A Bargain for Frances
A Bargain for Frances A Bargain for Frances It was a fine summer day, and after breakfast Frances said, "I am going to play with Thelma." "Be careful," said Mother. "Why do I have to be careful?" said Frances. "Remember the last time?" said Mother. "Which time was that?" said Frances. "That was the time you played catch with Thelma's new boomerang," said Mother. "Thelma did all the throwing, and you came home with lumps on your head." "I remember that time now," said Frances. "And
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A Bargain for Frances
A Bargain for Frances
It was a fine summer day, and after breakfast Frances said,"I am going to play with Thelma.""Be careful," said Mother.
"Why do I have to be careful?" said Frances.
"Remember the last time?" said Mother.
"Which time was that?" said Frances.
"That was the time you played catch with Thelma's new boomerang," said Mother."Thelma did all the throwing, and you came home with lumps on your head."
"I remember that time now," said Frances.
"And do you remember the other time last winter?" said Mother.
"I remember that time too" said Frances.
"That was the first time there was ice on the pond.Thelma wanted to go skating, and she told me to try the ice first."
"Who came home wet?" said Mother. "You or Thelma?"
"I came home wet," said Frances.
"Yes," said Mother. "That is why I say be careful.Because when you play with Thelma you always get the worst of it."
"Well," said Frances, "this time I do not have to be careful.
We are not playing with boomerangs. We are not skating.We are having a tea party, and we are making a mud cake."
"Be careful anyhow," said Mother. "All right," said Frances.
Frances took her dolls to Thelma's house.
She took her alligator doll and her elephant doll.
She took her snake doll and her teddy bear too.
As Frances walked to Thelma's house she sang:
Alligators, bears and me, Are very fond of drinking tea.The elephant and the wiggly snake, Are happy when they eat their cake.
Frances and Thelma made a mud cake.They put daisies on it for frosting.Then Thelma got out her dolls and her tea set.
"I am saving up for a tea set," said Frances. "I am saving all my allowances."
"This is the best kind to get," said Thelma."It is plastic, and it has red flowers on it."
"This is not the kind I want," said Frances.
"I want a real china tea set with pictures on it in blue.
The tea set I want has trees and birds and a Chinese houseand a fence and a boat and people walking on a bridge.
I used to have that kind of tea set.But all I have now is part of the teapot. The rest of it is broken."
"That is why that kind of tea set is no good," said Thelma."The cups break and the saucers break and the teapotand cream pitcher and sugar bowl break, and then the set is all gone.My tea set has red flowers, and it does not break unless you step on it."
"Well," said Frances, "I am saving up for the other kind."
"How much have you saved up?" said Thelma.
"Two dollars and seventeen cents," said Frances.
"How much does the tea set cost?" said Thelma.
"I don't know," said Frances. "I am sure they cost a lot," said Thelma.
"It will take you a long time to save up all that money."
"I know," said Frances, "and I wish I had a tea set now."
"Maybe I will sell you mine," said Thelma.
"I don't want yours," said Frances."I want a real china one with pictures on it in blue."
"I don't think they make them anymore," said Thelma."I know another girl who saved up for that tea set.
Her mother went to every store and could not find one.
Then that girl lost some of her money and spent the rest on candy.
She never got the tea set. This is what happens.
A lot of girls never do get tea sets. So maybe you won't get one."
"If I buy yours, I will have a tea set," said Frances.
"You said you didn't want it," said Thelma."And anyhow, I don't want to sell it now."
"Why not?" said Frances.
"Well," said Thelma, "it is a very good tea set.
It is plastic that does not break.
It has pretty red flowers on it. It has all the cups and saucers.
It has the sugar bowl and the cream pitcher and the teapot.
It is almost new, and I think it cost a lot of money."
"I have two dollars and seventeen cents," said Frances.
"That's a lot of money." "I don't know," said Thelma.
"If I sell you my tea set, then I won't have one anymore."
"We can have tea parties at my house then," said Frances.
"And you can use the money for a new doll." "Well, maybe," said Thelma.
"Do you have your money with you?"
"I'll run home for it," said Frances. "All right," said Thelma.
"I will think about it while you run home for your money."
Frances ran home for her money.
When she came back, Thelma said, "I will sell you my tea set."
Frances gave Thelma her money. Thelma gave Frances her tea set.
"No backsies on this," said Thelma.
"All right," said Frances. "No backsies."
Frances went home with her tea set and her dolls, and she sang:
A plastic pot can pour the tea.For my dolls and friends and me Just as well as china.Red is just as good as blue. Plastic cups are all right too, Just as good as china.
