Whilst she sat in taut suspense； the laughter rushed back at
her； knowing he was fumbling in his pocket to shove the flower
away。
In the end； she felt weak； exhausted and thoroughly
depressed。 A blankness of wincing depression came over her。 She
hated the presence of the other people。 Her face became quite
haughty。 She was unaware of her cousin any more。
When the collection arrived with the last hymn； her cousin
was again singing resoundingly。 And still it amused her。 In
spite of the shameful exhibition she had made of herself； it
amused her still。 She listened to it in a spell of amusement。
And the bag was thrust in front of her； and her sixpence was
mingled in the folds of her glove。 In her haste to get it out；
it flipped away and went twinkling in the next pew。 She stood
and giggled。 She could not help it： she laughed outright； a
figure of shame。
〃What were you laughing about； our Anna？〃 asked Fred； the
moment they were out of the church。
〃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