You could see the street from the little Italian restaurant they'd agreed to meet in. Pendleton sat at a round table close to the wide window and watched for Beth. There was a slight haze in the afternoon air and most of the secretaries that passed were coatless. Beth started smiling a quarter of a block from him. She was in a light cotton dress, weaving in and out of the noontime pedestrians. "Nice day," Pendleton said, standing. Beth smiled and sat down. "I noticed that right off." They ordered and Pendleton said, "How've you been?" "Great." She clasped her hands together on the checkered table top. "You were right, Ben. I'm sorry I was mean." Pendleton moved his glass of water three inches. "Good." "I've started seeing a very highly recommended analyst. Things are starting to look up. I haven't even had an impulse to filch anything in days." The food arrived. "It'll take time." "I have a great part in Alex's next play. It's really a challenge. By Ionesco. Being able to change will help." Pendleton set his fork down. "Huh?" "I tried changing into the character last night. It came off fine." "What are you seeing a psychiatrist for, then?" he asked, his voice low. "So I won't steal things any more." He held the edge of the table for a minute, not meeting her eyes. Finally he said, "I see. Well, that's fine, Beth. How've things been at work?" Beth grinned and told him. * * * * * The days were turning cool and the trees had started scattering dry leaves into the wind. On a sharp weekend afternoon Pendleton was killing time in the produce district before driving over to Beth's. There was a coffee shop open and Pendleton thought about crossing over for a cup of coffee. The whitewashed door of the place shot open and a fat woman with an orange-fringed shawl came out. She was carrying something wrapped up in a paper napkin. She glanced at Pendleton, hesitated a second and then went running off toward a closed warehouse. By the time she reached it, the short-order cook was on the street looking after her. He threw a gesture after her and went back inside. Pendleton shivered once slightly. He started walking for his car and a block from it he found himself running. He got to Beth's place ahead of the approaching dusk. The downstairs door wasn't locked, but Beth's apartment door didn't open when he tried it. Pendleton grunted, slapping his pockets for something to pick the lock with. The door opened. Beth, in capris and a striped sweater, looked out at him, her head tilted slightly to one side. "Did I hear applause? You're early." "You know why I'm here early." He pushed into the room. "I thought you were better. What the hell were you doing down there?" "Where? What's the matter?" She backed across the rug to the fireplace. A small fire was going and she turned to warm her hands at it. "I just saw you steal something from that diner. Silverware maybe. You want me to search the place?"