Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 1
Indeedshehadnotasteforagarden;andifshegatheredflowersatall,itwaschieflyforthepleasureofmischief—atleastsoitwasconjecturedfromheralwayspreferringthosewhichshewasforbiddentotake.Suchwereherpropensities—herabilitieswerequiteasextraordinary.Shenevercouldlearnorunderstandanythingbeforeshewastaught;andsometimesnoteventhen,forshewasofteninattentive,andoccasionallystupid.Hermotherwasthreemonthsinteachingheronlytorepeatthe“Beggar’sPetition”;andafterall,hernextsister,Sally,couldsayitbetterthanshedid.NotthatCatherinewasalwaysstupid—bynomeans;shelearntthefableof“TheHareandManyFriends”asquicklyasanygirlinEngland.Hermotherwishedhertolearnmusic;andCatherinewassuresheshouldlikeit,forshewasveryfondoftinklingthekeysoftheoldforlornspinnet;so,ateightyearsoldshebegan.Shelearntayear,andcouldnotbearit;andMrs.Morland,whodidnotinsistonherdaughtersbeingaccomplishedinspiteofincapacityordistaste,allowedhertoleaveoff.Thedaywhichdismissedthemusic-masterwasoneofthehappiestofCatherine’slife.Hertastefordrawingwasnotsuperior;thoughwhenevershecouldobtaintheoutsideofaletterfromhermotherorseizeuponanyotheroddpieceofpaper,shedidwhatshecouldinthatway,bydrawinghousesandtrees,hensandchickens,allverymuchlikeoneanother.Writingandaccountsshewastaughtbyherfather;Frenchbyhermother:herproficiencyineitherwasnotremarkable,andsheshirkedherlessonsinbothwhenevershecould.
