176 Character on the Other Side of the Street

Gustav worked for several hours with small breaks to wash his face and take a sip of water. David was hanging around the house during this time. He wanted to be on hand in case anything untoward happened, so he invented small jobs for himself. However, no emergency situation occurred and around fourteen o'clock the writer left his office.

"I'm beat."

David, who had just been checking to see if something could be done about the creaking wooden step, looked at him curiously and momentarily he was frightened. He had before him a specter, not a human being, pale, with bloodshot, menacing eyes and a forward leaning forehead. For that he smiled.

"The best solution is to go to sleep."

"Yes. Will you wake me up in two hours?"

"No way! At least eight!"