He took his cigarettes from the night table. The furniture here was a red maple, neat and cheerful, but somehow—on a par with most guest rooms—less than the hostess’ best effort. He said, “I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

“I suppose a lot depends on how your partner does with the books and papers.”

“Your husband used codes for a reason.”

“What do you think Betty Kaminsky will have to say?”

“I have my fingers crossed.”

“Do you really think Colin was faithful?”

“Yes. To you, yes.”

“But he wasn’t to his first wife. I’m not so much.”

“Norma, you’re digging yourself into a hole. You’ll have to be patient. This was thrust upon you, but for your own sake, you have to stand up to it. You have a long life ahead. Don’t let this wreck it.”

“I always wanted to be married. It’s all I ever wanted.”

“I know.”

“I can feel his baby kicking me. He’ll never see his own child. I cry for him. I know I have to start all over, but I’m nowhere near solid enough. You’ve had your bad times. How did you get through them?”

“They were never as bad as what you’re living with. At least I thought I knew why things had gone badly.”

“You thought. But that was all you needed, wasn’t it? An explanation? As long as you had a reason why you were there, you were all right?”

“I think so.”

“You know how badly I need a reason,” she said.

“I’m learning, kid.”

In her distress she smiled a little smile, mischievous, game. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“Sure.”

“You’ve always loved your wife, haven’t you?”

“It’s complicated. I mean that. It wouldn’t be fair to you or her to try to explain.”

“You’ve never been with anyone but her, though.”

He was stunned. “Are you really asking me?”

She put her hands on her knees. “I think I’m telling.” Her attitude was so bright and childlike that he wanted to laugh.

“One. There has been one. And for a while I loved her, too.”

She looked away, smiling wistfully. “I don’t know whether I like it or not.”

“Would you like me to say that if I had known you then, it would have been different?”

“Yes and no. I don’t know. I am digging myself into a hole. Are we going to be friends?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Come downstairs. I’ll make you a sandwich.”

“No, that’s all right.” It was after ten-thirty. He would want to call Karen but it would confuse her and she would worry about what was happening. He could not call, which would make him a liar.

“I’m hungry,” Norma said. “Watch me eat. Just keep me company.”

He was wide awake now; if he stayed up here he would have to worry about his sense of perspective, if not his ability to reason. “All right. You step outside while I pull on a pair of pants. If you had told me in Manitou that I would be staying here, I would have brought a robe.”