“Of course. A little later, though. But about this check. I can’t—”

“Yes, you can. And not a word to Frank.”

“Then come to the wedding tomorrow. Please.”

“No. The way Frank feels right now, it would be too much for him. I’m satisfied just to have met you.”

I glanced at Leo, and he smiled woodenly. He appeared to have been only half listening, and he had not said a word to anyone else. It flashed through my mind what an incongruous pair they were: she was so animated and outgoing and he was such a stiff. But then, who was I to judge? Gloria, I knew, considered Frank and me incongruous.

“Here comes Frank now,” said Vivian. “Remember, this is just between us.”

Frank sat down and looked suspiciously at Vivian and me. So did Gloria and my father. The five of us barely spoke during the rest of the meal.

Vivian and Leo said good-bye in the parking lot and drove off. Pat Malone suggested that Frank and I come out for a drink with him and Gloria, but Frank refused before I could say a word. We got into the car and drove a few miles out of town on the highway. He turned off onto a gravel road and pulled over to the shoulder.

“Don’t tell me we’re going to neck,” I said, trying to offset the gravity of his manner.

“There’s something we have to settle right now. You know how I feel about my family. Do you or do you not intend to respect those feelings? I have to know now.”

“That sounds almost like an ultimatum.”

“I guess it does,” he said firmly.

“Do you think it’s fair to be handing out ultimatums the night before our wedding?”

“A lot of things are unfair, Irene. That’s the way life is.”

“Thank you, Philosopher Mattison!”

“Please don’t take that tone.”

“What tone am I supposed to take when you get sanctimonious with me? I know what brought this on. It’s because I was civil to Vivian.”

“You were more than civil.”

“All right, I was. But I must say your behavior left a lot to be desired. Whatever resentment you have for her could be put aside for just one evening. To tell you the truth, I was shocked by you. And disappointed. You know, that first night I came to your apartment, you treated Larry like a prince and I was impressed. Then tonight you treat your own sister as if she were . . . some kind of vermin. Even when it’s apparent she cares so much for you.” A muted snort came through his nose. “Go ahead and shrug it off, but you might just as well shrug off the fact the earth is round. She’s obliging and cautious with you and all she gets in return is the most childish rudeness. She had nothing but praise and consideration for you and she gave us—” I stopped dead, remembering too late the promise I made to her.