“Oh, yes, she said you’d better be there before six.”
“What time is it?” I asked and answered myself, as my watch said, “Half past four.”
“Time sleeps. Can’t believe I’m a mother of two children and you...”She paused deliberately; or rather, something seemed to make her pause for a particular thought about me. The excitable tremor in her voice implied the real diffi culty of uttering her true words. A wondering light in her eyes fl ashed on and off . Her lips trembled with emotion on the verge of tears. Each tremble had an unspeakable meaning that she was not ready to say goodbye. Nevertheless, she smiled. A neat row of her teeth fi lled me as the falling snows. With a hint of serious concern, she went on, “You should fi nd a husband as soon as possible. Everyone is worried about you, especially our parents. The fact is, it’ll be harder and harder to have a baby as you get older and older. You are almost thirty. It’s high time! Don’t miss it.”