they were quite happy when she sent them to live with their dull, safe, serious grandparents in Baltimore, while she traveled round the world with her latest husband. As he sat in front of his typewriter in the dining room, Macon felt strangely at peace with the world. No one else had any idea where he was not Julian, not Sarah, not anyone. Macon liked that, and had said to Rose, "I wish things could stay this way "Why can't they?" Rose said. "We don't need to answer the phone if anyone calls. We'll just let it go on ringing.' However, that afternoon the doorbell rang and it was Garner Bolt, a neighbor from home, complaining that everyone in.the street was worried that Macon had died, seeing all the mail piled up inside the door, not knowing what to think. So I brought your mail around to your sister's, to ask if she knew where you were. I promised your friend I'd find out What friend?" Macon asked. Thin little lady with a lot of hair. Saw her standing on your porch, knocking at the door. Pointy high-heeled shoes. Macon thought for a moment. "The dog lad he said. 'Jesus.' Garner finally left, having told Macon how to get back with Sarah and save his marriage. Macon made no reply to any of this advice. He'd noticed lately that he had stopped missing Sarah. He began to wonder what had happened to the twenty years of his marriage, and that evening, as he sat at the table with his sister and brothers, he had a sudden cold shock of fear. Here they all were, playing the same old card game they had played as children. Had anything really changed in thirty years? Help! Help! Call off your dog!" Macon stopped typing and listened. He could hear barking and the voice sounded very close. He didn't think it could be Edward