,*APT] #h 
,ANGEL ,LANGUAGE1 ,A,D #afah 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,AU?OR 3 ,NEIL ,RI*>D ,MAC,K9NON ,GAIMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,ANGEL ,LANGUAGE1 ,A,D #afah 

,I C>RY 9 MY COAT A SNUFF-BOX1 ?\< ,I'M NOT MU* 9 ! HABIT N[4 ,9SIDE ITS LID !RE IS A PA9T+1 DONE 9 M9IATURE1 ( ,GREEK OR ,ROMAN LADIES AT !IR BA?S4 ,!Y SIT ) ?I< & BUTTOCK FLAT AGA9/ WET TILE & LEAN ONE ON ! O!R1 NIPPLE GRAZ+ %\LD]1 *EEK TO BELLY4 ,/EAM-SECRET$ PE>LS >E BEAD$ ON !IR SP9ES1 ! HAIRS AB\T EA* QUIM CURL$ 9TO LITTLE NOOSES BY ! DAMP4 

,I ?9K1 P]HAPS1 TOO (T ON WOM5 = MY YE>S4 ,! MADD5+ PETTICOAT$ PRES5CE ( !M1 EV]Y SWEEP & SWI% A BRU%-/ROKE ON ! SWELT]+ CANVAS ( MY ?\<TS4 ,!IR SAG & SWELL4 ,!IR DAMP & OCCULT H+ES :]E !Y OP5 UP LIKE WICK$1 ROSE-SILK ,BIBLES1 OR !IR SMOCKS1 RIME-M>BL$ UND]NEA? ! >MS4 ,!IR 9S & \TS4 ,!IR BACKS4 ,!IR =?S4 ,W>M UND]HANGS & %REW-SK9 PURSES1 DEW$ ) BITT] GOLD4 ,IMAG9$1 !Y BURN FI]CE & SPUTT]+1 S++1 9C&ESC5T 9 MY PRICK1 MY C5T]4 ,I MAY CLOSE ! LID UPON ?IS SNUFF-BOX FILL$ ) NYMPHS1 YET 9 MY DREAMS ITS CLASP IS BROKE & ITS CONT5TS NOT SO QUICKLY %UT AWAY4 

,ONCE1 ,I BELIEV$ ?AT :5 ,I'D GR[N 9TO A MAN & M>RI$1 ,I'D BE PLAGU$ NO MORE BY ! 9CESSANT PO/UR+S & P>TY+S ( MY BORDELLO M9D4 ,I W\LD NO LONG] SUFF] ! REL5TLESS ELB[-CRAMP+ VISITATIONS ( !SE SUCCUBI1 ?AT MAPP$ ! FOAM-SPLA%$ %OREL9ES ( MY PASSION2 P5N$ !IR SNAIL C>TOGRAPHIES UPON MY %EETS & CL\D$ MY GOOD S5SE ) HUMID1 FEV]I% DI/RACTIONS4 

,SO ,I HOP$1 BUT IT WAS NOT TO BE4 ,?\< W$ ) AN OBLIG+ WIFE :OSE COZY HOLE WAS MADE A VELVET-CURTA9$ /AGE :]E TO PLAY \T MY LEWDE/ SKITS1 ! TIDE ( JIGGL+ %AD[-PICTURES DID NOT EBB1 BUT ONLY BOOM$ ! L\D] 9 ?OSE B$-WRAPP$1 W>M-LAPP$ LATITUDES UPON ! %ORES ( SLEEP ABOVE ! SNORE ( SP\SE & COT-BUG'S MEASUR$ TICK4 ,D5I$ ?US ANY HOPE ( SWIFT REPRIEVE FROM SATYRIASIS1 ,I S\<T TO SLAKE MY ?IR/ = C>NAL NOVELTY ) :ORES & S]V+-MAIDS4 ,:5 ?IS DID LITTLE MORE ?AN :ET AN APPETITE ALREADY SWOLL51 ,I DREW CONSOLATION FROM ! ?\<T ?AT SOON ,I %\LD BE OLD1 ! IMPRECATIONS ( ,JOHN ,?OMAS SURELY GR[N MORE FA9T & HOPELESS1 EASILY IGNOR$4 

,ALAS1 ) SN[ UPON ! ?AT*1 !RE IS YET WILDFIRE 9 ! CELL>1 /OK$ ) WILL[ LIMBS & JUTT+ TRUNKS4 ,SO MU* = GOOD 9T5TIONS4 ,(T5 N[ IT SEEMS ?AT MY DESIRE IS WORSE ?AN EV]1 ) NAU<T BUT ! FLIMSIE/ ( H9TS REQUIR$ TO SET MY M$ITATIONS ON !IR SOIL-/REWN & 9DEC5T PA?4 

,! LUR*+ ( ?IS COA* ALONG ! PITT$ ,K5DAL ROAD IS ALL TOO READILY BECOME ! PIT* ( M>RIAGE-C\*1 ! PELVISES ( ALL ABO>D ROCK$ BACK & =? 9 UNISON SO ?AT ! FANCY COMES TO ME ?AT BUT = SOME FEW FEET ,I MI<T BE ROCK+ TO & FRO 9SIDE ! Y\NG WIFE SAT !RE ) H] DAU<T] ON ! SEAT OPPOS+ M9E4 ,:5 H] POND-COLOR$ EYES 7:AT GLI/5+ SECRET TABLEAUX HAVE !Y SE587 GLANCE UP TO CAT* MY [N1 !IR FROG-SPAWN PUPILS SEEM TO WID51 D>K & OP52 QU]Y+4 ,LE/ ANY ( MY MUS+S MAY BE GLIMPS$ 9 M9IATURE UPON MY GAZE1 ,I LOOK AWAY TO :]E ! ,LAKEL& HILLS >E SPRAWL$ BEYOND ! C>RIAGE W9D[1 A TITANIC SLATE-SK9N$ H>EM1 ALL ASLEEP ) WET GRASS SLICK & TUFT$ ON !IR TILT$ M\NDS1 OR TRACK+ 9 A SPID]Y ,JACOB'S ,LADD] UP EA* PREGNANT SLOPE1 TO NIPPLE CAIRNS4 

,IT HAS BE5 SOME FEW WEEKS S9CE ,I SET \T FROM ,FAXTON = MY T\R ( ! JUDICIAL CIRCUIT1 GO+ FIR/ BY WAY ( ,NOR?AMPTON ITSELF1 :]E TO CONFIRM MY V>I\S S*$ULES & APPO9TM5TS1 !N BY COA* \T ?R\< ! T[N'S ,NOR? GATE1 (F ON MY YE>LY R\NDS4 ,! GATE WAS HUNG AB\T ) HEADS LIKE BLACKB]RIES UPON AN IRON ?ORN-BU%1 RIPE & HEAVY1 !SE ! DIRE FRUITS ( S$ITION4 ,?\< ! HEADS ( ,CA?OLIC PLOTT]S HUNG H]E MANY YE>S AGO HAVE LONG S9CE COME UNGLU$ & TOPPL$ D[N TO %>D & DU/1 ! %>P SALTPET] TANG ( 9SURRECTION L+]S 9 ! T[N'S /ALE AIR4 ,! FACES ( ! M5 SEEM ALL ! TIME SUFFUS$ ) R$ LIKE BLI/]S ON A FIREBR&'S F+]S1 ?AT MAY YET RESULT 9 BLOOD4 

,?+S >E ! SAME ?R\<\T ! L&4 ,I HAVE PRESID$ AT ASSIZES RANG$ FROM ,NOTT+HAM TO ,CREWE1 TO JUDGE SU* RUFFIANS AS >E BR\<T BE=E ME3 POOR M5 :O >E ?9 & POOR M5 :O YET MANAGE TO BE FAT4 ,! SWAGG]+ Y\NG1 ! CR++ OLD1 ! CRUT*-B\ND & ! 9COMPLETE4 ,9 ALL !IR EYES !RE IS A K9%IP1 ?\< !IR SK9 BE PALE AS OATMEAL1 P9K AS DAWN OR TAN AS SADDLES4 ,GRE5 EYES1 BLUE OR BR[N1 IT MATT]S NOT4 ,!IR EYES HAVE ALL ONE HUE1 :I* IS ! COLOR ( !IR GREAT RES5TM5T1 FLECK$ ) SP>K & PROMISES ( FLAME4 

,! WOM5 >E ANO!R MATT]4 ,?\< ) BITT]NESS APL5TY ( !IR [N !Y C>RY \T !IR TIMELESS WORK & SEEM TO ALL 9T5TS AS IF !Y DWELL AP>T FROM \R HOT WORLD & TREAD ! BYWAYS ( SOME O!R1 FEMALE L&2 ONE UNAFFECT$ BY ! ?RU/ & SURGE ( MAN'S 5?USIASMS1 ,EMPIRES OR REVOLTS4 ,!Y BAKE ! BREAD4 ,!Y CLEAN ! CLO!S & BR+ =? BABIES !Y MAY SMACK & KISS4 ,BETWE5 \R W>S WE GO TO !M & SUCKLE AT !IR FOND 9DIFF]5CE1 !IR ABID+ CON/ANCY1 !SE MO!RS2 MO!RS ONCE OR MO!RS YET TO BE4 ,!SE SAUCE-SPLA%$ DEITIES4 

,?US MADE DIV9E1 !IR DESECRATION IS AT ONCE MADE SWEET] TO ! ?\<TS1 & TO MAN'S PRIVATE S5SIBILITIES4 

,SKIRT+ SOME RUT OR FISSURE 9 ! ROAD1 ! COITAL LUR*+ ( ! C>RIAGE IS N[ MADE MORE URG5T & ]RATIC1 GROAN+ LIKE A H>LOT'S HEADBO>D AS IT BUCKS & JOLTS T[>DS ITS %UDD]+ CONCLUSION1 SOME FANTA/IC SP5D ( HORSEFLE%1 WOOD & IRON4 ,AMID ?IS JO/L+1 ! GIRL-*ILD SAT ACROSS FROM ME HAS FET*$ H] KNEE A CL\T UPON ! C>RIAGE DOOR1 SO ?AT H] MO!R IS N[ CALL$ UPON TO COM=T H]4 

,%E DOES SO 9 A /RANGE1 S(T PIGEON-MURMUR :]E :AT S5SE ! WORDS MAY HAVE IS NOT SO SOO?+ AS H] LAPP+1 EBB-TIDE VOICE ITSELF3 ',OOH1 !RE1 :AT HAVE Y\ DONE N[8 ,HURT Y\R KNEE8 ,OOH1 MY POOR D>L+1 :]E8 ,LET'S SEE N[ 444 ,OOH4 ,OOH1 NEV] M9D1 ! SK9'S NOT BROKE AL?\< Y\'LL HAVE A F9E OLD BRUISE !RE1 WON'T Y\8 ,OOH1 YES4 ,YES Y\ WILL4 ,A F9E OLD BRUISE4' 

,!SE OLD1 PLACATORY RHY?MS LULL ! *ILD1 EA* DOVECOTE ',OOH' A DROP ( BALM2 A JIG ( OIL TO SMOO? ! CREAS$ & *OPPY WAT]S ( H] BR[1 :]E IT IS VISIBLE BEL[ ! BLACK RIM ( H] LITTLE BONNET4 ,SOON1 ! ROAD B5EA? ! COA* BECOMES MORE EV5 & ! *ILD FALLS BACK 9TO ! FITFUL DOZE ) :I* %E HAS ELECT$ TO PASS BY ! TIME ?AT YET REMA9S BE=E WE COME TO ,K5DAL4 

,?\< ITS B\ND-UP MAJE/Y MAY NOT BE GLIMPS$ B5EA? ! SOLEMN1 RIGOR\SLY FA/5$ HAT1 ,I KN[ H] HAIR IS *E/NUT R$ & LONG1 SO ?AT IT FALLS AB\T H] WAI/ :5 IT IS NOT W\ND TI<T & CRUCIFI$ BY BODK9S4 ,%E'S NAM$ ,ELEANOR1 AL?\< H] MO!R = ! MO/ P>T SEEMS TO CALL H] ,NELL1 :I* IS TO MY M9D NOT SO PRETTY4 ,BO? ( !M >E COME FROM FUR!R ,NOR?1 NE> BY ,DUNDEE1 TO LODGE ) SOME OLD DAME :O HAS A ROOM = R5T \TSIDE ( ,K5DAL4 ,LA/ NI<T1 :5 ,I FIR/ MET ) ! PAIR !RE AT ! COA*-9N :]E WE EA* HAD PAUS$ UPON \R DIFF]5T J\RNEYS TO A COMMON DE/9ATION1 ,I WAS MADE ACQUA9T$ ) ! FACTS ( !IR PR$ICAM5T4 

,H] HUSB& ONLY REC5TLY PASS$ ON1 Y\NG ,WID[ ,DE5E 7SU* IS ! MO!R'S NAME7 HAS COME ) ,ELEANOR D[N TO ! ,LAKEL&S :]E A LADY-FRI5D ( H]S HAD V\*$ ?AT %E MAY F9D EMPLOYM5T AS A SEAM/RESS4 ,HAV+ SP5T SU* MEAG] SAV+S AS %E HAD UPON ! J\RNEY H]E ) BUT A LITTLE OV] = H] FIR/ WEEK'S R5T1 ! LUCKLESS1 LOVELY LITTLE ?+ HAS GAMBL$ MU* UPON H] FRI5D'S ADVICE & FRETS1 N[ IT IS TOO LATE1 UPON ! WISDOM ( H] *OS5 C\RSE4 ,?US IT W\LD SEEM WE BO? HOPE TO HAVE BUS9ESS WAIT+ = US :5 WE REA* \R DE/9ATION1 :E!R %IRTS TO /IT* OR M5 TO HANG4 

,! WID['S BOSOM FALLS & RISES1 FALLS AGA91 ) ITS IMAG9$ :IT5ESS HID NEA? BUTTON$ BLACK ONLY TO %9E MORE DAZZL+ & MORE LIVID 9 MY ?\<TS4 ,A SCREE ( FRECKLES1 !RE ACROSS ! /EEP RIDGE ( H] NOSE4 ,H] PALE1 WORN H&S RE/ 9 H] LAP & CUP H] SECRET W>M?4 

,IT WAS ! DAU<T] ?AT ,I MET ) FIR/1 & 9 A MANN] SU* AS TO OCCASION QUITE A />T 9 ME4 ,I CAME UPON H] HALF-WAY UP ! COA*-H\SE /AIRS1 /OOD ) A N>R[1 WE/W>D-FAC+ W9D[ AT H] BACK1 AFIRE ) SUNSET ALL AB\T H] RIM2 LESS LIKE A *ILD ?AN LIKE SOME SPIRIT ( ECLIPSE4 ,I SAW H] & ,I /OPP$ & GASP$1 SO MU* DID %E REM9D ME ( ANO!R *ILD1 UPON ANO!R /AIR1 ONE ?AT ,I HAD NOT SE5 BUT ONLY HE>D (1 YE>S BE=E4 

,FRANCIS1 ! SOLE FRUIT ( MY UNION ) ,LADY ,NI*OLLS1 HAD REGRETTABLY BECOME 9VOLV$ 9 DEAL+S ) ,JOHN ,DEE1 ! FAM\S *>LATAN :O LIV$ AT ,MORTLAKE1 NE> TO ,RI*MOND4 ,CALL$ UPON TO VISIT ,DEE'S H\SE OV]NI<T1 HE SAW SOME FEW ?+S IT W]E BETT] ?AT HE HAD NOT SE51 YET NO?+ HE HAD WITNESS$ W\LD COME TO P]PLEX HIM HALF SO MU* AS HAV+ HAPP5$ ON A SMALL GIRL /&+ HALF-WAY UP ! /AIRWAY ( ?AT DREADFUL DOCTOR'S H\SE1 A WE/]N W9D[ SPILL+ RUBY LI<T BEH9D H]4 ,LAT]1 HAV+ LE>N$ !RE W]E NO *ILDR5 9 ! H\SE SAVE = ,DEE'S FULL-GR[N DAU<T]1 ,FRANCIS CAME TO BE CONV9C$ ?AT HE HAD SE5 NO MORTAL 9FANT1 BUT 9/EAD SOME SPECTRAL WAIF LO/ ON H] WAY TO ,P>ADISE4 ,HIS VOICE & H&S BO? %OOK TO TELL ME ( IT & SO VIVID WAS ! PICTURE HE DESCRIB$ IT WAS AS IF ,I HAD MYSELF MET ) ! LITTLE WRAI?-GIRL1 /&+ D>K AGA9/ H] SUNSET4 ,?US LA/ NI<T1 :5 ,I 5C\NT]$ ,ELEANOR1 LIT JU/ ! SAME UPON ! COA*-H\SE L&+1 ,I WAS = A MOM5T SEIZ$ BY FE> ( ?+S ,I HAD ?\<T PUT AWAY ) *ILDHOOD1 & ,I GAWP$ AT H] ) :AT MU/ HAVE APPE>$ A FE>FUL C\NT5ANCE UNTIL %E SPOKE4 

',OH1 ,SIR1' %E SAID1 ',I DO HOPE Y\ >E K9D4 ,I'VE PLAY$ \TSIDE & LEFT MY MO!R 9 ! ROOM WE HAVE TOGE!R = ! NI<T1 & N[ ,I CAN'T F9D :I* IT WAS4 ,IT'S D>K SOON1 & %E'LL ?9K ME LO/ IF ,I'M NOT BACK4' 

,AL?\< ! *ILD WAS REASSUR$ TO F9D SOMEONE :O MI<T ASSI/ H] 9 H] PLI<T1 %E WAS NOT YET SO REASSUR$ AS ,I1 TO LE>N ?AT %E HAD MORTAL VOICE1 & K91 & FLE% & BLOOD4 ,9 MY RELIEF1 ,I PROMIS$ ,I W\LD HELP H] F9D H] MO!R'S ROOM1 AT :I* %E BEAM$ & TOOK MY DRY1 AGE-SPOTT$ H& 9TO ! W>M P9K %ELL-CURL ( H] [N1 !N L$ ME UP ! N>R[ /AIRS4 

,IT SOON BECAME APP>5T ?AT ! *ILD1 RETURN+ FROM H] PLAY1 HAD LOOK$ UPON ! FIR/ FLOOR = ! ROOM %E & H] MO!R %>$1 :5 ALL ! :ILE !IR BILLET LAY JU/ ONE FLOOR HI<]1 LEAD+ FROM ! COA*-9N'S TOPMO/ L&+4 ,TAPP+ HESITANTLY ON ! DOOR1 ,I WAS SOON ANSW]$ BY A QUITE BEWIT*+ JADE-EY$ WOMAN ( P]HAPS SOME FIVE & TW5TY YE>S1 H] GREAT RELIEF AT HAV+ F\ND H] *ILD SOON GIV+ WAY TO AN EFFUSIVE GRATITUDE BE/[$ UPON MYSELF1 H] B5EFACTOR4 ,?\< ,I'D SP5T BUT MOM5TS ) ! GIRL & DONE NO MORE ?AN WALK UP/AIRS ) H] IT WAS1 TO HE> H] MO!R TALK1 AS IF ,I'D S+LE-H&$ SNAT*$ ! 9FANT FROM ! SLOBB]+ JAWS ( WOLVES4 

',OH1 ,SIR1 Y\'VE BR\<T H] BACK4 ,I LOOK$ FROM \T MY W9D[ & ! SKY HAD COME SO D>K4 ,I HAD NO NOTION :]E %E'D GONE & WAS ?AT WORRI$ ,I WAS AT ME WIT'S 5D4 ,NELLY1 N[1 Y\ ?ANK ! G5TLEMAN = ALL HE'S DONE4' 

,H] DAU<T] H]E P]=M$ A BRIEF1 EMB>RASS$ CURTSY1 MUMBL+ H] ?ANKS1 GAZ+ ! :ILE T[>DS ! W>P$ BO>DS ( :AT LITTLE FLOOR !IR N>R[ ROOM POSSESS$4 ,I SAW %E HAD H] MO!R'S OCEAN EYES2 ! SAME F9E-BLAD$ *EEKS ) !IR IMPRESSIVE L9E CALL+ TO M9D ! URG5T FRAILTY ( ,ITALIC SCRIPT4 ,TWO YE>S AT MO/ W\LD MAKE A SPL5DID B$-FULL ( H]4 

,:ILE ,I SMIL$ D[N AT H] *ILD ) :AT %E NO D\BT TOOK TO BE PAT]NAL FONDNESS1 ,NELLY'S MO!R DID NOT CEASE PR(ESS+ H] 9DEBT$NESS & ADMIRATION1 HEAD TIPP$ BACK1 LIFT+ H] LA%ES LIKE ! LIDS ( JEWEL *E/S DEEP ) EM]ALDS TO GAZE UP AT ME4 

',TO ?9K A G5TLEMAN AS GR& AS Y\ W\LD /OOP TO HELP ! LIKES ( ME & ,ELEANOR1 :Y1 ,SIR1 IT FAIRLY TAKES ! BREA? FROM \T ( ME4 ,LOOK AT ! H&SOME CLO!S Y\'VE GOT UPON Y\6 ,Y\ MU/ BE A GREAT PHYSICIAN1 ELSE A LORD TO DRESS SO GAY4' 

,I TOLD H]1 9 A MODE/ & GOODHUMOR$ WAY ?AT %\LD NOT SEEM TOO VA91 ?AT ,I WAS NEI!R ( !SE ?+S1 BE+ 9/EAD A JUDGE4 ,I WILL CONFESS ! TAK+ ( A C]TA9 PLEASURE FROM H] 9DRAWN BREA? & WID5$ EYES1 HAV+ UPON OCCASIONS 9 ! PA/ HAD CAUSE TO NOTE ?AT WOM5 WILL BECOME 5?USIA/IC1 EV5 WANTON1 9 ! PRES5CE ( AU?ORITY SU* AS MY /ATION L5DS ME4 ,) ONE H& RAIS$ TO H] BREA/ AS IF PHYSICALLY TO SUPPRESS ITS PALPITATIONS1 %E N[ TOOK A SMALL /EP BACK FROM ME1 P]HAPS TO REAPPRAISE MY SCALE AS ONE MI<T DO ) M\NTA9S OR SOME O!R SC5IC FEATURE4 ,:]E %E'D ?\<T ME SMALL & NE> TO H& %E F\ND ME MASSIVE & REMOTE4 ,I SAW MYSELF REFLECT$ AS A GOD 9 TW9 GRE5 MIRRORS & AT H] EXCITEM5T WAS MYSELF >\S$ 9 SOME SMALL MEASURE4 

',OH1 :AT MU/ Y\ ?9K ( US1 TURN$ \T SO POORLY8 ,NEV] SE5 A JUDGE1 NOR ?\<T ,I %\LD1 & H]E ,I AM ) ONE ?AT CLOSE AS ,I C\LD REA* & T\* HIM4 ,Y\'LL HAVE COME H]E ON IMPORTANT BUS9ESS1 ,I'LL BE B\ND4' 

,I TOLD H] ?AT ,I HAD A CASE TO TRY 9 ,K5DAL1 :]EUPON H] >DOR D\BL$4 

',K5DAL6 ,:Y1 ?AT'S NO MORE ?AN ! PLACE :]E LITTLE ,ELEANOR & ,I >E HEAD$ ) ! MORN+'S COA*4 ,NELL8 ,DO Y\ HE>8 ,WE >E TO RIDE TO ,K5DAL ) A JUDGE4' 

,?\< %E C\LD HAVE BUT LITTLE COMPREH5SION ( MY (FICE OR ?AT P[] IT REPRES5T$1 ,ELEANOR N[ LOOK$ AT ME = ALL ! WORLD AS IF %E HAD BE5 PROMIS$ %E'D BE C>RI$ TO H] DE/9ATION ON ! %\LD]S ( ,SA9T ,*RI/OPH] HIMSELF4 ,%E TOOK H] MO!R'S H&1 SEEM+ AFRAID LE/ ONE ( !M MI<T SUDD5LY ASC5D TO ,HEAV5 FROM ! %E] OCCASION ( IT ALL4 ,! ,WID[ ,DE5E1 AS %E W\LD %ORTLY 9TRODUCE H]SELF1 WAS MEAN:ILE FIR$ BY MORBID SPECULATION ) REG>D TO ! IMP5D+ TRIAL AT :I* ,I %\LD PRESIDE4 ,AL?\< ?R\<\T H] TONE WAS ONE ( FASC9AT$ HORROR1 ,I HAVE MORE ?AN ONCE OBS]V$ ?AT 9 ! FAIR] SEX PREOCCUPATIONS ) ! *>NEL (T5 MASK AN EQUAL 9CL9ATION TO ! C>NAL SIDE ( LIFE'S AFFAIRS4 ,:5EV] SOME R\< SORT IS MADE TO SW+1 ONE MEASURES 9 ! FIL?Y-F+]$ GROP+S ( ! CR[D ! LEWD AB&ON ?AT ?IS GLIMPSE ( !IR MORTALITY AWAKES 9 !M4 ,! WOM51 LAT]1 WILL P]=M AN IMITATION ( ! HANG$ MAN'S F9AL DANCE1 WRI?+ B5EA? !IR HUSB&S' LUNG+ WEI<T1 SO ?AT ,I WOND] IF WE W]E NOT MO/ ( US CONCEIV$ TO AN ACCOMPANIM5T ( CREAK+ ROPES & FLAIL+1 BLACK5$ TONGUES8 ,SU* A CONCEPTION SURELY MI<T ACC\NT = \R OBSESSION1 LAT] ON 9 LIFE1 ) ALL ! SUDD51 HURTFUL WAYS !RE >E TO LEAVE IT1 SU* AS ,NELLY'S MO!R N[ EV9C$4 

',IT IS A MURD]1 ,SIR1 Y\ >E TO TRY8 ,PLEASE ,GOD ?AT !RE >E NOT SU* ?+S 9 ,K5DAL1 NOT IF ME & ,NELLY >E TO MAKE \R LIV+ !RE4' 

,I REASSUR$ H] ?AT ! FELL[ UP BE=E ME WAS NO CUT?ROAT1 BUT 9/EAD A %EEP-?IEF ( NO GREAT ACC\NT1 AL?\< ?IS DID NOT MU* RELIEVE H] CURIOSITY4 

',& %ALL HE HANG1 ,SIR8 ,:AT A ?+ IT MU/ BE1 SAY+ IF M5 >E TO LIVE OR DIE4' ,A COLOR HAD >IS5 9 H] *EEK1 SO ?AT ,I SMIL$ A LITTLE1 KN[+ H] TO BE ALREADY TAK5 BY ! GLAM\R ( MY ROBE & GAVEL4 

,9 RESPONSE ,I HELD H] EYE & SPOKE 9 TONES ( GREAT SEV]ITY4 ',IF HE IS GUILTY1 ,MADAME1 & ,I HAVE NO D\BT ?AT SU* HE BE1 !N %ALL HE DANCE A ,TYBURN JIG1 OR ELSE HE HAS A FRI5D TO SW+ UPON HIS LEGS & SPE$ HIM TO A HA/I] DEMISE4' 

,H]E1 ,ELEANOR GREW PALE & CLUT*$ H] MO!R'S SKIRTS4 ,CA/ ON ! CEIL+ BY A L[-SET LANT]N1 BO? !IR %AD[S M]G$ TO ONE2 A D>K ?+ ) TOO MANY LIMBS4 ,NOTIC+ ?AT H] DAU<T] HAD BECOME AFRAID1 ! WID[ TURN$ T[>DS ! GIRL & SCOLD$ H] P]HAPS TOO H>%LY1 NO D\BT HOP+ %E %\LD MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION ON A JUDGE W]E %E TO PLAY ! M>T9ET4 

',N[ DON'T Y\ MAKE A FUSS1 MY GIRL6 ,Y\ KN[ :AT ,I HAVE TOLD Y\4 ,WE %\LD ?ANK ! />S ?AT WE >E BE+ SPOK5 TO AT ALL BY SU* A NOBLE G5TLEMAN AS 444' ,H]E H] WORDS TRAIL$ (F &1 GLANC+ FROM H] *ILD1 %E (F]$ ME A QU]Y+ LOOK1 AT :I* ,I UND]/OOD ?AT %E WAS /ILL 9 IGNORANCE AS TO MY NAME4 

,I 9TRODUC$ MYSELF1 TO SP>E H] FUR!R PUZZLEM5T4 ',I AM ,HIS ,WOR%IP ,JUDGE ,AUGU/US ,NI*OLLS1 COME FROM ,FAXTON 9 ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE1 UPON ! CIRCUIT4 ,N[ Y\ HAVE ME AT A DISADVANTAGE1 ,MADAME4 ,:O1 ,I WOND]1 MI<T Y\ BE8' 

,SEEM+ A LITTLE FLU/]$1 %E ANN\NC$ H]SELF AS ,MRS ,M>Y ,DE5E1 LATE ( ,DUNDEE1 IF IT %\LD PLEASE ME1 :]EUPON ,I LET MY GAZE DROP = AN 9/ANT FROM H] FACE TO ! MORE S(TLY ANGL$ CONT\RS !RE BEL[ & TOLD H] ?AT IT PLEAS$ ME V]Y MU*4 ,AT ?IS WE BO? LAU<$1 %E A LITTLE N]V\SLY1 :ILE ,ELEANOR LOOK$ FIR/ TO ONE ( US !N TO ! O!R1 HALF-AW>E ?AT MEAN+S D>T$ UND]NEA? ! SURFACE ( \R TALK LIKE PRETTY M9N[S1 YET UNABLE QUITE TO GRASP !M ]E !Y VANI%$ 9 A TWI/ ( SILV]4 

,WE EX*ANG$ SOME FEW WORDS MORE1 /OOD AT ! ?RE%OLD ( H] /OOP-BACK$ ATTIC ROOM1 YET MORE ?AN WORDS W]E PASS$ BETWE5 US3 C]TA9 MEASUREM5TS ( BREA? W]E EVID5T4 ,SOME PHRASES HAD A TILT TO !M1 SOME SIL5CES AN ELOQU5CE1 OR SO IT SEEM$ TO ME4 ,WE BO? AV[$ WE %\LD BE GLAD TO HAVE ! O!R'S COMPANY UPON ! MORR['S RIDE TO ,K5DAL1 & EXPRESS$ ! HOPE WE MI<T HAVE CAUSE TO MEET :ILE WE W]E 9 ?AT PLACE4 ,AT ?IS1 CONT5T ?AT MY PRELIM9>Y WORK ) ,WID[ ,DE5E W\LD BE SUFFICI5T TO ITS TASK1 ,I TOOK MY LEAVE AMID MU* CURTSY+ & SCRAP+4 

,9 MY L>G] *AMB] ON ! FLOOR BEL[ ,I PUN*$ MY FEA!R BOL/] TILL IT HAD A %APE MORE SUITABLE = 5T]TA9+ SLEEP4 ,SETTL+ BACK1 ,I CLOS$ MY EYELIDS1 :]E ! D>KNESS ROSE BEH9D LIKE A !AT]'S DRAPES AS ,WID[ ,DE5E & ,ELEANOR1 BO? ( !M NUDE & ) !IR AUTUMN HAIR UNTI$1 DANC$ ) EA* O!R 9 A FEV]I% >IETTA TO HI< ,FR5* FIDDLES1 PALE & TWIRL+ ON ?AT SECRET /AGE4 

,\T ?R\< ! C>RIAGE W9D[ ! ,NOVEMB] FIELDS >E MADE TO DAZZL+ MIRROR-FLATS BY FLOOD1 :]E UP ABOVE ! CL\DS HANG GRAY & HEAVY AS CA!DRALS4 ,TWO DR[N$ HEIF]S FLOAT+ SWOLL5 9 A DIT*2 !IR />+ EYES CAT* M9E 9 PASS+1 BLACK GLASS BULBS N[ FOGG$1 /EAM$ :ITE BY DEA?4 

,BESIDES A TRADE ( PLEASANTRIES :5 FIR/ WE CLIMB$ ABO>D ! COA* ?IS MORN+1 & ( SEV]AL L+]+ GLANCES S9CE1 LITTLE ( NOTE HAS PASS$ BETWE5 ! WID[ & MYSELF TODAY4 ,S9CE ,I IMAG9E WE %ALL %ORTLY REA* ! SKIRTS ( ,K5DAL :]E ! ,DE5ES >E TO BE LODG$1 !N IT W]E BETT] ,I %\LD SOON PROMOTE ! NOTION ( AN ASSIGNATION1 LE/ ,I MISS MY *ANCE4 ,IF *ILD & MO!R DISEMB>K A HALF-MILE D[N ! ROAD FROM H]E & >E NOT SE5 AGA9 = !SE ?REE DAYS ,I AM 9 ,K5DAL1 :Y1 :AT !N8 ,!N ,I MU/ SLEEP ALONE1 ELSE PAY SOME DRAB TO W>M MY B$ UNLESS ,I W\LD RETURN TO WIFE & ,FAXTON )\T DALLIANCE TO KEEP ME W>M 9 M9D & MEMORY ?R\<\T ! W9T] MON?S4 

,\R C>RIAGE ROLLS ALONG ITS TRACK BY OP5 L& )1 9 ! DI/ANCE1 M\NTA9S /EEP$ 9 CL\D1 OR CL\DS ?AT LOOK ALIKE TO M\NTA9S4 ,SOME WAY (F1 ACROSS ! FALL[1 PL[$-9 FIELDS1 ,I SPY A GREAT BLACK F>M DOG B\ND+ AT A FURI\S PACE ACROSS ! RUTS & FRO/-BAK$ FURR[S1 SEEM+ EASILY TO MAT* ITS /RIDE ) \R FA/-MOV+ C>RIAGE AS IT LOPES ALONG 9 P>ALLEL TO US4 ,I MAKE ATTEMPT TO E/IMATE ITS DI/ANCE FROM ! COA*1 :I* IS1 P]HAPS1 MU* FUR!R ?AN ,I FIR/ ASSUM$4 ,:Y1 !N1 ! H\ND MU/ BE ( MON/R\S SIZE TO SEEM SO L>GE AT SU* A GREAT REMOVE4 

,NO4 ,NO1 ,I SEE IT N[1 ! TRU? ( IT1 & AM EMB>RASS$ AT MY FOOLI%NESS3 ! BEA/ IS NOT A DOG AT ALL1 BUT RA!R IS A HORSE4 ,A CLUMP ( TREES OBSCURES ITS RAC+ %AD[-=M FROM SI<T BE=E ,I CAN CONFIRM ?IS LOGICAL SURMISE1 :ILE AT ! SAME TIME ,WID[ ,DE5E SPEAKS FROM BEH9D ME SO ?AT MY ATT5TION IS DIV]T$ FROM ! CREATURE UTT]LY TO O!R1 LESS AMBIGU\S CONC]NS4 

',WE %ALL BE GETT+ (F SOON1 %AN'T WE ,NELLY8' ,?IS1 ?\< SPOK5 TO ! *ILD1 SEEMS L>GELY = MY B5EFIT4 ,UNLESS ,I MISS MY GUESS1 ) ?IS ANN\NCEM5T ( H] IMM95T DEP>TURE ,WID[ ,DE5E HOPES TO PROVOKE ME TO A SUITABLE RESPONSE4 ,NOT WI%+ ?AT SO RADIANT A BE+ %\LD BE MADE TO SUFF] DISAPPO9TM5T1 ,I TURN FROM ! W9D[ ( ! C>RIAGE N[ TO SPEAK ) H]1 & LIFT MY /RAGGL+ EYEBR[S UP T[>DS !IR C5T] 9 A GREAT DISPLAY ( SOME?+ LIKE B]EAVEM5T4 

',MY GOOD WOMAN1 CAN IT BE ?AT Y\ & Y\R DE> *ILD ALIKE >E TO BE TAK5 FROM ME 9 SU* HA/E8 ,IT REALLY IS TOO BAD6 ,9 ALL MY LONELY WEEKS UPON !SE ROADS AT LA/ ,I MEET ) TRUE COMPANION%IP ONLY TO HAVE IT PLUCK$ FROM ME :ILE IT IS NEW4 ,I'D HOP$ ?AT :ILE 9 ,K5DAL WE MI<T MEET1 ! ?REE ( US1 & ?US CONT9UE \R ACQUA9TANCE%IP1 BUT N[ 444' ,I LET MY WORDS TRAIL (F & SPREAD MY H&S H]E1 MIS]ABLY1 AS IF ,I HOLD A WORLD ( WOE BETWE5 !M LIKE SOME DISMAL ,ATLAS4 

,LITTLE ,ELEANOR1 AWOK5 N[1 AT LEA/ IS MOV$ TO SYMPA?Y BY MY P]=MANCE4 ,TURN+ ON H] SEAT TO FACE H] MO!R1 %E TAKES UP ! OLD] WOMAN'S H&S )9 H] SMALL] ONES & WE>S A LOOK UPON H] PO9T$ FOX-CUB FACE ?AT IS ! V]Y S\L ( E>NE/NESS4 

',MAMA1 %ALL WE NOT SEE ! G5TLEMAN AGA98 ,HE WAS SO K9D1 ,I %\LD NOT LIKE HIM TO BE GONE4' 

,H] MO!R LOOKS N[ FROM ! GIRL TO ME1 & ONCE MORE1 ?\< IT IS ! *ILD TO :OM %E SPEAKS1 H] WORDS >E MEANT = OLD] & MORE KN[+ E>S4 ',Y\ HU% N[1 GIRL4 ,:Y1 ?9K H[ ALL ! ,K5DAL FOLK %\LD LOOK UPON ! JUDGE IF HE W]E SE5 !RE ) ! LIKES ( US6 ,) ME NOT LONG A WID[ !Y'VE 5\< TO :ET !IR TONGUES UPON1 )\T US BR++ %AME UPON ,HIS ,HONOR 9 ! B>GA94' 

,H]E ,I %AKE MY HEAD 9 PA9$ D5IAL1 AS ?\< SU* CONSID]ATIONS C\LD NOT BE MORE DI/ANT FROM MY ?\<TS1 AL?\< 9 TRU? !RE IS MU* S5SE 9 :AT %E SAYS4 ,IT IS NOT MEET NOR SEEMLY ?AT ,I %\LD BE SE5 ABROAD ) P]SONS ( !IR TYPE1 & 9 MY YE>S ,I'VE LE>N$ ?AT ,5GL& IS A SMALL] L& ?AN MANY W\LD SUPPOSE4 ,SOMETIMES IT SEEMS ,I CANNOT PUT A H& 9SIDE ! UND]?+S ( A ,YORK%IRE LASS )\T IT HAPP5 ?AT %E'S DAU<T] TO ! SECOND C\S9 ( MY WIFE'S BE/-TRU/$ FRI5D4 

,?\< ,K5DAL BE REMOTE FROM ,FAXTON1 ,I AM HAV+ SECOND ?\<TS CONC]N+ ! ADVISABILITY ( A LIAISON ) ! ,WID[ ,DE5E1 ?\< N[ H] *ILD PIPES UP AGA91 ) FRE% SUGGE/ION3 ',C\LD HE NOT !N COME TO VISIT ) US1 9 ! NICE OLD LADY'S H\SE :]E WE'RE TO /AY8 ,Y\ SAID IT WAS \TSIDE ! T[N1 SO FOLKS %\LD HAVE NO CAUSE TO PAY IT M9D :]E HE WAS GONE IF HE COME CALL+4 ,DO SAY ?AT HE MI<T4' 

,! MO!R LIFTS H] EYES ONCE MORE TO M9E1 & SEEMS TO HESITATE4 ,IT /RIKES ME ?AT ! GIRL'S PROPOSAL IS IDEALLY SUIT$ TO MY PURPOSES1 & ,I AM TAK5 BY ! FURTIVE1 SECRET BOND ?AT IT ALREADY WEAVES BETWE5 US2 ! SUGGE/ION ( A MUTUAL CONFID5CE ?AT MI<T BE TAK5 FUR!R4 ,WID[ ,DE5E IS WAT*+ ME 9T5TLY1 WAIT+ = SOME SIGN ( MY RESPONSE TO ,ELEANOR'S IDEA BE=E %E D>ES TO V5TURE AN OP9ION ( H] [N4 ,! MOM5T HAS >RIV$ TO /AMP MY SEAL UPON \R TRY/1 & LEAN+ =W>D 9 ! ROCK+ COA* ,I SET ONE H& UPON ! 9FANT'S KNEE AS MI<T AN UNCLE1 *UCKL+ ! :ILE4 ,B5EA? H] SKIRT'S ?9 D>K ! S9EW ( H] LEG IS SP>E & TAUT1 MU* LIKE A BIRD'S4 

',:Y1 :AT A CLEV] MITE Y\ >E1 TO ?9K ( SU* A ?+6 ,?\< = MY [N P>T ,I C>E NOT A :IT IF ,I AM SE5 9 COMPANY ) TWO SU* LOVELY LADIES1 IT W\LD NEV] DO IF 9 ?IS MANN] ,I %\LD COMPROMISE Y\R MO!R'S REPUTATION 9 ! T[N :]E %E'S TO WORK4 ,YET ?ANKS TO Y\1 DE> GIRL1 WE HAVE ! ANSW]6 ,I W\LD BE DELI<T$ TO COME CALL+ AT Y\R RESID5CE & BREAK ! BREAD ) BO? ( Y\ AT Y\R CONV5I5CE1 IF IT %\LD BE Y\R MO!R GIVES ASS5T4' 

,IT SEEMS ,I'VE LE>N$ ! TRICK ( SPEAK+ ?R\< ! *ILD1 JU/ AS H] MO!R DOES4 ,! WAY TO DO IT IS TO TALK TO ONE :ILE GAZ+ AT ! O!R4 ,:5 ! OBJECT ( ONE'S GAZE HAS SU* BEWIT*+ SEA-SPRAY EYES & LIPS PLUCK$ FROM A ROSE BAY WILL[ H]B1 ?IS IS NOT AN UNPLEASANT TASK4 ,! WID[1 :O RETURNS MY LOOK1 N[ SEEMS TO COLOR 9 H] *EEKS4 ,GLANC+ AWAY T[>DS ! WORN BO>DS ( ! C>RIAGE FLOOR & ) A T9Y1 PRIVATE SMILE1 %E /AMM]S H] ACCEPTANCE4 ,! SUPPRESS$ DELI<T UPON H] C\NT5ANCE 9VOKES A SIMIL> ELATION 9 MYSELF1 ?\< 9 A DIFF]5T QU>T] ( MY P]SON4 

',OH1 ,SIR1 ,I 444 :Y1 ( C\RSE ,I GIVES ASS5T4 ,Y\'VE NO NE$ TO ASK MY P]MISSION4 ,NOT = ANY?+4' 

,H] EYES D>T UP N[ FROM ! FLOOR'S B>E PLANKS ?AT HAVE UNRAVEL+ SLIV]S ( ! ,K5DAL ROAD BETWE5 !IR L5G?S4 ,%E READS MY FACE TO SEE IF ,I HAVE UND]/OOD H] LA/ REM>K1 ITS GAUZE-VEIL$ 9VITATION4 ,SATISFI$ H] IMPRECATIONS HAVE NOT FALL5 UPON /ONY GR\ND1 %E LOOKS AWAY ONCE MORE BE=E CONT9U+4 ,! TREMOR 9 H] VOICE1 SO FA9T AS TO BE SC>CELY EVID5T1 IS ?RILL+ YET TO ME4 ',Y\'LL SEE ! H\SE :]E WE'RE TO BE SET D[N4 ,IT IS NOT F> FROM H]E1 & NO MORE ?AN A MILE'S WALK \T ( ,K5DAL4 ,BETT] Y\ %\LD COME BY D>K1 ?\<1 PEOPLE BE+ READY TO ?9K ILL ( O!RS AS !Y >E4' 

,I READILY AGREE TO ?IS1 & PROMISE ,I %ALL CALL UPON H] ?IS TOMORR[ NI<T1 BE=E ,I AM TO SIT AT MY ASSIZES ON ! MORN4 ,A FUCK WILL NO D\BT MU* IMPROVE MY DISPOSITION &1 9 MODE/ MEASURE1 MAY ALLEVIATE ! DRE>Y CIRCUM/ANCES ?AT ATT5D TO ! CONDEMN+ ( A MAN4 ,IT COMES TO ME ?AT S9CE %E IS A WID[ )\T FUNDS & ( UNC]TA9 *>ACT]1 IT MAY BE ?AT A %ILL+ W\LD PROCURE ! S]VICES ( LITTLE ,NELLY 9 ) US AS WELL4 ,I ?9K AB\T ! BA!RS 9 MY SNUFF-BOX1 H[ !Y PLAIT EA* O!R'S LANK & WR++ HAIR2 A FOAM ( WOM5 RIS5 FROM !IR SPA'S W>M DEP?S4 

,! *ILD IS SPEAK+ TO H] MO!R N[1 PLEAS$ BY ! NEWS ?AT ,I'M TO VISIT1 CLUT*+ AT ! WID['S SLEEVE EXCIT$LY4 ',OH1 ,MO!R1 IT WILL BE SO NICE TO HAVE A G5TLEMAN ATT5D TO US4 ,I'VE MISS$ IT SO :ILE ,FA!R IS AWAY FROM US 9 444' 

,MRS ,DE5E H]E %OOTS ! *ILD A %>P1 =BIDD+ LOOK1 SO ?AT ! WORDS DIE ON H] DAU<T]'S LIPS4 ,CLE>LY1 ! PANGS ( WIDO:OOD >E YET %>P 9 ?IS WOMAN'S BREA/ SO ?AT %E WILL NOT SUFF] ,ELEANOR TO SPEAK ( H] LATE SIRE4 ,NEV]!LESS1 !RE'S SOME?+ 9 ! RUEFUL FACE ! *ILD MAKES AT ?IS SIL5T REPRIM& ?AT /IRS MY PITY1 SO ?AT ,I AM MOV$ N[ TO COMPLETE H] SPEE* 9 HOPE ?AT ,I MAY SMOO? ACROSS H] ]ROR & RETURN H] TO H] MO!R'S FAVOR4 

',:ILE Y\R FA!R IS AWAY FROM Y\ 9 ,HEAV5 ) ,\R ,LORD4 ,( C\RSE3 IT IS BUT NATURAL ?AT Y\ %\LD MISS HIS PRES5CE1 & MORE NATURAL /ILL ?AT Y\ %\LD LONG TO KN[ MAN'S COMPANY4 ,9 ?AT1 Y\ >E ALIKE ) ALL Y\R SEX4' 

,H]E1 ,NELL LOOKS PUZZL$1 BUT A SMILE ( SU* RELIEF & GRATITUDE LI<TS UP H] MO!R'S FACE ?AT ,I AM GIV5 C\RAGE TO CONT9UE4 ',FE> NOT1 = TOMORR[ NI<T ,I %ALL COME VISIT+1 & ?\< ,I MAY NOT HOPE TO CUT AS GOOD A LEG AS W\LD Y\R DE> DEP>T$ FA!R1 ,I AM CONFID5T ( MY ABILITY TO SUB/ITUTE 9 :AT W]E1 SURELY1 HIS LEA/ ON]\S RESPONSIBILITIES4 ,TO :IT1 ATT5D+ TO HIS *ILD1 & TO HIS WIFE4' 

,BE=E ?IS LA/ ,I LEAVE ! M]E/ PAUSE1 9 :I* ,I RAISE MY />E FROM (F ! *ILD & LET IT FALL UPON ! DAME 9/EAD4 ,A LOOK ( SU* 9T5SITY & UND]/&+ IS TRANSF]R$ BETWE5 US ?AT WE CANNOT EI!R ( US BE> IT LONG & AFT] MOM5TS MU/ AV]T \R EYES4 ,A PLEASANT1 GRAVID SIL5CE NEXT DESC5DS4 ,I FANCY WE'RE EA* SPECULAT+ HEAT$LY AS TO ! NATURE ( ! O!R'S HEAT$ SPECULATIONS4 

,SMIL+ TO MYSELF1 ,I TURN ONCE MORE TO WAT* FROM \T ! C>RIAGE W9D[1 BUT ! DOG OR FOAL ?AT ,I SAW E>LI] IS NOT ANY:]E 9 SI<T4 ,! B>E1 BLACK TREES FLY PA/1 CLUMP$ LIKE ! BRI/LES ON AN OLD BO>'S SP9E4 

,! SIL5CE LA/S UNTIL WE >E >RIV$ AT SOME L[ COTTAGE1 ALL DUN-COLOR$ /ONE & M\SE-BR[N ?AT*1 SET BACK A LITTLE FROM ! ROAD ?AT W9DS ON UP ! HILL TO ,K5DAL4 ,H]E ! ,DE5ES MU/ DISEMB>K4 ,ANXI\S TO %[ ?AT ,I HAVE /R5G? DESPITE MY YE>S1 ,I HELP TO LIFT :AT LITTLE BAGGAGE !Y POSSESS FROM (F ! COA*1 :I*1 IT TRANSPIRES1 9CLUDES NAU<T BUT A S+LE SAT*EL MADE ( ?READB>E CANVAS4 ,AS ,I PASS IT D[N TO H] MY F+]S BRU%1 ALMO/ AS IF BY ACCID5T1 AGA9/ ! WID['S [N GLOV$ H&4 

,A SLOV5LY & HEAVY-BODI$ GIRL AB\T FIFTE5 IS COME FROM \T ! COTTAGE1 ) H] TANGL$ HAIR ! SAME DULL COLOR AS ITS ?AT*4 ,H] FEATURES >E IMPASSIVE4 ,EYES ?AT SEEM DULL-WITT$ & P]HAPS TOO F> AP>T SURM\NT A FLAT NOSE1 MORE PLAN ?AN RELIEF4 ,H] M\? IS WIDE ) LIPS TOO FULL1 YET MI<T LAY CLAIM 9 C]TA9 LI<TS TO ITS [N UGLY S5SUALITY4 ,%E PAUSES ) ONE L>D-:ITE H& UPON ! COTTAGE GATEPO/ & REG>DS ! COA* )\T EXPRESSION4 ,:5 ,I LOOK BEH9D H] TO ! FRONT /OOP ( ! H\SE ITSELF ,I SEE A FAT & AGE-CREAS$ DRUDGE :O'S %UFFL$ FROM 9DOORS SUPPORT$ BY A /ICK4 ,%E COMES NO FUR!R ?AN ! DOOR1 BUT /&S UNMOV+ ) ITS PIT*-/A9$ FRAME AB\T H] 9 REPUGNANT PORTRAIT4 ,H] *9S & J[LS >E LIKE ONE RIPPL$ MASS1 ?IS M]G+ ) ! S+LE MASSIVE CONT\R ( H] DUGS & BELLY4 ,T9Y EYES A /ICKY BLACK1 LIKE PLUM-/ONES PRESS$ 9 SUET1 %E /&S LEAN+ ON H] /ICK &1 LIKE ! HALF-WIT GIRL PROPP$ BY ! GATE 7:O MAY1 ,I FANCY1 BE H] DAU<T]71 GAZES AT ! COA* ) NEI!R WORD NOR ANY LOOK ?AT MAY BE READ4 

,! ,WID[ ,DE5E SMILES UP AT ME & M\?S1 ',TOMORR[1 !N1' BE=E %E TURNS & MOVES T[>DS ! COTTAGE ) H] *ILD 9 T[4 ,! /R+-HAIR$ GIRL SL\*$ UP AGA9/ ! PO/ N[ SIL5TLY DRAWS BACK ! GATE1 ADMITT+ ,NELLY & H] MO!R TO :AT %ALL BE !IR NEW HOME4 ,AS ,I PULL %UT ! C>RIAGE DOOR & SETTLE BACK 9TO MY SEAT BO? ,ELEANOR & ,MRS ,DE5E TURN R\ND TO WAVE AT ME JU/ AS ! DRIV] SPURS HIS HORSES 9TO LIFE & ,I AM HAUL$ AWAY & ON TO ,K5DAL4 ,SMIL+ FONDLY1 ,I WAVE BACK AS !Y REC$E FROM VIEW4 ,TOMORR[ NI<T1 !N4 

,SEV]AL M9UTES PASS 9 FRUITLESS SCANN+ ( ! FIELDS AB\T = SOME SI<T ( ! BEA/ SPI$ E>LI]1 & !N ! N>R[1 TWI/+ JETTIES ( ! ,LAKEL& T[N SPR+ UP AB\T US & ,I AM >RIV$4 ,! C\R?\SE1 :]E ,I AM TO LODGE 9 UP/AIRS ROOMS BUILT :OLLY = ?AT PURPOSE1 IS A L[ BUT DIGNIFI$ AFFAIR ( BRICK & TIMB]1 NE> TO ,K5DAL'S C5T]4 ,HAV+ QUIT ! COA* & PAC$ A :ILE UPON ! COBBLES ( ! C\RT'S RE> Y>D TO BR+ SOME CIRCULATION TO MY LEGS1 ,I SUMMON AN ATT5DANT FROM )9 TO HAUL MY BAGS UP FOOT-SMOO!D /AIRS ( /ONE1 !NCE TO MY B$-*AMB]4 

,I M\NT ! /EPS AHEAD1 :ILE HE1 A MAN ( MIDDLE YE>S1 TRUDGES BEH9D ME1 :EEZ+ & COMPLA9+ 9 MY WAKE4 ,!RE IS A L&+ HALF-WAY UP1 :]E IS A W9D[ FAC+ ,WE/4 ,I HAVE >RIV$ AT ,K5DAL LATE ON 9 ! DAY1 SO ?AT ! SKY BEYOND ! GLASS IS R$ & ,I AM /RUCK BY ?AT UNEASY S5SE ( HAV+ SE5 BE=E4 ,AS ,I APPROA* ! L&+ ,I EXP]I5CE A MAD DREAD ?AT Y\NG ,NELLY WILL BE /OOD !RE ) H] HAIR AFLAME1 ?\< ,I HAVE LEFT H] BACK ALONG ! ,K5DAL ROAD4 ,:Y ?IS IDEA %\LD WAKE SU* FRI<T 9 ME ,I CANNOT SAY1 & :5 ,I REA* ! L&+ IT IS EMPTY4 ,WE CONT9UE UP ! /AIRS4 

,MY ROOM IS *ILL BUT COM=TABLE4 ,! ATT5DANT PROMISES HE WILL AL]T ! V>I\S ,(FIC]S ( ,C\RT TO MY >RIVAL & ?AT ,I MAY MEET ) BO? !SE ,(FIC]S & ! ACCUS$ UPON ! MORR[4 ,SETT+ D[N MY BAGGAGE JU/ 9SIDE ! DOOR1 HE TAKES HIS LEAVE ( ME & ,I REMA9 SAT ON MY COT 9 SUDD5 /ILL & SIL5CE1 =EIGN TO ME AFT] ALL ! PIT* & CLATT] ( ! ROAD4 ,AFT] A :ILE ,I RISE &1 CROSS+ TO MY W9D[1 CLOSE ITS BUG-DRILL$ %UTT]S ON 5CROA*+ NI<T4 ,= WANT ( ANY BETT] PASS-TIME1 ,I PREP>E = B$4 

,!SE EMPTY ROOMS1 UPON ! CIRCUIT3 SOMETIMES ,I BELIEVE ?AT ALL MY FR5ZI$ COPULATIONS >E BUT EF=TS TO DR[N \T ! WRET*$ SPECT]S ( !SE TOMBS2 !SE ABS5CES4 

,UNDRESS+ N[1 MY ?\<TS TURN TO MY SON1 TO ,FRANCIS1 BACK 9 ,FAXTON4 ,:AT A CL\D !RE IS AB\T ! LAD 7?\<1 BE+ CLOSE TO FIFTY1 ,I MU/ [N ?AT HE IS LAD NO MORE74 ,A F\L MIASMA ( ! SPIRIT SEEMS TO HAVE QUITE OV]TAK5 HIM ?AT NEI!R WIFE NOR HIS SWEET DAU<T] ,M>Y1 MY [N GR&*ILD1 CAN DISPEL4 ,HE MOPES & />ES4 ,HE ONLY SOMETIMES READS & SEEMS )\T ALL MOTIVE 9 HIS DAYS4 

,DEE WAS ! CAUSE ( IT1 ELSE ,I AM NOT A JUDGE4 ,IT IS SOME FIVE & TW5TY YE>S S9CE ,FRANCIS SUFF]$ HIS REGRETTABLE 5?USIASM = ?+S ?AUMATURGICAL & FIR/ S\<T \T ! *>LATAN'S ADVICE1 GO+ TO ,MORTLAKE :]E HE MADE ! DOCTOR PROMISE ( ONE HUNDR$ P\NDS IF ,DEE %\LD TEA* HIM H[ TO FIX & T9E ! MOON1 ALONG ) O!R D>K ?+S ( ?IS TYPE4 ,:ILE ,QUE5 ,BESS WAS 9 LIFE1 ,DEE HAD H] E> & WAS MU* S\<T AFT] 9 MATT]S SORC]\S1 = SU* DIRE PRACTICES W]E !N RESPECTABLE1 H[EV] DIFFICULT IT MAY BE TO ACCR$IT ?IS BEHAVIOR N[4 

,ALMO/ A YE> FROM HIS FIR/ VISIT TO ,DEE'S H\SE1 SOME?+ OCCURR$ :I* M>K$ ! *ANGE 9 ,FRANCIS ?AT P]SI/S & WORS5S TO ?IS DAY4 ,ITS DETAILS W]E NOT MADE 5TIRELY CLE> TO ME1 BUT FROM :AT FRAGM5TS ,I AM ABLE TO ASSEMBLE IT W\LD SEEM ?AT ,FRANCIS HAD OCCASION TO P]USE SOME DOCUM5TS P]TA9+ TO ! DOCTOR'S PA/ EXP]IM5TS & RITUALS1 P]=M$ :ILE ,DEE HAD 9 HIS S]VITUDE ONE ,$W>D ,KELLY1 AN UNCONSCIONABLE ROGUE :O DI$ 9 JAIL4 

,AL?\< 9 LAT] YE>S ,I'D (T BESEE* ?AT HE REVEAL ! CONT5T ( ?OSE DOCUM5TS1 MY SON 9SI/$ IT W]E BETT] = MY S\L ?AT ,I REMA9 9 IGNORANCE4 ,TO JUDGE FROM H[ HE />TS & FRI<TS :5E'] A W9D[ BANGS & HAS ALWAYS A WAN1 HAG-RIDD5 LOOK AB\T HIM1 IT MAY BE ?AT HE WAS RI<T 5\< 9 ?IS4 ,SU* MORSELS AS HE DID REVEAL W]E MORE ?AN ADEQUATE TO FIRE ! MO/ MACABRE IMAG9+S1 RELAT+ TO ! CONJUR+ ( AWFUL PRES5CES1 :]EAFT] TO TRANSCRIBE !IR />K YET PUZZL+ ANN\NCEM5TS4 ,DEE1 IT SEEM$1 HAD AT SOME L5G? COMPIL$ A GRAMM> ( ! SPIRIT LANGUAGE1 ?AT !SE 'ANGELS' AS HE CALL$ !M MI<T COMMUNE ) HIM & HE MI<T 9 HIS TURN MAKE PLA9 !IR UTT]ANCES4 ,!SE E!RIC DEAL+S W]E ?AT ASPECT ( ! DOCTOR'S WORK :I* MO/ CONC]N$ MY SON & LAT] CAME TO TR\BLE HIM1 BUT = MY [N P>T ,I F\ND MORE TO 5T]TA9 ME 9 ! H9TS ?AT ,FRANCIS W\LD LET SLIP AS TO ,DEE'S E>?I] TRANSACTIONS4 

,( ! PAP]S %EWN MY SON ?AT COLD ,M>* NI<T 9 FIFTE5 N9ETY-F\R W]E SOME DESCRIB+ RITUAL ACTS ( A REPELL5T C>NAL NATURE1 :ILE /ILL O!R DOCUM5TS P]TA9$ TO AN >RANGEM5T1 ORD]$ BY ! SPIRITS1 ?AT ! DOCTOR & HIS S]VANT ,KELLY %\LD BO? KEEP !IR WIVES 9 COMMON4 ,:E!R ,FRANCIS FELT ?AT ) !SE REVELATIONS ,DEE WAS SUBTLY PROPOS+ ?AT MY SON %\LD BR+ HIS [N WIFE 9TO SOME COMP>ABLE >RANGEM5T1 ,I KN[ NOT4 ,ALL ,I AM SURE ( IS ?AT ,FRANCIS MADE HIS \TRAGE PLA91 AT :I* A PANG ( ANG] PASS$ BETWE5 ! DOCTOR & MY SON1 :O /ORM$ FROM \T ,DEE'S /UDY 9 A BATE & MADE HIS WAY UP/AIRS TO :]E A B$ WAS SET ASIDE = HIM4 

,IT WAS ?US :ILE HE M\NT$ TO HIS ROOM ) NAU<T BUT FURI\S WORDS UNSPOK5 9 HIS HEAD ?AT ,FRANCIS HAPP5$ ON ! *ILD4 ,/OOD ) H] FACE 9 %AD[ & ! BLOODY EV5+ R$ BEH9D H] ?R\< ! WE/]N W9D[1 %E RAIS$ UP H] >MS ) PALMS TURN$ FLAT T[>DS MY SON AS IF TO B> HIS WAY4 ,HALO$ 9 FLAME1 %E SPOKE TO ,FRANCIS 9 A =EIGN TONGUE1 ALL ASPIRAT$ V[ELS ) SC>CE A CONSONANT BETWE5 ?AT S\ND$ MU* LIKE ',BAH--ZOH--DEH--LEH--TEH--OH--AH' & ON & ON2 A /R+ ( HEA!N NONS5SE4 

,FRANCIS WAS UPON ! PO9T ( ASK+ :O ! GIRL MI<T BE & :AT H] BUS9ESS WAS ) HIM :5 ( A SUDD5 %E /EPP$ FROM BE=E ! W9D[ TO ! L&+'S %AD[S & ! FULL LI<T ( ! SETT+ SUN1 N[ UNIMP$$ BY H] PRES5CE1 %ONE 9TO HIS EYES SO AS TO DAZZLE HIM & MAKE HIM SQU9T & GLANCE AWAY4 ,:5 NEXT HE LOOK$ UPON ! /AIRWAY %E WAS GONE1 NOR WAS !RE TRACE ( H] REMA9+ SAVE A SC5T HE SAID REM9D$ HIM ( MYRRH4 

,DESPITE !IR QU>REL & ! FRI<T ?AT HE HAD SUFF]$1 ,FRANCIS C\LD NOT SEEM TO KEEP AWAY FROM ,MORTLAKE4 ,) ! TR\BLES BETWE5 HIM & ,DEE SOON M5D$1 HE MADE FREQU5T VISITS TO ! DOCTOR'S H\SE ACROSS ! NEXT SIX YE>S1 ON MORE ?AN ONE OCCASION =C+ MY GR&-DAU<T] ,M>Y TO ACCOMPANY HIM1 AGA9/ MY BE/ ADVICE4 

,DEE1 AT ?IS JUNCTURE ( HIS LIFE1 RELI$ UPON ONE ,B>?OLOMEW ,HICKMAN AS HE'D ONCE RELI$ ON ,$W>D ,KELLY1 NE$+1 IT W\LD SEEM1 SOMEONE TO SCRY ! E!RS = HIM ) A GLASS & TELL HIM ( ! MESSAGES HIS 'ANGELS' W\LD CONVEY4 ,ALL ?IS CAME TO AN 5D >\ND ! TURN+ ( ! C5TURY :51 IF MY SON MAY BE BELIEV$1 ?IS ,HICKMAN WAS DISCOV]$ AS A FRAUD1 OR AT ! LEA/ A SE] :O HAD COMMUN$ ) NAU<T BUT FALSE1 DECEPTIVE SPIRITS4 ,NE> A DECADE'S WORK WAS ?US UNDONE1 & 9 ! LATE ,SEPTEMB] ( ?AT YE> MY SON & GR&-DAU<T] ALIKE ATT5D$ BITT] & DEFEAT$ C]EMONIES !RE AT ,MORTLAKE :]E ! DOCUM5TS ACCRU$ FROM ,HICKMAN'S TRAFFIC ) ! SPIRIT WORLD W]E IGNOM9I\SLY R5D]$ D[N TO A%4 

,I WILL ADMIT ,I ?\<T IT SPL5DID ?AT A FAK] %\LD BE ?US EXPOS$1 BUT ,FRANCIS W\LD NOT BE CONSOL$4 ,MY SON CONSID]$ ! AFFAIR TO BE A VA/ CATA/ROPHE :OSE TRUE DIM5SION ,I MI<T NEV] S\ND4 ,EV5 MY GR&*ILD ,M>Y SEEM$ TO HAVE A PALL AB\T H]1 & W\LD SOMETIMES (F] ME A FRI<T5$ LOOK1 AS IF %E ( A SUDD5 KNEW ME 9 ANO!R LI<T4 ,!Y NEI!R ( !M W5T AGA9 TO ,MORTLAKE AFT] ?AT1 NOR HAD !Y DEAL+S ) ,JOHN ,DEE4 ,IT WAS NOT LONG BE=E ,K+ ,JAMES1 A ,GODLY ,SOV]EIGN1 ASC5D$ TO ! ?RONE1 :]EAFT] ! ,MAGICIAN F\ND ?AT HE HAD FALL5 \T FROM GRACE & SO BEGAN HIS GREAT DECL9E4 ,NOT MANY YE>S W]E PASS$ BE=E ,DEE HAD DESC5D$ 9TO P5URY & !N1 SOON AFT]1 PASS$ AWAY AT ,MORTLAKE T5D$ ONLY BY HIS DAU<T]1 FROM :I* ONE ASSUMES !RE W]E NO SPIRITS PRES5T 9 ?AT 9/ANCE TO ASSI/ ) HIS DEMISE4 

,PULL+ MY NI<T-G[N ON ,I M\NT ! GUE/-ROOM'S WOOD5-BOX$ COMMODE TO MAKE MY /OOL1 ?IS BE+ H>D & PA9FUL 9 ITS PASS+4 ,) MY LABORS ?US ACCOMPLI%$ ,I SNUFF \T ! C&LE ?AT ,I HAVE UNDRESS$ BY & LEAP /RAI<T 9TO MY B$1 ! BLANKETS DRAGG$ UP COV]+ MY E>S1 )\T :I* MUFFL+ PRES5CE1 EV] S9CE ,I WAS A *ILD1 ,I MAY NOT SLEEP4 
,I AM ANNOY$ TO F9D ?AT /ILL MY ?\<TS >E TURN$ TO ,DOCTOR ,DEE1 = !RE IS SOME?+ PUZZL+ 9 HIM ?AT ,I CANNOT LEAVE ALONE4 ,!RE SEEMS A GREAT PR$ICAM5T 9 H[ ONE MEASURES SU* A MAN1 ?AT WAS TOO WELL-ACCOMPLI%$ 9 ! SCI5CES MAT]IAL & POLITIC TO BE DISC\NT$ AS A FOOL1 & YET BELIEV$ HE SPOKE ) ANGELS4 ,CAN SO F9E A M9D HAVE F\ND DIV]SION = SO MANY YE>S 9 COPY+ PO9TLESS SYLLABLES ON TO HIS 5DLESS TABLES1 *>TS & J\RNALS8 ,IF ?IS BE NOT SO2 IF BY SOME FLUKE ( REASON ALL ! MESSAGES ?AT ,DEE TRANSCRIB$ W]E REAL1 !N :AT >E WE TO MAKE ( A ,HEAV5 POPUL\S ) 9COH]5T ANGELS1 SP\T+ NONS5SE CR$OS 9 ! SPEE* ( BABES8 ,I SAW ! 'ANGEL LANGUAGE' ONCE1 COPI$ LABORI\SLY BY MY SON 9TO A J\RNAL ?AT HE KEPT4 ,IT WAS A GRID ( :AT APPE>$ TO ME AT LEA/ A ?\S& SQU>ES1 EA* ) SOME SYMBOL OR NOTATION WRITT5 9 SO ?AT IT SEEM$ 9 SUM A V]ITABLE MAP ( LUNACY2 ?AT MI/-B\ND CONT95T :5CE FEW RETURN TO TELL :AT !Y HAVE SE54 

,I %ALL CONC]N MYSELF NO MORE ?IS NI<T ) ?\<TS ( WIZ>DS NOR A/ROLOG]S4 ,! SKULL-CAPP$ & :ITE-BE>D$ VISION ( ! DOCTOR AS MY SON DESCRIB$ HIM TO ME DANCES IRRITAT+LY BEH9D MY EYELIDS UNTIL1 ) AN EF=T ( ! WILL1 ,I AM 5ABL$ TO DISPEL IT & PUT 9 ITS PLACE SOME SEV]AL PICTURES ( ! ,WID[ ,DE5E 9 V>I\S %AM+ PO/URES1 !SE SOON SUPPLEM5T$ BY A MEMORY ( ! SLAB-?I<$ S]VANT-GIRL ?AT /OOD !RE BY ! COTTAGE GATE & />$ AT ME ) EMPTY1 /UPID EYES4 

,MY /EAM ( ?\<T COND5SES1 BEAD+ 9TO DREAMS AGA9/ ! COOLNESS ( MY PILL[1 & A MUMBL+ CL\D DESC5DS4 ,A CRACK IS OP5$ 9 ! NI<T TO LET ME 5T] 91 & SLIDE1 & S9K1 & SLEEP 444 
,I WAKE BE=E ! SUN ) ! ATT5DANT :O ASSI/$ ) MY BAGGAGE TAPP+ AT ! *AMB] DOOR TO TELL ME ?AT A BREAKFA/ IS PREP>$ = ME D[N 9 ! D9+ ROOM BEL[4 ,I ?ANK HIM ) A GRUNT & RISE TO DRESS AS WELL AS ,I AM ABLE 9 ! D>K4 ,:IL/ BUCKL+ MY %OES ,I AM REM9D$ ( A DREAM ?AT WAS UPON ME 9 ! NI<T1 :]E9 ,I WAS AT ,MORTLAKE ) MY SON & ,DOCTOR ,DEE1 SAVE 9 ! DREAM HIS NAME WAS ,DR ,DE5E4 ,HE HELD A YELL[$ P>*M5T UP TO US & SAID1 ',H]E IS A MAP ( LUNACY'1 & YET :5 ,FRANCIS & ,I LEAN$ 9 CLOSE TO /UDY IT WE SAW IT WAS 9/EAD A MAP ( \R [N %IRE1 :I* IS TO SAY ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,MORE1 IT SEEM$ TO ME AS IF ! MAP W]E NOT DRAWN ON TO PAP] BUT TATTOO$ UPON A SUB/ANCE V]Y MU* LIKE HUMAN SK94 ,I ?\<T TO LOOK = ,FAXTON BUT C\LD F9D IT NO:]E ON ! *>T1 :I* FILL$ ME ) A SUDD5 =MLESS DREAD4 ,H]E ,DR ,DEE OR ,DE5E WAS MOV$ TO REASSURE ME ?AT ALL W\LD BE WELL IF HE & ,I W]E BUT TO HAVE \R WIVES 9 COMMON1 ?\< HE MAY HAVE SAID NOT WIVES BUT LIVES4 ,AT ?IS1 & = NO REASON1 ,I BEGAN TO WEEP & AFT]W>DS REMEMB] NO?+ MORE UNTIL MY WAK+4 

,PROP]LY ATTIR$ N[ & REMOV$ UNTO ! D9+ ROOM1 ABOVE A MEAL ( SCAI? COOK$ 9 AN OATMEAL CRU/ ,I'M 9TRODUC$ TO MY *IEF BAILIFF = TOMORR['S TRIAL1 A D\<TY *AP NAM$ ,CALL[ ) A /RAWB]RY NOSE & GREAT SIDE-:ISK]S ?AT SURR\ND HIS CRAB-P9K FACE 9 :ITE4 ,AS ,I PLUCK FI%BONES FROM MY *EEK TO SET AS ON SOME T9Y OSSU>Y %ELF BESIDE MY PLATE1 HE REACQUA9TS ME ) ! DETAILS ( ! CASE ,I AM TO HE>4 ,A LOCAL MAN ( NO ACC\NT CALL$ ,DE]Y /&S ACCUS$ ( TAK+ FROM !IR RI<TFUL [N] BO? A EWE & RAM1 ! LA/ ( :I* HE SOLD1 :]EAFT] SALT$ PORTIONS ( ! =M] W]E DISCOV]$ ON HIS PROP]TY1 SO ?AT HIS GUILT IS PLA9] ?AN A W>T4 

,*IEF ,BAILIFF ,CALL[ TELLS ME ?AT ) BREAKFA/ DONE WE BO? MAY WALK TO ,K5DAL JAIL & VIEW ! MISCREANT !RE 9 HIS CELL1 ALONG ) ?OSE LESS S]I\S (F5D]S ,I AM ALSO CALL$ UPON TO JUDGE ONCE ,DE]Y HAS BE5 S5T5C$3 DRUNKS & :ORES2 A %OPKEEP] ACCUS$ ( GIV+ \T DI%ONE/ MEASURE2 SEV]AL BRAWL]S & A BUGG]4 

,\T ( DOORS1 ) FI% & OATMEAL RE/+ HEAVY ON MY GUT & BREA? LIKE SMOKE UPON ! FROZ5 AIR1 ,I WALK BESIDE ! BAILIFF NEA? A GAUZE ( %AD[ D[N ! /EEP LANES SLIPP]Y ) FRO/4 ,! SKY IS RIBBON$ WAT]-BLUE & GOLD ALONG ITS EA/]N $GE1 :]E ,WE/ ( ?AT !RE >E YET />S & FROM ! FIELDS \TSIDE ( ,K5DAL COMES A GRADUAL FUGUE ( BIRDSONG1 EA* VOICE LUCID & DI/9CT4 

,! JAIL1 BUILT \T ( R\< GRAY /ONES1 IS 9 ! V]Y MIDDLE ( ! T[N :]E IT SQUATS LIKE A MON/R\S TOAD ?AT HAS BE5 PETRIFI$ BY ITS [N UGL9ESS4 ,ITS WALLS HAVE GAP+ *9KS & FISSURES SO ?AT IT IS NO MORE W>M 9SIDE ?AN \T1 CONSI/+ ONLY ( A CRAMP$ SPACE :]E ! TURN-KEYS SIT & :ITTLE AIMLESSLY AT /ICKS1 ) SEV]AL N>R[ CELLS CRAMM$ 9 BEYOND4 

,SAT 9 ! FIR/ ( !SE1 A GIRL AB\T ?IRTE5 ) PALE1 UNTIDY HAIR IS SUCKL+ H] BABE1 A <A/LY1 MOTTL$ LITTLE ?+ NO BIGG] ?AN A RAT & BY ! LOOK ( IT NOT LONG = LIFE4 ,EA* TIME %E MAKES ATTEMPT TO TEASE H] SALL[1 CONE-%AP$ BREA/ BETWE5 ! CREATURE'S LIPS IT TURNS ITS GRAY & %RIVEL$ FACE AWAY TO :9E4 ,! MO!R LOOKS UP BRIEFLY AT ME )\T 9T]E/1 !N TURNS H] DULL GAZE BACK T[>DS H] *ILD4 ,! BAILIFF TELLS ME ?AT %E IS >RAIGN$ = BRAWL+1 & WE PASS ON D[N ! R[4 

,DE]Y IS 9 ! NEXT CELL WE APPROA*4 ,HE SITS UPON HIS BUNK & />ES )\T EXPRESSION AT ! WALL1 NOT EV5 LOOK+ UP AT US :5 WE ELECT TO QUE/ION HIM DIRECTLY4 ,/ILL A Y\NG MAN1 ,DE]Y HAS ! LOOK ( ONE ONCE H&SOME & WELL-BUILT N[ RUN TO FAT1 ! /RONG BONES ( HIS BOYHOOD FACE YET VISIBLE1 EMB$D$ 9 A BL& EXPANSE ( D\<4 ,HE SITS !RE1 FEET AP>T1 HIS =E>MS RE/+ ON HIS ?I<S ) WRI/S AS ?ICK AS 9FANTS' WAI/S & HAM-HOCK FI/S1 ! F+]S 9T]TW9$ 9TO A HAWS]-KNOT AT RE/ BETWE5 HIS KNEES4 ,HIS /ILLNESS IS UNSETTL+ & COMPLETE4 

,I ASK HIM IF HE KN[S ,I AM TO JUDGE HIM ON ! MORR[1 :]EUPON HE M]ELY %RUGS & /ILL DOES NOT ELECT TO LOOK AT ME DIRECTLY4 ,:5 ,I ASK HIM IF HE IS AW>E ?AT HANG+ IS ! PUNI%M5T = !FT ( LIVE/OCK HE SEEMS ONLY BOR$1 & AFT] SOME FEW MOM5TS HAWKS A QUID ( />TL+LY YELL[ PHLEGM 9TO ! CORN] ( HIS CELL4 ,IT IS CLE> ?AT CONV]SATION IS IMPOSSIBLE BETWE5 ! TWO ( US1 & AFT] BUT A CURSORY EXAM9ATION ( ! LOCK-UP'S O!R 9MATES1 ,BAILIFF ,CALL[ & ,I /EP FROM ! RANK MIASMA ( ! JAIL ONCE MORE 9TO ! BIT+ ,K5DAL AIR4 ,! SKIES >E LI<T N[ & ! T[N IS PROP]LY AWAK5$4 ,A WOOD-M]*ANT'S C>T ) IMAGES ( ,SA9TS & M>TYRS PA9T$ ON ITS SIDE ROLLS PA/ DRAWN BY A ?READB>E HORSE4 ,SMALL BOYS CLIMB ON ! BAK]'S RO( TO DR9K ! W>M? & SAVOR FROM HIS OV5-V5TS & D[N ! LANE !RE WALKS A /OOP$ OLD MAN ALL HUNG AB\T ) WOOD5 CAGES :]E9 BANTAMS MAKE COMPLA9T4 

,) LITTLE USEFUL TO BE DONE BE=E TOMORR['S TRIALS ,I TAKE ! BAILIFF'S LEAVE & PASS ! MORN+ BY 9SPECT+ ,K5DAL1 /OPP+ 9 A HO/ELRY AT NOON TO D9E ON MUTTON PIE & SW$E4 ,?US =TIFI$1 ,I SP5D ! AFT]NOON 9 PLEASURABLE ME&] ?R\< ! NE>BY C\NTRYSIDE4 ,SOME %ORT :ILE PRIOR TO HEAD+ BACK T[>DS MY LODG+S :]E ,I MAY PREP>E = ?IS TONI<T'S 5C\NT] ) ! ,WID[ ,DE5E1 IT COMES TO ME ?AT ,I AM 9 A MOOD ( T5SE EXPECTANCY ?AT IS NOT ALL CONNECT$ ) ?AT LADY OR H] *>MS4 ,I REALIZE AT L5G? ?AT P>T ( ME IS HALF ANTICIPAT+ FUR!R GLIMPSES ( ! ANIMAL ?AT ,I SAW YE/]DAY AS IT RAC$ !RE BESIDE \R COA*1 & LAU< AL\D AT MY [N FOOLI%NESS4 ,?IS IS NOT EV5 NE> ! PLACE :]E ,I FIR/ SPI$ ! BEA/1 ?AT BE+ ON ! O!R SIDE ( T[N4 ,BESIDES1 ( :AT CONC]N TO ME IS SOME /RAY H\ND1 OR PONY1 OR :ATEV] ELSE ! CREATURE MAY HAVE BE58 

,RETURN+ TO MY ROOMS ,I *ANGE 9TO A F9] SET ( CLO!S & PUT FRE% P[D] ON MY WIG4 ,WAIT+ UNTIL ! ,HEAV5S' NI<TLY SIL5T BATTLE 9 ! WE/]N SKY HAS RUN ITS BLOODY C\RSE1 ,I SIDLE \T 9TO ! FIR/ MAUVE FOGS ( DUSK1 TAK+ MU* C>E ?AT ,I %\LD NOT BE SE5 BY ANYONE ASSOCIAT$ ) ! ,C\RT & HOLD+ UND]NEA? ONE >M MY IRON-KNOBB$ CANE = FE> ( CUT-PURSES4 

,A DOLEFUL BLUE :I* ALL TOO QUICKLY COOLS TO GRAY DESC5DS UPON ! ,LAKEL& HILLS ) TWILI<T1 & ACROSS ! FLOOD$ FIELDS A LOON IS DRIV5 MAD BY GRIEF4 ,I AM SOON COME UPON ! \TSKIRTS ( ! T[N1 :5CE ,I CONT9UE ON ! ,K5DAL ROAD T[>DS ! COTTAGE :]E ! WID[ & H] *ILD >E BILLET$4 ,! MU/>D-COLOR$ MUD ?AT N[ ADORNS MY POLI%$ BOOTS SEEMS BUT A LITTLE =FEIT WEI<$ AGA9/ ! GREAT REW>DS ,I HOPE MAY BE 9 /ORE = ME4 ,A WID[ :O HAS MU* EXP]I5CE ) M>RI$ LIFE & YET IS EAG] TO RESUME ITS C>NAL ASPECT MAKES = A MORE SATISFY+ RIDE ?AN ANY :EY-SK9N$ MAID 9 S]VICE1 & ,I D>E SUPPOSE ?AT ! AU?ORITY MY (FICE L5DS ME MAY DO MU* 9 MAK+ H] RECEPTIVE TO MY :IMS1 PECULI> ?\< !Y BE4 

,TO EA* SIDE ( ! D>K5+ ROAD ! DIT*ES P\R & GURGLE LIKE A MAN RUN ?R\< ! HE>T & ALL AB\T AN ICY MI/ IS RIS+ SO ?AT ,I GR[ ANXI\S = MY FIR/ SI<T ( ! COTTAGE LI<TS UPON ! TRACK AHEAD ( ME4 ,:5 LA/ ,I CROSS$ ?IS GR\ND IT WAS BY COA* & NOT SO GLOOMY1 YET ,I WOND] IF ,I HAVE NOT MADE SOME ]ROR4 ,CAN ! COTTAGE REALLY BE ?IS F> \TSIDE ( ,K5DAL1 OR HAVE ,I PASS$ BY IT 9 ! DUSK SO ?AT IT LIES BEH9D ME N[8 ,RESOLV$ ?AT IF ,I AM NOT COME UPON ! FAT OLD WOMAN'S HABITATION SOON !N ,I %ALL TURN BACK = MY LODG+S ?\< IT MEAN ,I MU/ =GO ! WID['S COMPANY1 ,I AM AF=D$ MU* RELIEF TO R\ND A B5D & SI<T AT LA/ ! WAN & JAUNDIC$ GL[ ( LAMPLI<T SE5 ?R\< CURTA9S1 SOME WAY FUR!R D[N ! LANE4 

,) IMAGES ( ,WID[ ,DE5E AS ,I %\LD SOONE/ LIKE TO SEE H] FILL+ ALL MY ?\<TS1 SAVE = ?OSE ?\<TS P]TA9+ TO ! D>L+ ,ELEANOR1 MY PACE IS MADE MORE QUICK SO ?AT BE=E ,I KN[ IT ,I AM BY ! COTTAGE GATE4 ,A FLURRY ( EMOTION N[ DESC5DS UPON ME2 A PECULI> N]V\SNESS ?AT ,I HAVE KN[N BE=E :5 9 SU* SITUATIONS3 P>TLY IT IS LU/1 P>TLY ANXIETY LE/ ,I HAVE MADE TOO MU* ( ?+S & %ALL BE DISAPPO9T$4 ,?IS TIME !RE IS SOME?+ ELSE BESIDES1 AN UND]T[ ( QUALM ,I MAY NOT PLACE1 BUT ALL SU* TREPIDATIONS MU/ BE PUT AWAY4 ,IF ,I'M TO HANG A MAN UPON ! MORR[1 !N ,I W\LD ?IS NI<T IMPALE A WOMAN FIR/1 & SO M>* BRISKLY UP A MOLLUSK-SKAT$ PA? TO RAP ! T>-/REAK$ DOOR4 

,A ,PAT] ,NO/]-:ILE GOES BY UNTIL AT LA/ ! DOOR'S UNLAT*$ & ,I'M CONFRONT$ BY ! HALF-WIT GIRL ?AT ,I SAW LOIT]+ BY ! GATE :5 WE >RIV$ H]E YE/]DAY4 ,5C\NT]+ H] N[1 ,I AM LESS C]TA9 IF %E BE 9DE$ HALF-WITT$1 OR 9/EAD HAS CULTIVAT$ A TREM5D\S SL[NESS1 AS A =M ( 9SOL5CE4 ,%E />ES AT ME 9 SIL5CE AN 9ORD9ATE AM\NT ( TIME BE=E %E DEIGNS TO SPEAK1 & :5 %E DOES A LEWD & KN[+ GR9 IS SME>$1 MU* LIKE A RIOT\S SLOGAN1 ON ! FLAT WALL ( H] FACE4 

',Y\'LL BE !Y JUDGE1 !N8' 

,VOICE AS ?ICK & SLIPP]Y AS WAT]WE$1 H] LAZY SLUR HAS A SUGGE/IV5ESS AB\T IT ?AT ,I SOON DISCOV] TO BE CON/ANT & HABITUAL4 ,:5 ,I REPLY ?AT YES1 ,I AM 9DE$ ,HIS ,HONOR ,JUDGE ,AUGU/US ,NI*OLLS & 9QUIRE AS TO H] [N NAME1 %E RETURNS A SMILE ?AT IS AT ONCE FLIRTATI\S & AMUS$1 & HOLDS MY EYE = SOME FEW HUMID MOM5TS BE=E ANSW]+4 

',I'M ,EMMY4 ,Y\'LL BE WANT9' ,M>Y1 ?\<4 ,Y\'D BE/ COME 94' 

,%E U%]S ME 9TO A LAMPLIT PASSAGEWAY SO N>R[ ?AT1 AS %E MANEUV]S PA/ ME TO PULL %UT ! FRONT DOOR 9 MY WAKE1 WE >E BO? = A MOM5T PRESS$ TOGE!R1 FACE TO FACE1 !RE 9 ?AT CLOSELY B\ND$ VE/IBULE4 ,H] HEAVY BU/ IS PRESS$ AGA9/ MY COAT-FRONT1 FLATT5$ SO IT SEEMS TO DISAPPE> 9 MU* ! SAME WAY AS ! BLADE ( A /AGE DAGG]4 ,?IS SUBLIME COMPRESSION LA/S = BUT A MOM5T1 !N %E'S BY ME4 ,AS ,I TURN & WALK T[>DS ! LIT ROOM AT ! PASSAGE'S F> 5D ,I HE> H] CLOSE ! DOOR & DRAW A BOLT ACROSS4 

,ANO!R DOORWAY1 P>TLY OP51 LEADS (F FROM ! HALL UPON MY RI<T1 & AS WE PASS IT BY ,I GLANCE 9SIDE4 ,?\< IT IS LIT BY NO?+ SAVE SU* LI<T AS FILT]S FROM ! PASSAGE :]E WE WALK1 ,I CAN MAKE \T A VA/ >RAY ( PA9T$ PLATES & FIGURES MADE FROM PORCELA9 >RANG$ UPON A HUGE OLD DRESS] JU/ 9SIDE ! ROOM1 :I* SEEMS IMMACULATELY KEPT & HAS A RI*LY PATT]N$ RUG UPON ITS FLOOR4 ,9 COMPANY ) ! DRESS] ,I CAN ALSO SEE AN ORNATE FOOT/OOL & A QUA9T L[ TABLE MADE ( POLI%$ *]RY-WOOD4 ,?\< ,I MAY NOT VIEW ALL ?IS FRONT ROOM :IL/ 9 PASS+1 ,I AM GIV5 ! IMPRESSION ( A SMALL1 NEAT SPACE SO FILL$ ) HEIRLOOMS PR\DLY ON DISPLAY AS TO ALL[ NO ROOM = ONE TO 5T] 94 ,IT HAS A PRI/9E & UNUS$ APPE>ANCE QUITE AT ODDS ) ! DILAPIDAT$ FACADE ( ! H\SE1 BUT ,I MOVE ON T[>DS ! LI<T !RE AT ! HALL'S F> 5D1 & ?9K NO MORE UPON IT4 ,EMMY WALKS BEH9D ME1 & ,I HE> H] FLAT1 B>E FEET UPON ! BO>DS4 ,I HE> H] BREA?4 

,! PASSAGE LEADS ME TO A ROOM SO DIFF]5T FROM ! ONE ,I HAVE JU/ PASS$ ?AT !Y MI<T BE ON SEP>ATE CONT95TS1 DIVID$ NOT BY SOME FEW FEET ( HALL1 BUT BY AN OCEAN4 ,FROM MY CONTEMPLATION ( ! NEAT FRONT ROOM SO FILL$ ) BEAUTIFUL POSSESSIONS1 ,I AM PLUNG$ 9TO A SQUALID HOVEL :]E ! GN>L$ GRA9 ( ! WALLS IS *OK$ BY SOOT & !RE IS EV]Y:]E A SMELL COMP\ND$ \T ( MILDEW1 BROIL+ (FAL1 & ?AT ODOR ?AT OLD WOM5 HAVE1 LIKE TRIPES & PISS4 ,I UND]/& ?AT ?IS IS H[ ! POOR MU/ *OOSE TO LIVE1 ) ALL !Y HAVE ( BEAUTY1 WOR? OR VALUE HO>D$ 9 A ROOM KEPT JU/ = %[1 :I* !Y !MSELVES MAY 5T] NOT1 SAVE ?AT IT BE TO DU/ OR CLEAN4 ,!IR TRUE LIVES >E PLAY$ \T BEH9D !SE CLUTT]$ %R9ES 9 *E]LESS MIDD5S SU* AS ?IS1 :]E ,I /& ON ! ?RE%OLD N[4 

,A HE>?-CUM-/OVE ( IRON & SLATE SET 9 ! 5D WALL W>MS ! ROOM1 BUT 9 A /IFL+ WAY4 ,BESIDE ?IS1 ON A B[-LEGG$ /OOL ?AT HAS H] WALK+-CANE PROPP$ UP AGA9/ IT1 SITS ! WR9KL$ & OBESE OLD DAME ?AT ,I SPI$ YE/]DAY1 H] EYES LIKE COALS 9 CURDS FIX$ FA/ UPON ME AS ,I /EP 9SIDE ) HEAD B5T TO AVOID ! L[ OAK BEAMS4 ,SE5 CLOS] TO1 ,I NOTE %E IS AFFLICT$ ) A MOI/URE ON ! LUNGS1 SO ?AT %E :EEZES1 ) H] MON/R\S BOSOM HEAV+ LIKE ! TIDE B5EA? H] APRON & A QUIV] RIPPL+ ?R\< H] PUDDL$ FLE%1 ACROSS H] J[LS & GOITR\S NECK AT EV]Y BREA?4 

,SET \T !RE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ?IS NOISOME *AMB] IS A TABLE F> TOO MASSIVE = SO CRAMP$ A PLACE1 ?AT LOOKS AS IF ! COTTAGE W]E BUILT UP AB\T IT1 BE+ F> TOO BROAD TO FIT ! DOOR & V]Y OLD BESIDES1 ITS SURFACE SC>R$ BY C>V+-KNIVES LONG SNAPP$ 9 H&S LONG DEAD4 ,FIVE *AIRS >E SET AB\T ! TABLE1 TWO ( !M ALREADY OCCUPI$ BY ,ELEANOR & H] 5*ANT+ MO!R1 BO? ( :OM LOOK UP & SMILE UPON MY 5TRY4 ,I HAD QUITE =GOT H[ GRE5 !IR EYES W]E1 & DECIDE ?AT ,I MI<T BE> !SE MIS]ABLE SURR\NDS IF !Y %\LD BE ILLUM9AT$ BY SU* PUL*RITUDE4 

',JUDGE ,NI*OLLS6 ,Y\ HAVE COME JU/ AS Y\ SAID4' ,IT IS ! ,WID[ ,DE5E :O SPEAKS1 & ! EXCITEM5T & ANTICIPATION 9 H] VOICE ELICITS 9 ME SMUG ASSURANCE ?AT ALL %ALL BE WELL BETWE5 US4 ,SCRAP+ BACK H] *AIR ACROSS ! R\< /ONE TILES1 %E RISES FROM H] SEAT & /EPS ACROSS ! ROOM TO GREET ME1 PLAC+ ONE WEAK H& UPON MY ELB[ AS %E /E]S ME TO MY SETT+1 OPPOSITE H] [N4 ,/OOD LEAN+ UP AGA9/ ! PASSAGE DOOR-JAMB1 ,EMMY SMIRKS AT ! ASSEMBLY4 ,:ILE ATTEMPT+ TO IGNORE ! GIRL1 ,I MAKE SMALL CONV]SATION ) ! WID[ & ) ,ELEANOR UNTIL ! BLOAT$ CRONE SAT BY ! HE>? CEASES H] :EEZ+ = A MOM5T TO ADDRESS US ALL4 

',WE'LL GET ! D9N] UP N[4 ,EMMY1 Y\ /OP GAWP9' AT ! G5TLEMAN & PULL US UP SO'S ,I CAN DI% IT \T4' ,H] VOICE1 DRAGG$ UP ?R\< A GREAT SURFEIT ( CONGE/IONS1 BUBBLES LIKE A M>%4 

,EMMY1 ) AN EXPRESSIVE SI<1 QUITS H] POSITION BY ! DOOR & CROSSES TO ! FIREPLACE :]E %E HELPS ! SWOLL5 BAGGAGE LABOR UP FROM (F H] /OOL4 ,! TWO ( !M1 :O ,I AM N[ CONV9C$ >E *ILD & MO!R1 NEXT PROCE$ TO LADLE =? GREAT B[LS ( HOTPOT FROM A VESSEL TAK5 \T ! /OVE1 !SE BE+ SET BE=E US4 ,EMMY TAKES H] SEAT1 NEXT TO MY [N1 ) MANY CRAFTY SIDELONG LE]S1 :ILE ! OLD LADY1 ) SOME DIFFICULTY1 S9KS H] GASP+ BULK ON TO ! *AIR PLAC$ AT ! TABLE'S HEAD4 

,) BREA? SUFFICI5TLY RECOV]$1 %E 9TONES A GRACE3 ',DE> ,LORD1 BLESS ?IS ! MEAL WE HAVE PREP>$ \R GUE/1 & MAY WE HAVE SUCCESS 9 ALL \R DO9'S4' 

,AL?\< RUDE & UNCONV5TIONAL1 ! BLESS+ IS NOT 9APPROPRIATE4 ,TONI<T1 IF LUCK IS ) ME1 ,I'LL BE DO+ ,WID[ ,DE5E1 & HOPE TO HAVE NO SMALL SUCCESS 9 ?IS 5DEAVOR4 ,MURMUR+1 !N1 AN ',AM5' ?AT IS HE>TFELT1 ,I LIFT UP MY =K & />T TO EAT1 SMIL+ ACROSS ! TABLE AT ! WID[ & RECEIV+ H] SMILE 9 RETURN4 ,I FANCY !RE IS SOME?+ SECRET 9 IT1 MEANT P]HAPS = BUT ! TWO ( US4 ,5C\RAG$ ?US1 ) ADD$ RELI% ,I ATTACK ! M\ND ( BEEF & VEGETABLE HEAP$ BE=E ME1 PLEASANTLY SURPRIS$ BY H[ AGREEABLE ITS FLAVOR SEEMS4 

,:IL/ PICK+ AT !IR FOOD1 ! GA!R$ FEMALES WAT* ATT5TIVELY AS ,I WOLF D[N MY [N1 NO D\BT ) APPREH5SION LE/ SU* PLA91 R\< F>E DOES NOT MEET ) MY CULTIVAT$ EXPECTATIONS4 ,WI%+ TO ALLAY !IR FE>S1 ,I HEAP GREAT =KS-FULL PA/ MY *9 &1 9 BETWE5 MY MA/ICATIONS1 COMM5T ON ! D9N]'S EXCELL5CE1 = 9 ALL TRU? IT IS DELICI\S4 ,HI<LY SPIC$ & PEPP]$1 EV]Y SWALL[+ PROMOTES A FILM ( P]SPIRATION ON MY BR[ & UPP] LIP2 A /++ 9 MY PALATE BY :I* MEANS MY M\? IS MADE A SMOLD]+1 9F]NAL CAVE ( MOL> /ALACTITES ) EV]Y JOT ( MY AW>5ESS C5T]$ !RE4 ,) FELL[S ( MY /AMP1 :O HAVE A TA/E = FIRE & PEPP] 9 !IR FOOD1 ! RIGORS ( 5DUR+ SU* A MEAL >E P>T ( ITS ATTRACTION4 ,PANICK$ BY ! BLAZ+S ( ! TONGUE1 IT IS AS IF ! O!R 9/RUM5TS ( S5SIBILITY >E SIMIL>LY PLUNG$ 9TO A NEW CONDITION3 EYES MAY WAT] OR ! E>S MAY R+1 ) EV]Y:]E ?R\<\T ! BODY'S FLE% A SYMPA!TIC T+L+4 ,I HAVE (T5 ?\<T ?AT SU* A /ATE MU/ BE ALIKE ) ?AT DESCRIB$ BY MY/ICS1 :]E ALL O!R BODILY CONC]NS >E SWEPT AWAY BY ! 9T5SITY ( A DIV9E EXP]I5CE4 

,I ?9K ( ,FRANCIS1 HOLL[-EY$ & /AMM]+1 FILL$ ) DREAD S9CE ! ABRUPT CESSATION ( HIS WORK ) ,DEE2 ) ! DEMEANOR ( A MAN :O HAS BE5 S5T5C$1 YET :O MU/ 5DURE A LONG1 EXCRUCIAT+ WAIT UNTIL ! GALL[S HAVE BE5 BUILT4 ,I CANNOT HELP BUT ?9K HE MI<T HAVE LIMIT$ HIS [N EXP]IM5TS ) ! SUBLIME TO ! 5JOYM5T ( A SIMPLE DI% SU* AS ,I HAVE BE=E ME N[1 MY PLATE ALREADY HALF WIP$ CLEAN1 SO HE>TY IS MY APPETITE4 

,:IL/ ,I AM LO/ )9 ?IS CUL9>Y REV]IE1 ! WOM5 SAT AB\T ME EAT 9 SIL5CE SAVE ! *IME ( KNIFE ON CROCK]Y1 ) MANY GLANCES MADE TO ME OR TO EA* O!R4 ,ELEANOR1 :O MAY HAVE BE5 PROVID$ ) A SMALL] PORTION ?AN WE GR[N-UPS1 HAS ALREADY EMPTI$ \T H] DI% &1 TURN+1 HOLDS IT \T T[>DS ! GROSS & LIV]-FLUK$ OLD WOMAN SEAT$ AT ! TABLE'S HEAD1 !RE ON ! 9FANT'S RI<T4 

',GR&MO!R8 ,MAY ,I HAVE SOME MORE8' 

,AT ?IS1 ! AG$ M\NTA9 MADE ( FAT SWIVELS H] HEAD >\ND T[>DS ! *ILD 9 AN UNSETTL+ FA%ION1 ) H] NECK SO SWOLL5 ?AT IT DOES NOT SEEM TO MOVE1 BUT ONLY ?AT H] FEATURES HAVE BY SOME MEANS SWUM ACROSS ?AT D\<Y HEAD TO FACE ANO!R WAY4 

,H] VOICE IS %>P & H>%1 SO ?AT ! SMALL GIRL FL9*ES & DRAWS BACK1 AFRAID4 ',I'M NOT Y\R GR&MO!R1 Y\ WICK$ GIRL6' 

,AT ! SEV]ITY ( ?IS REPROA* AN AWKW>D SIL5CE FALLS UPON ! GA!R+1 SKILLFULLY BREA*$ BY ,WID[ ,DE5E :O1 SMIL+ 9 A N]V\S WAY1 ATTEMPTS N[ TO EXCUSE H] *ILD4 ',( C\RSE %E'S NOT1 IS %E1 MY LAMB8 ,IT'S JU/ ?AT ) H] HAV+ BE5 SO K9D TO US1 ?AT'S H[ Y\'VE COME TO ?9K ( H]4 ,N[1 ,NELLY1 IS ?AT NOT ! WAY ( ?+S8' 

,H]E ,ELEANOR1 /ILL PALE & %AK5 FROM ! SCOLD+1 NODS H] HEAD & />ES 9TO H] EMPTY DI%1 :I* SEEMS TO MOLLIFY ! :EEZ+ DRAGON TO H] LEFT4 ,?IS WI!R$ OLD ,LEVIA?AN N[ TURNS TO SPEAK ) ,EMMY1 SAT H]E NEXT TO ME1 9/RUCT+ ! Y\NG GIRL TO RISE & S]VE A SECOND HELP+ = SU* M\?S AS MAY REQUIRE IT4 

,= MY [N P>T1 ,I RELUCTANTLY DECL9E ! (F] ) A %AK+ ( ! HEAD4 ,A HEAV9ESS IS COME UPON ME1 SO ?AT ,I BECOME AFRAID LE/ ,I HAVE RA!R ATE TOO MU* ALREADY4 ,IF ?IS WELL-/UFF$ LE?>GY %\LD NOT ABATE1 ,I FE> = MY P]=MANCE ) ! WID[ LAT] ON4 ,I %ALL NOT HAVE ! /R5G? TO M\NT H]1 HAV+ B>ELY /R5G? 5\< TO RAISE ANO!R M\?FUL TO MY LIPS4 ,UPON MY MUTE REFUSAL ( A FUR!R S]V+1 ,EMMY TILTS H] HEAD UPON ONE SIDE & GAZES D[N T[>DS ME QUIZZICALLY1 ) LADLE 9 ONE H& & OV5-POT WRAPP$ 9 A CLO? B5EA? H] >M4 ,?OSE WIDE1 PLUMP LIPS CREASE N[ 9 A LASCIVI\S SMILE BE=E %E SPEAKS4 

',I ?9K ! JUDGE HAS HAD 5\< ALREADY4 ,LOOK H[ ?ICK ! SWEAT /&S ON HIS BR[1 AS IF ?IS ROOM'S TOO HOT = HIM4' 

,SETT+ ! POT & LADLE D[N UPON ! TABLE-TOP %E NEXT /OOPS D[N A LITTLE1 SMIL+ ALL ! :ILE1 SO ?AT H] FACE IS CLOSE TO M9E4 ,! O!R ?REE AB\T ! TABLE SEEM TO WAT* 9T5TLY1 ALL ) RAPT & YET UNREADABLE EXPRESSIONS1 MU* LIKE BIRDS4 ,MY F+]TIPS SEEM NUMB4 ,I HE> A DI/ANT CLATT]+ ?AT ,I ?9K MU/ BE MY D9N] =K1 N[ FALL5 TO ! FLOOR4 ,NE> TO1 ,I SEE ?AT ,EMMY HAS A SPOIL$ COMPLEXION2 YELL[-HEADS 9 D5SE 5CAMPM5TS1 %ELT]+ AT ! CORN]S ( H] NOSE4 ,H] VOICE IS SL[ & ?ICK AS TREACLE P\R+4 

',DON'T Y\ FRET AB\T ! W>M1 N[1 ,JUDGE4 ,MY MO!R SAYS AS WE >E ALL TO TAKE \R CLO!S (F = Y\ LAT] ON4 ,!N WE'LL BE GLAD ! FIRE'S BANK$ UP SO HI<4' 

,:AT IS %E SAY+8 ,FROM ACROSS ! TABLE1 ,WID[ ,DE5E SPEAKS N[ 9 A REPROA*FUL TONE ,I HAVE NOT HE>D H] USE BE=E4 ',Y\ M9D N[1 ,EMMY4 ,HE MI<T NOT BE QUITE SO UND]NEA?-!-WEA!R AS HE LOOKS4' 

,! ADOLESC5T SEEMS TO TAKE NO HE$ ( ?IS1 BUT ONLY COCKS H] HEAD TO SCRUT9IZE ME CLOSELY1 AS IF MAK+ UP H] M9D BE=E %E SPEAKS4 ',OH1 NO4 ,I ?9K HE'S HAD IT1 RI<T 5\<4 ,BESIDES1 ,I KN[ A WAY WE %ALL SOON SEE4' 

,%E /RAI<T5S UP AWAY FROM ME4 ,)\T AB&ON+ H] SMILE %E LIFTS H] WEI<TY >MS TO CURL BEH9D H] NECK :]E LIE ! FA/5+S ( H] SMOCK1 :I* %E COMM5CES TO UNBUTTON4 ,NO ONE SPEAKS4 ,! ROOM IS SIL5T SAVE ! FAT OLD WOMAN'S RAGG$ BREA?4 ,MY M9D IS SWIMM+1 & IT COMES TO ME BELAT$LY ?AT !RE IS SOME?+ V]Y MU* AWRY H]E 9 ?IS SWELT]+ *AMB]4 

,EMMY HAS BY N[ UNDONE H]SELF 5\< TO WORK BO? %\LD]S FROM H] DRESS1 FOLL[$ BY ONE >M !N ! O!R4 ,F9ALLY1 ) A TRIUMPHANT SMILE1 %E YANKS ! :OLE AFFAIR D[N TO H] HIPS SO ?AT ABOVE ! WAI/ %E IS QUITE NAK$4 ,DO ,I DREAM ?IS8 ,EMMY'S BREA/S >E L>GE & D5SE1 ?AT N[ %E LIFTS H] H&S TO CUP & WEI<4 ,FLAT AUREOLAE1 BR[N & VIOLET1 SURM\NT EA* BUB1 ! PURPL$ NIPPLES ?RU/+ \T LIKE BABY'S ?UMBS4 ,%E /EPS T[>DS ME1 CRADL+ ONE TEAT 9 EI!R PALM &1 ) A VAGUE ANXIETY ?AT SEEMS REMOTE & DI/ANT TO ME1 ,I DISCOV] ?AT ,I CAN NO LONG] MOVE4 ,! S++ 9 MY E>S IS L\D]1 ?\< ,I /ILL HE> ,EMMY AS %E SPEAKS BESIDE MY E>4 

',!RE1 N[4 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K ( !M8 ,>5'T !Y A LOVELY SET ( ?+S8 ,:Y1 ,I W\LD WAG] ?AT Y\'D LIKE TO SUCK UPON !M IF Y\ C\LD4 ,?AT'S :AT G5TS LIKE TO DO1 ,I HE>4' 

,N[ %E 9CL9ES H] BODY CLOS] TO ME SO ! MUSKY SC5T ( H] IS OV]:ELM+4 ,LIFT+ UP ONE BREA/ %E TILTS ! NIPPLE TO MY SLACK & GAP+ M\?1 WIP+ IT SL[LY BACK & =? ACROSS MY L[] LIP1 SO ?AT IT FOLDS1 & B5DS1 !N SPR+S AGA9 ]ECT AGA9/ MY TEE?4 ,I TRY TO CLOSE !M ON ! SLIPP]Y BUD1 & YET CANNOT4 

',N[ /OP IT1 ,EMMY6' ,IT IS ,WID[ ,DE5E :O SPEAKS4 ',I'LL PUT UP ) ?IS FAMILY'S WAYS SO LONG AS ,I AM M>RI$ 9TO IT1 BUT NOT ALL ( US WANTS TO SEE Y\R LE*]Y BO? DAY & NI<T4' 

,9 ANSW]1 ,EMMY LEWDLY ROCKS H] BODY BACK & =? SO ?AT H] BREA/ PUMPS 9 & \T BETWE5 MY NUMB1 UNMOV+ LIPS4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT ! OLD LADY SEAT$ AT ! TABLE'S 5D F9DS ?IS SO COMIC AN EFFECT ?AT %E BEG9S TO CACKLE1 DEEP 9 H] POLLUT$1 RATTL+ LUNGS4 ,HIL>ITY BE+ CONTAGI\S1 LITTLE ,ELEANOR NEXT />TS TO SMIRK :ILE D>T+ CAUTI\S GLANCES AT H] TAUT-FAC$ MO!R1 ,WID[ ,DE5E1 AS IF TO ASK IF IT IS YET P]MISSIBLE TO LAU<4 ,AT L5G? %E CAN CONTA9 H]SELF NO LONG]1 & H] MIR? IS GIV5 V5T 9 SNIVEL+ NOISES D[N H] NOSE1 :]EON ! WID[ MAY NOT ANY MORE MA9TA9 H] SC[L+ & AFFRONT$ DISPOSITION1 />T+ 9 TO SNIGG] TOO1 SO ?AT ! F\R ( !M >E LAU<+ N[4 

,! M]RIM5T 5DURES A :ILE & !N IS DI$ AWAY AS ,EMMY TAKES H] BREA/ FROM \T MY M\?1 A SOLIT>Y PE>L ( SPITTLE HUNG BY A SALIVA ?READ !RE AT ITS GALL[S TIP4 ,%E TAKES A /EP BACK SO AS BETT] TO REG>D ME & H] SMILE IS SCORNFUL N[1 FILL$ ) CONTEMPT4 

',HE WON'T BE LONG N[4 ,WE C\LD MAKE A />T ON DIVY+ HIM UP1 ONCE WE'VE \R CLO!S (F SO !Y %AN'T BE M>K$4' 

,N[ ! OLD WOMAN SPEAKS FROM SOME:]E TO MY RI<T4 ,MY HEAD HANGS SLACK AGA9/ ! BACK-RE/ ( MY *AIR & ,I HAVE NOT ! /R5G? TO TURN IT1 SO MU/ LI/5 ONLY TO ! PHLEGM-H>P ( H] VOICE4 

',DON'T BE SO DAFT1 GIRL4 ,SEE ! WAY HIS EYES MOVE BACK & =?6 ,!RE'S YET VITALITY 9 HIM & IF WE CUT HIM N[ IT W\LD FLY EV]Y:]E4 ,WE'LL BIDE \R TIME UNTIL HE'S GONE4 ,:5 BLOOD NO LONG] MOVES1 ! MESS IS NOT SO GREAT4' 

,I AM AFRAID1 DESPITE ! NUMB+ FOG ?AT SEEMS TO HANG AB\T ME4 ,DID !Y SAY ,I %\LD BE CUT8 ,I MAKE ATTEMPT AT PROTE/ YET CAN UTT] NO?+ SAVE A HOLL[ MOAN4 ,:AT HAS BECOME ( ME8 

,ACROSS ! TABLE1 ,ELEANOR N[ JO9S ) ! DISCUSSION1 TURN+ TO ! MATRI>* SAT AT ! TABLE'S 5D4 ',IS IT ALL RI<T TO CALL Y\ ,GR&MA N[8' ,! WOMAN C\<S H] GRUFF ASS5T & ,ELEANOR CONT9UES4 ',GR&MA1 IT'S SO V]Y HOT 9 H]E4 ,CAN ,I TAKE (F MY ?+S LIKE ,AUNTIE ,EM8 ,Y\ SAID ?AT WE W\LD DO IT LAT]4' 

,H]E H] MO!R1 ,MRS ,DE5E1 MAKES HURRI$ 9T]JECTION4 ',NEV] M9D :AT ,AUNTIE ,EMMY DOES4 ,I WON'T HAVE Y\ GR[ UP BEHAV9' LIKE Y\R FA!R'S FAMILY4' 

,N[ ,EMMY'S MO!R1 LEAN+ 9 UPON MY FIELD ( VISION1 TIPS H] GREAT BULK =W>D 9 H] *AIR TO PLANT H] ELB[S ON ! TABLE-TOP & GL>E ) H>D RES5TM5T AT ! ,WID[ ,DE5E4 ',Y\R ,NELLY'S 9 ?IS ) ! RE/ ( US4 ,?AT'S :AT WE SAID1 & ?AT'S H[ IT %ALL BE4 ,! REASON IT IS BE+ DONE AT ALL IS = H] FA!R1 & Y\R HUSB&4 ,EMMY'S BRO!R1 & MY SON4 ,Y\'VE W$ 9TO ?IS FAMILY N[1 Y\NG ,M>Y ,DE5E-AS-WAS1 & Y\'RE A ,DE]Y4 ,DE]YS /ICK TOGE!R4' 

,!RE IS PAUSE :]E9 ! Y\NG] WOMAN SEEMS TO WI!R UND] ?AT 9DOMITABLE GAZE4 ,H] EYES FALL TO H] LAP & %E IS C[$1 AT :I* ! H>RIDAN CONT9UES1 SPEAK+ N[ ONCE MORE TO ,ELEANOR4 

',IF Y\'VE A M9D TO TAKE Y\R CLO!S (F AS WE ALL AGRE$ !N SO Y\ %ALL1 ?AT !Y MI<T NOT BE SPLA%$ & /A9$ :5 WE COMM5CE ! BLOODY-WORK4 ,9DE$1 WE MI<T AS WELL ALL ( US BE AB\T UNDRESS9'4 ,HE'LL BE GONE BE=E ,I'M \T MY UND]SKIRTS1 Y\'LL SEE4' 

,IT IS AN EF=T N[ EV5 TO BREA! & WAVES ( CRA%+ BLACKNESS BREAK )9 ME1 RATTL+ AS !Y DRAG !IR FOAM+ T5DRILS BACK ACROSS ! %+LE ( MY ?\<TS1 *URN BURI$ NOTIONS UP 9TO ! GLI/5+ LI<T4 ,I ?9K ( ,FRANCIS1 & ,I UND]/& ! WAY HE />TS AT EV]Y CREAK+ ( A DOOR4 ,I ?9K ( ,DEE4 ,I ?9K ( ,FAXTON1 BUT ,I CANNOT BR+ A PICTURE ( IT TO MY M9D4 ,ALL ,I CAN SEE IS EMPTY /REETS ?AT W9D PA/ PITIABLE RU9S BE=E EV5 !SE >E GONE & 9 !IR /EAD !RE IS A GREAT =GETFULNESS ( GRASS1 UNM>K$ BY SPIRE OR F5CE OR GUTT]4 

,ALL AB\T ME N[ ! WOM5 TAKE !IR G>M5TS (F AMID MU* :ISP]+ & LAU<T]4 ,ELEANOR SKIPS BY1 H] SKIRTLESS1 HAIRLESS BODY SEEM+ ALMO/ )\T G5D]1 TO ASSI/ H] GR&MO!R 9 ! PROLONG$ UNVEIL+ ( ?AT HUGE1 :ITE =M2 ! BELLY HUNG 9 FOLDS ABOVE ! ALMO/ B>E PUD5DA :]E SU* FEW HAIRS ?AT REMA9 >E YELL[-GRAY1 LIKE SPILL$ & DIRTY C&LE-FAT4 ,PROPP$ NAK$ UP AGA9/ ! TABLE'S O!R $GE IS ,EMMY1 ) H] BUTTOCKS :ITE UPON ! D>K1 SC>R$ WOOD AS %E HELPS ,MRS ,DE5E COMB \T H] AUBURN HAIR4 ,WAS ,DE5E H] NAME8 ,OR WAS IT ,DEE8 ,OR ,DE]Y8 ,I CANNOT RECALL4 

,%E SITS & FACES ME ACROSS ! TABLE1 WE>+ NOT A /IT*1 & KEEPS H] EYES UPON MY FACE AS ,EMMY />TS TO PLAIT H] *E/NUT LOCKS = H]4 ,! ROOM IS LIKE A FURNACE & ,I WAT* A CRY/AL GLOBE ( SWEAT TRAV]SE ! SEAT$ WOMAN'S COLL>BONE TO VANI% 9 ! SME> ( LI<T BETWE5 H] BREA/S4 ,! SC5E REM9DS ME V]Y MU* ( SOME?+ ,I HAVE SE5 BE=E1 DAMP WOM5 T5D+ TO EA* O!R'S HAIR1 BUT FOG-B\ND AS ,I AM ,I CANNOT PLACE IT4 

,TO MY RI<T1 ,NELL'S GR&MO!R /EPS %AMELESSLY FROM \T ! TANGLE ( H] UND]SKIRTS !RE POOL$ AB\T H] FEET4 ,HELP$ BY ! *]UB ,ELEANOR1 %E NEXT RETRIEVES A BOX ( CUTL]Y FROM SOME:]E UP ABOVE ! /OVE4 ,SELECT+ C>V+ KNIVES FROM \T ! TRAY1 %E & ! GIRL PROCE$ TO %>P5 !M AGA9/ A HE>?-BRICK ?AT ,I CANNOT SEE1 BUT ONLY HE> ! MEASUR$ SL9? ( IRON ON /ONE4 ,!RE IS A FI]CE PA9 9 MY BELLY ?AT YET FEELS SOMEH[ REMOTE FROM ME1 AS IF IT W]E OCCURR+ TO SOMEONE ELSE4 ,! WAVES ( LI<T & %AD[ ?AT SEEM 9 MY EYES TO ROLL ACROSS ! CR[D$ ROOM COME FA/] N[1 LIKE RIPPLES4 

,BOR$ ) WAIT+ = MY /RANGL$ BREA? TO CEASE1 ! NAK$ WOM5 NEXT IGNORE ME4 ,SAT AB\T !IR TABLE1 !Y MAKE CONV]SATION OV] LITTLE ?+S AS IF ,I W]E NOT DY+ H]E AMONG !M4 ,!Y DISCUSS !IR AILM5TS1 & ! PRICE ( GRA91 & :AT !Y'LL DO ONCE ,JOHN IS \T ( JAIL4 ,)\T !IR CLO!S !Y SEEM NOT HUMAN BUT MORE LIKE SOME CADRE ( WEIRD SI/]S2 ,FATES OR ,GORGONS /EPP$ FROM LEG5D4 ,ALL AB\T !M IS A VAPOR\S RADIANCE ?AT SEEMS TO BOIL AWAY TO SUBTLE COLORS AT ITS $GE4 ,! SMALLE/ GE/URE LEAVES ITS TRACES 9 ! AIR BEH9D1 ) A DESC5D+ >M BECOME 9/EAD LIKE %IMM]+ P9IONS1 FANN$ & SPL5DID4 ,!Y >E TALK+1 BUT ,I CAN NO LONG] TELL ! S5SE ( :AT !Y SAY4 

,!IR WORDS >E FROM A GLOSS>Y ( LI<T1 LIPS MOV+ SIL5TLY AS IF BEYOND ! SCRY+ GLASS & 9 MY E>S ! S++ HAS A*IEV$ A P]FECT CL>ITY1 ! R\NDS & PHRASES ( IT N[ RESOLV$4 ,ABOVE ! RO>+ ( ! ALTITUDES EA* =EIGN SYLLABLE IS BRI<T & RESONANT1 IS A*+LY FAMILI> 9 ITS ALI5 PR(UNDITY1 A LAY]$ MURMUR E*O+ 9 EV]Y?+4 ,I KN[ ?IS SONG4 

,I KN[ IT4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #h -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/