And both were young

by Madeleine L'Engle

Paul stood up, too. "Do go, then," he said. "If you're caught they wouldn't let you come back, would they? Will you come back?"

"Do you want me to?" Flip asked.

"Yes. When will you come?"

"I could come next Sunday. But are you sure you want me to? You don't want to be alone?"

"I can be alone all week," Paul said. "Come Sunday, then, Philippa."

She started away but turned back and said tentatively, "At home I'm called Flip ..." and waited.

But Paul did not laugh as the girls at school had done. Instead he said, "Good-bye, Flip."

"Good-bye," she said, and started up the mountain.

6

When she got back to school they had noticed her long absence. Gloria turned from the group by the phonograph and demanded, "Where've you been, Pill?"