Love Takes Up the Glass of Time

           “I’vecomeuptoaskyoutogoforoneofourold-timeramblesthroughSeptemberwoodsand‘overhillswherespicesgrow,’thisafternoon,”saidGilbert,comingsuddenlyaroundtheporchcorner.“SupposewevisitHesterGray’sgarden.”

           Anne,sittingonthestonestepwithherlapfullofapale,filmy,greenstuff,lookedupratherblankly.

           “Oh,IwishIcould,”shesaidslowly,“butIreallycan’t,Gilbert.I’mgoingtoAlicePenhallow’sweddingthisevening,youknow.I’vegottodosomethingtothisdress,andbythetimeit’sfinishedI’llhavetogetready.I’msosorry.I’dlovetogo.”

           “Well,canyougotomorrowafternoon,then?”askedGilbert,apparentlynotmuchdisappointed.

           “Yes,Ithinkso.”

           “InthatcaseIshallhiemehomeatoncetodosomethingIshouldotherwisehavetodotomorrow.SoAlicePenhallowistobemarriedtonight.Threeweddingsforyouinonesummer,Anne—Phil’s,Alice’s,andJane’s.I’llneverforgiveJanefornotinvitingmetoherwedding.”

           “Youreallycan’tblameherwhenyouthinkofthetremendousAndrewsconnectionwhohadtobeinvited.Thehousecouldhardlyholdthemall.IwasonlybiddenbygraceofbeingJane’soldchum—atleastonJane’spart.IthinkMrs.Harmon’smotiveforinvitingmewastoletmeseeJane’ssurpassinggorgeousness.”

           “Isittruethatsheworesomanydiamondsthatyoucouldn’ttellwherethediamondsleftoffandJanebegan?”

           Annelaughed.

           “Shecertainlyworeagoodmany.