Lina at the Games Read Online Free PDF Page B

someone’s story off the magazine,’ Sister Rosemary said calmly. ‘Lina?’
    Lina skimmed the article and was almost disappointed to find that it was good. Very good. Julia Goldbloom certainly knew how to write. Then Lina remembered the little joke Julia had made the other day. ‘I think we should include it,’ she said, looking right into Sarah’s eyes. ‘Two against one. It’s in.’
    Sarah scowled and pulled another piece of paper out of the pile. ‘You’ll have to cut it back then,’ she said to Lina. ‘In my opinion, we’ve got way too many boring history articles and dreary poems about the war, and not enough fashion and movies.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘This magazine isn’t just for librarians and migrants. ’
    Lina felt her cheeks begin to steam, just like they had when she and Sarah were enemies. How dare she!
    Fortunately, Sister Rosemary, in her ever-patient tone of voice, jumped in before Lina was able to add fuel to the fire. ‘Sarah, you are right; there should always be room for more fun in our lives, but it’s important that all our student demographics are covered. I imagine that Anne Frank’s diary was significant to Julia because she is a Polish Jew. Her family may even have been through something similar to Anne, which is why I lent the book to her. I am sure her article will be of interest to other St Brigid’s girls, aside from us librarians and migrants .’
    â€˜Julia is Polish ?’ Lina asked in amazement.
    â€˜A Polish Jew.’ Sister Rosemary nodded.
    â€˜But . . . I thought she was Australian ,’ Lina insisted.
    â€˜She is, Lina,’ said Sister Rosemary. ‘She was born here. Her parents were refugees from Poland. They came out during the war. As did quite a few other students’ parents. In fact, the Australian government encouraged Europeans to move here and start new lives. They’re an important part of our country now.’
    Lina’s mind was fizzing as Sister Rosemary’s words began to sink in. ‘But . . . I thought I was the only non-Australian girl here.’
    Sister Rosemary’s face wrinkled into a broad smile. ‘Lina, you were born here. You are just as Australian as any girl at this school.’
    Lina felt herself glow with pride. Sarah just sniffed and picked at her nails.
    â€˜As Australian as me,’ Sister Rosemary continued, ‘whose parents came from Ireland. And as Australian as Sarah whose family came from . . .?’
    â€˜We’re all Australian,’ Sarah corrected.
    â€˜Really?’ Sister Rosemary said, her eyes twinkling. ‘You have very pale skin for an Aboriginal.’
    â€˜We’re not aboriginal!’ Sarah scowled. ‘That’s not what I mean. My family’s probably from England, originally, or something like that! But we’ve been in Australia ever since . . . it became Australia!’
    â€˜Oh,’ Sister Rosemary said, winking at Lina, ‘so your ancestors were convicts , then? I suppose that’s much better than being a refugee.’
    Sarah stood up and pushed her chair back angrily. ‘No, they weren’t! How would you know? You don’t know anything about my family, okay? I was just saying . . . oh forget it!’
    Sister Rosemary rose and put her hand gently on Sarah’s shoulder. ‘How about I make us a pot of tea? I think we could all do with a little break, don’t you? We’ve been working hard. Do you both take cream and sugar?’
    Lina nodded and covered a grin with her hand as she watched the old nun hobble off to put the kettle on. Sister Rosemary is the best, she thought admiringly. She’s proof that calmness mixed with cleverness wins every time. Lina made a mental note to try being more like Sister Rosemary in future, instead of her usual hot-headed self.
    Then her thoughts turned back to