The Bismarck Tribune

Talks To
Parents
AN ANTIDOTE
(By Alice Judson Peale)

During the first week of camp Jule
sat at the table opposite her younger
brother. During every meal her shrill,
aggresive voice dominated the con-
versation. But especially did she
make life miserable for that younger
brother.

"You're putting too much sugar on
your cereal, Tommy. Tommy! You
know mamma doesn't allow you to
have three spoons full at home." And:
"Tommy, close your mouth when you
chew, and look! You've got egg under
your ear. Really, you're a perfect
mess."

A few days later two boys a little
older than Jule came to camp and
joined the long table. Jule, sitting
opposite those fine sturdy lads, was
a very different Jule from the girl
who bedeviled her younger brother.
Jule's voice was pleasant. She
didn't talk half so much. She didn't
even try to monopolize the conver-
sation. The big boys and the other
girls of her own age had something
to say, and they were quite able to
say it. Jule's manner became posi-
tively gentle. The best antidote for
Jule's aggressiveness had been found
and she herself remained entirely un-
conscious of its working.

An adolescent girl who does not
care how disagreeable she makes her-
self at the family dinner table will
mend her ways very quickly under the
eyes of friends of her own age,
especially if these are members of
the opposite sex.

Try it. Invite your daughter's
friends, boys and girls, to share your
family meal and you will find that
fraternal bickerings will cease and a
hitherto unknown social grace make
its appearance.