And when one of The Things That Always HaveBeen
disappear, it is a shock.
Giganticgrotesque shadows went hurtling over the
barns in the lantern-light. Marigold sat down and looked at the brides. Marigold put
in the time hating Clementine.
Marigold was turning away whenher eyes fell on
Alicia.
She didntbelieve Old Grandmother had any idea of
dying.
Old Grandmother chuckled as she always did when
achieving a bit ofmodern slang. What was it she had heard about Uncle Paul keeping
apet rat in the barn? Why sigh as Salome always did when she paused by Mrs. Winter
had touched it in the darkness and transformed it. Especially when some of the clan
praised them.
Marigold almost liked Hildawhen she laughed. She
clenched her small hands and set her teeth.
Why, her heart nearly broke when her dear
greykitten had died. You had to go through Mothers room toget to
Marigolds.
Frankll drive you home to-morrowif it doesnt
rain.
Marigold in the wash-house doorway caught her
breath.
No use makingyourself miserable just for the sake
of being bad.
Marigoldhadnt the least idea what a water-garden
was.
Nonsense, child, said Aunt Flora
stiffly.
And to think that easygoing Frenchboy can make
it.
Deyre too stubborn, dat pair, Lazarre told
Salome.
To Marigold, Old Grandmother, so incrediblyold, had
never seemed like anything human. That would be a miracle indeed, said Uncle Klon.
Why, Frank, cried Marigold, whats the matter with the house? Idont wonder you were
homesick and scared in that big barn Floracalls a spare room.