Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt

5 The ButtonIn 1940, Marj and I were married. But before I married her, Ijilted her because of my judgment of her. She was still living atthe Missionary Children’s Home, working without wages, whereshe and her brothers and sister had been taken care of since theirmother’s death. Marj led a quiet and unassuming life, makingherself useful and doing all the cooking for those who lived atthe home.One day while I was visiting there, I discovered a button hadcome off my coat. I said to Marj, “I wonder, do you think youcould sew this button back on my coat?”“Oh, yes,” she replied. “Certainly.”But, she didn’t do it.A little later, an hour and a half before I had to leave on myreturn trip of 120 miles, I reminded her, “Have you forgotten?Do you think, you know, the button?”“Oh, yes!” she exclaimed as she was busily putting bread into theoven. She was baking cakes and buns and busy with many othertasks in the kitchen.Time went on and I asked her again, “Have you forgotten aboutthe button?”“Oh,” she said. “I’ll see to it.”But, she didn’t. Instead, she asked another girl who lived there tosee to it. This other girl came, and within a minute, the buttonwas back on my coat.63