Her heart seemed to stop. She sat very still, then flung the sewing aside, flicked the record player off on her way to the door.He came in, and as always he seemed to dwarf the room, make it look fussy and fragile. As she closed the door behind him he said, “Jeana, I …”“Chip, let me …”“It’s the damnedest thing,” he said, “churning around like a high-school kid. Went by three times. Had to get up the courage, I guess.” He sat on the small couch, square heavy wrists on his knees.“Courage? To come to me?”“Yes. With such a lousy offer. No offer at all. The same as before. And I know that isn’t enough.” He avoided her eyes. “I went into town last night and had a long talk with Jimmy Kloss. Let my hair all the way down. Of the people who have treated her, he seems to understand … both of us the best. I asked him what would happen if I divorced her and married you. He wouldn’t say anything too definite. But I got the message. She’s not a great rarity.
