If she was broken, she would slash him with her jagged edges, reckless as a drunkard with a shattered bottle.

We are bound, you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you.

So long as my body lives, and yours -- we are one flesh," he whispered, "And when my body shall cease, my soul will still be yours. Claire -- I swear by my hope of heaven, I will not be parted from you.

As usual, the note occupied less than a page and included neither salutation nor closing, Uncle Hal's opinion being that since the letter had a direction upon it, the intended recipient was obvious, the seal indicated plainly who had written it, and he did not waste his time in writing to fools.

To see the years touch ye gives me joy", he whispered, "for it means that ye live.

Hodie mihi cras tibi, said the inscription. Sic transit gloria mundi. My turn today, yours tomorrow. And thus passes away the glory of the world.

Healing comes from the healed; not from the physician.