


Thirty-three/cd-hl 
Scotty/np did/dod not/* go/vb back/rb to/in school/nn ./.
His/pp$ parents/nns talked/vbd seriously/rb and/cc lengthily/rb to/in their/pp$ own/jj doctor/nn and/cc to/in a/at specialist/nn at/in the/at University/nn-tl Hospital/nn-tl --/-- Mr./np McKinley/np was/bedz entitled/vbn to/in a/at discount/nn for/in members/nns of/in his/pp$ family/nn --/-- and/cc it/pps was/bedz decided/vbn it/pps would/md be/be best/jjt for/cs him/ppo to/to take/vb the/at remainder/nn of/in the/at term/nn off/rp ,/, spend/vb a/at lot/nn of/in time/nn in/in bed/nn and/cc ,/, for/in the/at rest/nn ,/, do/do pretty/ql much/rb as/cs he/pps chose/vbd --/-- provided/vbn ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, he/pps chose/vbd to/to do/do nothing/pn too/ql exciting/jj or/cc too/ql debilitating/jj ./.
His/pp$ teacher/nn and/cc his/pp$ school/nn principal/nn were/bed conferred/vbn with/in and/cc everyone/pn agreed/vbd that/cs ,/, if/cs he/pps kept/vbd up/rp with/in a/at certain/ap amount/nn of/in work/nn at/in home/nn ,/, there/ex was/bedz little/ap danger/nn of/in his/pp$ losing/vbg a/at term/nn ./.


	Scotty/np accepted/vbd the/at decision/nn with/in indifference/nn and/cc did/dod not/* enter/vb the/at arguments/nns ./.


	He/pps was/bedz discharged/vbn from/in the/at hospital/nn after/in a/at two-day/jj checkup/nn and/cc he/pps and/cc his/pp$ parents/nns had/hvd what/wdt Mr./np McKinley/np described/vbd as/cs a/at ``/`` celebration/nn lunch/nn ''/'' at/in the/at cafeteria/nn on/in the/at campus/nn ./.
Rachel/np wore/vbd a/at smart/jj hat/nn and/cc ,/, because/cs she/pps had/hvd been/ben warned/vbn recently/rb about/in smoking/vbg ,/, puffed/vbd at/in her/pp$ cigarettes/nns through/in a/at long/jj ivory/jj holder/nn stained/vbn with/in lipstick/nn ./.
Scotty's/np$ father/nn sat/vbd sprawled/vbn in/in his/pp$ chair/nn ,/, angular/jj ,/, alert/jj as/cs a/at cricket/nn ,/, looking/vbg about/rb at/in the/at huge/jj stainless-steel/nn appointments/nns of/in the/at room/nn with/in an/at expression/nn of/in proprietorship/nn ./.


	Teachers/nns --/-- men/nns who/wps wore/vbd brown/jj suits/nns and/cc had/hvd gray/jj hair/nn and/cc pleasant/jj smiles/nns --/-- came/vbd to/in their/pp$ table/nn to/to talk/vb shop/nn and/cc to/to be/be introduced/vbn to/in Scotty/np and/cc Rachel/np ./.
Rachel/np was/bedz polite/jj ,/, Scotty/np indifferent/jj ./.
They/ppss ate/vbd the/at cafeteria/nn food/nn with/in its/pp$ orange/jj sauces/nns and/cc Scotty/np gazed/vbd without/in interest/nn at/in his/pp$ food/nn ,/, the/at teachers/nns ,/, the/at heroic/jj baronial/jj windows/nns ,/, and/cc the/at bright/jj ranks/nns of/in college/nn banners/nns ./.
His/pp$ father/nn tried/vbd to/to make/vb the/at food/nn a/at topic/nn ./.


	``/`` The/at blueberry/nn pie/nn is/bez good/jj ,/, Scotty/np ./.
I/ppss recommend/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps looked/vbd at/in his/pp$ son/nn ,/, his/pp$ face/nn worried/vbn ./.
Scotty/np murmured/vbd ,/, ``/`` No/rb ,/, thanks/nns ''/'' ,/, so/ql softly/rb his/pp$ father/nn had/hvd to/to bend/vb his/pp$ gaunt/jj height/nn across/in the/at table/nn and/cc turn/vb a/at round/jj brown/jj ear/nn to/in him/ppo ./.
Scotty/np regarded/vbd the/at ear/nn and/cc the/at grizzled/jj hair/nn around/in it/ppo with/in a/at moment/nn of/in interest/nn ./.
He/pps said/vbd more/ql loudly/rb ,/, ``/`` I'm/ppss+bem full/jj ,/, old/jj Pop/np ''/'' ./.
He/pps had/hvd eaten/vbn almost/rb nothing/pn on/in the/at crested/jj ,/, three-sectioned/jj plate/nn and/cc had/hvd drunk/jj about/rb half/abn the/at milk/nn in/in its/pp$ paper/nn container/nn ./.


	``/`` He's/pps+bez all/ql right/jj ,/, Craig/np ''/'' ,/, Rachel/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss can/md fix/vb him/ppo something/pn later/rbr in/in the/at afternoon/nn when/wrb we/ppss get/vb home/nr ''/'' ./.


	Since/cs his/pp$ seizure/nn ,/, Scotty/np had/hvd had/hvn little/ap appetite/nn ;/. ;/.
yet/cc his/pp$ changed/vbn appearance/nn ,/, surprisingly/rb ,/, was/bedz one/cd of/in plumpness/nn ./.
His/pp$ face/nn was/bedz fuller/jjr ;/. ;/.
his/pp$ lips/nns and/cc the/at usually/rb sharp/jj lines/nns of/in his/pp$ jaw/nn had/hvd become/vbn swollen-looking/jj ./.
He/pps breathed/vbd now/rb with/in his/pp$ mouth/nn open/jj ,/, showing/vbg a/at whitely/rb curving/vbg section/nn of/in lower/jjr teeth/nns ;/. ;/.
he/pps kept/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, with/in their/pp$ puffed/vbn blurred/vbn lids/nns ,/, always/rb lowered/vbn ,/, though/cs not/* ,/, apparently/rb ,/, focusing/vbg ./.
Even/rb his/pp$ neck/nn seemed/vbd thicker/jjr and/cc ,/, therefore/rb ,/, shorter/jjr ./.
His/pp$ hands/nns ,/, which/wdt had/hvd been/ben as/ql quick/jj as/cs a/at pair/nn of/in fluttering/vbg birds/nns ,/, were/bed now/rb neither/cc active/jj nor/cc really/ql relaxed/vbn ./.
They/ppss lay/vbd on/in his/pp$ lap/nn ,/, palms/nns up/rp ,/, stiffly/rb motionless/jj ,/, the/at tapered/vbn fingers/nns a/at little/ql thick/jj at/in the/at joints/nns ./.
Altogether/rb he/pps had/hvd ,/, since/in the/at seizure/nn ,/, the/at appearance/nn of/in a/at boy/nn who/wps overindulged/vbd in/in food/nn and/cc took/vbd no/at exercise/nn ./.
He/pps looked/vbd lazy/jj ,/, spoiled/vbn ,/, a/at little/ql querulous/jj ./.


	Rachel/np had/hvd little/ap to/to say/vb ./.
She/pps greeted/vbd her/pp$ husband's/nn$ colleagues/nns with/in smiling/vbg politeness/nn ,/, offering/vbg nothing/pn ./.
Mr./np McKinley/np ,/, for/in all/abn his/pp$ sprawling/vbg and/cc his/pp$ easy/jj familiarity/nn ,/, was/bedz completely/ql alert/jj to/in his/pp$ son/nn ,/, eyes/nns always/rb on/in the/at still/jj face/nn ,/, jumping/vbg to/to anticipate/vb Scotty's/np$ desires/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at strained/vbn ,/, silent/jj lunch/nn ./.


	Rachel/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I'd/ppss+md better/rbr get/vb him/ppo to/in bed/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at doctors/nns had/hvd suggested/vbn Scotty/np remain/vb most/ap of/in every/at afternoon/nn in/in bed/nn until/cs he/pps was/bedz stronger/jjr ./.


	Since/cs Mr./np McKinley/np had/hvd to/to give/vb a/at lecture/nn ,/, Rachel/np and/cc Scotty/np drove/vbd home/nr alone/rb in/in the/at Plymouth/np ./.
They/ppss did/dod not/* speak/vb much/rb ./.
Scotty/np gazed/vbd out/rp at/in ugly/jj gray/jj slums/nns and/cc said/vbd softly/rb ,/, ``/`` Look/vb at/in those/dts stupid/jj kids/nns ''/'' ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at Negro/np section/nn of/in peeling/vbg row/nn houses/nns ,/, store-front/nn churches/nns and/cc ragged/jj children/nns ./.
Rachel/np had/hvd to/to bend/vb toward/in Scotty/np and/cc ask/vb him/ppo to/to repeat/vb ./.
He/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Nothing/pn ''/'' ./.
And/cc then/rb :/: ``/`` There/ex are/ber lots/nns of/in kids/nns around/in here/rb ''/'' ./.


	Scotty/np looked/vbd at/in the/at children/nns ,/, his/pp$ mouth/nn slightly/rb opened/vbn ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns dull/jj ./.
He/pps felt/vbd tired/jj and/cc full/jj and/cc calm/jj ./.



Thirty-four/cd-hl 
the/at days/nns seemed/vbd short/jj ,/, perhaps/rb because/cs his/pp$ routine/nn was/bedz ,/, each/dt day/nn ,/, almost/rb the/at same/ap ./.
He/pps rose/vbd late/rb and/cc went/vbd down/rp in/in his/pp$ bathrobe/nn and/cc slippers/nns to/to have/hv breakfast/nn either/cc alone/rb or/cc with/in Rachel/np ./.
Virginia/np treated/vbd him/ppo with/in attention/nn and/cc tried/vbd to/to tempt/vb his/pp$ appetite/nn with/in special/jj food/nn :/: biscuits/nns ,/, cookies/nns ,/, candies/nns --/-- the/at result/nn of/in devoted/vbn hours/nns in/in the/at tiled/vbn kitchen/nn ./.
She/pps would/md hover/vb over/in him/ppo and/cc ,/, looking/vbg like/cs her/pp$ brother/nn ,/, anxiously/rb watch/vb the/at progress/nn of/in Scotty's/np$ fork/nn or/cc spoon/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss don't/do* eat/vb enough/ap ,/, honey/nn ./.
Try/vb to/to get/vb that/dt down/rp ''/'' ./.


	Rachel/np ,/, observing/vbg ,/, would/md say/vb ,/, ``/`` He/pps has/hvz to/to rediscover/vb his/pp$ own/jj capacity/nn ./.
It'll/pps+md take/vb time/nn ''/'' ./.


	Virginia/np and/cc Rachel/np talked/vbd to/in each/dt other/ap quietly/rb now/rb ,/, as/cs allies/nns who/wps are/ber political/jj rather/rb than/cs natural/jj might/nn in/in a/at war/nn atmosphere/nn ./.
Both/abx watched/vbd Scotty/np constantly/rb ,/, Rachel/np without/in seeming/vbg to/to ,/, Virginia/np openly/rb ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns filled/vbn with/in concern/nn ./.
Scotty/np was/bedz neutral/jj ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* resent/vb their/pp$ supervision/nn or/cc Virginia's/np$ sometimes/rb tiring/vbg sympathy/nn ./.
He/pps ate/vbd what/wdt he/pps felt/vbd like/cs ,/, slept/vbd as/ql much/rb or/cc as/ql little/rb as/cs he/pps pleased/vbd ,/, and/cc moved/vbd about/in the/at draughty/jj rooms/nns of/in the/at house/nn ,/, when/wrb he/pps was/bedz not/* in/in bed/nn ,/, with/in slow/jj ,/, dubious/jj steps/nns ,/, like/cs an/at elderly/jj tourist/nn in/in a/at cathedral/nn ./.
His/pp$ energy/nn was/bedz gone/vbn ./.
He/pps was/bedz able/jj ,/, now/rb ,/, to/to sit/vb for/in hours/nns in/in a/at chair/nn in/in the/at living/vbg room/nn and/cc stare/vb out/rp at/in the/at bleak/jj yard/nn without/in moving/vbg ./.
His/pp$ hands/nns lay/vbd loosely/rb ,/, yet/cc stiffly/rb --/-- they/ppss were/bed like/cs wax/nn hands/nns :/: almost/ql lifelike/jj ,/, not/* quite/ql --/-- folded/vbn in/in his/pp$ lap/nn ;/. ;/.
his/pp$ mouth/nn hung/vbd slightly/ql open/jj ./.
When/wrb he/pps was/bedz asked/vbn a/at question/nn or/cc addressed/vbn in/in such/abl a/at way/nn that/cs some/dti response/nn was/bedz inescapable/jj ,/, he/pps would/md answer/vb ;/. ;/.
if/cs ,/, as/cs often/rb happened/vbd ,/, he/pps had/hvd to/to repeat/vb because/cs he/pps had/hvd spoken/vbn too/ql softly/rb ,/, he/pps would/md repeat/vb his/pp$ words/nns in/in the/at same/ap way/nn ,/, without/in emphasis/nn or/cc impatience/nn ,/, only/rb a/at little/ql louder/jjr ./.


	He/pps had/hvd not/* mentioned/vbn Kate/np ./.
He/pps had/hvd not/* even/rb thought/vbn about/in her/ppo much/rb except/in once/rb or/cc twice/rb at/in night/nn in/in bed/nn when/wrb his/pp$ slowly/rb ranging/vbg thoughts/nns would/md abruptly/rb ,/, almost/ql accidentally/rb ,/, encounter/vb her/ppo ./.
At/in these/dts times/nns he/pps felt/vbd a/at kind/nn of/in pain/nn in/in his/pp$ upper/jj chest/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz an/at objective/jj pain/nn ,/, in/in no/at way/nn different/jj from/in others/nns in/in intensity/nn and/cc not/* different/jj in/in kind/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz like/cs the/at bandaged/vbn wound/nn on/in the/at back/nn of/in his/pp$ head/nn which/wdt occasionally/rb throbbed/vbd ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz merely/rb another/dt part/nn of/in his/pp$ weakness/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz calm/jj ,/, drugged/vbn ,/, and/cc lazy/jj ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* care/vb ./.


	Rachel/np mentioned/vbd Kate/np ./.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss notice/vb the/at girl/nn from/in across/in the/at street/nn hasn't/hvz* bothered/vbn to/to phone/vb or/cc visit/vb ''/'' ./.


	Scotty/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` That's/dt+bez all/ql right/jj ./.
Kate's/np+bez all/ql right/jj ''/'' ./.
He/pps thought/vbd about/in it/ppo briefly/rb ,/, then/rb deliberately/rb turned/vbd the/at talk/nn to/in something/pn else/rb ./.


	Once/rb ,/, sitting/vbg at/in the/at front/jj window/nn in/in his/pp$ parents'/nns$ room/nn ,/, he/pps saw/vbd Kate/np come/vb out/rp of/in her/pp$ house/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz with/in Elizabeth/np ./.
They/ppss were/bed far/rb off/rp and/cc looked/vbd tiny/jj ./.
The/at heavy/jj branches/nns in/in his/pp$ front/jj yard/nn would/md hide/vb and/cc then/rb reveal/vb them/ppo ./.
They/ppss turned/vbd at/in the/at bottom/nn of/in Kate's/np$ steps/nns and/cc moved/vbd off/rp in/in the/at direction/nn of/in the/at park/nn ./.
He/pps thought/vbd he/pps saw/vbd --/-- it/pps awakened/vbd and/cc ,/, for/in a/at moment/nn ,/, interested/vbd him/ppo --/-- that/cs Elizabeth/np held/vbd a/at leash/nn in/in her/pp$ hand/nn and/cc that/cs a/at round/jj fuzzy/jj puppy/nn was/bedz on/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at leash/nn ./.
Then/rb they/ppss disappeared/vbd and/cc Scotty/np got/vbd up/rp and/cc went/vbd into/in his/pp$ own/jj room/nn and/cc got/vbd into/in bed/nn ./.
By/in the/at time/nn he/pps was/bedz under/in the/at covers/nns he/pps had/hvd forgotten/vbn about/in seeing/vbg Kate/np ./.


	The/at doctor/nn ,/, since/cs Scotty/np was/bedz no/ql longer/rbr allowed/vbn to/to make/vb his/pp$ regular/jj trips/nns into/in town/nn to/to see/vb him/ppo ,/, came/vbd often/rb and/cc informally/rb to/in the/at house/nn ./.
He/pps would/md sit/vb ,/, slim-waisted/jj and/cc spare/jj ,/, on/in the/at edge/nn of/in Scotty's/np$ bed/nn ,/, his/pp$ legs/nns crossed/vbn so/ql elaborately/rb that/cs the/at crossed/vbn foot/nn could/md tap/vb the/at floor/nn ./.
Scotty/np did/dod not/* mind/vb the/at doctor's/nn$ unsmiling/jj teasing/nn as/cs he/pps used/vbd to/to ./.


	``/`` Husky/jj young/jj man/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd with/in mock/jj distaste/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss imagine/vb you're/ppss+ber always/rb battling/vbg in/in school/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* go/vb to/to school/vb any/ql more/rbr ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Pardon/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at doctor/nn had/hvd to/to bend/vb close/rb to/to hear/vb ;/. ;/.
his/pp$ delicate/jj hand/nn ,/, as/ql veined/vbn as/cs a/at moth's/nn$ wing/nn ,/, rested/vbd absently/rb on/in Scotty's/np$ chest/nn ./.
Scotty/np said/vbd the/at same/ap words/nns more/ql loudly/rb ./.
``/`` Oh/uh ./.
Well/uh ,/, we're/ppss+ber taking/vbg a/at little/jj vacation/nn ,/, that's/dt+bez all/abn ''/'' ./.
He/pps turned/vbd unsmilingly/rb to/in Rachel/np ./.
``/`` I/ppss think/vb by/in the/at end/nn of/in next/ap week/nn he/pps could/md get/vb out/rp in/in the/at air/nn a/at little/jj ./.
He/pps could/md now/rb but/cc the/at weakness/nn is/bez very/ql definite/jj ;/. ;/.
it/pps would/md exhaust/vb him/ppo further/rbr and/cc unnecessarily/rb ./.
He'll/pps+md be/be stronger/jjr soon/rb ''/'' ./.
His/pp$ stethoscope/nn was/bedz on/in the/at table/nn by/in Scotty's/np$ bed/nn and/cc he/pps picked/vbd it/ppo up/rp and/cc wagged/vbd it/ppo at/in Scotty/np ./.
He/pps said/vbd fussily/rb ,/, ``/`` Just/rb keep/vb the/at cap/nn on/in those/dts strong/jj emotions/nns ''/'' ./.
The/at stethoscope/nn glinted/vbd silver/nn in/in the/at darkening/vbg room/nn ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md drop/vb by/rb again/rb in/in a/at few/ap days/nns ''/'' ./.


	Rachel/np stayed/vbd on/rp after/cs the/at doctor/nn had/hvd gone/vbn ./.
She/pps smoothed/vbd the/at covers/nns on/in Scotty's/np$ bed/nn and/cc picked/vbd things/nns up/rp from/in the/at floor/nn ./.
She/pps did/dod not/* touch/vb him/ppo ./.
Scotty/np watched/vbd with/in disinterest/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* speak/vb ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at desire/nn to/to ./.


	She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Do/do you/ppss think/vb you'll/ppss+md miss/vb school/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps had/hvd noticed/vbn how/wql formal/jj and/cc irritably/ql exact/jj Rachel/np had/hvd grown/vbn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* care/vb ./.
He/pps felt/vbd her/pp$ irritability/nn did/dod not/* concern/vb him/ppo ,/, yet/cc he/pps knew/vbd he/pps would/md not/* care/vb even/rb if/cs it/pps did/dod ./.
He/pps shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` We've/ppss+hv had/hvn any/dti number/nn of/in calls/nns about/in you/ppo ./.
You/ppss could/md win/vb a/at popularity/nn contest/nn at/in that/dt school/nn without/in any/dti trouble/nn ./.
Miss/np Estherson/np called/vbd twice/rb ./.
She/pps wants/vbz to/to pay/vb you/ppo a/at visit/nn ./.
She/pps says/vbz the/at children/nns miss/vb you/ppo ./.
Apparently/rb you/ppss were/bed the/at light/nn of/in their/pp$ lives/nns ''/'' ./.


	Scotty/np shrugged/vbd slightly/rb ./.
Rachel/np came/vbd close/rb to/in the/at bed/nn ,/, bent/vbd as/cs if/cs she/pps would/md kiss/vb him/ppo ,/, then/rb moved/vbd away/rb ./.
She/pps was/bedz frowning/vbg ./.
``/`` That/dt doctor/nn annoys/vbz me/ppo ''/'' ./.
She/pps seemed/vbd to/to speak/vb to/in herself/ppl ./.
``/`` Do/do you/ppo suppose/vb his/pp$ self-consciousness/nn is/bez characteristic/jj of/in the/at new/jj Negro/np professionals/nns or/cc merely/rb of/in doctors/nns in/in general/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps turned/vbd to/in him/ppo again/rb ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, Mrs./np Charles/np --/-- Sally/np --/-- has/hvz phoned/vbn too/rb ./.
She/pps was/bedz very/ql worried/vbn ''/'' ./.
Rachel's/np$ tone/nn was/bedz dry/jj ./.
``/`` She/pps didn't/dod* really/rb say/vb ''/'' --/-- She/pps glanced/vbd away/rb at/in the/at floor/nn ,/, then/rb swooped/vbd gracefully/rb and/cc picked/vbd up/rp one/cd of/in Scotty's/np$ slippers/nns ./.
``/`` I/ppss mean/vb ,/, do/do you/ppss feel/vb like/cs seeing/vbg Kate/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Scotty/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ''/'' ./.
It/pps was/bedz true/jj ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* ./.
There/ex was/bedz the/at slight/jj pain/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz no/ql different/jj from/in the/at throbbing/nn in/in his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, there's/ex+bez time/nn ,/, in/in any/dti case/nn ./.
We'll/ppss+md wait/vb till/cs you're/ppss+ber stronger/jjr and/cc then/rb talk/vb about/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.
She/pps put/vbd the/at slipper/nn neatly/rb by/in its/pp$ mate/nn at/in the/at foot/nn of/in the/at bed/nn ./.


	Scotty/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Okay/jj ''/'' ./.


	This/dt time/nn Rachel/np kissed/vbd him/ppo lightly/rb on/in the/at forehead/nn ./.
Scotty/np was/bedz pleased/vbn ./.


	His/pp$ father/nn was/bedz a/at constant/jj visitor/nn ./.
Scotty/np would/md hear/vb the/at front/jj door/nn in/in the/at evening/nn and/cc then/rb his/pp$ father's/nn$ deep/jj slow/jj voice/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps floated/vbd up/in the/at stairs/nns ./.


	``/`` How's/wrb+bez Scotty/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	And/cc Rachel's/np$ or/cc Virginia's/np$ reply/nn :/: ``/`` better/jjr ./.
He's/pps+bez getting/vbg plenty/nn of/in rest/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Is/bez his/pp$ appetite/nn improved/vbn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Or/cc :/: ``/`` Does/doz he/pps get/vb exercise/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	The/at exchange/nn was/bedz almost/ql invariable/jj ,/, and/cc Scotty/np ,/, in/in his/pp$ bed/nn ,/, could/md hear/vb every/at word/nn of/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps never/rb smiled/vbd ./.
It/pps required/vbd an/at energy/nn he/pps no/ql longer/rbr possessed/vbd to/to be/be satirical/jj about/in his/pp$ father/nn ./.
His/pp$ father/nn would/md come/vb upstairs/rb and/cc stand/vb self-consciously/rb at/in the/at foot/nn of/in the/at bed/nn and/cc look/vb at/in his/pp$ son/nn ./.
After/in a/at pause/nn ,/, during/in which/wdt he/pps studied/vbd Scotty's/np$ face/nn as/cs if/cs Scotty/np were/bed not/* there/rb and/cc could/md not/* study/vb him/ppo too/rb ,/, Mr./np McKinley/np would/md ask/vb the/at same/ap questions/nns he/pps had/hvd asked/vbn downstairs/rb ./.


	Scotty/np would/md reply/vb softly/rb and/cc his/pp$ father/nn ,/, apologetically/rb ,/, would/md ask/vb him/ppo to/to repeat/vb ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem eating/vbg more/ap ''/'' ,/, he/pps would/md say/vb ./.
Or/cc :/: ``/`` I/ppss walk/vb around/in the/at house/nn a/at lot/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Perhaps/rb you/ppss should/md get/vb out/rp a/at little/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* supposed/vbn to/to yet/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* irritated/vbn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* mind/vb the/at useless/jj ,/, kindly/jj questions/nns ./.
He/pps looked/vbd at/in the/at lined/vbn face/nn with/in vague/jj interest/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps felt/vbd he/pps was/bedz noting/vbg it/ppo ,/, as/cs if/cs it/pps were/bed something/pn he/pps might/md think/vb about/in when/wrb he/pps grew/vbd stronger/jjr ./.


	Mr./np McKinley/np examined/vbd everything/pn with/in critical/jj care/nn ,/, seeking/vbg something/pn material/nn to/to blame/vb for/in his/pp$ son's/nn$ illness/nn ./.


	``/`` Have/hv you/ppss got/vbn enough/ap blankets/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.
And/cc another/dt time/nn ,/, without/in accusation/nn :/: ``/`` You/ppss never/rb wore/vbd that/dt scarf/nn I/ppss bought/vbd you/ppo ''/'' ./.

Where/wrb their/pp$ sharp/jj edges/nns seemed/vbd restless/jj as/cs sea/nn waves/nns thrusting/vbg themselves/ppls upward/rb in/in angry/jj motion/nn ,/, Papa-san/np sat/vbd glacier-like/jj ,/, his/pp$ smooth/jj solidity/nn ,/, his/pp$ very/ap immobility/nn defying/vbg all/abn the/at turmoil/nn about/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` Our/pp$ objective/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at colonel/nn had/hvd said/vbn that/dt day/nn of/in the/at briefing/nn ,/, ``/`` is/bez Papa-san/np ''/'' ./.
There/rb the/at objective/nn sat/vbd ,/, brooding/vbg over/in all/abn ./.
Gouge/vb ,/, burn/vb ,/, blast/vb ,/, insult/vb it/ppo as/cs they/ppss would/md ,/, could/md anyone/pn really/rb take/vb Papa-san/np ?/. ?/.


	Between/in the/at ponderous/jj hulk/nn and/cc himself/ppl ,/, in/in the/at valley/nn over/in which/wdt Papa-san/np reigned/vbd ,/, men/nns had/hvd hidden/vbn high/jj explosives/nns ,/, booby/jj traps/nns ,/, and/cc mines/nns ./.
The/at raped/vbn valley/nn was/bedz a/at pregnant/jj womb/nn awaiting/vbg abortion/nn ./.
On/in the/at forward/jj slope/nn in/in front/nn of/in his/pp$ own/jj post/nn stretched/vbd two/cd rows/nns of/in barbed/vbn wire/nn ./.
At/in the/at slope's/nn$ base/nn coils/nns of/in concertina/nn stretched/vbd out/rp of/in eye/nn range/nn like/cs a/at wild/jj tangle/nn of/in children's/nns$ hoops/nns ,/, stopped/vbd simultaneously/rb ,/, weirdly/rb poised/vbn as/cs if/cs awaiting/vbg the/at magic/nn of/in the/at child's/nn$ touch/nn to/to start/vb them/ppo all/abn rolling/vbg again/rb ./.
Closer/rbr still/rb ,/, regular/jj barricades/nns of/in barbed/vbn wire/nn hung/vbd on/in timber/nn supports/nns ./.
Was/bedz it/pps all/abn vain/jj labor/nn ?/. ?/.
Who/wps would/md clean/vb up/rp the/at mess/nn when/wrb the/at war/nn was/bedz over/jj ?/. ?/.
Smiling/vbg at/in his/pp$ quixotic/jj thoughts/nns ,/, Warren/np turned/vbd back/rb from/in the/at opening/nn and/cc lit/vbd a/at cigarette/nn before/cs sitting/vbg down/rp ./.
Tonight/nr a/at group/nn of/in men/nns ,/, tomorrow/nr night/nn he/pps himself/ppl ,/, would/md go/vb out/in there/rb somewhere/rb and/cc wait/vb ./.
If/cs he/pps were/bed to/to go/vb with/in White/np ,/, he/pps would/md be/be out/in there/rb two/cd days/nns ,/, not/* just/rb listening/vbg in/in the/at dark/nn at/in some/dti point/nn between/in here/rb and/cc Papa-san/np ,/, but/cc moving/vbg ever/rb deeper/rbr into/in enemy/nn land/nn --/-- behind/in Papa-san/np --/-- itself/ppl ./.
Was/bedz this/dt what/wdt he/pps had/hvd expected/vbn ?/. ?/.
He/pps hadn't/hvd* realized/vbn that/cs there/ex would/md be/be so/ql much/ap time/nn to/to think/vb ,/, so/ql many/ap lulls/nns ./.
Somehow/rb he/pps had/hvd forgotten/vbn what/wdt he/pps must/md have/hv been/ben told/vbn ,/, that/cs combat/nn was/bedz an/at intermittent/jj activity/nn ./.
Now/rb he/pps knew/vbd that/cs the/at moment/nn illuminated/vbn by/in the/at vision/nn on/in the/at train/nn would/md have/hv to/to be/be approached/vbn ./.
It/pps could/md take/vb place/nn tomorrow/nr night/nn ,/, or/cc it/pps might/md occur/vb months/nns from/in now/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz just/rb too/ql much/ap time/nn ./.
Time/nn to/to become/vb afraid/jj ./.
White's/np$ suggestion/nn flattered/vbd ,/, but/cc he/pps did/dod not/* like/vb the/at identity/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* spill/vb over/rp with/in hatred/nn for/in the/at enemy/nn ./.
He/pps hadn't/hvd* even/rb seen/vbn him/ppo yet/rb 

	Pressing/vbg his/pp$ cigarette/nn out/rp in/in the/at earth/nn ,/, Warren/np walked/vbd to/in the/at slit/nn and/cc scanned/vbd the/at jagged/jj hills/nns ./.
He/pps saw/vbd no/at life/nn ,/, but/cc still/rb stood/vbd there/rb for/in a/at time/nn peering/vbg at/in the/at unlovely/jj hills/nns ,/, his/pp$ gaze/nn continually/rb returning/vbg to/in Papa-san/np ./.
He/pps had/hvd come/vbn here/rb in/in order/nn to/to test/vb himself/ppl ./.
While/cs most/ap of/in his/pp$ beliefs/nns were/bed still/rb unsettled/vbn ,/, he/pps knew/vbd that/cs he/pps did/dod not/* believe/vb in/in killing/vbg ./.
Yet/rb ,/, he/pps was/bedz here/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd come/vbn because/cs he/pps could/md not/* live/vb out/rp his/pp$ life/nn feeling/vbg that/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at coward/nn ./.




There/ex were/bed ten/cd men/nns on/in the/at patrol/nn which/wdt Sergeant/nn-tl Prevot/np led/vbd out/rp that/dt next/ap night/nn ./.
The/at beaming/vbg ROK/nn was/bedz carrying/vbg a/at thirty-caliber/jj machine/nn gun/nn ;/. ;/.
another/dt man/nn lugged/vbd the/at tripod/nn and/cc a/at box/nn of/in ammunition/nn ./.
Warren/np and/cc White/jj-tl each/dt carried/vbd ,/, in/in addition/nn to/in their/pp$ own/jj weapons/nns and/cc ammo/nn ,/, a/at box/nn of/in ammo/nn for/in the/at ROK's/np$ machine/nn gun/nn ./.
Others/nns carried/vbd extra/jj clips/nns for/in the/at Browning/np-tl Automatic/jj-tl Rifle/nn-tl ,/, which/wdt was/bedz in/in the/at hands/nns of/in a/at little/jj Mexican/np named/vbd Martinez/np ./.
Prevot/np had/hvd briefed/vbn the/at two/cd new/jj men/nns that/dt afternoon/nn ./.
``/`` We/ppss just/rb sit/vb quiet/jj and/cc wait/vb ''/'' ,/, Prevot/np had/hvd said/vbn ./.
``/`` Be/be sure/jj the/at man/nn nearest/in you/ppo is/bez awake/jj ./.
If/cs Joe/np doesn't/doz* show/vb up/rp ,/, we'll/ppss+md all/abn be/be back/rb here/rb at/in 0600/cd hours/nns ./.
Otherwise/rb ,/, we/ppss hold/vb a/at reception/nn ./.
Then/rb we/ppss pull/vb out/rp under/in our/pp$ mortar/nn and/cc artillery/nn cover/nn ,/, but/cc nobody/pn pulls/vbz out/rp until/cs I/ppss say/vb so/rb ./.
Remember/vb what/wdt I/ppss said/vbd about/in going/vbg out/rp to/to get/vb anybody/pn left/vbn behind/rb ?/. ?/.
That/dt still/rb holds/vbz ./.
We/ppss bring/vb back/rb all/abn dead/jj and/cc wounded/vbn ''/'' ./.


	At/in 2130/cd hours/nns they/ppss had/hvd passed/vbn through/in the/at barbed/vbn wire/nn at/in the/at point/nn of/in departure/nn ./.
Then/rb began/vbd the/at journey/nn through/in their/pp$ own/jj mine/nn fields/nns ./.
Mines/nns ./.
Ours/pp$$ were/bed kinder/jjr than/cs theirs/pp$$ ,/, some/dti said/vbd ./.
They/ppss set/vbd bouncing/vbg betties/nns to/to jump/vb and/cc explode/vb at/in testicle/nn level/nn while/cs we/ppss more/ql mercifully/rb had/hvd them/ppo go/vb off/rp at/in the/at head/nn ./.
Mines/nns ./.
Big/jj ones/nns and/cc little/jj ./.
The/at crude/jj wooden/jj boxes/nns of/in the/at enemy/nn ,/, our/pp$ nicely/rb turned/vbn gray/jj metal/nn disks/nns ./.
But/cc theirs/pp$$ defied/vbd the/at detectors/nns ./.
Mines/nns ./.
A/at foot/nn misplaced/vbn ,/, a/at leg/nn missing/vbg ./.
Mines/nns ./.
All/abn sizes/nns :/: big/jj ones/nns ,/, some/dti wired/vbn to/to set/vb off/rp a/at whole/jj field/nn ,/, little/jj ones/nns ,/, hand/nn grenade/nn size/nn ./.
Booby/jj traps/nns to/to fill/vb the/at head/nn with/in chunks/nns of/in metal/nn ./.
Warren/np tried/vbd to/to shake/vb off/rp the/at jumble/nn of/in his/pp$ fears/nns by/in looking/vbg at/in the/at sky/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz dark/jj ./.
Prevot/np had/hvd said/vbn that/cs the/at searchlights/nns would/md be/be bounced/vbn off/in the/at clouds/nns at/in 2230/cd hours/nns ,/, ``/`` which/wdt gives/vbz us/ppo time/nn to/to get/vb settled/vbn in/in position/nn ''/'' ./.


	Because/cs they/ppss were/bed new/jj men/nns and/cc to/to be/be sure/jj that/cs they/ppss didn't/dod* get/vb lost/vbn ,/, Prevot/np had/hvd placed/vbn Warren/np and/cc White/np in/in the/at center/nn of/in the/at patrol/nn as/cs it/pps filed/vbd out/rp ./.
His/pp$ eyes/nns now/rb fixed/vbn on/in White's/np$ solid/jj figure/nn ,/, Warren/np could/md hear/vb behind/in him/ppo the/at tread/nn of/in another/dt ./.
He/pps could/md also/rb hear/vb the/at stream/nn which/wdt he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn from/in his/pp$ position/nn ./.
They/ppss were/bed going/vbg to/to follow/vb it/ppo for/in part/nn of/in their/pp$ journey/nn ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez safe/jj ''/'' ,/, Prevot/np had/hvd said/vbn ,/, ``/`` and/cc it/pps provides/vbz cover/nn for/in our/pp$ noise/nn ''/'' ./.


	Soon/rb they/ppss were/bed picking/vbg their/pp$ way/nn along/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at stream/nn which/wdt glowed/vbd in/in the/at night/nn ./.
On/in their/pp$ right/nr rose/vbd the/at embankment/nn covered/vbn with/in brush/nn and/cc trees/nns ./.
If/cs a/at branch/nn extended/vbd out/rp too/ql far/rb ,/, each/dt man/nn held/vbd it/ppo back/rb for/in the/at next/ap ,/, and/cc if/cs they/ppss met/vbd a/at low/jj overhang/nn ,/, each/dt warned/vbd the/at other/ap ./.
Thus/rb ,/, stealthily/rb they/ppss advanced/vbd upstream/rb ;/. ;/.
then/rb they/ppss turned/vbd to/in the/at right/nr ,/, climbed/vbd the/at embankment/nn ,/, and/cc walked/vbd into/in the/at valley/nn again/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at cover/nn here/rb ,/, only/ap grass/nn sighing/vbg against/in pant-legs/nns ./.
And/cc with/in each/dt sigh/nn ,/, like/cs a/at whip/nn in/in the/at hand/nn of/in an/at expert/nn ,/, the/at grass/nn stripped/vbd something/pn from/in Warren/np ./.
The/at gentle/jj whir/nn of/in each/dt footstep/nn left/vbd him/ppo more/ql naked/jj than/cs before/rb ,/, until/cs he/pps felt/vbd his/pp$ unprotected/jj flesh/nn tremble/vb ,/, chilled/vbn by/in each/dt new/jj sound/nn ./.
The/at shapes/nns of/in the/at men/nns ahead/rb of/in him/ppo lacked/vbn solidity/nn ,/, as/cs if/cs the/at whip/nn had/hvd stripped/vbn them/ppo of/in their/pp$ very/ap flesh/nn ./.
The/at dark/jj forms/nns moved/vbd like/cs mourners/nns on/in some/dti nocturnal/jj pilgrimage/nn ,/, their/pp$ dirge/nn unsung/jj for/in want/nn of/in vocal/jj chords/nns ./.
The/at warped/vbn ,/, broken/vbn trees/nns in/in the/at valley/nn assumed/vbd wraith-like/jj shapes/nns ./.
Clumps/nns of/in brush/nn that/wpo they/ppss passed/vbd were/bed so/ql many/ap enchained/vbn demons/nns straining/vbg in/in anger/nn to/to tear/vb and/cc gnaw/vb on/in his/pp$ bones/nns ./.
Looming/vbg over/in all/abn ,/, Papa-san/np leered/vbd down/rp at/in him/ppo ,/, threatening/vbg a/at hundred/cd hidden/vbn malevolencies/nns ./.
Off/rp in/in the/at distance/nn a/at searchlight/nn flashed/vbd on/rp ,/, its/pp$ beam/nn slashing/vbg the/at sky/nn ./.
The/at sharp/jj ray/nn was/bedz absorbed/vbn by/in a/at cloud/nn ,/, then/rb reflected/vbn to/in the/at earth/nn in/in a/at softer/jjr ,/, diffused/vbn radiance/nn ./.
Somewhere/rb over/in there/rb another/dt patrol/nn had/hvd need/nn of/in light/nn ./.
Warren/np thought/vbd of/in all/abn the/at men/nns out/rp that/dt night/nn who/wps ,/, like/cs himself/ppl ,/, had/hvd left/vbn their/pp$ protective/jj ridge/nn and/cc --/-- fear/nn working/vbg at/in their/pp$ guts/nns --/-- picked/vbd their/pp$ way/nn into/in the/at area/nn beyond/rb ./.
From/in the/at east/nr to/in the/at west/nr coast/nn of/in the/at Korean/jj peninsula/nn was/bedz a/at strip/nn of/in land/nn in/in which/wdt fear-filled/jj men/nns were/bed at/in that/dt same/ap moment/nn furtively/rb crawling/vbg through/in the/at night/nn ,/, sitting/vbg in/in sweaty/jj anticipation/nn of/in any/dti movement/nn or/cc sound/nn ,/, or/cc shouting/vbg amidst/in confused/vbn rifle/nn flashes/nns and/cc muzzle/nn blasts/nns ./.
White's/np$ arm/nn went/vbd up/rp and/cc Warren/np raised/vbd his/pp$ own/jj ./.
The/at patrol/nn was/bedz stopping/vbg ./.


	Prevot/np came/vbd up/rp ``/`` ./.
Take/vb that/dt spot/nn over/in there/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps whispered/vbd ,/, pointing/vbg to/in a/at small/jj clump/nn of/in blackness/nn ./.
``/`` Give/vb me/ppo your/pp$ machine/nn gun/nn ammo/nn ''/'' ./.
Warren/np handed/vbd him/ppo the/at metal/nn box/nn and/cc Prevot/np quietly/rb disappeared/vbd down/in the/at line/nn ./.


	Lying/vbg in/in the/at grass/nn behind/in the/at brush/nn clump/nn ,/, Warren/np looked/vbd about/rb ./.
The/at others/nns likewise/rb had/hvd hidden/vbn themselves/ppls in/in the/at grass/nn and/cc the/at brush/nn ./.
Over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn he/pps could/md see/vb Prevot/np with/in the/at machine/nn gun/nn crew/nn ./.
Even/rb at/in this/dt short/jj distance/nn they/ppss were/bed only/rb vague/jj shapes/nns ,/, setting/vbg up/rp the/at machine/nn gun/nn on/in a/at small/jj knoll/nn so/cs that/cs it/pps could/md fire/vb above/in the/at heads/nns of/in the/at rest/nn of/in the/at patrol/nn ./.


	Warren/np eased/vbd his/pp$ rifle's/nn$ safety/nn off/rp and/cc gently/rb ,/, slowly/rb sneaked/vbd another/dt clip/nn of/in ammunition/nn from/in one/cd of/in the/at cloth/nn bandoleers/nns that/wps marked/vbd the/at upper/jj part/nn of/in his/pp$ body/nn with/in an/at Aj/nn ./.
This/dt he/pps placed/vbd within/in quick/jj reach/nn ./.
The/at walk/nn and/cc his/pp$ fears/nns had/hvd served/vbn to/to overheat/vb him/ppo and/cc his/pp$ sweaty/jj armpits/nns cooled/vbd at/in the/at touch/nn of/in the/at night/nn air/nn ./.
Although/cs the/at armored/vbn vest/nn fitted/vbd the/at upper/jj part/nn of/in his/pp$ body/nn snugly/rb ,/, he/pps felt/vbd no/at security/nn ./.
Figures/nns seemed/vbd to/to crouch/vb in/in the/at surrounding/vbg dark/nn ;/. ;/.
in/in the/at distance/nn he/pps saw/vbd a/at band/nn of/in men/nns who/wps seemed/vbd to/to advance/vb and/cc retreat/vb even/rb as/cs he/pps watched/vbd ./.
Certain/jj this/dt menace/nn was/bedz only/rb imaginary/jj ,/, he/pps yet/rb stared/vbd in/in fascinated/vbn horror/nn ,/, his/pp$ hand/nn sticky/jj against/in the/at stock/nn of/in his/pp$ weapon/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz aware/jj of/in insistent/jj inner/jj beatings/nns ,/, as/cs if/cs prisoners/nns within/in sought/vbn release/nn from/in his/pp$ rigid/jj body/nn ./.


	Above/rb ,/, the/at glowing/vbg ivory/jj baton/nn of/in their/pp$ searchlight/nn pointed/vbn at/in the/at clouds/nns ,/, diluting/vbg the/at valley's/nn$ dark/nn to/in a/at pallid/jj light/nn ./.
Then/rb the/at figures/nns which/wdt held/vbd his/pp$ attention/nn became/vbd a/at group/nn of/in shattered/vbn trees/nns ,/, standing/vbg like/cs the/at grotesques/nns of/in a/at medieval/jj damnation/nn scene/nn ./.
Even/rb so/rb ,/, he/pps could/md not/* ease/vb the/at tension/nn of/in his/pp$ body/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at rough/jj surface/nn of/in the/at earth/nn itself/ppl seemed/vbd to/to resist/vb every/at attempt/nn on/in his/pp$ part/nn to/to relax/vb ./.
Sensing/vbg the/at unseen/jj presence/nn of/in the/at other/ap men/nns in/in the/at patrol/nn ,/, he/pps felt/vbd mutely/rb united/vbn to/in these/dts nine/cd near-strangers/nns sharing/vbg this/dt pinpoint/nn of/in being/beg with/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps sensed/vbd something/pn precious/jj in/in the/at perilous/jj moment/nn ,/, something/pn akin/jj to/in the/at knowledge/nn gained/vbn on/in his/pp$ bicycle/nn trip/nn through/in the/at French/jj countryside/nn ,/, a/at knowledge/nn imprisoned/vbn in/in speechlessness/nn ./.


	--/-- In/in France/np he/pps had/hvd puzzled/vbn the/at meaning/nn of/in the/at great/jj stone/nn monuments/nns men/nns had/hvd thrown/vbn up/rp to/in the/at sky/nn ,/, and/cc always/rb as/cs he/pps wandered/vbd ,/, he/pps felt/vbd a/at stranger/nn to/in their/pp$ exultation/nn ./.
They/ppss were/bed poems/nns in/in a/at strange/jj language/nn ,/, of/in which/wdt he/pps could/md barely/rb touch/vb a/at meaning/nn --/-- enough/ap to/to make/vb his/pp$ being/beg ache/nn with/in the/at desire/nn for/in the/at fullness/nn he/pps sensed/vbd there/rb ./.
Brittany/np ,/, that/dt stone-gray/jj mystery/nn through/in which/wdt he/pps traveled/vbd for/in thirty/cd days/nns ,/, sleeping/vbg in/in the/at barns/nns of/in farmers/nns or/cc alongside/in roads/nns ,/, had/hvd worked/vbn some/dti subtle/jj change/nn in/in him/ppo ,/, he/pps knew/vbd ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz in/in Brittany/np that/cs he/pps had/hvd met/vbn Pierre/np ./.


	Pierre/np had/hvd no/at hands/nns ;/. ;/.
they/ppss had/hvd been/ben severed/vbn at/in the/at wrists/nns ./.
With/in leather/nn cups/nns fitted/vbn in/in his/pp$ handlebars/nns ,/, he/pps steered/vbd his/pp$ bicycle/nn ./.
He/pps and/cc Warren/np had/hvd traveled/vbn together/rb for/in four/cd days/nns ./.
They/ppss visited/vbd the/at shipyards/nns at/in Brest/np and/cc Pierre/np had/hvd to/to sign/vb the/at register/nn ,/, vouching/vbg for/in the/at integrity/nn of/in the/at visiting/vbg foreigner/nn ./.
He/pps took/vbd the/at pen/nn in/in his/pp$ stumps/nns and/cc began/vbd to/to write/vb ./.


	``/`` Wait/vb !/. !/.
Wait/vb ''/'' !/. !/.
Cried/vbd the/at guard/nn who/wps ran/vbd from/in the/at hut/nn to/to shout/vb to/in other/ap men/nns standing/vbg about/rb outside/rb ./.
They/ppss crowded/vbd the/at small/jj room/nn and/cc peered/vbd over/in one/cd another's/dt$ shoulders/nns to/to watch/vb the/at handless/jj man/nn write/vb his/pp$ name/nn in/in the/at book/nn ./.


	``/`` C'est/fw-dt+bez formidable/fw-jj ''/'' ,/, they/ppss exclaimed/vbd ./.


	``/`` Mais/fw-cc ,/, oui/fw-rb ./.
C'est/fw-dt+bez merveilleux/fw-jj ''/'' ./.


	And/cc then/rb the/at questions/nns came/vbd ,/, eager/jj ,/, interested/jj questions/nns ,/, and/cc many/ap compliments/nns on/in his/pp$ having/hvg overcome/vbn his/pp$ infirmity/nn ./.


	``/`` Doesn't/doz* it/pps ever/rb bother/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Warren/np had/hvd asked/vbn ,/, ``/`` to/to have/hv people/nns always/rb asking/vbg you/ppo about/in your/pp$ hands/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, the/at French/nps are/ber a/at very/ql curious/jj people/nns ''/'' ,/, Pierre/np had/hvd laughed/vbn ./.
``/`` They/ppss are/ber also/rb honest/jj seekers/nns after/in truth/nn ./.
Now/rb the/at English/nps are/ber painfully/rb silent/jj about/in my/pp$ missing/vbg hands/nns ./.
They/ppss refuse/vb to/to mention/vb or/cc to/to notice/vb that/cs they/ppss are/ber not/* there/rb ./.
The/at Americans/nps ,/, like/cs yourself/ppl ,/, take/vb the/at fact/nn for/in granted/vbn ,/, try/vb to/to be/be helpful/jj ,/, but/cc don't/do* ask/vb questions/nns ./.
I'm/ppss+bem used/vbn to/in all/abn three/cd ,/, but/cc I/ppss think/vb the/at French/nps have/hv the/at healthiest/jjt attitude/nn ''/'' ./.


	That/dt was/bedz the/at day/nn that/cs Pierre/np had/hvd told/vbn Warren/np about/in the/at Abbey/nn-tl of/in-tl Solesmes/np-tl ./.
``/`` You/ppss are/ber looking/vbg tired/jj and/cc there/rb you/ppss can/md rest/vb ./.
It/pps will/md be/be good/jj for/in you/ppo ./.
I/ppss think/vb ,/, too/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, his/pp$ dark/jj eyes/nns mischievous/jj ,/, ``/`` that/cs you/ppss will/md find/vb there/rb some/dti clue/nn to/in the/at secret/nn of/in the/at cathedrals/nns about/in which/wdt you/ppss have/hv spoken/vbn ''/'' ./.


	Within/in two/cd weeks/nns Warren/np was/bedz ringing/vbg the/at bell/nn at/in the/at abbey/nn gate/nn ./.
The/at monk/nn who/wps opened/vbd the/at door/nn immediately/rb calmed/vbd his/pp$ worries/nns about/in his/pp$ reception/nn :/: ``/`` I/ppss speak/vb English/np ''/'' ,/, the/at old/jj man/nn said/vbd ,/, ``/`` but/cc I/ppss do/do not/* hear/vb it/ppo very/ql well/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps smiled/vbd and/cc stuck/vbd a/at large/jj finger/nn with/in white/jj hairs/nns sprouting/vbg on/in it/ppo into/in his/pp$ ear/nn as/cs though/cs that/dt might/md help/vb ./.
Smiling/vbg at/in Warren's/np$ protestations/nns ,/, the/at old/jj monk/nn took/vbd his/pp$ grip/nn from/in him/ppo and/cc led/vbd him/ppo down/in a/at corridor/nn to/in a/at small/jj parlor/nn ./.
``/`` Will/md you/ppss please/vb wait/vb in/in here/rb ./.

Mickie/np sat/vbd over/in his/pp$ second/od whisky-on-the-rocks/nn in/in a/at little/jj bar/nn next/rb to/in the/at funeral/nn parlor/nn on/in Pennsylvania/np-tl Avenue/nn-tl ./.
Al's/np$ Little/jj-tl Cafe/nn-tl was/bedz small/jj ,/, dark/jj ,/, narrow/jj ,/, and/cc filled/vbn with/in the/at mingled/vbn scent/nn of/in beer/nn ,/, tobacco/nn smoke/nn ,/, and/cc Italian/jj cooking/nn ./.
Hanging/vbg over/in the/at bar/nn was/bedz an/at oil/nn painting/nn of/in a/at nude/jj Al/np had/hvd accepted/vbn from/in a/at student/nn at/in the/at Corcoran/np-tl Gallery/nn-tl who/wps needed/vbd to/to eat/vb and/cc drink/vb and/cc was/bedz broke/jj ./.
The/at nude/jj was/bedz small/jj and/cc black-haired/jj and/cc elfin/jj ,/, and/cc was/bedz called/vbn ``/`` Eloise/np ''/'' ./.


	This/dt was/bedz one/cd place/nn where/wrb Moonan/np could/md go/vb for/in a/at drink/nn in/in a/at back/jj booth/nn without/in anyone/pn noticing/vbg him/ppo ,/, or/cc at/in least/ap coming/vbg up/rp and/cc hanging/vbg around/rb and/cc wanting/vbg to/to know/vb all/abn the/at low-down/nn ./.
The/at other/ap patrons/nns were/bed taxi/nn drivers/nns and/cc art/nn students/nns and/cc small/jj shopkeepers/nns ./.
The/at reporters/nns had/hvd not/* yet/rb discovered/vbn that/cs this/dt was/bedz his/pp$ hideaway/nn ./.


	His/pp$ friend/nn Jane/np was/bedz with/in him/ppo ./.
She/pps was/bedz wise/jj enough/qlp to/to realize/vb a/at man/nn could/md be/be good/jj company/nn even/rb if/cs he/pps did/dod weigh/vb too/ql much/ap and/cc didn't/dod* own/vb the/at mint/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz the/at widow/nn of/in a/at writer/nn who/wps had/hvd died/vbn in/in an/at airplane/nn crash/nn ,/, and/cc Mickie/np had/hvd found/vbn her/ppo a/at job/nn as/cs head/nn of/in the/at historical/jj section/nn of/in the/at Treasury/nn-tl ./.
This/dt meant/vbd sorting/vbg out/rp press/nn clippings/nns and/cc the/at like/jj ./.


	Jane/np sat/vbd receptive/jj and/cc interested/jj ./.
Mickie/np had/hvd a/at pleasant/jj glow/nn as/cs he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` You/ppss see/vb ,/, both/abx of/in them/ppo ,/, I/ppss mean/vb the/at President/nn-tl and/cc Jeff/np Lawrence/np ,/, are/ber romantics/nns ./.
A/at romantic/nn is/bez one/pn who/wps thinks/vbz the/at world/nn is/bez divinely/rb inspired/vbn and/cc all/abn he/pps has/hvz to/to do/do is/bez find/vb the/at right/jj key/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb divine/jj justice/nn and/cc altruism/nn will/md appear/vb ./.
It's/pps+bez like/cs focusing/vbg a/at camera/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at distant/jj ship/nn isn't/bez* there/rb until/cs you/ppss get/vb the/at focus/nn ./.
You/ppss know/vb what/wdt I'm/ppss+bem talking/vbg about/in ./.
I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj all/abn girls/nns feel/vb this/dt way/nn about/in men/nns until/cs they/ppss live/vb with/in them/ppo ./.


	``/`` But/cc when/wrb it/pps comes/vbz to/in war/nn ,/, the/at Colonel/nn-tl knows/vbz what/wdt it/pps is/bez and/cc Jeff/np doesn't/doz* ./.
Mr./np Christiansen/np knows/vbz that/cs a/at soldier/nn will/md get/vb the/at Distinguished/jj-tl Service/nn-tl Medal/nn-tl for/in conduct/nn that/wps would/md land/vb him/ppo in/in prison/nn for/in life/nn or/cc the/at electric/jj chair/nn as/cs a/at civilian/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at mean/jj ,/, unbroken/jj sheer/jj bastard/nn in/in his/pp$ outfit/nn ,/, and/cc someone/pn invented/vbd the/at name/nn Trig/np for/in him/ppo ./.
That's/dt+bez to/to say/vb ,/, he/pps was/bedz trigger/nn happy/jj ./.
He'd/pps+md shoot/vb at/in anything/pn if/cs it/pps was/bedz the/at rear/jj end/nn of/in a/at horse/nn or/cc his/pp$ own/jj sentry/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at wiry/jj ,/, inscrutable/jj ,/, silent/jj country/nn boy/nn from/in the/at red/jj clay/nn of/in rural/jj Alabama/np ,/, and/cc he/pps spoke/vbd with/in the/at broad/jj drawl/nn that/wpo others/nns normally/rb make/vb fun/nn of/in ./.
But/cc not/* in/in front/nn of/in Trig/np ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd of/in some/dti that/wps tried/vbd it/ppo back/rb in/in the/at States/nns-tl ,/, and/cc he'd/pps+md knock/vb them/ppo clear/rb across/in the/at room/nn ./.
There'd/ex+hvd been/ben a/at pretty/ql bad/jj incident/nn back/rb at/in the/at Marine/nn-tl base/nn ./.
A/at New/jj-tl York/np-tl kid/nn ,/, a/at refugee/nn from/in one/cd of/in the/at Harlem/np gangs/nns ,/, made/vbd fun/nn of/in Trig's/np$ accent/nn ,/, and/cc drew/vbd a/at knife/nn ./.
Before/cs the/at fight/nn was/bedz over/jj ,/, the/at Harlem/np boy/nn had/hvd a/at concussion/nn and/cc Trig/np was/bedz cut/vbn up/rp badly/rb ./.
They/ppss caught/vbd Trig/np stealing/vbg liquor/nn from/in the/at officers'/nns$ mess/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps got/vbd a/at couple/nn of/in girls/nns in/in trouble/nn ./.
The/at fear/nn of/in punishment/nn just/rb didn't/dod* bother/vb him/ppo ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* there/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz left/vbn out/rp of/in him/ppo at/in birth/nn ./.
This/dt is/bez why/wrb he/pps made/vbd such/abl a/at magnificent/jj soldier/nn ./.
He/pps wasn't/bedz* troubled/vbn with/in the/at ordinary/jj ,/, rank-and-file/nn fear/nn that/wps overcomes/vbz and/cc paralyzes/vbz and/cc sends/vbz individual/ap soldiers/nns and/cc whole/jj companies/nns under/in fire/nn running/vbg in/in panic/nn ./.
It/pps just/rb didn't/dod* occur/vb to/in Trig/np that/cs anything/pn serious/jj would/md happen/vb to/in him/ppo ./.
Do/do you/ppo get/vb the/at picture/nn of/in the/at kind/nn of/in fellow/nn he/pps was/bedz ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Jane/np nodded/vbd with/in a/at pleasant/jj smile/nn ./.


	``/`` All/abn right/jj ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at sniper's/nn$ nest/nn in/in a/at mountain/nn cave/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz picking/vbg off/rp our/pp$ men/nns with/in devilish/jj accuracy/nn ./.
The/at Colonel/nn-tl ordered/vbd that/cs it/pps be/be wiped/vbn out/rp ,/, and/cc I/ppss suggested/vbd ,/, '/' You/ppss ask/vb for/in volunteers/nns ,/, and/cc promise/vb each/dt man/nn on/in the/at patrol/nn a/at quart/nn of/in whisky/nn ,/, ten/cd dollars/nns and/cc a/at week-end/nn pass/nn to/in Davao/np ./.
Trig/np was/bedz one/cd of/in the/at five/cd volunteers/nns ./.
The/at patrol/nn snaked/vbd around/rb in/in back/nn of/in the/at cave/nn ,/, approached/vbd it/ppo from/in above/rb and/cc dropped/vbd in/rp suddenly/rb with/in wild/jj howls/nns ./.
You/ppss could/md hear/vb them/ppo from/in our/pp$ outpost/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at lot/nn of/in shooting/vbg ./.
We/ppss knew/vbd the/at enemy/nn was/bedz subdued/vbn ,/, because/cs a/at flare/nn was/bedz fired/vbn as/cs the/at signal/nn ./.
So/rb we/ppss hurried/vbd over/rp ./.
Two/cd of/in our/pp$ men/nns were/bed killed/vbn ,/, a/at third/od was/bedz wounded/vbn ./.
Trig/np and/cc a/at very/ql black/jj colored/vbn boy/nn from/in Detroit/np had/hvd killed/vbn or/cc put/vbn out/rp of/in action/nn ten/cd guerrillas/nns by/in grenades/nns and/cc hand-to-hand/jj fighting/nn ./.
When/wrb we/ppss got/vbd there/rb ,/, Trig/np and/cc the/at Negro/np were/bed quarreling/vbg over/in possession/nn of/in a/at gold/nn crucifix/nn around/in the/at neck/nn of/in a/at wounded/vbn Filipino/np ./.
The/at colored/vbn boy/nn had/hvd it/ppo ,/, and/cc Trig/np lunged/vbd at/in him/ppo with/in a/at knife/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, '/' Give/vb that/dt to/in me/ppo ,/, you/ppss black/jj bastard/nn ./.
We/ppss don't/do* 'low/vb nigras/nns to/to walk/vb on/in the/at same/ap sidewalk/nn with/in white/jj men/nns where/wrb I/ppss come/vb from/in ./.


	``/`` The/at Negro/np got/vbd a/at bad/jj slice/nn on/in his/pp$ chest/nn from/in the/at knife/nn wound/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt did/dod the/at Colonel/nn-tl do/do about/in the/at men/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jane/np asked/vbd in/in her/pp$ placid/jj ,/, interested/jj way/nn ./.


	Mickie/np laughed/vbd ./.
``/`` He/pps recommended/vbd both/abx of/in them/ppo for/in the/at DSM/nn and/cc the/at Detroit/np fellow/nn for/in the/at Purple/jj-tl Heart/nn-tl ,/, too/rb ,/, for/in a/at combat-inflicted/jj wound/nn ./.
So/rb you/ppss see/vb Mr./np Christiansen/np knows/vbz what/wdt it's/pps+bez all/abn about/in ./.
But/cc not/* Jeff/np Lawrence/np ./.
When/wrb he/pps was/bedz in/in the/at war/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz in/in Law/nn-tl or/cc Supplies/nns-tl or/cc something/pn like/cs that/dt ,/, and/cc an/at old/jj buddy/nn of/in his/pp$$ told/vbd me/ppo he/pps would/md come/vb down/rp on/in Sundays/nrs to/in the/at Pentagon/nn-tl and/cc read/vb the/at citations/nns for/in medals/nns --/-- just/rb like/cs the/at one/cd we/ppss sent/vbd in/rp for/in Trig/np --/-- and/cc go/vb away/rb with/in a/at real/jj glow/nn ./.
These/dts were/bed heroes/nns nine/cd feet/nns tall/jj to/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.




Jefferson/np Lawrence/np was/bedz alone/jj at/in the/at small/jj ,/, perfectly/rb appointed/vbn table/nn by/in the/at window/nn looking/vbg out/rp over/in the/at river/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd dinner/nn and/cc sat/vbd there/rb over/in his/pp$ coffee/nn watching/vbg the/at winding/vbg pattern/nn of/in traffic/nn as/cs it/pps crossed/vbd the/at bridge/nn and/cc spread/vbd out/rp like/cs a/at serpent/nn with/in two/cd heads/nns ./.
Beside/in him/ppo was/bedz Mrs./np Dalloway/np ./.
He/pps thought/vbd how/wrb this/dt dainty/jj ,/, fragile/jj older/jjr woman/nn threading/vbg her/pp$ way/nn through/in the/at streets/nns of/in Westminster/np on/in a/at day/nn in/in June/np ,/, enjoying/vbg the/at flowers/nns in/in the/at shops/nns ,/, the/at greetings/nns from/in old/jj friends/nns ,/, but/cc never/rb really/rb drawing/vbg a/at deep/jj ,/, passionate/jj breath/nn ,/, was/bedz so/ql like/cs himself/ppl ./.
He/pps ,/, and/cc Mrs./np Dalloway/np ,/, too/rb ,/, had/hvd never/rb permitted/vbn themselves/ppls the/at luxury/nn of/in joys/nns that/wps dug/vbd into/in the/at bone/nn marrow/nn of/in the/at spirit/nn ./.


	He/pps had/hvd not/* because/cs he/pps was/bedz both/abx poor/jj and/cc ambitious/jj ./.
Poverty/nn imposes/vbz a/at kind/nn of/in chastity/nn on/in the/at ambitious/jj ./.
They/ppss cannot/md* stop/vb to/to grasp/vb and/cc embrace/vb and/cc sit/vb in/in the/at back/jj seat/nn of/in cars/nns along/in a/at dark/jj country/nn lane/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, they/ppss must/md look/vb the/at other/ap way/nn and/cc climb/vb one/cd more/ap painful/jj step/nn up/in the/at ladder/nn ./.
He/pps made/vbd the/at decision/nn with/in his/pp$ eyes/nns open/jj ,/, or/cc so/rb he/pps thought/vbd ./.
At/in any/dti cost/nn ,/, he/pps must/md leave/vb the/at dreary/jj Pennsylvania/np mining/vbg town/nn where/wrb his/pp$ father/nn was/bedz a/at pharmacist/nn ./.
And/cc so/rb he/pps had/hvd ,/, so/rb he/pps had/hvd ./.
At/in State/nn-tl College/nn-tl ,/, he/pps had/hvd no/at time/nn to/to walk/vb among/in the/at violets/nns on/in the/at water's/nn$ edge/nn ./.
From/in his/pp$ room/nn he/pps could/md look/vb out/rp in/in springtime/nn and/cc see/vb the/at couples/nns hand/nn in/in hand/nn walking/vbg slowly/rb ,/, deliciously/rb ,/, across/in the/at campus/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps could/md smell/vb the/at sweet/jj vernal/jj winds/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* stone/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* unmoved/jj ./.
He/pps had/hvd to/to teach/vb himself/ppl patiently/rb that/cs these/dts traps/nns were/bed not/* for/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps must/md mentally/rb pull/vb the/at blinds/nns and/cc close/vb the/at window/nn ,/, so/cs that/cs all/abn that/wps existed/vbd was/bedz in/in the/at books/nns before/in him/ppo ./.
At/in law/nn school/nn ,/, the/at same/ap ./.
More/ap of/in this/dt stamping/nn down/rp of/in human/jj emotion/nn as/cs a/at young/jj lawyer/nn in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ./.
By/in the/at time/nn he/pps was/bedz prosperous/jj enough/qlp --/-- his/pp$ goals/nns were/bed high/jj --/-- he/pps was/bedz bald/jj and/cc afraid/jj of/in women/nns ./.
The/at only/ap one/cd who/wps would/md have/hv him/ppo was/bedz his/pp$ cripple/nn ,/, the/at strange/jj unhappy/jj woman/nn who/wps became/vbd his/pp$ wife/nn ./.
Perhaps/rb it/pps was/bedz right/jj ;/. ;/.
perhaps/rb it/pps was/bedz just/jj ./.
He/pps had/hvd dared/vbn to/to defy/vb nature/nn ,/, to/to turn/vb his/pp$ back/nn to/in the/at Lorelei/np ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz punished/vbn ./.
Like/cs Mrs./np Dalloway/np ,/, with/in her/pp$ regrets/nns about/in Peter/np Walsh/np ,/, he/pps had/hvd his/pp$ moments/nns of/in melancholy/nn over/in a/at youth/nn too/ql well/rb spent/vbn ./.
If/cs he/pps had/hvd had/hvn a/at son/nn ,/, he/pps would/md tell/vb him/ppo ,/, ``/`` Gather/vb ye/ppss rosebuds/nns while/cs ye/ppss may/md This/dt same/ap flower/nn that/wps smiles/vbz today/nr tomorrow/nr will/md be/be dying/vbg ''/'' ./.
But/cc then/rb his/pp$ son/nn could/md afford/vb it/ppo ./.


	Lawrence/np was/bedz waiting/vbg for/in Bill/np Boxell/np ./.
The/at Vice/jj-tl President/nn-tl had/hvd called/vbn and/cc asked/vbn if/cs he/pps could/md see/vb the/at Secretary/nn-tl at/in his/pp$ home/nn ./.
He/pps said/vbd the/at matter/nn was/bedz urgent/jj ./.
The/at Secretary/nn-tl was/bedz uneasy/jj about/in the/at visit/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* like/vb Boxell/np ./.
He/pps suspected/vbd something/pn underhanded/jj and/cc furtive/jj about/in him/ppo ./.
Lawrence/np could/md not/* put/vb his/pp$ finger/nn on/in it/ppo precisely/rb ,/, and/cc this/dt worried/vbd him/ppo ./.
When/wrb you/ppss disliked/vbd or/cc distrusted/vbd a/at man/nn ,/, you/ppss should/md have/hv a/at reason/nn ./.
Human/jj nature/nn was/bedz not/* a/at piece/nn of/in meat/nn you/ppss could/md tell/vb was/bedz bad/jj by/in its/pp$ smell/nn ./.
Lawrence/np stared/vbd a/at minute/nn at/in the/at lighted/vbn ribbon/nn of/in traffic/nn ,/, hoping/vbg that/cs a/at clue/nn to/in his/pp$ dislike/nn of/in the/at Vice/jj-tl President/nn-tl would/md appear/vb ./.
It/pps did/dod not/* ./.
Therefore/rb ,/, he/pps decided/vbd he/pps was/bedz unfair/jj to/in the/at young/jj man/nn and/cc should/md make/vb an/at effort/nn to/to understand/vb and/cc sympathize/vb with/in his/pp$ point/nn of/in view/nn ./.


	A/at half/abn hour/nn later/rbr the/at Vice/jj-tl President/nn-tl arrived/vbd ./.
He/pps looked/vbd very/ql carefully/rb at/in every/at piece/nn of/in furnishing/nn ,/, as/cs though/cs hoping/vbg to/to store/vb this/dt information/nn carefully/rb in/in his/pp$ mind/nn ./.
He/pps observed/vbd the/at Florentine/jj vase/nn in/in the/at hall/nn ,/, the/at Renoir/np painting/nn in/in the/at library/nn ,/, as/ql well/rb as/cs the/at long/jj shelves/nns of/in well-bound/jj volumes/nns ;/. ;/.
the/at pattern/nn of/in the/at Oriental/jj-tl rug/nn ,/, the/at delicate/jj cut-glass/nn chandelier/nn ./.


	He/pps said/vbd to/in the/at Secretary/nn-tl ,/, ``/`` I/ppss understand/vb you/ppss came/vbd from/in a/at little/jj Pennsylvania/np town/nn near/in Wilkes-Barre/np ./.
How/wrb did/dod you/ppss find/vb out/rp about/in this/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps waved/vbd his/pp$ arm/nn around/rb at/in the/at furnishings/nns ./.


	It/pps was/bedz not/* a/at discourteous/jj question/nn ,/, Lawrence/np decided/vbd ./.
This/dt young/jj man/nn had/hvd so/ql little/ap time/nn to/to learn/vb he/pps had/hvd to/to be/be curious/jj ;/. ;/.
he/pps had/hvd to/to find/vb out/rp ./.
The/at Secretary/nn-tl did/dod not/* tell/vb him/ppo at/in what/wdt cost/nn ,/, at/in what/wdt loneliness/nn ,/, he/pps learned/vbd these/dts things/nns ./.
He/pps merely/rb said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Any/dti good/jj decorator/nn these/dts days/nns can/md make/vb you/ppo a/at tasteful/jj home/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at Vice/jj-tl President/nn-tl said/vbd ,/, ``/`` If/cs you/ppss hear/vb of/in any/dti names/nns that/wps would/md fix/vb me/ppo cheap/rb in/in return/nn for/in advertising/vbg they/ppss decorated/vbd the/at Vice/jj-tl President's/nn$-tl home/nn ,/, let/vb me/ppo know/vb ./.
I/ppss can/md do/do business/nn with/in that/dt kind/nn ''/'' ./.


	Again/rb ,/, Lawrence/np thought/vbd a/at little/ql sadly/rb ,/, these/dts were/bed the/at fees/nns of/in poverty/nn and/cc ambition/nn ./.
Boxell/np did/dod not/* have/hv the/at chance/nn to/to grow/vb up/rp graciously/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd to/to acquire/vb everything/pn he/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to get/vb in/in four/cd years/nns ./.


	They/ppss had/hvd brandy/nn in/in the/at library/nn ./.
Boxell/np looked/vbd at/in Lawrence/np with/in a/at searching/vbg glance/nn ,/, the/at kind/nn that/wpo a/at prosecuting/vbg attorney/nn would/md give/vb a/at man/nn on/in trial/nn ./.
What/wdt are/ber your/pp$ weaknesses/nns ?/. ?/.
Where/wrb will/md you/ppss break/vb ?/. ?/.
How/wrb best/rbt to/to destroy/vb your/pp$ peace/nn ?/. ?/.


	The/at Vice/jj-tl President/nn-tl said/vbd with/in a/at slight/jj bluster/nn ,/, ``/`` There/ex isn't/bez* anyone/pn who/wps loves/vbz the/at President/nn-tl more/rbr than/cs I/ppss do/do ./.
Old/jj Chris/np is/bez my/pp$ ideal/nn ./.
At/in the/at same/ap time/nn ,/, you/ppss have/hv to/to face/vb facts/nns and/cc realize/vb that/cs a/at man/nn who's/wps+hvz been/ben in/in the/at Marine/nn-tl Corps/nn-tl all/abn his/pp$ life/nn doesn't/doz* understand/vb much/ap about/in politics/nn ./.
What/wdt does/doz a/at monk/nn know/vb about/in sex/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Lawrence/np listened/vbd with/in the/at practiced/vbn ,/, deceptive/jj calm/nn of/in the/at lawyer/nn ,/, but/cc his/pp$ face/nn was/bedz in/in the/at shadow/nn ./.


	``/`` So/uh ,/, we/ppss have/hv to/to protect/vb the/at old/jj man/nn for/in his/pp$ own/jj good/nn ./.
You/ppss see/vb what/wdt I/ppss mean/vb ./.
Congress/np is/bez full/jj of/in politicians/nns ,/, and/cc if/cs you/ppss want/vb to/to get/vb along/rb with/in them/ppo ,/, you/ppss have/hv to/to be/be politic/jj ./.
This/dt is/bez why/wrb I/ppss say/vb we/ppss just/rb can't/md* go/vb ahead/rb and/cc disarm/vb the/at Germans/nps and/cc pull/vb down/rp our/pp$ own/jj defenses/nns ./.
Let/vb me/ppo tell/vb you/ppo what/wdt happened/vbd to/in me/ppo today/nr ./.
A/at fellow/nn came/vbd up/rp to/in me/ppo ,/, a/at Senator/nn-tl ,/, I/ppss don't/do* have/hv to/to tell/vb you/ppo his/pp$ name/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps told/vbd me/ppo ,/, '/' I/ppss love/vb the/at President/nn-tl like/cs a/at brother/nn ,/, but/cc God/np damn/vb it/ppo ,/, he's/pps+bez crucifying/vbg me/ppo ./.
I've/ppss+hv got/vbn a/at quarter/nn of/in a/at million/cd Germans/nps in/in my/pp$ state/nn ,/, and/cc those/dts krautheads/nns tune/vb in/rp on/in Father/nn-tl Werther/np every/at night/nn ,/, and/cc if/cs he/pps tells/vbz them/ppo to/to go/vb out/rp and/cc piss/vb in/in the/at public/jj square/nn ,/, that's/dt+bez what/wdt they/ppss do/do ./.
He's/pps+bez telling/vbg them/ppo now/rb to/to write/vb letters/nns to/in their/pp$ Congressmen/nns-tl opposing/vbg the/at disarmament/nn of/in Germany/np ./.
And/cc another/dt one/cd comes/vbz to/in me/ppo and/cc he/pps says/vbz ,/, '/' Look/vb here/rb ,/, there's/ex+bez a/at mill/nn in/in my/pp$ state/nn employs/vbz five/cd thousand/cd people/nns making/vbg uniforms/nns for/in the/at Navy/nn-tl ./.

The/at Bishop/nn-tl looked/vbd at/in him/ppo coldly/rb and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Take/vb it/ppo or/cc leave/vb it/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.


	Literally/rb ,/, there/ex was/bedz nothing/pn else/rb to/to do/do ./.
He/pps was/bedz caught/vbn in/in a/at machine/nn ./.
But/cc Sojourner/np was/bedz not/* easily/rb excited/vbn or/cc upset/vbn and/cc said/vbd quite/ql calmly/rb :/: ``/`` Let's/vb+ppo go/vb and/cc see/vb what/wdt it's/pps+bez like/cs ''/'' ./.


	Annisberg/np was/bedz about/rb seventy-five/cd miles/nns west/nr of/in Birmingham/np ,/, near/in the/at Georgia/np border/nn and/cc on/in the/at Tallahoosa/np-tl River/nn-tl ,/, a/at small/jj and/cc dirty/jj stream/nn ./.
The/at city/nn was/bedz a/at center/nn of/in manufacture/nn ,/, especially/rb in/in textiles/nns ,/, and/cc also/rb because/rb of/in the/at beauty/nn of/in some/dti of/in its/pp$ surroundings/nns ,/, a/at residence/nn for/in many/ap owners/nns of/in the/at great/jj industries/nns in/in north/jj-tl Alabama/np-tl ./.
But/cc it/pps had/hvd ,/, as/cs was/bedz usual/jj in/in southern/jj cities/nns of/in this/dt sort/nn ,/, a/at Black/jj-tl Bottom/nn-tl ,/, a/at low/jj region/nn near/in the/at river/nn where/wrb the/at Negroes/nps lived/vbd --/-- servants/nns and/cc laborers/nns huddled/vbn together/rb in/in a/at region/nn with/in no/at sewage/nn save/in the/at river/nn ,/, where/wrb streets/nns and/cc sidewalks/nns were/bed neglected/vbn and/cc where/wrb there/ex was/bedz much/ap poverty/nn and/cc crime/nn ./.


	Wilson/np came/vbd by/in train/nn from/in Birmingham/np and/cc looked/vbd the/at city/nn over/rp ;/. ;/.
the/at rather/ql pleasant/jj white/jj city/nn was/bedz on/in the/at hill/nn where/wrb the/at chief/jjs stores/nns were/bed ./.
Beyond/rb were/bed industries/nns and/cc factories/nns ./.
Then/rb they/ppss went/vbd down/rp to/in Black/jj-tl Bottom/nn-tl ./.
In/in the/at midst/nn of/in this/dt crowded/vbn region/nn was/bedz the/at Allen/np-tl African/jj-tl Methodist/jj-tl Episcopal/jj-tl Church/nn-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz an/at old/jj and/cc dirty/jj wooden/jj structure/nn ,/, sadly/rb in/in need/nn of/in repair/nn ./.
But/cc it/pps was/bedz a/at landmark/nn ./.
It/pps had/hvd been/ben there/rb 50/cd years/nns or/cc more/ap and/cc everybody/pn in/in town/nn ,/, black/jj and/cc white/jj ,/, knew/vbd of/in it/ppo ./.
It/pps had/hvd just/rb suffered/vbn a/at calamity/nn ,/, the/at final/jj crisis/nn in/in a/at long/jj series/nn of/in calamities/nns ./.
For/cs the/at old/jj preacher/nn who/wps had/hvd been/ben there/rb twenty-five/cd years/nns was/bedz dead/jj ,/, and/cc the/at city/nn mourned/vbd him/ppo ./.


	He/pps was/bedz a/at loud-voiced/jj man/nn ,/, once/rb vigorous/jj but/cc for/in many/ap years/nns now/rb declining/vbg in/in strength/nn and/cc ability/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz stern/jj and/cc overbearing/jj with/in his/pp$ flock/nn ,/, but/cc obsequious/jj and/cc conciliatory/jj with/in the/at whites/nns ,/, especially/rb the/at rich/jj who/wps partly/rb supported/vbd the/at church/nn ./.
The/at Deacon/nn-tl Board/nn-tl ,/, headed/vbn by/in a/at black/jj man/nn named/vbn Carlson/np ,/, had/hvd practically/rb taken/vbn over/rp as/cs the/at pastor/nn grew/vbd old/jj ,/, and/cc had/hvd its/pp$ way/nn with/in the/at support/nn of/in the/at Amen/jj-tl corner/nn ./.
The/at characteristic/jj thing/nn about/in this/dt church/nn was/bedz its/pp$ Amen/jj-tl corner/nn and/cc the/at weekly/jj religious/jj orgy/nn ./.
A/at knot/nn of/in old/jj worshippers/nns ,/, chiefly/rb women/nns ,/, listened/vbd weekly/rb to/in a/at sermon/nn ./.
It/pps began/vbd invariably/rb in/in low/jj tones/nns ,/, almost/ql conversational/jj ,/, and/cc then/rb gradually/rb worked/vbd up/rp to/in high/jj ,/, shrill/jj appeals/nns to/in God/np and/cc man/nn ./.
And/cc then/rb the/at Amen/jj-tl corner/nn took/vbd hold/nn ,/, re-enacting/vbg a/at form/nn of/in group/nn participation/nn in/in worship/nn that/wps stemmed/vbd from/in years/nns before/in the/at Greek/jj chorus/nn ,/, spreading/vbg down/rp through/in the/at African/jj forest/nn ,/, overseas/rb to/in the/at West/jj-tl Indies/nps-tl ,/, and/cc then/rb here/rb in/in Alabama/np ./.
With/in shout/nn and/cc slow/jj dance/nn ,/, with/in tears/nns and/cc song/nn ,/, with/in scream/nn and/cc contortion/nn ,/, the/at corner/nn group/nn was/bedz beset/vbn by/in hysteria/nn and/cc shivering/vbg ,/, wailing/vbg ,/, shouting/vbg ,/, possession/nn of/in something/pn that/wps seemed/vbd like/cs an/at alien/jj and/cc outside/jj force/nn ./.
It/pps spread/vbd to/in most/ap of/in the/at audience/nn and/cc was/bedz often/rb viewed/vbn by/in visiting/vbg whites/nns who/wps snickered/vbd behind/in handkerchief/nn and/cc afterward/rb discussed/vbd Negro/np religion/nn ./.
It/pps sometimes/rb ended/vbd in/in death-like/jj trances/nns with/in many/ap lying/vbg exhausted/vbn and/cc panting/vbg on/in chair/nn and/cc floor/nn ./.
To/in most/ap of/in those/dts who/wps composed/vbd the/at Amen/jj-tl corner/nn it/pps was/bedz a/at magnificent/jj and/cc beautiful/jj experience/nn ,/, something/pn for/in which/wdt they/ppss lived/vbd from/in week/nn to/in week/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz often/rb re-enacted/vbn in/in less/ql wild/jj form/nn at/in the/at Wednesday/nr night/nn prayer/nn meeting/nn ./.


	Wilson/np ,/, on/in his/pp$ first/od Sunday/nr ,/, witnessed/vbd this/dt with/in something/pn like/cs disgust/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd preached/vbn a/at short/jj sermon/nn ,/, trying/vbg to/to talk/vb man-to-man/rb to/in the/at audience/nn ,/, to/to tell/vb them/ppo who/wps he/pps was/bedz ,/, what/wdt he/pps had/hvd done/vbn in/in Macon/np and/cc Birmingham/np ,/, and/cc what/wdt he/pps proposed/vbd to/to do/do here/rb ./.
He/pps sympathized/vbd with/in them/ppo on/in the/at loss/nn of/in their/pp$ old/jj pastor/nn ./.
But/cc then/rb ,/, at/in mention/nn of/in that/dt name/nn ,/, the/at Amen/jj-tl corner/nn broke/vbd loose/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at chance/nn to/to say/vb another/dt word/nn ./.
At/in the/at very/ap end/nn ,/, when/wrb the/at audience/nn was/bedz silent/jj and/cc breathless/jj ,/, a/at collection/nn was/bedz taken/vbn and/cc then/rb slowly/rb everyone/pn filed/vbd out/rp ./.
The/at audience/nn did/dod not/* think/vb much/ap of/in the/at new/jj pastor/nn ,/, and/cc what/wdt the/at new/jj pastor/nn thought/vbd of/in the/at audience/nn he/pps did/dod not/* dare/vb at/in the/at time/nn to/to say/vb ./.


	During/in the/at next/ap weeks/nns he/pps looked/vbd over/rp the/at situation/nn ./.
First/od of/in all/abn there/ex was/bedz the/at parsonage/nn ,/, an/at utterly/ql impossible/jj place/nn for/in civilized/vbn people/nns to/to live/vb in/in ,/, originally/rb poorly/rb conceived/vbn ,/, apparently/rb not/* repaired/vbn for/in years/nns ,/, with/in no/at plumbing/nn or/cc sewage/nn ,/, with/in rat-holes/nns and/cc rot/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz arranged/vbn that/cs he/pps would/md board/vb in/in the/at home/nn of/in one/cd of/in the/at old/jj members/nns of/in the/at church/nn ,/, a/at woman/nn named/vbn Catt/np who/wps ,/, as/cs Wilson/np afterward/rb found/vbd ,/, was/bedz briefly/rb referred/vbn to/in as/cs The/at-tl Cat/nn-tl because/cs of/in her/pp$ sharp/jj tongue/nn and/cc fierce/jj initiative/nn ./.


	Ann/np Catt/np was/bedz a/at lonely/jj ,/, devoted/vbn soul/nn ,/, never/rb married/vbn ,/, conducting/vbg a/at spotless/jj home/nn and/cc devoted/vbn to/in her/pp$ church/nn ,/, but/cc a/at perpetual/jj dissenter/nn and/cc born/vbn critic/nn ./.
She/pps soared/vbd over/in the/at new/jj pastor/nn like/cs an/at avenging/vbg angel/nn lest/cs he/pps stray/vb from/in the/at path/nn and/cc not/* know/vb all/abn the/at truth/nn and/cc gossip/nn of/in which/wdt she/pps was/bedz chief/jjs repository/nn ./.


	Then/rb Wilson/np looked/vbd over/rp the/at church/nn and/cc studied/vbd its/pp$ condition/nn ./.
The/at salary/nn of/in the/at pastor/nn had/hvd for/in years/nns been/ben $500/nns annually/rb and/cc even/rb this/dt was/bedz in/in arrears/nns ./.
Wilson/np made/vbd up/rp his/pp$ mind/nn that/cs he/pps must/md receive/vb at/in least/ap $2,500/nns ,/, but/cc when/wrb he/pps mentioned/vbd this/dt to/in the/at Deacons/nns-tl they/ppss said/vbd nothing/pn ./.
The/at church/nn itself/ppl must/md be/be repaired/vbn ./.
It/pps was/bedz dirty/jj and/cc neglected/vbn ./.
It/pps really/rb ought/md to/to be/be rebuilt/vbn ,/, and/cc he/pps determined/vbd to/to go/vb up/rp and/cc talk/vb to/in the/at city/nn banks/nns about/in this/dt ./.
Meanwhile/rb ,/, the/at city/nn itself/ppl should/md be/be talked/vbn to/in ./.
The/at streets/nns in/in the/at colored/vbn section/nn were/bed dirty/jj ./.
There/ex was/bedz typhoid/nn and/cc malaria/nn ./.
The/at children/nns had/hvd nowhere/rb to/to go/vb and/cc no/at place/nn to/to play/vb ,/, not/* even/rb sidewalks/nns ./.
The/at school/nn was/bedz small/jj ,/, dark/jj and/cc ill-equipped/jj ./.
The/at teacher/nn was/bedz a/at pliant/jj fool/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed two/cd liquor/nn saloons/nns not/* very/ql far/rb from/in the/at church/nn ,/, one/cd white/jj ,/, that/wps is/bez conducted/vbn for/in white/jj people/nns with/in a/at side/nn entrance/nn for/in Negroes/nps ;/. ;/.
the/at other/ap exclusively/ql Negro/np ./.
Undoubtedly/rb ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at good/jj deal/nn of/in gambling/vbg in/in both/abx ./.


	On/in the/at other/ap side/nn of/in the/at church/nn was/bedz a/at quiet/jj ,/, well-kept/jj house/nn with/in shutters/nns and/cc recently/rb painted/vbn ./.
Wilson/np inquired/vbd about/in it/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz called/vbn Kent/np-tl House/nn-tl ./.
The/at deacon/nn of/in the/at church/nn ,/, Carlson/np ,/, was/bedz its/pp$ janitor/nn ./.
One/cd of/in the/at leading/vbg members/nns of/in the/at Amen/jj-tl corner/nn was/bedz cook/nn ;/. ;/.
there/ex were/bed two/cd or/cc three/cd colored/vbn maids/nns employed/vbn there/rb ./.
Wilson/np was/bedz told/vbn that/cs it/pps was/bedz a/at sort/nn of/in hotel/nn for/in white/jj people/nns ,/, which/wdt seemed/vbd to/in him/ppo rather/ql queer/jj ./.
Why/wrb should/md a/at white/jj hotel/nn be/be set/vbn down/rp in/in the/at center/nn of/in Black/jj-tl Bottom/nn-tl ?/. ?/.
But/cc nevertheless/rb it/pps looked/vbd respectable/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz glad/jj to/to have/hv it/ppo there/rb ./.


	The/at rest/nn of/in Black/jj-tl Bottom/nn-tl was/bedz a/at rabbit/nn warren/nn of/in homes/nns in/in every/at condition/nn of/in neglect/nn ,/, disrepair/nn and/cc careful/jj upkeep/nn ./.
Dives/nns ,/, carefully/rb repaired/vbn huts/nns ,/, and/cc nicely/rb painted/vbn and/cc ornamented/vbn cottages/nns were/bed jumbled/vbn together/rb cheek/nn by/in jowl/nn with/in little/ap distinction/nn ./.
The/at best/jjt could/md not/* escape/vb from/in the/at worst/jjt and/cc the/at worst/jjt nestled/vbd cosily/rb beside/in the/at better/jjr ./.
The/at yards/nns ,/, front/jj and/cc back/jj ,/, were/bed narrow/jj ;/. ;/.
some/dti were/bed trash/nn dumps/nns ,/, some/dti had/hvd flower/nn gardens/nns ./.
Behind/rb were/bed privies/nns ,/, for/cs there/ex was/bedz no/at sewage/nn system/nn ./.


	After/cs looking/vbg about/rb a/at bit/nn ,/, Wilson/np discovered/vbd beyond/in Black/jj-tl Bottom/nn-tl ,/, across/in the/at river/nn and/cc far/rb removed/vbn from/in the/at white/jj city/nn ,/, a/at considerable/jj tract/nn of/in land/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps occurred/vbd to/in him/ppo that/cs the/at church/nn and/cc the/at better/jjr Negro/np homes/nns might/md gradually/rb be/be moved/vbn to/in this/dt plot/nn ./.
He/pps talked/vbd about/in it/ppo to/in the/at Presiding/vbg-tl Elder/nn-tl ./.
The/at Presiding/vbg-tl Elder/nn-tl looked/vbd him/ppo over/rp rather/ql carefully/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* sure/jj what/wdt kind/nn of/in a/at man/nn he/pps had/hvd in/in hand/nn ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz one/cd thing/nn that/wpo he/pps had/hvd to/to stress/vb ,/, and/cc that/dt was/bedz that/cs the/at contribution/nn to/in the/at general/jj church/nn expenses/nns ,/, the/at dollar/nn money/nn ,/, had/hvd been/ben seriously/rb falling/vbg behind/rb in/in this/dt church/nn ,/, and/cc that/dt must/md be/be looked/vbn after/rp immediately/rb ./.
In/in fact/nn ,/, he/pps intimated/vbd clearly/rb that/cs that/dt was/bedz the/at reason/nn that/cs Wilson/np had/hvd been/ben sent/vbn here/rb --/-- to/to make/vb a/at larger/jjr contribution/nn of/in dollar/nn money/nn ./.


	Wilson/np stressed/vbd the/at fact/nn that/cs clear/jj as/cs this/dt was/bedz ,/, they/ppss must/md have/hv a/at better/jjr church/nn ,/, a/at more/ql business-like/jj conduct/nn of/in the/at church/nn organization/nn ,/, and/cc an/at effort/nn to/to get/vb this/dt religious/jj center/nn out/rp of/in its/pp$ rut/nn of/in wild/jj worship/nn into/in a/at modern/jj church/nn organization/nn ./.
He/pps emphasized/vbd to/in the/at Presiding/vbg-tl Elder/nn-tl the/at plan/nn of/in giving/vbg up/rp the/at old/jj church/nn and/cc moving/vbg across/in the/at river/nn ./.
The/at Presiding/vbg-tl Elder/nn-tl was/bedz sure/jj that/cs that/dt would/md be/be impossible/jj ./.
But/cc he/pps told/vbd Wilson/np to/to ``/`` go/vb ahead/rb and/cc try/vb ''/'' ./.
And/cc Wilson/np tried/vbd ./.


	It/pps did/dod seem/vb impossible/jj ./.
The/at bank/nn which/wdt held/vbd the/at mortgage/nn on/in the/at old/jj church/nn declared/vbd that/cs the/at interest/nn was/bedz considerably/rb in/in arrears/nns ,/, and/cc the/at real/jj estate/nn people/nns said/vbd flatly/rb that/cs the/at land/nn across/in the/at river/nn was/bedz being/beg held/vbn for/in an/at eventual/jj development/nn for/in white/jj working/vbg people/nns who/wps were/bed coming/vbg in/rp ,/, and/cc that/cs none/pn would/md be/be sold/vbn to/in colored/vbn folk/nn ./.
When/wrb it/pps was/bedz proposed/vbn to/to rebuild/vb the/at church/nn ,/, Wilson/np found/vbd that/cs the/at terms/nns for/in a/at new/jj mortgage/nn were/bed very/ql high/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz sure/jj that/cs he/pps could/md do/do better/rbr if/cs he/pps went/vbd to/in Atlanta/np to/to get/vb the/at deal/nn financed/vbn ./.


	But/cc when/wrb this/dt proposal/nn was/bedz made/vbn to/in his/pp$ Deacon/nn-tl Board/nn-tl ,/, he/pps met/vbd unanimous/jj opposition/nn ./.
The/at church/nn certainly/rb would/md not/* be/be removed/vbn ./.
The/at very/ap proposition/nn was/bedz sacrilege/nn ./.
It/pps had/hvd been/ben here/rb fifty/cd years/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to stay/vb forever/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz hardly/rb possible/jj to/to get/vb any/dti argument/nn on/in the/at subject/nn ./.
As/cs for/in rebuilding/vbg ,/, well/uh ,/, that/dt might/md be/be looked/vbn into/in ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz no/at hurry/nn ,/, no/at hurry/nn at/in all/abn ./.


	Wilson/np again/rb went/vbd downtown/nr to/in a/at different/jj banker/nn ,/, an/at intelligent/jj young/jj white/jj man/nn who/wps seemed/vbd rather/ql sympathetic/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` Reverend/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss think/vb you/ppss don't/do* quite/rb understand/vb the/at situation/nn here/rb ./.
Don't/do* you/ppo see/vb the/at amount/nn of/in money/nn that/wps has/hvz been/ben invested/vbn by/in whites/nns around/in that/dt church/nn ?/. ?/.
Tenements/nns ,/, stores/nns ,/, saloons/nns ,/, some/dti gambling/nn ,/, I/ppss hope/vb not/* too/ql much/ap ./.
The/at colored/vbn people/nns are/ber getting/vbg employment/nn at/in Kent/np-tl House/nn-tl and/cc other/ap places/nns ,/, and/cc they/ppss are/ber near/in their/pp$ places/nns of/in employment/nn ./.
When/wrb a/at city/nn has/hvz arranged/vbn things/nns like/vb this/dt you/ppss cannot/md* easily/rb change/vb them/ppo ./.
Now/rb ,/, if/cs I/ppss were/bed you/ppss I/ppss would/md just/rb plan/vb to/to repair/vb the/at old/jj church/nn so/cs it/pps would/md last/vb for/in five/cd or/cc ten/cd years/nns ./.
By/in that/dt time/nn ,/, perhaps/rb something/pn better/jjr can/md be/be done/vbn ''/'' ./.


	Then/rb Wilson/np asked/vbd ,/, ``/`` What/wdt about/in this/dt Kent/np-tl House/nn-tl which/wdt you/ppss mention/vb ?/. ?/.
I/ppss don't/do* understand/vb why/wrb a/at white/jj hotel/nn should/md be/be down/in here/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at young/jj banker/nn looked/vbd at/in him/ppo with/in a/at certain/ap surprise/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb he/pps said/vbd flatly/rb :/: ``/`` I'm/ppss+bem afraid/jj I/ppss can't/md* tell/vb you/ppo anything/pn in/in particular/ap about/in Kent/np-tl House/nn-tl ./.
You'll/ppss+md have/hv to/to find/vb out/rp about/in it/ppo on/in your/pp$ own/jj ./.
Hope/vb to/to see/vb you/ppo again/rb ''/'' ./.
And/cc he/pps dismissed/vbd the/at colored/vbn pastor/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz next/ap day/nn that/cs Sojourner/np came/vbd and/cc sat/vbd beside/in him/ppo and/cc took/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn ./.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` My/pp$ dear/nn ,/, do/do you/ppss know/vb what/wdt Kent/np-tl House/nn-tl is/bez ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Wilson/np ,/, ``/`` I/ppss don't/do* ./.
I/ppss was/bedz just/rb asking/vbg about/in it/ppo ./.
What/wdt is/bez it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez a/at house/nn of/in prostitution/nn for/in white/jj men/nns with/in white/jj girls/nns as/cs inmates/nns ./.
They/ppss hire/vb a/at good/jj deal/nn of/in local/jj labor/nn ,/, including/in two/cd members/nns of/in our/pp$ Trustee/nn-tl Board/nn-tl ./.
They/ppss buy/vb some/dti supplies/nns from/in our/pp$ colored/vbn grocers/nns and/cc they/ppss are/ber patronized/vbn by/in some/dti of/in the/at best/jjt white/jj gentlemen/nns in/in town/nn ''/'' ./.


	Wilson/np stared/vbd at/in her/ppo ./.
``/`` My/pp$ dear/nn ,/, you/ppss must/md be/be mistaken/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Talk/vb to/in Mrs./np Catt/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.


	And/cc after/cs Wilson/np had/hvd talked/vbn to/in Mrs./np Catt/np and/cc to/in others/nns ,/, he/pps was/bedz absolutely/ql amazed/vbn ./.
This/dt ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, was/bedz the/at sort/nn of/in thing/nn that/wps used/vbd to/to take/vb place/nn in/in Southern/jj-tl cities/nns --/-- putting/vbg white/jj houses/nns of/in prostitution/nn with/in colored/vbn girls/nns in/in colored/vbn neighborhoods/nns and/cc carrying/vbg them/ppo on/rp openly/rb ./.
But/cc it/pps had/hvd largely/rb disappeared/vbn on/in account/nn of/in protest/nn by/in the/at whites/nns and/cc through/in growing/vbg resentment/nn on/in the/at part/nn of/in the/at Negroes/nps as/cs they/ppss became/vbd more/ql educated/vbn and/cc got/vbd better/jjr wages/nns ./.


	But/cc this/dt situation/nn of/in Kent/np-tl House/nn-tl was/bedz more/ql subtle/jj ./.
The/at wages/nns involved/vbn were/bed larger/jjr and/cc more/ql regular/jj ./.
The/at inmates/nns were/bed white/jj and/cc from/in out/rp of/in town/nn ,/, avoiding/vbg local/jj friction/nn ./.
The/at backing/nn from/in the/at white/jj town/nn was/bedz greater/jjr and/cc there/ex was/bedz little/ap publicity/nn ./.
Good/jj wages/nns ,/, patronage/nn and/cc subscription/nn of/in various/ap kinds/nns stopped/vbd open/jj protest/nn from/in Negroes/nps ./.
And/cc yet/rb Wilson/np knew/vbd that/cs this/dt place/nn must/md go/vb or/cc he/pps must/md go/vb ./.
And/cc for/in him/ppo to/to leave/vb this/dt job/nn now/rb without/in accomplishing/vbg anything/pn would/md mean/vb practically/rb the/at end/nn of/in his/pp$ career/nn in/in the/at Methodist/jj-tl church/nn ,/, if/cs not/* in/in all/abn churches/nns ./.

Payne/np dismounted/vbd in/in Madison/np-tl Place/nn-tl and/cc handed/vbd the/at reins/nns to/in Herold/np ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at fog/nn ,/, which/wdt increased/vbd the/at darkness/nn of/in the/at night/nn ./.
Two/cd gas/nn lamps/nns were/bed no/at more/ap than/cs a/at misleading/vbg glow/nn ./.
He/pps might/md have/hv been/ben anywhere/rb or/cc nowhere/rb ./.


	The/at pretence/nn was/bedz that/cs he/pps was/bedz delivering/vbg a/at prescription/nn from/in Dr./nn-tl Verdi/np ./.
Secretary/nn-tl of/in-tl State/nn-tl Seward/np was/bedz a/at sick/jj man/nn ./.
The/at idea/nn had/hvd come/vbn from/in Herold/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd once/rb been/ben a/at chemist's/nn$ clerk/nn ./.
The/at sick/jj were/bed always/rb receiving/vbg medicines/nns ./.
No/at one/pn would/md question/vb such/abl an/at errand/nn ./.
The/at bottle/nn was/bedz filled/vbn up/rp with/in flour/nn ./.


	Before/in Payne/np loomed/vbd the/at Old/jj-tl Clubhouse/nn-tl ,/, Seward's/np$ home/nn ,/, where/wrb Key/np had/hvd once/rb been/ben killed/vbn ./.
Now/rb it/pps would/md have/hv another/dt death/nn ./.
From/in the/at outside/nn it/pps was/bedz an/at ordinary/jj enough/qlp house/nn of/in the/at gentry/nn ./.
He/pps clomped/vbd heavily/rb up/in the/at stoop/nn and/cc rang/vbd the/at bell/nn ./.
Like/cs the/at bell/nn at/in Mass/nn-tl ,/, the/at doorbell/nn was/bedz pitched/vbn too/ql high/jj ./.
It/pps was/bedz still/rb Good/jj-tl Friday/nr-tl ,/, after/in all/abn ./.


	A/at nigger/nn boy/nn opened/vbd the/at door/nn ./.
Payne/np did/dod not/* notice/vb him/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz thinking/vbg chiefly/rb of/in Cap/np ./.
If/cs their/pp$ schedules/nns were/bed to/to synchronize/vb ,/, there/ex was/bedz no/at point/nn in/in wasting/vbg time/nn ./.
He/pps pushed/vbd his/pp$ way/nn inside/rb ./.


	For/in a/at moment/nn the/at hall/nn confused/vbd him/ppo ./.
This/dt was/bedz the/at largest/jjt house/nn he/pps had/hvd ever/rb been/ben in/in ,/, almost/rb the/at largest/jjt building/nn ,/, except/rb for/in a/at hotel/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at idea/nn where/wrb Seward's/np$ room/nn would/md be/be ./.
In/in the/at half/abn darkness/nn the/at banisters/nns gleamed/vbd ,/, and/cc the/at hall/nn seemed/vbd enormous/jj ./.
Above/in him/ppo somewhere/rb were/bed the/at bedrooms/nns ./.
Seward/np would/md be/be up/in there/rb ./.


	He/pps explained/vbd his/pp$ errand/nn ,/, but/cc without/in bothering/vbg much/rb to/to make/vb it/ppo plausible/jj ,/, for/cs he/pps felt/vbd something/pn well/vb up/rp in/in him/ppo which/wdt was/bedz the/at reason/nn why/wrb he/pps had/hvd fled/vbn the/at army/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* really/rb want/vb to/to kill/vb ,/, but/cc as/cs in/in the/at sexual/jj act/nn ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at moment/nn when/wrb the/at impulse/nn took/vbd over/rp and/cc could/md not/* be/be downed/vbn ,/, even/rb while/cs you/ppss watched/vbd yourself/ppl giving/vbg way/nn to/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz no/ql longer/rbr worried/vbn ./.
Everything/pn would/md be/be all/ql right/jj ./.
He/pps knew/vbd that/cs in/in this/dt mood/nn he/pps could/md not/* be/be stopped/vbn ./.


	Still/rb ,/, the/at sensation/nn always/rb surprised/vbd him/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at thrill/nn he/pps felt/vbd no/at part/nn in/in ./.
He/pps could/md only/rb watch/vb with/in a/at sort/nn of/in gentle/jj dismay/nn while/cs his/pp$ body/nn did/dod these/dts quick/jj ,/, appalling/jj ,/, and/cc efficient/jj things/nns ./.


	He/pps brushed/vbd by/in the/at idiotic/jj boy/nn and/cc lumbered/vbd heavily/rb up/in the/at stairs/nns ./.
They/ppss were/bed carpeted/vbn ,/, but/cc made/vbn for/in pumps/nns and/cc congress/nn gaiters/nns ,/, not/* the/at great/jj clodhoppers/nns he/pps wore/vbd ./.
The/at sound/nn of/in his/pp$ footsteps/nns was/bedz like/cs a/at muffled/vbn drum/nn ./.


	At/in the/at top/nn of/in the/at stairs/nns he/pps ran/vbd into/in somebody/pn standing/vbg there/rb angrily/rb in/in a/at dressing/vbg gown/nn ./.
He/pps stopped/vbd and/cc whispered/vbd his/pp$ errand/nn ./.
Young/jj Frederick/np Seward/np held/vbd out/rp his/pp$ hand/nn ./.
Panting/vbg a/at little/jj ,/, Payne/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
Dr./nn-tl Verdi/np had/hvd told/vbn him/ppo to/to deliver/vb his/pp$ package/nn in/in person/nn ./.


	Frederick/np Seward/np said/vbd his/pp$ father/nn was/bedz sleeping/vbg ,/, and/cc then/rb went/vbd through/in a/at pantomime/nn at/in his/pp$ father's/nn$ door/nn ,/, to/to prove/vb the/at statement/nn ./.


	``/`` Very/ql well/rb ''/'' ,/, Payne/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss will/md go/vb ''/'' ./.
He/pps smiled/vbd ,/, but/cc now/rb that/cs he/pps knew/vbd where/wrb the/at elder/jjr Seward/np was/bedz ,/, he/pps did/dod not/* intend/vb to/to go/vb ./.
He/pps pulled/vbd out/rp his/pp$ pistol/nn and/cc fired/vbd it/ppo ./.
It/pps made/vbd no/at sound/nn ./.
It/pps had/hvd misfired/vbn ./.
Reversing/vbg it/ppo ,/, he/pps smashed/vbd the/at butt/nn down/rp on/in Frederick/np Seward's/np$ head/nn ,/, over/rp and/cc over/rp again/rb ./.


	It/pps was/bedz the/at first/od blow/nn that/wps was/bedz always/rb difficult/jj ./.
After/in that/dt ,/, violence/nn was/bedz exultantly/ql easy/jj ./.
He/pps got/vbd caught/vbn up/rp into/in it/ppo and/cc became/vbd a/at different/jj person/nn ./.
Only/rb afterwards/rb did/dod an/at act/nn like/cs that/dt become/vb meaningless/jj ,/, so/cs that/cs he/pps would/md puzzle/vb over/in it/ppo for/in days/nns ,/, whereas/cs at/in the/at time/nn it/pps had/hvd seemed/vbn quite/ql real/jj ./.


	The/at nigger/nn boy/nn fled/vbd down/in the/at stairs/nns ,/, screaming/vbg ,/, ``/`` Murder/nn ''/'' ./.


	It/pps was/bedz not/* murder/nn at/in all/abn ./.
Payne/np was/bedz more/ql methodical/jj than/cs that/dt ./.
He/pps was/bedz merely/rb clearing/vbg a/at way/nn to/in what/wdt he/pps had/hvd to/to do/do ./.


	He/pps ran/vbd for/in the/at sick/jj room/nn ,/, found/vbd his/pp$ pistol/nn was/bedz broken/vbn ,/, and/cc threw/vbd it/ppo away/rb ./.
A/at knife/nn would/md do/do ./.
From/in childhood/nn he/pps had/hvd known/vbn all/abn about/in knives/nns ./.
Someone/pn blocked/vbd the/at door/nn from/in inside/rb ./.
He/pps smashed/vbd it/ppo in/rp and/cc tumbled/vbd into/in darkness/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd only/ap dimly/rb moving/vbg figures/nns ,/, but/cc when/wrb he/pps slashed/vbd them/ppo they/ppss yelled/vbd and/cc fled/vbd ./.
He/pps went/vbd for/in the/at bed/nn ,/, jumped/vbd on/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc struck/vbd where/wrb he/pps could/md ,/, repeatedly/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz like/cs finally/rb getting/vbg into/in one's/pn$ own/jj nightmares/nns to/to punish/vb one's/pn$ dreams/nns ./.


	Two/cd men/nns pulled/vbd him/ppo off/rp ./.
Nobody/pn said/vbd anything/pn ./.
Payne/np hacked/vbd at/in their/pp$ arms/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at lady/nn there/rb ,/, in/in a/at nightdress/nn ./.
He/pps would/md not/* have/hv wanted/vbn to/to hurt/vb a/at lady/nn ./.
Another/dt man/nn approached/vbd ,/, this/dt one/cd fully/ql dressed/vbn ./.
When/wrb the/at knife/nn went/vbd into/in his/pp$ chest/nn ,/, he/pps went/vbd down/rp at/in once/rb ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem mad/jj ''/'' ,/, shouted/vbd Payne/np ,/, as/cs he/pps ran/vbd out/rp into/in the/at hall/nn ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem mad/jj ''/'' ,/, and/cc only/rb wished/vbd he/pps had/hvd been/ben ./.
That/dt would/md have/hv made/vbn things/nns so/ql much/ql easier/jjr ./.
But/cc he/pps was/bedz not/* mad/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz only/rb dreaming/vbg ./.


	He/pps clattered/vbd down/in the/at stairs/nns and/cc out/rp of/in the/at door/nn ./.
Somewhere/rb in/in the/at fog/nn ,/, the/at nigger/nn boy/nn was/bedz still/rb yelling/vbg murder/nn ./.
One/pn always/rb wakes/vbz up/rp ,/, even/rb from/in one's/pn$ own/jj dreams/nns ./.
The/at clammy/jj air/nn revived/vbd him/ppo ./.
Herold/np ,/, he/pps saw/vbd ,/, had/hvd fled/vbn ./.


	Well/uh ,/, one/pn did/dod not/* expect/vb much/ap of/in people/nns like/cs Herold/np ./.


	He/pps unhitched/vbd his/pp$ horse/nn ,/, walked/vbd it/ppo away/rb ,/, mounted/vbd ,/, and/cc spurred/vbd it/ppo on/rp ./.
The/at nigger/nn boy/nn was/bedz close/ql behind/in him/ppo ./.
Then/rb the/at nigger/nn boy/nn turned/vbd back/rb and/cc he/pps was/bedz alone/jj ./.
He/pps rode/vbd on/rp and/cc on/rp ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at idea/nn where/wrb he/pps was/bedz ./.
After/cs some/dti time/nn he/pps came/vbd to/in an/at open/jj field/nn ./.
An/at open/jj field/nn was/bedz better/jjr than/cs a/at building/nn ,/, that/dt was/bedz for/in sure/jj ,/, so/rb he/pps dismounted/vbd ,/, turned/vbd off/in the/at horse/nn ,/, and/cc plunged/vbd through/in the/at grass/nn ./.


	He/pps felt/vbd curiously/rb sleepy/jj ,/, the/at world/nn seemed/vbd far/rb away/rb ;/. ;/.
he/pps knew/vbd he/pps should/md get/vb to/in Cap/np ,/, but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* know/vb how/wrb ./.
He/pps was/bedz sure/jj ,/, for/cs he/pps had/hvd done/vbn as/cs he/pps was/bedz told/vbn ,/, hadn't/hvd* he/pps ?/. ?/.
Cap/np would/md find/vb him/ppo and/cc take/vb care/nn of/in him/ppo ./.
So/rb choosing/vbg a/at good/jj tree/nn ,/, he/pps clambered/vbd up/rp into/in it/ppo ,/, found/vbd a/at comfortable/jj notch/nn ,/, and/cc curled/vbd up/rp in/in it/ppo to/to sleep/vb ,/, like/cs the/at tousled/vbn bear/nn he/pps was/bedz ,/, with/in his/pp$ hands/nns across/in his/pp$ chest/nn ,/, as/cs though/cs surfeited/vbn with/in honey/nn ./.


	Violence/nn always/rb made/vbd him/ppo tired/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz not/* frightened/vbn ./.




In/in Boston/np ,/, Edwin/np Booth/np was/bedz winding/vbg up/rp a/at performance/nn of/in A/at-tl New/jj-tl Way/nn-tl To/to-tl Pay/vb-tl Old/jj-tl Debts/nns-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at part/nn so/ql familiar/jj to/in him/ppo that/cs he/pps did/dod not/* bother/vb to/to think/vb about/in it/ppo any/dti more/ap ./.
Acting/vbg soothed/vbd him/ppo ./.
On/in a/at stage/nn he/pps always/rb knew/vbd what/wdt to/to do/do ,/, and/cc tonight/nr ,/, to/to judge/vb by/in the/at applause/nn ,/, he/pps must/md be/be doing/vbg it/ppo better/rbr than/cs usual/rb ./.


	As/cs Sir/np Giles/np Overreach/np (/( how/wql often/rb had/hvd he/pps had/hvn to/to play/vb that/dt part/nn ,/, who/wps did/dod not/* believe/vb a/at word/nn of/in it/ppo )/) ,/, he/pps raised/vbd his/pp$ arm/nn and/cc declaimed/vbd :/: ``/`` Where/wrb is/bez my/pp$ honour/nn now/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	That/dt was/bedz one/cd of/in the/at high/jj spots/nns of/in the/at play/nn ./.
The/at audience/nn ,/, as/cs usual/rb ,/, loved/vbd it/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz delighted/vbn to/to see/vb them/ppo so/ql happy/jj ./.
If/cs he/pps had/hvd any/dti worries/nns ,/, it/pps was/bedz only/rb the/at small/jj ones/nns ,/, about/in Mother/nn-tl in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ,/, and/cc his/pp$ daughter/nn Edwina/np and/cc what/wdt she/pps might/md be/be doing/vbg at/in this/dt hour/nn ,/, with/in her/pp$ Aunt/nn-tl Asia/np ,/, in/in Philadelphia/np ./.


	Everyone/pn is/bez ambivalent/jj about/in his/pp$ profession/nn ,/, if/cs he/pps has/hvz practised/vbn it/ppo long/rb enough/qlp ,/, but/cc there/ex were/bed still/rb moments/nns when/wrb he/pps loved/vbd the/at stage/nn and/cc all/abn those/dts unseen/jj people/nns out/in there/rb ,/, who/wps might/md cheer/vb you/ppo or/cc boo/vb you/ppo ,/, but/cc that/dt was/bedz largely/rb ,/, though/cs not/* entirely/rb ,/, up/rp to/in you/ppo ./.


	They/ppss made/vbd the/at world/nn seem/vb friendly/jj somehow/rb ,/, though/cs he/pps knew/vbd it/pps was/bedz not/* ./.



7/cd-hl ,/, 
Wilkes/np was/bedz quite/ql right/jj about/in one/cd thing/nn ./.
Laura/np Keene/np had/hvd been/ben in/in the/at green/jj room/nn ./.
The/at commotion/nn had/hvd brought/vbn her/ppo into/in the/at wings/nns ./.
Since/cs she/pps could/md not/* act/vb ,/, one/cd part/nn suited/vbd her/ppo as/ql well/rb as/cs any/dti other/ap ,/, and/cc so/rb she/pps was/bedz the/at first/od person/nn to/to offer/vb Mr./np Lincoln/np a/at glass/nn of/in water/nn ,/, holding/vbg it/ppo up/rp to/in the/at box/nn ,/, high/rb above/in her/pp$ head/nn ,/, to/in Miss/np Harris/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd asked/vbn for/in it/ppo ./.


	She/pps had/hvd been/ben one/cd of/in the/at first/od to/to collect/vb her/pp$ wits/nns ./.


	It/pps was/bedz not/* so/ql much/rb that/cs the/at shot/nn had/hvd stunned/vbn the/at audience/nn ,/, as/cs that/cs they/ppss had/hvd been/ben stunned/vbn already/rb ./.
Most/ap of/in them/ppo had/hvd seen/vbn Our/pp$-tl American/jj-tl Cousin/nn-tl before/rb ,/, and/cc unless/cs Miss/np Keene/np was/bedz on/in stage/nn ,/, there/ex was/bedz not/* much/ap to/in it/ppo ./.
The/at theatre/nn was/bedz hot/jj and/cc they/ppss were/bed drugged/vbn with/in boredom/nn ./.


	The/at stage/nn had/hvd been/ben empty/jj ,/, except/rb for/in Harry/np Hawk/np ,/, doing/vbg his/pp$ star/nn monologue/nn ./.
The/at audience/nn was/bedz fond/jj of/in Harry/np Hawk/np ,/, he/pps was/bedz a/at dear/jj ,/, in/rp or/cc out/rp of/in character/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz not/* particularly/ql funny/jj ./.
At/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at monologue/nn the/at audience/nn would/md applaud/vb ./.
Meanwhile/rb it/pps looked/vbd at/in the/at scenery/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/rb ,/, I/ppss guess/vb I/ppss know/vb enough/ap to/to turn/vb you/ppo inside/rb out/rp ,/, you/ppss sockdologizing/vbg old/jj mantrap/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Said/vbd Trenchard/np ,/, otherwise/rb Hawk/np ./.
There/ex was/bedz always/rb a/at pause/nn here/rb ,/, before/in the/at next/ap line/nn ./.


	That/dt was/bedz when/wrb the/at gun/nn went/vbd off/rp ./.
Yet/cc even/rb that/dt explosion/nn did/dod not/* mean/vb much/ap ./.
Guns/nns were/bed going/vbg off/rp all/ql over/in Washington/np-tl City/nn-tl these/dts days/nns ,/, because/rb of/in the/at celebrations/nns ,/, and/cc the/at theatre/nn was/bedz not/* soundproof/jj ./.


	Then/rb the/at audience/nn saw/vbd a/at small/jj ,/, dim/jj figure/nn appear/vb at/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at Presidential/jj-tl box/nn ./.
``/`` Sic/fw-rb semper/fw-rb tyrannis/fw-nns ''/'' ,/, it/pps said/vbd mildly/rb ./.
Booth/np had/hvd delivered/vbn his/pp$ line/nn ./.
Behind/in him/ppo billowed/vbd a/at small/jj pungent/jj cloud/nn of/in smoke/nn ./.


	They/ppss strained/vbd forward/rb ./.
They/ppss had/hvd not/* heard/vbn what/wdt had/hvd been/ben said/vbn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd been/ben sitting/vbg too/ql long/rb to/to be/be able/jj to/to stand/vb up/rp easily/rb ./.
The/at figure/nn leapt/vbd from/in the/at box/nn ,/, almost/rb lost/vbd its/pp$ balance/nn ,/, the/at flag/nn draped/vbn there/rb tore/vbd in/in the/at air/nn ,/, the/at figure/nn landed/vbd on/in its/pp$ left/jj leg/nn ,/, fell/vbd on/in its/pp$ hands/nns ,/, and/cc pressed/vbd itself/ppl up/rp ./.


	Harry/np Hawk/np still/rb had/hvd his/pp$ arm/nn raised/vbn towards/in the/at wings/nns ./.
His/pp$ speech/nn faltered/vbd ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* lower/vb his/pp$ arm/nn ./.


	The/at figure/nn was/bedz so/ql theatrically/rb dressed/vbn ,/, that/cs it/pps was/bedz as/cs though/cs a/at character/nn from/in some/dti other/ap play/nn had/hvd blundered/vbn into/in this/dt one/cd ./.
The/at play/nn for/in Saturday/nr night/nn was/bedz to/to be/be a/at benefit/nn performance/nn of/in The/at-tl Octoroon/nn-tl ./.
This/dt figure/nn looked/vbd like/cs the/at slave/nn dealer/nn from/in that/dt ./.
But/cc it/pps also/rb looked/vbd like/cs a/at toad/nn ,/, hopping/vbg away/rb from/in the/at light/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz something/pn maimed/vbn and/cc crazy/jj about/in its/pp$ motion/nn that/wps disturbed/vbd them/ppo ./.


	Then/rb it/pps disappeared/vbd into/in the/at wings/nns ./.


	Harry/np Hawk/np had/hvd not/* shifted/vbn position/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps at/in last/ap lowered/vbd his/pp$ arm/nn ./.


	Mrs./np Lincoln/np screamed/vbd ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at mistaking/nn that/dt scream/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz what/wdt anyone/pn who/wps had/hvd ever/rb seen/vbn her/ppo had/hvd always/rb expected/vbn her/ppo to/to do/do ./.
Yet/cc this/dt scream/nn had/hvd a/at different/jj note/nn in/in it/ppo ./.
That/dt absence/nn of/in an/at urgent/jj self-indulgence/nn dashed/vbd them/ppo awake/jj like/cs a/at pail/nn of/in water/nn ./.


	Clara/np Harris/np ,/, one/cd of/in the/at guests/nns in/in the/at box/nn ,/, stood/vbd up/rp and/cc demanded/vbd water/nn ./.
Her/pp$ action/nn was/bedz involuntary/jj ./.
When/wrb something/pn unexpected/jj happened/vbd ,/, one/cd always/rb asked/vbd for/in water/nn if/cs one/pn were/bed a/at woman/nn ,/, brandy/nn if/cs one/pn were/bed a/at man/nn ./.


	Mrs./np Lincoln/np screamed/vbd again/rb ./.


	In/in the/at Presidential/jj-tl box/nn someone/pn leaned/vbd over/in the/at balustrade/nn and/cc yelled/vbd :/: ``/`` He/pps has/hvz shot/vbn the/at President/nn-tl ''/'' !/. !/.


	That/dt got/vbd everybody/pn up/rp ./.
On/in the/at stage/nn ,/, Harry/np Hawk/np began/vbd to/to weep/vb ./.
Laura/np Keene/np brushed/vbd by/in him/ppo with/in the/at glass/nn of/in water/nn ./.
The/at crowd/nn began/vbd to/to move/vb ./.
In/in Washington/np-tl City/nn-tl everyone/pn lived/vbd in/in a/at bubble/nn of/in plots/nns ,/, and/cc one/cd death/nn might/md attract/vb another/dt ./.
It/pps was/bedz not/* exactly/rb panic/nn they/ppss gave/vbd way/nn to/in ,/, but/cc they/ppss could/md not/* just/rb sit/vb there/rb ./.
The/at beehive/nn voices/nns ,/, for/cs no/at one/pn could/md bear/vb silence/nn ,/, drowned/vbd out/rp the/at sound/nn of/in Mrs./np Lincoln's/np$ weeping/nn ./.


	At/in the/at rear/nn of/in the/at auditorium/nn ,/, upstairs/rb ,/, some/dti men/nns tried/vbd to/to push/vb open/jj the/at door/nn to/in the/at box/nn corridor/nn ./.
It/pps would/md not/* give/vb ./.


	A/at Dr./nn-tl Charles/np Taft/np clambered/vbd up/rp on/in the/at stage/nn and/cc got/vbd the/at actors/nns to/to hoist/vb him/ppo up/rp to/in the/at box/nn ./.
In/in the/at audience/nn a/at man/nn named/vbn Ferguson/np lost/vbd his/pp$ head/nn and/cc tried/vbd to/to rescue/vb a/at little/jj girl/nn from/in the/at mob/nn ,/, on/in the/at same/ap principle/nn which/wdt had/hvd led/vbn Miss/np Harris/np to/to demand/vb water/nn ./.


	Someone/pn opened/vbd the/at corridor/nn door/nn from/in the/at inside/nn ,/, and/cc called/vbd for/in a/at doctor/nn ./.
Somehow/rb Dr./nn-tl Charles/np Leale/np was/bedz forced/vbn through/in the/at mob/nn and/cc squeezed/vbn out/rp into/in the/at dingy/jj corridor/nn ./.
He/pps went/vbd straight/rb to/in the/at Presidential/jj-tl box/nn ./.


	As/cs usual/jj ,/, Mrs./np Lincoln/np had/hvd lost/vbn her/pp$ head/nn ,/, but/cc nobody/pn blamed/vbd her/ppo for/in doing/vbg so/rb now/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at little/ap blood/nn on/in the/at hem/nn of/in her/pp$ dress/nn ,/, for/cs the/at assassin/nn had/hvd slashed/vbn Miss/np Harris's/np$ companion/nn ,/, Major/nn-tl Rathbone/np ,/, with/in a/at knife/nn ./.
Rathbone/np said/vbd he/pps was/bedz bleeding/vbg to/in death/nn ./.
By/in the/at look/nn of/in him/ppo he/pps wasn't/bedz* that/ql far/rb gone/vbn ./.

With/in a/at sneer/nn ,/, the/at man/nn spread/vbd his/pp$ legs/nns and/cc ,/, a/at third/od time/nn ,/, confronted/vbd them/ppo ./.


	Once/rb more/rbr ,/, Katie/np reared/vbd ,/, and/cc whinnied/vbd in/in fear/nn ./.
For/in a/at moment/nn ,/, boy/nn and/cc mount/nn hung/vbd in/in midair/nn ./.
Stevie/np twisted/vbd and/cc ,/, frantically/rb ,/, commanded/vbd the/at mare/nn to/to leap/vb straight/ql ahead/rb ./.
But/cc the/at stranger/nn was/bedz nimbler/jjr still/rb ./.
With/in a/at bold/jj arm/nn ,/, he/pps dared/vbd once/rb more/rbr to/to obstruct/vb them/ppo ./.
Katie/np reared/vbd a/at third/od time/nn ,/, then/rb ,/, trembling/vbg ,/, descended/vbd ./.


	The/at stranger/nn leered/vbd ./.
Seizing/vbg the/at bridle/nn ,/, he/pps tugged/vbd with/in all/abn his/pp$ might/nn and/cc forced/vbd Katie/np to/in her/pp$ knees/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz absurd/jj ./.
Stevie/np could/md feel/vb himself/ppl toppling/vbg ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at ground/nn coming/vbg up/rp --/-- and/cc the/at stranger's/nn$ head/nn ./.
With/in incredible/jj ferocity/nn ,/, he/pps brought/vbd his/pp$ fists/nns together/rb and/cc struck/vbd ./.
The/at blow/nn encountered/vbd silky/jj hair/nn and/cc hard/jj bone/nn ./.
The/at man/nn uttered/vbd a/at weird/jj cry/nn ,/, spun/vbd about/rb ,/, and/cc collapsed/vbd in/in the/at sand/nn ./.


	Katie/np scrambled/vbd to/in her/pp$ feet/nns ,/, Stevie/np agilely/rb retaining/vbg his/pp$ seat/nn ./.
Again/rb Katie/np reared/vbd ,/, and/cc now/rb ,/, wickedly/rb ,/, he/pps compelled/vbd her/ppo to/to bring/vb her/pp$ hooves/nns down/rp again/rb and/cc again/rb upon/in the/at sprawled/vbn figure/nn of/in the/at stranger/nn ./.
He/pps could/md feel/vb his/pp$ own/jj feet/nns ,/, iron-shod/jj ,/, striking/vbg repeatedly/rb until/cs the/at body/nn was/bedz limp/jj ./.
He/pps gloated/vbd ,/, and/cc his/pp$ lips/nns slavered/vbd ./.
He/pps heard/vbd himself/ppl chortling/vbg ./.


	They/ppss rode/vbd around/rb and/cc around/rb to/to trample/vb the/at figure/nn into/in the/at sand/nn ./.
Only/rb the/at top/nn of/in the/at head/nn ,/, with/in a/at spot/nn bare/jj and/cc white/jj as/cs a/at clamshell/nn ,/, remained/vbd visible/jj ./.
Stevie/np was/bedz shouting/vbg triumphantly/rb ./.


	A/at train/nn hooted/vbd ./.
Instantly/rb ,/, he/pps chilled/vbd ./.
They/ppss were/bed pursuing/vbg him/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz frightened/vbn ;/. ;/.
his/pp$ fists/nns clutched/vbd so/ql tightly/rb that/cs his/pp$ knuckles/nns hurt/vb ./.
Then/rb Katie/np stumbled/vbd ,/, and/cc again/rb he/pps was/bedz falling/vbg ,/, falling/vbg !/. !/.


	``/`` Stevie/np !/. !/.
Stevie/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	His/pp$ mother/nn was/bedz nudging/vbg him/ppo ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz still/rb falling/vbg ./.
His/pp$ head/nn hung/vbd over/in the/at boards/nns of/in Katie's/np$ stall/nn ;/. ;/.
before/in it/ppo was/bedz sprawled/vbn the/at mangled/vbn corpse/nn of/in the/at bearded/jj stranger/nn ./.


	``/`` Stevie/np ,/, wake/vb up/rp now/rb !/. !/.
We're/ppss+ber nearly/rb there/rb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps had/hvd been/ben dreaming/vbg ./.
He/pps was/bedz safe/jj in/in his/pp$ Mama's/nn$-tl arms/nns ./.


	The/at train/nn had/hvd slowed/vbn ./.
Houses/nns winked/vbd as/cs the/at cars/nns rolled/vbd beside/in a/at little/jj depot/nn ./.
``/`` Po'/np Chavis/np ''/'' !/. !/.
The/at trainman/nn called/vbd ./.
He/pps came/vbd by/rb and/cc repeated/vbd ,/, ``/`` Po'/np Chavis/np ''/'' !/. !/.



Chapter/nn-tl-hl 6/cd-tl-hl 
Bong/uh !/. !/.
Bong/uh !/. !/.
Startled/vbd him/ppo awake/jj ./.
The/at room/nn vibrated/vbd as/cs if/cs a/at giant/jj hand/nn had/hvd rocked/vbn it/ppo ./.
Bong/uh !/. !/.
A/at dull/jj boom/nn and/cc a/at throbbing/vbg echo/nn ./.
The/at walls/nns bulged/vbd ,/, the/at floor/nn trembled/vbd ,/, the/at windowpanes/nns rattled/vbd ./.
He/pps stared/vbd at/in the/at far/jj morning/nn ,/, expecting/vbg a/at pendulum/nn to/to swing/vb across/in the/at horizon/nn ./.
Bong/uh !/. !/.
He/pps raced/vbd to/in the/at window/nn and/cc yanked/vbd at/in the/at sash/nn ./.
Bong/uh !/. !/.
The/at wood/nn was/bedz old/jj ,/, the/at paint/nn alligatored/jj ./.
Bong/uh !/. !/.
A/at fresh/jj breeze/nn saluted/vbd him/ppo ./.
Six/cd o'clock/rb !/. !/.


	He/pps put/vbd his/pp$ head/nn out/rp ./.
There/ex was/bedz the/at slate/nn roof/nn of/in the/at church/nn ;/. ;/.
ivy/nn climbed/vbd the/at red/jj brick/nn walls/nns like/cs a/at green-scaled/jj monster/nn ./.
The/at clock/nn which/wdt had/hvd struck/vbn presented/vbd an/at innocent/jj face/nn ./.


	In/in the/at kitchen/nn Mama/nn-tl was/bedz wiping/vbg the/at cupboards/nns ./.


	``/`` There's/ex+bez a/at tower/nn and/cc a/at steeple/nn on/in the/at church/nn a/at million/cd feet/nns high/jj ./.
And/cc the/at loudest/jjt clock/nn in/in the/at whole/jj world/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb ,/, Stephen/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps smiled/vbd ./.
``/`` They/ppss say/vb that/cs our/pp$ steeple/nn is/bez one/cd hundred/cd and/cc sixty-two/cd feet/nns high/jj ./.
The/at clock/nn you/ppss heard/vbd strike/nn --/-- it's/pps+bez really/rb the/at town/nn clock/nn --/-- was/bedz installed/vbn last/ap April/np by/in Mrs./np Shorter/np ,/, on/in her/pp$ birthday/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps dressed/vbd ,/, and/cc sped/vbd outdoors/rb ./.
He/pps crossed/vbd Broome/np-tl Street/nn-tl to/in Orange/np-tl Square/nn-tl ./.
The/at steeple/nn leaned/vbd backward/rb ,/, while/cs the/at church/nn advanced/vbd like/cs a/at headless/jj creature/nn in/in a/at long/jj ,/, shapeless/jj coat/nn ./.
The/at spire/nn seemed/vbd to/to hold/vb up/rp the/at sky/nn ./.


	Port/nn-tl Jervis/np-tl ,/, basking/vbg in/in the/at foothills/nns ,/, was/bedz the/at city/nn of/in God/np ./.
The/at Dutch/jj-tl Reformed/vbn-tl Church/nn-tl ,/, with/in two/cd steeples/nns and/cc its/pp$ own/jj school/nn was/bedz on/in Main/jjs-tl Street/nn-tl ;/. ;/.
the/at Episcopal/jj-tl Church/nn-tl was/bedz one/cd block/nn down/in Sussex/np-tl Street/nn-tl ;/. ;/.
the/at Catholic/jj Saint/nn-tl Mary's/np$-tl Church/nn-tl ,/, with/in an/at even/ql taller/jjr steeple/nn and/cc a/at cross/nn on/in top/nn ,/, stood/vbd on/in Ball/nn-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
The/at Catholics/nps had/hvd the/at largest/jjt cemetery/nn ,/, near/in the/at Neversink/np-tl River/nn-tl where/wrb Main/jjs-tl Street/nn-tl ran/vbd south/rb ;/. ;/.
Stevie/np whistled/vbd when/wrb he/pps passed/vbd these/dts alien/jj grounds/nns ./.


	God/np was/bedz everywhere/rb ,/, in/in the/at belfry/nn ,/, in/in the/at steeple/nn ,/, in/in the/at clouds/nns ,/, in/in the/at trees/nns ,/, and/cc in/in the/at mountains/nns hulking/vbg on/in the/at horizon/nn ./.
Somewhere/rb ,/, beyond/rb ,/, where/wrb shadows/nns lurked/vbd ,/, must/md be/be the/at yawning/vbg pit/nn of/in which/wdt Papa/np preached/vbd and/cc the/at dreadful/jj Lake/nn-tl of/in-tl Fire/nn-tl ./.


	So/rb ,/, walking/vbg in/in awe/nn ,/, he/pps became/vbd familiar/jj with/in God/np ,/, who/wps resided/vbd chiefly/rb in/in Drew/np-tl Centennial/nn-tl Church/nn-tl with/in its/pp$ high/jj steeple/nn and/cc clock/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at church/nn like/cs Drew/np-tl Church/nn-tl ,/, no/at preacher/nn like/cs Papa/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz intimate/jj with/in Him/ppo ,/, and/cc could/md consign/vb sinners/nns to/in hellfire/nn ./.
To/to know/vb God/np he/pps must/md follow/vb in/in Papa's/np$ footsteps/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz fortunate/jj ,/, and/cc proud/jj ./.


	The/at veterans/nns ,/, idling/vbg on/in their/pp$ benches/nns in/in the/at Square/nn-tl ,/, beneath/in the/at soldiers'/nns$ monument/nn ,/, got/vbd to/in their/pp$ feet/nns when/wrb Papa/np approached/vbd :/: ``/`` Morning/uh ,/, Reverend/np ''/'' !/. !/.
His/pp$ being/nn and/cc His/pp$ will/nn --/-- Stevie/np could/md not/* divide/vb God/np from/in his/pp$ Papa/np --/-- illumined/vbd every/at parish/nn face/nn ,/, turned/vbd the/at choir/nn into/in a/at band/nn of/in angels/nns ,/, and/cc the/at pulpit/nn into/in the/at tollgate/nn to/in Heaven/nn-tl ./.


	``/`` We/ppss have/hv nine/cd hundred/cd and/cc eleven/cd members/nns in/in our/pp$ charge/nn ''/'' ,/, Mama/nn-tl announced/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc three/cd hundred/cd and/cc eighty/cd Sunday-school/jj scholars/nns ''/'' ./.


	When/wrb Papa/np went/vbd out/rp to/to do/do God's/np$ work/nn ,/, Stevie/np often/rb accompanied/vbd him/ppo in/in the/at buggy/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz drawn/vbn by/in Violet/np ,/, the/at new/jj black/jj mare/nn ./.
Although/cs they/ppss journeyed/vbd westerly/rb as/ql far/rb as/cs Germantown/np ,/, beyond/in the/at Erie/np roundhouse/nn and/cc the/at machine/nn shop/nn ,/, and/cc along/in the/at Delaware/np-tl and/cc-tl Hudson/np-tl Canal/nn-tl ,/, and/cc northward/rb to/in Brooklyn/np ,/, below/in Point/nn-tl Peter/np-tl ,/, he/pps could/md see/vb the/at church/nn spire/nn wherever/wrb he/pps looked/vbd back/rb ./.
Sometimes/rb they/ppss went/vbd south/rb and/cc rolled/vbd past/in the/at tollhouse/nn --/-- ``/`` Afternoon/nn ,/, Reverend/np ''/'' !/. !/.
--/-- and/cc crossed/vbd the/at suspension/nn bridge/nn to/in Matamoras/np ;/. ;/.
that/dt was/bedz Pennsylvania/np ./.


	In/in the/at Delaware/np-tl River/nn-tl ,/, three/cd long/jj islands/nns were/bed overgrown/vbn with/in greening/vbg trees/nns and/cc underbrush/nn ./.
South/rb of/in Laurel/nn-tl Grove/nn-tl Cemetery/nn-tl ,/, and/cc below/in the/at junction/nn of/in the/at Neversink/np and/cc the/at Delaware/np ,/, was/bedz the/at Tri-State/jj-tl Rock/nn-tl ,/, from/in which/wdt Stevie/np could/md spy/vb New/jj-tl Jersey/np-tl and/cc Pennsylvania/np ,/, as/ql well/rb as/cs New/jj-tl York/np-tl ,/, simply/rb by/in spinning/vbg around/rb on/in his/pp$ heel/nn ./.


	On/in these/dts excursions/nns ,/, Papa/np instructed/vbd him/ppo on/in man's/nn$ chief/jjs end/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz his/pp$ duty/nn to/in God/np and/cc his/pp$ own/jj salvation/nn ./.
However/rb ,/, a/at boy's/nn$ lively/jj eyes/nns might/md rove/vb ./.
Where/wrb Cuddleback/np-tl Brook/nn-tl purled/vbd into/in the/at Neversink/np was/bedz a/at magnificent/jj swimming/vbg hole/nn ./.
Papa/np pointed/vbd a/at scornful/jj finger/nn at/in the/at splashing/vbg youth/nn :/: ``/`` Idle/jj recreation/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Stevie/np saw/vbd no/at idols/nns ;/. ;/.
it/pps troubled/vbd him/ppo that/cs he/pps couldn't/md* always/rb see/vb what/wdt Papa/np saw/vbd ./.
He/pps was/bedz torn/vbn between/in the/at excitement/nn in/in the/at sun-inflamed/jj waters/nns and/cc a/at little/jj engine/nn chugging/vbg northward/rb on/in the/at Monticello/np-tl Branch/nn-tl ./.


	``/`` Where/wrb you/ppss been/ben today/nr ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Ludie/np inquired/vbd every/at evening/nn ,/, pretending/vbg that/cs he/pps did/dod not/* care/vb ./.
``/`` He'll/pps+md make/vb a/at preacher/nn out/rp of/in you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, he/pps won't/md* ''/'' !/. !/.
Stevie/np flared/vbd ./.
``/`` Not/* me/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Somebody's/pn+hvz got/vbn to/to be/be a/at preacher/nn in/in the/at family/nn ./.
He/pps made/vbd a/at will/nn and/cc last/ap testament/nn before/cs we/ppss left/vbd Paterson/np ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd them/ppo !/. !/.
Uncle/nn-tl and/cc Aunt/nn-tl Howe/np-tl were/bed the/at witnesses/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Will/md he/pps die/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Everybody/pn does/doz ''/'' ./.


	Ludie/np could/md be/be hateful/jj ./.
To/to speak/vb of/in Papa/np dying/vbg was/bedz a/at sin/nn ./.
It/pps could/md never/rb happen/vb as/ql long/rb as/cs God/np was/bedz alert/jj and/cc the/at Drew/np steeple/nn stood/vbd guard/nn with/in its/pp$ peaked/jj lance/nn ./.


	Stevie/np was/bedz constantly/rb slipping/vbg into/in the/at church/nn ./.
He/pps pulled/vbd with/in all/abn his/pp$ strength/nn at/in the/at heavy/jj ,/, brass-bound/jj door/nn ,/, and/cc shuffled/vbd along/in the/at wainscoted/jj wall/nn ./.
The/at cold/jj ,/, mysterious/jj presence/nn of/in God/np was/bedz all/rb around/in him/ppo ./.
At/in the/at end/nn of/in a/at shaft/nn of/in light/nn ,/, the/at pews/nns appeared/vbd to/to be/be broad/jj stairs/nns in/in a/at long/jj dungeon/nn ./.
Far/rb away/rb ,/, standing/vbg before/in a/at curtained/jj window/nn in/in the/at study/nn room/nn ,/, was/bedz his/pp$ father/nn ,/, hands/nns tucked/vbn under/in his/pp$ coattails/nns ,/, and/cc staring/vbg into/in the/at dark/jj church/nn ./.
The/at figure/nn was/bedz wreathed/vbn in/in an/at extraordinary/jj luminescence/nn ./.


	The/at boy/nn shuddered/vbd at/in the/at deathly/ql pale/jj countenance/nn with/in its/pp$ wrinkles/nns and/cc gray/jj hair/nn ./.
Would/md Papa/np really/rb die/vb ?/. ?/.
The/at mouth/nn was/bedz thin-lipped/jj and/cc wide/jj ,/, the/at long/jj cleft/nn in/in the/at upper/jj lip/nn like/cs a/at slide/nn ./.
When/wrb Papa's/np$ slender/jj fingers/nns removed/vbd the/at spectacles/nns ,/, there/ex were/bed red/jj indentations/nns on/in the/at bridge/nn of/in the/at strong/jj nose/nn ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez time/nn you/ppss began/vbd to/to think/vb on/in God/np ,/, Stephen/np ./.
Perhaps/rb one/cd day/nn He/pps will/md choose/vb you/ppo as/cs He/pps chose/vbd me/ppo ,/, long/rb ago/rb ./.
Therefore/rb ,/, give/vb Him/ppo your/pp$ affection/nn and/cc store/vb up/rp His/pp$ love/nn for/in you/ppo ./.
Open/vb your/pp$ heart/nn to/in Him/ppo and/cc pray/vb ,/, Stephen/np ,/, pray/vb !/. !/.
For/in His/pp$ mercy/nn and/cc His/pp$ guidance/nn to/to spare/vb you/ppo from/in evil/nn and/cc eternal/jj punishment/nn in/in the/at Lake/nn-tl of/in-tl Fire/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	Stevie/np had/hvd heard/vbn these/dts words/nns many/ap times/nns ,/, yet/cc on/in each/dt occasion/nn they/ppss caused/vbd him/ppo to/to tremble/vb ./.
For/cs he/pps feared/vbd the/at Lake/nn-tl of/in-tl Fire/nn-tl ./.
He/pps strove/vbd to/to think/vb of/in God/np and/cc His/pp$ eternal/jj wrath/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps must/md pray/vb to/to be/be spared/vbn ./.


	Papa/np was/bedz disappointed/vbn that/cs none/pn of/in the/at brothers/nns had/hvd heard/vbn the/at Call/nn ./.
Not/* George/np ,/, Townley/np ,/, or/cc Ted/np ,/, certainly/rb not/* Ludie/np ./.
Burt/np was/bedz at/in Hackettstown/np and/cc Will/np at/in Albany/np-tl Law/nn-tl School/nn-tl ,/, where/wrb they/ppss surely/rb could/md not/* hear/vb it/ppo ./.
Someday/rb God/np would/md choose/vb him/ppo ./.
He/pps would/md hear/vb the/at Call/nn and/cc would/md run/vb to/to tell/vb Papa/np ./.
The/at stern/jj face/nn would/md relax/vb ,/, the/at black-clad/jj arms/nns would/md embrace/vb him/ppo ,/, ``/`` My/pp$ son/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Yet/cc how/wrb might/md he/pps know/vb the/at Call/nn when/wrb it/pps came/vbd ?/. ?/.
Probably/rb ,/, as/cs in/in Scriptures/nns-tl ,/, a/at still/jj ,/, small/jj voice/nn would/md whisper/vb ./.
It/pps would/md summon/vb him/ppo once/rb ;/. ;/.
if/cs he/pps missed/vbd it/ppo ,/, never/rb again/rb ./.
What/wdt if/cs it/pps came/vbd when/wrb he/pps was/bedz playing/vbg ,/, or/cc was/bedz asleep/jj and/cc dreaming/vbg ?/. ?/.


	He/pps must/md not/* fail/vb to/to hear/vb it/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz Papa's/np$ chosen/vbn ;/. ;/.
therefore/rb ,/, nothing/pn but/in good/nn could/md happen/vb to/in him/ppo ,/, even/rb in/in God's/np$ wrathful/jj storms/nns ./.
When/wrb the/at skies/nns grew/vbd dark/jj and/cc thunder/nn rolled/vbd across/in the/at valley/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz unafraid/jj ./.
Aggie/np might/md fly/vb into/in a/at closet/nn ,/, shut/vb the/at door/nn and/cc bury/vb her/pp$ head/nn in/in the/at clothes/nns ;/. ;/.
he/pps dared/vbd to/to wait/vb for/in the/at lightning/nn ./.


	Lightning/nn could/md strike/vb you/ppo blind/jj if/cs you/ppss were/bed a/at sinner/nn !/. !/.
But/cc he/pps was/bedz good/jj ./.
He/pps clenched/vbd his/pp$ fists/nns and/cc faced/vbd the/at terror/nn ./.
Thunder/nn crashed/vbd ;/. ;/.
barrels/nns tumbled/vbd down/in the/at mountainsides/nns ,/, and/cc bounced/vbd and/cc bounced/vbd till/cs their/pp$ own/jj fury/nn split/vbd them/ppo open/jj ./.
Lightning/nn might/md strike/vb the/at steeples/nns of/in the/at other/ap churches/nns ;/. ;/.
not/* of/in Drew/np-tl Church/nn-tl ./.
A/at flash/nn illumined/vbd the/at trees/nns as/cs a/at crooked/jj bolt/nn twigged/vbd in/in several/ap directions/nns ./.
Violet/np whinnied/vbd from/in the/at stable/nn ./.


	He/pps ran/vbd out/rp into/in the/at downpour/nn ,/, sped/vbd across/in the/at yard/nn and/cc into/in the/at buggy/nn room/nn ./.
``/`` Don't/do* be/be afraid/jj ,/, Violet/np ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps shouted/vbd ,/, and/cc was/bedz aghast/jj at/in the/at echoes/nns ./.
``/`` Don't/do* you/ppo be/be afraid/jj ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps would/md save/vb her/ppo ./.
If/cs there/ex was/bedz a/at fire/nn or/cc a/at flood/nn he/pps would/md save/vb Mama/nn-tl first/rb and/cc Violet/np next/rb ./.
Drenched/vbn and/cc shaking/vbg ,/, he/pps stood/vbd near/in the/at sweet-smelling/jj stall/nn and/cc dared/vbd to/to pat/vb her/pp$ muzzle/nn ./.
``/`` Don't/do* you/ppo be/be afraid/jj ,/, Violet/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	After/in the/at storm/nn ,/, the/at sky/nn cleared/vbd blue/jj and/cc cool/jj ,/, and/cc fragrant/jj air/nn swept/vbd the/at hills/nns ./.
When/wrb the/at sun/nn came/vbd out/rp ,/, Stevie/np strode/vbd proudly/rb into/in Orange/np-tl Square/nn-tl ,/, smiling/vbg like/cs a/at landlord/nn on/in industrious/jj tenants/nns ./.
The/at fountain/nn had/hvd brimmed/vbn over/rp ,/, the/at cannon/nns were/bed wet/jj ,/, the/at soldiers'/nns$ monument/nn glistened/vbd ./.
Even/rb before/cs the/at benches/nns had/hvd dried/vbn ,/, the/at Civil/jj-tl War/nn-tl veterans/nns were/bed straggling/vbg back/rb to/in their/pp$ places/nns ./.
The/at great/jj spire/nn shone/vbd as/cs if/cs the/at lightning/nn had/hvd polished/vbn it/ppo ./.
He/pps jumped/vbd ./.
The/at pointed/vbn shadow/nn had/hvd nearly/rb touched/vbn him/ppo ./.


	He/pps trailed/vbd Ludie/np to/in the/at baseball/nn game/nn in/in the/at lot/nn on/in Kingston/np-tl Street/nn-tl near/in the/at Dutch/jj-tl Reformed/vbn-tl ./.


	``/`` Go/vb on/rp home/nr ''/'' !/. !/.
Ludie/np screeched/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` Someone'll/pn+md tell/vb Papa/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	No/at one/pn told/vbd on/in Ludie/np ,/, not/* even/rb when/wrb he/pps slipped/vbd live/jj grasshoppers/nns into/in the/at mite-box/nn ./.
Ludie/np did/dod as/cs he/pps pleased/vbd ./.


	Ludie/np took/vbd his/pp$ slingshot/nn and/cc climbed/vbd to/in the/at rooftop/nn to/to shoot/vb at/in crows/nns ./.
Ludie/np chewed/vbd roofer's/nn$ tar/nn ./.
Ludie/np had/hvd a/at cigar/nn box/nn full/jj of/in marbles/nns and/cc shooters/nns ,/, and/cc a/at Roman/jj candle/nn from/in last/ap Fourth/od-tl of/in-tl July/np-tl ./.
Ludie/np hopped/vbd rides/nns on/in freight/nn cars/nns ,/, and/cc was/bedz chased/vbn by/in Mr./np Yankton/np ,/, the/at railroad/nn guard/nn ./.
He/pps came/vbd home/nr overheated/vbn ,/, ran/vbd straight/rb to/in the/at ice-chest/nn ,/, and/cc gulped/vbd shivery/jj cold/jj water/nn ./.


	Stevie/np envied/vbd him/ppo ./.
That/dt Ludie/np !/. !/.
He/pps ,/, too/rb ,/, cocked/vbd his/pp$ cap/nn at/in a/at jaunty/jj angle/nn ,/, jingled/vbd marbles/nns in/in his/pp$ pocket/nn ,/, and/cc swaggered/vbd down/in Main/jjs-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
On/in the/at Christophers'/nps$ lawn/nn ,/, little/jj girls/nns in/in white/jj pinafores/nns were/bed playing/vbg grownups/nns at/in a/at tea/nn party/nn ./.
A/at Newfoundland/np sat/vbd solemnly/rb beside/in a/at doghouse/nn half/abn his/pp$ size/nn ./.
Stevie/np yearned/vbd for/in a/at dog/nn ./.
He/pps wondered/vbd whether/cs God/np had/hvd a/at dog/nn in/in the/at sky/nn ./.


	He/pps meandered/vbd down/in Pike/np-tl Street/nn-tl ,/, past/in the/at First/od-tl National/jj-tl Bank/nn-tl with/in its/pp$ green/jj window/nn shades/nns ./.
He/pps crossed/vbd the/at tracks/nns to/in Delaware/np-tl House/nn-tl ,/, where/wrb ladies/nns in/in gay/jj dresses/nns and/cc men/nns in/in straw/nn boaters/nns and/cc waxed/vbn mustaches/nns crowded/vbd the/at verandah/nn ./.
A/at tall/jj lady/nn ,/, with/in a/at ruffled/vbn collar/nn very/ql low/rb on/in her/pp$ bosom/nn ,/, turned/vbd insolent/jj green/jj eyes/nns upon/in him/ppo ./.
She/pps was/bedz taller/jjr than/cs Aggie/np ./.
She/pps was/bedz so/ql beautiful/jj with/in her/pp$ rosy/jj mouth/nn and/cc haughty/jj air/nn that/cs she/pps had/hvd to/to be/be wicked/jj ./.
Fiddles/nns screeched/vbd ;/. ;/.
a/at piano/nn tinkled/vbd ./.


	``/`` P./np J./np ''/'' --/-- as/cs Ludie/np called/vbd the/at town/nn --/-- was/bedz crowded/vbn with/in summer/nn people/nns who/wps came/vbd to/in the/at mountains/nns to/to escape/vb the/at heat/nn in/in the/at big/jj cities/nns ./.
They/ppss stayed/vbd at/in hotels/nns and/cc boardinghouses/nns ,/, or/cc at/in private/jj homes/nns ./.
Rich/jj people/nns went/vbd to/in Delaware/np-tl House/nn-tl ,/, Opera/nn-tl House/nn-tl ,/, American/jj-tl House/nn-tl or/cc Fowler/np-tl House/nn-tl ./.

If/cs the/at crummy/jj bastard/nn could/md write/vb !/. !/.
That's/dt+bez how/wrb it/pps should/md be/be ./.
It's/pps+bez those/dts two/cd fucken/vbg niggers/nns !/. !/.
Krist/uh ,/, I/ppss wish/vb they/ppss could/md write/vb !/. !/.
Nigger/nn pussy/nn ./.
He/pps thought/vbd of/in sweet/jj wet/jj nigger/nn pussy/nn ./.
Oh/uh ,/, sweet/jj land/nn of/in heaven/nn ,/, haint/bez* there/ex just/rb nothin/pn like/cs sweet/jj nigger/nn pussy/nn !/. !/.
He/pps thought/vbd of/in her/ppo ,/, the/at first/od one/cd ./.
He/pps had/hvd caught/vbn her/ppo coming/vbg out/rp of/in the/at shack/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz a/at juicy/jj one/cd ./.
Oh/uh how/wrb they/ppss bounced/vbd !/. !/.
Fresh/jj ,/, warm/jj ,/, sweet/jj and/cc juicy/jj ,/, sweet/jj lovin/vbg sixteen/cd ,/, she/pps was/bedz ./.
Man/uh ,/, how/wrb I/ppss love/vb nigger/nn pussy/nn !/. !/.
The/at snow/nn came/vbd a/at little/ap faster/rbr now/rb ,/, he/pps noted/vbd ./.
He/pps thought/vbd of/in Joe/np Harris/np ,/, the/at nigger/nn who/wps had/hvd gone/vbn after/in his/pp$ sister/nn ./.
He/pps chuckled/vbd ,/, the/at memory/nn vivid/jj ./.
Jee-sus/uh ,/, We/ppss Fixed/vbd him/ppo !/. !/.
Yooee/uh ,/, we/ppss fixed/vbd him/ppo !/. !/.
The/at snow/nn again/rb ./.
If/cs only/rb the/at fucken/vbg weather/nn wasn't/bedz* so/ql lousy/jj !/. !/.
Goddamn/jj niggers/nns ,/, Lord/nn-tl ./.
What/wdt I/ppss have/hv to/to put/vb up/rp with/in !/. !/.
Sonuvabitch/uh ,/, I/ppss can't/md* figure/vb out/rp what/wdt in/in hell/nn for/in they/ppss went/vbd and/cc put/vbd niggers/nns in/in my/pp$ squad/nn for/in ./.
Only/rb one/cd worth/jj a/at shit/nn ,/, and/cc that's/dt+bez Brandon/np ./.
He/pps ain't/bez* so/ql bad/jj ./.


	His/pp$ thoughts/nns turned/vbd to/in other/ap things/nns ./.
The/at big/jj shock/nn everybody/pn had/hvd when/wrb they/ppss found/vbd ol/jj Slater/np and/cc those/dts others/nns done/vbn for/rb ./.
Kaboom/uh for/rb ./.


	He/pps had/hvd been/ben pretty/ql scared/vbn himself/ppl ,/, wondering/vbg what/wdt the/at hell/nn was/bedz coming/vbg off/rp ./.
But/cc he/pps soon/rb saw/vbd which/wdt way/nn the/at ball/nn was/bedz bouncing/vbg ./.
Soon/rb came/vbd back/rb to/in his/pp$ senses/nns ./.
``/`` I/ppss soon/rb came/vbd back/rb to/in my/pp$ senses/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, aloud/rb ,/, to/in the/at young/jj blizzard/nn ,/, proudly/rb ,/, drawing/vbg himself/ppl up/rp ,/, as/cs if/cs making/vbg a/at report/nn to/in some/dti important/jj superior/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz the/at first/od to/to get/vb my/pp$ squad/nn on/in the/at ball/nn ,/, and/cc anybody/pn thinkin/vbg it/pps was/bedz easy/jj is/bez pretty/ql damn/ql dumb/jj ./.
Look/vb at/in thum/ppo ./.
That/dt goddamn/jj redheader/nn was/bedz the/at worst/jjt ./.
He/pps kept/vbd sayin/vbg ,/, not/* me/ppo ,/, not/* me/ppo ,/, I/ppss don't/do* wanta/vb+to wind/vb up/rp like/cs em/ppo ./.
But/cc I/ppss told/vbd him/ppo ,/, goddammit/uh ./.
``/`` I/ppss told/vbd him/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd aloud/rb They'll/ppss+md get/vb the/at guys/nns that/wps done/dod it/ppo ./.
That'll/dt+md put/vb the/at place/nn back/rb to/in normal/jj ./.
Normal/jj ,/, by/in God/np ./.
Maybe/rb it's/pps+bez a/at good/jj thing/nn it/pps happened/vbd ./.
Maybe/rb they'll/ppss+md stop/vb it/ppo now/rb ,/, once/rb for/in all/abn ./.
Clean/vb the/at place/nn up/rp ./.
They're/ppss+ber doin/vbg it/ppo now/rb ./.
I/ppss hear/vb the/at whole/jj bunch/nn is/bez croakin/vbg out/rp in/in the/at snow/nn ./.
They'll/ppss+md get/vb the/at guys/nns that/wps done/dod it/ppo ./.
There/ex was/bedz something/pn troubling/vbg him/ppo though/rb :/: as/in yet/rb they/ppss hadn't/hvd* Five/cd days/nns ./.
Keerist/uh ./.
Prickly/jj twinges/nns of/in annoyance/nn ran/vbd through/in him/ppo ./.
His/pp$ eyes/nns blinked/vbd hard/rb ,/, snapping/vbg on/rp and/cc squashing/vbg some/dti bad/jj things/nns that/wps were/bed trying/vbg to/to push/vb their/pp$ way/nn into/in him/ppo ./.
A/at tune/nn began/vbd to/to whirl/vb inside/in his/pp$ head/nn ./.
One/cd of/in his/pp$ favorites/nns :/: ``/`` Guitar/nn-tl Boogie/nn-tl ''/'' ./.
It/pps always/rb came/vbd on/rp ,/, faithfully/rb ,/, just/rb like/cs a/at radio/nn or/cc juke/nn box/nn ,/, whenever/wrb he/pps started/vbd to/to worry/vb too/ql much/rb about/in something/pn ,/, when/wrb the/at bad/jj things/nns tried/vbd to/to push/vb their/pp$ way/nn into/in him/ppo ./.
The/at music/nn drove/vbd them/ppo off/rp ,/, or/cc away/rb ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz free/jj to/to walk/vb on/in air/nn in/in a/at very/ql few/ap moments/nns ,/, humming/vbg and/cc jiving/vbg within/rb ,/, beating/vbg the/at rhythm/nn within/rb ./.
He/pps glowed/vbd with/in anticipation/nn about/in what/wdt would/md happen/vb to/in the/at culprits/nns when/wrb they/ppss caught/vbd them/ppo ./.
Turn/vb the/at bastards/nns over/rp to/in me/ppo --/-- to/in me/ppo and/cc my/pp$ boys/nns --/-- no/at nigger/nn ever/rb got/vbd what/wdt would/md be/be comin/vbg to/in them/ppo --/-- reactionary/jj bastards/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd never/rb heard/vbn the/at word/nn reactionary/jj-nc before/cs his/pp$ life/nn as/cs a/at POW/nn began/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at word/nn he/pps was/bedz proud/jj of/in ,/, a/at word/nn that/wps meant/vbd much/ap to/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc he/pps used/vbd it/ppo with/in great/jj pleasure/nn ,/, almost/rb as/cs if/cs it/pps were/bed an/at exclusive/jj possession/nn ,/, and/cc more/ap :/: he/pps sensed/vbd himself/ppl to/to be/be very/ql highly/ql educated/vbn ,/, four/cd cuts/nns above/in any/dti of/in the/at folks/nns back/rb home/nr ./.
``/`` Four/cd cuts/nns at/in least/ap ''/'' ,/, he/pps chuckled/vbd to/in himself/ppl ,/, ``/`` and/cc I/ppss owe/vb it/ppo all/abn to/in them/ppo ''/'' ./.
The/at word/nn also/rb made/vbd him/ppo feel/vb hate/nn ,/, sincere/jj hate/nn ,/, for/in those/dts so/rb labeled/vbn ./.
He/pps used/vbd it/ppo very/ql effectively/rb when/wrb he/pps wanted/vbd to/to get/vb his/pp$ squad/nn on/in the/at ball/nn ./.
It/pps came/vbd up/rp again/rb and/cc again/rb in/in the/at discussion/nn sessions/nns ./.
Lousy/jj Reactionary/jj bastards/nns been/ben tryin/vbg to/to fuck/vb up/rp the/at Program/nn for/in months/nns ./.
Months/nns ./.
Hired/vbn ,/, hard/jj lackeys/nns of/in the/at Warmongering/jj capitalists/nns ./.
Not/* captured/vbn ,/, sent/vbn here/rb ./.
To/to fuck/vb up/rp the/at program/nn ./.
You/ppss guys/nns remember/vb that/dt ./.
Remember/vb that/cs He/pps heard/vbd himself/ppl haranguing/vbg them/ppo ./.
He/pps saw/vbd himself/ppl before/in them/ppo delivering/vbg the/at speech/nn ./.
He/pps laughed/vbd ,/, suddenly/rb ,/, feeling/vbg a/at surge/nn of/in power/nn telling/vbg him/ppo of/in his/pp$ hold/nn over/in them/ppo ,/, seeing/vbg himself/ppl before/in them/ppo ,/, receiving/vbg utmost/jjs respect/nn and/cc attention/nn ./.
One/cd day/nn ,/, Ching/np had/hvd told/vbn him/ppo (/( smiling/vbg ,/, patting/vbg him/ppo on/in the/at back/nn )/) as/cs they/ppss walked/vbd to/in the/at weekly/jj conference/nn of/in squad/nn leaders/nns ,/, ``/`` Keep/vb it/ppo up/rp ,/, your/pp$ squad/nn is/bez good/jj ,/, one/cd of/in the/at best/jjt ,/, keep/vb it/ppo up/rp ,/, keep/vb up/rp the/at good/jj work/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps would/md !/. !/.
That/dt was/bedz really/rb something/pn ,/, coming/vbg from/in Ching/np ./.
``/`` Really/rb something/pn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, aloud/rb ./.
Dirty/jj Reactionary/jj bastards/nns comin/vbg down/in here/rb in/in the/at night/nn and/cc bumpin/vbg off/rp ol/jj Slater/np and/cc those/dts other/ap poor/jj bastards/nns ./.
``/`` They'll/ppss+md get/vb them/ppo by/in God/np and/cc let/vb them/ppo bring/vb them/ppo down/in here/rb to/in me/ppo ,/, just/rb let/vb them/ppo ,/, God/np ,/, I'll/ppss+md slice/vb their/pp$ balls/nns right/ql off/rp ./.
''/'' His/pp$ arm/nn moved/vbd swiftly/rb ,/, violently/rb ,/, once/rb ,/, twice/rb ./.
He/pps felt/vbd intense/jj satisfaction/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz tingling/vbg within/rb ./.
Before/in him/ppo ,/, mutilated/vbn ,/, bleeding/vbg to/in death/nn ,/, they/ppss lay/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz as/cs if/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben done/vbn ./.
``/`` Bastards/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd aloud/rb ,/, spitting/vbg on/in them/ppo ./.
He/pps halted/vbd ,/, and/cc looked/vbd around/rb ./.
Rivers/nns of/in cold/jj sweat/nn were/bed suddenly/rb unleashed/vbn within/in him/ppo ./.
The/at thought/nn came/vbd back/rb ,/, the/at one/cd nagging/vbg at/in him/ppo these/dts past/ap four/cd days/nns ./.
He/pps tried/vbd to/to stifle/vb it/ppo ./.
But/cc the/at words/nns were/bed forming/vbg ./.
He/pps knew/vbd he/pps couldn't/md* ./.
He/pps braced/vbd himself/ppl ./.
Somebody'll/pn+md hafta/hv+to start/vb thinkin/vbg ./.
He/pps fought/vbd it/ppo ,/, seeking/vbg to/to kill/vb the/at last/ap few/ap words/nns ,/, but/cc on/rp they/ppss came/vbd out/rp ./.
He/pps was/bedz trembling/vbg ,/, a/at strange/jj feeling/nn upon/in him/ppo ,/, fully/rb expecting/vbg some/dti catastrophe/nn to/to strike/vb him/ppo dead/jj on/in the/at spot/nn ./.
But/cc it/pps didn't/dod* ./.
And/cc he/pps took/vbd heart/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at final/jj word/nn came/vbd forth/rb ./.
Now/rb he/pps heard/vbd it/ppo ,/, fully/rb ;/. ;/.
``/`` bout/in takin/vbg his/pp$ place/nn ''/'' He/pps listened/vbd ,/, waited/vbd ,/, nothing/pn happened/vbd ./.
He/pps felt/vbd good/jj ./.
His/pp$ old/jj self/nn ./.
The/at music/nn arrived/vbd ,/, taking/vbg him/ppo its/pp$ rhythm/nn ./.
Stroked/vbd him/ppo ,/, snaked/vbd all/ql through/in him/ppo ,/, the/at lyrics/nns lifted/vbd him/ppo ,/, took/vbd him/ppo from/in one/cd magic/jj isle/nn to/in another/dt ,/, stopping/vbg briefly/rb at/in each/dt Brandon/np ./.
He/pps is/bez good/jj ./.
Damn/ql good/jj ./.
But/cc a/at nigger/nn ./.
Johnson/np ./.
Jesus/uh ,/, the/at guy/nn says/vbz he/pps is/bez trying/vbg ./.
But/cc he/pps isn't/bez* with/in it/ppo ,/, not/* at/in all/abn with/in it/ppo ./.
When/wrb I/ppss talked/vbd to/in Ching/np about/in it/ppo ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, Everyone/pn can/md learn/vb ,/, if/cs he/pps is/bez not/* a/at Reactionary/nn or/cc lazy/jj ./.
No/at one/pn is/bez stupid/jj ./.
That's/dt+bez what/wdt he/pps said/vbd ./.
He/pps oughta/md+to know/vb ./.
It/pps is/bez plain/jj as/cs hell/nn Johnson/np is/bez no/at reactionary/nn ./.
So/rb you're/ppss+ber not/* tryin/vbg ,/, Johnson/np ,/, you/ppss bastard/nn you/ppss ./.
He/pps looked/vbd over/rp at/in him/ppo ,/, lying/vbg there/rb ,/, asleep/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps felt/vbd a/at wave/nn of/in revulsion/nn ./.
How/wrb he/pps loathed/vbd him/ppo ./.
Sleepy-eyed/jj ,/, soft-spoken/jj Johnson/np ,/, Biggest/jjt thorn/nn in/in my/pp$ side/nn of/in the/at whole/jj fucken/vbg squad/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz the/at guy/nn what/wdt always/rb goofed/vbd at/in Question/nn-tl Time/nn-tl ./.
Why/wrb couldn't/md* they/ppss have/hv dumped/vbn him/ppo off/rp on/in someone/pn else/rb ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb me/ppo ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb didn't/dod* the/at damn/jj Reactionaries/nns bump/vb him/ppo off/rp ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb Slater/np ?/. ?/.
Like/cs a/at particle/nn drawn/vbn to/in a/at magnet/nn he/pps returned/vbd to/in that/dt which/wdt was/bedz pressing/vbg so/ql hard/rb in/in his/pp$ mind/nn ./.
The/at music/nn surged/vbd up/rp ,/, but/cc it/pps failed/vbd to/to check/vb it/ppo ./.
Who/wps is/bez the/at man/nn to/to take/vb His/pp$ place/nn ?/. ?/.
The/at guy/nn with/in most/ap on/in the/at Ball/nn ./.
Most/ap on/in the/at ball/nn ./.
Handle/vb men/nns ./.
Thoroughly/rb Wised/vbn up/rp ./.
Knows/vbz the/at score/nn With/in a/at supreme/jj effort/nn ,/, he/pps broke/vbd it/ppo off/rp ./.
He/pps turned/vbd to/in the/at window/nn again/rb ./.
A/at gnawing/vbg and/cc gnashing/vbg within/in him/ppo ./.
The/at snow/nn was/bedz tumbling/vbg down/rp furiously/rb now/rb ./.
Huge/jj glob-flakes/nns hitting/vbg the/at ground/nn ,/, piling/vbg higher/rbr and/cc higher/rbr ./.
He/pps stared/vbd at/in it/ppo ,/, amazed/vbn ,/, alarmed/vbn ./.
The/at whole/jj fucken/vbg sky's/nn+bez cavin/vbg in/rp !/. !/.
Keeeerist/uh !/. !/.
Lookit/vb+in it/ppo !/. !/.
Cover/vb the/at whole/jj building/nn ,/, bury/vb us/ppo all/abn ,/, by/in nightfall/nn ./.
Jesus/uh !/. !/.
Somebody/pn ,/, got/vbn to/to be/be somebody/pn If/cs I/ppss don't/do* put/vb my/pp$ two/cd cents/nns in/rp soon/rb ,/, somebody/pn else/rb will/md I/ppss know/vb they're/ppss+ber waitin/vbg only/rb for/in one/cd thing/nn :/: for/cs the/at bastards/nns what/wdt done/dod it/ppo to/to be/be nailed/vbn ./.
Maybe/rb they/ppss already/rb got/vbd them/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz again/rb tingling/vbg with/in pleasure/nn ,/, seeing/vbg himself/ppl clearly/rb in/in Slater's/np$ shoes/nns ./.
Top/jjs dog/nn ,/, sleeping/vbg and/cc eating/vbg right/ql there/rb with/in the/at Staff/nn-tl ./.
Ching/np ,/, Tien/np ,/, all/abn of/in them/ppo ./.
Top/jjs dog/nn ./.
Poor/jj ol/jj Slater/np ./.
Jesus/uh ,/, imagine/vb ,/, the/at crummy/jj bastards/nns ,/, they'll/ppss+md get/vb em/ppo ,/, they'll/ppss+md get/vb what's/wdt+bez comin/vbg to/in em/ppo ./.
He/pps whirled/vbd about/rb suddenly/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz nothing/pn ,/, though/cs his/pp$ heart/nn was/bedz thumping/vbg wildly/rb ./.
Somebody/pn was/bedz up/rp ./.
That/dt was/bedz all/abn ./.


	``/`` Boy/uh ,/, you're/ppss+ber stirrin/vbg early/rb ''/'' ,/, a/at sleepy/jj voice/nn said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Yehhh/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Coughlin/np ,/, testily/rb ,/, eyeing/vbg him/ppo up/rp and/cc down/rp ./.


	``/`` Lookit/vb+in that/dt come/vb down/rp ,/, willya/md+ppss ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at man/nn ,/, scratching/vbg himself/ppl ,/, yawning/vbg ./.


	``/`` Yehhh/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Coughlin/np ,/, practically/rb spitting/vbg on/in him/ppo ./.


	The/at man/nn moved/vbd away/rb ./.


	That's/dt+bez the/at way/nn ./.
They'll/ppss+md toe/vb the/at line/nn ./.
Goddamn/vb it/ppo ./.
Keep/vb the/at chatter/nn to/in a/at minimum/nn ,/, short/jj answers/nns ,/, one/cd word/nn ,/, if/cs possible/jj ./.
Less/ap bull/nn the/at more/ap you/ppss can/md do/do with/in em/ppo ./.
That's/dt+bez Brown's/np$ trouble/nn ./.
All/abn he/pps does/doz is/bez to/to bullshit/vb with/in his/pp$ squad/nn ,/, and/cc they/ppss are/ber the/at stupidest/jjt bastards/nns around/rb ./.
Just/rb about/rb to/to get/vb their/pp$ asses/nns kicked/vbn into/in hut/nn Seven/cd-tl ./.
Plenty/nn of/in room/nn there/rb now/rb ./.
All/abn those/dts dumb/jj 8-Balls/nns croaked/vbd ./.
You/ppss can/md do/do anything/pn with/in these/dts dumb/jj fucks/nns if/cs you/ppss know/vb how/wrb ./.
Anything/pn ./.
They'd/ppss+md cut/vb their/pp$ mothers'/nns$ belly/nn open/jj ./.
Give/vb um/ppo the/at works/nns ./.
See/vb ,/, he's/pps+bez already/rb snapping/vbg it/ppo up/rp ,/, the/at dumb/jj jerk/nn ./.
Coughlin/np grinned/vbd ,/, feeling/vbg supremely/rb on/in top/nn of/in things/nns ./.
He/pps watched/vbd the/at snow/nn once/rb again/rb ./.
It/pps infuriated/vbd him/ppo ./.
It/pps made/vbd no/at sense/nn to/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps whirled/vbd around/rb ,/, suddenly/rb hot/jj all/ql over/rp ,/, finding/vbg the/at man/nn who/wps had/hvd been/ben standing/vbg before/in him/ppo a/at few/ap moments/nns back/rb ,/, nailing/vbg him/ppo to/in the/at spot/nn on/in which/wdt he/pps now/rb stood/vbd ,/, open-mouthed/jj ./.


	``/`` You/ppss ,/, Listen/vb !/. !/.
--/-- name/vb William/np Foster's/np$ Four/cd-tl Internal/jj-tl Contradictions/nns-tl in/in-tl Capitalism/nn-tl ./.
Quick/rb --/-- Quick/rb --/-- now/rb ''/'' !/. !/.


	The/at man/nn shrank/vbd before/in the/at hot/jj fury/nn ,/, searching/vbg frantically/rb for/in the/at answer/nn ./.


	Finnegan/np woke/vbd up/rp ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at hell/nn of/in a/at noise/nn this/dt time/nn of/in morning/nn ./.
He/pps stared/vbd out/in the/at window/nn ./.
For/in Christ's/np$ sake/nn !/. !/.
The/at whole/jj fucken/vbg sky's/nn+bez caved/vbn in/rp !/. !/.
He/pps looked/vbd for/in the/at source/nn of/in the/at noise/nn that/wps had/hvd awakened/vbn him/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz that/dt prick/nn Coughlin/np ./.
What/wdt the/at hell/nn was/bedz he/pps up/rp to/in now/rb ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb didn't/dod* he/pps drop/vb dead/jj ?/. ?/.
How/wrb did/dod they/ppss miss/vb him/ppo when/wrb they/ppss got/vbd Slater/np ?/. ?/.
How/wrb ?/. ?/.
Then/rb he/pps was/bedz asking/vbg himself/ppl the/at usual/jj early/jj morning/nn questions/nns :/: What/wdt the/at Hell/nn am/bem I/ppss doin/vbg here/rb ?/. ?/.
Is/bez this/dt a/at nut-house/nn ?/. ?/.
Am/bem I/ppss nuts/jj ?/. ?/.
Is/bez this/dt for/in real/jj ?/. ?/.
Am/bem I/ppss dreamin/vbg ?/. ?/.


	From/in somewhere/rb in/in the/at hut/nn came/vbd Coughlin's/np$ voice/nn ./.


	``/`` How/wql long/rb did/dod you/ppss study/vb ?/. ?/.
How/wql long/rb ,/, buddy/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` For/in Christ's/np$ sake/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
A/at voice/nn pleaded/vbd ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* Christsake/vb me/ppo ,/, buddy/nn !/. !/.
Just/rb answer/vb ./.
C'mon/uh --/-- 'mon/uh !/. !/.
''/'' 

	I'm/ppss+bem no/at hero/nn ./.
Did/dod I/ppss start/vb the/at damn/jj war/nn ?/. ?/.
Automatically/rb ,/, Finnegan/np started/vbd going/vbg over/in today's/nr$ lesson/nn ./.
Capitalism/nn-tl rots/vbz from/in the/at core/nn ./.
Did/dod I/ppss start/vb the/at damn/jj war/nn ?/. ?/.
Who/wps did/dod ?/. ?/.
That's/dt+bez a/at good/jj one/cd ./.
I/ppss thought/vbd I/ppss knew/vbd ./.
Why/wrb don't/doz* Uncle/nn-tl Sam/np-tl mind/vb his/pp$ own/jj fucken/vbg business/nn ?/. ?/.
I'll/ppss+md bet/vb both/abx together/rb did/dod ./.
I/ppss bet/vb ./.
So/rb fuck/vb them/ppo both/abx ./.
Goddamn/uh ./.
Goddammit/uh ./.
Just/rb let/vb me/ppo go/vb home/nr to/in Jersey/np ,/, back/rb to/in the/at shore/nn ,/, oh/uh ,/, Jesus/uh ,/, the/at shore/nn ./.
The/at waves/nns breakin/vbg in/rp on/in you/ppo and/cc your/pp$ girl/nn at/in night/nn there/rb on/in the/at warm/jj beach/nn in/in the/at moonlight/nn ./.
If/cs I/ppss hafta/hv+to do/do this/dt to/to stay/vb alive/jj by/in God/np I'll/ppss+md do/do it/ppo ./.
I/ppss hated/vbd the/at goddamn/jj army/nn from/in the/at first/od day/nn I/ppss got/vbd in/rp anyhow/rb ./.
All/abn pricks/nns like/cs Coughlin/np run/vb it/ppo anyway/rb ,/, one/cd way/nn or/cc another/dt ./.
Fuck/vb them/ppo ./.
He/pps rolled/vbd over/rp and/cc tried/vbd to/to shut/vb out/rp the/at noise/nn ,/, now/rb much/ql louder/jjr ./.
He/pps snuggled/vbd into/in the/at blanket/nn ./.




Brandon/np dreamed/vbd ./.
He/pps was/bedz sitting/vbg on/in top/nn of/in a/at log/nn which/wdt was/bedz spinning/vbg round/rb and/cc around/rb in/in the/at water/nn ./.
A/at river/nn ,/, wide/jj as/cs the/at Missouri/np ,/, where/wrb it/pps ran/vbd by/in his/pp$ place/nn ./.
The/at log/nn was/bedz spinning/vbg ./.
But/cc he/pps was/bedz not/* ./.
So/rb what/wdt ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb should/md I/ppss be/be spinning/vbg just/rb because/cs the/at goddamn/jj log/nn is/bez spinning/vbg ?/. ?/.
(/( he/pps asked/vbd this/dt out/rp loud/rb ,/, but/cc no/at one/pn heard/vbd it/ppo over/in the/at other/ap noise/nn in/in the/at hut/nn )/) ./.
Over/rp on/in the/at bank/nn ,/, the/at west/nr bank/nn ,/, a/at man/nn stood/vbd ,/, calling/vbg to/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps couldn't/md* make/vb out/rp what/wdt he/pps was/bedz saying/vbg ./.
No/at doubt/nn it/pps had/hvd to/to do/do with/in the/at log/nn ./.
Why/wrb should/md he/pps be/be concerned/vbn ?/. ?/.



	Rousseau/np is/bez so/ql persuasive/jj that/cs Voltaire/np is/bez almost/rb convinced/vbn that/cs he/pps should/md burn/vb his/pp$ books/nns ,/, too/rb ./.
But/cc while/cs the/at two/cd men/nns are/ber riding/vbg into/in the/at country/nn ,/, where/wrb they/ppss are/ber going/vbg to/in dinner/nn ,/, they/ppss are/ber attacked/vbn in/in the/at dark/nn of/in the/at forest/nn by/in a/at band/nn of/in thieves/nns ,/, who/wps strip/vb them/ppo of/in everything/pn ,/, including/in most/ap of/in their/pp$ clothes/nns ./.


	``/`` You/ppss must/md be/be a/at very/ql learned/jj man/nn ''/'' ,/, says/vbz Voltaire/np to/in one/cd of/in the/at bandits/nns ./.


	``/`` A/at learned/jj man/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at bandit/nn laughs/vbz in/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.


	But/cc Voltaire/np perseveres/vbz ./.
He/pps goes/vbz to/in the/at chief/nn himself/ppl ./.
``/`` At/in what/wdt university/nn did/dod you/ppss study/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asks/vbz ./.
He/pps refuses/vbz to/to believe/vb that/cs the/at bandit/nn chief/nn never/rb attended/vbd a/at higher/jjr institution/nn ./.
``/`` To/to have/hv become/vbn so/ql corrupt/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps says/vbz ,/, ``/`` surely/rb you/ppss must/md have/hv studied/vbn many/ap arts/nns and/cc sciences/nns ''/'' ./.


	The/at chief/nn ,/, annoyed/vbn by/in these/dts questions/nns ,/, knocks/vbz Voltaire/np down/rp and/cc shouts/vbz at/in him/ppo that/cs he/pps not/* only/rb never/rb went/vbd to/in any/dti school/nn ,/, but/cc never/rb even/rb learned/vbd how/wrb to/to read/vb ./.


	When/wrb finally/rb the/at two/cd bedraggled/jj men/nns reach/vb their/pp$ friend's/nn$ home/nn ,/, Voltaire's/np$ fears/nns are/ber once/rb again/rb aroused/vbn ./.
For/cs it/pps is/bez such/abl a/at distinguished/vbn place/nn ,/, with/in such/jj fine/jj works/nns of/in art/nn and/cc such/abl a/at big/jj library/nn ,/, that/cs there/ex can/md be/be little/ap doubt/nn but/cc that/cs the/at owner/nn has/hvz become/vbn depraved/vbn by/in all/abn this/dt culture/nn ./.


	To/in Voltaire's/np$ surprise/nn ,/, however/rb ,/, their/pp$ host/nn gives/vbz them/ppo fresh/jj clothes/nns to/to put/vb on/rp ,/, opens/vbz his/pp$ purse/nn to/to lend/vb them/ppo money/nn and/cc sits/vbz them/ppo down/rp before/in a/at good/jj dinner/nn ./.


	Immediately/rb after/in dinner/nn ,/, however/rb ,/, Rousseau/np asks/vbz for/in still/rb another/dt favor/nn ./.
Could/md he/pps have/hv pen/nn and/cc paper/nn ,/, please/vb ?/. ?/.
He/pps is/bez in/in a/at hurry/nn to/to write/vb another/dt essay/nn against/in culture/nn ./.


	Such/abl was/bedz the/at impromptu/nn that/cs Voltaire/np gave/vbd to/in howls/nns of/in laughter/nn at/in Sans/fw-in-tl Souci/fw-nn-tl and/cc that/dt was/bedz soon/rb circulated/vbn in/in manuscript/nn throughout/in the/at literary/jj circles/nns of/in Europe/np ,/, to/to be/be printed/vbn sometime/rb later/rbr ,/, but/cc with/in the/at name/nn of/in Timon/np-tl of/in-tl Athens/np-tl ,/, the/at famous/jj misanthrope/nn ,/, substituted/vbn for/in that/dt of/in Rousseau/np ./.


	How/wql cruel/jj !/. !/.


	But/cc at/in the/at same/ap time/nn how/wql understandable/jj ./.
How/wrb could/md the/at rich/jj ,/, for/in whom/wpo life/nn was/bedz made/vbn so/ql simple/jj ,/, ever/rb understand/vb the/at subterfuges/nns ,/, the/at lies/nns ,/, the/at frauds/nns ,/, the/at errors/nns ,/, sins/nns and/cc even/rb crimes/nns to/in which/wdt the/at poor/jj were/bed driven/vbn in/in their/pp$ efforts/nns to/to overcome/vb the/at great/jj advantages/nns the/at rich/jj had/hvd in/in the/at race/nn of/in life/nn ?/. ?/.


	How/wrb ,/, for/in example/nn ,/, could/md a/at Voltaire/np understand/vb the/at strange/jj predicament/nn in/in which/wdt a/at Rousseau/np would/md find/vb himself/ppl when/wrb ,/, soon/rb after/in the/at furor/nn of/in his/pp$ first/od Discourse/nn ,/, he/pps acquired/vbd still/rb another/dt title/nn to/in fame/nn ?/. ?/.


	This/dt time/nn as/cs a/at musician/nn ./.
As/cs a/at composer/nn ./.


	Ever/rb since/cs he/pps had/hvd first/rb begun/vbn to/to study/vb music/nn and/cc to/to teach/vb it/ppo ,/, Rousseau/np had/hvd dreamed/vbn of/in piercing/vbg through/rp to/in fame/nn as/cs the/at result/nn of/in a/at successful/jj opera/nn ./.
But/cc his/pp$ facility/nn in/in this/dt genre/nn was/bedz not/* great/jj ./.
And/cc his/pp$ efforts/nns to/to get/vb a/at performance/nn for/in his/pp$ Gallant/jj Muses/nns-tl invariably/rb failed/vbd ./.
And/cc for/in good/jj reasons/nns ./.
His/pp$ operatic/jj music/nn had/hvd little/ap merit/nn ./.


	But/cc then/rb one/cd day/nn ,/, while/cs on/in a/at week's/nn$ visit/nn to/in the/at country/nn home/nn of/in a/at retired/vbn Swiss/jj jeweler/nn ,/, Rousseau/np amused/vbd the/at company/nn with/in a/at few/ap little/jj melodies/nns he/pps had/hvd written/vbn ,/, to/in which/wdt he/pps attached/vbd no/at great/jj importance/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz really/ql amazed/vbn to/to discover/vb the/at other/ap guests/nns so/ql excited/vbn about/in these/dts delicate/jj little/jj songs/nns ./.


	``/`` Put/vb a/at few/ap such/jj songs/nns together/rb ''/'' ,/, they/ppss urged/vbd him/ppo ./.
``/`` String/vb them/ppo onto/in some/dti sort/nn of/in little/jj plot/nn ,/, and/cc you'll/ppss+md have/hv a/at delightful/jj operetta/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps didn't/dod* believe/vb them/ppo ./.
``/`` Nonsense/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` This/dt is/bez the/at sort/nn of/in stuff/nn I/ppss write/vb and/cc then/rb throw/vb away/rb ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Heaven/nn forbid/vb ''/'' !/. !/.
Cried/vbd the/at ladies/nns ,/, enchanted/vbn by/in his/pp$ music/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss must/md make/vb an/at opera/nn out/rp of/in this/dt material/nn ''/'' ./.


	And/cc they/ppss wouldn't/md* leave/vb off/rp arguing/vbg and/cc pleading/vbg until/cs he/pps had/hvd promised/vbn ./.


	Oh/uh ,/, the/at irony/nn and/cc the/at bitterness/nn of/in it/ppo !/. !/.
That/cs after/in all/abn his/pp$ years/nns of/in effort/nn to/to become/vb a/at composer/nn ,/, he/pps should/md now/rb ,/, now/rb when/wrb he/pps was/bedz still/rb stoutly/rb replying/vbg to/in the/at critics/nns of/in his/pp$ Discourse/nn-tl on/in-tl the/at-tl Arts/nns-tl and/cc-tl Sciences/nns-tl ,/, be/be so/ql close/rb to/in a/at success/nn in/in music/nn and/cc have/hv to/to reject/vb it/ppo ./.


	Or/cc at/in least/ap appear/vb to/to reject/vb it/ppo !/. !/.


	But/cc what/wdt else/rb could/md he/pps do/do ?/. ?/.
You/ppss couldn't/md* on/in the/at one/cd hand/nn decry/vb the/at arts/nns and/cc at/in the/at same/ap time/nn practice/vb them/ppo ,/, could/md you/ppo ?/. ?/.
Well/uh ,/, yes/rb ,/, perhaps/rb in/in literature/nn ,/, since/cs you/ppss could/md argue/vb that/cs you/ppss couldn't/md* keep/vb silent/jj about/in your/pp$ feelings/nns against/in literature/nn and/cc so/rb were/bed involved/vbn in/in spite/nn of/in yourself/ppl ./.
But/cc now/rb music/nn too/rb ?/. ?/.
No/rb ./.
That/dt would/md be/be too/ql much/ap !/. !/.


	And/cc the/at fault/nn ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, was/bedz Rameau's/np$ ./.
The/at fault/nn was/bedz Rameau's/np$ and/cc that/dt of/in the/at whole/jj culture/nn of/in this/dt Parisian/jj age/nn ./.
For/cs it/pps was/bedz Rameau's/np$ type/nn of/in music/nn that/wpo he/pps had/hvd been/ben trying/vbg to/to write/vb ,/, and/cc that/wpo he/pps couldn't/md* write/vb ./.
These/dts little/jj songs/nns ,/, however/rb ,/, were/bed sweet/jj nothings/nns from/in the/at heart/nn ,/, tender/jj memories/nns of/in his/pp$ childhood/nn ,/, little/jj melodies/nns that/wpo anyone/pn could/md hum/vb and/cc that/wps would/md make/vb one/pn want/vb to/to weep/vb ./.


	But/cc no/rb ./.
He/pps couldn't/md* appear/vb as/cs a/at composer/nn now/rb ./.
That/dt glory/nn ,/, craved/vbn for/in so/ql long/rb ,/, was/bedz now/rb forbidden/vbn to/in him/ppo ./.
Still/rb ,/, just/rb for/in the/at ladies/nns ,/, and/cc just/rb for/in this/dt once/rb ,/, for/in this/dt one/cd weekend/nn in/in the/at country/nn ,/, he/pps would/md make/vb a/at little/jj piece/nn out/rp of/in his/pp$ melodies/nns ./.


	The/at ladies/nns were/bed delighted/vbn and/cc Jean/np Jacques/np was/bedz applauded/vbn ./.
And/cc everyone/pn went/vbd to/in work/nn to/to learn/vb the/at parts/nns which/wdt he/pps wrote/vbd ./.


	But/cc then/rb ,/, after/cs the/at little/jj operetta/nn had/hvd been/ben given/vbn its/pp$ feeble/jj amateur/nn rendering/nn ,/, everyone/pn insisted/vbd that/cs it/pps was/bedz too/ql good/jj to/to be/be lost/vbn forever/rb ,/, and/cc that/cs the/at Royal/jj-tl Academy/nn-tl of/in-tl Music/nn-tl must/md now/rb have/hv the/at manuscript/nn in/in order/nn to/to give/vb it/ppo the/at really/ql first-rate/jj performance/nn it/pps merited/vbd ./.


	Rousseau/np was/bedz aware/jj that/cs he/pps must/md seem/vb like/cs a/at hypocrite/nn ,/, standing/vbg there/rb and/cc arguing/vbg that/cs he/pps could/md not/* possibly/rb permit/vb a/at public/jj performance/nn ./.
The/at ladies/nns especially/rb couldn't/md* understand/vb what/wdt troubled/vbd him/ppo ./.
A/at contradiction/nn ?/. ?/.
Bah/uh ,/, what/wdt was/bedz a/at contradiction/nn in/in one's/pn$ life/nn ?/. ?/.
Every/at woman/nn has/hvz had/hvn the/at experience/nn of/in saying/vbg no/rb-nc when/wrb she/pps meant/vbd yes/rb ,/, and/cc saying/vbg yes/rb when/wrb she/pps meant/vbd no/rb-nc ./.


	Rousseau/np had/hvd to/to admit/vb that/cs though/cs he/pps couldn't/md* agree/vb to/in a/at public/jj performance/nn ,/, he/pps would/md indeed/rb ,/, just/rb for/in his/pp$ own/jj private/jj satisfaction/nn ,/, dearly/rb love/vb to/to know/vb how/wrb his/pp$ work/nn would/md sound/vb when/wrb done/vbn by/in professional/jj musicians/nns and/cc by/in trained/vbn voices/nns ./.


	``/`` I'd/ppss+md simply/rb like/vb to/to know/vb if/cs it/pps is/bez as/ql good/jj as/cs you/ppss kind/jj people/nns seem/vb to/to think/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.


	Duclos/np ,/, the/at historian/nn ,/, pointed/vbd out/rp to/in Jean/np Jacques/np that/cs this/dt was/bedz impossible/jj ./.
The/at musicians/nns of/in the/at Royal/jj-tl Opera/nn-tl would/md not/* rehearse/vb a/at work/nn merely/rb to/to see/vb how/wrb it/pps would/md sound/vb ./.
Merely/rb to/to satisfy/vb the/at author's/nn$ curiosity/nn ./.


	Rousseau/np agreed/vbd ./.
But/cc he/pps recalled/vbd that/cs Rameau/np had/hvd once/rb had/hvn a/at private/jj performance/nn of/in his/pp$ opera/nn Armide/np ,/, behind/in closed/vbn doors/nns ,/, just/rb for/in himself/ppl alone/rb ./.


	Duclos/np understood/vbd what/wdt was/bedz bothering/vbg Rousseau/np :/: that/cs the/at writer/nn of/in the/at Prosopopoeia/np of/in Fabricius/np should/md now/rb become/vb known/vbn as/cs the/at writer/nn of/in an/at amusing/jj little/jj operetta/nn ./.
That/dt would/md certainly/rb be/be paradoxical/jj ./.
But/cc Duclos/np thought/vbd he/pps saw/vbd a/at way/nn out/rp ./.


	``/`` Let/vb me/ppo do/do the/at submitting/nn to/in the/at Royal/jj-tl Academy/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, he/pps suggested/vbd ./.
``/`` Your/pp$ name/nn will/md never/rb appear/vb ./.
No/at one/pn will/md even/rb suspect/vb that/cs it/pps is/bez your/pp$ work/nn ''/'' ./.


	To/in that/dt Rousseau/np could/md agree/vb ./.


	But/cc now/rb what/wdt crazy/jj twists/nns and/cc turns/nns of/in his/pp$ emotions/nns !/. !/.


	Afraid/jj at/in one/cd and/cc the/at same/ap time/nn that/cs his/pp$ work/nn might/md be/be turned/vbn down/rp --/-- which/wdt would/md be/be a/at blow/nn to/in his/pp$ pride/nn even/rb though/cs no/at one/pn knew/vbd he/pps was/bedz the/at author/nn --/-- and/cc that/cs the/at work/nn would/md be/be accepted/vbn ,/, and/cc then/rb that/cs his/pp$ violent/jj feelings/nns in/in the/at matter/nn would/md certainly/rb betray/vb how/wql deeply/rb concerned/vbn he/pps was/bedz in/in spite/nn of/in himself/ppl ./.
And/cc how/wql anxious/jj this/dt lover/nn of/in obscurity/nn was/bedz for/in applause/nn !/. !/.
And/cc thus/rb torn/vbn between/in his/pp$ desire/nn to/to be/be known/vbn as/cs the/at composer/nn of/in a/at successful/jj opera/nn and/cc the/at necessity/nn of/in remaining/vbg true/jj to/in his/pp$ proclaimed/vbn desire/nn for/in anonymity/nn ,/, Rousseau/np suffered/vbd through/in several/ap painful/jj weeks/nns ./.


	All/abn these/dts emotions/nns were/bed screwed/vbn up/rp to/in new/jj heights/nns when/wrb ,/, after/in acceptance/nn and/cc the/at first/od rehearsals/nns ,/, there/ex ensued/vbd such/abl a/at buzz/nn of/in excitement/nn among/in Parisian/jj music/nn lovers/nns that/cs Duclos/np had/hvd to/to come/vb running/vbg to/in Rousseau/np to/to inform/vb him/ppo that/cs the/at news/nn had/hvd reached/vbn the/at superintendent/nn of/in the/at King's/nn$-tl amusements/nns ,/, and/cc that/cs he/pps was/bedz now/rb demanding/vbg that/cs the/at work/nn be/be offered/vbn first/rb at/in the/at royal/jj summer/nn palace/nn of/in Fontainebleau/np ./.
Imagine/vb the/at honor/nn of/in it/ppo !/. !/.


	``/`` What/wdt was/bedz your/pp$ answer/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jean/np Jacques/np asked/vbd ,/, striving/vbg to/to appear/vb unimpressed/jj ./.


	``/`` I/ppss refused/vbd ''/'' ,/, Duclos/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` What/wdt else/rb could/md I/ppss do/do ?/. ?/.
Monsieur/np De/np Cury/np was/bedz incensed/vbn ,/, of/in course/nn ./.
But/cc I/ppss said/vbd I/ppss would/md first/rb have/hv to/to get/vb the/at author's/nn$ permission/nn ./.
And/cc I/ppss was/bedz certain/jj he/pps would/md refuse/vb ''/'' ./.


	How/wql infuriating/jj all/abn this/dt was/bedz !/. !/.
Why/wrb had/hvd not/* this/dt success/nn come/vbn to/in him/ppo before/cs he/pps had/hvd plunged/vbn into/in his/pp$ Discourse/nn-tl ,/, and/cc before/cs he/pps had/hvd committed/vbn himself/ppl to/in a/at life/nn of/in austerity/nn and/cc denial/nn ?/. ?/.
Now/rb ,/, when/wrb everything/pn was/bedz opening/vbg up/rp to/in him/ppo --/-- even/rb the/at court/nn of/in Louis/np-tl 15/cd-tl !/. !/.
--/-- he/pps had/hvd to/to play/vb a/at role/nn of/in self-effacement/nn ./.


	Back/rb and/cc forth/rb Duclos/np had/hvd to/to go/vb ,/, between/in M./np De/np Cury/np and/cc Jean/np Jacques/np and/cc between/in the/at Duke/nn-tl D'Aumont/np and/cc Jean/np Jacques/np again/rb ,/, as/cs his/pp$ little/jj operetta/nn ,/, The/at-tl Village/nn-tl Soothsayer/nn-tl ,/, though/cs still/rb unperformed/jj ,/, took/vbd on/in ever/rb more/ap importance/nn ./.


	And/cc of/in course/nn the/at news/nn of/in who/wps the/at composer/nn was/bedz did/dod finally/rb begin/vb to/to get/vb around/rb among/in his/pp$ closest/jjt friends/nns ./.
But/cc they/ppss ,/, naturally/rb ,/, kept/vbd his/pp$ secret/nn well/rb ,/, and/cc the/at public/nn at/in large/nn knew/vbd only/rb of/in a/at great/jj excitement/nn in/in musical/jj and/cc court/nn circles/nns ./.


	How/wql titillating/vbg it/pps was/bedz to/to go/vb among/in people/nns who/wps did/dod not/* know/vb him/ppo as/cs the/at composer/nn ,/, but/cc who/wps talked/vbd in/in the/at most/ql glowing/vbg terms/nns of/in the/at promise/nn of/in the/at piece/nn after/cs having/hvg heard/vbn the/at first/od rehearsals/nns ./.
The/at furor/nn was/bedz such/jj that/cs people/nns who/wps could/md not/* possibly/rb have/hv squirmed/vbn their/pp$ way/nn into/in the/at rehearsals/nns were/bed pretending/vbg that/cs they/ppss were/bed intimate/jj with/in the/at whole/jj affair/nn and/cc that/cs it/pps would/md be/be sensational/jj ./.
And/cc listening/vbg to/in such/abl a/at conversation/nn one/cd morning/nn while/cs taking/vbg a/at cup/nn of/in chocolate/nn in/in a/at cafe/nn ,/, Rousseau/np found/vbd himself/ppl bathed/vbn in/in perspiration/nn ,/, trembling/vbg lest/cs his/pp$ authorship/nn become/vb known/vbn ,/, and/cc at/in the/at same/ap time/nn dreaming/vbg of/in the/at startling/jj effect/nn he/pps would/md make/vb if/cs he/pps should/md proclaim/vb himself/ppl suddenly/rb as/cs the/at composer/nn ./.


	He/pps felt/vbd himself/ppl now/rb ,/, as/cs he/pps himself/ppl says/vbz in/in his/pp$ Confessions/nns-tl ,/, at/in a/at crucial/jj point/nn of/in his/pp$ life/nn ./.
And/cc that/dt was/bedz why/wrb ,/, on/in the/at day/nn of/in the/at performance/nn ,/, when/wrb a/at carriage/nn from/in the/at royal/jj stables/nns called/vbd to/to take/vb him/ppo to/in the/at palace/nn ,/, he/pps did/dod not/* bother/vb to/to shave/vb ./.
On/in the/at contrary/jj ,/, he/pps was/bedz pleased/vbn that/cs his/pp$ face/nn showed/vbd a/at neglect/nn of/in several/ap days/nns ./.


	Seeing/vbg him/ppo in/in that/dt condition/nn ,/, and/cc about/rb to/to enter/vb the/at hall/nn where/wrb the/at King/nn-tl ,/, the/at Queen/nn-tl ,/, the/at whole/jj royal/jj family/nn and/cc all/abn the/at members/nns of/in the/at highest/jjt aristocracy/nn would/md be/be present/rb ,/, Grimm/np and/cc the/at Abbe/np Raynal/np and/cc others/nns tried/vbd to/to stop/vb him/ppo ./.


	``/`` You/ppss can't/md* go/vb in/rp that/dt way/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
They/ppss cried/vbd ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb not/* ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jean/np Jacques/np asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Who/wps is/bez going/vbg to/to stop/vb me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You/ppss haven't/hv* dressed/vbn for/in the/at occasion/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
They/ppss pointed/vbd out/rp to/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem dressed/vbn as/cs I/ppss always/rb am/bem ''/'' ,/, Rousseau/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Neither/cc better/rbr nor/cc worse/rbr ''/'' ./.


	``/`` At/in home/nn ,/, yes/rb ''/'' ,/, they/ppss argued/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc here/rb you/ppss are/ber in/in the/at palace/nn ./.
There's/rb+bez the/at King/nn-tl ./.
And/cc Madame/np De/np Pompadour/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` If/cs they/ppss are/ber here/rb ,/, then/rb surely/rb I/ppss have/hv the/at right/nn to/to be/be here/rb ''/'' ,/, Rousseau/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` And/cc even/ql more/ap right/nn ./.
Since/cs I/ppss am/bem the/at composer/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` But/cc in/in such/abl a/at slovenly/jj condition/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez slovenly/jj about/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Rousseau/np asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Is/bez it/pps because/rb of/in my/pp$ slovenliness/nn that/cs hair/nn grows/vbz on/in my/pp$ face/nn ?/. ?/.
Surely/rb it/pps would/md grow/vb there/rb whether/cs I/ppss washed/vbd myself/ppl or/cc not/* ./.
A/at hundred/cd years/nns ago/rb I/ppss would/md have/hv worn/vbn a/at beard/nn with/in pride/nn ./.
And/cc those/dts without/in beards/nns would/md have/hv stood/vbn out/rp as/cs not/* dressed/vbn for/in the/at occasion/nn ./.
Now/rb times/nns have/hv changed/vbn ,/, and/cc I/ppss must/md pretend/vb that/cs hair/nn doesn't/doz* grow/vb on/in my/pp$ face/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez the/at fashion/nn ./.
And/cc fashion/nn is/bez the/at real/jj king/nn here/rb ./.
Not/* Louis/np-tl 15/cd-tl ,/, ,/, since/cs even/rb he/pps obeys/vbz ./.
Now/rb ,/, if/cs you/ppss don't/do* mind/vb ,/, I/ppss should/md like/vb to/to hear/vb my/pp$ own/jj piece/nn performed/vbn ''/'' ./.


	But/cc of/in course/nn behind/in his/pp$ boldness/nn he/pps didn't/dod* feel/vb bold/jj at/in all/abn ./.
He/pps trembled/vbd lest/cs his/pp$ piece/nn should/md fail/vb ./.
And/cc this/dt in/in addition/nn to/in his/pp$ usual/jj fear/nn of/in being/beg among/in people/nns of/in high/jj society/nn ,/, his/pp$ fear/nn of/in making/vbg some/dti inane/jj or/cc inappropriate/jj remark/nn ./.
And/cc even/ql deeper/jjr than/cs that/dt :/: his/pp$ fear/nn lest/cs in/in this/dt closed/vbn hall/nn he/pps should/md suddenly/rb itch/vb to/to relieve/vb himself/ppl ./.
Could/md he/pps walk/vb out/rp in/in the/at midst/nn of/in his/pp$ piece/nn ?/. ?/.
Here/rb ,/, before/in the/at court/nn ?/. ?/.
Before/in the/at King/nn-tl ?/. ?/.

It/pps was/bedz the/at first/od time/nn any/dti of/in us/ppo had/hvd laughed/vbn since/cs the/at morning/nn began/vbd ./.




The/at rider/nn from/in Concord/np was/bedz as/ql good/jj as/cs his/pp$ word/nn ./.
He/pps came/vbd spurring/vbg and/cc whooping/vbg down/in the/at road/nn ,/, his/pp$ horse/nn kicking/vbg up/rp clouds/nns of/in dust/nn ,/, shouting/vbg :/: 

	``/`` They're/ppss+ber a-coming/vbg !/. !/.
By/in God/np ,/, they're/ppss+ber a-coming/vbg ,/, they/ppss are/ber ''/'' !/. !/.


	We/ppss heard/vbd him/ppo before/cs he/pps ever/rb showed/vbd ,/, and/cc we/ppss heard/vbd him/ppo yelling/vbg after/cs he/pps was/bedz out/rp of/in sight/nn ./.
Solomon/np Chandler/np hadn't/hvd* misjudged/vbn the/at strength/nn of/in his/pp$ lungs/nns ,/, not/* at/in all/abn ./.
I/ppss think/vb you/ppss could/md have/hv heard/vbn him/ppo a/at mile/nn away/rb ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz bursting/vbg at/in every/at seam/nn with/in importance/nn ./.
I/ppss have/hv observed/vbn that/cs being/beg up/rp on/in a/at horse/nn changes/vbz the/at whole/jj character/nn of/in a/at man/nn ,/, and/cc when/wrb a/at very/ql small/jj man/nn is/bez up/rp on/in a/at saddle/nn ,/, he'd/pps+md like/vb as/cs not/* prefer/vb to/to eat/vb his/pp$ meals/nns there/rb ./.
That's/dt+bez understandable/jj ,/, and/cc I/ppss appreciate/vb the/at sentiment/nn ./.
As/cs for/in this/dt rider/nn ,/, I/ppss never/rb saw/vbd him/ppo before/rb or/cc afterwards/rb and/cc never/rb saw/vbd him/ppo dismounted/vbn ,/, so/rb whether/cs he/pps stood/vbd tall/jj or/cc short/jj in/in his/pp$ shoes/nns ,/, I/ppss can't/md* say/vb ;/. ;/.
but/cc I/ppss do/do know/vb that/cs he/pps gave/vbd the/at day/nn tone/nn and/cc distinction/nn ./.
The/at last/ap thing/nn in/in the/at world/nn that/wps resembled/vbd a/at war/nn was/bedz our/pp$ line/nn of/in farmers/nns and/cc storekeepers/nns and/cc mechanics/nns perched/vbn on/in top/nn of/in a/at stone/nn wall/nn ,/, and/cc this/dt dashing/vbg rider/nn made/vbd us/ppo feel/vb a/at good/jj deal/nn sharper/jjr and/cc more/ql alert/jj to/in the/at situation/nn ./.


	We/ppss came/vbd down/rp off/in the/at wall/nn as/cs if/cs he/pps had/hvd toppled/vbn all/abn of/in us/ppo ,/, and/cc we/ppss crouched/vbd behind/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss have/hv heard/vbn people/nns talk/vb with/in contempt/nn about/in the/at British/jj regulars/nns ,/, but/cc that/dt only/rb proves/vbz that/cs a/at lot/nn of/in people/nns talk/vb about/in things/nns of/in which/wdt they/ppss are/ber deplorably/ql ignorant/jj ./.
Whatever/wdt we/ppss felt/vbd about/in the/at redcoats/nns ,/, we/ppss respected/vbd them/ppo in/in terms/nns of/in their/pp$ trade/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz killing/vbg ;/. ;/.
and/cc I/ppss know/vb that/cs I/ppss ,/, myself/ppl ,/, was/bedz nauseated/vbn with/in apprehension/nn and/cc fear/nn and/cc that/cs my/pp$ hands/nns were/bed soaking/ql wet/jj where/wrb they/ppss held/vbd my/pp$ gun/nn ./.
I/ppss wanted/vbd to/to wipe/vb my/pp$ flint/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* dare/vb to/to ,/, the/at state/nn my/pp$ hands/nns were/bed in/in ,/, just/rb as/cs I/ppss didn't/dod* dare/vb to/to do/do anything/pn about/in the/at priming/nn ./.
The/at gun/nn would/md fire/vb or/cc not/* ,/, just/rb as/cs chance/nn willed/vbd ./.
I/ppss put/vb a/at lot/nn more/ap trust/nn in/in my/pp$ two/cd legs/nns than/cs in/in the/at gun/nn ,/, because/cs the/at most/ql important/jj thing/nn I/ppss had/hvd learned/vbn about/in war/nn was/bedz that/cs you/ppss could/md run/vb away/rb and/cc survive/vb to/to talk/vb about/in it/ppo ./.


	The/at gunfire/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz so/ql near/rb that/cs it/pps seemed/vbd just/rb a/at piece/nn up/in the/at road/nn now/rb ,/, stopped/vbd for/in long/rb enough/qlp to/to count/vb to/in twenty/cd ;/. ;/.
and/cc in/in that/dt brief/jj interval/nn ,/, a/at redcoat/nn officer/nn came/vbd tearing/vbg down/in the/at road/nn ,/, whipping/vbg his/pp$ horse/nn fit/vbn to/to kill/vb ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb whether/cs he/pps was/bedz after/in our/pp$ rider/nn ,/, who/wps had/hvd gone/vbn by/rb a/at minute/nn before/rb ,/, or/cc whether/cs he/pps was/bedz simply/rb scouting/vbg conditions/nns ;/. ;/.
but/cc when/wrb he/pps passed/vbd us/ppo by/rb ,/, a/at musket/nn roared/vbd ,/, and/cc he/pps reared/vbd his/pp$ horse/nn ,/, swung/vbd it/ppo around/rb ,/, and/cc began/vbd to/to whip/vb it/ppo back/rb in/in the/at direction/nn from/in which/wdt he/pps had/hvd come/vbn ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at fine/jj and/cc showy/jj rider/nn ,/, but/cc his/pp$ skill/nn was/bedz wasted/vbn on/in us/ppo ./.
From/in above/in me/ppo and/cc somewhere/rb behind/in me/ppo ,/, a/at rifle/nn cracked/vbd ./.
The/at redcoat/nn officer/nn collapsed/vbd like/cs a/at punctured/vbn bolster/nn ,/, and/cc the/at horse/nn reared/vbd and/cc threw/vbd him/ppo from/in the/at saddle/nn ,/, except/in that/cs one/cd booted/vbn foot/nn caught/vbd in/in the/at stirrup/nn ./.
Half/ql crazed/vbn by/in the/at weight/nn dragging/vbg ,/, the/at dust/nn ,/, and/cc the/at heat/nn ,/, the/at horse/nn leaped/vbd our/pp$ wall/nn ,/, dashing/vbg out/rp the/at rider's/nn$ brains/nns against/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc leaving/vbg him/ppo lying/vbg there/rb among/in us/ppo --/-- while/cs the/at horse/nn crashed/vbd away/rb through/in the/at brush/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz my/pp$ initiation/nn to/to war/vb and/cc the/at insane/jj symphony/nn war/nn plays/vbz ;/. ;/.
for/cs what/wdt had/hvd happened/vbn on/in the/at common/nn was/bedz only/rb terror/nn and/cc flight/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc this/dt grinning/vbg ,/, broken/vbn head/nn ,/, not/* ten/cd feet/nns away/rb from/in me/ppo ,/, was/bedz the/at sharp/jj definition/nn of/in what/wdt my/pp$ reality/nn had/hvd become/vbn ./.


	And/cc now/rb the/at redcoats/nns were/bed coming/vbg ,/, and/cc the/at gunfire/nn was/bedz a/at part/nn of/in the/at dust/nn cloud/nn on/in the/at road/nn to/in the/at west/nr of/in us/ppo ./.
I/ppss must/md state/vb that/cs the/at faster/rbr things/nns happened/vbd ,/, the/at slower/rbr they/ppss happened/vbd ;/. ;/.
the/at passage/nn and/cc rhythm/nn of/in time/nn changed/vbd ,/, and/cc when/wrb I/ppss remember/vb back/rb to/in what/wdt happened/vbd then/rb ,/, each/dt event/nn is/bez a/at separate/jj and/cc frozen/vbn incident/nn ./.
In/in my/pp$ recollection/nn ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at long/jj interval/nn between/in the/at death/nn of/in the/at officer/nn and/cc the/at appearance/nn of/in the/at first/od of/in the/at retreating/vbg redcoats/nns ,/, and/cc in/in that/dt interval/nn the/at dust/nn cloud/nn over/in the/at road/nn seems/vbz to/to hover/vb indefinitely/rb ./.
Yet/cc it/pps could/md not/* have/hv been/ben more/ap than/cs a/at matter/nn of/in seconds/nns ,/, and/cc then/rb the/at front/nn of/in the/at British/jj army/nn came/vbd into/in view/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz only/ap hours/nns since/cs I/ppss had/hvd last/rb seen/vbn them/ppo ,/, but/cc they/ppss had/hvd changed/vbn and/cc I/ppss had/hvd changed/vbn ./.
In/in the/at very/ap front/nn rank/nn ,/, two/cd men/nns were/bed wounded/vbn and/cc staggered/vbd along/rb ,/, trailing/vbg blood/nn behind/in them/ppo ./.
No/at drummers/nns here/rb ,/, no/at pipers/nns ,/, and/cc the/at red/jj coats/nns were/bed covered/vbn with/in a/at fine/jj film/nn of/in dust/nn ./.
They/ppss marched/vbd with/in bayonets/nns fixed/vbn ,/, and/cc as/cs fixed/vbn on/in their/pp$ faces/nns was/bedz anger/nn ,/, fear/nn ,/, and/cc torment/nn ./.
Rank/nn after/in rank/nn of/in them/ppo came/vbd down/in the/at road/nn ,/, and/cc the/at faces/nns were/bed all/abn the/at same/ap ,/, and/cc they/ppss walked/vbd in/in a/at sea/nn of/in dust/nn ./.


	``/`` Committeemen/nns ,/, hold/vb your/pp$ fire/nn !/. !/.
Hold/vb your/pp$ fire/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
A/at voice/nn called/vbd ,/, and/cc what/wdt made/vbd it/ppo even/ql more/ql terrible/jj and/cc unreal/jj was/bedz that/cs the/at redcoat/nn ranks/nns never/rb paused/vbd for/in an/at instant/nn ,/, only/rb some/dti of/in them/ppo glancing/vbg toward/in the/at stone/nn wall/nn ,/, from/in behind/in which/wdt the/at voice/nn came/vbd ./.


	The/at front/nn of/in their/pp$ column/nn had/hvd already/rb passed/vbn us/ppo ,/, when/wrb another/dt officer/nn came/vbd riding/vbg down/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at road/nn ,/, not/* five/cd paces/nns from/in where/wrb we/ppss were/bed ./.
My/pp$ Cousin/nn-tl Simmons/np carried/vbd a/at musket/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps had/hvd loaded/vbn it/ppo with/in bird/nn shot/nn ,/, and/cc as/cs the/at officer/nn came/vbd opposite/in him/ppo ,/, he/pps rose/vbd up/rp behind/in the/at wall/nn and/cc fired/vbd ./.
One/cd moment/nn there/ex was/bedz a/at man/nn in/in the/at saddle/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at next/ap a/at headless/jj horror/nn on/in a/at horse/nn that/wps bolted/vbd through/in the/at redcoat/nn ranks/nns ,/, and/cc during/in the/at next/ap second/nn or/cc two/cd ,/, we/ppss all/abn of/in us/ppo fired/vbd into/in the/at suddenly/rb disorganized/vbn column/nn of/in soldiers/nns ./.
One/cd moment/nn ,/, the/at road/nn was/bedz filled/vbn with/in disciplined/vbn troops/nns ,/, marching/vbg four/cd by/in four/cd with/in a/at purpose/nn as/ql implacable/jj as/cs death/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at next/ap ,/, a/at cloud/nn of/in gun/nn smoke/nn covered/vbd a/at screaming/vbg fury/nn of/in sound/nn ,/, out/rp of/in which/wdt the/at redcoat/nn soldiers/nns emerged/vbd with/in their/pp$ bayonets/nns and/cc their/pp$ cursing/vbg fury/nn ./.


	In/in the/at course/nn of/in this/dt ,/, they/ppss had/hvd fired/vbn on/in us/ppo ;/. ;/.
but/cc I/ppss have/hv no/at memory/nn of/in that/dt ./.
I/ppss had/hvd squeezed/vbn the/at trigger/nn of/in my/pp$ own/jj gun/nn ,/, and/cc to/in my/pp$ amazement/nn ,/, it/pps had/hvd fired/vbn and/cc kicked/vbn back/rb into/in my/pp$ shoulder/nn with/in the/at force/nn of/in an/at angry/jj mule/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc then/rb I/ppss was/bedz adding/vbg my/pp$ own/jj voice/nn to/in the/at crescendo/nn of/in sound/nn ,/, hurling/vbg more/ql vile/jj language/nn than/cs I/ppss ever/rb thought/vbd I/ppss knew/vbd ,/, sobbing/vbg and/cc shouting/vbg ,/, and/cc aware/jj that/cs if/cs I/ppss had/hvd passed/vbn water/nn before/rb ,/, it/pps was/bedz not/* enough/ap ,/, for/cs my/pp$ pants/nns were/bed soaking/ql wet/jj ./.


	I/ppss would/md have/hv stood/vbn there/rb and/cc died/vbn there/rb if/cs left/vbn to/in myself/ppl ,/, but/cc Cousin/nn-tl Simmons/np grabbed/vbd my/pp$ arm/nn in/in his/pp$ viselike/jj grip/nn and/cc fairly/rb plucked/vbd me/ppo out/rp of/in there/rb ;/. ;/.
and/cc then/rb I/ppss came/vbd to/in some/dti sanity/nn and/cc plunged/vbd away/rb with/in such/jj extraordinary/jj speed/nn that/cs I/ppss outdistanced/vbd Cousin/nn-tl Simmons/np by/in far/rb ./.
Everyone/pn else/rb was/bedz running/vbg ./.
Later/rbr we/ppss realized/vbd that/cs the/at redcoats/nns had/hvd stopped/vbn their/pp$ charge/nn at/in the/at wall/nn ./.
Their/pp$ only/ap hope/nn of/in survival/nn was/bedz to/to hold/vb to/in the/at road/nn and/cc keep/vb marching/vbg ./.




We/ppss tumbled/vbd to/in a/at stop/nn in/in Deacon/nn-tl Gordon's/np$ cow/nn hole/nn ,/, a/at low-lying/jj bit/nn of/in pasture/nn with/in a/at muddy/jj pool/nn of/in water/nn in/in its/pp$ middle/nn ./.
A/at dozen/nn cows/nns mooed/vbd sadly/rb and/cc regarded/vbd us/ppo as/cs if/cs we/ppss were/bed insane/jj ,/, as/cs perhaps/rb we/ppss were/bed at/in that/dt moment/nn ,/, with/in the/at crazy/jj excitement/nn of/in our/pp$ first/od encounter/nn ,/, the/at yelling/nn and/cc shooting/nn still/rb continuing/vbg up/rp at/in the/at road/nn ,/, and/cc the/at thirst/nn of/in some/dti of/in the/at men/nns ,/, which/wdt was/bedz so/ql great/jj that/cs they/ppss waded/vbd into/in the/at muddy/jj water/nn and/cc scooped/vbd up/rp handfuls/nns of/in it/ppo ./.
Isaac/np Pitt/np ,/, one/cd of/in the/at men/nns from/in Lincoln/np ,/, had/hvd taken/vbn a/at musket/nn ball/nn in/in his/pp$ belly/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc though/cs he/pps had/hvd found/vbn the/at strength/nn to/to run/vb with/in us/ppo ,/, now/rb he/pps collapsed/vbd and/cc lay/vbd on/in the/at ground/nn ,/, dying/vbg ,/, the/at Reverend/np holding/vbg his/pp$ head/nn and/cc wiping/vbg his/pp$ hot/jj brow/nn ./.
It/pps may/md appear/vb that/cs we/ppss were/bed cruel/jj and/cc callous/jj ,/, but/cc no/at one/pn had/hvd time/nn to/to spend/vb sympathizing/vbg with/in poor/jj Isaac/np --/-- except/in the/at Reverend/np ./.
I/ppss know/vb that/cs I/ppss myself/ppl felt/vbd that/cs it/pps was/bedz a/at mortal/jj shame/nn for/cs a/at man/nn to/to be/be torn/vbn open/jj by/in a/at British/jj musket/nn ball/nn ,/, as/cs Isaac/np had/hvd been/ben ,/, yet/cc I/ppss also/rb felt/vbd relieved/vbn and/cc lucky/jj that/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben him/ppo and/cc not/* myself/ppl ./.
I/ppss was/bedz drunk/jj with/in excitement/nn and/cc the/at smell/nn of/in gunpowder/nn that/wps came/vbd floating/vbg down/rp from/in the/at road/nn ,/, and/cc the/at fact/nn that/cs I/ppss was/bedz not/* afraid/jj now/rb ,/, but/cc only/rb waiting/vbg to/to know/vb what/wdt to/to do/do next/rb ./.


	Meanwhile/rb ,/, I/ppss reloaded/vbd my/pp$ gun/nn ,/, as/cs the/at other/ap men/nns were/bed doing/vbg ./.
We/ppss were/bed less/ap than/cs a/at quarter/nn of/in a/at mile/nn from/in the/at road/nn ,/, and/cc we/ppss could/md trace/vb its/pp$ shape/nn from/in the/at ribbon/nn of/in powder/nn smoke/nn and/cc dust/nn that/wps hung/vbd over/in it/ppo ./.
Wherever/wrb you/ppss looked/vbd ,/, you/ppss saw/vbd Committeemen/nns-tl running/vbg across/in the/at meadows/nns ,/, some/dti away/rb from/in the/at road/nn ,/, some/dti toward/in it/ppo ,/, some/dti parallel/rb to/in it/ppo ;/. ;/.
and/cc about/rb a/at mile/nn to/in the/at west/nr a/at cluster/nn of/in at/in least/ap fifty/cd Militia/nns-tl were/bed making/vbg their/pp$ way/nn in/in our/pp$ direction/nn ./.


	Cousin/nn-tl Joshua/np and/cc some/dti others/nns felt/vbd that/cs we/ppss should/md march/vb toward/in Lexington/np and/cc take/vb up/rp new/jj positions/nns ahead/rb of/in the/at slow-moving/jj British/jj column/nn ,/, but/cc another/dt group/nn maintained/vbd that/cs we/ppss should/md stick/vb to/in this/dt spot/nn and/cc this/dt section/nn of/in road/nn ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* offer/vb any/dti advice/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss certainly/rb did/dod not/* want/vb to/to go/vb back/rb to/in where/wrb the/at officer/nn lay/vbd with/in his/pp$ brains/nns dashed/vbn out/rp ./.
Someone/pn said/vbd that/cs while/cs we/ppss were/bed standing/vbg here/rb and/cc arguing/vbg about/in it/ppo ,/, the/at British/nps would/md be/be gone/vbn ;/. ;/.
but/cc Cousin/nn-tl Simmons/np said/vbd he/pps had/hvd watched/vbn them/ppo marching/vbg west/nr early/rb in/in the/at morning/nn ,/, and/cc moving/vbg at/in a/at much/ql brisker/jjr pace/nn it/pps had/hvd still/rb taken/vbn half/abn an/at hour/nn for/in their/pp$ column/nn to/to pass/vb ,/, what/wdt with/in the/at narrowness/nn of/in the/at road/nn and/cc their/pp$ baggage/nn and/cc ammunition/nn carts/nns ./.


	While/cs this/dt was/bedz being/beg discussed/vbn ,/, we/ppss saw/vbd the/at militia/nn to/in the/at west/nr of/in us/ppo fanning/vbg out/rp and/cc breaking/vbg into/in little/jj clusters/nns of/in two/cd and/cc three/cd men/nns as/cs they/ppss approached/vbd the/at road/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at opinion/nn of/in some/dti of/in us/ppo that/cs these/dts must/md be/be part/nn of/in the/at Committeemen/nns-tl who/wps had/hvd been/ben in/in the/at Battle/nn-tl of/in-tl the/at-tl North/jj-tl Bridge/nn-tl ,/, which/wdt entitled/vbd them/ppo to/in a/at sort/nn of/in veteran/nn status/nn ,/, and/cc we/ppss felt/vbd that/cs if/cs they/ppss employed/vbd this/dt tactic/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz likely/jj enough/qlp the/at best/jjt one/cd ./.
Mattathias/np Dover/np said/vbd :/: 

	``/`` It/pps makes/vbz sense/nn ./.
If/cs we/ppss cluster/vb together/rb ,/, the/at redcoats/nns can/md make/vb an/at advantage/nn out/rp of/in it/ppo ,/, but/cc there's/ex+bez not/* a/at blessed/vbn thing/nn they/ppss can/md do/do with/in two/cd or/cc three/cd of/in us/ppo except/in chase/vb us/ppo ,/, and/cc we/ppss can/md outrun/vb them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	That/dt settled/vbd it/ppo ,/, and/cc we/ppss broke/vbd into/in parties/nns of/in two/cd and/cc three/cd ./.
Cousin/nn-tl Joshua/np Dover/np decided/vbd to/to remain/vb with/in the/at Reverend/np and/cc poor/jj Isaac/np Pitt/np until/cs life/nn passed/vbd away/rb --/-- and/cc he/pps was/bedz hurt/vbn so/ql badly/rb he/pps did/dod not/* seem/vb for/in long/rb in/in this/dt world/nn ./.
I/ppss went/vbd off/rp with/in Cousin/nn-tl Simmons/np ,/, who/wps maintained/vbd that/cs if/cs he/pps didn't/dod* see/vb to/in me/ppo ,/, he/pps didn't/dod* know/vb who/wps would/md ./.


	``/`` Good/jj heavens/nns ,/, Adam/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss thought/vbd one/cd thing/nn you'd/ppss+md have/hv no/at trouble/nn learning/vbg is/bez when/wrb to/to get/vb out/rp of/in a/at place/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss learned/vbd that/dt now/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.




We/ppss ran/vbd east/nr for/in about/rb half/abn a/at mile/nn before/cs we/ppss turned/vbd back/rb to/in the/at road/nn ,/, panting/vbg from/in the/at effort/nn and/cc soaked/vbn with/in sweat/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at clump/nn of/in trees/nns that/wps appeared/vbd to/to provide/vb cover/nn right/ql up/rp to/in the/at road/nn ,/, and/cc the/at shouting/nn and/cc gunfire/nn never/rb slackened/vbd ./.


	Under/in the/at trees/nns ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at dead/jj redcoat/nn ,/, a/at young/jj boy/nn with/in a/at pasty/jj white/jj skin/nn and/cc a/at face/nn full/jj of/in pimples/nns ,/, who/wps had/hvd taken/vbn a/at rifle/nn ball/nn directly/rb between/in the/at eyes/nns ./.
Three/cd men/nns were/bed around/in him/ppo ./.
They/ppss had/hvd stripped/vbn him/ppo of/in his/pp$ musket/nn and/cc equipment/nn ,/, and/cc now/rb they/ppss were/bed pulling/vbg his/pp$ boots/nns and/cc jacket/nn off/rp ./.
Cousin/nn-tl Simmons/np grabbed/vbd one/cd of/in them/ppo by/in the/at shoulder/nn and/cc flung/vbd him/ppo away/rb ./.


	``/`` God's/np$ name/nn ,/, what/wdt are/ber you/ppss to/to rob/vb the/at dead/jj with/in the/at fight/nn going/vbg on/rp ''/'' !/. !/.
Cousin/nn-tl Simmons/np roared/vbd ./.


	They/ppss tried/vbd to/to outface/vb him/ppo ,/, but/cc Joseph/np Simmons/np was/bedz as/ql wide/jj as/cs two/cd average/jj men/nns ,/, and/cc it/pps would/md have/hv taken/vbn braver/jjr men/nns than/cs these/dts were/bed to/to outface/vb him/ppo ./.



	That/dt summer/nn the/at gambling/vbg houses/nns were/bed closed/vbn ,/, despite/in the/at threats/nns of/in Pierre/np Ameaux/np ,/, a/at gaming-card/nn manufacturer/nn ./.
Dancing/vbg was/bedz no/ql longer/rbr permitted/vbn in/in the/at streets/nns ./.
The/at Bordel/np and/cc other/ap places/nns of/in prostitution/nn were/bed emptied/vbn ./.
The/at slit/vbn breeches/nns had/hvd to/to go/vb ./.
Drunkenness/nn was/bedz no/ql longer/rbr tolerated/vbn ./.
In/in defiance/nn ,/, a/at chinless/jj reprobate/nn ,/, Jake/np Camaret/np ,/, marched/vbd down/in the/at aisle/nn in/in St./nn-tl Peter's/np$-tl one/cd Sunday/nr morning/nn ,/, followed/vbn by/in one/cd of/in the/at women/nns from/in the/at Bordel/np ,/, whose/wp$ dress/nn and/cc walk/nn plainly/rb showed/vbd the/at lack/nn of/in any/dti shame/nn ./.
Plunking/vbg themselves/ppls down/rp on/in the/at front/nn bench/nn ,/, they/ppss turned/vbd to/to smirk/vb at/in those/dts around/in them/ppo ./.


	John's/np$ first/od impulse/nn was/bedz to/to denounce/vb their/pp$ blasphemy/nn ./.
But/cc the/at thought/nn occurred/vbd that/cs God/np would/md want/vb this/dt opportunity/nn used/vbn to/to tell/vb them/ppo about/in Him/ppo ./.
Calmly/rb he/pps opened/vbd the/at Bible/np and/cc read/vbd of/in the/at woman/nn at/in the/at well/nn ./.
He/pps finished/vbd the/at worship/nn service/nn as/cs if/cs there/ex had/hvd been/ben no/at brazen/jj attempt/nn to/in dishonor/nn God/np and/cc man/nn ./.


	The/at next/ap morning/nn ,/, as/cs the/at clock/nn struck/vbd nine/cd ,/, he/pps appeared/vbd at/in the/at Council/nn-tl meeting/nn in/in the/at Town/nn-tl Hall/nn-tl and/cc insisted/vbd that/cs the/at couple/nn would/md have/hv to/to be/be punished/vbn if/cs the/at Church/nn-tl was/bedz to/to be/be respected/vbn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv told/vbn you/ppo before/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss tell/vb you/ppo again/rb ''/'' ,/, Monsieur/np Favre/np said/vbd rudely/rb ./.
``/`` Stick/vb to/in the/at preaching/nn of/in the/at Gospel/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	John/np stiffened/vbd in/in anger/nn ./.
``/`` That/dt is/bez the/at answer/nn the/at ungodly/jj will/md always/rb make/vb when/wrb the/at Church/nn-tl points/vbz its/pp$ fingers/nns at/in their/pp$ sins/nns ./.
I/ppss say/vb to/in you/ppo that/cs the/at Church/nn-tl will/md ever/rb decry/vb evil/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	John's/np$ reply/nn was/bedz like/cs a/at declaration/nn of/in war/nn ./.
Monsieur/np Favre/np sat/vbd down/rp in/in his/pp$ high-backed/jj stall/nn ,/, lips/nns compressed/vbn ,/, eyes/nns glinting/vbg ./.
Ablard/np Corne/np ,/, a/at short/jj man/nn with/in a/at rotunda/nn of/in stomach/nn ,/, rose/vbd ./.
Every/at eye/nn was/bedz on/in him/ppo as/cs he/pps began/vbd to/to speak/vb ./.


	``/`` What/wdt Master/nn-tl Calvin/np says/vbz is/bez true/jj ./.
How/wrb can/md we/ppss have/hv a/at good/jj city/nn unless/cs we/ppss respect/vb morality/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Abel/np Poupin/np ,/, a/at tall/jj man/nn with/in sunken/jj cheeks/nns and/cc deep-set/jj eyes/nns ,/, got/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.
``/`` We/ppss all/abn know/vb that/cs Jake/np Camaret/np and/cc the/at woman/nn are/ber brazenly/rb living/vbg together/rb ./.
It/pps would/md be/be well/jj to/to show/vb the/at populace/nn how/wrb we/ppss deal/vb with/in adulterers/nns ''/'' ./.


	Philibert/np Berthelier/np ,/, the/at son/nn of/in the/at famous/jj patriot/nn ,/, disagreed/vbd ./.
``/`` Do/do not/* listen/vb to/in that/dt Frenchman/np ./.
He/pps is/bez throttling/vbg the/at liberty/nn my/pp$ father/nn gave/vbd his/pp$ life/nn to/to win/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	John/np was/bedz quietly/rb insistent/jj ./.
``/`` There/ex can/md be/be no/at compromise/nn when/wrb souls/nns are/ber in/in jeopardy/nn ''/'' ./.


	A/at week/nn later/rbr the/at sentence/nn of/in the/at Council/nn-tl was/bedz carried/vbn out/rp :/: Jake/np Camaret/np and/cc the/at woman/nn were/bed marched/vbn naked/jj through/in the/at streets/nns past/in a/at mocking/vbg populace/nn ./.
Before/in them/ppo stalked/vbd the/at beadle/nn ,/, proclaiming/vbg as/cs he/pps went/vbd ,/, ``/`` Thus/rb the/at Council/nn-tl deals/vbz with/in those/dts who/wps break/vb its/pp$ laws/nns --/-- adulterers/nns ,/, thieves/nns ,/, murderers/nns ,/, and/cc lewd/jj persons/nns ./.
Let/vb evildoers/nns contemplate/vb their/pp$ ways/nns ,/, and/cc let/vb every/at man/nn beware/vb ''/'' !/. !/.




John's/np$ thoughts/nns raced/vbd painfully/rb into/in the/at past/nn as/cs he/pps read/vbd the/at letter/nn he/pps had/hvd just/rb received/vbn from/in his/pp$ sister/nn Mary/np ./.
Charles/np had/hvd died/vbn two/cd weeks/nns before/rb ,/, in/in early/jj November/np ,/, without/in being/beg reconciled/vbn to/in the/at Church/nn-tl ./.
The/at canons/nns ,/, in/in a/at body/nn ,/, had/hvd tried/vbn to/to force/vb him/ppo on/in his/pp$ deathbed/nn to/to let/vb them/ppo give/vb him/ppo the/at last/ap rites/nns of/in the/at Church/nn-tl ,/, but/cc he/pps had/hvd died/vbn still/rb proclaiming/vbg salvation/nn by/in faith/nn ./.
Burial/nn had/hvd taken/vbn place/nn at/in night/nn in/in the/at ground/nn at/in the/at public/jj crossroads/nns under/in the/at gibbet/nn ,/, so/cs that/cs his/pp$ enemies/nns could/md not/* find/vb his/pp$ body/nn and/cc have/hv it/ppo dug/vbn up/rp and/cc burned/vbn ./.
The/at Abbot/nn-tl of/in-tl St./nn-tl Eloi/np-tl ,/, Claude/np De/np Mommor/np ,/, had/hvd been/ben a/at good/jj friend/nn ,/, but/cc not/* even/rb he/pps thought/vbd Charles/np deserved/vbd burial/nn in/in hallowed/vbn ground/nn ./.


	John/np closed/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns and/cc saw/vbd once/rb again/rb the/at little/jj niche/nn in/in his/pp$ mother's/nn$ bedroom/nn ,/, where/wrb she/pps had/hvd knelt/vbn to/to tell/vb the/at good/jj Virgin/nn-tl of/in her/pp$ needs/nns ./.
The/at blue-draped/jj Virgin/nn-tl was/bedz still/rb there/rb ,/, but/cc no/at one/pn knelt/vbd before/in her/ppo now/rb ./.
Not/* even/rb Varnessa/np ;/. ;/.
she/pps ,/, too/rb ,/, prayed/vbd only/rb to/in God/np ./.
For/in an/at instant/nn John/np longed/vbd for/in the/at sound/nn of/in the/at bells/nns of/in Noyon-la-Sainte/np ,/, the/at touch/nn of/in his/pp$ mother's/nn$ hand/nn ,/, the/at lilt/nn of/in Charles's/np$ voice/nn in/in the/at square/jj raftered/jj rooms/nns ,/, his/pp$ father's/nn$ bass/jj tones/nns rumbling/vbg to/in the/at canons/nns ,/, and/cc the/at sight/nn of/in the/at beloved/jj bishop/nn ./.
But/cc he/pps had/hvd to/to follow/vb the/at light/nn ./.
Unless/cs God/np expected/vbd a/at man/nn to/to believe/vb the/at Holy/jj-tl Scriptures/nns-tl ,/, why/wrb had/hvd He/pps given/vbn them/ppo to/in him/ppo ?/. ?/.




The/at white-clad/jj trees/nns stood/vbd like/cs specters/nns in/in the/at February/np night/nn ./.
Snow/nn buried/vbd the/at streets/nns and/cc covered/vbd the/at slanting/vbg rooftops/nns ,/, as/cs John/np trudged/vbd toward/in St./nn-tl Peter's/np$-tl ./.
A/at carriage/nn crunched/vbd by/rb ,/, its/pp$ dim/jj lights/nns filtering/vbg through/in the/at gloom/nn ./.
The/at sharp/jj wind/nn slapped/vbd at/in him/ppo and/cc his/pp$ feet/nns felt/vbd like/cs ice/nn as/cs the/at snow/nn penetrated/vbd the/at holes/nns of/in his/pp$ shoes/nns ,/, his/pp$ only/ap ones/nns ,/, now/rb patched/vbn with/in folded/vbn parchment/nn ./.
The/at city/nn had/hvd recently/rb given/vbn him/ppo a/at small/jj salary/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* enough/ap to/to supply/vb even/rb necessities/nns ./.


	As/cs he/pps neared/vbd the/at square/nn ,/, a/at round/jj figure/nn muffled/vbn in/in a/at long/jj ,/, black/jj cape/nn whisked/vbd by/rb ./.
John/np recognized/vbd Ablard/np Corne/np and/cc called/vbd out/rp a/at greeting/nn ./.
How/wql grateful/jj he/pps was/bedz to/in such/jj men/nns !/. !/.
There/ex were/bed several/ap on/in the/at Council/nn-tl who/wps tried/vbd to/to live/vb like/cs Christians/nps ./.
Despite/in their/pp$ efforts/nns ,/, the/at problems/nns seemed/vbd to/to grow/vb graver/jjr all/abn the/at time/nn ./.
Quickening/vbg his/pp$ steps/nns ,/, John/np entered/vbd the/at vast/jj church/nn and/cc climbed/vbd the/at tower/nn steps/nns to/in the/at bells/nns ./.
Underneath/in the/at big/jj one/cd ,/, in/in the/at silent/jj moonlight/nn ,/, lay/vbd a/at dead/jj pigeon/nn ,/, and/cc on/in the/at smaller/jjr bell/nn ,/, the/at Clemence/np ,/, two/cd gray/jj and/cc white/jj birds/nns slept/vbd huddled/vbn together/rb in/in the/at cold/jj winter/nn air/nn ./.


	John/np leaned/vbd upon/in the/at stone/nn balustrade/nn ./.
He/pps brushed/vbd back/rb his/pp$ black/jj hair/nn ,/, shoving/vbg it/ppo under/in his/pp$ pastor's/nn$ cap/nn to/to keep/vb it/ppo from/in blowing/vbg in/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
Below/in the/at moon-splashed/jj world/nn rolled/vbd away/rb to/in insurmountable/jj white/jj peaks/nns ;/. ;/.
above/in him/ppo the/at deep/jj blue/jj sky/nn glittered/vbd with/in stars/nns ./.
He/pps stood/vbd very/ql still/rb ,/, his/pp$ arms/nns at/in his/pp$ sides/nns ,/, staring/vbg up/rp at/in the/at heavens/nns ,/, then/rb down/rp at/in the/at blinking/vbg lights/nns below/rb ./.


	``/`` How/wql long/rb ,/, my/pp$ Lord/nn-tl ?/. ?/.
How/wql long/rb ?/. ?/.
I/ppss have/hv never/rb asked/vbn for/in an/at easy/jj task/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss am/bem weary/jj of/in the/at strife/nn ''/'' ./.


	Sleep/nn was/bedz difficult/jj these/dts days/nns ./.
Indigestion/nn plagued/vbd him/ppo ./.
Severe/jj headaches/nns were/bed frequent/jj ./.
Loneliness/nn tore/vbd through/in him/ppo like/cs a/at physical/jj pain/nn whenever/wrb he/pps thought/vbd of/in Peter/np Robert/np ,/, Nerien/np ,/, Nicholas/np Cop/nn-tl ,/, Martin/np Bucer/np ,/, and/cc even/rb the/at compromising/vbg Louis/np Du/np Tillet/np ./.
An/at occasional/jj traveler/nn from/in Italy/np brought/vbd news/nn of/in Peter/np Robert/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz now/rb distributing/vbg his/pp$ Bible/np among/in the/at Waldensian/jj peasants/nns ./.
Letters/nns came/vbd regularly/rb from/in Nerien/np ,/, Nicholas/np ,/, and/cc Martin/np ./.
He/pps had/hvd Anthony/np and/cc William/np to/to confide/vb in/in and/cc consult/vb ./.
But/cc William/np continued/vbd to/to find/vb a/at bitter/jj joy/nn in/in smashing/vbg images/nns and/cc tearing/vbg down/rp symbols/nns sacred/jj to/in the/at Old/jj-tl Church/nn-tl ./.
John/np found/vbd it/ppo difficult/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps held/vbd him/ppo in/in check/nn ./.
And/cc Anthony/np was/bedz busy/jj most/ap of/in the/at time/nn courting/vbg this/dt girl/nn and/cc that/dt ./.
His/pp$ easy/jj good/jj looks/nns made/vbd him/ppo a/at favorite/nn with/in the/at ladies/nns ./.


	Geneva/np ,/, instead/rb of/in becoming/vbg the/at City/nn-tl of/in-tl God/np-tl ,/, as/cs John/np had/hvd dreamed/vbn ,/, had/hvd in/in the/at two/cd years/nns since/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben there/rb ,/, continued/vbn to/to be/be a/at godless/jj place/nn where/wrb all/abn manner/nn of/in vice/nn flourished/vbd ./.
Refugees/nns poured/vbd in/rp ,/, signing/vbg the/at Confession/nn-tl and/cc rules/nns in/in order/nn to/to remain/vb ,/, and/cc then/rb disregarding/vbg them/ppo ./.
Dice/nns rolled/vbd ,/, prostitutes/nns plied/vbd their/pp$ trade/nn ,/, thieves/nns stole/vbd ,/, murderers/nns stabbed/vbd ,/, and/cc the/at ungodly/jj blasphemed/vbd ./.
Catholics/nps who/wps were/bed truly/rb Christians/nps longed/vbd for/in the/at simple/jj penance/nn of/in days/nns gone/vbn by/rb ./.
Libertines/nns recalled/vbd the/at heroism/nn of/in the/at past/nn and/cc demanded/vbd :/: ``/`` Are/ber we/ppss going/vbg to/to allow/vb the/at Protestant/jj-tl Pope/nn-tl ,/, Master/nn-tl Calvin/np ,/, to/to curtail/vb our/pp$ liberty/nn ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb ,/, oh/uh why/wrb ,/, doesn't/doz* he/pps stick/vb to/in preaching/vbg the/at Gospel/np ,/, instead/rb of/in meddling/vbg in/in civic/jj affairs/nns ,/, politics/nn ,/, economics/nn ,/, and/cc social/jj issues/nns that/wps are/ber no/at concern/nn of/in the/at Church/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
And/cc John's/np$ reply/nn was/bedz always/rb the/at same/ap :/: ``/`` Anything/pn that/wps affects/vbz souls/nns is/bez the/at concern/nn of/in the/at Church/nn-tl !/. !/.
We/ppss will/md have/hv righteousness/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Tears/nns burned/vbd behind/in his/pp$ eyes/nns as/cs he/pps prayed/vbd and/cc meditated/vbd tonight/nr ./.
Unless/cs the/at confusion/nn cleared/vbd ,/, he/pps would/md not/* be/be coming/vbg here/rb much/ql longer/rbr ./.
Monsieur/np Favre's/np$ threat/nn would/md become/vb a/at reality/nn ,/, for/cs he/pps continued/vbd to/to proclaim/vb loudly/rb that/cs the/at city/nn must/md rid/vb itself/ppl of/in ``/`` that/dt Frenchman/np ''/'' ./.


	The/at slow/jj tapping/nn of/in a/at cane/nn on/in the/at stone/nn steps/nns coming/vbg up/rp to/in the/at tower/nn interrupted/vbd his/pp$ reverie/nn ./.
Faint/jj at/in first/rb ,/, the/at tapping/nn grew/vbd until/cs it/pps sounded/vbd loud/jj against/in the/at wind/nn ./.
Eli/np Corault/np !/. !/.
John/np thought/vbd ./.
What/wdt is/bez he/pps doing/vbg here/rb at/in this/dt hour/nn ?/. ?/.
He/pps started/vbd down/in the/at steps/nns to/to meet/vb the/at near-blind/jj preacher/nn ,/, who/wps had/hvd been/ben one/cd of/in the/at early/jj Gospelers/nps in/in Paris/np ./.


	``/`` John/np ?/. ?/.
Is/bez that/dt you/ppss ?/. ?/.
I/ppss came/vbd to/to warn/vb you/ppo of/in a/at plot/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	John/np stood/vbd above/in him/ppo ,/, his/pp$ face/nn ashen/jj ./.
What/wdt now/rb ?/. ?/.
Slowly/rb ,/, like/cs a/at man/nn grown/vbn old/jj ,/, he/pps took/vbd Eli's/np$ hand/nn and/cc led/vbd him/ppo below/rb to/in the/at tower/nn study/nn ,/, guiding/vbg him/ppo to/in a/at chair/nn beside/in the/at little/jj hearth/nn where/wrb a/at fire/nn still/rb burned/vbd ./.


	``/`` Plot/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
John/np asked/vbd tiredly/rb ./.


	``/`` Monsieur/np Favre/np just/rb paid/vbd me/ppo a/at visit/nn ./.
I/ppss went/vbd to/in your/pp$ rooms/nns ,/, and/cc Anthony/np told/vbd me/ppo you/ppss were/bed here/rb ./.
Two/cd Anabaptists/nps ,/, Caroli/np and/cc Benoit/np ,/, are/ber to/to challenge/vb you/ppo and/cc William/np to/in a/at debate/nn before/in the/at Council/nn-tl ./.
It/pps is/bez to/to be/be a/at trap/nn ./.
You/ppss know/vb the/at law/nn :/: if/cs you/ppss lose/vb the/at debate/nn after/cs accepting/vbg a/at challenge/nn ,/, you/ppss will/md be/be banished/vbn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` What/wdt will/md be/be the/at subject/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You/ppss are/ber to/to be/be accused/vbn of/in Arianism/np to/to confuse/vb the/at religious/jj who/wps remain/vb loyal/jj ''/'' ./.


	Anger/nn and/cc fear/nn fused/vbd in/in John/np ./.
Ever/rb since/cs the/at fourth/od century/nn a/at controversy/nn had/hvd raged/vbn over/in the/at person/nn of/in Christ/np ./.
Those/dts who/wps refused/vbd to/to believe/vb that/cs He/pps was/bedz the/at eternal/jj Son/nn-tl of/in-tl God/np-tl were/bed termed/vbn Arianists/nps ./.
Peter/np Caroli/np had/hvd come/vbn to/in Geneva/np ,/, saying/vbg that/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at bishop/nn of/in the/at Church/nn-tl of/in-tl Rome/np-tl and/cc had/hvd been/ben persecuted/vbn in/in Paris/np for/in his/pp$ Reformed/vbn-tl faith/nn ./.
He/pps asked/vbd to/to be/be appointed/vbn a/at preacher/nn ./.
But/cc Michael/np Sept/np had/hvd unmasked/vbn him/ppo ,/, revealing/vbg he/pps had/hvd never/rb been/ben a/at bishop/nn ,/, but/cc was/bedz an/at Anabaptist/np ,/, afraid/jj to/to state/vb his/pp$ faith/nn ,/, because/cs he/pps knew/vbd John/np Calvin/np had/hvd written/vbn a/at book/nn against/in their/pp$ belief/nn that/cs the/at soul/nn slept/vbd after/in death/nn ./.
So/rb John/np had/hvd refused/vbn to/to agree/vb to/in his/pp$ appointment/nn as/cs a/at preacher/nn ,/, and/cc now/rb Caroli/np sought/vbd revenge/nn ./.


	John/np sighed/vbd ./.
``/`` If/cs William/np agrees/vbz ,/, we/ppss should/md insist/vb on/in a/at public/jj debate/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd at/in length/nn ./.


	``/`` There/ex is/bez more/ap to/in the/at conspiracy/nn ./.
Bern/np demands/vbz that/cs the/at Lord's/np$-tl Supper/nn-tl be/be administered/vbn here/rb as/cs it/pps used/vbd to/to be/be ,/, with/in unleavened/jj bread/nn ./.
Furthermore/rb ,/, Bern/np decrees/vbz that/cs we/ppss must/md do/do as/cs we/ppss are/ber ordered/vbn by/in the/at Council/nn-tl ,/, preach/vb only/rb the/at word/nn of/in God/np and/cc stop/vb meddling/vbg in/in politics/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` It/pps was/bedz always/rb the/at spirit/nn with/in Christ/np ;/. ;/.
matters/nns such/jj as/cs leavened/jj or/cc unleavened/jj bread/nn are/ber inconsequential/jj ./.
Geneva/np must/md remain/vb a/at sovereign/nn state/nn ./.
We/ppss will/md not/* yield/vb to/in the/at demands/nns of/in Bern/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	The/at firelight/nn played/vbd over/in Eli's/np$ flowing/vbg white/jj locks/nns and/cc rugged/jj features/nns ./.
``/`` Monsieur/np Favre/np indicated/vbd that/cs if/cs I/ppss would/md co-operate/vb ,/, after/cs you/ppss and/cc William/np are/ber banished/vbn ,/, following/in the/at debate/nn ,/, I/ppss will/md be/be given/vbn a/at place/nn of/in influence/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt was/bedz your/pp$ reply/nn to/in that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` That/cs I/ppss would/md rather/rb be/be banished/vbn with/in two/cd such/jj Christians/nps than/cs be/be made/vbn the/at Chief/jjs-tl Syndic/nn-tl ''/'' !/. !/.




The/at following/vbg morning/nn ,/, as/cs John/np entered/vbd the/at Place/nn-tl Molard/np-tl on/in his/pp$ way/nn to/to visit/vb a/at sick/jj refugee/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd a/at premonition/nn of/in danger/nn ./.
Then/rb suddenly/rb a/at group/nn of/in men/nns and/cc dogs/nns circled/vbd him/ppo ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd to/to run/vb ,/, but/cc he/pps knew/vbd that/cs if/cs he/pps did/dod ,/, he/pps would/md be/be lost/vbn ./.
He/pps stood/vbd very/ql still/rb ,/, his/pp$ heart/nn thumping/vbg wildly/rb ./.
On/in the/at outskirts/nns of/in the/at rabble/nn the/at Camaret/np brothers/nns and/cc Gaspard/np Favre/np shook/vbd their/pp$ fists/nns ./.


	``/`` Are/ber you/ppss going/vbg to/to comply/vb with/in the/at demands/nns of/in Bern/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at chinless/jj Jake/np called/vbd ./.


	``/`` Arianist/np ''/'' !/. !/.
A/at rowdy/nn with/in a/at big/jj blob/nn of/in a/at nose/nn roared/vbd ./.
``/`` Heretic/jj ''/'' !/. !/.


	John/np lifted/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn for/in silence/nn ./.
``/`` Know/vb this/dt :/: the/at ministers/nns will/md not/* yield/vb to/in the/at demands/nns of/in Bern/np ''/'' ./.
His/pp$ voice/nn shook/vbd a/at little/ap ./.


	Somebody/pn heaved/vbd a/at stone/nn ./.
For/in an/at instant/nn John/np was/bedz stunned/vbn ./.


	When/wrb he/pps felt/vbd the/at side/nn of/in his/pp$ head/nn ,/, his/pp$ fingers/nns came/vbd away/rb covered/vbn with/in blood/nn ./.
Before/cs he/pps could/md duck/vb ,/, another/dt stone/nn struck/vbd him/ppo ./.
And/cc another/dt ./.


	``/`` Let/vb him/ppo be/be now/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
Pierre/np Ameaux/np ,/, the/at gaming-card/nn manufacturer/nn said/vbd ,/, his/pp$ little/jj pig/nn eyes/nns glaring/vbg ./.
``/`` We/ppss have/hv taught/vbn him/ppo a/at lesson/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at crowd/nn moved/vbd back/rb and/cc John/np started/vbd dizzily/rb down/in the/at hill/nn ./.
Fists/nns pummeled/vbd him/ppo as/cs he/pps staggered/vbd forward/rb ./.
Then/rb he/pps slipped/vbd and/cc went/vbd down/rp on/in his/pp$ hands/nns and/cc knees/nns in/in the/at melting/vbg snow/nn ./.
At/in once/rb a/at bevy/nn of/in dogs/nns was/bedz snapping/vbg and/cc snarling/vbg around/in him/ppo ./.
One/cd ,/, more/ql horrible/jj than/cs the/at rest/nn ,/, lunged/vbd ,/, growling/vbg deep/rb in/in his/pp$ throat/nn ,/, his/pp$ hair/nn bristling/vbg ./.
With/in great/jj difficulty/nn John/np clambered/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns and/cc started/vbd to/to run/vb ,/, sweat/nn pouring/vbg down/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.

Standing/vbg in/in the/at shelter/nn of/in the/at tent/nn --/-- a/at rejected/vbn hospital/nn tent/nn on/in which/wdt the/at rain/nn now/rb dripped/vbd ,/, no/ql longer/rbr drumming/vbg --/-- Adam/np watched/vbd his/pp$ own/jj hands/nns touch/vb the/at objects/nns on/in the/at improvised/vbn counter/nn of/in boards/nns laid/vbn across/in two/cd beer/nn barrels/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, no/at real/jj need/nn to/to rearrange/vb everything/pn ./.
A/at quarter/nn inch/nn this/dt way/nn or/cc that/dt for/in the/at hardbake/nn ,/, or/cc the/at toffee/nn ,/, or/cc the/at barley/nn sugar/nn ,/, or/cc the/at sardines/nns ,/, or/cc the/at bitters/nns ,/, or/cc the/at condensed/vbn milk/nn ,/, or/cc the/at stationery/nn ,/, or/cc the/at needles/nns --/-- what/wdt could/md it/pps mean/vb ?/. ?/.
Adam/np watched/vbd his/pp$ own/jj hands/nns make/vb the/at caressing/vbg ,/, anxious/jj movement/nn that/wps ,/, when/wrb rain/nn falls/vbz and/cc nobody/pn comes/vbz ,/, and/cc ruin/nn draws/vbz close/rb like/cs a/at cat/nn rubbing/vbg against/in the/at ankles/nns ,/, has/hvz been/ben the/at ritual/nn of/in stall/nn vendors/nns ,/, forever/rb ./.


	He/pps recognized/vbd the/at gesture/nn ./.
He/pps knew/vbd its/pp$ meaning/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd seen/vbn a/at dry/jj ,/, old/jj ,/, yellowing/vbg hand/nn reach/vb out/rp ,/, with/in that/dt painful/jj solicitude/nn ,/, to/to touch/vb ,/, to/to rearrange/vb ,/, to/to shift/vb aimlessly/rb ,/, some/dti object/nn worth/jj a/at pfennig/nn ./.
Back/rb in/in Bavaria/np he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn that/dt gesture/nn ,/, and/cc at/in that/dt sight/nn his/pp$ heart/nn had/hvd always/rb died/vbn within/in him/ppo ./.
On/in such/jj occasions/nns he/pps had/hvd not/* had/hvn the/at courage/nn to/to look/vb at/in the/at face/nn above/in the/at hand/nn ,/, whatever/wdt face/nn it/pps might/md be/be ./.


	Now/rb the/at face/nn was/bedz his/pp$ own/jj ./.
He/pps wondered/vbd what/wdt expression/nn ,/, as/cs he/pps made/vbd that/dt gesture/nn ,/, was/bedz on/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
He/pps wondered/vbd if/cs it/pps wore/vbd the/at old/jj anxiety/nn ,/, or/cc the/at old/jj ,/, taut/jj stoicism/nn ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz no/at need/nn ,/, he/pps remembered/vbd ,/, for/in his/pp$ hand/nn to/to reach/vb out/rp ,/, for/in his/pp$ face/nn to/to show/vb concern/nn or/cc stoicism/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz nothing/pn to/in him/ppo if/cs rain/nn fell/vbd and/cc nobody/pn came/vbd ./.
Then/rb why/wrb was/bedz he/pps assuming/vbg the/at role/nn --/-- the/at gesture/nn and/cc the/at suffering/nn ?/. ?/.
What/wdt was/bedz he/pps expiating/vbg ?/. ?/.
Or/cc was/bedz he/pps now/rb taking/vbg the/at role/nn --/-- the/at gesture/nn and/cc the/at suffering/nn --/-- because/cs it/pps was/bedz the/at only/ap way/nn to/to affirm/vb his/pp$ history/nn and/cc identity/nn in/in the/at torpid/jj ,/, befogged/vbn loneliness/nn of/in this/dt land/nn ./.


	This/dt was/bedz Virginia/np ./.


	He/pps looked/vbd out/rp of/in the/at tent/nn at/in the/at company/nn street/nn ./.
The/at rain/nn dripped/vbd on/in the/at freezing/vbg loblolly/nn of/in the/at street/nn ./.
Beyond/in that/dt misty/jj gray/nn of/in the/at rain/nn ,/, he/pps saw/vbd the/at stretching/vbg hutment/nn ,/, low/jj diminutive/jj log/nn cabins/nns ,/, chinked/vbn with/in mud/nn ,/, with/in doorways/nns a/at man/nn would/md have/hv to/to crouch/vb to/to get/vb through/in ,/, with/in roofs/nns of/in tenting/vbg laid/vbn over/in boughs/nns or/cc boards/nns from/in hardtack/nn boxes/nns ,/, or/cc fence/nn rails/nns ,/, with/in cranky/jj chimneys/nns of/in sticks/nns and/cc dried/vbn mud/nn ./.
The/at chimney/nn of/in the/at hut/nn across/rb from/in him/ppo was/bedz surmounted/vbn by/in a/at beef/nn barrel/nn with/in ends/nns knocked/vbn out/rp ./.
In/in this/dt heavy/jj air/nn ,/, however/rb ,/, that/dt device/nn did/dod not/* seem/vb to/to help/vb ./.
The/at smoke/nn from/in that/dt chimney/nn rose/vbd as/ql sluggishly/rb as/cs smoke/nn from/in any/dti other/ap ,/, and/cc hung/vbd as/ql sadly/rb in/in the/at drizzle/nn ,/, creeping/vbg back/rb down/rp along/in the/at sopping/jj canvas/nn of/in the/at roof/nn ./.


	Over/in the/at door/nn was/bedz a/at board/nn with/in large/jj ,/, inept/jj lettering/nn :/: home/nn-nc sweet/jj-nc home/nn-nc ./.
This/dt was/bedz the/at hut/nn of/in Simms/np Purdew/np ,/, the/at hero/nn ./.


	The/at men/nns were/bed huddled/vbn in/in those/dts lairs/nns ./.
Adam/np knew/vbd the/at names/nns of/in some/dti ./.
He/pps knew/vbd the/at faces/nns of/in all/abn ,/, hairy/jj or/cc shaven/vbn ,/, old/jj or/cc young/jj ,/, fat/jj or/cc thin/jj ,/, suffering/vbg or/cc hardened/vbn ,/, sad/jj or/cc gay/jj ,/, good/jj or/cc bad/jj ./.
When/wrb they/ppss stood/vbd about/in his/pp$ tent/nn ,/, chaffing/vbg each/dt other/ap ,/, exchanging/vbg their/pp$ obscenities/nns ,/, cursing/vbg command/nn or/cc weather/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd studied/vbn their/pp$ faces/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd had/hvn the/at need/nn to/to understand/vb what/wdt life/nn lurked/vbd behind/in the/at mask/nn of/in flesh/nn ,/, behind/in the/at oath/nn ,/, the/at banter/nn ,/, the/at sadness/nn ./.
Once/rb covertly/rb looking/vbg at/in Simms/np Purdew/np ,/, the/at only/ap man/nn in/in the/at world/nn whom/wpo he/pps hated/vbd ,/, he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn the/at heavy/jj ,/, slack/jj ,/, bestubbled/jj jaw/nn open/vb and/cc close/vb to/to emit/vb the/at cruel/jj ,/, obscene/jj banter/nn ,/, and/cc had/hvd seen/vbn the/at pale-blue/jj eyes/nns go/vb watery/jj with/in whisky/nn and/cc merriment/nn ,/, and/cc suddenly/rb he/pps was/bedz not/* seeing/vbg the/at face/nn of/in that/dt vile/jj creature/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz seeing/vbg ,/, somehow/rb ,/, the/at face/nn of/in a/at young/jj boy/nn ,/, the/at boy/nn Simms/np Purdew/np must/md once/rb have/hv been/ben ,/, a/at boy/nn with/in sorrel/jj hair/nn ,/, and/cc blue/jj eyes/nns dancing/vbg with/in gaiety/nn ,/, and/cc the/at boy/nn mouth/nn grinning/vbg trustfully/rb among/in the/at freckles/nns ./.


	In/in that/dt moment/nn of/in vision/nn Adam/np heard/vbd the/at voice/nn within/in himself/ppl saying/vbg :/: I/ppss must/md not/* hate/vb him/ppo ,/, I/ppss must/md not/* hate/vb him/ppo or/cc I/ppss shall/md die/vb ./.


	His/pp$ heart/nn suddenly/rb opened/vbd to/in joy/nn ./.


	He/pps thought/vbd that/cs if/cs once/rb ,/, only/rb once/rb ,/, he/pps could/md talk/vb with/in Simms/np Purdew/np ,/, something/pn about/in his/pp$ own/jj life/nn ,/, and/cc all/abn life/nn ,/, would/md be/be clear/jj and/cc simple/jj ./.
If/cs Simms/np Purdew/np would/md turn/vb to/in him/ppo and/cc say/vb :/: ``/`` Adam/np ,/, you/ppss know/vb when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz a/at boy/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz a/at funny/jj thing/nn happened/vbd ./.
Lemme/vb+ppo tell/vb you/ppo now/rb ''/'' --/-- 

	If/cs only/rb Simms/np Purdew/np could/md do/do that/dt ,/, whatever/wdt the/at thing/nn he/pps remembered/vbd and/cc told/vbd ./.
It/pps would/md be/be a/at sign/nn for/in the/at untellable/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps ,/, Adam/np ,/, would/md understand/vb ./.


	Now/rb ,/, Adam/np ,/, in/in the/at gray/jj light/nn of/in afternoon/nn ,/, stared/vbd across/rb at/in the/at hut/nn opposite/in his/pp$ tent/nn ,/, and/cc thought/vbd of/in Simms/np Purdew/np lying/vbg in/in there/rb in/in the/at gloom/nn ,/, snoring/vbg on/in his/pp$ bunk/nn ,/, with/in the/at fumes/nns of/in whisky/nn choking/vbg the/at air/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at sign/nn above/in the/at door/nn of/in the/at hut/nn :/: home/nn-nc sweet/jj-nc home/nn-nc ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at figure/nn of/in a/at man/nn in/in a/at poncho/nn coming/vbg up/in the/at company/nn street/nn ,/, with/in an/at armful/nn of/in wood/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz Pullen/np James/np ,/, the/at campmate/nn of/in Simms/np Purdew/np ./.
He/pps carried/vbd the/at wood/nn ,/, carried/vbd the/at water/nn ,/, did/dod the/at cooking/nn ,/, cleaning/nn and/cc mending/vbg ,/, and/cc occasionally/rb got/vbd a/at kick/nn in/in the/at butt/nn for/in his/pp$ pains/nns ./.
Adam/np watched/vbd the/at moisture/nn flow/nn from/in the/at poncho/nn ./.
It/pps gave/vbd the/at rubberized/vbn fabric/nn a/at dull/jj gleam/nn ,/, like/cs metal/nn ./.
Pullen/np James/np humbly/rb lowered/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ,/, pushed/vbd aside/rb the/at hardtack-box/nn door/nn of/in the/at hut/nn ,/, and/cc was/bedz gone/vbn from/in sight/nn ./.


	Adam/np stared/vbd at/in the/at door/nn and/cc remembered/vbd that/cs Simms/np Purdew/np had/hvd been/ben awarded/vbn the/at Medal/nn-tl of/in-tl Honor/nn-tl for/in gallantry/nn at/in Antietam/np ./.


	The/at street/nn was/bedz again/rb empty/jj ./.
The/at drizzle/nn was/bedz slacking/vbg off/rp now/rb ,/, but/cc the/at light/nn was/bedz grayer/jjr ./.
With/in enormous/jj interest/nn ,/, Adam/np watched/vbd his/pp$ hands/nns as/cs they/ppss touched/vbd and/cc shifted/vbd the/at objects/nns on/in the/at board/nn directly/rb before/in him/ppo ./.
Into/in the/at emptiness/nn of/in the/at street/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ spirit/nn ,/, moved/vbd a/at form/nn ./.


	The/at form/nn was/bedz swathed/vbn in/in an/at army/nn blanket/nn ,/, much/ql patched/vbn ,/, fastened/vbn at/in the/at neck/nn with/in a/at cord/nn ./.
From/in under/in the/at shapeless/jj huddle/nn of/in blanket/nn the/at feet/nns moved/vbd in/in the/at mud/nn ./.
The/at feet/nns wore/vbd army/nn shoes/nns ,/, in/in obvious/jj disrepair/nn ./.
The/at head/nn was/bedz wrapped/vbn in/in a/at turban/nn and/cc on/in top/nn of/in the/at turban/nn rode/vbd a/at great/jj hamper/nn across/in which/wdt a/at piece/nn of/in poncho/nn had/hvd been/ben flung/vbn ./.
The/at gray/jj face/nn stared/vbd straight/ql ahead/rb in/in the/at drizzle/nn ./.
Moisture/nn ran/vbd down/in the/at cheeks/nns ,/, gathered/vbd at/in the/at tip/nn of/in the/at nose/nn ,/, and/cc at/in the/at chin/nn ./.
The/at figure/nn was/bedz close/jj enough/qlp now/rb for/in him/ppo to/to see/vb the/at nose/nn twitching/vbg to/to dislodge/vb the/at drop/nn clinging/vbg there/rb ./.
The/at figure/nn stopped/vbd and/cc one/cd hand/nn was/bedz perilously/rb freed/vbn from/in the/at hamper/nn to/to scratch/vb the/at nose/nn ./.
Then/rb the/at figure/nn moved/vbd on/rp ./.


	This/dt was/bedz one/cd of/in the/at Irish/jj women/nns who/wps had/hvd built/vbn their/pp$ own/jj huts/nns down/rp near/in the/at river/nn ./.
They/ppss did/dod washing/vbg ./.
Adam/np recognized/vbd this/dt one/cd ./.
He/pps recognized/vbd her/ppo because/cs she/pps was/bedz the/at one/cd who/wps ,/, in/in a/at winter/nn twilight/nn ,/, on/in the/at edge/nn of/in camp/nn ,/, had/hvd once/rb stopped/vbd him/ppo and/cc reached/vbd down/rp her/pp$ hand/nn to/to touch/vb his/pp$ fly/nn ./.
``/`` Slice/nn o'/in mutton/nn ,/, bhoy/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps had/hvd queried/vbn in/in her/pp$ soft/jj guttural/jj ./.
``/`` Slice/nn o'/in mutton/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Her/pp$ name/nn was/bedz Mollie/np ./.
They/ppss called/vbd her/ppo Mollie/np-tl the/at-tl Mutton/nn-tl ,/, and/cc laughed/vbd ./.
Looking/vbg down/in the/at street/nn after/in her/ppo ,/, Adam/np saw/vbd that/cs she/pps had/hvd again/rb stopped/vbn and/cc again/rb removed/vbn one/cd hand/nn from/in the/at basket/nn ./.
He/pps could/md not/* make/vb out/rp ,/, but/cc he/pps knew/vbd that/cs again/rb she/pps was/bedz scratching/vbg her/pp$ nose/nn ./.
Mollie/np-tl the/at-tl Mutton/nn-tl was/bedz scratching/vbg her/pp$ nose/nn ./.


	The/at words/nns ran/vbd crazily/rb in/in his/pp$ head/nn :/: Mollie/np-tl the/at-tl Mutton/nn-tl is/bez scratching/vbg her/pp$ nose/nn in/in the/at rain/nn ./.


	Then/rb the/at words/nns fell/vb into/in a/at pattern/nn :/: ``/`` Mollie/np-tl the/at-tl Mutton/nn-tl is/bez scratching/vbg her/pp$ nose/nn ,/, Scratching/vbg her/pp$ nose/nn in/in the/at rain/nn ./.
Mollie/np-tl the/at-tl Mutton/nn-tl is/bez scratching/vbg her/pp$ nose/nn in/in the/at rain/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at pattern/nn would/md not/* stop/vb ./.
It/pps came/vbd again/rb and/cc again/rb ./.
He/pps felt/vbd trapped/vbn in/in that/dt pattern/nn ,/, in/in the/at repetition/nn ./.


	Suddenly/rb he/pps thought/vbd he/pps might/md weep/vb ./.
``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn with/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps demanded/vbd out/rp loud/rb ./.
He/pps looked/vbd wildly/rb around/rb ,/, at/in the/at now/rb empty/jj street/nn ,/, at/in the/at mud/nn ,/, at/in the/at rain/nn ./.
``/`` Oh/uh ,/, what's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn with/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps demanded/vbd ./.




When/wrb he/pps had/hvd stored/vbn his/pp$ stock/nn in/in the/at great/jj oak/nn chest/nn ,/, locked/vbn the/at two/cd big/jj hasps/nns and/cc secured/vbn the/at additional/jj chain/nn ,/, tied/vbn the/at fly/nn of/in the/at tent/nn ,/, and/cc picked/vbn up/rp the/at cash/nn box/nn ,/, he/pps moved/vbd up/in the/at darkening/vbg street/nn ./.
He/pps would/md consign/vb the/at cash/nn box/nn into/in the/at hands/nns of/in Jed/np Hawksworth/np ,/, then/rb stand/vb by/rb while/cs his/pp$ employer/nn checked/vbd the/at contents/nns and/cc the/at list/nn of/in items/nns sold/vbn ./.
Then/rb he/pps --/-- 

	Then/rb what/wdt ?/. ?/.
He/pps did/dod not/* know/vb ./.
His/pp$ mind/nn closed/vbd on/in that/dt prospect/nn ,/, as/cs though/cs fog/nn had/hvd descended/vbn to/to blot/vb out/rp a/at valley/nn ./.


	Far/rb off/rp ,/, in/in the/at dusk/nn ,/, he/pps heard/vbd voices/nns singing/vbg ,/, muffled/vbn but/cc strong/jj ./.
In/in one/cd of/in the/at huts/nns a/at group/nn of/in men/nns were/bed huddled/vbn together/rb ,/, singing/vbg ./.
He/pps stopped/vbd ./.
He/pps strained/vbd to/to hear/vb ./.
He/pps heard/vbd the/at words/nns :/: ``/`` Rock/nn of/in Ages/nns ,/, cleft/vbn for/in me/ppo ,/, Let/vb me/ppo hide/vb myself/ppl in/in Thee/ppo !/. !/.
Let/vb the/at water/nn and/cc the/at blood/nn From/in Thy/pp$ riven/vbn side/nn flow/vb !/. !/.
''/'' 

	He/pps thought/vbd :/: I/ppss am/bem a/at Jew/np from/in Bavaria/np ./.


	He/pps was/bedz standing/vbg there/rb ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, in/in Virginia/np ,/, in/in the/at thickening/vbg dusk/nn ,/, in/in a/at costly/jj greatcoat/nn that/wps had/hvd belonged/vbn to/in another/dt Jew/np ./.
That/dt other/ap Jew/np ,/, a/at young/jj man/nn too/rb ,/, had/hvd left/vbn that/dt greatcoat/nn behind/rb ,/, in/in a/at rich/jj house/nn ,/, and/cc marched/vbn away/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd crossed/vbn the/at river/nn which/wdt now/rb ,/, beyond/in the/at woods/nns yonder/rb ,/, was/bedz sliding/vbg darkly/rb under/in the/at mist/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd plunged/vbn into/in the/at dark/jj woods/nns beyond/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd died/vbn there/rb ./.


	What/wdt had/hvd that/dt man/nn ,/, that/dt other/ap young/jj Jew/np ,/, felt/vbn as/cs he/pps stood/vbd in/in the/at twilight/nn and/cc heard/vbd other/ap men/nns ,/, far/rb away/rb ,/, singing/vbg together/rb ?/. ?/.


	Adam/np thought/vbd of/in the/at hutments/nns ,/, regiment/nn after/in regiment/nn ,/, row/nn after/in row/nn ,/, the/at thousands/nns of/in huts/nns ,/, stretching/vbg away/rb into/in the/at night/nn ./.
He/pps thought/vbd of/in the/at men/nns ,/, the/at nameless/jj thousands/nns ,/, huddling/vbg in/in them/ppo ./.
He/pps thought/vbd of/in Simms/np Purdew/np snoring/vbg on/in his/pp$ bunk/nn while/cs Pullen/np James/np crouched/vbd by/in the/at hearth/nn ,/, skirmishing/vbg an/at undershirt/nn for/in lice/nns ,/, and/cc a/at wet/jj log/nn sizzled/vbd ./.
He/pps thought/vbd of/in Simms/np Purdew/np ,/, who/wps once/rb had/hvd risen/vbn at/in the/at edge/nn of/in a/at cornfield/nn ,/, a/at maniacal/jj scream/nn on/in his/pp$ lips/nns ,/, and/cc swung/vbn a/at clubbed/vbn musket/nn like/cs a/at flail/nn to/to beat/vb down/rp the/at swirl/nn of/in Rebel/nn-tl bayonets/nns about/in him/ppo ./.


	He/pps thought/vbd of/in Simms/np Purdew/np rising/vbg up/rp ,/, fearless/jj in/in glory/nn ./.
He/pps felt/vbd the/at sweetness/nn of/in pity/nn flood/vb through/in him/ppo ,/, veining/vbg his/pp$ very/ap flesh/nn ./.
Those/dts men/nns ,/, lying/vbg in/in the/at huts/nns ,/, they/ppss did/dod not/* know/vb ./.
They/ppss did/dod not/* know/vb who/wps they/ppss were/bed or/cc know/vb their/pp$ own/jj worth/nn ./.
In/in the/at pity/nn for/in them/ppo his/pp$ loneliness/nn was/bedz gone/vbn ./.


	Then/rb he/pps thought/vbd of/in Aaron/np Blaustein/np standing/vbg in/in his/pp$ rich/jj house/nn saying/vbg :/: ``/`` God/np is/bez tired/vbn of/in taking/vbg the/at blame/nn ./.
He/pps is/bez going/vbg to/to let/vb History/nn take/vb the/at blame/nn for/in a/at while/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps thought/vbd of/in the/at old/jj man/nn laughing/vbg under/in the/at glitter/nn of/in the/at great/jj chandelier/nn ./.


	He/pps thought/vbd :/: Only/rb in/in my/pp$ heart/nn can/md I/ppss make/vb the/at world/nn hang/vb together/rb ./.




Adam/np rose/vbd from/in the/at crouch/nn necessary/jj to/to enter/vb the/at hut/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd Mose/np squatting/vbg by/in the/at hearth/nn ,/, breaking/vbg up/rp hardtack/nn into/in a/at pan/nn ./.
A/at pot/nn was/bedz boiling/vbg on/in the/at coals/nns ./.
``/`` Gonna/vbg+to give/vb Ole/jj-tl Buckra/np-tl all/abn his/pp$ money/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Mose/np asked/vbd softly/rb ./.


	Adam/np nodded/vbd ./.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ''/'' ,/, Mose/np murmured/vbd ,/, ``/`` yeah/rb ./.
And/cc look/vb what/wdt he/pps done/dod give/vb us/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Adam/np looked/vbd at/in the/at pot/nn ./.
``/`` What/wdt is/bez it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` Chicken/nn ''/'' ,/, Mose/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc theatrically/rb licked/vbd his/pp$ lips/nns ./.
``/`` Gre't/jj big/jj fat/jj chicken/nn ,/, yeah/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps licked/vbd his/pp$ lips/nns again/rb ./.


	Then/rb :/: ``/`` yeah/rb ./.
A/at chicken/nn with/in six/cd tits/nns and/cc a/at tail/nn lak/in a/at corkscrew/nn ./.
And/cc it/pps squealed/vbd for/in slop/nn ''/'' ./.
Mose/np giggled/vbd ./.
``/`` Fooled/vbn you/ppo ,/, huh/uh ?/. ?/.
It/pps is/bez the/at same/ap ole/jj same/ap ,/, tell/vb me/ppo its/pp$ name/nn ./.
It/pps is/bez sowbelly/nn with/in tits/nns on/rp ./.
It/pps is/bez salt/nn po'k/nn ./.
It/pps is/bez salt/nn po'k/nn and/cc skippers/nns ./.
That/dt po'k/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz so/ql full/jj of/in skippers/nns it/pps would/md jump/vb and/cc run/vb and/cc not/* come/vb when/wrb you/ppss say/vb ,/, hoo-pig/uh ./.
Had/hvd to/to put/vb my/pp$ foot/nn on/in it/ppo to/to hole/vb it/ppo down/rp while/cs I/ppss cut/vbd it/ppo up/rp fer/in the/at lob-scuse/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps dumped/vbd the/at pan/nn of/in crumbled/vbn hardtack/nn into/in the/at boiling/vbg pot/nn of/in lobscouse/nn ./.
``/`` Good/jj ole/jj lob-scuse/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps mumbled/vbd ,/, and/cc stirred/vbd the/at pot/nn ./.
He/pps stopped/vbd stirring/vbg and/cc looked/vbd over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ./.
``/`` Know/vb what/wdt Ole/jj-tl Buckra/np-tl et/vbd tonight/nr ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps demanded/vbd ./.
``/`` Know/vb what/wdt I/ppss had/hvd to/to fix/vb fer/in Ole/jj-tl Him/ppo-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Adam/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` Chicken/nn ''/'' ,/, Mose/np said/vbd ./.

She/pps was/bedz a/at child/nn too/ql much/ap a/at part/nn of/in her/pp$ environment/nn ,/, too/ql eager/jj to/to grow/vb and/cc learn/vb and/cc experience/vb ./.
Once/rb ,/, they/ppss were/bed at/in Easthampton/np for/in the/at summer/nn (/( again/rb ,/, Fritzie/np said/vbd ,/, a/at good/jj place/nn ,/, even/rb though/cs they/ppss were/bed being/beg robbed/vbn )/) ./.
One/cd soft/jj evening/nn --/-- that/dt marvelous/jj sea-blessed/jj time/nn when/wrb the/at sun's/nn$ departing/vbg warmth/nn lingers/vbz and/cc a/at smell/nn of/in spume/nn and/cc wrack/nn haunts/vbz everything/pn --/-- Amy/np had/hvd picked/vbn herself/ppl off/in the/at floor/nn and/cc begun/vbn to/to walk/vb ./.
Fritzie/np was/bedz on/in the/at couch/nn reading/vbg ;/. ;/.
Laura/np was/bedz sitting/vbg in/in an/at easy/jj chair/nn about/rb eight/cd feet/nns away/rb ./.
The/at infant/nn ,/, in/in white/jj terry-cloth/nn bathrobe/nn ,/, her/pp$ face/nn intense/jj and/cc purposeful/jj ,/, had/hvd essayed/vbn a/at few/ap wobbly/jj steps/nns toward/in her/pp$ father/nn ./.
``/`` Y'all/ppss wanna/vb+to walk/vb --/-- walk/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
Then/rb ,/, gently/rb ,/, he/pps shoved/vbd her/pp$ behind/nn toward/in Laura/np ./.
Amy/np walked/vbd --/-- making/vbg it/ppo halfway/rb across/in the/at cottage/nn floor/nn ./.
She/pps lost/vbd not/* a/at second/nn ,/, picking/vbg herself/ppl up/rp and/cc continuing/vbg her/pp$ pilgrimage/nn to/in Laura/np ./.
Then/jj Laura/np took/vbd her/ppo gently/rb and/cc shoved/vbd her/pp$ off/rp again/rb ,/, toward/in Fritzie/np :/: Amy/np did/dod not/* laugh/vb --/-- this/dt was/bedz work/nn ,/, concentration/nn ,/, achievement/nn ./.
In/in a/at few/ap minutes/nns she/pps was/bedz making/vbg the/at ten-foot/jj hike/nn unaided/jj ;/. ;/.
soon/rb she/pps was/bedz parading/vbg around/in the/at house/nn ,/, flaunting/vbg her/pp$ new/jj skill/nn ./.


	Some/dti liar's/nn$ logic/nn ,/, a/at wisp/nn of/in optimism/nn as/ql fragile/jj as/cs the/at scent/nn of/in tropical/jj blossoms/nns that/wps came/vbd through/in the/at window/nn (/( a/at euphoria/nn perhaps/rb engendered/vbn by/in the/at pill/nn Fritzie/np had/hvd given/vbn her/ppo )/) ,/, consoled/vbd her/ppo for/in a/at moment/nn ./.
Amy/np had/hvd to/to be/be safe/jj ,/, had/hvd to/to come/vb back/rb to/in them/ppo --/-- if/cs only/rb to/to reap/vb that/dt share/nn of/in life's/nn$ experiences/nns that/wps were/bed her/pp$ due/nn ,/, if/cs only/rb to/to give/vb her/pp$ parents/nns another/dt chance/nn to/to do/do better/rbr by/in her/ppo ./.
Through/in the/at swathings/nns of/in terror/nn ,/, she/pps jabbed/vbd deceit's/nn$ sharp/jj point/nn --/-- Amy/np would/md be/be reborn/vbn ,/, a/at new/jj child/nn ,/, with/in new/jj parents/nns ,/, living/vbg under/in new/jj circumstances/nns ./.
The/at comfort/nn was/bedz short-lived/jj ,/, yet/cc she/pps found/vbd herself/ppl returning/vbg to/in the/at assurance/nn whenever/wrb her/pp$ imagination/nn forced/vbd images/nns on/in her/ppo too/ql awful/jj to/to contemplate/vb without/in the/at prop/nn of/in illusion/nn ./.
Gazing/vbg at/in her/pp$ husband's/nn$ drugged/vbn body/nn ,/, his/pp$ chest/nn rising/vbg and/cc falling/vbg in/in mindless/jj rhythms/nns ,/, she/pps saw/vbd the/at grandeur/nn of/in his/pp$ fictional/jj world/nn ,/, that/dt lush/jj garden/nn from/in which/wdt he/pps plucked/vbd flowers/nns and/cc herbs/nns ./.
She/pps envied/vbd him/ppo ./.
She/pps admired/vbd him/ppo ./.


	In/in the/at darkness/nn ,/, she/pps saw/vbd him/ppo stirring/vbg ./.
He/pps seemed/vbd to/to be/be muttering/vbg ,/, his/pp$ voice/nn surprisingly/rb clear/jj ./.
``/`` Y'all/ppss should/md have/hv let/nn me/ppo take/vb that/dt money/nn out/rp ''/'' ,/, Andrus/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` 'nother/dt minute/nn I'd/ppss+md have/hv been/ben fine/jj ./.
H'all/ppss should/md have/hv let/nn me/ppo do/do it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Laura/np touched/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn ./.
``/`` Yes/rb ,/, I/ppss know/vb ,/, Fritzie/np ./.
I/ppss should/md have/hv ''/'' ./.



Tuesday/nr-hl 
The/at heat/nn intensified/vbd on/in Tuesday/nr ./.
Southern/jj-tl California/np-tl gasped/vbd and/cc blinked/vbd under/in an/at autumn/nn hot/jj spell/nn ,/, drier/jjr ,/, more/ql enervating/vbg ,/, more/ql laden/jj with/in man's/nn$ contrived/vbn impurities/nns than/cs the/at worst/jjt days/nns of/in the/at summer/nn past/jj ./.
It/pps could/md continue/vb this/dt way/nn ,/, hitting/vbg 106/cd and/cc more/ap in/in the/at Valley/nn-tl ,/, Joe/np McFeeley/np knew/vbd ,/, into/in October/np ./.
He/pps and/cc Irvin/np Moll/np were/bed sipping/vbg coffee/nn at/in the/at breakfast/nn bar/nn ./.
Both/abx had/hvd been/ben up/rp since/in 7:00/cd --/-- Irv/np on/in the/at early-morning/nn watch/nn ,/, McFeeley/np unable/jj to/to sleep/vb during/in his/pp$ four-hour/jj relief/nn ./.
The/at night/nn before/rb ,/, they/ppss had/hvd telephoned/vbn the/at Andrus/np maid/nn ,/, Selena/np Masters/np ,/, and/cc she/pps had/hvd arrived/vbn early/rb ,/, bursting/vbg her/pp$ vigorous/jj presence/nn into/in the/at silent/jj house/nn with/in an/at assurance/nn that/wps amused/vbd McFeeley/np and/cc confounded/vbd Moll/np ./.
The/at latter/ap ,/, thanking/vbg her/ppo for/in the/at coffee/nn ,/, had/hvd winked/vbn and/cc muttered/vbn ,/, ``/`` Sure/rb 'nuff/qlp ,/, honey/nn ''/'' ./.
Selena/np was/bedz the/at wrong/jj woman/nn for/in these/dts crudities/nns ./.
With/in a/at hard/jj eye/nn ,/, she/pps informed/vbd Moll/np :/: ``/`` Don't/do* sure/vb-nc 'nuff/vb-nc me/ppo ,/, officer/nn ./.
I'm/ppss+bem honey/nn only/rb to/in my/pp$ husband/nn ,/, understand/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Sergeant/nn-tl Moll/np understood/vbd ./.
The/at maid/nn was/bedz very/ql black/jj and/cc very/ql energetic/jj ,/, trim/jj in/in a/at yellow/jj pique/nn uniform/nn ./.
Her/pp$ speech/nn was/bedz barren/jj of/in southernisms/nns ;/. ;/.
she/pps was/bedz one/cd of/in Eliot/np Sparling's/np$ neutralized/vbn minorities/nns ,/, adopting/vbg the/at rolling/vbg R's/nn and/cc constricted/vbn vowels/nns of/in Los/np Angeles/np ./.
Not/* seeing/vbg her/pp$ dark/jj intelligent/jj face/nn ,/, one/pn would/md have/hv gauged/vbn the/at voice/nn as/cs that/dt of/in a/at Westwood/np-tl Village/nn-tl matron/nn ,/, ten/cd years/nns out/rp of/in Iowa/np ./.
After/cs she/pps had/hvd served/vbn the/at detectives/nns coffee/nn and/cc toast/nn (/( they/ppss politely/rb declined/vbd eggs/nns ,/, uncomfortable/jj about/in their/pp$ tenancy/nn )/) ,/, she/pps settled/vbd down/rp with/in a/at morning/nn newspaper/nn and/cc began/vbd reading/vbg the/at stock/nn market/nn quotations/nns ./.
While/cs she/pps was/bedz thus/rb engaged/vbn ,/, McFeeley/np questioned/vbd her/ppo about/in her/pp$ whereabouts/nn the/at previous/ap day/nn ,/, any/dti recollections/nns she/pps had/hvd of/in people/nns hanging/vbg around/rb ,/, of/in overcurious/jj delivery/nn boys/nns or/cc repairmen/nns ,/, of/in strange/jj cars/nns cruising/vbg the/at neighborhood/nn ./.
She/pps answered/vbd him/ppo precisely/rb ,/, missing/vbg not/* a/at beat/nn in/in her/pp$ scrutiny/nn of/in the/at financial/jj reports/nns ./.
Selena/np Masters/np ,/, Joe/np realized/vbd ,/, was/bedz her/pp$ own/jj woman/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz the/at only/ap kind/nn of/in Negro/np Laura/np Andrus/np would/md want/vb around/rb :/: independent/jj ,/, unservile/jj ,/, probably/rb charging/vbg double/rb what/wdt ordinary/jj maids/nns did/dod for/in housework/nn --/-- and/cc doubly/rb efficient/jj ./.


	When/wrb the/at parents/nns emerged/vbd from/in the/at bedroom/nn a/at few/ap minutes/nns later/rbr ,/, the/at maid/nn greeted/vbd them/ppo quietly/rb ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem awful/ql sorry/jj about/in what's/wdt+hvz happened/vbn ''/'' ,/, Selena/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb today'll/nr+md be/be a/at good-news/nn day/nn ''/'' ./.
She/pps charged/vbd off/rp to/in the/at bedrooms/nns ./.


	Moll/np took/vbd his/pp$ coffee/nn into/in the/at nursery/nn ./.
During/in the/at night/nn ,/, a/at phone/nn company/nn technician/nn had/hvd deadened/vbn the/at bells/nns and/cc installed/vbn red/jj blinkers/nns on/in the/at phones/nns ./.
Someone/pn would/md have/hv to/to remain/vb in/in the/at office/nn continually/rb ./.
McFeeley/np greeted/vbd the/at parents/nns ,/, then/rb studied/vbd his/pp$ notebook/nn ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd to/to take/vb the/at mother/nn to/in headquarters/nn at/in once/rb and/cc start/vb her/ppo on/in the/at mug/nn file/nn ./.


	``/`` Sleep/vb well/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.


	Andrus/np did/dod not/* answer/vb him/ppo ./.
His/pp$ face/nn was/bedz bloated/vbn with/in drugging/vbg ,/, redder/jjr than/cs normal/jj ./.
The/at woman/nn had/hvd the/at glassy/jj look/nn of/in an/at invalid/nn ,/, as/cs if/cs she/pps had/hvd not/* slept/vbn at/in all/abn ./.
``/`` Oh/uh --/-- we/ppss managed/vbd ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem a/at little/jj groggy/jj ./.
Did/dod anything/pn happen/vb during/in the/at night/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Few/ap crank/nn calls/nns ''/'' ,/, McFeeley/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` A/at couple/nn of/in tips/nns we're/ppss+ber running/vbg down/rp --/-- nothing/pn promising/vbg ./.
We/ppss can/md expect/vb more/ap of/in the/at same/ap ./.
Too/ql bad/jj your/pp$ number/nn is/bez in/in the/at directory/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Didn't/dod* occur/vb to/in me/ppo my/pp$ child/nn would/md be/be kidnaped/vbn when/wrb I/ppss had/hvd it/ppo listed/vbn ''/'' ,/, Andrus/np muttered/vbd ./.
He/pps settled/vbd on/in the/at sofa/nn with/in his/pp$ coffee/nn ,/, warming/vbg his/pp$ hands/nns on/in the/at cup/nn ,/, although/cs the/at room/nn was/bedz heavy/jj with/in heat/nn ./.


	The/at three/cd had/hvd little/ap to/to say/vb to/in each/dt other/ap ./.
The/at previous/ap night's/nn$ horror/nn --/-- the/at absolute/jj failure/nn ,/, overcast/vbn with/in the/at intrusions/nns of/in the/at press/nn ,/, had/hvd left/vbn them/ppo all/abn with/in a/at wan/jj sense/nn of/in uselessness/nn ,/, of/in play-acting/vbg ./.
Sipping/vbg their/pp$ coffee/nn ,/, discussing/vbg the/at weather/nn ,/, the/at day's/nn$ shopping/nn ,/, Fritzie's/np$ commitments/nns at/in the/at network/nn (/( all/abn of/in which/wdt he/pps would/md cancel/vb )/) ,/, they/ppss avoided/vbd the/at radio/nn ,/, the/at morning/nn TV/nn news/nn show/nn ,/, even/rb the/at front/nn page/nn of/in the/at Santa/np-tl Luisa/np-tl Register/nn-tl ,/, resting/vbg on/in the/at kitchen/nn bar/nn ./.
Kidnaper/nn spurns/vbz ransom/nn ;/. ;/.
Amy/np still/rb missing/vbg ./.
Once/rb ,/, Andrus/np walked/vbd by/in it/ppo ,/, hastily/rb scanned/vbd the/at bold/jj black/jj headline/nn and/cc the/at five-column/jj lead/nn of/in the/at article/nn (/( by/in Duane/np Bosch/np ,/, staff/nn correspondent/nn --/-- age/nn not/* given/vbn )/) ,/, and/cc muttered/vbd :/: ``/`` We/ppss a/at buncha/nn+in national/jj celebrities/nns ''/'' ./.


	McFeeley/np told/vbd the/at parents/nns he/pps would/md escort/vb them/ppo to/in police/nn headquarters/nn in/in a/at half/abn hour/nn ./.
Before/in that/dt ,/, he/pps wanted/vbd to/to talk/vb to/in the/at neighbors/nns ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* want/vb to/to bring/vb the/at Andruses/nps to/in the/at station/nn house/nn too/ql early/rb --/-- Rheinholdt/np had/hvd summoned/vbn a/at press/nn conference/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps didn't/dod* want/vb them/ppo subjected/vbn to/in the/at reporters/nns again/rb ./.
He/pps could/md think/vb of/in nothing/pn else/rb to/to tell/vb them/ppo :/: no/at assurances/nns ,/, no/at hopeful/jj hints/nns at/in great/jj discoveries/nns that/dt day/nn ./.
When/wrb the/at detective/nn left/vbd ,/, Andrus/np phoned/vbd his/pp$ secretary/nn to/to cancel/vb his/pp$ work/nn and/cc to/to advise/vb the/at network/nn to/to get/vb a/at substitute/jj director/nn for/in his/pp$ current/jj project/nn ./.
Mrs./np Andrus/np was/bedz talking/vbg to/in the/at maid/nn ,/, arranging/vbg for/in her/ppo to/to come/vb in/rp every/at day/nn ,/, instead/rb of/in the/at four/cd days/nns she/pps now/rb worked/vbd ./.


	Outside/rb ,/, only/rb a/at handful/nn of/in reporters/nns remained/vbd ./.
The/at bulk/nn of/in the/at press/nn corps/nn was/bedz covering/vbg Rheinholdt's/np$ conference/nn ./.
In/in contrast/nn to/in the/at caravan/nn of/in the/at previous/ap night/nn ,/, there/ex were/bed only/rb four/cd cars/nns parked/vbn across/in the/at street/nn ./.
Two/cd men/nns he/pps did/dod not/* recognize/vb were/bed sipping/vbg coffee/nn and/cc munching/vbg sweet/jj rolls/nns ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* see/vb Sparling/np ,/, or/cc DeGroot/np ,/, or/cc Ringel/np ,/, or/cc any/dti of/in the/at feverish/jj crew/nn that/wps had/hvd so/rb harassed/vbn him/ppo twelve/cd hours/nns ago/rb ./.
However/rb ,/, the/at litter/nn remained/vbd ,/, augmented/vbn by/in several/ap dozen/nn lunchroom/nn suppers/nns ./.
The/at street/nn cleaner/nn had/hvd not/* yet/rb been/ben around/rb ./.


	One/cd of/in the/at reporters/nns called/vbd to/in him/ppo :/: ``/`` Anything/pn new/jj ,/, Lieutenant/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
And/cc he/pps ignored/vbd him/ppo ,/, skirting/vbg the/at parked/vbn cars/nns and/cc walking/vbg up/in the/at path/nn to/in the/at Skopas/np house/nn ./.
When/wrb McFeeley/np was/bedz halfway/rb to/in the/at door/nn ,/, the/at proprietor/nn emerged/vbd --/-- a/at mountainous/jj ,/, dark/jj man/nn ,/, his/pp$ head/nn thick/jj with/in resiny/jj black/jj hair/nn ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns like/cs two/cd of/in the/at black/jj olives/nns he/pps imported/vbd in/in boatloads/nns ./.
McFeeley/np identified/vbd himself/ppl ./.
The/at master/nn of/in the/at house/nn ,/, his/pp$ nourished/vbn face/nn unrevealing/jj ,/, consented/vbd to/to postpone/vb his/pp$ departure/nn a/at few/ap minutes/nns to/to talk/vb to/in the/at detective/nn ./.


	Inside/rb ,/, as/ql soon/rb as/cs Mr./np Skopas/np had/hvd disclosed/vbn --/-- in/in a/at hoarse/jj whisper/nn --/-- the/at detective's/nn$ errand/nn ,/, his/pp$ family/nn gathered/vbd in/in a/at huddle/nn ,/, forming/vbg a/at mass/nn of/in dark/jj flesh/nn on/in and/cc around/in a/at brocaded/jj sofa/nn which/wdt stood/vbd at/in one/cd side/nn of/in a/at baroque/jj fireplace/nn ./.
Flanked/vbn by/in marble/nn urns/nns and/cc alabaster/nn lamps/nns ,/, they/ppss seemed/vbd to/to be/be posing/vbg for/in a/at tribal/jj portrait/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz amazing/jj how/wrb they/ppss had/hvd herded/vbn together/rb for/in protection/nn :/: an/at enormous/jj matriarch/nn in/in a/at quilted/vbn silk/nn wrapper/nn ,/, rising/vbg from/in the/at breakfast/nn table/nn ;/. ;/.
a/at gross/jj boy/nn in/in his/pp$ teens/nns ,/, shuffling/vbg in/rp from/in the/at kitchen/nn with/in a/at sandwich/nn in/in his/pp$ hands/nns ;/. ;/.
a/at girl/nn in/in her/pp$ twenties/nns ,/, fat/jj and/cc sullen/jj ,/, descending/vbg the/at marble/nn staircase/nn ;/. ;/.
then/rb all/abn four/cd gathering/vbg on/in the/at sofa/nn to/to face/vb the/at inquisitor/nn ./.


	They/ppss answered/vbd him/ppo in/in monosyllables/nns ,/, nods/nns ,/, occasionally/rb muttering/vbg in/in Greek/np to/in one/cd another/dt ,/, awaiting/vbg the/at word/nn from/in Papa/np ,/, who/wps restlessly/rb cracked/vbd his/pp$ knuckles/nns ,/, anxious/jj to/to stuff/vb himself/ppl into/in his/pp$ white/jj Cadillac/np and/cc burst/vb off/rp to/in the/at freeway/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, they/ppss hadn't/hvd* seen/vbn anyone/pn around/rb ;/. ;/.
no/rb ,/, they/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb the/at Andrus/np family/nn ;/. ;/.
yes/rb ,/, they/ppss had/hvd read/vbn about/in the/at case/nn ;/. ;/.
yes/rb ,/, they/ppss had/hvd let/vbn some/dti reporters/nns use/vb their/pp$ phone/nn ,/, but/cc they/ppss would/md no/ql longer/rbr ./.
They/ppss offered/vbd no/at opinions/nns ,/, volunteered/vbd nothing/pn ,/, betrayed/vbd no/at emotions/nns ./.
Studying/vbg them/ppo ,/, McFeeley/np could/md not/* help/vb make/vb comparison/nn with/in the/at Andrus/np couple/nn ./.
The/at Skopas/np people/nns seemed/vbd to/in him/ppo of/in that/dt breed/nn of/in human/jj beings/nns whose/wp$ insularity/nn frees/vbz them/ppo from/in tragedy/nn ./.
He/pps imagined/vbd they/ppss were/bed the/at kind/nn whose/wp$ tax/nn returns/nns were/bed never/rb examined/vbn (/( if/cs they/ppss were/bed ,/, they/ppss were/bed never/rb penalized/vbn )/) ,/, whose/wp$ children/nns had/hvd no/at unhappy/jj romances/nns ,/, whose/wp$ names/nns never/rb knew/vbd scandal/nn ./.
The/at equation/nn was/bedz simple/jj :/: wealth/nn brought/vbd them/ppo happiness/nn ,/, and/cc their/pp$ united/vbn front/nn to/in the/at world/nn was/bedz their/pp$ warning/nn that/cs they/ppss meant/vbd to/to keep/vb everything/pn they/ppss had/hvd ,/, let/vb no/at one/pn in/rp on/in the/at secrets/nns ./.
By/in comparison/nn ,/, Fritzie/np and/cc Laura/np Andrus/np were/bed quivering/vbg fledglings/nns ./.
They/ppss possessed/vbd no/at outer/jj fortifications/nns ,/, no/rb hard/jj shells/nns of/in confidence/nn ;/. ;/.
they/ppss had/hvd enough/ap difficulty/nn getting/vbg from/in day/nn to/in day/nn ,/, let/vb alone/rb having/hvg an/at awful/jj crime/nn thrust/vbn upon/in them/ppo ./.
Skopas/np expressed/vbd no/at curiosity/nn over/in the/at case/nn ,/, offered/vbd no/at expression/nn of/in sympathy/nn ,/, made/vbd no/at move/nn to/to escort/vb McFeely/np to/in the/at door/nn ./.
All/abn four/cd remained/vbd impacted/vbn on/in the/at sofa/nn until/cs he/pps had/hvd left/vbn ./.


	He/pps had/hvd spoken/vbn to/in Mrs./np ./.
Emerson/np the/at previous/jj day/nn ./.
There/ex remained/vbd a/at family/nn named/vbn Kahler/np ,/, owners/nns of/in a/at two-story/jj Tudor-style/jj house/nn on/in the/at south/jj side/nn of/in the/at Andrus/np home/nn ./.
Their/pp$ names/nns had/hvd not/* come/vbn up/rp in/in any/dti discussions/nns with/in Laura/np ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd no/at idea/nn what/wdt they/ppss would/md be/be like/in ./.
McFeeley/np noted/vbd the/at immaculate/jj lawn/nn and/cc gardens/nns :/: each/dt blade/nn of/in grass/nn cropped/vbn ,/, bright/jj and/cc firm/jj ;/. ;/.
each/dt shrub/nn glazed/vbn with/in good/jj health/nn ./.


	The/at door/nn was/bedz answered/vbn by/in a/at slender/jj man/nn in/in his/pp$ sixties/nns --/-- straight-backed/jj ,/, somewhat/ql clerical/jj in/in manner/nn ,/, wearing/vbg rimless/jj glasses/nns ./.
When/wrb Joe/np identified/vbd himself/ppl ,/, he/pps nodded/vbd ,/, unsmiling/jj ,/, and/cc ushered/vbd him/ppo into/in a/at sedate/jj living/vbg room/nn ./.
Mrs./np Kahler/np joined/vbd them/ppo ./.
She/pps had/hvd a/at dried-out/jj quality/nn --/-- a/at gray/jj ,/, lean/jj woman/nn ,/, not/* unattractive/jj ./.
Both/abx were/bed dressed/vbn rather/ql formally/rb ./.
The/at man/nn wore/vbd a/at vest/nn and/cc a/at tie/nn ,/, the/at woman/nn had/hvd on/rp a/at dark/jj green/jj dress/nn and/cc three/cd strands/nns of/in pearls/nns ./.


	``/`` Funny/jj thing/nn ''/'' ,/, Mr./np Kahler/np said/vbd ,/, when/wrb they/ppss were/bed seated/vbn ,/, ``/`` when/wrb I/ppss heard/vbd you/ppo ringing/vbg ,/, I/ppss figured/vbd it/pps was/bedz that/dt guy/nn down/in the/at block/nn ,/, Hausman/np ''/'' ./.
McFeeley/np looked/vbd puzzled/vbn ./.
Kahler/np continued/vbd :/: ``/`` I/ppss fixed/vbd his/pp$ dog/nn the/at other/ap day/nn and/cc I/ppss guess/vb he's/pps+bez sore/jj ,/, so/cs I/ppss expected/vbd him/ppo to/to come/vb barging/vbg in/rp ''/'' ./.
Mr./np Kahler/np went/vbd on/rp to/to explain/vb how/wrb Hausman's/np$ fox/nn terrier/nn had/hvd been/ben ``/`` making/vbg ''/'' in/in his/pp$ flower/nn beds/nns ./.
The/at dog/nn refused/vbd to/to be/be scared/vbn off/rp ,/, so/rb Kahler/np had/hvd purchased/vbn some/dti small/jj firecrackers/nns ./.
He/pps would/md lay/vb in/in wait/nn in/in the/at garage/nn ,/, and/cc when/wrb the/at terrier/nn came/vbd scratching/vbg around/rb ,/, he'd/pps+md let/vb fly/vb with/in a/at cherry/jj bomb/nn ./.
``/`` Scared/vbd the/at hell/nn out/in of/in him/ppo ''/'' ,/, Kahler/np grinned/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss hit/vb him/ppo in/in the/at ass/nn once/rb ''/'' ./.
Both/abx grinned/vbd at/in the/at detective/nn ./.
``/`` Finally/rb ,/, all/abn I/ppss needed/vbd was/bedz to/to throw/vb a/at little/ap piece/nn of/in red/jj wood/nn that/wps looked/vbd like/cs a/at firecracker/nn and/cc that/ql dumb/jj dog/nn would/md run/vb ki-yi-ing/vbg for/in his/pp$ life/nn ''/'' ./.

In/in the/at dim/jj underwater/jj light/nn they/ppss dressed/vbd and/cc straightened/vbd up/rp the/at room/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb they/ppss went/vbd across/in the/at hall/nn to/in the/at kitchen/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz intimidated/vbn by/in the/at stove/nn ./.
He/pps found/vbd the/at pilot/nn light/nn and/cc turned/vbd on/in one/cd of/in the/at burners/nns for/in her/ppo ./.
The/at gas/nn flamed/vbd up/rp two/cd inches/nns high/jj ./.
They/ppss found/vbd the/at teakettle/nn ./.
And/cc put/vbd water/nn on/rp to/to boil/vb and/cc then/rb searched/vbd through/in the/at icebox/nn ./.
Several/ap sections/nns of/in a/at loaf/nn of/in dark/jj bread/nn ;/. ;/.
butter/nn ;/. ;/.
jam/nn ;/. ;/.
a/at tiny/jj cake/nn of/in ice/nn ./.
In/in their/pp$ search/nn for/in what/wdt turned/vbd out/rp to/to be/be the/at right/jj breakfast/nn china/nn but/cc the/at wrong/jj table/nn silver/nn ,/, they/ppss opened/vbd every/at cupboard/nn door/nn in/in the/at kitchen/nn and/cc pantry/nn ./.
While/cs she/pps was/bedz settling/vbg the/at teacart/nn ,/, he/pps went/vbd back/rb across/in the/at hall/nn to/in their/pp$ bedroom/nn ,/, opened/vbd one/cd of/in the/at suitcases/nns ,/, and/cc took/vbd out/rp powdered/vbn coffee/nn and/cc sugar/nn ./.
She/pps appeared/vbd with/in the/at teacart/nn and/cc he/pps opened/vbd the/at windows/nns ./.


	``/`` Do/do you/ppss want/vb to/to call/vb Eugene/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps didn't/dod* ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* really/rb a/at question/nn ,/, and/cc so/rb he/pps left/vbd the/at room/nn ,/, walked/vbd down/in the/at hall/nn to/in the/at front/nn of/in the/at apartment/nn ,/, hesitated/vbd ,/, and/cc then/rb knocked/vbd lightly/rb on/in the/at closed/vbn door/nn of/in the/at study/nn ./.
A/at sleepy/jj voice/nn answered/vbd ./.


	``/`` Le/fw-at petit/fw-jj dejeuner/fw-nn ''/'' ,/, Harold/np said/vbd ,/, in/in an/at accent/nn that/wps did/dod credit/nn to/in Miss/np Sloan/np ,/, his/pp$ high-school/nn French/np teacher/nn ./.
At/in the/at same/ap time/nn ,/, his/pp$ voice/nn betrayed/vbd uncertainty/nn about/in their/pp$ being/beg here/rb ,/, and/cc conveyed/vbd an/at appeal/nn to/in whatever/wdt is/bez reasonable/jj ,/, peace-loving/jj ,/, and/cc dependable/jj in/in everybody/pn ./.


	Since/cs ordinary/jj breakfast-table/nn conversation/nn was/bedz impossible/jj ,/, it/pps was/bedz at/in least/ap something/pn that/cs they/ppss were/bed able/jj to/to offer/vb Eugene/np the/at sugar/nn bowl/nn with/in their/pp$ sugar/nn in/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc the/at plate/nn of/in bread/nn and/cc butter/nn ,/, and/cc that/cs Eugene/np could/md return/vb the/at pitcher/nn of/in hot/jj milk/nn to/in them/ppo handle/nn first/rb ./.
Eugene/np put/vbd a/at spoonful/nn of/in powdered/vbn coffee/nn into/in his/pp$ cup/nn and/cc then/rb filled/vbd it/ppo with/in hot/jj water/nn ./.
Stirring/vbg ,/, he/pps said/vbd :/: ``/`` I/ppss am/bem sorry/jj that/cs my/pp$ work/nn prevents/vbz me/ppo from/in doing/vbg anything/pn with/in you/ppo today/nr ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss assured/vbd him/ppo that/cs they/ppss did/dod not/* expect/vb or/cc need/vb to/to be/be entertained/vbn ./.


	Harold/np put/vbd a/at teaspoonful/nn of/in powdered/vbn coffee/nn in/in his/pp$ cup/nn and/cc filled/vbd it/ppo with/in hot/jj water/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb ,/, stirring/vbg ,/, he/pps sat/vbd back/rb in/in his/pp$ chair/nn ./.
The/at chair/nn creaked/vbd ./.
Every/at time/nn he/pps moved/vbd or/cc said/vbd something/pn ,/, the/at chair/nn creaked/vbd again/rb ./.


	Eugene/np was/bedz not/* entirely/rb silent/jj ,/, or/cc openly/rb rude/jj --/-- unless/cs asking/vbg Harold/np to/to move/vb to/in another/dt chair/nn and/cc placing/vbg himself/ppl in/in the/at fauteuil/nn that/wps creaked/vbd so/ql alarmingly/rb was/bedz an/at act/nn of/in rudeness/nn ./.
It/pps went/vbd right/ql on/rp creaking/vbg under/in his/pp$ own/jj considerable/jj weight/nn ,/, and/cc all/abn it/pps needed/vbd ,/, Harold/np thought/vbd ,/, was/bedz for/cs somebody/pn to/to fling/vb himself/ppl back/rb in/in a/at fit/nn of/in laughter/nn and/cc that/dt would/md be/be the/at end/nn of/in it/ppo ./.


	Through/in the/at open/jj window/nn they/ppss heard/vbd sounds/nns below/rb in/in the/at street/nn :/: cartwheels/nns ,/, a/at tired/jj horse's/nn$ plodding/vbg step/nn ,/, voices/nns ./.
Harold/np indicated/vbd the/at photograph/nn on/in the/at wall/nn and/cc asked/vbd what/wdt church/nn the/at stone/nn sculpture/nn was/bedz in/in ./.
Eugene/np told/vbd him/ppo and/cc he/pps promptly/rb forgot/vbd ./.
They/ppss passed/vbd the/at marmalade/nn ,/, the/at bread/nn ,/, the/at black-market/nn butter/nn ,/, back/rb and/cc forth/rb ./.
Nothing/pn was/bedz said/vbn about/in hotels/nns or/cc train/nn journeys/nns ./.


	Eugene/np offered/vbd Harold/np his/pp$ car/nn ,/, to/to use/vb at/in any/dti time/nn he/pps cared/vbd to/to ,/, and/cc when/wrb this/dt offer/nn was/bedz not/* accepted/vbn ,/, the/at armchair/nn creaked/vbd ./.
They/ppss all/abn three/cd had/hvd another/dt cup/nn of/in coffee/nn ./.
Eugene/np was/bedz in/in his/pp$ pajamas/nns and/cc dressing/vbg gown/nn ,/, and/cc on/in his/pp$ large/jj feet/nns he/pps wore/vbd yellow/jj Turkish/jj slippers/nns that/wps turned/vbd up/rp at/in the/at toes/nns ./.


	``/`` Excuse/vb me/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd in/in Berlitz/np English/np ,/, and/cc got/vbd up/rp and/cc left/vbd them/ppo ,/, to/to bathe/vb and/cc dress/vb ./.


	The/at first/od shrill/jj ring/nn of/in the/at telephone/nn brought/vbd Harold/np out/rp into/in the/at hall/nn ./.
He/pps realized/vbd that/cs he/pps had/hvd no/at idea/nn where/wrb the/at telephone/nn was/bedz ./.
At/in that/dt moment/nn the/at bathroom/nn door/nn flew/vbd open/jj and/cc Eugene/np came/vbd out/rp ,/, with/in his/pp$ face/nn lathered/vbn for/in shaving/vbg ,/, and/cc strode/vbd down/in the/at hall/nn ,/, tying/vbg the/at sash/nn of/in his/pp$ dressing/vbg gown/nn as/cs he/pps went/vbd ./.
The/at telephone/nn was/bedz in/in the/at study/nn but/cc the/at ringing/nn came/vbd from/in the/at hall/nn ./.
Between/in the/at telephone/nn and/cc the/at wall/nn plug/nn there/ex was/bedz sixty/cd feet/nns of/in cord/nn ,/, and/cc when/wrb the/at conversation/nn came/vbd to/in an/at end/nn ,/, Eugene/np carried/vbd the/at instrument/nn with/in him/ppo the/at whole/jj length/nn of/in the/at apartment/nn ,/, to/in his/pp$ bathroom/nn ,/, where/wrb it/pps rang/vbd three/cd more/ap times/nns while/cs he/pps was/bedz shaving/vbg and/cc in/in the/at tub/nn ./.
Before/cs he/pps left/vbd the/at apartment/nn he/pps knocked/vbd on/in their/pp$ door/nn and/cc asked/vbd if/cs there/ex was/bedz anything/pn he/pps could/md do/do for/in them/ppo ./.
Harold/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` Sabine/np called/vbd a/at few/ap minutes/nns ago/rb ''/'' ,/, Eugene/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` She/pps wants/vbz you/ppo and/cc Barbara/np to/to have/hv dinner/nn with/in her/ppo tomorrow/nr night/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps handed/vbd Harold/np a/at key/nn to/in the/at front/jj door/nn ,/, and/cc cautioned/vbd him/ppo against/in leaving/vbg it/ppo unlocked/vbn while/cs they/ppss were/bed out/rp of/in the/at apartment/nn ./.


	When/wrb enough/ap time/nn had/hvd elapsed/vbn so/cs that/cs there/ex was/bedz little/ap likelihood/nn of/in his/pp$ returning/vbg for/in something/pn he/pps had/hvd forgotten/vbn ,/, Harold/np went/vbd out/rp into/in the/at hall/nn and/cc stood/vbd looking/vbg into/in one/cd room/nn after/in another/dt ./.
In/in the/at room/nn next/rb to/in theirs/pp$$ was/bedz a/at huge/jj cradle/nn ,/, of/in mahogany/nn ,/, ornately/rb carved/vbn and/cc decorated/vbn with/in gold/nn leaf/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at most/ql important-looking/jj cradle/nn he/pps had/hvd ever/rb seen/vbn ./.
Then/rb came/vbd their/pp$ bathroom/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb a/at bedroom/nn that/wps ,/, judging/vbg by/in the/at photographs/nns on/in the/at walls/nns ,/, must/md belong/vb to/in Mme/np Cestre/np ./.
A/at young/jj woman/nn who/wps looked/vbd like/cs Alix/np ,/, with/in her/pp$ two/cd children/nns ./.
Alix/np and/cc Eugene/np on/in their/pp$ wedding/nn day/nn ./.
Matching/vbg photographs/nns in/in oval/jj frames/nns of/in Mme/np Bonenfant/np and/cc an/at elderly/jj man/nn who/wps must/md be/be Alix's/np$ grandfather/nn ./.
Mme/np Vienot/np ,/, considerably/ql younger/jjr and/cc very/ql different/jj ./.
The/at schoolboy/nn ./.
And/cc a/at gray-haired/jj man/nn whose/wp$ glance/nn --/-- direct/jj ,/, lifelike/jj ,/, and/cc mildly/ql accusing/vbg --/-- was/bedz contradicted/vbn by/in the/at gilt/jj and/cc black/jj frame/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at kind/nn of/in frame/nn that/wps is/bez only/rb put/vbn around/in the/at photograph/nn of/in a/at dead/jj person/nn ./.
Professor/nn-tl Cestre/np ,/, could/md it/ppo be/be ?/. ?/.


	With/in the/at metal/nn shutters/nns closed/vbn ,/, the/at dining/vbg room/nn was/bedz so/ql dark/jj that/cs it/pps seemed/vbd still/rb night/nn in/in there/rb ./.
One/cd of/in the/at drawing-room/nn shutters/nns was/bedz partly/ql open/jj and/cc he/pps made/vbd out/rp the/at shapes/nns of/in chairs/nns and/cc sofas/nns ,/, which/wdt seemed/vbd to/to be/be upholstered/vbn in/in brown/jj or/cc russet/jj velvet/nn ./.
The/at curtains/nns were/bed of/in the/at same/ap material/nn ,/, and/cc there/ex were/bed some/dti big/jj oil/nn paintings/nns --/-- portraits/nns in/in the/at style/nn of/in Lancret/np and/cc Boucher/np ./.


	Though/cs ,/, taken/vbn individually/rb ,/, the/at big/jj rooms/nns were/bed ,/, or/cc seemed/vbd to/to be/be ,/, square/jj ,/, the/at apartment/nn as/cs a/at whole/nn formed/vbd a/at triangle/nn ./.
The/at apex/nn ,/, the/at study/nn where/wrb Eugene/np slept/vbd ,/, was/bedz light/jj and/cc bright/jj and/cc airy/jj and/cc cheerful/jj ./.
The/at window/nn looked/vbd out/rp on/in the/at Place/fw-nn-tl Redoute/fw-nn-tl --/-- it/pps was/bedz the/at only/ap window/nn of/in the/at apartment/nn that/wps did/dod ./.
Looking/vbg around/rb slowly/rb ,/, he/pps saw/vbd a/at marble/nn fireplace/nn ,/, a/at desk/nn ,/, a/at low/jj bookcase/nn of/in mahogany/nn with/in criss-crossed/jj brass/nn wire/nn instead/rb of/in glass/nn panes/nns in/in the/at doors/nns ./.
The/at daybed/nn Eugene/np had/hvd slept/vbn in/in ,/, made/vbn up/rp now/rb with/in its/pp$ dark-brown/jj velours/nn cover/nn and/cc pillows/nns ./.
The/at portable/jj record/nn player/nn with/in a/at pile/nn of/in classical/jj records/nns beside/in it/ppo ./.
Beethoven's/np$ Fifth/od-tl was/bedz the/at one/cd on/in top/nn ./.
Da-da-da-dum/uh Music/nn could/md not/* be/be Eugene's/np$ passion/nn ./.
Besides/rb ,/, the/at records/nns were/bed dusty/jj ./.
He/pps tried/vbd the/at doors/nns of/in the/at bookcase/nn ./.
Locked/vbn ./.
The/at titles/nns he/pps could/md read/vb easily/rb through/in the/at criss-crossed/jj wires/nns :/: works/nns on/in theology/nn ,/, astral/jj physics/nn ,/, history/nn ,/, biology/nn ,/, political/jj science/nn ./.
No/at poetry/nn ./.
No/at novels/nns ./.
He/pps moved/vbd over/rp to/in the/at desk/nn and/cc stood/vbd looking/vbg at/in the/at papers/nns on/in it/ppo but/cc not/* touching/vbg anything/pn ./.
The/at clock/nn on/in the/at mantel/nn piece/nn was/bedz scandalized/vbn and/cc ticked/vbd so/ql loudly/rb that/cs he/pps glanced/vbd at/in it/ppo over/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn and/cc then/rb quickly/rb left/vbd the/at room/nn ./.




The/at concierge/nn called/vbd out/rp to/in them/ppo as/cs they/ppss were/bed passing/vbg through/in the/at foyer/nn ./.
Her/pp$ quarters/nns were/bed on/in the/at right/nr as/cs you/ppss walked/vbd into/in the/at building/nn ,/, and/cc her/pp$ small/jj front/jj room/nn was/bedz clogged/vbn with/in heavy/jj furniture/nn --/-- a/at big/jj ,/, round/jj ,/, oak/nn dining/vbg table/nn and/cc chairs/nns ,/, a/at buffet/nn ,/, with/in a/at row/nn of/in unclaimed/jj letters/nns inserted/vbd between/in the/at mirror/nn and/cc its/pp$ frame/nn ./.
The/at suitcases/nns had/hvd come/vbn while/cs they/ppss were/bed out/rp ,/, and/cc had/hvd been/ben put/vbn in/in their/pp$ room/nn ,/, the/at concierge/nn said/vbd ./.


	He/pps waited/vbd until/cs they/ppss were/bed inside/in the/at elevator/nn and/cc then/rb said/vbd :/: ``/`` Now/rb what/wdt do/do we/ppss do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Call/vb the/at Vouillemont/np ,/, I/ppss guess/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss guess/vb ''/'' ./.


	Rather/rb than/cs sit/vb around/rb waiting/vbg for/cs the/at suitcases/nns to/to be/be delivered/vbn ,/, they/ppss had/hvd gone/vbn sight-seeing/vbg ./.
They/ppss went/vbd to/in the/at Flea/nn-tl Market/nn-tl ,/, expecting/vbg to/to find/vb the/at treasures/nns of/in Europe/np ,/, and/cc found/vbd instead/rb a/at duplication/nn of/in that/dt long/jj double/jj row/nn of/in booths/nns in/in Tours/np ./.
Cheap/jj clothing/nn and/cc junk/nn of/in every/at sort/nn ,/, as/ql far/rb as/cs the/at eye/nn could/md see/vb ./.
They/ppss looked/vbd ,/, even/ql so/rb ./.
Looked/vbn at/in everything/pn ./.
Barbara/np bought/vbd some/dti cotton/nn aprons/nns ,/, and/cc Harold/np bought/vbd shoestrings/nns ./.
They/ppss had/hvd lunch/nn at/in a/at sidewalk/nn cafe/nn overlooking/vbg the/at intersection/nn of/in two/cd broad/jj ,/, busy/jj ,/, unpicturesque/jj streets/nns ,/, and/cc coming/vbg home/nr they/ppss got/vbd lost/vbn in/in the/at Metro/np ;/. ;/.
it/pps took/vbd them/ppo over/in an/at hour/nn to/to get/vb back/rb to/in the/at station/nn where/wrb they/ppss should/md have/hv changed/vbn ,/, in/in order/nn to/to take/vb the/at line/nn that/wps went/vbd to/in the/at Place/fw-nn-tl Redoute/fw-nn-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at end/nn of/in the/at afternoon/nn when/wrb he/pps took/vbd the/at huge/jj key/nn out/rp of/in his/pp$ pocket/nn and/cc inserted/vbd it/ppo into/in the/at keyhole/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps opened/vbd the/at door/nn ,/, there/rb stood/vbd Eugene/np ,/, on/in his/pp$ way/nn out/rp of/in the/at apartment/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz wearing/vbg sneakers/nns and/cc shorts/nns and/cc an/at open-collared/jj shirt/nn ,/, and/cc in/in his/pp$ hand/nn he/pps carried/vbd a/at little/jj black/jj bag/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* explain/vb where/wrb he/pps was/bedz going/vbg ,/, and/cc they/ppss did/dod not/* ask/vb ./.
Instead/rb ,/, they/ppss went/vbd on/rp down/in the/at hall/nn to/in their/pp$ room/nn ./.


	``/`` Do/do you/ppo think/vb he/pps could/md be/be having/hvg an/at affair/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Barbara/np asked/vbd ,/, as/cs they/ppss heard/vbd the/at front/jj door/nn close/vb ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh no/rb ''/'' ,/, Harold/np said/vbd ,/, shocked/vbn ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, this/dt is/bez France/np ,/, after/in all/abn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb ,/, but/cc there/ex must/md be/be some/dti other/ap explanation/nn ./.
He's/pps+bez probably/rb spending/vbg the/at evening/nn with/in friends/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc for/in that/dt he/pps needs/vbz a/at little/jj bag/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	They/ppss went/vbd shopping/vbg in/in the/at neighborhood/nn ,/, and/cc bought/vbd two/cd loaves/nns of/in bread/nn with/in the/at ration/nn coupons/nns they/ppss had/hvd been/ben given/vbn in/in Blois/np ,/, and/cc some/dti cheese/nn ,/, and/cc a/at dozen/nn eggs/nns ,/, and/cc a/at bag/nn of/in oranges/nns from/in a/at peddler/nn in/in the/at Place/fw-nn-tl Redoute/fw-nn-tl --/-- the/at first/od oranges/nns they/ppss had/hvd seen/vbn since/cs they/ppss landed/vbd ./.
They/ppss had/hvd Vermouth/nn ,/, sitting/vbg in/in front/nn of/in a/at cafe/nn ./.
When/wrb they/ppss got/vbd home/nr Harold/np was/bedz grateful/jj for/in the/at stillness/nn in/in the/at apartment/nn ,/, and/cc thought/vbd how/wrb ,/, under/in different/jj circumstances/nns ,/, they/ppss might/md have/hv stayed/vbn on/rp here/rb ,/, in/in these/dts old-fashioned/jj ,/, high-ceilinged/jj rooms/nns that/wps reminded/vbd him/ppo of/in the/at Irelands'/nps$ apartment/nn in/in the/at East/jj-tl Eighties/nns-tl ./.
They/ppss could/md have/hv been/ben perfectly/ql happy/jj here/rb for/in ten/cd whole/jj days/nns ./.


	He/pps went/vbd down/in the/at hall/nn to/in Eugene's/np$ bathroom/nn ,/, to/to turn/vb on/rp the/at hot-water/nn heater/nn ,/, and/cc on/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at tub/nn he/pps saw/vbd a/at pair/nn of/in blue/jj wool/nn swimming/vbg trunks/nns ./.
He/pps felt/vbd them/ppo ./.
They/ppss were/bed damp/jj ./.
He/pps reached/vbd out/rp and/cc felt/vbd the/at bath/nn towel/nn hanging/vbg on/in the/at towel/nn rack/nn over/in the/at tub/nn ./.
Damp/jj also/rb ./.
He/pps looked/vbd around/in the/at room/nn and/cc then/rb called/vbd out/rp :/: ``/`` Come/vb here/rb ,/, quick/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Barbara/np asked/vbd ,/, standing/vbg in/in the/at doorway/nn ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv solved/vbn the/at mystery/nn of/in the/at little/jj bag/nn ./.
There/rb it/pps is/bez and/cc there/ex is/bez what/wdt was/bedz in/in it/ppo ./.
But/cc where/wrb do/do people/nns go/vb swimming/vbg in/in Paris/np ?/. ?/.
That/dt boat/nn in/in the/at river/nn ,/, maybe/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt boat/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` There's/ex+bez a/at big/jj boat/nn anchored/vbn near/in the/at Place/fw-nn-tl De/fw-in-tl La/fw-at-tl Concorde/fw-nn-tl ,/, with/in a/at swimming/vbg pool/nn in/in it/ppo --/-- didn't/dod* you/ppo notice/vb it/ppo ?/. ?/.
But/cc if/cs he/pps has/hvz time/nn to/to go/vb swimming/vbg ,/, he/pps had/hvd time/nn to/to be/be with/in us/ppo ''/'' ./.


	She/pps looked/vbd at/in him/ppo in/in surprise/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, reading/vbg her/pp$ mind/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to do/do with/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez because/cs we/ppss are/ber in/in France/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc know/vb so/ql few/ap people/nns ./.
So/rb something/pn like/cs this/dt matters/vbz more/rbr than/cs it/pps would/md at/in home/nr ./.
Also/rb ,/, he/pps was/bedz so/ql nice/jj when/wrb he/pps was/bedz nice/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/abn because/cs I/ppss didn't/dod* feel/vb like/cs dancing/vbg ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* think/vb it/pps was/bedz that/dt ,/, really/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Then/rb what/wdt was/bedz it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ./.
I/ppss wish/vb I/ppss did/dod ./.
The/at tweed/nn coat/nn ,/, maybe/rb ./.
The/at thing/nn about/in Eugene/np is/bez that/cs he's/pps+bez very/ql proud/jj ''/'' ./.


	And/cc the/at thing/nn about/in hurt/nn feelings/nns ,/, the/at wet/jj bathing/vbg suit/nn pointed/vbd out/rp ,/, is/bez that/cs the/at person/nn who/wps has/hvz them/ppo is/bez not/* quite/abl the/at innocent/jj party/nn he/pps believes/vbz himself/ppl to/to be/be ./.
For/in instance/nn --/-- what/wdt about/in all/abn those/dts people/nns Harold/np Rhodes/np went/vbd toward/in unhesitatingly/rb ,/, as/cs if/cs this/dt were/bed the/at one/cd moment/nn they/ppss would/md ever/rb have/hv together/rb ,/, their/pp$ one/cd chance/nn of/in knowing/vbg each/dt other/ap ?/. ?/.


	Fortunately/rb ,/, the/at embarrassing/vbg questions/nns raised/vbn by/in objects/nns do/do not/* need/vb to/to be/be answered/vbn ,/, or/cc we/ppss would/md all/abn have/hv to/to go/vb sleep/vb in/in the/at open/jj fields/nns ./.
And/cc in/in any/dti case/nn ,/, answers/nns may/md clarify/vb but/cc they/ppss do/do not/* change/vb anything/pn ./.

He/pps brought/vbd with/in him/ppo a/at mixture/nn of/in myrrh/nn and/cc aloes/nn ,/, of/in about/rb a/at hundred/cd pounds'/nns$ weight/nn ./.
They/ppss took/vbd Jesus's/np$ body/nn ,/, then/rb ,/, and/cc wrapped/vbd it/ppo in/in winding-clothes/nns with/in the/at spices/nns ;/. ;/.
that/dt is/bez how/wrb the/at Jews/nps prepare/vb a/at body/nn for/in burial/nn ./.


	Listed/vbn as/cs present/rb at/in the/at Descent/nn-tl were/bed Mary/np ,/, Mary's/np$ sister/nn ,/, Mary/np Magdalene/np ,/, John/np ,/, Joseph/np-tl of/in-tl Arimathea/np-tl ,/, Nicodemus/np ./.
Search/vb as/cs he/pps might/md ,/, he/pps could/md find/vb no/at place/nn where/wrb the/at Bible/np spoke/vbd of/in a/at moment/nn when/wrb Mary/np could/md have/hv been/ben alone/rb with/in Jesus/np ./.
Mostly/rb the/at scene/nn was/bedz crowded/vbn with/in mourners/nns ,/, such/jj as/cs the/at dramatic/jj Dell'Arca/np-tl Lamentation/nn-tl in/in Bologna/np ,/, where/wrb the/at grief-stricken/jj spectators/nns had/hvd usurped/vbn Mary's/np$ last/ap poignant/jj moment/nn ./.


	In/in his/pp$ concept/nn there/ex could/md be/be no/at one/pn else/rb present/rb ./.


	His/pp$ first/od desire/nn was/bedz to/to create/vb a/at mother/nn and/cc son/nn alone/rb in/in the/at universe/nn ./.
When/wrb might/md Mary/np have/hv had/hvn that/dt moment/nn to/to hold/vb her/pp$ child/nn on/in her/pp$ lap/nn ?/. ?/.
Perhaps/rb after/cs the/at soldiers/nns had/hvd laid/vbn him/ppo on/in the/at ground/nn ,/, while/cs Joseph/np-tl of/in-tl Arimathea/np-tl was/bedz at/in Pontius/np Pilate's/np$ asking/vbg for/in Christ's/np$ body/nn ,/, Nicodemus/np was/bedz gathering/vbg his/pp$ mixture/nn of/in myrrh/nn and/cc aloes/nn ,/, and/cc the/at others/nns had/hvd gone/vbn home/nr to/to mourn/vb ./.
Those/dts who/wps saw/vbd his/pp$ finished/vbn Pieta/np would/md take/vb the/at place/nn of/in the/at biblical/jj witnesses/nns ./.
They/ppss would/md feel/vb what/wdt Mary/np was/bedz undergoing/vbg ./.
There/ex would/md be/be no/at halos/nns ,/, no/at angels/nns ./.
These/dts would/md be/be two/cd human/nn beings/nns ,/, whom/wpo God/np had/hvd chosen/vbn ./.


	He/pps felt/vbd close/rb to/in Mary/np ,/, having/hvg spent/vbn so/ql long/jj concentrating/vbg on/in the/at beginning/nn of/in her/pp$ journey/nn ./.
Now/rb she/pps was/bedz intensely/ql alive/jj ,/, anguished/vbn ;/. ;/.
her/pp$ son/nn was/bedz dead/jj ./.
Even/rb though/cs he/pps would/md later/rbr be/be resurrected/vbn ,/, he/pps was/bedz at/in this/dt moment/nn dead/jj indeed/rb ,/, the/at expression/nn on/in his/pp$ face/nn reflecting/vbg what/wdt he/pps had/hvd gone/vbn through/rp on/in the/at cross/nn ./.
In/in his/pp$ sculpture/nn therefore/rb it/pps would/md not/* be/be possible/jj for/in him/ppo to/to project/vb anything/pn of/in what/wdt Jesus/np felt/vbd for/in his/pp$ mother/nn ;/. ;/.
only/rb what/wdt Mary/np felt/vbd for/in her/pp$ son/nn ./.
Jesus'/np$ inert/jj body/nn would/md be/be passive/jj ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns closed/vbn ./.
Mary/np would/md have/hv to/to carry/vb the/at human/nn communication/nn ./.
This/dt seemed/vbd right/jj to/in him/ppo ./.


	It/pps was/bedz a/at relief/nn to/to shift/vb in/in his/pp$ mind/nn to/in technical/jj problems/nns ./.
Since/cs his/pp$ Christ/np was/bedz to/to be/be life/nn size/nn ,/, how/wrb was/bedz Mary/np to/to hold/vb him/ppo on/in her/pp$ lap/nn without/in the/at relationship/nn seeming/vbg ungainly/jj ?/. ?/.
His/pp$ Mary/np would/md be/be slender/jj of/in limb/nn and/cc delicate/jj of/in proportion/nn ,/, yet/rb she/pps must/md hold/vb this/dt full-grown/jj man/nn as/ql securely/rb and/cc convincingly/rb as/cs she/pps would/md a/at child/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz only/rb one/cd way/nn to/to accomplish/vb this/dt :/: by/in design/nn ,/, by/in drawing/vbg diagrams/nns and/cc sketches/nns in/in which/wdt he/pps probed/vbd the/at remotest/jjt corner/nn of/in his/pp$ mind/nn for/in creative/jj ideas/nns to/to carry/vb his/pp$ concept/nn ./.


	He/pps started/vbd by/in making/vbg free/jj sketches/nns to/to loosen/vb up/rp his/pp$ thinking/nn so/cs that/cs images/nns would/md appear/vb on/in paper/nn ./.
Visually/rb ,/, these/dts approximated/vbd what/wdt he/pps was/bedz feeling/vbg within/in himself/ppl ./.
At/in the/at same/ap time/nn he/pps started/vbd walking/vbg the/at streets/nns ,/, peering/vbg at/in the/at people/nns passing/vbg or/cc shopping/vbg at/in the/at stalls/nns ,/, storing/vbg up/rp fresh/jj impressions/nns of/in what/wdt they/ppss looked/vbd like/jj ,/, how/wrb they/ppss moved/vbd ./.
In/in particular/jj he/pps sought/vbd the/at gentle/jj ,/, sweet-faced/jj nuns/nns ,/, with/in head/nn coverings/nns and/cc veils/nns coming/vbg to/in the/at middle/nn of/in their/pp$ foreheads/nns ,/, remembering/vbg their/pp$ expressions/nns until/cs he/pps reached/vbd home/nr and/cc set/vbd them/ppo down/rp on/in paper/nn ./.


	Discovering/vbg that/cs draperies/nns could/md be/be designed/vbn to/to serve/vb structural/jj purposes/nns ,/, he/pps began/vbd a/at study/nn of/in the/at anatomy/nn of/in folds/nns ./.
He/pps improvised/vbd as/cs he/pps went/vbd along/rb ,/, completing/vbg a/at life-size/nn clay/nn figure/nn ,/, then/rb bought/vbd yards/nns of/in an/at inexpensive/jj material/nn from/in a/at draper/nn ,/, wet/vbd the/at lightweight/jj cloth/nn in/in a/at basin/nn and/cc covered/vbd it/ppo over/rp with/in clay/nn that/wps Argiento/np brought/vbd from/in the/at bank/nn of/in the/at Tiber/np ,/, to/in the/at consistency/nn of/in thick/jj mud/nn ./.
No/at fold/nn could/md be/be accidental/jj ,/, each/dt turn/nn of/in the/at drapery/nn had/hvd to/to serve/vb organically/rb ,/, to/to cover/vb the/at Madonna's/np$ slender/jj legs/nns and/cc feet/nns so/cs that/cs they/ppss would/md give/vb substantive/jj support/nn to/in Christ's/np$ body/nn ,/, to/to intensify/vb her/ppo inner/jj turmoil/nn ./.
When/wrb the/at cloth/nn dried/vbd and/cc stiffened/vbd ,/, he/pps saw/vbd what/wdt adjustments/nns had/hvd to/to be/be made/vbn ./.


	``/`` So/rb that's/dt+bez sculpture/nn ''/'' ,/, commented/vbd Argiento/np wryly/rb ,/, when/wrb he/pps had/hvd sluiced/vbn down/in the/at floor/nn for/in a/at week/nn ,/, ``/`` making/vbg mud/nn pies/nns ''/'' ./.


	Michelangelo/np grinned/vbd ./.
``/`` See/vb ,/, Argiento/np ,/, if/cs you/ppss control/vb the/at way/nn these/dts folds/nns are/ber bunched/vbn ,/, like/cs this/dt ,/, or/cc made/vbn to/to flow/vb ,/, you/ppss can/md enrich/vb the/at body/nn attitudes/nns ./.
They/ppss can/md have/hv as/ql much/ap tactile/jj appeal/nn as/cs flesh/nn and/cc bone/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps went/vbd into/in the/at Jewish/jj quarter/nn ,/, wanting/vbg to/to draw/vb Hebraic/jj faces/nns so/cs that/cs he/pps could/md reach/vb a/at visual/jj understanding/nn of/in how/wrb Christ/np might/md have/hv looked/vbn ./.
The/at Jewish/jj section/nn was/bedz in/in Trastevere/np ,/, near/in the/at Tiber/np at/in the/at church/nn of/in San/np-tl Francesco/np-tl a/fw-in-tl Ripa/fw-nn-tl ./.
The/at colony/nn had/hvd been/ben small/jj until/cs the/at Spanish/jj-tl Inquisition/nn-tl of/in 1492/cd drove/vbd many/ap Jews/nps into/in Rome/np ./.
Here/rb ,/, for/in the/at most/ap part/nn ,/, they/ppss were/bed well/rb treated/vbn ,/, as/cs a/at ``/`` reminder/nn of/in the/at Old/jj-tl Testament/nn-tl heritage/nn of/in Christianity/np ''/'' ;/. ;/.
many/ap of/in their/pp$ gifted/jj members/nns were/bed prominent/jj in/in the/at Vatican/np as/cs physicians/nns ,/, musicians/nns ,/, bankers/nns ./.


	The/at men/nns did/dod not/* object/vb to/in his/pp$ sketching/vbg them/ppo while/cs they/ppss went/vbd about/rb their/pp$ work/nn ,/, but/cc no/at one/pn could/md be/be persuaded/vbn to/to come/vb to/in his/pp$ studio/nn to/to pose/vb ./.
He/pps was/bedz told/vbn to/to ask/vb for/in Rabbi/nn-tl Melzi/np at/in the/at synagogue/nn on/in Saturday/nr afternoon/nn ./.
Michelangelo/np found/vbd the/at rabbi/nn in/in the/at room/nn of/in study/nn ,/, a/at gentle/jj old/jj man/nn with/in a/at white/jj beard/nn and/cc luminous/jj grey/jj eyes/nns ,/, robed/vbn in/in black/jj gabardine/nn with/in a/at skullcap/nn on/in his/pp$ head/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz reading/vbg from/in the/at Talmud/np with/in a/at group/nn of/in men/nns from/in his/pp$ congregation/nn ./.
When/wrb Michelangelo/np explained/vbd why/wrb he/pps had/hvd come/vbn ,/, Rabbi/nn-tl Melzi/np replied/vbd gravely/rb :/: 

	``/`` The/at Bible/np forbids/vbz us/ppo to/to bow/vb down/rp to/in or/cc to/to make/vb graven/jj images/nns ./.
That/dt is/bez why/wrb our/pp$ creative/jj people/nns give/vb their/pp$ time/nn to/in literature/nn ,/, not/* to/in painting/vbg or/cc sculpture/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` But/cc ,/, Rabbi/nn-tl Melzi/np ,/, you/ppss don't/do* object/vb to/in others/nns creating/vbg works/nns of/in art/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Not/* at/in all/abn ./.
Each/dt religion/nn has/hvz its/pp$ own/jj tenets/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss am/bem carving/vbg a/at Pieta/np from/in white/jj Carrara/np marble/nn ./.
I/ppss wish/vb to/to make/vb Jesus/np an/at authentic/jj Jew/np ./.
I/ppss cannot/md* accomplish/vb this/dt if/cs you/ppss will/md not/* help/vb me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	The/at rabbi/nn said/vbd thoughtfully/rb ,/, ``/`` I/ppss would/md not/* want/vb my/pp$ people/nns to/to get/vb in/in trouble/nn with/in the/at Church/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss am/bem working/vbg for/in the/at Cardinal/nn-tl of/in-tl San/np-tl Dionigi/np-tl ./.
I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj he/pps would/md approve/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt kind/nn of/in models/nns would/md you/ppss prefer/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Workmen/nns ./.
In/in their/pp$ mid-thirties/nns ./.
Not/* bulky/jj laborers/nns ,/, but/cc sinewy/jj men/nns ./.
With/in intelligence/nn ./.
And/cc sensitivity/nn ''/'' ./.


	Rabbi/nn-tl Melzi/np smiled/vbd at/in him/ppo with/in infinitely/rb old/jj but/cc merry/jj eyes/nns ./.


	``/`` Leave/vb me/ppo your/pp$ address/nn ./.
I/ppss will/md send/vb you/ppo the/at best/jjt the/at quarter/nn has/hvz to/to offer/vb ''/'' ./.
Michelangelo/np hurried/vbd to/in Sangallo's/np$ solitary/jj bachelor/nn room/nn with/in his/pp$ sketches/nns ,/, asked/vbd the/at architect/nn to/to design/vb a/at stand/nn which/wdt would/md simulate/vb the/at seated/vbn Madonna/np ./.
Sangallo/np studied/vbd the/at drawings/nns and/cc improvised/vbd a/at trestle/nn couch/nn ./.
Michelangelo/np bought/vbd some/dti scrap/nn lumber/nn ./.
Together/rb he/pps and/cc Argiento/np built/vbd the/at stand/nn ,/, covering/vbg it/ppo with/in blankets/nns ./.


	His/pp$ first/od model/nn arrived/vbd at/in dusk/nn ./.
He/pps hesitated/vbd for/in a/at moment/nn when/wrb Michelangelo/np asked/vbd him/ppo to/to disrobe/vb ,/, so/cs Michelangelo/np gave/vbd him/ppo a/at piece/nn of/in toweling/nn to/to wrap/vb around/in his/pp$ loins/nns ,/, led/vbd him/ppo to/in the/at kitchen/nn to/to take/vb off/rp his/pp$ clothes/nns ./.
He/pps then/rb draped/vbd him/ppo over/in the/at rough/jj stand/nn ,/, explained/vbd that/cs he/pps was/bedz supposed/vbn to/to be/be recently/rb dead/jj ,/, and/cc was/bedz being/beg held/vbn on/in his/pp$ mother's/nn$ lap/nn ./.
The/at model/nn quite/ql plainly/rb thought/vbd Michelangelo/np crazy/jj ;/. ;/.
only/rb the/at instructions/nns from/in his/pp$ rabbi/nn kept/vbd him/ppo from/in bolting/vbg ./.
But/cc at/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at sitting/nn ,/, when/wrb Michelangelo/np showed/vbd him/ppo the/at quick/jj ,/, free/jj drawings/nns ,/, with/in the/at mother/nn roughed/vbn in/rp ,/, holding/vbg her/pp$ son/nn ,/, the/at model/nn grasped/vbd what/wdt Michelangelo/np was/bedz after/rb ,/, and/cc promised/vbd to/to speak/vb to/in his/pp$ friends/nns ./.
He/pps worked/vbd for/in two/cd hours/nns a/at day/nn with/in each/dt model/nn sent/vbn by/in the/at rabbi/nn ./.


	Mary/np presented/vbd quite/abl a/at different/jj problem/nn ./.
Though/cs this/dt sculpture/nn must/md take/vb place/nn thirty-three/cd years/nns after/in her/pp$ moment/nn of/in decision/nn ,/, he/pps could/md not/* conceive/vb of/in her/ppo as/cs a/at woman/nn in/in her/pp$ mid-fifties/nns ,/, old/jj ,/, wrinkled/vbn ,/, broken/vbn in/in body/nn and/cc face/nn by/in labor/nn or/cc worry/nn ./.
His/pp$ image/nn of/in the/at Virgin/nn-tl had/hvd always/rb been/ben that/dt of/in a/at young/jj woman/nn ,/, even/rb as/cs had/hvd his/pp$ memory/nn of/in his/pp$ mother/nn ./.


	Jacopo/np Galli/np introduced/vbd him/ppo into/in several/ap Roman/jj homes/nns ./.
Here/rb he/pps sketched/vbd ,/, sitting/vbg in/in their/pp$ flowing/vbg gowns/nns of/in linen/nn and/cc silk/nn ,/, young/jj girls/nns not/* yet/rb twenty/cd ,/, some/dti about/rb to/to be/be married/vbn ,/, some/dti married/vbn a/at year/nn or/cc two/cd ./.
Since/cs the/at Santo/np Spirito/np hospital/nn had/hvd taken/vbn only/rb men/nns ,/, he/pps had/hvd had/hvn no/at experience/nn in/in the/at study/nn of/in female/nn anatomy/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc he/pps had/hvd sketched/vbn the/at women/nns of/in Tuscany/np in/in their/pp$ fields/nns and/cc homes/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz able/jj to/to discern/vb the/at body/nn lines/nns of/in the/at Roman/jj women/nns under/in their/pp$ robes/nns ./.


	He/pps spent/vbd concentrated/vbn weeks/nns putting/vbg his/pp$ two/cd figures/nns together/rb :/: a/at Mary/np who/wps would/md be/be young/jj and/cc sensitive/jj ,/, yet/rb strong/jj enough/qlp to/to hold/vb her/pp$ son/nn on/in her/pp$ lap/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc a/at Jesus/np who/wps ,/, though/cs lean/jj ,/, was/bedz strong/jj even/rb in/in death/nn a/at look/nn he/pps remembered/vbd well/rb from/in his/pp$ experience/nn in/in the/at dead/jj room/nn of/in Santo/np Spirito/np ./.
He/pps drew/vbd toward/in the/at composite/nn design/nn from/in his/pp$ meticulously/rb accurate/jj memory/nn ,/, without/in need/nn to/to consult/vb his/pp$ sketches/nns ./.


	Soon/rb he/pps was/bedz ready/jj to/to go/vb into/in a/at three-dimensional/jj figure/nn in/in clay/nn ./.
Here/rb he/pps would/md have/hv free/jj expression/nn because/cs the/at material/nn could/md be/be moved/vbn to/to distort/vb forms/nns ./.
When/wrb he/pps wanted/vbd to/to emphasize/vb ,/, or/cc get/vb greater/jjr intensity/nn ,/, he/pps added/vbd or/cc subtracted/vbd clay/nn ./.
Next/rb he/pps turned/vbd to/in wax/nn because/cs there/ex was/bedz a/at similarity/nn of/in wax/nn to/in marble/nn in/in tactile/jj quality/nn and/cc translucence/nn ./.
He/pps respected/vbd each/dt of/in these/dts approach/vb techniques/nns ,/, and/cc kept/vbd them/ppo in/in character/nn :/: his/pp$ quill/nn drawings/nns had/hvd a/at scratchiness/nn ,/, suggesting/vbg skin/nn texture/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at clay/nn he/pps used/vbd plastically/rb to/to suggest/vb soft/jj moving/vbg flesh/nn ,/, as/cs in/in an/at abdomen/nn ,/, in/in a/at reclining/vbg torso/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at wax/nn he/pps smoothed/vbd over/rp to/to give/vb the/at body/nn surface/nn an/at elastic/jj pull/nn ./.
Yet/rb he/pps never/rb allowed/vbd these/dts models/nns to/to become/vb fixed/vbn in/in his/pp$ mind/nn ;/. ;/.
they/ppss remained/vbd rough/jj starting/vbg points/nns ./.
When/wrb carving/vbg he/pps was/bedz charged/vbn with/in spontaneous/jj energy/nn ;/. ;/.
too/ql careful/jj or/cc detailed/vbn studies/nns in/in clay/nn and/cc wax/nn would/md have/hv glued/vbn him/ppo down/rp to/in a/at mere/jj enlarging/nn of/in his/pp$ model/nn ./.


	The/at true/jj surge/nn had/hvd to/to be/be inside/in the/at marble/nn itself/ppl ./.
Drawing/vbg and/cc models/nns were/bed his/pp$$ thinking/nn ./.
Carving/vbg was/bedz action/nn ./.



10/cd-hl ./.-hl

The/at arrangement/nn with/in Argiento/np was/bedz working/vbg well/rb ,/, except/in that/cs sometimes/rb Michelangelo/np could/md not/* figure/vb who/wps was/bedz master/nn and/cc who/wps apprentice/nn ./.
Argiento/np had/hvd been/ben trained/vbn so/ql rigorously/rb by/in the/at Jesuits/nps that/cs Michelangelo/np was/bedz unable/jj to/to change/vb his/pp$ habits/nns :/: up/rp before/in dawn/nn to/to scrub/vb the/at floors/nns ,/, whether/cs they/ppss were/bed dirty/jj or/cc not/* ;/. ;/.
water/nn boiling/vbg on/in the/at fire/nn for/in washing/vbg laundry/nn every/at day/nn ,/, the/at pots/nns scoured/vbn with/in river/nn sand/nn after/in each/dt meal/nn ./.


	``/`` Argiento/np ,/, this/dt is/bez senseless/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps complained/vbd ,/, not/* liking/vbg to/to work/vb on/in the/at wet/jj floors/nns ,/, particularly/rb in/in cold/jj weather/nn ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber too/ql clean/jj ./.
Scrub/vb the/at studio/nn once/rb a/at week/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez enough/ap ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Argiento/np stolidly/rb ./.
``/`` Every/at day/nn ./.
Before/in dawn/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz taught/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc God/np help/vb anyone/pn who/wps tries/vbz to/to unteach/vb you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
Grumbled/vbn Michelangelo/np ;/. ;/.
yet/rb he/pps knew/vbd that/cs he/pps had/hvd nothing/pn to/to grumble/vb about/rb ,/, for/cs Argiento/np made/vbd few/ap demands/nns on/in him/ppo ./.
The/at boy/nn was/bedz becoming/vbg acquainted/vbn with/in the/at contadini/fw-nns families/nns that/wps brought/vbd produce/nn into/in Rome/np ./.
On/in Sundays/nrs he/pps would/md walk/vb miles/nns into/in the/at campagna/fw-nn to/to visit/vb with/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc in/in particular/jj to/to see/vb their/pp$ horses/nns ./.
The/at one/cd thing/nn he/pps missed/vbd from/in his/pp$ farm/nn in/in the/at Po/np-tl Valley/nn-tl was/bedz the/at animals/nns ;/. ;/.
frequently/rb he/pps would/md take/vb his/pp$ leave/nn of/in Michelangelo/np by/in announcing/vbg :/: 

	``/`` Today/nr I/ppss go/vb see/vb the/at horses/nns ''/'' ./.


	It/pps took/vbd a/at piece/nn of/in bad/jj luck/nn to/to show/vb Michelangelo/np that/cs the/at boy/nn was/bedz devoted/vbn to/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz crouched/vbn over/in his/pp$ anvil/nn in/in the/at courtyard/nn getting/vbg his/pp$ chisels/nns into/in trim/nn ,/, when/wrb a/at splinter/nn of/in steel/nn flew/vbd into/in his/pp$ eye/nn and/cc imbedded/vbd itself/ppl in/in his/pp$ pupil/nn ./.
He/pps stumbled/vbd into/in the/at house/nn ,/, eyes/nns burning/vbg like/cs fire/nn ./.
Argiento/np made/vbd him/ppo lie/vb down/rp on/in the/at bed/nn ,/, brought/vbd a/at pan/nn of/in hot/jj water/nn ,/, dipped/vbd some/dti clean/jj white/jj linen/nn cloth/nn and/cc applied/vbd it/ppo to/to extract/vb the/at splinter/nn ./.
Though/cs the/at pain/nn was/bedz considerable/jj Michelangelo/np was/bedz not/* too/ql concerned/vbn ./.
He/pps assumed/vbd he/pps could/md blink/vb the/at splinter/nn out/rp ./.
But/cc it/pps would/md not/* come/vb ./.
Argiento/np never/rb left/vbd his/pp$ side/nn ,/, keeping/vbg the/at water/nn boiled/vbn ,/, applying/vbg hot/jj compresses/nns throughout/in the/at night/nn ./.


	By/in the/at second/od day/nn Michelangelo/np began/vbd to/to worry/vb ;/. ;/.
and/cc by/in the/at second/od night/nn he/pps was/bedz in/in a/at state/nn of/in panic/nn :/: he/pps could/md see/vb nothing/pn out/in of/in the/at afflicted/vbn eye/nn ./.
At/in dawn/nn Argiento/np went/vbd to/in Jacopo/np Galli/np ./.
Galli/np arrived/vbd with/in his/pp$ family/nn surgeon/nn ,/, Maestro/nn-tl Lippi/np ./.
The/at surgeon/nn carried/vbd a/at cage/nn of/in live/jj pigeons/nns ./.
He/pps told/vbd Argiento/np to/to take/vb a/at bird/nn out/in of/in the/at cage/nn ,/, cut/vb a/at large/jj vein/nn under/in its/pp$ wing/nn ,/, let/vb the/at blood/nn gush/nn into/in Michelangelo's/np$ injured/vbn eye/nn ./.


	The/at surgeon/nn came/vbd back/rb at/in dusk/nn ,/, cut/vb the/at vein/nn of/in a/at second/od pigeon/nn ,/, again/rb washed/vbd out/rp the/at eye/nn ./.



	Beth/np was/bedz very/ql still/jj and/cc her/pp$ breath/nn came/vbd in/in small/jj jerking/vbg gasps/nns ./.
The/at thin/jj legs/nns twitched/vbd convulsively/rb once/rb ,/, then/rb Kate/np felt/vbd the/at little/jj body/nn stiffening/vbg in/in her/pp$ arms/nns and/cc heard/vbd one/cd strangled/vbn sound/nn ./.
The/at scant/jj flesh/nn grew/vbd cool/jj beneath/in her/pp$ frantic/jj hands/nns ./.
The/at child/nn was/bedz gone/vbn ./.


	When/wrb Juanita/np awoke/vbd ,/, Kate/np was/bedz still/rb rocking/vbg the/at dead/jj child/nn ,/, still/rb crooning/vbg in/in disbelief/nn ,/, ``/`` No/rb ,/, no/rb ,/, oh/uh ,/, no/rb !/. !/.
''/'' 

	They/ppss put/vbd Kate/np to/in bed/nn and/cc wired/vbd Jonathan/np and/cc sent/vbd for/in the/at young/jj Presbyterian/jj minister/nn ./.
He/pps sat/vbd beside/in Kate's/np$ bed/nn with/in the/at others/nns throughout/in the/at morning/nn ,/, talking/vbg ,/, talking/vbg of/in God's/np$ will/nn ,/, while/cs Kate/np lay/vb staring/vbg angrily/rb at/in him/ppo ./.
When/wrb he/pps told/vbd her/ppo God/np had/hvd called/vbn the/at child/nn to/in Him/ppo ,/, she/pps rejected/vbd his/pp$ words/nns rebelliously/rb ./.


	Few/ap of/in the/at neighbors/nns came/vbd ,/, but/cc Mrs./np Tussle/np came/vbd ,/, called/vbn by/in tragedy/nn ./.
``/`` It/pps always/rb comes/vbz in/in threes/nns ''/'' ,/, she/pps sighed/vbd heavily/rb ./.
``/`` Trouble/nn never/rb comes/vbz but/in in/in threes/nns ''/'' ./.


	They/ppss held/vbd the/at funeral/nn the/at next/ap morning/nn from/in the/at crossroads/nns church/nn and/cc buried/vbd the/at little/jj box/nn in/in the/at quiet/jj family/nn plot/nn ./.
Kate/np moved/vbd through/in all/abn the/at preparations/nns and/cc services/nns in/in a/at state/nn of/in bewilderment/nn ./.
She/pps would/md not/* accept/vb the/at death/nn of/in such/abl a/at little/jj child/nn ./.
``/`` God/np called/vbd her/ppo to/in Him/ppo ''/'' ,/, the/at minister/nn had/hvd said/vbn ./.
God/np would/md not/* do/do that/dt ,/, Kate/np thought/vbd stubbornly/rb ./.


	Jonathan's/np$ letter/nn came/vbd ,/, as/cs she/pps knew/vbd it/pps would/md ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd accepted/vbn their/pp$ child's/nn$ death/nn as/cs another/dt judgment/nn from/in God/np against/in both/abx Kate/np and/cc himself/ppl ./.
In/in blind/jj panic/nn of/in grief/nn she/pps accepted/vbd Jonathan's/np$ dictum/nn ,/, and/cc believed/vbd in/in her/pp$ desperation/nn that/cs she/pps had/hvd been/ben cursed/vbn by/in God/np ./.
She/pps held/vbd Jonathan's/np$ letter/nn ,/, his/pp$ words/nns burning/vbg like/cs a/at brand/nn ,/, and/cc knew/vbd suddenly/rb that/cs the/at bonds/nns between/in them/ppo were/bed severed/vbn ./.
She/pps had/hvd nothing/pn left/vbn but/in her/pp$ duty/nn to/in his/pp$ land/nn and/cc his/pp$ son/nn ./.
Joel/np came/vbd and/cc sat/vbd mutely/rb with/in her/ppo ,/, sharing/vbg her/pp$ pain/nn and/cc anguish/nn ,/, averting/vbg his/pp$ eyes/nns from/in the/at ice/nn packs/nns on/in her/pp$ bosom/nn ./.


	Juanita/np and/cc Mrs./np Tussle/np kept/vbd Kate/np in/in bed/nn a/at week/nn until/cs her/pp$ milk/nn dried/vbd ./.
When/wrb she/pps returned/vbd to/in life/nn in/in the/at big/jj house/nn she/pps felt/vbd shriveled/vbn of/in all/abn emotion/nn save/in dedication/nn to/in duty/nn ./.
She/pps disciplined/vbd herself/ppl daily/rb to/to do/do what/wdt must/md be/be done/vbn ./.
She/pps had/hvd even/rb steeled/vbn herself/ppl to/to keep/vb Juanita/np upstairs/rb in/in the/at nurse's/nn$ room/nn off/in the/at empty/jj nursery/nn ,/, although/cs the/at girl/nn tried/vbd to/to insist/vb on/in moving/vbg back/rb to/in the/at quarters/nns to/to spare/vb Kate/np remembrance/nn of/in the/at baby's/nn$ death/nn ./.


	Juanita/np drooped/vbd about/in the/at place/nn ,/, wearing/vbg a/at haunted/vbn ,/, brooding/vbg look/nn ,/, which/wdt Kate/np attributed/vbd to/in the/at baby's/nn$ death/nn ,/, until/cs the/at day/nn a/at letter/nn came/vbd for/in her/ppo addressed/vbn to/in ``/`` Miss/np Juanita/np Fitzroy/np ''/'' ,/, bearing/vbg a/at Grafton/np postmark/nn ./.
Seeing/vbg the/at slanting/vbg hand/nn ,/, Kate/np knew/vbd uneasily/rb that/cs it/pps was/bedz from/in the/at Yankee/jj colonel/nn ./.
The/at Federal/jj-tl forces/nns had/hvd taken/vbn Parkersburg/np and/cc Grafton/np from/in the/at Rebels/nns-tl and/cc were/bed moving/vbg to/to take/vb all/abn the/at mountains/nns ./.
Kate/np tried/vbd to/to contain/vb her/pp$ curiosity/nn and/cc foreboding/nn at/in what/wdt the/at letter/nn portended/vbd ,/, at/in what/wdt involvement/nn existed/vbd for/in Juanita/np ./.


	Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np and/cc Joel/np had/hvd replanted/vbn the/at bottom/nn lands/nns with/in difficulty/nn ,/, for/cs more/ap of/in the/at slaves/nns ,/, including/in Annie/np ,/, had/hvd sneaked/vbn off/rp when/wrb the/at soldiers/nns broke/vbd camp/nn ./.
Joel/np worked/vbd like/cs a/at field/nn hand/nn in/in the/at afternoons/nns after/in school/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd been/ben at/in lessons/nns in/in the/at schoolhouse/nn since/cs they/ppss returned/vbd from/in Harpers/np$-tl Ferry/nn-tl ./.
Kate/np felt/vbd she/pps had/hvd deserted/vbn the/at boy/nn in/in her/pp$ own/jj loss/nn ./.
She/pps loved/vbd him/ppo and/cc missed/vbd his/pp$ company/nn ./.


	Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np had/hvd been/ben riding/vbg out/rp every/at evening/nn on/in some/dti secret/nn business/nn of/in his/pp$ own/jj ./.
What/wdt it/pps was/bedz Kate/np could/md not/* fathom/vb ./.
He/pps claimed/vbd to/to be/be visiting/vbg the/at waterfront/nn saloon/nn at/in the/at crossroads/nns to/to play/vb cards/nns and/cc drink/vb with/in his/pp$ cronies/nns ,/, but/cc Kate/np had/hvd not/* smelled/vbn brandy/nn on/in him/ppo since/cs Mrs./np Lattimer's/np$ funeral/nn ./.
Joel/np knew/vbd what/wdt he/pps was/bedz about/rb ,/, however/wrb ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber gonna/vbg+to get/vb caught/vbn ''/'' ,/, she/pps heard/vbd Joel/np say/vb to/in Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np by/in the/at pump/nn one/cd morning/nn ./.


	``/`` Not/* this/dt old/jj fox/nn ''/'' ,/, chuckled/vbd Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np ./.
``/`` Everybody/pn knows/vbz I'm/ppss+bem just/rb a/at harmless/jj ,/, deaf/jj old/jj man/nn who/wps takes/vbz to/to drink/vb ./.
I/ppss aim/vb to/to keep/vb a/at little/jj whisky/nn still/nn back/rb in/in the/at ridge/nn for/in my/pp$ pleasure/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Whiskey/nn still/nn ,/, my/pp$ foot/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Joel/np ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber back/rb there/rb riding/vbg with/in the/at guerrillas/nns ,/, the/at Moccasin/nn-tl Rangers/nns-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Hush/uh ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np ,/, smiling/vbg ,/, ``/`` or/cc I'll/ppss+md give/vb you/ppo another/dt black/jj eye/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps patted/vbd the/at eye/nn Joel/np had/hvd had/hvn blackened/vbn in/in a/at fight/nn over/in being/beg Rebel/nn-tl at/in the/at crossroads/nns some/dti days/nns back/rb ./.


	Kate/np had/hvd no/at idea/nn what/wdt they/ppss were/bed talking/vbg of/in ,/, although/cs she/pps had/hvd seen/vbn the/at blue/jj lights/nns and/cc strange/jj fires/nns burning/vbg and/cc winking/vbg on/in the/at ridges/nns at/in night/nn ,/, had/hvd heard/vbn horsemen/nns on/in the/at River/nn-tl Road/nn-tl and/cc hill/nn trails/nns through/in the/at nights/nns till/cs dawn/nn ./.
Stranger/nn ,/, Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np began/vbd riding/vbg home/nr nights/nns with/in a/at jug/nn strapped/vbn to/in his/pp$ saddle/nn ,/, drunkenly/rb singing/vbg ``/`` Old/jj-tl Dan/np-tl Tucker/np-tl ''/'' at/in the/at top/nn of/in his/pp$ voice/nn ./.
Hearing/vbg his/pp$ voice/nn ring/vb raucously/rb up/rp from/in the/at road/nn ,/, Kate/np would/md await/vb him/ppo anxiously/rb and/cc watch/vb perplexed/vbn as/cs he/pps walked/vbd into/in the/at house/nn ,/, cold/jj sober/jj ./.
What/wdt he/pps was/bedz about/rb became/vbd clear/jj to/in her/ppo with/in the/at circulation/nn of/in another/dt broadside/nn proclamation/nn by/in General/nn-tl McClellan/np ,/, threatening/vbg reprisals/nns against/in Rebel/nn-tl guerrillas/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz taken/vbn up/rp in/in worry/nn for/in the/at reckless/jj old/jj man/nn ./.


	Kate/np drew/vbd more/rbr and/cc more/rbr on/in her/pp$ affection/nn for/in Joel/np through/in the/at hot/jj days/nns of/in summer/nn work/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd taken/vbn him/ppo out/in of/in the/at schoolhouse/nn and/cc closed/vbn the/at school/nn for/in the/at summer/nn ,/, after/cs she/pps saw/vbd Miss/np Snow/np crack/vb Joel/np across/in the/at face/nn with/in a/at ruler/nn for/in letting/vbg a/at snake/nn loose/jj in/in the/at schoolroom/nn ./.
Kate/np had/hvd walked/vbn past/in the/at school/nn on/in her/pp$ morning/nn chores/nns and/cc had/hvd seen/vbn the/at whole/jj incident/nn ,/, had/hvd seen/vbn Joel's/np$ burning/vbg humiliation/nn before/in Miss/np Snow's/np$ cold/jj ,/, bespectacled/jj wrath/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd the/at hardest/jjt pains/nns of/in growing/vbg before/in him/ppo now/rb ,/, as/cs he/pps approached/vbd twelve/cd ./.
These/dts would/md be/be his/pp$ hardest/jjt years/nns ,/, she/pps knew/vbd ,/, and/cc he/pps missed/vbd his/pp$ father/nn desperately/rb ./.


	She/pps tried/vbd to/to find/vb some/dti way/nn to/to draw/vb him/ppo out/rp ,/, to/to help/vb him/ppo ./.
Whenever/wrb she/pps found/vbd time/nn ,/, she/pps went/vbd blackberry/nn picking/nn with/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc they/ppss would/md come/vb home/nr together/rb ,/, mouths/nns purple/jj ,/, arms/nns and/cc faces/nns scratched/vbn ,/, tired/vbn enough/qlp to/to forget/vb grief/nn for/in another/dt day/nn ./.
He/pps tended/vbd the/at new/jj colts/nns Beau/np had/hvd sired/vbn ./.
He/pps helped/vbd Kate/np and/cc Juanita/np enlarge/vb the/at flower/nn garden/nn in/in the/at side/nn yard/nn ,/, where/wrb they/ppss sometimes/rb sat/vbd in/in the/at still/jj evenings/nns watching/vbg the/at last/ap fat/jj bees/nns working/vbg against/in the/at summer's/nn$ purple/jj dusk/nn ./.


	No/at one/pn went/vbd much/rb to/in the/at crossroads/nns now/rb except/in Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np ./.
They/ppss stayed/vbd in/in their/pp$ own/jj world/nn on/in the/at bluff/nn ,/, waiting/vbg for/in letters/nns and/cc the/at peddler/nn ,/, bringing/vbg the/at news/nn ./.
Jonathan/np wrote/vbd grimly/rb of/in the/at destruction/nn of/in Harpers/np$-tl Ferry/nn-tl before/cs they/ppss abandoned/vbd it/ppo ;/. ;/.
of/in their/pp$ first/od engagement/nn at/in Falling/vbg-tl Waters/nns-tl after/cs Old/jj-tl Jack's/np$ First/od-tl Brigade/nn-tl had/hvd destroyed/vbn all/abn the/at rolling/vbg stock/nn of/in the/at B/np-tl &/cc-tl O/np-tl Railroad/nn-tl ./.
The/at men/nns were/bed restive/jj ,/, he/pps wrote/vbd ,/, ready/jj to/to take/vb the/at battle/nn to/in the/at enemy/nn as/cs Jackson/np wished/vbd ./.


	The/at peddler/nn came/vbd bawling/vbg his/pp$ wares/nns and/cc told/vbd them/ppo of/in the/at convention/nn in/in Wheeling/np ,/, Which/wdt had/hvd formed/vbn a/at new/jj state/nn government/nn by/in declaring/vbg the/at government/nn at/in Richmond/np in/in the/at east/nr illegal/jj because/cs they/ppss were/bed traitors/nns ./.
Dangling/vbg his/pp$ gaudy/jj trinkets/nns before/in them/ppo ,/, he/pps told/vbd of/in the/at Rebel/nn-tl losses/nns in/in the/at mountains/nns ,/, at/in Cheat/np and/cc Rich/np mountains/nns both/abx ,/, and/cc the/at Federal/jj-tl march/nn on/in Beverly/np ./.


	``/`` Cleaned/vbd all/abn them/ppo Rebs/nps out'n/rp+in the/at hills/nns ,/, they/ppss did/dod !/. !/.
They/ppss won't/md* never/rb git/vb over/in inter/in loyal/jj western/jj Virginia/np ,/, them/ppo traitors/nns !/. !/.
The/at Federals/nps is/bez making/vbg everybody/pn take/vb the/at oath/nn of/in loyalty/nn around/in these/dts parts/nns too/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps crowed/vbd ./.


	After/cs he/pps had/hvd gone/vbn ,/, Kate/np asked/vbd Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np proudly/rb ,/, ``/`` Would/md you/ppss take/vb their/pp$ oath/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	And/cc the/at old/jj man/nn had/hvd given/vbn a/at sly/jj and/cc wicked/jj laugh/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Hell/uh ,/, yes/rb !/. !/.
I/ppss think/vb I've/ppss+hv taken/vbn it/ppo about/rb fifty/cd times/nns already/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
Winking/vbg at/in Joel's/np$ look/nn of/in shock/nn ./.


	Her/pp$ mother/nn wrote/vbd Kate/np of/in her/pp$ grief/nn at/in the/at death/nn of/in Kate's/np$ baby/nn and/cc at/in Jonathan's/np$ decision/nn to/to go/vb with/in the/at South/nr-tl ``/`` And/cc ,/, dear/jj Kate/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps wrote/vbd ,/, ``/`` poor/jj Dr./nn-tl Breckenridge's/np$ son/nn Robert/np is/bez now/rb organizing/vbg a/at militia/nn company/nn to/to go/vb South/nr-tl ,/, to/in his/pp$ good/jj father's/nn$ sorrow/nn ./.
Maj./nn-tl Anderson/np of/in Fort/nn-tl Sumter/np-tl is/bez home/nr and/cc recruiting/vbg volunteers/nns for/in the/at U.S./np-tl Army/nn-tl ./.
In/in spite/in of/in the/at fact/nn that/cs the/at state/nn legislature/nn voted/vbd us/ppo neutral/jj ,/, John/np Hunt/np Morgan/np is/bez openly/rb flying/vbg the/at Confederate/jj-tl flag/nn over/in his/pp$ woolen/nn factory/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Rumor/nn of/in a/at big/jj battle/nn spread/vbd like/cs a/at grassfire/nn up/in the/at valley/nn ./.
Accounts/nns were/bed garbled/vbn at/in the/at telegraph/nn office/nn when/wrb they/ppss sent/vbd old/jj George/np down/rp to/in Parkersburg/np for/in the/at news/nn ./.


	``/`` All/abn dey/ppss know/vb down/rp dere/rb is/bez it/pps were/bed at/in Manassas/np-tl Junction/nn-tl and/cc it/pps were/bed a/at big/jj fight/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at old/jj man/nn told/vbd them/ppo ./.


	In/in the/at next/ap few/ap days/nns they/ppss had/hvd cause/nn to/to rejoice/vb ./.
It/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at big/jj battle/nn ,/, and/cc the/at Confederate/jj-tl forces/nns had/hvd won/vbn ./.
Jonathan/np and/cc Ben/np were/bed not/* on/in the/at lists/nns of/in the/at dead/jj or/cc on/in that/dt of/in the/at missing/nn ./.
Kate/np and/cc Mrs./np Tussle/np waited/vbd for/in letters/nns anxiously/rb ./.
Joel/np went/vbd to/in the/at crest/nn of/in a/at hill/nn behind/in the/at house/nn and/cc lit/vbd an/at enormous/jj victory/nn bonfire/nn to/to celebrate/vb ./.
When/wrb Kate/np hurried/vbd in/in alarm/nn to/to tell/vb him/ppo to/to put/vb it/ppo out/rp ,/, she/pps saw/vbd other/ap dots/nns of/in flames/nns among/in the/at western/jj Virginia/np hills/nns from/in the/at few/ap scattered/vbn fires/nns of/in the/at faithful/jj ./.
They/ppss all/abn prayed/vbd now/rb that/cs the/at North/nr-tl would/md realize/vb that/cs peace/nn must/md come/vb ,/, for/cs Virginia/np had/hvd defended/vbn her/pp$ land/nn victoriously/rb ./.


	The/at week/nn after/in Manassas/np the/at sound/nn of/in horses/nns in/in the/at yard/nn brought/vbd Kate/np up/rp in/in shock/nn from/in an/at afternoon's/nn$ rest/nn when/wrb she/pps saw/vbd the/at Federal/jj-tl soldiers/nns from/in her/ppo upstairs/jj window/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd already/rb lost/vbn most/ap of/in their/pp$ corn/nn ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ./.
Were/bed they/ppss to/to be/be insulted/vbn again/rb because/cs of/in the/at South's/nr$-tl great/jj victory/nn ?/. ?/.
She/pps remembered/vbd McClellan's/np$ last/ap proclamation/nn as/cs she/pps hurried/vbd fearfully/rb down/in the/at stairs/nns ./.


	At/in the/at landing/nn she/pps saw/vbd Juanita/np ,/, her/pp$ face/nn flushed/vbn pink/jj with/in excitement/nn ,/, run/vb down/in the/at hall/nn from/in the/at kitchen/nn to/in the/at front/jj door/nn ./.
Juanita/np stopped/vbd just/rb inside/in the/at open/jj door/nn ,/, her/pp$ hand/nn to/in her/pp$ mouth/nn ./.
As/cs Kate/np came/vbd swiftly/rb down/in the/at stairs/nns to/in the/at hall/nn she/pps saw/vbd Colonel/nn-tl Marsh/np framed/vbd in/in the/at doorway/nn ,/, his/pp$ face/nn set/vbn in/in the/at same/ap vulnerable/jj look/nn Juanita/np wore/vbd ./.
Kate/np greeted/vbd him/ppo gravely/rb ,/, uneasy/jj with/in misgivings/nns at/in his/pp$ visit/nn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt brings/vbz you/ppo here/rb again/rb ,/, Colonel/nn-tl Marsh/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd ,/, taking/vbg him/ppo and/cc Juanita/np into/in the/at parlor/nn where/wrb the/at shutters/nns were/bed closed/vbn against/in the/at afternoon/nn sun/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss stopped/vbd to/to say/vb goodbye/uh ,/, Mrs./np Lattimer/np ,/, and/cc to/to tell/vb you/ppo how/ql sorry/jj I/ppss was/bedz to/to hear/vb about/in your/pp$ baby/nn ./.
I/ppss wish/vb our/pp$ doctor/nn could/md have/hv saved/vbn her/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It/pps was/bedz a/at terrible/jj loss/nn to/in me/ppo ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Kate/np quietly/rb ,/, feeling/vbg the/at pain/nn twist/vb again/rb at/in the/at mention/nn ,/, knowing/vbg now/rb that/cs Juanita/np must/md have/hv written/vbn to/in him/ppo at/in Grafton/np ./.
``/`` Where/wrb will/md you/ppss go/vb now/rb that/cs you're/ppss+ber leaving/vbg Parkersburg/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd him/ppo ,/, seeing/vbg Juanita's/np$ eyes/nns grow/vb bleak/jj ./.


	``/`` As/cs you/ppss know/vb ,/, General/nn-tl McClellan/np has/hvz been/ben occupying/vbg Beverly/np ./.
He/pps has/hvz notified/vbn me/ppo that/cs he/pps has/hvz orders/nns to/to go/vb to/in Washington/np to/to take/vb over/rp the/at Army/nn-tl of/in-tl the/at-tl Potomac/np-tl ./.
I/ppss am/bem to/to go/vb to/in Washington/np to/to serve/vb with/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` When/wrb are/ber you/ppss to/to leave/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Kate/np asked/vbd ,/, watching/vbg them/ppo both/abx now/rb anxiously/rb ./.
Their/pp$ eyes/nns betrayed/vbd too/ql much/ap of/in their/pp$ emotions/nns ,/, she/pps thought/vbd sadly/rb ./.


	``/`` Tomorrow/nr ./.
Would/md you/ppss permit/vb Juanita/np to/to walk/vb about/in the/at grounds/nns with/in me/ppo for/in a/at short/jj spell/nn ,/, Mrs./np Lattimer/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Stay/vb here/rb in/in the/at parlor/nn where/wrb it's/pps+bez cool/jj ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, trying/vbg to/to be/be calm/jj ./.
It/pps would/md be/be better/jjr for/in Joel/np and/cc Uncle/nn-tl Randolph/np and/cc Mrs./np Tussle/np not/* to/to see/vb them/ppo ./.


	Kate/np went/vbd back/rb and/cc reminded/vbd the/at kitchen/nn women/nns of/in the/at supper/nn preparations/nns ./.
Then/rb she/pps took/vbd iced/vbn lemonade/nn to/in Marsh's/np$ young/jj aide/nn where/wrb he/pps sat/vbd in/in the/at cool/nn of/in the/at big/jj trees/nns around/in the/at flower/nn garden/nn ./.
When/wrb Marsh/np called/vbd to/in his/pp$ aide/nn and/cc the/at pair/nn rode/vbd off/rp down/in the/at River/nn-tl Road/nn-tl where/wrb the/at gentians/nns burned/vbd blue/jj ,/, Juanita/np was/bedz shaken/vbn and/cc trying/vbg not/* to/to cry/vb ./.
She/pps sought/vbd Kate/np out/rp upstairs/rb ,/, her/pp$ lips/nns trembling/vbg ./.


	``/`` He/pps wants/vbz me/ppo to/to go/vb with/in him/ppo tomorrow/nr ''/'' ,/, she/pps told/vbd Kate/np ./.


	``/`` What/wdt do/do you/ppss want/vb to/to do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Kate/np asked/vbd ,/, uneasy/jj at/in the/at gravity/nn of/in the/at girl's/nn$ dilemma/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss could/md go/vb with/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps knows/vbz me/ppo as/cs your/pp$ niece/nn ,/, which/wdt ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, I/ppss am/bem ./.
But/cc I/ppss am/bem a/at slave/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss own/vb me/ppo ./.
It's/pps+bez your/pp$ decision/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Juanita/np ,/, holding/vbg her/pp$ face/nn very/ql still/jj ,/, trying/vbg to/to contain/vb the/at bitterness/nn of/in her/pp$ voice/nn as/cs she/pps enunciated/vbd her/pp$ words/nns too/ql distinctly/rb ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, the/at decision/nn is/bez yours/pp$$ ./.
I/ppss have/hv held/vbn your/pp$ papers/nns of/in manumission/nn since/cs I/ppss married/vbd Mr./np Lattimer/np ''/'' ./.



	The/at red/jj glow/nn from/in the/at cove/nn had/hvd died/vbn out/rp of/in the/at sky/nn ./.
The/at two/cd in/in the/at bed/nn knew/vbd each/dt other/ap as/cs old/jj people/nns know/vb the/at partners/nns with/in whom/wpo they/ppss have/hv shared/vbn the/at same/ap bed/nn for/in many/ap years/nns ,/, and/cc they/ppss needed/vbd to/to say/vb no/at more/ap ./.
The/at things/nns left/vbn unsaid/jj they/ppss both/abx felt/vbd deeply/rb ,/, and/cc with/in a/at sigh/nn they/ppss fell/vbd back/rb on/in the/at well-stuffed/jj pillows/nns ./.
Anita/np put/vbd out/rp the/at remaining/vbg candles/nns with/in a/at long/jj snuffer/nn ,/, and/cc in/in the/at smell/nn of/in scented/vbn candlewick/nn ,/, the/at comforting/vbg awareness/nn of/in each/dt other's/ap$ bodies/nns ,/, the/at retained/vbn pattern/nn of/in dancers/nns and/cc guests/nns remembered/vbn ,/, their/pp$ minds/nns grew/vbd numb/jj and/cc then/rb empty/jj of/in images/nns ./.
They/ppss slept/vbd --/-- Mynheer/np with/in a/at marvelously/rb high-pitched/jj snoring/nn ,/, the/at damn/jj seahorse/nn ivory/nn teeth/nns watching/vbg him/ppo from/in a/at bedside/nn table/nn ./.




In/in the/at ballroom/nn below/rb ,/, the/at dark/nn had/hvd given/vbn way/nn to/in moonlight/nn coming/vbg in/rp through/in the/at bank/nn of/in French/jj windows/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at delayed/vbn moon/nn ,/, but/cc now/rb the/at sky/nn had/hvd cleared/vbn of/in scudding/vbg black/jj and/cc the/at stars/nns sugared/vbd the/at silver-gray/jj sky/nn ./.
Martha/np Schuyler/np ,/, old/jj ,/, slow/jj ,/, careful/jj of/in foot/nn ,/, came/vbd down/in the/at great/jj staircase/nn ,/, dressed/vbn in/in her/pp$ best/jjt lace-drawn/jj black/jj silk/nn ,/, her/pp$ jeweled/jj shoe/nn buckles/nns held/vbd forward/rb ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, I'm/ppss+bem here/rb at/in last/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, addressing/vbg the/at old/jj portraits/nns on/in the/at walls/nns ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* hear/vb the/at music/nn ./.
I/ppss am/bem getting/vbg deaf/jj ,/, I/ppss must/md admit/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	She/pps came/vbd to/in the/at ballroom/nn and/cc stood/vbd on/in the/at two/cd carpeted/vbn steps/nns that/wps led/vbd down/rp to/in it/ppo ./.
``/`` Where/wrb is/bez everyone/pn ?/. ?/.
I/ppss say/vb ,/, where/wrb is/bez everyone/pn ?/. ?/.
Peter/np ,/, you/ppss lummox/nn ,/, you've/ppss+hv forgot/vbn to/to order/vb the/at musicians/nns ''/'' ./.


	She/pps stood/vbd there/rb ,/, a/at large/jj old/jj woman/nn ,/, smiling/vbg at/in the/at things/nns she/pps would/md say/vb to/in him/ppo in/in the/at morning/nn ,/, this/dt big/jj foolish/jj baby/nn of/in a/at son/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed times/nns now/rb ,/, like/cs this/dt ,/, when/wrb she/pps lost/vbd control/nn of/in the/at time/nn count/nn and/cc moved/vbd freely/rb back/rb and/cc forth/rb into/in three/cd generations/nns ./.
Was/bedz it/pps a/at birthday/nn ball/nn ?/. ?/.
When/wrb Peter/np had/hvd reached/vbn his/pp$ majority/nn at/in eighteen/cd ?/. ?/.
Or/cc was/bedz it/pps her/pp$ own/jj first/od ball/nn as/cs mistress/nn of/in this/dt big/jj house/nn ,/, a/at Van/np Rensselaer/np bride/nn from/in way/nn upstate/rb near/in Albany/np ,/, from/in Rensselaerwyck/np ./.
And/cc this/dt handsome/jj booby/nn ,/, staring/vbg and/cc sweating/vbg ,/, was/bedz he/pps her/pp$ bridegroom/nn ?/. ?/.


	Martha/np picked/vbd up/rp the/at hem/nn of/in her/pp$ gown/nn and/cc with/in eyes/nns closed/vbd she/pps slowly/rb began/vbd to/to dance/vb a/at stately/jj minuet/nn around/in the/at ballroom/nn ./.




David/np Cortlandt/np was/bedz tired/vbn beyond/in almost/rb the/at limits/nns of/in his/pp$ flesh/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd ridden/vbn hard/rb from/in Boston/np ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz not/* used/vbn to/in horseback/nn ./.
Now/rb ,/, driving/vbg the/at horse/nn and/cc sulky/jj borrowed/vbn from/in Mynheer/np Schuyler/np ,/, he/pps felt/vbd as/cs if/cs every/at bone/nn was/bedz topped/vbn by/in burning/vbg oil/nn and/cc that/cs every/at muscle/nn was/bedz ready/jj to/to dissolve/vb into/in jelly/nn and/cc leave/vb his/pp$ big/jj body/nn helpless/jj and/cc unable/jj to/to move/vb ./.


	The/at road/nn leading/vbg south/nr along/in the/at river/nn was/bedz shaded/vbn with/in old/jj trees/nns ,/, and/cc in/in the/at moonlight/nn the/at silvery/jj landscape/nn was/bedz like/cs a/at setting/nn for/in trolls/nns and/cc wood/nn gods/nns rather/in than/in the/at Hudson/np-tl River/nn-tl Valley/nn-tl of/in his/pp$ boyhood/nn memories/nns ./.
He/pps slapped/vbd the/at reins/nns on/in the/at back/nn of/in the/at powerful/jj gray/jj horse/nn and/cc held/vbd on/rp as/cs the/at sulky's/nn$ wheels/nns hit/vbd a/at pothole/nn and/cc came/vbd out/rp with/in a/at jolt/nn and/cc went/vbd on/rp ./.
He/pps would/md cross/vb to/in Manhattan/np ,/, to/in Harlem/np-tl Heights/nns-tl ,/, before/in morning/nn ./.
There/ex a/at certain/jj farmhouse/nn was/bedz a/at station/nn for/in the/at Sons/nns-tl of/in-tl Liberty/nn-tl ./.
He/pps would/md send/vb on/rp by/in trusted/vbn messenger/nn the/at dispatches/nns with/in their/pp$ electrifying/jj news/nn ./.
And/cc he/pps would/md sleep/vb ,/, sleep/vb ,/, and/cc never/rb think/vb of/in roads/nns and/cc horses'/nns$ sore/jj haunches/nns ,/, of/in colonial/jj wars/nns ./.


	Strange/jj how/wrb everything/pn here/rb fitted/vbd back/rb into/in his/pp$ life/nn ,/, even/rb if/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben away/rb so/ql long/jj ./.
Mynheer/np ,/, Sir/np Francis/np ,/, the/at valley/nn society/nn ,/, the/at very/ap smell/nn of/in the/at river/nn on/in his/pp$ right/nr purling/vbg along/rb to/in the/at bay/nn past/in fish/nn weirs/nns and/cc rocks/nns ,/, and/cc ahead/rb the/at sleepy/jj ribbon/nn of/in moon-drenched/jj road/nn ./.
A/at mist/nn was/bedz walking/vbg on/in the/at water/nn ,/, white/jj as/cs cotton/nn ,/, but/cc with/in a/at blending/vbg and/cc merging/vbg grace/nn ./.


	Ahead/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at stirring/nn of/in sudden/jj movement/nn at/in a/at crossroads/nns ./.
David/np reached/vbd for/in the/at pair/nn of/in pistols/nns in/in the/at saddlebags/nns at/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.
He/pps pulled/vbd out/rp one/cd of/in them/ppo and/cc cocked/vbd it/ppo ./.
A/at strange/jj wood/nn creature/nn came/vbd floating/vbg up/rp from/in a/at patch/nn of/in berry/nn bushes/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at grotesque/jj hen/nn ,/, five/cd or/cc six/cd feet/nns tall/jj ./.
It/pps had/hvd the/at features/nns of/in a/at man/nn bewhiskered/jj by/in clumps/nns of/in loose/jj feathers/nns ./.
It/pps ran/vbd ,/, this/dt apocalyptic/jj beast/nn ,/, on/in two/cd thin/jj legs/nns ,/, and/cc its/pp$ wings/nns --/-- were/bed they/ppss feathered/vbd arms/nns ?/. ?/.
--/-- flapped/vbd as/cs it/pps ran/vbd ./.
Its/pp$ groin/nn was/bedz bloody/jj ./.
Black/jj strips/nns of/in skin/nn hung/vbd from/in it/ppo ./.


	The/at horse/nn shied/vbd at/in the/at dreadful/jj thing/nn and/cc flared/vbd its/pp$ nostrils/nns ./.
David/np took/vbd a/at firm/jj hand/nn with/in it/ppo ./.
The/at creature/nn in/in feathers/nns looked/vbd around/rb and/cc David/np saw/vbd the/at mad/jj eyes/nns ,/, glazed/vbn with/in an/at insane/jj fear/nn ./.
The/at ungainly/jj bird/nn thing/nn ran/vbd away/rb ,/, and/cc to/in David/np its/pp$ croaking/nn sounded/vbd like/cs the/at crowing/nn of/in a/at tormented/vbn rooster/nn ./.
Then/rb it/pps was/bedz gone/vbn ./.
He/pps drove/vbd on/rp ,/, wary/jj and/cc shaken/vbn ./.
The/at Sons/nns-tl were/bed out/rp tonight/nr ./.



Chapter/nn-hl 10/cd-hl 
New/jj-tl York/np-tl lay/vbd bleaching/vbg in/in the/at summer/nn sun/nn ,/, and/cc the/at morning/nn fish/nn hawk/nn ,/, flying/vbg in/in the/at heated/vbn air/nn ,/, saw/vbd below/in him/ppo the/at long/jj triangular/jj wedge/nn of/in Manhattan/np-tl Island/nn-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz thickly/rb settled/vbn by/in fifteen/cd thousand/cd citizens/nns and/cc laid/vbn out/rp into/in pig-infested/jj streets/nns ,/, mostly/rb around/in the/at Battery/nn-tl ,/, going/vbg bravely/rb north/nr to/in Wall/nn-tl Street/nn-tl ,/, but/cc giving/vbg up/rp and/cc becoming/vbg fields/nns and/cc farms/nns in/in the/at region/nn of/in Harlem/np-tl Heights/nns-tl ./.
From/in there/rb it/pps looked/vbd across/rb at/in Westchester/np-tl County/nn-tl and/cc the/at Hudson/np-tl River/nn-tl where/wrb the/at manor/nn houses/nns ,/, estates/nns ,/, and/cc big/jj farms/nns of/in the/at original/jj (/( non-Indian/np )/) landowners/nns began/vbd ./.


	On/in the/at east/nr side/nn of/in the/at island/nn of/in Manhattan/np the/at indifferent/jj hawk/nn knew/vbd the/at East/jj-tl River/nn-tl that/wps connected/vbd New/jj-tl York/np-tl Bay/nn-tl with/in Long/jj-tl Island/nn-tl Sound/nn-tl ./.
On/in the/at western/jj tip/nn of/in Long/jj-tl Island/nn-tl protruded/vbd Brooklyn/np-tl Heights/nns-tl ./.
It/pps commanded/vbd a/at view/nn over/in Manhattan/np and/cc the/at harbor/nn ./.
A/at fringe/nn of/in housing/vbg and/cc gardens/nns bearded/vbd the/at top/nn of/in the/at heights/nns ,/, and/cc behind/in it/ppo were/bed sandy/jj roads/nns leading/vbg past/in farms/nns and/cc hayfields/nns ./.
Husbandry/nn was/bedz bounded/vbn by/in snake-rail/nn fences/nns ,/, and/cc there/ex were/bed grazing/vbg cattle/nns ./.
On/in the/at shores/nns north/nr and/cc south/nr ,/, the/at fishers/nns and/cc mooncursers/nns --/-- smugglers/nns --/-- lived/vbd along/in the/at churning/vbg Great/jj-tl South/jj-tl Bay/nn-tl and/cc the/at narrow/jj barrier/nn of/in sand/nn ,/, Fire/nn-tl Island/nn-tl ./.


	The/at morning/nn hawk/nn ,/, hungry/jj for/in any/dti eatable/jj ,/, killable/jj ,/, digestible/jj item/nn ,/, kept/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns on/in the/at ring/nn of/in anchored/vbn ships/nns that/dt lay/vbd off/in the/at shores/nns in/in the/at bay/nn ,/, sheltered/vbn by/in the/at Jersey/nn-tl inlets/nns ./.
They/ppss often/rb threw/vbd tidbits/nns overboard/rb ./.
The/at larger/jjr ships/nns were/bed near/in Paulus/np Hook/np ,/, already/rb being/beg called/vbn ,/, by/in a/at few/ap ,/, Jersey/np-tl City/nn-tl ./.
These/dts were/bed the/at ships/nns of/in His/pp$ Majesty's/nn$-tl Navy/nn-tl ,/, herding/vbg the/at hulks/nns of/in the/at East/jj-tl Indies/nps merchants/nns and/cc the/at yachts/nns and/cc ketches/nns of/in the/at loyalists/nns ./.
The/at news/nn of/in battle/nn on/in Breed's/np$ Hill/nn-tl had/hvd already/rb seeped/vbn through/rp ,/, and/cc New/jj-tl York/np-tl itself/ppl was/bedz now/rb left/vbn in/in the/at hands/nns of/in the/at local/jj Provincial/jj-tl Congress/np-tl ./.
The/at fish/nn hawk/nn ,/, his/pp$ wings/nns not/* moving/vbg ,/, circled/vbd and/cc glided/vbd lower/rbr ./.
The/at gilt/nn sterns/nns of/in the/at men-of-war/nns becoming/vbg clearer/jjr to/in him/ppo ,/, the/at sides/nns of/in the/at wooden/jj sea/nn walls/nns alternately/rb painted/vbn yellow/jj and/cc black/jj ,/, the/at bronze/jj cannon/nn at/in the/at ports/nns ./.
The/at captain's/nn$ gig/nn of/in H.M.S./np Mercury/np was/bedz being/beg rowed/vbn to/in H.M.S./np Neptune/np ./.




On/in shore/nn ``/`` the/at freed/vbn slaves/nns to/in despotism/nn ''/'' --/-- the/at town/nn dwellers/nns --/-- watched/vbd the/at ships/nns and/cc waited/vbd ./.
The/at chevaux/fw-nns de/fw-in frise/fw-nn ,/, those/dts sharp/jj stakes/nns and/cc barriers/nns around/in the/at fort/nn at/in the/at Battery/nn-tl ,/, pointed/vbd to/in a/at conflict/nn between/in the/at town/nn and/cc sea/nn power/nn rolling/vbg in/in glassy/jj swells/nns as/cs the/at tide/nn came/vbd in/rp ./.
Across/in the/at bay/nn the/at Palisades/nns-tl were/bed heavy/jj in/in green/jj timber/nn ;/. ;/.
their/pp$ rock/nn paths/nns led/vbd down/rp to/in the/at Hudson/np ./.
Below/rb in/in the/at open/jj bay/nn facing/vbg Manhattan/np was/bedz Staten/np-tl Island/nn-tl ,/, gritty/jj with/in clam/nn shells/nns and/cc mud/nn flats/nns behind/in which/wdt nested/vbd farms/nns ,/, cattle/nns barns/nns ,/, and/cc berry/nn thickets/nns ./.
Along/in Wappinger/np-tl Creek/nn-tl in/in Dutchess/np-tl County/nn-tl ,/, past/in the/at white/jj church/nn at/in Fishkill/np ,/, past/in Verplanck's/np$-tl Point/nn-tl on/in the/at east/nr bank/nn of/in the/at Hudson/np ,/, to/in the/at white/jj salt-crusted/jj roads/nns of/in the/at Long/jj-tl Island/nn-tl Rockaways/nps there/ex was/bedz a/at watching/nn and/cc an/at activity/nn of/in preparing/vbg for/in something/pn explosive/jj to/to happen/vb ./.
Today/nr ,/, tomorrow/nr ,/, six/cd months/nns ,/, even/rb perhaps/rb a/at year/nn 

	The/at fish/nn hawk/nn flew/vbd on/rp and/cc was/bedz lost/vbn from/in sight/nn ./.
The/at British/jj ships/nns rolled/vbd at/in anchor/nn ,/, sent/vbd out/rp picket/nn boats/nns and/cc waited/vbd for/in orders/nns from/in London/np ./.
Waited/vbn for/in more/ap ships/nns ,/, more/ql lobster-backed/jj infantry/nn ,/, and/cc asked/vbd what/wdt was/bedz to/to be/be done/vbn with/in a/at war/nn of/in rebellion/nn ?/. ?/.




David/np Cortlandt/np ,/, having/hvg slept/vbn away/rb a/at day/nn and/cc a/at night/nn ,/, came/vbd awake/jj in/in a/at plank/nn farmhouse/nn on/in the/at Harlem/np-tl River/nn-tl near/in Spuyten/np Duyvil/np ./.
He/pps looked/vbd out/rp through/in windowpanes/nns turned/vbn a/at faint/jj violet/nn by/in sun/nn and/cc weather/nn ,/, looked/vbd out/rp at/in King's/nn$-tl Bridge/nn-tl toward/in Westchester/np ./.
The/at road/nn seemed/vbd animated/vbn with/in a/at few/ap more/ap wagons/nns than/cs usual/jj ;/. ;/.
a/at carriage/nn raising/vbg up/rp the/at choking/vbg June/np dust/nn ,/, and/cc beyond/in ,/, in/in a/at meadow/nn ,/, a/at local/jj militia/nn company/nn drilling/vbg with/in muskets/nns ,/, Kentuck'/np rifles/nns ,/, every/at kind/nn of/in horse/nn pistol/nn ,/, old/jj sword/nn ,/, or/cc cutlass/nn ./.


	The/at wraith-like/jj events/nns of/in the/at last/ap few/ap days/nns flooded/vbd David's/np$ mind/nn and/cc he/pps rubbed/vbd his/pp$ unshaved/jj chin/nn and/cc felt/vbd again/rb the/at ache/nn in/in his/pp$ kidneys/nns caused/vbn by/in his/pp$ saddle/nn odyssey/nn from/in Boston/np ./.
Pensive/jj ,/, introspective/jj ,/, he/pps ached/vbd ./.
He/pps had/hvd sent/vbn the/at dispatches/nns downtown/nr to/in the/at proper/jj people/nns and/cc had/hvd slept/vbn ./.
Now/rb there/ex was/bedz more/ap to/to do/do ./.
Orders/nns not/* written/vbn down/rp had/hvd to/to be/be transmitted/vbn to/in the/at local/jj provincial/jj government/nn ./.
He/pps scratched/vbd his/pp$ mosquito-plagued/jj neck/nn ./.


	From/in the/at saddlebags/nns ,/, hung/vbn on/in a/at Hitchcock/np chair/nn ,/, David/np took/vbd out/rp a/at good/jj English/jj razor/nn ,/, a/at present/nn from/in John/np Hunter/np ./.
He/pps found/vbd tepid/jj water/nn in/in a/at pitcher/nn and/cc a/at last/ap bit/nn of/in soap/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps lathered/vbd his/pp$ face/nn and/cc stood/vbd stropping/vbg the/at razor/nn on/in his/pp$ broad/jj leather/nn belt/nn ,/, its/pp$ buckle/nn held/vbd firm/jj by/in a/at knob/nn of/in the/at bedpost/nn ./.
He/pps hoped/vbd he/pps was/bedz free/jj of/in self-deception/nn ./.


	Here/rb he/pps was/bedz ,/, suddenly/rb caught/vbn up/rp in/in the/at delirium/nn of/in a/at war/nn ,/, in/in the/at spite/nn and/cc calumny/nn of/in Whigs/nps and/cc Tories/nps ./.
There/ex would/md be/be great/jj need/nn soon/rb for/in his/pp$ skill/nn as/cs surgeon/nn ,/, but/cc somehow/rb he/pps had/hvd not/* planned/vbn to/to use/vb his/pp$ knowledge/nn merely/rb for/in war/nn ./.
David/np Cortlandt/np had/hvd certain/jj psychic/jj intuitions/nns that/cs this/dt rebellion/nn was/bedz not/* wholly/rb what/wdt it/pps appeared/vbd on/in the/at surface/nn ./.
He/pps knew/vbd that/cs many/ap were/bed using/vbg it/ppo for/in their/pp$ own/jj ends/nns ./.
But/cc it/pps did/dod not/* matter/vb ./.
He/pps stropped/vbd the/at razor/nn slowly/rb ;/. ;/.
what/wdt mattered/vbd was/bedz that/cs a/at new/jj concept/nn of/in Americans/nps was/bedz being/beg born/vbn ./.
That/cs some/dti men/nns did/dod not/* want/vb it/ppo he/pps could/md understand/vb ./.
The/at moral/jj aridity/nn of/in merchants/nns made/vbd them/ppo loyal/jj usually/rb to/in their/pp$ ledgers/nns ./.
Yet/rb some/dti ,/, like/cs Morris/np Manderscheid/np ,/, would/md bankrupt/vb themselves/ppls for/in the/at new/jj ideas/nns ./.
Unique/jj circumstances/nns would/md test/vb us/ppo all/abn ,/, he/pps decided/vbd ./.
Injury/nn and/cc ingratitude/nn would/md occur/vb ./.
No/at doubt/nn John/np Hancock/np would/md do/do well/rb now/rb ;/. ;/.
war/nn was/bedz a/at smugglers'/nns$ heaven/nn ./.
And/cc what/wdt of/in that/ql poor/jj tarred/vbn and/cc feathered/vbn wretch/nn he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn on/in the/at road/nn driving/vbg down/rp from/in Schuyler's/np$ ?/. ?/.
Things/nns like/cs that/dt would/md increase/vb rather/in than/in be/be done/vbn away/rb with/in ./.
One/pn had/hvd to/to believe/vb in/in final/jj events/nns or/cc one/pn was/bedz stranded/vbn in/in the/at abyss/nn of/in nothing/pn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd with/in John/np Hunter/np now/rb that/cs the/at perfectability/nn of/in man/nn was/bedz a/at dream/nn ./.
Life/nn was/bedz a/at short/jj play/nn of/in tenebrous/jj shadows/nns ./.
David/np began/vbd to/to shave/vb with/in great/jj sweeping/vbg strokes/nns ./.


	Time/nn plays/vbz an/at essential/jj part/nn in/in our/pp$ mortality/nn ,/, and/cc suddenly/rb for/in no/at reason/nn he/pps could/md imagine/vb (/( or/cc admit/vb )/) the/at image/nn of/in Peg/np laughing/vbg filled/vbd his/pp$ mind/nn --/-- so/ql desirable/jj ,/, so/ql lusty/jj ,/, so/ql full/jj of/in nuances/nns of/in pleasure/nn and/cc joy/nn ./.
He/pps drove/vbd sensual/jj patterns/nns off/rp ,/, carefully/rb shaving/vbg his/pp$ long/jj upper/jj lip/nn ./.
It/pps is/bez harder/jjr ,/, he/pps muttered/vbd ,/, to/to meditate/vb on/in man/nn (/( or/cc woman/nn )/) than/cs on/in God/np ./.


	David/np finished/vbd shaving/vbg ,/, washed/vbd his/pp$ face/nn clean/jj of/in lather/nn ,/, and/cc combed/vbd and/cc retied/vbd his/pp$ hair/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz proud/jj that/cs he/pps had/hvd never/rb worn/vbn a/at wig/nn ./.
More/ap and/cc more/ap of/in the/at colonials/nns were/bed wearing/vbg their/pp$ own/jj hair/nn and/cc not/* using/vbg powder/nn ./.
He/pps felt/vbd cheerful/jj again/rb ,/, refreshed/vbn ;/. ;/.
presentable/jj in/in his/pp$ wide-cut/jj brown/jj suit/nn ,/, the/at well-made/jj riding/vbg boots/nns ./.


	It/pps is/bez so/ql easy/jj to/to falsify/vb sentiment/nn ./.
In/in the/at meadow/nn below/rb ,/, militia/nn officers/nns shouted/vbd at/in their/pp$ men/nns and/cc on/in King's/nn$-tl Bridge/nn-tl two/cd boys/nns sat/vbd fishing/vbg ./.
The/at future/nn would/md happen/vb ;/. ;/.
he/pps did/dod not/* have/hv to/to hurry/vb it/ppo by/in thinking/vbg too/ql much/rb ./.
A/at man/nn could/md be/be tossed/vbn outside/in the/at dimension/nn of/in time/nn by/in a/at stray/jj bullet/nn these/dts days/nns ./.
He/pps began/vbd to/to pack/vb the/at saddlebags/nns ./.
And/cc all/abn this/dt too/rb shall/md pass/vb away/rb :/: it/pps came/vbd to/in him/ppo out/rp of/in some/dti dim/jj corner/nn of/in memory/nn from/in a/at church/nn service/nn when/wrb he/pps was/bedz a/at boy/nn --/-- yes/rb ,/, in/in a/at white/jj church/nn with/in a/at thin/jj spur/nn steeple/nn in/in the/at patriarchal/jj Hudson/np-tl Valley/nn-tl ,/, where/wrb a/at feeling/nn of/in plenitude/nn was/bedz normal/jj in/in those/dts English-Dutch/jj manors/nns with/in their/pp$ well-fed/jj squires/nns ./.

Burly/jj leathered/vbd men/nns and/cc wrinkled/vbn women/nns in/in drab/jj black/jj rags/nns carried/vbd on/rp in/in a/at primitive/jj way/nn ,/, almost/rb unchanged/jj from/in feudal/jj times/nns ./.
Peasants/nns puzzled/vbd Andrei/np ./.
He/pps wondered/vbd how/wrb they/ppss could/md go/vb on/rp in/in poverty/nn ,/, superstition/nn ,/, ignorance/nn ,/, with/in a/at complete/jj lack/nn of/in desire/nn to/to make/vb either/cc their/pp$ land/nn or/cc their/pp$ lives/nns flourish/vb ./.


	Andrei/np remembered/vbd a/at Bathyran/jj meeting/nn long/jj ago/rb ./.
Tolek/np Alterman/np had/hvd returned/vbn from/in the/at colonies/nns in/in Palestine/np and/cc ,/, before/in the/at national/jj leadership/nn ,/, exalted/vbd the/at miracles/nns of/in drying/vbg up/rp swamps/nns and/cc irrigating/vbg the/at desert/nn ./.
A/at fund-raising/nn drive/nn to/to buy/vb tractors/nns and/cc machinery/nn was/bedz launched/vbn ./.
Andrei/np remembered/vbn that/cs his/pp$ own/jj reaction/nn had/hvd been/ben one/cd of/in indifference/nn ./.


	Had/hvd he/pps found/vbd the/at meaning/nn too/ql late/jj ?/. ?/.
It/pps aggravated/vbd him/ppo ./.
The/at land/nn of/in the/at Lublin/np-tl Uplands/nns-tl was/bedz rich/jj ,/, but/cc no/at one/pn seemed/vbd to/to care/vb ./.
In/in the/at unfertile/jj land/nn in/in Palestine/np humans/nns broke/vbd their/pp$ backs/nns pushing/vbg will/nn power/nn to/in the/at brink/nn ./.


	He/pps had/hvd sat/vbn beside/in Alexander/np Brandel/np at/in the/at rostrum/nn of/in a/at congress/nn of/in Zionists/np ./.
All/abn of/in them/ppo were/bed there/rb in/in this/dt loosely/rb knit/vbn association/nn of/in diversified/vbn ideologies/nns ,/, and/cc each/dt berated/vbd the/at other/ap and/cc beat/vb his/pp$ breast/nn for/in his/pp$ own/jj approaches/nns ./.
When/wrb Alexander/np Brandel/np rose/vbd to/to speak/vb ,/, the/at hall/nn became/vbd silent/jj ./.


	``/`` I/ppss do/do not/* care/vb if/cs your/pp$ beliefs/nns take/vb you/ppo along/in a/at path/nn of/in religion/nn or/cc a/at path/nn of/in labor/nn or/cc a/at path/nn of/in activism/nn ./.
We/ppss are/ber here/rb because/cs all/abn our/pp$ paths/nns travel/vb a/at blind/jj course/nn through/in a/at thick/jj forest/nn ,/, seeking/vbg human/nn dignity/nn ./.
Beyond/in the/at forest/nn all/abn our/pp$ paths/nns merge/vb into/in a/at single/ap great/jj highway/nn which/wdt ends/vbz in/in the/at barren/jj ,/, eroded/vbn hills/nns of/in Judea/np ./.
This/dt is/bez our/pp$ singular/jj goal/nn ./.
How/wrb we/ppss travel/vb through/in the/at forest/nn is/bez for/in each/dt man's/nn$ conscience/nn ./.
Where/wrb we/ppss end/vb our/pp$ journey/nn is/bez always/rb the/at same/ap ./.
We/ppss all/abn seek/vb the/at same/ap thing/nn through/in different/jj ways/nns --/-- an/at end/nn to/in this/dt long/jj night/nn of/in two/cd thousand/cd years/nns of/in darkness/nn and/cc unspeakable/jj abuses/nns which/wdt will/md continue/vb to/to plague/vb us/ppo until/cs the/at Star/nn-tl of/in-tl David/np-tl flies/vbz over/in Zion/np ''/'' ./.
This/dt was/bedz how/wrb Alexander/np Brandel/np expressed/vbd pure/jj Zionism/np ./.
It/pps had/hvd sounded/vbn good/jj to/in Andrei/np ,/, but/cc he/pps did/dod not/* believe/vb it/ppo ./.
In/in his/pp$ heart/nn he/pps had/hvd no/at desire/nn to/to go/vb to/in Palestine/np ./.
He/pps loathed/vbd the/at idea/nn of/in drying/vbg up/rp swamps/nns or/cc the/at chills/nns of/in malaria/nn or/cc of/in leaving/vbg his/pp$ natural/jj birthright/nn ./.


	Before/cs he/pps went/vbd into/in battle/nn Andrei/np had/hvd told/vbn Alex/np ,/, ``/`` I/ppss only/rb want/vb to/to be/be a/at Pole/np ./.
Warsaw/np is/bez my/pp$ city/nn ,/, not/* Tel/np Aviv/np ''/'' ./.


	And/cc now/rb Andrei/np sat/vbd on/in a/at train/nn on/in the/at way/nn to/in Lublin/np and/cc wondered/vbd if/cs he/pps was/bedz not/* being/beg punished/vbn for/in his/pp$ lack/nn of/in belief/nn ./.
Warsaw/np !/. !/.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at smug/jj eyes/nns of/in the/at Home/nn-tl Army/nn-tl chief/nn ,/, Roman/jj ,/, and/cc all/abn the/at Romans/nps and/cc the/at faces/nns of/in the/at peasants/nns who/wps held/vbd only/rb hatred/nn for/in him/ppo ./.
They/ppss had/hvd let/nn this/dt black/jj hole/nn of/in death/nn in/in Warsaw's/np$ heart/nn exist/vb without/in a/at cry/nn of/in protest/nn ./.


	Once/rb there/ex had/hvd been/ben big/jj glittering/vbg rooms/nns where/wrb Ulanys/nps bowed/vbd and/cc kissed/vbd the/at ladies'/nns$ hands/nns as/cs they/ppss flirted/vbd from/in behind/in their/pp$ fans/nns ./.


	Warsaw/np !/. !/.
Warsaw/np !/. !/.


	``/`` Miss/np Rak/np ./.
I/ppss am/bem a/at Jew/np ''/'' ./.


	Day/nn by/in day/nn ,/, week/nn by/in week/nn ,/, month/nn by/in month/nn ,/, the/at betrayal/nn gnawed/vbd at/in Andrei's/np$ heart/nn ./.
He/pps ground/vbd his/pp$ teeth/nns together/rb ./.
I/ppss hate/vb Warsaw/np ,/, he/pps said/vbd to/in himself/ppl ./.
I/ppss hate/vb Poland/np and/cc all/abn the/at goddamned/vbn mothers'/nns$ sons/nns of/in them/ppo ./.
All/abn of/in Poland/np is/bez a/at coffin/nn ./.


	The/at terrible/jj vision/nn of/in the/at ghetto/nn streets/nns flooded/vbn his/pp$ mind/nn ./.
What/wdt matters/vbz now/rb ?/. ?/.
What/wdt is/bez beyond/in this/dt fog/nn ?/. ?/.
Only/rb Palestine/np ,/, and/cc I/ppss will/md never/rb live/vb to/to see/vb Palestine/np because/cs I/ppss did/dod not/* believe/vb ./.


	By/in late/jj afternoon/nn the/at train/nn inched/vbd into/in the/at marshaling/vbg yards/nns in/in the/at railhead/nn at/in Lublin/np ,/, which/wdt was/bedz filled/vbn with/in lines/nns of/in cars/nns poised/vbn to/to pour/vb the/at tools/nns of/in war/nn to/in the/at Russian/jj front/nn ./.


	At/in a/at siding/nn ,/, another/dt train/nn which/wdt was/bedz a/at familiar/jj sight/nn these/dts days/nns ./.
Deportees/nns ./.
Jews/nps ./.
Andrei's/np$ skilled/jj eye/nn sized/vbd them/ppo up/rp ./.
They/ppss were/bed not/* Poles/nps ./.
He/pps guessed/vbd by/in their/pp$ appearance/nn that/cs they/ppss were/bed Rumanians/nps ./.


	He/pps walked/vbd toward/in the/at center/nn of/in the/at city/nn to/to keep/vb his/pp$ rendezvous/nn with/in Styka/np ./.
Of/in all/abn the/at places/nns in/in Poland/np ,/, Andrei/np hated/vbd Lublin/np the/at most/rbt ./.
The/at Bathyrans/nps were/bed all/ql gone/vbn ./.
Few/ap of/in the/at native/jj Jews/nps who/wps had/hvd lived/vbn in/in Lublin/np were/bed still/rb in/in the/at ghetto/nn ./.


	From/in the/at moment/nn of/in the/at occupation/nn Lublin/np became/vbd a/at focal/jj point/nn ./.
He/pps and/cc Ana/np watched/vbd it/ppo carefully/rb ./.
Lublin/np generally/rb was/bedz the/at forerunner/nn of/in what/wdt would/md happen/vb elsewhere/rb ./.
Early/jj in/in 1939/cd ,/, Odilo/np Globocnik/np ,/, the/at Gauleiter/fw-nn-tl of/in-tl Vienna/np-tl ,/, established/vbd SS/np headquarters/nns for/in all/abn of/in Poland/np ./.
The/at Bathyrans/nps ran/vbd a/at check/nn on/in Globocnik/np and/cc had/hvd only/rb to/to conclude/vb that/cs he/pps was/bedz in/in a/at tug/nn of/in war/nn with/in Hans/np Frank/np and/cc the/at civilian/jj administrators/nns ./.


	Globocnik/np built/vbd the/at Death's-Head/jj-tl Corps/nn-tl ./.
Lublin/np was/bedz the/at seed/nn of/in action/nn for/in the/at ``/`` final/jj solution/nn ''/'' of/in the/at Jewish/jj problem/nn ./.
As/cs the/at messages/nns from/in Himmler/np ,/, Heydrich/np ,/, and/cc Eichmann/np came/vbd in/rp through/in Alfred/np Funk/np ,/, Lublin's/np$ fountainhead/nn spouted/vbd ./.


	A/at bevy/nn of/in interlacing/vbg lagers/nns ,/, work/nn camps/nns ,/, concentration/nn camps/nns erupted/vbd in/in the/at area/nn ./.
Sixty/cd thousand/cd Jewish/jj prisoners/nns of/in war/nn disappeared/vbd into/in Lublin's/np$ web/nn ./.
Plans/nns went/vbd in/rp and/cc out/rp of/in Lublin/np ,/, indicating/vbg German/jj confusion/nn ./.
A/at tale/nn of/in a/at massive/jj reservation/nn in/in the/at Uplands/nns-tl to/to hold/vb several/ap million/cd Jews/nps A/at tale/nn of/in a/at plan/nn to/to ship/vb all/abn Jews/nps to/in the/at island/nn of/in Madagascar/np Stories/nns of/in the/at depravity/nn of/in the/at guards/nns at/in Globocnik's/np$ camps/nns struck/vbd a/at chord/nn of/in terror/nn at/in the/at mere/jj mention/nn of/in their/pp$ names/nns ./.
Lipowa/np 7/cd-tl ,/, Sobibor/np ,/, Chelmno/np ,/, Poltawa/np ,/, Belzec/np ,/, Krzywy-Rog/np ,/, Budzyn/np ,/, Krasnik/np ./.
Ice/nn baths/nns ,/, electric/jj shocks/nns ,/, lashings/nns ,/, wild/jj dogs/nns ,/, testicle/nn crushers/nns ./.


	The/at Death's-Head/jj-tl Corps/nn-tl took/vbd in/rp Ukrainian/jj-tl and/cc Baltic/jj-tl Auxiliaries/nns-tl ,/, and/cc the/at Einsatzkommandos/fw-nns waded/vbd knee-deep/rb in/in blood/nn and/cc turned/vbd into/in drunken/jj ,/, dope-ridden/jj maniacs/nns ./.
Lublin/np was/bedz their/pp$ heart/nn ./.


	In/in the/at spring/nn of/in 1942/cd Operation/nn-tl Reinhard/np-tl began/vbd in/in Lublin/np ./.
The/at ghetto/nn ,/, a/at miniature/nn of/in Warsaw's/np$ ,/, was/bedz emptied/vbn into/in the/at camp/nn in/in the/at Majdan-Tartarski/np suburb/nn called/vbn Majdanek/np ./.
As/cs the/at camp/nn emptied/vbd ,/, it/pps was/bedz refilled/vbn by/in a/at draining/nn of/in the/at camps/nns and/cc towns/nns around/in Lublin/np ,/, then/rb by/in deportees/nns from/in outside/in Poland/np ./.
In/in and/cc in/in and/cc in/in they/ppss poured/vbd through/in the/at gates/nns of/in Majdanek/np ,/, but/cc they/ppss never/rb left/vbd ,/, and/cc Majdanek/np was/bedz not/* growing/vbg any/dti larger/jjr ./.


	What/wdt was/bedz happening/vbg in/in Majdanek/np ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz Operation/nn-tl Reinhard/np-tl the/at same/ap pattern/nn for/in the/at daily/jj trains/nns now/rb leaving/vbg the/at Umschlagplatz/np in/in Warsaw/np ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz there/ex another/dt Majdanek/np in/in the/at Warsaw/np area/nn ,/, as/cs they/ppss suspected/vbd ?/. ?/.


	Andrei/np stopped/vbd at/in Litowski/np-tl Place/nn-tl and/cc looked/vbd around/rb quickly/rb at/in the/at boundary/nn of/in civil/jj buildings/nns ./.
His/pp$ watch/nn told/vbd him/ppo he/pps was/bedz still/rb early/jj ./.
Down/in the/at boulevard/nn he/pps could/md see/vb a/at portion/nn of/in the/at ghetto/nn wall/nn ./.
He/pps found/vbd an/at empty/jj bench/nn ,/, opened/vbd a/at newspaper/nn ,/, and/cc stretched/vbd his/pp$ legs/nns before/in him/ppo ./.
Krakow/np-tl Boulevard/nn-tl was/bedz filled/vbn with/in black/jj Nazi/np uniforms/nns and/cc the/at dirty/jj brownish/jj ones/nns of/in their/pp$ Auxiliaries/nns-tl ./.


	``/`` Captain/nn-tl Androfski/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	Andrei/np glanced/vbd up/rp over/in the/at top/nn of/in the/at paper/nn and/cc looked/vbd into/in the/at mustached/jj ,/, homely/jj face/nn of/in Sergeant/nn-tl Styka/np ./.
Styka/np sat/vbd beside/in him/ppo and/cc pumped/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn excitedly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss have/hv been/ben waiting/vbg across/in the/at street/nn at/in the/at post/nn office/nn since/in dawn/nn ./.
I/ppss thought/vbd you/ppss might/md get/vb in/rp on/in a/at morning/nn train/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez good/jj to/to see/vb you/ppo again/rb ,/, Styka/np ''/'' ./.


	Styka/np studied/vbd his/pp$ captain/nn ./.
He/pps almost/rb broke/vbd into/in tears/nns ./.
To/in him/ppo ,/, Andrei/np Androfski/np had/hvd always/rb been/ben the/at living/vbg symbol/nn of/in a/at Polish/jj officer/nn ./.
His/pp$ captain/nn was/bedz thin/jj and/cc haggard/jj and/cc his/pp$ beautiful/jj boots/nns were/bed worn/vbn and/cc shabby/jj ./.


	``/`` Remember/vb to/to call/vb me/ppo Jan/np ''/'' ,/, Andrei/np said/vbd ./.


	Styka/np nodded/vbd and/cc sniffed/vbd and/cc blew/vbd his/pp$ nose/nn vociferously/rb ./.
``/`` When/wrb that/dt woman/nn found/vbd me/ppo and/cc told/vbd me/ppo that/cs you/ppss needed/vbd me/ppo I/ppss was/bedz never/rb so/ql happy/jj since/in before/in the/at war/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem lucky/jj that/cs you/ppss were/bed still/rb living/vbg in/in Lublin/np ''/'' ./.


	Styka/np grumbled/vbd about/in fate/nn ./.
``/`` For/in a/at time/nn I/ppss thought/vbd of/in trying/vbg to/to reach/vb the/at Free/jj-tl Polish/jj-tl Forces/nns-tl ,/, but/cc one/cd thing/nn led/vbd to/in another/dt ./.
I/ppss got/vbd a/at girl/nn in/in trouble/nn and/cc we/ppss had/hvd to/to get/vb married/vbn ./.
Not/* a/at bad/jj girl/nn ./.
So/cs we/ppss have/hv three/cd children/nns and/cc responsibilities/nns ./.
I/ppss work/vb at/in the/at granary/nn ./.
Nothing/pn like/cs the/at old/jj days/nns in/in the/at army/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss get/vb by/rb ./.
Who/wps complains/vbz ?/. ?/.
Many/ap times/nns I/ppss tried/vbd to/to reach/vb you/ppo ,/, but/cc I/ppss never/rb knew/vbd how/wrb ./.
I/ppss came/vbd to/in Warsaw/np twice/rb ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz that/dt damned/vbn ghetto/nn wall/nn ''/'' 

	``/`` I/ppss understand/vb ''/'' ./.


	Styka/np blew/vbd his/pp$ nose/nn again/rb ./.


	``/`` Were/bed you/ppss able/jj to/to make/vb the/at arrangements/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Andrei/np asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` There/ex is/bez a/at man/nn named/vbn Grabski/np who/wps is/bez the/at foreman/nn in/in charge/nn of/in the/at bricklayers/nns at/in Majdanek/np ./.
I/ppss did/dod exactly/rb as/cs instructed/vbn ./.
I/ppss told/vbd him/ppo you/ppss are/ber on/in orders/nns from/in the/at Home/nn-tl Army/nn-tl to/to get/vb inside/in Majdanek/np so/cs you/ppss can/md make/vb a/at report/nn to/in the/at government/nn in/in exile/nn in/in London/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` His/pp$ answer/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Ten/cd thousand/cd zlotys/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Can/md he/pps be/be trusted/vbn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` He/pps is/bez aware/jj he/pps will/md not/* live/vb for/in twenty-four/cd hours/nns if/cs he/pps betrays/vbz you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Good/jj man/nn ,/, Styka/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Captain/nn-tl Jan/np must/md you/ppo go/vb inside/in Majdanek/np ?/. ?/.
The/at stories/nns Everyone/pn really/rb knows/vbz what/wdt is/bez happening/vbg there/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Not/* everyone/pn ,/, Styka/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt good/nn will/md it/pps really/rb do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ./.
Perhaps/rb perhaps/rb there/ex is/bez a/at shred/nn of/in conscience/nn left/vbn in/in the/at human/nn race/nn ./.
Perhaps/rb if/cs they/ppss know/vb the/at story/nn there/ex will/md be/be a/at massive/jj cry/nn of/in indignation/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Do/do you/ppss really/rb believe/vb that/dt ,/, Jan/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv to/to believe/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Styka/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn slowly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss am/bem only/rb a/at simple/jj soldier/nn ./.
I/ppss cannot/md* think/vb things/nns out/rp too/ql well/rb ./.
Until/cs I/ppss was/bedz transferred/vbn into/in the/at Seventh/od-tl Ulanys/nps I/ppss was/bedz like/cs every/at other/ap Pole/np in/in my/pp$ feeling/nn about/in Jews/nps ./.
I/ppss hated/vbd you/ppo when/wrb I/ppss first/rb came/vbd in/rp ./.
But/cc my/pp$ captain/nn might/md have/hv been/ben a/at Jew/np ,/, but/cc he/pps wasn't/bedz* a/at Jew/np ./.
What/wdt I/ppss mean/vb is/bez ,/, he/pps was/bedz a/at Pole/np and/cc the/at greatest/jjt soldier/nn in/in the/at Ulanys/nps ./.
Hell/uh ,/, sir/nn ./.
The/at men/nns of/in our/pp$ company/nn had/hvd a/at dozen/nn fights/nns defending/vbg your/pp$ name/nn ./.
You/ppss never/rb knew/vbd about/in it/ppo ,/, but/cc by/in God/np ,/, we/ppss taught/vbd them/ppo respect/nn for/in Captain/nn-tl Androfski/np ''/'' ./.


	Andrei/np smiled/vbd ./.


	``/`` Since/in the/at war/nn I/ppss have/hv seen/vbn the/at way/nn the/at Germans/nps have/hv behaved/vbn and/cc I/ppss think/vb ,/, Holy/jj-tl Mother/nn-tl ,/, we/ppss have/hv behaved/vbn like/in this/dt for/in hundreds/nns of/in years/nns ./.
Why/wrb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` How/wrb can/md you/ppss tell/vb an/at insane/jj man/nn to/to reason/vb or/cc a/at blind/jj man/nn to/to see/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` But/cc we/ppss are/ber neither/cc blind/jj nor/cc insane/jj ./.
The/at men/nns of/in your/pp$ company/nn would/md not/* allow/vb your/pp$ name/nn dishonored/vbn ./.
Why/wrb do/do we/ppss let/vb the/at Germans/nps do/do this/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv sat/vbn many/ap hours/nns with/in this/dt ,/, Styka/np ./.
All/abn I/ppss ever/rb wanted/vbd was/bedz to/to be/be a/at free/jj man/nn in/in my/pp$ own/jj country/nn ./.
I've/ppss+hv lost/vbn faith/nn ,/, Styka/np ./.
I/ppss used/vbd to/to love/vb this/dt country/nn and/cc believe/vb that/cs someday/rb we'd/ppss+md win/vb our/pp$ battle/nn for/in equality/nn ./.
But/cc now/rb I/ppss think/vb I/ppss hate/vb it/ppo very/ql much/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc do/do you/ppss really/rb think/vb that/cs the/at world/nn outside/in Poland/np will/md care/vb any/dti more/rbr than/cs we/ppss do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	The/at question/nn frightened/vbd Andrei/np ./.


	``/`` Please/vb don't/do* go/vb inside/in Majdanek/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem still/rb a/at soldier/nn in/in a/at very/ql small/jj way/nn ,/, Styka/np ''/'' ./.


	It/pps was/bedz an/at answer/nn that/cs Styka/np understood/vbd ./.


	Grabski's/np$ shanty/nn was/bedz beyond/in the/at bridge/nn over/in the/at River/nn-tl Bystrzyca/np-tl near/in the/at rail/nn center/nn ./.
Grabski/np sat/vbd in/in a/at sweat-saturated/jj undershirt/nn ,/, cursing/vbg the/at excessive/jj heat/nn which/wdt clamped/vbd an/at uneasy/jj stillness/nn before/in sundown/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at square/nn brick/nn of/in a/at man/nn with/in a/at moon-round/jj face/nn and/cc sunken/jj Polish/jj features/nns ./.
Flies/nns swarmed/vbd around/in the/at bowl/nn of/in lentils/nns in/in which/wdt he/pps mopped/vbd thick/jj black/jj bread/nn ./.
Half/abn of/in it/ppo dripped/vbn down/in his/pp$ chin/nn ./.
He/pps washed/vbd it/ppo down/rp with/in beer/nn and/cc produced/vbd a/at deep-seated/jj belch/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Andrei/np demanded/vbd ./.


	Grabski/np looked/vbd at/in the/at pair/nn of/in them/ppo ./.
He/pps grunted/vbd a/at sort/nn of/in ``/`` yes/rb ''/'' answer/nn ./.
``/`` My/pp$ cousin/nn works/vbz at/in the/at Labor/nn-tl Bureau/nn-tl ./.
He/pps can/md make/vb you/ppo work/nn papers/nns ./.
It/pps will/md take/vb a/at few/ap days/nns ./.
I/ppss will/md get/vb you/ppo inside/in the/at guard/nn camp/nn as/cs a/at member/nn of/in my/pp$ crew/nn ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb if/cs I/ppss can/md get/vb you/ppo into/in the/at inner/jj camp/nn ./.
Maybe/rb yes/rb ,/, maybe/rb no/rb ,/, but/cc you/ppss can/md observe/vb everything/pn from/in the/at roof/nn of/in a/at barrack/nn we/ppss are/ber building/vbg ''/'' ./.


	Grabski/np slurped/vbd his/pp$ way/nn to/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at soup/nn bowl/nn ./.
``/`` Can't/md* understand/vb why/wrb the/at hell/nn anyone/pn wants/vbz to/to go/vb inside/rb that/dt son-of-a-bitch/nn place/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Orders/nns from/in the/at Home/nn-tl Army/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb ?/. ?/.
Nothing/pn there/rb but/in Jews/nps ''/'' ./.


	Andrei/np shrugged/vbd ./.
``/`` We/ppss get/vb strange/jj orders/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/rb --/-- what/wdt about/in the/at money/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Andrei/np peeled/vbd off/rp five/cd one-thousand-zloty/nn notes/nns ./.
Grabski/np had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn so/ql much/ap money/nn ./.
His/pp$ broad/jj flat/jj fingers/nns ,/, petrified/vbn into/in massive/jj sausages/nns by/in years/nns of/in bricklaying/nn ,/, snatched/vbd the/at bills/nns clumsily/rb ./.
``/`` This/dt ain't/bez* enough/qlp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss get/vb the/at rest/nn when/wrb I'm/ppss+bem safely/rb out/in of/in Majdanek/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss ain't/bem* taking/vbg no/at goddamned/vbn chances/nns for/in no/at Jew/np business/nn ''/'' ./.


	Andrei/np and/cc Styka/np were/bed silent/jj ./.



	She/pps was/bedz getting/vbg real/ql dramatic/jj ./.
I'd/ppss+md have/hv been/ben more/ql impressed/vbn if/cs I/ppss hadn't/hvd* remembered/vbn that/cs she'd/pps+hvd played/vbn Hedda/np Gabler/np in/in her/pp$ highschool/nn dramatics/nn course/nn ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* want/vb her/ppo back/rb on/in that/ql broken/vbn record/nn ./.


	``/`` Nothing's/pn+bez free/jj in/in the/at whole/jj goddam/jj world/nn ''/'' ,/, was/bedz all/abn I/ppss could/md think/vb of/in to/to say/vb ./.
When/wrb I'd/ppss+hvd delivered/vbn myself/ppl of/in that/dt gem/nn there/ex was/bedz nothing/pn to/to do/do but/cc order/vb up/rp another/dt drink/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss am/bem ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.


	I'd/ppss+hvd forgotten/vbn all/abn about/in Thelma/np and/cc the/at Kentucky/np-tl Derby/nn-tl and/cc how/wrb it/pps was/bedz Thelma's/np$ fifty/cd dollars/nns I/ppss was/bedz spending/vbg ./.
It/pps was/bedz just/rb me/ppo and/cc Eileen/np getting/vbg drunk/nn together/rb like/cs we/ppss used/vbd to/to in/in the/at old/jj days/nns ,/, and/cc me/ppo staring/vbg at/in her/ppo across/in the/at table/nn crazy/jj to/to get/vb my/pp$ hands/nns on/in her/ppo partly/rb because/cs I/ppss wanted/vbd to/to wring/vb her/pp$ neck/nn because/cs she/pps was/bedz so/ql ornery/jj but/cc mostly/rb because/cs she/pps was/bedz so/ql wonderful/jj to/to touch/vb ./.
Drunk/jj or/cc sober/jj she/pps was/bedz the/at most/ql attractive/jj woman/nn in/in the/at world/nn for/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss was/bedz crazy/jj about/in her/ppo all/abn over/rp again/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at call/nn of/in the/at wild/jj all/ql right/rb ./.


	That/dt evening/nn turned/vbd out/rp to/to be/be hell/nn like/cs all/abn the/at others/nns ./.
We/ppss moved/vbd down/in Broadway/np from/in ginmill/nn to/in ginmill/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at same/ap old/jj routine/nn ./.
Eileen/np got/vbd to/to dancing/vbg ,/, just/rb a/at little/jj tiny/jj dancing/vbg step/nn to/in a/at hummed/vbn tune/nn that/cs you/ppss could/md hardly/rb notice/vb ,/, and/cc trying/vbg to/to pick/vb up/in strange/jj men/nns ,/, but/cc each/dt time/nn I/ppss was/bedz ready/jj to/to say/vb to/in hell/nn with/in it/ppo and/cc walk/vb out/rp she'd/pps+md pull/vb herself/ppl together/rb and/cc talk/vb so/ql understandingly/rb in/in that/dt sweet/jj husky/jj voice/nn about/in the/at good/jj times/nns and/cc the/at happiness/nn we'd/ppss+hvd had/hvn together/rb and/cc there/rb I/ppss was/bedz back/rb on/in the/at hook/nn ./.


	I/ppss did/dod have/hv the/at decency/nn to/to call/vb up/rp Thelma/np and/cc tell/vb her/ppo I'd/ppss+hvd met/vbn old/jj friends/nns and/cc would/md be/be home/nr late/jj ./.


	``/`` I/ppss could/md scratch/vb her/ppo eyes/nns out/rp ''/'' ,/, Eileen/np cried/vbd and/cc stamped/vbd her/pp$ foot/nn when/wrb I/ppss came/vbd back/rb from/in the/at phone/nn booth/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss know/vb I/ppss don't/do* like/vb my/pp$ men/nns to/to have/hv other/ap women/nns ./.
I/ppss hate/vb it/ppo ./.
I/ppss hate/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	She/pps got/vbd so/ql drunk/jj I/ppss had/hvd to/to take/vb her/ppo home/nr ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at walk/nn up/rp on/in Hudson/np-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
She/pps just/rb about/rb made/vbn me/ppo carry/vb her/ppo upstairs/rb and/cc then/rb she/pps clung/vbd to/in me/ppo and/cc wouldn't/md* let/vb me/ppo go/vb ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at man's/nn$ jacket/nn on/in the/at chair/nn and/cc a/at straw/nn hat/nn on/in the/at table/nn ./.
The/at place/nn smelt/vbd of/in some/dti kind/nn of/in hair/nn lotion/nn these/dts pimplike/jj characters/nns use/vb ./.
``/`` What/wdt about/in Ballestre/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss had/hvd to/to shake/vb her/ppo to/to make/vb her/ppo listen/vb ./.
``/`` Precious/jj ./.
What/wdt about/in him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Suddenly/rb she/pps was/bedz very/ql mysterious/jj and/cc dramatic/jj ./.
``/`` Precious/jj and/cc I/ppss allow/vb each/dt other/ap absolute/jj freedom/nn ./.
We/ppss are/ber above/rb being/beg jealous/jj ./.
He's/pps+bez used/vbn to/in me/ppo bringing/vbg home/nr strange/jj men/nns ./.
I'll/ppss+md just/rb tell/vb him/ppo you're/ppss+ber my/pp$ husband/nn ./.
He/pps can't/md* object/vb to/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh I/ppss object/vb ./.
If/cs he/pps pokes/vbz his/pp$ nose/nn in/in here/rb I'll/ppss+md slug/vb him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That/wps really/rb would/md be/be funny/jj ''/'' ./.


	She/pps began/vbd to/to laugh/vb ./.
She/pps was/bedz still/rb laughing/vbg when/wrb I/ppss grabbed/vbd her/ppo and/cc started/vbd rolling/vbg her/ppo on/in the/at bed/nn ./.
After/in all/abn I'm/ppss+bem made/vbn of/in flesh/nn and/cc blood/nn ./.
I'm/ppss+bem not/* a/at plaster/nn saint/nn ./.


	Waking/vbg up/rp was/bedz horrible/jj ./.
Never/rb in/in my/pp$ life/nn have/hv I/ppss felt/vbn so/ql remorseful/jj about/in anything/pn I've/ppss+hv done/vbn as/cs I/ppss did/dod about/in spending/vbg that/dt night/nn with/in my/pp$ own/jj wife/nn ./.


	We/ppss both/abx had/hvd hangovers/nns ./.
Eileen/np declared/vbd she/pps couldn't/md* lift/vb her/pp$ head/nn from/in the/at pillow/nn ./.
She/pps lay/vbd under/in the/at covers/nns making/vbg jabbing/vbg motions/nns with/in her/pp$ forefinger/nn telling/vbg me/ppo where/wrb to/to look/vb for/in the/at coffeepot/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz stumbling/vbg in/in my/pp$ undershirt/nn trying/vbg to/to find/vb my/pp$ way/nn around/in her/pp$ damn/jj kitchenette/nn when/wrb I/ppss smelt/vbd that/dt sickish/jj sweet/jj hairtonic/nn smell/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz somebody/pn else/rb in/in the/at apartment/nn ./.


	I/ppss stiffened/vbd ./.
Honest/jj I/ppss could/md feel/vb the/at hair/nn stand/nn up/rp on/in the/at back/nn of/in my/pp$ neck/nn like/cs a/at dog's/nn$ that/dt is/bez going/vbg to/to get/vb into/in a/at fight/nn ./.
I/ppss turned/vbd around/in with/in the/at percolator/nn in/in my/pp$ hand/nn ./.
My/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed so/ql bleary/jj I/ppss could/md barely/rb see/vb him/ppo but/cc there/ex he/pps was/bedz ,/, a/at little/jj smooth/jj olivefaced/jj guy/nn in/in a/at new/jj spring/nn overcoat/nn and/cc a/at taffycolored/jj fedora/nn ./.
Brown/jj eyes/nns ,/, eyebrow/nn mustache/nn ./.
Oval/nn face/nn without/in an/at expression/nn in/in the/at world/nn ./.


	We/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv time/nn to/to speak/vb before/cs Eileen's/np$ voice/nn was/bedz screeching/vbg at/in us/ppo from/in the/at bed/nn ./.
``/`` Joseph/np Maria/np Ballestre/np meet/vb Francis/np Xavier/np Bowman/np ./.
Exboyfriend/nn meet/vb exhusband/nn ''/'' ./.
She/pps gave/vbd the/at nastiest/jjt laugh/nn I/ppss ever/rb heard/vbd ./.
``/`` And/cc don't/do* either/dtx of/in you/ppo forget/vb that/cs I'm/ppss+bem not/* any/dti man's/nn$ property/nn ./.
If/cs you/ppss want/vb to/to fight/vb ,/, go/vb down/rp on/in the/at sidewalk/nn ''/'' ./.
She/pps was/bedz enjoying/vbg the/at situation/nn ./.
Imagine/vb that/dt ./.


	Eileen/np was/bedz a/at psychologist/nn all/ql right/rb ./.
Instead/rb of/in wanting/vbg to/to sock/vb the/at poor/jj bastard/nn I/ppss found/vbd myself/ppl having/hvg a/at fellowfeeling/nn for/in him/ppo ./.
Maybe/rb he/pps felt/vbd the/at same/ap way/nn ./.
I/ppss never/rb felt/vbd such/abl a/at lowdown/jj hound/nn in/in my/pp$ life/nn ./.
First/od thing/nn I/ppss knew/vbd he/pps was/bedz in/in the/at kitchenette/nn cooking/vbg up/rp the/at breakfast/nn and/cc I/ppss was/bedz handing/vbg Eileen/np her/pp$ coffeecup/nn and/cc she/pps was/bedz lying/vbg there/rb handsome/jj as/cs a/at queen/nn among/in her/pp$ courtiers/nns ./.


	I/ppss couldn't/md* face/vb Thelma/np after/in that/dt night/nn ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* even/rb have/hv the/at nerve/nn to/to call/vb her/ppo on/in the/at telephone/nn ./.
I/ppss wrote/vbd her/ppo that/cs I'd/ppss+md met/vbd up/rp with/in Eileen/np and/cc that/ql old/jj bonds/nns had/hvd proved/vbn too/ql strong/jj and/cc asked/vbd her/ppo to/to send/vb my/pp$ clothes/nns down/rp by/in express/nn ./.
Of/in course/nn I/ppss had/hvd to/to give/vb her/ppo Eileen's/np$ address/nn ,/, but/cc she/pps never/rb came/vbd near/in us/ppo ./.
All/abn she/pps did/dod was/bedz write/vb me/ppo a/at pleasant/jj little/jj note/nn about/in how/wrb it/pps was/bedz beautiful/jj while/cs it/pps lasted/vbd but/cc that/cs now/rb life/nn had/hvd parted/vbn our/pp$ ways/nns and/cc it/pps was/bedz goodbye/uh forever/rb ./.
She/pps never/rb said/vbd a/at word/nn about/in the/at fifty/cd dollars/nns ./.
She/pps added/vbd a/at postscript/nn begging/vbg me/ppo to/to be/be careful/jj about/in drinking/vbg ./.
I/ppss must/md know/vb that/cs that/dt was/bedz my/pp$ greatest/jjt weakness/nn underlined/vbn three/cd times/nns ./.


	Afterwards/rb I/ppss learned/vbd that/cs Eileen/np had/hvd called/vbn Thelma/np on/in the/at telephone/nn and/cc made/vbd a/at big/jj scene/nn about/in Thelma/np trying/vbg to/to take/vb her/pp$ husband/nn away/rb ./.
That/wps finished/vbd me/ppo with/in Thelma/np ./.
Trust/vb Eileen/np to/to squeeze/vb all/abn the/at drama/nn out/in of/in a/at situation/nn ./.

And/cc there/rb I/ppss was/bedz shacked/vbn up/rp with/in Eileen/np in/in that/dt filthy/jj fourth/od floor/nn attic/nn on/in Hudson/np-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
I/ppss use/vb the/at phrase/nn advisedly/rb because/cs there/ex was/bedz something/pn positively/rb indecent/jj about/in our/pp$ relationship/nn ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd it/ppo and/cc it/pps ate/vbd on/in me/ppo all/abn the/at time/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb how/wrb right/jj I/ppss was/bedz till/in later/rbr ./.


	What/wdt I/ppss did/dod know/nn was/bedz that/cs Precious/jj-tl was/bedz always/rb around/in ./.
He/pps slept/vbd in/in the/at hall/nn bedroom/nn at/in the/at head/nn of/in the/at stairs/nns ./.
``/`` Who/wps do/do you/ppo think/vb pays/vbz the/at rent/nn ?/. ?/.
You/ppss wouldn't/md* have/hv me/ppo throw/vb the/at poor/jj boy/nn out/rp on/in the/at street/nn ''/'' ,/, Eileen/np said/vbd when/wrb I/ppss needled/vbd her/ppo about/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss said/vbd sure/jj that/dt was/bedz what/wdt I/ppss wanted/vbd her/ppo to/to do/do but/cc she/pps paid/vbd no/at attention/nn ./.
Eileen/np had/hvd a/at wonderful/jj way/nn of/in not/* listening/vbg to/in things/nns she/pps didn't/dod* want/vb to/to hear/vb ./.
Still/rb I/ppss didn't/dod* think/vb she/pps was/bedz twotiming/vbg me/ppo with/in Precious/jj-tl right/ql then/rb ./.
To/to be/be on/in the/at safe/jj side/nn I/ppss never/rb let/vb Eileen/np get/vb out/in of/in my/pp$ sight/nn day/nn or/cc night/nn ./.


	Precious/jj-tl had/hvd me/ppo worried/vbn ./.
I/ppss couldn't/md* make/vb out/rp what/wdt his/pp$ racket/nn was/bedz ./.
I'd/ppss+hvd thought/vbn him/ppo a/at pimp/nn or/cc procurer/nn but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* seem/vb to/to be/be ./.
He/pps was/bedz smooth/jj and/cc civil/jj spoken/vbn but/cc it/pps seemed/vbd to/in me/ppo there/ex was/bedz something/pn tough/jj under/in his/pp$ selfeffacing/jj manner/nn ./.
Still/rb he/pps let/vb Eileen/np treat/vb him/ppo like/cs a/at valet/nn ./.
Whenever/wrb the/at place/nn was/bedz cleaned/vbn or/cc a/at meal/nn served/vbn it/pps was/bedz Precious/jj-tl who/wps did/dod the/at work/nn ./.


	I/ppss never/rb could/md find/vb out/rp what/wdt his/pp$ business/nn was/bedz ./.
He/pps always/rb seemed/vbd to/to have/hv money/nn in/in his/pp$ pocket/nn ./.
The/at phone/nn had/hvd been/ben disconnected/vbn but/cc telegrams/nns came/vbd for/in him/ppo and/cc notes/nns by/in special/jj messenger/nn ./.
Now/rb and/cc then/rb he/pps would/md disappear/vb for/in several/ap days/nns ./.
``/`` Connections/nns ''/'' was/bedz all/abn he/pps would/md say/vb with/in that/dt smooth/jj hurt/jj smile/nn when/wrb I/ppss put/vbd leading/vbg questions/nns ./.
``/`` Oh/uh he's/pps+bez just/rb an/at international/jj spy/nn ''/'' ,/, Eileen/np would/md shout/vb with/in her/pp$ screechy/jj laugh/nn ./.


	Poor/jj devil/nn he/pps can't/md* have/hv been/ben too/ql happy/jj either/rb ./.
He/pps got/vbd no/at relief/nn from/in drink/nn because/cs ,/, though/rb sometimes/rb Precious/jj-tl would/md buy/vb himself/ppl a/at drink/nn if/cs he/pps went/vbd out/rp with/in us/ppo in/in the/at evening/nn ,/, he'd/pps+md leave/vb it/ppo on/in the/at table/nn untouched/jj ./.


	When/wrb I/ppss was/bedz in/in liquor/nn I/ppss rode/vbd him/ppo pretty/ql hard/rb I/ppss guess/vb ./.
Occasionally/rb if/cs I/ppss pushed/vbd him/ppo too/ql far/rb he'd/pps+md give/vb me/ppo a/at look/nn out/in of/in narrowed/vbn eyes/nns and/cc the/at hard/jj cruel/jj bony/jj skull/nn would/md show/vb through/in that/dt smooth/jj face/nn of/in his/pp$ ./.
``/`` Some/dti day/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss told/vbd Eileen/np ,/, ``/`` that/dt guy/nn will/md kill/vb us/ppo both/abx ''/'' ./.
She/pps just/rb wouldn't/md* listen/vb ./.


	Getting/vbg drunk/nn every/at night/nn was/bedz the/at only/ap way/nn I/ppss could/md handle/vb the/at situation/nn ./.
Eileen/np seemed/vbd to/to feel/vb the/at same/ap way/nn ./.
We/ppss still/rb had/hvd that/dt much/ap in/in common/jj ./.
The/at trouble/nn was/bedz drinking/vbg cost/vbd money/nn ./.
The/at way/nn Eileen/np and/cc I/ppss were/bed hitting/vbg it/ppo up/rp ,/, we/ppss needed/vbd ten/cd or/cc fifteen/cd dollars/nns an/at evening/nn ./.
Eileen/np must/md have/hv wheedled/vbn a/at little/ap out/in of/in Precious/jj-tl ./.
I/ppss raised/vbd some/dti kale/nn by/in hocking/vbg the/at good/jj clothes/nns I/ppss had/hvd left/vbn over/rp from/in my/pp$ respectable/jj uptown/nn life/nn ,/, but/cc when/wrb that/dt was/bedz gone/vbn I/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv a/at cent/nn ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt we/ppss would/md have/hv done/vbn if/cs Pat/np O'Dwyer/np hadn't/hvd* come/vbn to/in town/nn ./.


	Pat/np O'Dwyer/np looked/vbd like/cs a/at heavier/jjr Jim/np ./.
He/pps had/hvd the/at same/ap bullet/nn head/nn of/in curly/jj reddish/jj hair/nn but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* have/hv Jim's/np$ pokerfaced/jj humor/nn or/cc his/pp$ brains/nns or/cc his/pp$ charm/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at big/jj thick/jj beefy/jj violent/jj man/nn ./.
Now/rb Pat/np may/md have/hv been/ben a/at lecher/nn and/cc a/at plugugly/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz a/at good/jj churchgoing/jj Catholic/jj and/cc he/pps loved/vbd his/pp$ little/jj sister/nn ./.
Those/dts O'Dwyers/np had/hvd that/cs Irish/jj clannishness/nn that/wps made/vbd them/ppo stick/vb together/rb in/in spite/in of/in politics/nn and/cc everything/pn ./.


	Pat/np took/vbd Eileen/np and/cc me/ppo out/rp to/in dinner/nn at/in a/at swell/jj steak/nn house/nn and/cc told/vbd us/ppo with/in tears/nns in/in his/pp$ eyes/nns how/wrb happy/jj he/pps was/bedz we/ppss had/hvd come/vbn together/rb again/rb ./.
``/`` Whom/wpo God/np hath/hvz joined/vbn ''/'' etcetera/rb ./.
The/at O'Dwyers/np were/bed real/ql religious/jj people/nns except/in for/in Kate/np ./.
Now/rb it/pps would/md be/be up/rp to/in me/ppo to/to keep/vb the/at little/jj girl/nn out/in of/in mischief/nn ./.
Pat/np had/hvd been/ben worried/vbn as/cs hell/nn ever/rb since/cs she'd/pps+md lost/vbn her/pp$ job/nn on/in that/dt fashion/nn magazine/nn ./.
It/pps had/hvd gone/vbn big/jj with/in the/at Hollywood/np girls/nns when/wrb he/pps told/vbd them/ppo his/pp$ sister/nn was/bedz an/at editor/nn of/in Art/nn-tl And/cc-tl Apparel/nn-tl ./.
How/wrb about/in me/ppo trying/vbg to/to help/vb her/ppo get/vb her/pp$ job/nn back/rb ?/. ?/.


	All/abn evening/nn Eileen/np had/hvd been/ben as/ql demure/jj as/cs a/at little/jj girl/nn getting/vbg ready/jj for/in her/pp$ first/od communion/nn ./.
It/pps just/rb about/rb blew/vbd us/ppo both/abx out/rp of/in the/at water/nn when/wrb Eileen/np suddenly/rb came/vbd out/rp with/in what/wdt she/pps came/vbd out/rp with/in ./.
``/`` But/cc brother/nn I/ppss can't/md* take/vb a/at job/nn right/ql now/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd with/in her/pp$ eyes/nns on/in her/pp$ ice/nn cream/nn ,/, ``/`` I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to have/hv a/at baby/nn ,/, Francis/np Xavier's/np$ baby/nn ,/, my/pp$ own/jj husband's/nn$ baby/nn ''/'' ./.


	My/pp$ first/od thought/nn was/bedz how/wrb had/hvd it/ppo happened/vbn so/ql soon/rb ,/, but/cc I/ppss counted/vbd back/rb on/in my/pp$ fingers/nns and/cc sure/rb enough/qlp we'd/ppss+hvd been/ben living/vbg together/rb six/cd weeks/nns ./.
Pat/np meanwhile/rb was/bedz bubbling/vbg over/rp with/in sentiment/nn ./.
Greatest/jjt thing/nn that/wps ever/rb happened/vbd ./.
Now/rb Eileen/np really/rb would/md have/hv to/to settle/vb down/rp to/to love/vb honor/vb and/cc obey/vb ,/, and/cc she'd/pps+md have/hv to/to quit/vb drinking/vbg ./.
He'd/pps+md come/vb East/nr-tl for/in the/at christening/nn ,/, by/in God/np he/pps would/md ./.
When/wrb we/ppss separated/vbd that/dt evening/nn Pat/np pushed/vbd a/at hundred/cd dollar/nn bill/nn into/in Eileen's/np$ hand/nn to/to help/vb towards/in a/at layette/nn ./.


	Before/cs he/pps left/vbd town/nn Pat/np saw/vbd to/in it/ppo that/cs I/ppss was/bedz fixed/vbn up/rp with/in a/at job/nn ./.
Pat/np had/hvd contacts/nns all/abn over/in the/at labor/nn movement/nn ./.
A/at friend/nn of/in Pat's/np$ named/vbn Frank/np Sposato/np had/hvd just/rb muscled/vbn into/in the/at Portwatchers'/nns$-tl Union/nn-tl ./.


	The/at portwatchers/nns were/bed retired/vbn longshoremen/nns and/cc small/jj time/nn seafarers/nns off/in towboats/nns and/cc barges/nns who/wps acted/vbd as/cs watchmen/nns on/in the/at wharves/nns ./.
Most/ap of/in them/ppo were/bed elderly/jj men/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz responsible/jj and/cc sometimes/rb dangerous/jj work/nn because/cs the/at thieving/vbg is/bez awful/jj in/in the/at port/nn of/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ./.
They/ppss weren't/bed* as/ql well/rb paid/vbn as/cs they/ppss should/md have/hv been/ben ./.
One/cd reason/nn the/at portwatchers/nns let/vb Sposato/np take/vb them/ppo over/rp was/bedz to/to get/vb the/at protection/nn of/in his/pp$ musclemen/nns ./.


	Sposato/np needed/vbd a/at front/nn ,/, some/dti labor/nn stiff/nn with/in a/at clean/jj record/nn to/to act/vb as/cs business/nn agent/nn of/in the/at Redhook/np local/nn ./.
There/rb I/ppss was/bedz a/at retired/vbn wobbly/jj and/cc structural/jj iron/nn worker/nn who'd/wps+hvd never/rb gouged/vbn a/at cent/nn off/in a/at fellow/nn worker/nn in/in my/pp$ thirty/cd years/nns in/in the/at movement/nn ./.
For/in once/rb radicalism/nn was/bedz a/at recommendation/nn ./.


	Sposato/np couldn't/md* wait/vb to/to get/vb me/ppo hired/vbn ./.
With/in my/pp$ gray/jj hair/nn and/cc my/pp$ weatherbeaten/jj countenance/nn I/ppss certainly/rb looked/vbd the/at honest/jj working/vbg stiff/nn ./.
The/at things/nns a/at man/nn will/md do/do for/in a/at woman/nn ./.

There/ex was/bedz one/cd fact/nn which/wdt Rector/np could/md not/* overlook/vb ,/, one/cd truth/nn which/wdt he/pps could/md not/* deny/vb ./.
As/ql long/jj as/cs there/ex were/bed two/cd human/nn beings/nns working/vbg together/rb on/in the/at same/ap project/nn ,/, there/ex would/md be/be competition/nn and/cc you/ppss could/md no/at more/rbr escape/vb it/ppo than/cs you/ppss could/md expect/vb to/to escape/vb the/at grave/nn ./.
No/at matter/nn how/wrb devoted/vbn a/at man/nn was/bedz ,/, no/at matter/nn how/wrb fully/rb he/pps gave/vbd his/pp$ life/nn to/in the/at Lord/nn-tl ,/, he/pps could/md never/rb extinguish/vb that/dt one/cd spark/nn of/in pride/nn that/wps gave/vbd him/ppo definition/nn as/cs an/at individual/nn ./.
All/abn of/in the/at jobs/nns in/in the/at mission/nn might/md be/be equal/jj in/in the/at eyes/nns of/in the/at Lord/nn-tl ,/, but/cc they/ppss were/bed certainly/rb not/* equal/jj in/in the/at eyes/nns of/in the/at Lord's/np$ servants/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz only/rb natural/jj that/wps Fletcher/np would/md strive/vb for/in a/at position/nn in/in which/wdt he/pps could/md make/vb the/at decisions/nns ./.


	Even/rb Rector/np himself/ppl was/bedz prey/nn to/in this/dt spirit/nn of/in competition/nn and/cc he/pps knew/vbd it/ppo ,/, not/* for/in a/at more/rbr exalted/vbn office/nn in/in the/at hierarchy/nn of/in the/at church/nn --/-- his/pp$ ambitions/nns for/in the/at bishopry/nn had/hvd died/vbn very/ql early/rb in/in his/pp$ career/nn --/-- but/cc for/in the/at one/cd clear/jj victory/nn he/pps had/hvd talked/vbn about/rb to/in the/at colonel/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* sure/jj how/wrb much/ap of/in this/dt desire/nn was/bedz due/jj to/in his/pp$ devotion/nn to/in the/at church/nn and/cc how/wrb much/ap was/bedz his/pp$ own/jj ego/nn ,/, demanding/vbg to/to be/be satisfied/vbn ,/, for/cs the/at two/cd were/bed intertwined/vbn and/cc could/md not/* be/be separated/vbn ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd desperately/rb to/to see/vb Kayabashi/np defeated/vbd ,/, the/at Communists/nns-tl in/in the/at village/nn rooted/vbd out/rp ,/, the/at mission/nn standing/vbg triumphant/jj ,/, for/cs in/in the/at triumph/nn of/in the/at Lord/nn-tl he/pps himself/ppl would/md be/be triumphant/jj ,/, too/rb ./.
But/cc perhaps/rb this/dt was/bedz a/at part/nn of/in the/at eternal/jj plan/nn ,/, that/dt man's/nn$ ambition/nn when/wrb linked/vbn with/in God/np would/md be/be a/at driving/vbg ,/, indefatigable/jj force/nn for/in good/nn in/in the/at world/nn ./.


	He/pps sighed/vbd ./.
How/wrb foolish/jj it/pps was/bedz to/to try/vb to/to fathom/vb the/at truth/nn in/in an/at area/nn where/wrb only/rb faith/nn would/md suffice/vb ./.
He/pps would/md have/hv to/to work/vb without/in questioning/vbg the/at motives/nns which/wdt made/vbd him/ppo work/vb and/cc content/vb himself/ppl with/in the/at thought/nn that/cs the/at eventual/jj victory/nn ,/, however/wrb it/pps was/bedz brought/vbn about/rb ,/, would/md be/be sweet/jj indeed/qlp ./.
His/pp$ first/od move/nn was/bedz to/to send/vb Hino/np to/in the/at village/nn to/to spend/vb a/at few/ap days/nns ./.
His/pp$ arm/nn had/hvd been/ben giving/vbg him/ppo some/dti trouble/nn and/cc Rector/np was/bedz not/* enough/ap of/in a/at medical/jj expert/nn to/to determine/vb whether/cs it/pps had/hvd healed/vbn improperly/rb or/cc whether/cs Hino/np was/bedz simply/rb rebelling/vbg against/in the/at tedious/jj work/nn in/in the/at print/nn shop/nn ,/, using/vbg the/at stiffness/nn in/in his/pp$ arm/nn as/cs an/at excuse/nn ./.
In/in any/dti event/nn Rector/np sent/vbd him/ppo to/in the/at local/jj hospital/nn to/to have/hv it/ppo checked/vbd ,/, telling/vbg him/ppo to/to keep/vb his/pp$ ears/nns open/jj while/cs he/pps was/bedz in/in the/at village/nn to/to see/vb if/cs he/pps could/md find/vb out/rp what/wdt Kayabashi/np was/bedz planning/vbg ./.


	Hino/np was/bedz elated/vbn at/in the/at prospect/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz allowed/vbn to/to spend/vb his/pp$ nights/nns at/in an/at inn/nn near/in the/at hospital/nn and/cc he/pps was/bedz given/vbn some/dti extra/jj money/nn to/to go/vb to/in the/at pachinko/fw-nn parlor/nn --/-- an/at excellent/jj place/nn to/to make/vb contact/nn with/in the/at enemy/nn ./.
He/pps left/vbd with/in all/abn the/at joyous/jj spirit/nn of/in a/at child/nn going/vbg on/in a/at holiday/nn ,/, nodding/vbg attentively/rb as/cs Rector/np gave/vbd him/ppo his/pp$ final/jj instructions/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz to/to get/vb involved/vbn in/in no/at arguments/nns ;/. ;/.
he/pps was/bedz to/to try/vb to/to make/vb no/at converts/nns ;/. ;/.
he/pps was/bedz simply/rb to/to listen/vb and/cc report/vb back/rb what/wdt he/pps heard/vbd ./.


	It/pps was/bedz a/at ridiculous/jj situation/nn and/cc Rector/np knew/vbd it/ppo ,/, for/cs Hino/np ,/, frankly/rb partisan/jj ,/, openly/rb gregarious/jj ,/, would/md make/vb a/at poor/jj espionage/nn agent/nn ./.
If/cs he/pps wanted/vbd to/to know/vb anything/pn ,/, he/pps would/md end/vb up/rp asking/vbg about/in it/ppo point-blank/rb ,/, but/cc in/in this/dt guileless/jj manner/nn he/pps would/md probably/rb receive/vb more/ql truthful/jj answers/nns than/cs if/cs he/pps tried/vbd to/to get/vb them/ppo by/in indirection/nn ./.
In/in all/abn of/in his/pp$ experience/nn in/in the/at mission/nn field/nn Rector/np had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn a/at convert/nn quite/ql like/cs Hino/np ./.
From/in the/at moment/nn that/cs Hino/np had/hvd first/rb walked/vbn into/in the/at mission/nn to/to ask/vb for/in a/at job/nn ,/, any/dti job/nn --/-- his/pp$ qualifications/nns neatly/rb written/vbn on/in a/at piece/nn of/in paper/nn in/in a/at precise/jj hand/nn --/-- he/pps had/hvd been/ben ready/jj to/to become/vb a/at Christian/jj ./.
He/pps had/hvd already/rb been/ben studying/vbg the/at Bible/np ;/. ;/.
he/pps knew/vbd the/at fundamentals/nns ,/, and/cc after/cs studying/vbg with/in Fletcher/np for/in a/at time/nn he/pps approached/vbd Rector/np ,/, announced/vbd that/cs he/pps wanted/vbd to/to be/be baptized/vbn and/cc that/dt was/bedz that/dt ./.


	Rector/nn had/hvd never/rb been/ben able/jj to/to find/vb out/rp much/ap about/in Hino's/np$ past/nn ./.
Hino/np talked/vbd very/ql little/jj about/in himself/ppl except/in for/in the/at infrequent/jj times/nns when/wrb he/pps used/vbd a/at personal/jj illustration/nn in/in connection/nn with/in another/dt subject/nn ./.
Putting/vbg the/at pieces/nns of/in this/dt mosaic/nn together/rb ,/, Rector/np had/hvd the/at vague/jj outlines/nns of/in a/at biography/nn ./.
Hino/np was/bedz the/at fourth/od son/nn of/in an/at elderly/jj farmer/nn who/wps lived/vbd on/in the/at coast/nn ,/, in/in Chiba/np ,/, and/cc divided/vbd his/pp$ life/nn between/in the/at land/nn and/cc the/at sea/nn ,/, supplementing/vbg the/at marginal/jj livelihood/nn on/in his/pp$ small/jj rented/vbn farm/nn with/in seasonal/jj employment/nn on/in a/at fishing/vbg boat/nn ./.
Without/in exception/nn Hino's/np$ brothers/nns turned/vbd to/in either/cc one/pn or/cc both/abx of/in their/pp$ father's/nn$ occupations/nns ,/, but/cc Hino/np showed/vbd a/at talent/nn for/in neither/dtx and/cc instead/rb spent/vbd most/ap of/in his/pp$ time/nn on/in the/at beach/nn where/wrb he/pps repaired/vbd nets/nns and/cc proved/vbd immensely/rb popular/jj as/cs a/at storyteller/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd gone/vbn into/in the/at Japanese/jj navy/nn ,/, had/hvd been/ben trained/vbn as/cs an/at officer/nn ,/, had/hvd participated/vbn in/in one/cd or/cc two/cd battles/nns --/-- he/pps never/rb went/vbd into/in detail/nn regarding/in his/pp$ military/nn experience/nn --/-- and/cc at/in the/at age/nn of/in twenty-five/cd ,/, quite/ql as/cs a/at bolt/nn out/in of/in the/at blue/jj ,/, he/pps had/hvd walked/vbn into/in the/at mission/nn as/cs if/cs he/pps belonged/vbd here/rb and/cc had/hvd become/vbn a/at Christian/jj ./.
Rector/nn was/bedz often/rb curious/jj ;/. ;/.
often/rb tempted/vbn to/to ask/vb questions/nns but/cc he/pps never/rb did/dod ./.
If/cs and/cc when/wrb Hino/np decided/vbd to/to tell/vb him/ppo about/in his/pp$ experiences/nns ,/, he/pps would/md do/do so/cs unasked/jj ./.


	Rector/nn had/hvd no/at doubt/nn that/wps Hino/np would/md come/vb back/rb from/in the/at village/nn bursting/vbg with/in information/nn ,/, ready/jj to/to impart/vb it/ppo with/in his/pp$ customary/jj gusto/nn ,/, liberally/rb embellished/vbn with/in his/pp$ active/jj imagnation/nn ./.
When/wrb the/at telephone/nn rang/vbd on/in the/at day/nn after/cs Hino/np went/vbd down/rp to/in the/at village/nn ,/, Rector/np had/hvd a/at hunch/nn it/pps would/md be/be Hino/np with/in some/dti morsel/nn of/in information/nn too/ql important/jj to/to wait/vb until/in his/pp$ return/nn ,/, for/cs there/ex were/bed few/ap telephones/nns in/in the/at village/nn and/cc the/at phone/nn in/in Rector's/np$ office/nn rarely/rb rang/vbd unless/cs it/pps was/bedz important/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz surprised/vbn to/to find/vb Kayabashi's/np$ secretary/nn on/in the/at other/ap end/nn of/in the/at line/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz even/ql more/ql startled/vbn when/wrb he/pps heard/vbd what/wdt Kayabashi/np wanted/vbd ./.
The/at oyabun/fw-nn was/bedz entertaining/vbg a/at group/nn of/in dignitaries/nns ,/, the/at secretary/nn said/vbd ,/, businessmen/nns from/in Tokyo/np for/in the/at most/ap part/nn ,/, and/cc Kayabashi/np wished/vbd to/to show/vb them/ppo the/at mission/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn one/cd before/rb and/cc had/hvd expressed/vbn a/at curiosity/nn about/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Rector/nn said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss guess/vb it/ppo will/md be/be all/ql right/rb ./.
When/wrb would/md the/at oyabun/fw-nn like/vb to/to bring/vb his/pp$ guests/nns up/in here/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` This/dt afternoon/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at secretary/nn said/vbd ./.
``/`` At/in three/cd o'clock/rb if/cs it/pps will/md be/be of/in convenience/nn to/in you/ppo at/in that/dt time/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/jj ''/'' ,/, Rector/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss will/md be/be expecting/vbg them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz about/rb to/to hang/vb up/in the/at phone/nn ,/, but/cc a/at note/nn of/in hesitancy/nn in/in the/at secretary's/nn$ voice/nn left/vbd the/at conversation/nn open/jj ./.
He/pps had/hvd something/pn more/ap to/to say/vb ./.
``/`` I/ppss beg/vb to/to inquire/vb if/cs the/at back/nn is/bez now/rb safe/jj for/in travelers/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.


	Rector/np laughed/vbd despite/in himself/ppl ./.
``/`` Unless/cs the/at oyabun/fw-nn has/hvz been/ben working/vbg on/in it/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, then/rb checked/vbd himself/ppl and/cc added/vbd :/: ``/`` You/ppss can/md tell/vb Kayabashi-san/np that/cs the/at back/nn road/nn is/bez in/in very/ql good/jj condition/nn and/cc will/md be/be quite/ql safe/jj for/in his/pp$ party/nn to/to use/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Arigato/fw-uh gosaimasu/fw-vb ''/'' ./.
The/at secretary/nn sighed/vbd with/in relief/nn and/cc then/rb the/at telephone/nn clicked/vbd in/in Rector's/np$ hand/nn ./.


	Rector/np had/hvd no/at idea/nn why/wrb Kayabashi/np wanted/vbd to/to visit/vb the/at mission/nn ./.
For/in the/at oyabun/fw-nn to/to make/vb such/abl a/at trip/nn was/bedz either/cc a/at sign/nn of/in great/jj weakness/nn or/cc an/at indication/nn of/in equally/ql great/jj confidence/nn ,/, and/cc from/in all/abn the/at available/jj information/nn it/pps was/bedz probably/rb the/at latter/ap ./.
Kayabashi/np must/md feel/vb fairly/ql certain/jj of/in his/pp$ victory/nn in/in order/nn to/to make/vb a/at visit/nn like/cs this/dt ,/, a/at trip/nn which/wdt could/md be/be so/ql easily/rb misinterpreted/vbn by/in the/at people/nns in/in the/at village/nn ./.
At/in the/at same/ap time/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz unlikely/jj that/cs any/dti businessmen/nns would/md spend/vb a/at day/nn in/in a/at Christian/jj mission/nn out/in of/in mere/jj curiosity/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, Kayabashi/np was/bedz bringing/vbg his/pp$ associates/nns here/rb for/in a/at specific/jj purpose/nn and/cc Rector/np would/md not/* be/be able/jj to/to fathom/vb it/ppo until/cs they/ppss arrived/vbd ./.


	When/wrb he/pps had/hvd given/vbn the/at call/nn a/at few/ap moments/nns thought/nn ,/, he/pps went/vbd into/in the/at kitchen/nn to/to ask/vb Mrs./np Yamata/np to/to prepare/vb tea/nn and/cc sushi/fw-nn for/in the/at visitors/nns ,/, using/vbg the/at formal/jj English/jj china/nn and/cc the/at silver/nn tea/nn service/nn which/wdt had/hvd been/ben donated/vbn to/in the/at mission/nn ,/, then/rb he/pps went/vbd outside/rb to/to inspect/vb the/at grounds/nns ./.
Fujimoto/np had/hvd a/at pile/nn of/in cuttings/nns near/in one/cd side/nn of/in the/at lawn/nn ./.
Rector/np asked/vbd him/ppo to/to move/vb it/ppo for/in the/at time/nn being/beg ;/. ;/.
he/pps wanted/vbd the/at mission/nn compound/nn to/to be/be effortlessly/rb spotless/jj ./.
A/at good/jj initial/jj impression/nn would/md be/be important/jj now/rb ./.
He/pps went/vbd into/in the/at print/nn shop/nn ,/, where/wrb Fletcher/np had/hvd just/rb finished/vbn cleaning/vbg the/at press/nn ./.


	``/`` How/wrb many/ap pamphlets/nns do/do we/ppss have/hv in/in stock/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Rector/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` I/ppss should/md say/vb about/rb a/at hundred/cd thousand/cd ''/'' ,/, Fletcher/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Why/wrb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss would/md like/vb to/to enact/vb a/at little/jj tableau/nn this/dt afternoon/nn ''/'' ,/, Rector/np said/vbd ,/, He/pps explained/vbd about/in the/at visit/nn and/cc the/at effect/nn he/pps wished/vbd to/to create/vb ,/, the/at picture/nn of/in a/at very/ql busy/jj mission/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* wish/vb to/to deceive/vb Kayabashi/np exactly/rb ,/, just/rb to/to display/vb the/at mission/nn activities/nns in/in a/at graphic/jj and/cc impressive/jj manner/nn ./.
Fletcher/np nodded/vbd as/cs he/pps listened/vbd to/in the/at instructions/nns and/cc said/vbd he/pps would/md arrange/vb the/at things/nns Rector/np requested/vbd ./.


	Rector's/np$ next/ap stop/nn was/bedz at/in the/at schoolroom/nn ,/, where/wrb Mavis/np was/bedz monitoring/vbg a/at test/nn ./.
He/pps beckoned/vbd to/in her/ppo from/in the/at door/nn and/cc she/pps slipped/vbd quietly/rb outside/rb ./.
He/pps told/vbd her/ppo of/in the/at visitors/nns and/cc then/rb of/in his/pp$ plans/nns ./.
``/`` How/wrb many/ap children/nns do/do you/ppo have/hv present/rb today/nr ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps said/vbd ./.


	She/pps looked/vbd back/rb toward/in the/at schoolroom/nn ./.
``/`` Fifteen/cd ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` No/rb ,/, only/rb fourteen/cd ./.
The/at little/jj Ito/np girl/nn had/hvd had/hvn to/to go/vb home/nr ./.
She/pps has/hvz a/at pretty/ql bad/jj cold/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss would/md like/vb them/ppo to/to appear/vb very/ql busy/jj today/nr ,/, not/* busy/jj exactly/rb ,/, but/cc joyous/jj ,/, exuberant/jj ,/, full/jj of/in life/nn ./.
I/ppss want/vb to/to create/vb the/at impression/nn of/in a/at compound/nn full/jj of/in children/nns ./.
Do/do you/ppo think/vb you/ppo can/md manage/vb it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Mavis/np smiled/vbd ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md try/vb ''/'' ./.


	As/cs Rector/np was/bedz walking/vbg back/rb toward/in the/at residential/jj hall/nn ,/, Johnson/np came/vbd out/rp of/in the/at basement/nn and/cc bounded/vbd up/rp to/in him/ppo ./.
The/at altercation/nn in/in the/at coffee/nn house/nn had/hvd done/vbn little/ap to/to dampen/vb his/pp$ spirits/nns ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz still/rb a/at little/ql wary/jj around/in Rector/np for/cs they/ppss had/hvd not/* yet/rb discussed/vbn the/at incident/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss think/vb I've/ppss+hv fixed/vbn the/at pump/nn so/cs we/ppss won't/md* have/hv to/to worry/vb about/in it/ppo for/in a/at long/jj time/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv adjusted/vbn the/at gauge/nn so/cs that/cs the/at pump/nn cuts/vbz out/rp before/cs the/at water/nn gets/vbz too/ql low/jj ./.
''/'' ``/`` Fine/jj ''/'' ,/, Rector/np said/vbd ./.
He/pps looked/vbd out/rp over/in the/at expanse/nn of/in the/at compound/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to take/vb a/at lot/nn of/in activity/nn to/to fill/vb it/ppo ./.
``/`` Have/hv you/ppss ever/rb operated/vbn a/at transit/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` No/rb ,/, sir/nn ''/'' ,/, Johnson/np said/vbd ./.

``/`` You/ppss are/ber about/rb to/to become/vb a/at first-class/nn surveyor/nn ''/'' ,/, Rector/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` When/wrb Konishi/np gets/vbz back/rb with/in the/at jeep/nn ,/, I/ppss want/vb you/ppo to/to round/vb up/rp two/cd or/cc three/cd Japanese/jj boys/nns ./.
Konishi/np can/md help/vb you/ppo ./.
You'll/ppss+md find/vb an/at old/jj transit/nn in/in the/at basement/nn ./.
The/at glass/nn is/bez out/in of/in it/ppo ,/, but/cc that/dt won't/md* matter/vb ./.
It/pps looks/vbz pretty/ql efficient/jj and/cc that's/dt+bez the/at important/jj thing/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps went/vbd on/rp to/to explain/vb what/wdt he/pps had/hvd in/in mind/nn ./.
Johnson/np nodded/vbd ./.
He/pps said/vbd he/pps could/md do/do it/ppo ./.


	Rector/np was/bedz warming/vbg to/in his/pp$ over-all/jj strategy/nn by/in the/at time/nn he/pps got/vbd back/rb to/in the/at residential/jj hall/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz rather/abl a/at childish/jj game/nn ,/, all/abn in/in all/abn ,/, but/cc everybody/pn seemed/vbd to/to be/be getting/vbg into/in the/at spirit/nn of/in the/at thing/nn and/cc he/pps could/md not/* remember/vb when/wrb he/pps had/hvd enjoyed/vbn planning/vbg anything/pn quite/ql so/ql much/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* sure/jj what/wdt effect/nn it/pps would/md have/hv ,/, but/cc that/dt was/bedz really/rb beside/in the/at point/nn when/wrb you/ppss got/vbd right/ql down/rp to/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* going/vbg to/to lose/vb the/at mission/nn by/in default/nn ,/, and/cc whatever/wdt reason/nn Kayabashi/np had/hvd for/in bringing/vbg his/pp$ little/ql sight-seeing/vbg group/nn to/in the/at mission/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be in/rp for/in a/at surprise/nn ./.


	He/pps found/vbd Elizabeth/np in/in the/at parlor/nn and/cc asked/vbd her/ppo to/to make/vb sure/jj everything/pn was/bedz in/in order/nn in/in the/at residential/jj hall/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb to/to take/vb charge/nn of/in the/at office/nn while/cs the/at party/nn was/bedz here/rb ./.
When/wrb everything/pn had/hvd been/ben done/vbn ,/, Rector/np went/vbd back/rb to/in his/pp$ desk/nn to/to occupy/vb himself/ppl with/in his/pp$ monthly/jj report/nn until/in three/cd o'clock/rb ./.


	At/in two/cd thirty/cd he/pps sent/vbd Fujimoto/np to/in the/at top/nn of/in the/at wall/nn at/in the/at northeast/jj corner/nn of/in the/at mission/nn to/to keep/vb an/at eye/nn on/in the/at ridge/nn road/nn and/cc give/vb a/at signal/nn when/wrb he/pps first/rb glimpsed/vbd the/at approach/nn of/in Kayabashi's/np$ party/nn ./.
Then/rb Rector/np ,/, attired/vbn in/in his/pp$ best/jjt blue/jj serge/nn suit/nn ,/, sat/vbd in/in a/at chair/nn out/rp on/in the/at lawn/nn ,/, in/in the/at shade/nn of/in a/at tree/nn ,/, smoking/vbg a/at cigarette/nn and/cc waiting/vbg ./.
The/at air/nn was/bedz cooler/jjr here/rb ,/, and/cc the/at lacy/jj pattern/nn of/in the/at trees/nns threw/vbd a/at dappled/vbn shadow/nn on/in the/at grass/nn ,/, an/at effect/nn which/wdt he/pps found/vbd pleasant/jj ./.



	She/pps concluded/vbd by/in asking/vbg him/ppo to/to name/vb another/dt hour/nn should/md this/dt one/cd be/be inconvenient/jj ./.


	The/at fish/nn took/vbd the/at bait/nn ./.
He/pps replied/vbd that/cs he/pps could/md not/* imagine/vb what/wdt importance/nn there/ex might/md be/be in/in thus/rb meeting/vbg with/in a/at stranger/nn ,/, but/cc --/-- joy/nn of/in joys/nns ,/, he/pps would/md be/be at/in home/nr at/in the/at hour/nn mentioned/vbn ./.


	But/cc when/wrb she/pps called/vbd he/pps had/hvd thought/vbn better/rbr of/in the/at matter/nn and/cc decided/vbd not/* to/to involve/vb himself/ppl in/in a/at new/jj entanglement/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz told/vbn by/in the/at manservant/nn who/wps opened/vbd the/at door/nn that/cs his/pp$ lordship/nn was/bedz engaged/vbn on/in work/nn from/in which/wdt he/pps had/hvd left/vbn strict/jj orders/nns he/pps was/bedz not/* to/to be/be disturbed/vbn ./.
Claire/np was/bedz bitterly/rb disappointed/vbn but/cc determined/vbn not/* to/to let/vb the/at rebuff/nn daunt/vb her/pp$ purpose/nn ./.
She/pps wrote/vbd again/rb and/cc now/rb ,/, abandoning/vbg for/in the/at moment/nn the/at theme/nn of/in love/nn ,/, she/pps asked/vbd for/in help/nn in/in the/at matter/nn of/in her/pp$ career/nn ./.
She/pps could/md act/vb and/cc she/pps could/md write/vb ./.
His/pp$ lordship/nn was/bedz concerned/vbn in/in the/at management/nn of/in Drury/np-tl Lane/nn-tl but/cc ,/, if/cs there/ex were/bed no/at opportunities/nns there/rb ,/, would/md he/pps read/vb and/cc criticize/vb her/pp$ novel/nn ?/. ?/.


	At/in last/rb he/pps consented/vbd to/to meet/vb her/ppo ,/, and/cc following/vbg that/dt brief/jj interview/nn Claire/np wrote/vbd him/ppo a/at yet/rb more/ql remarkable/jj proposal/nn :/: 

	Have/hv you/ppss any/dti objection/nn to/in the/at following/vbg plan/nn ?/. ?/.
On/in Thursday/nr evening/nn we/ppss may/md go/vb out/in of/in town/nn together/rb by/in some/dti stage/nn or/cc mail/nn about/in the/at distance/nn of/in ten/cd or/cc twelve/cd miles/nns ./.
There/rb we/ppss shall/md be/be free/jj and/cc unknown/jj ;/. ;/.
we/ppss can/md return/vb the/at following/vbg morning/nn 

	She/pps concluded/vbd by/in asking/vbg for/in a/at brief/jj interview/nn --/-- ``/`` to/to settle/vb with/in you/ppo where/wrb ''/'' --/-- and/cc she/pps threw/vbd in/in a/at tribute/nn to/in his/pp$ ``/`` gentle/jj manners/nns ''/'' and/cc ``/`` the/at wild/jj originality/nn of/in your/pp$ countenance/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps opened/vbd his/pp$ reply/nn with/in trembling/vbg fingers/nns he/pps agreed/vbd !/. !/.
And/cc he/pps would/md see/vb her/ppo that/dt evening/nn ./.
Victory/nn at/in last/rb !/. !/.


	At/in their/pp$ meeting/nn he/pps told/vbd her/ppo not/* to/to bother/vb about/in ``/`` where/wrb ''/'' --/-- he/pps would/md attend/vb to/in that/dt ./.
There/ex was/bedz one/cd of/in the/at new/jj forte-pianos/nns in/in the/at room/nn and/cc ,/, as/cs Claire/np rose/vbd to/to go/vb ,/, he/pps asked/vbd her/ppo to/to sing/vb him/ppo one/cd song/nn before/cs she/pps left/vbd ./.
She/pps sang/vbd him/ppo Scott's/np$ charming/jj ballad/nn ``/`` Rosabelle/np-tl ''/'' ,/, which/wdt was/bedz the/at vogue/nn of/in the/at moment/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd never/rb sung/vbn better/rbr ./.


	``/`` Your/pp$ voice/nn is/bez delightful/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps approved/vbd with/in a/at warm/jj smile/nn ./.
``/`` Tomorrow/nr will/md be/be a/at new/jj experience/nn --/-- I/ppss have/hv never/rb before/rb made/vbd love/nn to/in a/at nightingale/nn ./.
There/ex have/hv been/ben cooing/vbg doves/nns ,/, chattering/vbg magpies/nns ,/, thieving/vbg jackdaws/nns ,/, a/at proud/jj peacock/nn ,/, a/at silly/jj goose/nn ,/, and/cc a/at harpy/jj eagle/nn --/-- whom/wpo I/ppss was/bedz silly/jj enough/qlp to/to mate/vb with/in and/cc who/wps is/bez now/rb busy/jj tearing/vbg at/in my/pp$ vitals/nns ''/'' ./.


	And/cc so/cs they/ppss went/vbd ,/, he/pps choosing/vbg of/in all/abn places/nns an/at inn/nn near/in Medmenham/np-tl Abbey/nn-tl ,/, scene/nn a/at generation/nn ago/rb of/in the/at obscene/jj orgies/nns of/in the/at Hellfire/nn-tl Club/nn-tl ./.
He/pps regaled/vbd Claire/np with/in an/at account/nn of/in the/at mock/jj mass/nn performed/vbn by/in the/at cassocked/jj bloods/nns ,/, which/wdt he/pps had/hvd had/hvn at/in firsthand/nn from/in old/jj Bud/np Dodington/np ,/, one/cd of/in the/at leaders/nns of/in the/at so-called/jj ``/`` Order/nn-tl ''/'' ./.
Each/dt wore/vbd the/at monkish/jj scourge/nn at/in his/pp$ waist/nn but/cc this/dt ,/, it/pps seems/vbz ,/, was/bedz not/* employed/vbn for/in self-flagellation/nn ./.
Naked/jj girls/nns danced/vbd in/in the/at chancel/nn of/in the/at Abbey/nn-tl ,/, the/at youngest/jjt and/cc seemingly/rb the/at most/ql innocent/jj being/beg chosen/vbn to/to read/vb a/at sermon/nn filled/vbn with/in veiled/vbn depravities/nns ./.


	The/at jaded/vbn amorist/nn conjured/vbd up/rp pictures/nns of/in the/at blasphemous/jj rites/nns with/in relish/nn ./.
Alas/uh ,/, all/abn that/dt belonged/vbd to/in the/at age/nn of/in ``/`` Devil/nn-tl Dashwood/np-tl ''/'' and/cc ``/`` Wicked/jj-tl Wilkes/np-tl ''/'' ,/, abbot/nn and/cc beadsman/nn of/in the/at Order/nn-tl !/. !/.
The/at casual/jj seduction/nn of/in a/at seventeen-year-old/jj bluestocking/nn seemed/vbd tame/jj by/in comparison/nn ./.


	They/ppss passed/vbd close/rb by/in the/at turn/nn to/in Bishopsgate/np ./.
A/at scant/jj half/abn mile/nn away/rb Shelley/np and/cc Mary/np were/bed doubtless/rb sitting/vbg on/in their/pp$ diminutive/jj terrace/nn ,/, the/at air/nn about/in them/ppo scented/vbn with/in stock/nn ,/, and/cc listening/vbg to/in the/at nightingale/nn who/wps had/hvd nested/vbn in/in the/at big/jj lime/nn tree/nn at/in the/at foot/nn of/in the/at garden/nn ./.
Charming/jj and/cc peaceful/jj --/-- but/cc what/wdt were/bed charm/nn and/cc peace/nn compared/vbn to/in high/jj adventure/nn ?/. ?/.
Alone/rb with/in the/at fabulous/jj Byron/np !/. !/.
How/wrb many/ap women/nns had/hvd longed/vbn for/in the/at privilege/nn that/wps was/bedz hers/pp$$ ./.


	How/wrb was/bedz she/pps to/to behave/vb ,/, Claire/np wondered/vbd ./.
To/to be/be passive/jj ,/, to/to be/be girlishly/rb shy/jj was/bedz palpably/rb absurd/jj ./.
She/pps was/bedz the/at pursuer/nn as/ql clearly/rb as/cs was/bedz Venus/np in/in Shakespeare's/np$ poem/nn ./.
And/cc while/cs her/pp$ Adonis/np did/dod not/* suffer/vb from/in inexperience/nn ,/, satiety/nn might/md well/rb be/be an/at equal/jj handicap/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, she/pps would/md not/* pretend/vb modesty/nn ,/, but/cc neither/cc must/md she/pps be/be crudely/rb bold/jj ./.
Mystery/nn --/-- that/dt was/bedz the/at thing/nn ./.
In/in the/at bedroom/nn she/pps would/md insist/vb on/in darkness/nn ./.
With/in his/pp$ club/nn foot/nn he/pps might/md well/rb be/be grateful/jj ./.


	At/in the/at inn/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz situated/vbn close/rb to/in a/at broad/jj weir/nn ,/, Byron/np was/bedz greeted/vbn by/in the/at landlord/nn with/in obsequious/jj deference/nn and/cc addressed/vbn as/cs ``/`` milord/fw-nn ''/'' ./.
The/at place/nn was/bedz evidently/rb a/at familiar/jj haunt/nn and/cc Claire/np wondered/vbd what/wdt other/ap illicit/jj loves/nns had/hvd been/ben celebrated/vbn in/in the/at comfortable/jj rooms/nns to/in which/wdt they/ppss were/bed shown/vbn ./.


	The/at fire/nn in/in the/at sitting/vbg room/nn was/bedz lighted/vbn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt about/in the/at bedroom/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Byron/np inquired/vbd ./.
``/`` Seems/vbz to/in me/ppo last/ap time/nn I/ppss was/bedz here/rb the/at grate/nn bellowed/vbd out/rp smoke/nn as/cs it/pps might/md have/hv been/ben preparing/vbg us/ppo for/in hell/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We/ppss found/vbd some/dti owls/nns had/hvd built/vbn a/at nest/nn in/in the/at chimney/nn ,/, milord/fw-nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss promise/vb you/ppo you'll/ppss+md never/rb have/hv trouble/nn of/in that/dt sort/nn again/rb ''/'' ./.


	So/cs ,/, not/* only/rb had/hvd he/pps been/ben here/rb before/rb ,/, but/cc it/pps seemed/vbd he/pps might/md well/vb come/vb again/rb ./.
Claire/np felt/vbd suddenly/rb small/jj and/cc cheap/jj ,/, heroine/nn of/in a/at trivial/jj episode/nn in/in the/at voluminous/jj history/nn of/in Don/np Juan/np ./.


	A/at cold/jj supper/nn was/bedz ordered/vbn and/cc a/at bottle/nn of/in port/nn ./.
When/wrb Napoleon's/np$ ship/nn had/hvd borne/vbn him/ppo to/in Elba/np ,/, French/jj wines/nns had/hvd started/vbn to/to cross/vb the/at Channel/nn-tl ,/, the/at first/od shipments/nns in/in a/at dozen/nn war-ridden/jj years/nns ,/, but/cc the/at supplies/nns had/hvd not/* yet/rb reached/vbn rural/jj hostelries/nns where/wrb the/at sweet/jj wines/nns of/in the/at Spanish/jj peninsula/nn still/rb ruled/vbd ./.


	As/cs they/ppss waited/vbd for/in supper/nn they/ppss sat/vbd by/in the/at fire/nn ,/, glasses/nns in/in hand/nn ,/, while/cs Byron/np philosophized/vbd as/ql much/rb for/in his/pp$ own/jj entertainment/nn as/cs hers/pp$$ ./.


	``/`` Sex/nn is/bez overpriced/vbn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` The/at great/jj Greek/jj tragedies/nns are/ber concerned/vbn with/in man/nn against/in Fate/nn-tl ,/, not/* man/nn against/in man/nn for/in the/at prize/nn of/in a/at woman's/nn$ body/nn ./.
So/rb don't/do* see/vb yourself/ppl as/cs a/at heroine/nn or/cc fancy/vb this/dt little/jj adventure/nn is/bez an/at event/nn of/in major/jj importance/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` The/at gods/nns seemed/vbd to/to think/vb sex/nn pretty/ql important/jj ''/'' ,/, she/pps rebutted/vbd ./.
``/`` Mars/np and/cc Venus/np ,/, Bacchus/np and/cc Ariadne/np ,/, Jupiter/np and/cc Io/np ,/, Byron/np and/cc the/at nymph/nn of/in the/at owl's/nn$ nest/nn ./.
That/dt would/md be/be Minerva/np ,/, I/ppss suppose/vb ./.
Wasn't/bedz* the/at owl/nn her/pp$ symbol/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Byron/np laughed/vbd ./.
``/`` So/rb you/ppss know/vb something/pn of/in the/at classics/nns ,/, do/do you/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Tell/vb me/ppo about/in Minerva/np ,/, how/wrb she/pps behaved/vbd ,/, what/wdt she/pps did/dod to/to please/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md tell/vb you/ppo nothing/pn ./.
I/ppss don't/do* ask/vb you/ppo who/wps 'tis/pps+bez you're/ppss+ber being/beg unfaithful/jj to/in ,/, husband/nn or/cc lover/nn ./.
Frankly/rb ,/, I/ppss don't/do* care/vb ''/'' ./.


	For/in a/at moment/nn she/pps thought/vbd of/in answering/vbg with/in the/at truth/nn but/cc she/pps knew/vbd there/ex were/bed men/nns who/wps shied/vbd away/rb from/in virginity/nn ,/, who/wps demanded/vbd some/dti degree/nn of/in education/nn in/in body/nn as/ql well/rb as/cs mind/nn ./.


	``/`` Very/ql well/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I'll/ppss+md not/* catechize/vb you/ppo ./.
What/wdt matter/vb the/at others/nns so/ql long/jj as/cs I/ppss have/hv my/pp$ place/nn in/in history/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps was/bedz striking/vbg the/at right/jj note/nn ./.
No/at man/nn ever/rb had/hvd a/at better/jjr opinion/nn of/in himself/ppl and/cc indeed/rb ,/, with/in one/cd so/ql favored/vbn ,/, flattery/nn could/md hardly/rb seem/vb overdone/vbn ./.
Brains/nns and/cc beauty/nn ,/, high/jj position/nn in/in both/abx the/at social/jj and/cc intellectual/jj worlds/nns ,/, athlete/nn ,/, fabled/jj lover/nn --/-- if/cs ever/rb the/at world/nn was/bedz any/dti man's/nn$ oyster/nn it/pps was/bedz his/pp$ ./.


	The/at light/jj supper/nn over/rp ,/, Claire/np went/vbd to/in him/ppo and/cc ,/, slipping/vbg an/at arm/nn about/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ,/, sat/vbd on/in his/pp$ knee/nn ./.
He/pps drew/vbd her/ppo close/rb and/cc ,/, hand/nn on/in cheek/nn ,/, turned/vbd her/pp$ face/nn to/in his/pp$ ./.
Her/pp$ lips/nns ,/, moist/jj and/cc parted/vbn ,/, spoke/vbd his/pp$ name/nn ./.


	``/`` Byron/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	His/pp$ hand/nn went/vbd to/in her/pp$ shoulder/nn and/cc pushed/vbd aside/rb the/at knotted/vbn scarf/nn that/dt surmounted/vbd the/at striped/vbn poplin/nn gown/nn ;/. ;/.
then/rb ,/, to/to better/jjr purpose/nn ,/, he/pps took/vbd hold/nn of/in the/at knot/nn and/cc with/in dextrous/jj fingers/nns ,/, untied/vbd it/ppo ./.
The/at bodice/nn beneath/rb was/bedz buttoned/vbn and/cc ,/, withdrawing/vbg his/pp$ lips/nns from/in hers/pp$$ ,/, he/pps set/vbd her/ppo upright/rb on/in his/pp$ knee/nn and/cc started/vbd to/to undo/vb it/ppo ,/, unhurriedly/rb as/cs if/cs she/pps were/bed a/at child/nn ./.


	But/cc ,/, kindled/vbn by/in his/pp$ kiss/nn ,/, his/pp$ caressing/vbg hand/nn ,/, her/pp$ desire/nn was/bedz aflame/jj ./.
She/pps sprang/vbd up/rp and/cc went/vbd swiftly/rb to/in the/at bedroom/nn ./.
Lord/nn-tl Byron/np poured/vbd himself/ppl another/dt glass/nn of/in wine/nn and/cc held/vbd it/ppo up/rp to/in the/at candle/nn flame/nn admiring/vbg the/at rich/jj color/nn ./.
He/pps drank/vbd slowly/rb with/in due/jj appreciation/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz an/at excellent/jj vintage/nn ./.


	He/pps rose/vbd and/cc went/vbd to/in the/at bedroom/nn ./.
Pausing/vbg in/in the/at doorway/nn he/pps said/vbd :/: ``/`` The/at form/nn of/in the/at human/nn female/nn ,/, unlike/in her/pp$ mind/nn and/cc her/pp$ spirit/nn ,/, is/bez the/at most/ql challenging/jj loveliness/nn in/in all/abn nature/nn ''/'' ./.




When/wrb Claire/np returned/vbd to/in Bishopsgate/np she/pps longed/vbd to/to tell/vb them/ppo she/pps had/hvd become/vbn Byron's/np$ mistress/nn ./.
By/in odd/jj coincidence/nn ,/, on/in the/at evening/nn of/in her/pp$ return/nn Shelley/np chose/vbd to/to read/vb Parisina/np-tl ,/, which/wdt was/bedz the/at latest/jjt of/in the/at titled/vbn poet's/nn$ successes/nns ./.
As/cs he/pps declaimed/vbd the/at sonorous/jj measures/nns ,/, it/pps was/bedz as/ql much/ap as/cs Claire/np could/md do/do to/to restrain/vb herself/ppl from/in bursting/vbg out/rp with/in her/pp$ dramatic/jj tidings/nns ./.


	``/`` Although/cs it/pps is/bez not/* the/at best/jjt of/in which/wdt he/pps is/bez capable/jj ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Shelley/np as/cs he/pps closed/vbd the/at book/nn ,/, ``/`` it/pps is/bez still/rb poetry/nn of/in a/at high/jj order/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` If/cs he/pps would/md only/rb leave/vb the/at East/nr-tl ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Mary/np ./.
``/`` I/ppss am/bem tired/vbn of/in sultans/nns and/cc scimitars/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` The/at hero/nn of/in his/pp$ next/ap poem/nn is/bez Napoleon/np Bonaparte/np ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Claire/np ,/, with/in slightly/rb overdone/vbn carelessness/nn ./.


	``/`` How/wrb do/do you/ppss know/vb that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Demanded/vbn Mary/np ./.


	``/`` I/ppss was/bedz told/vbn it/ppo on/in good/jj authority/nn ''/'' ,/, Claire/np answered/vbd darkly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss mustn't/md* tell/vb ,/, I/ppss mustn't/md* tell/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps repeated/vbd to/in herself/ppl ./.
``/`` I/ppss promised/vbd him/ppo I/ppss wouldn't/md* ''/'' ./.



Chapter/nn-hl 9/cd-hl 
winter/nn came/vbd ,/, and/cc with/in it/ppo Mary's/np$ baby/nn --/-- a/at boy/nn as/cs she/pps had/hvd wished/vbn ./.
William/np ,/, he/pps was/bedz called/vbn ,/, in/in honor/nn of/in the/at man/nn who/wps was/bedz at/in once/rb Shelley's/np$ pensioner/nn and/cc his/pp$ most/ql bitter/jj detractor/nn ./.
With/in a/at pardonable/jj irony/nn Shelley/np wrote/vbd to/in the/at father/nn who/wps had/hvd publicly/rb disowned/vbn his/pp$ daughter/nn :/: 

	``/`` Fanny/np and/cc Mrs./np Godwin/np will/md probably/rb be/be glad/jj to/to hear/vb that/cs Mary/np has/hvz safely/rb recovered/vbn from/in a/at very/ql favorable/jj confinement/nn ,/, and/cc that/wps her/pp$ child/nn is/bez well/rb ''/'' ./.


	At/in the/at same/ap time/nn another/dt child/nn --/-- this/dt one/cd of/in Shelley's/np$ brain/nn --/-- was/bedz given/vbn to/in the/at world/nn :/: Alastor/np-tl ,/, a/at poem/nn of/in pervading/vbg beauty/nn in/in which/wdt the/at reader/nn may/md gaze/vb into/in the/at still/jj depths/nns of/in a/at fine/jj mind's/nn$ musings/nns ./.
Alastor/np-tl was/bedz published/vbn only/rb to/to be/be savagely/rb attacked/vbn ,/, contemptuously/rb ignored/vbn ./.
Shelley/np sent/vbd a/at copy/nn to/in Southey/np ,/, a/at former/ap friend/nn ,/, and/cc another/dt to/in Godwin/np ./.
Neither/dtx acknowledged/vbd the/at gift/nn ./.


	Only/rb Mary's/np$ praise/nn sustained/vbd him/ppo in/in his/pp$ disappointment/nn ./.
She/pps understood/vbd completely/rb ./.
Not/* a/at thought/nn nor/cc a/at cadence/nn was/bedz missed/vbn in/in her/pp$ summary/nn of/in appreciation/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss have/hv made/vbn the/at labor/nn worth/jj while/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd to/in her/ppo ,/, smiling/vbg ./.
``/`` And/cc in/in the/at future/nn ,/, since/cs I/ppss write/vb for/in a/at public/nn of/in one/cd ,/, I/ppss can/md save/vb the/at poor/jj publishers/nns from/in wasting/vbg their/pp$ money/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` A/at public/nn of/in one/cd ''/'' ,/, Mary/np echoed/vbd reprovingly/rb ./.
``/`` How/wrb can/md you/ppss say/vb such/abl a/at thing/nn ?/. ?/.
There/ex will/md be/be thousands/nns who/wps will/md thrill/vb to/in the/at loveliness/nn of/in Alastor/np-tl ./.
There/ex are/ber some/dti even/rb now/rb ./.
What/wdt about/in that/dt dear/jj ,/, clever/jj Mr./np Thynne/np ?/. ?/.
I/ppss am/bem sure/jj he/pps is/bez in/in raptures/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Poor/jj Mr./np Thynne/np ,/, he/pps always/rb has/hvz to/to be/be trotted/vbn out/rp for/in my/pp$ encouragement/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` There/ex are/ber other/ap Mr./np Thynnes/nps ./.
Not/* everyone/pn is/bez bewitched/vbn by/in Byron's/np$ caliphs/nns and/cc harem/nn beauties/nns ''/'' ./.


	Mary's/np$ supercritical/jj attitude/nn toward/in Byron/np had/hvd nothing/pn to/to do/do with/in his/pp$ moral/jj disrepute/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz resentful/jj of/in his/pp$ easy/jj success/nn as/cs compared/vbn with/in Shelley's/np$ failure/nn ./.
The/at same/ap month/nn that/dt Alastor/np-tl was/bedz published/vbn ,/, Murray/np sold/vbd twenty/cd thousand/cd copies/nns of/in The/at-tl Siege/nn-tl Of/in-tl Corinth/np-tl ,/, a/at slovenly/jj bit/nn of/in Byronism/np that/cs even/rb Shelley's/np$ generosity/nn rebelled/vbd at/in ./.




The/at lordly/jj poet/nn was/bedz at/in low-water/nn mark/nn ./.
The/at careless/jj writing/nn was/bedz in/in keeping/vbg with/in his/pp$ mood/nn of/in savage/jj discontent/nn ./.
On/in all/abn sides/nns doors/nns were/bed being/beg slammed/vbn in/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
The/at previous/jj scandals/nns ,/, gaily/rb diverting/vbg as/cs they/ppss were/bed ,/, had/hvd only/rb served/vbn to/to increase/vb his/pp$ popularity/nn ./.
Now/rb ,/, under/in the/at impact/nn of/in his/pp$ wife's/nn$ disclosures/nns ,/, he/pps was/bedz brought/vbn suddenly/rb to/in the/at realization/nn that/cs there/ex was/bedz a/at limit/nn to/in tolerance/nn ,/, however/wql brilliant/jj ,/, however/wql far-famed/jj the/at offender/nn might/md be/be ./.
He/pps tried/vbd defiance/nn and/cc openly/rb flaunted/vbd his/pp$ devotion/nn to/in his/pp$ half/abn sister/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps soon/rb saw/vbd ,/, as/cs did/dod she/pps ,/, that/cs this/dt course/nn if/cs persisted/vbn in/rp would/md involve/vb them/ppo in/in a/at common/jj ruin/nn ./.
For/in the/at moment/nn there/ex was/bedz no/at woman/nn in/in his/pp$ life/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz this/dt vacuum/nn that/wps had/hvd given/vbn Claire/np her/pp$ opportunity/nn ./.


	But/cc the/at liaison/nn successfully/rb started/vbd in/in the/at last/ap days/nns of/in autumn/nn was/bedz now/rb languishing/vbg ./.
Byron/np ,/, since/in the/at separation/nn from/in his/pp$ wife/nn had/hvd been/ben living/vbg in/in a/at smallish/jj house/nn in/in Piccadilly/np-tl Terrace/nn-tl ./.
He/pps refused/vbd to/to bring/vb Claire/np to/in it/ppo even/rb as/cs an/at occasional/jj visitor/nn ,/, claiming/vbg that/cs his/pp$ every/at move/nn was/bedz watched/vbn by/in spies/nns of/in the/at Milbankes/np ./.



	Beckworth/np handed/vbd the/at pass/nn to/in the/at colonel/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd thought/vbn that/cs the/at suggestion/nn of/in taking/vbg it/ppo himself/ppl would/md tip/vb the/at colonel/nn in/in the/at direction/nn of/in serving/vbg his/pp$ own/jj order/nn ,/, but/cc the/at slip/nn of/in paper/nn was/bedz folded/vbn and/cc absently/rb thrust/vbn into/in the/at colonel's/nn$ belt/nn ./.
Despite/in his/pp$ yearning/nn ,/, the/at colonel/nn would/md not/* go/vb down/rp to/to see/vb the/at men/nns come/vb through/in the/at lines/nns ./.
He/pps would/md remain/vb in/in the/at tent/nn ,/, waiting/vbg impatiently/rb ,/, occupied/vbn by/in some/dti trivial/jj task/nn ./.


	--/-- Beckworth/np ./.


	--/-- Sir/nn ?/. ?/.


	--/-- Fetch/vb me/ppo the/at copies/nns of/in everything/pn B/np and/cc C/np companies/nns have/hv requisitioned/vbn in/in the/at last/ap six/cd months/nns ./.


	--/-- The/at last/ap six/cd months/nns ,/, sir/nn ?/. ?/.


	--/-- You/ppss heard/vbd me/ppo ./.
There's/ex+bez a/at lot/nn of/in waste/nn going/vbg on/rp here/rb ./.
It's/pps+hvz got/vbn to/to stop/vb ./.
I/ppss want/vb to/to take/vb a/at look/nn ./.
This/dt is/bez no/at damned/vbn holiday/nn ,/, Beckworth/np ./.
Get/vb busy/jj ./.


	--/-- Yes/rb ,/, sir/nn ./.


	Beckworth/np left/vbd the/at tent/nn ./.
Below/rb he/pps could/md see/vb the/at bright/jj torches/nns lighting/vbg the/at riverbank/nn ./.
He/pps glanced/vbd back/rb ./.
The/at colonel/nn crouched/vbd tensely/rb on/in one/cd of/in the/at folding/vbg chairs/nns ,/, methodically/rb tearing/vbg at/in his/pp$ thumbnail/nn ./.




The/at bombproof/jj was/bedz a/at low-ceilinged/jj structure/nn of/in heavy/jj timbers/nns covered/vbn with/in earth/nn ./.
It/pps stood/vbd some/dti fifty/cd paces/nns from/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at bank/nn ./.
From/in the/at outside/nn ,/, it/pps seemed/vbd no/at more/ap than/in a/at low/jj drumlin/nn ,/, a/at lump/nn on/in the/at dark/jj earth/nn ./.
A/at crude/jj ladder/nn ran/vbd down/rp to/in a/at wooden/jj floor/nn ./.
Two/cd slits/nns enabled/vbd observers/nns to/to watch/vb across/in the/at river/nn ./.
The/at place/nn smelled/vbd strongly/rb of/in rank/jj ,/, fertile/jj earth/nn ,/, rotting/vbg wood/nn and/cc urine/nn ./.
The/at plank/nn floor/nn was/bedz slimed/vbn beneath/in Watson's/np$ boots/nns ./.
At/in least/ap the/at Union/nn-tl officer/nn had/hvd been/ben decent/jj enough/qlp to/to provide/vb a/at candle/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at place/nn to/to sit/vb ,/, but/cc Watson/np walked/vbd slowly/rb from/in the/at ladder/nn to/in the/at window/nn slits/nns and/cc back/nn ,/, stooping/vbg slightly/rb to/to avoid/vb striking/vbg his/pp$ head/nn on/in the/at heavy/jj beams/nns ./.
In/in the/at corner/nn was/bedz the/at soldier/nn with/in the/at white/jj flag/nn ./.
He/pps stood/vbd stiffly/rb erect/jj ,/, clutching/vbg the/at staff/nn ,/, his/pp$ body/nn half/ql hidden/vbn by/in the/at limp/jj cloth/nn ./.
Watson/np hardly/rb looked/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
The/at man/nn had/hvd come/vbn floundering/vbg aboard/rb the/at flat-bottomed/jj barge/nn at/in the/at last/ap instant/nn ,/, brandishing/vbg the/at flag/nn of/in truce/nn ./.
Someone/pn had/hvd hauled/vbn him/ppo over/in the/at side/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd remained/vbn silent/jj while/cs they/ppss crossed/vbd ./.


	An/at officer/nn with/in a/at squad/nn of/in men/nns had/hvd been/ben waiting/vbg on/in the/at bank/nn ./.
The/at men/nns in/in the/at boats/nns had/hvd started/vbn yelling/vbg happily/rb at/in first/od sight/nn of/in the/at officer/nn ,/, two/cd of/in them/ppo calling/vbg him/ppo Billy/np ./.
When/wrb the/at boat/nn had/hvd touched/vbn ,/, the/at weaker/jjr ones/nns and/cc the/at two/cd wounded/vbn men/nns had/hvd been/ben lifted/vbn out/rp and/cc carried/vbn away/rb by/in the/at soldiers/nns ./.
Watson/np had/hvd presented/vbn his/pp$ pouch/nn and/cc been/ben led/vbn to/in the/at bombproof/jj ./.
The/at officer/nn had/hvd told/vbn him/ppo that/cs both/abx lists/nns must/md be/be checked/vbn ./.
Watson/np had/hvd given/vbn his/pp$ name/nn and/cc asked/vbn for/in a/at safe-conduct/nn pass/nn ./.
The/at officer/nn ,/, surprised/vbn ,/, said/vbd he/pps would/md have/hv to/to see/vb ./.
Watson/np had/hvd nodded/vbn absently/rb and/cc muttered/vbd that/cs he/pps would/md check/vb the/at lists/nns himself/ppl later/rbr ./.
He/pps had/hvd peered/vbn through/in the/at darkness/nn at/in the/at rampart/nn ./.
The/at men/nns he/pps would/md take/vb back/rb across/in the/at river/nn stood/vbd there/rb ,/, but/cc he/pps turned/vbd away/rb from/in them/ppo ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd no/at part/nn of/in the/at emotions/nns of/in the/at exchange/nn ,/, no/at memory/nn of/in the/at joy/nn and/cc gratitude/nn that/wps other/ap men/nns felt/vbd ./.
He/pps had/hvd hoped/vbn to/to be/be alone/rb in/in the/at bombproof/jj ,/, but/cc the/at soldier/nn had/hvd followed/vbn him/ppo ./.
Though/cs Watson/np carefully/rb ignored/vbd the/at man/nn ,/, he/pps could/md not/* deny/vb his/pp$ presence/nn ./.
Perhaps/rb it/pps would/md be/be better/jjr to/to speak/vb to/in him/ppo ,/, since/cs silence/nn could/md not/* exorcise/vb his/pp$ form/nn ./.
Watson/np glanced/vbd briefly/rb at/in him/ppo ,/, seeing/vbg only/rb a/at body/nn rigidly/rb erect/jj behind/in the/at languid/jj banner/nn ./.


	--/-- We/ppss won't/md* be/be too/ql long/jj ./.
If/cs my/pp$ pass/nn is/bez approved/vbn ,/, I/ppss may/md be/be a/at half/abn hour/nn ./.


	The/at soldier/nn answered/vbd in/in a/at curious/jj ,/, muffled/vbn voice/nn ,/, his/pp$ lips/nns barely/rb moving/vbg ./.
Watson/np turned/vbd away/rb and/cc did/dod not/* see/vb the/at man's/nn$ knees/nns buckle/vb and/cc his/pp$ body/nn sag/vb ./.


	--/-- Yes/rb ,/, sir/nn ./.


	He/pps had/hvd acknowledged/vbn the/at man/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz easier/jjr to/to think/vb now/rb ,/, Watson/np decided/vbd ./.
The/at stiff/jj figure/nn in/in the/at corner/nn no/at longer/jjr blocked/vbd his/pp$ thoughts/nns ./.
He/pps paced/vbd slowly/rb ,/, stooping/vbg ,/, staring/vbg at/in the/at damp/jj ,/, slippery/jj floor/nn ./.
He/pps tried/vbd to/to order/vb the/at words/nns of/in the/at three/cd Union/nn-tl officers/nns ,/, seeking/vbg to/to create/vb some/dti coherent/jj portrait/nn of/in the/at dead/jj boy/nn ./.
But/cc he/pps groped/vbd blindly/rb ./.
His/pp$ lack/nn of/in success/nn steadily/rb eroded/vbd his/pp$ interest/nn ./.
He/pps stopped/vbd pacing/vbg ,/, leaned/vbd against/in the/at dank/jj ,/, timbered/vbn wall/nn and/cc let/vb his/pp$ mind/nn drift/vb ./.
A/at feeling/nn of/in futility/nn ,/, an/at enervation/nn of/in mind/nn greater/jjr than/cs any/dti fatigue/nn he/pps had/hvd ever/rb known/vbn ,/, seeped/vbd through/in him/ppo ./.
What/wdt in/in the/at name/nn of/in God/np was/bedz he/pps doing/vbg ,/, crouched/vbn in/in a/at timbered/vbn pit/nn on/in the/at wrong/jj bank/nn of/in the/at river/nn ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb had/hvd he/pps crossed/vbd the/at dark/jj water/nn ,/, to/to bring/vb back/rb a/at group/nn of/in reclaimed/vbn soldiers/nns or/cc to/to skulk/vb in/in a/at foul-smelling/jj hole/nn ?/. ?/.


	He/pps grew/vbd annoyed/vbn and/cc at/in the/at same/ap time/nn surprised/vbn at/in that/dt emotion/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz conscious/jj of/in a/at growing/vbg sense/nn of/in absurdity/nn ./.
Hillman/np had/hvd written/vbn it/ppo all/abn out/rp ,/, hadn't/hvd* he/pps ?/. ?/.
Wasn't/bedz* the/at report/nn official/jj enough/qlp ?/. ?/.
What/wdt did/dod he/pps hope/vb to/to accomplish/vb here/rb ?/. ?/.
Hillman/np had/hvd ordered/vbn him/ppo not/* to/to leave/vb the/at far/jj bank/nn ./.
Prompted/vbn by/in a/at guilty/jj urge/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd disobeyed/vbn the/at order/nn of/in a/at man/nn he/pps respected/vbd ./.
For/in what/wdt ?/. ?/.
To/to tell/vb John/np something/pn he/pps would/md find/vb out/rp for/in himself/ppl ./.


	The/at figure/nn in/in the/at corner/nn belched/vbd loudly/rb ,/, a/at deep/jj ,/, liquid/nn eruption/nn ./.
Watson/np snorted/vbd and/cc then/rb laughed/vbd aloud/rb ./.
Exactly/rb !/. !/.


	The/at soldier's/nn$ voice/nn was/bedz muffled/vbn again/rb ,/, stricken/vbn with/in chagrin/nn ./.
He/pps clutched/vbd the/at staff/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ dark/jj eyes/nns blinked/vbd apologetically/rb ./.


	--/-- 'scuse/vb me/ppo ,/, sir/nn ./.


	--/-- Let's/vb+ppo get/vb out/in of/in here/rb ./.


	Watson/np ran/vbd up/in the/at ladder/nn and/cc stood/vbd for/in a/at second/od sucking/vbg in/in the/at cool/jj air/nn that/wps smelled/vbd of/in mud/nn and/cc river/nn weeds/nns ./.
To/in his/pp$ left/nr ,/, the/at two/cd skiffs/nns dented/vbd their/pp$ sharp/jj bows/nns into/in the/at soft/jj bank/nn ./.
The/at flat-bottomed/jj boat/nn swung/vbd slowly/rb to/in the/at pull/nn of/in the/at current/nn ./.
A/at soldier/nn held/vbd the/at end/nn of/in a/at frayed/vbn rope/nn ./.


	Three/cd Union/nn-tl guards/nns appeared/vbd ,/, carrying/vbg their/pp$ rifles/nns at/in ready/jj ./.
Watson/np stared/vbd at/in them/ppo curiously/rb ./.
They/ppss were/bed stocky/jj men/nns ,/, well/rb fed/vbn and/cc clean-shaven/jj ,/, with/in neat/jj uniforms/nns and/cc sturdy/jj boots/nns ./.
Behind/in them/ppo shambled/vbn a/at long/jj column/nn of/in weak/jj ,/, tattered/vbn men/nns ./.
The/at thin/jj gray/jj figures/nns raised/vbd a/at hoarse/jj ,/, cawing/vbg cry/nn like/cs the/at call/nn of/in a/at bird/nn flock/nn ./.
They/ppss moved/vbd toward/in the/at skiffs/nns with/in shocking/jj eagerness/nn ,/, elbowing/vbg and/cc shoving/vbg ./.
Four/cd men/nns were/bed knocked/vbn down/rp ,/, but/cc did/dod not/* attempt/vb to/to rise/vb ./.
They/ppss crept/vbd down/in the/at muddy/jj slope/nn toward/in the/at waiting/vbg boats/nns ./.
The/at Union/nn-tl soldiers/nns grounded/vbd arms/nns and/cc settled/vbd into/in healthy/jj ,/, indifferent/jj postures/nns to/to watch/vb the/at feeble/jj boarding/nn of/in the/at skiffs/nns ./.
The/at crawling/vbg men/nns tried/vbd to/to rise/vb and/cc fell/vbd again/rb ./.
No/at one/pn moved/vbd to/in them/ppo ./.
Watson/np watched/vbd two/cd of/in them/ppo flounder/vb into/in the/at shallow/jj water/nn and/cc listened/vbd to/in their/pp$ voices/nns beg/vb shrilly/rb ./.
In/in a/at confused/vbn ,/, soaked/vbn and/cc stumbling/vbg shift/nn of/in bodies/nns and/cc lifting/vbg arms/nns ,/, the/at two/cd men/nns were/bed dragged/vbn into/in the/at same/ap skiff/nn ./.
The/at third/od crawling/vbg man/nn forced/vbd himself/ppl erect/jj ./.
He/pps swayed/vbd like/cs a/at drunkard/nn ,/, his/pp$ arms/nns milling/vbg in/in slow/jj circles/nns ./.
He/pps paced/vbd forward/rb unsteadily/rb ,/, leaning/vbg too/ql far/ql back/rb ,/, his/pp$ head/nn tilted/vbd oddly/rb ./.
His/pp$ steps/nns were/bed short/jj and/cc stiff/jj ,/, and/cc ,/, with/in his/pp$ head/nn thrown/vbn back/rb ,/, his/pp$ progress/nn was/bedz a/at supercilious/jj strut/nn ./.
He/pps appeared/vbd to/to be/be peering/vbg haughtily/rb down/in his/pp$ nose/nn at/in the/at crowded/vbn and/cc unclean/jj vessel/nn that/dt would/md carry/vb him/ppo to/in freedom/nn ./.
He/pps stalked/vbd into/in the/at water/nn and/cc fell/vbd heavily/rb over/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at flat-bottomed/jj barge/nn ,/, his/pp$ weight/nn nearly/rb swamping/vbg the/at craft/nn ./.
Watson/np looked/vbd for/in the/at fourth/od man/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd reached/vbn the/at three/cd passive/jj guards/nns ;/. ;/.
he/pps crept/vbd in/in an/at incertain/jj manner/nn ,/, patting/vbg the/at ground/nn before/in him/ppo ./.
The/at guards/nns did/dod not/* look/vb at/in him/ppo ./.
The/at figure/nn on/in the/at earth/nn halted/vbd ,/, seemingly/rb bewildered/vbn ./.
He/pps sank/vbd back/rb on/in his/pp$ thin/jj haunches/nns like/cs a/at weary/jj hound/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps began/vbd to/to crawl/vb again/rb ./.
Watson/np watched/vbd the/at creeping/vbg figure/nn ./.
He/pps felt/vbd a/at spectator/nn interest/nn ./.
Would/md the/at man/nn make/vb it/ppo or/cc not/* ?/. ?/.
If/cs only/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at clock/nn for/in him/ppo to/to crawl/vb against/in ./.
If/cs he/pps failed/vbd to/to reach/vb the/at riverbank/nn in/in five/cd minutes/nns ,/, say/vb ,/, then/rb the/at skiffs/nns would/md pull/vb away/rb and/cc leave/vb him/ppo groping/vbg in/in the/at mud/nn ./.
Say/vb three/cd minutes/nns to/to make/vb it/ppo sporting/vbg ./.
Still/rb the/at guards/nns did/dod not/* move/vb ,/, but/cc stood/vbd inert/jj ,/, aloof/jj from/in the/at slow-scrambling/jj man/nn ./.
The/at figure/nn halted/vbd ,/, and/cc Watson/np gasped/vbd ./.
The/at man/nn began/vbd to/to creep/vb in/in the/at wrong/jj direction/nn ,/, deceived/vbn by/in a/at slight/jj rise/nn in/in the/at ground/nn !/. !/.
He/pps turned/vbd slowly/rb and/cc began/vbd to/to crawl/vb back/rb up/in the/at bank/nn toward/in the/at rampart/nn ./.
Watson/np raced/vbd for/in him/ppo ,/, his/pp$ boots/nns slamming/vbg the/at soft/jj earth/nn ./.


	The/at guards/nns came/vbd to/in life/nn with/in astonishing/jj menace/nn ./.
They/ppss spun/vbd and/cc flung/vbd their/pp$ rifles/nns up/rp ./.
Watson/np gesticulated/vbd wildly/rb ./.
One/cd man/nn dropped/vbd to/in his/pp$ knee/nn for/in better/jjr aim/nn ./.


	--/-- Let/vb me/ppo help/vb him/ppo ,/, for/in the/at love/nn of/in God/np !/. !/.


	The/at guards/nns lowered/vbd their/pp$ rifles/nns and/cc their/pp$ rifles/nns and/cc peered/vbd at/in Watson/np with/in sullen/jj ,/, puzzled/vbn faces/nns ./.
Watson/np pounded/vbd to/in the/at crawling/vbg man/nn and/cc stopped/vbd ,/, panting/vbg heavily/rb ./.
He/pps reached/vbd down/rp and/cc closed/vbd his/pp$ fingers/nns on/in the/at man's/nn$ upper/jj arm/nn ./.
Beneath/in his/pp$ clutch/nn ,/, a/at flat/jj strip/nn of/in muscle/nn surged/vbd on/in the/at bone/nn ./.
Watson/np bent/vbd awkwardly/rb and/cc lifted/vbd the/at man/nn to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.
Watson/np stared/vbd into/in a/at cadaverous/jj face/nn ./.
Two/cd clotted/vbn balls/nns the/at color/nn of/in mucus/nn rolled/vbd between/in fiery/jj lids/nns ./.
Light/jj sticks/nns of/in fingers/nns ,/, the/at tips/nns gummy/jj with/in dark/jj earth/nn ,/, patted/vbd at/in Watson's/np$ throat/nn ./.
The/at man's/nn$ voice/nn was/bedz a/at sweet/jj ,/, patient/jj whisper/nn ./.


	--/-- Henry/np said/vbd that/cs he'd/pps+md take/vb my/pp$ arm/nn and/cc get/vb me/ppo right/ql there/rb ./.
But/cc you/ppss ain't/ber* Henry/np ./.


	--/-- no/rb ./.


	--/-- It/pps don't/do* matter/vb ./.
Is/bez it/pps far/rb ?/. ?/.


	How/wrb far/rb could/md it/ppo be/be ,/, Watson/np thought/vbd bleakly/rb ,/, how/wrb far/rb can/md a/at blind/jj man/nn crawl/vb ?/. ?/.
Another/dt body/nn length/nn or/cc all/abn the/at rest/nn of/in his/pp$ nighted/jj life/nn ?/. ?/.


	--/-- Not/* far/rb ./.


	--/-- You/ppss talk/vb deep/rb ./.
Not/* like/cs us/ppo fellas/nns ./.
It/pps raises/vbz the/at voice/nn ,/, bein/beg in/in camp/nn ./.
You/ppss Secesh/np ?/. ?/.


	--/-- yes/rb ./.
Come/vb on/in ,/, now/rb ./.
Can/md you/ppss walk/vb ?/. ?/.


	--/-- Why/wrb ,/, course/nn I/ppss can/md ./.
I/ppss can/md walk/vb real/ql good/jj ./.


	Watson/np stumbled/vbd down/in the/at bank/nn ./.
The/at man/nn leaned/vbd his/pp$ frail/jj body/nn against/in Watson's/np$ shoulder/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz no/at heavier/jjr than/cs a/at child/nn ./.
Watson/np paused/vbd for/in breath/nn ./.
The/at man/nn wheezed/vbd weakly/rb ,/, his/pp$ fetid/jj breath/nn beating/vbg softly/rb against/in Watson's/np$ neck/nn ./.
His/pp$ sweet/jj whisper/nn came/vbd after/in great/jj effort/nn ./.


	--/-- Oh/uh ,/, Christ/uh ./.
I/ppss wish/vb you/ppo was/bedz Henry/np ./.
He/pps promised/vbd to/to take/vb me/ppo ./.


	--/-- hush/uh ./.
We're/ppss+ber almost/rb there/rb ./.


	Watson/np supported/vbd the/at man/nn to/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at bank/nn and/cc passed/vbd the/at frail/jj figure/nn over/in the/at bow/nn of/in the/at nearest/jjt skiff/nn ./.
The/at man/nn swayed/vbd on/in a/at thwart/nn ,/, turning/vbg his/pp$ ruined/vbn eyes/nns from/in side/nn to/in side/nn ./.
Watson/np turned/vbd away/rb ,/, sickened/vbn for/in the/at first/od time/nn in/in many/ap months/nns ./.
He/pps heard/vbd the/at patient/jj voice/nn calling/vbg ./.


	--/-- Henry/np ?/. ?/.
Where/wrb are/ber you/ppss ,/, Henry/np ?/. ?/.


	--/-- Make/vb him/ppo lie/vb down/rp !/. !/.


	Watson/np snatched/vbd a/at deep/jj breath/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd not/* meant/vbn to/to shout/vb ./.
He/pps stood/vbd with/in his/pp$ back/nn to/in the/at skiff/nn ./.
The/at men/nns mewed/vbd and/cc scratched/vbd ,/, begging/vbg to/to be/be taken/vbn away/rb ./.
Watson/np spoke/vbd bewilderedly/rb to/in the/at dark/jj night/nn flecked/vbn with/in pine-knot/nn torches/nns ./.


	--/-- Goddamn/vb you/ppo !/. !/.
What/wdt do/do you/ppo do/do to/in them/ppo ?/. ?/.


	Intelligence/nn jabbed/vbd at/in him/ppo accusingly/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz angry/jj ,/, sickened/vbn ./.
He/pps had/hvd not/* felt/vbn that/cs during/in the/at afternoon/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, nor/cc later/rbr ./.
All/abn his/pp$ emotions/nns had/hvd been/ben inward/rb ,/, self-conscious/jj ./.
In/in war/nn ,/, on/in a/at night/nn like/cs this/dt ,/, it/pps was/bedz only/rb the/at outward/rb emotions/nns that/wps mattered/vbd ,/, what/wdt could/md be/be flung/vbn out/rp into/in the/at darkness/nn to/to damage/vb others/nns ./.
Yes/rb ./.
That/dt was/bedz it/pps ./.
He/pps was/bedz sure/jj of/in it/ppo ./.


	John's/np$ type/nn of/in man/nn allowed/vbd this/dt sort/nn of/in thing/nn to/to happen/vb ./.
What/wdt a/at fool/nn he/pps had/hvd been/ben to/to think/vb of/in his/pp$ brother/nn !/. !/.
So/rb Charles/np was/bedz dead/jj ./.
What/wdt did/dod it/pps matter/vb ?/. ?/.
His/pp$ name/nn had/hvd been/ben crossed/vbn off/in a/at list/nn ./.
Already/rb his/pp$ cool/jj body/nn lay/vbd in/in the/at ground/nn ./.
What/wdt words/nns had/hvd any/dti meaning/nn ?/. ?/.
What/wdt had/hvd he/pps thought/vbn of/in ,/, to/to go/vb to/in John/np ,/, grovel/vb and/cc beg/vb understanding/nn ?/. ?/.
To/to confess/vb with/in a/at canvas/nn chair/nn as/cs a/at prie-dieu/fw-nn ,/, gouging/vbg at/in his/pp$ heart/nn until/cs a/at rough/jj and/cc stupid/jj hand/nn bade/vbd him/ppo rise/vb and/cc go/vb ?/. ?/.
Men/nns were/bed slaughtered/vbn every/at day/nn ,/, tumbled/vbn into/in eternity/nn like/cs so/ql many/ap torn/vbn parcels/nns flung/vbn down/in a/at portable/jj chute/nn ./.
What/wdt made/vbd him/ppo think/vb John/np had/hvd a/at right/nn to/to witness/vb his/pp$ brother's/nn$ humiliation/nn ?/. ?/.
What/wdt right/nn had/hvd John/np to/in any/dti special/jj consideration/nn ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz John/np better/jjr ,/, more/ql deserving/jj ?/. ?/.
To/in hell/nn with/in John/np ./.
Let/vb him/ppo chafe/vb with/in impatience/nn to/to see/vb Charles/np ,/, rip/vb open/jj the/at note/nn with/in trembling/vbg hands/nns and/cc read/vb the/at formal/jj report/nn in/in Hillman's/np$ beautiful/jj ,/, schoolmaster's/nn$ hand/nn ./.
John/np would/md curse/vb ./.
He/pps believed/vbd that/cs brave/jj boys/nns didn't/dod* cry/vb ./.


	Watson/np spat/vbd on/in the/at ground/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz grimly/rb satisfied/vbn ./.
He/pps had/hvd stupidly/rb thought/vbn himself/ppl compelled/vbn to/in ease/vb his/pp$ brother's/nn$ pain/nn ./.
Now/rb he/pps knew/vbd perfectly/rb that/cs he/pps had/hvd but/in longed/vbn to/to increase/vb his/pp$ own/jj suffering/nn ./.



	I/ppss would/md not/* want/vb to/to be/be one/cd of/in those/dts writers/nns who/wps begin/vb each/dt morning/nn by/in exclaiming/vbg ,/, ``/`` O/uh Gogol/np ,/, O/uh Chekhov/np ,/, O/uh Thackeray/np and/cc Dickens/np ,/, what/wdt would/md you/ppo have/hv made/vbn of/in a/at bomb/nn shelter/nn ornamented/vbn with/in four/cd plaster-of-Paris/nn ducks/nns ,/, a/at birdbath/nn ,/, and/cc three/cd composition/nn gnomes/nns with/in long/jj beards/nns and/cc red/jj mobcaps/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.
As/cs I/ppss say/vb ,/, I/ppss wouldn't/md* want/vb to/to begin/vb a/at day/nn like/cs this/dt ,/, but/cc I/ppss often/rb wonder/vb what/wdt the/at dead/jj would/md have/hv done/vbn ./.
But/cc the/at shelter/nn is/bez as/ql much/rb a/at part/nn of/in my/pp$ landscape/nn as/cs the/at beech/nn and/cc horse-chestnut/nn trees/nns that/wps grow/vb on/in the/at ridge/nn ./.
I/ppss can/md see/vb it/ppo from/in this/dt window/nn where/wrb I/ppss write/vb ./.
It/pps was/bedz built/vbn by/in the/at Pasterns/nps ,/, and/cc stands/vbz on/in the/at acre/nn of/in ground/nn that/dt adjoins/vbz our/pp$ property/nn ./.
It/pps bulks/vbz under/in a/at veil/nn of/in thin/jj ,/, new/jj grass/nn ,/, like/cs some/dti embarrassing/vbg fact/nn of/in physicalness/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss think/vb Mrs./np Pastern/np set/vb out/rp the/at statuary/nn to/to soften/vb its/pp$ meaning/nn ./.
It/pps would/md have/hv been/ben like/cs her/ppo ./.
She/pps was/bedz a/at pale/jj woman/nn ./.
Sitting/vbg on/in her/pp$ terrace/nn ,/, sitting/vbg in/in her/pp$ parlor/nn ,/, sitting/vbg anywhere/rb ,/, she/pps ground/vbd an/at axe/nn of/in self-esteem/nn ./.
Offer/vb her/ppo a/at cup/nn of/in tea/nn and/cc she/pps would/md say/vb ,/, ``/`` Why/wrb ,/, these/dts cups/nns look/vb just/rb like/cs a/at set/nn I/ppss gave/vbd to/in the/at Salvation/nn-tl Army/nn-tl last/ap year/nn ''/'' ./.
Show/vb her/ppo the/at new/jj swimming/vbg pool/nn and/cc she/pps would/md say/vb ,/, slapping/vbg her/pp$ ankle/nn ,/, ``/`` I/ppss suppose/vb this/dt must/md be/be where/wrb you/ppss breed/vb your/pp$ gigantic/jj mosquitoes/nns ''/'' ./.
Hand/vb her/ppo a/at chair/nn and/cc she/pps would/md say/vb ,/, ``/`` Why/wrb ,/, it's/pps+bez a/at nice/jj imitation/nn of/in those/dts Queen/nn-tl Anne/np-tl chairs/nns I/ppss inherited/vbd from/in Grandmother/nn-tl Delancy/np ''/'' ./.
These/dts trumps/nns were/bed more/ql touching/jj than/cs they/ppss were/bed anything/pn else/rb ,/, and/cc seemed/vbd to/to imply/vb that/cs the/at nights/nns were/bed long/jj ,/, her/pp$ children/nns ungrateful/jj ,/, and/cc her/pp$ marriage/nn bewilderingly/rb threadbare/jj ./.
Twenty/cd years/nns ago/rb ,/, she/pps would/md have/hv been/ben known/vbn as/cs a/at golf/nn widow/nn ,/, and/cc the/at sum/nn of/in her/pp$ manner/nn was/bedz perhaps/rb one/cd of/in bereavement/nn ./.
She/pps usually/rb wore/vbd weeds/nns ,/, and/cc a/at stranger/nn watching/vbg her/ppo board/vb a/at train/nn might/md have/hv guessed/vbn that/cs Mr./np Pastern/np was/bedz dead/jj ,/, but/cc Mr./np Pastern/np was/bedz far/rb from/in dead/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz marching/vbg up/in and/cc down/in the/at locker/nn room/nn of/in the/at Grassy/jj-tl Brae/nn-tl Golf/nn-tl Club/nn-tl shouting/vbg ,/, ``/`` Bomb/vb Cuba/np !/. !/.
Bomb/vb Berlin/np !/. !/.
Let's/vb+ppo throw/vb a/at little/ap nuclear/jj hardware/nn at/in them/ppo and/cc show/vb them/ppo who's/wps+bez boss/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps was/bedz brigadier/nn of/in the/at club's/nn$ locker-room/nn light/jj infantry/nn ,/, and/cc at/in one/cd time/nn or/cc another/dt declared/vbd war/nn on/in Russia/np ,/, Czechoslovakia/np ,/, Yugoslavia/np ,/, and/cc China/np ./.


	It/pps all/abn began/vbd on/in an/at autumn/nn afternoon/nn --/-- and/cc who/wps ,/, after/in all/abn these/dts centuries/nns ,/, can/md describe/vb the/at fineness/nn of/in an/at autumn/nn day/nn ?/. ?/.
One/pn might/md pretend/vb never/rb to/to have/hv seen/vbn one/cd before/rb ,/, or/cc ,/, to/in more/ap purpose/nn ,/, that/wps there/ex would/md never/rb be/be another/dt like/cs it/pps ./.
The/at clear/jj and/cc searching/vbg sweep/nn of/in sun/nn on/in the/at lawns/nns was/bedz like/cs a/at climax/nn of/in the/at year's/nn$ lights/nns ./.
Leaves/nns were/bed burning/vbg somewhere/rb and/cc the/at smoke/nn smelled/vbd ,/, for/in all/abn its/pp$ ammoniac/jj acidity/nn ,/, of/in beginnings/nns ./.
The/at boundless/jj blue/jj air/nn was/bedz stretched/vbn over/in the/at zenith/nn like/cs the/at skin/nn of/in a/at drum/nn ./.
Leaving/vbg her/pp$ house/nn one/cd late/jj afternoon/nn ,/, Mrs./np Pastern/np stopped/vbd to/to admire/vb the/at October/np light/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at day/nn to/to canvass/vb for/in infectious/jj hepatitis/nn ./.
Mrs./np Pastern/np had/hvd been/ben given/vbn sixteen/cd names/nns ,/, a/at bundle/nn of/in literature/nn ,/, and/cc a/at printed/vbn book/nn of/in receipts/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz her/pp$ work/nn to/to go/vb among/in her/ppo neighbors/nns and/cc collect/vb their/pp$ checks/nns ./.
Her/pp$ house/nn stood/vbd on/in a/at rise/nn of/in ground/nn ,/, and/cc before/cs she/pps got/vbd into/in her/pp$ car/nn she/pps looked/vbd at/in the/at houses/nns below/rb ./.
Charity/nn as/cs she/pps knew/vbd it/pps was/bedz complex/jj and/cc reciprocal/jj ,/, and/cc almost/rb every/at roof/nn she/pps saw/vbd signified/vbn charity/nn ./.
Mrs./np Balcolm/np worked/vbd for/in the/at brain/nn ./.
Mrs./np Ten/np Eyke/np did/dod mental/jj health/nn ./.
Mrs./np Trenchard/np worked/vbd for/in the/at blind/jj ./.
Mrs./np Horowitz/np was/bedz in/in charge/nn of/in diseases/nns of/in the/at nose/nn and/cc throat/nn ./.
Mrs./np Trempler/np was/bedz tuberculosis/nn ,/, Mrs./np Surcliffe/np was/bedz Mothers'/nns$-tl March/nn-tl of/in-tl Dimes/nns-tl ,/, Mrs./np Craven/np was/bedz cancer/nn ,/, and/cc Mrs./np Gilkson/np did/dod the/at kidney/nn ./.
Mrs./np Hewlitt/np led/vbd the/at birthcontrol/nn league/nn ,/, Mrs./np Ryerson/np was/bedz arthritis/nn ,/, and/cc way/nn in/in the/at distance/nn could/md be/be seen/vbn the/at slate/nn roof/nn of/in Ethel/np Littleton's/np$ house/nn ,/, a/at roof/nn that/wps signified/vbd gout/nn ./.


	Mrs./np Pastern/np undertook/vbd the/at work/nn of/in going/vbg from/in house/nn to/in house/nn with/in the/at thoughtless/jj resignation/nn of/in an/at honest/jj and/cc traditional/jj laborer/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz her/pp$ destiny/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz her/pp$ life/nn ./.
Her/pp$ mother/nn had/hvd done/vbn it/ppo before/rb her/ppo ,/, and/cc even/rb her/pp$ old/jj grandmother/nn ,/, who/wps had/hvd collected/vbn money/nn for/in smallpox/nn and/cc unwed/jj mothers/nns ./.
Mrs./np Pastern/np had/hvd telephoned/vbn most/ap of/in her/pp$ neighbors/nns in/in advance/nn ,/, and/cc most/ap of/in them/ppo were/bed ready/jj for/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps experienced/vbd none/pn of/in the/at suspense/nn of/in some/dti poor/jj stranger/nn selling/vbg encyclopedias/nns ./.
Here/rb and/cc there/rb she/pps stayed/vbd to/to visit/vb and/cc drink/vb a/at glass/nn of/in sherry/nn ./.
The/at contributions/nns were/bed ahead/rb of/in what/wdt she/pps had/hvd got/vbn the/at previous/jj year/nn ,/, and/cc while/cs the/at money/nn ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, was/bedz not/* hers/pp$$ ,/, it/pps excited/vbd her/ppo to/to stuff/vb her/pp$ kit/nn with/in big/jj checks/nns ./.
She/pps stopped/vbd at/in the/at Surcliffes'/nps$ after/in dusk/nn ,/, and/cc had/hvd a/at Scotch-and-soda/np ./.
She/pps stayed/vbd too/ql late/jj ,/, and/cc when/wrb she/pps left/vbd ,/, it/pps was/bedz dark/jj and/cc time/nn to/to go/vb home/nr and/cc cook/vb supper/nn for/in her/pp$ husband/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss got/vbd a/at hundred/cd and/cc sixty/cd dollars/nns for/in the/at hepatitis/nn fund/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd excitedly/rb when/wrb he/pps walked/vbd in/rp ./.
``/`` I/ppss did/dod everybody/pn on/in my/pp$ list/nn but/cc the/at Blevins/np and/cc the/at Flannagans/nps ./.
I/ppss want/vb to/to get/vb my/pp$ kit/nn in/rp tomorrow/nr morning/nn --/-- would/md you/ppss mind/vb doing/vbg them/ppo while/cs I/ppss cook/vb the/at dinner/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` But/cc I/ppss don't/do* know/vb the/at Flannagans/nps ''/'' ,/, Charlie/np Pastern/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Nobody/pn does/doz ,/, but/cc they/ppss gave/vbd me/ppo ten/cd last/ap year/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz tired/vbn ,/, he/pps had/hvd his/pp$ business/nn worries/nns ,/, and/cc the/at sight/nn of/in his/pp$ wife/nn arranging/vbg pork/nn chops/nns in/in the/at broiler/nn only/rb seemed/vbd like/cs an/at extension/nn of/in a/at boring/vbg day/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz happy/jj enough/qlp to/to take/vb the/at convertible/jj and/cc race/vb up/in the/at hill/nn to/in the/at Blevins'/np$ ,/, thinking/vbg that/cs they/ppss might/md give/vb him/ppo a/at drink/nn ./.
But/cc the/at Blevins/np were/bed away/rb ;/. ;/.
their/pp$ maid/nn gave/vbd him/ppo an/at envelope/nn with/in a/at check/nn in/in it/ppo and/cc shut/vbd the/at door/nn ./.
Turning/vbg in/rp at/in the/at Flannagans'/nps$ driveway/nn ,/, he/pps tried/vbd to/to remember/vb if/cs he/pps had/hvd ever/rb met/vbn them/ppo ./.
The/at name/nn encouraged/vbd him/ppo ,/, because/cs he/pps always/rb felt/vbd that/cs he/pps could/md handle/vb the/at Irish/nps ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at glass/nn pane/nn in/in the/at front/jj door/nn ,/, and/cc through/in this/dt he/pps could/md see/vb into/in a/at hallway/nn where/wrb a/at plump/jj woman/nn with/in red/jj hair/nn was/bedz arranging/vbg flowers/nns ./.


	``/`` Infectious/jj hepatitis/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps shouted/vbd heartily/rb ./.


	She/pps took/vbd a/at good/jj look/nn at/in herself/ppl in/in the/at mirror/nn before/cs she/pps turned/vbd and/cc ,/, walking/vbg with/in very/ql small/jj steps/nns ,/, started/vbd toward/in the/at door/nn ./.
``/`` Oh/uh ,/, please/vb come/vb in/rp ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
The/at girlish/jj voice/nn was/bedz nearly/rb a/at whisper/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz not/* a/at girl/nn ,/, he/pps could/md see/vb ./.
Her/pp$ hair/nn was/bedz dyed/vbn ,/, and/cc her/pp$ bloom/nn was/bedz fading/vbg ,/, and/cc she/pps must/md have/hv been/ben crowding/vbg forty/cd ,/, but/cc she/pps seemed/vbd to/to be/be one/cd of/in those/dts women/nns who/wps cling/vb to/in the/at manners/nns and/cc graces/nns of/in a/at pretty/jj child/nn of/in eight/cd ./.
``/`` Your/pp$ wife/nn just/rb called/vbd ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, separating/vbg one/cd word/nn from/in another/dt ,/, exactly/rb like/cs a/at child/nn ./.
``/`` And/cc I/ppss am/bem not/* sure/jj that/cs I/ppss have/hv any/dti cash/nn --/-- any/dti money/nn ,/, that/dt is/bez --/-- but/cc if/cs you/ppss will/md wait/vb just/rb a/at minute/nn I/ppss will/md write/vb you/ppo out/rp a/at check/nn if/cs I/ppss can/md find/vb my/pp$ checkbook/nn ./.
Won't/md* you/ppss step/vb into/in the/at living/vbg room/nn ,/, where/wrb it's/pps+bez cozier/jjr ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	A/at fire/nn had/hvd just/rb been/ben lighted/vbn ,/, he/pps saw/vbd ,/, and/cc things/nns had/hvd been/ben set/vbn out/rp for/in drinks/nns ,/, and/cc ,/, like/cs any/dti stray/nn ,/, his/pp$ response/nn to/in these/dts comforts/nns was/bedz instantaneous/jj ./.
Where/wrb was/bedz Mr./np Flannagan/np ,/, he/pps wondered/vbd ./.
Travelling/vbg home/nr on/in a/at late/jj train/nn ?/. ?/.
Changing/vbg his/pp$ clothes/nns upstairs/rb ?/. ?/.
Taking/vbg a/at shower/nn ?/. ?/.
At/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at room/nn there/ex was/bedz a/at desk/nn heaped/vbn with/in papers/nns ,/, and/cc she/pps began/vbd to/to riffle/vb these/dts ,/, making/vbg sighs/nns and/cc and/cc noises/nns of/in girlish/jj exasperation/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss am/bem terribly/rb sorry/jj to/to keep/vb you/ppo waiting/vbg ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` but/cc won't/md* you/ppss make/vb yourself/ppl a/at little/ap drink/nn while/cs you/ppss wait/vb ?/. ?/.
Everything's/pn+bez on/in the/at table/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt train/nn does/doz Mr./np Flannagan/np come/vb out/rp on/in ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Mr./np Flannagan/np is/bez away/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
Her/pp$ voice/nn dropped/vbd ./.
``/`` Mr./np Flannagan/np has/hvz been/ben away/rb for/in six/cd weeks/nns ./.
''/'' 

	``/`` I'll/ppss+md have/hv a/at drink/nn ,/, then/rb ,/, if/cs you'll/ppss+md have/hv one/cd with/in me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` If/cs you/ppss will/md promise/vb to/to make/vb it/ppo weak/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Sit/vb down/rp ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc enjoy/vb your/pp$ drink/nn and/cc look/vb for/in your/pp$ checkbook/nn later/rbr ./.
The/at only/ap way/nn to/to find/vb things/nns is/bez to/to relax/vb ''/'' ./.


	All/abn in/in all/abn ,/, they/ppss had/hvd six/cd drinks/nns ./.
She/pps described/vbd herself/ppl and/cc her/pp$ circumstances/nns unhesitatingly/rb ./.
Mr./np Flannagan/np manufactured/vbd plastic/nn tongue/nn depressors/nns ./.
He/pps travelled/vbd all/abn over/in the/at world/nn ./.
She/pps didn't/dod* like/vb to/to travel/vb ./.
Planes/nns made/vbd her/ppo feel/vb faint/jj ,/, and/cc in/in Tokyo/np ,/, where/wrb she/pps had/hvd gone/vbn that/dt summer/nn ,/, she/pps had/hvd been/ben given/vbn raw/jj fish/nn for/in breakfast/nn and/cc so/cs she/pps had/hvd come/vbn straight/rb home/nr ./.
She/pps and/cc her/pp$ husband/nn had/hvd formerly/rb lived/vbn in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ,/, where/wrb she/pps had/hvd many/ap friends/nns ,/, but/cc Mr./np Flannagan/np thought/vbd the/at country/nn would/md be/be safer/jjr in/in case/nn of/in war/nn ./.
She/pps would/md rather/rb live/vb in/in danger/nn than/cs die/vb of/in loneliness/nn and/cc boredom/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd no/at children/nns ;/. ;/.
she/pps had/hvd made/vbn no/at friends/nns ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv seen/vbn you/ppo ,/, though/rb ,/, before/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd with/in enormous/jj coyness/nn ,/, patting/vbg his/pp$ knee/nn ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv seen/vbn you/ppo walking/vbg your/pp$ dogs/nns on/in Sunday/nr and/cc driving/vbg by/in in/in the/at convertible/jj ./.
''/'' 

	The/at thought/nn of/in this/dt lonely/jj woman/nn sitting/vbg at/in her/pp$ window/nn touched/vbd him/ppo ,/, although/cs he/pps was/bedz even/ql more/rbr touched/vbn by/in her/pp$ plumpness/nn ./.
Sheer/jj plumpness/nn ,/, he/pps knew/vbd ,/, is/bez not/* a/at vital/jj part/nn of/in the/at body/nn and/cc has/hvz no/at procreative/jj functions/nns ./.
It/pps serves/vbz merely/rb as/cs an/at excess/jj cushion/nn for/in the/at rest/nn of/in the/at carcass/nn ./.
And/cc knowing/vbg its/pp$ humble/jj place/nn in/in the/at scale/nn of/in things/nns ,/, why/wrb did/dod he/pps ,/, at/in this/dt time/nn of/in life/nn ,/, seem/vb almost/ql ready/jj to/to sell/vb his/pp$ soul/nn for/in plumpness/nn ?/. ?/.
The/at remarks/nns she/pps made/vbd about/in the/at sufferings/nns of/in a/at lonely/jj woman/nn seemed/vbd so/ql broad/jj at/in first/od that/cs he/pps didn't/dod* know/vb what/wdt to/to make/vb of/in them/ppo ,/, but/cc after/in the/at sixth/od drink/nn he/pps put/vbd his/pp$ arm/nn around/in her/ppo and/cc suggested/vbd that/cs they/ppss go/vb upstairs/rb and/cc look/vb for/in her/pp$ checkbook/nn there/rb ./.


	``/`` I've/ppss+hv never/rb done/vbn this/dt before/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd later/rbr ,/, when/wrb he/pps was/bedz arranging/vbg himself/ppl to/to leave/vb ./.
Her/pp$ voice/nn shook/vbd with/in feeling/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps thought/vbd it/ppo lovely/jj ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* doubt/vb her/pp$ truthfulness/nn ,/, although/cs he/pps had/hvd heard/vbn the/at words/nns a/at hundred/cd times/nns ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv never/rb done/vbn this/dt before/rb ''/'' ,/, they/ppss always/rb said/vbd ,/, shaking/vbg their/pp$ dresses/nns down/rp over/in their/pp$ white/jj shoulders/nns ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv never/rb done/vbn this/dt before/rb ''/'' ,/, they/ppss always/rb said/vbd ,/, waiting/vbg for/in the/at elevator/nn in/in the/at hotel/nn corridor/nn ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv never/rb done/vbn this/dt before/rb ''/'' ,/, they/ppss always/rb said/vbd ,/, pouring/vbg another/dt whiskey/nn ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv never/rb done/vbn this/dt before/rb ''/'' ,/, they/ppss always/rb said/vbd ,/, putting/vbg on/in their/pp$ stockings/nns ./.
On/in ships/nns at/in sea/nn ,/, on/in railroad/nn trains/nns ,/, in/in summer/nn hotels/nns with/in mountain/nn views/nns ,/, they/ppss always/rb said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I've/ppss+hv never/rb done/vbn this/dt before/rb ''/'' ./.




``/`` Where/wrb have/hv you/ppss been/ben ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Mrs./np Pastern/np asked/vbd sadly/rb ,/, when/wrb he/pps came/vbd in/rp ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez after/in eleven/cd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss had/hvd a/at drink/nn with/in the/at Flannagans/nps ''/'' ./.


	``/`` She/pps told/vbd me/ppo he/pps was/bedz in/in Germany/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` He/pps came/vbd home/nr unexpectedly/rb ''/'' ./.


	Charlie/np ate/vbd some/dti supper/nn in/in the/at kitchen/nn and/cc went/vbd into/in the/at TV/np room/nn to/to hear/vb the/at news/nn ./.
``/`` Bomb/vb them/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps shouted/vbd ./.
``/`` Throw/vb a/at little/ap nuclear/jj hardware/nn at/in them/ppo !/. !/.
Show/vb them/ppo who's/wps+bez boss/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
But/cc in/in bed/nn he/pps had/hvd trouble/nn sleeping/vbg ./.
He/pps thought/vbd first/rb of/in his/pp$ son/nn and/cc daughter/nn ,/, away/rb at/in college/nn ./.
He/pps loved/vbd them/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at only/ap meaning/nn of/in the/at word/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd ever/rb known/vbn ./.
Then/rb he/pps played/vbd nine/cd imaginary/jj holes/nns of/in golf/nn ,/, choosing/vbg his/pp$ handicap/nn ,/, his/pp$ irons/nns ,/, his/pp$ stance/nn ,/, his/pp$ opponents/nns ,/, and/cc his/pp$ weather/nn in/in detail/nn ,/, but/cc the/at green/nn of/in the/at links/nns seemed/vbd faded/vbn in/in the/at light/nn of/in his/pp$ business/nn worries/nns ./.
His/pp$ money/nn was/bedz tied/vbn up/rp in/in a/at Nassau/np hotel/nn ,/, an/at Ohio/np pottery/nn works/nns ,/, and/cc a/at detergent/nn for/in window-washing/nn ,/, and/cc luck/nn had/hvd been/ben running/vbg against/in him/ppo ./.
His/pp$ worries/nns harried/vbd him/ppo up/rp out/in of/in bed/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps lighted/vbd a/at cigarette/nn and/cc went/vbd to/in the/at window/nn ./.
In/in the/at starlight/nn he/pps could/md see/vb the/at trees/nns stripped/vbn of/in their/pp$ leaves/nns ./.
During/in the/at summer/nn he/pps had/hvd tried/vbn to/to repair/vb some/dti of/in his/pp$ losses/nns at/in the/at track/nn ,/, and/cc the/at bare/jj trees/nns reminded/vbd him/ppo that/cs his/pp$ pari-mutuel/jj tickets/nns would/md still/rb be/be lying/vbg ,/, like/cs leaves/nns ,/, in/in the/at gutters/nns near/vb Belmont/np and/cc Saratoga/np ./.
Maple/nn and/cc ash/nn ,/, beech/nn and/cc elm/nn ,/, one/cd hundred/cd to/to win/vb on/in Three/cd-tl in/in the/at fourth/od ,/, fifty/cd to/to win/vb on/in Six/cd-tl in/in the/at third/od ,/, one/cd hundred/cd to/to win/vb on/in Two/cd-tl in/in the/at eighth/od ./.
Children/nns walking/vbg home/nr from/in school/nn would/md scuff/vb through/in what/wdt seemed/vbd to/to be/be his/pp$ foliage/nn ./.
Then/rb ,/, getting/vbg back/rb into/in bed/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd unashamedly/rb of/in Mrs./np Flannagan/np ,/, planning/vbg where/wrb they/ppss would/md next/ap meet/vb and/cc what/wdt they/ppss would/md do/do ./.
There/ex are/ber ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, so/ql few/ap true/jj means/nns of/in forgetfulness/nn in/in this/dt life/nn that/cs why/wrb should/md he/pps shun/vb the/at medicine/nn even/rb when/wrb the/at medicine/nn seemed/vbd ,/, as/cs it/pps did/dod ,/, a/at little/ql crude/jj ?/. ?/.

It/pps was/bedz not/* as/cs though/cs she/pps noted/vbd clearly/rb that/cs her/pp$ nephews/nns had/hvd not/* been/ben to/to see/vb her/ppo for/in ten/cd years/nns ,/, not/* since/cs their/pp$ last/ap journey/nn eastward/rb to/to witness/vb their/pp$ Uncle/nn-tl Izaak/np-tl being/beg lowered/vbn into/in the/at rocky/jj soil/nn ;/. ;/.
that/wps aside/rb from/in due/jj notification/nn of/in certain/jj major/jj events/nns in/in their/pp$ lives/nns (/( two/cd marriages/nns ,/, two/cd births/nns ,/, one/cd divorce/nn )/) ,/, Christmas/np and/cc Easter/np cards/nns of/in the/at traditional/jj sort/nn had/hvd been/ben the/at only/ap thin/jj link/nn she/pps had/hvd with/in them/ppo through/in the/at widowed/vbn years/nns ./.
Her/pp$ thoughts/nns were/bed not/* discrete/jj ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz a/at look/nn about/in her/ppo mouth/nn as/cs though/cs she/pps were/bed tasting/vbg lemons/nns ./.


	She/pps grasped/vbd the/at chair/nn arms/nns and/cc brought/vbd her/pp$ thin/jj body/nn upright/rb ,/, like/cs a/at bird/nn alert/jj for/in flight/nn ./.
She/pps turned/vbd and/cc walked/vbd stiffly/rb into/in the/at parlor/nn to/in the/at dainty-legged/jj escritoire/nn ,/, warped/vbn and/cc cracked/vbn now/rb from/in fifty/cd years/nns in/in an/at atmosphere/nn of/in sea/nn spray/nn ./.
There/ex she/pps extracted/vbd two/cd limp/jj vellum/nn sheets/nns and/cc wrote/vbd off/rp the/at letters/nns ,/, one/cd to/in Abel/np ,/, one/cd to/in Mark/np ./.


	Once/rb her/pp$ trembling/vbg hand/nn ,/, with/in the/at pen/nn grasped/vbd tight/jj in/in it/ppo ,/, was/bedz pressed/vbn against/in the/at paper/nn the/at words/nns came/vbd sharply/rb ,/, smoothly/rb ,/, as/ql authoritatively/rb as/cs they/ppss would/md dropping/vbg from/in her/pp$ own/jj lips/nns ./.
And/cc the/at stiffly/rb regal/jj look/nn of/in them/ppo ,/, she/pps saw/vbd grimly/rb ,/, lacked/vbd the/at quaver/nn of/in age/nn which/wdt ,/, thwarting/vbg the/at efforts/nns of/in her/pp$ amazing/jj will/nn ,/, ran/vbd through/in her/pp$ spoken/vbn words/nns like/vb a/at thin/jj ragged/jj string/nn ./.
``/`` Please/vb come/vb down/rp as/ql soon/rb as/cs you/ppss conveniently/rb can/md ''/'' ,/, the/at upright/jj letters/nns stalked/vbd from/in the/at broad-nibbed/jj pen/nn ,/, ``/`` I/ppss have/hv an/at important/jj matter/nn to/to discuss/vb with/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.
To/in Abel/np :/: ``/`` I/ppss am/bem afraid/jj there/ex is/bez not/* much/ap to/to amuse/vb small/jj children/nns here/rb ./.
I/ppss should/md be/be obliged/vbn if/cs you/ppss could/md make/vb other/ap arrangements/nns for/in your/pp$ daughters/nns ./.
You/ppss may/md stay/vb as/ql long/jj as/cs you/ppss wish/vb ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, but/cc if/cs arranging/vbg for/in the/at care/nn of/in the/at girls/nns must/md take/vb time/nn into/in account/nn ,/, I/ppss think/vb a/at day/nn or/cc two/cd should/md be/be enough/ap to/to finish/vb our/pp$ business/nn in/in ''/'' ./.
To/in Mark/np :/: ``/`` Please/vb give/vb my/pp$ regards/nns to/in Myra/np ''/'' ./.


	She/pps signed/vbd the/at letters/nns quickly/rb ,/, stamped/vbd them/ppo ,/, and/cc placed/vbd them/ppo on/in the/at hall/nn table/nn for/in Raphael/np to/to mail/vb in/in town/nn ./.
Then/rb she/pps went/vbd back/rb to/in the/at wicker/nn chair/nn and/cc resolutely/rb adjusted/vbd her/pp$ eyes/nns to/in the/at glare/nn on/in the/at water/nn ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ nephews/nns will/md be/be coming/vbg down/rp ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd that/dt evening/nn as/cs Angelina/np brought/vbd her/pp$ dinner/nn into/in the/at dining/vbg room/nn ,/, the/at whole/jj meal/nn on/in a/at vast/jj linen-covered/jj tray/nn ./.
She/pps looked/vbd at/in the/at girl/nn speculatively/rb from/in eyes/nns which/wdt had/hvd paled/vbn with/in the/at years/nns ;/. ;/.
from/in the/at early/jj evening/nn lights/nns of/in them/ppo which/wdt had/hvd first/od startled/vbn Izaak/np to/to look/vb at/in her/ppo in/in an/at uncousinly/jj way/nn ,/, they/ppss had/hvd faded/vbn to/in a/at near-absence/nn of/in color/nn which/wdt had/hvd ,/, possibly/rb from/in her/pp$ constant/jj looking/nn at/in the/at water/nn ,/, something/pn of/in the/at light/nn of/in the/at sea/nn in/in them/ppo ./.


	Angelina/np placed/vbd the/at tray/nn on/in the/at table/nn and/cc with/in a/at flick/nn of/in dark/jj wrist/nn drew/vbd off/rp the/at cloth/nn ./.
She/pps smiled/vbd ,/, and/cc the/at teeth/nns gleamed/vbd in/in her/pp$ beautifully/rb modeled/vbn olive/jj face/nn ./.
``/`` That/dt will/md be/be so/ql nice/jj for/in you/ppo ,/, Mrs./np Packard/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
Her/pp$ voice/nn was/bedz ripe/jj and/cc full/jj and/cc her/pp$ teeth/nns flashed/vbd again/rb in/in Sicilian/jj brilliance/nn before/cs the/at warm/jj curved/vbn lips/nns met/vbd and/cc her/pp$ mouth/nn settled/vbd in/in repose/nn ./.


	``/`` Um/uh ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at old/jj lady/nn ,/, and/cc brought/vbd her/pp$ eyes/nns down/rp to/in the/at tray/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss remember/vb them/ppo ,/, I/ppss suppose/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps glinted/vbd suspiciously/rb at/in the/at dish/nn before/in her/ppo :/: ``/`` blowfish/nns ./.
I/ppss hope/vb Raphael/np bought/vbd them/ppo whole/jj ''/'' ./.


	Angelina/np stepped/vbd back/rb ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns roaming/vbg the/at tray/nn for/in omissions/nns ./.
Then/rb she/pps looked/vbd at/in the/at old/jj woman/nn again/rb ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns calm/vb ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss remember/vb that/cs they/ppss came/vbd here/rb every/at summer/nn ./.
I/ppss used/vbd to/to play/vb with/in the/at older/jjr one/cd sometimes/rb ,/, when/wrb he'd/pps+md let/vb me/ppo ./.
Abel/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at name/nn fell/vbd with/in lazy/jj affectionate/jj remembrance/nn from/in her/ppo lips/nns ./.
For/in an/at instant/nn the/at old/jj aunt/nn felt/vbd something/pn indefinable/jj flash/vb through/in her/pp$ smile/nn ./.
She/pps would/md have/hv said/vbn triumph/nn ./.
Then/rb Angelina/np turned/vbd and/cc with/in an/at easy/jj grace/nn walked/vbd toward/in the/at kitchen/nn ./.


	Jessica/np Packard/np lifted/vbd her/ppo head/nn and/cc followed/vbd the/at retreating/vbg figure/nn ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns resting/vbg nearly/rb closed/vbd on/in the/at unself-conscious/jj rise/nn and/cc fall/nn of/in the/at rounded/vbn hips/nns ./.
For/in a/at moment/nn she/pps held/vbd her/pp$ face/nn to/in the/at empty/jj doorway/nn ;/. ;/.
then/rb she/pps snorted/vbd and/cc groped/vbd for/in her/pp$ fork/nn ./.


	There's/ex+bez no/at greater/jjr catastrophe/nn in/in the/at universe/nn ,/, she/pps reflected/vbd dourly/rb ,/, impaling/vbg tender/jj green/jj beans/nns on/in the/at silver/nn fork/nn ,/, than/cs the/at dwindling/vbg away/rb of/in a/at family/nn ./.
Procreation/nn ,/, expansion/nn ,/, proliferation/nn --/-- these/dts are/ber the/at laws/nns of/in living/vbg things/nns ,/, with/in the/at penalty/nn for/in not/* obeying/vbg them/ppo the/at ultimate/jj in/in punishments/nns :/: oblivion/nn ./.
When/wrb the/at fate/nn of/in the/at individual/nn is/bez visited/vbn on/in the/at group/nn ,/, then/rb (/( the/at warm/jj sweet/jj butter/nn dripped/vbd from/in her/ppo raised/vbn trembling/vbg fork/nn and/cc she/pps pushed/vbd her/pp$ head/nn forward/rb belligerently/rb )/) ,/, ah/uh ,/, then/rb the/at true/jj bitterness/nn of/in existence/nn could/md be/be tasted/vbn ./.
And/cc indeed/rb the/at young/jj garden/nn beans/nns were/bed brackish/jj in/in her/pp$ mouth/nn ./.


	She/pps was/bedz the/at last/ap living/nn of/in the/at older/jjr generation/nn ./.
What/wdt had/hvd once/rb been/ben a/at widespread/jj family/nn --/-- at/in one/cd time/nn ,/, she/pps knew/vbd ,/, there/ex were/bed enough/ap Packards/nps to/to populate/vb an/at entire/jj county/nn --/-- had/hvd now/rb narrowed/vbn down/rp to/in the/at two/cd boys/nns ,/, Abel/np and/cc Mark/np ./.
She/pps swung/vbd her/pp$ eyes/nns up/rp to/in the/at blue/nn of/in the/at window/nn ,/, her/pp$ jaws/nns gently/rb mashing/vbg the/at bitter/jj beans/nns ./.
What/wdt hope/nn lay/vb in/in the/at nephews/nns ,/, she/pps asked/vbd the/at intensifying/vbg light/nn out/rp there/rb ,/, with/in one/cd married/vbn to/in a/at barren/jj woman/nn and/cc the/at other/ap divorced/vbn ,/, having/hvg sired/vbn two/cd girl/nn children/nns ,/, with/in none/pn to/to bear/vb on/in the/at Packard/np name/nn ?/. ?/.


	She/pps ate/vbd ./.
It/pps seemed/vbd to/in her/ppo ,/, as/cs it/pps seemed/vbd each/dt night/nn ,/, that/cs the/at gloom/nn drew/vbd itself/ppl in/rp and/cc became/vbd densest/jjt at/in the/at table's/nn$ empty/jj chairs/nns ,/, giving/vbg her/ppo the/at frequent/jj illusion/nn that/cs she/pps dined/vbd with/in shadows/nns ./.
Here/rb ,/, too/rb ,/, she/pps talked/vbd low/rb ,/, quirking/vbg her/pp$ head/nn at/in one/cd or/cc another/dt of/in the/at places/nns ,/, most/ql often/rb at/in Izaak's/np$ armchair/nn which/wdt faced/vbd her/ppo across/in the/at long/jj table/nn ./.
Or/cc it/pps might/md have/hv been/ben the/at absent/jj nephews/nns she/pps addressed/vbd ,/, consciously/rb playing/vbg with/in the/at notion/nn that/cs this/dt was/bedz one/cd of/in the/at summers/nns of/in their/pp$ early/jj years/nns ./.


	She/pps thought/vbd again/rb of/in her/pp$ children/nns ,/, those/dts two/cd who/wps had/hvd died/vbn young/jj ,/, before/in the/at later/jjr science/nn which/wdt might/md have/hv saved/vbn them/ppo could/md attach/vb even/rb a/at label/nn to/in their/pp$ separate/jj malignancies/nns ./.
The/at girl/nn ,/, her/pp$ first/od ,/, she/pps barely/rb remembered/vbd ./.
It/pps could/md have/hv been/ben anyone's/pn$ infant/nn ,/, for/cs it/pps had/hvd not/* survived/vbn the/at bassinet/nn ./.
But/cc the/at boy/nn the/at boy/nn had/hvd been/ben alive/jj yesterday/nr ./.
Each/dt successive/jj movement/nn in/in his/pp$ growing/nn was/bedz recorded/vbn on/in the/at unreeling/vbg film/nn inside/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps ran/vbd on/in his/pp$ plump/jj sticks/nns of/in legs/nns ,/, freezing/vbg now/rb and/cc again/rb into/in the/at sudden/jj startled/vbn attitudes/nns which/wdt the/at camera/nn had/hvd caught/vbn and/cc held/vbn on/in the/at paling/vbg photographs/nns ,/, all/abn carefully/rb placed/vbn and/cc glued/vbn and/cc labeled/vbn ,/, resting/vbg in/in the/at fat/jj plush/nn album/nn in/in the/at bottom/nn drawer/nn of/in the/at escritoire/nn ./.
In/in the/at cruel/jj clearness/nn of/in her/pp$ memory/nn the/at boy/nn remained/vbd unchanged/jj ,/, quick/jj with/in the/at delight/nn of/in laughter/nn ,/, and/cc the/at pain/nn with/in which/wdt she/pps recalled/vbd that/dt short/jj destroyed/vbn childhood/nn was/bedz still/rb unendurable/jj to/in her/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz one/cd with/in the/at desolate/jj rocks/nns and/cc the/at alien/jj water/nn on/in those/dts days/nns when/wrb she/pps hated/vbd the/at sea/nn ./.




The/at brothers/nns drove/vbd down/rp together/rb in/in Mark's/np$ small/jj red/jj sports/nns car/nn ,/, Mark/np at/in the/at wheel/nn ./.
They/ppss rarely/rb spoke/vbd ./.
Abel/np sat/vbd and/cc regarded/vbd the/at farm/nn country/nn which/wdt ,/, spreading/vbg out/rp from/in both/abx sides/nns of/in the/at road/nn ,/, rolled/vbd greenly/rb up/rp to/to where/wrb the/at silent/jj white/jj houses/nns and/cc long/jj barns/nns and/cc silos/nns nested/vbd into/in the/at tilled/vbn fields/nns ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at land/nn with/in a/at stranger's/nn$ eyes/nns ,/, all/abn the/at old/jj familiarness/nn gone/vbn ./.
And/cc it/pps presented/vbd itself/ppl to/in him/ppo as/cs it/pps would/md to/in any/dti stranger/nn ,/, impervious/jj ,/, complete/jj in/in itself/ppl ./.
There/ex was/bedz stability/nn there/rb ,/, too/rb --/-- a/at color/nn which/wdt his/pp$ life/nn had/hvd had/hvn once/rb ./.
That/dt is/bez what/wdt childhood/nn is/bez ,/, he/pps told/vbd himself/ppl ./.
Solid/jj ,/, settled/vbn lost/vbn ./.
In/in the/at stiff/jj neutral/jj lines/nns of/in the/at telephone/nn poles/nns he/pps saw/vbd the/at no-nonsense/nn pen/nn strokes/nns of/in Aunt/nn-tl Jessica's/np$ letter/nn ./.
What/wdt bad/jj grace/nn ,/, what/wdt incredible/jj selfishness/nn he/pps and/cc Mark/np had/hvd shown/vbn ./.
The/at boyhood/nn summers/nns preceding/vbg their/pp$ uncle's/nn$ funeral/nn might/md never/rb have/hv been/ben ./.
They/ppss had/hvd closed/vbn over/rp ,/, absolutely/rb ,/, with/in the/at sealing/nn of/in old/jj Izaak's/np$ grave/nn ./.
The/at small/jj car/nn flew/vbd on/rp relentlessly/rb ./.
The/at old/jj woman/nn ,/, stubbornly/rb reigning/vbg in/in the/at house/nn above/in the/at crashing/vbg waters/nns took/vbd on/rp an/at ominous/jj reality/nn ./.
Abel/np moved/vbd and/cc adjusted/vbd his/pp$ long/jj legs/nns ./.


	``/`` I/ppss suppose/vb it/pps has/hvz to/to do/do with/in the/at property/nn ''/'' ,/, Mark/np had/hvd said/vbn over/in the/at telephone/nn when/wrb they/ppss had/hvd discussed/vbn their/pp$ receipt/nn of/in the/at letters/nns ./.
Not/* until/cs the/at words/nns had/hvd been/ben spoken/vbn did/dod Abel/np suddenly/rb see/vb the/at old/jj house/nn and/cc the/at insistent/jj sea/nn ,/, and/cc feel/vb his/pp$ contrition/nn blotted/vbn out/rp in/in one/cd shameful/jj moment/nn of/in covetousness/nn ./.
He/pps and/cc Mark/np were/bed the/at last/nn of/in the/at family/nn ,/, and/cc there/rb lay/vb the/at Cape/nn-tl Ann/np-tl property/nn which/wdt had/hvd seemed/vbn to/to have/hv no/at end/nn ,/, stretching/vbg from/in horizon/nn to/in horizon/nn ,/, in/in those/dts golden/jj days/nns of/in summer/nn ./.


	Now/rb Abel/np turned/vbd his/pp$ head/nn to/to look/vb at/in his/pp$ brother/nn ./.
Mark/np held/vbd the/at wheel/nn loosely/rb ,/, but/cc his/pp$ fingers/nns curved/vbd around/in it/ppo in/in a/at purposeful/jj way/nn and/cc the/at deliberate/jj set/nn of/in his/pp$ body/nn spoke/vbd plainly/rb of/in the/at figure/nn he'd/pps+md make/vb in/in the/at years/nns to/to come/vb ./.
His/pp$ sandy/jj hair/nn was/bedz already/rb beginning/vbg to/to thin/vb and/cc recede/vb at/in the/at sides/nns ,/, and/cc Abel/np looked/vbd quickly/rb away/rb ./.
Mark/np easily/rb looked/vbd years/nns older/jjr than/cs himself/ppl ,/, settled/vbn ,/, his/pp$ world/nn comfortably/rb categorized/vbn ./.


	The/at vacation/nn traffic/nn was/bedz becoming/vbg heavier/jjr as/cs they/ppss approached/vbd the/at sea/nn ./.
``/`` She/pps didn't/dod* mention/vb bringing/vbg Myra/np ''/'' ,/, Mark/np said/vbd ,/, maneuvering/vbg the/at car/nn into/in the/at next/ap lane/nn ./.
``/`` She's/pps+bez probably/rb getting/vbg old/jj --/-- crotchety/jj ,/, I/ppss mean/vb --/-- and/cc we/ppss figured/vbd uh-uh/uh ,/, better/rbr not/* ./.
They've/ppss+hv never/rb met/vbn ,/, you/ppss know/vb ./.
But/cc Myra/np wouldn't/md* budge/vb without/in an/at express/nn invitation/nn ./.
I/ppss feel/vb kind/nn of/in bad/rb about/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps gave/vbd Abel/np a/at quick/jj glance/nn and/cc moved/vbd closer/rbr to/in the/at wheel/nn ,/, hugging/vbg it/ppo to/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc Abel/np caught/vbd this/dt briefest/jjt of/in allusions/nns to/in guilt/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss imagine/vb the/at old/jj girl/nn hasn't/hvz* missed/vbn us/ppo much/rb ''/'' ,/, Mark/np added/vbd ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns on/in the/at road/nn ./.
Abel/np ignored/vbd the/at half-expressed/jj bid/nn for/in confirmation/nn ./.
He/pps smiled/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz barely/ql possible/jj that/cs his/pp$ brother/nn was/bedz right/jj ./.


	He/pps could/md tell/vb they/ppss were/bed approaching/vbg the/at sea/nn ./.
The/at air/nn took/vbd on/rp a/at special/jj strength/nn now/rb that/cs they'd/ppss+hvd left/vbn the/at fecund/jj warmth/nn of/in the/at farmland/nn behind/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz the/at smell/nn of/in the/at coast/nn ,/, like/cs a/at primeval/jj memory/nn ,/, composed/vbn of/in equal/jj parts/nns salt/nn water/nn ,/, clams/nns ,/, seaweed/nn and/cc northern/jj air/nn ./.
He/pps turned/vbd from/in the/at flying/vbg trees/nns to/to look/vb ahead/rb and/cc saw/vbd with/in an/at inward/rb boy's/nn$ eye/nn again/rb the/at great/jj fieldstone/nn house/nn which/wdt ,/, built/vbn on/in one/cd of/in the/at many/ap acres/nns of/in ancestral/jj land/nn bordering/vbg the/at west/nr harbor/nn ,/, had/hvd been/ben Izaak's/np$ bride-gift/nn to/in his/pp$ cousin-wife/nn as/cs the/at last/ap century/nn ended/vbd ./.


	Mark's/np$ thoughts/nns must/md have/hv been/ben keeping/vbg silent/jj pace/nn beside/in his/pp$ own/jj ,/, climbing/vbg the/at same/ap crags/nns in/in dirty/jj white/jj sneakers/nns ,/, clambering/vbg out/rp on/in top/nn of/in the/at headland/nn and/cc coming/vbg upon/in the/at sudden/jj glinting/vbg water/nn at/in the/at same/ap instant/nn ./.
``/`` Remember/vb the/at Starbird/np ?/. ?/.
''/'' Mark/np asked/vbd ,/, and/cc Abel/np lifted/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns from/in the/at double/jj lines/nns in/in the/at middle/nn of/in the/at road/nn ,/, the/at twin/nn white/jj ribbons/nns which/wdt the/at car/nn swallowed/vbd rapidly/rb as/cs it/pps ascended/vbd the/at crest/nn of/in the/at hill/nn and/cc came/vbd down/rp ./.


	``/`` The/at Starbird/np ,/, ''/'' Abel/np said/vbd ./.
There/ex was/bedz the/at day/nn Uncle/nn-tl Izaak/np-tl had/hvd ,/, in/in an/at unexpected/jj grandiose/jj gesture/nn ,/, handed/vbd over/rp the/at pretty/jj sloop/nn to/in Abel/np for/in keeps/nns ,/, on/in condition/nn that/cs he/pps never/rb fail/vb to/to let/vb his/pp$ brother/nn accompany/vb him/ppo whenever/wrb younger/jjr the/at boy/nn wished/vbd ./.
The/at two/cd of/in them/ppo had/hvd developed/vbn into/in a/at remarkable/jj sailing/vbg team/nn all/abn of/in this/dt happening/vbg in/in a/at time/nn of/in their/pp$ lives/nns when/wrb their/pp$ youth/nn and/cc their/pp$ brotherhood/nn knitted/vbd them/ppo together/rb as/cs no/at other/ap time/nn or/cc circumstance/nn could/md ./.
They/ppss seemed/vbd then/rb to/to have/hv had/hvn a/at single/ap mind/nn and/cc body/nn ,/, a/at mutuality/nn which/wdt had/hvd been/ben accepted/vbn with/in the/at fact/nn of/in their/pp$ youth/nn ,/, casually/rb ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at Starbird/np as/cs she/pps lay/vbd ,/, her/pp$ slender/jj mast/nn up/rp and/cc gently/rb turning/vbg ,/, its/pp$ point/nn describing/vbg constant/jj languid/jj circles/nns against/in a/at cumulus/nn sky/nn ./.
Both/abx of/in them/ppo had/hvd known/vbn the/at feeling/nn of/in the/at small/jj life/nn in/in her/ppo waiting/vbg ,/, ready/jj ,/, for/in the/at two/cd of/in them/ppo to/to run/vb up/rp her/pp$ sails/nns ./.
The/at Starbird/np had/hvd been/ben long/jj at/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at bay/nn ./.


	They/ppss came/vbd unexpectedly/rb upon/in the/at sea/nn ./.
Meeting/vbg it/ppo without/in preparation/nn as/cs they/ppss did/dod ,/, robbed/vbn of/in anticipation/nn ,/, a/at common/jj disappointment/nn seized/vbd them/ppo ./.
They/ppss were/bed climbing/vbg the/at hill/nn in/in the/at night/nn when/wrb the/at headlights/nns abruptly/rb probed/vbd solid/jj blackness/nn ,/, became/vbd two/cd parallel/jj luminous/jj tubes/nns which/wdt broadened/vbd out/rp into/in a/at faint/jj mist/nn of/in light/nn and/cc ended/vbd ./.
Mark/np stopped/vbd the/at car/nn and/cc switched/vbd off/rp the/at lights/nns and/cc they/ppss sat/vbd looking/vbg at/in the/at water/nn ,/, which/wdt ,/, there/ex being/beg no/at moon/nn out/rp ,/, at/in first/rb could/md be/be distinguished/vbn from/in the/at sky/nn only/rb by/in an/at absence/nn of/in stars/nns ./.

His/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed old/jj and/cc they/ppss never/rb saw/vbd well/rb ,/, but/cc heated/vbn with/in whisky/nn they'd/ppss+md glare/vb at/in my/pp$ noise/nn ,/, growing/vbg red/jj and/cc raising/vbg up/rp his/pp$ rage/nn ./.
I/ppss decided/vbd I/ppss hated/vbd the/at Pedersen/np kid/nn too/rb ,/, dying/vbg in/in our/pp$ kitchen/nn while/cs I/ppss was/bedz away/rb where/wrb I/ppss couldn't/md* watch/vb ,/, dying/vbg just/rb to/to entertain/vb Hans/np and/cc making/vbg me/ppo go/vb up/in snapping/vbg steps/nns and/cc down/in a/at drafty/jj hall/nn ,/, Pa/nn-tl lumped/vbd under/in the/at covers/nns at/in the/at end/nn like/cs dung/nn covered/vbn with/in snow/nn ,/, snoring/vbg and/cc whistling/vbg ./.
Oh/uh he'd/pps+md not/* care/vb about/in the/at Pedersen/np kid/nn ./.
He'd/pps+md not/* care/vb about/in getting/vbg waked/vbn so/cs he/pps could/md give/vb up/rp some/dti of/in his/pp$ whisky/nn to/in a/at slit/nn of/in a/at kid/nn and/cc maybe/rb lose/vb one/cd of/in his/pp$ hiding/vbg places/nns in/in the/at bargain/nn ./.
That/dt would/md make/vb him/ppo mad/jj enough/qlp if/cs he/pps was/bedz sober/jj ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* hurry/vb though/cs it/pps was/bedz cold/jj and/cc the/at Pedersen/np kid/nn was/bedz in/in the/at kitchen/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz all/ql shoveled/vbn up/rp like/cs I/ppss thought/vbd he'd/pps+md be/be ./.
I/ppss pushed/vbd at/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ,/, calling/vbg his/pp$ name/nn ./.
I/ppss think/vb his/pp$ name/nn stopped/vbd the/at snoring/nn but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* move/vb except/in to/to roll/vb a/at little/ap when/wrb I/ppss shoved/vbd him/ppo ./.
The/at covers/nns slid/vbd down/in his/pp$ skinny/jj neck/nn so/cs I/ppss saw/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ,/, fuzzed/jj like/cs a/at dandelion/nn gone/vbn to/in seed/nn ,/, but/cc his/pp$ face/nn was/bedz turned/vbn to/in the/at wall/nn --/-- there/ex was/bedz the/at pale/jj shadow/nn of/in his/pp$ nose/nn on/in the/at plaster/nn --/-- and/cc I/ppss thought/vbd ,/, Well/uh you/ppss don't/do* look/vb much/rb like/cs a/at pig-drunk/jj bully/nn now/rb ./.
I/ppss couldn't/md* be/be sure/jj he/pps was/bedz still/rb asleep/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at cagey/jj sonofabitch/nn ./.
I/ppss shook/vbd him/ppo a/at little/ap harder/jjr and/cc made/vbd some/dti noise/nn ./.
``/`` Pap-pap-pap-hey/uh ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.


	I/ppss was/bedz leaning/vbg too/ql far/rb over/rp ./.
I/ppss knew/vbd better/rbr ./.
He/pps always/rb slept/vbd close/rb to/in the/at wall/nn so/cs you/ppss had/hvd to/to lean/vb to/to reach/vb him/ppo ./.
Oh/uh he/pps was/bedz smart/jj ./.
It/pps put/vbd you/ppo off/rp ./.
I/ppss knew/vbd better/rbr but/cc I/ppss was/bedz thinking/vbg of/in the/at Pedersen/np kid/nn mother-naked/jj in/in all/abn that/dt dough/nn ./.
When/wrb his/pp$ arm/nn came/vbd up/rp I/ppss ducked/vbd away/rb but/cc it/pps caught/vbd me/ppo on/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at neck/nn ,/, watering/vbg my/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc I/ppss backed/vbd off/rp to/to cough/vb ./.
Pa/nn-tl was/bedz on/in his/pp$ side/nn ,/, looking/vbg at/in me/ppo ,/, his/pp$ eyes/nns winking/vbg ,/, the/at hand/nn that/wps had/hvd hit/vbn me/ppo a/at fist/nn in/in the/at pillow/nn ./.


	``/`` Get/vb the/at hell/nn out/in of/in here/rb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss didn't/dod* say/vb anything/pn ,/, trying/vbg to/to get/vb my/pp$ throat/nn clear/jj ,/, but/cc I/ppss watched/vbd him/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz like/cs a/at mean/jj horse/nn to/to come/vb at/in from/in the/at rear/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz better/jjr ,/, though/cs ,/, he'd/pps+md hit/vb me/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz bitter/jj when/wrb he/pps missed/vbd ./.


	``/`` Get/vb the/at hell/nn out/in of/in here/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl sent/vbd me/ppo ./.
He/pps told/vbd me/ppo to/to wake/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` A/at fat/jj hell/nn on/in Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl ./.
Get/vb out/in of/in here/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` He/pps found/vbd the/at Pedersen/np kid/nn by/in the/at crib/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Get/vb the/at hell/nn out/rp ''/'' ./.


	Pa/nn-tl pulled/vbd at/in the/at covers/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz tasting/vbg his/pp$ mouth/nn ./.


	``/`` The/at kid's/nn+bez froze/vbn good/rb ./.
Hans/np is/bez rubbing/vbg him/ppo with/in snow/nn ./.
He's/pps+hvz got/vbn him/ppo in/in the/at kitchen/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Pedersen/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, Pa/nn-tl ./.
It's/pps+bez the/at Pedersen/np kid/nn ./.
The/at kid/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Nothing/pn to/to steal/vb from/in the/at crib/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Not/* stealing/vbg ,/, Pa/nn-tl ./.
He/pps was/bedz just/rb lying/vbg there/rb ./.
Hans/np found/vbd him/ppo froze/vbn ./.
That's/dt+bez where/wrb he/pps was/bedz when/wrb Hans/np found/vbd him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Pa/nn-tl laughed/vbd ./.


	``/`` I/ppss ain't/hv* hid/vbd nothing/pn in/in the/at crib/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss don't/do* understand/vb ,/, Pa/nn-tl ./.
The/at Pedersen/np kid/nn ./.
The/at kid/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` I/ppss goddamn/ql well/rb understand/vb ''/'' ./.


	Pa/nn-tl had/hvd his/pp$ head/nn up/rp ,/, glaring/vbg ,/, his/pp$ teeth/nns gnawing/vbg at/in the/at place/nn where/wrb he'd/pps+hvd grown/vbn a/at mustache/nn once/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss goddamn/ql well/rb understand/vb ./.
You/ppss know/vb I/ppss don't/do* want/vb to/to see/vb Pedersen/np ./.
That/dt cock/nn ./.
Why/wrb should/md I/ppss ?/. ?/.
What/wdt did/dod he/pps come/vb for/in ,/, hey/uh ?/. ?/.
God/uh dammit/uh ,/, get/vb ./.
And/cc don't/do* come/vb back/rb ./.
Find/vb out/rp something/pn ./.
You're/ppss+ber a/at fool/nn ./.
Both/abx you/ppss and/cc Hans/np ./.
Pedersen/np ./.
That/dt cock/nn ./.
Don't/do* come/vb back/rb ./.
Out/rp ./.
Out/rp ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz shouting/vbg and/cc breathing/vbg hard/rb and/cc closing/vbg his/pp$ fist/nn on/in the/at pillow/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd long/jj black/jj hairs/nns on/in his/pp$ wrist/nn ./.
They/ppss curled/vbd around/in the/at cuff/nn of/in his/pp$ nightshirt/nn ./.


	``/`` Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl made/vbd me/ppo come/vb ./.
Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl said/vbd ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` A/at fat/jj hell/nn on/in Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl ./.
He's/pps+bez an/at even/ql bigger/jjr fool/nn than/cs you/ppss are/ber ./.
Fat/jj ,/, hey/uh ?/. ?/.
I/ppss taught/vbd him/ppo ,/, dammit/uh ,/, and/cc I'll/ppss+md teach/vb you/ppo ./.
Out/rp ./.
You/ppss want/vb me/ppo to/to drop/vb my/pp$ pot/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps was/bedz about/rb to/to get/vb up/rp so/cs I/ppss got/vbd out/rp ,/, slamming/vbg the/at door/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to see/vb he/pps was/bedz too/ql mad/jj to/to sleep/vb ./.
Then/rb he/pps threw/vbd things/nns ./.
Once/cs he/pps went/vbd after/in Hans/np and/cc dumped/vbd his/pp$ pot/nn over/in the/at banister/nn ./.
Pa'd/nn+hvd-tl been/ben shit-sick/jj in/in that/dt pot/nn ./.
Hans/np got/vbd an/at axe/nn ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* even/vb bother/vb to/to wipe/vb himself/ppl off/rp and/cc he/pps chopped/vbd part/nn of/in Pa's/nn$-tl door/nn down/rp before/cs he/pps stopped/vbd ./.
He/pps might/md not/* have/hv gone/vbn that/dt far/rb if/cs Pa/nn-tl hadn't/hvd* been/ben locked/vbn in/in laughing/vbg fit/vbn to/to shake/vb the/at house/nn ./.
That/dt pot/nn put/vbd Pa/nn-tl in/in an/at awful/jj good/jj humor/nn whenever/wrb he/pps thought/vbd of/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss always/rb felt/vbd the/at memory/nn was/bedz present/rb in/in both/abx of/in them/ppo ,/, stirring/vbg in/in their/pp$ chests/nns like/cs a/at laugh/nn or/cc a/at growl/nn ,/, as/ql eager/jj as/cs an/at animal/nn to/to be/be out/rp ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd Pa/nn-tl cursing/vbg all/abn the/at way/nn downstairs/rb ./.


	Hans/np had/hvd laid/vbn steaming/vbg towels/nns over/in the/at kid's/nn$ chest/nn and/cc stomach/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz rubbing/vbg snow/nn on/in the/at kid's/nn$ legs/nns and/cc feet/nns ./.
Water/nn from/in the/at snow/nn and/cc water/nn from/in the/at towels/nns had/hvd run/vbn off/in the/at kid/nn to/in the/at table/nn where/wrb the/at dough/nn was/bedz ,/, and/cc the/at dough/nn was/bedz turning/vbg pasty/jj ,/, sticking/vbg to/in the/at kid's/nn$ back/nn and/cc behind/nn ./.


	``/`` Ain't/bez* he/pps going/vbg to/to wake/vb up/rp ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` What/wdt about/in your/pp$ pa/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` He/pps was/bedz awake/jj when/wrb I/ppss left/vbd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What'd/wdt+dod he/pps say/vb ?/. ?/.
Did/dod you/ppo get/vb the/at whisky/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` He/pps said/vbd a/at fat/jj hell/nn on/in Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* be/be smart/jj ./.
Did/dod you/ppo ask/vb him/ppo about/in the/at whisky/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` He/pps said/vbd a/at fat/jj hell/nn on/in Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* be/be smart/jj ./.
What's/wdt+bez he/pps going/vbg to/to do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Go/vb back/rb to/to sleep/vb most/ql likely/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You'd/ppss+hvd best/rbt get/vb that/dt whisky/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss go/vb ./.
Take/vb the/at axe/nn ./.
Pa's/nn+bez-tl scared/vbn to/in hell/nn of/in axes/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Listen/vb to/in me/ppo ,/, Jorge/np ,/, I've/ppss+hv had/hvn enough/ap to/in your/pp$ sassing/nn ./.
This/dt kid's/nn+bez froze/vbn bad/rb ./.
If/cs I/ppss don't/do* get/vb some/dti whisky/nn down/in him/ppo he/pps might/md die/vb ./.
You/ppss want/vb the/at kid/nn to/to die/vb ?/. ?/.
Do/do you/ppo ?/. ?/.
Well/uh ,/, get/vb your/pp$ pa/nn and/cc get/vb that/cs whisky/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Pa/nn don't/do* care/vb about/in the/at kid/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Jorge/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh he/pps don't/do* ./.
He/pps don't/do* care/vb at/in all/abn ,/, and/cc I/ppss don't/do* care/vb to/to get/vb my/pp$ head/nn busted/vbn neither/rb ./.
He/pps don't/do* care/vb ,/, and/cc I/ppss don't/do* care/vb to/to have/hv his/pp$ shit/nn flung/vbn on/in me/ppo ./.
He/pps don't/do* care/vb about/in anybody/pn ./.
All/abn he/pps cares/vbz about/in is/bez his/pp$ whisky/nn and/cc that/dt dry/jj crack/nn in/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
Get/vb pig-drunk/jj --/-- that's/dt+bez what/wdt he/pps wants/vbz ./.
He/pps don't/do* care/vb about/in nothing/pn else/rb at/in all/abn ./.
Nothing/pn ./.
Not/* Pedersen's/np$ kid/nn neither/rb ./.
That/dt cock/nn ./.
Not/* the/at kid/nn neither/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md get/vb the/at spirits/nns ''/'' ,/, Ma/nn-tl said/vbd ./.


	I'd/ppss+hvd wound/vbn Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl up/rp tight/rb ./.
I/ppss was/bedz ready/jj to/to jump/vb but/cc when/wrb Ma/nn-tl said/vbd she'd/pps+md get/vb the/at whisky/nn it/pps surprised/vbd him/ppo like/cs it/pps surprised/vbd me/ppo ,/, and/cc he/pps ran/vbd down/rp ./.
Ma/nn-tl never/rb went/vbd near/in the/at old/jj man/nn when/wrb he/pps was/bedz sleeping/vbg it/ppo off/rp ./.
Not/* any/dti more/rbr ./.
Not/* for/in years/nns ./.
The/at first/od thing/nn every/at morning/nn when/wrb she/pps washed/vbd her/pp$ face/nn she/pps could/md see/vb the/at scar/nn on/in her/pp$ chin/nn where/wrb he'd/pps+hvd cut/vbn her/ppo with/in a/at boot/nn cleat/nn ,/, and/cc maybe/rb she/pps saw/vbd him/ppo heaving/vbg it/ppo again/rb ,/, the/at dirty/jj sock/nn popping/vbg out/rp as/cs it/pps flew/vbd ./.
It/pps should/md have/hv been/ben nearly/rb as/ql easy/jj for/in her/ppo to/to remember/vb that/dt as/cs it/pps was/bedz for/in Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl to/to remember/vb going/vbg after/in the/at axe/nn while/cs he/pps was/bedz still/rb spattered/vbn with/in Pa's/nn$-tl yellow/jj sick/jj insides/nns ./.


	``/`` No/rb you/ppss won't/md* ''/'' ,/, Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, Hans/np ,/, if/cs they're/ppss+ber needed/vbn ''/'' ,/, Ma/nn-tl said/vbd ./.


	Hans/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn but/cc neither/dtx of/in us/ppo tried/vbn to/to stop/vb her/ppo ./.
If/cs we/ppss had/hvd ,/, then/rb one/cd of/in us/ppo would/md have/hv had/hvn to/to go/vb instead/rb ./.
Hans/np rubbed/vbd the/at kid/nn with/in more/ap snow/nn rubbed/vbd rubbed/vbd ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md get/vb more/ap snow/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
I/ppss took/vbd the/at pail/nn and/cc shovel/nn and/cc went/vbd out/rp on/in the/at porch/nn ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb where/wrb Ma/nn-tl went/vbd ./.
I/ppss thought/vbd she'd/pps+hvd gone/vbn upstairs/rb and/cc expected/vbd to/to hear/vb she/pps had/hvd ./.
She/pps had/hvd surprised/vbn Hans/np like/cs she/pps had/hvd surprised/vbn me/ppo when/wrb she/pps said/vbd she'd/pps+md go/vb ,/, and/cc then/rb she/pps surprised/vbd him/ppo again/rb when/wrb she/pps came/vbd back/rb so/ql quick/rb like/cs she/pps must/md have/hv ,/, because/cs when/wrb I/ppss came/vbd in/rp with/in the/at snow/nn she/pps was/bedz there/rb with/in a/at bottle/nn with/in three/cd white/jj feathers/nns on/in its/pp$ label/nn and/cc Hans/np was/bedz holding/vbg it/ppo angrily/rb by/in the/at throat/nn ./.


	Oh/uh ,/, he/pps was/bedz being/beg queer/jj and/cc careful/jj ,/, pawing/vbg about/rb in/in the/at drawer/nn and/cc holding/vbg the/at bottle/nn like/cs a/at snake/nn at/in the/at length/nn of/in his/pp$ arm/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz awful/ql angry/jj because/cs he'd/pps+hvd thought/vbn Ma/nn-tl was/bedz going/vbg to/to do/do something/pn big/jj ,/, something/pn heroic/jj even/rb ,/, especially/rb for/in her/ppo I/ppss know/vb him/ppo I/ppss know/vb him/ppo we/ppss felt/vbd the/at same/ap sometimes/rb while/cs Ma/nn-tl wasn't/bedz* thinking/vbg about/in that/dt at/in all/abn ,/, not/* anything/pn like/cs that/dt ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at way/nn of/in getting/vbg even/jj ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* like/cs getting/vbg cheated/vbn at/in the/at fair/nn ./.
They/ppss were/bed always/rb trying/vbg so/cs you/ppss got/vbd to/to expect/vb it/ppo ./.
Now/rb Hans/np had/hvd given/vbn Ma/nn-tl something/pn of/in his/pp$ --/-- we/ppss both/abx had/hvd when/wrb we/ppss thought/vbd she/pps was/bedz going/vbg straight/rb to/in Pa/nn-tl --/-- something/pn valuable/jj ;/. ;/.
but/cc since/cs she/pps didn't/dod* know/vb we'd/ppss+hvd given/vbn it/ppo to/in her/ppo ,/, there/ex was/bedz no/at easy/jj way/nn of/in getting/vbg it/ppo back/rb ./.


	Hans/np cut/vb the/at foil/nn off/rp finally/rb and/cc unscrewed/vbd the/at cap/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz put/vbn out/rp too/rb because/cs there/ex was/bedz only/rb one/cd way/nn of/in understanding/vbg what/wdt she'd/pps+hvd done/vbn ./.
Ma/nn-tl had/hvd found/vbn one/cd of/in Pa's/nn$-tl hiding/vbg places/nns ./.
She'd/pps+hvd found/vbn one/cd and/cc she/pps hadn't/hvd* said/vbn a/at word/nn while/cs Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl and/cc I/ppss had/hvd hunted/vbn and/cc hunted/vbn as/cs we/ppss always/rb did/dod all/abn winter/nn ,/, every/at winter/nn since/cs the/at spring/nn that/cs Hans/np had/hvd come/vbn and/cc I/ppss had/hvd looked/vbn in/in the/at privy/nn and/cc found/vbn the/at first/od one/cd ./.
Pa/nn-tl had/hvd a/at knack/nn for/in hiding/vbg ./.
He/pps knew/vbd we/ppss were/bed looking/vbg and/cc he/pps enjoyed/vbd it/ppo ./.
But/cc now/rb Ma/nn-tl ./.
She'd/pps+hvd found/vbn it/ppo by/in luck/nn most/ql likely/rb but/cc she/pps hadn't/hvd* said/vbn anything/pn and/cc we/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb how/wrb long/jj ago/rb it'd/pps+hvd been/ben or/cc how/wrb many/ap other/ap ones/nns she'd/pps+hvd found/vbn ,/, saying/vbg nothing/pn ./.
Pa/nn-tl was/bedz sure/jj to/to find/vb out/rp ./.
Sometimes/rb he/pps didn't/dod* seem/vb to/in because/cs he/pps hid/vbd them/ppo so/ql well/rb he/pps couldn't/md* find/vb them/ppo himself/ppl or/cc because/cs he/pps looked/vbd and/cc didn't/dod* find/vb anything/pn and/cc figured/vbd he/pps hadn't/hvd* hid/vbd one/cd after/in all/abn or/cc had/hvd drunk/jj it/ppo up/rp ./.
But/cc he'd/pps+md find/vb out/rp about/in this/dt one/cd because/cs we/ppss were/bed using/vbg it/ppo ./.
A/at fool/nn could/md see/vb what/wdt was/bedz going/vbg on/rp ./.
If/cs he/pps found/vbd out/rp Ma/nn-tl found/vbd it/ppo --/-- that'd/wps+md be/be bad/jj ./.
He/pps took/vbd pride/nn in/in his/pp$ hiding/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz all/abn the/at pride/nn he/pps had/hvd ./.
I/ppss guess/vb fooling/vbg Hans/np and/cc me/ppo took/vbd doing/vbg ./.
But/cc he/pps didn't/dod* figure/vb Ma/nn-tl for/in much/ap ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* figure/vb her/ppo at/in all/abn ,/, and/cc if/cs he/pps found/vbd out/rp a/at woman/nn it'd/pps+md be/be bad/jj ./.


	Hans/np poured/vbd some/dti in/in a/at tumbler/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss going/vbg to/to put/vb more/ap towels/nns on/in him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb not/* ?/. ?/.
That's/dt+bez what/wdt he/pps needs/vbz ,/, something/pn warm/jj to/in his/pp$ skin/nn ,/, don't/do* he/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Not/* where/wrb he's/pps+bez froze/vbn good/jj ./.
Heat's/nn+bez bad/jj for/in frostbite/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez why/wrb I/ppss only/rb put/vbd towels/nns on/in his/pp$ chest/nn and/cc belly/nn ./.
He's/pps+hvz got/vbn to/to thaw/vb slow/rb ./.
You/ppss ought/md to/to know/vb that/dt ''/'' ./.


	Colors/nns on/in the/at towels/nns had/hvd run/vbn ./.


	Ma/nn-tl poked/vbd her/pp$ toe/nn in/in the/at kid's/nn$ clothes/nns ./.


	``/`` What/wdt are/ber we/ppss going/vbg to/to do/do with/in these/dts ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Big/jj-tl Hans/np-tl began/vbd pouring/vbg whisky/nn in/in the/at kid's/nn$ mouth/nn but/cc his/pp$ mouth/nn filled/vbd without/in any/dti getting/vbg down/in his/pp$ throat/nn and/cc in/in a/at second/od it/pps was/bedz dripping/vbg from/in his/pp$ chin/nn ./.


	``/`` Here/rb ,/, help/vb me/ppo prop/vb him/ppo up/rp ./.
I/ppss got/vbd hold/vb his/pp$ mouth/nn open/jj ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss didn't/dod* want/vb to/to touch/vb him/ppo and/cc I/ppss hoped/vbd Ma/nn-tl would/md do/do it/ppo but/cc she/pps kept/vbd looking/vbg at/in the/at kid's/nn$ clothes/nns piled/vbn on/in the/at floor/nn and/cc the/at pool/nn of/in water/nn by/in them/ppo and/cc didn't/dod* make/vb any/dti move/nn to/to ./.


	``/`` Come/vb on/rp ,/, Jorge/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Lift/vb ,/, don't/do* shove/vb lift/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` O.K./uh ,/, I'm/ppss+bem lifting/vbg ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss took/vbd him/ppo by/in the/at shoulders/nns ./.
His/pp$ head/nn flopped/vbd back/rb ./.
His/pp$ mouth/nn fell/vbd open/jj ./.
The/at skin/nn on/in his/pp$ neck/nn was/bedz tight/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz cold/jj all/ql right/rb ./.


	``/`` Hold/vb his/pp$ head/nn up/rp ./.
He'll/pps+md choke/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` His/pp$ mouth/nn is/bez open/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` His/pp$ throat's/nn+bez shut/vbn ./.
He'll/pps+md choke/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` He'll/pps+md choke/vb anyway/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Hold/vb his/pp$ head/nn up/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss can't/md* ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* hold/vb him/ppo like/cs that/dt ./.
Put/vb your/pp$ arms/nns around/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh Jesus/uh ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz cold/jj all/ql right/rb ./.
I/ppss put/vb my/pp$ arm/nn carefully/rb around/in him/ppo ./.
Hans/np had/hvd his/pp$ fingers/nns in/in the/at kid's/nn$ mouth/nn ./.


	``/`` Now/rb he'll/pps+md choke/vb for/in sure/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Shut/vb up/rp ./.
Just/rb hold/vb him/ppo like/cs I/ppss told/vbd you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	He/pps was/bedz cold/jj all/ql right/rb ,/, and/cc wet/jj ./.
I/ppss had/hvd my/pp$ arm/nn behind/in his/pp$ back/nn ./.

He/pps was/bedz in/in his/pp$ mid-fifties/nns at/in this/dt time/nn ,/, long/jj past/in the/at establishment/nn of/in his/pp$ name/nn and/cc the/at wish/nn to/to be/be lionized/vbn yet/ql once/rb again/rb ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz almost/rb a/at decade/nn since/cs he/pps had/hvd sworn/vbn off/rp lecturing/vbg ./.
There/ex was/bedz never/rb a/at doubt/nn any/dti more/rbr how/wrb his/pp$ structures/nns would/md be/be received/vbn ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz always/rb the/at same/ap unqualified/jj success/nn now/rb ./.
He/pps could/md no/at longer/jjr build/vb anything/pn ,/, whether/cs a/at private/jj residence/nn in/in his/pp$ Pennsylvania/np county/nn or/cc a/at church/nn in/in Brazil/np ,/, without/in it/ppo being/beg obvious/jj that/cs he/pps had/hvd done/vbn it/ppo ,/, and/cc while/cs here/rb and/cc there/rb he/pps was/bedz taken/vbn to/in task/nn for/in again/rb developing/vbg the/at same/ap airy/jj technique/nn ,/, they/ppss were/bed such/ql fanciful/jj and/cc sometimes/rb even/rb playful/jj buildings/nns that/cs the/at public/nn felt/vbd assured/vbn by/in its/pp$ sense/nn of/in recognition/nn after/in a/at time/nn ,/, a/at quality/nn of/in authentic/jj uniqueness/nn about/in them/ppo ,/, which/wdt ,/, once/rb established/vbn by/in an/at artist/nn as/cs his/pp$ private/jj vision/nn ,/, is/bez no/at longer/jjr disputable/jj as/in to/in its/pp$ other/ap values/nns ./.
Stowey/np Rummel/np was/bedz internationally/rb famous/jj ,/, a/at crafter/nn of/in a/at genuine/jj Americana/np in/in foreign/jj eyes/nns ,/, an/at original/jj designer/nn whose/wp$ inventive/jj childishness/nn with/in steel/nn and/cc concrete/nn was/bedz made/vbn even/ql more/ql believably/rb sincere/jj by/in his/pp$ personality/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd lived/vbn for/in almost/rb thirty/cd years/nns in/in this/dt same/ap stone/nn farmhouse/nn with/in the/at same/ap wife/nn ,/, a/at remarkably/rb childish/jj thing/nn in/in itself/ppl ;/. ;/.
he/pps rose/vbd at/in half-past/jj six/cd every/at morning/nn ,/, made/vbd himself/ppl some/dti French/jj coffee/nn ,/, had/hvd his/pp$ corn/nn flakes/nns and/cc more/ap coffee/nn ,/, smoked/vbd four/cd cigarettes/nns while/cs reading/vbg last/ap Sunday's/nr$ Herald/nn-tl Tribune/nn-tl and/cc yesterday's/nr$ Pittsburgh/np-tl Gazette/nn-tl ,/, then/rb put/vbd on/in his/pp$ high-topped/jj farmer's/nn$ shoes/nns and/cc walked/vbd under/in a/at vine/nn bower/nn to/in his/pp$ workshop/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz an/at enormously/rb long/jj building/nn whose/wp$ walls/nns were/bed made/vbn of/in rocks/nns ,/, some/dti of/in them/ppo brought/vbn home/nr from/in every/at continent/nn during/in his/pp$ six/cd years/nns as/cs an/at oil/nn geologist/nn ./.
The/at debris/nn of/in his/pp$ other/ap careers/nns was/bedz piled/vbn everywhere/rb ;/. ;/.
a/at pile/nn of/in wire/nn cages/nns for/in mice/nns from/in his/pp$ time/nn as/cs a/at geneticist/nn and/cc a/at microscope/nn lying/vbg on/in its/pp$ side/nn on/in the/at window/nn sill/nn ,/, vertical/jj steel/nn columns/nns wired/vbn for/in support/nn to/in the/at open/jj ceiling/nn beams/nns with/in spidery/jj steel/nn cantilevers/nns jutting/vbg out/rp into/in the/at air/nn ,/, masonry/jj constructions/nns on/in the/at floor/nn from/in the/at time/nn he/pps was/bedz inventing/vbg his/pp$ disastrous/jj fireplace/nn whose/wp$ smoke/nn would/md pass/vb through/in a/at whole/jj house/nn ,/, visible/jj all/abn the/at way/nn up/rp through/in wire/nn gratings/nns on/in each/dt floor/nn ./.
His/pp$ files/nns ,/, desk/nn ,/, drafting/vbg board/nn and/cc a/at high/jj stool/nn formed/vbd the/at only/ap clean/jj island/nn in/in the/at chaos/nn ./.
Everywhere/nn else/rb his/pp$ ideas/nns lay/vb or/cc hung/vbd in/in visible/jj form/nn :/: his/pp$ models/nns ,/, drawings/nns ,/, ten-foot/jj canvases/nns in/in monochromes/nns from/in his/pp$ painting/nn days/nns ,/, and/cc underfoot/rb a/at windfall/nn of/in broken-backed/jj books/nns that/wps looked/vbd as/cs though/cs their/pp$ insides/nns had/hvd been/ben ransacked/vbn by/in a/at maniac/nn ./.
Bicycle/nn gear-sets/nns he/pps had/hvd once/rb used/vbn as/cs the/at basis/nn of/in the/at design/nn for/in the/at Camden/np-tl Cycly/nn-tl Company/nn-tl plant/nn hung/vbd on/in a/at rope/nn in/in one/cd corner/nn ,/, and/cc over/in his/pp$ desk/nn ,/, next/in to/in several/ap old/jj and/cc dusty/jj hats/nns ,/, was/bedz a/at clean/jj pair/nn of/in roller/nn skates/nns which/wdt he/pps occasionally/rb used/vbd up/rp and/cc down/rp in/in front/nn of/in his/pp$ house/nn ./.
He/pps worked/vbd standing/vbg ,/, with/in his/pp$ left/jj hand/nn in/in his/pp$ pocket/nn as/cs though/cs he/pps were/bed merely/rb stopping/vbg for/in a/at moment/nn ,/, sketching/vbg with/in the/at surprised/vbn stare/nn of/in one/cd who/wps was/bedz watching/vbg another/dt person's/nn$ hand/nn ./.
Sometimes/rb he/pps would/md grunt/vb softly/rb to/in some/dti invisible/jj onlooker/nn beside/in him/ppo ,/, sometimes/rb he/pps would/md look/vb stern/jj and/cc moralistic/jj as/cs his/pp$ pencil/nn did/dod what/wdt he/pps disapproved/vbd ./.
It/pps all/abn seemed/vbd --/-- if/cs one/cd could/md have/hv peeked/vbn in/in at/in him/ppo through/in one/cd of/in his/pp$ windows/nns --/-- as/cs though/cs this/dt broken-nosed/jj man/nn with/in the/at muscular/jj arms/nns and/cc wrestler's/nn$ neck/nn was/bedz merely/rb the/at caretaker/nn trying/vbg his/pp$ hand/nn at/in the/at boss's/nn$ work/nn ./.
This/dt air/nn of/in disengagement/nn carried/vbd over/rp to/in his/pp$ apparent/jj attitude/nn toward/in his/pp$ things/nns ,/, and/cc people/nns often/rb mistook/vbd it/ppo for/in boredom/nn in/in him/ppo or/cc a/at surrender/nn to/in repetitious/jj routine/nn ./.
But/cc he/pps was/bedz not/* bored/vbn at/in all/abn ;/. ;/.
he/pps had/hvd found/vbn his/pp$ style/nn quite/ql early/rb in/in his/pp$ career/nn and/cc he/pps thought/vbd it/ppo quite/ql wonderful/jj that/cs the/at world/nn admired/vbd it/ppo ,/, and/cc he/pps could/md not/* imagine/vb why/wrb he/pps should/md alter/vb it/ppo ./.
There/ex are/ber ,/, after/in all/abn ,/, fortunate/jj souls/nns who/wps hear/vb everything/pn ,/, but/cc only/rb know/vb how/wrb to/to listen/vb to/in what/wdt is/bez good/jj for/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc Stowey/np was/bedz ,/, as/cs things/nns go/vb ,/, a/at fortunate/jj man/nn ./.


	He/pps left/vbd his/pp$ home/nr the/at day/nn after/in New/jj-tl Year's/nn$-tl wearing/vbg a/at mackinaw/nn and/cc sheepskin/nn mittens/nns and/cc without/in a/at hat/nn ./.
He/pps would/md wear/vb this/dt same/ap costume/nn in/in Florida/np ,/, despite/in his/pp$ wife/nn Cleota's/np$ reminders/nns over/in the/at past/ap five/cd days/nns that/cs he/pps must/md take/vb some/dti cool/jj clothes/nns with/in him/ppo ./.
But/cc he/pps was/bedz too/ql busy/jj to/to hear/vb what/wdt she/pps was/bedz saying/vbg ./.
So/cs they/ppss parted/vbd when/wrb she/pps was/bedz in/in an/at impatient/jj humor/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps was/bedz bent/vbn over/rp behind/in the/at wheel/nn of/in the/at station/nn wagon/nn ,/, feeling/vbg in/in his/pp$ trouser/nn cuffs/nns for/in the/at ignition/nn key/nn which/wdt he/pps had/hvd dropped/vbn a/at moment/nn before/rb ,/, she/pps came/vbd out/in of/in the/at house/nn with/in an/at enormous/jj Rumanian/jj shawl/nn over/in her/pp$ head/nn ,/, which/wdt she/pps had/hvd bought/vbn in/in that/dt country/nn during/in one/cd of/in their/pp$ trips/nns abroad/rb ,/, and/cc handed/vbd him/ppo a/at clean/jj handkerchief/nn through/in the/at window/nn ./.
Finding/vbg the/at key/nn under/in his/pp$ shoe/nn ,/, he/pps started/vbd the/at engine/nn ,/, and/cc while/cs it/pps warmed/vbd up/rp he/pps turned/vbd to/in her/ppo standing/vbg there/rb in/in the/at dripping/vbg fog/nn ,/, and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Defrost/vb the/at refrigerator/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps saw/vbd the/at surprise/nn in/in her/pp$ face/nn ,/, and/cc laughed/vbd as/cs though/cs it/pps were/bed the/at funniest/jjt expression/nn he/pps had/hvd ever/rb seen/vbn ./.
He/pps kept/vbd on/rp laughing/vbg until/cs she/pps started/vbd laughing/vbg with/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at deep/jj voice/nn which/wdt was/bedz full/jj of/in good/jj food/nn she/pps had/hvd cooked/vbn ,/, and/cc good/jj humor/nn ;/. ;/.
an/at explosive/jj laugh/nn which/wdt always/rb carried/vbd everything/pn before/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps would/md settle/vb himself/ppl into/in his/pp$ seat/nn to/to laugh/vb ./.
Whenever/wrb he/pps laughed/vbd it/pps was/bedz all/abn he/pps was/bedz doing/vbg ./.
And/cc she/pps was/bedz made/vbn to/to fall/vb in/in love/nn with/in him/ppo again/rb there/rb in/in the/at rutted/vbn dirt/nn driveway/nn standing/vbg in/in the/at cold/jj fog/nn ,/, mad/jj as/cs she/pps was/bedz at/in his/pp$ going/vbg away/rb when/wrb he/pps really/rb didn't/dod* have/hv to/to ,/, mad/jj at/in their/pp$ both/abx having/hvg got/vbn older/jjr in/in a/at life/nn that/wps seemed/vbd to/to have/hv taken/vbn no/at more/ap than/in a/at week/nn to/to go/vb by/in ./.
She/pps was/bedz forty-nine/cd at/in this/dt time/nn ,/, a/at lanky/jj woman/nn of/in breeding/vbg with/in an/at austere/jj ,/, narrow/jj face/nn which/wdt had/hvd the/at distinction/nn of/in a/at steeple/nn or/cc some/dti architecture/nn that/dt had/hvd been/ben designed/vbn long/jj ago/rb for/in a/at stubborn/jj sort/nn of/in prayer/nn ./.
Her/pp$ eyebrows/nns were/bed definite/jj and/cc heavy/jj and/cc formed/vbd two/cd lines/nns moving/vbg upward/rb toward/in a/at high/jj forehead/nn and/cc a/at great/jj head/nn of/in brown/jj hair/nn that/wps fell/vbd to/in her/pp$ shoulders/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz an/at air/nn of/in blindness/nn in/in her/pp$ gray/jj eyes/nns ,/, the/at startled-horse/nn look/nn that/wps ultimately/rb comes/vbz to/in some/dti women/nns who/wps are/ber born/vbn at/in the/at end/nn of/in an/at ancestral/jj line/nn long/jj since/in divorced/vbn from/in money-making/nn and/cc which/wdt ,/, besides/rb ,/, has/hvz kept/vbn its/pp$ estate/nn intact/jj ./.
She/pps was/bedz personally/rb sloppy/jj ,/, and/cc when/wrb she/pps had/hvd colds/nns would/md blow/vb her/pp$ nose/nn in/in the/at same/ap handkerchief/nn all/abn day/nn and/cc keep/vb it/ppo ,/, soaking/ql wet/jj ,/, dangling/vbg from/in her/pp$ waist/nn ,/, and/cc when/wrb she/pps gardened/vbd she/pps would/md eat/vb dinner/nn with/in dirt/nn on/in her/pp$ calves/nns ./.
But/cc just/rb when/wrb she/pps seemed/vbd to/to have/hv sunk/vbn into/in some/dti depravity/nn of/in peasanthood/nn she/pps would/md disappear/vb and/cc come/vb down/rp bathed/vbn ,/, brushed/vbn ,/, and/cc taking/vbg breaths/nns of/in air/nn ,/, and/cc even/rb with/in her/pp$ broken/vbn nails/nns her/pp$ hands/nns would/md come/vb to/to rest/vb on/in a/at table/nn or/cc a/at leaf/nn with/in a/at thoughtless/jj delicacy/nn ,/, a/at grace/nn of/in history/nn ,/, so/rb to/to speak/vb ,/, and/cc for/in an/at instant/nn one/pn saw/vbd how/wrb ferociously/rb proud/jj she/pps was/bedz and/cc adamant/jj on/in certain/jj questions/nns of/in personal/jj value/nn ./.
She/pps even/rb spoke/vbd differently/rb when/wrb she/pps was/bedz clean/jj ,/, and/cc she/pps was/bedz clean/jj now/rb for/in his/pp$ departure/nn and/cc her/pp$ voice/nn clear/jj and/cc rather/ql sharp/jj ./.


	``/`` Now/rb drive/vb carefully/rb ,/, for/in God's/np$ sake/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps called/vbd ,/, trying/vbg to/to attain/vb a/at half/ql humorous/jj resentment/nn at/in his/pp$ departure/nn ./.
But/cc he/pps did/dod not/* notice/vb ,/, and/cc was/bedz already/rb backing/vbg the/at car/nn down/rp to/in the/at road/nn ,/, saying/vbg ``/`` Toot-toot/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
To/in the/at stump/nn of/in a/at tree/nn as/cs he/pps passed/vbd it/ppo ,/, the/at same/ap stump/nn which/wdt had/hvd impaled/vbn the/at car/nn of/in many/abn a/at guest/nn in/in the/at past/ap thirty/cd years/nns and/cc which/wdt he/pps refused/vbd to/to have/hv removed/vbn ./.
She/pps stood/vbd clutching/vbg her/pp$ shawl/nn around/in her/pp$ shoulders/nns until/cs he/pps had/hvd swung/vbn the/at car/nn onto/in the/at road/nn ./.
Then/rb ,/, when/wrb he/pps had/hvd it/ppo pointed/vbn down/in the/at hill/nn ,/, he/pps stopped/vbd to/to gaze/vb at/in her/ppo through/in the/at window/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd begun/vbn to/to turn/vb back/rb toward/in the/at house/nn ,/, but/cc his/pp$ look/nn caught/vbd her/ppo and/cc she/pps stood/vbd still/rb ,/, waiting/vbg there/rb for/in what/wdt his/pp$ expression/nn indicated/vbd would/md be/be a/at serious/jj word/nn of/in farewell/nn ./.
He/pps looked/vbd at/in her/ppo out/in of/in himself/ppl ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ,/, as/cs he/pps did/dod only/rb for/in an/at instant/nn at/in a/at time/nn ,/, the/at look/nn which/wdt always/rb surprised/vbd her/ppo even/ql now/rb when/wrb his/pp$ uncombable/jj hair/nn was/bedz yellowing/vbg a/at little/ap and/cc his/pp$ breath/nn came/vbd hard/rb through/in his/pp$ nicotine-choked/jj lungs/nns ,/, the/at look/nn of/in the/at gaunt/jj youth/nn she/pps had/hvd suddenly/rb found/vbn herself/ppl staring/vbg at/in in/in the/at Tate/np-tl Gallery/nn-tl on/in a/at Thursday/nr once/rb ./.
Now/rb she/pps kept/vbd herself/ppl protectively/rb ready/jj to/to laugh/vb again/rb and/cc sure/rb enough/qlp he/pps pointed/vbd at/in her/ppo with/in his/pp$ index/nn finger/nn and/cc said/vbd ``/`` Toot/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
Once/rb more/rbr and/cc roared/vbd off/rp into/in the/at fog/nn ,/, his/pp$ foot/nn evidently/rb surprising/vbg him/ppo with/in the/at suddenness/nn with/in which/wdt it/pps pressed/vbd the/at accelerator/nn ,/, just/rb as/cs his/pp$ hand/nn did/dod when/wrb he/pps worked/vbd ./.
She/pps walked/vbd back/rb to/in the/at house/nn and/cc entered/vbd ,/, feeling/vbg herself/ppl returning/vbg ,/, sensing/vbg some/dti kind/nn of/in opportunity/nn in/in the/at empty/jj building/nn ./.
There/ex is/bez a/at death/nn in/in all/abn partings/nns ,/, she/pps knew/vbd ,/, and/cc promptly/rb put/vbd it/ppo out/in of/in her/pp$ mind/nn ./.


	She/pps enjoyed/vbd great/jj parties/nns when/wrb she/pps would/md sit/vb up/rp talking/vbg and/cc dancing/vbg and/cc drinking/vbg all/abn night/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps always/rb seemed/vbd to/in her/ppo that/wps being/beg alone/rb ,/, especially/rb alone/rb in/in her/pp$ house/nn ,/, was/bedz the/at realest/jjt part/nn of/in life/nn ./.
Now/rb she/pps could/md let/vb out/rp the/at three/cd parakeets/nns without/in fear/nn they/ppss would/md be/be stepped/vbn on/rp or/cc that/cs Stowey/np would/md let/vb them/ppo out/in one/cd of/in the/at doors/nns ;/. ;/.
she/pps could/md dust/vb the/at plants/nns ,/, then/rb break/vb off/rp suddenly/rb and/cc pick/vb up/rp an/at old/jj novel/nn and/cc read/vb from/in the/at middle/nn on/rp ;/. ;/.
improvise/vb cha-chas/nns on/in the/at harp/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc finally/rb ,/, the/at best/jjt part/nn of/in all/abn ,/, simply/rb sit/vb at/in the/at plank/nn table/nn in/in the/at kitchen/nn with/in a/at bottle/nn of/in wine/nn and/cc the/at newspapers/nns ,/, reading/vbg the/at ads/nns as/ql well/rb as/cs the/at news/nn ,/, registering/vbg nothing/pn on/in her/pp$ mind/nn but/cc letting/vbg her/pp$ soul/nn suspend/vb itself/ppl above/in all/abn wishing/vbg and/cc desire/nn ./.
She/pps did/dod this/dt now/rb ,/, comfortably/rb aware/jj of/in the/at mist/nn running/vbg down/in the/at windows/nns ,/, of/in the/at silence/nn outside/rb ,/, of/in the/at dark/jj afternoon/nn it/pps was/bedz getting/vbg to/to be/be ./.
She/pps fell/vbd asleep/rb leaning/vbg on/in her/pp$ hand/nn ,/, hearing/vbg the/at house/nn creaking/vbg as/cs though/cs it/pps were/bed a/at living/nn a/at private/jj life/nn of/in its/pp$ own/jj these/dts two/cd hundred/cd years/nns ,/, hearing/vbg the/at birds/nns rustling/vbg in/in their/pp$ cages/nns and/cc the/at occasional/jj whirring/vbg of/in wings/nns as/cs one/cd of/in them/ppo landed/vbn on/in the/at table/nn and/cc walked/vbd across/in the/at newspaper/nn to/to perch/vb in/in the/at crook/nn of/in her/pp$ arm/nn ./.
Every/at few/ap minutes/nns she/pps would/md awaken/vb for/in a/at moment/nn to/to review/vb things/nns :/: Stowey/np ,/, yes/rb ,/, was/bedz on/in his/pp$ way/nn south/nr ,/, and/cc the/at two/cd boys/nns were/bed away/rb in/in school/nn ,/, and/cc nothing/pn was/bedz burning/vbg on/in the/at stove/nn ,/, and/cc Lucretia/np was/bedz coming/vbg for/in dinner/nn and/cc bringing/vbg three/cd guests/nns of/in hers/pp$$ ./.
Then/rb she/pps fell/vbd asleep/rb again/rb as/ql soddenly/rb as/cs a/at person/nn with/in fever/nn ,/, and/cc when/wrb she/pps awoke/vbd it/pps was/bedz dark/jj outside/rb and/cc the/at clarity/nn was/bedz back/rb in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
She/pps stood/vbd up/rp ,/, smoothing/vbg her/pp$ hair/nn down/rp ,/, straightening/vbg her/pp$ clothes/nns ,/, feeling/vbg a/at thankfulness/nn for/in the/at enveloping/vbg darkness/nn outside/rb ,/, and/cc ,/, above/in everything/pn else/rb ,/, for/in the/at absence/nn of/in the/at need/nn to/to answer/vb ,/, to/to respond/vb ,/, to/to be/be aware/jj even/rb of/in Stowey/np coming/vbg in/rp or/cc going/vbg out/rp ,/, and/cc yet/rb ,/, now/rb that/cs she/pps was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to cook/vb ,/, she/pps glimpsed/vbd a/at future/nn without/in him/ppo ,/, a/at future/nn alone/rb like/cs this/dt ,/, and/cc the/at pain/nn made/vbd her/pp$ head/nn writhe/vb ,/, and/cc in/in a/at moment/nn she/pps found/vbd it/ppo hard/jj to/to wait/vb for/in Lucretia/np to/to come/vb with/in her/pp$ guests/nns ./.
She/pps went/vbd into/in the/at living/vbg room/nn and/cc turned/vbd on/rp three/cd lamps/nns ,/, then/rb back/rb into/in the/at kitchen/nn where/wrb she/pps turned/vbd on/rp the/at ceiling/nn light/nn and/cc the/at switch/nn that/wps lit/vbd the/at floods/nns on/in the/at barn/nn ,/, illuminating/vbg the/at driveway/nn ./.
She/pps knew/vbd she/pps was/bedz feeling/vbg afraid/jj and/cc inwardly/rb laughed/vbd at/in herself/ppl ./.
They/ppss were/bed both/abx so/ql young/jj ,/, after/in all/abn ,/, so/ql unready/jj for/in any/dti final/jj parting/nn ./.
How/wrb could/md it/ppo have/hv been/ben thirty/cd years/nns already/rb ,/, she/pps wondered/vbd ?/. ?/.
But/cc yes/rb ,/, nineteen/cd plus/cc thirty/cd was/bedz forty-nine/cd ,/, and/cc she/pps was/bedz forty-nine/cd and/cc she/pps had/hvd been/ben married/vbn at/in nineteen/cd ./.
She/pps stood/vbd still/rb over/in the/at leg/nn of/in lamb/nn ,/, rubbing/vbg herbs/nns into/in it/ppo ,/, quite/ql suddenly/rb conscious/jj of/in a/at nausea/nn in/in her/pp$ stomach/nn and/cc a/at feeling/nn of/in wrath/nn ,/, a/at sensation/nn of/in violence/nn that/wps started/vbd her/ppo shivering/vbg ./.



	But/cc they/ppss all/abn said/vbd ,/, ``/`` No/rb ,/, your/pp$ time/nn will/md come/vb ./.
Enjoy/vb being/beg a/at bride/nn while/cs you/ppss can/md ''/'' ./.


	There/ex was/bedz no/at room/nn for/in company/nn in/in the/at tiny/jj Weaning/vbg-tl House/nn-tl (/( where/wrb the/at Albright/np boys/nns always/rb took/vbd their/pp$ brides/nns ,/, till/cs they/ppss could/md get/vb a/at house/nn and/cc a/at farm/nn of/in their/pp$ own/jj )/) ./.
So/rb when/wrb the/at Big/jj-tl House/nn-tl filled/vbd up/rp and/cc ran/vbd over/rp ,/, the/at sisters-in-law/nns found/vbd beds/nns for/in everyone/pn in/in their/pp$ own/jj homes/nns ./.
And/cc there/ex was/bedz still/rb not/* anything/pn that/cs Linda/np Kay/np could/md do/do ./.


	So/rb Linda/np Kay/np gave/vbd up/rp asking/vbg ,/, and/cc accepted/vbd her/pp$ reprieve/nn ./.
Without/in saying/vbg so/rb ,/, she/pps was/bedz really/ql grateful/jj ;/. ;/.
for/cs to/to attend/vb the/at dying/nn was/bedz something/pn she/pps had/hvd never/rb experienced/vbn ,/, and/cc certainly/rb had/hvd not/* imagined/vbn when/wrb she/pps thought/vbd of/in the/at duties/nns she/pps would/md have/hv as/cs Bobby/np Joe's/np$ wife/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd made/vbn curtains/nns for/in all/abn the/at windows/nns of/in her/pp$ little/jj house/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps had/hvd kept/vbn it/ppo spotless/jj and/cc neat/jj ,/, shabby/jj as/cs it/pps was/bedz ,/, and/cc cooked/vbd good/jj meals/nns for/in Bobby/np Joe/np ./.
She/pps had/hvd done/vbn all/abn the/at things/nns she/pps had/hvd promised/vbn herself/ppl she/pps would/md do/do ,/, but/cc she/pps had/hvd not/* thought/vbn of/in this/dt ./.
People/nns died/vbd ,/, she/pps would/md have/hv said/vbn ,/, in/in hospitals/nns ,/, or/cc in/in cars/nns on/in the/at highway/nn at/in night/nn ./.


	Bobby/np Joe/np was/bedz gone/vbn all/abn day/nn now/rb ,/, not/* coming/vbg in/rp for/in dinner/nn and/cc sometimes/rb not/* for/in supper/nn ./.
When/wrb they/ppss first/rb married/vbd he/pps had/hvd been/ben working/vbg in/in the/at fields/nns all/abn day/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps would/md get/vb in/in the/at car/nn and/cc drive/vb to/to wherever/wrb he/pps was/bedz working/vbg ,/, to/to take/vb him/ppo a/at fresh/jj hot/jj meal/nn ./.
Now/rb there/ex was/bedz no/at work/nn in/in the/at fields/nns ,/, nor/cc would/md there/ex be/be till/cs it/pps rained/vbd ,/, and/cc she/pps did/dod not/* know/vb where/wrb he/pps went/vbd ./.
Not/* that/cs she/pps complained/vbd ,/, or/cc had/hvd any/dti cause/nn to/to ./.
Four/cd or/cc five/cd of/in the/at cousins/nns from/in East/jj-tl Texas/np-tl were/bed about/rb his/pp$ age/nn ,/, so/rb naturally/rb they/ppss ran/vbd around/rb together/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at reason/nn for/in her/ppo to/to ask/vb what/wdt they/ppss did/dod ./.


	Thus/rb a/at new/jj pattern/nn of/in days/nns began/vbd to/to develop/vb ,/, for/cs Granny/np Albright/np did/dod not/* die/vb ./.
She/pps lay/vbd still/rb on/in the/at bed/nn ,/, her/pp$ head/nn hardly/rb denting/vbg the/at pillow/nn ;/. ;/.
sometimes/rb she/pps opened/vbd her/pp$ eyes/nns and/cc looked/vbd around/rb ,/, and/cc sometimes/rb she/pps took/vbd a/at little/ap milk/nn or/cc soup/nn ./.
They/ppss stopped/vbd expecting/vbg her/ppo to/to die/vb the/at next/ap minute/nn ,/, but/cc only/rb in/in the/at next/ap day/nn or/cc two/cd ./.
Those/dts who/wps had/hvd driven/vbn hundreds/nns of/in miles/nns for/in the/at burial/nn would/md not/* go/vb home/nr ,/, for/cs she/pps might/md die/vb any/dti time/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc they/ppss might/md as/ql well/rb unpack/vb their/pp$ suitcases/nns ,/, for/cs she/pps might/md linger/vb on/rp ./.


	So/cs the/at pattern/nn was/bedz established/vbn ./.
When/wrb Linda/np Kay/np had/hvd put/vbn up/rp her/pp$ breakfast/nn dishes/nns and/cc mopped/vbn her/pp$ linoleum/nn rugs/nns ,/, she/pps would/md go/vb to/in the/at Big/jj-tl House/nn-tl ./.
There/ex was/bedz not/* anything/pn she/pps could/md do/do there/rb ,/, but/cc that/dt was/bedz where/wrb everyone/pn was/bedz ,/, or/cc would/md be/be ./.
Bobby/np Joe/np and/cc the/at boys/nns would/md come/vb by/rb ,/, say/vb ``/`` How's/wrb+bez Granny/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
And/cc sit/vb on/in the/at porch/nn a/at while/nn ./.
The/at older/jjr men/nns would/md be/be there/rb at/in noon/nn ,/, and/cc maybe/rb rest/vb for/in a/at time/nn before/cs they/ppss took/vbd their/pp$ guns/nns off/rp to/in the/at creek/nn or/cc drove/vbd down/in the/at road/nn towards/in town/nn ./.


	The/at women/nns and/cc children/nns stayed/vbd at/in the/at Albrights'/nps$ ./.
The/at women/nns ,/, keeping/vbg their/pp$ voices/nns low/jj as/cs they/ppss worked/vbd around/in the/at house/nn or/cc sat/vbd in/in the/at living/vbg room/nn ,/, sounded/vbd like/cs chickens/nns shut/vbn up/rp in/in a/at coop/nn for/in the/at night/nn ./.
The/at children/nns had/hvd to/to play/vb away/rb from/in the/at house/nn (/( in/in the/at barn/nn loft/nn or/cc the/at pasture/nn behind/in the/at barn/nn )/) ,/, to/to maintain/vb a/at proper/jj quietness/nn ./.


	Off/rp and/cc on/rp ,/, all/abn day/nn ,/, someone/pn would/md be/be wiping/vbg at/in the/at powdery/jj gray/jj dust/nn that/wps settled/vbd over/in everything/pn ./.
The/at evaporative/jj cooler/nn had/hvd been/ben moved/vbn to/in Granny's/np$ room/nn ,/, and/cc her/pp$ door/nn was/bedz kept/vbn shut/vbn ;/. ;/.
so/cs that/cs the/at rest/nn of/in the/at house/nn stayed/vbd open/jj ,/, though/cs there/ex was/bedz a/at question/nn as/in to/in whether/cs it/pps was/bedz hotter/jjr or/cc cooler/jjr that/dt way/nn ./.


	The/at dust/nn clogged/vbd their/pp$ throats/nns ,/, and/cc the/at heat/nn parched/vbd them/ppo ,/, so/cs that/cs the/at women/nns were/bed always/rb making/vbg ice/nn water/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd cleaned/vbn up/rp an/at old/jj ice/nn box/nn and/cc begun/vbn to/to buy/vb fifty-pound/jj blocks/nns of/in ice/nn in/in town/nn ,/, as/cs the/at electric/jj refrigerator/nn came/vbd nowhere/rb near/in providing/vbg enough/ap ice/nn for/in the/at crowds/nns who/wps ate/vbd and/cc drank/vbd there/rb ./.


	One/cd afternoon/nn ,/, as/cs the/at women/nns sat/vbd clucking/vbg softly/rb ,/, a/at new/jj carload/nn of/in people/nns pulled/vbd up/rp at/in the/at gate/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at Cadillac/np ,/, black/jj grayed/vbn with/in the/at dust/nn of/in the/at road/nn ,/, its/pp$ windows/nns closed/vbn tight/rb so/cs you/ppss knew/vbd that/cs the/at people/nns who/wps climbed/vbd out/in of/in it/ppo would/md be/be cool/jj and/cc unwrinkled/jj ./.
They/ppss were/bed an/at old/jj fat/jj couple/nn (/( as/cs Linda/np Kay/np described/vbd them/ppo to/in herself/ppl )/) ,/, a/at thick/jj middle-aged/jj man/nn ,/, and/cc a/at girl/nn about/rb ten/cd or/cc twelve/cd ./.


	There/ex was/bedz much/ap embracing/nn ,/, much/ap exclaiming/vbg ./.
``/`` Cousin/nn-tl Ada/np !/. !/.
Cousin/nn-tl John/np ''/'' !/. !/.
``/`` Cousin/nn-tl Lura/np ''/'' !/. !/.
``/`` Cousin/nn-tl Howard/np ''/'' !/. !/.
``/`` And/cc how/wrb is/bez she/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
``/`` About/rb the/at same/ap ,/, John/np ,/, about/rb the/at same/ap ''/'' ./.


	All/ql the/at women/nns got/vbd up/rp and/cc offered/vbd their/pp$ chairs/nns ,/, and/cc when/wrb they/ppss were/bed all/abn seated/vbn again/rb ,/, the/at guests/nns made/vbd their/pp$ inquiries/nns and/cc their/pp$ explanations/nns ./.


	``/`` We/ppss were/bed on/in our/pp$ vacation/nn in/in Canada/np ''/'' ,/, Howard/np explained/vbd ,/, in/in a/at muffled/vbn voice/nn that/wps must/md have/hv been/ben used/vbn to/in booming/vbg ,/, ``/`` and/cc the/at news/nn didn't/dod* catch/vb up/rp with/in us/ppo till/cs we/ppss were/bed nearly/rb home/nr ./.
We/ppss came/vbd on/rp as/ql soon/rb as/cs we/ppss could/md ''/'' ./.


	There/ex was/bedz the/at suggestion/nn of/in ice/nn water/nn ,/, and/cc --/-- in/in spite/in of/in the/at protest/nn ``/`` We're/ppss+ber not/* really/rb thirsty/jj ''/'' --/-- Linda/np Kay/np ,/, to/to escape/vb the/at stuffy/jj air/nn and/cc the/at smothering/vbg soft/jj voices/nns ,/, hurried/vbd to/in the/at kitchen/nn ./.


	She/pps filled/vbd a/at big/jj pitcher/nn and/cc set/vbd it/ppo ,/, with/in glasses/nns ,/, on/in a/at tray/nn ./.
Carrying/vbg it/ppo to/in the/at living/vbg room/nn ,/, she/pps imagined/vbd the/at picture/nn she/pps made/vbd :/: tall/jj and/cc roundly/ql slim/jj ,/, a/at bit/nn sophisticated/jj in/in her/pp$ yellow/jj sheath/nn ,/, with/in a/at graceful/jj swingy/jj walk/nn that/cs she/pps had/hvd learned/vbn as/cs a/at twirler/nn with/in the/at school/nn band/nn ./.
Almost/rb immediately/rb she/pps was/bedz ashamed/jj of/in herself/ppl for/in feeling/vbg vain/jj ,/, at/in such/abl a/at time/nn ,/, in/in such/abl a/at place/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps tossed/vbd back/rb her/pp$ long/jj yellow/jj hair/nn ,/, smiling/vbg shyly/rb as/cs she/pps entered/vbd the/at room/nn ./.


	Howard/np (/( the/at thick/jj middle-aged/jj man/nn )/) was/bedz looking/vbg at/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps felt/vbd the/at look/nn and/cc looked/vbd back/rb because/cs she/pps could/md not/* help/vb it/ppo ,/, seeing/cs that/cs he/pps was/bedz neither/cc as/ql old/jj nor/cc as/ql thick/jj as/cs she/pps had/hvd at/in first/rb believed/vbn ./.


	``/`` And/cc who/wps is/bez this/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ,/, when/wrb she/pps passed/vbd him/ppo a/at glass/nn ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh that's/dt+bez Linda/np Kay/np ''/'' ,/, Mama/nn-tl Albright/np said/vbd fondly/rb ./.
``/`` She/pps married/vbd our/pp$ baby/nn boy/nn ,/, Bobby/np Joe/np ,/, this/dt summer/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Let's/vb+ppo see/vb ''/'' ,/, Cousin/nn-tl Ada/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez a/at right/ql smart/jj younger/jjr than/cs the/at rest/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Oh/uh yes/rb ''/'' ,/, Mama/nn-tl laughed/vbd ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez ten/cd years/nns younger/jjr than/cs Ernest/np ./.
We/ppss didn't/dod* expect/vb him/ppo to/to come/vb along/rb ;/. ;/.
thought/vbd for/in the/at longest/jjt he/pps was/bedz a/at tumor/nn ''/'' ./.


	This/dt joke/nn was/bedz not/* funny/jj to/in Linda/np Kay/np ,/, and/cc she/pps blushed/vbd ,/, as/cs she/pps always/rb did/dod ;/. ;/.
then/rb ,/, hearing/vbg the/at muffled/vbn boom/nn of/in Howard's/np$ laughter/nn ,/, blushed/vbn redder/jjr ./.


	``/`` Who/wps is/bez Howard/np ,/, anyway/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd Bobby/np Joe/np that/dt night/nn ./.
``/`` He/pps makes/vbz me/ppo uncomfortable/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh he's/pps+bez a/at second/od cousin/nn or/cc something/pn ./.
He/pps got/vbd in/in the/at oil/nn business/nn out/rp at/in Odessa/np and/cc lucked/vbd into/in some/dti money/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` How/wrb old/jj is/bez he/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Gosh/uh ,/, I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ./.
Thirty-five/cd ,/, I/ppss guess/vb ./.
He's/pps+hvz been/ben married/vbn and/cc got/vbn this/dt half-grown/jj kid/nn ./.
If/cs he/pps bothers/vbz you/ppo ,/, don't/do* pay/vb him/ppo any/dti mind/nn ./.
He's/pps+bez just/rb a/at big/jj windbag/nn ''/'' ./.
Bobby/np Joe/np was/bedz thinking/vbg about/in something/pn else/rb ./.
``/`` Say/vb ,/, did/dod you/ppss know/vb they're/ppss+ber fixing/vbg to/to have/hv a/at two-day/jj antelope/nn season/nn on/in the/at Double/jj-tl J/np-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps was/bedz talking/vbg about/in antelope/nn again/rb when/wrb they/ppss woke/vbd up/rp ./.
``/`` Listen/vb ,/, I/ppss never/rb had/hvd a/at chance/nn to/to kill/vb an/at antelope/nn ./.
There/ex never/rb was/bedz a/at season/nn before/rb ,/, but/cc now/rb they/ppss want/vb to/to thin/vb 'em/ppo out/rp on/in account/nn of/in the/at drouth/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Did/dod he/pps ever/rb visit/vb here/rb when/wrb he/pps was/bedz a/at kid/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Linda/np Kay/np asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` Who/wps ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Howard/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Hell/uh ,/, I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ./.
When/wrb he/pps was/bedz a/at kid/nn I/ppss wasn't/bedz* around/rb ''/'' ./.


	Bobby/np Joe/np took/vbd a/at gun/nn from/in behind/in the/at door/nn ,/, and/cc with/in a/at quick/jj ``/`` Bye/uh now/rb ''/'' was/bedz gone/vbn for/in the/at day/nn ./.


	Almost/ql immediately/rb Howard/np and/cc his/pp$ daughter/nn Debora/np drove/vbd up/rp in/in the/at Cadillac/np ./.


	``/`` We're/ppss+ber going/vbg after/in ice/nn ''/'' ,/, Howard/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc thought/vbd maybe/rb you'd/ppss+md go/vb along/rb and/cc keep/vb us/ppo company/nn ''/'' ./.


	There/ex was/bedz really/rb no/at reason/nn to/to refuse/vb ,/, and/cc Linda/np Kay/np had/hvd never/rb ridden/vbn in/in a/at Cadillac/np ./.


	Driving/vbg along/in the/at caliche-topped/jj road/nn to/in town/nn ,/, Howard/np talked/vbd ./.
Finally/rb he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Tell/vb me/ppo about/in yourself/ppl ''/'' ,/, and/cc Linda/np Kay/np told/vbd him/ppo ,/, because/cs she/pps thought/vbd herself/ppl that/cs she/pps had/hvd had/hvn an/at interesting/jj life/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz such/abl a/at well-rounded/jj teenager/nn ,/, having/hvg been/ben a/at twirler/nn ,/, Future/jj-tl Farmers/nns-tl sweetheart/nn ,/, and/cc secretary/nn of/in Future/jj-tl Homemakers/nns-tl ./.
In/in her/pp$ sophomore/nn year/nn she/pps had/hvd started/vbn going/vbg steady/rb with/in Bobby/np Joe/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz a/at football/nn player/nn ,/, Future/jj-tl Homemakers/nns-tl sweetheart/nn ,/, and/cc president/nn of/in Future/jj-tl Farmers/nns-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz easy/jj to/to see/vb that/cs they/ppss were/bed made/vbn for/in each/dt other/ap ,/, and/cc they/ppss knew/vbd what/wdt they/ppss wanted/vbd ./.
Bobby/np Joe/np would/md be/be a/at senior/nn this/dt year/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps planned/vbd to/to graduate/vb ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz no/at need/nn for/in Linda/np Kay/np to/to go/vb on/rp ,/, since/cs all/abn she/pps wanted/vbd in/in life/nn was/bedz to/to make/vb a/at home/nr for/in Bobby/np Joe/np and/cc (/( blushing/vbg )/) raise/vb his/pp$ children/nns ./.


	Howard/np sighed/vbd ./.
``/`` You/ppss lucky/jj kids/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'd/ppss+md give/vb anything/pn if/cs I/ppss could/md have/hv found/vbn a/at girl/nn like/cs you/ppo ''/'' ./.
Then/rb he/pps told/vbd Linda/np Kay/np about/in himself/ppl ./.
Of/in course/nn he/pps couldn't/md* say/vb much/ap ,/, really/rb ,/, because/cs of/in Debora/np ,/, but/cc Linda/np Kay/np could/md imagine/vb what/wdt kind/nn of/in woman/nn his/pp$ wife/nn had/hvd been/ben and/cc what/wdt a/at raw/jj deal/nn he/pps had/hvd got/vbn ./.
It/pps made/vbd her/ppo feel/vb different/jj about/in Howard/np ./.


	She/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to tell/vb Bobby/np Joe/np about/in how/wrb mistaken/vbn she/pps had/hvd been/ben ,/, but/cc he/pps brought/vbd one/cd of/in the/at cousins/nns home/vb for/in supper/nn ,/, and/cc all/abn they/ppss did/dod was/bedz talk/vb about/in antelope/nn ./.


	Bobby/np Joe/np was/bedz trying/vbg to/to get/vb Linda/np Kay/np to/to say/vb she/pps would/md cook/vb one/cd if/cs he/pps brought/vbd it/ppo home/nr ./.


	``/`` Cook/vb a/at whole/jj antelope/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps exclaimed/vbd ./.
``/`` Why/wrb ,/, I/ppss couldn't/md* even/rb cook/vb a/at piece/nn of/in antelope/nn steak/nn ;/. ;/.
I/ppss never/rb even/rb saw/vbd any/dti ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, you/ppss could/md ./.
I/ppss want/vb to/to roast/vb the/at whole/jj thing/nn ,/, and/cc have/hv it/ppo for/in the/at boys/nns ''/'' ./.


	Linda/np Kay/np told/vbd him/ppo he/pps couldn't/md* do/do anything/pn like/cs that/dt with/in his/pp$ Grandma/nn-tl dying/vbg ,/, and/cc he/pps said/vbd well/rb they/ppss had/hvd to/to eat/vb ,/, didn't/dod* they/ppss ,/, they/ppss weren't/bed* all/abn dying/vbg ./.
Linda/np Kay/np felt/vbd like/cs going/vbg off/rp to/in the/at bedroom/nn to/to cry/vb ;/. ;/.
but/cc they/ppss were/bed going/vbg up/rp to/in the/at Big/jj-tl House/nn-tl after/in supper/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps had/hvd to/to put/vb on/in a/at clean/jj dress/nn and/cc fix/vb her/pp$ hair/nn a/at little/ap ./.


	Every/at night/nn they/ppss all/abn went/vbd to/in Mama/nn-tl and/cc Papa/np Albright's/np$ ,/, and/cc sat/vbd on/in the/at open/jj front/jj porch/nn ,/, where/wrb they/ppss could/md get/vb the/at breeze/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz full-of-the-moon/nn (/( or/cc a/at little/ap past/rb )/) ,/, and/cc nearly/rb light/jj as/cs day/nn ./.
They/ppss all/abn sat/vbd around/rb and/cc drank/vbd ice/nn water/nn ,/, and/cc the/at men/nns smoked/vbd ,/, and/cc everybody/pn had/hvd a/at good/jj time/nn ./.
Once/rb in/in a/at while/nn they/ppss said/vbd what/wdt a/at shame/nn it/pps was/bedz ,/, with/in Granny/np dying/vbg ,/, but/cc they/ppss all/abn agreed/vbd she/pps wouldn't/md* have/hv wanted/vbn it/ppo any/dti other/ap way/nn ./.


	That/dt night/nn the/at older/jjr men/nns got/vbd to/in talking/vbg about/in going/vbg possum-hunting/nn on/in a/at moonlight/nn night/nn ./.
Bobby/np Joe/np and/cc two/cd or/cc three/cd of/in the/at other/ap boys/nns declared/vbd they/ppss had/hvd never/rb been/ben possum-hunting/nn ,/, and/cc Uncle/nn-tl Bill/np Farnworth/np (/( from/in Mama/nn-tl Albright's/np$ side/nn of/in the/at family/nn )/) said/vbd he/pps would/md just/rb get/vb up/rp from/in there/rb and/cc take/vb them/ppo ,/, right/ql then/rb ./.


	After/cs they/ppss had/hvd left/vbn ,/, some/dti of/in the/at people/nns moved/vbd around/rb ,/, to/to find/vb more/ql comfortable/jj places/nns to/to sit/vb ./.
There/ex were/bed not/* many/ap chairs/nns ,/, so/cs that/cs some/dti preferred/vbd to/to sit/vb on/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at porch/nn ,/, resting/vbg their/pp$ feet/nns on/in the/at ground/nn ,/, and/cc others/nns liked/vbd to/to sit/vb where/wrb they/ppss could/md lean/vb back/rb against/in the/at wall/nn ./.
Howard/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd been/ben sitting/vbg against/in the/at wall/nn ,/, said/vbd he/pps needed/vbd more/ql fresh/jj air/nn ,/, and/cc took/vbd the/at spot/nn on/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at porch/nn where/wrb Bobby/np Joe/np had/hvd been/ben sitting/vbg ./.


	``/`` You'll/ppss+md be/be a/at darn/nn sight/nn more/ql comfortable/jj there/rb ,/, Howard/np ''/'' ,/, Ernest/np said/vbd ,/, laughing/vbg ,/, and/cc they/ppss all/abn laughed/vbd ./.


	Linda/np Kay/np felt/vbd that/cs she/pps was/bedz not/* exactly/rb more/ql comfortable/jj ./.
Bobby/np Joe/np had/hvd been/ben sitting/vbg close/rb to/in her/ppo ,/, touching/vbg her/ppo actually/rb ,/, and/cc holding/vbg her/pp$ hand/nn from/in time/nn to/in time/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps seemed/vbd at/in once/rb that/cs Howard/np sat/vbd much/ql closer/jjr ./.
Perhaps/rb it/pps was/bedz just/rb that/cs he/pps had/hvd so/ql much/ql more/ap flesh/nn ,/, so/cs that/cs more/ap of/in it/ppo seemed/vbn to/to come/vb in/in contact/nn with/in hers/pp$$ ;/. ;/.
but/cc she/pps had/hvd never/rb been/ben so/ql aware/jj of/in anyone's/pn$ flesh/nn before/rb ./.


	Still/rb she/pps was/bedz not/* sorry/jj he/pps sat/vbd by/in her/ppo ,/, but/cc in/in fact/nn was/bedz flattered/vbn ./.
He/pps had/hvd become/vbn the/at center/nn of/in the/at company/nn ,/, such/jj stories/nns he/pps had/hvd to/to tell/vb ./.
He/pps had/hvd sold/vbn oil/nn stock/nn to/in Bob/np Hope/np and/cc Bing/np Crosby/np in/in person/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps had/hvd helped/vbn fight/vb an/at oil-well/nn fire/nn that/wps raged/vbd six/cd days/nns and/cc nights/nns ./.



	``/`` But/cc tell/vb me/ppo ,/, doctor/nn ,/, where/wrb do/do you/ppss plan/vb to/to conduct/vb the/at hatching/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Alex/np asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` That/dt will/md have/hv to/to be/be in/in the/at hotel/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at doctor/nn retorted/vbd ,/, confirming/vbg Alex's/np$ anticipations/nns ./.
``/`` What/wdt I/ppss want/vb you/ppo to/to do/do is/bez to/to go/vb to/in the/at market/nn with/in me/ppo early/rb tomorrow/nr morning/nn and/cc help/vb smuggle/vb the/at hen/nn back/rb into/in the/at hotel/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at doctor/nn paid/vbd the/at bill/nn and/cc they/ppss repaired/vbd to/in the/at hotel/nn ,/, room/nn number/nn nine/cd ,/, to/to initiate/vb Alex/np further/rbr into/in these/dts undertakings/nns ./.


	The/at doctor/nn opened/vbd the/at smallest/jjt of/in his/pp$ cases/nns ,/, an/at unimposing/jj straw/nn bag/nn ,/, and/cc exposed/vbd the/at contents/nns for/in Alex's/np$ inspection/nn ./.
Inside/rb ,/, carefully/rb packed/vbn in/in straw/nn ,/, were/bed six/cd eggs/nns ,/, but/cc the/at eye/nn of/in a/at poultry/nn psychologist/nn was/bedz required/vbn to/to detect/vb what/wdt scientifically/rb valuable/jj specimentalia/nn lay/vbd inside/rb ;/. ;/.
to/in Alex/np they/ppss were/bed merely/rb six/cd not/* unusual/jj hens'/nns$ eggs/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz little/ql enough/ap time/nn to/to contemplate/vb them/ppo ,/, however/wrb ;/. ;/.
in/in an/at instant/nn the/at doctor/nn was/bedz stalking/vbg across/in the/at room/nn with/in an/at antique/nn ledger/nn in/in his/pp$ hands/nns ,/, thoroughly/rb eared/jj and/cc big/jj as/cs a/at table/nn top/nn ./.
He/pps placed/vbd it/ppo on/in Alex's/np$ lap/nn ./.


	``/`` This/dt is/bez my/pp$ hen/nn ledger/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps informed/vbd him/ppo in/in an/at absorbed/vbn way/nn ./.
``/`` It's/pps+hvz been/ben going/vbg since/in 1908/cd when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz a/at junior/nn in/in college/nn ./.
That/dt first/od entry/nn there/ex is/bez the/at Vermont/np Flumenophobe/np ,/, the/at earliest/jjt and/cc one/cd of/in the/at most/ql successful/jj of/in my/pp$ eighty-three/cd varieties/nns --/-- great/ql big/jj scapulars/nns and/cc hardly/rb any/dti primaries/nns at/in all/abn ./.
Couldn't/md* take/vb them/ppo near/in a/at river/nn ,/, though/cs ,/, or/cc they'd/ppss+md squawk/vb like/cs a/at turkey/nn cock/nn the/at day/nn before/in Thanksgiving/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	The/at ledger/nn was/bedz full/jj of/in most/ql precise/jj information/nn :/: date/nn of/in laying/vbg ,/, length/nn of/in incubation/nn period/nn ,/, number/nn of/in chick/nn reaching/vbg the/at first/od week/nn ,/, second/od week/nn ,/, fifth/od week/nn ,/, weight/nn of/in hen/nn ,/, size/nn of/in rooster's/nn$ wattles/nns and/cc so/rb on/rp ,/, all/abn scrawled/vbd out/rp in/in a/at hand/nn that/wps looked/vbd more/ap Chinese/jj than/cs English/np ,/, the/at most/ql jagged/jj and/cc sprawling/vbg Alex/np had/hvd ever/rb seen/vbn ./.
Below/in these/dts particulars/nns was/bedz a/at series/nn of/in alpha-beta-gammas/fw-nns connected/vbn by/in arrows/nns and/cc crosses/nns which/wdt denoted/vbd the/at lineage/nn of/in the/at breed/nn ./.
Alex's/np$ instruction/nn was/bedz rapid/jj ,/, for/cs the/at doctor/nn had/hvd to/to go/vb off/rp to/in the/at Rue/fw-nn-tl Ecole/fw-nn-tl De/fw-in-tl Medecine/fw-nn-tl to/to hear/vb more/ap speeches/nns with/in only/rb time/nn for/in one/cd sip/nn of/in wine/nn to/to sustain/vb him/ppo through/in them/ppo all/abn ./.
But/cc after/in the/at doctor's/nn$ return/nn that/dt night/nn Alex/np could/md see/vb ,/, from/in the/at high/jj window/nn in/in his/pp$ own/jj room/nn ,/, the/at now/rb familiar/jj figure/nn crouched/vbd on/in a/at truly/ql impressive/jj heap/nn of/in towels/nns ,/, apparently/rb giving/vbg its/pp$ egg-hatching/jj powers/nns one/cd final/jj chance/nn before/cs it/pps was/bedz replaced/vbn in/in its/pp$ office/nn by/in a/at sure-enough/jj hen/nn ./.


	A/at knocking/nn at/in Alex's/np$ door/nn roused/vbd him/ppo at/in six/cd o'clock/rb the/at following/vbg morning/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at doctor/nn ,/, dressed/vbn and/cc ready/jj for/in the/at expedition/nn to/in the/at market/nn ,/, and/cc Alex/np was/bedz obliged/vbn to/to prepare/vb himself/ppl in/in haste/nn ./.
The/at doctor/nn stood/vbd about/rb ,/, waiting/vbg for/in Alex/np to/to dress/vb ,/, with/in a/at show/nn of/in impatience/nn ,/, and/cc soon/rb they/ppss were/bed moving/vbg ,/, as/ql quietly/rb as/cs could/md be/be ,/, through/in the/at still-dark/jj hallways/nns ,/, past/in the/at bedroom/nn of/in the/at patronne/fw-nn ,/, and/cc so/rb into/in the/at street/nn ./.
The/at market/nn was/bedz not/* far/rb and/cc ,/, once/rb there/rb ,/, the/at doctor's/nn$ sense/nn of/in immediacy/nn left/vbd him/ppo and/cc he/pps fell/vbd into/in a/at state/nn of/in harmony/nn with/in the/at birds/nns around/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps stroked/vbd the/at hens/nns and/cc they/ppss responded/vbd with/in delighted/vbn clucks/nns ,/, he/pps gobbled/vbd with/in the/at turkeys/nns and/cc they/ppss at/in once/rb were/bed all/abn attention/nn ,/, he/pps quacked/vbd with/in the/at ducks/nns ,/, and/cc cackled/vbd with/in a/at pair/nn of/in exceedingly/rb flattered/vbn geese/nns ./.
The/at dawn/nn progressed/vbd and/cc it/pps seemed/vbd that/cs the/at doctor/nn would/md never/rb be/be done/vbn with/in his/pp$ ministrations/nns when/wrb quite/ql abruptly/rb something/pn broke/vbd his/pp$ revery/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at fine/jj broody/jj hen/nn ,/, white/jj ,/, with/in a/at maternal/jj eye/nn and/cc a/at striking/jj abundance/nn of/in feathers/nns in/in the/at under/jj region/nn of/in the/at abdomen/nn ./.
The/at doctor/nn ,/, with/in the/at air/nn of/in a/at man/nn whose/wp$ professional/jj interests/nns have/hv found/vbn scope/nn ,/, drew/vbd Alex's/np$ attention/nn to/in those/dts excellences/nns which/wdt might/md otherwise/rb have/hv escaped/vbn him/ppo :/: the/at fine/jj color/nn in/in comb/nn and/cc wattles/nns ,/, the/at length/nn and/cc quality/nn of/in neck/nn and/cc saddle/nn hackles/nns ,/, the/at firm/jj ,/, wide/jj spread/nn of/in the/at toes/nns ,/, and/cc a/at rare/jj justness/nn in/in the/at formation/nn of/in the/at ear/nn lappets/nns ./.
All/abn search/nn was/bedz ended/vbn ;/. ;/.
he/pps had/hvd found/vbn his/pp$ fowl/nn ./.
The/at purchase/nn was/bedz effected/vbn and/cc they/ppss made/vbd their/pp$ way/nn towards/in the/at hotel/nn again/rb ,/, the/at hen/nn ,/, with/in whom/wpo some/dti sort/nn of/in communication/nn had/hvd been/ben set/vbn up/rp ,/, nestling/vbg in/in the/at doctor's/nn$ arms/nns ./.


	The/at clocks/nns struck/vbd seven-thirty/cd as/cs they/ppss approached/vbd the/at hotel/nn entrance/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc hopes/nns that/cs the/at chambermaid/nn and/cc patronne/fw-nn would/md still/rb be/be abed/rb began/vbd to/to rise/vb in/in Alex's/np$ well/rb exercised/vbn breast/nn ./.
The/at doctor/nn was/bedz wearing/vbg a/at long/jj New/jj-tl England/np-tl greatcoat/nn ,/, hardly/rb necessary/jj in/in the/at June/np weather/nn but/cc a/at garment/nn which/wdt proved/vbd well/rb adapted/vbn to/in the/at sequestration/nn of/in hens/nns ./.
Alex/np entered/vbd first/od and/cc was/bedz followed/vbn by/in the/at doctor/nn who/wps ,/, for/in all/abn his/pp$ care/nn ,/, manifested/vbd a/at perceptible/jj bulge/nn on/in his/pp$ left/jj side/nn where/wrb the/at hen/nn was/bedz cradled/vbn ./.
They/ppss advanced/vbd in/in a/at line/nn across/in the/at entrance/nn hall/nn to/in the/at stairway/nn and/cc up/rp ,/, with/in gingerly/jj steps/nns ,/, towards/in the/at first/od landing/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz then/rb that/cs they/ppss heard/vbd the/at tread/nn of/in one/cd descending/vbg and/cc ,/, in/in some/dti perturbation/nn glancing/vbg up/rp ,/, saw/vbd the/at patronne/fw-nn coming/vbg towards/in them/ppo as/cs they/ppss gained/vbd the/at landing/nn ./.


	``/`` Bonjour/fw-uh ,/, messieurs/fw-nns ,/, vous/fw-ppss etes/fw-ber matinals/fw-jj ''/'' ,/, she/pps greeted/vbd them/ppo pleasantly/rb ./.
Alex/np explained/vbd that/cs they/ppss had/hvd been/ben out/rp for/in a/at stroll/nn before/in breakfast/nn while/cs the/at doctor/nn edged/vbd around/rb behind/in him/ppo ,/, attempting/vbg to/to hide/vb the/at protuberance/nn at/in his/pp$ left/jj side/nn behind/in Alex's/np$ arm/nn and/cc back/nn ./.


	``/`` Vous/fw-ppss voulez/fw-vb vos/fw-pp$ petits/fw-jj dejeuners/fw-nns tout/fw-rb de/fw-in suite/fw-nn alors/fw-rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Their/pp$ hostess/nn enquired/vbd ./.
Alex/np told/vbd her/ppo that/cs there/ex was/bedz no/at hurry/nn for/in their/pp$ breakfasts/nns ,/, trying/vbg at/in the/at same/ap time/nn to/to effect/vb a/at speedy/jj separation/nn of/in the/at persons/nns before/in and/cc behind/in him/ppo ./.
The/at doctor/nn ,/, he/pps noticed/vbd ,/, was/bedz attempting/vbg a/at transverse/jj movement/nn towards/in the/at stairs/nns ,/, but/cc before/cs the/at movement/nn could/md be/be completed/vbn a/at distinct/jj and/cc audible/jj cluck/nn ruffled/vbd the/at air/nn in/in the/at hollow/nn of/in the/at stair-well/nn ./.
Eyes/nns swerved/vbd in/in the/at patronne's/fw-nn$ head/nn ,/, Alex/np coughed/vbd loudly/rb ,/, and/cc the/at doctor/nn ,/, with/in a/at sforzando/nn of/in chicken/nn noises/nns floating/vbg behind/in him/ppo ,/, took/vbd to/in the/at stairs/nns in/in long-shanked/jj leaps/nns ./.


	``/`` Comment/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Ejaculated/vbd the/at surprised/vbn woman/nn ,/, looking/vbg at/in Alex/np for/in an/at explanation/nn but/cc he/pps ,/, parting/vbg from/in her/ppo without/in ceremony/nn ,/, only/rb offered/vbd a/at few/ap words/nns about/in the/at doctor's/nn$ provincial/jj American/jj speech/nn and/cc a/at state/nn of/in nerves/nns brought/vbd on/rp by/in the/at demands/nns of/in his/pp$ work/nn ./.
With/in that/dt he/pps hurried/vbd up/in the/at stairs/nns ,/, followed/vbn by/in her/pp$ suspicious/jj gaze/nn ./.


	When/wrb Alex/np entered/vbd his/pp$ room/nn ,/, the/at doctor/nn was/bedz already/rb preparing/vbg a/at nest/nn in/in the/at straw/nn case/nn ,/, six/cd eggs/nns ready/jj for/in the/at hen's/nn$ attentions/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at reference/nn to/in the/at incident/nn on/in the/at stairs/nns ,/, his/pp$ powers/nns being/beg absorbed/vbn by/in this/dt more/ql immediate/jj business/nn ./.
The/at hen/nn appeared/vbd to/to have/hv no/at doubts/nns as/in to/in her/pp$ duties/nns and/cc was/bedz quick/jj to/to settle/vb down/rp to/in the/at performance/nn of/in them/ppo ./.
One/cd part/nn of/in her/pp$ audience/nn was/bedz totally/rb engaged/vbn ,/, the/at connoisseur/nn witnessing/vbg a/at peculiarly/ql fine/jj performance/nn of/in some/dti ancient/jj classic/nn ,/, the/at other/ap part/nn ,/, the/at guest/nn of/in the/at connoisseur/nn ,/, attentive/jj as/cs one/cd who/wps must/md take/vb an/at intelligent/jj interest/nn in/in that/dt which/wdt he/pps does/doz not/* fully/rb understand/vb ./.
The/at spectacle/nn progressed/vbd towards/in a/at denouement/nn which/wdt was/bedz obviously/rb still/rb remote/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at audience/nn attended/vbd ./.
Time/nn elapsed/vbd but/cc the/at doctor/nn was/bedz obviously/rb unconscious/jj of/in its/pp$ passage/nn until/cs an/at unwelcome/jj knock/nn on/in the/at door/nn interrupted/vbd the/at processes/nns of/in nature/nn ./.
Startled/vbn ,/, he/pps jumped/vbd up/rp to/to pull/vb hen/nn and/cc case/nn out/in of/in view/nn ,/, and/cc Alex/np went/vbd to/in the/at door/nn ./.
He/pps opened/vbd it/ppo a/at crack/nn and/cc in/in doing/vbg so/rb made/vbd as/ql much/ql shuffling/vbg ,/, coughing/vbg ,/, and/cc scraping/vbg noise/nn as/cs possible/jj in/in order/nn to/to drown/vb emanations/nns from/in the/at hen/nn who/wps had/hvd begun/vbn to/to protest/vb ./.
It/pps was/bedz Giselle/np ,/, the/at fille/fw-nn de/fw-in chambre/fw-nn ,/, come/vb to/to clean/vb the/at room/nn ,/, and/cc while/cs she/pps stood/vbd before/in him/ppo with/in ears/nns pricked/vbn up/rp and/cc regard/vb all/abn curiosity/nn ,/, explaining/vbg her/pp$ errand/nn ,/, Alex/np could/md see/vb from/in the/at corner/nn of/in his/pp$ eye/nn the/at doctor/nn doing/vbg all/abn he/pps could/md to/to calm/vb the/at displeased/vbn bird/nn ./.
Giselle/np was/bedz reluctant/jj but/cc Alex/np succeeded/vbd in/in persuading/vbg her/ppo to/to come/vb back/rb in/in five/cd minutes/nns and/cc the/at door/nn was/bedz shut/vbn again/rb ./.


	``/`` Who/wps was/bedz that/dt ,/, young/jj feller/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at doctor/nn instantly/rb asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` That/dt was/bedz the/at fille/fw-nn de/fw-in chambre/fw-nn ,/, the/at one/cd you/ppss thought/vbd couldn't/md* get/vb the/at eggs/nns out/rp ./.
She/pps looked/vbd mighty/ql interested/vbn ,/, though/cs ./.
Anyhow/rb she's/pps+bez coming/vbg back/rb in/in five/cd minutes/nns to/to do/do the/at room/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at doctor's/nn$ mind/nn was/bedz working/vbg at/in a/at great/jj speed/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps rose/vbd to/to put/vb his/pp$ greatcoat/nn on/rp and/cc addressed/vbd Alex/np in/in a/at muted/vbn voice/nn ./.


	``/`` Have/hv you/ppss got/vbd our/pp$ keys/nns handy/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Right/ql in/in my/pp$ pocket/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ./.
Now/rb you/ppss go/vb outside/rb and/cc beckon/vb me/ppo when/wrb it's/pps+bez safe/jj ''/'' ./.
The/at hall/nn was/bedz empty/jj and/cc Alex/np beckoned/vbd ;/. ;/.
they/ppss climbed/vbd the/at stairs/nns which/wdt creaked/vbd ,/, very/ql loudly/rb to/in their/pp$ sensitive/jj ears/nns ,/, and/cc reached/vbd the/at next/ap floor/nn ./.
A/at guest/nn was/bedz locking/vbg his/pp$ room/nn ;/. ;/.
they/ppss passed/vbd behind/in him/ppo and/cc got/vbd to/in Alex's/np$ room/nn unnoticed/jj ./.
The/at doctor/nn sat/vbd down/rp rather/ql wearily/rb ,/, caressing/vbg the/at hen/nn and/cc remarking/vbg that/cs the/at city/nn was/bedz not/* the/at place/nn for/in a/at poultry-loving/jj man/nn ,/, but/cc no/at sooner/rbr was/bedz the/at remark/nn out/rp than/cs a/at knock/nn at/in this/dt door/nn obliged/vbd him/ppo to/to cover/vb the/at hen/nn with/in his/pp$ greatcoat/nn once/rb more/rbr ./.
At/in the/at door/nn Alex/np managed/vbd to/to persuade/vb the/at increasingly/rb astonished/vbn fille/fw-nn de/fw-in chambre/fw-nn to/to return/vb in/in ten/cd minutes/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz evident/jj that/cs a/at second/od transfer/nn had/hvd to/to be/be effected/vbn ,/, and/cc that/cs it/pps had/hvd to/to take/vb place/nn between/in the/at time/nn the/at fille/fw-nn finished/vbd the/at doctor's/nn$ room/nn and/cc the/at time/nn she/pps began/vbd Alex's/np$ ./.
They/ppss waited/vbd three/cd minutes/nns and/cc then/rb crept/vbd out/rp on/in tip-toe/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at halls/nns were/bed empty/jj and/cc they/ppss passed/vbd down/in the/at stairs/nns to/in number/nn nine/cd and/cc listened/vbd at/in the/at door/nn ./.
A/at bustle/nn of/in sheets/nns being/beg smoothed/vbn and/cc pillows/nns being/beg arranged/vbn indicated/vbd the/at fille/fw-nn de/fw-in chambre's/fw-nn$ presence/nn inside/rb ;/. ;/.
they/ppss listened/vbd and/cc suddenly/rb a/at step/nn towards/in the/at door/nn announced/vbd another/dt important/jj fact/nn ./.
The/at doctor/nn shot/vbd down/rp to/in the/at lavatory/nn and/cc turned/vbd the/at doorknob/nn ,/, but/cc to/in no/at effect/nn :/: the/at lavatory/nn was/bedz occupied/vbn ./.
Although/cs a/at look/nn of/in alarm/nn passed/vbd over/in his/pp$ face/nn ,/, he/pps did/dod not/* arrest/vb his/pp$ movements/nns but/cc disappeared/vbd into/in the/at shower/nn room/nn just/rb as/cs the/at chambermaid/nn emerged/vbd from/in number/nn nine/cd ./.
Alex/np suppressed/vbd those/dts expressions/nns of/in relief/nn which/wdt offered/vbd to/to prevail/vb in/in his/pp$ face/nn and/cc escape/vb from/in his/pp$ throat/nn ;/. ;/.
unwarranted/jj they/ppss were/bed in/in any/dti case/nn for/cs ,/, as/cs he/pps stood/vbd facing/vbg the/at fille/fw-nn de/fw-in chambre/fw-nn ,/, his/pp$ ears/nns were/bed assailed/vbn by/in new/jj sounds/nns from/in the/at interior/nn of/in the/at shower/nn room/nn ./.
The/at events/nns of/in the/at last/ap quarter/nn of/in an/at hour/nn ,/, mysterious/jj to/in any/dti bird/nn accustomed/vbn only/rb to/in the/at predictable/jj life/nn of/in coop/nn and/cc barnyard/nn ,/, had/hvd overcome/vbn the/at doctor's/nn$ hen/nn and/cc she/pps gave/vbd out/rp a/at series/nn of/in cackly/jj wails/nns ,/, perhaps/rb mourning/vbg her/pp$ nest/nn ,/, but/cc briefly/rb enjoyed/vbn ./.
The/at doctor's/nn$ wits/nns had/hvd not/* left/vbn him/ppo ,/, however/wrb ,/, for/in all/abn his/pp$ sixty-eight/cd years/nns ,/, and/cc the/at wails/nns were/bed almost/rb immediately/rb lost/vbn in/in the/at sound/nn of/in water/nn rushing/vbg out/rp from/in the/at showerhead/nn ./.
Alex/np nodded/vbd to/in the/at maid/nn as/cs though/cs nothing/pn unusual/jj were/bed taking/vbg place/nn and/cc entered/vbd the/at doctor's/nn$ room/nn ./.
Shortly/rb ,/, the/at doctor/nn himself/ppl entered/vbd ,/, his/pp$ hair/nn somewhat/ql wet/jj from/in the/at shower/nn ,/, but/cc evidently/rb satisfied/vbn with/in the/at outcome/nn of/in their/pp$ adventures/nns ./.
Without/in comment/nn he/pps opened/vbd the/at closet/nn and/cc from/in its/pp$ shelves/nns constructed/vbd a/at highboard/nn around/in the/at egg/nn case/nn which/wdt he/pps had/hvd placed/vbn on/in the/at floor/nn inside/rb ./.
Next/rb ,/, the/at hen/nn was/bedz nested/vbn and/cc all/abn seemed/vbd well/rb ./.
The/at two/cd men/nns sat/vbd for/in some/dti time/nn ,/, savoring/vbg the/at pleasure/nn of/in escape/nn from/in peril/nn and/cc the/at relief/nn such/jj escape/nn brings/vbz ,/, before/cs they/ppss got/vbd up/rp and/cc left/vbd the/at hotel/nn ,/, the/at doctor/nn to/to go/vb to/in the/at conference/nn house/nn and/cc Alex/np to/to go/vb to/in the/at main/jjs post/nn office/nn ./.


	Alex/np returned/vbd to/in the/at hotel/nn ,/, rather/ql weary/jj and/cc with/in no/rb new/jj prospects/nns of/in a/at role/nn ,/, in/in the/at late/jj afternoon/nn ,/, but/cc found/vbd the/at doctor/nn in/in an/at ebullient/jj mood/nn ./.
At/in the/at time/nn Alex/np arrived/vbd he/pps was/bedz engaged/vbn in/in some/dti sort/nn of/in intimate/jj communication/nn with/in the/at hen/nn ,/, who/wps had/hvd settled/vbn herself/ppl on/in the/at nest/nn most/ql peacefully/rb after/in the/at occurrences/nns of/in the/at morning/nn ./.


	``/`` Chickens/nns have/hv short/jj memories/nns ''/'' ,/, the/at doctor/nn remarked/vbd ,/, ``/`` that's/dt+bez why/wrb they/ppss are/ber better/jjr company/nn than/cs most/ap people/nns I/ppss know/vb ''/'' ,/, and/cc he/pps went/vbd on/rp to/to break/vb some/dti important/jj news/nn to/in Alex/np ./.
``/`` Well/uh ''/'' ,/, he/pps began/vbd ,/, ``/`` It/pps seems/vbz like/cs some/dti people/nns in/in Paris/np want/vb to/to hear/vb more/ap from/in me/ppo than/cs those/dts fellers/nns over/rp at/in the/at conference/nn house/nn do/do ./.
They've/ppss+hv got/vbn a/at big/jj vulture/nn from/in Tanganika/np at/in the/at zoo/nn here/rb ,/, with/in a/at wife/nn for/in him/ppo ,/, too/rb ,/, very/ql rare/jj birds/nns ,/, both/abx of/in them/ppo ,/, the/at only/ap Vulturidae/nps of/in their/pp$ species/nn outside/in Africa/np ./.
Seems/vbz like/cs she's/pps+bez willing/jj ,/, but/cc the/at male/nn just/rb flops/vbz around/rb all/abn day/nn like/cs the/at bashful/jj boy/nn who/wps took/vbd Jeannie/np May/np behind/in the/at barn/nn and/cc then/rb didn't/dod* know/vb what/wdt to/to do/do ,/, and/cc the/at people/nns at/in the/at zoo/nn haven't/hv* got/vbn any/dti vulture/nn chicks/nns to/to show/vb for/in their/pp$ trouble/nn ./.



	Going/vbg downstairs/rb with/in the/at tray/nn ,/, Winston/np wished/vbd he/pps could/md have/hv given/vbn in/rp to/in Miss/np Ada/np ,/, but/cc he/pps knew/vbd better/rbr than/cs to/to do/do what/wdt she/pps said/vbd when/wrb she/pps had/hvd that/cs little-girl/nn look/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed times/nns it/pps wasn't/bedz* right/jj to/to make/vb a/at person/nn happy/jj ,/, like/cs the/at times/nns she/pps came/vbd in/in the/at kitchen/nn and/cc asked/vbd know/vb we/ppss don't/do* keep/vb peanut/nn ``/`` butter/nn for/in a/at peanut/nn butter/nn sandwich/nn ./.
You/ppss in/in this/dt house/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps always/rb told/vbd her/ppo ./.
``/`` Why/wrb ,/, Winston/np ''/'' ,/, she'd/pps+md cry/vb ,/, ``/`` I/ppss just/rb now/rb saw/vbd you/ppo eating/vbg it/ppo out/in of/in the/at jar/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
But/cc he/pps knew/vbd how/wrb important/jj it/pps was/bedz for/in her/ppo to/to keep/vb her/pp$ figure/nn ./.




In/in the/at kitchen/nn ,/, Leona/np ,/, his/pp$ little/ql young/jj wife/nn ,/, was/bedz reading/vbg the/at morning/nn paper/nn ./.
Her/pp$ legs/nns hung/vbd down/rp long/jj and/cc thin/jj as/cs she/pps sat/vbd on/in the/at high/jj stool/nn ./.


	``/`` Here/rb ''/'' ,/, Winston/np said/vbd gently/rb ,/, ``/`` what's/wdt+bez these/dts dishes/nns doing/vbg not/* washed/vbn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at enormous/jj plates/nns which/wdt had/hvd held/vbn Mr./np Jack's/np$ four/cd fried/vbn eggs/nns and/cc five/cd strips/nns of/in bacon/nn were/bed still/rb stacked/vbn in/in the/at sink/nn ./.


	``/`` Leave/vb me/ppo alone/rb ''/'' ,/, Leona/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Can't/md* you/ppss see/vb I'm/ppss+bem busy/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps looked/vbd at/in him/ppo impudently/rb over/in the/at corner/nn of/in the/at paper/nn ./.


	``/`` This/dt is/bez moving/vbg day/nn ''/'' ,/, Winston/np reminded/vbd her/ppo ,/, ``/`` and/cc I/ppss bet/vb you/ppss left/vbd things/nns every/at which/wdt way/nn upstairs/rb ,/, your/pp$ clothes/nns all/ql over/in the/at floor/nn and/cc the/at bed/nn not/* made/vbn ./.
Leona/np ''/'' !/. !/.
His/pp$ eye/nn had/hvd fastened/vbn on/in her/pp$ leg/nn ;/. ;/.
bending/vbg ,/, he/pps touched/vbd her/pp$ knee/nn ./.
``/`` If/cs I/ppss catch/vb you/ppo one/cd more/ap time/nn down/rp here/rb without/in stockings/nns ''/'' --/-- 

	She/pps twitched/vbd her/pp$ leg/nn away/rb ./.
``/`` Fuss/vb ,/, fuss/vb ,/, old/jj man/nn ''/'' ./.
She/pps had/hvd an/at alley/nn cat's/nn$ manners/nns ./.


	Winston/np stacked/vbd Miss/np Ada's/np$ thin/jj pink/jj dishes/nns in/in the/at sink/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps spread/vbd out/rp the/at last/ap list/nn on/in the/at counter/nn ./.
``/`` To/to Be/be Left/vbn Behind/rb ''/'' was/bedz printed/vbn at/in the/at top/nn in/in Miss/np Ada/np ;/. ;/.
fine/jj hand/nn ./.
Winston/np took/vbd out/rp a/at pencil/nn ,/, admired/vbd the/at point/nn ,/, and/cc wrote/vbd slowly/rb and/cc heavily/rb ,/, ``/`` Clothes/nns Stand/nn ''/'' ./.


	Sighing/vbg ,/, Leona/np dropped/vbd the/at paper/nn and/cc stood/vbd up/rp ./.
``/`` I/ppss guess/vb I/ppss better/rbr get/vb ready/jj to/to go/vb ''/'' ./.


	Winston/np watched/vbd her/ppo fumbling/vbg to/to untie/vb her/pp$ apron/nn ./.
``/`` Here/rb ''/'' ./.
Carefully/rb ,/, he/pps undid/vbd the/at bow/nn ./.
``/`` How/wrb come/vbn your/pp$ bows/nns is/bez always/rb cockeyed/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps turned/vbd and/cc put/vbd her/pp$ arms/nns around/in his/pp$ neck/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* want/vb to/to leave/vb here/rb ,/, Winston/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Now/rb listen/vb to/in that/dt ''/'' ./.
He/pps drew/vbd back/rb ,/, embarrassed/vbn and/cc pleased/vbn ./.
``/`` I/ppss thought/vbd you/ppss was/bedz sick/jj to/in death/nn of/in this/dt big/jj house/nn ./.
Said/vbn you/ppss wore/vbd yourself/ppl out/rp ,/, cleaning/vbg all/abn these/dts empty/jj rooms/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` At/in least/ap there/ex is/bez room/nn here/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` What/wdt room/nn is/bez there/ex going/vbg to/to be/be in/in an/at apartment/nn for/in any/dti child/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss told/vbd you/ppo what/wdt Miss/np Ada's/np$ doctor/nn said/vbd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* mean/vb Miss/np Ada/np !/. !/.
What/wdt you/ppss think/vb I/ppss care/vb about/in that/dt ?/. ?/.
I/ppss mean/vb our/pp$ children/nns ''/'' ./.
She/pps sounded/vbd as/cs though/cs they/ppss already/rb existed/vbd ./.


	In/in spite/in of/in the/at hundred/cd things/nns he/pps had/hvd on/in his/pp$ mind/nn ,/, Winston/np went/vbd and/cc put/vbd his/pp$ arm/nn around/in her/pp$ waist/nn ./.
``/`` We've/ppss+hv got/vbn plenty/nn of/in time/nn to/to think/vb about/in that/wps ./.
All/ql the/at time/nn in/in the/at world/nn ./.
We've/ppss+hv only/rb been/ben married/vbn four/cd years/nns ,/, January/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Four/cd years/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps wailed/vbd ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez a/at long/jj time/nn ,/, waiting/vbg ''/'' ./.


	``/`` How/wrb many/ap times/nns have/hv I/ppss told/vbn you/ppo ''/'' --/-- he/pps began/vbd ,/, and/cc was/bedz almost/ql glad/jj when/wrb she/pps cut/vbd him/ppo off/rp --/-- ``/`` Too/ql many/ap times/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
--/-- and/cc flounced/vbd to/in the/at sink/nn ,/, where/wrb she/pps began/vbd noisily/rb to/to wash/vb her/pp$ hands/nns ./.


	Too/ql many/ap times/nns was/bedz the/at truth/nn of/in it/ppo ,/, Winston/np thought/vbd ./.
He/pps hardly/rb believed/vbd his/pp$ reason/nn himself/ppl any/dti more/rbr ./.
Although/cs it/pps had/hvd seemed/vbn a/at good/jj reason/nn ,/, to/to begin/vb with/in :/: no/at couple/nn could/md afford/vb to/to have/hv children/nns ./.


	``/`` How/wrb you/ppss going/vbg to/to work/vb with/in a/at child/nn hanging/vbg on/in you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd Leona/np ./.
``/`` You/ppss want/vb to/to keep/vb this/dt job/nn ,/, don't/do* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps doubted/vbd whether/cs she/pps heard/vbd him/ppo ,/, over/in the/at running/vbg water/nn ./.


	He/pps sat/vbd for/in a/at while/nn with/in his/pp$ hands/nns on/in his/pp$ knees/nns ,/, watching/vbg the/at bend/nn of/in her/pp$ back/nn as/cs she/pps gathered/vbd up/rp her/pp$ things/nns --/-- a/at comb/nn ,/, a/at bottle/nn of/in aspirin/nn --/-- to/to take/vb upstairs/rb and/cc pack/vb ./.
She/pps made/vbd him/ppo sad/jj some/dti days/nns ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz never/rb sure/jj why/wrb ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz something/pn to/to do/do with/in her/pp$ back/nn ,/, the/at thinness/nn of/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc the/at quick/jj ,/, jerky/jj way/nn she/pps bent/vbd ./.
She/pps was/bedz too/ql young/jj ,/, that/dt was/bedz all/abn ;/. ;/.
too/ql young/jj and/cc thin/jj and/cc straight/jj ./.


	``/`` Winston/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	It/pps was/bedz Mr./np Jack/np ,/, bellowing/vbg out/rp in/in the/at hall/nn ./.
Winston/np hurried/vbd through/in the/at swinging/vbg door/nn ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv been/ben bursting/vbg my/pp$ lungs/nns for/in you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Mr./np Jack/np complained/vbd ./.
He/pps was/bedz standing/vbg in/in front/nn of/in the/at mirror/nn ,/, tightening/vbg his/pp$ tie/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd on/rp his/pp$ gray/jj tweed/nn overcoat/nn and/cc his/pp$ city/nn hat/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ brief/nn case/nn lay/vbd on/in the/at bench/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt you/ppss think/vb you've/ppss+hv been/ben doing/vbg about/in my/pp$ clothes/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` This/dt coat/nn looks/vbz like/cs a/at rag/nn heap/nn ''/'' ./.


	There/ex were/bed a/at few/ap blades/nns of/in lint/nn on/in the/at shoulder/nn ./.
Winston/np took/vbd the/at clothesbrush/nn out/in of/in the/at closet/nn and/cc went/vbd to/in work/nn ./.
He/pps gave/vbd Mr./np Jack/np a/at real/jj going-over/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps brushed/vbd his/pp$ shoulders/nns and/cc his/pp$ back/nn and/cc his/pp$ collar/nn with/in long/jj ,/, firm/jj strokes/nns ./.
``/`` Hey/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
Mr./np Jack/np cried/vbd when/wrb the/at brush/nn tipped/vbd his/pp$ hat/nn down/rp over/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.


	Winston/np apologized/vbd and/cc quickly/rb set/vbd the/at hat/nn right/jj ./.
Then/rb he/pps stood/vbd back/rb to/to look/vb at/in Mr./np Jack/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz pulling/vbg on/rp his/pp$ pigskin/nn gloves/nns ./.
Winston/np enjoyed/vbd seeing/vbg him/ppo start/vb out/rp ;/. ;/.
he/pps wore/vbd his/pp$ clothes/nns with/in style/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/in town/nn ,/, nothing/pn was/bedz good/jj enough/qlp --/-- he/pps had/hvd cursed/vbn at/in Winston/np once/rb for/in leaving/vbg a/at fleck/nn of/in polish/nn on/in his/pp$ shoelace/nn ./.
At/in home/nr ,/, he/pps wouldn't/md* even/vb wash/vb his/pp$ hands/nns for/in supper/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps wandered/vbd around/in the/at yard/nn in/in a/at pair/nn of/in sweaty/jj old/jj corduroys/nns ./.
The/at velvet/nn smoking/vbg jackets/nns ,/, pearl-gray/jj ,/, wine/jj ,/, and/cc blue/jj ,/, which/wdt Miss/np Ada/np had/hvd bought/vbn him/ppo hung/vbn brushed/vbn and/cc unworn/jj in/in the/at closet/nn ./.


	``/`` Good-by/uh ,/, Winston/np ''/'' ,/, Mr./np Jack/np said/vbd ,/, giving/vbg a/at final/jj set/nn to/in his/pp$ hat/nn ./.
``/`` Look/vb out/rp for/in those/dts movers/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
Winston/np watched/vbd him/ppo hurry/vb down/in the/at drive/nn to/in his/pp$ car/nn ;/. ;/.
a/at handsome/jj ,/, fine-looking/jj man/nn it/pps made/vbd him/ppo proud/jj to/to see/vb ./.




After/cs Mr./np Jack/np drove/vbd away/rb ,/, Winston/np went/vbd on/rp looking/vbg out/in the/at window/nn ./.
He/pps noticed/vbd a/at speck/nn of/in dirt/nn on/in the/at sill/nn and/cc swiped/vbd at/in it/ppo with/in his/pp$ finger/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps looked/vbd at/in his/pp$ finger/nn ,/, at/in the/at wrinkled/vbn ,/, heavy/jj knuckle/nn and/cc the/at thick/jj nail/nn he/pps used/vbd like/cs a/at knife/nn to/to pry/vb up/rp ,/, slit/vb ,/, and/cc open/vb ./.
For/in the/at first/od time/nn ,/, he/pps be/be sad/jj about/in the/at move/nn ./.
That/dt house/nn was/bedz ten/cd years/nns off/in his/pp$ life/nn let/vb himself/ppl ./.
Each/dt brass/nn handle/nn and/cc hinge/nn shone/vbd for/in his/pp$ reward/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps knew/vbd how/wrb to/to get/vb at/in the/at dust/nn in/in the/at china/nn flowers/nns and/cc how/wrb to/to take/vb down/rp the/at long/jj glass/nn drops/nns which/wdt hung/vbd from/in the/at chandelier/nn ./.
He/pps knew/vbd the/at house/nn like/cs a/at blind/jj man/nn ,/, through/in his/pp$ fingers/nns ,/, and/cc he/pps did/dod not/* like/vb to/to think/vb of/in all/abn the/at time/nn and/cc rags/nns and/cc polishes/nns he/pps had/hvd spent/vbn on/in keeping/vbg it/ppo up/rp ./.


	Ten/cd years/nns ago/rb ,/, he/pps had/hvd come/vbn to/in the/at house/nn to/to be/be interviewed/vbn ./.
The/at tulips/nns and/cc the/at big/jj pink/jj peonies/nns had/hvd been/ben blooming/vbg along/in the/at drive/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd walked/vbn up/rp from/in the/at bus/nn almost/rb singing/vbg ./.
Miss/np Ada/np had/hvd been/ben out/rp back/rb ,/, in/in a/at straw/nn hat/nn ,/, planting/vbg flowers/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd talked/vbn to/in him/ppo right/ql there/rb ,/, with/in the/at hot/jj sun/nn in/in his/pp$ face/nn ,/, which/wdt made/vbd him/ppo sweat/vb and/cc feel/vb ashamed/jj ./.
Winston/np had/hvd been/ben surprised/vbn at/in her/ppo for/in that/dt ./.
Still/rb ,/, he/pps had/hvd liked/vbn the/at way/nn she/pps had/hvd looked/vbn ,/, in/in a/at fresh/jj ,/, neat/jj cotton/nn dress/nn --/-- citron/nn yellow/jj ,/, if/cs he/pps remembered/vbd ./.
She/pps had/hvd had/hvn a/at dignity/nn about/in her/ppo ,/, even/rb barefoot/jj and/cc almost/ql too/ql tan/jj ./.


	Since/in then/rb ,/, the/at flowers/nns she/pps had/hvd planted/vbn had/hvd spread/vb all/abn over/in the/at hill/nn ./.
Already/rb the/at jonquils/nns were/bed blooming/vbg in/in a/at flock/nn by/in the/at front/jj gate/nn ,/, and/cc the/at periwinkles/nns were/bed coming/vbg on/rp ,/, blue/jj by/in the/at porch/nn steps/nns ./.
In/in a/at week/nn the/at hyacinths/nns would/md spike/vb out/rp ./.
And/cc the/at dogwood/nn in/in early/jj May/np ,/, for/in Miss/np Ada's/np$ alfresco/nn party/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc after/in that/cs the/at Japanese/jj cherries/nns ./.
Now/rb the/at yard/nn looked/vbd wet/jj and/cc bald/jj ,/, the/at trees/nns bare/vb under/in their/pp$ buds/nns ,/, but/cc in/in a/at while/nn Miss/np Ada's/np$ flowers/nns would/md bloom/vb like/cs a/at marching/vbg parade/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd dug/vbn a/at hole/nn for/in each/dt bulb/nn ,/, each/dt tree/nn wore/vbd a/at tag/nn with/in her/pp$ writing/nn on/in it/ppo ;/. ;/.
where/wrb would/md she/pps go/vb for/in her/pp$ gardening/nn now/rb ?/. ?/.
Somehow/rb Winston/np didn't/dod* think/vb she'd/pps+md take/vb to/in window/nn boxes/nns ./.


	Sighing/vbg ,/, he/pps hurried/vbd to/in the/at living/vbg room/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at thousand/cd things/nns to/to see/vb to/in ./.
Still/rb ,/, he/pps couldn't/md* help/vb thinking/vbg ,/, we're/ppss+ber all/abn getting/vbg old/jj ,/, getting/vbg small/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at snail/nn is/bez pulling/vbg in/rp her/pp$ horns/nns ./.


	In/in the/at living/vbg room/nn ,/, Miss/np Ada/np was/bedz standing/vbg by/in the/at window/nn with/in a/at sheaf/nn of/in lists/nns in/in her/pp$ hand/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz looking/vbg out/rp at/in the/at garden/nn ./.


	``/`` Winston/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` get/vb the/at basket/nn for/in the/at breakables/nns ''/'' ./.


	Winston/np had/hvd the/at big/jj straw/nn basket/nn ready/jj in/in the/at hall/nn ./.
He/pps brought/vbd it/ppo in/rp and/cc put/vb it/ppo down/rp beside/in her/ppo ./.
Miss/np Ada/np was/bedz looking/vbg fine/jj ;/. ;/.
she/pps had/hvd on/rp her/pp$ Easter/np suit/nn ,/, blue/jj ,/, with/in lavender/jj binding/nn ./.
Halfway/rb across/in the/at house/nn ,/, he/pps could/md have/hv smelled/vbn her/pp$ morning/nn perfume/nn ./.
It/pps hung/vbd in/in all/abn her/pp$ day/nn clothes/nns ,/, sweet/jj and/cc strong/jj ;/. ;/.
sometimes/rb when/wrb he/pps was/bedz pressing/vbg ,/, Winston/np raised/vbd her/pp$ dresses/nns to/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.


	Frowning/vbg ,/, Miss/np Ada/np studied/vbd the/at list/nn ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, let's/vb+ppo see/vb ./.
The/at china/nn lemon/nn tree/nn ./.
The/at alabaster/nn cockatoo/nn ''/'' ./.
Winston/np followed/vbd her/ppo around/in the/at room/nn ,/, collecting/vbg the/at small/jj frail/jj objects/nns (/( Christmas/np ,/, birthday/nn ,/, and/cc anniversary/nn )/) and/cc wrapping/vbg them/ppo in/in tissue/nn paper/nn ./.
Neither/dtx of/in them/ppo trusted/vbn the/at movers/nns ./.


	When/wrb they/ppss came/vbd to/in Mr./np Jack's/np$ photograph/nn ,/, twenty/cd by/in twelve/cd inches/nns in/in a/at curly/jj silver/nn frame/nn ,/, Miss/np Ada/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` By/in rights/nns I/ppss ought/md to/to leave/vb that/dt ,/, seeing/vbg he/pps won't/md* take/vb my/pp$ clotheshorse/nn ''/'' ./.
She/pps smiled/vbd at/in Winston/np ,/, and/cc he/pps saw/vbd the/at hateful/jj hard/jj glitter/nn in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
He/pps picked/vbd up/rp the/at photograph/nn and/cc began/vbd to/to wrap/vb it/ppo ./.


	``/`` At/in least/ap you/ppss could/md leave/vb it/ppo for/in the/at movers/nns ''/'' ,/, Miss/np Ada/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` What/wdt possessed/vbd you/ppo to/to tell/vb me/ppo a/at clotheshorse/nn would/md be/be a/at good/jj idea/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Winston/np folded/vbd the/at tissue/nn paper/nn carefully/rb ./.
``/`` He's/pps+hvz used/vbn it/ppo every/at day/nn ;/. ;/.
every/at morning/nn ,/, I/ppss lay/vb out/rp his/pp$ clothes/nns on/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, that's/dt+bez over/rp now/rb ./.
And/cc it/pps was/bedz his/pp$ main/jjs present/nn !/. !/.
Leave/vb that/dt fool/jj picture/nn out/rp ''/'' ,/, she/pps added/vbd sharply/rb ./.


	Winston/np laid/vbd it/ppo in/in the/at basket/nn ./.
``/`` Mr./np Jack/np sets/vbz store/nn by/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Really/rb ,/, Winston/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz meant/vbn to/to be/be my/pp$ present/nn ''/'' ./.
But/cc she/pps went/vbd on/rp down/in the/at list/nn ./.


	Winston/np was/bedz relieved/vbn ;/. ;/.
those/dts presents/nns had/hvd been/ben on/in his/pp$ mind/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd only/rb agreed/vbn with/in Miss/np Ada/np about/in getting/vbg the/at valet/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps had/hvd actually/rb suggested/vbn the/at photograph/nn to/in Mr./np Jack/np ./.
``/`` You/ppss know/vb what/wdt she/pps likes/vbz ,/, Winston/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps had/hvd said/vbn wearily/rb ,/, one/cd evening/nn in/in November/np when/wrb Winston/np was/bedz pulling/vbg off/rp his/pp$ overshoes/nns ./.
``/`` Tell/vb me/ppo what/wdt to/to get/vb her/ppo for/in Christmas/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` She's/pps+hvz been/ben talking/vbg about/in a/at picture/nn ''/'' ,/, Winston/np had/hvd told/vbn him/ppo ./.


	``/`` Picture/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss mean/vb picture/nn of/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
But/cc Winston/np had/hvd persuaded/vbn him/ppo ./.


	On/in Christmas/np night/nn ,/, they/ppss had/hvd had/hvn a/at disagreement/nn about/in it/ppo ./.
Winston/np had/hvd heard/vbn because/cs he/pps was/bedz setting/vbg up/rp the/at liquor/nn tray/nn in/in the/at next/ap room/nn ./.
Through/in the/at door/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn Mr./np Jack/np walking/vbg around/rb ,/, waiting/vbg for/in Miss/np Ada/np ./.
Finally/rb she/pps had/hvd come/vbn down/rp ;/. ;/.
Winston/np had/hvd heard/vbn her/ppo shaking/vbg out/rp the/at skirt/nn of/in her/pp$ new/jj pink/jj silk/nn hostess/nn gown/nn ./.


	``/`` How/wrb do/do you/ppss like/vb it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps had/hvd asked/vbn ./.


	Mr./np Jack/np had/hvd said/vbn ,/, ``/`` You/ppss look/vb about/rb fifteen/cd years/nns old/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Is/bez that/cs a/at compliment/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ''/'' ./.
He/pps had/hvd stood/vbn at/in a/at little/ap distance/nn ,/, studying/vbg her/ppo ,/, as/cs though/cs he/pps would/md walk/vb around/rb next/rb and/cc look/vb at/in the/at back/nn of/in her/pp$ head/nn ./.


	``/`` Lovie/nn ,/, you/ppss make/vb me/ppo feel/vb naked/jj ''/'' ./.
Miss/np Ada/np had/hvd giggled/vbn ,/, and/cc she/pps went/vbd sweeping/vbg and/cc rustling/vbg to/in the/at couch/nn and/cc sank/vbd down/rp ./.


	``/`` You/ppss look/vb like/cs that/dt picture/nn I/ppss have/hv at/in the/at office/nn ''/'' ,/, Mr./np Jack/np had/hvd started/vbn ./.
``/`` Not/* a/at line/nn ,/, not/* a/at wrinkle/nn ./.
I/ppss look/vb like/cs an/at old/jj man/nn ,/, compared/vbd ''/'' ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd picked/vbn up/rp his/pp$ photograph/nn with/in the/at red/jj Christmas/np bow/nn still/rb on/in it/ppo ./.
``/`` Look/vb ,/, an/at old/jj man/nn ./.
Will/md you/ppss wear/vb pink/jj when/wrb you're/ppss+ber sixty/cd ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Darling/nn ,/, I/ppss love/vb that/dt photograph/nn ./.
I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to put/vb it/ppo on/in my/pp$ dresser/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss guess/vb it's/pps+bez children/nns make/vb a/at woman/nn old/jj ./.
A/at man/nn gets/vbz old/jj anyhow/rb ''/'' ./.
After/in a/at minute/nn he/pps went/vbd on/rp ,/, ``/`` People/nns must/md think/vb the/at curse/nn is/bez on/in me/ppo ,/, seeing/vbg you/ppss fresh/jj as/cs an/at apple/nn and/cc me/ppo old/jj and/cc gray/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md give/vb you/ppo a/at medical/jj certificate/nn ,/, framed/vbn ,/, if/cs you/ppss like/vb ''/'' ,/, Miss/np Ada/np had/hvd said/vbn ./.


	``/`` No/rb ./.
All/abn I/ppss want/vb is/bez a/at picture/nn --/-- with/in a/at few/ap lines/nns ./.
Make/vb the/at man/nn put/vb them/ppo in/rp if/cs he/pps has/hvz to/to ''/'' ./.


	After/in that/cs they/ppss had/hvd sat/vbn for/in five/cd minutes/nns without/in saying/vbg a/at word/nn ./.
Then/rb Miss/np Ada/np had/hvd stood/vbn up/rp ,/, rustling/vbg and/cc rustling/vbg ,/, and/cc gone/vbn upstairs/rb ./.

Was/bedz it/pps love/nn ?/. ?/.
I/ppss had/hvd no/at doubt/nn that/cs it/pps was/bedz ./.
During/in the/at rest/nn of/in the/at summer/nn my/pp$ scholarly/jj mania/nn for/in making/vbg plaster/nn casts/nns and/cc spatter/nn prints/nns of/in Catskill/np flowers/nns and/cc leaves/nns was/bedz all/ql but/cc surpassed/vbn by/in the/at constantly/rb renewed/vbn impressions/nns of/in Jessica/np that/cs my/pp$ mind/nn served/vbd up/rp to/in me/ppo for/in contemplation/nn and/cc delight/nn ./.




Nothing/pn in/in all/abn the/at preceding/vbg years/nns had/hvd had/hvn the/at power/nn to/to bring/vb me/ppo closer/jjr to/in a/at knowledge/nn of/in profound/jj sorrow/nn than/cs the/at breakup/nn of/in camp/nn ,/, the/at packing/nn away/rb of/in my/pp$ camp/nn uniforms/nns ,/, the/at severing/nn of/in ties/nns with/in the/at six/cd or/cc ten/cd people/nns I/ppss had/hvd grown/vbn most/rbt to/to love/vb in/in the/at world/nn ./.
In/in final/jj separation/nn from/in them/ppo ,/, in/in the/at railroad/nn terminal/nn across/in the/at river/nn from/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ,/, I/ppss would/md nearly/rb cry/vb ./.
My/pp$ parents'/nns$ welcoming/vbg arms/nns would/md seem/vb woeful/jj ,/, inadequate/jj ,/, unwanted/jj ./.
But/cc that/dt year/nn was/bedz different/jj ,/, for/cs just/rb as/cs the/at city/nn ,/, in/in the/at form/nn of/in my/pp$ street/nn clothes/nns ,/, had/hvd intruded/vbn upon/in my/pp$ mountain/nn nights/nns ,/, so/cs an/at essential/jj part/nn of/in the/at summer/nn gave/vbd promise/nn of/in continuing/vbg into/in the/at fall/nn :/: Jessica/np and/cc I/ppss ,/, about/rb to/to be/be separated/vbn not/* by/in a/at mere/jj footbridge/nn or/cc messhall/nn kitchen/nn but/cc by/in the/at immense/jj obstacle/nn of/in residing/vbg in/in cruelly/rb distant/jj boroughs/nns ,/, had/hvd agreed/vbn to/to correspond/vb ./.


	These/dts letters/nns became/vbd the/at center/nn of/in my/pp$ existence/nn ./.
I/ppss lived/vbd to/to see/vb an/at envelope/nn of/in hers/pp$$ in/in the/at morning/nn mail/nn and/cc to/in lock/nn myself/ppl in/in my/pp$ room/nn in/in the/at afternoon/nn to/to reread/vb her/pp$ letter/nn for/in the/at tenth/od time/nn and/cc finally/rb prepare/vb an/at answer/nn ./.
My/pp$ memory/nn has/hvz catalogued/vbn for/in easy/jj reference/nn and/cc withdrawal/nn the/at image/nn of/in her/pp$ pink/jj ,/, scented/vbn stationery/nn and/cc the/at unsloped/jj ,/, almost/rb printed/vbn configurations/nns of/in her/pp$ neat/jj ,/, studious/jj handwriting/nn with/in which/wdt she/pps invited/vbd me/ppo to/to recall/vb our/pp$ summer/nn ,/, so/ql many/ap sentences/nns beginning/vbg with/in ``/`` Remember/vb when/wrb ;/. ;/.
''/'' and/cc others/nns concerning/in camp/nn friends/nns who/wps resided/vbd in/in her/pp$ suburban/jj neighborhood/nn ,/, ,/, and/cc news/nn of/in her/ppo commencing/vbg again/rb her/pp$ piano/nn lessons/nns ,/, her/pp$ private/jj school/nn ,/, a/at visit/nn to/in Boston/np to/to see/vb her/ppo grandparents/nns and/cc an/at uncle/nn who/wps was/bedz a/at surgeon/nn returned/vbn on/in furlough/nn ,/, wounded/vbn ,/, from/in the/at war/nn in/in Europe/np ./.


	In/in my/pp$ letters/nns I/ppss took/vbd on/rp a/at personality/nn that/wps differed/vbd from/in the/at self/nn I/ppss knew/vbd in/in real/jj life/nn ./.
Then/rb epistolatory/jj me/ppo was/bedz a/at foreign/jj correspondent/nn dispatching/vbg exciting/jj cables/nns and/cc communiques/nns ,/, full/jj of/in dash/nn and/cc wit/nn and/cc glamor/nn ,/, quoting/vbg from/in the/at books/nns I/ppss read/vbd ,/, imitating/vbg the/at grand/jj styles/nns of/in the/at authors/nns recommended/vbn by/in a/at teacher/nn in/in whose/wp$ special/jj ,/, after-school/jj class/nn I/ppss was/bedz enrolled/vbn ./.
The/at letters/nns took/vbd their/pp$ source/nn from/in a/at stream/nn of/in my/pp$ imagination/nn in/in which/wdt I/ppss was/bedz transformed/vbn into/in a/at young/jj man/nn not/* unlike/in my/pp$ bunkmate/nn Eliot/np Sands/np --/-- he/pps of/in the/at porch/nn steps/nns anecdotes/nns --/-- who/wps smoked/vbd cigarettes/nns ,/, performed/vbd the/at tango/nn ,/, wore/vbd fifty/cd dollar/nn suits/nns ,/, and/cc sneaked/vbd off/rp into/in the/at dark/nn with/in girls/nns to/to do/do unimaginable/jj things/nns with/in them/ppo ./.
Like/cs Eliot/np ,/, in/in my/pp$ fantasies/nns ,/, I/ppss had/hvd a/at proud/jj bearing/nn and/cc ,/, with/in a/at skill/nn that/wps was/bedz vaguely/rb continental/jj ,/, I/ppss would/md lead/vb Jessica/np through/in an/at evening/nn of/in dancing/vbg and/cc handsome/jj descriptions/nns of/in my/pp$ newest/jjt exploits/nns ,/, would/md guide/vb her/ppo gently/rb to/in the/at night's/nn$ climax/nn which/wdt ,/, in/in my/pp$ dreams/nns ,/, was/bedz always/rb represented/vbn by/in our/pp$ almost/rb suffocating/nn one/cd another/dt to/in death/nn with/in deep/jj ,/, moist/jj kisses/nns burning/vbg with/in love/nn ./.
The/at night/nn after/in reading/vbg her/pp$ letter/nn about/in her/pp$ surgeon/nn uncle/nn --/-- it/pps must/md have/hv been/ben late/rb in/in September/np --/-- I/ppss had/hvd a/at vision/nn of/in myself/ppl returned/vbn in/in ragged/jj uniform/nn from/in The/at-tl Front/nn-tl ,/, nearly/rb dying/vbg ,/, my/pp$ head/nn bandaged/vbn and/cc blooded/vbn ,/, and/cc Jessica/np bending/vbg over/in me/ppo ,/, the/at power/nn of/in her/pp$ love/nn bringing/vbg me/ppo back/rb to/in life/nn ./.
For/in many/ap nights/nns afterward/rb ,/, the/at idea/nn of/in her/ppo having/hvg been/ben so/ql close/jj to/in me/ppo in/in that/dt imagined/vbn bed/nn would/md return/vb and/cc fill/vb me/ppo with/in obscure/jj and/cc painful/jj desires/nns ,/, would/md cause/vb me/ppo to/to lie/vb awake/rb in/in shame/nn ,/, tossing/vbg with/in irresolution/nn ,/, longing/vbg to/to fall/vb into/in a/at deep/jj sleep/nn ./.


	The/at weeks/nns went/vbd by/rb ,/, and/cc the/at longer/jjr our/pp$ separation/nn grew/vbd ,/, the/at more/ql unbounded/jj and/cc almost/rb unbearable/jj my/pp$ fantasies/nns became/vbd ./.
They/ppss caused/vbd my/pp$ love/nn for/in Jessica/np to/to become/vb warmer/jjr and/cc at/in the/at same/ap time/nn more/ql hopeless/jj ,/, as/cs if/cs my/pp$ adolescent/nn self/nn knew/vbd that/wps only/rb torment/nn would/md ever/rb bring/vb me/ppo the/at courage/nn to/to ask/vb to/to see/vb her/ppo again/rb ./.


	As/cs it/pps turned/vbd out/rp ,/, Jessica/np took/vbd matters/nns into/in her/pp$ own/jj hands/nns ./.
Having/hvg received/vbn permission/nn to/to give/vb a/at camp/nn reunion-Halloween/np party/nn ,/, she/pps asked/vbd that/cs I/ppss come/vb and/cc be/be her/pp$ date/nn ./.
I/ppss went/vbd and/cc ,/, mum/jj and/cc nervous/jj ,/, all/abn but/in made/vbn a/at fool/nn of/in myself/ppl ./.
Again/rb among/in those/dts jubilantly/rb reunited/vbn bunkmates/nns ,/, I/ppss was/bedz shy/jj with/in Jessie/np and/cc acted/vbd as/cs I/ppss had/hvd during/in those/dts early/jj Saturday/nr mornings/nns when/wrb we/ppss all/abn seemed/vbd to/to be/be playing/vbg for/in effect/nn ,/, to/to be/be detached/vbn and/cc unconcerned/jj with/in the/at girls/nns who/wps were/bed properly/rb our/pp$ dates/nns but/in about/in whom/wpo ,/, later/rbr ,/, in/in the/at privacy/nn of/in our/pp$ bunks/nns ,/, we/ppss would/md think/vb in/in terms/nns of/in the/at most/rbt elaborate/jj romance/nn ./.
I/ppss remember/vb standing/vbg in/in a/at corner/nn ,/, watching/vbg Jessica/np act/vb the/at hostess/nn ,/, serving/vbg soft/jj drinks/nns to/in her/pp$ guests/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz wearing/vbg her/pp$ dark/jj hair/nn in/in two/cd ,/, thick/jj braids/nns to/to attain/vb an/at ``/`` American/jj-tl Girl/nn-tl ''/'' effect/nn she/pps thought/vbd was/bedz appropriate/jj to/in Halloween/np ./.
It/pps made/vbd her/ppo look/vb sweet/jj and/cc schoolgirlish/jj ,/, I/ppss was/bedz excited/vbn to/to be/be with/in her/ppo ,/, but/cc I/ppss did/dod not/* know/vb how/wrb to/to express/vb it/ppo ./.
Yet/rb a/at moment/nn did/dod come/vb that/dt night/nn when/wrb the/at adventurous/jj letter/nn writer/nn and/cc fantasist/nn seemed/vbd to/to stride/vb off/rp my/pp$ flashy/jj pages/nns ,/, out/in of/in my/pp$ mind/nn ,/, and/cc plant/vb himself/ppl in/in reality/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz late/jj ,/, we/ppss were/bed playing/vbg kissing/vbg games/nns ,/, and/cc Jessica/np and/cc I/ppss were/bed called/vbn on/rp to/to kiss/vb in/in front/nn of/in the/at others/nns ./.
We/ppss blushed/vbd and/cc were/bed flustered/vbn ,/, and/cc it/pps turned/vbd out/rp to/to be/be the/at fleetest/jjt brush/nn of/in lips/nns upon/in cheek/nn ./.
The/at kiss/nn outraged/vbd our/pp$ friends/nns but/cc it/pps was/bedz done/vbn and/cc meanwhile/rb had/hvd released/vbn in/in me/ppo all/abn the/at remote/jj ,/, exciting/jj premonitions/nns of/in lust/nn ,/, all/abn the/at mysterious/jj sensations/nns that/cs I/ppss had/hvd imagined/vbn a/at truly/rb consummated/vbn kiss/nn would/md convey/vb to/in me/ppo ./.


	It/pps was/bedz at/in that/dt party/nn that/wps ,/, finally/rb overcoming/vbg my/pp$ timidity/nn ,/, inspired/vbd by/in tales/nns only/rb half-understood/vbn and/cc overheard/vbn among/in older/jjr boys/nns ,/, I/ppss asked/vbd Jessie/np to/to spend/vb New/jj-tl Year's/nn$-tl Eve/nn-tl with/in me/ppo ./.
Lovingly/rb ,/, she/pps accepted/vbd ,/, and/cc so/ql great/jj was/bedz my/pp$ emotion/nn that/cs all/abn I/ppss could/md think/vb of/in saying/vbg was/bedz ,/, ``/`` You're/ppss+ber amazing/jj ,/, you/ppss know/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Later/rbr ,/, we/ppss agreed/vbd to/to think/vb of/in how/wrb we/ppss wished/vbd to/to spend/vb that/dt night/nn ./.
We/ppss would/md write/vb to/in one/cd another/dt and/cc make/vb a/at definite/jj plan/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz terribly/rb pleased/vbn ./.


	Among/in my/pp$ school/nn and/cc neighborhood/nn friends/nns ,/, during/in the/at next/ap months/nns ,/, I/ppss bragged/vbd and/cc swaggered/vbd and/cc pompously/rb described/vbd my/pp$ impending/vbg date/nn ./.
But/cc though/cs I/ppss boasted/vbd and/cc gave/vbd off/rp a/at dapper/jj front/nn ,/, I/ppss was/bedz beneath/in it/ppo all/abn frightened/vbn ./.
It/pps would/md be/be the/at first/od time/nn I/ppss had/hvd ever/rb been/ben completely/rb alone/rb with/in a/at girl/nn I/ppss loved/vbd ./.
I/ppss had/hvd no/at idea/nn of/in what/wdt subjects/nns one/pn discussed/vbd when/wrb alone/rb with/in a/at girl/nn ,/, or/cc how/wrb one/pn behaved/vbd :/: Should/md-tl I/ppss hold/vb her/ppo hand/nn while/cs walking/vbg or/cc only/rb when/wrb crossing/vbg the/at street/nn ?/. ?/.
Should/md I/ppss bring/vb along/rb a/at corsage/nn or/cc send/vb one/pn to/in her/ppo ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz it/pps preferable/jj to/to meet/vb her/ppo at/in home/nr or/cc in/in the/at city/nn ?/. ?/.
Should/md I/ppss accompany/vb her/ppo to/in the/at door/nn of/in her/pp$ home/nr ,/, or/cc should/md I/ppss ask/vb to/to be/be invited/vbn in/rp ?/. ?/.
In/rp or/cc out/rp ,/, should/md I/ppss kiss/vb her/ppo goodnight/uh ?/. ?/.
All/ql this/dt was/bedz unknown/jj to/in me/ppo ,/, and/cc yet/rb I/ppss had/hvd dared/vbn to/to ask/vb her/ppo out/rp for/in the/at most/ql important/jj night/nn of/in the/at year/nn !/. !/.


	When/wrb in/in one/cd letter/nn Jessica/np informed/vbd me/ppo that/cs her/pp$ father/nn did/dod not/* like/vb the/at idea/nn of/in her/ppo going/vbg out/rp alone/rb on/in New/jj-tl Year's/nn$-tl Eve/nn-tl ,/, I/ppss knew/vbd for/in a/at moment/nn an/at immense/jj relief/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc the/at letter/nn went/vbd on/rp :/: she/pps had/hvd cried/vbn ,/, she/pps had/hvd implored/vbn ,/, she/pps had/hvd been/ben miserable/jj at/in his/pp$ refusal/nn ,/, and/cc finally/rb he/pps had/hvd relented/vbn --/-- and/cc now/rb how/wrb happy/jj she/pps was/bedz ,/, how/wrb expectant/jj !/. !/.


	Her/pp$ optimism/nn gave/vbd me/ppo heart/nn ./.
I/ppss forced/vbd confidence/nn into/in myself/ppl ./.
I/ppss made/vbd inquiries/nns ,/, I/ppss read/vbd a/at book/nn of/in etiquette/nn ./.
In/in December/np I/ppss wrote/vbd her/ppo with/in authority/nn that/cs we/ppss would/md meet/vb on/in the/at steps/nns of/in the/at Hotel/nn-tl Astor/np-tl ,/, a/at rendezvous/nn spot/nn that/cs I/ppss had/hvd learned/vbn was/bedz the/at most/ql sophisticated/jj ./.
We/ppss would/md attend/vb a/at film/nn and/cc ,/, later/rbr on/rp ,/, I/ppss stated/vbd ,/, we/ppss might/md go/vb to/in the/at Mayflower/np-tl Coffee/nn-tl Shop/nn-tl or/cc Child's/np$ or/cc Toffenetti's/np$ for/in waffles/nns ./.
I/ppss set/vb the/at hour/nn of/in our/pp$ meeting/nn for/in seven/cd ./.




At/in five/cd o'clock/rb that/dt night/nn it/pps was/bedz already/rb dark/jj ,/, and/cc behind/in my/pp$ closed/vbn door/nn I/ppss was/bedz dressing/vbg as/ql carefully/rb as/cs a/at groom/nn ./.
I/ppss wore/vbd a/at new/jj double-breasted/jj brown/jj worsted/nn suit/nn with/in a/at faint/jj herringbone/nn design/nn and/cc wide/jj lapels/nns like/cs a/at devil's/nn$ ears/nns ./.
My/pp$ camp-made/jj leather/nn wallet/nn ,/, bulky/jj with/in twisted/vbn ,/, raised/vbn stitches/nns around/in the/at edges/nns ,/, I/ppss stuffed/vbd with/in money/nn I/ppss had/hvd been/ben saving/vbg ./.
Hatless/jj ,/, in/in an/at overcoat/nn of/in rough/jj blue/jj wool/nn ,/, I/ppss was/bedz given/vbn a/at proud/jj farewell/nn by/in my/pp$ mother/nn and/cc father/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss set/vbd out/rp into/in the/at strangely/rb still/jj streets/nns of/in Brooklyn/np ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd superior/jj to/in the/at neighborhood/nn friends/nns I/ppss was/bedz leaving/vbg behind/rb ,/, felt/vbd older/jjr than/cs my/pp$ years/nns ,/, and/cc was/bedz full/jj of/in compliments/nns for/in myself/ppl as/cs I/ppss headed/vbd into/in the/at subway/nn that/wps was/bedz carrying/vbg its/pp$ packs/nns of/in passengers/nns out/in of/in that/dt dull/jj borough/nn and/cc into/in the/at unstable/jj ,/, tantalizing/vbg excitement/nn of/in Manhattan/np ./.


	Times/nns-tl Square/nn-tl ,/, when/wrb I/ppss ascended/vbd to/in it/ppo with/in my/pp$ fellow/nn subway/nn travellers/nns (/( all/ql dressed/vbn as/cs if/cs for/in a/at huge/jj wedding/nn in/in a/at family/nn of/in which/wdt we/ppss were/bed all/abn distant/jj members/nns )/) ,/, was/bedz nearly/ql impassable/jj ,/, the/at sidewalks/nns swarming/vbg with/in celebrants/nns ,/, with/in bundled/vbn up/rp sailors/nns and/cc soldiers/nns already/rb hugging/vbg their/pp$ girls/nns and/cc their/pp$ rationed/vbn bottles/nns of/in whiskey/nn ./.
Heavy-coated/jj ,/, severe-looking/jj policemen/nns sat/vbd astride/in noble/jj horses/nns along/in the/at curbside/nn to/to prevent/vb the/at revellers/nns from/in spilling/vbg out/rp in/in front/nn of/in the/at crawling/vbg traffic/nn ./.
The/at night/nn was/bedz cold/jj but/cc the/at crowd/nn kept/vbd one/pn warm/jj ./.
The/at giant/jj electric/jj signs/nns and/cc marquees/nns were/bed lit/vbn up/rp for/in the/at first/od time/nn since/cs blackout/nn regulations/nns had/hvd been/ben instituted/vbn ,/, and/cc the/at atmosphere/nn was/bedz alive/jj with/in the/at feeling/nn that/dt victory/nn was/bedz just/rb around/in the/at corner/nn ./.
Cardboard/nn noisemakers/nns ,/, substitutes/nns for/in the/at unavailable/jj tin/nn models/nns ,/, were/bed being/beg hawked/vbn and/cc bought/vbn at/in makeshift/jj stands/nns every/at few/ap yards/nns along/in Broadway/np ,/, and/cc one's/pn$ ears/nns were/bed continually/rb serenaded/vbn by/in the/at horns'/nns$ rasps/nns and/cc bleats/nns ./.
An/at old/jj gentlemen/nns next/in to/in me/ppo held/vbn a/at Boy/nn-tl Scout/nn-tl bugle/nn to/in his/pp$ lips/nns and/cc blasted/vbd away/rb at/in every/at fourth/od step/nn and/cc during/in the/at interim/nn shouted/vbd out/rp ,/, ``/`` V/np for/in Victory/nn-tl ''/'' !/. !/.
His/pp$ neighbors/nns cheered/vbd him/ppo on/rp ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at great/jj sense/nn of/in camaraderie/nn ./.
How/wrb did/dod one/pn join/vb them/ppo ?/. ?/.
Where/wrb were/bed they/ppss all/abn walking/vbg to/in ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz I/ppss supposed/vbd to/to buy/vb a/at funny/jj hat/nn and/cc a/at rattle/nn for/in Jessica/np ?/. ?/.


	It/pps was/bedz a/at quarter/nn of/in seven/cd when/wrb the/at crowd/nn washed/vbd me/ppo up/rp among/in the/at other/ap gallants/nns who/wps had/hvd established/vbn the/at Astor/np steps/nns as/cs the/at beach-head/nn from/in which/wdt to/to launch/vb their/pp$ night/nn of/in merrymaking/jj ./.
I/ppss looked/vbd over/in their/pp$ faces/nns and/cc felt/vbd a/at twinge/nn :/: they/ppss all/abn looked/vbd so/ql much/ql more/ql knowing/jj than/cs I/ppss ./.
I/ppss looked/vbd away/rb ./.
I/ppss looked/vbd for/in Jessica/np to/to materialize/vb out/in of/in the/at clogging/vbg ,/, curdling/vbg crowd/nn and/cc ,/, as/cs the/at time/nn passed/vbd and/cc I/ppss waited/vbd ,/, a/at fiend/nn came/vbd to/in life/nn beside/in me/ppo and/cc whispered/vbd in/in my/pp$ ear/nn :/: How/wrb was/bedz I/ppss planning/vbg to/to greet/vb Jessica/np ?/. ?/.
Where/wrb exactly/rb would/md we/ppss go/vb after/in the/at movie/nn ?/. ?/.
Suppose/vb the/at lines/nns in/in front/nn of/in the/at movie/nn houses/nns were/bed too/ql long/jj and/cc we/ppss couldn't/md* get/vb in/rp ?/. ?/.
Suppose/vb I/ppss hadn't/hvd* brought/vbn along/rb enough/ap money/nn ?/. ?/.
I/ppss felt/vbd for/in my/pp$ wallet/nn ./.
Its/pp$ thick/jj ,/, substantial/jj outline/nn calmed/vbd me/ppo ./.


	But/cc when/wrb I/ppss saw/vbd that/cs it/pps was/bedz already/rb ten/cd past/in seven/cd ,/, I/ppss began/vbd to/to wonder/vb if/cs something/pn had/hvd gone/vbn wrong/jj ./.
Suppose/vb her/pp$ father/nn had/hvd changed/vbn his/pp$ mind/nn and/cc had/hvd refused/vbn to/to let/vb her/ppo leave/vb ?/. ?/.
Suppose/vb at/in this/dt very/ap moment/nn her/pp$ father/nn was/bedz calling/vbg my/pp$ house/nn in/in an/at effort/nn to/to cancel/vb the/at plans/nns ?/. ?/.
I/ppss grew/vbd uneasy/jj ./.
All/abn about/in me/ppo there/ex was/bedz a/at hectic/jj interplay/nn of/in meetings/nns taking/vbg place/nn ,/, like/cs abrupt/jj ,/, jerky/jj scenes/nns in/in old/jj silent/jj movies/nns ,/, joyous/jj greetings/nns and/cc beginnings/nns ,/, huggings/nns and/cc kissings/nns ,/, enthusiastic/jj forays/nns into/in the/at festive/jj night/nn ./.
Whole/jj platoons/nns were/bed taking/vbg up/rp new/jj positions/nns on/in the/at steps/nns ,/, arriving/vbg and/cc departing/vbg ,/, while/cs I/ppss stayed/vbd glued/vbn ,/, like/cs a/at signpost/nn ,/, to/in one/cd spot/nn ./.


	At/in 7:25/cd two/cd hotel/nn doormen/nns came/vbd thumping/vbg down/in the/at steps/nns ,/, carrying/vbg a/at saw-horse/nn to/to be/be set/vbn up/rp as/cs a/at barricade/nn in/in front/nn of/in the/at haberdashery/nn store/nn window/nn next/in to/in the/at entranceway/nn ,/, and/cc as/cs I/ppss watched/vbd them/ppo in/in their/pp$ gaudy/jj red/jj coats/nns that/wps nearly/rb scraped/vbd the/at ground/nn ,/, their/pp$ golden/jj ,/, fringed/vbn epaulets/nns and/cc spic/jj ,/, red-visored/jj caps/nns ,/, I/ppss suddenly/rb saw/vbd just/rb over/in their/pp$ shoulders/nns Jessica/np gracefully/rb making/vbg her/pp$ way/nn through/in the/at crowd/nn ./.
My/pp$ heart/nn almost/rb stopped/vbd beating/vbg ./.

