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           Thensheteeteredfromsidetosidelikeaspinningtopcomingtorest,andfinallyshestopped,facingRichard."Holdoutyourhand,"shetoldhim,"andI’lltellyerfortune."Hedidashewastold.Sheputheroldhandintohis,andheldittightly,andthensheblinkedafewtimes,likeanowlwhohadswallowedamousethatwasbeginningtodisagreewithit."Yougotalongwaytogo..."shesaid,puzzled.

           "London,"Richardtoldher.

           "NotjustLondon..."Theoldwomanpaused."NotanyLondonIknow."Itstartedtorainthen,softly."I’msorry,"shesaid."Itstartswithdoors."

           "Doors?"

           Shenodded.Therainfellharder,patteringontheroofsandontheasphaltoftheroad."I’dwatchoutfordoorsifIwereyou."

           Richardstoodup,alittleunsteadily."Allright,"hesaid,alittleunsureofhowheoughttotreatinformationofthisnature."Iwill.Thanks."

           Thepubdoorwasopened,andlightandnoisespilledoutintothestreet."Richard?Youallright?"

           "Yeah,I’mfine.I’llbebackinasecond."Theoldladywasalreadywobblingdownthestreet,intothepeltingrain,gettingwet.Richardfelthehadtodosomethingforher:hecouldn’tgivehermoney,though.Hehurriedafterher,downthenarrowstreet,thecoldraindrenchinghisfaceandhair."Here,"saidRichard.Hefumbledwiththehandleoftheumbrella,tryingtofindthebuttonthatopenedit.