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           Itwasaconfusedimpulsenotrootedindesire,justsomethingheinstinctivelyofferedwhenhesawwhatlayinthegreyeyes.Somethingapart,adifferentkindofsacrament.Herarmsslidupunderhistomeetacrosshisback;hecouldnotstophimselfflinching,suppresstheexclamationofpain.

           Shedrewbackalittle."What’sthematter?"

           "Imusthavebruisedmyribswhentheplanecamein.WeboggedtothefuselageingoodoldGillymud,soitwasaprettyroughlanding.Iwoundupbalancedonthebackoftheseatinfrontofme."

           "Here,letmesee."

           Fingerssteady,sheunbuttonedthedampshirtandpeeleditoffhisarms,pulleditfreeofhisbreeches.Underthesurfaceofthesmoothbrownskinapurplinguglypatchextendedfromonesideclearacrosstotheotherbelowtheribcage;herbreathcaught.

           "Oh,Ralph!YourodeallthewayfromGillywiththis?Howitmusthavehurt!Doyoufeelallright?Nofaintness?Youmighthaverupturedsomethinginside!"

           "No,I’mfine,andIdidn’tfeelit,honestly.Iwassoanxioustogethere,makesureyouwereallright,thatIsupposeIsimplyeliminateditfrommymind.IfIwasbleedinginternallyI’dhaveknownaboutitlongbeforenow,Iexpect.God,Meggie,don’t!"

           Herheadhadgonedown,shewasdelicatelytouchingherlipstothebruise,herpalmsslidinguphischesttohisshoulderswithadeliberatesensuousnessthatstaggeredhim.