“I’ve made up my mind,” I told Mother as soon as I entered the dining room. “I will not marry David, I’ll set off on a tour of the world.”
Though I’m not sure how, as I said this my cup slipped out of my hand, onto the saucer, and spilled all over the tablecloth.
“You are impossible!” screamed Mother.
Everyone made it clear by their looks that they agreed with her.
The next day I learned from the old man that Andreas had stayed the night in Kifissia and that he had left very early that morning for a long trip.
VIII. THE STRAW HATS
THINGS must have happened something like that. I have tried to tell it in order without any lies. But then again, how is a person to distinguish what really happens from what one thinks is happening? Was Aunt Theresa’s gait so uneven? And David’s hands so expressive and feminine? And Andreas’s eyes so startling? Oh dear, I forgot I’ve never seen Andreas, only dreamt about him. And did Mrs. Parigori really love David?
I imagine Maria will have more children. It’s hard to tell what her fate will be, the same goes for Infanta and me. But certainly those three summers will play a role in our lives. I remember that first day of that first summer when we bought our big straw hats.
GLOSSARY OF GREEK NAMES
Stressed syllables are indicated by the presence of an acute diacritic (´).
Aghía Triáda The name of a church as well as of its surrounding neighborhood. Aghía means “saint” or “holy”; Triáda means “trinity.”
Andríkos Diminutive of the name “Andréas.”
Ániksi Street Ániksi is the word for the spring season.
Áris A common name. From Ares, the god of war.
Bouboulína Laskarína “Bouboulína” Pinótsis (1771–1825) was a female naval commander who became a heroine in the Greek War of Independence. She was from the island of Hydra, where Liberaki spent her summers.
Deliyánnis Street A street named after the Greek statesman Theódoros Deliyánnis (1820–1905).
Edipsós The healing waters of Edipsós in Evia (or Euboea) have been known since Ancient times.
Eliá Avenue Eliá means “Olive.”
Elikóna Also known as Helicon; a mountain to the north of Athens.
Feláha A feminized version of feláhos, which is in turn derived from fellah, the term for an Egyptian farmer or peasant.
Helidonoú A neighborhood near the girls’ house; literally “female swallow.”
Karaïskáki Yiórgios Karaïskákis (1782–1827) was a legendary military commander and leader in the Greek War of Independence.
Kifissiá An affluent suburb north of Athens.
Kostáki A diminutive of the name “Kóstas” or “Konstantínos.”
Koukoúki An endearment used for infants derived from the word koúkos or “cuckoo.”
Mavroúkos A diminutive of the word mávros, meaning “black.”
Mount Párnitha Párnitha or Parnes is a part of a mountain range to the north of Athens.
Mount Pendéli Another mountain north of Athens, Pendéli or Pentelicus is known for its Pentelic marble.
Oropós A town northeast of Athens as well as the jail located there.
Óthonos Street Named for Otto or “Óthon” the Bavarian prince who was the first King of Modern Greece (1832–1862).
Panaghiá The term for the Virgin Mary, the literal meaning of which is “all holy.”
Piraeus The port of Athens.
Profítis Elías Churches situated at the highest point of many parts of Greece are named after the prophet Elijah. The feast day of the church is celebrated on July 20.
Rodiá, Rodoúla, Rodítsa Rodiá means pomegranate tree. Oula and itsa are diminutive suffixes for female names.
Spirétos A form of the male name Spíros.
Syntagma Square A square located in the center of Athens. Syntagma means “constitution.”
Tatoï A forested area (and airport) named for a former royal palace in the north of Athens. The palace was burned to the ground in 1945, at the start of the civil war.
Yangoúlas Another form of the male name Yángos or Yánnis.
Zezína The name Zina with the diminutive suffix ze appended.
Three Summers Page 26