Read The Criminal for Free Online Page B

have killed, that young woman would have been dead. "No, I would not like to do that, Miss Brundage. But there's something I would like to do. I'd like to know why we have to pay big taxes without getting anything for it but some snotty young girl to insult us. I'd like to know why we can't get teachers who think about something besides powdering their noses and putting every nickel they make on their backs and-"
    "Mrs. Talbert," she said. " Mrs. Talbert!"
    "Well, what?" I said. "You don't need to yell at me!"
    "I'm a teacher, Mrs. Talbert, not a prison warden. I can't compel Robert to study and I can't keep him from playing truant. But I can- and I will, if you persist in your present attitude-I can and will see that action is taken by the proper authorities."
    "Well, well," I said. "Now, let me tell you something Miss High-and-mighty. My husband and I-"
    "There are compulsory attendance laws in this state, Mrs. Talbert. A parent who willfully allows a child to remain out of school is subject to heavy penalties."
    "And wouldn't you love that!" I said.
    "Yes," she nodded slowly. "I believe I would."
    She turned and walked away, then, and it was a good thing for her that she did! I started after her, but then I thought, oh, well, what's the use? Anyone like that, it's a waste of breath to talk to 'em.
    I left the school and walked back to the shopping center. I tried on a few pair of shoes and two coats and several hats, and got a book from the lending library. Then, I went into the drug store and ordered some pie and a cup of coffee. I wasn't at all hungry really, even though I hadn't had hardly a bite to eat all day. But the lady sitting next to me, she was having an olive-nut triple-deck with cream cheese and it looked so good, I decided to have one, too. And somehow this lady and I got to talking-she was telling me about a perfectly marvelous diet she'd been on-and we had some more coffee and a chocolate sundae apiece, and the first thing we knew, it was almost three o'clock.
    I started home, getting some milk and bread from the grocery first. I was almost there when, lo and behold, who should pop up in front of me suddenly but Mr. Bob Talbert. We saw each other at the same time, and did that young man look sheepish! Then, he put on a grin and tried to act like he was just getting home from school.
    "Hi, Mom," he said. "Let me carry that stuff for you."
    "Oh, I wouldn't think of it," I said. "After all, you've been studying all day, bending over your books until you're all worn out. You- oh, Bob, how could you? Aren't you ever going to straighten up and behave like a boy should?"
    "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I won't do it any more, Mom."
    "Well, I should hope not!" I said. "Where on earth did you go anyway? Where have you been?"
    "Out to the golf links. I was going to caddy-g-get some money to buy Dad a present."
    I looked at him. Honestly, you know! Sometimes you'd think that boy didn't have a brain in his head. "Buy him a present?" I said. "What in the world for? It's not his birthday or anything."
    "I just wanted to," he muttered. "I don't know why."
    "Well, you certainly put me in a pretty pickle," I said. "I went up to see your teacher, and naturally I supposed you were there-what in the world would I be supposed to suppose?-and she and I started going around and around and-"
    "Aw, Mom," he said. "For gosh sake, what'd you do that for? She's-Miss Brundage's the only one up there that's got any sense or ever acts half-way decent and you have to-"
    "Well, for pity's sake!" I said. "You make a fool out of me with your hooky-playing, and then it's my fault. I'm in the wrong!"
    "Well, gosh," he said. "Gee whiz, Mom!"
    I told him he'd better gosh and gee-whiz. And he'd better start studying and stop playing truant or he'd wish he had. "The idea, just wandering off wherever you please and whenever you please! Did you make any money?"
    "Huh-uh." He shook his head without looking at me. "Too many other caddies around. Not enough