"Of course.
Why not?
Now?
It doesn't matter now."
I gave a shrug.
"Think it's funny do you, you Holy Joe?" he asked scornfully.
"You are mad," said I.
"Mad?
No, only sold." He leaned well across the table and blew his cognac breath in my face. "Sold I am.
Tricked me they have.
The swine.
Everything swine.
You too, you sanctimonious swine."
"If you weren't sick I'd pitch you out the window," said
"Sick?
Sick?" he mimicked. "I'm cured, as good as cured; I'm going out soon.
Marvellous case of rapid encapsulation!
A joke, eh?" "You be thankful," said I. "Once you're away from here you'll soon forget your troubles."
"So?" he replied. "You think so, do you?
You matter-of-fact nit-wit, you healthy bonehead.
God preserve your smug soul." He staggered off, but turned again.
"Come along with me.
Stay with me, let's drink.
I'll pay everything.
I can't be by myself."
"Haven't time," said I. "Find somebody else."
I went up again to Pat.
She was lying, breathing heavily, with lots of pillows at her back.
"Wouldn't you like to go skiing?"
I shook my head.
"The snow's too bad.
It's thawing everywhere."
"Then wouldn't you play chess with"Antonio?"
"No," said I. "I want to stay here with you."
"Poor Robby!" She tried to move. "Well, get yourself something to drink at least."
"I can do that all right!" I went to my room and fetched a bottle of cognac and a glass. "Will you have a little drop?" I asked. "You are allowed to, you know."
She took a little sip, and after a while another.
Then she gave me back the glass.
I filled it and drank.
"You oughtn't to drink from the same glass as I," said Pat.
"Makes it all the nicer." I filled up once more and tipped it down.
She shook her head.
"You mustn't, Robby.
You oughtn't to kiss me any more either.
You oughtn't to be with me at all.
You mustn't get sick."
"I will kiss you, and I don't give a brass tack."
"No, you mustn't.
And you mustn't sleep in my bed any more."
"All right, then you sleep with me in mine."