“The whole time Cave’s here? Yes. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“I’m glad. I’ve so much I want to talk to you about. So many things are beginning to happen. Call me tomorrow. I’ll be staying at my old place. It’s in the book.”
“Cave?”
“Is staying with Paul, out on Long Island at someone’s house. We want to keep him away from pests as much as possible.”
“Manic depression, I should say,” said Stokharin thoughtfully, his pipe now clenched between his teeth and his attention on Cave’s still figure. “With latent schizoid tendencies which ... Miss Mortimer, you must have an affair with him. You must marry him if necessary. Have children. Let him see what it is to give life to others, to live in a balanced....”
“Doctor, you are quite mad,” said Iris and she crossed the room, cool in her anger. I too got away from the doctor as quickly as I could: “False modesty, inhibited behavior, too early bowel training,” and similar phrases ringing in my ears.
Paul caught me at the door. I’d intended to slip away without saying good night, confident that Clarissa would understand, that the others would not notice. “Not going so soon, are you?” He was a little drunk, his face scarlet with excitement. “But you ought to stay and celebrate.” I murmured something about having an early appointment the next day.
“Well, see me tomorrow. We’ve taken temporary offices in the Empire State Building. The money has begun to roll in. If this thing tonight turns out the way I think it has, I’m going to be able to quit my other racket for good and devote all my time to Cave.” Already the name Cave had begun to sound more like that of an institution than of a man.
“By the way, I want to tell you what I think of the Introduction: superior piece of work. Tried it out on several highbrow friends of mine and they liked it.”
“I’m afraid....”