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Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte

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"What do you mean, you're happy!"<br />

"Well, I am happy!--not because Uncle John is dead, but because his<br />

little girl, <strong>Paula</strong>, who is just my age, is coming to live with us, so, of course,<br />

why shouldn't I be happy?"<br />

"Well, you can just forget your 'happiness,' because <strong>Paula</strong> is _not_ going<br />

to live with us. I can tell you that right now!"<br />

"And why not? Fa<strong>the</strong>r said she was coming! You can ask Teresa, or<br />

Rosa, or Louis!"<br />

"I am not going to ask anyone, but I tell you that <strong>Paula</strong> is _not_ coming<br />

here! No! and indeed, NO! I've got enough to put up with, with Louis and<br />

you! It seems as if you tear my head apart, for you quarrel from morning till<br />

night; and when you play it seems as if <strong>the</strong> house is coming down; and now<br />

suppose ano<strong>the</strong>r bad-mannered little girl should come among us! But I tell<br />

you it _never_ shall happen!"<br />

"You're not <strong>the</strong> one who orders things here!"<br />

"Nei<strong>the</strong>r do you, you impertinent little thing."<br />

"Now, don't get mad, Catalina!" I cried, as I burst into tears.<br />

"You don't know what you are talking about. You do not realize that<br />

<strong>Paula</strong> has no one in <strong>the</strong> world to care for her. Teresa read us <strong>the</strong> letter out<br />

loud. I know I'm not a good girl and I'm almost as disagreeable as you are,<br />

but I am going to be good when <strong>Paula</strong> comes. You shall see. She will be my<br />

dearly beloved sister and she is almost exactly my age. Oh, I certainly shall<br />

love her so, and we shall always be toge<strong>the</strong>r and we, we...."<br />

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