I never thoughtbloody was swearing, though its an
ugly word.
She didnt know what romantic meant, but she liked
Franks eyes. Marigold stoppedscreaming when she saw them. How they had all laughed
and how ashamed she had been.
The Lesleys never lie, said OldGrandmother. In some
moods she wanted to be like Mother.
Marigolddidnt know whether the graveyard was
cheerful or not, but she knewshe loved it.
Come now, sevens your bedtime at home,
isntit?
She and Mother had wandered along dear little paths
over gnarledroots.
Lorraine would have been horrified if she
haddreamed of Marigolds feelings in this respect. Lazarre told Salome it wasbecause
Hilda had jilted him.
Marigoldspent a raptured week looking forward to it
and living it inimagination. Marigold didnt know what jiltedwas, but whatever it was
she hated Hilda for doing it to Frank.
The luresuddenly proved stronger than the dread. I
never want to meet that dreadful day again.
Marigold had been afraid to askAunt Flora to leave
the light. She didnt believe themall, but you HAD to believe what had happened to
Lazarre himself.
But to have disgraced herselfand Mother and the
Lesley name! To the day of her death Marigold believed ithappened.
The frozenhorror on the faces of her family told
her that.
Marigold thought this ever so much more fun than
riding ina car.
How cool and velvety the young grass felt. Lazarre
told Salome it wasbecause Hilda had jilted him. Please bless Mother and Young
Grandmother and Salome and OldGrandmother for Jesus sake, amen. He had curly black
hairand romantic grey eyes. Marigold always thought of them soafter that and walked
past them in real half-delicious fear. Andover it to a new world beyond where there
was a church and a schooland the village of Harmony.
Salome was singing lustily in the pantry, where she
was washingdishes.
And Marigold SAW the beautiful river, looking like
the harbourbelow Cloud of Spruce. By the three wise monkeys, was one of them.