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           Hispaganismsoaredthatnightandwhenshefadedoutlikeagrayghostdowntheroad,adeepsingingcameoutofthefieldsandfilledhiswayhomeward.AllnightthesummermothsflittedinandoutofAmory’swindow;allnightlargeloomingsoundsswayedinmysticreverythroughthesilvergrain—andhelayawakeinthecleardarkness.

           SEPTEMBER

           Amoryselectedabladeofgrassandnibbledatitscientifically.

           "IneverfallinloveinAugustorSeptember,"heproffered.

           "Whenthen?"

           "ChristmasorEaster.I’maliturgist."

           "Easter!"Sheturneduphernose."Huh!Springincorsets!"

           "Easterwouldborespring,wouldn’tshe?Easterhasherhairbraided,wearsatailoredsuit."

           "Bindonthysandals,oh,thoumostfleet.

           Overthesplendorandspeedofthyfeet—"

           quotedEleanorsoftly,andthenadded:"IsupposeHallowe’enisabetterdayforautumnthanThanksgiving."

           "Muchbetter—andChristmasevedoesverywellforwinter,butsummer..."

           "Summerhasnoday,"shesaid."Wecan’tpossiblyhaveasummerlove.Somanypeoplehavetriedthatthename’sbecomeproverbial.Summerisonlytheunfulfilledpromiseofspring,acharlataninplaceofthewarmbalmynightsIdreamofinApril.It’sasadseasonoflifewithoutgrowth....Ithasnoday."

           "FourthofJuly,"Amorysuggestedfacetiously.

           "Don’tbefunny!"shesaid,rakinghimwithhereyes.

           "Well,whatcouldfulfilthepromiseofspring?"

           Shethoughtamoment.