moments nothingexcept deep, though spasmodic, breaths brokethe stillness of the room, but gradually oneafter the other grew restless.Are you asleep yet? Winifred asked Lulu,poking her to make sure, and Lulu reluctantlyadmitted that she was not, but added hopefully that she was getting sleepy. She waswide awake an instant later, however, whenJoes foot collided rather forcibly with herhead. Seizing a pillow, she sent it spinningin his direction, and soon the fight became general. Shouts of laughter rang through thehouse as, one after another, the children slippedoff the bed, and, finding a pillow, joined inthe fun.The merriment was at its height when suddenly Bampa appeared in the doorway.Well, kiddies, he said, Im already to takeyou home, so run along and find your hats.
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34950
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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