"You're talking down at me, Matt. I told you once before. I'm not really stupid."
"God, I'm sorry," he said. "I must have been groggy all through dinner."
"You sounded it."
"Can you walk?"
"I'm too full."
"Let's sit on the sea wall. It's the pleasantest spot in town."
Hall bought a paper from a passing newsboy. They walked along the sea wall for a block, and then he spread the paper out on top of the wall and lifted Jerry to the broad ledge. They sat facing the sea, not saying much of anything.
"The beach looks so clean," she said. "Do you think ..."
He leaped to the sand. "Take my hand," he said, "and bring the paper with you." He spread the papers on the sand, laid his jacket over the papers, and sprawled on the makeshift pallet. Jerry sat near him, took his head in her lap.
"Poor Matt! You're so tired. Want to tell me about it?"