She was always goingabout the house putting things
in their places and she attended toeverything.
Victoria could get her gradeeasily enough if she
wanted to. And then grandmothers old white face had flushed.
Two years ago Cousin Millie had died and Jodyhad
just stayed on. I think it is very dull, said Jane truthfully.
Jane was sureshe could do it perfectly if she were
allowed.
But itis not with fear that their pulse is
quickened .
The cattle-path forks: the girl follows one branch,
the mananother. Shewould never let Frank get petrol there.
But itis not with fear that their pulse is
quickened . They go to the windows of the school house and peer in. Jane would have
liked the fun of doing that. But I can remember when Gay Street wasone of the most
fashionable residential streets in town.
You had tokeep to the flat stepping-stones
path.
That house died thirty years ago, when Robert
Kennedy died, saidthe older woman.
And poor Janes voice would die away to littlemore
than a whisper.
It was too long and too elaborate and it wasdirty
and grease-spotted.
The years go by; we both are passingthrough
life.
Mothers mouth was like a rosebud, small and red,
with dimplestucked away at the corners. One night grandmother had smiled and said,
What do you think ofthe Bible, Victoria?
The wind was howling along thestreet
outside.
And poor Janes voice would die away to littlemore
than a whisper.
There were noJanes in the Kennedys or
Andersons.
Niels, she says, Ive had more than six years time
to think thatover.
Jane did not know whether she was going to get her
grade or not.
The cattle-path forks: the girl follows one branch,
the mananother. The stifled, piteous sounds came clearlyon the still, crystal air of
the spring evening.
His voicewould seem so strange: it would break a
spell.
Uncle William put the piece of white chicken meat
he had justcarved off on the side of the platter. I shouldhave thought of it twelve
years ago; but I did not know it then. However, AuntSylvia very kindly gave her a
double portion of turnip.
There were noJanes in the Kennedys or
Andersons.
Mother didnt finish her sentence but Jane knew she
meant,Grandmother wouldnt like it if I didnt go.
She was still speaking toward the comingmoment of,
saying anything that came to hand, at random. She knew why mother seldom kissedher
or petted her in grandmothers presence.
She is pretty,lady-like, well behaved and clever .
I thought I could livemy life as a protest against the life my mother had
lived.
She was ready to die of shameand
mortification.
Grandmother had given her thebracelet last week for
her birthday.