Cheaper by the dozen - Chapter 13

Nội dung text: Cheaper by the dozen - Chapter 13

1. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN Mother asked. By Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Jr. “Just as an estimate, many.” “Lots and lots.” “We’ll sell out for.an even dozen,” said Dad. “No less. What do you say to that?” “I say,” said Mother, “a dozen would be just right. No less.” “That’s the minimum.” “Boys or girls?” “Well, boys would be fine,” Dad whispered. “A dozen boys would be just right. But well, girls would be all right too. Sure. I guess.” “I’d like to have half boys and half girls. Do ýou think it would be all right to have half girls?” “If that’s what you want,” Dad said, “we’ll, plan it that way. Excuse me a CHAPTER 13 minute while I make a note of it.”” He took out his memorandum book and IT was an off year that didn’t bring a new Gilbreth baby. Both Dad and Mother solemnly wrote: “Don't forget to have six boys and six girls.” wanted a large family. And if it was Dad who set the actual target of an even They had a dozen children, six boys and six girls, in seventeen years. dozen, Mother as readily agreed. Somewhat to Dad’s disappointment, there were no twins or other multiple births. Dad mentioned the dozen figure for the first time on their wedding day. They There was no doubt in his mind that the most efficient way to rear a large family had just boarded a train at Oakland, California, after the ceremony, and Mother would be to have one huge litter and get the whole business over with at one was trying to appear blasé, as if she had been married for years. She might have time. gotten away with it, too, if Dad had not stage whispered when she took off her It was a year or so after the wedding, when Mother was expecting her first hat prior to sitting down: baby, that Dad confided to her his secret conviction that all of their children “Good Lord, woman, why didn’t you tell me your hair was red?” would be girls. The heads of leering, winking passengers craned around. Mother slid into the “Would it make much difference to you?” Mother asked him. seat and wiggled into a corner, where she tried to hide behind a magazine. Dad “Would it make much difference?” Dad asked in amazement. sat down next to her. He didn’t say anything more until the train got underway “To have a dozen girls and not a single boy?” And then realizing that he might and they could talk without being heard throughout the car. upset Mother, he added quickly: “No, of course not. Anything you decide to “I shouldn’t have done that,” he whispered. “It’s just—I’m so proud of you I have will be just fine with me.” want everyone to look at you, and to know you’re my wife.” Dad’s conviction that he would have no boys was based on a hunch that the “That’s all right, dear. I’m glad you’re proud of me.” Gilbreth Name, of which he was terribly proud, would cease to exist with him; “We’re going to have a wonderful life, Lillie. A wonderful life and a wonderful that he was the last of the Gilbreths. family. A great big family.” Dad was the only surviving male of the entire branch of his family. There were “We’ll have children all over the house,” Mother smiled. “From the basement two or three other Gilbreths in the country, but apparently they were no relation to the attic.” to Dad. The name Gilbreth, in the case of Dad’s family, was a fairly recent “From the floorboards to the chandelier.” corruption of Galbraith. A clerk of court, in a small town in Maine, had “When we go for our Sunday walk we’ll look like Mr. and Mrs. Pied Piper.” misspelled Galbraith on some legal document, and it had proved easier for Dad’s “Mr. Piper, shake hands with Mrs. Piper. Mrs. Piper, meet Mr. Piper.” grandfather to change his name to Gilbreth—which was how. the clerk had Mother put the magazine on the seat between her and Dad, and they held hands spelled it—than to change the document. beneath it. So when Anne was born, in New York, Dad was not in the least bit “How many would you say we should have, just an estimate?” disappointed, because he had known all along she would be a girl. It is doubtful FRANK BUNKER GILBRETH, Jr. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - CHAPTER 13 SCANNED BY THẨM TÂM VY – Feb. 04th, 202.
2. if any father ever was more insane about an offspring. It was just as well that He also thought that to feel secure and wanted in the family circle, a baby Anne was a girl. If she had been a boy, Dad might have toppled completely off should be brought up at the side of its parents. the deep end, and run amok with a kris in his teeth. He put Anne’s bassinet on a desk in his and Mother’s bedroom, and talked to Dad had long held theories about babies and, with the arrival of Anne, he was her as if she were an adult, about concrete, and his new houseboat, and anxious to put them to a test. He believed that children, like little monkeys, were efficiency, and all the little sisters she was going to have. born with certain instincts of self-preservation, but that the instincts vanished The German nurse whom Dad had employed was scornful. because babies were kept cooped up in a crib. He was convinced that babies “Why she can’t understand a thing you say,” the nurse told Dad. started learning things from the very minute they were born, and that it was “How do you know?” Dad demanded. “And I wish you’d speak German, like I wrong to keep them in a nursery. He always forbade baby talk in the presence of told you to do, when you talk in front of the baby. I want her to learn both Anne or any of his subsequent offspring. languages?" “The only reason a baby talks baby talk,” he said, “is because that’s all he’s “What does a two-week-old baby know about German?” said the nurse, heard from grownups. Some children are almost German, like I told you to do, shaking her head. when you talk in front of the baby. I want her to learn both languages?" “Never mind that,” Dad replied. “I hired, you because you speak German, and I “What does a two-week-old baby know about German?” said the nurse, want you to speak it.” He picked up Anne and held her on his shoulder. “Hang shaking her head. on now, Baby. Imagine you are a little monkey in a tree in the jungle. Hang on “Never mind that,” Dad replied. “I hired, you because you speak German, and I to save your life.” want you to speak it.” He picked up Anne and held her on his shoulder. “Hang “Mind now,” said the nurse. “She can’t hang on to anything. She’s only two on now, Baby. Imagine you are a little monkey in a tree in the jungle. Hang on weeks old. You’ll drop her. Mind, now.” to save your life.” “I’m minding,” Dad said irritably. “Of course she can’t hang on, the way you “Mind now,” said the nurse. “She can’t hang on to anything. She’s only two and her mother coddle her and repress all her natural instincts. Show the nurse weeks old. You’ll drop her. Mind, now.” how you can hang on, Anne, baby.” “I’m minding,” Dad said irritably. “Of course she can’t hang on, the way you Anne couldn’t. Instead, she spit up some milk on Dad’s shoulder. and her mother coddle her and repress all her natural instincts. Show the nurse “Now is that any way to behave?” he asked her. “I’m surprised at you. But how you can hang on, Anne, baby.” that’s all right, honey. I know it’s not your fault. It’s the way you’ve been all Anne couldn’t. Instead, she spit up some milk on Dad’s shoulder. swaddled up around here. It’s enough to turn anybody’s stomach.” “Now is that any way to behave?” he asked her. “I’m surprised at you. But “You’d better give her to me for awhile,” Mother said. “That’s enough exercise that’s all right, honey. I know it’s not your fault. It’s the way you’ve been all for one day.” swaddled up around here. It’s enough to turn anybody’s stomach.” A week later, Dad talked Mother into letting him see whether new babies were “You’d better give her to me for awhile,” Mother said. “That’s enough exercise bom with a natural instinct to swim. for one day.” “When you throw little monkeys into a river, they just automatically swim. A week later, Dad talked Mother into letting him see whether new babies were That’s the way monkey mothers teach their young. I’ll try out Anne in the bom with a natural instinct to swim. bathtub. I won’t let anything happen to her.” “When you throw little monkeys into a river, they just automatically swim. “Are you crazy or something,” the nurse shouted. “Mrs. Gilbreth, you’re not That’s the way monkey mothers teach their young. I’ll try out Anne in the going to let him drown that child.” bathtub. I won’t let anything happen to her.” “Keep quiet and maybe you’ll learn something,” Dad told her. “Are you crazy or something,” the nurse shouted. “Mrs. Gilbreth, you’re not Anne liked the big bathtub just fine. But she made no effort to swim and Dad going to let him drown that child.” finally had to admit that the experiment was a failure. “Keep quiet and maybe you’ll learn something,” Dad told her. full grown “Now if it had been a boy/' he said darkly to the nurse, when Mother was out of before they learn that the whole world doesn’t speak baby talk.” hearing. FRANK BUNKER GILBRETH, Jr. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - CHAPTER 13 SCANNED BY THẨM TÂM VY – Feb. 04th, 202.
3. The desk on which Anne's bassinet rested was within reach of the bed and was Complete with all the improvements. And don’t think that’s all; we’re piled high with notes, Iron Age magazines, and the galley proofs of a book Dad expecting the 1911 model some time next month.” had just written on reinforced concrete. Mother utilized the “unavoidable delay" Although Mother’s condition made the announcement unnecessary, he came of her confinement to read the proofs. At night, when the light was out, Dad out with it anyway. He never understood why this embarrassed Mother. would reach over into the bassinet and stroke the baby's hand. "I just don’t see why you mind,” he’d tell her later. "It’s something to be proud And once Mother woke up in the middle of the night and saw him leaning over of.” the bassinet and whispering distinctly: "Well, of course it is. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but it seems to me a mistake to “Is ou a ittle bitty baby? Is OU Daddy's ittle bitty girl?" proclaim it from the housetops, or confide it to comparative strangers, until the “What was that, dear?" said Mother, smiling into the sheet. Dad cleared his baby arrives.” throat. “Nothing. I was just telling this noisy, ill-behaved, ugly little devil that Still, Mother knew very well that Dad had to talk about his children, the she is more trouble than a barrel of monkeys." children who had already arrived and those who were expected. “And just as much fun?" In spite of Mother’s protests, Dad decided that the fifth child would be named “Every bit." for her. Mother didn’t like the name Lillian, and had refused to pass the name Dad and Mother moved to another New York apartment on Riverside Drive, along to any of the first four girls. where Mary and Ernestine were born. Then the family moved to Plainfield, New "No nonsense, now,” Dad said. "We’re running low on names, and this one is Jersey, where Martha put in an appearance. With four girls, Dad was reconciled going to be named for you. Whether you like it or not, I want a little Lillian.” to his fate of being the Last of the Gilbreths. He was not bitter; merely resigned. "But it could be a boy, you know.” He kept repeating that a dozen girls would suit him just fine, and he made "Boys’” Dad grunted. "Who wants boys?” hearty jokes about “my harem." When visitors came to call, Dad would "Sooner or later there’ll be a boy,” Mother said. "Look what happened in my introduce Anne, Mary and Ernestine. Then he'd get Martha out of her crib and family.” Mother’s mother had six girls before she produced a boy. bring her into the living room. “And this," he'd say, “is the latest model. "Sure,” sighed Dad, "but your father wasn’t the Last of the Gilbreths.” “When Dr. Hedges came out of Mother’s bedroom and announced that Mother and the fifth baby were doing nicely, Dad told him that "The Latest Model” was to be named Lillian. “I think that’s nice/’ Dr. Hedges said sympathetically. “Real nice. Of course, the other boys in his class may tease him about having a girl’s name, but . . .” “Yes, that’s true,” said Dad. “I hadn’t thought of . , He grabbed the doctor by the shoulders and shook him. “Other boys?” he shouted. “Did you say other boys? Boys?” "I hate to disappoint you, Mr. Gilbreth,” grinned Dr. Hedges. “Especially since you’ve been telling everyone how much you wanted a fifth girl for your harem. But this one . . ” Dad pushed him out of the way and rushed into the bedroom, where his first son was sleeping in a by now battered bassinet, on a desk once again covered with galley proofs. Dad and Mother timed their books to coincide with Mother’s annual intervals of unavoidable delay. “Chip off the old block,” Dad cooed into the bassinet. “Every inch a Gilbreth. Oh, Lillie, how did you ever manage to do it?” “Do you think he’s all right?” Mother whispered. FRANK BUNKER GILBRETH, Jr. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - CHAPTER 13 SCANNED BY THẨM TÂM VY – Feb. 04th, 202.
4. “He’s one I think we’d better keep,” said Dad. “Do you know something? I "Good work, Lillie,” Dad told Mother. But this time there was no elaborate didn’t come right out and say so before, because I didn’t want to upset you, and I praise and his tone of voice indicated that Mother merely had done the sort of knew you were doing the best you could. But I really wanted a boy all the time. I competent job that one might expect from a competent woman. “There's our first was just trying to make you feel better when I said I wanted a fifth girl.” halfdozen.” Mother managed to keep a straight face. “Mercy, Maud, you certainly had And when his friends asked him whether the new baby was a boy or a girl, he everybody fooled,” she said. “I thought you’d be simply furious if little 'Lillian’ replied matter of factly: “Oh, we had another boy.” turned out to be a boy. You seemed so set on naming this one for me. Are you Dad hadn't been there during the delivery. Both he and Mother agreed that it sure you’re not disappointed?” didn't help matters for him to be pacing up and down the hall, and Dad's business “Gee whiz,” was all Dad could manage. was placing more and more demands upon his time. “What should we name him?” Mother had her first half-dozen babies at home, instead of ; in hospitals, Dad wasn’t listening. He was still leaning over the bassinet, cooing. There was because she liked to run the house and help Dad with his work, even during the little doubt in Mother’s mind; anyway; about what the baby would be named; confinements. She'd supervise the household right up until each baby started and Dad clinched the matter by the next remark which he addressed to the baby. coming. There was a period of about twenty-four hours, then, when she wasn't “I’ve got to leave you now for a few minutes, Mr. Frank Bunker Gilbreth, much help to anybody. But she had prepared all the menus in advance, and the Junior,” he said, rolling out the name and savoring its sound. “I’ve got to make a house ran smoothly by itself during the one day devoted to the delivery. For the few telephone calls and send some wires. And I’ve got to get some toys suitable next ten days to two weeks, while she remained in bed, we'd file in every for a boy baby. All the toys we have around this house are girl baby toys. morning so that she could tie the girls’ hair ribbons and make sure the boys had Behave yourself while I’m gone and take care of your mother. That’s one of washed properly. Then we'd come back again at night to hold the new baby and your jobs from now on.” And over his shoulder to Mother, listen to Mother read The Five Little Peppers. Mother enjoyed the little Peppers "Til be back in a few minutes, Lillie.” every bit as much as we, and was particularly partial to a character named “Farewell; Next to Last of the Gilbreths,” Mother whispered. Phronsie, or something like that. But Dad still wasn’t listening. As he closed the door carefully. Mother heard When Dad’s mother came to live with US, Mother decided to have Number him bellowing: Seven in a Providence hospital, since Grandma could run the house for her. Six “Anne, Maty, Ernestine, Martha. Did you hear the news? It’s a boy. Frank hours after Mother checked into the hospital, a nurse called our house and told Bunker Gilbreth; Junior. Flow do you like the sound of that? Every inch a Dad that Mrs. Gilbreth had had a nine-pound boy. Gilbreth. Chip off the old block. Hello, central? Central? Long Distance, please. "Quick work,” Dad told Grandma. "She really has found the one best way of It’s a boy.” having babies.” Having fathered one son, Dad took it pretty much for granted that all the rest of Grandma asked whether it was a boy or a girl, and Dad replied: his children would be boys. "A boy, naturally, for goodness sakes. What did you expect?” “The first four were just practice,” he’d say to Mother, while glaring with A few moments later, the hospital called again and said there had been some assumed ferocity at the girls. “Of course, I suppose we ought to keep them. They mistake. A Mrs. Gilbert, not Gilbreth, had had the baby boy. might come in handy some day to scrub the pots and pans and mend the socks of "Well, what’s my wife had?” Dad asked. "I’m not interested in any Mrs. the men folk. But I don’t see that we need any more of them.” Gilbert, obstetrically or any other way.” The girls would rush at him and Dad would let them topple him over on the "Of course you’re not,” the nurse apologized. "Just a moment, and I’ll see rug. Martha, using his vest pockets for fingerholds, would climb up on his about Mrs. Gilbreth.” And then a few minutes later. stomach and the other three would tickle him so that Martha would be joggled "Mrs. Gilbreth seems to have checked out of the hospital.” up and down when he laughed. "Checked out? Why she’s only been there six hours. Did she have a boy or a Number Six was born in Providence, where the family had moved in 1912. As girl?” Dad had assumed, the new addition was a boy. He was named William for "Our records don’t show that she had either.” Mother's father and one of her brothers. "It’s got to be one or the other,” Dad insisted. "What else is there?” FRANK BUNKER GILBRETH, Jr. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - CHAPTER 13 SCANNED BY THẨM TÂM VY – Feb. 04th, 202.
5. “I mean,” the nurse explained, "she apparently checked out before the baby “Why, babies don’t come just because you’re sick,” Mother said. arrived.” “I thought you knew that.” Dad hung up the receiver. "Better start boiling water,” he said to Grandma. “Then when do they come?” Ern asked. “They always came before when you "Lillie’s on the way home.” were sick. You tell us, Daddy.” "With that new baby?” We had seldom seen Dad look so uncomfortable. “I’ve got business in town, "No.” Dad was downcast. "Somebody else claimed that baby. Lillie apparently kids,” he said. “In a hurry. Your Mother will tell you. I’m late now.” He turned put off having hers for the time being.” to Mother. “I’d be glad to explain it to them if I had the time,” he said. “You go Mother arrived at the house about half an hour later. She was carrying a ahead and tell them, Lillie. It’s time they knew. I’m sorry I’m rushed. You suitcase and had walked all the way. Grandma was furious. understand, don’t you?” “My goodness, Lillie, you have no business out in the street in your condition. “I certainly do,” said Mother. And carrying that heavy suitcase. Give it to me. Now get upstairs to bed where Dad hurried down the front stairs and out the front door. He didn’t even stop by you belong. A girl your age should know better. What did you leave the hospital the dining room for a cup, of coffee. for?” “I’m glad you children asked that question,” Mother began. “I got tired of waiting and I was lonesome. I decided rd have this one at home, But she didn’t look glad at all. “Come and sit here on the bed. It’s time we had too. Besides, that nurse—she was a fiend. She hid my pencils and notebook and a talk. In the first place, about the stork—he doesn’t really bring babies at all, wouldn’t even let me read. I never spent a more miserable day.” like some children think.” Lili was born the next day, in Dad’s and Mother’s room, where pencils and “We knew that!” notebooks and proofs were within easy reach of Mother’s bed. “You did?” Mother seemed surprised. “Well, that’s fine. Er—what else do you “I had already told everybody it was going to be a boy,” Dad said, a little know?” resentfully. “But I know it’s not your fault, and I think a girl’s just fine. I was “That you have to be married to have babies, and it takes lots of hot water, and getting a little sick of boys, anyway. Well, this one will be named for you.” sometimes the doctor does things to you that make you holler.” The older children, meanwhile, were becoming curious about where babies “But not very loud?” Mother asked anxiously. “Never very loud or very often. came from. The only conclusion we had reached was that Mother always was Am I right?” sick in bed when the babies arrived. “No, never loud or very often.” About four months after Lili was born, when Mother went to bed early one “Good. Now first let’s talk about flowers and bees and . . .” night with a cold, we were sure a new brother or sister would be on hand in the When she was through, we knew a good deal about botany and something morning. As soon as we got up, we descended on Dad’s and Mother’s room. about apiology, but nothing about how babies came. Mother just couldn’t bring “Where’s the baby? Where’s the baby?” we shouted. herself to explain it. “What’s all the commotion?” Dad wanted to know. “What’s got into you? “I don’t know what’s the matter with Mother,” Anne said afterwards. “It’s the She’s right over there in her crib.” He pointed to four-month-old Lili. first time she’s ever kept from answering a question. And Daddy went rushing “But we want to see the latest model,” we said. “Come on, out of the room like he knew where something was buried.” Daddy. You can’t fool us. Is it a boy or a girl? What are we going to name this Later we asked Tom Grieves about it. But the only reply we elicited from him one? Come on, Daddy. Where have you hidden him?” was to: “Stop that nasty kind of talk, you evil-minded things you, or I’ll tell your We began looking under the bed and in a half-opened bureau drawer. father on you.” “What in the world are you talking about?” Mother said. Dad assumed Mother had told us. Mother assumed she had made her point in “There isn’t any new baby. Stop pulling all your fathers clothes out of that the flowers and bees. And we still wondered where babies came from. drawer. For goodness sakes, whatever gave you the idea there was a new baby?” Fred was born in Buttonwoods, Rhode Island, where we spent a summer. A “Well, you were sick, weren’t you?” Anne asked. hurricane knocked out communications and we couldn’t get a doctor. A next- “I had a cold, yes.” door neighbor who came over to help became so frightened at the whole thing “And every time you’re sick, there’s always a baby.” that she kept shouting to Mother: FRANK BUNKER GILBRETH, Jr. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - CHAPTER 13 SCANNED BY THẨM TÂM VY – Feb. 04th, 202.
6. “Don’t you dare have that baby until the doctor comes.” I don’t believe I remember your mentioning him. Was he the one whose picture “I’m trying not to,” Mother assured her calmly. “There’s no use to get all you had with the blazer and mandolin? Or was he the one your sisters told me excited. You mustn’t get yourself all worked up. It’s not good for you. Sit down about who stuttered?” here on the side of the bed and try to relax.” “Stop it, Frank,” said Mother. “You know that’s ridiculous.” We took our cue "Who’s having this baby, anyway?” Dad asked the neighbor. from Dad. “Oh, Mother, Rob-bert is such a beautiful name. Why didn’t you “A big help you are!” name me Rob-bert? May I carry your books home from college, Lillie, dear? He departed for the kitchen to boil huge vats of water, most of which was never Why Robbert, you do say the nicest things. And so clever, too.” Dad, who knew used. that Mother’s favorite poet was Browning and suspected where the Robert came Fred, Number Eight, arrived just as the doctor did. Dan and Jack were born in from, nevertheless bunched the fingers of his right hand, kissed their tips, and Providence, and Bob and Jane in Nantucket. Dan and Jack came into the world threw his hand into the air. in routine enough fashion, but Bob arrived all of a sudden. Tom Grieves had to “Ah, Robert,” he intoned, “if I could but taste the nectar of thy lips.” pedal through Nantucket on a bicycle to find the doctor. Since Tom was in “When you’re all quite through,” Mother said coldly, “I suggest we have a vote pajamas, having been routed from his bed, most of the island knew about Bob’s on the name I have proposed. And when it comes to discussing old flames, it birth. Once again, it was a case of the baby and the doctor arriving might be borne in mind that that is a game two can play. I recall simultaneously.' “We wouldn’t think of blighting any school girl romance, would we, kids?” By that time, all the family names for boys had been exhausted. The names of Dad put in hastily. “What do you say we make it ‘Robert’ unanimously?” all the uncles, both grandfathers, and the four great grandfathers had been used. We voted and it was unanimous. Great uncles were being resurrected from the family Bible and studied carefully. Bob, Number Eleven, made the count six boys and Sve girls. There was "Now let’s run over the names of the Bunker men again,” Dad said, referring to considerable partisanship among the family as to the desired sex of the next Grandma Gilbreth’s brothers. "Samuel? Never could tolerate that name. baby. The boys wanted to remain in the majority; the girls wanted to tie the Nathaniel? Too bookish. Frederick? We got one already. Humphrey? Ugh. count at six-all. Dad, of course, wanted another boy. Mother wanted to please Daniel? We got one. Nothing there.” Dad, but at the same time thought it would be nice to have a girl for her last "How about the middle names?” Mother suggested. "Maybe we’ll get an idea child. from the Bunkers’ middle names.” "All right. Moses? Too bullrushy. William? We got one. Abraham? They’d call Number Twelve was due in June, 1922, and that meant we would be in him Abie. Irving? Over my dead body, which would be quite a climb.” Nantucket. Mother had vowed she wasn’t going to have another baby in our "What was your father’s name again?” Mother asked. summer house, because the facilities were so primitive. For a time, she debated “John,” said Dad. "we got one.” whether to remain behind at Montclair and have the baby at home there, or "No, I know that. I mean his middle name.” whether to go to Nantucket with us and have the baby in a hospital. Finally, with "You know what it was,” said Dad. "We’re not having any. some foreboding because of her previous experience in Providence, she chose “Oh, that’s right,” Mother giggled. “Hiram, wasn’t it?” the latter alternative. Jane, Number Twelve, was born in the Nantucket Cottage Dad started thumbing impatiently through the Bible. “Jacob? No. Saul? Job, Hospital. Noah, David? Too sissy. Peter? Paul? John? We got one.” Mother’s ten days in the hospital were pure misery for Dad. Fie fidgeted and “Robert,” Mother said. “That’s it. We’ll call him Robert.” sulked, and said he couldn’t get any work done without her. Dad’s business trips “Why Robert? Who’s named Robert?” Dad looked over the top of his glasses at to Europe sometimes kept him away from home for months, but then he was on Mother, and she reddened. the go and in a different environment. Now, at home with the family where he “No one in particular. It’s just a beautiful name, that’s all. This one will be was accustomed to have Mother at his side, he felt frustrated, and seized every Robert.” opportunity to go down to the hospital and visit. Dad started to tease. “I knew you had a strange collection of beaux during your His excuse to us, when we complained we were being neglected, was that he college days, but which one was Robert? had to get acquainted with his new daughter. FRANK BUNKER GILBRETH, Jr. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - CHAPTER 13 SCANNED BY THẨM TÂM VY – Feb. 04th, 202.
7. “I won’t be gone long,” he’d say. “Anne, you’re in charge while I’m away.” Later that summer, when company came to call, Dad would whistle assembly He’d jump into the car and we wouldn’t see him again for hours. He had never and then introduce us. taken such care with his dress. His hair was smoothed to perfection, his canvas “This one is Anne,” he’d say, and she’d step forward and shake hands. “And shoes a chaste white, and he looked sporty in his linen knickers, his belted coat Ernestine, Martha. . . with a boutonnière of Queen Anne's Lace, and his ribbed, knee-length hose. “Gracious, Mr. Gilbreth. And all of them are yours?” “Gee, Daddy, you look like a groom," we told him. “Hold on, now. Wait a minute.” He’d disappear into the bedroom and come out “Bride or stable?" holding Jane. “You haven’t seen the latest model.” “A bridegroom." But some of the enthusinasm had gone out of his tone, because he knew the “You don't have to tell me I’m a handsome dude," he grinned. latest model really was the last model, and that he would never again be able to “I've got a mirror, you know. Well, I've got to make a good impression on that add the clincher, which so embarrassed Mother, about how another baby was new daughter of mine. What did we name her? Jane." underway. At the hospital, he’d sit next to Mother's bed and discuss the work he'd planned for the autumn. “Now I want you to stay here until you feel good and strong. Get a good rest; Notes: - blasé = sphisticated: từng trải, thành thục it's the first rest you've had since the children started coming." And then in the - to stage whisper: pretend to whisper so as to be heard by the audience. same breath. “I’ll certainly be glad when you're back home. I can't seem to get - the nectar of thy lips: [From the Bible: Song of Solomon 4:11] any work accomplished when you’re not there." - Bride or stable: bridegroom or stablegroom: chú rể hay tên quét chuồng ngựa (tàu ngựa) Mother thought the hospital was marvellous. “I would have to wait until my - clincher: lý lẽ vững chắc - boutonnière [<French.] hoa cài vào khuy cúc áo dozenth baby was born to find out how much better it is to have them in a hospital. Tire nurses here wait on me hand and foot. You don't know what a comfort it is to have your baby in the hospital." “No," said Dad, “I don’t. And I hope to Heaven I never find out!" What Mother liked best about the hospital, although she didn’t tell Dad, was the knowledge that if she made any noise during the delivery, it didn't matter. When Dad finally drove Mother and Jane home, he lined all of us up by ages on the front porch. Jane, in her bassinet, was at the foot of the line. “Not a bad-looking crowd if I do say so myself," he boasted, strutting down the line like an officer inspecting his men. “Well, Lillie, there you have them, and it’s all over. Have you stopped to think that by this time next year we won’t need a bassinet any more? And by this time two years from now, there won’t be a diaper in the house, or baby bottles, or play pens, or nipples—when I think of the equipment we’ve amassed during the years’ Have you thought what it’s going to be like not to have a baby in our room? For the first time in seventeen years, you’ll be able to go to bed without setting the alarm clock for a two o’clock feeding.” “I’ve been thinking about that,” said Mother. “It’s certainly going to be a luxury, isn’t it?” Dad put his arm around her waist, and tears came to her eyes. FRANK BUNKER GILBRETH, Jr. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - CHAPTER 13 SCANNED BY THẨM TÂM VY – Feb. 04th, 202.