Ray Elliot, the night policeman, had taken the job so that he would be able to help his wife manage for at least some part of the daytime. He could get by with about five hours'sleep in the morning and then a nap in the late afternoon. Often,the nap did not materialize, because of some chore that had to be done or just because he and his wife-her name was Isabel-got to talking.They had no children and could get talking anytime about anything. He brought her the news of the town, which often made her laugh, and she told him about the books she was reading.
夜勤巡査のレイ・エリオットは、日中のすくなくとも何時間かは妻日常の手助けができるようこの仕事に就いていた。午前中に5時間ばかり眠り午後遅くに昼寝すればなんとかやっていけた。昼寝は実現しないことも多かった、何かやるべき用事ができたり、あるいはただ単に妻ー彼女の名前はイザベルといったーとおしゃべりしてしまったりで。夫婦には子供がおらず、いっでも、どんなことでおしゃべりできた。彼は妻に町のニュースを持ち帰り、それでよく妻を笑わせ、妻は彼に読でいる本のことを話した。