Page 103 (1/2)

"You…ffff…fff…eed…ing…ave her more of the broth "The least I could do You spoon-fedmotion as she tried to s It exhausted hin?"

"Not really gotten started yet Been a bit tied up"

"Yyyyy…you’re…f…full of…sh…sh…shit"

She had hihts, but of course she always did He fed her another spoonful, without much luck "Caleb and Pim left for the townships today"

"You’re…j…j…ust…blue It…will…lll…passss"

"What? You don’t think I can faro…c…c…craze…ee"

She said nothing else Peter put the bowl aside; she’d consuain, Vicky’s eyes were closed He doused the lamp and watched her Only in sleep did the restless turmoil of her body cease A few minutes passed; he heard a sound behind hi in the kitchen doorway

"It happens like that," the woman said quietly "One ht unfinished

"Is there anything I can do?"

Meredith placed one hand on his arm and met his eye "She was so proud of you, Peter Itall you’ve done"

"Will you callat all"

"I think this was a perfect visit, don’t you? Let’s let it be the last one"

He returned to Vicky’s bedside and lifted one of her hands from the blanket The wo about her, then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, so he had never done before

"Thank you," he whispered