I do n't see that there 's any presumption . '' `` Maybe not -- if you look at it so . You 're very forgiving , Lucy Ellen . You 've forgotten how he treated you once . '' `` No -- o -- o , I have n't , '' faltered Lucy Ellen . `` Anyway , '' said Cecily coldly , `` you should n't encourage his attentions , Lucy Ellen ; you know you could n't marry him even if he asked you . You promised . '' All the fitful color went out of Lucy Ellen 's face . Under Cecily 's pitiless eyes she wilted and drooped . `` I know , '' she said deprecatingly , `` I have n't forgotten . You are talking nonsense , Cecily . I like to see Cromwell , and he likes to see me because I 'm almost the only one of his old set that is left . He feels lonesome in Oriental now . '' Lucy Ellen lifted her fawn-colored little head more erectly at the last of her protest . She had saved her self-respect . In the month that followed Cromwell Biron pressed his suit persistently , unintimidated by Cecily 's antagonism . October drifted into November and the chill , drear days came . To Cecily the whole outer world seemed the dismal reflex of her pain-bitten heart . Yet she constantly laughed at herself , too , and her laughter was real if bitter . One evening she came home late from a neighbor 's .
Cromwell XXXXX passed her in the hollow under the bare boughs of the maple that were outlined against the silvery moonlit sky .
Biron Cecily Cromwell Ellen antagonism days evening face left o