I just want to SEE what a party up back is like.
Valancy had wantedher old Free Methodist man, but Roaring Abel was
obdurate.
She would not be false to that
innervoice.
Hewanted to give Snaith a piece of his mind, but
dared not.
Cissy sobbed for a few minutes in Valancys
arms.
Before he went, Valancy told him she would begoing
away the next day. Dont reckon Illbe back afore tomorrow night, so if youre going
home tomorrow,good-bye now.
But SHE knew it and it made a tremendousdifference
to her.
And that would probably be not till three or four
in the morning.
She was not in the least sorry Cecilia wasdead. But
the world suddenly seemed a colder place to Valancy. Stirling, I asked you if you
could let me have some gas. Valancy almostlaughed aloud at the _expression_ on his
face as he recognised her. In just that infinitesimal space of timeeverything was
changed.
I suppose youve had enough of your party. I knew I
was short when Ileft home, but I meant to fill up in Deerwood.
I can imagine it, said Valancy, with a shrug of her
shoulders.
But there were some things John Foster didnot
know.
And Iwasnt any use or comfort to her or
anybody.
We wont have fine-lady airs here, my
girl.
For the first time in her life she liked going
tochurch.
Then I forgot allabout it in my hurry to get to the
Corners.
How nice it was to havesome one look after you
so!
In this one thing habit and custom werestill
all-powerful. Valancy thought it the nicestparty she had ever attended.
She was no longer unimportant, little old maid
Valancy Stirling. Uncle Wellington looked indecisively at Valancy. There were
muttered oaths and sullen looks. She refused them all shortly, and some of her
refusals werenot well taken.
The Stirlings all came to the funeral, men and
women. I just want to SEE what a party up back is like. WhenValancy saw the change
that had come over Cissys face she wantedto telephone for the doctor.
Very soon almost all the men were partly
drunk.
Freedom and independence were all very well, but
one should not bea little fool. Was it for this, she demanded in hollow tones, that
I sufferedthe pangs of motherhood? There he was, bareheaded,bristly-chinned, in his
old trousers and his blue homespun shirt. Valancy knew, if theStirlings and Edward
Beck didnt, exactly what she intended to dothen. I only asked out of curiosity,
continued Valancy. Surely now that Cissy Gay was deadValancy would come home.