e the
security agent was leaning against a tree, lighting a cigarette. I made
certain that he saw my face clearly.

One upstairs window showed a light, and the faint murmur of voices
drifted down. That had to be Copperd's room. Then a porch light flashed
on and Beth came out of the door. She was wearing a white dress and the
overhead light seemed to create a golden halo above her head.

I momentarily forgot about her father.

* * * * *

How much can a man learn in a few weeks? I had to be so very careful.
Historical matters had to be avoided at all costs. Contemporary affairs
were fine. Philosophy was best.

Philosophy is always the best. Good and evil are present everywhere.
They can be discussed in the vaguest terms. We discussed many things in
vague terms.

And yet there was a sense of intimacy which grew between us. It was hard
for me to define, and after a while I gave up trying to discover what it
was. I merely enjoyed it.

When I took her home I knew that it was not fear of the dark that made
her walk so close to me. The movies had taught me a great deal about
this matter of love play. Although some of it was highly exaggerated, it
showed clearly enough the drives of these people, and some of their
methods of acting them out.

We were standing on the porch when I kissed Beth. It was the first time
I had ever pressed my lips to those of anyone else. My technique was
good. I felt Beth respond, pressing harder against me.

My mission was on its way to completion. I felt a moment of triumph. And
then suddenly, crazily, my mission was gone from my mind. I felt only a
strange exhilaration that swept over me and made my heart pound and my
head grow hot.

"What's the matter, Marko?" Beth asked as I pulled away.

I didn't know what was wrong. I didn't try to figure it out. I had to
get out of there and try to regain my equilibrium. On a mission like
mine I had to keep my head.

"Shall I see you tomorrow?" I said.

"All the tomorrow's you want," Beth answered.

There was eagerness, and yet a note of regret. It was as though she
instinctively knew that something was wrong. But my work had been well
done; she was in too far, and I had cut her emotional line of retreat.

I saw Beth the next afternoon, and the next evening. My presence on the
porch and in her home became such a common thing that the security agent
hardly gave me a glance now.

Those few days passed by swiftly