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Show ALASKA -20 "Your wife has become quite a sailor," Jo said into the silence. "That's splendid." he stared at her for a moment, then turned away from them to a pile of red slings. The cousin raised his voice and leaned forward. "Where will you be climbing next?" Ian turned back to face him. "Really interested?" "Oh yes." Sam was flushed, beaming. He set down his drink, clasped his hands around his knee. Ian sat down in the armchair opposite him. "McKinley,of course. We hope to do a first ascent up the southeast ridge. More exposed rock, less technical ice, but there's a problem..." He was already there. He would talk for hours this way. Her anger was a wall she could lean against. It was intolerable that he should sleep tonight, that Sam should be listening as he was. "Ian," she said, and pointed to the cousin who was no longer ruddy, but very pale. "We slept together. All winter long." Ian walked over to the corner of the room and lifted his climbing rope so that it lay cradled in his arms. "I didn't want to come here," Sam said. "Yes, I can see. Never mind. It doesn't matter." She ran after Jo and Sam down the hallway to the elevator. "Sorry you didn't get dinner." she said. "Sorry.1' Jo shrugged at her. Sam seemed to be studying the back of his hand. The doors hummed shut. She stood there until the arrow had gone down to the ground floor and rested there awhile. |