Why else would I bother?" she said impatiently. "Go get her out of there." Yes'm," I said and set out. It made for a very curious weekend.That Friday ...I nosed around and found that there was, indeed, a competition, open only to militiamen, no British regulars or mercenaries, and that, indeed, the prize was a girl, a maiden as she was advertised, of some sixteen years. Most men in the tavern doubted that, doubted there was a women left in New York over the age of twelve who was a virgin. "Less'n. They all featured a man like thiswith a woman looking as though she was both enraptured by being in his presenceand fearing for her virtue, knowing she's going to lose it one way or anotherbefore he'd leave her. Inside, those books always ended with a womanin bliss after being ravished in a way which would be considered rape if seenby someone else. Now, she was a character in one of those books and aboutto lose something other than the virtue she'd given to Jeff and maybe her life,too.. Hope had neatly executed a U-turn and was powering off, elbow resting on the open window of the eye-catching vehicle. It had been a full-on conversation and he regretted not asking how the Chevy had come into Hope’s life. Squashed against the window seat in the bus by a huge woman, in an unfashionable dress and a stupid floral clip on the side of her headband, Nash thought about the very fashionable lady from Te Henui driving home in her bright red pick-up, its original bits now almost seventy. Next day as usual I went for coffee but was thinking what to do if she asks some difficult questions. Then I felt she would not ask them to me in public. I saw her coming and purposely started facing the other side so that she would not see me. She did not and went straight into the hotel. Then I got a call from her and my face went white!!!! I did not expect this to happen but I had to answer so I picked it up. She said come inside I am waiting!!!! I was dead and was thinking what will happen.