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"What's melancholia?" she followed. Mrs. Penny didn't respond. "A disease or what?"

"It's a deep mental depression, a sadness that takes over your body. People can actually pine away," Abby said softly.

Gisselle stared at her a moment. "You mean . . die of heartbreak?"

"Yes."

"That's so stupid. Does this boy ever come out?" Gisselle asked Mrs. Penny.

"He's not a boy, dear. He's about thirty now. But to answer your question, he doesn't come out much, no. Mrs. Clairborne sees to his needs and insists he not be disturbed. But please, please," she begged, "let us not dwell on this anymore. Mrs. Clairborne doesn't like it discussed."

"Maybe she's why he's so sad," Gisselle offered. "Having to live with her." Mrs. Penny gasped.

>

"Stop it, Gisselle," I said. "Don't tease her."

"I'm not teasing her," she insisted, but I saw the tiny smile sitting comfortably in the corners of her mouth. "Did he tell you how his parents died?" she asked me.

"No. I didn't know they had. We didn't speak very long." Gisselle directed herself at Mrs. Penny again.

"How did his parents die?" she pursued. When Mrs. Penny didn't reply, she demanded an answer. "Can't you tell us how they died?"

"It's not a fit subject for us to discuss," Mrs. Penny snapped, her face firm. It was the first time we had seen her so adamant. It was clear the answer wasn't coming from her lips.

"Well, why did you start telling us the story then?" Gisselle said. "It's not fair to start something and not finish."

"I didn't start anything. You insisted on knowing why he was blind. Oh dear. This is the first time any of my girls have wandered into the west wing."

"He didn't seem to mind all that much, Mrs. Penny," I said.

"That's remarkable," she said. "He's never spoken to any of the Greenwood girls before."

"He plays the piano beautifully."

"Whatever you do, don't gossip about him with the other girls, please. Please," she added.

"I don't gossip, Mrs. Penny. I wouldn't do anything to get you in trouble."

"Good. Let's not talk about it anymore. Please. Did you all enjoy the little cakes?"

"Oh, damn," Gisselle said. "I forgot to take some for Chubs." She stared at me a moment, and then she looked at Abby and nodded. "I want to speak to you two as soon as we're alone," she ordered. Then she fixed her gaze on Buck all the way back to the dorm.

Once Mrs. Penny had left us inside, Gisselle spun around in her chair and demanded to know how we knew Buck. I explained about our walk to the boathouse that first night.

"He lives there?"

"Apparently."

"And that's all? That was the only time you saw him?" she asked, obviously disappointed.

"And once mowing the lawn," I said.

She thought a moment. "He's cute, but he's just an employee here. Still," she said thoughtfully, "he's the only game in town right now."

"Gisselle. You stay away from him and don't get him in any trouble."

"Yes, darling sister. Now you tell us about this blind grandson and what really went on between you two or I'll be the one who spreads the gossip and gets Mrs. Penny in trouble," she threatened.