revisiting the yearling

8/14/2019 Revisiting the Yearling

1/98

"REVISITING THE YEARLING"

BYJEANNE ELIZABETH MCGREW

Unpublished W!# Cp$!i%h& '()* Je+nne Eli,+be&h M-G!e.

Ch+p&e! /ne

The .ell0d!essed# 1u!0$e+!0ld li&&le blnd b$ -lun% &i%h&l$ & his 2&he!3s h+nd +s sheen&e!ed &he -hu!-h n &he e4enin% 1 &he Ch!is&2+s din5s in &he s2+ll &.n 1 Vlusi+# 6l!id+7 He

%+,ed &i2idl$ +!und +& &he 4+s& 2ul&i&ude 1 peple# +ll 1 &he2 bi%%e! &h+n he .+s7 His 2&he! led

hi2 & + ben-h +nd s+& d.n# pullin% hi2 n& he! l+p7 She s+& +nd &+led .i&h &he &he! .2en

+!und he!# +nd &he b$ !+pidl$ ls& in&e!es& in &hei! -h+&&e!7 He be%+n & s&+!e +& &he &he! peple in&he !2 .i&h in-!e+sin% bldness7 The ludes +nd &he!e1!e 2s& in&e!es&in%# %!up 1 +dul&s .+s

l-+&ed +& &he 1+! end 1 &he -hu!-h# ppsi&e &he d!7 The %!up -nsis&ed 1 + .i,ened# %!+$0

h+i!ed ld 2+n# + 2u-h $un%e!# bl+-0h+i!ed 2+n# + !ed0h+i!ed 2+n 1 +bu& &he s+2e +%e# +nd +

d+!0h+i!ed .2+n7 She see2ed +s bis&e!us +s +n$ 1 &he &h!ee 2en# +nd .+s n& in &he le+s& bi&hesi&+n& +bu& 8inin% in# ei&he! n &he nis$ -n4e!s+&in ! n d!inin% 1!2 &he 8u% e+-h &i2e &h+&

i& .+s p+ssed7 The &he! -hild!en# 2s&l$ lde! &h+n he .+s# .e!e 2!e ! less -n-en&!+&ed +& &he&he! end 1 &he -hu!-h# ne+! &he d!7 I& .+s & &his %!up in p+!&i-ul+! &h+& &he b$3s +&&en&in .+s

d!+.n7 He !e-%ni,ed 2+n$ 1 &he2# 1!2 h+4in% seen &he2 be1!e in &.n7 Bu& + %!up 1

s&!+n%e!s -+u%h& his e$e7 Si9 bl+-0h+i!ed &een+%ed b$s see2ed & be d2in+&in% &he %+&he!in%7Al!e+d$ 2us-ul+! +nd -le+!l$ bi% 1! &hei! +%e# &he$ +ppe+!ed & be di-&+&in% &he %+2es +nd h+4in%

&he 2s& 1un# +l&hu%h n ne else see2ed & 2ind7 /! n ne else h+d &he ne!4e & spe+ up# 2!e

liel$7 The li&&le 1u!0$e+!0ld .+&-hed &he2 .i&h in-!e+sin% 1+s-in+&in# un&il 1in+ll$ his -u!isi&$

4e!-+2e his sh$ness# +nd he slid 1!2 his 2&he!3s l+p7"/li4e!#" she !espnded i22edi+&el$7 "N. dn3& $u .+nde! 11 & 1u!7"

"Yes32#" he s+id# &+in% + 1e. hesi&+n& s&eps -lse! & &he &he! -hild!en7 /li4e! +pp!+-hed&he2 .i&h +%ni,in% sl.ness# bu& +& l+s& he .+s -lse enu%h 1! &he2 & &+e n&i-e7 And &he 1i!s&& be-2e +.+!e 1 his p!esen-e .+s ne 1 &he bl+-0h+i!ed s&!+n%e!s7

"Well# l$ he!e +& &his lee&le 1elle!#" &he lde! b$ bse!4ed# %!innin%7

E4e!$ne &u!ned & l# +nd /li4e! blushed h&l$7"C2e 3e!e#" &he &een+%e! u!%ed7

Ins&e+d# /li4e! & + s&ep b+-.+!d# n-e +%+in 4e!-2e .i&h sh$ness7

The ne .h h+d spen -hu-led &hen# +nd .+led 4e! & /li4e!# .h .+s despe!+&el$

&!n be&.een &he desi!e & pl+$ .i&h &hese lde! -hild!en# +nd &he .ish & !e&!e+& & &he s+1e&$ 1 his2&he!3s l+p7 The de-isin .+s n ln%e! his & 2+e# +s &he lde! b$ !e+-hed d.n +nd li1&ed hi2

e+sil$7

":n3& be s-+i! lee&le ne7 Wh+&3s $u! n+2e# +n$.+$s;" he +sed +s he -+!!ied /li4e!b+- & &he %!up7

"/li4e!7"

"Well h.d$# /li4e!7 Yu .+n&+ n. 2$ n+2e;"/li4e! ndded# .ide0e$ed7

"M$ n+2e3s Bu-7"

"He$#" /li4e! s+id s1&l$7


2/98

"He$# $u!sel1#" s+id +n&he! 1 &he &een+%e!s7 "Yu dn3& need & be s sh$7 M$ n+2e3s

Mill0.heel7"

This &i2e# /li4e! -uldn3& e4en 2+n+%e & -he u& +n +ns.e!# s he 8us& s&+!ed7"He su!e is + pun$ lee&le &hin%#" spe +n&he!7 "He3s +s + &in$ +s + lee&le see&e!7 Mebbe

&h+&3s .h+& .e shuld -+ll hi27 See&e!7"

/li4e!3s l.e! lip pu&ed7":n3& -+ll hi2 n&hin3 2e+n# Le2#" Bu- +d2nished# se&&in% &he li&&le b$ n his 1ee& in

&he 2iddle 1 &he %!up7

The$ led d.n +& hi27An&he! ne 1 &he si9 %!inned7 "I !e-n he is + -u&e lee&le bu%%e!7"

"N. dn3& -+ll hi2 &h+& nei&he!# A!-h#" Bu- de1ended hi27 Then he s2iled7 "Mebbe

/li4e!3d lie & pl+$ .i&h us7"

/li4e! 2+n+%ed + sli%h& s2ile +nd + nd7"I n. .h+& %+2e .e3ll pl+$#" s+id s&ill +n&he!7 "Th+& %+2e .e .+n&ed & pl+$ +1!e7

/li4e!3s s2+ll " she 1ussed b+- +& hi27"A. $u3!e 8es& -hi-en#" Le2 &+un&ed7

She s&u- u& he! &n%ue +& hi27 "A2 n" she sh& b+- de1i+n&l$7 "Yu 8es& .+n&+ use 2e

3-+use $u3!e hpin3 2$ si!&3ll 1l$ up7""U%h7" Le2 p!e&ended & be ill7 "Wh3d .+n& &h+ T.in; And $u s&p s&i-in3 &h+& &n%ue

u& +& 2e# ! I3ll $+n i& u&7"

"S&p i" Bu- !de!ed7 "Yu3!e see!in3 /li4e!7" He nel& beside &he li&&le 1u!0$e+!0ld7

"Yu .+n&+ pl+$ &h+& %+2e .i&h us; Hi&3s 1un7"/li4e! 2+n+%ed + b+!el$ pe!-ep&ible nd7 He .+s + li&&le ne!4us n& n.in% .h+& &he

%+2e .+s +ll +bu +nd in&i2id+&ed b$ his !le +s &he -en&e! 1 +&&en&in# bu& he .en& +ln% .i&h

&he27 S+$in% $es .+s h+!d# bu& s+$in% n .uld h+4e been e4en h+!de!7"/+$7" Bu- s&!+i%h&ened7 "I3ll e&-h hi2 &he 1i!s& &i2e7"

Li&&le /li4e! 1und &h+& b+11lin%7 :id &he$ .+n& hi2 & !un; :id &he$ 2e+n & -h+se hi2;

Bu& &hen Mill0.heel .en& +!und behind /li4e! +nd s+id# "N. pu& $u! h+nds up in &he +i!#/li4e!7" When /li4e! -2plied# Mill0.heel %!+sped his .!is&s 1!2 behind hi27 Le2 ben& +nd

%!ipped his +nles7 The$ li1&ed hi2 11 1 his 1ee& un&il he .+s suspended be&.een &he2# lie +

h+22- be&.een &. &!ees7 The$ be%+n & s.in% hi2 1!2 side & side +s &hu%h &he h+22-

.e!e n. bl.n b$ + s&!n% b!ee,e7 The e9pe!ien-e .+s sli%h&l$ di,,$in%# bu& e9hil+!+&in%7 Then&he$ be%+n & -un& e+-h s.in%# +ll -h+n&in% &%e&he!# "/ne777&.777&h!ee>" /n &h!ee# li&&le /li4e! %&

&he su!p!ise 1 his li1e7 B&h b$s !ele+sed hi2 +& n-e# +nd he s+iled &h!u%h &he +i!7 The -hild

sh!ieed7 Bu& be1!e he -uld 1e+! -!+shin% & &he 1l!# he .+s plu-ed 1!2 &he +i! b$ s&!n% +!2s7/li4e! &u!ned sh-ed e$es up & &he %!innin% 1+-e 1 Bu-# .h h+d /li4e! -!+dled in his +!2s lie

+ b+b$7 /li4e! -uldn3& de-ide .hi-h .+s 2!e s&+!&lin%? 1+llin%# @! n& 1+llin%7 Bu- se& hi2

d.n %en&l$7 A sl. %!in sp!e+d +-!ss &he -hild3s 1+-e# +nd he be%+n & %i%%le7"He lies i&>" =+- de-l+!ed7 "M$ &u!n7" =+- %!+bbed /li4e!3s .!is&s7 "G+bb$# %i& his 1ee&7"

The nl$ ne 1 &he si9 .h# up un&il n.# h+d !e2+ined n+2eless# -2plied7 A!-h & up

psi&in & -+&-h /li4e!# +nd &he %+2e -n&inued7 The$ !epe+&ed i& +%+in +nd +%+in# shi1&in%

psi&ins# &he &he! -hild!en en8$in% .+&-hin% +l2s& +s 2u-h +s /li4e! en8$ed bein% &h!.n7


3/98

/li4e! h+d 8us& l+nded in &he +!2s 1 ne 1 &he b$s .hen he he+!d + 1+2ili+! 4i-e7 Be1!e &he

s&+!&led b$ -uld se& hi2 d.n# /li4e!3s 2&he! sn+&-hed he! -hild 1!2 hi27

"Yu le+4e /li4e! be#" M!s7 Hu&& 1ussed7 "Yu 6!!es&e! b$s +!e & ld +nd & !u%h &be pl+$in3 .i&h hi2>"

"Bu& M+@7" /li4e! be%+n &i2idl$7

"Hi&3s $u! bed&i2e +n$.+$s7 I32 &+in3 $u h2e7"All &he .+$ & &he d!# she s-lded /li4e!7 "The2 b$s is & bi% +nd !u%h +nd .ild +nd

d+n%e!us 1! $u7 Yu eep +.+$ 1!2 ""M+2+3s b$>"

"Le&3s %i& hi2>"

=!e--upied .i&h &he de-!+&ins# /li4e! .+s n& +.+!e 1 &hei! +pp!+-h un&il &he$ .e!ep!+-&i-+ll$ upn hi27 He -h+n-ed & l d.n 1!2 &he -eilin%# +nd s+. &he27 He p+used +s he

.ei%hed his p!e4ius 1un .i&h &he2 +%+ins& his 2&he!3s +d2ni&ins# +nd &u!ned +b!up&l$ &

bedien&l$ !e&!e+&7The 6!!es&e! b$s h+s&ened & 4e!&+e +nd su!!und hi27

"He$ See&e!#" Le2 &+un&ed7

"M+2+3s b$#" Bu- &e+sed n+s&il$7

"Thin $u3!e & %d 1! us;" Mill0.heel -h+llen%ed hi27


4/98

/li4e! !e%+!ded &he2 in dis2+$7 "I@I +in3& dne n&hin37 I &hu%h& $u0+ll lied 2e7"

"Well# .e &hu%h& $u 'ied us#" A!-h -un&e!ed7 "S .h$3d $u .+l +.+$ 8es& n.;"

/li4e! .+sn3& su!e .h+& & s+$7 He nl$ ne. &h+& he didn3& .+n& & +d2i& &he !e+l !e+sn7 She +ns.e!ed &he ues&in .i&h ne 1 his .n7 "Wh$3d $u -h+se 2e;"

"3C+use#" =+- s+id# ".e n. $u &hin $u3!e & %d 1! us7 /u! 2+ s+id s7 She s+id

&h+&3s .h+& +iled $u! 2+ &he ni%h& she &+ened $u u&en he!e7"/nl$ si9 $e+!s ld# /li4e! .+s +& + lss & unde!s&+nd# le& +lne e9pl+in# +dul& 2&i4+&ins7

He -uld nl$ !espnd .e+l$# "5T+in3& 2$ 1+ul&7 Le+4e 2e be7"

"N& liel$#" Le2 s+id7 "This &i2e .e3!e %nn+ pl+$ + di115!en& %+2e .i&h $u7 See h. $ulie this7" Le2 pushed /li4e!# h+!d7 The nl$ &hin% &h+& s+4ed &he $un%e! -hild 1!2 1+llin% .+s

his p!9i2i&$ & Bu- .h -+u%h& hi2# bu& .h 1ll.ed .i&h +n i22edi+&e sh4e &.+!d Mill0

.heel# .h in &u!n l+un-hed hi2 b+- &.+!d Le27

/li4e!5s hi%h &hin .+il d!e. &he +&&en&in 1 his 2&he!7 She sh!ieed +& &he si%h& 1 he! nl$-hild bein% 4i-iusl$ 2+nh+ndled b$ &h!ee 1 &he 6!!es&e! b$s .hile &he &he! &h!ee s&d b+-

+nd l+u%hed7 M!s7 Hu&& pel&ed 2+dl$ +-!ss &he !2 +& &he2# le+4in% &he s&+!&led p!e+-he! &

1inish his 2s& !e-en&l$0be%un sen&en-e be1!e + nne9is&en& +udien-e7 She pushed he! .+$ in& &he

-!uel -i!-le# sh4in% Le2 +side +nd i%n!in% his nis$ p!&es +nd %+&he!ed he! b$ in& he! +!2s7Then she &u!ned & s-ld &he $un% 6!!es&e!s7

"H. d+!e $u hu!& 2$ $un% un; Yu eep $u! !u%h .+$s & $u!sel4es7 The 4e!$ ide+>Yu0+ll is 2!e3n &.i-e his +%e7"

He! &i!+de .+s 4e!he+!d7 M!s7 Hu&& .+s s -+u%h& up in he! .n !+%e &h+& she .+s n&

i22edi+&el$ +.+!e &h+& M!s7 6!!es&e! h+d 2+&e!i+li,ed beside he!7"Mebbe $u3d lie & &+e 2e n# "

M!s7 6!!es&e! s2i!ed +nd en8$ed &he pin& &h+& she h+d 8us& s-!ed7 She h+d hi& + ne!4e

+nd she ne. i&7Me+n.hile# &he &in$ sub8e-& 1 +ll 1 &he dis-ussin s&+!ed in disbelie1 +& &he b$s .h h+d

8us& &!e+&ed hi2 s s+dis&i-+ll$7 He .+s s&!u%%lin% & unde!s&+nd b&h &hei! +b!up& -!uel&$ +nd his

.n %!.in% !esen&2en& +nd hu2ili+&in7 A& M!s7 6!!es&e!3s su%%es&in &h+& &he$ 2i%h& d 2!e &

/li4e! +& + l+&e! d+&e# Le2# seein% /li4e! s&+!in%# 2+de + 1is& +nd punded i& in& &he &he! p+l2#


5/98

%!innin% .i-edl$7 Bu- +nd Mill0.heel# seein% &h+ +nd .e+!in% e4il s2iles 1 &hei! .n# nud%ed

e+-h &he! +nd !epe+&ed &he %es&u!e7 /li4e! h4e!ed be&.een &e+!s 1 p+ni- +nd +n +n%e! lie he h+d

ne4e! n.n7 The l+&&e! 1eelin% .n u +nd he bl+&+n&l$ +nd s+4+%el$ s&u- u& his &n%ue +&&he2# +s he3d seen &h+& %i!l d# &. $e+!s e+!lie!7

6u!ius & &he pin& 1 22en&+!il$ 1!%e&&in% &he p!esen-e 1 &he &. 2&he!s# &he &h!ee

s&+!&ed &.+!d hi27 =+ni- & 4e!# +nd /li4e! du-ed behind his 2&he!3s si!&7 The &h!ee6!!es&e! b$s hesi&+&ed7 T. 2&he!s .e!e + bi& 1 +n bs&+-le7 As &he$ .+&-hed# &. .ide blue

e$es pee!ed +& &he2 1!2 behind &he si! bene+&h +n +lien sh- 1 blnd h+i!7 T. &in$ 1is&s

-lu&-hed +& &he si! +b4e +nd bel. &he e$es7 The 6!!es&e!s !e%+!ded hi2 sullenl$7Le2 spe & his b!&he!s uie&l$# bu& n& s s1&l$ &h+& /li4e! -uldn3& he+!7 "We3ll d

s2e&hin3


6/98

Ch+p&e! 6u!

/li4e! Hu& n. &.el4e# .+s s&+!&led .hen he s+. he!7 I& .+s T.in We+&he!b$ +ll !i%h

bu& he h+!dl$ !e-%ni,ed he!7 W+s &his &he sill$ li&&le %i!l &h+& he3d &h!.n &he p&+& +& nl$ + 1e.2n&hs +%# +1&e! she3d s&u- u& he! &n%ue +& hi2; She h+d e9-h+n%ed ln% b!+ided pi%&+ils 1!

ln% 1l.in% .+4es d.n & he! .+is&7 She h+d !epl+-ed &he d!+b# b!.n pin+1!e .i&h + l+-$ pin

d!ess7 T.in 1el& his s&+!e# +nd &u!ned .ide blue e$es & hi27 /li4e!3s he+!& 2issed + be+&7 Be1!e he.+s e4en +.+!e 1 i he .+s 24in% &.+!d he!7 He !e+-hed 1! he! h+nd# +nd &he$ d+n-ed +ln%

.i&h &he +dul&s +& &he Ch!is&2+s din5s7

/4e! +n hu! l+&e!# M!s7 Hu&& +nd /li4e! .e!e &+lin% ple+s+n&l$ .i&h he! 1!iend# E,!+B+9&e!# .h2# s&!+n%el$ enu%h# peple h+d in !e-en& $e+!s be%un & -+ll =enn$# due & his

di2inu&i4e si,e7 /li4e! .nde!ed h. &h+& h+d -2e +bu& he +ls .nde!ed i1 E,!+ 2inded7

/li4e! n&ed &h+& his 2&he! h+d n& pi-ed up &he h+bi&7 In +n$ e4en &he$ .e!e dis-ussin% E,!+3s

i22inen& pl+ns 1! %in% & 1i%h& in &he .+! +%+ins& &he n!&he!ne!s7 M!s7 Hu&& .+s insis&in% &h+&E,!+3s .i1e /!+# +nd &hei! &.0$e+!0ld sn Jd$# shuld li4e .i&h he! +nd /li4e! .hile he .+s

%ne7

The d! 1 &he -hu!-h pened7 /li4e! &u!ned & l7 The si9 6!!es&e! b!&he!s# n. in

&hei! &.en&ies# en&e!ed in + nis$ he!d7 The$ see2ed +s &+ll +s &he -hu!-h i&sel17 6i4e 1 &he si9 n..!e ln% bl+- be+!ds7 Bl+- be+!ds & 2+&-h &hei! bl+- he+!&s# /li4e! &hu%h&7 He %+,ed +!und

&he !2# +nd bse!4ed &h+& &he en&i!e &.n h+d s&pped in i&s &!+-s & s&+!e +& &he 6!!es&e!s# &he1es&i4i&ies li&e!+ll$ %!indin% & + s&+nd0s&ill7 The .hle &.n .+s p+!+l$,ed .i&h 1e+! 1 &hse .ild0

2en# /li4e! !e+li,ed !esen&1ull$7 I& dis%us&ed hi27

As he .+&-hed# &he nl$ ne .h h+d n& %!.n + be+!d# Le2# b!e 1!2 &he !es& +nd.+led delibe!+&el$ 4e! & T.in We+&he!b$7 She s&+!ed up +& hi2 .i&h +n b4ius 2i9&u!e 1 1e+!

+nd 1+s-in+&in7 A ne. !esen&2en& s.ep& 4e! /li4e!7 He3s & ld 1! he!# he &hu%h&7 Le2 &

T.in3s h+nd +nd u!%ed he! & d+n-e .i&h hi27 She &i2idl$ sub2i&&ed7 /li4e!3s bld biled7 He

& ne s&ep in &hei! di!e-&in +nd s&pped7 Wh+& -uld he d; He .+s nl$ &.el4e $e+!s ld7 Le2.+s +& le+s& &en $e+!s lde! &h+n he7 /li4e! &!e his e$es +.+$ 1!2 &he &. +nd &u!ned & s&+!e +&

Le23s 1i4e b!&he!s# !+2bun-&iusl$ in&i2id+&in% &he! $un% .2en & d+n-e .i&h &he27 I1 nl$

&he$ .e!en3& lde!# i1 nl$ &he$ .e!en3& s bi%# i1 nl$ &he!e .e!en3& s 2+n$ 1 &he27 T s&+!&s2e&hin% .i&h Le2 .hile +ll 1i4e 1his b!&he!s .e!e &he!e .uldbe +bsu!d# /li4e! !e+li,ed# e4en

i1 he h+d been +n +dul&7 Bu /li4e! &hu%h& +s he s&+!ed 1u!iusl$ b+- &.+!d Le2 +nd T.in

+%+in# I3ll h+4e & d s2e&hin3


7/98

"I %& 8es& +s 2u-h !i%h& & be bi&&e! +s $u7 M$ husb+nd d$in3 .hen /li4e! .+s ni%h0 I dn3& .+n& n -h+!i&$7"""

The 6!!es&e!s !+!ed7

Jd$ s2iled +nd &u%%ed +& Bu-3s be+!d7 Bu- l+u%hed +nd %en&l$ e9&!i-+&ed &he -hild3s1in%e!s7

"He +in3& used & n be+!ds#" Mill0.heel -22en&ed7 "He su!e +in3& %nn+ see ne n

=enn$# n! n +n$ne else he3s been li4in3 .i&h l+&el$7"The$ +ll l+u%hed +%+in7

M!s7 Hu&& !esu2ed he! +pp!+-h .i&h despe!+&e de&e!2in+&in7 Bu& &hen +n&he! 24e2en&

+& &he ed%e 1 he! 4isin -+u%h& he! +&&en&in7 She led# +nd .i&h ni%h&2+!ish h!!! s+. /li4e!

+pp!+-hin% +s de&e!2inedl$ +s she7 He .+s 2u-h -lse!# +nd .+s %in% & %e& &he!e sne!7 "N>"she -!ied7

/li4e! .+s n& n&i-ed i22edi+&el$ +s he +!!i4ed beside &he27 /nl$ 1u!&een# he s&ill .+s

n.he!e ne+! &hei! hei%h&7 /li4e! d!e. + deep b!e+&h# +nd !eues&ed e4enl$# "=le+se %i4e Jd$ &2e7"

All si9 6!!es&e!s &u!ned & s&+!e +& hi27 He h+d -2e up behind Le2 +nd A!-h7 When

/li4e!3s e$es 2e& Le23s# &he s+4+%e hs&ili&$ in Le23s e$es 1!-ed /li4e! & s&ep b+- + p+-e7 Bu&&he!e he s&d his %!und +nd .uld !e&!e+& n 1+!&he!7

"=le+se#" /li4e! !epe+&ed pli&el$# !e+-hin% u& b&h +!2s7 "Gi4e hi2 he!e7"

Bu- 2+de n 24e & su!!ende! Jd$# bu& 2e!el$ .+&-hed /li4e! in -ld +2use2en&7

"C2e %i& hi2#" he -h+llen%ed7


8/98

The de4ius -!uel&$ 1 &h+& su%%es&in .+s ins&+n&l$ +pp+!en&7 Sin-e Bu- .+s n &he

ppsi&e side 1 &he -i!-le 1!2 /li4e!# &he l+&&e! .uld h+4e & en&e! &he -i!-le +nd be su!!unded

in !de! & -2pl$7 His e$es 1li-ed d.n 1! + 22en +nd &hen b+- up & &hei! 1+-es7 /li4e!s.+ll.ed h+!d +nd & +n&he! deep b!e+&h7 He .+led in& &he %+p be&.een Le2 +nd A!-h +nd

en&e!ed &he -i!-le7 The %+p -lsed behind hi2# +nd &he$ +ll %!inned7 /li4e! .+s n. -lse enu%h

& &u-h Jd$# +nd he !e+-hed 1! hi2 n-e +%+in7 Bu-# h.e4e!# 2+de n -pe!+&i4e 24e7 He-le+!l$ h+d n in&en&in 1 !elinuishin% &he b$7 I& .+s -le+! n.? Jd$ h+d been &he b+i& in &he

&!+p7 /li4e! d!pped his e$es in de1e+ +nd M!s7 Hu&& &!e2bled +& .h+& she ne. 2us& be ne9&7

"Mebbe .e shuld push hi2 " M!s7 Hu&& 1!-ed he! .+$ be&.een =+- +nd Bu-7 "S&p i&> Yu shuld be


9/98

Jd$ +nd 6dde!0.in% s&+!ed +& e+-h &he! in !+p&u!e7 The &. li&&le b$s# n. si9 $e+!s ld#

h+d n& seen e+-h &he! du!in% &he 1u! $e+!s &h+& =enn$ h+d been +.+$ +& &he .+!7 He5d &hu%h&

&h+& i& .+s &i2e &h+& &he$ %& !e+-u+in&ed7 M!s7 6!!es&e! le1& &he &. -hild!en & pl+$ in 6dde!0.in%3s !2 .hile &he +dul&s &+led in &he 2+in !27 =enn$ h+d 2+n$ &+les & &ell +bu& &he .+!7

6dde!0.in% h+d 2+n$ &+les & &ell +bu& his b!&he!s7

"Yu in !e+ll$ h+4e +s 2+n$ pe&s +s $u .+n&;" Jd$ s+id in +.e7"Su!e#" 6dde!0.in% !eplied# +s i1 i& .e!e -2ple&el$ n!2+l7 "M$ b!&he!s e&-hes 3e2 1!

2e7"

"And &he$ buil& +ll &he2 -+%es;""Uh huh7"

"Wh+& else;"

"Wh+& else .h+&;"

"Wh+& else d $u! b!&he!s d;""The$ &e+se 2e + he+p7 Hi&3s 1un7"

"I !e-n


10/98

Le2 led +& hi2 ui,,i-+ll$7 "Yu n.# $u !e2ind 2e 5 s2ebd$7 The!e .+s + lee&le

blnd b!+& .h %& n 2$ ne!4es .hen I .+s $un%e!7 Yu l lie hi27 I -+lled hi2 See&e!7

C!ss 2e +nd I3ll -+ll $u &he s+2e7"The d+n%e!us 1+-e bu!ned i&sel1 in& Jd$3s -ns-iusness7 He s+. + s&!n% su+!e 8+.#

1l+shin% bl+- e$es# +nd d+! h+i!7 His %+,e des-ended & bul%in% +!2 2us-les +nd hu%e h+nds &h+&

-uld su!el$ b!e+ his ne- .i&hu& e11!&7 Jd$ .hi2pe!ed76dde!0.in% s+id# "Le2# dn3& see! Jd$7"

The bl+- e$es s.i4eled b+- & 6dde!0.in%7 "Then I3ll see! $u7 I dn3& lie .h+& I

!e-n I hee!ed $u &ellin3 hi27" Le2 +d4+n-ed n hi27B&h b$s le& u& pie!-in% s-!e+2s7

"Wh+&3s %in3 n in he!e;" + ne. b+ss 4i-e de2+nded 1!2 &he d!.+$7

Jd$ led +nd s+. + 2+n +s &+ll +s Le2# +nd + bi& bulie!7 The ne.-2e! h+d bl+- h+i!

+nd e$es# +nd + ln% bl+- be+!d ne+!l$ & his .+is&7 =.e!1ul +!2s hun% !e+d$ +& his sides7 Jd$.+s +1!+id 1 hi2# un&il he he+!d hi2 s+$# "Le2# +!e $u see!in3 &hese b$s;"

"S&+$ u&en i Bu-7 6dde!0.in% .+s &ellin3 s2e&hin3 he h+d n business &ellin37"

A &hi!d deep 4i-e !u2bled# "And $u3!e din3 s2e&hin3 $u %& n business din37 Gi&

+.+$ 1!2 &he2 b$s7 We +in3& %nn+ le+4e $u hu!& 3e27"Jd$ 1ll.ed &he 4i-e & + 2+n .h led 2u-h lie &he se-nd# bu& &his 2+n3s be+!d did

!e+-h his .+is&7 He pu& his h+nds n his hips# hi%hli%h&in% si2il+!l$ 2us-ul+! +!2s7"Mill0.heel# did $u he+! .h+& u! b$ .+s &ellin3;"

"I dn3& ee!7 /u&7 Le&3s &+e &his in& &he &he! !27"

Jd$ s+. 6dde!0.in% shi4e!# +nd he !e+li,ed &h+& &he 4e!$ &hin% &h+& his 1!iend 1e+!ed .+s.h+& .+s -2in%7 He s+. Bu- n&i-e &he shi4e!# +nd he .+&-hed Bu- %i4e 6dde!0.in% +

ui- !e+ssu!in% p+&7

Le2 %l+!ed +& b&h be+!ded b!&he!s +nd s&+led u& +he+d 1 &he27

The$ .e!e !i%h& behind hi27:e+&hl$ p+le# 6dde!0.in% &ip&ed +1&e! &he &h!ee7 Jd$ s&+$ed -lse +& his heels7

/n-e in &he 2+in !2# Le2 i22edi+&el$ &!ied & %+!ne! supp!&7 6dde!0.in% .+s in

&he!e &ellin3 u! pe!sn+l business & +n u&side!7DYu +in3& se!ius;D .+s &he !epl$ 1!2 + be+!ded 2+n .h .+s s2e.h+& sh!&e! &h+n &he

!es&7 E4en s# he s&ill &.e!ed 4e! Jd$3s 1+&he!7 He e$ed &he &. s-+!ed li&&le b$s in +n un1!iendl$

2+nne!7G+bb$# ple+se#D 6dde!0.in% s+id &i2idl$7 I didn3& 2e+n n&hin3 b$ i&7D

Jes& .h+& did $u &ell;D de2+nded + 2+n .h .+s 8us& +s &+ll +nd 2us-ul+! +s &he 1i!s&

&h!ee# +nd .hse be+!d !e+-hed & &he 2iddle 1 his -hes&7

I 8es& &ld


11/98

"Mebbe he3ll %!. up + lee&le &ni%hD Le2 su%%es&ed# +s he d!e. b+- his 1is& +nd s&!u-

Bu- in &he 8+.7 Ins&+n&l$# Mill0.heel pun-hed Le2 in &he nse7 Wi&h + bell.# G+bb$ !ushed +&

Mill0.heel7 Bu& be1!e he -uld hi& hi2# A!-h spun hi2 +!und +nd slu%%ed hi27 =+- ped Mill0.heel in &he e$e7

S&p i&>D M!s7 6!!es&e! sh!illed7

The 2iddle 1 &he !2 .+s + b+&&le%!und7 Jd$ s+. =enn$ %es&u!e 1! &he &. b$s &s&+$ .he!e &he$ .e!e# ne+! &he bed!2 d!7 His 1+&he!3s 1+-e .+s +n9ius7 Jd$ suspe-&ed &h+& he

p!b+bl$ .ished &h+& he -uld %+&he! &he &. -hild!en up +nd &!$ & p!&e-& &he2# bu& he3d been n

&he ppsi&e side 1 &he !2 .hen &he 1i%h& h+d b!en u +nd si2pl$ h+d n .+$ & %e& & &he27M!s7 6!!es&e! led 4e! +& &he &. s2+ll b$s h4e!in% n& 1+! 1!2 he!7 She s+. &he

$un% 4isi&!# li&&le Jd$# p+!+l$,ed .i&h 1e+!7 She e+sed -+!e1ull$ &.+!d &he p+i!# n+!!.l$ 2issin%

+ p+in1ul -llisin +s Bu- sl+22ed Le2 in& &he .+ll .he!e she3d 8us& been s&+ndin%7 She he+!d

M!7 6!!es&e! s.e+! +s he b+!el$ 2+n+%ed & sides&ep =+-# n-ed d.n b$ A!-h7 She s+. =enn$B+9&e! ui-l$ du-# 8us& in &i2e# + pun-h 1!2 Mill0.heel &h!.n +& G+bb$7

A 2e!e 1& 1!2 &he -hild!en# M!s7 6!!es&e! e9&ended in4i&in% +!2s & &he27 6dde!0.in%

.+s sli%h&l$ ne+!e! he hbbled & he!7 She led +& Jd$ +nd -+lled & hi2# "C2e


12/98

"Yu n. 2$ b!&he!s# /li4e!;" 6dde!0.in% .nde!ed inn-en&l$7

/li4e! didn3& l up &his &i2e7 "Yes#" he +ns.e!ed e4enl$7

"H. .ell $u n. 3e2;"/li4e! se+!-hed his 2ind 1!+n&i-+ll$ 1! + sui&+ble !espnse7 He -uld e+sil$ &hin 1 ui&e +

1e. in+pp!p!i+&e nes# bu& he su%h& ne &h+& .uld be p!pe!l$ inn-uus7 Then# he h+d i&7

"When I .+s 8es& + lee&le &hin%# nl$ 1u! $e+!s ld# +nd &he$ .+s &een+%e!s# &he$ pl+$ed.i&h 2e !e+l ni-e n Ch!is&2+s +& &he din5s7"

"Wh+&3d &he$ pl+$;"

"The$ pl+$ed + %+2e .he!e ne 1 3e2 %!+bbed 2$ h+nds# +nd ne %!+bbed 2$ 1ee +nd&he$ s.un% 2e b+- +nd 1!&h7 Then &he$ b&h le& %# +nd I 1le. &h!u%h &he +i!# +nd +n&he! ne

-+u%h& 2e7"

"I n. &h+& %+2e7" 6dde!0.in% .+s s&+!!$0e$ed .i&h 8$7 "The$ pl+$ i& .i&h 2e7 I l4e i&7

I .ish I -uld 1l$7 And &h+& %+2e le&s 2e 1l$# 8es& + lee&le7"/li4e! -+!e1ull$ ep& his e$es n his .!# e2b+!!+ssed7 Jd$ h+d &ld hi2 h. 6dde!0

.in% h+d +dded + 1e. b!en bnes & his +l!e+d$ -!ippled 1!+2e &!$in% & 1l$ 11 1 &he !1 1 &he

b+!n7

/li4e! -u& &. p+l2 1!nds +nd pu& + sli& in e+-h# &h!u%h .hi-h &he s2&h &.i% .uldp+ss7

"The$ pl+$ +n$ &he! %+2es .i&h $u;""N# &h+&3s i&7" /li4e! 2+de + 2en&+l n&e n& & 2en&in &he !u%he! %+2esD &h+& &he$ h+d

pl+$ed .i&h hi2 l+&e!7

"Yu seed 3e2 2u-h sin-e;""/h# n. +nd +%in7"

"Mebbe n. &h+& $u3!e lde!# lie &he2# $u3ll %i& & be %d 1!iends7"

/li4e! hesi&+&ed7 "Ain3& & liel$ I32 %nn+ be 11 s+il!in3 sn7 I32 ld " Jd$ de2+nded7 "L# 6dde!0.in%# hi&3s 2+%i->"

As &he b$s .+&-hed &he 1lu&&e!02ill# &!+ns1i9ed# /li4e! .+&-hed &he27 H. .nde!1ul i&

.uld be & s&ill belie4e in 2+%i-7 I& 2i%h& &+e 2+%i-# he ne.# & s+4e hi2 1!2 s2e&hin% &h+&he nl$ sensed dis&+n&l$# + 1!ebdin% n &he h!i,n &h+& he -uldn3& ui&e %!+sp7 He s&udied

6dde!0.in% +nd 2+!4eled +& h. di11e!en& he .+s 1!2 his b!&he!s7 /li4e! .nde!ed h. ln%

&he b$ -uld s&+$ &h+& s.ee &h+& inn-en unde! &hei! in1luen-e7 He 1e+!ed &h+& 6dde!0.in%3s

inn-en-e -uldn3& l+s& 2u-h ln%e!7 And .h+& 1 /li4e!5s .n 1u&u!e; Wh+& .+s &his h!!! &h+&


13/98

l2ed be1!e hi2; I& h+un&ed his sleep .i&h ni%h&2+!es &h+& he -uld ne4e! ui&e !e2e2be! upn

.+in%7 When he led +& 6dde!0.in%# he -uld +l2s& %!+sp &he +ns.e!7 Bu& n& ui&e7 /li4e!

si%hed +nd l+$ b+- in& &he s1& %!+ss7 /nl$ &i2e .uld &ell7

Ch+p&e! Ei%h&=enn$ +nd /li4e! l+$ un24in% n &he %!und7 Jd$ led up in h!!! +s Bu-# Mill0

.heel# +nd Le2 su!!unded hi27 The$ s2iled e4ill$7 The$ .e!e in n hu!!$ & dispse 1 hi2# Jd$

!e+li,ed7 Wi&h =enn$ +nd /li4e! u& 1 +-&in# &he 6!!es&e!s -uld +11!d & &+e &hei! &i2e .i&hhi27 The$ -uld h+4e 1un .i&h hi2 1! + .hile7 Wi&h &!&u!in% sl.ness# &he$ -+2e +& hi2 1!2

&h!ee di!e-&ins7 Wi&h %!.in% d!e+d# Jd$ led +& e+-h 1 &he2 in &u!n# +nd s+. une+!&hl$

2+le4len-e in e+-h 1+-e7 Bu& his .!s& 1e+!s 1-used n Le27 All 1 &he -!uel&$ +nd s+dis2 in &he

.!ld see2ed & be -en&e!ed in &h+& .i-ed e9p!essin7 His &e+!s s&+!&in% & 1l.# Jd$ be%+n &b+- +.+$ 1!2 Le2# his e$es ne4e! le+4in% Le23s 1+-e n.7 His 1ee& 1el& nu2b +nd .uld b+!el$

24e &he$ .e!en3& 24in% 1+s& enu%h# he !e+li,ed in +%n$ Le2 .+s 24in% 1+s&e!7 Jd$ sh

his he+d sl.l$ b+- +nd 1!&h# his -hees n. d!en-hed .i&h &e+!s7 Le2 l+u%hed7

"=le+se#" Jd$ .hi2pe!ed7 "N7 :n3&7"Le2 %!inned s+4+%el$ in !epl$7

Jd$ &!ied despe!+&el$ & 2+e his 1ee& 24e 1+s&e!7 He ne+!l$ s&u2bled# +nd b+-ed !i%h&in& Mill0.heel7 Re+li,in% .i&h &e!!! .h+& he h+d dne# Jd$ +&&e2p&ed & 1lin% hi2sel1 1!.+!d

+%+in# bu& he .+s sei,ed b$ s&!n% h+nds n his shulde!s +nd pulled b+- +%+ins& &he p.e!1ul

2+n7 Jd$ -!ied u& in +l+!27 He &.is&ed his he+d +!und & l up in& Mill0.heel3s 1+-e +nd .+si22edi+&el$ s!!$ &h+& he h+d dne s7 Mill0.heel3s e9p!essin .+s ne 1 un!elen&in% se4e!i&$7

Jd$ 1+-ed 1!.+!d +%+in# in &i2e & see Le2 +nd Bu- -lsin% in n hi27 His e$es se+!-hed Bu-3s

e9p!essin 1! s2e i&+ 1 indness# +nd 1und nne7 Sl.l$# Jd$ &u!ned his e$es b+- & Le2#

n.in% &h+& he .uldn3& be +ble & be+! .h+& he .uld see# bu& un+ble & p!e4en& hi2sel1 1!2lin%# +ll &he s+2e7 Su!e enu%h# Le23s 4i-ius hs&ili&$ hi& hi2 lie + li%h&nin% bl&7 Jd$

!e-iled +nd .!i&hed in Mill0.heel3s %!ip7 Le2 s2iled .i&h i22ense en8$2en& 1 Jd$3s &!2en&7

Jd$ be%+n & &!e2ble s 4ilen&l$ &h+& his bnes +nd 2us-les +-hed7"Le& 2e %7 =le+se#" Jd$ be%%ed7

The 6!!es&e!s l+u%hed h+!shl$7 Jd$3s sbs be-+2e sp+s2s7 He ne. &h+& he .+s !e+-&in%

+s &he$ .+n&ed# pl+$in% in& &hei! h+nds# bu& he .+s p.e!less & s&p i ! & -+!e7 He le+ned 2!ehe+4il$ in& Mill0.heel 1! supp!&7 He n ln%e! .ished & pull +.+$ he ne. &h+& his le%s .uld

n ln%e! hld hi2 un+ssis&ed7

Be&.een %+sps 1 p+ni-# Jd$ -!ied# "=+777> /li4e!777> He5p 2e>"

"Yu e9pe-& &he2 & he5p $u;" Le2 snee!ed7 "L .he!e &he$ +!e7"Un+ble & endu!e .h+& he ne. &h+& he .uld see i1 he -2plied# +nd in-+p+ble 1 b!e+in%

+.+$ 1!2 &he h$pn&i- e4il in Le23s e$es in +n$ e4en Jd$ .hined# "I -+in3&>"

Bu- !e+-hed u sei,ed Jd$3s -hin# +nd 1!-ibl$ &u!ned his 1+-e &.+!d =enn$ +nd /li4e!7The s&ill 1!2s h+dn3& s&i!!ed7 Jd$ %+4e + -!$ 1 &&+l desl+&in7 Bu- &u!ned hi2 b+- &.+!d

Le2 +%+in7 Sl.l$# e4e! s sl.l$# Le2 2+de + 1is&7 He d!e. i& b+- .i&h e9uisi&e delibe!+&in7

C2ple&el$ u& 1 -n&!l# Jd$ 1u%h& & b!e+ 1!ee 1!2 Bu-3s 4ise0lie %!ip n his -hin# +ndMill0.heel3s h+22e!l- n his shulde!s# bu& & n +4+il7 His 4isin ,e!ed in n &he 1is .hi-h

n. see2ed & -2p!ise his .hle uni4e!se7 Jd$ s-!e+2ed +s he ne4e! h+d be1!e in his li1e@7


14/98

@And s+& up in bed7 He .+s d!en-hed .i&h &e+!s +nd s.e+ +nd his b!e+&h .+s -2in% in

!+%%ed !+sps7 =enn$ +ppe+!ed in &he d!.+$ +nd !ushed & his side7 He s+& n &he bed +nd &

Jd$ in& his +!2s7"The s+2e d!e+2 +%in# sn;"

Jd$ .+s -!$in% & h+!d & !epl$# bu& &he .!+-in% sbs .e!e +ns.e! enu%h7

"I32 s!!$# b$# bu& .e h+d & &!$ & he5p /li4e!# $u n.7DJd$ ndded &h!u%h &he sp+s2s7

"I !e-n I .+s .!n% & le& $u %i& in& i&7 Yu .+s & $un% 1! &h+&7 I shuld+ 2+de $u

s&+$ .i&h G!+nd2+7 Is $u! 8+. s&ill s!e .he!e Le2 hi& $u;"Jd$ ndded +%+in7

"Hi&3ll 2end7 /nl$ been &. d+$s sin-e &he 1i%h&7 I 8es& .nde! h. ln% hi&3ll &+e & 2end

&he hu!& $u %& inside $u7D

Jd$ -lun% & his 1+&he!# his sbs nl$ sli%h&l$ +b+&ed7=enn$ s&!ed Jd$3s h+i!7 "Hi&3s +ll !i%h $un% un7 " /li4e! sh!ieed# si&&in% up p+in1ull$ in bed7

"E+s$# =unin# I32 he!e7" M!s7 Hu&&3s .+!2# s&hin% 4i-e b+l+n-ed e4e! s .ell .i&h he!s2&h# -lin% h+nd -+!essin% li%h&l$ +nd -+!e1ull$ n his he+&ed 1!ehe+d7

"M+#" he p+n&ed in 4e!.hel2in% !elie17 He pened his e$es +nd s+. &h+& she !e+ll$ .+s

&he!e# b$ his side# +nd &h+& &he 6!!es&e!s .e!e n&7"Yu h+d + ni%h&2+!e +%in# didn3& $u# B+b$;D

"Yes> The$ .+s he!e> In &he !2>D

"Nbd$3s he!e bu& 2e7" She b!ushed + d+2p l- 1 h+i! b+- 1!2 his 1!ehe+d7

"I -+in3& e4en s&+nd & % & sleep7 E4e!$ &i2e I d I see 3e27 M+# .h+& &i2e 5 d+$ is i&;""Hi&3s e4enin3# :+!lin37"

"Yu 1i%%e! I -uld %i& u&en &his bed +.hiles; I32 2ise!+ble> And I in su!e


15/98

&+e n + %l.# +s .ell +s + ne.# 2!e in4i%!+&in% s-en& in &he -!ispe! e4enin% +i!7 I& li1&ed his

spi!i&s# +& le+s& b!ie1l$7

An e2&in+l sh+d. 1ell 4e! /li4e! 22en&+!il$ +s he !e-+lled &he de&+ils 1 ne 1 hisni%h&2+!es7 I& h+d been h!!i1$in% enu%h &h+& in &he +-&u+l 1i%h& he3d h+d & 1+-e &h!ee 1 &he

2un&+inus 2en7 /ne ni%h&2+!e# h.e4e!# h+d p!e$ed upn &he unple+s+n& 1+-& &h+& &h!ee 2!e

e9is&ed7 I1 A!-h# =+-# +nd G+bb$ h+d +ls been p!esen& in &.n# dub&less &he$ .uld34e in&!udedn his 1i%h& .i&h Le2# 8us& +s Bu- +nd Mill0.heel h+d dne in !e+li&$7 /li4e! .uld34e h+d &

1+-e si97 He b!e+&hed in &he 1!+%!+n-e 1 &he d+!enin% ni%h +nd &!ied & le& i& dispel his 1e+! +nd

-+l2 his &!e2blin%7 He .nde!ed .h+& &he si9 6!!es&e!s .e!e s+$in% & e+-h &he! !i%h& n.7

Ch+p&e! Ten

Bu- 6!!es&e! .iped &he s.e+& u& 1 his e$es7 "6dde!0.in%>" he shu&ed 1! pssibl$ &hehund!ed&h &i2e7 He si2pl$ -uldn3& belie4e &h+& his p!# 1!+il# -!ippled li&&le b!&he! h+d .+nde!ed

11 +lne in& &he s-!ub# +nd h+d eluded his si9 lde! b!&he!s 1! &. en&i!e d+$s7 Bu- %l+!ed up +&

&he s$7 I .+s bein% un-pe!+&i4e7 I& .+s %e&&in% d+!# +nd in 2!e .+$s &h+n ne7 The sun

.uld be se&&in% be1!e ln%# +nd &he -luds .e!e !llin% in 2inusl$7 E4en +s he .+&-hed# +!+ind!p s&!u- hi2 n &he +!27 "6dde!0.in%>" he !+!ed +%+in# n-e 2!e sh4in% his .+$

&h!u%h &he &hi-e&7 "Hi&3s +ll 2$ 1+ul&>" Bu- 2u&&e!ed & hi2sel17 "I shuld+ seed &his -2in3s2eh.7" He &hu%h& &h!u%h i& +ll +%+in +s he se+!-hed 1! &he b$# &!$in% & &hin 1 s2e -lue

&h+& -uld34e helped hi2 & p!e4en& &his -!isis7

000@Th!ee +n%!$ 2en h+d -2e h2e &h+& e+!l$ +1&e!nn &. d+$s +%? Le2# Bu-# +nd

Mill0.heel7

"H. .+s Vlusi+;" +n unsuspe-&in% A!-h +sed -n4e!s+&in+ll$7

Le2 sp+&7 "We %& in& + s-!+p7"M!s7 6!!es&e! &u!ned 1!2 &he he+!&h7 "Yu0+ll +in3& h+d + 1i%h& in publi-; C+in3& $u

-n1ine $u! u+!!els &0h2e; :n3& sh. &he .!ld7"

"N& .i&h e+-h &he!# .e +in3" he e9pl+ined7 "We .+s +ll &h!ee n &he s+2e side7 We be+&hell u&en /li4e! Hu&&7"

She blined7 "Then I !e-n he3s + si%h&7"

"Cun& n i&7"M!7 6!!es&e! -hu-led7 "Th+&3s 2$ b$s7" He !e-ei4ed + di!&$ l 1!2 M!s7 6!!es&e!7

"A. -2e n# .i1e7 Yu .+s n.n & %i& in& + s-!+p ! &. in $u! $un%e! d+$s7"

"Su!e# bu& I dn3& n.


16/98

M!s7 6!!es&e! inui!ed# ":id /li4e! l + 2i&e su!p!ised ! .!!ied# .hen $u &. %ed

+1&e! hi2;"

Bu- l.e!ed his %+,e7Mill0.heel -n1essed# "Well# 2ebbe# $e+h7"

"Uh huh7 And !i%h& &he!e in &.n lie &h+ 1ls5d be .+&-hin3# +nd he liel$ didn3& 1i%%e! he

-uld b+- u& in 1!n& 1 3e2# nei&he!7"Bu- hun% his he+d7

Mill0.heel led +.+$# &!$in% & hide his %uil&7

"Well# &h+& +in3& &he h+l1 1 i" Le2 &ld &he &he!s# un!epen&+n&7 "=enn$ +nd Jd$ .+s in&.n# +nd &he$ &!ied & s&p us7"

All 1 &he lis&ene!s %+ped +& hi2# +nd &hen A!-h# =+-# +nd G+bb$ %u11+.ed .i&h %us&7

"The2 &.;" =+- !+!ed7 "Yu +in3& se!ius>"

Bu& ne l +& &he &h!ee 1i%h&e!s &ld hi2 8us& h. se!ius his b!&he!s .e!e7S&ill -hu-lin%# A!-h s+id# "N. i11en &h+& +in3& be&&e!5n &. !+bbi&s &+in3 n &h!ee bulls>

Wh+&3d &he$ d .hen &he$ 1i%%e!ed u& &he$ -uldn3& s&p $u;"

Mill0.heel e$ed hi27 "The$ %& in& i&7"

This &i2e# &he &he! &h!ee 2en .e!e s&unned 22en&+!il$ in& silen-e7Then G+bb$ s-!+&-hed his he+d7 "Bu& &he$ -uldn3& be n 2!e nuis+n-e & +n$ 1 us &h+n +

p+i! 5 1lies7""And &h+&3s h. .e &!e+&ed 3e2#" Le2 +%!eed7 "We su+shed 3e2 lie 1lies7"

While he spe# 6dde!0.in% .en& -lse! & hi2# +nd &u%%ed n hi27 "Le2# n7 Jd$ didn3&7

@""Jd$ did#" Le2 -n1i!2ed7

"Bu&777bu&777he -+in3&7 He3s 8es& lee&le7 Lie 2e7"

"And he dn3& n. n&hin3 "

"I dne s#" Le2 de-l+!ed7

"Yu didn3& hi& hi27 I 2e+n lie@7"

"Lie &his7" Le2 sh.ed his 1is&7 "I dne s7""N> Is he +ll !i%h&;"

"I dn3& n. +nd I dn3& ee!7"

"Le2>" 6dde!0.in% $+ned n his +!27"S&p i&7" Le2 8e!ed 1!ee7

"H. in $u n& n. i11en he3s +ll !i%h&;"

Bu- pu& + bi% h+nd n &he s2+ll shulde!7 "6dde!0.in%7 We dn3& n.


17/98

I dn3& ee! h. i&3d l7 I .+n&+ n.7D

S!!$7D Bu& Le25s &ne .+s un!epen&+n&7

W+s he u& + ln% &i2e .hils& $u .+s s&ill &he!e;DYes#D Mill0.heel +-n.led%ed7 The 1i%h& %ed n 1! +& le+s& +n&he! h+l10hu! +1&e!

Jd$ .+s n-ed u&7D

H.3d i& end; :id +n$bd$ he5p 3e2;D M!s7 6!!es&e! .nde!ed7Bu- !espnded# Hi& ended .i&h +ll &h!ee 1 3e2 n &he %!und +nd n desi!e & %i& up7

/li4e! -2e & +nd led +& us# bu& &he 1i%h& h+d %ed u&en his e$es7 He didn3& h+4e & s+$ +

.!d 8es& 1!2 his 1+-e .e n.ed he3d h+d


18/98

The b$ hbbled & &he -+bin d!# +nd &u!ned +& &he &h!eshld7 "Yu0+ll 2+e 2e H. b+d 11 is he !e+ll$;"

"Ri%h& b+d#" Bu- !eplied7 "Bu& I !e-n he3ll 2end7"

"I e9pe-& hi&3ll &+e +.hiles#" Mill0.heel +dded7

Bu- ndded7M!s7 6!!es&e! sh he! he+d7 "I in he+! his 2+ !i%h& n.7 Yu0+ll dne p!4ed he! pin

$u n.7""5Bu& .h+&;" Le2 de2+nded7

She bse!4ed hi2 .!$l$7 "She -+lled $u0+ll hdlu2s# s+4+%es7 She .+n&ed 2e & eep

$u0+ll +.+$ 1!2 he! 3b+b$37""3B+b$;3" Le2 sn!&ed7 "Sunds lie $u3!e .i&h he!7 6i!s& 6dde!0.in% +nd n. $u7 Ain3&

.e %nn+ %i& n supp!& in &his 1+2il$;"

A!-h pu& + h+nd n Le23s shulde!7 "We3!e .i&h $u# Le2#" he s&+&ed +s he -+s& + 1!s&$

l +& &hei! 2&he!7She sni11ed in dis%us&7

=+- 8ined in .i&h his b!&he!s7 "Cun& 2e in7 I11en $u h+4e +n&he! 1i%h& .i&h +n$ 5

&he2# I32 hpin3 I3ll be &he!e & %i& in& i &7""And 2e#" -hi2ed in G+bb$7

Le2 ndded in s+&is1+-&in7 Bu- +nd Mill0.heel !+ised &hei! e$eb!.s +& &hei! 2&he!7

"Well 1ine#" she !e&!&ed s+!-+s&i-+ll$7 "I &hin $u0+ll lie i& +n$.+$s? h+4in3 &he .hle&.n +1ee!ed 5 $u7"

"We d#" Le2 +%!eed .i&h + s2u% %!in7

His 2&he! e$ed hi27 "Yu .!!$ 2e7"

Hu!s l+&e!# she +nnun-ed &h+& i& .+s dinne! &i2e7 "N. .he!e3s &h+& b$;" she +sed7 "Hebeen u& in &he b+!n .i&h his 4+!2in&s +ll &his &i2e;"

"I3ll % 1e&-h hi2#" Bu- 11e!ed7 "He -uld be + 2i&e ne!4us " Bu- be%%ed 1! his +&&en&in# -+!essin% &he p+le -hees7

The e$es 1lu&&e!ed pen# +nd &!ied & 1-us7 "Bu-;" The 4i-e .+s .e+7


19/98

"Wh$; Wh$5d $u d i&; Wh$3d $u !un +.+$; Su!el$ $u .+5n3& +1ee!ed .e3d hu!& $u7"

"N# I 8es&777.+n&ed & %i& +.+$ 1!2 $u0+ll 1! +.hiles7 I777.+n&ed & !un +.+$ 1!2

h2e7""Whe!e3d $u &hin $u .+s %in3;"

"B@B+9&e!s3 Isl+nd7"

"6u! 2iles;;;""I777&hu%h& 2ebbe &he$3d eep 2e7 And I .+n&ed & be su!e Jd$ .+s +ll !i%h&7"

Bu- s+%%ed7 "I1


20/98

"Yu seed hi2; in he s&+nd up $i&; H. 2+n$ di115!en& -l!s is his 1+-e;" Le2 l+u%hed

n+s&il$7

"Well# he3ll 2end %d# I e9pe-&7 H.3s $u! 2+ +nd p+; And de+! lee&le 6dde!0.in%;"The shpeepe! sunded e+%e! & -h+n%e &he sub8e-&7

Le23s --$ e9p!essin 4+nished7 He led +.+$# 1ei%nin% nn-h+l+n-e7

Bu- s+id uie&l$# "M+ +nd =+3s 1ine7"Mill0.heel &!ied & sund 11h+nd# bu& i& didn3& -2e +-!ss +s -+su+ll$ +s he .uld34e

lied7 6dde!0.in%3s +ilin37D

Wh+&3s .!n%; Wh+&3s he %&;DAin3& su!e7D Bu- &!ied & dis2iss &he ues&in7

Mi%h& be pneu2ni+#D G+bb$ blu!&ed7

Bu- %l+!ed +& hi2# +nd &he!e .+s + b!ie1 bu& &ense silen-e7

B$les .+s pu,,led7 Hi&5s June7 H.3d he %i& pneu2ni+ in su22e!;DI s+id .e +in3& su!e#D Bu- insis&ed sh+!pl$7 Le&3 s -h+n%e &he sub8e-&7D

Sundin% !+&&led# B$les -2plied7 Thin%s +n$ be&&e! be&.i9& $u0+ll +nd &he B+9&e!s;D

Bu-3s hu2! i2p!4ed7 We punished 3e2 %d7D

B$les3 e$es .idened7 Yu777be+& 3e2 +%in;D he +sed hesi&+n&l$7N& $i&7D Mill0.heel %!inned7 Bu& hi&3s -2in37 We &+ened &hei! h%s +nd hid 3e27 Gi4e i&

+n&he! &.# &h!ee d+$s7 I 1i%%e! &he$3ll -2e & us# u+!!elin3


21/98

When &he$ .e!e -2ple&el$ %ne# + bl+n-hin% /li4e! &ip0&ed u& 1 &he s&!e +nd .en&

h2e uie&l$7 He en&e!ed his huse +nd s+& d.n in + -h+i! .i&hu& + .!d7

M!s7 Hu&& en&e!ed &he !2 +nd led +& his .hi&e 1+-e7 "Yu h+d + -lse -+ll# +in3& $u;"He! sn ndded silen&l$7

"Ain3& I .+!ned $u

"The h+!d .+$7 We .+s n u! .+$ & -n1!n& &he 6!!es&e!s


22/98

"Yu +in5& ee!1ul


23/98

1!e4e!# he -uld hld &he p+in +& b+$ inde1ini&el$7 He b+&&led &he pp!essi4el$ %!.in% .ei%h bu&

despi&e his bes& e11!&s# 6dde!0.in%3s e$es .e!e be-2in% + blu!7 Jd$ b!ushed h+s&il$ +& his .n

e$es# belie4in% &h+& i1 he -uld nl$ d!i4e +.+$ &he &e+!s# 6dde!0.in%3s i2+%e .uld be-2e -le+!+%+in7 Bu& &he %es&u!e .+s & n +4+il7 I& -+2e & Jd$ &h+& &he l+- 1 1-us .+s n& in Jd$3s .n

e$es# bu& in !e+li&$7 As 6dde!0.in% -n&inued & blu! be1!e hi2# Jd$ !e+-hed u& & hi2

despe!+&el$7 He &!ied in 4+in & e2b!+-e his 1!iend +nd hld n# bu& i& .+s & l+&e7 6dde!0.in% .+s%ne7

Jd$ +.+ened# -!$in% -n4ulsi4el$7 He .+s -!ushed & 1+-e n-e 2!e &he !e+li&$ 1 his

1!iend3s de+&h7

Ch+p&e! 6u!&een

=enn$# Jd$# Bu-# +nd Mill0.heel .e!e u& s-u&in% &he d+2+%e b!u%h& n b$ &he 1ld7 I&.+s e4enin%# +nd &he 1u! .e!e bus$ %+&he!in% bu%hs 1! &hei! beddin% b$ &he -+2p1i!e7

The &. 6!!es&e!s# h+4in% 1inished &hei! 1!+%in% be1!e &he &. B+9&e!s# h+d !e&u!ned &

&he -+2p +he+d 1 &he27

Mill0.heel %!inned -nspi!+&!i+ll$ +& his b!&he!7 He$# .+n&+ pl+$+ 8e n &he2 &.;DBu- s2iled b+- in &u!n7 Wh+& $u %& in 2ind;D

I %& +n ide+ .hen =enn$ s+id &h+& .ild-+& li4e!3d 2+e hi2 b!+4e


24/98

She .hispe!ed & E+s$# "ee!1ul .h $u h+nd 2e &7"

"/h 2$7" He 1ll.ed he! %+,e +nd !e+li,ed he! line 1 &hu%h&7 "I3ll d 2$ bes&7"

T!ue & his .!d# .hen &he -h+n%e .+s -+lled# he h+nded he! & s2ene h+!2less7 Wh in&u!n h+nded he! & s2ene else h+!2less7 Wh &hen b!u%h& he! 1+-e0&01+-e .i&h + be+!ded

ni%h&2+!e7 I& .uld h+4e been h+!d & +4id# she ne. +ll bu& Le2 .e!e in4l4ed in &he d+n-e7

M!s7 Hu&& +u&2+&i-+ll$ !e-iled 1!2 hi2# he! lips -u!lin% +s i1 1!2 s2e&hin% su!7His 1+-e .en& &h!u%h se4e!+l !+pid -h+n%es7 Wi&hin se-nds# he p!%!essed 1!2 pe!ple9ed

&h!u%h !esi%ned & +2used7 He !e+-hed +nd -+u%h& he! h+nds 2!e ui-l$ &h+n she -uld sn+&-h

&he2 +.+$ +%+in7 /h# .h$ nD he s+id7 He %!inned +& he!7She 2+de + 1u&ile e11!& & pull b+- 1!2 hi2# +nd &hen $ielded .i&h + si%h7 Whi-h ne +!e

$u# +n$.+$s;D she sn+pped7 I -+in3& &ell ne 5 $u de4ils 1!2 +n&he!7D

Ne4e! lsin% his %!in# he !espnded e4enl$# I32 Bu-# Mis3 Hu&&7D

She %+sped# en!+%ed7 Yu3!e ne 5 &he nes &h+& &!2en&ed 2$ /li4e!> H. -uld $u#$u s+4+%e>D She &!ied +%+in & .!en-h 1!ee# +nd 1+iled7

A& he! lud u&bu!s &he &. ne+!es& 1 Bu-3s b!&he!s &u!ned & l7 The!e .+s + 1+in&

1li-e! 1 1e+! in he! e$es# .hi-h .+s ins&+n&l$ !epl+-ed b$ + h+!dened s&ubb!nness7

Bu- ls& his %!in# bu& s&ill ep& his pli&e &ne7 N. dn3& be -+llin3 2e n+2es# Mis3 Hu&! &his3ll %i& unple+s+n&7D

Hi&3s +5!e+d$ unple+s+n&>D M!s7 Hu&& pulled +%+ins& hi2 uselessl$ +%+in7He e$ed he!7 "Hi&3ll %i& .!se7D

"/h# n. $u3!e &h!e+&enin3 + l5 .2+n;D

Th+&3s up & $u7DShe %l+!ed silen&l$ +& hi2 +nd &!ied & .! + 1e. 1in%e!s 1!ee 1!2 ne 1 his bi% h+nds7

He !es&!+ined he! e+sil$7 Yu n.# i11en $u .+s & 8es& %i& d.n 11en $u! hi%h0+nd0

2i%h&$# +nd +d2i& &h+& $u3!e s-+i!&@7D

"I3d ne4e! %i4e $u &he s+&is1+-&in#" she hissed# 2!e ludl$ &h+n she3d in&ended7The s+2e &. 6!!es&e!s# plus ne 2!e# .e!e n&i-in% &he 2in! s&!u%%le +nd &he +!%u2en

+nd h+d be-2e s&e+dil$ .+&-h1ul 1 &he p+i!7 M!s7 Hu&& .!ed & p!e&end &h+& she .+sn3& !+&&led

b$ &hei! s-!u&in$7 The ne.es& .+&-he! .+s sh+!p enu%h & !e-%ni,e he! b!+4e 1!n& 1! .h+& i&.+s# +nd s2i!ed +& he!7

She s&!2ed +& Bu-# "Th+& un &hins hi&3s 1unn$>"

Bu- 1ll.ed he! %+,e +nd s2iled7 "Mill0.heel 1inds + he+p 5 &hin%s 1unn$ in li1e7 I3d n&1!e& He3s@>"

"Yes#" Bu- !eplied p+&ien&l$# "he3s Mill0.heel he3s +n&he! ne 1 us .h+& &!2en&ed $u!

/li4e!7" He b!!.ed he! .!ds .i&h un-n-e+led +2use2en&7A 1u!ius M!s7 Hu&& !espnded .i&h + .!d &h+& .uld34e b!u%h& + h!!i1ied blush & /!$

B+9&e!3s -hees# h+d she he+!d7

Bu- +ll bu& %u11+.ed in %enuine %d hu2!7 "N. $u le+!n& &h+& .!d 1!2 /li4e!7S+il!s +llus n. h. & -uss %d7 And &h+&3s ne &hin% $u &. %& in -22n .i&h us# &h+&

nei&he! 1 u! 1+2ilies in sh+!e .i&h &he B+9&e!s7"

M!s7 Hu&& .+s in-ensed7 "We %& n&hin3 in -22n .i&h $u0+ll> N&hin3>""I11en $u s+$ s#" Bu- +ll.ed &le!+n&l$7 "Bu& 8es& see2s & 2e# $u &. +in3& +ll p!i2

+nd p!pe! +nd h+!d0nsed# lie &he2 B+9&e!s in be# 2u-h +s .e lie 3e27 Yu %& + 2i&e 3 spi&1i!e

in $u7 Lie us7"


25/98

She -un&e!ed .i&h + 4i-ius $+n n ne h+nd# .hi-h did +bslu&el$ n&hin% & disld%e

his i!n %!ip n he!# bu& .hi-h -+9ed + 2in! "/u-h" 1!2 he!7 Then she ui-l$ -4e!ed i& .i&h

s+$in%# "Well# +& le+s& &he &he! &. &h+&3s .+&-hin3 +in3& l+u%hin37"Bu- +%!eed# "A!-h +nd =+- &+e &hin%s 8es& + 2i&e 2!e se!ius7"

"Si-h n+2es $u0+ll %" she -22en&ed in dis%us&7

Bu- si%hed &le!+n&l$7 "Wh$n3& $u 8es& !el+9 +nd 2+e &he bes& 5 &his;""Wh$n3& $u 8es& le+4e 2e %;"

He +ns.e!ed e+sil$# "5C+use &hen &he!e3d be & 1e. .2en 1! &he nu2be! 5 2en# +nd

hi&3d !uin &he d+n-e7"A& &he end 1 he! p+&ien-e# M!s7 Hu&& ludl$ bell.ed# "I dn3& ee!>>"

Wi&h &h+ &he e$es 1 +ll 1i4e &he! 6!!es&e!s .e!e !i4e&ed n &he p+i!7

Mill0.heel sidled -lse .i&h his p+!&ne!7 "Is &he!e + p!ble2# Bu-;"

Bu- -+l-ul+&in%l$ !eplied# "I !e-n I3ll le+4e &he l+d$ +ns.e! &h+&7"M!s7 Hu&& hesi&+&ed7 She !e&u!ned &he %+,e 1 + n. s&e!n01+-ed Mill0.heel# %l+n-ed +& +

1!.nin% Le2 n &he u&si!&s# +nd &hen le& he! e$es &!+4el & &he &he! &h!ee 6!!es&e!s +ll & ne+!

+nd +&&en&i4e n &he d+n-e 1l!7 :ub& -!ssed he! 1+-e +s he! e$es !e&u!ned & Bu-7

"Hi&3s +ll !i%h" he !e+ssu!ed he! indl$7 "Ain3& n dis%!+-e 1! $u & s&p !ebellin3 +nd+--ep& &his pe+-e+ble7 We n. $u %& spun# lie $u! sn# bu& 8es& +s he le+!n& &he h+!d .+$#

&he!e3s li2i&s n h. 1u! & -+!!$ i&7 6inish &his d+n-e .i&h 2e# +nd I3ll le+4e $u %7""All !i%h" she +%!eed %!ud%in%l$7

Mill0.heel ndded +--ep&+n-e +nd pulled +.+$ 1!2 &he27

Bu- s2iled +& M!s7 Hu&&7 She pu&ed uie&l$ +& hi27 He l+u%hed &he supe!i! l+u%h 1 ne.h is in -2ple&e -n&!l 1 +n&he! +nd n.s i&7

The 22en& &h+& he !ele+sed he!# she !e&!e+&ed b!isl$ & &he 1+! ben-h# & si& b$ /!$ B+9&e!7

M!s7 Hu&& .+s ui&e !elie4ed & %+&he! &h+& &he B+9&e!s -le+!l$ ne. n&hin% 1 he! b!ie1

+l&e!-+&in7Sh!&l$ +1&e!# .hen &he -hu!-h d! pened# +d2i&&in% + -ld d!+1& +nd + s&!+n%e!# M!s7

Hu&& .hi!led# +u&2+&i-+ll$ +ssu2in% +nd 1e+!in% &h+& &he ne. +!!i4+l .uld ins&e+d be he! /li4e!7

She -n&e2pl+&ed .h+& she .uld34e dne# h+d she s&ill been un.illin%l$ in Bu- 6!!es&e!3s +!2s#+nd &u!ned & see /li4e! .+l in& &he -hu!-h7 She ne. &he +ns.e!7 She .uld34e ins&+n&l$ i-ed

+nd .!es&led .i&h Bu-# in !de! & le+4e ne less 2ns&e! 1!ee & +&&+- he! sn7

Hu!s l+&e!# +s M!s7 Hu&& .+&-hed he! huse bu!n & e2be!s# she -nside!ed &he i!n$ 1he! -+su+l dis2iss+l 1 &he i2p!&+n-e 1 &he s&!+n%e! .h3d en&e!ed &he -hu!-h7 She h+d n&

!e+li,ed &h+ .hile he .+s n& /li4e!# he .uld &ell &he 6!!es&e!s &h+& /li4e! +nd T.in h+d

!e&u!ned# &he!eb$ en!+%in% &he2 enu%h & -2e +nd se& &his 1i!e7 In he! 2ind# she -uld +l2s& s&ill

1eel Bu- 6!!es&e!3s un.+n&ed +!2s +!und he!7 She 2+!4eled &h+ +l&hu%h she3d n.n &h+& he.+s d+n%e!us# b&h 1!2 his p+!&i-ip+&in in &he be+&in% 1 /li4e! +nd 1!2 his i2plied &h!e+&s &

he! n &he d+n-e 1l!# she3d ne4e! i2+%ined &h+& he +nd his b!&he!s .uld d &his & he!7

She +ls &hu%h& +bu& &he !e+-&ins 1 &he B+9&e!s & he! h+4in% lied & /li4e!# -l+i2in%&h+& &he 6!!es&e!s h+d n& been !espnsible 1! &he 1i!e7 Cle+!l$# /!$ +nd Jd$ h+d +ssu2ed &h+&

/li4e! shuld he+! &he &!u&h7 /nl$ E,!+ h+d unde!s&d he! !e+snin% +nd supp!&ed he! lie7 Bu&

M!s7 Hu&& ne. &h+& she .+s !i%h&7 :espi&e +ll 1 he! b!+4+d &h+& she didn3& .+n& &. -un&ies-4e!ed .i&h 6!!es&e! bld +s .ell +s he! b$3s bnes# +nd despi&e /li4e!3s blus&e! &h+& he

.uldn3& h+4e le1& ne 6!!es&e! +li4e i1 &he 2en .e!e %uil&$# M!s7 Hu&& ne. .h+& &he !e+l

u&-2e .uld34e been i1 she3d &ld /li4e! &he &!u&h7 He3d h+4e pu!sued &he 6!!es&e!s +nd been

illed7 /ne 2+n# h.e4e! h&0he+ded# .+s n 2+&-h 1! si9 2en# h.e4e! d!un7 She ne. &h+&


26/98

she h+d & %e& /li4e! u& 1 6l!id+ +s ui-l$ +s pssible# be1!e &hse 2en !e%+ined &hei!

euilib!iu2 ! &hei! 1u!$# +nd -+2e pu!suin% hi2 +%+in7 She h+d & 24e & Bs&n he!sel1 & &!$ &

!e24e /li4e!3s !e+sn & e4e! -2e he!e7 She nl$ hped &h+& Bs&n .+s 1+! enu%h +.+$ & s+4ehi27

Ch+p&e! Si9&een

A1&e! 6l+% h+d des&!$ed &he 1i!s& &. pl+n&in%s 1 -!n# +nd &he B+9&e!s h+d been

-2pelled & des&!$ &he 1+.n# Jd$ h+d !un +.+$ 1!2 h2e7 :espe!+&e 1! 2!e seed -!n &pl+n /!$ B+9&e! h+d s.+ll.ed he! p!ide +nd %ne & &he 6!!es&e!s & &!+de 1! i sin-e =enn$

.+s &e2p!+!il$ in-+p+-i&+&ed 1!2 + !e-en& in8u!$7 Jd$ h+d !e&u!ned 1i!s +nd 2+de his 1+&he!

p!ud &h!u%h his ne.1und +--ep&+n-e 1 &he lss 1 his pe&7 When /!$ -+2e h2e# =enn$ &ld

he! 1 &hei! b$3s +2bi&ius in&en&in & !un +.+$ & Bs&n7 The si%ni1i-+n-e 1 &he des&in+&in hi&he! i22edi+&el$7

"Bs&n7 Whe!e &he Hu&&s %ed7 Yu 1i%%e! Jd$ 1el& +s be&!+$ed b$ us +s /li4e! 1el& b$ &he

6!!es&e!s; /h# E,!+# I ne4e! 2e+n& 1! Jd$ & &+e i& &h+&0+0.+$7D

"I n.#D =enn$ s+id s1&l$7 "I +ls n. $u l4e &he b$# /!$# e4en i11en $u dn3& +lluslie & sh. i&7D

Ch+p&e! Se4en&een

The M+$ s$ shne d.n b!illi+n&l$ +s Jd$ s&!u%%led & -2ple&e &he &hi!d pl+n&in% 1 &he-!n7 6!&un+&el$# =enn$ h+d been 2endin% .ell &he p+s& 1e. .ees sin-e :- Wilsn3s 4isi bu&

Jd$ h+d !e1used his e4e!$ 11e! & help .i&h &he !epl+n&in%7 The des&!u-&in 1 &he 1i!s& &.

pl+n&in%s h+d been his .n 1+ul ! !+&he! &h+& 1 &he $e+!lin%# bu& i& .+s ne +nd &he s+2e7 Jd$3s

%uil& .uld n& pe!2i& hi2 & +--ep& +ssis&+n-e7 /!$ h+d been e4en 2!e !e&i-en& &h+n usu+l sin-ehe! !e&u!n 1!2 &he 6!!es&e!s7 He! e!!+nd & &!+de .i&h &he2 1! &he seed -!n &h+& Jd$ .+s n.

pl+n&in% h+d hu2ili+&ed he! be$nd 2e+su!e7 He! nl$ -21!& .+s &h+& 1e. 1 &he !u%h 2en h+d

been &he!e & .i&ness he! sh+2e7 =+- +nd G+bb$ h+d !e&u!ned in Ap!il# +s M!7 +nd M!s7 6!!es&e!h+d p!2ised# bu& Bu-# Mill0.heel# Le2# +nd A!-h .e!en3& b+- 1!2 &hei! h!se0&!+din% in

en&u-$7 Upn he! !e&u!n h2e# /!$ h+d s+id si2pl$# "3T.+s + blessin3 &h+& Le2 .+5n3& &he!e7 He

su!e d 2+e 2e ne!4us7D =+- +nd G+bb$ h+d inui!ed +1&e! &he he+l&h 1 =enn$ +nd Jd$# +nd.e!e -n-e!ned &h+& =enn$ h+d s&!+ined hi2sel1 +nd &h+& Jd$ .+s 2issin%7 Jd$ .+s %!+&i1ied &

he+! l+&e! &h+& &he$ h+d 11e!ed & se+!-h 1! hi27 His 2&he! h+d dis-u!+%ed &he ide+# h.e4e!#

sin-e & 2+n$ d+$s h+d p+ssed# +nd n ne ne. .he!e & be%in7

A sund in &he dis&+n-e dis&!+-&ed Jd$ 1!2 his pl+n&in%7 He p+used & lis&en7 I& .+s &hepundin% 1 h10be+&s +pp!+-hin% &he -le+!in%7 Jd$ !+n b+- &.+!d &he -+bin +nd in& &he 1!n&

$+!d in &i2e & see &. h!ses bl& in +& &he s+2e 22en&7 The !ide!s .e!e Bu- +nd Mill0.heel

6!!es&e!7 The$ !eined in +nd led s&+!&led & see hi27Jd$ -+lled# "He$# Bu-7 H.d$# Mill0.heel7"

"He$# b$# .e +in3 & 1i%%e!ed n seein3 $u#" Bu- s+id7 "We e9pe-&ed $u .+s s&ill 11

s2e5e!es7"Jd$ hun% his he+d7 "I shuldn3&+ !unned 117 I32


27/98

"Lie I &ld $u#" Bu- e9pl+ined# "I %i& s h2esi- n &hese h!se0&!+din3 &!ips# I -+in3&

s&+nd i&


28/98

&7 Sensin% &h+& Le2 s&ill .+&-hed hi2# =enn$ 2e& his %+,e7 Le2 d+!ed =enn$ .i&h his e$es7 A1&e!

+ 22en 4e!-2e b$ hpelessness# =enn$ l.e!ed his e$es in de1e+&7 Le2 &u!ned + sel10s+&is1ied

%!in & Jd$7"See&e!#" he p!nun-ed &he .!d .i&h !elish7

A &!!en& 1 despe!+&in .elled up in Jd$ +nd bu!s& 1!2 hi2 in + 1ld 1 .!ds7

"Le2> The nl$ !e+sn $u -+ll 2e &h+ is $u 1i%%e! I be&!+$ed $u7 The!e3s s2e&hin3 $udn3& n.7 And I been .+n&in3 & &ell $u 1! + ln% &i2e7 The!e .+s nl$ ne !e+sn .h$ =+ +nd

2e in&e!1e!ed .i&h $u +nd /li4e! in $u! 1i%h&7 Hi& .+s been &he!e# .e3d+ been n $u! side ins&e+d7 /! i11en hi&3d been + 1+i! 1i%h 8es& $u +nd /li4e! +nd

nbd$ else# .e3d+ n& b&he!ed $u7"

"Yu e9pe-& 2e & belie4e &h+&;" Le2 de2+nded &i%h&l$7"Hi&3s &he &!u&h#" =enn$ s+id uie&l$7

"Le2#" Jd$ .en& n# "I dn3& l4e /li4e! 2!e3n $u# bu& I .+s +1ee!ed $u .+s illin3 hi27

I11en nl$ $u0+ll -uld+ 1elled u& .i&h +n$bd$ else bu& hi2> Yu %&&+ !e2e2be!# .hen =+ .+s

+.+$ +& &he .+! 1! 1u! $e+!s# M+ +nd 2e %ed & li4e .i&h G!+nd2+ Hu&& +nd /li4e!7 He .+5n3&$i& + s+il! &hen# +nd .e h+d + he+p 5 &i2e &%e&he!7 Yu0+ll %& e+-h &he!7 I32 +n nl$ -hild# +nd

s is /li4e!7 We needed e+-h &he!7 And 1! +.hiles# hi& .+s lie .e .+s b!&he!s7""N. I h+d 1!%& &h+" A!-h s+id uie&l$7

"6u! $e+!s#" s+id Bu-7 "Th+&3s + !i%h& ln% .hiles7"

"I !e-n $u did %i& & be lie b!&he!s in &h+& &i2e#" Mill0.heel +-n.led%ed7"Th+& +in3& +ll#" =enn$ +dded7 "I11en E,!+ J!7 h+d li4ed# he3d be


29/98


30/98

Jd$ !eplied uie&l$# "N& !iled !e4l4e! !i%h& u&en his h+nd# +nd &hen .e3d+ been n hi27"Jd$# .i&h his he+d s&ill n Le23s -hes .+s s&!i-en .i&h + -n4ulsi4e shi4e!in%# +s &he

h!!! 1 &he .i-ed s-ene &h+& Le2 des-!ibed & hld 1 hi27 Le2 led +& hi2 -u!iusl$7

"Yu 2i%h& +s .ell !el+9# b$ hi& +in3& h+ppened7"Ins&e+d# + ne. &e!!! s&!u- Jd$# +nd he sbbed# "Hi& .uld+ been 2$ 1+ul&7 I11en i& h+d

h+ppened# I .uld+ been & bl+2e7 I .+s &he ne &ld hi2 $u0+ll dne i&7"

Le2 %!inned in i!ni- +2use2en&7 "N. .uldn3& &h+&54e been s2e&hin3; Yu he5pin3 us

%i& hi27"Suddenl$# =enn$3s 1+-e 1illed .i&h h!!!7 "M$ l!d#" he .hispe!ed7 ":id $u0+ll h+4e &he

s+2e 2&i4e .hen $u .+s !iled +& us +1&e! &he 1i%h& +nd s&le u! h%s;"

"In + .+$#" Bu- +d2i&&ed 2+&&e!0101+-&l$7 "We .+5n3& %nn+ ill $u# bu& .e .+s 1i%%e!in3

n %i4in3 $u0+ll +n&he! be+&in3# +nd &he h%s .+s &he b+i& & lu!e $u & u! pl+-e7""Th+& +52s& .!ed# " Mill0.heel !e2+!ed7 "Jd$ &ld 2e &he$ .+s hun&in3 &hei! h%s

.hen =enn$ .+s sn+e0bi&7"=enn$ s&+!ed +& hi27 "6!2 n. n# I3ll 1i%%e! I %& 11 li%h&7 I .+s be&&e! 11 .i&h &he

sn+e7"

The$ +ll l+u%hed# +nd &he &ensin e+sed n-e +%+in7Jd$ +sed sh$l$# "Bu-# &he!e3s s2e&hin3 I34e +llus .+n&ed & n.7 A1&e! &he 1i%h .hen

$u0+ll %ed h2e +nd &ld &he !es& .h+& h+ppened# .+s 6dde!0.in% !iled +& 2e;"

Bu- s2iled %en&l$ +& &he 2e2!$7 "N# Jd$7 He .+s ne4e! !iled +& $u7 In 1+- he .+s

!iled +& Le2 1! hi&&in3 $u7"Jd$ s+& up s&!+i%h& +nd led in& Le23s 1+-e in .nde!2en&7

Le2 %!inned .!$l$7 "Th+&3s + 1+-&7


31/98

Ch+p&e! Ei%h&een

The -!n .+s sh.in%# %!een +nd be+u&i1ul# in June7 Jd$ s&d lin% p!udl$ +& &he 1ine8b &h+& he3d dne# &hinin% &h+& &his &i2e# n&hin% .uld h+ppen & i&7

He .+s s&+!&led 1!2 his !e4e!ie b$ + sund in &he bushes +& &he ed%e 1 &he -!n1ield7 He

+pp!+-hed -+u&iusl$7 A 1i%u!e de&+-hed i&sel1 1!2 &he bushes +nd !se s&!+i%h& +nd &+ll be1!ehi27

"/li4e!>" Jd$ -!ied# +nd l+un-hed hi2sel1 8$1ull$ +& hi27 /li4e! -+u%h& Jd$ up in his

+!2s +nd s.un% hi27 The$ l+u%hed %lee1ull$ &%e&he!7 /li4e! se& Jd$ b+- n his 1ee +nd led+!und ne!4usl$7 "The2 6!!es&e!s +in3&

.e bes& %i& $u & &he huse7"

Jd$ es-!&ed /li4e! & &he -+bin# +nd &hen .en& in se+!-h 1 his 1+&he!7 The$ hu!!ied b+- &8in /li4e! in &he 2+in !27

"Whe!e3s G!+nd2+;" Jd$ bu!s& e9-i&edl$7 "And T.in;"

"Bs&n#" /li4e! +ns.e!ed h+s&il$7 "I3d n& be 1lish


32/98


33/98

2ee& &he Hu&&s in G!+h+2s4ille +& &he end 1 &he 2n&h7 S &h+& is h. i& h+ppened &h+& &he &.

B+9&e!s se& u& 1! G!+h+2s4ille &he 4e!$ ne9& d+$7

The 2$s&e!$ deepened .hen &he B+9&e!s +nd &he Hu&&s 1und e+-h &he!7 /li4e! +nd his2&he! %!ee&ed &he B+9&e!s sle2nl$# .i&h nne 1 &he !+2bun-&ius 8$ &h+& &he$ h+d -2e &

e9pe-&7 Al&hu%h M!s7 Hu&& hu%%ed Jd$ -lse & he!# &he e2b!+-e see2ed +l2s& u!%en&7

The$ s+& d.n & &+l7 =enn$ led +& /li4e! e9pe-&+n&l$7"I32 s!!$ 1! d!+%%in3 $u0+ll & G!+h+2s4ille#" /li4e! be%+n# "bu& M+ .+s +1ee!ed & %i&

+n$ -lse!7 Yu n.7" He !+ised his e$eb!.s 2e+nin%1ull$7 =enn$ ndded7 /li4e! be%+n +%+in#

"We %& ne.s@7" His 4i-e b!e7 He le+ned + h+nd n his 1!ehe+d# shieldin% his e$es7 He .+ssh+in%7

His 2&he! -n&inued 1! hi2# "The!e .+s + &!+in0.!e- in Bs&n7 E4e!5bd$ n &h+& &!+in

.+s il&7 T.in .+s n i&7"

Au&2+&i-+ll$# =enn$ !e+-hed u& + h+nd +nd l+id i& n /li4e!3s shulde!7 /li4e! -4e!ed i&.i&h his .n# +nd bu!ied his 1+-e +%+ins& =enn$3s +!27

"I32 p.e!1ul s!!$# /li4e!#" =enn$ s+id %!+4el$7

Jd$ s+& in s&unned silen-e7 A 2e2!$ -+2e & hi2 1 1!+%!+n& %lden -u!ls# deep blue e$es#

+nd s1& lips &h+& b!ushed his 1!ehe+d in + %d0b$e iss l+s& Ch!is&2+s# s ln% +%7 He &u!ned +nds&+!ed .ide0e$ed +& M!s7 Hu&&7 She s2iled 1+in&l$ bu& !e+ssu!in%l$ +& hi2# +nd !e+-hed u& +nd

suee,ed his h+nd7A1&e! + .hile# /li4e! -2psed hi2sel1 +nd .en& n# "I34e %i4e up s+il!in37 Hi& .+s 2$

1+ul&7 I11en I3d been h2e@7" He sh his he+d7 "Mebbe Le2 .+s !i%h&7"

Th+& s&+!&led =enn$7 "5Bu& .h+&;""N. &h+& &his h+s h+ppened# I eep !e2e2be!in3 .h+& he dne s+id &h+& s&+!&ed &he 1i%h&7

He 2i%h&+ been !i%h&


34/98


35/98

The$ +ll 1i9ed &hei! e$es n hi2 +%+in# e$eb!.s !+ised7

=enn$ shi1&ed +%+in# +nd &hen +sed# N. &h+& &his h+s h+ppened# .h+& i11en $u .+s & see

/li4e! +%in;DThe 6!!es&e!s led +& ne +n&he!7 Le2 s&+!&ed & sh+e his he+d7

=enn$ h+s&il$ +dded# "I 2e+n# .h+& i11en he .+s & be# .ell# di115!en&? pli&e# hu2ble#

!espe-&1ul# 2ebbe 1!iendl$@;"Le2 %!inned in disbelie17 "/li4e!; Yu iddin3 2e;"

=enn$ pe!sis&ed# "Well# .h+& i1;"

Le2 s&+!ed pene&!+&in%l$# +nd &hen +sed 2e+nin%1ull$# "A!e .e liel$ & see hi2 +%in;""Well# 2ebbe#" =enn$ s+id e4+si4el$7

Le2 sh his he+d h+!d# +nd &hen s+& b+- in his -h+i!7 "I 8es& dn3& n.# =enn$7 Bu& I s&ill

-+in3& see /li4e! +-&in3 pli&e +nd hu2ble & us7"

"I in7" =enn$ ndded7 "I in n.7 He3s + -h+n%ed 2+n7 This h+s -2ple&el$ -h+n%ed hi27 I&hin I in %u+!+n&ee i&7"

"Yu34e seed hi2;" Bu- !+ised his e$eb!.s7

=enn$ hesi&+&ed7 "Yes7"

"=enn$7" Mill0.heel le+ned 1!.+!d# %!innin%# .i&h + d+n%e!us %le+2 in his e$e7 "Is /li4e!+& $u! pl+-e;"

"/h n#" =enn$ !e+ssu!ed hi2 1i!2l$7 "We +in3& &h+& 1lish7 6! hi2 & be &he!e .hils& I52he!e &+lin5 & $u0+ll He .!&e +nd +sed 2e & 2ee& hi2

s2epl+-e# +nd ple+se dn3& +s .he!e &h+& .+s# 1! hi& dn3& 2+&&e! he +in3& &he!e n 2!e nei&he!7

And he +in3& &ld 2e .he!e he3s hidin3 n.7"Bu- %!inned7 "Th+& .+s .ise7 Bu& h. $u %nn+ %i4e hi2 u! +ns.e!;"

"He3ll .!i&e & 2e +%in in + .ee ! &.7"

A!-h spe 1! &he 1i!s& &i2e7 ": he 8es& .+n&+ -2e b+- 1! + 4isi&;"

=enn$ led un-21!&+ble +%+in7 "N7 /li4e! +nd G!+nd2+ .+n&+ -2e h2epe!2+nen&7"

E+-h 2+n s+& up in +2+,e2en& +& &he sh-in% +..+!dness# +ll & +.+!e &h+& &he

dis-21!& h+d &. su!-es? &he -n-ep& 1 h+4in% &he Hu&&s pe!2+nen&l$ p!esen& & de+l .i&h+%+in# +nd &he 1+-& &h+& &hei! h2e .+s li&e!+ll$ %ne# +nd &h+& &he 6!!es&e!s .e!e &he !e+sn7

A1&e! + p!e%n+n& p+use# =+- +sed# "Whe!e &he$ %nn+ li4e;"

=enn$ led 2ise!+ble +nd sui!2ed +%+in# n.in% &h+& he .+s %in% & 2+e e4e!$nee4en 2!e une+s$ .i&h his !epl$7 "Wi&h us#" he blu!&ed7

A %+sp 1 sh- !+n% &h!u%h &he !2 +& h. -lse &h+& 24e .uld pu& &he Hu&&s &

6!!es&e!s3 Isl+nd7

=enn$ h+s&ened & +dd# "N. ple+se &!$ & see &his he!e 1!2 2$ pin& 5 4ie.7 E4ene9-usin3 .h+& I dne &ld $u


36/98

"And 2e#" e-hed Mill0.heel7

"Cun& 2e in#" s+id A!-h7

"Me " s+id =+-7"All !i%h&7" G+bb$ ndded7

"Bu" Bu- -+u&ined# "hi& +in3& u! pinins 2+&&e!s 2s&7 Ain3& u!s & de-ide7" He -+s& +

si%ni1i-+n& l in Le23s di!e-&in7=enn$ d!e. + deep b!e+&h +nd &u!ned & Le27 "Wh+& $u dne 1u%h& 4e! dn3& n ln%e!

e9is&7 He3s +sin3 $u! pe!2issin & -2e h2e &h+&3s %&&+ i2p!ess $u7 I32 +sin3 1! hi27 And

I32 +sin3 1! 2e7 =le+se7DLe2 .+&-hed hi2 1! + 22en& &h+& s&!e&-hed in& +n e&e!ni&$7 Then he +sed suspi-iusl$#

"Yu3d 1i%%e! n -+!!$in3 hi2


37/98

"=+#" Jd$ p!&es&ed7 "Le+4e 2e s&+$ +nd he5p7"

"Jd$3s s&+$in3#" =enn$ -n1i!2ed7 "We 2i%h& need hi27"

/li4e! sh& =enn$ + dis&!essed l7"Whils& .e3!e &+lin3 .i&h 3e2#" =enn$ e2ph+si,ed &es&il$7 "Will $u -+l2 d.n# /li4e!;"

The &. .2en %& in& &he .+%n +nd se& u& 1! &.n7 The 2en s&d in 1!n& 1 &he

-+bin +nd .+&-hed &he2 %7/li4e! &u!ned & =enn$7 "I 2e+n& .h+& I s+id in June7 I11en &he 6!!es&e!s be&!+$ us# $u +nd

Jd$ %i& u&en &he .+$7 I11en I h+4e & die# I +in3& &+in3 $u &. .i&h 2e7"

=enn$ l+id + h+nd n his shulde!7 "Hi&3ll n& -2e & &h+ /li4e!7" He hped &h+& hesunded -n4in-in%7

/li4e! +nd =enn$ b&h he+!d &he h10be+&s +& &he s+2e 22en&7 The$ led +& e+-h &he!7

"I11en 2$ he+!& .+s pundin3 +n$ lude!#" /li4e! s+id sh+il$# "hi&3d d!.n u& &he2 h10

be+&s7""Mebbe $u shuld .+i& inside &he huse#" =enn$ de-ided7 "Jd$ +nd 2e3ll %!ee& 3e2 .hen

&he$ !ide in7 Yu shuldn3& h+4e & 1+-e 3e2 &h+&0+0.+$7"

"Yu dn3& need & &+l 2e in& &h+& ne#" /li4e! s+id# dis+ppe+!in% in& &he -+bin7

Jd$ .+&-hed hi2 %# +nd &hen &u!ned & his 1+&he!7 "=+#" he be%+n7":n3& +s# sn7 I dn3& n. n 2!e3n $u7"

Si9 h!ses %+llped in& &he -le+!in%7 The 6!!es&e!s ndded &hei! %!ee&in%7Bu- +sed# "Is he he!e;"

"Yes#" =enn$ +d2i&&ed# +l2s& !elu-&+n&l$7

The 6!!es&e!s led +& ne +n&he!# &hen dis2un&ed7Mill0.heel .+led s&!+i%h& & =enn$7 "I11en $u .+s +n$ .hi&e!# I3d &hin I .+s &+lin3 & +

%hs&7"

=enn$ s2iled .e+l$ +& hi27

Mill0.heel l+id + h+nd n his shulde!7 "Hi&3ll be +ll !i%h =enn$7""Hi&3ll be +ll !i%h& i11en /li4e! beh+4es hissel1#" de-l+!ed Le27

"/h# he3ll beh+4e hissel1#" =enn$ +ssu!ed hi27 "Yu &hin I32 .hi&e# .+i&3ll $u see hi27"

The 6!!es&e!s %!inned +& e+-h &he!7

/li4e! s+& in &he bi% !2 in &he -h+i! 1+!&hes& 1!2 &he d!# .i&h his elb.s n his nees

+nd his h+nds -l+sped &%e&he! in 1!n& 1 hi2# su11e!in% silen&l$7 He lis&ened & &he -n4e!s+&inu&side# +nd .nde!ed 1! &he hund!ed&h &i2e .he&he! &he 6!!es&e!s .e!e -+p+ble 1 sin-e!i&$ +nd

2e!-$# ! .he&he! &hese 1e. 22en&s n. upn hi2 .e!e his l+s&7 6!2 .h+& he3d he+!d =enn$

s+$ & &he2# &he$ ne. &h+& he .+s +1!+id7 =e!h+ps &h+& .uld help & +!use &hei! pi&$7 /li4e!

-n&inued & s&+!e 1i9edl$ +& his 1lded h+nds +s &he 6!!es&e!s en&e!ed &he !2# ne b$ ne7 Thesunli%h& s&!e+2in% &h!u%h &he d! 2+de &hei! sh+d.s 1+ll +-!ss hi27 He 1el& si9 p+i!s 1 bl+-

e$es upn hi2# bu& he -uldn3& be+! & !+ise his e$es +nd 1+-e &he27 /li4e! -lsed his e$es +nd &

+ deep b!e+&h7 He le& i& u& in sh!& li&&le %+sps7 He shi4e!ed7"Yu !i%h" Mill0.heel s+id7 "He3s .hi&e!7"

/li4e! pened his e$es# bu& he .+s p+!+l$,ed .i&h 1e+! +nd -uldn3& l up +& &he27 A&

le+s& &he 6!!es&e!s .e!e s&+ndin% s&ill# he &!ied & -nsle hi2sel1 n ne h+d 2+de +n$ 24e&.+!d hi27 Wi&h his di!e-& %+,e n his h+nds# he -uld see nl$ &hei! le%s .i&h his pe!iphe!+l

4isin7 He +&&e2p&ed & %+u%e pssible hs&ili&$ 1!2 &hei! s&+n-e7 Bu& +ll &h+& -+2e b+- & hi2

ins&e+d .+s + -!uel !e2inde! 1 h. 2+ssi4e &hese 2en .e!e7 A &!&u!in% 2e2!$ sh& &h!u%h

/li4e! 1 Le2 +nd Bu- +nd Mill0.heel su!!undin% hi2# -2in% +& hi2 1!2 &h!ee di!e-&ins#


38/98


39/98

"Jes& in -+se#" =enn$ +dded 11h+ndedl$# &!$in% & d.npl+$ &he p!e-+u&in7

"Bu& .+s &h+& + indness;" Le2 su%%es&ed s+dis&i-+ll$7 "And &hen &he$ -2e h2e & 1ind

&he &h!ee 5 $u 2+ss+-!ed7"/li4e! .in-ed7 "N7 Jes& 2e7 N& =enn$ +nd Jd$7 N& +%in7 I dne 2+de 3e2 p!2ise &

eep u&en i +nd s&+$ s+1e7 I dn3& .+n& 3e2 hu!&ed +%in n 2$ +--un&7 And I dn3& 1i%%e! $u3d

h+!2 3e2# i11en &he$ dn3& p!4e $u7""Re+ll$;" Le2 s+id .i&h + -h+llen%in% &ne7 "The2 &. s&+$ u&en i& n-e; Hi& dn3& sund

pssible7 Bu& &ell 2e# /li4e!7" He le+ned 1!.+!d in his se+&7 "I11en .e was& s&+!& in n $u7 Wh+&

.uld $u d;


40/98

"I s5pse#" M!s7 Hu&& s+id# e$ein% he!# "$u 1i%%e! I dn3& need & be .e+!in3 l+-e &his 1+n-$#

he!e in &he 2!nin3# +nd us n& %in3 n.he!es7"

/!$ !e+li,ed &h+& she .+s bein% &es&ed7 "Well7 Wh+& $u .e+! is $u! business7 I +in3& %nn+&!$ & &ell $u .h+& & d7 Ne4e! shuld+7 He!e# le& 2e he5p $u .i&h $u! h+i!# G!+nd2+7"

The l+&&e! s2iled +& he! in %!+&i&ude7 "/!$# +in3& i&


41/98

The$ se& u& .i&h + &u2ul + -l+2! 1 b2in% 4i-es -+llin% b+- +nd 1!&h 1!2 &hei!

h!ses7 /li4e! .+s ui-l$ pu& +& e+se# +nd 1ell in& &he .ild spi!i&7

E+!l$ in &he d+$# ne 1 &he 6!!es&e!s slipped + !i1le in& /li4e!3s h+nd +nd su%%es&ed &h+& heb!in% d.n ne dee! 1 &he he!d bein% s&+led7

"I +in3& used & + !i1le#" he s+id dubiusl$7 "I34e nl$ e4e! 1i!ed + !e4l4e!7"

Behind his b+-# &he 6!!es&e!s e9-h+n%ed sli%h& %!ins 4e! &he p!i4+&e 2e2!$ &h+& &h+&-22en& e4ed7

=+&ien&l$# Mill0.heel 24ed & /li4e!3s side# sh.in% hi2 h. & b!+-e &he %un +%+ins& his

shulde! +nd h. & si%h& +ln% i&s b+!!el7 /li4e! did + 1+i! 8b 1 -n-e+lin% &he ne!4usness &h+&&he ne+!ness en%ende!ed7

E+-h 6!!es&e! & up his .n !i1le# +s did &he B+9&e!s7 The b2in% !ep!& 1 s 2+n$

%uns in -n-e!& !e2inded /li4e! 1 &he -!+shin% 1 .+4es +%+ins& + b+& in + s&!2$ se+7 He .+s

%!+&i1ied & see &h+& &he +ni2+l &h+& h+d been +ssi%ned & hi2 h+d indeed 1+llen & his bulle& he.uld su11e! n e2b+!!+ss2en& in 1!n& 1 &hese 2en 1!2 &h+& su!-e7

As ne dee! -+!-+ss .+s slun% +-!ss &he b!+d b+- 1 ld C+es+!# Le2 bse!4ed# "A& le+s&

&his &i2e I3ll n& h+4e & .nde! h. $u -2e b$ &h+& &he!e dee!7"

"And +& le+s& &his &i2e#" =enn$ +%!eed +2i+bl$# "I3ll n& h+4e & 1!e& &h+& $u3ll .nde!7 6!.hen $u .nde! s2e&hin3# $u dn3& +s7 Yu 8es& se& in be+&in3 &he s&+!-h u&en s2ebd$7"

"Well# +& le+s& $u h+d sense "/li4e! led pu,,led# bu& d+!ed n& +s7

"Lie $u &ld Bu- +nd 2e#" Mill0.heel su%%es&ed inn-en&l$ & =enn$# &!$in% n& &

s2ile# "$u3d h+4e & e+& .ild0-+& li4e! & %i& b!+4e


42/98

The 1!2e! s+il! sh!u%%ed sheepishl$7 "I h+d sne+ed b+-# !i%h& uie&0lie# 1! + lee&le

4isi&7 I &hu%h& I .+s bein3 s ee!1ul -2in3 d.n &h!u%h S+n1!d# n& seein3 nbd$ in Vlusi+#

.h 2i%h& &ell $u0+ll I .+s b+-7 And &he!e $u &. -hse &h+& d+$ & 4isi& +nd s-+i!& &he 4e!$de4il u&en 2e7 Yu h+d 2e +1ee!ed &h+& s2eh.# $u h+d dne 1und u& +n$.+$s7D

Bu- +nd Mill0.heel led +& ne +n&he!7

"Well .he!e .+s $u;" Bu- de2+nded7"In Jd$3s !27 Hidin37"

"And p!+$in3#" A!-h uipped7

Bu- sn!&ed7 "Well I be d%%ed7"Mill0.heel s+id# "=i&$ .e +in3& &+ened + lee&le &u! &h+& d+$7"

"Yu 2i%h&+ s&ill n& seed 2e7 I .+s hidin3 %d7"

"Ain3& 2u-h pl+-e & hide in &he!e#" Bu- s+id# +nd &hen he !e+li,ed &he nl$ pssibili&$7 He

s&+!ed# in-!edulus7 "Yu .+s unde! &he bed;"/li4e! sh!u%%ed7 "Whe!e else;"

Mill0.heel s+id# "I3d+ 8es& 1i%%e!ed $u3d be !i%h& inside &he d!# lis&enin37"

"Lie $u .+s in B$les3 S&!e#" Le2 unde!s&+&ed uie&l$7

/li4e!3s e$es %!e. .ide +s he !e+li,ed & .h+& e4en& Le2 !e1e!!ed7 Le2 s2i!ed inen8$2en&7

/li4e! .hispe!ed# "Then $u0+ll &!ul$ n.ed I .+s in &h+& s&!e!27 I .+s nl$ h+l1su!e7"

Mu-h l+&e!# +s &he &he!s slep& b$ &he -+2p1i!e# Jd$ .+s s&ill +.+e +nd %i%%lin% uie&l$4e! &he 8$s 1 &he d+$7 He 1in+ll$ 1ell -21!&+bl$ +sleep# &hinin% &h+& n. &he!e .uld ne4e!

+%+in be +n$ 2!e &!uble be&.een /li4e! +nd &he 6!!es&e!s7

Ch+p&e! T.en&$06u!

"I -+in3& belie4e i" Jd$ 2u&&e!ed 1u!iusl$ & hi2sel1 n &he .+$ h2e 1!2 Vlusi+ in

2id0N4e2be!7 "All I dne .+s % & &.n 1! + 1e. supplies .e needed# +nd l .h+& I32 in&7H. in &his he!e h+4e h+ppened;"

C+!e1ull$# Jd$ 1el& his e$e7 The!e .+s de1ini&e s.ellin%7 I& .uld be bl+- b$ n. 1! su!e7

Bu- 6!!es&e! h+d p!edi-&ed &his7 He h+d s+id &h+& &his .uld h+ppen & Jd$# s2ed+$# n-ehe be%+n -u!&in%7

"Cu!&in37" Jd$ sp+& in dis%us&7 "I +in3& n0.+$s -u!&in37" Al&hu%h he ne. &h+& &he 1+-&s

.uld indi-+&e &he!.ise7 S&ill# i& .+sn3& his 1+ul& &h+& he -uldn3& s&+nd &he b$ .h 1&en !+n &he

1e!!$7 Th+& sill$ b$ ne4e! spe# +nd 2+de Jd$ +-he 1! 6dde!0.in% b$ his 2e!e p!esen-e# b$ &hee9&!e2e -n&!+s& be&.een &he27 6! Jd$# + -2p+!isn .+s ine4i&+ble# sin-e 6dde!0.in% +nd &he

1e!!$ b$ .e!e &he nl$ &. b$s Jd$3s +%e &h+& he h+d e4e! 2e&7 This h+d n&hin% & d .i&h

Eul+lie B$les# he &ld hi2sel1 +n%!il$7 This .+s +bu& 6dde!0.in%7 E4en +s he &hu%h& i Jd$ne. h. !idi-ulus &h+& sunded7 6dde!0.in% +nd &he 1e!!$ b$ h+d ne4e! e4en 2e +nd 6dde!0

.in%3s 2e2!$ -uld ne4e! be sullied b$ +n$&hin% &h+& +n$ne else e4e! did ! didn3& d7 Jd$ &!ied

& &ell hi2sel1 &h+& he didn3& !e+ll$ lie Eul+lie +ll &h+& 2u-h7 He5d 8us& lied &he .+$ &h+& she h+dled# +ll d!essed up# +& &he din5s l+s& Ch!is&2+s7

"in I he5p i& i11en I32 si- 5 seein3 &he2 &. hld h+nds;" he de2+nded u& lud7 "I -uld

le& i& % l+s& Ch!is&2+s &he$ .+s d+n-in37 Bu& &d+$@>"


43/98

Well# .h+& .+s dne .+s dne7 N. &he p!ble2 .+s %in% h2e7 The 2e!e &hu%h& 1

1+-in% =enn$ +nd /li4e! lie &his .+s in&le!+ble7 /!$ .uld !+!e &h+& .+s & be e9pe-&ed7 Bu&

=enn$ +nd /li4e! .uld ne4e! be +ble & !esis& &he pp!&uni&$ & l+u%h +nd &e+se hi27 Espe-i+ll$+1&e! &he .+$ &h+& &he$ h+d &!2en&ed hi2 +bu& Eul+lie be1!e# + $e+! +nd + h+l1 e+!lie!7 M!s7 Hu&&

h+d de1ended hi2 &hen +nd 2+de &he2 s&p7 Jd$ .nde!ed i1 she .uld !ise & his de1ense &his

&i2e7 /li4e! +nd =enn$ .uldn3& be +ble & !esis& &he u!%e & l+u%h e4e!$ &i2e &h+& &he$ led +&hi2# +s ln% +s he led lie &his7 And &h+& -uld &+e d+$s7

"Well#" he !esl4ed# "le+s&.+$s 2$ &!2en&3ll end &he!e7 I3ll su!e n& % see &he 6!!es&e!s

Wh+&777;" =enn$ be%+n7The$ +ll s&+!ed +& hi27 Jd$ 1u%h& & b!e+ 1!ee 1!2 /li4e! +nd Bu-7 He pulled h+!d

+%+ins& Bu-# .h &i%h&ened his %!ip +nd !es&!+ined hi27

"/.> " Jd$ -!ied7"N. s&p i" Bu- s+id7

Jd$ %+4e up s&!u%%lin%# +nd hun% his he+d7

"Well# I3ll be bl+s&ed7" =enn$ spe 1i!s&7 "M$ b$3s dne been in + 1i%h&7"Mill0.heel .en& -lse & Jd$# !e+-hed u +nd & Jd$3s -hin in his h+nd7 He &il&ed &he

b$3s 1+-e up# +nd %!inned hu%el$7

"N7" Jd$ sui!2ed +nd &!ied & pull +.+$ 1!2 hi27


44/98

"N& b+d#" Mill0.heel bse!4ed# s&ill %!innin% +nd hldin% hi2 1i!2l$# "bu& I hpe &he &he!

1elle! ls .!se7"

"He d>" Jd$ s+id s+4+%el$# +nd .!en-hed h+!d# &!$in% +%+in & b!e+ lse7 He 1+iled7"/u-h> =+# &he$3s hu!&in3 2e7"

"Well# s&p 1i%h&in3#D =enn$ s+id uns$2p+&he&i-+ll$7 "See2s & 2e $u dne " Jd$ .hi2pe!ed7 "Yes> Yes# =+7 Hi&3s &!ue7 =le+se>" he be%%ed &he bi% 2en7

Bu- +nd Mill0.heel !el+9ed &hei! hld sli%h&l$7

Jd$ si%hed his !elie17 ":n3& hu!& 2e n 2!e#" he i2pl!ed7

"Then d +s $u3!e &ld#" Bu- .+!ned7"Yes# si!#" Jd$ 2u!2u!ed &i2idl$7

The 2en p!-eeded .i&h ues&ins +bu& .h +nd .h$ +nd .he!e7 Jd$ +ns.e!ed &he2 +llp!2p&l$7 When Eul+lie B$les .+s 2en&ined# =enn$ +nd /li4e! led +& e+-h &he! +nd h+d +

h+!d &i2e eepin% + s&!+i%h& 1+-e7 Bu& &he$ 2+de + 4+li+n& e11! be-+use e4e!$ne .+s &!$in% & be

s&!i-& .i&h &he b$7 When +& l+s& +ll ues&ins .e!e +ns.e!ed# Bu-# Mill0.heel# +nd /li4e! !ele+sedJd$7 He si%hed .i&h !elie1 +nd be%+n & -+l2 d.n + bi&7

He &u!ned & /li4e! +nd %uessed# "I !e-n .hen


45/98


46/98

/li4i+ d!e. b+- ins&in-&i4el$7

Bu- s&+!ed +& he! 2inusl$7 "Mis3 Hu& &h+& +in3& &he .+$ .e 6!!es&e!s d &hin%s .e

s&i- &%e&he!7 N. $u +nd /li4e! n.ed u! -ndi&ins .hen $u -2e b+- he!e7 The$ s&ills&+nd7 I11en /li4e! dn3& s&+!& n&hin3 he3ll be s+1e7 Bu& i11en he d@7" Bu- delibe!+&el$ le1& &he

&hu%h& un1inished7 Wi&h &h+ he &u!ned +nd s&+led u le+4in% he! -!$in% s1&l$7

When /!$ s+. Bu- le+4e &he i&-hen# she .en& in i22edi+&el$# +nd .+sn3& su!p!ised +&.h+& she s+.7 The u&-2e .+s +s she h+d e9pe-&ed7 Wi&hu& + .!d# she pu& he! +!2s +!und

/li4i+ +nd held he!7 When +& l+s& &he$ .e!e -+lled & le+4e# &he$ s&!+i%h&ened &he2sel4es hu!!iedl$7

The 1i!s& h+l1 1 &he e4enin% .+s !el+&i4el$ une4en&1ul# +nd p+ssed ple+s+n&l$ enu%h 1!

2s& 1 &he p+!&i-ip+n&s7 The!e .+s# h.e4e!# + 1+i!l$ b4ius &ensin be&.een /li4i+ +nd Bu- &h+&

2+de =enn$ une+s$7

I& 1in+ll$ h+ppened +bu& h+l1.+$ &h!u%h &he e4enin%7 N ne 1und u& un&il 2u-h l+&e!.h i& .+s .h h+d +-&u+ll$ &ld /li4e!7 Bu& i& didn3& 2+&&e!7

/li4e! !+-ed up & &he %!up 1!2ed b$ his 2&he!# &he B+9&e!s# +nd &he 6!!es&e!s7 He .+s

!ed01+-ed +nd li4id7 He des-ended n /li4i+7 "Yu lied & 2e#" he b!e+&hed7 He &u!ned n &he

6!!es&e!s 1e!-iusl$7 "Yu bu!n& &h+& huse7"The 6!!es&e!s led +& ne +n&he! sle2nl$ +nd d!e. &he2sel4es up 2en+-in%l$7 The$

.+i&ed7/li4e! &u!ned b+- & his 2&he! +nd 1+i!l$ s-!e+2ed# "Yu lied & 2e>"

C+s&in% + 1e+!1ul %l+n-e 4e! he! shulde! +& &he 6!!es&e!s# she +pp!+-hed he! sn

-+!e1ull$7 "I dne i& & p!&e-& $u7 I didn3& .+n& $u shuld %i& $u!sel1 il&7 I s&ill dn3&7 I l4e $u7Yu 2e+n 2!e & 2e &h+n +n$ huse7 =le+se# /li4e!7" She !e+-hed 1! hi27

He &u!ned +.+$# i%n!in% he!7 He 1l+!ed +& =enn$7 "Yu lied & 2e# &7 Yu s+id &he$ +in3&

dne i &7"

"Well# .ell# .ell7" Le2 s&d 4e! =enn$ +nd led d.n +& hi27 "Yu ne4e! lie# eh;""I dne s &h+& &i2e# & s+4e + li1e#" =enn$ +d2i&&ed7 "W+5n3& &h+& + %d " /li4e! bell.ed7 "This +in3& " He %l+!ed +& &he 6!!es&e!s in +

b+!el$0-n&!lled !+%e7The$ .+&-hed hi2 2inusl$# .i&h h+nds n hips# penl$ -h+llen%in% hi2 n. .i&h &hei!

e$es7

Le2 d+!ed /li4e! s1&l$# C2e n7D

Jd$ p+ni-ed +nd pushed be&.een &he27 He 1+-ed /li4e!7 "N# /li4e!# ple+se7 :n3&>"/li4e! led d.n +& Jd$ s+dl$7 "Yu &ld 2e &he &!u&h &h+& ni%h&7 I shuld+ lis&ened7"

Jd$ sh his he+d despe!+&el$7 I32 %l+d $u didn3&7 The$ .+s l+$in3 1! $u7 The$@7" He

%l+n-ed 1e+!1ull$ +& &he 6!!es&e!s# .nde!in% h. &he$ 1el& +bu& hi2 !e4e+lin% .h+& &he$ h+d+d2i&&ed & hi2 p!i4+&el$7 The hs&ili&$ &h+& he s+. in &hei! e$es +s &he$ led b+- silen-ed hi27

/li4e! pushed Jd$ %en&l$ +side# +nd 1+-ed &he 6!!es&e!s7 The$ !e%+!ded hi2 .i&h

d+n%e!us e$es# lie .ild +ni2+ls &hi!s&in% 1! bld7Le2 s&epped -lse!# his e9p!essin h+un&ed7 C2e n>" he &+un&ed s+4+%el$# ludl$ &his

&i2e# his e$es &!$in% & &e2p& /li4e!7 The &+ll blnd -len-hed +nd un-len-hed his 1is&s

sp+s2di-+ll$# +n un!e+snin% 1u!$ li%h&in% his e$es7 Jd$ -!ied u& in &e!!!7 Le23s b!&he!s 24ed

& su!!und /li4e!# -u&&in% hi2 11 1!2 his 2&he! +nd &he B+9&e!s7 The 2en e9-h+n%ed -ldl$


47/98

2u!de!us %l+n-es7 /li4e! & ne s&ep -lse! & Le2# +nd !+ised his 1is&7 The -!ne!s 1 Le23s

2u&h -u!led up.+!d 4i-iusl$ in + -!uel s2ile7 "N. .e h+4e $u#" he .hispe!ed7 His .n 1is&

!se7/li4e! s&+!ed deepl$ in& Le23s bl+- e$es7 Th!u%h &he2# he s+. + 4isin 1 &he u&-2e

&h+& .uld nl$ be 2inu&es +.+$# + 4isin 1 his .n bd$# b!en +nd bleedin% n &he -hu!-h

1l!7 He %+4e + s&!+n%led -!$ +nd lu!-hed b+-.+!d he h+d p!+-&i-+ll$ 1+llen in& Le23s +!2s7Le2 s&+!ed +& hi2# s&unned7 /li4e! d!pped his 1is&7 "N>" he sbbed7 He &u!ned & !un# bu& Le23s

b!&he!s .e!e bl-in% his p+&h# s&ill su!!undin% hi27 /li4e! despe!+&el$ 2e& e+-h 2+n3s e$es7

Wi&h Le2 n. di!e-&l$ behind hi2# he s+. A!-h +nd =+- & his le1 G+bb$ & his !i%h +nd Bu-+nd Mill0.heel di!e-&l$ be&.een hi2 +nd &he -hu!-h d!7 /li4e! se+!-hed &he e$es 1 &he l+s& &.

1! + 2di-u2 1 &he indness &h+& he ne. & be in &hei! he+!&s# bu& 1und nne7 E4en s# he

!e+-hed u& & &he2 besee-hin%l$ +nd be%%ed# "=le+se7" The &. e9-h+n%ed + ln%# -nside!in%

revisiting the yearling

Documents