ANSWER: Why, frankly, Mr. Lamson, it hurts.
QUESTION: You know very well that's not what I meant. Where exactly were
you when it happened?
ANSWER: First pain, there by the pond. I went back to my car because I
thought I might be able to drive home somehow--
QUESTION: You mean to your mother's house?
ANSWER: I do not, I mean my apartment. But it was getting worse, and at
the junction I did turn that way on Walton, because I remembered the
woods across the road. I left the car by the pines, and got over there,
into the woods. It was over pretty soon.
QUESTION: You must have a good deal of courage, Miss Blake.
ANSWER: Enough, I hope.
QUESTION: I hope so too. By the way, Miss Blake, you might glance at
this folder, if you will.
"That's where he flashed the morgue pictures at you, Cal?"
"Uh-huh. I was a--what's the term?--a cool customer. Oh yes--he's
reading my intelligent comments now. Not bad for a beginner, don't you
think? Like Lizzie Borden."
"Hush, dear."
"Well, Lizzie was a beginner too. What's more she had to operate on a
breakfast of mutton broth."
Cecil Warner could wonder then whether it had been Callista's wry and
thorny humor that saved her during the moments last August--there must
have been such moments--when she had drawn that dark bottle forward on
the shelf and perhaps set out a single glass.