Sue marries Austin at her Aunt Sophia's house in Geneva; fortunately, your family uses Mother's most recent bout of depression as an excuse for not attending. Watching Austin excitedly build the Evergreens next door—seeking to provide Susan the unshakeable home she never had as a child-- has both pained and pleased you. Each brick laid brought you that much closer to both having and not having Susan at your side.

Though you can't be sure--you both agreed that correspondence at this time would be too painful-- you suspect that it was Susan who chose Geneva instead of Amherst, fully aware that Mother's condition would keep you home. Your presence at the wedding would not have been welcome, particularly by Austin—whom Susan recently accused of withholding your letters. Susan, too, might have found it impossible to go through with the decision at which you had together arrived.

After reading Austin's wedding announcement in the newspaper, but before the newlyweds return to Amherst, you send Susan one polished bit of poetry—flushing in shame as you send desire you vowed to deny.

Turn to page 13.