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Show 7fe I shuddered and wiped damp palms on my s k i r t . This is silly, I l e c t u r e d myself. He's only gone to answer the phone or to give someone a b l e s s i n g. But no one had c a l l e d him or had even been near him where he stood when t h e door opened. I was c e r t a i n he had moved in r e s p o n s e . But how could I confess to him t h at I had seen the sudden crimp of f e a r around h i s mouth? What would he say? Would he be offended ? Perhaps he would laugh at me. Just then he reappeared in the nook of the s t a i r s . He watched the crowd a moment, h i s eyes d a r t i n g nervously over his flock. Then he walked slowly i n t o the room, checking the door before he began to s t r i d e in h i s old, rushed way. Someone had closed i t by now. I put out a hand to stop him. "Daddy, is everything a ll right?" He looked at me s t r a n g e l y , as one who has j u s t been wakened from a dream. "Yes. Yes, dear. Excuse me." And he continued across the room to one of the b r e t h r e n . The moment of understanding was gone, and I was l e f t unsure of what i t was--. ' - "•-" had understood. I c r i e d when i t was time to leave. " I t ' s too soon," I told Brian. "The girls are tired," he explained. An ache rose in my heart until I thought it would explode, adding brilliance to the effulgence of the evening. I thought °f the odd, celestial atmosphere and of the fragile beauty of ay father's embrace as he committed his love to me and my family. |
