It was a difficult statement to correct without being rude. Joy let
it go. For the first time in her acquaintance with Gail she had the
key. She felt sorry for Gail for a moment--for that far-off childish
Gail who had been so badly hurt that she hadn't ever dared let
herself feel again. She did not know such a great deal about living
herself, but she felt that Gail was wrong--that it was better to let
things come to you and hurt you, if they would, and go on living,
being a complete human being, no matter what happened to you.
Then Gail spoke again, and Joy discovered that it was difficult to
go on being sorry for her--for the present her, that is.
"When you go back to your well-known grandparents," she stated with
a frankness which had ceased to mislead Joy, "I shall make a final
effort to ensnare John. He doesn't approve of me, but that will make
life still more exciting. You don't mind, my child, do you?"
Joy laughed.
"You may have him--if you can get him!" she answered very gallantly
considering the circumstances.
What Gail said showed her something with a certainty which had been
lacking before. John had never belonged to Gail. If Joy herself
hadn't been so entirely in love with John she might have been made
surer of him. But it is very hard to be positive of getting anything
you want too intensely.
As she rested silent a moment John himself came up beside her.
"Tired, kiddie?" he said with the affectionate note in his voice
that he always had when he used the little name he had for her.
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