III-XXIV

An overwhelming desire possessed Gordon
Makimmon to go home. He forgot the
pressing necessity for assistance, the searing
hurt within... he must go home. He stumbled
forward, turning into an aside that led directly behind
Dr. Pelliter's drug store to the road above the
Makimmon dwelling. He moved blindly, instinctively,
following the way bitten beneath his consciousness
by a lifetime of usage.

The house was dark, but it was hardly darker
than Gordon's brain. He climbed the steps to the
porch; his hands fumbled among the keys in his
pocket.

Feet tramped across the creaking boards, approaching
him; a palm fell upon his shoulder; a
crisp voice rang out uncomprehended at his ear. It
said:

"I'd knocked on all the doors, and was just going.
I wanted to see you at once--"

Gordon felt over the door in search of the place
for the key.

"I say I wanted to see you," the voice persisted;

[[366]]

p365 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p366w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p367

v?