Castor?s eyes darted to Helen and back to Jerry and he pursed his
lips as if he had set something right in his head. ?Pardon me. I
didn?t mean to bring up personal matters. Is there any way you and
I might have a word alone??
?NO!? Helen shouted. She lunged across the cot, grabbing her
father?s arm and yanking him away from Castor.
?What is wrong with you?? Jerry shouted. He tried, and failed, to
shake Helen off.
?Please don?t go anywhere with him!? she begged, tears welling
up in her eyes.
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Jerry made a frustrated sound, put his arms around Helen and
held her reassuringly. ?She hasn?t been well,? he explained to
Castor, who looked on with sympathy.
?I have a daughter,? Castor replied gently as if that explained
everything.
Mrs. Crane and the principal, Dr. Hoover, rushed into the room
as if they had been trying to catch up to Castor.
?Mr. Delos,? the principal began in an irritated voice, but Castor
talked over him.
?I hope your daughter feels better soon, Jerry. I?ve had heatstroke
myself, and I was told I did all kinds of strange things. It can
make you hallucinate, you know,? he said to no one in particular.
Helen saw him glance quickly at her and then into the corner
where the sobbing sister was still rocking back and forth. Did he
see her, too, she wondered, and if he did, how the heck could two
people share a hallucination?
?Well . . . okay. There?s no animosity then?? Dr. Hoover said uncertainly,
looking from Castor to Jerry.
?Not on my part, nor on my son?s, I?m sure. I?m more concerned