Birthday

They had used Roman numerals for the cake, and this had amused her to no end; she thanked them sincerely for their kindness and served them generous slices after the singing had ended. Later, in her study, Anne had entered with a warmer - a ruby liquid poured into a delicate blush coupe. "You are such a dear," she said. "Thank you for a lovely day." "250 is no small feat," Anne responded. "Will you finish the book this year?" "Yes, I hope to," Jane sighed, "although it sometimes vexes me that if I continue to write as myself, the work would only publish as a parody. Still, I believe "Impulse & Immortality" to be my finest work to date." Anne marveled silently that she was no longer frightened of the title (nor of the way the author's eyes caught and held the firelight).