Requiem for a Nun

276 WILLIAM FAULKNER

PETE

It's fifty dollars, even if you are accustomed yourself to thinking

in hundreds. Besides the jewelry. What do you suggest then? call

the cops?

TEMPLE

No. You wont have to run. I'm giving you an out.

PETE

An out?

TEMPLE

No dough, no snatch. Isn't that how you would say it?

PETE

Maybe I dont get you.

TEMPLE

You can quit now. Clear out. Leave. Get out from under. Save

yourself. Then all you'll have to do is, wait till my husband gets

back, and start over.

PETE

Maybe I still dont get you.

TEMPLE

You've still got the letters, haven't you?

PETE

Oh, the letters.

He reaches inside his coat, takes out the packet of letters and tosses

it onto the table.

Thcre you are.

TEMPLE

I told you two days ago I didn't want them.

PETE

Sure. That was two days ago.

They watch each other a moment. Then Temple dumps the fur coat and the

robe from her arm, onto the table, sets the bottle carefully on the

table, takes up the packet of letters and extends her other hand to

Pete.

TEMPLE

Give me your lighter.

Pete produces the lighter from his pocket and hands it to her. That is,

he extends it, not moving otherwise, so that she has