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Mrs Wharton chatters on about the nuisance ofa country estate in the proper style and how her days are ives Ann a handkerchief though she’s the one who could use one

"No sha Ann’s chin tenderly "You reid"

"Goodbye, Ann," Felicity says "It won’t be the same without you"

Ann turns tofor some hint of kindness--a kiss, an embrace, even a smile But I can’t overness" My words are like a slap

"I know," she answers, a slap of her own

The girls crowd the foyer They sniffle and ht have reat hall and peek out from behind the drapes as Ann and her sudden admirers step outside

A foot to Mrs Wharton, he helps Ann into the carriage She pokes her head out the , holding fast to her one good hat I could rush after her, give her a kiss on the cheek, send her off with a fond farewell I could It would mean the world to her But I can’t oodbye, Gemma That’s all

The reins are snapped The horses kick up dust The carriage jolts as it rows saway

"Goodbye," I whisper at last, when it no longer matters and there is no one to hear it but the

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

ABSENCE IS A CURIOUS THING WHEN FRIENDS ARE ABSENT, they seeer, till the lack of them is all one can feel Now that Ann has left, the rooht, I cannot fill the space that re that pestered loomy character and silly, romantic notions andthe day, I think of some small observation I should like to share with her--an aside about Cecily or a coht make them both more bearable--only to realize that she isn’t here to enjoy it There’s a moment of profound sadness that can be dispelled only by suer