TOADY

This was a wonderful special time, the time in her life when Mother called her Toady. Jenny was too young to wonder what it meant, or to consider why Mother had chosen such a term of endearment. As she grew older, she would be embarrassed if anyone called her by her old nickname. But Jenny was only two, and yet to be disturbed by feelings of personal vanity.

Jenny toddled about, not very gracefully, on her short legs, taking tiny bumpy steps, which were something like hops. In a sweetly impulsive mood, Mother would sometimes look at this sweet lump of a child and lovingly call her Toady. At such a time Jenny felt that life was complete; she was secure, content and surrounded by happiness. It was quite enough to bask in the warmth of being loved.