look this way before. The big man looked … stupid.
Also impatient. “Throde!”
Throde jerked as if awakening, and headed for the back room with his unused
broom. The whole night had been truly unique, a succession of new experiences
adding new knowledge to Throde’s store. It had not ceased. No woman had ever
stayed behind this way, not both sober and clothed. And saying absolutely
nothing; she was merely … being here. Nor had Ahdio ever behaved in such a
way. Throde had often thought that his huge, tough and yet kind employer should
have a woman; even women, in the plural. Yet he had never envisioned such a
woman as this; never dreamed that she might be such a beauty as this veiled-as
this now unveiled lady.
He set the broom in its place and made sure the back door was locked as well as
barred. Then he swung his big hairy cloak about himself, pausing only long
enough to lift the hood and close the clasp. Taking his staff, he headed for the
front door. He walked between the man and the woman without looking at either,
but noticed nevertheless that they remained as if frozen in place, gazing at
each other in silence. As he reached the hanging before the door, a new thought
struck him and he turned back.
“Ahdio? You’re … all right?”
“Of course. And you be careful, Throde.” Ahdio spoke without looking at him. He
stood as if in shock, thunder-struck.
“Uh.” And, still nervous and going motherly, the youth said, “uh, don’t-don’t,
uh, forget to lock the door after me, Ahdio.”
“Good night, Throde.”
Throde departed, pulling the door securely shut behind him.