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enough to do anything else.

"Maybe I will have another long talk with James," Jeanne said. "Maybe you're right--maybe it takes time." "Anything worthwhile does," I said

softly.

She was so involved with her own problems,

she couldn't see the longing in my eyes. She seized

my hands in hers. "Thank you, Ruby. Thank you for

listening and caring."

We hugged and she smiled. Why was it so easy

to help other people feel happy, but so hard to help

myself? I wondered.

"There really is a new dress to show you," I

said, and took her to my closet. Afterward, we joined

Paul and James in the living room and had some afterdinner cordials. Jeanne smiled at me when James put

his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. He

whispered something in her ear and she turned

crimson. Then they announced they were tired and

had to go home. At the doorway, Jeanne leaned over

to thank me again. From the look in her eyes, I saw

she was excited and happy. Paul and I remained on

the gallery and watched them go to their car and drive

away.

It was a rather clear evening, so that we could

look up at the star-studded sky and see constellations

from one horizon to the other. Paul took my hand. "Want to sit outside awhile?" he asked. I

nodded and we went to the bench. The night was

filled with the monotonous symphony of cicadas

interrupted by the occasional hoot of an owl. "Jeanne wanted some big-sister advice tonight,

didn't she?" he asked.

"Yes, but I'm not sure I'm the one she should

have been asking."