VI
Not thinking
Sometimes Molly deliberately tries not to think.
Of Bill's face. Of George's missing ear. Of how near Arthur came to dying.
Not thinking is the easiest way.
Fine line
There is a fine line between being proud of the children's interests and not over-encouraging the unsuitable.
Molly may have gone too far in encouraging Charlie's love of animals.
Disease
For the first month after she and Arthur start going out, Molly can't concentrate on anything else.
It is like a disease.
But she wouldn't have it any other way.
Quitting you
Their first quarrel is horrible, and over something so trivial she cannot even remember how it started.
"So do you want to split up?" Arthur demands. Molly starts to cry.
Nature
There is so much to do that Molly barely gets time to go outside.
When she does, she is surprised by the sheer ordinary beauty of the world.
Unfaithful
Molly is worried about Gideon and Marlene. She is sure Marlene is not the faithful type.
"Faithfulness doesn't matter to us," Gideon laughs. "We're not like you."
Molly doesn't understand.
Attention
Percy is scribbling industriously in his writing book, and little Ronnie is trying hard with his letters.
The twins are laughing and kicking at Percy.
"Pay attention!" Molly tells them.
Missing out
Andromeda has visited with her daughter, and although Nymphadora is a tomboy, Molly can't help but wonder, as she deals with the boys' bedtime, if she's missing out on something.
Broken
With six boys, things are always getting broken. Molly has almost ceased to care.
Until Bill breaks the vase Arthur gave her for their first Christmas. She cries about that.
Why not
There are good reasons not to get married now.
They are too young. The times are too dangerous.
"Of course I'll marry you," Molly tells Arthur.