The opportunity came

a week later, on that never-to-be-
forgotten Friday. Of course it was a Friday.

"I ought to have been specially careful on a Friday," she used
to say afterwards to her husband, while perhaps Nana was on the
other side of her, holding her hand.

"No, no," Mr. Darling always said, "I am responsible for it
all. I, George Darling, did it. MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA." He had
had a classical education.

They sat thus night after night recalling that fatal Friday,
till every detail of it was stamped on their brains and came
through on the other side like the faces on a bad coinage.

"If only I had not accepted that invitation to dine at 27,"
Mrs. Darling said.

"If only I had not poured my medicine into Nana's bowl," said
Mr. Darling.