The Wilmington morning star., 1947-10-11
CHAPTER FOUR

E3N among tHc 6oCoIo.
Il never wear black ny
~,ore, I don't know why it is,
but l Just can't wear black any
more.
'sWe're not prepared"
TITS self-preservation."
isn't Teresa ravishing?
They're such a handsome cou-
pie"
Does anyone know where
NE fleet ls?'
And | said that it would be
foolish for them to try because
they could never make a 60 of
It again, They's murder each
other in three weeks"
Can you imagine air raid 81
rens in the capital of the United
States? Can you imagine our
cities BACKED out and our citi-
zen on rations? | can imagine
it. It's too ludicrous. Like a
fairy tale. I was too young to
remember the last war, of
| course, but l can't imagine
1 what it would be like to live
in a country at war. I don't
see how you could concentrate
on anything."
The Japanese -"
Laughter.
She wandered out to the ter
race. Seeing a man with his
back turned to her, she turned
TO 60 inside again when the
man called please don't 60
in"
II was the young man on
whose arm she had walked
down the church aisle.
81 don't believe we've met.
rm Philip Spencer"
And I'm Teresa's sister"
Why did she say that? Why
couldn't she have said, I'm
! Alison Van Dyke?" Had she no
identity of her own?
Il know you are"
The light from indoors fell on
hsnl and he had what could be
described, Alison thought, only
SIS q nice face, an honest face.
He was of medium height and
was thin and wore glasses.
N~ondescript dark eyes, dark
hair, a friendly smile. A young
man about whom there was an
aura of tradition and dignity
and becoming simplicity. This
WAS all his, this house, these
beautiful grounds, and yet at
nee she felt she had known
him and liked him for a long
time. Loneliness rode away. She
had come upon a friend.
He said, cts rather chilly
out here. Shall I get you a
wrap? But Teresa and Sam will
be leaving in a few minutes.
You don't want to miss that,
DO you? After they go, it will
be just a party. I hope you'll
dance with me-" He shook his
head and smiled. I'm terribly
sorry. l know your re Teresa's
fister, but I don't know your
name"
It's Alison Van Dyke"
But Teresa's name was
NIL"
My mothers first husband
vas named Hill"
"Oh, l see. She should have
old lis more about her family
go. I'm afraid you're cold
1T isn't nearly as cold az
Vermont"
Edna came out o nthe ter.
race. In the church Alison had
scarcely seen her, but now she
saw that the friend who had
been SO kind to her sister wa
80 tall that she lowered above
hsr brother and her. She would
tower above Nicola, too. A
stately, middle-aged woman
with calm eyes and a sweet
mouth, she gave Alison precise
y the same feeling that Philip
mad given her-that nice, coy
feeling Of friendliness. She wore
3 beige frock with lace at the
sleeves. But how could she have
noticed Edna in neutral beige
when Teresa wore electric
blue?
Edna put her arm around he1
rs naturally as Kitty did.
I've been looking all over fol
Iou, dear. I'm Edna, in case
you don't know, and I've beer
,Hying eve since you came II
nave a word with you. l see
ri you've met Philip. He's my
pfother, Or has he told you;
Know this is all very confus
ing to you, all these strange
people thrust at you and thu
settlement of a wedding"
She's going to dance will
ne" Philip said.
Good. Give her one NOR
year and you'll beg for a dance
'oSt about one more year" Sh'
smiled gently down at Alison
what | wouldn't give to hav'
daughter like you. Sam ant
tefeSa are about to leave
0ont you want to see them?'
Yes, l do" But she WASH
~ fsofs' It was so pleasant Oh
"sse with Philip.
Fl And you and your mothe
we spending the night her
WIN u.s." Edna said. "Yo1
should have come in the frs
pace No reason a all for yo'
go to a hotel. I'd be annoye'
~ Teresa about that if
on know she's been so bus
s'ely," When she turned to 6
Alison turned To 90 with her