the place was getting hazy , and i knew i 'd run myself dry . its all exactly as i predicted , he said in a tight voice . `` the first time i left ... you stayed behind to help the others , did n't you ? '' not that nash had allowed himself to spend any time thinking it over , either . this monster of a storm will swallow fifty miles and spit it back at us . she handed me a small present wrapped in valentine 's paper . 