Better to Eat You by Charlotte Armstrong

it. “I came here,” he said sadly, “in part to help you …”
    â€œDon’t. Don’t try,” she whimpered.
    And he said coldly and deliberately, “ I will not leave you. ” The turbulence in the room seemed to hover and then begin to die.
    Sarah said despairingly, “Why?”
    David leaned over and put his fingers gently on either side of her face. “Believe there are reasons, Sarah. Reasons for everything.”
    She turned her head convulsively and the warm soft skin of her cheek pressed upon his hand.
    â€œWill you?” said David.
    â€œIf I could …” said Sarah. “If I could …” But she was quieted.
    Somebody tapped on the door and, without waiting, opened it.
    â€œMy dear Sarah,” said Grandfather. “Ah, David. How is she, my little girl?”

Chapter 8
    David choked off anger and disappointment. He smiled at Sarah and gently he took his hands away. “Sarah is fine,” he said encouragingly.
    â€œNot too upset?” purred Grandfather, advancing in his spry step. “They tell me you were not hurt too badly, dearie. Is it true?”
    â€œNot too badly, Grandfather.” Sarah swallowed all her agitation. For this old man she could exercise control.
    â€œThere now.” Grandfather sat down upon the edge of the bed. “Such big bandages,” said he. “Edgar says your arms will soon heal, soon heal.”
    â€œI’m sure they will, Grandfather.” The tears dried on Sarah’s face but she couldn’t see very well through the blur they’d made of her glasses. Behind the old man’s back, David wandered in the room. Grandfather’s cooing voice went on and the girl seemed to have crept within some shelter where she was calm. David was not calm. He was suspicious. Just as he might have been able to talk to her, along came the old man. He heard her say, as she seemed always to be saying, “You are so good, Grandfather.” He wanted to make faces, and motion to her behind the old man’s back. But she did not look his way. She couldn’t see. And how could he, with only gestures, break into the place where she felt safe, to tell her that this old man, who was to her a refuge, might be her enemy?
    But there was Edgar at the door, with Mrs. Monteeth again.
    â€œToo many people,” Edgar said. “Entirely too much company.” His little eyes hunted on David’s face. “I want the patient quiet. With only the nurse, please. She must not talk anymore.”
    Grandfather said childingly, “Now, I can comfort this child, Edgar. You know that.” The old man peered around. “You don’t want David? Eh, Sarah?”
    â€œNo,” she said. “No.”
    Fox said petulantly, “Then he should go.”
    Edgar warned, “No scene. His heart …” Edgar’s hand pulled steadily.
    â€œSo long,” said David. He kept anger out of his voice. But it was stubborn.
    Sarah said faintly, “Goodbye.”
    â€œSo long,” he insisted. “See you later.”
    He saw her teeth tear at her lower lip and he thought, A pity to tear it. Then the mouth surrendered. “So long,” it said.
    Mrs. Monteeth was establishing herself in the room. David thought, Well, they can’t murder the girl in front of a witness. He let Edgar’s pull swing him away.
    Edgar, half out the door as if he would like to pursue David, warned over his shoulder, “You mustn’t talk too long. For either of your sakes.”
    â€œNow, I do want to visit with Sarah a little bit,” said Grandfather plaintively. “May I not? We will talk about old times, perhaps.”
    Edgar’s eyes flickered He said, “Not too long. Mrs. Monteeth, watch out for Sarah.” Then he left the room.
    He hurried, hunting David.
    David was in the big room, hands in his pockets, staring at the carpet.
    â€œWell? Is Sarah going to marry