'I think better, in the country.' She yawned. 'Oops. It's been a long day.' Shirley got up. "You'll have to be careful you don't get snowed in.' He picked up his coat. 'I imagine your only idea at the moment is bed. By yourself.' Would you mind terribly, Alan? It's suddenly crept up on me. And I don't suppose I'm going to get much sleep tonight.' 'Not a moment. I'll be along about eight.' He closed the door behind him. Nancy Connaught lay on her stomach across the bed, her chin on her pillow, and gazed at the wall. 'Nancy Connaught,' she said, 'you are a bloody fool.' III 'Oh, yes,' Rauser said. 'Captain Galitsin is a very strong player. We have thousands of very strong players in the Soviet Union. Chess is a national pastime.' 'And you expect him to win his section?' asked the reporter. 'But of course,' Rauser said. 'This game will make victory certain, and look at the position, my friend. Just look at it.' The reporter's tie brushing the back of Galitsin's neck was almost as irritating as the constant flow of talk.
