Chapter 48

“But you already have the result,” he said. “You’re the Hermit or Wise Man—I admit that. And I’m the Fool. And together we’re—that.” He pointed to the sketch he had made.

“Zero and one,” I said ruminatively and then laughed. “Top and bottom.”

“And me and you,” he added, touching himself on the chest, and then me.

“So, what you’re saying is: with you and me, cock and ass, one and zero, we make the nine.”

“That’s right.”

I stared at him. “And youcall mesmart? How did you think of that?”

He shrugged. “It just came to me.” Then he tapped the sketch. “What do you think?”

I looked at it, nodding. “Oh, it’s impressive. You’re gifted.”

His expression became odd. “That’s not what I meant.”

I stared, and then laughed. “Oh.” I looked at him, batted my eyelashes, and shrugged. “Sure!”