Tom had often thought that his ego could have been shattered long ago-the ego of the average person would have been shattered-except for the fact that people, once they got to know him, once they came to Belle Ombre and spent an evening, liked him and Heloise well enough, and the Ripleys were invited back.
Tomek askotan pentsatu izan zuen bere egoa erraustuta egongo zela aspalditik-pertsona normal baten egoa erraustuta egongo zen ordurako-ez balitz izan jendeak, behin berarekin tratabidean sartuta, behin Belle Ombren ilunabar bat pasa eta gero, nahiko ondo hartzen zituztelako bai bera eta bai Heloise, eta beren etxeetara gonbidatzen zituztelako.