"Because I wanted to," panted Ellen.
Winey afterglow stained the muslin curtains and filtered into the blue gloom of the room. They stood on either side of the table. Out of a pot of narcissus still wrapped in tissue paper starshaped flowers gleamed with dim phosphorescence, giving off a damp earthsmell enmeshed in indolent prickly perfume.
"It was nice of you to bring me these Mr. Baldwin. I'll take them up to Gus at the hospital tomorrow."
"For God's sake dont call me that."
"But I dont like the name of George."
"I dont care, I like your name, Nellie."
He stood looking at her; perfumed weights coiled about his arms. His hands dangled like empty gloves. Her eyes were black, dilating, her lips pouting towards him across the flowers. She jerked her hands up to cover her face. His arm
