Chapter 5

           MadamLife’sapieceinbloom

           Deathgoesdoggingeverywhere:

           She’sthetenantoftheroom,

           He’stheruffianonthestair.

           —W.E.HENLEY,"MADAMLIFE’S

           APIECEINBLOOM"

           OnlyZoryaUtrennyayawasawaketosaygoodbyetothem,thatSaturdaymorning.ShetookWednesday’sforty-fivedollarsandinsistedonwritinghimoutareceiptforitinwide,loopinghandwriting,onthebackofanexpiredsoft-drinkcoupon.Shelookedquitedoll-likeinthemorninglight,withheroldfacecarefullymade-upandhergoldenhairpiledhighuponherhead.

           Wednesdaykissedherhand."Thankyouforyourhospitality,dearlady,"hesaid."Youandyourlovelysistersremainasradiantastheskyitself."

           "Youareabadoldman,"shetoldhim,andshookafingerathim.Thenshehuggedhim."Keepsafe,"shetoldhim."Iwouldnotliketohearthatyouweregoneforgood."

           "Itwoulddistressmeequally,mydear."

           SheshookhandswithShadow."ZoryaPolunochnayathinksveryhighlyofyou,"shesaid."Ialso."

           "Thankyou,"saidShadow."Thanksforthedinner."

           Sheraisedaneyebrowathim."Youliked?Youmustcomeagain."

           WednesdayandShadowwalkeddownthestairs.Shadowputhishandsinhisjacketpockets.Thesilverdollarwascoldinhishand.