"Why did Mr. Reade wear those black clothes?" she asked.
"What are you talking about?" from Aunt Cordelia.
But Uncle Charlie seemed to comprehend in part, at least. "Those were the trappings and the suits of woe."
"Woe?"
"Certainly. He was the bridegroom."
Hattie came around the day after Christmas. Stern daughter of the voice of God in general, today she was hesitant. "If you haven't returned that book of fairy tales, I'll take it home and read it."