Susan's Art Project, Part 5

When we last left Helen and Harry they had just heard their Mother coming up the stairs while they were painting each other...

What Now?, they both thought.  

Guess we just have to take our punishment, no backing out, Helen decided.

Mother reached the door and tried the handle.

Oh no, thought Harry, now we'll be in trouble for locking the door.

"Open this door at once," Mother commanded firmly.

Harry and Helen looked at each other, then Helen ran to the door, unlocked it, and ran back next to Harry. She wasn't taking her punishment without Harry at her side.

Mother came in and shut the door behind her.

Then she saw the painting. The twins' faces. Their clothes.

"Helen, Harry. Go to the bathroom at once and wash the paint off your faces," Mother demanded, "then change your clothes and put those ones in the bathtub. After that I want you to lay down in your beds and think about what you've done. Eventually, I will come and tell you what your punishment is."

Helen and Harry started to run to the bathroom.

"And no locking doors, except the bathroom," Mother added, "do you understand?"

They both nodded and ran.



Helen and Harry lay down on their beds, waiting for Mother's punishment.

Finally, Mother came in.

"I am very disappointed in you," Mother began, "not only was the painting not yours, it was a school project," Mother paused to let her words sink in. The twins hung their heads.

"I have decided that you won't be allowed to do crafts for two weeks," she went on.

Helen and Harry groaned.

"But what about school?" Harry piped up.

"Do what your teacher asks, but at here at our house, no crafts. Understand?"

The twins nodded solemnly.

Helen and Harry looked up as Mother added, "The other thing is that you two are becoming too old and mischievous to share a room. Helen, you will stay in this room, but Harry, you will now be sharing John's room. I have already asked him about it."

The twins were shocked. It had never occurred to them that they might not share a room.

Suddenly, a great cry arose. All three rushed out of the twins' room, but Helen and Harry backed away when they realized where it was coming from: Susan's room.

"My beautiful painting is all ruined!" Susan cried.

"No, you don't," Mother spoke firmly, as the twins backed into their room, "You come and apologize."

"I don't have time to get more supplies and paint another before Wednesday," they heard Susan sob.

"It's not your fault, Susan," Mother soothed, "we'll work something out," then turning to Helen and Harry she motioned them forward.

"We're sorry," Harry began, "for painting your painting."

"Yes," nodded Helen, "we shouldn't have done it."

"Right," Harry agreed.

"Do-you--forgive-us?" They both asked slowly.

Susan knelt down on the floor, and hugged Helen and Harry tightly, "Of course, I do," she replied. "I love you, you two mischievous darlings."

                                                                                The End