andchaseddownmywife."Shesgolookslikesheknowsherwayaroundthisplace."

    "Thatsahelluvathing,Henry.Youlethergo,outhereinthemiddleofnowhere."

    Eddieshiveredinhisdampclothes.Iswathedhimintheblaandsathimonthesand.Weaskedhimtotellusallabouther,andthewordstumbledoutashewarmedup.

    "Iwasonaureandcametothebigrockattheedge.Andthereshewassittingthere.Rightbehindthosetrees,lookingoutatthewaves.Isaidhi,andshesaidhi.Andthenshesaid,Wouldyouliketositwithme?"

    "Whatishername?"Tessasked.

    "EverheardofagirlcalledSpeck?Shelikestoehereinwiowatchthewhales."

    "Eddie,didshesaywhereherparentswere?Orhowshegotallthewayoutherebyherself?"

    "Shewalked,andittookmorethahensheaskedwherewasIfrom,andItoldher.Thensheaskedmemyname,andIsaidEdwardDay."Hesuddenlylookedawayfromusandgazedattherodthefallingtides,asifrememberingahiddeion.

    "Didshesayanythingelse?"

    "No."Hegatheredtheblaaroundhisshoulders.

    "Nothingatall?"

    "Shesaid,Howislifeinthebig,bigworld?andIthoughtthatwasfunny."

    "Didshedoanything...peculiar?"Iasked.

    "Shelaughlikeaseagull.ThenIheardyoustartedcallingme.Andshesaid,Good-byeEdwardDay,likethat.AndItoldhertowaitrightheresoIcouldgetmymommyanddad."

    Tessembracedoursonandrubbedhisbarearmsthroughthebla.Shelookedagainatthespacethegirlhadrunthrough."Shejustslippedaway.Likeaghost."

    Fro