Somebody's Little Girl by Martha Young
page 28 of 45 (62%)
page 28 of 45 (62%)
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Bessie Bell said: ``Thank you, ma'am.''
Then as the lady still stood by the playground Bessie Bell asked her: ``Are you a Lady, ma'am ?'' ``I have been called so,'' said the lady, smiling down at Bessie Bell. ``Or are you a Mama?'' asked Bessie Bell. ``Ah, said the lady; ``I am a Mama, too, but all my little girls have grown up and left me.'' Bessie Bell wondered how they could have done that, those little girls. But she saw, and was so glad to see, that this lady was very wise, and that she understood all the things that little girls wonder about. But though there was a difference, a very great difference, between Mamas and Ladies it was very hard to tell--unless you asked. One day a large fat lady took Bessie Bell on her lap. That was very strange to Bessie Bell--to sit on top of anybody. And the lady made a rabbit, and a pony, and a preacher, all out of a handkerchief and her nice fat fingers. And then she made with the same handkerchief and fingers a Mama holding a Baby. Then Bessie Bell looked up at her with her wondering eyes and asked: ``Are you a Lady--'' |
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