“Thirty-nine,” said Sarah, “to date.”
“Well, do those thirty-nine include one from me?”
Sarah shook her fair head.
“I’ve often wondered why they didn’t,” she said.
Pardoner felt inclined to scream. Instead, he emptied his glass. Then he leaned forward.
“Shall I tell you?” he said.
“Oh, do.”
“Because I’m—I’m already in love with somebody else.”
“Oh, Virgil, how exciting. Who is it?”
Pardoner swallowed.