And both were young

by Madeleine L'Engle

"Signorina del Rossi."

"That's right," Paul said. "And they were talking about you."

"About me! What did they say?" Flip cried, sitting up.

"Well, I didn't hear all of it because I was reading."

"But what did they say?" Flip asked again.

"Well, Signorina was saying that it was the first time Aunt Colette's ever taken a special interest in any one girl. And Aunt Colette laughed and said that you had great talent and then she said that an artist's life was a hard one but she was afraid you were stuck with it. And then she said—now, don't get angry with me, Flip—"

"Go on."

"Well, she said you were a nice child when you didn't spoil it by being sorry for yourself."

"Oh," Flip said. "Oh." And she lay down again rubbing her cheek against Ariel's fur.

"Here," Paul said. "Have some more bread and cheese.... You aren't angry at me, are you, Flip?"