Chapter 11

           DoctorRichardDiverandMrs.ElsieSpeerssatintheCafédesAlliéesinAugust,undercoolanddustytrees.Thesparkleofthemicawasdulledbythebakedground,andafewgustsofmistralfromdownthecoastseepedthroughtheEsterelandrockedthefishingboatsintheharbor,pointingthemastshereandthereatafeaturelesssky.

           "Ihadaletterthismorning,"saidMrs.Speers."WhataterribletimeyouallmusthavehadwiththoseNegroes!ButRosemarysaidyouwereperfectlywonderfultoher."

           "Rosemaryoughttohaveaservicestripe.Itwasprettyharrowing—theonlypersonitdidn’tdisturbwasAbeNorth—heflewofftoHavre—heprobablydoesn’tknowaboutityet."

           "I’msorryMrs.Diverwasupset,"shesaidcarefully.

           Rosemaryhadwritten:

           NicoleseemedOutofherMind.Ididn’twanttocomeSouthwiththembecauseIfeltDickhadenoughonhishands.

           "She’sallrightnow."Hespokealmostimpatiently."Soyou’releavingto-morrow.Whenwillyousail?"

           "Rightaway."

           "MyGod,it’sawfultohaveyougo."

           "We’regladwecamehere.We’vehadagoodtime,thankstoyou.You’rethefirstmanRosemaryevercaredfor."

           AnothergustofwindstrainedaroundtheporphyryhillsoflaNapoule.Therewasahintintheairthattheearthwashurryingontowardotherweather;thelushmidsummermomentoutsideoftimewasalreadyover.

           "Rosemary’shadcrushesbutsoonerorlatershealwaysturnedthemanovertome—"Mrs.Speerslaughed,"—fordissection."

           "SoIwasspared."