at any rate , we stayed in shadows , often with a wall on one side . `` i 'm fine , '' she replied , smiling at the old man . we made it to the fourth floor , down the hall , and to his room . `` i told you how important this is to me . a few moments pass in solid silence . they were with us before , he explained . `` perhaps your champion dog can show us how he did it . '' she of course , had her usual nice salad . 