Улісс

           Shewaswearingtheblueforluck,hopingagainsthope,herowncolourandluckytooforabridetohaveabitofbluesomewhereonherbecausethegreensheworethatdayweekbroughtgriefbecausehisfatherbroughthimintostudyfortheintermediateexhibitionandbecauseshethoughtperhapshemightbeoutbecausewhenshewasdressingthatmorningshenearlyslippeduptheoldpaironherinsideoutandthatwasforluckandlovers’meetingifyouputthosethingsoninsideoutoriftheygotuntiedthathewasthinkingaboutyousolongasitwasn’tofaFriday.

           Andyetandyet!Thatstrainedlookonherface!Agnawingsorrowisthereallthetime.Herverysoulisinhereyesandshewouldgiveworldstobeintheprivacyofherownfamiliarchamberwhere,givingwaytotears,shecouldhaveagoodcryandrelieveherpentupfeelingsthoughnottoomuchbecausesheknewhowtocrynicelybeforethemirror.Youarelovely,Gerty,itsaid.Thepalylightofeveningfallsuponafaceinfinitelysadandwistful.GertyMacDowellyearnsinvain.Yes,shehadknownfromtheveryfirstthatherdaydreamofamarriagehasbeenarrangedandtheweddingbellsringingforMrsReggyWylieT.C.D.(becausetheonewhomarriedtheelderbrotherwouldbeMrsWylie)andinthefashionableintelligenceMrsGertrudeWyliewaswearingasumptuousconfectionofgreytrimmedwithexpensivebluefoxwasnottobe.Hewastooyoungtounderstand.Hewouldnotbelieveinlove,awoman’sbirthright.