Olivia (Logan 5)

"As long as you give them the impression it's their idea to stop, too, is that it?"

"Yes," she said.

"Frankly, Mother, I don't want to be that sort of a woman, that sort of a person. I want to always say exactly what I feel and be as honest as possible and if a man can't stand that, he's not the man for me."

"Oh. Pity," she said softly, more to herself than to me.

"I don't think so, Mother."

She looked at me a long moment and then sighed deeply.

"I just want you to be happy, Olivia."

"I will be happy, Mother, but on my own terms, with self-respect," I insisted.

"Very well. You're so smart, Olivia. I'm sure you'll find the right man and make the best wife and marriage."

She stood up and gazed around my room a moment.

"You might do something about brightening your room, dear. Have the walls painted, get new curtains and a new bedspread. It will be easy to get your father to agree to that," she added.

"By making it seem his idea?"

"Yes, exactly."

"I'm fine, Mother. I'm fine as I am," I said.

She nodded and then turned to leave, pausing at the doorway.

"If you ever want to talk, Olivia, I want you to know I'll always want to talk, too."

"Thank you, Mother. I won't die an old maid. I promise," I said.

She smiled as if I had uttered the magic words and then she left.

I gazed at myself in the mirror.

How can you be so certain of that, Olivia Gordon? Who is out there, waiting for a woman like you?

Surely someone, I thought, someone who won't mind that I have brains, too.

I was about to get up and prepare for dinner when I heard Daddy's heavy footsteps on the stairs. I knew he was practically running and I went to the doorway.

"Olivia," he said, "you've got to come with me." "What is it, Daddy?"

His face was flushed.

"Embarrassment, utter embarrassment. I received a call from the finishing school's chief administrator, Rosemary Elliot, just a little while ago."

"What?"

"Your sister has been expelled for . . . immoral activities."

4

Always a Bridesmaid

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