top managerial timber； does it？〃
A pulse began to beat in the clockspring of veins at Jack's right temple。 〃Let
me out； Grady。 I'll take care of them。〃
〃Will you indeed； sir？ I wonder。〃 Well…bred surprise was replaced by well…bred
regret。 〃I'm pained to say that I doubt it。 I — and others — have really e to
believe that your heart is not in this； sir。 That you haven't the 。。。 the
belly for it〃
〃I do！〃 Jack shouted。 〃I do； I swear it！〃
〃You would bring us your son？〃
〃Yes！ Yes！〃
〃Your wife would object to that very strongly； Mr。 Torrance。 And she appears
to be 。。。 somewhat stronger than we had imagined。 Somewhat more resourceful。
She certainly seems to have gotten the better of you。〃
Grady tittered。
〃Perhaps； Mr。 Torrance； we should have been dealing with her all along。〃
〃I'll bring him； I swear it；〃 Jack said。 His face was against the door now。 He
was sweating。 〃She won't object。 I swear she won't。 She won't be able to。〃
〃You would have to kill her； I fear；〃 Grady said coldly。
〃I'll do what I have to do。 Just let me out。〃
〃You'll give your word on it； sir？〃 Grady persisted。
〃My word； my promise； my sacred vow； whatever in hell you want。 If you — 〃
There was a flat snap as the bolt was drawn back。 The door shivered open a
quarter of an inch。 Jack's words and breath halted。 For a moment he felt that
death itself was outside that door。
The feeling passed。
He whispered： 〃Thank you； Grady。 I swear you won't regret it。 I swear you
won't。〃
There was no answer。 He became aware that all sounds had stopped except for
the cold swooping of the wind outside。
He pushed the pantry d