to close his windows, seemed seductive. It wasn't any worse than the rank odors of the Seine. But then, this block of old houses was coming down if they didn't fall down first within the year and old Daudin's concierge had a concierge friend holding on to a room under a roof in the me de Rivoli overlooking the Louvre. So I'm all set and ought to feel good, he told himself, trying to remember any loose ends.
The only one which dangled and he had tried to overlook without success was what to do about Lucy. What he felt was more than the usual pull. At the same time there was an unwillingness to make it only a one-night stand, though judging from the talk it might be that with her. He had been unable to resolve what he felt. But it was too late now to do more than telephone and say goodbye if there was time. Otherwise, he'd send a card from Paris.
Who the hell is that! he wondered as the bell rang. Probably that drunk who's always forgetting his key. He peered over the railing.
"An apple for the teacher," Lucy called up and he went down to relieve her of a beribboned basket of fruit.
"I'm no teacher," he said uncomfortably. What was one supposed to say?
"You may not know it but you are. Anyway, it's an apple to remember me by."
She set a bottle of cold champagne on the table with a resounding bang.
"Everybody is leaving or sick, Nino is going, you're going, Figente is sick again, Vida is sick—anyway I thought you and I would crack this bottle of champagne. I couldn't get Calvados."
He recalled a Budapest violinist who could shatter a wineglass by scratching a high tone. That was her voice. Or perhaps her exaggerated gaiety was from drinking. Whatever it was, he was disturbed at being alone with her.
She took off the wet close grey hat that all but covered her eyes and the grey fur-collared coat, and stood in one of those pleated chiffon dresses she often wore that resembled an abbreviated nightgown.
"Some day," she said, prepared to remain, "I must get me an umbrella or raincoat. I always forget that sometimes taxis are hard to get."
"You are just in time, I'm rushing to finish packing as I have to be on board by eleven thirty."
