列夫·托尔斯泰/LeoTolstoy
Happy, happy, never-returningtimeofchildhood! Howcanwehelplovinganddwellinguponitsrecollections? Theycheerandelevatethesoul, andbecometooneasourceofhigherjoys.
Sometimes, whendreamingofbygonedays, fancythat, tiredoutwithrunningabout, , , seeingthatMammaisspeakingtosomebody, andthatthesoundofhervoiceissomelodiousandkind? Howmuchitsechoesrecalltomyheart! , andherfacevanishestoapoint; yetIcanstillseeit—, , -closemyeyes, andcastabouttotryandrecallthedream, butithasgone, Irisetomyfeet, onlytofallbackcomfortablyintothearmchair.
“There!Youarefallingasleepagain, littleNicolas,”saysMamma.“Youhadbettergotoby-by.”
“No, Iwon'tgotosleep, Mamma,”Ireply, thoughalmostinaudibly, , , and, thoughstilldreaming, , , withhersofthandstrokingmyhair, andIhearherbeloved, well-knownvoicesayinmyear:“Getup, -by.”
, yetIkissandkissherhand.
“Getup, then, myangel.”
Shepassesherotherarmroundmyneck, -darkness, —thatIcantell—andtouchingme; , tothrowmyarmsaroundherneck, tohidemyheadinherbosom, andtosaywithasigh:
“Ah, dear, darlingMamma, howmuchIloveyou!”
Shesmileshersad, enchantingsmile, takesmyheadbetweenhertwohands, kissesmeontheforehead, andliftsmeontoherlap.
“Doyoulovemesomuch, then?”, afterafewmoments' silence, shecontinues:“Andyoumustlovemealways, , willyoupromisenevertoforgether—never, Nicolinka?”andshekissesmemorefondlythanever.
“Oh, butyoumustnotspeakso, darlingMamma, myowndarlingMamma!”IexclaimasIclaspherknees, andtearsofjoyandlovefallfrommyeyes.
