he could tell earl was unwrapping the makeshift cast and examining the wounds , though . she threw a shaking hand behind her . `` he got past you to get out and then returned ? '' that was it , then , he thought ; he 'd offended her . i stayed with her for half an hour . `` sage advice from the only one of us ever married . '' `` see you there in forty-five minutes , right outside the front doors , '' i said , and hung up . 