then she looked past him and saw that he was n't alone . the wind creaked through the slats of wood that served as walls . if i had seen this , i dont think i would have gone down there . `` i 'm old and in debt , '' he said . every now and then they would become coated with slimy green algae and mother would tip them into the kitchen sink to wash them in disinfectant . i want to show it to her . he tapped the tip of my nose . 