on sophia
Now the special English program American Stories.
Our story today is called ''The Revolt of Mother''. It was written by Mary Wilkins Freeman. It was published as part of a collection of stories in 1891. Here is Kay Glant with the story.
"Father, what are the men digging over in the field for?”
The old man shut his mouth and continued getting his horse ready to ride. They were in the barn, standing before the wide open doors. The spring air was full of the smell of growing grass. Adoniram Penn looked at his wife Sarah. She looked as unmovable as one of the rocks in these fields.
"Father", she said, "I wanna know what the men are digging over there in that field for?"
"They are digging a foundation, if you have got to know."
''For what?''
''For a barn.''
''Ah, a barn? You ain’t going to build a barn over there where we was going to have a house.''
The old man hurried away. The woman went to the house. It looked extremely small, next to the great barn and other farm buildings. A pretty girl's face looked out one of the windows. She turned quickly when the woman entered. “What are they digging for, Mother? Did he tell you?''
''They are digging for a new barn.''
''Oh Mother, they aren’t going to build another barn.''
”That’s what he says.”
A boy stood by smoothing his hair.
“Sammy, did you know Father was going to build a new barn?” The girl asked.
“Yes, I suppose I did.” he said.
His mother looked at him hard. “Is he going to buy more cows?”
“I, I suppose he is.” Sammy answered.
The mother said nothing more. The boy got his cap and his book and started for school.
“Mother,” the girl said, “don't you think it’s too bad that Father is going to build a new barn when we need a better house to live in?”
“You should not judge Father, Nanny. He does not look at things just the way we do. I do not think you should complain. You have a good father and a good home.''
Nanny began to sob. She was to be married in the autumn. |