CHAPTER XVI

rlingswouldletyou.” Valancyshowedallherpointedteethinagrin. “Theycouldn’tstopme.” “Ididn’tthinkyou’dsomuchspunk,”saidRoaringAbeladmiringly.“Andlookattheniceanklesofher,”headded,ashesteppedasidetoletherin. IfCousinStickleshadheardthisshewouldhavebeencertainthatValancy’sdoom,earthlyandunearthly,wassealed.ButAbel’ssuperannuatedgallantrydidnotworryValancy.Besides,thiswasthefirstcomplimentshehadeverreceivedinherlifeandshefoundherselflikingit.Shesometimessuspectedshehadniceankles,butnobodyhadevermentioneditbefore.IntheStirlingclanankleswereamongtheunmentionables. RoaringAbeltookherintothekitchen,whereCissyGaywaslyingonthesofa,breathingquickly,withlittlescarletspotsonherhollowcheeks.ValancyhadnotseenCeciliaGayforyears.Thenshehadbeensuchaprettycreature,aslight,blossom-likegirl,withsoft,goldenhair,clear-cut,almostwaxenfeatures,andlarge,beautifulblueeyes.Shewasshockedatthechangeinher.CouldthisbesweetCissy—thispitifullittlethingthatlookedlikeatired,brokenflower?Shehadweptallthebeautyoutofhereyestheylookedtoobig—enormous—inherwastedface.ThelasttimeValancyhadseenCeciliaGaythosefaded,piteouseyeshadbeenlimpid,shadowybluepoolsaglowwithmirth.ThecontrastwassoterriblethatValancy’sowneyesfilledwithtears.ShekneltdownbyCissyandputherarmsabouther. “Cissydear,I’vecometolookafteryou.I’llstaywithyoutill—till—aslongasyouwantme.” “Oh!”CissyputherthinarmsaboutValancy’sneck.“Oh—willyou?It’sbeenso—lonely.Icanwaitonmyself—butit’sbeensolonely.It—wouldjustbelike—heaven—tohavesomeonehere—likeyou.Youwerealways—sosweettome—longago.” ValancyheldCissyclose.Shewassuddenlyhappy.Herewassomeonewhoneededher—someoneshecouldhelp.Shewasnolongerasuperfluity.Oldthingshadpassedawayeverythinghadbecomenew. “Mostthingsarepredestinated,butsomearejustdarnsheerluck,”saidRoaringAbel,complacentlysmokinghispipeinthecorner.