“Just how long are you planning to stay?”
“I don’t know exactly. It all depends.”
“On what, if I’m not too inquisitive?”
“Oh, lots of things. My financial status, and what turns up out here, and how much I like California, and — it gets awfully hot in the summer in Topeka, you know.”
“And awfully cold in the winter.”
“Yes.” Then she realized his implication. “But I wouldn’t impose on you indefinitely — I’d find an apartment.”
“I see. No other reasons for the trip?”
“No,” she said, a little puzzled at his tone. “That’s all.”
“A desire to pay your respects to Helen’s memory wasn’t one of them, obviously.” He realized how stuffy he sounded before he even finished the sentence.
“You and I don’t have to be hypocritical about that, do we?” What does she know? he asked himself. What does she mean, you and I?