" (l.48)). In the course of this argument the woman shows her feeling of monotony explicitly by saying "That's all we do, isn't it- look at things and try new drinks?" (ll.55/56).
Then the girl looks off the hills again and comments on them (ll.58-61). The couple, directed by the girl, is just having small talk, which gets the man to start a conversation about the possible abortion (l.67). The girl reacts to this surprising topic as follows: she "looked at the ground the legs rested on" (l. 69). Even though it might seem far fetched, this reaction shows, that the woman is looking for something secure, with a solid hold, because she herself is insecure and longing for stability. After not having said anything at first, the girl asks "Then what will we do afterward?" This Question proofs that she cares about the future. The American replies, that everything will be fine afterward (l.76). "Afterward" means after the abortion, which he wants the girl to do, even though, he repeats throughout the dialogue "if you don't want to you don't have to" (e.g. l.87). But I doubt this, because the man says "I think it's the best thing to do" (l.91), and "That's the only thing that bothers us. It's the only thing, that's made us unhappy" (ll.78/79). In reaction to the latter statement the girl "puts her hand out and takes hold of two strings of beads" (ll.80/81), which demonstrates once more her need of hold and security.
The tone of the conversation can be interpreted as ironic, when the girl responds to the man's comment "I have known lots of people that have done it" (ll.83/84) , "So have I, and afterward they were all so happy" (girl: ll.85/86). Then, the conversation is led on the future relationship, again (ll.93-101). The woman always wants to hear from the man, that things will be like they were and he will love her. She wants to keep a harmonic relationship, which is, however, already sort of broken and different from what it used it be.
