THE END OF THE PICNIC Those odd silences of Jeff's fell very often throughout the day, and they lay upon Doris's spirit like a physical weight.

They rode through autumn woodlands, and picnicked on the side of a hill.

The day was warm and sunny, and the whole world shone as through a pearly veil.

There were blackberries in abundance, large and ripe, and Doris wandered about picking them during the afternoon while Jeff lounged against a tree and smoked.
He did not offer to join her, but she had a feeling that his eyes followed her wherever she went, and a great restlessness kept her moving.

She could not feel at her ease in his vicinity.