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XV. The Beginning of Vacation
Ibelieveithascomealready,forGrandmaiskeepingthebookcasedrawerlockedandthatissomethingnew.AndwhenIaskedherwhy,shejustlookedmysteriousandsaidlittleboysmustn’tbetoocurious.It’sveryexcitingtohaveabirthday,isn’tit?I’llbeeleven.You’dneverthinkittolookatme,wouldyou?GrandmasaysI’mverysmallformyageandthatit’sallbecauseIdon’teatenoughporridge.Idomyverybest,butGrandmagivessuchgenerousplatefuls...there’snothingmeanaboutGrandma,Icantellyou.EversinceyouandIhadthattalkaboutprayinggoinghomefromSundaySchoolthatday,teacher...whenyousaidweoughttoprayaboutallourdifficulties...I’veprayedeverynightthatGodwouldgivemeenoughgracetoenablemetoeateverybitofmyporridgeinthemornings.ButI’veneverbeenabletodoityet,andwhetherit’sbecauseIhavetoolittlegraceortoomuchporridgeIreallycan’tdecide.Grandmasaysfatherwasbroughtuponporridge,anditcertainlydidworkwellinhiscase,foryououghttoseetheshouldershehas.Butsometimes,”concludedPaulwithasighandameditativeair“Ireallythinkporridgewillbethedeathofme.”
Annepermittedherselfasmile,sincePaulwasnotlookingather.AllAvonleaknewthatoldMrs.Irvingwasbringinghergrandsonupinaccordancewiththegood,old-fashionedmethodsofdietandmorals.
“Letushopenot,dear,”shesaidcheerfully.“Howareyourrockpeoplecomingon?DoestheoldestTwinstillcontinuetobehavehimself?”
“HeHASto,”saidPaulemphatically.
