Lulu’s mom started crying at the thought of poor little Lulu, left behind and dead of a broken heart. “Maybe . . . ,” she sniffled to Lulu’s dad, “maybe we ought to stay home. Or take her with us. Maybe we are being too unkind.”

It’s at this point in every argument that Lulu almost always gets her way because her mom and her dad just cannot BEAR it when their darling is displeased. It’s right at this point that Lulu almost always gets what she wants because her mom and her dad give up and give in. Except on those rare occasions—like now, for instance—when they try NOT to.

Lulu’s dad cleared his throat, and in a strong, firm voice replied to Lulu’s mom. “No,” he said. “We’re going. She’s staying. THAT’S what we decided and”—he took a deep breath—“we’re sticking to it.”

He then turned to Lulu and said, “But you don’t have a thing to worry about, dearest darling. Because, after much research, we’ve hired the best babysitter in town—maybe the world—to take care of you the week that we’re away.”