But the small cloud which appeared in the northwest four months ago had blown up into a mighty storm and then into a screaming tornado,sweeping away her world, whirling her out of her sheltered life,and dropping her down in the midst of this still,haunted desolation.

Everywhere, women gathered in knots, huddled in groups on front porches, on sidewalks, even in the middle of the streets, telling each other that no news is good news, trying to comfort each other, trying to present a brave appearance.

The Irish are the damnedest race. They put so much emphasis on so many wrong things.

After all, tomorrow is another day.

Her lips on his could tell him better than all her stumbling words.

Hush," he said. "I am asking you to marry me. Would you be convinced if I knelt down?

His voice stopped and they looked for a long quiet moment into each other's eyes and between them lay the sunny lost youth that they had so unthinkingly shared.