Темная башня: Стрелок

           Thesmelloftheweedwasonhim,butnotasheavilyasshemighthaveexpected.

           Helookedupatherandsmiledtentatively."Hello,Allie."

           "Hello,Nort."Sheputthestovewooddownandbeganlightingthelamps,notturningherbacktohim.

           "IbeentouchedbyGod,"hesaidpresently."Iain’tgoingtodienomore.Hesaidso.Itwasapromise."

           "Howniceforyou,Nort."Thespillshewasholdingdroppedthroughhertremblingfingersandshepickeditup.

           "I’dliketostopchewingthegrass,"hesaid."Idon’tenjoyitnomore.Itdon’tseemrightforamantouchedbyGodtobechewingtheweed."

           "Thenwhydon’tyoustop?"

           Herexasperationstartledherintolookingathimasamanagain,ratherthananinfernalmiracle.Whatshesawwasarathersad-lookingspecimenonlyhalf-stoned,lookinghangdogandashamed.Shecouldnotbefrightenedbyhimanymore.

           "Ishake,"hesaid."AndIwantit.Ican’tstop.Allie,youwasalwayssogoodtome-"hebegantoweep."Ican’tevenstoppeeingmyself."

           Shewalkedtothetableandhesitatedthere,uncertain.

           "Hecouldhavemademenotwantit,"hesaidthroughthetears."Hecouldhavedonethatifhecouldhavemademebealive.Iain’tcomplaining...Idon’twanttocomplain..."Hestaredaroundhauntedlyandwhispered,"HemightstrikemedeadifIdid."

           "Maybeit’sajoke.Heseemedtohavequiteasenseofhumor."

           Norttookhispokefromwhereitdangledinsidehisshirtandbroughtoutahandfulofgrass.Unthinkinglysheknockeditawayandthendrewherhandback,horrified