They embraced tenderly halfway between their stumps. Schmidt had called that morning trying to get him to chase down some rich kid who had turned Moonie. He had told Schmidt he would only accept major assignments. Was the Moonie girl pretty? Diana’s neck was damp and musky from the walk. Over her shoulder there was a tingle of seeing something move in the brush, but it was only Hudley. An idea entered his mind that nature walks would be more interesting if there were mythological guidebooks and you could find Toad and the great god Pan out in the forest. With a few mutually exciting movements they found themselves making love over Diana’s stump, deaf to the dog’s bark. At the point of finishing it began to sprinkle. Was nature herself ever in confluence with man’s wishes? There was a brief, light quarrel about where the car was, and they started off in opposite directions, promising to beep for each other. Ever the unfaithful friend, Hudley chose to go with Diana, his protector against the lightning and thunder.

Warlock’s feet were light, his legs like steel springs as he ran through the wet forest. Perhaps deer watched with envy. Or not. He came to a dark swamp and looked up to watch a marvelous display of lightning. When the last shudder of thunder subsided he heard a strange bird; Pan piping, or a beep? He began to move into the swamp for no sensible reason, then paused letting his heart and breath calm. Then the beep came again, this time long and clear. There was no real reason to doubt it, he thought, turning around.

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