Page:Cornelli (IA cornelli00spyr 0).pdf/219

 Nika’s chair, her basket got caught on it. Pulling violently to free it, she turned the chair around quite suddenly.

“You are getting more awkward every day, Trina,” Nika said crossly.

Cornelli blushed. She felt as if these words were meant for her as well. She must be just as awkward in Nika’s eyes as Trina was. The latter failed to excuse herself and from embarrassment became more clumsy in her movements. Cornelli understood this perfectly; that was what she always did, she knew it quite well.

“Now we shall have supper,” said the mother, “and when the children’s work is done we shall all sing together. Don’t you sing, too, Cornelli?”

“I probably do not know the songs, and so I can’t sing,” she replied shyly.

After supper Mux fled back to Cornelli with his book. He wanted to renew his conversation with her,. but his mother had a different plan.

“Give your book to Cornelli, for it is time for you to retire,” she said. “You can join us again to-morrow.”