Through my dinning room window I could see my next-door neighbor’s back door. Little more than a driveway separated the window from Dr. Wright’s house. So far, the Wrights had four children, the youngest, twins about two years old, the others school age. On warm sunny days Jean, the mother, put the twins, Jeff and Jenny out to play in the driveway, just outside the back door. She would spread a blanket or a rug on the pavement and put out some toys for their entertainment. There in the shade of the house and some trees they would play contentedly for some time. No doubt this gave Jean some respite from having them underfoot and she could keep an eye on them from the kitchen window. This would be especially helpful if she were preparing dinner.

It was one of those rare days in June, of which poets speak to imply perfect days. Jean had put the twins out to play in their shady place. I happened to glance out my window and saw them playing with the toys their mom had provided. A second glance revealed something I hadn’t anticipated. Jenny had shed all her clothes and was playing normally as well-behaved kids are expected to do. Certainly Jenny did not feel compelled by the heat to strip. Perhaps she did not like to be encumbered in her play by clothing. Jeff took no notice and went on with his games. Soon Mother took notice, however, and retrieved Jenny and her clothes.  When next I noticed the children were playing peacefully, suitably clothed.

A week or two later I saw the twins in their usual spot playing nicely. Things around the neighborhood were quiet and peaceful. It was another prefect day in June. Jean came out of the back door and found only

Jeff where she had left him and his sister a few minutes earlier.

“Jenny,” she called. No answer. Jenny was not to be seen. Instead, there were her clothes lying nearby. Jean picked up the little dress and hurried to the sidewalk in front of the house. She hesitated, looking up the street, then down. “Jenny! Jenny!” she called, her voice agitated, as she headed down the street after her naked daughter.

About five minutes later Jean came back up the walk with the young truant at least half dressed in tow. She was probably hoping that all of the neighbors were away for the afternoon.