Nightwork

I have to be here,' she went on stubbornly. 'It's my mother's idea of where a well-bred young lady ought to be while she pursues her education. Education. Hah! How to grow up useless in three languages. And expensive.'

The bitterness in her voice was disturbingly adult. It was not the sort of conversation one would expect to have with a pretty, plump little sixteen-year-old American girl while rising slowly in the sunshine over the fairy-tale landscape of the winter Alps. 'Well,' I said, knowing it sounded lame, I'm sure you're not going to grow up useless. In no matter how many languages.'

'Not if it kills me,' she said. 'Do you have any plans?'

'I'm going to be an archaeologist,' she said. 'I'm going to dig in the ruins of old civilizations. The older the better. I want to get as far away as I can from twentieth-century "civilization. At least, my mother's and father's version of twentieth-century civilization.'

'I think you're being a little harsh on them,' I said. I was defending myself, I suppose, as well as her parents. After all, they belonged almost to the same generation as I did.

'I'd rather not talk about my parents, if you don't mind,' she said. 'I'd rather talk about you. Are you married yet?' 'No.'

'I don't plan to get married either.' She looked at me challengingly, as though daring me to comment on this. 'I hear it's going somewhat out of style,' I said. 'With good reason,' she said. We were approaching the top now and prepared to debark. 'If you want to ski with me sometime, alone...' She accented the word. 'Leave a note for me in your box at the hotel. I'll pass by.' We got off the chair and took our skis. 'Though if I were you,' she said as we walked out of the shed into the sunlight, 'I wouldn't stay here too long. It isn't your natural habitat.' 'What do you think is my natural habitat?' 'I'd say Vermont.' She bent and started to put on her skis, limber and competent. 'A small town in Vermont, where people work for a living.'

I put my skis over my shoulder. The club was just about fifty yards away, on the same level with the top of the lift, and a path was cleared through the snow to the entrance.

'Please don't resent me,' she said, straightening up. 'I made a decision recently to speak my mind on all occasions.'

On an impulse that I didn't understand, I leaned over and kissed her cheek, cold and rosy. 'Well, that's very nice,' she said. 'Thank you. Have a smashing lunch.' She had obviously overheard Eunice and Lily talking. Then she was off, skating expertly on her skis, toward the bottom of the T-bar that led higher up the mountain. I shook my head as I watched the bulky, little, brightly colored figure moving swiftly across the slope. Then, carrying my skis, I walked toward the massive stone building that housed the club.

* * *

Fabian appeared while Eunice, Lily, and I were having our second Bloody Mary on the terrace of the club. He was not dressed for skiing, but looked very smart in turtleneck sweater and blue, oiled-wool Tyrolean jacket, sharply pressed fawn-colored corduroy pants, and high suede after-ski boots. I was wearing the pair of ski pants and plain blue parka that I had bought off the rack in St Moritz because they had been the cheapest things in the store, and I felt dowdy next to him. The pants already bagged pathetically in the seat and at the knees. I was sure that the other elegant people on the terrace were whispering about us, wondering what someone who looked and dressed like me was doing with such a group. Didi Wales' remark about my natural habitat had had its effect.

High above, in the brilliant blue sky, a large bird soared on motionless wings. It might well have been an eagle. I speculated on what prey it might find to live off in this glossy valley.

'Have a good morning?' I asked Fabian as he kissed the girls and ordered a Bloody Mary for himself.

'Only time will tell,' he said. He enjoyed his little mysteries, Fabian.

I tried not to look worried.

'I hope you don't mind, Douglas,' he said. I've made an appointment in town for us after lunch.' 'If the ladies will excuse me,' I said.

'I'm sure they'll find some other young man to ski with,' Fabian said. 'I'm sure,' I said.

"There's a big party tonight,' Lily said. 'We have to go to the hairdresser, anyway....' 'Am I invited?' I asked.

'Of course,' she said. 'I've let it be known that we're inseparable.'

Thoughtful of you,' I said.

She looked at me sharply. 'I'm afraid old Gentle Heart is not having as good a time as he should.' Now she was calling me Gentle Heart, too. 'Perhaps he prefers the company of younger ladies.' She hadn't said anything, but my trip up on the chair lift with Didi Wales hadn't gone unnoticed.

'She's the young daughter of old friends of mine from back home,' I said with dignity.

'Ripe for havoc,' Lily said. 'Let's go in and have lunch. It's cold out here.'

* * *