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

Father turned his back. The other man spoke then, in a determined way, clearing his throat at the beginning like a preacher about to begin his sermon. "On
September the 8th, next week," he said, "the school bus will come along this road. If your daughter does not appear, Mr. Lapp, you will be arrested before
night."

Father had started for the barn while he talked. Suddenly he stopped short and spoke over his shoulder. "Esther will not ride in the school bus," he said.
"That is not in the law. I will take her back and forth myself "

He disappeared. The barn door closed quietly after him. No matter how angry Father might be, he would never slam a door.

"Well!" the first man said.

The two stood for a moment, looking around. "You have to admit they're wonderful farmers," one of them said. "Look at those fields. And never a machine
on the place."

His companion nodded and they began to walk back

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toward the gate. "All the Plain People are good farmers," one of them said. "I wish we had as many here as they do in Lancaster County. They're all rich,
the best farmers in the world and they know it."

"They're not afraid of hard work," said the other man. "Only of school."

They laughed and got into the car again. To turn it around they had to drive it into the yard and back it up. Esther could see the picture quite clearly
for a minute, a blue design like a shield. She could read the words too: the commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Father came out of the barn again, looking at the cloud of dust the car left behind it on the road. Esther felt sorry about how he felt. But about going
to school-she was not in the least sorry for that. Gathering the eggs while the chickens fluttered and scolded her, she told herself the truth. Dan had
loved the school and now she was glad that she would see the wonderful things he had described to her. Books with colored pictures on every page. Bright
crayons and chalk and paper to fold and cut. Pictures on the walls, curtains at the windows made of paper with crinkly edges. That wonderful little machine
that brought music out of little black plates by scratching with a needle . . .

So many things! She was so excited she stumbled

12 GIRL

over the doorsill and almost spilled the eggs. She had passed the schoolhouse many times when she was with Father and Mother, in the wagon. Crowds of children
laughed and played and ran together, tossing balls.

In the yard near the house she stood still, looking in the direction of the school. Sometimes in the winter she had heard the bell ringing from its little
white tower. On a clear cold day she could hear it very well over the fields and the meadows.

If only Father did not mind so much! she thought.

13

At supper it was just as Esther had expected. Father did not speak of the strangers who had come, or of the school, or of anything else. He prayed in silence
before and after supper, and then he went out to the barn again.