Oh, yes, thought Herzog. Her condition is worse than mine. Divorced at fifty-five, still showing off her legs, unaware they now are gaunt. And diabetic. And the menopause. And abused by her daughter. If in self-defence, Tennie has a bit of wickedness, hypocrisy, and cunning of her own, how can you blame her? Of course she gave us, or lent – it was sometimes a loan and sometimes a wedding present – that hand-wrought Mexican silver cutlery, and she wants it back. That’s why she sent word through Simkin about her hurt feelings. She doesn’t want to lose her silver. It’s not exactly cynical either. She wants to be friends, and she wants the silver too. It’s her treasure.