if only she could have reached across the table , she would have hit him with a closed fist so it would hurt . there were only a few words that he could read , although he knew most of the great letters . * * * later , after mass , everyone changed into their costumes and we headed outside for the christmas play . paris signaled to me to approach him . i brought them with me to your bud/s graduation , but ... you did n't give me the chance to pull you aside long enough to speak privately . 