"He—he didn't say much, Lilly. Kissed my hands. Told me to live beautifully and work endlessly. Asked me if I loved poetry and painting and sunrises and spring—a lot of stuff about the awakening of spring. And kissed my hands again. I'm going back to-morrow. They're discussing things now—he and maestro—something about a five-year contract—but a great deal of red tape first—board meeting. I'm to be a secret until next season, maestro cried—and Auchinloss—Lilly, you need never be afraid for me—you hear—you hear—never! We measured each other—he called me wonder-child. Me—Zoe. Lilly—it's happened … and you—did it. Lilly, kiss me."
"You darling. You're like a queen. All the little lives that go into the making of your cloth of gold, yet each proud to be ever so humble a party to it!"
"Lilly, you're sad! On my day you're sad."
"Glad! You're the meaning of everything. The road had to lead somewhere. Everything is so clear now. You're the lovely meaning, Zoe, behind all the circumstances that went to weave you."
Only half plumbed, Zoe sprang from her mood, flashing with all the amazing coquetry that was so new to Lilly, around toward Bruce.
"Well—what?"
"On the very day I've found you I've lost you."
"To whom?"
"Fame."
"Nonsense!" she cried. "Don't forget the awakening of spring." And buried her face against her mother because she had been outrageous.