"You and I sometimes have been friends of many decades, Drene, but we have neverbefore talked this way. I did not feel at liberty to assume anyintimacy with you, even when I wanted to, even when--when you werein trouble--" He hesitated.

"Go on," grunted the other. "I'm out of trouble now."

"I just--it's a whimsical notion--no, it's a belief;--I just wantedto tell you one or two things concerning my own beliefs--"