Lilian smiled and patted his arm. The sun glowed from behind the trees. There had been some cool days since the summer, but tonight it was warm again with the dusty smell of leaves. Lilian was wearing her summer shoes. It is our anniversary, she said.

Gilbert shook the ice cubes to melt them. Yes, he said. It is.

Oh, here they are, she said. Goodness, Marian looks as if she’s dressed for a ball.

The Wiggins approached and engulfed them in rustling organza and crêpe de Chine.

I knew you wouldn’t, Marian said. Her hair was swirled into careful curls. I told Lilian to dress!

She looks dressed to me, Gilbert said. He shook hands with Dickie Wiggin and complimented him on his stickpin.

We were hoping we might persuade you to stay for dinner, Dickie Wiggin said.

Sorry, said Gilbert. Tonight it’s just me and my bride.

We’ll see, said Dickie, winking at Lilian.

They ordered drinks and talked about Cap Sedgwick and the upcoming election.

There’s the feeling the common man is not drawn to the Brahmin type, said Gilbert.

But we’re not a type, we’re not like anything, said Marian. Everyone’s different, aren’t they?

Tell that to the Amorys and the Cunninghams and the Sedgwicks, said Dickie, straightening his cuff link.

Oh, they just think they’re that way, Marian said.

Yes, and everyone believes them.

Excuse me a moment, Gilbert murmured. He stood and bowed.

Where are you going? cried Marian with alarm.

Nowhere a lady can follow, he said, backing away.

She shot Dickie a look.

I’ll join you, Dickie said, starting up without conviction.

I’m quite fine on my own. Gilbert sped off.

Lilian knew the guise: he would be stopping for a solitary drink at the bar.

Dickie sat down with some uncertainty. Marian shook her head as if to say, it can’t be helped.

What’s going on, you two? said Lilian.

Marian smiled her merry smile, her eyes slits. We’re just happy to be here, she said. Twelve years! And to think we were there! Tell me, how are the children?

But before Lilian could speak Marian gave her a full report on the Wiggin clan. Gilbert did not reappear.

After some time, he came rushing out to the little group on the terrace to tell Lilian that she had a phone call, it was Anna, nothing important, just a question about Porter’s ear medicine. Gilbert escorted her back to the front desk which was deserted as always. The phone down at one end of the counter was hung neatly up.

Come along, said Gilbert. We’re going.

What?

We are leaving. Going home. He started for the front entranceway.

Gilbert!