When she was older, after ten or so, she could tell she was being useful, but as a small child she was tolerated {only just, she knew} by this whirlwind of efficiency that was her mother organizing a party. Still she insisted on arranging fruit on a dish, or disposing ashtrays around the house, while her mother reduced her pace to Alice's. At least while "helping," Alice did not feel quite so much as if she were a tiny creature on top of a great wave, frantically and hopelessly signalling to her mother, who stood indifferently on the shore, not noticing her.
( Doris Lessing )
[ The Good Terrorist ]
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