she's too old for the occasion.

And I said, very well, you shall be the bridesmaid... and she seemed born anew...

I tried not to notice that last sentence... she meant

nothing by it.

Afterward my brother said: I wanted you for a bridesmaid... and Claire wanted you too... but you let her rule you and you give in to her... She is selfish.

And I cried out at him: Tom, you have always loved her! He said: Yes, she is very pretty, and she was sweet as a child; but now...

I said reproachfully: Tom, don't say that!

He shook his head and went on: Listen to me... Annabelle is seventeen, empty-headed and puffed up like a peacock, and you and I are both to blame for it — we spoiled her more than we should have... Remember Roger Garland.

I said: But she didn't know what she was doing.

He said: Oh yes, my little girl, she always knows what she is doing, and she may well draw a new ring around you.

The conversation pained me — especially the memory of Roger, though I had never confessed it even to myself... The young man had come home with my brother once after a game of golf... He was pleasant... a teacher at one of the institutes... and we sank for an hour into talk of books and studies... Then Annabelle came back from a tennis party wearing a white wool jersey that had been knitted for her... She went and printed a kiss on my father's brow and bent over his chair, with her tousled golden hair and her very big, very bright blue eyes... She had the sweetest winning ways.

Mother said, introducing her to the guest: This is our baby, Annabelle.

And Annabelle cried: That was long ago — next April I shall be seventeen.

I did not understand then why she was annoyed... but I understood afterward...

As he was leaving, Roger said: Shall we go together tomorrow, so you can show me the antiquities of your city...? And I said yes.

I had not fallen in love with him, for such things do not happen to me... but he was pleasant... and I liked his talk and his quietness.

I went with him to the citadel, and we spent an hour together that I enjoyed... When he brought me home he said: We'll go to other places, if you like.

Annabelle and my father were at home when I came in... Annabelle said: Where have you been?

I said: At the citadel, with Roger Garland.

And Mother broke in: I told you

that, Annabelle.

Annabelle yawned and said: I'm tired and I'm going to bed — bring me a cup of tea.

Mother shot her a look, which she ignored... I carried the tea up to her, and she asked me:

In spring the miracle came — did spring purify

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