boy 。。。 the boy was depending on him。 He was maybe all
the help that child could expect； and he didn't like the way the boy's last call
had been snapped off。 He kept thinking of the way those hedge animals had seemed
to move 。。。
A thin white hand appeared over his。
The woman with the sharp face had taken off her glasses。 Without them her
features seemed much softer。
〃It will be all right；〃 she said。
Hallorann made a smile and nodded。
As advertised the plane came down hard； reuniting with the earth forcefully
enough to knock most of the magazines out of the rack at the front and to send
plastic trays cascading out of the galley like oversized playing cards。 No one
screamed； but Hallorann heard several sets of teeth clicking violently together
like gypsy castanets。
Then the turbine engines rose to a howl； braking the plane； and as they
dropped in volume the pilot's soft southern voice； perhaps not pletely
steady； came over the inter system。 〃Ladies and gentlemen； we have landed at
Stapleton Airport。 Please remain in your seats until the plane has e to a
plete stop at the terminal。 Thank you。〃
The woman beside Hallorann closed her book and uttered a long sigh。 〃We live
to fight another day； Mr。 Hallorann。〃
〃Ma'am； we aren't done with this one； yet。〃
〃True。 Very true。 Would you care to have a drink in the lounge with me？〃
〃I would； but I have an appointment to keep。〃
〃Pressing？〃
〃Very pressing；〃 Hallorann said gravely。
〃Something that will improve the general situation in some small way； I hope。〃
〃I hope so too；〃 Hallorann said； and smiled。 She smiled back at him； ten years
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