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           "Tom,"saidElmira,"showmethewaytotheladies’room.

           "Yes’m."

           Theybegantowalkandthenhurryandthenrun.Elmiraranonahead,throughthecrowd,downtheaisle...Shereachedthedoorandstartedleft.

           "No,Elmira,right,right!"criedMrs.Goodwater.

           Elmiraturnedleftandvanished.

           Therewasanoiselikecoaldownachute.

           "Elmira!"

           Theladiesranaroundlikeagirl’sbasketballteam,collidingwitheachother.

           OnlyMrs.Goodwatermadeastraightline.

           ShefoundTomlookingdownthestairwell,hishandsclenchedtothebanister.

           "Fortysteps!"hemoaned."Fortystepstotheground!"

           LateronandformonthsandyearsafteritwastoldhowlikeaninebriateElmiraBrownnegotiatedthosestepstouchingeveryoneonherlongwaydown.Itwasclaimedthatwhenshebeganthefallshewassicktounconsciousnessandthatthismadeherskeletonrubber,soshekindofrolledratherthanricocheted.Shelandedatthebottom,blinkingandfeelingbetter,havingleftwhateveritwasthathadmadeheruneasyallalongtheway.True,shewassobadlybruisedshelookedlikeatattooedlady.But,no,notawristwassprainedoranankletwisted.Sheheldherheadfunnyforthreedays,kindofpeeringoutofthesidesofhereyeballsinsteadofturningtolook.ButtheimportantthingwasMrs.Goodwateratthebottomofthesteps,pillowingElmira’sHeadonherLapanddroppingtearsonherastheladiesgatheredHysterically.