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----- {{myantp378.png}} || My Antonia ||


so stirred up. And then, I've forgot my Eng-
lish so. I don't often talk it any more. I tell
the children I used to speak real well." She
said they always spoke Bohemian at home.
The little ones could not speak English at all
-- didn't learn it until they went to school.

"I can't believe it's you, sitting here, in my
own kitchen. You wouldn't have known me,
would you, Jim? You've kept so young, your-
self. But it's easier for a man. I can't see how
my Anton looks any older than the day I mar-
ried him. His teeth have kept so nice. I
haven't got many left. But I feel just as
young as I used to, and I can do as much work.
Oh, we don't have to work so hard now!
We've got plenty to help us, papa and me.
And how many have you got, Jim?"

When I told her I had no children she
seemed embarrassed. "Oh, ain't that too bad!
Maybe you could take one of my bad ones,
now? That Leo; he's the worst of all." She
leaned toward me with a smile. "And I love
him the best," she whispered.

"Mother!" the two girls murmured re-
proachfully from the dishes.

Antonia threw up her head and laughed.
"I can't help it. You know I do. Maybe


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