"Mom didn't plan to have another child. I want to adopt a little sister from the orphanage. That way, the issues you're worried about won't exist."
Although Bertha Haines wanted to have one herself, she needed Amos Smith's cooperation. Without it, she could only adopt from an orphanage. No one could stop her determination to have a daughter now.
Emma Mu was especially excited: "Mom, can you take me to the orphanage? I want to pick out a sister myself."
Bertha Haines agreed: "Of course you can."
But suddenly Bartley asked her seriously, "Mom, why do you suddenly want to get us a sister?"
Bertha Haines casually found an excuse: "Isn't it said that daughters are like little cozy jackets for parents?"
Bartley replied, "They might also be drafty ones."
Bertha Haines was momentarily at a loss for words.
Bartley looked at his mom and asked earnestly.
