Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow:

'I suppressed that ever recurring envious ache'.

a) What had caused the 'ache' in the speaker?

b) Why was it an envious one?

c) Bring out the speaker's attitude.

a) Freda who was Anne’s neighbour was the cause of her ‘ache’. Freda’s appearance was quite similar to what Anne had always longed for. She not only appeared to be the same but was also confident and extrovert.

b) Freda was perhaps a year or two older than Marian. Slim and fair-skinned, her hair was like ripe corn in sunlight, her eyes a sparkling, vivid blue. As if this were not enough, she had a voice as clear and careless as a mountain stream. When Anne saw Marian in stark contrast with Freda, she suppressed her ever-recurring envious ache for having not been blessed with a child as she. She used to wish that Marian had one quarter of the self-confidence which Freda had exhibited.

c) The speaker is jealous of Freda. Freda said she had come to play with Marian and said she had no one to play with. Anne tried to discourage her. She said Marian liked to play alone. Her unwelcoming remarks were a result of the envious pain that Freda had caused to her.