Аня из Авонлеи
XV. The Beginning of Vacation
Shethoughthismothermusthavebeenverylikewhathewashimself,intemperamentanddisposition;andshehadanideathatStephenIrvingwasaratherreservedmanwithadeepandtendernaturewhichhekepthiddenscrupulouslyfromtheworld.
“Father’snotveryeasytogetacquaintedwith,”Paulhadsaidonce.“Inevergotreallyacquaintedwithhimuntilaftermylittlemotherdied.Buthe’ssplendidwhenyoudogettoknowhim.Ilovehimthebestinalltheworld,andGrandmaIrvingnext,andthenyou,teacher.I’dloveyounexttofatherifitwasn’tmyDUTYtoloveGrandmaIrvingbest,becauseshe’sdoingsomuchforme.YOUknow,teacher.IwishshewouldleavethelampinmyroomtillIgotosleep,though.ShetakesitrightoutassoonasshetucksmeupbecauseshesaysImustn’tbeacoward.I’mNOTscared,butI’dRATHERhavethelight.MylittlemotherusedalwaystositbesidemeandholdmyhandtillIwenttosleep.Iexpectshespoiledme.Mothersdosometimes,youknow.”
No,Annedidnotknowthis,althoughshemightimagineit.ShethoughtsadlyofHER“littlemother,”themotherwhohadthoughtherso“perfectlybeautiful”andwhohaddiedsolongagoandwasburiedbesideherboyishhusbandinthatunvisitedgravefaraway.AnnecouldnotrememberhermotherandforthisreasonshealmostenviedPaul.
“Mybirthdayisnextweek,”saidPaul,astheywalkedupthelongredhill,baskingintheJunesunshine,“andfatherwrotemethatheissendingmesomethingthathethinksI’lllikebetterthananythingelsehecouldsend.
