Никогде
Four
Shebitherlowerlip."No.Notreally.I’mnotsorry.I’vebeenrunningandhidingandrunningsohardthat...thiswasthefirstchanceI’vereallyhadto..."shestopped.
Themarquissweptupthecoinsandthebones,andreturnedthemtotheirpocket."Afteryou,"hesaid.Hefollowedherbacktothewallofpictures.Sheputonehandonthepaintingofherfather’sstudyandtookthemarquis’slargeblackhandwiththeother.
...realitytwisted...
Theywereintheconservatory,wateringtheplants.FirstPortiawouldwateraplant,directingtheflowofthewatertowardthesoilatthebaseoftheplant,avoidingtheleavesandtheblossoms."Watertheshoes,"shesaidtoheryoungestdaughter."Nottheclothes."
Ingresshadherownlittlewateringcan.Shewassoproudofit.Itwasjustlikehermother’s,madeofsteel,paintedbrightgreen.Ashermotherfinishedwitheachplant,Ingresswouldwateritwithhertinywateringcan."Ontheshoes,"shetoldhermother.Shebeganlaughing,then,spontaneouslittle-girllaughter.
Andhermotherlaughedtoo,untilfoxyMr.Crouppulledherhairback,hardandsudden,andcutherwhitethroatfromeartoear.
"Hello,Daddy,"saidDoor,quietly.
Shetouchedthebustofherfatherwithherfingers,strokingthesideofhisface.Athin,asceticman,almostbald.CaesarasProspero,thoughtthemarquisdeCarabas.
