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He was obviously disappointed, maybe even a little suspiciousBut Ibut what I had said I knew the truth as I spoke it, so fast were thought and edded in my mind

"Is it possible to deceive you?" I asked

"Of course," he asked "I rely upon ifts such as they are, just as you rely on yours I have my limits You have yours You can be deceived So can I "

"What about God?"

"Ach!" he said with disgust "If you only kne irrelevant that question is You cannot iine how much I need you I'm tired," he said with a faint rise of e deceived, that ht and toht I won't bother you, stalk you, as you put it But may I ask what you mean to do?"

"Why? Either I have the two nights or I don't!"

"You're known to be unpredictable," he said He smiled broadly

It was very pleasant And so else, quite obvious, struck me about him Not only were his proportions perfect, there were no visible flaws in hion of the Ordinary Man

He showed no response to this estimation, whether he could read it from my mind or not He merely waited on me, courteously

"Dora," I said "I have to go back to Dora "

"Why?"

"I refuse to explain further "

Again, he was surprised by my answer

"Well, aren't you going to try to help her with all this confusion regarding her father? Why not explain so as simple as that? I only meant to ask you how deeply you intended to commit yourself, howof the fabric of things, to use David's phrase That is, hoill it be with this woman, after you've come with me?"

I said nothing