rekindled(英文版)-第21部分

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and　lost　him；　through　powers　that　were　beyond　her。　Now　it　was　happening
all　over　again　with　Mitch。

Oh；　yes；　she　loved　Mitch　。。。　Mitch；　whose　last　name　she　didn't　even
know。　She　knew　that　she　had　missed　him　desperately；　that　his　brooding
upset　her；　along　with　her　inability　to　console　him。　She　knew　that　she
wanted　an　explanation　for　his　delay。

For　long　hours　she　agonized。　Leave　here　tomorrow；　a　tiny　voice　said；
protect　yourself；　you　don't　need　this　pain。　But　a　louder　voice　told　her
to　wait。　Mitch　made　her　feel。　She　wanted　to　be　with　him。　There　was
always　hope。

On　that　optimistic　note　she　fell　into　a　deep　sleep；　long　after　all　sound
of　life　from　downstairs　had　ceased。　The　rain　continued　to　pound　the
windows；　but　it　was　the　smell　of　strong　coffee　that　finally　woke　her　up。

Even　before　she　opened　her　eyes；　she　knew　he　was　there　in　her　room。　The
weight　by　her　right　hip；　a　distinct　depression　in　the　mattress；　the
faint　hint　of　after…shave…all　told　her　so。　She　opened　heavy　eyes　and
focused　on　him。　Through　a　sleepy　haze；　he　looked　soft；　gentle；　and
caring。　Freshly　shaven；　showered；　and　dressed；　he　was　powerfully　male。
His　face　was　one　big　tender　smile；　broken　only　when　he　sipped　coffee
from　the　mug　he　held。

〃Good　morning；〃　he　said。　〃I'd　begun　to　wonder　whether　you'd　ever　wake
up。　A　real　sleeping　beauty。〃

Anne　was　relieved　enough　that　his　mood　had　improved　to　muster　a　smile。
〃I　had　trouble　falling　asleep。〃

〃Tell　me　about　it。〃

〃Hmph。　Got　a　taste　of　your　own　medicine？〃　Pushing　higher　up　on　the
pillow；　she　moved　her　hair　off　her　cheek。

As　the　quilt　fell　away；　Mitch's　eyes　lit。　〃What's　this？　Bare　arms？　A
negligee？　Where'd　the　long　flannel　nightgown　go？　It's　not　that　warm
yet。〃

Anne　scowled。　〃It's　not　a　negligee。　A　negligee　is　something　daring。　This
is　just　a　nightgown。〃　Primly；　she　pulled　the　quilt　to　her　throat。

〃We're　arguing　semantics；　Annie。　The　fact　is；　you　look　like　a　woman
should　look　first　thing　in　the　morning。〃

〃I　look　awful；〃　she　grumbled；　picturing　ratty　hair；　swollen　eyes；　and
bare　features　and　suddenly　wishing　she　could　hide。

〃If　you　could　bottle　up　and　sell　what　you　call　awful；　you'd　make　a
million。〃

〃Well；　I'm　sure　you'd　know。　You　must　have　seen　dozens　of　women　first
thing　in　the　morning。〃

〃Ah。　I　think　you　need　coffee。〃　He　slid　an　arm　behind　her　and　drew　her
up。　〃Jealousy　isn't　your　usual　style。〃　Though　a　smile　played　around　his
mouth；　his　eyes　were　serious。

〃I'm　not　jealous；〃　she　said；　but　she　drank　his　coffee。　The　intimacy　of
it　made　a　lie　of　her　denial。　She　wanted　to　know　who　occupied　Mitch's
time　and　thoughts　when　he　wasn't　with　her。　Oh；　yes；　she　was　jealous。

〃Better？〃　he　asked　and　took　another　drink　himself。　He　placed　the　mug　on
the　nightstand　when　she　lay　back　against　the　pillows。　〃Is　the　nightgown
symbolic？　Like　the　pink　sweater　last　time？〃

She　lifted　a　shoulder；　self…conscious。　〃I　suppose。　I'm　getting　out　more
now。　I　feel　better。〃　Except　when　she　thought　about　the　uping　trial；
which　she　desperately　tried　not　to　do。　〃What　about　you？　Any　symbolic
recovery　gestures？〃

He　gave　an　evasive　smile。　〃Some。〃

Anne　waited。　After　a　minute；　she　said；　〃Like　what？〃

〃It's　better　told　at　another　time。　I　have　something　more　important　in
mind　right　now。〃

〃What？〃　she　asked　with　total　innocence；　until　his　eyes　fell　to　her
breasts。　The　nightgown　was　sheer。　Blushing；　she　crossed　her　arms　over
the　pale　yellow　bodice。

He　took　her　wrists　and　pulled　them　away；　then　murmured　a　husky；　〃I
haven't　properly　said　hello；〃　and　drew　her　forward。　His　lips　found　hers
unerringly；　and　proceeded　to　do　all　the　things　Anne　loved　until　she　was
dizzy　with　pleasure。

Had　she　actually　been　angry　at　him　the　night　before？　The　only　thing　she
felt　now　was　love。　She　kissed　him　as　deeply　as　he　kissed　her；　and　when
he　shifted　her；　cradled　her；　she　pushed　her　hands　into　his　hair。

He　was　everything　Anne　had　waited　for　and　wanted。　His　kiss　set　her
afire；　his　arms　fed　the　flame。　By　the　time　he　set　her　back；　her　cheeks
and　lips　were　rosy　with　heat。

She　opened　her　eyes　wide。　〃That　was　a　nice　hello。〃

To　her　delight；　he　wasn't　done。　When　he　reached　for　her　again；　she　went
willingly。　Her　hands　slipped　around　his　waist；　fingers　burrowing　under
his　sweater　to　brush　his　skin。　She　was　barely　aware　that　he　had　pushed
off　the　slim　straps　of　her　nightgown；　until　he　drew　back　to　release　her
arms　and　let　the　silky　fabric　fall　to　her　waist。

His　gaze　caressed　her　breasts；　which　tingled　and　swelled。　〃How　lovely
you　are；　Annie；〃　he　said　hoarsely。

〃You've　seen　me　before。〃　She　felt　vaguely　self…conscious。

But　his　eyes　were　deep　green　with　passion。　〃Then；　you　were　sick　with　a
fever　and　a　hacking　cough。　The　beauty　was　there；　but　I　hardly　had　time
to　admire　it。　Now's　different。　You　are　lovely。　I'll　say　it　again　and
again；　every　time　I　hold　you；　every　time　we　make　love。〃

Her　insides　quivered；　all　the　more　so　when　he　stroked　her　breast。　When
his　fingers　rubbed　her　nipple；　she　grabbed　at　his　shoulders　for　support。
〃You're　cruel。〃

She　felt　a　grin　by　her　ear。　〃You　bring　out　the　worst　in　me；〃　he　said　and
kept　up　the　torment。

The　flames　in　Anne　burned　hotter；　threatening　to　reduce　her　to　embers。
Small；　unfamiliar　sounds　came　from　her　throat　when　he　eased　her　down　on
the　bed　and　took　her　breast　in　his　mouth。　He　sucked　it　in；　bringing　her
arching　off　the　bed。　Clutching　handfuls　of　his　sweater；　she　was　thinking
she　couldn't　bear　any　more；　when　he　released　her　and　whipped　the　sweater
over　his　head。　Her　hands　were　all　over　him；　then。　She　couldn't　touch　him
enough。

He　ground　out　her　name　through　gritted　teeth　and　crushed　her　to　him　to
stop　her。　She　gasped　at　the　press　of　his　chest　against　hers；　the　texture
against　her　softness；　the　rapid　thunder　of　his　heart。

〃I　need　you；〃　she　cried；　looking　up　at　him。　This　wasn't　enough；　just
wasn't　enough。　〃Please？〃

〃Do　you　know　what　you're　doing？〃　he　asked　huskily；　and　sucked　in　his
breath　when　she　pulled　at　the　snap　of　his　jeans。　Seconds　later　her
fingers　were　inside；　against　his　abdomen。　〃My　God；　Annie！〃　For　long
seconds　of　indecision　he　stared　down　at　her；　and　she　was　an　open　book；
she　knew。　But　she　wasn't　ashamed。　She　might　not　be　ready　to　say　the
words　aloud；　but　the　depth　of　her　love；　her　longing；　brought　tears　to
her　eyes。

Then　something　went　wrong。　Suddenly　his　eyes　grew　hard。

〃Damn　it！〃　he　swore　and　released　her　abruptly。　Bolting　from　the　bed；　he
strode　to　the　window；　where　he　stood　with　his　hands　on　his　hips；　his
legs　apart；　his　head　hung　low；　his　shoulders　heaving。　Then；　swearing
again；　he　stalked　past　her　and　left　the　room。

Anne　sat　in　stunned　silence；　unable　to　move；　to　think；　to　feel。　Finally
the　chill　in　the　air　drove　her　under　the　quilt；　but　even　then　the
trembling　hit　her　hard。　There　was　only　one　explanation　for　Mitch's
behavior；　and　it　had　to　do　with　the　〃obligation〃　to　which　he　had　once
referred。　He　wasn't　free。

So　again　she　wondered；　Do　I　leave；　or　do　I　stay？　And　again　she　reached
the　same　decision。　Self…destructive　or　not；　she　was　staying。　She　had　to
be　near　Mitch。

But　she　wasn't　being　humiliated　again。　She　wasn't　begging　for　love　until
it　was　freely　offered　first。

Needing　to　make　a　statement　to　that　effect；　she　slipped　from　bed；　went
to　the　dresser；　and　pulled　on　a　pair　of　corduroys　and　a　turtleneck
sweater。　Then　she　went　downstairs　with　her　head　held　high。

But　her　show　of　confidence　was　wasted。　Mitch　was　nowhere　in　sight。　He
had　eaten。　She　saw　dishes　in　the　sink。　And　the　blue　Honda　was　parked
outside。　Deflated；　she　guessed　that　he　was　out　in　the　woods。

Resigned　to　spending　the　afternoon　alone；　Anne　built　a　roaring　fire　and
settled　before　it。　She　had　a　short　essay　to　translate；　and　a　new　novel；
of　the　bestseller　type；　to　read。　She　set　to　it。

Late　afternoon　became　early　evening　without　a　sign　of　Mitch。　More
restless　than　bored；　more　concerned　than　angry；　she　wandered　into　the
kitchen。　But　she　didn't　have　it　in　her　to　make　dinner；　so　she　returned
to　the　fireplace。

Not　long　after；　the　back　door　opened　and　shut。　Heavy　boots　crossed　the
kitchen　floor。　A　slicker…clad　figure　appeared。

Without　a　word　he　approached；　shucking　the　slicker　along　the　way　and
draping　it　over　a　chair。　Then　he　hunkered　down　near　her　and　added
another　log　to　the　fire。　When　it　had　begun　to　sizzle　and　smoke；　he
swiveled　to　face　her。

〃Angry？〃　The　fire　behind　him　threw　a　halo　around　his　head；　but　his　face
was　in　shadow。　Unable　to　tell　whether　he　empathized　or　taunted；　she　went
with　the　truth。

〃No。　I　have　no　right　to　be　angry。〃

〃I　needed　to　walk。　Even　wet；　it　was　good。　I　needed　to　think。〃

About　her？　About　another　〃obligation〃？　〃You　sound　like　you　have　the
weight　of　the　world　on　your　shoulders；〃　she　teased。

〃It　sometimes　seems　that　way。〃　His　voice　was　softer；　more　rueful。　〃It's
been　a　bad　week。〃

〃Work？〃　she　asked　with　caution。

〃No。　Work's　fine。　I　have　good　backup　there。　They　keep　things　running
when　I　fade　out。〃

Anne　sat　quietly；　waiting　for　him　to　say　more。　If　his　problem　wasn't
business；　it　had　to　be　personal。　Suddenly；　she　didn't　want　to　know。

She　stood　with　a　start。　〃I'll　go　make　dinner。〃　He　caught　her　wrist。
Suddenly　gentle；　he　said；　〃It's　my　turn。　You　did　it　last　night。　This
time　I'm　cooking　for　you。〃

His　gentleness　threw　her；　as　did　his　eyes；　which　begged　her　to　let　him
do　this。　It　wasn't　exactly　the　begging　she　wanted；　but　it　was　something。

Trying　to　be　as　nonchalant　as　she　could；　she　sank　back　into　the　chair
and　held　up　both　hands。　〃It's　your　house。〃

He　chuckled；　in　a　suddenly　lighter　mood。　One　agile　movement　brought　him
to　his　feet；　another　brought　him　to　her。　He　planted　a　kiss　on　her　cheek
before　she　had　time　to　pull　away。

〃What　was　that　for？〃　she　asked。

〃For　being　a　saint；〃　he　said　and　set　off。　Dinner　was　so　panionable；
that　when　Tuesday　morning　brought　bright　sun；　Anne　wasn't　surprised　to
see　Mitch　up　early　to　join　her　for　breakfast。

〃It's　a　perfect　morning　to　set　in　the　spouts；〃　he　said；　wiping　the
dishes　as　she　washed。

〃Spouts？〃

〃We've　had　cold　nights　and　warm　days。　The　sap　should　be　flowing　like
water。〃

Anne　laughed　in　delight。　〃Maple…sugaring？　We　can　do　it　ourselves？　I'd
planned　on　visiting　a　local　farm　to　watch。〃

He　gave　a　satisfied　grin。　〃Why　go　elsewhere　when　we　have　everything　we
need　right　here？〃

〃Do　you　know　what　to　do？〃

〃Do　I　know　what　to　do？　Since　when　have　you　had　cause　to　question　my
expertise？〃

She　grunted。　He　was　all　too　appealing　when　he　was　in　good　humor。
〃Modesty　seems　to　have　escaped　you　entirely。〃

He　gave　a　short　laugh。　〃No　one's　perfect。〃

In　Anne's　biased　judgment；　Mitch　was　as　close　to　it　as　anyone　could　be
on　that　day　and　the　ones　that　followed。　Though　they　hiked；　read；　and
rested；　the　bulk　of　their　attention　focused　on　the　maple…sugaring；　about
which　he　did　indeed　know　almost　everything。

〃The　best　trees　have　to　be　big；　forty　years　old　or　more；〃　he　explained；
when　they　left　the　house　carting　the　tools　he　had　produced　from　a　shed。
〃We're　using　metal　spouts。　This　is　the　old…fashioned　method　of　tapping
trees；　but　it　works　for　me。〃

〃You've　done　this　before？〃

〃Many　times。〃

At　the　first　maple　that　fit　that　bill；　he　drilled　a　small　hole　and
inserted　a　metal　spout　that　extended　several　inches　beyond　the　bark。　He
did　the　same　at　each　large　tree。

〃The　sap　generally　flows　between　mid…March　and　mid…April。　I　do　this
whenever　I'm　here　then。〃　With　a　shove；　he　pushed　a　spout　into　place；
then　inserted　one　on　the　back　side　of　the　same　tree。

〃More　than　one　per　tree？〃

〃With　a　tree　this　size；　there'll　be　enough　sap　for　two。　Here；　you　slide
this　one　in；　while　I　get　more　buckets。〃

By　the　time　he　returned；　she　had　done　as　he　asked。　He　fit　a　bucket　on
the　spout。

〃A　sliding　lid？〃　she　asked；　studying　it。　〃I've　never　seen　lids　on　sap
buckets；　period。〃

A　smile　touched　the　corners　of　his　mouth。　〃Then　you've　never　seen　a
stray　horse　or　a　field　mouse　drink　the　sap　as　it　collects。〃

She　laughed。　〃No；　I　haven't。〃

〃This　lid　doesn't　always　keep　them　out。　A　persistent　animal　can　get　what
he　wants。　But　it　helps。〃

They　picked　up　the　equipment　and　moved　on　to　the　next　tree。

〃How　much　sap　will　we　get？〃　she　asked；　but　she　was　distracted　watching
him　as　he　debated　where　to　drill。　He　was　a　sight　to　behold；　larger　and
more　rugged…looking　than　ever　in　a　high…collared　sheepskin　jacket　and
faded　jeans。

He　knelt　before　the　tree　and　applied　the　drill。　〃On　a　good　day　the
bucket　will　fill　and　overflow。　On　a　poor　day　we'll　get　only　a　few
inches。〃

He　grunted　as　he　pushed　the　bit　forward　into　the　tree。　〃If　we　were　to
continue　for　the　entire　length　of　the　sapping　season；　we　might　get　ten
or　twenty　gallons　from　each　tree。〃

She　was　startled。　〃That　much？　Whoa。　What　would　we　ever　do　with　all　that
sap？〃

The　hole　drilled；　he　straightened　and　motioned　with　his　finger　for　her
to　insert　the　spout；　which　she　deftly　did　this　time　with　the　aid　of　a
hammer。

〃〃All　that　sap；〃'　he　said；　〃boils　down　to　very　little。　To　get　one　gallon
of　syrup；　you　have　to　boil　down　anywhere　from　thirty…five　to　fifty
gallons　of　sap。〃

〃Ah。　That　explains　why　genuine　maple　syrup　costs　so　much。〃

Mitch　went　on　with　the　lesson　as　he　continued　to　work。　〃New　York　and
Vermont　produce　the　most　syrup　in　this　country；　though　the　province　of
Quebec　yields　more　than　the　two　states　bined。　Today；　most　of　the
monly　used　syrups　are　actually　a　bination　of　maple　syrup；　cane
sugar　syrup；　and　corn　syrup。　If　you　ask　me；　though；　there's　no　contest。
The　straight　stuff；　the　real　thing；　beats　all。〃

Anne　couldn't　argue　with　that。

For　a　while　they　proceeded　in　silence；　but　it　was　a　friendly　silence；　an
intimate　one。　She　noted　that　he　favored　his　right　arm；　cranking　the　hand
drill　around　with　it；　while　the　other　held　the　shaft　in　place。　When　she
offered　to　take　a　turn；　he　indulged　her；　enjoying　her　struggle　with　a
smug　smile。　When　she　finally　gave　up　and　turned　the　chore　back　to　him；
he　said；　〃That's　okay；　Annie。　I　could　never　have　cleaned　the　house　the
way　you　did　this　time。〃

〃You　noticed？〃

〃How　could　I　help　it；〃　he　teased　with　a　rewarding　grin。　〃I　was　nearly
blinded　by　the　sparkle。〃

Anne　knew　the　feeling。　She　was　nearly　blinded　now　by　the　sparkle　in　his
eyes。　When　he　pushed　two　spouts　into　her　hand；　she　was　temporarily
disoriented。

〃In　the　tree？〃　he　prodded　with　a　cockeyed　grin；　leaving　her　to　recover
while　he　went　for　more　buckets。

That　first　day；　they　drilled　holes；　inserted　spouts；　and　hung　buckets　on
the　largest　of　the　maples　near　the　house。　On　succeeding　days　they
collected　the　sap　that　had　flowed。　It　was　no　mean　feat；　carting　heavy
buckets　from　tree　to　house　and　back。

〃If　we　had　the　most　modern　equipment；〃　Mitch　teased　as　she　massaged　the
nagging　muscles　of　her　shoulders；　〃we'd　have　used　plastic　spouts
attached　to　plastic　tubing　that　would　take　the　stuff　directly　from　the
tree　to　the　sugarhouse。　It's　much　more　efficient　in　terms　of　time　and
labor。〃

〃That's　all　okay；〃　she　reasoned。　〃We　don't　have　a　sugarhouse。　Besides；
I'm　gaining　weight。　The　exercise　will　do　me　good。〃

He　looked　her　over。　〃Well；　you're　not　scrawny　anymore；　but　。。。　in　danger
of　being　overweight？　Not　a　chance。〃

〃Fine　for　you　to　say。　You　did　most　of　the　work　this　week。〃　And　he　had。

He　had　cooked　nearly　every　meal；　in　addition　to　doing　the　lion's　share
of　the　sugaring　work。

He　threw　an　arm　across　her　shoulders　and　drew　her　to　his　side。　〃I　owed
you　for　being　such　a　bastard　when　I　first　got　here。　Most　women　would
have　packed　up　and　left。〃

She　managed　a　gruff；　〃The　thought　did　cross　my　mind。〃

〃I'm　glad　you　stayed；〃　he　said　with　affection。

There　was　a　gleam　in　his　hazel　eyes；　a　softness　in　his　smile；　gentleness
in　the　fingers　that　cupped　her　shoulder；　and　a　velvet　edge　to　his　voice。
All　in　all；　it　was　a　warm　moment。　Anne　mitted　it　to　memory。

By　Friday　morning；　there　was　enough　sap　in　the　large　vat　to　begin　the
boiling　process。

〃They　usually　do　this　in　long；　shallow　pans　called　evaporators；〃　Mitch
explained。　〃The　one　we're　using　is　a　little　deeper　than　we　need；　but
it'll　have　to　do。　When　all　the　water　has　evaporated；　we'll　have　pure
maple　syrup。

No　matter　that　he　had　done　this　before；　his　enthusiasm　and　genuine
enjoyment　of　the　process　were　in　no　way　watered　down。

As　for　Anne；　she　was　enchanted　watching　the　thin；　colorless　liquid
bubble　and　thicken　to　a　dense　golden　brown。　On　impulse；　she　slid　an　arm
around　his　waist；　happier　in　that　moment　than　in　any　in　recent　memory。
Regardless　of　what　the　future　held；　she　would　cherish　this　memory。

He　grinned　down　at　her。　〃What？〃

She　sighed　her　pleasure。　〃It's　been　a　tin　week。　This　is　a　great　finish
to　it。〃　She　was　leaving　in　the　morning。　As　it　was；　she　had　stayed　a　day
longer　than　she'd　planned；　but　he　had　asked　her　to。

〃I'd　rather　a　more　personal　finish；〃　he　said　now。　〃Better　still；　I'd
rather　no　finish　at　all。〃

She　basked　in　the　tenderness　of　his　expression；　loving　him　and　aching　to
say　it。　But　she　wasn't　setting　herself　up　for　rejection　again。　And
anyway；　just　then　the　sap　gurgled　wildly。

〃It　shouldn't　be　long；〃　he　said；　lifting　a　large　wooden　spoon　to　stir
the　solution　and　test　for　its　thickness。　〃Should　we　have　pancakes　or
French　toast　for　dinner？〃

〃For　dinner？〃

〃I　don't　know　about　you；　but　I　don't　have　the　willpower　to　wait　until
breakfast　for　this。〃

Anne　drew　a　finger　across　the　back　of　the　cooling　wooden　spoon　and
licked　the　sweet　syrup　from　its　tip。　〃Mmmmmm。　You　may　be　right。〃　She
paused。　〃French　toast。〃

〃French　toast；　it　is。〃　Following　her　example；　he　tasted　the　syrup；　then
ran　his　finger　over　the　spoon　and　held　it　to　her　mouth。　The　syrup　was　as
rich　and　sweet　as　the　moment　itself。　Anne　thought　she　could　go　no
higher。

Suddenly；　a　faraway　gleam　entered　his　eyes。　His　voice　was　filled　with
gentleness。　〃Rachel　enjoyed　this　taste…testing　stage　the　most　last　year；
too。〃

Anne　froze。　Rachel？　His　〃obligation〃？　She　frowned；　then　stood
straighter；　then　backed　away　from　the　arm　on　her　shoulders。　Rachel？

With　that　faraway　gleam；　and　such　gentleness？　Oh；　yes；　he　loved　Rachel。
Anne　didn't　doubt　it　for　a　minute。

He　was　frowning。　〃What　is　it？〃

〃How　could　you？〃

〃How　could　I　what？〃　His　innocence　riled　her。

〃How　could　you　do　that　to　me？　How　could　you　mention　her　name　at　a　time
like　this？〃　She　felt　eviscerated；　as　though　he　had　bee　part　of　her
and　was　being　cut　free。

〃Her　name？〃　Then　he　realized　what　he　had　done；　and　his　frown　gentled。　〃I
mentioned　Rachel；　didn't　I？〃

The　softness　in　his　voice　at　the　mention　of　her　name　ravaged　Anne。　〃How
could　you？〃　she　repeated。　Tears　welled。　When　he　reached　out；　she
flinched　and　took　a　step　back。

〃Annie；　listen…〃

She　took　another　step；　then　another。　〃I　don't　want　to　hear　about　your
love　life。〃

〃You're　wrong…〃

〃Yes；　I'm　wrong。　I'm　wrong　to　want　to　stay　up　here　with　you；　when　I
should　be　back　in　New　York　trying　to　build　a　new　life。　I'm　wrong　to
think　that　you　really　wanted　me　here；　when　in　one　careless　minute　you　go
wimpy　over　another　woman。　How　could　you；　Mitch？　Can't　you　see　that　I
love　you？〃

Whirling　around；　she　ran　from　the　kitchen；　taking　the　steps　with
reckless　speed；　stopping　only　when　the　door　to　her　bedroom　was　slammed
and　flush　to　her　back。　Trembling　hands　covered　her　eyes　and　grew　wet
with　tear