Chapter 6

           ItwasMaywhenhenextfoundher.TheluncheoninZurichwasacouncilofcaution;obviouslythelogicofhislifetendedawayfromthegirl;yetwhenastrangerstaredatherfromanearbytable,eyesburningdisturbinglylikeanunchartedlight,heturnedtothemanwithanurbaneversionofintimidationandbroketheregard.

           "Hewasjustapeeper,"heexplainedcheerfully."Hewasjustlookingatyourclothes.Whydoyouhavesomanydifferentclothes?"

           "Sistersayswe’reveryrich,"sheofferedhumbly."SinceGrandmotherisdead."

           "Iforgiveyou."

           HewasenougholderthanNicoletotakepleasureinheryouthfulvanitiesanddelights,thewayshepausedfractionallyinfrontofthehallmirroronleavingtherestaurant,sothattheincorruptiblequicksilvercouldgiveherbacktoherself.Hedelightedinherstretchingoutherhandstonewoctavesnowthatshefoundherselfbeautifulandrich.Hetriedhonestlytodivorceherfromanyobsessionthathehadstitchedhertogether—gladtoseeherbuilduphappinessandconfidenceapartfromhim;thedifficultywasthat,eventually,Nicolebroughteverythingtohisfeet,giftsofsacrificialambrosia,ofworshippingmyrtle.

           ThefirstweekofsummerfoundDickre-establishedinZurich.HehadarrangedhispamphletsandwhatworkhehaddoneintheServiceintoapatternfromwhichheintendedtomakehisreviseof"APsychologyforPsychiatrists."Hethoughthehadapublisher;hehadestablishedcontactwithapoorstudentwhowouldironouthiserrorsinGerman.