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I lingered in the kitchen until they were finished and then I went out and quickly finished clearing the table

"You jist go off and visit with yer brother," Mrs Chester said "I can finish 'ere"

"But"

"Don't work your gob Just go on before I change me mind," she ordered

I thanked her and left with Roy, returning to o for a nice walk," I said "Let me just wash up and fix my hair"

He waited and then we left and strolled toward Kensington I told hi classes, the performance at the showcase, life with the Endfields, but not about the incident with Great--uncle Richard I didn't want hiet upset andwhat Roy would do if he learned about the cottage and what had gone on there I didn't even s I found strange and a in London I babbled on and on and he walked with his head down or gazed at me with a soft sasped

"I've talked your ear off without letting you get hardly a word in about yourself, I know," I said, "but it's so good to have someone who'll listen to me, someone I can trust"

"I'lad you still feel that way about me, Rain"

"Of course I do Why shouldn't I?"

"I was afraid I ht have scared you off," he admitted

We were both quiet for a longsoht It sounded so hts just naturally went to Ma of Mahts Maybe that ca the lives of a brother and sister despite the different blood in our veins

"She'd be surprised if she could see us both now, I bet," he simply blurted

"Yes, she would, and I think happy, too, Roy I hope so anyway"

"Seems a person like Mama should have happiness before she dies and not afterward though" "Yes," I said

He turned to me and reached for my hand