576
PARTISAN REVIEW
,'Which rule?' ,
,'Geoff, don't you ·believe there are some things that people
can't express, but they can feel them happening all around them?
That we're on the edge of things?' ,
"Personally or politically?"
"In between."
"I guess. So what's coming?"
"You're not going to like it."
,'I'm not liking it right now much, Corinne. "
"Well, put it this way. Why are you attracted to me?"
Geoff thought for a while, and as if it were a prerequisite for
reflection, slipped on his cavalry twill slacks and angora socks.
"Well, Corinne, you're sure smart and pretty enough, but what
I think I like best about you is that you're tough but don't have
to
show it all the time."
"Very
disarming," she said desperately.
"Hey, let's go catch some dinner."
"I can't bear the thought of getting dressed again."
"OK, let's have some sent up."
''I'm not hungry, and that's it, Geoff, that's what's happening.
Women are getting tougher and they're going to show it more."
Geoff paused. "I don't think that's what you meant to say."
Corinne lay back, and wrapping an ice cube from her drink in
a washcloth, lay it on her sinuses.
"You know, Corinne, I just don't get it. If you just could say
what you wanted you'd probably get it."
"How could you know what I want?"
"That's what I just said. "
"Look, I just can't decide whether I want to throw off every–
thing inessential or get more of everything. Can't you understand
that?"
"Oh Corinne, that's just how a man feels."
Outside in the snow, teeth clenched all along fifty-eighth street;
Corinne was dizzy.
"Go get some dinner, Geoff. I've got to beat this cold before
tomorrow."
"You want me to come back tonight?"
"Suit yourself. ' ,
