here where the full light can fall on it--that's right!
Now tell me about yourself. How long have you been
like this?"

The man dragged himself to his feet.

"Ever since I lost my job." The question had
calmed him. There was a note of hope in it.

"What work did you do?"

"I'm a plumber's helper."

"Work stopped?"

"No, a strike--I wouldn't quit, and they fired me."

"What happened then?"

"She went away."

"Who went away?"

"My wife."

"When?"

"About a month back."

"Did you beat her?"