Requiem for a Nun

278 WILLIAM FAULKNER

TEMPLE

(to Nancy)

What are you doing here?

NANCY

I brought my foot. So he can hold that cigarette against it.

TEMPLE

So you're not just a thief: you're a spy too.

PETE

Maybe she's not a thief either. Maybe she brought it back.

(they watch Nancy, who doesn't

answer)

Or maybe she didn't. Maybe we had better use that cigarette.

(to Nancy)

How about it? Is that what you came back for, sure enough?

TEMPLE

(to Pete)

Hush. Take the bags and go on to the car.

PETE

(to Temple but watching Nancy) I'll wait for you. There

may be a little something I can do here, after all.

TEMPLE

Go on, I tell you! Let's for God's sake get away from here. Go on.

Pete watches Nancy for a moment longer, who stands facing them but not

looking at anything, motionless, almost bemused, her face sad, brooding

and inscrutable. Then Pete turns, goes to the table, picks up the lighter,

seems about to pass on, then pauses again and with almost infinitesimal

hesitation takes up the packet of letters, puts it back inside his coat,

takes up the two packed bags and crosses to the french window, passing

Nancy, who is still looking at nothing and no one.

PETE

(to Nancy)

Not that I wouldn't like to, you know. For less than fifty bucks even.

For old lang syne.

He transfers the bags to one hand, opens the french window, starts to

exit, pauses half way out and looks back at Temple.