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Show -386- He had never liked to grocery shop or even to wait as his wife shopped. Today was t o r t u r e . He t r i e d to concentrate on f i l l i n g as quickly as possible his wife's l i s t of staples, but he was conscious of people staring a t his odd bandage, either knowing or wanting to know what had happened to him. His wife was a deliberate shopper, picking up and examining three or four items before deciding which one to take. He, finally, could take no more. He thrust the unfinished l i st into her hands and told her he'd wait for her in the car. He'd never been so blunt before. He read in her face the struggle between surprise, anger, and sympathy, and he f e l t sorry for her and ashamed for himself. But he had to get out of the market? Outside, he didn't get into the car, as he usually did. He walked up and down the rows of cars, impatient for her return. His daughter v i s i t e d almost daily now. He knew she shouldn't? She had her children to care for and her work at the theater? He knew she came either because of him or because of his wife? who was suffering from the s t r a i n of being around him. Today she had suggested that i t might be a good idea for him to v i s i t a p s y c h i a t r i s t . He agreed i t might be, but not now, he said. He had to return to the hospital in a day or two to have his stitches removed. Perhaps then. He would see. "But; Daddy," she said. "You have to make anajpointment?" He knew t h a t , he said, but he wasn't ready yet? He would |