jointly or severally

foto
Originally uploaded by jlovegren.

of which I questioned the timing, since it might have seemed that this could estrange our other guest. Quinta had not known any of us for very long, but I could tell she would fit in. She was the only person who talked about her family, something Loreley and I speculated upon one time, a time when you would be sleepy if you had nothing to talk about but open to the few things that surpass the idea of sleep, whose allure is considerable.
We were to start working earnestly in the morning; today, it was important to relax and clear our heads. The two women shared a few words in their language and started to giggle, but it could have been a nervous laugh as well as a genuine one. Finding out what people are talking about when you don't understand them requires special skills if you don't want to look nosy. Trying to comment on the tone of their discussion, I could make an awkward mistake and seem insensitive.
I resumed my exercises,