It
was dull day – no sun – but the frost clinging to the pine trees made the grove
a fairyland of beauty. After Shirley Anne left for school, Ina sat down with
her crochet hook and a skein of yarn and made a little pair of slippers for the
child. It didn’t take long, and once the slippers were in the closet, Ina set
about her other chores. Today she baked several loaves of bread and an
“old-fashioned” gingerbread.
Shirley
Anne was delighted with the new slippers. “I think they go with my new robe
very well, don’t you Aunt Ina,” she asked. She politely didn’t mention that the
spring-like design on the nightgown didn’t fit the winter theme so well. Shirley Anne
knew her manners – and her place.
After
their dinner of fresh bread and milk – you know, rich warm milk poured over
buttered bread and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon – Ina once again coached Shirley
Anne on the poem. She now suggested gestures and movements to enhance her performance. Then the little girl sat with Uncle Jack before the fire as he read
to her from Mother Westwind’s Children while Ina unraveled the yarn of
an old sweater. KW
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