“We went out to the car,” Gwen said. “Voss got in the front seat and the other one, Eddie, got in the back with me, and he drove out past the cemetery. Eddie laughed as we went past and said, ‘People are just dying to get in there.’ I laughed too, and then I shot him. I shot him two or three times. Voss stopped the car. I told him I was going to shoot him, too. He asked me not to, but I did, anyway.”
One of the dogs began to dream; tail twitched, paws moved in pursuit.
“He was a little man, not much bigger than I am, but he was heavy. I put my hands under his armpits and pulled him over into the back on top of Eddie. Then I got behind the wheel and started the car. I thought of driving it over a cliff, but I didn’t want to kill myself because then who would look after the dogs? You understand?”
Easter nodded. “Of course.”
“Well, then I remembered that Charlotte was away, and I thought, what a clever idea to drive the car into her garage and leave it there. I thought how surprised she’d be when she came back. And you were surprised, weren’t you, Charlotte?”
“Yes,” Charlotte said gravely. “Very surprised.”
“I wish I’d been there to see your race. I’ve never liked your face anyway. Liar’s face. Trollop’s face. I’d like to split it open with a knife. I’d like to...”
“Gwen,” Lewis said.
She turned to him. Her expression changed suddenly and completely. “Yes, Daddy?”
“Remember your manners.”
“I’ll try to, Daddy. Do forgive me for telling you the truth, Charlotte, trollop, please have another cup of tea, it’s quite fresh, refreshing and — I have a headache. I’m nervous. Lewis, I’m so nervous.”
“I know,” he said.
“People oughtn’t to make me nervous, ought they?”
“No, Gwen.”
“But they do. You must stop them.”
“I will.” He went over to her and put his hands on her trembling shoulders.
“You love me, Lewis?”
“Yes.”
“You always have?”
“Yes.”
“And you hate her, don’t you? You despise her. You hate her face. You’d like to split it open with a knife, wouldn’t you?”
“Gwen — oh God.”
“Say it.”
“No.”
“Say it.”
“I... hate her.”
“And her face, what would you like to do with it?”
“Split — it open — with a knife.”
“There. You see, Charlotte? Two against one. We must hate you, Lewis and I. Isn’t that right, Mr. Easter? Why, where’s Mr. Easter?”
“He’s using the telephone,” Lewis said. “He had a call to make.
She held one of his hands against her cheek. “We don’t care, do we?”
“No, Gwen.”
“Why, it’s like old times. Carry me upstairs the way you used to.”
“Not yet.”
“Yes, now. I am tired. I’ve danced all night.”
He picked her up gently and carried her out into the hall. The tears that fell from his eyes lost themselves in her fading yellow curls. He went slowly up the stairs. She was tired — she had danced all night — and she fell asleep in his arms.
The wind had vanished, as if a great hole had opened in the sky and all the winds in the world had been sucked up into the hole.
Easter opened the wooden gate. The police had come and gone, the car had been driven away, and the glow of morning was in the East.
“Good-bye, Charlotte.”
“Good-bye.”
“Get some rest.”
“No, I don’t want any, I’m not tired.” I haven’t danced all night.
He touched her hand. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you.”
“It’s my own fault. I asked for it.” Split it open with a knife.
“I’m sorry about Ballard, too. I did him an injustice; he’s a better man than I thought he was. He’ll stick by her, and perhaps some day she’ll be cured.”
“Perhaps. Yes, perhaps.”
“This isn’t the time or place to tell you that I love you but I’m telling you, anyway. There are tough days ahead. Perhaps my love might be a comfort to you.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Will it be?”
“Yes. A — great comfort.” Tears pressed behind her eyes like cruel thumbs, until her eyeballs seemed ready to burst.
“Cry if you want to,” he said.
“I never — I never cry.”
“Cry now, long and hard. It will make things easier for you.”
“I can t.”
“You will, though.” He bent down and kissed both of her tearless eyes. “Good-bye, Charlotte.”
“Good-bye.”
The gate closed, softly, like the leaf of a book falling into place.
She went back into her house and sat for a long time in Lewis’ chair by the window, watching the brightening sky. She wasn’t sure at what moment the city lights went out and morning came.