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Show Page 37 The secretary for the Council was also at the tea-John Pory, a round little man who seemed to spend all his time sampling the beer. When the tea was over, the maids were led to the green with the eligible men hustling after. I gave Anne a hug and urged her to be cautious in the courting ahead, then stood some distance away to watch. Such a hotchpotch of people I never did see! I marvelled how any woman would be able to tell the knavish coxcombs from the decent, respectable men with all the dithering and confusion. Anne was immediately surrounded by several lads and I lost sight of her. It was then I noticed the man called John. (Though it seemed nearly every man in Virginia was called John!) He, too, was standing at the edge of the green observing the goings-on. I wondered why he did not take part until I remembered the comment made about him needing permission to marry. I watched for a few minutes more, then left to return to the Pierces'. On my way I passed near a grove of trees, growing thick, like a bulky wall that had arisen from the earth. I peered into the growth, but could see little. Then a feeling of utter despair suddenly gripped me. It came upon me so quickly it near took my breath away. This despair was soon followed by an overwhelming sense of loss and loneliness, |