IX
WAR BRIDE
I SAT in the town-hall and basted red tape round the edge of gray felt slippers.
They are to be worn by a wounded soldier somewhere in France.
I took the half-finished slippers home with me, when I went.
Also a roll of pink-and-white Canton flannel, cut up into pieces ready for me to put together.
I never sewed for any man before.
I live alone in a white house with green blinds on a New England hill-top with a maid-servant and a majestic female cat for company.
Sarah, the servant, might have told me how the pieces went together—she has a grown-up son—but I wouldn't ask her. No.
I closed the door against her. I went into my room and closed the door.
I laid all the pieces out upon my bed, even to the pocket, even to the little red cross that was to be sewed on last.
230
