And there were all the things one wasn’t to talk about. One’s health. Bodily functions. Drinking habits. One ought never to speak of other people in a derogatory way — unless of course they were absolutely worthy of it, like Mrs. Harrower who gossiped, or Mr. Quincy who wouldn’t let them walk through his woods to the pond. The family itself was never discussed with outsiders, nor, Lilian had noticed, with insiders either.

If you let a boy know you like him, Dolly Cushing went on, puffing on her cigarette, he’ll think he can do whatever he wants. Her eyes narrowed as she related her experience with José Cutler.

Lilian remained mystified. As far as she could see Walter Vail could do whatever he liked. If he liked it, she felt sure she would like it too.

The problem with you, said Dolly Cushing, is that you are too nice.

Yes, Lilian thought. She hoped no one would consider her to be something as bland as nice, and of course everyone did. She felt weak because of it. Thank goodness for Dolly who was telling her where she went wrong. She did not want to make a mistake with Walter Vail.

Can’t wait to meet him, said Dolly whose interest in things quickly waned. Wait. Was he at the Spragues’ the other day? With Madelaine! Good-looking, with a sort of tea stain on his face?

Lilian blushed to hear him described out in the world. Yes, she said. That’s him. And feeling encouraged, Lilian told her about the rendezvous that evening.

Are you going to let him kiss you? Dolly asked. She wore satiny harem pants and a shirt with brocade trim on the sleeves. Lilian reflected how Jane Olney, dear stern Jane, would never have worn something so interesting, and felt glad to have a friend like Dolly Cushing who smoked cigarettes and asked about kissing. She supposed that a boy from New York, one so clearly at ease rubbing a girl’s fingers as Walter Vail had done at the skating pond, would probably expect a kiss. It was just what Lilian needed to know. But her curiosity was unsatisfied as Dolly lost interest and began talking about the first time she had kissed Freddie Vernon at the country club dance. It was technically their first kiss, but the first long one came after on the shore at night where they watched the lighthouse blinking 1-4-3 which everyone knew meant I-love-you. Lilian could not imagine kissing Freddie Vernon. His poppy eyes and large nostrils made him look distinctly like a bulldog.