"AnnieHamiltonDonnell-RebeccaMary" - читать интересную книгу автора (Donnell Annie Hamilton)

gently again and again. Rebecca's startled eyes flew open. In that
instant was born inspiration in the brain of Aunt Olivia. She thought
of an appeal to make.

"Do you want ME to starve, too? Right here before your face and eyes?
I haven't eat a mouthful since you did, and I shan't till you DO."

Rebecca Mary slid to the floor with a soft thud of little brown,
bare feet. Slow comprehension dawned in her eyes. "Are***[--]***
did you say YOU was starving, too?"

"Yes"--grimly.

"Does it hurt you--too?"

"Yes"--unsteadily.

"VERY much?"

"YES."

"Why don't you eat something?"

"Because you don't. I'm waiting for you to."

"Shan't you ever?"

"Not if you don't."

Rebecca Mary caught her breath in a sob. "Shall I be--to blame?"
She was moving towards the door now. With an irresistible impulse
Aunt Olivia gathered her in her arms, and covered her lean little
face with kisses.

"You poor little thing! You poor little thing! You poor little
thing!" over and over.

Rebecca Mary gazed up into the softened face and read something
there. It took her breath away. She could not believe it without
further proof.

"You don't--I don't suppose you LOVE me?" panted Rebecca Mary.
But Aunt Olivia was gone out of the room in a swirl of white
nightgown.

"Everything's on the table," she called back from the stairs.
"I'm going to light a fire. You come right down. I think it's high
time--" her voice trailing out thinly.

"She does," murmured Rebecca Mary, radiant of face.