“First, then, when did you reach the city?”
He consulted his watch. “Just two hours and twenty-seven minutes ago.”
“And how long are you going to stay?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“For one thing, on whether you treat me well,” he smiled.
“Oh, I’ll treat you well. I never was so glad to see a real live somebody in my life. It’s been pretty bad here.” She gave a dreary little smile as she glanced around at the funereal air of the place. “Do you know, I don’t think we think of death in the right way? Or, maybe, I’m a heathen and haven’t the proper feelings.”
She had sat down on one of the stiff divans, and Ridgway found a place beside her.
“Suppose you tell me about it,” he suggested.
“I know I must be wrong, and you’ll be shocked when you hear.”