“Oh, I couldn't help it,” she said, in her careless, half-mocking fashion.

“I don't know why Cousin Will's singing set me off.”

“What was there in my singing to make you laugh?” he asked.

“It was so loud,” she said.

They did not look at each other, but they both laughed again, both reddening.

“What were you snorting and laughing for, our Anna?” asked Tom, the elder brother, at the dinner table, his hazel eyes bright with joy. “Everybody stopped to look at you.” Tom was in the choir.

She was aware of Will's eyes shining steadily upon her, waiting for her to speak.