PROGRESS REPORT 16

           July14

           Itwasabaddaytogooutto"Warren—grayanddrizzly—andthatmayaccountforthedepressionthatgripsmewhenIthinkaboutit.OrperhapsI’mkiddingmyselfanditwastheideaofpossiblybeingsenttherethatbotheredme.IborrowedBurt’scar.Alicewantedtocomealong,butIhadtoseeitalone.Ididn’ttellFayIwasgoing.Itwasanhour-and-a-halfdriveouttothefarmlandcommunityofWarren,LongIsland,andIhadnotroublefindingtheplace:asprawlinggrayestaterevealedtotheworldonlybyanentranceoftwoconcretepillarsflankinganarrowside-roadandawell-polishedbrassplatewiththenameWarrenStateHomeandTrainingSchool.

           Theroadsidesignsaid15mph,soIdroveslowlypasttheblocksofbuildingslookingfortheadministrativeoffices.

           Atractorcameacrossthemeadowinmydirection,andinadditiontothemanatthewheelthereweretwoothershangingontherear.Istuckoutmyheadandcalled:"CanyoutellmewhereMr.Winslow’sofficeis?"

           Thedriverstoppedthetractorandpointedtotheleftandahead."MainHospital.Turnleftandbeartoyourright."

           Icouldn’thelpnoticingthestaringyoungmanridingattherearofthetractor,hangingontoahandrail.Hewasunshaven,andtherewasthetraceofanemptysmile.Hehadonasailor’shatwiththebrimpulleddownchildishlytoshieldhiseyes,althoughtherewasnosunout.Icaughthisglanceforamoment—hiseyeswide,inquiring—butIhadtolookaway.