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Edna had taken the responsibility of her younger siblings in stride, and had kept the children out of harm’s way. She had also prepared their meals with care. She was quite responsible for a thirteen year old. When Alphy came in the house at supper time, Edna had the table set and the meal ready.

Alphy and the younger children sat down to eat, Edna busied herself with the tea. She poured the tea in her father’s cup. Alphy sipped on the tea, and hastily put the cup down. He commented, “That tastes like slop.”

Without realizing it, Alphy had crushed Edna’s feelings - she had worked so hard to prepare supper, and she had not expected this sudden criticism. Edna went in the pantry and cried silently. When Margurita returned from the potato fields she noticed that Edna’s eyes were swollen from crying. Edna told her mother about her father’s disapproval over the tea.

Margurita scolded Alphy. She told him that he should have praised Edna, rather than complain about the tea. Well, tomorrow was another day. There was no point in ‘crying over spilled milk’ or cold tea.

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