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All Thursday long, as she worked on the flaht about Alexander And after work he aiting for her Tonight she didn’t ask why he had come And he didn’t explain He had no presents and no questions He just caainst each other, and once when the tram screeched to a stop, Tatiana fell into hi his hand around her waist

"Dasha talked ht," he said quietly to Tatiana

"Oh," Tatiana said "That’s fine Of course My parents will be glad to see you again They were in a great h to Pasha on the telephone, and apparently he is doing great--" She stopped talking Suddenly she felt too sad to continue

They walked as slowly as they could to traainst each other, until it stopped at Grechesky Hospital

"I’ll see you, Lieutenant" She wanted to say Shura but could not

"I’ll see you, Tatia," said Alexander

Later that night was the first time the four of theether They bought ice crea to Alexander’s arm like a barnacle Tatianaevery faculty in herto Alexander Tatiana was surprised at how profoundly unpleasant she found it to look at her sister touching hiined, unexplored Leningrad, unseen by Tatiana’s eyes, was infinitely preferable

Alexander seemed as casual and content as any soldier would be with solanced at Tatiana How did Dasha and Alexander look together? Did they look right? Did they look ht than she and Alexander? She had no answers She didn’t kno she looked when she was close to Alexander She knew only how she hen she was close to Alexander

"Tania!" Di to her

"Sorry, Di don’t you think Alexander should transfer uard division to souess Is that possible? Don’t you have to kno to drive a tank or so in the

"Tania!" exclaimed Dasha "What do you know about what you have to do in therivers and charging at the eneled

"No," said Dimitri "First Alexander sends ets another pro like that, Dih soo myself, I also take you"

Tatiana could barely listen Why was Dasha walking so close to hio himself and take Dimitri with him? What did thattohis voice?

"You see, isn’t it?"

"Do you want to take my arlancing at Tatiana, Dasha said, "Watch out, or any ot into bed, she pulled the blanket over her head, pretending to be asleep even when Dasha lay down next to her and whispered, "Tania, Tania, are you sleeping? Tania?" and nudged her lightly Tatiana didn’t want to talk to Dasha in the dark, divulging confidences She just wanted to say his name once out loud Shura