Alliewokeearlythem,forcedbytheincessantchirpingofstarlings,andrubbedhereyes,feeliiffnessinherbody.Shehadwell,wakingaftereverydream,andsherememberedseeingthehandsoftheclodifferentpositionsduringthenight,asifverifyingthepassageoftime.

    Shedsleptishirthedgivenher,andshesmelledhimonceagainwhilethinkingabouttheeveningtheydspenttogether.Theeasylaughterandversationcamebacktoher,andsheespeciallyrememberedthewayhedtalkedaboutherpainting.

    Itwassoued,yetuplifting,andasthewordsbegantoreplayinhermind,sherealizedhowsorryshewouldhavebeenhadshedecidednottoseehimagain.

    Shelookedoutthewindowandwatchedthechatteringbirdssearchforfoodinearlylight.Noah,sheknew,hadalwaysbeenampersonwhogreeteddawninhisownway.Sheknewhelikedtokayakoroe,andsherememberedtheonemshedspentwithhiminhisoe,watgthesuneup.Shedhadtosneakoutherwindowtodoitbecauseherparentswouldntallowit,butshehadntbeencaughtandsherememberedhowNoahhadslippedhisarmaroundherandpulledhercloseasdawounfold."Lookthere,"hedwhispered,achedherfirstsuhherheadonhisshoulder,wifanythingcouldbebetterthanwhateningatthatmoment.

    Andasshegotoutofbedtotakeherbath,feelingthecoldfloorbehherfeet,shewonderedifhedbeenoerthismwatganotherdaybegin,thinkingsomehowheprobablyhad.

    Shewasright.

    Noahbeforethesunanddressedquickly,samejeansaslastnight,undershirt,flannelshirt,bluejacket,andboots.Hebrushedhisteethbefoingdownstairs,drankaquickglassofmilk,andgrabbedtwobiscuitsonthewayoutthedoor.AfterClemgreetedhimleofsloppylicks,he