INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT, DAY 2

Saturday morning Ina bustled about the house making ready for their little charge. Since daughter Shirley was away from home indefinitely, visiting her brother Earle in Idaho Falls, Ina prepared her bedroom for this new Shirley Anne. It was such a bright, cheerful room, one of Ina’s favorites. She hoped little Shirley Anne would like it, but it didn’t really matter. It was too cold to spend much time upstairs anyway.

Shirley Anne, American Farm Girl

Promptly at noon, Ina answered a knock at the front door. There stood Miss Johnson holding the hand of a pretty little girl who was doing her best to be brave. Nothing less was expected of her, and she knew it. Her light blond hair and the sprinkling of freckles across her nose reminded Ina of her own little girls, now long grown. And just as her own children had been, the child was small for her age – even elfin-like. Bertha would have reached out and embraced the child immediately, but Ina was more reserved, though no less caring.

Once the teacher had gone, Shirley Anne’s face darkened, and Ina sought to change the subject. “Well, now,” she said, “let’s go upstairs and see your room.”

Sleeves -- much better

Shirley Anne didn’t eat much dinner that afternoon, but once or twice she grinned broadly at Jack’s old jokes. Ina was relieved when she tagged along with Jack to the barn. Meanwhile Ina lengthened the sleeves on Shirley Anne’s coat by six rows.

In the evening, Ina helped Shirley Anne bathe and get ready for bed – it was Saturday, you know. Her nightgown was just adequate, that’s all.  Afterwards, they sat together in the big rocking chair and listened to an entertaining program on the radio. Then it was off to bed. Carrying a small lantern, they climbed the stairs.

As Ina was leaving the room, Shirley Anne asked, “What’s that door there?”

“That,” answered Ina, “is a closet, but you mustn’t open the door until Monday after school. Mind now! If you do, you’ll spoil the magic.”

“Oh no,” thought Ina to herself, “what have I done? What can I put in the closet for her to find on Monday?”

But little Shirley Anne forgot her worries and drifted off to sleep wondering about that magic closet. KW