`` my other daughters - there they are with their families - are both happily married , thank god . he nearly fell flat on his face when he ran straight through a puddle . she felt like she should say something to her companion but did n't know what . what else did fred tell you ? but the two men did not discuss it further . he talks : pat goes down south . whispering to someone in total darkness was odd , like talking to a ghost . standing in the rain on a street all day , cold and wet . 