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Show - ^3 - Although she was a fine person, she had other plans for her only child. Her lineage was old and aristocratic and Dirk's family was only trash to her. She didn't even allow Claudine to attend the local school. They had a paid tutor come to the house and instruct her. At first, I used to wonder if this didn't have a lot to do with her fascination for Dirk. He was the only local boy who would venture so close to the big iron gate that wa3 always closed. In fact, he would scamper over the top of the high fence when the little gate at the back of the garden.was locked. They would meet and go wandering over the hills through the wild flowers. I know that I've told you all this before, but I must keep everything in sequence when I relate my story. My memory isn't as sharp as it used to be." The girls were totally engrossed In his words and they sat amongst the fallen autumn leaves spellbound. "Claudine was the only one who was able to calm Dirk's wild moods. It seemed as though they could not exist without each other. Perhaps there might have been times when she had doubts about herself, as she loved her parents dearly and did'nt want to hurt them. Also, I believe that was the reason she agreed to go to France for a year. Mrs. Gaven felt that Claudine should make an effort to try and see if she could forget the boji, but as you willlearnlater she didn't succeed. "If I can recall correctly, I believe Dirk began to change after Claudine left," continued Tom. "Somewhere he got the notion that if he could provide the girl he loved with all the luxuries she was accustomed to perhaps it would appease her parents. He didn't realize that no matter what he did the Gavens would never accept him, for they had promised their daughter to another man." "It was a time of deep turmoil here in our country. The great World War had not been over too long, and it was very difficult for young men |
