Introduction by Ann Beattie -- A spinster's tale -- Cookie -- Sky line -- The fancy woman -- The school girl -- A walled garden -- Attendant evils -- Rain in the heart -- The scoutmaster -- Allegiance -- A long fourth -- Porte Cochere -- A wife of Nashville -- Their losses -- Uncles -- Two ladies in retirement -- What you hear from 'em? -- Bad dreams -- 1939 -- The other times -- Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time -- Promise of rain -- Je suis Perdu -- A friend and protector -- Guests -- The little cousins -- Heads of houses -- Miss Leonora when last seen -- The party -- The lady is civilized -- The life before.