Valency had reached the door, but she
turned.
Shes feverish, said Cousin Stickles to Uncle
Benjamin in anagonised whisper. But she wanted to go to the silver wedding. It did
not matterwhether Valancy was or was not feverish. And she need not now be afraid of
anything else.
Valancyseemed to read it at a glance; she dropped
it on her lap, her faceghost-white. Her dust-pile was quitebig enough to please her.
Other people mightpuzzle over that text but it never puzzled Valancy.
Every letter she had ever written orreceived had
been read by Mrs.
Valency had reached the door, but she turned. But
she wanted to go to the silver wedding.
These incidents were all unpleasant in oneway or
another. The nextday Aunt Wellington had come to Elm Street and told
Mrs.
It had begun with therosebush, of course; and
Valancy never was really quite rightagain.
Valancy had not then heard of Galileo but her fate
was similar tohis. HIS escapes from reality had tobe concrete. When she was
twenty-three she had ahectic affair with Donald Jackson.
Valancy couldnot be allowed to have headaches
without interference.
Olive, who neverlacked eager partners, was
heavy.
Olive thought it would be to be agreat singer like
Tetrazzini. These incidents were all unpleasant in oneway or another. It was so
important that Valancy should be keptin good humour, if possible, until it was
over.
You have asked that riddle at least fifty times
inmy recollection, Uncle Ben.
Nothing really pleasant had every happened
toValancy. He tried to elevate it by starting anabstract discussion on the greatest
happiness.
Why, Ive never evenhad a quarrel with any one.