The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-24
CHAPTER xLyIII

Rosalie occasionally inserted an explanatory phrase; Ann inter- rupted once or twice; Cecily asked several questions; but, on the whole, the three women sat quietly and listened while Grand kept right at it, standing on the hearth rug and talking on and on and on. And even after he had imprinted a kiss on Ann's brow, and another on the top of Cecily's head (she had ducked), and had quivered his voice into. the words, God bless you, my darlings, God bless you" and had gone from the room with Rosalie, who was trying to weep, Ann and Cecily continued sitting still and saying nothing. Finally Ann said, Well" It had the ef- feet of having been dropped from a height to hard place, though it landed in fair order.
 Cecily asked, Do you feel as foolish as l feel?"
 Pushed out of the nest" said Ann.
 They smiled together then, but not happily; fearfully, rather, and shamefacedly.
 "No. but really" Cecily said, what do you think, Ann?"
 Nothing. I'm stunned. I'm flat. What do you think?"
 I'm afraid to stir off of this sofa. I wouldn't pinch myself for a dollar"
 "He had the receipt. You made him show it to you. Ciss, you were dreadful"
 "Yes, and you. said, Let me see it. before I even had it in my hand" She looked at her watch. Its & quarter past one," she an nounced, as good news. and added, Barry left at half-past 12.'
 II couldn't sleep" Ann said. "Cissy, let's see if we can't find a few words and put them together and talk"
 ''It would be fun," Cecily sug- gested, Ito telephone to the boys. They've had time to get home."
 'So late?" said Ann.
 "Fun!" said Cecily.
 "But what could we say?" Ann unused. "I mean-what could we say over the telephone? Where could we beign2"
 I'm not going to say much of anything" Cecily dared to get off the sofa, though she did not pinch . herself. I'm going to be sort of mysterious-a leaf from Rosalie's book. I'm feeling too silly for sense. Barry will loathe 1t. Oh. fun! But I'll tell him to come on Saturday"
 "Yes," said Ann, and stood. q think I'll just tell Phil"
 cecily had gone.
 Ann looked timidly across the room to the exact spot on the. hearth rug where Grand had stood, has hands clasped over the fourth button on his vest, his round white beard moving gently with his words, his head nodding his periods. He had said, unmistak- ably, while Cissy there on the horsehair sofa pouted and looked sullen, that the dearest desire of his life and of Rosalie's life had ever been to see their darlings married to good, worthy men who loved them and whom they loved in return. So much was true and easy to believe. But-going on from there?
 Rosalie had said that it was pleasa nter than an expensive hotel. That it combined the qualities of the best hotels and the best private homes ana Wdb uelIileT. Ludt lt was beautifully furnished, with a guaranteed temperature of 72 throughout the winter, and g charming, quaint dining room with wee tables for two, and larger tables, if one desired them, and each table had a sweet little pink shaded light on 1t.
 Cecily had interrupted some- where about there, and had re- marked that 1t took quantities of money to buy livings in places of that sort.