Glassworks and shut themselves up and said they didn’t want anybody busting in and bothering them for any reason29 at all. When they came out, they’d created two pairs of those candlesticks, one pair for each bride. Those in the dining room came right down the family tree from generation to generation. I gave them to your grandmother, and when your dad got married he gave them to your mother. It’s your turn next, seeing you’re the oldest.”

29

“Me?” Ronnie blushed. “I’m never going to get married, not on your life.”

Grandfather roared with laughter. “You’ll sing a different tune in another ten years—maybe sooner.”

“No, sir! I’m going to stick around and take care of you, Grandfather!”

“Well, that’s mighty nice of you to say, lad. Tarnation, you don’t know how sad this whole affair with the village has made me. And your father isn’t showing the fighting spirit I expected of him. So it’s good to hear you say nice things like that.”

“Dad really is fighting, Grandpa. I know he is—in his own sort of way.”

“Well, maybe so, and I’m sure sorry I lost my temper like I did at the table. Always was one for blowing off steam and then feeling sorry about it afterward. I’m glad that’s one trait you didn’t inherit from me.”

Ronnie got up, stretching, and then started for the door. “Gramps?” he said, turning about suddenly. “You’ll tell me about the boarded-up building too, won’t you?”

Grandfather’s eyes came closed wearily, as if he were trying to shut out thoughts of the building. “No, boy,” he answered finally, his eyes still closed. “Let’s let its secret die along with me. I searched the place timber to timber, but I found nothing. She’s stubborn, that building, just30 like some of the Rorths. I guess she’s old and set in her ways, and if she won’t tell me what happened, she won’t tell anybody.”

30

“She likes me, Grandfather. I know she does. I’ve sat on the roof lots of times, and listened to the swifts down in her chimney, and I’m sure she was telling me to look! But I don’t know what to look for.”

Grandfather’s eyes were open again and he was smiling. “You’re a clever rascal, you are, boy! Trying to touch my sentiments, are you? Well, I’ve made up my mind the secret’s to die with me, so 

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