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Show "It does?" Karl hurried across the kitchen to stare into the mirror above the sink. "It does!". He twisted his face from side to side, impressed by the few coarse hairs that stuck out beneath his sideburns. "Tell you what, Mom. Give me an extra nickel, and I'll get a shoeshine, too. I have a couple of important errands to take care of this afternoon." Maggie Rose nodded, not asking what the errands were. The events of the past two months had taught her caution in dealing with her adult children. "Just be home on time for supper," she told him At four-thirty that afternoon Karl climbed the driveway to the general superintendent's mansion. Beneath the Homburg, his hair was neatly trimmed. Beneath the Kuppenheimer overcoat, he wore his good suit. Inside his skin, his vital organs felt pressed together, like steel being forged into a difficult shape. He intended to call on Yulyona, and he didn't know what the encounter would do to him. Mary Margaret answered his knock, her face lighting when she saw him. "Karl! Jame told me you'd returned home." "I'd like to see Mrs. Bonner," he said. Her smile faded as apprehension returned to her eyes. "You must be mistaken. There's no Mrs " "It's all right, Mary Margaret. I know about it. Andy told me." |