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"Well, of course it was," Winifred replied dismissively She released Dora’s hand with a pat "Atone

Cal stepped closer to the other side of her bed Dora shifted her head on the pillow to focus on his face Deep circles darkened his eyes and his usually neatly combed hair was disheveled His expression orry filled, even penitent

"Dora," he said in a low, broken voice "I neverlike this to happen When I saw you hit the floor" He shook his head in ue in sy" He hesitated "Maybe we should talk about this whole divorce thing a littletoo quickly"

Dora heard her mother suck in her breath

Maht "Cal, you look exhausted You went through a scare and haven’t left Dora’s side The doctor isn’t going to be in for a while Why don’t you take a o down to the cafeteria for some coffee Winnie and I are both here We’ll call you if the doctor coreement

"Okay," he said "I could use a minute I’ll be back soon"

No sooner had the door closed behind hiain and squeezed it with enthusiasush Her eyes gleamed "Cal doesn’t want a divorce!"

Dora looked back with apathy She didn’t feel the saiddy rush her h all the pent-up emotion that had roiled inside of her had expelled itself through whatever had happened to her in the house

"He didn’t say that, Mama," she said impassively "At least not exactly"

Winifred waved her hand "He’s opened the door and you should rush back in It’s ti in her s and used them excessively

When Dora didn’t reply, Winifred said with shock, "You don’t want a divorce, do you?"