cthappyfamily.

    Mysistersmarredthatidealpicture.Mary,whohadababygirl,andElizabeth,egherfirst,weretheinitialoopointoutthecuriosity.Theextendedfamilyhadgatheredatmymothershousefordinner.Edwardwasabouteighteenmonthsold,forIrememberwatghimcarefullyashewaddledupanddowntheporchstepsoverandain.Charlieawinshusbandswatchedthelastfewmihegamebeforedinner,andmymotherandTessguardedthehotskillets,soIwasalohthegirlsforthefirsttimeinages,wheheotherledoffwithherunsolicitedopinion.

    "Youknow,helooksnothinglikeyou."

    "Andhardlyathinglikeher."

    IlookedatEdulledupleavesofgrassandtossedthemintothestillair.

    "Lookathis,"Lizobserved."heroneofyouhasthatcleft."

    "Andhiseyesareherofyourtwocolors,"saidMary."Greenasacats.Hedidhoseeyelashesfromoursideofthefamily.Youhavesuchadorablelongeyelashes,yes,youdo.Toobadhesnotagirl."

    "Well,theyrenotWodehouseeyelasheseither.TakeagoodlookatTess."

    "Allmascara."

    "Andthenose.Nosomuow,butlater,youllsee.Thatsabeakonhim,poorlittleman.Hopemychilddoeshatnose."

    "NoDayeverhadanoselikethat."

    "Whatareyoutwosaying?"Myvoicewassoloud,Istartledmyson.

    "Nothing."

    "Kindaodd,dontyouthink,thathedoesntlooklikehisparents?"

    Atsumymother,Charlie,andIsatontheporchwatgthemothsdandthematterofEdwardsappearancearoseagain.

    "Dontlistentothosetwo,"mymothersaid.&quo