`` oh , well , in that case- '' `` and the sacred bond of our friendship prevents you from even thinking about him that way , or acting on it . '' he was in a good mood today . one of them , a young and pretty black woman , caught his eye , and as she passed she smiled shyly and said hi . `` i knew you were stronger than before and i knew it was n't us . mason went through the doorway into the warm sunlight . at the top , they paused and looked carefully all around . 