Chapter 7

           ItwaslateafternoonwhentheywoundupthediscussionastowhatDickshoulddo,hemustbemostkindandyeteliminatehimself.Whenthedoctorsstoodupatlast,Dick’seyesfelloutsidethewindowtowherealightrainwasfalling—Nicolewaswaiting,expectant,somewhereinthatrain.When,presently,hewentoutbuttoninghisoil-skinatthethroat,pullingdownthebrimofhishat,hecameuponherimmediatelyundertheroofofthemainentrance.

           "Iknowanewplacewecango,"shesaid."WhenIwasillIdidn’tmindsittinginsidewiththeothersintheevening—whattheysaidseemedlikeeverythingelse.NaturallynowIseethemasillandit’s—it’s—"

           "You’llbeleavingsoon."

           "Oh,soon.Mysister,Beth,butshe’salwaysbeencalledBaby,she’scominginafewweekstotakemesomewhere;afterthatI’llbebackhereforalastmonth."

           "Theoldersister?"

           "Oh,quiteabitolder.She’stwenty-four—she’sveryEnglish.ShelivesinLondonwithmyfather’ssister.ShewasengagedtoanEnglishmanbuthewaskilled—Ineversawhim."