Dont blame me if you dont like it when you hear it.
It gets more like HIS every day, she once heard grandmothersaying bitterly to Aunt
Gertrude.
Jane was not interested in Norman Tait nor any
other screen star.
A divorce is when two peopleget unmarried. Miss
Robin ought tostand up for you more than she does . What business had the sun even
to try to shine while her fate hungin the balance like this?
And she knew she couldnot ask mother to explain the
mystery of the picture. And, knowing him for what he is, I think he verylikely would
if you angered him.
It always seemed hostile, watchful, vindictive. It
is absolutely inexcusable in a girl of your age.
Anyhow,Jane liked Phylliss version better than
Agness.
Jane felt as if a gulfhad opened between her and
all humankind.
It was still aching when Jane woke the next morning
with asickening rush of remembrance.
Agness little elfish face, framed in its straight
brown hair, wasalive with mischief. Better put that kitten right out,
MissVictoria.
And if you couldnt be loved, the nextbest thing was
to be let alone. She winked one of her green eyes at Jane.
She wasthe daughter of somebody who was called the
great Thomas Ripley.
It was fascinating to look at thepeople in it and
speculate about them.
Jane knew mother was abit worried because she didnt
make more friends among girls of herown age. Jane herself was feeling the delight
ofa certain oneness with her audience .
Mother had chilled melon balls in orange juice
instead of cereal,and she shared them with Jane.
Jane walkedalong happily, savouring this rare
moment of independence.
Be good enough to put that creature outat
once.
She saw herself inthe big mirror reflected in
another dim unfriendly room. Janes heart was torn by another pang in seeing
mothersuffer so. When all was said and done, that seemed to be what was
hurtingmost.
It did not seem as if her face couldturn whiter
than it was, but it did as she read it.
Butwhoever she married would be your
stepfather.
Jane would have loved to do this for mother butshe
was never allowed. Please, dear God, she whispered, make Uncle William say Ineednt
be sent to him. There was a good deal more said, though Jane said
nothing.
All her life she had thought her father dead
whilehe was living .