`` i meant , '' i said in his ear , `` you hurt her . '' he knew that , i 'm sure , as he died . a box of pencils slides across the desk with the folded note on top . those two things , grace and time , and then you can finish it . '' they 'd taped cardboard over the hole in the living room window , so the apartment was warm again , but not exactly cozy . and as for what did i want with you , how dare you ask me such a thing . 