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Niood, Mary Just the same, I'm sorry"

"We all are" Mary led the way to a door a few yards distant and opened it

"Here's Ni back to Wally I'll leave you now"

"Co on a bed, propped up by pillows "Isn't this ridiculous-for me to be in the hospital too?"

There was hysteria beneath her voice, he thought, and her cheeks were too flushed, her eyes showed an artificial brightness Nim remembered what the adh Ardythe appeared not to be sedated now

He began hesitantly, "I wish I knehat to say pausing, he bent to kiss her

To his surprise, Ardythe stiffened and turned her head away He ended by clu his lips to her cheek, which felt hot

"Noill Ardythe remonstrated "Pleasedon't kiss me"

Wondering if he had offended her in soe her mood, he moved a chair and sat beside the bed

There was a silence, then she said, half ly, “They say Wally will live Yesterday we didn't know, so at least today is that much better

But I suppose you knoill live; I mean, what's happened to him,"

"Yes," he said, "I know"

"Have you been thinking the way I have, Nim? About a reason for what happened?"

"Ardythe, I was there I saw

"I don't mean that I mean why"

Bewildered, he shook his head

"I've done a lot of thinking since yesterday, Nim And I've decided that what seemed like an accident could be because of us-you and me"

Still not understanding, he protested, "Please You're overwrought It's a terrible shock, I know, especially co so soon after Walter"

"That's the point" Ardythe's face and voice were tense "You and I were sinful, so soon after Walter died I've a feeling I' punished, that Wally, Mary, the children, are all suffering because of me

For a moment he was reduced to shocked silence, then said vehemently,

"For God's sake, Ardythe, stop this! It's ridiculous!"

"Is it? Think about it when you're alone, the way I've been doing And just now you said 'for God's sake' You're a Jew, Nier and punishment?"

"Even if it does, I don't accept all that"

"I didn't either," Ardythe said "

"Look," he said, searching desperately for words to change her thinking,

"someti at it with both barrels-while other faical, it isn't fair But it happens I can think of other instances; so can you"

"Hoe know those other instances weren't punishments also?"

"Because there's no way they could be Because all of life is chance the chances wethe bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time That's all it is, Ardythe, and it's madness to blame yourself, in any way, for what's happened to Wally"

She answered dully, "I want to believe you But I can't Leaveto send me home this afternoon"

Standing, he told her, "I'll drive out soon"