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True, that was at least twice a year, in Cancún, in Switzerland, somewhere exotic. But he’d only started that about ten, fifteen years ago. He just didn’t think it was possible he’d have a child that old.Beverly said, “I guess you never know for sure…Will you see her?”“I’ll tell her,” Beverly said. She dropped her voice to a whisper. “But we don’t want her making a scene in front of the patients. She seems like she might be a little, cheap jordan sneaker uh, unstable. And if she’s not your daughter, maybe you should set her straight in private.”Bennett nodded slowly. He dropped back into his chair. “Okay,” he said. “Show her in.”“Big surprise, huh?”The woman standing in the doorway, bouncing a child in her arms, was an unattractive blonde of medium height, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, grunge clothes. Her baby’s face was dirty, dripping snot. “Sorry I didn’t dress for the occasion, but you know how it is.”Bennett stood behind his desk. “Please come in, Miss, uh…”“Murphy. Elizabeth Murphy.” She nodded to the baby. “This is Bess.”“I’m Dr. Bennett.” He waved her to the seat on the other side of the desk. He looked at her closely as she sat down. He saw no resemblance at all, not the slightest. He, himself, was dark-haired, fair-skinned, slightly overweight. She was olive-complexioned, rail-thin, brittle, tense. “Yeah, I know,” she said. “You’re thinking I don’t look anything like you. But with my natural hair color, and more weight, you can see the family thing.”“I’m sorry,” Bennett said, sitting down, “but to be frank, I don’t see it.”“That’s okay,” she said, shrugging. “I figure it must be a shock to you. My showing up at your office like this.”“It’s certainly a surprise.”“I wanted to call ahead and warn you, but then I decided I should just come. In case you refused to see me.”'Why don't you give that to one of the boys? They'll take it for a few drachmas.''I have no money. Will you pay him?''Yes 'right! Then that will be best. I suppose you are staying with Margot?''I'm staying wholesale designer handbags at her house. She's inEngland.''That's a pity. I hoped I should find her here. Still I will stay for a little, I think. Will there be room for me?''I suppose so. I'm all alone here.''Yes, I'm going back to Oxford again to learn theology.''That will be a good thing. You used not to have a moustache, used you?' he asked after a time.'No,' said Paul. 'I'm just growing onenow. I don't want people to recognize me when I go back to England.''I think it's uglier,' said Professor Silenus. 'Well, I must go to bed.''Have you slept any better lately?' 'Twice since I saw you. It's about my average. Good night.'Ten minutes later he came back on to the terrace,wearing silk pyjamas and a tattered old canvas dressing-gown.'Oh yes,of course.Iknowofno more utterly boring and futileoccupation than generalizing about life. Did you take in what I was saying?''Yes, I think so.''I think I shall have my meals alone in future. Will you tell the servants? It makes me feel quite ill to talk so much. Good night.''Good night,' said Paul.Next day Paul found Stubbs' card on his table, the corner turned up. Paul went to Hertford to call on Stubbs, but found him out. He left his card, the corner turned up. Two days later a little note came from Hertford:'D'you want to take Von Hugel?' asked wholesale nike air jordan Paul.'No, not to night. May I leave it till to morrow?'Stubbs picked up his scholar's gown and wrapped it round his shoulders. 'That was an interesting paper to night about the Polish plebiscites.''Yes, wasn't it?' said Paul.Outside there was a confused roanng and breaking of glass.'The Bollinger seem to be enjoying themselves,' said Paul. |
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