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.Neither had she seen a boy with such broad shoulders, with a narrow waistdrawn in by a belt bossed with shiny metal gold? "Don't just stand there.Giveme the package, or come in."She was shocked by her reaction.It was not the boy's strangeness, but thatshe had and did look upon him as.as a man.She had briefly but sointensely imagined herself drawn close to his broad chest, his arm thrownprotectively over her shoulder, her head against the soft, white fabric of histunic.The laces of his shirt were loose, and fine, golden hairs curled in theV-shaped opening.The door thudded shut behind her."I'm Lovi," her host said, unaware of herstupefaction."That's `Clovis' in my own language.""It's a famous name," Pierrette responded vaguely."Does the blood of kingsrun in your veins?""Has your master taught you history? Is he from a far eastern land likemine?"Pierrette looked around herself, not answering.They stood in a tiny anteroomwith an iron gate beyond, through which streamed bright daylight."Oh I'm sorry," Lovi said."Let's go within.Are you thirsty? I have wine,and ripe peaches.It's pleasantly cool in the courtyard."The image of ripe peaches overrode caution and any thought for her father andGustave who would be tipsy before long, and would not care.Lovi opened theiron gate."Find a spot in the shade.I'll fetch refreshments." Pierrette eyedhim as he strode away.A small fountain trickled into a square stone trough,making wet, cool sounds."What's wrong with me?" she demanded of herself."He's only a strange-lookingboy." Yet she wanted him to like her.Her intensity made her desire forAnselm's approval seem weak and pale.Had Marie been well, Pierrette would have looked forward to a whisperedconversation beneath their bedclothes.Had her mother been.alive.she would have asked her.Yet in this great, tawdry city, the solace of Ma wasfar away, and she would have to handle these feelings with no advice at all.Page 104 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Why the sad face?" asked Lovi, returning with an amber-glazed jug and twocups, and a basket of peaches.She told him about Marie."The sisters will care well for her," he said, "butyou'll never get her back.""What do you mean?""Calloused knees and a voice hoarse from praying are better than babies,death in childbed, or a husband who knows the tavernkeeper's face better thanhers." He grimaced."I'm glad I'm not a woman.I can go adventuring with mymaster." He motioned her to sit on a wooden bench by the fountain."If only heweren't so old.I hardly ever get to talk with anyone my own age, and I nevermeet any girls.""I'm not so sure that women can't have adventures too." She really wanted totell him that she was a girl.She imagined having a companion, thisfine-looking young man, to share all the wonders of the world with.It waspossible, wasn't it? If she really wanted to go adventuring, wouldn't Anselmwrite a letter to his friend ibn Saul for her? Impulsively, she rested herhand on his knee."Not everything is as it seems.Perhaps there is a way foryou and for me to have what we want.I have a secret I want to tell you."But Lovi brushed her hand away, and abruptly stood."No! That's not what Iwant.I am not like that.Wait here.My master prepared a parcel for yours."She had hoped he would sit with her.Why had he so suddenly cooled? If shehad long hair, and wore a pretty dress, he would have, she thought bitterly.If he knew I am a girl.She snatched a peach from the basket, and bitinto it.Juice dribbled down her chin.It was ripe and sweet, but she spat itwith a loud, flapping sound.It fell into the water trough.She bit again, andspat.That seemed to dull the hurt, so she did it again.She finished the peach, and stuck another in her shirt.She had just hiddenit when Lovi returned.He went to the iron gate, and swung it open."Here'sthe packet." His face was an expressionless mask."Take it, and go.My masterand I want nothing to do with boys like you." Before she was entirely out thedoor, he was pushing it shut."Boys like me? I don't understand.You don't understand." She had thought hehad recognized her for what she was, but he had not."I understand all too well," he said, pushing the door the rest of the wayshut.She stumbled across the street, tears blurring her vision.She tried hard to keep all expression from her face.When she steppedoutside, she did not turn around
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