第35部分(第2/7 页)

drop　the　bags；　throw　off　his　overcoat；　and　head　for　the　fire；　all

without　a　word。　Unsure；　she　sank　down　on　the　sofa　and　waited。

The　man　reached　out　to　her　both　physically　and　emotionally。　He　wore　a

beige　sweater　and　brown　corduroy　slacks；　and　looked　as　strong　and　fit　as

ever。　But　it　was　the　fatigue；　suggested　by　his　bent　head　and　the　limp

hand　in　his　pocket；　that　made　the　greatest　impression　on　her。　She　ached

to　help；　but　she　feared　rebuff。　So　she　remained　silent。

For　a　time；　frowning　at　the　fire；　Mitch　seemed　oblivious　to　her

presence。　Needing　to　make　some　small　gesture；　she　went　quietly　to　the

kitchen　and　returned　with　a　mug　of　strong　black　coffee。

〃Have　something　hot；　Mitch。　It　was　a　long　drive。〃

He　looked　at　her　so　suddenly　that　she　knew　his　mind　had　been　miles　away。

Without　a　word　of　either　greeting　or　explanation；　he　accepted　the　cup

and　returned　to　his　brooding。　Again　Anne　waited；　fearing　what　was　wrong；

but　needing　to　be　there。

Finally；　he　put　his　head　back；　drew　in　a　great　breath；　straightened；　and

turned。　His　eyes　were　tired；　his　face　more　drawn　than　she　remembered　it。

He　drank　the　last　of　his　coffee　and　set　the　mug　on　the　mantel。　His　smile

was　wan；　but　it　was　a　smile。　〃You're　looking　well。〃

She　rested　her　chin　on　her　knees；　which　were　drawn　up　and　held　by　her

arms。　〃I　have　been；　thanks　to　you。　The　antibiotic　did　the　trick。〃

〃No　more　trouble？〃　When　she　shook　her　head；　he　said；　〃That's　good；〃　and

looked　back　at　the　fire。

〃What's　wrong；　Mitch？〃

He　shot　her　a　dry　look。　〃Don't　ask。　I　wouldn't　know　where　to　begin。〃

〃Was　it　a　bad　drive　up？〃

〃The　usual。〃

A　silence　followed。