ould likely be watching for me already。 It would be smart to stay right where I was 。。。 except I couldn't。
〃Paul？〃
I turned around so fast I almost fell down。 It was my friend Elaine Connelly。 Her eyes widened and she put out her hands； as if to catch me。 Lucky for her I caught my balance； Elaine's arthritis is terrible； and I probably would have broken her in two like a dry stick if I'd fallen into her arms。 Romance doesn't die when you pass into the strange country that lies beyond eighty； but you can forget the Cone with the Wind crap。
〃I'm sorry；〃 she said。 〃I didn't mean to startle you。〃
〃That's all right；〃 I said； and gave her a feeble smile。 〃It's a better wake…up than a faceful of cold water。 I should hire you to do it every morning。〃
〃You were looking for his car； weren't you？ Dolan's car。〃
There was no sense kidding her about it； so I nodded。 〃I wish I could be sure he's over in the west wing。 I'd like to slip out for a little while； but I don't want him to see me。〃
She smiled … a ghost of the teasing imp's smile she must have had as a girl。 〃Nosy bastard； isn't he？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃He's not in the west wing； either。 I've already been down to breakfast； sleepyhead； and I can tell you where he is； because I peeked。 He's in the kitchen。〃
I looked at her； dismayed。 I had known Dolan was curious； but not how curious。
〃Can you put your morning walk off？〃 Elaine asked。
I thought about it。 〃I could； I suppose； but。。。〃
〃You shouldn't。〃
〃No。 I shouldn't。〃
Now； I thought； she'll ask me where I go； what I have to do down in those woods that's so damned important。
But she didn't。 Instead she gave me that imp's smile again。 It looked strange and absolutely wonderful