The Human Stain Page #4

of an air shaft on West 26th Street.

- Would you like some coffee?

- No. Thank you. I should get back.

It's just one cup.

That's all, I promise.

And the, uh, the library

stays open until ten.

- Sure. Why not?

- Good.

- How do you take it?

- Black is fine, thanks.

- So "Steena Paulsson." That's,

- what is that Swedish?

Close.

It's Danish and Icelandic.

- So you're not from New York?

- How could you tell?

Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Well Miss Steena Paulsson

from Fergus Falls, Minnesota

this is my gift for you.

Tender is the Night.

F. Scott Fitzgerald.

He's from the Midwest, too.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

The coffee?

Coffee.

What happened?

- To what?

- The cut over your eye.

Oh uh, boxing.

It's just a hobby.

You like that sort of thing?

Yes, I do.

I mean, don't get the wrong idea.

It's not about strength.

It's really all about

how smart you are.

Are you smart. Miss Paulsson?

What do you think, Mr. Silk?

I think you'd make a great boxer.

Good answer.

Well, come on.

Let's see.

- See what?

- Show me.

- Show you what?

- Show me how good you are.

Okay.

- Okay. You're right-handed?

- Yes.

All right. Put your left leg forward,

your right leg back.

Bend at the knees.

Okay?

Two fists.

Bring your right one back by

your chin. Keep it cocked here.

Left one comes out in front of you.

That's what you jab with.

All right. And your thumbs

are on the outside,

yeah? Okay. It's like this

- Jab. Jab. Jab.

- Jab. Jab. Jab.

That's pretty good for starters.

Um, your right hand,

throw that in once in a while.

Just to mix the other guy up.

It's a right cross. Like this

- Jab. Jab right.

- Jab. Jab right.

- That's good.

- Jab. Jab right.

- All right. The hands.

- Okay. I'm getting hot.

Jab. Jab right.

Jab. Jab right.

Nice. Keep the right

back by your chin.

Okay. Jab. Jab right.

Jab. Jab right.

- Watch the hands.

- Stop moving! Jab. Jab right.

- Jab. Jab right.

- That's good.

Jab. Jab right.

Jab. Jab right!

Did I hurt you?

No.

Your heart's beating fast.

I can't believe this.

Me neither.

I guess we do things

a little differently back home.

Yes, I can imagine.

First, first we'd be eyeing each

other in church, on Sundays, right?

And then as fall slipped into winter

and the air turned cold,

there'd be sleigh rides

skating on frozen lakes

singing carols around

the yuletide.

You forgot logrolling

and dunking for apples.

Go on, then.

Give me the straight dope.

- Tell me about real American courtship.

- You're American. Jews are American.

Now listen.

That's Irving Berlin.

I hear that and everything in me

just sort of unclenches, and the

the wish not to die

never to die

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