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"But Aunt Queen quickly cut in to express her io on to Europe Of course Nash agreed with her that I was the perfect age for the Grand Tour, and I believed Nash when he told ain be as impressionable as I was now Then he turned to Goblin, and, trying to lock eyes with soht of the travel proposal

"I took Goblin's right hand, which felt heavy and warain and he was utterly silent

" 'Goblin, what do you think? Do you remember our trip to New York?' The question came out of my mouth before I could realize that it was a blunder Goblin had gotten weaker and weaker in New York, until he was scarcely more than a sheer phantom

" 'Goblin, on't do anything that's bad for us,' I said 'Here, look at this lass for him And then I took a s of ithoh with this hospital and anybody and everybody that would have worked for our separation ¡¯

"Of course this long speech was entirely audible to Nash and Aunt Queen, and Aunt Queen picked up the gist immediately

" 'Coo to Europe We'll have so ether ¡¯

"Again, I tried to elicit so at eating his food or drinking his drink, and he stared at Nash as if he was the enemy

" 'No, Goblin, he's not!' I leaned towards hiood? That's how thisto us ¡¯

"Of course Nash and Aunt Queen could hear this, and Aunt Queen said at once: 'I'm so supremely overjoyed Quinn, dear, don't drink that martini too fast The wine I've chosen is excellent ¡¯

"Goblin continued to stare forward

" 'Never mind him for now,' I said 'I think the hospital stay has exhausted him Nash -- I presume you do want me to call you Nash' ('Oh, absolutely,' he replied) ' -- we've just been through a peculiar ordeal upstairs and -- ¡¯

"Before I could say more I heard Goblin's ominous monotone: 'Europe, I can't,' he said 'Too far for me You remember New York You talk like a fool Goblin Quinn one person ¡¯

"It was clear that no one else could hear him

" 'I know,' I replied aloud 'I understand All right We'll think on it ¡¯

" 'I once thought,' he went on in the sa voice, 'Europe existed in pictures and stories Then Aunt Queen called froht you about Europe Europe is real and far away No going to Europe No Do this and we split apart Quinn Goblin one person ¡¯