She didn't deny it. "I suppose I should be flattered that when you were introuble you came to me," she said in a way that indicated she was not.

"Why didn't you tell me then? Why drag it out?"

"Danny--"

"Don't call me that!"

"It's your name. Daniel. Daniel Cobb."

All the emotions I'd been holding back by sheer force of denial closed about me.I flung myself down and clutched the pipe tight, crushing myself against itsunforgiving surface. Trapped in the friendless wastes of night, I weighed myfear of letting go against my fear of holding on. "Cobb?"

I said nothing. The Widow's voice took on an edgy quality. "Cobb, we can't stayhere. You've got to lead me out. I don't have the slightest idea which way togo. I'm lost without your help."

I still could not speak.

"Cobb!" She was close to panic. "I put my own feelings aside. Back in Manayunk.You needed help and I did what I could. Now it's your turn."

Silently, invisibly, I shook my head.

"God damn you, Danny," she said furiously. "I won't let you do this to me again!So you're unhappy with what a jerk you were--that's not my problem. You can'tredeem your manliness on me any more. I am not your fucking salvation. I am notsome kind of cosmic last chance and it's not my job to talk you down from theledge."

That stung. "I wasn't asking you to," I mumbled.

"So you're still there! Take my hand and lead us out."

I pulled myself together. "You'll have to follow my voice, babe. Your memoriesare too intense for me."

We resumed our slow progress. I was sick of crawling, sick of the dark, sick ofthis lightless horrid existence, disgusted to the pit of my soul with who andwhat I was. Was there no end to this labyrinth of pipes?

"Wait." I'd brushed by something.

Something metal buried in the earth.

"What is it?"

"I think it's--" I groped about, trying to get a sense of the thing's shape. "I