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           "Jubalputteredaroundforawhilelonger,makinghimselfpresentable,changinghisclothes,takingoneshortbrandytokilltheslightlybittertastestillinhisstomach,thenwentouttojointheothers.

           Pattywasaloneintheroomwiththebabbletankanditwasswitchedoff.Shelookedup."Somelunchnow,Jubal?"

           "Yes,thanks."

           Shecameuptohim."That’sgood.I’mafraidmostofthemsimplyateandscooted.Buteachofthemleftakissforyou.Andhereitis,allinonepackage."Shemanagedtodeliverinfullalltheloveplacedinherproxycementedtogetherwithherown;Jubalfoundthatitlefthimfeelingstrong,withherownsereneacceptanceshared,nobitternessleft.

           "Comeoutintothekitchen,"shesaid."Tony’sgonesomostoftherestarethere–notthathisgrowlseverreallychasedanybodyoutanyhow."Shestoppedandtriedtostaredownthebackofherneck."Isn’tthatfinalscenechangingalittle?Sortofsmoky,maybe?"

           Jubalsolemnlyagreedthathethoughtitwas.Hecouldn’tseeanychangehimself?buthewasnotgoingtoarguewithPatty’sidiosyncrasy.Shenodded."Iexpectedit.Icanseearoundmeallright–exceptmyself.Istillneedadoublemirrortoseemybackclearly.MikesaysmySightwillincludethatpresently.Nomatter."

           Inthekitchenperhapsadozenwereloungingatatableandelsewhere;Dukewasstandingattherange,stirringasmallsaucepan."Hi,Boss.Iorderedatwenty-placebus.