"Come on," he said. "I'll take you home and then come back."
Again Nan stepped out in time. No use, she thought, to beg him to let her come, too. But she could come back. Women were useful, she knew, with their implied terrors and fragility, in holding up certain sorts of horror. Nan was willing to fight, if need were, with all the weapons of her sex. In the road in front of her own house, was Charlotte, waiting for them. Nan left Raven, put a hand on Charlotte's arm, and called her "Ducky."
"You won't come in?" she said to Raven. "Don't you think you'd better. Half an hour or so?"
"Not a minute," said Raven. "Good night."
He left them and after a few striding steps was aware of Charlotte, calling him. She came up and spoke his name.
"I've just met that woman."
"What woman?" he asked impatiently.
"Tira Tenney. With the baby. This time o' night."
"Where?"
"Front o' the house, just as I come out."