fford to。
〃I won't disturb you；〃 she said； 〃I see you're getting set to write…〃
〃Don't be silly；〃 I said。 〃I've got more time than Carter's got liver pills。 e on in。〃
She did； but stood by the door。 〃It's just that I couldn't sleep … again … and happened to be looking out my window a little earlier 。。。 and 。。。〃
〃And you saw Mr。 Dolan and me having our pleasant little chat；〃 I said。 I hoped seeing was all she'd done； that her window had been closed and she hadn't heard me whining to be let go。
〃It didn't look pleasant and it didn't look friendly；〃 she said。 〃Paul； that Mr。 Dolan's been asking around about you。 He asked me about you … last week； this was。 I didn't think much about it then； just that he's got himself a nasty long nose for other people's business； but now I wonder。〃
〃Asking about me？〃 I hoped I didn't sound as uneasy as I felt。 〃Asking what？〃
〃Where you go walking； for one thing。 And why you go walking。〃
I tried to laugh。 〃There's a man who doesn't believe in exercise； that much is clear。〃
〃He thinks you've got a secret。〃 She paused。 〃So do I。〃
I opened my mouth … to say what； I don't know … but Elaine raised one of her gnarled but oddly beautiful hands before I could get a single word out。 〃If you do； I don't want to know what it is； Paul。 Your business is your business。 I was raised to think that way； but not everyone was。 Be careful。 That's all I want to tell you。 And now I'll let you alone to do your work。〃
She turned to go； but before she could get out the door； I called her name。 She turned back； eyes questioning。
〃When I finish what I'm writing…〃 I began； then shook my head a little。 That was wrong。 〃If I finish what I'm writing； would you read it？〃
She seemed