,,! ,,?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
      ,LAURA ,FRASCA1 ,LAURA ,COX1
             & ,]IC ,SORLI5
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #C
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #BJA-BIH
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
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       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
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                                     ;IV
























          ,,9 ,,! ,,>*IVES ,,(      #BJA
        ,,! .,,BANBURY .,,H]ALD

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6! (FICES (! .,BANBURY .,H]ALD4
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! G5]AL DE/RUC;N4 ,X LOOK$ L "S": Y CD
LIVE4                               #BAF
  ,I TOOK A FEW QK PICTURES & !N1 TE/+
EA* NEW BO>D 2N MY FEET 2F %IFT+ MY
WEI<T1 MOV$ W>ILY 96! CORRIDOR4
  ,! H&LE (! F/ DOOR OP5$ ONTO A %E]
DROP1 BRAN*ES & BLUE SKY4 ,NO WALLS1 NO
CEIL+1 NO FLOOR1 J FRE% \TDOORS AIR4
  ,I PULL$ ! DOOR CLOS$ AG & $G$ AL;G !
CORRIDOR1 DET]M9$ N 6BE UNN]V$ 0! DANG]S
(! PLACE4 ,WAT*+ MY FEET ALL ! "T1 ,I
CAME 6! SECOND DOOR4
  ,I TURN$ ! H&LE & LET ! DOOR SW+ OP54
  ,"! 0 MOVE;T6
  .,MY .SI/]6
  ,ALM ,I TOOK A /EP T[>D H]4
  ,ALM4
  ,!N ,I R1LIZ$4 ,A MIRROR4 ,%AD[Y )
DIRT & T>NI%$ ) D>K SPOTS T LOOK$ L 9K4
  ,I LOOK$ D[N 6! FLOOR ,I _H BE5 AB TO
/EP ONTO4 ,"! 7 NO BO>DS1 ONLY A DROP (
TW5TY FEET ONTO H>D /"O FLAGS4
  ,I KNEW N[ :AT ,I _H SE51 YET / MY
HE>T 3T9U$ XS FR5ZY4 ,I RAIS$ MY EYES
AG1 & "! %E WAS4 ,A :ITE-FAC$ WAIF ) D>K
EYES1 A HAZY1 UNC]TA9 FIGURE TREMBL+
9SIDE ! OLD FRAME4                  #BAG
  ,%E _H SE5 ME4 ,%E /OOD1 H& RAIS$ T[>D
ME L;G+LY1 Z ?\< ALL ,I _H 6D 0 /EP =W>D
6TAKE X4 ,& WD X N 2 ! SIMPLE/ SOLU;N1
ALL TOLD1 6D T & AT LA/ REJO9 H]8
  ,H[ L;G DID ,I /& "!1 WAT*+ H] WAIT =
ME8
  8,NO10 ,I :ISP]$1 B / H] >M BECKON$
ME4 8,I'M SORRY40 ,H] >M SL[LY FELL4
  ,!N %E RAIS$ A CAM]A & TOOK A PHOTO-
GRAPH ( ME4
  ,I 0 SORRY = H]4 ,PICTURES "? GLASS
N"E -E \4 ,I "K4 ,I'VE TRI$4
  ,I /OOD ) MY H& ON ! H&LE (! ?IRD
DOOR4 ,! RULE ( ?REE1 ,MISS ,W9T] _H SD4
,B ,I WASN'T 9 ! MOOD = H] /ORY ANYMORE4
,H] DANG]\S H\SE ) XS 9DOOR RA9 & TRICK
MIRROR _H LO/ XS 9T]E/ = ME4
  ,I WD G4 ,6TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS (! *UR*8
,N EV5 T4 ,I WD G 6! VILLAGE /ORE4 ,I WD
TELEPH"O A TAXI4 ,G 6! /,N & F "! HOME4
  ,ALL ? ,I WD D1 9 A M9UTE4 ,=! "T 2+1
,I WANT$ 6/AY L ?1 H1D L1N+ AG/ ! DOOR1
F+]S ON ! H&LE1 9DI6]5T 6:AT"E 0 2Y1 &
WAIT+ =! TE>S 6PASS & MY HE>T 6CALM XF4
  ,I WAIT$4                         #BAH
  ,!N1 2N MY F+]S1 ! H&LE 6! ?IRD ROOM
2GAN 6TURN ..( XS [N .A3ORD4






















           ,,! ,,FRLY ,,GIANT       #BAI

  ,I RAN4
  ,I JUMP$ OV] ! HOLES 9 ! FLOORBO>DS1
L1P$ D[N ! /AIRS ?REE AT A "T1 LO/ MY
FOOT+ & LUNG$ AT ! H&RAIL = SUPPORT4 ,I
GRASP$ AT A H&;L ( IVY1 /UM#D1 SAV$ MYF
& LUR*$ =W>D AG4 ,! LIBR>Y8 ,NO4 ,! O!R
WAY4 ,"? AN >*WAY4 ,BRAN*ES ( ELD] &
BU4LEIA CAU<T AT MY CLO!S1 & ,I HALF
FELL S"EAL "TS Z MY FEET SCRAB#D "? !
DETRITUS (! BROK5 H\SE4
  ,AT LA/1 9EVITABLY1 ,I CRA%$ 6! GR.D1
&A WILD CRY ESCAP$ MY LIPS4
  8,OH DE>1 OH DE>4 ,DID ,I />TLE Y8 ,OH
DE>40
  ,I />$ BACK "? ! >*WAY4
  ,L1N+ OV] ! GALL]Y L&+ 0 N ! SKELETON
OR MON/] ( MY IMAG9+S1 B A GIANT4 ,HE
MOV$ SMOO?LY D[N ! /AIRS1 /EPP$ DA9TILY
& UNCONC]N$LY "? ! DEBRIS ON ! FLOOR &
CAME 6/& OV] ME ) AN EXPRES.N (! UTMO/
3C]N ON 8 FACE4
  8,OH MY GD;S40
  ,HE M/ H BE5 SIX-FOOT-F\R OR -FIVE1 &
BROAD1 S BROAD T ! H\SE SEEM$ TO    #BBJ
%R9K >.D HM4
  8,I N"E M1NT ''' ,Y SEE1 ,I ONLY ?"\
''' ,2C Y'D BE5 "! "S "T1 & ''' ,B T
DOESN'T MATT] N[1 2C ! ?+ IS1 MY DE>1 >E
Y HURT80
  ,I FELT REDUC$ 6! SIZE (A *4 ,B = ALL
8 GRT DIM5.NS1 ? MAN1 TOO1 _H "S?+ (A *
AB HM4 ,TOO PLUMP = WR9KLES1 HE _H A
R.D1 *]UBIC FACE1 &A HALO ( SILV]-BLOND
CURLS SAT N1TLY >.D 8 BALD+ H1D4 ,8 EYES
7 R.D L ! FRAMES ( 8 SPECTACLES4 ,!Y 7
K9D & _H A BLUE TRANSP>5CY4
  ,I M/ H BE5 LOOK+ DAZ$1 & PALE1 TOO1
P]H4 ,HE KNELT 0MY SIDE & TOOK MY WRI/4
  8,MY1 MY1 T 0 Q A TUM# Y TOOK4 ,IF ON-
LY ,I'D ''' ,I %D N"E H ''' ,PULSE A BIT
HI<4 ,HMM40
  ,MY %9 0 /++4 ,I R1*$ 69VE/IGATE A TE>
9 ! KNEE ( MY TR\S]S1 & MY F+]S CAME
AWAY BLOODI$4
  8,DE>1 OH DE>4 ,X'S ! LEG1 IS X8 ,IS X
BROK58 ,C Y MOVE X80 ,I WRI7L$ MY FOOT1
&! MAN'S FACE 0 A PICTURE ( RELIEF4
  8,?ANK GD;S4 ,I %D N"E H =GIV5 MYF4
,N[1 Y /AY "! :ILE ,I ''' ,I'LL J   #BBA
GET ! ''' ,BACK 9 A M9UTE40 ,& (F HE
W5T4 ,8 FEET D.ED DELICATELY 9 & \ (!
JA7$ $GES ( WOOD1 !N SKIPP$ SWIFTLY UP !
/AIRS1 :ILE ! UPP] HALF ( 8 BODY SAIL$
S]5ELY ABV1 Z IF UNCONNECT$ 6! ELABORATE
FOOT"W GO+ ON 2L4
  ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1? & WAIT$4
  8,I'VE PUT ! KETTLE ON10 HE ANN\NC$ Z
HE RETURN$4 ,X 0 A PROP] F/-AID KIT HE
_H ) HM1 :ITE )A R$ CROSS ON X1 & HE
TOOK \ AN ANTISEPTIC LO;N & "S GAUZE4
  8,I ALW SD1 "S"O W GET HURT 9 T OLD
PLACE "O ( ^! "DS4 ,I'VE _H ! KIT =
YE>S4 ,BETT] SAFE ?AN SORRY1 EH8 ,OH
DE>1 OH DE>60 ,HE W9C$ ) EMPA?Y Z HE
PRESS$ ! /++ PAD AG/ MY CUT %94 8,LET'S
2 BRAVE1 % WE80
  8,D Y H ELECTRIC;Y "H80 ,I ASK$4 ,I 0
FEEL+ 2WILD]$4
  8,ELECTRIC;Y8 ,B X'S A RU940 ,HE />$
AT ME1 A/ONI%$ 0MY "Q1 Z ?\< ,I MI<T H
SU6]$ A 3CUS.N 9 ! FALL & LO/ MY R1SON4
  8,X'S J T ,I ?"\ Y SD Y'D PUT ! KETTLE
ON40
  8,OH1 ,I SEE6 ,NO6 ,I H A CAMP+   #BBB
/OVE4 ,I US$ 6H A ,!RMOS FLASK1 B0--HE
TURN$ 8 NOSE UP--8TEA F A ,!RMOS IS N V
NICE1 IS X8 ,N[1 DOES X /+ V BADLY80
  8,ONLY A BIT40
  8,GD GIRL4 ,Q A TUM# T WAS4 ,N[ TEA--
LEMON & SUG> ALL "R8 ,NO MILK1 ,I'M
AFRAID4 ,NO FRIDGE40
  8,LEMON W 2 LOVELY40
  8,"R4 ,WELL1 LET'S MAKE Y -=TA#4 ,!
RA9 HAS /OPP$1 S TEA \TDOORS80 ,HE W5T
6! GR& OLD D\# DOOR AT ! FRONT (! H\SE &
UNLAT*$ X4 ,)A CR1K SMALL] ?AN "O EX-
PECT$1 ! DOORS SWUNG OP51 & ,I 2GAN 6GET
6MY FEET4
  8,DON'T MOVE60
  ,! GIANT D.ED BACK T[>D ME1 B5T D[N &
PICK$ ME UP4 ,I FELT MYF 2+ RAIS$ 96!
AIR & C>RI$ SMOO?LY \TSIDE4 ,HE SAT ME
SIDEWAYS ON ! BACK ( "O (! BLACK CATS ,I
_H ADMIR$ AN H\R E>LI]4
  8,Y WAIT "!1 & :5 ,I -E BACK1 Y & ,I W
H A LOVELY TEA60 & HE W5T BACK 96! H\SE4
,8 HUGE BACK GLID$ UP ! /AIRS & 4APPE>$
96! 5TR.E (! CORRIDOR &! ?IRD ROOM4
                                    #BBC
  8,-FY80
  ,I NO4$4
  8,M>VEL\S40 ,HE SMIL$ Z ?\< X 7 9DE$
M>VEL\S4 8,N[1 LET U 9TRODUCE \RVS4 ,MY
"N IS ,LOVE4 ,AURELIUS ,ALPHONSE ,LOVE4
,D CALL ME ,AURELIUS40 ,HE LOOK$ AT ME
EXPECTANTLY4
  8,M>G>ET ,LEA40
  8,M>G>ET40 ,HE B1M$4 8,SPL5DID4 ,Q
SPL5DID4 ,N[1 EAT40
  ,2T ! E>S (! BIG BLACK CAT HE _H UN-
FOLD$ A NAPK91 CORN] 0CORN]4 ,9SIDE 0 A
D>K & /ICKY SLICE ( CAKE1 CUT G5]\SLY4
,I BIT 96X4 ,X 0 ! P]FECT CAKE =A COLD
"D3 SPIC$ ) G+]1 SWEET B HOT4 ,! /RANG]
/RA9$ ! TEA 96DA9TY *9A CUPS4 ,HE (F]$
ME A B[L ( SUG> LUMPS1 !N TOOK A BLUE
VELVET P\* F 8 BR1/ POCKET1 : HE OP5$4
,RE/+ ON ! VELVET 0 A SILV] SPOON ) AN
EL;GAT$ .,A 9 ! =M (A /YLIZ$ ANGEL ORNA-
;T+ ! H&LE4 ,I TOOK X1 /IRR$ MY TEA &
PASS$ X BACK 6HM4
  ,:ILE ,I ATE & DRANK1 MY HO/ SAT ON !
SECOND CAT1 : TOOK ON AN UNEXPECT$
KITT5I% APPE>.E 2N 8 GRT GIR?4      #BBD
,HE ATE 9 SIL;E1 N1TLY &) 3C5TR,N4 ,HE
WAT*$ ME EAT1 TOO1 ANXI\S T ,I %D APPRE-
CIATE ! FOOD4
  8,T 0 LOVELY10 ,I SD4 8,HOMEMADE1 ,I
?9K80
  ,! GAP 2T ! TWO CATS 0 AB T5 FEET1 &
63V]SE WE _H 6RAISE \R VOICES SLI<TLY1
GIV+ ! 3V]S,N A "S:AT !ATRICAL AIR1 Z
?\< X 7 "S P]=M.E4 ,& 9DE$ WE _H AN AU-
DI;E4 ,9 ! RA9-WA%$ LI<T1 CLOSE 6! $GE (
! WOODS1 A DE]1 /OCK-/1 REG>D$ U CURI\S-
LY4 ,UNBL9K+1 AL]T1 NO/RILS TWIT*+4
,SEE+ ,I _H SPOTT$ X1 X MADE NO ATTEMPT
6RUN B DECID$1 ON ! 3TR>Y1 N 6BE AFRAID4
  ,MY -PANION WIP$ 8 F+]S ON 8 NAPK91 !N
%OOK X \ & FOLD$ X 96F\R4 8,Y LIK$ X !N8
,! RECIPE 0 GIV5 6ME 0,MRS4 ,LOVE4 ,I'VE
BE5 MAK+ ? CAKE S9CE ,I 0 A *4 ,MRS4
,LOVE 0 A WOND];L COOK4 ,A M>VEL\S WOMAN
ALL R.D4 ,( C\RSE1 %E IS DE"P$ N[4 ,A GD
AGE4 ,?\< "O MI<T H HOP$--,B X 0 N 6BE40
  8,I SEE40 ,?\< ,I WASN'T SURE ,I DID
SEE4 ,0 ,MRS4 ,LOVE 8 WIFE8 ,?\< HE'D SD
HE'D BE5 MAK+ H] CAKE S9CE HE 0 A *4
,SURELY HE CDN'T M1N 8 "M8 ,:Y WD   #BBE
HE CALL 8 "M ,MRS4 ,LOVE8 ,TWO ?+S 7
CLE>1 ?\<3 ,HE _H LOV$ H] & %E 0 D1D4
8,I'M SORRY10 ,I SD4
  ,HE A3EPT$ MY 3DOL;ES )A SAD EXPRES.N1
!N B"R5$4 8,B X'S A FITT+ MEMORIAL1
DON'T Y ?9K8 ,! CAKE1 ,I M1N80
  8,C]TA9LY4 ,0 X L;G AGO8 ,T Y LO/ H]80
  ,HE ?"\4 8,NE>LY TW5TY YE>S4 ,?\< X
SEEMS M4 ,OR LESS4 ,DEP5D+ ON H[ "O
LOOKS AT X40
  ,I NO4$4 ,I 0 N"O ! WIS]4
  ,=A FEW MO;TS WE SAT 9 SIL;E4 ,I LOOK$
\ 6! DE] P>K4 ,AT ! CUSP (! WOOD1 M DE]
7 EM]G+4 ,!Y MOV$ )! SUNLI<T ACR !
GRASSY P>K4
  ,! /++ 9 MY LEG _H DIM9I%$4 ,I 0 FEEL+
BETT]4
  8,TELL ME '''0 ! /RANG] 2GAN1 & ,I
SUSPECT$ HE _H NE$$ 6PLUCK UP ! C\RAGE
6ASK 8 "Q4 8,D Y H A "M80
  ,I FELT A />T ( SURPRISE4 ,P H>DLY "E
NOTICE ME = L;G 5 6ASK ME P]SONAL "QS4
  8,D Y M9D8 ,=GIVE ME = ASK+1 B--,H[ C
,I PUT X8 ,FAMILIES >E A MATT] ( ''' (
''' ,B IF Y'D R N--,I AM SORRY40    #BBF
  8,X'S ALL "R10 ,I SD SL[LY4 8,I DON'T
M9D40 ,& ACTU,Y ,I DIDN'T4 ,P]H X 0 !
S]IES ( %OCKS ,I'D _H1 OR ELSE ! 9FLU;E
( ? QUE] SETT+1 B X SEEM$ T ANY?+ ,I
MI<T SAY AB MYF "H1 6? MAN1 WD REMA9 ="E
9 ? PLACE1 ) HM1 & H NO CURR5CY ANY":
ELSE 9 ! _W4 ,:AT"E ,I SD 6HM WD H NO
3SEQU;ES4 ,S ,I ANSW]$ 8 "Q4 8,YES1 ,I D
H A "M40
  8,A "M6 ,H[--,OH1 H[--0 ,A CURI\SLY
9T5SE EXPRES.N CAME 96HIS EYES1 A SAD;S
OR A L;G+4 8,:AT CD 2 PL1SANT] ?AN 6H A
"M60 HE F9,Y EXCLAIM$4 ,X 0 CLE>LY AN
9VIT,N 6SAY M4
  8,Y DON'T H A "M1 !N80 ,I ASK$4
  ,AURELIUS'S FACE TWI/$ MO;T>ILY4
8,SADLY--,I H ALW WANT$--,OR A "F1 -E TO
T4 ,EV5 BRO!RS OR SI/]S4 ,ANY"O :O ACTU-
,Y 2L;G$ 6ME4 ,Z A * ,I US$ 6PRET5D4 ,I
MADE UP AN 5TIRE FAMILY4 ,G5],NS ( X6
,Y'D H LAU<$60 ,"! 0 NO?+ 6LAU< AT 9 8
FACE Z HE SPOKE4 8,B Z 6AN ACTUAL "M '''
A FACTUAL1 "KN "M ''' ,( C\RSE1 "EYBODY
HAS A "M1 DON'T !Y8 ,I "K T4 ,X'S A "Q (
"K+ :O T "M IS4 ,& ,I H ALW HOP$    #BBG
T "O "D--,= X'S N \ (! "Q1 IS X8 ,& S ,I
H N"E GIV5 UP HOPE40
  8,AH40
  8,X'S A V SORRY ?+40 ,HE GAVE A %RUG T
HE WANT$ 6BE CASUAL1 B WASN'T4 8,I %D H
LIK$ 6H A "M40
  8,MR4 ,LOVE--0
  8,AURELIUS1 PL1SE40
  8,AURELIUS4 ,Y "K1 ) "MS1 ?+S >5'T ALW
Z PL1SANT Z Y MI<T SUPPOSE40
  8,AH80 ,X SEEM$ 6H ! =CE (A GRT REVE-
L,N 6HM4 ,HE PE]$ CLOSELY AT ME4
8,SQUAB#S80
  8,N EXACTLY40
  ,HE FR[N$4 8,MIS"U/&+S80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4
  8,WORSE80 ,HE 0 /UPEFI$4 ,HE S"\ :AT !
PRO#M MI<T 2 9 ! SKY1 9 ! WOODS & F9,Y1
9 MY EYES4
  8,SECRETS10 ,I TOLD HM4
  8,SECRETS60 ,8 EYES WID5$ 6P]FECT CIR-
CLES4 ,BA6L$1 HE %OOK 8 H1D1 MAK+ AN IM-
POSSI# ATTEMPT 6FA?OM MY M1N+4 8,=GIVE
ME10 HE SD AT LA/4 8,I DON'T "K H[ TO
HELP4 ,I "K S V LL AB FAMILIES4     #BBH
,MY IGNOR.E IS VA/] ?AN ! SEA4 ,I'M SOR-
RY AB ! SECRETS4 ,I'M SURE Y >E "R 6FEEL
Z Y D40
  ,-PAS.N W>M$ 8 EYES & HE H&$ ME A
N1TLY FOLD$ :ITE H&K]*IEF4
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,I SD4 8,X M/ 2 DELAY$
%OCK40
  8,I EXPECT S40
  ,:ILE ,I DRI$ MY EYES HE LOOK$ AWAY F
ME T[>D ! DE] P>K4 ,! SKY 0 D>K5+ 0SL[
DEGREES4 ,N[ ,I FOLL[$ 8 GAZE 6SEE A
%IMM] ( :ITE3 ! PALE COAT (! DE] Z X
L1P$ LI<TLY 96! COV] (! TREES4
  8,I ?"\ Y 7 A <O/10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,:5
,I FELT ! DOOR H&LE MOVE4 ,OR A SKELE-
TON40
  8,A SKELETON6 ,ME6 ,A SKELETON60 ,HE
*UCKL$1 DELI<T$1 & 8 5TIRE BODY SEEM$ TO
%AKE ) MIR?4
  8,B Y TURN$ \ 6BE A GIANT40
  8,Q S6 ,A GIANT40 ,HE WIP$ ! LAU<T] F
8 EYES & SD1 8,"! IS A <O/1 Y "K--OR S
!Y SAY40
  .,I ."K1 ,I ALM SD1 .,I .SAW .H]1 B (
C\RSE X WASN'T MY <O/ HE 0 TALK+    #BBI
AB4
  8,H Y SE5 ! <O/80
  8,NO10 HE SI<$4 8,N EV5 ! %AD[ (A
<O/40
  ,WE SAT 9 SIL;E =A MO;T1 EA* ( U 3TEM-
PLAT+ <O/S ( \R [N4
  8,X'S GETT+ *ILLY10 ,I REM>K$4
  8,LEG FEEL+ ALL "R80
  8,I ?9K S40 ,I SLID (F ! CAT'S BACK &
TRI$ MY WEI<T ON X4 8,YES4 ,X'S M* BETT]
N[40
  8,WOND];L4 ,WOND];L40
  ,\R VOICES 7 MURMURS 9 ! S(T5+ LI<T4
  8,:O EXACTLY 0 ,MRS4 ,LOVE80
  8,! LADY :O TOOK ME IN4 ,%E GAVE ME H]
"N4 ,%E GAVE ME H] RECIPE BOOK4 ,%E GAVE
ME "EY?+1 RE,Y40
  ,I NO4$4
  ,!N ,I PICK$ UP MY CAM]A4 8,I ?9K ,I
%D 2 GO+1 ACTU,Y4 ,I "\ 6TRY = "S PHOTOS
AT ! *UR* 2F ! LI<T Q 4APPE>S4 ,?ANK Y S
M* =! TEA40
  8,I M/ 2 (F 9 A FEW M9UTES MYF4 ,X HAS
BE5 S NICE 6MEET Y1 ,M>G>ET4 ,W Y -E
AG80                                #BCJ
  8,Y DON'T ACTU,Y LIVE "H1 D Y80 ,I
ASK$ D\BT;LLY4
  ,HE LAU<$4 ,X 0 A D>K1 RI* SWEET;S1 L
! CAKE4
  8,B.S ME1 NO4 ,I H A H\SE OV] "!40 ,HE
GE/UR$ T[>D ! WOODS4 8,I J -E "H 9 !
AFNS4 ,=1 WELL1 LET'S SAY = 3TEMPL,N1 %
WE80
  8,!Y'RE KNOCK+ X D[N SOON4 ,I SUPPOSE
Y "K80
  8,I "K40 ,HE /ROK$ ! CAT1 ABS5TLY1
FONDLY4 8,X'S A %AME1 ISN'T X8 ,I % MISS
! OLD PLACE4 ,ACTU,Y ,I ?"\ Y 7 "O ( _!
P :5 ,I HE>D Y4 ,A SURVEYOR OR "S?+4 ,B
Y'RE N40
  8,NO1 ,I'M N A SURVEYOR4 ,I'M WRIT+ A
BOOK AB "S"O :O US$ 6LIVE "H40
  8,! ,ANGELFIELD GIRLS80
  8,YES40
  ,AURELIUS NO4$ RUM9ATIVELY4 8,!Y 7
TW9S1 Y "K4 ,IMAG9E T40 ,=A MO;T 8 EYES
7 F> AWAY4
  8,W Y -E AG1 ,M>G>ET80 HE ASK$ Z ,I
PICK$ UP MY BAG4
  8,I'M B.D TO40                    #BCA
  ,HE R1*$ 96HIS POCKET & DREW \ A C>D4
,AURELIUS ,LOVE1 ,TRADI;NAL ,5GLI% ,CA-
T]+ = ,W$D+S1 ,*RI/5+S & ,"PIES4 ,HE
PO9T$ 6! A4RESS & TELEPH"O NUMB]4 8,D
TELEPH"O ME :5 Y -E AG4 ,Y M/ -E 6! COT-
TAGE & ,I'LL MAKE Y A PROP] TEA40
  ,2F WE "P$1 ,AURELIUS TOOK MY H& &
PATT$ X 9 AN EASY1 OLD-FA%ION$ MANN]4
,!N 8 MASSIVE FRAME GLID$ GRACE;LLY UP !
WIDE SWEEP ( /EPS & HE CLOS$ ! H1VY
DOORS 2H HM4
  ,SL[LY ,I WALK$ D[N ! DRIVE 6! *UR*1
MY M9D FULL (! /RANG] ,I _H J MET--MET &
2FRI5D$4 ,X 0 MO/ UNLIKE ME4 ,& Z ,I
PASS$ "? ! LY*-GATE1 ,I REFLECT$ T P]H
.,I 0 ! /RANG]4 ,0 X J MY IMAG9,N1 OR
S9CE MEET+ ,MISS ,W9T] 0 ,I N Q MYF8







                                    #BCB
























                ,,GRAVES            #BCC

  ,I _H LEFT X TOO LATE =! LI<T1 & PHO-
TOGRAPHS 7 \ (! "Q4 ,S ,I TOOK MY NOTE-
BOOK \ = MY WALK 9 ! *UR*Y>D4 ,ANGEL-
FIELD 0 AN OLD -MUN;Y B A SMALL "O1 & "!
7 N S V _M GRAVES4 ,I F.D ,JOHN ,DIG;E1
..,GA!R$ 6! ,G>D5 (! .,"L1 &A WOMAN1
,M>?A ,DUNNE1 ..,LOYAL ,S]VANT ( \R
.,"L1 ^: DATES CORRESPOND$ CLOSELY 5 )
:AT ,I EXPECT$ =! ,MISSUS4 ,I COPI$ !
"NS1 DATES & 9SCRIP;NS 96MY NOTEBOOK4
,"O (! GRAVES _H FRE% FL[]S ON X1 A GAY
BUN* ( ORANGE *RYSAN!MUMS1 & ,I W5T
CLOS] 6SEE :O X 0 :O 0 REMEMB]$ S W>MLY4
,X 0 ..,JOAN ,M>Y ,LOVE1 ,N"E .,=GOTT54
  ,?\< ,I LOOK$1 ,I CD N SEE ! ,ANGEL-
FIELD "N ANY":4 ,B X DID N PUZZLE ME = M
?AN A M9UTE4 ,! FAMILY (! H\SE WD N H
ORD9>Y GRAVES 9 ! *UR*Y>D4 ,_! TOMBS WD
2 GR&] A6AIRS1 M>K$ 0E6IGIES &) L;G HIS-
TORIES C>V$ 96_! M># SLABS4 ,& !Y WD 2
9SIDE1 9 ! *APEL4
  ,! *UR* 0 GLOOMY4 ,! ANCI5T W9D[S1 N>-
R[ PIECES ( GRE5I% GLASS HELD 9 A ?ICK
/"O FRAME"W ( >*ES1 LET 9 A SE-     #BCD
PUL*RAL LI<T T W1KLY ILLUM9AT$ ! PALE
/"O >*ES & COLUMNS1 ! :IT5$ VAULTS 2T !
BLACK RO( TIMB]S &! SMOO? POLI%$ WOOD (!
PEWS4 ,:5 MY EYES _H ADJU/$1 ,I PE]$ AT
! MEMORIAL /"OS & MONU;TS 9 ! T9Y *APEL4
,ANGELFIELDS D1D = C5TURIES ALL _H _!
EPITAPHS "H1 L9E AF LOQUACI\S L9E ( 5CO-
MIUM1 EXP5SIVELY C>V$ 96CO/LY M>#4 ,AN-
O!R "D ,I WD -E BACK 6DECIPH] ! 5GRAV+S
( ^! E>LI] G5],NS2 = TD X 0 ONLY A H&;L
( "NS ,I 0 LOOK+ =4
  ,)! D1? ( ,GEORGE ,ANGELFIELD1 ! FAMI-
LY'S LOQUAC;Y CAME 6AN 5D4 ,*>LIE & ,IS-
ABELLE--= PRESUMABLY X 0 !Y :O DECID$--
SEEM$ N 6H G"O 6ANY GRT L5G?S 9 SUMM+ UP
_! "F'S LIFE & D1? = G5],NS 6-E4 ..,RE-
L1S$ F E>?LY SORR[S1 HE IS ) 8 ,SAVIOR
.N[1 0 ! /"O'S LACONIC MESSAGE4 ,ISA-
BELLE'S ROLE 9 ? _W & H] DE"PURE F X 7
SUMM$ UP 9 ! MO/ 3V5;NAL T]MS3 ..,M*
LOV$ "M & SI/]1 %E IS G"O 6A BETT]
.PLACE4 ,B ,I COPI$ X 96MY NOTEBOOK ALL
! SAME & DID A QK CALCUL,N4 ,"Y] ?AN ME6
,N S TRAGIC,Y "Y Z H] HUSB&1 B /1 N AN
AGE 6DIE4                           #BCE
  ,I ALM MISS$ ,*>LIE'S4 ,HAV+ ELIM9AT$
E O!R /"O 9 ! *APEL1 ,I 0 AB 6GIVE UP1
:5 MY EYE F9,Y MADE \ A SMALL1 D>K /"O4
,S SMALL 0 X1 & S BLACK1 T X SEEM$ DE-
SIGN$ = 9VISIBIL;Y1 OR AT L1/ 9SIGNIFI-
C.E4 ,"! 0 NO GOLD L1F 6GIVE RELIEF 6!
LRS S1 UNA# 6MAKE !M \ 0EYE1 ,I RAIS$ MY
H& & FELT ! C>V+1 BRL /YLE1 ) MY F+]-
TIPS1 "O ^W AT A "T4

           ,*>LIE ,ANGELFIELD
     ,HE ,IS ,G"O ,96,! ,D>K ,NI<T4
        ,WE ,% ,N"E ,SEE ,HM ,M4

  ,"! 7 NO DATES4
  ,I FELT A SU45 *ILL4 ,:O _H SELECT$ ^!
^WS1 ,I WOND]$8 ,0 X ,VIDA ,W9T]8 ,& :AT
0 ! MOOD 2H !M8 ,X SEEM$ 6ME T "! 0 ROOM
=A C]TA9 AMBIGU;Y 9 ! EXPRES.N4 ,0 X !
SORR[ ( 2R1VE;T8 ,OR ! TRIUMPHANT F>E-
WELL (! SURVIVORS 6A BAD LOT8
  ,L1V+ ! *UR* & WALK+ SL[LY D[N ! GRAV-
EL DRIVE 6! LODGE GATES1 ,I FELT A LI<T1
ALM WEI<T.S SCRUT9Y ON MY BACK4
,AURELIUS 0 G"O1 S :AT 0 X8 ,!      #BCF
,ANGELFIELD <O/1 P]H8 ,OR ! BURN$-\ EYES
(! H\SE XF8 ,MO/ PROBABLY X 0 J A DE]1
WAT*+ ME 9VISIBLY F ! %AD[ (! WOODS4

  8,X'S A %AME10 SD MY "F 9 ! %OP T EVE-
N+1 8T Y C'T -E HOME =A FEW H\RS40
  8,I .AM HOME10 ,I PROTE/$1 FEIGN+ IG-
NOR.E4 ,B ,I KNEW X 0 MY "M HE 0 TALK+
AB4 ,! TRU? 0 T ,I CDN'T BE> H] T9NY
B"R;S1 NOR ! PRI/9E PALE;S ( H] H\SE4 ,I
LIV$ 9 %AD[S1 _H MADE FRS ) MY GRIEF1 B
9 MY "M'S H\SE ,I KNEW MY SORR[ 0 UNWEL-
-E4 ,%E MI<T H LOV$ A *E];L1 *ATTY DAU<-
T]1 ^: B"R;S WD H HELP$ BANI% H] [N
FE>S4 ,Z X WAS1 %E 0 AFRAID ( MY SIL;ES4
,I PREF]R$ 6/AY AWAY4 8,I H S LL "T10 ,I
EXPLA9$4 8,MISS ,W9T] IS ANXI\S T WE %D
PRESS ON )! "W4 ,& X'S ONLY A FEW WEEKS
TILL ,*RI/MAS1 AF ALL4 ,I'LL 2 BACK AG
!N40
  8,YES10 HE SD4 8,X W 2 ,*RI/MAS SOON40
  ,HE SEEM$ SAD & WORRI$4 ,I KNEW ,I 0 !
CAUSE1 & ,I 0 SORRY ,I CDN'T D ANY?+ AB
X4
  8,I'VE PACK$ A FEW BOOKS 6TAKE    #BCG
BACK 6,MISS ,W9T]'S ) ME4 ,I'VE PUT A
NOTE ON ! C>DS 9 ! 9DEX40
  8,T'S F9E4 ,NO PRO#M40

  ,T NI<T1 DRAW+ ME \ ( SLEEP1 A PRES-
SURE ON ! $GE ( MY B$4 ,! ANGUL>;Y ( B"O
PRESS+ AG/ MY FLE% "? ! B$CLO!S4
  ,X IS H]6 ,-E = ME AT LA/6
  ,ALL ,I H 6D IS OP5 MY EYES & LOOK AT
H]4 ,B FE> P>ALYZES ME4 ,:AT W %E 2 L8
,L ME8 ,TALL & ?9 ) D>K EYES8 ,OR--X IS
? ,I FE>--HAS %E -E DIRECT F ! GRAVE8
,:AT T]RI# ?+ IS X T ,I AM AB 6JO9 MYF--
.REJO9 MYF--TO8
  ,! FE> 4SOLVES4
  ,I H WOK5 UP4
  ,! PRESSURE "? ! BLANKETS IS G"O1 A
FIG;T ( SLEEP4 ,I D N "K :E!R ,I AM RE-
LIEV$ OR 4APPO9T$4
  ,I GOT UP1 REPACK$ MY ?+S1 & 9 ! BL1K-
;S (! W9T] DAWN WALK$ 6! /,N =! F/ TRA9
NOR?4


                                    #BCH
























                ,MI4LES             #BCI

            ,,HE/] ,,>RIVES

  ,:5 ,I LEFT ,YORK%IRE1 ,NOVEMB] 0 GO+
/R;G2 0! "T ,I RETURN$ X 0 9 XS DY+ "DS1
AB 6TILT 96,DECEMB]4
  ,DECEMB] GIVES ME H1DA*ES & DIM9I%ES
MY ALR SMALL APPETITE4 ,X MAKES ME RE/.S
9 MY R1D+4 ,X KEEPS ME AWAKE AT NI<T )
XS DAMP1 *ILLY D>K;S4 ,"! IS A CLOCK IN-
SIDE ME T />TS 6TICK ON ! F/ ( ,DECEMB]1
M1SUR+ ! "DS1 ! H\RS &! M9UTES1 C.T+ D[N
6A C]TA9 "D1 ! ANNIV]S>Y (! "D MY LIFE 0
MADE & !N UNMADE3 MY BIR?"D4 ,I D N L
,DECEMB]4
  ,? YE> ! S5SE ( =EBOD+ 0 MADE WORSE 0!
W1!R4 ,A H1VY SKY HOV]$ REPRESSIVELY OV]
! H\SE1 CA/+ U 96AN ET]NAL DIM TWILI<T4
,I >RIV$ BACK 6F9D ,JUDI? SCURRY+ F ROOM
6ROOM1 COLLECT+ DESK LAMPS & /&>D LAMPS
& R1D+ LAMPS F GUE/ ROOMS T 7 N"E US$1 &
>RANG+ !M 9 ! LIBR>Y1 ! DRAW+ ROOM1 MY
[N ROOMS4 ,ANY?+ 6KEEP AT BAY ! MURKY
GRAY;S T LURK$ 9 E CORN]1 "U E *AIR1 9 !
FOLDS (! CURTA9S &! PL1TS (! UP-    #BDJ
HOL/]Y4
  ,MISS ,W9T] ASK$ NO "QS AB MY ABS;E1
NOR DID %E TELL ME ANY?+ AB ! PROGRES.N
( H] ILL;S1 B EV5 AF S %ORT AN ABS;E1 H]
DECL9E 0 CLE> 6SEE4 ,! CA%M]E WRAPS FELL
9 APP>5TLY EMPTY FOLDS >.D H] DIM9I%$
FRAME1 & ON H] F+]S ! RUBIES & EM]ALDS
SEEM$ 6H EXP&$1 S ?9 _H H] H&S 2COME4 ,!
F9E :ITE L9E T _H BE5 VISI# 9 H] "P+ 2F
,I LEFT _H BROAD5$2 X CREPT AL;G EA*
HAIR1 DILUT+ ! METALLIC T"OS 6A W1K]
%ADE ( ORANGE4 ,B DESPITE H] PHYSICAL
FRAILTY1 %E SEEM$ FULL ( "S =CE1 "S 5]-
GY1 T OV]RODE BO? ILL;S & AGE & MADE H]
P[];L4 ,Z SOON Z ,I PRES5T$ MYF 9 !
ROOM1 ALM 2F ,I _H SAT D[N & TAK5 \ MY
NOTEBOOK1 %E 2GAN 6SP1K1 PICK+ UP ! /ORY
": %E _H LEFT (F1 Z ?\< X 7 BRIM;L 9 H]
& CD N 2 3TA9$ A MO;T L;G]4

  ,) ,ISABELLE G"O1 X 0 FELT 9 ! VILLAGE
T "S?+ %D 2 D"O =! *N4 ,!Y 7 ?IRTE52 X 0
N AN AGE 6BE LEFT UNATT5D$2 !Y NE$$ A
WOMAN'S 9FLU;E4 ,%D !Y N 2 S5T 6S*OOL
"S":8 ,?\< :AT S*OOL WD A3EPT *N    #BDA
S* Z ^!8 ,:5 A S*OOL 0 F.D 6BE \ (! "Q1
X 0 DECID$ T A GOV];S %D 2 EMPLOY$4
  ,A GOV];S 0 F.D4 ,H] "N 0 ,HE/]4 ,HE/]
,B>R[4 ,X 0 N A PRETTY "N1 B !N %E 0 N A
PRETTY GIRL4
  ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY ORGANIZ$ X ALL4 ,*>LIE1
LOCK$ 9 8 GRIEF1 0 SC>CELY AW>E ( :AT 0
GO+ ON1 & ,JOHN-!-DIG &! ,MISSUS1 M]E
S]VANTS 9 ! H\SE1 7 N 3SULT$4 ,! DOCTOR
APPROA*$ ,MR4 ,LOMAX1 ! FAMILY SOLICI-
TOR1 & 2T ! TWO ( !M &)A H& F ! BANK
MANAG]1 ALL ! >RANGE;TS 7 MADE4 ,!N X 0
D"O4
  ,HELP.S1 PASSIVE1 WE ALL %>$ 9 ! AN-
TICIP,N1 EA* ) \R "PICUL> MIX ( EMO;N4
,! ,MISSUS 0 DIVID$4 ,%E FELT AN 9/9C-
TIVE SUSPICION ( ? /RANG] :O 0 6-E 96H]
DOMA91 & 3NECT$ ) ? SUSPICION 0 ! FE> (
2+ F.D WANT+--= %E _H BE5 9 *>GE = YE>S
& KNEW H] LIMIT,NS4 ,%E AL FELT HOPE4
,HOPE T ! NEW >RIVAL WD 9/ILL A S5SE (
4CIPL9E 9 ! *N & RE/ORE MANN]S & SAN;Y
6! H\SE4 ,9 FACT1 S GRT 0 H] DESIRE =A
SETTL$ & WELL-RUN DOME/IC LIFE T 9 !
ADV5T (! GOV];S'S >RIVAL %E TOOK    #BDB
6ISSU+ ORD]S1 Z ?\< WE 7 ! SORT ( *N :O
MI<T -PLY4 ,NE$.S 6SAY1 WE TOOK NO NO-
TICE4
  ,JOHN-!-DIG'S FEEL+S 7 LESS DIVID$1 7
9 FACT 5TIRELY HO/ILE4 ,HE WD N 2 DRAWN
96! ,MISSUS'S L;G WOND]+S AB H[ ?+S WD
BE1 & REFUS$ 0/ONY SIL;E 65C\RAGE ! OP-
TIMISM T 0 R1DY 6TAKE ROOT 9 H] HE>T4
8,IF %E'S ! "R K9D ( P]SON '''0 %E WD
SAY1 OR 8,"!'S NO "K+ H[ M* BETT] ?+S CD
2 '''10 B HE />$ \ (! KIT*5 W9D[ & WD N
2 DRAWN4 ,:5 ! DOCTOR SU7E/$ T HE TAKE !
BR\<AM 6MEET ! GOV];S AT ! /,N HE 0 D[N-
"R RUDE4 8,I'VE N GOT ! "T 6BE TRAIPS+
ACR ! C.TY AF DAMN$ S*OOLMI/RESSES10 HE
REPLI$1 &! DOCTOR 0 OBLIG$ 6MAKE >RANGE-
;TS 6COLLECT H] HMF4 ,S9CE ! 9CID5T )!
TOPI>Y G>D51 ,JOHN _H N BE5 ! SAME1 &
N[1 )! -+ ( ? NEW *ANGE1 HE SP5T H\RS
AL"O1 BROOD+ OV] 8 [N FE>S & 3C]NS =!
FUTURE4 ,? 9COM] M1NT A FRE% PAIR (
EYES1 A FRE% PAIR ( E>S1 9 A H\SE ": NO
"O _H LOOK$ OR LI/5$ PROP]LY = YE>S4
,JOHN-!-DIG1 HABITUAT$ 6SECRECY1 =ESAW
TR\#4                               #BDC
  ,9 \R SEP>ATE WAYS WE ALL FELT DAUNT$4
,ALL EXCEPT ,*>LIE1 T IS4 ,:5 ! "D CAME1
ONLY ,*>LIE 0 8 USUAL SELF4 ,?\< HE 0
LOCK$ AWAY & \ ( SI<T1 8 PRES;E 0 N"O!.S
MADE "KN 0! ?"U+ & CLATT]+ T %OOK ! H\SE
F "T 6"T1 A D9 6: WE'D ALL 2COME S A3US-
TOM$ T WE SC>CELY EV5 NOTIC$4 ,9 8 VIGIL
= ,ISABELLE1 ! MAN _H NO NO;N ( "D OR
"T1 &! >RIVAL (A GOV];S M1NT NO?+ 6HM4
  ,WE 7 IDL+ T MORN+ 9 "O (! FRONT ROOMS
ON ! F/ FLOOR4 ,A B$ROOM1 Y'D H CALL$ X1
IF ! B$ _H BE5 VISI# "U ! PILE ( JUNK T
_H A3UMULAT$ "! ! WAY JUNK DOES OV] !
DECADES4 ,EMMEL9E 0 "W+ AWAY ) H] NAILS
AT ! SILV] EMBROID]Y ?R1DS T RAN "? !
PATT]N (! CURTA9S4 ,:5 %E SU3E$$ 9 FREE+
"O1 %E SURREPTITI\SLY PUT X 9 H] POCKET1
R1DY 6ADD LAT] 6! MAGPIE /A% "U H] B$4
,B H] 3C5TR,N 0 BROK54 ,"S"O 0 -+1 &
:E!R %E KNEW :AT T M1NT OR N1 %E _H BE5
3TAM9AT$ 0! S5SE ( EXPECT,N T HUNG AB !
H\SE4
  ,X 0 ,EMMEL9E :O F/ HE>D ! BR\<AM4 ,F
! W9D[ WE WAT*$ ! NEW >RIVAL ALI<T1 BRU%
! CR1SES \ ( H] SKIRT ) TWO BRISK   #BDD
/ROKES ( H] PALMS & LOOK AB H]4 ,%E
LOOK$ AT ! FRONT DOOR1 6H] LEFT1 6H] "R1
& !N--,I L1P$ BACK--UP4 ,P]H %E TOOK U =
A TRICK (! LI<T OR A W9D[ DRAPE LIFT$ 0!
BREEZE F A BROK5 W9D[PANE4 ,:AT"E %E
SAW1 X C'T H BE5 U4
  ,B WE SAW H]4 ,"? ,EMMEL9E'S NEW HOLE
9 ! CURTA9 WE />$4 ,WE DIDN'T "K :AT TO
?9K4 ,HE/] 0 ( AV]AGE HEI<T4 ,AV]AGE
BUILD4 ,%E _H HAIR T 0 NEI YELL[ NOR
BR[N4 ,SK9 ! SAME COLOR4 ,COAT1 %OES1
DRESS1 HAT3 ALL 9 ! SAME 9DIST9CT T9T4
,H] FACE 0 DEVOID ( ANY 4T+UI%+ F1TURE4
,& YET WE ./>$4 ,WE />$ AT H] UNTIL \R
EYES A*$4 ,E PORE 9 H] PLA9 LL FACE 0
ILLUM9AT$4 ,"S?+ %"O 9 H] CLO!S & 9 H]
HAIR4 ,"S?+ RADIAT$ F H] LU7AGE4 ,"S?+
CA/ A GL[ >.D H] P]SON1 L A LI<TBULB4
,"S?+ MADE H] EXOTIC4
  ,WE _H NO IDEA :AT X WAS4 ,WE'D N"E
IMAG9$ ! L ( X 2F4
  ,WE F.D \ LAT]1 ?\<4
  ,HE/] 0 CL1N4 ,SCRU2$ & SOAP$ & R9S$ &
BU6$ & POLI%$ ALL OV]4
  ,Y C IMAG9E :AT %E ?"\ ( ,AN-     #BDE
GELFIELD4
  ,:5 %E'D BE5 9 ! H\SE AB A QU>T] ( AN
H\R %E _H ! ,MISSUS CALL U4 ,WE IGNOR$ X
& WAIT$ 6SEE :AT HAPP5$ NEXT4 ,WE WAIT$4
,& WAIT$4 ,NO?+ HAPP5$4 ,T 0 ": %E WR;G-
FOOT$ U =! F/ "T1 _H WE ONLY "KN X4 ,ALL
\R EXP]TISE 9 HID+ 0 USE.S IF %E WASN'T
GO+ 6-E LOOK+ = U4 ,& %E DID N -E4 ,WE
HUNG AB 9 ! ROOM1 GR[+ BOR$1 !N VEX$ 0!
CURIOS;Y T SE$$ XF 9 U DESPITE \R RESIS-
T.E4 ,WE 2CAME ATT5TIVE 6! S.DS F D[N-
/AIRS3 ,JOHN-!-DIG'S VOICE1 ! DRA7+ (
FURNITURE1 "S BANG+ & KNOCK+4 ,!N X FELL
QUIET4 ,AT LUN*"T WE 7 CALL$ & DID N G4
,AT SIX ! ,MISSUS CALL$ U AG1 8,-E & H
SUPP] ) YR NEW GOV];S1 *N40 ,WE /AY$ ON
9 ! ROOM4 ,NO "O CAME4 ,"! 0 ! 2G9N+ (A
S5SE T ! NEWCOM] 0 A =CE 6BE RECKON$ )4
  ,LAT] CAME ! S.D (! H\SEHOLD GETT+
R1DY = B$4 ,FOOT/EPS ON ! /AIRS1 ! ,MIS-
SUS1 SAY+1 8,I HOPE Y'LL 2 -=TA#1
,MISS10 &! VOICE (! GOV];S1 /EEL 9 VEL-
VET1 8,I'M SURE ,I W1 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE4
,?ANK Y = ALL YR TR\#40
  8,AB ! GIRLS1 ,MISS ,B>R[--0      #BDF
  8,DON'T Y WORRY AB !M1 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE4
,!Y'LL 2 ALL "R4 ,GD NI<T40
  ,& AF ! S.D (! ,MISSUS'S FEET %U6L+
CAUTI\SLY D[N ! /AIRS1 ALL 0 QUIET4
  ,NI<T FELL &! H\SE SLEPT4 ,EXCEPT U4
,! ,MISSUS'S ATTEMPTS 6T1* U T NI<T"T 0
= SLEEP+ _H FAIL$ Z ALL H] LESSONS _H
FAIL$1 & WE _H NO FE> (! D>K4 ,\TSIDE !
GOV];S'S DOOR WE LI/5$ & HE>D NO?+ B !
FA9T SCRAT* SCRAT* (A M\SE "U ! BO>DS1 S
WE W5T ON D[N/AIRS1 6! L>D]4
  ,! DOOR WD N OP54 ,! LOCK _H N"E BE5
US$ 9 \R LIFE"T1 B TN X 2TRAY$ XF )A
TRACE ( FRE% OIL4
  ,EMMEL9E WAIT$ PATI5TLY1 BLANKLY1 =!
DOOR 6OP51 Z %E _H ALW WAIT$ 2F4 ,3FID5T
T 9 A MO;T "! WD 2 BR1D & BUTT] & JAM =!
TAK+4
  ,B "! 0 NO NE$ 6PANIC4 ,! ,MISSUS'S
APRON POCKET4 ,T'S ": ! KEY WD BE4 ,T'S
": ! KEYS ALW W]E3 A R+ ( RU/$ KEYS1 UN-
US$1 = DOORS & LOCKS & CUPBO>DS ALL OV]
! H\SE1 & ANY AM.T ( FI4L+ 6"K : KEY
MAT*$ : LOCK4
  ,! POCKET 0 EMPTY4                #BDG
  ,EMMEL9E /IRR$1 WOND]$ 4TANTLY AT !
DELAY4
  ,! GOV];S 0 %AP+ UP 96A R1L *ALL5GE4
,B %E WDN'T CAT* U T WAY4 ,WE WD G \4 ,Y
CD ALW GET 96"O (! COTTAGES =A SNACK4
  ,! H&LE (! KIT*5 DOOR TURN$1 !N /OPP$4
,NO AM.T ( TU7+ & JI7L+ CD FREE X4 ,X 0
PADLOCK$4
  ,! BROK5 W9D[ 9 ! DRAW+ ROOM _H BE5
BO>D$ UP1 &! %UTT]S SECUR$ 9 ! D9+ ROOM4
,"! 0 ONLY "O O!R *.E4 ,6! HALL &! GRT
D\# DOORS WE W5T4 ,EMMEL9E1 2WILD]$1
PA4$ AL;G 2H4 ,%E 0 HUNGRY4 ,:Y ALL ?
FUSS ) DOORS & W9D[S8 ,H[ L;G 2F %E CD
FILL H] TUMMY ) FOOD8 ,A %AFT ( MOON-
LI<T1 T9T$ BLUE 0! COLOR$ GLASS 9 ! HALL
W9D[S1 0 5 6HI<LI<T ! HUGE BOLTS1 H1VY &
\ ( R1*1 T _H BE5 OIL$ & SLID 96PLACE AT
! TOP (! D\# DOORS4
  ,WE 7 IMPRISON$4
  ,EMMEL9E SPOKE4 8,YUM YUM10 %E SD4 ,%E
0 HUNGRY4 ,& :5 ,EMMEL9E 0 HUNGRY1 ,EM-
MEL9E _H 6BE F$4 ,X 0 Z SIMPLE Z T4 ,WE
7 9 A FIX4 ,X 0 A L;G "T -+1 B EV5TU,Y
,EMMEL9E'S POOR LL BRA9 R1LIZ$ T    #BDH
! FOOD %E L;G$ = CD N 2 _H4 ,A LOOK (
2WILD];T CAME 96H] EYES1 & %E OP5$ H]
M\? & WAIL$4
  ,! S.D ( H] CRY C>RI$ UP ! /"O /AIR-
CASE1 TURN$ 96! CORRIDOR 6! LEFT1 ROSE
UP ANO!R FLI<T ( /AIRS & SLIPP$ "U !
DOOR (! NEW GOV];S'S B$ROOM4
  ,SOON ANO!R NOISE 0 A4$ 6X4 ,N ! BL
%U6LE (! ,MISSUS1 B ! SM>T1 METRONOMIC
/EP ( ,HE/] ,B>R['S FEET4 ,A BRISK1 UN-
HURRI$ CLICK1 CLICK1 CLICK4 ,D[N A SET (
/AIRS1 AL;G A CORRIDOR1 6! GALL]Y4
  ,I TOOK REFUGE 9 ! FOLDS (! L;G CUR-
TA9S J 2F %E EM]G$ ONTO ! GALL]I$ L&+4
,X 0 MIDNI<T4 ,AT ! TOP (! /AIRS %E
/OOD1 A -PACT LL FIGURE1 NEI FAT NOR ?91
SET ON A /URDY PAIR ( LEGS1 ! :OLE TOPP$
0T CALM & DET]M9$ C.T5.E4 ,9 H] FIRMLY
BELT$ BLUE DRESS+ G[N &) H] HAIR N1TLY
BRU%$1 %E LOOK$ = ALL ! _W Z ?\< %E
SLEPT SITT+ UP & R1DY = MORN+4 ,H] HAIR
0 ?9 & /UCK FLAT 6H] H1D1 H] FACE 0 LUM-
P5 & H] NOSE 0 PUDGY4 ,%E 0 PLA91 IF N
WORSE ?AN PLA91 B PLA9;S ON ,HE/] _H N
REMOTELY ! SAME E6ECT T X MI<T ON   #BDI
ANY O!R WOMAN4 ,%E DREW ! EYE4
  ,EMMEL9E1 AT ! FOOT (! /AIRS1 _H BE5
SO2+ ) HUNG] A MO;T AGO1 YET ! 9/ANT
,HE/] APPE>$ 9 ALL H] GLORY1 %E /OPP$
CRY+ & />$1 APP>5TLY PLACAT$1 Z ?\< X 7
A CAKE/& PIL$ HI< ) CAKE T _H APPE>$ 2F
H]4
  8,H[ NICE 6SEE Y10 SD ,HE/]1 -+ D[N !
/AIRS4 8,N[1 :O >E Y8 ,ADEL9E OR ,EMME-
L9E80
  ,EMMEL9E1 OP5M\!D1 0 SIL5T4
  8,NO MATT]10 ! GOV];S SD4 8,WD Y L "S
SUPP]8 ,& ": IS YR SI/]8 ,WD %E L "S1
TOO80
  8,YUM10 SD ,EMMEL9E1 & ,I DIDN'T "K IF
X 0 ! ^W .SUPP] OR ,HE/] H]F :O _H PRO-
VOK$ X4
  ,HE/] LOOK$ >.D1 SEEK+ ! O!R TW94 ,!
CURTA9 APPE>$ 6H] Z J A CURTA91 = AF A
CURSORY GL.E %E TURN$ ALL H] ATT5;N TO
,EMMEL9E4 8,-E ) ME40 ,%E SMIL$4 ,%E
DREW A KEY \ ( H] BLUE POCKET4 ,X 0 A
CL1N BLUE-SILV]1 BU6$ 6A HI< %9E1 & X
GL9T$ TANTALIZ+LY 9 ! BLUE LI<T4
  ,X DID ! TRICK4 8,%9Y10 ,EMME-    #BEJ
L9E PRON\NC$ &1 )\T "K+ :AT X 0 OR !
MAGIC X CD "W1 %E FOLL[$ ! KEY--& ,HE/]
) X--BACK "? ! COLD CORRIDORS 6! KIT*54
  ,9 ! FOLDS (! CURTA9 MY HUNG] PANGS
GAVE WAY 6ANG]4 ,HE/] & H] KEY6 ,EMME-
L9E6 ,X 0 L ! P]AMBULATOR ALL OV] AG4 ,X
0 .LOVE4
  ,T 0 ! F/ NI<T & X 0 ,HE/]'S VICTORY4

  ,! GRU2I;S (! H\SE DID N TRANSF] XF TO
\R PRI/9E GOV];S ! WAY "O MI<T H EXPECT-
$4 ,9/1D X 0 ! O!R WAY >.D4 ,! FEW RAYS
( LI<T1 DRA9$ & DU/Y1 T MANAG$ 6P5ETRATE
! UNCL1N$ W9D[S &! H1VY CURTA9S SEEM$
ALW 6FALL ON ,HE/]4 ,%E GA!R$ !M 6H]F &
REFLECT$ !M BACK 96! GLOOM1 REFRE%$ &
VITALIZ$ 0_! 3TACT ) H]4 ,LL 0LL ! GL1M
EXT5D$ F ,HE/] H]F 6! H\SE4 ,ON ! F/
FULL "D X 0 J H] [N ROOM T 0 A6ECT$4 ,%E
TOOK ! CURTA9S D[N & PLUNG$ !M 96A TUB (
SOAPY WAT]4 ,%E PE7$ !M ON ! L9E ": !
SUN & W9D WOKE UP ! UNSUSPECT$ PATT]N (
P9K & YELL[ ROSES4 ,:ILE !Y 7 DRY+1 %E
CL1N$ ! W9D[ ) NEWSPAP] & V9EG> 6LET !
LI<T IN1 & :5 %E CD SEE :AT %E 0    #BEA
DO+1 %E SCRU2$ ! ROOM F FLOOR 6CEIL+4
,0NI<TFALL %E _H CR1T$ A LL HAV5 ( CL1N-
LI;S )9 ^? F\R WALLS4 ,& T 0 J ! 2G9N+4
  ,) SOAP &) BL1*1 ) 5]GY &) DET]M9,N1
%E IMPOS$ HYGI5E ON T H\SE4 ,": = G5],NS
! 9HABITANTS _H LUMB]$ HALF-SEE+ & PUR-
POSE.S1 CIRCL+ AF NO?+ B _! [N SQUALID
OBSES.NS1 ,HE/] CAME Z A SPR+-CL1N+ MIR-
ACLE4 ,= ?IRTY YE>S ! PACE ( LIFE 9DOORS
_H BE5 M1SUR$ 0! SL[ MOVE;T (! MOTES (
DU/ CAU<T 9 AN O3A.NAL RAY ( WE>Y SUN-
LI<T4 ,N[ ,HE/]'S LL FEET PAC$ \ ! M9-
UTES &! SECONDS1 &)A VIGOR\S SWI% (A
DU/]1 ! MOTES 7 G"O4
  ,AF CL1NLI;S CAME ORD]1 &! H\SE 0 F/
6FEEL ! *ANGES4 ,\R NEW GOV];S DID A V
?OR\< T\R4 ,%E W5T F BOTTOM 6TOP1 TUTT+
& FR[N+ ON E FLOOR4 ,"! 0 N A S+LE CUP-
BO>D OR ALCOVE T ESCAP$ H] ATT5;N2 ) P5-
CIL & NOTEBOOK 9 H&1 %E SCRUT9IZ$ E
ROOM1 NOT+ DAMP PAT*ES & RATTL+ W9D[S1
TE/+ DOORS & FLOORBO>DS = SQU1KS1 TRY+
OLD KEYS 9 OLD LOCKS1 & LABEL+ !M4 ,%E
LEFT DOORS LOCK$ 2H H]4 ,?\< X 0 ONLY A
F/ 8GO+ OV]10 A PREP>ATORY /AGE     #BEB
6! MA9 RE/OR,N1 N"E!.S %E MADE A *ANGE 9
E ROOM %E 5T]$3 A PILE ( BLANKETS 9 A
CORN] FOLD$ & LEFT TIDILY ON A *AIR2 A
BOOK PICK$ UP & TUCK$ "U H] >M 6BE RE-
TURN$ LAT] 6! LIBR>Y2 ! L9E (A CURTA9
SET /RAI<T4 ,ALL ? D"O ) NOTICEA# HA/E B
)\T ! SLI<TE/ IMPRES.N ( HURRY4 ,X SEEM$
%E _H ONLY 6CA/ H] EYE AB A ROOM =! D>K-
;S 9 X 6REC$E1 =! *AOS 62G9 %AMEFAC$LY
6PUT XF 9 ORD]1 =! <O/S 6B1T A RETR1T4
,9 ? MANN]1 E ROOM 0 ,HE/]$4
  ,! ATTIC1 X IS TRUE1 DID /OP H] 9 H]
TRACKS4 ,H] JAW DROPP$ & %E LOOK$ A<A/
AT ! /ATE (! RO( CAV;Y4 ,B EV5 9 ? *AOS
%E 0 9V9CI#4 ,%E GA!R$ H]F TGR1 TI<T5+
H] LIPS1 & SCRAT*$ & SCRIB#D AWAY AT H]
PAGE ) EV5 GRT] VIGOR4 ,! V NEXT "D1 A
BUILD] CAME4 ,WE KNEW HM F ! VILLAGE--AN
UNHURRI$ MAN )A /ROLL+ PACE4 ,9 SPEE* HE
/RET*$ \ 8 V[EL S.DS 6GIVE 8 M\? A RE/
2F ! NEXT 3SONANT4 ,HE KEPT SIX OR SEV5
JOBS GO+ AT ONCE & R>ELY F9I%$ ANY ( !M2
HE SP5T 8 "W+ "DS SMOK+ CIG>ETTES & EYE+
! JOB 9 H& )A FATALI/IC %AKE (! H1D4 ,HE
CLIMB$ \R /AIRS 9 8 TYPICAL LAZY    #BEC
FA%ION1 B AF HE'D BE5 FIVE M9UTES )
,HE/] WE HE>D 8 HAMM] GO+ N9ETE5 6! DOZ-
EN4 ,%E _H GALVANIZ$ HM4
  ,)9 A FEW "DS "! 7 M1L"TS1 B$"TS1
GETT+-UP "TS4 ,A FEW "DS M & "! 7 CL1N
%OES = 9DOORS1 CL1N BOOTS = \4 ,N ONLY
T1 B ! SILK DRESSES 7 CL1N$1 M5D$1 MADE
6FIT & HUNG AWAY = "S MY?ICAL 8BE/10 &
NEW DRESSES 9 NAVY & GRE5 COTTON POPL9 )
:ITE SA%ES & COLL>S APPE>$ = "EY"D4
  ,EMMEL9E ?RIV$ "U ! NEW REGIME4 ,%E 0
WELL F$ AT REGUL> H\RS1 ALL[$ 6PLAY--"U
TI<T SUP]VI.N--) ,HE/]'S %9Y KEYS4 ,%E
EV5 DEVELOP$ A PAS.N = BA?S4 ,%E /RU7L$
AT F/1 YELL$ & KICK$ Z ,HE/] &! ,MISSUS
/RIPP$ H] & L[]$ H] 96! TUB1 B :5 %E SAW
H]F 9 ! MIRROR AFW1 SAW H]F CL1N &) H]
HAIR N1TLY BRAID$ & TI$ )A GRE5 B[1 H]
M\? OP5$ & %E FELL 96ANO!R ( H] TR.ES4
,%E LIK$ 2+ %9Y4 ,:5"E ,EMMEL9E 0 9
,HE/]'S PRES;E %E US$ 6/UDY H] FACE ON !
SLY1 ON ! LOOK\T =A SMILE4 ,:5 ,HE/] DID
SMILE--X 0 N 9FREQU5T--,EMMEL9E GAZ$ AT
H] FACE 9 DELI<T4 ,2F L;G %E LE>N$ TO
SMILE BACK4                         #BED
  ,O!R MEMB]S (! H\SEHOLD FL\RI%$1 TOO4
,! ,MISSUS _H H] EYES EXAM9$ 0! DOCTOR1
&) M* -PLA9+ 0 TAK5 6A SPECIALI/4 ,ON H]
RETURN %E CD SEE AG4 ,! ,MISSUS 0 S
PL1S$ AT SEE+ ! H\SE 9 XS NEW /ATE (
CL1NLI;S T ALL ! YE>S %E'D LIV$ 9 A /ATE
( GRAY;S FELL AWAY F H]1 & %E 0 REJUVE-
NAT$ SU6ICI5TLY 6JO9 ,HE/] 9 ? BRAVE NEW
_W4 ,EV5 ,JOHN-!-DIG1 :O OBEY$ ,HE/]'S
ORD]S MOROSELY & KEPT 8 D>K EYES ALW
FIRMLY AV]T$ F H] B"R1 ALL-SEE+ "OS1 CD
N RESI/ ! POSITIVE E6ECT ( H] 5]GY 9 !
H\SEHOLD4 ,)\T A ^W 6ANY"O1 HE TOOK UP 8
%E>S & 5T]$ ! TOPI>Y G>D5 =! F/ "T S9CE
! CATA/ROPHE4 ,"! HE JO9$ 8 EF=TS 6^?
ALR 2+ MADE 0NATURE 6M5D ! VIOL;E (!
PA/4
  ,*>LIE 0 LESS DIRECTLY 9FLU;ED4 ,HE
KEPT \ ( H] WAY & T SUIT$ BO? ( !M4 ,%E
_H NO DESIRE 6D ANY?+ O!R ?AN H] JOB1 &
H] JOB 0 U4 ,\R M9DS1 \R BODIES & \R
S\LS1 YES1 B \R GU>DIAN 0 \TSIDE H] JU-
RISDIC;N1 & S %E LEFT HM AL"O4 ,%E 0 NO
,JANE ,EYRE & HE 0 NO ,MR4 ,RO*E/]4 ,9 !
FACE ( H] SPRUCE 5]GY HE RETR1T$    #BEE
6! OLD NURS]Y ROOMS ON ! SECOND FLOOR 2H
A FIRMLY LOCK$ DOOR1 ": HE & 8 MEMORIES
FE/]$ TGR 9 SQUALOR4 ,= HM ! ,HE/] E6ECT
0 LIMIT$ 6AN IMPROVE;T 9 8 DIET &A FIRM]
H& OV] 8 F9.ES1 :1 "U ! H"O/ B FLIMSY
3TROL (! ,MISSUS1 _H BE5 PL"U$ 0UNSCRU-
PUL\S TRAD]S & BUSI;SPEOPLE4 ,NEI ( ^!
*ANGES =! GD DID HE NOTICE1 & IF HE _H
NOTIC$ !M ,I D\BT HE WD H C>$4
  ,B ,HE/] DID KEEP ! *N "U 3TROL & \ (
SI<T1 & _H HE GIV5 X ANY ?"\ HE WD H BE5
GRATE;L = ?4 ,"U ,HE/]'S REIGN "! 0 NO
CAUSE = HO/ILE NEI<BORS 6-E -PLA9+ AB !
TW9S1 NO IMP]ATIVE 6VISIT ! KIT*5 & H A
S&WI* MADE 0! ,MISSUS1 ABV ALL1 NO NE$
6L1VE1 EV5 =A M9UTE1 T R1LM (! IMAG9,N T
HE 9HABIT$ ) ,ISABELLE1 ONLY ) ,ISA-
BELLE1 ALW ) ,ISABELLE4 ,:AT HE GAVE UP
9 T]RITORY1 HE GA9$ 9 FREEDOM4 ,HE N"E
HE>D ,HE/]2 HE N"E SAW H]2 ! ?"\ ( H]
N"E ONCE 5T]$ 8 H1D4 ,%E 0 5TIRELY SAT-
ISFACTORY4
  ,HE/] _H TRIUMPH$4 ,%E MI<T H LOOK$ L
A POTATO1 B "! 0 NO?+ T GIRL CDN'T D1
ONCE %E PUT H] M9D 6X4              #BEF

  ,MISS ,W9T] PAUS$1 H] EYES SET FIX$LY
ON ! CORN] (! ROOM1 ": H] PA/ PRES5T$ XF
6H] ) M R1L;Y ?AN ! PRES5T & ME4 ,AT !
CORN]S ( H] M\? & EYES FLICK]$ HALF-
EXPRES.NS ( SORR[ & 4TRESS4 ,AW>E (! ?9-
;S (! ?R1D T 3NECT$ H] 6H] PA/1 ,I 0
ANXI\S N 6BR1K X1 B EQU,Y ANXI\S = H] N
6/OP H] /ORY4
  ,! PAUSE L5G!N$4
  8,& Y80 ,I PROMPT$ S(TLY4 8,:AT AB Y80
  8,ME80 ,%E BL9K$ VAGUELY4 8,OH1 ,I
LIK$ H]4 ,T 0 ! TR\#40
  8,TR\#80
  ,%E BL9K$ AG1 %U6L$ 9 H] S1T & LOOK$
AT ME )A NEW1 %>P GAZE4 ,%E _H CUT !
?R1D4
  8,I ?9K T'S 5 = TD4 ,Y C G N[40






         ,,! ,,BOX ,,( ,,LIVES      #BEG

  ,)! /ORY ( ,HE/]1 ,I FELL QKLY BACK
96MY R\T9E4 ,9 ! MORN+S ,I LI/5$ 6,MISS
,W9T] TELL ME H] /ORY1 H>DLY BO!R+ N[ )
MY NOTEBOOK4 ,LAT] 9 MY ROOM1 ) MY R1MS
( PAP]1 MY TWELVE R$ P5CILS & MY TRU/Y
%>P5]1 ,I TRANSCRIB$ :AT ,I _H MEMORIZ$4
,Z ! ^WS FL[$ F ! PO9T ( MY P5CIL ONTO !
PAGE1 !Y 3JUR$ UP ,MISS ,W9T]'S VOICE 9
MY E>2 LAT]1 :5 ,I R1D AL\D :AT ,I _H
WRITT51 ,I FELT MY FACE RE>RANG+ XF 96H]
EXPRES.NS4 ,MY LEFT H& ROSE & FELL 9
MIMICRY ( H] EMPHATIC GE/URES1 :ILE MY
"R LAY1 Z ?\< MAIM$1 9 MY LAP4 ,! ^WS
TURN$ 6PICTURES 9 MY H1D4 ,HE/]1 CL1N &
N1T & SURR.D$ 0A SILV]Y GL1M1 AN ALL-
BODY HALO T GREW BROAD] ALL ! "T1 5COM-
PASS+ F/ H] ROOM1 !N ! H\SE1 !N XS 9HAB-
ITANTS4 ,! ,MISSUS TRANS=M$ F A SL[-MOV+
FIGURE 9 D>K;S 6"O ^: EYES D>T$ AB1 B"R
) SEE+4 ,& ,EMMEL9E1 "U ! SPELL ( ,HES-
T]'S %9Y AURA1 ALL[+ H]F 6BE *ANG$ F A
DIRTY1 MALN\RI%$ VAGABOND 96A CL1N1 AF-
FEC;NATE & PLUMP LL GIRL4 ,HE/] CA/ H]
LI<T EV5 96! TOPI>Y G>D51 ": X      #BEH
%"O ONTO ! RAVAG$ BRAN*ES (! YEWS & BR"\
=? FRE% GRE5 GR[?4 ,"! 0 ,*>LIE1 (
C\RSE1 LUMB]+ 9 ! D>K;S \TSIDE ! CIRCLE1
HE>D B N SE54 ,& ,JOHN-!-DIG1 ! /RANGELY
"ND G>D5]1 BROOD+ ON XS P]IMET]1 RELUC-
TANT 6BE DRAWN 96! LI<T4 ,& ,ADEL9E1 !
MY/]I\S & D>K-HE>T$ ,ADEL9E4
  ,= ALL MY BIOGRAPHICAL PROJECTS ,I H
KEPT A BOX ( LIVES4 ,A BOX ( 9DEX C>DS
3TA9+ ! DETAILS--"N1 O3UP,N1 DATES1
PLACE ( RESID;E & ANY O!R PIECE ( 9=M,N
T SEEMS RELEVANT--( ALL ! SIGNIFICANT P
9 ! LIFE ( MY SUBJECT4 ,I N"E Q "K :AT
6MAKE ( MY BOXES ( LIVES4 ,DEP5D+ ON MY
MOOD !Y EI /RIKE ME Z A MEMORIAL 6GLA45
! D1D 78,LOOK60 ,I IMAG9E !M SAY+ Z !Y
PE] "? ! GLASS AT ME4 8,%E'S WRIT+ U D[N
ON H] C>DS6 ,& 6?9K WE'VE BE5 D1D TWO
HUNDR$ YE>S607 OR1 :5 ! GLASS IS V D>K &
,I FEEL Q /R&$ & AL"O ? SIDE ( X1 !Y
SEEM L LL C>DBO>D TOMB/"OS1 9ANIMATE &
COLD1 &! BOX XF IS Z D1D Z ! CEMET]Y4
,MISS ,W9T]'S CA/ ( "*S 0 V SMALL1 & Z
,I %U6L$ !M 9 MY H&S _! SP>SE FLIMSI;S
4MAY$ ME4 ,I 0 2+ GIV5 A /ORY1 B    #BEI
Z F> Z 9=M,N W5T1 ,I 0 / F> %ORT ( :AT
,I NE$$4
  ,I TOOK A BLANK C>D & 2GAN 6WRITE4

,HE/] ,B>R[
,GOV];S
,ANGELFIELD ,H\SE
,BORN3 @8
,DI$3 @8

  ,I /OPP$4 ,?"\4 ,DID A FEW SUMS ON MY
F+]S4 ,! GIRLS _H BE5 ONLY ?IRTE54 ,&
,HE/] 0 N OLD4 ,) ALL T V]VE %E CDN'T
BE4 ,_H %E BE5 ?IRTY8 ,:AT IF %E 7 ONLY
TW5TY-FIVE8 ,A M]E TWELVE YE>S OLD] ?AN
! GIRLS !MVS4 ''' ,0 X POSSI#8 ,I WON-
D]$4 ,MISS ,W9T]1 9 H] SEV5TIES1 0 DY+4
,B T DIDN'T NECESS>ILY M1N A P]SON OLD]
?AN H] WD 2 D1D4 ,:AT 7 ! *.ES8
  ,"! 0 ONLY "O ?+ 6D4
  ,I A4$ ANO!R NOTE 6! C>D & "UL9$ X4

.,,F9D .,,H]4

                                    #BFJ
  ,0 X 2C ,I _H DECID$ 6LOOK = ,HE/] T
,I SAW H] T NI<T 9 A DR1M8
  ,A PLA9 FIGURE 9 A N1TLY BELT$ DRESS+
G[N1 ON ! GALL]I$ L&+1 %AK+ H] H1D &
PURS+ H] LIPS AT ! FIRE-/A9$ WALLS1 !
JA7$1 BROK5 FLOORBO>DS &! IVY W9D+ XS
WAY UP ! /"O /AIRCASE4 ,9 ! MI4LE ( ALL
? *AOS1 H[ LUCID "EY?+ 0 CLOSE 6H]4 ,H[
SOO?+4 ,I APPROA*$1 DRAWN 6H] L A MO?4
,B :5 ,I 5T]$ H] MAGIC CIRCLE1 NO?+ HAP-
P5$4 ,I 0 / 9 D>K;S4 ,HE/]'S QK EYES
D>T$ "H & "!1 TAK+ 9 "EY?+1 & CAME 6RE/
ON A FIGURE /&+ 2H MY BACK4 ,MY TW91 OR
S ,I "U/OOD 9 ! DR1M4 ,B :5 H] EYES
PASS$ OV] ME X 0 )\T SEE+4
  ,I WOKE1 A FAMILI> HOT *ILL 9 MY SIDE1
& REEXAM9$ ! IMAGES F MY DR1M 6"U/& !
S\RCE ( MY T]ROR4 ,"! 0 NO?+ F"R5+ 9
,HE/] H]F4 ,NO?+ UNN]V+ 9 ! SMOO? PAS-
SAGE ( H] EYES OV] & "? MY FACE4 ,X 0 N
:AT ,I .SAW 9 ! DR1M B :AT ,I .0 T _H ME
TREMBL+ 9 MY B$4 ,IF ,HE/] DID N SEE ME1
!N X M/ 2 2C ,I 0 A <O/4 ,& IF ,I 0 A
<O/1 !N ,I 0 D1D4 ,H[ CD X 2 O!RWISE8
  ,I ROSE & W5T 96! BA?ROOM 6R9SE   #BFA
MY FE> AWAY4 ,AVOID+ ! MIRROR1 ,I LOOK$
9/1D AT MY H&S 9 ! WAT]1 B ! SI<T FILL$
ME ) HORROR4 ,AT ! SAME "T Z !Y EXI/$
"H1 ,I KNEW !Y EXI/$ ON ! O!R SIDE1 TOO1
": !Y 7 D1D4 ,&! EYES T SAW !M1 MY EYES1
7 D1D 9 T O!R PLACE1 TOO4 ,& MY M9D1 : 0
?9K+ ^! ?"\S ''' 0 X N AL D1D8 ,A PROF.D
HORROR TOOK HOLD ( ME4 ,:AT K9D ( AN UN-
NATURAL CR1TURE 0 ,I8 ,:AT ABOM9,N ( NA-
TURE IS X T DIVIDES A P]SON 2T TWO BOD-
IES 2F BIR?1 & !N KILLS "O ( !M8 ,& :AT
AM ,I T IS LEFT8 ,HALF-D1D1 EXIL$ 9 ! _W
(! LIV+ 0"D1 :ILE AT NI<T1 MY S\L CL1VES
6XS TW9 9 A %AD[Y LIMBO4
  ,I LIT AN E>LY FIRE1 MADE COCOA1 !N
WRAPP$ MYF 9 DRESS+ G[N & BLANKETS TO
WRITE A LR 6MY "F4 ,H[ 0 ! %OP1 & H[ 0
,"M1 & H[ 0 HE1 & H[1 ,I WOND]$1 WD "O G
AB F9D+ "S"O8 ,DID PRIVATE DETECTIVES
EXI/ 9 R1L;Y OR ONLY 9 BOOKS8 ,I TOLD HM
:AT LL ,I KNEW AB ,HE/]4 ,CD A SE>* 2
SET 9 MO;N ) S LL 9=M,N 6G ON8 ,WD A
PRIVATE DETECTIVE TAKE ON A JOB L ! "O
,I _H 9 M9D8 ,IF N1 :O MI<T8
  ,I RER1D ! LR4 ,BRISK & S5SI#1    #BFB
X 2TRAY$ NO?+ ( MY FE>4 ,DAWN 0 BR1K+4
,! TREMBL+ _H /OPP$4 ,SOON ,JUDI? WD 2
"H ) BR1KFA/4





















        ,,! ,,EYE ,,9 ,,! ,,YEW     #BFC

  ,"! 0 NO?+ ! NEW GOV];S CDN'T D IF %E
PUT H] M9D 6X4
  ,T'S H[ X SEEM$ AT F/1 ANYWAY4
  ,B AF A "T DI6ICULTIES DID 2G9 6EM]GE4
,! F/ ?+ 0 H] >GU;T )! ,MISSUS4 ,HE/]1
HAV+ TIDI$ & CL1N$ ROOMS & LEFT !M LOCK$
2H H]1 0 PUT \ 64COV] !M UNLOCK$ AG4 ,%E
CALL$ ! ,MISSUS 6H]4 8,:AT NE$ IS "!10
%E ASK$1 8= ROOMS 6BE LEFT OP5 :5 !Y >E
N 9 USE8 ,Y C SEE :AT HAPP5S3 ,! GIRLS G
9 Z !Y PL1SE & MAKE *AOS ": "! 0 ORD]
2F4 ,X MAKES UNNEC "W = Y &= ME40
  ,! ,MISSUS SEEM$ 5TIRELY 63CUR1 &
,HE/] LEFT ! 9T]VIEW Q SATISFI$4 ,B A
WEEK LAT]1 ONCE AG1 %E F.D DOORS OP5 T
%D H BE5 LOCK$1 &)A FR[N CALL$ ! ,MISSUS
ONCE AG4 ,? "T %E WD A3EPT NO VAGUE
PROMISES B 0 DET]M9$ 6GET 6! HE>T (!
MATT]4
  8,X'S ! AIR10 EXPLA9$ ! ,MISSUS4 8,)\T
! AIR MOV+ AB1 A H\SE GETS DR1D;L DAMP40
  ,HE/] GAVE ! ,MISSUS A SU39CT LECTURE
9 SIMPLE T]MS AB AIR CIRCUL,N & DAMP &
S5T H] AWAY1 C]TA9 T ? "T %E _H     #BFD
SOLV$ ! DI6ICULTY4
  ,A WEEK LAT] %E NOTIC$ AG T DOORS 7
UNLOCK$4 ,? "T %E DID N CALL ! ,MISSUS4
,9/1D %E REFLECT$4 ,"! 0 M 6? PRO#M (
DOOR-LOCK+ ?AN MET ! EYE4 ,%E RESOLV$ T
%E WD /UDY ! ,MISSUS1 4COV] 0OBS]V,N :AT
LAY 2H ! UNLOCK+ ( DOORS4
  ,! SECOND PRO#M 9VOLV$ ,JOHN-!-DIG4 ,8
SUSPICION ( H] _H N ESCAP$ H] NOTICE1 B
%E 0 N PUT (F4 ,%E 0 A /RANG] 9 ! H\SE1
& X 0 UP 6H] 6DEMON/RATE T %E 0 "! =! GD
( ALL & N 6CAUSE TR\#4 ,9 "T1 %E KNEW1
%E WD W9 HM OV]4 ,YET ?\< HE SEEM$ 6GET
US$ 6H] PRES;E1 8 SUSPICION 0 UNEXPECT$-
LY SL[ 6FADE4 ,& !N "O "D SUSPICION FL>$
96"S?+ ELSE4 ,%E _H APPROA*$ HM OV] "S?+
Q BANAL4 ,9 \R G>D5 %E _H SE51 OR S %E
MA9TA9$1 A * F ! VILLAGE :O %D H BE5 AT
S*OOL4 8,:O IS ! *80 %E WANT$ 6"K1 8,:O
>E 8 P>5TS80
  8,NO?+ 6D ) ME10 ,JOHN TOLD H]1 )A
SURLI;S T TOOK H] ABACK4
  8,I DON'T SAY X IS10 %E RESPOND$ CALM-
LY1 8B ! * %D 2 9 S*OOL4 ,I'M SURE Y'LL
AGREE ) ME ON T4 ,IF Y W J TELL     #BFE
ME :O X IS1 !N ,I W SP1K 6! P>5TS &!
S*OOLMI/RESS AB X40
  ,JOHN-!-DIG %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S & MADE TO
L1VE1 B %E 0 N A WOMAN :O WD 2 PUT (F 9
? MANN]4 ,%E D>T$ >.D HM1 /OOD 9 FRONT (
HM & REP1T$ H] DEM&4 ,:Y %D %E N8 ,X 0
AN 5TIRELY R1SONA# "O & %E 0 MAK+ X 9 A
CIVIL FA%ION4 ,:AT"E R1SON WD ! MAN H TO
REFUSE8
  ,B REFUSE HE DID4 8,*N F ! VILLAGE D N
-E UP "H0 0 8 ONLY RESPONSE4
  8,? "O DID10 %E W5T ON4
  8,!Y /AY AWAY \ ( FE>40
  8,T'S RIDICUL\S4 ,:AT"E D !Y H 6BE
AFRAID ( "H8 ,! * 0 9 A WIDE-BRIMM$ HAT
&A MAN'S TR\S]S CUT D[N 6FIT4 ,8 APPE>.E
0 Q 4T9CTIVE4 ,Y M/ "K :O HE IS40
  8,I H SE5 NO S* *10 CAME ! ANSW]1 DIS-
MISSIVELY1 & ONCE AG ,JOHN MADE 6L1VE4
  ,HE/] 0 NO?+ IF N P]SI/5T4 8,B Y .M/ H
SE5 HM--0
  8,X TAKES A C]TA9 K9D ( M9D1 ,MISS1 TO
SEE ?+S T >5'T "!4 ,ME1 ,I'M A S5SI#
FELL[4 ,": "! IS NO?+ 6SEE1 ,I SEE NO?+4
,IF ,I 7 Y1 ,MISS1 ,I WD D !        #BFF
SAME4 ,GD "D 6Y40
  ,) T HE LEFT1 & ? "T ,HE/] MADE NO AT-
TEMPT 6BLOCK HM4 ,%E SIMPLY /OOD1 %AK+
H] H1D 9 2WILD];T & WOND]+ :AT ON E>? _H
GOT 96! MAN4 ,ANGELFIELD1 X SEEM$1 0 A
H\SE FULL ( PUZZLES4 ,/1 "! 0 NO?+ %E
LIK$ M ?AN M5TAL EX]CISE4 ,%E WD SOON
GET 6! BOTTOM ( ?+S4

  ,HE/]'S GIFTS ( 9SI<T & 9TELLIG;E 7 Q
EXTRAORD9>Y4 ,YET C.T]BALANC+ ^! TAL5TS
0 ! FACT T %E DID N "K Q :O %E 0 UP AG/4
,TAKE = 9/.E H] HABIT ( L1V+ ! TW9S 6_!
[N DEVICES = %ORT P]IODS :ILE %E FOLL[$
H] [N AG5DA ELSE":4 ,%E WAT*$ ! TW9S
CLOSELY AT F/1 EVALUAT+ _! MOODS1 WEI<+
UP _! FATIGUE1 ! CLOSE;S 6M1L"TS1 _!
PATT]NS ( 5]GY & RE/4 ,:5 ! RESULTS ( ?
ANALYSIS TOLD H] ! TW9S 7 SET = AN H\R (
QUIET 9DOOR LOLL+1 %E WD L1VE !M UNAT-
T5D$4 ,ON "O ( ^! O3A.NS %E _H A SPECIAL
PURPOSE 9 M9D4 ,! DOCTOR _H -E & %E
WANT$ A "PICUL> ^W ) HM4 ,A .PRIVATE ^W4
  ,FOOLI% ,HE/]4 ,"! IS NO PRIVACY ": "!
>E *N4                              #BFG
  ,%E MET HM AT ! FRONT DOOR4 8,X IS A
NICE "D4 ,% WE WALK 9 ! G>D580
  ,!Y SET (F T[>D ! TOPI>Y G>D51 UNAW>E
T !Y 7 2+ FOLL[$4
  8,Y H "W$ A MIRACLE1 ,MISS ,B>R[10 !
DOCTOR 2GAN4 8,EMMEL9E IS TRANS=M$40
  8,NO10 SD ,HE/]4
  8,YES1 ,I ASSURE Y4 ,MY EXPECT,NS H
BE5 M ?AN FULFILL$4 ,I AM V IMPRESS$40
  ,HE/] B[$ H] H1D & TURN$ H] BODY FRAC-
;N,Y AWAY F HM4 ,TAK+ H] RESPONSE = MOD-
E/Y1 HE FELL SIL5T1 ?9K+ H] OV]:ELM$ BY
8 PROFES.NS ( E/EEM4 ,! NEWLY CLIPP$ YEW
GAVE HM "S?+ 6ADMIRE :ILE ! GOV];S RE-
COV]$ H] SANGFROID4 ,X'S J Z WELL HE 0
5GROSS$ 9 XS GEOMETRIC L9ES1 ELSE HE
MI<T H CAU<T H] WRY LOOK & R1LIZ$ 8 ]-
ROR4
  ,H] PROTE/+ 8,NO0 0 F> F 2+ ! FEM99E
SIMP]+ T ! DOCTOR TOOK X =4 ,X 0 A
/RAI<T=W>D /ATE;T ( FACT4 ,( C\RSE ,EM-
MEL9E 0 TRANS=M$4 ,GIV5 ! PRES;E ( ,HES-
T]1 H[ CD X H BE5 O!RWISE8 ,"! 0 NO?+
MIRACUL\S AB X4 ,T IS :AT %E M1NT 0H]
8,NO40                              #BFH
  ,YET %E 0 N SURPRIS$ 0! 3DESC5.N 9 !
DOCTOR'S -;T4 ,X 0 N A _W 9 : SIGNS (
G5IUS 7 LIKELY 6BE NOTIC$ 9 GOV];SES1 B
N"O!.S ,I ?9K %E 0 4APPO9T$4 ,! DOCTOR 0
! "O P]SON AT ,ANGELFIELD1 %E ?"\1 :O
.MI<T H "U/OOD H]4 ,B HE DID N "U/& H]4
  ,%E TURN$ T[>D ! DOCTOR & F.D H]F FAC+
8 BACK4 ,HE /OOD1 H&S 9 POCKET1 ! L9E (
8 %\LD]S /RAI<T1 LOOK+ UP 6": ! YEW TREE
5D$ &! SKY 2GAN4 ,8 N1T HAIR 0 GRAY+1 &
"! 0 A P]FECT CIRCLE ( P9K SCALP AN 9* &
A HALF WIDE ON ! TOP ( 8 H1D4
  8,JOHN IS MAK+ GD ! DAMAGE T ! TW9S
DID10 ,HE/] SD4
  8,:AT MADE !M D X80
  8,IN ,EMMEL9E'S CASE T IS AN EASY "Q
6ANSW]4 ,ADEL9E MADE H] D X4 ,Z = :AT
MADE ,ADEL9E D X1 T IS A H>D] "Q ALT4 ,I
D\BT %E "KS H]F4 ,MO/ (! "T %E IS GOV]N$
0IMPULSES T APPE> 6H NO 3SCI\S ELE;T4
,:AT"E ! R1SON1 ! RESULT 0 DEVA/AT+ =
,JOHN4 ,8 FAMILY HAS T5D$ ? G>D5 = G5]A-
;NS40
  8,HE>T.S4 ,ALL ! M %OCK+ -+ F A *40
  ,UNSE5 0! DOCTOR1 %E PULL$ AN-    #BFI
O!R FACE4 ,CLE>LY HE DID N "K M* AB *N4
8,HE>T.S 9DE$4 ,?\< *N >E CAPA# ( GRT
CRUELTY4 ,ONLY WE D N L 6?9K X ( !M40
  ,SL[LY !Y 2GAN 6WALK 2T ! TOPI>Y
%APES1 ADMIR+ ! YEWS :ILE SP1K+ ( ,HES-
T]'S "W4 ,KEEP+ A SAFE 4T.E1 B ALW )9
E>%OT1 A LL SPY FOLL[$ !M1 MOV+ F ! PRO-
TEC;N ( "O YEW 6ANO!R4 ,LEFT & "R !Y
MOV$2 "S"TS !Y TURN$ 6D\# BACK ON !MVS2
X 0 A GAME ( ANGLES1 AN ELABORATE D.E4
  8,Y >E SATISFI$ )! RESULTS ( YR EF=TS
) ,EMMEL9E1 ,I IMAG9E1 ,MISS ,B>R[80
  8,YES4 ,) ANO!R YE> OR S ( MY ATT5;N1
,I SEE NO R1SON :Y ,EMMEL9E %D N GIVE UP
UNRULI;S = GD & 2COME P]MAN5TLY ! SWEET
GIRL %E "KS H[ 6BE AT H] BE/4 ,%E W N 2
CL"E1 B /1 ,I SEE NO R1SON :Y %E %D N "O
"D L1D A SATISFY+ LIFE SEP>ATELY F H]
SI/]4 ,P]H %E MI<T EV5 M>RY4 ,ALL M5 D N
SEEK 9TELLIG;E 9 A WIFE1 & ,EMMEL9E IS V
A6EC;NATE40
  8,GD1 GD40
  8,) ,ADEL9E X IS A DI6]5T MATT] 5TIRE-
LY40
  ,!Y CAME 6A /&/ILL1 NEXT 6A       #BGJ
L1FY OBELISK )A GA% CUT 96XS SIDE "P (!
WAY UP4 ,! GOV];S PE]$ AT ! BR[N 9N]
BRAN*ES & T\*$ "O (! NEW TWIGS ) XS B"R
L1VES T 0 GR[+ F ! OLD WOOD T[>D ! LI<T4
,%E SI<$4
  8,ADEL9E PUZZLES ME1 ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY4
,I WD VALUE YR M$ICAL OP9ION40
  ,! DOCTOR GAVE A C\RTE\S HALF B[4 8,BY
ALL M1NS4 ,:AT IS X T IS TR\BL+ Y80
  8,I H N"E "KN S* A 3FUS+ *40 ,%E
PAUS$4 8,=GIVE MY SL[;S1 B "! IS NO SUC-
C9CT WAY 6EXPLA9 ! /RANGE;S ,I H NOTIC$
9 H]40
  8,!N TAKE YR "T4 ,I AM 9 NO RU%40
  ,! DOCTOR 9DICAT$ A L[ B5*1 AT ! BACK
( : A H$GE ( BOX _H BE5 TRA9$ 96AN ELAB-
ORATELY CURLICU$ >*1 ! K9D T FREQU5TLY
=MS ! H1DBO>D (A HI<LY CRAFT$ B$/1D4 ,!Y
SAT & F.D !MVS FAC+ ! GD SIDE ( "O (!
G>D5'S L>GE/ GEOMETRICAL PIECES4 8,A DO-
DECAH$RON1 LOOK40
  ,HE/] 4REG>D$ 8 -;T & 2GAN H] EXPLANA-
;N4
  8,ADEL9E IS A HO/ILE & A7RESSIVE *4
,%E RES5TS MY PRES;E 9 ! H\SE &     #BGA
RESI/S ALL MY EF=TS 6IMPOSE ORD]4 ,H]
EAT+ IS ]RATIC2 %E REFUSES FOOD UNTIL %E
IS HALF />V+1 & ONLY !N W %E EAT B !
M]E/ MORSEL4 ,%E HAS 6BE BA!D 0=CE1 &1
DESPITE H] ?9;S1 X TAKES TWO P 6HOLD H]
9 ! WAT]4 ,ANY W>M? ,I %[ H] IS MET BY
UTT] 9DI6];E4 ,%E SEEMS 9CAPA# ( ALL !
NORMAL RANGE ( HUMAN EMO;N1 &1 ,I SP1K
FRANKLY 6Y1 ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY1 ,I H WOND]$
:E!R %E HAS X 9 H] 6RETURN 6! FOLD (
-MON HUMAN;Y40
  8,IS %E 9TELLIG5T80
  8,%E IS WILY4 ,%E IS CUNN+4 ,B %E _C 2
/IMULAT$ 6TAKE AN 9T]E/ 9 ANY?+ 2Y !
R1LM ( H] [N WI%ES1 DESIRES & APPE-
TITES40
  8,& 9 ! CLASSROOM80
  8,Y APPRECIATE ( C\RSE T ) GIRLS L ^!
! CLASSROOM IS N :AT X MI<T 2 = NORMAL
*N4 ,"! IS NO >I?METIC1 NO ,LAT91 NO GE-
OGRAPHY4 ,/1 9 ! 9T]E/S ( ORD] & R\T9E1
! *N >E MADE 6ATT5D = TWO H\RS1 TWICE A
"D1 & ,I $UCATE !M 0TELL+ /ORIES40
  8,DOES %E APPRECIATE ^! LESSONS80
  8,IF ONLY ,I KNEW H[ 6ANSW] T     #BGB
"Q6 ,%E IS Q .WILD1 ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY4 ,%E
HAS 6BE TRAPP$ 9 ! ROOM 0TRICK]Y1 OR "S-
"TS ,I H 6GET ,JOHN 6BR+ H] 0=CE4 ,%E W
D ANY?+ 6AVOID X1 FLAIL+ H] >MS OR ELSE
HOLD+ H] :OLE BODY RIGID 6MAKE X AWKW>D
6C>RY H] "? ! DOOR4 ,S1T+ H] 2H A DESK
IS PRACTIC,Y IMPOSSI#4 ,M (T5 ?AN N
,JOHN IS OBLIG$ 6SIMPLY L1VE H] ON !
FLOOR4 ,%E W NEI LOOK AT ME NOR LI/5 6ME
9 ! CLASSROOM1 B RETR1TS 6"S 9N] _W ( H]
[N40
  ,! DOCTOR LI/5$ CLOSELY & NO4$4 8,X IS
A DI6ICULT CASE4 ,H] 2HAVIOR CAUSES Y
GRT] ANXIETY & Y FE> T ! RESULTS ( YR
EF=TS MAY 2 LESS SU3ESS;L ?AN ) H] SI/]4
,& YET0--HIS SMILE 0 *>M+--8=GIVE ME1
,MISS ,B>R[1 IF ,I D N SEE :Y Y PROFESS
6BE BA6L$ 0H]4 ,ON ! 3TR>Y1 YR A3.T ( H]
2HAVIOR & M5TAL /ATE IS M COH]5T ?AN _M
A M$ICAL /UD5T MI<T MAKE1 GIV5 ! SAME
EVID;E40
  ,%E EY$ HM LEVELLY4 8,I H N YET -E 6!
3FUS+ "P40
  8,AH40
  8,"! >E ME?ODS T H BE5 SU3ESS;L   #BGC
) *N L ,ADEL9E 9 ! PA/4 ,"! >E /RATEGIES
( MY [N T ,I H "S FAI? 9 & WD N HESITATE
6PUT 96AC;N 7 X N T '''0
  ,HE/] HESITAT$1 & ? "T ! DOCTOR 0 WISE
5 6WAIT = H] 6G ON4 ,:5 %E SPOKE AG X 0
SL[LY1 & %E WEI<$ H] ^WS ) C>E4
  8,X IS Z ?\< "! IS A MI/ 9 ,ADEL9E1 A
MI/ T SEP>ATES H] N ONLY F HUMAN;Y B F
H]F4 ,& "S"TS ! MI/ ?9S1 & "S"TS ! MI/
CLE>S1 & ANO!R ,ADEL9E APPE>S4 ,& !N !
MI/ RETURNS & %E IS Z 2F40
  ,HE/] LOOK$ AT ! DOCTOR1 WAT*+ 8 REAC-
;N4 ,HE FR[N$1 B ABV 8 FR[N1 ": 8 HAIR 0
REC$+1 8 SK9 0 AN UNWR9KL$ P9K4 8,:AT IS
%E L DUR+ ^! P]IODS80
  8,! \TW>D SIGNS >E V SMALL4 ,= S"EAL
WEEKS ,I 0 N AW>E (! PH5OM5ON1 & EV5 !N
,I WAIT$ "S "T 2F 2+ SURE 5 6-E 6Y40
  8,I SEE40
  8,F/ ( ALL "! IS H] BR1?+4 ,X *ANGES
"S"TS1 & ,I "K T ?\< %E IS PRET5D+ 6BE 9
A _W ( H] [N1 %E IS LI/5+ 6ME4 ,& H]
H&S--0
  8,H] H&S80
  8,USU,Y !Y >E SPLAY$1 T5SE1 L     #BGD
?0--,HE/] DEMON/RAT$--8B !N "S"TS ,I NO-
TICE !Y RELAX1 L ?0--& H] [N F+]S RELAX$
96S(T;S4 8,X IS Z IF H] 9VOLVE;T )! /ORY
HAS CAPTUR$ H] ATT5;N & 9 DO+ S "UM9$ H]
DEF5SES1 S T %E RELAXES & =GETS H] %[ (
REJEC;N & DEFI.E4 ,I H "W$ )A GRT _M
DI6ICULT *N1 ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY4 ,I H 3SID]-
A# EXP]TISE4 ,& :AT ,I H SE5 AM.TS 6?3
,AG/ ALL ! O4S1 "! IS A .F];T,N 9 H]40
  ,! DOCTOR DID N ANSW] IMMLY B 3SID]$1
& ,HE/] SEEM$ GRATIFI$ AT 8 APPLIC,N4
  8,IS "! ANY PATT]N 6! EM]G;E ( ^!
SIGNS80
  8,NO?+ ,I C 2 SURE ( Z YET1 B '''0
  ,HE PUT 8 H1D ON "O SIDE1 5C\RAG+ H]
6G ON4
  8,X'S PROBABLY NO?+1 B C]TA9 /ORIES
'''0
  8,/ORIES80
  8.,JANE .,EYRE1 = 9/.E4 ,I TOLD !M A
%ORT5$ V].N (! F/ "P1 OV] S"EAL "DS1 &
,I C]TA9LY NOTIC$ X !N4 ,DICK5S1 TOO4 ,!
HI/ORICAL TALES &! MORAL TALES H N"E _H
! SAME E6ECT40
  ,! DOCTOR FR[N$4 8,& IS X 3SIS-   #BGE
T5T8 ,DOES R1D+ .,JANE .,EYRE ALW BR+ AB
! *ANGES Y H DESCRIB$80
  8,NO4 ,T IS ! DI6ICULTY40
  8,HMM4 ,S :AT D Y M1N 6D80
  8,"! >E ME?ODS = MANAG+ SELFI% & RE-
SI/ANT *N S* Z ,ADEL9E4 ,A /RICT REGIME
N[ MI<T 2 5 6KEEP H] \ ( AN 9/ITU;N LAT]
9 LIFE4 ,H["E1 ? REGIME1 9VOLV+ ! IMPO-
SI;N ( /RICT R\T9E &! REMOVAL ( M* T
/IMULATES H]1 WD 2 MO/ DETRI;TAL TO--0
  8,6! * WE SEE "? ! GAPS 9 ! MI/80
  8,PRECISELY4 ,9 FACT1 = .T *1 NO?+ WD
2 WORSE40
  8,& T *1 ! GIRL 9 ! MI/1 :AT FUTURE CD
Y =ESEE = H]80
  8,X IS A PREMATURE "Q4 ,SU6ICE X 6SAY
T ,I _C AT PRES5T C.T5.E H] 2+ LO/4 ,:O
"KS :AT %E MI<T 2COME80
  ,!Y SAT 9 SIL;E1 GAZ+ AT ! L1FY GEOME-
TRY OPPOSITE & 3TEMPLAT+ ! PRO#M ,HE/]
_H SET \ :ILE1 UNBE"KN/ 6!M1 ! PRO#M XF1
WELL 3C1L$ 0TOPI>Y1 />$ BACK AT !M "? !
GAPS 9 ! BRAN*ES4
  ,F9,Y ! DOCTOR SPOKE4 8,"! IS NO
M$ICAL 3DI;N ,I "K ( T WD CAUSE     #BGF
M5TAL E6ECTS ( Q ! K9D Y DESCRIBE4 ,H[-
"E1 T MAY 2 MY [N IGNOR.E40 ,HE WAIT$ =
H] 6PROTE/2 %E DIDN'T4 8,H-HUM4 ,X WD 2
S5SI# = ME 6GIVE ! * A ?OR\< EXAM9,N 9
ORD] 6E/ABLI% H] OV]ALL /ATE ( H1L?1 BO?
M5TAL & PHYSICAL1 Z A F/ /EP40
  8,T IS J :AT ,I 0 ?9K+10 ,HE/] REPLI$4
8,N[ '''0--%E RUMMAG$ 9 H] POCKET--8"H
>E MY NOTES4 ,Y W F9D DESCRIP;NS ( EA*
9/.E ,I H WIT;S$1 TGR ) "S PRELIM9>Y
ANALYSIS4 ,P]H AF ! M$ICAL Y MI<T /AY =
HALF AN H\R 6GIVE ME YR F/ ?"\S8 ,WE C
DECIDE ON ! APPROPRIATE NEXT /EP !N40
  ,HE LOOK$ AT H] 9 "S AMAZE;T4 ,%E _H
/EPP$ \ ( H] ROLE Z GOV];S1 0 2HAV+ Z
?\< %E 7 "S FELL[ EXP]T6
  ,HE/] _H CAU<T H]F \4
  ,%E HESITAT$4 ,CD %E BACKTRACK8 ,0 X
TOO LATE8 ,%E MADE H] RESOLU;N4 ,9 =A
P5NY1 9 =A P.D4 8,X'S N A DODECAH$RON10
%E TOLD HM SLYLY4 8,X'S A TETRAH$RON40
  ,! DOCTOR ROSE F ! B5*1 /EPP$ T[>D !
TOPI>Y %APE4 ,"O1 TWO1 ?REE1 F\R ''' ,8
LIPS MOV$ Z HE C.T$4
  ,MY HE>T /OPP$4 ,0 HE GO+ 6WALK   #BGG
>.D ! TREE1 MAK+ 8 T,Y ( PLANES & COR-
N]S8 ,0 HE GO+ 6TRIP OV] ME8
  ,B HE R1*$ SIX & /OPP$4 ,HE KNEW %E 0
"R4
  ,!N "! 0 A CURI\S LL MO;T :5 !Y J
LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4 ,8 FACE 0 UNC]TA94
,:AT 0 ? WOMAN8 ,0:AT AU?OR;Y DID %E
SP1K 6HM ! WAY %E DID8 ,%E 0 J A DUMPY1
POTATO-FAC$1 PROV9CIAL GOV];S4 ,WASN'T
%E8
  ,9 SIL;E %E />$ BACK AT HM1 TRANSFIX$
0! UNC]TA9TY GLIMM]+ 9 8 FACE4
  ,! _W SEEM$ 6TILT A FRAC;N ON XS AXIS1
& !Y EA* LOOK$ AWKW>DLY AWAY4
  8,! M$ICAL10 ,HE/] 2GAN4
  8,W$NES"D AFN1 P]H80 PROPOS$ ! DOCTOR4
  8,W$NES"D AFN40
  ,&! _W RETURN$ 6XS PROP] AXIS4
  ,!Y WALK$ BACK T[>D ! H\SE1 & AT !
TURN 9 ! PA? ! DOCTOR TOOK 8 L1VE4
  ,2H ! YEW ! LL SPY BIT H] NAILS & WON-
D]$4


             ,,FIVE ,,NOTES         #BGH

  ,A SCRAT*Y VEIL ( FATIGUE IRRITAT$ MY
EYES4 ,MY M9D 0 PAP] ?94 ,I _H BE5 "W+
ALL "D & HALF ! NI<T1 & N[ ,I 0 AFRAID
6G 6SLEEP4
  ,0 MY M9D PLAY+ TRICKS ON ME8 ,X SEEM$
T ,I CD HE> A TUNE4 ,WELL1 H>DLY A TUNE4
,J FIVE LO/ NOTES4 ,I OP5$ ! W9D[ 6BE
SURE4 ,YES4 ,"! 0 DEF9ITELY S.D -+ F !
G>D54
  ,^WS ,I C "U/&4 ,GIVE ME A TORN OR
DAMAG$ FRAG;T ( TEXT & ,I C DIV9E :AT M/
H -E 2F & :AT M/ -E AF4 ,OR IF N1 ,I C
AT L1/ REDUCE ! NUMB] ( POSSIBILITIES 6!
MO/ LIKELY OP;N4 ,B MUSIC IS N MY LAN-
GUAGE4 ,7 ^! FIVE NOTES ! OP5+ (A LULLA-
BY8 ,OR ! DY+ FALL (A LA;T8 ,X 0 IMPOS-
SI# 6SAY4 ,) NO 2G9N+ & NO 5D+ 6FRAME
!M1 NO MELODY 6HOLD !M 9 PLACE1 :AT"E X
0 T B.D !M TGR SEEM$ PREC>I\SLY 9SECURE4
,E "T ! F/ NOTE /RUCK UP XS CALL1 "! 0 A
MO;T ( ANXIETY :ILE X WAIT$ 6F9D \ :E!R
XS -PANION 0 / "!1 OR _H DRIFT$ (F1 LO/
= GD1 BL[N AWAY 0! W9D4 ,& S )! ?IRD &!
F\R?4 ,&)! FIF?1 NO RESOLU;N1 ON-   #BGI
LY ! FEEL+ T SOON] OR LAT] ! FRAGILE
BONDS T L9K$ ? R&OM SET ( NOTES WD GIVE
WAY Z ! L9KS )! RE/ (! TUNE _H GIV5 WAY1
& EV5 ? LA/1 EMPTY FRAG;T WD 2 G"O = GD1
SCATT]$ 6! W9D L ! LA/ L1VES F A W9T]
TREE4
  ,/U2ORNLY MUTE :5"E MY 3SCI\S M9D
CALL$ ^U !M 6P]=M1 ! NOTES CAME 6ME \ (
NO": :5 ,I 0 N ?9K+ ( !M4 ,LO/ 9 MY "W 9
! EV5+1 ,I WD 2COME AW>E T !Y _H BE5 RE-
P1T+ !MVS 9 MY M9D = "S "T4 ,OR ELSE 9
B$1 DRIFT+ 2T SLEEP & WAKE;L;S1 ,I WD
HE> !M 9 ! 4T.E1 S++ _! 9DIST9CT1 M1N+.S
S;G 6ME4
  ,B N[ ,I RE,Y HE>D X4 ,A S+LE NOTE F/1
XS -PANIONS DR[N$ 9 ! RA9 T RAPP$ AT !
W9D[4 ,X 0 NO?+1 ,I TOLD MYF1 & PREP>$
6G BACK 6SLEEP4 ,B !N1 9 A LULL 9 ! RA9-
/ORM1 ?REE NOTES RAIS$ !MVS ABV ! WAT]4
  ,! NI<T 0 V ?ICK4 ,S BLACK 0 ! SKY T
ONLY ! S.D (! RA9 ALL[$ ME 6PICTURE !
G>D54 ,T P]CUS.N 0 ! RA9 ON ! W9D[S4 ,!
S(T1 R&OM SQUALLS 7 FRE% RA9 ON ! LAWN4
,! TRICKL+ S.D 0 WAT] -+ D[N GUTT]S &
96DRA9S4 ,DRIP ''' DRIP ''' DRIP4   #BHJ
,WAT] FALL+ F L1VES 6! GR.D4 ,2H ALL ?1
2N X1 2T X1 IF ,I 0 N MAD OR DR1M+1 CAME
! FIVE NOTES4 ,LA LA LA LA LA4
  ,I PULL$ ON BOOTS &A COAT & W5T \TSIDE
96! BLACK;S4
  ,I CD N SEE MY H& 9 FRONT ( MY FACE4
,NO?+ 6HE> B ! SQUEL* ( MY BOOTS ON !
LAWN4 ,& !N ,I CAU<T A TRACE ( X4 ,A
H>%1 UNMUSICAL S.D2 N AN 9/RU;T1 B AN
ATONAL1 4CORDANT HUMAN VOICE4
  ,SL[LY &) FREQU5T /OPS ,I TRACK$ !
NOTES4 ,I W5T D[N ! L;G BORD]S & TURN$
96! G>D5 )! POND--AT L1/ ,I ?9K T IS ":
,I W5T4 ,!N ,I MISTOOK MY WAY1 BL"U$ ACR
S(T SOIL ": ,I ?"\ A PA? %D BE1 & 5D$ UP
N 2S ! YEW Z ,I EXPECT$1 B 9 A PAT* (
KNEE-HI< %RUBS ) ?ORNS T CAU<T AT MY
CLO!S4 ,F !N ON ,I GAVE UP TRY+ 6"W \ ":
,I WAS1 TOOK MY BE>+S F MY E>S AL"O1
FOLL[$ ! NOTES L ,>IANE'S ?R1D "? A LAB-
YR9? ,I _H C1S$ 6RECOGNIZE4 ,X S.D$ AT
IRREGUL> 9T]VALS1 & EA* "T ,I WD H1D
T[>D X1 UNTIL ! SIL;E /OPP$ ME & ,I
PAUS$1 WAIT+ =A NEW CLUE4 ,H[ L;G DID ,I
/UM# AF X 9 ! D>K8 ,0 X A QU>T] (   #BHA
AN H\R8 ,HALF AN H\R8 ,ALL ,I "K IS T AT
! 5D ( T "T ,I F.D MYF BACK AT ! V DOOR
0: ,I _H LEFT ! H\SE4 ,I _H -E--OR BE5
L$--FULL CIRCLE4
  ,! SIL;E 0 V F9AL4 ,! NOTES _H DI$1 &
9 _! PLACE1 ! RA9 />T$ AG4
  ,9/1D ( GO+ IN1 ,I SAT ON ! B5*1 RE/$
MY H1D ON MY CROSS$ >MS1 FEEL+ ! RA9 TAP
ON MY BACK1 MY NECK1 MY HAIR4
  ,X 2GAN 6SEEM A FOOLI% ?+ 6H G"O *AS+
AB ! G>D5 AF "S?+ S 9SUB/ANTIAL1 & ,I
MANAG$ 6P]SUADE MYF1 ALM1 T ,I _H HE>D
NO?+ B ! CRE,N ( MY [N IMAG9,N4 ,!N MY
?"\S TURN$ 9 O!R DIREC;NS4 ,I WOND]$ :5
MY "F WD S5D ME ADVICE AB SE>*+ = ,HE/]4
,I ?"\ AB ,ANGELFIELD & FR[N$3 ,:AT WD
,AURELIUS D :5 ! H\SE 0 DEMOLI%$8 ,?9K+
AB ,ANGELFIELD MADE ME ?9K (! <O/1 & T
MADE ME ?9K ( MY [N <O/1 ! PHOTOGRAPH ,I
_H TAK5 ( H]1 LO/ 9 A BLUR ( :ITE4 ,I
MADE A RESOLU;N 6TELEPH"O MY "M ! NEXT
"D1 B X 0 A SAFE RESOLU;N2 NO "O C HOLD
Y 6A DECI.N MADE 9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T4
  ,& !N MY SP9E S5T ME AN AL>M4
  ..,A PRES;E4 ,"H4 ,N[4 ,AT MY     #BHB
.SIDE4
  ,I J]K$ UP & LOOK$ >.D4
  ,! D>K;S 0 TOTAL4 ,"! 0 NO?+ & NO "O
6SEE4 ,"EY?+1 EV5 ! GRT OAK1 _H BE5
SWALL[$ UP 9 ! D>K;S1 &! _W _H %RUNK 6!
EYES T 7 WAT*+ ME &! WILD FR5ZY ( MY
HE>T4
  ,N ,MISS ,W9T]4 ,N "H4 ,N AT ? "T (
NI<T4
  ,!N :O8
  ,I FELT X .2F ,I FELT X4 ,! T\* AG/ MY
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  ,HE FOLL[$ ME 6MY ROOM1 LICK$ HMF DRY
:ILE ,I WRAPP$ MY HAIR 9 A T[EL1 & WE
FELL ASLEEP TGR ON ! B$4 ,= ONCE--P]H X
0 ! CAT'S PROTEC;N--MY DR1MS KEPT WELL
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                                    #BHC
  ,! NEXT "D 0 DULL & GRAY4 ,AF MY REGU-
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D54 ,I TRI$ 9 ! 4MAL LI<T ( E>LY AFN TO
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2G9N+ 0 EASY 5\<3 D[N ! L;G BORD]S & 96!
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,MY MEMORY ( /EPP+ ACR ! S(T WET SOIL (A
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PRI/9ELY RAK$ & 9 ORD]4 ,/1 ,I MADE A
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T MI<T OR MI<T N H MIRROR$1 9 "P AT L1/1
MY NI<T"T /ROLL4
  ,I SAW NO?+ \ (! ORD9>Y4 ,UN.S Y C.T !
FACT T ,I CAME ACR ,MAURICE1 &= ONCE HE
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*URN$-UP SOIL1 /RAI<T5+ & SMOO?+ & PUTT+
"R4 ,HE FELT ME -E ONTO ! LAWN 2H HM &
LOOK$ UP4 8,DAMN FOXES10 HE GR[L$4 ,&
TURN$ BACK 6HIS "W4
  ,I RETURN$ 6! H\SE & 2GAN TRANSCRIB+ !
MORN+'S 9T]VIEW4


                                    #BHD
























             ,,! ,,EXP]I;T          #BHE

  ,! "D (! M$ICAL EXAM9,N CAME1 & ,DR4
,MAUDSLEY PRES5T$ HMF AT ! H\SE4 ,Z USU-
AL ,*>LIE 0 N "! 6WELCOME ! VISITOR4
,HE/] _H 9=M$ HM (! DOCTOR'S VISIT 9 H]
USUAL WAY 7A LR LEFT \TSIDE 8 ROOMS ON A
TRAY71 & HAV+ HE>D NO M AB X1 ASSUM$ Q
CORRECTLY T HE TOOK NO 9T]E/ 9 ! MATT]4
  ,! PATI5T 0 9 "O ( H] SULL5 B UNRESI/+
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! EXAM9,N TOOK PLACE1 & SUBMITT$ 62+
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^W4
  ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY F.D 8 PATI5T 6BE "U-
WEI<T & 6H LICE2 O!RWISE %E 0 PHYSIC,Y
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  ,^! 7 N ! ONLY OP9IONS ! DOCTOR _H 9
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B.D>Y80 ,! "Q 0 RHETORICAL2 %E DID N IN-
DICATE 6! DOCTOR T HE MI<T SP1K1 B DREW
9 A M1SUR$ BR1? & 3T9U$4 8,N[1 3SID] !
QUALITIES 9 ! GIRL 9 ! MI/4 ,%E LI/5S TO
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  8,X'S A CURI\S IDEA10 HE ANSW]$ CAU-
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0 GO+ 6BE ANY": X WD 2 9 ,LAWSON1 & X
ISN'T40                             #BIJ
  8,Y H R1D ,LAWSON80
  8,( C\RSE4 ,I WD N DR1M ( PRON\NC+ AN
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  8,"! IS A REF];E 6! ,P]UVIAN BOY TW9S
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  8,I REMEMB] ! EXAMPLE Y M1N '''0 ,HE
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M1N"T1 _H OBTA9$ A NUMB] ( O!R BOOKS &
>TICLES 6-PLETE 8 LIBR>Y ON TW9S1 REC5T-
LY PUBLI%$ PIECES1 COPIES ( "W 9 PROG-
RESS F V>I\S SPECIALI/S1 =EIGN "WS4 ,HE
F.D AF A WEEK OR TWO T HE CD SAVE HMF "T
0PASS+ ^! 6,HE/] F/1 & R1D+ = HMF   #BIA
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  8,Y >E Q "R4 ,X DOES40 ,Y CD =GIVE H]
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  8,"! IS ONLY "O WAY 6F9D \10 %E SD
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WD H DI6ICULTY 9 P]SUAD+ ! APPROPRIATE
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                                    #BID
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