Mother, .
Yousayitisonlytwelveo’’tanylater; can’tyoueverthinkitisafternoonwhenitisonlytwelveo’clock?
Icaneasilyimaginenowthatthesunhasreachedtheedgeofthatrice-field, andtheoldfisher-womanisgatheringherbsforhersupperbythesideofthepond.
Icanjustshutmyeyesandthinkthattheshadowsaregrowingdarkerunderthemadartree, andthewaterinthepondlooksshinyblack.
Iftwelveo’clockcancomeinthenight, whycan’tthenightcomewhenitistwelveo’clock?
