Translucent Silver Hair (Page 8)

//Panel 1//
Charles' Narration:
I know that you know
I know that you know
Marybel:
Heee...Oof!
//Panel 2//
Charles:
Oops!
Charles' Narration:
…how sweet the girls are in Springtime—
//Panel 3//
Charles' Narration:
…how their eyes laugh and lure you in for a kiss.
//Panel 5//
Edgar’s Voice:
Marybel!
//Panel 7//
Charles:
…Who’s that?
Marybel:
What is it? That’s my big brother, Edgar.
//Panel 8//
Marybel:
Did you call me? What is it?
Edgar:
The evening breeze isn’t good for you. Come back inside.
Charles:
That’s…her big brother…

I've never had a protective older brother (or an older brother, period), and I always wanted one--but sometimes they can be too meddlesome! In fact, even from a distance, Edgar looks subtly menacing, perched up on on the second floor of the rose-covered "home". He is sincerely concerned for Marybel's health, but you can also read an edge in his voice, a desire to protect and isolate his sister from outsiders such as Charles. Maybe Charles, being a little brother himself, cannot relate to Edgar's watchfulness over his sister, or perhaps there's something else that stirs some anxiety in him? He's saying literally: "The older brother...that's him..." As if something doesn't sit quite right with the situation.