Cyprus sighed and said, “Stop that swirling. You’ll make yourself dizzy.”

Seven stopped, and turned into a small white worried human face that was invisible to everyone but Cyprus. “Don’t you understand what might happen?” he asked. “Lydia has free will, you know.”

“Well, of course she has.”

“That makes it worse, don’t you see? I can’t understand why you aren’t concerned. If she falls in love with Lawrence today, she’ll have to go through the whole thing again. But with free will, suppose she doesn’t fall in love with him?”

“I don’t follow you,” Cyprus said, trying not to smile.

“That’s exactly what worries me,” Seven cried. “You’re supposed to be my teacher, but in earth-type orientation I’m beginning to wonder. If Lydia doesn’t fall in love with Lawrence, or if she uses her free will to change anything at all in this life, she’ll alter everything else. And maybe she won’t even be born as Tweety!”

“Seven, look!” Cyprus directed. The whole house opened to Seven’s vision; and on the doorstep stood a young man in an opera cape. He carried a bouquet of flowers, and looked so jaunty and pleased with himself, and so conscious of the fine figure he cut, that Cyprus started laughing.

But Oversoul Seven was nearly in a frenzy. “It’s Lawrence,” he cried.

“And he’s alone, just like he was the last time this happened. He mustn’t go in until I get Lydia out of this and back where she belongs.”

“Seven, come back,” Cyprus called. But it was too late. Seven changed into a small angry October wind that rushed around the edges of the porch eaves outside, rustled the flowers in Lawrence’s hands, and blew his cape out suddenly so that Lawrence shouted, “Whoo! What a wind!”

“Don’t go inside,” Seven sent the thought directly into Lawrence’s mind. “You mustn’t go in there.” And the wind wrenched the bouquet from Lawrence’s hands and sent the flowers flying across the porch, down the steps, and past the geraniums that Lydia had planted by the walk.

“Damnation!” Lawrence shouted, chasing the bouquet.

Seven returned to Lydia’s room to find Cyprus smiling a smile in which serenity and amusement were equally mixed. She said, “Do sit down and enjoy Lydia. I’ll explain it all to you later. You cause yourself so much trouble. Needlessly.”

Lydia was magnificent, Seven had to agree. She was applying makeup from small jars, holding her head so proudly, tilting it to get just the right effect. The dress she wore was very short, with a flounce. Her stockings were sheer and black. Her cropped black hair lay almost flat against her head. She was putting on a pair of triangular silver earrings; and suddenly Seven realized when he’d seen them before.