第11部分(第6/7 頁)

　I　think　he　wishes　he　had　a　daughter　instead　of　a　houseful　of　boys。〃

The　idea　that　I　might　ever　have　been　discussed；　around　the　dinner　table；　at　the　bakery　fire；　just　in　passing　in　Peetaˇs　house　gives　me　a　start。　It　must　have　been　when　the　mother　was　out　of　the　room。

¨He　knew　your　mother　when　they　were　kids；〃　says　Peeta。

Another　surprise。　But　probably　true。　¨Oh；　yes。　She　grew　up　in　town；〃　I　say。　It　seems　impolite　to　say　she　never　mentioned　the　baker　except　to　pliment　his　bread。

Weˇre　at　my　door。　I　give　back　his　jacket。　¨See　you　in　the　morning　then。〃

¨See　you；〃　he　says；　and　walks　off　down　the　hall。

When　I　open　my　door；　the　redheaded　girl　is　collecting　my　unitard　and　boots　from　where　I　left　them　on　the　floor　before　my　shower。　I　want　to　apologize　for　possibly　getting　her　in　trouble　earlier。　But　I　remember　Iˇm　not　supposed　to　speak　to　her　unless　Iˇm　giving　her　an　order。

¨Oh；　sorry；〃　I　say。　¨I　was　supposed　to　get　those　back　to　Cinna。　Iˇm　sorry。　Can　you　take　them　to　him？〃

She　avoids　my　eyes；　gives　a　small　nod；　and　heads　out　the　door。

Iˇd　set　out　to　tell　her　I　was　sorry　about　dinner。　But　I　know　that　my　apology　runs　much　deeper。　That　Iˇm　ashamed　I　never　tried　to　help　her　in　the　woods。　That　I　let　the　Capitol　kill　the　boy　and　mutilate　her　without　lifting　a　finger。

Just　like　I　was　watching　the　Games。

I　kick　off　my　shoes　and　climb　under　the　covers　in　my　clothes。　The　shivering　hasnˇt　stopped。　Perhaps　the　girl　doesnˇt　even　remember　me。　But　I　know　she　does。　You　donˇt　forget　the　face　of　the　person　who　was　your　last　hope。　I　pull　the　covers　up　over　my　head　as　if　this　will　protect　me　from　the　redheaded　girl　who　canˇt　speak。　But　I　can　feel　her　eyes　staring　at　me；　piercing　through　walls　and　doors　and　bedding。