

	They/ppss neither/cc liked/vbd nor/cc disliked/vbd the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl ./.
To/in them/ppo he/pps could/md have/hv been/ben the/at broken/vbn bell/nn in/in the/at church/nn tower/nn which/wdt rang/vbd before/in and/cc after/in Mass/nn-tl ,/, and/cc at/in noon/nn ,/, and/cc at/in six/cd each/dt evening/nn --/-- its/pp$ tone/nn ,/, repetitive/jj ,/, monotonous/jj ,/, never/rb breaking/vbg the/at boredom/nn of/in the/at streets/nns ./.
The/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl was/bedz unimportant/jj ./.


	Yet/rb if/cs he/pps were/bed not/* there/rb ,/, they/ppss would/md have/hv missed/vbn him/ppo ,/, as/cs they/ppss would/md have/hv missed/vbn the/at sounds/nns of/in bees/nns buzzing/vbg against/in the/at screen/nn door/nn in/in early/jj June/np ;/. ;/.
or/cc the/at smell/nn of/in thick/jj tomato/nn paste/nn --/-- the/at ripe/jj smell/nn that/wps was/bedz both/abx sweet/jj and/cc sour/jj --/-- rising/vbg up/rp from/in aluminum/nn trays/nns wrapped/vbn in/in fly-dotted/jj cheesecloth/nn ./.
Or/cc the/at surging/vbg whirling/vbg sounds/nns of/in bats/nns at/in night/nn ,/, when/wrb their/pp$ black/jj bodies/nns dived/vbd into/in the/at blackness/nn above/in and/cc below/in the/at amber/jj street/nn lights/nns ./.
Or/cc the/at bay/nn of/in female/nn dogs/nns in/in heat/nn ./.


	They/ppss never/rb called/vbd him/ppo by/in name/nn ,/, although/cs he/pps had/hvd one/pn ./.
Filippo/np Rossi/np ,/, that's/dt+bez what/wdt he/pps was/bedz called/vbn in/in the/at old/jj country/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc here/rb he/pps was/bedz just/rb Signore/np or/cc the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl ./.
But/cc this/dt was/bedz not/* unusual/jj ,/, because/cs youth/nn in/in these/dts quarters/nns was/bedz always/rb pushed/vbn at/in a/at distance/nn from/in its/pp$ elders/nns ./.
Youth/nn obeyed/vbd when/wrb commanded/vbn ./.
It/pps went/vbd to/in church/nn on/in Sunday/nr and/cc one/cd Saturday/nr a/at month/nn went/vbd to/in confession/nn ./.
But/cc youth/nn asked/vbd nothing/pn of/in its/pp$ parents/nns --/-- not/* a/at touch/nn of/in the/at hand/nn or/cc a/at kiss/nn given/vbn in/in passing/vbg ./.


	The/at only/ap thing/nn unusual/jj about/in the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl had/hvd long/jj since/rb happened/vbn ./.
But/cc the/at past/nn was/bedz dead/jj here/rb as/cs the/at present/jj was/bedz dead/jj ./.
Once/cs the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl had/hvd had/hvn a/at wife/nn ./.
And/cc once/cs she/pps ,/, too/rb ,/, ignored/vbd him/ppo ./.
With/in a/at tiny/jj fur-piece/nn wrapped/vbd around/in her/pp$ shoulders/nns ,/, she/pps wiggled/vbd her/pp$ satin-covered/jj buttocks/nns down/in the/at street/nn before/in him/ppo and/cc didn't/dod* stop/vb ./.
In/in one/cd hand/nn she/pps clutched/vbd a/at hundred/cd dollar/nn bill/nn and/cc in/in the/at other/ap a/at straw/nn suitcase/nn ./.
The/at way/nn she/pps strutted/vbd down/in the/at street/nn ,/, the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl would/md have/hv been/ben blind/jj not/* to/to have/hv noticed/vbn both/abx ./.
Without/in looking/vbg at/in him/ppo ,/, without/in looking/vbg at/in anything/pn except/in Drexel/np-tl Street/nn-tl directly/rb in/in front/nn of/in her/ppo ,/, she/pps climbed/vbd up/rp into/in one/cd of/in those/dts orange/jj streetcars/nns ,/, rode/vbd away/rb in/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc never/rb came/vbd back/rb ./.


	``/`` But/cc she/pps shouldn't/md* have/hv come/vbn here/rb in/in the/at first/od place/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at women/nns had/hvd said/vbn ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, no/rb ./.
Not/* that/dt one/pn ./.
She/pps thought/vbd she/pps was/bedz bigger/jjr than/cs we/ppss are/ber because/cs she/pps came/vbd from/in Torino/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Eh/uh ,/, Torino/np !/. !/.
She/pps gave/vbd herself/ppl fancy/jj airs/nns !/. !/.
Just/rb because/cs she/pps had/hvd a/at part/nn on/in the/at stage/nn in/in the/at old/jj country/nn ,/, she/pps thought/vbd she/pps could/md carry/vb her/pp$ head/nn higher/rbr than/cs ours/pp$$ ''/'' ./.
They/ppss had/hvd slapped/vbn their/pp$ thighs/nns ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez not/* for/in making/vbg pretty/jj speeches/nns about/in Dante/np those/dts actresses/nns get/vb paid/vbn so/ql good/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Henh/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
Calloused/vbn fingers/nns ,/, caressed/vbn only/rb by/in the/at smoothness/nn of/in polished/vbn rosaries/nns ,/, had/hvd swayed/vbn excitedly/rb beneath/in puckered/vbn chins/nns where/wrb tiny/jj black/jj hairs/nns sprouted/vbd ,/, never/rb to/to be/be tweezed/vbn away/rb ./.
Mauve-colored/jj mouths/nns that/wps had/hvd never/rb known/vbn anything/pn sweeter/jjr than/cs the/at taste/nn of/in new/jj wine/nn and/cc the/at passion/nn of/in man's/nn$ tongue/nn had/hvd not/* smiled/vbn ,/, but/cc had/hvd condemned/vbn again/rb and/cc again/rb ./.
``/`` Puttana/fw-nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	But/cc if/cs the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl even/rb thought/vbd about/in his/pp$ wife/nn now/rb ,/, nobody/pn cared/vbd a/at fig/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz enough/ap for/in people/nns to/to know/vb that/cs at/in one/cd time/nn he/pps had/hvd looked/vbn down/in the/at street/nn at/in the/at fleshy/jj suppleness/nn of/in a/at woman/nn he/pps had/hvd consumed/vbn --/-- watching/vbg her/ppo become/vb thinner/jjr and/cc thinner/jjr in/in the/at distance/nn ,/, as/ql thin/jj as/cs the/at seams/nns on/in her/pp$ stockings/nns ,/, and/cc still/rb thinner/jjr ./.
His/pp$ voice/nn had/hvd not/* commanded/vbn her/ppo to/to stop/vb ./.
It/pps had/hvd not/* questioned/vbn why/wrb ./.
The/at women/nns said/vbd they/ppss had/hvd seen/vbn him/ppo wave/vb an/at exhausted/vbn farewell/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc he/pps might/md have/hv been/ben shooing/vbg away/rb the/at fleas/nns that/wps hopped/vbd from/in his/pp$ yellow/jj dog/nn onto/in him/ppo ./.
(/( He/pps was/bedz never/rb without/in that/dt dog/nn ./.
)/) And/cc his/pp$ eyes/nns --/-- those/dts miniature/jj sundials/nns of/in variegated/vbn yellow/jj --/-- had/hvd not/* altered/vbn their/pp$ expression/nn or/cc direction/nn ./.
The/at Old/jj-tl Man's/nn$-tl very/ap soul/nn could/md have/hv left/vbn him/ppo and/cc flown/vbn down/in that/dt street/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps wouldn't/md* have/hv had/hvn anyone/pn know/vb it/ppo ./.


	Perhaps/rb he/pps had/hvd known/vbn then/rb where/wrb that/dt hundred/cd dollar/nn bill/nn had/hvd come/vbn from/in and/cc where/wrb it/pps was/bedz taking/vbg his/pp$ wife/nn ./.
But/cc when/wrb he/pps called/vbd for/in his/pp$ withered/vbn ,/, wrinkled/vbn sister/nn Rose/np to/to care/vb for/in him/ppo and/cc the/at children/nns ,/, had/hvd he/pps guessed/vbd that/cs all/abn he/pps would/md remember/vb of/in his/pp$ woman/nn was/bedz the/at memory/nn of/in her/ppo climbing/vbg into/in that/dt streetcar/nn ?/. ?/.


	There/ex seemed/vbd to/to be/be a/at contemptuous/jj purpose/nn in/in the/at way/nn he/pps sat/vbd there/rb with/in his/pp$ eyes/nns glued/vbn to/in Drexel/np-tl Street/nn-tl and/cc his/pp$ back/nn in/in opposition/nn to/in the/at church/nn behind/in him/ppo ./.
For/cs all/abn he/pps saw/vbd or/cc cared/vbd to/to see/vb ,/, this/dt could/md have/hv been/ben a/at town/nn in/in Italy/np ,/, not/* the/at outskirts/nns of/in Philadelphia/np ./.
It/pps could/md have/hv been/ben Bari/np or/cc Chieti/np for/cs the/at way/nn it/pps smelled/vbd ./.
What/wdt did/dod it/pps matter/vb to/in him/ppo that/cs the/at park/nn at/in the/at foot/nn of/in Ash/nn-tl Road/nn-tl stretched/vbd beneath/in elevated/vbn trains/nns that/wps roared/vbd from/in the/at stucco/nn station/nn into/in the/at city's/nn$ center/nn at/in half-hour/nn intervals/nns ?/. ?/.
Or/cc that/cs the/at tiny/jj creek/nn spun/vbd its/pp$ silent/jj course/nn toward/in the/at Schuylkill/np ?/. ?/.
This/dt place/nn was/bedz hatred/nn to/in him/ppo ,/, just/rb as/cs hatred/nn was/bedz his/pp$ only/ap companion/nn in/in his/pp$ aloneness/nn ./.
To/in him/ppo they/ppss were/bed one/pn and/cc the/at same/ap ./.


	Sameness/nn for/in the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl was/bedz framed/vbn in/rp by/in a/at wall/nn of/in ginkgo/nn trees/nns which/wdt divided/vbd these/dts quarters/nns from/in the/at city/nn ./.
Sameness/nn lined/vbd the/at streets/nns with/in two-story/jj houses/nns the/at color/nn of/in ash/nn ./.
It/pps slashed/vbd the/at sloping/vbg manure-scented/jj lawns/nns with/in concrete/nn steps/nns which/wdt climbed/vbd upward/rb to/in white/jj wooden/jj porches/nns ./.
It/pps swayed/vbd with/in the/at wicker/nn swings/nns and/cc screeched/vbd with/in the/at rusted/vbn hinges/nns of/in screen/nn doors/nns ./.


	Even/rb the/at stable-garage/nn ,/, which/wdt housed/vbd nothing/pn now/rb but/in the/at scent/nn of/in rot/nn ,/, had/hvd a/at lawn/nn before/in it/ppo ./.
And/cc the/at coffee/nn shop/nn on/in Drexel/np-tl Street/nn-tl ,/, where/wrb the/at men/nns spent/vbd their/pp$ evenings/nns and/cc Sundays/nrs playing/vbg cards/nns ,/, had/hvd a/at rose/nn hedge/nn beneath/in its/pp$ window/nn ./.
The/at hedge/nn reeked/vbd of/in coffee/nn dregs/nns thrown/vbn against/in it/ppo ./.


	Only/rb one/cd house/nn on/in the/at street/nn had/hvd no/at lawn/nn before/in it/ppo ./.
It/pps squatted/vbd low/jj and/cc square/jj upon/in the/at sidewalk/nn with/in a/at heavy/jj iron/nn grating/nn supporting/vbg a/at glass/nn facade/nn ./.
That/dt was/bedz Bartoli's/np$ shop/nn ./.
Above/in it/ppo ,/, from/in a/at second-story/nn showroom/nn ,/, wooden/jj angels/nns surveyed/vbd the/at neighborhood/nn ./.
Did/dod the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl remember/vb them/ppo there/rb ?/. ?/.


	Yet/rb everywhere/rb else/rb sameness/nn was/bedz stucco/nn and/cc wood/nn in/in square/nn blocks/nns --/-- like/cs fortresses/nns perched/vbd against/in the/at slant/nn of/in the/at hill/nn ,/, rising/vbg with/in the/at hill/nn to/in the/at top/nn where/wrb the/at church/nn was/bedz and/cc beyond/in that/dt to/in the/at cemetery/nn ./.
Only/rb paved/vbn alleyways/nns tunneled/vbd through/in the/at walls/nns of/in those/dts fortresses/nns into/in the/at mysterious/jj core/nn of/in intimacy/nn behind/in the/at houses/nns where/wrb backyards/nns owned/vbd no/at fences/nns ,/, where/wrb one/cd man's/nn$ property/nn blended/vbd with/in the/at next/ap to/to form/vb courtyards/nns in/in which/wdt no/at one/pn knew/vbd privacy/nn ./.
Love/nn and/cc hatred/nn and/cc fear/nn were/bed one/cd here/rb ,/, shaded/vbn only/rb by/in fig/nn trees/nns and/cc grape/nn vines/nns ./.
And/cc the/at forked/vbn tongue/nn of/in gossip/nn licked/vbd its/pp$ sinister/jj way/nn from/in back/jj porch/nn to/in back/jj porch/nn ./.


	The/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl silently/rb fed/vbd upon/in these/dts streets/nns ./.
They/ppss kept/vbd him/ppo alive/jj ,/, waiting/vbg ./.
Waiting/vbg for/in what/wdt and/cc for/in whom/wpo ,/, only/rb he/pps could/md tell/vb and/cc would/md not/* ./.
It/pps was/bedz as/cs though/cs he/pps had/hvd made/vbn a/at pact/nn with/in the/at devil/nn himself/ppl ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* yet/rb time/vb to/to pay/vb the/at price/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz holding/vbg out/rp for/in something/pn ./.
He/pps was/bedz determined/vbn to/to hold/vb out/rp ./.




The/at Old/jj-tl Man's/nn$-tl son/nn threw/vbd himself/ppl down/rp ,/, belly/nn first/rb ,/, upon/in a/at concrete/nn step/nn ,/, taking/vbg in/rp the/at coolness/nn of/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc dreaming/vbg of/in the/at day/nn he/pps would/md be/be rich/jj ./.
At/in fifteen/cd he/pps didn't/dod* care/vb that/cs he/pps had/hvd no/at mother/nn ,/, that/cs he/pps couldn't/md* remember/vb her/pp$ face/nn or/cc her/pp$ touch/nn ;/. ;/.
neither/cc did/dod he/pps care/vb that/cs Aunt/nn-tl Rose/np provided/vbd for/in him/ppo ./.


	He/pps was/bedz named/vbn Pompeii/np as/cs a/at tribute/nn to/in his/pp$ heritage/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps couldn't/md* have/hv cared/vbn less/ap about/in that/dt either/rb ./.
To/in him/ppo life/nn was/bedz a/at restless/jj boredom/nn that/wps began/vbd with/in the/at rising/vbg sun/nn and/cc ended/vbd only/rb with/in sleep/nn ./.


	When/wrb he/pps would/md be/be a/at man/nn ,/, he/pps would/md be/be a/at rich/jj man/nn ./.
He/pps would/md not/* be/be like/cs the/at ``/`` rich/jj Americans/nps ''/'' who/wps lived/vbd in/in white-columned/jj houses/nns on/in the/at other/ap side/nn of/in the/at park/nn ./.
He/pps would/md not/* ride/vb the/at eight-thirty/cd local/jj to/in the/at city/nn each/dt morning/nn ./.
He/pps would/md not/* carry/vb a/at brief/nn case/nn ./.
Nor/cc would/md he/pps work/vb at/in all/abn ./.
He/pps would/md square/vb his/pp$ shoulders/nns and/cc carry/vb a/at cane/nn before/in each/dt step/nn ./.
He/pps would/md sit/vb inside/in the/at coffee/nn shop/nn and/cc pound/vb a/at gloved/vbn fist/nn upon/in the/at table/nn and/cc a/at girl/nn would/md hear/vb him/ppo and/cc come/vb running/vbg ,/, bowing/vbg with/in her/pp$ running/vbg ,/, calling/vbg out/rp in/in her/pp$ bowing/nn ,/, ``/`` At/in your/pp$ service/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps would/md order/vb her/ppo to/to bring/vb coffee/nn ,/, and/cc would/md take/vb from/in his/pp$ vest/nn pocket/nn a/at thin/jj black/jj pipe/nn which/wdt he/pps would/md stuff/vb --/-- he/pps would/md not/* remove/vb his/pp$ gloves/nns --/-- and/cc light/vb and/cc smoke/vb ./.
He/pps could/md do/do that/dt when/wrb he/pps would/md be/be a/at man/nn ./.


	``/`` Hey/uh ,/, Laura/np ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps called/vbd to/in his/pp$ sister/nn on/in the/at porch/nn above/in the/at steps/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz only/rb ten/cd months/nns older/jjr than/cs he/pps ./.
``/`` Laura/np ,/, what/wdt would/md you/ppss say/vb if/cs I/ppss smoked/vbd a/at pipe/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Laura/np did/dod not/* answer/vb him/ppo ./.
She/pps leaned/vbd unconcerned/jj against/in the/at broken/vbn porch/nn fence/nn ,/, brushing/vbg and/cc drying/vbg her/pp$ wet/jj ,/, gilded/vbn hair/nn in/in the/at sun/nn ./.
One/cd lithe/jj leg/nn straddled/vbd the/at railing/nn and/cc swung/vbd loosely/rb before/in the/at creaking/vbg ,/, torn/vbn pales/nns ./.
Her/pp$ tanned/vbn foot/nn ,/, whose/wp$ arch/nn swept/vbd high/jj and/cc white/jj ,/, pointed/vbd artfully/rb toward/in tapering/vbg toes/nns --/-- toes/nns like/cs fingers/nns ,/, whose/wp$ tips/nns glowed/vbd white/jj ./.
All/ql the/at while/nn she/pps sat/vbd there/rb ,/, her/pp$ sinewy/jj arms/nns swirled/vbd before/in her/pp$ chest/nn ./.


	Her/pp$ face/nn showed/vbd no/at sign/nn of/in having/hvg heard/vbn Pompeii/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at face/nn that/wps had/hvd lost/vbn its/pp$ childlike/jj softness/nn and/cc was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to fold/vb within/in its/pp$ fragile/jj features/nns a/at harshness/nn that/wps belied/vbd the/at lyric/jj lines/nns of/in its/pp$ contours/nns ./.
The/at eyes/nns ,/, blue/jj and/cc always/rb somewhat/ql downcast/jj ,/, possessed/vbd a/at sullen/jj quality/nn ./.
Even/rb though/cs the/at boy/nn could/md not/* see/vb them/ppo ,/, he/pps knew/vbd they/ppss were/bed clouded/vbn by/in distance/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz never/rb sure/jj they/ppss fully/rb took/vbd him/ppo in/rp ./.


	Pompeii/np called/vbd again/rb ,/, ``/`` Laura/np ''/'' !/. !/.
But/cc the/at only/ap answer/nn that/wps reached/vbd him/ppo was/bedz the/at screeching/vbg of/in the/at porch/nn rail/nn from/in her/pp$ leg/nn moving/vbg against/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` She's/pps+bez in/in a/at mood/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ``/`` There's/ex+bez not/* a/at month/nn she/pps doesn't/doz* get/vb herself/ppl in/in a/at mood/nn ''/'' ./.


	Well/uh ,/, what/wdt did/dod that/dt matter/vb when/wrb the/at sun/nn was/bedz shining/vbg and/cc there/ex were/bed dreams/nns to/to dream/vb about/rb ?/. ?/.
And/cc as/cs for/in his/pp$ pipe/nn ,/, if/cs he/pps wanted/vbd to/to smoke/vb one/pn ,/, nobody/pn would/md stop/vb him/ppo ./.
Not/* even/rb Laura/np ./.


	Suddenly/rb he/pps was/bedz interrupted/vbn in/in his/pp$ daydreaming/nn by/in a/at warm/jj wetness/nn lapping/vbg against/in his/pp$ chin/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ eyes/nns opened/vbd wide/rb and/cc long/rb at/in the/at sight/nn of/in a/at goat's/nn$ claret/jj tongue/nn ,/, feasting/vbg against/in the/at salt/nn taste/nn of/in him/ppo ./.
Above/in the/at tongue/nn ,/, an/at aged/vbn yellow/jj eye/nn ,/, sallow/jj and/cc time-cast/jj ,/, encrusted/vbn within/in a/at sphere/nn of/in marbleized/vbn pink/jj skin/nn ,/, stared/vbd unfalteringly/rb at/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` Christ/uh sake/uh ,/, goat/nn ,/, git/vb ''/'' !/. !/.
But/cc the/at goat/nn would/md not/* ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber boiling/vbg milk/nn ,/, ain't/ber* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Soothing/vbg it/ppo with/in his/pp$ hand/nn ,/, knowing/vbg the/at whiskered/jj jowls/nns and/cc the/at swollen/vbn smoothness/nn of/in teats/nns that/wps wrinkled/vbd expectantly/rb to/in his/pp$ touch/nn ./.
Pompeii/np rolled/vbd over/rp ./.
His/pp$ head/nn undulated/vbd gradually/rb ,/, covering/vbg space/nn ,/, to/to come/vb straining/vbg beneath/in the/at taut/jj belly/nn within/in the/at warmth/nn of/in those/dts teats/nns ./.
With/in his/pp$ mouth/nn opened/vbn wide/jj ,/, he/pps squirted/vbd the/at warm/jj white/jj milk/nn against/in the/at roof/nn of/in his/pp$ mouth/nn and/cc his/pp$ tongue/nn savored/vbd the/at light/jj ,/, earthy/jj taste/nn of/in it/ppo ./.
The/at boy's/nn$ fingers/nns and/cc mouth/nn operated/vbd with/in the/at skilled/jj unity/nn of/in a/at bagpipe/nn player/nn ,/, pressing/vbg and/cc pulling/vbg ,/, delighting/vbg in/in what/wdt he/pps did/dod ./.


	Above/in him/ppo slid/vbd the/at evasive/jj shadow/nn of/in a/at storm/nn cloud/nn ./.
Its/pp$ form/nn was/bedz a/at heavy/jj figure/nn in/in a/at fluttering/vbg soutane/nn ./.
But/cc the/at boy/nn could/md see/vb only/rb the/at goat's/nn$ belly/nn ./.


	The/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl near/in the/at corner/nn let/vbd the/at shadow/nn pass/nn over/in him/ppo ,/, sensing/vbg something/pn portentous/jj in/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps knew/vbd it/pps was/bedz there/rb ,/, knew/vbd also/rb what/wdt it/pps was/bedz about/in ,/, but/cc he/pps wouldn't/md* raise/vb a/at finger/nn except/in to/to smooth/vb his/pp$ yellow/jj dog's/nn$ back/nn ./.
There/ex would/md be/be time/nn enough/ap ,/, perhaps/rb the/at Old/jj-tl Man/nn-tl reassured/vbd himself/ppl ,/, to/to pay/vb the/at devil/nn his/pp$ due/nn ./.
Time/nn enough/ap to/to give/vb up/rp his/pp$ soul/nn ./.


	In/in the/at meantime/nn ,/, six/cd sandals/nns ,/, stained/vbn an/at ocher/nn ,/, the/at same/ap color/nn as/cs Pompeii's/np$ shaved/vbn hair/nn ,/, edged/vbd up/rp close/rb to/in him/ppo ./.
The/at clapping/nn they/ppss made/vbd on/in the/at concrete/nn interrupted/vbd him/ppo in/in the/at ecstatic/jj pleasure/nn he/pps knew/vbd ,/, so/cs that/cs he/pps quickly/rb released/vbd his/pp$ hold/nn on/in the/at goat/nn and/cc pretended/vbd to/to be/be examining/vbg its/pp$ haunches/nns for/in ticks/nns ./.


	He/pps knew/vbd at/in a/at glance/nn that/cs the/at biggest/jjt sandals/nns belonged/vbd to/in Niobe/np ,/, the/at neatest/jjt ones/nns to/in Concetta/np ,/, and/cc the/at laced/vbn ones/nns to/in Romeo/np ,/, Concetta's/np$ idiot/nn brother/nn ./.
Pompeii/np expected/vbd Romeo's/np$ small/jj body/nn to/to sink/vb closer/rbr and/cc closer/rbr to/in the/at ground/nn ./.
He/pps expected/vbd Concetta's/np$ thin/jj hand/nn to/to reach/vb down/rp to/to grasp/vb the/at boy/nn ,/, and/cc her/pp$ shrill/jj ,/, impetuous/jj voice/nn to/to sound/vb against/in the/at rotundity/nn of/in his/pp$ disfigured/vbn flesh/nn that/wps was/bedz never/rb sure/jj of/in hearing/vbg anything/pn ./.



	People/nns came/vbd in/rp and/cc out/rp all/abn evening/nn to/to see/vb the/at baby/nn and/cc hold/vb it/ppo ./.
The/at room/nn filled/vbd with/in smoke/nn ,/, and/cc Maggie's/np$ head/nn throbbed/vbd with/in excitement/nn and/cc fatigue/nn ,/, but/cc Stuart/np had/hvd such/abl a/at happy/jj ,/, earnest/jj look/nn of/in proud/jj possession/nn on/in his/pp$ face/nn that/cs Maggie/np couldn't/md* bear/vb to/to do/do anything/pn to/to quench/vb it/ppo ./.


	Little/jj Anne/np rapidly/rb outdistanced/vbd her/pp$ mother/nn in/in recovery/nn ./.
In/in two/cd months/nns she/pps became/vbd a/at fat/jj highly/ql social/jj baby/nn ,/, with/in a/at fuzz/nn of/in flaxen/jj hair/nn all/abn over/in her/pp$ head/nn ./.
She/pps stopped/vbd flying/vbg into/in rages/nns and/cc started/vbd digesting/vbg her/pp$ food/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps developed/vbd a/at peaches/nns and/cc cream/nn complexion/nn and/cc a/at sunny/jj disposition/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps asked/vbd for/in nothing/pn more/ap of/in life/nn than/cs that/cs she/pps be/be kept/vbn dry/jj and/cc comfortable/jj and/cc fed/vbn huge/jj amounts/nns of/in food/nn at/in stated/vbn intervals/nns and/cc be/be carried/vbn to/to where/wrb she/pps could/md watch/vb activity/nn going/vbg on/rp around/in her/ppo ./.


	She/pps was/bedz so/ql heavy/jj that/cs Maggie's/np$ arms/nns shook/vbd from/in lifting/vbg her/ppo and/cc taking/vbg care/nn of/in her/ppo ./.
Maggie/np couldn't/md* seem/vb to/to get/vb her/pp$ strength/nn back/rb or/cc catch/vb up/rp with/in herself/ppl with/in all/abn she/pps had/hvd to/to do/do :/: there/ex was/bedz the/at big/jj basket/nn of/in clothes/nns to/to be/be coaxed/vbn through/in the/at rackety/jj old/jj washer/nn and/cc lugged/vbn out/rp and/cc lugged/vbn back/rb ;/. ;/.
there/ex was/bedz the/at daily/jj round/nn of/in household/nn chores/nns in/in which/wdt Maggie/np insisted/vbd on/in participating/vbg ./.
Worry/nn had/hvd a/at great/jj deal/nn to/to do/do with/in it/ppo ;/. ;/.
Stuart/np had/hvd been/ben laid/vbn off/rp at/in the/at produce/nn company/nn and/cc had/hvd to/to go/vb back/rb to/in sitting/vbg in/in his/pp$ father's/nn$ office/nn ,/, taking/vbg what/wdt salary/nn his/pp$ father/nn could/md hand/vb out/rp to/in him/ppo ./.
Mr./np Clifton/np would/md have/hv preferred/vbn death/nn and/cc bankruptcy/nn to/in having/hvg his/pp$ son/nn stay/vb with/in his/pp$ wife's/nn$ people/nns without/in contributing/vbg to/in his/pp$ and/cc his/pp$ family's/nn$ upkeep/nn ,/, and/cc besides/in that/dt there/ex were/bed the/at things/nns that/wps had/hvd to/to be/be bought/vbn for/in the/at baby/nn ,/, milk/nn and/cc orange/nn juice/nn and/cc vitamins/nns and/cc soap/nn ,/, just/rb plain/jj soap/nn ./.
Maggie/np and/cc Stuart/np pored/vbd over/in figures/nns every/at night/nn ,/, trying/vbg to/to find/vb how/wrb they/ppss could/md squeeze/vb out/rp a/at few/ap pennies/nns more/ap ./.


	In/in desperation/nn Maggie/np consulted/vbd Eugenia/np one/cd afternoon/nn :/: ``/`` Do/do you/ppss think/vb you/ppss could/md find/vb me/ppo something/pn I/ppss could/md do/do here/rb at/in home/nr to/to make/vb some/dti money/nn ,/, so/cs I/ppss could/md still/rb watch/vb the/at baby/nn and/cc do/do the/at rest/nn of/in the/at things/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It/pps seems/vbz to/in me/ppo you/ppss have/hv enough/ap to/to do/do as/cs it/pps is/bez ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd ./.
She/pps had/hvd been/ben watching/vbg Maggie/np go/vb from/in the/at washing/vbg machine/nn to/in the/at baby/nn to/in the/at stove/nn and/cc back/rb again/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv plenty/nn of/in odd/jj moments/nns when/wrb I/ppss could/md be/be doing/vbg something/pn ''/'' ,/, Maggie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` It/pps would/md make/vb me/ppo feel/vb a/at lot/nn better/rbr ,/, but/cc the/at Woman's/nn$-tl Exchange/nn-tl isn't/bez* taking/vbg baked/vbn goods/nns any/dti more/rbr and/cc I/ppss can't/md* leave/vb the/at baby/nn with/in Grandma/nn-tl because/cs she/pps isn't/bez* strong/jj enough/qlp and/cc the/at baby's/nn$ too/ql young/jj to/to be/be put/vbn in/in a/at nursery/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss should/md think/vb so/rb ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` For/in one/cd thing/nn you/ppss can/md stop/vb keeping/vbg that/dt child/nn in/in starched/vbn dresses/nns and/cc changed/vbn from/in the/at skin/nn out/rp nineteen/cd times/nns a/at day/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` She's/pps+bez so/ql beautiful/jj ,/, and/cc I/ppss do/do like/vb to/to keep/vb her/ppo looking/vbg nice/jj ''/'' ./.
Maggie/np said/vbd ./.
She/pps picked/vbd up/rp the/at baby/nn and/cc nuzzled/vbd her/pp$ fat/jj warm/jj little/jj neck/nn ./.


	``/`` She'll/pps+md be/be just/rb as/ql beautiful/jj in/in something/pn that/dt doesn't/doz* have/hv to/to be/be ironed/vbn ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Evadna/np Mae/np Evans/np said/vbd she/pps didn't/dod* put/vb a/at thing/nn on/in her/pp$ child/nn but/in a/at flannel/nn wrapper/nn until/cs it/pps was/bedz nine/cd months/nns old/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Evadna/np Mae/np Evans/np got/vbd all/abn her/pp$ baby/nn clothes/nns from/in Best's/np$ Liliputian/jj-tl Bazaar/nn-tl in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ,/, and/cc I'm/ppss+bem sick/jj and/cc tired/vbn of/in hearing/vbg about/in Evadna/np Mae/np Evans/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh now/rb ,/, Maggie/np ,/, you/ppss don't/do* have/hv to/to snap/vb at/in me/ppo ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem just/rb thinking/vbg of/in a/at way/nn for/in you/ppo to/to be/be sensible/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj ./.
I/ppss do/do seem/vb to/to snap/vb at/in everybody/pn these/dts days/nns ,/, but/cc I/ppss would/md like/vb to/to think/vb of/in a/at way/nn to/to make/vb a/at little/ap extra/jj money/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, let's/vb+ppo see/vb ./.
Let's/vb+ppo make/vb a/at list/nn of/in your/pp$ assets/nns ''/'' ./.


	Maggie/np started/vbd laughing/vbg ,/, and/cc she/pps laughed/vbd so/ql hard/rb she/pps couldn't/md* stop/vb ,/, and/cc she/pps kept/vbd on/in laughing/vbg while/cs she/pps lugged/vbd the/at clothes/nns out/rp to/in the/at yard/nn to/to hang/vb them/ppo up/rp while/cs the/at sun/nn was/bedz still/rb shining/vbg ./.
When/wrb she/pps came/vbd back/rb Eugenia/np was/bedz sitting/vbg at/in the/at kitchen/nn table/nn with/in a/at pencil/nn and/cc envelope/nn jotting/vbg down/rp words/nns and/cc figures/nns ./.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv here/rb that/cs you/ppss could/md run/vb a/at nursery/nn of/in your/pp$ own/jj for/in working/vbg mothers/nns ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` We/ppss could/md put/vb up/rp cribs/nns on/in the/at second/od floor/nn sleeping/vbg porch/nn and/cc turn/vb the/at front/jj bedroom/nn into/in a/at playroom/nn where/wrb it's/pps+bez nice/jj and/cc sunny/jj ,/, but/cc of/in course/nn it/pps would/md entail/vb quite/abl a/at bit/nn of/in running/vbg up/in and/cc down/in stairs/nns and/cc Chris/np said/vbd you/ppss were/bed to/to be/be careful/jj about/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt else/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You/ppss might/md set/vb up/in a/at dress/nn shop/nn in/in the/at living/vbg room/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Every/at woman/nn in/in the/at block/nn has/hvz tried/vbn that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt about/in a/at tea/nn room/nn ,/, then/rb ?/. ?/.
You/ppss could/md set/vb up/rp tables/nns in/in the/at front/jj room/nn and/cc serve/vb salads/nns and/cc your/pp$ baked/vbn beans/nns and/cc brown/jj bread/nn and/cc Grandma/nn-tl could/md dress/vb like/cs a/at gypsy/nn and/cc tell/vb fortunes/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez too/ql elaborate/jj ./.
And/cc Grandma/nn-tl isn't/bez* strong/jj enough/qlp to/to take/vb on/rp something/pn like/cs that/dt ,/, and/cc to/to tell/vb you/ppo the/at truth/nn neither/cc am/bem I/ppss ''/'' ./.


	Eugenia/np sighed/vbd ./.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Well/uh ,/, those/dts are/ber the/at really/ql interesting/jj things/nns ,/, but/cc if/cs you/ppss don't/do* like/vb any/dti of/in those/dts I/ppss can/md turn/vb over/rp some/dti of/in my/pp$ extra/jj typing/vbg jobs/nns to/in you/ppo ,/, if/cs you/ppss think/vb you/ppo can/md type/vb well/rb enough/qlp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj I/ppss could/md do/do that/dt ''/'' ,/, Maggie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc it/pps really/rb wouldn't/md* be/be fair/jj ,/, taking/vbg your/pp$ jobs/nns away/rb from/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* worry/vb ,/, I/ppss can/md get/vb plenty/nn more/ap ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd ,/, wondering/vbg where/wrb in/in the/at world/nn she/pps could/md ./.
Maggie/np was/bedz looking/vbg much/ql happier/jjr already/rb ,/, clearing/vbg a/at space/nn on/in the/at table/nn and/cc chattering/vbg about/in how/wrb she/pps could/md put/vb up/rp a/at typewriter/nn right/ql there/rb ,/, and/cc be/be brushing/vbg up/rp on/in her/pp$ typing/vbg so/cs Eugenia/np wouldn't/md* be/be ashamed/jj of/in it/ppo ./.
``/`` And/cc then/rb whenever/wrb I/ppss have/hv a/at minute/nn I/ppss can/md be/be working/vbg at/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc keep/vb an/at eye/nn on/in the/at baby/nn and/cc the/at stove/nn at/in the/at same/ap time/nn ./.
And/cc I/ppss can/md go/vb back/rb to/in my/pp$ contests/nns and/cc be/be thinking/vbg while/cs I'm/ppss+bem doing/vbg the/at washing/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt are/ber you/ppss going/vbg to/to do/do with/in your/pp$ feet/nns so/cs you/ppss don't/do* waste/vb anything/pn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Maggie/np laughed/vbd ./.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Oh/uh Eugenia/np ,/, I/ppss wish/vb ''/'' 

	``/`` What/wdt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss wish/vb I/ppss had/hvd three/cd wishes/nns ''/'' ,/, Maggie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` All/abn of/in them/ppo for/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.




It/pps grew/vbd bitterly/ql cold/jj toward/in the/at end/nn of/in November/np ,/, contributing/vbg to/in the/at miseries/nns of/in countless/jj numbers/nns of/in people/nns ./.
The/at temperature/nn dropped/vbd to/in twenty/cd below/rb at/in night/nn and/cc stood/vbd at/in zero/nn during/in the/at days/nns ./.
The/at cold/nn settled/vbd like/cs a/at tangible/jj pall/nn over/in the/at Mile/nn-tl High/jj-tl City/nn-tl ,/, locking/vbg it/ppo in/in an/at icy/jj grip/nn that/wps harshened/vbd its/pp$ outlines/nns and/cc altered/vbd its/pp$ physical/jj appearance/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps had/hvd a/at look/nn of/in grim/jj stark/jj realism/nn ,/, resembling/vbg other/ap cities/nns whose/wp$ habitual/jj climate/nn was/bedz cold/jj ,/, instead/rb of/in the/at sprawling/vbg bumptious/jj open-handed/jj greedy/jj Western/jj-tl city/nn basking/vbg in/in eternal/jj sunshine/nn at/in the/at foot/nn of/in mountains/nns stored/vbn with/in endless/jj riches/nns and/cc resources/nns ./.


	The/at jobless/jj huddled/vbd in/in the/at streets/nns outside/in of/in employment/nn offices/nns ,/, outside/in newspaper/nn buildings/nns ,/, in/in parks/nns ,/, in/in relief/nn lines/nns ,/, outside/in government/nn agencies/nns ./.
There/ex weren't/bed* facilities/nns to/to take/vb care/nn of/in them/ppo ;/. ;/.
there/ex never/rb had/hvd been/ben a/at need/nn felt/vbn for/in such/jj facilities/nns ./.
That/dt kind/nn of/in poverty/nn was/bedz regarded/vbn as/cs the/at exclusive/jj property/nn of/in the/at East/nr-tl ,/, which/wdt created/vbd depressions/nns with/in their/pp$ stock/nn markets/nns and/cc their/pp$ congested/vbn populations/nns and/cc their/pp$ greedy/jj centralization/nn of/in industries/nns ,/, protected/vbn by/in discriminatory/jj freight/nn rates/nns ./.
The/at East/nr-tl was/bedz popularly/rb supposed/vbn to/to have/hv got/vbn the/at country/nn into/in war/nn and/cc into/in depression/nn ,/, dragging/vbg the/at west/nr along/rb ;/. ;/.
and/cc now/rb the/at East/nr-tl was/bedz creating/vbg government/nn agencies/nns for/in which/wdt the/at West/nr-tl doubtless/rb would/md have/hv to/to pay/vb ./.


	The/at government/nn offices/nns were/bed being/beg opened/vbn but/cc they/ppss weren't/bed* being/beg opened/vbn fast/rb enough/qlp and/cc meanwhile/rb the/at cold/nn penetrated/vbd everything/pn ./.
Shivering/vbg ,/, people/nns talked/vbd and/cc argued/vbd ;/. ;/.
all/ql this/dt government/nn spending/nn would/md have/hv to/to be/be paid/vbn for/in somehow/rb ,/, but/cc on/in the/at other/ap hand/nn desperate/jj circumstances/nns called/vbd for/in desperate/jj remedies/nns and/cc something/pn had/hvd to/to be/be done/vbn ./.


	Something/pn had/hvd to/to be/be done/vbn ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz the/at theme/nn song/nn of/in millions/nns of/in American/jj people/nns ,/, their/pp$ personal/jj problems/nns no/at less/ql urgent/jj than/cs those/dts of/in the/at government/nn ./.
Something/pn had/hvd to/to be/be done/vbn ./.
The/at Abernathys/nps said/vbd it/ppo to/in each/dt other/ap a/at dozen/nn times/nns a/at day/nn ./.


	Something/pn had/hvd to/to be/be done/vbn about/in the/at furnace/nn ,/, the/at fuel/nn bills/nns ,/, the/at washing/vbg machine/nn ,/, the/at doctor/nn and/cc dentist/nn bills/nns ,/, about/in making/vbg money/nn stretch/vb for/in food/nn ,/, for/in the/at mortgage/nn ,/, for/in taxes/nns ,/, for/in shoes/nns ,/, for/in half/abn soles/nns ,/, for/in overshoes/nns ,/, for/in clothes/nns ,/, for/in the/at new/jj leaks/nns in/in the/at roof/nn ,/, for/in gas/nn and/cc light/nn bills/nns ;/. ;/.
about/in keeping/vbg warm/jj ,/, about/in keeping/vbg well/jj ,/, about/in meeting/vbg the/at minor/jj emergencies/nns that/wps came/vbd up/rp once/rb ,/, twice/rb ,/, fifty/cd times/nns a/at day/nn ./.
Just/rb dropping/vbg the/at baby's/nn$ bottle/nn and/cc breaking/vbg it/pps became/vbd a/at catastrophe/nn ,/, and/cc Stuart/np wore/vbd out/rp his/pp$ shoes/nns so/ql fast/rb that/cs he/pps was/bedz termed/vbn a/at major/jj disaster/nn ./.


	The/at Abernathy/np furnace/nn consumed/vbd fuel/nn like/cs a/at giant/jj ravenous/jj maw/nn that/wps had/hvd to/to be/be appeased/vbn by/in hurling/vbg tons/nns of/in coal/nn into/in its/pp$ evil/jj red/jj depths/nns ,/, and/cc no/at matter/nn how/wrb much/ap coal/nn they/ppss put/vbd in/rp the/at house/nn remained/vbd cold/jj ./.
Cold/nn came/vbd in/in the/at innumerable/jj cracks/nns that/wps seemed/vbd to/to have/hv sprung/vbn up/rp ,/, under/in doors/nns ,/, around/in loosened/vbn window/nn frames/nns ,/, from/in the/at sleeping/vbg porches/nns ,/, the/at attic/nn ,/, from/in the/at widened/vbn cracks/nns between/in shingles/nns on/in the/at roof/nn ./.
Presently/rb they/ppss had/hvd to/to give/vb up/rp running/vbg the/at furnace/nn at/in full/jj capacity/nn and/cc depend/vb on/in the/at old/jj coal/nn range/nn in/in the/at kitchen/nn ,/, which/wdt had/hvd never/rb been/ben removed/vbn when/wrb the/at new/jj gas/nn range/nn was/bedz installed/vbn ,/, and/cc the/at fireplaces/nns and/cc an/at electric/jj heater/nn in/in Grandma's/nn$-tl room/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz so/ql cold/jj and/cc so/ql wretched/jj that/cs a/at sort/nn of/in desperate/jj gaiety/nn infected/vbd all/abn of/in them/ppo ,/, like/cs people/nns stormbound/jj or/cc shipwrecked/vbn or/cc caught/vbn in/in some/dti other/ap freak/nn of/in circumstance/nn so/cs that/cs time/nn stood/vbd still/rb and/cc minor/jj anxieties/nns fell/vbd away/rb and/cc the/at only/rb important/jj thing/nn was/bedz to/to cling/vb together/rb and/cc survive/vb ./.


	The/at pipes/nns burst/vb and/cc they/ppss all/abn laughed/vbd and/cc stood/vbd in/in ice/nn water/nn to/in their/pp$ ankles/nns while/cs they/ppss swabbed/vbd the/at bathrooms/nns ./.
They/ppss lived/vbd mainly/rb in/in the/at kitchen/nn ;/. ;/.
they/ppss moved/vbd Maggie's/np$ bed/nn and/cc the/at baby's/nn$ basket/nn there/rb ,/, and/cc the/at rest/nn of/in them/ppo undressed/vbd by/in the/at stove/nn and/cc ran/vbd groaning/vbg and/cc shivering/vbg to/in the/at upper/jj polar/jj regions/nns and/cc plunged/vbd into/in icy/jj beds/nns ./.
Grandma/nn-tl said/vbd it/pps was/bedz just/rb like/cs the/at early/jj mining/vbg camp/nn days/nns ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz the/at way/nn people/nns ought/md to/to live/vb ,/, only/rb she/pps was/bedz getting/vbg too/ql old/jj to/to take/vb the/at pleasure/nn from/in it/ppo that/cs she/pps used/vbd to/to ./.


	``/`` You/ppss said/vbd a/at mouthful/nn ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd grimly/rb ./.
Eugenia/np hated/vbd being/beg cold/jj worse/jjr than/in anything/pn ,/, and/cc she/pps was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to find/vb the/at joys/nns of/in poverty/nn wearing/vbg thin/jj ./.
She/pps said/vbd to/in Maggie/np that/cs it/pps was/bedz one/cd thing/nn to/to meet/vb an/at emergency/nn and/cc another/dt to/to wallow/vb in/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to look/vb at/in if/cs this/dt one/pn was/bedz going/vbg to/to last/vb forever/rb ./.


	``/`` Plenty/nn of/in people/nns are/ber poor/jj all/abn their/pp$ lives/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Plenty/nn of/in people/nns haven't/hv* our/pp$ brains/nns and/cc talent/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb you/ppo when/wrb you/ppss start/vb talking/vbg about/in brains/nns and/cc talent/nn ''/'' ,/, Maggie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber working/vbg up/in to/in something/pn ,/, and/cc if/cs you/ppss don't/do* watch/vb out/rp you'll/ppss+md ruin/vb your/pp$ whole/jj life/nn one/cd of/in these/dts days/nns just/rb to/to prove/vb that/cs the/at Abernathy/np family/nn is/bez superior/jj to/in everything/pn ,/, even/rb a/at depression/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` The/at only/ap thing/nn that/wps worries/vbz me/ppo is/bez how/wrb I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to prove/vb it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Eugenia/np said/vbd ./.


	They/ppss begged/vbd Grandma/nn-tl to/to let/vb them/ppo put/vb a/at bed/nn in/in the/at kitchen/nn for/in her/ppo ,/, but/cc Grandma/nn-tl said/vbd she/pps was/bedz getting/vbg too/ql old/jj to/to sleep/vb in/in strange/jj beds/nns and/cc be/be seen/vbn with/in her/ppo teeth/nns out/rp ,/, and/cc that/cs she/pps hoped/vbd to/to die/vb in/in privacy/nn like/cs a/at Christian/np and/cc if/cs the/at Lord/nn-tl willed/vbd it/ppo to/to be/be of/in pneumonia/nn than/cs it/pps would/md have/hv to/to be/be that/dt way/nn ./.
She/pps didn't/dod* want/vb to/to be/be the/at only/ap one/pn with/in a/at stove/nn in/in her/pp$ room/nn ,/, especially/rb as/cs her/pp$ life/nn span/nn was/bedz nearly/rb run/vbn out/rp anyway/rb ,/, and/cc she/pps insisted/vbd that/cs Hope/nn-tl have/hv the/at heater/nn ./.
Hope/nn-tl wouldn't/md* hear/vb of/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc she/pps took/vbd the/at heater/nn back/rb to/in Grandma's/nn$-tl room/nn ,/, and/cc Grandma/nn-tl took/vbd it/ppo back/rb to/in Hope's/np$ room/nn ,/, and/cc the/at two/cd of/in them/ppo dragged/vbn it/ppo back/rb and/cc forth/rb until/cs Grandma/nn-tl tipped/vbd it/ppo over/rp and/cc almost/rb set/vbd her/pp$ bedspread/nn on/in fire/nn ./.
She/pps said/vbd that/dt proved/vbd she/pps wasn't/bedz* to/to be/be trusted/vbn with/in a/at fire/nn in/in her/pp$ room/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps could/md be/be burned/vbn to/in a/at crisp/nn without/in anybody/pn knowing/vbg it/ppo ./.
Eugenia/np suspected/vbd her/ppo of/in deliberately/rb overturning/vbg the/at heater/nn because/cs she/pps was/bedz getting/vbg tired/vbn of/in dragging/vbg it/ppo back/rb and/cc forth/rb and/cc still/rb wanted/vbd her/pp$ own/jj way/nn ,/, but/cc Hope/np said/vbd if/cs Grandma/nn-tl wouldn't/md* have/hv the/at heater/nn nobody/pn would/md have/hv it/ppo ,/, so/cs Grandma/nn-tl had/hvd to/to give/vb in/rp ./.



	``/`` Thrifty/jj of/in her/ppo to/to use/vb it/ppo up/rp ./.
Unusual/jj in/in a/at case/nn like/cs this/dt ,/, but/cc ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` You/ppss can/md joke/vb !/. !/.
Didn't/dod* you/ppss read/vb it/ppo ?/. ?/.
She's/pps+hvz married/vbn that/dt tenant/nn !/. !/.
''/'' 

	``/`` I/ppss read/vbd it/ppo ,/, yes/rb ./.
This/dt ought/md to/to simplify/vb Tolley's/np$ life/nn ''/'' ./.


	Laban/np had/hvd more/ap to/to say/vb ./.
Tolley/np had/hvd gone/vbn to/to live/vb in/in California/np ./.
He'd/pps+hvd mentioned/vbn it/ppo ,/, himself/ppl ,/, at/in church/nn and/cc everybody/pn seemed/vbd to/to have/hv the/at idea/nn that/cs Tolley/np had/hvd left/vbn because/cs Jenny/np had/hvd jilted/vbn him/ppo for/in Roy/np Robards/np ./.
``/`` It/pps was/bedz plain/jj as/cs the/at nose/nn on/in your/pp$ face/nn that/cs they're/ppss+ber laughing/vbg about/in it/ppo ,/, Mamma/nn-tl ./.
Zion/np stayed/vbd to/to get/vb my/pp$ pin/nn ,/, but/cc it'll/pps+md be/be a/at cold/jj day/nn in/in June/np when/wrb I/ppss go/vb back/rb ''/'' ./.
``/`` We/ppss will/md both/abx go/vb back/rb ,/, Laban/np ''/'' !/. !/.
Kizzie/np turned/vbd to/to go/vb inside/rb ./.
``/`` Let/vb me/ppo stay/vb and/cc take/vb the/at pictures/nns you/ppss wanted/vbd ,/, Mamma/nn-tl ./.
The/at sun's/nn+bez right/jj ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Pictures/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps swung/vbd around/rb ./.
``/`` What/wdt pictures/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` In/in Brace's/np$ room/nn !/. !/.
You/ppss told/vbd me/ppo to/to bring/vb my/pp$ camera/nn ./.
I'm/ppss+bem not/* going/vbg back/rb ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Indeed/rb you/ppss are/ber !/. !/.
Why/wrb should/md I/ppss want/vb pictures/nns of/in an/at empty/jj room/nn now/rb ?/. ?/.
Tolley/np had/hvd no/at idea/nn of/in marrying/vbg that/dt sneaky/jj little/ap Jenny/np !/. !/.
This/dt --/-- trip/nn of/in his/pp$$ had/hvd nothing/pn to/to do/do with/in her/ppo consorting/vbg with/in tenants/nns ,/, and/cc I/ppss am/bem going/vbg to/to see/vb that/cs everybody/pn at/in Mt./nn-tl Pleasant/np understands/vbz that/dt simple/jj fact/nn ./.
Wait/vb for/in me/ppo ,/, Laban/np ,/, I'll/ppss+md be/be dressed/vbn in/in half/abn a/at second/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Frank/np followed/vbd her/ppo into/in the/at bedroom/nn ,/, hooked/vbd her/pp$ dress/nn up/in the/at back/nn ./.


	``/`` Hurry/vb ,/, Frank/np !/. !/.
They're/ppss+ber not/* going/vbg to/to laugh/vb at/in the/at Fairbrothers/nps and/cc Labans/nps very/ql long/jj !/. !/.
Tolley's/np$ going/nn is/bez my/pp$ fault/nn ./.
I/ppss drove/vbd him/ppo away/rb ./.
You/ppss know/vb it/ppo and/cc I'll/ppss+md tell/vb everybody/pn exactly/rb how/wrb it/pps happened/vbd ''/'' ./.


	She/pps was/bedz so/ql beautiful/jj ,/, so/ql valiant/jj ,/, so/ql pitiable/jj ./.
He/pps kissed/vbd her/ppo ./.
``/`` Make/vb your/pp$ confession/nn to/in God/np ,/, Kizzie/np dear/jj ,/, not/* to/in the/at congregation/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md decide/vb that/dt when/wrb I/ppss get/vb there/rb ./.
I/ppss was/bedz so/ql cruel/jj to/in Tolley/np ,/, so/ql unfair/jj ./.
But/cc I'll/ppss+md be/be fair/jj now/rb !/. !/.
He/pps is/bez coming/vbg back/rb ,/, isn't/bez* he/pps ,/, Frank/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Yes/rb ,/, oh/uh yes/rb ./.
What/wdt else/rb was/bedz there/ex to/to say/vb ?/. ?/.
Returning/vbg to/in the/at log-house/nn he/pps found/vbd some/dti favorite/jj lines/nns from/in Jonathan/np Swift/np on/in his/pp$ lips/nns :/: 

	``/`` Under/in the/at window/nn in/in stormy/jj weather/nn 

	I/ppss marry/vb this/dt man/nn and/cc woman/nn together/rb ./.


	Let/vb none/pn but/in Him/ppo who/wps rules/vbz the/at thunder/nn 

	Put/vb this/dt man/nn and/cc woman/nn asunder/rb ''/'' ./.


	Absolution/nn for/in his/pp$ lie/nn ?/. ?/.
He/pps questioned/vbd God's/np$ taking/vbg time/nn to/to telegraph/vb the/at message/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps felt/vbd better/rbr about/in Kizzie/np ,/, and/cc he/pps took/vbd the/at sealed/vbn envelope/nn from/in its/pp$ pigeonhole/nn ,/, wondering/vbg why/wrb he/pps had/hvd preserved/vbn it/ppo ./.
If/cs he/pps died/vbd before/cs she/pps did/dod ,/, she/pps would/md never/rb be/be unable/jj to/to resist/vb opening/vbg it/ppo ./.
In/in any/dti case/nn he/pps would/md be/be thrusting/vbg a/at burden/nn on/in his/pp$ remaining/vbg sons/nns ,/, making/vbg them/ppo parties/nns to/in a/at deception/nn peculiarly/rb his/pp$ own/jj ./.
It/pps was/bedz simply/rb his/pp$ necessity/nn to/to confess/vb which/wdt had/hvd made/vbn him/ppo write/vb and/cc keep/vb this/dt thing/nn ./.
``/`` You've/ppss+hv told/vbn God/np ,/, Frank/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Why/wrb lacerate/vb the/at --/-- congregation/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Reaching/vbg for/in an/at old/jj clay/nn pot/nn ,/, relic/nn of/in pioneer/nn days/nns ,/, he/pps tore/vbd the/at envelope/nn in/in pieces/nns ,/, dropping/vbg them/ppo into/in it/ppo ,/, touching/vbg the/at little/jj pyre/nn to/to flame/vb ,/, watching/vbg it/ppo curl/vb ,/, the/at red/jj sealing/vbg wax/nn melting/vbg and/cc bubbling/vbg in/in the/at feathery/jj ash/nn ./.
Surely/rb now/rb his/pp$ beloved/jj son/nn could/md rest/vb in/in peace/nn ./.


	``/`` '/' And/cc let/vb me/ppo go/vb ,/, for/in the/at night/nn gathers/vbz me/ppo ,/, and/cc in/in the/at night/nn shall/md no/at man/nn gather/vb fruit/nn '/' ''/'' ./.
A/at beautiful/jj and/cc haunting/jj line/nn ,/, a/at subtle/jj genius/nn ,/, Swinburne/np ,/, difficult/jj not/* to/to envy/vb a/at gifted/jj man/nn ,/, and/cc perhaps/rb he/pps did/dod ./.


	But/cc there/ex were/bed great/jj satisfactions/nns ,/, even/rb for/in a/at small/jj man/nn ./.
Beyond/in his/pp$ window/nn were/bed the/at greening/vbg trees/nns ,/, new/jj spring/nn ,/, eternal/jj hope/nn ,/, eternal/jj life/nn ./.
There/ex lay/vbd Grand/jj-tl Fair's/nn$-tl Quinzaine/np-tl ,/, his/pp$ own/jj young/jj parents'/nns$ graves/nns ,/, but/cc new/jj life/nn and/cc promise/nn for/in his/pp$ sons/nns ,/, grandsons/nns ./.
He/pps poured/vbd his/pp$ thimble/nn of/in wine/nn for/in the/at toast/nn he'd/pps+hvd made/vbn so/ql often/rb ./.
``/`` To/in absent/jj loved/vbn ones/nns ''/'' ./.
But/cc this/dt last/ap time/nn he/pps drank/vbd not/* to/in Brace/np but/cc ``/`` To/in Tolley/np ''/'' !/. !/.




Mr./np Robards/np --/-- Jenny/np was/bedz the/at only/ap person/nn she/pps knew/vbd of/in in/in the/at Mt./nn-tl Pleasant/np neighborhood/nn who/wps called/vbd him/ppo that/dt --/-- was/bedz kind/jj but/cc too/ql easygoing/jj ./.
It/pps didn't/dod* bother/vb him/ppo for/cs everybody/pn from/in the/at blacksmith/nn to/in the/at preacher/nn to/to say/vb ,/, ``/`` Howdy/uh ,/, Miss/np Jenny/np ''/'' ,/, adding/vbg a/at careless/jj ``/`` Roy/np ''/'' ,/, but/cc it/pps did/dod her/ppo ./.


	He/pps could/md put/vb a/at stop/nn to/in it/ppo ,/, she/pps told/vbd him/ppo again/rb and/cc again/rb ./.
Simply/rb call/vb Mr./np Whipsnade/np Oscar/np ,/, and/cc Dr./nn-tl Dunne/np P.GA/np ,/, and/cc C'un/nn-tl Major/np Frank/np ./.
Mr./np Robards/np laughed/vbd ,/, said/vbd he'd/pps+md feel/vb a/at damn/jj fool/nn ,/, plain-out/rb couldn't/md* do/do that/dt even/rb to/to please/vb her/ppo ./.


	``/`` You/ppss could/md try/vb ./.
And/cc if/cs I/ppss ever/rb hear/vb you/ppo say/vb '/' Mist/nn-tl Laban/np '/' again/rb I'll/ppss+md scream/vb ./.
And/cc don't/do* tell/vb me/ppo you/ppss didn't/dod* at/in church/nn Sunday/nr ./.
I/ppss heard/vbd you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.


	He/pps really/rb hadn't/hvd* meant/vbn to/to ,/, he/pps assured/vbd her/ppo ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz plain/jj to/in her/ppo that/cs the/at importance/nn of/in these/dts small/jj things/nns was/bedz lost/vbn on/in Mr./np Robards/np ./.
How/wrb strange/jj it/pps was/bedz that/cs he/pps could/md give/vb her/ppo this/dt handsome/jj house/nn and/cc carte/nn blanche/jj as/in to/in its/pp$ beautiful/jj furnishings/nns ,/, and/cc fail/vb her/ppo in/in --/-- spiritual/jj ways/nns ./.


	Another/dt weakness/nn --/-- far/ql more/rbr irritating/jj than/cs his/pp$ manner/nn of/in speaking/vbg ,/, which/wdt he/pps made/vbd only/ap token/jj effort/nn to/to change/vb --/-- was/bedz his/pp$ devotion/nn to/in that/ql old/jj horse/nn of/in Tolley's/np$ ./.
Her/pp$ horse/nn ,/, rather/rb ./.
But/cc Mr./np Robards'/np$ now/rb ,/, oh/uh my/pp$ yes/rb ,/, indeed/rb ,/, yes/rb !/. !/.
He/pps called/vbd her/ppo ``/`` the/at Mare/nn-tl ''/'' much/rb as/cs Mrs./np Whipsnade/np spoke/vbd of/in ``/`` the/at Queen/nn-tl ,/, God/np bless/vb her/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps ,/, with/in fifteen/cd or/cc twenty/cd horses/nns or/cc mares/nns or/cc geldings/nns or/cc what-nots/nns out/rp there/rb in/in the/at barn/nn ,/, was/bedz reverent/jj only/rb of/in ``/`` the/at Mare/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, ``/`` the/at Racin'/vbg-tl Mare/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, the/at revolting/jj Gunny/np ./.


	For/in the/at first/od few/ap months/nns of/in their/pp$ marriage/nn she/pps had/hvd tried/vbn to/to be/be nice/jj about/in Gunny/np ,/, going/vbg out/rp with/in him/ppo to/to watch/vb this/dt pearl/nn without/in price/nn stamp/vb imperiously/rb around/rb in/in her/pp$ stall/nn ./.
And/cc what/wdt had/hvd happened/vbn ?/. ?/.
Gunny/np invariably/rb tried/vbd to/to bite/vb her/ppo ./.
Nerves/nns ,/, Mr./np Robards/np said/vbd ,/, just/rb a/at nip/nn anyway/rb ./.
``/`` Stand/vb back/rb ,/, Miss/np Jen/np ,/, she's/pps+bez oneasy/jj of/in your/pp$ scarf/nn ''/'' ./.
Never/rb ,/, ``/`` Quit/vb that/dt ,/, you/ppss sor'l/jj devil/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Never/rb concern/nn for/in his/pp$ wife's/nn$ nerves/nns ,/, or/cc the/at danger/nn that/cs the/at curled/vbn lip/nn and/cc big/jj teeth/nns might/md mark/vb their/pp$ own/jj dear/jj baby/nn due/jj in/in January/np ./.
She/pps musn't/md* annoy/vb Gunny/np whose/wp$ foal/nn was/bedz due/jj then/rb too/rb !/. !/.


	Listening/vbg for/in hours/nns to/in his/pp$ laments/nns that/cs the/at war/nn and/cc ``/`` Mist/nn-tl Fair's/nn$-tl ''/'' poverty/nn afterwards/rb had/hvd robbed/vbn the/at mare/nn of/in many/abn a/at racing/vbg triumph/nn ,/, and/cc to/in his/pp$ predictions/nns of/in greatness/nn for/in the/at procession/nn of/in foals/nns to/to come/vb ,/, Jenny/np could/md look/vb forward/rb to/in years/nns of/in conflict/nn with/in an/at animal/nn who/wps disliked/vbd her/ppo intensely/rb and/cc showed/vbd it/ppo ./.
Gunny/np symbolized/vbd so/ql much/ap that/dt was/bedz unpleasant/jj --/-- Tolley/np ,/, the/at indifference/nn with/in which/wdt the/at Fairbrothers/nps and/cc indeed/rb the/at whole/jj neighborhood/nn now/rb treated/vbd her/ppo and/cc which/wdt she/pps would/md die/vb rather/rb than/cs acknowledge/vb to/in her/pp$ husband/nn ,/, his/pp$ lack/nn of/in understanding/nn and/cc sympathy/nn in/in her/pp$ present/jj condition/nn ,/, her/pp$ disgusting/jj swollen/vbn stomach/nn ./.


	Human/nn birth/nn was/bedz no/at novelty/nn to/in Mr./np Robards/np ./.
Tillie/np was/bedz a/at fine/jj midwife/nn and/cc could/md get/vb here/rb quick/rb ,/, he/pps suggested/vbd ./.
Jenny's/np$ aversion/nn to/in having/hvg Dr./nn-tl Dunne/np ,/, a/at former/ap admirer/nn ,/, seemed/vbd silly/jj to/in him/ppo ,/, but/cc he/pps would/md humor/vb her/ppo ,/, get/vb anybody/pn she/pps wanted/vbd ,/, the/at best/jjt never/rb being/beg too/ql good/jj for/in her/ppo ./.


	The/at chances/nns were/bed against/in his/pp$ being/beg here/rb to/in humor/vb her/ppo when/wrb her/pp$ time/nn came/vbd ,/, she/pps was/bedz sure/jj ./.
He/pps would/md be/be in/in the/at barn/nn ,/, or/cc riding/vbg for/in the/at veterinarian/nn !/. !/.
Night/nn after/in night/nn he/pps stayed/vbd with/in Gunny/np in/in the/at dead/nn of/in winter/nn ,/, rubbing/vbg her/ppo with/in quarts/nns of/in expensive/jj liniment/nn ,/, fussing/vbg over/in her/pp$ bran/nn mash/nn as/cs the/at cook/nn did/dod over/in charlotte/nn russe/nn ,/, tracking/vbg manure/nn on/in the/at pretty/ql new/jj carpet/nn when/wrb he/pps did/dod come/vb to/in the/at house/nn ./.
Yet/rb when/wrb the/at dear/jj baby/nn came/vbd ,/, he/pps had/hvd Tillie/np over/in here/rb in/in a/at jiffy/nn ,/, and/cc was/bedz as/ql attentive/jj and/cc sweet/jj and/cc worried/vbn and/cc happy/jj when/wrb it/pps was/bedz all/ql over/rp as/cs any/dti husband/nn could/md have/hv been/ben ./.


	Jenny/np wished/vbd now/rb that/cs she/pps had/hvd had/hvn Dr./nn-tl Dunne/np ,/, feeling/vbg that/cs somehow/rb he/pps wouldn't/md* have/hv allowed/vbn the/at dear/jj baby/nn to/to turn/vb into/in triplets/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz something/pn not/* nice/jj about/in triplets/nns ,/, though/cs their/pp$ father/nn seemed/vbd pleased/vbn ,/, showing/vbg no/at disappointment/nn that/cs they/ppss hadn't/hvd* been/ben the/at son/nn he/pps wanted/vbd ,/, saying/vbg ,/, ``/`` You/ppss don't/do* see/vb triplets/nns trippin'/vbg down/in the/at pike/nn ever'/at day/nn ,/, Miss/np Jen/np ,/, hon/nn ./.
Rhyme/vb 'em/ppo up/rp cute/jj --/-- Arcilla/np ,/, Flotilla/np ''/'' 
Edmonia/np for/in her/pp$ mother/nn ,/, she/pps said/vbd firmly/rb ,/, Jennifer/np ,/, for/in herself/ppl ,/, and/cc --/-- 

	``/`` Kezziah/np ,/, for/in Miss/np Kizzie/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps suggested/vbd ./.
``/`` She/pps was/bedz mighty/ql good/jj to/in you/ppo past/jj times/nns ,/, an'/cc this'll/dt+md fetch/vb her/ppo ''/'' ./.
Now/rb she/pps must/md be/be thinking/vbg of/in a/at boy-name/nn ,/, something/pn special/jj ./.
Just/rb wait/vb till/cs she/pps saw/vbd the/at Mare's/nn$-tl foal/nn ./.
Handsomest/jjt colt/nn in/in all/abn Kentucky/np ./.
Strong/jj too/rb ,/, up/rp on/in his/pp$ legs/nns when/wrb he/pps was/bedz an/at hour/nn old/jj ./.
What/wdt about/in Royal/np Robards/np ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Why/wrb don't/do* you/ppo name/vb him/ppo Jesus/np Christ/np !/. !/.
''/'' She/pps burst/vbd into/in tears/nns ./.


	Roy/np was/bedz deeply/rb distressed/vbn ./.
He'd/pps+hvd had/hvn no/at idea/nn how/wrb unhappy/jj his/pp$ sweet/jj peach/nn had/hvd been/ben ./.
Of/in course/nn she/pps wasn't/bedz* herself/ppl right/ql now/rb ,/, but/cc as/cs her/pp$ strength/nn came/vbd back/rb her/pp$ spirits/nns didn't/dod* seem/vb to/to rise/vb with/in it/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at good/jj idea/nn why/wrb not/* ./.
Those/dts elegant/jj ``/`` At/in-tl Home/nn-tl ''/'' cards/nns she/pps sent/vbd out/rp ,/, now/rb she/pps could/md wear/vb her/pp$ pretty/jj clothes/nns again/rb ,/, and/cc had/hvd the/at house/nn all/ql trimmed/vbn up/rp ,/, hadn't/hvd* brought/vbn many/ap callers/nns in/in two/cd whole/jj months/nns ./.


	Doc/np Dunne/np and/cc Miss/np Sis/np had/hvd come/vbn ./.
So/rb had/hvd Miss/np Shawnee/np Rakestraw/np ,/, full/jj of/in criticisms/nns about/in the/at changes/nns here/rb ,/, giving/vbg thanks/nns that/cs her/pp$ dear/jj old/jj father/nn had/hvd gone/vbn to/in his/pp$ Heavenly/jj-tl Rest/nn-tl last/ap year/nn ,/, saying/vbg how/wrb much/ap she/pps enjoyed/vbd her/pp$ boarding/vbg house/nn in/in town/nn in/in inclement/jj weather/nn ,/, was/bedz looking/vbg forward/rb to/in Quinzaine/np-tl Spa/nn-tl this/dt summer/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz an/at idea/nn ./.
Miss/np Kizzie/np had/hvd been/ben right/ql snippy/jj ever/rb since/cs they/ppss were/bed married/vbn ,/, though/cs you'd/ppss+md have/hv thought/vbn a/at namesake/nn would/md have/hv brought/vbn her/ppo round/rb ./.
Oh/uh ,/, she'd/pps+hvd come/vbn to/to see/vb them/ppo once/rb ,/, left/vbd silver/nn teething/vbg rings/nns for/in all/abn of/in the/at trips/nns ./.
But/cc when/wrb Miss/np Jen/np went/vbd over/rp right/ql away/rb to/to return/vb the/at call/nn ,/, Miss/np Kiz/np couldn't/md* have/hv been/ben very/ql cordial/jj ,/, for/cs she'd/pps+hvd come/vbn back/rb before/cs she/pps hardly/rb had/hvd time/nn to/to get/vb there/rb ./.
More/rbr and/cc more/rbr ,/, these/dts days/nns ,/, she'd/pps+hvd been/ben driving/vbg that/dt pretty/jj little/ap mare/nn that/wps looked/vbd like/in her/ppo ,/, over/rp to/in Tillie's/np$ and/cc Nick's/np$ --/-- his/pp$ own/jj old/jj square/nn frame/nn box/nn on/in posts/nns ,/, chickens/nns and/cc cats/nns and/cc pups/nns under/in the/at house/nn ,/, everybody/pn friendly/jj inside/rb ,/, making/vbg a/at to-do/nn over/in the/at babies/nns dressed/vbn like/cs dollies/nns ./.
Though/cs he/pps was/bedz glad/jj she/pps got/vbd on/rp well/rb with/in his/pp$ young/jj folks/nns ,/, she/pps ought/md to/to be/be welcome/jj at/in the/at finest/jjt house/nn in/in the/at land/nn ,/, too/rb ./.


	It/pps made/vbd him/ppo pretty/ql hot/jj under/in the/at collar/nn ,/, after/cs the/at idea/nn Miss/np Sis/np had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo ,/, to/to be/be told/vbn by/in Miss/np Kiz/np that/cs her/pp$ holy/jj spa/nn was/bedz all/ql reserved/vbn for/in this/dt summer/nn and/cc next/ap ,/, if/cs you/ppss please/vb ,/, and/cc that/dt much/ap as/cs she/pps regretted/vbd it/ppo ,/, they/ppss would/md be/be unable/jj to/to entertain/vb Mrs./np Robards/np and/cc the/at children/nns ./.
She/pps hoped/vbd they/ppss were/bed well/rb ./.


	He/pps didn't/dod* tell/vb Miss/np Jen/np ,/, but/cc she/pps must/md have/hv got/vbn word/nn from/in the/at cook/nn or/cc nurse/nn ,/, who/wps of/in course/nn knew/vbd those/dts Quinzaine/np nigs/nns ,/, and/cc she/pps really/rb took/vbd a/at fit/nn ./.
If/cs he/pps ever/rb did/dod such/abl a/at thing/nn again/rb she'd/pps+md die/vb of/in shame/nn ./.


	``/`` Have/hv a/at party/nn an'/cc leave/vb 'em/ppo out/rp ,/, hon/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps suggested/vbd ./.
``/`` A/at swell/jj party/nn ,/, send/vb an/at invite/nn to/in ever'body/pn but/in them/ppo --/-- those/dts folks/nns you/ppss met/vbd at/in the/at Galt/np-tl House/nn-tl ,/, the/at ones/nns I've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to know/vb in/in this/dt new/jj Jockey/nn-tl Club/nn-tl affair/nn ,/, the/at whole/jj dang/jj neighborhood/nn ./.
We'll/ppss+md have/hv oystchers/nns --/-- couple/nn bar'l/nn oystchers'll/nns+md fetch/vb in/rp a/at crowd/nn any/dti time/nn ./.
I'll/ppss+md see/vb word/nn gets/vbz round/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* you/ppss dare/vb !/. !/.
''/'' 

	Miss/np Jen/np was/bedz funny/jj that/dt way/nn ,/, funny/jj that/cs she/pps didn't/dod* seem/vb to/to take/vb to/in his/pp$ ideas/nns and/cc perk/vb up/rp ./.
He/pps was/bedz downright/ql worried/vbn about/in her/ppo ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz one/cd more/ap thing/nn he/pps could/md try/vb ./.


	Zion/np was/bedz surprised/vbn when/wrb Roy's/np$ buggy/nn stopped/vbd beside/in her/ppo on/in the/at pike/nn one/cd early/jj summer/nn day/nn as/cs she/pps was/bedz walking/vbg home/nr from/in the/at country/nn school/nn where/wrb she/pps was/bedz teaching/vbg now/rb that/cs Eph/np Showers/np had/hvd had/hvn a/at call/nn to/to preach/vb in/in some/dti mountain/nn town/nn ./.


	Roy/np smiled/vbd --/-- he/pps did/dod have/hv a/at nice/jj smile/nn --/-- took/vbd off/rp his/pp$ hat/nn most/ql politely/rb ,/, told/vbd her/ppo to/to hop/vb in/rp ,/, and/cc he'd/pps+md give/vb her/ppo a/at lift/nn to/in Quinzaine/np ./.
Her/pp$ hesitation/nn was/bedz only/ql momentary/jj and/cc she/pps hoped/vbd he/pps didn't/dod* notice/vb it/ppo ,/, as/cs she/pps settled/vbd herself/ppl ,/, asked/vbd quickly/rb how/wrb Miss/np Jenny/np and/cc the/at babies/nns were/bed getting/vbg on/rp ./.


	``/`` See/vb for/in yourself/ppl ,/, Miss/np Zion/np ./.
It/pps won't/md* take/vb a/at minute/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps swung/vbd in/rp through/in his/pp$ own/jj wide/jj gateway/nn ./.
``/`` Them's/dts+bez the/at purtiest/jjt babes/nns you/ppss ever/rb did/dod see/vb ,/, but/cc Miss/np Jen/np gets/vbz mighty/ql lonesome/jj ./.
She'll/pps+md relish/vb the/at sight/nn of/in a/at friendly/jj face/nn ./.
Miss/np Kiz/np won't/md* care/vb your/pp$ comin'/nn ,/, will/md she/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Why/wrb of/in course/nn not/* ''/'' ,/, Zion/np said/vbd uncomfortably/rb ./.



	``/`` He/pps must/md have/hv forgiven/vbn me/ppo ''/'' ,/, Henrietta/np murmured/vbd to/in the/at room/nn ./.
The/at absolution/nn of/in Doaty's/np$ last/ap will/nn and/cc testament/nn was/bedz proof/nn enough/ap of/in that/dt ;/. ;/.
Doaty/np would/md never/rb have/hv left/vbn her/pp$ house/nn to/in a/at godless/jj woman/nn ./.


	She/pps found/vbd herself/ppl wishing/vbg an/at old/jj wish/nn ,/, that/cs she/pps had/hvd told/vbn Doaty/np she/pps was/bedz running/vbg away/rb ,/, that/cs she/pps had/hvd left/vbn something/pn more/ap behind/in her/ppo than/cs the/at loving/vbg ,/, sorry/jj note/nn and/cc her/pp$ best/jjt garnet/nn pin/nn ./.
Perhaps/rb Doaty/np had/hvd guessed/vbn already/rb and/cc kept/vbn her/pp$ counsel/nn ./.


	Henrietta/np thought/vbd ,/, It's/pps+bez extraordinary/jj how/wrb much/ap she/pps always/rb knew/vbd about/in both/abx of/in us/ppo ./.
There/ex had/hvd been/ben more/ap to/to know/vb about/in Hetty/np ,/, inevitably/rb ,/, and/cc most/ap of/in it/ppo unfavorable/jj ./.
Adelia/np was/bedz the/at good/jj one/pn ,/, or/cc ,/, if/cs not/* always/rb good/jj ,/, less/ql frequently/rb tempted/vbn ./.
Their/pp$ childhood/nn would/md have/hv been/ben quite/ql circumspect/jj without/in Hetty's/np$ flair/nn for/in drama/nn ,/, especially/rb through/in the/at long/jj summers/nns ./.
In/in winter/nn ,/, in/in the/at city/nn ,/, there/ex had/hvd been/ben the/at Maneret/np-tl School/nn-tl ,/, which/wdt taught/vbd excellently/rb with/in a/at kind/nn of/in austere/jj passion/nn for/in knowledge/nn ;/. ;/.
there/ex had/hvd been/ben lessons/nns in/in French/np from/in a/at small/jj Polish/jj nobleman/nn with/in a/at really/ql profound/jj distaste/nn for/in his/pp$ pupils/nns ;/. ;/.
there/ex had/hvd been/ben the/at dancing/vbg class/nn --/-- Miss/np Craddock/np ,/, thin/jj and/cc tireless/jj ,/, with/in her/pp$ supervising/vbg wand/nn and/cc her/pp$ everlasting/jj one-two-three/nn ,/, one-two-three/nn ./.
There/ex had/hvd been/ben supper/nn parties/nns and/cc teas/nns ,/, fetes/nns and/cc little/ap balls/nns ,/, Mama/nn-tl small/jj and/cc pretty/jj and/cc gay/jj and/cc Papa/np enormously/ql jocular/jj ,/, enormously/rb possessive/jj ,/, the/at sun/nn around/in which/wdt the/at Blackwell/np planets/nns revolved/vbd ./.


	Mama/nn-tl had/hvd died/vbn before/in the/at corruption/nn of/in the/at family/nn circle/nn ,/, the/at interruption/nn of/in Charles/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz safe/jj to/to assume/vb that/cs Papa/np ,/, sighing/vbg heavily/rb ,/, had/hvd said/vbn many/ap times/nns to/in his/pp$ remaining/vbg daughter/nn ,/, ``/`` Thank/vb God/np your/pp$ poor/jj mother/nn was/bedz spared/vbn this/dt ''/'' ,/, and/cc indeed/rb it/pps might/md be/be true/jj that/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben easier/jjr for/in Henrietta/np to/to leave/vb ,/, with/in her/pp$ hand/nn in/in Charles'/np$ hand/nn ,/, just/rb because/cs her/pp$ ``/`` poor/jj mother/nn ''/'' was/bedz gone/vbn already/rb and/cc would/md never/rb know/vb ./.
Mama/nn-tl was/bedz vulnerable/jj ;/. ;/.
one/pn had/hvd always/rb felt/vbn the/at need/nn to/to make/vb a/at safe/jj world/nn around/in her/ppo ./.


	But/cc I/ppss would/md have/hv gone/vbn anyway/rb ,/, thought/vbd Henrietta/np ./.
She/pps had/hvd always/rb been/ben able/jj to/to ignore/vb the/at moral/jj question/nn because/cs there/ex had/hvd been/ben no/at choice/nn ./.
Only/rb at/in this/dt moment/nn --/-- perhaps/rb because/cs it/pps was/bedz before/in dawn/nn and/cc she/pps was/bedz lying/vbg in/in Doaty's/np$ bed/nn --/-- she/pps found/vbd herself/ppl examining/vbg how/wrb others/nns might/md regard/vb her/ppo ./.
Perhaps/rb they/ppss would/md argue/vb that/cs morality/nn consisted/vbd just/rb of/in that/dt ability/nn to/to see/vb a/at choice/nn ./.


	She/pps turned/vbd on/in her/pp$ side/nn ,/, finding/vbg the/at idea/nn oppressive/jj ./.
If/cs Adelia/np had/hvd felt/vbn about/in someone/pn as/cs Henrietta/np felt/vbd about/in Charles/np ,/, would/md she/pps have/hv run/vbn away/rb with/in him/ppo ?/. ?/.


	Impossible/jj to/to imagine/vb Adelia/np feeling/vbg so/rb about/in anyone/pn ./.
No/at temptation/nn ,/, no/at sin/nn ./.


	No/at temptation/nn ,/, no/at virtue/nn ?/. ?/.


	A/at curious/jj thought/nn to/to end/vb a/at curious/jj night/nn ./.
The/at birds/nns were/bed really/ql awake/rb now/rb in/in a/at colloquy/nn of/in music/nn ,/, and/cc light/nn was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to creep/vb across/in the/at room/nn ,/, touching/vbg sill/nn and/cc door/nn ,/, table/nn and/cc chair/nn and/cc all/abn of/in Doaty's/np$ flowers/nns in/in their/pp$ artificial/jj blossom/nn and/cc leaf/nn ./.


	Before/in anything/pn else/rb ,/, she/pps would/md go/vb to/in Doaty's/np$ grave/nn with/in flowers/nns from/in Doaty's/np$ forgotten/vbn garden/nn ./.
Everything/pn must/md wait/vb upon/in this/dt mission/nn ,/, this/dt sentimental/jj duty/nn of/in a/at pilgrim/nn whose/wp$ nature/nn avoided/vbd graveyards/nns ./.
She/pps closed/vbd her/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, remembering/vbg the/at small/jj French/jj cemetery/nn ,/, enclosed/vbn by/in stone/nn walls/nns ./.
It/pps had/hvd always/rb seemed/vbn to/to rain/vb there/rb ,/, and/cc even/rb the/at grass/nn was/bedz gray/jj ./.


	After/in the/at sad/jj impatient/jj moment/nn ,/, waiting/vbg for/in comfort/nn which/wdt could/md not/* come/vb ,/, she/pps slipped/vbd out/in of/in bed/nn and/cc went/vbd to/in the/at open/jj window/nn ./.
The/at garden/nn below/rb was/bedz lacy/jj with/in dew/nn and/cc enchanting/jj in/in its/pp$ small/jj wildness/nn ./.
Leaning/vbg out/rp ,/, she/pps could/md see/vb a/at tangle/nn of/in rosebush/nn and/cc honeysuckle/nn ,/, one/cd not/* quite/rb come/vbn to/in bloom/nn ,/, one/cd just/rb beyond/in it/ppo ./.
On/in a/at thrusting/vbg spray/nn thick/jj with/in thorns/nns and/cc dewdrops/nns and/cc swelling/vbg pink/jj buds/nns ,/, like/cs a/at summer/nn Valentine/np ,/, a/at bird/nn balanced/vbd and/cc sang/vbd ,/, nondescriptly/rb brown/jj and/cc alive/jj with/in its/pp$ own/jj music/nn ,/, a/at little/ap engine/nn of/in song/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz so/ql pretty/jj and/cc artless/jj that/cs she/pps felt/vbd like/in a/at child/nn again/rb and/cc would/md have/hv enjoyed/vbn running/vbg out/rp barefoot/rb to/to play/vb on/in the/at wet/jj grass/nn with/in all/abn the/at growing/vbg things/nns ,/, but/cc Doaty/np never/rb permitted/vbd bare/jj feet/nns and/cc she/pps was/bedz decidedly/rb not/* a/at child/nn but/cc une/fw-at femme/fw-nn d'un/fw-in+at certain/fw-jj age/fw-nn ./.
Feeling/vbg suddenly/rb neat/jj and/cc subdued/vbn ,/, she/pps dressed/vbd quite/ql soberly/rb and/cc went/vbd downstairs/rb ./.


	Rosa/np ,/, unbelievably/rb ,/, was/bedz not/* yet/rb up/rp and/cc about/rb ,/, reassurance/nn that/wps Rosa/np was/bedz human/jj ./.
Feeling/vbg protective/jj toward/in this/dt sleeping/vbg being/beg ,/, Henrietta/np found/vbd a/at yesterday/nr bun/nn and/cc milk/nn in/in a/at white/jj jug/nn ,/, a/at breakfast/nn which/wdt was/bedz somewhat/rb the/at equivalent/jj of/in going/vbg barefoot/rb ./.


	Outside/rb ,/, the/at garden/nn ,/, the/at tame/jj wilderness/nn ,/, yielded/vbd a/at patchwork/nn bouquet/nn of/in daisies/nns ,/, sweet/jj william/nn ,/, scented/vbn stock/nn and/cc lady's/nn$ bedstraw/nn ,/, which/wdt she/pps tied/vbd with/in long/jj grasses/nns and/cc took/vbd back/rb to/to show/vb Rosa/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz now/rb stirring/vbg about/in the/at kitchen/nn and/cc haranguing/vbg Folly/nn-tl ./.
The/at poodle/nn came/vbd gleefully/rb to/in Henrietta/np and/cc begged/vbd for/in the/at flowers/nns ,/, supplicating/vbg the/at air/nn with/in prayerful/jj forepaws/nns ./.


	Henrietta/np held/vbd her/pp$ bouquet/nn out/in of/in reach/nn and/cc said/vbd it/pps was/bedz for/in Doaty/np ./.
``/`` Rummaging/vbg in/in the/at dew/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Rosa/np coldly/rb ./.
``/`` Go/vb change/vb your/pp$ shoes/nns before/cs you/ppss turn/vb around/rb ''/'' ./.
She/pps sounded/vbd so/ql exactly/rb like/cs Doaty/np that/cs Henrietta/np obeyed/vbd her/ppo under/in the/at clear/jj impression/nn that/cs she/pps could/md either/cc comply/vb or/cc stay/vb home/nr ./.
Folly/nn-tl danced/vbd ,/, eager/jj for/in whatever/wdt lay/vbd beyond/in the/at door/nn ./.


	To/in a/at Blackwell/np ,/, there/ex was/bedz only/rb one/cd church/nn ./.
The/at cemetery/nn slumbered/vbd just/rb behind/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc the/at way/nn lay/vbd through/in the/at village/nn and/cc close/rb to/in the/at sea/nn ./.
For/in the/at first/od time/nn in/in thirty/cd years/nns ,/, Henrietta/np walked/vbd down/in the/at narrow/jj street/nn with/in its/pp$ shuttered/vbn shops/nns just/rb stirring/vbg and/cc its/pp$ inhabitants/nns eying/vbg her/ppo with/in the/at frankest/jjt curiosity/nn ./.
She/pps smiled/vbd and/cc bowed/vbd ,/, recalling/vbg the/at princess-in-a-carriage/nn feeling/nn she/pps had/hvd enjoyed/vbn when/wrb she/pps was/bedz a/at child/nn ./.
Now/rb ,/, some/dti of/in the/at acknowledgments/nns were/bed cautious/jj ,/, but/cc all/abn were/bed interested/vbn ./.


	An/at old/jj man/nn ,/, sitting/vbg against/in the/at wall/nn of/in a/at cottage/nn and/cc waiting/vbg for/in the/at sun/nn to/to find/vb him/ppo ,/, gave/vbd her/ppo a/at more/ap than/in reflective/jj look/nn as/cs she/pps passed/vbd ,/, the/at sap/nn still/rb plainly/rb rising/vbg in/in his/pp$ branches/nns ./.
On/in an/at impulse/nn ,/, she/pps turned/vbd back/rb and/cc said/vbd good/jj morning/nn ./.


	He/pps cupped/vbd his/pp$ ear/nn and/cc shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn at/in her/pp$ repetition/nn ,/, announcing/vbg in/in a/at nettled/vbn way/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd heard/vbn her/ppo the/at first/od time/nn ./.
He/pps then/rb offered/vbd his/pp$ own/jj estimate/nn of/in the/at weather/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz unenthusiastic/jj ./.
``/`` Summer's/nn+hvz been/ben slow/jj to/to come/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez my/pp$ dryin'/vbg out/rp time/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps scowled/vbd at/in her/pp$ flowers/nns ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem taking/vbg them/ppo to/in the/at cemetery/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Henrietta/np ,/, out/in of/in a/at vague/jj feeling/nn of/in hospitality/nn ./.


	``/`` They'll/ppss+md be/be takin'/vbg me/ppo next/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd pleasantly/rb ,/, ``/`` but/cc not/* so/ql soon's/rb+cs they/ppss plan/vb ./.
See/vb half/abn of/in 'em/ppo in/in their/pp$ graves/nns before/cs I/ppss choose/vb my/pp$ own/jj coffin/nn ./.
It's/pps+bez dryin'/vbg myself/ppl out/rp that/wps does/doz it/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps regarded/vbd her/ppo with/in rising/vbg hope/nn ./.
``/`` You'd/ppss+md like/vb to/to hear/vb how/wrb I/ppss go/vb about/in it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez nice/jj of/in you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Henrietta/np said/vbd doubtfully/rb ./.


	``/`` Y're/ppss+ber welcome/jj ''/'' ./.
He/pps straightened/vbd himself/ppl ,/, soldierly/jj against/in the/at wall/nn ,/, and/cc pulled/vbd his/pp$ sprawled/vbn feet/nns together/rb so/cs they/ppss stood/vbd side/nn by/in side/nn in/in their/pp$ old/jj boots/nns ./.
His/pp$ stick/nn ceased/vbd to/to be/be a/at thing/nn to/to rest/vb his/pp$ chin/nn on/in and/cc became/vbd a/at pointer/nn for/in emphasizing/vbg the/at finer/jjr aspects/nns of/in his/pp$ text/nn ./.
``/`` Every/at month/nn ,/, f'r/in three/cd days/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd happily/rb ,/, ``/`` I/ppss take/vb no/at water/nn into/in my/pp$ system/nn ,/, no/at water/nn whatsoever/wps ./.
It/pps rests/vbz the/at tissues/nns ''/'' ./.


	Henrietta/np murmured/vbd that/cs she/pps could/md quite/abl see/vb how/wrb it/pps would/md ,/, and/cc he/pps nodded/vbd approval/nn of/in her/pp$ womanly/jj good/jj sense/nn ./.
``/`` Rests/vbz the/at tissues/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc pacifies/vbz the/at system/nn ./.
My/pp$ dad/nn did/dod it/ppo ,/, and/cc he/pps lived/vbd to/in a/at great/jj age/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps looked/vbd up/rp at/in her/ppo sharply/rb ./.
``/`` Don't/do* remember/vb ,/, do/do you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps did/dod suddenly/rb ,/, through/in the/at link/nn of/in memory/nn with/in his/pp$ father/nn ,/, old/jj Titus/np ,/, who/wps must/md have/hv been/ben in/in his/pp$ nineties/nns when/wrb Henrietta/np ran/vbd away/rb ./.
Next/in to/in the/at Blackwells/nps ,/, Titus/np had/hvd owned/vbn the/at island/nn most/rbt ,/, and/cc she/pps and/cc Adelia/np had/hvd often/rb stood/vbn in/in front/nn of/in him/ppo ,/, silenced/vbn by/in his/pp$ terrible/jj years/nns --/-- a/at scanty/jj man/nn with/in a/at thin/jj beard/nn and/cc very/ql deep-set/jj blue/jj eyes/nns like/cs a/at mariner/nn ,/, more/ql aged/vbn than/cs possible/jj ./.
He/pps had/hvd never/rb spoken/vbn once/rb to/in the/at awed/vbn sisters/nns ,/, but/cc his/pp$ son/nn had/hvd been/ben friendly/jj ,/, a/at big/jj fellow/nn of/in fifty/cd or/cc more/ap ,/, a/at fishing-boat/nn captain/nn and/cc powerful/jj like/cs the/at sea/nn ./.
It/pps must/md be/be that/cs son/nn who/wps sat/vbd before/in her/ppo now/rb ,/, shriveled/vbn to/in half/abn his/pp$ size/nn and/cc half/abn his/pp$ senses/nns ./.


	She/pps said/vbd gently/rb ,/, ``/`` Of/in course/nn I/ppss remember/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Not/* so/ql well's/rb+cs I/ppss remember/vb you/ppo ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Y're/ppss+ber the/at young/jj Blackwell/np woman/nn ./.
Ran/vbd away/rb on/in a/at black/jj night/nn with/in a/at lawful/jj wedded/vbn man/nn ./.
I/ppss know/vb all/abn about/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss do/do seem/vb to/to ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Henrietta/np ,/, impressed/vbn ./.


	``/`` Can't/md* blame/vb a/at man/nn for/in leavin'/vbg his/pp$ wife/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd quite/ql cheerfully/rb ./.
``/`` Left/vbd mine/pp$$ many/abn a/at time/nn ,/, only/rb she/pps never/rb knew/vbd it/ppo ./.
Man/nn in/in a/at boat/nn ,/, there's/ex+bez a/at lot/nn of/in places/nns he/pps can/md put/vb in/rp at/in and/cc a/at lot/nn of/in reasons/nns he/pps can/md be/be away/rb for/in a/at bit/nn ./.
Any/dti harm/nn in/in that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Probably/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Henrietta/np dryly/rb ./.


	He/pps gave/vbd a/at short/jj hard/jj laugh/nn and/cc looked/vbd at/in her/ppo knowingly/rb ./.
``/`` You'd/ppss+md be/be the/at one/pn to/to say/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps observed/vbd ,/, and/cc she/pps found/vbd herself/ppl liking/vbg his/pp$ approval/nn none/pn too/ql well/rb ,/, but/cc she/pps could/md not/* defend/vb herself/ppl and/cc say/vb that/cs her/pp$ actions/nns were/bed ``/`` different/jj ''/'' ,/, since/cs all/abn actions/nns had/hvd their/pp$ own/jj laws/nns ./.
Only/rb ,/, this/dt old/jj man's/nn$ connivance/nn was/bedz even/ql less/ap to/in her/pp$ taste/nn than/cs Selma/np Cotter's/np$ open/jj censure/nn ./.
Well/uh ,/, she/pps had/hvd not/* come/vbn back/rb to/in Great/jj-tl Island/nn-tl to/to be/be understood/vbn ,/, praised/vbn or/cc condemned/vbn ./.
She/pps had/hvd come/vbn to/to make/vb her/pp$ peace/nn with/in the/at past/nn ,/, and/cc of/in that/dt past/nn this/dt ancient/nn of/in the/at earth/nn was/bedz only/rb a/at kind/nn of/in shadow/nn ./.


	She/pps started/vbd to/to move/vb away/rb ,/, just/rb as/cs a/at woman/nn came/vbd out/in of/in the/at cottage/nn ,/, a/at big-boned/jj ,/, drab-haired/jj figure/nn with/in a/at clean/jj apron/nn tied/vbn over/in her/pp$ limp/jj print/nn dress/nn ./.
She/pps smiled/vbd vaguely/rb at/in Henrietta/np and/cc spoke/vbd to/in the/at old/jj man/nn ./.
``/`` You've/ppss+hv not/* had/hvn your/pp$ breakfast/nn yet/rb ,/, gran'dad/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Y'r/pp$ dam'/jj porridge/nn is/bez no/at breakfast/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Milk/nn and/cc sops/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps beat/vbd the/at air/nn with/in his/pp$ stick/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps fell/vbd from/in his/pp$ claws/nns and/cc clattered/vbd on/in the/at stones/nns ./.


	``/`` He's/pps+bez lowly/jj today/nr ''/'' ,/, his/pp$ grand-daughter/nn said/vbd wearily/rb ,/, and/cc bent/vbd to/to pick/vb it/ppo up/rp ./.
``/`` He's/pps+hvz got/vbn this/dt idea/nn about/in drying/vbg out/rp ''/'' 

	``/`` It/pps ain't/bez* an/at idea/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` If/cs it/pps ain't/bez* an/at idea/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` how/wrb comes/vbz it/ppo you/ppss can/md drink/vb beer/nn but/cc not/* water/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps looked/vbd piously/rb to/in heaven/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Beer/nn don't/do* affect/vb the/at tissues/nns none/pn ''/'' ,/, and/cc the/at ingenious/jj hypocrisy/nn of/in this/dt defense/nn pleased/vbd Henrietta/np so/rb that/cs she/pps forgave/vbd him/ppo his/pp$ stint/nn of/in malevolence/nn ./.


	His/pp$ grand-daughter/nn sighed/vbd ./.
``/`` Come/vb on/rp ,/, do/do ./.
The/at children/nns are/ber eating/vbg ,/, and/cc Miss/np Blackwell's/np+bez on/in her/pp$ way/nn somewheres/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` To/in the/at graveyard/nn ./.
Who/wps ain't/hvz* ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Not/* me/ppo ./.
I've/ppss+hv got/vbn a/at day's/nn$ work/nn to/to do/do ./.
--/-- You'll/ppss+md be/be visiting/vbg Miss/np Doaty/np ,/, Ma'am/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Henrietta/np nodded/vbd ./.
How/wrb much/rb they/ppss knew/vbd about/in her/ppo !/. !/.


	The/at woman/nn (/( she/pps must/md have/hv been/ben a/at tiny/jj baby/nn when/wrb Hetty/np and/cc Delia/np had/hvd stood/vbn arm/nn in/in arm/nn ,/, watching/vbg great/jj age/nn grow/vb small/jj )/) answered/vbd the/at nod/nn with/in her/pp$ own/jj ./.
``/`` God/np rest/vb her/pp$ soul/nn ,/, she/pps was/bedz a/at sweet/jj one/pn ./.
Come/vb on/rp now/rb ''/'' ./.
She/pps put/vbd a/at strong/jj hand/nn under/in the/at old/jj man's/nn$ arm/nn and/cc lifted/vbd him/ppo up/rp ,/, patiently/rb ,/, with/in the/at gentle/jj cruelty/nn and/cc necessary/jj tyranny/nn that/cs the/at young/jj show/nn toward/in the/at very/ql old/jj ./.
He/pps mumbled/vbd at/in her/ppo but/cc let/vbd himself/ppl be/be led/vbn off/rp inside/in the/at house/nn ,/, shuffling/vbg mightily/rb to/to make/vb it/ppo clear/jj how/wrb weak/jj and/cc aged/vbn he/pps was/bedz and/cc how/wrb he/pps was/bedz buffeted/vbn about/rb by/in those/dts who/wps still/rb had/hvd their/pp$ wicked/jj strength/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at gabble/nn of/in voices/nns from/in indoors/rb ,/, young/jj hungry/jj sounds/nns like/cs cats/nns after/in fish/nn ,/, and/cc a/at burst/nn of/in swearing/vbg from/in the/at old/jj man/nn ./.
Henrietta/np looked/vbd down/rp at/in her/pp$ bouquet/nn ,/, still/rb lively/rb with/in its/pp$ color/nn and/cc scent/nn ,/, and/cc set/vbd her/pp$ feet/nns on/in their/pp$ journey's/nn$ way/nn again/rb ,/, leaving/vbg the/at village/nn street/nn and/cc crossing/vbg the/at first/od field/nn ,/, Folly/nn-tl dancing/vbg ahead/rb of/in her/ppo ./.


	At/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at field/nn ,/, the/at wild/jj rolling/vbg land/nn took/vbd over/rp ,/, dotted/vbn with/in fat/jj round/jj bushes/nns like/cs sheep/nn ./.
They/ppss were/bed covered/vbn with/in tiny/jj white/jj blossoms/nns ,/, their/pp$ scant/jj roots/nns clawing/vbg at/in the/at stony/jj ground/nn ,/, and/cc wild/jj birds/nns darted/vbd in/in and/cc about/in and/cc through/in them/ppo so/cs they/ppss were/bed nearly/rb alive/jj with/in the/at rustle/nn and/cc cry/nn ./.


	The/at air/nn was/bedz full/jj of/in sounds/nns too/rb but/cc placid/jj ones/nns ,/, a/at terrestrial/jj humming/nn as/ql much/rb out/in of/in the/at earth/nn as/cs out/in of/in the/at blue/jj sky/nn ./.
She/pps felt/vbd mindless/jj ,/, walking/vbg ,/, and/cc almost/rb easy/jj until/cs the/at church/nn spire/nn told/vbd her/ppo she/pps was/bedz near/in the/at cemetery/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps caught/vbd herself/ppl wondering/vbg what/wdt she/pps would/md say/vb to/in Doaty/np ./.


	Both/abx church/nn and/cc graveyard/nn were/bed smaller/jjr than/cs she/pps remembered/vbd them/ppo (/( how/wrb many/ap things/nns had/hvd lessened/vbn while/cs she/pps was/bedz gone/vbn away/rb )/) but/cc the/at headstones/nns had/hvd grown/vbn so/ql thick/jj in/in thirty/cd years/nns that/cs to/to find/vb one/pn named/vbn ``/`` Dorothy/np Tredding/np ''/'' seemed/vbd suddenly/rb impossible/jj ./.


	She/pps sat/vbd down/rp on/in the/at nearest/jjt ,/, fallen/vbn with/in age/nn and/cc gray/jj with/in sea-damp/nn ,/, her/pp$ fingers/nns tracing/vbg the/at indecipherable/jj carved/vbn letters/nns padded/vbn with/in green/jj moss/nn ./.
The/at day's/nn$ sun/nn was/bedz gathering/vbg its/pp$ strength/nn in/in gold/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps wished/vbd she/pps had/hvd brought/vbn her/pp$ parasol/nn ,/, if/cs only/rb to/to shade/vb Doaty's/np$ flowers/nns ./.
A/at small/jj ,/, rock-carved/jj angel/nn watched/vbd her/ppo from/in a/at nearby/jj tomb/nn ,/, the/at only/ap angel/nn in/in the/at cemetery/nn ./.


	She/pps remembered/vbd ,/, suddenly/rb ,/, a/at night/nn of/in savage/jj moonlight/nn and/cc scudding/vbg clouds/nns when/wrb she/pps and/cc Adelia/np ,/, having/hvg dared/vbn each/dt other/ap ,/, had/hvd stolen/vbn out/in of/in their/pp$ great/jj safe/jj house/nn and/cc come/vbn here/rb ,/, hand/nn in/in hand/nn ,/, hoping/vbg and/cc fearing/vbg ghosts/nns ./.



	The/at Momoyama/np family/nn had/hvd come/vbn from/in Miyagi/np-tl Prefecture/nn-tl ,/, in/in the/at northeast/nr of/in the/at main/nn Japanese/jj island/nn of/in Honshu/np ,/, where/wrb there/ex are/ber still/rb traces/nns of/in the/at mysterious/jj Ainu/np strain/nn ./.
The/at Ainus/nps were/bed a/at primitive/jj people/nns ,/, already/rb living/vbg on/in the/at island/nn before/cs the/at principal/jjs ancestors/nns of/in the/at Japanese/nps came/vbd from/in Southern/jj-tl Asia/np-tl ./.
Apparently/rb they/ppss were/bed of/in Caucasian/jj blood/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd white/jj skins/nns and/cc blue/jj eyes/nns ;/. ;/.
all/abn their/pp$ men/nns were/bed bearded/vbn ,/, and/cc many/ap of/in their/pp$ women/nns were/bed beautiful/jj ./.
A/at pitiful/jj few/ap of/in them/ppo are/ber left/vbn now/rb ,/, to/to subsist/vb mainly/rb on/in the/at tourist/nn trade/nn and/cc to/to sing/vb their/pp$ ancient/jj tribal/jj chants/nns ,/, which/wdt have/hv the/at same/ap haunting/jj sadness/nn as/cs the/at laments/nns of/in the/at American/jj-tl Indians/nps-tl ./.
Most/ap of/in them/ppo have/hv been/ben assimilated/vbn ,/, but/cc sometimes/rb a/at man/nn in/in Miyagi/np or/cc Akita/np prefectures/nns is/bez much/ql more/ql hairy/jj than/cs the/at average/jj Japanese/np ,/, and/cc occasionally/rb a/at girl/nn will/md be/be strikingly/rb lovely/jj ,/, her/pp$ coloring/nn warmed/vbn and/cc improved/vbn by/in a/at little/ap of/in the/at tawny/jj honey-in-the-sun/jj tint/nn of/in the/at invaders/nns from/in the/at South/nr-tl ./.


	Tommy/np Momoyama/np was/bedz one/pn of/in these/dts fortunate/jj occasions/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz taller/jjr than/cs most/ap Japanese/jj girls/nns ,/, and/cc had/hvd the/at exquisitely/rb willowy/jj form/nn of/in the/at Japanese/jj girl/nn who/wps is/bez lucky/jj enough/qlp to/to be/be tall/jj ./.
Her/pp$ nose/nn was/bedz higher/jjr of/in bridge/nn ,/, her/pp$ complexion/nn so/ql pale/jj as/cs to/to be/be quite/ql susceptible/jj to/in sunburn/nn ,/, and/cc the/at fish/nn and/cc vegetable/nn diet/nn of/in her/pp$ forebears/nns had/hvd given/vbn her/ppo teeth/nns that/wps were/bed white/jj and/cc regular/jj and/cc strong/jj ./.
Her/pp$ mouth/nn ,/, soft/jj and/cc full/jj ,/, was/bedz something/pn for/in any/dti man/nn to/to dream/vb about/rb ./.
She/pps had/hvd black/jj eyes/nns ,/, long/jj and/cc intriguingly/rb tilted/vbn ,/, and/cc the/at way/nn she/pps walked/vbd was/bedz melody/nn ./.


	She/pps had/hvd been/ben in/in Japan/np just/rb one/cd week/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz an/at alien/jj land/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps hated/vbd it/ppo intensely/rb ;/. ;/.
she/pps was/bedz already/rb considering/vbg putting/vbg in/rp rebellious/jj requests/nns for/in duty/nn at/in San/np Diego/np ,/, Bremerton/np ,/, the/at Great/jj-tl Lakes/nns-tl ,/, Pensacola/np --/-- any/dti place/nn the/at Navy/nn-tl had/hvd a/at hospital/nn --/-- with/in a/at threat/nn to/to resign/vb her/pp$ commission/nn if/cs the/at request/nn were/bed not/* granted/vbn ./.
Anywhere/rb would/md be/be better/jjr than/cs the/at land/nn of/in her/pp$ ancestors/nns ./.


	There/ex was/bedz nothing/pn wrong/jj with/in her/pp$ job/nn ./.
Tommy/np had/hvd been/ben assigned/vbn to/in the/at psychopathic/jj ward/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed no/at depressingly/rb serious/jj cases/nns :/: the/at ward/nn doctor/nn sometimes/rb teamed/vbd up/rp with/in the/at chaplain/nn to/to serve/vb as/cs a/at marriage/nn counselor/nn --/-- sometimes/rb the/at Navy/nn-tl sent/vbd people/nns back/vb to/in the/at States/nns-tl to/to preserve/vb a/at marriage/nn --/-- but/cc mental/jj health/nn as/in a/at rule/nn was/bedz very/ql high/jj ./.
At/in present/jj the/at doctor's/nn$ main/jjs concern/nn was/bedz in/in seeing/vbg to/in it/ppo that/cs Japanese/jj salvage/nn firms/nns were/bed not/* permitted/vbn to/to operate/vb on/in the/at hulks/nns of/in warships/nns sunk/vbn too/ql close/rb inshore/rb ,/, because/cs the/at work/nn involved/vbd setting/vbg off/rp nerve-shattering/jj blasts/nns at/in all/abn hours/nns ./.
Tommy/np was/bedz interested/vbn in/in psychiatry/nn ,/, because/cs there/ex was/bedz much/ap an/at understanding/vbg nurse/nn could/md do/do to/to help/vb the/at patients/nns ./.


	But/cc she/pps suffered/vbd in/in her/pp$ off-duty/jj hours/nns ./.
Such/jj as/cs now/rb ,/, when/wrb she/pps sat/vbd at/in a/at table/nn in/in the/at coffee/nn shop/nn at/in the/at Officers'/nns$-tl Club/nn-tl ,/, having/hvg coffee/nn and/cc a/at hamburger/nn to/to sustain/vb her/ppo until/in dinnertime/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd changed/vbn into/in a/at cocktail/nn dress/nn ,/, and/cc the/at whole/jj evening/nn should/md have/hv been/ben before/in her/ppo ,/, but/cc already/rb she/pps was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to get/vb a/at tight/jj feeling/nn at/in the/at back/nn of/in her/pp$ neck/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz one/cd of/in the/at Navy's/nn$-tl crossroads/nns --/-- you/ppss find/vb them/ppo all/abn around/in the/at world/nn ./.
Ships/nns from/in the/at West/jj-tl Coast/nn-tl rotated/vbd on/in six-month/jj tours/nns of/in duty/nn with/in the/at Seventh/od-tl Fleet/nn-tl ,/, and/cc Yokosuka/np was/bedz the/at Seventh/od-tl Fleet's/nn$-tl principal/jjs port/nn for/in maintenance/nn ,/, upkeep/nn and/cc shore/nn liberty/nn ./.
Sooner/rbr or/cc later/rbr ,/, all/abn the/at gray/jj Navy/nn-tl ships/nns came/vbd in/in here/rb ;/. ;/.
if/cs Tommy/np sat/vbd long/jj enough/qlp ,/, she/pps would/md be/be sure/jj to/to see/vb all/abn the/at young/jj officers/nns she/pps had/hvd met/vbn in/in San/np Diego/np and/cc Long/jj-tl Beach/nn-tl ./.
And/cc she/pps wanted/vbd desperately/rb to/to see/vb someone/pn she/pps had/hvd known/vbn back/rb there/rb ./.


	She/pps felt/vbd ,/, rather/in than/cs saw/vbd ,/, the/at approach/nn of/in the/at good-looking/jj young/jj man/nn ./.
He/pps came/vbd through/rp from/in the/at Fleet/nn-tl Bar/nn-tl ,/, which/wdt was/bedz stag/nn ,/, with/in the/at ice/nn cubes/nns tinkling/vbg in/in a/at glass/nn he/pps carried/vbd ./.
When/wrb he/pps saw/vbd Tommy/np sitting/vbg alone/rb ,/, the/at tinkling/vbg sound/nn stopped/vbd ./.
He/pps was/bedz perhaps/rb a/at trifle/nn tipsy/jj ,/, having/hvg been/ben long/jj at/in sea/nn where/wrb drinking/vbg is/bez not/* permitted/vbn ,/, and/cc consequently/rb out/in of/in practice/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps wore/vbd a/at brown/jj tweed/nn sports/nns jacket/nn obviously/rb tailored/vbn in/in Hong/np Kong/np ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz of/in an/at age/nn that/wps marked/vbd him/ppo as/cs a/at lieutenant/nn ./.
Probably/rb off/in one/cd of/in the/at carriers/nns --/-- an/at aviator/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at fifty-fifty/jj chance/nn ,/, perhaps/rb ,/, that/cs he/pps would/md be/be unmarried/jj ,/, and/cc an/at even/ql more/ql slender/jj chance/nn that/cs his/pp$ approach/nn would/md be/be different/jj ./.
Japan/np did/dod something/pn to/in a/at man/nn --/-- and/cc it/pps wasn't/bedz* just/rb Japan/np ,/, either/rb ,/, because/cs the/at same/ap thing/nn applied/vbd anywhere/rb overseas/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz as/cs if/cs foreign/jj duty/nn implied/vbd and/cc excused/vbd license/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps intimated/vbd that/cs the/at folks/nns at/in home/nr would/md never/rb know/vb about/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc ,/, therefore/rb ,/, why/wrb not/* ?/. ?/.


	Then/rb the/at young/jj man/nn in/in the/at brown/jj sports/nns jacket/nn spoke/vbd ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz no/rb different/jj ./.


	``/`` Harro/uh ,/, girl-san/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps said/vbd ,/, turning/vbg on/rp what/wdt was/bedz meant/vbn to/to be/be charm/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss catchee/vb boy-furiendo/nn ?/. ?/.
Maybe/rb you/ppss likee/vb date/nn with/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss beg/vb your/pp$ pardon/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Tommy/np said/vbd out/in of/in her/pp$ cold/jj rage/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* believe/vb I/ppss know/vb you/ppo ,/, and/cc I/ppss can't/md* understand/vb your/pp$ quaint/jj brand/nn of/in English/np --/-- it/pps was/bedz meant/vbn to/to be/be English/np ,/, wasn't/bedz* it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	The/at nice-looking/jj young/jj officer/nn fell/vbd back/rb on/in his/pp$ heels/nns ,/, open-mouthed/jj and/cc blushing/vbg ./.
At/in least/ap ,/, he/pps had/hvd the/at decency/nn to/to blush/vb ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh --/-- I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj !/. !/.
You/ppss see/vb ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd --/-- I/ppss mean/vb I/ppss really/rb had/hvd no/at idea/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, yes/rb --/-- you/ppss had/hvd ideas/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
Tommy/np interrupted/vbd furiously/rb ./.
``/`` All/ql wrong/jj ones/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
Then/rb she/pps jerked/vbd her/pp$ thumb/nn toward/in the/at door/nn in/in a/at very/ql American/jj gesture/nn ,/, and/cc dropped/vbd into/in Navy/nn-tl slang/nn ./.
``/`` Take/vb off/rp ,/, fly-boy/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Uh/uh --/-- sorry/jj ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps muttered/vbd ,/, and/cc took/vbd off/rp ,/, obviously/rb feeling/vbg like/cs a/at fool/nn ./.
The/at trouble/nn was/bedz that/cs there/ex was/bedz no/at lasting/vbg satisfaction/nn in/in this/dt for/in Tommy/np ./.
She/pps felt/vbd like/cs a/at fool/nn ,/, too/rb ./.


	It/pps hadn't/hvd* been/ben this/dt way/nn in/in college/nn ,/, or/cc in/in nurses'/nns$ training/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps wasn't/bedz* this/dt way/nn in/in the/at hospital/nn at/in San/np Diego/np ./.
Everybody/pn had/hvd accepted/vbn her/ppo for/cs what/wdt she/pps was/bedz --/-- a/at very/ql charming/jj girl/nn ./.
Nobody/pn had/hvd addressed/vbn her/ppo in/in broken/vbn English/np at/in any/dti of/in those/dts places/nns ,/, nobody/pn had/hvd suggested/vbn that/cs she/pps wasn't/bedz* American/jj ./.
There/ex are/ber Spanish/jj girls/nns who/wps look/vb like/cs Tommy/np Momoyama/np ,/, brunettes/nns with/in a/at Moorish/jj hint/nn of/in the/at Orient/np in/in their/pp$ faces/nns ;/. ;/.
there/ex are/ber beauties/nns from/in the/at Balkan/np states/nns who/wps are/ber similarly/rb endowed/vbn ,/, and/cc --/-- back/rb in/in the/at blessed/vbn United/vbn-tl States/nns-tl --/-- they/ppss were/bed regarded/vbn simply/rb as/cs pretty/jj women/nns ./.
Now/rb ,/, having/hvg been/ben sent/vbn halfway/rb around/in the/at world/nn on/in a/at job/nn she/pps had/hvd not/* asked/vbn for/in ,/, Tommy/np was/bedz being/beg humiliated/vbn at/in every/at turn/nn ./.


	She/pps looked/vbd around/rb ,/, self-consciously/rb ./.
Four/cd little/jj Japanese/jj waitresses/nns were/bed murdering/vbg the/at English/np language/nn at/in the/at counter/nn --/-- Yuki/np Kobayashi/np happened/vbd to/to be/be one/pn of/in them/ppo ./.
Everybody/pn but/in Tommy/np seemed/vbd to/to think/vb it/pps was/bedz charming/jj when/wrb they/ppss called/vbd ,/, ``/`` Bifutek-san/np ''/'' !/. !/.
For/in a/at steak/nn sandwich/nn ,/, or/cc ``/`` Kohi/np Futotsu/np ''/'' !/. !/.
For/in one/cd cup/nn of/in coffee/nn ./.
Two/cd other/ap Japanese/jj girls/nns were/bed sitting/vbg at/in the/at tables/nns ,/, both/abx quite/ql pretty/jj and/cc well/rb groomed/vbn ./.
One/cd was/bedz with/in a/at whitehaired/jj and/cc doting/vbg lieutenant/nn commander/nn ;/. ;/.
the/at other/ap was/bedz with/in her/ppo American/jj husband/nn and/cc their/pp$ exceptionally/ql appealing/jj children/nns ./.
Seeing/vbg these/dts did/dod nothing/pn for/in Tommy's/np$ mood/nn ./.
She/pps told/vbd herself/ppl rebelliously/rb ,/, and/cc with/in pride/nn ,/, I/ppss am/bem an/at American/np !/. !/.


	And/cc so/rb she/pps was/bedz ,/, and/cc would/md remain/vb ./.
But/cc she/pps was/bedz learning/vbg that/cs so/ql long/jj as/cs she/pps was/bedz in/in this/dt country/nn ,/, and/cc wore/vbd civilian/nn dress/nn in/in the/at Club/nn-tl ,/, there/ex would/md always/rb be/be transient/jj young/jj men/nns who/wps would/md approach/vb her/ppo with/in broken/vbn English/np ./.
There/ex had/hvd been/ben occasions/nns when/wrb some/dti of/in the/at more/ql experienced/vbn had/hvd even/rb addressed/vbn her/ppo in/in what/wdt might/md have/hv been/ben perfectly/ql good/jj Japanese/np ./.
Tommy/np wouldn't/md* know/vb ;/. ;/.
after/cs coming/vbg to/in America/np ,/, her/pp$ parents/nns had/hvd spoken/vbn only/rb English/np ./.


	One/cd thing/nn was/bedz becoming/vbg increasingly/rb sure/jj ./.
She/pps had/hvd been/ben sent/vbn to/in the/at wrong/jj place/nn for/in duty/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz more/ap to/in service/nn in/in the/at Navy/nn-tl Nurse/nn-tl Corps/nn-tl than/cs the/at hours/nns in/in the/at ward/nn ./.
One/pn had/hvd to/to have/hv friends/nns ,/, and/cc a/at congenial/jj life/nn in/in after-duty/jj hours/nns ./.


	Now/rb there/ex was/bedz raucous/jj male/nn singing/nn from/in the/at Fleet/nn-tl Bar/nn-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz terribly/rb off/in key/nn ,/, and/cc poorly/rb done/vbn ,/, and/cc Tommy/np could/md never/rb admit/vb to/in herself/ppl that/cs male/nn companionship/nn was/bedz a/at very/ql natural/jj and/cc important/jj thing/nn ,/, but/cc all/abn at/in once/cs she/pps felt/vbd lonesome/jj and/cc put-upon/jj ./.
She/pps finished/vbd her/pp$ hamburger/nn and/cc drank/vbd her/pp$ coffee/nn and/cc paid/vbd her/pp$ check/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps got/vbd out/in of/in the/at coffee/nn shop/nn before/cs the/at incident/nn could/md be/be repeated/vbn ./.
Eating/vbg while/cs angry/jj had/hvd given/vbn her/ppo a/at slight/jj indigestion/nn ./.
Back/rb in/in her/pp$ living/vbg quarters/nns at/in the/at hospital/nn she/pps took/vbd bicarbonate/nn of/in soda/nn ,/, and/cc sulked/vbd ./.


	Then/rb ,/, after/in a/at while/nn ,/, she/pps went/vbd to/in her/pp$ mirror/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz all/ql true/jj ./.
She/pps certainly/rb looked/vbd Japanese/jj ,/, and/cc perhaps/rb she/pps could/md not/* really/rb blame/vb the/at young/jj men/nns ./.
And/cc ,/, still/rb ,/, they/ppss did/dod not/* have/hv to/to be/be so/ql crude/jj in/in their/pp$ approach/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at letter/nn to/to write/vb to/in her/pp$ mother/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps tried/vbd to/to make/vb its/pp$ tone/nn cheerful/jj ./.
She/pps promised/vbd that/cs she/pps would/md soon/rb take/vb a/at few/ap day's/nn$ leave/nn and/cc visit/vb the/at uncle/nn she/pps had/hvd never/rb seen/vbn ,/, on/in the/at island/nn of/in Oyajima/np --/-- which/wdt was/bedz not/* very/ql far/rb from/in Yokosuka/np ./.
And/cc tomorrow/nr she/pps would/md take/vb time/nn to/to shop/vb for/in the/at kimono/nn her/pp$ mother/nn wanted/vbd to/to present/vb to/in the/at young/jj wife/nn of/in a/at faculty/nn member/nn as/cs a/at hostess/nn gown/nn ./.


	Tommy/np ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, had/hvd never/rb heard/vbn of/in a/at kotowaza/fw-nn ,/, or/cc Japanese/jj proverb/nn ,/, which/wdt says/vbz ,/, ``/`` Tanin/fw-nns yori/fw-nns miuchi/fw-vb ''/'' ,/, and/cc is/bez literally/rb translated/vbn as/cs ``/`` Relatives/nns are/ber better/jjr than/cs strangers/nns ''/'' ./.


	Actually/rb ,/, this/dt is/bez only/rb another/dt way/nn of/in saying/vbg that/cs blood/nn is/bez thicker/jjr than/cs water/nn ./.




Doc/np Doolittle's/np$ scheduled/vbn appearance/nn at/in captain's/nn$ mast/nn was/bedz a/at very/ql unusual/jj thing/nn ,/, because/cs the/at discipline/nn dispensed/vbn there/rb is/bez ordinarily/rb for/in the/at young/jj and/cc immature/jj ,/, and/cc a/at chief/nn is/bez naturally/rb expected/vbn to/to stay/vb off/in the/at report/nn ./.
But/cc the/at beer/nn hall/nn riot/nn in/in Subic/np had/hvd been/ben unusual/jj ,/, too/rb ,/, and/cc Walt/np Perry/np was/bedz convinced/vbn that/cs Doc/np had/hvd started/vbn it/ppo through/in some/dti expert/jj tactics/nns in/in rabble/nn rousing/vbg ./.
Just/rb why/wrb anybody/pn should/md wish/vb to/to start/vb a/at riot/nn the/at executive/nn officer/nn didn't/dod* know/vb ./.
In/in his/pp$ opinion/nn ,/, Doc/np had/hvd not/* grown/vbn up/rp ./.


	The/at lieutenant/nn was/bedz not/* entirely/ql wrong/jj in/in the/at belief/nn ./.
There/ex had/hvd never/rb been/ben a/at good/jj reason/nn for/in Doc/np Doolittle/np to/to grow/vb up/rp ./.
He/pps had/hvd come/vbn into/in the/at Navy/nn-tl too/ql young/jj ,/, with/in the/at image/nn of/in the/at fun-loving/jj Guns/nns-tl Appleby/np before/in him/ppo ./.
The/at war/nn found/vbd him/ppo much/ql too/ql early/rb ,/, and/cc its/pp$ perils/nns --/-- and/cc especially/rb its/pp$ awful/jj boredom/nn --/-- were/bed best/rbt forgotten/vbn in/in horseplay/nn and/cc elaborate/jj practical/jj jokes/nns ,/, and/cc even/ql now/rb Doc/np had/hvd never/rb found/vbn any/dti stabilizing/vbg ,/, sobering/vbg influence/nn ./.
He/pps remained/vbd young/jj at/in heart/nn ,/, with/in an/at overdeveloped/vbn sense/nn of/in humor/nn ./.
He/pps wisecracked/vbd about/in the/at captain's/nn$ indoctrination/nn of/in new/jj men/nns ,/, took/vbd great/jj delight/nn in/in slaughtering/vbg cockroaches/nns with/in ethyl/nn chloride/nn ,/, and/cc gave/vbd no/at thought/nn for/in tomorrow/nr ./.
He/pps was/bedz doing/vbg thirty/cd years/nns ,/, and/cc the/at Navy/nn-tl would/md take/vb care/nn of/in him/ppo ./.
The/at job/nn security/nn enjoyed/vbn by/in Doc/np Doolittle/np ,/, and/cc nearly/rb all/abn members/nns of/in the/at Armed/vbn-tl Forces/nns-tl ,/, is/bez a/at wonderful/jj thing/nn ./.
Actually/rb ,/, all/abn a/at man/nn in/in uniform/nn has/hvz to/to do/do is/bez to/to get/vb by/rb ./.
He/pps may/md not/* rise/vb to/in the/at heights/nns ,/, but/cc he/pps can/md get/vb by/rb ,/, and/cc eventually/rb be/be retired/vbn ./.


	Doc/np had/hvd been/ben under/in restriction/nn to/in the/at ship/nn since/cs the/at Bustard/np left/vbd Subic/np ./.
This/dt deprived/vbd him/ppo of/in liberty/nn in/in Hong/np Kong/np ,/, but/cc he/pps told/vbd Boats/np McCafferty/np that/cs Hong/np Kong/np was/bedz a/at book/nn he/pps had/hvd read/vbn before/rb ,/, and/cc the/at Navy/nn-tl would/md always/rb bring/vb him/ppo there/rb again/rb ,/, some/dti day/nn ./.
At/in Yokosuka/np he/pps was/bedz restricted/vbn to/in the/at confines/nns of/in the/at Base/nn-tl because/cs Walt/np Perry/np ,/, being/beg thoughtful/jj ,/, knew/vbd that/cs Doc/np might/md have/hv to/to draw/vb some/dti medical/jj supplies/nns from/in the/at hospital/nn or/cc the/at Supply/nn-tl Base/nn-tl ./.
This/dt gave/vbd Doc/np the/at whole/jj range/nn of/in the/at naval/jj establishment/nn ,/, and/cc suited/vbd him/ppo quite/ql well/rb ./.
There/ex were/bed two/cd things/nns he/pps wanted/vbd to/to do/do :/: inspect/vb one/cd of/in the/at many/ap caves/nns that/wps had/hvd been/ben dug/vbn into/in the/at hills/nns on/in the/at Naval/jj-tl Base/nn-tl ,/, and/cc visit/vb an/at old/jj shipmate/nn ./.


	A/at telephone/nn line/nn had/hvd been/ben hooked/vbn up/rp to/to connect/vb the/at ship/nn with/in the/at Base/nn-tl exchange/nn ./.
After/in supper/nn ,/, Doc/np called/vbd Whitey/np Gresham/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz now/rb a/at lieutenant/nn and/cc had/hvd a/at family/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, Doc/np ,/, you/ppss old/jj sonofabitch/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Whitey/np exclaimed/vbd ,/, with/in true/jj affection/nn ./.
``/`` Come/vb over/rp and/cc have/hv a/at drink/nn ./.
We/ppss live/vb down/rp by/in the/at Base/nn-tl commissary/nn ./.
Grab/vb a/at taxi/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md be/be there/rb ,/, but/cc I'll/ppss+md walk/vb ''/'' ,/, Doc/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to run/vb an/at errand/nn on/in the/at way/nn ./.
See/vb you/ppo in/in about/rb an/at hour/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps threw/vbd a/at smart/jj salute/nn at/in the/at gangway/nn ,/, went/vbd up/in the/at dock/nn ,/, and/cc turned/vbd down/in the/at wide/jj street/nn in/in front/nn of/in the/at Petty/jj-tl Officers'/nns$-tl Club/nn-tl ./.



	How/wrb ,/, he/pps wondered/vbd ,/, does/doz one/pn enjoy/vb one's/pn$ spare/jj time/nn ?/. ?/.
He/pps considered/vbd some/dti interesting/jj excursion/nn but/cc he/pps was/bedz on/in the/at road/nn every/at day/nn from/in dawn/nn to/in dusk/nn ./.
Then/rb there/ex was/bedz exercise/nn ,/, boating/vbg and/cc hiking/vbg ,/, which/wdt was/bedz not/* only/rb good/jj for/in you/ppo but/cc also/rb made/vbd you/ppo more/ql virile/jj :/: the/at thought/nn of/in strenuous/jj activity/nn left/vbd him/ppo exhausted/vbn ./.
Perhaps/rb golf/nn ,/, with/in a/at fashionable/jj companion/nn --/-- but/cc he'd/pps+hvd lost/vbn his/pp$ clubs/nns ,/, hadn't/hvd* played/vbn in/in years/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz swimming/vbg over/in at/in the/at Riverside/np-tl Hotel/nn-tl ,/, but/cc his/pp$ skin/nn was/bedz so/ql white/jj he/pps looked/vbd like/cs the/at bottom/nn of/in a/at frog/nn ./.
Perhaps/rb a/at packing/vbg trip/nn into/in the/at Sierras/nps ,/, let/vb his/pp$ beard/nn grow/vb --/-- but/cc that/dt was/bedz too/ql stark/jj ./.
I/ppss could/md ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, take/vb a/at long/jj walk/nn --/-- but/cc where/wrb ?/. ?/.


	The/at telephone/nn rang/vbd ./.


	``/`` You/ppss missed/vbd it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Buzz's/np$ voice/nn said/vbd ,/, ``/`` You/ppss should/md have/hv gone/vbn over/rp to/in the/at Pagan/nn-tl Room/nn-tl with/in us/ppo ./.
Wow/uh ./.
Strippers/nns ,/, but/cc scrumptious/jj ,/, and/cc Toodle/np Williams/np and/cc her/pp$ all-lesbian/jj band/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Hi/uh ,/, Buzz/np ''/'' ,/, Owen/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss went/vbd over/rp to/in the/at Willows/nns-tl and/cc dropped/vbd two/cd notes/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Tough/jj ''/'' ,/, Buzz/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Listen/vb ,/, we're/ppss+ber having/hvg a/at stag/nn dinner/nn over/rp at/in the/at Pagan/nn-tl Room/nn-tl on/in Friday/nr ./.
Imagine/vb a/at stag/nn dinner/nn with/in Toodle/np Williams/np ''/'' ./.
He/pps laughed/vbd and/cc laughed/vbd ./.


	Owen/np wanted/vbd to/to be/be pleasant/jj because/cs Buzz/np worked/vbd the/at territory/nn next/in to/in his/pp$$ ,/, but/cc he/pps hadn't/hvd* come/vbn to/in Reno/np for/in stag/nn dinners/nns ./.
``/`` Thanks/nns ''/'' ,/, Owen/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` but/cc Friday/nr is/bez a/at long/jj way/nn off/rp and/cc anything/pn can/md happen/vb ''/'' ./.


	Buzz/np was/bedz a/at tireless/jj instigator/nn who/wps never/rb let/vb his/pp$ victims/nns rest/vb ./.
When/wrb Owen/np was/bedz finally/rb rid/jj of/in him/ppo ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at timid/jj rap/nn at/in the/at door/nn ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, Owen/np called/vbd out/rp ./.
``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem Mrs./np Gertrude/np Parker/np ''/'' ,/, a/at soft/jj voice/nn explained/vbd ,/, ``/`` And/cc I'd/ppss+md like/vb to/to talk/vb to/in you/ppo for/in a/at few/ap minutes/nns ,/, please/vb ''/'' ./.


	Ahah/uh ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, a/at lush/jj divorcee/nn at/in last/ap ./.
Probably/rb saw/vbd me/ppo in/in the/at lobby/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz disappointed/vbn to/to find/vb a/at nervous/jj ,/, scrawny/jj woman/nn with/in a/at big/jj hat/nn standing/vbg at/in the/at door/nn ./.
She/pps frowned/vbd at/in his/pp$ green/jj pajamas/nns with/in the/at yellow/jj moons/nns ./.


	``/`` How/wrb do/do you/ppo do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, semi-professionally/rb ./.
``/`` Our/pp$ church/nn is/bez sponsoring/vbg a/at group/nn of/in very/ql courageous/jj women/nns up/rp in/in Alaska/np ./.
We/ppss call/vb them/ppo lay-sisters/nns and/cc they/ppss go/vb among/in the/at Eskimos/nps making/vbg friends/nns and/cc bringing/vbg the/at light/nn ./.
They're/ppss+ber up/rp there/rb in/in that/dt freezing/vbg climate/nn and/cc all/abn of/in us/ppo have/hv to/to try/vb and/cc help/vb them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You/ppss see/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, looking/vbg past/in him/ppo into/in the/at room/nn ,/, where/wrb the/at highball/nn glasses/nns sparkled/vbd dully/rb in/in the/at bright/jj light/nn ,/, ``/`` you/ppss and/cc I/ppss can't/md* understand/vb the/at many/ap hardships/nns they/ppss have/hv to/to undergo/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb is/bez that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps apparently/rb wasn't/bedz* satisfied/vbn with/in his/pp$ reaction/nn ./.
Smug/jj ,/, Owen/np thought/vbd ,/, smug/jj and/cc sappy/jj ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at slight/jj nervous/jj twitch/nn in/in the/at region/nn of/in her/pp$ left/jj eye/nn ./.
It/pps gave/vbd her/ppo a/at lewd/jj ,/, winking/vbg effect/nn ./.


	``/`` Have/hv you/ppss ever/rb tried/vbn to/to reason/vb with/in an/at Eskimo/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd ,/, winking/vbg wildly/rb ./.
``/`` They/ppss are/ber a/at very/ql difficult/jj group/nn of/in people/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb much/ap about/in them/ppo ''/'' ,/, Owen/np admitted/vbd ,/, ``/`` but/cc I/ppss suppose/vb they/ppss have/hv their/pp$ own/jj religion/nn and/cc they/ppss probably/rb resent/vb outsiders/nns coming/vbg in/rp and/cc telling/vbg them/ppo what/wdt to/to do/do and/cc what/wdt not/* to/to do/do ''/'' ./.


	She/pps smiled/vbd in/in a/at sickly-tolerant/jj fashion/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss know/vb ,/, that's/dt+bez very/ql interesting/jj ./.
People/nns don't/do* know/vb how/wrb much/ap they/ppss give/vb away/rb about/in themselves/ppls by/in remarks/nns like/cs that/dt ./.
The/at more/ap canvassing/nn I/ppss do/do ,/, the/at more/ap I/ppss note/vb how/wrb far/rb most/ap people/nns are/ber from/in their/pp$ personal/jj God/np ''/'' ./.


	Forebearing/vbg ,/, Owen/np kept/vbd his/pp$ peace/nn ./.
What/wdt would/md happen/vb next/rb ?/. ?/.
That/cs she/pps was/bedz out/rp for/in a/at touch/nn was/bedz certain/jj ,/, but/cc when/wrb did/dod she/pps get/vb to/in the/at pitch/nn ?/. ?/.
Several/ap people/nns passed/vbd in/in the/at hall/nn and/cc stared/vbd as/cs he/pps slowly/rb retreated/vbd ,/, trying/vbg to/to close/vb the/at door/nn a/at little/ap ,/, and/cc she/pps slowly/rb leaned/vbd toward/in him/ppo and/cc raised/vbd her/pp$ voice/nn ./.


	``/`` How/wrb did/dod you/ppo get/vb by/in the/at desk/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd curiously/rb ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj the/at hotel/nn doesn't/doz* know/vb you're/ppss+ber wandering/vbg around/in the/at corridors/nns ,/, knocking/vbg on/in strangers'/nns$ doors/nns and/cc talking/vbg down/rp Eskimos/nps ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, I/ppss just/rb come/vb once/rb a/at week/nn ./.
Every/at day/nn I/ppss visit/vb a/at different/jj hotel/nn ./.
I/ppss feel/vb it's/pps+bez my/pp$ duty/nn ./.
I/ppss do/do this/dt work/vb all/abn on/in my/pp$ own/jj ,/, because/cs I/ppss understand/vb the/at difficulties/nns and/cc I/ppss want/vb to/to help/vb these/dts lay-sisters/nns ./.
Do/do you/ppss know/vb these/dts women/nns go/vb all/abn through/in Alaska/np ,/, and/cc they/ppss don't/do* have/hv the/at proper/jj facilities/nns ?/. ?/.
They/ppss travel/vb in/in pairs/nns as/ql much/ap as/cs a/at hundred-and-fifty/cd miles/nns a/at day/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Do/do you/ppss have/hv any/dti idea/nn how/wrb far/rb I/ppss travel/vb every/at day/nn ?/. ?/.
I/ppss have/hv the/at whole/jj Pacific/jj-tl Northwest/nr-tl ''/'' ./.
Owen/np was/bedz aware/jj he/pps was/bedz getting/vbg overexcited/vbn but/cc he/pps couldn't/md* help/vb himself/ppl ./.


	Mrs./np Gertrude/np Parker/np drew/vbd back/rb ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez hardly/rb a/at Christian/jj approach/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps remonstrated/vbd ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber in/in the/at secular/jj world/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* say/vb it/pps was/bedz Christian/jj ./.
I/ppss don't/do* think/vb you'll/ppss+md find/vb many/ap active/jj Christian/jj salesmen/nns ./.
Not/* that/dt religion/nn isn't/bez* big/jj business/nn ;/. ;/.
those/dts bibles/nns and/cc prayer/nn books/nns make/vb a/at lot/nn of/in money/nn for/in publishing/vbg houses/nns ,/, but/cc they/ppss don't/do* get/vb top/jjs personnel/nns ./.
Our/pp$ key/nn salesmen/nns are/ber in/in appliances/nns and/cc cosmetics/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` God/np ,/, I/ppss take/vb it/ppo ,/, plays/vbz no/at part/nn in/in this/dt ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd waspishly/rb ./.


	``/`` God/np doesn't/doz* have/hv any/dti appliance/nn or/cc cosmetics/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd heatedly/rb before/cs he/pps caught/vbd himself/ppl ./.
It/pps sounded/vbd silly/jj ;/. ;/.
why/wrb go/vb on/rp ?/. ?/.
More/ap people/nns were/bed passing/vbg ;/. ;/.
he/pps had/hvd to/to find/vb some/dti way/nn to/to close/vb this/dt impossible/jj conversation/nn ./.


	``/`` And/cc whiskey/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, smiling/vbg and/cc blinking/vbg at/in the/at highball/nn glasses/nns ./.
``/`` Don't/do* forget/vb whiskey/nn ;/. ;/.
it's/pps+bez such/abl a/at big/jj seller/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, getting/vbg a/at grip/nn on/in himself/ppl ,/, ``/`` I/ppss think/vb you're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/to have/hv to/to excuse/vb me/ppo ./.
I/ppss have/hv an/at appointment/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss can/md imagine/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Probably/rb down/rp at/in the/at bar/nn ./.
But/cc what/wdt do/do you/ppss want/vb to/to do/do about/in the/at lay-sisters/nns ?/. ?/.
They/ppss must/md be/be freezing/vbg up/rp there/rb now/rb ./.
Can't/md* you/ppss help/vb them/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Leave/vb a/at card/nn or/cc something/pn ./.
I'll/ppss+md think/vb it/ppo over/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv no/at card/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd bitterly/rb ./.
``/`` You/ppss haven't/hv* been/ben listening/vbg to/in what/wdt I've/ppss+hv been/ben telling/vbg you/ppo ./.
I/ppss only/rb hope/vb my/pp$ talking/vbg to/in you/ppo has/hvz helped/vbn you/ppo a/at little/ap ,/, anyway/rb ,/, because/cs you/ppss need/vb spiritual/jj bucking-up/nn ''/'' ./.
She/pps looked/vbd crestfallen/jj ,/, as/cs if/cs he/pps had/hvd somehow/rb disappointed/vbn the/at whole/jj human/nn race/nn ./.
She/pps stood/vbd indecisively/rb for/in a/at moment/nn ,/, then/rb walked/vbd down/in the/at hall/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps heard/vbd her/ppo knocking/vbg on/in another/dt door/nn ./.


	It/pps took/vbd him/ppo about/in fifteen/cd minutes/nns to/to calm/vb himself/ppl ;/. ;/.
then/rb he/pps realized/vbd he/pps was/bedz hungry/jj ./.
He/pps showered/vbd ,/, shaved/vbd ,/, dressed/vbd and/cc went/vbd down/rp to/in the/at dining/vbg room/nn for/in breakfast/nn ./.
On/in the/at way/nn he/pps stopped/vbd at/in the/at desk/nn to/to receive/vb his/pp$ mail/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at check/nn from/in his/pp$ company/nn ,/, and/cc the/at usual/jj enthusiastic/jj bulletins/nns on/in new/jj lines/nns they/ppss always/rb issued/vbd ./.
His/pp$ lawyer/nn had/hvd sent/vbn him/ppo a/at statement/nn on/in his/pp$ overdue/jj alimony/nn ,/, and/cc there/ex was/bedz a/at letter/nn from/in the/at Collector/nn-tl of/in-tl Internal/jj-tl Revenue/nn-tl asking/vbg him/ppo to/to stop/vb in/in his/pp$ office/nn and/cc explain/vb last/ap year's/nn$ exemptions/nns ./.


	He/pps ate/vbd breakfast/nn in/in a/at sullen/jj mood/nn ,/, but/cc afterwards/rb ,/, when/wrb he/pps walked/vbd out/rp onto/in Virginia/np-tl Street/nn-tl ,/, he/pps felt/vbd braced/vbn ./.
He/pps looked/vbd off/rp to/in the/at crest/nn of/in the/at Sierras/nps ,/, still/rb white-topped/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at glisten/nn of/in the/at Truckee/np-tl River/nn-tl made/vbd a/at wide/jj spangle/nn ./.
He/pps felt/vbd suddenly/rb elated/vbn ,/, adventurous/jj ./.
With/in any/dti luck/nn at/in all/abn he/pps could/md easily/rb find/vb a/at flowerpot/nn ./.


	Although/cs it/pps was/bedz only/rb three/cd o'clock/rb ,/, he/pps stopped/vbd in/rp at/in the/at Golden/jj-tl Calf/nn-tl ./.
The/at tables/nns were/bed all/abn spinning/vbg ,/, the/at dice/nns rattling/vbg ,/, the/at bar/nn crowded/vbn ./.
Just/rb to/to test/vb himself/ppl ,/, he/pps played/vbd roulette/nn for/in quarters/nns on/in his/pp$ old/jj combination/nn ,/, five/cd and/cc seventeen/cd ,/, and/cc within/in an/at hour/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd won/vbn ,/, surprisingly/rb ,/, twenty/cd dollars/nns ./.
The/at way/nn was/bedz opening/vbg up/rp ;/. ;/.
when/wrb the/at management/nn brought/vbd around/rb champagne/nn ,/, the/at breakfast/nn settled/vbd its/pp$ whirling/nn around/rb in/in his/pp$ stomach/nn ./.


	The/at Golden/jj-tl Calf/nn-tl was/bedz dimly/rb lit/vbn with/in shaded/vbn neon/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed more/ap women/nns than/cs men/nns in/in the/at place/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps couldn't/md* find/vb a/at flowerpot/nn ./.
They/ppss all/abn had/hvd the/at hard/jj look/nn of/in gamblers/nns who/wps had/hvd stopped/vbn dreaming/vbg ,/, who/wps automatically/rb turned/vbd the/at cards/nns ,/, hardly/rb caring/vbg what/wdt showed/vbd up/rp ./.
The/at mural/nn around/in the/at wall/nn depicted/vbd early/jj settlers/nns in/in covered/vbn wagons/nns ,/, who/wps appeared/vbd much/ql more/ql animated/vbn than/cs the/at gamblers/nns ./.
The/at women/nns had/hvd a/at bright/jj shining/vbg expectancy/nn as/cs they/ppss leaned/vbd out/rp from/in the/at wall/nn and/cc gazed/vbd splendidly/rb into/in the/at distance/nn ,/, while/cs the/at men/nns were/bed stern/jj but/cc hopeful/jj ./.
All/abn ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, except/in the/at Donner/np party/nn who/wps were/bed bent/vbn on/in starving/vbg to/in death/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss wonder/vb if/cs they/ppss did/dod eat/vb each/dt other/ap at/in the/at end/nn ''/'' ,/, Owen/np mused/vbd ./.


	He/pps sat/vbd down/rp next/in to/in a/at heavily-upholstered/jj blonde/nn ,/, but/cc she/pps was/bedz cleaned/vbn out/rp in/in twenty/cd minutes/nns ./.
She/pps sighed/vbd a/at dirty/jj word/nn and/cc left/vbd ./.
Owen/np was/bedz surprised/vbn to/to see/vb Mrs./np Gertrude/np Parker/np playing/vbg the/at one-arm/nn bandits/nns that/wps were/bed cunningly/rb arranged/vbn by/in the/at entrance/nn ./.
She/pps sat/vbd down/rp and/cc played/vbd two/cd slots/nns at/in once/rb ,/, looking/vbg grim/jj ,/, as/cs if/cs bested/vbn by/in mechanical/jj devices/nns ,/, and/cc Owen/np felt/vbd sorry/jj for/in the/at lay-sisters/nns depending/vbg on/in her/pp$ support/nn ./.


	A/at dried-up/jj cowboy/nn sat/vbd down/rp next/in to/in him/ppo in/in the/at blonde's/nn$ place/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at little/ap more/ql authentic/jj than/cs usual/jj because/cs he/pps smelled/vbd slightly/rb of/in the/at stables/nns ./.
``/`` What/wdt you/ppss need/md is/bez a/at steady/jj martingale/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at cowboy/nn announced/vbd after/cs watching/vbg Owen/np play/vb ./.
``/`` You/ppss can't/md* build/vb on/in your/pp$ hit-and-miss/jj five-seventeen/cd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt are/ber you/ppss playing/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Owen/np asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem just/rb logging/vbg ''/'' ,/, the/at cowboy/nn explained/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss keep/vb all/abn these/dts plays/nns in/in this/dt little/jj black/jj book/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss watch/vb over/in a/at twelve-hour/jj period/nn to/to find/vb out/rp what/wdt numbers/nns are/ber repeating/vbg ./.
But/cc roulette's/nn+bez not/* my/pp$ game/nn ./.
I'm/ppss+bem always/rb trying/vbg to/to find/vb a/at breaking/vbg table/nn in/in blackjack/nn ./.
Incidentally/rb ,/, I'm/ppss+bem pretty/ql famous/jj in/in these/dts parts/nns :/: I'm/ppss+bem called/vbn The/at-tl Wrangler/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Nice/jj to/to know/vb you/ppo ./.
Don't/do* you/ppo have/hv to/to spend/vb any/dti time/nn on/in your/pp$ ranch/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, of/in course/nn I/ppss do/do ./.
I'm/ppss+bem with/in the/at Bar-H/np ,/, pushing/vbg a/at horse/nn called/vbn Sparky/np ./.
He's/pps+bez my/pp$ own/jj horse/nn ,/, and/cc what/wdt I/ppss collect/vb from/in him/ppo I/ppss use/vb on/in blackjack/nn ./.
This/dt Sparky/np can/md rack/vb and/cc single-foot/vb and/cc he's/pps+bez the/at fastest/jjt thing/nn in/in Washoe/np-tl County/nn-tl ./.
I/ppss figure/vb if/cs I/ppss can/md get/vb any/dti kind/nn of/in publicity/nn campaign/nn going/vbg ,/, I'll/ppss+md land/vb him/ppo on/in TV/np-tl --/-- you/ppss know/vb ,/, one/pn of/in those/dts favorite/jj horses/nns for/in some/dti Western/jj-tl hero/nn ./.
I/ppss once/rb trained/vbd a/at horse/nn for/in Hoot/np Gibson/np ,/, but/cc nothing/pn like/cs Sparky/np ./.
He's/pps+bez a/at pinto/nn and/cc he/pps photographs/vbz wonderfully/rb ''/'' ./.


	Five/cd came/vbd up/rp while/cs Owen/np was/bedz listening/vbg to/in The/at-tl Wrangler/nn-tl and/cc he/pps neglected/vbd to/to play/vb ,/, a/at loss/nn of/in ten/cd dollars/nns ./.
This/dt proved/vbd conclusively/rb that/cs The/at-tl Wrangler/nn-tl was/bedz a/at jinx/nn ,/, so/cs he/pps walked/vbd on/rp down/in to/in Hurrays/np ,/, an/at even/ql more/ql glorified/vbn gambling/vbg den/nn than/cs the/at Golden/jj-tl Calf/nn-tl ./.
When/wrb he/pps looked/vbd in/in the/at back/nn ,/, Mrs./np Gertrude/np Parker/np was/bedz marking/vbg keno/nn cards/nns ./.


	His/pp$ adventurous/jj spirit/nn had/hvd waned/vbn ;/. ;/.
he/pps studied/vbd the/at pistol/nn exhibition/nn that/wps Hurrays/np featured/vbd as/cs an/at added/vbn attraction/nn ./.
He/pps ogled/vbd a/at long/jj redhead/nn with/in green/jj eyes/nns ,/, but/cc she/pps was/bedz a/at shill/nn with/in her/pp$ money/nn in/in front/nn of/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd no/at great/jj prejudice/nn against/in shills/nns ;/. ;/.
it/pps just/rb seemed/vbd such/abl a/at dry/jj run/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz no/at cash/nn around/rb ;/. ;/.
everyone/pn was/bedz flipping/vbg silver/nn dollars/nns ./.
The/at management/nn discreetly/rb withdrew/vbd the/at green/jj stuff/nn into/in the/at office/nn and/cc gave/vbd the/at customers/nns chips/nns or/cc checks/nns or/cc premium/nn points/nns ./.
He/pps read/vbd a/at special/jj announcement/nn whereby/wrb Hurrays/np would/md feature/vb a/at special/jj floorshow/nn at/in three/cd A.M./rb starring/vbg Adele/np (/( The/at-tl Body/nn-tl )/) Brenner/np and/cc fourteen/cd glamorous/jj schoolgirls/nns ./.


	He/pps wondered/vbd if/cs he/pps might/md bag/vb a/at tourist/nn ,/, but/cc they/ppss looked/vbd frightened/vbn of/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps passed/vbd two/cd brides/nns ,/, both/abx wearing/vbg orchids/nns ,/, and/cc they/ppss made/vbd him/ppo feel/vb a/at little/ql sad/jj ./.


	Owen/np found/vbd Buzz/np watching/vbg chuck-a-luck/nn ./.
Buzz/np had/hvd on/rp a/at Hawaiian/jj shirt/nn and/cc was/bedz carrying/vbg some/dti sun-tan/nn oil/nn and/cc dark/jj glasses/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz shorter/jjr and/cc fatter/jjr than/cs Owen/np ,/, who/wps felt/vbd good/rb standing/vbg next/in to/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` We're/ppss+ber all/abn going/vbg over/rp to/in Lake/nn-tl Tahoe/np-tl and/cc try/vb our/pp$ luck/nn at/in Cal-Neva/np ''/'' ,/, Buzz/np explained/vbd ,/, still/rb instigating/vbg ./.
``/`` We/ppss ran/vbd into/in a/at guy/nn at/in the/at Pagan/nn-tl Room/nn-tl who/wps guarantees/nns we/ppss can/md beat/vb the/at wheel/nn ./.
He/pps started/vbd out/rp as/cs a/at stickman/nn ,/, then/rb became/vbd a/at pit/nn boss/nn until/cs the/at Club/nn-tl found/vbd him/ppo crossroading/vbg ./.
He/pps was/bedz knocking/vbg down/rp checks/nns at/in faro/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem allergic/jj to/in Tahoe/np ''/'' ,/, Owen/np explained/vbd ./.
``/`` Something/pn about/in the/at pollen/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, okay/uh ''/'' ,/, Buzz/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` We'll/ppss+md see/vb you/ppo around/rb later/rbr ''/'' ./.


	Owen/np went/vbd over/rp to/in the/at crap/nn table/nn and/cc the/at dice/nns were/bed hot/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps couldn't/md* pyramid/vb with/in any/dti consecutive/jj success/nn ./.


	``/`` How's/wrb+bez your/pp$ luck/nn ,/, honey/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
A/at short/jj platinum/nn blonde/nn in/in a/at bursting/vbg sun-suit/nn addressed/vbd him/ppo ./.
She/pps looked/vbd well-fed/jj and/cc prosperous/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* get/vb the/at impression/nn he/pps was/bedz being/beg propositioned/vbn the/at way/nn he'd/pps+hvd been/ben hoping/vbg ./.


	``/`` I/ppss haven't/hv* had/hvn any/dti luck/nn since/cs I/ppss was/bedz a/at baby/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Stake/vb me/ppo ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc let/vb me/ppo at/in those/dts dice/vb ./.
I'll/ppss+md make/vb them/ppo dance/vb the/at tango/nn ./.
We'll/ppss+md get/vb it/ppo in/in a/at hurry/nn and/cc get/vb it/ppo out/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Let's/vb+ppo have/hv a/at drink/nn and/cc discuss/vb a/at merger/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` If/cs you/ppss go/vb broke/jj ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, smiling/vbg up/rp at/in him/ppo ,/, ``/`` I'll/ppss+md leave/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Sounds/nns like/vb real/jj love/nn ''/'' ,/, Owen/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` It/pps sort/rb of/in brings/vbz a/at lump/nn to/in my/pp$ throat/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ name's/nn+bez Gisele/np ''/'' ,/, the/at blonde/nn said/vbd after/cs she/pps ordered/vbd a/at Scotch/np ./.
``/`` Named/vbn after/in the/at ballet/nn ./.
My/pp$ mother/nn wanted/vbd to/to call/vb me/ppo Sylphide/np ,/, but/cc it/pps sounded/vbd too/ql affected/vbn ''/'' ./.



	Spencer/np said/vbd nothing/pn ./.


	``/`` Is/bez there/ex any/dti word/nn you/ppss would/md like/vb to/to offer/vb in/in your/pp$ own/jj defense/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


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


	Alexander/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Answer/vb me/ppo properly/rb ,/, Spencer/np ''/'' ./.


	Spencer/np was/bedz quiet/jj for/in a/at moment/nn longer/jjr ,/, then/rb he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` There/ex is/bez nothing/pn I/ppss want/vb to/to say/vb ,/, Captain/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Very/ql well/rb ''/'' ./.
Alexander/np walked/vbd away/rb ./.
Naval/jj procedure/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, had/hvd its/pp$ moments/nns of/in grim/jj humor/nn ./.
Philip/np Spencer/np had/hvd cold-bloodedly/rb planned/vbn the/at murder/nn of/in his/pp$ captain/nn ,/, yet/rb it/pps seemed/vbd in/in order/nn to/to chide/vb him/ppo for/in a/at lapse/nn of/in proper/jj address/nn ./.


	During/in the/at morning/nn hours/nns ,/, it/pps became/vbd clear/jj that/cs the/at arrest/nn of/in Spencer/np was/bedz having/hvg no/at sobering/vbg effect/nn upon/in the/at men/nns of/in the/at Somers/np-tl ./.
Those/dts named/vbn in/in the/at Greek/jj paper/nn were/bed manufacturing/vbg reasons/nns to/to steal/vb aft/rb under/in pretence/nn of/in some/dti call/nn of/in duty/nn ,/, so/cs as/cs to/to be/be near/in Spencer/np ,/, watching/vbg an/at opportunity/nn to/to communicate/vb with/in him/ppo ./.
Hostile/jj glances/nns were/bed flashed/vbn at/in both/abx Alexander/np and/cc Gansevoort/np ./.
The/at two/cd met/vbd in/in the/at Captain's/nn$-tl cabin/nn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez the/at next/ap step/nn ,/, Captain/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` More/ap arrests/nns ,/, I/ppss fear/vb ''/'' ./.


	In/in your/pp$ opinion/nn ,/, who/wps is/bez this/dt E./np Andrews/np on/in the/at '/' certain/jj '/' list/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Cromwell/np ,/, of/in course/nn ./.
He/pps is/bez the/at oldest/jjt and/cc most/ql experienced/vbn of/in the/at lot/nn ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at dangers/nns ,/, not/* the/at glories/nns of/in being/beg identified/vbn as/cs a/at mutineer/nn ./.
Somehow/rb he/pps talked/vbd Spencer/np into/in letting/vbg him/ppo use/vb another/dt name/nn ''/'' ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at tap/nn at/in the/at door/nn and/cc Oliver/np entered/vbd with/in the/at word/nn that/cs Heiser/np wished/vbd to/to see/vb the/at Captain/nn-tl ./.


	``/`` Have/hv him/ppo come/vb in/rp ''/'' ./.


	Heiser/np ,/, breathless/jj and/cc wild-eyed/jj ,/, brought/vbd the/at chilling/vbg news/nn that/cs the/at handspikes/nns ,/, heavers/nns and/cc holystones/nns had/hvd been/ben mysteriously/rb removed/vbn from/in their/pp$ customary/jj places/nns ./.


	``/`` And/cc also/rb ,/, sir/nn ,/, two/cd articles/nns which/wdt were/bed considered/vbn souvenirs/nns now/rb must/md be/be regarded/vbn in/in another/dt light/nn entirely/rb ./.
An/at African/jj knife/nn and/cc battle-ax/nn are/ber at/in this/dt moment/nn being/beg sharpened/vbn by/in McKinley/np and/cc Green/np ./.
McKinley/np was/bedz overheard/vbn to/to say/vb that/cs he/pps would/md like/vb to/to get/vb the/at knife/nn into/in Spencer's/np$ possession/nn and/cc that/cs ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Where/wrb did/dod you/ppss gather/vb all/abn this/dt information/nn ,/, Heiser/np ?/. ?/.
Who/wps reported/vbd to/in you/ppo the/at disappearance/nn of/in handspikes/nns and/cc heavers/nns and/cc who/wps ''/'' --/-- 

	He/pps was/bedz interrupted/vbn by/in a/at crash/nn from/in the/at deck/nn and/cc sprang/vbd toward/in the/at ladder/nn ,/, with/in Gansevoort/np and/cc Heiser/np behind/in him/ppo ./.
A/at glance/nn revealed/vbd that/cs the/at main/jjs topgallant/nn mast/nn had/hvd been/ben carried/vbn away/rb ./.
The/at aimless/jj milling/vbg about/rb of/in what/wdt had/hvd been/ben a/at well-trained/jj ,/, well-organized/jj crew/nn struck/vbd Alexander/np with/in horror/nn ./.
He/pps bellowed/vbd orders/nns and/cc watched/vbd the/at alert/jj response/nn of/in some/dti of/in his/pp$ men/nns and/cc watched/vbd ,/, too/rb ,/, the/at way/nn a/at dozen/nn or/cc more/ap turned/vbd their/pp$ heads/nns questioningly/rb toward/in the/at shackled/vbn figure/nn as/cs though/cs for/in further/jjr instruction/nn ./.


	Adrien/np Deslonde/np hastened/vbd to/in Alexander's/np$ side/nn ./.
``/`` Small/np violently/rb jerked/vbd the/at weather-royal/jj brace/nn with/in full/jj intention/nn to/to carry/vb away/rb the/at mast/nn ./.
I/ppss saw/vbd him/ppo myself/ppl and/cc it/pps was/bedz done/vbn after/in consultation/nn with/in Cromwell/np ./.
I/ppss swear/vb it/ppo ,/, sir/nn ''/'' ./.


	And/cc it/pps was/bedz clear/jj that/cs Adrien/np was/bedz not/* mistaken/vbn ,/, for/cs both/abx Small/np and/cc Cromwell/np took/vbd no/at step/nn toward/in aiding/vbg in/in the/at sending/nn up/rp of/in the/at new/jj topgallant/nn mast/nn till/cs Philip/np Spencer/np had/hvd given/vbn the/at signal/nn to/to obey/vb ./.
Then/rb ,/, with/in disappointment/nn evident/jj upon/in their/pp$ faces/nns ,/, they/ppss moved/vbd to/in the/at work/nn ./.
Alexander/np guessed/vbd that/cs they/ppss had/hvd planned/vbn confusion/nn and/cc turmoil/nn ,/, thinking/vbg it/ppo the/at ideal/jj climate/nn in/in which/wdt to/to begin/vb battle/nn and/cc bloodshed/nn ./.
Their/pp$ strategy/nn was/bedz sound/jj enough/qlp and/cc ,/, he/pps reasoned/vbd ,/, had/hvd been/ben defeated/vbn only/rb by/in Philip/np Spencer's/np$ unwillingness/nn to/to sanction/vb an/at idea/nn he/pps had/hvd not/* originated/vbn ./.


	When/wrb the/at mast/nn was/bedz raised/vbn ,/, Alexander/np gave/vbd the/at order/nn for/in Small/np and/cc Cromwell/np to/to be/be placed/vbn under/in arrest/nn ,/, and/cc now/rb three/cd figures/nns in/in irons/nns sprawled/vbd upon/in the/at open/jj deck/nn and/cc terror/nn stalked/vbd the/at Somers/np-tl ./.


	Spencer's/np$ potential/jj followers/nns were/bed openly/rb sullen/jj and/cc morose/jj ,/, missing/vbg muster/nn without/in excuse/nn ,/, expressing/vbg in/in ominous/jj tones/nns their/pp$ displeasure/nn at/in the/at prisoners/nns being/beg kept/vbn in/in irons/nns ,/, communicating/vbg with/in the/at three/cd by/in glance/nn and/cc signal/nn ./.
One/cd of/in the/at missing/vbg handspikes/nns came/vbd out/in of/in its/pp$ hiding/vbg place/nn after/cs Midshipman/nn-tl Tillotson/np had/hvd been/ben insolently/rb disobeyed/vbn by/in Seaman/nn-tl Wilson/np ./.
Tillotson/np had/hvd reported/vbn the/at man/nn to/in Gansevoort/np and/cc an/at hour/nn later/rbr ,/, with/in back/nn turned/vbn ,/, had/hvd been/ben attacked/vbn by/in Wilson/np ,/, brandishing/vbg the/at weapon/nn ./.
Wilson/np ,/, shackled/vbn and/cc snarling/vbg ,/, was/bedz thrown/vbn with/in the/at other/ap prisoners/nns and/cc was/bedz soon/rb joined/vbn by/in Green/np ,/, McKee/np and/cc McKinley/np ./.
Not/* a/at man/nn on/in the/at brig/nn ,/, loyal/jj or/cc villainous/jj ,/, could/md be/be unaffected/jj by/in the/at sight/nn of/in seven/cd men/nns involved/vbn in/in the/at crime/nn of/in mutiny/nn ./.


	In/in the/at tiny/jj cabin/nn ,/, Alexander/np met/vbd with/in Gansevoort/np ,/, Heiser/np and/cc Wales/np to/to speak/vb and/cc to/to listen/vb ./.
Three/cd days/nns had/hvd passed/vbn since/in Spencer's/np$ arrest/nn and/cc each/dt day/nn had/hvd brought/vbn new/jj dangers/nns ,/, new/jj fears/nns ./.


	Gansevoort/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` It/pps requires/vbz an/at omniscient/jj eye/nn to/to select/vb those/dts if/cs any/dti on/in whom/wpo we/ppss can/md now/rb rely/vb ./.
To/to have/hv the/at Greek/jj paper/nn is/bez not/* the/at great/jj help/nn that/cs at/in first/od flush/nn it/pps seemed/vbd ./.
From/in actions/nns aboard/rb ,/, it/pps is/bez easy/jj to/to guess/vb that/cs Spencer's/np$ boast/nn of/in twenty/cd staunch/jj followers/nns was/bedz a/at modest/jj estimate/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ''/'' ,/, Heiser/np ventured/vbd ,/, ``/`` why/wrb don't/do* we/ppss hold/vb an/at investigation/nn with/in questioning/vbg and/cc ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` That/dt would/md be/be worse/jjr than/cs useless/jj ''/'' ,/, Alexander/np broke/vbd in/rp ./.
``/`` There/ex is/bez not/* space/nn to/to hold/vb or/cc force/nn to/to guard/vb any/dti increased/vbn number/nn of/in prisoners/nns ./.
Besides/rb ,/, suppose/vb we/ppss hold/vb a/at court/nn of/in inquiry/nn ,/, then/rb what/wdt ?/. ?/.
Then/rb we/ppss have/hv informed/vbn a/at large/jj number/nn of/in our/pp$ crew/nn that/cs when/wrb they/ppss reach/vb the/at United/vbn-tl States/nns-tl ,/, they/ppss will/md be/be punished/vbn but/cc that/cs in/in the/at meanwhile/rb ,/, they/ppss may/md run/vb loose/jj and/cc are/ber expected/vbn to/to perform/vb their/pp$ jobs/nns in/in good/jj order/nn ./.
Mr./np Heiser/np ,/, does/doz this/dt sound/vb like/cs a/at truly/ql workable/jj plan/nn to/in you/ppo ?/. ?/.
Do/do you/ppss not/* think/vb these/dts men/nns might/md choose/vb the/at black/jj flag/nn here/rb and/cc now/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Wales/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Of/in course/nn they/ppss would/md ./.
They/ppss are/ber about/rb to/to do/do so/rb at/in any/dti moment/nn as/cs it/pps is/bez ./.
All/ql that/dt is/bez needed/vbn is/bez for/cs one/cd man/nn to/to feel/vb self-confident/jj enough/qlp to/to take/vb the/at lead/nn ./.
As/ql soon/rb as/cs that/dt one/cd man/nn is/bez appointed/vbn by/in himself/ppl or/cc the/at others/nns or/cc by/in a/at signal/nn from/in Spencer/np ,/, we/ppss are/ber going/vbg to/to be/be rushed/vbn ./.
We/ppss are/ber going/vbg to/to be/be rushed/vbn and/cc murdered/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That/dt is/bez extravagant/jj language/nn ,/, Mr./np Wales/np ./.
We/ppss are/ber not/* going/vbg to/to be/be rushed/vbn and/cc murdered/vbn ''/'' ,/, Alexander/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` We/ppss are/ber going/vbg to/to bring/vb the/at Somers/np-tl into/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl harbor/nn safe/jj and/cc sound/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Of/in course/nn ,/, I/ppss agree/vb with/in the/at Captain/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, Gansevoort/np said/vbd thoughtfully/rb ,/, ``/`` but/cc the/at conspiracy/nn is/bez ferocious/jj and/cc desperate/jj ./.
The/at instinct/nn of/in discipline/nn has/hvz been/ben lost/vbn ./.
Anything/pn is/bez possible/jj when/wrb anarchy/nn has/hvz the/at upper/jj hand/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps paused/vbd ,/, then/rb added/vbd ,/, ``/`` Everything/pn on/in a/at ship/nn is/bez a/at weapon/nn ./.
Implements/nns of/in wood/nn and/cc iron/nn are/ber available/jj for/in close/jj and/cc hasty/jj combat/nn no/at matter/nn where/wrb a/at man/nn stands/vbz ./.
And/cc we/ppss are/ber positive/jj of/in so/ql few/ap and/cc suspicious/jj of/in so/ql many/ap ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We/ppss ourselves/ppls must/md stand/vb sentinel/nn ''/'' ./.
Alexander/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Under/in arms/nns day/nn and/cc night/nn ,/, watch/vb and/cc watch/vb about/rb ./.
Those/dts of/in us/ppo present/rb ,/, the/at Perry/np brothers/nns ,/, Deslonde/np and/cc the/at other/ap midshipmen/nns now/rb have/hv the/at responsibility/nn of/in the/at Somers/np-tl ./.
A/at great/jj deal/nn of/in labor/nn we/ppss have/hv as/ql well/rb ,/, for/cs we/ppss are/ber too/ql uncertain/jj of/in where/wrb trust/nn may/md be/be placed/vbn ''/'' ./.


	And/cc when/wrb he/pps was/bedz alone/jj again/rb in/in the/at cabin/nn ,/, Alexander/np lowered/vbd his/pp$ head/nn into/in his/pp$ arms/nns and/cc wept/vbd ,/, for/cs he/pps knew/vbd full/ql well/rb what/wdt must/md be/be done/vbn ,/, what/wdt in/in the/at end/nn would/md be/be done/vbn ./.
With/in all/abn his/pp$ heart/nn he/pps had/hvd loved/vbn the/at Navy/nn-tl and/cc now/rb he/pps must/md act/vb in/in accordance/nn with/in the/at Navy's/nn$-tl implacable/jj laws/nns ./.
And/cc when/wrb he/pps did/dod ,/, when/wrb he/pps gave/vbd to/in his/pp$ ship/nn that/dt protection/nn necessary/jj to/to preserve/vb her/pp$ honor/nn ,/, he/pps knew/vbd he/pps would/md lose/vb forever/rb the/at Navy/nn-tl to/in which/wdt he/pps had/hvd dedicated/vbn his/pp$ soul/nn ./.


	Where/wrb had/hvd he/pps failed/vbd ?/. ?/.
How/wrb had/hvd he/pps failed/vbd ?/. ?/.
He/pps who/wps had/hvd tried/vbn so/ql hard/rb ,/, who/wps had/hvd yearned/vbn so/ql passionately/rb to/to be/be a/at great/jj officer/nn ./.
It/pps came/vbd to/in him/ppo as/cs he/pps wept/vbd there/rb aboard/in the/at Somers/np-tl that/cs it/pps was/bedz as/ql foolish/jj to/to strive/vb for/in greatness/nn as/cs to/to seek/vb to/to storm/vb the/at gates/nns of/in heaven/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz given/vbn or/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* given/vbn ./.
One/pn did/dod one's/pn$ best/jjt and/cc if/cs fortune/nn smiled/vbd ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at reward/nn ./.
One/pn did/dod one's/pn$ best/jjt and/cc if/cs fortune/nn frowned/vbd ,/, an/at eighteen-year-old/nn boy/nn with/in murder/nn in/in his/pp$ heart/nn sailed/vbd aboard/in one's/pn$ ship/nn ./.
And/cc Alexander/np sobbed/vbd like/cs a/at girl/nn for/in the/at dreams/nns he/pps had/hvd had/hvn ,/, and/cc he/pps felt/vbd no/at shame/nn ./.
God/np knew/vbd his/pp$ tears/nns were/bed his/pp$$ to/to shed/vb if/cs he/pps so/rb desired/vbd ,/, for/cs it/pps had/hvd not/* been/ben with/in an/at egotist's/nn$ rage/nn for/in fame/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd held/vbn precious/jj his/pp$ naval/jj career/nn ./.
Another/dt field/nn had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo fame/nn enough/qlp to/to satisfy/vb any/dti egotist/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz for/in love/nn that/cs he/pps had/hvd served/vbn the/at Navy/nn-tl ./.
To/to have/hv someday/rb that/dt love/nn returned/vbn was/bedz what/wdt he/pps had/hvd lived/vbn for/in ./.
Now/rb the/at hope/nn was/bedz gone/vbn ./.
Yes/rb ,/, he/pps would/md bring/vb the/at Somers/np-tl safely/rb into/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl harbor/nn but/cc at/in a/at price/nn ./.
Dear/jj God/np ,/, at/in what/wdt a/at price/nn ./.


	And/cc after/in a/at while/nn ,/, he/pps dried/vbd his/pp$ tears/nns and/cc walked/vbd the/at deck/nn as/cs a/at captain/nn should/md with/in assurance/nn and/cc dignity/nn ./.
Stern-faced/jj ,/, he/pps inspected/vbd the/at prisoners/nns ,/, satisfying/vbg himself/ppl that/cs they/ppss were/bed clean/jj ,/, well/rb fed/vbn and/cc comfortable/jj within/in reason/nn ./.
The/at prisoners/nns averted/vbd their/pp$ eyes/nns but/cc not/* before/cs he/pps had/hvd glimpsed/vbn hatred/nn and/cc anger/nn ./.
Only/rb Cromwell/np ,/, the/at giant/jj boatswain/nn ,/, was/bedz mild-mannered/jj and/cc respectful/jj ./.


	He/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Captain/nn-tl ,/, may/md I/ppss speak/vb ,/, please/uh ?/. ?/.
Captain/nn ,/, I/ppss am/bem innocent/jj of/in any/dti plot/nn against/in you/ppo or/cc the/at ship/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Are/ber you/ppss ,/, Cromwell/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, sir/nn ./.
Before/in God/np I/ppss swear/vb I/ppss am/bem innocent/jj ./.
I/ppss know/vb nothing/pn of/in any/dti plot/nn ,/, if/cs there/ex is/bez such/abl a/at thing/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss are/ber the/at only/ap man/nn aboard/rb who/wps can/md be/be in/in doubt/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss cannot/md* speak/vb for/in others/nns ,/, sir/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss am/bem innocent/jj ''/'' ./.
He/pps leaned/vbd closer/rbr to/in Alexander/np ,/, squinting/vbg up/rp at/in him/ppo from/in the/at deck/nn ./.
``/`` Surely/rb ,/, Captain/nn-tl ,/, you/ppss did/dod not/* find/vb my/pp$ name/nn on/in any/dti suspicious/jj paper/nn or/cc anything/pn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, Cromwell/np ,/, I/ppss did/dod not/* find/vb your/pp$ name/nn ./.
You/ppss were/bed careful/jj about/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	Now/rb Spencer/np ,/, seeming/vbg with/in effort/nn to/to shake/vb himself/ppl from/in lethargy/nn ,/, spoke/vbd ./.
He/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Cromwell/np is/bez telling/vbg you/ppss the/at truth/nn ./.
He/pps is/bez innocent/jj ''/'' ./.


	Alexander/np shifted/vbd his/pp$ gaze/nn to/in Spencer/np ./.
The/at calmness/nn and/cc detachment/nn of/in his/pp$ tone/nn suggested/vbd unawareness/nn of/in how/wrb implicit/jj was/bedz his/pp$ own/jj guilt/nn in/in the/at words/nns he/pps had/hvd used/vbn to/to defend/vb Cromwell/np ./.
Alexander/np knew/vbd Spencer/np too/ql well/rb to/to think/vb him/ppo naive/jj or/cc thick-skulled/jj ./.
And/cc in/in a/at sudden/jj wave/nn of/in painful/jj clarity/nn ,/, Alexander/np recognized/vbd a/at kinship/nn with/in Spencer/np ./.
Here/rb was/bedz another/dt human/nn who/wps understood/vbd the/at stupidity/nn of/in quarreling/vbg with/in the/at inevitable/jj ./.
There/ex was/bedz good/jj fortune/nn and/cc there/ex was/bedz bad/jj and/cc Philip/np Spencer/np ,/, in/in handcuffs/nns and/cc ankle/nn irons/nns ,/, knew/vbd it/ppo to/to be/be a/at truth/nn ./.
He/pps expected/vbd nothing/pn for/in himself/ppl but/in that/dt which/wdt naturally/rb follows/vbz those/dts marked/vbn for/in misfortune/nn ./.
The/at red-haired/jj captain/nn ,/, towering/vbg above/in the/at prisoner/nn as/cs a/at symbol/nn of/in decency/nn and/cc authority/nn ,/, was/bedz shocked/vbn to/to find/vb himself/ppl looking/vbg with/in sympathy/nn upon/in Philip/np Spencer/np ./.
This/dt tragic/jj lad/nn had/hvd forged/vbn his/pp$ own/jj shackles/nns ./.
But/cc he/pps could/md not/* have/hv done/vbn so/rb ,/, could/md not/* have/hv found/vbn the/at way/nn ,/, had/hvd fortune/nn favored/vbn him/ppo ./.
And/cc because/cs fortune/nn had/hvd favored/vbn neither/cc the/at prisoner/nn nor/cc the/at red-haired/jj captain/nn ,/, they/ppss would/md be/be each/dt other's/ap$ undoing/nn ./.


	``/`` Spencer/np ,/, if/cs there/ex is/bez guilt/nn ,/, if/cs you/ppss do/do not/* deny/vb your/pp$ own/jj ,/, how/wrb is/bez it/pps possible/jj for/in Cromwell/np to/to be/be innocent/jj ?/. ?/.
He/pps was/bedz your/pp$ constant/jj companion/nn ''/'' ./.


	The/at hazel/nn eyes/nns met/vbd Alexander's/np$ ./.
``/`` I/ppss tell/vb you/ppo he/pps is/bez innocent/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc do/do you/ppo think/vb there/ex is/bez a/at reason/nn why/wrb I/ppss should/md accept/vb your/pp$ word/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ./.
I/ppss have/hv nothing/pn to/to gain/vb by/in defending/vbg Cromwell/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Nothing/pn to/to lose/vb ,/, either/rb ,/, Spencer/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez true/jj ''/'' ,/, Spencer/np agreed/vbd and/cc withdrew/vbd himself/ppl from/in the/at conversation/nn ./.
His/pp$ eyes/nns went/vbd back/rb to/in contemplation/nn of/in the/at sea/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss am/bem innocent/jj ,/, Captain/nn-tl ''/'' ,/, Cromwell/np said/vbd again/rb ./.
``/`` Before/in God/np ,/, Captain/nn-tl ,/, I/ppss am/bem innocent/jj ''/'' ./.


	And/cc though/cs it/pps was/bedz logical/jj that/cs a/at man/nn who/wps could/md plot/vb mass/nn murder/nn would/md not/* hesitate/vb to/to speak/vb an/at untruth/nn ,/, still/rb it/pps was/bedz difficult/jj to/to understand/vb why/wrb Spencer/np spoke/vbd only/rb for/in Cromwell/np ./.
The/at boatswain/nn was/bedz as/ql guilty/jj as/cs any/dti ./.
No/at action/nn of/in his/pp$$ could/md be/be interpreted/vbn in/in his/pp$ favor/nn and/cc four/cd midshipmen/nns ,/, prior/rb to/in their/pp$ knowing/vbg the/at significance/nn of/in the/at Greek/jj paper/nn ,/, had/hvd seen/vbn it/ppo in/in Cromwell's/np$ hands/nns while/cs Spencer/np whispered/vbd explanations/nns ./.


	``/`` I/ppss thought/vbd ''/'' ,/, Midshipman/nn-tl Rogers/np had/hvd told/vbn Alexander/np ,/, ``/`` that/cs Spencer/np was/bedz teaching/vbg him/ppo geometry/nn ''/'' ./.


	It/pps was/bedz fantastic/jj to/to turn/vb from/in the/at seven/cd men/nns in/in shackles/nns to/in the/at wardroom/nn ,/, where/wrb a/at class/nn of/in apprentices/nns awaited/vbd him/ppo ./.
This/dt was/bedz a/at training/vbg ship/nn and/cc the/at training/nn would/md continue/vb ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz an/at element/nn of/in frightful/jj absurdity/nn here/rb which/wdt Alexander/np recognized/vbd ./.
Some/dti of/in these/dts apprentices/nns were/bed ,/, in/in physical/jj strength/nn ,/, already/rb men/nns and/cc doubtless/rb a/at percentage/nn of/in them/ppo were/bed Spencer's/np$ followers/nns ./.

Rachel/np steered/vbd me/ppo along/rb toward/in a/at school/nn for/in young/jj boys/nns beginning/vbg to/to study/vb the/at Torah/np ./.
Bits/nns of/in trash/nn lay/vbd in/in the/at roadway/nn ./.
The/at air/nn smelled/vbd warmish/jj and/cc foul/jj ./.


	A/at young/jj man/nn appeared/vbd out/in of/in a/at side/nn alley/nn and/cc walked/vbd toward/in us/ppo with/in quick/jj strides/nns ./.
He/pps wore/vbd a/at long/jj double-breasted/jj coat/nn of/in a/at heavy/jj material/nn ,/, dark/jj trousers/nns ,/, and/cc black/jj boots/nns with/in buckles/nns ./.
His/pp$ black/jj hat/nn with/in its/pp$ wide/jj brim/nn ,/, high/jj crown/nn ,/, and/cc fur/nn trim/nn rode/vbd high/rb ./.
With/in his/pp$ head/nn erect/jj ,/, he/pps approached/vbd ,/, not/* glancing/vbg at/in us/ppo ,/, and/cc passed/vbd by/rb with/in his/pp$ clear/jj eyes/nns raised/vbn and/cc fixed/vbn straight/rb ahead/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd a/at pinkish-white/jj complexion/nn ,/, a/at small/jj straight/jj nose/nn ,/, a/at short/jj black/jj beard/nn ,/, and/cc tightly/rb curled/vbn paot/fw-nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz suddenly/rb conscious/jj of/in my/pp$ bare/jj arms/nns ./.
The/at girls/nns in/in the/at market/nn place/nn wore/vbd long-sleeved/jj dresses/nns and/cc covered/vbd their/pp$ legs/nns with/in cloth/nn stockings/nns ./.
I/ppss turned/vbd and/cc watched/vbd him/ppo stride/vb down/in the/at center/nn of/in the/at road/nn ./.
His/pp$ hands/nns were/bed swinging/vbg at/in his/pp$ sides/nns ,/, and/cc he/pps passed/vbd through/in the/at dingy/jj market/nn place/nn with/in his/pp$ back/nn straight/jj and/cc ,/, pivoting/vbg on/in his/pp$ heel/nn ,/, he/pps entered/vbd an/at old/jj stone/nn building/nn ./.


	Rachel/np had/hvd seen/vbn me/ppo watching/vbg the/at young/jj man/nn ./.
She/pps smiled/vbd ./.
``/`` When/wrb your/pp$ mother/nn was/bedz here/rb he/pps must/md have/hv been/ben a/at young/jj boy/nn ./.
Like/cs the/at ones/nns you/ppss will/md see/vb now/rb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss swallowed/vbd hard/rb and/cc looked/vbd down/rp at/in my/pp$ feet/nns plodding/vbg along/rb beside/in Rachel/np ./.
She/pps led/vbd me/ppo into/in a/at twisting/vbg side/nn alley/nn ./.
The/at dirty/jj ,/, discolored/vbn buildings/nns looked/vbd boarded/vbn up/rp ,/, and/cc their/pp$ few/ap windows/nns stood/vbd high/rb above/in our/pp$ heads/nns ./.
Rachel/np said/vbd that/cs schools/nns and/cc synagogues/nns occupied/vbd most/ap of/in the/at buildings/nns ./.
We/ppss entered/vbd one/cd where/wrb the/at front/jj door/nn stood/vbd ajar/rb and/cc climbed/vbd a/at flight/nn of/in steep/jj steps/nns to/in the/at main/jjs floor/nn ./.
An/at old/jj man/nn with/in a/at white/jj beard/nn and/cc dressed/vbn in/in a/at long/jj shabby/jj coat/nn ,/, baggy/jj trousers/nns ,/, and/cc a/at black/jj skullcap/nn greeted/vbd us/ppo ./.
Rachel/np talked/vbd to/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps nodded/vbd ,/, clasping/vbg and/cc unclasping/vbg his/pp$ hands/nns over/in his/pp$ paunch/nn ,/, and/cc flicked/vbd glances/nns at/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss thought/vbd he/pps would/md ask/vb us/ppo to/to leave/vb because/cs Rachel/np and/cc I/ppss were/bed bare-armed/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps looked/vbd down/rp into/in his/pp$ beard/nn and/cc preceded/vbd us/ppo down/in the/at corridor/nn ./.
His/pp$ toes/nns pointed/vbd out/rp toward/in the/at walls/nns ./.
He/pps stopped/vbd in/in front/nn of/in a/at door/nn ,/, placed/vbd a/at finger/nn on/in his/pp$ lips/nns ,/, and/cc ,/, still/rb peering/vbg down/rp into/in his/pp$ beard/nn ,/, pushed/vbd open/jj the/at door/nn to/in a/at classroom/nn ./.
We/ppss stepped/vbd inside/rb ./.
He/pps left/vbd us/ppo ./.


	Little/jj boys/nns crowded/vbd together/rb on/in long/jj wooden/jj benches/nns ,/, and/cc in/in the/at center/nn of/in the/at room/nn sat/vbd the/at teacher/nn ./.
His/pp$ black/jj beard/nn dripped/vbd down/rp over/in the/at front/nn of/in his/pp$ coat/nn ./.
One/cd white/jj hand/nn poised/vbd a/at stick/nn above/in his/pp$ desk/nn ./.
He/pps turned/vbd his/pp$ surly/jj ,/, half-closed/jj eyes/nns toward/in us/ppo ,/, stared/vbd for/in a/at second/nn ,/, then/rb shouted/vbd in/in Yiddish/np ,/, ``/`` One/cd ,/, two/cd ,/, three/cd ''/'' !/. !/.
Rapping/vbg the/at stick/nn against/in the/at desk/nn ./.
The/at little/jj boys/nns shrilled/vbd out/rp a/at Yiddish/jj translation/nn or/cc interpretation/nn of/in the/at Five/cd-tl Books/nns-tl of/in-tl Moses/np-tl ,/, which/wdt they/ppss had/hvd previously/rb chanted/vbn in/in Hebrew/np ./.
They/ppss chanted/vbd a/at fixed/vbn tune/nn in/in time/nn to/in the/at report/nn of/in the/at stick/nn ./.
Each/dt boy/nn opened/vbd his/pp$ small/jj mouth/nn wide/jj and/cc rocked/vbd back/rb and/cc forth/rb on/in the/at bench/nn in/in the/at way/nn his/pp$ grandfather/nn and/cc great-grandfather/nn had/hvd studied/vbn and/cc prayed/vbn in/in the/at ghettos/nns of/in Europe/np ./.
The/at boys/nns were/bed tiny/jj ./.
They/ppss had/hvd large/jj bright/jj eyes/nns ,/, the/at small/jj upturned/jj noses/nns of/in all/abn babies/nns everywhere/rb ,/, and/cc hair/nn cropped/vbn short/jj except/in for/in the/at long/jj ringlets/nns of/in paot/fw-nn framing/vbg their/pp$ little/jj white/jj faces/nns ./.
They/ppss bent/vbd over/rp yellowed/vbn prayerbooks/nns and/cc looked/vbd up/rp only/rb to/to watch/vb the/at teacher/nn ./.
Since/cs they/ppss did/dod not/* glance/vb curiously/rb at/in us/ppo once/rb ,/, I/ppss guessed/vbd that/cs there/ex was/bedz a/at penalty/nn for/in distraction/nn ./.
The/at guttural/jj language/nn from/in the/at ghetto/nn stopped/vbd ./.
The/at teacher/nn plunged/vbd the/at children/nns into/in a/at new/jj portion/nn ,/, this/dt time/nn in/in Hebrew/np ,/, rapping/vbg the/at stick/nn incessantly/rb ./.


	One/cd boy/nn who/wps rocked/vbd back/rb and/cc forth/rb over/in his/pp$ worn/vbn book/nn had/hvd bright/jj red/jj hair/nn and/cc freckles/nns ./.
His/pp$ tightly/rb curled/vbn paot/fw-nn hung/vbd down/rp to/in his/pp$ narrow/jj shoulders/nns ./.
In/in the/at center/nn of/in his/pp$ brilliant/jj curls/nns sat/vbd a/at small/jj black/jj skullcap/nn ./.
His/pp$ head/nn barely/rb rose/vbd above/in the/at table/nn ./.
I/ppss stared/vbd at/in him/ppo for/in a/at long/jj time/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* return/vb my/pp$ interest/nn ./.
My/pp$ eyes/nns traveled/vbd over/in the/at bare/jj walls/nns and/cc up/in to/in the/at one/cd partially/rb open/jj window/nn high/rb above/in the/at little/jj figures/nns and/cc back/rb to/in the/at boys/nns ./.
Some/dti of/in them/ppo ignored/vbn the/at texts/nns and/cc had/hvd apparently/rb memorized/vbn the/at words/nns long/vb ago/rb ./.
They/ppss singsonged/vbd the/at portion/nn at/in the/at teacher/nn ,/, who/wps accompanied/vbd them/ppo in/in an/at off-key/jj baritone/nn and/cc spurred/vbd them/ppo on/rp with/in the/at stick/nn ./.
The/at tapping/nn defined/vbd the/at rhythm/nn and/cc kept/vbd the/at boys/nns awake/rb ./.
I/ppss could/md not/* keep/vb my/pp$ eyes/nns away/rb from/in the/at boy/nn with/in the/at red/jj hair/nn ./.
His/pp$ body/nn pitched/vbd back/rb and/cc forth/rb on/in the/at bench/nn ./.
His/pp$ front/jj teeth/nns were/bed missing/vbg ./.


	I/ppss shuddered/vbd and/cc backed/vbd out/in of/in the/at room/nn ./.
Rachel/np followed/vbd ,/, looked/vbd at/in me/ppo ,/, and/cc clucked/vbd with/in her/pp$ tongue/nn ./.
We/ppss walked/vbd down/in the/at cool/jj hall/nn silently/rb ./.
From/in behind/in us/ppo came/vbd the/at rapping/nn of/in the/at stick/nn and/cc the/at high-pitched/jj voices/nns of/in the/at boys/nns who/wps would/md grow/vb to/to devote/vb their/pp$ lives/nns to/in rigid/jj study/nn and/cc prayer/nn ./.


	I/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` How/wrb long/jj do/do they/ppss keep/vb that/dt up/rp ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` All/abn day/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Except/in for/in Shabbat/np ,/, when/wrb they/ppss are/ber praying/vbg all/abn day/nn ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss rubbed/vbd my/pp$ hands/nns together/rb ./.
They/ppss had/hvd turned/vbn numb/jj and/cc prickly/rb in/in the/at classroom/nn ./.
The/at old/jj man/nn in/in the/at baggy/jj clothes/nns waited/vbd at/in the/at foot/nn of/in the/at steps/nns ./.
He/pps glanced/vbd down/rp into/in his/pp$ beard/nn and/cc muttered/vbd something/pn in/in Yiddish/np ./.


	Rachel/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` He/pps asks/vbz for/in money/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps passed/vbd by/in him/ppo ./.
I/ppss reached/vbd into/in the/at pocket/nn of/in my/pp$ skirt/nn ,/, fingered/vbd ten/cd pruta/fw-nns ,/, and/cc dropped/vbd the/at coin/nn ./.
Then/rb I/ppss picked/vbd it/ppo up/rp again/rb and/cc handed/vbd it/ppo to/in the/at old/jj man/nn ./.
He/pps thanked/vbd me/ppo ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* look/vb at/in him/ppo ./.


	I/ppss grinned/vbd at/in Rachel/np ./.
``/`` Does/doz this/dt bother/vb you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss said/vbd ./.


	She/pps smiled/vbd to/in herself/ppl ./.
``/`` Most/ap of/in our/pp$ Sabras/nps think/vb it's/pps+bez horrible/jj ./.
When/wrb we/ppss were/bed fighting/vbg ,/, a/at few/ap of/in our/pp$ orthodox/jj people/nns were/bed lying/vbg down/rp in/in the/at roads/nns so/cs we/ppss could/md not/* pass/vb ./.
They/ppss said/vbd that/cs we/ppss must/md not/* fight/vb but/cc wait/vb for/in the/at Messiah/np ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss was/bedz amazed/vbn ./.
You/ppss had/hvd to/to have/hv convictions/nns to/to lie/vb down/rp in/in the/at road/nn in/in all/abn those/dts clothes/nns and/cc appear/vb as/cs though/cs you/ppss might/md wish/vb to/to turn/vb yourself/ppl out/in of/in your/pp$ own/jj home/nr ./.
You/ppss had/hvd to/to be/be stupid/jj or/cc crazy/jj or/cc immortal/jj ./.
And/cc I/ppss wasn't/bedz* ./.
I/ppss was/bedz American/jj ./.
You/ppss had/hvd to/to know/vb ,/, also/rb ,/, that/cs you/ppss were/bed going/vbg to/to fail/vb ./.
All/abn of/in it/ppo might/md have/hv been/ben heroic/jj ,/, but/cc they/ppss had/hvd done/vbn it/ppo in/in the/at wrong/jj place/nn ./.
I/ppss resented/vbd them/ppo ./.


	Rachel/np faced/vbd me/ppo ./.
Her/pp$ bright/jj eyes/nns were/bed twinkling/vbg ./.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Sometimes/rb I/ppss think/vb they/ppss are/ber keeping/vbg religion/nn for/in us/ppo while/cs we/ppss play/vb around/rb ./.
Your/pp$ mother/nn hated/vbd this/dt way/nn of/in life/nn ./.
She/pps wished/vbd to/to change/vb much/rb for/in the/at children/nns here/rb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss said/vbd quietly/rb ,/, respectfully/rb ,/, ``/`` What/wps did/dod she/pps do/do here/rb ?/. ?/.
In/in this/dt section/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Rachel/np clicked/vbd her/pp$ tongue/nn behind/in her/pp$ teeth/nns ./.
``/`` Here/rb ,/, nothing/pn ./.
But/cc when/wrb she/pps saw/vbd the/at children/nns you/ppss have/hv just/rb visited/vbn ,/, she/pps wanted/vbd to/to take/vb them/ppo away/rb and/cc put/vb them/ppo out/in in/in the/at country/nn ,/, in/in the/at kibbutzim/nns ./.
She/pps loved/vbd the/at children/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz a/at strange/jj woman/nn ,/, your/pp$ mother/nn ./.
When/wrb she/pps loved/vbd ,/, it/pps was/bedz with/in a/at passion/nn that/wps drove/vbd her/ppo along/rb and/cc carried/vbd along/rb with/in her/ppo those/dts things/nns she/pps loved/vbd ./.
Nothing/pn was/bedz too/ql impossible/jj for/in her/ppo to/to do/do when/wrb she/pps wanted/vbd ./.
She/pps stayed/vbd here/rb to/to work/vb for/in Aliah/np ./.
For/in many/ap immigrants/nns ,/, for/in many/ap children/nns ,/, the/at first/od thing/nn they/ppss knew/vbd of/in Israel/np and/cc freedom/nn was/bedz your/pp$ mother/nn ./.
Sometimes/rb it/pps was/bedz dangerous/jj for/in her/ppo ''/'' ./.
Rachel/np grinned/vbd slyly/rb ./.
``/`` But/cc she/pps loved/vbd danger/nn ./.
She/pps took/vbd it/ppo with/in her/ppo wherever/wrb she/pps went/vbd ;/. ;/.
she/pps chose/vbd it/ppo ./.
And/cc I/ppss think/vb she/pps sought/vbd out/rp danger/nn as/ql much/rb as/cs she/pps sought/vbd out/rp helping/vbg other/ap people/nns ./.
She/pps was/bedz most/ql strange/jj woman/nn ./.
Ready/jj to/to follow/vb her/pp$ impulse/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz an/at impulse/nn when/wrb she/pps was/bedz here/rb in/in Me'a/np She'arim/np --/-- I/ppss was/bedz with/in her/ppo --/-- that/wps led/vbd her/ppo to/to stay/vb in/in Israel/np ./.
Your/pp$ mother/nn wanted/vbd to/to bring/vb children/nns to/in Israel/np so/cs that/cs they/ppss could/md leave/vb their/pp$ ghettos/nns ./.
Here/rb they/ppss did/dod not/* need/vb to/to be/be in/in ghettos/nns ./.
If/cs she/pps could/md not/* take/vb the/at children/nns out/in of/in this/dt section/nn ,/, at/in least/ap she/pps could/md take/vb other/ap children/nns out/in of/in their/pp$ countries/nns and/cc put/vb them/ppo on/in the/at farms/nns ./.
She/pps set/vbd out/rp to/to make/vb sure/jj that/cs no/at Jewish/jj child/nn anyplace/rb in/in the/at world/nn had/hvd to/to live/vb in/in a/at place/nn such/jj as/cs this/dt ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss said/vbd quietly/rb ,/, gaining/vbg nerve/nn ,/, ready/jj to/to ask/vb any/dti question/nn at/in all/abn ,/, no/at matter/nn how/wrb intimate/jj ,/, ready/jj to/to be/be rebuffed/vbn ,/, ``/`` Then/rb why/wrb did/dod she/pps leave/vb Israel/np ?/. ?/.
I'd/ppss+md like/vb to/to know/vb that/dt very/ql much/rb ''/'' ./.


	Rachel/np clasped/vbd her/pp$ hands/nns together/rb and/cc slowed/vbd her/pp$ pace/nn ./.
The/at soles/nns of/in her/pp$ sandals/nns reported/vbd sharply/rb on/in the/at cobblestones/nns ./.
She/pps pursed/vbd her/ppo lips/nns ,/, then/rb clamped/vbd them/ppo together/rb so/ql tightly/rb that/cs I/ppss thought/vbd she/pps was/bedz angry/jj with/in me/ppo ./.
But/cc she/pps sighed/vbd and/cc her/pp$ face/nn relaxed/vbd ./.
``/`` Trouble/nn came/vbd into/in her/pp$ life/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd good/jj friends/nns here/rb ,/, people/nns who/wps liked/vbd her/ppo ./.
Who/wps loved/vbd her/ppo ./.
But/cc she/pps had/hvd to/to go/vb out/rp and/cc hurt/vb herself/ppl ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at man/nn here/rb in/in town/nn ./.
He/pps helped/vbd her/ppo meet/vb people/nns so/cs she/pps could/md go/vb out/rp and/cc do/do the/at work/nn she/pps wanted/vbd ./.
She/pps worked/vbd very/ql hard/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at refugee/nn who/wps was/bedz able/jj to/to come/vb here/rb because/cs of/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps came/vbd with/in his/pp$ son/nn ./.
At/in first/rb I/ppss thought/vbd they/ppss were/bed relatives/nns of/in your/pp$ mother/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* so/rb ./.
This/dt refugee/nn was/bedz a/at middle-aged/jj man/nn ,/, a/at big/jj ,/, handsome/jj man/nn with/in a/at strut/nn to/in his/pp$ walk/nn as/cs I/ppss have/hv never/rb before/rb seen/vbn ./.
He/pps had/hvd the/at black/jj numerals/nns on/in his/pp$ arm/nn ,/, so/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben branded/vbn in/in a/at concentration/nn camp/nn ./.
Yet/rb he/pps walked/vbd like/cs a/at young/jj man/nn ./.
Often/rb he/pps was/bedz terribly/ql despondent/jj and/cc talked/vbd to/in no/at one/pn ./.
Then/rb he/pps would/md walk/vb off/rp for/in a/at few/ap days/nns alone/rb in/in the/at direction/nn of/in Europe/np ./.
All/abn his/pp$ family/nn was/bedz dead/jj ,/, except/in for/in his/pp$ son/nn ./.
Your/pp$ mother/nn would/md always/rb retrieve/vb him/ppo when/wrb he/pps wandered/vbd off/rp ,/, and/cc she/pps would/md send/vb him/ppo home/nr to/in his/pp$ son/nn ./.
He/pps loved/vbd the/at son/nn and/cc was/bedz always/rb glad/jj to/to be/be sent/vbn back/rb to/in him/ppo ./.
Then/rb his/pp$ son/nn did/dod something/pn ''/'' --/-- Rachel/np threw/vbd up/rp her/pp$ hands/nns --/-- ``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt ,/, but/cc something/pn ,/, to/in an/at official/nn here/rb --/-- it/pps was/bedz during/in the/at Mandate/nn-tl --/-- and/cc the/at son/nn was/bedz imprisoned/vbn ./.
A/at few/ap hours/nns after/cs the/at son/nn was/bedz arrested/vbn ,/, your/pp$ mother/nn was/bedz informed/vbn ./.
She/pps ran/vbd from/in a/at little/jj group/nn of/in us/ppo ./.
We/ppss were/bed sitting/vbg together/rb ,/, talking/vbg ./.
She/pps went/vbd to/in the/at father/nn and/cc found/vbd he/pps had/hvd hanged/vbn himself/ppl ''/'' ./.
Rachel/np paused/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz silent/jj in/in the/at stone/nn alley/nn ./.
Then/rb she/pps continued/vbd with/in energy/nn ,/, ``/`` I/ppss myself/ppl did/dod not/* see/vb her/ppo until/cs a/at week/nn after/cs she/pps had/hvd run/vbn off/rp to/to find/vb the/at father/nn ./.
No/at one/pn saw/vbd her/ppo except/in the/at man/nn Reuveni/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Rachel/np gave/vbd me/ppo a/at direct/jj ,/, bright-eyed/jj look/nn ./.
She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Reuveni/np wanted/vbd your/pp$ mother/nn to/to give/vb up/rp her/pp$ deep/jj interest/nn in/in this/dt refugee/nn ./.
He/pps said/vbd she/pps would/md only/rb hurt/vb herself/ppl ./.
He/pps complained/vbd to/in me/ppo once/rb that/cs I/ppss must/md talk/vb to/in her/ppo ./.
When/wrb I/ppss did/dod ,/, she/pps shrugged/vbd her/pp$ shoulders/nns and/cc said/vbd that/cs Reuveni/np wanted/vbd her/ppo to/to marry/vb him/ppo ./.
I/ppss asked/vbd her/ppo if/cs she/pps would/md ,/, and/cc she/pps said/vbd she/pps would/md not/* ./.
He/pps had/hvd known/vbn when/wrb he/pps first/rb helped/vbd her/ppo to/to meet/vb the/at right/jj people/nns and/cc work/vb with/in them/ppo that/cs she/pps did/dod not/* intend/vb to/to marry/vb him/ppo ./.
Anyway/rb ,/, I/ppss did/dod not/* see/vb her/ppo until/cs two/cd weeks/nns after/cs the/at refugee/nn hanged/vbd himself/ppl ./.
She/pps came/vbd to/in me/ppo one/cd day/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz pale/jj and/cc skinny/jj ;/. ;/.
she/pps was/bedz terribly/ql alone/rb ./.
And/cc she/pps said/vbd that/cs after/cs this/dt man/nn had/hvd been/ben dead/jj for/in a/at week/nn she/pps had/hvd gone/vbn to/in Reuveni/np and/cc accepted/vbd his/pp$ proposal/nn ./.
He/pps shouted/vbd at/in her/ppo and/cc told/vbd her/ppo he/pps loved/vbd her/ppo and/cc couldn't/md* understand/vb why/wrb she/pps had/hvd upset/vbn herself/ppl ./.
But/cc now/rb he/pps was/bedz happy/jj she/pps would/md let/vb him/ppo straighten/vb out/rp her/pp$ life/nn and/cc take/vb care/nn of/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps would/md never/rb let/vb her/ppo harm/nn herself/ppl again/rb ./.
For/cs one/cd whole/jj week/nn he/pps never/rb let/vbd her/ppo stay/vb alone/rb ./.
She/pps let/vbd him/ppo lead/vb her/ppo around/rb ./.
He/pps took/vbd her/ppo to/in a/at doctor/nn ,/, for/cs she/pps was/bedz run/vbn down/rp ,/, nervous/jj ,/, did/dod not/* care/vb where/wrb she/pps was/bedz ./.
Reuveni/np took/vbd her/ppo with/in him/ppo wherever/wrb he/pps went/vbd ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* let/vb her/ppo talk/vb to/in people/nns ;/. ;/.
he/pps did/dod not/* let/vb her/ppo choose/vb her/pp$ own/jj food/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz limp/jj and/cc beaten/vbn from/in her/pp$ loss/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps did/dod not/* care/vb ./.

``/`` And/cc I'll/ppss+md take/vb you/ppo with/in me/ppo ''/'' ./.
The/at two/cd of/in them/ppo against/in the/at world/nn ./.
That/dt had/hvd been/ben how/wrb she/pps imagined/vbd it/ppo ./.
For/cs when/wrb he/pps began/vbd to/to talk/vb and/cc dream/vb all/abn at/in the/at same/ap time/nn ,/, making/vbg his/pp$ plans/nns as/cs he/pps went/vbd ,/, she/pps had/hvd begun/vbn dreaming/vbg too/rb ./.
But/cc now/rb the/at dream/nn was/bedz over/rp ./.
The/at big/jj waking/vbg up/rp had/hvd happened/vbn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt did/dod I/ppss imagine/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps thought/vbd ./.
``/`` Did/dod I/ppss see/vb him/ppo about/rb to/to swing/vb low/rb in/in a/at chariot/nn ?/. ?/.
Or/cc maybe/rb poling/vbg up/in the/at south/nr fork/nn of/in the/at Forked/vbn-tl Deer/nn-tl River/nn-tl braving/vbg the/at wastes/nns dumped/vbn in/in it/ppo ?/. ?/.
Maybe/rb I/ppss saw/vbd him/ppo on/in a/at barge/nn with/in a/at gang/nn of/in Ethiopians/nps poling/vbg it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	And/cc I'll/ppss+md take/vb you/ppo with/in me/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd taken/vbn her/ppo all/ql right/rb ./.
Wednesday/nr nights/nns after/in youth/nn fellowship/nn ./.
Out/in of/in the/at church/nn and/cc into/in his/pp$ big/jj car/nn ,/, it/pps tooling/vbg over/in the/at road/nn with/in him/ppo driving/vbg and/cc the/at headlights/nns sweeping/vbg the/at pike/nn ahead/rb and/cc after/cs he/pps hit/vbd college/nn ,/, his/pp$ expansiveness/nn ,/, the/at quaint/jj little/ap pine/nn board/nn tourist/nn courts/nns ,/, cabins/nns really/rb ,/, with/in a/at cute/jj naked/jj light/nn bulb/nn in/in the/at ceiling/nn (/( unfrosted/jj and/cc naked/jj as/cs a/at streetlight/nn ,/, like/cs the/at one/pn on/in the/at corner/nn where/wrb you/ppss used/vbd to/to play/vb when/wrb you/ppss were/bed a/at kid/nn ,/, where/wrb you/ppss watched/vbd the/at bats/nns swooping/vbg in/rp after/in the/at bugs/nns ,/, watching/vbg in/in between/in your/pp$ bouts/nns at/in hopscotch/nn )/) ,/, a/at room/nn complete/jj with/in moths/nns pinging/vbg the/at light/nn and/cc the/at few/ap casual/jj cockroaches/nns cruising/vbg the/at walls/nns ,/, an/at insect/nn Highway/nn-tl Patrol/nn-tl with/in feelers/nns waving/vbg ./.
And/cc the/at bed/nn that/wps sagged/vbd in/in a/at certain/jj place/nn where/wrb all/abn the/at weight/nn had/hvd been/ben put/vbn too/ql many/ap times/nns before/rb and/cc the/at walls/nns fine/vb and/cc thin/jj for/in overhearing/vbg talk/nn in/in the/at next/ap room/nn when/wrb Gratt/np went/vbd out/rp for/in ice/nn ,/, the/at sound/nn coming/vbg through/in the/at walls/nns like/vb something/pn on/in the/at other/ap side/nn of/in the/at curtain/nn ,/, so/cs you/ppss knew/vbd they/ppss heard/vbd you/ppss when/wrb they/ppss were/bed quiet/jj and/cc while/cs you/ppss lay/vbd wondering/vbg what/wdt they/ppss had/hvd heard/vbn you/ppss listened/vbd ./.


	And/cc Gratt/np Shafer/np would/md be/be in/in Memphis/np today/nr for/in the/at wedding/nn rehearsal/nn and/cc then/rb tomorrow/nr he/pps would/md marry/vb just/rb like/cs everybody/pn knew/vbd he/pps would/md ,/, just/rb like/cs everybody/pn knew/vbd all/abn along/rb ./.
Like/cs Mattie/np and/cc the/at mayor/nn up/rp there/rb gripping/vbg the/at microphone/nn and/cc Toonker/np Burkette/np back/rb in/in his/pp$ office/nn yanking/vbg out/rp teeth/nns ,/, like/cs they/ppss all/abn knew/vbd he/pps would/md ./.
Just/rb like/cs the/at balloon/nn would/md go/vb up/rp and/cc you/ppss could/md sit/vb all/abn day/nn and/cc wish/vb it/pps would/md spring/vb a/at leak/nn or/cc blow/vb to/in hell/nn up/rp and/cc burn/vb and/cc nothing/pn like/cs that/dt would/md happen/vb ./.
Or/cc you/ppss could/md hope/vb the/at parachute/nn wouldn't/md* open/vb just/rb so/cs you/ppss could/md say/vb you/ppss saw/vbd it/ppo not/* open/jj ,/, not/* because/cs you/ppss meant/vbd any/dti harm/nn to/in Starkey/np Poe/np in/in his/pp$ suit/nn of/in red/jj underwear/nn ,/, but/cc mainly/rb because/cs you/ppss were/bed tired/vbn of/in being/beg an/at old/jj maid/nn --/-- a/at thing/nn which/wdt cannot/md* admit/vb when/wrb it/pps thinks/vbz it/ppo might/md be/be pregnant/jj ,/, but/cc must/md stand/vb the/at dizzy/jj feeling/nn all/ql alone/rb and/cc go/vb on/rp like/cs everything/pn is/bez all/ql right/jj instead/rb of/in being/beg able/jj to/to say/vb to/in somebody/pn in/in a/at normal/jj voice/nn :/: ``/`` I/ppss think/vb I'm/ppss+bem pregnant/jj ''/'' ./.
You/ppss could/md wish/vb that/dt ./.
Or/cc you/ppss could/md wish/vb your/pp$ daddy/nn would/md really/rb do/do it/ppo --/-- kill/vb Gratt/np Shafer/np like/cs he/pps said/vbd when/wrb you/ppss all/abn the/at time/nn ,/, all/abn along/rb ,/, could/md feel/vb the/at nerve/nn draining/vbg out/in of/in him/ppo like/cs air/nn out/in of/in a/at punctured/vbn tire/nn when/wrb you/ppss are/ber on/in a/at muddy/jj road/nn alone/rb and/cc it/pps is/bez raining/vbg and/cc at/in night/nn ./.
So/cs you/ppss sit/vb in/in the/at car/nn and/cc listen/vb to/in the/at air/nn run/vb out/rp and/cc listen/vb to/in the/at rain/nn and/cc see/vb the/at mud/nn in/in front/nn of/in the/at headlights/nns ,/, waiting/vbg for/in you/ppo ,/, for/in your/pp$ new/jj spectator/nn pumps/nns ,/, waiting/vbg for/in you/ppo to/to squat/vb by/in yourself/ppl out/rp there/rb in/in your/pp$ tight/jj skirt/nn ,/, crying/vbg and/cc afraid/jj and/cc trying/vbg to/to get/vb that/dt damned/vbn son-of-a-bitch/nn tire/nn off/rp ,/, because/cs that/dt is/bez being/beg an/at old/jj maid/nn too/rb ,/, if/cs you/ppss happen/vb to/to drive/vb a/at car/nn ,/, it/pps is/bez changing/vbg the/at tire/nn yourself/ppl in/in the/at night/nn ,/, and/cc in/in the/at mud/nn and/cc the/at rain/nn ,/, hating/vbg to/to get/vb out/rp in/in it/ppo but/cc afraid/jj to/to stay/vb and/cc afraid/jj to/to try/vb to/to walk/vb out/rp for/in help/nn ./.
And/cc every/at sound/nn that/wps might/md be/be the/at rain/nn also/rb might/md be/be the/at man/nn who/wps thinks/vbz after/cs he/pps has/hvz raped/vbn you/ppo he/pps has/hvz to/to beat/vb your/pp$ brains/nns out/rp with/in a/at tire/nn tool/nn so/cs you/ppss won't/md* tell/vb ,/, a/at combination/nn like/cs ham/nn and/cc eggs/nns ,/, rape/vb her/ppo and/cc kill/vb her/ppo ,/, and/cc that/dt is/bez being/beg an/at old/jj maid/nn too/rb ./.
It/pps is/bez not/* having/hvg his/pp$ baby/nn nestled/vbn warm/jj and/cc fat/jj against/in your/pp$ breast/nn and/cc it/pps is/bez not/* having/hvg somebody/pn that/wps really/rb gives/vbz a/at damn/nn whether/cs some/dti tramp/nn cracks/vbz your/pp$ skull/nn ./.
And/cc most/ap of/in all/abn it/pps is/bez not/* having/hvg the/at only/ap man/nn you/ppss could/md love/vb ,/, whether/cs he/pps drives/vbz a/at bread/nn truck/nn or/cc delivers/vbz the/at mail/nn or/cc checks/vbz the/at berry/nn crates/nns down/rp at/in the/at sheds/nns ,/, or/cc owns/vbz seventeen/cd oil/nn wells/nns and/cc six/cd diamond/nn mines/nns ,/, for/cs if/cs you/ppss are/ber anybody/pn what/wdt he/pps is/bez or/cc does/doz makes/vbz no/at difference/nn if/cs he/pps is/bez the/at one/pn ./.
He/pps can/md even/rb be/be a/at mild-voiced/jj little-town/nn guy/nn with/in big-town/nn ideas/nns and/cc level/jj gray/jj eyes/nns and/cc a/at heart/nn even/rb Houdini/np couldn't/md* figure/vb out/rp ,/, how/wrb it/pps is/bez unlocked/vbn ./.
And/cc he/pps can/md be/be on/in the/at way/nn to/in Memphis/np ,/, your/pp$ Gratt/np Shafer/np can/md ,/, and/cc you/ppss discover/vb you/ppss can/md stay/vb alive/jj and/cc hate/vb him/ppo and/cc love/vb him/ppo and/cc want/vb him/ppo even/rb if/cs it/pps means/vbz you/ppss want/vb him/ppo --/-- really/rb want/vb him/ppo --/-- dead/jj ./.
Because/cs if/cs you/ppss can't/md* then/rb nobody/pn else/rb can/md either/rb ,/, nobody/pn else/rb can/md have/hv him/ppo ./.
For/cs you/ppss don't/do* share/vb him/ppo ,/, not/* even/rb with/in God/np ./.
If/cs it/pps is/bez love/nn ,/, you/ppss don't/do* ./.


	And/cc I'll/ppss+md take/vb you/ppo with/in me/ppo ./.
Even/rb if/cs that's/dt+bez all/abn the/at promise/nn he/pps ever/rb gave/vbd or/cc ever/rb will/md give/vb ,/, the/at giving/nn of/in it/ppo once/rb was/bedz enough/ap and/cc you/ppss believed/vbd it/ppo then/rb and/cc you/ppss will/md always/rb believe/vb it/ppo ,/, even/rb when/wrb it/pps is/bez finally/rb the/at only/ap thing/nn in/in the/at world/nn you/ppss have/hv left/vbn to/to believe/vb ,/, and/cc the/at whole/jj world/nn is/bez telling/vbg you/ppo that/dt one/pn was/bedz a/at lie/nn ./.
Even/rb when/wrb he/pps is/bez on/in the/at way/nn to/in Memphis/np you/ppss will/md still/rb have/hv the/at promise/nn resting/vbg inside/in you/ppo like/cs a/at gift/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps is/bez he/pps inside/in of/in you/ppo ./.
And/cc in/in a/at way/nn the/at promise/nn works/vbz out/rp true/jj ,/, for/cs whether/cs he/pps wants/vbz you/ppo or/cc not/* ,/, you/ppss go/vb with/in him/ppo in/in your/pp$ heart/nn ./.
You/ppss feel/vb him/ppo every/at mile/nn further/rbr away/rb ./.
You/ppss feel/vb where/wrb he/pps is/bez and/cc what/wdt he/pps sees/vbz ,/, and/cc at/in night/nn you/ppss feel/vb when/wrb he/pps is/bez asleep/rb or/cc with/in the/at other/ap woman/nn ,/, the/at one/pn that/wps never/rb could/md love/vb him/ppo the/at way/nn you/ppss do/do ,/, the/at one/pn who/wps got/vbd him/ppo because/cs she/pps didn't/dod* particularly/rb give/vb a/at damn/nn whether/cs she/pps got/vbd him/ppo or/cc didn't/dod* ./.
And/cc you/ppss know/vb you/ppss will/md always/rb wonder/vb all/abn of/in your/pp$ life/nn whether/cs it/pps was/bedz because/cs you/ppss wanted/vbd him/ppo so/ql bad/rb that/cs you/ppss didn't/dod* get/vb him/ppo ,/, and/cc you/ppss can/md feel/vb nearly/rb sorry/jj enough/qlp to/to cry/vb when/wrb you/ppss think/vb of/in that/dt other/ap guy/nn ,/, the/at chump/nn who/wps begged/vbd you/ppo to/to marry/vb him/ppo ,/, the/at one/pn with/in the/at plastered/vbn hair/nn and/cc the/at car/nn he/pps couldn't/md* afford/vb and/cc the/at too-shiny/jj shoes/nns ./.
You/ppss think/vb :/: ``/`` Did/dod he/pps feel/vb that/dt way/nn about/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
It/pps comes/vbz to/in you/ppo that/cs probably/rb he/pps did/dod feel/vb that/dt way/nn to/to let/vb you/ppss use/vb him/ppo like/cs you/ppss did/dod when/wrb you/ppss couldn't/md* have/hv Gratt/np Shafer/np ;/. ;/.
that/cs he/pps must/md have/hv since/cs he/pps was/bedz there/rb like/cs the/at radio/nn for/in you/ppo to/to turn/vb on/rp or/cc snap/vb off/rp when/wrb you/ppss got/vbd tired/vbn of/in him/ppo ,/, that/dt other/ap guy/nn ./.
It/pps dawns/vbz on/in you/ppo that/cs instead/rb of/in a/at lump/nn to/to fill/vb the/at seat/nn across/in the/at bridge/nn table/nn from/in you/ppo ,/, he/pps was/bedz a/at man/nn ,/, and/cc that/cs because/cs Gratt/np Shafer/np was/bedz making/vbg you/ppo miserable/jj ,/, you/ppss were/bed passing/vbg it/ppo down/rp to/in him/ppo ,/, to/in Gratt/np Shafer's/np$ substitute/nn ,/, that/dt other/ap guy/nn ./.
And/cc you/ppss wonder/vb if/cs that/dt is/bez why/wrb the/at little/ap man/nn lost/vbd his/pp$ job/nn and/cc his/pp$ car/nn and/cc stayed/vbd drunk/jj about/in a/at year/nn before/cs he/pps straightened/vbd out/rp and/cc moved/vbd to/in St./np Louis/np ,/, where/wrb he/pps got/vbd to/to be/be a/at big/jj unhappy/jj success/nn ./.
You/ppss wonder/vb if/cs he/pps looks/vbz at/in his/pp$ wife/nn now/rb and/cc thinks/vbz of/in you/ppo ./.
You/ppss wonder/vb about/in the/at Christmas/np card/nn with/in no/at name/nn on/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc it/pps comes/vbz to/in you/ppo that/cs maybe/rb it/pps would/md have/hv been/ben better/rbr to/to have/hv made/vbn somebody/pn else/rb happy/jj if/cs you/ppss couldn't/md* be/be happy/jj yourself/ppl ,/, to/to give/vb somebody/pn else/rb the/at one/pn they/ppss wanted/vbd --/-- to/to give/vb them/ppo you/ppo ./.


	``/`` Damn/vb the/at world/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ./.
She/pps looked/vbd out/rp at/in the/at corn/nn field/nn ,/, the/at great/jj green/jj deep/jj acres/nns of/in it/ppo rolled/vbn out/rp like/cs the/at sea/nn in/in the/at field/nn beyond/in the/at whitewashed/vbn fence/nn bordering/vbg the/at grounds/nns ./.
The/at mayor/nn envisioned/vbd factories/nns there/rb ./.
Homes/nns and/cc factories/nns and/cc schools/nns and/cc a/at big/jj wide/jj federal/jj highway/nn ,/, instead/rb of/in peaceful/jj corn/nn to/to rest/vb your/pp$ eyes/nns on/rp while/cs you/ppss tried/vbd to/to rest/vb your/pp$ heart/nn ,/, while/cs you/ppss tried/vbd not/* to/to look/vb at/in the/at balloon/nn and/cc the/at bandstand/nn and/cc the/at uniforms/nns and/cc the/at flash/nn of/in the/at instruments/nns ./.
The/at bands/nns were/bed impatient/jj ,/, but/cc they/ppss were/bed the/at only/ap ones/nns ./.
The/at others/nns ,/, the/at ones/nns in/in the/at stands/nns ,/, were/bed spellbound/vbn ,/, for/cs hearing/vbg the/at mayor/nn was/bedz for/in them/ppo like/cs listening/vbg to/in a/at symphony/nn was/bedz for/in sophisticated/jj folks/nns in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl City/nn-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz like/cs being/beg in/in the/at concert/nn hall/nn in/in the/at afternoon/nn and/cc hearing/vbg the/at piano/nn virtuoso/nn rehearsing/vbg ./.
He/pps was/bedz good/jj and/cc they/ppss knew/vbd that/cs what/wdt he/pps was/bedz doing/vbg for/in them/ppo he/pps would/md do/do all/abn over/in the/at United/vbn-tl States/nns-tl some/dti day/nn ./.
So/cs they/ppss stayed/vbd quiet/jj and/cc hung/vbd not/* on/in what/wdt he/pps said/vbd but/cc on/in how/wrb he/pps said/vbd it/ppo ,/, not/* listening/vbg exactly/rb ,/, but/cc rather/rb ,/, feeling/vbg ./.
If/cs a/at man/nn was/bedz good/jj ,/, if/cs he/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be governor/nn ,/, you/ppss felt/vbd it/ppo and/cc you/ppss wanted/vbd him/ppo to/to go/vb on/rp forever/rb ./.
You/ppss were/bed sorry/jj when/wrb he/pps finished/vbd talking/vbg because/cs while/cs he/pps was/bedz up/rp there/rb you/ppss were/bed someone/pn else/rb and/cc the/at world/nn was/bedz something/pn else/rb too/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at place/nn full/jj of/in courage/nn and/cc hope/nn and/cc you/ppss were/bed part/nn of/in it/ppo ./.
You/ppss laughed/vbd and/cc then/rb your/pp$ chest/nn swelled/vbd and/cc you/ppss felt/vbd you/ppss could/md cry/vb for/in a/at little/ap bit/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb a/at feeling/nn hit/vbd you/ppo like/cs a/at chill/nn in/in your/pp$ stomach/nn and/cc the/at goose/nn bumps/nns rippled/vbd along/in your/pp$ arm/nn ./.
He/pps hit/vbd the/at theme/nn about/in dying/vbg to/to defend/vb your/pp$ country/nn ,/, and/cc you/ppss were/bed ready/jj to/to do/do it/ppo right/ql then/rb ,/, without/in a/at second/od thought/nn ./.
While/cs he/pps talked/vbd you/ppss wouldn't/md* trade/vb being/beg a/at West/jj-tl Tennessee/np-tl farmer/nn for/in being/beg anything/pn else/rb in/in the/at whole/jj damned/vbn world/nn ,/, no/at matter/nn if/cs it/pps hadn't/hvd* ,/, in/in six/cd weeks/nns ,/, rained/vbd enough/qlp to/to wet/vb a/at rat's/nn$ ass/nn ./.


	She/pps glanced/vbd at/in the/at man/nn nodding/vbg beside/in her/ppo ,/, a/at man/nn with/in weather/nn cracks/nns furrowed/vbd into/in his/pp$ lean/jj cheeks/nns ,/, with/in powdery/jj pale/jj eyes/nns reflecting/vbg all/abn the/at droughts/nns he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn ,/, reflecting/vbg the/at sky/nn and/cc the/at drought/nn which/wdt must/md follow/vb now/rb in/in August/np --/-- yes/rb ,/, with/in eyes/nns predicting/vbg the/at drought/nn and/cc here/rb it/pps was/bedz only/rb June/np ,/, only/rb festival/nn time/nn again/rb and/cc thoughts/nns of/in Gratt/np Shafer/np would/md not/* leave/vb her/ppo ./.
``/`` I/ppss should/md have/hv stayed/vbn at/in the/at store/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ./.


	Back/rb at/in the/at Factory-to-You/nn-tl with/in the/at other/ap old/jj maids/nns ,/, back/rb there/rb she/pps was/bedz the/at youngest/jjt clerk/nn and/cc she/pps was/bedz thirty-four/cd ,/, which/wdt made/vbd her/ppo young/jj enough/qlp to/to resent/vb the/at usual/jj ideal/jj working/vbg conditions/nns ,/, like/cs the/at unventilated/jj toilet/nn with/in the/at door/nn you/ppss had/hvd to/to hold/vb shut/vbn while/cs you/ppss sat/vbd down/rp ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at lock/nn because/cs Herman/np didn't/dod* allow/vb a/at lock/nn ./.
A/at lock/nn on/in the/at toilet/nn would/md encourage/vb malingering/nn and/cc primping/vbg ./.
The/at toilet/nn hadn't/hvd* had/hvn a/at sincere/jj scrubbing/nn in/in years/nns and/cc there/ex were/bed things/nns written/vbn on/in the/at walls/nns of/in the/at little/jj boxed-in/jj place/nn because/cs you/ppss couldn't/md* keep/vb the/at public/nn out/rp --/-- entirely/rb ./.
She/pps could/md not/* count/vb the/at times/nns Herman/np had/hvd rapped/vbn on/in the/at door/nn ,/, just/rb a/at couple/nn of/in bangs/nns that/wps shook/vbd the/at whole/jj damned/vbn closet/nn and/cc might/md ,/, someday/rb ,/, break/vb away/rb the/at pipe/nn connections/nns from/in the/at wall/nn ./.
The/at two/cd little/jj bangs/nns meant/vbd that/cs he/pps was/bedz getting/vbg impatient/jj to/to have/hv a/at crowd/nn of/in customers/nns waited/vbd on/rp and/cc that/cs if/cs he/pps had/hvd to/in he/pps would/md jerk/vb open/vb the/at door/nn and/cc drag/vb out/rp ,/, by/in the/at opposite/jj door/nn handle/nn which/wdt she/pps would/md be/be clutching/vbg ,/, whichever-the-hell/wdt clerk/nn it/pps was/bedz who/wps thought/vbd she/pps could/md waste/vb so/ql much/ap store/nn time/nn on/in the/at pot/nn ./.


	And/cc the/at hours/nns were/bed six-thirty/cd in/in the/at morning/nn until/in eleven/cd at/in night/nn on/in Saturdays/nrs and/cc during/in sales/nns ,/, and/cc there/ex were/bed no/at chairs/nns and/cc you/ppss couldn't/md* smoke/vb and/cc the/at cooling/vbg was/bedz overhead/jj fans/nns and/cc there/ex was/bedz no/at porter/nn or/cc janitor/nn ./.



	Among/in us/ppo ,/, we/ppss three/cd handled/vbd quite/abl a/at few/ap small/jj commissions/nns ,/, from/in spot/nn drawings/nns for/in advertising/vbg agencies/nns uptown/rb to/in magazine/nn work/nn and/cc quick/jj lettering/vbg jobs/nns ./.
Each/dt of/in us/ppo had/hvn his/pp$ own/jj specialty/nn besides/rb ./.
George/np did/dod wonderful/jj complicated/vbn pen-and-ink/nn drawings/nns like/vb something/pn out/in of/in a/at medieval/jj miniature/nn :/: hundreds/nns of/in delicate/jj details/nns crammed/vbn into/in an/at eight-by-ten/cd sheet/nn and/cc looking/vbg as/cs if/cs they/ppss had/hvd been/ben done/vbn under/in a/at jeweler's/nn$ glass/nn ./.
He/pps also/rb drew/vbd precise/jj crisp/nn spots/nns ,/, which/wdt he/pps sold/vbd to/in various/jj literary/jj and/cc artistic/jj journals/nns ,/, The/at-tl New/jj-tl Yorker/np-tl ,/, for/in instance/nn ,/, or/cc Esquire/np ./.
I/ppss did/dod book/nn jackets/nns and/cc covers/nns for/in paperback/nn reprints/nns :/: naked/jj girls/nns huddling/vbg in/in corners/nns of/in dingy/jj furnished/vbn rooms/nns while/cs at/in the/at doorway/nn ,/, daring/vbg the/at cops/nns to/to take/vb him/ppo ,/, is/bez the/at guy/nn in/in shirt/nn sleeves/nns clutching/vbg a/at revolver/nn ./.
The/at book/nn could/md be/be The/at-tl Brothers/nns-tl Karamazov/np-tl ,/, but/cc it/pps would/md still/rb have/hv the/at same/ap jacket/nn illustration/nn ./.
I/ppss remember/vb once/cs I/ppss did/dod a/at jacket/nn for/in Magpie/np-tl Press/nn-tl ;/. ;/.
the/at book/nn was/bedz a/at fine/jj historical/jj novel/nn about/in Edward/np-tl 3/cd-tl ,/, ,/, and/cc I/ppss did/dod a/at week/nn of/in research/nn to/to get/vb the/at details/nns just/ql right/jj :/: the/at fifteenth-century/nn armor/nn ,/, furnishings/nns ,/, clothes/nns ./.
I/ppss even/rb ferreted/vbd out/rp the/at materials/nns from/in which/wdt shields/nns were/bed made/vbn --/-- linden/nn wood/nn covered/vbn with/in leather/nn --/-- so/cs I'd/ppss+md get/vb the/at light/nn reflections/nns accurate/jj ./.
McKenzie/np ,/, the/at art/nn editor/nn ,/, took/vbd one/cd look/nn at/in my/pp$ finished/vbn sketch/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Nothing/pn doing/vbg ,/, Rufus/np ./.
In/in the/at first/od place/nn ,/, it's/pps+bez static/jj ;/. ;/.
in/in the/at second/od place/nn ,/, it/pps doesn't/doz* look/vb authentic/jj ;/. ;/.
and/cc in/in the/at third/od place/nn ,/, it/pps would/md cost/vb a/at fortune/nn to/to reproduce/vb in/in the/at first/od place/nn --/-- you've/ppss+hv got/vbn six/cd colors/nns there/rb including/in gold/nn ''/'' ./.
I/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Mr./np McKenzie/np ,/, it/pps is/bez as/cs authentic/jj as/cs careful/jj research/nn can/md make/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` That/wps may/md be/be ,/, but/cc it/pps isn't/bez* authentic/jj the/at way/nn readers/nns think/vb ./.
They/ppss know/vb from/in their/pp$ researches/nns into/in television/nn and/cc the/at movies/nns that/cs knights/nns in/in the/at middle/jj ages/nns had/hvd beautiful/jj flowing/vbg haircuts/nns like/cs Little/jj-tl Lord/nn-tl Fauntleroy/np-tl ,/, and/cc only/ap the/at villains/nns had/hvd beards/nns ./.
And/cc girls/nns couldn't/md* have/hv dressed/vbn like/cs that/dt --/-- it/pps isn't/bez* transparent/jj enough/qlp ''/'' ./.
In/in the/at end/nn ,/, I/ppss did/dod the/at same/ap old/jj picture/nn ,/, the/at naked/jj girl/nn and/cc the/at guy/nn in/in the/at doorway/nn ,/, only/rb I/ppss put/vbd a/at Lord/nn-tl Byron/np shirt/nn on/in the/at guy/nn ,/, gave/vbd him/ppo a/at sword/nn instead/rb of/in a/at pistol/nn ,/, and/cc painted/vbn in/rp furniture/nn from/in the/at stills/nns of/in a/at costume/nn movie/nn ./.
McKenzie/np was/bedz as/cs happy/jj as/cs a/at clam/nn ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez authenticity/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.


	As/in for/in Donald/np ,/, he/pps actually/rb sold/vbd paintings/nns ./.
We/ppss all/abn painted/vbd in/in our/pp$ spare/jj time/nn ,/, and/cc we/ppss had/hvd all/abn started/vbn as/cs easel/nn painters/nns with/in scholarships/nns ,/, but/cc he/pps was/bedz the/at only/ap one/pn of/in us/ppo who/wps made/vbd any/dti regular/jj money/nn at/in it/ppo ./.
Not/* much/ap ;/. ;/.
he/pps sold/vbd perhaps/rb three/cd or/cc four/cd a/at year/nn ,/, and/cc usually/rb all/abn to/in Joyce/np Monmouth/np or/cc her/pp$ friends/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd style/nn ,/, a/at real/jj inner/jj vision/nn of/in his/pp$ very/ql own/jj ./.
It/pps was/bedz strange/jj stuff/nn --/-- it/pps reminded/vbd me/ppo of/in the/at pictures/nns of/in a/at child/nn ,/, but/cc a/at child/nn who/wps has/hvz never/rb played/vbn with/in other/ap kids/nns and/cc has/hvz lived/vbn all/abn its/pp$ life/nn with/in adults/nns ./.
There/ex was/bedz the/at freshness/nn of/in color/nn ,/, the/at freedom/nn of/in perception/nn ,/, the/at lack/nn of/in self-consciousness/nn ,/, but/cc with/in a/at twist/nn that/cs made/vbd the/at forms/nns leap/vb from/in the/at page/nn and/cc smack/vb you/ppo in/in the/at eye/nn ./.
We/ppss used/vbd to/to kid/vb him/ppo by/in saying/vbg he/pps only/rb painted/vbd that/dt way/nn because/cs he/pps was/bedz so/ql nearsighted/jj ./.
It/pps may/md have/hv been/ben true/jj for/in all/abn I/ppss know/vb ,/, because/cs his/pp$ glasses/nns were/bed like/cs the/at bottoms/nns of/in milk/nn bottles/nns ,/, but/cc it/pps didn't/dod* prevent/vb the/at paintings/nns from/in being/beg exciting/jj ./.
He/pps also/rb had/hvd ,/, at/in times/nns ,/, an/at uncanny/jj absent-minded/jj air/nn like/cs a/at sleepwalker/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps would/md look/vb right/ql through/in you/ppo while/cs you/ppss were/bed talking/vbg to/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc if/cs you/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` For/in Christ's/np$ sake/nn ,/, Donald/np ,/, you've/ppss+hv got/vbn Prussian/jj blue/jj all/abn over/in your/pp$ shirt/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps would/md smile/vb ,/, and/cc nod/vb ,/, and/cc an/at hour/nn later/rbr the/at paint/nn would/md be/be all/abn over/in his/pp$ pants/nns as/ql well/rb ./.
Mrs./np Monmouth/np thought/vbd of/in him/ppo as/cs her/pp$ discovery/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps paid/vbd two/cd to/in three/cd hundred/cd dollars/nns for/in a/at painting/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz all/abn gravy/nn ,/, and/cc Donald/np didn't/dod* need/vb much/ap to/to live/vb on/in ;/. ;/.
none/pn of/in us/ppo did/dod ./.
We/ppss shared/vbd the/at expenses/nns of/in the/at studio/nn ,/, and/cc we/ppss all/abn lived/vbd within/in walking/vbg distance/nn of/in it/ppo ,/, in/in cheap/jj lodgings/nns of/in one/cd kind/nn or/cc another/dt ./.


	Attending/vbg the/at life/nn class/nn was/bedz my/pp$ idea/nn --/-- or/cc rather/rb ,/, Askington's/np$ idea/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss was/bedz ripe/jj for/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc the/at other/ap two/cd wouldn't/md* have/hv gone/vbn if/cs I/ppss hadn't/hvd* talked/vbn them/ppo into/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss wanted/vbd to/to paint/vb again/rb ./.
I/ppss hadn't/hvd* done/vbn a/at serious/jj picture/nn in/in almost/rb a/at year/nn ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* just/rb the/at pressure/nn of/in work/nn ,/, although/cs that/dt was/bedz the/at excuse/nn I/ppss often/rb used/vbd ,/, even/rb to/in myself/ppl ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at kind/nn of/in work/nn I/ppss was/bedz doing/vbg ,/, the/at quality/nn of/in the/at ambition/nn it/pps awoke/vbd in/in me/ppo ,/, that/wps kept/vbd me/ppo from/in painting/vbg ./.
I/ppss kept/vbd saying/vbg ,/, ``/`` If/cs I/ppss could/md just/rb build/vb up/rp a/at reputation/nn for/in myself/ppl ,/, make/vb some/dti real/jj money/nn ,/, get/vb to/to be/be well/rb known/vbn as/cs an/at illustrator/nn --/-- like/cs Peter/np Askington/np ,/, for/in instance/nn --/-- then/rb I/ppss could/md take/vb some/dti time/nn off/rp and/cc paint/vb ''/'' ./.
Askington/np was/bedz a/at kind/nn of/in goal/nn I/ppss set/vbd myself/ppl ;/. ;/.
I/ppss had/hvd admired/vbn him/ppo long/rb before/cs I/ppss talked/vbd to/in him/ppo ./.
It/pps looked/vbd to/in me/ppo as/cs though/cs he/pps had/hvd everything/pn an/at artist/nn could/md want/vb ,/, joy/nn in/in his/pp$ work/nn ,/, standing/nn in/in the/at profession/nn ,/, a/at large/jj and/cc steady/jj income/nn ./.
The/at night/nn we/ppss first/od met/vbd ,/, at/in one/pn of/in Mrs./np Monmouth's/np$ giant/jj parties/nns ,/, he/pps was/bedz wearing/vbg a/at brown/jj cashmere/nn jacket/nn with/in silver/nn buttons/nns and/cc a/at soft/jj pink/jj Viyella/np shirt/nn ;/. ;/.
instead/rb of/in a/at necktie/nn he/pps wore/vbd a/at leather/nn bolo/nn drawn/vbn through/in a/at golden/jj ring/nn in/in which/wdt was/bedz set/vbn a/at lump/nn of/in pale/jj pure/jj jade/nn ./.
This/dt set/vbd his/pp$ tone/nn :/: richness/nn of/in texture/nn and/cc color/nn ,/, and/cc another/dt kind/nn of/in richness/nn as/ql well/rb ,/, for/cs his/pp$ clothing/nn and/cc decorations/nns would/md have/hv paid/vbn the/at Brush-off's/np$ rent/nn for/in a/at year/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz fifteen/cd years/nns older/jjr than/cs I/ppss --/-- forty-four/cd --/-- but/cc full/jj of/in spring/nn and/cc sparkle/nn ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* look/vb like/cs what/wdt I/ppss thought/vbd of/in as/cs an/at old/jj man/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ lively/rb and/cc erudite/jj speech/nn made/vbd him/ppo seem/vb even/rb younger/jjr ./.
He/pps was/bedz one/pn of/in the/at most/ql prominent/jj magazine/nn illustrators/nns in/in America/np ;/. ;/.
you/ppss saw/vbd one/pn of/in his/pp$ paintings/nns on/in the/at cover/nn of/in one/pn or/cc another/dt of/in the/at slick/jj national/jj magazines/nns every/at month/nn ./.
Life/nn-tl had/hvd included/vbn him/ppo in/in its/pp$ ``/`` Modern/jj-tl American/jj-tl Artists/nns-tl ''/'' series/nn and/cc had/hvd photographed/vbn him/ppo at/in his/pp$ studio/nn in/in the/at East/jj-tl Sixties/nns-tl ;/. ;/.
the/at corner/nn of/in it/ppo you/ppss could/md see/vb in/in the/at photograph/nn looked/vbd as/cs though/cs it/pps ought/md to/to have/hv Velasquez/np in/in it/ppo painting/vbg the/at royalty/nn of/in Spain/np ./.


	I/ppss had/hvd a/at long/jj talk/nn with/in him/ppo ./.
We/ppss went/vbd into/in Mrs./np Monmouth's/np$ library/nn ,/, which/wdt had/hvd low/jj bookshelves/nns all/abn along/in the/at walls/nns ,/, and/cc above/in them/ppo a/at Modigliani/np portrait/nn ,/, a/at Jackson/np Pollock/np twelve/cd feet/nns long/vb ,/, and/cc a/at gorgeous/jj Miro/np with/in a/at yellow/jj background/nn ,/, that/wps looked/vbd like/cs an/at inscription/nn from/in a/at Martian/jj tomb/nn ./.
The/at fireplace/nn had/hvd tiles/nns made/vbn for/in Mrs./np Monmouth/np by/in Picasso/np himself/ppl ./.
Like/cs certain/jj expensive/jj restaurants/nns ,/, just/rb sitting/vbg there/rb gave/vbd you/ppo the/at illusion/nn of/in being/beg wealthy/jj yourself/ppl ./.


	In/in the/at course/nn of/in our/pp$ talk/nn ,/, Askington/np mentioned/vbd that/cs he/pps spent/vbd part/nn of/in each/dt week/nn studying/vbg ./.
``/`` By/in yourself/ppl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss asked/vbd ./.
``/`` No/rb ,/, I/ppss take/vb classes/nns with/in different/jj people/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* think/vb I've/ppss+hv reached/vbn the/at point/nn ,/, yet/rb ,/, where/wrb I/ppss can/md say/vb I/ppss know/vb everything/pn I/ppss ought/md to/to know/vb about/in the/at craft/nn ./.
Besides/rb ,/, it's/pps+bez important/jj to/in the/at way/nn a/at painter/nn thinks/vbz that/cs he/pps should/md move/vb in/in a/at certain/jj atmosphere/nn ,/, an/at atmosphere/nn in/in which/wdt he/pps may/md absorb/vb the/at ideas/nns of/in other/ap masters/nns ,/, as/cs Durer/np went/vbd to/in Italy/np to/to meet/vb Bellini/np and/cc Mantegna/np ''/'' ./.


	He/pps made/vbd a/at circle/nn with/in his/pp$ thumb/nn and/cc fingers/nns ./.
``/`` Painting/vbg isn't/bez* this/dt big/jj ,/, you/ppss know/vb ./.
It/pps doesn't/doz* embrace/vb only/rb the/at artist/nn ,/, alone/rb before/in his/pp$ easel/nn ./.
It/pps is/bez as/ql large/jj as/cs all/abn of/in art/nn ,/, interdependent/jj ,/, varied/vbn ,/, multitudinous/jj ''/'' ./.
He/pps threw/vbd his/pp$ arms/nns wide/jj ,/, his/pp$ face/nn shining/vbg ./.
``/`` The/at artist/nn is/bez like/cs a/at fragment/nn of/in a/at mosaic/nn --/-- no/rb ,/, he/pps is/bez more/ap than/in that/dt ,/, a/at virtuoso/nn performer/nn in/in some/dti vast/jj philharmonic/nn ./.
One/pn of/in these/dts days/nns ,/, I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to organize/vb a/at gigantic/jj exhibition/nn that/wps will/md span/vb everything/pn that's/wps+bez being/beg painted/vbn these/dts days/nns ,/, from/in extreme/jj abstract/jj expressionism/nn to/in extreme/jj photorealism/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb you'll/ppss+md be/be able/jj to/to see/vb at/in a/at glance/nn how/wrb much/ap artists/nns have/hv in/in common/jj with/in each/dt other/ap ./.
The/at eye/nn is/bez all/abn ,/, inward/rb or/cc outward/rb ./.
Ah/uh ,/, what/wdt a/at title/nn for/in the/at exhibition/nn :/: The/at-tl Eye/nn-tl is/bez-tl All/abn-tl ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` What/wdt do/do you/ppss study/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss asked/vbd ./.
I/ppss was/bedz fascinated/vbn ;/. ;/.
just/rb listening/vbg to/in him/ppo made/vbn me/ppo feel/vb intelligent/jj ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem studying/vbg anatomy/nn with/in Burns/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps replied/vbd ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb you/ppss know/vb him/ppo ./.
He/pps teaches/vbz at/in the/at Manhattan/np-tl School/nn-tl of/in-tl Art/nn-tl ''/'' ./.
I/ppss nodded/vbd ./.
I/ppss had/hvd studied/vbn with/in Burns/np ten/cd years/nns before/rb ,/, during/in the/at scholarship/nn year/nn the/at Manhattan/np gave/vbd me/ppo ,/, along/in with/in the/at five-hundred-dollar/jj prize/nn for/in my/pp$ paintings/nns of/in bums/nns on/in Hudson/np-tl Street/nn-tl ./.
Burns/np and/cc I/ppss had/hvd not/* loved/vbn each/dt other/ap ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem also/rb studying/vbg enameling/vbg with/in Hajime/np Iijima/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps went/vbd on/rp ,/, ``/`` and/cc twice/rb a/at week/nn I/ppss go/vb to/in a/at life/nn class/nn taught/vbn by/in Pendleton/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Osric/np Pendleton/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` My/pp$ God/np ,/, is/bez he/pps still/rb alive/jj ?/. ?/.
He/pps must/md be/be a/at million/cd years/nns old/jj ./.
I/ppss went/vbd to/in a/at retrospective/nn of/in his/pp$ work/nn when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz eighteen/cd ,/, and/cc I/ppss thought/vbd he/pps was/bedz a/at contemporary/nn of/in Cezanne's/np$ ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Not/* quite/abl ''/'' ./.
Askington/np laughed/vbd ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez about/in sixty/cd ,/, now/rb ./.
Still/rb painting/vbg ,/, still/rb a/at kind/nn of/in modern/jj impressionist/nn ,/, beautiful/jj canvases/nns of/in mountains/nns and/cc farms/nns ./.
He/pps even/rb makes/vbz the/at city/nn look/nn like/cs one/pn of/in Thoreau's/np$ hangouts/nns ./.
I've/ppss+hv always/rb admired/vbn him/ppo ,/, and/cc when/wrb I/ppss heard/vbd he/pps was/bedz taking/vbg a/at few/ap pupils/nns ,/, I/ppss went/vbd to/in him/ppo and/cc joined/vbd his/pp$ class/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, it/pps sounds/vbz great/jj ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` but/cc suppose/vb you/ppss don't/do* think/vb of/in yourself/ppl as/cs an/at impressionist/nn painter/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber missing/vbg the/at point/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` He/pps has/hvz the/at magical/jj eye/nn ./.
And/cc he/pps is/bez a/at great/jj man/nn ./.
Contact/nn with/in him/ppo is/bez stimulating/jj ./.
And/cc that's/dt+bez the/at trouble/nn with/in so/ql many/ap artists/nns today/nr ./.
They/ppss lack/vb stimulation/nn ./.
They/ppss sit/vb alone/rb in/in their/pp$ rooms/nns and/cc try/vb to/to paint/vb ,/, and/cc only/rb succeed/vb in/in isolating/vbg themselves/ppls still/ql farther/rbr from/in life/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez one/pn of/in the/at reasons/nns art/nn is/bez becoming/vbg a/at useless/jj occupation/nn ./.
In/in the/at Middle/jj-tl Ages/nns-tl ,/, in/in the/at Renaissance/np ,/, right/ql up/rp to/in the/at early/jj nineteenth/od century/nn ,/, the/at painter/nn was/bedz a/at giant/nn in/in the/at world/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz an/at artisan/nn ,/, a/at man/nn who/wps studied/vbd his/pp$ trade/nn and/cc developed/vbd his/pp$ craftsmanship/nn the/at way/nn a/at goldsmith/nn or/cc a/at wood/nn carver/nn did/dod ./.
He/pps filled/vbd a/at real/jj need/nn ,/, showing/vbg society/nn what/wdt it/pps looked/vbd like/cs ,/, turning/vbg it/ppo inside/rb out/rp ,/, portraying/vbg its/pp$ wars/nns and/cc its/pp$ leaders/nns ,/, its/pp$ ugliness/nn and/cc its/pp$ beauties/nns ,/, reflecting/vbg its/pp$ profound/jj religious/jj impulses/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at propagandist/nn --/-- they/ppss weren't/bed* afraid/jj of/in the/at word/nn ,/, then/rb --/-- satirist/nn ,/, nature/nn lover/nn ,/, philosopher/nn ,/, scientist/nn ,/, what/wdt you/ppss will/vb ,/, a/at member/nn of/in every/at party/nn and/cc of/in no/at party/nn ./.
But/cc look/vb at/in us/ppo today/nr !/. !/.
We/ppss hold/vb safe/jj little/ap jobs/nns illustrating/vbg tooth-paste/nn ads/nns or/cc the/at salacious/jj incidents/nns in/in trivial/jj novels/nns ,/, and/cc most/ap of/in our/pp$ easel/nn painting/nn is/bez nothing/pn but/cc picking/vbg the/at fluff/nn out/in of/in the/at navel/nn so/cs it/pps can/md be/be contemplated/vbn in/in greater/jjr purity/nn ./.
A/at bunch/nn of/in amateur/nn dervishes/nns !/. !/.
What/wdt we/ppss need/md is/bez to/to get/vb back/rb to/in the/at group/nn ,/, to/in learning/vbg and/cc apprenticeship/nn ,/, to/in the/at cafe/nn and/cc the/at school/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps could/md certainly/rb talk/vb ./.
The/at upshot/nn of/in the/at evening/nn was/bedz that/cs I/ppss got/vbd the/at address/nn of/in Pendleton's/np$ studio/nn --/-- or/cc rather/rb ,/, of/in the/at studio/nn in/in which/wdt he/pps gave/vbd his/pp$ classes/nns ,/, for/cs he/pps didn't/dod* work/vb there/rb himself/ppl --/-- and/cc joined/vbd the/at life/nn class/nn ,/, which/wdt met/vbd every/at Tuesday/nr and/cc Thursday/nr from/in ten/cd to/in twelve/cd in/in the/at morning/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz an/at awkward/jj hour/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv to/to punch/vb any/dti time/nn clock/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps only/rb meant/vbd that/cs sometimes/rb I/ppss had/hvd to/to stay/vb a/at couple/nn of/in hours/nns later/rbr at/in the/at drawing/vbg board/nn to/to finish/vb up/rp a/at job/nn ./.
After/in a/at short/jj time/nn ,/, both/abx George/np and/cc Donald/np joined/vbd the/at class/nn with/in me/ppo so/cs they/ppss wouldn't/md* feel/vb lonely/jj ,/, and/cc we/ppss used/vbd to/to hang/vb a/at sign/nn on/in the/at door/nn of/in the/at Brush-off/np reading/vbg out/rp to/to work/vb ./.
It/pps was/bedz mostly/rb for/in the/at benefit/nn of/in the/at mailman/nn ,/, because/cs hardly/rb anybody/pn else/rb ever/rb visited/vbd us/ppo ./.


	In/in a/at way/nn ,/, Askington/np was/bedz right/jj ./.
``/`` Stimulating/jj ''/'' was/bedz the/at word/nn for/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb that/cs it/pps was/bedz always/rb as/ql rewarding/jj as/cs I/ppss had/hvd expected/vbn it/ppo to/to be/be ./.
Partly/rb ,/, it/pps was/bedz because/cs Pendleton/np himself/ppl wasn't/bedz* what/wdt I/ppss anticipated/vbd ./.
I/ppss had/hvd come/vbn prepared/vbn to/to worship/vb at/in the/at feet/nns of/in this/dt classic/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps turned/vbd out/rp to/to be/be a/at rather/ql bitter/jj old/jj man/nn who/wps smelled/vbd of/in dead/jj cigars/nns ./.


	No/rb ,/, that/dt isn't/bez* quite/ql fair/jj ./.
Actually/rb ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at lot/nn of/in force/nn in/in him/ppo ,/, which/wdt is/bez why/wrb I/ppss kept/vbd on/rp in/in that/dt class/nn instead/rb of/in quitting/vbg after/in a/at week/nn ./.





Such/abl a/at little/ap thing/nn to/to start/vb with/in --/-- the/at car/nn registration/nn ./.


	``/`` Ida/np ,/, where/wrb is/bez the/at car/nn license/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss can't/md* find/vb it/ppo in/in the/at glove/nn compartment/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Via/np must/md have/hv it/ppo ''/'' ,/, I/ppss answered/vbd readily/rb enough/qlp ,/, recalling/vbg her/pp$ last/ap visit/nn ./.


	``/`` Via/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps was/bedz frowning/vbg ./.
``/`` Why/wrb should/md Via/np have/hv it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Had/hvd she/pps forgotten/vbn she/pps had/hvd signed/vbn the/at car/nn away/rb ,/, that/cs whatever/wdt they/ppss mutually/rb owned/vbd had/hvd been/ben divided/vbn among/in the/at children/nns ?/. ?/.


	I/ppss was/bedz silent/jj ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* want/vb to/to stir/vb things/nns up/rp ./.


	``/`` I/ppss drive/vb my/pp$ own/jj car/nn by/in courtesy/nn of/in Via/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj she'd/pps+md turn/vb it/ppo over/in to/to you/ppo ,/, if/cs you'd/ppss+md rather/rb ./.
You/ppss know/vb that/dt ''/'' ./.


	She/pps looked/vbd as/cs if/cs she/pps were/bed accusing/vbg me/ppo of/in some/dti fraud/nn ./.


	``/`` She/pps must/md have/hv taken/vbn the/at registration/nn when/wrb she/pps went/vbd to/in Walter's/np$ ./.
I'll/ppss+md call/vb her/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, thank/vb you/ppo ./.
I/ppss want/vb nothing/pn of/in Via's/np$ ''/'' ./.


	Why/wrb should/md this/dt suddenly/rb assail/vb her/ppo ?/. ?/.
Walter/np was/bedz giving/vbg me/ppo checks/nns for/in my/pp$ pay/nn ,/, the/at household/nn bills/nns ./.
Had/hvd she/pps been/ben in/in such/abl a/at turmoil/nn that/cs this/dt had/hvd slipped/vbn her/pp$ mind/nn ?/. ?/.


	``/`` What/wdt a/at fool/nn I've/ppss+hv been/ben ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd quietly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss knew/vbd all/abn this/dt ,/, but/cc I/ppss paid/vbd no/at attention/nn ./.
I/ppss don't/do* even/vb own/vb the/at house/nn I'm/ppss+bem standing/vbg in/rp ./.
I/ppss was/bedz so/ql sure/jj it/pps was/bedz all/abn temporary/jj that/cs we/ppss would/md all/abn embrace/vb ,/, and/cc then/rb the/at lawyer/nn would/md tear/vb up/rp all/abn those/dts things/nns 

	``/`` It/pps narrows/vbz down/rp down/rp down/rp and/cc finally/rb there/ex is/bez no/at way/nn out/rp ./.
If/cs I/ppss am/bem not/* to/to be/be Mrs./np Salter/np I/ppss am/bem nothing/pn ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss suppose/vb I/ppss should/md have/hv paid/vbn attention/nn to/in that/ql half-murmured/jj remark/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps seemed/vbd one/pn of/in those/dts extreme/jj statements/nns women/nns under/in stress/nn indulge/vb in/rp ./.
I/ppss love/vb you/ppo ,/, I/ppss hate/vb you/ppo ,/, I/ppss feel/vb like/cs killing/vbg you/ppo and/cc myself/ppl ,/, and/cc in/in the/at same/ap sequence/nn I/ppss love/vb you/ppo I/ppss think/vb you're/ppss+ber the/at most/ql wonderful/jj the/at most/ql noble/jj and/cc so/rb on/rp and/cc on/rp ,/, meanwhile/rb eating/vbg a/at good/jj breakfast/nn and/cc dinner/nn and/cc enjoying/vbg living/vbg ./.
So/cs I/ppss went/vbd about/in my/pp$ business/nn ./.
I/ppss made/vbd a/at lemon/nn sponge/nn ,/, a/at light/jj dessert/nn ,/, roasted/vbd a/at chicken/nn ,/, parboiled/vbd some/dti frozen/vbn vegetables/nns ,/, so/cs there/ex would/md be/be something/pn nice/jj in/in the/at icebox/nn for/in the/at weekend/nn ./.
``/`` Don't/do* bother/vb ,/, Ida/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss have/hv these/dts appointments/nns in/in town/nn for/in Saturday/nr ,/, and/cc I'll/ppss+md probably/rb spend/vb Sunday/nr with/in Dolly/np or/cc the/at Thaxters/nps ''/'' ./.


	At/in last/ap ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd ,/, she's/pps+bez recovering/vbg her/pp$ spirits/nns ./.
With/in this/dt movie-to-be/nn in/in London/np ,/, and/cc new/jj faces/nns about/in her/ppo there/rb ,/, she/pps would/md soon/rb be/be a/at more/ql tranquil/jj ,/, a/at wiser/jjr person/nn ,/, all/abn the/at better/jjr for/in her/pp$ stay/nn out/rp here/rb ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd more/ql cheerful/jj ,/, as/cs if/cs I/ppss had/hvd had/hvn a/at part/nn in/in bringing/vbg her/ppo through/in to/in a/at greater/jjr tolerance/nn of/in herself/ppl ./.
And/cc I/ppss went/vbd back/rb to/in my/pp$ own/jj cottage/nn to/to live/vb my/pp$ own/jj little/jj patch/nn of/in life/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz foggy/jj that/dt evening/nn ,/, but/cc the/at path/nn to/in my/pp$ house/nn was/bedz so/ql well/rb grooved/vbn that/cs I/ppss could/md feel/vb my/pp$ way/nn ,/, accustomed/vbn as/cs I/ppss was/bedz to/in the/at dense/jj mists/nns that/wps rise/vb from/in the/at sun-warmed/jj palisades/nns of/in the/at river/nn and/cc sometimes/rb last/vb for/in days/nns ./.
In/in the/at morning/nn the/at fog/nn was/bedz still/ql thick/jj so/cs that/cs to/to go/vb to/in the/at village/nn I/ppss crept/vbd along/rb with/in my/pp$ headlights/nns full/ql on/rp ./.


	I/ppss did/dod notice/vb a/at twinkle/nn of/in light/nn from/in the/at big/jj house/nn through/in the/at woods/nns but/cc as/cs I/ppss had/hvd left/vbn a/at light/nn on/rp in/in my/pp$ own/jj house/nn because/cs of/in the/at fog/nn I/ppss assumed/vbd Mrs./np Salter/np had/hvd done/vbn the/at same/ap before/cs she/pps left/vbd for/in town/nn ./.
I/ppss did/dod my/pp$ shopping/nn ,/, had/hvd my/pp$ dentist/nn appointment/nn ,/, and/cc from/in there/rb I/ppss went/vbd to/in the/at women's/nns$ lunch/nn at/in our/pp$ parish/nn church/nn where/wrb we/ppss discussed/vbd plans/nns for/in the/at annual/jj Christmas/np bazaar/nn ,/, so/cs that/dt dusk/nn was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to gather/vb when/wrb I/ppss drove/vbd home/nr in/in the/at late/jj afternoon/nn ./.


	But/cc the/at next/ap day/nn --/-- Sunday/nr ./.
Why/wrb ,/, when/wrb I/ppss drove/vbd down/rp to/in church/nn ,/, didn't/dod* it/ppo speak/vb to/in me/ppo ,/, seeing/vbg the/at lights/nns still/rb on/rp and/cc the/at day/nn crisp/nn and/cc clear/jj ?/. ?/.
Prisoners/nns brought/vbn to/in the/at dock/nn accused/vbn of/in murder/nn or/cc accident/nn say/vb they/ppss cannot/md* remember/vb ,/, and/cc reading/vbg the/at accounts/nns of/in their/pp$ testimony/nn you/ppss cannot/md* believe/vb that/cs the/at mind/nn can/md remove/vb ,/, absent/vb itself/ppl ,/, unsee/vb ./.
When/wrb I/ppss came/vbd back/rb from/in church/nn at/in noon/nn Mrs./np Thaxter/np was/bedz turning/vbg into/in the/at Salter/np driveway/nn ./.
Even/rb at/in a/at car's/nn$ length/nn I/ppss could/md sense/vb that/cs something/pn was/bedz wrong/jj ,/, and/cc so/cs I/ppss followed/vbd her/ppo up/in to/in the/at turnaround/nn in/in front/nn of/in the/at house/nn ./.


	Dolly/np Engisch/np was/bedz waiting/vbg there/rb on/in the/at steps/nns and/cc she/pps came/vbd running/vbg toward/in us/ppo ./.


	``/`` She's/pps+bez nowhere/rb ,/, nowhere/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps screamed/vbd ,/, and/cc both/abx women/nns ran/vbd up/in to/in the/at house/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss followed/vbd ./.


	The/at search/nn began/vbd ,/, in/in all/abn the/at rooms/nns ,/, running/vbg upstairs/rb ,/, down/rp ,/, opening/vbg closets/nns ,/, talking/vbg ,/, exclaiming/vbg in/in rushes/nns and/cc gasps/nns ./.


	Everything/pn was/bedz as/cs I/ppss had/hvd left/vbn it/ppo the/at night/nn before/in last/ap --/-- her/pp$ portfolio/nn and/cc bag/nn for/in town/nn ,/, her/pp$ lingerie/nn and/cc dress/nn and/cc shoes/nns laid/vbn out/rp only/rb her/pp$ mink/nn coat/nn was/bedz missing/vbg ./.
And/cc she/pps ./.


	Then/rb the/at telephoning/nn began/vbd ./.
I/ppss ,/, who/wps until/cs that/dt day/nn before/rb had/hvd been/ben Mrs./np Salter's/np$ friend/nn ,/, her/pp$ equal/nn ,/, was/bedz the/at servant/nn now/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz Dolly/np and/cc Mrs./np Thaxter/np who/wps were/bed calling/vbg Via/np ,/, everybody/pn ./.
And/cc when/wrb they/ppss spoke/vbd they/ppss spoke/vbd to/in each/dt other/ap and/cc not/* to/in me/ppo ./.
And/cc after/cs I/ppss brought/vbd them/ppo sandwiches/nns and/cc coffee/nn I/ppss had/hvd to/to go/vb back/rb to/in my/pp$ place/nn in/in the/at kitchen/nn and/cc wait/vb ./.


	Sitting/vbg in/in the/at kitchen/nn I/ppss recalled/vbd every/at word/nn Mrs./np Salter/np said/vbd that/dt could/md have/hv been/ben a/at sign/nn to/in me/ppo ./.
``/`` If/cs I/ppss am/bem not/* to/to be/be Mrs./np Salter/np then/rb I/ppss am/bem nothing/pn ''/'' ./.
Why/wrb didn't/dod* that/dt alarm/vb me/ppo then/rb ?/. ?/.
And/cc when/wrb she/pps returned/vbd from/in taking/vbg her/pp$ guests/nns back/vb to/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl she/pps had/hvd said/vbn ,/, ``/`` All/abn they/ppss talked/vbd about/rb was/bedz Harvie/np Harvie/np this/dt ,/, Harvie/np that/dt When/wrb they/ppss know/vb the/at truth/nn will/md they/ppss drop/vb away/rb from/in me/ppo ,/, will/md I/ppss become/vb a/at nothing/pn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
And/cc then/rb I/ppss remembered/vbd a/at few/ap years/nns before/rb after/in their/pp$ return/nn from/in a/at short/jj trip/nn to/in Rome/np I/ppss had/hvd heard/vbn her/ppo boast/vb ,/, over/rp and/cc over/rp again/rb ,/, ``/`` On/in the/at boat/nn people/nns liked/vbd me/ppo for/in myself/ppl ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss had/hvd made/vbn a/at habit/nn of/in calling/vbg her/ppo at/in night/nn from/in my/pp$ cottage/nn ,/, just/rb to/to check/vb ./.
The/at last/ap night/nn I/ppss had/hvd called/vbn ,/, but/cc the/at line/nn was/bedz always/rb busy/jj and/cc it/pps reassured/vbd me/ppo ./.
I/ppss assumed/vbd it/pps was/bedz one/pn of/in those/dts hour-long/jj conversations/nns with/in Dolly/np or/cc Constance/np ,/, she/pps comfortable/jj in/in bed/nn ./.
But/cc it/pps seemed/vbd not/* from/in what/wdt they/ppss were/bed saying/vbg ./.
Then/rb was/bedz it/pps a/at final/jj desperate/jj plea/nn from/in her/ppo ,/, to/in whom/wpo ?/. ?/.
Hanging/vbg on/rp and/cc on/rp past/in any/dti man's/nn$ patience/nn some/dti final/jj stab/nn of/in conclusion/nn ?/. ?/.


	She/pps was/bedz found/vbn the/at day/nn after/rb at/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at cliff/nn ./.
I/ppss tried/vbd to/to believe/vb that/cs what/wdt must/md have/hv happened/vbn was/bedz that/cs ,/, restless/jj ,/, disturbed/vbn by/in this/dt telephone/nn call/nn or/cc whatever/wdt ,/, she/pps walked/vbd out/rp in/in the/at night/nn ,/, as/cs she/pps had/hvd a/at habit/nn of/in doing/vbg ./.
Sometimes/rb she/pps took/vbd the/at path/nn that/cs winds/vbz up/rp around/in my/pp$ cottage/nn to/in the/at walk/nn at/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at cliff/nn ./.
It's/pps+bez so/ql romantic/jj up/rp there/rb ,/, she/pps used/vbd to/to say/vb ,/, with/in the/at broad/jj river/nn gleaming/vbg in/in its/pp$ moontrack/nn like/cs an/at enormous/jj dark/jj mirror/nn and/cc all/abn the/at sounds/nns of/in the/at night/nn ,/, so/ql poetic/jj ./.
With/in all/abn that/dt warm/jj rain/nn and/cc the/at fog/nn it/pps might/md have/hv been/ben as/ql simple/jj as/cs a/at loosened/vbn rock/nn ,/, a/at misstep/nn ./.


	But/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* really/rb think/vb it/pps was/bedz as/ql simple/jj as/cs that/dt ,/, nor/cc did/dod anyone/pn else/rb ./.
When/wrb a/at fisherman/nn brought/vbd her/ppo up/rp in/in his/pp$ arms/nns ,/, still/jj ,/, small/jj ,/, as/cs if/cs she/pps were/bed a/at child/nn asleep/rb ,/, I/ppss began/vbd to/to shudder/vb with/in a/at terrible/jj excitement/nn ,/, almost/rb triumphant/jj ,/, that/cs I/ppss still/rb cannot/md* account/vb for/in ./.
Was/bedz it/pps a/at hysterical/jj release/nn from/in the/at long/jj strain/nn of/in vigilance/nn of/in those/dts weeks/nns ?/. ?/.
That/cs at/in last/ap the/at vigilance/nn ,/, the/at will/nn gives/vbz way/nn ?/. ?/.
Or/cc what/wdt was/bedz it/pps that/cs ,/, before/in Via/np ,/, Sonny/np ,/, Walter/np and/cc all/abn ,/, I/ppss began/vbd almost/rb to/to dance/vb with/in shuddering/vbg and/cc cry/vb out/rp ,/, ``/`` I/ppss knew/vbd she'd/pps+md do/do it/ppo !/. !/.
I/ppss knew/vbd ''/'' !/. !/.


	Everyone/pn stared/vbd at/in me/ppo and/cc drew/vbd back/rb ./.
Their/pp$ eyes/nns turned/vbd cold/jj and/cc accusing/vbg ,/, even/rb Via's/np$ ./.
And/cc they/ppss have/hv never/rb changed/vbn ./.


	At/in the/at same/ap time/nn that/cs I/ppss thought/vbd I/ppss understood/vbd her/ppo at/in long/jj last/ap and/cc pitied/vbd her/ppo ,/, underneath/in this/dt knowing/vbg had/hvd there/ex burned/vbn unquenched/jj by/in my/pp$ pity/nn a/at fire/nn of/in hate/nn ,/, an/at enduring/vbg envy/nn that/cs burst/vbd out/rp in/in that/dt ghastly/jj outcry/nn ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz that/dt what/wdt had/hvd given/vbn way/nn in/in me/ppo ?/. ?/.
Even/rb now/rb I/ppss am/bem appalled/vbn at/in how/wrb little/ap anyone/pn knows/vbz of/in what/wdt they/ppss really/rb are/ber ./.
It/pps is/bez absurd/jj of/in course/nn to/to say/vb that/cs that/dt one/cd exclamation/nn estranged/vbd me/ppo from/in the/at family/nn I/ppss considered/vbd my/pp$ very/ql own/jj ,/, but/cc there/rb it/pps hangs/vbz ,/, a/at cooling/vbg void/nn that/wps broke/vbd our/pp$ close/jj connection/nn with/in each/dt other/ap ./.
At/in the/at time/nn I/ppss was/bedz filled/vbn with/in self-pity/nn at/in this/dt separation/nn ,/, but/cc in/in the/at years/nns since/in I/ppss have/hv come/vbn to/to understand/vb that/cs the/at sight/nn of/in me/ppo was/bedz painful/jj to/in them/ppo after/in that/dt outcry/nn ./.
In/in my/pp$ person/nn they/ppss would/md always/rb remember/vb that/dt last/ap long/jj time/nn of/in me/ppo alone/rb with/in her/ppo ,/, so/cs if/cs they/ppss told/vbd themselves/ppls that/cs I/ppss could/md have/hv prevented/vbn it/ppo ,/, I/ppss can/md understand/vb that/cs by/in now/rb and/cc love/vb them/ppo still/rb ,/, because/cs everyone/pn must/md justify/vb ,/, have/hv a/at scapegoat/nn for/in what/wdt is/bez not/* to/to be/be borne/vbn ./.


	It/pps is/bez not/* their/pp$ avoidance/nn that/wps rankles/vbz ;/. ;/.
it/pps is/bez when/wrb I/ppss meet/vb someone/pn who/wps was/bedz a/at close/jj friend/nn of/in the/at family/nn ,/, and/cc therefore/rb of/in mine/pp$$ ,/, and/cc they/ppss nod/vb to/in me/ppo so/ql coolly/rb and/cc walk/vb away/rb ,/, that/cs it/pps hurts/vbz ./.
I/ppss could/md tell/vb them/ppo ,/, but/cc no/at one/pn ever/rb asked/vbd ,/, why/wrb I/ppss had/hvd cried/vbn out/rp so/ql triumphantly/rb at/in the/at sight/nn of/in her/pp$ body/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, I/ppss forget/vb Mrs./np Mathias/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd been/ben away/rb visiting/vbg a/at married/vbn daughter/nn when/wrb it/pps happened/vbd ./.
She/pps haunted/vbd me/ppo ;/. ;/.
she/pps persisted/vbd in/in explaining/vbg how/wrb and/cc why/wrb she/pps had/hvd advised/vbn Mrs./np Salter/np to/to return/vb to/in the/at country/nn ./.


	``/`` We/ppss all/abn feel/vb guilty/jj ''/'' ,/, I/ppss turned/vbd away/rb from/in her/ppo coldly/rb ./.
``/`` It/pps was/bedz nobody's/pn$ fault/nn ./.
She/pps overplayed/vbd her/pp$ hand/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt do/do you/ppss mean/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps frowned/vbd ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb put/vb such/abl a/at high/jj value/nn on/in being/beg top/jjs dog/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss added/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz coarse/jj ,/, almost/rb insulting/jj ,/, this/dt harsh/jj appraisal/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps has/hvz never/rb come/vbn to/to see/vb me/ppo since/in ./.


	But/cc suppose/vb she/pps had/hvd not/* taken/vbn Mrs./np Mathias'/np$ advice/nn and/cc lived/vbd on/rp like/cs thousands/nns of/in women/nns in/in towns/nns ,/, dispossessed/vbn of/in love/nn ,/, hanging/vbg on/in to/in makeshifts/nns ,/, and/cc altogether/rb and/cc finally/rb arid/jj ./.
If/cs she/pps chose/vbd ,/, and/cc in/in that/dt final/jj decision/nn discarded/vbd ,/, what/wdt ,/, above/in all/abn ,/, all/abn of/in us/ppo value/vb ,/, life/nn itself/ppl ,/, must/md she/pps not/* have/hv risen/vbn to/in her/pp$ fullest/jjt height/nn ,/, and/cc transcending/vbg her/pp$ murky/jj self/nn ,/, felt/vbd at/in last/ap the/at passion/nn of/in a/at great/jj moral/jj decision/nn ?/. ?/.
If/cs they/ppss say/vb I/ppss could/md have/hv stopped/vbn her/ppo it/pps is/bez because/cs they/ppss are/ber ignorant/jj of/in her/pp$ last/ap weeks/nns of/in self-examination/nn ,/, her/pp$ search/nn into/in herself/ppl and/cc its/pp$ conclusions/nns ./.


	Yes/rb ,/, I/ppss had/hvd cried/vbn out/rp that/cs I/ppss knew/vbd she'd/pps+md do/do it/ppo ,/, but/cc without/in my/pp$ fully/rb realizing/vbg it/ppo at/in the/at time/nn ,/, it/pps was/bedz a/at cry/nn of/in triumph/nn for/in her/ppo ,/, praise/vb at/in her/pp$ deliverance/nn from/in pettiness/nn and/cc greed/nn --/-- and/cc guilt/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz finally/rb at/in rest/nn in/in truth/nn ,/, of/in her/pp$ own/jj proud/jj free/jj choice/nn ./.
At/in rest/nn with/in my/pp$ darling/jj Ellen/np ,/, the/at first/od Mrs./np Salter/np ./.




Mr./np Salter/np came/vbd home/nr ./.
The/at funeral/nn service/nn was/bedz in/in the/at house/nn ,/, the/at Methodist/jj minister/nn ,/, how/wrb clean/jj and/cc glistening/vbg his/pp$ eyeglasses/nns and/cc his/pp$ neat/jj body/nn standing/vbg beside/in that/dt coffin/nn with/in that/dt doll/nn inside/rb ,/, a/at stranger/nn speaking/vbg to/in strangers/nns the/at old/jj sacred/jj words/nns ,/, and/cc the/at rain/nn drumming/vbg incessantly/rb in/in accompaniment/nn ,/, seven/cd days/nns of/in relentless/jj rain/nn that/wps turned/vbd the/at ground/nn to/in mud/nn so/cs the/at burial/nn had/hvd to/to be/be postponed/vbn ./.
I/ppss waited/vbd ./.
Then/jj Via/np called/vbd to/to say/vb they/ppss had/hvd decided/vbn to/to cremate/vb her/ppo --/-- as/cs they/ppss had/hvd Ellen/np ,/, the/at thought/nn leaped/vbd to/in my/pp$ mind/nn --/-- and/cc did/dod I/ppss want/vb to/to meet/vb her/ppo at/in the/at funeral/jj home/nn the/at next/ap morning/nn ./.


	The/at coffin/nn stood/vbd on/in trestles/nns in/in a/at corner/nn of/in the/at long/jj low/jj dimly/rb lit/vbn funeral/jj parlor/nn ,/, on/in its/pp$ dark/jj shining/vbg surface/nn the/at sheaf/nn of/in white/jj roses/nns I/ppss had/hvd ordered/vbn ./.
I/ppss knelt/vbd ,/, just/rb for/in decency/nn I/ppss thought/vbd at/in the/at time/nn ,/, but/cc found/vbd myself/ppl whispering/vbg ,/, ``/`` Our/pp$ Father/nn which/wdt Art/ber in/in Heaven/nn ''/'' And/cc it/pps was/bedz only/rb after/in that/dt that/cs something/pn unlocked/vbd in/in me/ppo and/cc I/ppss felt/vbd a/at grief/nn ./.


	Via/np was/bedz in/in the/at parking/vbg lot/nn when/wrb I/ppss went/vbd outside/rb ./.
Together/rb we/ppss waited/vbd in/in her/pp$ car/nn until/cs the/at hearse/nn moved/vbd out/rp and/cc we/ppss followed/vbd it/ppo down/rp into/in the/at heavy/jj traffic/nn of/in New/jj-tl Jersey/np-tl ./.


	By/in the/at time/nn we/ppss arrived/vbd and/cc entered/vbd the/at building/nn sacred/jj music/nn was/bedz already/rb swelling/vbg out/rp into/in the/at chapel-like/jj auditorium/nn with/in its/pp$ discreet/jj symbols/nns of/in religious/jj faiths/nns ./.
Again/rb I/ppss felt/vbd impelled/vbn to/to kneel/vb ,/, and/cc reached/vbd back/rb and/cc pulled/vbd Via/np down/rp ./.
Something/pn would/md come/vb into/in her/pp$ heart/nn if/cs nothing/pn else/rb the/at sounds/nns of/in Bach/np would/md give/vb her/ppo some/dti healing/nn ./.

``/`` I/ppss had/hvd a/at rather/ql small/jj place/nn of/in my/pp$ own/jj ./.
A/at nice/jj bachelor/nn apartment/nn in/in a/at place/nn called/vbn the/at Lancaster/np-tl Arms/nns-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Uhhu/uh ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, hardly/rb listening/vbg as/cs she/pps studied/vbd her/pp$ left/jj eyelid/nn ./.


	``/`` And/cc then/rb I/ppss had/hvd another/dt place/nn farther/rbr downtown/nr I/ppss used/vbd as/cs a/at studio/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Uhhu/uh ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* a/at man/nn who/wps has/hvz many/ap close/jj intimate/jj friends/nns ,/, Carla/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, wanting/vbg her/ppo to/to know/vb all/abn about/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` Oh/uh ,/, I'd/ppss+md drink/vb with/in newspaper/nn people/nns ./.
I/ppss think/vb I/ppss was/bedz what/wdt you/ppss might/md call/vb a/at convivial/jj man/nn ,/, and/cc yet/rb it/pps was/bedz when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz alone/rb in/in my/pp$ studio/nn ,/, doing/vbg my/pp$ work/nn ,/, that/cs I/ppss really/rb felt/vbd alive/jj ./.
But/cc I/ppss think/vb a/at man/nn needs/vbz at/in least/ap one/cd intimate/jj friend/nn to/to communicate/vb with/in ''/'' ./.
Pausing/vbg ,/, he/pps waited/vbd for/in her/ppo to/to turn/vb ,/, to/to ask/vb a/at question/nn ./.
She/pps showed/vbd no/at interest/nn at/in all/abn in/in the/at life/nn he/pps had/hvd led/vbn back/rb home/nr ,/, and/cc it/pps hurt/vb him/ppo a/at little/ap ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, what/wdt about/in you/ppo ,/, Carla/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd ,/, turning/vbg slowly/rb ./.
``/`` What/wdt about/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Did/dod you/ppss make/vb friends/nns easily/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Umm/uh ,/, uhhu/uh ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Somehow/rb I/ppss imagine/vb that/cs as/cs you/ppss grew/vbd up/rp you/ppss were/bed alone/rb a/at lot/nn ./.
How/wrb about/in it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss guess/vb so/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd taking/vbg a/at Kleenex/np from/in her/pp$ purse/nn ./.
When/wrb she/pps had/hvd wiped/vbn some/dti of/in the/at lipstick/nn from/in her/pp$ mouth/nn ,/, she/pps stared/vbd solemnly/rb at/in her/pp$ image/nn in/in the/at mirror/nn ./.


	``/`` Are/ber your/pp$ people/nns still/rb alive/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ,/, trying/vbg to/to touch/vb a/at part/nn of/in her/ppo life/nn Alberto/np hadn't/hvd* discussed/vbn ;/. ;/.
so/cs he/pps could/md have/hv something/pn of/in her/ppo for/in himself/ppl ./.
``/`` You/ppss talk/vb so/ql well/rb ,/, Carla/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps went/vbd on/rp ./.
``/`` You/ppss seem/vb to/to have/hv read/vbn so/ql much/rb ,/, you/ppss have/hv a/at natural/jj gift/nn for/in words/nns ''/'' ,/, he/pps added/vbd ,/, trying/vbg to/to flatter/vb her/pp$ vanity/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss must/md have/hv been/ben good/jj at/in history/nn at/in school/nn ./.
Where/wrb did/dod you/ppo go/vb to/in school/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez this/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd ,/, turning/vbg suddenly/rb ./.
``/`` Don't/do* you/ppss know/vb all/abn about/in me/ppo by/in this/dt time/nn ?/. ?/.
My/pp$ name's/nn+bez Carla/np Caneli/np ./.
This/dt is/bez my/pp$ town/nn ./.
I/ppss sleep/vb with/in you/ppo ./.
You/ppss know/vb something/pn more/ap about/in me/ppo every/at day/nn ,/, don't/do* you/ppo ?/. ?/.
Would/md you/ppo be/be happier/jjr if/cs I/ppss made/vbd up/rp some/dti stories/nns about/in my/pp$ life/nn ,/, told/vbd you/ppo some/dti lies/nns ?/. ?/.
Why/wrb are/ber you/ppss trying/vbg to/to worry/vb me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* trying/vbg to/to worry/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, all/ql right/rb then/rb ''/'' ./.


	The/at cleansing/vbg tissues/nns she/pps had/hvd been/ben using/vbg had/hvd been/ben falling/vbg on/in the/at floor/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps got/vbd up/rp and/cc picked/vbd up/rp one/cd ,/, then/rb another/dt ,/, hoping/vbg she/pps would/md notice/vb what/wdt he/pps was/bedz doing/vbg ./.
At/in home/nr he/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at clean/jj orderly/jj man/nn ,/, and/cc now/rb he/pps had/hvd to/to hide/vb his/pp$ annoyance/nn ./.
Was/bedz she/pps just/rb naturally/rb sloppy/jj about/in everything/pn but/in her/pp$ physical/jj appearance/nn ?/. ?/.
He/pps wondered/vbd ./.
Would/md he/pps have/hv to/to clean/vb up/rp after/in her/ppo every/at day/nn ,/, clean/vb the/at kitchen/nn ,/, the/at bathroom/nn ,/, and/cc get/vb down/rp on/in his/pp$ knees/nns and/cc scrub/vb the/at kitchen/nn floor/nn ,/, then/rb hang/vb up/rp her/pp$ dresses/nns ,/, pick/vb up/rp her/pp$ stockings/nns ,/, make/vb the/at bed/nn while/cs she/pps lay/vbd around/rb ?/. ?/.
He/pps straightened/vbd up/rp ,/, ready/jj to/to vent/vb his/pp$ exasperation/nn ,/, then/rb grew/vbd afraid/jj ./.
If/cs he/pps dwelt/vbd on/in the/at indignities/nns he/pps suffered/vbd he/pps would/md lose/vb all/abn respect/nn for/in her/ppo ,/, and/cc without/in the/at respect/nn he/pps might/md lose/vb his/pp$ view/nn of/in her/ppo ,/, too/rb ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd suddenly/rb ./.


	``/`` Nothing/pn ./.
Nothing/pn at/in all/abn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd quietly/rb ./.
``/`` Let's/vb+ppo go/vb out/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Are/ber those/dts the/at only/ap shoes/nns you/ppss have/hv ,/, Sam/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn with/in them/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` The/at heavy/jj thick/jj soles/nns ./.
Look/vb at/in them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` They're/ppss+ber an/at expensive/jj English/jj shoe/nn for/in walking/vbg around/rb a/at lot/nn ./.
I/ppss like/vb them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Sam/np ,/, no/at one/pn around/in here/rb wears/vbz such/jj heavy/jj soles/nns ./.
Can't/md* you/ppss get/vb another/dt pair/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Maybe/rb I/ppss could/md ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, surprised/vbn that/cs she/pps could/md turn/vb from/in herself/ppl and/cc notice/vb anything/pn about/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md get/vb an/at elegant/jj pair/nn of/in thin-soled/jj Italian/jj shoes/nns tomorrow/nr ,/, Carla/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc I/ppss don't/do* know/vb why/wrb you/ppss want/vb to/to go/vb on/rp wearing/vbg that/dt outfit/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, making/vbg a/at face/nn ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn with/in it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps had/hvd put/vbn on/rp the/at gray/jj jacket/nn and/cc the/at dark-gray/jj slacks/nns and/cc the/at fawn-colored/jj shirt/nn he/pps had/hvd worn/vbn that/dt first/od night/nn in/in Rome/np when/wrb he/pps had/hvd encountered/vbn her/ppo on/in the/at street/nn ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, Sam/np ./.
You/ppss look/vb like/cs a/at tweedy/jj Englishman/np ./.
Can't/md* you/ppss wear/vb something/pn else/rb and/cc look/vb a/at little/ap more/rbr as/cs though/cs you/ppss belonged/vbd ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* mind/vb at/in all/abn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, delighted/vbn with/in her/pp$ attention/nn ./.
Changing/vbg his/pp$ clothes/nns ,/, he/pps put/vbd on/rp his/pp$ dark-blue/jj flannel/nn suit/nn ,/, and/cc laid/vbd away/rb the/at gray/jj jacket/nn with/in the/at feeling/nn that/cs he/pps might/md be/be putting/vbg it/ppo aside/rb for/in good/jj ./.
But/cc it/pps was/bedz a/at hopeful/jj sign/nn ,/, he/pps told/vbd himself/ppl ./.
She/pps no/at longer/jjr wanted/vbd anything/pn about/in him/ppo to/to remind/vb her/ppo of/in the/at circumstances/nns of/in their/pp$ meeting/nn that/dt first/od night/nn in/in Parioli/np ./.


	That/dt day/nn they/ppss loafed/vbd around/rb ,/, just/rb getting/vbg the/at feel/nn of/in the/at city/nn ./.
They/ppss looked/vbd at/in the/at ruins/nns of/in the/at old/jj Roman/jj wall/nn on/in the/at lower/jjr Via/fw-nn-tl Veneto/np-tl ,/, then/rb they/ppss went/vbd to/in the/at Farnese/np-tl Gardens/nns-tl ./.
She/pps had/hvd some/dti amusing/jj scandal/nn about/in the/at Farneses/nps in/in the/at old/jj days/nns ./.
Then/rb they/ppss took/vbd a/at taxi/nn to/in Trastevere/np ./.
``/`` There's/ex+bez a/at church/nn you/ppss should/md see/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
And/cc when/wrb they/ppss stood/vbd by/in the/at fountain/nn in/in the/at piazza/nn looking/vbg at/in Santa/np Maria/np he/pps had/hvd to/to keep/vb a/at straight/jj face/nn ,/, not/* letting/vbg on/rp he/pps had/hvd been/ben there/rb with/in Alberto/np ./.
He/pps let/vbd her/ppo tell/vb him/ppo all/abn about/in the/at church/nn ./.
Then/rb they/ppss had/hvd dinner/nn ./.
All/abn evening/nn she/pps was/bedz eloquent/jj and/cc pleased/vbn with/in herself/ppl ./.
When/wrb they/ppss got/vbd home/nr at/in midnight/nn she/pps was/bedz tired/vbn out/rp ./.
And/cc in/in the/at morning/nn when/wrb he/pps woke/vbd up/rp at/in ten/cd the/at church/nn bells/nns were/bed ringing/vbg ./.


	He/pps had/hvd never/rb heard/vbn so/ql many/ap bells/nns ,/, and/cc as/cs he/pps lay/vbd there/rb listening/vbg ,/, he/pps thought/vbd of/in her/ppo scolding/vbg him/ppo for/in his/pp$ remarks/nns when/wrb he/pps had/hvd looked/vbn up/rp at/in the/at obelisk/nn and/cc the/at church/nn at/in the/at top/nn of/in the/at Spanish/jj-tl Steps/nns-tl ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at good/jj thing/nn that/cs she/pps clung/vbd to/in her/pp$ religion/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ./.
She/pps might/md like/vb to/to take/vb him/ppo to/in St./nn-tl Peter's/np$-tl ./.


	``/`` Carla/np ,/, wake/vb up/rp ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd shaking/vbg her/ppo ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez ten/cd o'clock/rb ./.
Aren't/ber* you/ppss going/vbg out/rp to/in mass/nn ?/. ?/.
You/ppss could/md take/vb me/ppo to/in St./nn-tl Peter's/np$-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Uhhu/uh ''/'' ,/, she/pps muttered/vbd ./.


	``/`` Come/vb on/rp ,/, you'll/ppss+md be/be late/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss think/vb I'll/ppss+md sleep/vb in/rp this/dt morning/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd drowsily/rb ,/, and/cc as/cs she/pps snuggled/vbd against/in him/ppo ,/, he/pps wondered/vbd if/cs she/pps ever/rb went/vbd to/in church/nn ./.
Why/wrb did/dod he/pps want/vb her/ppo to/to go/vb to/in church/nn ?/. ?/.
He/pps wondered/vbd Probably/rb because/cs it/pps was/bedz a/at place/nn where/wrb she/pps might/md get/vb a/at feeling/nn of/in certainty/nn and/cc security/nn ./.
It/pps would/md be/be good/jj for/in her/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz too/ql bad/jj he/pps had/hvd no/at feeling/nn himself/ppl for/in church/nn ./.
Not/* his/pp$ poor/jj mother's/nn$ fault/nn ./.
She/pps would/md have/hv been/ben better/rbr off/rp if/cs she/pps had/hvd stuck/vbn to/in her/pp$ Bible/np ./.
As/in for/in himself/ppl ,/, he/pps just/rb didn't/dod* have/hv the/at temperament/nn for/in it/ppo ./.
From/in the/at time/nn he/pps had/hvd been/ben at/in college/nn he/pps had/hvd achieved/vbn a/at certain/jj tranquility/nn and/cc composure/nn by/in accepting/vbg the/at fact/nn that/cs there/ex were/bed certain/jj things/nns he/pps could/md never/rb know/vb ./.
Then/rb he/pps thought/vbd of/in those/dts Old/jj-tl Testament/nn-tl figures/nns on/in the/at ceiling/nn of/in the/at Sistine/jj-tl Chapel/nn-tl ./.
Just/rb figures/nns out/in of/in a/at tribal/jj folklore/nn ./.
Could/md he/pps honestly/rb believe/vb it/pps would/md be/be good/jj for/in Carla/np to/to have/hv those/dts old/jj prophets/nns gripping/vbg her/pp$ imagination/nn now/rb ?/. ?/.
Being/beg a/at woman/nn though/rb ,/, she/pps would/md take/vb only/rb what/wdt she/pps needed/vbd from/in church/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz too/ql bad/jj he/pps wasn't/bedz* a/at Catholic/jj himself/ppl ./.
Or/cc a/at Protestant/np ,/, or/cc one/cd of/in those/dts amusing/jj dogmatic/jj atheists/nns ,/, or/cc a/at strict/jj orthodox/jj Communist/nn-tl ./.
What/wdt was/bedz the/at matter/nn with/in him/ppo that/cs they/ppss all/abn wearied/vbd him/ppo ?/. ?/.
It/pps was/bedz the/at times/nns ,/, he/pps was/bedz sure/jj ./.
All/ql the/at ideologies/nns changing/vbg from/in day/nn to/in day/nn ,/, right/ql under/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, so/cs how/wrb could/md a/at man/nn look/nn to/in any/dti one/pn of/in them/ppo for/in an/at enlargement/nn of/in his/pp$ freedom/nn ?/. ?/.
It/pps was/bedz all/abn too/ql wearying/vbg ./.
Look/vb somewhere/rb else/rb ./.
But/cc where/wrb ?/. ?/.
Just/rb the/at same/ap ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, pondering/vbg over/in it/ppo ,/, it/pps would/md be/be a/at good/jj thing/nn for/in a/at girl/nn like/cs Carla/np if/cs she/pps got/vbd up/rp and/cc went/vbd to/in church/nn ./.


	A/at half/abn hour/nn later/rbr he/pps got/vbd her/ppo up/rp to/to go/vb out/rp for/in breakfast/nn so/cs the/at Ferraros/nps ,/, hearing/vbg them/ppo hurrying/vbg down/in the/at stairs/nns ,/, would/md think/vb they/ppss were/bed going/vbg to/in a/at late/jj mass/nn ./.
It/pps seemed/vbd to/in him/ppo that/cs if/cs the/at Ferraros/nps felt/vbd sure/jj of/in them/ppo ,/, could/md place/vb them/ppo ,/, it/pps would/md help/vb him/ppo to/to feel/vb more/ql sure/jj of/in himself/ppl with/in Carla/np ./.


	``/`` Since/cs we're/ppss+ber having/hvg coffee/nn with/in them/ppo this/dt afternoon/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss think/vb I'll/ppss+md ask/vb the/at daughter/nn if/cs we/ppss can/md pay/vb her/ppo to/to come/vb in/rp every/at day/nn to/to clean/vb for/in us/ppo ''/'' ./.
And/cc he/pps waited/vbd for/in her/ppo to/to say/vb ,/, ``/`` Oh/uh ,/, no/rb ,/, I/ppss can/md do/do it/ppo ,/, Sam/np ./.
There's/ex+bez so/ql little/ap to/to do/do ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb not/* ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* good/jj at/in that/dt kind/nn of/in thing/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` This/dt afternoon/nn let's/vb+ppo take/vb an/at air/nn with/in them/ppo ./.
Let's/vb+ppo be/be fine/jj superior/jj people/nns of/in great/jj dignity/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd as/cs if/cs he/pps were/bed joking/vbg ./.


	``/`` If/cs you/ppss find/nn it/pps necessary/jj ,/, Sam/np ,/, go/vb ahead/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, turning/vbg on/in the/at stair/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss am/bem what/wdt I/ppss am/bem ./.
I/ppss can't/md* help/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.
Her/pp$ words/nns remained/vbd with/in him/ppo ,/, worrying/vbg him/ppo for/in hours/nns ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* know/vb how/wrb she/pps would/md behave/vb with/in other/ap people/nns ./.


	When/wrb they/ppss walked/vbd into/in the/at Ferraro/np apartment/nn ,/, the/at old/jj lady/nn ,/, bowing/vbg and/cc smiling/vbg ,/, said/vbd softly/rb ./.
``/`` Ciao/fw-uh ,/, ''/'' and/cc put/vbd out/rp her/pp$ hand/nn ./.
Her/pp$ little/jj brown/jj face/nn wrinkled/vbd up/rp ,/, her/pp$ brown/jj eyes/nns gleamed/vbd ,/, and/cc with/in her/pp$ little/jj gestures/nns she/pps said/vbd all/abn the/at courteous/jj things/nns ./.
Agnese/np ,/, smiling/vbg too/rb ,/, said/vbd ,/, ``/`` 'ello/uh ''/'' ,/, and/cc then/rb more/ql slowly/rb ,/, ``/`` I/ppss am/bem happy/jj ''/'' ./.
And/cc they/ppss sat/vbd down/rp and/cc began/vbd their/pp$ little/jj coffee/nn party/nn ./.
The/at Ferraros/nps offered/vbd them/ppo biscuits/nns with/in the/at coffee/nn ./.
Acting/vbg only/rb as/cs interpreter/nn Carla/np ,/, her/pp$ hands/nns folded/vbn on/in her/pp$ lap/nn ,/, was/bedz utterly/rb impersonal/jj ./.
She/pps would/md turn/vb to/in them/ppo ,/, then/rb turn/vb to/in him/ppo ,/, then/rb turn/vb again/rb ./.
Watching/vbg her/ppo ,/, he/pps felt/vbd like/cs a/at spectator/nn at/in a/at tennis/nn game/nn ,/, with/in the/at ball/nn being/beg bounced/vbn back/rb and/cc forth/rb ./.
Signora/np Ferraro/np ,/, bobbing/vbg her/pp$ head/nn encouragingly/rb ,/, asked/vbd Sam/np about/in Canada/np ,/, having/hvg a/at special/jj interest/nn ./.
Carla/np translated/vbd ./.
The/at old/jj woman/nn had/hvd a/at nephew/nn from/in North/jj-tl Italy/np-tl ,/, a/at poor/jj boy/nn from/in a/at lumber/nn mill/nn who/wps had/hvd got/vbn tired/vbn of/in the/at seasonal/jj unemployment/nn ,/, and/cc who/wps had/hvd migrated/vbn to/in Canada/np to/to work/vb on/in the/at railway/nn ./.
For/in a/at year/nn the/at boy/nn had/hvd lived/vbn in/in the/at bush/nn in/in a/at boxcar/nn ./.
Did/dod many/ap of/in Sam's/np$ countrymen/nns live/vb in/in boxcars/nns in/in the/at bush/nn ?/. ?/.
Had/hvd Sam/np ever/rb lived/vbn in/in a/at boxcar/nn ?/. ?/.
She/pps wanted/vbd to/to know/vb ./.
Regretfully/rb Sam/np explained/vbd that/cs he/pps had/hvd no/at experience/nn with/in boxcars/nns ./.
Just/rb the/at same/ap ,/, the/at old/jj woman/nn said/vbd ,/, she/pps would/md write/vb to/in her/pp$ nephew/nn in/in his/pp$ boxcar/nn and/cc tell/vb him/ppo she/pps had/hvd met/vbn a/at nice/jj man/nn from/in his/pp$ adopted/vbn country/nn ./.
And/cc Sam/np thanked/vbd her/ppo ,/, and/cc hoped/vbd he/pps might/md meet/vb her/pp$ nephew/nn back/rb home/nr ,/, and/cc asked/vbd her/ppo if/cs she/pps had/hvd any/dti further/jjr news/nn of/in the/at Pope/nn-tl ./.


	A/at very/ql great/jj Pope/nn-tl ,/, this/dt one/pn ,/, the/at old/jj woman/nn explained/vbd ,/, her/pp$ black/jj eyes/nns sparkling/vbg ./.
An/at intellectual/nn ./.
But/cc very/ql mystical/jj too/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz said/vbn that/cs he/pps had/hvd had/hvn a/at vision/nn ./.
Just/rb as/cs thousands/nns that/dt day/nn in/in Portugal/np had/hvd seen/vbn the/at sun/nn dancing/vbg in/in the/at sky/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd seen/vbn the/at same/ap thing/nn later/rbr in/in his/pp$ own/jj garden/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps turned/vbd to/in Agnese/np for/in confirmation/nn ./.
Agnese/np had/hvd been/ben sitting/vbg quietly/rb ,/, listening/vbg with/in the/at serenity/nn of/in the/at unaware/jj ./.
Now/rb a/at little/jj flush/nn came/vbd on/in her/pp$ pale/jj homely/jj face/nn and/cc enchantment/nn in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
The/at Holy/jj-tl Father/nn-tl would/md die/vb soon/rb ,/, she/pps said/vbd to/in Carla/np ,/, so/cs she/pps could/md translate/vb for/in Sam/np ,/, although/cs he/pps had/hvd a/at brilliant/jj doctor/nn ,/, a/at man/nn who/wps did/dod not/* need/vb the/at assistance/nn of/in those/dts doctors/nns offered/vbn by/in the/at great/jj rulers/nns of/in the/at world/nn ./.
Yes/rb ,/, the/at Pope/nn-tl could/md die/vb and/cc quickly/rb be/be made/vbn a/at saint/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, he/pps was/bedz indeed/rb a/at saint/nn now/rb ./.
Nodding/vbg approvingly/rb and/cc swelling/vbg with/in importance/nn ,/, the/at old/jj lady/nn whispered/vbd confidentially/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz a/at certain/jj discontent/nn among/in the/at cardinals/nns ./.
The/at Pope/nn-tl ,/, in/in the/at splendor/nn of/in his/pp$ great/jj intellect/nn ,/, had/hvd neglected/vbn them/ppo a/at little/ap ./.
There/ex would/md be/be changes/nns made/vbn ,/, and/cc Signor/np Raymond/np should/md understand/vb that/cs when/wrb the/at Pope/nn-tl died/vbd it/pps was/bedz like/cs the/at end/nn of/in a/at regime/nn in/in Rome/np ./.
Jobs/nns would/md be/be lost/vbn and/cc new/jj faces/nns would/md become/vb prominent/jj ./.


	Did/dod Signor/np Raymond/np understand/vb ?/. ?/.
Indeed/rb he/pps did/dod ,/, Sam/np said/vbd solemnly/rb ,/, trying/vbg to/to get/vb Carla's/np$ eye/nn ./.
Surely/rb she/pps could/md see/vb that/cs these/dts women/nns were/bed her/pp$ Italians/nps ,/, too/rb ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ./.
Devout/jj ,/, orthodox/jj and/cc plain/jj like/cs a/at family/nn she/pps might/md meet/vb in/in Brooklyn/np or/cc Malta/np or/cc Ireland/np ./.
But/cc Carla's/np$ eyes/nns were/bed on/in Agnese/np whose/wp$ glowing/vbg face/nn and/cc softening/vbg eyes/nns gave/vbd her/ppo a/at look/nn of/in warmth/nn and/cc happiness/nn ./.
And/cc Carla/np ,/, watching/vbg in/in wonder/nn ,/, turned/vbd to/in Sam/np ./.
``/`` It/pps means/vbz so/ql much/ap to/in her/ppo ./.
It's/pps+bez like/cs a/at flame/nn ,/, I/ppss guess/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd in/in a/at dreamy/jj tone/nn ./.



	But/cc one/cd night/nn Dookiyoon/np moved/vbd in/in the/at direction/nn of/in the/at women's/nns$ lodge/nn ,/, where/wrb Shades/nns-tl of/in-tl Night/nn-tl had/hvd gone/vbn to/to purify/vb herself/ppl ./.


	With/in the/at blue/jj flesh/nn of/in night/nn touching/vbg him/ppo he/pps stood/vbd under/in a/at gentle/jj hill/nn caressing/vbg the/at flageolet/nn with/in his/pp$ lips/nns ,/, making/vbg it/ppo whisper/vb ./.
He/pps saw/vbd her/ppo emerge/vb suddenly/rb ,/, coming/vbg in/in her/pp$ unhesitant/jj fashion/nn ,/, her/pp$ back/nn stiff/jj ,/, her/pp$ head/nn erect/jj ,/, facing/vbg with/in contempt/nn the/at night/nn and/cc whatever/wdt she/pps would/md encounter/vb ,/, as/cs if/cs in/in her/pp$ extreme/jj disdain/nn and/cc indifference/nn she/pps would/md pass/vb by/rb all/abn the/at outraged/vbn looks/nns of/in those/dts whom/wpo she/pps might/md approach/vb ./.
In/in her/ppo dark/jj ,/, scornful/jj fashion/nn she/pps proceeded/vbd to/in her/pp$ destination/nn ,/, afraid/jj of/in nothing/pn ,/, not/* even/rb the/at evil/jj spirits/nns which/wdt kept/vbd her/ppo company/nn in/in her/pp$ time/nn of/in bleeding/vbg ./.


	Seeing/vbg her/ppo come/vb ,/, he/pps caught/vbd his/pp$ breath/nn ,/, feeling/vbg his/pp$ heart/nn bounce/vb in/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc turned/vbd away/rb ,/, afraid/jj now/rb ./.
Even/rb he/pps ,/, wanting/vbg her/ppo ,/, afraid/jj of/in her/ppo and/cc not/* knowing/vbg how/wrb to/to press/vb his/pp$ suit/nn ,/, feared/vbd the/at evil/jj presences/nns in/in her/pp$ metabolism/nn more/rbr ./.
His/pp$ breath/nn caught/vbd ,/, and/cc ,/, trembling/vbg ,/, he/pps closed/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns and/cc stumbled/vbd off/rp ./.
Going/vbg ,/, he/pps saw/vbd as/cs often/rb before/rb some/dti queer/jj ,/, hideous/jj yellow/jj face/nn over/in his/pp$ head/nn ,/, shining/vbg and/cc weird/jj like/cs the/at old/jj images/nns which/wdt had/hvd invested/vbn him/ppo at/in other/ap times/nns like/vb those/dts that/wps appear/vb sometimes/rb near/in the/at eyeballs/nns when/wrb they/ppss are/ber perhaps/rb pressed/vbn by/in the/at thumbs/nns ./.


	He/pps cried/vbd out/rp to/in her/ppo ,/, his/pp$ back/nn turned/vbn ./.
Then/rb he/pps fled/vbd ,/, not/* waiting/vbg to/to see/vb if/cs she/pps minded/vbd him/ppo or/cc took/vbd notice/nn of/in his/pp$ cry/nn ./.


	But/cc she/pps heard/vbd him/ppo go/vb ./.
Yet/rb she/pps did/dod not/* hesitate/vb and/cc only/rb turned/vbd slightly/rb ,/, her/pp$ neck/nn tall/jj as/cs she/pps looked/vbd in/in his/pp$ direction/nn ,/, and/cc continued/vbd on/in her/pp$ way/nn toward/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at camp/nn ./.


	Elsewhere/nn others/nns heard/vbn and/cc stopped/vbd and/cc waited/vbd ,/, the/at women/nns peering/vbg from/in their/pp$ lodges/nns then/rb gathering/vbg in/in small/jj ,/, curious/jj clusters/nns ./.
Early/jj-tl Spring/nn-tl came/vbd from/in her/pp$ bed/nn ,/, from/in beside/in her/ppo half-drunk/jj husband/nn ,/, Walitzee/np ,/, and/cc stood/vbd at/in the/at entrance/nn way/nn to/in her/pp$ lodge/nn hearing/vbg the/at mild/jj commotion/nn ,/, the/at sound/nn of/in hushed/vbn voices/nns ./.
Standing/vbg there/rb she/pps saw/vbd Shades/nns-tl of/in-tl Night/nn-tl come/vb through/in the/at trees/nns and/cc stop/vb beside/in the/at lodge/nn ,/, silent/jj ,/, almost/rb imperious/jj ,/, her/pp$ body/nn taut/jj ,/, simply/rb standing/vbg without/in speaking/vbg or/cc moving/vbg while/cs the/at wife/nn of/in Walitzee/np waited/vbd ,/, perhaps/rb denying/vbg the/at dread/nn that/wps moved/vbd in/in her/ppo ./.
When/wrb at/in last/ap she/pps could/md suffer/vb the/at insult/nn no/at longer/jjr ,/, nor/cc face/vb the/at girl's/nn$ scorn/nn ,/, she/pps said/vbd in/in a/at voice/nn overloud/jj :/: 

	``/`` I/ppss shall/md call/vb your/pp$ father/nn !/. !/.
Go/vb back/rb where/wrb you/ppss can/md bring/vb no/at harm/nn ,/, or/cc I/ppss will/md go/vb and/cc get/vb the/at old/jj man/nn from/in his/pp$ bed/nn so/cs he/pps can/md see/vb your/pp$ shame/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	But/cc the/at girl/nn said/vbd only/rb ,/, ``/`` Tell/vb him/ppo I/ppss am/bem here/rb ,/, that/cs I/ppss have/hv come/vbn ''/'' ./.
And/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* Pile/nn-tl of/in-tl Clouds/nns-tl she/pps meant/vbd ./.


	But/cc now/rb with/in real/jj anger/nn at/in last/ap ,/, something/pn proud/jj and/cc indignant/jj ,/, Early/jj-tl Spring/nn-tl stood/vbd like/cs a/at she/pps wolf/nn before/in her/pp$ den/nn and/cc cried/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss will/md not/* shriek/vb at/in you/ppo !/. !/.
I/ppss will/md tell/vb you/ppo to/to go/vb ,/, not/* begging/vbg ./.
Telling/vbg you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
And/cc unsheathing/vbg the/at knife/nn she/pps used/vbd for/in curing/vbg hides/nns she/pps stepped/vbd away/rb from/in the/at lodge/nn ,/, holding/vbg the/at knife/nn at/in her/pp$ side/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss bring/vb only/rb wickedness/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd and/cc it/pps was/bedz not/* to/in a/at child/nn any/dti longer/jjr but/cc to/in another/dt woman/nn who/wps had/hvd come/vbn to/to skirt/vb her/pp$ lodge/nn with/in the/at cunning/jj hunger/nn of/in a/at wild/jj animal/nn ./.
Speaking/vbg in/in a/at low/jj voice/nn of/in loathing/vbg she/pps went/vbd up/in to/in the/at girl/nn ,/, who/wps stood/vbd with/in the/at same/ap upright/nn ,/, scornful/jj bearing/nn and/cc did/dod not/* even/vb look/vb at/in the/at knife/nn ./.


	``/`` Go/vb take/vb helsq'iyokom/fw-nn ,/, your/pp$ evil/jj spirit/nn ,/, to/in the/at young/jj boys/nns ''/'' ,/, the/at woman/nn said/vbd ./.
``/`` They/ppss do/do not/* have/hv to/to face/vb battle/nn ./.
I/ppss will/md not/* let/vb your/pp$ evil/nn in/rp ./.
I/ppss will/md simply/rb kill/vb you/ppo first/rb ./.
Now/rb go/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	The/at other/ap women/nns had/hvd come/vbn close/rb now/rb ,/, their/pp$ voices/nns murmuring/vbg together/rb until/cs they/ppss stood/vbd buzzing/vbg in/in an/at angry/jj knot/nn ,/, their/pp$ threats/nns mingling/vbg ,/, rising/vbg ,/, nagging/vbg at/in each/dt other/ap ,/, each/dt trying/vbg to/to make/vb her/pp$ indignation/nn and/cc anger/nn felt/vbn ./.
They/ppss picked/vbd up/rp sticks/nns and/cc hurled/vbd them/ppo at/in the/at girl/nn ./.
The/at sticks/nns fell/vb like/cs a/at shower/nn around/in her/ppo and/cc she/pps felt/vbd them/ppo sting/vb her/pp$ flesh/nn and/cc send/vb tiny/jj points/nns of/in pain/nn along/in her/pp$ thighs/nns ./.
They/ppss were/bed all/abn shouting/vbg at/in her/ppo as/cs if/cs she/pps were/bed the/at embodiment/nn of/in the/at evil/nn she/pps brought/vbd ./.
But/cc she/pps did/dod not/* move/vb ,/, taking/vbg the/at words/nns and/cc the/at sticks/nns in/in that/dt old/jj defiance/nn of/in her/pp$ extreme/jj youth/nn until/cs suddenly/rb Pile/nn-tl of/in-tl Clouds/nns-tl came/vbd howling/vbg among/in them/ppo ,/, swinging/vbg a/at great/jj bullhide/nn whip/nn ./.


	``/`` Go/vb back/rb to/in your/pp$ lodges/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps shouted/vbd ./.
``/`` A/at pack/nn of/in dogs/nns makes/vbz less/ap noise/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps made/vbd the/at long/jj whip/nn sing/vb and/cc snap/vb around/in their/pp$ heads/nns so/cs that/cs they/ppss ran/vbd screaming/vbg ,/, some/dti tripping/vbg over/in themselves/ppls in/in their/pp$ flight/nn ./.
And/cc Early/jj-tl Spring/nn-tl seized/vbd the/at whip/nn and/cc said/vbd :/: 

	``/`` If/cs you/ppss must/md flog/vb someone/pn ,/, let/vb it/pps be/be her/ppo ,/, your/pp$ daughter/nn ./.
Drive/vb the/at demons/nns out/in of/in her/ppo and/cc teach/vb her/ppo to/to stay/vb away/rb from/in my/pp$ husband/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
But/cc the/at old/jj man/nn turned/vbd on/in her/ppo ,/, jerking/vbg the/at whip/nn from/in her/pp$ hand/nn ./.


	``/`` Get/vb into/in your/pp$ hovel/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps spat/vbd ./.
``/`` Go/vb back/rb to/in that/dt double-married/jj man/nn of/in yours/pp$$ who/wps so/ql parades/vbz his/pp$ fine/jj body/nn among/in the/at young/jj women/nns ./.
Keep/vb him/ppo back/rb ,/, if/cs you/ppss must/md tell/vb me/ppo what/wdt to/to do/do ./.
I/ppss will/md be/be the/at one/pn to/to confront/vb my/pp$ daughter/nn ,/, not/* the/at wife/nn of/in him/ppo who/wps leads/vbz her/ppo to/in sin/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	She/pps retreated/vbd before/cs the/at naked/jj shame/nn in/in the/at old/jj man/nn and/cc the/at fury/nn beyond/in it/ppo and/cc sank/vbd into/in the/at darkness/nn of/in her/pp$ lodge/nn where/wrb Walitzee/np stirred/vbd ,/, mumbling/vbg ,/, sitting/vbg up/rp in/in a/at half/abn stupor/nn to/to say/vb :/: 

	``/`` What/wdt worrisome/jj thing/nn happens/vbz ?/. ?/.
I/ppss thought/vbd I/ppss dreamed/vbd of/in wolves/nns fighting/vbg ''/'' ./.
But/cc she/pps went/vbd to/in him/ppo and/cc pressed/vbd herself/ppl against/in his/pp$ nakedness/nn ,/, smelling/vbg the/at stale/jj odor/nn of/in the/at whisky/nn he/pps had/hvd stolen/vbn from/in TuHulHulZote/np ./.


	She/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` There/ex is/bez nothing/pn that/cs concerns/vbz you/ppo here/rb ./.
Lie/vb back/rb and/cc go/vb to/to sleep/vb ./.
But/cc do/do not/* dream/vb ./.
Do/do not/* let/vb the/at wicked/jj spirits/nns enter/vb your/pp$ brain/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps sank/vbd back/rb ,/, sighing/vbg ,/, and/cc was/bedz soon/rb asleep/rb again/rb ./.


	Outside/rb ,/, the/at old/jj man/nn ,/, beyond/in all/abn the/at curses/nns of/in the/at spirits/nns his/pp$ daughter/nn bore/vbd ,/, went/vbd to/in her/ppo and/cc twisted/vbd the/at gnarled/jj talons/nns of/in his/pp$ fingers/nns in/in her/pp$ hair/nn and/cc turned/vbd her/ppo and/cc pushed/vbd her/ppo rudely/rb ahead/rb of/in him/ppo into/in the/at trees/nns where/wrb the/at moon/nn sent/vbd out/rp a/at thousand/cd arms/nns ./.
And/cc ,/, shoving/vbg her/ppo against/in a/at spruce/nn ,/, her/pp$ back/nn to/in him/ppo ,/, he/pps retreated/vbd with/in the/at whip/nn and/cc made/vbd it/ppo whine/vb and/cc crack/vb in/in the/at damp/jj air/nn ,/, shortening/vbg its/pp$ arc/nn until/cs it/pps narrowed/vbd to/to her/pp$ flesh/nn and/cc the/at sound/nn of/in it/ppo snarled/vbd and/cc cracked/vbd ,/, settling/vbg its/pp$ own/jj cruel/jj demons/nns on/in her/pp$ shoulders/nns while/cs she/pps stood/vbd as/ql unchanged/jj ,/, as/ql dark/jj and/cc motionless/jj as/cs ever/rb ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns open/vb and/cc staring/vbg at/in the/at pale/jj delineaments/nns of/in the/at bark/nn so/ql close/jj to/in her/pp$ face/nn ./.


	She/pps said/vbd to/in him/ppo ,/, her/pp$ father/nn ,/, ``/`` How/wrb was/bedz I/ppss begotten/vbn ,/, in/in pain/nn or/cc joy/nn ?/. ?/.
Is/bez it/pps for/in me/ppo to/to be/be forbidden/vbn the/at flesh/nn you/ppss made/vbd grow/vb on/in me/ppo ?/. ?/.
They/ppss all/abn know/vb your/pp$ foolish/jj name/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	She/pps stared/vbd at/in the/at pale/jj tracings/nns on/in the/at tree/nn ,/, hearing/vbg her/pp$ breath/nn refracted/vbn from/in it/ppo ,/, her/pp$ face/nn close/rb and/cc touching/vbg at/in time/nn the/at rough/jj edges/nns of/in the/at bark/nn ./.
She/pps felt/vbd the/at lash/nn bite/vb and/cc heard/vbd her/pp$ father/nn say/vb in/in crazed/vbn monosyllables/nns words/nns which/wdt had/hvd no/at meaning/nn ,/, like/in ,/, ``/`` unnnt/uh !/. !/.
Sssshoo/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
The/at sounds/nns of/in an/at animal/nn in/in rage/nn and/cc despair/nn ./.


	Suddenly/rb the/at lash/nn stopped/vbd fighting/vbg the/at air/nn and/cc she/pps heard/vbd Pile/nn-tl of/in Clouds/nns-tl say/vb in/in his/pp$ high/jj ,/, quavering/vbg voice/nn :/: 

	``/`` Did/dod you/ppss follow/vb me/ppo to/to see/vb my/pp$ shame/nn ?/. ?/.
Move/vb from/in the/at line/nn or/cc I/ppss will/md settle/vb the/at whip/nn on/in you/ppo ./.
Move/vb !/. !/.
Do/do you/ppo hear/vb the/at anger/nn of/in the/at whip's/nn$ whine/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Turning/vbg ,/, the/at girl/nn saw/vbd Dookiyoon/np standing/vbg between/in ,/, his/pp$ narrow/jj shoulders/nns unbent/vbn ,/, his/pp$ arms/nns hanging/vbg long/jj and/cc resigned/vbn ./.
He/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Let/vb me/ppo take/vb her/pp$ blows/nns ,/, for/cs there/ex are/ber demons/nns in/in me/ppo too/rb ''/'' ./.


	Then/rb ,/, without/in knowing/vbg why/wrb ,/, she/pps found/vbd herself/ppl running/vbg from/in them/ppo ,/, fleeing/vbg wildly/rb through/in the/at trees/nns ,/, dodging/vbg her/pp$ own/jj shadows/nns until/cs she/pps came/vbd to/in a/at little/jj hollow/nn in/in the/at rocky/jj ground/nn with/in a/at big/jj stone/nn in/in the/at center/nn behind/in which/wdt she/pps knelt/vbd and/cc hid/vbd ,/, listening/vbg to/in the/at madness/nn of/in her/pp$ heart/nn and/cc wanting/vbg for/in once/rb to/to cry/vb ./.




For/in a/at while/nn the/at young/jj men/nns waited/vbd outside/in the/at lodge/nn of/in TuHulHulZote/np ,/, glorying/vbg in/in his/pp$ harsh/jj language/nn as/cs he/pps talked/vbd with/in himself/ppl ./.
He/pps shouted/vbd like/cs a/at hoarse/jj old/jj mastiff/nn ,/, his/pp$ hair/nn stiff/jj and/cc bristling/vbg ./.
He/pps ranted/vbd and/cc prophesied/vbd the/at doom/nn of/in his/pp$ enemies/nns ,/, walking/vbg in/in circles/nns in/in and/cc out/in of/in his/pp$ living/vbg place/nn ,/, drinking/vbg stolen/vbn whisky/nn in/in great/jj ,/, gasping/vbg draughts/nns until/cs finally/rb ,/, incoherent/jj and/cc sick/jj ,/, he/pps fell/vbd into/in his/pp$ own/jj oblivion/nn ./.
He/pps amused/vbd the/at young/jj men/nns who/wps had/hvd been/ben silent/jj long/rb enough/qlp ./.
But/cc they/ppss could/md taste/vb the/at appeasement/nn of/in violence/nn and/cc retribution/nn through/in his/pp$ antics/nns ./.
Now/rb they/ppss moved/vbd ,/, rubbing/vbg their/pp$ flesh/nn alive/jj again/rb ,/, disdaining/vbg the/at gloom/nn they/ppss saw/vbd in/in the/at faces/nns around/in them/ppo ./.


	They/ppss came/vbd out/rp and/cc held/vbd their/pp$ games/nns and/cc races/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz they/ppss who/wps held/vbd the/at future/nn in/in their/pp$ hands/nns ./.
They/ppss went/vbd into/in the/at sun/nn together/rb and/cc paraded/vbd grandly/rb in/in their/pp$ war/nn clothes/nns ,/, painting/vbg their/pp$ faces/nns with/in the/at sacred/jj attis/fw-nn dug/vbn far/rb off/rp in/in the/at cave/nn of/in skeletons/nns ./.
They/ppss danced/vbd the/at paxam/fw-nn wildly/rb at/in night/nn ,/, the/at war/nn dance/nn ,/, and/cc dipped/vbd their/pp$ arrowheads/nns in/in the/at venom/nn of/in rattlesnakes/nns and/cc rode/vbd their/pp$ horses/nns in/in swift/jj maneuvers/nns ,/, firing/vbg their/pp$ few/ap guns/nns in/in unison/nn at/in some/dti indeterminate/jj signal/nn ./.


	Walitzee/np was/bedz among/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc Sarpsis/np ,/, and/cc they/ppss wore/vbd red/jj blankets/nns which/wdt flew/vbd like/cs broad/jj wings/nns in/in the/at air/nn of/in their/pp$ passing/nn ./.
And/cc a/at very/ql young/jj one/pn ,/, Swan/nn-tl Necklace/nn-tl ,/, tried/vbd to/to emulate/vb them/ppo and/cc followed/vbd timidly/rb ./.
Yellow/jj-tl Wolf/nn-tl was/bedz there/rb ,/, nephew/nn of/in the/at young/jj chief/nn by/in an/at older/jjr brother/nn long/rb dead/jj ,/, in/in whom/wpo also/rb the/at disordered/vbn chemistries/nns of/in youth/nn worked/vbd ./.
He/pps would/md spring/vb bolt/nn upright/rb suddenly/rb after/cs sitting/vbg quietly/rb with/in inaction/nn ,/, because/cs something/pn had/hvd boiled/vbn over/rp in/in his/pp$ fermenting/vbg juices/nns ./.


	All/ql the/at young/jj men/nns ,/, Alokut/np among/in them/ppo ,/, challenged/vbd them/ppo in/in matched/vbn racing/nn ./.
They/ppss raced/vbd and/cc maneuvered/vbd for/in war/nn ,/, swinging/vbg their/pp$ horses/nns in/in single/ap file/nn and/cc then/rb abreast/rb like/cs cavalry/nn ./.
At/in times/nns they/ppss would/md ride/vb frenziedly/rb through/in the/at camp/nn ,/, letting/vbg the/at women/nns see/vb their/pp$ courage/nn ,/, how/wrb handsome/jj they/ppss were/bed in/in their/pp$ regalia/nns ./.
Then/rb again/rb they/ppss would/md stand/vb in/in circles/nns making/vbg other/ap preparations/nns ./.
They/ppss combed/vbd their/pp$ hair/nn and/cc streaked/vbd it/ppo at/in the/at part/nn and/cc greased/vbd the/at bangs/nns so/cs that/cs the/at hair/nn above/in their/pp$ foreheads/nns stood/vbd rigid/jj like/cs the/at tails/nns of/in sage/nn hens/nns making/vbg love/nn ./.


	Walitzee/np whitened/vbd his/pp$ leggings/nns with/in clay/nn ,/, knowing/vbg the/at girl/nn watched/vbd from/in her/pp$ place/nn in/in the/at trees/nns ./.
He/pps saw/vbd himself/ppl in/in a/at superior/jj reflection/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz as/cs a/at speeding/vbg arrow/nn from/in the/at taut/jj bow/nn ,/, hurtling/vbg with/in a/at mad/jj grace/nn ,/, his/pp$ maleness/nn shining/vbg and/cc scented/vbn with/in meadow/nn rue/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz always/rb aware/jj of/in the/at women's/nns$ eyes/nns which/wdt followed/vbd him/ppo ,/, admiring/vbg him/ppo ./.
And/cc the/at suspicious/jj ,/, envenomed/vbn eyes/nns of/in Pile/nn-tl of/in-tl Clouds/nns-tl ./.
And/cc those/dts of/in Early/jj-tl Spring/nn-tl ,/, haunted/vbn and/cc now/rb full/jj of/in hurt/nn and/cc envy/nn ./.
He/pps felt/vbd so/ql much/rb like/cs laughing/vbg ;/. ;/.
even/rb like/cs shouting/vbg and/cc crying/vbg out/rp from/in the/at hilltops/nns from/in which/wdt he/pps could/md descend/vb as/cs an/at eagle/nn in/in a/at mad/jj caper/nn from/in the/at cliffs/nns ./.


	He/pps and/cc Sarpsis/np planned/vbd a/at great/jj parade/nn with/in the/at young/jj men/nns ./.
They/ppss would/md give/vb one/cd final/jj testimony/nn of/in their/pp$ challenge/nn to/to let/vb the/at people/nns see/vb their/pp$ arrogance/nn ./.
They/ppss would/md ride/vb with/in streaming/vbg amulets/nns ,/, their/pp$ colors/nns ripening/vbg in/in the/at sun/nn ,/, shouting/vbg the/at last/ap bellicosity/nn of/in a/at nation/nn in/in the/at throes/nns of/in death/nn ./.


	And/cc so/cs the/at sun/nn came/vbd up/rp again/rb and/cc for/in a/at moment/nn its/pp$ color/nn was/bedz the/at young/jj men's/nns$ blood/nn ,/, shifting/vbg then/rb into/in the/at full/jj heat/nn and/cc outcry/nn which/wdt ran/vbd with/in their/pp$ hearts/nns ./.
They/ppss mounted/vbd their/pp$ horses/nns and/cc rode/vbd off/rp into/in the/at hills/nns ./.



The/at ,/, 
young/jj chief/nn stared/vbd at/in the/at wall/nn of/in his/pp$ lodge/nn ,/, ,/, listening/vbg ./.
The/at sound/nn rose/vbd on/in the/at other/ap side/nn of/in the/at hills/nns ,/, vanished/vbd and/cc rose/vbd again/rb and/cc he/pps could/md imagine/vb the/at mad/jj ,/, disheveled/vbn hoofs/nns of/in the/at Appaloosas/nps ,/, horses/nns the/at white/jj men/nns once/rb had/hvd called/vbn the/at Dogs/nns-tl of/in-tl Hell/nn-tl ./.
He/pps saw/vbd them/ppo in/in fleet/jj images/nns as/cs they/ppss came/vbd rolling/vbg and/cc now/rb burst/vbd across/in the/at ridge/nn ./.
Standing/vbg then/rb with/in the/at others/nns ,/, peering/vbg into/in the/at sun/nn ,/, he/pps saw/vbd the/at bright/jj ,/, multicolored/jj legion/nn ,/, their/pp$ hair/nn flying/vbg like/cs dark/jj banners/nns ,/, only/rb the/at thunder/nn ,/, the/at roll/nn of/in drums/nns ,/, the/at mad/jj cacophony/nn of/in the/at hoofs/nns accompanying/vbg them/ppo ./.
They/ppss leaned/vbd into/in the/at wind/nn and/cc seemed/vbd like/cs one/cd thousand-legged/jj monster/nn hurtling/vbg and/cc plunging/vbg until/cs suddenly/rb they/ppss rose/vbd straight/rb in/in their/pp$ saddles/nns and/cc in/in one/cd terrifying/vbg voice/nn shouted/vbd ,/, ejaculated/vbd their/pp$ grotesque/jj cry/nn of/in war/nn ./.



	She/pps was/bedz moving/vbg through/in a/at screen/nn of/in hemlocks/nns ,/, in/rp among/in the/at white/jj birch/nn and/cc maples/nns ./.
The/at sounds/nns from/in the/at quarry/nn began/vbd to/to pulse/vb in/in her/pp$ ears/nns ./.
She/pps stood/vbd ,/, once/rb more/rbr listening/vbg ./.
She/pps had/hvd never/rb been/ben here/rb at/in this/dt hour/nn ./.
She/pps felt/vbd as/cs if/cs some/dti dark/jj ,/, totally/rb unfamiliar/jj shape/nn would/md clutch/vb at/in her/pp$ arm/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc she/pps found/vbd the/at path/nn she/pps always/rb used/vbd ,/, the/at stubs/nns of/in branches/nns she/pps had/hvd broken/vbn ,/, those/dts she/pps had/hvd pushed/vbn aside/rb ;/. ;/.
and/cc she/pps walked/vbd easily/rb now/rb ,/, and/cc more/ql slowly/rb ,/, until/cs she/pps could/md see/vb the/at dark/jj glisten/nn of/in water/nn beneath/in her/ppo ./.


	If/cs I/ppss ever/rb committed/vbd suicide/nn ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ,/, I/ppss would/md dive/vb straight/rb down/rp from/in here/rb --/-- and/cc no/at one/pn would/md find/vb me/ppo for/in days/nns ./.
She/pps smiled/vbd ,/, and/cc expertly/rb let/vbd herself/ppl downward/rb ,/, holding/vbg this/dt known/vbn root/nn or/cc that/dt ,/, her/pp$ sneakers/nns sliding/vbg in/in the/at leaves/nns ./.


	She/pps jumped/vbd out/rp onto/in the/at flat/jj expanse/nn of/in rock/nn and/cc ,/, seating/vbg herself/ppl ,/, shook/vbd her/ppo short-cut/jj brown/jj hair/nn and/cc tilted/vbd her/pp$ chin/nn far/ql upward/rb ./.
The/at reedy/jj music/nn of/in the/at frogs/nns had/hvd faded/vbn ,/, but/cc presently/rb it/pps began/vbd again/rb ,/, growing/vbg in/in volume/nn until/cs it/pps was/bedz vibrant/jj ./.
Julia/np felt/vbd at/in peace/nn and/cc drew/vbd her/ppo legs/nns up/rp and/cc clasped/vbd her/pp$ hands/nns tightly/rb around/in the/at bent/vbn knees/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd accomplished/vbn a/at miracle/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz her/pp$ place/nn ./.
The/at hour/nn couldn't/md* change/vb it/ppo ./.
Only/rb --/-- only/rb --/-- her/pp$ thoughts/nns were/bed a/at little/ql strange/jj ./.
They/ppss were/bed becoming/vbg confused/vbn ./.
Perhaps/rb it/pps was/bedz because/cs it/pps was/bedz so/ql late/jj ,/, and/cc because/cs she/pps had/hvd no/at business/nn to/to be/be here/rb now/rb ./.


	She/pps was/bedz thinking/vbg of/in Paul/np a/at few/ap weeks/nns ago/rb ,/, in/in the/at Easter/np holidays/nns ,/, with/in her/ppo at/in one/cd of/in those/dts awful/jj Friday/nr-tl Evening/nn-tl Dancing/vbg-tl Class/nn-tl parties/nns her/pp$ mother/nn had/hvd made/vbn her/pp$ attend/vb ./.
``/`` Hello/uh ,/, Julie/np ,/, how/wrb are/ber you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
And/cc then/rb off/rp he/pps went/vbd so/ql casually/rb ,/, to/in someone/pn else/rb with/in breasts/nns better/vb developed/vbn ,/, more/ql obvious/jj in/in a/at lower-cut/jjr dress/nn ,/, someone/pn without/in a/at mouthful/nn of/in wire/nn bands/nns and/cc an/at inability/nn to/to find/vb words/nns that/wps would/md hold/vb him/ppo ./.
I/ppss wish/vb he/pps was/bedz with/in me/ppo now/rb ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ,/, and/cc that/cs we/ppss were/bed both/abx the/at ages/nns we/ppss are/ber and/cc doing/vbg what/wdt was/bedz once/rb only/rb pretense/nn and/cc acute/jj embarrassment/nn ./.
Oh/uh God/np !/. !/.
I/ppss wish/vb I/ppss were/bed older/jjr or/cc younger/jjr ,/, Julia/np Bentley/np thought/vbd ./.
I/ppss wish/vb so/ql much/rb someone/pn loved/vbd me/ppo ./.




George/np Rawlings/np remembered/vbd seeing/vbg the/at door/nn open/jj sometime/rb during/in the/at night/nn --/-- Millie/np ,/, in/in a/at white/jj robe/nn ,/, standing/vbg like/cs a/at ghost/nn at/in the/at threshold/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd vanished/vbn ;/. ;/.
he/pps must/md have/hv slept/vbn again/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz staring/vbg at/in the/at blue/jj china/nn lamp/nn left/vbn on/rp beside/in him/ppo ./.
It/pps seemed/vbd too/ql much/ap trouble/nn even/rb to/to reach/vb for/in the/at switch/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc of/in course/nn the/at impossible/jj effort/nn of/in leaving/vbg would/md have/hv to/to be/be made/vbn on/in this/dt Monday/nr morning/nn ./.
This/dt room/nn was/bedz like/cs a/at prison/nn ./.
He/pps would/md not/* be/be indebted/jj to/in Sam/np !/. !/.
Below/in him/ppo ,/, as/cs if/cs at/in the/at end/nn of/in some/dti remote/jj tunnel/nn ,/, he/pps heard/vbd the/at humming/nn of/in a/at vacuum/nn cleaner/nn ./.
His/pp$ fingers/nns fumbled/vbd across/in the/at bandages/nns ./.
They/ppss had/hvd left/vbn both/abx of/in his/pp$ eyes/nns uncovered/vbn ./.
Well/uh ,/, he/pps told/vbd himself/ppl ,/, let's/vb+ppo put/vb the/at show/nn on/in the/at road/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz walking/vbg across/in to/in the/at bathroom/nn ./.
He/pps drank/vbd a/at glass/nn of/in water/nn and/cc gripped/vbd the/at sink/nn with/in both/abx hands/nns ./.
A/at fearful/jj pain/nn had/hvd come/vbn from/in his/pp$ head/nn ,/, as/cs if/cs the/at water/nn were/bed coursing/vbg up/rp through/in the/at blood/nn vessels/nns and/cc expanding/vbg them/ppo ./.
He/pps recognized/vbd his/pp$ jacket/nn and/cc trousers/nns ./.
The/at fabric/nn was/bedz dark/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at stains/nns weren't/bed* too/ql apparent/jj ;/. ;/.
and/cc there/ex were/bed his/pp$ shoes/nns ,/, thank/vb God/np ,/, but/cc his/pp$ shirt/nn was/bedz one/cd terrible/jj mess/nn ./.


	He/pps shivered/vbd ,/, and/cc then/rb tore/vbd away/rb the/at blood-soaked/jj parts/nns and/cc wound/vbd the/at rest/nn around/in his/pp$ neck/nn like/cs a/at scarf/nn ./.
Sam/np would/md be/be amazed/vbn to/to find/vb him/ppo gone/vbn ./.
Millie/np would/md have/hv to/to understand/vb ./.
She/pps must/md have/hv put/vbn his/pp$ clothes/nns in/in the/at closet/nn ./.
He/pps found/vbd a/at lump/nn rising/vbg in/in his/pp$ throat/nn because/rb of/in that/dt one/cd simple/jj act/nn of/in tidiness/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz on/in the/at verge/nn of/in tears/nns ./.
Alex/np Poldowski/np --/-- in/in a/at fashion/nn he/pps owed/vbd a/at debt/nn to/in that/dt effete/jj gentleman/nn ./.
At/in least/ap Alex/np had/hvd told/vbn him/ppo he/pps wasn't/bedz* dying/vbg ./.
Perhaps/rb George/np Rawlings/np would/md be/be better/rbr off/rp dead/jj ./.


	What/wdt time/nn was/bedz it/pps ?/. ?/.
He/pps peered/vbd at/in his/pp$ wristwatch/nn ./.
Strange/jj ,/, it/pps was/bedz still/rb running/vbg ./.
A/at quarter/nn to/in seven/cd ./.
Too/ql early/rb for/in a/at vacuum/nn cleaner/nn ,/, but/cc probably/rb Sam/np wanted/vbd the/at whole/jj house/nn in/in order/nn before/cs he/pps came/vbd downstairs/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz kneeling/vbg to/to tie/vb his/pp$ shoelaces/nns ./.
His/pp$ fingers/nns felt/vbd absurdly/rb thick/jj and/cc clumsy/jj ./.
He/pps rose/vbd slowly/rb and/cc looked/vbd into/in the/at mirror/nn on/in the/at inside/nn of/in the/at closet/nn door/nn ./.
He/pps barely/rb knew/vbd himself/ppl ./.
This/dt was/bedz some/dti freak/nn ,/, two/cd strands/nns of/in adhesive/jj tape/nn across/in his/pp$ nose/nn ,/, like/cs ugly/jj roots/nns from/in the/at mass/nn of/in gauze/nn ,/, suddenly/rb moist/jj over/in his/pp$ cheekbones/nns ./.
The/at surface/nn ,/, however/wrb ,/, was/bedz perfectly/ql white/jj ./.


	He/pps was/bedz drinking/vbg another/dt glass/nn of/in water/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz after/in seven/cd o'clock/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz supposed/vbn to/to be/be in/in court/nn this/dt afternoon/nn ,/, at/in City/nn-tl Hall/nn-tl ./.
Who/wps would/md take/vb over/rp ?/. ?/.
He'd/pps+md have/hv to/to think/vb ,/, but/cc the/at main/jjs thing/nn ,/, the/at imperative/jj necessity/nn ,/, was/bedz to/to leave/vb before/cs Sam/np Bentley/np was/bedz up/rp and/cc about/rb ,/, and/cc before/cs Millie/np detained/vbd him/ppo with/in sympathy/nn ./.


	He/pps entered/vbd the/at hallway/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz actually/rb walking/vbg down/in the/at stairs/nns ./.
A/at plane/nn up/rp in/in the/at sky/nn ,/, above/in the/at clouds/nns ,/, and/cc this/dt freakish/jj wreck/nn of/in a/at man/nn desperately/rb trying/vbg to/to get/vb away/rb ./.


	``/`` Father/nn ,/, is/bez that/dt you/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.
The/at voice/nn issued/vbd from/in the/at cavern/nn of/in the/at hall/nn below/rb ./.
George/np did/dod not/* reply/vb ./.
``/`` Is/bez that/dt you/ppss ,/, Father/nn ?/. ?/.
Who's/wps+bez there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	For/in a/at moment/nn he/pps felt/vbd like/in a/at thief/nn discovered/vbn ./.
Then/rb Julia/np appeared/vbd under/in the/at arch/nn leading/vbg to/in the/at dining/vbg room/nn ./.
She/pps stood/vbd gazing/vbg at/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` Uncle/nn-tl George/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	He/pps was/bedz trying/vbg to/to smile/vb at/in her/ppo ./.


	``/`` Gosh/uh !/. !/.
You/ppss shouldn't/md* be/be up/rp ,/, should/md you/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss --/-- I/ppss was/bedz just/rb leaving/vbg here/rb ,/, Julie/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem all/ql set/vbn ./.
Just/rb about/rb to/to call/vb a/at taxi/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps was/bedz wearing/vbg some/dti sort/nn of/in gray/jj blazer/nn ./.
She/pps seemed/vbd overly/ql tall/jj ,/, her/pp$ brow/nn knitted/vbn in/in concern/nn ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, at/in least/ap you/ppss won't/md* have/hv to/to do/do that/dt ''/'' ,/, she/pps was/bedz saying/vbg ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem about/rb to/to leave/vb myself/ppl ./.
I'll/ppss+md drop/vb you/ppo off/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber leaving/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg back/rb to/in school/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps answered/vbd ./.
``/`` Pietro's/np+bez driving/vbg me/ppo ./.
I'm/ppss+bem just/rb finishing/vbg breakfast/nn ./.
But/cc have/hv you/ppss told/vbn Mother/nn-tl you/ppss were/bed going/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd him/ppo ./.


	``/`` No/rb ./.
I/ppss just/rb don't/do* want/vb anyone/pn disturbed/vbn ,/, Julie/np ./.
That's/dt+bez my/pp$ wish/nn ./.
It's/pps+bez quite/abl a/at big/jj one/pn ''/'' ,/, he/pps added/vbd ./.


	Her/pp$ face/nn seemed/vbd to/to float/vb in/in an/at implausibly/rb bright/jj shaft/nn of/in sunlight/nn ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, won't/md* you/ppss come/vb in/rp then/rb ,/, have/hv a/at cup/nn of/in coffee/nn --/-- or/cc something/pn ?/. ?/.
Or/cc maybe/rb a/at drink/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd ,/, in/in a/at way/nn that/wps seemed/vbd oddly/rb sophisticated/jj ,/, considerate/jj ,/, and/cc yet/rb perhaps/rb partly/ql scornful/jj ./.
He/pps tried/vbd to/to see/vb her/pp$ face/nn more/ql clearly/rb ./.


	``/`` No/rb --/-- nothing/pn at/in all/abn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd after/in a/at moment's/nn$ hesitation/nn ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md just/rb wait/vb for/in you/ppo here/rb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps leaned/vbd his/pp$ head/nn against/in the/at wood/nn paneling/nn behind/in him/ppo ,/, but/cc the/at vivid/jj red/jj images/nns of/in pain/nn inserted/vbd themselves/ppls against/in his/pp$ eyelids/nns ./.
He/pps raised/vbd them/ppo ./.
Julia/np moved/vbd past/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv to/to say/vb good-bye/uh upstairs/rb ./.
I/ppss won't/md* be/be long/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` As/in a/at great/jj favor/nn ,/, Julie/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` please/vb don't/do* mention/vb you've/ppss+hv seen/vbn me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Not/* to/in anyone/pn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb --/-- please/uh ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md call/vb your/pp$ mother/nn as/ql soon/rb as/cs I/ppss get/vb home/nr ./.
It'll/pps+md be/be so/ql much/ql easier/jjr ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' She/pps was/bedz staring/vbg at/in him/ppo ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem fine/jj ,/, Julie/np ./.
Please/uh ,/, you/ppss just/rb go/vb ahead/rb ''/'' ./.


	She/pps had/hvd disappeared/vbn ./.
He/pps could/md feel/vb a/at pulse/nn pounding/vbg against/in the/at bandages/nns ./.
He/pps imagined/vbd Sam's/np$ voice/nn :/: ``/`` George/np ,/, what/wdt the/at hell/nn goes/vbz on/rp ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss wouldn't/md* have/hv the/at strength/nn to/to answer/vb ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ./.
Maybe/rb I/ppss couldn't/md* have/hv called/vbn a/at taxi/nn ./.


	He/pps could/md hear/vb the/at footsteps/nns overhead/rb ./.
He/pps saw/vbd the/at suitcase/nn ,/, which/wdt Julia/np was/bedz holding/vbg ./.
He/pps stood/vbd up/rp ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md take/vb that/dt ,/, Julie/np --/-- for/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh no/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss can/md manage/vb ''/'' ./.


	She/pps went/vbd ahead/rb of/in him/ppo ./.
Outside/rb the/at Lincoln/np was/bedz parked/vbn ./.
He/pps could/md hardly/rb believe/vb he/pps was/bedz getting/vbg in/rp ./.
Pietro/np was/bedz gazing/vbg at/in him/ppo in/in an/at insolent/jj ,/, disdainful/jj fashion/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc that/dt didn't/dod* matter/vb ./.


	We'll/ppss+md drop/vb Mr./np Rawlings/np off/rp in/in Ardmore/np ''/'' ,/, Julia/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc for/in the/at merest/jjt second/nn George/np was/bedz reminded/vbn of/in her/pp$ father's/nn$ tone/nn with/in servants/nns ./.
To/in the/at manner/nn born/vbn --/-- odd/jj to/to have/hv such/abl a/at thought/nn at/in a/at time/nn like/in this/dt ;/. ;/.
yet/rb her/pp$ inflection/nn seemed/vbd forced/vbn or/cc rehearsed/vbn ./.
He/pps could/md not/* stop/vb to/to analyze/vb ./.
He/pps had/hvd never/rb felt/vbn particularly/rb close/jj to/in her/ppo ./.
Carrie/np seemed/vbd more/ql affectionate/jj ,/, but/cc obviously/rb Julia/np had/hvd respected/vbn his/pp$ request/nn ./.
He/pps took/vbd her/pp$ hand/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss wish/vb I/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv to/to go/vb back/rb to/in school/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc then/rb ,/, ``/`` I/ppss wish/vb you/ppo lived/vbn in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ./.
That's/dt+bez in/in the/at opposite/jj direction/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss wish/vb I/ppss did/dod ''/'' ,/, he/pps responded/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss wish/vb I/ppss wasn't/bedz* wearing/vbg this/dt ridiculous/jj costume/nn ,/, and/cc that/cs we/ppss could/md go/vb to/in a/at theater/nn together/rb ,/, or/cc a/at nice/jj restaurant/nn ,/, forget/vb we/ppss knew/vbd ''/'' He/pps stopped/vbd speaking/vbg ./.


	``/`` Forget/vb we/ppss ever/rb knew/vbd what/wdt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, just/rb sort/nn of/in everything/pn in/in general/jj ''/'' ./.


	She/pps said/vbd nothing/pn until/cs Pietro/np had/hvd slackened/vbn their/pp$ pace/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb you/ppo feel/vb badly/rb ,/, but/cc that/dt sounds/vbz like/cs such/abl a/at queer/jj thing/nn for/in you/ppo to/to say/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Does/doz it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Yes/rb ,/, perhaps/rb ./.
I'm/ppss+bem supposed/vbn to/to joke/vb about/in things/nns ,/, aren't/ber* I/ppss ?/. ?/.
But/cc sometimes/rb life/nn can/md be/be rather/abl a/at disappointing/jj business/nn ''/'' ./.


	His/pp$ voice/nn seemed/vbd thick/jj and/cc purposeless/jj ./.
He/pps relinquished/vbd her/pp$ hand/nn ./.
He/pps could/md see/vb the/at stone/nn building/nn where/wrb he/pps lived/vbd ./.
Just/rb a/at few/ap more/ap steps/nns ./.
Abruptly/rb he/pps reached/vbd into/in his/pp$ pocket/nn ./.
Yes/rb ,/, there/ex was/bedz the/at key/nn ./.


	``/`` Are/ber you/ppss positive/jj you'll/ppss+md be/be all/ql right/jj by/in yourself/ppl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd him/ppo ./.


	For/in a/at moment/nn he/pps smiled/vbd ./.
``/`` Yes/rb ,/, Julie/np dear/jj ./.
You've/ppss+hv done/vbn me/ppo the/at greatest/jjt possible/jj service/nn ./.
By/in myself/ppl I'll/ppss+md be/be fine/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Take/vb care/nn of/in yourself/ppl then/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss will/md ./.
You/ppss ,/, also/rb ./.
Don't/do* work/vb too/ql hard/rb ''/'' ./.


	It/pps was/bedz an/at automatic/jj phrase/nn ;/. ;/.
as/cs he/pps crossed/vbd through/in the/at courtyard/nn he/pps regretted/vbd it/ppo ./.
He/pps should/md have/hv discovered/vbn a/at more/ql tender/jj farewell/nn ./.
Someone/pn shouted/vbd at/in him/ppo ,/, ``/`` Well/uh !/. !/.
Will/md you/ppss look/vb at/in George/np Rawlings/np !/. !/.
What/wdt happened/vbd to/in you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss bumped/vbd into/in a/at door/nn handle/nn ''/'' ,/, George/np said/vbd ./.


	Someone/pn laughed/vbd ./.
George/np walked/vbd steadily/rb ahead/rb into/in his/pp$ entry/nn ./.
His/pp$ bandages/nns seemed/vbd on/in fire/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd shut/vbn his/pp$ door/nn with/in the/at brass/nn number/nn screwed/vbn to/in it/ppo ./.
In/in the/at kitchenette/nn the/at raw/jj whiskey/nn made/vbd him/ppo gasp/vb ./.
Just/rb one/cd or/cc two/cd swallows/nns ,/, he/pps told/vbd himself/ppl ,/, enough/ap to/to lessen/vb some/dti of/in the/at pain/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz telephoning/vbg ./.
``/`` No/rb ,/, Millie/np ,/, I'm/ppss+bem home/nr ./.
No/rb ,/, really/rb ,/, right/jj as/cs rain/nn ./.
Tell/vb Sam/np not/* to/to worry/vb about/in the/at car/nn ./.
I'll/ppss+md get/vb it/ppo hauled/vbn away/rb ./.
No/rb ,/, please/uh --/-- no/at visit/nn today/nr --/-- I'll/ppss+md be/be asleep/rb ./.
For/in God's/np$ sake/nn ,/, don't/do* worry/vb ./.
That/dt upsets/vbz me/ppo more/rbr than/in anything/pn ./.
Yes/rb ,/, sure/rb ,/, I'll/ppss+md see/vb the/at doctor/nn --/-- this/dt evening/nn ,/, if/cs you/ppss insist/vb ./.
''/'' 

	There/ex was/bedz one/cd more/ap call/nn to/to make/vb ./.


	``/`` Joan/np ,/, did/dod I/ppss wake/vb you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Yes/rb ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd you'd/ppss+md probably/rb be/be up/rp ./.
Look/vb ,/, sweetheart/nn ,/, some/dti fool/nn was/bedz ./.
Happened/vbn to/to be/be driving/vbg somewhat/ql intoxicated/vbn last/ap night/nn ./.
Unfortunately/rb it/pps turned/vbd out/rp to/to be/be me/ppo ,/, but/cc I/ppss wouldn't/md* quite/rb put/vb it/ppo that/dt way/nn to/in the/at boss/nn ./.
Oh/uh hell/nn no/rb ,/, I'm/ppss+bem not/* in/in a/at hospital/nn ./.
I/ppss won't/md* be/be in/in town/nn for/in a/at couple/nn of/in days/nns ,/, though/rb ,/, and/cc there's/ex+bez that/dt case/nn I/ppss was/bedz supposed/vbn to/to handle/vb this/dt afternoon/nn ./.
Too/ql bad/jj a/at jury/nn isn't/bez* involved/vbn ./.
I/ppss might/md struggle/vb in/rp for/in a/at jury/nn ./.
I'd/ppss+md win/vb hands/nns down/rp ./.
But/cc I/ppss thought/vbd maybe/rb Tony/np Elliott/np could/md pinch-hit/vb for/in me/ppo ./.
He'll/pps+md understand/vb --/-- you/ppss might/md give/vb him/ppo sort/nn of/in a/at tactful/jj nudge/nn ./.
He's/pps+hvz got/vbn all/abn the/at facts/nns ./.
I/ppss wouldn't/md* want/vb to/to ask/vb for/in a/at postponement/nn --/-- it's/pps+bez really/rb just/rb a/at routine/jj thing/nn ./.
What/wdt ?/. ?/.
No/rb ,/, darling/nn I'd/ppss+md rather/rb you/ppss didn't/dod* come/vb out/rp ''/'' ./.
A/at smile/nn pulled/vbd at/in the/at lower/jjr strip/nn of/in adhesive/jj tape/nn ./.
``/`` Don't/do* even/rb send/vb flowers/nns ./.
I'll/ppss+md see/vb you/ppo Wednesday/nr ./.
I'll/ppss+md bribe/vb you/ppo with/in a/at nice/jj ''/'' --/-- He/pps was/bedz about/rb to/to say/vb ``/`` double/jj martini/nn ''/'' but/cc thought/vbd better/rbr of/in it/ppo ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md take/vb you/ppo out/rp to/in dinner/nn ./.
Okay/uh ?/. ?/.
''/'' 

	He/pps had/hvd put/vbn down/rp the/at receiver/nn ./.
A/at strange/jj relationship/nn between/in Joan/np Fulbright/np and/cc himself/ppl ./.
Who/wps knew/vbd about/in it/ppo ?/. ?/.
She/pps lived/vbd alone/rb in/in the/at older/jjr part/nn of/in the/at city/nn ,/, in/in one/cd of/in those/dts renovated/vbn houses/nns whose/wp$ brick/nn facade/nn some/dti early/jj settler/nn had/hvd constructed/vbn ./.
She/pps had/hvd two/cd tiny/jj rooms/nns on/in the/at second/od floor/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz a/at clever/jj girl/nn ,/, a/at most/ql efficient/jj secretary/nn ./.
She/pps let/vbd him/ppo come/vb and/cc go/vb as/cs he/pps pleased/vbd ,/, or/cc as/cs it/pps pleased/vbd her/ppo ./.
In/in the/at office/nn you/ppss might/md have/hv thought/vbn them/ppo only/rb casual/jj friends/nns ;/. ;/.
yet/rb if/cs he/pps said/vbd :/: Make/vb an/at excuse/nn yourself/ppl ,/, come/vb out/rp here/rb today/nr ,/, she/pps would/md have/hv been/ben on/in the/at next/ap train/nn --/-- and/cc ,/, similarly/rb ,/, if/cs she/pps had/hvd been/ben in/in need/nn ,/, he/pps would/md have/hv gone/vbn to/in her/ppo ./.

``/`` They/ppss make/vb us/ppo conformists/nns look/vb good/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez a/at peculiar/jj way/nn to/to think/vb ''/'' ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* just/rb the/at obnoxious/jj birds/nns that/wps had/hvd ruffled/vbn her/pp$ own/jj feathers/nns ,/, of/in course/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps knew/vbd that/dt ./.
It/pps was/bedz Jim's/np$ ``/`` little/jj ''/'' sister/nn Myra/np ,/, the/at unreliable/jj ,/, irresponsible/jj ,/, forever/rb flyaway/jj ,/, Myra/np ./.
She's/pps+bez a/at year/nn older/jjr than/cs I/ppss am/bem ,/, Lucy/np told/vbd herself/ppl ./.


	``/`` Come/vb ,/, come/vb ''/'' ,/, Jim/np said/vbd ,/, jollying/vbg Lucy/np a/at little/ap ./.
``/`` I/ppss love/vb you/ppo ./.
Susan/np ready/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Lucy/np listened/vbd ./.
Obviously/rb ,/, Susan/np was/bedz not/* ./.
Upstairs/rb ,/, busy/jj feet/nns ,/, showering/vbg like/cs raindrops/nns ,/, pattered/vbd around/in her/pp$ room/nn ./.
Susan/np would/md be/be visiting/vbg her/pp$ grandmother/nn for/in only/rb a/at few/ap days/nns ,/, but/cc even/rb at/in seven/cd she/pps was/bedz a/at prudent/jj soul/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps always/rb packed/vbd for/in a/at lifetime/nn ,/, just/rb in/in case/nn ./.
``/`` Not/* yet/rb ./.
Every/at doll/nn in/in the/at house/nn must/md be/be going/vbg with/in her/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` She'd/pps+hvd better/rbr step/vb on/in it/ppo ./.
It's/pps+bez a/at long/jj way/nn to/in Websterville/np ''/'' ./.
Jim's/np$ fine/jj young/jj face/nn was/bedz an/at expressive/jj one/pn ,/, too/rb ;/. ;/.
as/cs he/pps looked/vbd at/in her/ppo ,/, it/pps registered/vbd anxiety/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss know/vb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Myra/np wanted/vbd me/ppo to/to thank/vb you/ppo for/in taking/vbg Cathy/np ./.
It'll/pps+md be/be only/rb a/at couple/nn of/in weeks/nns before/cs she/pps finds/vbz a/at home/nr for/in them/ppo in/in Paris/np --/-- but/cc even/rb so/rb ,/, she/pps wants/vbz you/ppo to/to know/vb that/cs she's/pps+bez awfully/ql grateful/jj ''/'' ./.


	Lucy/np did/dod not/* believe/vb him/ppo ;/. ;/.
Myra/np appreciated/vbd nothing/pn ./.
Jim/np had/hvd put/vbn the/at thanks/nns in/in his/pp$ sister's/nn$ mouth/nn ./.


	``/`` Darling/nn ''/'' --/-- she/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc the/at single/ap word/nn mingled/vbd love/nn and/cc exasperation/nn in/in an/at equal/jj blend/nn ./.
``/`` She/pps should/md have/hv told/vbn me/ppo herself/ppl ./.
And/cc will/md it/pps be/be only/rb a/at couple/nn of/in weeks/nns ?/. ?/.
Remember/vb what/wdt happened/vbd the/at last/ap time/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Leaving/vbg Cathy/np with/in them/ppo ,/, Myra/np had/hvd gone/vbn out/rp to/in the/at Coast/nn-tl for/in a/at supposedly/rb brief/jj visit/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc she/pps had/hvd stayed/vbn all/abn winter/nn ,/, and/cc Cathy/np had/hvd stayed/vbn all/abn winter/nn too/rb --/-- with/in them/ppo ./.
Lucy/np suspected/vbd that/cs Myra/np would/md never/rb have/hv come/vbn home/nr if/cs Gregg/np ,/, Myra's/np$ husband/nn ,/, hadn't/hvd* gone/vbn out/rp to/to fetch/vb her/ppo ./.
``/`` That/dt was/bedz an/at awfully/ql long/jj two/cd weeks/nns ''/'' ./.




For/in an/at otherwise/rb silent/jj moment/nn ,/, Jim's/np$ keys/nns jingled/vbd nervously/rb in/in his/pp$ pocket/nn ./.
``/`` But/cc she/pps promised/vbd --/-- This/dt will/nn be/be different/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd at/in last/rb ./.
``/`` You've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to admit/vb she/pps was/bedz smart/jj to/to scare/vb up/rp this/dt fine/nn government/nn job/nn over/in there/rb --/-- she'll/pps+md get/vb a/at home/nr for/in herself/ppl and/cc Cathy/np in/in no/at time/nn ./.
You'll/ppss+md see/vb ,/, Myra's/np+bez settling/vbg down/rp ''/'' ./.
On/in the/at defensive/jj ,/, he/pps added/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss wish/vb you'd/ppss+md think/vb what/wdt it/pps must/md be/be like/cs for/in her/ppo to/to be/be without/in Greg/np ,/, to/to be/be a/at new/jj widow/nn ,/, a/at young/jj widow/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It/pps depends/vbz on/in the/at widow/nn ''/'' ./.
Lucy/np had/hvd an/at idea/nn that/cs Myra/np loved/vbd it/ppo ./.
And/cc not/* for/in one/cd moment/nn did/dod she/pps believe/vb that/cs Myra/np had/hvd settled/vbn down/rp ./.
It/pps seemed/vbd to/in Lucy/np that/cs all/abn their/pp$ married/vbn life/nn ,/, she/pps and/cc Jim/np had/hvd been/ben doing/vbg nothing/pn but/cc rescue/vb his/pp$ sister/nn from/in the/at constant/jj crises/nns that/wps were/bed her/pp$ way/nn of/in life/nn ./.
Remembering/vbg that/dt succession/nn of/in disasters/nns ,/, she/pps now/rb considered/vbd Cathy/np ,/, an/at ominous/jj child-cloud/nn on/in her/pp$ horizon/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz not/* that/cs she/pps disliked/vbd Cathy/np ./.
The/at youngster/nn drew/vbd her/ppo ,/, troubled/vbd her/pp$ depths/nns ;/. ;/.
whenever/wrb Lucy/np saw/vbd her/ppo ,/, she/pps tried/vbd ,/, without/in noise/nn or/cc fuss/nn ,/, to/to give/vb her/ppo the/at warmth/nn she/pps had/hvd never/rb had/hvn from/in Myra/np ./.
But/cc Cathy/np was/bedz Myra's/np$ responsibility/nn ,/, not/* hers/pp$$ ./.


	``/`` I/ppss wouldn't/md* even/rb be/be surprised/vbn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd unhappily/rb ,/, ``/`` if/cs Myra/np tried/vbd to/to leave/vb her/ppo with/in us/ppo forever/rb ''/'' ./.
Myra/np loved/vbd big/jj cities/nns ;/. ;/.
thousands/nns of/in miles/nns away/rb --/-- in/in Paris/np ,/, of/in all/abn places/nns --/-- she/pps might/md forget/vb she/pps had/hvd ever/rb been/ben a/at mother/nn ./.
Lucy/np knew/vbd her/ppo too/ql well/rb to/to find/vb it/ppo impossible/jj ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez a/at horrible/jj thing/nn to/to accuse/vb her/ppo of/in ''/'' !/. !/.
Jim/np was/bedz so/ql indignant/jj it/pps was/bedz obvious/jj that/cs no/at matter/nn what/wdt he/pps said/vbd ,/, he/pps too/rb had/hvd seen/vbn the/at looming/vbg specter/nn of/in a/at forever-Cathy/np ./.
He/pps went/vbd to/in the/at foot/nn of/in the/at stairs/nns and/cc shouted/vbd up/rp ,/, fiercely/rb ,/, ``/`` Susan/np !/. !/.
Susan/np !/. !/.
Get/vb moving/vbg ''/'' !/. !/.


	A/at startled/vbn piping/vbg sound/nn returned/vbd ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* yell/vb at/in Susan/np ''/'' ,/, Lucy/np said/vbd ./.
Was/bedz it/pps only/rb a/at few/ap nights/nns ago/rb that/cs they/ppss had/hvd been/ben standing/vbg together/rb in/in front/nn of/in the/at house/nn looking/vbg at/in the/at moon-washed/jj river/nn ?/. ?/.
Their/pp$ arms/nns around/in each/dt other/ap ,/, they/ppss had/hvd been/ben talking/vbg of/in the/at present/nn and/cc the/at future/nn ;/. ;/.
their/pp$ talk/nn and/cc their/pp$ feeling/nn had/hvd been/ben as/cs deep/jj and/cc warm/jj ,/, as/cs steeped/vbn in/in light/nn ,/, as/cs the/at air/nn around/in them/ppo ./.
Then/rb ,/, from/in within/in the/at still/jj ,/, sleeping/vbg house/nn ,/, the/at telephone/nn had/hvd rung/vbn ;/. ;/.
Myra/np ,/, with/in her/pp$ news/nn ,/, was/bedz on/in the/at other/ap end/nn of/in the/at line/nn ./.


	Jim/np turned/vbd back/rb from/in the/at stairway/nn and/cc looked/vbd at/in her/ppo ./.
His/pp$ dark/jj brows/nns ,/, which/wdt had/hvd been/ben lowered/vbn in/in anger/nn ,/, smoothed/vbd ./.
``/`` Please/uh ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` There/ex isn't/bez* a/at chance/nn of/in Myra's/np$ letting/vbg anything/pn like/cs that/dt happen/vb ./.
Let's/vb+ppo stay/vb friends/nns ''/'' ./.


	But/cc they/ppss weren't/bed* just/rb friends/nns ,/, Lucy/np thought/vbd ;/. ;/.
they/ppss were/bed husband/nn and/cc wife/nn ,/, and/cc Myra/np had/hvd no/at right/nn muddling/vbg and/cc chilling/vbg their/pp$ marriage/nn ./.
The/at only/jj thing/nn that/wps had/hvd ever/rb come/vbn between/in them/ppo was/bedz that/ql worthless/jj ,/, selfish/jj sister/nn of/in his/pp$$ ./.
Lucy/np was/bedz sick/jj of/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, at/in last/ap ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, because/cs Susan/np was/bedz clattering/vbg down/in the/at stairs/nns ./.




Susan/np looked/vbd like/cs an/at overwhelmed/vbn baby/nn nurse/nn ;/. ;/.
her/pp$ arms/nns were/bed straining/vbg with/in a/at burden/nn of/in dolls/nns ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem ready/jj ''/'' ,/, she/pps announced/vbd ./.


	``/`` Do/do you/ppss need/md that/dt big/jj bundle/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jim/np said/vbd ./.
His/pp$ voice/nn had/hvd sharp/jj edges/nns ,/, as/cs though/cs he/pps knew/vbd very/ql well/rb Lucy/np and/cc he/pps were/bed not/* friends/nns at/in the/at moment/nn ./.
``/`` All/abn that/dt junk/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Susan/np stared/vbd at/in him/ppo with/in hurt/vbn blue/jj eyes/nns that/wps gushed/vbd an/at instant/jj grief/nn ;/. ;/.
to/in her/ppo ,/, each/dt of/in her/pp$ dolls/nns was/bedz a/at real/jj person/nn with/in a/at living/vbg heart/nn ./.


	``/`` Now/rb ,/, now/rb ''/'' ,/, Lucy/np said/vbd ,/, approaching/vbg Susan/np with/in a/at handkerchief/nn ,/, mopping/vbg skillfully/rb ./.
``/`` Your/pp$ father/nn didn't/dod* mean/vb it/ppo ,/, Susan/np ''/'' ./.
She/pps gave/vbd Jim/np a/at quick/jj ,/, shape-up/jj look/nn of/in warning/vbg ./.
``/`` She'll/pps+md take/vb every/at one/pn of/in them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Jim/np groaned/vbd ,/, but/cc he/pps lifted/vbd Susan's/np$ suitcase/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, in/in a/at gentler/jjr tone/nn ,/, ``/`` Sure/rb --/-- the/at entire/jj thousand/cd ./.
And/cc when/wrb you/ppss get/vb back/rb from/in Grandma's/nn$-tl ,/, Cathy/np will/md be/be here/rb to/to play/vb with/in you/ppo ./.
Nice/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ,/, Susan/np said/vbd ,/, grappling/vbg with/in her/ppo outsized/jj armload/nn of/in dolls/nns with/in a/at Scrooge-like/jj effect/nn ./.


	And/cc at/in this/dt point/nn ,/, Lucy/np thought/vbd ,/, there/ex should/md be/be a/at lecture/nn on/in little/jj cousins'/nns$ sharing/vbg dolls/nns --/-- but/cc she/pps could/md sympathize/vb with/in Susan/np ;/. ;/.
there/ex ought/md to/to be/be a/at limit/nn to/in sharing/vbg ,/, too/rb ./.


	That/dt was/bedz one/cd more/ap reason/nn she/pps didn't/dod* look/vb forward/rb to/in Cathy's/np$ visit/nn ,/, short/jj or/cc long/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at last/ap one/pn had/hvd been/ben a/at Lilliputian/jj war/nn ./.
She/pps suspected/vbd that/cs Cathy/np had/hvd been/ben competing/vbg with/in Susan/np for/in attention/nn that/cs she/pps had/hvd never/rb had/hvn ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ''/'' ,/, Jim/np said/vbd ,/, out/in of/in the/at silence/nn ,/, ``/`` let's/vb+ppo get/vb going/vbg ,/, dolls/nns and/cc all/abn ''/'' ./.


	When/wrb the/at car/nn ,/, with/in Susan's/np$ hands/nns waving/vbg wildly/rb from/in the/at rear/jj window/nn ,/, disappeared/vbd down/in the/at driveway/nn ,/, Lucy/np stood/vbd looking/vbg after/in its/pp$ pale/jj dust/nn ./.
The/at day/nn was/bedz brilliant/jj around/in her/ppo --/-- flower-scented/jj ,/, crisp/jj with/in breeze/nn --/-- yet/rb her/pp$ inner/jj turmoil/nn darkened/vbd it/ppo ./.
She/pps had/hvd let/nn Jim/np go/vb with/in a/at chilly/jj good-by/nn ,/, a/at chillier/jjr kiss/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz sorry/jj ,/, and/cc angry/jj at/in herself/ppl ,/, because/cs never/rb in/in their/pp$ life/nn together/rb had/hvd she/pps done/vbn that/dt ./.
She/pps turned/vbd and/cc began/vbd to/to walk/vb toward/in the/at house/nn ./.


	At/in the/at feeding/vbg station/nn ,/, the/at raffish/jj group/nn of/in cowbirds/nns again/rb bobbed/vbd and/cc gobbled/vbd over/in the/at ground/nn ,/, but/cc now/rb ,/, gorgeous/jj among/in them/ppo ,/, was/bedz a/at beautiful/jj red/jj cardinal/nn ,/, radiant/jj in/in its/pp$ feathered/vbn vestments/nns ./.
The/at handsome/jj bird/nn was/bedz solitary/jj ;/. ;/.
its/pp$ mate/nn must/md be/be at/in home/nr ,/, silently/rb guarding/vbg their/pp$ nest/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd better/rbr stay/vb there/rb ,/, Lucy/np thought/vbd ;/. ;/.
the/at sly/jj female/nn cowbirds/nns took/vbd instant/jj advantage/nn of/in nests/nns without/in sentinels/nns ./.


	Well/uh ,/, Lucy/np ?/. ?/.
She/pps said/vbd to/in herself/ppl ,/, abandoning/vbg the/at cardinals/nns and/cc the/at cowbirds/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd a/at day/nn of/in things/nns to/to do/do ;/. ;/.
among/in them/ppo ,/, she/pps had/hvd to/to prepare/vb the/at guest/nn room/nn ./.
How/wrb long/jj would/md it/ppo be/be occupied/vbn ?/. ?/.
She/pps wondered/vbd ,/, with/in a/at baffled/vbn feeling/nn of/in helplessness/nn ./.
As/ql long/jj as/cs the/at unscrupulous/jj Myra/np chose/vbd ?/. ?/.
For/in a/at moment/nn ,/, her/pp$ mind/nn returned/vbd again/rb to/in the/at strange/jj ,/, flying/vbg world/nn of/in birds/nns ,/, and/cc she/pps said/vbd to/in herself/ppl ./.
It/pps isn't/bez* only/rb birds/nns that/wps dump/vb their/pp$ children/nns in/in other/ap people's/nns$ nests/nns ./.


	In/in the/at sunshine/nn of/in late/jj afternoon/nn ,/, Lucy/np stood/vbd looking/vbg at/in the/at ready/jj guest/nn room/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed new/jj yellow/jj curtains/nns ,/, bright/jj as/cs a/at child's/nn$ life/nn ought/md to/to be/be ,/, a/at new/jj bedspread/nn ,/, lively/rb with/in hopping/vbg rabbits/nns ,/, and/cc hanging/vbg from/in the/at ceiling/nn was/bedz an/at airy/jj Mother/nn-tl Goose/nn-tl Mobile/nn-tl ,/, spinning/vbg slowly/rb in/in the/at breeze/nn ./.
A/at row/nn of/in little/jj hangers/nns waited/vbd for/in a/at child's/nn$ clothes/nns in/in the/at neatly/rb empty/jj closet/nn ;/. ;/.
since/cs Myra/np had/hvd always/rb put/vbn most/ap of/in Greg's/np$ money/nn on/in her/pp$ own/jj back/nn ,/, Lucy/np suspected/vbd that/cs no/at more/ap than/in a/at few/ap of/in that/dt long/jj row/nn would/md be/be needed/vbn ./.
The/at closet/nn was/bedz faintly/rb fragrant/jj with/in lavender/nn ,/, and/cc as/cs Lucy/np shut/vbd the/at door/nn an/at unhappy/jj memory/nn slipped/vbd into/in her/pp$ mind/nn ,/, like/cs a/at lavender/nn ghost/nn :/: Greg's/np$ house/nn ,/, on/in the/at day/nn he/pps was/bedz buried/vbn ,/, and/cc the/at child/nn ,/, pale/jj ,/, silent/jj ,/, baffled/vbn ,/, watching/vbg the/at funeral/nn guests/nns with/in panicky/jj eyes/nns ./.
Many/ap times/nns since/in his/pp$ death/nn that/dt memory/nn had/hvd worried/vbn and/cc troubled/vbd her/ppo ./.


	Out/in in/in the/at hall/nn ,/, the/at upstairs/jj phone/nn shrilled/vbd ,/, and/cc the/at small/jj ghost/nn vanished/vbd ./.
When/wrb she/pps picked/vbd up/rp the/at receiver/nn ,/, her/pp$ mother's/nn$ cheerful/jj voice/nn was/bedz there/rb ./.


	``/`` Websterville/np-tl Junction/nn-tl calling/vbg ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss just/rb thought/vbd I'd/ppss+md let/vb you/ppo know/vb ./.
Myra/np dropped/vbd Cathy/np this/dt morning/nn ,/, and/cc Jim/np picked/vbd Cathy/np up/rp and/cc left/vbd Susan/np a/at few/ap hours/nns ago/rb ./.
I'd/ppss+md have/hv phoned/vbn sooner/rbr but/cc I've/ppss+hv been/ben busy/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss can/md imagine/vb ''/'' !/. !/.
Susan/np was/bedz an/at active/jj character/nn ;/. ;/.
for/in Mother/nn-tl to/to be/be able/jj to/to call/vb ,/, Susan/np must/md be/be napping/vbg now/rb ,/, surrounded/vbn by/in her/pp$ multitude/nn of/in dolls/nns ./.
Lucy/np drew/vbd out/rp the/at chair/nn and/cc sat/vbd down/rp ;/. ;/.
she/pps relaxed/vbd a/at little/ap ,/, and/cc some/dti of/in the/at tension/nn went/vbd out/in of/in her/ppo ./.
You/ppss could/md think/vb yourself/ppl as/ql grown/vbn up/rp as/cs Methuselah/np ,/, yet/rb the/at maternal/jj voice/nn still/rb kept/vbd its/pp$ comforting/vbg magic/nn ./.
``/`` How/wrb was/bedz Cathy/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Subdued/vbn ./.
But/cc Myra/np was/bedz the/at merriest/jjt widow/nn I/ppss ever/rb saw/vbd ''/'' ./.


	On/in her/pp$ way/nn to/in the/at airport/nn ,/, on/in her/pp$ way/nn to/in Paris/np --/-- you/ppss bet/vb ,/, Lucy/np said/vbd to/in herself/ppl ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv been/ben fixing/vbg up/rp the/at guest/nn room/nn for/in Cathy/np ''/'' ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at momentary/jj pause/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb her/pp$ mother/nn said/vbd ,/, ``/`` How/wrb long/jj is/bez she/pps supposed/vbd to/to stay/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Just/rb for/in a/at couple/nn of/in weeks/nns ,/, till/cs Myra/np finds/vbz a/at place/nn for/in them/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ''/'' --/-- This/dt time/nn there/ex was/bedz a/at long/jj silence/nn ,/, while/cs the/at telephone/nn hummed/vbd faintly/rb with/in a/at voiceless/jj life/nn ./.


	Puzzled/vbn ,/, Lucy/np stared/vbd at/in the/at flowered/vbn wallpaper/nn ;/. ;/.
her/pp$ mother/nn was/bedz forthright/jj ;/. ;/.
she/pps was/bedz not/* usually/rb given/vbn to/in mysterious/jj silences/nns ./.
Was/bedz she/pps thinking/vbg along/in the/at same/ap lines/nns Lucy/np was/bedz --/-- that/cs it/pps was/bedz quite/ql possible/jj Cathy/np might/md be/be left/vbn with/in her/ppo for/in good/jj ?/. ?/.
``/`` You/ppss mean/vb once/rb Myra/np gets/vbz to/in Paris/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Once/cs the/at soft/jj ,/, pretty/jj moth/nn found/vbd the/at bright/jj light/nn she/pps had/hvd always/rb wanted/vbn ?/. ?/.


	Suddenly/rb ,/, seekingly/rb ,/, Lucy/np asked/vbd ,/, ``/`` Mother/nn-tl ,/, do/do you/ppss know/vb something/pn I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Again/rb there/ex was/bedz that/ql curious/jj pause/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb her/pp$ mother/nn said/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss guess/vb I/ppss do/do ./.
Just/rb before/cs Myra/np left/vbd --/-- She/pps was/bedz saying/vbg good-by/uh to/in Cathy/np ,/, and/cc she/pps didn't/dod* realize/vb I/ppss was/bedz near/rb ''/'' ./.
She/pps hesitated/vbd ,/, as/cs though/cs hunting/vbg over/in words/nns and/cc ways/nns of/in putting/vbg them/ppo ./.
``/`` Cathy/np was/bedz in/in tears/nns ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss heard/vbd Myra/np say/vb ,/, '/' Now/rb be/be good/jj ,/, and/cc at/in Christmastime/np I'll/ppss+md send/vb you/ppo a/at wonderful/jj present/nn from/in Paris/np '/' ''/'' ./.


	Shocked/vbn speechless/jj ,/, Lucy/np sat/vbd there/rb ./.
Then/rb she/pps jumped/vbd to/in her/pp$ feet/nns ,/, the/at elastic/jj phone/nn cord/nn uncoiling/vbg like/cs a/at black/jj snake/nn ./.
``/`` Christmastime/np !/. !/.
''/'' Then/rb it/pps was/bedz no/at bogey/nn she/pps had/hvd dreamed/vbn up/rp ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz only/rb too/ql true/jj ./.
Myra/np had/hvd no/at intention/nn whatever/wdt of/in sending/vbg for/in Cathy/np in/in two/cd weeks/nns ./.


	For/in a/at moment/nn ,/, anger/nn darkened/vbd the/at hallway/nn about/in her/ppo ,/, and/cc when/wrb she/pps found/vbd her/pp$ voice/nn ,/, anger/nn thickened/vbd it/ppo ./.
``/`` That/dt does/doz it/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md keep/vb Cathy/np for/in two/cd weeks/nns ./.
Then/rb ,/, if/cs Myra/np does/doz nothing/pn about/in fetching/vbg her/ppo ,/, I'll/ppss+md pack/vb her/ppo right/ql back/rb to/in her/pp$ mother/nn --/-- if/cs I/ppss have/hv to/to take/vb her/ppo myself/ppl ''/'' !/. !/.
Her/pp$ hand/nn tightened/vbd on/in the/at receiver/nn ./.
``/`` And/cc that's/dt+bez what/wdt I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to tell/vb Jim/np ''/'' ./.
For/in Lucy/np ,/, the/at day's/nn$ nagging/nn to-and-fro/rb had/hvd come/vbn to/in an/at abrupt/jj end/nn ./.


	As/cs she/pps hung/vbd up/rp ,/, she/pps saw/vbd through/in the/at hall's/nn$ open/jj window/nn the/at purple-black/jj flying/nn of/in the/at cowbirds'/nns$ wings/nns ,/, and/cc heard/vbd their/pp$ grotesque/jj singing/nn ./.
Cowbird/nn Myra/np !/. !/.
She's/pps+bez not/* going/vbg to/to get/vb away/rb with/in it/ppo ./.




Cathy/np is/bez tired/vbn ,/, Lucy/np thought/vbd ,/, watching/vbg them/ppo come/vb slowly/rb up/in the/at path/nn ./.
The/at child's/nn$ thin/jj legs/nns were/bed plodding/vbg ./.
She/pps trudged/vbd along/rb slowly/rb ,/, both/abx hands/nns clutching/vbg a/at tired/vbn teddy/nn bear/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz at/in the/at moment/nn just/rb a/at small/jj ,/, walking/vbg package/nn ,/, being/beg delivered/vbn to/in her/pp$ aunt's/nn$ and/cc uncle's/nn$ house/nn ./.
Unlike/in Susan/np ,/, she/pps was/bedz traveling/vbg light/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at worn/vbn teddy/nn bear/nn ,/, a/at tiny/jj suitcase/nn that/wps Jim/np carried/vbd ,/, and/cc the/at clothes/nns she/pps wore/vbd ,/, were/bed all/abn she/pps had/hvd ./.
Lucy/np glancing/vbg at/in the/at miniature/jj case/nn ,/, knew/vbd there/ex would/md not/* be/be enough/ap in/in it/ppo for/in the/at shortest/jjt of/in stays/nns ;/. ;/.
they/ppss would/md have/hv to/to buy/vb things/nns for/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps opened/vbd the/at door/nn ./.



	Unimpressed/jj ,/, the/at dog/nn plopped/vbd on/in the/at sand/nn ./.
Quint/np couldn't/md* blame/vb Maggie/np for/in disbelieving/vbg ./.
For/in eleven/cd days/nns they'd/ppss+hvd done/vbn the/at same/ap thing/nn ,/, leaving/vbg the/at cottage/nn quietly/rb before/in breakfast/nn ,/, before/cs Esperanza/np-tl Beach/nn-tl got/vbd jammed/vbn with/in tourists/nns and/cc beach/nn balls/nns and/cc show-offy/jj lifeguards/nns ./.
The/at swirling/vbg sand/nn made/vbd Quint's/np$ limp/nn more/ql pronounced/vbn ./.
They/ppss walked/vbd slowly/rb past/in the/at sherbet-colored/jj cottages/nns --/-- eleven/cd lemon/nn ,/, nine/cd mint/nn ,/, seven/cd orange/nn --/-- around/in the/at curve/nn to/in a/at deserted/vbn stand/nn with/in an/at ``/`` Eats/nns-tl ''/'' sign/nn jiggling/vbg in/in the/at wind/nn ./.


	Now/rb they/ppss were/bed in/in friendly/jj territory/nn ./.
Nobody/pn around/rb ./.
Nothing/pn but/in sand/nn and/cc a/at ridge/nn of/in rocks/nns sloping/vbg jaggedly/rb to/in the/at water's/nn$ edge/nn ./.
His/pp$ rock/nn was/bedz to/in the/at right/nr of/in a/at V-shaped/jj inlet/nn ,/, a/at big/jj ,/, brown/jj ,/, lumpy/jj rock/nn trailing/vbg seaweed/nn whiskers/nns ./.
His/pp$ rock/nn was/bedz special/jj because/cs no/at one/pn on/in the/at beach/nn could/md see/vb him/ppo here/rb ./.
Here/rb he/pps was/bedz enclosed/vbn and/cc safe/jj ./.
(/( If/cs a/at dragon/nn or/cc a/at sea/nn monster/nn came/vbd along/rb ,/, didn't/dod* he/pps have/hv a/at red/jj Swiss/jj hunting/vbg knife/nn on/in his/pp$ belt/nn --/-- ten/cd blades/nns and/cc a/at corkscrew/nn ?/. ?/.
)/) 

	Here/rb was/bedz a/at perfect/jj place/nn to/to lie/vb down/rp and/cc make/vb believe/vb ./.
He/pps was/bedz Canute/np controlling/vbg the/at waves/nns ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at knight/nn of/in the/at Round/jj-tl Table/nn-tl ,/, ``/`` Sir/np-tl Quintus/np-tl the/at-tl Brave/jj-tl ''/'' ,/, slaying/vbg evil/jj spirits/nns and/cc banshees/nns and/cc vampires/nns and/cc witches/nns with/in warty/jj noses/nns ./.
(/( One/cd good/jj thing/nn about/in a/at suit/nn of/in armor/nn ,/, his/pp$ leg/nn wouldn't/md* show/vb ./.
)/) He/pps was/bedz the/at first/od astronaut/nn on/in the/at moon/nn ,/, chosen/vbn because/cs of/in his/pp$ small/jj size/nn and/cc intrepid/jj nature/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz six/cd feet/nns one/cd like/cs his/pp$ father/nn ,/, with/in big/jj hands/nns and/cc a/at hairy/jj chest/nn ,/, a/at man/nn the/at weak/jj and/cc persecuted/vbn would/md turn/vb to/in ./.
Fearless/jj ./.
Every/at night/nn when/wrb he/pps wanted/vbd a/at drink/nn of/in water/nn ,/, didn't/dod* he/pps practice/vb being/beg fearless/jj by/in not/* turning/vbg on/rp the/at bathroom/nn light/nn ?/. ?/.
A/at dark/jj bathroom/nn can/md be/be pretty/ql scary/jj ,/, and/cc he'd/pps+md creep/vb back/rb to/in bed/nn ,/, proud/jj of/in himself/ppl ,/, thinking/vbg :/: Tomorrow/nr ,/, for/in sure/jj ,/, I'll/ppss+md go/vb down/rp to/in the/at rock/nn and/cc keep/vb my/pp$ promise/nn to/in Dad/nn-tl ./.


	He/pps hadn't/hvd* intended/vbn to/to make/vb the/at promise/nn ./.
It/pps happened/vbd two/cd weeks/nns ago/rb ,/, the/at night/nn before/cs his/pp$ father/nn left/vbd on/in a/at business/nn trip/nn to/in South/jj-tl America/np-tl ./.
Every/at piece/nn of/in the/at nightmare/nn was/bedz clear/jj ,/, in/in place/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc when/wrb he/pps woke/vbd up/rp ,/, his/pp$ father/nn was/bedz saying/vbg ,/, ``/`` Stop/vb screaming/vbg ,/, Quint/np ./.
It's/pps+bez all/ql right/rb ./.
Stop/vb shaking/vbg ''/'' ./.


	He/pps could/md remember/vb the/at feel/nn of/in his/pp$ father's/nn$ big/jj hands/nns ,/, the/at thump/nn of/in his/pp$ father's/nn$ heart/nn sending/vbg out/rp signals/nns --/-- regular/jj ,/, like/cs radar/nn ./.
``/`` Let's/vb+ppo talk/vb about/in the/at beach/nn ./.
Son/nn ./.
While/cs I'm/ppss+bem gone/vbn you/ppss get/vb brown/jj and/cc fat/jj as/cs a/at pig/nn ,/, hear/vb ?/. ?/.
Look/vb ,/, I/ppss can/md put/vb two/cd fingers/nns between/in the/at cords/nns in/in the/at back/nn of/in your/pp$ neck/nn ./.
Dr./nn-tl Fortman/np says/vbz swimming/vbg would/md help/vb your/pp$ leg/nn ./.
He/pps says/vbz you're/ppss+ber limping/vbg more/rbr than/cs you/ppss need/vb to/to ''/'' ./.


	``/`` How/wrb does/doz he/pps know/vb ?/. ?/.
Big/jj dumb/jj nut/nn ./.
He/pps never/rb had/hvd polio/nn ''/'' ./.


	In/in the/at light/nn from/in the/at bedside/nn table/nn his/pp$ father/nn looked/vbd so/ql worried/vbn that/cs the/at promise/nn spilled/vbd out/rp ./.
``/`` You/ppss just/rb wait/vb ,/, Dad/nn-tl ./.
When/wrb you/ppss get/vb back/rb I'll/ppss+md probly/rb be/be swimming/vbg better/rbr than/cs Victoria/np ./.
Wait/vb and/cc see/vb ,/, Dad/nn-tl ''/'' ./.


	Victoria/np was/bedz fourteen/cd months/nns younger/jjr than/cs Quint/np ,/, a/at head/nn taller/jjr ,/, and/cc could/md lick/vb any/dti boy/nn or/cc girl/nn on/in the/at beach/nn ./.
He/pps called/vbd her/ppo ``/`` Fatso/np ''/'' ./.
She/pps called/vbd him/ppo ``/`` Stuck-up/jj-tl --/-- that's/dt+bez why/wrb nobody/pn plays/vbz with/in you/ppo ,/, Mister/np-tl Stuck-up/jj-tl ''/'' ./.
Or/cc ,/, what/wdt was/bedz worse/jjr ,/, she/pps prayed/vbd for/in him/ppo out/rp loud/rb at/in bedtime/nn :/: ``/`` Please/uh ,/, Lord/nn-tl Gord/np-tl ,/, please/uh give/vb my/pp$ brother/nn the/at strength/nn to/to go/vb swimming/vbg like/cs he/pps promised/vbd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` She's/pps+hvz got/vbn a/at nerve/nn ''/'' ./.
Quint/np said/vbd now/rb to/in the/at clouds/nns ./.
Strength/nn began/vbd to/to zip/vb up/in and/cc down/in his/pp$ chest/nn ./.
He/pps felt/vbd strong/jj as/cs a/at giant/nn ./.
He/pps unlaced/vbd his/pp$ high/jj brown/jj shoes/nns and/cc took/vbd off/rp the/at metal/nn brace/nn on/in his/pp$ leg/nn ./.
He/pps wadded/vbd his/pp$ sweat/nn shirt/nn into/in a/at ball/nn and/cc stripped/vbd down/rp to/in his/pp$ swimming/vbg trunks/nns ./.


	``/`` Goolick/uh ,/, goooolick/uh ''/'' ,/, creaked/vbd a/at sea/nn gull/nn ./.


	``/`` Aw/uh ,/, shut/vb up/rp ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.


	He/pps stood/vbd on/in the/at rock/nn ,/, a/at skinny/jj ,/, dignified/vbn boy/nn surrounded/vbn by/in the/at ocean/nn ./.
The/at wind/nn bored/vbd a/at hole/nn between/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn blades/nns ,/, and/cc when/wrb he/pps looked/vbd at/in the/at choppy/jj waves/nns coming/vbg and/cc going/vbg and/cc crossing/vbg each/dt other/ap he/pps could/md see/vb his/pp$ head/nn down/rp there/rb ,/, bleeding/vbg ,/, wedged/vbn between/in the/at rocks/nns and/cc the/at waves/nns ./.


	I/ppss can't/md* go/vb in/rp ./.
I'm/ppss+bem scared/vbn of/in the/at nightmare/nn ./.




Shivering/vbg ,/, he/pps put/vbd on/rp his/pp$ clothes/nns ./.
And/cc shivering/vbg with/in shame/nn ,/, he/pps crawled/vbd to/in the/at narrow/jj end/nn of/in the/at rock/nn and/cc spat/vbd into/in the/at water/nn ./.


	``/`` Watch/vb it/ppo ,/, big/jj shot/nn ''/'' ,/, a/at hoarse/jj voice/nn yelled/vbd back/rb ./.
She/pps was/bedz holding/vbg on/rp to/in his/pp$ rock/nn with/in one/cd hand/nn ./.
She/pps smelled/vbd of/in peppermints/nns ./.
She/pps wore/vbd a/at bathing/vbg suit/nn like/cs his/pp$ mother's/nn$ ,/, no/at straps/nns on/in the/at shouders/nns ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb didn't/dod* you/ppss duck/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps snapped/vbd ./.
``/`` This/dt is/bez my/pp$ rock/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Isn't/bez* ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Is/bez ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Isn't/bez* ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Is/bez ''/'' ./.


	She/pps was/bedz sore/jj as/cs a/at boil/nn ./.
``/`` Ever/rb hear/vb of/in squatter's/nn$ rights/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Sure/rb ./.
They/ppss started/vbd with/in the/at Kansas-Nebraska/np-tl Bill/nn-tl of/in eighteen/cd ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Mister/np-tl Big/jj-tl Britches/nns-tl ,/, aren't/ber* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem Mark/np Gordon/np Peters/np the/at-tl Fifth/od-tl ./.
They/ppss call/vb me/ppo Quint/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Then/rb why/wrb don't/do* you/ppss stop/vb squinting/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss said/vbd Quint/np ./.
That's/dt+bez short/jj for/in Quintus/fw-od-tl ./.
Quintus/fw-od-nc in/in Latin/np means/vbz ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` I/ppss can/md speak/vb both/abx kinds/nns of/in Latin/np ,/, smart/jj aleck/nn ''/'' ./.
Her/pp$ cough/nn sounded/vbd like/cs cloth/nn ripping/vbg ./.


	``/`` You/ppss shouldn't/md* smoke/vb so/ql much/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, unconsciously/rb imitating/vbg Victoria's/np$ holier-than-thou/jj voice/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* smoke/vb ''/'' ./.
She/pps was/bedz horrified/vbn ./.
``/`` Do/do you/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Hell/uh ,/, yes/rb ''/'' ./.
Not/* having/hvg said/vbn ``/`` hell/nn ''/'' before/rb ,/, he/pps stumbled/vbd a/at bit/nn before/in gathering/vbg momentum/nn ./.
``/`` Sometimes/rb eleven/cd ,/, fourteen/cd a/at day/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` If/cs I/ppss was/bedz your/pp$ mama/nn ,/, I'd/ppss+md wop/vb your/pp$ tail/nn off/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` My/pp$ mother/nn never/rb wops/vbz me/ppo ./.
I've/ppss+hv got/vbn this/dt leg/nn brace/nn ''/'' ./.


	She/pps seemed/vbd so/cs unimpressed/jj that/cs he/pps was/bedz obliged/vbn to/to roll/vb up/rp his/pp$ blue/jj jeans/nns so/cs she/pps could/md see/vb his/pp$ brace/nn ./.


	``/`` Dingy-looking/jj ''/'' ,/, was/bedz what/wdt she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Why/wrb don't/do* you/ppss paint/vb it/ppo red/jj and/cc white/jj like/cs a/at barber/nn pole/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Because/cs maybe/rb I/ppss won't/md* have/hv to/to wear/vb it/ppo always/rb ./.
Dr./nn-tl Fortman/np says/vbz if/cs I/ppss exercise/vb my/pp$ leg/nn more/rbr ,/, maybe/rb I/ppss can/md use/vb a/at cane/nn when/wrb I'm/ppss+bem big/jj ''/'' ./.


	She/pps spouted/vbd a/at mouthful/nn of/in water/nn into/in the/at air/nn ./.
``/`` A/at cane's/nn+bez mighty/ql handy/jj ./.
Someone's/pn+bez walking/vbg past/rb ,/, you/ppss want/vb to/to stop/vb him/ppo ,/, zoooop/uh ,/, snag/vb him/ppo around/in the/at neck/nn with/in the/at crook/nn in/in your/pp$ cane/nn ./.
Or/cc say/vb a/at waiter/nn brings/vbz you/ppo a/at bowl/nn of/in soup/nn with/in a/at dead/jj fly/nn in/in it/ppo --/-- all/abn you/ppss got/vbd to/to do/do is/bez bannnnnng/uh ,/, stooooomp/vb your/pp$ cane/nn on/in the/at floor/nn ./.
Hey/uh ,/, will/md you/ppss look/vb at/in that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Maggie/np had/hvd shaken/vbn himself/ppl awake/rb and/cc was/bedz licking/vbg the/at sand/nn off/in his/pp$ stubby/jj whiskers/nns and/cc his/pp$ long/jj plume/nn of/in a/at tail/nn ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez some/dti dog/nn ./.
What/wdt kind/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Part/nn collie/nn ,/, part/nn wire-haired/jj terrier/nn ''/'' ./.
Quint/np glared/vbd ./.
He/pps always/rb did/dod when/wrb people/nns asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` Holy/jj mackerel/nn ,/, that's/dt+bez the/at most/ql unique/jj dog/nn I/ppss ever/rb saw/vbd ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd firmly/rb ./.


	``/`` His/pp$ real/jj name's/nn+bez DiMaggio/np ,/, only/rb we/ppss call/vb him/ppo Maggie/np because/cs he/pps has/hvz to/to take/vb tranquilizers/nns ./.
He's/pps+bez braver/jjr than/cs he/pps looks/vbz ./.
He's/pps+hvz been/ben sick/jj lately/rb ./.
Last/ap Tuesday/nr he/pps went/vbd on/in a/at ham/nn jag/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` A/at what/wdt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps would/md have/hv told/vbn her/ppo ,/, but/cc Victoria/np was/bedz yodeling/vbg ./.
That/dt meant/vbd ``/`` Mama/nn-tl wants/vbz you/ppo Quint/np ./.
Come/vb home/nr or/cc I'll/ppss+md come/vb find/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss gotta/vbn+to go/vb ./.
Even/rb though/cs this/dt is/bez my/pp$ rock/nn ,/, you/ppss can/md use/vb it/ppo sometimes/rb ./.
I/ppss come/vb early/rb in/in the/at morning/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` So/rb do/do I/ppss ./.
See/vb you/ppo around/rb ,/, Mister/np Squint/np ''/'' ./.




That/dt was/bedz how/wrb they/ppss started/vbd being/beg friends/nns ./.
They/ppss met/vbd next/ap morning/nn and/cc all/abn the/at mornings/nns thereafter/rb ./.
Same/ap time/nn ,/, early/rb ,/, before/cs the/at fog/nn burned/vbd off/rp ,/, because/cs she/pps didn't/dod* like/vb the/at sun/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps made/vbd her/ppo blister/vb ./.
Her/pp$ name/nn was/bedz Sabella/np ,/, and/cc the/at strip/nn of/in seaweed/nn around/in her/pp$ neck/nn was/bedz an/at emerald/nn necklace/nn the/at King/nn-tl gave/vbd her/ppo as/cs a/at token/nn of/in his/pp$ undying/jj love/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss going/vbg to/to marry/vb the/at King/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
``/`` No/rb ./.
He's/pps+hvz got/vbn a/at long/jj beard/nn and/cc picks/vbz his/pp$ teeth/nns with/in a/at fork/nn ./.
My/pp$ hair/nn is/bez what/wdt he's/pps+bez nuts/nns about/rb ./.
Naturally/rb curly/jj hair/nn runs/vbz in/in my/pp$ family/nn ./.
Personally/rb ,/, I/ppss prefer/vb straight/jj hair/nn like/cs yours/pp$$ ,/, but/cc as/cs they/ppss say/vb on/in the/at Continent/nn-tl ,/, '/' What/wdt can/md one/pn do/do '/' ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Which/wdt continent/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Name/vb one/cd ,/, I/ppss been/ben there/rb ''/'' ./.
Japan/np ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, smelled/vbd pugh/uh because/cs people/nns let/vb dead/jj fish/nn lie/vb on/in the/at beaches/nns till/cs the/at fish/nn got/vbd hard/jj as/cs rocks/nns ;/. ;/.
then/rb they/ppss scraped/vbd off/rp the/at mold/nn and/cc made/vbd fish/nn soup/nn ./.
Pugh/uh ./.
Camels/nns in/in Tripoli/np had/hvd harelips/nns ./.
Near/in Galway/np the/at tinkers/nns drove/vbd their/pp$ caravans/nns down/rp to/in the/at beach/nn and/cc sang/vbd and/cc drank/vbd and/cc fought/vbd all/abn night/nn ./.
As/cs for/in dancing/vbg --/-- holy/jj mackerel/nn ,/, he/pps ought/md to/to see/vb the/at gypsies/nns in/in Jerez/np ;/. ;/.
they/ppss danced/vbd on/in the/at sand/nn till/cs your/pp$ blood/nn got/vbd hot/jj and/cc danced/vbd with/in them/ppo ./.


	``/`` Really/rb ''/'' ./.
Quint/np smothered/vbd a/at yawn/nn ./.
She/pps made/vbd better/jjr pictures/nns than/cs any/dti book/nn he'd/pps+hvd read/vbn ,/, but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* say/vb so/rb ./.
Artfully/rb ,/, as/cs the/at days/nns went/vbd by/rb ,/, he/pps found/vbd occasion/nn to/to tell/vb her/ppo that/cs his/pp$ father/nn had/hvd won/vbn the/at Navy/nn-tl Cross/nn-tl in/in the/at Korean/jj-tl War/nn-tl ;/. ;/.
that/cs his/pp$ baby/nn sister/nn could/md spit/vb up/rp through/in her/pp$ nose/nn when/wrb she/pps felt/vbd like/cs it/pps ;/. ;/.
that/cs he/pps personally/rb had/hvd an/at IQ/np-tl of/in 141/cd and/cc was/bedz currently/rb reading/vbg the/at Mushr/np to/in Ozon/np volume/nn of/in the/at encyclopedia/nn ./.


	``/`` Books/nns are/ber for/in schnooks/nns ''/'' ./.
She/pps skipped/vbd a/at piece/nn of/in water/nn at/in him/ppo and/cc laughed/vbd ,/, a/at funny/jj ,/, hoarse/jj laugh/nn he/pps liked/vbd to/to hear/vb ./.


	Nobody/pn ever/rb appreciated/vbd his/pp$ jokes/nns as/ql much/rb as/cs Sabella/np ./.
(/( ``/`` What/wdt did/dod one/cd tonsil/nn say/vb to/in the/at other/ap tonsil/nn ?/. ?/.
Let's/vb+ppo get/vb dressed/vbn up/rp --/-- the/at doctor's/nn+bez taking/vbg us/ppo out/rp tonight/nr ''/'' ./.
And/cc ``/`` What/wdt time/nn did/dod the/at Chinaman/np go/vb to/in the/at dentist/nn ?/. ?/.
Tooth-hurty/nn ''/'' ./.
)/) Encouraged/vbn by/in her/pp$ giggles/nns he/pps imitated/vbd Maggie/np who/wps was/bedz crazy/jj about/in ham/nn ./.
He/pps described/vbd the/at ham/nn decorated/vbn with/in pineapple/nn and/cc cherries/nns ,/, cooling/vbg on/in the/at porch/nn ./.
He/pps snuck/vbd up/rp on/in the/at ham/nn like/cs Maggie/np ,/, gumming/vbg it/ppo with/in soft/jj ,/, stumpy/jj teeth/nns ,/, then/rb panting/vbg with/in thirst/nn ,/, lapping/vbg up/rp the/at water/nn in/in the/at lagoon/nn ,/, swelling/vbg up/rp like/cs a/at balloon/nn ,/, staggering/vbg home/nr to/to be/be sick/jj ,/, while/cs his/pp$ mother/nn said/vbd ,/, ``/`` That/dt does/doz it/ppo ./.
That/dt dog/nn has/hvz to/to go/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Say/vb ,/, you're/ppss+ber quite/abl a/at comic/nn ''/'' ,/, Sabella/np said/vbd admiringly/rb ./.
``/`` Ever/rb thought/vbn about/in going/vbg on/in the/at stage/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps hadn't/hvd* ./.
But/cc it/pps was/bedz such/abl a/at nice/jj thought/nn that/cs he/pps nodded/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` Either/cc that/dt or/cc a/at veterinarian/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Better/rbr make/vb up/rp your/pp$ mind/nn ,/, son/nn ''/'' ,/, Sabella/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` You/ppss can't/md* serve/vb cod/nn and/cc salmon/nn ''/'' ./.


	Sometimes/rb they/ppss argued/vbd ./.
She/pps said/vbd sharks/nns have/hv no/at bones/nns and/cc shrimp/nn swam/vbd backward/rb ./.
His/pp$ encylopedia/nn agreed/vbd with/in Sabella/np ./.
Next/ap morning/nn he/pps tied/vbd a/at bunch/nn of/in sea/nn daisies/nns with/in string/nn and/cc threw/vbd them/ppo across/in the/at V-shaped/np-tl inlet/nn to/in the/at rock/nn where/wrb she/pps was/bedz swimming/vbg around/rb ./.
Boy/nn ,/, could/md she/pps catch/vb !/. !/.
Like/cs Willie/np Mays/np in/in the/at outfield/nn ./.


	``/`` Nobody/pn gave/vbd me/ppo flowers/nns before/rb ./.
Thank/vb you/ppo ,/, Quint/np ''/'' ./.
Her/pp$ face/nn turned/vbd pink/jj with/in pleasure/nn and/cc a/at smothered/vbn cough/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss can/md always/rb tell/vb a/at real/jj gentleman/nn --/-- they/ppss got/vbd a/at certain/jj je/fw-ppss ne/fw-* say/fw-vb quok/fw-wdt ''/'' ./.


	Sometimes/rb they/ppss didn't/dod* talk/vb at/in all/abn ./.
He/pps daydreamed/vbd on/in the/at rock/nn while/cs she/pps swam/vbd and/cc splashed/vbd around/rb ./.
Once/rb when/wrb she/pps asked/vbd why/wrb he/pps never/rb went/vbd swimming/vbg and/cc he/pps answered/vbd ,/, ``/`` Don't/do* feel/vb like/cs it/pps ''/'' ,/, he/pps was/bedz tempted/vbn to/to tell/vb her/ppo about/in being/beg scared/vbn ./.
But/cc Victoria/np began/vbd yodeling/vbg just/rb then/rb and/cc he/pps went/vbd home/nr ,/, carrying/vbg Sabella/np in/in the/at back/nn of/in his/pp$ head/nn ,/, not/* thinking/vbg about/in her/ppo ,/, just/rb knowing/vbg she/pps was/bedz there/rb ,/, smiling/vbg ,/, smelling/vbg of/in peppermints/nns ./.
As/in for/in his/pp$ promise/nn --/-- oh/uh ,/, he/pps had/hvd plenty/nn of/in time/nn ,/, buckets/nns of/in time/nn ./.




Wednesday/nr morning/nn it/pps happened/vbd ./.
They/ppss were/bed eating/vbg breakfast/nn ./.
``/`` We/ppss beseech/vb thee/ppo ,/, Lord/nn-tl Gord/np-tl ,/, to/in bless/vb this/dt food/nn ''/'' --/-- that/dt was/bedz Victoria/np saying/vbg grace/nn while/cs the/at baby/nn sprayed/vbd raisin/nn toast/nn on/in her/pp$ plastic/jj bib/nn ./.
Same/ap old/jj breakfast/nn till/cs the/at phone/nn rang/vbd ,/, making/vbg his/pp$ mother's/nn$ voice/nn shake/vb with/in excitement/nn ./.


	``/`` Your/pp$ Daddy's/nn$-tl in/in San/np Francisco/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps told/vbd them/ppo ./.
``/`` He/pps says/vbz he'll/pps+md be/be here/rb on/in the/at one-o'clock/nn plane/nn ./.
Fifteen/cd days/nns early/rb --/-- isn't/bez* that/ql wonderful/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yeah/rb ,/, keen/jj ''/'' ./.
A/at cave/nn seemed/vbd to/to be/be opening/vbg in/in Quint's/np$ stomach/nn ./.


	``/`` Children/nns ,/, we'll/ppss+md have/hv to/to get/vb organized/vbn ./.
The/at baby/nn can/md have/hv an/at early/jj nap/nn ./.
Victoria/np ,/, I/ppss want/vb you/ppo to/to --/-- ''/'' 

	Quint/np closed/vbd the/at screen/nn door/nn quietly/rb so/cs Maggie/np wouldn't/md* be/be scared/vbn ./.
``/`` Hurry/vb up/rp ,/, we're/ppss+ber late/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, noticing/vbg with/in a/at chill/nn how/wrb gray/jj the/at sky/nn was/bedz this/dt morning/nn ,/, the/at fog/nn like/cs a/at rope/nn along/in the/at horizon/nn ,/, the/at choppy/jj waves/nns sending/vbg off/rp sheets/nns of/in blue/jj and/cc Kool-Aid/np green/jj ./.


	The/at cave/nn in/in his/pp$ stomach/nn hurt/vbd ./.
He/pps had/hvd to/to go/vb into/in the/at water/nn ./.
He'd/pps+md tell/vb Sabella/np about/in the/at nightmare/nn ./.
It/pps had/hvd started/vbn two/cd years/nns ago/rb when/wrb he/pps was/bedz in/in an/at iron/nn lung/nn ./.
What/wdt caused/vbd it/ppo ,/, he/pps didn't/dod* know/vb ./.
The/at metal/nn collar/nn gagging/vbg his/pp$ neck/nn ?/. ?/.
Sweating/vbg so/ql much/rb ?/. ?/.
The/at unbearable/jj weight/nn on/in his/pp$ chest/nn ?/. ?/.
All/abn of/in it/ppo together/rb meant/vbd drowning/vbg ./.
The/at first/od time/nn the/at nurse/nn took/vbd him/ppo out/in of/in the/at lung/nn ,/, she/pps said/vbd if/cs he/pps got/vbd frightened/vbn ,/, she'd/pps+md put/vb him/ppo back/rb for/in a/at second/nn ./.





When/wrb Bobbie/np Evans/np smashed/vbd up/rp his/pp$ car/nn ,/, the/at Jaguar/np his/pp$ wife/nn Linda/np had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo for/in his/pp$ last/ap birthday/nn ,/, and/cc himself/ppl quite/ql thoroughly/rb with/in it/ppo ,/, driving/vbg back/rb from/in an/at afternoon's/nn$ golf/nn at/in Oakmont/np ,/, it/pps seemed/vbd to/to mark/vb the/at end/nn of/in a/at long/jj ,/, miswritten/vbn chapter/nn in/in the/at social/jj life/nn of/in the/at community/nn ./.
Linda/np looked/vbd remote/jj yet/rb lovely/jj in/in black/jj ,/, and/cc everyone/pn held/vbd his/pp$ or/cc her/pp$ breath/nn ./.


	Not/* that/cs Linda/np was/bedz heartless/jj ,/, not/* that/cs she/pps would/md do/do anything/pn prematurely/rb or/cc in/in bad/jj taste/nn any/dti more/rbr than/cs John/np Cooper/np would/md ./.
Hadn't/hvd* Linda/np been/ben a/at perfect/jj wife/nn to/in Bobbie/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz the/at least/ap bit/nn of/in a/at disappointment/nn all/abn these/dts years/nns ?/. ?/.


	Wasn't/bedz* John/np Cooper/np even/ql more/ql attractive/jj at/in forty-seven/cd than/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben twenty-five/cd years/nns earlier/rbr ?/. ?/.
And/cc wasn't/bedz* John's/np$ wife/nn ,/, Edythe/np ,/, even/ql more/ql appalling/jj ,/, if/cs possible/jj ?/. ?/.
Didn't/dod* John/np Cooper/np ,/, after/in all/abn this/dt time/nn ,/, deserve/vb something/pn better/jjr of/in life/nn ?/. ?/.
Wasn't/bedz* it/pps adult/jj and/cc realistic/jj to/to look/vb at/in it/ppo that/dt way/nn ?/. ?/.
And/cc romantic/jj ?/. ?/.


	Everybody/pn knew/vbd that/cs John/np Cooper/np had/hvd married/vbn Edythe/np on/in the/at rebound/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at kind/nn of/in thing/nn that/wps could/md ruin/vb a/at man's/nn$ life/nn ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz a/at tribute/nn to/in John's/np$ strength/nn of/in character/nn and/cc very/ql real/jj business/nn ability/nn that/cs it/pps hadn't/hvd* ruined/vbn his/pp$$ ./.
``/`` Of/in course/nn ,/, there/ex was/bedz nothing/pn you/ppss could/md do/do ,/, but/cc you/ppss still/rb ought/md to/to be/be ashamed/jj of/in yourself/ppl for/in letting/vbg it/pps happen/vb ''/'' ,/, Mousie/np Chandler/np said/vbd to/in Linda/np Stuart/np ./.
``/`` Poor/jj John/np ''/'' !/. !/.
Linda/np accepted/vbd the/at reproach/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz something/pn she/pps did/dod rarely/rb in/in all/abn her/pp$ life/nn and/cc most/ql rarely/rb in/in that/dt summer/nn of/in 1936/cd when/wrb she/pps was/bedz by/in all/abn odds/nns the/at prettiest/jjt and/cc brightest/jjt young/jj woman/nn west/nr of/in the/at Allegheny/np-tl Mountains/nns-tl ,/, and/cc John/np was/bedz surely/rb one/pn of/in the/at handsomer/jjr and/cc brighter/jjr young/jj men/nns around/in Pittsburgh/np ./.


	For/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben John/np and/cc Linda/np ever/rb since/cs she/pps had/hvd come/vbn out/rp two/cd seasons/nns before/rb at/in the/at Golf/nn-tl Club/nn-tl to/in the/at goggle-eyed/jj admiration/nn not/* only/rb of/in the/at stag/nn line/nn but/cc even/rb of/in her/pp$ fellow/nn debs/nns ./.
John/np had/hvd claimed/vbn her/ppo from/in the/at stag/nn line/nn ,/, a/at young/jj man/nn a/at year/nn out/in of/in Dartmouth/np with/in skiing/vbg crinkles/nns still/rb around/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.


	You/ppss saw/vbd them/ppo always/rb together/rb those/dts years/nns ./.
You/ppss talked/vbd about/in John-and-Linda/nps as/cs an/at entity/nn ./.
John-and-Linda/nps were/bed at/in Longue/np Vue/np last/ap night/nn ;/. ;/.
John-and-Linda/nps drove/vbd to/in Conneaut/np in/in three/cd and/cc a/at half/abn hours/nns ./.
Then/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at spat/nn over/in something/pn ,/, as/cs there/ex had/hvd been/ben lovers'/nns$ spats/nns before/rb ;/. ;/.
only/rb this/dt one/pn didn't/dod* heal/vb ./.


	You/ppss still/rb said/vbd ``/`` John-and-Linda/nps ''/'' ,/, but/cc as/cs if/cs you/ppss were/bed speaking/vbg of/in a/at national/jj catastrophe/nn such/jj as/cs the/at depression/nn or/cc Dillinger/np ./.
It/pps got/vbd worse/jjr instead/rb of/in better/rbr ./.
First/od ,/, it/pps came/vbd out/rp after/cs Mr./np Cooper's/np$ will/nn was/bedz settled/vbn --/-- he/pps had/hvd died/vbn the/at year/nn before/rb --/-- that/cs John/np and/cc his/pp$ mother/nn weren't/bed* rich/jj any/dti more/rbr ./.
And/cc then/rb there/ex was/bedz Linda's/np$ engagement/nn to/in Bobbie/np Evans/np ./.


	There/ex was/bedz no/at connection/nn between/in the/at two/cd events/nns ,/, because/cs Bobbie/np wasn't/bedz* rich/jj ,/, either/rb ,/, though/cs he/pps was/bedz more/ql aggressive/jj than/cs John/np ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at bright/jj and/cc handsome/jj young/jj man/nn from/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ,/, who/wps worked/vbd for/in the/at same/ap steel/nn company/nn as/cs John/np did/dod ./.


	Some/dti people/nns said/vbd Linda/np had/hvd just/rb announced/vbn the/at engagement/nn to/to jolt/vb John/np into/in some/dti action/nn ,/, but/cc when/wrb John/np came/vbd home/nr from/in a/at business/nn trip/nn to/in Cleveland/np with/in Edythe/np ,/, with/in Edythe/np his/pp$ bride/nn ,/, it/pps could/md no/at longer/jjr be/be John-and-Linda/nps even/rb to/in sentimental/jj wishful/jj thinkers/nns ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* even/rb John/np and/cc Edythe/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz simply/rb Poor/jj-tl John/np-tl ./.


	There/ex was/bedz nothing/pn specifically/rb wrong/jj with/in Edythe/np ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz absolutely/rb nothing/pn right/jj about/in her/ppo either/rb ./.
Mousie/np Chandler/np had/hvd been/ben to/in school/nn with/in her/ppo someplace/rb near/in Baltimore/np and/cc tried/vbd to/to explain/vb rather/rb than/cs defend/vb her/pp$ to/to the/at gang/nn having/hvg lunch/nn at/in Horne's/np$ ./.


	``/`` Well/uh ,/, you/ppss shouldn't/md* underestimate/vb Edythe/np ''/'' ,/, Mousie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb she/pps gives/vbz the/at impression/nn of/in being/beg shallow/jj and/cc frivolous/jj and/cc scatterbrained/jj ./.
She/pps is/bez frivolous/jj and/cc scatterbrained/jj ,/, but/cc she/pps really/rb isn't/bez* shallow/jj ''/'' ./.


	Bobbie/np and/cc Linda/np looked/vbd magnificent/jj at/in their/pp$ wedding/nn ./.
John/np was/bedz at/in the/at church/nn with/in Edythe/np ./.
She/pps giggled/vbd during/in the/at ceremony/nn ,/, and/cc Mousie/np Chandler/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz one/pn of/in Linda's/np$ bridesmaids/nns ,/, said/vbd John/np glared/vbd black/jj as/cs death/nn at/in her/ppo ./.
``/`` As/cs if/cs he/pps were/bed choking/vbg ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Poor/jj John/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	Edythe/np settled/vbd down/rp to/to become/vb a/at social/jj myth/nn and/cc a/at horrible/jj example/nn ./.
Her/pp$ hair/nn never/rb seemed/vbd to/to be/be in/in place/nn and/cc her/pp$ skirts/nns were/bed never/rb quite/abl the/at correct/jj length/nn ./.
She/pps didn't/dod* have/hv a/at bad/jj shape/nn when/wrb you/ppss caught/vbd her/ppo at/in the/at pool/nn at/in Longue/np Vue/np ,/, but/cc her/pp$ bathing/vbg suits/nns were/bed far/rb from/in smart/jj ./.
And/cc you/ppss didn't/dod* see/vb her/ppo much/rb at/in Longue/np Vue/np or/cc anywhere/rb ,/, for/cs John/np had/hvd drifted/vbn away/rb from/in the/at gang/nn ./.
Mousie/np said/vbd it/pps was/bedz because/cs he/pps was/bedz too/ql proud/jj to/to stand/vb pity/nn ./.
Others/nns thought/vbd he/pps couldn't/md* stand/vb seeing/vbg Linda/np ,/, Mrs./np Bobbie/np Evans/np ,/, still/rb so/ql beautiful/jj ,/, so/ql much/rb in/in command/nn of/in everything/pn ./.


	There/ex were/bed less-dramatic/jj reasons/nns too/rb ./.
John's/np$ mother/nn died/vbd not/* long/jj after/in his/pp$ marriage/nn ,/, and/cc there/ex was/bedz even/rb less/ap Cooper/np money/nn left/vbn ./.
John/np sold/vbd the/at big/jj old/jj place/nn in/in Sewickley/np and/cc bought/vbd a/at smaller/jjr house/nn in/in Fox/nn-tl Chapel/nn-tl ./.
He/pps was/bedz not/* reduced/vbn to/in poverty/nn ,/, but/cc his/pp$ job/nn at/in the/at steel/nn company/nn had/hvd become/vbn a/at real/jj job/nn and/cc not/* a/at method/nn of/in passing/vbg the/at day/nn ./.


	John/np was/bedz good/jj at/in his/pp$ job/nn ./.
It/pps probably/rb wasn't/bedz* hard/jj for/in him/ppo to/to keep/vb his/pp$ nose/nn to/in the/at grindstone/nn with/in nothing/pn but/cc Edythe/np to/to come/vb home/nr to/in ./.
Though/cs that/dt may/md be/be unfair/jj since/cs Ben/np Cooper/np ,/, John's/np$ first/od son/nn ,/, came/vbd along/rb early/rb in/in 1938/cd ,/, the/at cutest/jjt baby/nn you/ppss ever/rb saw/vbd and/cc a/at blessing/nn that/cs he/pps looked/vbd all/abn Cooper/np from/in fontanel/nn to/in pink/jj toes/nns ,/, nary/abn a/at trace/nn of/in Edythe/np ./.


	But/cc the/at continuing/vbg charm/nn of/in the/at other/ap children/nns --/-- Sally/np in/in 1940/cd and/cc Jack/np in/in 1944/cd --/-- and/cc all/abn John's/np$ success/nn at/in his/pp$ work/nn only/rb made/vbd Edythe's/np$ dizziness/nn and/cc general/jj uselessness/nn more/ql glaring/vbg ./.
She/pps never/rb could/md fit/vb into/in a/at crowd/nn which/wdt had/hvd known/vbn ,/, which/wdt still/rb knew/vbd and/cc admired/vbd Linda/np ./.


	When/wrb there/ex was/bedz bridge/nn at/in Edythe's/np$ house/nn ,/, the/at cards/nns shuffled/vbd like/cs wet/jj graham/nn crackers/nns and/cc the/at food/nn probably/rb was/bedz wet/jj graham/nn crackers/nns ./.
She/pps managed/vbd a/at missionary/nn drive/nn for/in the/at church/nn once/rb and/cc got/vbd the/at books/nns so/ql confused/vbn that/ql old/jj Mr./np Webber/np ,/, the/at eldest/jjt elder/nn ,/, who'd/wps+hvd never/rb donated/vbn more/ap than/in five/cd dollars/nns to/in anything/pn ,/, had/hvd to/to cough/vb up/rp five/cd hundred/cd dollars/nns to/to avoid/vb a/at scandal/nn in/in what/wdt Edythe/np called/vbd ``/`` the/at bosoms/nns of/in the/at church/nn ''/'' ./.
John/np did/dod find/vb the/at missing/vbg checks/nns and/cc money/nn afterward/rb ,/, and/cc the/at drive/nn was/bedz actually/rb oversubscribed/vbn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz a/at real/jj bit/nn of/in luck/nn for/in the/at missionaries/nns ./.




Being/beg an/at intelligent/jj man/nn ,/, John/np must/md have/hv guessed/vbn what/wdt everyone/pn thought/vbd about/in Edythe/np ,/, but/cc he/pps never/rb let/vbd on/rp by/in so/ql much/ap as/cs a/at brave/jj smile/nn ./.
Poor/jj John/np was/bedz the/at kind/nn of/in stock/nn that/wps keeps/vbz a/at bargain/nn without/in whimpering/vbg and/cc maybe/rb bends/vbz over/rp backward/rb to/to keep/vb a/at bad/jj one/pn ./.
He/pps was/bedz an/at attentive/jj and/cc generous/jj husband/nn ,/, overgenerous/jj ,/, a/at lot/nn of/in people/nns felt/vbd ,/, because/cs they/ppss knew/vbd that/cs money/nn must/md be/be a/at problem/nn to/in him/ppo ./.
But/cc he/pps got/vbd ahead/rb in/in business/nn :/: on/in leave/nn from/in his/pp$ job/nn to/in an/at important/jj Washington/np assignment/nn during/in the/at war/nn ;/. ;/.
after/in the/at war/nn back/rb to/in the/at heir/nn apparency/nn of/in the/at steel/nn company/nn ./.


	The/at Coopers/nps saw/vbd Bobbie/np and/cc Linda/np socially/rb ,/, but/cc no/at more/rbr than/cs was/bedz necessary/jj ./.
Bobbie/np had/hvd been/ben successful/jj ,/, too/rb ,/, though/cs he/pps didn't/dod* match/vb John's/np$ pace/nn ,/, and/cc after/in all/abn he/pps didn't/dod* need/vb to/to ,/, with/in all/abn the/at Stuart/np money/nn ./.
He/pps and/cc Linda/np settled/vbd down/rp to/in being/beg social/jj leaders/nns ,/, and/cc Linda/np managed/vbd to/to look/vb a/at little/ql more/ql beautiful/jj each/dt year/nn ./.


	And/cc then/rb came/vbd the/at hairpin/nn turn/nn ,/, the/at smashed/vbn Jaguar/np and/cc Linda/np ,/, mourning/vbg alone/rb and/cc lovely/jj ./.


	Everyone/pn held/vbd his/pp$ or/cc her/pp$ breath/nn ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* think/vb Linda/np couldn't/md* have/hv got/vbn John/np back/rb any/dti time/nn ,/, if/cs she'd/pps+hvd tried/vbn ''/'' ,/, Mousie/np Gordon/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd been/ben Mousie/np Chandler/np ,/, said/vbd between/in bites/nns of/in a/at chicken/nn sandwich/nn at/in a/at luncheon/nn table/nn at/in Le/np Mont/np ./.
``/`` Now/rb you/ppss know/vb she/pps could've/md+hv ,/, but/cc she/pps isn't/bez* that/dt kind/nn of/in girl/nn ./.
But/cc now/rb --/-- well/uh ,/, it/pps would/md be/be a/at blessing/nn ,/, I/ppss think/vb ./.
Poor/jj John/np ''/'' ./.


	Linda/np Evans/np felt/vbd more/ql wretched/jj than/cs she/pps had/hvd ever/rb dreamed/vbn Bobbie's/np$ death/nn could/md move/vb her/ppo to/in feeling/vbg ./.
What/wdt she/pps felt/vbd was/bedz a/at bone-deep/jj loss/nn with/in a/at sense/nn of/in waste/nn to/in it/ppo ,/, not/* so/ql much/ap sorrow/nn for/in handsome/jj ,/, ambitious/jj Bobbie/np ,/, but/cc for/in the/at lost/vbn years/nns that/wps had/hvd been/ben brought/vbn into/in high/jj relief/nn by/in his/pp$ death/nn ./.


	She/pps knew/vbd what/wdt people/nns were/bed thinking/vbg ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz what/wdt she/pps had/hvd been/ben thinking/vbg herself/ppl ./.
It/pps was/bedz up/rp to/in her/ppo to/to save/vb Poor/jj-tl John/np-tl ,/, dear/jj John/np ,/, to/to undo/vb the/at wrong/jj she/pps had/hvd done/vbn ,/, but/cc she/pps trembled/vbd at/in the/at decision/nn as/cs at/in the/at brink/nn of/in a/at cold/jj stream/nn ./.


	There/ex was/bedz no/at one/pn who/wps would/md blame/vb her/ppo or/cc John/np ;/. ;/.
she/pps could/md be/be sure/jj of/in that/dt ./.
It/pps might/md be/be rough/jj on/in Edythe/np at/in first/od ,/, but/cc Linda/np and/cc John/np between/in them/ppo could/md make/vb a/at settlement/nn handsome/jj enough/qlp to/to soothe/vb her/ppo ,/, to/to send/vb her/ppo back/rb to/in Cleveland/np or/cc anywhere/rb ./.
And/cc Linda/np felt/vbd capable/jj of/in capturing/vbg the/at affection/nn of/in the/at children/nns ,/, anxious/jj even/rb ,/, since/cs she/pps and/cc Bobbie/np had/hvd had/hvn none/pn of/in their/pp$ own/jj ./.
It/pps would/md be/be good/jj for/in them/ppo to/to have/hv a/at mother/nn they/ppss need/md not/* be/be ashamed/jj of/in ./.


	Linda/np would/md have/hv to/to wait/vb ,/, she/pps knew/vbd ./.
But/cc what/wdt was/bedz a/at decent/jj six/cd months/nns or/cc so/rb after/cs the/at more/ap than/in twenty/cd years/nns gone/vbn by/rb ?/. ?/.
Years/nns of/in watching/vbg while/cs Poor/jj-tl John/np-tl struggled/vbd without/in the/at help/nn and/cc understanding/nn of/in the/at kind/nn of/in wife/nn a/at man/nn needed/vbd to/to get/vb ahead/rb ./.
Of/in course/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd done/vbn wonders/nns ./.




Alloy/nn steels/nns and/cc regular/jj steels/nns had/hvd different/jj sales/nns departments/nns at/in Smith/np-tl &/cc-tl MacIsaacs/np-tl ,/, where/wrb John/np and/cc Bobbie/np both/abx worked/vbd ./.
Bobbie/np had/hvd been/ben head/nn of/in the/at alloy/nn division/nn ,/, while/cs John/np was/bedz just/rb another/dt good/nn salesman/nn in/in the/at regular/jj branch/nn ./.
So/cs when/wrb old/jj Mr./np Lovejoy/np ,/, the/at company/nn president/nn ,/, talked/vbd about/in putting/vbg in/in a/at single/ap sales/nns manager/nn for/in both/abx branches/nns after/in the/at head/nn of/in the/at regular/jj steels/nns had/hvd gone/vbn with/in Carnegie-Illinois/np ,/, it/pps looked/vbd like/cs the/at perfect/jj chance/nn for/in Bobbie/np ./.
For/cs Linda/np knew/vbd how/wrb to/to help/vb her/pp$ husband/nn ,/, not/* just/rb the/at Stuart-family/jj contacts/nns but/cc also/rb the/at little/jj dinners/nns for/in Reuben/np Lovejoy/np ./.


	She/pps was/bedz almost/ql sick/jj when/wrb Bobbie/np came/vbd home/nr with/in the/at news/nn that/cs Poor/jj-tl John/np-tl had/hvd won/vbn the/at job/nn ./.
``/`` What/wdt did/dod you/ppo do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd Bobbie/np ./.
``/`` You/ppss must/md have/hv done/vbn something/pn ,/, something/pn wrong/jj ./.
Lord/nn-tl knows/vbz I/ppss had/hvd everything/pn set/vbn for/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Bobbie/np said/vbd something/pn about/in damned/vbn Pittsburghers/nps sticking/vbg together/rb ,/, and/cc Linda/np got/vbd angry/jj at/in him/ppo ./.
They/ppss had/hvd their/pp$ first/od real/jj fight/nn ,/, and/cc Bobbie/np went/vbd off/rp to/to get/vb drunk/jj ./.


	Linda/np dragooned/vbd her/pp$ uncle/nn ,/, Donald/np Murkland/np ,/, into/in a/at lunch/nn the/at next/ap day/nn to/to find/vb out/rp what/wdt had/hvd happened/vbn ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at director/nn of/in S./np-tl &/cc-tl M./np-tl and/cc must/md have/hv been/ben in/in on/in the/at decision/nn ./.
But/cc jolly/jj old/jj Uncle/nn-tl Donald/np would/md tell/vb her/ppo no/rb more/ap than/cs that/cs Bobbie/np had/hvd certainly/rb been/ben considered/vbn for/in the/at job/nn ,/, but/cc there/ex were/bed factors/nns in/in a/at large/jj company/nn which/wdt outsiders/nns and/cc even/rb some/dti insiders/nns couldn't/md* understand/vb ./.


	He/pps didn't/dod* tell/vb her/ppo of/in the/at long/jj board/nn meeting/nn where/wrb Bobbie/np and/cc John/np were/bed weighed/vbn one/pn against/in the/at other/ap ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem behind/in John/np Cooper/np ''/'' ,/, Mr./np Lovejoy/np said/vbd finally/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss think/vb we're/ppss+ber agreed/vbn that/cs he/pps and/cc Evans/np are/ber equal/jj in/in ability/nn ,/, so/cs we/ppss have/hv to/to look/vb at/in the/at thing/nn in/in terms/nns of/in incentive/nn ./.


	``/`` Now/rb ,/, I/ppss believe/vb Poor/jj-tl John'll/np+md work/vb just/rb a/at little/ap harder/rbr ./.
With/in that/dt wife/nn of/in his/pp$$ ,/, I/ppss think/vb he/pps feels/vbz every/at chance/nn he/pps gets/vbz is/bez his/pp$ big/jj chance/nn ./.
Bobbie/np ,/, with/in Linda/np behind/in him/ppo ,/, will/md have/hv plenty/nn of/in other/ap opportunities/nns ./.
And/cc also/rb ,/, the/at money/nn can't/md* mean/vb as/ql much/rb to/in Bobbie/np ./.


	``/`` Bobbie/np will/md take/vb the/at job/nn as/cs his/pp$ just/jj reward/nn and/cc work/vb hard/rb at/in it/ppo ;/. ;/.
Poor/jj-tl John/np will/md take/vb it/ppo as/cs a/at miracle/nn and/cc have/hv every/at other/ap independent/jj steel/nn company/nn sitting/vbg up/rp nights/nns worrying/vbg about/in us/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Most/ap of/in the/at directors/nns nodded/vbd ./.
Uncle/np Donald/np Murkland/np found/vbd himself/ppl nodding/vbg agreement/nn too/rb ./.


	After/cs the/at surprise/nn was/bedz over/rp ,/, Linda/np was/bedz almost/ql as/ql pleased/vbn as/cs anyone/pn with/in John's/np$ good/jj luck/nn ,/, though/cs she/pps agreed/vbd with/in Bobbie's/np$ decision/nn some/dti months/nns later/rbr to/to move/vb to/in Funk/np-tl Furnaces/nns-tl ./.
The/at job/nn at/in Funk/np wasn't/bedz* particularly/ql better/jjr ,/, but/cc it/pps got/vbd him/ppo away/rb from/in being/beg subordinate/jj to/in John/np and/cc assured/vbd him/ppo steady/jj advancement/nn ,/, since/cs Funk/np was/bedz owned/vbn to/in a/at large/jj degree/nn by/in various/jj branches/nns of/in Linda's/np$ family/nn ./.


	Poor/jj-tl John's/np$-tl rise/nn continued/vbd to/to be/be meteoric/jj ./.
When/wrb he/pps was/bedz made/vbn a/at vice/nn president/nn only/rb a/at year/nn after/in the/at new/jj sales/nns job/nn ,/, a/at leading/vbg business/nn magazine/nn ran/vbd his/pp$ photograph/nn with/in a/at brief/jj biography/nn in/in a/at series/nn on/in national/jj business/nn leaders/nns of/in the/at future/nn ./.

She/pps called/vbd then/rb to/to say/vb she/pps had/hvd a/at baby-sitter/nn for/in that/dt night/nn ./.
``/`` Shirley/np appreciated/vbd the/at chance/nn to/to make/vb some/dti money/nn ./.
Such/abl a/at nice/jj little/jj thing/nn --/-- lives/vbz right/ql in/in the/at building/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez swell/jj ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd sweetly/rb ./.
I/ppss could/md get/vb along/rb without/in that/dt three/cd dollars/nns ./.
In/in some/dti ways/nns it/pps was/bedz worth/jj being/beg out/in the/at money/nn --/-- just/rb knowing/vbg I/ppss was/bedz no/at longer/jjr obligated/vbd to/in Nadine/np !/. !/.


	It/pps was/bedz past/in midnight/nn and/cc we/ppss were/bed in/in bed/nn when/wrb the/at phone/nn rang/vbd ./.
I/ppss stumbled/vbd through/in the/at hall/nn ,/, wondering/vbg who/wps would/md be/be calling/vbg at/in this/dt hour/nn ./.
I/ppss answered/vbd to/to find/vb Nadine/np at/in the/at other/ap end/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss scared/vbd me/ppo half/abn to/in death/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd shakily/rb ./.
``/`` What's/wdt+bez wrong/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Janice/np ,/, nobody/pn answers/vbz at/in the/at apartment/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Her/pp$ voice/nn came/vbd shrill/jj ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem absolutely/ql frantic/jj !/. !/.
That/dt stupid/jj girl/nn might/md have/hv gone/vbn off/rp and/cc left/vbd Francie/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, she/pps wouldn't/md* do/do that/dt ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` She's/pps+hvz probably/rb fallen/vbn asleep/rb and/cc doesn't/doz* hear/vb the/at phone/nn ./.
But/cc if/cs you're/ppss+ber worried/vbn you/ppss can/md go/vb home/nr and/cc check/vb ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` I/ppss can't/md* leave/vb the/at party/nn !/. !/.
We're/ppss+ber at/in Ken/np Thom's/np$ apartment/nn ,/, and/cc when/wrb one/cd couple/nn leaves/vbz early/rb everything/pn falls/vbz flat/rb !/. !/.
Old/jj Mr./np Thom/np is/bez already/rb down/in on/in Wally/np ,/, and/cc we/ppss simply/rb can't/md* afford/vb to/to get/vb Ken/np mad/jj at/in us/ppo ''/'' --/-- 

	I/ppss was/bedz all/ql set/vbn for/in what/wdt came/vbd next/ap ./.
``/`` Janice/np ,/, could/md you/ppss possibly/rb go/vb over/rp and/cc make/vb sure/jj everything's/pn+bez all/ql right/jj ?/. ?/.
I'll/ppss+md call/vb you/ppo there/rb in/in ten/cd minutes/nns ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` I/ppss can't/md* make/vb it/ppo in/in ten/cd minutes/nns ''/'' --/-- Wondering/vbg ,/, as/cs I/ppss said/vbd it/ppo ,/, why/wrb I/ppss should/md make/vb it/ppo at/in all/abn ./.
Why/wrb should/md I/ppss go/vb over/rp at/in midnight/nn to/to check/vb on/in Francie/np ,/, when/wrb her/pp$ parents/nns didn't/dod* care/vb enough/ap to/to leave/vb a/at party/nn ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Fifteen/cd minutes/nns ,/, then/rb !/. !/.
Please/uh ,/, Janice/np ./.
I'll/ppss+md be/be glad/jj to/to pay/vb you/ppo ''/'' --/-- 

	So/ql sure/jj that/dt money/nn could/md do/do anything/pn !/. !/.
``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
I'd/ppss+md do/do it/ppo ./.
Not/* for/in the/at dollar/nn or/cc so/rb Nadine/np would/md give/vb me/ppo ./.
But/cc because/cs there/ex was/bedz the/at chance/nn that/cs something/pn had/hvd gone/vbn wrong/jj at/in the/at apartment/nn ,/, and/cc if/cs I/ppss didn't/dod* go/vb over/rp ,/, who/wps would/md ?/. ?/.




Chris/np was/bedz sound/jj asleep/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* see/vb any/dti sense/nn in/in waking/vbg him/ppo ./.
I/ppss dressed/vbd in/in the/at kitchen/nn ,/, then/rb left/vbd a/at note/nn on/in the/at table/nn telling/vbg him/ppo what/wdt had/hvd happened/vbn ./.
I/ppss drove/vbd off/rp through/in the/at cool/jj darkness/nn to/in Nadine's/np$ apartment/nn and/cc rang/vbd the/at bell/nn ,/, and/cc in/in a/at few/ap seconds/nns a/at young/jj girl/nn opened/vbd the/at door/nn ./.
Her/pp$ face/nn was/bedz flushed/vbn from/in sleep/nn ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez all/ql right/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, as/cs she/pps started/vbd to/to look/vb scared/vbn ./.
``/`` Mrs./np Roberts/np had/hvd called/vbn ,/, and/cc couldn't/md* wake/vb you/ppo ./.
I/ppss just/rb came/vbd over/rp to/to make/vb sure/jj everything/pn was/bedz all/ql right/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem --/-- hard/jj to/to wake/vb up/rp ''/'' ,/, she/pps faltered/vbd ./.
She/pps didn't/dod* look/vb over/in thirteen/cd ./.
And/cc Nadine/np insisted/vbd that/cs her/pp$ sitters/nns be/be reliable/jj !/. !/.
``/`` I/ppss have/hv to/to get/vb up/rp early/rb for/in church/nn tomorrow/nr ''/'' ,/, she/pps went/vbd on/rp ./.
``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb it/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be this/dt late/jj ''/'' !/. !/.


	The/at phone/nn started/vbd ringing/vbg ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez Mrs./np Roberts/np again/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'll/ppss+md answer/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.
I/ppss crossed/vbd the/at beautifully/rb furnished/vbn living/nn room/nn to/in the/at pale/jj yellow/jj phone/nn ./.
I/ppss told/vbd Nadine/np everything/pn was/bedz fine/jj ,/, and/cc that/cs I'd/ppss+md be/be getting/vbg on/in home/nr ./.


	``/`` Janice/np ,/, would/md you/ppss mind/vb staying/vbg ''/'' ?/. ?/.
There/ex was/bedz a/at ragged/jj edge/nn to/in her/pp$ voice/nn now/rb ,/, as/cs if/cs she'd/pps+hvd been/ben crying/vbg ./.
``/`` Wally's/np+bez drunk/jj --/-- I'll/ppss+md get/vb him/ppo out/in of/in here/rb as/ql soon/rb as/cs I/ppss possibly/rb can/md ,/, but/cc I/ppss don't/do* want/vb Shirley/np to/to see/vb him/ppo like/cs this/dt ./.
You/ppss know/vb how/wrb gossip/nn of/in that/dt sort/nn spreads/vbz through/in an/at apartment/nn building/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	Not/* a/at word/nn of/in thanks/nns for/in what/wdt I'd/ppss+hvd already/rb done/vbn ./.
The/at receiver/nn clicked/vbd in/in my/pp$ ear/nn ./.
She/pps didn't/dod* even/vb give/vb me/ppo a/at chance/nn to/to refuse/vb ./.
Well/uh ,/, there/ex wasn't/bedz* any/dti law/nn that/wps said/vbd I/ppss had/hvd to/to stay/vb !/. !/.
But/cc then/rb I/ppss looked/vbd at/in Shirley/np and/cc thought/vbd that/cs I/ppss might/md as/ql well/rb --/-- the/at child/nn needed/vbd her/pp$ sleep/nn ,/, and/cc Heaven/nn-tl knew/vbd what/wdt kind/nn of/in a/at mess/nn it/pps would/md be/be ,/, with/in Wally/np coming/vbg home/nr drunk/jj ./.
So/cs I/ppss told/vbd her/ppo Mrs./np Roberts/np would/md pay/vb her/ppo in/in the/at morning/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps scooted/vbd off/rp to/in her/pp$ own/jj apartment/nn ./.


	After/cs I/ppss looked/vbd in/rp at/in Francie/np ,/, I/ppss went/vbd into/in the/at living/nn room/nn and/cc waited/vbd ./.
I/ppss must/md have/hv dozed/vbn off/rp ,/, because/cs I/ppss came/vbd to/in with/in a/at start/nn at/in the/at sound/nn of/in voices/nns ./.
Nadine's/np$ ,/, shrill/jj with/in anger/nn --/-- Wally's/np$ loud/jj and/cc thick/jj --/-- As/cs I/ppss went/vbd to/in the/at door/nn I/ppss heard/vbd the/at clock/nn strike/nn two/cd ./.
I/ppss opened/vbd the/at door/nn ,/, and/cc Wally/np stumbled/vbd in/rp --/-- fast/rb --/-- as/cs if/cs Nadine/np had/hvd pushed/vbn him/ppo ./.


	I/ppss had/hvd always/rb thought/vbn she/pps was/bedz so/ql beautiful/jj ./.
But/cc now/rb she/pps looked/vbd ugly/jj ./.
Her/pp$ skin/nn was/bedz stretched/vbn so/ql tight/jj that/cs her/pp$ cheekbones/nns stuck/vbd out/rp ,/, and/cc if/cs looks/nns could/md kill/vb ,/, Wally/np would/md have/hv been/ben dead/jj ./.
``/`` Pack/vb your/pp$ clothes/nns ''/'' ,/, she/pps hissed/vbd ./.
``/`` Pack/vb --/-- and/cc get/vb out/rp ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber crazy/jj ''/'' ,/, Wally/np said/vbd thickly/rb ./.
He/pps lurched/vbd and/cc stumbled/vbd to/in the/at davenport/nn and/cc sank/vbd down/rp on/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc was/bedz instantly/rb asleep/rb ./.
Nadine/np strode/vbd over/rp to/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc her/pp$ pointed/vbn nails/nns raked/vbd across/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
I/ppss grabbed/vbd her/pp$ arm/nn and/cc she/pps turned/vbd on/in me/ppo and/cc for/in a/at scared/vbn second/od I/ppss thought/vbd that/cs maybe/rb Wally/np was/bedz right/jj ,/, and/cc she/pps was/bedz crazy/jj ./.


	``/`` You/ppss stay/vb out/in of/in this/dt ''/'' ,/, she/pps spat/vbd at/in me/ppo ./.
``/`` He's/pps+hvz ruined/vbn us/ppo --/-- do/do you/ppo hear/vb me/ppo --/-- he's/pps+hvz ruined/vbn us/ppo !/. !/.
He/pps insulted/vbd Ken/np Thom/np ''/'' !/. !/.
Her/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed wild/jj ./.
``/`` He/pps told/vbd Ken/np to/in his/pp$ face/nn that/cs he/pps doesn't/doz* have/hv what/wdt it/pps takes/vbz to/to get/vb a/at woman/nn !/. !/.
And/cc the/at other/ap people/nns there/rb were/bed listening/vbg !/. !/.
We're/ppss+ber ruined/vbn and/cc he's/pps+bez going/vbg to/to get/vb out/rp if/cs I/ppss have/hv to/to throw/vb him/ppo down/in the/at stairs/nns ''/'' --/-- 



``/`` you'd/ppss+hvd better/rbr simmer/vb down/rp ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd nervously/rb ./.
I/ppss was/bedz plenty/rb scared/vbn ./.
In/in the/at state/nn she/pps was/bedz in/in ,/, she/pps could/md actually/rb kill/vb him/ppo !/. !/.
``/`` Now/rb you/ppss just/rb take/vb it/ppo easy/rb ,/, and/cc I'll/ppss+md make/vb you/ppo some/dti tea/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Tea/nn ,/, ''/'' Nadine/np screeched/vbd ./.
``/`` How/wrb can/md you/ppss be/be so/ql damn/jj stupid/jj ?/. ?/.
Wally's/np+hvz lost/vbn his/pp$ job/nn !/. !/.
Ken/np will/md never/rb forgive/vb him/ppo --/-- never/rb !/. !/.
And/cc we/ppss don't/do* have/hv any/dti money/nn --/-- we/ppss don't/do* have/hv a/at dime/nn !/. !/.
All/abn we/ppss own/vb is/bez Francie's/np$ bedroom/nn set/nn and/cc the/at televison-record/nn player/nn and/cc we/ppss even/rb owe/vb on/in them/ppo ./.
And/cc we'll/ppss+md be/be poor/jj and/cc have/hv to/to live/vb in/in a/at grubby/jj little/ap house/nn like/cs yours/pp$$ --/-- and/cc all/abn because/cs of/in that/dt ''/'' --/-- 

	I/ppss clamped/vbd my/pp$ hand/nn over/in her/pp$ mouth/nn to/to stop/vb the/at stream/nn of/in filth/nn ./.
``/`` Stop/vb that/dt !/. !/.
You'll/ppss+md wake/vb up/rp the/at whole/jj building/nn ./.
Wally/np can't/md* go/vb any/dti place/nn at/in this/dt hour/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Well/rb then/rb ,/, I'll/ppss+md get/vb out/rp ''/'' --/-- But/cc she/pps looked/vbd uncertain/jj ./.
She/pps was/bedz coming/vbg to/to her/pp$ senses/nns enough/qlp to/to realize/vb that/cs you/ppss don't/do* go/vb traipsing/vbg off/rp anywhere/rb at/in two/cd in/in the/at morning/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss go/vb to/in bed/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd curtly/rb ./.
``/`` In/in the/at morning/nn you/ppss and/cc Wally/np can/md talk/vb things/nns out/rp ''/'' --/-- 

	She/pps collapsed/vbd against/in me/ppo ,/, as/cs if/cs everything/pn inside/in her/ppo snapped/vbd ./.
I/ppss got/vbd her/ppo into/in bed/nn ,/, and/cc sat/vbd with/in her/ppo until/cs she/pps had/hvd sobbed/vbn herself/ppl out/rp ./.
It/pps was/bedz three/cd o'clock/rb before/cs I/ppss figured/vbd it/pps was/bedz all/ql right/jj to/to go/vb ./.
I/ppss left/vbd her/ppo ,/, a/at limp/jj bundle/nn of/in self-pity/nn ,/, shivering/vbg with/in terror/nn because/cs her/pp$ bubble/nn had/hvd burst/vbn around/in her/ppo ./.
Wally/np was/bedz snoring/vbg on/in the/at davenport/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd done/vbn all/abn I/ppss could/md ./.
I/ppss had/hvd done/vbn all/abn I/ppss was/bedz going/vbg to/to do/do ./.
Whether/cs or/cc not/* Wally/np lost/vbd his/pp$ job/nn was/bedz no/at concern/nn of/in mine/pp$$ ./.
I/ppss drove/vbd home/nr ,/, found/vbd Chris/np still/rb asleep/rb ./.
I/ppss snuggled/vbd up/rp close/rb to/in him/ppo --/-- loving/vbg him/ppo --/-- thankful/jj for/in a/at man/nn like/cs him/ppo ./.
Thankful/jj I/ppss wasn't/bedz* Nadine/np ./.


	I/ppss kept/vbd on/in being/beg thankful/jj ./.
In/in the/at afternoon/nn Nadine/np and/cc Wally/np came/vbd over/rp with/in Francie/np ./.
Wally/np sat/vbd in/in our/pp$ big/jj chair/nn ,/, his/pp$ hands/nns between/in his/pp$ knees/nns ,/, looking/vbg ready/jj to/to cry/vb ./.
``/`` I'd/ppss+hvd had/hvn all/abn this/dt trouble/nn with/in the/at old/jj man/nn ,/, that's/dt+bez why/wrb I/ppss drank/vbd so/ql much/ap ./.
I/ppss --/-- got/vbd fired/vbn yesterday/nr for/in not/* attending/vbg to/in business/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	Old/jj Mr./np Thom/np himself/ppl had/hvd stopped/vbn at/in the/at service/nn station/nn for/in a/at grease/nn job/nn ,/, Wally/np confessed/vbd ,/, and/cc couldn't/md* get/vb one/pn because/cs there/ex were/bed cars/nns on/in the/at pits/nns waiting/vbg to/to be/be repaired/vbn ./.
Seems/vbz that/cs the/at kid/nn Wally/np had/hvd hired/vbn had/hvd a/at repair/nn business/nn of/in his/pp$ own/jj going/vbg on/in the/at side/nn ./.
Mr./np Thom/np had/hvd gotten/vbn Wally/np on/in the/at phone/nn ,/, and/cc fired/vbd him/ppo ./.
``/`` I/ppss thought/vbd I'd/ppss+md smooth/vb things/nns over/rp through/in Ken/np ''/'' ,/, Wally/np said/vbd miserably/rb ./.
``/`` But/cc Ken/np got/vbd coy/jj and/cc wouldn't/md* make/vb any/dti promises/nns ./.
And/cc I/ppss was/bedz plastered/vbn and/cc I/ppss blew/vbd my/pp$ stack/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` And/cc told/vbd him/ppo right/rb to/in his/pp$ face/nn he'd/pps+hvd never/rb slept/vbn with/in a/at woman/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
I/ppss tried/vbd to/to quiet/vb Nadine/np because/cs the/at children/nns were/bed there/rb ./.
But/cc she/pps was/bedz beyond/in caring/vbg what/wdt she/pps said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Things/nns may/md smooth/vb over/rp yet/rb ''/'' ,/, Chris/np said/vbd ,/, his/pp$ nice/jj lean/jj face/nn grave/jj with/in honest/jj concern/nn ./.
But/cc I/ppss couldn't/md* help/vb thinking/vbg that/cs Nadine/np and/cc Wally/np were/bed getting/vbg just/rb what/wdt they/ppss deserved/vbd ./.
Now/rb maybe/rb they'd/ppss+md realize/vb that/cs life/nn can/md be/be tough/jj ./.




When/wrb A/at bubble/nn breaks/vbz ,/, there's/ex+bez nothing/pn ./.
Little/ap by/in little/ap ,/, during/in the/at week/nn ,/, Chris/np and/cc I/ppss discovered/vbd the/at crazy/jj unbelievable/jj way/nn Nadine/np and/cc Wally/np had/hvd lived/vbn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd not/* only/rb spent/vbn every/at cent/nn --/-- they/ppss were/bed in/in debt/nn up/in to/in their/pp$ necks/nns ,/, owing/vbg on/in everything/pn they/ppss owned/vbd ./.


	On/in top/nn of/in everything/pn else/rb they/ppss were/bed two/cd months/nns behind/rb on/in their/pp$ apartment/nn rent/nn ,/, and/cc the/at day/nn Wally/np received/vbd written/vbn notice/nn that/cs he/pps was/bedz fired/vbn ,/, they/ppss were/bed evicted/vbn ./.


	Worst/jjt of/in all/abn ,/, Wally/np had/hvd no/at training/nn for/in any/dti kind/nn of/in work/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd fallen/vbn into/in a/at soft/jj job/nn ,/, and/cc now/rb the/at job/nn was/bedz gone/vbn and/cc he/pps was/bedz stranded/vbn ./.


	Chris/np fretted/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss wish/vb we/ppss were/bed in/in a/at position/nn to/to offer/vb a/at little/ap money/nn to/to tide/vb them/ppo over/rp ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss said/vbd I/ppss wished/vbd we/ppss were/bed ,/, too/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz easy/jj enough/qlp to/to say/vb it/ppo ,/, because/cs of/in course/nn we/ppss couldn't/md* spare/vb a/at cent/nn ./.
But/cc Chris/np brightened/vbd up/rp like/cs a/at candle/nn ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem glad/jj you/ppss feel/vb that/dt way/nn ,/, honey/nn ./.
There/ex is/bez one/cd big/jj way/nn we/ppss can/md help/vb them/ppo ./.
We/ppss can/md let/vb them/ppo move/vb in/in with/in us/ppo ''/'' --/-- 

	Something/pn I/ppss had/hvd simply/rb never/rb thought/vbn of/in ./.
Something/pn so/ql incredible/jj --/-- 

	I/ppss just/rb stared/vbd at/in him/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz incredible/jj --/-- He/pps gave/vbd me/ppo an/at embarrassed/vbn ,/, pleading/vbg look/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb we'd/ppss+md be/be pretty/ql crowded/vbn ./.
But/cc it/pps would/md only/rb be/be for/in a/at couple/nn of/in weeks/nns --/-- until/cs they/ppss get/vb straightened/vbn out/rp ''/'' ./.


	Straightened/vbn out/rp --/-- They'd/ppss+hvd had/hvn years/nns of/in making/vbg all/abn that/dt money/nn !/. !/.
``/`` I/ppss won't/md* do/do it/ppo ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd flatly/rb ./.
``/`` Nadine/np was/bedz always/rb too/ql good/jj to/to live/vb in/in a/at little/ap house/nn like/cs this/dt !/. !/.
Well/uh ,/, now/rb she/pps can/md sleep/vb in/in the/at street/nn for/cs all/abn I/ppss care/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` That/dt isn't/bez* like/cs you/ppss ,/, Janice/np ''/'' ,/, Chris/np said/vbd uncomfortably/rb ./.
Then/rb I/ppss felt/vbd uncomfortable/jj ,/, too/rb ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* want/vb to/to be/be like/cs that/dt ,/, mean/jj and/cc bitter/jj ./.
But/cc ,/, darn/vb it/ppo all/abn ,/, why/wrb should/md we/ppss help/vb a/at couple/nn of/in spoiled/vbn snobs/nns who/wps had/hvd looked/vbn down/in their/pp$ noses/nns at/in us/ppo ?/. ?/.


	But/cc ,/, in/in the/at end/nn ,/, we/ppss did/dod ./.
It/pps just/rb seemed/vbd as/cs if/cs there/ex was/bedz nothing/pn else/rb to/to do/do ./.
The/at finance/nn company/nn took/vbd all/abn their/pp$ furniture/nn --/-- and/cc they/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv a/at cent/nn to/in their/pp$ name/nn ./.


	Then/jj Wally/np got/vbd sick/jj ./.
To/in my/pp$ way/nn of/in thinking/vbg ,/, he/pps was/bedz scared/vbn sick/jj ./.
His/pp$ luck/nn had/hvd failed/vbn him/ppo ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz easier/rbr to/to crawl/vb off/rp into/in bed/nn than/cs to/to get/vb out/rp and/cc fight/vb the/at world/nn ./.


	Chris/np made/vbd trip/nn after/in trip/nn in/in our/pp$ old/jj car/nn ,/, moving/vbg the/at clothes/nns and/cc dishes/nns and/cc the/at stock/nn of/in groceries/nns Nadine/np had/hvd bought/vbn on/in special/nn ./.
At/in least/ap we'll/ppss+md eat/vb ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd grimly/rb as/cs I/ppss put/vbd all/abn the/at food/nn away/rb ./.


	While/cs I/ppss worked/vbd ,/, Nadine/np sat/vbd and/cc cried/vbd ./.
When/wrb she/pps wasn't/bedz* crying/vbg ,/, she/pps was/bedz in/in our/pp$ bedroom/nn fighting/vbg with/in Wally/np ./.
``/`` Virus/nn infection/nn nothing/pn ''/'' ,/, she'd/pps+md scream/vb at/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber too/ql lazy/jj to/to go/vb out/rp and/cc look/vb for/in another/dt job/nn ./.
You're/ppss+ber just/rb a/at no-good/jj bum/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	It/pps was/bedz a/at mess/nn ,/, all/ql right/rb ./.
But/cc it/pps couldn't/md* go/vb on/rp forever/rb --/-- A/at couple/nn of/in weeks/nns ,/, Chris/np had/hvd said/vbn ./.
I/ppss figured/vbd I/ppss could/md stand/vb practically/rb anything/pn for/in a/at couple/nn of/in weeks/nns ./.


	But/cc the/at two/cd weeks/nns dragged/vbd into/in three/cd ,/, and/cc they/ppss were/bed still/rb with/in us/ppo ./.
Nadine's/np$ constant/jj nagging/nn had/hvd finally/rb gotten/vbn Wally/np out/in of/in bed/nn ./.
He/pps set/vbd out/rp every/at morning/nn looking/vbg for/in work/nn ,/, and/cc come/vb home/nr around/in noon/nn ,/, full/jj of/in alibis/nns and/cc excuses/nns ./.
Wendell/np Thom/np had/hvd black-balled/vbn him/ppo ./.
Nobody/pn would/md even/rb take/vb his/pp$ application/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss can/md get/vb something/pn ,/, ''/'' Nadine/np would/md snap/vb ./.
``/`` You/ppss can/md get/vb a/at job/nn working/vbg in/in a/at grocery/nn store/nn ,/, if/cs nothing/pn else/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` The/at high/jj school/nn kids/nns have/hv got/vbn everything/pn sewed/vbn up/rp ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, a/at whine/nn in/in his/pp$ voice/nn ./.
``/`` Those/dts damn/jj punks/nns --/-- taking/vbg work/nn away/rb from/in men/nns who/wps need/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.




``/`` By/in fall/nn they'll/ppss+md be/be back/rb in/in school/nn ''/'' ,/, I'd/ppss+md say/vb ,/, trying/vbg to/to sound/vb encouraging/jj ./.
But/cc this/dt was/bedz only/rb the/at middle/nn of/in July/np ./.


	And/cc I/ppss couldn't/md* take/vb six/cd more/ap weeks/nns of/in this/dt ./.
I/ppss mentioned/vbd it/ppo to/in Chris/np one/cd stifling/vbg hot/jj night/nn ,/, when/wrb I/ppss had/hvd slipped/vbn outside/rb for/in a/at breath/nn of/in fresh/jj air/nn ./.





I/ppss don't/do* really/rb believe/vb in/in intuition/nn ./.
But/cc I/ppss swear/vb to/in you/ppo from/in the/at moment/nn I/ppss opened/vbd my/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, I/ppss knew/vbd it/pps was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be a/at bad/jj day/nn ./.
Part/nn of/in it/ppo was/bedz the/at weather/nn ,/, so/ql foggy/jj it/pps would/md take/vb me/ppo twice/rb as/ql long/jj to/to get/vb to/in the/at hospital/nn ./.
Part/nn of/in it/ppo was/bedz being/beg so/ql tired/vbn --/-- I'd/ppss+hvd not/* only/rb had/hvn my/pp$ usual/jj full/jj day/nn yesterday/nr ,/, but/cc a/at dinner/nn meeting/nn as/ql well/rb ,/, that/wps kept/vbd me/ppo up/rp late/rb ./.
But/cc the/at rest/nn of/in it/ppo ,/, the/at main/jjs part/nn ,/, wasn't/bedz* based/vbn on/in logic/nn at/in all/abn ./.
It/pps was/bedz just/rb going/vbg to/to be/be one/pn of/in those/dts days/nns ./.


	For/in the/at thousandth/od time/nn ,/, I/ppss wished/vbd I'd/ppss+hvd chosen/vbn some/dti nice/jj ,/, nine-to-five/jj ,/, five-days-a-week/jj profession/nn ./.
And/cc for/in the/at thousandth/od time/nn ,/, I/ppss answered/vbd myself/ppl ./.
I/ppss hadn't/hvd* chosen/vbn medicine/nn --/-- it/pps had/hvd chosen/vbn me/ppo ./.


	Actually/rb ,/, I/ppss shouldn't/md* complain/vb ,/, I/ppss told/vbd myself/ppl in/in the/at shaving/vbg mirror/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd a/at lot/nn to/to be/be thankful/jj for/in ./.
A/at profession/nn that/wps brought/vbd me/ppo as/ql good/jj an/at income/nn as/cs mine/pp$$ wasn't/bedz* to/to be/be sneezed/vbn at/in ./.
Maybe/rb I/ppss didn't/dod* see/vb as/ql much/ap of/in Gladdy/np as/cs I'd/ppss+md like/vb ,/, but/cc how/wrb much/ql worse/jjr it/pps would/md have/hv been/ben if/cs I'd/ppss+hvd had/hvn to/to board/vb her/ppo out/rp somewhere/rb after/in Alice/np went/vbd --/-- send/vb my/pp$ daughter/nn to/in an/at orphanage/nn or/cc a/at boarding-home/nn ./.
At/in least/ap ,/, we/ppss were/bed together/rb and/cc we/ppss had/hvd Mrs./np Hodges/np ,/, bless/vb her/ppo ,/, to/to look/vb after/in us/ppo --/-- no/at mother/nn could/md be/be fonder/jjr of/in Gladdy/np than/cs Mrs./np Hodges/np was/bedz ./.
I/ppss was/bedz lucky/jj in/in lots/nns of/in ways/nns ,/, no/at doubt/nn about/in it/ppo ./.


	Especially/rb in/in the/at way/nn Gladdy/np had/hvd turned/vbn out/rp ./.
Growing/vbg up/rp without/in a/at mother/nn from/in the/at time/nn she/pps was/bedz three/cd --/-- it/pps wasn't/bedz* a/at good/jj thing/nn for/in a/at child/nn ,/, even/rb knowing/vbg the/at kind/nn of/in mother/nn Alice/np had/hvd been/ben ./.
But/cc I/ppss mustn't/md* start/vb on/in Alice/np ./.
She/pps is/bez a/at closed/vbn book/nn ,/, a/at picture/nn I/ppss keep/vb on/in my/pp$ bureau/nn ,/, but/cc never/rb look/vb at/in ./.
If/cs she'd/pps+hvd kept/vbn on/rp as/cs she'd/pps+hvd been/ben going/vbg ,/, the/at story/nn I'd/ppss+hvd told/vbn Gladdy/np would/md probably/rb have/hv been/ben true/jj by/in now/rb ,/, anyhow/rb 

	As/ql usual/jj ,/, Gladdy's/np$ bright/jj smile/nn greeted/vbd me/ppo at/in the/at breakfast/nn table/nn ./.
Her/pp$ first/od class/nn wasn't/bedz* until/in ten/cd ,/, but/cc she/pps always/rb got/vbd up/rp to/to have/hv breakfast/nn with/in me/ppo ./.
It/pps made/vbd me/ppo feel/vb good/rb and/cc knowing/vbg that/cs she'd/pps+hvd decided/vbn ,/, all/abn on/in her/pp$ own/jj ,/, to/to go/vb to/in college/nn right/ql here/rb in/in town/nn made/vbd me/ppo feel/vb good/rb ,/, too/rb ./.
Oh/uh ,/, I/ppss knew/vbd that/cs I/ppss couldn't/md* give/vb myself/ppl all/abn the/at credit/nn for/in her/pp$ decision/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd a/at feeling/nn that/ql young/jj Pete/np Michelson/np ,/, the/at most/ql promising/jj intern/nn at/in Fairview/np ,/, had/hvd something/pn to/to do/do with/in it/ppo ,/, too/rb ./.


	She'd/pps+hvd been/ben out/rp with/in Pete/np the/at night/nn before/rb and/cc her/pp$ gay/jj chatter/nn about/in their/pp$ date/nn lightened/vbd my/pp$ mood/nn a/at little/ap ./.
But/cc once/cs I/ppss was/bedz alone/rb again/rb ,/, driving/vbg to/in the/at hospital/nn ,/, the/at heaviness/nn returned/vbd ./.
If/cs she/pps and/cc Pete/np were/bed really/rb getting/vbg serious/jj ,/, I'd/ppss+md have/hv to/to do/do some/dti hard/jj thinking/nn ./.
Should/md I/ppss tell/vb him/ppo the/at truth/nn about/in Alice/np ?/. ?/.
Did/dod he/pps have/hv a/at right/nn to/to know/vb the/at secret/nn I'd/ppss+hvd kept/vbn from/in Gladdy/np all/abn these/dts years/nns ?/. ?/.


	The/at boys/nns were/bed already/rb waiting/vbg in/in the/at corridor/nn outside/in my/pp$ office/nn when/wrb I/ppss got/vbd to/in Fairview/np ./.
Two/cd interns/nns and/cc Dick/np Ishii/np ,/, the/at other/ap resident/nn ./.
I'm/ppss+bem Chief/nn-tl of/in-tl Medicine/nn-tl here/rb and/cc this/dt morning/nn would/md start/vb like/cs all/abn others/nns ,/, with/in me/ppo taking/vbg the/at boys/nns on/in the/at rounds/nns ./.
Pete/np was/bedz down/rp on/in Seven/cd-tl ,/, Dick/np told/vbd me/ppo ,/, and/cc he'd/pps+md meet/vb us/ppo there/rb ./.


	There/ex wasn't/bedz* anything/pn of/in special/jj interest/nn that/dt morning/nn ,/, no/at one/pn sicker/jjr than/cs they/ppss should/md have/hv been/ben ./.
Pete/np came/vbd to/to meet/vb us/ppo when/wrb we/ppss stepped/vbd out/in of/in the/at elevator/nn on/in Seven/cd-tl --/-- he'd/pps+hvd had/hvn a/at case/nn of/in post-operative/jj shock/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz all/ql taken/vbn care/nn of/in now/rb ./.
Seven/cd-tl is/bez a/at women's/nns$ floor/nn and/cc ,/, as/cs it/pps happened/vbd ,/, not/* very/ql busy/jj right/ql then/rb ./.
When/wrb we'd/ppss+hvd finished/vbn our/pp$ regular/jj rounds/nns ,/, Pete/np pointed/vbd me/ppo toward/in the/at small/jj ward/nn at/in the/at end/nn of/in the/at floor/nn ./.


	``/`` Got/vbd a/at new/jj one/pn in/in last/ap night/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss haven't/hv* seen/vbn her/ppo yet/rb ,/, but/cc I/ppss hear/vb she's/pps+bez a/at lulu/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	I/ppss wasn't/bedz* surprised/vbn ./.
The/at ward/nn was/bedz a/at small/jj one/pn ,/, four/cd beds/nns ,/, kept/vbn reserved/vbn for/in female/nn alcoholics/nns ./.
We/ppss didn't/dod* get/vb many/ap at/in Fairview/np and/cc they/ppss were/bed never/rb pretty/jj sights/nns ./.
It/pps was/bedz thought/vbn wiser/jjr to/to keep/vb them/ppo segregated/vbn from/in the/at patients/nns in/in the/at regular/jj charity/nn ward/nn ./.


	The/at moment/nn I/ppss walked/vbd in/rp ,/, the/at whole/jj miserable/jj feeling/nn of/in the/at day/nn seemed/vbd to/to focus/vb on/in the/at woman/nn in/in the/at bed/nn ./.
They'd/ppss+hvd cleaned/vbn her/ppo up/rp some/dti ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, and/cc she'd/pps+hvd pretty/ql much/rb slept/vbn off/rp her/pp$ drunk/nn ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz something/pn about/in her/ppo --/-- and/cc I/ppss felt/vbd my/pp$ lips/nns forming/vbg a/at name/nn ./.
Alice/np But/cc this/dt woman's/nn$ name/nn was/bedz Rose/np Bancroft/np !/. !/.


	I/ppss looked/vbd at/in the/at chart/nn for/in reassurance/nn ./.
Yes/rb ,/, Rose/np Bancroft/np ,/, diagnosis/nn :/: acute/jj alcoholism/nn ./.
She/pps looked/vbd about/rb sixty/cd ,/, though/cs I/ppss recalled/vbd that/cs the/at chart/nn gave/vbd her/pp$ age/nn as/cs forty-four/cd ./.
An/at ugly/jj scar/nn disfigured/vbd the/at somewhat/ql familiar/jj puffy/jj face/nn ,/, already/rb marred/vbn by/in the/at tell-tale/jj network/nn of/in broken/vbn red/jj veins/nns that/wps heavy/jj drinkers/nns carry/vb ./.
Her/pp$ coarse/jj hair/nn was/bedz two-colored/jj --/-- bleached/vbn blonde/jj and/cc its/pp$ real/jj ,/, dirty/jj gray/jj ./.


	Oh/uh ,/, could/md it/ppo be/be ?/. ?/.
No/rb ,/, no/rb it/pps was/bedz an/at unfortunate/jj resemblance/nn ,/, that/dt was/bedz all/abn it/pps was/bedz ,/, and/cc I/ppss turned/vbd to/in Dick/np ,/, forcing/vbg myself/ppl to/to put/vb my/pp$ disquiet/nn out/in of/in my/pp$ mind/nn ./.


	In/in a/at low/jj voice/nn ,/, Dick/np filled/vbd us/ppo in/rp 



she'd/pps+hvd been/ben picked/vbn up/rp downtown/nr ,/, passed/vbn out/rp in/in the/at doorway/nn ./.
Although/cs quiet/jj when/wrb they/ppss brought/vbd her/ppo in/rp ,/, she'd/pps+hvd suddenly/rb turned/vbn violent/jj and/cc had/hvd to/to be/be knocked/vbn out/rp ./.
It/pps was/bedz the/at old/jj story/nn ./.
We'd/ppss+md keep/vb her/ppo a/at day/nn or/cc two/cd ,/, and/cc the/at AA/np-tl people/nns would/md talk/vb to/in her/ppo ./.
But/cc if/cs she/pps wasn't/bedz* interested/vbn ,/, she'd/pps+md just/rb go/vb back/rb to/in the/at same/ap life/nn she'd/pps+hvd left/vbn ./.


	Turning/vbg toward/in the/at patient/nn again/rb ,/, I/ppss --/-- I/ppss can't/md* describe/vb what/wdt happened/vbd to/in me/ppo then/rb ,/, except/in to/to say/vb that/cs I/ppss felt/vbd sick/jj ./.
I/ppss tell/vb you/ppo ,/, it/pps took/vbd every/at ounce/nn of/in control/nn I/ppss had/hvd to/to be/be able/jj to/to speak/vb ./.
``/`` Now/rb ,/, Miss/np --/-- or/cc is/bez it/pps Mrs./np Bancroft/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	I/ppss never/rb liked/vbd going/vbg straight/rb into/in an/at examination/nn with/in patients/nns --/-- it/pps relaxes/vbz them/ppo ,/, I've/ppss+hv always/rb thought/vbn ,/, to/to chat/vb first/rb ./.
This/dt was/bedz one/cd time/nn I'd/ppss+md have/hv gladly/rb broken/vbn my/pp$ own/jj rule/nn ,/, but/cc habit/nn was/bedz too/ql strong/jj ./.


	``/`` Hey/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
Her/pp$ voice/nn was/bedz flat/jj and/cc dull/jj ./.
But/cc those/dts penetrating/jj eyes/nns --/-- I/ppss had/hvd to/to turn/vb my/pp$ head/nn away/rb ./.
It/pps was/bedz then/rb that/cs I/ppss saw/vbd what/wdt the/at drawn-back/jj covers/nns revealed/vbd ./.
There/ex were/bed bloodspots/nns on/in the/at sheet/nn ./.


	``/`` What's/wdt+bez this/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss asked/vbd ./.
``/`` Your/pp$ period/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps shook/vbd her/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss been/ben spotting/vbg a/at little/ap now/rb and/cc then/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd quietly/rb ,/, no/at emotion/nn in/in her/pp$ voice/nn ./.


	``/`` Have/hv you/ppss spoken/vbn to/in a/at doctor/nn about/in it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Once/rb again/rb ,/, there/ex was/bedz a/at negative/jj shake/nn ./.
I/ppss told/vbd Miss/np Groggins/np to/to move/vb her/ppo down/in the/at hall/nn where/wrb we/ppss had/hvd an/at examining/vbg table/nn ./.
``/`` Better/rbr do/do a/at Papanicolaou/np ''/'' ,/, I/ppss told/vbd Pete/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz only/rb a/at few/ap moments/nns before/cs Miss/np Groggins/np had/hvd her/ppo in/in the/at proper/jj position/nn for/in a/at vaginal/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss couldn't/md* see/vb anything/pn wrong/jj on/in gross/jj examination/nn ./.
Pete/np stood/vbd by/rb with/in a/at slide/nn and/cc took/vbd the/at smear/nn ,/, sent/vbd it/ppo down/rp to/in the/at lab/nn with/in a/at request/nn for/in the/at test/nn ./.
That/dt done/vbn ,/, I/ppss told/vbd Miss/np Groggins/np to/to take/vb her/pp$ patient/nn back/rb to/in bed/nn and/cc again/rb put/vb her/ppo out/in of/in my/pp$ mind/nn ./.


	I/ppss was/bedz busy/jj the/at rest/nn of/in the/at day/nn ./.
Late/jj in/in the/at afternoon/nn ,/, I/ppss was/bedz up/rp on/in Seven/cd-tl again/rb ./.
One/pn of/in my/pp$ private/jj patients/nns was/bedz being/beg admitted/vbn and/cc I/ppss went/vbd in/rp to/to see/vb her/ppo settled/vbn ./.
On/in my/pp$ way/nn to/in the/at elevator/nn ,/, I/ppss ran/vbd into/in Pete/np ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn the/at results/nns on/in the/at Bancroft/np smear/nn test/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` There's/ex+bez something/pn there/rb ,/, all/ql right/rb ./.
Class/nn-tl Three/cd-tl ,/, they/ppss said/vbd ./.
Do/do you/ppss want/vb to/to talk/vb to/in her/ppo ,/, Doctor/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Well/uh ''/'' --/-- I/ppss didn't/dod* --/-- I/ppss didn't/dod* ever/rb want/vb to/to see/vb that/dt woman/nn again/rb ./.
But/cc that/dt was/bedz ridiculous/jj ,/, of/in course/nn ./.
``/`` All/ql right/rb ./.
We'll/ppss+md do/do a/at D./np-tl and/cc-tl C./np-tl and/cc get/vb her/pp$ permission/nn for/in a/at hysterectomy/nn ./.
Maybe/rb it's/pps+bez nothing/pn ,/, maybe/rb it's/pps+bez intraepithelial/jj or/cc in/fw-in situ/fw-nn --/-- can't/md* take/vb any/dti chances/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` If/cs you/ppss can/md keep/vb her/ppo here/rb that/dt long/jj ''/'' ,/, Pete/np said/vbd wryly/rb ./.
``/`` Groggins/np tells/vbz me/ppo she's/pps+hvz started/vbn badgering/vbg already/rb ,/, wants/vbz to/to get/vb out/rp ./.
Wants/nns to/to get/vb to/in her/pp$ booze/nn ,/, I/ppss guess/vb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss grimaced/vbd in/in distaste/nn ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, better/rbr see/vb what/wdt I/ppss can/md do/do ''/'' ./.


	We'd/ppss+hvd been/ben standing/vbg right/ql outside/in Miss/np Bancroft's/np$ door/nn and/cc as/cs I/ppss went/vbd to/to turn/vb the/at knob/nn to/to enter/vb ,/, I/ppss was/bedz surprised/vbn to/to find/vb that/cs the/at door/nn was/bedz slightly/ql ajar/rb ./.
But/cc she/pps seemed/vbd to/to be/be dozing/vbg and/cc in/in any/dti case/nn ,/, we'd/ppss+hvd been/ben talking/vbg in/in low/jj tones/nns ./.


	Her/pp$ eyes/nns opened/vbd as/ql soon/rb as/cs she/pps heard/vbd me/ppo ,/, though/cs ,/, and/cc once/rb again/rb ,/, I/ppss felt/vbd an/at inward/jj shiver/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss sure/rb can't/md* complain/vb about/in the/at service/nn in/in this/dt place/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss just/rb got/vbd through/in seeing/vbg one/cd of/in you/ppo guys/nns ./.
What/wdt do/do you/ppss want/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
There/ex was/bedz something/pn almost/rb insulting/jj in/in her/pp$ tone/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss disregarded/vbd it/ppo ./.


	``/`` I've/ppss+hv just/rb been/ben talking/vbg to/in Dr./nn-tl Michelson/np ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` We'd/ppss+md like/vb you/ppo to/to have/hv a/at dilatation/nn and/cc curettage/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez quite/ql minor/jj ,/, nothing/pn to/to worry/vb about/rb ./.
But/cc we/ppss would/md like/vb your/pp$ permission/nn to/to do/do --/-- that/dt is/bez ,/, to/to go/vb further/rbr if/cs it/pps proves/vbz necessary/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ./.
It/pps was/bedz flat/jj ,/, definite/jj ./.


	``/`` Suppose/vb you/ppo let/vb me/ppo explain/vb ./.
Actually/rb ,/, I/ppss rather/ql doubt/vb that/cs we'll/ppss+md have/hv to/to do/do this/dt ./.
Even/rb if/cs we/ppss do/do ,/, you'll/ppss+md be/be out/in of/in here/rb in/in a/at week/nn ,/, probably/rb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss was/bedz sure/jj that/dt was/bedz the/at difficulty/nn --/-- she/pps just/rb didn't/dod* want/vb to/to stay/vb here/rb ,/, where/wrb she/pps couldn't/md* get/vb to/in the/at liquor/nn ./.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss looked/vbd at/in her/ppo in/in amazement/nn ./.
I'd/ppss+hvd had/hvn patients/nns who'd/wps+hvd refused/vbn surgery/nn before/rb ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, but/cc never/rb one/pn who/wps didn't/dod* show/vb ,/, in/in one/cd way/nn or/cc another/dt ,/, the/at reason/nn why/wrb ./.
Mostly/rb ,/, it/pps was/bedz fear/nn ,/, but/cc this/dt woman's/nn$ voice/nn didn't/dod* tremble/vb and/cc her/pp$ hands/nns were/bed still/rb on/in the/at coverlet/nn ./.


	``/`` Will/md you/ppss tell/vb me/ppo why/wrb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss asked/vbd ./.


	She/pps smiled/vbd ,/, a/at smile/nn without/in humor/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss shouldn't/md* tell/vb your/pp$ little/ap secrets/nns outside/in of/in the/at patient's/nn$ door/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn cancer/nn ,/, haven't/hv* I/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps went/vbd on/rp ,/, disregarding/vbg my/pp$ protests/nns ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* going/vbg to/to be/be one/pn of/in your/pp$ guinea/nn pigs/nns ./.
Let/vb your/pp$ pupils/nns learn/vb on/in someone/pn else/rb ,/, Doctor/nn-tl ./.
Just/rb let/vb me/ppo die/vb in/in peace/nn ''/'' ./.




I/ppss stared/vbd at/in her/ppo ,/, almost/ql speechless/jj ./.
Her/pp$ little/ap speech/nn was/bedz totally/rb out/in of/in character/nn with/in the/at sort/nn of/in person/nn I/ppss thought/vbd she/pps was/bedz ./.
Even/rb her/pp$ voice/nn had/hvd taken/vbn on/rp a/at more/ql cultivated/vbn tone/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz someone/pn who'd/wps+hvd come/vbn down/rp in/in the/at world/nn ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd ./.
A/at long/jj ,/, long/jj way/nn down/rp ./.
Again/rb there/ex was/bedz something/pn familiar/jj about/in her/ppo ,/, something/pn --/-- 

	``/`` You/ppss haven't/hv* got/vbn cancer/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd as/ql strongly/rb as/cs I/ppss could/md ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt you/ppss heard/vbd that/dt would/md make/vb you/ppo think/vb so/rb ,/, but/cc I/ppss assure/vb you/ppo I/ppss don't/do* even/vb know/vb myself/ppl ,/, so/cs how/wrb can/md you/ppss be/be so/ql sure/jj ?/. ?/.
And/cc even/rb if/cs ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Don't/do* give/vb me/ppo a/at lot/nn of/in talk/nn ,/, Joe/np ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss gaped/vbd at/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps could/md have/hv found/vbn out/rp my/pp$ first/od name/nn ,/, of/in course/nn --/-- that/dt wouldn't/md* be/be difficult/jj ./.
But/cc there/ex was/bedz that/dt something/pn ,/, some/dti echo/nn in/in the/at way/nn she/pps spoke/vbd ./.


	She/pps was/bedz watching/vbg me/ppo intently/rb ,/, a/at funny/jj little/ap half-smile/nn on/in her/pp$ lips/nns ./.
``/`` Surprised/vbn ,/, baby/nn ?/. ?/.
Guess/vb I've/ppss+hv changed/vbn ,/, haven't/hv* I/ppss ?/. ?/.
But/cc you/ppss haven't/hv* changed/vbn much/rb ,/, Joe/np ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss knew/vbd then/rb ,/, knew/vbd with/in a/at heart-stopping/jj shock/nn ./.
``/`` Alice/np ''/'' --/-- I/ppss stammered/vbd through/in dry/jj lips/nns ./.
``/`` Alice/np ,/, for/in goodness/nn sake/nn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Alice/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps echoed/vbd mockingly/rb ./.
``/`` What's/wdt+bez the/at matter/nn ,/, Joe/np ,/, you/ppss scared/vbd of/in me/ppo ?/. ?/.
Think/vb I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to make/vb you/ppss introduce/vb a/at drunk/nn as/cs your/pp$ wife/nn ?/. ?/.
Well/uh ,/, don't/do* worry/vb ./.
Just/rb let/vb me/ppo outta/rp+in here/rn ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` But/cc why/wrb did/dod you/ppss come/vb back/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I'd/ppss+hvd found/vbn my/pp$ voice/nn ./.
``/`` Where/wrb have/hv you/ppss been/ben all/abn these/dts years/nns ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps shrugged/vbd ./.
``/`` Here/rb and/cc there/rb ./.
As/in for/in coming/vbg back/rb here/rb --/-- well/uh ,/, I'll/ppss+md tell/vb you/ppo the/at truth/nn ,/, I/ppss didn't/dod* even/rb know/vb where/wrb I/ppss was/bedz when/wrb I/ppss came/vbd to/in ./.
The/at last/ap thing/nn I/ppss remember/vb is/bez a/at bar/nn in/in San/np Diego/np ''/'' --/-- 

	The/at way/nn she/pps spoke/vbd ,/, her/pp$ flat/jj acceptance/nn of/in her/pp$ alcoholic/jj blackout/nn ,/, made/vbd me/ppo shudder/vb ./.
And/cc this/dt was/bedz Gladdy's/np$ mother/nn !/. !/.


	``/`` I/ppss never/rb asked/vbd you/ppo for/in any/dti favors/nns ,/, Joe/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps went/vbd on/rp ,/, ``/`` but/cc I'm/ppss+bem asking/vbg one/pn now/rb ./.
Let/vb me/ppo outta/rp+in here/rn !/. !/.
You/ppss doctors/nns are/ber all/abn alike/jj --/-- all/abn you/ppss want/nn is/bez to/to cut/vb up/rp people/nns and/cc what's/wdt+bez the/at good/nn ?/. ?/.
No/rb ,/, I/ppss want/vb out/rp ,/, Joe/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	I/ppss looked/vbd at/in the/at pathetic/jj wreck/nn of/in a/at woman/nn before/in me/ppo ./.
Let/vb her/ppo out/rp ,/, let/vb her/ppo out/rp --/-- that/dt would/md be/be the/at solution/nn ,/, wouldn't/md* it/ppo ?/. ?/.
What/wdt she'd/pps+hvd said/vbn was/bedz true/jj --/-- in/in all/abn these/dts years/nns ,/, she'd/pps+hvd never/rb asked/vbn for/in anything/pn from/in me/ppo ./.
If/cs I/ppss let/vb her/ppo go/vb ,/, she'd/pps+md disappear/vb once/rb more/rbr ./.
And/cc Gladdy/np would/md be/be safe/jj !/. !/.



	I/ppss was/bedz slowly/rb swimming/vbg down/rp to/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at sea/nn ./.
She/pps made/vbd me/ppo welcome/jj ./.
Her/pp$ dark/jj cool/jj caresses/nns were/bed sweeter/jjr than/cs any/dti woman's/nn$ ;/. ;/.
the/at many/ap little/ap tricks/nns she/pps knew/vbd made/vbn her/pp$ embrace/nn the/at ultimate/jj one/pn --/-- the/at ever/ql more/ql fantastic/jj pressures/nns deeper/jjr in/in her/pp$ body/nn squeezed/vbd not/* me/ppo but/cc the/at air/nn I/ppss breathed/vbd into/in a/at nitrogen/nn anesthetic/nn ./.
yielding-Mediterranian-woman-/nn ,/, she/pps soothed/vbd me/ppo ,/, and/cc drew/vbd me/ppo deeper/rbr into/in her/ppo ./.


	I/ppss no/at longer/jjr knew/vbd how/wrb deep/jj I/ppss was/bedz ,/, somewhere/nn under/in 230/cd feet/nns ,/, getting/vbg drunker/jjr ,/, happier/jjr and/cc more/rbr contented/vbn by/in the/at second/od ./.
The/at reasons/nns for/in this/dt dive/nn seemed/vbd foolish/jj now/rb ./.
Only/rb the/at dive/nn itself/ppl had/hvd any/dti meaning/nn ./.
The/at metal-tasting/jj nitrogen/nn made/vbd me/ppo wonder/vb if/cs I/ppss should/md remove/vb the/at mouthpiece/nn and/cc suck/vb in/rp the/at sweet/jj water/nn ./.
Perhaps/rb if/cs I/ppss took/vbd off/rp the/at aqua-lung/nn I/ppss could/md swim/vb better/rbr ,/, love/vb my/pp$ woman/nn better/rbr ./.
I/ppss chuckled/vbd aloud/rb ,/, and/cc the/at mouthpiece/nn fell/vbd out/rp ./.


	While/cs a/at hazy/jj part/nn of/in my/pp$ mind/nn concentrated/vbd on/in swimming/vbg down/rp ,/, a/at clear/jj part/nn sorted/vbd over/rp recent/jj events/nns ,/, among/in them/ppo my/pp$ only/rb positive/jj act/nn in/in a/at long/jj time/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz when/wrb I/ppss packed/vbd up/rp what/wdt duds/nns I/ppss had/hvd and/cc went/vbd to/in Paris/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz no/at vacation/nn ,/, just/rb me/ppo getting/vbg out/rp after/in a/at bellyfull/nn ./.
I/ppss knew/vbd it/pps wouldn't/md* be/be the/at same/ap ./.
Wild/jj kicks/nns never/rb are/ber ,/, but/cc I/ppss hoped/vbd to/to dig/vb up/rp a/at better/jjr frame/nn of/in mind/nn ./.


	Once/rb before/cs I/ppss had/hvd been/ben to/in Paris/np ,/, long/jj before/cs I/ppss married/vbd Valery/np ./.
That/dt first/od time/nn was/bedz good/jj and/cc it/pps stuck/vbd with/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss was/bedz twenty-one/cd back/rb then/rb ,/, in/in the/at army/nn ,/, and/cc fog/nn put/vbd our/pp$ plane/nn down/rp at/in Orly/np instead/rb of/in Rhine-Main/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at Saturday/nr evening/nn in/in April/np with/in a/at mist-like/jj rain/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss was/bedz a/at little/ap high/jj on/in the/at good/jj taste/nn of/in life/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd a/at pocketful/nn of/in money/nn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz unusual/jj when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz in/in the/at army/nn ,/, and/cc the/at plane/nn would/md be/be grounded/vbn all/abn night/nn ./.
In/in less/ap than/in an/at hour/nn I/ppss had/hvd gotten/vbn a/at hotel/nn ,/, showered/vbd ,/, shaved/vbd and/cc was/bedz out/rp on/in the/at Champs/fw-nns-tl Elysees/np in/in a/at fresh/jj uniform/nn ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd like/cs a/at Hun/np in/in Rome/np ./.


	All/ql the/at women/nns were/bed beautiful/jj ,/, and/cc the/at men/nns were/bed equal/jj to/in them/ppo ;/. ;/.
everything/pn was/bedz glamorous/jj to/in my/pp$ dazzled/vbn eyes/nns ./.
There/ex were/bed some/dti sweet/jj machines/nns other/ap than/in women/nns :/: an/at old/jj Bugatti/np ,/, a/at lean/jj Farina/np coachwork/nn on/in an/at American/jj chassis/nn ,/, a/at Swallow/nn-tl ,/, a/at type/nn A40-AjK/nn Mercedes/np and/cc lots/nns more/ap ./.
There/ex was/bedz the/at Arc/fw-nn-tl de/fw-in-tl Triomphe/fw-nn-tl and/cc the/at Tour/fw-nn-tl d'Eiffel/fw-in+np-tl --/-- I/ppss was/bedz no/at yokel/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss was/bedz young/jj ,/, and/cc this/dt was/bedz Paris/np !/. !/.


	I/ppss had/hvd champagne/nn at/in Maxim's/np$ ,/, then/rb went/vbd into/in a/at cafe/nn called/vbn the/at Jour/fw-nn-tl et/fw-cc-tl Nuit/fw-nn-tl to/to ask/vb the/at way/nn to/in Montmartre/np ./.
I/ppss never/rb got/vbd there/rb ./.
I/ppss met/vbd Claire/np ,/, which/wdt was/bedz better/jjr ./.
She/pps was/bedz eating/vbg bread/nn and/cc cheese/nn just/rb as/ql fast/rb as/cs she/pps possibly/rb could/md ,/, and/cc washing/vbg it/ppo down/rp with/in red/jj wine/nn ./.
I/ppss stared/vbd ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb a/at human/nn could/md feed/vb so/ql fast/rb and/cc still/rb be/be beautiful/jj ./.
She/pps was/bedz blonde/jj ,/, and/cc young/jj ,/, and/cc nice/jj and/cc round/jj in/in a/at tight/jj white/jj dress/nn ./.
Maybe/rb her/pp$ ravenous/jj eating/nn wasn't/bedz* grotesque/jj because/cs she/pps was/bedz so/ql positive/jj about/in it/ppo ./.


	When/wrb she/pps had/hvd drained/vbn the/at last/ap of/in the/at bottle/nn and/cc paid/vbd her/pp$ bill/nn ,/, she/pps came/vbd directly/rb to/in my/pp$ table/nn and/cc said/vbd :/: 

	``/`` Handsome/jj soldier/nn ,/, I/ppss have/hv assuaged/vbn one/cd hunger/nn with/in food/nn ./.
I/ppss feel/vb another/dt of/in terrible/jj urgency/nn ./.
Is/bez your/pp$ evening/nn free/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Madame/np ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd with/in noblesse/nn oblige/nn because/cs of/in the/at ``/`` handsome/jj ''/'' --/-- ``/`` yeah/rb ''/'' ./.


	And/cc so/rb off/rp we/ppss went/vbd to/in her/pp$ apartment/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz a/at nymphomaniac/nn ,/, of/in course/nn ,/, the/at poor/jj girl/nn ./.
Toward/in the/at break/nn of/in day/nn I/ppss waxed/vbd philosophical/jj ,/, and/cc drew/vbd analogies/nns about/in her/pp$ way/nn of/in eating/vbg bread/nn and/cc cheese/nn ./.


	Now/rb it/pps was/bedz nine/cd years/nns later/rbr ,/, and/cc it/pps wasn't/bedz* spring/nn but/cc winter/nn when/wrb I/ppss returned/vbd ./.


	I/ppss got/vbd there/rb on/in a/at Saturday/nr evening/nn ./.
I/ppss made/vbd the/at mistake/nn of/in going/vbg to/in the/at Jour/fw-nn-tl et/fw-cc-tl Nuit/fw-nn-tl ./.
The/at place/nn was/bedz busy/jj but/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* feel/vb like/cs a/at Hun/np ./.
I/ppss sat/vbd waiting/vbg for/in Life/nn-tl to/to come/vb along/rb and/cc sweep/vb me/ppo up/rp ./.
I/ppss had/hvd part/nn of/in a/at bottle/nn of/in French/jj beer/nn called/vbn Panther/nn-tl Pils/nn-tl (/( so/rb help/vb me/ppo )/) ,/, then/rb switched/vbd to/in Tuborg/np ./.
After/in a/at few/ap hours/nns ,/, Life/nn-tl hadn't/hvd* showed/vbn ,/, and/cc I/ppss was/bedz crocked/vbn ./.
I/ppss went/vbd to/in my/pp$ hotel/nn and/cc slept/vbd ./.
The/at next/ap morning/nn a/at little/ap cognac/nn made/vbd me/ppo feel/vb better/rbr --/-- but/cc what/wdt can/md you/ppss do/do in/in Paris/np on/in Sunday/nr morning/nn ?/. ?/.
So/cs I/ppss drank/vbd more/ap cognac/nn ./.


	All/ql that/dt day/nn and/cc Monday/nr I/ppss drank/vbd just/rb enough/ap to/to orbit/vb but/cc not/* make/vb deep/jj space/nn ./.
I/ppss read/vb the/at Tropic/nn-tl of/in-tl Capricorn/np-tl and/cc the/at Tropic/nn-tl of/in-tl Cancer/np-tl ./.
Elemental/jj ,/, but/cc sex/nn ./.
That's/dt+bez what/wdt was/bedz on/in my/pp$ mind/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz turning/vbg over/rp the/at idea/nn of/in a/at good/jj debauchery/nn when/wrb I/ppss dozed/vbd off/rp ./.


	I/ppss felt/vbd better/rbr Tuesday/nr evening/nn when/wrb I/ppss woke/vbd up/rp ./.
My/pp$ head/nn was/bedz clear/jj ,/, my/pp$ thinking/nn sober/jj and/cc I/ppss was/bedz reconciled/vbn to/in this/dt Paris/np idea/nn as/cs a/at flop/nn on/in top/nn of/in all/abn my/pp$ others/nns ./.
A/at good/jj binge/nn has/hvz that/dt kind/nn of/in therapeutic/jj value/nn ./.


	Sometime/rb earlier/rbr the/at weather/nn had/hvd turned/vbn cold/jj and/cc it/pps was/bedz snowing/vbg ./.
I/ppss went/vbd out/rp into/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss walked/vbd around/rb breathing/vbg the/at cold/jj wine/nn of/in the/at air/nn until/cs I/ppss found/vbd a/at park/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss sat/vbd down/rp on/in a/at snowy/jj bench/nn where/wrb the/at light/nn was/bedz dim/jj and/cc came/vbd from/in the/at sky/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz dignity/nn and/cc beauty/nn in/in the/at little/ql white/jj flakes/nns falling/vbg through/in the/at blue/jj night/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd on/rp only/rb a/at topcoat/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss wasn't/bedz* cold/jj ./.
I/ppss was/bedz just/rb miserable/jj ./.


	Pretty/ql soon/rb a/at woman/nn came/vbd along/rb carrying/vbg a/at folded/vbn umbrella/nn as/cs a/at walking/vbg stick/nn ./.
She/pps saw/vbd me/ppo and/cc sat/vbd down/rp beside/in me/ppo ,/, three/cd feet/nns away/rb ./.
Suddenly/rb I/ppss understood/vbd why/wrb she/pps had/hvd the/at umbrella/nn ./.
It/pps gave/vbd her/ppo poise/nn and/cc posture/nn ./.
Without/in it/ppo she/pps would/md have/hv been/ben drab/jj and/cc limp/jj ./.
It/pps gave/vbd her/ppo propriety/nn ./.
It/pps gave/vbd her/ppo the/at right/nn to/to sit/vb down/rp beside/in me/ppo ,/, back/nn straight/jj ,/, one/cd hand/nn out/rp on/in the/at handle/nn ./.
I/ppss couldn't/md* imagine/vb her/ppo without/in it/ppo ./.
I/ppss knew/vbd all/abn about/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps was/bedz another/dt human/nn being/nn and/cc happened/vbd to/to be/be a/at hustler/nn ./.
I/ppss didn't/dod* much/rb care/vb if/cs she/pps were/bed there/rb or/cc not/* ./.


	After/in a/at while/nn she/pps said/vbd with/in sort/nn of/in an/at unuttered/jj laugh/nn ,/, ``/`` You/ppss have/hv snow/nn in/in your/pp$ hair/nn and/cc ears/nns ''/'' ./.
(/( I/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv on/rp a/at hat/nn ./.
)/) 

	Hardly/rb glancing/vbg at/in her/ppo ,/, I/ppss smiled/vbd a/at bleak/jj one/pn which/wdt said/vbd ,/, Thanks/nns ,/, baby/nn ,/, but/cc I'd/ppss+md rather/rb be/be alone/rb ./.


	She/pps was/bedz silent/jj for/in a/at while/nn ,/, then/rb said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Why/wrb are/ber you/ppss so/ql unhappy/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* unhappy/jj ''/'' ,/, I/ppss lied/vbd ,/, staring/vbg at/in the/at snow/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz trying/vbg to/to make/vb a/at hole/nn in/in my/pp$ armor/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* want/vb it/ppo ./.


	``/`` Is/bez it/pps a/at woman/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd gently/rb ./.
She/pps must/md have/hv seen/vbn the/at ring/nn on/in my/pp$ left/jj hand/nn ./.


	``/`` Well/uh --/-- women/nns and/cc unhappiness/nn go/vb together/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss observed/vbd profoundly/rb ,/, adding/vbg ,/, ``/`` You/ppss can/md wager/vb your/pp$ derriere/nn on/in that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Ah/uh ,/, Monsieur/np ,/, it/pps is/bez not/* my/pp$ business/nn to/to wager/vb it/ppo ./.
''/'' 

	This/dt took/vbd me/ppo so/ql funny/jj I/ppss had/hvd to/to look/vb at/in her/ppo ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd my/pp$ frozen/vbn sad/jj face/nn crumble/vb ,/, and/cc I/ppss grinned/vbd a/at silly/jj one/cd I/ppss couldn't/md* have/hv helped/vbn ./.
I/ppss even/rb snorted/vbd a/at chuckle/nn ./.


	She/pps smiled/vbd at/in me/ppo ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz an/at awfully/ql sad/jj smile/nn ./.
She/pps was/bedz even/rb more/ql miserable/jj than/cs me/ppo ./.
Her/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed smiling/vbg ,/, too/rb ,/, but/cc so/ql sadly/rb ,/, and/cc there/ex was/bedz tiredness/nn and/cc infinite/jj wisdom/nn in/in them/ppo ./.
``/`` Now/rb isn't/bez* it/pps better/jjr to/to smile/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd ./.


	Because/cs I/ppss liked/vbd this/dt sad/jj person/nn so/ql much/rb ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Will/md you/ppss have/hv a/at drink/nn with/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	I/ppss could/md see/vb the/at ancient/jj cynicism/nn reinforce/vb itself/ppl in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc I/ppss wondered/vbd how/wrb many/ap men/nns she/pps had/hvd picked/vbn up/rp with/in this/dt same/ap gambit/nn ./.


	Anyway/rb ,/, I/ppss pulled/vbd a/at bottle/nn of/in Remy/np Martin/np out/in of/in my/pp$ topcoat/nn ,/, drew/vbd the/at cork/nn ,/, and/cc passed/vbd it/ppo to/in her/ppo ./.


	I/ppss could/md see/vb she/pps was/bedz shocked/vbn ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj I/ppss haven't/hv* got/vbn a/at glass/nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.


	``/`` Non/fw-rb ,/, non/fw-rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd ,/, taking/vbg the/at bottle/nn ,/, ``/`` not/* for/in that/dt be/be sorry/jj ''/'' ./.


	She/pps tilted/vbd up/rp and/cc drank/vbd ,/, and/cc then/rb I/ppss drank/vbd ./.
It's/pps+bez really/ql rotten/jj to/to drink/vb good/jj cognac/nn like/cs that/dt ,/, but/cc I/ppss hadn't/hvd* cared/vbn before/rb ./.
I/ppss wasn't/bedz* going/vbg to/to lug/vb around/rb a/at glass/nn ./.


	There/ex wasn't/bedz* much/ap light/nn in/in the/at blue/jj dark/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss could/md see/vb her/ppo well/rb ./.
No/at child/nn ,/, this/dt tart/nn ,/, she/pps must/md have/hv been/ben thirty-five/cd or/cc even/rb forty/cd ./.
I/ppss couldn't/md* be/be sure/jj ./.
Somehow/rb she/pps was/bedz attractive/jj ./.
Not/* good/jj looking/vbg ,/, but/cc self-confident/jj and/cc wise/jj so/cs that/cs it/pps made/vbd her/ppo attractive/jj ./.
I/ppss liked/vbd her/ppo ,/, and/cc all/abn at/in once/cs I/ppss was/bedz glad/jj she/pps was/bedz there/rb ./.


	We/ppss finished/vbd the/at bottle/nn --/-- I/ppss hadn't/hvd* had/hvn a/at lot/nn out/in of/in it/ppo earlier/rbr --/-- not/* speaking/vbg much/rb to/in each/dt other/ap ,/, and/cc we/ppss stayed/vbd sober/jj ./.


	I/ppss suppose/vb we/ppss were/bed cold/jj ,/, but/cc we/ppss didn't/dod* feel/vb it/ppo ./.
We/ppss seemed/vbd to/to be/be drowsing/vbg ,/, sadly/rb ,/, soberly/rb ,/, in/in the/at cold/jj ,/, cold/jj air/nn while/cs the/at snow/nn fell/vbd ./.
Then/rb she/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Allons/fw-vb ''/'' ,/, and/cc we/ppss got/vbd up/rp and/cc went/vbd to/in my/pp$ hotel/nn without/in another/dt word/nn ./.


	I/ppss sensed/vbd no/at stranger/nn in/in her/ppo ./.
We/ppss undressed/vbd and/cc made/vbd love/nn with/in the/at comfortable/jj acceptance/nn I/ppss had/hvd once/rb known/vbn with/in Valery/np ./.
I/ppss decided/vbd thirty-five/cd was/bedz the/at best/jjt estimate/nn of/in her/pp$ age/nn ./.
She/pps had/hvd a/at funny/jj little/ap scar/nn on/in her/pp$ stomach/nn ,/, on/in the/at left/jj side/nn ./.


	I/ppss think/vb we/ppss were/bed very/ql tired/vbn ,/, for/cs we/ppss awoke/vbd at/in the/at same/ap moment/nn ,/, deeply/rb rested/vbn ,/, surprised/vbn to/to see/vb the/at late/jj morning/nn sun/nn on/in the/at windows/nns ,/, which/wdt were/bed wet/jj where/wrb the/at rime/nn had/hvd melted/vbn ./.


	I/ppss felt/vbd wonderful/jj ,/, the/at absolute/jj opposite/nn of/in last/ap night's/nn$ melancholy/nn ./.
My/pp$ head/nn was/bedz clear/jj ./.
I/ppss was/bedz hungry/jj as/cs a/at wolf/nn ,/, and/cc my/pp$ body/nn felt/vbd lean/jj and/cc vital/jj ./.


	``/`` Bon/fw-jj jour/fw-nn ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd brightly/rb ,/, sitting/vbg up/rp ,/, which/wdt pulled/vbd the/at covers/nns to/in her/pp$ hips/nns ./.
She/pps looked/vbd good/rb ,/, with/in her/pp$ short/jj tousled/vbn hair/nn and/cc no/at make-up/nn ./.
Maybe/rb closer/rbr to/in thirty/cd ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd ./.


	``/`` Bon/fw-jj jour/fw-nn ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps exclaimed/vbd ,/, smiling/vbg ./.
``/`` J'ai/fw-ppss+hv faim/fw-nn ''/'' !/. !/.
``/`` Yeah/rb ,/, but/cc breakfast/nn first/rb ''/'' ./.


	With/in a/at laugh/nn she/pps beat/vbd me/ppo to/in the/at bathroom/nn ./.
I/ppss called/vbd downstairs/rb for/in food/nn and/cc a/at toothbrush/nn for/in her/ppo ./.
She/pps came/vbd out/rp pink/jj from/in a/at hot/jj bath/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss gave/vbd her/ppo my/pp$ robe/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd brushed/vbn my/pp$ teeth/nns ,/, showered/vbd ,/, shaved/vbd and/cc dressed/vbd by/in the/at time/nn a/at waiter/nn wheeled/vbd in/rp breakfast/nn ./.


	``/`` The/at toothbrush/nn Monsieur/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, presenting/vbg it/ppo ./.
I/ppss gave/vbd it/ppo to/in the/at woman/nn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez this/dt for/in ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd innocently/rb ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb ,/, to/to brush/vb your/pp$ teeth/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` But/cc I/ppss already/rb have/hv !/. !/.
I/ppss used/vbd yours/pp$$ ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss said/vbd with/in round/jj eyes/nns ./.
I/ppss wondered/vbd if/cs I/ppss ought/md to/to go/vb use/vb the/at new/jj one/pn myself/ppl ./.
But/cc I/ppss smelled/vbd the/at coffee/nn ,/, and/cc thinking/vbg ,/, What/wdt the/at hell/nn ,/, live/vb dangerously/rb ,/, I/ppss decided/vbd I/ppss would/md scald/vb my/pp$ worries/nns away/rb ./.
The/at coffee/nn wasn't/bedz* very/ql hot/jj though/rb ,/, made/vbn in/in a/at filter/nn pot/nn ,/, but/cc it/pps was/bedz good/jj ./.
We/ppss sent/vbd the/at waiter/nn away/rb and/cc ate/vbd a/at tremendous/jj amount/vb of/in cold/jj ham/nn ,/, hot/jj hard-boiled/jj eggs/nns and/cc hot/jj garlic/nn bread/nn ./.
As/cs we/ppss ate/vbd ,/, we/ppss talked/vbd ./.
Her/pp$ name/nn was/bedz Suzanne/np ,/, and/cc mine/pp$$ Stephen/np ./.


	We/ppss sat/vbd back/rb comfortably/rb on/in the/at bed/nn with/in our/pp$ last/ap cups/nns of/in coffee/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss are/ber very/ql tactful/jj ,/, do/do you/ppss know/vb ,/, Stephen/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps remarked/vbd ./.


	``/`` Um/uh ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss grunted/vbd ,/, sipping/vbg ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, because/cs you/ppss didn't/dod* run/vb off/rp to/to use/vb that/dt new/jj toothbrush/nn ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss raised/vbd my/pp$ eyes/nns to/to look/vb at/in her/ppo in/in the/at mirror/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* really/rb use/vb yours/pp$$ ''/'' ,/, she/pps went/vbd on/rp ./.
``/`` I/ppss carry/vb one/cd in/in my/pp$ purse/nn ./.
I/ppss know/vb men/nns never/rb kiss/vb les/fw-at putains/fw-nns ''/'' ./.


	To/in my/pp$ immense/jj relief/nn ,/, she/pps changed/vbd the/at subject/nn in/in the/at next/ap sentence/nn :/: ``/`` Shall/md we/ppss go/vb to/in the/at Louvre/np today/nr ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' ./.
I/ppss said/vbd with/in enthusiasm/nn at/in the/at idea/nn ./.
``/`` But/cc not/* immediately/rb ''/'' ./.
I/ppss put/vbd aside/rb my/pp$ empty/jj cup/nn ./.
She/pps smiled/vbd all/abn the/at way/nn to/in her/pp$ wise/jj ,/, sad/jj eyes/nns ,/, and/cc drained/vbd her/pp$ own/jj ./.


	We/ppss were/bed not/* rushed/vbn ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez this/dt from/in ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss asked/vbd ,/, touching/vbg the/at scar/nn on/in her/pp$ stomach/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz like/cs a/at long/jj thin/jj line/nn drawn/vbn through/in a/at pink/jj circle/nn ./.


	``/`` A/at bullet/nn ''/'' ,/, she/pps answered/vbd ./.
The/at cynicism/nn was/bedz back/rb in/in her/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, a/at bitter/jj wisdom/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss wondered/vbd if/cs forty/cd were/bed not/* so/ql far/ql wrong/jj after/in all/abn ./.
She/pps understood/vbd sex/nn anyway/rb ,/, and/cc played/vbd at/in it/ppo well/rb ./.


	We/ppss went/vbd to/in the/at Louvre/np for/in a/at few/ap hours/nns ,/, then/rb by/in Metro/np to/in a/at cabaret/nn in/in Montmartre/np ./.


	It/pps was/bedz a/at nice/jj place/nn ,/, not/* filled/vbn with/in smoke/nn ./.
We/ppss had/hvd champagne/nn and/cc steamed/vbn mussels/nns ./.
The/at sommelier/nn brought/vbd the/at wine/nn first/rb ,/, a/at magnum/nn instead/rb of/in the/at bottle/nn I/ppss had/hvd ordered/vbn ./.
He/pps must/md have/hv thought/vbn I/ppss was/bedz a/at tourist/nn ./.


	I/ppss fixed/vbd him/ppo with/in a/at steely/jj eye/nn and/cc said/vbd ,/, ``/`` What's/wdt+bez this/dt for/in ?/. ?/.
I/ppss didn't/dod* ask/vb for/in a/at Jeroboam/np of/in champagne/nn ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss thought/vbd that/dt was/bedz pretty/ql humorous/jj ,/, but/cc I/ppss didn't/dod* laugh/vb ./.



	Two/cd letters/nns had/hvd arrived/vbn for/in Miss/np Theresa/np Stubblefield/np :/: she/pps put/vbd them/ppo in/in her/pp$ bag/nn ./.
She/pps would/md not/* stop/vb to/to read/vb them/ppo in/in American/jj-tl Express/nn-tl ,/, as/cs many/ap were/bed doing/vbg ,/, sitting/vbg on/in benches/nns or/cc leaning/vbg against/in the/at walls/nns ,/, but/cc pushed/vbd her/pp$ way/nn out/rp into/in the/at street/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz her/pp$ first/od day/nn in/in Rome/np and/cc it/pps was/bedz June/np ./.


	An/at enormous/jj sky/nn of/in the/at most/ql delicate/jj blue/nn arched/vbd overhead/rb ./.
In/in her/pp$ mind's/nn$ eye/nn --/-- her/pp$ imagination/nn responding/vbg fully/rb ,/, almost/ql exhaustingly/rb ,/, to/in these/dts shores'/nns$ peculiar/jj powers/nns of/in stimulation/nn --/-- she/pps saw/vbd the/at city/nn as/cs from/in above/rb ,/, telescoped/vbn on/in its/pp$ great/jj bare/jj plains/nns that/cs the/at ruins/nns marked/vbd ,/, aqueducts/nns and/cc tombs/nns ,/, here/rb a/at cypress/nn ,/, there/rb a/at pine/nn ,/, and/cc all/abn around/rb the/at low/jj blue/jj hills/nns ./.
Pictures/nns in/in old/jj Latin/jj books/nns returned/vbd to/in her/ppo :/: the/at Appian/np-tl Way/nn-tl Today/nr ,/, the/at Colosseum/np ,/, the/at Arch/nn-tl of/in-tl Constantine/np-tl ./.
She/pps would/md see/vb them/ppo ,/, looking/vbg just/rb as/cs they/ppss had/hvd in/in the/at books/nns ,/, and/cc this/dt would/md make/vb up/rp a/at part/nn of/in her/pp$ delight/nn ./.
Moreover/rb ,/, nursing/vbg various/jj Stubblefields/nps --/-- her/pp$ aunt/nn ,/, then/rb her/pp$ mother/nn ,/, then/rb her/pp$ father/nn --/-- through/in their/pp$ lengthy/jj illnesses/nns (/( everybody/pn could/md tell/vb you/ppo the/at Stubblefields/nps were/bed always/rb sick/jj )/) ,/, Theresa/np had/hvd had/hvn a/at chance/nn to/to read/vb quite/abl a/at lot/nn ./.
England/np ,/, France/np ,/, Germany/np ,/, Switzerland/np ,/, and/cc Italy/np had/hvd all/abn been/ben rendered/vbn for/in her/ppo time/nn and/cc again/rb ,/, and/cc between/in the/at prescribed/vbn hours/nns of/in pills/nns and/cc tonics/nns ,/, she/pps had/hvd conceived/vbn a/at dreamy/jj passion/nn by/in lamplight/nn ,/, to/to see/vb all/abn these/dts places/nns with/in her/pp$ own/jj eyes/nns ./.
The/at very/ap night/nn after/in her/pp$ father's/nn$ funeral/nn she/pps had/hvd thought/vbn ,/, though/cs never/rb admitted/vbd to/in a/at soul/nn :/: Now/rb I/ppss can/md go/vb ./.
There's/ex+bez nothing/pn to/to stop/vb me/ppo now/rb ./.
So/cs here/rb it/pps was/bedz ,/, here/rb was/bedz Italy/np ,/, anyway/rb ,/, and/cc terribly/rb noisy/jj ./.


	In/in the/at street/nn the/at traffic/nn was/bedz really/ql frightening/vbg ./.
Cars/nns ,/, taxis/nns ,/, buses/nns ,/, and/cc motorscooters/nns all/abn went/vbd plunging/vbg at/in once/rb down/in the/at narrow/jj length/nn of/in it/ppo or/cc swerving/vbg perilously/rb around/in a/at fountain/nn ./.
Shoals/nns of/in tourists/nns went/vbd by/in her/ppo in/in national/jj groups/nns --/-- English/jj school/nn girls/nns in/in blue/jj uniforms/nns ,/, German/jj boys/nns with/in cameras/nns attached/vbn ,/, smartly/rb dressed/vbn Americans/nps looking/vbg in/in shop/nn windows/nns ./.
Glad/jj to/to be/be alone/rb ,/, Theresa/np climbed/vbd the/at splendid/jj outdoor/jj staircase/nn that/wps opened/vbd to/in her/pp$ left/nr ./.
The/at Spanish/jj-tl Steps/nns-tl ./.


	Something/pn special/nn was/bedz going/vbg on/rp here/rb just/rb now/rb --/-- the/at annual/jj display/nn of/in azalea/nn plants/nns ./.
She/pps had/hvd heard/vbn about/in it/ppo the/at night/nn before/rb at/in her/pp$ hotel/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz not/* yet/rb complete/jj :/: workmen/nns were/bed unloading/vbg the/at potted/vbn plants/nns from/in a/at truck/nn and/cc placing/vbg them/ppo in/in banked/vbn rows/nns on/in the/at steps/nns above/rb ./.
The/at azaleas/nns were/bed as/ql large/jj as/cs shrubs/nns ,/, and/cc their/pp$ myriad/jj blooms/nns ,/, many/ap still/rb tight/jj in/in the/at bud/nn ,/, ranged/vbd in/in color/nn from/in purple/jj through/in fuchsia/nn and/cc rose/jj to/in the/at palest/jjt pink/jj ,/, along/in with/in many/ap white/jj ones/nns too/rb ./.
Marvelous/jj ,/, thought/vbd Theresa/np ,/, climbing/vbg in/in her/pp$ portly/jj ,/, well-bred/jj way/nn ,/, for/cs she/pps was/bedz someone/pn who/wps had/hvd learned/vbn that/cs if/cs you/ppss only/rb move/vb slowly/rb enough/qlp you/ppss have/hv time/nn to/to notice/vb everything/pn ./.
In/in Rome/np ,/, all/abn over/in Europe/np ,/, she/pps intended/vbd to/to move/vb very/ql slowly/rb indeed/rb ./.


	Halfway/rb up/in the/at staircase/nn she/pps stopped/vbd and/cc sat/vbd down/rp ./.
Other/ap people/nns were/bed doing/vbg it/ppo ,/, too/rb ,/, sitting/vbg all/abn along/in the/at wide/jj banisters/nns and/cc leaning/vbg over/in the/at parapets/nns above/rb ,/, watching/vbg the/at azaleas/nns mass/vb ,/, or/cc just/rb enjoying/vbg the/at sun/nn ./.
Theresa/np sat/vbd with/in her/pp$ letters/nns in/in her/pp$ lap/nn ,/, breathing/vbg Mediterranean/np air/nn ./.
The/at sun/nn warmed/vbd her/ppo ,/, as/cs it/pps seemed/vbd to/to be/be warming/vbg everything/pn ,/, perhaps/rb even/rb the/at underside/nn of/in stones/nns or/cc the/at chill/nn insides/nns of/in churches/nns ./.
She/pps loosened/vbd her/ppo tweed/nn jacket/nn and/cc smoked/vbd a/at cigarette/nn ./.
Content/jj excited/vbn ;/. ;/.
how/wrb could/md you/ppo be/be both/abx at/in once/rb ?/. ?/.
Strange/jj ,/, but/cc she/pps was/bedz ./.
Presently/rb ,/, she/pps picked/vbd up/rp the/at first/od of/in the/at letters/nns ./.


	A/at few/ap moments/nns later/rbr her/pp$ hands/nns were/bed trembling/vbg and/cc her/pp$ brow/nn had/hvd contracted/vbn with/in anxiety/nn and/cc dismay/nn ./.
Of/in course/nn ,/, one/pn of/in them/ppo would/md have/hv to/to go/vb and/cc do/do this/dt !/. !/.
Poor/jj Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np ,/, she/pps thought/vbd ,/, tears/nns rising/vbg to/to sting/vb in/in the/at sun/nn ,/, but/cc why/wrb couldn't/md* he/pps have/hv arranged/vbn to/to live/vb through/in the/at summer/nn ?/. ?/.
And/cc how/wrb on/in earth/nn did/dod I/ppss ever/rb get/vb this/dt letter/nn anyway/rb ?/. ?/.


	She/pps had/hvd reason/nn indeed/rb to/to wonder/vb how/wrb the/at letter/nn had/hvd managed/vbn to/to find/vb her/ppo ./.
Her/pp$ Cousin/nn-tl Emma/np Carraway/np had/hvd written/vbn it/ppo ,/, in/in her/pp$ loose/jj high/jj old/jj lady's/nn$ script/nn --/-- t's/nn carefully/rb crossed/vbn ,/, but/cc l's/nn inclined/vbn to/to wobble/vb like/cs an/at old/jj car/nn on/in the/at downward/rb slope/nn ./.
Cousin/nn-tl Emma/np had/hvd simply/rb put/vbn Miss/np Theresa/np Stubblefield/np ,/, Rome/np ,/, Italy/np ,/, on/in the/at envelope/nn ,/, had/hvd walked/vbn up/rp to/in the/at post/nn office/nn in/in Tuxapoka/np ,/, Alabama/np ,/, and/cc mailed/vbd it/ppo with/in as/ql much/ap confidence/nn as/cs if/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at birthday/nn card/nn to/in her/pp$ next-door/jj neighbor/nn ./.
No/at return/nn address/nn whatsoever/wps ./.
Somebody/pn had/hvd scrawled/vbn American/jj-tl Express/nn-tl ,/, Piazza/fw-nn-tl di/fw-in-tl Spagna/fw-np-tl ?/. ?/.
,/, across/in the/at envelope/nn ,/, and/cc now/rb Theresa/np had/hvd it/ppo ,/, all/abn as/ql easily/rb as/cs if/cs she/pps had/hvd been/ben the/at President/nn-tl of/in-tl the/at-tl Republic/nn-tl or/cc the/at Pope/nn-tl ./.
Inside/rb were/bed all/abn the/at things/nns they/ppss thought/vbd she/pps ought/md to/to know/vb concerning/in the/at last/ap illness/nn ,/, death/nn ,/, and/cc burial/nn of/in Cousin/nn-tl Alexander/np Carraway/np ./.


	Cousin/nn-tl Emma/np and/cc Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np ,/, brother/nn and/cc sister/nn --/-- unmarried/jj ,/, devoted/vbn ,/, aging/vbg --/-- had/hvd lived/vbn next/ap door/nn to/in the/at Stubblefields/nps in/in Tuxapoka/np from/in time/nn immemorial/jj until/cs the/at Stubblefields/nps had/hvd moved/vbn to/in Montgomery/np fifteen/cd years/nns ago/rb ./.
Two/cd days/nns before/cs he/pps was/bedz taken/vbn sick/jj ,/, Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np was/bedz out/rp worrying/vbg about/in what/wdt too/ql much/ap rain/nn might/md do/do to/in his/pp$ sweetpeas/nns ,/, and/cc Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np had/hvd always/rb preserved/vbn in/in the/at top/jjs drawer/nn of/in his/pp$ secretary/nn a/at mother-of-pearl/nn paper/nn knife/nn which/wdt Theresa/np had/hvd coveted/vbn as/cs a/at child/nn and/cc which/wdt he/pps had/hvd promised/vbn she/pps could/md have/hv when/wrb he/pps died/vbd ./.
I'm/ppss+bem supposed/vbn to/to care/vb as/ql much/rb now/rb as/cs then/rb ,/, as/ql much/rb here/rb as/cs there/rb ,/, she/pps realized/vbd ,/, with/in a/at sigh/nn ./.
This/dt letter/nn would/md have/hv got/vbn to/in me/ppo if/cs she/pps hadn't/hvd* even/rb put/vbn Rome/np ,/, Italy/np ,/, on/in it/ppo ./.


	She/pps refolded/vbd the/at letter/nn ,/, replaced/vbd it/ppo in/in its/pp$ envelope/nn ,/, and/cc turned/vbd with/in relief/nn to/in one/cd from/in her/pp$ brother/nn George/np ./.


	But/cc alas/uh George/np ,/, when/wrb he/pps had/hvd written/vbn ,/, had/hvd only/rb just/rb returned/vbn from/in going/vbg to/in Tuxapoka/np to/in Cousin/nn-tl Elec's/np$ funeral/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz full/jj of/in heavy/jj family/nn reminiscence/nn ./.
All/ql the/at fine/jj old/jj stock/nn was/bedz dying/vbg out/rp ,/, look/vb at/in the/at world/nn today/nr ./.
His/pp$ own/jj children/nns had/hvd suffered/vbn from/in the/at weakening/nn of/in those/dts values/nns which/wdt he/pps and/cc Theresa/np had/hvd always/rb taken/vbn for/in granted/vbn ,/, and/cc as/in for/in his/pp$ grandchildren/nns (/( he/pps had/hvd one/cd so/ql far/rb ,/, still/rb in/in diapers/nns )/) ,/, he/pps shuddered/vbd to/to think/vb that/cs the/at true/jj meaning/nn of/in character/nn might/md never/rb dawn/vb on/in them/ppo at/in all/abn ./.
A/at life/nn of/in gentility/nn and/cc principle/nn such/jj as/cs Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np had/hvd lived/vbn had/hvd to/to be/be known/vbn at/in first/od hand/nn ./.


	Poor/jj George/np !/. !/.
The/at only/ap boy/nn ,/, the/at family/nn darling/nn ./.
Together/rb with/in her/pp$ mother/nn ,/, both/abx of/in them/ppo tense/jj with/in worry/nn lest/cs things/nns should/md somehow/rb go/vb wrong/jj ./.
Theresa/np had/hvd seen/vbn him/ppo through/in the/at right/jj college/nn ,/, into/in the/at right/jj fraternity/nn ,/, and/cc though/cs pursued/vbn by/in various/jj girls/nns and/cc various/jj mammas/nns of/in girls/nns ,/, safely/rb married/vbn to/in the/at right/jj sort/nn ,/, however/wql much/rb in/in the/at early/jj years/nns of/in that/dt match/nn his/pp$ wife/nn ,/, Anne/np ,/, had/hvd not/* seemed/vbn to/to understand/vb poor/jj George/np ./.
Could/md it/pps just/rb be/be ,/, Theresa/np wondered/vbd ,/, that/cs Anne/np had/hvd understood/vbn only/rb too/ql well/rb ,/, and/cc that/cs George/np all/abn along/rb was/bedz extraordinary/jj only/rb in/in the/at degree/nn to/in which/wdt he/pps was/bedz dull/jj ?/. ?/.


	As/in for/in Cousin/nn-tl Alexander/np Carraway/np ,/, the/at only/ap thing/nn Theresa/np could/md remember/vb at/in the/at moment/nn about/in him/ppo (/( except/in his/pp$ paper/nn knife/nn )/) was/bedz that/cs he/pps had/hvd had/hvn exceptionally/ql long/jj hands/nns and/cc feet/nns and/cc one/cd night/nn about/in one/cd o'clock/rb in/in the/at morning/nn the/at whole/jj Stubblefield/np family/nn had/hvd been/ben aroused/vbn to/to go/vb next/ap door/nn at/in Cousin/nn-tl Emma's/np$ call/nn --/-- first/rb Papa/np ,/, then/rb Mother/nn-tl ,/, then/rb Theresa/np and/cc George/np ./.
There/rb they/ppss all/abn did/dod their/pp$ uttermost/nn to/to help/vb Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np get/vb a/at cramp/nn out/in of/in his/pp$ foot/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd hobbled/vbn downstairs/rb into/in the/at parlor/nn ,/, in/in his/pp$ agony/nn ,/, and/cc was/bedz sitting/vbg ,/, wrapped/vbn in/in his/pp$ bathrobe/nn ,/, on/in a/at footstool/nn ./.
He/pps held/vbd his/pp$ long/jj clenched/vbn foot/nn in/in both/abx hands/nns ,/, and/cc this/dt and/cc his/pp$ contorted/vbn face/nn --/-- he/pps was/bedz trying/vbg heroically/rb not/* to/to cry/vb out/rp --/-- made/vbd him/ppo look/vb like/cs a/at large/jj skinny/jj old/jj monkey/nn ./.
They/ppss all/abn surrounded/vbd him/ppo ,/, the/at family/nn circle/nn ,/, Theresa/np and/cc George/np as/ql solemn/jj as/cs if/cs they/ppss were/bed watching/vbg the/at cat/nn have/hv kittens/nns ,/, and/cc Cousin/nn-tl Emma/np running/vbg back/rb and/cc forth/rb with/in a/at kettle/nn of/in hot/jj water/nn which/wdt she/pps poured/vbd steaming/vbg into/in a/at white/jj enamelled/vbn pan/nn ./.
``/`` Can/md you/ppss think/vb of/in anything/pn to/to do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps kept/vbd repeating/vbg ./.
``/`` I/ppss hate/vb to/to call/vb the/at doctor/nn but/cc if/cs this/dt keeps/vbz up/rp I'll/ppss+md just/rb have/hv to/to !/. !/.
Can/md you/ppss think/vb of/in anything/pn to/to do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.
``/`` You/ppss might/md treat/vb it/ppo like/cs the/at hiccups/nns ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Papa/np ./.
``/`` Drop/vb a/at cold/jj key/nn down/in his/pp$ back/nn ''/'' ./.
``/`` I/ppss just/rb hope/vb this/dt happens/vbz to/in you/ppo someday/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np ,/, who/wps was/bedz not/* at/in his/pp$ best/jjt ./.
``/`` Poor/jj Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np ''/'' ,/, George/np said/vbd ./.
He/pps was/bedz younger/jjr than/cs Theresa/np :/: she/pps remembered/vbd looking/vbg down/rp and/cc seeing/vbg his/pp$ great/jj round/jj eyes/nns ,/, while/cs at/in the/at same/ap time/nn she/pps was/bedz dimly/rb aware/jj that/cs her/pp$ mother/nn and/cc father/nn were/bed not/* unamused/jj ./.
``/`` Poor/jj Cousin/nn-tl Elec/np ''/'' ./.


	Now/rb ,/, here/rb they/ppss both/abx were/bed ,/, still/rb the/at same/ap ,/, George/np full/jj of/in round-eyed/jj woe/nn ,/, and/cc Cousin/nn-tl Emma/np in/in despair/nn ./.
Theresa/np shifted/vbd to/in a/at new/jj page/nn ./.


	``/`` Of/in course/nn (/( George's/np$ letter/nn continued/vbd )/) ,/, there/ex are/ber practical/jj problems/nns to/to be/be considered/vbn ./.
Cousin/nn-tl Emma/np is/bez alone/rb in/in that/dt big/jj old/jj house/nn and/cc won't/md* hear/vb to/in parting/vbg from/in it/ppo ./.
Robbie/np and/cc Beryl/np tried/vbd their/pp$ best/jjt to/to persuade/vb her/ppo to/to come/vb and/cc stay/vb with/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc Anne/np and/cc I/ppss have/hv told/vbn her/ppo she's/pps+bez more/ap than/in welcome/jj here/rb ,/, but/cc I/ppss think/vb she/pps feels/vbz that/cs she/pps might/md be/be an/at imposition/nn ,/, especially/rb as/ql long/jj as/cs our/pp$ Rosie/np is/bez still/rb in/in high/jj school/nn ./.
The/at other/ap possibility/nn is/bez to/to make/vb arrangements/nns for/in her/ppo to/to let/vb out/rp one/cd or/cc two/cd of/in the/at rooms/nns to/in some/dti teacher/nn of/in good/jj family/nn or/cc one/cd of/in those/dts solitary/jj old/jj ladies/nns that/wps Tuxapoka/np is/bez populated/vbn with/in --/-- Miss/np Edna/np Whittaker/np ,/, for/in example/nn ./.
But/cc there/ex is/bez more/ap in/in this/dt than/cs meets/vbz the/at eye/nn ./.
A/at new/jj bathroom/nn would/md certainly/rb have/hv to/to be/be put/vbn in/rp ./.
The/at wallpaper/nn in/in the/at back/jj bedroom/nn is/bez literally/rb crumbling/vbg off/rp ./.
''/'' (/( Theresa/np skipped/vbd a/at page/nn of/in details/nns about/in the/at house/nn ./.
)/) ``/`` I/ppss hope/vb if/cs you/ppss have/hv any/dti ideas/nns along/in these/dts lines/nns you/ppss will/md write/vb me/ppo about/in them/ppo ./.
I/ppss may/md settle/vb on/in some/dti makeshift/jj arrangements/nns for/in the/at summer/nn and/cc wait/vb until/cs you/ppss return/vb in/in the/at fall/nn so/cs we/ppss can/md work/vb out/rp together/rb the/at best/jjt ./.
''/'' 

	I/ppss really/rb shouldn't/md* have/hv smoked/vbn a/at cigarette/nn so/ql early/rb in/in the/at day/nn ,/, thought/vbd Theresa/np ,/, it/pps always/rb makes/vbz me/ppo sick/jj ./.
I'll/ppss+md start/vb sneezing/vbg in/in a/at minute/nn ,/, sitting/vbg on/in these/dts cold/jj steps/nns ./.
She/pps got/vbd up/rp ,/, standing/vbg uncertainly/rb for/in a/at moment/nn ,/, then/rb moving/vbg aside/rb to/to let/vb go/vb past/in her/ppo ,/, talking/vbg ,/, a/at group/nn of/in young/jj men/nns ./.
They/ppss wore/vbd shoes/nns with/in pointed/vbn toes/nns ,/, odd/jj to/in American/jj eyes/nns ,/, and/cc narrow/jj trousers/nns ,/, and/cc their/pp$ hair/nn looked/vbd unnaturally/rb black/jj and/cc slick/jj ./.
Yet/rb here/rb they/ppss were/bed obviously/rb thought/vbn to/to be/be handsome/jj ,/, and/cc felt/vbd themselves/ppls to/to be/be so/rb ./.
Just/rb then/rb a/at man/nn approached/vbd her/ppo with/in a/at tray/nn of/in cheap/jj cameos/nns ,/, Parker/np fountain/nn pens/nns ,/, rosaries/nns ,/, papal/jj portraits/nns ./.
``/`` No/rb ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Theresa/np ./.
``/`` No/rb ,/, no/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps said/vbd ./.
The/at man/nn did/dod not/* wish/vb to/to leave/vb ./.
He/pps knew/vbd how/wrb to/to spread/vb himself/ppl against/in the/at borders/nns of/in the/at space/nn that/wps had/hvd to/to separate/vb them/ppo ./.
Carrozza/fw-nn rides/nns in/in the/at park/nn ,/, the/at Colosseum/np by/in moonlight/nn ,/, he/pps specialized/vbd ./.
Theresa/np turned/vbd away/rb to/to escape/vb ,/, and/cc climbed/vbd to/in a/at higher/jjr landing/nn where/wrb the/at steps/nns divided/vbd in/in two/cd ./.
There/rb she/pps walked/vbd to/in the/at far/ql left/nr and/cc leaned/vbd on/in a/at vacant/jj section/nn of/in banister/nn ,/, while/cs the/at vendor/nn picked/vbd himself/ppl another/dt well-dressed/jj American/jj lady/nn ,/, carrying/vbg a/at camera/nn and/cc a/at handsome/jj alligator/nn bag/nn ,/, ascending/vbg the/at steps/nns alone/rb ./.
Was/bedz he/pps ever/rb successful/jj ,/, Theresa/np wondered/vbd ./.
The/at lady/nn with/in the/at alligator/nn bag/nn registered/vbd interest/nn ,/, doubt/nn ,/, then/jj indignation/nn ;/. ;/.
at/in last/rb ,/, alarm/nn ./.
She/pps cast/vbd about/rb as/cs though/cs looking/vbg for/in a/at policeman/nn :/: this/dt really/rb shouldn't/md* be/be allowed/vbn !/. !/.
Finally/rb ,/, she/pps scurried/vbd away/rb up/in the/at steps/nns ./.


	Theresa/np Stubblefield/np ,/, still/rb holding/vbg the/at family/nn letters/nns in/in one/cd hand/nn ,/, realized/vbd that/cs her/pp$ whole/jj trip/nn to/in Europe/np was/bedz viewed/vbn in/in family/nn circles/nns as/cs an/at interlude/nn between/in Cousin/nn-tl Elec's/np$ death/nn and/cc ``/`` doing/vbg something/pn ''/'' about/in Cousin/nn-tl Emma/np ./.
They/ppss were/bed even/rb ,/, Anne/np and/cc George/np ,/, probably/rb thinking/vbg themselves/ppls very/ql considerate/jj in/in not/* hinting/vbg that/cs she/pps really/rb should/md cut/vb out/rp ``/`` one/cd or/cc two/cd countries/nns ''/'' and/cc come/vb home/nr in/in August/np to/to get/vb Cousin/nn-tl Emma's/np$ house/nn ready/jj before/cs the/at teachers/nns came/vbd to/in Tuxapoka/np in/in September/np ./.
Of/in course/nn ,/, it/pps wasn't/bedz* Anne/np and/cc George's/np$ fault/nn that/cs one/cd family/nn crisis/nn seemed/vbd to/to follow/vb another/dt ,/, and/cc weren't/bed* they/ppss always/rb emphasizing/vbg that/cs they/ppss really/rb didn't/dod* know/vb what/wdt they/ppss would/md do/do without/in Theresa/np ?/. ?/.
The/at trouble/nn is/bez ,/, Theresa/np thought/vbd ,/, that/cs while/cs everything/pn that/dt happens/vbz there/ex is/bez supposed/vbn to/to matter/vb supremely/rb ,/, nothing/pn here/rb is/bez supposed/vbn even/rb to/to exist/vb ./.
They/ppss would/md not/* care/vb if/cs all/abn of/in Europe/np were/bed to/to sink/vb into/in the/at ocean/nn tomorrow/nr ./.
It/pps never/rb registered/vbd with/in them/ppo that/cs I/ppss had/hvd time/nn to/to read/vb all/abn of/in Balzac/np ,/, Dickens/np ,/, and/cc Stendhal/np while/cs Papa/np was/bedz dying/vbg ,/, not/* to/to mention/vb everything/pn in/in the/at city/nn library/nn after/in Mother's/nn$-tl operation/nn ./.
It/pps would/md have/hv been/ben exactly/rb the/at same/ap to/in them/ppo if/cs I/ppss had/hvd read/vbn through/in all/abn twenty-six/cd volumes/nns of/in Elsie/np Dinsmore/np ./.


	She/pps arranged/vbd the/at letters/nns carefully/rb ,/, one/cd on/in top/nn of/in the/at other/ap ./.
Then/rb ,/, with/in a/at motion/nn so/ql suddenly/rb violent/jj that/cs she/pps amazed/vbd herself/ppl ,/, she/pps tore/vbd them/ppo in/in two/cd ./.


	``/`` Signora/fw-nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	She/pps became/vbd aware/jj that/cs two/cd Italian/jj workmen/nns ,/, carrying/vbg a/at large/jj azalea/nn pot/nn ,/, were/bed standing/vbg before/in her/ppo and/cc wanted/vbd her/ppo to/to move/vb so/cs that/cs they/ppss could/md begin/vb arranging/vbg a/at new/jj row/nn of/in the/at display/nn ./.


	``/`` Mi/fw-ppo diapiace/fw-vbz ,/, Signora/np ,/, ma/fw-cs insomma/uh ./.
''/'' 

	``/`` Oh/uh put/vb it/ppo there/rb ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps indicated/vbd a/at spot/nn a/at little/ap distance/nn away/rb ./.





I/ppss knew/vbd it/ppo as/ql surely/rb as/cs everybody/pn in/in Westfield/np --/-- that/cs Lucille/np was/bedz a/at husband/nn stealer/nn ./.
You/ppss can't/md* keep/vb that/dt kind/nn of/in information/nn quiet/jj in/in a/at town/nn of/in only/rb 4000-plus/cd ./.
And/cc I've/ppss+hv been/ben told/vbn that/cs just/rb about/rb every/at town/nn ,/, no/at matter/nn what/wdt its/pp$ size/nn ,/, has/hvz its/pp$ Lucille/np Warren/np ./.


	Just/rb as/cs it/pps has/hvz its/pp$ Susan/np Dolan/np ,/, though/cs nobody'd/pn+hvd ever/rb bothered/vbn to/to tell/vb me/ppo that/dt ./.
Susan/np Dolan/np ,/, that's/dt+bez me/ppo ./.


	They/ppss even/rb talked/vbd about/in Lucille/np down/rp at/in the/at Young/jj-tl Christians'/nps$-tl League/nn-tl where/wrb I/ppss spent/vbd a/at lot/nn of/in time/nn in/in Bible/np classes/nns and/cc helping/vbg out/rp with/in the/at office/nn work/nn for/in our/pp$ foreign/jj mission/nn ./.
I/ppss never/rb heard/vbd my/pp$ folks/nns talk/vb about/in her/ppo ,/, though/rb ./.
They/ppss were/bed good-living/jj religious/jj people/nns ,/, and/cc I/ppss can/md truthfully/rb say/vb I/ppss never/rb heard/vbd them/ppo spread/vb any/dti gossip/nn about/in anybody/pn ./.
Even/rb if/cs they/ppss ever/rb did/dod say/vb anything/pn about/in people/nns like/vb Lucille/np Warren/np ,/, I/ppss know/vb they/ppss wouldn't/md* have/hv dreamed/vbn of/in saying/vbg it/ppo in/in front/nn of/in me/ppo ./.
My/pp$ folks/nns and/cc my/pp$ faith/nn protected/vbd me/ppo from/in things/nns like/cs that/dt ./.


	And/cc so/cs I/ppss was/bedz really/rb upset/vbn the/at first/od time/nn I/ppss discovered/vbd that/cs my/pp$ boy/nn friend/nn Johnnie/np was/bedz seeing/vbg Mrs./np Warren/np ./.
I/ppss asked/vbd him/ppo about/in it/ppo one/cd night/nn while/cs we/ppss were/bed sitting/vbg in/in his/pp$ truck/nn ./.
I/ppss asked/vbd him/ppo if/cs it/pps was/bedz true/jj ./.


	He/pps gave/vbd me/ppo a/at straight/jj ,/, honest/jj answer/nn ./.
``/`` Look/vb ,/, Sue/np baby/nn ''/'' ,/, he'd/pps+hvd said/vbn ./.
Much/rb as/cs I/ppss love/vb you/ppo --/-- well/uh ,/, a/at guy's/nn+bez a/at guy/nn and/cc Lucille's/np+bez willing/jj to/to --/-- to/to come/vb across/rb ./.
Honest/jj ,/, kitten/nn ,/, that's/dt+bez all/abn it/pps is/bez --/-- I/ppss don't/do* even/rb like/vb Lucille/np much/rb ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss guess/vb it/pps was/bedz at/in that/dt moment/nn that/cs I/ppss realized/vbd what/wdt I/ppss was/bedz up/rp against/rb in/in the/at person/nn of/in Lucille/np Warren/np ./.
But/cc it/pps didn't/dod* seem/vb fair/jj ./.
My/pp$ love/nn for/in Johnnie/np was/bedz young/jj and/cc clean/jj --/-- how/wrb could/md I/ppss possibly/rb compete/vb with/in a/at woman/nn like/cs that/dt ,/, who/wps didn't/dod* hesitate/vb to/to use/vb her/pp$ sex/nn ./.


	Johnnie/np was/bedz a/at trucker/nn with/in a/at small/jj lumber/nn outfit/nn in/in a/at town/nn about/in twenty/cd miles/nns away/rb ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz also/rb pretty/ql good/jj at/in anything/pn in/in the/at carpentry/nn line/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at vivid/jj ,/, sharp/jj February/np morning/nn that/cs Johnnie/np first/rb made/vbd his/pp$ appearance/nn in/in my/pp$ back/nn yard/nn ,/, bringing/vbg some/dti stuff/nn Dad/nn-tl had/hvd ordered/vbn ./.
I/ppss wasn't/bedz* in/in the/at habit/nn of/in batting/vbg my/pp$ eyes/nns at/in delivery/nn men/nns ,/, but/cc the/at moment/nn I/ppss saw/vbd Johnnie/np ,/, I/ppss knew/vbd he/pps was/bedz different/jj ./.
He/pps wasn't/bedz* only/rb different/jj --/-- he/pps was/bedz it/pps ./.
He/pps had/hvd an/at easy/jj masculine/jj grace/nn about/in him/ppo ,/, the/at kind/nn that/wps kids/nns don't/do* have/hv ,/, but/cc that/cs I/ppss had/hvd sometimes/rb admired/vbn in/in other/ap older/jjr men/nns ./.
His/pp$ smile/nn was/bedz quick/jj ,/, and/cc his/pp$ eyes/nns held/vbd some/dti promised/vbn secret/nn that/wps made/vbd my/pp$ knees/nns go/vb limp/jj ./.


	The/at most/ql unbelievable/jj thing/nn about/in the/at chance/nn meeting/nn was/bedz that/cs he/pps seemed/vbd interested/vbn in/in me/ppo ,/, too/rb ./.
I/ppss could/md hardly/rb believe/vb such/jj good/jj luck/nn was/bedz mine/pp$$ ./.


	And/cc now/rb Lucille/np Warren/np had/hvd gotten/vbn a/at look/nn at/in him/ppo ./.
I/ppss guess/vb she/pps was/bedz between/in affairs/nns or/cc something/pn ,/, but/cc anyway/rb ,/, she/pps had/hvd set/vbn her/pp$ sights/nns on/in Johnnie/np ,/, my/pp$ Johnnie/np ./.


	I/ppss didn't/dod* like/vb it/ppo one/cd bit/nn ./.
But/cc what/wdt could/md I/ppss do/do ?/. ?/.
A/at man/nn had/hvd to/to have/hv his/pp$ release/nn --/-- at/in least/ap that's/dt+bez what/wdt the/at boys/nns used/vbd to/to say/vb in/in high/jj school/nn --/-- and/cc I/ppss wasn't/bedz* providing/vbg it/ppo for/in Johnnie/np ./.
Neither/cc was/bedz his/pp$ wife/nn ./.
She/pps wouldn't/md* have/hv ,/, even/rb if/cs he'd/pps+hvd asked/vbn her/ppo ./.


	But/cc he/pps wouldn't/md* ask/vb her/ppo --/-- he/pps wasn't/bedz* the/at kind/nn of/in man/nn who/wps would/md force/vb his/pp$ wife/nn to/to submit/vb to/in him/ppo against/in her/pp$ will/nn ./.
And/cc he/pps wouldn't/md* leave/vb her/ppo either/cc --/-- he'd/pps+hvd told/vbn me/ppo that/dt ./.
He/pps was/bedz too/ql honorable/jj to/to leave/vb his/pp$ wife/nn penniless/jj and/cc leave/vb those/dts helpless/jj children/nns without/in their/pp$ daddy/nn ./.


	Johnnie/np loved/vbd me/ppo and/cc wanted/vbd me/ppo ./.
But/cc the/at only/ap love/nn I/ppss was/bedz giving/vbg him/ppo was/bedz the/at pure/jj kind/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz weeks/nns before/cs we/ppss even/rb kissed/vbd for/in the/at first/od time/nn ./.




Against/in my/pp$ folks'/nns$ wishes/nns ,/, we'd/ppss+hvd been/ben seeing/vbg each/dt other/ap for/in short/jj rides/nns in/in the/at truck/nn ./.
The/at rides/nns were/bed tame/jj enough/qlp --/-- mostly/rb we/ppss talked/vbd ./.
But/cc by/in the/at time/nn the/at first/od crackling/nn of/in spring/nn came/vbd around/rb ,/, we/ppss both/abx knew/vbd we/ppss were/bed hopelessly/rb in/in love/nn ./.
Yet/rb even/rb then/rb we/ppss did/dod nothing/pn much/ap but/in talk/vb ,/, and/cc maybe/rb neck/vb a/at little/ap ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez so/ql crazy/jj ''/'' ,/, I/ppss told/vbd him/ppo once/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss always/rb imagined/vbd I/ppss would/md probably/rb end/vb up/rp marrying/vbg a/at minister/nn or/cc somebody/pn like/cs that/dt ./.
Somebody/pn with/in no/at vices/nns ./.
You/ppss know/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc you/ppss fall/vb for/in a/at lumber/nn jockey/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Who/wps drinks/vbz far/ql too/ql much/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc smokes/vbz too/ql much/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc ''/'' ,/, I/ppss was/bedz ticking/vbg off/rp the/at items/nns on/in my/pp$ fingers/nns ,/, ``/`` swears/vbz too/ql much/rb and/cc goes/vbz out/rp with/in the/at boys/nns ,/, whoever/wps they/ppss are/ber ,/, too/ql much/rb ,/, and/cc who/wps ever/rb goes/vbz to/in church/nn and/cc won't/md* even/rb listen/vb when/wrb I/ppss try/vb to/to persuade/vb him/ppo to/to come/vb back/rb to/in the/at fold/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps examined/vbd his/pp$ nails/nns carefully/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss could/md walk/vb out/in the/at door/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* you/ppss dare/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc never/rb show/vb my/pp$ face/nn or/cc my/pp$ truck/nn around/in here/rb again/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps still/rb wasn't/bedz* looking/vbg at/in me/ppo ./.


	``/`` You/ppss wouldn't/md* ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Or/cc I/ppss could/md visit/vb Lucille/np Warren/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss wouldn't/md* ./.
Please/uh !/. !/.
You/ppss wouldn't/md* ''/'' ./.


	He/pps shrugged/vbd noncommittally/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss might/md ''/'' ./.


	And/cc now/rb he/pps was/bedz seeing/vbg her/ppo ./.
He'd/pps+hvd just/rb admitted/vbn it/ppo to/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss huddled/vbd miserably/rb beside/in him/ppo in/in the/at truck/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz all/abn my/pp$ doing/nn --/-- his/pp$ seeing/vbg her/ppo ./.
Johnnie/np and/cc I/ppss had/hvd been/ben innocent/jj in/in our/pp$ love/nn ,/, and/cc that/dt was/bedz the/at way/nn I/ppss wanted/vbd to/to keep/vb it/ppo ./.
At/in first/rb ,/, Johnnie/np hadn't/hvd* understood/vbn --/-- how/wrb could/md he/pps ,/, not/* being/beg a/at religious/jj person/nn like/cs me/ppo ?/. ?/.
But/cc then/rb he/pps had/hvd said/vbn ,/, ``/`` All/ql right/rb ,/, kid/nn ,/, if/cs that's/dt+bez how/wrb you/ppss want/vb it/ppo ,/, that's/dt+bez how/wrb it'll/pps+md be/be ''/'' ./.


	But/cc what/wdt had/hvd I/ppss done/vbn ,/, trying/vbg to/to keep/vb us/ppo pure/jj ?/. ?/.
I/ppss had/hvd driven/vbn him/ppo into/in the/at arms/nns of/in that/dt scheming/vbg woman/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd just/rb the/at same/ap as/cs delivered/vbd him/ppo into/in the/at hands/nns of/in the/at Devil/nn-tl !/. !/.


	So/cs one/cd week/nn later/rbr ,/, I/ppss surrendered/vbd to/in him/ppo in/in the/at little/ap motel/nn on/in Route/nn-tl 10/cd-tl ./.
My/pp$ very/ql first/od time/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz desperate/jj to/to hold/vb him/ppo ,/, to/to give/vb him/ppo whatever/wdt in/in this/dt world/nn he/pps wanted/vbd or/cc needed/vbd ,/, and/cc to/to keep/vb him/ppo from/in the/at clutches/nns of/in Lucille/np Warren/np ./.


	And/cc ,/, though/cs at/in the/at time/nn I/ppss blushed/vbd to/to admit/vb it/ppo even/rb to/in myself/ppl ,/, there/ex was/bedz in/in me/ppo a/at growing/vbg desire/nn ,/, a/at sexual/jj awareness/nn ,/, that/cs Johnnie/np had/hvd set/vbn in/in motion/nn ,/, an/at awareness/nn that/cs no/at other/ap man/nn had/hvd ever/rb triggered/vbn ./.
I/ppss wanted/vbd him/ppo ,/, with/in a/at terrifying/vbg fierceness/nn ./.


	Astonishingly/rb enough/qlp ,/, it/pps was/bedz my/pp$ own/jj voice/nn I/ppss heard/vbd there/rb in/in the/at darkness/nn ,/, begging/vbg this/dt man/nn to/to make/vb love/nn to/in me/ppo ./.


	``/`` Love/vb me/ppo ,/, Johnnie/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss will/md ,/, kitten/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Outside/rb ,/, in/in the/at summertime/nn fields/nns behind/in the/at motel/nn ,/, a/at thousand/cd crickets/nns serenaded/vbd us/ppo ./.
``/`` Will/md you/ppss always/rb love/vb me/ppo this/dt way/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Uh/uh huh/uh ./.
Always/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Mmm/uh ''/'' ./.
And/cc I/ppss snuggled/vbd closer/rbr to/in the/at man/nn I/ppss loved/vbd ./.


	It/pps was/bedz as/ql blissful/jj and/cc fulfilling/vbg a/at night/nn as/cs any/dti bride/nn ever/rb experienced/vbd ./.
I/ppss had/hvd had/hvn no/at wedding/nn ceremony/nn ,/, no/at witnesses/nns ,/, no/at certificate/nn of/in marriage/nn ,/, but/cc I/ppss had/hvd all/abn the/at joy/nn that/dt goes/vbz with/in them/ppo ./.


	``/`` Johnnie/np ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It/pps can't/md* be/be wrong/jj ,/, can/md it/pps ?/. ?/.
Not/* really/rb ''/'' ./.


	Johnnie/np rose/vbd on/in one/cd elbow/nn ./.
``/`` Stop/vb worrying/vbg ./.
It's/pps+bez never/rb wrong/jj if/cs love/nn is/bez real/jj ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss took/vbd great/jj comfort/nn from/in his/pp$ words/nns ,/, and/cc smiled/vbd to/in myself/ppl in/in the/at darkness/nn ./.
Infinite/jj peace/nn ,/, complete/jj contentment/nn ./.
Idiot's/nn$ delight/nn ,/, I/ppss later/rbr discovered/vbd ./.




I/ppss felt/vbd no/at conflict/nn between/in what/wdt I/ppss was/bedz doing/vbg and/cc my/pp$ strict/jj religious/jj upbringing/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd always/rb resisted/vbn the/at passes/nns made/vbn at/in me/ppo by/in other/ap kids/nns ,/, and/cc many/ap times/nns I/ppss had/hvd thought/vbn about/in my/pp$ love/nn for/in Johnnie/np who/wps ,/, being/beg thirty/cd ,/, brought/vbd a/at maturity/nn to/in love/nn that/cs the/at kids/nns around/in town/nn could/md know/vb nothing/pn about/rb ./.
I/ppss had/hvd also/rb thought/vbn a/at lot/nn about/in how/wrb God/np must/md look/vb on/in true/jj love/nn ,/, and/cc so/rb in/in a/at way/nn I/ppss was/bedz keeping/vbg my/pp$ promise/nn to/in God/np ,/, my/pp$ promise/nn to/to remain/vb pure/jj until/cs I/ppss was/bedz married/vbn ./.


	I/ppss was/bedz practically/rb a/at bride/nn ,/, after/in all/abn ./.


	There/ex would/md have/hv been/ben a/at ceremony/nn if/cs it/pps had/hvd been/ben possible/jj ./.
Of/in this/dt ,/, I/ppss had/hvd no/at doubt/nn ./.
Wouldn't/md* Johnnie/np do/do practically/rb anything/pn in/in the/at world/nn to/to insure/vb my/pp$ happiness/nn ?/. ?/.
Of/in course/nn he/pps would/md ./.
He'd/pps+hvd not/* only/rb told/vbn me/ppo so/cs ,/, he'd/pps+hvd proved/vbn it/ppo ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* Johnnie's/np$ fault/nn that/cs he/pps was/bedz hopelessly/rb tied/vbn down/rp to/in that/dt frightful/jj woman/nn who/wps did/dod her/pp$ best/jjt to/to make/vb his/pp$ life/nn unbearable/jj ./.
Just/rb because/cs he/pps was/bedz honorable/jj enough/qlp to/to want/vb to/to continue/vb supporting/vbg his/pp$ two/cd children/nns ,/, as/cs any/dti decent/jj man/nn would/md ,/, that/dt was/bedz no/at reason/nn he/pps should/md be/be denied/vbn his/pp$ own/jj small/jj share/nn of/in happiness/nn too/rb ./.
And/cc if/cs I/ppss could/md contribute/vb to/in that/dt ,/, I'd/ppss+md do/do it/ppo ./.
The/at cost/nn didn't/dod* matter/vb ./.
No/at price/nn is/bez too/ql high/jj when/wrb true/jj love/nn is/bez at/in stake/nn ./.


	And/cc I/ppss had/hvd no/at doubts/nns about/in how/ql true/jj this/dt love/nn was/bedz ./.
I'd/ppss+hvd never/rb even/rb petted/vbn with/in a/at boy/nn ,/, and/cc after/cs I/ppss met/vbd Johnnie/np he/pps never/rb touched/vbd me/ppo for/in the/at longest/jjt while/nn ,/, not/* until/cs I/ppss all/abn but/in threw/vbd myself/ppl at/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps was/bedz plenty/rb attentive/jj ,/, all/ql right/rb ,/, but/cc he/pps behaved/vbd like/cs a/at gentleman/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss figured/vbd that/cs ,/, emotionally/rb ,/, I/ppss was/bedz closer/rbr to/in his/pp$ age/nn than/cs to/in my/pp$ own/jj eighteen/cd and/cc a/at half/abn ./.
What/wdt could/md a/at mere/jj twelve/cd years/nns matter/vb ?/. ?/.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* ,/, I/ppss was/bedz sure/jj ,/, a/at difference/nn in/in age/nn that/wps came/vbd between/in people/nns ,/, but/cc a/at difference/nn in/in maturity/nn ./.


	And/cc hadn't/hvd* I/ppss rescued/vbn him/ppo from/in Lucille/np Warren/np ?/. ?/.
She'd/pps+md have/hv gotten/vbn him/ppo ,/, if/cs I/ppss hadn't/hvd* stopped/vbn her/ppo ./.
After/in all/abn ,/, Lucille/np Warren/np was/bedz a/at husband-stealer/nn from/in way/nn back/rb ./.


	But/cc I'd/ppss+hvd been/ben a/at good/jj girl/nn and/cc now/rb God/np was/bedz blessing/vbg me/ppo with/in the/at gift/nn of/in this/dt magnificent/jj man/nn and/cc the/at wondrous/jj love/nn we/ppss shared/vbd ./.
It/pps was/bedz only/rb fitting/vbg that/cs we/ppss seek/vb out/rp whatever/wdt joy/nn our/pp$ union/nn might/md bring/vb ./.


	``/`` Love/vb me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Uh-huh/uh ./.
Love/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Always/rb and/cc always/rb ,/, Johnnie/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Always/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Mmm/uh ''/'' ./.


	Convention/nn time/nn in/in Boston/np ./.
A/at chill/nn wind/nn in/in the/at air/nn and/cc the/at narrow/jj streets/nns packed/vbn with/in snow/nn ./.
From/in the/at entire/jj eastern/jj half/abn of/in the/at nation/nn they'd/ppss+md be/be coming/vbg ,/, members/nns of/in the/at Young/jj-tl Christians'/nps$-tl League/nn-tl ,/, and/cc I'd/ppss+hvd been/ben chosen/vbn to/to represent/vb our/pp$ chapter/nn ./.


	I/ppss had/hvd mixed/vbn emotions/nns about/in going/vbg ./.
I'd/ppss+hvd been/ben seeing/vbg Johnnie/np almost/rb a/at year/nn now/rb ,/, but/cc I/ppss still/rb didn't/dod* want/vb to/to leave/vb him/ppo for/in five/cd whole/jj days/nns ./.
But/cc I/ppss had/hvd looked/vbn forward/rb so/ql much/rb to/in being/beg with/in this/dt church/nn group/nn ./.
I/ppss hadn't/hvd* been/ben doing/vbg as/ql much/ap work/nn as/cs I/ppss used/vbd to/to in/in Westfield/np and/cc I/ppss felt/vbd funny/jj about/in that/dt and/cc wanted/vbd to/to work/vb harder/rbr than/cs ever/rb ./.
I/ppss wanted/vbd to/to just/rb throw/vb myself/ppl into/in the/at good/jj works/nns of/in this/dt fine/jj group/nn ./.
So/cs I/ppss went/vbd to/in Boston/np ./.


	The/at first/od meeting/nn was/bedz held/vbn in/in Faneuil/np-tl Hall/nn-tl ,/, a/at great/ql big/jj place/nn where/wrb we/ppss were/bed able/jj to/to meet/vb members/nns from/in all/abn the/at other/ap states/nns ./.
My/pp$ cousin/nn Alma/np ,/, at/in whose/wp$ home/nr I/ppss was/bedz staying/vbg during/in the/at convention/nn ,/, introduced/vbd me/ppo to/in a/at group/nn of/in young/jj people/nns from/in Rhode/np-tl Island/nn-tl ./.
One/cd of/in them/ppo was/bedz a/at very/ql friendly/jj ,/, lovely/jj fellow/nn named/vbn Ronald/np ,/, a/at boy/nn about/in my/pp$ age/nn with/in slick/jj ,/, blond/jj hair/nn and/cc dancing/vbg blue/jj eyes/nns ./.
He/pps looked/vbd very/ql different/jj from/in Johnnie/np --/-- in/in fact/nn ,/, he/pps looked/vbd sort/nn of/in like/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss thought/vbd so/rb ,/, and/cc he/pps mentioned/vbd it/ppo ,/, and/cc Alma/np said/vbd so/rb too/rb ./.


	After/in the/at meeting/nn ,/, there/ex was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be a/at party/nn at/in someone's/pn$ house/nn ./.
I/ppss assumed/vbd Alma/np would/md get/vb me/ppo there/rb ,/, but/cc in/in the/at confusion/nn of/in the/at meeting/nn breaking/vbg up/rp ,/, we/ppss were/bed separated/vbn ./.
Outside/in the/at hall/nn ,/, I/ppss anxiously/rb looked/vbd around/rb for/in her/ppo ,/, then/rb all/abn at/in once/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at hand/nn on/in my/pp$ elbow/nn ./.


	``/`` Hey/uh ,/, there/rb ,/, beautiful/jj twin/nn of/in mine/pp$$ ''/'' ,/, Ronald/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Need/vb a/at pumpkin/nn to/to get/vb to/in the/at party/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	I/ppss couldn't/md* help/vb laughing/vbg with/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, I/ppss should/md find/vb Alma/np ''/'' --/-- I/ppss began/vbd ./.


	``/`` Alma/np ,/, Schmalma/np ./.
Come/vb along/rb with/in me/ppo ''/'' ./.
I/ppss went/vbd ./.




By/in the/at time/nn we/ppss arrived/vbd ,/, the/at party/nn was/bedz already/rb going/vbg strong/jj ./.
A/at couple/nn of/in the/at girls/nns were/bed laughing/vbg rather/ql shrilly/rb and/cc I/ppss realized/vbd they/ppss were/bed drinking/vbg ./.
My/pp$ folks/nns wouldn't/md* dream/vb of/in having/hvg alcohol/nn in/in the/at house/nn ,/, so/cs my/pp$ first/od taste/nn of/in it/ppo had/hvd been/ben --/-- of/in course/nn --/-- with/in Johnnie/np ./.
I/ppss hadn't/hvd* liked/vbn it/ppo at/in first/rb --/-- it/pps was/bedz bitter/jj and/cc burning/vbg ./.
But/cc when/wrb Johnnie/np disguised/vbd the/at taste/nn with/in ginger/nn ale/nn ,/, I/ppss enjoyed/vbd it/ppo ./.
Of/in course/nn I/ppss enjoyed/vbd 'most/rb anything/pn if/cs I/ppss did/dod it/ppo with/in Johnnie/np ./.
Johnnie/np I/ppss suddenly/rb realized/vbd he'd/pps+hvd been/ben totally/rb out/in of/in my/pp$ thoughts/nns all/abn evening/nn ./.
But/cc that/dt was/bedz only/rb natural/jj ,/, I/ppss decided/vbd ;/. ;/.
surely/rb he/pps was/bedz still/rb resting/vbg snugly/rb in/in my/pp$ heart/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* see/vb Alma/np anywhere/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.


	``/`` She's/pps+bez invisible/jj tonight/nr ./.
C'mon/uh ,/, let's/vb+ppo find/vb out/rp where/wrb they're/ppss+ber keeping/vbg the/at glasses/nns ''/'' ./.


	I/ppss drew/vbd back/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss --/-- I/ppss don't/do* think/vb so/rb ,/, Ronald/np ./.
Not/* for/in me/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Aw/uh ,/, come/vb on/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb --/-- really/rb ''/'' ./.


	He/pps shrugged/vbd ./.
``/`` Okay/uh ./.
But/cc at/in least/ap come/vb along/rb while/cs I/ppss get/vb lubricated/vbn ''/'' ./.


	The/at kitchen/nn was/bedz jammed/vbn ./.
Strange/jj faces/nns ,/, most/ap of/in them/ppo ,/, and/cc I/ppss wasn't/bedz* even/rb sure/jj all/abn of/in them/ppo had/hvd come/vbn from/in the/at League/nn-tl meeting/nn ./.

Under/in normal/jj circumstances/nns ,/, he/pps had/hvd a/at certain/jj bright-eyed/jj all-American-boy/jj charm/nn ,/, with/in great/jj appeal/nn for/in young/jj ladies/nns ,/, old/jj ladies/nns ,/, and/cc dogs/nns ./.
Today/nr ,/, he/pps looked/vbd like/cs an/at Astronaut/nn-tl who/wps had/hvd left/vbn his/pp$ vitamin/nn pills/nns on/in the/at bureau/nn and/cc spent/vbn six/cd months/nns in/in space/nn :/: hollow/jj eyes/nns ,/, hollow/jj cheeks/nns ,/, hollow/jj stomach/nn ./.
Breakfast/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ./.
A/at shot/nn of/in orange/nn juice/nn would/md make/vb everything/pn seem/vb better/rbr ./.
He/pps looked/vbd around/in his/pp$ little/ap Eden/np :/: bureau/nn ,/, bed/nn ,/, table/nn ,/, chair/nn ,/, two-burner/jj stove/nn ./.
Then/rb he/pps remembered/vbd ./.


	``/`` You/ppss share/vb a/at refrigerator/nn ''/'' ,/, Mrs./np Kirby/np had/hvd said/vbn ,/, and/cc somehow/rb ,/, at/in midnight/nn ,/, after/in the/at long/jj drive/nn from/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl in/in pelting/vbg rain/nn ,/, that/cs had/hvd sounded/vbn reasonable/jj ./.
In/in the/at cold/jj light/nn of/in day/nn ,/, it/pps seemed/vbd a/at lunatic/jj arrangement/nn ./.
Share/vb bath/nn ,/, maybe/rb --/-- but/cc share/vb refrigerator/nn ?/. ?/.
She/pps had/hvd explained/vbn it/ppo --/-- something/pn about/in summer/nn people's/nns$ eating/nn out/rp and/cc not/* enough/ap space/nn in/in the/at units/nns ./.
And/cc where/wrb was/bedz the/at thing/nn ?/. ?/.
He/pps remembered/vbd seeing/vbg it/ppo last/ap night/nn ,/, when/wrb he/pps put/vbd away/rb his/pp$ small/jj store/nn of/in bachelor-type/jj eatables/nns ./.
Ah/uh ,/, yes/rb --/-- his/pp$ half/abn of/in a/at refrigerator/nn stood/vbd outside/rb ,/, on/in the/at ``/`` curving/vbg veranda/nn ''/'' between/in Unit/nn-tl Number/nn-tl Three/cd-tl and/cc Unit/nn-tl Number/nn-tl Four/cd-tl ./.


	It/pps was/bedz still/rb raining/vbg ,/, and/cc Mrs./np Kirby's/np$ cottages/nns bloomed/vbd through/in the/at gray/jj haze/nn like/cs the/at names/nns they/ppss bore/vbd ,/, vivid/jj blue/jj and/cc green/jj and/cc magenta/jj ./.
Charlie/np downed/vbd his/pp$ orange/nn juice/nn and/cc one/pn of/in the/at long/jj ,/, skinny/jj green/jj pills/nns ,/, his/pp$ spirits/nns as/ql damp/jj as/cs the/at day/nn ./.


	This/dt vacation/nn had/hvd seemed/vbn like/cs a/at good/jj idea/nn last/ap week/nn ,/, when/wrb his/pp$ doctor/nn had/hvd prescribed/vbn it/ppo ./.
``/`` Take/vb a/at full/jj month/nn ''/'' ,/, the/at doctor/nn had/hvd said/vbn ./.
``/`` Lots/nns of/in sun/nn ,/, lots/nns of/in rest/nn ./.
The/at red/jj pills/nns are/ber a/at vitamin-and-iron/nn compound/nn ./.
This/dt is/bez a/at sleeping/vbg capsule/nn ./.
The/at others/nns will/md make/vb you/ppo a/at little/ap more/ql comfortable/jj until/cs you/ppss get/vb it/ppo licked/vbn ./.
You/ppss young/jj men/nns get/vb to/to be/be my/pp$ age/nn ,/, you/ppss won't/md* take/vb flu/nn so/ql lightly/rb ''/'' ./.


	Charlie/np had/hvd accepted/vbn the/at diagnosis/nn without/in comment/nn ./.
The/at doctor/nn could/md call/vb it/ppo anything/pn from/in flu/nn to/in beriberi/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc Charlie/np knew/vbd what/wdt was/bedz wrong/jj with/in him/ppo and/cc knew/vbd ,/, too/rb ,/, that/cs there/ex was/bedz no/at pill/nn to/to cure/vb it/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd loved/vbn and/cc lost/vbn Vivian/np Wayne/np to/in somebody/pn else/rb ,/, had/hvd watched/vbn her/ppo marry/vb the/at somebody/pn else/rb ,/, and/cc had/hvd caught/vbn a/at bear/nn of/in a/at cold/nn by/in kissing/vbg the/at bride/nn good-by/nn forever/rb ,/, which/wdt was/bedz really/rb piling/vbg it/ppo on/rp ./.
He/pps had/hvd caught/vbn ,/, too/rb ,/, like/cs an/at ailment/nn ,/, a/at confirmed/vbn distrust/nn of/in women/nns ./.
Once/rb burned/vbn --/-- scalded/vbn ,/, really/rb ,/, because/cs Vivian/np had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo every/at encouragement/nn --/-- forever/rb shy/jj ./.
From/in now/rb on/rp ,/, his/pp$$ was/bedz going/vbg to/to be/be a/at man's/nn$ world/nn :/: the/at North/jj-tl Woods/nns-tl ,/, duck/nn blinds/nns at/in dawning/vbg ,/, beer/nn and/cc poker/nn and/cc male/nn secretaries/nns ./.


	Meanwhile/rb ,/, he/pps had/hvd this/dt miserable/jj cold/nn ,/, and/cc as/cs he/pps leaned/vbd against/in the/at refrigerator/nn ,/, watching/vbg the/at rain/nn make/vb sandy/jj puddles/nns at/in his/pp$ feet/nns ,/, the/at doctor's/nn$ prescription/nn for/in lots/nns of/in sun/nn seemed/vbd like/cs a/at hollow/jj mockery/nn ./.
In/in these/dts damp/jj circumstances/nns ,/, he/pps was/bedz an/at odds-on/jj bet/nn to/to develop/vb pneumonia/nn ./.


	He/pps looked/vbd up/rp to/to see/vb Mrs./np Kirby/np ,/, awesome/jj in/in a/at black-and-yellow/jj polka-dotted/jj slicker/nn ,/, bearing/vbg down/rp on/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` Three-day/jj blow/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
She/pps bellowed/vbd triumphantly/rb ./.
He/pps had/hvd noticed/vbn before/rb that/cs the/at natives/nns seemed/vbd to/to regard/vb really/ql filthy/jj weather/nn as/cs a/at kind/nn of/in Pyhrric/jj victory/nn over/in the/at tourists/nns ./.
``/`` Fine/jj ,/, day/nn after/in tomorrow/nr ''/'' ,/, she/pps added/vbd ./.


	``/`` I/ppss hope/vb so/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn this/dt cold/nn ./.
Thought/vbd I'd/ppss+md bake/vb it/ppo out/rp in/in the/at sun/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Ah/uh ''/'' ./.
She/pps studied/vbd him/ppo briefly/rb ./.
``/`` You've/ppss+hv got/vbn a/at peaked/jj look/nn ./.
Better/rbr get/vb in/rp out/in of/in the/at wet/jj ''/'' ./.


	Charlie/np forbore/vbd to/to mention/vb that/cs the/at wet/vbn was/bedz somewhat/ql universal/jj ,/, Peony/np being/beg less/ap than/in weatherproof/jj ./.
As/in for/in its/pp$ being/beg fine/jj ,/, day/nn after/in tomorrow/nr ,/, he/pps had/hvd the/at unhappy/jj conviction/nn that/cs it/pps would/md never/rb be/be fine/jj again/rb ,/, with/in Vivian/np lost/vbn to/in him/ppo forever/rb ./.
He/pps could/md imagine/vb her/ppo at/in this/dt minute/nn ,/, honeymooning/vbg in/in Nassau/np with/in what's-his-name/nn ,/, lounging/vbg on/in golden/jj sands/nns ,/, looking/vbg forward/rb to/in a/at life/nn of/in unalloyed/jj bliss/nn ./.
All/abn Charlie/np could/md look/vb forward/rb to/in was/bedz a/at yellow/jj pill/nn at/in noon/nn ,/, a/at salami/nn sandwich/nn for/in lunch/nn ,/, and/cc a/at lonely/jj old/jj age/nn --/-- if/cs he/pps lived/vbd that/dt long/jj ./.


	He/pps leafed/vbd through/in the/at light/jj reading/nn provided/vbn by/in Mrs./np Kirby/np for/in her/pp$ guests/nns :/: four/cd separate/jj adventures/nns of/in the/at Bobbsey/np-tl Twins/nns-tl (/( At/in the/at Seashore/nn ,/, At/in the/at Mountains/nns-tl ,/, On/in the/at Farm/nn ,/, and/cc In/in Danger/nn )/) and/cc several/ap agricultural/jj bulletins/nns on/in the/at treatment/nn of/in hoof-and-mouth/nn disease/nn in/in cattle/nns ,/, hideously/rb illustrated/vbn ./.
He/pps dozed/vbd ,/, only/rb to/to dream/vb of/in Vivian/np ,/, and/cc woke/vbd ,/, only/rb to/to crash/vb into/in the/at night/nn table/nn ,/, bruising/vbg his/pp$ other/ap shin/nn ./.
He/pps took/vbd a/at yellow/jj pill/nn ,/, only/rb to/to choke/vb on/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc went/vbd for/in the/at salami/nn ,/, only/rb to/to find/vb something/pn alive/jj in/in the/at refrigerator/nn --/-- something/pn pink/jj and/cc fuzzy/jj ./.


	His/pp$ first/od thought/nn was/bedz that/cs Mrs./np Kirby/np ,/, in/in her/pp$ mania/nn for/in color/nn ,/, had/hvd dyed/vbn a/at cat/nn and/cc that/dt cat/nn had/hvd somehow/rb managed/vbn to/to open/vb the/at refrigerator/nn door/nn and/cc climb/vb in/rp ;/. ;/.
but/cc on/in further/jjr investigation/nn ,/, the/at thing/nn proved/vbd to/to be/be a/at sweater/nn ,/, of/in the/at long-hair/nn variety/nn that/wps sheds/vbz onto/in men's/nns$ jackets/nns --/-- pale/jj ,/, pale/jj pink/jj and/cc ,/, according/in to/in the/at label/nn ,/, size/nn thirty-four/cd ./.
He/pps thought/vbd about/in it/ppo for/in a/at minute/nn ,/, could/md find/vb no/at reasonable/jj explanation/nn for/in the/at presence/nn of/in a/at sweater/nn in/in the/at refrigerator/nn ,/, got/vbd the/at salami/nn ,/, bread/nn ,/, and/cc a/at Bermuda/np onion/nn ,/, and/cc put/vbd the/at whole/jj thing/nn out/in of/in his/pp$ mind/nn ./.




Next/ap morning/nn ,/, he/pps found/vbd a/at note/nn in/in the/at refrigerator/nn ./.
``/`` Would/md you/ppss mind/vb wrapping/vbg your/pp$ onion/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Said/vbd this/dt note/nn ./.
``/`` The/at smell/nn permeates/vbz everything/pn ''/'' !/. !/.
Everything/pn being/beg the/at sweater/nn ,/, a/at lipstick/nn case/nn ,/, and/cc a/at squirt/nn bottle/nn of/in Kissin'/nn-tl Kare/nn-tl pink/jj hand/nn lotion/nn ./.
The/at note/nn paper/nn was/bedz pink/jj ,/, too/rb ,/, and/cc the/at handwriting/nn small/jj and/cc dainty/jj and/cc utterly/rb feminine/jj ./.
Not/* that/cs he/pps had/hvd supposed/vbn ,/, considering/in the/at evidence/nn ,/, that/cs he/pps was/bedz sharing/vbg this/dt refrigerator/nn with/in a/at member/nn of/in the/at Beach/nn-tl Patrol/nn-tl ./.
He/pps scrawled/vbd ``/`` Sorry/jj-nc ''/'' across/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at note/nn and/cc then/rb ,/, against/in his/pp$ better/jjr judgment/nn ,/, added/vbd :/: ``/`` Don't/do* you/ppss eat/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps didn't/dod* want/vb to/to encourage/vb anything/pn here/rb ;/. ;/.
but/cc on/in the/at other/ap hand/nn ,/, he/pps didn't/dod* want/vb her/ppo swiping/vbg his/pp$ salami/nn ./.


	``/`` Not/* onions/nns ''/'' ,/, came/vbd the/at answer/nn the/at following/vbg day/nn ./.
``/`` Ugh/uh ''/'' ./.


	Must/md have/hv really/rb smelled/vbn up/rp her/pp$ sweater/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, and/cc wondered/vbd idly/rb just/rb why/wrb she/pps kept/vbd the/at sweater/nn fast-frozen/jj ./.
But/cc then/rb ,/, as/cs he/pps well/rb knew/vbd ,/, women/nns are/ber not/* guided/vbn by/in logic/nn or/cc common/nn sense/nn ./.
Take/vb Vivian/np ./.
Yes/rb ,/, take/vb Vivian/np ./.
Somebody/pn had/hvd ./.


	Now/rb ,/, if/cs this/dt were/bed Vivian/np next/ap door/nn to/in him/ppo and/cc if/cs ,/, for/in some/dti obscure/jj female/nn reason/nn ,/, she/pps kept/vbd her/pp$ clothes/nns in/in the/at refrigerator/nn ,/, they/ppss would/md not/* be/be pink/jj ./.
They/ppss would/md be/be black/jj or/cc white/jj or/cc horse-blanket/nn plaid/nn ,/, chic/jj and/cc splashy/jj ,/, like/cs Vivian/np herself/ppl ./.
Pink/jj ,/, Vivian/np once/rb had/hvd told/vbn him/ppo ,/, was/bedz for/in baby/nn girls/nns ,/, and/cc grown-up/jj girls/nns who/wps wore/vbd pink/nn were/bed subconsciously/rb clinging/vbg to/in their/pp$ infancy/nn ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb does/doz this/dt girl/nn keep/vb a/at sweater/nn in/in the/at refrigerator/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps mused/vbd aloud/rb ./.




Eh/uh ''/'' ?/. ?/.
It/pps was/bedz Mrs./np Kirby/np ,/, making/vbg her/pp$ toilsome/jj way/nn along/in the/at veranda/nn ,/, laden/jj with/in a/at clattery/jj collection/nn of/in mops/nns ,/, brushes/nns ,/, and/cc pails/nns ./.
``/`` What's/wdt+bez that/dt you/ppss say/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, nothing/pn ./.
Just/rb glad/jj the/at rain's/nn+hvz stopped/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, yes/rb ./.
Just/rb look/vb at/in that/dt sky/nn ./.
Be/be a/at scorcher/nn by/in afternoon/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss hope/vb so/rb ./.
I've/ppss+hv got/vbn this/dt cold/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` So/rb you/ppss said/vbd ''/'' ./.
She/pps scrutinized/vbd him/ppo ./.
``/`` My/pp$ ,/, you're/ppss+ber peaked/jj ./.
You/ppss want/vb to/to watch/vb out/rp that/cs you/ppss don't/do* get/vb burned/vbn to/in an/at ash/nn ,/, first/od sunny/jj day/nn ./.
I/ppss must/md remember/vb to/to warn/vb the/at girl/nn next/in to/in you/ppo in/in Larkspur/nn-tl ./.
That/dt pale/jj kind's/nn+bez the/at worst/jjt ''/'' ./.


	That/dt pale/jj kind/nn ,/, Charlie/np thought/vbd ./.
Hardly/rb an/at inviting/vbg description/nn ./.
But/cc then/rb ,/, neither/dtx was/bedz peaked/jj ./.
He/pps could/md hear/vb Mrs./np Kirby/np now/rb ,/, warning/vbg her/pp$ pale/jj guest/nn against/in sunburn/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss spoke/vbd to/in the/at fellow/nn next/ap door/nn ,/, too/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps might/md say/vb ./.
``/`` He's/pps+bez that/dt peaked/jj kind/nn ''/'' ./.


	Surely/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at better/jjr word/nn ./.
Charlie/np looked/vbd in/in the/at mirror/nn ./.
Run-down/jj ,/, iron-poor/jj ./.
He/pps looked/vbd more/ql closely/rb ./.
Frail/jj ,/, feeble/jj --/-- peaked/jj ./.
Clearly/rb ,/, two/cd damp/jj days/nns with/in the/at Bobbsey/np-tl Twins/nns-tl had/hvd done/vbn him/ppo no/at good/jj ./.


	The/at sun/nn ,/, blazing/vbg hot/jj as/cs prophesied/vbn ,/, was/bedz far/rb from/in kind/jj to/in Mrs./np Kirby's/np$ varicolored/jj properties/nns ./.
When/wrb Charlie/np came/vbd up/rp from/in the/at beach/nn for/in his/pp$ four-o'clock/nn pill/nn ,/, the/at whole/jj establishment/nn (/( gaudy/jj enough/qlp when/wrb seen/vbn through/in mist/nn and/cc fog/nn )/) looked/vbd like/cs a/at floodlit/vbn modern/jj painting/nn --/-- great/jj blocks/nns of/in dizzy/jj color/nn ,/, punctuated/vbn at/in regular/jj intervals/nns by/in the/at glaring/vbg white/jj of/in five/cd community/nn refrigerators/nns ./.
This/dt weekend/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, he/pps would/md look/vb around/rb for/in some/dti more/ql subdued/vbn retreat/nn ,/, with/in Cape/nn-tl roses/nns ,/, maybe/rb ,/, at/in the/at door/nn ./.
He/pps could/md not/* imagine/vb a/at flower's/nn$ being/beg brave/jj enough/qlp to/to grow/vb beside/in Peony/np ,/, Larkspur/nn-tl ,/, and/cc the/at rest/nn ./.


	The/at sweater/nn was/bedz gone/vbn from/in the/at refrigerator/nn ,/, and/cc in/in its/pp$ place/nn was/bedz a/at large/jj plastic/jj bag/nn ,/, full/jj of/in wet/jj pink/jj clothes/nns ./.
No/at wonder/nn she/pps was/bedz so/ql pale/jj ,/, wearing/vbg all/abn those/dts cold/jj clothes/nns ./.


	He/pps got/vbd a/at red/jj pill/nn and/cc a/at beer/nn and/cc then/rb ,/, on/in impulse/nn ,/, transferred/vbd the/at rest/nn of/in his/pp$ salami/nn to/in her/pp$ side/nn of/in the/at refrigerator/nn and/cc scrawled/vbd ``/`` Be/be my/pp$ guest/nn ''/'' on/in the/at wrapping/nn ./.
It/pps gave/vbd him/ppo a/at good/jj feeling/nn ./.


	``/`` M-m-m/uh ./.
Thanks/nns ''/'' ,/, was/bedz her/pp$ answer/nn the/at next/ap day/nn ./.
The/at note/nn was/bedz propped/vbn against/in his/pp$ pill/nn bottles/nns and/cc bore/vbd a/at postscript/nn :/: ``/`` You're/ppss+ber not/* at/in all/ql well/rb ,/, are/ber you/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn this/dt cold/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps wrote/vbd ./.
Not/* that/cs it/pps was/bedz any/dti of/in her/pp$ business/nn ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez none/pn of/in my/pp$ business/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at next/ap note/nn ,/, ``/`` but/cc my/pp$ Aunt/nn-tl Elsie/np used/vbd to/to take/vb lemon/nn juice/nn and/cc honey/nn in/in hot/jj water/nn for/in a/at cold/nn ,/, and/cc she/pps lived/vbd to/to be/be ninety-six/cd ./.
I/ppss mean/vb ,/, she's/pps+bez still/rb living/vbg ,/, and/cc she's/pps+bez ninety-six/cd ./.
Why/wrb don't/do* you/ppss try/vb that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* have/hv a/at lemon/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps had/hvd to/to write/vb very/ql small/jj to/to get/vb it/ppo on/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at scrap/nn of/in paper/nn ./.


	By/in the/at next/ap morning/nn ,/, she/pps had/hvd turned/vbn the/at paper/nn over/rp ./.
``/`` Gee/uh ,/, neither/cc do/do I/ppss ''/'' ./.


	Charlie/np grinned/vbd ./.
She/pps didn't/dod* sound/vb like/cs a/at pale/jj girl/nn ./.
She/pps sounded/vbd a/at little/ap like/cs a/at redhead/nn ./.
But/cc then/rb ,/, redheads/nns are/ber often/rb pale/jj ./.


	He/pps stuck/vbd his/pp$ head/nn in/in Mrs./np Kirby's/np$ little/jj rental/jj office/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss guess/vb that/dt redhead/nn next/in to/in me/ppo took/vbd your/pp$ advice/nn ./.
I/ppss haven't/hv* seen/vbn her/ppo on/in the/at beach/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss won't/md* ,/, if/cs you're/ppss+ber looking/vbg for/in a/at redhead/nn ./.
She's/pps+hvz got/vbn browny/jj hair/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps spent/vbd that/cs afternoon/nn on/in the/at beach/nn ,/, looking/vbg for/in a/at pale/jj ,/, browny-haired/jj girl/nn in/in a/at pink/jj bathing/vbg suit/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed pink/jj bathing/vbg suits/nns on/in blondes/nns ,/, and/cc browny-haired/jj girls/nns in/in red/jj or/cc black/jj or/cc green/jj bathing/vbg suits/nns ./.
There/ex were/bed a/at sprinkling/nn of/in daring/vbg bikinis/nns and/cc a/at preponderance/nn of/in glorified/vbn tank/nn suits/nns ./.
Up/rp on/in a/at dune/nn ,/, he/pps saw/vbd a/at girl/nn ,/, all/abn by/in herself/ppl ,/, sitting/vbg on/in a/at camp/nn stool/nn before/in an/at easel/nn and/cc absorbed/vbn in/in her/pp$ painting/nn ./.
He/pps paid/vbd little/ap attention/nn to/in her/ppo because/cs she/pps was/bedz a/at redhead/nn and/cc because/cs she/pps was/bedz wearing/vbg white/jj --/-- one/cd of/in those/dts bulky/jj ,/, turtle-neck/nn sweaters/nns ./.
On/in the/at beach/nn ,/, there/ex were/bed pale/jj girls/nns and/cc not-so-pale/jj girls/nns ./.
And/cc he/pps saw/vbd them/ppo all/abn as/cs he/pps walked/vbd up/rp and/cc down/rp ./.


	At/in two/cd that/dt morning/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz still/rb walking/vbg --/-- up/in and/cc down/in Peony/np ,/, up/in and/cc down/in the/at veranda/nn ,/, up/in and/cc down/in the/at silent/jj ,/, moonlit/jj beach/nn ./.
Finally/rb ,/, in/in desperation/nn ,/, he/pps opened/vbd the/at refrigerator/nn ,/, filched/vbd her/pp$ hand/nn lotion/nn ,/, and/cc left/vbd a/at note/nn ./.
``/`` I've/ppss+hv got/vbn this/dt sunburn/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd the/at note/nn ,/, ``/`` and/cc I/ppss used/vbd some/dti of/in your/pp$ hand/nn lotion/nn ./.
Hope/vb you/ppss don't/do* mind/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Of/in course/nn I/ppss don't/do* mind/vb ''/'' ,/, she/pps answered/vbd ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber having/hvg a/at miserable/jj time/nn ,/, aren't/ber* you/ppss ?/. ?/.
Use/vb all/abn the/at lotion/nn you/ppss want/vb ,/, and/cc for/in goodness'/nn$ sake/nn ,/, stay/vb in/rp out/in of/in the/at sun/nn for/in a/at couple/nn of/in days/nns ''/'' ./.


	This/dt was/bedz a/at very/ql warm/jj ,/, sympathetic/jj girl/nn ,/, he/pps decided/vbd ./.
Sympathy/nn is/bez a/at fine/jj quality/nn in/in a/at woman/nn ./.
Now/rb Vivian/np ,/, for/in instance/nn ,/, was/bedz not/* too/ql long/jj on/in sympathy/nn ./.
She/pps felt/vbd ,/, and/cc said/vbd ,/, that/dt sympathy/nn only/rb made/vbd people/nns feel/vb sorry/jj for/in themselves/ppls ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz a/at tough/jj world/nn ,/, and/cc you/ppss had/hvd to/to be/be tough/jj to/to hold/vb your/pp$ own/jj ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* know/vb what/wdt was/bedz so/ql tough/jj about/in Vivian's/np$ world/nn ,/, slopping/vbg around/in Nassau/np with/in what's-his-name/nn ./.
Suppose/vb what's-his-name/nn got/vbd a/at sunburn/nn ?/. ?/.
Charlie/np couldn't/md* see/vb Vivian/np offering/vbg any/dti hand/nn lotion/nn ./.
She/pps might/md peel/vb him/ppo ,/, once/cs the/at worst/jjt of/in the/at agony/nn was/bedz over/rp ./.




Charlie/np spent/vbd the/at next/ap two/cd days/nns in/in his/pp$ pajama/nn bottoms/nns ,/, waiting/vbg for/in the/at fire/nn in/in his/pp$ back/nn to/to subside/vb ,/, and/cc used/vbd generous/jj quantities/nns of/in the/at hand/nn lotion/nn ./.


	Correspondence/nn passed/vbd back/rb and/cc forth/rb ./.


	``/`` How's/wrb+bez your/pp$ sunburn/nn now/rb ?/. ?/.
The/at only/jj thing/nn ,/, this/dt lotion/nn has/hvz glycerin/nn in/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc that/wps whitens/vbz the/at skin/nn ,/, so/cs if/cs you're/ppss+ber so/ql anxious/jj to/to get/vb a/at tan/nn ,/, you/ppss may/md not/* want/vb to/to use/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* that/ql anxious/jj ,/, but/cc maybe/rb that's/dt+bez why/wrb you're/ppss+ber so/ql fair/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That/dt Mrs./np Kirby/np !/. !/.
I'll/ppss+md bet/vb she/pps told/vbd you/ppo I/ppss was/bedz puny/jj ,/, too/rb ./.
How's/wrb+bez your/pp$ cold/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Broiled/vbn out/rp ./.
She/pps didn't/dod* say/vb you/ppss were/bed puny/jj ./.
Are/ber you/ppss ?/. ?/.
What's/wdt+bez puny/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Puny/jj goes/vbz with/in pale/jj and/cc peaked/jj ./.
Do/do you/ppss have/hv anything/pn to/to read/vb while/cs you're/ppss+ber shut/vbn up/rp ?/. ?/.
There/ex are/ber two/cd things/nns here/rb about/in Surviving/vbg-tl in/in-tl the/at-tl Wilderness/nn-tl ,/, and/cc a/at book/nn called/vbn '/' Tom/np Swift/np-tl and/cc-tl His/pp$-tl Speedy/jj-tl Canoe/nn-tl '/' ;/. ;/.
but/cc the/at picture/nn of/in Tom/np Swift/np is/bez pretty/ql sinister/jj ./.
Also/rb the/at canoe/nn ''/'' ./.

There/ex was/bedz a/at crowd/nn in/in the/at stands/nns for/in a/at change/nn and/cc the/at sun/nn was/bedz hot/jj ./.
The/at new/jj Riverside/np pitcher/nn turned/vbd out/rp to/to have/hv an/at overhand/jj fast/jj ball/nn that/wps took/vbd a/at hop/nn ./.
For/in a/at few/ap innings/nns the/at Anniston/np team/nn couldn't/md* figure/vb him/ppo out/rp ./.
Then/rb ,/, in/in the/at fifth/od ,/, Anniston's/np$ kid/nn catcher/nn caught/vbd onto/in a/at curve/nn and/cc smacked/vbd the/at ball/nn into/in left/jj center/nn field/nn ./.
Eddie/np Lee/np ,/, Riverside's/np$ redheaded/jj playing/vbg manager/nn ,/, ran/vbd after/in the/at ball/nn but/cc it/pps rolled/vbd past/in him/ppo ./.
Phil/np Rossoff/np cut/vbd over/rp to/in center/nn from/in left/jj field/nn to/to get/vb the/at relay/nn ./.
Eddie/np caught/vbd up/rp with/in the/at ball/nn near/in the/at fence/nn and/cc threw/vbd it/ppo to/in Phil/np ./.
``/`` Third/od !/. !/.
Third/od base/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Eddie/np shouted/vbd ./.
Phil/np spun/vbd around/rb and/cc made/vbd an/at accurate/jj throw/nn into/in Mike/np Deegan's/np$ hands/nns on/in third/od base/nn ./.
Mike/np caught/vbd the/at ball/nn just/rb as/cs the/at catcher/nn slid/vbd into/in the/at bag/nn ./.
But/cc the/at Anniston/np boy/nn had/hvd begun/vbn his/pp$ slide/nn too/ql late/rb ./.
He/pps came/vbd into/in the/at bag/nn with/in his/pp$ body/nn and/cc Mike/np Deegan/np brought/vbd the/at ball/nn down/rp full/rb in/in his/pp$ face/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss bastard/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
The/at Anniston/np catcher/nn screamed/vbd ./.
He/pps jumped/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns and/cc started/vbd to/to throw/vb punches/nns ./.
Mike/np Deegan/np tossed/vbd his/pp$ glove/nn away/rb and/cc began/vbd to/to swing/vb at/in the/at catcher/nn ./.
This/dt brought/vbn in/rp everybody/pn from/in both/abx sides/nns ,/, while/cs the/at spectators/nns stood/vbd up/rp and/cc added/vbd to/in the/at uproar/nn ./.
The/at fighters/nns were/bed separated/vbn in/in a/at few/ap minutes/nns ./.
The/at game/nn was/bedz resumed/vbn ./.
But/cc Mike/np Deegan/np was/bedz boiling/vbg mad/jj now/rb ./.
When/wrb the/at inning/nn was/bedz over/rp he/pps cursed/vbd the/at Anniston/np catcher/nn all/abn the/at way/nn into/in the/at dugout/nn ./.
Phil/np Rossoff/np ,/, coming/vbg in/rp from/in left/jj field/nn ,/, stopped/vbd at/in the/at water/nn fountain/nn for/in a/at drink/nn ./.
Mike/np Deegan/np was/bedz standing/vbg beside/in it/ppo ,/, facing/vbg the/at field/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz eyeing/vbg the/at Anniston/np catcher/nn warming/vbg up/rp his/pp$ pitcher/nn before/cs the/at inning/nn began/vbd ./.
``/`` Keep/vb your/pp$ eyes/nns open/vb ,/, sonny/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Mike/np yelled/vbd to/in the/at catcher/nn ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber in/rp for/in trouble/nn ''/'' ./.
The/at Anniston/np catcher/nn did/dod not/* reply/vb with/in words/nns ./.
He/pps simply/rb turned/vbd to/in Mike/np and/cc smiled/vbd ./.
This/dt so/ql infuriated/vbd Deegan/np that/cs he/pps spun/vbd around/rb and/cc said/vbd :/: ``/`` I'll/ppss+md get/vb that/dt little/ap bastard/nn ./.
So/rb help/vb me/ppo God/np ,/, I'll/ppss+md get/vb him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np Rossoff/np said/vbd :/: ``/`` Why/wrb don't/do* you/ppo leave/vb him/ppo alone/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Mind/vb your/pp$ own/jj goddamn/jj business/nn ''/'' ,/, Mike/np Deegan/np said/vbd ./.


	Phil/np shrugged/vbd ./.
He/pps stepped/vbd into/in the/at dugout/nn ,/, wondering/vbg why/wrb Deegan/np was/bedz always/rb looking/vbg for/in trouble/nn ./.
Maybe/rb the/at answer/nn was/bedz in/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ./.
When/wrb Deegan/np smiled/vbd his/pp$ eyes/nns never/rb fit/vbd in/rp with/in his/pp$ lips/nns ./.


	In/in the/at last/nn of/in the/at sixth/od inning/nn Mike/np Deegan/np got/vbd up/rp to/to bat/vb and/cc hit/vbd a/at fast/jj ball/nn over/in the/at left/jj fielder's/nn$ head/nn ./.
By/in the/at time/nn the/at fielder/nn got/vbd his/pp$ hands/nns on/in the/at ball/nn Deegan/np was/bedz rounding/vbg third/od base/nn and/cc heading/vbg for/in home/nr ./.
The/at left/jj fielder/nn threw/vbd and/cc it/pps was/bedz a/at good/jj one/pn ./.
But/cc Mike/np had/hvd no/at chance/nn of/in being/beg tagged/vbn ./.
The/at Anniston/np catcher/nn was/bedz straddling/vbg home/nr plate/nn ./.
All/abn Deegan/np had/hvd to/to do/do was/bedz slide/vb ,/, fall/vb away/rb ,/, but/cc instead/rb ,/, he/pps rammed/vbd into/in the/at catcher/nn ./.


	Both/abx fell/vbd heavily/rb to/in the/at ground/nn ./.


	Only/rb Mike/np got/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.
He/pps went/vbd back/rb to/to touch/vb home/nr plate/nn ,/, turned/vbd and/cc walked/vbd to/in the/at dugout/nn without/in looking/vbg back/rb ./.


	The/at Anniston/np players/nns and/cc their/pp$ manager/nn ran/vbd out/rp on/in the/at field/nn ./.
They/ppss poured/vbd water/nn over/in their/pp$ catcher's/nn$ face/nn ./.
He/pps did/dod not/* move/vb ./.
Then/rb the/at manager/nn called/vbd for/in a/at doctor/nn ./.
The/at Riverside/np physician/nn came/vbd down/rp to/to look/vb over/rp the/at injured/vbn ballplayer/nn ./.
Then/rb ,/, quickly/rb ,/, and/cc a/at little/ql nervously/rb ,/, the/at doctor/nn ordered/vbd a/at couple/nn of/in ballplayers/nns to/to carry/vb the/at catcher/nn into/in the/at dressing/vbg room/nn ./.


	Mike/np Deegan/np was/bedz sitting/vbg on/in the/at bench/nn ,/, watching/vbg ./.
When/wrb the/at ballplayers/nns started/vbd to/to carry/vb the/at catcher/nn off/in the/at field/nn he/pps said/vbd :/: ``/`` That/dt ought/md to/to teach/vb the/at sonofabitch/nn ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np Rossoff/np ,/, seated/vbn next/in to/in Deegan/np ,/, got/vbd up/rp and/cc moved/vbd to/in the/at other/ap end/nn of/in the/at bench/nn ./.


	The/at Anniston/np manager/nn was/bedz coming/vbg over/rp to/in the/at Riverside/np dugout/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz followed/vbn by/in four/cd of/in his/pp$ men/nns ./.
It/pps began/vbd to/to look/vb as/cs if/cs something/pn was/bedz going/vbg to/to happen/vb ./.
Mike/np sat/vbd quietly/rb watching/vbg the/at manager/nn come/vbn nearer/rbr ./.
Eddie/np Lee/np moved/vbd over/rp to/in Mike/np Deegan's/np$ side/nn ./.
No/at one/pn said/vbd a/at word/nn ./.


	The/at Anniston/np manager/nn came/vbd right/ql up/rp to/in the/at dugout/nn in/in front/nn of/in Mike/np ./.
His/pp$ face/nn was/bedz flushed/vbn ./.


	``/`` Deegan/np ''/'' ,/, the/at manager/nn said/vbd ,/, his/pp$ voice/nn pitched/vbn low/jj ,/, quivering/vbg ./.
``/`` That/dt was/bedz a/at rotten/jj thing/nn to/to do/do ''/'' ./.


	``/`` For/in God's/np$ sake/nn ''/'' ,/, Mike/np said/vbd ,/, waving/vbg the/at manager/nn away/rb ./.
``/`` Stop/vb it/ppo ,/, will/md you/ppss ?/. ?/.
Tell/vb your/pp$ guys/nns not/* to/to block/vb the/at plate/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv to/to ram/vb him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez what/wdt you/ppss say/vb ''/'' ./.


	The/at Anniston/np manager/nn looked/vbd at/in Eddie/np Lee/np ./.
It/pps was/bedz a/at cold/jj and/cc calculated/vbn look/nn ./.
He/pps turned/vbd and/cc went/vbd back/rb across/in the/at field/nn to/in his/pp$ dugout/nn ./.
He/pps called/vbd in/rp the/at pitcher/nn who/wps had/hvd been/ben pitching/vbg ,/, and/cc a/at big/jj ,/, heavy/jj ,/, powerfully/rb built/vbn right/jj hander/nn moved/vbd out/rp to/in the/at mound/nn for/in Anniston/np ./.


	The/at game/nn started/vbd again/rb and/cc in/in the/at eighth/od inning/nn Mike/np Deegan/np came/vbd up/rp to/to bat/vb ./.
Everyone/pn in/in the/at ball/nn park/nn seemed/vbd to/to be/be standing/vbg and/cc shouting/vbg ./.


	The/at first/od ball/nn the/at hefty/jj pitcher/nn threw/vbd came/vbd in/rp for/in Mike's/np$ head/nn ./.
Deegan/np fell/vbd into/in the/at dirt/nn ,/, the/at ball/nn going/vbg over/in him/ppo ./.
He/pps arose/vbd slowly/rb and/cc brushed/vbd himself/ppl off/rp ./.
He/pps got/vbd back/rb into/in the/at batter's/nn$ box/nn and/cc on/in the/at next/ap pitch/nn dropped/vbd into/in the/at dirt/nn again/rb ./.


	``/`` Hit/vb the/at bum/nn ''/'' !/. !/.
Somebody/pn yelled/vbd from/in the/at Anniston/np bench/nn ./.


	In/in the/at Riverside/np dugout/nn Frankie/np Ricco/np ,/, shortstop/nn ,/, whispered/vbd into/in Phil's/np$ ear/nn :/: ``/`` There's/ex+bez gonna/vbg+to be/be a/at fight/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Look/vb at/in those/dts bastards/nns ''/'' !/. !/.
Charlie/np Haydon/np ,/, a/at pitcher/nn ,/, said/vbd ./.
``/`` They're/ppss+ber looking/vbg for/in trouble/nn ''/'' ./.


	Mike/np was/bedz slow/rb getting/vbg into/in the/at box/nn this/dt time/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps finally/rb did/dod he/pps had/hvd to/to duck/vb his/pp$ head/nn quickly/rb away/rb as/cs the/at pitch/nn came/vbd in/rp ./.


	``/`` Listen/vb ''/'' !/. !/.
He/pps shouted/vbd to/in the/at pitcher/nn ./.
``/`` One/cd more/ap and/cc I'm/ppss+bem coming/vbg out/rp there/rb ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md be/be waiting/vbg ''/'' !/. !/.
The/at pitcher/nn yelled/vbd back/rb ./.


	Mike/np Deegan/np pounded/vbd the/at rubber/nn plate/nn with/in the/at end/nn of/in his/pp$ bat/nn ./.
He/pps stood/vbd flat-footed/jj in/in the/at box/nn ,/, but/cc not/* very/ql close/rb to/in the/at plate/nn now/rb ./.
The/at pitcher/nn wound/vbd up/rp and/cc the/at ball/nn came/vbd in/rp straight/rb for/in Mike's/np$ head/nn ./.
Deegan/np dropped/vbd ,/, got/vbd up/rp ,/, turned/vbd and/cc ,/, holding/vbg the/at bat/nn with/in both/abx hands/nns up/rp against/in his/pp$ chest/nn ,/, began/vbd to/to walk/vb slowly/rb out/rp to/in the/at mound/nn ./.
The/at pitcher/nn tossed/vbd his/pp$ glove/nn away/rb and/cc came/vbd towards/in Mike/np Deegan/np ./.
They/ppss were/bed both/abx walking/vbg towards/in each/dt other/ap ,/, unhurried/jj ./.


	Riverside/np and/cc Anniston/np players/nns rushed/vbd out/rp on/in the/at field/nn ./.
In/in the/at next/ap moment/nn ,/, it/pps seemed/vbd ,/, the/at infield/nn was/bedz crowded/vbn with/in spectators/nns ,/, ballplayers/nns ,/, cops/nns ,/, kids/nns and/cc a/at dog/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz much/ap shouting/nn and/cc screaming/nn ./.
Fights/nns sprang/vbd up/rp and/cc were/bed quickly/rb squelched/vbn ./.
Mike/np and/cc the/at Anniston/np pitcher/nn were/bed pulled/vbn away/rb before/cs they/ppss even/rb came/vbd together/rb ./.


	Phil/np Rossoff/np and/cc two/cd other/ap Riverside/np players/nns did/dod not/* go/vb out/rp on/in the/at field/nn when/wrb the/at fighting/nn started/vbd ./.


	After/in the/at game/nn ,/, Phil/np was/bedz taking/vbg off/rp his/pp$ sweatshirt/nn in/in the/at dressing/vbg room/nn when/wrb Mike/np Deegan/np came/vbd in/rp ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez a/at helluva/jj thing/nn ''/'' ,/, Mike/np said/vbd ,/, looking/vbg at/in Phil/np ,/, ``/`` when/wrb a/at guy's/nn$ own/jj team-mate/nn won't/md* come/vb out/rp and/cc help/vb him/ppo in/in a/at fight/nn ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np sighed/vbd and/cc pulled/vbd the/at wet/jj sweatshirt/nn over/in his/pp$ head/nn ./.
Frankie/np Ricco/np sat/vbd down/rp on/in the/at bench/nn near/in Phil/np ./.
The/at other/ap players/nns were/bed undressing/vbg quietly/rb ./.
Eddie/np Lee/np had/hvd not/* come/vbn in/rp yet/rb ./.


	Mike/np went/vbd over/rp to/in Phil/np and/cc stood/vbd over/in him/ppo ./.
``/`` Why/wrb the/at hell/nn didn't/dod* you/ppss come/vb out/rp when/wrb you/ppss saw/vbd them/ppo gang/vb up/rp on/in me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* think/vb it/pps was/bedz necessary/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh !/. !/.
Now/rb that's/dt+bez just/rb fine/jj !/. !/.
You/ppss didn't/dod* think/vb it/pps was/bedz necessary/jj ''/'' ./.
Mike/np placed/vbd both/abx his/pp$ hands/nns on/in his/pp$ hips/nns ./.
He/pps pushed/vbd his/pp$ jaw/nn forward/rb ./.
``/`` Listen/vb ,/, wise/jj guy/nn ,/, if/cs you/ppss think/vb I'm/ppss+bem gonna/vbg+to do/do all/abn the/at fighting/nn for/in this/dt ball/nn club/nn you're/ppss+ber crazy/jj ''/'' ./.


	Mike/np had/hvd a/at good/jj two/cd inches/nns over/in Phil/np and/cc Phil/np had/hvd to/to look/vb up/rp into/in Mike's/np$ face/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* ask/vb you/ppo to/to fight/vb for/in the/at ball/nn club/nn ''/'' ,/, Phil/np said/vbd slowly/rb ./.
``/`` Nobody/pn else/rb did/dod ,/, either/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss trying/vbg to/to say/vb I/ppss started/vbd the/at fight/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* trying/vbg to/to say/vb anything/pn ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np turned/vbd away/rb and/cc opened/vbd his/pp$ locker/nn ,/, and/cc then/rb he/pps heard/vbd Mike/np Deegan/np say/vb :/: ``/`` You're/ppss+ber yellow/jj ,/, Rossoff/np ''/'' !/. !/.
And/cc Phil/np banged/vbd his/pp$ locker/nn door/nn shut/vbn and/cc spun/vbd around/rb ./.
But/cc before/cs anything/pn could/md happen/vb Frankie/np Ricco/np was/bedz between/in them/ppo and/cc Eddie/np Lee/np had/hvd come/vbn into/in the/at dressing/vbg room/nn ./.


	``/`` Phil/np ,/, come/vb into/in my/pp$ office/nn ''/'' ,/, Eddie/np said/vbd ./.


	Phil/np followed/vbd Eddie/np into/in the/at office/nn and/cc shut/vbd the/at door/nn ./.
He/pps sat/vbd down/rp before/in Eddie's/np$ desk/nn ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem doing/vbg you/ppo a/at favor/nn ''/'' ,/, Eddie/np said/vbd quickly/rb ./.
``/`` You/ppss get/vb your/pp$ unconditional/jj release/nn as/in of/in today/nr ''/'' ./.


	Phil's/np$ eyes/nns widened/vbd just/rb a/at trifle/nn ./.


	``/`` The/at best/jjt thing/nn for/in you/ppo to/to do/do ''/'' ,/, Eddie/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` is/bez go/vb home/nr ./.
You/ppss don't/do* belong/vb in/in professional/jj baseball/nn ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np had/hvd to/to clear/vb his/pp$ throat/nn ./.
``/`` Is/bez this/dt because/rb of/in what/wdt happened/vbd out/rp there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ,/, Eddie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc it/pps does/doz confirm/vb what/wdt I've/ppss+hv suspected/vbn all/abn along/rb ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np stood/vbd up/rp ./.
``/`` Listen/vb !/. !/.
This/dt is/bez the/at second/od time/nn ./.
''/'' 

	``/`` Sit/vb down/rp ,/, sit/vb down/rp ''/'' ,/, Eddie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* saying/vbg you're/ppss+ber yellow/jj ./.
I/ppss am/bem saying/vbg you're/ppss+ber not/* a/at professional/jj ballplayer/nn ''/'' ./.


	Eddie/np Lee/np leaned/vbd forward/rb over/in the/at desk/nn ./.
``/`` Now/rb listen/vb to/in me/ppo ,/, Phil/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem not/* steering/vbg you/ppo wrong/rb ./.
You/ppss haven't/hv* got/vbn the/at heart/nn for/in baseball/nn ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn and/cc Eddie/np frowned/vbd ./.
Suddenly/rb his/pp$ voice/nn grew/vbd hard/jj ./.
``/`` What/wdt the/at hell/nn do/do you/ppss think/vb baseball/nn is/bez ?/. ?/.
You're/ppss+ber not/* in/in the/at big/jj leagues/nns ,/, but/cc if/cs you/ppss can't/md* give/vb and/cc take/vb down/in here/rb what/wdt the/at hell/nn do/do you/ppss think/vb it'll/pps+md be/be like/cs up/in there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Phil/np started/vbd to/to say/vb something/pn but/cc Eddie/np cut/vbd him/ppo short/rb ./.
``/`` Now/rb don't/do* tell/vb me/ppo what/wdt a/at good/jj ball/nn player/nn you/ppss are/ber ./.
I/ppss know/vb you've/ppss+hv got/vbn talent/nn ./.
But/cc what/wdt you/ppss haven't/hv* got/vbn is/bez the/at heart/nn to/to back/vb up/rp that/dt talent/nn with/in ./.
The/at heart/nn ,/, Phil/np ./.
You/ppss just/rb haven't/hv* got/vbn the/at heart/nn for/in pro-ball/nn ,/, and/cc that's/dt+bez it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Dazed/vbn ,/, Phil/np said/vbd :/: ``/`` I/ppss don't/do* get/vb it/ppo ./.
My/pp$ batting/vbg average/nn ''/'' 

	Eddie/np stood/vbd up/rp abruptly/rb ,/, then/rb sat/vbd down/rp just/rb as/ql abruptly/rb ./.
``/`` What/wdt difference/nn does/doz your/pp$ batting/vbg average/nn make/vb ?/. ?/.
Or/cc your/pp$ fielding/vbg average/nn ./.
Or/cc even/rb the/at way/nn you/ppss run/vb bases/nns ./.
I/ppss tell/vb you/ppo when/wrb it's/pps+bez necessary/jj to/to hurt/vb in/in order/nn to/to win/vb --/-- you/ppss won't/md* do/do it/ppo ./.
That's/dt+bez what/wdt I/ppss mean/vb by/in no/at heart/nn for/in the/at game/nn ./.
Baseball's/nn+bez no/at cinch/nn ./.
Deegan/np had/hvd no/at business/nn ramming/vbg into/in that/dt kid/nn out/in there/rb ./.
He/pps did/dod it/ppo because/cs he/pps knows/vbz for/in each/dt guy/nn he/pps puts/vbz out/in of/in commission/nn that's/dt+bez one/cd less/ap who/wps might/md take/vb his/pp$ job/nn away/rb later/rbr on/rp ./.
What/wdt the/at hell/nn do/do you/ppo think/vb baseball/nn is/bez ?/. ?/.
A/at sport/nn ?/. ?/.
It's/pps+bez a/at way/nn of/in life/nn ,/, goddamit/uh !/. !/.
And/cc you've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to be/be ready/jj to/to cut/vb to/in ribbons/nns anybody/pn who/wps wants/vbz to/to take/vb your/pp$ way/nn of/in life/nn away/rb from/in you/ppo ''/'' !/. !/.


	He's/pps+bez wrong/jj !/. !/.
Phil/np thought/vbd ./.
It's/pps+bez only/rb his/pp$ opinion/nn ./.
There/ex were/bed other/ap clubs/nns in/in this/dt league/nn ./.
He/pps stood/vbd up/rp slowly/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at little/ql pale/jj and/cc shaky/jj ./.
His/pp$ lips/nns felt/vbd glued/vbn together/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss think/vb you're/ppss+ber wrong/jj ,/, Eddie/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd finally/rb ./.


	Eddie/np nodded/vbd ./.
``/`` Okay/uh ./.
You'll/ppss+md get/vb your/pp$ pay/nn in/in the/at morning/nn ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np turned/vbd and/cc left/vbd the/at room/nn ,/, hearing/vbg Eddie/np say/vb :/: ``/`` Someday/rb you'll/ppss+md see/vb I/ppss was/bedz right/jj ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np shut/vbd the/at door/nn behind/in him/ppo ./.
Outside/rb in/in the/at dressing/vbg room/nn ,/, Frankie/np Ricco/np sat/vbd on/in the/at bench/nn dressed/vbn in/in his/pp$ street/nn clothes/nns ./.


	``/`` What/wdt happened/vbd ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Frankie/np asked/vbd ./.


	Phil/np said/vbd :/: ``/`` I/ppss got/vbd my/pp$ release/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss crazy/jj ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Phil/np shrugged/vbd ./.


	``/`` What/wdt for/in ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Phil/np sighed/vbd ./.


	Frankie/np shook/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* get/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ''/'' ,/, Phil/np said/vbd ./.


	They/ppss were/bed silent/jj for/in a/at few/ap moments/nns ./.
Then/jj Frankie/np said/vbd :/: ``/`` What/wdt are/ber you/ppss gonna/vbg+to do/do ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Phil/np started/vbd to/to take/vb his/pp$ clothes/nns off/rp and/cc Frankie/np sat/vbd down/rp on/in the/at bench/nn again/rb ./.
Phil/np took/vbd off/rp one/cd shoe/nn and/cc stared/vbd at/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* take/vb it/ppo like/cs this/dt ''/'' ,/, Frankie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Hell/uh ,/, plenty/nn of/in guys/nns get/vb let/vb out/rp and/cc come/vb back/rb later/rbr ./.
The/at leagues/nns are/ber full/jj of/in guys/nns like/cs that/dt ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np was/bedz very/ql quiet/jj ./.


	``/`` What/wdt are/ber you/ppss gonna/vbg+to do/do ,/, Phil/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Phil/np did/dod not/* answer/vb ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb not/* try/vb another/dt club/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Phil/np looked/vbd up/rp ./.
What/wdt the/at hell/nn right/nn did/dod Eddie/np have/hv saying/vbg a/at thing/nn like/cs that/dt ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Springfield's/np+bez in/rp tomorrow/nr ''/'' ,/, Frankie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Talk/vb to/in Whitey/np Jackson/np ''/'' ./.


	He/pps just/rb didn't/dod* know/vb what/wdt he/pps was/bedz talking/vbg about/rb ,/, saying/vbg a/at thing/nn like/in that/dt ./.


	``/`` Will/md you/ppss do/do it/ppo ,/, Phil/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Do/do what/wdt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Ask/vb Whitey/np for/in a/at job/nn ''/'' ./.


	Phil/np nodded/vbd ./.
``/`` Sure/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Springfield/np come/vb in/rp tomorrow/nr ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Frankie/np nodded/vbd ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md speak/vb to/in Whitey/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Atta/uh boy/uh ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'll/ppss+md talk/vb to/in him/ppo ,/, all/ql right/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* worry/vb ''/'' ,/, Frankie/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` You'll/ppss+md get/vb a/at job/nn there/rb ./.
He/pps needs/vbz outfielders/nns bad/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* worried/vbn about/in it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Phil/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez the/at way/nn to/to talk/vb ./.
What/wdt else/rb did/dod Eddie/np have/hv to/to say/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Nothing/pn ''/'' ,/, Phil/np said/vbd ./.



	Richard's/np$ next/ap interest/nn seemed/vbd the/at product/nn of/in his/pp$ insularity/nn ./.
His/pp$ broad/jj reading/nn took/vbd him/ppo into/in certain/jj by-ways/nns of/in religion/nn and/cc the/at subject/nn of/in religion/nn began/vbd to/to fascinate/vb him/ppo ./.
When/wrb he/pps was/bedz twelve/cd he/pps took/vbd to/in reading/vbg St./nn-tl Augustine/np and/cc Aquinas/np ,/, then/jj Lao-tse/np ,/, Confucius/np ,/, Mencius/np ,/, Suzuki/np ,/, Hindu/np tomes/nns by/in endless/jj Krishnaists/nps and/cc numerous/jj socio-archaeological/jj papers/nns ./.
For/in his/pp$ birthday/nn ,/, because/cs Richard/np had/hvd seen/vbn them/ppo in/in a/at store/nn and/cc asked/vbd for/in them/ppo ,/, his/pp$ mother/nn bought/vbd him/ppo the/at Zend-Avesta/np and/cc a/at little/jj image/nn of/in the/at Indian/jj god/nn ,/, Acala/np ./.
And/cc one/cd day/nn ,/, on/in her/pp$ own/jj ,/, his/pp$ mother/nn came/vbd home/nr with/in a/at present/nn entitled/vbn The/at Book/nn-tl of/in-tl the/at-tl Dead/nn-tl ,/, which/wdt she/pps suspected/vbd Richard/np would/md enjoy/vb ./.
He/pps was/bedz enormously/ql happy/jj with/in her/pp$ gift/nn and/cc smiled/vbd ,/, then/rb went/vbd to/in his/pp$ room/nn to/to read/vb ./.


	At/in dinner/nn one/cd night/nn ,/, when/wrb he/pps was/bedz fourteen/cd ,/, Richard/np announced/vbd ,/, ``/`` There/ex is/bez only/rb one/cd god/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Did/dod you/ppss think/vb there/ex were/bed two/cd ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Grinned/vbn his/pp$ father/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss don't/do* understand/vb ''/'' ,/, Richard/np said/vbd gloomily/rb ./.


	Through/in quiet/jj laughter/nn his/pp$ mother/nn said/vbd ,/, ``/`` Don't/do* speak/vb to/in your/pp$ father/nn like/cs that/dt ,/, Richard/np ''/'' ./.


	Richard/np seldom/rb spoke/vbd anyhow/rb and/cc he/pps didn't/dod* speak/vb to/in his/pp$ parents/nns about/in religion/nn again/rb ./.


	His/pp$ interest/nn in/in the/at formal/jj study/nn of/in religion/nn waned/vbd when/wrb he/pps was/bedz sixteen/cd and/cc he/pps substituted/vbd for/in it/ppo an/at interest/nn in/in Asian/jj affairs/nns ./.
Although/cs he/pps still/rb didn't/dod* speak/vb to/in anyone/pn ,/, he/pps grew/vbd fond/jj of/in saying/vbg ,/, ``/`` The/at future/nn lies/vbz in/in Asia/np ''/'' ,/, when/wrb the/at opportunity/nn arose/vbd ,/, and/cc when/wrb he/pps graduated/vbd from/in high/jj school/nn his/pp$ parents/nns sent/vbd him/ppo to/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl to/to give/vb him/ppo a/at foundation/nn ,/, they/ppss said/vbd ,/, for/in his/pp$ life/nn in/in Asian/jj studies/nns ./.


	Richard/np was/bedz a/at solitary/jj student/nn in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl and/cc acquired/vbd ,/, in/in his/pp$ remoteness/nn ,/, a/at thorough/jj if/cs bookish/jj knowledge/nn of/in Asian/jj lore/nn ,/, literature/nn ,/, life/nn ,/, politics/nn and/cc history/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz awarded/vbn a/at fellowship/nn to/to continue/vb his/pp$ studies/nns in/in Tokyo/np and/cc he/pps packed/vbd up/rp his/pp$ clothes/nns ,/, the/at biwa/fw-nn upon/in which/wdt he/pps had/hvd been/ben practicing/vbg and/cc his/pp$ image/nn of/in Acala/np ,/, and/cc left/vbd to/to spend/vb a/at week/nn at/in home/nr before/cs leaving/vbg the/at country/nn ./.


	The/at week/nn at/in home/nr was/bedz not/* comfortable/jj ./.
His/pp$ mother/nn ,/, who/wps had/hvd seen/vbn little/ap of/in him/ppo for/in four/cd years/nns ,/, appeared/vbd worried/vbn about/in his/pp$ sailing/vbg off/rp by/in himself/ppl for/in an/at Orient/np which/wdt ,/, she/pps herself/ppl having/hvg slight/jj knowledge/nn of/in it/ppo ,/, had/hvd to/to be/be distrusted/vbn ./.
She/pps seemed/vbd to/to work/vb to/to grow/vb close/jj to/in her/pp$ son/nn in/in the/at few/ap days/nns he/pps spent/vbd at/in home/nr ,/, talking/vbg to/in him/ppo about/in some/dti of/in the/at more/ql pleasant/jj moments/nns of/in his/pp$ childhood/nn and/cc then/rb trying/vbg to/to talk/vb to/in him/ppo about/in those/dts things/nns in/in which/wdt he/pps alone/rb was/bedz interested/vbn ./.


	``/`` Do/do you/ppss still/rb have/hv The/at Book/nn-tl of/in-tl the/at-tl Dead/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.
She/pps asked/vbd him/ppo and/cc ,/, laughing/vbg ,/, she/pps added/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss was/bedz nervous/jj about/in buying/vbg a/at book/nn with/in a/at title/nn like/cs that/dt ,/, but/cc I/ppss knew/vbd you'd/ppss+md like/vb it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps lied/vbd to/to shorten/vb the/at conversation/nn ,/, ``/`` I/ppss still/rb have/hv it/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps was/bedz no/at longer/rbr able/jj to/to relax/vb in/in the/at presence/nn of/in his/pp$ parents/nns and/cc found/vbd it/ppo difficult/jj to/to keep/vb up/rp a/at conversation/nn with/in his/pp$ mother/nn or/cc father/nn ,/, no/at matter/nn the/at subject/nn ./.
As/in for/in The/at Book/nn-tl of/in-tl the/at-tl Dead/nn-tl ,/, it/pps along/in with/in his/pp$ other/ap books/nns on/in religion/nn had/hvd been/ben incarcerated/vbn in/in a/at furnace/nn in/in the/at basement/nn of/in the/at building/nn in/in which/wdt he/pps had/hvd lived/vbn in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ./.
He/pps had/hvd dusted/vbn each/dt of/in the/at books/nns carefully/rb and/cc carried/vbd them/ppo all/abn to/in the/at basement/nn and/cc ,/, trembling/vbg at/in having/hvg to/to open/vb the/at big/jj furnace/nn ,/, given/vbn them/ppo up/rp to/in the/at flames/nns ./.
Then/rb he/pps sped/vbd from/in the/at dark/jj basement/nn and/cc returned/vbd to/in his/pp$ room/nn and/cc cried/vbd ./.


	Richard/np left/vbd America/np with/in his/pp$ clothes/nns ,/, his/pp$ biwa/fw-nn and/cc his/pp$ image/nn of/in Acala/np and/cc ,/, on/in the/at freighter/nn which/wdt took/vbd him/ppo to/in Japan/np ,/, he/pps plucked/vbd at/in the/at biwa/fw-nn ,/, trying/vbg to/to make/vb the/at sounds/nns he/pps wrought/vbd resemble/vb an/at ancient/jj Japanese/jj tune/nn he/pps had/hvd once/rb heard/vbn ./.
During/in his/pp$ second/od week/nn at/in sea/nn he/pps brought/vbd the/at curious/jj melody/nn out/in of/in the/at instrument/nn and/cc suddenly/rb wanted/vbd to/to force/vb the/at biwa/fw-nn to/to remain/vb at/in just/rb that/dt moment/nn in/in its/pp$ history/nn when/wrb it/pps had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo pleasure/nn ./.
He/pps stole/vbd from/in his/pp$ cabin/nn late/jj that/dt night/nn and/cc crept/vbd out/rp into/in a/at gusty/jj North/jj-tl Pacific/np-tl wind/nn and/cc dropped/vbd the/at biwa/fw-nn into/in the/at water/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz so/ql dark/jj that/cs he/pps didn't/dod* see/vb it/ppo hit/vb the/at water/nn and/cc the/at noisy/jj rush/nn of/in the/at ocean/nn kept/vbd him/ppo from/in hearing/vbg it/ppo ./.
It/pps was/bedz as/cs though/cs the/at biwa/fw-nn had/hvd been/ben eaten/vbn up/rp by/in the/at wind/nn ./.


	In/in Tokyo/np Richard/np took/vbd up/rp a/at life/nn similar/jj to/in that/dt which/wdt he/pps had/hvd lived/vbn in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl ,/, except/in that/cs he/pps had/hvd replaced/vbn his/pp$ biwa/fw-nn with/in a/at friend/nn ./.
An/at American/jj student/nn named/vbn Charlotte/np Adams/np had/hvd refused/vbn to/to take/vb notice/nn of/in his/pp$ evident/jj aversion/nn to/in people/nns and/cc had/hvd at/in last/rb succeeded/vbd in/in getting/vbg him/ppo to/to talk/vb to/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps had/hvd nothing/pn much/ap to/to say/vb to/in her/ppo but/cc that/cs he/pps said/vbd anything/pn seemed/vbd to/to please/vb her/ppo and/cc he/pps accompanied/vbd her/ppo on/in some/dti of/in her/pp$ unusually/rb searching/vbg tours/nns of/in Tokyo/np ./.
In/in Charlotte/np ,/, Richard/np saw/vbd a/at frankness/nn and/cc a/at zest/nn for/in doing/vbg things/nns which/wdt ,/, after/in a/at fashion/nn ,/, he/pps envied/vbd ./.
In/in time/nn ,/, he/pps grew/vbd to/to depend/vb upon/in her/pp$ occasional/jj company/nn and/cc she/pps at/in length/nn was/bedz able/jj to/to encourage/vb him/ppo to/to participate/vb in/in more/ql social/jj activity/nn ./.
She/pps convinced/vbd him/ppo that/cs he/pps ought/md to/to be/be a/at member/nn of/in some/dti of/in the/at small/jj tea-drinking/jj parties/nns she/pps held/vbd at/in her/pp$ rooms/nns and/cc in/in the/at end/nn he/pps complied/vbd with/in her/pp$ wishes/nns ,/, although/cs it/pps was/bedz only/rb rarely/rb that/cs he/pps added/vbd anything/pn to/in the/at random/jj conversations/nns ./.


	At/in one/cd such/jj gathering/nn Charlotte/np announced/vbd ,/, ``/`` I/ppss was/bedz at/in Ryusenji/np today/nr ./.
Have/hv you/ppss ever/rb been/ben to/in Ryusenji/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
No/at one/pn had/hvd ./.
``/`` Well/uh ,/, it's/pps+bez at/in Fudomae/np and/cc there/ex was/bedz a/at tan/jj young/jj man/nn ,/, quite/ql naked/jj ,/, taking/vbg a/at shower/nn in/in the/at pool/nn ./.
I/ppss was/bedz thoroughly/rb startled/vbn ''/'' ./.


	Richard/np thought/vbd it/ppo a/at more/ql promising/jj remark/nn than/cs any/dti made/vbn during/in the/at last/ap conversation/nn ,/, but/cc Charlotte's/np$ manner/nn during/in the/at gatherings/nns was/bedz more/ql flippant/jj and/cc superficial/jj than/cs when/wrb she/pps was/bedz alone/rb with/in him/ppo and/cc he/pps was/bedz sure/jj her/pp$ remark/nn would/md lead/vb to/in nothing/pn much/ql better/jjr than/cs the/at pointless/jj words/nns which/wdt had/hvd preceded/vbn it/ppo ./.
Three/cd of/in the/at four/cd persons/nns present/vb ,/, all/ql foreign/jj students/nns in/in Tokyo/np ,/, had/hvd been/ben playing/vbg a/at game/nn of/in judging/vbg popular/jj Japanese/jj foods/nns by/in the/at In/in-tl and/cc-tl Out/rb-tl system/nn ,/, an/at equation/nn in/in which/wdt Zen/np philosophy/nn was/bedz used/vbn as/cs the/at modifier/nn ./.
Soba/fw-nn ,/, udon/fw-nn and/cc tea/nn were/bed In/in-tl because/cs they/ppss could/md be/be taken/vbn noisily/rb ./.
Sushi/fw-nn was/bedz Out/rb because/cs it/pps was/bedz pretentious/jj ./.
Sashimi/nn was/bedz In/in-tl ,/, Samuel/np Burns/np had/hvd suggested/vbn ,/, because/cs it/pps was/bedz too/ql far/ql Out/rb to/to stay/vb Out/rb ,/, even/rb if/cs it/pps was/bedz a/at little/ql pretentious/jj ./.
Richard/np had/hvd kept/vbn his/pp$ eyes/nns down/rp throughout/in the/at game/nn ,/, the/at very/ap sound/nn of/in the/at chatter/nn nearly/ql painful/jj to/in his/pp$ ears/nns ./.


	``/`` He/pps wasn't/bedz* the/at least/ap bit/nn disturbed/vbn by/in my/pp$ watching/vbg him/ppo ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Charlotte/np ./.


	``/`` Did/dod you/ppo watch/vb him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Asked/vbd a/at red-haired/jj girl/nn named/vbn Ceecee/np Witter/np ./.
``/`` I/ppss shouldn't/md* have/hv been/ben able/jj to/to do/do that/dt ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Well/uh I/ppss was/bedz able/jj to/to do/do it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Charlotte/np said/vbd with/in no/at sign/nn of/in irritation/nn ./.
``/`` For/in a/at minute/nn ,/, anyhow/rb ./.
I'm/ppss+bem surprised/vbn no/at one/pn has/hvz been/ben there/rb ./.
I've/ppss+hv been/ben there/rb a/at number/nn of/in times/nns ./.
Sam/np ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd you/ppss knew/vbd everything/pn about/in Tokyo/np ./.
You've/ppss+hv never/rb been/ben to/in Ryusenji/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I've/ppss+hv heard/vbn about/in it/ppo ''/'' ,/, Samuel/np Burns/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` There's/ex+bez a/at little/ap place/nn there/rb called/vbn Lovers/nns-tl Mound/nn-tl dedicated/vbd to/in Gompachi/np and/cc Komurasaki/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, a/at little/ap parkish/jj place/nn ''/'' ,/, Charlotte/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc concluded/vbd ,/, ``/`` Anyhow/rb ,/, it's/pps+bez all/abn very/ql nice/jj ./.
And/cc the/at man/nn who/wps brought/vbd sweet/jj potatoes/nns into/in Kanto/np is/bez buried/vbn there/rb ,/, next/in to/in a/at beautiful/jj seated/vbn statue/nn of/in Fudo/np ./.
Oh/uh ,/, that's/dt+bez what/wdt I/ppss meant/vbd to/to tell/vb you/ppo ./.
This/dt is/bez the/at interesting/jj part/nn ,/, Richard/np ''/'' ,/, she/pps had/hvd a/at bothersome/jj habit/nn of/in trying/vbg to/to pull/vb him/ppo into/in the/at talking/vbg ./.
``/`` There/ex was/bedz that/cs fellow/nn out/rp there/rb in/in the/at bitter/jj cold/jj ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` My/pp$ God/np ,/, it/pps was/bedz cold/jj today/nr ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Samuel/np Burns/np ./.
``/`` Twenty-two/cd or/cc twenty-three/cd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc the/at water/nn would/md be/be still/ql colder/jjr ''/'' ,/, Ceecee/np seemed/vbd to/to shiver/vb at/in the/at thought/nn of/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` And/cc your/pp$ golden/jj god/nn ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Samuel/np Burns/np ,/, ``/`` probably/rb went/vbd right/ql home/nr and/cc poured/vbd himself/ppl into/in a/at boiling/vbg bath/nn ./.
It/pps would/md kill/vb one/cd of/in us/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` But/cc the/at point/nn is/bez ''/'' ,/, Charlotte/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` there/rb he/pps was/bedz ,/, freezing/vbg ,/, naked/jj in/in a/at little/ap stream/nn of/in water/nn at/in Ryusenji/np ,/, all/abn in/in worship/nn of/in Fudo/np ,/, the/at god/nn of/in fire/nn ''/'' ./.


	Richard's/np$ dark/jj eyes/nns came/vbd up/rp and/cc seemed/vbd for/in the/at tiniest/jjt moment/nn to/to reflect/vb sharp/jj light/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz true/jj ;/. ;/.
Fudo/np ,/, the/at god/nn of/in wisdom/nn ,/, was/bedz also/rb thought/vbn of/in as/cs the/at Japanese/jj version/nn of/in Acala/np ./.
The/at conversation/nn went/vbd on/rp but/cc Richard/np stopped/vbd listening/vbg ./.
He/pps found/vbd himself/ppl trying/vbg to/to remember/vb something/pn ,/, but/cc he/pps couldn't/md* decide/vb even/rb the/at nature/nn of/in what/wdt it/pps was/bedz he/pps worked/vbd to/to recall/vb ./.
He/pps had/hvd almost/rb given/vbn up/rp when/wrb he/pps realized/vbd that/cs the/at dropping/vbg of/in his/pp$ biwa/fw-nn into/in the/at icy/jj jowls/nns of/in the/at black/jj Pacific/jj-tl was/bedz the/at memory/nn for/in which/wdt he/pps had/hvd been/ben searching/vbg ./.
Perhaps/rb he/pps sensed/vbd some/dti connection/nn between/in the/at incident/nn on/in the/at freighter/nn and/cc the/at ascetic/nn at/in Ryusenji/np ,/, he/pps was/bedz unable/jj to/to put/vb it/ppo together/rb ./.


	That/dt night/nn ,/, after/in leaving/vbg Charlotte's/np$ apartment/nn ,/, Richard/np walked/vbd about/rb for/in a/at time/nn before/in returning/vbg to/in his/pp$ room/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps at/in last/rb did/dod go/vb to/in his/pp$ room/nn ,/, he/pps couldn't/md* sleep/vb and/cc instead/rb paced/vbd up/rp and/cc down/rp before/in his/pp$ little/jj image/nn of/in Acala/np ,/, thinking/vbg first/rb of/in Charlotte's/np$ tale/nn of/in the/at man/nn at/in Ryusenji/np ,/, then/rb of/in his/pp$ biwa/fw-nn and/cc the/at invisible/jj Pacific/np waters/nns ./.
And/cc the/at next/ap morning/nn ,/, not/* sure/jj of/in why/wrb he/pps went/vbd ,/, he/pps took/vbd the/at train/nn to/in Fudomae/np and/cc walked/vbd to/in Ryusenji/np ./.


	He/pps was/bedz surprised/vbn by/in the/at sharp/jj sensation/nn he/pps experienced/vbd as/cs he/pps approached/vbd the/at pool/nn which/wdt Charlotte/np had/hvd mentioned/vbn ./.
He/pps went/vbd through/in a/at gate/nn to/to stand/vb at/in the/at edge/nn of/in the/at water/nn and/cc gazed/vbd at/in the/at two/cd thin/jj falls/nns which/wdt dropped/vbd from/in large/jj spigots/nns high/jj at/in the/at back/nn of/in the/at pool/nn ./.
On/in the/at hillside/nn above/rb was/bedz caged/vbn what/wdt might/md have/hv been/ben an/at incarnation/nn of/in Fudo/np ,/, or/cc perhaps/rb a/at demon/nn ./.
The/at strange/jj creature/nn ,/, housed/vbn in/in wire/nn ,/, made/vbd him/ppo shudder/vb ./.
The/at sensation/nn he/pps so/ql overwhelmingly/rb realized/vbn was/bedz one/pn which/wdt told/vbd him/ppo he/pps had/hvd been/ben there/rb before/rb but/cc he/pps knew/vbd he/pps had/hvd not/* ,/, and/cc could/md not/* recall/vb any/dti place/nn he/pps had/hvd visited/vbn to/to be/be likened/vbn to/in the/at limpid/jj green/jj water/nn or/cc the/at little/jj fountain-falls/nns or/cc the/at green/jj demon/nn imprisoned/vbn beyond/in his/pp$ reach/nn ./.


	He/pps left/vbd the/at pool/nn and/cc climbed/vbd the/at steep/nn stone/nn stairs/nns to/in the/at temple/nn ,/, and/cc the/at sense/nn of/in familiarity/nn with/in the/at place/nn would/md not/* leave/vb him/ppo ./.
Into/in a/at little/jj well/nn before/in the/at temple/nn he/pps dropped/vbd a/at hundred-yen/jj coin/nn and/cc then/rb he/pps had/hvd an/at urge/nn to/to sound/vb the/at bell/nn before/in the/at temple/nn ,/, to/to take/vb hold/nn of/in the/at rope/nn and/cc crash/vb it/ppo against/in the/at circle/nn of/in bronze/nn ;/. ;/.
but/cc the/at spirit/nn he/pps wished/vbd to/to call/vb out/rp would/md not/* ,/, he/pps knew/vbd ,/, come/vb in/in the/at person/nn of/in the/at temple/nn priest/nn ./.
Instead/rb ,/, he/pps walked/vbd around/in the/at temple/nn and/cc mounted/vbd still/rb another/dt flight/nn of/in stairs/nns and/cc stood/vbd before/in the/at seated/vbn Fudo/np at/in their/pp$ head/nn ./.
The/at black/jj Fudo/np seemed/vbd to/to stare/vb rigidly/rb back/rb at/in him/ppo and/cc Richard's/np$ eyes/nns were/bed caught/vbn by/in the/at Fudo's/np$ in/in fascination/nn ,/, and/cc then/jj Richard/np was/bedz shocked/vbn as/cs ,/, all/abn at/in once/rb ,/, flames/nns shot/vbd out/rp from/in the/at sharp/jj features/nns of/in Fudo's/np$ face/nn and/cc there/ex was/bedz a/at terrible/jj metallic/jj scraping/vbg sound/nn ,/, as/cs if/cs the/at large/jj statue/nn were/bed about/rb to/to burst/vb from/in some/dti pressure/nn within/in it/ppo ./.
Then/rb the/at flames/nns were/bed gone/vbn ,/, the/at stillness/nn fell/vbd upon/in the/at severe/jj black/jj face/nn and/cc Richard/np began/vbd to/to tremble/vb violently/rb ./.
Suddenly/rb he/pps emptied/vbd his/pp$ pockets/nns of/in all/abn his/pp$ coins/nns and/cc dropped/vbd them/ppo into/in the/at box/nn before/in the/at seated/vbn Fudo/np and/cc hurried/vbd back/rb down/in both/abx stairways/nns and/cc away/rb from/in the/at temple/nn ,/, never/rb looking/vbg back/rb ./.
He/pps walked/vbd all/abn the/at miles/nns back/rb to/in his/pp$ room/nn ./.


	He/pps seemed/vbd to/to have/hv picked/vbn up/rp a/at virus/nn that/dt day/nn ,/, because/cs the/at next/ap morning/nn he/pps had/hvd a/at small/jj cough/nn and/cc felt/vbd a/at bit/nn hot/jj ./.
He/pps stayed/vbd home/nr ,/, reading/vbg and/cc refusing/vbg to/to think/vb about/in his/pp$ frightening/vbg experience/nn at/in Ryusenji/np ./.
But/cc the/at process/nn of/in refusing/vbg to/to think/vb about/in it/pps was/bedz an/at active/jj reminder/nn in/in itself/ppl and/cc he/pps couldn't/md* rid/vb himself/ppl of/in a/at consciousness/nn of/in it/ppo throughout/in the/at day/nn ./.
The/at cold/nn lingered/vbd ,/, making/vbg sleep/nn difficult/jj that/dt night/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps remained/vbd in/in bed/nn still/rb the/at next/ap morning/nn ,/, now/rb unable/jj to/to keep/vb from/in thinking/vbg about/in the/at inexplicable/jj sight/nn of/in burning/vbg metal/nn ,/, the/at wretched/jj sound/nn ,/, the/at unbearable/jj feeling/nn of/in having/hvg been/ben to/in a/at remote/jj Tokyo/np temple/nn at/in some/dti earlier/jjr time/nn in/in his/pp$ life/nn ./.
All/abn of/in the/at elements/nns of/in the/at experience/nn were/bed impossible/jj and/cc yet/rb the/at reality/nn of/in them/ppo was/bedz heavy/jj upon/in him/ppo and/cc he/pps resolved/vbd never/rb again/rb to/to visit/vb the/at temple/nn at/in Fudomae/np ./.

I/ppss was/bedz thinking/vbg of/in the/at heat/nn and/cc of/in water/nn that/dt morning/nn when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz plowing/vbg the/at stubble/nn field/nn far/rb across/in the/at hill/nn from/in the/at farm/nn buildings/nns ./.
It/pps had/hvd grown/vbn hot/jj early/rb that/dt day/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss hoped/vbd that/cs the/at boy/nn ,/, my/pp$ brother's/nn$ son/nn ,/, would/md soon/rb come/vb across/in the/at broad/jj black/jj area/nn of/in plowed/vbn ground/nn ,/, carrying/vbg the/at jar/nn of/in cool/jj water/nn ./.
The/at boy/nn usually/rb was/bedz sent/vbn out/rp at/in about/in that/dt time/nn with/in the/at water/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps always/rb dragged/vbd an/at old/jj snow-fence/nn lath/nn or/cc a/at stick/nn along/rb ,/, to/to play/vb with/in ./.
He/pps pretended/vbd that/cs the/at lath/nn was/bedz a/at tractor/nn and/cc he/pps would/md drag/vb it/ppo through/in the/at dirt/nn and/cc make/vb buzzing/vbg ,/, tractor/nn sounds/nns with/in his/pp$ lips/nns ./.


	I/ppss almost/rb ran/vbd over/in the/at snake/nn before/cs I/ppss could/md stop/vb the/at tractor/nn in/in time/nn ./.
I/ppss had/hvd turned/vbn at/in the/at corner/nn of/in the/at field/nn and/cc I/ppss had/hvd to/to look/vb back/rb to/to raise/vb the/at plow/nn and/cc then/rb to/to drop/vb it/ppo again/rb into/in the/at earth/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss was/bedz thinking/vbg of/in the/at boy/nn and/cc the/at water/nn anyway/rb ,/, and/cc when/wrb I/ppss looked/vbd again/rb down/in the/at furrow/nn ,/, the/at snake/nn was/bedz there/rb ./.
It/pps lay/vbd half/abn in/in the/at furrow/nn and/cc half/abn out/rp ,/, and/cc the/at front/jj wheels/nns had/hvd rolled/vbn nearly/rb up/in to/in it/ppo when/wrb I/ppss put/vbd in/in the/at clutch/nn ./.
The/at tractor/nn was/bedz heavily/rb loaded/vbn with/in the/at weight/nn of/in the/at plow/nn turning/vbg the/at earth/nn ,/, and/cc the/at tractor/nn stopped/vbd instantly/rb ./.


	The/at snake/nn slid/vbd slowly/rb and/cc with/in great/jj care/nn from/in the/at new/jj ridge/nn the/at plow/nn had/hvd made/vbn ,/, into/in the/at furrow/nn and/cc did/dod not/* go/vb any/dti further/rbr ./.
I/ppss had/hvd never/rb liked/vbn snakes/nns much/rb ,/, I/ppss still/rb had/hvd that/dt kind/nn of/in quick/jj panic/nn that/wps I'd/ppss+hvd had/hvn as/cs a/at child/nn whenever/wrb I/ppss saw/vbd one/pn ,/, but/cc this/dt snake/nn was/bedz clean/jj and/cc bright/jj and/cc very/ql beautiful/jj ./.
He/pps was/bedz multi-colored/jj and/cc graceful/jj and/cc he/pps lay/vbd in/in the/at furrow/nn and/cc moved/vbd his/pp$ arched/vbn and/cc tapered/vbn head/nn only/rb so/ql slightly/rb ./.
Go/vb out/in of/in the/at furrow/nn ,/, snake/nn ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, but/cc it/pps did/dod not/* move/vb at/in all/abn ./.
I/ppss pulled/vbd the/at throttle/nn of/in the/at tractor/nn in/rp and/cc out/rp ,/, hoping/vbg to/to frighten/vb him/ppo with/in the/at noise/nn ,/, but/cc the/at snake/nn only/rb flicked/vbd its/pp$ black/jj ,/, forked/vbn tongue/nn and/cc faced/vbd the/at huge/jj tractor/nn wheel/nn ,/, without/in fright/nn or/cc concern/nn ./.


	I/ppss let/vbd the/at engine/nn idle/vb then/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss got/vbd down/rp and/cc went/vbd around/in the/at wheel/nn and/cc stood/vbd beside/in it/ppo ./.
My/pp$ movement/nn did/dod frighten/vb the/at snake/nn and/cc it/pps raised/vbd its/pp$ head/nn and/cc trailed/vbd delicately/rb a/at couple/nn of/in feet/nns and/cc stopped/vbd again/rb ,/, and/cc its/pp$ tongue/nn was/bedz working/vbg very/ql rapidly/rb ./.
I/ppss followed/vbd it/ppo ,/, looking/vbg at/in the/at brilliant/jj colors/nns on/in its/pp$ tubular/jj back/nn ,/, the/at colors/nns clear/vb and/cc sharp/jj and/cc perfect/jj ,/, in/in orange/jj and/cc green/jj and/cc brown/jj diamonds/nns the/at size/nn of/in a/at baby's/nn$ fist/nn down/in its/pp$ back/nn ,/, and/cc the/at diamonds/nns were/bed set/vbn one/pn within/in the/at other/ap and/cc interlaced/vbn with/in glistening/vbg jet-black/nn ./.
The/at colors/nns were/bed astonishing/jj ,/, clear/jj and/cc bright/jj ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz as/cs if/cs the/at body/nn held/vbd a/at fire/nn of/in its/pp$ own/jj ,/, and/cc the/at colors/nns came/vbd through/in that/dt transparent/jj flesh/nn and/cc skin/nn ,/, vivid/jj and/cc alive/jj and/cc warm/jj ./.
The/at eyes/nns were/bed clear/jj and/cc black/jj and/cc the/at slender/jj body/nn was/bedz arched/vbn slightly/rb ./.
His/pp$ flat/jj and/cc gracefully/rb tapered/vbn head/nn lifted/vbd as/cs I/ppss looked/vbd at/in him/ppo and/cc the/at black/jj tongue/nn slipped/vbd in/in and/cc out/in of/in that/dt solemn/jj mouth/nn ./.


	You/ppss beauty/nn ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, I/ppss couldn't/md* kill/vb you/ppo ./.
You/ppss are/ber much/ql too/ql beautiful/jj ./.
I/ppss had/hvd killed/vbn snakes/nns before/in ,/, when/wrb I/ppss was/bedz younger/jjr ,/, but/cc there/ex had/hvd been/ben no/at animal/nn like/cs this/dt one/pn ,/, and/cc I/ppss knew/vbd it/pps was/bedz unthinkable/jj that/cs an/at animal/nn such/jj as/cs that/dt should/md die/vb ./.
I/ppss picked/vbd him/ppo up/rp ,/, and/cc the/at length/nn of/in him/ppo arched/vbn very/ql carefully/rb and/cc gracefully/rb and/cc only/rb a/at little/ql wildly/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss could/md feel/vb the/at coolness/nn of/in that/dt radiant/jj ,/, fire-colored/jj body/nn ,/, like/cs splendid/jj ice/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss knew/vbd that/cs he/pps had/hvd eaten/vbn only/rb recently/rb because/cs there/ex were/bed two/cd whole/jj and/cc solid/jj little/jj lumps/nns in/in the/at forepart/nn of/in him/ppo ,/, like/cs fieldmice/nns swallowed/vbn whole/jj might/md make/vb ./.


	The/at body/nn caressed/vbd through/in my/pp$ hands/nns like/cs cool/jj satin/nn ,/, and/cc my/pp$ hands/nns ,/, usually/rb tanned/vbn and/cc dark/jj ,/, were/bed pale/jj beside/in it/ppo ,/, and/cc I/ppss asked/vbd it/ppo where/wrb the/at fire/nn colors/nns could/md come/vb from/in the/at coolness/nn of/in that/dt body/nn ./.
I/ppss lowered/vbd him/ppo so/cs he/pps would/md not/* fall/vb and/cc his/pp$ body/nn slid/vbd out/rp onto/in the/at cool/jj ,/, newly-plowed/jj earth/nn ,/, from/in between/in my/pp$ pale/jj hands/nns ./.
The/at snake/nn worked/vbd away/rb very/ql slowly/rb and/cc delicately/rb and/cc with/in a/at gorgeous/jj kind/nn of/in dignity/nn and/cc beauty/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps carried/vbd his/pp$ head/nn a/at little/ap above/in the/at rolled/vbn clods/nns ./.
The/at sharp/jj ,/, burning/vbg colors/nns of/in his/pp$ body/nn stood/vbd brilliant/jj and/cc plain/jj against/in the/at black/jj soil/nn ,/, like/cs a/at target/nn ./.


	I/ppss felt/vbd good/jj and/cc satisfied/vbn ,/, looking/vbg at/in the/at snake/nn ./.
It/pps shone/vbd in/in its/pp$ bright/jj diamond/nn color/nn against/in the/at sun-burned/jj stubble/nn and/cc the/at crumbled/vbn black/jj clods/nns of/in soil/nn and/cc against/in the/at paleness/nn of/in myself/ppl ./.
The/at color/nn and/cc beauty/nn of/in it/ppo were/bed strange/jj and/cc wonderful/jj and/cc somehow/rb alien/jj ,/, too/rb ,/, in/in that/dt dry/jj and/cc dusty/jj and/cc uncolored/jj field/nn ./.


	I/ppss got/vbd on/in the/at tractor/nn again/rb and/cc I/ppss had/hvd to/to watch/vb the/at plow/nn closely/rb because/cs the/at field/nn was/bedz drawn/vbn across/in the/at long/jj hillside/nn and/cc even/rb in/in that/dt good/jj soil/nn there/ex was/bedz a/at danger/nn of/in rocks/nns ./.
I/ppss had/hvd my/pp$ back/nn to/in the/at corner/nn of/in the/at triangular/jj field/nn that/wps pointed/vbd towards/in the/at house/nn ./.
The/at earth/nn was/bedz a/at little/ap heavy/jj and/cc I/ppss had/hvd to/to stop/vb once/rb and/cc clean/vb the/at plowshares/nns because/cs they/ppss were/bed not/* scouring/vbg properly/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss did/dod not/* look/vb back/rb towards/in the/at place/nn until/cs I/ppss had/hvd turned/vbn the/at corner/nn and/cc was/bedz plowing/vbg across/in the/at upper/jj line/nn of/in the/at large/jj field/nn ,/, a/at long/jj way/nn from/in where/wrb I/ppss had/hvd stopped/vbn because/cs of/in the/at snake/nn ./.


	I/ppss saw/vbd it/ppo all/abn at/in a/at glance/nn ./.
The/at boy/nn was/bedz there/rb at/in the/at lower/jjr corner/nn of/in the/at field/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz in/in the/at plowed/vbn earth/nn ,/, stamping/vbg with/in ferocity/nn and/cc a/at kind/nn of/in frenzied/jj impatience/nn ./.
Even/rb at/in that/dt distance/nn ,/, with/in no/at sound/nn but/cc the/at sound/nn of/in the/at tractor/nn ,/, I/ppss could/md tell/vb the/at fierce/jj mark/nn of/in brutality/nn on/in the/at boy/nn ./.
I/ppss could/md see/vb the/at hunched-up/jj shoulders/nns ,/, the/at savage/jj determination/nn ,/, the/at dance/nn of/in his/pp$ feet/nns as/cs he/pps ground/vbd the/at snake/nn with/in his/pp$ heels/nns ,/, and/cc the/at pirouette/nn of/in his/pp$ arms/nns as/cs he/pps whipped/vbd at/in it/ppo with/in the/at stick/nn ./.


	Stop/vb it/ppo ,/, I/ppss shouted/vbd ,/, but/cc the/at lumbering/vbg and/cc mighty/jj tractor/nn roared/vbd on/rp ,/, above/in anything/pn I/ppss could/md say/vb ./.
I/ppss stopped/vbd the/at tractor/nn and/cc I/ppss shouted/vbd down/rp to/in the/at boy/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss knew/vbd he/pps could/md hear/vb me/ppo ,/, for/cs the/at morning/nn was/bedz clear/jj and/cc still/jj ,/, but/cc he/pps did/dod not/* even/rb hesitate/vb in/in that/dt brutal/jj ,/, murdering/vbg dance/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz no/at use/nn ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd myself/ppl tremble/vb ,/, thinking/vbg of/in the/at diamond/nn light/nn of/in that/dt beauty/nn I/ppss had/hvd held/vbn a/at few/ap moments/nns before/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss wanted/vbd to/to run/vb down/rp there/rb and/cc halt/vb ,/, if/cs I/ppss could/md ,/, that/dt frenetic/jj pirouette/nn ,/, catch/vb the/at boy/nn in/in the/at moment/nn of/in his/pp$ savagery/nn ,/, and/cc save/vb a/at glimmer/nn ,/, a/at remnant/nn ,/, of/in that/dt which/wdt I/ppss remembered/vbd ,/, but/cc I/ppss knew/vbd it/pps was/bedz already/rb too/ql late/rb ./.
I/ppss drove/vbd the/at tractor/nn on/rp ,/, not/* looking/vbg down/rp there/rb ;/. ;/.
I/ppss was/bedz afraid/jj to/to look/vb for/in fear/nn the/at evil/nn might/md still/rb be/be going/vbg on/rp ./.
My/pp$ head/nn began/vbd to/to ache/vb ,/, and/cc the/at fumes/nns of/in the/at tractor/nn began/vbd to/to bother/vb my/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc I/ppss hated/vbd the/at job/nn suddenly/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss thought/vbd ,/, there/ex are/ber only/rb moments/nns when/wrb one/pn sees/vbz beautiful/jj things/nns ,/, and/cc these/dts are/ber soon/rb crushed/vbn ,/, or/cc they/ppss vanish/vb ./.
I/ppss felt/vbd the/at anger/nn mount/vb within/in me/ppo ./.


	The/at boy/nn waited/vbd at/in the/at corner/nn ,/, with/in the/at jar/nn of/in water/nn held/vbn up/rp to/in me/ppo in/in his/pp$ hands/nns ,/, and/cc the/at water/nn had/hvd grown/vbn bubbly/jj in/in the/at heat/nn of/in the/at morning/nn ./.
I/ppss knew/vbd the/at boy/nn well/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz eleven/cd and/cc we/ppss had/hvd done/vbn many/ap things/nns together/rb ./.
He/pps was/bedz a/at beautiful/jj boy/nn ,/, really/rb ,/, with/in finely-spun/jj blonde/jj hair/nn and/cc a/at smooth/jj and/cc still/rb effeminate/jj face/nn ,/, and/cc his/pp$ eyelashes/nns were/bed long/jj and/cc dark/jj and/cc brushlike/jj ,/, and/cc his/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed blue/jj ./.
He/pps waited/vbd there/rb and/cc he/pps smiled/vbd as/cs the/at tractor/nn came/vbd up/rp ,/, as/cs he/pps would/md smile/vb on/in any/dti other/ap day/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz my/pp$ nephew/nn ,/, my/pp$ brother's/nn$ son/nn ,/, handsome/jj and/cc warm/jj and/cc newly-scrubbed/jj ,/, with/in happiness/nn upon/in his/pp$ face/nn and/cc his/pp$ face/nn resembled/vbd my/pp$ brother's/nn$ and/cc mine/pp$$ as/ql well/rb ./.


	I/ppss saw/vbd then/rb ,/, too/rb ,/, the/at stake/nn driven/vbn straight/rb and/cc hard/rb into/in the/at plowed/vbn soil/nn ,/, through/in something/pn there/rb where/wrb I/ppss had/hvd been/ben not/* long/jj before/rb ./.


	I/ppss stopped/vbd the/at tractor/nn and/cc climbed/vbd down/rp and/cc the/at boy/nn came/vbd eagerly/rb up/rp to/in me/ppo ./.
``/`` Can/md I/ppss ride/vb around/in with/in you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps asked/vbd ,/, as/cs he/pps often/rb did/dod ,/, and/cc I/ppss had/hvd as/ql often/rb let/vb him/ppo be/be on/in the/at tractor/nn beside/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss looked/vbd closely/rb at/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz already/rb innocent/jj ;/. ;/.
the/at killing/nn was/bedz already/rb forgotten/vbn in/in that/dt clear/jj mind/nn of/in his/pp$$ ./.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, you/ppss cannot/md* ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, pushing/vbg aside/rb the/at water/nn jar/nn he/pps offered/vbd to/in me/ppo ./.
I/ppss pointed/vbd to/in the/at splintered/vbn ,/, upright/jj stake/nn ./.
``/`` Did/dod you/ppo do/do that/dt ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss asked/vbd ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, eagerly/rb ,/, beginning/vbg a/at kind/nn of/in dance/nn of/in excitement/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss killed/vbd a/at snake/nn ;/. ;/.
it/pps was/bedz a/at big/jj one/pn ''/'' ./.
He/pps tried/vbd to/to take/vb my/pp$ hand/nn to/to show/vb me/ppo ./.


	``/`` Why/wrb did/dod you/ppo kill/vb it/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Snakes/nns are/ber ugly/jj and/cc bad/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` This/dt snake/nn was/bedz very/ql beautiful/jj ./.
Didn't/dod* you/ppo see/vb how/wrb beautiful/jj it/pps was/bedz ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Snakes/nns are/ber ugly/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd again/rb ./.


	``/`` You/ppss saw/vbd the/at colors/nns of/in it/ppo ,/, didn't/dod* you/ppss ?/. ?/.
Have/hv you/ppss ever/rb seen/vbn anything/pn like/cs it/pps around/in here/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Snakes/nns are/ber ugly/jj and/cc bad/jj ,/, and/cc it/pps might/md have/hv bitten/vbn somebody/pn ,/, and/cc they/ppss would/md have/hv died/vbn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb there/ex are/ber no/rb poisonous/jj snakes/nns in/in this/dt area/nn ./.
This/dt snake/nn could/md not/* harm/vb anything/pn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` They/ppss eat/vb chickens/nns sometimes/rb ''/'' ,/, the/at boy/nn said/vbd ./.
``/`` They/ppss are/ber ugly/jj and/cc they/ppss eat/vb chickens/nns and/cc I/ppss hate/vb snakes/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss are/ber talking/vbg foolishly/rb ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` You/ppss killed/vbd it/ppo because/cs you/ppss wanted/vbd to/to kill/vb it/ppo ,/, for/in no/at other/ap reason/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` They're/ppss+ber ugly/jj and/cc I/ppss hate/vb them/ppo ''/'' ,/, the/at boy/nn insisted/vbd ./.
``/`` Nobody/pn likes/vbz snakes/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It/pps was/bedz beautiful/jj ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ,/, half/abn to/in myself/ppl ./.


	The/at boy/nn skipped/vbd along/rb beside/in me/ppo ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz contented/vbn with/in what/wdt he/pps had/hvd done/vbn ./.


	The/at fire/nn of/in the/at colors/nns was/bedz gone/vbn ;/. ;/.
there/ex was/bedz a/at contorted/vbn ugliness/nn now/rb ;/. ;/.
the/at colors/nns of/in its/pp$ back/nn were/bed dull/jj and/cc gray-looking/jj ,/, torn/vbn and/cc smashed/vbn in/rp ,/, and/cc dirty/jj from/in the/at boy's/nn$ shoes/nns ./.
The/at beautifully-tapered/jj head/nn ,/, so/ql delicate/jj and/cc so/ql cool/jj ,/, had/hvd been/ben flattened/vbn as/cs if/cs in/in a/at vise/nn ,/, and/cc the/at forked/vbn tongue/nn splayed/vbd out/in of/in the/at twisted/vbn ,/, torn/vbn mouth/nn ./.
The/at snake/nn was/bedz hideous/jj ,/, and/cc I/ppss remembered/vbd ,/, even/rb then/rb ,/, the/at cool/jj ,/, bright/jj fire/nn of/in it/ppo only/rb a/at little/ap while/nn before/rb ,/, and/cc I/ppss thought/vbd perhaps/rb the/at boy/nn had/hvd always/rb seen/vbn it/ppo dead/jj and/cc hideous/jj like/cs that/dt ,/, and/cc had/hvd not/* even/rb stopped/vbd to/to see/vb the/at beauty/nn of/in it/ppo in/in its/pp$ life/nn ./.


	I/ppss wrenched/vbd the/at stake/nn out/rp ,/, that/cs the/at boy/nn had/hvd driven/vbn through/in it/ppo in/in the/at thickest/jjt part/nn of/in its/pp$ body/nn ,/, between/in the/at colored/vbn diamond/nn crystals/nns ./.
I/ppss touched/vbd it/ppo and/cc the/at coolness/nn ,/, the/at ice-feeling/jj ,/, was/bedz gone/vbn ,/, and/cc even/rb then/rb it/pps moved/vbd a/at little/ap ,/, perhaps/rb a/at tiny/jj spasm/nn of/in the/at dead/jj muscles/nns ,/, and/cc I/ppss hoped/vbd that/cs it/pps was/bedz truly/rb dead/jj ,/, so/cs that/cs I/ppss would/md not/* have/hv to/to kill/vb it/ppo ./.
And/cc then/rb it/pps moved/vbd a/at little/ql more/rbr ,/, and/cc I/ppss knew/vbd the/at snake/nn was/bedz dying/vbg ,/, and/cc I/ppss would/md have/hv to/to kill/vb it/ppo there/rb ./.
The/at boy/nn stood/vbd off/rp a/at few/ap feet/nns and/cc he/pps had/hvd the/at stake/nn again/rb and/cc he/pps was/bedz racing/vbg innocently/rb in/in circles/nns ,/, making/vbg the/at buzzing/vbg tractor/nn sound/nn with/in his/pp$ lips/nns ./.


	I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj ,/, I/ppss thought/vbd to/in the/at snake/nn ,/, for/cs you/ppss were/bed beautiful/jj ./.
I/ppss took/vbd the/at broken/vbn length/nn of/in it/ppo around/in the/at tractor/nn and/cc I/ppss took/vbd one/cd of/in the/at wrenches/nns from/in the/at tool-kit/nn and/cc I/ppss struck/vbd its/pp$ head/nn ,/, not/* looking/vbg at/in it/ppo ,/, to/to kill/vb it/ppo at/in last/rb ,/, for/cs it/pps could/md never/rb live/vb ./.


	The/at boy/nn came/vbd around/rb behind/in me/ppo ,/, dragging/vbg the/at stake/nn ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez a/at big/jj snake/nn ,/, isn't/bez* it/pps ''/'' ?/. ?/.
He/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to tell/vb everybody/pn how/wrb big/jj a/at snake/nn I/ppss killed/vbd ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* you/ppo see/vb what/wdt you/ppss have/hv done/vbn ''/'' ?/. ?/.
I/ppss said/vbd ./.
``/`` Don't/do* you/ppo see/vb the/at difference/nn now/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez an/at ugly/jj ,/, terrible/jj snake/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
He/pps came/vbd up/rp and/cc was/bedz going/vbg to/to push/vb at/in it/ppo with/in his/pp$ heavy/jj shoes/nns ./.
I/ppss could/md see/vb the/at happiness/nn in/in the/at boy's/nn$ eyes/nns ,/, the/at gleeful/jj brutality/nn ./.


	``/`` Don't/do* ''/'' ,/, I/ppss said/vbd ./.
I/ppss could/md have/hv slapped/vbn the/at boy/nn ./.
He/pps looked/vbd up/rp at/in me/ppo ,/, puzzled/vbn ,/, and/cc he/pps swayed/vbd his/pp$ head/nn from/in side/nn to/in side/nn ./.
I/ppss thought/vbd ,/, you/ppss little/ap brute/nn ,/, you/ppss nasty/jj ,/, selfish/jj ,/, little/ap beast/nn ,/, with/in brutality/nn already/rb developed/vbn within/in that/dt brain/nn and/cc in/in those/dts eyes/nns ./.
I/ppss wanted/vbd to/to slap/vb his/pp$ face/nn ,/, to/to wipe/vb forever/rb the/at insolence/nn and/cc brutal/jj glee/nn from/in his/pp$ mouth/nn ,/, and/cc I/ppss decided/vbd then/rb ,/, very/ql suddenly/rb ,/, what/wdt I/ppss would/md do/do ./.



	Cady/np didn't/dod* come/vb unglued/jj easily/rb ,/, but/cc this/dt had/hvd not/* been/ben a/at day/nn of/in glad/jj tidings/nns ./.
Tax/nn worries/nns ,/, production/nn worries/nns ,/, personnel/nns worries/nns ,/, and/cc the/at letter/nn from/in Hanford/np-tl College/nn-tl ,/, his/pp$ own/jj alma/jj mater/fw-nn ,/, a/at real/jj snapper/nn ./.


	Hanford/np realized/vbd he/pps had/hvd enrolled/vbn his/pp$ son/nn four/cd years/nns ago/rb ./.
Yes/rb ,/, the/at boy's/nn$ credentials/nns were/bed in/in order/nn --/-- scholastic/jj transcript/nn ,/, character/nn references/nns ,/, picture/nn ,/, health/nn record/nn ,/, successful/jj college/nn boards/nns ./.
But/cc due/rb to/in the/at many/ap applicants/nns on/in file/nn ,/, would/md he/pps co-operate/vb and/cc write/vb a/at personal/jj letter/nn giving/vbg them/ppo his/pp$ son's/nn$ motivation/nn ,/, interests/nns and/cc his/pp$ qualifications/nns for/in leadership/nn ?/. ?/.


	Cady/np Partlow/np lit/vbd his/pp$ pipe/nn with/in no/at comfort/nn ./.
This/dt was/bedz it/pps ./.
This/dt was/bedz the/at letter/nn which/wdt would/md or/cc would/md not/* enroll/vb his/pp$ son/nn ,/, David/np ,/, in/in Hanford/np ./.
His/pp$ son/nn who/wps had/hvd never/rb held/vbn an/at office/nn in/in any/dti organization/nn in/in the/at eighteen/cd years/nns of/in his/pp$ life/nn ./.
His/pp$ son/nn who/wps did/dod not/* know/vb whether/cs he/pps wanted/vbd to/to be/be doctor/nn ,/, lawyer/nn ,/, merchant/nn or/cc chief/nn ./.


	He/pps wondered/vbd if/cs he/pps had/hvd played/vbn it/ppo wrong/rb ./.
Maybe/rb he/pps should/md have/hv kept/vbn in/in touch/nn ./.
Gone/vbn back/rb for/in reunions/nns ./.
But/cc he/pps had/hvd been/ben busy/jj building/vbg a/at business/nn ,/, being/beg a/at big/jj man/nn in/in his/pp$ own/jj town/nn just/rb as/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben a/at big/jj man/nn at/in Hanford/np ,/, Class/nn-tl of/in 1935/cd ./.
Besides/rb ,/, Cady/np Partlow/np knew/vbd he/pps wasn't/bedz* the/at old-grad-type/nn ./.


	It/pps wouldn't/md* help/vb anyway/rb ./.
Look/vb at/in Pete/np Alcorn/np ,/, who/wps hadn't/hvd* missed/vbn a/at Hanford/np ball/nn game/nn in/in fifteen/cd years/nns ./.
Pete's/np$ son/nn was/bedz rejected/vbn ./.
Hanford/np-tl College/nn-tl ,/, Little/jj-tl Ivy/nn-tl League/nn-tl ,/, had/hvd no/at room/nn for/in football/nn players/nns with/in low/jj grades/nns ./.


	Cady/np looked/vbd at/in his/pp$ own/jj son's/nn$ scholastic/jj record/nn with/in pride/nn ./.
Good/jj solid/jj B/np-tl average/nn with/in a/at sprinkling/nn of/in A's/np-tl in/in math/nn and/cc science/nn ./.
Imagine/vb his/pp$ son/nn being/beg that/dt good/jj in/in science/nn !/. !/.
Mr./np Partlow/np could/md still/rb feel/vb a/at cold/jj sweat/nn on/in his/pp$ slightly/ql gray/jj temples/nns as/cs he/pps remembered/vbd what/wdt a/at near/jj thing/nn chemistry/nn had/hvd been/ben for/in him/ppo at/in Hanford/np ./.
But/cc then/rb ,/, he/pps hadn't/hvd* studied/vbn very/ql hard/rb ./.
Getting/vbg elected/vbn president/nn of/in the/at student/nn body/nn took/vbd a/at lot/nn of/in time/nn and/cc politicking/nn ./.




He/pps put/vbd down/rp his/pp$ pipe/nn and/cc started/vbd to/to type/vb ./.
``/`` In/in response/nn to/in your/pp$ letter/nn ,/, I/ppss can/md in/in good/jj conscience/nn recommend/vb my/pp$ son/nn ,/, David/np ,/, in/in the/at field/nn of/in leadership/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps stopped/vbd and/cc looked/vbd at/in the/at picture/nn of/in his/pp$ son/nn ,/, the/at picture/nn on/in his/pp$ desk/nn which/wdt had/hvd changed/vbn with/in the/at years/nns from/in a/at laughing/vbg baby/nn to/in a/at candidate/nn for/in Hanford/np-tl College/nn-tl ./.
He/pps didn't/dod* have/hv to/to be/be told/vbn his/pp$ son/nn looked/vbd like/cs him/ppo ./.
David/np had/hvd the/at same/ap gray/jj eyes/nns ,/, high/jj cheekbones/nns ,/, dark/jj hair/nn and/cc a/at certain/jj rugged/jj ugliness/nn ./.
Height/nn ,/, 6'/nn ./.
Weight/nn ,/, 160/cd ./.
Health/nn ,/, excellent/jj ./.


	He/pps turned/vbd back/rb to/in the/at typewriter/nn with/in a/at little/ql more/ap confidence/nn ./.
``/`` His/pp$ interests/nns range/vb from/in astronomy/nn and/cc geology/nn to/in electronics/nn ,/, tennis/nn and/cc swimming/vbg ./.
His/pp$ chief/nn motivation/nn for/in enrolling/vbg at/in Hanford/np is/bez the/at desire/nn to/to ''/'' --/-- 

	Mr./np Partlow/np banged/vbd his/pp$ fist/nn on/in the/at keyboard/nn ,/, ruining/vbg the/at letter/nn ./.
He/pps paced/vbd to/in the/at window/nn and/cc looked/vbd at/in the/at city/nn he/pps had/hvd helped/vbn to/to build/vb ./.


	How/wrb do/do you/ppo tell/vb a/at college/nn president/nn that/cs your/pp$ son/nn doesn't/doz* know/vb what/wdt he/pps wants/vbz to/to do/do ?/. ?/.
That/cs you/ppss have/hv refused/vbn to/to drive/vb him/ppo into/in the/at family/nn business/nn or/cc push/vb him/ppo into/in a/at profession/nn so/cs you/ppss can/md say/vb at/in the/at club/nn ,/, ``/`` Of/in course/nn David/np has/hvz known/vbn since/cs he/pps was/bedz twelve/cd he/pps wanted/vbd to/to be/be an/at engineer/nn ''/'' --/-- or/cc a/at lawyer/nn ,/, or/cc an/at editor/nn ?/. ?/.


	How/wrb do/do you/ppo tell/vb a/at college/nn like/cs Hanford/np that/cs your/pp$ son/nn has/hvz a/at vast/jj potential/nn ,/, that/cs he/pps will/md find/vb himself/ppl ?/. ?/.
Just/rb give/vb him/ppo time/nn ,/, give/vb him/ppo a/at chance/nn ./.


	Cady/np snapped/vbd the/at Venetian/jj blind/nn shut/vbn and/cc slammed/vbd himself/ppl down/rp before/in the/at typewriter/nn ,/, rolled/vbd in/rp a/at fresh/jj sheet/nn ,/, and/cc gave/vbd his/pp$ letter/nn the/at same/ap savage/jj attention/nn he/pps bestowed/vbd on/in a/at salesman/nn who/wps needed/vbd to/to have/hv the/at bucket/nn taken/vbn off/rp his/pp$ thick/jj head/nn ./.


	What/wdt a/at production/nn to/to make/vb of/in a/at letter/nn commending/vbg your/pp$ own/jj son/nn !/. !/.
His/pp$ eyebrow/nn went/vbd up/rp in/in amusement/nn at/in his/pp$ soul-searching/jj panic/nn ./.
He/pps told/vbd Hanford/np his/pp$ son/nn wanted/vbd to/to go/vb into/in the/at field/nn of/in electronics/nn ./.
He/pps told/vbd Hanford/np his/pp$ son/nn had/hvd participated/vbn in/in numerous/jj high-school/nn activities/nns ./.
He/pps belonged/vbd to/in a/at social/jj club/nn ,/, a/at civic/jj group/nn ,/, little/ap theater/nn ,/, swimming/vbg team/nn ,/, and/cc had/hvd been/ben president/nn of/in the/at student/nn forum/nn as/ql well/rb as/cs treasurer/nn of/in the/at science/nn club/nn ./.


	He/pps finished/vbd with/in a/at flurry/nn of/in good/jj wishes/nns to/in Hanford/np-tl College/nn-tl and/cc signed/vbd the/at letter/nn ./.
There/rb ,/, that/dt did/dod it/ppo ./.
Then/rb he/pps met/vbd the/at grave/jj eyes/nns of/in his/pp$ wife/nn ,/, Anne/np ,/, from/in the/at photograph/nn next/in to/in David's/np$ ./.
He/pps shoved/vbd the/at unsealed/vbn letter/nn into/in his/pp$ coat/nn pocket/nn ./.


	Better/rbr show/vb it/ppo to/in Anne/np and/cc see/vb if/cs he/pps had/hvd omitted/vbn anything/pn ./.
After/in all/abn ,/, his/pp$ wife/nn had/hvd written/vbn most/ap of/in his/pp$ letters/nns for/in him/ppo in/in those/dts first/od lean/jj days/nns of/in Partlow/np-tl Products/nns-tl ./.
Anne/np had/hvd a/at way/nn with/in words/nns ./.
Half/abn of/in it/ppo was/bedz natural/jj ,/, half/abn was/bedz Smith/np-tl College/nn-tl ./.


	Yet/rb the/at whole/nn of/in Anne/np was/bedz something/pn she/pps had/hvd never/rb learned/vbn in/in any/dti college/nn ./.
A/at woman/nn had/hvd it/ppo or/cc she/pps didn't/dod* ./.
Anne/np had/hvd it/ppo ./.
She/pps said/vbd what/wdt she/pps meant/vbd and/cc let/vbd it/pps be/be ./.
She/pps never/rb got/vbd on/in his/pp$ back/nn ./.
He/pps could/md take/vb the/at advice/nn or/cc leave/vb it/ppo ./.


	He/pps whistled/vbd as/cs he/pps locked/vbd the/at office/nn and/cc grinned/vbd as/cs he/pps got/vbd on/in the/at elevator/nn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss look/vb like/cs you/ppss just/rb heard/vbd a/at real/jj gasser/nn ,/, Mr./np Partlow/np ''/'' ./.


	Cady/np looked/vbd at/in Tom/np ,/, who/wps had/hvd taken/vbn him/ppo up/rp and/cc down/rp for/in fifteen/cd years/nns ./.
``/`` I/ppss was/bedz just/rb thinking/vbg how/wrb things/nns have/hv changed/vbn ./.
When/wrb I/ppss went/vbd to/in college/nn they/ppss begged/vbd you/ppo to/to come/vb ./.
Be/be our/pp$ guest/nn !/. !/.
It's/pps+bez our/pp$ pleasure/nn !/. !/.
Now/rb you/ppss have/hv to/to be/be well/rb rounded/vbn ,/, firm/jj in/in motivation/nn and/cc pre-packed/jj with/in knowledge/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Tom/np slid/vbd open/jj the/at door/nn to/in the/at lobby/nn ./.
``/`` That's/dt+bez a/at fact/nn ,/, Mr./np Partlow/np ./.
My/pp$ John/np applied/vbd to/in six/cd colleges/nns before/cs he/pps got/vbd in/rp ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Going/vbg to/in State/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ./.
He's/pps+bez president/nn of/in the/at rocket/nn club/nn here/rb ,/, you/ppss know/vb ./.
Always/rb messing/vbg around/rb with/in science/nn stuff/nn ./.
Real/ql bright/jj along/in those/dts lines/nns ,/, you/ppss might/md say/vb ./.
He/pps got/vbd a/at science/nn scholarship/nn to/in Yale/np ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ''/'' ,/, said/vbd Mr./np Partlow/np ,/, ``/`` that's/dt+bez fine/jj ,/, Tom/np ./.
Just/rb fine/jj ''/'' ./.


	As/cs he/pps drove/vbd home/nr through/in the/at thinning/vbg traffic/nn ,/, Cady/np felt/vbd the/at unease/nn growing/vbg ./.
He/pps hadn't/hvd* told/vbn anyone/pn ,/, but/cc he/pps ,/, too/rb ,/, had/hvd applied/vbn to/in five/cd colleges/nns for/in David/np ./.
They/ppss had/hvd all/abn turned/vbn down/rp his/pp$ son/nn ./.
Weakness/nn in/in leadership/nn ./.
So/ql sorry/jj ./.
Limited/vbn interests/nns ./.
So/ql sorry/jj ./.
No/at clear/jj motivation/nn ./.
So/ql sorry/jj ./.


	He/pps suddenly/rb realized/vbd when/wrb he/pps walked/vbd into/in his/pp$ own/jj pretty/ql darned/vbn expensive/jj house/nn that/cs he/pps needed/vbd the/at Martini/np Anne/np had/hvd waiting/vbg for/in him/ppo ./.
But/cc tonight/nr his/pp$ drink/nn tasted/vbd like/cs branch/nn water/nn and/cc even/rb his/pp$ favorite/jj meal/nn of/in steak/nn and/cc tossed/vbn salad/nn gave/vbd no/at surcease/nn from/in the/at growing/vbg weight/nn of/in the/at letter/nn in/in his/pp$ pocket/nn ./.


	Nor/cc did/dod looking/vbg at/in Anne/np ease/vb the/at tension/nn as/cs it/pps usually/rb did/dod ./.
He/pps liked/vbd looking/vbg at/in Anne/np ./.
Most/ap people/nns did/dod ./.
He/pps liked/vbd her/pp$ blond/jj hair/nn and/cc the/at sprinkle/nn of/in freckles/nns across/in her/pp$ nose/nn ./.
From/in those/dts navy-blue/jj eyes/nns she/pps saw/vbd things/nns as/ql clearly/rb and/cc honestly/rb as/cs David/np did/dod ./.
She/pps always/rb could/md sense/vb the/at shag/nn end/nn of/in a/at woolly/jj day/nn ./.


	``/`` Board/nn meeting/nn tonight/nr ,/, Cady/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` No/rb ,/, I/ppss begged/vbd off/rp ./.
Work/nn to/to do/do ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Can/md I/ppss have/hv the/at car/nn ,/, Dad/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Why/wrb not/* let/vb him/ppo take/vb it/ppo ,/, Cady/np ?/. ?/.
I/ppss know/vb it/pps is/bez midweek/nn ,/, but/cc it's/pps+bez only/rb eight/cd days/nns before/in commencement/nn ./.
Let's/vb+ppo forget/vb the/at rules/nns ''/'' ./.


	Cady/np ,/, deep/rb in/in thought/nn ,/, neither/cc heard/vbn nor/cc answered/vbd ./.




David/np grinned/vbd ./.
Carefully/rb he/pps put/vbd down/rp his/pp$ steak/nn knife/nn and/cc said/vbd loudly/rb ,/, ``/`` Mr./np Chairman/nn-tl ''/'' !/. !/.


	Cady/np Partlow's/np$ head/nn came/vbd up/rp like/cs that/dt of/in the/at proverbial/jj fire/nn horse/nn ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem sorry/jj ,/, Dave/np ./.
The/at car/nn ?/. ?/.
Of/in course/nn you/ppss can/md have/hv it/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Dave/np ate/vbd two/cd pieces/nns of/in pie/nn as/cs he/pps did/dod everything/pn else/rb ,/, slowly/rb ,/, methodically/rb and/cc with/in interest/nn ./.
``/`` Hear/vb anything/pn from/in Hanford/np yet/rb ,/, Dad/nn-tl ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Cady/np begged/vbd the/at question/nn ./.
``/`` Don't/do* worry/vb about/in it/ppo ,/, Dave/np ./.
Your/pp$ acceptance/nn will/md come/vb through/rp ''/'' ./.


	Dave/np shrugged/vbd on/rp his/pp$ sports/nns coat/nn and/cc picked/vbd up/rp the/at car/nn keys/nns ./.
``/`` Don't/do* be/be too/ql sure/jj ,/, Dad/nn-tl ./.
Charles/np Burke/np got/vbd turned/vbn down/rp by/in Dartmouth/np and/cc he/pps is/bez a/at straight-A/jj student/nn ''/'' ./.


	Anne/np said/vbd it/pps wasn't/bedz* surprising/vbg because/cs Charles/np was/bedz antisocial/jj ,/, a/at lone/jj wolf/nn ,/, and/cc completely/rb one-sided/jj ./.
``/`` I/ppss can/md hardly/rb say/vb the/at same/ap about/in you/ppo ,/, Dave/np ''/'' !/. !/.


	Dave/np kissed/vbd her/ppo lightly/rb ./.
``/`` Girls/nns ,/, my/pp$ dear/jj parent/nn ,/, are/ber here/rb to/to stay/vb !/. !/.
Get/vb my/pp$ old/jj man/nn to/in bed/nn early/rb ./.
He/pps looks/vbz a/at little/ap bit/nn frayed/vbn ''/'' ./.


	Anne/np waited/vbd until/cs the/at door/nn had/hvd slammed/vbn and/cc picked/vbd up/rp the/at coffeepot/nn ./.
``/`` Let's/vb+ppo go/vb into/in the/at library/nn ./.
You/ppss do/do seem/vb somewhat/ql tattered/vbn ''/'' ./.


	Cady/np trailed/vbd her/ppo with/in the/at coffee/nn cups/nns and/cc settled/vbd into/in his/pp$ favorite/jj chair/nn in/in the/at comfortable/jj book-lined/jj room/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss didn't/dod* know/vb I/ppss looked/vbd so/ql dilapidated/vbn ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` Wrong/jj word/nn ,/, darling/nn ./.
Your/pp$ fur/nn has/hvz been/ben rubbed/vbn the/at wrong/jj way/nn and/cc you/ppss show/vb it/ppo ./.
Need/vb any/dti help/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` In/in a/at way/nn ,/, yes/rb ./.
Hanford/np-tl College/nn-tl hasn't/hvz* decided/vbn on/rp Dave's/np$ application/nn yet/rb ./.
They/ppss want/vb a/at letter/nn from/in me/ppo on/in his/pp$ motives/nns ,/, interests/nns and/cc leadership/nn ./.
Here's/rb+bez what/wdt I/ppss wrote/vbd ''/'' ./.


	Cady/np handed/vbd her/ppo the/at letter/nn ,/, drank/vbd his/pp$ coffee/nn and/cc waited/vbd with/in what/wdt he/pps suddenly/rb realized/vbd was/bedz belligerence/nn ./.
Already/rb he/pps could/md feel/vb Anne's/np$ questioning/vbg eyes/nns ./.


	``/`` I/ppss know/vb you/ppss wrote/vbd this/dt in/in a/at hurry/nn ,/, but/cc ,/, Cady/np ,/, Dave/np was/bedz only/rb acting/vbg president/nn of/in the/at student/nn forum/nn for/in a/at few/ap days/nns ./.
That/dt was/bedz when/wrb half/abn the/at school/nn was/bedz down/rp with/in flu/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` But/cc he/pps was/bedz president/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc he/pps wasn't/bedz* really/rb elected/vbn treasurer/nn of/in the/at science/nn club/nn ./.
He/pps just/rb took/vbd over/rp the/at week/nn Bill/np Daley/np was/bedz in/in the/at state/nn basketball/nn play-off/nn ''/'' ./.


	Cady/np stuck/vbd his/pp$ jaw/nn out/rp ./.
``/`` The/at fact/nn remains/vbz he/pps was/bedz treasurer/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` And/cc the/at swimming/vbg team/nn ./.
No/rb ,/, Cady/np ,/, he/pps made/vbd second/od team/nn ./.
Just/rb missed/vbd the/at first/od ''/'' ./.


	``/`` A/at team/nn is/bez a/at team/nn ''/'' ,/, insisted/vbd Cady/np ./.
``/`` Anything/pn else/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Yes/rb ''/'' ,/, she/pps said/vbd quietly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* think/vb you've/ppss+hv been/ben quite/ql honest/jj ,/, Cady/np ./.
It/pps isn't/bez* like/cs you/ppo ./.
David's/np$ interests/nns ./.
Astronomy/nn ./.
He/pps was/bedz mad/jj about/in stars/nns at/in the/at age/nn of/in nine/cd ./.
Geology/nn ,/, You/ppss and/cc Dave/np used/vbd his/pp$ rock/nn collection/nn for/in the/at bottom/nn of/in the/at fishpond/nn six/cd years/nns ago/rb !/. !/.
Those/dts aren't/ber* his/pp$ interests/nns now/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` What/wdt do/do you/ppo suggest/vb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Just/rb say/vb he/pps likes/vbz swimming/vbg ,/, tennis/nn ,/, chess/nn and/cc music/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Music/nn !/. !/.
He/pps hasn't/hvz* been/ben to/in a/at symphony/nn concert/nn all/abn season/nn ''/'' ./.


	Anne/np smiled/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc he/pps plays/vbz bass/nn with/in Chief/nn-tl Crazy/jj-tl Horse/nn-tl and/cc-tl his/pp$-tl Five/cd-tl Colts/nns-tl ''/'' !/. !/.


	``/`` You/ppss mean/vb that/dt rock-and-roll/nn combo/nn ?/. ?/.
Even/rb in/in that/cs he/pps never/rb solos/vbz like/cs Jack/np on/in guitar/nn or/cc Rich/np on/in sax/nn ./.
He's/pps+bez --/-- he's/pps+bez just/rb there/rb ,/, that's/dt+bez all/abn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, he's/pps+bez just/rb there/rb ./.
He/pps keeps/vbz the/at beat/nn going/vbg ./.
He/pps likes/vbz to/to play/vb bass/nn because/cs he/pps doesn't/doz* have/hv to/to solo/vb ./.
He/pps doesn't/doz* like/vb to/to rise/vb and/cc shine/vb ./.
Don't/do* worry/vb ,/, Cady/np ,/, he'll/pps+md be/be back/rb in/in the/at Beethoven/np fold/nn by/in next/ap year/nn ''/'' ./.


	Cady/np appeared/vbd slightly/rb mollified/vbn ./.
``/`` All/ql right/rb ./.
But/cc I/ppss refuse/vb to/to be/be brutally/rb honest/jj and/cc mention/vb Chief/nn-tl Crazy/jj-tl Horse/nn-tl and/cc-tl his/pp$-tl Five/cd-tl Colts/nns-tl ''/'' ./.


	Anne/np laughed/vbd and/cc Cady/np felt/vbd the/at tension/nn loosen/vb its/pp$ grip/nn on/in the/at back/nn of/in his/pp$ neck/nn ./.
``/`` Maybe/rb I/ppss am/bem padding/vbg it/ppo a/at bit/nn ,/, Anne/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` But/cc you/ppss know/vb how/ql hard/jj it/pps is/bez to/to get/vb a/at boy/nn into/in a/at good/jj college/nn ./.
He/pps has/hvz to/to have/hv leadership/nn as/ql well/rb as/cs grades/nns ''/'' ./.


	Anne/np folded/vbd the/at worrisome/jj document/nn ./.
``/`` Did/dod you/ppss know/vb he/pps is/bez advertising/vbg his/pp$ ham-radio/nn equipment/nn for/in sale/nn this/dt weekend/nn ?/. ?/.
He/pps hasn't/hvz* used/vbn it/ppo now/rb for/in several/ap years/nns ./.
Can/md you/ppss really/rb say/vb his/pp$ motivation/nn for/in college/nn is/bez electronics/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Cady/np felt/vbd the/at jolt/nn as/cs though/cs he/pps had/hvd stepped/vbn off/in the/at curb/nn on/in his/pp$ heel/nn ./.
``/`` And/cc what/wdt would/md you/ppss say/vb he/pps wants/vbz to/to do/do ?/. ?/.
Just/rb what/wdt ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez Dave/np who/wps is/bez applying/vbg to/in Hanford/np-tl College/nn-tl ./.
Why/wrb don't/do* you/ppo ask/vb him/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	For/in once/rb Cady/np Partlow/np wished/vbd Anne/np would/md yell/vb at/in him/ppo so/cs he/pps could/md yell/vb back/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss have/hv talked/vbn to/in him/ppo ,/, but/cc you/ppss know/vb I've/ppss+hv never/rb tried/vbn to/to push/vb him/ppo into/in any/dti profession/nn ./.
I/ppss won't/md* be/be guilty/jj of/in trying/vbg to/to run/vb his/pp$ life/nn ''/'' ./.


	Anne/np picked/vbd up/rp the/at towel/nn she/pps was/bedz hemming/vbg for/in the/at hospital/nn guild/nn ./.
``/`` Just/rb because/cs your/pp$ father/nn tried/vbd to/to make/vb a/at banker/nn out/in of/in you/ppo ,/, you've/ppss+hv leaned/vbn over/rp backward/rb to/to keep/vb your/pp$ hands/nns off/rp ./.
But/cc subconsciously/rb you've/ppss+hv wanted/vbn him/ppo to/to conform/vb to/in your/pp$ mold/nn ./.
You/ppss want/vb him/ppo to/to be/be a/at leader/nn of/in men/nns ,/, like/cs you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Cady/np put/vbd the/at well-worn/jj chip/nn back/rb on/in his/pp$ shoulder/nn ./.
``/`` Dave/np has/hvz qualities/nns of/in leadership/nn ./.
He/pps just/rb hasn't/hvz* developed/vbn them/ppo yet/rb ./.
Give/vb him/ppo time/nn ''/'' ./.


	He/pps never/rb will/md ,/, Cady/np ./.
Not/* the/at kind/nn of/in leadership/nn you/ppss mean/vb ,/, working/vbg with/in lots/nns of/in people/nns ./.
All/abn your/pp$ wishful/jj thinking/nn won't/md* change/vb that/dt ./.
Remember/vb what/wdt you/ppss used/vbd to/to say/vb in/in the/at Army/nn-tl ?/. ?/.
You/ppss can't/md* run/vb a/at war/nn with/in ninety-nine/cd generals/nns and/cc one/cd private/nn ''/'' !/. !/.


	Cady/np walked/vbd the/at block/nn to/in the/at mailbox/nn ,/, almost/rb ashamed/jj of/in himself/ppl for/in arguing/vbg with/in Anne/np ./.



	Martin/np felt/vbd it/pps was/bedz incredible/jj that/cs the/at situation/nn had/hvd come/vbn to/to exist/vb at/in all/abn ./.
And/cc once/rb begun/vbn ,/, had/hvd grown/vbn to/in such/jj monstrous/jj proportions/nns ./.
The/at pair/nn of/in white/jj cotton/nn shorts/nns ruled/vbd his/pp$ life/nn ./.


	Lying/vbg awake/jj at/in night/nn ,/, he/pps could/md see/vb them/ppo ,/, laid/vbn out/rp on/in the/at floor/nn of/in his/pp$ mind/nn ./.
When/wrb he/pps rose/vbd in/in the/at morning/nn ,/, the/at image/nn was/bedz still/rb there/rb ./.


	He/pps had/hvd always/rb been/ben a/at messy/jj and/cc negligent/jj man/nn ./.
In/in his/pp$ bachelor/nn days/nns ,/, his/pp$ bedroom/nn had/hvd been/ben strewn/vbn with/in clothes/nns which/wdt his/pp$ mother/nn ,/, or/cc later/rbr the/at hotel/nn maid/nn ,/, generally/rb saw/vbd fit/vbn to/to put/vb in/in order/nn ./.
No/at doubt/nn Dolores/np resented/vbd following/vbg in/in their/pp$ footsteps/nns ./.


	But/cc it/pps was/bedz fun/nn those/dts first/od days/nns ,/, kidding/vbg about/in the/at trail/nn of/in garments/nns he/pps left/vbd littered/vbn across/in the/at rug/nn ./.
There/ex was/bedz an/at assertive/jj maleness/nn in/in his/pp$ grinning/vbg refusal/nn to/to pick/vb them/ppo up/rp ./.
Half/ql slyly/rb he/pps enjoyed/vbd seeing/vbg her/ppo stoop/vb to/to lift/vb the/at things/nns ./.


	He/pps remembered/vbd the/at first/od time/nn he/pps saw/vbd her/ppo ,/, standing/vbg across/in the/at room/nn at/in a/at party/nn ./.
The/at smooth/jj curve/nn of/in her/pp$ neck/nn ,/, very/ql white/jj against/in hair/nn which/wdt curled/vbd against/in it/ppo like/cs petals/nns ./.
Her/pp$ hair/nn was/bedz the/at color/nn of/in those/dts blooms/nns which/wdt in/in seed/nn catalogues/nns are/ber referred/vbn to/in as/cs ``/`` black/jj ''/'' ,/, but/cc since/cs no/at flower/nn is/bez actually/rb without/in color/nn contain/vb always/rb a/at hint/nn of/in grape/nn or/cc purple/jj or/cc blue/jj --/-- he/pps wanted/vbd to/to draw/vb the/at broad/jj patina/nn of/in hair/nn through/in his/pp$ fingers/nns ,/, searching/vbg it/ppo slowly/rb for/in a/at trace/nn of/in veining/vbg which/wdt might/md reveal/vb its/pp$ true/jj shade/nn beneath/in the/at darkness/nn ./.


	So/cs he/pps sought/vbd her/ppo out/rp ,/, and/cc spoke/vbd to/in her/ppo ,/, and/cc thought/vbd of/in his/pp$ hand/nn in/in her/pp$ hair/nn ./.
Or/cc against/in her/pp$ back/nn ,/, pressed/vbn on/in the/at column/nn of/in vertebrae/nns ,/, which/wdt held/vbd her/ppo so/ql magnificently/rb straight/rb and/cc unyielding/jj ,/, until/cs the/at segments/nns of/in bone/nn made/vbd tiny/jj sharp/jj cracking/vbg noises/nns ,/, like/cs the/at snapped/vbn stem/nn of/in a/at tulip/nn ./.


	But/cc ,/, to/to put/vb it/ppo bluntly/rb ,/, nothing/pn snapped/vbd ./.
Yet/rb that/dt had/hvd not/* seriously/rb troubled/vbn him/ppo ,/, not/* then/rb ./.
They/ppss married/vbd ./.
More/ap he/pps could/md take/vb at/in leisure/nn ./.
All/abn Martin/np thought/vbd he/pps needed/vbd was/bedz time/nn :/: to/in what/wdt better/jjr use/nn could/md time/nn be/be put/vbn ?/. ?/.


	He/pps saw/vbd later/rbr that/cs they/ppss had/hvd made/vbn their/pp$ marriage/nn too/ql quickly/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz too/ql little/ap occasion/nn beforehand/rb for/in resistance/nn ,/, the/at brave/jj strong/jj delights/nns of/in emotional/jj clash/nn and/cc meeting/nn ./.
They/ppss had/hvd left/vbn themselves/ppls too/ql much/ap to/to discover/vb ./.


	But/cc ,/, at/in the/at start/nn ,/, his/pp$ new/jj life/nn felt/vbd invigorating/vbg ./.
Good/jj ./.


	It/pps was/bedz on/in the/at tenth/od day/nn after/in the/at wedding/nn (/( how/wrb could/md it/ppo have/hv been/ben so/ql soon/rb ?/. ?/.
)/) that/cs he/pps dropped/vbd the/at shorts/nns on/in the/at floor/nn ./.


	``/`` Now/rb ,/, I'm/ppss+bem not/* going/vbg to/to pick/vb up/rp those/dts shorts/nns ''/'' !/. !/.


	Martin/np gave/vbd her/ppo a/at teasing/vbg pat/nn ./.
``/`` I/ppss think/vb you'll/ppss+md get/vb tired/vbn of/in them/ppo there/rb ''/'' ./.


	In/in the/at morning/nn the/at shorts/nns were/bed where/wrb he/pps had/hvd left/vbn them/ppo ./.
He/pps smiled/vbd to/in himself/ppl ,/, and/cc decided/vbd not/* to/to mention/vb them/ppo till/cs Dolores/np did/dod ./.
It/pps was/bedz almost/ql too/ql easy/jj ./.
For/cs he/pps had/hvd just/rb remembered/vbn :/: tonight/nr they/ppss were/bed having/hvg their/pp$ first/od guests/nns ./.
The/at shorts/nns would/md not/* be/be on/in the/at floor/nn when/wrb he/pps came/vbd home/nr that/dt evening/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz wrong/jj ./.
The/at rest/nn of/in the/at bedroom/nn had/hvd been/ben groomed/vbn to/in a/at superhuman/jj neatness/nn ,/, but/cc in/in the/at middle/nn of/in the/at carpet/nn lay/vbd the/at disheveled/vbn shorts/nns ./.
They/ppss gave/vbd the/at room/nn a/at strange/jj note/nn of/in incongruity/nn ,/, like/cs a/at mole/nn on/in a/at beautiful/jj face/nn ./.


	He/pps saw/vbd that/cs Dolores/np intended/vbd to/to wait/vb until/cs the/at last/ap minute/nn ,/, thinking/vbg he/pps would/md get/vb nervous/jj ./.
Quietly/rb he/pps determined/vbd to/to foil/vb her/ppo ./.
I/ppss can/md be/be as/ql stubborn/jj as/cs she/pps can/md ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ;/. ;/.
my/pp$ nerves/nns are/ber as/ql strong/jj ./.
She'll/pps+md rush/vb to/in the/at bedroom/nn when/wrb the/at doorbell/nn rings/vbz ./.


	It/pps rang/vbd ./.
Ten/cd minutes/nns early/jj ./.


	Martin/np was/bedz standing/vbg a/at few/ap feet/nns from/in the/at front/jj door/nn ./.
He/pps swung/vbd around/rb ,/, eyes/nns toward/in the/at bedroom/nn ,/, some/dti fifteen/cd feet/nns away/rb ./.
Dolores/np stood/vbd motionless/jj in/in the/at doorway/nn ./.


	He/pps could/md not/* cross/vb the/at living/nn room/nn ,/, brush/vb past/in her/ppo ,/, and/cc bend/vb down/rp to/to retrieve/vb the/at shorts/nns ./.


	Martin/np turned/vbd his/pp$ back/nn ./.
He/pps strode/vbd to/to answer/vb the/at bell/nn ./.


	Bill's/np$ hat/nn was/bedz deposited/vbn in/in the/at hall/nn closet/nn ./.
With/in the/at most/ql casual/jj and/cc relaxed/vbn manner/nn in/in the/at world/nn ,/, Dolores/np led/vbd Anthea/np to/in the/at bedroom/nn ./.
Martin/np strained/vbd his/pp$ ears/nns ./.


	At/in first/rb he/pps could/md not/* be/be sure/jj ./.
Then/rb he/pps caught/vbd just/rb enough/qlp to/to know/vb that/cs the/at shorts/nns were/bed still/rb there/rb ./.
A/at glissade/nn of/in giggles/nns slid/vbd over/in their/pp$ voices/nns ./.


	All/abn evening/nn Anthea/np favored/vbd him/ppo with/in odd/jj ,/, coy/jj looks/nns ./.
Clearly/rb she/pps had/hvd been/ben instructed/vbn ``/`` not/* to/to say/vb a/at word/nn ''/'' ./.
For/in some/dti reason/nn ,/, this/dt ellipsis/nn in/in the/at conversation/nn spread/vbd until/cs it/pps swallowed/vbd up/rp every/at other/ap topic/nn ./.
At/in last/rb there/ex was/bedz a/at void/nn no/at one/pn could/md fill/vb ./.
The/at Brainards/nps went/vbd home/nr early/rb ./.


	Martin/np realized/vbd ,/, later/rbr on/rp ,/, that/cs he/pps should/md have/hv ``/`` had/hvn it/ppo out/rp ''/'' with/in Dolores/np that/dt night/nn ./.
As/ql violently/rb as/ql possible/jj ./.
But/cc he/pps was/bedz so/ql taken/vbn aback/rb ,/, he/pps could/md not/* believe/vb any/dti rage/nn of/in his/pp$$ would/md make/vb her/ppo give/vb in/rp ./.
On/in the/at contrary/nn ,/, it/pps would/md only/rb weaken/vb his/pp$ position/nn if/cs he/pps fumed/vbd ,/, while/cs she/pps stayed/vbd calm/jj and/cc adamant/jj ./.
And/cc if/cs he/pps surrendered/vbd after/cs raving/vbg at/in her/ppo ./.
He/pps shivered/vbd ./.


	Suppose/vb he/pps ran/vbd up/rp the/at white/jj flag/nn altogether/rb ?/. ?/.
At/in once/rb ./.
He/pps considered/vbd the/at sober/jj possibility/nn ./.


	In/in his/pp$ head/nn was/bedz the/at echo/nn of/in those/dts titters/nns with/in Anthea/np ./.


	There/ex was/bedz something/pn about/in private/jj feminine/jj whisperings/nns which/wdt always/rb made/vbd him/ppo feel/vb scabrous/jj and/cc unclean/jj ./.
He/pps remembered/vbd his/pp$ mother/nn gossiping/vbg with/in her/pp$ neighborhood/nn women/nns friends/nns ,/, lowering/vbg her/pp$ voice/nn to/in a/at penetrating/jj hoarseness/nn which/wdt might/md be/be trusted/vbn to/to carry/vb to/in the/at head/nn of/in the/at stairs/nns ,/, where/wrb he/pps crouched/vbd listening/vbg ./.
He/pps could/md even/vb recall/vb the/at last/ap time/nn he/pps sat/vbd there/rb ./.
She/pps was/bedz talking/vbg about/in him/ppo that/dt time/nn ,/, because/cs he/pps had/hvd done/vbn some/dti bad/jj thing/nn ,/, something/pn she/pps disliked/vbd ,/, but/cc ``/`` Afterwards/rb Martin/np said/vbd he/pps was/bedz sorry/jj ./.
He/pps apologized/vbd so/ql sweetly/rb ,/, I/ppss couldn't/md* keep/vb being/beg annoyed/vbn with/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.
It/pps wasn't/bedz* even/rb true/jj that/cs he'd/pps+hvd said/vbn he/pps was/bedz sorry/jj that/dt time/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps had/hvd in/in fact/nn said/vbd simply/rb that/cs he/pps wished/vbd the/at thing/nn hadn't/hvd* happened/vbn ,/, which/wdt was/bedz as/ql honest/jj as/cs he/pps could/md put/vb it/ppo ./.
But/cc his/pp$ mother/nn told/vbd the/at story/nn over/rp and/cc over/rp ,/, till/cs her/pp$ ``/`` Martin/np said/vbd he/pps was/bedz sorry/jj ''/'' was/bedz as/ql much/ap a/at part/nn of/in her/ppo as/cs the/at shape/nn of/in her/pp$ thin/jj ,/, pallid/jj ears/nns ./.


	The/at battle/nn had/hvd to/to be/be fought/vbn ./.
Let/vb the/at best/jjt sex/nn win/vb ./.


	But/cc his/pp$ resolution/nn hardly/rb seemed/vbd to/to help/vb ./.
If/cs the/at situation/nn had/hvd been/ben bad/jj ,/, it/pps now/rb got/vbd worse/jjr ./.
About/in this/dt time/nn people/nns began/vbd ``/`` dropping/vbg in/rp ''/'' ,/, considering/in that/cs the/at newly/rb married/vbn had/hvd been/ben left/vbn alone/rb long/jj enough/qlp ./.
Angrily/rb Martin/np wished/vbd they/ppss had/hvd delayed/vbn the/at wedding/nn and/cc gone/vbn on/in a/at trip/nn --/-- preferably/rb one/pn that/wps lasted/vbd months/nns --/-- instead/rb of/in deciding/vbg not/* to/to postpone/vb the/at date/nn until/cs he/pps could/md get/vb away/rb ./.
Here/rb they/ppss were/bed at/in the/at mercy/nn of/in anyone/pn who/wps chose/vbd to/to come/vb by/rb ./.
These/dts stray/jj people/nns nearly/rb always/rb insisted/vbd on/in Dolores/np showing/vbg them/ppo around/in the/at apartment/nn ./.
Of/in course/nn ,/, the/at tours/nns of/in inspection/nn included/vbd the/at ever-present/jj shorts/nns ./.


	It/pps was/bedz curious/jj how/wrb the/at different/jj visitors/nns took/vbd this/dt ./.
Some/dti tried/vbd to/to ignore/vb the/at blot/nn on/in the/at bedroom's/nn$ countenance/nn ./.
Others/nns asked/vbd ./.
Quite/ql a/at few/ap laughed/vbn ./.
To/in them/ppo all/abn Dolores/np told/vbd a/at lighthearted/jj and/cc witty/jj tale/nn ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez a/at little/ap contest/nn Martin/np and/cc I/ppss have/hv ''/'' ,/, she/pps would/md begin/vb gaily/rb ,/, carrying/vbg the/at anecdote/nn through/in a/at frothy/jj and/cc deceptive/jj course/nn ./.
While/cs he/pps waited/vbd in/in the/at living/nn room/nn ./.


	Once/rb Martin/np went/vbd along/rb ./.
They/ppss entered/vbd the/at bedroom/nn ,/, and/cc Dolores/np said/vbd nothing/pn ./.
Then/rb one/cd of/in the/at guests/nns showed/vbd his/pp$ merriment/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss were/bed in/in a/at hurry/nn ,/, weren't/bed* you/ppss ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Martin/np would/md have/hv liked/vbn to/to break/vb the/at man's/nn$ neck/nn ./.
Dolores/np smiled/vbd ;/. ;/.
she/pps let/vbd the/at interpretation/nn stand/vb ./.
Now/rb Martin/np heard/vbd himself/ppl give/vb a/at snort/nn of/in mock/jj good/jj nature/nn ./.
With/in her/pp$ eyes/nns Dolores/np dared/vbd him/ppo for/in the/at truth/nn ,/, ready/jj to/to begin/vb :/: It's/pps+bez a/at little/ap contest/nn --/-- 

	Never/rb again/rb did/dod he/pps enter/vb into/in the/at ritual/nn of/in showing/vbg the/at apartment/nn ./.


	They/ppss kept/vbd up/rp a/at rigid/jj pretense/nn of/in speaking/vbg relations/nns ./.
But/cc Martin/np seldom/rb felt/vbd the/at impulse/nn to/to talk/vb about/in anything/pn ./.
What/wdt to/to talk/vb about/in ?/. ?/.


	Dolores/np kept/vbd picking/vbg up/rp any/dti of/in his/pp$ clothes/nns (/( except/in the/at fatal/jj shorts/nns )/) which/wdt he/pps left/vbd about/rb ,/, but/cc he/pps had/hvd been/ben robbed/vbn of/in pleasure/nn in/in scattering/vbg his/pp$ possessions/nns ./.
He/pps fell/vbd into/in the/at habit/nn of/in putting/vbg his/pp$ clothes/nns in/in drawers/nns and/cc closets/nns ,/, so/cs his/pp$ life/nn might/md impinge/vb as/ql little/ql as/cs possible/jj on/in hers/pp$$ ./.
The/at shorts/nns alone/rb remained/vbd ./.


	In/in his/pp$ moments/nns of/in worst/jjt agony/nn ,/, Martin/np imagined/vbd what/wdt his/pp$ friends/nns were/bed saying/vbg ./.
The/at sound/nn of/in their/pp$ amazement/nn ./.
Bizarre/jj :/: He/pps could/md hear/vb the/at word/nn ./.
The/at most/ql bizarre/jj situation/nn ./.
We/ppss were/bed up/rp to/to visit/vb them/ppo and/cc 

	He/pps had/hvd thought/vbn her/ppo exactly/rb what/wdt he/pps wanted/vbd ./.
Six/cd weeks/nns of/in marriage/nn and/cc I'm/ppss+bem using/vbg the/at past/jj tense/nn ,/, he/pps told/vbd himself/ppl furiously/rb ./.
Pursuing/vbg his/pp$ idea/nn ,/, he/pps saw/vbd that/cs it/pps would/md be/be impossible/jj to/to leave/vb her/ppo now/rb ./.
Everyone/pn would/md know/vb why/wrb ;/. ;/.
he/pps would/md cut/vb a/at supremely/ql ridiculous/jj figure/nn ./.


	He/pps was/bedz trapped/vbn ./.


	Day/nn and/cc night/nn Martin/np could/md not/* drag/vb his/pp$ mind/nn from/in the/at dilemma/nn he/pps had/hvd made/vbn for/in himself/ppl ./.
His/pp$ mind/nn scurried/vbd frantically/rb ,/, seeking/vbg an/at exit/nn ./.
Alternately/rb he/pps had/hvd periods/nns of/in hostile/jj defeatism/nn in/in which/wdt he/pps determined/vbd sullenly/rb ,/, morosely/rb ,/, to/to live/vb out/rp his/pp$ life/nn in/in this/dt fashion/nn ./.
Nothing/pn would/md change/vb ,/, nothing/pn would/md ever/rb change/vb ./.


	When/wrb the/at solution/nn finally/rb came/vbd to/in him/ppo ,/, one/cd night/nn while/cs he/pps was/bedz in/in bed/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz so/ql shaken/vbn by/in its/pp$ simplicity/nn that/cs he/pps could/md only/rb wonder/vb why/wrb it/pps had/hvd not/* occurred/vbn to/in him/ppo before/rb ./.


	In/in a/at frenzy/nn of/in excitement/nn ,/, he/pps considered/vbd his/pp$ plan/nn ./.


	Beside/in his/pp$ shorts/nns ,/, he/pps would/md place/vb something/pn of/in hers/pp$$ ./.


	Instantaneously/rb he/pps would/md have/hv won/vbn an/at immeasurable/jj moral/jj victory/nn ,/, for/cs if/cs she/pps picked/vbd up/rp ,/, say/vb ,/, a/at pair/nn of/in her/pp$ panties/nns ,/, she/pps might/md just/rb as/ql well/rb lift/vb his/pp$ shorts/nns lying/vbg alongside/rb --/-- the/at expenditure/nn of/in energy/nn was/bedz almost/rb the/at same/ap ./.
He/pps felt/vbd that/cs it/pps would/md be/be a/at particular/jj humiliation/nn to/in Dolores/np to/to pick/vb up/rp her/pp$ own/jj underwear/nn which/wdt he/pps had/hvd laid/vbn on/in the/at floor/nn ./.
Furthermore/rb ,/, he/pps could/md go/vb on/in repeating/vbg the/at maneuver/nn endlessly/rb :/: every/at time/nn he/pps went/vbd in/in the/at bedroom/nn ,/, he/pps could/md drop/vb a/at slip/nn or/cc a/at brassiere/nn ,/, or/cc maybe/rb a/at girdle/nn ,/, next/in to/in his/pp$ shorts/nns ./.
Sooner/rbr or/cc later/rbr ,/, Dolores/np would/md crack/vb ./.
On/in the/at other/ap hand/nn ,/, if/cs she/pps didn't/dod* remove/vb her/pp$ own/jj things/nns ,/, it/pps would/md be/be difficult/jj to/to explain/vb to/in the/at parade/nn of/in guests/nns which/wdt traversed/vbd the/at apartment/nn ./.


	Martin/np guessed/vbd that/cs Dolores/np would/md not/* be/be so/ql eager/jj to/to tell/vb the/at next/ap installment/nn of/in her/pp$ story/nn ./.
The/at tale/nn ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, would/md become/vb less/ql gay/jj ./.
She/pps had/hvd used/vbn his/pp$ rumpled/vbn shorts/nns as/cs the/at very/ap image/nn of/in his/pp$ childishness/nn ,/, his/pp$ lack/nn of/in control/nn ,/, his/pp$ general/jj male/nn looseness/nn ,/, while/cs she/pps remained/vbd cool/jj ,/, airy/jj ,/, and/cc untouched/jj ,/, the/at charming/jj teacher/nn who/wps disciplined/vbd an/at unruly/jj body/nn ./.
To/to have/hv her/pp$ underclothes/nns linked/vbn with/in his/pp$$ on/in the/at floor/nn would/md draw/vb her/ppo visibly/rb into/in a/at struggle/nn both/abx bitter/jj and/cc absurd/jj ./.


	Something/pn in/in the/at back/nn of/in his/pp$ mind/nn was/bedz aware/jj that/cs the/at magnificence/nn of/in the/at plan/nn lay/vbd in/in his/pp$ faith/nn ,/, that/cs the/at idea/nn would/md work/vb because/cs he/pps believed/vbd in/in it/ppo ,/, since/cs his/pp$ courage/nn and/cc virility/nn were/bed involved/vbn ,/, because/cs it/pps was/bedz truly/rb his/pp$$ ./.
The/at knowledge/nn kept/vbd him/ppo from/in analyzing/vbg his/pp$ scheme/nn to/in death/nn ,/, and/cc took/vbd him/ppo through/in the/at last/ap hours/nns of/in that/dt night/nn in/in a/at peace/nn of/in exalted/vbn fanaticism/nn ./.


	The/at next/ap morning/nn ,/, while/cs Dolores/np was/bedz out/in of/in the/at room/nn ,/, he/pps went/vbd to/in her/pp$ bureau/nn drawer/nn ,/, took/vbd out/rp a/at pair/nn of/in nylon/nn lace/nn pants/nns ,/, and/cc tenderly/rb dropped/vbd them/ppo next/in to/in his/pp$ shorts/nns ./.
He/pps sat/vbd down/rp on/in the/at bed/nn ./.


	In/in a/at surprisingly/rb short/jj time/nn ,/, Dolores/np appeared/vbd ./.
To/in his/pp$ delight/nn ,/, her/pp$ eyes/nns focused/vbd at/in once/rb upon/in the/at two/cd garments/nns ./.
Slowly/rb and/cc deliberately/rb she/pps reached/vbd down/rp and/cc touched/vbd the/at lace/nn with/in her/pp$ fingers/nns ,/, then/rb hesitated/vbd for/in about/rb a/at second/od ./.
Ah/uh ,/, he/pps thought/vbd ,/, she's/pps+bez going/vbg through/in the/at chain/nn of/in reasoning/vbg which/wdt says/vbz she/pps might/md really/rb just/rb as/ql well/rb pick/vb up/rp my/pp$ shorts/nns too/rb ./.
He/pps saw/vbd that/cs in/in a/at moment/nn she/pps had/hvd grasped/vbn all/abn the/at implications/nns of/in a/at plot/nn which/wdt had/hvd been/ben weeks/nns in/in occurring/vbg to/in him/ppo ./.
Extending/vbg her/pp$ fingers/nns another/dt inch/nn ,/, she/pps caught/vbd up/rp the/at shorts/nns ,/, and/cc swiftly/rb left/vbd the/at room/nn ./.
She/pps did/dod not/* look/vb at/in him/ppo ,/, but/cc he/pps noticed/vbd that/cs her/pp$ face/nn was/bedz flushed/vbn and/cc her/pp$ eyes/nns unsteady/jj ./.


	They/ppss breakfasted/vbd together/rb ,/, but/cc Martin/np did/dod not/* refer/vb to/in his/pp$ triumph/nn ,/, and/cc Dolores/np found/vbd a/at great/jj deal/nn to/to do/do in/in the/at kitchen/nn ,/, bobbing/vbg up/rp and/cc down/rp from/in the/at table/nn so/cs that/dt talk/nn was/bedz impossible/jj ./.
Well/uh ,/, Martin/np thought/vbd ,/, That'll/dt+md save/vb ./.
He/pps left/vbd for/in work/nn in/in high/jj spirits/nns ./.


	As/cs he/pps relaxed/vbd that/dt day/nn ,/, Martin/np realized/vbd how/wrb tense/jj he/pps had/hvd been/ben these/dts past/jj weeks/nns ./.
He/pps found/vbd that/cs he/pps no/at longer/jjr hated/vbd Dolores/np (/( he/pps knew/vbd how/wrb much/ap he/pps had/hvd hated/vbn her/ppo )/) ,/, and/cc he/pps was/bedz surprised/vbn at/in a/at resurgence/nn of/in an/at affectionate/jj feeling/nn ./.



	``/`` Good/jj old/jj A-Z/nn ''/'' ,/, Cap/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` You/ppss know/vb ,/, I've/ppss+hv got/vbn one/cd of/in your/pp$ cars/nns at/in home/nr ./.
As/cs a/at prominent/jj industrialist/nn ,/, you/ppss ought/md to/to be/be interested/vbn in/in his/pp$ nibs'/nn$ support/nn group/nn ./.
Isn't/bez* his/pp$ racket/nn down/in your/pp$ alley/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Once/cs it/pps was/bedz ,/, William/np thought/vbd ./.
But/cc not/* any/dti more/rbr ./.


	A/at rush/nn of/in memory/nn swept/vbd him/ppo back/rb ,/, and/cc he/pps forgot/vbd Cap/np ./.
How/wrb did/dod he/pps start/vb on/in such/abl a/at ride/nn to/in brief/jj glory/nn ?/. ?/.
Simply/rb enough/qlp ,/, through/in the/at inadvertent/jj agency/nn of/in his/pp$ brother-in-law/nn ./.
General/nn-tl Hershey's/np$ draft/nn and/cc Doc/np Eddyman/np and/cc Cap/np were/bed responsible/jj for/in his/pp$ first/od eminence/nn ,/, but/cc Fearless/jj-tl Freddy/np Bryan/np could/md take/vb credit/nn ,/, if/cs he/pps cared/vbd to/in (/( and/cc he/pps did/dod )/) ,/, for/in the/at second/od time/nn ./.
Freddy/np needed/vbd a/at job/nn ,/, having/hvg been/ben detached/vbn from/in a/at rather/ql dangerous/jj career/nn in/in real/jj estate/nn and/cc skyscraper/nn financing/vbg by/in Gerry/np ,/, and/cc it/pps was/bedz up/in to/in Arthur/np Willis/np to/to provide/vb him/ppo with/in one/pn ./.


	Mr./np Willis/np bought/vbd Zenith/nn-tl Plastic/nn-tl Products/nns-tl ,/, a/at skeleton/nn corporation/nn of/in sorts/nns which/wdt had/hvd undergone/vbn many/ap vicissitudes/nns and/cc whose/wp$ principal/jjs assets/nns were/bed a/at couple/nn of/in electronics/nn plants/nns on/in Long/jj-tl Island/nn-tl engaged/vbd in/in working/vbg out/rp government/nn contracts/nns ,/, and/cc installed/vbd Freddy/np in/in an/at executive/nn position/nn ./.
Shortly/rb after/rb ,/, Freddy/np had/hvd his/pp$ usual/jj proliferation/nn of/in bold/jj ideas/nns ./.
Willis/np listened/vbd patiently/rb ,/, and/cc once/rb in/in a/at while/nn William/np was/bedz exposed/vbn to/in them/ppo at/in a/at family/nn gathering/nn ;/. ;/.
he/pps generally/rb heard/vbd Freddy's/np$ suggestions/nns without/in interest/nn ,/, being/beg absorbed/vbn by/in his/pp$ own/jj prospering/vbg concerns/nns ./.


	Probably/rb Mr./np Willis/np was/bedz influenced/vbn toward/in deeper/jjr involvement/nn by/in familial/jj loyalty/nn and/cc a/at concern/nn for/in his/pp$ grandchildren/nns ./.
Gerry/np began/vbd to/to aid/vb Freddy/np with/in her/pp$ father/nn ,/, prodded/vbn ,/, no/at doubt/nn ,/, by/in Joan's/np$ open/jj contempt/nn for/in Freddy/np and/cc William's/np$ irritating/jj competency/nn ./.
Another/dt factor/nn must/md have/hv been/ben the/at eventual/jj disposal/nn of/in Willis'/np$ fortune/nn ;/. ;/.
she/pps unquestionably/rb assumed/vbd that/cs the/at more/rbr he/pps was/bedz entwined/vbn with/in Freddy/np ,/, the/at more/ql likely/rb he/pps was/bedz to/to reward/vb Freddy/np richly/rb upon/in his/pp$ death/nn ./.


	Whatever/wdt the/at reasons/nns ,/, Willis/np and/cc Bryan/np started/vbd expanding/vbg Zenith/nn-tl ./.
They/ppss acquired/vbd another/dt electronics/nn factory/nn ,/, a/at specialized/vbn ceramics/nn company/nn ,/, an/at organization/nn that/wps built/vbd --/-- very/ql experimentally/rb --/-- high-speed/nn research/nn calculators/nns ./.
Since/cs they/ppss were/bed hunting/vbg for/in national/jj defense/nn contracts/nns ,/, Adam/np Herberet/np ,/, a/at man/nn of/in surprising/vbg resources/nns ,/, entered/vbd the/at combination/nn as/cs a/at silent/jj partner/nn because/rb of/in his/pp$ political/jj connections/nns ./.


	Feeling/vbg his/pp$ power/nn ,/, Freddy/np looked/vbd for/in additional/jj worlds/nns to/to conquer/vb ./.
Heavy/jj industry/nn ,/, slanted/vbn toward/in inexhaustible/jj government/nn coffers/nns ,/, attracted/vbd him/ppo ./.
The/at Allstates/nps-tl Auto/nn-tl Company/nn-tl ,/, a/at medium-sized/jj firm/nn which/wdt manufactured/vbd four-wheel-drive/nn vehicles/nns and/cc other/ap off-road/jj equipment/nn ,/, had/hvd recently/rb constructed/vbn an/at over-large/jj ,/, modern/jj plant/nn in/in a/at burst/nn of/in misguided/vbn optimism/nn ./.
Cursed/vbn with/in a/at shaky/jj management/nn and/cc dissatisfied/vbn stockholders/nns ,/, it/pps was/bedz ripe/jj for/in amalgamation/nn ,/, and/cc Freddy's/np$ instinct/nn was/bedz to/to keep/vb growing/vbg by/in stock/nn mergers/nns and/cc small/jj expenditure/nn of/in cash/nn ,/, and/cc never/rb mind/vb inevitable/jj consequences/nns ./.
With/in Herberet's/np$ blessing/nn ,/, he/pps was/bedz convinced/vbn that/cs Allstates'/nps$ Wisconsin/np folly/nn would/md be/be ideal/jj for/in conversion/nn to/in airplane/nn sub-assembly/nn ,/, tanks/nns ,/, missiles/nns or/cc ordnance/nn of/in some/dti kind/nn ./.


	At/in that/dt point/nn William/np came/vbd into/in the/at picture/nn ./.
Although/cs not/* much/rb desiring/vbg the/at account/nn ,/, he/pps had/hvd been/ben appointed/vbn advertising/vbg head/nn of/in Zenith/nn-tl ./.
Freed/vbn of/in routine/nn by/in having/hvg his/pp$ own/jj firm/nn and/cc a/at complaisant/jj partner/nn ,/, his/pp$ work/nn in/in New/jj-tl York/np-tl had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo a/at broader/jjr overall/jj knowledge/nn of/in business/nn administration/nn and/cc corporate/jj structure/nn ;/. ;/.
and/cc if/cs he/pps wasn't/bedz* entirely/rb committed/vbn to/in what/wdt he/pps did/dod ,/, he/pps was/bedz at/in least/ap fascinated/vbd by/in the/at chance/nn of/in wider/jjr opportunities/nns ./.
Mr./np Willis/np ,/, eager/jj to/to have/hv him/ppo allied/vbn with/in the/at family/nn ,/, wanted/vbd advice/nn beyond/in the/at confines/nns of/in his/pp$ field/nn ,/, and/cc William/np set/vbd out/rp on/in a/at serious/jj study/nn of/in the/at situation/nn ,/, including/in trips/nns to/in Wisconsin/np and/cc Washington/np ./.


	In/in the/at end/nn ,/, he/pps said/vbd :/: ``/`` I'm/ppss+bem not/* enchanted/vbn by/in the/at proposition/nn ,/, sir/nn ./.
I/ppss know/vb a/at guy/nn named/vbn Jack/np Hamrick/np ,/, a/at very/ql bright/jj young/jj engineer/nn who/wps was/bedz with/in Chrysler/np ,/, and/cc I/ppss took/vbd him/ppo with/in me/ppo to/in Allstates/nps ./.
It's/pps+bez his/pp$ expert/jj opinion/nn that/cs the/at plant/nn isn't/bez* well/rb suited/vbn to/in what/wdt you/ppss have/hv in/in mind/nn ./.
The/at conversion/nn will/md cost/vb a/at fortune/nn ./.
Besides/in that/dt ,/, I'm/ppss+bem acquainted/vbn more/rbr or/cc less/rbr with/in the/at defense/nn hardware/nn situation/nn through/in my/pp$ contacts/nns in/in the/at Air/nn-tl Force/nn-tl ./.
I/ppss think/vb Adam/np Herberet/np is/bez guilty/jj of/in being/beg too/ql hopeful/jj and/cc better/rbr informed/vbn on/in defense/nn financing/nn than/cs on/in the/at technical/jj side/nn ./.
Missiles/nns have/hv thrown/vbn everything/pn up/rp for/in grabs/nns ,/, and/cc nobody/pn seems/vbz to/to be/be sure/jj where/wrb we/ppss go/vb from/in here/rb ./.
The/at future/nn of/in manned/vbn aircraft/nn is/bez in/in doubt/nn ,/, which/wdt affects/vbz government/nn procurement/nn ,/, and/cc jet/nn transports/nns have/hv revolutionized/vbn the/at airline/nn trade/nn --/-- one/cd jet/nn can/md take/vb the/at place/nn of/in three/cd compound-engine/nn planes/nns ./.
This/dt means/vbz the/at aircraft/nn companies/nns are/ber going/vbg to/to tear/vb into/in the/at government/nn market/nn ,/, looking/vbg for/in anything/pn they/ppss can/md get/vb and/cc making/vbg the/at competition/nn tough/jj ./.
Here/rb are/ber a/at few/ap facts/nns and/cc figures/nns I've/ppss+hv assembled/vbn ./.
Can't/md* you/ppss stay/vb with/in what/wdt you/ppss have/hv and/cc wait/vb till/cs the/at dust/nn settles/vbz ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Willis/np glanced/vbd at/in the/at bound/vbn pages/nns given/vbn him/ppo and/cc shrugged/vbd ./.
``/`` Well/uh ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` there/ex is/bez Freddy/np ,/, you/ppss know/vb ./.
And/cc Gerry/np ./.
Freddy/np is/bez deeply/rb committed/vbn to/in our/pp$ plans/nns already/rb ./.
He/pps assures/vbz me/ppo he/pps has/hvz people/nns to/to handle/vb the/at money/nn raising/nn ,/, and/cc Ham/np Richert/np ,/, my/pp$ lawyer/nn ,/, says/vbz the/at legal/jj aspects/nns of/in the/at wedding/nn of/in Zenith/nn-tl and/cc Allstates/nps are/ber no/at problem/nn ./.
I/ppss don't/do* like/vb to/to exhibit/vb the/at deadly/jj dampening/vbg effect/nn of/in an/at elderly/jj man's/nn$ caution/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb ,/, I/ppss appreciate/vb that/dt ./.
I/ppss wish/vb you/ppss wouldn't/md* tell/vb Freddy/np I'm/ppss+bem lukewarm/jj ;/. ;/.
I've/ppss+hv caused/vbd him/ppo trouble/nn before/rb ,/, and/cc he's/pps+bez beginning/vbg to/in resent/vb me/ppo ./.
If/cs we/ppss don't/do* take/vb care/vb ,/, the/at sisters/nns will/md be/be entering/vbg the/at fray/nn on/in opposite/jj sides/nns ,/, brandishing/vbg their/pp$ cudgels/nns ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Which/wdt is/bez a/at frightful/jj prospect/nn ,/, Bill/np ''/'' ./.
Willis/np laughed/vbd ./.
``/`` One/pn shouldn't/md* mix/vb commercial/jj affairs/nns with/in patriarchy/nn ,/, but/cc in/in this/dt case/nn I/ppss have/hv no/at choice/nn ./.
Let/vb me/ppo think/vb about/in it/ppo ./.
I'm/ppss+bem most/ql grateful/jj to/in you/ppo ,/, so/ql grateful/jj I/ppss wish/vb you/ppss were/bed my/pp$ principal/jjs aide/nn instead/rb of/in Freddy/np ''/'' ./.


	Not/* to/in William's/np$ surprise/nn ,/, Freddy/np ,/, Adam/np and/cc Hamilton/np Richert/np prevailed/vbd ;/. ;/.
allied/vbn to/in them/ppo was/bedz Gerry/np ,/, devoting/vbg much/ap time/nn to/in swaying/vbg her/pp$ father/nn ,/, and/cc Joan/np dismissed/vbd all/abn thought/nn of/in the/at project/nn and/cc William/np was/bedz unwilling/jj to/to interfere/vb further/rbr ./.
Zenith/nn-tl absorbed/vbd Allstates/nps ,/, stock/nn transfers/nns were/bed arranged/vbn ,/, and/cc Freddy/np became/vbd president/nn of/in the/at hyphenated/vbn combination/nn ./.
Through/in Jack/np Hamrick/np ,/, William/np fell/vbd into/in the/at world/nn of/in automobile/nn promotion/nn and/cc got/vbd several/ap accounts/nns for/in Shoals/nns-tl and/cc-tl Clay/nn-tl ./.


	He/pps forgot/vbd about/in A-Z/np-tl till/cs ,/, unhappily/rb ,/, he/pps and/cc Hamrick/np were/bed proved/vbn correct/jj ./.
Freddy's/np$ backing/nn dropped/vbd away/rb from/in him/ppo and/cc Mr./np Willis/np was/bedz forced/vbn to/to make/vb up/rp the/at deficit/nn ./.
Adam/np ,/, beset/vbn by/in changing/vbg defense/nn conditions/nns and/cc the/at open/jj secret/nn that/cs he/pps was/bedz part/nn of/in the/at new/jj corporation/nn ,/, couldn't/md* deliver/vb from/in his/pp$ end/nn ./.
The/at Wisconsin/np plant/nn turned/vbd out/rp to/to be/be a/at white/jj elephant/nn ./.
Stock/nn Willis/np held/vbd in/in abundance/nn fell/vbd sharply/rb in/in value/nn ./.
Confronted/vbn by/in a/at grim/jj future/nn ,/, Freddy/np lost/vbd his/pp$ nerve/nn and/cc plumped/vbd for/in a/at drastic/jj liquidation/nn ./.


	Once/rb more/rbr Willis/np summoned/vbd William/np ./.
``/`` You/ppss were/bed right/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd --/-- ``/`` you/ppss and/cc your/pp$ engineer/nn --/-- and/cc I'm/ppss+bem in/in something/pn of/in a/at bind/nn ./.
Freddy's/np$ solution/nn doesn't/doz* appeal/vb to/in me/ppo ./.
In/in addition/nn to/in other/ap defects/nns ,/, I'm/ppss+bem a/at stubborn/jj man/nn and/cc hate/vb to/to admit/vb to/in the/at common/jj garden/nn variety/nn of/in bad/jj judgment/nn ./.
Will/md you/ppss see/vb if/cs you/ppss can/md help/vb me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	William/np spent/vbd a/at long/jj week/nn end/nn closeted/vbn with/in Hamrick/np ./.
His/pp$ recent/jj experience/nn in/in motor/nn car/nn advertising/nn ,/, a/at love/nn for/in cars/nns of/in themselves/ppls ,/, the/at existence/nn of/in A-Z's/np$ useless/jj Wisconsin/np set-up/nn ,/, exposure/nn to/in exciting/jj conceptions/nns of/in Hamrick's/np$ that/wps nobody/pn would/md buy/vb ,/, and/cc the/at coincidental/jj recent/jj failure/nn of/in a/at respected/vbn but/cc out-dated/jj small-car/nn manufacturer/nn called/vbd Ticonderoga/np-tl Motors/nns-tl had/hvd given/vbn him/ppo an/at idea/nn of/in such/jj dimensions/nns he/pps was/bedz almost/rb afraid/jj to/to broach/vb it/ppo ./.
Initially/rb ,/, Hamrick's/np$ reaction/nn to/in A-Z/np-tl going/vbg into/in the/at passenger/nn car/nn market/nn was/bedz discouraging/jj ./.
He/pps thought/vbd the/at financing/nn ,/, the/at advertising/nn ,/, the/at production/nn of/in new/jj models/nns ,/, the/at founding/nn of/in a/at nationwide/jj chain/nn of/in dealerships/nns was/bedz simply/rb too/ql difficult/jj ./.
Then/rb he/pps caught/vbd fire/nn ./.
If/cs A-Z/np-tl could/md buy/vb Ticonderoga/np cheaply/rb and/cc use/vb their/pp$ presses/nns and/cc dies/nns and/cc other/ap equipment/nn ,/, if/cs William/np could/md hit/vb precisely/rb the/at right/jj promotion/nn note/nn ,/, if/cs the/at money/nn hurdle/nn was/bedz not/* insurmountable/jj ./.


	They/ppss took/vbd nearly/rb a/at month/nn to/to investigate/vb ,/, marshal/vb statistics/nns ,/, and/cc put/vb their/pp$ arguments/nns down/rp in/in black/jj and/cc white/jj ./.
Taking/vbg Hamrick/np with/in him/ppo ,/, William/np went/vbd to/in Mr./np Willis/np ./.
He/pps was/bedz surprised/vbn and/cc dubious/jj ,/, but/cc impressed/vbn by/in the/at engineer/nn and/cc the/at report/nn ./.


	``/`` Your/pp$ alternative/nn is/bez breathtaking/jj ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` and/cc ,/, I'm/ppss+bem frank/jj in/in saying/vbg ,/, a/at bit/nn mad/jj ./.
I/ppss wish/vb I/ppss was/bedz younger/jjr and/cc less/ql timid/jj ./.
Well/uh ,/, I/ppss can't/md* resolve/vb this/dt myself/ppl ./.
I'll/ppss+md have/hv to/to call/vb in/rp the/at brain/nn trust/nn ./.
Are/ber you/ppss willing/jj to/to run/vb the/at gantlet/nn ?/. ?/.
I/ppss can't/md* guarantee/nn you/ppss a/at sympathetic/jj audience/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md be/be in/in there/rb swinging/vbg ''/'' ,/, William/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` but/cc in/in a/at way/nn ,/, sir/nn ,/, you've/ppss+hv got/vbn to/to decide/vb it/ppo yourself/ppl ./.
You/ppss have/hv the/at controlling/vbg interest/nn and/cc the/at principal/jjs expenditure/nn is/bez yours/pp$$ --/-- and/cc ,/, besides/rb ,/, nobody/pn else/rb is/bez going/vbg to/to have/hv the/at courage/nn ./.
If/cs they/ppss follow/vb anyone/pn ,/, it'll/pps+md have/hv to/to be/be you/ppo ''/'' ./.
He/pps paused/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss should/md explain/vb :/: there's/ex+bez more/ap here/rb for/in me/ppo than/cs advocating/vbg my/pp$ little/ap dream/nn ,/, there's/ex+bez you/ppss ./.
You/ppss mustn't/md* take/vb a/at fall/nn ,/, or/cc publicly/rb back/vb away/rb ./.
I/ppss hate/vb that/dt ./.
You're/ppss+ber --/-- you're/ppss+ber Arthur/np Willis/np ./.
Forgive/vb the/at hearts/nns and/cc flowers/nns theme/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I/ppss rather/rb like/vb the/at music/nn ''/'' ,/, Willis/np replied/vbd quietly/rb ./.
``/`` Thank/vb you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	At/in the/at meeting/nn ,/, attended/vbn by/in Freddy/np ,/, Richert/np ,/, Herberet/np and/cc the/at A-Z/np-tl executive/nn staff/nn ,/, with/in Mr./np Willis/np presiding/vbg ,/, William/np and/cc Hamrick/np did/dod indeed/rb run/vb the/at gantlet/nn ./.
From/in shock/nn and/cc incredulity/nn ,/, most/ap of/in the/at listeners/nns went/vbd on/rp to/in open/jj resistance/nn and/cc animosity/nn ./.


	``/`` Oh/uh ,/, my/pp$ God/np ''/'' ,/, Ham/np Richert/np said/vbd ,/, ``/`` a/at little/jj child/nn shall/md lead/vb them/ppo ./.
Move/vb over/rp ,/, General/nn-tl Motors/nns-tl ''/'' ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez absurd/jj ,/, Bill/np ''/'' ,/, Freddy/np said/vbd ,/, from/in a/at pale/jj face/nn ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber leading/vbg Dad/nn-tl down/in the/at garden/nn path/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Your/pp$ garden/nn ,/, God/uh damn/uh it/uh ''/'' !/. !/.
William/np said/vbd ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* enjoy/vb family/nn quarrels/nns ''/'' ,/, Adam/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Nor/cc crazy/jj relatives/nns ./.
We're/ppss+ber here/rb to/to transact/vb business/nn ./.
Can't/md* we/ppss put/vb an/at end/nn to/in this/dt ,/, Arthur/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` Hear/vb me/ppo out/rp ,/, please/uh ''/'' ,/, William/np begged/vbd ./.
``/`` I'm/ppss+bem an/at advertising/vbg hustler/nn ,/, I/ppss admit/vb ,/, but/cc I/ppss have/hv to/to get/vb hot/jj once/rb in/in a/at larger/jjr sphere/nn ./.
Sure/rb ,/, Ticonderoga/np went/vbd broke/jj in/in the/at low-priced/jj market/nn bucking/vbg the/at Big/jj-tl Three/cd-tl ./.
Their/pp$ cars/nns weren't/bed* small/jj enough/qlp ,/, they/ppss didn't/dod* have/hv the/at power/nn ,/, they/ppss were/bed old-fashioned/jj ./.
They/ppss tried/vbd to/to sell/vb 'em/ppo on/in economy/nn and/cc simple/jj merit/nn ./.
We've/ppss+hv arrived/vbn at/in an/at age/nn for/in romance/nn and/cc snobbery/nn ./.
We've/ppss+hv all/abn been/ben rich/jj and/cc spoiled/vbn long/jj enough/qlp to/to hate/vb the/at machine/nn age/nn ./.
Look/vb what/wdt those/dts little/ap European/jj jobs/nns are/ber doing/vbg ./.
We'll/ppss+md woo/vb the/at consumer/nn with/in a/at product/nn ,/, not/* bludgeon/vb him/ppo with/in chromed/vbn excess/jj length/nn and/cc weight/nn ./.
Let's/vb+ppo make/vb it/ppo moonlight/nn and/cc the/at call/nn of/in far/jj places/nns and/cc a/at seduction/nn ,/, at/in reasonable/jj rates/nns ./.
Ticonderoga/np folded/vbd a/at few/ap minutes/nns too/ql soon/rb ,/, before/cs the/at tide/nn changed/vbd ,/, still/ql honest/jj and/cc stupid/jj --/-- and/cc the/at network/nn of/in dealers/nns the/at company/nn had/hvd is/bez around/rb waiting/vbg to/to be/be signed/vbn up/rp again/rb --/-- waiting/vbg for/in us/ppo ,/, ready-made/jj ./.
We've/ppss+hv got/vbn rid/jj of/in the/at steam/nn yachts/nns and/cc Georgian/jj houses/nns ,/, and/cc the/at bloated/vbn ,/, too-expensive/jj automobile/nn is/bez next/ap ./.
Why/wrb not/* come/vb down/rp smartly/rb in/in the/at world/nn ,/, in/in a/at chic/jj fashion/nn ,/, with/in an/at Allstates-Zenith/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	He/pps swayed/vbd them/ppo somewhat/rb ,/, but/cc the/at debate/nn raged/vbd on/rp ./.
Financing/vbg emerged/vbd as/cs the/at main/jjs obstacle/nn ./.
Mr./np Willis/np made/vbd it/ppo evident/jj that/cs he/pps had/hvd contributed/vbn his/pp$ maximum/nn ./.


	``/`` Nobody/pn will/md underwrite/vb it/ppo ,/, I'm/ppss+bem telling/vbg you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Freddy/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss know/vb what/wdt I'm/ppss+bem talking/vbg about/rb in/in that/dt department/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` There's/ex+bez plenty/nn of/in risk/nn money/nn ''/'' ,/, Ham/np Richert/np added/vbd ,/, ``/`` but/cc not/* for/in anything/pn this/dt risky/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ''/'' ,/, William/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` We'll/ppss+md try/vb to/to swing/vb the/at deal/nn on/in that/dt basis/nn ./.
If/cs we/ppss can't/md* raise/vb the/at capital/nn ,/, we're/ppss+ber through/rp ./.
Nothing/pn has/hvz been/ben lost/vbn ./.
You're/ppss+ber up/rp against/in it/ppo anyhow/rb ./.
Why/wrb won't/md* you/ppss give/vb me/ppo a/at chance/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	A/at silence/nn fell/vbd ./.
Heads/nns instinctively/rb turned/vbd in/in Willis'/np$ direction/nn ./.
He/pps smiled/vbd at/in William/np and/cc slowly/rb rubbed/vbd his/pp$ hands/nns together/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss feel/vb I/ppss must/md answer/vb the/at question/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, ``/`` since/cs the/at onus/nn later/rbr ,/, if/cs any/dti ,/, should/md fall/vb on/in me/ppo --/-- I/ppss don't/do* relish/vb recriminations/nns spread/vbn broadcast/vbn outside/in my/pp$ family/nn ./.
I'm/ppss+bem not/* giving/vbg you/ppo a/at chance/nn ,/, Bill/np ,/, but/cc availing/vbg myself/ppl of/in your/pp$ generous/jj offer/nn of/in assistance/nn ./.
Good/jj luck/nn to/in you/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` All/ql the/at in-laws/nns have/hv got/vbn to/to have/hv their/pp$ day/nn ''/'' ,/, Adam/np said/vbd ,/, and/cc glared/vbd at/in William/np and/cc Freddy/np in/in turn/nn ./.


	Sweat/nn started/vbd out/rp on/in William's/np$ forehead/nn ,/, whether/cs from/in relief/nn or/cc disquietude/nn he/pps could/md not/* tell/vb ./.
Across/in the/at table/nn ,/, Hamrick/np saluted/vbd him/ppo jubilantly/rb with/in an/at encircled/vbn thumb/nn and/cc forefinger/nn ./.
Nobody/pn else/rb showed/vbd pleasure/nn ./.




Spike-haired/jj ,/, burly/jj ,/, red-faced/jj ,/, decked/vbn with/in horn-rimmed/jj glasses/nns and/cc an/at Ivy/nn-tl League/nn-tl suit/nn ,/, Jack/np Hamrick/np awaited/vbd William/np at/in the/at officers'/nns$ club/nn ./.
``/`` Hello/uh ,/, boss/nn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ,/, and/cc grinned/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss suppose/vb I/ppss can/md never/rb expect/vb to/to call/vb you/ppo '/' General/nn-tl '/' after/in that/dt Washington/np episode/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` I'm/ppss+bem afraid/jj not/* ''/'' ./.

