CHAPTER IX

nher.AuntIsabelhaddecreedthatValancyshouldneverwearcolours.Theydidnotbecomeher.Whenshewasyoungtheyallowedhertowearwhite,butthathadbeentacitlydroppedforsomeyears.Valancyputonthebrownsilk.Ithadahighcollarandlongsleeves.Shehadneverhadadresswithlowneckandelbowsleeves,althoughtheyhadbeenworn,eveninDeerwood,foroverayear.Butshedidnotdoherhairpompadour.Sheknotteditonherneckandpulleditoutoverherears.Shethoughtitbecameher—onlythelittleknotwassoabsurdlysmall.Mrs.Frederickresentedthehairbutdecideditwaswisesttosaynothingontheeveoftheparty.ItwassoimportantthatValancyshouldbekeptingoodhumour,ifpossible,untilitwasover.Mrs.FrederickdidnotreflectthatthiswasthefirsttimeinherlifethatshehadthoughtitnecessarytoconsiderValancy’shumours.ButthenValancyhadneverbeen“queer”before. OntheirwaytoUncleHerbert’s—Mrs.FrederickandCousinStickleswalkinginfront,Valancytrottingmeeklyalongbehind—RoaringAbeldrovepastthem.Drunkasusualbutnotintheroaringstage.Justdrunkenoughtobeexcessivelypolite.Heraisedhisdisreputableoldtartancapwiththeairofamonarchsalutinghissubjectsandsweptthemagrandbow.Mrs.FrederickandCousinSticklesdarednotcutRoaringAbelaltogether.HewastheonlypersoninDeerwoodwhocouldbegottodooddjobsofcarpenteringandrepairingwhentheyneededtobedone,soitwouldnotdotooffendhim.Buttheyrespondedwithonlythestiffest,slightestofbows.RoaringAbelmustbekeptinhisplace. Valancy,behindthem,didathingtheywerefortunatelysparedseeing.ShesmiledgailyandwavedherhandtoRoaringAbel.Whynot?Shehadalwayslikedtheoldsinner.Hewassuchajolly,picturesque,unashamedreprobateandstoodoutagainstthedrabrespectabilityofDeerwoodanditscustomslikeaflame-redflagofrevoltandprotest.OnlyafewnightsagoAbelhadgonethroughDeerwoodi