They are in the library on the second floor. There are French-style doors that open onto a balcony at the front of the house, and bookshelves piled high with colourful volumes. She wonders, as she sometimes does, about what it would have been like to have grown up a hundred years before she did. She pictures herself sitting at a desk, learning her letters, some grey-haired woman in a spiffy dress at the front of the room using a long stick to point at a map of the world, taking tests hunched over at a little wooden desk, chewing on the end of a pencil. But its hard to keep that world in focus, and her imagination gets away with her and she imagines a meatskin bursting into the room and all the children fleeing and her taking her gurkha from her bookbag and planting it solidly in the meatskins skull, feeling the thick, catching resistance as the blade sinks home. And then all the other children cheering her, and her grey-haired teacher nodding in approval. It makes her grin to think of such scenes.

Hell follow you, James Grierson is saying.

I guess he will. But he aint so good a tracker as he says. Besides, with half a days head start there aint no way hell be able to find me.

Ill keep him longer.

Nah, half a day is enough. Hell beat on outta here quick if he still thinks he might be able to catch me. You keep him longer than that and youll risk him doin some damage before he goes.

I can take care of him.

Sure you can, but your granny dont want no fuss, and neither does your brother or Johns or Maisie for that matter. They all do a pretty fair job of keepin the world at a distance. I guess there aint no need in bringin a war into their parlour now.

You sure you know what youre doing? You cant just wander the country your whole life.

Who says I cant? I only ever seen a couple interesting alternatives. And those situations well, either they dont last or I dont seem to harmonize with them. Ill be all right, I guess. If I find something worth stoppin for, Ill stop.

He shakes his head and smiles.

I might be inclined to go with you if it werent for the Grierson heritage that needs overseeing.

You got your mission and I got mine. There aint no use dreamin about romantical road trips.

Well, he says, pouring her a glass of bourbon and raising his own, you can drink with me any time. Its an honour.

Thanks, she says and drinks. Next time Im through this way Ill stop in and say hello to the family.

The estate, no doubt, will be intact.

To Granny Grierson, she says and raises her glass.

To Granny Grierson.

To Richard the gentle piano player!

To Richard!