"She's Nina, after Nina Harling," Antonia explained. "Ain't her eyes like
Nina's? I declare, Jim, I loved you children almost as much as I love my
own. These children know all about you and Charley and Sally, like as if
they'd grown up with you. I can't think of what I want to say, you've got
me so stirred up. And then, I've forgot my English 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--did n't learn it until they went to school.
"I can't believe it's you, sitting here, in my own kitchen. You would n't
have known me, would you, Jim? You've kept so young, yourself. But it's
easier for a man. I can't see how my Anton looks any older than the day I
married him. His teeth have kept so nice. I have n'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 reproachfully from the dishes.
Antonia threw up her head and laughed.
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