Itwasslowwork，desperatelyslow，bothbecausetheydarednotmaketheslightestnoise，andbecause，too，asfarasstrengthwasconcerned，GypsyNanwasclosetotheendofherendurance。Downoneflight，andthentheother，theywent，restingateveryfewsteps，leaningbackagainstthewall，blackshadowsthatmergedwiththeblacknessaroundthem，theflashlightusedonlywhennecessitycompelledit，lestitsgleammightattracttheattentionofsomeotheroccupantofthehouse。AndattimesGypsyNan’sheadlaycheektoRhodaGray’s，andtheother’sbodygrewlimpandbecameagreatweight，soheavythatitseemedshecouldnolongersupportit。
Theygainedthestreetdoor，hungtheretenselyforamomenttomakesuretheywerenotobservedbyanychancepasser-by，thensteppedoutonthesidewalk。GypsyNanspokethen:
“I-Ican’tgomuchfarther，“shefaltered。“But-butitdoesn’tmatternowwe’reoutofthehouse-itdoesn’tmatterwhereyoufindme-onlylet’stryafewstepsmore。“
RhodaGrayhadslippedtheflashlightinsideherblouse。
“Yes，“shesaid。Herbreathwascomingheavily。“It’sallright，Nan。Iunderstand。“