ou look bothered by something。 I'm back to normal； and you haven't
begun to fight with me。〃 She gave him a teasing smile。 His smile was
oddly sad。 〃I seem to have lost my taste for the fight。〃
〃This must have been a boring week for you。〃
〃I haven't minded。 It's been restful。〃
〃Too restful。 Tomorrow is my last morning here。 Will you go walking with
me； or do I sneak out alone？〃
He looked back at the fire。 〃I'll go with you。〃
She had expected an argument； something to the tune of You're not well
enough for a walk。 When he said nothing； she knew something was
definitely wrong。
But he wasn't the only one who had lost his taste for the fight。 She
didn't want anything to mar their last night。 So she let it go。 With the
snowfall still fresh on the deserted mountain； the sight greeting them
the following morning was one of blinding splendor。 The sky was a deep
blue； the air cold and still。 Days of warm sun and freezing temperatures
had created a crust of ice。 The crunch underfoot echoed as they made
their way across the hillside。 Bits of the brook that weren't frozen ran
through crystalline palaces of branches and weeds。 The only other signs
of life were those frozen in the snow； the tracks of the snowshoe rabbit
or the packed path of the deer。
It was a scene of rare beauty； all the more beautiful for the week…long
wait to see it。 B