George V. Higgins's art of dialogue

THE OBSERVER column by Sam Allis, "The lens of 'Eddie Coyle' " (Page A2, May 17), was both well-done (as usual) and true, and brought back memories. While I didn't know author George V. Higgins well, we did attend some mutual social gatherings. I recall one at his place in Hingham. My wife told me afterward that she - knowing that his father had been ill - of course asked George how his father was. The answer was succinct and telling: "Dead."