Yet she was happy, as she told herself very often
and verysincerely.
Thats what youve always seemed to me,
Emily.
In vainCousin Jimmy slyly laid a new Jimmy-book at
intervals on her desk. After all, there would be a certain reliefin seeing Emily
safely married. I love you when your tones soften and mute like that, Star,
saidDean.
Old Kelly gathered up his lines with the air of a
man whosurrenders at discretion. Tell Emily, wrote old Aunt Nancy, that twins run in
the Priestfamily.
The walls of the shadowy roomseemed slowly to fade
from her vision. Ill never feel at home in your clan, she told Dean rebelliously.
Wecant even PRETEND theres anything more to do.
It seemed insome way to demand more of her than she
had to give.
To think of it meant to thinkof the book she had
burned; and THAT hurt beyond bearing. Some subtle prescience alwaystold him she was
not yet ready to be kissed. One understands a cat a little better now. Between the
house and the view, but not hiding it, was a row ofwonderful Lombardy
poplars.
I seem to have no interest in it since myillness.
And his father threwthe dinner dishes at his wife whin she made him mad. Old Kellys
gloomy predictions did not worryher. But he knows too much, that Jarback Praste,hes
after knowing far too much. To think of it meant to thinkof the book she had burned;
and THAT hurt beyond bearing.
What ghost came betweenthe lips that might have
met?
Its one of those houses you love the minute you see
them. One day Dean appeared before her with a flush of boyish excitementon his
face.
She has been dust for over a century, said Dean
dreamily.
Old Kelly gathered up his lines with the air of a
man whosurrenders at discretion. Though the old divil WAS amusing when he
waspleased. DID she love Dean Priest whom she was going to marry in
June?
Old Kellys eyes twinkled in spite of
himself.
They made friends with an old rabbit that often
came hopping out ofthe woods into the garden.
It makes me feel fearfully old and wise tobe
talking like this of your getting married, Emily. She was no longer sitting in her
chair looking on.
Dean Priests motherhad been a beautiful
woman.
She had brought the key of the Disapppinted House
with her. Though the old divil WAS amusing when he waspleased.
Youve never seemed to like the fact of my
writing.
What ghost came betweenthe lips that might have
met? Emily stood still for a few minutes looking after Old Kellysretreating chariot.