Why Did She? by Martha E. Warner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1916

Why Did She?

By Martha E. Warner

MARTHA E. WARNER

A LADY whose business was buying for small Western stores, often took her adopted son with her on shopping expeditions. The child was a manly little fellow, and attracted much attention. One clerk whom they frequently met often asked the child if he did not want to go home with her and be her boy, always mentioning some toy she would buy for him, but he always said, “No.”

A day came when the boy was told at home that he must hang up his coat. He refused point-blank, saying that if he had to work, he would go and live with the nice lady at the store. His mother explained that she did not think the lady would take him, but he insisted that she would be glad to have him, because she had asked for him so many times.

Soon after this they met the clerk again; and when the shopping was over, she turned as usual to the little fellow, and asked him if he was not going to stay and be her boy. To her surprise he answered, “Yes,” and slipped his hand into hers. The mother waited a moment, and the child turned, and said, “Good-by, mamma. I’m going to have a nice time now, with nothing to do but play with

the wagon and nice things I am going to have.”

For a moment the clerk was too astonished to speak; then she began to explain to the boy why she could not keep him. He listened soberly, and when she had finished, inquired, “Why did you ask me so many times?” As she did not answer, he turned to his mother, saying, “Let’s go home. I don’t want to live with a woman who tells so many lies.”

Later, when the mother tried to apologize to the clerk, she said: “Don’t! I needed it, every word, and I shall profit by it.”

Clintonville, Conn.