CHAPTER V
關燈
小
中
大
shadrememberedatthelastmomentthattheymusthavebeans.Beanswerecheapandfilling.
“Whattwoagesareapttoproveillusory?”askedUncleBenjaminand,notwaitingforValancyto“giveitup,”headded,“Mir-ageandmarriage.”
“M-i-r-a-g-eispronouncedmirazh,”saidValancyshortly,pickingupherteaandherbeans.ForthemomentshedidnotcarewhetherUncleBenjamincutheroutofhiswillornot.ShewalkedoutofthestorewhileUncleBenjaminstaredafterherwithhismouthopen.Thenheshookhishead.
“PoorDossistakingithard,”hesaid.
Valancywassorrybythetimeshereachedthenextcrossing.Whyhadshelostherpatiencelikethat?UncleBenjaminwouldbeannoyedandwouldlikelytellhermotherthatDosshadbeenimpertinent—“tome!”—andhermotherwouldlectureherforaweek.
“I’veheldmytonguefortwentyyears,”thoughtValancy.“Whycouldn’tIhavehelditoncemore?”
Yes,itwasjusttwenty,Valancyreflected,sinceshehadfirstbeentwittedwithherloverlesscondition.Sherememberedthebittermomentperfectly.Shewasjustnineyearsoldandshewasstandingaloneontheschoolplaygroundwhiletheotherlittlegirlsofherclasswereplayingagameinwhichyoumustbechosenbyaboyashispartnerbeforeyoucouldplay.NobodyhadchosenValancy—little,pale,black-hairedValancy,withherprim,long-sleevedapronandodd,slantedeyes.
“Oh,”saidaprettylittlegirltoher,“I’msosorryforyou.Youhaven’tgotabeau.”
V
