Vera is watching Gersh with big dark eyes, head resting on her hand, and now Viktor leans back to listen. Nina can see in his very posture how badly he wants to believe that drill hole doesn't matter. After all, if Gersh isn't doing anything wrong, then what is there for anyone to see or hear that might cause trouble?

Gersh plays for a long time. smoking cigarettes with Viktor until the room is a warm haze. ... Nina focuses instead on the love she feels around her, not only between her and Viktor, and Vicktor and Gersh, but now Gersh and Vera, too. Until very late they stay ... It is as if all four of them are waiting something out, as if none of them want the night to end. Morning has sprouted, pale and winking, by the time they say good-bye.