GRANDMA'S ATTIC SERIES by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

carefully for a moment. "All right. We'll try it and see. You finish up your work for today, and beginning tomorrow morning, you may do whatever you like. The rest of us will take over your chores."
    "Do you really mean it, Ma?" I exclaimed. "I don't have to do anything except what I want to do?"
    "I mean it. But remember, no one will do anything for you, either. That will be your responsibility."
    I couldn't believe my good fortune, to actually be free to spend my time in any way I chose. I began to plan all the things I would do in the glorious days ahead.
    That night at supper, Pa regarded me thoughtfully. "I hear you're going to be a lady of independence."
    "What does that mean, Pa?" I asked.
    "It means that you are going to take care of yourself and be your own boss."
    I nodded happily. "That's right. Ma said I could do whatever I want—and no chores to finish first!"
    Roy opened his mouth to say something, but a look from Pa stopped him.
    The following morning I awakened to the sound of voices in the kitchen. For a moment I wondered why Ma had not called me. Then I remembered—this was my day! I could sleep half the morning if I wanted to! Suddenly I didn't want to. The whole exciting day stretched before me, and I needed to get an early start.
    I jumped out of bed and reached for my clothes. They were not there! The dress and apron I had taken off the night before lay on the floor where I had dropped them, but there were no clean things on the chair where Ma always placed them. I started to call her to come and help me, then decided against it. I could certainly get my own clothes out.
    I dressed as quickly as I could and ran to the kitchen. To my surprise, the table was cleared, and Ma was doing the dishes.
    "Where is my breakfast?" I asked.
    Ma didn't turn around. "That's your responsibility. Yoi go ahead and get what you want."
    That slowed me down a little. I hadn't counted on having to fix my meals. I could see that the family had eaten pancakes and ham and eggs, but that was hard for me to fix, especially since the pancake batter seemed to be all gone. I finally managed to cut a piece of bread and put jam on it. The heavy milk pitcher was too much for me to handle. Milk spilled out on the table and floor.
    "That's too bad," Ma said. "You know where the mop and bucket are, don't you?"
    "Aren't you going to help me?"
    "Why, no. You can take care of yourself."
    When I had cleaned up the mess as best I could, I sat down at the table. A piece of bread and jam and no one to eat with seemed a poor way to start the day.
    "I sure don't like to eat alone," I muttered.
    "I'm sorry," Ma said. "But I thought since you had no chores today, you'd rather sleep in than get up when we did."
    This reminder of the good times ahead brightened my outlook somewhat, so I finished quickly and hurried outside. The day was bright and beautiful, and I skipped happily across the yard. Immediately I was surrounded by chickens.
    "Oh, bother! You'll just have to wait. Ma will feed you as soon as she has time."
    It seemed to me that they watched reproachfully as I ran on toward the brook. It won't hurt 'em to wait a few minutes, I thought. This is my day.
    For a while I was happy, picking flowers and wading in the brook. I made a daisy chain to hang around my neck, then lay on my stomach to see myself in the water.
    After what seemed like a long time, I looked up at the sun and saw that it was still only the middle of the morning. Time didn't go so fast when there was no one to play with. I thought of Ma doing the dishes alone and making all the beds, and began to feel a little bit guilty.
    But after all, I thought, she did say I could do what I wanted to. And that's what I was doing.
    That morning went slower than any I had ever known. was determined not to miss the dinner bell, so when it seemed close to noon, I started back to the house. I was late, but another surprise awaited me.
    The table was set for dinner, but at my place there was