"Sorensen, Virginia - Plain Girl" - читать интересную книгу автора (Sorensen Virginia)

The bell rang. Instantly, like a sudden burst of water, the children began to flow out of the room.

"Don't push," the teacher said. "In order now! The third grade is first out today. Harry-take your turn. Kenneth. Mary rose in front of Esther and they
waited for their turn to march. In the most natural way in the world, Mary took Esther's hand in her own. Her hand was soft and warm, as kind as her letter.
Esther felt the turn of her fingers. "7 know!" Mary said. "We'll

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play jacks instead of jump-the-rope. Just you and I. We don't want to jump!"

"I've never played jacks either," Esther said.

"You haven't? Well, I'll show you. It's as easy as fun," Mary said.

Always, her whole life, Esther had learned what kindness was. It was to think of others before yourself. It was to think of their comfort before your own.
This Mary had thought of how hard it would be to jump in a long dress with high shoes and heavy stockings. A long skirt would switch and catch in the rope.
But jacks-Esther had never played, but she had watched the others play at recess several times. It was simple, bouncing a little ball and picking up first
one jack, then two, until you swept up all eight at the same time.

Mary kept her hand. "We speak for the step!" she cried the minute they were outside. "Esther and I get the step!"

The others looked at them in surprise, the two of them together.

"You jump," Mary said to the girls who usually played with her. "I've promised to show Esther how to play jacks. Then we'll all have a game."

So she managed to get them out of the way. They wouldn't be standing around watching while Esther

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was clumsy, as she was learning. The step was sunny and warm and the maples around the schoolyard were changing color. The air was all golden because of
the leaves. Tossing the ball and picking up the clever little jackstones was a beautiful thing to be doing. One-two-three! She felt them sweep into her
hand together.

"Good! Good!" Mary said.

When the bell rang she said, "Next time you'll be able to get them all."

Oh, it was lovely to march beside Mary, proudly into the school again. Nobody laughed. It was as if Esther was just like all the rest.

Sometimes Father was so busy that he came later than the school bus. Esther had never wondered why she shouldn't go in the bus with the others and save
her father the trouble of leaving his work to come for her. She knew the reason: Plain People did not ride in machines. That day it seemed foolish to her
for the first time. She remembered Dan coming along the road in the car with the boys. "I always wondered . . ." he had said. "Now I know."

Mary waved to her from the window of the bus. "See you Monday, Esther!" she called. "See you Monday!" For it was Friday today.

Esther had always been glad when it was Friday

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