incredibly moved by this story. so glad i made this one my monday morning read. bravo.

The emotion in the scene at the train when Winthrop returns from war is very powerful especially between Winthrop and Amaryllis. Have you ever thought about writing a fic about what their life is like in marriage?

What I love about you as a writer is that you seem to be totally fearless when it comes to expanding this fictional world.

Not only do you focus on marital life between Harold and Marian, but you bring in real-world events that they go through, and do it beautifully. You've truly worked your way into the minds of not only Harold and Marian, but many of the other characters as well, and seem to have their reactions down to a tee.

The ending scene was beautiful and absolutely brilliant. The reunion between Winthrop and Amaryllis put me in tears. That scene could not have been better in any way.

Another great story that I was so happy to read:D

I really like how you tackled this subject. Although we've seen Harold deal with situations that were uncomfortable for him during the early days of his and Marian's courtship, we've never really seen him deal with something not of his own doing and entirely out of his control.

I'm gratified to see Marian quickly swallow her pride and follow him to the train station. It shows how far they've come in just a few short years, and Harold's honesty at the platform and willingess to ignore what others might think of his weaknesses is wonderful.

The love scene is incredibly touching. I like that you didn't take the easy way out and let that be the end of it. It's quite shocking for Harold to realize that, for once, their lovemaking can't assuage his pain. The moment he allows himself to completely go with his wife and not hide his pain is beautiful.

I also enjoyed the ending very much. Winthrop is back alive and well, although he now carries the scars of war both inside and out. We get to see children from 1912 now grown up and embracing their love. I'm glad that he ends up with Amaryllis. They go well together.

The marriage is sweet, and I love how Penny and Elly are mischievous during the wedding. Too cute!

Absolutely wonderful story here ...

This was excellent.

What kept occuring to me, as I read it, is that while you fabulously had Harold agonizing about his role as "The Pied Piper," luring young men to dreams of glory to the strains of John Philip Sousa, I was also thinking about the relentless tide of war propaganda that sustained World War I...could it be that our Professor Hill could not shake the nagging intuition that the whole country was being conned into war fever? After all, it takes a confidence man to recognize a confidence game...

The interior dialogue of anxiety and Harold's neediness in turning to Marian were excellent, and believeable-and I also believed Mrs. Hill would have the good sense to realize that Harold was genuinely upset (as opposed to just in a snit), and follow him to the depot. But the best stuff was about Winthrop..Winthrop the impetuous boy, whose fate so closely preoccupied Harold, the man who always saw himself in Winthrop, and was determined to give him a better childhood than he had been given by his alcoholic father; Winthrop the man, finally wooing & winning the girl of his dreams, despite a speech impediment. That was a great way to end things..

The shadow of Robert lies across much of this-World War II was just a generation away. But at least we know the Hills are gonna have some fun before they face such a ghastly loss.

What a great story!

Clio