eleven minutes had passed since noon . the girdle had made all the difference to the fit , and she looked quite elegant in her smart new shoes and matching handbag . you are treating me like you are part of the press . she could n't believe she 'd never fought back . now we see if shell run . i wondered who that could be , nervous knots tightening my stomach . when he handed them to me and i looked at them i would have dropped to the ground if i had been standing up . 