Chapter Four: Life With Sisters
Beth trembled, staring at the shards on the floor. "Mother is going to strangle me!"
"For breaking a vase?" asked Margie.
"She told me not to play near the table, and I did. This vase is a priceless antique!"
Flo crossed her arms. "Why didn't you listen to Mother?"
"I wanted to assert my independence."
"Great job with that!" Cora muttered.
"You've just got to face her, be honest, and take what you have coming," I advised. "When you've upset someone, it's just easier to take the punishment you deserve than to try avoiding the inevitable."
"How would you know, Bart?" demanded Beth. "You've never upset anyone in your life!"
"That's because he's so eloquent!" Cora responded. "Bart could talk his way out of anything! He always knows just what to say to make someone stop being angry."
"Promise I won't have to style your hair for the rest of the month, and I'll teach you, Beth."
She nodded, and I offered her a few suggestions.
"Now go to Mother at once," I concluded. "It's better that way than waiting until she finds out on her own."
Beth walked into the parlor. "Mother, I have a confession to make."
Mother looked up from her embroidery. "Yes?"
"You specifically warned me against playing near the table, and in a moment of youthful recklessness, I disobeyed your instructions. I have shamed myself and you by causing your cherished vase to shatter. I can do no other but apologize and tell you I am ready to accept whatever consequences you deem necessary."
"Elizabeth Ingham, what do you think I ought to do with you?! You know how much that vase meant to me!"
"Yes, Mother. Seeing your disappointment makes me realize how much I have betrayed your trust. I don't know how I'll ever come to forgive myself for this terrible guilt."
She sighed. "It appears you've punished yourself enough, and you do seem truly sorry. I am disappointed about the vase, but you seem to have learned from the experience. I forgive you, Beth."
"My thanks for your forgiveness! I promise I won't let anything like this happen again!"
I spent the rest of the day competing with other boys in the neighborhood. We played sports and ran races. I did so well that by the end of the day, the other boys had stopped teasing me about being my sisters' hairdresser. Everything was wonderful until Flo arrived.
"What are you doing?" she queried. "I want to play too!"
"We're playing croquet," one of the boys answered. "It's a gentleman's game, so we don't want any girls interfering!"
"How would you like your teeth knocked out with a mallet?!"
The boys stared.
"I have a long memory," Flo continued. "When winter comes, I'll trip you and cram snow down the back of your shirt until you look more like a snow mouse than a boy!" She crossed her arms. "Now, am I welcome to join you for a game of croquet, or shall we settle this with a little rugby?"
When we got home, Margie told us to pack our bags.
"Why?" I asked.
"Mother and Father have announced that it's time for the family vacation. We're all on holiday from school, so this would be the perfect time!"