Chapter 40

           Wehadafinelife.WelivedthroughthemonthsofJanuaryandFebruaryandthewinterwasveryfineandwewereveryhappy.Therehadbeenshortthawswhenthewindblewwarmandthesnowsoftenedandtheairfeltlikespring,butalwaystheclearhardcoldhadcomeagainandthewinterhadreturned.InMarchcamethefirstbreakinthewinter.Inthenightitstartedraining.Itrainedonallmorningandturnedthesnowtoslushandmadethemountain-sidedismal.Therewerecloudsoverthelakeandoverthevalley.Itwasraininghighupthemountain.CatherineworeheavyovershoesandIworeMr.Guttingen’srubber-bootsandwewalkedtothestationunderanumbrella,throughtheslushandtherunningwaterthatwaswashingtheiceoftheroadsbare,tostopatthepubbeforelunchforavermouth.Outsidewecouldheartherain.

           "Doyouthinkweoughttomoveintotown?"

           "Whatdoyouthink?"Catherineasked.

           "Ifthewinterisoverandtherainkeepsupitwon’tbefunuphere.HowlongisitbeforeyoungCatherine?"

           "Aboutamonth.Perhapsalittlemore."

           "WemightgodownandstayinMontreux."

           "Whydon’twegotoLausanne?That’swherethehospitalis."

           "Allright.ButIthoughtmaybethatwastoobigatown."

           "WecanbeasmuchaloneinabiggertownandLausannemightbenice."

           "Whenshouldwego?"

           "Idon’tcare.Wheneveryouwant,darling.Idon’twanttoleavehereifyoudon’twant."

           "Let’sseehowtheweatherturnsout."

           Itrainedforthreedays.