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Norris2.xml.txt
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Norris2.xml.txt
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"Well,/NN we/PRP couldn't/MD have/VB much/RB worse/JJR weather/NN than/IN this/DT for/IN the/DT last/JJ week/NN of/IN school,/NN could/MD we?"/VB Margaret/NNP Paget/NNP said/VBD in/IN discouragement./NN She/PRP stood/VBD at/IN one/CD of/IN the/DT school/NN windows,/IN her/PRP$ hands/NNS thrust/VBN deep/RB in/IN her/PRP$ coat/NN pockets/NNS for/IN warmth,/VBG her/PRP$ eyes/NNS following/VBG the/DT whirling/VBG course/NN of/IN the/DT storm/NN that/WDT howled/VBD outside./DT The/DT day/NN had/VBD commenced/VBN with/IN snow,/NN but/CC now,/RB at/IN twelve/CD o'clock,/IN the/DT rain/NN was/VBD falling/VBG in/IN sheets,/NN and/CC the/DT barren/JJ schoolhouse/NN yard,/NNS and/CC the/DT play-shed/JJ roof,/NN ran/VBD muddy/JJ streams/NNS of/IN water./NN Margaret/NNP had/VBD taught/VBN in/IN this/DT schoolroom/NN for/IN nearly/RB four/CD years/NNS now,/RB ever/RB since/IN her/PRP$ seventeenth/JJ birthday,/NN and/CC she/PRP knew/VBD every/DT feature/NN of/IN the/DT big/JJ bare/JJ room/NN by/IN heart,/NN and/CC every/DT detail/NN of/IN the/DT length/NN of/IN village/NN street/NN that/IN the/DT high,/JJ uncurtained/JJ windows/NNS commanded./VBN She/PRP had/VBD stood/VBN at/IN this/DT window/NN in/IN all/DT weathers:/NN when/WRB locust/JJ and/CC lilac/NN made/VBD even/RB ugly/JJ little/JJ Weston/NNP enchanting,/, and/CC all/PDT the/DT windows/NNS were/VBD open/JJ to/TO floods/NNS of/IN sweet/JJ spring/NN air;/NN when/WRB tie/VB dry/JJ heat/NN of/IN autumn/NN burned/VBN over/IN the/DT world;/NN when/WRB the/DT common/JJ little/JJ houses/NNS and/CC barns,/NN and/CC the/DT bare/JJ trees,/NN lay/VBD dazzling/VBG and/CC transfigured/VBN under/IN the/DT first/JJ snowfall,/NN and/CC the/DT wood/NN crackled/VBD in/IN the/DT schoolroom/NN stove;/NN and/CC when,/NN as/IN to-day,/JJ midwinter/NN rains/VBZ swept/VBN drearily/RB past/IN the/DT windows,/NN and/CC the/DT children/NNS must/MD have/VB the/DT lights/NNS lighted/VBN for/IN their/PRP$ writing/NN lesson./, She/PRP was/VBD tired/VBN of/IN it/PRP all,/RB with/IN an/DT utter/JJ and/CC hopeless/JJ weariness./, Tired/NNP of/IN the/DT bells,/NN and/CC the/DT whispering,/NN and/CC the/DT shuffling/VBG feet,/NNS of/IN the/DT books/NNS that/WDT smelled/VBD of/IN pencil-dust/NN and/CC ink/NN and/CC little/JJ dusty/JJ fingers;/NN tired/VBN of/IN the/DT blackboards,/JJ cleaned/VBD in/IN great/JJ irregular/JJ scallops/NNS by/IN small/JJ and/CC zealous/JJ arms;/NNS of/IN the/DT clear-ticking/JJ big/JJ clock;/NN of/IN little/JJ girls/NNS who/WP sulked,/VBD and/CC little/JJ girls/NNS who/WP cried/VBD after/IN hours/NNS in/IN the/DT hall/NN because/IN they/PRP had/VBD lost/VBN their/PRP$ lunch/NN baskets/NNS or/CC their/PRP$ overshoes,/JJ and/CC little/JJ girls/NNS who/WP had/VBD colds/NNS in/IN their/PRP$ heads,/NN and/CC no/DT handkerchiefs./NN Looking/VBG out/IN into/IN the/DT gray/JJ day/NN and/CC the/DT rain,/NN Margaret/NNP said/VBD to/TO herself/PRP that/IN she/PRP was/VBD sick/JJ of/IN it/PRP all!/DT There/EX were/VBD no/DT little/JJ girls/NNS in/IN the/DT schoolroom/NN now./, They/PRP were/VBD for/IN the/DT most/JJS part/NN downstairs/NN in/IN the/DT big/JJ playroom,/NN discussing/VBG cold/JJ lunches,/NN and/CC planning,/NN presumably,/NN the/DT joys/NNS of/IN the/DT closely/RB approaching/VBG holidays./NN One/CD or/CC two/CD windows/NNS had/VBD been/VBN partially/RB opened/VBN to/TO air/NN the/DT room/NN in/IN their/PRP$ absence,/JJ and/CC Margaret's/NNP only/RB companion/NN was/VBD another/DT teacher,/NN Emily/NNP Porter,/NNP a/DT cheerful/JJ little/JJ widow,/NN whose/WP$ plain/JJ rosy/JJ face/NN was/VBD in/IN marked/JJ contrast/NN to/TO the/DT younger/JJR woman's/NNS unusual/JJ beauty./, Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP loved/VBD Margaret/NNP and/CC admired/VBD her/PRP$ very/JJ much,/JJ but/CC she/PRP herself/PRP loved/VBD teaching./DT She/PRP had/VBD had/VBN a/DT hard/JJ fight/NN to/TO secure/VB this/DT position/NN a/DT few/JJ years/NNS ago;/IN it/PRP meant/VBD comfort/NN to/TO her/PRP and/CC her/PRP$ children,/NN and/CC it/PRP still/RB seemed/VBD to/TO her/PRP a/DT miracle/NN of/IN God's/NNP working,/, after/IN her/PRP$ years/NNS of/IN struggle/NN and/CC worry./DT She/PRP could/MD not/RB understand/VB why/WRB Margaret/NNP wanted/VBD anything/NN better;/IN what/WP better/JJR thing/NN indeed/RB could/MD life/NN hold!/VB Sometimes,/RB looking/VBG admiringly/RB at/IN her/PRP$ associate's/JJ crown/NN of/IN tawny/JJ braids,/NN at/IN the/DT dark/JJ eyes/NNS and/CC the/DT exquisite/JJ lines/NNS of/IN mouth/NN and/CC forehead,/IN Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP would/MD find/VB herself/PRP sympathetic/JJ with/IN the/DT girl's/NNS vague/JJ discontent/NN and/CC longings,/RB to/TO the/DT extent/NN of/IN wishing/NN that/IN some/DT larger/JJR social/JJ circle/NN than/IN that/DT of/IN Weston/NNP might/MD have/VB a/DT chance/NN to/TO appreciate/VB Margaret/NNP Paget's/NNP beauty,/, that/DT "some/JJ of/IN those/DT painters/NNS who/WP go/VBP crazy/JJ over/IN girls/NNS not/RB half/RB as/IN pretty"/NN might/MD see/VB her./PRP But/CC after/IN all,/DT sensible/JJ little/JJ Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP would/MD say/VB to/TO herself,/PRP Weston/NNP was/VBD a/DT "nice"/NN town,/NN only/RB four/CD hours/NNS from/IN New/NNP York,/NNP absolutely/RB up-to-date;/JJ and/CC Weston's/NNP best/JJS people/NNS were/VBD all/DT "nice,"/NNS and/CC the/DT Paget/NNP girls/NNS were/VBD very/RB popular,/JJ and/CC "went/JJ everywhere,"/NN —/IN young/JJ people/NNS were/VBD just/RB discontented/VBN and/CC exacting,/RB that/DT was/VBD all!/DT She/PRP came/VBD to/TO Margaret's/NNP side/NN now,/RB buttoned/VBD snugly/RB into/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ storm/NN coat,/NN and/CC they/PRP looked/VBD out/RP at/IN the/DT rain/NN together./. Nothing/NN alive/JJ was/VBD in/IN sight./NN The/DT bare/JJ trees/NNS tossed/VBD in/IN the/DT wind,/NN and/CC a/DT garden/NN gate/NN halfway/RB down/IN the/DT row/NN of/IN little/JJ shabby/JJ cottages/NNS banged/VBN and/CC banged./VBN "Shame/NN —/IN this/DT is/VBZ the/DT worst/JJS yet!"/NN Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP said./VBD "You/PRP aren't/VBP going/VBG home/NN to/TO lunch/NN in/IN all/DT this,/JJ Margaret?"/NNP "Oh,/NNP I/PRP don't/VBP know,"/VBN Margaret/NNP said/VBD despondently./. "I'm/VBN so/RB dead/JJ that/IN I'd/NNP make/VB a/DT cup/NN of/IN tea/NN here/RB if/IN I/PRP didn't/RB think/VBP Mother/NNP would/MD worry/VB and/CC send/VB Julie/NNP over/IN with/IN lunch."/NN "I/NNS brought/VBD some/DT bread/NN and/CC butter/NN —/NN but/CC not/RB much./RB I/PRP hoped/VBD it/PRP would/MD hold/VB up./RP I/PRP hate/VBP to/TO leave/VB Tom/NNP and/CC Sister/NNP alone/RB all/DT day,"/NNS Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP said/VBD dubiously./. "There's/NNP tea/NN and/CC some/DT of/IN those/DT bouillon/NN cubes/NNS and/CC some/DT crackers/NNS left./VBD But/CC you're/PRP so/RB tired,/RB I/PRP don't/VBP know/VB but/CC what/WP you/PRP ought/MD to/TO have/VB a/DT hearty/NN lunch."/NN "Oh,/NN I'm/IN not/RB hungry."/VBN Margaret/NNP dropped/VBD into/IN a/DT desk,/NN put/VBD her/PRP$ elbows/NNS on/IN it,/PRP pushed/VBD her/PRP$ hair/NN off/RP her/PRP$ forehead./VBN The/DT other/JJ woman/NN saw/VBD a/DT tear/VB slip/NN by/IN the/DT lowered,/JJ long/JJ lashes./NN "You're/NN exhausted,/VBD aren't/RB you,/JJ Margaret?"/NNP she/PRP said/VBD suddenly./RP The/DT little/JJ tenderness/NN was/VBD too/RB much./JJ Margaret's/NNP lip/NN shook./VBD "Dead!"/IN she/PRP said/VBD unsteadily./NNP Presently/RB she/PRP added,/VBP with/IN an/DT effort/NN at/IN cheerfulness,/NN "I'm/NN just/RB cross,/VBP I/PRP guess,/VBP Emily;/NNP don't/RB mind/VB me!/PRP I'm/IN tired/VBN out/RP with/IN examinations/NNS and/CC —/NN "/'' her/PRP$ eyes/NNS filled/VBD again/RB —/VBN "and/CC I'm/NNP sick/JJ of/IN wet/JJ cold/JJ weather/NN and/CC rain/NN and/CC snow,"/NN she/PRP added/VBD childishly./RP "Our/PRP$ house/NN is/VBZ full/JJ of/IN muddy/JJ rubbers/NNS and/CC wet/JJ clothes!/NN Other/JJ people/NNS go/VBP places/NNS and/CC do/VBP pleasant/JJ things,"/NNS said/VBD Margaret,/IN her/PRP$ breast/NN rising/VBG and/CC falling/VBG stormily;/NN "but/IN nothing/NN ever/RB happens/VBZ to/TO us/PRP except/IN broken/VBN arms,/NNS and/CC bills,/NNS and/CC boilers/NNS bursting,/NN and/CC chicken-pox!/NN It's/IN drudge,/NN drudge,/NN drudge,/NN from/IN morning/NN until/IN night!"/NN With/IN a/DT sudden/JJ little/JJ gesture/NN of/IN abandonment/NN she/PRP found/VBD a/DT handkerchief/NN in/IN her/PRP$ belt,/NN and/CC pressed/VBD it,/PRP still/RB folded,/VB against/IN her/PRP$ eyes./NN Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP watched/VBD her/PRP$ solicitously,/NN but/CC silently./NN Outside/IN the/DT schoolroom/NN windows/NNS the/DT wind/NN battered/VBD furiously,/JJ and/CC rain/NN slapped/VBD steadily/RB against/IN the/DT panes./NN "Well!"/IN the/DT girl/NN said/VBD resolutely/RB and/CC suddenly./VBD And/CC after/IN a/DT moment/NN she/PRP added/VBD frankly,/IN "I/PRP think/VBP the/DT real/JJ trouble/NN to-day,/, Emily,/NNP is/VBZ that/IN we/PRP just/RB heard/VBD of/IN Betty/NNP Forsythe's/NNP engagement/NN —/IN she/PRP was/VBD my/PRP$ brother's/NN girl,/NN you/PRP know;/VBP he's/PRP admired/VBD her/PRP ever/RB since/IN she/PRP got/VBD into/IN High/NNP School,/NNP and/CC of/IN course/NN Bruce/NNP is/VBZ going/VBG to/TO feel/VB awfully/RB bad."/JJ "Betty/NNP engaged?/NNS Who/WP to?"/VBD Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP was/VBD interested./VBN "To/IN that/DT man/NN —/IN boy,/NN rather,/RB he's/VBD only/RB twenty-one/CD —/NN who's/. been/VBN visiting/VBG the/DT Redmans,"/NNP Margaret/NNP said./VBD "She's/JJ only/RB known/VBN him/PRP two/CD weeks."/NNS "Gracious!/. And/CC she's/PRP only/RB eighteen/CD —/NN "/`` "Not/RB quite/RB eighteen./DT She/PRP and/CC my/PRP$ sister,/NN Julie,/NNP were/VBD in/IN my/PRP$ first/JJ class/NN four/CD years/NNS ago;/RB they're/, the/DT same/JJ age,"/NN Margaret/NNP said./VBD "She/PRP came/VBD fluttering/VBG over/RP to/TO tell/VB us/PRP last/JJ night,/NN wearing/VBG a/DT diamond/NN the/DT size/NN of/IN a/DT marble!/NN Of/IN course,"/NN —/IN Margaret/NNP was/VBD loyal,/JJ —/NN "I/'' don't/RB think/VB there's/RB a/DT jealous/JJ bone/NN in/IN Julie's/NNP body;/NN still,/RB it's/VBD pretty/RB hard!/JJ Here's/. Julie/NNP plugging/VBG away/RB to/TO get/VB through/IN the/DT Normal/JJ School,/NNP so/IN that/IN she/PRP can/MD teach/VB all/PDT the/DT rest/NN of/IN her/PRP$ life,/NN and/CC Betty's/NNP been/VBN to/TO California,/NNP and/CC been/VBN to/TO Europe,/NNP and/CC now/RB is/VBZ going/VBG to/TO marry/VB a/DT rich/JJ New/NNP York/NNP man!/NN Betty's/NNP the/DT only/JJ child,/NN you/PRP know,/VBP so,/NN of/IN course,/NN she/PRP has/VBZ everything./DT It/PRP seems/VBZ so/RB unfair,/JJ for/IN Mr./NNP Forsythe's/NNP salary/NN is/VBZ exactly/RB what/WP Dad's/NNP is;/VBZ yet/RB they/PRP can/MD travel,/VB and/CC keep/VB two/CD maids,/NNS and/CC entertain/VB all/DT the/DT time!/NNS And/CC as/IN for/IN family,/NN why,/, Mother's/NNP family/NN is/VBZ one/CD of/IN the/DT finest/JJS in/IN the/DT country,/NN and/CC Dad's/NNP had/VBD two/CD uncles/NNS who/WP were/VBD judges/NNS —/RB and/CC what/WP were/VBD the/DT Forsythes!/NNP However,"/NNP —/NNP Margaret/NNP dried/VBD her/PRP$ eyes/NNS and/CC put/VBD away/RB her/PRP$ handkerchief,/NN —/IN "however,/JJ it's/NNS for/IN Bruce/NNP I/PRP mind/VB most!"/RB "Bruce/NNP is/VBZ only/RB three/CD years/NNS older/JJR than/IN you/PRP are,/VBP twenty-three/CD or/CC four,"/CD Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP smiled./VBD "Yes,/JJ but/CC he's/RB not/RB the/DT kind/NN that/IN forgets!"/JJ Margaret's/NNP flush/NN was/VBD a/DT little/JJ resentful./NN "Oh,/NN of/IN course,/NN you/PRP can/MD laugh,/VB Emily./NNP I/PRP know/VBP that/IN there/EX are/VBP plenty/NN of/IN people/NNS who/WP don't/VBP mind/NN dragging/VBG along/IN day/NN after/IN day,/NNS working/VBG and/CC eating/VBG and/CC sleeping/VBG —/NN but/CC I'm/PRP not/RB that/IN kind!"/NN she/PRP went/VBD on/IN moodily./NN "I/NNS used/VBD to/TO hope/VB that/IN things/NNS would/MD be/VB different;/JJ it/PRP makes/VBZ me/PRP sick/JJ to/TO think/VB how/WRB brave/JJ I/PRP was;/VBD but/CC now/RB here's/RB Ju/NNP coming/VBG along,/RB and/CC Ted/NNP growing/VBG up,/RB and/CC Bruce's/NNP girl/NN throwing/VBG him/PRP over/IN —/NN it's/IN all/DT so/RB unfair!/JJ I/PRP look/VBP at/IN the/DT Cutter/NNP girls,/NN nearly/RB fifty,/RB and/CC running/VBG the/DT post-office/NN for/IN thirty/CD years,/NN and/CC Mary/NNP Page/NNP in/IN the/DT Library,/NNP and/CC the/DT Norberrys/NNPS painting/VBG pillows,/NNS —/, and/CC I/PRP could/MD scream!"/VB "Things/NNS will/MD take/VB a/DT turn/NN for/IN the/DT better/JJR some/DT day,/NN Margaret,"/NNP said/VBD the/DT other/JJ woman,/NN soothingly;/NNS "and/CC as/IN time/NN goes/VBZ on/IN you'll/JJ find/NN yourself/PRP getting/VBG more/RBR and/CC more/RBR pleasure/VB out/IN of/IN your/PRP$ work,/NN as/IN I/PRP do./VBP Why,/NNP I've/NN never/RB been/VBN so/RB securely/RB happy/JJ in/IN my/PRP$ life/NN as/IN I/PRP am/VBP now./RB You'll/NNP feel/VBP differently/RB some/DT day."/NN "Maybe,"/IN Margaret/NNP assented/VBD unenthusiastically./JJ There/EX was/VBD a/DT pause./NN Perhaps/RB the/DT girl/NN was/VBD thinking/VBG that/IN to/TO teach/VB school,/NNS live/VB in/IN a/DT plain/JJ little/JJ cottage/NN on/IN the/DT unfashionable/JJ Bridge/NNP Road,/NNP take/VBP two/CD roomers,/NNS and/CC cook/VB and/CC sew/VB and/CC plan/VB for/IN Tom/NNP and/CC little/RB Emily,/NNP as/IN Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP did,/, was/VBD not/RB quite/RB an/DT ideal/JJ existence./NN "You're/IN an/DT angel,/NN anyway,/NN Emily,"/NNP said/VBD she,/PRP affectionately,/IN a/DT little/JJ shamefacedly./NN "Don't/RB mind/VB my/PRP$ growling./NN I/PRP don't/VBP do/VB it/PRP very/RB often./RB But/CC I/PRP look/VBP about/IN at/IN other/JJ people,/NNS and/CC then/RB realize/VB how/WRB my/PRP$ mother's/NNS slaved/VBD for/IN twenty/CD years/NNS and/CC how/WRB my/PRP$ father's/NNS been/VBN tied/VBN down,/RB and/CC I've/VB come/VBN to/TO the/DT conclusion/NN that/IN while/IN there/EX may/MD have/VB been/VBN a/DT time/NN when/WRB a/DT woman/NN could/MD keep/VB a/DT house,/NN tend/VB a/DT garden,/NN sew/NN and/CC spin/VB and/CC raise/VB twelve/CD children,/NNS things/NNS are/VBP different/JJ now;/JJ life/NN is/VBZ more/RBR complicated./VBN You/PRP owe/VBP your/PRP$ husband/NN something,/NN you/PRP owe/VBP yourself/PRP something./VBD I/PRP want/VBP to/TO get/VB on,/JJ to/TO study/VB and/CC travel,/VB to/TO be/VB a/DT companion/NN to/TO my/PRP$ husband./NN I/PRP don't/RB want/VBP to/TO be/VB a/DT mere/JJ upper/JJ servant!"/NN "No,/IN of/IN course/NN not,"/, assented/VBN Mrs./NNP Porter,/NNP vaguely,/, soothingly./DT "Well,/NN if/IN we/PRP are/VBP going/VBG to/TO stay/VB here,/RB I'll/RB light/VB the/DT stove,"/NN Margaret/NNP said/VBD after/IN a/DT pause./NN "B-r-r-r!/. this/DT room/NN gets/VBZ cold/JJ with/IN the/DT windows/NNS open!/RB I/PRP wonder/VBP why/WRB Kelly/NNP doesn't/RB bring/VBP us/PRP more/RBR wood?"/JJ "I/JJ guess/NN —/NN I'll/NNP stay!"/VBD Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP said/VBD uncertainly,/JJ following/VBG her/PRP to/TO the/DT big/JJ book/NN closet/NN off/IN the/DT schoolroom,/NN where/WRB a/DT little/JJ gas/NN stove/NN and/CC a/DT small/JJ china/NN closet/NN occupied/VBD one/CD wide/JJ shelf./NN The/DT water/NN for/IN the/DT tea/NN and/CC bouillon/NN was/VBD put/VBN over/IN the/DT flame/NN in/IN a/DT tiny/JJ enamelled/VBN saucepan;/NN they/PRP set/VBD forth/RB on/IN a/DT fringed/JJ napkin/NN crackers/NNS and/CC sugar/NN and/CC spoons./NN At/IN this/DT point,/NN a/DT small/JJ girl/NN of/IN eleven/CD with/IN a/DT brilliant,/JJ tawny/JJ head,/NN and/CC a/DT wide/JJ and/CC toothless/JJ smile,/NN opened/VBD the/DT door/NN cautiously,/, and/CC said,/VBD blinking/VBG rapidly/RB with/IN excitement,/JJ —/NN "Mark,/IN Mother/NNP theth/, pleath/NN may/MD thee/VB come/VBN in?"/IN This/DT was/VBD Rebecca,/JJ one/CD of/IN Margaret's/NNP five/CD younger/JJR brothers/NNS and/CC sisters,/NN and/CC a/DT pupil/NN of/IN the/DT school/NN herself./PRP Margaret/NNP smiled/VBD at/IN the/DT eager/JJ little/JJ face./NN "Hello,/NN darling!/NN Is/VBZ Mother/NNP here?/PRP Certainly/RB she/PRP can!/MD I/PRP believe,"/VB —/RB she/PRP said,/VBD turning,/VBN suddenly/RB radiant,/JJ to/TO Mrs./NNP Porter,/NNP —/NNP "I'll/NNP just/RB bet/VB you/PRP she's/. brought/VBD us/PRP some/DT lunch!"/NN "Thee/PRP brought/VBD uth/RB our/PRP$ luncheth/NN —/IN eggth/NN and/CC thpith/IN caketh/NNS and/CC everything!"/NN exulted/VBD Rebecca,/NN vanishing,/NN and/CC a/DT moment/NN later/RB Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP appeared./VBD She/PRP was/VBD a/DT tall/JJ woman,/NN slender/JJR but/CC large/JJ of/IN build,/NN and/CC showing,/NN under/IN a/DT shabby/JJ raincoat/NN and/CC well/RB pinned-up/JJ skirt,/NN the/DT gracious/JJ generous/JJ lines/NNS of/IN shoulders/NNS and/CC hips,/VBD the/DT deep-bosomed/JJ erect/JJ figure/NN that/WDT is/VBZ rarely/RB seen/VBN except/IN in/IN old/JJ daguerreotypes,/NN or/CC the/DT ideal/NN of/IN some/DT artist/NN two/CD generations/NNS ago./DT The/DT storm/NN to-day/NN had/VBD blown/VBN an/DT unusual/JJ color/NN into/IN her/PRP$ thin/JJ cheeks,/NN her/PRP bright,/JJ deep/JJ eyes/NNS were/VBD like/IN Margaret's,/NNP but/CC the/DT hair/NN that/IN once/RB had/VBD shown/VBN an/DT equally/RB golden/JJ lustre/NN was/VBD dull/JJ and/CC smooth/JJ now,/NNS and/CC touched/VBD with/IN gray./JJR She/PRP came/VBD in/IN smiling,/NN and/CC a/DT little/JJ breathless,/NN "Mother,/IN you/PRP didn't/VBD come/VBN out/RP in/IN all/PDT this/DT rain/NN just/RB to/TO bring/VB us/PRP our/PRP$ lunches!"/NN Margaret/NNP protested,/, kissing/VBG the/DT cold,/JJ fresh/JJ face./NN "Well,/NNS look/VBP at/IN the/DT lunch/NN you/PRP silly/JJ girls/NNS were/VBD going/VBG to/TO eat!"/VB Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP protested/VBD in/IN turn,/NN in/IN a/DT voice/NN rich/JJ with/IN amusement./NN "I/IN love/NN to/TO walk/VB in/IN the/DT rain,/NN Mark;/IN I/PRP used/VBD to/TO love/VB it/PRP when/WRB I/PRP was/VBD a/DT girl./NN Tom/NNP and/CC Sister/NNP are/VBP at/IN our/PRP$ house,/NN Mrs./NNP Potter,/NNP playing/VBG with/IN Duncan/NNP and/CC Baby./NNP I'll/NNP keep/VBP them/PRP until/IN after/IN school,/NN then/RB I'll/RB send/VB them/PRP over/IN to/TO walk/VB home/NN with/IN you."/PRP "Oh,/IN you/PRP are/VBP an/DT angel!"/NN said/VBD the/DT younger/JJR mother,/NN gratefully./. And/CC "You/PRP are/VBP an/DT angel,/NN Mother!"/NNP Margaret/NNP echoed,/VBP as/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP opened/VBD a/DT shabby/JJ suitcase,/NN and/CC took/VBD from/IN it/PRP a/DT large/JJ jar/NN of/IN hot/JJ rich/JJ soup,/VBN a/DT little/JJ blue/JJ bowl/NN of/IN stuffed/JJ eggs,/NNS half/NN a/DT fragrant/JJ whole-wheat/JJ loaf/NN in/IN a/DT white/JJ napkin,/NN a/DT little/JJ glass/NN full/JJ of/IN sweet/JJ butter,/NN and/CC some/DT of/IN the/DT spice/NN cakes/NNS to/TO which/WDT Rebecca/NN had/VBD already/RB enthusiastically/RB alluded./DT "There!"/NN said/VBD she,/PRP pleased/VBD with/IN their/PRP$ delight,/NN "now/RB take/VB your/PRP$ time,/NN you've/NN got/VBD three-quarters/NNS of/IN an/DT hour./NN Julie/NNP devilled/VBD the/DT eggs,/NN and/CC the/DT sweet-butter/JJ man/NN happened/VBD to/TO come/VB just/RB as/IN I/PRP was/VBD starting."/VBN "Delicious!/IN —/NNP You've/NNP saved/VBD our/PRP$ lives,"/NN Margaret/NNP said,/VBD busy/JJ with/IN cups/NNS and/CC spoons./NN "You'll/NN stay,/VBD Mother?"/NNP she/PRP broke/VBD off/RP suddenly,/RB as/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP closed/VBD the/DT suitcase./NN "I/IN can't,/NN dear!/NN I/PRP must/MD go/VB back/RB to/TO the/DT children,"/NN her/PRP$ mother/NN said/VBD cheerfully./PRP No/DT coaxing/NN proving/NN of/IN any/DT avail,/JJ Margaret/NNP went/VBD with/IN her/PRP to/TO the/DT top/NN of/IN the/DT hall/NN stairs./VBD "What's/NNP my/PRP$ girl/NN worrying/VBG about?"/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP asked,/VBD with/IN a/DT keen/JJ glance/NN at/IN Margaret's/NNP face./, "Oh,/NNP nothing!"/NN Margaret/NNP used/VBD both/DT hands/NNS to/TO button/NN the/DT top/JJ button/NN of/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS coat./, "I/NN was/VBD hungry/JJ and/CC cold,/JJ and/CC I/PRP didn't/VBD want/VB to/TO walk/VB home/NN in/IN the/DT rain!"/NN she/PRP confessed,/VBD raising/VBG her/PRP$ eyes/NNS to/TO the/DT eyes/NNS so/RB near/IN her/PRP$ own./NN "Well,/IN go/VB back/RB to/TO your/PRP$ lunch,"/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP urged,/VBD after/IN a/DT brief/JJ pause,/NN not/RB quite/RB satisfied/JJ with/IN the/DT explanation./NN Margaret/NNP kissed/VBD her/PRP again,/RB watched/VBD her/PRP descend/VB the/DT stairs,/NNS and/CC leaning/VBG over/IN the/DT banister/NN called/VBD down/RP to/TO her/PRP$ softly:/NN "Don't/RB worry/VBP about/IN me,/NN Mother!"/NNP "No/NNP —/VBD no/DT —/NN no!"/RB her/PRP$ mother/NN called/VBD back/RB brightly./, Indeed,/NNP Margaret/NNP reflected,/VBP going/VBG back/RB to/TO the/DT much-cheered/JJ Emily,/NNP it/PRP was/VBD not/RB in/IN her/PRP$ nature/NN to/TO worry./DT No,/NNP Mother/NNP never/RB worried,/VBP or/CC if/IN she/PRP did,/VBD nobody/NN ever/RB knew/VBD it./PRP Care,/NNP fatigue,/NN responsibility,/NN hard/RB long/JJ years/NNS of/IN busy/JJ days/NNS and/CC broken/VBN nights/NNS had/VBD left/VBN their/PRP$ mark/NN on/IN her/PRP face;/IN the/DT old/JJ beauty/NN that/WDT had/VBD been/VBN hers/PRP was/VBD chiselled/VBN to/TO a/DT mere/JJ pure/JJ outline/NN now;/, but/CC there/EX was/VBD a/DT contagious/JJ serenity/NN in/IN Mrs./NNP Paget's/NNP smile,/VBD a/DT clear/JJ steadiness/NN in/IN her/PRP$ calm/JJ eyes,/NN and/CC her/PRP$ forehead,/NN beneath/IN an/DT unfashionably/RB plain/JJ sweep/NN of/IN hair,/NN was/VBD untroubled/JJ and/CC smooth./JJR The/DT children's/NNS mother/NN was/VBD a/DT simple/JJ woman;/NN so/RB absorbed/VBN in/IN the/DT hourly/JJ problems/NNS attendant/NN upon/IN the/DT housing/NN and/CC feeding/NN of/IN her/PRP$ husband/NN and/CC family/NN that/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ personal/JJ ambitions,/NN if/IN she/PRP had/VBD any,/RB were/VBD quite/RB lost/JJ sight/NN of,/NN and/CC the/DT actual/JJ outlines/NNS of/IN her/PRP$ character/NN were/VBD forgotten/VBN by/IN every/DT one,/NNP herself/PRP included./VBN If/IN her/PRP$ busy/JJ day/NN marched/VBD successfully/RB to/TO nightfall;/VB if/IN darkness/NN found/VBD her/PRP$ husband/NN reading/VBG in/IN his/PRP$ big/JJ chair,/NN the/DT younger/JJR children/NNS sprawled/VBD safe/JJ and/CC asleep/RB in/IN the/DT shabby/JJ nursery,/NN the/DT older/JJR ones/NNS contented/VBN with/IN books/NNS or/CC games,/VB the/DT clothes/NNS sprinkled,/VBP the/DT bread/NN set,/VBN the/DT kitchen/NN dark/NN and/CC clean;/JJ Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP asked/VBD no/DT more/JJR of/IN life./NN She/PRP would/MD sit,/VB her/PRP$ overflowing/JJ work-basket/NN beside/IN her,/PRP looking/VBG from/IN one/CD absorbed/JJ face/NN to/TO another,/DT thinking/VBG perhaps/RB of/IN Julie's/NNP new/JJ school/NN dress,/NN of/IN Ted's/NNP impending/JJ siege/NN with/IN the/DT dentist,/NN or/CC of/IN the/DT old/JJ bureau/NN up/IN attic/NN that/WDT might/MD be/VB mended/VBN for/IN Bruce's/NNP room./NNP "Thank/NNP God/NNP we/PRP have/VBP all/DT warm/JJ beds,"/NN she/PRP would/MD say,/VB when/WRB they/PRP all/DT went/VBD upstairs,/RB yawning/VBG and/CC chilly./VBG She/PRP had/VBD married,/VBN at/IN twenty,/CD the/DT man/NN she/PRP loved,/VBD and/CC had/VBD found/VBN him/PRP better/JJR than/IN her/PRP$ dreams/NNS in/IN many/JJ ways,/NNS and/CC perhaps/RB disappointing/JJ in/IN some/DT few/JJ others,/NNS but/CC "the/DT best/JJS man/NN in/IN the/DT world"/NN for/IN all/DT that./DT That/IN for/IN more/RBR than/IN twenty/CD years/NNS he/PRP had/VBD been/VBN satisfied/VBN to/TO stand/VB for/IN nine/CD hours/NNS daily/RB behind/IN one/CD dingy/JJ desk,/NN and/CC to/TO carry/VB home/NN to/TO her/PRP$ his/PRP$ unopened/JJ salary/NN envelope/NN twice/RB a/DT month,/NN she/PRP found/VBD only/RB admirable./DT Daddy/NNP was/VBD "steady,"/IN he/PRP was/VBD "so/RB gentle/JJ with/IN the/DT children,"/NN he/PRP was/VBD "the/DT easiest/JJS man/NN in/IN the/DT world/NN to/TO cook/VB for."/IN "Bless/JJ his/PRP$ heart,/NN no/DT woman/NN ever/RB had/VBD less/JJR to/TO worry/VB over/IN in/IN her/PRP$ husband!"/NN she/PRP would/MD say,/VB looking/VBG from/IN her/PRP$ kitchen/NN window/NN to/TO the/DT garden/NN where/WRB he/PRP trained/VBD the/DT pea-vines,/NN with/IN the/DT children's/NNS yellow/JJ heads/NNS bobbing/VBG about/IN him./PRP She/PRP never/RB analyzed/VBD his/PRP$ character,/NN much/RB less/RBR criticised/JJ him./, Good/JJ and/CC bad,/RB he/PRP was/VBD taken/VBN for/IN granted;/NN she/PRP was/VBD much/RB more/JJR lenient/NN to/TO him/PRP than/IN to/TO any/DT of/IN the/DT children./NN She/PRP welcomed/VBD the/DT fast-coming/JJ babies/NNS as/IN gifts/NNS from/IN God,/NNP marvelled/VBD over/IN their/PRP$ tiny/JJ perfectness,/NN dreamed/VBN over/IN the/DT soft/JJ relaxed/JJ little/JJ forms/NNS with/IN a/DT heart/NN almost/RB too/RB full/JJ for/IN prayer./VBG She/PRP was,/VBD in/IN a/DT word,/NN old-fashioned,/JJ hopelessly/RB out/IN of/IN the/DT modern/JJ current/JJ of/IN thoughts/NNS and/CC events./DT She/PRP secretly/RB regarded/VBD her/PRP$ children/NNS as/IN marvellous,/NNS even/RB while/IN she/PRP laughed/VBD down/IN their/PRP$ youthful/JJ conceit/NN and/CC punished/VBN their/PRP$ naughtiness./NN Thinking/VBG a/DT little/JJ of/IN all/PDT these/DT things,/NNS as/IN a/DT girl/NN with/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ wifehood/NN and/CC motherhood/NN all/RB before/IN her/PRP does/VBZ think,/DT Margaret/NNP went/VBD back/RB to/TO her/PRP$ hot/JJ luncheon./NN One/CD o'clock/NN found/VBD her/PRP at/IN her/PRP$ desk,/NN refreshed/VBD in/IN spirit/NN by/IN her/PRP$ little/JJ outburst,/NN and/CC much/JJ fortified/JJ in/IN body./DT The/DT room/NN was/VBD well/RB aired,/VBN and/CC a/DT reinforced/VBN fire/NN roared/VBD in/IN the/DT little/JJ stove./NN One/CD of/IN the/DT children/NNS had/VBD brought/VBN her/PRP a/DT spray/NN of/IN pine,/NN and/CC the/DT spicy/NN fragrance/NN of/IN it/PRP reminded/VBD her/PRP$ that/WDT Christmas/NNP and/CC the/DT Christmas/NNP vacation/NN were/VBD near;/IN her/PRP$ mind/NN was/VBD pleasantly/RB busy/JJ with/IN anticipation/NN of/IN the/DT play/NN that/IN the/DT Pagets/NNPS always/RB wrote/VBD and/CC performed/VBD some/DT time/NN during/IN the/DT holidays,/NN and/CC with/IN the/DT New/NNP Year's/NNP costume/NN dance/NN at/IN the/DT Hall,/NNP and/CC a/DT dozen/NN lesser/JJR festivities./WP Suddenly,/NNP in/IN the/DT midst/NN of/IN a/DT droning/NN spelling/NN lesson,/, there/EX was/VBD a/DT jarring/VBG interruption./NN From/IN the/DT world/NN outside/NN came/VBD a/DT child's/NN shrill/JJ screaming,/NN which/WDT was/VBD instantly/RB drowned/VBN in/IN a/DT chorus/NN of/IN frightened/JJ voices,/NN and/CC in/IN the/DT schoolroom/NN below/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ Margaret/NNP heard/VBD a/DT thundering/NN rush/NN of/IN feet,/NNS and/CC answering/VBG screams./VBG With/IN a/DT suffocating/VBG terror/NN at/IN her/PRP$ heart/NN she/PRP ran/VBD to/TO the/DT window,/NN followed/VBN by/IN every/DT child/NN in/IN the/DT room./NN The/DT rain/NN had/VBD stopped/VBN now,/RB and/CC the/DT sky/NN showed/VBD a/DT pale,/JJ cold,/JJ yellow/JJ light/NN low/JJ in/IN the/DT west./NN At/IN the/DT schoolhouse/NN gate/NN an/DT immense/JJ limousine/NN car/NN had/VBD come/VBN to/TO a/DT stop./NN The/DT driver,/NN his/PRP$ face/NN alone/RB visible/JJ between/IN a/DT great/JJ leather/NN coat/NN and/CC visored/JJ leather/NN cap,/NN was/VBD talking/VBG unheard/JJ above/IN the/DT din./NN A/DT tall/JJ woman,/NN completely/RB enveloped/VBN in/IN sealskins,/NN had/VBD evidently/RB jumped/VBN from/IN the/DT limousine,/NN and/CC now/RB held/VBN in/IN her/PRP$ arms/NNS what/WP made/VBD Margaret's/NNP heart/NN turn/NN sick/JJ and/CC cold,/JJ the/DT limp/JJ figure/NN of/IN a/DT small/JJ girl./NN About/IN these/DT central/JJ figures/NNS there/RB surged/VBD the/DT terrified/VBN crying/VBG small/JJ children/NNS of/IN the/DT just-dismissed/JJ primer/NN class,/NN and/CC in/IN the/DT half/JJ moment/NN that/IN Margaret/NNP watched,/VBD Mrs./NNP Porter,/NNP white/JJ and/CC shaking,/JJ and/CC another/DT teacher,/NN Ethel/NNP Elliot,/NNP an/DT always/RB excitable/JJ girl,/NN who/WP was/VBD now/RB sobbing/JJ and/CC chattering/VBG hysterically,/NN ran/VBD out/RB from/IN the/DT school,/NN each/DT followed/VBN by/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ class/NN of/IN crowding/NN and/CC excited/JJ boys/NNS and/CC girls./NNP With/IN one/CD horrified/JJ exclamation,/NN Margaret/NNP ran/VBD downstairs,/RB and/CC out/RB to/TO the/DT gate./NN Mrs./NNP Porter/NNP caught/VBD at/IN her/PRP$ arm/NN as/IN she/PRP passed/VBD her/PRP in/IN the/DT path./NN "Oh,/IN my/PRP$ God,/NNP Margaret!/NNP It's/NNP poor/JJ little/JJ Dorothy/NNP Scott!"/NNPS she/PRP said./VBD "They've/NN killed/VBN her./PRP The/DT car/NN went/VBD completely/RB over/IN her!"/PRP$ "Oh,/NNP Margaret,/NNP don't/RB go/VB near,/RB oh,/IN how/WRB can/MD you!"/PRP screamed/VBD Miss/NNP Elliot./NNP "Oh,/NNP and/CC she's/NNS all/RB they/PRP have!/VBP Who'll/JJ tell/VBP her/PRP mother!"/NN "Stop/VB screaming/VBG —/JJ stop/NN that/IN shouting/VBG at/IN once/RB —/RB keep/VB still,/RB every/DT one/CD of/IN you!"/NN she/PRP said/VBD angrily,/IN shaking/VBG various/JJ shoulders/NNS as/IN she/PRP went/VBD with/IN such/JJ good/JJ effect/NN that/IN the/DT voice/NN of/IN the/DT woman/NN in/IN sealskins/NNS could/MD be/VB heard/VBN by/IN the/DT time/NN Margaret/NNP reached/VBD her./PRP "I/RB don't/RB think/VB she's/PRP badly/RB hurt!"/VBD said/VBD this/DT woman,/NN nervously/RB and/CC eagerly./DT She/PRP was/VBD evidently/RB badly/RB shaken,/JJ and/CC was/VBD very/RB white./. "Do/'' quiet/JJ them,/, can't/IN you?"/PRP she/PRP said,/VBD with/IN a/DT sort/NN of/IN apprehensive/JJ impatience./NN "Can't/NN we/PRP take/VBP her/PRP$ somewhere,/NN and/CC get/VB a/DT doctor?/NN Can't/IN we/PRP get/VBP out/IN of/IN this?"/DT Margaret/NNP took/VBD the/DT child/NN in/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ arms./NN Little/NNP Dorothy/NNP roared/VBD afresh,/RB but/CC to/TO Margaret's/NNP unspeakable/JJ relief/NN she/PRP twisted/VBD about/IN and/CC locked/VBD her/PRP arms/NNS tightly/RB about/IN the/DT loved/VBN teacher's/NNS neck./, The/DT other/JJ woman/NN watched/VBD them/PRP anxiously./DT "That/JJ blood/NN on/IN her/PRP$ frock's/NNS just/RB nosebleed,"/RB she/PRP said;/VBD "but/IN I/PRP think/VBP the/DT car/NN went/VBD over/IN her!/PRP$ I/PRP assure/VBP you/PRP we/PRP were/VBD running/VBG very/RB slowly./JJR How/WRB it/PRP happened/VBD —/. !/. But/CC I/PRP don't/RB think/VBP she/PRP was/VBD struck."/VBN "Nosebleed!"/IN Margaret/NNP echoed,/VBP with/IN a/DT great/JJ breath./NN "No,"/NN she/PRP said/VBD quietly,/RB over/IN the/DT agitated/JJ little/JJ head;/NN "I/IN don't/RB think/VB she's/NNS much/RB hurt./VBD We'll/NNP take/VB her/PRP$ in./NN Now,/RB look/VBP here,/RB children,"/NNS she/PRP added/VBD loudly/RB to/TO the/DT assembled/VBN pupils/NNS of/IN the/DT Weston/NNP Grammar/NNP School,/NNP whom/WP mere/JJ curiosity/NN had/VBD somewhat/RB quieted,/JJ "I/NNP want/VBP every/DT one/CD of/IN you/PRP children/NNS to/TO go/VB back/RB to/TO your/PRP$ schoolrooms;/NNS do/VBP you/PRP understand?/IN Dorothy's/NNP had/VBD a/DT bad/JJ scare,/NN but/CC she's/NNS got/VBD no/DT bones/NNS broken,/VBD and/CC we're/VBD going/VBG to/TO have/VB a/DT doctor/NN see/VBP that/IN she's/PRP all/DT right./NN I/PRP want/VBP you/PRP to/TO see/VB how/WRB quiet/JJ you/PRP can/MD be./VB Mrs./NNP Porter,/NNP may/MD my/PRP$ class/NN go/VB into/IN your/PRP$ room/NN a/DT little/JJ while?"/NN "Certainly,"/NN said/VBD Mrs./NNP Porter,/NNP eager/JJ to/TO cooperate,/VB and/CC much/RB relieved/VBN to/TO have/VB her/PRP$ share/NN of/IN the/DT episode/NN take/VB this/DT form./NN "Form/NN lines,/NN children,"/NN she/PRP added/VBD calmly./VBG "Ted,"/NNP said/VBD Margaret/NNP to/TO her/PRP$ own/JJ small/JJ brother,/NN who/WP was/VBD one/CD of/IN Mrs./NNP Porter's/NNP pupils,/NN and/CC who/WP had/VBD edged/VBN closer/RBR to/TO her/PRP$ than/IN any/DT boy/NN unprivileged/JJ by/IN relationship/NN dared,/RB "will/MD you/PRP go/VB down/IN the/DT street,/NN and/CC ask/VBP old/JJ Doctor/NNP Potts/NNP to/TO come/VB here?/RB And/CC then/RB go/VB tell/VB Dorothy's/NNP mother/NN that/IN Dorothy/NNP has/VBZ had/VBN a/DT little/JJ bump,/NN and/CC that/DT Miss/NNP Paget/NNP says/VBZ she's/PRP all/DT right,/JJ but/CC that/DT she'd/NN like/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN to/TO come/VB for/IN her."/PRP "Sure/VBP I/PRP will,/MD Mark!"/NNPS Theodore/NNP responded/VBD enthusiastically,/JJ departing/VBG on/IN a/DT run./NN "Mama!"/NN sobbed/VBD the/DT little/JJ sufferer/NN at/IN this/DT point,/NN hearing/VBG a/DT familiar/JJ word./NN "/'' Yes,/UH darling,/, you/PRP want/VBP Mama,/NNP don't/VB you?"/PRP Margaret/NNP said/VBD soothingly,/JJ as/IN she/PRP started/VBD with/IN her/PRP$ burden/NN up/IN the/DT schoolhouse/NN steps./VBD "What/RB were/VBD you/PRP doing,/VBG Dorothy,"/NNP she/PRP went/VBD on/IN pleasantly,/NN "to/TO get/VB under/IN that/DT big/JJ car?"/NN "I/NN dropped/VBD my/PRP$ ball!"/NN wailed/VBD the/DT small/JJ girl,/NN her/PRP tears/NNS beginning/VBG afresh,/JJ "and/CC it/PRP rolled/VBD and/CC rolled./VBD And/CC I/PRP didn't/RB see/VBP the/DT automobile,/NN and/CC I/PRP didn't/RB see/VBP it!/PRP And/CC I/PRP fell/VBD down/RB and/CC b-b-bumped/VBD my/PRP$ nose!"/NN "Well,/IN I/PRP should/MD think/VB you/PRP did!"/VBD Margaret/NNP said,/VBD laughing./VBG "Mother/JJ won't/NN know/VBP you/PRP at/IN all/DT with/IN such/JJ a/DT muddy/JJ face/NN and/CC such/JJ a/DT muddy/JJ apron!"/NN Dorothy/NNP laughed/VBD shakily/RB at/IN this,/NN and/CC several/JJ other/JJ little/JJ girls,/NN passing/VBG in/IN orderly/JJ file,/NN laughed/VBD heartily./PRP Margaret/NNP crossed/VBD the/DT lines/NNS of/IN children/NNS to/TO the/DT room/NN where/WRB they/PRP played/VBD and/CC ate/VBD their/PRP$ lunches/NNS on/IN wet/JJ days./NN She/PRP shut/VBD herself/PRP in/IN with/IN the/DT child/NN and/CC the/DT fur-clad/JJ lady./NN "Now/RB you're/PRP all/DT right!"/NNS said/VBD Margaret,/NNP gayly./NNP And,/NNP Dorothy/NNP was/VBD presently/RB comfortable/JJ in/IN a/DT big/JJ chair,/NN wrapped/VBN in/IN a/DT rug/NN from/IN the/DT motor-car,/NN with/IN her/PRP$ face/NN washed,/, and/CC her/PRP$ head/NN dropped/VBD languidly/RB back/RB against/IN her/PRP$ chair,/NN as/IN became/VBD an/DT interesting/JJ invalid./, The/DT Irish/JJ janitor/NN was/VBD facetious/JJ as/IN he/PRP replenished/VBD the/DT fire,/NN and/CC made/VBD her/PRP$ laugh/NN again./NN Margaret/NNP gave/VBD her/PRP a/DT numerical/JJ chart/NN to/TO play/VB with,/, and/CC saw/VBD with/IN satisfaction/NN that/IN the/DT little/JJ head/NN was/VBD bent/JJ interestedly/RB over/IN it./DT Quiet/NNP fell/VBD upon/IN the/DT school;/NN the/DT muffled/JJ sound/NN of/IN lessons/NNS recited/VBN in/IN concert/NN presently/RB reached/VBD them./, Theodore/NNP returned,/VBD reporting/VBG that/IN the/DT doctor/NN would/MD come/VB as/RB soon/RB as/IN he/PRP could/MD and/CC that/DT Dorothy's/NNP mother/NN was/VBD away/RB at/IN a/DT card-party,/JJ but/CC that/IN Dorothy's/NNP "girl"/NNP would/MD come/VB for/IN her/PRP$ as/RB soon/RB as/IN the/DT bread/NN was/VBD out/IN of/IN the/DT oven./NN There/EX was/VBD nothing/NN to/TO do/VB but/CC wait./VB "It/PRP seems/VBZ a/DT miracle,"/NN said/VBD the/DT strange/JJ lady,/NN in/IN a/DT low/JJ tone,/NN when/WRB she/PRP and/CC Margaret/NNP were/VBD alone/RB again/RB with/IN the/DT child./NN "But/IN I/PRP don't/VBP believe/VB she/PRP was/VBD scratched!"/VBN "I/IN don't/RB think/VB so,"/NN Margaret/NNP agreed./MD "Mother/RB says/VBZ no/DT child/NN who/WP can/MD cry/VB is/VBZ very/RB badly/RB hurt."/VBN "They/PRP made/VBD such/JJ a/DT horrible/JJ noise,"/NN said/VBD the/DT other,/JJ sighing/NN wearily./. She/PRP passed/VBD a/DT white/JJ hand,/NN with/IN one/CD or/CC two/CD blazing/VBG great/JJ stones/NNS upon/IN it,/VBN across/IN her/PRP$ forehead./NN Margaret/NNP had/VBD leisure/NN now/RB to/TO notice/VB that/IN by/IN all/DT signs/NNS this/DT was/VBD a/DT very/RB great/JJ lady/NN indeed./VBN The/DT quality/NN of/IN her/PRP$ furs,/NNS the/DT glimpse/NN of/IN her/PRP$ gown/NN that/IN the/DT loosened/VBN coat/NN showed,/VBD her/PRP$ rings,/NN and/CC most/RBS of/IN all/PDT the/DT tones/NNS of/IN her/PRP voice,/, the/DT authority/NN of/IN her/PRP manner,/, the/DT well-groomed/JJ hair/NN and/CC skin/NN and/CC hands,/NNS all/DT marked/VBD the/DT thoroughbred./VBN "Do/NN you/PRP know/VBP that/IN you/PRP managed/VBD that/DT situation/NN very/RB cleverly/RB just/RB now?"/RB said/VBD the/DT lady,/NN with/IN a/DT keen/JJ glance/NN that/IN made/VBD Margaret/NNP color./, "One/NN has/VBZ such/JJ a/DT dread/NN of/IN the/DT crowd,/NN just/RB public/JJ sentiment,/NN you/PRP know./VBP Some/DT odious/JJ bystander/NN calls/VBZ the/DT police,/NN they/PRP crowd/VBP against/IN your/PRP$ driver,/NN perhaps/RB a/DT brick/NN gets/VBZ thrown./DT We/PRP had/VBD an/DT experience/NN in/IN England/NNP once/RB —/RB "/'' She/PRP paused,/VBD then/RB interrupted/VBN herself./PRP "But/IN I/PRP don't/VBP know/VB your/PRP$ name?"/NN she/PRP said/VBD brightly./, Margaret/NNP supplied/VBD it,/PRP was/VBD led/VBN to/TO talk/VB a/DT little/JJ of/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ people./, "Seven/RB of/IN you,/JJ eh?/NN Seven's/NNP too/RB many,"/RB said/VBD the/DT visitor,/NN with/IN the/DT assurance/NN that/IN Margaret/NNP was/VBD to/TO learn/VB characterized/VBN her./PRP$ "I've/NN two/CD myself,/NNS two/CD girls,"/NNS she/PRP went/VBD on./RP "I/NNP wanted/VBD a/DT boy,/NN but/CC they're/DT nice/JJ girls./NNP And/CC you've/VB six/CD brothers/NNS and/CC sisters?/NNS Are/VBP they/PRP all/DT as/RB handsome/JJ as/IN you/PRP and/CC this/DT Teddy/NNP of/IN yours?/PRP$ And/CC why/WRB do/VBP you/PRP like/IN teaching?"/NN "Why/RB do/VBP I/PRP like/IN it?"/PRP Margaret/NNP said,/VBP enjoying/VBG these/DT confidences/NNS and/CC the/DT unusual/JJ experience/NN of/IN sitting/VBG idle/JJ in/IN mid-afternoon./NN "I/IN don't,/NN I/PRP hate/VBP it."/PRP "I/VB see./. But/CC then/RB why/WRB don't/RB you/PRP come/VBP down/RB to/TO New/NNP York,/NNP and/CC do/VB something/NN else?"/RB the/DT other/JJ woman/NN asked./VBN "I'm/NNP needed/VBD at/IN home,/NN and/CC I/PRP don't/VBP know/VB any/DT one/NN there,"/DT Margaret/NNP said/VBD simply./. "I/VBN see,"/VBG the/DT lady/NN said/VBD again/RB thoughtfully./DT There/EX was/VBD a/DT pause./NN Then/RB the/DT same/JJ speaker/NN said/VBD reminiscently,/JJ "I/NNP taught/VBD school/NN once/RB for/IN three/CD months/NNS when/WRB I/PRP was/VBD a/DT girl,/NN to/TO show/VB my/PRP$ father/NN I/PRP could/MD support/VB myself."/PRP "I've/NN taught/VBD for/IN four/CD years,"/NNS Margaret/NNP said./VBD "Well,/JJ if/IN you/PRP ever/RB want/VBP to/TO try/VB something/NN else,/RB —/IN there/EX are/VBP such/JJ lots/NNS of/IN fascinating/JJ things/NNS a/DT girl/NN can/MD do/VB now!/RB —/RB be/VB sure/JJ you/PRP come/VBP and/CC see/VBP me/PRP about/IN it,"/PRP$ the/DT stranger/NN said./VBD "I/RB am/VBP Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP of/IN New/NNP York."/NNP Margaret's/NNP amazed/VBD eyes/NNS flashed/VBD to/TO Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP face;/RB her/PRP$ cheeks/NNS crimsoned./VBN "Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt!"/NNP she/PRP echoed/VBD blankly./VBG "Why/NNP not?"/NN smiled/VBD the/DT lady,/NN not/RB at/IN all/DT displeased./VBN "Why,"/NNP stammered/VBD Margaret,/NNP laughing/VBG and/CC rosy,/VBD "why,/RB nothing/NN —/VBZ only/RB I/PRP never/RB dreamed/VBD who/WP you/PRP were!"/VBD she/PRP finished,/VBD a/DT little/JJ confused./NN And/CC indeed/RB it/PRP never/RB afterward/RB seemed/VBD to/TO her/PRP anything/NN short/JJ of/IN a/DT miracle/NN that/WDT brought/VBD the/DT New/NNP York/NNP society/NN woman/NN —/RB famed/VBD on/IN two/CD continents/NNS and/CC from/IN ocean/NN to/TO ocean/NN for/IN her/PRP jewels,/RB her/PRP entertainments,/VB her/PRP$ gowns,/NN her/PRP establishments/NNS —/RB into/IN a/DT Weston/NNP schoolroom,/NN and/CC into/IN Margaret/NNP Paget's/NNP life./, "I/NNP was/VBD on/IN my/PRP$ way/NN to/TO New/NNP York/NNP now,"/, said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt./NNP "I/NNP don't/RB see/VBP why/WRB you/PRP should/MD be/VB delayed,"/VBN Margaret/NNP said,/VBP glad/JJ to/TO be/VB able/JJ to/TO speak/VB normally,/RB with/IN such/JJ a/DT fast-beating/JJ and/CC pleasantly/RB excited/VBN heart./PRP "I'm/VBN sure/JJ Dorothy's/NNP all/DT right."/JJ "Oh,/NN I'd/NNP rather/RB wait./VBD I/PRP like/IN my/PRP$ company,"/NN said/VBD the/DT other./NNP And/CC Margaret/NNP decided/VBD in/IN that/DT instant/NN that/IN there/EX never/RB was/VBD a/DT more/JJR deservedly/NN admired/VBD and/CC copied/VBD and/CC quoted/VBD woman./NN Presently/RB their/PRP$ chat/NN was/VBD interrupted/VBN by/IN the/DT tramp/NN of/IN the/DT departing/VBG school/NN children;/IN the/DT other/JJ teachers/NNS peeped/VBD in,/PRP were/VBD reassured,/NNS and/CC went/VBD their/PRP$ ways./NN Then/RB came/VBD the/DT doctor,/NN to/TO pronounce/VB the/DT entirely/RB cheerful/JJ Dorothy/NNP unhurt,/JJ and/CC to/TO bestow/RB upon/IN her/PRP$ some/DT hoarhound/NN drops./VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP settled/VBD at/IN once/RB with/IN the/DT doctor,/NN and/CC when/WRB Margaret/NNP saw/VBD the/DT size/NN of/IN the/DT bill/NN that/WDT was/VBD pressed/VBN into/IN his/PRP$ hand,/NN she/PRP realized/VBD that/IN she/PRP had/VBD done/VBN her/PRP$ old/JJ friend/NN a/DT good/JJ turn./NN "Use/NN it/PRP up/RP on/IN your/PRP$ poor/JJ people,"/NNS said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP to/TO his/PRP$ protestations;/NN and/CC when/WRB he/PRP had/VBD gone,/VBN and/CC Dorothy's/NNP "girl"/NNP appeared,/VBD she/PRP tipped/VBD that/IN worthy/JJ and/CC amazed/JJ Teuton,/NNP and/CC after/IN promising/VBG Dorothy/NNP a/DT big/JJ doll/NN from/IN a/DT New/NNP York/NNP shop,/NN sent/VBD the/DT child/NN and/CC maid/NN home/NN in/IN the/DT motor-car./NN "I/IN hope/NN this/DT hasn't/NN upset/VBN your/PRP$ plans,"/NN Margaret/NNP said,/VBD as/IN they/PRP stood/VBD waiting/VBG in/IN the/DT doorway./NN It/PRP was/VBD nearly/RB five/CD o'clock,/IN the/DT school/NN was/VBD empty/JJ and/CC silent./JJ "No,/NN not/RB exactly./VBD I/PRP had/VBD hoped/VBN to/TO get/VB home/NN for/IN dinner./VBG But/CC I/PRP think/VBP I'll/DT get/VB Woolcock/NNP to/TO take/VB me/PRP back/RB to/TO Dayton;/NNP I've/NNP some/DT very/RB dear/JJ friends/NNS there/RB who'll/MD give/VB me/PRP a/DT cup/NN of/IN tea./NN Then/RB I'll/NNP come/VBP back/RB this/DT way/NN and/CC get/VB home,/NN by/IN ten,/NN I/PRP should/MD think,/VB for/IN a/DT late/JJ supper."/NN Then,/RB as/IN the/DT limousine/NN appeared,/NN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP took/VBD both/DT Margaret's/NNP hands/NNS in/IN hers,/JJ and/CC said,/VBD "And/RB now/RB good-bye,/, my/PRP$ dear/JJ girl./NN I've/NN got/VBD your/PRP$ address,/NN and/CC I'm/NN going/VBG to/TO send/VB you/PRP something/NN pretty/RB to/TO remember/VB me/PRP by./. You/PRP saved/VBD me/PRP from/IN I/PRP don't/RB know/VBP what/WP annoyance/NN and/CC publicity./DT And/CC don't/RB forget/VB that/IN when/WRB you/PRP come/VBP to/TO New/NNP York/NNP I'm/NNP going/VBG to/TO help/VB you/PRP meet/VB the/DT people/NNS you/PRP want/VBP to,/NN and/CC give/VB you/PRP a/DT start/NN if/IN I/PRP can./MD You're/RB far/RB too/RB clever/JJ and/CC good-looking/JJ to/TO waste/VB your/PRP$ life/NN down/IN here./PRP$ Good-bye!"/NNP "Good-bye!"/NNP Margaret/NNP said,/VBD her/PRP$ cheeks/NNS brilliant,/VBP her/PRP$ head/NN awhirl./. She/PRP stood/VBD unmindful/JJ of/IN the/DT chilly/JJ evening/NN air,/NN watching/VBG the/DT great/JJ motor-car/NN wheel/NN and/CC slip/NN into/IN the/DT gloom./NNP The/DT rain/NN was/VBD over;/IN a/DT dying/VBG wind/NN moaned/VBD mysteriously/RB through/IN the/DT dusk./NN Margaret/NNP went/VBD slowly/RB upstairs,/NN pinned/VBD on/IN her/PRP$ hat,/NN buttoned/VBD her/PRP$ long/JJ coat/NN snugly/RB about/RB her./PRP She/PRP locked/VBD the/DT schoolroom/NN door,/NN and,/IN turning/VBG the/DT corner,/NN plunged/VBD her/PRP$ hands/NNS into/IN her/PRP$ pockets,/NN and/CC faced/VBD the/DT wind/NN bravely./VB Deepening/JJ darkness/NN and/CC coldness/NN were/VBD about/IN her,/PRP but/CC she/PRP felt/VBD surrounded/VBN by/IN the/DT warmth/NN and/CC brightness/NN of/IN her/PRP$ dreams./NN She/PRP saw/VBD the/DT brilliant/JJ streets/NNS of/IN a/DT big/JJ city,/NN the/DT carriages/NNS and/CC motor-cars/NNS coming/VBG and/CC going,/VBG the/DT idle,/NN lovely/JJ women/NNS in/IN their/PRP$ sumptuous/JJ gowns/NNS and/CC hats./VBD These/DT things/NNS were/VBD real,/RB near/IN —/NN almost/RB attainable/JJ —/NN to-night./. "Mrs./. Carr-Boldt!"/NNP Margaret/NNP said,/VBD "the/DT darling!/NN I/PRP wonder/VBP if/IN I'll/NNP ever/RB see/VB her/PRP again!"/IN Life/NN in/IN the/DT shabby,/NN commonplace/NN house/NN that/IN sheltered/VBD the/DT Paget/NNP family/NN sometimes/RB really/RB did/VBD seem/VB to/TO proceed,/VB as/IN Margaret/NNP had/VBD suggested,/VBN in/IN a/DT long/JJ chain/NN of/IN violent/JJ shocks,/NN narrow/JJ escapes,/NN and/CC closely/RB averted/JJ catastrophes./NN No/RB sooner/RBR was/VBD Duncan's/NNP rash/NN pronounced/VBD not/RB to/TO be/VB scarlet/JJ fever/NN than/IN Robert/NNP swallowed/VBD a/DT penny,/NN or/CC Beck/VB set/VBN fire/NN to/TO the/DT dining-room/NN waste-basket,/NN or/CC Dad/NNP foresaw/IN the/DT immediate/JJ failure/NN of/IN the/DT Weston/NNP Home/NNP Savings/NNP Bank,/NNP and/CC the/DT inevitable/JJ loss/NN of/IN his/PRP$ position/NN there./. Sometimes/RB there/EX was/VBD a/DT paternal/JJ explosion/NN because/IN Bruce/NNP liked/VBD to/TO murmur/VB vaguely/RB of/IN "dandy/JJ chances/NNS in/IN Manila,"/NNP or/CC because/IN Julie,/NNP pretty,/RB excitable,/, and/CC sixteen,/CD had/VBD an/DT occasional/JJ dose/NN of/IN stage/NN fever,/NN and/CC would/MD stammer/VB desperately/RB between/IN convulsive/JJ sobs/NNS that/IN she/PRP wasn't/VBD half/RB as/RB much/JJ afraid/JJ of/IN "the/DT terrible/JJ temptations/NNS of/IN the/DT life"/NN as/IN she/PRP was/VBD afraid/JJ of/IN dying/VBG a/DT poky/JJ old/JJ maid/NN in/IN Weston./NNP In/IN short,/PRP$ the/DT home/NN was/VBD crowded,/VBN the/DT Pagets/NNPS were/VBD poor,/JJ and/CC every/DT one/CD of/IN the/DT seven/CD possessed/VBD a/DT spirited/JJ and/CC distinct/JJ entity./, All/PDT the/DT mother's/NNS effort/NN could/MD not/RB keep/VB them/PRP always/RB contented./VBD Growing/VBG ambitions/NNS made/VBD the/DT Weston/NNP horizon/NN seem/VBP narrow/JJ and/CC mean,/RB and/CC the/DT young/JJ eyes/NNS that/WDT could/MD not/RB see/VB beyond/IN to-morrow/NN were/VBD often/RB wet/JJ with/IN rebellious/JJ tears./, Through/IN it/PRP all/DT they/PRP loved/VBD each/DT other;/JJ sometimes/RB whole/JJ weeks/NNS went/VBD by/IN in/IN utter/JJ harmony;/NN the/DT children/NNS contented/VBD over/IN "Parches"/NNP on/IN the/DT hearthrug/NN in/IN the/DT winter/NN evenings,/NN Julie/NNP singing/NN in/IN the/DT morning/NN sunlight,/NN as/IN she/PRP filled/VBD the/DT vases/NNS from/IN the/DT shabby/JJ marguerite/JJ bushes/NNS on/IN the/DT lawn./NN But/CC there/EX were/VBD other/JJ times/NNS when/WRB to/TO the/DT dreamy,/NN studious/VBD Margaret/NNP the/DT home/NN circle/NN seemed/VBD all/DT discord,/NNS all/DT ugly/JJ dinginess/NN and/CC thread-bareness;/JJ the/DT struggle/NN for/IN ease/NN and/CC beauty/NN and/CC refinement/NN seemed/VBD hopeless/JJ and/CC overwhelming./JJ In/IN these/DT times/NNS she/PRP would/MD find/VB herself/PRP staring/VBG thoughtfully/RB at/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS face,/RB bent/VBD over/IN the/DT mending/NN basket,/NN or/CC her/PRP$ eyes/NNS would/MD leave/VB the/DT chessboard/NN that/IN held/VBD her/PRP father's/JJ attention/NN so/IN closely,/JJ and/CC move/VB from/IN his/PRP$ bald/JJ spot,/NN with/IN its/PRP$ encircling/JJ crown/NN of/IN fluffy/JJ gray,/NNS to/TO his/PRP$ rosy/JJ face,/NN with/IN its/PRP$ kind,/JJ intent/JJ blue/JJ eyes/NNS and/CC the/DT little/JJ lines/NNS about/IN his/PRP$ mouth/NN that/IN his/PRP$ moustache/NN didn't/VBD hide,/JJ —/NN with/IN a/DT half-formed/JJ question/NN in/IN her/PRP$ heart./NN What/WP hadn't/VBD they/PRP done,/VBP these/DT dearest/NN people,/NNS to/TO be/VB always/RB struggling,/VBN always/RB tired,/RB always/RB "behind/VB the/DT game"?/NN Why/WRB should/MD they/PRP be/VB eternally/RB harassed/VBN by/IN plumbers'/JJ bills,/NNS and/CC dentists'/NNS bills,/NNS and/CC shoes/NNS that/WDT would/MD wear/VB out,/JJ and/CC school-books/NNS that/WDT must/MD be/VB bought?/VBN Why/WRB weren't/VBD they/PRP holding/VBG their/PRP$ place/NN in/IN Weston/NNP society,/IN the/DT place/NN to/TO which/WDT they/PRP were/VBD entitled/VBN by/IN right/NN of/IN the/DT Quincy/NNP grandfather,/NN and/CC the/DT uncles/NNS who/WP were/VBD judges?/VBN And/CC in/IN answer/NN Margaret/NNP came/VBD despondently/RB to/TO the/DT decision,/NN "If/IN you/PRP have/VBP children,/NNS you/PRP never/RB have/VBP anything/NN else!"/JJ How/WRB could/MD Mother/NNP keep/VB up/RP with/IN her/PRP$ friends,/NN when/WRB for/IN some/DT fifteen/CD years/NNS she/PRP had/VBD been/VBN far/RB too/RB busy/JJ to/TO put/VB on/RP a/DT dainty/JJ gown/NN in/IN the/DT afternoon,/NN and/CC serve/VB a/DT hospitable/JJ cup/NN of/IN tea/NN on/IN the/DT east/JJ porch?/NN Mother/NNP was/VBD buttering/VBG bread/NN for/IN supper,/NN then;/, opening/VBG little/JJ beds/NNS and/CC laying/VBG out/RP little/RB nightgowns,/, starting/VBG Ted/NNP off/RP for/IN the/DT milk,/NN washing/VBG small/JJ hands/NNS and/CC faces,/NN soothing/VBG bumps/NNS and/CC binding/JJ cuts,/NNS admonishing,/VBP praising,/VBG directing./NN Mother/NN was/VBD only/RB too/RB glad/JJ to/TO sink/VB wearily/RB into/IN her/PRP$ rocker/NN after/IN dinner,/NN and,/CC after/IN a/DT few/JJ spirited/JJ visits/NNS to/TO the/DT rampant/JJ nursery/NN upstairs,/NN express/VBP the/DT hope/NN that/IN nobody/NN would/MD come/VB in/IN to-night./DT Gradually/RB the/DT friends/NNS dropped/VBD away,/RB and/CC the/DT social/JJ life/NN of/IN Weston/NNP flowed/VBD smoothly/RB on/IN without/IN the/DT Pagets./NNP But/CC when/WRB Margaret/NNP began/VBD to/TO grow/VB up,/IN she/PRP grasped/VBD the/DT situation/NN with/IN all/PDT the/DT keenness/NN of/IN a/DT restless/JJ and/CC ambitious/JJ nature./NN Weston,/NNP detested/VBD Weston,/IN it/PRP must/MD apparently/RB be./VB Very/RB well,/RB she/PRP would/MD make/VB the/DT best/JJS of/IN Weston./NNP Margaret/NNP called/VBD on/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS old/JJ friends;/NN she/PRP was/VBD tireless/JJ in/IN charming/JJ little/JJ attentions./NN Her/PRP$ own/JJ first/JJ dances/NNS had/VBD not/RB been/VBN successful;/JJ she/PRP and/CC Bruce/NNP were/VBD not/RB good/JJ dancers,/NN Margaret/NNP had/VBD not/RB been/VBN satisfied/VBN with/IN her/PRP$ gowns,/NN they/PRP both/DT felt/VBD out/IN of/IN place./NN When/WRB Julie's/NNP dancing/NN days/NNS came/VBD along,/RB Margaret/NNP saw/VBD to/TO it/PRP that/IN everything/NN was/VBD made/VBN much/RB easier./RBR She/PRP planned/VBD social/JJ evenings/NNS at/IN home,/NN and/CC exhausted/VBD herself/PRP preparing/VBG for/IN them,/NN that/IN Julie/NNP might/MD know/VB the/DT "right/JJ people."/NNS To/TO her/PRP$ mother/NN all/DT people/NNS were/VBD alike,/RB if/IN they/PRP were/VBD kind/NN and/CC not/RB vulgar;/JJ Margaret/NNP felt/VBD very/RB differently./JJ It/PRP was/VBD a/DT matter/NN of/IN the/DT greatest/JJS satisfaction/NN to/TO her/PRP$ when/WRB Julie/NNP blossomed/VBD into/IN a/DT fluffy-haired/JJ butterfly,/NN tremendously/RB in/IN demand,/NN in/IN spite/NN of/IN much-cleaned/JJ slippers/NNS and/CC often-pressed/JJ frocks./, Margaret/NNP arranged/VBD Christmas/NNP theatricals,/JJ May/NNP picnics,/, Fourth/NNP of/IN July/NNP gatherings./VBD She/PRP never/RB failed/VBD Bruce/NNP when/WRB this/DT dearest/NN brother/NN wanted/VBD her/PRP company;/IN she/PRP was,/VBD as/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP told/VBD her/PRP over/IN and/CC over,/IN "the/DT sweetest/JJS daughter/NN any/DT woman/NN ever/RB had."/VBD But/CC deep/RB in/IN her/PRP$ heart/NN she/PRP knew/VBD moods/NNS of/IN bitter/JJ distaste/NN and/CC restlessness./VBD The/DT struggle/NN did/VBD not/RB seem/VB worth/JJ the/DT making;/NN the/DT odds/NNS against/IN her/PRP$ seemed/VBN too/RB great./JJR Still/RB dreaming/VBG in/IN the/DT winter/NN dark,/NN she/PRP went/VBD through/IN the/DT home/NN gate,/NN and/CC up/IN the/DT porch/NN steps/NNS of/IN a/DT roomy,/NN cheap/JJ house/NN that/WDT had/VBD been/VBN built/VBN in/IN the/DT era/NN of/IN scalloped/JJ and/CC pointed/JJ shingles,/NNS of/IN colored/JJ glass/NN embellishments/NNS around/IN the/DT window-panes,/NN of/IN perforated/JJ scroll/NN work/NN and/CC wooden/JJ railings/NNS in/IN Grecian/JJ designs./NN A/DT mass/NN of/IN wet/JJ over-shoes/NNS lay/VBD on/IN the/DT porch,/NN and/CC two/CD or/CC three/CD of/IN the/DT weather-stained/JJ porch/NN rockers/NNS swayed/VBD under/IN the/DT weight/NN of/IN spread/NN wet/JJ raincoats./NN Two/CD opened/VBD umbrellas/NNS wheeled/VBN in/IN the/DT current/JJ of/IN air/NN that/WDT came/VBD around/IN the/DT house;/NN the/DT porch/NN ran/VBD water./NN While/IN Margaret/NNP was/VBD adding/VBG her/PRP$ own/JJ rainy-day/NN equipment/NN to/TO the/DT others,/NNS a/DT golden/JJ brown/JJ setter,/NN one/CD ecstatic/NN wriggle/NN from/IN nose/NN to/TO tail,/NN flashed/VBD into/IN view,/NN and/CC came/VBD fawning/VBG to/TO her/PRP$ feet./NN "Hello,/IN Bran!"/NNP Margaret/NNP said,/VBD propping/VBG herself/PRP against/IN the/DT house/NN with/IN one/CD hand,/NN while/IN she/PRP pulled/VBD at/IN a/DT tight/JJ overshoe./NN "Hello,/NNP old/JJ fellow!/NN Well,/NNP did/VBD they/PRP lock/VB him/PRP out?"/IN She/PRP let/VBD herself/PRP and/CC a/DT freezing/JJ gust/NN of/IN air/NN into/IN the/DT dark/JJ hall,/NN groping/VBG to/TO the/DT hat-rack/NN for/IN matches./VBG While/IN she/PRP was/VBD lighting/VBG the/DT gas,/NN a/DT very/RB pretty/JJ girl/NN of/IN sixteen,/JJ with/IN crimson/JJ cheeks/NNS and/CC tumbled/VBD soft/JJ dark/JJ hair,/NN came/VBD to/TO the/DT dining-room/NN door./NN This/DT was/VBD her/PRP$ sister/NN Julie,/NNP Margaret's/NNP roommate/NN and/CC warmest/NN admirer,/NN and/CC for/IN the/DT last/JJ year/NN or/CC two/CD her/PRP inseparable/JJ companion./NN Julie/NNP had/VBD her/PRP$ finger/NN in/IN a/DT book,/NN but/CC now/RB she/PRP closed/VBD it,/, and/CC said/VBD affectionately/RB between/IN her/PRP$ yawns:/JJ "Come/NN in/IN here,/PRP$ darling!/NN You/PRP must/MD be/VB dead."/JJ "Don't/RB let/VB Bran/NNP in,"/NN cried/VBD some/DT one/CD from/IN upstairs./NNP "He/NNP is/VBZ in,/IN Mother!"/NNP Margaret/NNP called/VBD back,/JJ and/CC Rebecca/NN and/CC the/DT three/CD small/JJ boys/NNS —/RB Theodore,/RB the/DT four-year-old/JJ baby,/NN Robert,/NNP and/CC Duncan,/NNP a/DT grave/JJ little/JJ lad/NN of/IN seven/CD —/NNS all/DT rushed/VBD out/IN of/IN the/DT dining-room/NN together,/RB shouting,/. as/IN they/PRP fell/VBD on/IN the/DT delighted/JJ dog:/NN —/NN "Aw,/NNS leave/VBP him/PRP in!/IN Aw,/RB leave/VB the/DT poor/JJ little/JJ feller/NN in!/IN Come/VBN on,/RB Bran,/NNP come/VBP on,/RB old/JJ feller!/JJ Leave/VB him/PRP in,/JJ Mark,/NNP can't/NN we?"/VBD Kissing/VBG and/CC hugging/VBG the/DT dog,/NN and/CC stumbling/VBG over/IN each/DT other/JJ and/CC over/IN him,/NNS they/PRP went/VBD back/RB to/TO the/DT dining-room,/NN which/WDT was/VBD warm/JJ and/CC stuffy./NN A/DT coal/NN fire/NN was/VBD burning/VBG low/JJ in/IN the/DT grate,/NN the/DT window-panes/NNS were/VBD beaded,/VBN and/CC the/DT little/JJ boys/NNS had/VBD marked/VBN their/PRP$ initials/NNS in/IN the/DT steam./NN They/PRP had/VBD also/RB pushed/VBN the/DT fringed/JJ table-cover/NN almost/RB off,/RB and/CC scattered/VBD the/DT contents/NNS of/IN a/DT box/NN of/IN "Lotto"/NNP over/IN the/DT scarred/JJ walnut/NN top./. The/DT room/NN was/VBD shabby,/VBN ugly,/JJ comfortable./NN Julie/NNP and/CC Margaret/NNP had/VBD established/VBN a/DT tea/NN table/NN in/IN the/DT bay/NN window,/NN had/VBD embroidered/VBN a/DT cover/NN for/IN the/DT wide/JJ couch,/NN had/VBD burned/VBN the/DT big/JJ wooden/JJ bowl/NN that/WDT was/VBD supposedly/RB always/RB full/JJ of/IN nuts/NNS or/CC grapes/NNS or/CC red/JJ apples./. But/CC these/DT touches/NNS were/VBD lost/VBN in/IN the/DT mass/NN of/IN less/JJR pleasing/NN detail./. The/DT "body/NNP Brussels"/NNP carpet/NN was/VBD worn,/JJ the/DT wall/NN paper/NN depressing,/VBD the/DT woodwork/NN was/VBD painted/VBN dark/JJ brown,/NN with/IN an/DT imitation/NN burl/NN smeared/VBN in/IN by/IN the/DT painter's/NN thumb./PRP The/DT chairs/NNS were/VBD of/IN several/JJ different/JJ woods/NNS and/CC patterns,/VBD the/DT old/JJ black/JJ walnut/NN sideboard/NN clumsy/JJ and/CC battered./VBN About/IN the/DT fire/NN stood/VBD some/DT comfortable/JJ worn/JJ chairs./NN Margaret/NNP dropped/VBD wearily/RB into/IN one/CD of/IN these,/DT and/CC the/DT dark-eyed/JJ Julie/NNP hung/VBD over/IN her/PRP with/IN little/JJ affectionate/JJ attentions./NN The/DT children/NNS returned/VBD to/TO their/PRP$ game./NN "Well,/IN what/WP a/DT time/NN you/PRP had/VBD with/IN little/JJ Dolly/NNP Scott!"/NNP said/VBD Julie,/NNP sympathetically./. "Ted's/'' been/VBN getting/VBG it/PRP all/DT mixed/JJ up!/NNS Tell/VB us/PRP about/IN it./PRP Poor/JJ old/JJ Mark,/NN you're/IN all/DT in,/JJ aren't/NN you?/IN Mark,/NNP would/MD you/PRP like/VB a/DT cup/NN of/IN tea?"/NN "Love/NN it!"/IN Margaret/NNP said,/VBD a/DT little/JJ surprised,/NN for/IN this/DT luxury/NN was/VBD not/RB common./NN "And/JJ toast/NN —/IN we'll/JJ toast/NN it!"/PRP said/VBD Theodore,/DT enthusiastically./NN "No,/IN no/DT —/NN no/DT tea!"/NN said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP coming/VBG in/IN at/IN this/DT point/NN with/IN some/DT sewing/VBG in/IN her/PRP$ hands./NN "Don't/IN spoil/NN your/PRP$ dinner,/NN now,/RB Mark/NNP dear;/JJ tea/NN doesn't/RB do/VBP you/PRP any/DT good./NNP And/CC I/PRP think/VBP Blanche/NNP is/VBZ saving/VBG the/DT cream/NN for/IN an/DT apple/NN tapioca./NN Theodore,/NNP Mother/NNP wants/VBZ you/PRP to/TO go/VB right/JJ downstairs/NN for/IN some/DT coal,/NN dear./NN And,/NNP Julie,/NNP you'd/VBD better/RB start/VB your/PRP$ table;/NN it's/RB close/RB to/TO six./DT Put/VBN up/RP the/DT game,/NN Rebecca!"/NN There/RB was/VBD general/JJ protest./NN Duncan,/IN it/PRP seemed,/VBZ needed/VBN only/RB "two/CD more"/CD to/TO win./MD Little/NNP Robert,/NNP who/WP was/VBD benevolently/RB allowed/VBN by/IN the/DT other/JJ children/NNS to/TO play/VB the/DT game/NN exactly/RB as/IN he/PRP pleased,/VBD screamed/VBN delightedly/RB that/IN he/PRP needed/VBD only/RB one/CD more,/NN and/CC showed/VBD a/DT card/NN upon/IN which/WDT even/RB the/DT blank/JJ spaces/NNS were/VBD lavishly/RB covered/VBN with/IN glass./NNP He/PRP was/VBD generously/RB conceded/VBN the/DT victory,/NN and/CC kissed/VBD by/IN Rebecca/NNP and/CC Julie/NNP as/IN he/PRP made/VBD his/PRP$ way/NN to/TO his/PRP$ mother's/NNS lap./VBD "Why,/RB this/DT can't/NN be/VB Robert/NNP Paget!"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP putting/VBG aside/RB her/PRP$ sewing/VBG to/TO gather/VB him/PRP in/IN her/PRP$ arms./NN "Not/RB this/DT great,/JJ big/JJ boy!"/NN "Yes,/IN I/PRP am!"/VBP the/DT little/JJ fellow/NN asserted/VBD joyously,/JJ dodging/VBG her/PRP$ kisses./NN "Good/NN to/TO get/VB home!"/NN Margaret/NNP said/VBD luxuriously./, "You/PRP must/MD sleep/VB late/JJ in/IN the/DT morning,"/NN her/PRP$ mother/NN commanded/VBD affectionately./DT "Yes,/NN because/IN you/PRP have/VBP to/TO be/VB fresh/JJ for/IN the/DT party/NN Monday!"/NNP exulted/VBD Julie./NNP She/PRP had/VBD flung/VBN a/DT white/JJ cloth/NN over/IN the/DT long/JJ table,/NN and/CC was/VBD putting/VBG the/DT ringed/JJ napkins/NNS down/IN with/IN rapid/JJ bangs./NN "And/CC New/NNP Year's/NNP Eve's/NNP the/DT dance!"/NN she/PRP went/VBD on/IN buoyantly./NN "I/NN just/RB love/VB Christmas,/NNP anyway!"/RB "Rebecca,/RB ask/VB Blanche/NNP if/IN she/PRP needs/VBZ me,"/JJ —/NN that/WDT was/VBD Mother./NNP "You'd/NNP go/VBP perfectly/RB crazy/JJ about/IN her,/PRP Ju,/RB she's/VBD the/DT most/RBS fascinating,/JJ and/CC the/DT most/RBS unaffected/JJ woman!"/NN Margaret/NNP was/VBD full/JJ of/IN the/DT day's/NNS real/JJ event./NN "And/CC Mother/NNP theth/, that/IN Ted/NNP and/CC Dunc/NNP and/CC I/PRP can/MD have/VB our/PRP$ friendth/JJ in/IN on/IN the/DT day/NN after/IN Chrithmath/NNP to/TO thee/VB the/DT Chrithmath/NNP tree!"/NN That/DT was/VBD Rebecca,/NN who/WP added,/VBD "Blanche/NNP theth/, no,/RB Mother,/NNP unleth/IN you/PRP want/VBP to/TO make/VB thom/NN cream/NN gravy/NN for/IN the/DT chopth!"/NN "And,/IN Mark,/NNP Eleanor/NNP asked/VBD if/IN Bruce/NNP and/CC you/PRP and/CC I/PRP weren't/VBD going/VBG as/IN Pierrot/NNP and/CC Pierettes;/NNP she's/NNS simply/RB crazy/JJ to/TO find/VB out!"/JJ This/DT was/VBD Julie/NNP again;/RB and/CC then/RB Margaret,/NNP coaxingly,/VBD "Do/VBN make/VBP cream/NN gravy/NN for/IN Bruce,/NNP Mother./NNP Give/VB Baby/NNP to/TO me!"/VB and/CC little/RB Robert's/NNP elated/VBD "I/PRP know/VB three/CD things/NNS Becky's/IN going/VBG to/TO get/VB for/IN Christmas,/NNP Mark!"/NNP "Well,/IN I/PRP think/VBP I/PRP will,/MD there's/POS milk,"/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP conceded,/VBD rising./VBG "Put/IN Bran/NNP out,/, Teddy;/NNP or/CC put/VB him/PRP in/IN the/DT laundry/NN if/IN you/PRP want/VBP to,/, while/IN we/PRP have/VBP dinner."/NN Margaret/NNP presently/RB followed/VBD her/PRP$ mother/NN into/IN the/DT kitchen,/NN stopping/VBG in/IN a/DT crowded/JJ passageway/NN to/TO tie/VB an/DT apron/NN over/IN her/PRP$ school/NN gown./NN "Bruce/NN come/VBN in/IN yet?"/NN she/PRP said/VBD in/IN a/DT low/JJ voice./NN Her/PRP$ mother/NN flashed/VBD her/PRP a/DT sympathetic/JJ look./NN "I/IN don't/RB believe/VB he's/PRP coming,/JJ Mark."/NNP "Isn't!/NNP Oh,/NNP Mother!/NNP Oh,/NNP Mother,/NNP does/VBZ he/PRP feel/VB so/RB badly/RB about/IN Betty?"/NNP "I/NNP suppose/VBP so!"/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP went/VBD on/IN with/IN her/PRP$ bread/NN cutting./VBD "But,/NNP Mother,/NNP surely/RB he/PRP didn't/VBD expect/VB to/TO marry/VB Betty/NNP Forsythe?"/NNP "But,/NNP Mother/NNP —/, "/`` Margaret/NNP was/VBD a/DT little/JJ at/IN a/DT loss./NN "We/NN don't/RB seem/VBP old/JJ enough/JJ to/TO really/RB be/VB getting/VBG married!"/NN she/PRP said,/VBD a/DT little/JJ lamely./JJ "Brucie/NN came/VBD in/IN about/IN half-past/JJ five,/NNS and/CC said/VBD he/PRP was/VBD going/VBG over/RP to/TO Richie's,"/NNP Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP said,/VBD with/IN a/DT sigh./NN "In/IN all/PDT this/DT rain/NN —/VBZ that/DT long/JJ walk!"/NN Margaret/NNP ejaculated,/, as/IN she/PRP filled/VBD a/DT long/JJ wicker/NN basket/NN with/IN sliced/JJ bread./NN "I/NNS think/VBP an/DT evening/NN of/IN work/NN with/IN Richie/NNP will/MD do/VB him/PRP a/DT world/NN of/IN good,"/NN said/VBD his/PRP$ mother./NN There/EX was/VBD a/DT pause./NN "There's/NNP Dad./NNP I'll/NNP go/VBP in,"/IN she/PRP said,/VBD suddenly/RB ending/VBG it,/RB as/IN the/DT front/JJ door/NN slammed./VBD Margaret/NNP went/VBD in,/JJ too,/NNS to/TO kiss/VB her/PRP$ father;/NN a/DT tired-looking,/JJ gray/JJ haired/JJ man/NN close/RB to/TO fifty,/NNS who/WP had/VBD taken/VBN her/PRP chair/NN by/IN the/DT fire./NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP was/VBD anxious/JJ to/TO be/VB assured/VBN that/IN his/PRP$ shoulders/NNS and/CC shoes/NNS were/VBD not/RB damp./VBG "A/RB hard/JJ day,"/NN said/VBD Mr./NNP Paget,/NNP heavily./VBD "Here,/IN one/CD of/IN you/PRP girls/NNS put/VB Baby/NNP into/IN his/PRP$ chair./NN Let/VB go,/PRP Bob,/IN —/NN I'm/PRP too/RB tired/JJ to-night/NN for/IN monkey/NN shines!"/NNS He/PRP sat/VBD down/IN stiffly./DT "Where's/NNP Bruce?/NNP Can't/NNP that/IN boy/NN remember/VBP what/WP time/NN we/PRP have/VBP dinner?"/NN "Bruce/NN is/VBZ going/VBG to/TO have/VB supper/NN with/IN Richie/NNP Williams,/NNP Dad,"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP serenely./VBD "They'll/RB get/VB out/RP their/PRP$ blue/JJ prints/NNS afterwards/RB and/CC have/VB a/DT good/JJ evening's/NN work./NN Fill/NNP the/DT glasses/NNS before/IN you/PRP sit/VBP down,/RB Ju./NNP Come,/NNP Ted/NNP —/NNP put/VBD that/DT back/RB on/IN the/DT mantel./NN —/IN Come,/NNP Becky!/NNP Tell/VB Daddy/NNP about/IN what/WP happened/VBD to-day,/JJ Mark/NNP —/, "/`` They/PRP all/DT drew/VBD up/RP their/PRP$ chairs./NN Robert,/NNP recently/RB graduated/VBD from/IN a/DT high/JJ chair,/NN was/VBD propped/VBN upon/IN "The/DT Officers/NNS of/IN the/DT Civil/NNP War,"/NNP and/CC "The/NNP Household/NNP Book/NNP of/IN Verse."/NNP Julie/NNP tied/VBD on/IN his/PRP$ bib,/NN and/CC kissed/VBD the/DT back/NN of/IN his/PRP$ fat/JJ little/JJ neck,/NN before/IN she/PRP slipped/VBD into/IN her/PRP own/JJ seat./NN The/DT mother/NN sat/VBD between/IN Ted/NNP and/CC Duncan,/NNP for/IN reasons/NNS that/WDT immediately/RB became/VBD obvious./RP Margaret/NNP sat/VBD by/IN her/PRP$ father,/NN and/CC attended/VBD to/TO his/PRP$ needs,/NN telling/VBG him/PRP all/DT about/IN the/DT day,/NN and/CC laying/VBG her/PRP$ pretty/JJ slim/JJ hand/NN over/IN his/PRP$ as/IN it/PRP rested/VBD beside/IN his/PRP$ plate./NN The/DT chops/NNS and/CC cream/NN gravy,/NN as/RB well/RB as/IN a/DT mountain/NN of/IN baked/JJ potatoes,/NN and/CC various/JJ vegetables,/NN were/VBD under/IN discussion,/NN when/WRB every/DT one/NN stopped/VBD short/JJ in/IN surprise/NN at/IN hearing/VBG the/DT doorbell/NN ring./NN "Who/IN —/NNP ?"/NNP said/VBD Margaret,/NNP turning/VBG puzzled/JJ brows/NNS to/TO her/PRP$ mother,/NN and/CC "I'm/NNP sure/JJ I/PRP —/VBD "/'' her/PRP$ mother/NN answered,/IN shaking/VBG her/PRP$ head./NN Ted/NNP was/VBD heard/VBN to/TO mutter/VB uneasily/RB that,/IN gee,/NN maybe/RB it/PRP was/VBD old/JJ Pembroke,/NNP mad/JJ because/IN the/DT fellers/NNS had/VBD soaked/VBN his/PRP$ old/JJ skate/NN with/IN snowballs;/NN Julie/NNP dimpled/VBD and/CC said,/VBD "Maybe/RB it's/IN flowers!"/NN Robert/NNP shouted,/MD "Bakeryman!"/VB more/RBR because/IN he/PRP had/VBD recently/RB acquired/VBN the/DT word/NN than/IN because/IN of/IN any/DT conviction/NN on/IN the/DT subject./NN In/IN the/DT end/NN Julie/NNP went/VBD to/TO the/DT door,/NN with/IN the/DT four/CD children/NNS in/IN her/PRP$ wake./NN When/WRB she/PRP came/VBD back,/RB she/PRP looked/VBD bewildered,/RB and/CC the/DT children/NNS a/DT little/JJ alarmed./JJR "It's/NNS —/VBP it's/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP Mother,"/NNP said/VBD Julie./NNP "Well,/NNP don't/RB leave/VB her/PRP standing/VBG there/RB in/IN the/DT cold,/NN dear!"/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP said,/VBD rising/VBG quickly,/RB to/TO go/VB into/IN the/DT hall./NN Margaret,/IN her/PRP$ heart/NN thumping/VBG with/IN an/DT unanalyzed/JJ premonition/NN of/IN something/NN pleasant,/JJ and/CC nervous,/JJ too,/NN for/IN the/DT hospitality/NN of/IN the/DT Pagets,/NNP followed/VBD her./PRP So/IN they/PRP were/VBD all/DT presently/RB crowded/VBN into/IN the/DT hall,/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP all/DT hospitality,/NN Margaret/NNP full/JJ of/IN a/DT fear/NN she/PRP would/MD have/VB denied/VBN that/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN would/MD not/RB be/VB equal/JJ to/TO the/DT occasion,/NN the/DT children/NNS curious,/, Julie/NNP a/DT little/JJ embarrassed./NN The/DT visitor,/NN fur-clad,/JJ rain-spattered,/NN —/NN for/IN it/PRP was/VBD raining/VBG again,/IN —/JJ and/CC beaming,/JJ stretched/VBD a/DT hand/NN to/TO Mrs./NNP Paget./NNP "You're/NNP Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP of/IN course,/NN —/IN this/DT is/VBZ an/DT awful/JJ hour/NN to/TO interrupt/VB you,"/IN she/PRP said/VBD in/IN her/PRP$ big,/JJ easy/JJ way,/NN "and/CC there's/DT my/PRP$ Miss/NNP Paget,/NNP —/VBD how/WRB do/VBP you/PRP do?/VB But/CC you/PRP see/VBP I/PRP must/MD get/VB up/RP to/TO town/NN to-night/NN —/NN in/IN this/DT door?/NN I/PRP can/MD see/VB perfectly,/NNS thank/VB you!/PRP —/, and/CC I/PRP did/VBD want/VB a/DT little/JJ talk/NN with/IN you/PRP first./, Now,/RB what/WP a/DT shame!"/NN —/NN for/IN the/DT gas,/NN lighted/VBN by/IN Theodore/NNP at/IN this/DT point,/NN revealed/VBD Duncan's/NNP bib,/NN and/CC the/DT napkins/NNS some/DT of/IN the/DT others/NNS were/VBD still/RB carrying./VBG "I've/NN interrupted/VBD your/PRP$ dinner!/NN Won't/IN you/PRP let/VB me/PRP wait/VB here/RB until/IN —/NN "/'' "Perhaps/RB —/VBP if/IN you/PRP haven't/VBP had/VBD your/PRP$ supper/NN —/RB you/PRP will/MD have/VB some/DT with/IN us,"/PRP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP a/DT little/JJ uncertainly./NN Margaret/NNP inwardly/RB shuddered,/VB but/CC Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP was/VBD gracious./VBG "Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP that's/POS charming/JJ of/IN you,"/JJ she/PRP said./VBD "But/IN I/PRP had/VBD tea/NN at/IN Dayton,/NNP and/CC mustn't/MD lose/VB another/DT moment./NN I/PRP shan't/VBP dine/NN until/IN I/PRP get/VBP home./NN I'm/IN the/DT busiest/JJS woman/NN in/IN the/DT world,/NN you/PRP know./VBP Now,/RB it/PRP won't/MD take/VB me/PRP two/CD minutes/NNS —/RB "/`` She/PRP was/VBD seated/VBN now,/RB her/PRP$ hands/NNS still/RB deep/RB in/IN her/PRP$ muff,/NN for/IN the/DT parlor/NN was/VBD freezing/VBG cold./VBN Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP with/IN a/DT rather/RB bewildered/VBN look,/IN sat/VBN down,/IN too./DT "You/PRP can/MD run/VB back/RB to/TO your/PRP$ dinners,"/NN said/VBD she/PRP to/TO the/DT children./NN "Take/NN them,/, Julie./NNP Mark,/NNP dear,/NN will/MD you/PRP help/VB the/DT pudding?"/NN They/PRP all/DT filed/VBD dutifully/RB out/IN of/IN the/DT room,/NN and/CC Margaret,/NNP excited/VBD and/CC curious,/NNS continued/VBD a/DT meal/NN that/WDT might/MD have/VB been/VBN of/IN sawdust/NN and/CC sand/NN for/IN all/DT she/PRP knew./VBD The/DT strain/NN did/VBD not/RB last/JJ long;/NNS in/IN about/IN ten/CD minutes/NNS Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP looked/VBD into/IN the/DT room,/NN with/IN a/DT rather/RB worried/JJ expression,/NNS and/CC said,/VBD a/DT little/JJ breathlessly:/NN —/IN "Daddy,/NN can/MD you/PRP come/VB here/RB a/DT moment?/NN —/NN You're/IN all/DT right,/JJ dear,"/NN she/PRP added,/VBD as/IN Mr./NNP Paget/NNP indicated/VBD with/IN an/DT embarrassed/JJ gesture/NN his/PRP$ well/RB worn/VBN house-coat./NN They/PRP went/VBD out/IN together./DT The/DT young/JJ people/NNS sat/VBD almost/RB without/IN speaking,/NN listening/VBG to/TO the/DT indistinguishable/JJ murmur/NN from/IN the/DT adjoining/VBG room,/NN and/CC smiling/VBG mysteriously/RB at/IN each/DT other./NNP Then/RB Margaret/NNP was/VBD called,/VBN and/CC went/VBD as/RB far/RB as/IN the/DT dining-room/NN door,/NN and/CC came/VBD back/RB to/TO put/VB her/PRP$ napkin/NN uncertainly/RB down/RB at/IN her/PRP$ place,/NN hesitated,/RB arranged/VBD her/PRP$ gown/NN carefully,/NN and/CC finally/RB went/VBD out/IN again./NN They/PRP heard/VBD her/PRP$ voice/NN with/IN the/DT others/NNS in/IN the/DT parlor.../NN questioning.../VBP laughing./VBG Presently/RB the/DT low/JJ murmur/NN broke/VBD into/IN audible/JJ farewells;/NN chairs/NNS were/VBD pushed/VBN back,/RB feet/NNS scraped/VBN in/IN the/DT hall./NN "Good-night,/NN then!"/, said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP clear/JJ tones,/NN "and/CC so/RB sorry/JJ to/TO have/VB —/VBN Good-night,/NNP Mr./NNP Paget!/NNP —/VBD Oh,/NNP thank/VB you/PRP —/, but/CC I'm/PRP well/RB wrapped./. Thank/VB you!/JJ Good-night,/NNP dear!/NN I'll/MD see/VB you/PRP again/RB soon/RB —/IN I'll/NNP write."/, And/CC then/RB came/VBD the/DT honking/NN of/IN the/DT motor-car,/NN and/CC a/DT great/JJ swish/NN where/WRB it/PRP grazed/VBD a/DT wet/JJ bush/NN near/IN the/DT house./NN Somebody/NN lowered/VBD the/DT gas/NN in/IN the/DT hall,/NN and/CC Mrs./NNP Paget's/NNP voice/NN said/VBD regretfully,/JJ "I/NNS wish/VBP we/PRP had/VBD had/VBD a/DT fire/NN in/IN the/DT parlor/NN —/NN just/RB one/CD of/IN the/DT times!/NN —/NN but/CC there's/POS no/DT help/NN for/IN it."/DT They/PRP all/DT came/VBD in,/IN Margaret/NNP flushed,/VBD starry-eyed;/JJ her/PRP$ father/NN and/CC mother/NN a/DT little/JJ serious./NN The/DT three/CD blinked/VBD at/IN the/DT brighter/NN light,/NN and/CC fell/VBD upon/IN the/DT cooling/VBG chops/NNS as/IN if/IN eating/NN were/VBD the/DT important/JJ business/NN of/IN the/DT moment./NN "We/NN waited/VBD the/DT pudding,"/NN said/VBD Julie./NNP "What/NN is/VBZ it?"/RB "Why/JJ —/, "/'' Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP began,/VBD hesitatingly./PRP$ Mr./NNP Paget/NNP briskly/RB took/VBD the/DT matter/NN out/IN of/IN her/PRP$ hands./NN "This/DT lady,"/NN he/PRP said,/VBD with/IN an/DT air/NN of/IN making/VBG any/DT further/JJ talk/NN unnecessary,/IN "needs/VBZ a/DT secretary,/NN and/CC she/PRP has/VBZ offered/VBN your/PRP$ sister/NN Margaret/NNP the/DT position./NN That's/IN the/DT whole/JJ affair/NN in/IN a/DT nutshell./NN I'm/IN not/RB at/IN all/DT sure/JJ that/IN your/PRP$ mother/NN and/CC I/PRP think/VBP it/PRP a/DT wise/JJ offer/NN for/IN Margaret/NNP to/TO accept,/VB and/CC I/PRP want/VBP to/TO say/VB here/RB and/CC now/RB that/IN I/PRP don't/RB want/VBP any/DT child/NN of/IN mine/NN to/TO speak/VB of/IN this/DT matter,/NN or/CC make/VB it/PRP a/DT matter/NN of/IN general/JJ gossip/NN in/IN the/DT neighborhood./NN Mother,/NNP I'd/NNP like/IN very/RB much/JJ to/TO have/VB Blanche/NNP make/VB me/PRP a/DT fresh/JJ cup/NN of/IN tea."/NN "Wants/NNS Margaret!"/NNP gasped/VBD Julie,/NNP unaffected/JJ —/NN so/RB astonishing/JJ was/VBD the/DT news/NN —/NN by/IN her/PRP$ father's/NN unusual/JJ sternness./NN "Oh,/IN Mother!/NNP Oh,/NNP Mark!/NNP Oh,/IN you/PRP lucky/JJ thing!/NNS When/WRB is/VBZ she/PRP coming/VBG down/IN here?"/PRP$ "She/NNP isn't/NN coming/VBG down/RB here/RB —/IN she/PRP wants/VBZ Mark/NNP to/TO go/VB to/TO her/PRP$ —/NN that's/IN it,"/PRP said/VBD her/PRP$ mother./NN "Mark/NNP —/NNP in/IN New/NNP York!"/NNP shrilled/VBD Theodore./NNP Julie/NNP got/VBD up/RP to/TO rush/VB around/IN the/DT table/NN and/CC kiss/VB her/PRP$ sister;/NN the/DT younger/JJR children/NNS laughed/VBD and/CC shouted./VBD "There/RB is/VBZ no/DT occasion/NN for/IN all/DT this,"/NN said/VBD Mr./NNP Paget,/NNP but/CC mildly,/NNS for/IN the/DT fresh/JJ tea/NN had/VBD arrived./VBN "Just/RB quiet/JJ them/PRP down,/RB will/MD you,/VB Mother?/NNP I/PRP see/VBP nothing/NN very/RB extraordinary/JJ in/IN the/DT matter./NN This/DT Mrs./NNP —/NNP Mrs./NNP Carr/NNP Boldt/NNP —/NNP is/VBZ it?/IN —/NNP needs/VBZ a/DT secretary/NN and/CC companion;/NN and/CC she/PRP offers/VBZ the/DT position/NN to/TO Mark."/NNP "But/IN —/NN but/CC she/PRP never/RB even/RB saw/VBD Mark/NNP until/IN to-day!"/JJ marvelled/JJ Julie./NNP "I/NNP hardly/RB see/VBP how/WRB that/DT affects/VBZ it,/IN my/PRP$ dear!"/NN her/PRP$ father/NN observed/VBD unenthusiastically./NNP "Why,/IN I/PRP think/VBP it/PRP makes/VBZ it/PRP simply/RB extraordinary!"/RB exulted/VBD the/DT generous/JJ little/JJ sister./NN "Oh,/IN Mark,/NNP isn't/IN this/DT just/RB the/DT sort/NN of/IN thing/NN you/PRP would/MD have/VB wished/VBN to/TO happen!/VB Secretary/NNP work,/NN —/VBZ just/RB what/WP you/PRP love/VBP to/TO do!/VB And/CC you,/VB with/IN your/PRP$ beautiful/JJ handwriting,/NN you'll/MD just/RB be/VB invaluable/JJ to/TO her!/PRP And/CC your/PRP$ German/JJ —/NN and/CC I'll/NNP bet/NN you'll/NN just/RB have/VBP them/PRP all/DT adoring/VBG you/PRP —/VBP !"/JJ "Oh,/NN Ju,/IN if/IN I/PRP only/RB can/MD do/VB it!"/PRP burst/VB from/IN Margaret,/NNP with/IN a/DT little/JJ childish/JJ gasp./NN She/PRP was/VBD sitting/VBG back/RB from/IN the/DT table,/NN twisted/VBD about/RB so/RB that/IN she/PRP sat/VBD sideways,/IN her/PRP$ hands/NNS clasped/VBD about/IN the/DT top/JJ bar/NN of/IN her/PRP$ chair-back./NN Her/PRP$ tawny/JJ soft/JJ hair/NN was/VBD loosened/VBN about/IN her/PRP$ face,/NN her/PRP$ dark/JJ eyes/NNS aflame./JJ "Lenox,/IN she/PRP said,"/VBD Margaret/NNP went/VBD on/IN dazedly;/NN "and/CC Europe,/NNP and/CC travelling/VBG everywhere!/RB And/CC a/DT hundred/CD dollars/NNS a/DT month,/NN and/CC nothing/NN to/TO spend/VB it/PRP on,/RB so/IN I/PRP can/MD still/RB help/VB out/IN here!/RB Why,/IN it/PRP —/VBD I/PRP can't/MD believe/VB it!"/PRP —/IN she/PRP looked/VBD from/IN one/CD smiling,/NN interested/JJ face/NN to/TO another,/DT and/CC suddenly/RB her/PRP radiance/NN underwent/IN a/DT quick/JJ eclipse./NN Her/PRP$ lip/NN trembled,/NN and/CC she/PRP tried/VBD to/TO laugh/VB as/IN she/PRP pushed/VBD her/PRP$ chair/NN back,/, and/CC ran/VBD to/TO the/DT arms/NNS her/PRP$ mother/NN opened./VBD "Oh,/NNP Mother!"/NNP sobbed/VBD Margaret,/NNP clinging/VBG there,/RB "do/IN you/PRP want/VBP me/PRP to/TO go/VB —/RB shall/MD I/PRP go?/VBD I've/NN always/RB been/VBN so/RB happy/JJ here,/, and/CC I/PRP feel/VBP so/RB ashamed/JJ of/IN being/VBG discontented,/VBN —/RB and/CC I/PRP don't/VBP deserve/VB a/DT thing/NN like/IN this/DT to/TO happen/VB to/TO me!"/VB "Why,/NNP God/NNP bless/VB her/PRP heart!"/NN said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP tenderly,/, "of/IN course/NN you'll/JJ go!"/NN "Oh,/IN you/PRP silly!/VBP I'll/NNP never/RB speak/VBP to/TO you/PRP again/RB if/IN you/PRP don't!"/VBP laughed/VBD Julie,/NNP through/IN sympathetic/JJ tears./, Theodore/NNP and/CC Duncan/NNP immediately/RB burst/VBD into/IN a/DT radiant/JJ reminiscence/NN of/IN their/PRP$ one/CD brief/JJ visit/NN to/TO New/NNP York;/NNP Rebecca/NNP was/VBD heard/VBN to/TO murmur/VB that/IN she/PRP would/MD "vithet/VB Mark/NNP thome/DT day";/NN and/CC the/DT baby,/NN tugging/VBG at/IN his/PRP$ mother's/NN elbow,/NN asked/VBD sympathetically/RB if/IN Mark/NNP was/VBD naughty,/JJ and/CC was/VBD caught/VBN between/IN his/PRP$ sister's/NNS and/CC his/PRP$ mother's/NNS arms/NNS and/CC kissed/VBD by/IN them/PRP both./, Mr./NNP Paget,/NNP picking/VBG his/PRP$ paper/NN from/IN the/DT floor/NN beside/IN his/PRP$ chair,/NN took/VBD an/DT arm-chair/NN by/IN the/DT fire,/NN stirred/VBD the/DT coals/NNS noisily,/NN and/CC while/IN cleaning/VBG his/PRP$ glasses,/NN observed/VBD rather/RB huskily/RB that/IN the/DT little/JJ girl/NN always/RB knew,/VBD she/PRP could/MD come/VB back/RB again/RB if/IN anything/NN went/VBD wrong./VBG "But/CC suppose/VBP I/PRP don't/VBP suit?"/NN suggested/VBN Margaret,/NNP sitting/VBG back/RB on/IN her/PRP$ heels,/NN refreshed/VBN by/IN tears,/NNS and/CC with/IN her/PRP$ arms/NNS laid/VBN across/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS lap./. "Oh,/NN you'll/NN suit,"/NN said/VBD Julie,/NNP confidently;/NN and/CC Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP smoothed/VBD the/DT girl's/NNS hair/NN back/RB and/CC said/VBD affectionately,/IN "I/PRP don't/RB think/VBP she'll/RB find/VBP many/JJ girls/NNS like/IN you/PRP for/IN the/DT asking,/NN Mark!"/NNP "Reading/NNP English/NNP with/IN the/DT two/CD little/JJ girls,"/NN said/VBD Margaret,/NNP dreamily,/VBD "and/NNP answering/VBG notes/NNS and/CC invitations./VBG And/CC keeping/VBG books/NNS —/, "/'' "You/PRP can/MD do/VB that/DT anyway,"/NNS said/VBD her/PRP$ father,/NN over/IN his/PRP$ paper./NN "And/CC dinner/NN lists,/NN you/PRP know,/VBP Mother/NNP —/NNP doesn't/VBD it/PRP sound/VB like/IN an/DT English/NNP story!"/NN Margaret/NNP stopped/VBD in/IN the/DT middle/NN of/IN an/DT ecstatic/NN wriggle./NN "Mother,/NN will/MD you/PRP pray/VB I/PRP succeed?"/IN she/PRP said/VBD solemnly./PRP "Just/RB be/VB your/PRP$ own/JJ dear/JJ simple/NN self,/NN Mark,"/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN advised./VBN "January!"/IN she/PRP added,/VBP with/IN a/DT great/JJ sigh./NN "It's/IN the/DT first/JJ break,/NN isn't/IN it,/DT Dad?/NNP Think/NNP of/IN trying/VBG to/TO get/VB along/RB without/IN our/PRP$ Mark!"/NNP "January!"/NNP Julie/NNP was/VBD instantly/RB alert./DT "Why,/JJ but/CC you'll/JJ need/NN all/DT sorts/NNS of/IN clothes!"/NNS "Oh,/IN she/PRP says/VBZ there's/RB a/DT sewing/JJ woman/NN always/RB in/IN the/DT house,"/NN Margaret/NNP said,/VBD almost/RB embarrassed/VBN by/IN the/DT still-unfolding/JJ advantages/NNS of/IN the/DT proposition./NN "I/NN can/MD have/VB her/PRP do/VB whatever's/WP left/VBD over."/RP Her/PRP$ father/NN lowered/VBD his/PRP$ paper/NN to/TO give/VB her/PRP a/DT shrewd/JJ glance./NN "I/CC suppose/VB somebody/NN knows/VBZ something/NN about/IN this/DT Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP Mother?"/NNP asked/VBD he./PRP "She's/IN all/DT right,/NNS I/PRP suppose?"/VBP "Oh,/RB Dad,/IN her/PRP$ name's/NNS always/RB in/IN the/DT papers,"/NN Julie/NNP burst/NN out;/NN and/CC the/DT mother/NN smiled/VBD as/IN she/PRP said,/VBD "We'll/RB be/VB pretty/RB sure/JJ of/IN everything/NN before/IN we/PRP let/VBP our/PRP$ Mark/NNP go!"/NN Later,/RB when/WRB the/DT children/NNS had/VBD been/VBN dismissed,/VBN and/CC he/PRP himself/PRP was/VBD going,/VBG rather/RB stiffly,/RB toward/IN the/DT stairs,/NN Mr./NNP Paget/NNP again/RB voiced/VBD a/DT mild/JJ doubt./NN "There/RB was/VBD a/DT perfectly/RB good/JJ reason/NN for/IN her/PRP hurry,/, I/PRP suppose?/VBP Old/NNP secretary/NN deserted/VBN —/NN got/VBD married/VBN —/RB ?/. She/PRP had/VBD good/JJ reason/NN for/IN wanting/VBG Mark/NNP in/IN all/PDT this/DT hurry?"/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP and/CC her/PRP$ daughters/NNS had/VBD settled/VBN about/IN the/DT fire/NN for/IN an/DT hour's/NN delicious/JJ discussion,/NN but/CC she/PRP interrupted/VBD it/PRP to/TO say/VB soothingly,/JJ "It/NN was/VBD her/PRP$ cousin,/NN Dad,/NNP who's/VBD going/VBG to/TO be/VB married,/VBN and/CC she's/RB been/VBN trying/VBG to/TO get/VB hold/NN of/IN just/RB the/DT right/JJ person/NN —/, she/PRP says/VBZ she's/PRP fearfully/RB behindhand/RB —/, "/`` "Well,/VB you/PRP know/VBP best,"/RB said/VBD Mr./NNP Paget,/NNP departing/VBG a/DT little/JJ discontentedly./NN Left/VBD to/TO the/DT dying/VBG fire,/NN the/DT others/NNS talked,/VBP yawned,/NNS made/VBD a/DT pretence/NN of/IN breaking/VBG up:/JJ talked/VBD and/CC yawned/VBD again./RB The/DT room/NN grew/VBD chilly./NN Bruce,-/NNP oldest/JJS of/IN the/DT children,/NN —/IN dark,/JJ undemonstrative,/JJ weary,/NNS —/RB presently/RB came/VBD in,/JJ and/CC was/VBD given/VBN the/DT news,/NN and/CC marvelled/VBD in/IN his/PRP$ turn./NN Bruce/NNP and/CC Margaret/NNP had/VBD talked/VBN of/IN their/PRP$ ambitions/NNS a/DT hundred/CD times:/NN of/IN the/DT day/NN when/WRB he/PRP might/MD enter/VB college/NN and/CC when/WRB she/PRP might/MD find/VB the/DT leisure/NN and/CC beauty/NN in/IN life/NN for/IN which/WDT her/PRP$ soul/NN hungered./VBD Now,/RB as/IN he/PRP sat/VBD with/IN his/PRP$ arm/NN about/IN her,/PRP and/CC her/PRP$ head/NN on/IN his/PRP$ shoulder,/NN he/PRP said/VBD with/IN generous/JJ satisfaction/NN over/IN and/CC over:/IN —/NNP "It/NNP was/VBD coming/VBG to/TO you,/NNP Mark;/NNP you've/NN earned/VBD it!"/PRP At/IN midnight,/NN loitering/VBG upstairs,/JJ cold/JJ and/CC yawning,/JJ Margaret/NNP kissed/VBD her/PRP$ mother/NN and/CC brother/NN quietly,/RB with/IN whispered/JJ brief/JJ good-nights./NNP But/CC Julie,/NNP lying/VBG warm/JJ and/CC snug/JJ in/IN bed/NN half-an-hour/NN later,/RB had/VBD a/DT last/JJ word./NN "You/PRP know,/VBP Mark,/NNP I/PRP think/VBP I'm/PRP as/RB happy/JJ as/IN you/PRP are/VBP —/RB no,/JJ I'm/NN not/RB generous/JJ at/IN all!/DT It's/NNP just/RB that/IN it/PRP makes/VBZ me/PRP feel/VB that/DT things/NNS do/VBP come/VB your/PRP$ way/NN finally,/, if/IN you/PRP wait/VBP long/JJ enough,/NN and/CC that/IN we/PRP aren't/VBP the/DT only/JJ family/NN in/IN town/NN that/WDT never/RB has/VBZ anything/NN decent/JJ happen/VBP to/TO it!.../PRP I'll/JJ miss/NN you/PRP awfully,/RB Mark,/NNP darling!.../CC Mark,/NNP do/VBP you/PRP suppose/VB Mother'd/NNP let/VB me/PRP take/VB this/DT bed/NN out,/, and/CC just/RB have/VB a/DT big/JJ couch/NN in/IN here?/PRP$ It/PRP would/MD make/VB the/DT room/NN seem/VBP so/RB much/RB bigger./JJR And/CC then/RB I/PRP could/MD have/VB the/DT girls/NNS come/VBP up/RP here,/RB don't/RB you/PRP know/VBP —/RB when/WRB they/PRP came/VBD over..../IN Think/NNP of/IN you/PRP —/VBP you/PRP —/VBP going/VBG abroad!/RB I'd/. simply/RB die!/VBD I/PRP can't/MD wait/VB to/TO tell/VB Betty!.../NNP I/PRP hope/VBP to/TO goodness/NN Mother/NN won't/NN put/VBD Beck/NNP in/IN here!.../PRP$ We've/NN had/VBD this/DT room/NN a/DT long/JJ time/NN together,/RB haven't/VBD we?/RB Ever/RB since/IN Grandma/NNP died./VBD Do/VB you/PRP remember/VB her/PRP canary,/NN that/IN Teddy/NNP hit/VBD with/IN a/DT plate?.../NN I'm/NN going/VBG to/TO miss/VB you/PRP terribly,/VB Mark./NNP But/CC we'll/DT write...."/NN On/IN the/DT days/NNS that/IN followed,/IN the/DT miracle/NN came/VBD to/TO be/VB accepted/VBN by/IN all/DT Weston,/NNP which/WDT was/VBD much/RB excited/VBN for/IN a/DT day/NN or/CC two/CD over/IN this/DT honor/NN done/VBN a/DT favorite/JJ daughter,/NN and/CC by/IN all/DT the/DT Pagets,/NNP —/NNP except/IN Margaret./NNP Margaret/NNP went/VBD through/IN the/DT hours/NNS in/IN her/PRP$ old,/NNS quiet/JJ manner,/, a/DT little/RB more/JJR tender/NN and/CC gentle/JJ perhaps/RB than/IN she/PRP had/VBD been;/VBN but/CC her/PRP$ heart/NN never/RB beat/VBD normally,/JJ and/CC she/PRP lay/VBD awake/RB late/RB at/IN night,/NN and/CC early/RB in/IN the/DT morning,/NN thinking,/NN thinking,/RB thinking./DT She/PRP tried/VBD to/TO realize/VB that/IN it/PRP was/VBD in/IN her/PRP$ honor/NN that/IN a/DT farewell/NN tea/NN was/VBD planned/VBN at/IN the/DT club,/NN it/PRP was/VBD for/IN her/PRP$ that/WDT her/PRP$ fellow-teachers/NNS were/VBD planning/VBG a/DT good-bye/NN luncheon;/NN it/PRP was/VBD really/RB she/PRP —/VBD Margaret/NNP Paget/NNP —/, whose/WP$ voice/NN said/VBD at/IN the/DT telephone/NN a/DT dozen/NN times/NNS a/DT day,/NN "On/IN the/DT fourteenth./NN —/NN Oh,/NNS do/VBP I?/IN I/PRP don't/VBP feel/VB calm!/JJ Can't/IN you/PRP try/VBP to/TO come/VB in/IN —/NN I/PRP do/VBP want/VB to/TO see/VB you/PRP before/IN I/PRP go!"/VBP She/PRP dutifully/RB repeated/VBD Bruce's/NNP careful/JJ directions;/NN she/PRP was/VBD to/TO give/VB her/PRP check/VB to/TO an/DT expressman,/NN and/CC her/PRP$ suitcase/NN to/TO a/DT red-cap;/NN the/DT expressman/NN would/MD probably/RB charge/VB fifty/CD cents,/NNS the/DT red-cap/NN was/VBD to/TO have/VB no/DT more/JJR than/IN fifteen./CD And/CC she/PRP was/VBD to/TO tell/VB the/DT latter/JJ to/TO put/VB her/PRP into/IN a/DT taxicab./NN "I'll/NN remember,"/VBD Margaret/NNP assured/VBD him/PRP gratefully,/JJ but/CC with/IN a/DT sense/NN of/IN unreality/NN pressing/VBG almost/RB painfully/RB upon/IN her./PRP —/VBD One/CD of/IN a/DT million/CD ordinary/JJ school/NN teachers,/NN in/IN a/DT million/CD little/JJ towns/NNS —/, and/CC this/DT marvel/NN had/VBD befallen/VBN her!/PRP The/DT night/NN of/IN the/DT Pagets'/NNP Christmas/NNP play/NN came,/VBD a/DT night/NN full/JJ of/IN laughter/NN and/CC triumph;/NN and/CC marked/VBD for/IN Margaret/NNP by/IN the/DT little/JJ parting/NN gifts/NNS that/WDT were/VBD slipped/VBN into/IN her/PRP hands,/, and/CC by/IN the/DT warm/JJ good/JJ wishes/NNS that/WDT were/VBD murmured,/VBN not/RB always/RB steadily,/VBN by/IN this/DT old/JJ friend/NN and/CC that./DT When/WRB the/DT time/NN came/VBD to/TO distribute/VB plates/NNS and/CC paper/NN napkins,/NN and/CC great/JJ saucers/NNS of/IN ice/NN cream/NN and/CC sliced/VBD cake,/NNS Margaret/NNP was/VBD toasted/VBN in/RP cold/JJ sweet/JJ lemonade;/NN and/CC drawing/VBG close/RB together/RB to/TO "harmonize"/VB more/RBR perfectly,/RB the/DT circle/NN about/IN her/PRP$ touched/VBN their/PRP$ glasses/NNS while/IN they/PRP sang,/VBD "For/IN she's/NNS a/DT jolly/RB good/JJ fellow."/NN Later,/RB when/WRB the/DT little/JJ supper/NN was/VBD almost/RB over,/JJ Ethel/NNP Elliot,/NNP leaning/VBG over/IN to/TO lay/VB her/PRP$ hand/NN on/IN Margaret's,/NNP began/VBD in/IN her/PRP$ rich/JJ contralto:/NN —/RB "/'' When/WRB other/JJ lips/NNS and/CC other/JJ hearts..."/NN and/CC as/IN they/PRP all/DT went/VBD seriously/RB through/IN the/DT two/CD verses,/NNS they/PRP stood/VBD up,/IN one/CD by/IN one,/JJ and/CC linked/VBN arms;/IN the/DT little/JJ circle,/NN affectionate/JJ and/CC admiring,/JJ that/IN had/VBD bounded/VBN Margaret's/NNP friendships/NNS until/IN now./PRP$ Then/RB Christmas/NNP came,/VBD with/IN a/DT dark,/JJ freezing/JJ walk/NN to/TO the/DT pine-spiced/JJ and/CC candle-lighted/JJ early/JJ service/NN in/IN the/DT little/JJ church,/NN and/CC a/DT quicker/JJR walk/NN home,/NN chilled/VBN and/CC happy/JJ and/CC hungry,/VBD to/TO a/DT riotous/JJ Christmas/NNP breakfast,/NN and/CC a/DT littered/VBD breakfast/NN table./NN The/DT new/JJ year/NN came,/VBD with/IN a/DT dance/NN and/CC revel,/NN and/CC the/DT Pagets/NNPS took/VBD one/CD of/IN their/PRP$ long/JJ tramps/NNS through/IN the/DT snowy/JJ afternoon,/NN and/CC came/VBD back/RB hungry/JJ for/IN a/DT big/JJ dinner./NN Then/RB there/EX was/VBD dressmaking,/NN —/IN Mrs./NNP Schmidt/NNP in/IN command,/JJ Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP tireless/VBD at/IN the/DT machine,/NN Julie/NNP all/DT eager/JJ interest./NN Margaret,/NNP patiently/RB standing/VBG to/TO be/VB fitted,/JJ conscious/JJ of/IN the/DT icy,/JJ wet/JJ touch/NN of/IN Mrs./NNP Schmidt's/NNP red/JJ fingers/NNS on/IN her/PRP$ bare/JJ arms,/NNS dreamily/NN acquiescent/NN as/IN to/TO buttons/NNS or/CC hooks,/VB was/VBD totally/RB absent/JJ in/IN spirit./NN A/DT trunk/NN came,/VBD Mr./NNP Paget/NNP very/RB anxious/JJ that/IN the/DT keys/NNS should/MD not/RB be/VB "fooled/VBN with"/IN by/IN the/DT children./NN Margaret's/NNP mother/NN packed/VBD this/DT trunk/NN scientifically./VBD "No,/RB now/RB the/DT shoes,/NN Mark/NNP —/NNP now/RB that/IN heavy/JJ skirt,"/NN she/PRP would/MD say./RP "Run/VB get/VB mother/NN some/DT more/JJR tissue/NN paper,/NN Beck./NNP You'll/NNP have/VBP to/TO leave/VB the/DT big/JJ cape,/NN dear,/NN and/CC you/PRP can/MD send/VB for/IN it/PRP if/IN you/PRP need/VBP it./PRP Now/RB the/DT blue/JJ dress,/NN Ju./NNP I/PRP think/VBP that/IN dyed/VBN so/RB prettily,/RB just/RB the/DT thing/NN for/IN mornings./JJR And/CC here's/POS your/PRP$ prayer/NN book/NN in/IN the/DT tray,/NN dear;/NN if/IN you/PRP go/VBP Saturday/NNP you'll/NNP want/VBP it/PRP the/DT first/JJ thing/NN in/IN the/DT morning./NN See,/NN I'll/NNP put/VBD a/DT fresh/JJ handkerchief/NN in/IN it/PRP —/. "/'' Margaret,/NNP relaxed/VBD and/CC idle,/VBD in/IN a/DT rocker,/NN with/IN Duncan/NNP in/IN her/PRP$ lap/NN busily/RB working/VBG at/IN her/PRP$ locket,/NN would/MD say/VB over/IN and/CC over:/IN —/NNS "You're/VBP all/DT such/JJ angels,/NNS —/IN I'll/NNP never/RB forget/VB it!"/PRP and/CC wish/VB that,/DT knowing/VBG how/WRB sincerely/RB she/PRP meant/VBD it,/IN she/PRP could/MD feel/VB it/PRP a/DT little/JJ more./JJR Conversation/NN languished/VBD in/IN these/DT days;/NNS mother/NN and/CC daughters/NNS feeling/NN that/IN time/NN was/VBD too/RB precious/JJ to/TO waste/VB speech/NN of/IN little/JJ things,/NN and/CC that/IN their/PRP$ hearts/NNS were/VBD too/RB full/JJ to/TO touch/VB upon/IN the/DT great/JJ change/NN impending./. A/DT night/NN came/VBD when/WRB the/DT Pagets/NNPS went/VBD early/RB upstairs,/RB saying/VBG that,/IN after/IN all,/PRP$ it/PRP was/VBD not/RB like/IN people/NNS marrying/VBG and/CC going/VBG to/TO Russia;/NNP it/PRP was/VBD not/RB like/IN a/DT real/JJ parting;/NN it/PRP wasn't/VBD as/IN if/IN Mark/NNP couldn't/MD come/VB home/NN again/RB in/IN four/CD hours/NNS if/IN anything/NN went/VBD wrong/JJ at/IN either/DT end/NN of/IN the/DT line./NN Margaret's/NNP heart/NN was/VBD beating/VBG high/JJ and/CC quick/JJ now;/NNS she/PRP tried/VBD to/TO show/VB some/DT of/IN the/DT love/NN and/CC sorrow/NN she/PRP knew/VBD she/PRP should/MD have/VB felt,/VBN she/PRP knew/VBD that/IN she/PRP did/VBD feel/VB under/IN the/DT hurry/NN of/IN her/PRP$ blood/NN that/IN made/VBN speech/NN impossible./. She/PRP went/VBD to/TO her/PRP$ mother's/NNS door,/, slender/JJR and/CC girlish/VB in/IN her/PRP$ white/JJ nightgown,/NN to/TO kiss/VB her/PRP$ good-night/NN again./NN Mrs./NNP Paget's/NNP big/JJ arms/NNS went/VBD about/IN her/PRP$ daughter./NN Margaret/NNP laid/VBD her/PRP$ head/NN childishly/RB on/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS shoulder./VBG Nothing/NN of/IN significance/NN was/VBD said./VBN Margaret/NNP whispered,/, "Mother,/IN I/PRP love/VBP you!"/PRP Her/PRP$ mother/NN said,/VBD "You/PRP were/VBD such/JJ a/DT little/JJ thing,/NN Mark,/NNP when/WRB I/PRP kissed/VBD you/PRP one/CD day,/NN without/IN hugging/VBG you,/PRP and/CC you/PRP said,/VBD 'Please/PRP don't/VBP love/VB me/PRP just/RB with/IN your/PRP$ face,/NN Mother,/NNP love/VB me/PRP with/IN your/PRP$ heart!'"/NN Then/RB she/PRP added,/VBP "Did/VBN you/PRP and/CC Julie/NNP get/VBP that/IN extra/JJ blanket/NN down/IN to-day,/DT dear?/NN —/NN it's/VBD going/VBG to/TO be/VB very/RB cold."/JJ Margaret/NNP nodded./, "Good-night,/JJ little/JJ girl/NN —/VBD "/`` "Goodnight,/NNP Mother/NNP —/, "/`` That/DT was/VBD the/DT real/JJ farewell,/NN for/IN the/DT next/JJ morning/NN was/VBD all/DT confusion./NN They/PRP dressed/VBD hurriedly,/NNS by/IN chilly/JJ gas-light;/JJ clocks/NNS were/VBD compared,/RB Rebecca's/VBG back/RB buttoned;/CC Duncan's/NNP overcoat/NN jerked/VBD on;/RB coffee/NN drunk/JJ scalding/NN hot/JJ as/IN they/PRP stood/VBD about/IN the/DT kitchen/NN table;/NN bread/NN barely/RB tasted./VBN They/PRP walked/VBD to/TO the/DT railway/NN station/NN on/IN wet/JJ sidewalks,/NN under/IN a/DT broken/JJ sky,/NN Bruce,/NNP with/IN Margaret's/NNP suit-case,/NN in/IN the/DT lead./NN Weston/NNP was/VBD asleep/RB in/IN the/DT gray/JJ morning,/NN after/IN the/DT storm./NN Far/RB and/CC near/IN belated/VBN cocks/NNS were/VBD crowing./VBG A/DT score/NN of/IN old/JJ friends/NNS met/VBD Margaret/NNP at/IN the/DT train;/NN there/EX were/VBD gifts,/NNS promises,/RB good/JJ wishes./NN There/RB came/VBD a/DT moment/NN when/WRB it/PRP was/VBD generally/RB felt/VBN that/IN the/DT Pagets/NNPS should/MD be/VB left/VBN alone,/RP now/RB —/VBP the/DT far/JJ whistle/NN of/IN the/DT train/NN beyond/IN the/DT bridge/NN —/IN the/DT beginning/NN of/IN good-byes/NNS —/IN a/DT sudden/JJ filling/NN of/IN the/DT mother's/NNS eyes/NNS that/WDT was/VBD belied/VBN by/IN her/PRP$ smile./NN —/IN "Good-bye,/JJ sweetest/NN —/NN don't/RB knock/VB my/PRP$ hat/NN off,/RP baby/NN dear!/NN Beck,/IN darling/NN —/, Oh,/NNP Ju,/NNP do!/, don't/VBD just/RB say/VB it/PRP —/RB start/VB me/PRP a/DT letter/NN to-night!/. ALL/NNP write/VB to/TO me!/VB Good-bye,/NNP Dad,/NNP darling,/NN —/IN all/DT right,/JJ Bruce,/NNP I'll/NNP get/VB right/RB in!/IN —/IN another/DT for/IN Dad./NNP Good-bye,/NNP Mother/NNP darling,/NN —/NN goodbye!/NNS Good-bye!"/JJ Then/RB for/IN the/DT Pagets/NNPS there/EX was/VBD a/DT walk/NN back/RB to/TO the/DT empty/JJ disorder/NN of/IN the/DT house:/NN Julie/NNP very/RB talkative,/VBD at/IN her/PRP$ father's/NN side;/NN Bruce/NNP walking/VBG far/RB behind/IN the/DT others/NNS with/IN his/PRP$ mother,/NN —/NN and/CC the/DT day's/NNS familiar/JJ routine/NN to/TO be/VB somehow/RB gone/VBN through/IN without/IN Margaret./NNP But/CC for/IN Margaret,/NNP settling/VBG herself/PRP comfortably/RB in/IN the/DT grateful/JJ warmth/NN of/IN the/DT train,/NN and/CC watching/VBG the/DT uncertain/JJ early/JJ sunshine/NN brighten/RB unfamiliar/JJ fields/NNS and/CC farmhouses,/NNS every/DT brilliant/JJ possibility/NN in/IN life/NN seemed/VBD to/TO be/VB waiting./VBG She/PRP tried/VBD to/TO read,/VB to/TO think,/VB to/TO pray,/VB to/TO stare/VB steadily/RB out/IN of/IN the/DT window;/NN she/PRP could/MD do/VB nothing/NN for/IN more/JJR than/IN a/DT moment/NN at/IN a/DT time./NN Her/PRP$ thoughts/NNS went/VBD backward/RB and/CC forward/RB like/IN a/DT weaving/VBG shuttle:/NN "How/RB good/JJ they've/NN all/DT been/VBN to/TO me!/VB How/WRB grateful/JJ I/PRP am!/VBP Now/RB if/IN only,/RB only,/IN I/PRP can/MD make/VB good!"/NNS "Look/VB out/RP for/IN the/DT servants!"/NN Julie,/NNP from/IN the/DT depth/NN of/IN her/PRP$ sixteen/CD years-old/JJ wisdom/NN had/VBD warned/VBN her/PRP sister./NN "The/DT governess/NN will/MD hate/VB you/PRP because/IN she'll/NN be/VB afraid/JJ you'll/NN cut/VBD her/PRP$ out,/NN and/CC Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP maid/NN will/MD be/VB a/DT cat!/NN They/PRP always/RB are,/VBP in/IN books."/NN Margaret/NNP had/VBD laughed/VBN at/IN this/DT advice,/NN but/CC in/IN her/PRP$ heart/NN she/PRP rather/RB believed/VBD it./DT Her/PRP$ new/JJ work/NN seemed/VBD so/RB enchanting/JJ to/TO her/PRP that/IN it/PRP was/VBD not/RB easy/JJ to/TO believe/VB that/IN she/PRP did/VBD not/RB stand/VB in/IN somebody's/RB light./, She/PRP was/VBD glad/JJ that/IN by/IN a/DT last-moment/JJ arrangement/NN she/PRP was/VBD to/TO arrive/VB at/IN the/DT Grand/NNP Central/NNP Station/NNP at/IN almost/RB the/DT same/JJ moment/NN as/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP herself,/, who/WP was/VBD coming/VBG home/NN from/IN a/DT three-weeks'/JJ visit/NN in/IN the/DT middle/NN west./RB Margaret/NNP gave/VBD only/JJ half/NN her/PRP attention/NN to/TO the/DT flying/VBG country/NN that/WDT was/VBD beginning/VBG to/TO shape/VB itself/PRP into/IN streets/NNS and/CC rows/NNS of/IN houses;/NN all/DT the/DT last/JJ half/NN hour/NN of/IN the/DT trip/NN was/VBD clouded/VBN by/IN the/DT nervous/JJ fear/NN that/IN she/PRP would/MD somehow/RB fail/VB to/TO find/VB Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP in/IN the/DT confusion/NN at/IN the/DT railroad/NN terminal./. But/CC happily/RB enough/RB the/DT lady/NN was/VBD found/VBN without/IN trouble,/NN or/CC rather/RB Margaret/NNP was/VBD found,/VBN felt/VBD an/DT authoritative/JJ tap/NN on/IN her/PRP$ shoulder,/NN caught/VBD a/DT breath/NN of/IN fresh/JJ violets,/NN and/CC a/DT glimpse/NN of/IN her/PRP$ patron's/NNS clear/JJ skinned,/NN resolute/NN face./NN They/PRP whirled/VBD through/IN wet/JJ deserted/VBN streets;/NN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP gracious/JJ and/CC talkative,/NNS Margaret/NNP nervously/RB interested/JJ and/CC amused./VBN Their/PRP$ wheels/NNS presently/RB grated/VBD against/IN a/DT curb,/NN a/DT man/NN in/IN livery/NN opened/VBD the/DT limousine/NN door./NN Margaret/NNP saw/VBD an/DT immense/JJ stone/NN mansion/NN facing/VBG the/DT park,/NN climbed/VBD a/DT dazzling/JJ flight/NN of/IN wide/JJ steps,/NN and/CC was/VBD in/IN a/DT great/JJ hall/NN that/WDT faced/VBD an/DT interior/NN court,/NN where/WRB there/EX were/VBD Florentine/JJ marble/NN benches,/NN and/CC the/DT great/JJ lifted/VBN leaves/NNS of/IN palms./NN She/PRP was/VBD a/DT little/JJ dazed/JJ by/IN crowded/JJ impressions;/JJ impressions/NNS of/IN height/NN and/CC spaciousness/NN and/CC richness,/JJ and/CC opening/VBG vistas;/NNS a/DT great/JJ marble/NN stairway,/NNS and/CC a/DT landing/NN where/WRB there/EX was/VBD an/DT immense/JJ designed/VBN window/NN in/IN clear/JJ leaded/JJ glass;/NN rugs,/NN tapestries,/NN mirrors,/NN polished/JJ wood/NN and/CC great/JJ chairs/NNS with/IN brocaded/JJ seats/NNS and/CC carved/VBN dark/JJ backs./NN Two/CD little/JJ girls,/NN heavy,/RB well/RB groomed/VBN little/JJ girls,/NN —/IN one/CD spectacled/JJ and/CC good-natured/JJ looking,/, the/DT other/JJ rather/RB pretty,/RB with/IN a/DT mass/NN of/IN fair/JJ hair,/NN —/NNS were/VBD coming/VBG down/IN the/DT stairs/NNS with/IN an/DT eager/JJ little/JJ German/JJ woman./NN They/PRP kissed/VBD their/PRP$ mother,/NN much/RB diverted/VBN by/IN the/DT mad/JJ rushes/NNS and/CC leaps/NNS of/IN the/DT two/CD white/JJ poodles/NNS who/WP accompanied/VBD them./PRP "These/DT are/VBP my/PRP$ babies,/NN Miss/NNP Paget,"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt./NNP "This/NNP is/VBZ Victoria,/NNP who's/POS eleven,/NN and/CC Harriet,/NNP who's/POS six./. And/CC these/DT are/VBP Monsieur/FW —/, "/'' "Monsieur/NNP Patou/NNP and/CC Monsieur/NNP Mouche,"/NNP said/VBD Victoria,/NNP introducing/VBG the/DT dogs/NNS with/IN entire/JJ ease/NN of/IN manner./NN The/DT German/JJ woman/NN said/VBD something/NN forcibly,/, and/CC Margaret/NNP understood/VBD the/DT child's/JJ reply/NN in/IN that/DT tongue:/NN "Mamma/NN won't/VBD blame/NN you,/JJ Fraulein;/NNP Harriet/NNP and/CC I/PRP wished/VBD them/PRP to/TO come/VB down!"/RB Presently/RB they/PRP all/DT went/VBD up/RP in/IN a/DT luxuriously/NN fitted/VBN little/RB lift,/JJ Margaret/NNP being/VBG carried/VBD to/TO the/DT fourth/JJ floor/NN to/TO her/PRP$ own/JJ rooms,/NN to/TO which/WDT a/DT little/JJ maid/NN escorted/VBD her./PRP When/WRB the/DT maid/NN had/VBD gone/VBN Margaret/NNP walked/VBD to/TO the/DT door/NN and/CC tried/VBD it,/RB for/IN no/DT reason/NN whatever;/IN it/PRP was/VBD shut./NN Her/PRP$ heart/NN was/VBD beating/VBG violently./. She/PRP walked/VBD into/IN the/DT middle/NN of/IN the/DT room/NN and/CC looked/VBD at/IN herself/PRP in/IN the/DT mirror,/NN and/CC laughed/VBD a/DT little/JJ breathless/JJ laugh./NN Then/RB she/PRP took/VBD off/RP her/PRP$ hat/NN carefully/RB and/CC went/VBD into/IN the/DT bedroom/NN that/WDT was/VBD beyond/IN her/PRP$ sitting/VBG room,/NNS and/CC hung/VBD her/PRP$ hat/NN in/IN a/DT fragrant/JJ white/JJ closet/NN that/WDT was/VBD entirely/RB and/CC delightfully/RB empty,/JJ and/CC put/VBD her/PRP$ coat/NN on/IN a/DT hanger,/NN and/CC her/PRP$ gloves/NNS and/CC bag/NN in/IN the/DT empty/JJ big/JJ top/JJ drawer/NN of/IN a/DT great/JJ mahogany/NN bureau./NN Then/RB she/PRP went/VBD back/RB to/TO the/DT mirror/NN and/CC looked/VBD hard/RB at/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ beauty/NN reflected/VBD in/IN it;/NN and/CC laughed/VBD her/PRP$ little/JJ laugh/NN again./NN "It's/RB too/RB good/JJ —/NN it's/. too/RB much!"/RB she/PRP whispered./MD She/PRP investigated/VBD her/PRP$ domain,/NN after/IN quelling/VBG a/DT wild/JJ desire/NN to/TO sit/VB down/RP at/IN the/DT beautiful/JJ desk/NN and/CC try/VB the/DT new/JJ pens,/JJ the/DT crystal/NN ink-well,/NN and/CC the/DT heavy/JJ paper,/NN with/IN its/PRP$ severely/RB engraved/VBN address,/NN in/IN a/DT long/JJ letter/NN to/TO Mother./NNP There/EX was/VBD a/DT tiny/JJ upright/JJ piano/NN in/IN the/DT sitting-room,/NN and/CC at/IN the/DT fireplace/NN a/DT deep/JJ thick/JJ rug,/NN and/CC an/DT immense/JJ leather/NN arm-chair./'' A/DT clock/NN in/IN crystal/NN and/CC gold/NN flanked/VBN by/IN two/CD crystal/NN candlesticks/NNS had/VBD the/DT centre/NN of/IN the/DT mantelpiece./NN On/IN the/DT little/JJ round/JJ mahogany/NN centre/NN table/NN was/VBD a/DT lamp/NN with/IN a/DT wonderful/JJ mosaic/NN shade;/NNS a/DT little/JJ book-case/NN was/VBD filled/VBN with/IN books/NNS and/CC magazines./NN Margaret/NNP went/VBD to/TO one/CD of/IN the/DT three/CD windows,/NN and/CC looked/VBD down/RB upon/IN the/DT bare/JJ trees/NNS and/CC the/DT snow/NN in/IN the/DT park,/NN and/CC upon/IN the/DT rumbling/JJ green/JJ omnibuses,/NN all/DT bathed/VBN in/IN bright/JJ chilly/JJ sunlight./NN A/DT mahogany/NN door/NN with/IN a/DT crystal/NN knob/NN opened/VBD into/IN the/DT bedroom,/NN where/WRB there/EX was/VBD a/DT polished/JJ floor,/NN and/CC more/JJR rugs,/NN and/CC a/DT gay/JJ rosy/JJ wall/NN paper,/NN and/CC a/DT great/JJ bed/NN with/IN a/DT lace/NN cover./NN Beyond/NNP was/VBD a/DT bathroom,/NN all/DT enamel,/NN marble,/NN glass,/NN and/CC nickel-plate,/NN with/IN heavy/JJ monogrammed/JJ towels/NNS on/IN the/DT rack,/NN three/CD new/JJ little/JJ wash-cloths/NNS sealed/VBD in/IN glazed/JJ paper,/NN three/CD new/JJ tooth-brushes/NNS in/IN paper/NN cases,/NN and/CC a/DT cake/NN of/IN famous/JJ English/NNP soap/NN just/RB out/IN of/IN its/PRP$ wrapper./NN Over/IN the/DT whole/JJ little/JJ suite/NN there/RB brooded/VBD an/DT exquisite/JJ order./NN Not/RB a/DT particle/NN of/IN dust/NN broke/VBD the/DT shining/VBG surfaces/NNS of/IN the/DT mahogany,/NN not/RB a/DT fallen/JJ leaf/NN lay/VBD under/IN the/DT great/JJ bowl/NN of/IN roses/NNS on/IN the/DT desk./NN Now/RB and/CC then/RB the/DT radiator/NN clanked/VBD in/IN the/DT stress;/NN it/PRP was/VBD hard/JJ to/TO believe/VB in/IN that/DT warmth/NN and/CC silence/NN that/IN a/DT cold/JJ winter/NN wind/NN was/VBD blowing/VBG outside,/RB and/CC that/DT snow/NN still/RB lay/VBD on/IN the/DT ground./NN Margaret,/NNP resting/VBG luxuriously/RB in/IN the/DT big/JJ chair,/NN became/VBD thoughtful;/RB presently/RB she/PRP went/VBD into/IN the/DT bedroom,/NN and/CC knelt/VBD down/RP beside/IN the/DT bed./NN "O/NN Lord,/NNP let/VBD me/PRP stay/VB here,"/RB she/PRP prayed,/VBD her/PRP$ face/NN in/IN her/PRP$ hands./NN "I/NNS want/VBP so/RB to/TO stay/VB —/RB make/VB me/PRP a/DT success!"/NN Never/RB was/VBD a/DT prayer/NN more/RBR generously/RB answered./VBN Miss/NNP Paget/NNP was/VBD an/DT instant/NN success./NN In/IN something/NN less/JJR than/IN two/CD months/NNS she/PRP became/VBD indispensable/JJ to/TO Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP and/CC was/VBD a/DT favorite/JJ with/IN every/DT one,/NN from/IN the/DT rather/RB stolid,/JJ silent/JJ head/NN of/IN the/DT house/NN down/IN to/TO the/DT least/JJS of/IN the/DT maids./NN She/PRP was/VBD so/RB busy,/JJ so/IN unaffected,/JJ so/IN sympathetic,/NNS that/IN her/PRP$ sudden/JJ rise/NN in/IN favor/NN was/VBD resented/VBN by/IN no/DT one./NNP The/DT butler/NN told/VBD her/PRP his/PRP$ troubles,/NN the/DT French/JJ maid/NN darkly/RB declared/VBD that/DT but/CC for/IN Miss/NNP Paget/NNP she/PRP would/MD not/RB for/IN one/CD second/JJ r-r-remain!/JJ The/DT children/NNS went/VBD cheerfully/RB even/RB to/TO the/DT dentist/NN with/IN their/PRP$ adored/VBN Miss/NNP Peggy;/NNP they/PRP soon/RB preferred/VBD her/PRP$ escort/NN to/TO matinee/VB or/CC zoo/VBN to/TO that/DT of/IN any/DT other/JJ person./NN Margaret/NNP also/RB escorted/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP mother,/, a/DT magnificent/JJ old/JJ lady,/NN on/IN shopping/NN expeditions,/NN and/CC attended/VBD the/DT meetings/NNS of/IN charity/NN boards/NNS for/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt./NNP With/IN notes/NNS and/CC invitations,/NN account/NN books/NNS and/CC cheque/NN books,/NN dinner/NN lists,/NN and/CC interviews/NNS with/IN caterers,/NN decorators,/NN and/CC florists,/NNS Margaret's/NNP time/NN was/VBD full,/JJ but/CC she/PRP loved/VBD every/DT moment/NN of/IN her/PRP$ work,/NN and/CC gloried/VBD in/IN her/PRP$ increasing/VBG usefulness./NN At/IN first/JJ there/EX were/VBD some/DT dark/JJ days;/NN notably/RB the/DT dreadful/NN one/NN upon/IN which/WDT Margaret/NNP somehow/RB —/VBD somewhere/RB —/IN dropped/VBD the/DT box/NN containing/VBG the/DT new/JJ hat/NN she/PRP was/VBD bringing/VBG home/NN for/IN Harriet,/NNP and/CC kept/VBD the/DT little/JJ girl/NN out/IN in/IN the/DT cold/JJ afternoon/NN air/NN while/IN the/DT motor/NN made/VBD a/DT fruitless/JJ trip/NN back/RB to/TO the/DT milliner's./NN Harriet/NNP contracted/VBD a/DT cold,/NN and/CC Harriet's/NNP mother/NN for/IN the/DT first/JJ time/NN spoke/VBD severely/RB to/TO Margaret./NNP There/EX was/VBD another/DT bad/JJ day/NN when/WRB Margaret/NNP artlessly/RB admitted/VBD to/TO Mrs./NNP Pierre/NNP Polk/NNP at/IN the/DT telephone/NN that/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP was/VBD not/RB engaged/VBN for/IN dinner/NN that/IN evening,/NN thus/RB obliging/VBG her/PRP$ employer/NN to/TO snub/VB the/DT lady,/NN or/CC accept/VB a/DT distasteful/JJ invitation/NN to/TO dine./VB And/CC there/EX was/VBD a/DT most/RBS uncomfortable/JJ occasion/NN when/WRB Mr./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP not/RB at/IN all/DT at/IN his/PRP$ best,/JJS stumbled/VBN in/IN upon/IN his/PRP$ wife/NN with/IN some/DT angry/JJ observations/NNS meant/VBD for/IN her/PRP$ ear/NN alone;/RB and/CC Margaret,/NNP busy/JJ with/IN accounts/NNS in/IN a/DT window/NN recess,/JJ was,/, unknown/JJ to/TO them/PRP both,/, a/DT distressed/JJ witness./NN "Another/NN time,/NN Miss/NNP Paget,"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP coldly,/JJS upon/IN Margaret's/NNP appearing/VBG scarlet-cheeked/JJ between/IN the/DT curtains,/NN "don't/RB oblige/VB me/PRP to/TO ascertain/VB that/IN you/PRP are/VBP not/RB within/IN hearing/NN before/IN feeling/VBG sure/JJ of/IN privacy./NN Will/MD you/PRP finish/VB those/DT bills/NNS upstairs,/RB if/IN you/PRP please?"/VBP Margaret/NNP went/VBD upstairs/RB with/IN a/DT burning/VBG heart,/JJ cast/VBD her/PRP$ bills/NNS haphazard/VBN on/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ desk,/NN and/CC flung/VBD herself,/PRP dry-eyed/JJ and/CC furious,/RB on/IN the/DT bed./NN She/PRP was/VBD far/RB too/RB angry/JJ to/TO think,/DT but/CC lay/VBD there/RB for/IN perhaps/RB twenty/CD minutes/NNS with/IN her/PRP$ brain/NN whirling./, Finally/RB rising,/, she/PRP brushed/VBD up/RP her/PRP$ hair,/NN straightened/VBD her/PRP$ collar,/NN and,/CC full/JJ of/IN tremendous/JJ resolves,/NN stepped/VBD into/IN her/PRP$ little/JJ sitting/VBG room,/NNS to/TO find/VB Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP in/IN the/DT big/JJ chair,/NN serenely/RB eyeing/VBG her./PRP$ "I'm/NN so/RB sorry/JJ I/PRP spoke/VBD so,/JJ Peggy,"/NNP said/VBD her/PRP$ employer,/NN generously./NN "But/IN the/DT truth/NN is,/IN I/PRP am/VBP not/RB myself/PRP when/WRB —/NNP when/WRB Mr./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP —/, "/`` The/DT little/JJ hesitating/JJ appeal/NN in/IN her/PRP$ voice/NN completely/RB disarmed/VBN Margaret./NNP In/IN the/DT end/NN the/DT little/JJ episode/NN cemented/VBD the/DT rapidly/RB growing/VBG friendship/NN between/IN the/DT two/CD women,/NNS Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP seeming/VBG to/TO enjoy/VB the/DT relief/NN of/IN speaking/VBG rather/RB freely/RB of/IN what/WP was/VBD the/DT one/CD real/JJ trial/NN in/IN her/PRP$ life./NN "My/NNP husband/NN has/VBZ always/RB had/VBD too/RB much/JJ money,"/NN she/PRP said,/VBD in/IN her/PRP$ positive/JJ way./NN "At/IN one/CD time/NN we/PRP were/VBD afraid/JJ that/IN he/PRP would/MD absolutely/RB ruin/VB his/PRP$ health/NN by/IN this/DT —/JJ habit/NN of/IN his./PRP$ His/PRP$ physician/NN and/CC I/PRP took/VBD him/PRP around/IN the/DT world,/NN —/IN I/PRP left/VBD Victoria,/NNP just/RB a/DT baby,/NN with/IN mother,/NN —/NN and/CC for/IN too/RB years/NNS he/PRP was/VBD never/RB out/IN of/IN my/PRP$ sight./NN It/PRP has/VBZ never/RB been/VBN so/RB bad/JJ since./. You/PRP know/VBP yourself/PRP how/WRB reliable/JJ he/PRP usually/RB is,"/VBZ she/PRP finished/VBD cheerfully,/RB "unless/RBR some/DT of/IN the/DT other/JJ men/NNS get/VBP hold/NN of/IN him!"/NN As/IN the/DT months/NNS went/VBD on/IN Margaret/NNP came/VBD to/TO admire/VB her/PRP$ employer/NN more/RBR and/CC more./RBR There/EX was/VBD not/RB an/DT indolent/JJ impulse/NN in/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP entire/JJ composition./NN Smooth-haired,/JJ fresh-skinned,/JJ in/IN spotless/JJ linen,/NN she/PRP began/VBD the/DT day/NN at/IN eight/CD o'clock,/RB full/JJ of/IN energy/NN and/CC interest./NN She/PRP had/VBD daily/JJ sessions/NNS with/IN butler/NN and/CC house-keeper,/NN shopped/VBN with/IN Margaret/NNP and/CC the/DT children,/NN walked/VBD about/IN her/PRP$ greenhouse/NN or/CC her/PRP$ country/NN garden/NN with/IN her/PRP$ skirts/NNS pinned/VBN up,/RB and/CC had/VBD tulips/NNS potted/VBN and/CC stone/NN work/NN continued./VBN She/PRP was/VBD prominent/JJ in/IN several/JJ clubs,/NNS a/DT famous/JJ dinner-giver,/NN she/PRP took/VBD a/DT personal/JJ interest/NN in/IN all/DT her/PRP servants,/NN loved/VBD to/TO settle/VB their/PRP$ quarrels/NNS and/CC have/VBP three/CD or/CC four/CD of/IN them/PRP up/RP on/IN the/DT carpet/NN at/IN once,/RB tearful/JJ and/CC explanatory./VBD Margaret/NNP kept/VBD for/IN her/PRP a/DT list/NN of/IN some/DT two/CD hundred/CD friends,/NNS whose/WP$ birthdays/NNS were/VBD to/TO be/VB marked/VBN with/IN carefully/RB selected/VBN gifts./NN She/PRP pleased/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP by/IN her/PRP open/JJ amazement/NN at/IN the/DT latter's/JJ vitality./, The/DT girl/NN observed/VBD that/IN her/PRP$ employer/NN could/MD not/RB visit/VB any/DT institution/NN without/IN making/VBG a/DT few/JJ vigorous/JJ suggestions/NNS as/IN she/PRP went/VBD about,/IN she/PRP accompanied/VBD her/PRP cheques/NNS to/TO the/DT organized/VBN charities/NNS —/, and/CC her/PRP$ charity/NN flowed/VBD only/RB through/IN absolutely/RB reliable/JJ channels/NNS —/VBN with/IN little/JJ friendly,/JJ advisory/JJ letters./NNS She/PRP liked/VBD the/DT democratic/JJ attitude/NN for/IN herself,/JJ —/NNS even/RB while/IN promptly/RB snubbing/VBG any/DT such/JJ tendency/NN in/IN children/NNS or/CC friends;/JJ —/NN and/CC told/VBD Margaret/NNP that/IN she/PRP only/RB used/VBD her/PRP$ coat/NN of/IN arms/NNS on/IN house/NN linen,/NN stationery,/NN and/CC livery,/NN because/IN her/PRP$ husband/NN and/CC mother/NN liked/VBD it./DT "It's/NNP of/IN course/NN rather/RB nice/JJ to/TO realize/VB that/IN one/CD comes/VBZ from/IN one/CD of/IN the/DT oldest/JJS of/IN the/DT Colonial/NNP families,"/NN she/PRP would/MD say./VB "The/DT Carterets/NNPS of/IN Maryland,/NNP you/PRP know./VBP —/. But/CC it's/PRP all/DT such/JJ bosh!"/NNS And/CC she/PRP urged/VBD Margaret/NNP to/TO claim/VB her/PRP$ own/JJ right/NN to/TO family/NN honors:/NN "You're/IN a/DT Quincy,/NNP my/PRP$ dear!/NN Don't/NNP let/VBD that/DT woman/NN intimidate/VB you,/PRP —/IN she/PRP didn't/VBD remember/VB that/IN her/PRP$ grandfather/NN was/VBD a/DT captain/NN until/IN her/PRP$ husband/NN made/VBD his/PRP$ money./NN And/CC where/WRB the/DT family/NN portraits/NNS came/VBD from/IN I/PRP don't/RB know,/VBP but/CC I/PRP think/VBP there's/RB a/DT man/NN on/IN Fourth/JJ Avenue/NNP who/WP does/VBZ 'em!"/RP she/PRP would/MD say,/VB or,/DT "I/NNS know/VBP all/DT about/IN Lilly/NNP Reynolds,/NNP Peggy./NNP Her/PRP$ father/NN was/VBD as/RB rich/JJ as/IN she/PRP says,/VBD and/CC I/PRP daresay/VBP the/DT crest/NN is/VBZ theirs./DT But/CC ask/VB her/PRP what/WP her/PRP$ maternal/JJ grandmother/NN did/VBD for/IN a/DT living,/NN if/IN you/PRP want/VBP to/TO shut/VB her/PRP$ up!"/NNP Other/JJ people/NNS she/PRP would/MD condemn/VB with/IN a/DT mere/JJ whispered/JJ "Coal!"/NN or/CC "Patent/NN bath-tubs!"/NN behind/IN her/PRP$ fan,/NN and/CC it/PRP pleased/VBD her/PRP$ to/TO tell/VB people/NNS that/IN her/PRP$ treasure/NN of/IN a/DT secretary/NN had/VBD the/DT finest/JJS blood/NN in/IN the/DT world/NN in/IN her/PRP$ veins./NN Margaret/NNP was/VBD much/JJ admired,/NN and/CC Margaret/NNP was/VBD her/PRP$ discovery,/NN and/CC she/PRP liked/VBD to/TO emphasize/VB her/PRP$ find./NN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP mother,/, a/DT tremulous,/NN pompous/JJ old/JJ lady,/NN unwittingly/RB aided/VBN the/DT impression/NN by/IN taking/VBG an/DT immense/JJ fancy/NN to/TO Margaret,/NNP and/CC by/IN telling/VBG her/PRP few/JJ intimates/NNS and/CC the/DT older/JJR women/NNS among/IN her/PRP$ daughter's/NNS friends/NNS that/IN the/DT girl/NN was/VBD a/DT perfect/JJ little/JJ thoroughbred./NN When/WRB the/DT Carr-Boldts/NNP filled/VBD their/PRP$ house/NN with/IN the/DT reckless/JJ and/CC noisy/JJ company/NN they/PRP occasionally/RB affected,/VBP Mrs./NNP Carteret/NNP would/MD say/VB majestically/RB to/TO Margaret:/NNP —/NNP "You/NNP and/CC I/PRP have/VBP nothing/NN in/IN common/JJ with/IN this/DT riff-raff,/JJ my/PRP$ dear!"/NN Summer/NN came,/VBD and/CC Margaret/NNP headed/VBD a/DT happy/JJ letter/NN "Bar/NNP Harbor."/NNP Two/CD months/NNS later/RB all/DT Weston/NNP knew/VBD that/IN Margaret/NNP Paget/NNP was/VBD going/VBG abroad/RB for/IN a/DT year/NN with/IN those/DT rich/JJ people,/NNS and/CC had/VBD written/VBN her/PRP$ mother/NN from/IN the/DT Lusitania./NNP Letters/NNP from/IN London,/NNP from/IN Germany,/NNP from/IN Holland,/NNP from/IN Russia,/NNP followed./, "We/NNP are/VBP going/VBG to/TO put/VB the/DT girls/NNS at/IN school/NN in/IN Switzerland,/NNP and/CC (ahem!)/JJ winter/NN on/IN the/DT Riviera,/NNP and/CC then/RB Rome/NNP for/IN Holy/NNP Week!"/NNP she/PRP wrote./VBD She/PRP was/VBD presently/RB home/NN again,/IN chattering/VBG French/JJ and/CC German/JJ to/TO amuse/VB her/PRP$ father,/NN teaching/NN Becky/IN a/DT little/JJ Italian/JJ song/NN to/TO match/VB her/PRP$ little/JJ Italian/JJ costume./NN "It's/RB wonderful/JJ to/TO me/PRP how/WRB you/PRP get/VBP along/IN with/IN all/PDT these/DT rich/JJ people,/NNS Mark,"/NNP said/VBD her/PRP$ mother,/NN admiringly,/NN during/IN Margaret's/NNP home/NN visit./NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP was/VBD watering/VBG the/DT dejected-looking/JJ side/NN garden/NN with/IN a/DT straggling/JJ length/NN of/IN hose;/NN Margaret/NNP and/CC Julie/NNP shelling/NN peas/NNS on/IN the/DT side/NN steps./VBD Margaret/NNP laughed,/VBD coloring/VBG a/DT little./JJ "Why,/NN we're/NN just/RB as/RB good/JJ as/IN they/PRP are,/VBP Mother!"/NNP Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP drenched/VBD a/DT dried/JJ little/JJ dump/NN of/IN carnations./NN "We're/NN as/IN good,"/JJ she/PRP admitted;/VBP "but/RB we're/RB not/RB as/IN rich,/JJ or/CC as/IN travelled,/NN —/IN we/PRP haven't/VBP the/DT same/JJ ideas;/NN we/PRP belong/VBP to/TO a/DT different/JJ class."/NN "Oh,/IN no,/NN we/PRP don't,/VBP Mother,"/NNP Margaret/NNP said/VBD quickly./NNP "Who/NNP are/VBP the/DT Carr/NNP Boldts,/NNP except/IN for/IN their/PRP$ money?/NN Why,/IN Mrs./NNP Carteret,/NNP —/, for/IN all/DT her/PRP$ family!/NN —/IN isn't/RB half/PDT the/DT aristocrat/NN Grandma/NNP was!/VBD And/CC you/PRP —/VBP you/PRP could/MD be/VB a/DT Daughter/NNP of/IN The/DT Officers/NNS of/IN the/DT Revolution,/NNP Mother!"/NNP "Why,/NNP Mark,/NNP I/PRP never/RB heard/VBD that!"/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN protested,/, cleaning/VBG the/DT sprinkler/NN with/IN a/DT hairpin./NN "Mother!"/NN Julie/NNP said/VBD eagerly./DT "Great-grandfather/JJ Quincy!"/NNP "Oh,/NNP Grandpa,"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget./NNP "Yes,/NNP Grandpa/NNP was/VBD a/DT paymaster./NN He/PRP was/VBD on/IN Governor/NNP Hancock's/NNP staff./VBD They/PRP used/VBD to/TO call/VB him/PRP 'Major.'/. But/CC Mark-/NNP "/'' she/PRP turned/VBD off/RP the/DT water,/NN holding/VBG her/PRP$ skirts/NNS away/RB from/IN the/DT combination/NN of/IN mud/NN and/CC dust/NN underfoot,/IN "that's/VBG a/DT very/RB silly/JJ way/NN to/TO talk,/VB dear!/NN Money/NN does/VBZ make/VB a/DT difference;/JJ it/PRP does/VBZ no/DT good/JJ to/TO go/VB back/RB into/IN the/DT past/NN and/CC say/VB that/IN this/DT one/CD was/VBD a/DT judge/NN and/CC that/IN one/CD a/DT major;/NN we/PRP must/MD live/VB our/PRP$ lives/NNS where/WRB we/PRP are!"/VBP Margaret/NNP had/VBD not/RB lost/VBN a/DT wholesome/JJ respect/NN for/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS opinion/NN in/IN the/DT two/CD years/NNS she/PRP had/VBD been/VBN away,/RB but/CC she/PRP had/VBD lived/VBN in/IN a/DT very/RB different/JJ world,/NN and/CC was/VBD full/JJ of/IN new/JJ ideas./NN "Mother,/NNS do/VBP you/PRP mean/VB to/TO tell/VB me/PRP that/IN if/IN you/PRP and/CC Dad/NNP hadn't/VBD had/VBD a/DT perfect/JJ pack/NN of/IN children,/NN and/CC moved/VBD so/RB 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about/IN three/CD thousand/CD dollars/NNS apiece/RB —/, "/`` "And/VB a/DT Godsend/NNP it/PRP was,/, too,"/RB said/VBD her/PRP$ mother,/NN reflectively./VBD "But/IN suppose/VB Dad/NNP had/VBD been/VBN the/DT only/JJ child,/NN Mother,"/NNP Margaret/NNP persisted,/NN "he/, would/MD have/VB had/VBD —/VBN "/`` "He/PRP would/MD have/VB had/VBD the/DT whole/JJ thirty-six/CD thousand/CD dollars,/NNS I/PRP suppose,/VBP Mark."/NNP "Or/NNP more,"/, said/VBD Margaret,/NNP "for/NNP Grandfather/NNP Paget/NNP was/VBD presumably/RB spending/VBG money/NN on/IN them/PRP all/DT the/DT time."/NN "Well,/NN but,/CC Mark/NNP —/, "/'' said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP laughing/VBG as/RB at/IN the/DT vagaries/NNS of/IN a/DT small/JJ child,/NN "Father/NN Paget/NNP did/VBD have/VB twelve/CD children/NNS —/VB and/CC Daddy/NNP and/CC I/PRP eight/CD —/JJ "/'' she/PRP sighed,/VBP as/IN always,/RB at/IN the/DT thought/NN of/IN the/DT little/JJ son/NN who/WP was/VBD gone,/VBN —/RB "and/CC there/EX you/PRP are!/VBP You/PRP can't/MD get/VB away/RB from/IN that,/DT dear."/NN Margaret/NNP did/VBD not/RB answer./DT But/CC she/PRP thought/VBD to/TO herself/PRP that/IN very/RB few/JJ people/NNS held/VBN Mother's/NNP views/NNS of/IN this/DT subject./NN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP friends,/, for/IN example,/NN did/VBD not/RB accept/VB increasing/VBG cares/NNS in/IN this/DT resigned/VBD fashion;/IN their/PRP$ lives/NNS were/VBD ideally/RB pleasant/JJ and/CC harmonious/JJ without/IN the/DT complicated/VBN responsibilities/NNS of/IN large/JJ families./NN They/PRP drifted/VBD from/IN season/NN to/TO season/NN without/IN care,/NN always/RB free,/RB always/RB gay,/VBP always/RB irreproachably/RB gowned./VBN In/IN winter/NN there/RB were/VBD daily/JJ meetings,/NN for/IN shopping,/NN for/IN luncheon,/NN bridge/NN or/CC tea;/JJ summer/NN was/VBD filled/VBN with/IN a/DT score/NN of/IN country/NN visits./NN There/RB were/VBD motor-trips/NNS for/IN week-ends,/JJ dinners,/NN theatre,/, and/CC the/DT opera/NN to/TO fill/VB 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certainly/RB her/PRP$ own/JJ viewpoint./NN She/PRP was/VBD not/RB mercenary./. She/PRP would/MD not/RB marry/VB a/DT man/NN just/RB for/IN his/PRP$ money,/NN she/PRP decided,/VBD but/CC just/RB as/IN certainly/RB she/PRP would/MD not/RB marry/VB a/DT man/NN who/WP could/MD not/RB give/VB her/PRP a/DT comfortable/JJ establishment,/NN a/DT position/NN in/IN society./DT The/DT man/NN seemed/VBD in/IN no/DT hurry/NN to/TO appear;/VB as/IN a/DT matter/NN of/IN fact,/NN the/DT men/NNS whom/WP Margaret/NNP met/VBD were/VBD openly/RB anxious/JJ to/TO evade/VB marriage,/NN even/RB with/IN the/DT wealthy/JJ girls/NNS of/IN their/PRP$ own/JJ set./NN Margaret/NNP was/VBD not/RB concerned;/NN she/PRP was/VBD too/RB happy/JJ to/TO miss/VB the/DT love-making/JJ element;/NN the/DT men/NNS she/PRP saw/VBD were/VBD not/RB of/IN a/DT type/NN to/TO inspire/VB a/DT sensible/JJ busy,/NN happy,/VBD girl/NN with/IN any/DT very/RB deep/JJ feeling./, And/CC it/PRP was/VBD with/IN generous/JJ and/CC perfect/JJ satisfaction/NN that/IN she/PRP presently/RB had/VBD news/NN of/IN Julie's/NNP happy/JJ engagement./NN Julie/NNP was/VBD to/TO marry/VB a/DT young/JJ and/CC popular/JJ doctor,/NN the/DT only/JJ child/NN of/IN one/CD of/IN Weston's/NNP most/JJS prominent/JJ families./NN The/DT little/JJ sister's/JJ letter/NN bubbled/VBD joyously/RB with/IN news./NN "Harry's/NNP father/NN is/VBZ going/VBG to/TO build/VB us/PRP a/DT little/JJ house/NN on/IN the/DT big/JJ place,/NN the/DT darling,"/NN wrote/VBD Julie;/NNP "and/CC we/PRP will/MD stay/VB with/IN them/PRP until/IN it/PRP is/VBZ done./VBN But/CC in/IN five/CD years/NNS Harry/NNP says/VBZ we/PRP will/MD have/VB a/DT real/JJ honeymoon,/NN in/IN Europe!/NNP Think/NNP of/IN going/VBG to/TO Europe/NNP as/IN a/DT married/JJ woman!/NN Mark,/NNP I/PRP wish/VBP you/PRP could/MD see/VB my/PRP$ ring;/NN it/PRP is/VBZ a/DT beauty,/NN but/CC don't/RB tell/VB Mother/NNP I/PRP was/VBD silly/JJ enough/RB to/TO write/VB about/IN it!"/PRP Margaret/NNP delightedly/RB selected/VBD a/DT little/JJ collection/NN of/IN things/NNS for/IN Julie's/NNP trousseau./NN A/DT pair/NN of/IN silk/NN stockings,/NN a/DT scarf/NN she/PRP never/RB had/VBD worn,/VBN a/DT lace/NN petticoat,/VBN pink/JJ silk/NN for/IN a/DT waist./NN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP coming/VBG in/IN in/IN the/DT midst/NN of/IN these/DT preparations,/JJ insisted/VBD upon/IN adding/VBG so/IN many/JJ other/JJ things,/NNS from/IN trunks/NNS and/CC closets,/NN that/IN Margaret/NNP was/VBD speechless/JJ with/IN delight./NN Scarves,/NNP cobwebby/NN silks/NNS in/IN uncut/JJ lengths,/NN embroidered/VBD lingerie/NN still/RB in/IN the/DT tissue/NN paper/NN of/IN Paris/NNP shops,/NN parasols,/NN gloves,/NN and/CC lengths/NNS of/IN lace,/NN —/NN she/PRP piled/VBD all/DT of/IN them/PRP into/IN Margaret's/NNP arms./. Julie's/NNP trousseau/NN was/VBD consequently/RB quite/RB the/DT most/RBS beautiful/JJ Weston/NNP had/VBD ever/RB seen;/VBN and/CC the/DT little/JJ sister's/JJ cloudless/JJ joy/NN made/VBD the/DT fortnight/NN Margaret/NNP spent/VBD at/IN home/NN at/IN the/DT time/NN of/IN the/DT wedding/NN a/DT very/RB happy/JJ one./NN It/PRP was/VBD a/DT time/NN of/IN rush/NN and/CC flurry,/NN laughter/NN and/CC tears,/NNS of/IN roses,/NN and/CC girls/NNS in/IN white/JJ gowns./NNP But/CC some/DT ten/CD days/NNS before/IN the/DT wedding,/NN Julie/NNP and/CC Margaret/NNP happened/VBD to/TO be/VB alone/RB for/IN a/DT peaceful/JJ hour/NN over/IN their/PRP$ sewing,/NN and/CC fell/VBD to/TO talking/VBG seriously./NN "You/PRP see,/VBP our/PRP$ house/NN will/MD be/VB small,"/JJR said/VBD Julie;/NNP "but/IN I/PRP don't/VBP care/NN —/IN we/PRP don't/VBP intend/VB to/TO stay/VB in/IN Weston/NNP all/DT our/PRP$ lives./RP Don't/NNP breathe/VB this/DT to/TO any/DT one,/JJ Mark,/NNP but/CC if/IN Harry/NNP does/VBZ as/RB well/RB as/IN he's/NNS doing/VBG now/RB for/IN two/CD years,/NNS we'll/MD rent/VB the/DT little/JJ house,/NN and/CC we're/VBD going/VBG to/TO Baltimore/NNP for/IN a/DT year/NN for/IN a/DT special/JJ course./NN Then/RB —/, you/PRP know/VBP he's/PRP devoted/VBN to/TO Dr./NNP McKim,/NNP he/PRP always/RB calls/VBZ him/PRP 'the/PRP chief,'/RB —/RB then/RB he/PRP thinks/VBZ maybe/RB McKim/NNP will/MD work/VB him/PRP into/IN his/PRP$ practice,/NN —/NN he's/IN getting/VBG old,/JJ you/PRP know,/VBP and/CC that/DT means/VBZ New/NNP York!"/NNP "Oh,/NNP Ju,/NNP —/NNP really!"/VBD "I/PRP don't/RB see/VBP why/WRB not,"/JJ Julie/NNP said,/VBD dimpling./VBG "Harry's/NNP crazy/JJ to/TO do/VB it./DT He/PRP says/VBZ he/PRP doesn't/RB propose/VB to/TO live/VB and/CC die/VB in/IN Weston./NNP McKim/NNP could/MD throw/VB any/DT amount/NN of/IN hospital/NN practice/NN his/PRP$ way,/NN to/TO begin/VB with./DT And/CC you/PRP know/VBP Harry'll/NNP have/VBP something,/RB —/VBN and/CC the/DT house/NN will/MD 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course,/NN this/DT isn't/NN a/DT matter/NN to/TO talk/VB of,"/IN she/PRP went/VBD on,/RB coloring/VBG a/DT little./JJ "I'd/NNP never/RB breathe/VB this/DT to/TO Mother!/NNP But/CC it's/PRP$ perfectly/RB absurd/JJ to/TO pretend/VB that/DT girls/NNS don't/VBP discuss/VB these/DT things./NN I've/NN talked/VBD to/TO Betty/NNP and/CC Louise/NNP —/, we/PRP all/DT talk/VBP about/IN it,/RB you/PRP know./VBP And/CC Louise/NNP says/VBZ they/PRP haven't/VBP had/VBD one/CD free/JJ second/JJ since/IN Buddy/NNP came./VBD She/PRP can't/MD keep/VB one/CD maid,/NN and/CC she/PRP says/VBZ the/DT idea/NN of/IN two/CD maids/NNS eating/VBG their/PRP$ three/CD meals/NNS a/DT day,/NN whether/IN she's/JJ home/NN or/CC not,/NN makes/VBZ her/PRP perfectly/RB sick!/JJ Some/DT one's/NNS got/VBD to/TO be/VB with/IN him/PRP every/DT single/JJ second,/NN even/RB now,/RB when/WRB he's/PRP four,/VBD —/VBN to/TO see/VB that/IN he/PRP doesn't/RB fall/VB off/RP something,/RB or/CC put/VB things/NNS in/IN his/PRP$ mouth./NN And/CC as/IN Louise/NNP says/VBZ —/IN it/PRP means/VBZ no/DT more/JJR week/NN end/NN trips;/IN you/PRP can't/MD go/VB visiting/VBG over/IN night,/NN you/PRP can't/MD even/RB go/VB for/IN a/DT day's/NN drive/NN or/CC a/DT day/NN on/IN the/DT beach,/NN without/IN extra/JJ clothes/NNS for/IN the/DT baby,/NN a/DT mosquito-net/NN and/CC an/DT umbrella/NN for/IN the/DT baby/NN —/NN milk/NN packed/VBN in/IN ice/NN for/IN the/DT baby/NN —/NN somebody/NN trying/VBG to/TO get/VB the/DT baby/NN to/TO take/VB his/PRP$ nap/NN —/IN it's/PRP$ awful!/JJ It/PRP would/MD end/VB our/PRP$ Baltimore/NNP plan,/NN and/CC that/DT means/VBZ New/NNP York,/NNP and/CC New/NNP York/NNP means/VBZ everything/NN to/TO Harry/NNP and/CC me!"/NNS finished/VBD Julie,/NNP contentedly,/, flattening/VBG a/DT finished/JJ bit/NN of/IN embroidery/NN on/IN her/PRP$ knee,/NN and/CC regarding/VBG it/PRP complacently./VBD "Well,/IN I/PRP think/VBP you're/PRP right,"/RB Margaret/NNP approved./VBD "Things/NNS are/VBP different/JJ now/RB from/IN what/WP they/PRP were/VBD in/IN Mother's/NNP day."/NNS "And/CC look/VB at/IN Mother,"/NNP Julie/NNP said./VBD "One/DT long/JJ slavery!/NN Life's/NNP too/RB short/JJ to/TO wear/VB yourself/PRP out/IN that/DT way!"/NN Mrs./NNP Paget's/NNP sunny/JJ cheerfulness/NN was/VBD sadly/RB shaken/VBN when/WRB the/DT actual/JJ moment/NN of/IN parting/VBG with/IN the/DT exquisite,/JJ rose-hatted,/NN gray-frocked/JJ Julie/NNP came;/VBD her/PRP$ face/NN worked/VBD pitifully/RB in/IN its/PRP$ effort/NN to/TO smile;/VB her/PRP$ tall/JJ figure,/NN awkward/JJ in/IN an/DT ill-made/JJ unbecoming/JJ new/JJ silk,/NN seemed/VBD to/TO droop/VB tenderly/RB over/IN the/DT little/JJ clinging/VBG wife./NN Margaret,/NNS stirred/VBN by/IN the/DT sight/NN of/IN tears/NNS on/IN her/PRP mother's/NN face,/NN stood/VBD with/IN an/DT arm/NN about/IN her,/PRP when/WRB the/DT bride/NN and/CC groom/NN drove/VBD away/RB in/IN the/DT afternoon/NN sunshine./NN "I'm/NN going/VBG to/TO stay/VB with/IN 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she/PRP did/VBD not/RB feel/VB quite/RB so/RB positive/JJ now./. "Your/'' people/NNS aren't/VBP still/RB in/IN the/DT South,/NNP you/PRP said?"/VBD "Oh,/NNP no!"/, Margaret/NNP cleared/VBD her/PRP$ throat./NN "They're/NN in/IN Weston/NNP —/NNP Weston,/NNP New/NNP York."/NNP "Weston!/NN Not/RB near/IN Dayton?"/NNP "Why,/NNP yes!/NN Do/VBP you/PRP know/VB Dayton?"/NNP "Do/IN I/PRP know/VBP Dayton?"/NNP He/PRP was/VBD like/IN an/DT eager/JJ child./NN "Why,/IN my/PRP$ Aunt/NN Pamela/NNP lives/VBZ there;/RB the/DT only/JJ mother/NN I/PRP ever/RB knew!/VBD I/PRP knew/VBD Weston,/NNP too,/, a/DT little./VBZ Lovely/RB homes/NNS there,/, some/DT of/IN them,/PRP$ —/JJ old/JJ colonial/NN houses./, And/CC your/PRP$ mother/NN lives/NNS there?/RB Is/VBZ she/PRP fond/VB of/IN flowers?"/NN "She/NN loves/VBZ them,"/PRP Margaret/NNP said,/VBD vaguely/RB uncomfortable./NNP "Well,/IN she/PRP must/MD know/VB Aunt/NNP Pamela,"/NNP said/VBD John/NNP Tenison,/NNP enthusiastically./VBD "I/PRP expect/VBP they'd/TO be/VB great/JJ friends./, And/CC you/PRP must/MD know/VB Aunt/NNP Pam./NNP She's/NNP like/IN a/DT dainty/JJ old/JJ piece/NN of/IN china,/NN or/CC a/DT —/NN I/PRP don't/VBP know,/VBN a/DT tea/NN rose!/NN She's/NNP never/RB married,/VBD and/CC she/PRP lives/VBZ in/IN the/DT most/JJS charming/JJ brick/NN house,/NN with/IN brick/NN walls/NNS and/CC hollyhocks/NNS all/DT about/IN it,/PRP and/CC such/JJ an/DT atmosphere/NN inside!/IN She/PRP has/VBZ an/DT old/JJ maid/NN and/CC an/DT old/JJ gardener,/NN and/CC —/NN don't/VBP you/PRP know/VBP —/RB she's/IN the/DT sort/NN of/IN woman/NN who/WP likes/VBZ to/TO sit/VB down/RP under/IN a/DT portrait/NN of/IN your/PRP$ great-grandfather,/JJ in/IN a/DT dim/JJ parlor/NN full/JJ of/IN mahogany/NN and/CC rose/VBD jars,/NN with/IN her/PRP$ black/JJ silk/NN skirts/NNS spreading/VBG about/IN her,/PRP and/CC an/DT Old/NNP Blue/NNP cup/NN in/IN her/PRP$ hand,/NN and/CC talk/NN family,/NNS —/RB how/WRB cousin/NN this/DT married/VBN a/DT man/NN whose/WP$ people/NNS aren't/VBP anybody,/RB and/CC cousin/NN that/WDT is/VBZ outraging/JJ precedent/NN by/IN naming/VBG her/PRP$ child/NN for/IN her/PRP$ husband's/JJ side/NN of/IN the/DT house./NN She's/IN a/DT funny,/JJ dear/JJ old/JJ lady!/NN You/PRP know,/VBP Miss/NNP Paget,"/NNP the/DT professor/NN went/VBD on,/RB with/IN his/PRP$ eager,/JJ impersonal/JJ air,/NN "when/RB I/PRP met/VBD you,/IN I/PRP thought/VBD you/PRP didn't/VBD quite/RB seem/VB like/IN a/DT New/NNP Yorker/NNP and/CC a/DT Bar/NNP Harborer/NNP —/, if/IN that's/IN the/DT word!/NN Aunt/NNP Pam/NNP —/VBD you/PRP know/VBP she's/PRP my/PRP$ only/RB mother,/NN I/PRP got/VBD all/DT my/PRP$ early/JJ knowledge/NN from/IN her!/PRP$ —/JJ Aunt/NNP Pam/NNP detests/VBZ the/DT usual/JJ New/NNP York/NNP girl,/NN and/CC the/DT minute/NN I/PRP met/VBD you/PRP I/PRP knew/VBD she'd/PRP like/IN you./PRP You'd/NNP sort/NN of/IN fit/NN into/IN the/DT Dayton/NNP picture,/NN with/IN your/PRP$ braids,/NN and/CC those/DT ruffly/JJ things/NNS you/PRP wear!"/VBP Margaret/NNP said/VBD simply,/JJ "I/NN would/MD love/VB to/TO meet/VB her,"/PRP and/CC began/VBD slowly/RB to/TO draw/VB on/IN her/PRP gloves./. It/PRP surely/RB was/VBD not/RB requisite/JJ that/IN she/PRP should/MD add,/VB "But/IN you/PRP must/MD not/RB confuse/VB my/PRP$ home/NN with/IN any/DT such/JJ exquisitely/JJ ordered/VBN existence/NN as/IN that./DT We/PRP are/VBP poor/JJ people,/NNS our/PRP$ house/NN is/VBZ crowded,/VBN our/PRP$ days/NNS a/DT severe/JJ and/CC endless/JJ struggle/NN with/IN the/DT ugly/JJ things/NNS of/IN life./NN We/PRP have/VBP good/JJ blood/NN in/IN our/PRP$ veins,/NN but/CC not/RB more/JJR than/IN hundreds/NNS of/IN thousands/NNS of/IN other/JJ American/JJ families./NN My/PRP$ mother/NN would/MD not/RB understand/VB one/CD tenth/NN of/IN your/PRP$ aunt's/NN conversation;/IN your/PRP$ aunt/NN would/MD find/VB very/RB uninteresting/JJ the/DT things/NNS that/WDT are/VBP vital/JJ to/TO my/PRP$ mother."/NN No,/RB she/PRP couldn't/MD say/VB that./DT She/PRP picked/VBD up/RP her/PRP$ dashing/VBG little/JJ hat,/NN and/CC pinned/VBD it/PRP over/IN her/PRP$ loosened/VBN soft/JJ mass/NN of/IN yellow/JJ hair,/NN and/CC buttoned/VBD up/RP her/PRP$ storm/NN coat,/NN and/CC plunged/VBD her/PRP$ hands/NNS deep/RB in/IN her/PRP$ pockets./NN No,/RB the/DT professor/NN would/MD call/VB on/IN her/PRP$ at/IN Bar/NNP Harbor,/NNP take/VBP a/DT yachting/NN trip/NN with/IN the/DT Carr-Boldts/NNP perhaps,/NN and/CC then/RB —/, and/CC then,/RB when/WRB they/PRP were/VBD really/RB good/JJ friends,/IN some/DT day/NN she/PRP would/MD ask./VB Mother/NNP to/TO have/VB a/DT simple/JJ little/JJ luncheon,/NN and/CC Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP would/MD let/VB her/PRP bring/VB Dr./NNP Tenison/NNP down/IN in/IN the/DT motor/NN from/IN New/NNP York./NNP And/CC meantime/RB —/IN no/DT need/NN to/TO be/VB too/RB explicit./. For/IN just/RB two/CD happy/JJ weeks/NNS Margaret/NNP lived/VBD in/IN Wonderland./NNP The/DT fourteen/CD days/NNS were/VBD a/DT revelation/NN to/TO her./PRP$ Life/NN seemed/VBD to/TO grow/VB warmer,/RBR more/RBR rosy/JJ colored./NN Little/NNP things/NNS became/VBD significant;/RB every/DT moment/NN carried/VBD its/PRP$ freight/NN of/IN joy./NNP Her/PRP$ beauty,/NN always/RB notable,/RB became/VBD almost/RB startling;/NN there/EX was/VBD a/DT new/JJ glow/NN in/IN her/PRP$ cheeks/NNS and/CC lips,/NNS new/JJ fire/NN in/IN the/DT dark/JJ lashed/JJ eyes/NNS that/WDT were/VBD so/RB charming/JJ a/DT contrast/NN to/TO her/PRP$ bright/JJ hair./NN Like/IN a/DT pair/NN of/IN joyous/JJ and/CC irresponsible/JJ children/NNS she/PRP and/CC John/NNP Tenison/NNP walked/VBD through/IN the/DT days,/NN too/RB happy/JJ ever/RB to/TO pause/NN and/CC ask/VB themselves/PRP whither/IN they/PRP were/VBD going./VBG Then/RB abruptly/RB it/PRP ended./VBD Victoria,/NNP brought/VBD down/RP from/IN school/NN in/IN Switzerland/NNP with/IN various/JJ indications/NNS of/IN something/NN wrong,/, was/VBD in/IN a/DT flash/NN a/DT sick/JJ child;/NN a/DT child/NN who/WP must/MD be/VB hurried/VBN home/NN to/TO the/DT only/JJ surgeon/NN in/IN whom/WP Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP placed/VBD the/DT least/JJS trust./NN There/EX was/VBD hurried/JJ packing,/NN telephoning,/NN wiring;/IN it/PRP was/VBD only/RB a/DT few/JJ hours/NNS after/IN the/DT great/JJ German/JJ physician's/NN diagnosis/NN that/IN they/PRP were/VBD all/DT at/IN the/DT railway/NN station,/NN breathless,/NN nervous,/NNS eager/JJ to/TO get/VB started./VBN Doctor/NNP Tenison/NNP accompanied/VBD them/PRP to/TO the/DT station,/NN and/CC in/IN the/DT five/CD minutes'/JJ wait/NN before/IN their/PRP$ train/NN left,/VBD a/DT little/JJ incident/NN occurred,/VBD the/DT memory/NN of/IN which/WDT clouded/JJ Margaret's/NNP dreams/VBZ for/IN many/JJ a/DT day/NN to/TO come./VB Arriving,/NNP as/IN they/PRP were/VBD departing,/NNS were/VBD the/DT St./NNP George/NNP Allens,/NNP noisy,/, rich,/JJ arrogant/JJ New/NNP Yorkers,/NNP for/IN whom/WP Margaret/NNP had/VBD a/DT special/JJ dislike./NN The/DT Allens/NNP fell/VBD joyously/RB upon/IN the/DT Carr-Boldt/NNP party,/NN with/IN a/DT confusion/NN of/IN greetings./NNP "And/CC Jack/NNP Tenison!"/NNP shouted/VBD Lily/NNP Allen,/NNP delightedly./VBZ "Well,/RB what/WP fun!/NNS What/WP are/VBP you/PRP doing/VBG here?"/RB "I'm/VBN feeling/VBG a/DT little/JJ lonely,"/NN said/VBD the/DT professor,/NN smiling/VBG at/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt./NNP "Nothing/NN like/IN that;/DT unsay/JJ them/PRP woyds,"/, said/VBD Maude/NNP Allen,/NNP cheerfully./VBD "Mamma,/RB make/VB him/PRP dine/VB with/IN us!/PRP Say/VB you/PRP will."/MD "I/RB assure/VB you/PRP I/PRP was/VBD dreading/VBG the/DT lonely/JJ evening,"/NN John/NNP Tenison/NNP said/VBD gratefully./NNP Margaret's/NNP last/JJ glimpse/NN of/IN his/PRP$ face/NN was/VBD between/IN Lily's/NNP pink/JJ and/CC cherry/JJ hat,/NN and/CC Maude's/NNP astonishing/JJ headgear/NN of/IN yellow/JJ straw,/JJ gold/NN braid,/NN spangled/VBD quills,/RB and/CC calla/VBD lilies./PRP She/PRP carried/VBD a/DT secret/NN heartache/NN through/IN the/DT worried/JJ fortnight/NN of/IN Victoria's/NNP illness,/, and/CC the/DT busy/JJ days/NNS that/WDT followed;/VBP for/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP had/VBD one/CD of/IN many/JJ nervous/JJ break-downs,/JJ and/CC took/VBD her/PRP$ turn/NN at/IN the/DT hospital/NN when/WRB Victoria/NNP came/VBD home./VBG For/IN the/DT first/JJ time/NN in/IN five/CD happy/JJ years,/NN Margaret/NNP drooped,/, and/CC for/IN the/DT first/JJ time/NN a/DT longing/NN for/IN money/NN and/CC power/NN of/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ gnawed/NN at/IN the/DT girl's/NNS heart./VBD If/IN she/PRP had/VBD but/CC her/PRP$ share/NN of/IN these/DT things,/NNS she/PRP could/MD hold/VB her/PRP$ own/JJ against/IN a/DT hundred/CD Maude/NNP and/CC Lily/NNP Allens./NNP As/IN it/PRP was,/VBD she/PRP told/VBD herself/PRP a/DT little/JJ bitterly,/JJ she/PRP was/VBD only/RB a/DT secretary,/NN one/CD of/IN the/DT hundred/CD paid/VBN dependents/NNS of/IN a/DT rich/JJ woman./NN She/PRP was/VBD only,/RB after/IN all,/DT a/DT little/JJ middle-class/NN country/NN school/NN teacher./NN "So/RB you're/PRP going/VBG home/NN to/TO your/PRP$ own/JJ people/NNS for/IN the/DT week/NN end,/, Peggy?/NNP —/NNP And/CC how/WRB many/JJ of/IN you/PRP are/VBP there,/DT —/NN I/PRP always/RB forget?"/RB said/VBD young/JJ Mrs./NNP George/NNP Crawford,/NNP negligently./. She/PRP tipped/VBD back/RB in/IN her/PRP$ chair,/NN half/NN shut/VBD her/PRP$ novel,/JJ half/NN shut/VBD her/PRP$ eyes,/NN and/CC looked/VBD critically/RB at/IN her/PRP$ finger-nails./NN Outside/IN the/DT big/JJ country/NN house/NN summer/NN sunshine/NN flooded/VBD the/DT smooth/JJ lawns,/NN sparkled/VBD on/IN the/DT falling/VBG diamonds/NNS and/CC still/RB pool/NN of/IN the/DT fountain,/NN glowed/VBD over/IN acres/NNS of/IN matchless/JJ wood/NN and/CC garden./NN But/CC deep/JJ awnings/NNS made/VBD a/DT clear/JJ cool/JJ shade/NN indoors,/VBN and/CC the/DT wide/JJ rooms/NNS were/VBD delightfully/RB breezy./VBG Margaret,/NNP busy/JJ with/IN a/DT ledger/NN and/CC cheque-book,/JJ smiled/VBD absently,/RB finished/VBN a/DT long/JJ column,/NN made/VBD an/DT orderly/JJ entry,/NN and/CC wiped/VBD her/PRP$ pen./NN "Seven,"/NN said/VBD she,/PRP smiling./VBD "Seven!"/NNP echoed/VBD Mrs./NNP Potter,/NNP lazily./VBD "My/JJ heaven/NN —/VBD seven/CD children!/NNS How/WRB early/JJ Victorian!"/NNP "Isn't/NNP it?"/, said/VBD a/DT third/JJ woman,/NN a/DT very/RB beautiful/JJ woman,/NN Mrs./NNP Watts/NNP Watson,/NNP who/WP was/VBD also/RB idling/VBG and/CC reading/VBG in/IN the/DT white-and-gray/JJ morning/NN room./NN "Well,"/IN she/PRP added,/VBD dropping/VBG her/PRP$ magazine,/NN and/CC locking/VBG her/PRP$ hands/NNS about/IN her/PRP$ head,/NN "my/NN grandmother/NN had/VBD ten./NN Fancy/NNP trying/VBG to/TO raise/VB ten/CD children!"/NNS "Oh,/RB everything's/RB different/JJ now,"/RB the/DT first/JJ speaker/NN said/VBD indifferently./PRP "Everything's/RB more/RBR expensive,/JJ life/NN is/VBZ more/RBR complicated./VBN People/NNS used/VBD to/TO have/VB roomier/NN houses,/NN aunts/NNS and/CC cousins/NNS and/CC grandmothers/NNS living/VBG with/IN them;/PRP$ there/EX was/VBD always/RB some/DT one/CD at/IN home/NN with/IN the/DT children./NN Nowadays/RB we/PRP don't/VBP do/VB that."/DT "And/NN thank/VB the/DT saints/NNS we/PRP don't!"/VBP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Watson,/NNP piously./VBD "If/IN there's/DT one/CD thing/NN I/PRP can't/MD stand,/VB it's/IN a/DT houseful/JJ of/IN things-in-law!"/JJ "Of/NN course;/NN but/CC I/PRP mean/VBP it/PRP made/VBD the/DT family/NN problem/NN simpler,"/JJ Mrs./NNP Crawford/NNP pursued./VBD "Oh/JJ —/NN and/CC I/PRP don't/VBP know!/JJ Everything/NN was/VBD so/RB simple./RB All/PDT this/DT business/NN of/IN sterilizing,/NN and/CC fumigating,/NNS and/CC pasteurizing,/NN and/CC vaccinating,/NN and/CC boiling/VBG in/IN boracic/JJ acid/NN wasn't/VBD done/VBN in/IN those/DT days,"/NNS she/PRP finished/VBD vaguely./RB "Now/RB there/EX you/PRP are/VBP —/RB now/RB there/EX you/PRP are!"/VBP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP entering/VBG into/IN the/DT conversation/NN with/IN sudden/JJ force./, Entirely/RB recovered/VBD after/IN her/PRP$ nervous/JJ collapse,/NN as/IN brisk/JJ as/IN ever/RB in/IN her/PRP$ crisp/JJ linen/NN gown,/NN she/PRP was/VBD signing/VBG the/DT cheques/NNS that/IN Margaret/NNP handed/VBD her,/PRP frowningly/RB busy/JJ and/CC absorbed/VBN with/IN her/PRP$ accounts./NN Now/RB she/PRP leaned/VBD back/RB in/IN her/PRP$ chair,/NN glanced/VBD at/IN the/DT watch/NN at/IN her/PRP$ wrist,/NN and/CC relaxed/VBD the/DT cramped/JJ muscles/NNS of/IN her/PRP$ body./NN "That's/. exactly/RB it,/, Rose,"/NNP said/VBD she/PRP to/TO Mrs./NNP Crawford./NNP "Life/NNP is/VBZ more/RBR complicated./VBN People/NNS —/VBP the/DT very/JJ people/NNS who/WP ought/MD to/TO have/VB children/NNS —/RB simply/RB cannot/MD afford/VB it!/DT And/CC who's/JJ to/TO blame?/VB Can/MD you/PRP blame/VB a/DT woman/NN whose/WP$ life/NN is/VBZ packed/VBN full/JJ of/IN other/JJ things/NNS she/PRP simply/RB cannot/MD avoid,/VB if/IN she/PRP declines/VBZ to/TO complicate/VB things/NNS any/DT further?/JJ Our/PRP$ grandmothers/NNS didn't/RB have/VBP telephones,/NN or/CC motor-cars,/NN or/CC week-end/NN affairs,/NNS or/CC even/RB —/JJ for/IN that/DT matter/NN —/IN manicures/NNS and/CC hair-dressers!/JJ A/DT good/JJ heavy/JJ silk/NN was/VBD full/JJ dress/NN all/RB the/DT year/NN 'round./. They/PRP washed/VBD their/PRP$ own/JJ hair./NN The/DT 'up-stairs/JJ girl'/NNS answered/VBD the/DT doorbell,/NN —/NN why,/, they/PRP didn't/VBD even/RB have/VB talcum/NN powder/NN and/CC nursery/NN refrigerators,/NNS and/CC sanitary/JJ rugs/NNS that/WDT have/VBP to/TO be/VB washed/VBN every/DT day!/NN Do/VBP you/PRP suppose/VB my/PRP$ grandmother/NN ever/RB took/VBD a/DT baby's/NN temperature,/NN or/CC had/VBD its/PRP$ eyes/NNS and/CC nose/NN examined,/NN or/CC its/PRP$ adenoids/NNS cut?/IN They/PRP had/VBD more/RBR children,/JJ and/CC they/PRP lost/VBD more/RBR children,/JJ —/NN without/IN any/DT reason/NN or/CC logic/NN whatever./WP Poor/JJ things,/NNS they/PRP never/RB thought/VBD of/IN doing/VBG anything/NN else,/RB I/PRP suppose!/VBP A/DT fat/JJ old/JJ darky/NN nurse/NN brought/VBD up/RP the/DT whole/JJ crowd/NN —/IN it/PRP makes/VBZ one/CD shudder/VBP to/TO think/VB of/IN it!/DT Why,/NNP I/PRP had/VBD always/RB a/DT trained/JJ nurse,/NN and/CC the/DT regular/JJ nurse/NN used/VBD to/TO take/VB two/CD baths/NNS a/DT day./NN I/PRP insisted/VBD on/IN that,/, and/CC both/DT nurseries/NNS were/VBD washed/VBN out/IN every/DT day/NN with/IN chloride/NN of/IN potash/NN solution,/NN and/CC the/DT iron/NN beds/NNS washed/VBD every/DT week!/NNS And/CC even/RB then/RB Vic/NNP had/VBD this/DT mastoid/NN trouble,/NN and/CC Harriet/NNP got/VBD everything,/DT almost."/RB "Exactly,"/'' said/VBD Mrs./NNP Watson./NNP "That's/NNP you,/, Hattie,/NNP with/IN all/PDT the/DT money/NN in/IN the/DT world./NN Now/RB do/VB you/PRP wonder/VB that/IN some/DT of/IN the/DT rest/NN of/IN us,/NNS who/WP have/VBP to/TO think/VB of/IN money/NN —/NN in/IN short,"/NNS she/PRP finished/VBD decidedly,/VBN "do/RB you/PRP wonder/VBP that/IN people/NNS are/VBP not/RB having/VBG children?/NNS At/IN first,/JJ naturally,/NN one/CD doesn't/NN want/VBP them,/PRP —/VB for/IN three/CD or/CC four/CD years,/NNS I'm/IN sure,/VBG the/DT thought/NN doesn't/RB come/VB into/IN one's/NNP head./. But/CC then,/JJ afterwards,/NN —/IN you/PRP see,/VBP I've/NN been/VBN married/VBN fifteen/CD years/NNS now!/RB —/RB afterwards,/IN I/PRP think/VBP it/PRP would/MD be/VB awfully/RB nice/JJ to/TO have/VB one/CD or/CC two/CD little/JJ kiddies,/NN if/IN it/PRP was/VBD a/DT possible/JJ thing./, But/CC it/PRP isn't."/VBZ "No,/IN it/PRP isn't,"/VBZ Mrs./NNP Crawford/NNP agreed./VBD "You/PRP don't/RB want/VBP to/TO have/VB them/PRP unless/IN you're/PRP able/JJ to/TO do/VB everything/NN in/IN the/DT world/NN for/IN them./PRP If/IN I/PRP were/VBD Hat/JJ here,/, I'd/NNP have/VBP a/DT dozen."/NN "Oh,/NN no,/, you/PRP wouldn't,"/MD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP assured/VBD her/PRP$ promptly./NN "No,/IN you/PRP wouldn't!/MD You/PRP can't/MD leave/VB everything/NN to/TO servants/NNS —/IN there/EX are/VBP clothes/NNS to/TO think/VB of,/NN and/CC dentists,/NN and/CC special/JJ teachers,/NN and/CC it's/RB frightfully/RB hard/JJ to/TO get/VB a/DT nursery/NN governess./. And/CC then/RB you've/PRP got/VBD to/TO see/VB that/IN they/PRP know/VBP the/DT right/JJ people/NNS —/VBP don't/RB you/PRP know?/VBP —/NNS and/CC give/VB them/PRP parties/NNS —/IN I/PRP tell/VBP you/PRP it's/IN a/DT strain."/JJ "Well,/NN I/PRP don't/VBP believe/VB my/PRP$ mother/NN with/IN her/PRP$ seven/CD ever/RB worked/VBN any/DT harder/JJR than/IN you/PRP do!"/VBP said/VBD Margaret,/NNP with/IN the/DT admiration/NN in/IN her/PRP$ eyes/NNS that/WP was/VBD so/RB sweet/JJ to/TO the/DT older/JJR woman./NN "Look/NN at/IN this/DT morning/NN —/NN did/VBD you/PRP sit/VB down/RP before/IN you/PRP came/VBD in/IN here/RB twenty/CD minutes/NNS ago?"/RB "I?/RB Indeed/RB I/PRP didn't!"/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP said./VBD "I/PRP had/VBD my/PRP$ breakfast/NN and/CC letters/NNS at/IN seven,/JJ bath/NN at/IN eight,/CD straightened/VBD out/IN that/DT squabble/NN between/IN Swann/NNP and/CC the/DT cook,/NN —/IN I/PRP think/VBP Paul/NNP is/VBZ still/RB simmering,/JJ but/CC that's/DT neither/RB here/RB nor/CC there!/DT —/NN then/RB I/PRP went/VBD down/RP with/IN the/DT vet/NN to/TO see/VB the/DT mare./NN Joe'll/NNP never/RB forgive/VB me/PRP if/IN I've/NN really/RB broken/VBN the/DT creature's/NN knees!/VBD —/RB then/RB I/PRP telephoned/VBD mother,/NN and/CC saw/VBD Harriet's/NNP violin/NN man,/NN and/CC talked/VBD to/TO that/DT Italian/JJ Joe/NNP sent/VBD up/RP to/TO clean/VB the/DT oils,/NN —/NN he's/NNS in/IN the/DT gallery/NN now,/RB and/CC —/VB let's/NNS see/VBP —/JJ "/'' "Italian/JJ lesson,"/JJR Margaret/NNP prompted./VBZ "Italian/JJ lesson,"/CC the/DT other/JJ echoed,/NN "and/CC then/RB came/VBD in/IN here/RB to/TO sign/VB my/PRP$ cheques."/NN "You're/RB so/RB executive,/JJ Harriet!"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Crawford,/NNP languidly./VBD "Apropos/NNS of/IN Swann,"/NNP Margaret/NNP said,/VBD "he/PRP confided/VBD to/TO me/PRP that/IN he/PRP has/VBZ seven/CD children/NNS —/VBN on/IN a/DT little/JJ farm/NN down/IN on/IN Long/NNP Island."/NNP "The/NNP butler/NN —/RB oh,/, I/PRP dare/MD say!"/VB Mrs./NNP Watson/NNP agreed./VBD "They/PRP can,/MD because/IN they've/NN no/DT standard/NN to/TO maintain/VB —/JJ seven,/JJ or/CC seventeen/CD —/VBD the/DT only/JJ difference/NN in/IN expense/NN is/VBZ the/DT actual/JJ amount/NN of/IN bread/NN and/CC butter/NN consumed."/NN "It's/RB too/RB bad,"/RB said/VBD Mrs./NNP Crawford./NNP "But/IN you've/NN got/VBD to/TO handle/VB the/DT question/NN sanely/NN and/CC reasonably,/NN like/IN any/DT other./JJ Now,/NN I/PRP love/VBP children,"/NNS she/PRP went/VBD on./RP "I'm/NNP perfectly/RB crazy/JJ about/IN my/PRP$ sister's/JJ little/JJ girl./NN She's/IN eleven/CD now,/RB and/CC the/DT cutest/JJS thing/NN alive./. But/CC when/WRB I/PRP think/VBP of/IN all/DT Mabel's/NNP been/VBN through,/VBN since/IN she/PRP was/VBD born,/VBN —/IN I/PRP realize/VBP that/IN it's/IN a/DT little/RB too/RB much/JJ to/TO expect/VB of/IN any/DT woman./NN Now,/RB look/VB at/IN us,/PRP —/IN there/EX are/VBP thousands/NNS of/IN people/NNS fixed/VBN as/IN we/PRP are./VBP We're/NNP in/IN an/DT apartment/NN hotel,/NN with/IN one/CD maid./NN There's/. no/DT room/NN for/IN a/DT second/JJ maid,/NN no/DT porch/NN and/CC no/DT back/RB yard./VBN Well,/IN the/DT baby/NN comes,/VBD —/IN one/CD loses,/NN before/IN and/CC after/IN the/DT event,/NN just/RB about/IN six/CD months/NNS of/IN everything,/NN and/CC of/IN course/NN the/DT expense/NN is/VBZ frightful,/JJ but/CC no/DT matter!/NN —/IN the/DT baby/NN comes./VBD We/PRP take/VBP a/DT house./NN That/DT means/VBZ three/CD indoor/JJ maids,/NN George's/NNP chauffeur,/VBD a/DT man/NN for/IN lawn/NN and/CC furnace-/NNS that's/IN five/CD —/CD "/`` "Doubling/JJ expenses,"/NN said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP thoughtfully./VBD "Doubling/VBG —/RB !/. Trebling,/. or/CC more./JJR But/CC that's/IN not/RB all./DT Baby/NNP must/MD be/VB out/RB from/IN eleven/CD to/TO three/CD every/DT day./NN So/IN you've/PRP got/VBD to/TO go/VB sit/VB by/IN the/DT carriage/NN in/IN the/DT park/NN while/IN nurse/NN goes/VBZ home/NN for/IN her/PRP$ lunch./NN Or,/IN if/IN you're/PRP out/RP for/IN luncheon,/NN or/CC giving/VBG a/DT luncheon,/NN she/PRP brings/VBZ baby/NN home,/NN bumps/NNS the/DT carriage/NN into/IN the/DT basement,/NN carries/VBZ the/DT baby/NN upstairs,/NN eats/VBZ her/PRP$ lunch/NN in/IN snatches/NNS —/IN the/DT maids/NNS don't/VBP like/IN it,/PRP and/CC I/PRP don't/VBP blame/NN them!/, I/PRP know/VBP how/WRB it/PRP was/VBD with/IN Mabel;/NNP she/PRP had/VBD to/TO give/VB up/RP that/DT wonderful/JJ old/JJ apartment/NN of/IN theirs/PRP on/IN Gramercy/NNP Park./NNP Sid/NNP had/VBD his/PRP$ studio/NN on/IN the/DT top/JJ floor,/NN and/CC she/PRP had/VBD such/JJ a/DT lovely/JJ flat/JJ on/IN the/DT next/JJ floor,/NN but/CC there/EX was/VBD no/DT lift,/NN and/CC no/DT laundry,/NN and/CC the/DT kitchen/NN was/VBD small/JJ —/NNS a/DT baby/NN takes/VBZ so/RB much/RB fussing!/VB And/CC then/RB she/PRP lost/VBD that/IN splendid/JJ cook/NN of/IN hers,/JJ Germaine./NNP She/PRP wouldn't/MD stand/VB it./PRP Up/RP to/TO that/DT time/NN she'd/VBD been/VBN cooking/VBG and/CC waiting,/PRP$ too,/NN but/CC the/DT baby/NN ended/VBD that./DT Mabel/NNP took/VBD a/DT house,/NN and/CC Sid/NNP paid/VBD studio/NN rent/VB beside,/VBN and/CC they/PRP had/VBD two/CD maids,/NN and/CC then/RB three/CD maids,/NN —/NN and/CC what/WP with/IN their/PRP$ fighting,/NN and/CC their/PRP$ days/NNS off,/, and/CC eternally/RB changing,/VB Mabel/NNP was/VBD a/DT wreck./NN I've/NN seen/VBN her/PRP trying/VBG to/TO play/VB a/DT bridge/JJ hand/NN with/IN Dorothy/NNP bobbing/VBG about/IN on/IN her/PRP$ arm/NN —/IN poor/JJ girl!/NN Finally/RB they/PRP went/VBD to/TO a/DT hotel,/NN and/CC of/IN course/NN the/DT child/NN got/VBD older,/RB and/CC was/VBD less/JJR trouble./NN But/CC to/TO this/DT day/NN Mabel/NNP doesn't/NN dare/MD leave/VB her/PRP alone/RB for/IN one/CD second./. And/CC when/WRB they/PRP go/VBP out/IN to/TO dinner,/VB and/CC leave/VB her/PRP alone/RB in/IN the/DT hotel,/NN of/IN course/NN the/DT child/NN cries/VBZ —/RB !"/VBN "That's/IN the/DT worst/JJS of/IN a/DT kiddie,"/NN Mrs./NNP Watson/NNP said./VBD "You/PRP can't/MD ever/RB turn/VB 'em/PRP off,/RP as/IN it/PRP were,/VBD or/CC make/VB it/PRP spades!/JJ They're/PRP always/RB right/RB on/IN the/DT job./NN I'll/NNP never/RB forget/VB Elsie/NNP Clay./NNP She/PRP was/VBD the/DT best/JJS friend/NN I/PRP had,/VBP —/IN my/PRP$ bridesmaid,/NN too./. She/PRP married,/NN and/CC after/IN a/DT while/NN they/PRP took/VBD a/DT house/NN in/IN Jersey/NNP because/IN of/IN the/DT baby./NN I/PRP went/VBD out/IN there/RB to/TO lunch/NN one/CD day./NN There/RB she/PRP was/VBD in/IN a/DT house/NN perfectly/RB buried/VBN in/IN trees,/NNS with/IN the/DT rain/NN sopping/NN down/IN outside,/NN and/CC smoke/NN blowing/VBG out/RB of/IN the/DT fireplace,/NN and/CC the/DT drawing-room/NN as/RB dark/JJ as/IN pitch/NN at/IN two/CD o'clock./RB Elsie/NNP said/VBD she/PRP used/VBD to/TO nearly/RB die/VB of/IN loneliness,/JJ sitting/VBG there/RB all/DT afternoon/NN long/RB listening/VBG to/TO the/DT trains/NNS whistling,/, and/CC the/DT maid/NN thumping/VBG irons/NNS in/IN the/DT kitchen,/NN and/CC picking/VBG up/RP the/DT baby's/NN blocks./. And/CC they/PRP quarrelled,/VBP you/PRP know,/VB she/PRP and/CC her/PRP$ husband/NN —/NN that/WDT was/VBD the/DT beginning/NN of/IN the/DT trouble./NN Finally/RB the/DT boy/NN went/VBD to/TO his/PRP$ grandmother,/NN and/CC now/RB believe/VB Elsie's/NNP married/JJ again,/NN and/CC living/VBG in/IN California/NNP somewhere."/NN Margaret,/NN hanging/VBG over/IN the/DT back/NN of/IN her/PRP$ chair,/NN was/VBD an/DT attentive/JJ listener./NN "But/IN people/NNS —/VBP people/NNS in/IN town/NN have/VBP children!"/NNS she/PRP said./VBD "The/DT Blankenships/NNS have/VBP one,/VBN and/CC haven't/VBP the/DT de/NNP Normandys?"/NNP "The/NNP Blankenship/NNP boy/NN is/VBZ in/IN college,"/NN said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt;/NNP "and/CC the/DT little/JJ de/NNP Normandys/NNP lived/VBD with/IN their/PRP$ grandmother/NN until/IN they/PRP were/VBD old/JJ enough/RB for/IN boarding/VBG school."/NN "Well,/IN the/DT Deanes/NNS have/VBP three!"/DT Margaret/NNP said/VBD triumphantly./JJ "Ah,/NN well,/IN my/PRP$ dear!/NN Harry/NNP Deane's/NNP a/DT rich/JJ man,/NN and/CC she/PRP was/VBD a/DT Pell/NNP of/IN Philadelphia,"/NNP Mrs./NNP Crawford/NNP supplied/VBD promptly./VBG "Now/RB the/DT Eastmans/NNPS have/VBP three,/VBN too,/RB with/IN a/DT trained/VBN nurse/NN apiece."/RB "I/RB see,"/VBN Margaret/NNP admitted/VBD slowly./VBG "Far/RB wiser/JJR to/TO have/VB none/NN at/IN all,"/NN said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP in/IN her/PRP$ decisive/JJ way,/NN "than/IN to/TO handicap/VB them/PRP from/IN the/DT start/NN by/IN letting/VBG them/PRP see/VB other/JJ children/NNS enjoying/VBG pleasures/NNS and/CC advantages/NNS they/PRP can't/MD afford./. And/CC now,/JJ girls,/NN let's/NNS stop/VB wasting/VBG time./NN It's/. half-past/JJ eleven./NN Why/WRB can't/MD we/PRP have/VBP a/DT game/NN of/IN auction/NN right/NN here/RB and/CC now?"/RB Margaret/NNP returned/VBD to/TO her/PRP$ cheque-book/NN with/IN speed./VBN The/DT other/JJ two,/JJ glad/JJ to/TO be/VB aroused,/IN heartily/RB approved/VBN the/DT idea./NN "Well,/IN what/WP does/VBZ this/DT very/RB businesslike/JJ aspect/NN imply?"/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP asked/VBD her/PRP secretary./. "It/PRP means/VBZ that/IN I/PRP can't/MD play/VB cards,/NN and/CC you/PRP oughtn't,"/MD Margaret/NNP said,/VBD laughing./VBG "Oh/RB —/, ?/. Why/WRB not?"/RB "Because/IN you've/JJ lots/NNS of/IN things/NNS to/TO do,/VB and/CC I've/VB got/VBD to/TO finish/VB these/DT notes,/NNS and/CC I/PRP have/VBP to/TO sit/VB with/IN Harriet/NNP while/IN she/PRP does/VBZ her/PRP German/JJ —/NN "/'' "Where's/NNS Fraulein?"/NNP "Fraulein's/NNP going/VBG to/TO drive/VB Vic/NNP over/IN to/TO the/DT Partridges'/NNP for/IN luncheon,/NN and/CC I/PRP promised/VBD Swann/NNP I'd/NNP talk/NN to/TO him/PRP about/IN favors/NNS and/CC things/NNS for/IN tomorrow/NN night."/NN "Well/RB —/RB busy/JJ Lizzie!/NNP And/CC what/WP have/VBP I/PRP to/TO do?"/VB Margaret/NNP reached/VBD for/IN a/DT well-filled/JJ date-book./NN "You/PRP were/VBD to/TO decide/VB about/IN those/DT alterations,/IN the/DT porch/NN and/CC dining/VBG room,/NN you/PRP know,"/VBP said/VBD she./PRP "There/RB are/VBP some/DT architect's/NNS sketches/NNS around/IN here;/PRP$ the/DT man's/NNS going/VBG to/TO be/VB here/RB early/RB in/IN the/DT morning./NN You/PRP said/VBD you'd/JJ drive/NN to/TO the/DT yacht/NN club,/NN to/TO see/VB about/IN the/DT stage/NN for/IN the/DT children's/NN play;/NN you/PRP were/VBD to/TO stop/VB on/IN the/DT way/NN back/RB and/CC see/VBP old/JJ Mrs./NNP McNab/NNP a/DT moment./NN You/PRP wanted/VBD to/TO write/VB Mrs./NNP Polk/NNP a/DT note/NN to/TO catch/VB the/DT 'Kaiserin/JJ Augusta',/NNP and/CC luncheon's/VBD early/RB because/IN of/IN the/DT Kellogg/NNP bridge."/NN She/PRP shut/VBD the/DT book./NN "And/CC call/VB Mr./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP at/IN the/DT club/NN at/IN one,"/CD she/PRP added./VBD "All/JJ that,/IN now/RB fancy!"/, said/VBD her/PRP$ employer,/NN admiringly./VBD She/PRP had/VBD swept/VBN some/DT scattered/JJ magazines/NNS from/IN a/DT small/JJ table,/NN and/CC was/VBD now/RB seated/VBN there,/DT negligently/RB shuffling/VBG a/DT pack/NN of/IN cards/NNS in/IN her/PRP$ fine/JJ white/JJ hands./NN "Ring,/NNS will/MD you,/VB Peggy?"/NNP said/VBD she./PRP "And/CC the/DT boat/NN races/NNS are/VBP to-day,/JJ and/CC you/PRP dine/VBP at/IN Oaks-in-the-Field,"/NNP Margaret/NNP supplemented/VBD inflexibly./. "Yes?/. Well,/NNP come/VB and/CC beat/VB the/DT seven/CD of/IN clubs,"/NN said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP spreading/VBG the/DT deck/NN for/IN the/DT draw./NN "Fraulein,"/NN she/PRP said/VBD sweetly,/IN a/DT moment/NN later,/RB when/WRB a/DT maid/NN had/VBD summoned/VBN that/IN worthy/JJ and/CC earnest/JJ governess,/NN "tell/NN Miss/NNP Harriet/NNP that/IN Mother/NNP doesn't/RB want/VBP her/PRP to/TO do/VB her/PRP German/JJ to-day,/JJ it's/PRP too/RB warm./RBR Tell/VB her/PRP$ that/WDT she's/PRP to/TO go/VB with/IN you/PRP and/CC Miss/NNP Victoria/NNP for/IN a/DT drive./NN Thank/VB you./PRP And,/DT Fraulein,/NNP will/MD you/PRP telephone/VB old/JJ Mrs./NNP McNab,/NNP and/CC say/VB that/IN Mrs./NNP Carr/NNP Boldt/NNP is/VBZ lying/VBG down/RP with/IN a/DT severe/JJ headache,/NN and/CC she/PRP won't/VBD be/VB able/JJ to/TO come/VB in/IN this/DT morning?/NN Thank/VB you./PRP And,/DT Fraulein,/NNP telephone/NN the/DT yacht/NN club,/NN will/MD you?/VB And/CC tell/VB Mr./NNP Mathews/NNP that/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP is/VBZ indisposed/VBN and/CC he'll/MD have/VB to/TO come/VB back/RB this/DT afternoon./NN I'll/NN talk/NN to/TO him/PRP before/IN the/DT children's/NNS races./. And/CC —/JJ one/CD thing/NN more!/RBR Will/MD you/PRP tell/VB Swann/NNP Miss/NNP Paget/NNP will/MD see/VB him/PRP about/IN to-morrow's/DT dinner/NN when/WRB she/PRP comes/VBZ back/RB from/IN the/DT yacht/NN club/NN to-day?/. And/CC tell/VB him/PRP to/TO send/VB us/PRP something/NN cool/JJ to/TO drink/VB now./DT Thank/VB you/PRP so/RB much./MD No,/RB shut/VB it./PRP Thank/VB you./NNP Have/VBP a/DT nice/JJ drive!"/NN They/PRP all/DT drew/VBD up/RP their/PRP$ chairs/NNS to/TO the/DT table./NN "You/PRP and/CC I,/NNP Rose,"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Watson./NNP "I'm/NNP so/RB glad/JJ you/PRP suggested/VBD this,/DT Hattie./NNP I/PRP am/VBP dying/VBG to/TO play."/VB "It/PRP really/RB rests/VBZ me/PRP more/JJR than/IN anything/NN else,"/RB said/VBD Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt./NNP "Two/NNP spades."/VBD Archerton,/NNP a/DT blur/NN of/IN flying/VBG trees/NNS and/CC houses,/NNS bright/JJ in/IN the/DT late/JJ sunlight,/NN Pottsville,/NNP with/IN children/NNS wading/VBG and/CC shouting,/NNS under/IN the/DT bridge,/NN Hunt's/NNP Crossing,/NNP then/RB the/DT next/JJ would/MD be/VB Weston/NNP —/, and/CC home./NN Margaret,/NNS beginning/VBG to/TO gather/VB wraps/NNS and/CC small/JJ possessions/NNS together,/RB sighed./VBD She/PRP sighed/VBD partly/RB because/IN her/PRP$ head/NN ached,/VB partly/RB because/IN the/DT hot/JJ trip/NN had/VBD mussed/VBN her/PRP$ usual/JJ fresh/JJ trimness,/NN largely/RB because/IN she/PRP was/VBD going/VBG home./RP This/DT was/VBD August;/NNP her/PRP$ last/JJ trip/NN home/NN had/VBD been/VBN between/IN Christmas/NNP and/CC the/DT New/NNP Year./NNP She/PRP had/VBD sent/VBN a/DT box/NN from/IN Germany/NNP at/IN Easter,/NNP ties/NNS for/IN the/DT boys,/NN silk/NN scarves/NNS for/IN Rebecca,/NN books/NNS for/IN Dad;/NNP and/CC she/PRP had/VBD written/VBN Mother/NNP for/IN her/PRP$ birthday/NN in/IN June,/NNP and/CC enclosed/VBD an/DT exquisite/JJ bit/NN of/IN lace/NN in/IN the/DT letter;/NN but/CC although/IN Victoria's/NNP illness/NN had/VBD brought/VBN her/PRP$ to/TO America/NNP nearly/RB three/CD months/NNS ago,/IN it/PRP had/VBD somehow/RB been/VBN impossible,/JJ she/PRP wrote/VBD them,/PRP to/TO come/VB home/NN until/IN now./DT Margaret/NNP had/VBD paid/VBN a/DT great/JJ deal/NN for/IN the/DT lace,/NN as/IN a/DT sort/NN of/IN salve/NN for/IN her/PRP$ conscience,/NN —/, not/RB that/IN Mother/NNP would/MD ever/RB wear/VB it!/PRP Here/RB was/VBD Weston./NNP Weston/NNP looking/VBG its/PRP$ very/JJ ugliest/NN in/IN the/DT level/NN pitiless/JJ rays/NNS of/IN the/DT afternoon/NN sun./NN The/DT town,/NN like/IN most/JJS of/IN its/PRP$ inhabitants,/NN was/VBD wilted/VBN and/CC grimed/VBN after/IN the/DT burden/NN and/CC heat/NN of/IN the/DT long/JJ summer/NN day./NN Margaret/NNP carried/VBD her/PRP$ heavy/NN suit-case/NN slowly/RB up/IN Main/NNP Street./NNP Shop/NNP windows/NNS were/VBD spotted/VBN and/CC dusty,/NN and/CC shopkeepers,/NN standing/VBG idle/JJ in/IN their/PRP$ doorways,/NNS looked/VBD spotted/JJ and/CC dusty/JJ too./NN A/DT cloud/NN of/IN flies/NNS fought/VBD and/CC surged/VBD about/IN the/DT closely/RB guarded/JJ door/NN of/IN the/DT butcher/NN shop;/VBN a/DT delivery/NN cart/NN was/VBD at/IN the/DT curb,/NN the/DT discouraged/JJ horse/NN switching/VBG an/DT ineffectual/JJ tail./NN As/IN Margaret/NNP passed/VBD this/DT cart,/NN a/DT tall/JJ boy/NN of/IN fourteen/CD came/VBD out/RB of/IN the/DT shop/NN with/IN a/DT bang/NN of/IN the/DT wire-netting/NN door,/NN and/CC slid/VBD a/DT basket/NN into/IN the/DT back/NN of/IN the/DT cart./NN "Teddy!"/NN said/VBD Margaret,/NNP irritation/NN evident/JJ in/IN her/PRP$ voice,/NN in/IN spite/NN of/IN herself./PRP "Hello,/DT Mark!"/NNP said/VBD her/PRP$ brother,/NN delightedly./NN "Say,/RB great/JJ to/TO see/VB you!/PRP Get/VB in/IN on/IN the/DT four-ten?"/JJ "Ted,"/NN said/VBD Margaret,/NNP kissing/VBG him,/NN as/IN the/DT Pagets/NNPS always/RB quite/RB simply/RB kissed/VBD each/DT other/JJ when/WRB they/PRP met,/VBP "what/RB are/VBP you/PRP driving/VBG Costello's/NNP cart/NN for?"/IN "Like/NNP to,"/, said/VBD Theodore,/DT simply./JJS "Mother/JJ doesn't/NN care./NN Say,/NNS you/PRP look/VBP swell,/JJ Mark!"/NNP "What/NN makes/VBZ you/PRP want/VB to/TO drive/VB this/DT horrid/JJ cart,/NN Ted?"/NNP protested/VBD Margaret./NNP "What/IN does/VBZ Costello/NNP pay/VBP you?"/JJ "Pay/NN me?"/NN scowled/VBD her/PRP$ brother,/NN gathering/VBG up/IN the/DT reins./NN "Oh,/NN come/VBN out/IN of/IN it,/DT Marg'ret!/NNP He/PRP doesn't/RB pay/VB me/PRP anything./DT Don't/NNP you/PRP make/VBP Mother/NNP stop/VB me,/RP either,/CC will/MD you?"/VB he/PRP ended/VBD anxiously./DT "Of/JJ course/NN I/PRP won't!"/VBD Margaret/NNP said/VBD impatiently./, "Giddap,/NNP Ruth!"/NNP said/VBD Theodore;/DT but/CC departing,/NN he/PRP pulled/VBD up/RP to/TO add/VB cheerfully,/NN "Say,/IN Dad/NNP didn't/RB get/VB his/PRP$ raise."/NN "Did?"/NN said/VBD Margaret,/NNP brightening./VBD "Didn't!"/RB He/PRP grinned/VBD affectionately/RB upon/IN her/PRP$ as/IN with/IN a/DT dislocating/NN jerk/NN the/DT cart/NN started/VBD a/DT ricochetting/VBG career/NN down/IN the/DT street,/NN with/IN that/DT abandon/NN known/VBN only/RB to/TO butchers'/VB carts./DT Margaret,/NNP changing/VBG her/PRP$ heavy/JJ suit-case/NN to/TO the/DT rested/VBN arm,/NN was/VBD still/RB vexedly/RB watching/VBG it,/IN when/WRB two/CD girls,/NNS laughing/VBG in/IN the/DT open/JJ doorway/NN of/IN the/DT express/JJ company's/JJ office/NN across/IN the/DT street,/NN caught/VBD sight/NN of/IN her./PRP$ One/CD of/IN them,/$ a/DT little/JJ vision/NN of/IN pink/JJ hat/NN and/CC ruffles,/NN and/CC dark/JJ eyes/NNS and/CC hair,/NNS came/VBD running/VBG to/TO join/VB her./PRP Rebecca/NN was/VBD now/RB sixteen,/JJ and/CC of/IN all/PDT the/DT handsome/JJ Pagets/NNP the/DT best/JJS to/TO look/VB upon./RP She/PRP was/VBD dressed/VBN according/VBG to/TO her/PRP$ youthful/JJ lights;/NN every/DT separate/JJ article/NN of/IN her/PRP$ apparel/NN to-day,/, from/IN her/PRP$ rowdyish/JJ little/JJ hat/NN to/TO her/PRP$ openwork/NN hose,/NN represented/VBD a/DT battle/NN with/IN Mrs./NNP Paget's/NNP preconceived/VBD ideas/NNS as/IN to/TO propriety/NN in/IN dress,/NN with/IN the/DT honors/NNS largely/RB for/IN Rebecca./NN Rebecca/NN had/VBD grown/VBN up,/RP in/IN eight/CD months,/NNS her/PRP$ sister/NN thought,/IN confusedly;/NN she/PRP was/VBD no/RB longer/RB the/DT adorable,/NN un-self-conscious/JJ tomboy/NN who/WP fought/VBD and/CC skated/VBD and/CC toboganned/VBD with/IN the/DT boys./NN "Hello,/IN darling/NN dear!"/NN said/VBD Rebecca./NN "Too/RB bad/JJ no/DT one/NN met/VBD you!/PRP We/PRP all/DT thought/VBD you/PRP were/VBD coming/VBG on/IN the/DT six./JJ Crazy/NNP about/IN your/PRP$ suit!/NN Here's/RB Maudie/NNP Pratt./NNP You/PRP know/VBP Maudie,/NNP don't/VBP you,/PRP Mark?"/NNP Margaret/NNP knew/VBD Maudie./NNP Rebecca's/NNP infatuation/NN for/IN plain,/NN heavy-featured,/, complacent/JJ Miss/NNP Pratt/NNP was/VBD a/DT standing/VBG mystery/NN in/IN the/DT Paget/NNP family./NN Margaret/NNP smiled,/VBD bowed./VBN "I/RB think/VBP we/PRP stumbled/VBD upon/IN a/DT pretty/JJ little/JJ secret/NN of/IN yours/PRP to-day,/, Miss/NNP Margaret,"/NNP said/VBD Maudie,/NNP with/IN her/PRP$ best/JJS company/NN manner,/NN as/IN they/PRP walked/VBD along./RB Margaret/NNP raised/VBD her/PRP$ eyebrows./NN "Rebel/NN and/CC I,"/NNP Maudie/NNP went/VBD on,-/RB Rebecca/NN was/VBD at/IN the/DT age/NN that/WDT seeks/VBZ a/DT piquant/NN substitute/NN for/IN an/DT unpoetical/JJ family/NN name,/NN —/IN "Rebel/NNP and/CC I/PRP are/VBP wondering/VBG if/IN we/PRP may/MD ask/VB you/PRP who/WP Mr./NNP John/NNP Tenison/NNP is?"/, John/NNP Tenison!/NNP Margaret's/NNP heart/NN stood/VBD still/RB with/IN a/DT shock/NN almost/RB sickening,/RB then/RB beat/VB furiously./RBR What/WP —/VBZ how/WRB —/NNS who/WP on/IN earth/NN had/VBD told/VBN them/PRP anything/NN of/IN John/NNP Tenison?/NNP Coloring/NNP high,/, she/PRP looked/VBD sharply/RB at/IN Rebecca./NN "Cheer/NN up,/IN angel,"/NN said/VBD Rebecca,/NN "he's/NNS not/RB dead./VBN He/PRP sent/VBD a/DT telegram/NN to-day,/, and/CC Mother/NNP opened/VBD it/PRP —/VBD "/'' "Naturally,"/NNS said/VBD Margaret,/NNP concealing/VBG an/DT agony/NN of/IN impatience,/NN as/IN Rebecca/NNP paused/VBD apologetically./DT "He's/NNP with/IN his/PRP$ aunt,/NN at/IN Dayton,/NNP up/IN the/DT road/NN here,"/IN continued/VBN Rebecca;/NN "and/CC wants/VBZ you/PRP to/TO wire/VB him/PRP if/IN he/PRP may/MD come/VB down/RP and/CC spend/VB tomorrow/NN here."/IN Margaret/NNP drew/VBD a/DT relieved/JJ breath./NN There/EX was/VBD time/NN to/TO turn/VB around,/RP at/IN least./JJS "Who/NNP is/VBZ he,/JJ sis?"/NN asked/VBD Rebecca./NNP "Why,/NNP he's/VBD an/DT awfully/RB clever/JJ professor,/NN honey,"/JJ Margaret/NNP answered/VBD serenely./RB "We/RB heard/VBD him/PRP lecture/VB in/IN Germany/NNP this/DT spring,/NN and/CC met/VBD him/PRP afterwards./IN I/PRP liked/VBD him/PRP very/RB much./RB He's/IN tremendously/RB interesting."/JJ She/PRP tried/VBD to/TO keep/VB out/IN of/IN her/PRP$ voice/NN the/DT thrill/NN that/IN shook/VBD her/PRP at/IN the/DT mere/JJ thought/NN of/IN him./PRP$ Confused/VBN pain/NN and/CC pleasure/NN stirred/VBD her/PRP to/TO the/DT very/RB heart./. —/JJ He/PRP wanted/VBD to/TO come/VB to/TO see/VB her,/IN he/PRP must/MD have/VB telephoned/VBN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP and/CC asked/VBD to/TO call,/VB or/CC he/PRP would/MD not/RB have/VB known/VBN that/IN she/PRP was/VBD at/IN home/NN this/DT week/NN end,/, —/RB surely/RB that/DT was/VBD significant,/RB surely/RB that/IN meant/VBD something!/RB The/DT thought/NN was/VBD all/DT pleasure,/NN so/RB great/JJ a/DT joy/NN and/CC pride/NN indeed/RB that/IN Margaret/NNP was/VBD conscious/JJ of/IN wanting/VBG to/TO lay/VB it/PRP aside,/RB to/TO think/VB of,/NNP dream/NN of,/IN ponder/VBP over,/RP when/WRB she/PRP was/VBD alone./DT But,/NNP on/IN the/DT other/JJ hand,/NN there/EX was/VBD instantly/RB the/DT miserable/JJ conviction/NN that/IN he/PRP mustn't/MD be/VB allowed/VBN to/TO come/VB to/TO Weston,/NNP no/DT —/IN no/DT —/NN she/PRP couldn't/MD have/VB him/PRP see/VB her/PRP$ home/NN and/CC her/PRP$ people/NNS on/IN a/DT crowded/JJ hot/JJ summer/NN Sunday,/NNP when/WRB the/DT town/NN looked/VBD its/PRP$ ugliest,/JJ and/CC the/DT children/NNS were/VBD home/NN from/IN school,/NN and/CC when/WRB the/DT scramble/NN to/TO get/VB to/TO church/NN and/CC to/TO safely/RB accomplish/VB the/DT one/CD o'clock/RB dinner/NN exhausted/VBD the/DT women/NNS of/IN the/DT family./NN And/CC how/WRB could/MD she/PRP keep/VB him/PRP from/IN coming,/VBG what/WP excuse/NN could/MD she/PRP give?/VB "Don't/RB you/PRP want/VBP him/PRP to/TO come/VB —/RB is/VBZ he/PRP old/JJ and/CC fussy?"/VB asked/VBD Rebecca,/NNP interestedly./, "I'll/NNP see,"/VBD Margaret/NNP answered/VBD vaguely./JJ "No,/NN he's/VBD only/RB thirty-two/CD or/CC four."/CD "And/NN charming!"/NN said/VBD Maudie/NNP archly./. Margaret/NNP eyed/VBD her/PRP with/IN a/DT coolness/NN worthy/JJ of/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP herself,/, and/CC then/RB turned/VBD rather/RB pointedly/RB to/TO Rebecca./NNP "How's/NNP Mother,/NNP Becky?"/NNP "Oh,/NNP she's/POS fine!"/JJ Rebecca/NN said,/VBD absently/RB in/IN her/PRP$ turn./NN When/WRB Maudie/NNP left/VBD them/PRP at/IN the/DT next/JJ corner,/NN she/PRP said/VBD quickly:/RB —/JJ "Mark,/NN did/VBD you/PRP see/VB where/WRB we/PRP were/VBD when/WRB I/PRP saw/VBD you?"/PRP "At/IN the/DT express/JJ office/NN —/NNS ?/. Yes,"/NN Margaret/NNP said,/VBD surprised./VBN "Well,/NNP listen,"/NN said/VBD Rebecca,/NN reddening./NN "Don't/RB say/VB anything/NN to/TO Mother/NNP about/IN it,/PRP will/MD you?/VB She/PRP thinks/VBZ those/DT boys/NNS are/VBP fresh/JJ in/IN there/RB —/. She/PRP don't/VBD like/IN me/PRP to/TO go/VB in!"/IN "Oh,/NNP Beck/NNP —/, then/RB you/PRP oughtn't!"/MD Margaret/NNP protested./, "Well,/IN I/PRP wasn't!"/VBD Rebecca/NNP said/VBD uncomfortably./NNP "We/NNP went/VBD to/TO see/VB if/IN Maudie's/NNP racket/NN had/VBD come./DT You/PRP won't/VBP —/NNP will/MD you,/VB Mark?"/NNP "Tell/NNP Mother/NNP —/NNP no,/, I/PRP won't,"/VBD Margaret/NNP said,/VBD with/IN a/DT long/RB sigh./VBG She/PRP looked/VBD sideways/RB at/IN Rebecca,/NN —/IN the/DT dainty,/JJ fast-forming/JJ little/JJ figure,/NN the/DT even/RB ripple/JJ and/CC curl/JJ of/IN her/PRP$ plaited/JJ hair,/NN the/DT assured/VBN pose/VBP of/IN the/DT pretty/JJ head./NN Victoria/NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP just/RB Rebecca's/RB age,/RB as/IN a/DT big/JJ schoolgirl/NN still,/RB self-conscious/JJ and/CC inarticulate,/IN her/PRP$ well-groomed/JJ hair/NN in/IN an/DT unbecoming/JJ "club,"/NN her/PRP well-hung/JJ skirts/NNS unbecomingly/RB short./VBD Margaret/NNP had/VBD half/DT expected/VBN to/TO find/VB Rebecca/NN at/IN the/DT same/JJ stage/NN of/IN development./NN Rebecca/NN was/VBD cheerful/JJ now,/RB the/DT promise/NN exacted,/VBD and/CC cheerfully/RB observed:/JJ —/NN "Dad/NN didn't/RB get/VB his/PRP$ raise/NN —/NN isn't/NN that/IN the/DT limit?"/NN Margaret/NNP sighed/VBD again,/RB shrugged/VBD wearily./DT They/PRP were/VBD in/IN their/PRP$ own/JJ quiet/JJ side/NN street/NN now,/RB a/DT street/NN lined/VBN with/IN ugly,/JJ shabby/JJ houses/NNS and/CC beautified/VBN by/IN magnificent/JJ old/JJ elms/NNS and/CC maples./VBD The/DT Pagets'/NNP own/JJ particular/JJ gate/NN was/VBD weather-peeled,/JJ the/DT lawn/NN trampled/JJ and/CC bare./JJ A/DT bulging/VBG wire/NN netting/VBG door/NN gave/VBD on/IN the/DT shabby/JJ old/JJ hall/NN Margaret/NNP knew/VBD so/IN well;/RB she/PRP went/VBD on/IN into/IN the/DT familiar/JJ rooms,/NN acutely/RB conscious,/RB as/IN she/PRP always/RB was/VBD for/IN the/DT first/JJ hour/NN or/CC two/CD at/IN home,/NN of/IN the/DT bareness/NN and/CC ugliness/NN everywhere/RB —/VB the/DT old/JJ sofa/NN that/WP sagged/VBD in/IN the/DT seat,/NN the/DT scratched/VBN rockers,/NN the/DT bookcases/NNS overflowing/VBG with/IN coverless/JJ magazines,/NN and/CC the/DT old/JJ square/NN piano/NN half-buried/JJ under/IN loose/JJ sheets/NNS of/IN music./NN Duncan/NNP sat/VBD on/IN the/DT piano/NN bench/NN —/RB gloomily/RB sawing/VBG at/IN a/DT violoncello./NN Robert,/NNP —/VBD nine/CD now,/NNS with/IN all/DT his/PRP$ pretty/JJ baby/NN roundness/NN gone,/, a/DT lean/JJ little/JJ burned,/JJ peeling/NN face,/NN and/CC big/JJ teeth/NNS missing/VBG when/WRB he/PRP smiled,/VBD stood/VBN in/IN the/DT bay/NN window,/NN twisting/VBG the/DT already/RB limp/JJ net/JJ curtains/NNS into/IN a/DT tight/JJ rope./NN Each/DT boy/NN gave/VBD Margaret/NNP a/DT kiss/NN that/WDT seemed/VBD curiously/RB to/TO taste/VB of/IN dust,/JJ sunburn,/NN and/CC freckles,/NN before/IN she/PRP followed/VBD a/DT noise/NN of/IN hissing/NN and/CC voices/NNS to/TO the/DT kitchen/NN to/TO find/VB Mother./NNP The/DT kitchen,/NN at/IN five/CD o'clock/RB on/IN Saturday/NNP afternoon,/NN was/VBD in/IN wild/JJ confusion,/NN and/CC insufferably/RB hot./VBD Margaret/NNP had/VBD a/DT distinct/JJ impression/NN that/IN not/RB a/DT movable/JJ article/NN therein/RB was/VBD in/IN place,/NN and/CC not/RB an/DT available/JJ inch/NN of/IN tables/NNS or/CC chairs/NNS unused,/RB before/IN her/PRP$ eyes/NNS reached/VBN the/DT tall/JJ figure/NN of/IN the/DT woman/NN in/IN a/DT gown/NN of/IN chocolate/NN percale,/NN who/WP was/VBD frying/VBG cutlets/NNS at/IN the/DT big/JJ littered/VBN range./NN Her/PRP$ face/NN was/VBD dark/JJ with/IN heat,/NN and/CC streaked/VBD with/IN perspiration./NN She/PRP turned/VBD as/IN Margaret/NNP entered,/, and/CC gave/VBD a/DT delighted/JJ cry./NN "Well,/IN there's/DT my/PRP$ girl!/NN Bless/IN her/PRP$ heart!/NN Look/VB out/RP for/IN this/DT spoon,/NN lovey,"/NN she/PRP added/VBD immediately,/RB giving/VBG the/DT girl/NN a/DT guarded/VBN embrace./NN Tears/NNS of/IN joy/NN stood/VBD frankly/RB in/IN her/PRP$ fine/JJ eyes./NN "I/NN meant/VBD to/TO have/VB all/DT of/IN this/DT out/IN of/IN the/DT way,/NN dear,"/NN apologized/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP with/IN a/DT gesture/NN that/WDT included/VBD cakes/NNS in/IN the/DT process/NN of/IN frosting,/NN salad/NN vegetables/NNS in/IN the/DT process/NN of/IN cooling,/JJ soup/NN in/IN the/DT process/NN of/IN getting/VBG strained,/JJ great/JJ loaves/NNS of/IN bread/NN that/WDT sent/VBD a/DT delicious/JJ fragrance/NN over/IN all/PDT the/DT other/JJ odors./NN "But/IN we/PRP didn't/RB look/VBP for/IN you/PRP until/IN six."/JJ "Oh,/NN no/DT matter!"/NN Margaret/NNP said/VBD bravely./RP "Rebecca/NNP tell/VB you/PRP Dad/NNP didn't/RB get/VB his/PRP$ raise?"/NN called/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP in/IN a/DT voice/NN that/IN rose/VBD above/IN the/DT various/JJ noises/NNS of/IN the/DT kitchen./NN "Blanche!"/IN she/PRP protested,/VBP "can't/RB that/IN wait?"/NN for/IN the/DT old/JJ negress/NN had/VBD begun/VBN to/TO crack/VB ice/NN with/IN deafening/VBG smashes./. But/CC Blanche/NNP did/VBD not/RB hear,/VB so/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP continued/VBD loudly:/JJ "Dad/NN saw/VBD Redman/NNP himself;/PRP he'll/MD tell/VB you/PRP about/IN it!/PRP Don't/CC stay/VB in/IN the/DT kitchen/NN in/IN that/DT pretty/JJ dress,/NN dear!/NN I'm/IN coming/VBG right/JJ upstairs."/NN It/PRP was/VBD very/RB hot/JJ upstairs;/IN the/DT bedrooms/NNS smelled/VBD faintly/RB of/IN matting,/NN the/DT soap/NN in/IN the/DT bathroom/NN was/VBD shrivelled/VBN in/IN its/PRP$ saucer./NN In/IN Margaret's/NNP old/JJ room/NN the/DT week's/NNS washing/NN had/VBD been/VBN piled/VBN high/RB on/IN the/DT bed./NN She/PRP took/VBD off/RP her/PRP$ hat/NN and/CC linen/NN coat,/NN brushed/VBD her/PRP$ hair/NN back/RB from/IN her/PRP$ face,/NN flinging/VBG her/PRP$ head/NN back/RB and/CC shutting/VBG her/PRP eyes/NNS the/DT better/JJR to/TO fight/VB tears,/NNS as/IN she/PRP did/VBD so,/RB and/CC began/VBD to/TO assort/VB the/DT collars/NNS and/CC shirts/NNS and/CC put/VBD them/PRP away./RP For/IN Dad's/NNP bureau/NN —/NN for/IN Bruce's/NNP bureau/NN —/NN for/IN the/DT boys'/NNS bureau,/NN table/NN cloths/NNS to/TO go/VB downstairs,/RB towels/NNS for/IN the/DT shelves/NNS in/IN the/DT bathroom./NN Two/CD little/JJ shirtwaists/NNS for/IN Rebecca/NN with/IN little/JJ holes/NNS torn/VBN through/IN them/PRP where/WRB collar/NN and/CC belt/NN pins/NNS belonged./VBD Her/PRP$ last/JJ journey/NN took/VBD her/PRP to/TO the/DT big,/JJ third-story/JJ room/NN where/WRB the/DT three/CD younger/JJR boys/NNS slept./VBD The/DT three/CD narrow/JJ beds/NNS were/VBD still/RB unmade,/JJ and/CC the/DT western/JJ sunlight/NN poured/VBD over/RP tumbled/VBD blankets/NNS and/CC the/DT scattered/VBN small/JJ possessions/NNS that/WDT seem/VBP to/TO ooze/VB from/IN the/DT pores/NNS of/IN little/JJ boys,/NN Margaret/NNP set/VBD her/PRP$ lips/NNS distastefully/RB as/IN she/PRP brought/VBD order/NN out/IN of/IN chaos./NN It/PRP was/VBD all/DT wrong,/JJ somehow,/NN she/PRP thought,/VBD gathering/VBG handkerchiefs/NNS and/CC matches/NNS and/CC "Nick/NNP Carters"/NNP and/CC the/DT oiled/JJ paper/NN that/WDT had/VBD wrapped/VBN caramels/NNS from/IN under/IN the/DT pillows/NNS that/WDT would/MD in/IN a/DT few/JJ hours/NNS harbor/VBP a/DT fresh/JJ supply./NN She/PRP went/VBD out/RP on/IN the/DT porch/NN in/IN time/NN to/TO put/VB her/PRP$ arms/NNS about/IN her/PRP$ father's/NN shabby/JJ shoulders/NNS when/WRB he/PRP came/VBD in./, Mr./NNP Paget/NNP was/VBD tired,/RB and/CC he/PRP told/VBD his/PRP$ wife/NN and/CC daughters/NNS that/IN he/PRP thought/VBD he/PRP was/VBD a/DT very/RB sick/JJ man./NN Margaret's/NNP mother/NN met/VBD this/DT statement/NN with/IN an/DT anxious/JJ solicitude/NN that/WDT was/VBD very/RB soothing/JJ to/TO the/DT sufferer./NN She/PRP made/VBD Mark/NNP get/VB Daddy/NNP his/PRP$ slippers/NNS and/CC loose/JJ coat,/NN and/CC suggested/VBD that/IN Rebecca/NN shake/NN up/IN the/DT dining-room/NN couch/NN before/IN she/PRP established/VBD him/PRP there,/, in/IN a/DT rampart/NN of/IN pillows./NN No/DT outsider/NN would/MD have/VB dreamed/VBN that/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP had/VBD dealt/VBN with/IN this/DT exact/JJ emergency/NN some/DT hundreds/NNS of/IN times/NNS in/IN the/DT past/JJ twenty/CD years./, Mr./NNP Paget,/NNP reclining,/VBD shut/VBN his/PRP$ eyes,/NN remarked/VBD that/IN he/PRP had/VBD had/VBN an/DT "awful,/JJ awful/JJ day,"/NN and/CC wondered/VBD faintly/RB if/IN it/PRP would/MD be/VB too/RB much/JJ trouble/NN to/TO have/VB "somebody"/VBN make/VB him/PRP just/RB a/DT little/JJ milk/NN toast/NN for/IN his/PRP$ dinner./NN He/PRP smiled/VBD at/IN Margaret/NNP when/WRB she/PRP sat/VBD down/RB beside/IN him;/PRP all/PDT the/DT children/NNS were/VBD dear,/RB but/CC the/DT oldest/JJS daughter/NN knew/VBD she/PRP came/VBD first/RB with/IN her/PRP$ father./NN "Getting/VBG to/TO be/VB an/DT old,/JJ old/JJ man!"/NN he/PRP said/VBD wearily,/, and/CC Margaret/NNP hated/VBD herself/PRP because/IN she/PRP had/VBD to/TO quell/VB an/DT impatient/JJ impulse/NN to/TO tell/VB him/PRP he/PRP was/VBD merely/RB tired/VBN and/CC cross/NN and/CC hungry,/VBD before/IN she/PRP could/MD say,/VB in/IN the/DT proper/JJ soothing/JJ tone,/NN "Don't/NN talk/NN that/IN way,/NN Dad/NNP darling!"/IN She/PRP had/VBD to/TO listen/VB to/TO a/DT long/JJ account/NN of/IN the/DT "raise,"/NN wincing/VBG every/DT time/NN her/PRP$ father/NN emphasized/VBD the/DT difference/NN between/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ position/NN and/CC that/IN of/IN her/PRP$ employer./NN Dad/NNP was/VBD at/IN least/JJS the/DT equal/JJ of/IN any/DT one/CD in/IN Weston!/NNP Why,/IN a/DT man/NN Dad's/NNP age/NN oughtn't/NN to/TO be/VB humbly/RB asking/VBG a/DT raise,/NN he/PRP ought/MD to/TO be/VB dictating/VBG now./DT It/PRP was/VBD just/RB Dad's/JJ way/NN of/IN looking/VBG at/IN things,/NN and/CC it/PRP was/VBD all/DT wrong./NN "Well,/NN I'll/NNP tell/VBP you/PRP one/CD thing!"/NN said/VBD Rebecca,/NN who/WP had/VBD come/VBN in/IN with/IN a/DT brimming/NN soup/NN plate/NN of/IN milk/NN toast,/NN "Joe/NN Redman/NNP gave/VBD a/DT picnic/NN last/JJ month,/NN and/CC he/PRP came/VBD here/RB with/IN his/PRP$ mother,/NN in/IN the/DT car,/NN to/TO ask/VB me./PRP And/CC I/PRP was/VBD the/DT scornfullest/JJS thing/NN you/PRP ever/RB saw,/VBD wasn't/IN I,/NNP Ted?/NNP Not/RB much!"/RB "Oh,/RB Beck,/IN you/PRP oughtn't/MD to/TO mix/VB social/JJ and/CC business/NN things/NNS that/WDT way!"/VBD Margaret/NNP said/VBD helplessly./PRP "Dinner!"/RB screamed/VBD the/DT nine-year-old/JJ Robert,/NNP breaking/NN into/IN the/DT room/NN at/IN this/DT point,/NN and/CC "Dinner!"/NNP said/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP wearily,/, cheerfully,/NN from/IN the/DT chair/NN into/IN which/WDT she/PRP had/VBD dropped/VBN at/IN the/DT head/NN of/IN the/DT table./NN Mr./NNP Paget,/NNP revived/VBD by/IN sympathy,/JJR milk/NN toast,/NN and/CC Rebecca's/NNS attentions,/IN took/VBD his/PRP$ place/NN at/IN the/DT foot,/NN and/CC Bruce/NNP the/DT chair/NN between/IN Margaret/NNP and/CC his/PRP$ mother./NN Like/IN the/DT younger/JJR boys,/NN whose/WP$ almost/RB confluent/JJ freckles/NNS had/VBD been/VBN brought/VBN into/IN unusual/JJ prominence/NN by/IN violently/RB applied/VBN soap/NN and/CC water,/NN and/CC whose/WP$ hair/NN dripped/VBD on/IN their/PRP$ collars,/NN he/PRP had/VBD brushed/VBN up/RP for/IN dinner,/NN but/CC his/PRP$ negligee/NN shirt/NN and/CC corduroy/NN trousers/NNS were/VBD stained/VBN and/CC spotted/VBD from/IN machine/NN oil./NN Margaret,/NNP comparing/VBG him/PRP secretly/RB to/TO the/DT men/NNS she/PRP knew,/VBD as/IN daintily/RB groomed/VBN as/IN women,/NNS in/IN their/PRP$ spotless/JJ white,/NN felt/VBD a/DT little/JJ resentment/NN that/IN Bruce's/NNP tired/JJ face/NN was/VBD so/RB contented,/JJ and/CC said/VBD to/TO herself/PRP again/RB that/IN it/PRP was/VBD all/DT wrong./NN Dinner/NN was/VBD the/DT same/JJ old/JJ haphazard/NN meal/NN with/IN which/WDT she/PRP was/VBD so/RB familiar;/JJ Blanche/NNP supplying/VBG an/DT occasional/JJ reproof/NN to/TO the/DT boys,/NN Ted/NNP ignoring/VBG his/PRP$ vegetables,/NN and/CC ready/JJ in/IN an/DT incredibly/RB short/JJ time/NN for/IN a/DT second/JJ cutlet,/NN and/CC Robert/NNP begging/VBG for/IN corn/NN syrup,/NN immediately/RB after/IN the/DT soup,/NN and/CC spilling/VBG it/PRP from/IN his/PRP$ bread./NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP was/VBD flushed,/VBN her/PRP$ disappearances/NNS kitchenward/RB frequent./. She/PRP wanted/VBD Margaret/NNP to/TO tell/VB her/PRP all/DT about/IN Mr./NNP Tenison./NNP Margaret/NNP laughed,/, and/CC said/VBD there/EX was/VBD nothing/NN to/TO tell./VB "You/PRP might/MD get/VB a/DT horse/NN and/CC buggy/NN from/IN Peterson's,"/NNP suggested/VBD Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP interestedly,/, "and/CC drive/VB about/RB after/IN dinner."/NN "Oh,/IN Mother,/NNP I/PRP don't/RB think/VBP I/PRP had/VBD better/RB let/VB him/PRP come!"/VB Margaret/NNP said./VBD "There's/RB so/RB many/JJ of/IN us,/NNS and/CC such/JJ confusion,/NN on/IN Sunday!/NNP Ju/NNP and/CC Harry/NNP are/VBP almost/RB sure/JJ to/TO come/VB over."/RB "Yes,/RB I/PRP guess/VBP they/PRP will,"/MD Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP said,/VBD with/IN her/PRP$ sudden/JJ radiant/NN smile./NN "Ju/NN is/VBZ so/RB dear/JJ in/IN her/PRP$ little/JJ house,/NN and/CC Harry's/NNP so/RB sweet/JJ with/IN her,"/PRP$ she/PRP went/VBD on/IN with/IN vivacity./DT "Daddy/NNP and/CC I/PRP had/VBD dinner/NN with/IN them/PRP Tuesday./DT Bruce/NNP said/VBD Rebecca/NN was/VBD lovely/JJ with/IN the/DT boys,/NN —/NN we're/VBD going/VBG to/TO Julie's/NNP again/RB sometime./VBD I/PRP declare/VBP it's/RB so/RB long/RB since/IN we've/NN been/VBN anywhere/RB without/IN the/DT children/NNS that/IN we/PRP both/DT felt/VBD funny./DT It/PRP was/VBD a/DT lovely/JJ evening."/NN "You're/NN too/RB much/JJ tied,/NN Mother,"/NNP Margaret/NNP said/VBD affectionately./DT "Not/NN now!"/RB her/PRP$ mother/NN protested/VBD radiantly./NN "With/IN all/DT my/PRP$ babies/NNS turning/VBG into/IN men/NNS and/CC women/NNS so/RB fast./RBR And/CC I'll/NNP have/VBP you/PRP all/DT together/RB to-morrow-/, and/CC your/PRP$ friend/NN I/PRP hope,/VBP too,/RB Mark,"/NNP she/PRP added/VBD hospitably./, "You/PRP had/VBD better/RB let/VB him/PRP come,/VB dear./NN There's/RB a/DT big/JJ dinner,/NN and/CC I/PRP always/RB freeze/VB more/RBR cream/NN than/IN we/PRP need,/VBP anyway,/RB because/IN Daddy/NNP likes/VBZ a/DT plate/NN of/IN it/PRP about/IN four/CD o'clock,/RB if/IN there's/EX any/DT left."/JJ "Well/NN —/, but/CC there's/RB nothing/NN to/TO do,"/VB Margaret/NNP protested./, "No,/JJ but/CC dinner/NN takes/VBZ quite/RB a/DT while,"/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP suggested/VBD a/DT little/JJ doubtfully;/NN "and/CC we/PRP could/MD have/VB a/DT nice/JJ talk/NN on/IN the/DT porch,/NN and/CC then/RB you/PRP could/MD go/VB driving/VBG or/CC walking./VBD I/PRP wish/VBP there/EX was/VBD something/NN cool/JJ and/CC pleasant/JJ to/TO do,/VB Mark,"/NNP she/PRP finished/VBD a/DT little/JJ wistfully./NN "You/PRP do/VBP just/RB as/IN you/PRP think/VBP best/JJS about/IN asking/VBG him/PRP to/TO come."/VB "I/PRP think/VB I'll/NNP wire/NN him/PRP that/IN another/DT time/NN would/MD be/VB better,"/JJR said/VBD Margaret,/NNP slowly./VBD "Sometime/PRP we'll/MD regularly/RB arrange/VB for/IN it."/PRP "Well,/RB perhaps/RB that/DT would/MD be/VB best,"/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN agreed./VBN "Some/DT other/JJ time/NN we'll/VBD send/VB the/DT boys/NNS off/RP before/IN dinner,/NN and/CC have/VB things/NNS all/DT nice/JJ and/CC quiet./JJ In/IN October,/NNP say,/VBP when/WRB the/DT trees/NNS are/VBP so/RB pretty./RB I/PRP don't/VBP know/VB but/CC what/WP that's/IN my/PRP$ favorite/JJ time/NN of/IN all/PDT the/DT year!"/NN Margaret/NNP looked/VBD at/IN her/PRP$ as/IN if/IN she/PRP found/VBD something/NN new/JJ in/IN the/DT tired,/NN bright/JJ face./NN She/PRP could/MD not/RB understand/VB why/WRB her/PRP$ mother/NN —/VBD still/RB too/RB heated/VBN to/TO commence/VB eating/VBG her/PRP$ dinner/NN —/NN should/MD radiate/VB so/RB definite/JJ an/DT atmosphere/NN of/IN content,/NN as/IN she/PRP sat/VBD back/RB a/DT little/JJ breathless,/NN after/IN the/DT flurry/NN of/IN serving./NN She/PRP herself/PRP felt/VBD injured/VBN and/CC sore,/RB not/RB at/IN the/DT mere/JJ disappointment/NN it/PRP caused/VBD her/PRP to/TO put/VB off/RP John/NNP Tendon's/NNP visit,/, but/CC because/IN she/PRP felt/VBD more/RBR acutely/RB than/IN ever/RB to-night/, the/DT difference/NN between/IN his/PRP$ position/NN and/CC her/PRP$ own./NN "Something/NN nice/JJ has/VBZ happened,/VBN Mother?"/NNP she/PRP hazarded,/VBD entering/VBG with/IN an/DT effort/NN into/IN the/DT older/JJR woman's/NNS mood./VBN "Nothing/VBG special."/NN Her/PRP$ mother's/NN happy/JJ eyes/NNS ranged/VBD about/IN the/DT circle/NN of/IN young/JJ faces./NN "But/CC it's/VBD so/RB lovely/JJ to/TO have/VB you/PRP here,/RB and/CC to/TO have/VB Ju/NNP coming/VBG to-morrow,"/JJ she/PRP said./VBD "I/RB just/RB wish/VB Daddy/NNP could/MD build/VB a/DT house/NN for/IN each/DT one/CD of/IN you,/JJ as/IN you/PRP marry/VBP and/CC settle/VBP down,/RB right/RB around/IN our/PRP$ house/NN in/IN a/DT circle,/NN as/IN they/PRP say/VBP people/NNS do/VBP sometimes/RB in/IN the/DT Old/NNP World./NNP I/PRP think/VBP then/RB I'd/NNP have/VBP nothing/NN in/IN life/NN to/TO wish/VB for!"/IN "Oh,/NNP Mother/NNP —/NNP in/IN Weston!"/NNP Margaret/NNP said/VBD hopelessly,/, but/CC her/PRP$ mother/NN did/VBD not/RB catch/VB it./PRP "Not,/RB Mark,"/NNP she/PRP went/VBD on/RP hastily/RB and/CC earnestly,/VBD "that/IN I'm/PRP not/RB more/RBR than/IN grateful/JJ to/TO God/NNP for/IN all/DT His/PRP$ goodness,/NN as/IN it/PRP is!/IN I/PRP look/VBP at/IN other/JJ women,/NNS and/CC I/PRP wonder,/VBP I/PRP wonder/VBP —/IN what/WP I/PRP have/VBP done/VBN to/TO be/VB so/RB blessed!/VB Mark/NNP —/, "/`` her/PRP$ face/NN suddenly/RB glowed,/VBD she/PRP leaned/VBD a/DT little/RB toward/IN her/PRP$ daughter,/NN "dearie,/, I/PRP must/MD tell/VB you,"/PRP she/PRP said;/VBD "it's/RB about/IN Ju/NNP —/, "/'' Their/PRP$ eyes/NNS met/VBD in/IN the/DT pause./NN "Mother/NN —/NN really?"/NN Margaret/NNP said/VBD slowly./. "She/PRP told/VBD me/PRP on/IN Tuesday,."/NNP Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP said,/VBD with/IN glistening/VBG eyes./NN "Now,/NN not/RB a/DT word/NN to/TO any/DT one,/JJ Mark,/NNP —/, but/CC she'll/MD want/VB you/PRP to/TO know!"/VB "And/NN is/VBZ she/PRP glad?"/VB Margaret/NNP said,/VBP unable/JJ to/TO rejoice./VB "Glad?"/NNP Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP echoed,/VBD her/PRP$ face/NN gladness/NN itself./, "Well,/NNP Ju's/NNP so/IN young,/JJ —/NN just/RB twenty-one,"/JJ Margaret/NNP submitted/VBD a/DT little/JJ uncertainly;/JJ "and/CC she's/POS been/VBN so/RB free,/JJ —/NN and/CC they're/NN just/RB in/IN the/DT new/JJ house!/NNS And/CC I/PRP thought/VBD they/PRP were/VBD going/VBG to/TO Europe!"/NNP "Oh,/NNP Europe!"/NNP Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP dismissed/VBD it/PRP cheerfully./VBD "Why,/RB it's/IN the/DT happiest/JJS time/NN in/IN a/DT woman's/NN life,/NN Mark!/NNP Or/CC I/PRP don't/RB know,/VBP though,"/IN she/PRP went/VBD on/IN thoughtfully,/DT —/NN "I/PRP don't/RB know/VBP but/CC what/WP I/PRP was/VBD happiest/JJS when/WRB you/PRP were/VBD all/DT tiny,/NN tumbling/VBG about/IN me,/NNS and/CC climbing/VBG into/IN my/PRP$ lap..../NN Why,/IN you/PRP love/VBP children,/NN dear,"/NN she/PRP finished,/VBD with/IN a/DT shade/NN of/IN reproach/NN in/IN her/PRP$ voice,/NN as/IN Margaret/NNP still/RB looked/VBD sober./JJ "Yes,/IN I/PRP know,/VBP Mother,"/NNP Margaret/NNP said./VBD "But/JJ Julie's/NNP only/RB got/VBD the/DT one/CD maid,/NN and/CC I/PRP don't/VBP suppose/VB they/PRP can/MD have/VB another./DT I/PRP hope/VBP to/TO goodness/NN Ju/NNP won't/MD get/VB herself/PRP all/DT run/VBP down!"/RP telling/VBG me/PRP to,/, and/CC I/PRP couldn't,/MD because/IN I/PRP knew/VBD what/WP a/DT calamity/NN a/DT third/JJ would/MD seem/VB to/TO her!/PRP Finally/RB she/PRP went/VBD to/TO visit/VB Aunt/NNP Rebecca/NNP out/IN West,/NNP and/CC it/PRP was/VBD the/DT very/JJ day/NN she/PRP got/VBD back/RB that/IN the/DT baby/NN came./VBD She/PRP came/VBD upstairs/RB —/NN she'd/VBD come/VBN right/RB up/RB from/IN the/DT train,/NN and/CC not/RB seen/VBN any/DT one/CD but/CC Dad;/NNP and/CC he/PRP wasn't/VBD very/RB intelligible,/JJ I/PRP guess/VBP —/RB and/CC she/PRP sat/VBD down/RB and/CC took/VBD the/DT baby/NN in/IN her/PRP$ arms,/NN and/CC says/VBZ she,/PRP looking/VBG at/IN me/PRP sort/NN of/IN patiently,/NN yet/RB as/IN if/IN she/PRP was/VBD exasperated/VBN too:/RB 'Well,/VBN this/DT is/VBZ a/DT nice/JJ way/NN to/TO do,/VB the/DT minute/NN my/PRP$ back's/NNS turned!/IN What/WP are/VBP you/PRP going/VBG to/TO call/VB him,/PRP Julia?'/NNP And/CC I/PRP said,/VBD 'I'm/PRP going/VBG to/TO call/VB her/PRP$ Margaret,/NN for/IN my/PRP$ dear/JJ husband's/NN mother,/NN and/CC she's/NNS going/VBG to/TO be/VB beautiful/JJ and/CC good,/JJ and/CC grow/VB up/RP to/TO marry/VB the/DT President!'"/NNP Mrs./NNP Paget's/NNP merry/JJ laugh/NN rang/VBD out./RP "I/VB never/RB shall/MD forget/VB your/PRP$ grandmother's/NNS face."/RB "Just/RB the/DT same,"/JJ Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP added,/VBD with/IN a/DT sudden/JJ deep/JJ sigh,/NN "when/RB little/RB Charlie/NNP left/VBD us,/IN the/DT next/JJ year,/NN and/CC Brucie/NNP and/CC Dad/NNP were/VBD both/DT so/RB ill,/JJ she/PRP and/CC I/PRP agreed/VBD that/IN you/PRP —/VBP you/PRP were/VBD just/RB talking/VBG and/CC trying/VBG to/TO walk/VB —/RB were/VBD the/DT only/JJ comfort/NN we/PRP had!/VBP I/PRP could/MD wish/VB my/PRP$ girls/NNS no/DT greater/JJR happiness/NN than/IN my/PRP$ children/NNS have/VBP been/VBN to/TO me,"/VB finished/VBN Mother,/NNP contentedly./, "I/NNP know,"/VBD Margaret/NNP began,/VBD half/DT angrily;/JJ "but/CC what/WP about/IN the/DT children?"/NN she/PRP was/VBD going/VBG to/TO add./VB But/CC somehow/RB the/DT arguments/NNS she/PRP had/VBD used/VBN so/RB plausibly/RB did/VBD not/RB utter/JJ themselves/PRP easily/RB to/TO Mother,/NNP whose/WP$ children/NNS would/MD carry/VB into/IN their/PRP$ own/JJ middle/NN age/NN a/DT wholesome/JJ dread/NN of/IN her/PRP$ anger./NN Margaret/NNP faltered,/, and/CC merely/RB scowled./VBG "I/JJ don't/NN like/IN to/TO see/VB that/WDT expression/NN on/IN your/PRP$ face,/NN dearie,"/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN said,/VBD as/IN she/PRP might/MD have/VB said/VBD it/PRP to/TO an/DT eight-year-old/JJ child./NN "Be/IN my/PRP$ sweet/JJ girl!/NN Why,/IN marriage/NN isn't/CC marriage/NN without/IN children,/NN Mark./NNP I've/NNP been/VBN thinking/VBG all/DT week/NN of/IN having/VBG a/DT baby/NN in/IN my/PRP$ arms/NNS again,/IN —/NNS it's/VBD so/RB long/RB since/IN Rob/NNP was/VBD a/DT baby."/NN Margaret/NNP devoted/VBD herself,/PRP with/IN a/DT rather/RB sullen/JJ face,/NN to/TO her/PRP$ dessert./NN Mother/NN would/MD never/RB feel/VB as/IN she/PRP did/VBD about/IN these/DT things,/NNS and/CC what/WP was/VBD the/DT use/NN of/IN arguing?/NN In/IN the/DT silence/NN she/PRP heard/VBD her/PRP father/NN speak/VB loudly/RB and/CC suddenly./VBD "I/PRP am/VBP not/RB in/IN a/DT position/NN to/TO have/VB my/PRP$ children/NNS squander/JJR money/NN on/IN concerts/NNS and/CC candy,"/NN he/PRP said./VBD Margaret/NNP forgot/VBD her/PRP$ own/JJ grievance,/NN and/CC looked/VBD up./RB The/DT boys/NNS looked/VBD resentful/JJ and/CC gloomy;/JJ Rebecca/NN was/VBD flushed,/VBN her/PRP$ eyes/NNS dropped,/VBD her/PRP$ lips/NNS trembling/VBG with/IN disappointment./NN "I/NN had/VBD promised/VBN to/TO take/VB them/PRP to/TO the/DT Elks/NNP Concert/NNP and/CC dance,"/VB Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP interpreted/VBD hastily./PRP "But/IN now/RB Dad/NNP says/VBZ the/DT Bakers/NNS are/VBP coming/VBG over/IN to/TO play/VB whist."/NN "Is/NNS it/PRP going/VBG to/TO be/VB a/DT good/JJ show,/NN Ted?"/NNP Margaret/NNP asked./VBD "Oh,"/JJ Rebecca/NN flashed/VBD into/IN instant/NN glowing/VBG response./NN "It's/NNS going/VBG to/TO be/VB a/DT dandy!/NN Every/DT one's/NNS going/VBG to/TO be/VB there!/DT Ford/NNP Patterson/NNP is/VBZ going/VBG to/TO do/VB a/DT monologue,/NN —/RB he's/VBD as/RB good/JJ as/IN a/DT professional!/NN —/NN and/CC George/NNP is/VBZ going/VBG to/TO send/VB up/RP a/DT bunch/NN of/IN carrots/NNS and/CC parsnips!/NNS And/CC the/DT Weston/NNP Male/NNP Quartette,/NNP Mark,/NNP and/CC a/DT playlet/NN by/IN the/DT Hunt's/NNP Crossing/NNP Amateur/NNP Theatrical/NNP Society!"/NNP "Oh/NNP —/NNP oh!"/NNP —/NNP Margaret/NNP mimicked/VBD the/DT eager/JJ rush/NN of/IN words./NN "Let/IN me/PRP take/VBP them,/PRP Dad,"/IN she/PRP pleaded,/VBP "if/VBN it's/RB going/VBG to/TO be/VB as/RB fine/JJ as/IN all/DT that!/IN I'll/NNP stand/VBP treat/VB for/IN the/DT crowd."/NN "Oh,/NN Mark,/IN you/PRP darling!"/RB burst/VBD from/IN the/DT rapturous/JJ Rebecca./NN "Say,/IN gee,/NN we've/NN got/VBD to/TO get/VB there/RB early!"/JJ Theodore/NNP warned/VBD them,/, finishing/VBG his/PRP$ pudding/NN with/IN one/CD mammoth/NN spoonful./NN "If/IN you/PRP take/VBP them,/, my/PRP$ dear,"/NN Mr./NNP Paget/NNP said/VBD graciously,/JJ "of/IN course/NN Mother/NNP and/CC I/PRP are/VBP quite/RB satisfied."/JJ "I'll/NN hold/NN Robert/NNP by/IN one/CD ear/NN and/CC Rebecca/NN by/IN another,"/DT Margaret/NNP promised;/NN "and/CC if/IN she/PRP so/RB much/RB as/IN dares/NNS to/TO look/VB at/IN George/NNP or/CC Ted/NNP or/CC Jimmy/NNP Barr/NNP or/CC Paul,/NNP I'll/NNP —/, "/`` "Oh,/VB Jimmy/NNP belongs/VBZ to/TO Louise,/NNP now,"/, said/VBD Rebecca,/NN radiantly./NN There/RB was/VBD a/DT joyous/JJ shout/NN of/IN laughter/NN from/IN the/DT light-hearted/JJ juniors,/NN and/CC Rebecca,/NN seeing/VBG her/PRP artless/JJ admission/NN too/RB late,/RB turned/VBD scarlet/JJ while/IN she/PRP laughed./VBD Dinner/NNP broke/VBD up/RP in/IN confusion,/NN as/IN dinner/NN at/IN home/NN always/RB did,/VBD and/CC everybody/NN straggled/VBN upstairs/NN to/TO dress./VB Margaret,/NNP changing/VBG her/PRP$ dress/NN in/IN a/DT room/NN that/WDT was/VBD insufferably/RB hot,/JJ because/IN the/DT shades/NNS must/MD be/VB down,/RB and/CC the/DT gas-lights/NNS as/RB high/JJ as/IN possible,/JJ reflected/VBD that/IN another/DT forty-eight/JJ hours/NNS would/MD see/VB her/PRP speeding/VBG back/RB to/TO the/DT world/NN of/IN cool,/JJ awninged/JJ interiors,/NN uniformed/JJ maids,/NN the/DT clink/NN of/IN iced/JJ glasses,/NN the/DT flash/NN of/IN white/JJ sails/NNS on/IN blue/JJ water./NN She/PRP could/MD surely/RB afford/VB for/IN that/DT time/NN to/TO be/VB patient/JJ and/CC sweet./JJ She/PRP lifted/VBD Rebecca's/NNS starched/VBD petticoat/NN from/IN the/DT bed/NN to/TO give/VB Mother/NNP a/DT seat,/NN when/WRB Mother/NNP came/VBD rather/RB wearily/RB in/IN to/TO watch/VB them./PRP "Sweet/VB girl/NN to/TO take/VB them,/, Mark,"/NNP said/VBD Mother,/NNP appreciatively./VBD "I/PRP was/VBD going/VBG to/TO ask/VB Brucie./NNP But/CC he's/PRP$ gone/VBN to/TO bed,/VB poor/JJ fellow;/VBN he's/NNS worn/VBN out/IN to-night."/JJ "He/NN had/VBD a/DT letter/NN from/IN Ned/NNP Gunther/NNP this/DT morning,"/NN said/VBD Rebecca,/NN cheerfully,/NN —/NN powdering/VBG the/DT tip/NN of/IN her/PRP$ pretty/JJ nose,/NN her/PRP eyes/NNS almost/RB crossed/VBD with/IN concentration,/NN —/NN "and/CC I/PRP think/VBP it/PRP made/VBD him/PRP blue/JJ all/DT day."/NN "Ned/NNP Gunther?"/NNP said/VBD Margaret./NNP "Chum/NNP at/IN college,"/NN Rebecca/NN elucidated;/VBD "a/DT lot/NN of/IN them/PRP are/VBP going/VBG to/TO Honolulu,/NNP just/RB for/IN this/DT month,/NN and/CC of/IN course/NN they/PRP wanted/VBD Bruce./NNP Mark,/NNP does/VBZ that/DT show?"/NN Margaret's/NNP heart/NN ached/VBD for/IN the/DT beloved/JJ brother's/NNS disappointment./VBD There/RB it/PRP was/VBD again,/RB all/DT wrong!/NN Before/IN she/PRP left/VBD the/DT house/NN with/IN the/DT rioting/NN youngsters,/, she/PRP ran/VBD upstairs/RB to/TO his/PRP$ room./NN Bruce,/NNP surrounded/VBN by/IN scientific/JJ magazines,/NN a/DT drop-light/NN with/IN a/DT vivid/JJ green/JJ shade/NN over/IN his/PRP$ shoulder,/NNS looked/VBD up/RP with/IN a/DT welcoming/JJ smile./NN "Sit/NN down/RB and/CC talk,/DT Mark,"/NNP said/VBD he./PRP Margaret/NNP explained/VBD her/PRP$ hurry./NN "Bruce,/NN —/IN this/DT isn't/RB much/JJ fun!"/NN she/PRP said,/VBD looking/VBG about/IN the/DT room/NN with/IN its/PRP$ shabby/JJ dresser/NN and/CC worn/JJ carpet./NN "Why/NN aren't/VBP you/PRP going/VBG to/TO the/DT concert?"/NN "Is/NN there/RB a/DT concert?"/NN he/PRP asked,/VBD surprised./VBN "Why,/RB didn't/RB you/PRP hear/VBP us/PRP talking/VBG at/IN dinner?/NN The/DT Elks,/NNP you/PRP know."/VBP "Well/RB —/RB sure!/JJ I/PRP meant/VBD to/TO go/VB to/TO that./DT I/PRP forgot/VBD it/PRP was/VBD to-night,"/JJ he/PRP said,/VBD with/IN his/PRP$ lazy/JJ smile./NN "I/NN came/VBD home/NN all/DT in,/NN forgot/VBD everything."/DT "Oh,/NNP come,!"/VBD Margaret/NNP urged,/VBD as/RB eagerly/RB as/IN Rebecca/NN ever/RB did./VBD "It's/NNP early,/, Bruce,/NNP come/VB on!/RB You/PRP don't/RB have/VBP to/TO shave!/VB We'll/NNP hold/VB a/DT seat,/NN —/NN come/VBN on!"/RB "Sure,/IN I/PRP will!"/MD he/PRP said,/VBD suddenly/RB roused./VBN The/DT magazines/NNS rapped/VBD on/IN the/DT floor,/NN and/CC Margaret/NNP had/VBD barely/RB shut/VB the/DT door/NN behind/IN her/PRP when/WRB she/PRP heard/VBD his/PRP$ bare/JJ feet/NNS follow/VBP them./, It/PRP was/VBD like/IN old/JJ times/NNS to/TO sit/VB next/JJ to/TO him/PRP through/IN the/DT hot/JJ merry/NN evening,/RB while/IN Rebecca/NN glowed/VBD like/IN a/DT little/JJ rose/NN among/IN her/PRP$ friends,/NNS and/CC the/DT smaller/JJR boys/NNS tickled/VBD her/PRP$ ear/NN with/IN their/PRP$ whispered/JJ comments./NN Margaret/NNP had/VBD sent/VBN a/DT telegram/NN to/TO Professor/NNP Tenison,/NNP and/CC felt/VBD relieved/VBN that/IN at/IN least/JJS that/IN strain/NN was/VBD spared/VBN her./PRP She/PRP even/RB danced/VBD with/IN Bruce/NNP after/IN the/DT concert,/NN and/CC with/IN one/CD or/CC two/CD old/JJ friends./NN Afterwards,/IN they/PRP strolled/VBD back/RB slowly/RB through/IN the/DT inky/JJ summer/NN dark,/NN finding/VBG the/DT house/NN hot/JJ and/CC close/RB when/WRB they/PRP came/VBD in./NN Margaret/NNP went/VBD upstairs,/JJ hearing/NN her/PRP mother's/NN apologetic,/VB "Oh,/DT Dad,/NNP why/WRB didn't/VBD I/PRP give/VBP you/PRP back/RB your/PRP$ club?"/NN as/IN she/PRP passed/VBD the/DT dining-room/NN door./NN She/PRP knew/VBD Mother/NNP hated/VBD whist,/NN and/CC wondered/VBD rather/RB irritably/RB why/WRB she/PRP played/VBD it./PRP The/DT Paget/NNP family/NN was/VBD slow/JJ to/TO settle/VB down./RP Robert/NNP became/VBD tearful/JJ and/CC whining/VBG before/IN he/PRP was/VBD finally/RB bumped/VBN protesting/VBG into/IN bed./NN Theodore/NNP and/CC Duncan/NNP prolonged/VBN their/PRP$ ablutions/NNS until/IN the/DT noise/NN of/IN shouting,/NN splashing,/NNS and/CC thumping/VBG in/IN the/DT bathroom/NN brought/VBN Mother/NNP to/TO the/DT foot/NN of/IN the/DT stairs./NN Rebecca/NN was/VBD conversational./VBG She/PRP lay/VBD with/IN her/PRP$ slender/JJ arms/NNS locked/VBN behind/IN her/PRP$ head/NN on/IN the/DT pillow,/NN and/CC talked,/NN as/IN Julie/NNP had/VBD talked/VBN on/IN that/DT memorable/JJ night/NN five/CD years/NNS ago./. Margaret,/NN restless/JJ in/IN the/DT hot/JJ darkness,/NN wondering/VBG whether/IN the/DT maddening/JJ little/JJ shaft/NN of/IN light/NN from/IN the/DT hall/NN gas/NN was/VBD annoying/VBG enough/RB to/TO warrant/VB the/DT effort/NN of/IN getting/VBG up/RB and/CC extinguishing/VBG it,/RB listened/VBD and/CC listened./VBD Rebecca/NNP wanted/VBD to/TO join/VB the/DT Stage/NN Club,/NNP but/CC Mother/NNP wouldn't/MD let/VB her/PRP unless/IN Bruce/NNP did./VBD Rebecca/NNP belonged/VBD to/TO the/DT Progressive/NNP Diners./NNP Did/VBD Mark/NNP suppose/VB Mother'd/NNP think/VBP she/PRP was/VBD crazy/JJ if/IN she/PRP asked/VBD the/DT family/NN not/RB to/TO be/VB in/IN evidence/NN when/WRB the/DT crowd/NN came/VBD to/TO the/DT house/NN for/IN the/DT salad/NN course?/MD And/CC Rebecca/NNP wanted/VBD to/TO write/VB to/TO Bruce's/NNP chum,/, not/RB regularly,/VB you/PRP know,/VB Mark,/NNP but/CC just/RB now/RB and/CC then,/RB he/PRP was/VBD so/RB nice!/JJ And/CC Mother/NNP didn't/VBD like/IN the/DT idea./NN Margaret/NNP was/VBD obviously/RB supposed/VBN to/TO lend/VB a/DT hand/NN with/IN these/DT interesting/JJ tangles./NN "...and/CC I/PRP said,/VBD 'Certainly/PRP not!/RB I/PRP won't/VBD unmask/JJ at/IN all,/RB if/IN it/PRP comes/VBZ to/TO that!'.../DT And/CC imagine/VB that/DT elegant/JJ fellow/NN carrying/VBG my/PRP$ old/JJ books/NNS and/CC my/PRP$ skates!/NN So/IN I/PRP wrote,/VBD and/CC Maudie/NNP and/CC I/PRP decided.../VBP And/CC Mark,/NNP if/IN it/PRP wasn't/VBD a/DT perfectly/RB gorgeous/JJ box/NN of/IN roses!.../NNP That/IN old,/JJ old/JJ dimity,/, but/CC Mother/NNP pressed/VBD and/CC freshened/VBD it/PRP up..../RP Not/RB that/IN I/PRP want/VBP to/TO marry/VB him,/NN or/CC any/DT one..."/JJ Margaret/NNP wakened/VBD from/IN uneasy/JJ drowsing/NN with/IN a/DT start./NN The/DT hall/NN was/VBD dark/JJ now,/RB the/DT room/NN cooler./VBD Rebecca/NNP was/VBD asleep./RB Hands,/JJ hands/NNS she/PRP knew/VBD well,/JJ were/VBD drawing/VBG a/DT light/NN covering/VBG over/IN her/PRP$ shoulders./VBG She/PRP opened/VBD her/PRP$ eyes/NNS to/TO see/VB her/PRP$ mother./NN "I've/NN been/VBN wondering/VBG if/IN you're/PRP disappointed/VBD about/IN your/PRP$ friend/NN not/RB coming/VBG to-morrow,/JJ Mark?"/NNP said/VBD the/DT tender/NN voice./NN "Oh,/NNP no-o!"/, said/VBD Margaret,/NNP hardily./JJS "Mother/JJ —/NNS why/WRB are/VBP you/PRP up/RB so/RB late?"/JJ "Just/RB going/VBG to/TO bed,"/VB said/VBD the/DT other,/JJ soothingly./NN "Blanche/NNP forgot/VBD to/TO put/VB the/DT oatmeal/NN into/IN the/DT cooker,/NN and/CC I/PRP went/VBD downstairs/RB again./. I'll/. say/VB my/PRP$ prayers/NNS in/IN here."/PRP$ Margaret/NNP went/VBD off/RP to/TO sleep/VB again,/RB as/IN she/PRP had/VBD so/RB many/JJ hundred/CD times/NNS before,/IN with/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN kneeling/VBG beside/IN her./PRP It/PRP seemed/VBD but/CC a/DT few/JJ moments/NNS before/IN the/DT blazing/VBG Sunday/NNP was/VBD precipitated/VBN upon/IN them,/, and/CC everybody/NN was/VBD late/JJ for/IN everything./DT The/DT kitchen/NN was/VBD filled/VBN with/IN the/DT smoke/NN from/IN hot/JJ griddles/NNS blue/JJ in/IN the/DT sunshine,/NN when/WRB Margaret/NNP went/VBD downstairs;/JJ and/CC in/IN the/DT dining-room/NN the/DT same/JJ merciless/JJ light/NN fell/VBD upon/IN the/DT sticky/JJ syrup/NN pitcher,/NN and/CC upon/IN the/DT stains/NNS on/IN the/DT tablecloth./NN Cream/NN had/VBD been/VBN brought/VBN in/IN in/IN the/DT bottle,/NN the/DT bread/NN tray/NN was/VBD heaped/VBN with/IN orange/JJ skins,/NN and/CC the/DT rolls/NNS piled/VBN on/IN the/DT tablecloth./NN Bruce,/NNP who/WP had/VBD already/RB been/VBN to/TO church/NN with/IN Mother,/NNP and/CC was/VBD off/RB for/IN a/DT day's/NN sail,/NN was/VBD dividing/VBG his/PRP$ attention/NN between/IN Robert/NNP and/CC his/PRP$ watch./NN Rebecca,/NN daintily/RB busy/JJ with/IN the/DT special/JJ cup/NN and/CC plate/NN that/WDT were/VBD one/CD of/IN her/PRP$ little/JJ affectations,/NN was/VBD all/DT ready/JJ for/IN the/DT day,/NN except/IN as/IN to/TO dress,/VB wearing/VBG a/DT thin/JJ little/JJ kimono/NN over/IN her/PRP$ blue/JJ ribbons/NNS and/CC starched/VBD embroideries./DT Mother/NN was/VBD putting/VBG up/RP a/DT little/JJ lunch/NN for/IN Bruce./NNP Confusion/NNP reigned./VBD The/DT younger/JJR boys/NNS were/VBD urged/VBN to/TO hurry,/VB if/IN they/PRP wanted/VBD to/TO make/VB the/DT "nine."/NN Rebecca/NN was/VBD going/VBG to/TO wait/VB for/IN the/DT "half/NN past/IN ten,"/NN because/IN the/DT "kids/NNS sang/VBD at/IN nine,/NN and/CC it/PRP was/VBD fierce."/JJ Mr./NNP Paget/NNP and/CC his/PRP$ sons/NNS departed/VBD together,/RB and/CC the/DT girls/NNS went/VBD upstairs/RB for/IN a/DT hot,/NN tiring/NN tussle/NN with/IN beds/NNS and/CC dusting/VBG before/IN starting/VBG for/IN church./NN They/PRP left/VBD their/PRP$ mother/NN busy/JJ with/IN the/DT cream/NN freezer/NN in/IN the/DT kitchen./NN It/PRP was/VBD very/RB hot/JJ even/RB then./DT But/CC it/PRP was/VBD still/RB hotter,/JJ walking/VBG home/NN in/IN the/DT burning/VBG midday/NN stillness./VBD A/DT group/NN of/IN young/JJ people/NNS waited/VBD lazily/RB for/IN letters,/NN under/IN the/DT trees/NNS outside/IN the/DT post-office/NN door./NN Otherwise/RB the/DT main/JJ street/NN was/VBD deserted./VBN A/DT languid/JJ little/JJ breeze/NN brought/VBD the/DT far/JJ echoes/NNS of/IN pianos/NNS and/CC phonographs/NNS from/IN this/DT direction/NN and/CC that./DT "Who's/NNP that/WDT on/IN the/DT porch?"/NN said/VBD Rebecca,/NN suddenly,/RB as/IN they/PRP neared/VBD home,/RB instantly/RB finding/VBG the/DT stranger/NN among/IN her/PRP$ father/NN and/CC the/DT boys./NN Margaret,/NNP glancing/VBG up/RB sharply,/NNS saw,/VBD almost/RB with/IN a/DT sensation/NN of/IN sickness,/JJ the/DT big,/JJ ungainly/NN figure,/, the/DT beaming/VBG smile,/NN and/CC the/DT shock/NN of/IN dark/JJ hair/NN that/WDT belonged/VBD to/TO nobody/NN else/RB in/IN the/DT world/NN but/CC John/NNP Tenison,/NNP A/DT stony/JJ chill/NN settled/VBN about/IN her/PRP$ heart/NN as/IN she/PRP went/VBD up/IN the/DT steps/NNS and/CC gave/VBD him/PRP her/PRP$ hand./NN Oh,/IN if/IN he/PRP only/RB couldn't/MD stay/VB to/TO dinner,/VB she/PRP prayed./VBD Oh,/NNP if/IN only/RB he/PRP could/MD spare/VB them/PRP time/NN for/IN no/DT more/JJR than/IN a/DT flying/VBG visit!/NN With/IN a/DT sinking/VBG heart/NN she/PRP smiled/VBD her/PRP greetings./. "Doctor/NNP Tenison,/NNP —/, this/DT is/VBZ very/RB nice/JJ of/IN you!"/JJ Margaret/NNP said./VBD "Have/JJ you/PRP met/VBD my/PRP$ father/NN —/VBD my/PRP$ small/JJ brothers?"/NN "We/NN have/VBP been/VBN having/VBG a/DT great/JJ talk,"/NN said/VBD John/NNP Tenison,/NNP genially,/NN "and/CC this/DT young/JJ man/NN —/, "/'' he/PRP indicated/VBD Robert,/NNP "has/VBZ been/VBN showing/VBG me/PRP the/DT colored/JJ supplement/NN of/IN the/DT paper./NN I/PRP didn't/RB have/VBP any/DT word/NN from/IN you,/JJ Miss/NNP Paget,"/NNP he/PRP went/VBD on,/RB "so/IN I/PRP took/VBD the/DT chance/NN of/IN finding/VBG you./PRP And/CC your/PRP$ mother/NN has/VBZ assured/VBN me/PRP that/IN I/PRP will/MD not/RB put/VB her/PRP$ out/RP by/IN staying/VBG to/TO have/VB luncheon/NN with/IN you."/DT "Oh,/NNP that's/IN nice!"/JJ Margaret/NNP said/VBD mechanically,/NNS trying/VBG to/TO dislodge/VB Robert/NNP from/IN the/DT most/RBS comfortable/JJ chair/NN by/IN a/DT significant/JJ touch/NN of/IN her/PRP$ fingers/NNS on/IN his/PRP$ small/JJ shoulder./NN Robert/NNP perfectly/RB understood/VBD that/IN she/PRP wanted/VBD the/DT chair,/NN but/CC continued/VBD in/IN absorbed/JJ study/NN of/IN the/DT comic/JJ supplement,/NN merely/RB wriggling/VBG resentfully/RB at/IN Margaret's/NNP touch./NN Margaret,/NNP at/IN the/DT moment,/NN would/MD have/VB been/VBN glad/JJ to/TO use/VB violence/NN on/IN the/DT stubborn,/NN serene/JJ little/JJ figure./NN When/WRB he/PRP was/VBD finally/RB dislodged,/, she/PRP sat/VBD down,/RB still/RB flushed/VBN from/IN her/PRP$ walk/NN and/CC the/DT nervousness/NN Doctor/NNP Tenison's/NNP arrival/NN caused/VBN her,/, and/CC tried/VBD to/TO bring/VB the/DT conversation/NN into/IN a/DT normal/JJ channel./NN But/CC an/DT interruption/NN occurred/VBD in/IN the/DT arrival/NN of/IN Harry/NNP and/CC Julie/NNP in/IN the/DT runabout;/VBN the/DT little/JJ boys/NNS swarmed/VBD down/RB to/TO examine/VB it./PRP Julie,/NNP very/RB pretty,/RB with/IN a/DT perceptible/JJ little/JJ new/JJ air/NN of/IN dignity,/NN went/VBD upstairs/RB to/TO freshen/VB hair/NN and/CC gown,/NN and/CC Harry,/NNP pushing/VBG his/PRP$ straw/NN hat/NN back/RB the/DT better/JJR to/TO mop/VB his/PRP$ forehead,/NNS immediately/RB engaged/VBD Doctor/NNP Tenison's/NNP attention/NN with/IN the/DT details/NNS of/IN what/WDT sounded/VBD to/TO Margaret/NNP like/IN a/DT particularly/RB uninteresting/JJ operation,/NN which/WDT he/PRP had/VBD witnessed/VBN the/DT day/NN before./. Utterly/RB discouraged,/, and/CC acutely/RB wretched,/JJ Margaret/NNP presently/RB slipped/VBD away,/RB and/CC went/VBD into/IN the/DT kitchen,/NN to/TO lend/VB a/DT hand/NN with/IN the/DT dinner/NN reparations/NNS if/IN help/NN was/VBD needed./VBN The/DT room/NN presented/VBD a/DT scene/NN if/IN possible/JJ a/DT little/JJ more/JJR confused/JJ than/IN that/DT of/IN the/DT day/NN before,/, and/CC was/VBD certainly/RB hotter./JJR Her/PRP$ mother,/NN flushed/VBN and/CC hurried,/NN in/IN a/DT fresh/JJ but/CC rather/RB unbecoming/JJ gingham,/NN was/VBD putting/VBG up/RP a/DT cold/JJ supper/NN for/IN the/DT younger/JJR boys,/NN who,/, having/VBG duly/RB attended/VBN to/TO their/PRP$ religious/JJ duties,/NNS were/VBD to/TO take/VB a/DT long/JJ afternoon/NN tramp,/NN with/IN a/DT possible/JJ interval/NN of/IN fishing./NN She/PRP buttered/VBD each/DT slice/NN of/IN the/DT great/JJ loaf/NN before/IN she/PRP cut/VBD it,/RB and/CC lifted/VBD it/PRP carefully/RB on/IN the/DT knife/NN before/IN beginning/VBG the/DT next/JJ slice./NN An/DT opened/VBN pot/NN of/IN jam/NN stood/VBD at/IN her/PRP$ elbow./NN A/DT tin/NN cup/NN and/CC the/DT boys'/NNS fishing-gear/NN lay/VBD on/IN a/DT chair./NN Theodore/NNP and/CC Duncan/NNP themselves/PRP hung/VBD over/IN these/DT preparations;/NNS never/RB apparently/RB helping/VBG themselves/PRP to/TO food,/NNS yet/RB never/RB with/IN empty/JJ mouths./NN Blanche,/NNP moaning/VBG "The/DT Palms"/NNP with/IN the/DT insistence/NN of/IN one/NN who/WP wishes/VBZ to/TO show/VB her/PRP$ entire/JJ familiarity/NN with/IN a/DT melody,/NN was/VBD at/IN the/DT range./NN Roast/NNP veal,/, instead/RB of/IN the/DT smothered/JJ chickens/NNS her/PRP$ mother/NN had/VBD so/RB often,/RB and/CC cooked/VBD so/RB deliciously,/IN a/DT mountain/NN of/IN mashed/VBN potato/NN —/NN corn/NN on/IN the/DT cob,/NN and/CC an/DT enormous/JJ heavy/JJ salad/NN mantled/VBN with/IN mayonnaise/NN —/IN Margaret/NNP could/MD have/VB wept/VBN over/IN the/DT hopelessly/RB plebeian/JJ dinner!/NN "Mother,/IN mayn't/NN I/PRP get/VBP down/IN the/DT finger-bowls,"/NN she/PRP asked;/VBP "and/CC mayn't/VBP we/PRP have/VBP black/JJ coffee/NN in/IN the/DT silver/NN pot,/NN afterwards?"/IN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP looked/VBD absently/RB at/IN her/PRP for/IN a/DT dubious/JJ second./NN "I/NNS don't/VBP like/IN to/TO ask/VB Blanche/NNP to/TO wash/VB all/DT that/DT extra/JJ glass,"/NN she/PRP said,/VBD in/IN an/DT undertone,/JJ adding/VBG briskly/RB to/TO Theodore,/DT "No,/NNP no,/NN Ted!/NNP You/PRP can't/MD have/VB all/DT that/IN cake./DT Half/NN that!"/RB and/CC to/TO Blanche/NNP herself,/, "Don't/RB leave/VB the/DT door/NN open/JJ when/WRB you/PRP go/VBP in,/RB Blanche;/NNP I/PRP just/RB drove/VBD all/RB the/DT flies/NNS out/IN of/IN the/DT dining-room."/NN Then/RB she/PRP returned/VBD to/TO Margaret/NNP with/IN a/DT cordial:/NN "Why,/IN certainly,/JJ dear!/NN Any/DT one/NN who/WP wants/VBZ coffee,/NN after/IN tea,/NNS can/MD have/VB it!/VBN Dad/NNP always/RB wants/VBZ his/PRP$ cup/NN of/IN tea."/NN "Nobody/NN but/CC us/PRP ever/RB serves/VBZ tea/NN with/IN dinner!"/NN Margaret/NNP muttered;/NNS but/CC her/PRP$ mother/NN did/VBD not/RB hear/VB it./PRP She/PRP buckled/VBD the/DT strap/NN of/IN the/DT lunch-box,/NN straightened/VBD her/PRP$ back/NN with/IN an/DT air/NN of/IN relief,/NN and/CC pushed/VBD down/IN her/PRP$ rolled-up/JJ sleeves./NN "Don't/RB lose/VBP that/DT napkin,/NN Ted,"/NNP said/VBD she,/PRP and/CC receiving/VBG the/DT boy's/NNS grateful/JJ kiss/NN haphazard/NN between/IN her/PRP$ hair/NN and/CC forehead,/NN she/PRP added/VBD affectionately:/IN "You're/RB more/JJR than/IN welcome,/JJ dear!/NN We're/IN all/DT ready,/JJ Mark,/NNP —/NNS go/VBP and/CC tell/VBP them,/NN dear!/NN All/DT right,/JJ Blanche."/NNP Ruffled/NNP and/CC angry,/DT Margaret/NNP went/VBD to/TO summon/VB the/DT others/NNS to/TO dinner./NN Maudie/NNP had/VBD joined/VBN them/PRP on/IN the/DT porch/NN now,/, and/CC had/VBD been/VBN urged/VBN to/TO stay,/VB and/CC was/VBD already/RB trying/VBG her/PRP$ youthful/JJ wiles/NNS on/IN the/DT professor./NN "Well,/IN he'll/NN have/VBP to/TO leave/VB on/IN the/DT five/CD o'clock!"/IN Margaret/NNP reflected,/VBP steeled/JJ to/TO bitter/JJ endurance/NN until/IN that/DT time./NN For/IN everything/NN went/VBD wrong,/JJ and/CC dinner/NN was/VBD one/CD long/JJ nightmare/NN for/IN her./PRP Professor/NNP Tenison's/NNP napkin/NN turned/VBD out/RP to/TO be/VB a/DT traycloth./NN Blanche,/NNP asked/VBD for/IN another,/DT disappeared/VBN for/IN several/JJ minutes,/NNS and/CC returned/VBD without/IN it,/PRP$ to/TO whisper/VB in/IN Mrs./NNP Paget's/NNP ear./, Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP immediately/RB sent/VBD her/PRP$ own/JJ fresh/JJ napkin/NN to/TO the/DT guest./NN The/DT incident,/NN or/CC something/NN in/IN their/PRP$ murmured/VBD conversation,/NN gave/VBD Rebecca/NN and/CC Maudie/NNP "the/NNP giggles."/NN There/EX seemed/VBD an/DT exhausting/JJ amount/NN of/IN passing/VBG and/CC repassing/VBG of/IN plates./DT The/DT room/NN was/VBD hot,/IN the/DT supply/NN of/IN ice/NN insufficient./, Mr./NNP Paget/NNP dwelt/VBD on/IN his/PRP$ favorite/JJ grievance/NN —/NN "the/IN old/JJ man/NN isn't/RB needed,/VBP these/DT days./NN They're/. getting/VBG all/DT young/JJ fellows/NNS into/IN the/DT bank./NN They/PRP put/VBD young/JJ college/NN fellows/NNS in/IN there/EX who/WP are/VBP getting/VBG pretty/RB near/IN the/DT money/NN I/PRP am/VBP —/RB after/IN twenty-five/CD years!"/NNS In/IN any/DT pause,/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP could/MD be/VB heard,/VBN patiently/RB dissuading/VBG little/RB Robert/NNP from/IN his/PRP$ fixed/VBN intention/NN of/IN accompanying/VBG the/DT older/JJR boys/NNS on/IN their/PRP$ walk,/NN whether/IN invited/VBN or/CC uninvited./NNP John/NNP Tenison/NNP behaved/VBD charmingly,/VBN eating/VBG his/PRP$ dinner/NN with/IN enjoyment,/NNS looking/VBG interestedly/RB from/IN one/CD face/NN to/TO the/DT other,/JJ sympathetic,/NN alert,/NN and/CC amused./VBN But/CC Margaret/NNP writhed/VBD in/IN spirit/NN at/IN what/WP he/PRP must/MD be/VB thinking./DT Finally/RB the/DT ice/NN cream,/NN in/IN a/DT melting/VBG condition,/NN and/CC the/DT chocolate/NN cake,/NN very/RB sticky,/RB made/VBN their/PRP$ appearance;/NN and/CC although/IN these/DT were/VBD regular/JJ Sunday/NNP treats,/, the/DT boys/NNS felt/VBD called/VBN upon/IN to/TO cheer./DT Julie/NNP asked/VBD her/PRP mother/NN in/IN an/DT audible/JJ undertone/NN if/IN she/PRP "ought"/VBD to/TO eat/VB cake./NN Doctor/NNP Tenison/NNP produced/VBD an/DT enormous/JJ box/NN of/IN chocolates,/NN and/CC Margaret/NNP was/VBD disgusted/VBN with/IN the/DT frantic/JJ scramble/NN her/PRP brothers/NNS made/VBD to/TO secure/VB them./PRP "If/IN you're/PRP going/VBG for/IN a/DT walk,/NN dear,"/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN said,/VBD when/WRB the/DT meal/NN was/VBD over,/IN "you'd/JJ better/JJR go./NN It's/IN almost/RB three/CD now."/JJ "I/NNS don't/RB know/VBP whether/IN we/PRP will,/MD it's/RB so/RB hot,"/JJ Margaret/NNP said,/VBD in/IN an/DT indifferent/JJ tone,/NN but/CC she/PRP could/MD easily/RB have/VB broken/VBN into/IN disheartened/NN tears./. "Oh,/'' go,"/VBD Julie/NNP urged,/VBD "it's/NNP much/RB cooler/JJR out."/NN They/PRP were/VBD up/RB in/IN Margaret's/NNP old/JJ room,/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP tying/VBG a/DT big/JJ apron/NN about/IN Julie's/NNP ruffled/VBD frock,/IN preparatory/NN to/TO an/DT attack/NN upon/IN the/DT demoralized/JJ kitchen./NN "We/PRP think/VBP he's/NNS lovely,"/VBP the/DT little/JJ matron/NN went/VBD on/IN approvingly./DT "Don't/JJ fall/NN in/IN love/NN with/IN him,/NN Mark."/NNP "Why/NNP not?"/, Margaret/NNP said/VBD carelessly,/JJ pinning/VBG on/IN her/PRP$ hat./NN "Well,/IN I/PRP don't/VBP imagine/VB he's/IN a/DT marrying/VBG man,"/NN said/VBD the/DT young/JJ authority,/NN wisely./VBD Margaret/NNP flushed,/, and/CC was/VBD angry/JJ at/IN herself/PRP for/IN flushing./DT But/CC when/WRB Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP had/VBD gone/VBN downstairs,/RB Julie/NNP came/VBD very/RB simply/RB and/CC charmingly/RB over/IN to/TO her/PRP$ sister,/NN and/CC standing/VBG close/RB beside/IN her/PRP$ with/IN embarrassed/JJ eyes/NNS on/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ hand,/NN —/, very/RB youthful/JJ in/IN its/PRP$ plain/JJ ring,/NN —/RB as/IN she/PRP played/VBD with/IN the/DT bureau/NN furnishing,/NN she/PRP said:/VBD "Mother/RB tell/VB you?"/PRP Margaret/NNP looked/VBD down/RB at/IN the/DT flushed/VBN face./NN "Are/NN you/PRP sorry,/JJ Ju?"/NNP "Sorry!"/NNP The/DT conscious/JJ eyes/NNS flashed/VBD into/IN view./DT "Sorry!"/NNP Julie/NNP echoed/VBD in/IN astonishment./JJ "Why,/NN Mark,"/NNP she/PRP said/VBD dreamily,/, —/IN there/EX was/VBD no/DT affectation/NN of/IN maturity/NN in/IN her/PRP$ manner/NN now,/, and/CC it/PRP was/VBD all/PDT the/DT more/RBR impressive/JJ for/IN that./DT "Why,/NNP Mark,"/NNP said/VBD she,/PRP "it's/VBZ —/VBN it's/IN the/DT most/RBS wonderful/JJ thing/NN that/WDT ever/RB happened/VBD to/TO me!/VB I/PRP think/VBP and/CC think,"/NNS —/VBD her/PRP$ voice/NN dropped/VBD very/RB low,/JJ —/NN "of/IN holding/VBG it/PRP in/IN my/PRP$ arms,/NN —/VBD mine/PRP and/CC Harry's,/NNP you/PRP know/VBP —/NNP and/CC of/IN its/PRP$ little/JJ face!"/NN Margaret,/NNP stirred,/RB kissed/VBD the/DT wet/JJ lashes./NN "Ju,/NN but/CC you're/NN so/RB young/JJ —/VBP you're/VB such/PDT a/DT baby/NN yourself!"/IN she/PRP said./VBD "And,/VBN Mark,"/NNP Julie/NNP said,/VBD unheeding,/JJ "you/NNS know/VBP what/WP Harry/NNP and/CC I/PRP are/VBP going/VBG to/TO call/VB her,/PRP if/IN it's/PRP a/DT girl?/NN Not/RB for/IN Mother,/NNP for/IN it's/PRP$ so/RB confusing/JJ to/TO have/VB two/CD Julias,/NNP but/CC for/IN you!/PRP Because,"/IN her/PRP$ arms/NNS went/VBD about/IN her/PRP$ sister,/JJ "you've/NN always/RB been/VBN such/JJ a/DT darling/NN to/TO me,/VB Mark!"/NNP Margaret/NNP went/VBD downstairs/RB very/RB thoughtfully,/VB and/CC out/RB into/IN the/DT silent/JJ Sunday/NNP streets./VBD Where/WRB they/PRP walked,/VBP or/CC what/WP they/PRP talked/VBD of,/IN she/PRP did/VBD not/RB know./. She/PRP knew/VBD that/IN her/PRP$ head/NN ached,/VB and/CC that/IN the/DT village/NN looked/VBD very/RB commonplace,/JJ and/CC that/IN the/DT day/NN was/VBD very/RB hot./. She/PRP found/VBD it/PRP more/RBR painful/JJ than/IN sweet/JJ to/TO be/VB strolling/JJ along/IN beside/IN the/DT big,/JJ loose-jointed/JJ figure,/NN and/CC to/TO send/VB an/DT occasional/JJ side/NN glance/NN to/TO John/NNP Tenison's/NNP earnest/NN face,/NN which/WDT wore/VBD its/PRP$ pleasantest/NN expression/NN now./RB Ah,/RB well,/IN it/PRP would/MD be/VB all/DT over/IN at/IN five/CD o'clock,/IN she/PRP said/VBD wearily/RB to/TO herself,/PRP and/CC she/PRP could/MD go/VB home/NN and/CC lie/VB down/RP with/IN her/PRP$ aching/VBG head/NN in/IN a/DT darkened/JJ room,/NN and/CC try/VB not/RB to/TO think/VB what/WP to-day/NN might/MD have/VB been./VBN Try/VB not/RB to/TO think/VB of/IN the/DT dainty/JJ little/JJ luncheon/NN Annie/NN would/MD have/VB given/VBN them/PRP at/IN Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's,/NNP of/IN the/DT luxurious/JJ choice/NN of/IN amusements/NNS afterward:/IN motoring/NN over/IN the/DT lovely/JJ country/NN roads,/NN rowing/VBG on/IN the/DT wide/JJ still/RB water,/JJ watching/VBG the/DT tennis/NN courts,/NN or/CC simply/RB resting/VBG in/IN deep/JJ chairs/NNS on/IN the/DT sweep/NN of/IN velvet/NN lawn/NN above/IN the/DT river./NN She/PRP came/VBD out/IN of/IN a/DT reverie/NN to/TO find/VB Doctor/NNP Tenison/NNP glancing/VBG calmly/RB up/RB from/IN his/PRP$ watch./NN "Missed/VBD it!"/IN Margaret/NNP echoed/VBD blankly./JJ Then,/NNP as/IN the/DT horrible/JJ possibility/NN dawned/VBD upon/IN her,/PRP "Oh,/IN no!"/DT "Oh,/NNP yes,/NN —/NN as/RB bad/JJ as/IN that!"/IN he/PRP said,/VBD laughing/VBG at/IN her./PRP Poor/JJ Margaret,/NNP fighting/NN despair,/NNS struggled/VBD to/TO recover/VB herself./PRP "Well,/IN I/PRP thought/VBD it/PRP might/MD have/VB been/VBN important/JJ to/TO you!"/VB she/PRP said,/VBD laughing/VBG quite/RB naturally./RB "There's/IN a/DT seven-six,/JJ but/CC it/PRP stops/VBZ everywhere,/RB and/CC a/DT ten-thirty./JJ The/DT ten-thirty/CD is/VBZ best,/RB because/IN supper's/NNS apt/JJ to/TO be/VB a/DT little/JJ late."/JJ "The/DT ten-thirty,"/JJ Doctor/NNP Tenison/NNP echoed/VBD contentedly./DT Margaret's/NNP heart/NN sank,/VBD —/JJ five/CD more/JJR hours/NNS of/IN the/DT struggle!/NN "But/CC perhaps/RB that's/IN an/DT imposition,"/NN he/PRP said./VBD "Isn't/RB there/RB a/DT tea-room/NN —/NN isn't/RB there/EX an/DT inn/NN here/RB where/WRB we/PRP could/MD have/VB a/DT bite?"/NN "We/NN aren't/RB in/IN Berlin,"/NNP Margaret/NNP reminded/VBD him/PRP cheerfully./VBG "There's/IN a/DT hotel,/NN —/, but/CC Mother/NNP would/MD never/RB forgive/VB me/PRP for/IN leading/VBG any/DT one/CD there!/EX No,/NNP we'll/MD take/VB that/DT little/JJ walk/NN I/PRP told/VBD you/PRP of,/, and/CC Mother/NNP will/MD give/VB us/PRP something/NN to/TO eat/VB later./RP —/RB Perhaps/RB if/IN we're/DT late/JJ enough,"/NN she/PRP added/VBD to/TO herself,/PRP "we/PRP can/MD have/VB just/RB tea/NN and/CC bread/NN and/CC jam/NN alone,/RB after/IN the/DT others."/JJ Suddenly,/NNP unreasonably,/IN she/PRP felt/VBD philosophical/JJ and/CC gay./VBD The/DT little/JJ episode/NN of/IN missing/VBG the/DT train/NN had/VBD given/VBN her/PRP$ the/DT old/JJ dear/JJ feeling/NN of/IN adventure/NN and/CC comradeship/NN again./NN Things/NNS couldn't/MD be/VB any/DT worse/JJR than/IN they/PRP had/VBD been/VBN at/IN noon,/NN anyway./DT The/DT experience/NN had/VBD been/VBN thoroughly/RB disenchanting./. What/WP did/VBD a/DT few/JJ hours,/NNS more/RBR or/CC less,/RBR matter!/VB Let/VB him/PRP be/VB disgusted/VBN if/IN he/PRP wanted/VBD to,/TO she/PRP couldn't/MD help/VB it!/IN It/PRP was/VBD cooler/JJR now,/RB the/DT level/NN late/JJ shadows/NNS were/VBD making/VBG even/RB Weston/NNP pretty./, They/PRP went/VBD up/RP a/DT steep/JJ shady/JJ lane/NN to/TO the/DT old/JJ graveyard,/NN and/CC wandered,/VB peacefully,/NNS contentedly,/VBN among/IN the/DT old/JJ graves./NN Margaret/NNP gathered/VBD her/PRP thin/JJ gown/NN from/IN contact/NN with/IN the/DT tangled,/NN uncut/NN grass;/NN they/PRP had/VBD to/TO disturb/VB a/DT flock/NN of/IN nibbling/VBG sheep/NN to/TO cross/VB to/TO the/DT crumbling/VBG wall./NN Leaning/VBG on/IN the/DT uneven/JJ stones/NNS that/IN formed/VBN it,/IN they/PRP looked/VBD down/RB at/IN the/DT roofs/NNS of/IN the/DT village,/NN half/NN lost/VBD in/IN tree-tops;/NN and/CC listened/VBD to/TO the/DT barking/NN of/IN dogs,/NN and/CC the/DT shrill/JJ voices/NNS of/IN children./NN The/DT sun/NN sank/VBD lower,/JJR lower./JJR There/EX was/VBD a/DT feeling/NN of/IN dew/NN in/IN the/DT air/NN as/IN they/PRP went/VBD slowly/RB home./, When,/NNP at/IN seven/CD o'clock,/RB they/PRP opened/VBD the/DT gate,/NN they/PRP found/VBD on/IN the/DT side/NN porch/NN only/RB Rebecca,/IN enchanting/VBG in/IN something/NN pink/JJ and/CC dotted,/JJ Mother,/NNP and/CC Dad./NNP "Lucky/NNP we/PRP waited!"/VBP said/VBD Rebecca,/NN rising,/NNS and/CC signaling/VBG some/DT wordless/JJ message/NN to/TO Margaret/NNP that/IN required/JJ dimples,/NNS widened/VBD eyes,/NNS compressed/VBN lips,/NNS and/CC an/DT expression/NN of/IN utter/JJ secrecy./NN "Supper's/IN all/DT ready,"/NN she/PRP added/VBD casually./, "Where/RB are/VBP the/DT others'"/JJ Margaret/NNP said,/VBD experiencing/VBG the/DT most/JJS pleasant/JJ sensation/NN she/PRP had/VBD had/VBN in/IN twenty-four/CD hours./, "Ju/NNP and/CC Harry/NNP went/VBD home,/RB Rob's/NNP at/IN George's,/NNP boys/NNS walking,"/VBD said/VBD Rebecca,/NN briefly,/NN still/RB dimpling/VBG mysteriously/RB with/IN additional/JJ information./NN She/PRP gave/VBD Margaret/NNP an/DT eloquent/JJ side/NN glance/NN as/IN she/PRP led/VBD the/DT way/NN into/IN the/DT dining-room./NN At/IN the/DT doorway/NN Margaret/NNP stopped,/VBD astounded./JJ The/DT room/NN was/VBD hardly/RB recognizable/JJ now./, It/PRP was/VBD cool/JJ and/CC delightful,/JJ with/IN the/DT diminished/JJ table/NN daintily/JJ set/NN for/IN five,/CD The/DT old/JJ silver/NN candlesticks/NNS and/CC silver/NN teapot/NN presided/VBD over/IN blue/JJ bowls/NNS of/IN berries,/NN and/CC the/DT choicest/NN of/IN Mother's/NNP preserved/VBD fruits./NN Some/DT one/CD had/VBD found/VBN time/NN to/TO put/VB fresh/JJ parsley/NN about/IN the/DT Canton/NNP platter/NN of/IN cold/JJ meats,/NNS some/DT one/NN had/VBD made/VBN a/DT special/JJ trip/NN to/TO Mrs./NNP O'Brien's/NNP for/IN the/DT cream/NN that/IN filled/VBN the/DT Wedgwood/NNP pitcher./VBD Margaret/NNP felt/VBD tears/NNS press/VB suddenly/RB against/IN her/PRP$ eyes./NN "Oh,/IN Beck!"/NNP she/PRP could/MD only/RB stammer,/VB when/WRB the/DT sisters/NNS went/VBD into/IN the/DT kitchen/NN for/IN hot/JJ water/NN and/CC tea/NN biscuit./NN "Mother/JJ did/VBD it,"/PRP said/VBD Rebecca,/NN returning/VBG her/PRP$ hug/NN with/IN fervor./NNP "She/NNP gave/VBD us/PRP all/DT an/DT awful/JJ talking/NN to,/, after/IN you/PRP left!/VBD She/PRP said/VBD here/RB was/VBD dear/JJ old/JJ Mark,/NNP who/WP always/RB worked/VBD herself/PRP to/TO death/NN for/IN us,/NNP trying/VBG to/TO make/VB a/DT nice/JJ impression,/NN and/CC to/TO have/VB things/NNS go/VB smoothly,/JJR and/CC we/PRP were/VBD all/DT acting/VBG like/IN Indians,/NNP and/CC everything/NN so/RB confused/VBN at/IN dinner,/NN and/CC hot/JJ and/CC noisy!/JJ So,/NNP later,/, when/WRB Paul/NNP and/CC I/PRP and/CC the/DT others/NNS were/VBD walking,/VBG we/PRP saw/VBD you/PRP and/CC Doctor/NNP Tenison/NNP going/VBG up/RB toward/IN the/DT graveyard,/NN and/CC I/PRP tore/VBD home/NN and/CC told/VBD Mother/NNP he'd/VBD missed/VBN the/DT five/CD and/CC would/MD be/VB back;/RB it/PRP was/VBD after/IN five/CD then,/, and/CC we/PRP just/RB flew!"/VBD It/PRP was/VBD all/DT like/IN a/DT pleasant/JJ awakening/NN after/IN a/DT troubled/JJ dream./NN As/IN Margaret/NNP took/VBD her/PRP$ place/NN at/IN the/DT little/JJ feast,/NN she/PRP felt/VBD an/DT exquisite/JJ sensation/NN of/IN peace/NN and/CC content/NN sink/NN into/IN her/PRP$ heart./NN Mother/NN was/VBD so/RB gracious/JJ and/CC charming,/NN behind/IN the/DT urn;/NN Rebecca/NN irresistible/JJ in/IN her/PRP$ admiration/NN of/IN the/DT famous/JJ professor./NN Her/PRP$ father/NN was/VBD his/PRP$ sweetest/JJS self,/NN delightfully/RB reminiscent/JJ of/IN his/PRP$ boyhood,/NN and/CC his/PRP$ visit/NN to/TO the/DT White/NNP House/NNP in/IN Lincoln's/NNP day,/, with/IN "my/NN uncle,/IN the/DT judge."/NNS But/CC it/PRP was/VBD to/TO her/PRP$ mother's/NNS face/VBP that/IN Margaret's/NNP eyes/NNS returned/VBD most/RBS often,/RB she/PRP wanted-/, she/PRP was/VBD vaguely/RB conscious/JJ that/IN she/PRP wanted/VBD —/VBN to/TO get/VB away/RB from/IN the/DT voices/NNS and/CC laughter,/NN and/CC think/VB about/IN Mother./NNP How/WRB sweet/JJ she/PRP was,/VBD just/RB sweet,/JJ and/CC after/IN all,/DT how/WRB few/JJ people/NNS were/VBD that/IN in/IN this/DT world!/NN They/PRP were/VBD clever,/JJ and/CC witty,/JJ and/CC rich,/JJ —/JJ plenty/NN of/IN them,/NN but/CC how/WRB little/JJ sweetness/NN there/RB was!/VBD How/WRB few/JJ faces,/NNS like/IN her/PRP$ mother's,/NN did/VBD not/RB show/VB a/DT line/NN that/WDT was/VBD not/RB all/DT tenderness/NN and/CC goodness./NNP They/PRP laughed/VBD over/IN their/PRP$ teacups/NNS like/IN old/JJ friends;/, the/DT professor/NN and/CC Rebecca/NN shouting/VBG joyously/RB together,/RB Mr./NNP Paget/NNP one/CD broad/JJ twinkle,/NN Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP radiantly/RB reflecting,/VBD as/IN she/PRP always/RB did/VBD react,/VB the/DT others'/JJ mood./NN It/PRP was/VBD a/DT memorably/RB happy/JJ hour./, And/CC after/IN tea/NN they/PRP sat/VBD on/IN the/DT porch,/NN and/CC the/DT stars/NNS came/VBD out,/RB and/CC presently/RB the/DT moon/NN sent/VBN silver/NN shafts/NNS through/IN the/DT dark/JJ foliage/NN of/IN the/DT trees./NN Little/NNP Rob/NNP came/VBD home,/RB and/CC climbed/VBD silently,/JJ contentedly,/NN into/IN his/PRP$ father's/NN lap./VBD "Sing/VBG something,/DT Mark,"/NNP said/VBD Dad,/NNP then;/, and/CC Margaret,/NNP sitting/VBG on/IN the/DT steps/NNS with/IN her/PRP$ head/NN against/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS knee,/VBD found/VBN it/PRP very/RB simple/JJ to/TO begin/VB in/IN the/DT darkness/NN one/CD of/IN the/DT old/JJ songs/NNS he/PRP loved:/VBD —/RB "Don't/RB you/PRP cry,/VBP ma/NN honey,/NN Don't/RB you/PRP weep/VB no/DT more."/JJR Rebecca,/NN sitting/VBG on/IN the/DT rail,/NN one/CD slender/JJR arm/NN flung/VBN above/IN her/PRP$ head/NN about/IN the/DT pillar,/NN joined/VBD her/PRP$ own/JJ young/JJ voice/NN to/TO Margaret's/NNP sweet/JJ and/CC steady/JJ one./, The/DT others/NNS hummed/VBD a/DT little./JJ John/NNP Tenison,/NNP sitting/VBG watching/VBG them,/, his/PRP$ locked/JJ hands/NNS hanging/VBG between/IN his/PRP$ knees,/NNS saw/VBD in/IN the/DT moonlight/NN a/DT sudden/JJ glitter/NN on/IN the/DT mother's/NN cheek./NN Presently/RB Bruce,/NNP tired/VBN and/CC happy/JJ and/CC sunburned,/NN came/VBD through/IN the/DT splashed/VBN silver-and-black/NN of/IN the/DT street/NN to/TO sit/VB by/IN Margaret,/NNP and/CC put/VBD his/PRP$ arm/NN about/IN her;/PRP and/CC the/DT younger/JJR boys,/NN returning/VBG full/JJ of/IN the/DT day's/NNS great/JJ deeds,/NN spread/VBD themselves/PRP comfortably/RB over/IN the/DT lower/JJR steps./NN Before/IN long/RB all/DT their/PRP$ happy/JJ voices/NNS rose/VBD together,/RB on/IN "Believe/NNP me,"/, and/CC "Working/VBG on/IN the/DT Railroad,"/NNP and/CC "Seeing/NNP Nellie/NNP Home,"/NNP and/CC a/DT dozen/NN more/JJR of/IN the/DT old/JJ songs/NNS that/IN young/JJ people/NNS have/VBP sung/VBN for/IN half/NN a/DT century/NN in/IN the/DT summer/NN moonlight./. And/CC then/RB it/PRP was/VBD time/NN to/TO say/VB good-night/JJ to/TO Professor/NNP Tenison./NNP "Come/NNP again,/IN sir!"/NN said/VBD Mr./NNP Paget,/NNP heartily;/VBD the/DT boys/NNS slid/VBD their/PRP$ hands,/NN still/RB faintly/RB suggestive/JJ of/IN fish,/NN cordially/RB into/IN his;/NN Rebecca/NN promised/VBD to/TO mail/VB him/PRP a/DT certain/JJ discussed/VBN variety/NN of/IN fern/NN the/DT very/RB next/JJ day;/NN Bruce's/NNP voice/NN sounded/VBD all/DT hearty/NN good-will/NN as/IN he/PRP hoped/VBD that/IN he/PRP wouldn't/MD miss/VB Doctor/NNP Tenison's/NNP next/IN visit./NN Mrs./NNP Paget,/NNP her/PRP$ hand/NN in/IN his,/NN raised/VBD keen,/VBG almost/RB anxious/JJ eyes/NNS to/TO his/PRP$ face./NN "But/RB surely/RB you'll/MD be/VB down/IN our/PRP$ way/NN again?"/RB said/VBD she,/PRP unsmilingly./MD "Oh,/VB surely."/JJ The/DT professor/NN was/VBD unable/JJ to/TO keep/VB his/PRP$ eyes/NNS from/IN moving/VBG toward/IN Margaret,/NNP and/CC the/DT mother/NN saw/VBD it./PRP "Good-bye/NN for/IN the/DT present,/NN then,"/, she/PRP said,/VBD still/RB very/RB gravely./JJR "Good-bye,/JJ Mrs./NNP Paget,"/NNP said/VBD Doctor/NNP Tenison./NNP "It's/NNP been/VBN an/DT inestimable/JJ privilege/NN to/TO meet/VB you/PRP all./MD I/PRP haven't/VBD ever/RB had/VBD a/DT happier/JJR day."/NN Margaret,/NNS used/VBN to/TO the/DT extravagant/JJ speeches/NNS of/IN another/DT world,/NN thought/VBD this/DT merely/RB very/RB charming/JJ politeness./. But/CC her/PRP$ heart/NN sang,/VBD as/IN they/PRP walked/VBD away/RB together./. He/PRP liked/VBD them/PRP —/IN he/PRP had/VBD had/VBN a/DT nice/JJ time!/NN "Now/RB I/PRP know/VBP what/WP makes/VBZ you/PRP so/RB different/JJ from/IN other/JJ women,"/NNS said/VBD John/NNP Tenison,/NNP when/WRB he/PRP and/CC Margaret/NNP were/VBD alone./RB "It's/JJ having/VBG that/DT wonderful/JJ mother!/NN She/PRP —/VBD she/PRP —/VBD well,/RB she's/RB one/CD woman/NN in/IN a/DT million;/NN I/PRP don't/RB have/VBP to/TO tell/VB you/PRP that!/IN It's/PRP something/NN to/TO thank/VB God/NNP for,/IN a/DT mother/NN like/IN that;/DT it's/IN a/DT privilege/NN to/TO know/VB her./PRP I've/NN been/VBN watching/VBG her/PRP$ all/PDT day,/NNS and/CC I've/NN been/VBN wondering/VBG what/WP she/PRP gets/VBZ out/IN of/IN it,/DT —/NN that/WDT was/VBD what/WP puzzled/VBD me;/NNS but/CC now,/RB just/RB now,/RB I've/NN found/VBD out!/JJ This/DT morning,/NN thinking/VBG what/WP her/PRP life/NN is,/IN I/PRP couldn't/MD see/VB what/WP repaid/VBD her,/PRP do/VBP you/PRP see?/VB What/WP made/VBD up/RP to/TO her/PRP for/IN the/DT unending,/JJ unending/JJ effort,/NN and/CC sacrifice,/VB the/DT pouring/VBG out/IN of/IN love/NN and/CC sympathy/NN and/CC help/NN —/NNS year/NN after/IN year/NN after/IN year...."/NNS He/PRP hesitated,/VBD but/CC Margaret/NNP did/VBD not/RB speak./VB "You/PRP know,"/IN he/PRP went/VBD on/IN musingly,/NN "in/IN these/DT days,/NNS when/WRB women/NNS just/RB serenely/RB ignore/VB the/DT question/NN of/IN children,/NN or/CC at/IN most,/RB as/IN a/DT special/JJ concession,/NN bring/VBP up/RP one/CD or/CC two,/CD —/NN just/RB the/DT one/CD or/CC two/CD whose/WP$ expenses/NNS can/MD be/VB comfortably/RB met!/JJ —/NNS there's/DT something/NN magnificent/JJ in/IN a/DT woman/NN like/IN your/PRP$ mother,/NN who/WP begins/VBZ eight/CD destinies/NNS instead/RB of/IN one!/NNS She/PRP doesn't/RB strain/VB and/CC chafe/VB to/TO express/VB herself/PRP through/IN the/DT medium/NN of/IN poetry/NN or/CC music/NN or/CC the/DT stage,/NN but/CC she/PRP puts/VBZ her/PRP$ whole/JJ splendid/JJ philosophy/NN into/IN her/PRP$ nursery/NN —/, launches/VBZ sound/JJ little/JJ bodies/NNS and/CC minds/NNS that/WDT have/VBP their/PRP$ first/JJ growth/NN cleanly/RB and/CC purely/RB about/IN her/PRP$ knees./NN Responsibility,-/NNS that's/IN what/WP these/DT other/JJ women/NNS say/VBP they/PRP are/VBP afraid/JJ of!/IN But/CC it/PRP seems/VBZ to/TO me/PRP there's/. no/DT responsibility/NN like/IN that/DT of/IN decreeing/VBG that/IN young/JJ lives/NNS simply/RB shall/MD not/RB be./VBG Why,/IN what/WP good/JJ is/VBZ learning,/NN or/CC elegance/NN of/IN manner,/NN or/CC painfully/RB acquired/VBN fineness/NN of/IN speech,/NN and/CC taste/NN and/CC point/NN of/IN view,/NN if/IN you/PRP are/VBP not/RB going/VBG to/TO distil/VB it/PRP into/IN the/DT growing/VBG plants,/NN the/DT only/RB real/JJ hope/NN we/PRP have/VBP in/IN the/DT world!/NN You/PRP know,/VBP Miss/NNP Paget,"/NNP his/PRP$ smile/NN was/VBD very/RB sweet,/JJ in/IN the/DT half/NN darkness,/NN "there's/VBD a/DT higher/JJR tribunal/NN than/IN the/DT social/JJ tribunal/NN of/IN this/DT world,/NN after/IN all;/NNS and/CC it/PRP seems/VBZ to/TO me/PRP that/IN a/DT woman/NN who/WP stands/VBZ there,/RB as/IN your/PRP$ mother/NN will,/, with/IN a/DT forest/NN of/IN new/JJ lives/NNS about/IN her,/PRP and/CC a/DT record/NN like/IN hers,/PRP will/MD —/VB will/MD find/VB she/PRP has/VBZ a/DT Friend/NNP at/IN court!"/NN he/PRP finished/VBD whimsically./DT They/PRP were/VBD at/IN a/DT lonely/JJ corner,/NN and/CC a/DT garden/NN fence/NN offering/VBG Margaret/NNP a/DT convenient/JJ support,/NN she/PRP laid/VBD her/PRP$ arms/NNS suddenly/RB upon/IN the/DT rosevine/NN that/WDT covered/VBD it,/PRP and/CC her/PRP$ face/NN upon/IN her/PRP$ arms,/NN and/CC cried/VBD as/IN if/IN her/PRP$ heart/NN was/VBD broken./NN "Why,/RB why/WRB —/VB my/PRP$ dear/NN girl!"/, the/DT professor/NN said,/VBD aghast./DT He/PRP laid/VBD his/PRP$ hand/NN on/IN the/DT shaking/VBG shoulders,/NN but/CC Margaret/NNP shook/VBD it/PRP off./. "I'm/. not/RB what/WP you/PRP think/VBP I/PRP am!"/VBP she/PRP sobbed/VBD out,/JJ incoherently./NN "I'm/IN not/RB different/JJ from/IN other/JJ women;/NNS I'm/VBP just/RB as/IN selfish/JJ and/CC bad/JJ and/CC mean/JJ as/IN the/DT worst/JJS of/IN them!/PRP$ And/CC I'm/NNP not/RB worthy/JJ to/TO t-tie/VB my/PRP$ m-mother's/JJ shoes!"/NN "Margaret!"/IN John/NNP Tenison/NNP said/VBD unsteadily./NNP And/CC in/IN a/DT flash/NN her/PRP drooping/VBG bright/JJ head/NN was/VBD close/RB to/TO his/PRP$ lips,/NN and/CC both/DT his/PRP$ big/JJ arms/NNS were/VBD about/IN her./PRP "You/PRP know/VBP I/PRP love/VBP you,/PRP don't/VB you/PRP Margaret?"/IN he/PRP said/VBD hoarsely,/NN over/IN and/CC over,/IN with/IN a/DT sort/NN of/IN fierce/JJ intensity./NN "You/PRP know/VBP that,/DT don't/NN you?/PRP Don't/NNP you,/NNP Margaret?"/NNP Margaret/NNP could/MD not/RB speak./VBG Emotion/NNP swept/VBD her/PRP like/IN a/DT rising/VBG tide/NN from/IN all/DT her/PRP familiar/JJ moorings;/NN her/PRP heart/NN thundered,/IN there/EX was/VBD a/DT roaring/NN in/IN her/PRP$ ears./NNS She/PRP was/VBD conscious/JJ of/IN a/DT wild/JJ desire/NN to/TO answer/VB him,/PRP to/TO say/VB one/CD hundredth/JJ part/NN of/IN all/DT she/PRP felt;/VBD but/CC she/PRP could/MD only/RB rest,/VB breathless,/NN against/IN him,/PRP$ her/PRP$ frightened/JJ eyes/NNS held/VBN by/IN the/DT eyes/NNS so/IN near,/IN his/PRP$ arms/NNS about/IN her./PRP$ "You/NNS do,/VBP don't/VBN you,/PRP Margaret?"/NNP he/PRP said/VBD more/RBR gently./JJ "You/IN love/NN me,/, don't/RB you?/JJ Don't/NNP you?"/NNP And/CC after/IN a/DT long/JJ time,/NN or/CC what/WP seemed/VBD a/DT long/JJ time,/NN while/IN they/PRP stood/VBD motionless/JJ in/IN the/DT summer/NN night,/NN with/IN the/DT great/JJ branches/NNS of/IN the/DT trees/NNS moving/VBG a/DT little/JJ overhead,/JJ and/CC garden/NN scents/NNS creeping/VBG out/RP on/IN the/DT damp/NN air,/NN Margaret/NNP said,/VBD with/IN a/DT sort/NN of/IN breathless/JJ catch/NN in/IN her/PRP$ voice:/NN —/NN "You/PRP know/VBP I/PRP do!"/VBP And/CC with/IN the/DT words/NNS the/DT fright/NN left/VBD her/PRP$ eyes,/NN and/CC happy/JJ tears/NNS filled/VBN them,/, and/CC she/PRP raised/VBD her/PRP$ face/NN to/TO his./PRP$ Coming/VBG back/RB from/IN the/DT train/NN half/NN an/DT hour/NN later,/RB she/PRP walked/VBD between/IN a/DT new/JJ heaven/NN and/CC a/DT new/JJ earth!/JJ The/DT friendly/JJ stars/NNS seemed/VBD just/RB overhead;/IN a/DT thousand/CD delicious/JJ odors/NNS came/VBD from/IN garden/NN beds/NNS and/CC recently/RB watered/VBD lawns./RP She/PRP moved/VBD through/IN the/DT confusion/NN that/WDT always/RB attended/VBD the/DT settling/VBG down/IN of/IN the/DT Pagets/NNP for/IN the/DT night,/NN like/IN one/CD in/IN a/DT dream,/NN and/CC was/VBD glad/JJ to/TO find/VB herself/PRP at/IN last/JJ lying/VBG in/IN the/DT darkness/NN beside/IN the/DT sleeping/VBG Rebecca/NN again./NN Now,/RB now,/RB she/PRP could/MD think!/VB But/CC it/PRP was/VBD all/DT too/RB wonderful/JJ for/IN reasonable/JJ thought./NN Margaret/NNP clasped/VBD both/DT her/PRP$ hands/NNS against/IN her/PRP$ rising/VBG heart./PRP He/PRP loved/VBD her./PRP She/PRP could/MD think/VB of/IN the/DT very/JJ words/NNS he/PRP had/VBD used/VBN in/IN telling/VBG her,/PRP over/IN and/CC over/IN again./DT She/PRP need/MD no/RB longer/RB wonder/VB and/CC dream/VB and/CC despair:/IN he/PRP had/VBD said/VBD it./PRP He/PRP loved/VBD her,/PRP had/VBD loved/VBN her/PRP from/IN the/DT very/RB first./. His/PRP$ old/JJ aunt/NN suspected/VBD it,/RB and/CC his/PRP$ chum/NN suspected/VBD it,/PRP and/CC he/PRP had/VBD thought/VBN Margaret/NNP knew/VBD it./PRP And/CC beside/IN him/PRP in/IN that/DT brilliant/JJ career/NN that/IN she/PRP had/VBD followed/VBN so/RB wistfully/RB in/IN her/PRP$ dreams,/NN Margaret/NNP saw/VBD herself,/JJ his/PRP$ wife./NN Young/JJ and/CC clever/JJ and/CC good/JJ to/TO look/VB upon,/IN —/NNS yes,/, she/PRP was/VBD free/JJ to-night/JJ to/TO admit/VB herself/PRP all/DT these/DT good/JJ things/NNS for/IN his/PRP$ sake!/NN —/NN and/CC his/PRP$ wife,/NN mounting/VBG as/IN he/PRP mounted/VBD beside/IN the/DT one/CD man/NN in/IN the/DT world/NN she/PRP had/VBD elected/VBN to/TO admire/VB and/CC love./VBD "Doctor/NNP and/CC Mrs./NNP John/NNP Tenison/NNP "/`` —/VBD so/IN it/PRP would/MD be/VB written./DT "Doctor/NN Tenison's/NNP wife"/VBD —/JJ "This/DT is/VBZ Mrs./NNP Tenison"/NNP —/, she/PRP seemed/VBD already/RB to/TO hear/VB the/DT magical/JJ sound/NN of/IN it!/DT Love/NN —/VBZ what/WP a/DT wonderful/JJ thing/NN it/PRP was!/VBD How/WRB good/JJ God/NNP was/VBD to/TO send/VB this/DT best/JJS of/IN all/DT gifts/NNS to/TO her!/PRP$ She/PRP thought/VBD how/WRB it/PRP belittled/VBD the/DT other/JJ good/JJ things/NNS of/IN the/DT world./NN She/PRP asked/VBD no/DT more/JJR of/IN life,/NN now;/, she/PRP was/VBD loved/VBN by/IN a/DT good/JJ man,/NN and/CC a/DT great/JJ man,/NN and/CC she/PRP was/VBD to/TO be/VB his/PRP$ wife./NN Ah,/IN the/DT happy/JJ years/NNS together/RB that/DT would/MD date/VB from/IN to-night,/DT —/NN Margaret/NNP was/VBD thrilling/VBG already/RB to/TO their/PRP$ delights./NN "For/IN better/JJR or/CC worse,"/VB the/DT old/JJ words/NNS came/VBD to/TO her/PRP with/IN a/DT new/JJ meaning./NN There/EX would/MD be/VB no/DT worse,/NN she/PRP said/VBD to/TO herself/PRP with/IN sudden/JJ conviction,/NN —/IN how/WRB could/MD there/EX be?/VBD Poverty,/NNP privation,/, sickness/NN might/MD come,/VB —/NNS but/CC to/TO bear/VB them/PRP with/IN John,/NNP —/NNP to/TO comfort/NN and/CC sustain/VB him,/PRP to/TO be/VB shut/VBN away/RB with/IN him/PRP from/IN all/PDT the/DT world/NN but/CC the/DT world/NN of/IN their/PRP$ own/JJ four/CD walls,/NNS —/RB why,/, that/WDT would/MD be/VB the/DT greatest/JJS happiness/NN of/IN all!/DT What/WP hardship/NN could/MD be/VB hard/JJ that/IN knitted/VBN their/PRP$ two/CD hearts/NNS closer/RBR together;/RB what/WP road/NN too/RB steep/JJ if/IN they/PRP essayed/VBD it/PRP hand/NN in/IN hand?/NNS And/CC that/IN —/VBG her/PRP$ confused/VBN thoughts/NNS ran/VBD on/IN —/NN that/DT was/VBD what/WP had/VBD changed/VBN all/DT life/NN for/IN Julie./NNP She/PRP had/VBD forgotten/VBN Europe,/NNP forgotten/VBN all/PDT the/DT idle/JJ ambitions/NNS of/IN her/PRP$ girlhood,/NN because/IN she/PRP loved/VBD her/PRP$ husband;/NN and/CC now/RB the/DT new/JJ miracle/NN was/VBD to/TO come/VB to/TO her,/PRP —/IN the/DT miracle/NN of/IN a/DT child,/NN the/DT little/JJ perfect/JJ promise/NN of/IN the/DT days/NNS to/TO come./VB How/WRB marvellous/JJ —/JJ how/WRB marvellous/JJ it/PRP was!/VBD The/DT little/JJ imperative,/JJ helpless/JJ third/JJ person,/NN bringing/VBG to/TO radiant/JJ youth/NN and/CC irresponsibility/NN the/DT terrors/NNS of/IN danger/NN and/CC anguish,/NN and/CC the/DT great/JJ final/JJ joy,/NN to/TO share/VB together./RP That/DT was/VBD life./NN Julie/NNP was/VBD living;/VBN and/CC although/IN Margaret's/NNP own/JJ heart/NN was/VBD not/RB yet/RB a/DT wife's,/NN and/CC she/PRP could/MD not/RB yet/RB find/VB room/NN for/IN the/DT love/NN beyond/IN that,/DT still/RB she/PRP was/VBD strangely,/RB deeply/RB stirred/VBN now/RB by/IN a/DT longing/NN for/IN all/DT the/DT experiences/NNS that/WDT life/NN held./VBD How/WRB she/PRP loved/VBD everything/NN and/CC everybody/NN to-night,/JJ —/IN how/WRB she/PRP loved/VBD just/RB being/VBG alive/JJ —/RB just/RB being/VBG Margaret/NNP Paget,/NNP lying/VBG here/RB in/IN the/DT dark/JJ dreaming/NN and/CC thinking./DT There/EX was/VBD no/DT one/NN in/IN the/DT world/NN with/IN whom/WP she/PRP would/MD change/VB places/NNS to-night!/JJ Margaret/NNP found/VBD herself/PRP thinking/VBG of/IN one/CD woman/NN of/IN her/PRP$ acquaintance/NN after/IN another,/DT —/NN and/CC her/PRP$ own/JJ future,/JJ opening/NN all/DT color/NN of/IN rose/NN before/IN her,/PRP seemed/VBD to/TO her/PRP the/DT one/CD enviable/JJ path/NN through/IN the/DT world./NN In/IN just/RB one/CD day,/NN she/PRP realized/VBD with/IN vague/JJ wonder,/NNS her/PRP slowly/RB formed/VBD theories/NNS had/VBD been/VBN set/VBN at/IN naught,/NN her/PRP$ whole/JJ philosophy/NN turned/VBD upside/RB down./RB Had/VBD these/DT years/NNS of/IN protest/NN and/CC rebellion/NN done/VBN no/RB more/JJR than/IN lead/VB her/PRP in/IN a/DT wide/JJ circle,/JJ past/JJ empty/JJ gain,/NN and/CC joyless/JJ mirth,/NN and/CC the/DT dead/JJ sea/NN fruit/NN of/IN riches/NNS and/CC idleness,/VBD back/RB to/TO her/PRP$ mother's/NNS knees/NNS again?/IN She/PRP had/VBD met/VBN brilliant/JJ women,/NNS rich/JJ women,/NNS courted/VBN women/NNS —/RB but/CC where/WRB among/IN them/PRP was/VBD one/CD whose/WP$ face/NN had/VBD ever/RB shone/VBN as/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS shone/VBD to-day?/JJ The/DT overdressed,/IN idle/JJ dowagers;/IN the/DT matrons,/NN with/IN their/PRP$ too-gay/JJ frocks,/IN their/PRP$ too-full/JJ days,/NNS their/PRP$ too-rich/JJ food;/NN the/DT girls,/NN all/DT crudeness,/JJ artifice,/NN all/DT scheming/NN openly/RB for/IN their/PRP$ own/JJ advantage,/NN —/NNS where/WRB among/IN them/PRP all/DT was/VBD happiness?/VBN Where/WRB among/IN them/PRP was/VBD one/CD whom/WP Margaret/NNP had/VBD heard/VBN say/VB —/, as/IN she/PRP had/VBD heard/VBN her/PRP mother/NN say/VB so/RB many,/JJ many/JJ times,/NN —/NNS "Children,/IN this/DT is/VBZ a/DT happy/JJ day,"/NN —/, "Thank/NNP God/NNP for/IN another/DT lovely/JJ Sunday/NNP all/DT together,"/RB —/JJ "Isn't/CC it/PRP lovely/JJ to/TO get/VB up/RB and/CC find/VB the/DT sun/NN shining?"/VBG —/RB "Isn't/RB it/PRP good/JJ to/TO come/VB home/NN hungry/JJ to/TO such/PDT a/DT nice/JJ dinner!"/NN And/CC what/WP a/DT share/NN of/IN happiness/NN her/PRP$ mother/NN had/VBD given/VBN the/DT world!/NN How/WRB she/PRP had/VBD planned/VBN and/CC worked/VBN for/IN them/PRP all,/DT —/NN Margaret/NNP let/VBD her/PRP$ arm/NN fall/NN across/IN the/DT sudden/JJ ache/NN in/IN her/PRP$ eyes/NNS as/IN she/PRP thought/VBD of/IN the/DT Christmas/NNP mornings,/NN and/CC the/DT stuffed/JJ stockings/NNS at/IN the/DT fireplace/NN that/IN proved/VBD every/DT childish/JJ wish/NN remembered,/VBP every/DT little/JJ hidden/JJ hope/NN guessed!/NN Darling/NNP Mother/NNP —/, she/PRP hadn't/VBD had/VBD much/JJ money/NN for/IN those/DT Christmas/NNP stockings,/NN they/PRP must/MD have/VB been/VBN carefully/RB planned,/VBN down/IN to/TO the/DT last/JJ candy/NN cane./MD And/CC how/WRB her/PRP$ face/NN would/MD beam,/VB as/IN she/PRP sat/VBD at/IN the/DT breakfast-table,/NN enjoying/VBG her/PRP$ belated/JJ coffee,/NN after/IN the/DT cold/JJ walk/NN to/TO church,/NNS and/CC responding/VBG warmly/RB to/TO the/DT onslaught/NN of/IN kisses/NNS and/CC bugs/NNS that/WDT added/VBD fresh/JJ color/NN to/TO her/PRP$ cold,/JJ rosy/JJ cheeks!/NN What/WP a/DT mother/NN she/PRP was,/MD —/VB Margaret/NNP remembered/VBD her/PRP making/VBG them/PRP all/DT help/VBP her/PRP clear/VB up/RP the/DT Christmas/NNP disorder/NN of/IN tissue/NN paper/NN and/CC ribbons;/NN then/RB came/VBD the/DT inevitable/JJ bed/NN making,/VBD then/RB tippets/NNS and/CC overshoes,/JJ for/IN a/DT long/JJ walk/NN with/IN Dad./NNP They/PRP would/MD come/VB back/RB to/TO find/VB the/DT dining-room/NN warm,/VBD the/DT long/JJ table/NN set,/VBD the/DT house/NN deliciously/RB fragrant/JJ from/IN the/DT immense/JJ turkey/NN that/IN their/PRP$ mother,/NN a/DT fresh/JJ apron/NN over/IN her/PRP$ holiday/NN gown,/NN was/VBD basting/VBG at/IN the/DT oven./NN Then/RB came/VBD the/DT feast,/NN and/CC then/RB games/NNS until/IN twilight,/NN and/CC more/JJR table-setting;/NN and/CC the/DT baby,/NN whoever/WP he/PRP was,/VBD was/VBD tucked/VBN away/RP upstairs/RB before/IN tea,/NN and/CC the/DT evening/NN ended/VBD with/IN singing,/JJ gathered/VBN about/IN Mother/NNP at/IN the/DT piano./NN "How/NN happy/JJ we/PRP all/DT were!"/VBD Margaret/NNP said;/VBD "and/CC how/WRB she/PRP worked/VBD for/IN us!"/NNP And/CC suddenly/RB theories/NNS and/CC speculation/NN ended,/NNS and/CC she/PRP knew./VBD She/PRP knew/VBD that/IN faithful,/NN self-forgetting/NN service,/NN and/CC the/DT love/NN that/IN spends/VBZ itself/PRP over/IN and/CC over,/IN only/RB to/TO be/VB renewed/VBN again/RB and/CC again,/RB are/VBP the/DT secret/NN of/IN happiness./NN For/IN another/DT world,/NN perhaps,/RB leisure/NN and/CC beauty/NN and/CC luxury/NN —/NN but/CC in/IN this/DT one,/JJ "Who/NNP loses/VBZ his/PRP$ life/NN shall/MD gain/VB it."/IN Margaret/NNP knew/VBD now/RB that/IN her/PRP$ mother/NN was/VBD not/RB only/RB the/DT truest,/NN the/DT finest,/NN the/DT most/RBS generous/JJ woman/NN she/PRP had/VBD ever/RB known,/VBN but/CC the/DT happiest/JJS as/IN well./PRP She/PRP thought/VBD of/IN other/JJ women/NNS like/IN her/PRP mother;/, she/PRP suddenly/RB saw/VBD what/WP made/VBD their/PRP$ lives/NNS beautiful./. She/PRP could/MD understand/VB now/RB why/WRB Emily/NNP Porter,/NNPS her/PRP$ old/JJ brave/JJ little/JJ associate/NN of/IN school-teaching/NN days,/NN was/VBD always/RB bright,/JJR why/WRB Mary/NNP Page,/NNP plodding/VBG home/NN from/IN the/DT long/JJ day/NN at/IN the/DT library/NN desk/NN to/TO her/PRP$ little/JJ cottage/NN and/CC crippled/VBN sister,/NN at/IN night,/NN always/RB made/VBD one/CD feel/NN the/DT better/JJR and/CC happier/JJR for/IN meeting/NN her./, Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt's/NNP days/NNS were/VBD crowded/VBN to/TO the/DT last/JJ instant,/NN it/PRP was/VBD true;/JJ but/CC what/WP a/DT farce/NN it/PRP was,/VBD after/IN all,/DT Margaret/NNP said/VBD to/TO herself/PRP in/IN all/DT honesty,/NN to/TO humor/VB her/PRP in/IN her/PRP$ little/JJ favorite/JJ belief/NN that/IN she/PRP was/VBD a/DT busy/JJ woman!/NN Milliner,/NNP manicure,/, butler,/CC chef,/NN club,/NN card-table,/JJ tea/NN table,/NNS —/IN these/DT and/CC a/DT thousand/CD things/NNS like/IN them/PRP filled/VBD her/PRP$ day,/NN and/CC they/PRP might/MD all/PDT be/VB swept/VBN away/RB in/IN an/DT hour,/NN and/CC leave/VB no/DT one/NN the/DT worse./JJR Suppose/VB her/PRP$ own/JJ summons/NNS came;/VBD there/EX would/MD be/VB a/DT little/JJ flurry/NN throughout/IN the/DT great/JJ establishment,/NN legal/JJ matters/NNS to/TO settle,/VB notes/NNS of/IN thanks/NNS to/TO be/VB written/VBN for/IN flowers./DT Margaret/NNP could/MD imagine/VB Victoria/NNP and/CC Harriet,/NNP awed/VBD but/CC otherwise/RB unaffected,/JJ home/NN from/IN school/NN in/IN midweek,/NN and/CC to/TO be/VB sent/VBN back/RB before/IN the/DT next/JJ Monday./NNP Their/PRP$ lives/NNS would/MD go/VB on/IN unchanged,/JJ their/PRP$ mother/NN had/VBD never/RB buttered/VBN bread/NN for/IN them,/PRP never/RB schemed/VBD for/IN their/PRP$ boots/NNS and/CC hats,/NN never/RB watched/VBD their/PRP$ work/NN and/CC play,/NN and/CC called/VBD them/PRP to/TO her/PRP$ knees/NNS for/IN praise/NN and/CC blame./VBD Mr./NNP Carr-Boldt/NNP would/MD have/VB his/PRP$ club,/NN his/PRP$ business,/NN his/PRP$ yacht,/NN his/PRP$ motor-cars,/NN —/IN he/PRP was/VBD well/RB accustomed/VBN to/TO living/VBG in/IN cheerful/JJ independence/NN of/IN family/NN claims./. But/CC life/NN without/IN Mother/NNP —/NN !/. In/IN a/DT sick/JJ moment/NN of/IN revelation,/NN Margaret/NNP saw/VBD it./PRP She/PRP saw/VBD them/PRP gathering/VBG in/IN the/DT horrible/JJ emptiness/NN and/CC silence/NN of/IN the/DT house/NN Mother/NN had/VBD kept/VBN so/RB warm/JJ and/CC bright,/JJ she/PRP saw/VBD her/PRP father's/NN stooped/VBD shoulders/NNS and/CC trembling/VBG hands,/NN she/PRP saw/VBD Julie/NNP and/CC Beck,/NNP red/JJ eyed,/NN white-cheeked,/, in/IN fresh/JJ black,/NN —/NN she/PRP seemed/VBD to/TO hear/VB the/DT low-toned/JJ voices/NNS that/WDT would/MD break/VB over/IN and/CC over/IN again/RB so/RB cruelly/RB into/IN sobs./DT What/WP could/MD they/PRP do/VB —/DT who/WP could/MD take/VB up/RP the/DT work/NN she/PRP laid/VBD down,/RB —/, who/WP would/MD watch/VB and/CC plan/VB and/CC work/VB for/IN them/PRP all,/DT now?/RB Margaret/NNP thought/VBD of/IN the/DT empty/JJ place/NN at/IN the/DT table,/NN of/IN the/DT room/NN that,/IN after/IN all/PDT these/DT years,/NNS was/VBD no/RB longer/RB "Mother's/JJ room/NN —/, "/`` Oh,/UH no/UH —/VBD no/DT —/NN no!/RB —/IN She/PRP began/VBD to/TO cry/VB bitterly/RB in/IN the/DT dark./NN No,/RB please/VB God,/IN they/PRP would/MD hold/VB her/PRP$ safe/JJ with/IN them/PRP for/IN many/JJ years./NNP Mother/NNP should/MD live/VB to/TO see/VB some/DT of/IN the/DT fruits/NNS of/IN the/DT long/JJ labor/NN of/IN love./NN She/PRP should/MD know/VB that/IN with/IN every/DT fresh/JJ step/NN in/IN life,/NN with/IN every/DT deepening/VBG experience,/NN her/PRP$ children/NNS grew/VBD to/TO love/VB her/PRP$ better,/NN turned/VBD to/TO her/PRP more/RBR and/CC more!/RBR There/EX would/MD be/VB Christmases/NNP as/IN sweet/JJ as/IN the/DT old/JJ ones,/NNS if/IN not/RB so/RB gay;/IN there/EX would/MD come/VB a/DT day/NN —/IN Margaret's/NNP whole/NN being/VBG thrilled/VBN to/TO the/DT thought/NN —/VBD when/WRB little/JJ forms/NNS would/MD run/VB ahead/RB of/IN John/NNP and/CC herself/PRP up/IN the/DT worn/JJ path,/NN and/CC when/WRB their/PRP$ children/NNS would/MD be/VB gathered/VBN in/IN Mother's/NNP experienced/VBD arms!/NNS Did/VBD life/NN hold/VB a/DT more/JJR exquisite/JJ moment,/NN she/PRP wondered,/VBD than/IN that/DT in/IN which/WDT she/PRP would/MD hear/VB her/PRP$ mother/NN praise/NN them!/MD All/PDT her/PRP$ old/JJ castles/NNS in/IN the/DT air/NN seemed/VBD cheap/JJ and/CC tinselled/JJ to-night,/JJ beside/IN these/DT tender/JJ dreams/NNS that/WDT had/VBD their/PRP$ roots/NNS in/IN the/DT real/JJ truths/NNS of/IN life./NN Travel/NN and/CC position,/JJ gowns/NNS and/CC motor-cars,/NN yachts/NNS and/CC country/NN houses,/NN these/DT things/NNS were/VBD to/TO be/VB bought/VBN in/IN all/DT their/PRP$ perfection/NN by/IN the/DT highest/JJS bidder,/NN and/CC always/RB would/MD be./JJS But/CC love/NN and/CC character/NN and/CC service,/NN home/NN and/CC the/DT wonderful/JJ charge/NN of/IN little/JJ lives,/NN —/IN the/DT "pure/JJ religion/NN breathing/NN household/NN laws"/NN that/IN guided/VBN and/CC perfected/VBN the/DT whole,/JJ —/NN these/DT were/VBD not/RB to/TO be/VB bought,/VBN they/PRP were/VBD only/RB to/TO be/VB prayed/VBN for,/IN worked/VBN for,/IN bravely/RB won./, "God/NNP has/VBZ been/VBN very/RB good/JJ to/TO me,"/NNS Margaret/NNP said/VBD to/TO herself/PRP very/RB seriously;/JJ and/CC in/IN her/PRP$ old/JJ childish/JJ fashion/NN she/PRP made/VBD some/DT new/JJ resolves./NN From/IN now/RB on,/RB she/PRP thought,/VBD with/IN a/DT fervor/NN that/WDT made/VBD it/PRP seem/VB half/DT accomplished,/NN she/PRP would/MD be/VB a/DT very/RB different/JJ woman./NN If/IN joy/NN came,/VBD she/PRP would/MD share/VB it/PRP as/RB far/RB as/IN she/PRP could;/MD if/IN sorrow,/NN she/PRP would/MD show/VB her/PRP$ mother/NN that/IN her/PRP$ daughter/NN was/VBD not/RB all/DT unworthy/JJ of/IN her./PRP To-morrow,/. she/PRP thought,/VBD she/PRP would/MD go/VB and/CC see/VB Julie./NNP Dear/NNP old/JJ Ju,/NNP whose/WP$ heart/NN was/VBD so/RB full/JJ of/IN the/DT little/JJ Margaret!/NNP Margaret/NNP had/VBD a/DT sudden/JJ tender/NN memory/NN of/IN the/DT days/NNS when/WRB Theodore/NNP and/CC Duncan/NNP and/CC Rob/NNP were/VBD all/DT babies/NNS in/IN turn./NN Her/PRP$ mother/NN would/MD gather/VB the/DT little/JJ daily/JJ supply/NN of/IN fresh/JJ clothes/NNS from/IN bureau/NN and/CC chest/NN every/DT morning,/NN and/CC carry/VB the/DT little/JJ bath-tub/NN into/IN the/DT sunny/JJ nursery/NN window,/NN and/CC sit/VB there/RB with/IN only/RB a/DT bobbing/VBG downy/JJ head/NN and/CC waving/VBG pink/JJ angers/NNS visible/JJ from/IN the/DT great/JJ warm/JJ bundle/NN of/IN bath/NN apron..../CC Ju/NNP would/MD be/VB doing/VBG that/IN now./DT And/CC she/PRP had/VBD sometimes/RB wished,/VB or/CC half/RB formed/VBD the/DT wish,/NN that/IN she/PRP and/CC Bruce/NNP bad/JJ been/VBN the/DT only/JJ ones/NNS —/RB !/. Yes,/PRP came/VBD the/DT sudden/JJ thought,/NN but/CC it/PRP wouldn't/MD have/VB been/VBN Bruce/NNP and/CC Margaret,/NNP after/IN all,/PRP$ it/PRP would/MD have/VB been/VBN Bruce/NNP and/CC Charlie./NNP Good/NNP God!/NNP That/DT was/VBD what/WP women/NNS did,/VBP then,/, when/WRB they/PRP denied/VBD the/DT right/NN of/IN life/NN to/TO the/DT distant,/NN unwanted,/VBG possible/JJ little/JJ person!/NN Calmly,/NNP constantly,/NN in/IN all/DT placid/JJ philosophy/NN and/CC self-justification,/NN they/PRP kept/VBD from/IN the/DT world/NN —/VBD not/RB only/RB the/DT troublesome/JJ new/JJ baby,/NN with/IN his/PRP$ tears/NNS and/CC his/PRP$ illnesses,/JJ his/PRP$ merciless/JJ exactions,/, his/PRP$ endless/JJ claim/NN on/IN mind/NN and/CC body/NN and/CC spirit/NN —/RB but/CC perhaps/RB the/DT glowing/VBG beauty/NN of/IN a/DT Rebecca,/NN the/DT buoyant/JJ indomitable/JJ spirit/NN of/IN a/DT Ted,/NNP the/DT sturdy/JJ charm/NN of/IN a/DT small/JJ Robert,/NNP whose/WP$ grip/NN on/IN life,/NN whose/WP$ energy/NN and/CC ambition/NN were/VBD as/RB strong/JJ as/IN Margaret's/NNP own!/NNP Margaret/NNP stirred/VBD uneasily,/JJ frowned/VBD in/IN the/DT dark./NN It/PRP seemed/VBD perfectly/RB incredible,/IN it/PRP seemed/VBD perfectly/RB impossible/JJ that/IN if/IN Mother/NNP had/VBD had/VBN only/RB the/DT two/CD —/NNS and/CC how/WRB many/JJ thousands/NNS of/IN women/NNS didn't/RB have/VBP that!/DT —/NN she,/NN Margaret,/IN a/DT pronounced/JJ and/CC separate/JJ entity,/JJ travelled,/NN ambitious,/NN and/CC to/TO be/VB the/DT wife/NN of/IN one/CD of/IN the/DT world's/JJ great/JJ men,/NNS might/MD not/RB have/VB been/VBN lying/VBG here/RB in/IN the/DT summer/NN night,/NN rich/JJ in/IN love/NN and/CC youth/NN and/CC beauty/NN and/CC her/PRP$ dreams!/NN It/PRP was/VBD all/DT puzzling,/JJ all/DT too/RB big/JJ for/IN her/PRP$ to/TO understand./NNP But/CC she/PRP could/MD do/VB what/WP Mother/NNP did,/VBD just/RB take/VB the/DT nearest/JJS duty/NN and/CC fulfil/JJ it,/, and/CC sleep/VB well,/RB and/CC rise/VB joyfully/RB to/TO fresh/JJ effort./NN Margaret/NNP felt/VBD as/IN if/IN she/PRP would/MD never/RB sleep/VB again./RB The/DT summer/NN night/NN was/VBD cool,/RB she/PRP was/VBD cramped/VBN and/CC chilly;/NNS but/CC still/RB her/PRP$ thoughts/NNS raced/VBD on,/RB and/CC she/PRP could/MD not/RB shut/VB her/PRP$ eyes./NN She/PRP turned/VBD and/CC pressed/VBD her/PRP$ face/NN resolutely/RB into/IN the/DT pillow,/NN and/CC with/IN a/DT great/JJ sigh/NN renounced/VBD the/DT joys/NNS and/CC sorrows,/VBD the/DT lessons/NNS and/CC the/DT awakening/NN that/IN the/DT long/JJ day/NN had/VBD held./VBN A/DT second/JJ later/RB there/EX was/VBD a/DT gentle/JJ rustle/NN at/IN the/DT door./NN "Mark/NN —/, "/`` a/DT voice/NN whispered./, "Can't/IN you/PRP sleep?"/VBD Margaret/NNP locked/VBD her/PRP$ arms/NNS tight/JJ about/IN her/PRP$ mother,/NN as/IN the/DT older/JJR woman/NN knelt/VBD beside/IN her./PRP "Why,/IN how/WRB cold/JJ you/PRP are,/VBP sweetheart!"/VB her/PRP$ mother/NN protested,/VBD tucking/VBG covers/NNS about/IN her./PRP "I/RB thought/VBD I/PRP heard/VBD you/PRP sigh!/VBP I/PRP got/VBD up/RP to/TO lock/VB the/DT stairway/NN door;/NN Baby's/NNP gotten/VBN a/DT trick/NN of/IN walking/VBG in/IN his/PRP$ sleep/NN when/WRB he's/JJ overtired./NNP It's/NNP nearly/RB one/CD o'clock,/IN Mark!/NNP What/WP have/VBP you/PRP been/VBN doing?"/VBG "Thinking."/NNP Margaret/NNP put/VBD her/PRP$ lips/NNS close/VB to/TO her/PRP$ mother's/NNS ear./, "Mother-"/'' she/PRP stammered/VBD and/CC stopped./VBD Mrs./NNP Paget/NNP kissed/VBD her./PRP "Daddy/RB and/CC I/PRP thought/VBD so,"/RB she/PRP said/VBD simply;/JJ and/CC further/JJ announcement/NN was/VBD not/RB needed./VBN "My/IN darling/JJ little/JJ girl!"/NN she/PRP added/VBD tenderly;/NN and/CC then,/RB after/IN a/DT silence,/JJ "He/NN is/VBZ very/RB fine,/JJ Mark,/NNP so/IN unaffected,/JJ so/RB gentle/JJ and/CC nice/JJ with/IN the/DT boys./NN I/PRP —/VBP I/PRP think/VBP I'm/PRP glad,/VBD Mark./NNP I/PRP lose/VBP my/PRP$ girl/NN but/CC there's/POS no/DT happiness/NN like/IN a/DT happy/JJ marriage,/NN dear."/NN "No,/IN you/PRP won't/MD lose/VB me,/NN Mother,"/NNP Margaret/NNP said,/VBD clinging/VBG very/RB close./RB "We/VB hadn't/RB much/JJ time/NN to/TO talk,/VB but/CC this/DT much/JJ we/PRP did/VBD decide./. You/PRP see,/VBD John/NNP —/NNP John/NNP goes/VBZ to/TO Germany/NNP for/IN a/DT year,/NN next/JJ July./NNP So/IN we/PRP thought/VBD —/VBN in/IN June/NNP or/CC July,/NNP Mother,/NNP just/RB as/IN Julie's/NNP was!/VBD Just/RB a/DT little/JJ wedding/NN like/IN Ju's./NNP You/PRP see,/VBP that's/DT better/JJR than/IN interrupting/VBG the/DT term,/NN or/CC trying/VBG to/TO settle/VB down,/RB when/WRB we'd/PRP have/VBP to/TO move/VB in/IN July./NNP And,/NNP Mother,/NNP I'm/NNP going/VBG to/TO write/VB Mrs./NNP Carr-Boldt,/NNP —/, she/PRP can/MD get/VB a/DT thousand/CD girls/NNS to/TO take/VB my/PRP$ place,/NN her/PRP$ niece/NN is/VBZ dying/VBG to/TO do/VB it!/RB —/RB and/CC I'm/PRP going/VBG to/TO take/VB my/PRP$ old/JJ school/NN here/RB for/IN the/DT term./NN Mr./NNP Forbes/NNP spoke/VBD to/TO me/PRP about/IN it/PRP after/IN church/NN this/DT morning;/NN they/PRP want/VBP me/PRP back./, I/PRP want/VBP this/DT year/NN at/IN home;/NN I/PRP want/VBP to/TO see/VB more/JJR of/IN Bruce/NNP and/CC Ju,/NNP and/CC sort/NN of/IN stand/NN by/IN darling/JJ little/JJ Beck!/NNP But/CC it's/RB for/IN you,/DT most/JJS of/IN all,/DT Mother,"/NNP said/VBD Margaret,/NNP with/IN difficulty./JJ "I've/NN always/RB loved/VBD you,/PRP Mother,/NNP but/CC you/PRP don't/RB know/VBP how/WRB wonderful/JJ I/PRP think/VBP you/PRP are/VBP —/RB "/`` She/PRP broke/VBD off/RP pitifully,/JJ "Ah,/NNP Mother!"/NNP For/IN her/PRP$ mother's/NNS arms/NNS had/VBD tightened/VBN convulsively/RB about/IN her,/PRP and/CC the/DT face/NN against/IN her/PRP$ own/JJ was/VBD wet./DT "Are/NN you/PRP talking?"/VBP said/VBD Rebecca,/NN rearing/VBG herself/PRP up/RP suddenly,/RB with/IN a/DT web/NN of/IN bright/JJ hair/NN falling/VBG over/IN her/PRP$ shoulder./NN "You/PRP said/VBD your/PRP$ prayers/NNS on/IN Mark/NNP last/JJ night/NN —/, "/`` said/VBD she,/JJ reproachfully,/NN "come/NN over/IN and/CC say/VB them/PRP on/IN me/PRP to-night,/. Mother."/.