My aunt was more provoked with her than ever because she thought she was lying about it.

However, it wasn't long before my aunt noticed her things were missing too. Again I heard bits of conversation. I wasn't allowed to stand and listen when my folks were talking to anyone. This time they were blaming a family up the street with five girls and more or less a hard time making ends meet.

It was a

sure thing my play house would come down about my ears. I was really worried. I was on sort of a Bloomers Anony- mous program checking off the calendar for every day I could man- age without sneaking out to the woods. I was very pleased with myself if I managed one more day this time than I had the last. Sometimes I could manage a week, but if i it proved anything at all to me it was that three days in a row was usually the most I could hope for.

Then, from somewhere, I hit on the idea of taking the bull by the horns and going to my aunt, telling her all and asking her to keep my secret and help me stop. Time after time I made up my mind. I'd even get near her sometimes, but I'd always pass up the chance. But it became a real thing with me. The more I thought of it and the more I fell, the more I told myself it was the only thing I could do before I got caught red-handed some day.

I

So it happened one day I was more determined than usual. went right to her house and called her by name but there was no answer at all as I went through all the downstairs calling her. I must have thought that she wasn't home and, so thinking, found myself braver than ever. I stopped calling but I rushed right up- stairs. There wasn't anyone in the boy's room or the girl's room.

I must have been getting braver by the minute. There in her bed still asleep was my aunt. All that built up bravery carried me three steps out into the center of her bedroom floor. it left me, terrified.

There

There was nothing I could do. I couldn' 't turn and leave for fear she'd wake and see me. I couldn't go on The longer I stood there the worse it after what seemed like forever, I told out was to go on and tell her. So I took

and tell her after all. was. I was caught. So, myself that the only way the other steps and shook her gently by the shoulder.

39