[Nurumaiel]

'Why, yes, Lily, it is a lovely night,' said Posco, and he fidgeted restlessly. He had an idea that he had said something wrong, and that Lily was upset, but he did not know why. He always heard his father talking about how girls grew sentimental when it came to confessing love, but somehow he could not imagine this plague falling upon Lily. She walked a little away from him now, her little hand no longer on her arm, and her sweet eyes no longer looking up at him. His heart sank within him. Why was it that, after just confessing to love him, she turned coldly away from him like this? Perhaps she had just said it because she had been inspired by the dusky twilight that had descended upon them. That would be a shame, indeed! Maybe she was cold towards him now because she wished to make clear without words that she had not really meant what she said. He began to feel despairing, but he did not want his sorrow to overwhelm his courtesy, so he moved a little away from her so as not to impose himself upon her.

They were going towards the Inn, and Posco realized that he had not eaten yet. Then again, he realized that he could not eat even if he were hungry. His heart and mind were in turmoil. The only thing he could possibly desire was a mug of ale. Lily was standing in the doorway, and the light from within fell upon her and him, and he gazed up at her with adoration which he attempted to hide. Touching his forelock politely, he said, 'I bid you good evening for the present moment, Lily. I'm going to go search for my brother. I hope I shall see you when I return.' For a moment he suspected that he saw tears flash in her eyes, but with the light behind her it was impossible to tell, and all he was certain of was that she had turned and gone within, closing the door behind her.

Posco slowly turned away and made his way to the stable, too upset for musings. Thoroughly convinced that Lily did not really love him, for she had behaved so distantly towards him after her confession, he could do nothing but dwell sorrowfully upon this. Poor, silly lad! He did not understand in the least the heart of Lily, which was like the heart of any other lass in the world. When a girl steps out of comfort and goes so far as to tell a lad she loves him, when by all rights he should be the first to say it, she does not expect her statement to be answered in a way that is not likewise, and if the answer is not a similiar statement she cannot fall back to her usual cheery self. Posco knew nothing of this, but merely felt certain that Lily did not really love him.

Posco crossed the stable floor and stood before Blanco, who still sat silent and miserable. 'Blanco,' said Posco, 'I am very unhappy. Lily told me that she loves me and I think she's changed her mind now.' Blanco had resolved not to look at his brother, but at these words he looked up in utter amazement, and managed to stammer, 'She's changed her mind? Impossible!'

'Well, after she said it she started acting very odd,' said Posco. 'She wasn't happy and cheerful like she usually is, but she was polite... too polite, that is, for she's always been courteous. And she walked farther away from me then she used to, and she didn't say very much.'

'Why, what did you say to her?'

'Nothing, except that I agreed that it was a lovely night.'

'No, no, I do mean,' said Blanco earnestly, 'what did you say to her when she told you she loved you?' And he stood up, gazing anxiously at his brother.

'Well, I told her it was a very nice thing,' said Posco, 'and I wanted more than anything to say I felt the same towards her, but I couldn't when I'd known her only a day.'

'So you just said it was nice?' said Blanco, and his voice was strained. Posco nodded, and Blanco promptly struck out at him and hit him in the jaw. Posco sat down very quickly, and blinked up at his brother. He touched his jaw uncertainly, and then he said, 'Blanco, you've never done anything like that to me in your life, at least not since we were very small.'

'No, I didn't,' said Blanco, sitting down sorrowfully in front of his brother. 'And, Posco, I tell you I'm sorry now, but I couldn't help it. I'm so miserable at myself and so angry with you.'

'But whyever are you angry at me?'

'Because you've probably hurt Lily's dear little heart.'

'Oh,' said Posco, and nothing more. He could not understand it. Surely Blanco was wrong, for he had said nothing unkind to Lily. Vaguely he realized what sort of answer she was expecting, but he set his jaw (though it did cause him a little bit of pain, considering the blow that had just been dealt to it) and shook his head. He should not answer correctly, at least not yet. He would explain to her if he must, but he could not make any promises until he was certain he loved her. Absolutely certain.