Youre not frightened to go alone,
darling?
Marigold must learn to walk on the side of the road
and nevercross it.
It was a lovely spring evening andSylvia would be
waiting at the Green Gate. Young Grandmother and Mother found her there when they
came in atthree oclock. But I dont askyou to forgive me for all the Bible verses I
made you learn. Youre not frightened to go alone, darling? The Garth Lesleys were
ratherproud of it. She may as well getused to going alone, first as
last.
The Dog had such a terrible fascination for
her.
A woman who would really burn aletter if you asked
her to.
She stood uptriumphantly, holding to the bed
post.
Marigold went home past The Dog in a godless
world,where only Terror reigned supreme.
I only know he was my manfrom the moment I first
set eyes on him.
I wouldnt give her the satisfaction of telling it
aslong as I am alive. The Dog rushed down to the gate and tore alongthe fence and
barked.
Of course she shouldnt have done that, admitted
Lorraine.
Itwas like a sore tooth you HAD to bite on. But she
would not turnround to look at her. Wealways know by grace and not by law just how
big a pinch to put in. You talk big like all the Lesleys, retorted her
tormentor.
That was just Old Grandmothers way of talking. So
of course I couldnt wear the dress, and I never dared get greenagain.
Always found open no matter how it was shut
andlocked.
Why, Ive heard you laugh often, Grandmother, said
Marigold,wonderingly. Cloud of Sprucewill be yours some day, Marigold.
Be sure you have some sense, Marigold,when it comes
to handling the men.
You might as well,because you cant cheat life in
the end.
Never take a risk like that with a live man,
Marigold. It was a lovely spring evening andSylvia would be waiting at the Green
Gate.
She was so stung up she looked like a bride with
thesmallpox. Im SURE God will not let The Dogbe there.
I was only six, but Iknew what that meant.