He told us about books he had read, music he had heard, movies he had seen. He gave us an elaborate rundown on his past-­year school experiences, going over all his classes and rating his teachers. He was getting on to Ohio history and Indian activities in the Ashland area when I realized he was wearing Jack out. Later I also realized that while Duff was talking, Franny by necessity was silent.

On the way back to the farm I asked Duff where he had learned so much about the area.

“Reading,” he answered vaguely.

“In school?”

“School and other places.”

“Also in that rubbish room at the farm,” Franny said viciously.

I was surprised at her anger. She and Duff almost never quarreled.

“He surely hasn’t had much time yet to spend with those old books,” I said.

“He didn’t go to bed when we got back from the hospital this morning,” Franny said.

“I did so,” Duff insisted. “I looked at some books for a few minutes, but then I went to bed. You were supposed to be asleep, Franny, so how would you know what I did?”

Franny didn’t pursue the matter. She lowered her gaze and sulked for the rest of the ride home. I told myself that both she and Duff were suffering from the strain of the past day and thought no more about it.

We had dinner—steak and packaged french fries again—and Franny and Duff helped with the dishes, although Franny still wasn’t talking to her brother. Then Duff announced that he was going alone to the hospital to see his father and that Franny and I were going to stay home and get a good night’s rest.

I suppose I shouldn’t have allowed it, especially since he was breaking the law in driving without a license, but I was too tired to argue. I hadn’t slept since being awakened by the telephone installer and I assumed that Duff had had at least some sleep in the morning, despite what Franny had said.

While I was hesitating, he picked up the car keys. He gave me a kiss—and tried to kiss Franny, but she backed away—and went out the back door. I telephoned Jack and told him Duff was on his way and shortly afterward Franny and I went to bed.

I slept soundly for several hours and then awakened suddenly in a state of unexplainable dread. It was two by my travel clock. I got out of bed and went to the window to see if the car was in the yard. It was parked near the house, and, feeling relieved, I was about to go back to bed when the full moon came out from behind a cloud and I could see clearly all the way to the barn. There were two people standing near the barn door.