Lexicographer review — Page 16 of 37 S2

Haney peered doubtfully at his drinking companion through bleary , tear-filled eyes .

He had no ready answer , as much from surprise as from the fit of coughing .

Was the man drunk or crazy or both ?

But his new-found buddy had matched him drink for drink until he lost count , and the man 's eyes were still clear .

The guy is off his rocker , Haney thought to himself , and looked away from those eyes .

Haney peered doubtfully at his drinking companion through bleary , tear-filled eyes .

He had no ready answer , as much from surprise as from the fit of coughing .

Was the man drunk or crazy or both ?

But his new-found buddy had matched him drink for drink until he lost count , and the man 's eyes were still clear .

The guy is off his rocker , Haney thought to himself , and looked away from those eyes .

When the light went their way , they went on across the street .

And when the stranger found out that Phil was on the way to one of his favorite bars , he insisted on offering to buy drinks for both of them .

Phil usually went alone and kept to himself , sitting in a corner and passing the time by nursing his favorite grudges .

But he decided he would n't mind company in return for free drinks , even though he made good money at his job .

Phil was like that .

I meant it .

And everybody has some kind of grudge .

I might have got hit by that truck if it was n't for you .

I believe in returning favors .

I 'll do anything for somebody I like .

He says the neighbors complain , but I do n't believe it .

Why do n't they tell me themselves if it bothers them “ ?

The man closed his eyes and nodded .

When he looked up again , he seemed almost contented .

“ Fine .

Maybe suicide , if it looks reasonable .

In that way there 's no trouble for the customer “ .

Haney 's eyebrows flew up .

“ Customer “ ?

Pete smiled modestly .

The landlord had died .

Late that afternoon , it seemed , he had fallen off the roof while on some obscure errand or inspection .

He had apparently been alone .

Nobody witnessed the fall -- just the sickening impact when his body smashed on the pavement just outside the basement delivery entrance .

Haney hoped that nobody noticed his sudden pallor , as he felt the blood drain from his cheeks .

But after all , why should they ?

Still later , he finally convinced himself that it was an accident -- just a coincidence .

The stranger really had nothing to do with it , of course

Haney went to bed , happy that at least he was rid of that lousy landlord .

After all , the man had no family , so no one suffered , and everybody was better off for it .

Pete nodded understandingly .

“ Oh yes .

Now I see .

You must understand , I have n't been in this state too long .

I came out here to retire .

Tuesday 's rout of a GOP congressional hopeful in a Mississippi district that has n't backed a Democratic presidential candidate since Adlai Stevenson is another reminder that , at least at the federal level , political “ ticket splitting “ has been on the rise over the past half century .

In only one presidential election year prior to 1948 did more than 20 % of the nation 's congressional districts choose a different party 's candidate for the White House than for the House of Representatives .

Now that percentage routinely equals a third and twice has been above 40 % .

As we know , voters tend to favor Republicans more in races for president than in those for Congress .