,,! ,,?IRTE5? ,,TALE

          ,,DIANE ,,SETT]FIELD

  ,PUBLI%$ 0,ATRIA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK
  ,COPY"R ^C #BJJF 0,DIANE ,SETT]FIELD
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-J-GDCB-IHJB-E
       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #J-GDCB-IHJB-J

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,NANCY ,HAMILTON1 ,]IC ,SORLI5
            & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #IC-BJJ
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
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       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
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                                     ;IV
























          ,,! ,,?IRTE5? ,,TALE       #IC

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  ,AT N9E O'C ! NEXT MORN+ ,MISS ,W9T]
S5T = ME & ,I W5T 6H] 9 ! LIBR>Y4
  ,0"DLI<T ! ROOM 0 Q DI6]5T4 ,)! %UTT]S
FOLD$ BACK1 ! FULL-HEI<T W9D[S LET !
LI<T FLOOD 9 F ! PALE SKY4 ,! G>D51 /
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SUN4 ,! EXOTIC PLANTS 0! W9D[ S1TS SEEM$
6T\* L1F ) _! H>DI]1 DAMP] C\S9S 2Y !
GLASS1 &! DELICATE FRAME"W T HELD !
PANES 9 PLACE SEEM$ NO M SOLID ?AN !
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A G>D5 PA? F BRAN* 6BRAN*4 ,! LIBR>Y XF1
SLI<T]1 N>R[] SEEM+LY ?AN ! NI<T 2F1 AP-
PE>$ Z A MIRAGE ( BOOKS 9 ! WET W9T] G>-
D54
  ,9 3TRA/ 6! PALELY BLUE SKY &! MILK-
:ITE SUN1 ,MISS ,W9T] 0 ALL H1T & FIRE1
AN EXOTIC HOTH\SE FL[] 9 A NOR!RN W9T]
G>D54 ,%E WORE NO SUNGLASSES TD1 B H]
EYELIDS 7 COLOR$ PURPLE1 L9$ ,CLEOPATRA-
/YLE ) KOHL & FR+$ )! SAME H1VY BLACK
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SAT D[N 9 ! *AIR ON ! O!R SIDE (! FIRE4
8,2G9N+S1 MI4LES & 5D+S1 ALL 9 ! CORRECT
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PLACE1 & ,I _H WOK5 )A DULL1 ATONIC TUNE
R++ 9 MY H1D4 8,/>T ": Y L10 ,I SD4
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2G9N+ IS N"E ": Y ?9K X IS4 ,\R LIVES >E
S IMPORTANT 6U T WE T5D 6?9K ! /ORY ( !M
2G9S ) \R BIR?4 ,F/ "! 0 NO?+1 !N .,I 0
BORN '''4 ,YET T IS N S4 ,HUMAN LIVES >E
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WEBS4 ,IMPOSSI# 6T\* "O "P ( X )\T SETT+
! RE/ VIBRAT+4 ,IMPOSSI# 6"U/& "O "P )\T
HAV+ A S5SE (! :OLE4
  8,MY /ORY IS N ONLY M9E2 X IS ! /ORY (
,ANGELFIELD4 ,ANGELFIELD ! VILLAGE4 ,AN-
GELFIELD ! H\SE4 ,&! ,ANGELFIELD FAMILY
XF4 ,GEORGE & ,MA?ILDE2 _! *N1       #IE
,*>LIE & ,ISABELLE2 ,ISABELLE'S *N1 ,EM-
MEL9E & ,ADEL9E4 ,_! H\SE1 _! =TUNES1 _!
FE>S4 ,& _! <O/4 ,"O %D ALW PAY ATT5;N
6<O/S1 %DN'T "O1 ,MISS ,LEA80
  ,%E GAVE ME A %>P LOOK2 ,I PRET5D$ N
6SEE X4
  8,A BIR? IS N RE,Y A 2G9N+4 ,\R LIVES
AT ! />T >E N RE,Y \R [N B ONLY ! 3T9U,N
( "S"O ELSE'S /ORY4 ,TAKE ME1 = 9/.E4
,6LOOK AT ME N[1 Y WD ?9K MY BIR? M/ H
BE5 "S?+ SPECIAL1 WDN'T Y8 ,A3OMPANI$ BY
/RANGE PORT5TS1 & ATT5D$ 0WIT*ES & FAIRY
GOD"MS4 ,B NO4 ,N A BIT ( X4 ,9 FACT1 :5
,I 0 BORN ,I 0 NO M ?AN A SUBPLOT4
  8,B H[ D ,I "K ? /ORY T PREC$ES MY
BIR?1 ,I HE> Y ?9K+4 ,:AT >E ! S\RCES8
,": DOES ! 9=M,N -E F8 ,WELL1 ": DOES
ANY 9=M,N -E F 9 A H\SE L ,ANGELFIELD8
,! S]VANTS1 ( C\RSE4 ,! ,MISSUS1 9 "PIC-
UL>4 ,N T ,I LE>N$ X ALL DIRECTLY F H]
LIPS4 ,"S"TS1 X IS TRUE1 %E WD REM9ISCE
AB ! PA/ :ILE %E SAT CL1N+ ! SILV]W>E1 &
SEEM 6=GET MY PRES;E Z %E SPOKE4 ,%E
FR[N$ Z %E REMEMB]$ VILLAGE RUMORS &
LOCAL GOSSIP4 ,EV5TS & 3V]S,NS &     #IF
SC5ES ROSE 6H] LIPS & PLAY$ !MVS \ AFRE%
OV] ! KIT*5 TA#4 ,B SOON] OR LAT] ! /ORY
WD L1D H] 96>1S UNSUITA# =A *--UNSUITA#
9 "PICUL> = .ME--!N SU45LY %E WD REMEMB]
,I 0 "!1 BR1K (F H] A3.T MID-S5T;E & />T
RU2+ ! CUTL]Y VIGOR\SLY1 Z IF 6ERASE !
PA/ ALT4 ,B "! C 2 NO SECRETS 9 A H\SE
": "! >E *N4 ,I PIEC$ ! /ORY TGR ANO!R
WAY4 ,:5 ! ,MISSUS TALK$ )! G>D5] OV] _!
MORN+ TEA1 ,I LE>N$ 69T]PRET ! SU45 SI-
L;ES T PUNCTUAT$ SEEM+LY 9NOC5T 3V]S,NS4
,)\T APPE>+ 6NOTICE ANY?+1 ,I SAW ! SI-
L5T GL.ES T C]TA9 ^WS PROVOK$ 2T !M4 ,&
:5 !Y ?"\ !Y 7 AL"O & CD TALK PRIVATELY
''' !Y 7 N 9 FACT AL"O4 ,9 ? WAY ,I "U-
/OOD ! /ORY ( MY ORIG9S4 ,& LAT]1 :5 !
,MISSUS 0 NO L;G] ! WOMAN %E US$ 6BE1 :5
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V9+4 ,X IS ? /ORY--! "O T CAME 6ME 9
H9TS1 GL.ES & SIL;ES--,I AM GO+ 6TRANS-
LATE 96^WS = Y N[40
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/>T4
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0 CAUTI\S4
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  ,S US$ 0 %E 6HID+ ! TRU? T X _H 2COME
ATROPHI$ 9 H]4 ,%E MADE "O FALSE />T1 !N
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LIE4

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  ,ISABELLE ,ANGELFIELD 0 BORN DUR+ A
RA9/ORM4
  ,X IS IMPOSSI# 6"K :E!R OR N ^! FACTS
>E 3NECT$4 ,B :51 TWO &A HALF DECADES
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LATE1 DELAY$ 0! FLOODS CAUS$ 0! RIV]
HAV+ BUR/ XS BANKS4 ,O!RS RECALL$    #IH
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R.D ! BABY'S NECK1 ALM /RANGL+ H] 2F %E
CD 2 BORN4 ,YES1 X 0 A DI6ICULT BIR?1
ALL "R1 = ON ! /ROKE ( SIX1 J Z ! BABY 0
BORN &! DOCTOR RANG ! BELL1 _HN'T ! "M
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W1!R _H BE5 F9E1 &! DOCTOR _H BE5 E>LI]1
& IF ! CORD _H N DEPRIV$ ! * ( OXYG51 &
IF ! "M _H N DI$ '''
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LOOK$ L %E'D 2 "F.S1 TOO4 ,= H] "F1
,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD1 FELL 96A DECL9E4
,HE LOCK$ HMF 9 ! LIBR>Y & REFUS$ PO9T-
BLANK 6-E \4 ,? MI<T SEEM EXCESSIVE2 T5
YE>S ( M>RIAGE IS USU,Y 5 6CURE M>ITAL
A6EC;N1 B ,ANGELFIELD 0 AN ODD FELL[1 &
"! X WAS4 ,HE _H LOV$ 8 WIFE--HIS ILL-
TEMP]$1 LAZY1 SELFI% & PRETTY ,MA?ILDE4
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EV5 ?AN 8 DOG4 ,Z = _! SON1 ,*>LIE1 A
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,MA?ILDE1 =! FACT WAS1 HE N"E ?"\ (
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,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD SAT ALL "D 9 ! LI-
BR>Y1 EAT+ NO?+1 SEE+ NO "O4 ,& HE SP5T
8 NI<TS "!1 TOO1 ON ! "DB$1 N SLEEP+ B
/>+ R$-EY$ AT ! MOON4 ,? W5T ON = MON?S4
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/OPP$ SP1K+4 ,SPECIALI/S 7 CALL$ F ,LON-
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,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD B>ELY NOTIC$4
  ,9 ! 5D ! ,MISSUS GOT F$ UP ) X ALL4
,%E PICK$ UP BABY ,ISABELLE F ! CRIB 9 !
NURS]Y & TOOK H] D[N/AIRS4 ,%E /RODE PA/
! BUTL]1 IGNOR+ 8 PROTE/,NS1 & W5T 96!
LIBR>Y )\T KNOCK+4 ,UP 6! DESK %E M>*$1
& %E PLUMP$ ! BABY D[N 9 ,GEORGE ,ANGEL-
FIELD'S >MS )\T A ^W4 ,!N %E TURN$ H]
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3VIC;N HELD !M P>ALYZ$1 & !Y DID NO?+4
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LI/5+ AT ! DOOR & PEEK+ "? ! KEYHOLE4
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BY1 )A DULL & P]PLEX$ EXPRES.N ON 8
FACE4 ,! BABY WRI7L$ & GURGL$4 ,:5
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9 RESPONSE1 ! S]VANTS EX*ANG$ LOOKS (
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,H] "F1 ! S]VANTS REPORT$1 DID N ONCE
TAKE 8 EYES F 8 DAU<T]'S FACE4 ,!N %E
AWOKE1 HUNGRY1 & SET 6CRY+4 ,H] %RIEKS
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FLUNG OP54
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BABY LEFT 6/>VE 9 ? H\SE80
  ,F T "D ON ,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD TOOK
P]SONAL *>GE ( 8 DAU<T]4 ,HE F$ H]1 BA!D
H] &! RE/1 MOV$ H] COT 96HIS ROOM 9 CASE
%E CRI$ ( L"OLI;S 9 ! NI<T1 FA%ION$ A
PAPOOSE S T HE CD TAKE H] RID+1 R1D 6H]
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NOVELS71 & %>$ ALL 8 ?"\S & PLANS ) H]4
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S5SI#1 PL1SANT -PANION & N A WILD & IG-
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  ,P]H X 0 H] LOOKS T MADE H] "F LOVE
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,ISABELLE'S S5IOR1 0 8 "F'S SON3 A LUM-
P51 PA/Y1 C>ROT-TOPP$ BOY1 ) H1VY FEET &
A SL[ EXPRES.N4 ,B ,ISABELLE 9H]IT$ H]
LOOKS F BO? H] P>5TS4 ,! G+] HAIR %>$ BY
H] "F & BRO!R 0 BURNI%$ 9 ! GIRL * 6A
RI*1 GLOSSY AUBURN4 ,9 H]1 ! PALE ,AN-
GELFIELD -PLEXION 0 /RET*$ OV] F9E ,FR5*
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! BETT] M\? F ! "M'S4 ,%E _H ,MA?ILDE'S
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X 0 6REV1L ! A/ONI%+ EM]ALD IRIS-   #AJB
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HAVE Z ?\< X 7 5TIRELY NORMAL =A "F TO
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KEPT H] 3/ANTLY 0HM4
  ,B :AT AB ,*>LIE1 ! BABY'S BRO!R8 ,HE
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N 2 PREVAIL$ ^U 6LE>N NEW ID1S OR ?9K
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*ANGES H] >RIVAL 9TRODUC$ 6! H\SEHOLD4
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,MISSUS MI<T REPORT 9/.ES ( BAD 2HAVIOR1
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,8 "M _H BE5 AN 9CONSI/5T 4CIPL9>IAN2
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8 LL ,ISABELLE 63C]N HMF ) HY/]ICAL RE-
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:AT PL1S$ HM 0 REMOV+ FLOORBO>DS AT !
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TUM# D[N & SPRA9 _! ANKLES4
  ,! ,MISSUS CD SCOLD1 B !N %E 0 ONLY !
,MISSUS1 & 9 ? NEW1 FREE LIFE HE CD MAIM
& W.D 6HIS HE>T'S 3T5T1 9 ! C]TA9 K T HE
WD GET AWAY ) X4 ,3SI/5T ADULT 2HAVIOR
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SEMI-ORPHANHOOD ,*>LIE ,ANGELFIELD 0 Z
HAPPY Z ! "D IS L;G4
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T] P]SI/$ "? ALL ! TRIALS A * C 9FLICT
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CAPRICES (A ?REE-YE>-OLD *4
  ,VISITORS 7 R>E1 & Z ! H\SEHOLD DE-
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M&$1 !N ! "D CAME :5 %E1 TOO1 H&$ 9 H]
NOTICE4 ,:5 %E LEFT %E TOOK ! KIT*5 GIRL
) H]1 & 9 ! 5D X 0 LEFT 6! ,MISSUS 6EN-
SURE ! PROVI.N ( CAKE & JELLY AT ODD
H\RS4 ,! H\SEMAIDS FELT "U NO OBLIG,N TO
O3UPY !MVS ) *ORES3 ,N UNR1SONABLY !Y
2LIEV$ T _! SMALL SAL>IES B>ELY -P5SAT$
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SU3ES.N ( TEMPOR>Y HELP1 N"O ( :OM LA/$
L;G4 ,F9,Y EV5 ! TEMPOR>Y HELP 0 4P5S$
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%RUNK 6,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD1 ! TWO *N1 !
,MISSUS1 ! G>D5] &! GAMEKEEP]4 ,! DOG 0
D1D1 &! CATS1 FE>;L ( ,*>LIE1 KEPT \T-
DOORS1 TAK+ REFUGE 9 ! G>D5 %$ :5 ! W1!R
TURN$ COLD4                         #AJE
  ,IF ,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD NOTIC$ _! ISO-
L,N1 _! DOME/IC SQUALOR1 HE DID N REGRET
X4 ,HE _H ,ISABELLE2 HE 0 HAPPY4
  ,IF ANY"O MISS$ ! S]VANTS X 0 ,*>LIE4
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;TS4 ,:5 HE 0 SC\T+ >.D = "S"O 6HURT1 8
EYE FELL1 Z X 0 B.D SOON] OR LAT] 6D1 ON
8 SI/]4
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( 8 "F1 & S9CE %E R>ELY LEFT H] "F'S
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BORD]S1 \ "? ! TOPI>Y G>D5 & AL;G ! BEE*
AV5UE 6! WOODS4 ,"! 0 A PLACE ,*>LIE
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PLACE = SECRETS4
  ,:AT ,*>LIE 0 AF 0 A VICTIM1 & 8 SI/]1
WALK+ 2H HM1 SMALL]1 "Y] & W1K]1 M/ H
SEEM$ ID1L4 ,B %E 0 ODD & %E 0 CL"E1 &
?+S DID N TURN \ EXACTLY Z HE EXPECT$4
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A PIECE ( WIRE1 ORANGE ) RU/1       #AJF
AL;G ! :ITE 9SIDE ( H] =E>M4 ,%E />$ AT
! R$ B1DS ( BLOOD T 7 WELL+ UP AL;G !
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GAVE X 6H] AUTOMATIC,Y4 ,%E PULL$ UP H]
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DEEP] ?AN ! "O HE _H GIV5 H]1 &! BLOOD
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BACK 6HM & MO;N$ 6HM 6PULL UP 8 SLEEVE4
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8 >M 2C %E WANT$ X1 & HE LAU<$ "? ! PA94
  ,9/1D (A VICTIM ,*>LIE _H F.D HMF !
/RANGE/ ( 3SPIRATORS4

  ,LIFE W5T ON =! ,ANGELFIELDS1 SANS P>-
TIES1 SANS HUNT MEET+S1 SANS H\SEMAIDS &
SANS MO/ (! ?+S T P ( _! CLASS TOOK =
GRANT$ 9 ^? "DS4 ,!Y TURN$ _! BACKS ON
_! NEI<BORS1 ALL[$ _! E/ATE 6BE MANAG$
0! T5ANTS1 & DEP5D$ ON ! GDWILL & H"O/Y
(! ,MISSUS &! G>D5] = ^? "D-TO-"D   #AJG
TRANSAC;NS )! _W T 7 NEC = SURVIVAL4
  ,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD =GOT AB ! _W1 &=A
"T ! _W =GOT AB HM4 ,& !N !Y REMEMB]$
HM4 ,X 0 6D ) M"OY4
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SI<T _H BE5 FAD+ =A V L;G "T1 B %E _H
DEVELOP$ ! ABIL;Y 6JUDGE P'S MOVE;TS BY
S5S+ VIBR,NS 9 ! AIR1 & %E _H ! IMPRES.N
T ,ISABELLE HESITAT$1 =! BRIEFE/ ( MO-
;TS1 2F %E CLOS$ ! G>D5 DOOR 2H H]4
  ,:5 X 2CAME APP>5T 6,GEORGE ,ANGEL-
FIELD T ,ISABELLE 0 G"O1 HE W5T 96HIS
LIBR>Y & LOCK$ ! DOOR4 ,HE REFUS$ FOOD1
HE REFUS$ VISITORS4 ,"! 7 ONLY ! VIC> &!
DOCTOR 6-E CALL+ N[1 & BO? ( !M     #ABC
GOT %ORT %RIFT4 8,TELL YR ,GOD HE C G TO
HELL60 & 8,LET A W.D$ ANIMAL DIE 9 P1CE1
WON'T Y60 0 ! LIMIT ( _! WELCOME4
  ,A FEW "DS LAT] !Y RETURN$ & CALL$ !
G>D5] 6BR1K ! DOOR D[N4 ,GEORGE ,ANGEL-
FIELD 0 D1D4 ,A BRIEF EXAM9,N 0 5 6E/AB-
LI% T ! MAN _H DI$ F SEPTICEMIA1 CAUS$
0! CIRCLE ( HUMAN HAIR T 0 DEEPLY EMB$D$
9 ! FLE% ( 8 R+ F+]4
  ,*>LIE DID N DIE1 ?\< HE DIDN'T "U/&
:Y N4 ,HE W&]$ AB ! H\SE4 ,HE MADE A
TRAIL ( FOOTPR9TS 9 ! DU/ & FOLL[$ X E
"D1 />T+ AT ! TOP (! H\SE & "W+ D[N4
,ATTIC B$ROOMS N US$ = YE>S1 S]VANTS'
ROOMS1 FAMILY ROOMS1 ! /UDY1 ! LIBR>Y1 !
MUSIC ROOM1 ! DRAW+ ROOM1 ! KIT*5S4 ,X 0
A RE/.S1 5D.S1 HOPE.S SE>*4 ,AT NI<T HE
W5T \ 6ROAM ! E/ATE1 8 LEGS C>RY+ HM
TIRE.SLY =W>D1 =W>D1 =W>D4 ,ALL ! :ILE
HE F+]$ ! ,MISSUS'S NE$LE 9 8 POCKET4 ,8
F+]TIPS 7 A BLOODY1 SCA2Y MESS4 ,HE
MISS$ ,ISABELLE4
  ,*>LIE LIV$ L ? "? ,SEPTEMB]1 ,OCTOB]1
,NOVEMB]1 ,DECEMB]1 ,JANU>Y & ,FEBRU>Y1
& AT ! 2G9N+ ( ,M>*1 ,ISABELLE      #ABD
RETURN$4
  ,*>LIE 0 9 ! KIT*51 TRAC+ 8 FOOT/EPS1
:5 HE HE>D ! S.D ( HOOVES & :EELS AP-
PROA*+ ! H\SE4 ,SC[L+1 HE W5T 6! W9D[4
,HE WANT$ NO VISITORS4
  ,A FAMILI> FIGURE /EPP$ D[N F ! C>--&
8 HE>T /OOD /4
  ,HE 0 AT ! DOOR1 ON ! /EPS1 2S ! C>
ALL 9 "O MO;T1 & .,ISABELLE .0 ."!4
  ,HE />$ AT H]4
  ,ISABELLE LAU<$4 8,"H10 %E SD1 8TAKE
?40 ,& %E H&$ HM A H1VY P>CEL WRAPP$ UP
9 CLO?4 ,%E R1*$ 96! BACK (! C>RIAGE &
TOOK "S?+ \4 8,& ? "O40 ,HE TUCK$ X OBE-
DI5TLY "U 8 >M4 8,N[1 :AT ,I'D L MO/ 9 !
_W IS A V L>GE BR&Y40
  ,/UNN$1 ,*>LIE FOLL[$ ,ISABELLE 96!
H\SE & 6! /UDY4 ,%E MADE /RAI<T =! DR9KS
CUPBO>D & TOOK \ GLASSES &A BOTTLE4 ,%E
P\R$ A G5]\S SLUG 96A GLASS & DRANK X 9
"O G1 %[+ ! :ITE;S ( H] ?ROAT1 !N %E RE-
FILL$ H] [N GLASS &! SECOND1 : %E HELD \
6H] BRO!R4 ,HE /OOD "!1 P>ALYZ$ & SPEE*-
.S1 8 H&S FULL )! TI<TLY WRAPP$ BUNDLES4
,ISABELLE'S LAU<T] RES.D$ AB 8      #ABE
E>S AG & X 0 L 2+ TOO CLOSE 6AN ENORM\S
*UR* BELL4 ,8 H1D />T$ 6SP9 & TE>S
SPRANG 6HIS EYES4 8,PUT !M D[N10 ,ISA-
BELLE 9/RUCT$4 8,WE'LL DR9K A TOA/40 ,HE
TOOK ! GLASS & 9HAL$ ! _S FUMES4 8,6!
FUTURE60 ,HE SWALL[$ ! BR&Y 9 "O GULP &
C\<$ AT XS UNFAMILI> BURN4
  8,Y HAV5'T EV5 SE5 !M1 H Y80 %E ASK$4
  ,HE FR[N$4
  8,LOOK40 ,ISABELLE TURN$ 6! P>CELS HE
_H PLAC$ ON ! /UDY DESK1 PULL$ ! S(T
WRAPP+ AWAY1 & /OOD BACK S T HE CD SEE4
,SL[LY HE TURN$ 8 H1D & LOOK$4 ,! P>CELS
7 BABIES4 ,TWO BABIES4 ,TW9S4 ,HE BL9K$4
,REGI/]$ DIMLY T "S K9D ( RESPONSE 0
CALL$ =1 B DIDN'T "K :AT HE 0 SUPPOS$ TO
SAY OR D4
  8,OH1 ,*>LIE1 .WAKE .UP1 = GD;S'
SAKE60 & 8 SI/] TOOK BO? 8 H&S 9 H]S &
DRA7$ HM 96A MADCAP D.E >.D ! ROOM4 ,%E
SWIRL$ HM >.D & >.D & >.D1 UNTIL ! DIZ-
ZI;S />T$ 6CLE> 8 H1D1 & :5 !Y CAME 6A
HALT %E TOOK 8 FACE 9 H] H&S & SPOKE TO
HM4 8,ROL&'S D1D1 ,*>LIE4 ,X'S Y & ME
N[4 ,D Y "U/&80                     #ABF
  ,HE NO4$4
  8,GD4 ,N[1 ":'S ,PA80
  ,:5 HE TOLD H]1 %E 0 Q HY/]ICAL4 ,!
,MISSUS1 R\S$ F ! KIT*5 0! %RILL CRIES1
PUT H] 6B$ 9 H] OLD ROOM1 & :5 AT LA/ %E
0 QUIET AG1 ASK$1 8,^! BABIES ''' :AT >E
!Y CALL$80
  8,M>*10 ,ISABELLE RESPOND$4
  ,B ! ,MISSUS KNEW T4 ,^W (! M>RIAGE _H
R1*$ H] "S MON?S 2F1 & NEWS (! BIR?
7%E'D N NE$$ 6C.T ! MON?S ON H] F+]S1 B
%E DID X ANYWAY & PURS$ H] LIPS74 ,%E
KNEW ( ,ROL&'S D1? F PNEUMONIA A FEW
WEEKS AGO2 KNEW TOO H[ OLD ,MR4 & ,MRS4
,M>*1 DEVA/AT$ 0! D1? ( _! ONLY SON &
REPELL$ 0! FEY 9S\CI.E ( _! NEW DAU<T]-
IN-LAW1 N[ QUIETLY %UNN$ ,ISABELLE & H]
*N1 WI%+ ONLY 6GRIEVE4
  8,:AT AB ,*RI/IAN "NS80
  8,ADEL9E & ,EMMEL9E10 SD ,ISABELLE
SLEEPILY4
  8,& H[ D Y TELL !M A"P80
  ,B ! *-WID[ 0 SLEEP+ ALR4 ,& Z %E
DR1M$ 9 H] OLD B$1 H] ESCAPADE & H]
HUSB& ALR =GOTT51 H] VIRG9'S "N 0   #ABG
RE/OR$ 6H]4 ,:5 %E WOKE 9 ! MORN+ X WD 2
Z IF H] M>RIAGE _H N"E BE51 &! BABIES
!MVS WD APPE> 6H] N Z H] [N *N--%E _H N
A S+LE MAT]NAL B"O 9 H] BODY--B Z M]E
_SS (! H\SE4
  ,! BABIES SLEPT1 TOO4 ,9 ! KIT*51 !
,MISSUS &! G>D5] B5T OV] _! SMOO?1 PALE
FACES & TALK$ 9 L[ VOICES4
  8,: "O IS :80 HE ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,"O EA* SIDE (! OLD CRIB1 !Y WAT*$4
,TWO HALF-MOON SETS ( LA%ES1 TWO PUCK]$
M\?S1 TWO D[NY SCALPS4 ,!N "O (! BABIES
GAVE A LL FLUTT] (! EYELIDS & HALF OP5$
"O EYE4 ,! G>D5] &! ,MISSUS HELD _!
BR1?4 ,B ! EYE CLOS$ AG &! BABY LAPS$
96SLEEP4
  8,T "O C 2 ,ADEL9E10 ! ,MISSUS :ISP]$4
,%E TOOK A /RIP$ TEA T[EL F A DRAW] &
CUT /RIPS F X4 ,%E PLAIT$ ! /RIPS 96TWO
L5G?S1 TI$ ! R$ "O >.D ! WRI/ (! BABY :O
_H /IRR$1 ! :ITE "O >.D ! WRI/ (! BABY
:O _H N4
  ,H\SEKEEP] & G>D5]1 EA* )A H& ON !
CRIB1 WAT*$1 UNTIL ! ,MISSUS        #ABH
TURN$ A GLAD & T5D] FACE 6! G>D5] &
SPOKE AG4
  8,TWO BABIES4 ,H"O/LY1 ,DIG4 ,AT \R
AGE60
  ,:5 HE RAIS$ 8 EYES F ! BABIES1 HE SAW
! TE>S T MI/$ H] R.D BR[N EYES4
  ,8 R\< H& R1*$ \ ACR ! CRIB4 ,%E WIP$
H] FOOLI%;S AWAY &1 SMIL+1 PUT H] SMALL1
PLUMP H& 9 HIS4 ,HE FELT ! WET;S ( H]
TE>S PRESS$ AG/ 8 [N F+]S4
  ,2N ! >* ( _! CLASP$ H&S1 2N ! TREMBL+
L9E ( _! GAZE1 ! BABIES 7 DR1M+4

  ,X 0 LATE :5 ,I F9I%$ TRANSCRIB+ ! /O-
RY ( ,ISABELLE & ,*>LIE4 ,! SKY 0 D>K &!
H\SE 0 ASLEEP4 ,ALL (! AFN & EV5+ &= "P
(! NI<T ,I _H BE5 B5T OV] MY DESK1 )!
/ORY RETELL+ XF 9 MY E>S :ILE MY P5CIL
SCRAT*$ L9E AF L9E1 OBEY+ XS DICT,N4 ,MY
PAGES 7 D5SELY PACK$ ) SCRIPT3 ,MISS
,W9T]'S [N FLOOD ( ^WS4 ,F "T 6"T MY H&
MOV$ 6! LEFT & ,I SCRIB#D A NOTE 9 !
LEFT-H& M>G91 :5 H] T"O ( VOICE OR A
GE/URE SEEM$ 6BE "P (! N>RATIVE XF4
  ,N[ ,I PU%$ ! LA/ %EET ( PAP] F   #ABI
ME1 SET D[N MY P5CIL & CL5*$ & /RET*$ MY
A*+ F+]S4 ,= H\RS ,MISS ,W9T]'S VOICE _H
3JUR$ ANO!R _W1 RAIS+ ! D1D = ME1 & ,I
_H SE5 NO?+ B ! PUPPET %[ H] ^WS _H
MADE4 ,B :5 H] VOICE FELL / 9 MY H1D1 H]
IMAGE REMA9$ & ,I REMEMB]$ ! GRAY CAT T
_H APPE>$1 Z IF 0MAGIC1 ON H] LAP4 ,SI-
L5TLY HE _H SAT "U H] /ROK+ H&1 REG>D+
ME FIX$LY ) 8 R.D YELL[ EYES4 ,IF HE SAW
MY <O/S1 IF HE SAW MY SECRETS1 HE DID N
SEEM ! L1/ P]TURB$1 B ONLY BL9K$ & 3T9U$
6/>E 9DI6]5TLY4
  8,:AT'S 8 "N80 ,I _H ASK$4
  8,%AD[10 %E ABS5TLY REPLI$4
  ,AT LA/ 9 B$1 ,I TURN$ \ ! LI<T &
CLOS$ MY EYES4 ,I CD / FEEL ! PLACE ON !
PAD ( MY F+] ": ! P5CIL _H MADE A GROOVE
9 MY SK94 ,9 MY "R %\LD]1 A KNOT F WRIT+
0 N YET R1DY 6UNTIE XF4 ,?\< X 0 D>K1 &
?\< MY EYES 7 CLOS$1 ALL ,I CD SEE 0 A
%EET ( PAP]1 L9ES ( MY [N H&WRIT+ ) WIDE
M>G9S4 ,! "R-H& M>G9 DREW MY ATT5;N4
,UNM>K$1 PRI/9E1 X GL[$ :ITE1 MADE MY
EYES /+4 ,X 0 ! COLUMN ,I RES]V$ = MY [N
-;TS1 NOTES & "QS4                  #ACJ
  ,9 ! D>K1 MY F+]S CLOS$ >.D A <O/ P5-
CIL & TWIT*$ 9 RESPONSE 6! "QS T P5E-
TRAT$ MY DR[SI;S4 ,I WOND]$ AB ! SECRET
TATTOO ,*>LIE BORE 9SIDE 8 BODY1 8 SIS-
T]'S "N ET*$ ONTO 8 B"O4 ,H[ L;G WD !
9SCRIP;N H REMA9$8 ,CD A LIV+ B"O M5D
XF8 ,OR 0 X ) HM TILL HE DI$8 ,9 8 C(F91
"UGR.D1 Z 8 FLE% ROTT$ AWAY F ! B"O1 0 !
"N ,ISABELLE REV1L$ 6! D>K;S8 ,ROL&
,M>*1 ! D1D HUSB&1 S SOON =GOTT5 '''4
,ISABELLE & ,*>LIE4 ,*>LIE & ,ISABELLE4
,:O 0 ! TW9S' "F8 ,& 2H MY ?"\S1 ! SC>
ON ,MISS ,W9T]'S PALM ROSE 96VIEW4 ,! LR
;,Q = ."Q1 SE>$ 96HUMAN FLE%4
  ,Z ,I />T$ 6SLEEPWRITE MY "QS1 ! M>G9
SEEM$ 6EXP&4 ,! PAP] ?RO2$ ) LI<T4
,SWELL+1 X 5GULF$ ME1 UNTIL ,I R1LIZ$ )A
MIXTURE ( TREPID,N & WOND];T T ,I 0
5CLOS$ 9 ! GRA9 (! PAP]1 EMB$D$ 9 ! :ITE
9T]IOR (! /ORY XF4 ,WEI<T.S1 ,I W&]$ ALL
NI<T L;G 9 ,MISS ,W9T]'S /ORY1 PLOTT+ XS
L&SCAPE1 M1SUR+ XS 3T\RS &1 ON TIPTOE AT
XS BORD]S1 PE]+ AT ! MY/]IES 2Y XS B.DS4

                ,,G>D5S             #ACA

  ,I WOKE E>LY4 ,TOO E>LY4 ,! MONOTON\S
FRAG;T (A TUNE 0 SCRAT*+ AT MY BRA94 ,)
M ?AN AN H\R 6WAIT 2F ,JUDI?'S KNOCK AT
! DOOR ) BR1KFA/1 ,I MADE MYF A CUP (
COCOA1 DRANK X SCALD+LY HOT & W5T \T-
DOORS4
  ,MISS ,W9T]'S G>D5 0 "S?+ (A PUZZLE4
,! %E] SIZE ( X 0 OV]:ELM+ =A />T4 ,:AT
,I _H TAK5 AT F/ SI<T 6BE ! BORD] (! G>-
D5--! H$GE ( YEW ON ! O!R SIDE (! =MAL
B$S--WAS ONLY A K9D ( 9N] WALL T DIVID$
"O "P (! G>D5 F ANO!R4 ,&! G>D5 0 FULL (
S* DIVI.NS4 ,"! 7 H$GES ( HAW?ORNE &
PRIVET & COPP] BEE*1 /"O WALLS COV]$ )
IVY1 W9T] CLEMATIS &! B>E1 SCRAMBL+ /EMS
( RAMBL+ ROSES1 & F;ES1 N1TLY PANEL$ OR
WOV5 9 WILL[4
  ,FOLL[+ ! PA?S1 ,I W&]$ F "O SEC;N TO
ANO!R1 B ,I CD N FA?OM ! LAY\T4 ,H$GES T
LOOK$ SOLID VIEW$ /RAI<T ON1 "S"TS RE-
V1L$ A DIAGONAL PASSAGEWAY :5 VIEW$
OBLIQUELY4 ,%RU2]IES 7 EASY 6W&] 96&
NE>-IMPOSSI# 6ESCAPE F4 ,F.TA9S & /ATUES
T ,I ?"\ ,I _H LEFT WELL 2H ME      #ACB
REAPPE>$4 ,I SP5T A LOT ( "T /OCK-/1
LOOK+ >.D ME 9 P]PLEX;Y & %AK+ MY H1D4
,NATURE _H MADE A MAZE ( XF & 0 SETT+ \
DELIB]ATELY 6?W>T ME4
  ,TURN+ A CORN]1 ,I CAME ACR ! RETIC5T1
BE>D$ MAN :O _H DRIV5 ME F ! /,N4 8,MAU-
RICE IS :AT !Y CALL ME10 HE SD1 RELUC-
TANTLY 9TRODUC+ HMF4
  8,H[ D Y MANAGE N 6GET LO/80 ,I WANT$
6"K4 8,IS "! A TRICK 6X80
  8,ONLY "T10 HE SD1 )\T LOOK+ UP F 8
"W4 ,HE 0 KNEEL+ OV] AN >EA ( *URN$-UP
SOIL1 LEVEL+ X & PRESS+ ! E>? >.D !
ROOTS (! PLANTS4
  ,MAURICE1 ,I CD TELL1 DID N WELCOME MY
PRES;E 9 ! G>D54 ,I DIDN'T M9D1 2+ (A
SOLIT>Y NATURE MYF4 ,AF T ,I MADE A
PO9T1 :5"E ,I SAW HM1 ( TAK+ A PA? 9 !
OPPOSITE DIREC;N1 & ,I ?9K HE %>$ MY
4CRE;N1 = ONCE OR TWICE1 CAT*+ A GLIMPSE
( MOVE;T \ (! CORN] ( MY EYE1 ,I GL.ED
UP 6SEE ,MAURICE BACK+ \ ( AN 5TR.E OR
MAK+ A SU451 DIV]G5T TURN4 ,9 ? WAY WE
SU3ESS;LLY LEFT EA* O!R 9 P1CE4 ,"! 0
AMPLE ROOM = U 6AVOID EA* O!R )\T   #ACC
ANY S5SE ( 3/RA9T4

  ,LAT] T "D ,I W5T 6,MISS ,W9T] & %E
TOLD ME M AB ! H\SEHOLD AT ,ANGELFIELD4

  ,! "N (! ,MISSUS 0 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE1 B 6!
*N (! FAMILY %E _H ALW BE5 ! ,MISSUS1 &
%E _H BE5 9 ! H\SE X SEEM$ ="E4 ,? 0 A
R>;Y3 ,/AFF CAME & W5T QKLY AT ,ANGEL-
FIELD1 & S9CE DE"PURES 7 SLI<TLY M FRE-
QU5T ?AN >RIVALS1 ! "D CAME :5 %E 0 !
ONLY 9DOORS S]VANT REMA9+4 ,TE*NIC,Y !
H\SEKEEP]1 9 R1L;Y %E DID "EY?+4 ,%E
SCRU2$ POTS & LAID FIRES L AN "UH\SE-
MAID2 :5 X 0 "T 6MAKE A M1L %E 0 COOK &
:5 X 0 "T 6S]VE X %E 0 BUTL]4 ,YET 0! "T
! TW9S 7 BORN %E 0 GR[+ OLD4 ,H] HE>+ 0
POOR1 H] SI<T POOR]1 & AL? %E DIDN'T L
6ADMIT X1 "! 0 M* %E CDN'T MANAGE4
  ,! ,MISSUS KNEW H[ *N "\ 6BE BR"\ UP3
REGUL> M1L"TS1 REGUL> B$"TS1 REGUL>
BA?S4 ,ISABELLE & ,*>LIE _H GR[N UP OV]-
9DULG$ & NEGLECT$ AT ! SAME "T1 & X
BROKE H] HE>T 6SEE H[ !Y TURN$ \4 ,_!
NEGLECT (! TW9S 0 H] *.E1 %E        #ACD
HOP$1 6BR1K ! PATT]N4 ,%E _H A PLAN4 ,"U
_! NOSES1 9 ! HE>T ( ALL _! *AOS1 %E
M1NT 6RAISE TWO NORMAL1 ORD9>Y LL GIRLS4
,?REE SQU>E M1LS A "D1 B$"T AT SIX1 *UR*
ON ,SUN"D4
  ,B X 0 H>D] ?AN %E ?"\4
  ,=A />T "! 0 ! FI<T+4 ,ADEL9E WD FLY
AT H] SI/]1 FI/S & FEET FLAIL+1 YANK+ AT
HAIR & L&+ BL[S :]"E %E CD4 ,%E *AS$ H]
SI/] WIELD+ R$-HOT COALS 9 ! FIRE T;GS4
,! ,MISSUS H>DLY KNEW :AT WORRI$ H] M3
,ADEL9E'S P]SI/5T & M]CI.S A7RES.N1 OR
,EMMEL9E'S 3/ANT1 UNGRUDG+ A3EPT.E ( X4
,= ,EMMEL9E1 ?\< %E PL1D$ ) H] SI/] 6/OP
TOR;T+ H]1 N"E ONCE RETALIAT$4 ,9/1D1 %E
B[$ H] H1D PASSIVELY & WAIT$ =! BL[S T
RA9$ D[N ON H] %\LD]S & BACK 6/OP4 ,!
,MISSUS _H N"E ONCE "KN ,EMMEL9E 6RAISE
A H& AG/ ,ADEL9E4 ,%E _H ! GD;S ( TWO *N
9 H]1 & ,ADEL9E ! WICK$;S ( TWO4 ,9 A
WAY1 ! ,MISSUS ?"\1 X MADE S5SE4
  ,!N "! 0 ! VEX$ ISSUE ( FOOD4 ,AT M1L-
"TS1 M (T5 ?AN N1 ! *N SIMPLY CD N 2
F.D4 ,EMMEL9E ADOR$ EAT+1 B H] LOVE (
FOOD N"E TRANSLAT$ XF 96! 4CIPL9E   #ACE
( M1LS4 ,H] HUNG] CD N 2 A3OMMODAT$ BY
?REE M1LS A "D2 X 0 A RAV5\S1 CAPRICI\S
?+4 ,T51 TW5TY1 FIFTY "TS A "D1 X /RUCK1
MAK+ URG5T DEM&S = FOOD1 & :5 X _H BE5
SATISFI$ )A FEW M\?;LS ( "S?+1 X DE"P$ &
FOOD 2CAME AN IRRELEV.E AG4 ,EMMEL9E'S
PLUMP;S 0 MA9TA9$ 0A POCKET 3/ANTLY FULL
( BR1D & RAIS9S1 A PORTA# F1/ T %E WD
TAKE A BITE F :5"E & :]"E %E FANCI$4 ,%E
CAME 6! TA# ONLY 6REPL5I% ^! POCKETS 2F
W&]+ (F 6LOLL 0! FIRE OR LIE 9 A FIELD
"S":4
  ,H] SI/] 0 Q DI6]5T4 ,ADEL9E 0 MADE L
A PIECE ( WIRE ) KNOTS = KNEES & ELB[S4
,H] FUEL 0 N ! SAME Z T ( O!R MORTALS4
,M1LS 7 N = H]4 ,NO "O "E SAW H] EAT2 L
! :EEL ( P]PETUAL MO;N %E 0 A CLOS$ CIR-
CUIT1 RUNN+ ON 5]GY PROVID$ F "S MIRACU-
L\S 9N] S\RCE4 ,B ! :EEL T SP9S ET]N,Y
IS A MY?1 & :5 ! ,MISSUS NOTIC$ 9 !
MORN+ AN EMPTY PLATE ": "! _H BE5 A
SLICE ( GAMMON ! NI<T 2F1 OR A LOAF (
BR1D )A *UNK MISS+1 %E GUESS$ ": !Y _H
G"O & SI<$4 ,:Y WDN'T H] GIRLS EAT FOOD
(F A PLATE1 L NORMAL *N8            #ACF
  ,P]H %E MI<T H MANAG$ BETT] IF %E'D
BE5 "Y]4 ,OR IF ! GIRLS _H BE5 "O 9/1D (
TWO4 ,B ! ,ANGELFIELD BLOOD C>RI$ A CODE
T NO AM.T ( NURS]Y FOOD & /RICT R\T9E CD
REWRITE4 ,%E DIDN'T WANT 6SEE X2 %E TRI$
N 6SEE X =A L;G "T1 B 9 ! 5D %E R1LIZ$4
,! TW9S 7 ODD1 "! 7 NO TWO WAYS AB X4
,!Y 7 /RANGE ALL "?1 "R 96_! V HE>TS4
  ,! WAY !Y TALK$1 = 9/.E4 ,%E WD SEE !M
"? ! KIT*5 W9D[1 A BLURR$ PAIR ( =MS ^:
M\?S APPE>$ 6BE MOV+ N9ETE5 6! DOZ54 ,Z
!Y APPROA*$ ! H\SE1 %E CAU<T FRAG;TS (!
BUZZ ( SPEE*4 ,& !N !Y CAME IN4 ,SIL5T4
8,SP1K UP60 %E 0 ALW TELL+ !M4 ,B %E 0
GO+ D1F & !Y 7 %Y2 _! *AT 0 = !MVS1 N =
O!RS4 8,DON'T 2 SILLY10 %E TOLD ,DIG :5
HE TOLD H] ! GIRLS CDN'T SP1K PROP]LY4
8,"!'S NO /OPP+ !M1 :5 !Y GET GO+40
  ,! R1LIZ,N CAME 6H] "O "D 9 W9T]4 ,=
ONCE BO? GIRLS 7 9DOORS2 ,ADEL9E _H BE5
9DUC$ 0,EMMEL9E 6/AY 9 ! W>M?1 0! FIRE1
\ (! RA94 ,ORD9>ILY ! ,MISSUS LIV$ 9 A
BLUR ( FOG2 ON ? "D %E 0 B.S$ 0AN UNEX-
PECT$ CLE>+ 9 H] VI.N1 A NEW %>P;S (
HE>+1 & Z %E PASS$ ! DOOR (!        #ACG
DRAW+ ROOM %E CAU<T A FRAG;T ( _! NOISE
& /OPP$4 ,S.DS FLEW BACKW>D & =W>D 2T
!M1 L T5NIS BALLS 9 "S GAME2 S.DS T MADE
!M SMILE OR LAU< OR S5D EA* O!R MALICI\S
GL.ES4 ,_! VOICES ROSE 9 SQU1LS & SWOOP$
D[N 9 :ISP]S4 ,F ANY 4T.E Y'D H ?"\ X !
LIVELY1 FREE-FL[+ *ATT] ( ORD9>Y *N4 ,B
H] HE>T SANK4 ,X 0 NO LANGUAGE %E _H "E
HE>D4 ,N ,5GLI%1 & N ! ,FR5* T %E _H GOT
US$ 6:5 ,GEORGE'S ,MA?ILDE 0 ALIVE & T
,*>LIE / US$ ) ,ISABELLE4 ,JOHN 0 "R4
,!Y DIDN'T TALK PROP]LY4
  ,! %OCK ( "U/&+ FROZE H] "! 9 ! DOOR-
WAY4 ,& Z "S"TS HAPP5S1 "O ILLUM9,N OP5$
! DOOR 6ANO!R4 ,! CLOCK ON ! MANTELPIECE
*IM$ &1 Z ALW1 ! ME*ANISM "U GLASS S5T A
LL BIRD \ (A CAGE 6FLAP A ME*ANICAL CIR-
CUIT 2F RE5T]+ ! CAGE ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,Z
SOON Z ! GIRLS HE>D ! F/ *IME1 !Y LOOK$
UP AT ! CLOCK4 ,TWO PAIRS ( WIDE GRE5
EYES WAT*$1 UNBL9K+1 Z ! BIRD LABOR$ >.D
! 9SIDE (! BELL1 W+S UP1 W+S D[N4
  ,"! 0 NO?+ "PICUL>LY COLD1 "PICUL>LY
9HUMAN AB _! GAZE4 ,X 0 J ! WAY *N LOOK
AT 9ANIMATE MOV+ OBJECTS4 ,B X      #ACH
FROZE ! ,MISSUS 6! CORE4 ,= X 0 EXACTLY
! SAME Z ! WAY !Y LOOK$ AT H]1 :5 %E
SCOLD$1 *ID$ OR EXHORT$4
  ,!Y DON'T R1LIZE T ,I AM ALIVE1 %E
?"\4 ,!Y DON'T "K T ANY"O IS ALIVE B
!MVS4
  ,X IS A TRIBUTE 6H] GD;S T %E DIDN'T
F9D !M MON/R\S4 ,9/1D1 %E FELT SORRY =
!M4
  ,H[ L"OLY !Y M/ BE4 ,H[ V L"OLY4
  ,& %E TURN$ F ! DOORWAY & %U6L$ AWAY4
  ,F T "D ON ! ,MISSUS REVIS$ H] EXPEC-
T,NS4 ,REGUL> M1L"TS & BA?"TS1 *UR* ON
,SUN"D1 TWO NICE1 NORMAL *N--ALL ^!
DR1MS W5T \ (! W9D[4 ,%E _H J "O JOB N[4
,6KEEP ! GIRLS SAFE4
  ,TURN+ X OV] 9 H] H1D1 %E ?"\ %E "U-
/OOD :Y X WAS4 ,TW9S1 ALW TGR1 ALW TWO4
,IF X 0 NORMAL 9 _! _W 6BE TWO1 :AT WD
O!R P1 :O CAME N 9 TWOS B "OS1 SEEM L TO
!M8 ,WE M/ SEEM L HALVES1 ! ,MISSUS
MUS$4 ,& %E REMEMB]$ A ^W1 A /RANGE ^W X
_H SEEM$ AT ! "T1 T M1NT P :O _H LO/ "PS
( !MVS4 ,AMPUTEES4 ,T'S :AT WE >E 6!M4
,AMPUTEES4                          #ACI
  ,NORMAL8 ,NO4 ,! GIRLS 7 N & WD N"E 2
NORMAL4 ,B1 %E REASSUR$ H]F1 ?+S 2+ Z !Y
W]E1 ! TW9S 2+ TW9S1 P]H _! /RANGE;S 0
ONLY .NATURAL4

  ,( C\RSE ALL AMPUTEES HANK] AF ! /ATE
( TW9;S4 ,ORD9>Y P1 UNTW9S1 SEEK _! S\L
MATE1 TAKE LOV]S1 M>RY4 ,TOR;T$ 0_! IN-
-PLETE;S !Y /RIVE 6BE "P (A PAIR4 ,!
,MISSUS 0 NO DI6]5T F ANY"O ELSE 9 ? RE-
SPECT4 ,& %E _H H] O!R HALF3 ,JOHN-!-
DIG4
  ,!Y 7 N A C\PLE 9 ! TRADI;NAL S5SE4
,!Y 7 N M>RI$2 !Y 7 N EV5 LOV]S4 ,A DOZ5
OR FIFTE5 YE>S OLD] ?AN HE1 %E 0 N OLD 5
6BE 8 "M1 Q1 B 0 OLD] ?AN HE WD H EX-
PECT$ =A WIFE4 ,AT ! "T !Y MET1 %E 0 (
AN AGE :5 %E NO L;G] EXPECT$ 6M>RY ANY-
"O4 ,:ILE HE1 A MAN 9 8 PRIME1 EXPECT$
6M>RY1 B "SH[ N"E DID4 ,2SS1 ONCE HE 0
"W+ )! ,MISSUS1 DR9K+ TEA ) H] E MORN+ &
SITT+ AT ! KIT*5 TA# 6EAT H] FOOD E EVE-
N+1 HE FELL \ (! HABIT ( SEEK+ ! -PANY (
"Y WOM54 ,)A BIT M IMAG9,N !Y MI<T H BE5
A# 6L1P ! B.DS ( _! [N EXPECT,NS2   #ADJ
!Y MI<T H RECOGNIZ$ _! FEEL+S = :AT !Y
W]E3 LOVE (! DEEPE/ & MO/ RESPECT;L K9D4
,9 ANO!R "D1 ANO!R CULTURE1 HE MI<T H
ASK$ H] 6BE 8 WIFE & %E MI<T H SD YES4
,AT ! V L1/1 "O C IMAG9E T "S ,FRI"D
NI<T AF _! FI% & MA%1 AF _! FRUIT PIE &
CU/>D1 HE MI<T H TAK5 H] H&--OR %E HIS--
& !Y MI<T H L$ EA* O!R 9 BA%;L SIL;E 6"O
OR O!R ( _! B$S4 ,B ! ?"\ N"E 5T]$ _!
H1DS4 ,S !Y 2CAME FRS1 ! WAY OLD M>RI$
C\PLES (T5 D1 & 5JOY$ ! T5D] LOYALTY T
AWAITS ! LUCKY ON ! O!R SIDE ( PAS.N1 )-
\T "E LIV+ ! PAS.N XF4
  ,8 "N 0 ,JOHN-!-DIG1 ,JOHN ,DIG;E 6^?
:O DIDN'T "K HM4 ,N"E A GRT "O = WRIT+1
ONCE ! S*OOL YE>S 7 PA/ 7& !Y 7 SOON
PA/1 = "! 7 N _M ( !M71 HE TOOK 6L1V+ (F
! LRS ( 8 SUR"N 6SAVE "T4 ,! F/ ?REE LRS
SEEM$ M ?AN ADEQUATE3 ,DID !Y N SAY :O
HE WAS1 :AT HE DID1 M SU39CTLY1 M A3U-
RATELY1 EV51 ?AN 8 FULL "N8 ,& S HE US$
6SIGN HMF ,JOHN ,DIG1 & 6! *N HE 2CAME
,JOHN-!-DIG4
  ,HE 0 A COLOR;L MAN4 ,BLUE EYES L
PIECES ( BLUE GLASS )! SUN 2H4      #ADA
,:ITE HAIR T GREW /RAI<T UP ON TOP ( 8
H1D1 L PLANTS R1*+ =! SUN4 ,& *EEKS T
W5T B"R P9K ) EX];N :5 HE 0 DI7+4 ,NO "O
CD DIG L HM4 ,HE _H A SPECIAL WAY ( G>-
D5+1 )! PHASES (! MOON3 PLANT+ :5 ! MOON
0 WAX+1 M1SUR+ "T 0XS CYCLES4 ,9 ! EV5+1
HE POR$ OV] TA#S ( FIGURES1 CALCULAT+ !
BE/ "T = "EY?+4 ,8 GRT-GR&"F G>D5$ L T1
& 8 GR&"F & 8 "F4 ,!Y MA9TA9$ ! K4
  ,JOHN-!-DIG'S FAMILY _H ALW BE5 G>D5]S
AT ,ANGELFIELD4 ,9 ! OLD "DS1 :5 ! H\SE
_H A H1D G>D5] & SEV5 H&S1 8 GRT-GR&"F
_H ROOT$ \ A BOX H$GE "U A W9D[ &1 S Z N
6BE WA/E;L1 HE'D TAK5 HUNDR$S ( CUTT+S A
FEW 9*ES L;G4 ,HE GREW !M ON 9 A NURS]Y
B$1 & :5 !Y R1*$ T5 9*ES1 HE PLANT$ !M 9
! G>D54 ,HE CLIPP$ "S 96L[1 %>P-$G$ H$G-
ES1 LET O!RS GR[ %A7Y1 & :5 !Y 7 BROAD
5\<1 TOOK 8 %E>S 6!M & MADE SPH]ES4 ,"S1
HE CD SEE1 WANT$ 6BE PYRAMIDS1 C"OS1 TOP
HATS4 ,6%APE 8 GRE5 MAT]IAL1 ? MAN )!
L>GE1 R\< H&S LE>N$ ! PATI5T1 METICUL\S
DELICACY (A LACEMAK]4 ,HE CR1T$ NO ANI-
MALS1 NO HUMAN FIGURES4 ,N = HM !
P1COCKS1 LIONS1 LIFE-SIZE M5 ON     #ADB
BICYCLES T Y SAW 9 O!R G>D5S4 ,! %APES T
PL1S$ HM 7 EI /RICTLY GEOMETRIC OR BAF-
FL+LY1 BULG+LY AB/RACT4
  ,0! "T ( 8 LA/ YE>S1 ! TOPI>Y G>D5 0 !
ONLY ?+ T MATT]$4 ,HE 0 ALW EAG] 6BE F9-
I%$ ) 8 O!R "W (! "D2 ALL HE WANT$ 0 6BE
9 8HIS0 G>D51 RUNN+ 8 H&S OV] ! SURFACES
(! %APES HE _H MADE1 Z HE IMAG9$ ! "T1
FIFTY1 A HUNDR$ YE>S H;E1 :5 8 G>D5 WD H
GR[N 6MATUR;Y4
  ,AT 8 D1?1 8 %E>S PASS$ 96! H&S ( 8
SON &1 DECADES LAT]1 8 GR&SON4 ,!N1 :5 ?
GR&SON DI$1 X 0 ,JOHN-!-DIG1 :O _H F9I%$
8 APPR5TICE%IP AT A L>GE G>D5 "S ?IRTY
MILES AWAY1 :O CAME HOME 6TAKE ON ! JOB
T _H 6BE HIS4 ,AL? HE 0 ONLY ! "UG>D5]1
! TOPI>Y _H BE5 8 RESPONSIBIL;Y F ! V
2G9N+4 ,H[ CD X 2 O!RWISE8 ,HE PICK$ UP
! %E>S1 _! WOOD5 H&LES WORN 6%APE 0HIS
"F'S H&1 & FELT 8 F+]S FIT ! GROOVES4
,HE 0 HOME4
  ,9 ! YE>S AF ,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD LO/ 8
WIFE1 :5 ! NUMB] ( /AFF DIM9I%$ S DRA-
MATIC,Y1 ,JOHN-!-DIG /AY$ ON4 ,G>D5]S
LEFT & 7 N REPLAC$4 ,:5 HE 0 / A    #ADC
"Y MAN HE 2CAME1 0DEFAULT1 H1D G>D5]1
?\< HE 0 AL ! ONLY G>D5]4 ,! "WLOAD 0
ENORM\S2 8 EMPLOY] TOOK NO 9T]E/2 HE "W$
)\T ?ANKS4 ,"! 7 O!R JOBS1 O!R G>D5S4
,HE WD H BE5 (F]$ ANY JOB HE _H APPLI$ =
--Y ONLY _H 6SEE HM 6TRU/ HM4 ,B HE N"E
LEFT ,ANGELFIELD4 ,H[ CD HE8 ,"W+ 9 !
TOPI>Y G>D51 PUTT+ 8 %E>S 96_! L1!R %1?
:5 ! LI<T 2GAN 6FADE1 HE DIDN'T NE$ 6RE-
FLECT T ! TREES HE 0 PRUN+ 7 ! V SAME
TREES T 8 GRT-GR&"F _H PLANT$1 T ! R\-
T9ES & MO;NS ( 8 "W 7 ! SAME "OS T ?REE
G5],NS ( 8 FAMILY _H D"O 2F HM4 ,ALL ? 0
TOO DEEPLY "KN 6REQUIRE ?"\4 ,HE CD TAKE
X = GRANT$4 ,L 8 TREES1 HE 0 ROOT$ 6,AN-
GELFIELD4

  ,:AT 7 8 FEEL+S T "D1 :5 HE W5T 96HIS
G>D5 & F.D X RAVAG$8 ,GRT GA%ES 9 !
SIDES (! YEWS1 EXPOS+ ! BR[N WOOD ( _!
HE>TS4 ,! MOP-H1DS DECAPITAT$1 _! SPH]I-
CAL TOPS LY+ AT _! FEET4 ,! P]FECT BAL.E
(! PYRAMIDS N[ LOPSID$1 ! C"OS HACK$ AB1
! TOP HATS *OPP$ 96& LEFT 9 TATT]S4 ,HE
/>$ AT ! L;G BRAN*ES1 / GRE51 /     #ADD
FRE%1 T 7 /REWN ON ! LAWN4 ,_! SL[ %RIV-
EL+1 _! CURL+ DESI3,N1 _! DY+ 0 YET 6-E4
  ,/UNN$1 )A TREMBL+ T SEEM$ 6PASS F 8
HE>T 6HIS LEGS & 96! GR.D 2N 8 FEET1 HE
TRI$ 6"U/& :AT _H HAPP5$4 ,0 X "S BOLT F
! SKY T _H PICK$ \ 8 G>D5 = DE/RUC;N8 ,B
:AT FR1K /ORM IS X T /RIKES 9 SIL;E8
  ,NO4 ,"S"O _H D"O ?4
  ,TURN+ A CORN] HE F.D ! PRO(3 AB&ON$
ON ! DEWY GRASS1 BLADES AGAPE1 ! L>GE
%E>S & NEXT 6!M ! SAW4
  ,:5 HE DIDN'T -E 9 = LUN*1 ! ,MISSUS1
WORRI$1 W5T 6F9D HM4 ,R1*+ ! TOPI>Y G>D5
%E RAIS$ A H& 6H] M\? 9 HORROR1 !N1
GRIPP+ H] APRON1 WALK$ ON )A NEW URG5CY4
  ,:5 %E F.D HM1 %E RAIS$ HM F ! GR.D4
,HE L1N$ H1VILY ON H] Z %E L$ HM ) T5D]
C>E 6! KIT*5 & SAT HM 9 A *AIR4 ,%E MADE
TEA1 SWEET & HOT1 & HE />$1 UNSEE+1 9TO
SPACE4 ,)\T A ^W1 HOLD+ ! CUP 6HIS LIPS1
%E TILT$ SIPS (! SCALD+ LIQUID 96HIS
M\?4 ,AT LA/ 8 EYES S"\ H]S1 & :5 %E SAW
! LOSS 9 !M1 %E FELT H] [N TE>S SPR+ UP4
  8,OH ,DIG6 ,I "K4 ,I "K40
  ,8 H&S GRASP$ H] %\LD]S &! %AK+   #ADE
( 8 BODY 0 ! %AK+ ( H] BODY4

  ,! TW9S DID N APPE> T AFN1 &! ,MISSUS
DID N G 6F9D !M4 ,:5 !Y TURN$ UP 9 !
EV5+1 ,JOHN 0 / 9 8 *AIR1 :ITE & HA7>D4
,HE FL9*$ AT ! SI<T ( !M4 ,CURI\S & IN-
DI6]5T1 _! GRE5 EYES PASS$ OV] 8 FACE J
Z !Y _H PASS$ OV] ! DRAW+ ROOM CLOCK4
  ,2F %E PUT ! TW9S 6B$ ! ,MISSUS DRESS$
! CUTS ON _! H&S F ! SAW &! %E>S4
8,DON'T T\* ! ?+S 9 ,JOHN'S %$10 %E
GRUM#D4 8,!Y'RE %>P2 !Y'LL HURT Y40
  ,& !N1 / N EXPECT+ 6BE HE$$1 8,:Y DID
Y D X8 ,OH1 :Y DID Y D X8 ,Y H BROK5 8
HE>T40
  ,%E FELT ! T\* (A *'S H& ON H]S4
8,MISSUS SAD10 ! GIRL SD4 ,X 0 ,EMMEL9E4
  ,/>TL$1 ! ,MISSUS BL9K$ AWAY ! FOG (
H] TE>S & />$4
  ,! * SPOKE AG4 8,JOHN-!-DIG SAD40
  8,YES10 ! ,MISSUS :ISP]$4 8,WE >E
SAD40
  ,! GIRL SMIL$4 ,X 0 A SMILE )\T MAL-
ICE4 ,)\T GUILT4 ,X 0 SIMPLY A SMILE (
SATISFAC;N AT HAV+ NOT$ "S?+ &      #ADF
CORRECTLY ID5TIFI$ X4 ,%E _H SE5 TE>S4
,%E _H BE5 PUZZL$4 ,B N[ %E _H F.D ! AN-
SW] 6! PUZZLE4 ,X 0 SAD;S4
  ,! ,MISSUS CLOS$ ! DOOR & W5T D[N-
/AIRS4 ,? 0 A BR1K"?4 ,X 0 -MUNIC,N1 & X
0 ! 2G9N+1 P]H1 ( "S?+ GRT] ?AN T4 ,0 X
POSSI# T "O "D ! GIRL MI<T ."U/&8
  ,%E OP5$ ! DOOR 6! KIT*5 & W5T 9 6RE-
JO9 ,JOHN 9 8 DESPAIR4

  ,T NI<T ,I _H A DR1M4
  ,WALK+ 9 ,MISS ,W9T]'S G>D51 ,I MET MY
SI/]4
  ,RADIANT1 %E UNFOLD$ H] VA/ GOLD5 W+S1
Z ?\< 6EMBRACE ME1 & ,I 0 FILL$ ) JOY4
,B :5 ,I APPROA*$ ,I SAW H] EYES 7 BL &
%E CD N SEE ME4 ,!N DESPAIR FILL$ MY
HE>T4
  ,WAK+1 ,I CURL$ 96A BALL UNTIL ! /++
H1T ON MY TORSO _H SUBSID$4




   ,,M]RILY ,,& ,,! ,,P]AMBULATOR   #ADG

  ,MISS ,W9T]'S H\SE 0 S ISOLAT$1 &!
LIFE ( XS 9HABITANTS S SOLIT>Y1 T ,I 0
SURPRIS$ DUR+ MY F/ WEEK "! 6HE> A VEHI-
CLE >RIV+ ON ! GRAVEL AT ! FRONT (!
H\SE4 ,PE]+ F ! LIBR>Y W9D[1 ,I SAW !
DOOR (A L>GE BLACK C> SW+ OP5 & CAU<T A
GLIMPSE (A TALL1 D>K-HAIR$ MAN4 ,HE 4AP-
PE>$ 96! POR* & ,I HE>D ! BRIEF R+ (!
BELL4
  ,I SAW HM AG ! NEXT "D4 ,I 0 9 ! G>D51
P]H T5 FEET F ! FRONT POR*1 :5 ,I HE>D !
CRACKLE ( TIRES ON GRAVEL4 ,I /OOD /1
RETR1T$ 9SIDE MYF4 ,6ANY"O :O TOOK !
TR\# 6LOOK1 ,I 0 PLA9LY VISI#1 B :5 P >E
EXPECT+ 6SEE NO?+1 T IS USU,Y :AT !Y
SEE4 ,! MAN DID N SEE ME4
  ,8 FACE 0 GRAVE4 ,! H1VY L9E ( 8 BR[
CA/ 8 EYES 96%AD[1 :ILE ! RE/ ( 8 FACE 0
4T+UI%$ 0A NUMB /ILL;S4 ,HE R1*$ 96HIS
C> = 8 CASE1 SLAMM$ ! DOOR & W5T UP !
/EPS 6R+ ! BELL4
  ,I HE>D ! DOOR OP54 ,NEI HE NOR ,JUDI?
SPOKE A ^W1 & HE 4APPE>$ 9SIDE ! H\SE4
  ,LAT] T "D1 ,MISS ,W9T] TOLD ME   #ADH
! /ORY ( ,M]RILY &! P]AMBULATOR4

  ,Z ! TW9S GREW OLD]1 !Y EXPLOR$ F>!R &
F>!R AFIELD & SOON KNEW ALL ! F>MS & ALL
! G>D5S ON ! E/ATE4 ,!Y _H NO S5SE (
B.D>IES1 NO "U/&+ ( PROP]TY1 & S !Y W5T
": !Y WI%$4 ,!Y OP5$ GATES & DIDN'T ALW
CLOSE !M4 ,!Y CLIMB$ OV] F;ES :5 !Y GOT
9 _! WAY4 ,!Y TRI$ KIT*5 DOORS1 & :5 !Y
OP5$--USU,Y !Y DID1 P DIDN'T LOCK DOORS
M* 9 ,ANGELFIELD--!Y W5T 9SIDE4 ,!Y
HELP$ !MVS 6ANY?+ TA/Y 9 ! PANTRY1 SLEPT
= AN H\R ON ! B$S UP/AIRS IF !Y FELT
WE>Y1 TOOK SAUCEPANS & SPOONS AWAY ) !M
6SC>E BIRDS 9 ! FIELDS4
  ,! LOCAL FAMILIES GOT UPSET AB X4 ,= E
A3US,N MADE1 "! 0 "S"O :O _H SE5 ! TW9S
AT ! RELEVANT "T 9 ANO!R 4TANT PLACE2 AT
L1/ !Y _H SE5 "O ( !M2 AT L1/ !Y ?"\ !Y
_H4 ,& !N X CAME AB T ALL ! OLD <O/ /O-
RIES 7 REMEMB]$4 ,NO OLD H\SE IS )\T XS
/ORIES2 NO OLD H\SE IS )\T XS <O/S4 ,&!
V TW9;S (! GIRLS _H A SPOOKI;S AB X4
  ,"! 0 "S?+ .N ."R AB !M1 "EY"O AGRE$1
& :E!R X 0 2C (! GIRLS !MVS OR =    #ADI
"S O!R R1SON1 "! CAME 6BE A 49CL9,N 6AP-
PROA* ! OLD H\SE1 Z M* AM;G ! ADULTS Z !
*N1 = FE> ( :AT MI<T 2 SE5 "!4
  ,B EV5TU,Y ! 9CONV5I;E (! 9CUR.NS WON
GR.D OV] ! ?RILL ( <O/ TALK1 &! WOM5
GREW ANGRY4 ,ON S"EAL O3A.NS !Y CORN]$ !
GIRLS R$-H&$ & %\T$4 ,ANG] PULL$ _! FAC-
ES ALL \ ( %APE1 & _! M\?S OP5$ & CLOS$
S QKLY1 X MADE ! GIRLS LAU<4 ,! WOM5
DIDN'T "U/& :Y ! GIRLS 7 LAU<+4 ,!Y
DIDN'T "K X 0 ! SPE$ & JUM# (! ^WS P\R+
F _! [N M\?S T _H 2WILD]$ ! TW9S4 ,!Y
?"\ X 0 PURE DEVIL;T & %\T$ EV5 M4 ,=A
"T ! TW9S /AY$ 6WAT* ! SPECTACLE (! VIL-
LAG]S' ANG]1 !N !Y TURN$ _! BACKS &
WALK$ (F4
  ,:5 _! HUSB&S CAME HOME F ! FIELDS1 !
WOM5 WD -PLA91 SAY "S?+ _H 6BE D"O1 &!
M5 WD SAY1 8,Y'RE =GETT+ !Y'RE ! *N (!
BIG H\SE40 ,&! WOM5 SD 9 RETURN1 8,BIG
H\SE OR NO1 *N DIDN'T "\ 6BE ALL[$ 6RUN
RIOT ! WAY !M TWO GIRLS D4 ,X'S N "R4
,"S?+'S GOT 6BE D"O40 ,&! M5 WD SIT QUI-
ET OV] _! PLATES ( POTATO & M1T & %AKE
_! H1DS & NO?+ WD 2 D"O4            #AEJ
  ,UNTIL ! 9CID5T (! P]AMBULATOR4
  ,"! 0 A WOMAN 9 ! VILLAGE CALL$ ,M>Y
,JAMESON4 ,%E 0 ! WIFE ( ,FR$ ,JAMESON1
"O (! F>M LABOR]S1 & %E LIV$ ) H] HUSB&
& 8 P>5TS 9 "O (! COTTAGES4 ,! C\PLE 7
NEWLYW$S1 & 2F H] M>RIAGE ! WOMAN _H BE5
CALL$ ,M>Y ,LEI<1 : EXPLA9S ! "N ! TW9S
9V5T$ = H] 9 _! [N LANGUAGE3 ,!Y CALL$
H] ,M]RILY1 & X 0 A GD "N = H]4 ,"S"TS
%E WD G & MEET H] HUSB& F ! FIELDS & !Y
WD SIT 9 ! %ELT] (A H$GE AT ! 5D (! "D1
:ILE HE _H A CIG>ETTE4 ,HE 0 A TALL BR[N
MAN ) BIG FEET & HE US$ 6PUT 8 >M >.D H]
WAI/ & TICKLE H] & BL[ D[N ! FRONT ( H]
DRESS 6MAKE H] LAU<4 ,%E TRI$ N 6LAU<1
6T1SE HM1 B %E WANT$ 6LAU< RE,Y1 & EV5-
TU,Y %E ALW DID4
  ,%E'D H BE5 A PLA9 WOMAN IF X WASN'T =
T LAU< ( H]S4 ,H] HAIR 0 A DIRTY COLOR T
0 TOO D>K 6BE BLOND1 H] *9 0 BIG & H]
EYES 7 SMALL4 ,B %E _H T LAU<1 &! S.D (
X 0 S B1UTI;L T :5 Y HE>D X1 X 0 Z IF YR
EYES SAW H] "? YR E>S & %E 0 TRANS=M$4
,H] EYES 4APPE>$ ALT ABV H] FAT MOON
*EEKS1 & SU45LY1 9 _! ABS;E1 Y      #AEA
NOTIC$ H] M\?4 ,PLUMP *]RY-COLOR$ LIPS &
EV5 :ITE TEE?--NO "O ELSE 9 ,ANGELFIELD
_H TEE? 6MAT* H]S--&A LL P9K T;GUE T 0 L
A KITT5'S4 ,&! S.D4 ,T B1UTI;L1 RIPPL+1
UN/OPPA# MUSIC T CAME GURGL+ \ ( H]
?ROAT L SPR+WAT] F AN "UGR.D /R1M4 ,X 0
! S.D ( JOY4 ,HE M>RI$ H] = X4 ,& :5 %E
LAU<$ 8 VOICE W5T S(T1 & HE PUT 8 LIPS
AG/ H] NECK & SD H] "N1 ,M>Y1 OV] & OV]
AG4 ,&! VIBR,N ( 8 VOICE ON H] SK9 TICK-
L$ H] & MADE H] LAU<1 & LAU<1 & LAU<4
  ,ANYWAY1 DUR+ ! W9T]1 :ILE ! TW9S KEPT
6! G>D5S &! P>K1 ,M]RILY _H A BABY4 ,!
F/ W>M "DS ( SPR+ F.D H] 9 ! G>D51 HANG+
\ LL CLO!S ON A L9E4 ,2H H] 0 A BLACK
P]AMBULATOR4 ,H1V5 "KS ": X _H -E F2 X
WASN'T ! USUAL K9D ( ?+ =A VILLAGE GIRL
6H2 NO D\BT X 0 "S SECOND- OR ?IRDH& ?+1
B"\ *1P 0! FAMILY 7?\< NO D\BT SEEM+ V
DE>7 9 ORD] 6M>K ! IMPORT.E ( ? F/ * &
GR&*ILD4 ,9 ANY CASE1 Z ,M]RILY B5T =
ANO!R LL VE/1 ANO!R LL *EMISE1 & PE7$ !M
ON ! L9E1 %E 0 S++1 L "O (! BIRDS T 7
S++1 TOO1 & H] S;G SEEM$ DE/9$ =!
B1UTI;L BLACK P]AMBULATOR4 ,XS      #AEB
:EELS 7 SILV] & V HI<1 S AL? ! C>RIAGE 0
L>GE & BLACK & R.D$1 ! IMPRES.N 0 ( SPE$
& WEI<T.S;S4
  ,! G>D5 GAVE ONTO FIELDS AT ! BACK2 A
H$GE DIVID$ ! TWO SPACES4 ,M]RILY DID N
"K T F 2H ! H$GE TWO PAIRS ( GRE5 EYES 7
FIX$ ON ! P]AMBULATOR4
  ,BABIES MAKE A LOT ( WA%+1 & ,M]RILY 0
A H>D"W+ & DEVOT$ "M4 ,E "D %E 0 \ 9 !
G>D51 PUTT+ ! WA%+ \ & TAK+ X IN4 ,F !
KIT*5 W9D[1 Z %E WA%$ NAPK9S & VE/S 9 !
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LY1 TAKE MY PLACE 9 ! *AIR ON ! O!R SIDE
(! FIRE & TAKE MY NOTEBOOK \ ( MY BAG4
,!N1 ) NO PREAM# AT ALL1 %E WD PICK UP
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  8,GD "D1 ,MISS ,LEA40
  8,GD "D1 ,DOCTOR40









      ,,DR4 ,,& ,,MRS4 ,,MAUDSLEY   #AFC

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,DR4 & ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY4

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BY'S "F1 8 GR&"F &! PUBLICAN1 A WE>Y-
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MAN1 B X SEEMS 6ME !M GIRLS IS .N ."R40
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  8,L1VE X ) ME10 SD ! DOCTOR4 8,I'LL
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! DOCTOR ACTU,Y DID 0 SP1K 6HIS WIFE4
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SURPRISE HM1 ?\<1 T 8 WIFE1 ^:      #AFH
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,I G40
  ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY NO4$1 : 0 H] WAY ( 4A-
GREE+ ) H] HUSB&1 ?\< HE DIDN'T "K X4
8,:AT AB ! "M8 ,:AT D Y "K ( H]80
  8,V LL40
  ,&! DOCTOR 3T9U$ 6?9K 9 SIL;E1 & ,MRS4
,MAUDSLEY 3T9U$ H] SEW+1 & AF A QU>T] (
AN H\R _H PASS$1 ! DOCTOR SD1 8,P]H Y
MI<T G1 ,!ODORA8 ,! "M MI<T SOON] SEE
ANO!R WOMAN ?AN A MAN4 ,:AT D Y SAY80
  ,& S ?REE "DS LAT] ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY >-
RIV$ AT ! H\SE & KNOCK$ AT ! FRONT DOOR4
,A/ONI%$ 6GET NO ANSW]1 %E FR[N$    #AFI
--AF ALL1 %E _H S5T A NOTE 6SAY %E 0 -+
--& WALK$ R.D 6! BACK4 ,! KIT*5 DOOR 0
AJ>1 S )A QK KNOCK %E W5T IN4 ,NO "O 0
"!4 ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY LOOK$ >.D4 ,?REE AP-
PLES ON ! TA#1 BR[N & WR9KL$ & />T+ TO
COLLAPSE ^U !MVS1 A BLACK DI%CLO? NEXT
6A S9K PIL$ HI< ) DIRTY PLATES1 &! W9D[
S FIL?Y T 9SIDE Y CD H>DLY TELL "D F
NI<T4 ,H] DA9TY :ITE NOSE SNI6$ ! AIR4
,X TOLD H] "EY?+ %E NE$$ 6"K4 ,%E PURS$
H] LIPS1 SET H] %\LD]S1 TOOK A TI<T GRIP
ON ! TORTOISE%ELL H&LE ( H] BAG & SET (F
ON H] CRUSADE4 ,%E W5T F ROOM 6ROOM
LOOK+ = ,ISABELLE1 B ON ! WAY TAK+ 9 !
SQUALOR1 ! MESS1 ! UNKEMPT;S T LURK$
"EY":4
  ,! ,MISSUS TIR$ EASILY1 & %E CDN'T
MANAGE ! /AIRS V WELL1 & H] SI<T 0 GO+1
& %E (T5 ?"\ %E _H CL1N$ ?+S :5 %E
_HN'T1 OR M1NT 6CL1N !M & !N =GOT1 & 6BE
H"O/1 %E KNEW NOBODY RE,Y C>$1 S %E MO/-
LY 3C5TRAT$ ON FE$+ ! GIRLS1 & !Y 7
LUCKY %E MANAG$ T M*4 ,S ! H\SE 0 DIRTY1
& X 0 DU/Y1 & :5 A PICTURE 0 KNOCK$
WONKY X /AY$ WONKY =A DECADE1 &     #AGJ
:5 "O "D ,*>LIE CDN'T F9D ! PAP] B9 9 8
/UDY1 HE J DROPP$ ! PAP] ONTO ! FLOOR 9
! PLACE ": ! PAP] B9 US$ 6BE1 & X SOON
O3URR$ 6HM T X 0 LESS FUSS 6*UCK X \
ONCE A YE> ?AN 6D X ONCE A WEEK4
  ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY DIDN'T L :AT %E SAW AT
ALL4 ,%E FR[N$ AT ! HALF-CLOS$ CURTA9S1
& SI<$ AT ! T>NI%$ SILV]1 & %OOK H] H1D
9 AMAZE;T AT ! SAUCEPANS ON ! /AIRS &!
%EET MUSIC T 0 SCATT]$ ALL OV] ! FLOOR (
! HALLWAY4 ,9 ! DRAW+ ROOM1 %E B5T D[N
AUTOMATIC,Y 6RETRIEVE A PLAY+ C>D1 !
?REE ( SPADES1 T 0 LY+ DROPP$ OR 4C>D$ 9
! MI4LE (! FLOOR1 B :5 %E LOOK$ >.D !
ROOM =! RE/ (! PACK1 %E 0 AT A LOSS1 S
GRT 0 ! 4ORD]4 ,GLANC+ HELP.SLY BACK AT
! C>D %E 2CAME AW>E (! DU/ COV]+ X &1 2+
A FA/IDI\S1 :ITE-GLOV$ WOMAN1 0 OV]:ELM$
)! DESIRE 6PUT X D[N1 ONLY ":8 ,=A FEW
SECONDS %E 0 P>ALYZ$ ) ANXIETY1 TORN 2T
! DESIRE 65D ! 3TACT 2T H] PRI/9E GLOVE
&! DU/Y1 FA9TLY /ICKY PLAY+ C>D1 & H] [N
UNWILL+;S 6PUT ! C>D D[N 9 A PLACE T
WASN'T ! "R "O4 ,EV5TU,Y1 )A P]CEPTI#
%U4] (! %\LD]S1 %E PLAC$ X ON !     #AGA
>M (! L1!R >M*AIR & WALK$ ) RELIEF \ (!
ROOM4
  ,! LIBR>Y SEEM$ BETT]4 ,X 0 DU/Y1 C]-
TA9LY1 &! C>PET 0 ?R1DB>E1 B ! BOOKS
!MVS 7 9 _! PLACES1 : 0 "S?+4 ,YET EV5 9
! LIBR>Y1 J :5 %E 0 PREP>+ H]F 62LIEVE T
"! REMA9$ "S SMALL FEEL+ = ORD] BURI$ 9
? FIL?Y1 *AOTIC FAMILY1 %E CAME ACR A
MAKE%IFT B$4 ,TUCK$ 96A D>K CORN] 2T TWO
SETS ( %ELVES1 X 0 J A FLEA-RI45 BLANKET
&A FIL?Y PILL[1 & AT F/ %E TOOK X =A
CAT'S B$4 ,!N1 LOOK+ AG1 %E SPOTT$ !
CORN] (A BOOK VISI# 2N ! PILL[4 ,%E DREW
X \4 ,X 0 .,JANE .,EYRE4
  ,F ! LIBR>Y %E PASS$ 6! MUSIC ROOM1 ":
%E F.D ! SAME 4ORD] %E _H SE5 ELSE":4 ,!
FURNITURE 0 >RANG$ BIZ>RELY1 Z ?\< 6FA-
CILITATE ! PLAY+ ( HIDE-&-SEEK4 ,A *AISE
L;GUE 0 TURN$ 6FACE A WALL1 A *AIR 0
HALF HI45 0A *E/ T _H BE5 DRA7$ F XS
PLACE "U ! W9D[--"! 0 A BROAD SWEEP (
C>PET 2H X ": ! DU/ 0 LESS ?ICK &! GRE5
COLOR %[$ "? M 4T9CTLY4 ,ON ! PIANO1 A
VASE 3TA9$ BLACK5$1 BRITTLE /EMS1 & >.D
X A N1T CIRCLE ( PAP]Y PETALS L     #AGB
A%ES4 ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY R1*$ H] H& T[>D "O
& PICK$ X UP2 X CRUM#D1 L1V+ A NA/Y
YELL[-GRAY /A9 2T H] :ITE-GLOV$ F+]S4
  ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY SEEM$ 6SLUMP D[N ONTO
! PIANO /OOL4
  ,! DOCTOR'S WIFE WASN'T A BAD WOMAN4
,%E 0 SU6ICI5TLY 3V9C$ ( H] [N IMPORT.E
62LIEVE T ,GOD ACTU,Y DID WAT* "EY?+ %E
DID & LI/5 6"EY?+ %E SD1 & %E 0 TOO TAK5
UP ) ROOT+ \ ! PRIDE %E 0 PR"O 6FEEL+ 9
H] [N HOLI;S 6NOTICE ANY O!R FAIL+S %E
MI<T H _H4 ,%E 0 A D-GOOD]1 : M1NS T ALL
! ILL %E DID1 %E DID )\T R1LIZ+ X4
  ,:AT 0 GO+ ON 9 H] M9D Z %E SAT "! ON
! PIANO /OOL1 />+ 96SPACE8 ,^! 7 P :O
CDN'T KEEP _! FL[] VASES TOPP$ UP4 ,NO
WOND] _! *N 7 MISBEHAV+6 ,! EXT5T (!
PRO#M SEEM$ SU45LY 6H BE5 REV1L$ 6H] "?
! D1D FL[]S1 & X 0 9 A 4TRACT$1 ABS5T
FA%ION T %E PULL$ (F H] GLOVES & SPR1D
H] F+]S ON ! BLACK & GRAY KEYS (! PIANO4
  ,! S.D T RES.D$ 9 ! ROOM 0 ! H>%E/1
MO/ UNPIANOLIKE NOISE IMAG9A#4 ,? 0 9 "P
2C ! PIANO _H BE5 NEGLECT$1 UNPLAY$ &
UNTUN$1 = _M YE>S4 ,X 0 AL 2C !     #AGC
VIBR,N (! 9/RU;T'S /R+S 0 9/ANTLY A3OM-
PANI$ 0ANO!R NOISE1 EQU,Y UNMELODIC4 ,X
0 A K9D (A H[L+ HISS1 AN IRRITAT$1 WILD
SORT (A SCREE*1 L T (A CAT ^: TAIL HAS
GOT "U YR FEET4
  ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY 0 %AK5 5TIRELY \ ( H]
R"EIE 0X4 ,ON HE>+ ! Y[L1 %E />$ AT !
PIANO 9 4BELIEF & /OOD UP1 H] H&S 6H]
*EEKS4 ,9 H] 2WILD];T %E _H ONLY ! B>E/
MO;T 6REGI/] T %E 0 N AL"O4
  ,"!1 RIS+ F ! *AISE L;GUE1 A SLI<T
FIGURE 9 :ITE--
  ,POOR ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY4
  ,%E _H N ! "T 6APPRECIATE T ! :ITE-
ROB$ FIGURE 0 BR&I%+ A VIOL91 & T ! VIO-
L9 0 DESC5D+ V QKLY &) GRT =CE T[>D H]
[N H1D4 ,2F %E CD TAKE 9 ANY ( ?1 ! VIO-
L9 MADE 3TACT ) H] SKULL1 BLACK;S OV]-
:ELM$ H] & %E FELL1 UNCONSCI\S1 6!
FLOOR4
  ,) H] >MS SPRAWL$ ANY OLD H[1 & H] N1T
:ITE H&K]*IEF / TUCK$ 9SIDE H] WAT*
/RAP1 %E LOOK$ Z ?\< "! WASN'T A DROP (
LIFE LEFT 9 H]4 ,LL PU6S ( DU/ T _H -E
UP F ! C>PET :5 %E L&$ FELL G5TLY   #AGD
BACK D[N4
  ,"! %E LAY =A GD HALF H\R1 UNTIL !
,MISSUS1 BACK F ! F>M ": %E _H BE5 6COL-
LECT E7S1 HAPP5$ 6GL.E 9 AT ! DOOR & SEE
A D>K %APE ": %E _HN'T SE5 A D>K %APE
2F4
  ,"! 0 NO SIGN (A FIGURE 9 :ITE4

  ,Z ,I TRANSCRIB$ F MEMORY1 ,MISS ,W9-
T]'S VOICE SEEM$ 6FILL MY ROOM )! SAME
DEGREE ( R1L;Y ) : X _H FILL$ ! LIBR>Y4
,%E _H A WAY ( SP1K+ T 5GRAV$ XF ON MY
MEMORY & 0 Z RELIA# Z A PHONOGRAPH RE-
CORD+4 ,B AT ? PO9T1 ": %E SD1 8,"! 0 NO
SIGN (A FIGURE 9 :ITE10 %E _H PAUS$1 & S
N[ ,I PAUS$1 P5CIL HOV]+ ABV ! PAGE1 Z
,I 3SID]$ :AT _H HAPP5$ NEXT4
  ,I _H BE5 5GROSS$ 9 ! /ORY1 & S X TOOK
ME A MO;T 6REFOCUS MY EYE F ! PR"O FIG-
URE (! DOCTOR'S WIFE 9 ! /ORY 6! /ORY-
TELL] H]F4 ,:5 ,I DID ,I 0 4MAY$4 ,MISS
,W9T]'S NORMAL PALLOR _H GIV5 WAY 6AN
UGLY YELL[-GRAY T9T1 & H] FRAME1 ALW
RIGID X M/ 2 SD1 SEEM$ AT PRES5T 6BE
GIRD+ XF AG/ "S 9VISI# ASSAULT4     #AGE
,"! 0 A TREMBL+ >.D H] M\?1 & ,I GUESS$
T %E 0 ON ! PO9T ( LOS+ ! /RU7LE 6HOLD
H] LIPS 9 A FIRM L9E & T A REPRESS$
GRIMACE 0 CLOSE 6W9N+ ! "D4
  ,I ROSE F MY *AIR 9 AL>M B _H NO IDEA
:AT ,I "\ 6D4
  8,MISS ,W9T]10 ,I EXCLAIM$ HELP.SLY1
8:AT"E IS X80
  8,MY WOLF10 ,I ?"\ ,I HE>D H] SAY1 B !
EF=T 6SP1K 0 5 6S5D H] LIPS 96A QUIV]4
,%E CLOS$ H] EYES1 SEEM$ 6/RU7LE 6M1SURE
H] BR1?+4 ,J Z ,I 0 ON ! PO9T ( RUNN+ TO
F9D ,JUDI?1 ,MISS ,W9T] REGA9$ 3TROL4 ,!
RISE & FALL ( H] *E/ SL[$1 ! TREMORS 9
H] FACE C1S$1 & ?\< %E 0 / PALE Z D1?1
%E OP5$ H] EYES & LOOK$ AT ME4
  8,BETT]4 '''0 %E SD W1KLY4
  ,SL[LY ,I RETURN$ 6MY *AIR4
  8,I ?"\ Y SD "S?+ AB A WOLF10 ,I 2GAN4
  8,YES4 ,T BLACK B1/ T GNAWS AT MY B"OS
:5"E HE GETS A *.E4 ,HE LOIT]S 9 CORN]S
& 2H DOORS MO/ (! "T1 2C HE'S AFRAID (
^!40 ,%E 9DICAT$ ! :ITE PILLS ON ! TA#
2S H]4 8,B !Y DON'T LA/ ="E4 ,X'S NE>LY
TWELVE & !Y >E WE>+ (F4 ,HE IS      #AGF
SNI6+ AT MY NECK4 ,0HALF PA/ HE W 2 DI7+
8 TEE? & CLAWS IN4 ,UNTIL "O1 :5 ,I C
TAKE ANO!R TA#T & HE W H 6RETURN 6HIS
CORN]4 ,WE >E ALW CLOCKWAT*+1 HE & ,I4
,HE P\NCES FIVE M9UTES E>LI] E "D4 ,B ,I
_C TAKE MY TA#TS FIVE M9UTES E>LI]4 ,T
/AYS ! SAME40
  8,B SURELY ! DOCTOR--0
  8,( C\RSE4 ,ONCE A WEEK1 OR ONCE E T5
"DS1 HE ADJU/S ! DOSE4 ,ONLY N"E Q 5\<4
,HE DOES N WANT 6BE ! "O 6KILL ME1 Y
SEE4 ,& S :5 X -ES1 X M/ 2 ! WOLF T F9-
I%ES ME (F40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT ME1 V MATT]-(-FACT1 !N
REL5T$4
  8,! PILLS >E "H1 LOOK4 ,&! GLASS ( WA-
T]4 ,IF ,I WANT$ TO1 ,I CD PUT AN 5D 6X
MYF4 ,:5"E ,I *OSE4 ,S D N FEEL SORRY =
ME4 ,I H *OS5 ? WAY 2C ,I H ?+S 6D40
  ,I NO4$4 8,ALL "R40
  8,S4 ,LET'S GET ON & D !M1 % WE8 ,": 7
WE80
  8,! DOCTOR'S WIFE4 ,9 ! MUSIC ROOM4 ,)
! VIOL940
  ,& WE 3T9U$ \R "W4                #AGG

  ,*>LIE WASN'T US$ 6D1L+ ) PRO#MS4
  ,HE ._H PRO#MS4 ,PL5TY ( !M--HOLES 9 !
RO(1 CRACK$ W9D[PANES1 PIGEONS MOLD]+
AWAY 9 ! ATTIC ROOMS--B HE IGNOR$ !M4
,OR P]H 0 S F> REMOV$ F ! _W T HE J
DIDN'T NOTICE !M4 ,:5 ! WAT] P5ETR,N GOT
TOO BAD HE J CLOS$ UP A ROOM & />T$ US+
ANO!R "O4 ,! H\SE 0 BIG 5\<1 AF ALL4 ,"O
WOND]S :E!R 9 8 SL[-MOV+ M9D HE R1LIZ$ T
O!R P ACTIVELY MA9TA9$ _! HOMES4 ,B !N1
DILAPID,N 0 8 NATURAL 5VIRON;T4 ,HE FELT
AT HOME 9 X4
  ,/1 A DOCTOR'S WIFE APP>5TLY D1D 9 !
MUSIC ROOM 0 A PRO#M HE CDN'T IGNORE4
,IF X _H BE5 "O ( U ''' ,B AN .\TSID]4
,T 0 ANO!R MATT]4 ,"S?+ _H 6BE D"O1 AL?
HE _H NO NO;N ( :AT T "S?+ MI<T BE1 & HE
/>$1 /RICK51 AT ! DOCTOR'S WIFE Z %E PUT
H] H& 6H] ?RO2+ H1D & MOAN$4 ,HE MI<T 2
/UPID1 B HE KNEW :AT ? M1NT4 ,CALAM;Y 0
-+4
  ,! ,MISSUS S5T ,JOHN-!-DIG =! DOCTOR &
9 DUE C\RSE ! DOCTOR >RIV$4 ,& X SEEM$
=A :ILE T PREMONI;NS ( 4A/] 7       #AGH
ILL-F.D$1 = X 0 F.D T ! DOCTOR'S WIFE 0
N BADLY HURT AT ALL1 B>ELY EV5 3CUSS$4
,%E REFUS$ A TOT ( BR&Y1 A3EPT$ TEA & AF
A %ORT :ILE 0 Z "R Z RA94 8,X 0 A WOM-
AN10 %E SD4 8,A WOMAN 9 :ITE40
  8,NONS5SE10 SD ! ,MISSUS1 AT ONCE RE-
ASSUR+ & 4MISSIVE4 8,"! IS NO WOMAN 9
:ITE 9 ! H\SE40
  ,TE>S GLITT]$ 9 ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY'S BR[N
EYES1 B %E 0 ADAMANT4 8,YES1 A WOMAN1
SLI<TLY BUILT1 "! ON ! *AISE L;GUE4 ,%E
HE>D ! PIANO & ROSE UP &--0
  8,DID Y SEE H] = L;G80 ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY
ASK$4
  8,NO1 X 0 J =A MO;T40
  8,WELL !N1 Y SEE8 ,X _C BE10 ! ,MISSUS
9T]RUPT$ H]1 & ?\< H] VOICE 0 SYMPA!TIC
X 0 AL FIRM4 8,"! IS NO WOMAN 9 :ITE4 ,Y
M/ H SE5 A <O/40
  ,& !N =! F/ "T1 ,JOHN-!-DIG'S VOICE 0
HE>D4 8,!Y D SAY T ! H\SE IS HAUNT$40
  ,=A MO;T ! ASSEM#D GR\P LOOK$ AT !
BROK5 VIOL9 AB&ON$ ON ! FLOOR1 & 3SID]$
! LUMP T 0 =M+ ON ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY'S
TEMPLE1 B 2F ANY"O _H "T 6RESPOND   #AGI
6! !ORY1 ,ISABELLE APPE>$ 9 ! DOORWAY4
,SLIM & WILL[Y1 %E 0 WE>+ A PALE LEMON
DRESS2 H] HAPHAZ>D TOPKNOT 0 UNKEMPT &
H] EYES1 ?\< B1UTI;L1 7 WILD4
  8,CD ? 2 ! P]SON Y SAW80 ! DOCTOR ASK$
8 WIFE4
  ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY M1SUR$ ,ISABELLE AG/ !
PICTURE 9 H] M9D4 ,H[ _M %ADES SEP>ATE
:ITE F PALE YELL[8 ,": EXACTLY IS ! BOR-
D]L9E 2T SLI<T & SLIM8 ,H[ MI<T A BL[ 6!
H1D A6ECT A P]SON'S MEMORY8 ,%E WAV]$1
!N1 SEE+ ! EM]ALD EYES & F9D+ AN EXACT
MAT* 9 H] MEMORY1 DECID$4
  8,YES4 ,? IS ! P]SON40
  ,! ,MISSUS & ,JOHN-!-DIG AVOID$ EX-
*ANG+ A GL.E4
  ,F T MO;T1 =GETT+ 8 WIFE1 X 0 ,ISA-
BELLE ! DOCTOR ATT5D$ TO4 ,HE LOOK$ AT
H] CLOSELY1 K9DLY1 ) WORRY 9 ! BACK ( 8
EYES :ILE HE ASK$ H] "Q AF "Q4 ,:5 %E
REFUS$ 6ANSW] HE 0 UNRATTL$1 B :5 %E 0
BO!R$ 6REPLY--0TURNS >*1 IMPATI5T1 NON-
S5SICAL--HE LI/5$ C>E;LLY1 NO4+ Z HE
MADE NOTES 9 8 DOCTOR'S PAD4 ,TAK+ H]
WRI/ 6M1SURE H] PULSE1 HE NOT$ )    #AHJ
AL>M ! CUTS & SC>S T M>K$ ! 9SIDE ( H]
=E>M4
  8,DOES %E D ? H]F80
  ,RELUCTANTLY H"O/1 ! ,MISSUS MURMUR$1
8,YES10 &! DOCTOR PRESS$ 8 LIPS 96A WOR-
RI$ L9E4
  8,MAY ,I H A ^W ) Y1 SIR80 HE ASK$1
TURN+ 6,*>LIE4 ,*>LIE LOOK$ BLANKLY AT
HM1 B ! DOCTOR TOOK HM 0! ELB[--8,! LI-
BR>Y1 P]H80--& L$ HM FIRMLY \ (! ROOM4
  ,9 ! DRAW+ ROOM ! ,MISSUS &! DOCTOR'S
WIFE WAIT$ & PRET5D$ N 6PAY ANY ATT5;N
6! S.DS T CAME F ! LIBR>Y4 ,"! 0 ! HUM N
( VOICES B (A S+LE VOICE1 CALM & M1SUR$4
,:5 X /OPP$1 WE HE>D 8,NO0 & AG 8,NO60 9
,*>LIE'S RAIS$ VOICE1 & !N AG ! L[ T"OS
(! DOCTOR4 ,!Y 7 G"O = "S "T1 & WE HE>D
,*>LIE'S PROTE/,NS OV] & OV] 2F ! DOOR
OP5$ &! DOCTOR CAME \1 LOOK+ S]I\S &
%AK54 ,2H HM1 "! 0 A GRT H[L ( DESPAIR &
IMPOT;E1 B ! DOCTOR ONLY W9C$ & PULL$ !
DOOR CLOS$ 2H HM4
  8,I'LL MAKE ! >RANGE;TS )! ASYLUM10 HE
TOLD ! ,MISSUS4 8,L1VE ! TRANSPORT 6ME4
,W TWO O'C 2 ALL "R80               #AHA
  ,BA6L$1 %E NO4$ H] H1D1 &! DOCTOR'S
WIFE ROSE 6L1VE4
  ,AT TWO O'C ?REE M5 CAME 6! H\SE1 & !Y
L$ ,ISABELLE \ 6A BR\<AM 9 ! DRIVE4 ,%E
SUBMITT$ H]F 6!M L A LAMB1 SETTL$ OB$I-
5TLY 9 ! S1T1 N"E EV5 LOOK$ \ Z ! HORSES
TROTT$ SL[LY D[N ! DRIVE1 T[>D ! LODGE
GATES4
  ,! TW9S1 UNCONC]N$1 7 DRAW+ CIRCLES )
_! TOES 9 ! GRAVEL (! DRIVE4
  ,*>LIE /OOD ON ! /EPS WAT*+ ! BR\<AM Z
X GREW SMALL] & SMALL]4 ,HE _H ! AIR (A
* ^: FAVORITE TOY IS 2+ TAK5 AWAY1 & :O
_C 2LIEVE--N Q1 N YET--T X IS RE,Y HAP-
P5+4
  ,F ! HALL ! ,MISSUS & ,JOHN-!-DIG
WAT*$ HM ANXI\SLY1 WAIT+ =! R1LIZ,N TO
DAWN4
  ,! C> R1*$ ! LODGE GATES & 4APPE>$ "?
!M4 ,*>LIE 3T9U$ 6/>E AT ! OP5 GATES =
?REE1 F\R1 FIVE SECONDS4 ,!N 8 M\? OP5$4
,A WIDE CIRCLE1 TWIT*+ & TREMBL+1 T RE-
V1L$ 8 QUIV]+1 T;GUE1 ! FLE%Y R$;S ( 8
?ROAT1 /R+S ( SPITTLE ACR A D>K CAV;Y4
,MESM]IZ$ WE WAT*$1 WAIT+ =! AW;L   #AHB
NOISE 6EM]GE F ! GAP+1 JU4]+ M\?1 B !
S.D 0 N R1DY 6-E4 ,= L;G SECONDS X BUILT
UP1 A3UMULAT+ 9SIDE HM UNTIL 8 :OLE BODY
SEEM$ FULL ( P5T-UP S.D4 ,AT L;G LA/ HE
FELL 6HIS KNEES ON ! /EPS &! CRY EM]G$ F
HM4 ,X 0 N ! ELEPHANT9E BELL[ WE 7 EX-
PECT+1 B A DAMP1 NASAL SNORT4
  ,! GIRLS LOOK$ UP F _! TOE CIRCLES =A
MO;T1 !N RETURN$ IMPASSIVELY 6!M4 ,JOHN-
!-DIG TI<T5$ 8 LIPS & TURN$ AWAY1 H1D+
BACK 6! G>D5 & "W4 ,"! 0 NO?+ = HM 6D
"H4 ,! ,MISSUS W5T 6,*>LIE1 PLAC$ A CON-
SOL+ H& ON 8 %\LD] & ATTEMPT$ 6P]SUADE
HM 96! H\SE1 B HE 0 D1F 6H] ^WS & ONLY
SNU6L$ & SQU1K$ L A ?W>T$ S*OOLBOY4
  ,& T 0 T4

  ,T 0 T8 ,! ^WS 7 A CURI\SLY "U/AT$ 5D-
NOTE 6! 4APPE>.E ( ,MISS ,W9T]'S "M4 ,X
0 CLE> T ,MISS ,W9T] DIDN'T ?9K M* (
,ISABELLE'S ABILITIES Z A P>5T2 9DE$ !
^W ."M SEEM$ ABS5T F H] LEXICON4 ,P]H X
0 "U/&A#2 F :AT ,I CD SEE1 ,ISABELLE 0 !
L1/ MAT]NAL ( WOM54 ,B :O 0 ,I 6JUDGE
O!R P'S REL,NS ) _! "MS8            #AHC
  ,I CLOS$ MY BOOK1 SLID MY P5CIL 96!
SPIRAL & /OOD UP4
  8,I'LL 2 AWAY = ?REE "DS10 ,I REM9D$
H]4 8,I'LL 2 BACK ON ,?URS"D40
  ,& ,I LEFT H] AL"O ) H] WOLF4



















                                    #AHD
























           ,,DICK5S'S ,,/UDY        #AHE

  ,I F9I%$ WRIT+ UP T "D'S NOTES4 ,ALL
DOZ5 P5CILS 7 BLUNT N[2 ,I _H "S S]I\S
%>P5+ 6D4 ,"O 0"O1 ,I 9S]T$ ! L1D 5DS
96! %>P5]4 ,IF Y TURN ! H&LE SL[LY &
EV5LY Y C "S"TS GET ! COIL ( L1D-$G$
WOOD 6TWI/ & DANGLE 9 A S+LE DROP ALL !
WAY 6! PAP] B91 B TN ,I 0 TIR$1 & !Y
KEPT BR1K+ "U _! [N WEI<T4
  ,I ?"\ AB ! /ORY4 ,I _H W>M$ 6! ,MIS-
SUS & ,JOHN-!-DIG4 ,*>LIE & ,ISABELLE
MADE ME N]V\S4 ,! DOCTOR & 8 WIFE _H !
BE/ ( MOTIVES1 B ,I SUSPECT$ _! 9T]V5;N
9 ! LIVES (! TW9S WD -E 6NO GD4
  ,! TW9S !MVS PUZZL$ ME4 ,I KNEW :AT
O!R P ?"\ ( !M4 ,JOHN-!-DIG ?"\ !Y CDN'T
SP1K PROP]LY2 ! ,MISSUS 2LIEV$ !Y DIDN'T
"U/& O!R P 7 ALIVE2 ! VILLAG]S ?"\ !Y 7
WR;G 9 ! H1D4 ,:AT ,I DIDN'T "K--& ? 0 M
?AN CURI\S--WAS :AT ! /ORYTELL] ?"\4 ,9
TELL+ H] TALE1 ,MISS ,W9T] 0 L ! LI<T T
ILLUM9ATES "EY?+ B XF4 ,%E 0 ! 4APPE>+
PO9T AT ! HE>T (! N>RATIVE4 ,%E SPOKE (
.!Y2 M REC5TLY %E _H SPOK5 ( .WE2 !
ABS;E T P]PLEX$ ME 0 .,I4 ,:AT CD   #AHF
X 2 T _H CAUS$ H] 64T.E H]F F H] /ORY 9
? WAY8
  ,IF ,I 7 6ASK H] AB X1 ,I KNEW :AT %E
WD SAY4 8,MISS ,LEA1 WE MADE AN AGREE-
;T40 ,ALR ,I _H ASK$ H] "QS AB "O OR TWO
DETAILS (! /ORY1 & ?\< F "T 6"T %E WD
ANSW]1 :5 %E DIDN'T WANT TO1 %E WD REM9D
ME ( \R F/ MEET+4 8,NO *1T+4 ,NO LOOK+
AH1D4 ,NO "QS40
  ,I RECONCIL$ MYF 6REMA9+ CURI\S =A L;G
"T1 & YET1 Z X HAPP5$1 "S?+ HAPP5$ T V
EV5+ T CA/ A C]TA9 ILLUM9,N ON ! MATT]4
  ,I _H TIDI$ MY DESK & 0 SETT+ AB MY
PACK+ :5 "! CAME A TAP ON MY DOOR4 ,I
OP5$ X 6F9D ,JUDI? 9 ! CORRIDOR4
  8,MISS ,W9T] WOND]S :E!R Y H "T 6SEE
H] =A MO;T40
  ,? 0 ,JUDI?'S POLITE TRANSL,N (A M
ABRUPT .,FET* .,MISS .,LEA1 ,I 0 9 NO
D\BT4
  ,I F9I%$ FOLD+ A BL\SE & W5T D[N 6!
LIBR>Y4
  ,MISS ,W9T] 0 S1T$ 9 H] USUAL POSI;N &
! FIRE 0 BLAZ+1 B O!RWISE ! ROOM 0 9
D>K;S4                              #AHG
  8,WD Y L ME 6PUT "S LI<TS ON80 ,I ASK$
F ! DOORWAY4
  8,NO40 ,H] ANSW] CAME 4TANTLY 6MY E>S1
& S ,I WALK$ D[N ! AISLE T[>D H]4 ,!
%UTT]S 7 OP51 &! D>K SKY1 PRICK$ ALL OV]
) />S1 0 REFLECT$ 9 ! MIRRORS4
  ,:5 ,I >RIV$ 2S H]1 ! DANC+ LI<T F !
FIRE %[$ ME T ,MISS ,W9T] 0 4TRACT$4 ,9
SIL;E ,I SAT 9 MY PLACE1 LULL$ 0! W>M? (
! FIRE1 />+ 96! NI<T SKY REFLECT$ 9 !
LIBR>Y MIRRORS4 ,A QU>T] ( AN H\R PASS$
:ILE %E RUM9AT$1 & ,I WAIT$4
  ,!N %E SPOKE4
  8,H Y "E SE5 T PICTURE ( ,DICK5S 9 8
/UDY8 ,X'S 0A MAN CALL$ ,BUSS1 ,I BE-
LIEVE4 ,I'VE A REPRODUC;N ( X "S":1
,I'LL LOOK X \ = Y4 ,ANYWAY1 9 ! PIC-
TURE1 HE HAS PU%$ 8 *AIR BACK F 8 DESK &
IS DR[S+1 EYES CLOS$1 BE>D$ *9 ON *E/4
,HE IS WE>+ 8 SLIPP]S4 ,>.D 8 H1D1 "*S F
8 BOOKS >E DRIFT+ 9 ! AIR L CIG> SMOKE2
"S ?R;G ABV ! PAP]S ON ! DESK1 O!RS H
DRIFT$ 2H HM1 OR FLOAT$ D[NW>D Z ?\< !Y
2LIEVE !MVS CAPA# ( WALK+ ON _! [N TWO
FEET ON ! FLOOR4 ,& :Y N8 ,!Y >E    #AHH
PRES5T$ )! SAME FIRM L9ES Z ! WRIT] HMF1
S :Y %D !Y N 2 Z R1L Z HM8 ,!Y >E .M R1L
?AN ! BOOKS ON ! %ELVES1 BOOKS T >E
SKET*$ )! B>E/ H9T (A L9E "H & "!1 FAD+
9 PLACES 6A <O/LY NO?+;S4
  8,:Y RECALL ! PICTURE N[1 Y M/ 2 WON-
D]+4 ,! R1SON ,I REMEMB] X S WELL IS T X
SEEMS 6BE AN IMAGE (! WAY ,I H LIV$ MY
[N LIFE4 ,I H CLOS$ MY /UDY DOOR ON ! _W
& %UT MYF AWAY ) P ( MY IMAG9,N4 ,= NE>-
LY SIXTY YE>S ,I H EAVESDROPP$ ) IMPUN;Y
ON ! LIVES ( P :O D N EXI/4 ,I H PEEP$
%AME.SLY 96HE>TS & BA?ROOM CLOSETS4 ,I H
L1N$ OV] %\LD]S 6FOLL[ ! MOVE;TS (
QUILLS Z !Y WRITE LOVE LRS1 WILLS & CON-
FES.NS4 ,I H WAT*$ Z LOV]S LOVE1 MURD]]S
MURD] & *N PLAY _! MAKE-2LIEVE4 ,PRISONS
& BRO!LS H OP5$ _! DOORS 6ME2 GALLEONS &
CAMEL TRA9S H TRANSPORT$ ME ACR SEA &
S&2 C5TURIES & 3T95TS H FALL5 AWAY AT MY
BI4+4 ,I H SPI$ ^U ! MISDE$S (! MI<TY &
WIT;S$ ! NOBIL;Y (! MEEK4 ,I H B5T S L[
OV] SLEEP]S 9 _! B$S T !Y MI<T H FELT MY
BR1? ON _! FACES4 ,I H SE5 _! DR1MS4
  8,MY /UDY ?R;GS ) "*S WAIT+ 6BE   #AHI
WRITT54 ,IMAG9>Y P1 ANXI\S =A LIFE1 :O
TUG AT MY SLEEVE1 CRY+1 ,8,ME NEXT6 ,G
ON6 ,MY TURN60' ,I H 6SELECT4 ,& ONCE ,I
H *OS51 ! O!RS LIE QUIET = T5 MON?S OR A
YE>1 UNTIL ,I -E 6! 5D (! /ORY1 &! CLAM-
OR />TS UP AG4
  8,& E S (T51 "? ALL ^! WRIT+ YE>S1 ,I
H LIFT$ MY H1D F MY PAGE--AT ! 5D (A
*APT]1 OR 9 ! QUIET PAUSE = ?"\ AF A D1?
SC5E1 OR "S"TS J SE>*+ =! "R ^W--& H SE5
A FACE AT ! BACK (! CR[D4 ,A FAMILI>
FACE4 ,PALE SK91 R$ HAIR1 A /1DY GRE5-
EY$ GAZE4 ,I "K EXACTLY :O %E IS1 YET AM
ALW SURPRIS$ 6SEE H]4 ,E "T %E MANAGES
6CAT* ME (F MY GU>D4 ,(T5 %E HAS OP5$ H]
M\? 6SP1K 6ME1 B = DECADES %E 0 TOO F>
AWAY 6BE HE>D1 & 2SS1 Z SOON Z ,I 2CAME
AW>E ( H] PRES;E ,I WD AV]T MY GAZE &
PRET5D ,I _HN'T SE5 H]4 ,%E 0 N1 ,I ?9K1
TAK5 IN4
  8,P WOND] :AT MAKES ME S PROLIFIC4
,WELL1 X'S 2C ( H]4 ,IF ,I H />T$ A NEW
BOOK FIVE M9UTES AF F9I%+ ! LA/1 X IS 2C
6LOOK UP F MY DESK WD M1N MEET+ H] EYE4
  8,! YE>S H PASS$2 ! NUMB] ( MY    #AIJ
BOOKS ON ! BOOK%OP %ELVES HAS GR[N1 &
3SEQU5TLY ! CR[D ( P]SONAGES FLOAT+ 9 !
AIR ( MY /UDY HAS ?9N$4 ,) E BOOK T ,I H
WRITT51 ! BAB# ( VOICES HAS GR[N QUIET]1
! S5SE ( BU/LE 9 MY H1D REDUC$4 ,! FACES
PRESS+ = ATT5;N H DIM9I%$1 & ALW1 AT !
BACK (! GR\P B NE>] ) E BOOK1 "! %E WAS4
,! GRE5-EY$ GIRL4 ,WAIT+4
  8,! "D CAME :5 ,I F9I%$ ! F9AL DRAFT (
MY F9AL BOOK4 ,I WROTE ! LA/ S5T;E1
PLAC$ ! LA/ FULL /OP4 ,I KNEW :AT 0 -+4
,! P5 SLIPP$ F MY H& & ,I CLOS$ MY EYES4
,8,S10' ,I HE>D H] SAY1 OR P]H X 0 ME1
,8X'S J ! TWO ( U N[40'
  8,I >GU$ ) H] =A BIT4 ,8,X W N"E "W10'
,I TOLD H]4 ,8,X 0 TOO L;G AGO1 ,I 0 ON-
LY A *1 ,I'VE =GOTT540' ,?\< ,I 0 ONLY
GO+ "? ! MO;NS4
  8,8,B .,I HAV5'T =GOTT510' %E SAYS4
,8,REMEMB] :5 '''0'
  8,EV5 ,I "K ! 9EVITA# :5 ,I SEE X4 ,I
.D REMEMB]40

  ,! FA9T VIBR,N 9 ! AIR FELL /4 ,I
TURN$ F MY />GAZ+ 6,MISS ,W9T]4     #AIA
,H] GRE5 EYES 7 />+ AT A SPOT 9 ! ROOM Z
?\< !Y 7 AT T V MO;T SEE+ ! GRE5-EY$ * )
! COPP] HAIR4
  8,! GIRL IS Y40
  8,ME80 ,MISS ,W9T]'S EYES TURN$ SL[LY
AWAY F ! <O/ * & 9 MY DIREC;N4 8,NO1 %E
IS N ME4 ,%E IS--0 ,%E HESITAT$4 8,%E IS
"S"O ,I US$ 6BE4 ,T * C1S$ EXI/+ A L;G1
L;G "T AGO4 ,H] LIFE CAME 6AN 5D ! NI<T
(! FIRE Z SURELY Z ?\< %E _H P]I%$ 9 !
FLAMES4 ,! P]SON Y SEE 2F Y N[ IS NO?+40
  8,B YR C>E] ''' ! /ORIES '''0
  8,:5 "O IS NO?+1 "O 9V5TS4 ,X FILLS A
VOID40
  ,!N WE SAT 9 SIL;E & WAT*$ ! FIRE4 ,F
"T 6"T ,MISS ,W9T] RU2$ ABS5TLY AT H]
PALM4
  8,YR ESSAY ON ,JULES & ,$MOND ,L&I]10
%E 2GAN AF A "T4
  ,I TURN$ RELUCTANTLY 6H]4
  8,:AT MADE Y *OOSE !M Z A SUBJECT8 ,Y
M/ H _H "S "PICUL> 9T]E/8 ,"S P]SONAL
ATTRAC;N80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,NO?+ SPECIAL1 NO40
  ,& !N "! 0 J ! /ILL;S (! />S &!   #AIB
CRACKL+ (! FIRE4
  ,X M/ H BE5 AN H\R OR S LAT]1 :5 !
FLAMES 7 L[]1 T %E SPOKE A ?IRD "T4
  8,M>G>ET40 ,I 2LIEVE X 0 ! F/ "T %E _H
CALL$ ME 0MY F/ "N4 8,:5 Y L1VE "H TM
'''0
  8,YES80
  8,Y W -E BACK1 WON'T Y80
  ,X 0 H>D 6JUDGE H] EXPRES.N 9 ! FLICK-
]+1 DY+ LI<T (! FIRE1 & X 0 H>D 6TELL H[
F> ! TREMBL+ 9 H] VOICE 0 ! E6ECT ( FA-
TIGUE OR ILL;S1 B X SEEM$ 6ME1 9 ! MO;T
2F ,I ANSW]$--8,YES4 ,( C\RSE ,I W -E
BACK0--T ,MISS ,W9T] 0 AFRAID4

  ,! NEXT MORN+ ,MAURICE DROVE ME 6! /,N
& ,I TOOK ! TRA9 S\?4







             ,,! ,,ALMANACS         #AIC

  ,": ELSE 62G9 MY RESE>* B AT HOME1 9 !
%OP8
  ,I 0 FASC9AT$ 0! OLD ALMANACS4 ,S9CE
,I 0 A *1 ANY MO;T ( BOREDOM OR ANXIETY
OR FE> WD S5D ME 6^! %ELVES 6FLICK "? !
PAGES ( "NS & DATES & ANNOT,NS4 ,2T ^!
COV]S1 PA/ LIVES 7 SUMM>IZ$ 9 A FEW BRU-
T,Y NEUTRAL L9ES4 ,X 0 A _W ": M5 7 B>-
ONETS & BI%OPS & M9I/]S ( P>LIA;T1 &
WOM5 7 WIVES & DAU<T]S4 ,"! 0 NO?+ 6TELL
Y :E!R ^! M5 LIK$ KIDNEYS = BR1KFA/1
NO?+ 6TELL Y :OM !Y LOV$ OR :AT =M _!
FE> GAVE 6! %APES 9 ! D>K AF !Y BLEW !
C&LE \ AT NI<T4 ,"! 0 NO?+ P]SONAL AT
ALL4 ,:AT 0 X1 !N1 T MOV$ ME S 9 ^!
SP>SE ANNOT,NS (! LIVES ( D1D M58 ,ONLY
T !Y .7 M51 T !Y ._H LIV$1 T N[ !Y 7
D1D4
  ,R1D+ !M1 ,I FELT A /IRR+ 9 ME4 ,9 ME1
B N .( ME4 ,R1D+ ! LI/S1 ! "P ( ME T 0
ALR ON ! O!R SIDE WOKE & C>ESS$ ME4
  ,I N"E EXPLA9$ 6ANY"O :Y ! ALMANACS
M1NT S M* 6ME2 ,I N"E EV5 SD ,I LIK$ !M4
,B MY "F TOOK NOTE ( MY PREF];E1    #AID
& :5"E VOLUMES (! SORT CAME UP AT AUC;N1
HE MADE SURE 6GET !M4 ,& S X 0 T ALL !
ILLU/RI\S D1D (! C.TRY1 GO+ BACK _M G5]-
,NS1 7 SP5D+ _! AFLIFE TRANQUILLY ON !
%ELVES ( \R SECOND FLOOR4 ,) ME = -PANY4
  ,X 0 ON ! SECOND FLOOR1 CR\*$ 9 ! W9D[
S1T1 T ,I TURN$ ! PAGES ( "NS4 ,I _H F.D
,MISS ,W9T]'S GR&"F ,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD4
,HE 0 N A B>ONET1 NOR A M9I/]1 NOR A
BI%OP1 B /1 "H HE WAS4 ,! FAMILY _H >IS-
TOCRATIC ORIG9S--"! _H ONCE BE5 A TITLE1
B A FEW G5],NS E>LI] "! _H BE5 A SPLIT 9
! FAMILY3 ! TITLE _H G"O "O WAY1 ! M"OY
&! PROP]TY ANO!R4 ,HE 0 ON ! PROP]TY
SIDE4 ,! ALMANACS T5D$ 6FOLL[ ! TITLES1
B /1 ! 3NEC;N 0 CLOSE 5 6M]IT AN 5TRY1 S
"H HE WAS3 ,ANGELFIELD1 ,GEORGE2 8 DATE
( BIR?2 RESID+ AT ,ANGELFIELD ,H\SE 9
,OX=D%IRE2 M>RI$ 6,MA?ILDE ,MONNI] (
,REIMS1 ,FR.E2 "O SON1 ,*>LES4 ,TRAC+ HM
"? ! ALMANACS = LAT] YE>S1 ,I F.D AN
AM5D;T A DECADE LAT]3 "O SON1 ,*>LES2 "O
DAU<T]1 ,ISABELLE4 ,AF A LL M PAGE-
TURN+1 ,I F.D 3FIRM,N ( ,GEORGE
,ANGELFIELD'S D1? &1 0LOOK+ H] UP   #AIE
"U ,M>*1 ,ROL&1 ,ISABELLE'S M>RIAGE4
  ,=A MO;T X AMUS$ ME 6?9K T ,I _H G"O
ALL ! WAY 6,YORK%IRE 6HE> ,MISS ,W9T]'S
/ORY1 :5 ALL ! "T X 0 "H1 9 ! ALMANACS1
A FEW FEET "U MY B$4 ,B !N ,I />T$ ?9K+
PROP]LY4 ,:AT DID X PROVE1 ? PAP] TRAIL8
,ONLY T S* P Z ,GEORGE & ,MA?ILDE & _!
*N1 ,*>LES & ,ISABELLE1 EXI/$4 ,"! 0
NO?+ 6SAY T ,MISS ,W9T] _H N F.D !M !
SAME WAY ,I _H1 0FLICK+ "? A BOOK4 ,^!
ALMANACS CD 2 F.D 9 LIBR>IES ALL OV] !
PLACE4 ,ANY"O :O WANT$ CD LOOK "? !M4
,MI<T %E N H F.D A SET ( "NS & DATES &
EMBROID]$ A /ORY >.D !M 65T]TA9 H]F8
  ,AL;GSIDE ^! MISGIV+S ,I _H ANO!R
PRO#M4 ,ROL& ,M>* _H DI$1 &) 8 D1? ! PA-
P] TRAIL = ,ISABELLE CAME 6AN 5D4 ,! _W
(! ALMANAC 0 A QUE] "O4 ,9 ! R1L _W1
FAMILIES BRAN*$ L TREES1 BLOOD MIX$ 0M>-
RIAGE PASS$ F "O G5],N 6! NEXT1 MAK+ AN
"E-WID] NET ( 3NEC;NS4 ,TITLES1 ON ! O!R
H&1 PASS$ F "O MAN 6"O MAN1 & X 0 ? N>-
R[1 L9E> PROGRES.N T ! ALMANAC LIK$ TO
HI<LI<T4 ,ON EA* SIDE (! TITLE L9E 7 A
FEW "Y] BRO!RS1 NEPHEWS1 C\S9S1     #AIF
:O CAME CLOSE 5 6FALL )9 ! SPAN (! ALMA-
NAC'S ILLUM9,N4 ,! M5 :O MI<T H BE5 "L
OR B>ONET4 ,&1 ?\< X 0 N SD1 ! M5 :O /
MI<T1 IF ! "R /R+ ( TRAG$IES 7 6O3UR4 ,B
AF A C]TA9 NUMB] ( BRAN*+S 9 ! FAMILY
TREE1 ! "NS FELL \ (! M>G9S & 96! E!R4
,NO -B9,N ( %IPWRECK1 PLAGUE & E>?QUAKE
WD 2 P[];L 5 6RE/ORE ^! ?IRD C\S9S TO
PROM9;E4 ,! ALMANAC _H XS LIMITS4 ,S X 0
) ,ISABELLE4 ,%E 0 A WOMAN2 H] BABIES 7
GIRLS2 H] HUSB& 7N A "L7 0 D1D2 H] "F 7N
A "L7 0 D1D4 ,! ALMANAC CUT H] & H] BA-
BIES ADRIFT2 %E & !Y FELL 96! VA/ OC1N (
ORD9>Y P1 ^: BIR?S & D1?S & M>RIAGES >E1
L _! LOVES & FE>S & BR1KFA/ PREF];ES1
TOO 9SIGNIFICANT 6BE WOR? RECORD+ = POS-
T];Y4
  ,*>LIE1 ?\<1 0 A MALE4 ,! ALMANAC CD
/RET* XF--J--69CLUDE HM1 ?\< ! DIM;S (
9SIGNIFIC.E 0 ALR CA/+ XS %AD[4 ,9=M,N 0
SCANT4 ,8 "N 0 ,*>LES ,ANGELFIELD4 ,HE
_H BE5 BORN4 ,HE LIV$ AT ,ANGELFIELD4
,HE 0 N M>RI$4 ,HE 0 N D1D4 ,Z F> Z !
ALMANAC 0 3C]N$1 ? 9=M,N 0 SU6ICI5T4
  ,I TOOK \ "O VOLUME AF ANO!R1     #AIG
F.D AG & AG ! SAME SKET*Y HALF-LIFE4 ,)
E NEW TOME ,I ?"\1 ,? W 2 ! YE> !Y L1VE
HM \4 ,B EA* YE>1 "! HE WAS1 / ,*>LES
,ANGELFIELD1 / ( ,ANGELFIELD1 / UNM>RI$4
,I ?"\ AG AB :AT ,MISS ,W9T] _H TOLD ME
AB ,*>LIE & 8 SI/]1 & BIT MY LIP ?9K+ AB
:AT 8 L;G BA*ELORHOOD SIGNIFI$4
  ,& !N1 :5 HE WD H BE5 9 8 LATE =TIES1
,I F.D A SURPRISE4 ,8 "N1 8 DATE ( BIR?1
8 PLACE ( RESID;E &A /RANGE A2REVI,N--
.LDD--T ,I _H N"E NOTIC$ 2F4
  ,I TURN$ 6! TA# ( A2REVI,NS4
  ..,LDD3 LEGAL DECREE ( .DEC1SE4
  ,TURN+ BACK 6,*>LIE'S 5TRY1 ,I />$ AT
X =A L;G "T1 FR[N+1 Z ?\< IF ,I LOOK$
H>D 5\<1 "! WD 2 REV1L$ 9 ! GRA9 OR !
WAT]M>K (! PAP] XF ! ELUCID,N (! MY/]Y4
  ,9 ? YE> HE _H BE5 LEG,Y DECRE$ 6BE
D1D4 ,Z F> Z ,I "U/OOD1 A LEGAL DECREE (
DEC1SE 0 :AT HAPP5$ :5 A P]SON 4APPE>$ &
AF A C]TA9 "T 8 FAMILY1 = R1SONS ( 9H]I-
T.E1 0 ALL[$ 6ASSUME T HE 0 D1D1 ?\< "!
0 NO PRO( & NO BODY4 ,I _H A FEEL+ T A
P]SON _H 6BE LO/ )\T TRACE = SEV5 YE>S
2F HE CD 2 DECRE$ D1D4 ,HE MI<T H   #AIH
DI$ AT ANY "T 9 T P]IOD4 ,HE MI<T N EV5
2 D1D AT ALL1 B ONLY G"O1 LO/ OR W&]+1
F> F "EY"O :O _H "E "KN HM4 ,D1D 9 LAW1
B T DIDN'T NECESS>ILY M1N D1D 9 P]SON4
,:AT K9D ( LIFE 0 X1 ,I WOND]$1 T CD 5D
9 ? VAGUE1 UNSATISFACTORY WAY8 .,LDD4
  ,I CLOS$ ! ALMANAC1 PUT X BACK 9 XS
POSI;N ON ! %ELF & W5T D[N 6! %OP 6MAKE
COCOA4
  8,:AT D Y "K AB ! LEGAL PROC$URES Y H
6TAKE 6H "S"O DCLD D1D80 ,I CALL$ 6MY "F
:ILE ,I /OOD OV] ! PAN ( MILK ON ! /OVE4
  8,NO M ?AN Y D1 ,I %D ?9K10 CAME ! AN-
SW]4
  ,!N HE APPE>$ 9 ! DOORWAY & H&$ ME "O
( \R DOG-E>$ CU/OM] C>DS4 8,? IS ! MAN
6ASK4 ,RETIR$ PROFESSOR ( LAW4 ,LIVES 9
,WALES N[1 B HE -ES "H E SUMM] =A BR[SE
&A WALK 0! RIV]4 ,NICE FELL[4 ,:Y DON'T
Y WRITE8 ,Y MI<T ASK :E!R HE WANTS ME TO
HOLD T .,JU/ITIAE .,NATURALIS .,PR9CIPIA
= HM AT ! SAME "T40
  ,:5 ,I'D F9I%$ MY COCOA1 ,I W5T BACK
6! ALMANAC 6F9D \ :AT ELSE ,I CD AB
,ROL& ,M>* & 8 FAMILY4 ,8 UNCLE     #AII
_H DAB#D 9 >T & :5 ,I W5T 6! >T HI/ORY
SEC;N 6FOLL[ ? UP1 ,I LE>N$ T 8 POR-
TRAITS1 :ILE N[ AC"KL$G$ 6BE M$IOCRE1 _H
BE5 =A %ORT P]IOD ! HEI<T ( FA%ION4
,MORTIM]'S .,5GLI% .,PROV9CIAL .,POR-
TRAITURE 3TA9$ ! REPRODUC;N ( AN E>LY
PORTRAIT 0,LEWIS ,AN?ONY ,M>*1 5TITL$
..,ROL&1 NEPHEW (! .>TI/4 ,X IS AN ODD
?+ 6LOOK 96! FACE (A BOY :O IS N Q YET A
MAN1 9 SE>* (! F1TURES ( AN OLD WOMAN1 8
DAU<T]4 ,= "S M9UTES ,I /UDI$ 8 FLE%Y1
S5SUAL F1TURES1 8 GLOSSY BLOND HAIR1 !
LAZY SET ( 8 H1D4
  ,!N ,I CLOS$ ! BOOK4 ,I 0 WA/+ MY "T4
,7 ,I 6LOOK ALL "D & ALL NI<T1 ,I KNEW
,I WD N F9D A TRACE (! TW9S HE 0 SUPPOS$
6H "F$4







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