“After we were married I moved into his apartment. We were there three–four months. He didn’t want to live in a development, or too far from the city, or in a place where all the trees had been cut down. When Wendell called and said that the house next door to his was available, I had my doubts at first, because it isn’t always wise to live so close to one’s friends. Colin didn’t think it would matter, because the houses aren’t jammed together out there, and Wendell—another quote from Colin—is a civilized man. He wouldn’t be in for breakfast every morning trying to find out if we’d been well laid the night before. End of quote. We went out to look at the house and decided that, all in all, we liked it. It’s Tudor and looks small on the outside, but the rooms are large. We wanted a place that looked warm and comfortable. Styles didn’t matter. They—I’ve always had the feeling—excuse me.” She took a drink of water. Her hand was shaking. As she put the glass down, Leland saw that she smeared the lipstick on her upper lip. He gave her a sign, and she took a mirror from her purse. With a tissue she wiped away the smear, then put the mirror down. “How’s that?”

“Fine.”

“I stepped in quicksand. I began to see things again.”

“I know.”

“I’ve decided to go to a hotel and stay overnight. I’m going to live it up. Tomorrow morning I’ll go shopping before I catch the train. Maybe I’ll see a movie tonight. I’ll see how I feel. After all, I’m a woman with a little money now.”

“That’s the ticket.”

“I have a fully paid-up house and two cars,” she said. “If I’m careful with my investments and don’t change my habits too much, I can live on my money until the baby is done with high school. Of course I’ll go back to work. No matter what, I’m going to finish college. Only thirty credits to go. Did you think that I’d finished? In your office I told you that I had gone. I went, is what I said.”

“I was going to say that if you’re willing to wait until tomorrow afternoon, I’ll take you to Port Smith myself. If nothing new comes up and I have no trouble with the two ladies I’m going to see, I’ll be ready by three o’clock. We’re supposed to have a little snow, but I think the weather will hold.”