what could it be again , another question ? i am not really in a condition for her questions right now . dad is silent for so long , i wonder if he 's hung up on me . he wears torn t-shirts and carries a chain wallet . `` come down from there , i said , before you break your back . '' standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed , marshal seemed to gather himself . he 'd had time to think about this , way too much time , yet no answers had materialized . 