"Of course. Of course," he assures her, but the moment she's off the bed he's propping himself up so he can see her. She's such a vision in her slip, her hair hanging down, uncoiffed and natural. He would never think by looking that she has such strength but she is the strongest person he's ever met.

"You're so good to me," he said, moving a little and then hissing as his wound throbs and stings. He thinks that it may hurt worse now than it had in the alley.

"Do you know that literally nothing like this has ever happened to me? My life has been wholly unremarkable. And I like it that way. I'd go so far to say you, you, are the most exciting thing to happen to me, Effie. Well you and now this."