Жовті шпалери

           Iliedowneversomuchnow.Johnsaysitisgoodforme,andtosleepallIcan. 

           Indeedhestartedthehabitbymakingmeliedownforanhouraftereachmeal. 

           ItisaverybadhabitIamconvinced,foryouseeIdon’tsleep. 

           Andthatcultivatesdeceit,forIdon’ttellthemI’mawake—Ono! 

           ThefactisIamgettingalittleafraidofJohn. 

           Heseemsveryqueersometimes,andevenJenniehasaninexplicablelook. 

           Itstrikesmeoccasionally,justasascientifichypothesis—thatperhapsitisthepaper! 

           IhavewatchedJohnwhenhedidnotknowIwaslooking,andcomeintotheroomsuddenlyonthemostinnocentexcuses,andI’vecaughthimseveraltimesLOOKINGATTHEPAPER! AndJennietoo.IcaughtJenniewithherhandonitonce. 

           Shedidn’tknowIwasintheroom,andwhenIaskedherinaquiet,averyquietvoice,withthemostrestrainedmannerpossible,whatshewasdoingwiththepaper—sheturnedaroundasifshehadbeencaughtstealing,andlookedquiteangry—askedmewhyIshouldfrightenherso! 

           Thenshesaidthatthepaperstainedeverythingittouched,thatshehadfoundyellowsmoochesonallmyclothesandJohn’s,andshewishedwewouldbemorecareful! 

           Didnotthatsoundinnocent? ButIknowshewasstudyingthatpattern,andIamdeterminedthatnobodyshallfinditoutbutmyself! 

           ***