floor。 It was here Hal had been sleeping … dozing； at least … when we pulled in。
As John approached； her expression underwent a third change。 Suddenly I saw Melly； whose kindness had meant so much to me over the years； and even more to Janice when the kids had flown from the nest and she had been left feeling so alone and useless and blue。 Melly was still interested； but now her interest seemed sane and aware。
〃Who are you？〃 she asked in a clear； reasonable voice。 〃And why have you so many scars on your hands and arms？ Who hurt you so badly？〃
〃I don't hardly remember where they all e from； ma'am；〃 John Coffey said in a humble voice； and sat down beside her on her bed。
Melinda smiled as well as she could … the sneering right side of her mouth trembled； but e up。 She touched a white scar； curved like a scimitar； on the back of his left hand。 〃What a blessing that is！ Do you understand why？〃
〃Reckon if you don't know who hurt you or dog you down； it don't keep you up nights；〃 John Coffey said in his almost…Southern voice。
She laughed at that； the sound as pure as silver in the bad…smelling sickroom。 Hal was beside me now； breathing rapidly but not trying to interfere。 When Melly laughed； his rapid breathing paused for a moment； indrawn； and one of his big hands gripped my shoulder。 He gripped it hard enough to leave a bruise … I saw it the next day … but right then I hardly felt it。
〃What's your name？〃 she asked。
〃John Coffey； ma'am。〃
〃Coffey like the drink。〃
〃Yes； ma'am； only spelled different。〃
She lay back against her pillows； propped up but not quite sitting up； looking at him。 He sat beside her； looking back； and the light from the lamp circled them like they were actors on a stage … the