On the way back in the boat Lilian stared, facing the wind. Her mother was talking about having Mr. Francesco to dine and Mrs. Glover said her second cousin was married to his sister. Lilian felt hope dying in her. She tried to save some, and took what she could, tucking it away deep down for safekeeping, deciding not to look at it again for a long time.

III: Mrs. Eliot

III

Mrs. Eliot

23 • A man asks after Lilian

FIVE YEARS passed and Lilian Eliot went on much as she had gone on before Walter Vail. Her friends were producing children. Dolly Vernon had two boys and Marian Wiggin two girls and Cap and Sis Sedgwick one of each. Irene Putnam had lost her second baby, a girl born dead, but was successful with the next try. Lilian went out frequently and was the object of considerable conjecture about when she would wed. It was the major thing which happened in a girl’s life, after all. The thing had even happened to Jane Olney.

Jack Ives was a gruff fellow with a barrel chest. He was usually seen standing apart from the general conversation, looking at his feet, yet when asked a question frowned and gave an answer showing he’d been listening all along. He liked his Scotch, and he loved Jane. Shortly after meeting her he made friends with her family and when he took her out to parties he did not let go of her hand. Jane seemed not in the least surprised. She had been waiting patiently for a man to come along and now he had. They were married in Brookline in May 1924 with a yellow-striped tent on the Olneys’ back lawn and not too many people. Arthur gave a toast about how he’d always admired Jane and everyone remarked on his eloquence. When it came time to throw the bouquet, a custom she and Lilian agreed was humiliating, Jane threw it into the pond.

At dinner one night Mrs. Eliot said, I met a nice boy at the Moores’. She looked pointedly at Lilian. Gilbert Finch I think he’s called. He had a nice voice. I heard him talking to the children.

That the doctor’s son? said Mr. Eliot, not especially interested. He had one fist on the table. Think I was at school with him.

There are two sons, Lilian said. One’s a doctor, too.

Which was the one threw over Irene Minter? said Arthur.

How can you remember that? Lilian said. It was ages ago.

One doesn’t forget Irene Minter. She has atrocious taste in men. Arthur made a dramatic gesture. Anyone who marries Bobby Putnam —

No gossip at the table, Mr. Eliot said.

Mrs. Eliot took three short sips of her wine before replacing the glass on the table. We’re not maligning anyone, Pa, she said.