She bent over experimentally. There was a space, quiet shuffling, and a snapping sound. She found that she did not know what to do with her hands, but finally decided that her back was tired, and so propped herself up by holding her knees.
While she waited, all sorts of thoughts went through her head. What should she say first? It was rather an inaugural moment. And what would be fitting sequels? She did not want to be the one blamed for ruining it. But her deliberations abruptly became moot.
O, she said, astonished. The immediately succeeding thought was, I said O. Well, that was neither here nor there. It could have meant anything. Then she thought of oysters for awhile.
Okay, I’m done, he called from somewhere behind her head.
O, she answered. Then, thought: another O! I need to research.
