the Metropolitan Ball, which is quiteexciting. We start our lessons for the quadrille next Tuesday.Theyll be with Mr. Gill, who taught me when I was little. Heprobably taught you when you were little, for that matter!Ihavent seen Jesse since your farewell party, but I intend to callhim up. I like him very much, but I think hes a little wilder thanme, and its a bit intimidating. I do have the feeling, though,that I could tell him anything about myself and he would understand.Do you think thats the case?Doyou have a camera? I would like to see pictures of your house and thelake and vineyard, if possible.Thankyou for writing to your friend Sully. I look forward to learningwhatever he might have to tell you.Iwill write to you again soon. Love to you and Benjy from me andMartin.Yours,HenryDoyou think thats all right, then? Henry read it over, unsure.Im sure Jesse has written him a poem or something.Dontbe jealous of Jesse, Martin chided gently. Your uncle likes youbest, you know this.Heliked me best when I was 7, Henry pointed out. I think Jessegot a lot more interesting in the meantime.Ifyoull just seal it up, Ill take it downstairs to Randolph to bemailed.Henryheld out the pen. You address the envelope; your handwriting isbetter.Martinlaughed. Very well, Henry. He carefully copied the address offReggies envelope and then slid it across the desk for Henry toseal, watching as Henry licked the flap and pressed it down.Youshould telephone him, you know.What?Yourcousin.Jesse?Martinsmiled. Who else?ShouldI invite him over, or something? Henry immediately worried abouthow he might entertain Jesse. He didnt have nude drawings orcigarettes or really anything interesting to share, except maybe hisrelation to Martin, which he wasnt prepared to talk about withanyone beyond perhaps Reggie.Certainly,or you could do something with him outside of the house, Martinsuggested. You could go to the arcade, maybe? Or Mr. Wilton mighthave some suggestions of his own.Theidea of seeing Jesse was appealing, and Henry liked even better theidea of seeing him somewhere other than either of their homes, as itseemed possible that Jesses exhibitionism would take over anybedroom in which he found himself, and Henry wanted to avoid aconfrontation just as much as he wanted to avoid temptation.Letsgo down together, Martin suggested. Ill take Randolph yourletter and you can call your cousin.Henryallowed himself to be quickly dressed in his grey suit and followedMartin downstairs. Randolph was in the front hall and was happy totake the letter off Martins hands; they went together to thetelephone alcove, where Henry sat and Martin stood in the doorway,listening with interest.Whenthe telephone was answered on the Wilton end, Henry asked for Jesse.MayI tell Mr. Jesse whos calling, please? Henry could picture theface of the slave who spoke, but he couldnt remember his name.Itshis cousin Henry.Verygood, Sir. Ill just go inform him.Therewas a lot of clatter at the other end of the line, the sound of Jesseand Russ laughing, and then Jesse said a breathless, Hello?Henry?Yes,hi, its me.Henry!How nice to hear from you! Ive been wondering how youve beendoing.Youcould have telephoned me, Henry pointed out.Iwas worried I upset you last time we