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Spires and Gargoyles
DuringthisinspectionAmorywasquietlywatching.
"Don’tyouthinkso?"shesaidsuddenly,turningtohim,innocent-eyed.
Therewasastir,andSallyledthewayovertotheirtable.AmorystruggledtoIsabelle’sside,andwhispered:
"You’remydinnerpartner,youknow.We’reallcoachedforeachother."
Isabellegasped—thiswasratherrightinline.Butreallyshefeltasifagoodspeechhadbeentakenfromthestarandgiventoaminorcharacter....Shemustn’tlosetheleadershipabit.Thedinner-tableglitteredwithlaughterattheconfusionofgettingplacesandthencuriouseyeswereturnedonher,sittingnearthehead.Shewasenjoyingthisimmensely,andFroggyParkerwassoengrossedwiththeaddedsparkleofherrisingcolorthatheforgottopulloutSally’schair,andfellintoadimconfusion.Amorywasontheotherside,fullofconfidenceandvanity,gazingatherinopenadmiration.Hebegandirectly,andsodidFroggy:
"I’veheardalotaboutyousinceyouworebraids—"
"Wasn’titfunnythisafternoon—"
Bothstopped.IsabelleturnedtoAmoryshyly.Herfacewasalwaysenoughanswerforanyone,butshedecidedtospeak.
"How—fromwhom?"
"Fromeverybody—foralltheyearssinceyou’vebeenaway."Sheblushedappropriately.OnherrightFroggywashorsdecombatalready,althoughhehadn’tquiterealizedit.
"I’lltellyouwhatIrememberedaboutyoualltheseyears,"Amorycontinued.Sheleanedslightlytowardhimandlookedmodestlyatthecelerybeforeher.