This was Marigolds first visit to Aunt Min, and was
to be thefinal one of the autumn. After a week duringwhich Billy forgot to hanker
for Aunt Noras. But whenAunt Min smiled in that curious sweet fashion and spoke in
thatlow, even tone, then beware. Of course I have to kneel down when Aunt Harriet
hasfamily prayers. Melancholy dogswere howling to each other across the dark
farms.
A very devil squatted at the turn ofthe
road.
This Flying Roll book is full of sermons. His
opinion was that writing a snopsis with the printed sermonbefore you was a snap. To
be sure, she had got him into the scrape but he bore her nogrudge for
that.
In Marigolds utter confusion of thought only one
idea stood outclearly.
Marigold, youll see that Billybehaves properly,
wont you?
Aunt Marcia knew he was inexorable and Marigold
felt he was.
Marigold was amazed to findherself really liking a
boy.
And it would be so lonesome to stay
home.
She even tried to consult the minister about the
matter, the nighthe came to Yarow Lane for supper.
Melancholy dogswere howling to each other across
the dark farms.
Ill bet Hell punish her right smart some of
thesedays.
Shesgot to be told and Im going to tell her. So
Marigold andBilly might call themselves cousins of a sort. Besidesshe had a dim old
memory of something Old Grandmother had saidlong, long ago. Marigold knew of a side
of his naturewhich made her think he might understand Sylvia. Now, lets say our
prayers and snuggle down for a good jaw, shesaid. When Aunt Min came home he was
ready forher. She listened sympathetically to his tale of woe.
They climbed to the ventilator on topof the big
Guest barn. And I dont want to, Bernice answered defiantly. Keep your dream, little
Marigold, as long as you can.
You just said you didnt believe in Him, cried
Marigold. Aunt Min, jever notice, always cuts it in eight. As if she were losing
something thatwas very precious.
I knew she meant something this afternoon. If
shedoesnt believe in God youll not play with her again, Marigold.
Say, you ought to taste Aunt Noras raspberry buns.
But it was too hopelessly,horribly, evidently true. For, in spite of all
warnings,they ate or tried to eat nearly everything they came across. Im never going
to have anything to do with him again, he saiddarkly. I was in favour of himbecause
hes engaged to Dovie Sinclair and she is a distantrelation of mine. With no more
clothes on than decencyrequired.