ho came to help him clean up。 〃That's all right；〃 she
forted him； 〃that's how I feel about the Reader's Digest。〃
Hallorann had flown enough to be able to surmise what had happened。 They had
been flying against bad headwinds most of the way； the weather over Denver had
worsened suddenly and unexpectedly； and now it was just a little late to divert
for someplace where the weather was better。 Feets don't fail me now。
（Buddy…boy； this is some fucked…up cavalry charge。）
The stewardess seemed to have succeeded in curbing the worst of the woman's
hysterics。 She was snuffling and honking into a lace handkerchief； but had
ceased broadcasting her opinions about the flight's possible conclusion to the
cabin at large。 The stew gave her a final pat on the shoulder and stood up just
as the 747 gave its worst lurch yet。 The stewardess stumbled backward and landed
in the lap of the man who had whoopsed into his paper； exposing a lovely length
of nyloned thigh。 The man blinked and then patted her kindly on the shoulder。
She smiled back； but Hallorann thought the strain was showing。 It had been one
hell of a hard flight this morning。
There was a little ping as the No SMOKING light reappeared。
〃This is the captain speaking；〃 a soft； slightly southern voice informed them。
〃We're ready to begin our descent to Stapleton International Airport。 It's been
a rough flight； for which I apologize。 The landing may be a bit rough also； but
we anticipate no real difficulty。 Please observe the FASTEN SEAT BELTS and NO
SMOKING signs； and we hope you enjoy your stay in the Denver metro area。 And we
also hope — 〃
Another hard bump rocked the plane