,,! ,,?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
      ,NAD9E ,BU/ON1 ,]IC ,SORLI51
            & ,DAWN ,HU6+TON
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #D
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #BII-DJF
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
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                                     ;II
























       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
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@ 7#D7 ,A35T SIGN



















                                     ;IV
























     ,,D ,,Y ,,2LIEVE ,,9 ,,<O/S8   #BII

  ,! NEXT "T ,I SAW H]1 ,MISS ,W9T]
LOOK$ DI6]5T4 ,%E CLOS$ H] EYES WE>ILY1
& X TOOK H] L;G] ?AN USUAL 63JURE ! PA/
& 2G9 6SP1K4 ,:ILE %E GA!R$ ! ?R1DS1 ,I
WAT*$ H] & NOTIC$ T %E _H LEFT (F H]
FALSE EYELA%ES4 ,"! 0 ! HABITUAL PURPLE
EYE %AD[1 ! SWEEP+ L9E ( BLACK4 ,B )\T !
SPID] LA%ES1 %E _H ! UNEXPECT$ APPE>.E (
A * :O _H BE5 PLAY+ 9 H] "M'S MAKEUP
BOX4

  ,?+S W]5'T Z ,HE/] &! DOCTOR EXPECT$4
,!Y 7 PREP>$ = AN ,ADEL9E :O WD RANT &
RAGE & KICK & FI<T4 ,Z = ,EMMEL9E1 !Y 7
C.T+ ON H] A6EC;N = ,HE/] 6RECONCILE H]
6H] TW9'S SU45 ABS;E4 ,!Y 7 EXPECT+1 9
%ORT1 ! SAME GIRLS !Y _H 2F1 ONLY SEPA-
RATE ": !Y _H BE5 TGR4 ,& S1 9ITI,Y1 !Y
7 SURPRIS$ 0! TW9S' COLLAPSE 96A PAIR (
LIFE.S RAG DOLLS4
  ,N Q LIFE.S4 ,! BLOOD 3T9U$ 6CIRCU-
LATE1 SLU7I%LY1 9 _! VE9S4 ,!Y SWALL[$ !
S\P T 0 SPOON$ 96_! M\?S 0IN "O H\SE !
,MISSUS1 9 ! O!R ! DOCTOR'S WIFE4   #CJJ
,B SWALL[+ IS A REFLEX1 & !Y _H NO APPE-
TITE4 ,_! EYES1 OP5 DUR+ ! "D1 7 UNSEE+1
& AT NI<T1 ?\< _! EYES CLOS$1 !Y _H N !
TRANQUILL;Y ( SLEEP4 ,!Y 7 A"P2 !Y 7
AL"O2 !Y 7 9 A K9D ( LIMBO4 ,!Y 7 L AM-
PUTEES1 ONLY X 0 N A LIMB !Y 7 MISS+1 B
_! V S\LS4
  ,DID ! SCI5TI/S D\BT !MVS8 ,/OP & WON-
D] :E!R !Y 7 DO+ ! "R ?+8 ,DID ! LOLL+1
UNCONSCI\S FIGURES (! TW9S CA/ A %AD[
OV] _! B1UTI;L PROJECT8 ,!Y 7 N WILL;LLY
CRUEL1 Y "K4 ,ONLY FOOLI%4 ,MISGUID$ 0_!
LE>N+1 _! AMBI;N1 _! [N SELF-DCVG BL;S4
  ,! DOCTOR C>RI$ \ TE/S4 ,HE/] OBS]V$4
,& !Y MET E "D1 6-P>E NOTES4 ,64CUSS :AT
AT F/ !Y OPTIMI/IC,Y CALL$ PROGRESS4 ,2H
! DOCTOR'S DESK1 OR 9 ! ,ANGELFIELD LI-
BR>Y1 !Y SAT TGR1 H1DS B5T OV] PAP]S ON
: 7 RECORD$ E DETAIL (! GIRLS' LIVES4
,2HAVIOR1 DIET1 SLEEP4 ,!Y PUZZL$ OV]
ABS5T APPETITES1 ! PROP5S;Y 6SLEEP ALL !
"T--T SLEEP : 0 N SLEEP4 ,!Y PROPOS$ !O-
RIES 6A3.T (! *ANGES 9 ! TW9S4 ,! EXP]I-
;T 0 N GO+ Z WELL Z !Y _H EXPECT$1 _H
2GUN 9 FACT 4A/R\SLY1 B ! TWO       #CJA
SCI5TI/S SKIRT$ >.D ! POSSIBIL;Y T !Y
MI<T 2 DO+ H>M1 PREF]R+ 6RETA9 ! 2LIEF T
TGR !Y CD "W A MIRACLE4
  ,! DOCTOR DERIV$ GRT SATISFAC;N F !
NOVELTY ( "W+ =! F/ "T 9 DECADES )A SCI-
5TIFIC M9D (! HI<E/ ORD]4 ,HE M>VEL$ AT
8 PROT@EG@EE'S ABIL;Y 6GRASP A PR9CIPLE
"O M9UTE & 6APPLY X ) PROFES.NAL ORIGI-
NAL;Y & 9SI<T ! NEXT4 ,2F L;G HE ADMITT$
6HMF T %E 0 M A COLL1GUE ?AN A PROT@E-
G@EE4 ,& ,HE/] 0 ?RILL$ 6F9D T AT L;G
LA/ H] M9D 0 ADEQUATELY N\RI%$ & *AL-
L5G$4 ,%E CAME \ ( _! DAILY MEET+S AGL[
) EXCITE;T & PL1SURE4 ,S _! BL;S 0 ONLY
NATURAL4 ,H[ CD !Y 2 EXPECT$ 6"U/& T :AT
0 DO+ !M S* GD CD 2 DO+ S* GRT H>M 6! *N
9 _! C>E8 ,UN.S P]H1 9 ! EV5+S1 EA* SIT-
T+ 9 SOLITUDE 6WRITE UP ! "D'S NOTES1 !Y
MI<T 9DIVIDU,Y H RAIS$ _! EYES 6! UNMOV-
+1 D1D-EY$ * 9 A *AIR 9 ! CORN] & FELT A
D\BT CROSS _! M9DS4 ,P]H4 ,B IF !Y DID1
!Y DID N RECORD X 9 _! NOTES1 DID N M5;N
X 6! O!R4
  ,S DEP5D5T DID ! PAIR 2COME ON _! JO9T
"UTAK+ T !Y Q FAIL$ 6SEE T ! GR&    #CJB
PROJECT 0 MAK+ NO PROGRESS AT ALL4 ,EM-
MEL9E & ,ADEL9E 7 ALL B CATATONIC1 &!
GIRL 9 ! MI/ 0 NO": 6BE SE54 ,UNDET]R$
0_! LACK ( F9D+S1 ! SCI5TI/S 3T9U$ _!
"W3 ,!Y MADE TA#S & *>TS1 PROPOS$ !ORIES
& DEVELOP$ ELABORATE EXP]I;TS 6TE/ !M4
,) EA* FAILURE !Y TOLD !MVS T !Y _H
ELIM9AT$ "S?+ F ! FIELD ( EXAM9,N & W5T
ON 6! NEXT BIG IDEA4
  ,! DOCTOR'S WIFE &! ,MISSUS 7 9VOLV$1
B AT "O REMOVE4 ,! PHYSICAL C>E (! GIRLS
0 _! RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,!Y SPOON$ S\P 96!
UNRESI/+ M\?S ( _! *>GES ?REE "TS A "D4
,!Y DRESS$ ! TW9S1 BA!D !M1 DID _! LAUN-
DRY1 BRU%$ _! HAIR4 ,EA* WOMAN _H H]
R1SONS = 4APPROV+ (! PROJECT2 EA* _H H]
R1SONS = KEEP+ MUM AB H] ?"\S4 ,Z =
,JOHN-!-DIG1 HE 0 \TSIDE X ALL4 ,8 OP9-
ION 0 S"\ 0NO "O1 N T T /OPP$ HM MAK+ 8
DAILY PRON\NCE;T 6! ,MISSUS 9 ! KIT*53
8,NO GD W -E ( X4 ,I'M TELL+ Y4 ,NO GD
AT ALL40
  ,"! CAME A MO;T :5 !Y MI<T H _H 6GIVE
UP4 ,ALL _! PLANS _H -E 6NO?+1 & ?\< !Y
RACK$ _! BRA9S1 !Y 7 LO/ =A NEW     #CJC
TRICK 6TRY4 ,AT PRECISELY ? PO9T ,HE/]
DETECT$ SMALL SIGNS ( IMPROVE;T 9 ,EMME-
L9E4 ,! GIRL _H TURN$ H] H1D T[>D A W9-
D[4 ,%E 0 F.D CLUT*+ "S %9Y BAU# & WD N
2 SEP>AT$ F X4 ,0LI/5+ \TSIDE DOORS 7:
IS N BAD MANN]S1 9CID5T,Y1 :5 X IS D"O 9
! "N ( SCI;E7 ,HE/] 4COV]$ T :5 LEFT
AL"O ! * 0 :ISP]+ 6H]F 9 ! OLD TW9 LAN-
GUAGE4
  8,%E IS SOO?+ H]F10 %E TOLD ! DOCTOR1
80IMAG9+ ! PRES;E ( H] SI/]40
  ,! DOCTOR 2GAN A REGIME ( L1V+ ,ADEL9E
AL"O = P]IODS ( S"EAL H\RS & LI/5+ \T-
SIDE ! DOOR1 NOTEPAD & P5 9 H&4 ,HE HE>D
NO?+4
  ,HE/] &! DOCTOR ADVIS$ !MVS (! NE$ =
PATI;E 9 ! M SEV]E CASE ( ,ADEL9E1 :ILE
!Y 3GRATULAT$ !MVS ON ! IMPROVE;TS 9
,EMMEL9E4 ,B"RLY !Y NOT$ ,EMMEL9E'S IN-
CR1S$ APPETITE1 H] WILL+;S 6SIT UP1 ! F/
FEW /EPS %E TOOK ( H] [N A3ORD4 ,SOON %E
0 W&]+ >.D ! H\SE & G>D5 AG ) "S?+ ( H]
OLD PURPOSE.S;S4 ,OH YES1 ,HE/] &! DOC-
TOR AGRE$1 ! EXP]I;T 0 RE,Y GO+ "S": N[6
,:E!R !Y /OPP$ 63SID] T :AT !Y      #CJD
T]M$ 8IMPROVE;TS0 7 ONLY ,EMMEL9E RE-
TURN+ 6! HABITS %E ALR 4PLAY$ 2F ! EXP]-
I;T 2GAN IS H>D 6JUDGE4
  ,X WASN'T ALL PLA9 SAIL+ ) ,EMMEL9E4
,"! 0 A DR1D;L "D :5 %E FOLL[$ H] NOSE
6! CUPBO>D FILL$ )! RAGS H] SI/] US$ TO
WE>4 ,%E HELD !M 6H] FACE1 9HAL$ ! /ALE1
ANIMAL ODOR & !N1 9 DELI<T1 >RAY$ H]F 9
!M4 ,X 0 AWKW>D1 B WORSE 0 6-E4 ,DRESS$
9 ? FA%ION1 %E CAU<T SI<T ( H]F 9 A MIR-
ROR &1 TAK+ H] REFLEC;N = H] SI/]1 RAN
H1D-L;G 96X4 ,! CRA% 0 L\D 5 6BR+ !
,MISSUS RUNN+1 & %E F.D ,EMMEL9E WEEP+
2S ! MIRROR1 CRY+ N = H] [N PA9 B = H]
POOR SI/]1 :O _H BROK5 96S"EAL PIECES &
0 BLE$+4
  ,HE/] TOOK ! CLO!S AWAY F H] & 9/RUCT$
,JOHN 6BURN !M4 ,Z AN EXTRA PRECAU;N1 %E
ORD]$ ! ,MISSUS 6TURN ALL ! MIRRORS 6!
WALL4 ,EMMEL9E 0 P]PLEX$1 B "! 7 NO M
9CID5TS (! K9D4
  ,%E WD N SP1K4 ,= ALL ! SOLIT>Y :ISP]+
T W5T ON 2H CLOS$ DOORS1 ALW 9 ! OLD TW9
LANGUAGE1 ,EMMEL9E CD N 2 9DUC$ 6SP1K A
S+LE ^W ( ,5GLI% 6! ,MISSUS OR TO   #CJE
,HE/]4 ,? 0 "S?+ 63F] AB4 ,HE/] &! DOC-
TOR HELD A L5G?Y MEET+ 9 ! LIBR>Y1 AT !
5D ( : !Y 3CLUD$ T "! 0 NO CAUSE & WOR-
RY4 ,EMMEL9E CD TALK1 & %E WD1 GIV5 "T4
,! REFUSAL 6SP1K1 ! 9CID5T )! MIRROR--!Y
7 4APPO9T;TS1 ( C\RSE1 B SCI;E HAS XS
4APPO9T;TS4 ,& LOOK AT ! PROGRESS6 ,:Y1
WASN'T ,EMMEL9E /R;G 5 6BE ALL[$ \TSIDE8
,& %E SP5T LESS "T ^! "DS LOIT]+ AT !
ROADSIDE1 AT ! 9VISI# B.D>Y 2Y : %E D>$
N /EP1 />+ 9 ! DIREC;N (! DOCTOR'S H\SE4
,?+S 7 GO+ Z WELL Z CD 2 EXPECT$4
  ,PROGRESS8 ,X 0 N :AT !Y _H HOP$ AT !
\TSET4 ,X 0 N M* AT ALL -P>$ 6! RESULTS
,HE/] _H A*IEV$ )! GIRL :5 %E F/ >RIV$4
,B X 0 ALL !Y _H & !Y MADE ! MO/ ( X4
,P]H !Y 7 SECRETLY RELIEV$4 ,= :AT WD H
BE5 ! RESULT (A DEF9ITIVE SU3ESS8 ,X WD
H ELIM9AT$ ALL R1SON = _! 3T9U$ COLLABO-
R,N4 ,& ?\< !Y 7 BL 6! FACT1 !Y WD N H
WANT$ T4
  ,!Y WD N"E H 5D$ ! EXP]I;T ( _! [N AC-
CORD4 ,N"E4 ,X 0 GO+ 6TAKE "S?+ ELSE1
"S?+ EXT]NAL1 6PUT A /OP 6X4 ,"S?+ T
CAME Q \ (! BLUE4                   #CJF

  8,:AT 0 X80
  ,?\< X 0 ! 5D ( \R "T1 ?\< %E _H !
DRAWN1 GRAY-:ITE LOOK T %E GOT :5 ! "T =
H] M$IC,N GREW NE>1 ?\< X 0 =BI45 6ASK
"QS1 ,I CDN'T HELP MYF4
  ,DESPITE H] PA91 "! 0 A GRE5 GL1M (
MIS*IEF 9 H] EYES Z %E L1N$ =W>D 3FID+-
LY4
  8,D Y 2LIEVE 9 <O/S1 ,M>G>ET80
  ,D ,I 2LIEVE 9 <O/S8 ,:AT CD ,I SAY8
,I NO4$4
  ,SATISFI$1 ,MISS ,W9T] SAT BACK 9 H]
*AIR1 & ,I _H ! N UNFAMILI> IMPRES.N (
HAV+ GIV5 AWAY M ?AN ,I ?"\4
  8,HE/] DIDN'T4 ,N SCI5TIFIC1 Y SEE4
,S1 N 2LIEV+ 9 <O/S1 %E _H A GD D1L (
TR\# :5 %E SAW "O40

  ,X 0 L ?3
  ,"O B"R "D ,HE/]1 HAV+ F9I%$ H] DUTIES
9 PL5TY ( "T1 LEFT ! H\SE E>LY & DECID$
6TAKE ! L;G WAY R.D 6! DOCTOR'S H\SE4 ,!
SKY 0 GLORI\SLY BLUE1 ! AIR FRE%-SMELL+
& CLE>1 & %E FELT FULL (A P[];L     #CJG
5]GY T %E CDN'T PUT A "N 6B T MADE H]
YE>N = /R5U\S ACTIV;Y4
  ,! PA? >.D ! FIELDS TOOK H] UP A SLI<T
9CL9E T1 ?\< N M* (A HILL1 GAVE H] A F9E
VIEW (! FIELDS & L& >.D4 ,%E 0 AB HALF-
WAY 6! DOCTOR'S1 /RID+ \ VIGOR\SLY1
HE>TB1T RAIS$ B )\T ! SLI<TE/ S5SE (
OV]EX];N1 FEEL+ Q PROBABLY T %E CD FLY
IF %E J PUT H] M9D 6X1 :5 %E SAW "S?+ T
/OMP$ H] D1D4
  ,9 ! 4T.E1 PLAY+ TGR 9 A FIELD1 7 ,EM-
MEL9E & ,ADEL9E4 ,UNMISTAKA#4 ,TWO MANES
( R$ HAIR1 TWO PAIRS ( BLACK %OES2 "O *
9 ! NAVY POPL9 T ! ,MISSUS _H PUT ,EMME-
L9E 9 T MORN+1 ! O!R 9 GRE54
  ,X 0 IMPOSSI#4
  ,B NO4 ,HE/] 0 SCI5TIFIC4 ,%E 0 SEE+
!M1 H;E !Y 7 "!4 ,"! M/ 2 AN EXPLAN,N4
,ADEL9E _H ESCAP$ F ! DOCTOR'S H\SE4 ,H]
TORPOR _H LEFT H] Z SU45LY Z X _H -E &1
TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( AN OP5 W9D[ OR A SET (
KEYS LEFT UNATT5D$1 %E _H ESCAP$ 2F ANY-
"O _H NOTIC$ H] RECOV]Y4 ,T 0 X4
  ,:AT 6D8 ,RUNN+ 6! TW9S 0 PO9T.S4
,%E'D H _H 6APPROA* !M ACR A L;G    #CJH
/RET* ( OP5 FIELD1 & !Y WD SEE H] & FLEE
2F %E _H COV]$ HALF ! 4T.E4 ,S %E W5T 6!
DOCTOR'S H\SE4 ,AT A RUN4
  ,9 NO "T %E 0 "!1 HAMM]+ IMPATI5TLY AT
! DOOR4 ,X 0 ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY :O OP5$ X1
TI<T-LIPP$ AT ! RACKET1 B ,HE/] _H M IM-
PORTANT ?+S ON H] M9D ?AN APOLOGIES &
PU%$ PA/ H] 6! DOOR (! SURG]Y4 ,%E 5T]$
)\T KNOCK+4
  ,! DOCTOR LOOK$ UP1 />T$ 6SEE 8 COL-
LABORATOR'S FACE FLU%$ ) EX];N1 H] HAIR1
NORM,Y S N1T1 FLY+ FREE F XS GRIPS4 ,%E
0 \ ( BR1?4 ,%E WANT$ 6SP1K B =! MO;T CD
N4
  8,:AT"E IS X80 HE ASK$1 RIS+ F 8 S1T &
-+ >.D ! DESK 6PUT 8 H&S ON H] %\LD]S4
  8,ADEL9E60 %E GASP$4 8,Y'VE LET H] \60
  ,! DOCTOR1 PUZZL$1 FR[N$4 ,HE TURN$
,HE/] 0! %\LD]S1 UNTIL %E 0 FAC+ ! O!R
5D (! ROOM4
  ,"! 0 ,ADEL9E4
  ,HE/] SPUN BACK >.D 6! DOCTOR4 8,B
,I'VE J SE5 H]6 ,) ,EMMEL9E6 ,ON ! $GE (
! WOODS 2Y ,OATES'S FIELD '''0 ,%E 2GAN
VEHE;TLY 5\<1 B H] VOICE TAIL$ (F   #CJI
Z %E 2GAN 6WOND]4
  8,CALM YRF1 SIT D[N1 "H1 TAKE A SIP (
WAT]10 ! DOCTOR 0 SAY+4
  8,%E M/ H RUN (F4 ,H[ CD %E H GOT \8
,& -E BACK S QKLY80 ,HE/] TRI$ 6MAKE
S5SE ( X4
  8,%E HAS BE5 "H 9 ? ROOM ? LA/ TWO
H\RS4 ,S9CE BR1KFA/4 ,%E HAS N BE5 UNSU-
P]VIS$ 9 ALL T "T40 ,HE LOOK$ 96,HE/]'S
EYES1 /IRR$ 0H] EMO;N4 8,X M/ H BE5 AN-
O!R *4 ,F ! VILLAGE10 HE SU7E/$1 MA9TA9+
8 DOCTORLY DECORUM4
  8,B--0 ,HE/] %OOK H] H1D4 8,X 0 ,ADE-
L9E'S CLO!S4 ,ADEL9E'S HAIR40
  ,HE/] TURN$ 6LOOK AT ,ADEL9E AG4 ,H]
OP5 EYES 7 9DI6]5T 6! _W4 ,%E 0 WE>+ N !
GRE5 DRESS ,HE/] _H SE5 A FEW M9UTES 2F
B A N1T NAVY "O1 & H] HAIR 0 N LOOSE B
BRAID$4
  ,! EYES ,HE/] TURN$ BACK 6! DOCTOR 7
FULL ( 2WILD];T4 ,H] BR1?+ WD N /1DY4
,"! 0 NO R,NAL EXPLAN,N = :AT %E _H SE54
,X 0 UNSCI5TIFIC4 ,& ,HE/] KNEW ! _W 0
TOT,Y & PROF.DLY SCI5TIFIC4 ,"! CD 2
ONLY "O EXPLAN,N4 8,I M/ 2 MAD10    #CAJ
%E :ISP]$4 ,H] PUPILS DILAT$ & H] NOS-
TRILS QUIV]$4 8,I H SE5 A <O/60
  ,H] EYES FILL$ ) TE>S4
  ,X PRODUC$ A /RANGE S5S,N 9 ! DOCTOR
6SEE 8 COLLABORATOR REDUC$ 6S* A /ATE (
DI%EVEL$ EMO;N4 ,& AL? X 0 ! SCI5TI/ 9
HM T _H F/ ADMIR$ ,HE/] = H] COOL H1D &
RELIA# BRA91 X 0 ! MAN1 ANIMAL & 9/9C-
TIVE1 T RESPOND$ 6H] 49TEGR,N 0PUTT+ 8
>MS >.D H] & PLAC+ 8 LIPS FIRMLY ^U H]S
9 A PAS.NATE EMBRACE4
  ,HE/] DID N RESI/4
  ,LI/5+ AT DOORS IS N BAD MANN]S :5 X
IS D"O 9 ! "N ( SCI;E1 &! DOCTOR'S WIFE
0 A KE5 SCI5TI/ :5 X CAME 6/UDY+ H] [N
HUSB&4 ,! KISS T S />TL$ ! DOCTOR &
,HE/] CAME Z NO SURPRISE AT ALL 6,MRS4
,MAUDSLEY1 :O _H BE5 EXPECT+ "S?+ R L X
= "S "T4
  ,%E FLUNG ! DOOR OP5 & 9 A RU% ( \T-
RAG$ "RE\S;S BUR/ 96! SURG]Y4
  8,I W ?ANK Y 6L1VE ? H\SE 9/ANTLY10 %E
SD 6,HE/]4 8,Y C S5D ,JOHN 9 ! BR\<AM =!
*40
  ,!N1 6H] HUSB&1 8,I W SP1K 6Y     #CAA
LAT]40

  ,! EXP]I;T 0 OV]4 ,S 7 _M O!R ?+S4
  ,JOHN FET*$ ,ADEL9E4 ,HE SAW NEI !
DOCTOR NOR 8 WIFE AT ! H\SE B LE>N$ F !
MAID AB ! EV5TS (! MORN+4
  ,AT HOME HE PUT ,ADEL9E 9 H] OLD B$1 9
! OLD ROOM1 & LEFT ! DOOR AJ>4
  ,EMMEL9E1 W&]+ 9 ! WOODS1 RAIS$ H]
H1D1 SNI6$ ! AIR & TURN$ DIRECTLY T[>D
HOME4 ,%E CAME 9 ! KIT*5 DOOR1 MADE
/RAI<T =! /AIRS1 W5T UP TWO /EPS AT A "T
& /RODE UNHESITAT+LY 6! OLD ROOM4 ,%E
CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H H]4
  ,& ,HE/]8 ,NO "O SAW H] RETURN 6!
H\SE1 & NO "O HE>D H] L1VE4 ,B :5 !
,MISSUS KNOCK$ ON H] DOOR ! NEXT MORN+1
%E F.D ! N1T LL ROOM EMPTY & ,HE/] G"O4

  ,I EM]G$ F ! SPELL (! /ORY & 96,MISS
,W9T]'S GLAZ$ & MIRROR$ LIBR>Y4
  8,": DID %E G80 ,I WOND]$4
  ,MISS ,W9T] EY$ ME )A SLI<T FR[N4
8,I'VE NO IDEA4 ,:AT DOES X MATT]80
  8,%E M/ H G"O "S":40              #CAB
  ,! /ORYTELL] GAVE ME A SIDEWAYS LOOK4
8,MISS ,LEA1 X DOESN'T D 6GET ATTA*$ 6^!
SECOND>Y "*S4 ,X'S N _! /ORY4 ,!Y -E1 !Y
G1 & :5 !Y G !Y'RE G"O = GD4 ,T'S ALL "!
IS 6X40
  ,I SLID MY P5CIL 96! SPIRAL B9D+ ( MY
NOTEBOOK & WALK$ 6! DOOR1 B :5 ,I GOT
"!1 ,I TURN$ BACK4
  8,": DID %E -E F1 !N80
  8,= GD;S' SAKE6 ,%E 0 ONLY A GOV];S6
,%E IS IRRELEVANT1 ,I TELL Y40
  8,%E M/ H _H REF];ES4 ,A PREVI\S JOB4
,OR ELSE A LR ( APPLIC,N )A HOME A4RESS4
,P]H %E CAME F AN AG5CY80
  ,MISS ,W9T] CLOS$ H] EYES &A L;G-SU6]+
EXPRES.N APPE>$ ON H] FACE4 8,MR4 ,LO-
MAX1 ! ,ANGELFIELD FAMILY SOLICITOR1 W H
ALL ! DETAILS ,I'M SURE4 ,N T !Y'LL D Y
ANY GD4 ,X'S MY /ORY4 ,I %D "K4 ,8 (FICE
IS 9 ,M>KET ,/REET1 ,BANBURY4 ,I W IN-
/RUCT HM 6ANSW] ANY 9QUIRIES Y *OOSE TO
MAKE40
  ,I WROTE 6,MR4 ,LOMAX T NI<T4

              ,,AF ,,HE/]           #CAC

  ,! NEXT MORN+1 :5 ,JUDI? CAME ) MY
BR1KFA/ TRAY1 ,I GAVE H] ! LR = ,MR4
,LOMAX1 & %E TOOK A LR = ME F H] APRON
POCKET4 ,I RECOGNIZ$ MY "F'S H&WRIT+4
  ,MY "F'S LRS 7 ALW A -=T1 & ? "O 0 NO
EXCEP;N4 ,HE HOP$ ,I 0 WELL4 ,0 MY "W
PROGRESS+8 ,HE _H R1D A V /RANGE & DE-
LI<T;L N9ETE5?-C5TURY ,DANI% NOVEL T HE
WD TELL ME AB :5 ,I RETURN$4 ,AT AUC;N
HE _H -E ACR A BUNDLE ( EI<TE5?-C5TURY
LRS NO "O SEEM$ 6WANT4 ,MI<T ,I 2 9T]E/-
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  ,F "T 6"T A LR WD -E 6! H\SE1 & F "T
6"T "S"O WD OP5 X4 ,A FEW "DS AF ,JOHN-
!-DIG'S -;T AB "! HAV+ BE5 NO LR F ,HES-
T]1 ! ,MISSUS1 F9D+ H]F 9 ! HALL1 NOTIC$
A SMALL PILE ( LRS GA!R+ DU/ ON ! MAT "U
! LR BOX4 ,%E OP5$ !M4
  ,"O F ,*>LIE'S BANK]3 0 HE 9T]-   #CCJ
E/$ 9 AN 9VE/;T OPPORTUN;Y4 '''8
  ,! SECOND 0 AN 9VOICE F ! BUILD]S =!
"W D"O ON ! RO(4
  ,0 ! ?IRD F ,HE/]8
  ,NO4 ,! ?IRD 0 F ! ASYLUM4 ,ISABELLE 0
D1D4
  ,! ,MISSUS />$ AT ! LR4 ,D1D6 ,ISA-
BELLE6 ,CD X 2 TRUE8 ,9FLU5ZA1 ! LR SD4
  ,*>LIE WD H 6BE TOLD1 B ! ,MISSUS
QUAIL$ AT ! PROSPECT4 ,BETT] TALK 6,DIG
F/1 %E RESOLV$1 PUTT+ ! LRS ASIDE4 ,B
LAT]1 :5 ,JOHN 0 SITT+ AT 8 PLACE AT !
KIT*5 TA# & %E 0 TOPP+ UP 8 CUP ) FRE%
TEA1 "! REMA9$ NO TRACE (! LR 9 H] M9D4
,X _H JO9$ ^? O!R1 9CR1S+LY FREQU5T1 LO/
MO;TS1 LIV$ & FELT B UNRECORD$ & !N LO/4
,N"E!.S1 A FEW "DS LAT]1 PASS+ "? ! HALL
)A TRAY ( BURNT TOA/ & BACON1 %E ME*ANI-
C,Y PUT ! LRS ON ! TRAY )! FOOD1 ?\< %E
_H NO MEMORY AT ALL ( _! 3T5TS4
  ,& !N ! "DS PASS$ & NO?+ SEEM$ 6HAPP5
AT ALL1 EXCEPT T ! DU/ GOT ?ICK]1 &!
GRIME A3UMULAT$ ON ! W9D[PANES1 &! PLAY+
C>DS CREPT F>!R & F>!R F _! BOX 9 !
DRAW+ ROOM1 & X 2CAME EASI] &       #CCA
EASI] 6=GET T "! _H "E BE5 A ,HE/]4
  ,X 0 ,JOHN-!-DIG :O R1LIZ$ 9 ! SIL;E (
! "DS T "S?+ _H HAPP5$4
  ,HE 0 AN \TDOORS MAN & N DOME/ICAT$4
,N"E!.S HE KNEW T "! -ES A "T :5 CUPS _C
2 MADE 6D = "O M CUP ( TEA )\T 2+ F/
WA%$1 & HE KNEW MOREOV] T A PLATE T HAS
HELD RAW M1T _C 2 US$ /RAI<T AF = COOK$4
,HE SAW H[ ?+S 7 GO+ )! ,MISSUS2 HE 0 NO
FOOL4 ,S :5 ! PILE ( DIRTY PLATES & CUPS
PIL$ UP1 HE WD SET 6& D ! WA%+ UP4 ,X 0
AN ODD ?+ 6SEE HM AT ! S9K 9 8 ,WELL+TON
BOOTS & 8 CAP1 S CLUMSY )! CLO? & *9A ":
HE 0 S ADROIT ) 8 T]RA-COTTA POTS & T5D]
PLANTS4 ,& X CAME 6HIS ATT5;N T ! NUMB]
( CUPS & PLATES 0 DIM9I%+4 ,SOON "! WD N
2 5\<4 ,": 0 ! MISS+ CROCK]Y8 ,HE ?"\
9/ANTLY (! ,MISSUS MAK+ H] HAPHAZ>D WAY
UP/AIRS )A PLATE = ,MA/] ,*>LIE4 ,_H HE
"E SE5 H] RETURN AN EMPTY PLATE 6! KIT*-
EN8 ,NO4
  ,HE W5T UP/AIRS4 ,\TSIDE ! LOCK$ DOOR1
PLATES & CUPS 7 >RANG$ 9 A L;G QUEUE4 ,!
FOOD1 UNT\*$ 0,*>LIE1 0 PROVID+ A F9E
F1/ =! FLIES T BUZZ$ OV] X1 & "!    #CCB
0 A P[];L1 UNPL1SANT SMELL4 ,H[ _M "DS
_H ! ,MISSUS BE5 L1V+ FOOD "H )\T NOTIC+
T ! PREVI\S "D'S 0 / UNT\*$8 ,HE TOT$ UP
! NUMB] ( PLATES & CUPS & FR[N$4 ,T IS
:5 HE KNEW4
  ,HE DID N KNOCK AT ! DOOR4 ,:AT 0 !
PO9T8 ,HE _H 6G 6HIS %$ =A PIECE ( TIMB]
/R;G 5 6USE Z A BATT]+ RAM4 ,! NOISE ( X
AG/ ! OAK1 ! CR1K+ & SMA%+ Z METAL H+ES
TORE AWAY F WOOD1 0 5 6BR+ U ALL1 EV5 !
,MISSUS1 6! DOOR4
  ,:5 ! BATT]$ DOOR FELL OP51 HALF BROK5
(F XS H+ES1 WE CD HE> BUZZ+ FLIES1 &A
T]RI# /5* BILL[$ \1 KNOCK+ ,EMMEL9E &!
,MISSUS BACK A FEW /EPS4 ,EV5 ,JOHN PUT
8 H& 6HIS M\? & TURN$ A %ADE :IT]4 8,/AY
BACK10 HE ORD]$ Z HE 5T]$ ! ROOM4 ,A FEW
PACES 2H1 ,I FOLL[$ HM4
  ,WE /EPP$ G+]LY "? ! DEBRIS ( ROTT+
FOOD ON ! FLOOR (! OLD NURS]Y1 /IRR+
CL\DS ( FLIES UP 96! AIR Z WE PASS$4
,*>LIE _H BE5 LIV+ L AN ANIMAL4 ,DIRTY
PLATES COV]$ ) MOLD 7 ON ! FLOOR1 ON !
MANTELPIECE1 ON *AIRS & ON ! TA#4 ,!
B$ROOM DOOR 0 AJ>4 ,)! 5D (! BAT-   #CCC
T]+ RAM HE / _H 9 8 H&1 ,JOHN NUDG$ !
DOOR CAUTI\SLY1 &A />TL$ RAT CAME SCUR-
RY+ \ OV] \R FEET4 ,X 0 A GRUE"S SC5E4
,M FLIES1 M DECOMPOS+ FOOD & WORSE3 ,!
MAN _H BE5 ILL4 ,A PILE ( DRI$1 FLY-
SPOTT$ VOMIT 5CRU/$ ! RUG ON ! FLOOR4
,ON ! TA# 0! B$ 0 A H1P ( BLOODY H&K]-
*IEFS &! ,MISSUS'S OLD D>N+ NE$LE4
  ,! B$ 0 EMPTY4 ,J CRUMPL$1 FIL?Y %EETS
/A9$ ) BLOOD & O!R HUMAN VILE;S4
  ,WE DID N SP1K4 ,WE TRI$ N 6BR1!1 &
:51 ( NECESS;Y1 WE 9HAL$ "? \R M\?S1 !
SICK1 REPUGNANT AIR CAU<T 9 \R ?ROATS &
MADE U RET*4 ,YET WE _H N _H ! WOR/ ( X4
,"! 0 "O M ROOM4 ,JOHN _H 6/EEL HMF 6OP5
! DOOR 6! BA?ROOM4 ,EV5 2F ! DOOR 0 FUL-
LY OP51 WE S5S$ ! HORROR ( X4 ,2F X
SNA7$ 9 MY NO/RILS1 MY SK9 SEEM$ 6SMELL
X1 &A COLD SW1T BLOOM$ ALL OV] MY BODY4
,! TOILET 0 BAD 5\<4 ,! LID 0 D[N B CD N
Q 3TA9 ! OV]FL[+ MESS X 0 SUPPOS$ 6COV]4
,B T 0 NO?+4 ,= 9 ! BA?--,JOHN TOOK A
%>P /EP BACK & WD H /EPP$ ON ME IF ,I _H
N1 AT ! SAME MO;T1 TAK5 TWO /EPS BACK
MYF4 ,9 ! BA? 0 A D>K SWILL (       #CCD
BODILY E6LU;E1 ! /9K ( : S5T ,JOHN & ME
RAC+ 6! DOOR1 BACK "? ! RAT DROPP+S &!
FLIES1 \ 96! CORRIDOR1 D[N ! /AIRS & \ (
DOORS4
  ,I 0 SICK4 ,ON ! GRE5 GRASS1 MY PILE (
YELL[ VOMIT LOOK$ FRE% & CL1N & SWEET4
  8,ALL "R10 SD ,JOHN1 & HE PATT$ MY
BACK )A H& T 0 / TREMBL+4
  ,! ,MISSUS1 HAV+ FOLL[$ AT H] [N HUR-
RI$ %U6LE1 APPROA*$ U ACR ! LAWN1 "QS
ALL OV] H] FACE4 ,:AT CD WE TELL H]8
  ,WE _H F.D ,*>LIE'S BLOOD4 ,WE _H F.D
,*>LIE'S %IT1 ,*>LIE'S PISS & ,*>LIE'S
VOMIT4 ,B ,*>LIE HMF8
  8,HE'S N "!10 WE TOLD H]4 8,HE'S G"O40

  ,I RETURN$ 6MY ROOM1 ?9K+ AB ! /ORY4
,X 0 CURI\S 9 M ?AN "O RESPECT4 ,"! 0
,*>LIE'S 4APPE>.E1 ( C\RSE1 : 0 AN 9T]-
E/+ TURN ( EV5TS4 ,X LEFT ME ?9K+ AB !
ALMANACS & T CURI\S A2REVI,N3 LDD4 ,B "!
0 M4 ,DID %E "K ,I _H NOTIC$8 ,I _H MADE
NO \TW>D SIGN4 ,B ,I ._H NOTIC$4 ,TD
,MISS ,W9T] _H SD .,I4
                                    #CCE
  ,9 MY ROOM1 ON A TRAY NEXT 6! HAM S&-
WI*ES1 ,I F.D A L>GE BR[N 5VELOPE4
  ,MR4 ,LOMAX1 ! SOLICITOR1 _H REPLI$ TO
MY LR 0RETURN ( PO/4 ,ATTA*$ 6HIS BRIEF
B K9DLY NOTE 7 COPIES ( ,HE/]'S 3TRACT1
: ,I GL.ED AT & PUT ASIDE1 A LR ( RECOM-
M5D,N F A ,LADY ,BLAKE 9 ,NAPLES1 :O
WROTE POSITIVELY ( ,HE/]'S GIFTS1 &1 MO/
9T]E/+ ( ALL1 A LR A3EPT+ ! (F] ( EM-
PLOY;T1 WRITT5 0! MIRACLE "W] H]F4

,DE> ,DR4 ,MAUDSLEY1
  ,?ANK Y =! (F] ( "W Y H K9DLY MADE TO
ME4
  ,I % 2 PL1S$ 6TAKE UP ! PO/ AT ,ANGEL-
FIELD ON ! #AI? ,APRIL Z Y SU7E/4
  ,I H MADE 9QUIRIES & GA!R T ! TRA9S
RUN ONLY 6,BANBURY4 ,P]H Y WD ADVISE ME
H[ ,I C BE/ MAKE MY WAY 6,ANGELFIELD F
"!4 ,I % >RIVE AT ,BANBURY ,/,N AT HALF
PA/ T54
    ,YRS S9C]ELY1
    ,HE/] ,B>R[

                                    #CCF
  ,"! 0 FIRM;S 9 ,HE/]'S /URDY CAPITALS1
3SI/5CY 9 ! SLANT ( LRS1 A S5SE ( SMOO?
FL[ 9 ! MOD]ATE LOOPS (! ;G'S &! ;Y'S4
,! LR SIZE 0 SMALL 5 = ECONOMY ( 9K &
PAP]1 YET L>GE 5 = CL>;Y4 ,"! 7 NO EM-
BELLI%;TS4 ,NO ELABORATE CURLS1 FL\NCES
OR FL\RI%ES4 ,! B1UTY (! OR?OGRAPHY CAME
F ! S5SE ( ORD]1 BAL.E & PROPOR;N T GOV-
]N$ EA* & E LR4 ,X 0 A GD1 CL1N H&4 ,X 0
,HE/] H]F1 MADE ^W4
  ,9 ! TOP "R-H& CORN] 0 AN A4RESS 9
,LONDON4
  ,GD1 ,I ?"\4 ,I C F9D Y N[4
  ,I R1*$ = PAP]1 & 2F ,I 2GAN MY TRAN-
SCRIP;N1 WROTE A LR 6! G5EALOGI/ ,"F _H
RECOMM5D$4 ,X 0 A L;GI% LR3 ,I _H 69TRO-
DUCE MYF1 = HE WD D\BT.S 2 UNAW>E ,MR4
,LEA EV5 _H A DAU<T]2 ,I _H 6T\* LI<TLY
ON ! MATT] (! ALMANACS 6JU/IFY MY CLAIM
ON 8 "T2 ,I _H 6ENUM]ATE "EY?+ ,I KNEW
AB ,HE/]3 ,NAPLES1 ,LONDON1 ,ANGELFIELD4
,B ! GI/ ( MY LR 0 SIMPLE3 .,F9D .H]4


              ,,AF ,,*>LIE          #CCG

  ,MISS ,W9T] DID N -;T ON MY -MUNIC,NS
) H] SOLICITOR1 ?\< ,I AM C]TA9 %E 0 IN-
=M$1 J Z ,I AM C]TA9 ! DOCU;TS ,I RE-
QUE/$ WD N"E H BE5 S5T 6ME )\T H] 3S5T4
,I WOND]$ :E!R %E MI<T 3SID] X *1T+1
:E!R ? 0 ! 8JUMP+ AB 9 ! /ORY0 %E S 4AP-
PROV$ (1 B ON ! "D ,I RCVD ! LRS F ,MR4
,LOMAX & S5T MY REQUE/ = HELP 6! G5EALO-
GI/1 %E SD N A ^W B ONLY PICK$ UP H] /O-
RY ": %E _H LEFT X1 Z ?\< N"O ( ^! PO/AL
EX*ANGES ( 9=M,N 7 HAPP5+4

  ,*>LIE 0 ! SECOND LOSS4 ,! ?IRD IF Y
C.T ,ISABELLE1 ?\< 6ALL PRACTICAL PUR-
POSES WE _H LO/ H] TWO YE>S 2F1 & S %E
H>DLY C.TS4
  ,JOHN 0 M A6ECT$ 0,*>LIE'S 4APPE>.E
?AN 0,HE/]'S4 ,*>LIE MI<T H BE5 A RE-
CLUSE1 AN E35TRIC1 A H]MIT1 B HE .0 !
MA/] (! H\SE4 ,F\R "TS A YE>1 AT ! SIX?
OR SEV5? "T ( ASK+1 HE WD SCRAWL 8 M>K
ON A PAP] &! BANK WD REL1SE FUNDS 6KEEP
! H\SEHOLD TICK+ OV]4 ,& N[ HE 0 G"O4
,:AT WD 2COME (! H\SEHOLD8 ,:AT     #CCH
WD !Y D = M"OY8
  ,JOHN _H A FEW DR1D;L "DS4 ,HE 9SI/$
ON CL1N+ UP ! NURS]Y QU>T]S--8,X'LL MAKE
U ALL ILL O!RWISE0--& :5 HE CD BE> !
SMELL NO L;G]1 HE SAT ON ! /EPS \TSIDE1
DRAW+ 9 ! CL1N AIR L A MAN SAV$ F DR[N+4
,9 ! EV5+ HE TOOK L;G BA?S1 US+ UP A
:OLE B> ( SOAP1 SCRU2+ 8 SK9 TILL X GL[$
P9K4 ,HE EV5 SOAP$ ! 9SIDE ( 8 NO/RILS4
  ,& HE COOK$4 ,WE'D NOTIC$ H[ ! ,MISSUS
LO/ TRACK ( H]F HALFWAY "? PREP>+ A M1L4
,! VEGETA#S WD BOIL 6A MU%1 !N BURN ON !
BOTTOM (! PAN4 ,! H\SE 0 N"E )\T ! SMELL
( C>BONIZ$ FOOD4 ,!N "O "D WE F.D ,JOHN
9 ! KIT*54 ,! H&S T WE KNEW DIRTY1 PULL+
POTATOES F ! GR.D1 7 N[ R9S+ ! YELL[-
SK9N$ VEGETA#S 9 WAT]1 PEEL+ !M1 RATTL+
PAN LIDS AT ! /OVE4 ,WE ATE GD M1T OR
FI% ) PL5TY ( VEGETA#S1 DRANK /R;G1 HOT
TEA4 ,! ,MISSUS SAT 9 H] *AIR 9 ! CORN]
(! KIT*51 ) NO APP>5T S5SE T ^! US$ 6BE
H] TASKS4 ,AF ! WA%+ UP1 :5 NI<T FELL1 !
TWO ( !M SAT TALK+ OV] ! KIT*5 TA#4 ,8
3C]NS 7 ALW ! SAME4 ,:AT WD !Y D8 ,H[ CD
!Y SURVIVE8 ,:AT WD 2COME ( U       #CCI
ALL8
  8,DON'T WORRY1 HE'LL -E \10 ! ,MISSUS
SD4
  .,-E .\8 ,JOHN SI<$ & %OOK 8 H1D4
,HE'D HE>D ? 2F4 8,HE'S N "!1 ,MISSUS4
,HE'S G"O1 H Y =GOTT5 ALR80
  8,G"O60 ,%E %OOK H] H1D & LAU<$ Z IF
HE'D MADE A JOKE4
  ,AT ! MO;T %E F/ LE>N$ ! FACT ( ,*>-
LIE'S DE"PURE1 X _H BRU%$ H] 3SCI\S;S
MO;T>ILY B _H N F.D A PLACE 6SETTLE "!4
,! PASSAGES1 CORRIDORS & /AIRWELLS 9 H]
M9D1 T 3NECT$ H] ?"\S B AL HELD !M A"P1
_H BE5 "UM9$4 ,PICK+ UP "O 5D (A TRAIL (
?"\1 %E FOLL[$ X "? HOLES 9 WALLS1
SLIPP$ 96TUNNELS T OP5$ 2N H] FEET1 CAME
6VAGUE1 SEMIPUZZL$ HALTS3 ,WASN'T "! "S-
?+ '''8 ,_HN'T %E BE5 '''8 ,?9K+ ( ,*>-
LIE LOCK$ 9 ! NURS]Y1 CRAZ$ ) GRIEF =
LOVE ( 8 D1D SI/]1 %E FELL "? A TRAPDOOR
9 "T1 )\T EV5 R1LIZ+ X1 96! ?"\ ( 8 "F1
NEWLY 2R1V$1 LOCK$ 9 ! LIBR>Y 6GRIEVE =
8 LO/ WIFE4
  8,I "K H[ 6GET HM \ ( "!10 %E SD )A
W9K4 8,I'LL TAKE ! 9FANT 6HM4       #CDJ
,T'LL D ! TRICK4 ,9 FACT1 ,I'LL G & LOOK
9 ON ! BABY N[40
  ,JOHN DIDN'T EXPLA9 6H] AG T ,ISABELLE
_H DI$1 = X WD ONLY BR+ ON GRIEF-/RICK5
SURPRISE &A DEM& 6"K H[ & :Y4 8,AN ASY-
LUM80 %E WD EXCLAIM1 A/ONI%$4 8,B :Y
DIDN'T ANY"O TELL ME ,MISS ,ISABELLE 0 9
AN ASYLUM8 ,6?9K (! GIRL'S POOR "F6 ,H[
HE DOTES ON H]6 ,X W 2 ! D1? ( HM40 ,&
%E WD LOSE H]F = H\RS 9 ! %ATT]$ CORRI-
DORS (! PA/1 GRIEV+ OV] TRAG$IES L;G G"O
Z ?\< !Y _H HAPP5$ ONLY YE/]"D1 & HE$.S
( TD'S SORR[S4 ,JOHN _H BE5 "? X HALF A
DOZ5 "TS & _HN'T ! HE>T 6G "? X AG4
  ,SL[LY ! ,MISSUS RAIS$ H]F \ ( H] *AIR
&1 PUTT+ "O FOOT PA9;LLY 9 FRONT (! O!R1
%U6L$ \ (! ROOM 6SEE 6! BABY :O1 9 !
YE>S H] MEMORY _H LO/1 _H GR[N UP1 M>-
RI$1 _H TW9S & DI$4 ,JOHN DIDN'T /OP H]4
,%E WD =GET ": %E 0 GO+ 2F %E EV5 R1*$ !
/AIRS4 ,B 2H H] BACK HE PUT 8 H1D 9 8
H&S & SI<$4
  ,:AT 6D8 ,AB ,*>LIE1 AB ! ,MISSUS1 AB
"EY?+8 ,X 0 ,JOHN'S 3/ANT PREO3UP,N4 ,AT
! 5D (A WEEK1 ! NURS]Y 0 CL1N &A    #CDA
PLAN ( SORTS _H >IS5 \ (! EV5+S ( DELIB-
],N4 ,NO REPORTS ( ,*>LIE _H BE5 RCVD1 F
NE> OR F>4 ,NO "O _H SE5 HM G1 & NO "O
\TSIDE ! H\SE KNEW HE 0 G"O4 ,GIV5 8 H]-
MITLIKE HABITS1 NO "O 0 LIKELY 64COV] 8
ABS;E1 EI4 ,0 HE "U ANY K9D ( OBLIG,N1
,JOHN WOND]$1 69=M ANY"O--! DOCTOR8 !
SOLICITOR8--( ,*>LIE'S 4APPE>.E8 ,OV] &
OV] HE TURN$ ! "Q 9 8 M9D1 & EA* "T HE
F.D ! ANSW] 6BE NO4 ,A MAN _H ! P]FECT
"R 6L1VE 8 HOME IF HE S *OSE1 & 6G )\T
TELL+ 8 EMPLOYEES 8 DE/9,N4 ,"! 0 NO B5-
EFIT ,JOHN CD SEE 9 TELL+ ! DOCTOR1 ^:
PREVI\S 9T]V5;N 9 ! H\SEHOLD _H BR"\
NO?+ B ILL1 & Z =! SOLICITOR '''
  ,"H ,JOHN'S ?9K+ \ L\D GREW SL[] & M
-PLICAT$4 ,= IF ,*>LIE DID N RETURN1 :O
WD AU?ORIZE ! )DRAWALS F ! BANK8 ,JOHN
KNEW OBSCURELY T ! SOLICITOR WD H 6BE
9VOLV$ IF ,*>LIE'S 4APPE>.E 0 PROL;G$1 B
YET ''' ,8 RELUCT.E 0 NATURAL4 ,AT ,AN-
GELFIELD !Y _H LIV$ ) _! BACKS 6! _W =
YE>S4 ,HE/] _H BE5 ! "O \TSID] 65T] _!
_W1 & LOOK :AT _H HAPP5$ "!6 ,2SS1 HE _H
AN 9NATE MISTRU/ ( SOLICITORS4      #CDB
,JOHN _H NO SPECIFIC *>GE AG/ ,MR4 ,LO-
MAX1 :O GAVE E APPE>.E ( 2+ A DEC5T1 S5-
SI# *AP1 YET HE CD N F9D X 9 HMF 63FIDE
! H\SEHOLD'S DI6ICULTY 6A MEMB] (A PRO-
FES.N T MADE XS LIV+ F HAV+ XS NOSE 9
O!R P'S PRIVATE A6AIRS4 ,& 2SS1 IF ,*>-
LIE'S ABS;E 2CAME PUBLIC K1 Z 8 /RANGE;S
ALR WAS1 WD ! SOLICITOR 2 3T5T 6PUT 8
SIGN ON ,*>LIE'S BANK PAP]S1 J S T ,JOHN
&! ,MISSUS CD 3T9UE 6PAY ! GROC]Y BILLS8
,NO4 ,HE KNEW 5 AB SOLICITORS 6"K T X WD
N 2 Z SIMPLE Z T4 ,JOHN FR[N$ Z HE 5VIS-
AG$ ,MR4 ,LOMAX 9 ! H\SE1 OP5+ DOORS1
RUMMAG+ "? CUPBO>DS1 CA/+ 8 EYE 96E D>K
CORN] & C>E;LLY CULTIVAT$ %AD[ (! ,AN-
GELFIELD _W4 ,"! WD 2 NO 5D 6X4
  ,& !N ! SOLICITOR WD NE$ 6-E 6! H\SE
ONLY ONCE 6SEE ! ,MISSUS WASN'T "R4 ,HE
WD 9SI/ ON ! DOCTOR 2+ CALL$ IN4 ,&!
SAME WD HAPP5 6! ,MISSUS Z _H HAPP5$ TO
,ISABELLE4 ,%E WD 2 TAK5 AWAY4 ,H[ CD T
D ANY GD8
  ,NO4 ,!Y _H J GOT RID ( "O \TSID]2 X 0
NO "T 69VITE 9 ANO!R4 ,M* SAF] 6D1L )
PRIVATE ?+S PRIVATELY4 ,: M1NT1     #CDC
N[ T ?+S 7 Z !Y W]E1 0HMF4
  ,"! 0 NO URG5CY4 ,! MO/ REC5T )DRAWAL
_H BE5 ONLY A FEW WEEKS E>LI]1 S !Y 7 N
5TIRELY )\T M"OY4 ,AL1 ,HE/] _H G"O )\T
COLLECT+ H] WAGES1 S T CA% 0 AVAILA# IF
%E DID N WRITE = X & ?+S GOT DESP]ATE4
,"! 0 NO NE$ 6PAY =A LOT ( FOOD1 S9CE "!
7 VEGETA#S & FRUIT 6FE$ AN >MY 9 ! G>D51
&! WOODS 7 FULL ( GR\SE & PH1SANT4 ,& IF
X CAME 6X1 IF "! 0 AN EM]G5CY1 A CALAM;Y
7,JOHN H>DLY KNEW :AT HE M1NT 0?--WAS
:AT !Y _H ALR SU6]$ N A CALAM;Y8 ,0 X
POSSI# T WORSE %D 2 9 /ORE8 ,"SH[ HE ?"\
S71 !N HE KNEW "S"O :O WD H A FEW 4CREET
CASES ( CL>ET \ (! CELL> & GIVE HM A BOB
OR TWO 9 RETURN4
  8,WE'LL 2 ALL "R =A BIT10 HE TOLD !
,MISSUS1 OV] A CIG>ETTE1 "O NI<T 9 !
KIT*54 8,PROBABLY MANAGE F\R MON?S IF
WE'RE C>E;L4 ,DON'T "K :AT WE'LL D !N4
,WE'LL H 6SEE40
  ,X 0 A SELF-COM=T+ PRET5SE AT 3V]S,N2
HE'D GIV5 UP EXPECT+ /RAI<T=W>D ANSW]S F
! ,MISSUS4 ,B ! HABIT ( TALK+ 6H] 0 TOO
L;G 9 HM 6BE GIV5 UP LI<TLY4 ,S     #CDD
HE 3T9U$ 6SIT ACR ! TA# 9 ! KIT*51 %>+ 8
?"\S1 8 DR1MS1 8 WORRIES ) H]4 ,& :5 %E
ANSW]$--R&OM1 RAMBL+ DRIFTS ( ^WS--HE
PUZZL$ OV] H] PRON\NCE;TS1 TRY+ 6F9D !
3NEC;N 2T H] ANSW] & 8 "Q4 ,B ! LABYR9?
9SIDE H] H1D 0 TOO -PLEX = HM 6NAVIGATE1
&! ?R1D T L$ H] F "O ^W 6! NEXT _H
SLIPP$ "? H] F+]S 9 ! D>K;S4
  ,HE KEPT FOOD -+ F ! KIT*5 G>D54 ,HE
COOK$2 HE CUT UP M1T ON ! ,MISSUS'S
PLATE & PUT T9Y =K;LS 9 H] M\?4 ,HE P\R$
\ H] COLD CUPS ( TEA & MADE FRE% "OS4
,HE 0 NO C>P5T]1 B HE NAIL$ FRE% BO>DS
OV] ROTT5 "OS "H & "!1 KEPT ! SAUCEPANS
EMPTI$ 9 ! MA9 ROOMS & /OOD 9 ! ATTIC1
LOOK+ AT ! HOLES 9 ! RO( & SCRAT*+ 8
H1D4 8,WE'LL H 6GET T SORT$10 HE WD SAY
) AN AIR ( DECI.N1 B X WASN'T RA9+ M*1 &
X WASN'T SN[+1 & X 0 A JOB T CD WAIT4
,"! 0 S M* ELSE 6D4 ,HE WA%$ %EETS &
CLO!S4 ,!Y DRI$ /IFF & /ICKY )! RESIDUE
( SOAP FLAKES4 ,HE SK9N$ RA2ITS & PLUCK$
PH1SANTS & ROA/$ !M4 ,HE DID ! WA%+ UP &
CL1N$ ! S9K4 ,HE KNEW :AT NE$$ 6BE D"O4
,HE _H SE5 ! ,MISSUS D X A HUNDR$   #CDE
"TS4
  ,F "T 6"T HE SP5T HALF AN H\R 9 ! TO-
PI>Y G>D51 B HE CD N 5JOY X4 ,! PL1SURE
( 2+ "! 0 OV]%AD[$ 0WORRY AB :AT MI<T 2
GO+ ON 9DOORS1 9 8 ABS;E4 ,& 2SS1 6D X
PROP]LY REQUIR$ M "T ?AN HE 0 A# 6GIVE
X4 ,9 ! 5D1 ! ONLY "P (! G>D5 T HE KEPT
UP 0 ! KIT*5 G>D5 &! RE/ HE LET G4

  ,ONCE WE GOT US$ 6X1 "! 0 A C]TA9 -=T
9 \R NEW EXI/;E4 ,! W9E CELL> PROV$ A
SUB/ANTIAL & 4CREET S\RCE ( H\SEHOLD FI-
N.E1 & Z "T W5T BY1 \R WAY ( LIFE 2GAN
6FEEL SU/A9A#4 ,BETT] RE,Y IF ,*>LIE 7 J
6/AY ABS5T4 ,UNF.D & UNRETURN+1 NEI D1D
NOR ALIVE1 HE CD D NO H>M 6ANY"O4
  ,S ,I KEPT MY K 6MYF4
  ,9 ! WOODS "! 0 A HOVEL4 ,UNUS$ =A
HUNDR$ YE>S1 OV]GR[N ) ?ORNS & SURR.D$
0NETTLES1 X 0 ": ,*>LIE & ,ISABELLE US$
6G4 ,AF ,ISABELLE 0 TAK5 6! ASYLUM1 ,*>-
LIE W5T "! /2 ,I KNEW1 2C ,I _H SE5 HM
"!1 SNIVEL+1 SCRAT*+ LOVE LRS ON 8 B"OS
) T OLD NE$LE4
  ,X 0 ! OBVI\S PLACE4 ,S :5 HE     #CDF
4APPE>$1 ,I _H G"O "! AG4 ,I SQUEEZ$ "?
! BRAM#S & HANG+ GR[? T MASK$ ! 5TR.E
96AIR SWEET ) ROTT5;S1 & "!1 9 ! GLOOM1
,I F.D HM4 ,SLUMP$ 9 A CORN]1 GUN 0HIS
SIDE1 FACE HALF BL[N AWAY4 ,I RECOGNIZ$
! O!R HALF1 DESPITE ! MA7OTS4 ,X 0 ,*>-
LIE1 ALL "R4
  ,I BACK$ \ (! DOORWAY1 N C>+ AB ! NET-
TLES &! ?ORNS4 ,I CDN'T WAIT 6GET AWAY F
! SI<T ( HM4 ,B 8 IMAGE /AY$ ) ME &1 ?\<
,I RAN1 X SEEM$ IMPOSSI# 6ESCAPE 8 HOL-
L[1 "O-EY$ />E4
  ,": 6F9D -=T8
  ,"! 0 A H\SE ,I KNEW4 ,A SIMPLE LL
H\SE 9 ! WOODS4 ,I _H /OL5 FOOD "! ONCE
OR TWICE4 ,T 0 ": ,I W5T4 ,0! W9D[ ,I
HID1 GETT+ MY BR1? BACK1 "K+ ,I 0 CLOSE
6ORD9>Y LIFE4 ,& :5 ,I _H /OPP$ GASP+ =
AIR1 ,I /OOD LOOK+ IN1 AT A WOMAN 9 H]
*AIR1 KNITT+4 ,?\< %E DIDN'T "K ,I 0 "!1
H] PRES;E SOO!D ME1 L A K9D GR&"M 9 A
FAIRY TALE4 ,I WAT*$ H]1 CL1NS+ MY EYES1
UNTIL ! VI.N ( ,*>LIE'S BODY _H FAD$ &
MY HE>TB1T RETURN$ 6NORMAL4
  ,I WALK$ BACK 6,ANGELFIELD4 ,&    #CDG
,I DIDN'T TELL4 ,WE 7 BETT] (F Z WE W]E4
,& ANYWAY1 X CDN'T MAKE ANY DI6];E 6HM1
CD X8
  ,HE 0 ! F/ ( MY <O/S4

  ,X SEEM$ 6ME T ! DOCTOR'S C> 0 ="E 9
,MISS ,W9T]'S DRIVE4 ,:5 ,I F/ >RIV$ 9
,YORK%IRE HE WD CALL E ?IRD "D1 !N X BE-
CAME E O!R "D1 !N E "D & N[ HE 0 -+ 6!
H\SE TWICE A "D4 ,I /UDI$ ,MISS ,W9T]
C>E;LLY4 ,I KNEW ! FACTS4 ,MISS ,W9T] 0
ILL4 ,MISS ,W9T] 0 DY+4 ,ALL ! SAME1 :5
%E 0 TELL+ ME H] /ORY %E SEEM$ 6DRAW ON
A WELL ( /R5G? T 0 UNA6ECT$ 0AGE & ILL-
;S4 ,I EXPLA9$ ! P>ADOX 0TELL+ MYF X 0 !
V 3/ANCY (! DOCTOR'S ATT5;N T 0 SU/A9+
H]4
  ,& YET 9 WAYS 9VISI# 6MY EYES1 %E M/ H
BE5 W1K5+ Q S]I\SLY4 ,= :AT ELSE CD EX-
PLA9 ,JUDI?'S UNEXPECT$ ANN\NCE;T "O
MORN+8 ,Q \ (! BLUE %E TOLD ME T ,MISS
,W9T] 0 TOO UNWELL 6MEET ME4 ,T =A "D OR
TWO %E WD 2 UNA# 65GAGE 9 \R 9T]VIEWS4
,T ) NO?+ 6D "H1 ,I MAY Z WELL TAKE A
%ORT HOLI"D4                        #CDH
  8,A HOLI"D8 ,AF ! FUSS %E MADE AB MY
GO+ AWAY LA/ "T1 ,I WD H ?"\ ! LA/ ?+ %E
WD D WD 2 6S5D ME ON HOLI"D N[4 ,&)
,*RI/MAS ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY1 TOO60
  ,?\< ,JUDI? BLU%$1 %E 0 N =?COM+ ) ANY
M 9=M,N4 ,"S?+ WASN'T "R4 ,I 0 2+ %IFT$
\ (! WAY4
  8,I C PACK A CASE = Y1 IF X WD HELP80
%E (F]$4 ,%E SMIL$ APOLOGETIC,Y1 "K+ ,I
KNEW %E 0 HID+ "S?+4
  8,I C D MY [N PACK+40 ,ANNOY.E MADE ME
CURT4
  8,X'S ,MAURICE'S "D (F1 B ,DR4 ,CLIF-
TON W RUN Y 6! /,N40
  ,POOR ,JUDI?4 ,%E HAT$ DECEIT & 0 NO
GD AT SUBT]FUGE4
  8,& ,MISS ,W9T]8 ,I'D L A QK ^W ) H]4
,2F ,I G40
  8,MISS ,W9T]8 ,I'M AFRAID %E '''0
  8,WON'T SEE ME80
  8.,C'T SEE Y40 ,RELIEF FLOOD$ H] FACE
& S9C];Y RANG \ 9 H] VOICE Z AT LA/ %E 0
A# 6SAY "S?+ TRUE4 8,2LIEVE ME1 ,MISS
,LEA4 ,%E J .C'T40
  ,:AT"E X 0 T ,JUDI? KNEW1 ,DR4    #CDI
,CLIFTON KNEW X1 TOO4
  8,":ABS 9 ,CAMBRIDGE IS YR "F'S %OP80
HE WANT$ 6"K1 & 8,DOES HE D1L 9 M$ICAL
HI/ORY AT ALL80 ,I ANSW]$ HM BRIEFLY1 M
3C]N$ ) MY [N "QS ?AN HIS1 & AF A "T 8
ATTEMPTS AT SMALL TALK CAME 6AN 5D4 ,Z
WE DROVE 96,H>R[GATE1 ! ATMOSPH]E 9 ! C>
0 H1VY ) ,MISS ,W9T]'S OPPRESSIVE SIL;E4
















                                    #CEJ
























           ,,ANGELFIELD ,,AG        #CEA

  ,! "D 2F1 ON ! TRA91 ,I _H IMAG9$ AC-
TIV;Y & NOISE3 %\T$ 9/RUC;NS & >MS S5D+
MESSAGES 9 URG5T SEMAPHORE2 CRANES1
PLANG5T & SL[2 /"O CRA%+ ON /"O4 ,9/1D1
Z ,I >RIV$ AT ! LODGE GATES & LOOK$ T[>D
! DEMOLI;N SITE1 "EY?+ 0 SIL5T & /4
  ,"! 0 NO?+ 6SEE2 ! MI/ T HUNG 9 ! AIR
MADE "EY?+ 9VISI# T 0 M ?AN A %ORT 4T.E
AWAY4 ,EV5 ! PA? 0 9DIST9CT4 ,MY FEET 7
"! "O MO;T1 G"O ! NEXT4 ,LIFT+ MY H1D1
,I WALK$ BLLY1 TRAC+ ! PA? Z ,I REMEMB]$
X F MY LA/ VISIT1 Z ,I REMEMB]$ X F
,MISS ,W9T]'S DESCRIP;NS4
  ,MY M9D MAP 0 A3URATE3 ,I CAME 6! G>D5
EXACTLY :5 ,I EXPECT$ TO4 ,! D>K %APES (
! YEW /OOD L A HAZILY PA9T$ /AGE SET1
FLATT5$ 96TWO DIM5.NS 0! BLANK BACKGR.D4
,L E!R1L B[L] HATS1 A PAIR ( DOM$ =MS
FLOAT$ ON ! CL\DLIKE MI/1 ! TRUNKS T
SUPPORT$ !M FAD+ 96! :ITE;S 2N4 ,SIXTY
YE>S _H LEFT !M OV]GR[N & \ ( %APE1 B X
0 EASY TD 6SUPPOSE T X 0 ! MI/ T 0 S(T5+
! GEOMETRY (! =MS1 T :5 X LIFT$1 X WD
REV1L ! G>D5 Z X 0 !N1 9 ALL XS     #CEB
MA!MATICAL P]FEC;N1 SET 9 ! GR.DS N (A
DEMOLI;N SITE1 NOR (A RU91 B (A H\SE IN-
TACT4
  ,HALF A C5TURY1 Z 9SUB/ANTIAL Z ! WAT]
SUSP5D$ 9 ? AIR1 0 R1DY 6EVAPORATE )! F/
RAY ( W9T] SUN4
  ,I BR"\ MY WRI/ CLOSE 6MY FACE & R1D !
"T4 ,I _H >RANG$ 6MEET ,AURELIUS1 B H[
6F9D HM 9 ? MI/8 ,I CD W&] ="E )\T SEE+
HM1 EV5 IF HE PASS$ )9 >M'S R1*4
  ,I CALL$ \ 8,HELLO60 &A MAN'S VOICE 0
C>RI$ BACK 6ME4
  8,HELLO60
  ,IMPOSSI# 6TELL :E!R HE 0 4TANT OR
CLOSE BY4 8,": >E Y80
  ,I PICTUR$ ,AURELIUS />+ 96! MI/ LOOK+
=A L&M>K4
  8,I'M NEXT 6A TREE40 ,! ^WS 7 MU6L$4
  8,S AM ,I10 ,I CALL$ BACK4 8,I DON'T
?9K YRS IS ! SAME TREE Z M9E4 ,Y S.D TOO
F> AWAY40
  8,Y S.D Q NE>1 ?\<40
  8,D ,I8 ,:Y DON'T Y /AY ": Y >E & KEEP
TALK+1 & ,I'LL F9D Y60
  8,"R Y >E6 ,AN EXCELL5T PLAN6     #CEC
,?\< ,I % H 6?9K ( "S?+ 6SAY1 WON'T ,I8
,H[ H>D X IS 6SP1K 6ORD]1 :5 X SEEMS S
EASY ! RE/ (! "T ''' ,:AT 4MAL W1!R
WE'RE HAV+4 ,N"E "KN MURKI;S L X40
  ,& S ,AURELIUS ?"\ AL\D1 :ILE ,I /EPP$
96A CL\D & FOLL[$ ! ?R1D ( 8 VOICE 9 !
AIR4
  ,T IS :5 ,I SAW X4 ,A %AD[ T GLID$ PA/
ME1 PALE 9 ! WAT]Y LI<T4 ,I ?9K ,I KNEW
X 0 N ,AURELIUS4 ,I 0 SU45LY 3SCI\S (!
B1T+ ( MY HE>T1 & ,I /RET*$ \ MY H&1
HALF FE>;L1 HALF HOPE;L4 ,! FIGURE ELUD$
ME & SWAM \ ( VIEW4
  8,AURELIUS80 ,MY VOICE S.D$ %AKY 6MY
[N E>S4
  8,YES80
  8,>E Y / "!80
  8,( C\RSE ,I AM40
  ,8 VOICE 0 9 Q ! WR;G DIREC;N4 ,:AT _H
,I SE58 ,X 0 N ,AURELIUS4 ,X M/ H BE5 AN
E6ECT (! MI/4 ,AFRAID ( :AT ,I MI<T YET
SEE IF ,I WAIT$1 ,I /OOD /1 />+ 96!
AQUE\S AIR1 WILL+ ! FIGURE 6APPE> AG4
  8,AHA6 ,"! Y >E60 BOOM$ A GRT VOICE 2H
ME4 ,AURELIUS4 ,HE CLASP$ MY %\L-   #CED
D]S 9 8 MITT5$ H&S Z ,I TURN$ 6FACE HM4
8,GD;S GRACI\S1 ,M>G>ET1 Y'RE Z :ITE Z A
%EET4 ,ANY"O WD ?9K Y'D SE5 A <O/60

  ,WE WALK$ TGR 9 ! G>D54 ,9 8 OV]COAT1
,AURELIUS SEEM$ EV5 TALL] & BROAD] ?AN
HE RE,Y WAS4 ,2S HM1 9 MY MI/-GRAY RA9-
COAT1 ,I FELT 9SUB/ANTIAL4
  8,H[ IS YR BOOK GO+80
  8,X'S J NOTES AT ! MO;T4 ,9T]VIEWS )
,MISS ,W9T]4 ,& RESE>*40
  8,TD IS RESE>*1 IS X80
  8,YES40
  8,:AT D Y NE$ 6"K80
  8,I J WANT 6TAKE "S PHOTOGRAPHS4 ,I
DON'T ?9K ! W1!R IS ON MY SIDE1 ?\<40
  8,Y'LL GET 6SEE X PROP]LY )9 ! H\R4 ,?
MI/ WON'T LA/ L;G40
  ,WE CAME 6A K9D ( WALKWAY1 L9$ ON EA*
SIDE ) C"OS GR[N S WIDE T !Y ALM MADE A
H$GE4
  8,:Y D .Y -E "H1 ,AURELIUS80
  ,WE /ROLL$ ON 6! 5D (! PA?1 !N 96A
SPACE ": "! SEEM$ 6BE NO?+ B MI/4 ,:5 WE
CAME 6A WALL ( YEW TWICE Z HI< Z    #CEE
,AURELIUS HMF1 WE FOLL[$ X4 ,I NOTIC$ A
SP>KL+ 9 ! GRASS & ON ! L1VES3 ,! SUN _H
-E \4 ,! MOI/URE 9 ! AIR 2GAN 6EVAPORATE
&! CIRCLE ( VISIBIL;Y GREW WID] 0! M9-
UTE4 ,\R WALL ( YEW _H L$ U FULL CIRCLE
>.D AN EMPTY SPACE2 WE _H >RIV$ BACK AT
! SAME WALKWAY WE _H 5T]$ BY4
  ,:5 MY "Q SEEM$ S LO/ 9 "T T ,I 0 N
EV5 SURE ,I _H ASK$ X1 ,AURELIUS ANSW]$4
8,I 0 BORN "H40
  ,I /OPP$ ABRUPTLY4 ,AURELIUS W&]$ ON1
UNAW>E (! E6ECT 8 ^WS _H _H ON ME4 ,I
HALF RAN A FEW PACES 6CAT* UP ) HM4
  8,AURELIUS60 ,I TOOK HOLD (! SLEEVE (
8 GRTCOAT4 8,IS X TRUE8 ,7 Y RE,Y BORN
"H80
  8,YES40
  8,:580
  ,HE GAVE A /RANGE1 SAD SMILE4 8,ON MY
BIR?"D40
  ,UN?9K+1 ,I 9SI/$1 8,YES1 B :580
  8,"S"T 9 ,JANU>Y1 PROBABLY4 ,POSSIBLY
,FEBRU>Y4 ,POSSIBLY ! 5D ( ,DECEMB]1
EV54 ,SIXTY YE>S AGO1 R\<LY4 ,I'M AFRAID
,I DON'T "K ANY M ?AN T40           #CEF
  ,I FR[N$1 REMEMB]$ :AT HE _H TOLD ME
2F AB ,MRS4 ,LOVE & N HAV+ A "M4 ,B 9
:AT CIRCUM/.ES WD AN ADOPT$ * "K S LL AB
8 ORIG9AL CIRCUM/.ES T HE DOES N EV5 "K
8 [N BIR?"D8
  8,D Y M1N 6TELL ME1 ,AURELIUS1 T Y >E
A F.DL+80
  8,YES4 ,T IS ! ^W = :AT ,I AM4 ,A F.D-
L+40
  ,I 0 LO/ = ^WS4
  8,"O DOES GET US$ 6X1 ,I SUPPOSE10 HE
SD1 & ,I REGRETT$ T HE _H 6-=T ME = 8 [N
LOSS4
  8,D Y RE,Y80
  ,HE 3SID]$ ME )A CURI\S EXPRES.N1 NO
D\BT WOND]+ H[ M* 6TELL ME4 8,NO1 ACTU-
,Y10 HE SD4
  ,)! SL[ & H1VY /EPS ( 9VALIDS1 WE RE-
SUM$ \R WALK+4 ,! MI/ 0 ALM G"O4 ,! MAG-
ICAL %APES (! TOPI>Y _H LO/ _! *>M &
LOOK$ L ! UNKEMPT BU%ES & H$GES !Y W]E4
  8,S X 0 ,MRS4 ,LOVE :O '''0 ,I 2GAN4
  8''' F.D ME4 ,YES40
  8,& YR P>5TS '''0
  8,NO IDEA40                       #CEG
  8,B Y "K X 0 "H8 ,9 ? H\SE80
  ,AURELIUS %OV$ 8 H&S 96! DEP?S ( 8
POCKETS4 ,8 %\LD]S TI<T5$4 8,I WDN'T EX-
PECT O!R P 6"U/&4 ,I HAV5'T GOT ANY
PRO(4 ..,B ,I D ."K40 ,HE S5T ME A QK
GL.E1 & ,I 5C\RAG$ HM1 ) MY EYES1 63T9-
UE4
  8,"S"TS Y C "K ?+S4 ,?+S AB YRF4 ,?+S
F 2F Y C REMEMB]4 ,I C'T EXPLA9 X40
  ,I NO4$1 & ,AURELIUS W5T ON4
  8,! NI<T ,I 0 F.D "! 0 A BIG FIRE "H4
,MRS4 ,LOVE TOLD ME S1 :5 ,I 0 N9E4 ,%E
?"\ %E %D1 2C (! SMELL ( SMOKE ON MY
CLO!S :5 %E F.D ME4 ,LAT] ,I CAME OV] 6H
A LOOK4 ,& ,I'VE BE5 -+ "E S9CE4 ,LAT]
,I LOOK$ X UP 9 ! >*IVES (! LOCAL PAP]4
,ANYWAY--0
  ,8 VOICE _H ! UNMISTAKA# LI<T;S ( "S"O
TELL+ "S?+ EXTREMELY IMPORTANT4 ,A /ORY
S *]I%$ X _H 6BE DRESS$ 9 CASUAL;S 6DIS-
GUISE XS SIGNIFIC.E 9 CASE ! LI/5] TURN$
\ 6BE UNSYMPA!TIC4
  8,ANYWAY1 ! M9UTE ,I GOT "H ,I KNEW4
.,? .IS .HOME1 ,I SD 6MYF4 ..,? IS ": ,I
-E .F4 ,"! 0 NO D\BT AB X4 ,I       #CEH
KNEW40
  ,) 8 LA/ ^WS1 ,AURELIUS _H LET ! LI<T-
;S SLIP1 ALL[$ A F]VOR 6CREEP IN4 ,HE
CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4 8,OBVI\SLY ,I DON'T EX-
PECT ANY"O 62LIEVE X4 ,I'VE NO EVID;E Z
S*4 ,ONLY A CO9CID;E ( DATES1 & ,MRS4
,LOVE'S VAGUE MEMORY (A SMELL ( SMOKE--&
MY [N 3VIC;N40
  8,I 2LIEVE X10 ,I SD4
  ,AURELIUS BIT 8 LIP & S5T ME A W>Y
SIDEWAYS LOOK4
  ,8 3FID;ES1 ? MI/1 _H L$ U UNEXPECT$LY
ONTO A P59SULA ( 9TIMACY1 & ,I F.D MYF
ON ! BR9K ( TELL+ :AT ,I _H N"E TOLD
ANY"O 2F4 ,! ^WS FLEW R1DY-=M$ 96MY H1D1
ORGANIZ$ !MVS 9/ANTLY 96S5T;ES1 L;G /R+S
( S5T;ES1 BUR/+ ) IMPATI;E 6FLY F MY
T;GUE4 ,Z IF !Y _H SP5T YE>S PLANN+ = ?
MO;T4
  8,I 2LIEVE Y10 ,I REP1T$1 MY T;GUE
?ICK ) ALL ! WAIT+ ^WS4 8,I'VE _H T
FEEL+1 TOO4 ,"K+ ?+S Y C'T "K4 ,F 2F Y C
REMEMB]40
  ,& "! X 0 AG6 ,A SU45 MOVE;T 9 ! CORN]
( MY EYE1 "! & G"O 9 ! SAME IN-     #CEI
/ANT4
  8,DID Y SEE T1 ,AURELIUS80
  ,HE FOLL[$ MY GAZE 6! TOPI>Y PYRAMIDS
& 2Y4 8,SEE :AT8 ,NO1 ,I DIDN'T SEE ANY-
?+40
  ,X _H G"O4 ,OR ELSE X _H N"E BE5 "! AT
ALL4
  ,I TURN$ BACK 6,AURELIUS1 B ,I _H LO/
MY N]VE4 ,! MO;T = 3FID;ES 0 G"O4
  8,H .Y GOT A BIR?"D80 ,AURELIUS ASK$4
  8,YES4 ,I'VE GOT A BIR?"D40
  ,ALL MY UNSD ^WS W5T BACK 6:]"E !Y _H
BE5 ALL ^! YE>S4
  8,I'LL MAKE A NOTE ( X1 % ,I80 HE SD
B"RLY4 8,!N ,I C S5D Y A C>D40
  ,I FEIGN$ A SMILE4 8,X'S -+ UP SOON1
ACTU,Y40
  ,AURELIUS OP5$ A LL BLUE NOTEBOOK DI-
VID$ 96MON?S4
  8,! N9ETE5?10 ,I TOLD HM1 & HE WROTE X
D[N )A P5CIL S SMALL X LOOK$ L A TOO?-
PICK 9 8 HUGE H&4


                                    #CFJ
























         ,,MRS4 ,,LOVE ,,TURNS      #CFA
               ,A ,,HEEL

  ,:5 X />T$ 6RA9 WE PUT \R HOODS UP &
MADE \R WAY HURRI$LY 6! %ELT] (! *UR*4
,9 ! POR* WE DID A LL JIG 6DRIVE ! RA9-
DROPS (F \R COATS1 & !N W5T 9SIDE4
  ,WE SAT 9 A PEW NE> ! ALT> & ,I />$ UP
AT ! PALE1 VAULT$ CEIL+ UNTIL ,I MADE
MYF DIZZY4
  8,TELL ME AB :5 Y 7 F.D10 ,I SD4 8,:AT
D Y "K AB X80
  8,I "K :AT ,MRS4 ,LOVE TOLD ME10 HE
ANSW]$4 8,I C TELL Y T4 ,&( C\RSE "!'S
ALW MY 9H]IT.E40
  8,Y H AN 9H]IT.E80
  8,YES4 ,X'S NO?+ M*4 ,N :AT P USU,Y
M1N :5 !Y TALK AB AN 9H]IT.E1 B ALL !
SAME ''' ,9 FACT1 ,I CD %[ X 6Y LAT]40
  8,T WD 2 NICE40
  8,YES ''' ,2C ,I 0 ?9K+1 N9E IS A BIT
TOO ADJAC5T 6BR1KFA/ = CAKE1 ISN'T X80
,X 0 SD )A RELUCTANT GRIMACE T TURN$ 96A
GL1M ) 8 NEXT ^WS3 8,S ,I ?"\1 ,9VITE
,M>G>ET BACK = ELEV5SES4 ,CAKE & C(FEE1
H[ DOES T S.D8 ,Y CD D ) FE$+ UP4   #CFB
,& ,I'LL %[ Y MY 9H]IT.E AT ! SAME "T4
,:AT LL "! IS 6SEE40
  ,I A3EPT$ ! 9VIT,N4
  ,AURELIUS TOOK 8 GLASSES F 8 POCKET &
2GAN 6POLI% !M ABS5TLY )A H&K]*IEF4
  8,WELL N[40 ,SL[LY HE TOOK A DEEP
BR1?4 ,SL[LY HE EXHAL$4 8,Z X 0 TOLD TO
ME4 ,MRS4 ,LOVE1 & H] /ORY40
  ,8 FACE SETTL$ 96PASSIVE NEUTRAL;Y1 A
SIGN T1 9 ! WAY ( ALL /ORYTELL]S1 HE 0
4APPE>+ 6MAKE WAY =! VOICE (! /ORY XF4
,& !N HE RECIT$1 & F 8 V F/ ^WS1 AT !
HE>T ( 8 VOICE1 X 0 ,MRS4 ,LOVE ,I HE>D1
3JUR$ F ! GRAVE 0! MEMORY ( H] /ORY4
  ,H] /ORY1 & ,AURELIUS'S1 & AL1 P]H1
,EMMEL9E'S4

  ,"! 0 A PIT*-BLACK SKY T NI<T1 &A /ORM
0 BREW+ 9 X4 ,9 ! TREETOPS ! W9D 0 :IS-
TL+1 & X 0 RA9+ FIT 6BR1K ! W9D[S4 ,I 0
KNITT+ 9 ? *AIR 0! FIRE1 A GRAY SOCK X
WAS1 ! SECOND "O1 & ,I 0 J TURN+ ! HEEL4
,WELL1 ,I FELT A %IV]4 ,N T ,I 0 COLD1
M9D Y4 ,I'D A NICE LOT ( FIREWOOD PIL$
UP 9 ! LOG BASKET T ,I'D BR"\ 9 F   #CFC
! %$ T AFN1 & ,I'D ONLY J PUT ANO!R LOG
ON4 ,S ,I WASN'T COLD1 N AT ALL1 B ,I
?"\ 6MYF1 ,:AT A NI<T1 ,I'M GLAD ,I'M N
"S POOR S\L CAU<T \TDOORS AWAY F HOME ON
A NI<T L ?1 & X 0 ?9K+ ( T POOR S\L Z
MADE ME %IV]4
  ,"EY?+ 0 QUIET 9DOORS1 ONLY ! CRACK (!
FIRE E S (T51 &! CLICK-CLICK (! KNITT+
NE$LES1 & MY SI<S4 ,MY SI<S1 Y SAY8
,WELL1 YES1 MY SI<S4 ,2C ,I WASN'T HAP-
PY4 ,I'D FALL5 96REMEMB]+1 & T'S A BAD
HABIT =A WOMAN ( FIFTY4 ,I'D GOT A W>M
FIRE1 A RO( OV] MY H1D &A COOK$ D9N] IN-
SIDE ME1 B 0 ,I 3T5T8 ,N ,I4 ,S "! ,I
SAT SI<+ OV] MY GRAY SOCK1 :ILE ! RA9
KEPT -+4 ,AF A "T ,I GOT UP 6FET* A
SLICE ( PLUM CAKE F ! PANTRY1 NICE & MA-
TURE1 F$ ) BR&Y4 ,*E]$ ME UP NO 5D4 ,B
:5 ,I CAME BACK & PICK$ UP MY KNITT+1 MY
HE>T Q TURN$ OV]4 ,D Y "K :Y8 ,I'D TURN$
! HEEL ( T SOCK TWICE6
  ,N[ T BO!R$ ME4 ,X RE,Y BO!R$ ME1 2C
,I'M A C>E;L KNITT]1 N SLAPDA% L MY SI/]
,KITTY US$ 6BE1 NOR HALF BL L MY POOR
OLD "M :5 %E GOT NE> ! 5D4 ,I'D     #CFD
ONLY MADE T MISTAKE TWICE 9 MY LIFE4
  ,! F/ "T ,I TURN$ A HEEL TOO (T5 0 :5
,I 0 A "Y ?+4 ,A SUNNY AFN4 ,I 0 SITT+
0AN OP5 W9D[1 5JOY+ ! SMELL ( "EY?+
BLOOM+ 9 ! G>D54 ,X 0 A BLUE SOCK !N4 ,=
''' WELL1 =A "Y MAN4 ,MY "Y MAN4 ,I
WON'T TELL Y 8 "N1 "!'S NO NE$4 ,WELL1
,I'D BE5 "DDR1M+4 ,SILLY4 ,:ITE DRESSES
& :ITE CAKES &A LOT ( NONS5SE L T4 ,&
ALL (A SU45 ,I LOOK$ D[N & SAW T ,I'D
TURN$ ! HEEL TWICE4 ,"! X WAS1 PLA9 Z
"D4 ,A RI2$ LEG "P1 A HEEL1 M RI2+ =!
FOOT & !N--ANO!R HEEL4 ,I LAU<$ \ L\D4
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"R4
  ,I'D ALR DRAWN ! NE$LES \ :5 ,KITTY
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H]8 ,I ?"\1 ALL (A HURRY4 ,I SAW H] FACE
0 GRE5I% :ITE1 & !N %E /OPP$ D1D ! M9UTE
%E SAW ME "? ! W9D[4 ,T'S :5 ,I KNEW X
WASN'T A TR\# = H] B = ME4 ,%E OP5$ H]
M\? B %E CDN'T EV5 SAY MY "N4 ,%E 0 CRY-
+4 ,& !N \ %E CAME ) X4
  ,"!'D BE5 AN A3ID5T4 ,HE'D BE5 \ ) 8
BRO!R1 MY "Y MAN4 ,AF "S GR\SE4     #CFE
,": !Y DIDN'T "\ 6H BE54 ,"S"O SAW !M &
!Y TOOK F"R4 ,RAN (F4 ,DANIEL1 ! BRO!R1
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MAN1 HE 0 TOO HA/Y4 ,8 GUN GOT CAU<T 9 !
/ILE4 ,HE %D H SL[$ D[N1 TAK5 8 "T4 ,HE
HE>D FOOT/EPS -+ AF !M & PANICK$4 ,YANK$
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  ,I UNDID MY KNITT+4 ,ALL ^? LL KNOTS T
Y MAKE "O AF ANO!R1 R[ 0R[1 6KNIT A
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NE$LES \1 A LL TUG & !Y J FALL A"P4 ,"O
AF ANO!R1 R[ 0R[4 ,I UNDID ! EXTRA HEEL
& !N ,I J KEPT GO+4 ,! FOOT1 ! F/ HEEL1
! RI2+ (! LEG4 ,ALL ^? LOOPS UNRAVEL+
!MVS Z Y PULL ! WOOL4 ,!N "! 0 NO?+ LEFT
6UNRAVEL1 ONLY A PILE ( CR9KL$ BLUE WOOL
9 MY LAP4
  ,X DOESN'T TAKE L;G 6KNIT A SOCK & X
TAKES A LOT LESS 6UNDO X4
  ,I EXPECT ,I W.D ! BLUE WOOL 96A BALL
6MAKE "S?+ ELSE4 ,B ,I DON'T REMEMB] T4
  ,! SECOND "T ,I TURN$ A HEEL TWICE1 ,I
0 2G9N+ 6GET OLD4 ,KITTY & ME 7 SITT+ 0!
FIRESIDE "H1 TGR4 ,X 0 A YE> S9CE   #CFF
H] HUSB& _H DI$1 NE>LY A YE> S9CE %E'D
-E 6LIVE ) ME4 ,%E 0 GETT+ S M* BETT]1
,I ?"\4 ,%E'D BE5 SMIL+ M4 ,TAK+ AN 9T]-
E/ 9 ?+S4 ,%E CD HE> 8 "N )\T WELL+ UP4
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B$ SOCKS X WAS1 = ,KITTY1 S(TE/ LAMBS'
WOOL1 P9K 6G ) H] DRESS+ G[N--& %E _H A
BOOK 9 H] LAP4 ,%E C'T H BE5 LOOK+ AT X1
?\<1 2C %E SD1 8,JOAN1 Y'VE TURN$ T HEEL
TWICE40
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,I'M BL[$10 ,I SD4
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A LEG &A TOE4 ,WE LAU<$4 ,B %E 0 SUR-
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  8,WELL10 ,I SD1 8,I H MADE ? MISTAKE
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:ILE ,I 0 REM9ISC+ AL\D1 ,I C>E;LLY UN-
DID ! SECOND HEEL & GOT />T$ 6PUT X "R4
,TAKES A BIT ( 3C5TR,N1 &! LI<T 0   #CFG
GO+4 ,WELL1 ,I F9I%$ MY /ORY1 & %E
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+1 & ,I ?"\ %E 0 ?9K+ AB
H] HUSB&4 ,Y "K1 ME TALK+ AB MY LOSS ALL
^? YE>S AGO1 & H]S S REC5T 0-P>ISON4
  ,X 0 TOO D>K 6F9I% ! TOE PROP]LY1 S ,I
PUT X ASIDE & LOOK$ UP4 8,KITTY80 ,I SD4
8,KITTY80 ,"! 0 NO ANSW]4 ,I DID =A MO;T
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  ,S X BO!R$ ME1 T NI<T (! PIT*-BLACK
SKY1 6F9D T ,I'D KNITT$ A SECOND HEEL4
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& ,I'D LO/ MY SI/]4 ,N[ A ?IRD "T4 ,I _H
NO "O LEFT 6LOSE4 ,"! 0 ONLY ME N[4
  ,I LOOK$ AT ! SOCK4 ,GRAY WOOL4 ,A
PLA9 ?+4 ,X 0 M1NT = ME4
  ,P]H X DIDN'T MATT]1 ,I TOLD MYF4 ,:O
0 "! 6MISS ME8 ,NO "O WD SU6] F MY GO+4
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WOMAN10 ,I IMAG9$ !M SAY+4 8,!Y F.D H] )
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R1DY+ MYF 6G1 9 MY M9D4
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CD H>DLY 2LIEVE MY EYES4 ,I B5T D[N &
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CRY+4
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T[>D ,ANGELFIELD8
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DOOR4
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6G R1D+ T M* 96CO9CID;ES4 ,I _H NO "T TO
2 ?9K+ AB D1? AF T1 ANYWAY4
  ,I _H Y 6?9K AB4
  ,& WE LIV$ HAPPILY "E AF4

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9 8 [N "T4 ,:5 HE DID1 HE SPOKE 6ME4
  8,! ?+ IS1 X'S N MY /ORY1 IS X8 ,I
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/ORY4 ,X 2L;GS 6,MRS4 ,LOVE4 ,! MAN %E
WANT$ 6M>RY2 H] SI/] ,KITTY2 H] KNITT+4
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%E ?9KS X'S ALL -+ 6AN 5D1 ,I >RIVE &
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  8,B T DOESN'T MAKE X MY /ORY1 DOES X8
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?ROAT4 8,WE MAY Z WELL40























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A BRIEF 3F];E ( MACK9TO%ES4
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DE] "H40
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COLOR ( AGE4                        #CGG
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  8,AH40 ,8 =EH1D WR9KL$ Z HE       #CHA
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AB 6LIFT 96! AIR & FLY4




















                                    #CHH
























           ,,JANE ,,EYRE ,,&        #CHI
             ,,! ,,FURNACE

  ,:5 ,I W5T BACK 6,YORK%IRE1 ,I RCVD NO
EXPLAN,N = MY BANI%;T4 ,JUDI? GREET$ ME
)A 3/RA9$ SMILE4 ,! GRAY;S (! "DLI<T _H
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9*ES 9 MY SITT+ ROOM1 EXPOS+ A BIT M W9-
D[1 B X MADE NO DI6];E 6! GLOOM4 8,BLA/$
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H1VY SKY ?REW U ALL \ ( "T4 ,MISS ,W9T]
>RIV$ LATE 6"O ( \R MORN+ MEET+S4 ,%E1
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! MEMORY ( REC5T PA9 T PUT ! D>K;S 9 H]
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  8,I PROPOSE A M FLEXI# "TTA# = \R
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CLE ( LI<T4
  8,( C\RSE40 ,I KNEW ( H] BAD NI<TS F
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%E TOOK 63TROL H] PA9 0 WE>+ (F OR _H N
YET TAK5 FULL E6ECT4 ,& S WE        #CIJ
AGRE$ T 9/1D ( PRES5T+ MYF AT N9E E
MORN+1 ,I WD WAIT 9/1D =A TAP AT MY
DOOR4
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X DRIFT$ 6LAT]4 ,AF ! DOCTOR ALT]$ H]
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MORN+S1 B \R MEET+S 7 %ORT]2 !N WE FELL
96A HABIT ( MEET+ TWICE OR ?REE "TS A
"D1 AT R&OM "TS4 ,"S"TS %E CALL$ ME :5
%E FELT WELL & SPOKE AT L5G?1 & 9 DE-
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PA94 ,!N X 0 N S M* ! -PANY %E WANT$ Z !
ANES!TIC QUALITIES (! /ORYTELL+ XF4
  ,! 5D ( MY N9E O'CS 0 ANO!R AN*OR 9 "T
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( MY ?"\S4 ,X 0 L LIV+ 5TIRELY 9SIDE A
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,I CD SIT AT MY DESK R1D+ MY TRANSCRIPT
:ILE ,I ATE ! M1LS T ,JUDI? BR"\ 6MY
ROOM4 ,PORRIDGE M1NT X 0 MORN+4 ,S\P &
SALAD M1NT LUN*"T4 ,/1K & KIDNEY PIE 0
EV5+4 ,I REMEMB] POND]+ =A L;G "T OV] A
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7 A FEW 9CID5TS T /OOD \4 ,I NOT$ !M AT
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  ,? IS "O4
  ,I 0 9 ! LIBR>Y4 ,I 0 LOOK+ = .,JANE
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,X 0 ! COLLEC;N (A FANATIC3 ,"! 7 *1P1
MOD]N COPIES1 ) NO SECONDH& VALUE2 EDI-
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F ! TURN (! C5TURY4 ,:ILE ,I 0 BR[S+1
,JUDI? BR"\ ,MISS ,W9T] 9 & SETTL$ H] 9
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8,:AT >E Y LOOK+ =80
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  8,D Y L .,JANE .,EYRE80 %E ASK$4
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  8,PICTURE A 3VEYOR BELT1 A HUGE 3VEYOR
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,& ON ! 3VEYOR BELT >E BOOKS4 ,E COPY 9
! _W ( E BOOK Y'VE "E LOV$4 ,ALL L9$ UP4
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.,:ITE40
  8.,MI4LEM>*10 ,I SUPPLI$4
  8,?ANK Y4 .,MI4LEM>*4 ,& IMAG9E A L"E
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L"E IS (F4 ,& NEXT 6X IS A HUMAN 2+1 ) 8
H& ON ! L"E4 ,AB 6TURN X ON4 ,& Y C /OP
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  8,NO1 T'S SILLY40
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  8,F/ ( ALL1 .,%IRLEY GOES OV] ! $GE40
  8,I DON'T L GAMES L ?40           #CIC
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BURN1 >E Y80
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_! /1DY PROCESS 6! M\? (! FURNACE1 &
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  8,SUIT YRF4 ,9 X GOES4 ,SAME = .,JANE
.,EYRE80
  .,JANE .,EYRE4 ,I 0 SU45LY DRY-M\!D4
  8,ALL Y H 6D IS %OOT4 ,I WON'T TELL4
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( NAIL ON MY MI4LE F+]4
  8,!Y'RE FALL+ FA/] N[40
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  8,HALF ( !M G"O4 ,?9K1 ,M>G>ET4 ,ALL (
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,?9K40
  ,MISS ,W9T] BL9K$4
  8,TWO ?IRDS G"O4 ,J "O P]SON1 ,M>G>ET4
,J "O T9Y1 9SIGNIFICANT LL P]SON40
  ,I BL9K$4                         #CID
  8,/ "T1 B ONLY J4 ,REMEMB]1 ? P]SON
BURNS BOOKS4 ,DOES HE RE,Y DES]VE TO
LIVE80
  ,BL9K4 ,BL9K4
  8,LA/ *.E40
  ,BL9K4 ,BL9K4 ,BL9K4
  .,JANE .,EYRE 0 NO M4
  8.,M>G>ET60 ,MISS ,W9T]'S FACE TWI/$ 9
VEX,N Z %E SPOKE2 %E B1T H] LEFT H& AG/
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  ,& MY [N FEEL+S8 ,%AME4 ,= ,I _H LI$4
,( C\RSE ,I LOV$ BOOKS M ?AN P4 ,( C\RSE
,I VALU$ .,JANE .,EYRE OV] ! ANONYM\S
/RANG] ) 8 H& ON ! L"E4 ,( C\RSE ALL (
,%AKESPE>E 0 WOR? M ?AN A HUMAN LIFE4 ,(
C\RSE4 ,UNLIKE ,MISS ,W9T]1 ,I _H BE5
A%AM$ 6SAY S4
  ,ON MY WAY \1 ,I RETURN$ 6! %ELF (
.,JANE .,EYRES & TOOK ! "O VOLUME T MET
MY CRIT]IA4 ,"R AGE1 "R K9D ( PA-   #CIE
P]1 "R TYPEFACE4 ,9 MY ROOM ,I TURN$ !
PAGES TILL ,I F.D ! PLACE4
  8''' N AT F/ AW>E :AT 0 8 9T5;N2 B :5
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6HURL X1 ,I 9/9CTIVELY />T$ ASIDE )A CRY
( AL>M--N SOON E H["E2 ! VOLUME 0 FLUNG1
X HIT ME1 & ,I FELL1 /RIK+ MY H1D AG/ !
DOOR & CUTT+ X40
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MISS+4 ,? 0 N ! VOLUME ,AURELIUS'S PAGE
_H BE5 TORN F4 ,B 9 ANY CASE1 :Y %D X
BE8 ,IF 8 PAGE _H -E F ,ANGELFIELD--.IF
X _H--!N X WD H BURN$ )! RE/ (! H\SE4
  ,=A "T ,I SAT DO+ NO?+1 ONLY ?9K+ (
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H\SE FIRE1 B NO MATT] H[ ,I -B9$ & RE-
-B9$ !M1 ,I CD N MAKE S5SE ( X4
  ,! O!R ?+ ,I REMEMB] F ? "T 0 ! 9CID5T
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MY "F'S N>R[ H&WRIT+4 ,X 0 MY PHOTO-
GRAPHS ( ,ANGELFIELD2 ,I _H S5T HM !
CANI/] ( FILM1 & HE _H _H X DEVELOP$ =
ME4 ,"! 7 A FEW CLE> PICTURES F MY F/
"D3 BRAM#S GR[+ "? ! WRECKAGE (!    #CIF
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CASE4 ,I HALT$ AT ! PICTURE (! B$ROOM ":
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  ,! RE/ (! PHOTOGRAPHS 7 F MY SECOND
VISIT1 :5 ! W1!R _H BE5 AG/ ME4 ,MO/ (
!M 7 NO?+ B PUZZL+ -POSI;NS ( MURKI;S4
,:AT ,I .REMEMB]$ 0 %ADES ( GRAY OV]LAID
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MY CAM]A _H CAPTUR$ N"O ( T1 NOR 0 X
POSSI# 9 ! D>K SMUDGES T 9T]RUPT$ ! GRAY
6MAKE \ A /"O1 A WALL1 A TREE OR A =E/4
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2CAME AW>E (A SIL;E4 ,I 0 DR1M+4 ,LO/1 Z
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CD N RECALL ! ^WS4
  8,:AT80 ,I SD4                    #CIG
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:5 Y HAV5'T CAU<T UP ) YR WITS YET1 ,I
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H] H&S4
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PILE ( PICTURES M CURSORILY2 6%[ T %E NO
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TOSS$ EA* "O AF ! BRIEFE/ GL.E ONTO !
TA# AT H] SIDE4
  ,I 0 MESM]IZ$ 0! 4C>D$ PHOTOS L&+ AT A
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O!R & GLID+ OV] EA* O!R'S SLIPP]Y SUR-
FACES )A S.D L .USE.S1 .USE.S1 .USE.S4
  ,!N ! RHY?M CAME 6A HALT4 ,MISS   #CIH
,W9T] 0 SITT+ ) 9T5T RIGID;Y1 HOLD+ UP A
S+LE PICTURE & /UDY+ X )A FR[N4 ,%E'S
SE5 A <O/1 ,I ?"\4 ,!N1 AF A L;G MO;T1
PRET5D+ N 6FEEL MY GAZE ^U H]1 %E TUCK$
! PHOTO 2H ! REMA9+ DOZ5 & LOOK$ AT !
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BE5 A# 6TELL X 0 ,ANGELFIELD1 B IF Y SAY
S '''0 %E SD ICILY1 & !N1 9 AN APP>5TLY
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  8,MY H&4 ,D EXCUSE ME10 %E MURMUR$ Z
,I B5T D[N 6RETRIEVE ! PICTURES1 B ,I
WASN'T DCVD4
  ,& %E PICK$ UP H] /ORY ": %E _H LEFT
X4
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ALL T ! DROPP+ (! PHOTOS _H MU4L$ ! OR-
D]1 X WASN'T DI6ICULT 6TELL : "O _H
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GRAY IMAGES "! 0 RE,Y ONLY "O T /OOD \ F
! RE/4 ,I SAT ON ! $GE ( MY B$1 LOOK+ AT
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! MI/ &! W>M+ (! SUN _H -B9$ AT J   #CII
! "R "T 6ALL[ A RAY ( LI<T 6FALL ONTO A
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M9UTE 8 H>D YELL[ HAT 0 GO+ 6SLIP SIDE-
WAYS ON 8 H1D4
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SCANN$ ! BACKGR.D1 B ! H\SE1 HALF DEMOL-
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*'S "R %\LD]4 ,CLOS] 6HM1 ALL T 0 VISI#
0 ! GRILLE (! SAFETY B>RI] &! CORN] (!
,KEEP ,\ SIGN4
  ,0 X ! BOY HMF :O 9T]E/$ H]8
  ,I PUZZL$ OV] ! PICTURE = HALF AN H\R1
B 0! "T ,I CAME 6PUT X AWAY1 ,I 0 NO
NE>] AN EXPLAN,N4 ,2C X P]PLEX$ ME1 ,I
SLIPP$ X 9SIDE ! COV] ( MY BOOK AL;G )!
PICTURE ( AN ABS;E 9 A MIRROR FRAME4
  ,A"P F ! PHOTOGRAPH (! BOY &! GAME (
.,JANE .,EYRE &! FURNACE1 N M* ELSE
PI]C$ ! CLOAK ! /ORY _H CA/ OV] ME4
  ,! CAT1 ,I REMEMB]4 ,HE TOOK NOTE ( MY
UNUSUAL H\RS1 CAME SCRAT*+ AT MY DOOR =A
BIT ( FUSS AT R&OM H\RS (! "D & NI<T4
,F9I%$ UP BITS ( EGG OR FI% F MY PLATE4
,HE LIK$ 6SIT ON MY PILES ( PAP]1   #DJJ
WAT*+ ME WRITE4 ,= H\RS ,I CD SIT
SCRAT*+ AT MY PAGES1 W&]+ 9 ! D>K LABY-
R9? ( ,MISS ,W9T]'S /ORY1 B NO MATT] H[
F> ,I =GOT MYF1 ,I N"E Q LO/ MY S5SE (
2+ WAT*$ OV]1 & :5 ,I GOT "PICUL>LY LO/1
X 0 ! GAZE (! CAT T SEEM$ 6R1* 96MY MUD-
DLE & LI<T MY WAY BACK 6MY ROOM1 MY
NOTES1 MY P5CILS & MY P5CIL %>P5]4 ,HE
EV5 SLEPT ) ME ON MY B$ "S NI<TS1 & ,I
TOOK 6L1V+ MY CURTA9S OP5 S T IF HE WOKE
HE CD SIT ON MY W9D[SILL SEE+ ?+S MOVE 9
! D>K T 7 9VISI# 6! HUMAN EYE4
  ,& T IS ALL4 ,A"P F ^! ?+S "! 0 NO?+
ELSE4 ,ONLY ! ET]NAL TWILI<T &! /ORY4










               ,,COLLAPSE           #DJA

  ,ISABELLE _H G"O4 ,HE/] _H G"O4 ,*>LIE
_H G"O4 ,N[ ,MISS ,W9T] TOLD ME ( FUR!R
LOSSES4

  ,UP 9 ! ATTIC ,I L1N$ ) MY BACK AG/ !
CR1K+ WALL4 ,I PRESS$ BACK 6MAKE X GIVE1
!N REL1S$ X4 ,OV] & OV]4 ,I 0 TEMPT+
FATE4 ,:AT WD HAPP51 ,I WOND]$1 IF !
WALL CAME D[N8 ,WD ! RO( CAVE IN8 ,WD !
WEI<T ( X FALL+ CAUSE ! FLOORBO>DS 6COL-
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CRA%+ "? CEIL+S ONTO ! B$S & BOXES Z IF
"! 7 AN E>?QUAKE8 ,& !N :AT8 ,WD X /OP
"!8 ,H[ F> WD X G8 ,I ROCK$ & ROCK$1
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D1D WALL W /AY /&+4
  ,!N1 9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T1 ,I WOKE UP1
E>S AJANGLE4 ,! NOISE ( X 0 F9I%$ ALR1 B
,I CD / FEEL X RES.D+ 9 MY E>DRUMS & 9
MY *E/4 ,I L1P$ \ ( B$ & RAN 6! /AIRS1
,EMMEL9E AT MY HEELS4
  ,WE >RIV$ ON ! GALL]I$ L&+ AT ! SAME
"T T ,JOHN1 :O SLEPT 9 ! KIT*51     #DJB
>RIV$ AT ! FOOT (! /AIRS1 & WE ALL />$4
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H] NI<TDRESS1 />+ UPW>D4 ,AT H] FEET 0 A
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/ FALL+ F ! FLOOR ABV1 )A S.D L MICE
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JUMP Z PLANKS & BRICKS FELL 9 ! FLOORS
ABV4
  ,! /"O /EPS 7 COLD1 !N SPL9T]S ( WOOD
& %>DS ( PLA/] & MORT> DUG 96MY FEET4 ,9
! C5T] ( ALL ! DETRITUS ( \R BROK5 H\SE1
)! SWIRLS ( DU/ SL[LY SETTL+ >.D H]1 !
,MISSUS /OOD L A <O/4 ,DU/-GRAY HAIR1
DU/-GRAY FACE & H&S1 DU/-GRAY ! FOLDS (
H] L;G NI<TDRESS4 ,%E /OOD P]FECTLY / &
LOOK$ UP4 ,I CAME CLOSE 6H] & JO9$ MY
/>E 6H]S4 ,WE GAZ$ "? ! HOLE 9 ! CEIL+1
& 2Y T ANO!R HOLE 9 ANO!R CEIL+ & !N YET
ANO!R HOLE 9 ANO!R CEIL+4 ,WE SAW ! PEO-
NY WALLPAP] 9 ! B$ROOM ABV1 ! IVY TREL-
LIS PATT]N 9 ! ROOM ABV T1 &! PALE GRAY
WALLS (! LL ATTIC ROOM4 ,ABV ALL    #DJC
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RO( XF &! SKY4 ,"! 7 NO />S4
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NO USE LOOK+ UP "!40
  ,I L$ H] AWAY1 & %E FOLL[$ ME L A LL
*4 8,I'LL PUT H] 6B$10 ,I TOLD ,JOHN4
  ,<O/-:ITE1 HE NO4$4 8,YES10 HE SD1 9 A
VOICE ?ICK ) DU/4 ,HE CD H>DLY BE> 6LOOK
AT H]4 ,HE MADE A SL[ GE/URE T[>D ! DE-
/ROY$ CEIL+4 ,X 0 ! SL[ MO;N (A DR[N+
MAN DRA7$ "U 0! CURR5T4 8,& ,I'LL SORT ?
\40
  ,B AN H\R LAT]1 :5 ! ,MISSUS 0 CL1N1 &
9 A FRE% NI<TDRESS1 TUCK$ UP 9 B$ &
ASLEEP1 HE 0 / "!4 ,EXACTLY Z ,I _H LEFT
HM4 ,/>+ AT ! SPOT ": %E _H BE54
  ,! NEXT MORN+1 :5 ! ,MISSUS DID N AP-
PE> 9 ! KIT*51 X 0 ,I :O W5T 6WAKE H]4
,%E CD N 2 WOK54 ,H] S\L _H DE"P$ "? !
HOLE 9 ! RO(1 & %E 0 G"O4
  8,WE'VE LO/ H]10 ,I TOLD ,JOHN 9 !
KIT*54 8,%E'S D1D40
  ,8 FACE DIDN'T *ANGE4 ,HE 3T9U$ 6/>E
ACR ! KIT*5 TA# Z ?\< HE _HN'T HE>D ME4
8,YES10 HE SD EV5TU,Y1 9 A VOICE    #DJD
T DID N EXPECT 6BE HE>D4 8,YES40
  ,X FELT Z IF "EY?+ _H -E 6AN 5D4 ,I _H
ONLY "O WI%3 6SIT L ,JOHN1 IMMOBILE1 />+
96SPACE & DO+ NO?+4 ,YET "T DID N /OP4
,I CD / FEEL MY HE>TB1T M1SUR+ \ ! SEC-
ONDS4 ,I CD FEEL HUNG] GR[+ 9 MY /OMA* &
?IR/ 9 MY ?ROAT4 ,I 0 S SAD ,I ?"\ ,I WD
DIE1 YET 9/1D ,I 0 SC&AL\SLY & ABSURDLY
ALIVE--S ALIVE ,I SWE> ,I CD FEEL MY
HAIR & MY F+]NAILS GR[+4
  ,= ALL ! UNBE>A# WEI<T ON MY HE>T ,I
CD N1 L ,JOHN1 GIVE MYF UP 6! MIS]Y4
,HE/] 0 G"O2 ,*>LIE 0 G"O2 ! ,MISSUS 0
G"O2 ,JOHN1 9 8 [N WAY1 0 G"O1 ?\< ,I
HOP$ HE WD F9D 8 WAY BACK4 ,9 ! M1N"T !
GIRL 9 ! MI/ 0 GO+ 6H 6-E \ (! %AD[S4 ,X
0 "T 6/OP PLAY+ & GR[ UP4
  8,I'LL PUT ! KETTLE ON1 !N10 ,I SD4
8,MAKE A CUP ( TEA40
  ,MY VOICE 0 N MY [N4 ,"S O!R GIRL1 "S
S5SI#1 CAPA#1 ORD9>Y GIRL _H F.D H] WAY
96MY SK9 & TAK5 ME OV]4 ,%E SEEM$ 6"K J
:AT 6D4 ,I 0 ONLY "PLY SURPRIS$4 ,_HN'T
,I SP5T HALF MY LIFE WAT*+ P LIVE _!
LIVES8 ,WAT*+ ,HE/]1 WAT*+ !        #DJE
,MISSUS1 WAT*+ ! VILLAG]S8
  ,I SETTL$ QUIETLY 9SIDE MYF :ILE ! CA-
PA# GIRL BOIL$ ! KETTLE1 M1SUR$ \ ! TEA
L1VES1 /IRR$ & P\R$4 ,%E PUT TWO SUG>S 9
,JOHN'S TEA1 ?REE 9 M9E4 ,:5 X 0 MADE1
,I DRANK X1 & Z ! HOT1 SWEET TEA R1*$ MY
/OMA*1 AT LA/ ,I /OPP$ TREMBL+4

















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