"The Giver Quartet" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lowry, Lois)

Jonas looked at his plate. For some reason that he didnтАЩt understand, he felt slightly embarrassed. тАЬI think I was trying to convince her that she should get into the tub of water.тАЭ



He paused. He knew he had to tell it all, that it was not only all right but necessary to tell all of a dream. So he forced himself to relate the part that made him uneasy.



тАЬI wanted her to take off her clothes and get into the tub,тАЭ he explained quickly. тАЬI wanted to bathe her. I had the sponge in my hand. But she wouldnтАЩt. She kept laughing and saying no.тАЭ



He looked up at his parents. тАЬThatтАЩs all,тАЭ he said. тАЬCan you describe the strongest feeling in your dream, son?тАЭ Father asked.



Jonas thought about it. The details were murky and vague. But the feelings were clear, and flooded him again now as he thought. тАЬThe wanting,тАЭ he said. тАЬI knew that she wouldnтАЩt. And I think I knew that she shouldnтАЩt. But I wanted it so terribly. I could feel the wanting all through me.тАЭ



тАЬThank you for your dream, Jonas,тАЭ Mother said after a moment. She glanced at Father.



тАЬLily,тАЭ Father said, тАЬitтАЩs time to leave for school. Would you walk beside me this morning and keep an eye on the newchildтАЩs basket? We want to be certain he doesnтАЩt wiggle himself loose.тАЭ



Jonas began to rise to collect his schoolbooks. He thought it surprising that they hadnтАЩt talked about his dream at length before the thank you. Perhaps they found it as confusing as he had.



тАЬWait, Jonas,тАЭ Mother said gently. тАЬIтАЩll write an apology to your instructor so that you wonтАЩt have to speak one for being late.тАЭ



He sank back down into his chair, puzzled. He waved to Father and Lily as they left the dwelling, carrying Gabe in his basket. He watched while Mother tidied the remains of the morning meal and placed the tray by the front door for the Collection Crew.



Finally she sat down beside him at the table. тАЬJonas,тАЭ she said with a smile, тАЬthe feeling you described as the wanting? It was your first Stirrings. Father and I have been expecting it to happen to you. It happens to everyone. It happened to Father when he was your age. And it happened to me. It will happen someday to Lily.



тАЬAnd very often,тАЭ Mother added, тАЬit begins with a dream.тАЭ