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

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green cap! One boy had no cap, but his hair was exactly the color of a robin's breast. If she had that, Esther thought, how cheerful it would be, better
than if she could have a bright scarf and mittens-for nobody could object to colored hair. Objecting to a bright beautiful color that grew out of you and
belonged to you would be foolish. It would be as foolish as objecting to colored flowers, or carrots. Or cardinals. Or beetles. Or berries. Or to sunshine
itself.

Mary came out of the bus. At the same moment the sun came out of the clouds, and Mary was shining as she ran. "Esther, if it rains she lets us play jacks
on the floor!" she said. She had been thinking about it too. Esther felt a sudden wave of happiness. Mary had been thinking about playing again, just as
she had herself. As naturally as could be, Mary took hold of her hand and they went into the schoolhouse together. It did not even occur to Esther to tell
Mary that she couldn't play. After all, there was plenty of time.

In writing class, Mary turned and slipped another note onto Esther's desk. She did it so quickly that Esther hardly saw the motion. But there was the note,
neatly folded, with Esther printed on it in letters nearly an inch high.

What would it say this time? She had started to

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unfold it before she remembered about the preaching I the day before and how strong she had meant to be. Her fingers trembled. But Mary was sweet, she thought,
Nobody could deny it who saw her at her desk with her head lowered over her work, clean and neat and pretty with her hair shining and tied with a pink
ribbon. Like the fountain, Mary could not possibly be bitter too. Maybe that was what the Bible meant!

Of course. Why hadn't she thought of it before? Firmly, she unfolded Mary's note.

Dear Friend Esther:

Why don't you write a letter to me?

Your friend,

Mary.

Esther sat as still as she had ever sat in church. Why didn't she? She had learned from the beginning that when one received a kindness, a kindness should
be given in return as soon as possible. Mother said that all the time, and Father too.

Well, then- She tore a sheet of paper from her notebook and began to make letters carefully. They didn'f look as good as Mary's, no matter how carefully
she made them. She reached into her desk and brought out Mary's first note. Then she began on a fresh sheet:

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Dear Friend Mary:

I like you too. I think your pink dress is pretty. And your hair is cute. Your friend,

Esther.

She folded it very small and neat. Then she had an idea. She reached down and pulled a dark purple thread out of her dress. She was glad her dress was purple
today and not black. With the thread she tied a neat little bow, so the letter looked like a package. She dropped it over Mary's shoulder, onto her desk.
Her heart was beating hard as it had in the Meeting; she felt it thumping against the desk as she leaned forward. Now it was done, she thought.