第15章童年（1）
Childhood
列夫·托尔斯泰LeoTolstoy
Happy，happy，imeofchildhood！Holovinganddwellingupoions？Theydelevatethesoul，aherjoys。
&imes，whendreamingofbygonedays，fancythat，tiredabout，Ihavesatdowninmyhigharm-chairbythetea-table。Itislate，andIhavelongsinkmyyeyesareheavywithsleepasIsitthereandlisten。HowotlisteMammaisspeakingtosomebody，andthatthesoundofhervoielodiousandkind？Howmuchitsechoesreyheart！WithmyeyesveiledwithdrowsinessIgazeatherwistfully。Suddeogrowsmallerandsmaller，andherfaishestoapoiIstillseeit—stillseeherasshelooksatmeandsmiles。Somehowitpleasesmetrownsosmall。IblinkandblisheloerthaedinthepupilofahenIrousemyself，aurefades。OncemoreIhalf-yeyes，andcastabouttotryahedream，butithasgoomyfeet，onlytofallbafortablyintothearmchair。
“There！Yasleepagain，littleNicolas，”saysMamma。“Youhadbettergotoby-by。”
“No，Iwon’tgotosleep，Mamma，”Ireply，thoughalmostinaudibly，forpleasantdreamsaref？illingallmysoul。Thesoundsleepofchildhoodisweighingmyeyelidsdown，andforafewmoments。Isinkintoslumberandoblivionuntilawakenedbysomeone。Ifeelihoughasofthandweregme。Iknowitbythetoud，thoughstilldreaming，Iseizeholdofitaomylips。Everyoneelsehasgoobed，andonlyonedleremainsburninginthedrawing-room。Mammahassaidthatsheherselfwillwakeme。Shesitsdowhe，withhersofthandstrokingmyhair，andIhearherbeloved，well-knownvoimyear：“Getup，mydarling。Itistimetogoby-by。”
Noenviousgazeseesherafraidtoshedupohewholeofhertendernessandlove。IdoIkissandkissherhand。
&hen，myangel。”
Shepassesherotherarmroundmynedherf？iicklemeastheymoveacrossit。Theroomisquietandinhalf-darkhetighastouervesaoawake。MammaissittiItell—andtougme；Ihearhervoidfeelherpreselastrousesmetup，tothrowmyarmsarouohidemyheadinherbosom，andtosay>
“Ah，dear，darlingMamma，howmuchIloveyou！”
Shesmileshersad，engsmile，takesmyheadbetweewohaheforehead，andliftsmeontoherlap。
“Doyoulovemesomu？”shesays。Then，afterafewmoments’sileinues：“Andyoumustlovemealways，ame。IfyourMammashouldnolongerbehere，willyoupromiseether—never，Nika？”andshekissesmemorefondlythanever。
“Oh，butyoumustnotspeaksMamma，myMamma！”IexclaimasIclaspherkearsofjoyandlovefallfrommyeyes。
How，afterseslikethis！Iwouldgoupstairs，andstaheidsayturousfeeling，“GodblessPapaandMamma！”aaprayerformybelovedmotherwhichmychildishlipshadlearnttolisp—theloveofGodandstrangelyiion！