CHAPTER XXIV

thebackofValancy’smindmustbelefttotheimagination.Valancywashatingthefuneral—hatingthepeoplewhocametostarewithcuriosityatCecilia’smarble-whiteface—hatingthesmugness—hatingthedragging,melancholysinging—hatingMr.Bradly’scautiousplatitudes.Ifshecouldhavehadherabsurdway,therewouldhavebeennofuneralatall.ShewouldhavecoveredCissyoverwithflowers,shutherawayfrompryingeyes,andburiedherbesidehernamelesslittlebabyinthegrassyburying-groundunderthepinesofthe“upback”church,withabitofkindlyprayerfromtheoldFreeMethodistminister.SherememberedCissysayingonce,“IwishIcouldbeburieddeepintheheartofthewoodswherenobodywouldevercometosay,‘CissyGayisburiedhere,’andtellovermymiserablestory.” Butthis!However,itwouldsoonbeover.Valancyknew,iftheStirlingsandEdwardBeckdidn’t,exactlywhatsheintendedtodothen.Shehadlainawakealltheprecedingnightthinkingaboutitandfinallydecidingonit. Whenthefuneralprocessionhadleftthehouse,Mrs.Fredericksought