"I've been wanting to kiss you for weeks, and I just couldn't wait any longer."
Glawen reached to put his arm around her, but Sessily became perversely coy.
"Only I may do the kissing; not you."
"That's not fair!"
"Perhaps not... Don't delay, then; we don't want to be late getting home from school!"
Aries, sauntering along Wansey Way, turned his head and saw Glawen and Sessily where they stood in the shade of a weeping willow. He halted to stare, then gave a hoot of mocking laughter.
"Haw, haw! I have interrupted a tender moment! Isn't this a somewhat public place for intimacies?
Glawen, I never expected such conduct from you!"
Sessily laughed.
"Glawen has been kind and that is why I am kissing him. I may well do it again. Are you leaving?"
"What's the hurry? I might learn something interesting."
"In that case, we'll go." Sessily took Glawen's arm.
"Come;
the neighborhood has gone to pieces."
The two departed with full dignity, and Aries was left standing in the road. Sessily looked anxiously up at GSawen.
"I hope you haven't let him annoy you."
Glawen gave his head a dour shake.
"I feel foolish."
Sessily's arm stiffened and Glawen added hastily: "Because I couldn't make up my mind what to do! Should I have punched his face? I stood there like a dummy! And, truly, I'm not afraid of him!"
"You did exactly right," said Sessily.
"Aries is a lummox!
Why trouble yourself and get all sweaty? Especially since you have no real chance of beating him."
Glawen blew out his breath.
"I suppose you're right. But if it happens again ..."
Sessily squeezed his arm.
"I don't want you involved in foolish rows on account of me. Are you going to walk me home?"
"Of course!"
At the portal giving on the avenue to Veder House, Sessily looked up and down the way.
"I must be careful; my mother already thinks I'm a hoyden." She tilted her face and kissed Glawen, who tried to catch her in his arms. Sessily laughed and drew back.
"I must go."
Glawen said huskily: "Will you meet me this evening, after supper?"
Sessiiy shook her head.
"There's a chart I must draw for school and I must practice the tunes I'm supposed to play at Parilia. After that I am supposed to be in bed Still, now that I think of it, tomorrow night Mother will be at her committee meeting, and I won't be under such strict control--which evidently would seem to be necessary."
"Tomorrow night, then. Where?"
"Do you know our rose garden, on the east side of the house?"
"Where all the statues stand on guard?"
Sessily nodded.
"I'll come out, if I can, about two hours into the evening. I'll meet you where the steps come down from the upper terrace."
"I'll be there."
The next day was Milden;' there was no school. For Glawen the day seemed to drag on interminably: minute after minute after minute.
An hour after sunset he changed into dark blue trousers and a soft gray shirt. Scharde noticed the preparations.
"What's all this afoot? Or is it a secret?"
Glawen made a casual gesture.
"Nothing of any consequence.
Just a social engagement."
"Who is the lucky girl?"
"Sessily Veder."
Scharde chuckled.
"Don't let her mother catch you. She's Felice Veder, who was born a Wook, and has never relinquished her virtue."
"I'll have to take my chances."
