egreatestofthingspossible?Perhaps,afterlongestrangement,aftermuchtragedy,theSouthhadbroughtthemtogetherintheend.Thatlaughterinthetheatre,thosesilverstarsinthepurplesky,eventhevioletsofadepartedspring,allhadhelped,andsorrowhadhelpedalso,andsohadtendernesstoothers.
“Itistempting,”sherepeated,“nottobemysterious.I’vewantedoftentotellyou,andthenbeenafraid.Icouldnevertellanyoneelse,certainlynowoman,andIthinkyou’retheonemanwhomightunderstandandnotbedisgusted.”
“Areyoulonely?”hewhispered.“Isitanythinglikethat?”
“Yes.”Thetrainseemedtoshakehimtowardsher.Hewasresolvedthatthoughadozenpeoplewerelooking,hewouldyettakeherinhisarms.“I’mterriblylonely,orIwouldn’tspeak.Ithinkyoumustknowalready.”Theirfaceswerecrimson,asifthesamethoughtwassurgingthroughthemboth.
“PerhapsIdo.”Hecameclosetoher.“PerhapsIcouldspeakinstead.Butifyouwillsaythewordplainlyyou’llneverbesorryIwillthankyouforitallmylife.”
Shesaidplainly,“ThatIlovehim.”Thenshebrokedown.Herbodywasshakenwithsobs,andlestthereshouldbeanydoubtshecriedbetweenthesobsforGino!Gino!Gino!
Heheardhimselfremark“Rather!Ilovehimtoo!WhenIcanforgethowhehurtmethatevening.Thoughwheneverweshakehands—”Oneofthemmusthavemovedasteportwo,forwhenshespokeagainshewasalreadyalittlewayapart.
“You’veupsetme.”Shestifledsomethingthatwasperilouslynearhysterics.“IthoughtIwaspastallthis.You’retakingitwrongly.I’minlovewithGino—don’tpassitoff—Imeanitcrudely—youknowwhatImean.Solaughatme.”
“Laughatlove?”askedPhilip.
“Yes.Pullittopieces.TellmeI’mafoolorworse—thathe’sacad.SayallyousaidwhenLiliafellinlovewithhim.That’sthehelpIwant.IdaretellyouthisbecauseIlikeyou—andbecauseyou’rewithoutpassionyoulookonlifeasaspectacleyoudon’tenterityouonlyfinditfunnyorbeautiful.SoIcantrustyoutocureme.Mr.Herriton,isn’titfunny?”Shetriedtolaughherself,butbecamefrightenedandhadtostop.“He’snotagentleman,noraChristi