ABSTRACT
Mrs. Rosenberg looked at the clock; five thirty-five. She then looked around her living room. A mess! Books, papers, toys strewn all around. Playing under the table were Tom and Tod, seven and eight. "Now hurry and clean up. Put all your things away. Dad will be home soon and you know he doesn't like to see things messy." Then she heard the hiss of boiling water overrunning the kettle and she ran to the kitchen. A minute later, Mother shouted, "Did you put your things away?" Her shrill voice energized them to get up and look around. Tod picked up a special toy, took it to his room, and tossed it on his bed, where a dozen other items already lay. The floor of his room was littered with toys and other paraphernalia dear to the hearts of children. Mother yelled again, and Tom picked up an item belonging to Tod. When Tod saw Tom with one of his toys, they got into a fight. At this point Father came home. When he saw the littered kitchen and living room, he blew up. "How is it that every time I come home the place looks like a pigpen?" he asked as his wife came to greet him. Her nerves snapped. "I wish you were here to do better!" she said as she flounced off.
