第63部分(第1/8 頁)

He　turned　and　strode　away；　looking　like　a　man　who　believes　he's　earned　at　least　a　draw。　I　waited　until　he　was　gone；　and　then　gently　took　Mr。　Jingles　from　Elaine。　My　eyes　happened　on　the　bag　with　the　peppermint　candies　in　it；　and　that　did　it　…　the　tears　began　to　e。　I　don't　know；　I　just　cry　easier　somehow　these　days。

〃Would　you　help　me　to　bury　an　old　friend？〃　I　asked　Elaine　when　Brad　Dolan's　heavy　footsteps　had　faded　away。

〃Yes；　Paul。〃　She　put　her　arm　around　my　waist　and　laid　her　head　against　my　shoulder。　With　one　old　and　twisted　finger；　she　stroked　Mr。　Jingles's　moveless　side。　〃I　would　be　happy　to　do　that。〃

And　so　we　borrowed　a　trowel　from　the　gardening　shed　and　we　buried　Del's　pet　mouse　as　the　afternoon　shadows　drew　long　through　the　trees；　and　then　we　walked　back　to　get　our　supper　and　take　up　what　remained　of　our　lives。　And　it　was　Del　I　found　myself　thinking　of；　Del　kneeling　on　the　green　carpet　of　my　office　with　his　hands　folded　and　his　bald　pate　gleaming　in　the　lamplight；　Del　who　had　asked　us　to　take　care　of　Mr。　Jingles；　to　make　sure　the　bad　'un　wouldn't　hurt　him　anymore。　Except　the　bad　'un　hurts　us　all　in　the　end；　doesn't　he？

〃Paul？〃　Elaine　asked。　Her　voice　was　both　kind　and　exhausted。　Even　digging　a　grave　with　a　trowel　and　laying　a　mouse　to　rest　in　it　is　a　lot　of　excitement　for　old　sweeties　like　us；　I　guess。　〃Are　you　all　right？〃

My　arm　was　around　her fine；〃　I　said。

〃Look；〃　she　said。　〃It's　going　to　be　a　beautiful　sunset。　Shall