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           Helowereditdowntoher.Shehadtojumptotakeitfromhim."Now,"shewhispered."Comeon."Heedgednervouslyforward,climbedovertheedge,hungforamoment,thenletgo.Helandedonhishandsandfeetinsoft,wetmud.Hewipedthemudoffhishandsontohissweater.Afewfeetforward,andAnaesthesiawasopeninganotherdoor.Theywentthroughit,andshepulleditclosedbehindthem."Wecantalknow,"shesaid."Notloud.Butwecan.Ifyouwantto."

           "Oh.Thanks,"saidRichard.Hecouldn’tthinkofanythingtosay."So.Um.You’rearat,areyou?"hesaid.

           Shegiggled,likeaJapanesegirl,coveringherhandwithherfaceasshelaughed.Thensheshookherhead,andsaid,"Ishouldbesolucky.Iwish.No,I’marat-speaker.Wetalktorats."

           "What,justchattothem?"

           "Ohno.Wedostuffforthem.Imean,"andhertoneofvoiceimpliedthatthiswassomethingthatmightneverhaveoccurredtoRichardunassisted,"therearesomethingsratscan’tdo,youknow.Imean,nothavingfingers,andthumbs,an’things.Hangon—"Shepressedhimagainstthewall,suddenly,andclampedafilthyhandoverhismouth.Thensheblewoutthecandle.

           Nothinghappened.

           Thenhehearddistantvoices.Theywaited,inthedarknessandthecold.Richardshivered.

           Peoplewalkedpastthem,talkinginlowtones.Whenallsoundshaddiedaway,AnaesthesiatookherhandfromRichard’smouth,relitthecandle,andtheywalkedon."Whowerethey?"askedRichard.