He had made mother unhappy, and so Jane hatedhim
and put him out of her thoughts completely. But Jane had known veryearly that
grandmother resented laughter.
Turn to the fourteenth chapter of Exodus,
grandmother would say.
Come over to our house and Ill give you a doll,
said Jane. The girl shook her head and the tears welled up in her big
eyes.
Why couldnt it have been a prettyrounded one like
mothers? The smell of it was almost as good as the eatingof it.
She has a very sulky disposition, said
grandmother.
A strange, dreadful hush suddenly fell over the
room.
And Jane felt, if she did not yet know,
thatgrandmother did not like mother loving her so much. Darling, is this Jody of
yours a nice little girl?
Apparently mother found it easy; but, then,
grandmother lovedmother, which made a difference.
Sheadored mother but she had unerringly laid her
finger on the weakspot in her character.
Such a pity you are not fonder of music, said
grandmother.
I think it is very dull, said Jane
truthfully.
How are you getting on at St Agathas, Victoria? She
winked one of her green eyes at Jane. Why couldnt it have been a prettyrounded one
like mothers? Jane walked slowly to prolong the pleasure. Better put that kitten
right out, MissVictoria. Grandmother did not oftenlaugh, which Jane thought was just
as well.
She always wore such pretty dresses and looked so
lovely.