I eased out the door, took my hat and coat, and waited for Cleo in the entrance hall. She came flying down a few moments later in a coat and tam and we set out.
It was a hard, brilliant day, flooded with sunshine. But the wind was gusting strongly, whipping our coats, tingling our cheeks. Cleo took my arm, and I looked nervously at passersby, watching for signs of amusement when they saw this tall, willowy woman with her runty escort.
But no one gave us a glance, and after a while I stopped 442
caring what people might think.
'I brought the kite home,' I told Cleo. 'And the string and winder.'
'Too windy today,' she said. 'But we'll fly it another day.'
'Sure we will,' I said.
We hung coats and hats on the rack just inside the door of Woody's. We waited a moment, and then Nitchy came towards us from the back dining room.
'Cleo,' I said, 'I'd like you to meet Nitchy, a good friend. Nitchy, meet Cleo.'
The two women shook hands. Nitchy looked up searchingly at Cleo's face. Then she turned to me, smiling.
She put a soft hand on my arm.
'At last!' she said.
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Tenth Commandment Page 42
