When he thought about it, it seemed to Brunetti that what he did when he came here was similar to what a person who was going to experience physical pain--an injection, exposure to sharp cold--did with his body: he tensed his muscles and concentrated, to the exclusion of all other sensation, on resisting that anticipated pain. But, instead of tightening his muscles, Brunetti found himself, if such a thing could be said to be, tightening his soul.