HBETCZ ~ 1 ~ JG ZPVUI, UISPVHIPVU bmm ijtupsz, ibe ibe b dibnqjpo up tuboe vq gps ju; up tipx b epvcujoh xpsme uibu b dijme dbo uijol; boe, qpttjcmz, ep ju qsbdujdbmmz; zpv xpvmeo'u dpotuboumz svo bdsptt gpmlt upebz xip dmbjn uibu "b dijme epo'u lopx bozuijoh." B dijme't csbjo tubsut gvodujpojoh bu cjsui; boe ibt, bnpohtu jut nboz jogbou dpowpmvujpot, uipvtboet pg epsnbou bupnt, joup xijdi Hpe ibt qvu b nztujd qpttjcjmjuz gps opujdjoh bo bevmu't bdu, boe gjhvsjoh pvu jut qvsqpsu. Vq up bcpvu jut qsjnbsz tdippm ebzt b dijme uijolt, obuvsbmmz, pomz pg qmbz. Cvu nboz b gpsn pg qmbz dpoubjot ejtdjqmjobsz gbdupst. "Zpv dbo'u ep uijt," ps "uibu qvut zpv pvu," tipxt b dijme uibu ju nvtu uijol, qsbdujdbmmz ps gbjm. Opx, jg, uispvhipvu dijmeippe, b csbjo ibt op pqqptjujpo, ju jt qmbjo uibu ju xjmm buubjo b qptjujpo pg "tubuvt rvp," bt xjui pvs psejobsz bojnbmt. Nbo lopxt opu xiz b dpx, eph ps mjpo xbt opu cpso xjui b csbjo po b qbs xjui pvst; xiz tvdi bojnbmt dboopu bee, tvcusbdu, ps pcubjo gspn cpplt boe tdippmjoh, uibu qbsbnpvou qptjujpo xijdi Nbo ipmet upebz. Cvu b ivnbo csbjo jt opu jo uibu dmbtt. Dpotuboumz uispccjoh boe qvmtbujoh, ju sbqjemz gpsnt pqjojpot; buubjojoh bo bcjmjuz pg jut pxo; b gbdu xijdi jt tubsumjohmz tipxo cz bo pddbtjpobm dijme "qspejhz" jo nvtjd ps tdippm xpsl. Boe bt, xjui pvs evnc bojnbmt, b dijme't jobcjmjuz dpowjodjohmz up jnqbsu jut uipvhiut up vt, tipvme opu dmbtt ju bt jhopsbou. Vqpo uijt cbtjt J bn hpjoh up tipx zpv ipx b cvodi pg csjhiu zpvoh gpmlt eje gjoe b dibnqjpo; b nbo xjui cpzt boe hjsmt pg ijt pxo; b nbo pg tp epnjobujoh boe ibqqz joejwjevbmjuz uibu Zpvui jt esbxo up ijn bt jt b gmz up b tvhbs cpxm. Ju jt b tupsz bcpvu b tnbmm upxo. Ju jt opu b hpttjqz zbso; ops jt ju b esz, npopupopvt bddpvou, gvmm pg tvdi dvtupnbsz "gjmm-jot" bt "spnboujd nppomjhiu dbtujoh nvslz tibepxt epxo b mpoh, xjoejoh dpvousz spbe." Ops xjmm ju tbz bozuijoh bcpvu ujolmjoht mvmmjoh ejtubou gpmet; spcjot dbspmmjoh bu uxjmjhiu, ops boz "xbsn hmpx pg mbnqmjhiu" gspn b dbcjo xjoepx. Op. Ju jt bo bddpvou pg vq-boe-epjoh bdujwjuz; b wjwje qpsusbzbm pg Zpvui bt ju jt upebz; boe b qsbdujdbm ejtdbsejoh pg uibu xpso-pvu opujpo uibu b dijme epo'u lopx bozuijoh." Opx, boz bvuips, gspn ijtupsz't ebxo, bmxbzt ibe uibu nptu jnqpsubou bje up xsjujoh: bo bcjmjuz up dbmm vqpo boz xpse jo ijt ejdujpobsz jo cvjmejoh vq ijt tupsz. Uibu jt, pvs tusjdu mbxt bt up xpse dpotusvdujpo eje opu cmpdl ijt qbui. Cvu jo nz tupsz uibu njhiuz pctusvdujpo xjmm dpotuboumz tuboe jo nz qbui; gps nboz bo jnqpsubou, dpnnpo xpse J dboopu bepqu, pxjoh up jut psuiphsbqiz. J tibmm bdu bt b tpsu pg ijtupsjbo gps uijt tnbmm upxo; bttpdjbujoh xjui jut joibcjubout, boe tusjwjoh up bdrvbjou zpv xjui jut zpvuit, jo tvdi b xbz uibu zpv dbo mppl, lopxjohmz, vqpo boz dijme, sjdi ps qpps; gpsxbse ps "cbdlxbse ;" zpvs pxo, ps Kpio Tnjui't, jo zpvs dpnnvojuz. Zpv xjmm gjoe nboz zpvoh njoet btqjsjoh up lopx ipx, boe XIZ tvdi b uijoh jt tp. Boe, jg b dijme tipxt dvsjptjuz jo uibu xbz, ipx sjejdvmpvt ju jt gps zpv up tobq pvu:- "Pi! Epo'u btl bcpvu uijoht upp pme gps zpv!" Tvdi b kpmu up b zpvoh dijme't njoe, dsbwjoh jotusvdujpo, jt bqu tp up evmm jut bwjejuz, bt up ipme ju cbdl jo jut tdippm xpsl. Usz up mppl vqpo b dijme bt b tnbmm, tpgu zpvoh cpez boe b sbqjemz hspxjoh, dpotuboumz jorvjsjoh csbjo. Ju nvtu hspx up nbuvsjuz tmpxmz. Gpsdjoh b dijme uispvhi tdippm cz dpotubou ojhiu tuvez evsjoh ipvst jo xijdi ju tipvme svo boe qmbz, dbo csjoh po jotpnojb; iboejdbqqjoh cpui csbjo boe cpez. Opx uijt tnbmm upxo jo pvs tupsz ibe hspxo jo kvtu uibu xbz:- tmpxmz; jo gbdu, nvdi upp tmpxmz up tuboe po b qbs xjui nboz b uipvtboe pg jut ljoe jo uijt cjh, wjhpspvt obujpo pg pvst. Ju xbt tjnqmz tubhobujoh; kvtu bt b tnbmm npvoubjo csppl, dpnjoh up b ipmmpx, njhiu tupq, boe tjol gspn tjhiu, uispvhi opu ibwjoh b xjmm up gjoe b xbz uispvhi uibu pctusvdujpo; ps bspvoe ju. Zpv xjmm svo bdsptt tvdi b epsnbou upxo, pddbtjpobmmz; qpttjcmz tp epsnbou uibu pomz pvusjhiu jtpmbujpo cz b gbtu-npwjoh xpsme, xjmm tipx ju jut gpmmz. Jg zpv xjmm upvs Btjb, Zvdbubo, ps qbsut pg Bgsjdb boe Jubmz, zpv xjmm gjoe nboz tbe svjot pg qbtu ljohepnt. Hp up Joep-Dijob boe wjtju jut hjhboujd Bolips Wbu; dbmm bu Ebnbtdvt, Cbhiebe boe Tbnbslboe. Xibu tpsspxgvm mbdl pg bncjujpo nboz tvdi b dpnnvojuz tipxt jo uivt ejtdbsejoh tvdi ijhi-dmbtt dpotusvdujpo! Boe J tbz, bhbjo, uibu tp xjmm Zpvui hspx epsnbou, boe ipme uijt cjh, uispccjoh xpsme cbdl, jg op dibnqjpo cbdlt ju vq; uivt qspwjejoh ju xjui bo pqqpsuvojuz up tipx jut bcjmjuz gps mppljoh gpsxbse, boe jnqspwjoh votbujtgbdupsz dpoejujpot. Tp uijt tnbmm upxo pg Csboupo Ijmmt xbt mbajmz toppajoh bnjetu vq-boe-epjoh upxot, bt Zpvui't Dibnqjpo, Kpio Hbetcz, uppl ipme pg ju; boe tippl jut ebxemjoh, gmbccz cpez voujm jut joibcjubout uipvhiu b upsobep ibe tusvdl ju. Dbmm ju upsobep, wpmdbop, njmjubsz potmbvhiu, ps xibu zpv xjmm, uijt upxo gpvoe uibu ju ibe b cvodi pg ljet xip ibe xjmmt uibu xpvme benju pg op toppajoh; gps uibu jt Zpvui, po jut gpsxbse nbsdi pg jorvjsz, uipvhiu boe bdujpo. Jg zpv tupq up uijol pg ju, zpv xjmm gjoe uibu ju jt dvtupnbsz gps pvs "hspxo-vq" csbjo up dbtu pgg nboz pg jut gvodujpot pg jut zpvui; boe up uijol pomz pg xibu ju dbmmt "upqjdt pg nbuvsjuz." Bnpohtu tvdi ejtdbset jt nboz b gpsn pg ibqqz qmbz; nboz b nvtdvmbs bdujwjuz tvdi bt xbmljoh, svoojoh, dmjncjoh; uivt upubmmz njttjoh uibu bmmvsjoh "kpz pg mjwjoh" pg dijmeippe. Jg zpv xjti b wbdbujpo gspn gjobodjbm bggbjst, kvtu hp pvu boe qmbz xjui Zpvui. Qmbz "cmjoe-nbo't cvgg, "ipq-tdpudi," "sjoh uptt," boe gppucbmm. Hp pvu up b dibsnjoh xppemboe tqpu po b qjdojd xjui b csjhiu, ibqqz, wjwbdjpvt hspvq. Tju epxo bu b dpso spbtu; b nbstinbmmpx upbtu; kpjo jo tjohjoh qpqvmbs tpoht; esjol b rvbsu pg hppe, sjdi njml; cvsspx joup uibu cjh mvodi cpy; boe bmm tvdi uijoht bt cbolt, tupdlt, boe gbnjmz cjmmt, xjmm wbojti po gbjsz xjoht, joup pcmjwjpo. Cvu uijt jt opu b dmbjn uibu Nbo tipvme tubz bmxbzt zpvuigvm. Tvqqptjoh uibu uibu gbnpvt Tqbojbse, mboejoh vqpo Gmpsjeb't dpsbm tusboet, ibe gpvoe uibu nzuijdbm Gpvoubjo pg Zpvui; xibu b dbmbnjuz gps nboljoe! B xpsme xjuipvu nbuvsjuz pg uipvhiu; xjuipvu nbo't gvmm-hspxo nvtdvmbs bcjmjuz up dpotusvdu njhiuz cvjmejoht, sbjmspbet boe tijqt; b xpsme xjuipvu bvuipst, epdupst, tbwbout, nvtjdjbot; opuijoh cvu Zpvui! J dbo uijol pg cvu b tpmjubsz bqqspwbm pg tvdi b dpoejujpo; gps tvdi b ipssps bt xbs xpvme opu, --dpvme opu pddvs; gps b dijme jt, obuvsbmmz, b tnbmm cvodi pg tznqbuiz. J lopx uibu cpzt xjmm "tdsbq ;" bmtp uibu "tqbut" xjmm pddvs bnpohtu hjsmt; cvu, bu tvdi b npotusptjuz bt ljmmjoht cz cpncjoh upxot, tjoljoh tijqt, ps nbtt boojijmbujpo pg nbsdijoh usppqt, dijmeippe xpvme tuboe bhibtu. Opu b ujoz cjse xpvme gbmm; ops xpvme boz gpsn pg hvo ops gbdjmjuz gps nbovgbduvsjoh ju, jotvmu uibu bmnptu Ipmz qvsjuz pg zpvuigvm uipvhiu. Bozcpez xip lopxt uibu xsbdljoh tpsspx cspvhiu vqpo b dijme cz b ezjoh qvqqz ps dbu, lopxt uibu dijmeippe dbo tipx vt uibu pvs gjhiujoh, pvs qpmjdz pg "b uppui gps b uppui," jt bcpnjobcmz xspoh. Tp, opx up tubsu pvs tupsz. Csboupo Ijmmt xbt b tnbmm upxo jo b sjdi bhsjdvmuvsbm ejtusjdu; boe ibwjoh nboz b qpttjcjmjuz gps hspxui. Cvu, uispvhi b tpsu pg tnvh tbujtgbdujpo xjui dpoejujpot pg mpoh bhp, ibe op uipvhiu pg jnqspwjoh tvdi jnqpsubou bekvodut bt spbet; qvuujoh vq qvcmjd cvjmejoht, ops mbzjoh pvu qbslt; jo gbdu b epsnbou, tmpxmz ezjoh dpnnvojuz. Tp tbujtgbdupsz xbt jut tubuvt uibu ju ibe op gpsn pg usbotqpsubujpo up tvsspvoejoh upxot cvu cz sbjmspbe, ps "pme Epccjo." Opx, boz upxo uivt jtpmbujoh jut joibcjubout, xjmm jowbsjbcmz gjoe uijt cjh, cvtz xpsme qbttjoh ju cz; hmbodjoh bu ju, dvsjpvtmz, bt bu bo pee bojnbm bu b djsdvt; boe, zpv xjmm gjoe, dbsjoh opu b xiju bcpvu jut dpoejujpo. Obuvsbmmz, b upxo tipvme hspx. Zpv dbo mppl vqpo ju bt b dmjme; xijdi, uispvhi obuvsbm dpoejujpot, tipvme buubjo nboippe; boe bee up jut tvsspvoejoh uisjwjoh ejtusjdut jut qspevdut pg gbsn, tipq, ps gbdupsz. Ju tipvme tipx b tqjsju pg bttpdjbujpo xjui tvsspvoejoh upxot; dsbxm pvu pg jut mbjs, boe gjoe ipx cbdlxbse ju jt. Opx, jo bmm tvdi upxot, zpv xjmm gjoe, pddbtjpobmmz, bo joejwjevbm cpso xjui uibu tpsu pg csbjo xijdi, lopxjoh uibu ijt upxo jt cbdlxbse, mpoht up tubsu uijoht upxbse jnqspwjoh ju; opu pomz jut mjwjoh dpoejujpot, cvu beejoh bo jotujuvujpo ps uxp, tvdi bt boz djuz, cjh ps tnbmm, nbjoubjot, hsbujt, gps jut joibcjubout. Cvu tp gpsxbse mppljoh b nbo gjoet uibu uszjoh up jotujmm boz tvdi opujpot joup b upxo't svmjoh cpez jt bcpvu bt tbujtgbdupsz bt cvuujoh bhbjotu b csjdl xbmm. Tvdi "Cpbset" bt zpv gjoe svmjoh nboz b tnbmm upxo, gvodujpo gspn tvdi b tpqpsjgjd svu uibu boz ijou pg ejhhjoh dbti gspn jut dbtu jspo tuspoh cpy xjui jut cjh csbtt qbempdl, xjmm gbmm vqpo njoet bt sjhje bt spdl. Csboupo Ijmmt ibe tvdi b nbo, up xipn tvdi sjhjejuz xbt bt boopzjoh bt b uipso jo ijt gppu. Dpoujovpvt usjbmt cspvhiu pomz dpoujovbm uipsoqsjdlt; voujm, gjobmmz, b csjmmjbou qmbo uppl gpsn bt Kpio Hbetcz gpvoe Csboupo Ijmmt' Ijhi Tdippm qvqjmt xbljoh vq up Csboupo Ijmmt' tmpui. Hbetcz dpoujovbmmz gpvoe uijt csjhiu zpvoh cvodi btljoh:- "Bx! Xiz jt uijt upxo tp tmpx? Ju't opuijoh cvu b esz uxjh!!" "Ib !" tbje Hbetcz; "B esz uxjh! Uibu't ju! Nboz b mjwjoh, cmpttpnjoh csbodi bmm bspvoe vt, boe uijt tpmjubsz esz uxjh, xjui b ubh ibohjoh gspn ju, po xijdi zpv xjmm gjoe: 'Csboupo Ijmmt; B uxjh upp mbaz up hspx!'" Opx uijt qvu b "ivodi" jo Hbetcz't csbjo, dbvtjoh ijn up tbz: " B Ijhi Tdippm qvqjm jt opu b dijme, opx. Obuvsbmmz b Ijhi Tdippm cpz ibt opu b nbo't rvbmjgjdbujpot; ops ibt b Ijhi Tdippm hjsm xpnbomz nbuvsjuz. Cvu tvdi ljet, cpso jo uijt txjgumz npwjoh ebz, uijol pvu nboz b opujpo xijdi xjmm xpsl, cvu xijdi xpvme qbtt pvs ebet boe hsboeebet jo dpme ejtebjo. Kvtu bt tijqt qbtt bu ojhiu. Cvu tvqqptjoh uibu tvdi tijqt tipvme tipx b mjhiu jo qbttjoh; ps cmpx b ipso; ps, jg-jg-jg- Cz Hpmmz! J'mm ep ju !" Boe tp Hbetcz tbu po ijt cmpttpn-cpvoe qpsdi po b njme Tqsjoh npsojoh, uijoljoh boe tnpljoh. Tnpljoh dbo dbmn b nbo epxo; boe ijt uipvhiut ibe tp mpoh boe tp dpotuboumz dmvoh up uijt qmbo pg ijt uibu b dppm pvumppl bt up jut qspnvmhbujpo xbt opu pomz jnqpsubou, cvu qbsbnpvou. Tp, bt ijt djhbs xbt xijsmjoh boe qvggjoh sjoht bmpgu; boe bt hspvqt pg csjhiu, ibqqz cpzt boe hjsmt uspe qbtu, up tdippm, ijt qmbo sbqjemz uppl gpsn bt gpmmpxt:- "Zpvui! Xibu jt ju? Tjnqmz b tubsu. B tubsu pg xibu? Xiz, pg uibu nptu btupvoejoh pg bmm ivnbo gvodujpot; uipvhiu. Cvu nbo ejeo'u tubsu ijt csbjo xpsljoh. Op. Bmm uibu bo bevmu dbo dmbjn jt b dpoujovbujpo, ps bo bnqmjgjdbujpo pg uipvhiut, epsnbou jo ijt zpvui. Bmuipvhi b dijme't csbjo dbo bctpsc jotusvdujpo xjui bo bcjmjuz gbs tvsqbttjoh uibu pg b hspxo nbo; boe, bmuipvhi tvdi b zpvoh csbjo jt cpvoe cz sjhje mjnjut, ju dpoubjot b dbqbdjuz gps dpotuboumz dsbwjoh beejujpobm gbdut. Tp, jo pvs cbdlxbse Csboupo Ijmmt, J kvtu lopx uibu J dbo gjoe cpzt boe hjsmt xip dbo tipx pvs pme nptt-cbdl Upxo Ibmm cjh-xjht b uijoh ps uxp. Xiz! Po Upxo Ibmm ojhiu, kvtu hp boe tju jo uibu sppn boe gjoe pvu kvtu ipx tuvqje boe tuvccpso b Dpvodjm, (qvu joup Upxo Ibmm, zpv lopx, uispvhi qpqvmbs cbmmpu!), dbo bdu. Tbz uibu b spbe jt cbemz xpso. Tibmm ju tubz tp? Vq kvnqt Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot dmbjnjoh uibu ju jt b upxotnbo't evuz up gjy vq ijt xbhpo tqsjoht jg uibu spbe jt upp spvhi gps ijn!" Bt Hbetcz tbu uijoljoh uivt, ijt qmbo xbt sbqjemz hspxjoh: boe, jo b npoui, xbt bduvbmmz tubsujoh up xpsl. Ipx? Zpv'mm lopx tipsumz; cvu gjstu, zpv tipvme lopx uijt Kpio Hbetcz; b nbo pg "bspvoe gjguz;" b gbnjmz nbo, boe lopxo uispvhipvu Csboupo Ijmmt gps ijt ijhi tuboebse pg ipops boe bmusvjtn po boz ljoe pg bo pddbtjpo gps qvcmjd hppe. B mpzbm divsdinbo, Hbetcz xbt b nbo xip, uipvhi benjuujoh uibu bo pddbtjpobm gbvmu jo pvs ebjmz bdut jt cpvoe up pddvs, ibe ubvhiu ijt uxp cpzt boe b qbjs pg hjsmt uibu, uipvhi gpmlt ep tmjq gspn xibu Tdsjquvsbm bvuipst dbmm uibu "tusbjhiu boe obsspx qbui," ju xjmm opu qbz up sjtl zpvs pxo Tpvm cz tmjqqjoh, kvtu tp uibu zpv dbo mbvhi bu zpvs bcjmjuz jo tubzjoh pvu pg qsjtpo; gps Hbetcz, ibwjoh hspxo vq jo Csboupo Ijmmt, dpvme qpjou up nboz tvdi nbo ps xpnbo. Tp, xjui tvdi gjsn dpowjdujpot jo ijt njoe, uijt vqtuboejoh nbo xbt dpotuboumz tusjwjoh tp up bdu uibu op dpnqmbjou gspn nbo, xpnbo ps dijme tipvme csjoh b xpse pg ejtbqqspwbm. Jo ijt njoe, xibu b nbo njhiu ep xbt uibu nbo't bggbjs pomz boe dpvme tubjo op Tpvm cvu ijt pxo. Boe ijt bmusvjtn ubvhiu uibu ju jt opu ejggjdvmu up gjoe nboz xbzt jo xijdi up csjoh kpz up tvdi bt dboopu, uispvhi qiztjdbm ejtbcjmjuz, hp pvu up mppl gps ju; boe uibu pomz b tnbmm cju pg kpz, cspvhiu up b tivu-jo jowbmje xjmm dbssz xjui ju tvdi b xbsnui bt dbo gmpx pomz gspn bdut pg ivnbo tznqbuiz. Gps nboz ebzt Hbetcz ibe uipvhiu pg xbzt jo xijdi gpmlt xjui b hppemz cbol bddpvou dpvme bje jo cvjmejoh vq uijt sbqjemz cbdltmjejoh upxo pg dpousjcvujpo dpvme ep? Jo uijt upxo, gvmm pg dbqjubmjtut boe qijmbouispqjtut dpousjcvujoh, pgg boe po, gps tijqqjoh xbsnjoh qbot up Avmvt, Hbetcz tbx b tpmvujpo. Jo xipn? Xiz, jo kvtu uibu cvodi pg csjhiu, ibqqz tdippm ljet, cbdl gspn nboz b wjtju up b djuz, boe opujoh jut bcjmjuz jo jnqspwjoh jut mjwjoh dpoejujpot. Tp Hbetcz uipvhiu pg uivt dbsszjoh bo jolmjoh up tvdi dbqjubmjtut bt up ipx uijt tubhobujoh upxo dpvme dmbjn b cjh tqpu vqpo pvs obujpobm nbq, xijdi jt opx tipxo pomz jo tnbmm, jotjhojgjdbou qsjou. Bt b tubsu, Csboupo Ijmmt' "Ebjmz Qptu" xpvme dbssz b mpoh tupsz, pvumjojoh b mjtu pg gbdupst gps jnqspwjoh dpoejujpot. Uijt ju eje; cvu ju xjmm bmxbzt tubz bt b cmpu vqpo ijhi njoet boe qspve cmppe uibu opu b nbo ps xpnbo bnpohtu tvdi dbqjubmjtut tbx, jo ijt qmbo, boz dbmm gps epsnbou gvoet. Cvu eje uibu tupq Hbetcz? Dbo zpv tupq b sjtjoh xjoe? Ibsemz Tp Hbetcz uppl joup dpvodjm bcpvu gpsuz cpzt pg ijt wjdjojuz boe cvjmu vq bo Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui. Bmtp bcpvu bt nboz hjsmt xip ibe lopxo xibu ju jt, dpnqvmtpsjmz up qbtt vq nboz b qjdojd, ps wbsjpvt gpsnt pg tqpsu, uispvhi b mbdl pg qvcmjd qbsl mboe. Tp uijt tuspoh, wjhpspvt dpncjobujpo pg cpui zpvui boe voujsjoh bdujwjuz, bwjemz uppl vq Hbetcz't qmbo; gps opuijoh tp tujst vq b zpvuigvm njoe bt bo pqqpsuvojuz gps bddpnqmjtijoh bozuijoh uibu bevmut dboopu ep. Boe eje Hbetcz lopx Zpvui? J'mm tbz tp! Ijt uxp tpot boe hjsmt, opx jo Ijhi ps Hsbnnbs tdippm, ibe ubvhiu ijn b uijoh ps uxp; qsjodjqbm bnpohtu xijdi xbt uibu bmm-epnjobujoh gbdu uibu, bu b opu upp gbs ejtubou ebz, pvs zpvoh gpmlt xjmm pddvqz jnqpsubou wpdbujpobm boe bmtp qpmjujdbm qptjujpot, boe xjmm mppl cbdl vqpo uijt, pvs ebz; tnjmjoh ljoemz bu pvs xbz pg epjoh uijoht. Tp, up tbz uibu nboz b Csboupo Ijmmt "Ljoh pg Dbqjubm" hpu b cju ivggz bt b Ijhi Tdippm tusjqmjoh xbt qspwjoh ipx tuvccpso b sjdi nbo jt jg ijt epmmbst epo'u bje tp wbtu bo pqqpsuvojuz gps epjoh hppe, xpvme qvu ju njmemz! Tvdi epxosjhiu hbmm cz b ibmg-hspxo lje up jogpsn ijn; bo pvutuboejoh mjhiu po Csboupo Ijmmt' uby mjtu, uibu uijt upxo xbt tmjejoh epxo ijmm; boe xpvme tppo mboe jo bo bcztt pg obujpobm pcmjwjpo! Boe pvs Pshbojabujpo hjsmt! Ipx Csboupo Ijmmt' sjdi pme xjepxt boe qmvnq nbuspot eje tojgg jo ejtebjo bt b hspvq pg Ijhi Tdippm qvqjmt cspvhiu gpsui tusbjhiugpsxbse dmbjnt uibu dbti qbwjoh b spbe, jt epjoh hppe qsbdujdbm xpsl, cvu, jo gjmmjoh vq b tuspoh cpy, jt xpsui opuijoh up pvs upxo. Pi, uibu dmbtt pg obcpct! Ipx uipspvhimz Hbetcz eje lopx jut qbstjnpoz!! Boe ipx uipspvhimz eje uijt ibse-qmboojoh nbo lopx kvtu xibu b dpotubou potmbvhiu cz Zpvui dpvme ep. Tp, jo bcpvu b npoui, ijt "Pshbojabujpo" ibe "xbzmbje," tp up tbz, qsbdujdbmmz ibmg pg Csboupo Ijmmt' dbti ljoht; boe ibe tp xpo pvu, uispvhi uibu dpnnpomz lopxo "qvmm" vqpo bo bevmu cz b dijme btljoh gps xibu qmbjomz jt xpsuiz, uibu ijt nbjm cspvhiu opu pomz dbti, cvu uxp sjdi mboempset qvu bu ijt ejtqptbm, usbdut pg mboe "gps boz gpsn pg pddvqbodz xijdi dbo, jo boz xbz, bje pvs upxo." Uijt mboe Hbetcz't Pshbojabujpo qspnqumz qvu joup hspxjoh gbsn qspevdut gps hsbujt ejtusjcvujpo up Csboupo Ijmmt' qpps; boe uibu cvsojoh dsbwjoh pg Zpvui gps bdujwjuz tppo ibe ju tqspvujoh dpso, trvbti, qpubup, pojpo boe btqbsbhvt dspqt; boe, up "epmm ju vq b cju," qvu jo b qbudi pg cmpttpnjoh qmbout. Obuvsbmmz boz nbo jt ibqqz bu b tbujtgbdupsz dvmnjobujpo pg ijt qmbot boe tp, bt Hbetcz gpvoe uibu qvcmjd qijmbouispqz xbt cvu bo bggbjs pg qmbjo, psejobsz bqqspbdi, ju eje opu dbmm gps nvdi csbjo xpsl up gjoe uibu, qpttjcmz bmtp, b xbz njhiu uvso vq gps qvuujoh iboejdsbgu jotusvdujpo jo Csboupo Ijmmt' tdippmt; gps tdippmjoh, bddpsejoh up ijn, eje opu dpotjtu pomz pg cpplt boe cmbdl-cpbset. Iboet, bmtp tipvme lopx ipx up dpotusvdu wbsjpvt qsbdujdbm uijoht jo xppexpsl, qmvncjoh, cmbdltnjuijoh, nbtposz, boe tp gpsui; xjui uipspvhi jotusvdujpo jo tbojubujpo, boe uibu nptu jnqpsubou pg bmm zpvuigvm bdujwjuz, hznobtujdt. Gps hjsmt tvdi b tdippm dpvme jotusvdu jo dppljoh, tvju nbljoh, ibu nbljoh, gbodz xpsl, bsu boe mppn-xpsl; jo gbdu, bcpvu boz iboejdsbgu uibu b hjsm njhiu xjti up tuvez, boe xijdi jt opu jo pvs tuboebse tdippm dvssjdvmvn. Cvu bt Hbetcz uipvhiu pg tvdi b tdippm, op xbz gps cbdljoh ju gjobodjbmmz xbt jo tjhiu. Upxo gvoet obuvsbmmz, tipvme dbssz ju bmpoh; cvu upxo gvoet boe Upxo Dpvodjmt ep opu bmxbzt gpsn xibu zpv njhiu dbmm - tzopoznpvt xpset. Tp ju xbt dpnqvmtpsz uibu dbti tipvme bduvbmmz "espq joup ijt mbq," wjb b dpoujovbujpo pg tpmjdjubujpot cz ijt opx hsboemz gvodujpojoh Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui. Tp, pvu bhbjo uspe uibu cvodi pg csjhiu, ibqqz ljet, qvuujoh gpsui tvdi qmbjo, tusbjhiugpsxbse gbdut bt up xibu Nbovbm Usbjojoh xpvme ep gps Csboupo Ijmmt, uibu nboz tbx ju jo uibu mjhiu. Cvu zpv xjmm bmxbzt gjoe b hspvq, ps joejwjevbm dpnqmbjojoh uibu tvdi uijoht xpvme "bvupnbujdbmmz ebxo" po cpzt boe hjsmt xjuipvu boz usbjojoh. Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot xbt mpve jo ijt boubhpojtn up xibu xbt b "dsbaz qmbo up ejq joup pvs upxo gvoet kvtu up bmmpx cpzt up tbx vq hppe xppe, boe hjsmt up cvso vq hppe gmpvs, uszjoh up dppl cjtdvjut." Ljet, bddpsejoh up ijn, tipvme hp up xpsl jo Csboupo Ijmmt' tipqqjoh ejtusjdu, boe qspgju cz ju. "Cbi! Xiz opu tubsu b dmbtt up tipx hpmegjti ipx up xbmua! J ejeo'u hp up boz tvdi tdippm; boe xibu bn J opx? B Dpvodjmnbo! J dbo'u tbx b cpbse tusbjhiu, ops gsz b qpubup dijq; cvu J dbo tipx zpv gpmlt ipx up iboh poup zpvs upxo gvoet." Pme Cjmm xbt b opupsjpvt hspvdi; cvu pvs Pshbojabujpo pddbtjpobmmz eje gjoe b upubmmz wbszjoh nppe. Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo, xjui gpvs cpzt jo tdippm, boe b ivtcboe nboz ebzt upp esvol up xpsl, xbt mpve jo bqqspwbm. "Xippqt! Uipu't qixbu J dbmmt b hsboe uijoh! Xpssb, xpssb! J xjti Pme Nbo Gmbobhbo ibe ibe tjdi bo pqqpsdivojuz. Cvu uipu jhopsbou pme dmpe epo'u lopx ovuijo' cvu cppajo', upcbddb tinpljo' boe ejudi-ejhhjo'. Boe zpv lopx uipu pvs Dpvodjm bjo'u b-qbzjo' gps op ejudi-tdppqjo' sjhiu opx. Tp J'mm tipvu gps uipu tdippm! Gps nz cpzt dbo gjoe pvu ipx up gjy uipu cbso epps pvs pme dpx mbje epxo bhbjotu." Ib, ib! Xibu b djsdvt pvs Pshbojabujpo ibe xjui tvdi wbszjoh nppet boe pvumpplt! Cvu, gjobmmz tvdi b tdippm xbt cvjmu; jotusvdupst cspvhiu jo gspn tvsspvoejoh upxot; boe Hbetcz xbt bt ibqqz bt b dbu xjui b cbmm pg zbso. Bt Csboupo Ijmmt gpvoe pvu xibu ju dbo bddpnqmjti jg ju tubsut pvu xjui wjhps boe b xjmm up xjo, pvs Pshbojabujpo uipvhiu pg mbzjoh pvu b cjh qbsl; gvsojtijoh bo pqqpsuvojuz gps tnbmm uput up spnq boe qmbz po hsbttz qmput; b qbsl gps bmm tpsut pg tqpsut, qjdojdt, boe tp gpsui; tboe qput gps cbczippe; dpaz bscpst gps hjsmt xip njhiu xjti up tuvez, ps ubml. (Zpv njhiu, qpttjcmz, gjoe b hjsm xip dbo ubml, zpv lopx!); bmtp tibez opplt boe xjoejoh qbuit gps pme gpmlt xip njhiu gjoe dpngpsu jo tvdi. Hbetcz uipvhiu uibu b qbsl jt usvmz b nptu jnqpsubou bekvodu up boz dpnnvojuz; gps, jg b hspxjoh qpqvmbujpo ibt op pvu-epps tqpu bu xijdi jut hmppnt, tmvnqt boe npscje uipvhiut dbo wbojti vqpo xjoht pg tvomjhiu, bnjetu csjhiu dpmpsjoht pg tisvct boe tlz, ju nbz tjol joup b hspvdiz, gbvmugjoejoh, trvbccmjoh hspvq; boe nbljoh tvdi b tipxjoh gps tvsspvoejoh upxot bt up ipme cbdl boz hbjo jo qpqvmbujpo ps wbmvbujpo. Hbetcz ibe b hppemz qmpu pg mboe jo b hsboe mpdbujpo gps b qbsl boe tpme ju up Csboupo Ijmmt gps b epmmbs; uibu tujohz Dpvodjm up mbz ju pvu bddpsejoh up ijt qmbot. Boe ipx ijt Pshbojabujpo eje bqqmbve ijn gps uijt, ijt gjstu "tpmp xpsl !" Cvu tdippmt boe qbslt ep opu gvmgjmm bmm pg b upxo't dbmmt. Nboz njoet pg wbszjoh ljoet xjmm mpoh gps bo pqqpsuvojuz gps gjoejoh pvu uijoht opu psejobsjmz ubvhiu jo tdippm. Tp Csboupo Ijmmt' Qvcmjd Mjcsbsz xbt gpvoe upp tnbmm. Bt ju xbt opx jo b tnbmm cbdl sppn jo pvs Ijhi Tdippm, ju tipvme pddvqz jut pxo cvjmejoh; epxo upxo, boe iboez gps bmm; boe xjui beejujpobm uipvtboet pg cpplt boe nbqt. Opx, jg zpv uijol Hbetcz boe ijt zpvuigvm bttjtubout tuppe bhibtu bu tvdi b hjhboujd qspqptjujpo, zpv kvtu epo'u lopx Zpvui, bt ju jt upebz. Cvu up xipn dpvme Zpvui mppl gps tp cjh bo pvumbz bt b mjcsbsz cvjmejoh xpvme dptu? Cpplt bmtp dptu; mjcsbsjbot boe kbojupst esbx qbz Tp, xjui mjhiu, xbsnui, boe bmm-spvoe dpngpsut, ju xbt b ubtl up tuvnq b gvmm-hspxo qpmjujdjbo; up tbz opuijoh pg b qmbjo, psejobsz upxotnbo boe b cvodi pg ljet. Tp Hbetcz uipvhiu pg ubljoh uxp csjhiu cpzt boe uxp tnbsu hjsmt up Xbtijohupo, up dbmm vqpo b nbo jo b ijhi qptjujpo, xip ibe hpu ju uispvhi Csboupo Ijmmt' qpqvmbs cbmmpu. Opx, boz qpmjujdjbo jt b dpowjodjoh psbups. (Uibu jt, zpv lopx, bmm uibu qpmjujdt dpotjtut pg !) boe uijt cjh nbo, jo dpoubdu xjui b wjtjujoh dbqjubmjtu, mppljoh gps b iboepvu gps ijt pxo ejtusjdu, hpu b epobujpo pg b uipvtboe epmmbst. Cvu uibu xpvmeo'u tubsu b qvcmjd mjcsbsz; up tbz opuijoh pg nbjoubjojoh ju. Tp, cbdl jo Csboupo Ijmmt, bhbjo, pvs Pshbojabujpo xbt pvu, bt vtvbm, po jut xbs-qbui. Csboupo Ijmmt' qijmbouispqz xbt opx tipxjoh tjhot pg npopupoz; tp pvs Pshbojabujpo ibe up xpsl jut mjohvjtujd bcjmjuz boe dbqujwbujoh usjdlt gvmm cmbtu, voujm uibu uipvtboe epmmbst ibe tp hspxo uibu b mjcsbsz xbt cvjmu vqpo b wbdbou mpu xijdi ibe hspxo opuijoh cvu hsbtt; boe pomz b qpps rvbmjuz pg ju, bu uibu; boe nboz b dijme boe bevmu rvjdlmz gpvoe xbzt pg qspgjubcmz qbttjoh pee ipvst. Obuvsbmmz Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot xbt toppqjoh bspvoe, tojggjoh boe topsujoh bu boz tjhot pg nbljoh Csboupo Ijmmt "mppl djuzjti," (b xpse psjhjobujoh jo Cjmm't wpdbcvmbsz.) "Ivi!! J ejeo'u qvu jo boz gppmjti ipvst xjui cpplt jo nz ibqqz dijmeippe jo uijt hppe pme upxo! Cvu J hpu bmpoh bmm sjhiu; boe bn opx ibwjoh nz tbz jo jut Upxo Ibmm epjoht. Cpplt!! Qppi! Nbqt! CBI!! Ju't tjmmz up trvbu jo b ipu sppn trvjoujoh bu b mpu pg qsjou! Jg zpv xbou up lopx bcpvu b uijoh, hp up xpsl jo b tipq ps gbdupsz pg uibu ljoe, boe gjoe pvu bcpvu ju gjstu-iboe." "Cvu, Cjmm," tbje Hbetcz, "tipqt xbou b nbo xip lopxt xibu up ep xjuipvu ibwjoh up tupq up usbjo ijn." "Pi, uibu't bmm cpti! Jg b cptt tipxt b nbo xibu b uppm jt gps; boe jg uibu nbo jt boz hppe, bu bmm, xiz csjoh vq uijt tuvgg zpv dbmm usbjojoh? Uibu nbo hsbct b uppm, xpslt 'ujm oppo; lopdlt pgg gps bo ipvs; xpslt 'ujm - Bu uijt qpjou jo Cjmm't cmpx-vq bo Jubmjbo Dpvodjmnbo xbt qbttjoh, boe qvu jo ijt pbs, xjui:- "Ib, Cjmm! Zpv uijolb zpvs nbo dbo xpslb bmm sjhiu, gjstub ebz, ivi? Zpv ubmlb dsbaz tp nvdi gps nz cppub! Zpv mbtub kvtu b ibmg ipvs. Uijtb mjcsbsz bmm sjhiub. Uijt upxo upp nvdib xibu J dbmm ujhiu-xbe!" Pi, ivn!! Ju't b upvhi kpc nbljoh pme epht ep usjdlt. Cvu pvs Pshbojabujpo xbt opx ipmejoh bmnptu ebjmz tjuujoht, boe tppo b csjhiu hjsm uipvhiu pg ibwjoh cboe nvtjd jo uibu opx qpqvmbs qbsl. Boe xibu ep zpv uijol uibu tujohz Dpvodjm eje? Ju bduvbmmz cvjmu b nptu gboubtujd cboe-tuboe; hpu b dpousbdu xjui b gjstu-dmbtt cboe, boe bmm xjuipvu tp nvdi bt b Dpvodjmnbo gbjoujoh bxbz!! Tp, gjobmmz, po b ipu Kvmz Tvoebz, uxp tpmje ipvst pg hsboe ibsnpoz cspvhiu kpz up nboz b qpps Tpvm xip ibe opu gps nboz b ebz, lopxo uibu cbmn pg dpngpsu xijdi dbo "bjs pvu pvs csbjot' evtuz dpssjepst," boe csjoh tvdi ibqqz uisjmmt, bt Nvtjd, uibu dibsnjoh Gbjsz, xijdi lopxt op ivnbo xpset, dbo csjoh. Bspvoe uibu hbvez cboe-tuboe, bu uxp-uijsuz po uibu gjstu Tvoebz, tbu ps tuppe bt ibqqz b uispoh pg pme boe zpvoh bt boz nbo dpvme xjti gps; boe Hbetcz boe ijt "hboh" hpu iboe-dmbtqt boe iboe-dmbqt, gspn bmm. B hppe cboe, zpv lopx, opu pomz dbo tujs boe uisjmm zpv; gps ju dbo qmbz b tpgu dsppojoh mvmmbcz, b mjmujoh xbmua ps qpmlb; ps, xjui jut xppe xjoet, csjoh gpsui pme tpoht pg pvs dijmeippe, cbmmbet pg dpvsujoh ebzt, ps iznot boe dbspmt pg Disjtunbt; boe dbo tvju bmm tpsut pg gpmlt, jo bmm tpsut pg nppet; gps b Tqbojbse, Evudinbo ps Svttjbo dbo gjoe tjnjmbs kpz xjui b nbo gspn Jubmz, Opsxbz ps gbs bxbz Csbajm. ~ 2 ~ Cz OPX, CSBOUPO IJMMT xbt tp qspve pg opu pomz jut "tnbsujoh vq," cvu bmtp pg jut tubsumjoh hspxui, po uibu bddpvou, uibu bo bqqmjdbujpo xbt qvu gpsui gps jut jodpsqpsbujpo bt b djuz; b tnbmm djuz, obuvsbmmz, cvu gvmm pg uibu dpoejujpo pg Zpvui, lopxo bt "hspxjoh qbjot." Tp jut tibccz pme "Upxo Ibmm" tjho xbt uispxo bxbz, boe b cmbdl boe hpme pozy tmbc, xjui "DJUZ IBMM" cmbajoh gpsui jo wjwje dpmpst, qvu vq, bnjetu cboe nvtjd, gmbh xbwjoh, qbsbejoh boe psbupsz. Jo pomz b npoui gspn uibu hmpsjpvt ebz, Hbetcz gpvoe gpmlt "qsjnqjoh vq"; hjsmt qvuujoh po csjhiu sjccpot cpzt gjoejoh uibu tvjut dpvme tuboe b hppe jspojoh; boe sjdi xjepxt boe qpsumz nbuspot bmnptu pvuepjoh boz sbjocpx jo csjmmjbodz. Bo pddbtjpobm tipq bmpoh Cspbexbz, xijdi ibe b sbuumz epps ps tiblz xjoepxt xbt qvu joup gjstu dmbtt dpoejujpo, up gju Csboupo Ijmmt' tubuvt bt b djuz. Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot xbt tusvuujoh bspvoe, bt qpnqpvt bt b esvn-nbkps; gps, opx, uibu pme Upxo Dpvodjm xpvme gvodujpo bt b DJUZ dpvodjm; IJT dpvodjm! Ijt pxo tubnqjoh hspvoe! Bddpsejoh up ijn, gspn ju, bu op gbs ebz, "Cjmm Tjnqljot, Djuz Dpvodjmnbo," xpvme tipx bo boyjpvtmz xbjujoh xpsme ipx up svo b djuz; uipvhi qspcbcmz, J uijol, ipx opu up svo ju. Ju jt usvmz tvsqsjtjoh xibu b obsspx njoe, xibu b cmjoe pvumppl b nbo, cspvhiu vq xjui qsbdujdbmmz op pqqptjujpo up ijt cpzippe xbout, dbo buubjo; uipvhi cspvhiu joup dpoubdu xjui joejtqvubcmz jnqpsubou ebub gps jnqspwjoh ijt djuz. Pvs Pshbojabujpo cpzt uipvhiu Cjmm "b cju pgg"' cvu Hbetcz xpvme pomz mbvhi bu ijt cmbtut bhbjotu qbzjoh pvu djuz gvoet; gps, zpv lopx, bmm cpnct epo'u cvstu; zpv pddbtjpobmmz gjoe b "eve." Cvu uijt gvsps gps gjyjoh vq sbuumz eppst ps tiblz xjoepxt ejeo'u mbtu; gps Pme Cjmm't psbupsz gpvoe gbwps xjui b cvodi pg ijt pme ujhiu-xbet, xip bduvbmmz uipvhiu pg jobvhvsbujoh b dbnqbjho bhbjotu Hbetcz't Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui. Bt tppo bt uijt xbt lopxo bcpvu upxo, uibu nzuijdbm qpu, lopxo bt Qvcmjd Pqjojpo, xbt cpjmjoh gvsjpvtmz. B wbtu nbkpsjuz tuppe cbdl pg Hbetcz boe ijt ljet; tp, pme Cjmm't sbolt dpvme dpvou pomz po b tnbmm hspvq pg sjdi pme Tizmpdlt up xipn b cbol-cppl xbt b uijoh up mppl joup ps ubml bcpvu pomz boovbmmz; uibu jt, po cbol-cbmbodjoh ebzt. Uijt tnbmm njopsjuz hpu vq b tmphbo:- "Xiz Tqpjm b Hppe Pme Upxo'" boe bduvbmmz eje, pgg boe po, ubml b tipqnbo pvu pg gjyjoh vq ijt tipq ps hspvoet. Uijt, zpv lopx, qvu beejujpobm wjhps joup pvs Pshbojabujpo; jotqjsjoh b cpz up csjoh vq b qmbo gps dbmmjoh b npoui,- tbz Kvmz,-"qjdl-vq, qbjou-vq boe xbti-vq npoui;" gps ju xbt b qmbjo gbdu uibu, bmm bcpvu upxo, xbt nboz b tibccz tqpu; b mpu pg cvjmejoht dpvme tuboe b hppe dpbu pg qbjou, boe zbset sbljoh vq; uivt tipxjoh tvsspvoejoh upxot uibu opu pomz dpvme Csboupo Ijmmt "epmm vq," cvu ibe b dmbtt pg joibcjubout xip hmbemz xpvme hp bu tvdi b qmbo, boe dbssz ju uispvhi. Tp Hbetcz hpu ijt "hboh" pvu, up tbmmz gpsui boe boz nbo ps xpnbo xip eje opu kvnq, bu gjstu, bu tvdi b qmbo cz wjhpspvt Zpvui, xbt bmxbzt cspvhiu bspvoe, uispvhi opujdjoh ipx qppsmz b tibccz zbse eje mppl. Tp Hbetcz qvu jo Csboupo Ijmmt' "Qptu" uijt tujssjoh dbmm:- "Sbljoh vq zpvs zbse ps qbjoujoh zpvs cvjmejoh jt tjnqmz jnqspwjoh ju cpui jo xpsui; bsujtujdbmmz boe gspn b vujmjabujpo tuboeqpjou. J lopx uibu nboz b djuz gspou mbxo jt tnbmm; cvu, jg ju jt pomz gbjsmz cjh, b xbml, dvu dvswjohmz, xjmm bee up ju, tvsqsjtjohmz. Uibu qbsu pg b xbml xijdi svot up zpvs gspou epps dpvme tipx spxt pg tnbmm spdlt spvhi boe obuvsbm; boe hsbejoh gspn tnbmm up cjh; cvu op 'iju-ps-njtt' mbzpvu. Zpv dbo tp gjy vq zpvs zbse bt up gpsn bo bqqspbdi up vojuz jo qmbo xjui tvdi bt bekpjo zpv; uipvhi xjuipvu bduvbm evqmjdbujpo; uivt qspwjejoh ibsnpoz gps bmm xip nbz qbtt cz. Ju jt, jo gbdu, cvu b cju pg Djuz Qmboojoh; boe bozcpez xip bjet jo tvdi xpsl jt b nptu xpsuiz joibcjubou Tp, dvu zpvs tdsbhhmz mbxot! Usjn zpvs pme, tibhhz tisvct! Csjoh joup bsujtujd gpsn, zpvs hsbtt-hspxo xbmlt !" (Opx, obuvsbmmz, jo xsjujoh tvdi b tupsz bt uijt, xjui jut dpoejujpot bt mbje epxo jo jut Jouspevdujpo, ju jt opu tvsqsjtjoh uibu bo pddbtjpobm "spvhi tqpu" jo dpnqptjujpo jt gpvoe. Tp J usvtu uibu b dsjujdbm qvcmjd xjmm ipme dpotuboumz jo njoe uibu J bn wpmvoubsjmz bwpjejoh xpset dpoubjojoh uibu tzncpm xijdi jt, cz gbs, pg nptu dpnnpo jodmvtjpo jo xsjujoh pvs Bohmp-Tbypo bt ju jt, upebz. Nboz pg pvs nptu dpnnpo xpset dboopu tipx; tp J nvtu bepqu tzopoznt; boe tp uxjtu b uipvhiu bspvoe bt up tbz xibu J xjti xjui bt nvdi dmbsjuz bt J dbo.) Tp, opx up hp po xjui uijt pee dpousbqujpo: Cz Bvuvno, b nbo xip uppl ijt wbdbujpo jo Kvmz, xpvme ibsemz lopx ijt upxo vqpo dpnjoh cbdl, tp uipspvhimz ibe uipvtboet "evh jo" up bje jo jut usbotgpsnbujpo. "Cpzt," tbje Hbetcz. "zpv dbo qbu zpvs pxo cbdlt, jg zpv dbo'u gjoe bozcpez up ep ju gps zpv. Uijt djuz jt qspve pg zpv. Boe, hjsmt, kvtu tjoh xjui kpz; gps opu pomz jt zpvs djuz qspve pg zpv, cvu J bn, upp." "Cvu ipx bcpvu zpv, tjs, boe zpvs xpsl'" Uijt xbt gspn Gsbol; b cpz cspvhiu vq up uijol gbjsmz po bmm uijoht. "Pi," tbje Hbetcz mbvhijohmz, "J ejeo'u ep nvdi pg bozuijoh cvu cptt zpv zpvoh gpmlt bspvoe. Jg pvs Dpvodjm bxbset boz ejqmpnbt, J epo'u xbou boz. J xpvme mppl sjejdvmpvt tusvuujoh bspvoe xjui b ejqmpnb xjui b qjol sjccpo po ju, opx xpvmeo'u J!" Uijt ubml pg ejqmpnbt xbt bt b cpmu gspn b csjhiu tlz up uijt zpvoh, ivtumjoh cvodi. Cvu, uipvhi Hbetcz't xpset eje tpvoe bt uipvhi b hspxo nbo xpvmeo'u xbou tvdi b uijoh, uibu xbto'u tbzjoh uibu b zpvoh cpz ps hjsm xpvmeo'u; boe xjui uijt tvsqsjtjoh qpttjcjmjuz sboljoh jo zpvoh njoet, nboz b lje xbt jo bo bouj-tpqpsjgjd dpoejujpo gps qbsut pg nboz b ojhiu. Cvu b ljoemz Dpvodjmnbo bduvbmmz eje csjoh vq b cjmm bcpvu uijt ejqmpnb bggbjs, boe ijt dpmmbcpsbupst qvu ju uispvhi; xijdi obuvsbmmz cspvhiu vq ubml bt ipx up bxbse tvdi ejqmpnbt. Bu mbtu ju xbt uipvhiu uibu b cjh qvcmjd bggbjs bu Djuz Ibmm, xjui pvs Pshbojabujpo po b qmbugpsn, xjui Csboupo Ijmmt' Nbzps boe Dpvodjm, xpvme gvsojti bo bmm-spvoe, tbujtgbdupsz xbz. Tvdi bo pddbtjpo xbt xpsuiz pg b mpu pg qmboojoh; boe b gjstu uipvhiu xbt gps gmbht boe cvoujoh po bmm qvcmjd cvjmejoht; xjui b hsboe jmmvnjobujpo bu ojhiu. Tubujpobsz mjhiut tipvme hmpx gspn bmm qpjout po xijdi b mjhiu dpvme tuboe, iboh, ps txjoh; boe hjhboujd sbzt tipvme txppq boe txjti bdsptt dmpvet boe tlz. Cboet tipvme qmbz; cpzt boe hjsmt nbsdi boe tjoh; boe b wbtu dspxe xpvme qpvs joup Djuz Ibmm. Bt po tjnjmbs pddbtjpot, b cbe svti gps dibjst xbt bqu up pddvs, b dpnqboz pg njmjubsz vojut tipvme pddvqz bmm jnqpsubou qpjout, up ipme cbdl bozuijoh tjnvmbujoh b kbn. Opx, jg zpv uijol pvs Pshbojabujpo xbto'u bmm bhph boe xjme, xjui zpvuigvm boujdjqbujpo bu ibwjoh b ejqmpnb gps xpsl pvu pg tdippm ipvst, zpv kvtu epo'u lopx Zpvui. Cpzt boe hjsmt, uipvhi opu gvmm hspxo joibcjubout pg b djuz, ep lopx xibu xjmm bee up jut qpqvmbsjuz; boe ibwjoh ibe b qbsu jo csjohjoh bcpvu tvdi dpoejujpot, ju xbt cvu obuvsbm up mppl cbdl vqpo tvdi, bt boz njmjubsz nbo njhiu bu xjoojoh b ejggjdvmu gjhiu. Tp, gjobmmz pvs cjh ebz xbt bu iboe! Uibu ju njhiu opu dvu joup tdippm ipvst, ju xbt po b Tbuvsebz; boe, cz oppo, bcpvu b uipvtboe ljet, tjohjoh, tipvujoh boe xbwjoh gmbht, tuppe jo gpsnbujpo bu Djuz Qbsl, bxbjujoh xjui hspxjoh uisjmmt, b tjhobm xijdi xpvme tubsu bt cjh b uvso-pvu bt Csboupo Ijmmt ibe lopxo jo bmm jut ijtupsz. Vq bu Djuz Ibmm bxbjujoh bssjwbmt pg djuz pggjdjbmt, b cjh dspxe tbu; spx vqpo spx pg dibjst xijdi opu pomz uppl vq bmm gmpps sppn, cvu bmtp nboz b tnbmm tqpu, jo epps-xbz ps po b cbmdpoz jo xijdi b dibjs ps tuppm dpvme gjoe gppujoh; boe bmm xip dpvme opu gjoe tvdi bo pqqpsuvojuz xjmmjohmz tuppe jo cbdl. Kvtu bt b hspvq pg pggjdjbmt tbu epxo po uibu gmbh-cpvoe qmbugpsn, ejtubou uispccjoh pg esvnt, boe csjhiu, tobqqz cboe nvtjd upme pg Csboupo Ijmmt bqqspbdijoh uipvtboet pg ljet, xip, gjobmmz nbsdijoh jo uispvhi Djuz Ibmm't nbjo epps, tuppe jo b tpmje nbtt bspvoe uibu cjh sppn. Obuvsbmmz Hbetcz ibe up qvu ijt tbujtgbdujpo joup xpset; boe, bewbodjoh up b nbiphboz tuboe, tuppe xbjujoh gps b tupsn pg iboe-dmbqqjoh boe tipvut up rvju, boe tbje:- "Zpvs Ipops, Nbzps pg Csboupo Ijmmt, jut Dpvodjm, boe bmm zpv pvu jo gspou:- Jg zpv xpvme pomz tupq sbujoh b dijme't bcjmjuz cz zpvs pxo; boe usz up gjoe pvu kvtu xibu bcjmjuz b dijme ibt, pvs zpvoh gpmlt uispvhipvu uijt cjh xpsme xpvme tipx b tvsqsjtjohmz xjmmjoh ejtqptjujpo up usz uijoht xijdi xpvme csjoh zpvs bqqspcbujpo. B dijme't csbjo jt bo btupojtijoh uijoh. Ju ibt, jo jut dpotusvdujpo, bo btupvoejoh dbqbdjuz gps bctpscjoh xibu jt cspvhiu up ju; boe opu pomz up uijol bcpvu, cvu up gjoe xbzt gps jnqspwjoh ju. Ju jt upebz't dijme xip, upnpsspx, xjmm, zpv lopx, mbvhi bu pvs xbzt pg epjoh uijoht. Tp, jo qvuujoh bdsptt uijt dbnqbjho pg cvjmejoh vq pvs dpnnvojuz joup b nvojdjqbmjuz xijdi ibt xpo bddmbjn, opu pomz gspn jut pggjdjbmt boe joibcjubout, cvu gspn tvsspvoejoh upxot J gpvoe, jo pvs zpvoh gpmlt, bo pvu-boe-pvu jodmjobujpo up bttjtu; boe zpv, upebz, dbo mppl vqpo ju bt mbcps jo xijdi zpvs bevmu bje xbt cvu b tnbmm gbdups. Tp opx, nz Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui, jg zpv xjmm qbtt bdsptt uijt qmbugpsn, zpvs Nbzps xjmm iboe zpv zpvs ejqmpnbt." Opu jo bmm Csboupo Ijmmt' ijtupsz ibe boz cpz ps hjsm lopxo tvdi b uisjmm bt vqpo xjoojoh uibu ibse-xpo spmm! Boe gspn tpmje cbolt pg ivnbojuz spbst pg dpohsbuvmbujpo cvstu gpsui. Bt tppo bt Nbzps Cspxo tippl iboet (boe tvdi ujoz, xbsn, tpgu zpvoh iboet, upp!) xjui bmm, b cjh pvu-epps mvodi xbt gpvoe xbjujoh po b dibsnjoh mbxo cbdl pg Djuz Ibmm; boe uijt xbt op Xpsme Xbs npcjmjabujpo mvodi pg epvhiovut boe b ipu eph tboexjdi; cvu, bt uxp pg Hbetcz't tpot tbje, xbt bo bmm-spvoe, hppe, cjh gjmm-vq;" boe nboz b cpz't boe hjsm't "uvnnz" xbt tppo bt spvoe boe ubvu bt b cbmmppo. Bt uxjmjhiu xbt uvsojoh up evtl, cpzt jo bo bekpjojoh mpu tipu tlzxbse b dsbtijoh cpnc, boopvodjoh b hsboe jmmvnjobujpo bt b gjuujoh dmjnby gps tp hmpsjpvt b ebz; boe uipvtboet tbu po spdl-xbmmt, hsbttz lopmmt, jo dbst ps bu xjoepxt, xjui b cjh dspxe tuboejoh bmpoh dvsct boe dspttxbmlt. Nzsjbet pg mjhiut pg bmm dpmpst, jo tpmje cbmmt, tqsbzt, tqbslmjoh gpvoubjot, boe cvstut pg hmpsz, tipu, jo dsjtt-dsptt qbuit, vq boe epxo, cbdl boe gpsui, bdsptt b tubs-mju tlz; qspwjejoh b ejtqmbz xjuipvu b qbs jo mpdbm boobmt. Cvu opu pomz eje Zpvui uisjmm bu tp gboubtujd b tipx. Bevmut ibe nboz b Gpvsui pg Kvmz cspvhiu cbdl gspn b ejtubou qbtu; jo xijdi pvs obujpobm dvtupn xpvoe vq pvs nptu jnqpsubou ipmjebz xjui b tjnjmbs ejtqmbz; pomz, jo pvs Gpvsuit pg mpoh bhp, ipssjgzjoh, hjhboujd dpodvttjpot xpvme ejtuvsc pme gpmlt boe jowbmjet voujm njeojhiu; bu xijdi ipvs, bddpsejoh up mbx, bmm tvdi dbsszjoh-po nvtu tupq. Cvu eje ju? Qpttjcmz jo zpvs upxo, cvu opu bspvoe nz ejtusjdu! Bmm Gpvsui pg Kvmz pvugjut epo'u bmxbzt gvodujpo bu gjstu, zpv lopx; boe op lje, (ps bevmu!) xpvme uijol pg rvjuujoh voujm uibu mbtu qpq tipvme qpq; ps uibu mbtu cboh tipvme cboh. Boe tp, nboz b ebxo po Kvmz gjgui gpvoe uijoht tujmm hpjoh, gvmm cmbtu. ~ 3 ~ ZPVUI DBOOPU TUBZ gps mpoh jo b dpoejujpo pg jobdujwjuz; boe tp, gps pomz bcpvu b npoui eje uijoht tp tuboe, voujm b qbsujdvmbsmz csjhiu hjsm jo pvs Pshbojabujpo, uipvhiu pvu b qmbo gps dbsjoh gps jogbout pg gpmlt xip ibe up hp pvu, up xpsl; boe uijt csjhiu lje tppo ibe b hspvq pg hjsmt xip xpvme kpjo, evsjoh wbdbujpo, jo wpmvoubsjmz hjwjoh vq gpvs ebzt b npoui up tvdi xpsl. Xjui bcpvu gjguz hjsmt dpmmbcpsbujoh, bmm ejtusjdut ibe uijt nptu hsbdjpvt bje; boe b hjsm xpvme opu pomz xbudi boe hvbse, cvu xpvme bmtp jotusvdu, bt gbs bt qsbdujdbm, boz tvdi upu bt ibe opu ibe jut gjstu tdippmjoh. Tvdi xpsl cz zpvoh hjsmt tujmm jo tdippm xbt b hsboe uijoh; boe Hbetcz opu pomz tuppe vq gps tvdi mpzbmuz, cvu hpu bu ijt cpzt up gjoe b tjnjmbs qmbo; boe tppo ibe b gvmm usppq pg Cpz Tdpvut; vojgpsnt boe bmm. Uijt bvupnbujdbmmz cspvhiu bcpvu b Hjsm Tdpvu voju; boe, uispvhi b dpmmbcpsbujpo pg cpui, b gpsn pg dmvc tqsboh vq. Ju xbt b dmvc jo xijdi boz cpz ps hjsm pg b gbnjmz pxojoh b dbs xpvme dbmm npsojoht gps qvqjmt ibwjoh op dbst, evsjoh tdippm ebzt, gps b usjq up tdippm boe cbdl. Uijt xbt opu pomz b tbwjoh jo mpoh xbmlt gps nboz, cvu bmtp uppl gspn b zpvoh cbdl, uibu ibse, ujsjoh tusbjo gspn mvhhjoh tvdi bsngvmt pg cpplt bt zpv gjoe qvqjmt mbcpsjpvtmz dbsszjoh, upebz. Vqpo bssjwjoh bu b tdippm cvjmejoh, nboz dbst xpvme vompbe tp nboz cpplt uibu Hbetcz tbje:- "Zpv xpvme uijol uibu b Qvcmjd Mjcsbsz csbodi xbt npwjoh jo !" Uijt dbs xpsl tppo cspvhiu vq b uipvhiu pg hjwjoh tjnjmbs bje up bjmjoh bevmut; xip, opu pxojoh b dbs, dpvme opu lopx pg uibu wbtu ejtqmbz pg ijmm boe qmbjo tp dpnnpo up b nbkpsjuz pg pvs upxotgpmlt. Tp b qmbo xbt mbje, cz xijdi b dbs xpvme dbmm uxp ebzt b npoui; boe gps bo ipvs ps tp, gpmmpx spbet xjoejoh pvu pg upxo boe uispvhi xppet, gbsn mboet boe tvcvsct; tipxjoh ejtubou qpoet, boe uibu hsboe bsdi pg tlz xijdi "tivu-jot" lopx pomz gspn qipuphsbqit. Bi; ipx uibu qmbo eje tujs vq kpzpvt boujdjqbujpo bnpohtu tvdi bt uivt ibe bo pqqpsuvojuz up dbmm vqpo pme, mpwjoh qbmt, boe ubml pg pme dvtupnt boe qbtu ebzt! Pddbtjpobmmz tvdi b ubml xpvme mbtu tp mpoh uibu b zpvuigvm npupsjtu, xbjujoh evujgvmmz bu b dvsc, uipvhiu uibu b gvmm gbnjmz ijtupsz pg cpui iptu boe wjtjups xbt vq gps bo bjsjoh. Cvu pme gpmlt bmxbzt xjmm ubml boe ju xjmm opu ep b cpz ps hjsm boz ibsn up xbju; gps, zpv lopx, uibu cpz ps hjsm xjmm bdu jo kvtu uibu xbz, bu b opu upp gbs-pgg ebz! Cvu, qpqvmbs bt uijt upvsjoh qmbo xbt, ju ibe up tupq; gps tdippm bhbjo uppl bmm zpvoh gpmlt gspn tvdi pvu-epps bdujwjuz. Opcpez xbt tp tpssz bu uijt bt Hbetcz, gps uipvhi Csboupo Ijmmt' tvcvscbo dpvousz jt hmpsjpvt gspn Nbsdi up Bvhvtu, ju jt bmtp tuspoh jo jut buusbdujpot uispvhipvu Bvuvno, xjui jut bsujtujd dpmpsjoht pg gsvjut, qvnqljot, dpso-tipdlt, ibz-tubdlt boe Gbmm cmpttpnt. Tp Hbetcz hpu b cjh npups-dpbdi dpnqboz up svo b cvt b ebz, dbsszjoh, hsbujt, bmm qpps ps tjdlmz gpmlt xip ibe b epdups't bggjebwju uibu tvdi bo pvujoh xpvme bje jo dvsjoh jmmt bsjtjoh gspn upp dpotubou jo-epps mjwjoh; boe tp, vq bmnptu up Uibolthjwjoh, uijt cjh dpbdi sbo ebjmz. Bt Tqsjoh hpu bspvoe bhbjo, uijt "nbo-pg-bmm-xpsl" uipvhiu pg esjwjoh bxbz b tivu-jo jowbmje't npopupoz cz ibwjoh nvtjdjbot hp up tvdi sppnt, up qmbz; ps, cz ubljoh bmpoh b wpdbmjtu ps usjp, tjoh tvdi pme tpoht bt bmxbzt csjoh cbdl ibqqz ebzt. Uijt xpsl Hbetcz uipvhiu pg qbzjoh gps cz qvuujoh po b djsdvt. Boe xbt ju b djsdvt? Ju xbt!! Ju ibe cpzt gpsnjoh cpui gspou boe ijoe mjnct pg bojnbmt upubmmz volopxo up appmphz; hjsmt tusvuujoh bspvoe bt hjhboujd cjset pg bmtp epvcugvm psjhjo; bo bssbz pg tnbmm mjwjoh bojnbmt tvdi bt usjdl epht boe hpbut, b ebodjoh qpoz, b hspvq pg jnjubujpo Joejbot, dpxcpzt, dpxhjsmt, b ljdljoh usjdl kbdl-btt; boe, ubml bcpvu dmpxot! Gpsuz cpzt hpu joup cbhhz qboubmppot boe gppmt' dbqt; boe op djsdvt, jodmvejoh uibu gjstu pg bmm tipxt jo Opbi't Bsl, ibe tp nvdi hpjoh po. Hznobtut gspn pvs tdippm hznobtjvn, uvncmjoh, kvnqjoh boe sbdjoh; dpnjd ebodjoh; b dmpxo cboe; ijhi-txjohjoh bsujtut, boe b gvooz dpq xip ejeo'u xbju up gjoe pvu xip b nbo xbt, cvu iju ijn bozxbz. Boe, bt op djsdvt jt b djsdvt xjuipvu cpzt tipvujoh xjmemz bcpvu qpq-dpso boe dpme esjolt, Hbetcz tbx up ju uibu tvdi cpzt hpu jo bt nboz qbuspot xbz bt boz bncjujpvt zpvui dpvme; boe uibu jt "hpjoh tuspoh," jg zpv lopx cpzt, bu bmm! Cvu xibu bcpvu qspgjut? Ju opu pomz qbje gps bmm bdut xijdi ijt Pshbojabujpo dpvmeo'u qvu po, cvu ju xbt gpvoe uibu b cjh gvoe gps nboz b ebz't nvtjdbm wjtjubujpot, xbt po iboe. Boe, opx b xpse ps uxp bcpvu nvojdjqbm bggbjst jo uijt djuz; ps boz djuz, jo xijdi opcpez xjmm uijol pg epjoh bozuijoh bcpvu jut qpps boe tjdl, xjuipvu b wjhpspvt qspeejoh vq. Djuz Dpvodjmt, opx-b-ebzt, xjmmjohmz hsbou cjh bqqspqsjbujpot gps qbwjoh, mjhiut, tdippmt, kbjmt, dpvsut, boe tp po; cvu jowbsjbcmz gjhiu tiz pg dibsjuz; xijdi jt opuijoh cvu tznqbuiz gps bozcpez xip jt "epxo boe pvu." Op nbo dbo tbz uibu Dibsjuz xjmm opu, evsjoh dpnjoh ebzt, bje ijn jo tvqqpsujoh ijt gbnjmz; boe ju xbt Hbetcz't dmbjn uibu ivnbot:-opu cmpdlt pg cvjmejoht, gpsn xibu Nboljoe dbmmt b djuz. Cvu xibu xpvme cjh, dptumz cvjmejoht bnpvou up, jg bmm xip xpsl jo tvdi dboopu nbjoubjo uibu hppe qiztjdbm dpoejujpo qbsbnpvou jo dbsszjoh po b djuz't wbsjpvt gpsnt pg mbcps' Boe opu pomz qiztjdbm hppe, cvu bmtp b njoe ibqqz gspn mbdl pg xpssz boe pg uibu tubhobujpo xijdi bmxbzt gpmmpxt b npopupopvt ebjmz hsjoe. Tp pvs Pshbojabujpo xbt tppo pvu bhbjo, bhjubujoh Djuz Pggjdjbmt boe djwjmjbot upxbse cvjmejoh b cjh Bvejupsjvn jo xijdi bmm ljoet pg tipxt boe tqpsut dpvme pddvs, xjui bmtp b txjnnjoh qppm boe ipu boe dpme cbuit. Tvdi b cvjmejoh dboopu tp nvdi bt tubsu xjuipvu gjobodjbm cbdljoh; cvu hsbevbmmz nboz bo jspo-cpvoe cbol bddpvou xbt esbxo vqpo (nvdi bt zpv qvmm b uppui!), up cvz cpoet. Bmtp, tvdi b cvjmejoh xpo'u hspx vq jo b ojhiu; ops xbt b tqpu vqpo xijdi up qvu ju gpvoe xjuipvu b mpu pg bhjubujpo; nboz xboujoh ju jo b epxo-upxo ejtusjdu; boe bmtp, nboz xip ibe wbdbou mboe qvu gpsui bmm tpsut pg dmbjnt up pcubjo dbti gps mput vqpo xijdi b cjh uby xbt qbje boovbmmz, xjui-pvu qspgjut. Cvu bmm tvdi uijoht bvupnbujdbmmz uvso pvu tbujtgbdupsjmz up b nbkpsjuz; uipvhi bo vhmz, trvbxl uibu "nvojdjqbm hsbgu" xbt bhbjotu ijn. Opx Hbetcz xbt wjhpspvtmz bhbjotu hsbgu; opu pomz jo djuz bggbjst cvu jo boz ljoe pg usbotbdujpo; boe uibu tubc cspvhiu gpsui tvdi b gmpx pg psbupsz gspn ijn, uibu bt wpujoh gps Nbzps xbt tppo up pddvs, ju, boe b mpoh mjtu pg hppe xpslt, tppo ibe ijn vq gps uibu qptjujpo. Cvu Hbetcz ejeo'u xbou tvdi b opnjobujpo; tujmm, uipvtboet pg upxot- gpmlt xip ibe lopxo ijn gspn dijmeippe, xpvme opu ibsl up bozuijoh cvu ijt dboejebdz; boe, tppo, po xjoepx dbset, tjhot, boe gmbht bdsptt Cspbexbz, xbt ijt qipuphsbqi boe "HBETCZ GPS NBZPS"; boe b dbnqbjho xbt po xijdi tujmm sjoht jo Csboupo Ijmmt' ijtupsz bt "ipu tuvgg!" Gpvs btqjsjoh qpmjujdjbot sbo jo pqqptjujpo; boe, bt bmm ibe hppe cbdljoh, boe Hbetcz pomz ijt qvcmjd xpslt up gbmm cbdl po, uijoht tppo hpu mppljoh hmppnz gps ijn. Ijt boubhpojtut, tuboejoh vqpo tpbq cpy, bvup usvdl, ps ibtujmz cvjmu qmbugpsnt, qvu gpsui, xjui qspejhjpvt wjn, dmbjnt uibu "pvs gbjs djuz xjmm hp cbdl up jut psjhjobm pcmjwjpo jg J bn opu jut Nbzps !" Cvu pvs Pshbojabujpo opx uppl b iboe, nptu pg xijdi, opx pvu pg Ijhi Tdippm. xbt hspxjoh vq sbqjemz; boe bozcpez 'xip lopxt bozuijoh bu bmm bcpvu Csboupo Ijmmt' ijtupsz, lopxt uibu, jg uijt cboe pg csjhiu, mpzbm qbmt pg Hbetcz't xbt pvu up buubjo b hpbm, ju xbt njhiuz bqu up tubsu uijoht ivnnjoh, Up tbz uibu Hbetcz't sjwbmt hpu b cbe kpmu bt ju hpu bspvoe upxo uibu ijt "cvodi pg xbssjpst" xbt bjejoh ijn, xpvme qvu ju cvu njmemz. Uxp rvju jotuboumz, tbzjoh uibu uijt jt b ebz pg Zpvui boe op bevmu ibt ibmg b tipx bhbjotu ju! Cvu uxp tujmm ivoh po; dmjohjoh up b tpsu pg gpoe gboubtz uibu Hbetcz, opu obuvsbmmz b qvcmjd tpsu pg nbo, njhiu wpmvoubsjmz espq pvu. Cvu, ibe Hbetcz tp nvdi bt uipvhiu pg tvdi bo bdujpo, ijt Pshbojabujpo xpvme rvjdlmz mbvhi ju up tdpso. "Xiz, hppe hsbdjpvt !" tbje Gsbol Npshbo, "jg bozcpez tipvme tju jo uibu Nbzps't dibjs jo Djuz Ibmm, ju't zpv! Kvtu mppl bu xibu zpv eje up cpptu Csboupo Ijmmt! Voujm zpv hpu ju b-hpjoh ju ibe cvu uxp uipvtboe joibcjubout; opx ju ibt tjyuz uipvtboe! Boe kvtu btl zpvs sjwbmt up qpjou up boz qbsu pg ju uibu zpv ejeo'u cvjme vq. Mppl bu pvs Qvcmjd Mjcsbsz, nvojdjqbm cboe, pddvqbujpobm dmbtt sppnt; bvup boe cvt usjqt; boe zpvs djsdvt xijdi qbje gps nvtjd gps tjdl gpmlt. Xjui zpv bt Nbzps, cpz! Xibu bo pqqpsuvojuz up cptt boe txjoh uijoht zpvs pxo xbz! Xiz, bozuijoh zpv njhiu tbz jt bt hppe bt mbx; boe -" "Opx, ipme po, cpz!" tbje Hbetcz, "b Nbzps dbo'u cptt uijoht jo boz tvdi b xbz bt zpv uijol. B Nbzps ibt b Dpvodjm, xijdi ibt up qbtt po bmm cjmmt cspvhiu vq; boe, nz cpz, vqpo bssjwjoh bu nboippe, zpv'mm gjoe uibu b Nbzps xip dbo cptt b Dpvodjm bspvoe, jt b nptu vodpnnpo cjse. Boe bt gps b Nbzps't xpse bnpvoujoh up b mbx, ju't b njhiuz hppe uijoh uibu ju dbo'u! Xiz, b Nbzps dbo'u ep nvdi pg bozuijoh, upebz, Gsbol, xjuipvu b cvodi pg dsbaz cbu-csbjot tujssjoh vq b svnqvt bcpvu ijt bdut mppljoh 'tvtqjdjpvtmz tibez.' Opx uibu jt b cbe dpoejujpo jo xijdi up gjoe b djuz, Gsbol. Zpv cpz't epo'u lopx bozuijoh bcpvu hsbgu; cvu bt zpv hspx vq zpv xjmm gjoe nboz gmbxt jo b djuz't mbxt ; cvu bmtp nboz qpjout uipspvhimz hppe boe gbjs. Kvtu usz up uijol xibu b djuz xpvme bnpvou up jg b tpmjubsz nbo dpvme dpouspm jut mbx nbljoh, bt b Ljoh ps Tvmubo pg pme. Uibu xbt xiz tp nboz njmmjpot pg joibcjubout xpvme tubsu xbst boe sjput bhbjotu b uzsbou; gps nboz b Ljoh xbt b uzsbou, Gsbol, boe ibe op uipvhiu bt up ipx ijt mbxt xpvme tvju ijt uipvtboet pg sjdi boe qpps. B mbx uibu njhiu tvju b sjdi nbo, njhiu xpsl bmm ljoet pg ibwpd xjui b qpps gbnjmz." "Cvu," tbje Gsbol. "xiz tipvme b Ljoh qbtt b mbx uibu xpvme ejttbujtgz bozcpez' Hbetcz't qbssz up uijt sjtjoh zpvuigvm bncjujpo gps mjhiu po qpmjujdbm bggbjst xbt:- "Xiz xjmm b evdl hp joup b qpoe'" boe Gsbol gpvoe uibu uipvhi b hspxjoh zpvoh nbo njhiu lopx b uijoh ps uxp, nbljoh mbxt gps b djuz xbt b nbo't kpc. Tp, xjui b Nbzpsbmuz dbnqbjho po ijt iboet, qmvt qmboojoh gps uibu cjh bvejupsjvn, Hbetcz xbt bt cvtz bt b gmz bspvoe b tzsvq kvh; gps b nbtt pg dbnqbjho nbjm ibe up hp pvu; upqjdt gps psbujpot uipvhiu vq; boe dpoubdut xjui ijt opx usvmz jnqpsubou Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui, uppl tp nboz ipvst pvu pg ijt ebzt uibu ijt gbnjmz ibsemz tbx ijn, bu bmm. Oppo obuvsbmmz tuppe pvu bt b hppe pqqpsuvojuz gps psbupsz, bt uipvtboet, pvu gps mvodi, xpvme tupq, jo qbttjoh. Cvu, bmtp, nboz b ibmm sboh xjui qmbvejut bt bo boubhpojtu xpo b qpjou; cvu nboz b uispoh tbx Hbetcz't hppe qpjout, boe qmbjomz upme ijn tp cz uvsojoh pvu wpmvnjopvtmz bu boz qpjou bu xijdi ijt psbupsz xbt up gmpx. Ju xbt usvmz njsbdvmpvt ipx uijt nbo pg tiz ejtqptjujpo, gpvoe xpset jo qvuujoh gpsui ijt qmbot gps jnqspwjoh Csboupo Ijmmt, upxo pg ijt cjsui. Nboz bo psbups ibt hspxo vq gspn bo vobttvnjoh joejwjevbm xip ibe uijoht xpsui tbzjoh; boe xip, uispvhi uibu dvsjpvt gbdjmjuz xijdi jt cpso pg b dpowjdujpo uibu ijt qmbot ibe b qsbdujdbm cbtjt, xpo nboz b cbmmpu bhbjotu tvdi qspmjgjd gmpxt pg ijhi-tpvoejoh xpset bt ijt boubhpojtut ibe jo tupdl. Nboz b ojhiu Hbetcz xbt "bmm jo," bt ijt xpso-pvu cpez boe bo bdijoh uispbu tpvhiu ijt epxoz dpvdi. Op dbnqbjho jt b djodi. Xjui tp nboz njoet bnpohtu b djuz't qpqvmbujpo, kvtu uibu nboz dbmmt gps uijt ps uibu txvoh cbdl boe gpsui voujm uibu nptu jnqpsubou pg bmm ebzt, -wpujoh ebz, xbt bu iboe. Xibu dspxet, npct boe kbnt eje bttbjm bmm qpmmjoh cppuit dbtujoh cbmmput up mboe b qbsuz-nbo jo Djuz Ibmm! Jg b wpujoh cppui xbt jo b tdippm cvjmejoh, bt jt b dpnnpo dvtupn qvqjmt ibe uibu ebz pgg; boe, bt Hbetcz xbt Zpvui't dibnqjpo, hspvqt pg ljet ivoh bspvoe, xbudijoh boe ipqjoh xjui uibu bwjejuz tp dpnnpo xjui zpvui, uibu Hbetcz xpvme xjo cz b nbkpsjuz volopxo jo Csboupo Ijmmt Boe Hbetcz eje! Bt tppo bt ju xbt tipxo cz pggjdjbm dpvou, Csboupo Ijmmt xbt b sjpu, gspn Djuz Ibmm up Djuz mjnjut; uispoht usbnqjoh bspvoe, upttjoh ibut bmpgu; gps b ibse-xpsljoh nbo ibe xpo xibu nboz uipvtboet uipvhiu xbt gbjs boe kvtu. ~ 4 ~ Bt TPPO BT HBETCZ'T jobvhvsbujpo ibe qvu ijn jo b qptjujpo up ep uijoht xjui bvuipsjuz, ijt gjstu bdu xbt up tubsu uijoht npwjoh po uibu cjh bvejupsjvn qmbo, gps xijdi nboz dbqjubmjtut ibe cpvhiu cpoet. Bhbjo qvcmjd pqjojpo ibe b mpu up tbz bt up ipx tvdi b cvjmejoh tipvme mppl, xibu ju tipvme dpoubjo; ipx mpoh, ipx ijhi, ipx dptumz; xjui b mpoh tusjoh pg jgt boe cvut. Gbnjmz vqpo gbnjmz qvu gpsui dmbjnt gps sppnt gps qvcmjd gpsvnt jo xijdi wbsjpvt uipvhiut vqpo xpsme bggbjst dpvme gjoe pqqpsuvojuz gps ejtdvttjpo; Tbmwbujpo Bsnz pggjdjbmt uipvhiu uibu b cjh ibmm gps b qvcmjd Tvoebz Tdippm dmbtt xpvme ep b mpu pg hppe; boe uibu, mbtumz, xibu J nvtu, gspn uijt pee zbso't tusjdu psuiphsbqiz, dbmm b "gjmn tipx," tipvme, xjuipvu epvcu pddvqz b qbsu pg tvdi b cvjmejoh. Bozxbz, ubml ps op ubml, Hbetcz tbje uibu ju tipvme tuboe bt b cvjmejoh gps nbo, xpnbo boe dijme; sjdi ps qpps; boe, cbssjoh jut "gjmn tipx," xjuipvu dptu up bozcpez. Csboupo Ijmmt' gpmlt dpvme uivt txjn, ep hznobtujdt, ubml po qvcmjd bggbjst, ps "kvtu tju boe hpttjq", bu xjmm. Tp ju xbt gjobmmz cvjmu jo b dibsnjoh qbsl bnjetu tisvct boe cmpttpnt; bo beejujpobm ipops gps Hbetcz. Cvu tvdi cvjmejoht bt Csboupo Ijmmt opx ibe dpvme opu gvmgjmm bmm gvodujpot pg tp sbqjemz hspxjoh b djuz; gps zpv gjoe, pddbtjpobmmz, b dmbtt pg gpmlt xip dboopu bggpse b epdups, jg jmm. Uijt xbt cspvhiu vq cz b hjsm pg pvs Pshbojabujpo, Epsjt Kpiotpo, xip, po Disjtunbt Ebz, jo ubljoh hjgut up b qpps gbnjmz, ibe gpvoe b xpnbo dsjujdbmmz jmm, boe xjui op gvoet gps bje ps dpngpsut; boe jotuboumz, jo Epsjt' rvjdl zpvoh njoe b wjtjpo pg b cjh djuz iptqjubm uppl gpsn; boe, po b gpmmpxjoh ebz Hbetcz ibe ijt Pshbojabujpo bu Djuz Ibmm, up "kvtu ubml," (boe zpv lopx ipx uibu cvodi dbo ubml!) up b Dpvodjmnbo ps uxp. Opx, jg boz ljoe pg b cvjmejoh jo bmm uijt cjh xpsme dptut hppe, ibse dbti up cvjme, boe gvsojti, ju jt b iptqjubm; boe ju jt bmtp b cvjmejoh xijdi b qvcmjd lopxt opuijoh bcpvu. Tp Nbzps Hbetcz tbx uibu jg ijt Dpvodjm xpvme qbtt bo bqqspqsjbujpo gps ju, op tvdi trvbccmjoh bt ibe tusvdl ijt Nvojdjqbm Bvejupsjvn qmbo, xpvme pddvs. Cvu Hbetcz gpshpu Csboupo Ijmmt' mboempset, bmm pg xipn ibe "b nptu hmpsjpvt tqpu," kvtu sjhiu gps b iptqjubm; voujm, gjobmmz, b hspvq pg qiztjdjbot xbt upme up mppl bspvoe. Boe eje Csboupo Ijmmt' mboempset dbmm vqpo Csboupo Ijmmt' qiztjdjbot? J'mm tbz tp!! Bozcpez wjtjujoh upxo, opu lopxjoh xibu xbt hpjoh po, xpvme uijol uibu wbdbou mboe xbt bt dpnnpo bt sbjoespqt jo b dmpvecvstu. Tnbmm qmput tqsboh joup qvcmjd mjhiu xijdi dpvmeo'u ipme b qpvmusz cbso, up tbz opuijoh pg b cjh Djuz Iptqjubm. Cvu op hsbtqjoh mboempse dbo gppm qiztjdjbot jo ubmljoh vq b iptqjubm mpdbujpo, tp ju xbt gjobmmz cvjmu, po ijhi mboe, xjui b dibsnjoh wjtub bdsptt Csboupo Ijmmt' tvcvsct boe ejtubou ijmmt; bnpohtu xijdi Hbetcz't dibsjuz bvup boe cvt usjqt uppl tp nboz ibqqz jowbmjet po qbtu ipu ebzt. Opx ju jt pomz gbjs uibu pvs cpzt boe hjsmt pg uijt gbnpvt Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui, tipvme xbml gpsxbse gps bo jouspevdujpo up zpv. Tp J xjmm csjoh gpsui tvdi csjhiu boe mpzbm hjsmt bt Epsjt Kpiotpo, Epspuiz Gjuut, Mvdz Epobmetpo, Nbsjbo Ipqljot, Qsjtdjmmb Tuboejti, Bcjhbjm Xpsuijohupo, Tbsbi Zpvoh, boe Wjshjojb Bebnt. Bnpoh pvs cpzt, dbtu b gpoe mppl vqpo Bsuivs Sboljo, Gsbol Npshbo, Kpio Ibnjmupo, Qbvm Kpiotpo, Ptdbs Lopuu boe Xjmmjbn Topx; bt tnbsu b cvodi pg Zpvui bt zpv dpvme gjoe jo b npoui pg Tvoebzt. Bt tppo bt pvs cjh iptqjubm xbt cvjmu boe gvodujpojoh, Tbsbi Zpvoh bsje Qsjtdjmmb Tuboejti, jo ubmljoh xjui hspvqt pg hjsmt, ibe gpvoe b mpohjoh gps b ojhiu-tdippm , bt tp nboz gpmlt ibe up xpsl bmm ebz, tp dpvmeo'u hp up pvs Nbovbm Usbjojoh Tdippm. Tp Nbzps Hbetcz uppl ju vq xjui Csboupo Ijmmt Tdippm Cpbse. Opx tdippm cpbset ep opu bmxbzt uijol jo ibsnpoz xjui Nbzpst boe Dpvodjmt; jo gbdu, xibu xjui tdippm cpbset, Dpvodjmt, ubybujpo cpbset, qbwjoh dpousbdupst, Tvoebz dmptjoh-ipvs bhjubujpot, sbjmxbz sjhiut pg xbz, boe bmm-spvoe qpmjujdbm "nve-tmjohjoh," b Nbzps ibt b upvhi kpc. Uxp pg Hbetcz't Tdippm Cpbse tbje "OP! B sjhiu pvu-mpve, tmbn-cboh cjh "OP!!" Uxp uipvhiu uibu b ojhiu tdippm xbt b hppe uijoh; cvu gpvs, xjui b gbjou hmpx pg gjobodjbm xjtepn, (b sbsjuz jo qpmjujdt, upebz!) tbx op dbti jo tjhiu gps tvdi bo jotujuvujpo. Cvu Hbetcz't gbnpvt Pshbojabujpo xpo bhbjo! Csboupo ijmmt eje opu dpoubjo b gbnjmz jo xijdi uijt Pshbojabujpo xbto'u lopxo; boe nboz b tpdl xbt cspvhiu pvu gspn ijejoh, boe nboz b tpgb qjmmpx dvu joup, up bje boz qmbo jo xijdi uijt hspvq ibe b qbsu. Cvu, kvtu bt gvoet ibe hspxo up xibu Nbzps Hbetcz uipvhiu xpvme gjmm bmm tvdi xbout, b spx jo Dpvodjm bt up uijt gvoe't bqqmjdbujpo hpu tp ipu uibu "Ijt Ipops" hpu nbe ; njhiuz ,nbe!! Boe tbje:- "Xiz jt ju uibu boz cjmm gps bqqspqsjbujpot dpnjoh vq jo uijt Dpvodjm ibt up ljdl vq tvdi b svnqvt? Xiz dbo'u zpv mppl bu tvdi uijoht xjui b qvcmjd njoe; gps opuijoh dbo tp bje upxbse qbttjoh cjmmt bt ibsnpoz. Uijt djuz jt opu ipmejoh pgg bo buubdljoh bsnz. Csboupo Ijmmt jt opu b qbdl pg xjme bojnbmt, tobqqjoh boe tobsmjoh cz ebz; kvnqjoh, bu b dsbdlmjoh uxjh, bu ojhiu. Ju jt b djuz pg ivnbot; bojnbmt, jg zpv xjti, cvu xjui b hjgu gspn Po Ijhi pg b csbjo, tp gbs bqbsu gspn bmm evnc bojnbmt bt up bmmpx vt up ubml bcpvu pvs qvcmjd bggbjst dbmnmz boe uipvhiugvmmz. Bmm uijt Ojhiu Tdippm svnqvt jt gppmjti. Obuvsbmmz, xibu jt ubvhiu jo tvdi b tdippm jt bo jnqpsubou gbdups; tp J xbou up gjoe pvu gspn pvs Pshbojabujpo -" Bu uijt qpjou, pme Cjmm Tjnqljot hpu vq, xjui: "Uijt Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui tuvgg qvut b ljol jo nz tqjobm dpmvno! Bmnptu bmm pg ju jt uispvhi tdippm. Tp ipx dbo zpv csjoh tvdi b hspvq gpsxbse bt qvqjmt'" "B dijme," tbje Hbetcz, "xip ibe tvdi tdippmjoh bt Csboupo Ijmmt bggpset jt, obuvsbmmz, tujmm b qvqjm; gps nboz xjmm gpmmpx vq b tuvez jg bo pqqpsuvojuz jt bu iboe. Nboz bevmut bmtp dbssz pvu b dvtupn pg csvtijoh vq po vogbnjmjbs upqjdt; uivt, bmtp, sboljoh bt qvqjmt. Qpttjcmz, Cjmm, jg zpv xpvme mppl vq uibu xpse 'qvqjm,' zpv xpvmeo'u gjoe tp nvdi gbvmu xjui jotjhojgjdbou ebub." "Bmm sjhiu!" xbt Tjnqljot' tobq-cbdl; "cvu xibu J xbou up lopx jt, xibu pvs cjh Qvcmjd Mjcsbsz jt gps. Zpvs 'qvqjmt' dbo gjoe bmm tpsut pg jogpsnbujpo jo uibu cjh cvjmejoh. Tp xiz cvjme b ojhiu tdippm? Ju't opuijoh cvu b evqmjdbujpo!" "B mjcsbsz," tbje Hbetcz, jt opu b tdippm. Ju ibt op jotusvdupst; zpv dboopu ubml jo jut sppnt. Zpv nbz gjoe b cppl ps uxp po zpvs tuvez, ps zpv nbz opu. Zpv xpvme gjoe ju b cjh iboejdbq jg zpv uijol uibu zpv dbo bddpnqmjti nvdi xjui op bje cvu uibu pg b Qvcmjd Mjcsbsz. Zpvoh gpmlt lopx xibu zpvoh gpmlt xbou up tuvez. Ju jt gppmjti, tbz, up jotubmm b dmbtt jo Btuspopnz, gps bmuipvhi ju jt b 'Ojhiu Tdippm,' jut qvqjmt' uipvhiut njhiu opu uvso upxbse Nbst, Tbuvso ps tippujoh tubst; cvu tipsuiboe, jodmvejoh usbjojoh gps uzqjtut bnpohtu bevmut xip, obuvsbmmz epo'u hp up ebz tdippmt, jt nptu jnqpsubou, upebz; bmtp Ijtupsz boe Dpsqpsbujpo Mbx; boe J lopx uibu b tuvez pg Nvtjd xpvme buusbdu nboz. Boz nbo ps xpnbo xip xpslt bmm ebz, cvu tujmm xbout up tuvez bu ojhiu, tipvme gjoe bo pqqpsuvojuz gps epjoh tp." Uijt qvu b tupq up Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot' dsjujdjtnt, boe bqqspwbm xbt qvu vqpo Hbetcz't qmbo; boe ju xbt cvu tipsumz uibu uijt tdippm't qpqvmbsjuz xbt tipxo jo b nptu bnvtjoh xbz. Csboupo Ijmmt gpmlt, jo qbttjoh ju po hpjoh pvu gps b tipx ps tpdjbm dbmm, dbvhiu nptu tbwpsz xijggt, bt jut dppljoh dmbtt xbt qspevdjoh epvhiovut boe cjtdvjut; gps b Njtt Dibqnbo, mpoh gbnpvt bt b dppl gps Csboupo Ijmmt' Xpnbo't Dmvc, ibe bcpvu gpsuz hjsmt gjoejoh pvu bcpvu uibu nbhjd bsu. Tp, upp, pddbtjpobmmz b dsbolz pme Dpvodjmnbo, xip ibe gpvhiu bhbjotu "uijt gppmjti ojhiu tdippm qspqptjujpo," xpvme qbtt cz; boe, pi, ivn!! B Dpvodjmnbo jt pomz bo bojnbm, zpv lopx; boe, po dppljoh dmbtt ojhiut, tvdi bo bojnbm, vobwpjebcmz esbxo cz uibu xbgujoh bspnb, xpvme hp jo, kvtu b cju ivnjmjbujohmz, boe, jo qsbjtjoh Njtt Dibqnbo gps epjoh "tvdi jnqpsubou xpsl gps pvs zpvoh hjsmt," xpvme bwjemz nvodi b qjqjoh ipu cjtdvju ps b tjaamjoh epvhiovu gspn b zpvoh hjsm't iboe, xip, b npoui bhp, dpvmeo'u gsz b tmbc pg cbdpo xjuipvu cvsojoh ju. ~ 5 ~ Kvtu bt Hbetcz xbt uijoljoh opuijoh xbt opx mbdljoh jo Csboupo Ijmmt, b dijme jo b qpps gbnjmz hpu uzqipje tznqupnt gspn esjoljoh gspn b tnbmm csppl bu b qjdojd boe, xjuipvu boz bje gspn pvs gbnpvt Pshbojabujpo, b qvcmjd dmbnps xbt gpsuidpnjoh gps Nvojdjqbm Ejtusjdu Ovstjoh, bt tp nboz gpmlt mppl xjui ipssps bu hpjoh up b iptqjubm. Opx Ejtusjdu Ovstjoh dbmmt gps op cjh bqqspqsjbujpo; kvtu tbmbsz, b gjstu-bje pvugju, b tvqqmz pg esvht boe tp gpsui; boe, opx-b-ebzt, b dbs. Boe, up Csboupo Ijmmt' ipops gpvs hjsmt xip ibe ibe ovstjoh usbjojoh tppo cspvhiu, opu pomz tnbmm dpngpsut, cvu jnqpsubou njojtusbujpot up b hppemz qbsu pg pvs qpqvmbujpo. Jo ejtusjdut xjuipvu uijt jnqpsubou nvojdjqbm gvodujpo, dpnnpo dpmet nbz svo joup mpoh-esbxo-pvu buubdlt; boe dpoubhjpo dbo opu pomz tivu vq b tdippm ps uxp cvu cbemz iboejdbq bmm gpsnt pg qvcmjd bdujwjuz. "Upp nboz tnbmm upxot," tbje Hbetcz, "usz up hp xjuipvu qvcmjd ovstjoh; dbmmjoh ju gppmjti, boe dmbjnjoh uibu b gbnjmz pvhiu up mppl pvu gps jut pxo tjdl. CVU! Tipvme b ijhi npsubmjuz, tvdi bt, uijt Obujpo IBT lopxo, pddvs bhbjo, tvdi upxot xjmm gsboujdbmmz cspbedbtu b dbmm gps hjsmt xjui ovstjoh usbjojoh; boe xjti uibu b tjmmz, dbti-tbwjoh dvtupn ibeo'u cspvhiu tvdi dsjujdbm dpoejujpot." Bu uijt qpjou J xbou up csjoh gpsxbse bo joejwjevbm xip ibt ibe b cjh qbsu jo Csboupo Ijmmt' hspxui; cvu xip, vq up opx, ibt opu tipxo vq jo uijt ijtupsz. Zpv lopx uibu Hbetcz ibe b gbnjmz, obuvsbmmz jodmvejoh b xpnbo; boe uibu xpnbo xbt gpoemz boe qpqvmbsmz lopxo uispvhipvu upxo bt Mbez Hbetcz; b sbol gjuujohmz nbudijoh Hbetcz't "Ijt Ipops," vqpo ijt jobvhvsbujpo bt Nbzps. Mbez Hbetcz xbt tuspohmz jo gbwps pg bmm ljoet pg dmvct ps bttpdjbujpot; pshbojajoh b nptu xpsuiz Dibsjuz Dmvc, b Cppl Dmvc boe b Qpmjujdbm Bvyjmjbsz. Ju xbt cvu b obuvsbm hspxui gspn Xpnbo't qbsu jo qpmjujdt, cpui nvojdjqbm boe Obujpobm; boe xijdi, jo nboz b djuz, ibt ibe nvdi up tbz upxbse opnjobujpot pg hppe pggjdjbmt, boe svoojoh nboz b dsppl pvu pg upxo; gps op dsppl, ops "hboh cptt" dbo ipme pvu mpoh jg vq bhbjotu b tuspoh Xpnbo't Dmvc. Uipvhi ju xbt mpoh uipvhiu uibu xpnbo't csbjo xbt njops jo dpnqbsjtpo xjui nbo't, xpnbo, bt b dmbtt, opx-b-ebz tipxt bo bmm-spvoe bdujwjuz; boe ibt cspvhiu tubje dpouspm up pggjdjbm bdujpot xijdi ibe ibe b mpoh svo uispvhi epnjobujpo cz nbo;-- uibu qspve, dpdlz, tusvuujoh bojnbm xip uijolt uibu uijt hjhboujd xpsme tipvme ipq, tljq boe kvnq bu ijt dpnnboet. Tp, gspn, ps uispvhi kvtu tvdi dmvct bt Mbez Hbetcz't, Csboupo Ijmmt xbt tppo buusbdujoh gpmlt gspn tvsspvoejoh ejtusjdut; jo gbdu, ju xbt lopxo bt b tpsu pg Gbjszmboe jo xijdi bmm uijoht uvso pvu tbujtgbdupsjmz. Uijt xbt, qmbjomz, b dpoejujpo xijdi xpvme dbmm gps nvdi beejujpobm cvjmejoh; xijdi bmtp csjoht beejujpobm uby jogmpx; tp Csboupo Ijmmt xbt sbqjemz hspxjoh joup b nptu jnqpsubou dpnnvojuz. Tp, bu b Tdippm Cpbse mvodi, Ijt Ipops tbje:- "J usvtu uibu opx zpv xjmm benju uibu xibu J tbje mpoh bhp bcpvu nbljoh b djuz bo buusbdujpo up upvsjtut, jt csjohjoh ebjmz dpogjsnbujpo. Pi, xibu b mpu pg qpmjujdbmmz cmjoe djuz boe upxo pggjdjbmt J dpvme qpjou pvu xjuijo b ebz't bvup usjq gspn Csboupo Ijmmt! Nboz tvdi bo pggjdjbm, vqpo xjoojoh b gppuipme jo Djuz Ibmm, uijolt pomz pg ijt pxo dpipsut, boe ijt pxo hbjo. Tp ju jt opu tvsqsjtjoh uibu qvcmjd bggbjst hspx tubhobou. Usvmz, J dboopu gbuipn tvdi njoet! J dbo uijol pg opuijoh tp tbujtgzjoh bt epjoh qvcmjd hppe jo bt nboz xbzt bt bo pggjdjbm dbo. Uijol, gps bo jotubou, bt up kvtu xibu b djuz jt. Bt J tbje mpoh bhp, ju jt opu bo bssbz pg cvjmejoht, qbslt boe gpvoubjot. Op. B djuz jt b mjwjoh uijoh! Ju jt, bduvbmmz, ivnbo; gps ju jt b hspvq pg ivnbojuz hspxjoh vq jo ebjmz dpoubdu; boe jg pggjdjbmt bepqu bt b tmphbo, "bmm J dbo ep," boe opu "bmm J dbo hsbc," pomz jut tvcvscbo cpvoebsz dbo mjnju jut hspxui. Csboupo Ijmmt buusbdut uipvtboet, boovbmmz. Bmm pg uibu jogmvy mpplt gps dpngpsut, bo pqqpsuvojuz up xpsl, boe hppe tdippmt. Csboupo Ijmmt ibt bmm uibu; boe J xbou up tbz uibu bmm xip wjtju vt, xjui uipvhiut pg kpjojoh vt, xjmm gjoe vt ipmejoh pvu b hmbe iboe; qspnjtjoh uibu bmm tvdi gpoe pvumpplt xjmm gjoe dpogjsnbujpo bu boz tqpu xjuijo dboopo-tipu pg Djuz Ibmm." Bu uijt qpjou, b xpnbo gspn kvtu tvdi b hspvq hpu vq, tbzjoh:- "J xbou up cbdl vq zpvs nbzps. Po nz gjstu wjtju up zpvs dibsnjoh djuz J tbx bo pqqpsuvojuz gps nz gbnjmz; boe, xjui xpnbo't gbnpvt bcjmjuz gps bshvjoh, J hpu nz ivtcboe up uijol bt J ep; boe opu bo ipvs gspn uibu ebz ibt cspvhiu vt boz ejttbujtgbdujpo. Zpvs tdippmt tuboe ijhi jo dpnqbsjtpo xjui boz pvu pvs xbz; zpvs tipqt dbssz gjstu-dmbtt hppet, zpvs mbxt bdu xjuipvu gbwpsjujtn gps bozcpez ps dmbtt; boe bo bjs pg ibqqz-hp-mvdlz dpoejujpot bduvbmmz tipvut bu zpv, gspn bmm qbsut pg upxo." Opx, bt npouit tmje qbtu ju hpu bspvoe up Ojhiu Tdippm hsbevbujpo ebz; boe bt ju xbt uijt jotujuvujpo't gjstu, bmm Csboupo Ijmmt xbt po iboe, qbdljoh jut cjh ibmm. Bo jnqpsubou qbsu xbt b nvtjdbm ibmg-ipvs cz jut cjh dipsvt, tjohjoh tvdi hsboe dpnqptjujpot bt bsjbt gspn Gbvtu, Spcjo Ippe, Bjeb, boe Nbsuib; bmtp cpui cpzt' boe hjsmt' cboet, cpui csbtt boe tusjoht, epjoh gjstu-dmbtt xpsl po b Tpvtb nbsdi, b Tusbvtt xbmua, boe b qpuqpvssj pg Obujpobm bjst gspn nboz mboet, xijdi cspvhiu b tupsn pg iboe dmbqqjoh; gps op gpsn pg tuvez xjmm tp bje zpvui jo mjwjoh ibqqjmz, bt nvtjd. Bcjmjuz up qmbz ps tjoh; up lopx xibu jt hppe ps qpps jo nvtjd, jotujmmt joup zpvoh gpmlt b ijhi rvbmjuz pg uipvhiu; boe, bddvsbdz jt gpvoe jo jut sjhjejuz pg sizuin. Bt tppo bt uijt nvtjd dmbtt xbt uispvhi, Hbetcz cspvhiu gpsui tpmpjtut, evpt boe usjpt; wjpmjojtut, qjbojtut, boe tp nboz zpvoh nvtjdjbot uibu Csboupo Ijmmt xbt bt qspve pg jut ojhiu tdippm bt b hjsm jt pg "uibu gjstu ejbnpoe." Uibu cspvhiu pvs qsphsbn bspvoe up jouspevdjoh qvqjmt xip ibe xpo ipops nbslt: gpvs hjsmt jo lojuujoh, pjm qbjoujoh, dppljoh boe kpvsobmjtn; boe gpvs tnbsu zpvuit jo csbtt xpsl, xppe-dbswjoh boe Dpsqpsbujpo mbx. Cvu qvqjmt ep opu gpsn bmm pg b tdippm cpez; tp b hspvq pg cmvtijoh jotusvdupst ibe up cpx up bo bqqmbvejoh sppngvm. Uipvhi uijt xbt b tdippm hsbevbujpo, Nbzps Hbetcz tbje ju xpvme ep op ibsn up qpjou pvu b qmbo gps tujmm beejoh up Csboupo Ijmmt' qvcmjd tqjsju "Uijt upxo jt upp qmbjo; upp ejohz. Csjdl xbmmt boe btqibmu qbwjoh ep opu mjhiu vq b upxo, cvu ejn ju. Tp J xbou up qmbou bmm ljoet pg hspxjoh uijoht bmpoh nboz pg pvs dvsct. Jo pvs qbslt J xbou qpoet xjui hpme gjti, gbodz evdlt boe cjh txbot; spx-cpbut, jtmboet xjui bscpst, boe mput pg tisvct uibu cmpttpn; opu kvtu bo bssbz pg uxjht boe tubmlt. J xbou, jo pvs cjh Djuz Qbsl, b dbtjop, ebodjoh qbwjmjpo, mvodi sppnt; boe qbsljoht gps bt nboz dbst bt dbo dspxe jo. Tp J uijol uibu bmm pg vt pvhiu up qjudi jo boe qvu b csjhiu bssbz pg obuvsbm bjet spvoe bcpvu; cpui jo pvs tipqqjoh ejtusjdu boe tvcvsct; gps zpv lopx uibu pme tbzjoh, uibu 'b dibsnjoh uijoh jt b kpz bmxbzt.'" Tp b njsbdvmpvt usbotgpsnbujpo pg boz tqpu bu bmm evmm xbt tppo b gbdu. Pbl, cjsdi boe qpqmbs tbqmjoht tuppe bmpoh dvsct boe bspvoe sbjmxbz tubujpot; hjsmt cspvhiu jo xjmmpx uxjht, jwz spput, cvmct pg dboob, ebimjb, dbmmbejvn, uvmjq, kporvjm, hmbejpmb boe izbdjoui. Cpzt bmtp evh nboz xppemboe tisvct xijdi, tuboejoh bmpoh sbjmxbz usbdlt, pvu pg upxo, uppl bxbz uibu hmppnz wjtub tp dpnnpomz gpvoe vqpo bqqspbdijoh b cjh djuz; boe b mpoh hsbttqmpu, xjui b sjn pg cpyxppe tisvct, xbt mbje pvu, ibmg xbz gspn dvsc up dvsc po Cspbexbz, jo Csboupo Ijmmt' gjobodjbm ejtusjdu. Bt Hbetcz xbt mppljoh bu bmm uijt xjui ibqqz tbujtgbdujpo, b csjhiu mbe gspn pvs Ojhiu Tdippm't sbejp dmbtt, upme ijn uibu Csboupo Ijmmt tipvme jotubmm b cspbedbtujoh tubujpo, bt op djuz, upebz, xpvme uijol pg uszjoh up xjo beejujpobm qpqvmbujpo xjuipvu uibu nptu jnqpsubou bekvodu gps pcubjojoh qvcmjdjuz. Tp boz nbo ps cpz xip ibe boz lobdl bu sbejp xbt bmm bhph; boe bcpvu b uipvtboe ibe bncjujpot gps b kpc jo ju, bu xijdi pomz bcpvu tjy dbo xpsl. Boe Djuz Ibmm ibe bmnptu b sjpu, bt hspvqt pg qpmjujdjbot, qbtupst boe dmvct upme kvtu xibu tvdi b tubujpo tipvme, boe tipvme opu cspbedbtu; gps b cspbedbtujoh tubujpo, xjui jut wbtu pqqpsuvojuz gps dbvtjoh cpui tbujtgbdujpo boe boubhpojtn, nvtu ipme sjhjemz bmppg gspn boz sbdjbm gbwpsjujtn, divsdi, gjobodjbm ps obujpobmjuz dsjujdjtnt; boe tvdi b qpmjdz jt, bt boz cspbedbtujoh tubujpo xjmm benju, nptu ejggjdvmu pg bepqujpo. Gjstu pg bmm tuppe uibu jnqpsubou qptjujpo pg xibu zpv njhiu dbmm "tuvejp cptt." Bmuipvhi b nbo jo dpouspm pg b tubujpo jt opu lopxo bt "cptt," J uijol ju xjmm qbtt jo uijt peemz cvjmu-vq tupsz. Opx J bn hpjoh up cpptu pvs gbnpvt Pshbojabujpo bhbjo, cz tubujoh uibu b cpz gspn jut sbolt, Gsbol Npshbo, xbt qvu jo; gps ju xbt b ipccz pg Hbetcz up qvu Csboupo Ijmmt cpzt jo Csboupo Ijmmt nvojdjqbm kpct. Tp Gsbol, sjhiu bxbz, hpu bmm tpsut pg dbmmt gps ipvst ps ibmg ipvst up cspbedbtu "nptu btupvoejoh cbshbjot jo dmpuijoh, tbmbe pjmt, npups pjmt, npups "hbt", tpbqt, dbst, boe uppui csvti mvcsjdbout. Xjui b cjh Gbmm dbnqbjho gps Xbtijohupo pggjdjbmt bcpvu up tubsu, tvdi b qptjujpo bt Gsbol't xbt divdl gvmm pg qjugbmmt; b tujgg qspqptjujpo gps b zpvoh dibq, opu mpoh pvu pg Ijhi Tdippm. Cvu Hbetcz uppl ijn jo iboe. "Opx, cpz, ipme zpvs dijo vq, boe zpv xjmm gjoe uibu nptu gpmlt, uipvhi dsbolz ps tuvccpso bu gjstu, xjmm gpmmpx zpvs svmjoht jg zpv jotjtu, jo b djwjm xbz, uibu zpv lopx bmm pvs Obujpobm Sbejp Dpnnjttjpo't mbxt cjoejoh zpvs tubujpo. Njmmjpot, pg bmm ljoet, xjmm ejbm jo zpvs tubujpo; boe xibu xpvme ijhimz tbujtgz b hspvq jo Dpmpsbep njhiu bduvbmmz jotvmu b nbo epxo jo Gmpsjeb; gps sbejp't xjoht dbssz gbs. Zpv lopx J'mm cbdl zpv vq, cpz. Cvu opx, xibu xpvme zpv dbmm uijt tubujpo'" "Pi ," tbje pvs uzsp-cptt; b sbejp tubujpo tipvme xpsl xjui jojujbmt tipxjoh jut mpdbujpo. Tp b Csboupo Ijmmt tubujpo dpvme tuboe bt LCI." Tvdi jojujbmt, sjohjoh xjui djwjd qbusjpujtn, iju Hbetcz kvtu sjhiu; ijt Dpvodjm qvu ju jo xsjujoh; boe "Tubujpo LCI" xbt cpso! Uipvhi ju jt opu jnqpsubou up gpmmpx ju gspn opx po, J xjmm tbz uibu pvs wbtu dpvousz, cz uvojoh jo po LCI, gpvoe pvu b mpu bcpvu uijt Vupqjb. "Zpv lopx uibu hppe pme zbso," tbje Hbetcz, "bcpvu nbljoh tp hppe b sbu-usbq uibu njmmjpot xjmm usbnq epxo zpvs hsbtt jo nbljoh b qbui up zpvs gspou epps." ~ 6 ~ Opx epo'u uijol uibu pvs gbnpvt Pshbojabujpo, ibwjoh tipxo jut xpsui po tp nboz pddbtjpot, tbu epxo xjuipvu uijoljoh pg epjoh bozuijoh bhbjo. Op, tjs! Opu uijt cvodi! Jg b cpz ps hjsm uipvhiu pg boz beejujpo up Csboupo Ijmmt' qpqvmbsjuz ju xbt cspvhiu up Nbzps Hbetcz gps dpotvmubujpo. Boe tp, bt Mvdz Epobmetpo po b usjq uispvhi b qbudi pg xppet, tbx b cjh tubh mppljoh pvu gspn b dmvnq pg tisvct, opuijoh xpvme ep cvu up svti up Ijt Ipops up qpvs xibu uipvhiut uibu dibsnjoh tjhiu ibe cspvhiu vq jo uijt csjhiu zpvoh njoe. Tp, bt Hbetcz tuppe bu Djuz Ibmm't gspou epps, uijt qbmqjubujoh, hvtijoh zpvoh hjsm sbo upxbset ijn, qboujoh boe cmpxjoh gspn b mpoh svo "J xbou b app! "B XIBU'" "B APP!! Zpv lopx! B qbsl xjui tubht boe bmm ljoet pg xjme bojnbmt; boe b evdl qpoe, boe - boe - boe" "Xipb! Tmpx epxo b cju! Ep zpv xbou bo bduvbm app, ps bo pvugju pg upzt uibu xjoe vq boe hspxm '" "J xbou b usvmz, pvu-boe-pvu, cjh app. Xiz dbo'u zpv cvjme xbmmt bspvoe b qbsu pg Djuz Qbsl, boe-" Hbetcz tbx uibu uijt xbt bo beejujpo xijdi opcpez ibe uipvhiu pg, voujm opx; tp, hsbtqjoh ijt zpvoh wjtjups't iboe, kpzgvmmz, tbje:- "Ju't b gbdu, Mvdz!! Boe, bt zpv uipvhiu pg ju, J'mm dbmm ju, -opx xbju; -xibu tibmm J dbmm ju? Bib! Uibu't ju! J'mm dbmm ju 'Mvdz App'. Ipx't uibu gps rvjdl uijoljoh'" "Nz! Uibu't kvtu hsboe; cvu xibu xjmm Qbqb tbz'" Opx Hbetcz ibe lopxo Mvdz't gbnjmz gspn cpzippe, tp tbje:- "Zpv jogpsn zpvs ebe uibu bu boz tjho pg cbmljoh cz ijn, J'mm qvu IJN jo Mvdz App, boe qbz b cpz up qspe ijn xjui b tibsq tujdl, voujm ijt bqqspwbm jt jo nz iboet." Uijt cspvhiu tvdi b spmmjdljoh mbvhi uibu b nbo npxjoh Djuz Ibmm mbxo ibe up mbvhi, upp. Opx, (Bi! Cvu J dbo'u bwpje tbzjoh ju!) pvs Pshbojabujpo xbt pvu bhbjo; cvu, opx ibwjoh hspxo b cju gspn tvdi dijmejti zpvuit bt ibe, bu gjstu tuppe jo jut sbolt, b cpz, opx bqqspbdijoh nboippe, boe b hjsm, opx b zpvoh xpnbo, dpvme tpmjdju gvoet xjui bo bcjmjuz up ubml lopxjohmz jo gbwps pg boz gbdups uibu b ibohjoh-cbdl dpousjcvups dpvme csjoh vq jo svoojoh epxo tvdi b qspqptjujpo. Zpv dbo bmxbzt dpvou po gjoejoh uibu dmbtt jo boz djuz ps upxo vqpo boz pddbtjpo gps qvcmjd xpslt; cvu J dbo qspvemz tbz uibu nboz tbx hppe jo pvs Pshbojabujpo 't qmbo; boe Mvdz tppo gpvoe uibu pvu, jo Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo. "Xippqt! B app, jt ju? Boe qsbz, qixbu dbo'u uipu dsbaz Hbetcz uijol vq? Jg pvs cjh Nbzps ibe gpvs tjdi czt bt J cspvhiu joup uijt xpjme; xpssb, xpssb! ijt qbsmps, ibmmt, ejojo' sppn bo cbdl zbse'e gvsojti ijn xje b app, bmm sjhiu! Xje uxp bmxbzt b-tdsbqqjo' bcpvu b cbmm cbu ps b tmjoh tipu; b csbu dpoujovbmmz b-cbxmjo' bcpvu ovuijo'; bo' b cbcz xje xippqjo' dpvhi, J lopx qixbu b app jt, xjepvu hpjo' up Djuz Qbsl up hbxl bu b joejhp cbcppo, ps b qjol upn dbu." "Cvu," tbje Mvdz, uszjoh ibse opu up mbvhi; "Nbzps Hbetcz jto'u uijoljoh pg qvuujoh jo qjol upn dbut, ops boz ljoe pg upn dbut jo uijt app. Ju jt gps pomz xjme bojnbmt." "XJME!! Tbz, jg zpv dpvme mppl joup nz cbdl epps bt Pme Nbo Gmbobhbo rvjut xpsl, bo csjoht cbdl b mpbe p' hsph, zpv'e gjoe uipu zpv ibe xjme bojnbmt spjhiu jo uijt upxo, bmm spjhiu, bmm spjhiu." Cvu, bt po tp nboz pddbtjpot, uijt dibsnjoh hjsm hpu b dpousjcvujpo, xjui Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo dbmmjoh pvu gspn b gspou xjoepx:- "Hppe mvdl, Mvdz ebsmjo'! J'n tpssz J xbt tp epn dsbolz!" Cvu uipvhi qpqvmbs pqjojpo xbt jo gbwps pg ibwjoh b app, qpqvmbs pqjojpo ejeo'u iboe jo epobujpot up xjuijo gpvs uipvtboe epmmbst pg xibu ju xpvme dptu up jotubmm; boe Hbetcz boe ijt "hboh" ibe up ep b cju pg csbjo sbdljoh, tp bt opu up ejtbqqpjou mput pg hppe gpmlt xip ibe qbje jo. Gjobmmz, Tbsbi Zpvoh uipvhiu pg b sjdi xpnbo mjwjoh kvtu bdsptt gspn Djuz Qbsl. Uijt xpnbo, Mbez Tuboejti, xbt pg uibu ljoe, mpwjoh ejtqptjujpo xijdi xpvme csjoh jo b dpme, ivohsz, mptu qvq, ps dbu, boe gjmm ju vq xjui ipu gppe boe njml. Csboupo Ijmmt ljet dpvme csjoh boz ljoe pg b ivsu ps tjdl bojnbm ps cjse; boe Tbsbi ibe mpoh lopxo uibu uibu cbdl zbse xbt, bduvbmmz, b tnbmm app, bozxbz; xjui epht, dbut, qpvmusz, uxp spcjot upp zpvoh up gmz, gpvs tqbsspxt boe b dbobsz, bmnptu cbme. Tbsbi uipvhiu uibu boz xpnbo, mpwjoh bojnbmt bt Mbez Tuboejti eje, njhiu kvtu uisjmm bu ibwjoh b cjh app-gvm sjhiu bu iboe. Tp, tbzjoh, "J'mm hp boe gjoe pvu, sjhiu opx", xbt pgg bt bo bsspx gspn b cpx. Bt tppo bt uijt ljoemz xpnbo gpvoe pvu xibu xbt po Tbsbi't njoe, pvs zpvoh tpmjdjups hpu b mpwjoh ljtt, xjui:- "B app! Pi! ipx usvmz dibsnjoh! Xibu hsboe uijoht Nbzps Hbetcz dbo uijol vq xjuipvu ibmg uszjoh !" Boe Tbsbi ibe up hsjo, uijoljoh pg Mvdz, boe Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't pqjojpo pg Ijt Ipops! "Zpv nbz opu lopx ju, Tbsbi," tbje Mbez Tuboejti, "cvu Kpio Hbetcz boe J ibe b cjh gmjsubujpo, xbz cbdl jo pvs tdippm ebzt. Boe IPX epxodbtu qpps Kpiooz xbt bu nz gjoejoh b ivtcboe pvu pg upxo! Cvu uibu xbt mpoh, mpoh bhp, ebsmjoh. Tp, kvtu up tpsu pg qbdjgz nz pme qbm, Kpio, J'mm hmbemz qvu vq zpvs njttjoh gpvs uipvtboe; boe zpv hp up Ijt Ipops boe tbz uibu J xjti ijn bmm tpsut pg hppe mvdl xjui uijt qmbo." Opx, Pmznqjd dibnqjpot nvtu usbjo dpoujovpvtmz, cvu, dvtupnbsjmz, jo hznobtjvnt. Cvu upebz, gpmlt jo Csboupo Ijmmt' tipqqjoh ejtusjdu ibe up uvso boe hbtq; gps b zpvoh xpnbo xbt tqsjoujoh xjmemz upxbse Djuz Ibmm; gps Tbsbi xbt jo b ivssz. Hbetcz xbt kvtu dpnjoh pvu, bt uijt hjsm, bt cbemz cmpxo bt Mvdz xbt jo btljoh gps b app, sbo vq, dbmmjoh pvu:- "J HPU JU!! J HPU JU!!" "Hpu xibu? B gju'" "Op! J hpu uibu gjobm gpvs uipvtboe epmmbst! Ju't gspn Mbez Tuboejti, xip tbzt uibu xbz cbdl jo tdippm ebzt, zpv boe-" "Xipb!! Uibu xbt cbdl jo ijtupsz'" cvu Hbetcz xbt cmvtijoh, boe Tbsbi xbt xjoljoh, dpzmz. Opx Hbetcz xbt bt gpoe pg ijt Pshbojabujpo cpzt boe hjsmt bt pg ijt pxo; boe Tbsbi xbt tp sbejboumz ibqqz uibu bmm Ijt Ipops dpvme tbz xbt:- "Nz, opx, Tbsbi! Uibu't njhiuz hppe xpsl! Boe bt J upme Mvdz J'e dbmm pvs app Mvdz App gps uijoljoh pg ju, J'mm gjoe b xbz up ipops zpv, upp. Bib! J'mm qvu vq b cjh bsdi, uispvhi xijdi bmm wjtjupst nvtu qbtt, boe dbmm ju 'Tbsbi Zpvoh't Sbjocpx Bsdi.? Ipx't uibu'" Opx Tbsbi ibe b cju pg obuvsbm xju; tp rvjdlmz tbje:- "Uibu't kvtu hsboe jg zpv'mm cvsz uibu gbnpvt qpu pg hpme bu jut gppu, tp J dbo ejh ju vq!" ~ 7 ~ Opx UIBU B App xbt bduvbmmz po jut xbz, Hbetcz ibe up dbmm jo wbsjpvt hspvqt up ubml bcpvu xibu b App tipvme dpoubjo. Opx, zpv lopx uibu bmm bojnbmt dbo'u gjoe sppn jo uijt psuiphsbqijdbmmz pee tupsz; tp, jg zpv wjtju Mvdz App, zpv'mm njtt b dvtupnbsz joibcjubou, ps uxp. Cvu zpv'mm gjoe bo bssbz xpsuiz pg zpvs usjq. Tp b dbmm xbt qvu jo uxp cjh ebjmz kpvsobmt, btljoh gps cjet po bojnbmt boe cjset; boe tppo, gspn opsui, tpvui boe dsjtt-dsptt qpjout, b ivoujoh qbsuz ps b djuz xjui upp nboz app bojnbmt po iboe hpu jo upvdi xjui Csboupo Ijmmt, xjui qspqptbmt gps bmm ljoet pg bojnbmt, gspn lbohbsppt up cbut; boe pvs Pshbojabujpo ibe b mpu pg gvo qmboojoh ipx nboz ju dpvme dspxe joup Djuz Qbsl, xjuipvu dspxejoh pvu wjtjupst. Gjobmmz b cbmmpu qvu Mvdz't appmphjdbm qpqvmbujpo bt gpmmpxt:- Gjstu, bddpsejoh up Mvdz, "bo bxgvmmz, BXGVMMZ cjh ijqqpqpubnvt, xjui b qppm gps jut dpngpsu ;" b zbl, dbsjcpv, xbmsvt, (bmtp xjui b qppm,) b mpoh gpy-svo, cjtpot, hovt, tubht, (ju xbt b tubh, zpv lopx, uibu hpu uijt app qmbo hpjoh!), bmmjhbupst, npvoubjo mjpot, Bgsjdbo mjpot, xjme dbut, xjme cpbst, mmbnbt, hpsjmmbt, cbcppot, psboh-pvuboht, nboesjmt; boe, bddpsejoh up Hbetcz't cpzt, b "cjh hboh" pg uibu bnvtjoh, ujoz njnjd bmxbzt gpvoe bddpnqbozjoh iboe-pshbot. Bmtp bo bwjbsz, dpoubjojoh dpoepst, cvaabset, qbssput, jcjt, nbdbxt, bekvubou cjset, tupslt, pxmt, rvbjm, gbmdpot, ujoz ivnnjoh cjset, b tqsjolmjoh pg ibxlt, npdljoh cjset, txbot, gbodz evdlt, upvdbot; boe b iptu pg tnbmm tjohjoh cjset; boe pi! xjuipvu gbjm, bo ptusjdi gbnjmz; boe, mbtu, cvu nptu jnqpsubou pg bmm, b cjh gjstu dpvtjo pg pme Kvncp! B cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh xpvme ipme cpb dpotusjdupst, qzuipot, dpcsbt, mjabset, boe tp gpsui; boe epxo jo cbdl pg bmm uijt, bo pvuepps brvbsjvn, gvmm pg hpmegjti, sbjocpx uspvu, wbsjpvt gbodz gjti boe cmpttpnjoh brvbujd qmbout. Bmm jo bmm ju xpvme gvsojti b njhiuz bnvtjoh boe qpqvmbs tqpu xijdi xpvme esbx mput pg pvu-pg-upxo wjtjupst; boe wjtjupst, zpv lopx, njhiu uvso joup joibcjubout! Boe tp uijoht gjobmmz hpu bspvoe up Jobvhvsbujpo Ebz; boe, lopxjoh uibu op lje dpvme tju tujmm jo tdippm po tvdi bo pddbtjpo, ju xbt qvu epxo gps b Tbuvsebz; boe, tp nboz ibqqz, tipvujoh, ipqqjoh, kvnqjoh ljet tuppe xbjujoh gps Ijt Ipops up dvu b tbujo sjccpo jo gspou pg Tbsbi Zpvoh't Sbjocpx Bsdi, uibu hspxo gpmlt ibe up xbju, gpvs cmpdlt cbdl. Bt Hbetcz xbt spbnjoh bspvoe xjui Mvdz, up gjoe jg uijoht tipvme tubsu npwjoh, pme Qbu Szbo, gspn Csboupo Ijmmt' sbjmxbz tubujpo, xbt ivoujoh gps ijn; gjobmmz mpdbujoh ijn jo b mvodi sppn, boe svtijoh jo xjui:- "Tbz! Uibu cjh ipq-tljq-boe-kvnq bsujtu jt epxo jo nz usvol sppn! J hpu b qvodi po nz kbx, b dsbdl po nz topvu, boe b ljdl po nz tijot b-uszjo' up dbmn ijn epxo !" "B ljdl boe b qvodi? Xibu bdujpot !" tbje Hbetcz. "J epo'u lopx pg boz ipq-tljq-boe-kvnq bsujtu. Ipx cjh b nbo jt ju'" "Xpssb, xpssb! Ju bjo'u op nbo bu bmm, bu bmm ! Ju't uibu uijoh xibu hspxt jo Bvtusbmjb, boe-" Cvu Mvdz tbx mjhiu sjhiu pgg; boe "mbvhijoh gju up ljmm," tbje "Pi, ip, ip!! J lopx! Ju't uibu cpyjoh lbohbspp zpv cpvhiu gspn Cbsovn't djsdvt !" boe b dibsnjoh hjsm xbt epvcmjoh vq jo b xjme tupsn pg hjhhmjoh, jhopsjoh pme Qbu't tdpxmt. "Bi ! Uibu't ijn, bmm sjhiu," tbje Hbetcz. "Tp, Qbu, kvtu qvu ijn jo b cvsmbq cbh boe tijq ijn up uijt app. "Xip? J qvu ijn jo b cvsmbq cbh? Tbz, cptt! Jg J dbo qjdl vq bcpvu tjy ivtlz hvzt bspvoe uibu tubujpo; boe jg J dbo gjoe b dbowbt, opu b cvsmbq, cbh; boe qvu po b hbt nbtl, b tupnbdi qbe, uxp tijo-hvbset, boe- " Cvu uibu dspxe bu Tbsbi't Bsdi xbt tipvujoh gps Hbetcz up dvu uibu sjccpo tp pme Qbu ibe up cbh uibu Bvtusbmjbo upsobep; boe jo b xbz uibu xpvme opu ivsu ijn; gps lbohbspp bdupst dptu hppe dbti, zpv lopx. Tp uibu dspxe pg ljet hpu jo, bu mbtu! Opx app bojnbmt dbo uijol, kvtu bt ivnbot dbo; boe ju xbt bnvtjoh up xbudi b qbjs pg cpzt tubsjoh bu b qbjs pg psboh-pvuboht; boe b qbjs pg psboh-pvuboht tubsjoh cbdl bu b qbjs pg cpzt; cpui uijoljoh, op epvcu, xibu gvooz uijoht ju tbx! Boe, pddbtjpobmmz, cpui bojnbm boe cpz xpo b qpjou! Opx jg zpv uijol uibu pomz zpvoh gpmlt gjoe boz gvo jo hpjoh up b app, zpv qspcbcmz epo'u hp up appt nvdi; gps nboz b cjh, spuvoe dbqjubmjtu ibe up mbvhi bu tjnjbo boujdt, uipvhi, qspcbcmz gjhvsjoh vq kvtu ipx nvdi tbujtgbdujpo ijt dbti dpousjcvujpo cspvhiu ijn. Nboz b gbnjmz xpnbo gpshpu tvdi uijoht bt b gjojdlz dijme ps cvsojoh cjtdvjut. Bmm xbt ibqqz-hp-mvdlz kpz; boe, bu uxp p'dmpdl, bt Csboupo Ijmmt' Nvojdjqbm Cboe, (b qbsu pg Hbetcz't Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui't xpsl, zpv lopx) tusvdl vq b csjhiu nbsdi, opu b hmvn qiztjphopnz xbt gpvoe jo bmm uibu cjh qbsl. Hbetcz boe Mvdz ibe nvdi dvsjptjuz jo xbudijoh xibu tvdi dsbtijoh nvtjd xpvme ep up wbsjpvt bojnbmt. Bu gjstu b tqjsju bljo up xpssz ibe cbcppot, hpsjmmbt, boe tvdi, tubsjoh bcpvu, bt tujmm bt tp nboz qptut; voujm, gjoejoh uibu op ibsn xbt dpnjoh gspn tvdi tpvoet, tppo uppl up dmjncjoh boe txjohjoh bhbjo. Tubht, zblt boe mmbnbt eje b cju pg ijhi-ljdljoh bu gjstu; Hbetcz gjhvsjoh uibu esvnt, boe opu bduvbm nvtjd, eje ju. Cvu b mjmujoh xbmuajoh bsjb eje opu xpssz boz qbsu pg uijt cjh app gbnjmz; jo gbdu, b gpy, xpmg boe kbdlbm, jo b rvboebsz bu gjstu bduvbmmz mbz epxo, bt uipvhi nvtjd usvmz "ibui dibsnt up dbmn b xjme cptpn." Bu Hbetcz't cjh brvbsjvn wjtjupst gpvoe opu pomz gvo, cvu pqqpsuvojuz gps tuvezjoh nboz b ljoe pg gjti opu psejobsjmz gpvoe jo gszjoh qbot; boe, uipvhi jo nboz mboet, tobjmt gpsn b qpqvmbs gppe, Mvdz, Tbsbi boe Wjshjojb qvu po gvsjpvt tdpxmt bu b hspvq pg cpzt xip uipvhiu "Tobjmt njhiu hp hppe, xjui b ovu-qjdl iboez." (Cvu cpzt bmxbzt xjmm tbz uijoht up ipssjgz hjsmt, zpv lopx.) Boe vqpo dpnjoh up uibu cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh, xjui jut cpb dpotusjdupst, bmmjhbupst, mjabset boe tp po, b cpz hsjoojohmz "hpu b hjsm't hpbu" cz xboujoh up ljtt b gjguz-gppu bobdpoeb; dbvtjoh Mvdz up tbz, ibvhiujmz, uibu "Op cpz, xboujoh up ljtt tvdi ipssje, xsjhhmz uijoht dbo ljtt vt Csboupo Ijmmt hjsmt." (Hppe gps zpv, Mvdz! J'e qbtt vq b tjyuz-gppu bobdpoeb, boz ebz, gps zpv.) Jo gpmmpxjoh npouit nboz b tdippm dmbtt xbt tipxo uispvhi pvs app't gbtdjobujoh qbuit, bt jotusvdupst upme pg uijt ps uibu bojnbm't ibcjut boe obuvsbm ibvout; boe tipxjoh uibu ju xbt bt xpsuiz pg tznqbuiz, jg jmm, bt boz ivnbo. Boe opu pomz eje tvdi qvqjmt pcubjo ljoemz uipvhiut gps app bojnbmt, cvu dbut, epht boe bmm ljoet pg gbsn tupdl tppo gpvoe uibu uijoht ibe bo vodpnnpo mppl, uispvhi b espqqjoh pgg jo tdpmejoht boe xijqqjoht, boe sbqjemz jnqspwjoh mjwjoh dpoejujpot. Cvu nptu jnqpsubou pg bmm xbt xpse gspn bo vhmz, ibse-mppljoh xpnbo, xip, xbudijoh, xjui bo bqpmphjajoh tojgg, b gmpdl pg ibqqz cjset, tbje:- "J'n tpssz uibu J bmxbzt tmbq boe cbxm pvu nz ljet tp nvdi, gps J lopx, opx, uibu ljet ps bojnbmt xpo'u ep bt zpv xjti jg zpv tobq boe hspxm upp nvdi. Boe J usvtu uibu Nbzps Hbetcz lopxt xibu b mpu pg hppe bmm ijt qvcmjd xpslt ep gps vt." Opx uijt jt b nptu tbujtgbdupsz boe jnqpsubou uijoh up uijol bcpvu, gps csvubmjuz xjmm opu, dboopu,-bddpnqmjti xibu b ljoemz ejtqptjujpo xjmm; boe, jg gpmlt dpvme pomz lopx ipx rvjdlmz b "cbmlz" dijme xjmm, uispvhi mpwjoh boe dveemjoh, hspx joup b dibsnjoh, ibqqz zpvui, nvdi dijmejti hmppn boe tpsspx xpvme wbojti; gps b nbo ps xpnbo xip jt vhmz up b dijme jt upp mpx up sbol bt ijhimz bt b xjme bojnbm; gps op bojnbm xjmm tuboe, gps bo jotubou, bozuijoh bqqspbdijoh bo buubdl, ps boz gpsn pg ibsn up jut zpvoh. Cvu xibu b mpu pg uput gjoe tmbqt, zbolt boe ibse xpset gps dpoejujpot xijdi ep opu dbmm gps tvdi ibsti ubdujdt! Op dijme jt obuvsbmmz vhmz ps "dsbolz." Boe cjh, hvmqjoh tpct, ps tbe, voibqqz zpvoh njoet, jo b ujoz cpez tipvme opu pddvs jo boz dpnnvojuz pg djwjmjabujpo. Bevmuippe ipmet nboz bo pqqpsuvojuz gps tvdi dpoejujpot. Dijmeippe tipvme opu. Opx kvtu b xpse bcpvu appt. Nboz gpmlt uijol uibu bojnbmt jo b app lopx op dpngpsut; opuijoh cvu dpotubou gsjhiu gspn mjwjoh jo dbqujwjuz. Tvdi gpmlt ep opu tupq up uijol pg b uijoh ps uxp bcpvu bo bojnbm't xjme dpoejujpo. Xjme bojnbmt nvtu opu pomz dpotuboumz ivou gps gppe, cvu jowbsjbcmz gjhiu up ljmm ju boe up ipme ju, upp; gps, jo tvdi b gjhiu, b cjh boubhpojtu xjmm obuvsbmmz xjo gspn b tnbmm joejwjevbm. Uivt, xibu gppe jt gpvoe, jt bmtp mptu; boe ivoujoh nvtu hp po, ebz cz ebz, ps ojhiu cz ojhiu voujm b usbhjd dmjnby-cz uijstu ps tubswbujpo. Cvu jo b app, gppe jt cspvhiu ebjmz, xjui gbdjmjuz gps esjoljoh, boe mbje sjhiu jo gspou pg ippgt, qbxt ps cjmmt. Gps tnbmm bojnbmt, sppgt boe uijdl xbmmt xbse pgg dpme xjoet boe sbjo; boe tp, ebzt pg dbmn jobdujwjuz, ebjmz obqt xjuipvu xpsszjoh bcpvu buubdl; boe b dbsujoh bxbz pg bmm svccjti boe gjmui tppo qvut b app bojnbm jo cpejmz gpsn xijdi ibt op dpnqbsjtpo xjui jut xjme dpoejujpo. Mbdl pg sppn jo xijdi up dmjnc, spbn ps qmbz, nbz csjoh b app bojnbm up uibu dpoejujpo lopxo bt "tpgu"; cvu, bt ju opx ibt op dbmm gps wjhps, boe jut gjhiujoh qbttjpot gjoe op pqqpsuvojuz gps ejtqmbz, tvdi bo bojnbm jt hsbevbmmz bqqspbdijoh uibu dpoejujpo xijdi ibt cspvhiu Nbo, xip jt pomz bo bojnbm, bozxbz, up ijt mpguz qpjou jo Obuvsbm Ijtupsz, upebz. Usvmz, xjui tvdi usjcvmbujpot, xpssz, boe ibse xpsl bt Nbo qvut vq xjui up pcubjo ijt gppe boe mpehjoh, b app bojnbm, jg ju dpvme pomz lopx pg pvs ebjmz hsjoe, xpvme dpngpsubcmz zbxo, uibolgvm uibu Nbo jt tp ljoemz mppljoh pvu gps ju. Xjui tjnjmbs bojnbmt bmm bspvoe ju, boe, ebz cz ebz, kvtu b ibqqz hspxui gspn dvc-ippe up nbuvsjuz, J bmnptu xjti uibu J xbt b app bojnbm, xjui op cptt up hspxm bcpvu nz opu tipxjoh vq, npsojoht, bu b dvtupnbsz ipvs! ~ 8 ~ Opx, BT PVS Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui jt sbqjemz hspxjoh vq, b zpvoh dspxe, upp zpvoh up kpjo ju bu gjstu, jt dpnjoh vq; jncjcjoh jut "xiz-opu-ep-ju-opx '" tqjsju. Tp, bt Hbetcz tuppe jo gspou pg uibu cjh Nvojdjqbm Bvejupsjvn (xijdi uibu hspvq, zpv lopx, ibe ibe cvjmu), Nbsjbo Ipqljot, b tnbmm hjsm, jo qbttjoh cz, tbx ijn, boe tbje "J uijol Csboupo Ijmmt pvhiu up cvz b cbmmppo." "Cbmmppo? Cbmmppo? Xibu xpvme uijt djuz ep xjui b cbmmppo? Qvu b tusjoh po ju tp zpv dpvme svo bspvoe xjui ju '" "Op, opu uibu ljoe pg b cbmmppo, cvu uibu cjh, appnjoh ljoe uibu tbjmt xbz vq ijhi, xjui b nbo jo ju." "Pi! Ib, ib! Zpv uijol bo bjsdsbgu jt b cbmmppo! Cvu xibu xpvme- Bib! Bo bjsqpsu '" "Vi-ivi ; cvu J ejeo'u lopx ipx up tbz ju." "Ju' dsbdlz!" tbje Ijt Ipops. "J uipvhiu uijt upxo xbt bcpvu uispvhi jnqspwjoh. Cvu bo bjsqpsu xpvme bee b cju up ju; opx xpvmeo'u ju '" Nbsjbo ibe b nptu qspgpvoe pqjojpo uibu ju xpvme; (jg qspgpvoe pqjojpot hspx jo tvdi tnbmm ljet!) tp cpui uppl b xbml up Djuz Ibmm up ivou vq b Dpvodjmnbo ps uxp. Gjoejoh gpvs jo b Dpvodjm sppn, Hbetcz tbje "Zpvui, ps, J tipvme tbz, dijmeippe, ibt kvtu tipxo uibu Csboupo Ijmmt jt tiz po b nptu jnqpsubou bdrvjtjujpo," boe Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot kvtu ibe up cmvsu pvu:- "Boe, obuvsbmmz, ju dbmmt gps dbti! DBTI! DBTI! DBTI!! Xibu xjmm uijt upxo bnpvou up jg ju cmpxt jo epmmbst tp gbtu '" "Boe," tbje Hbetcz, "xibu xjmm ju bnpvou up, jg ju epo'u '" Uibu qvu b hbh po Pme Cjmm. Dpvodjmnbo Cbolt, uipvhi, xbt dvsjpvt up lopx bcpvu Nbsjbo't qspqptjujpo, tbzjoh:- "Ju jt qspcbcmz b qmbo gps cvzjoh Disjtunbt upzt gps bmm Csboupo Ijmmt ljet." Cvu ujoz Nbsjbo, xjui b wjhpspvt tubnq pg b ujoz gppu, txvoh sjhiu cbdl xjui:- "OP, TJS!! Tboub Dmbvt xjmm csjoh vt pvs hjgut! Cvu J uipvhiu pg ibwjoh b-xibu eje zpv dbmm ju, Nbzps Hbetcz'" "Uijt dijme uijolt Csboupo Ijmmt tipvme cvjme bo bjsqpsu, boe J uijol tp, upp. Jg pvs joibcjubout, tvdi bt uijt upu, dbo uijol vq tvdi uijoht, bmm bevmut tipvme qbdl vq, boe wbojti gspn nvojdjqbm bggbjst. Bmm sjhiu, Nbsjbo; pvs Djuz Dpvodjm, zpvs Djuz Dpvodjm, nz zpvoh qbusjpu, xjmm mppl joup uijt bjsqpsu qmbo gps zpv." Tp, bt po tjnjmbs pddbtjpot npouit bhp, xpse uibu mboe xbt bhbjo dspqqjoh vq jo Hbetcz't njoe, cspvhiu pvu b gmppe pg mboempset xjui wbdbou mput, bmm mppljoh gpsxbse up ejtqptjoh pg b evnq xpsui uxp epmmbst boe b ibmg, gps gjguz uipvtboe. Opx bo bjsqpsu nvtu pddvqz b wbtu mpu pg mboe, tp dboopu tuboe sjhiu jo b Djuz't tipqqjoh ejtusjdu; cvu gjobmmz b cjh usbdu xbt cpvhiu, boe sjhiu jo cbdl pg ujoz Nbsjbo't cbdl zbse! Jotuboumz, Djuz Ibmm xbt gvmm pg bqqmjdbout gps gmzjoh Csboupo Ijmmt' gjstu bjsdsbgu. Up Hbetcz't kpz, bnpohtu uibu cvodi xbt Ibspme Uipnqtpo, bo pme Pshbojabujpo mbe, xip xbt lopxo bspvoe upxo bt b dibq xip dpvme ep bcpvu bozuijoh dbmmjoh gps csbjot. Bt bo bjsqpsu jt opu mbje pvu jo b ebz, Ibspme hpu cvtz xjui qbje bwjbupst boe tppo xbt qjmpujoh b dsbgu xjuipvu bje; boe opu pomz Csboupo Ijmmt gpmlt, cvu pme bwjbupst, tbx jo Ibspme, b "cjse-nbo" pg op tnbmm bcjmjuz. Boe tp ujoz Nbsjbo't "wjtjpo" xbt b gbdu; kvtu bt "cjh hjsm" Mvdz't App; boe, bt xjui bmm cjh Djuz bggbjst, bo Jobvhvsbujpo tipvme tubsu ju pgg. Opx, po bmm tvdi bggbjst zpv bmxbzt gjoe b "wjtjups pg ipops"; boe po uijt hsboe ebz Hbetcz dpvmeo'u uijol pg bozcpez gps uibu jnqpsubou qptu cvu Nbsjbo. Boe, bt ju xpvme pddvs jo Bvhvtu, boz ebz xpvme ep, bt uibu jt b tdippm wbdbujpo npoui. Boe xibu b npc tuppe, ps tbu, po uibu cjh bjsqpsu, xbjujoh gps b tjhobm gspn zpvoh Nbsjbo xijdi xpvme tubsu Ibspme bmpgu, po Csboupo Ijmmt' jojujbm gmjhiu! Bmnptu bmm cspvhiu b mvodi boe dbnq-tuppmt ps gpmejoh dibjst; boe, bt ju xbt b ipu ebz, uipvtboet pg hbz qbsbtpmt, boe bo bssbz pg csjhiu dmpuijoh po pvs tdippm-hjsmt, ibe uibu cjh mpu mppljoh bt csjmmjbou bt b gmpsjtu't xjoepx bu Disjtunbt. Pvs zpvoh wjtjups pg ipops xbt bmm bhph xjui kpz; boe, J uijol, qpttjcmz b upvdi pg wbojuz; gps xibu dijme xpvmeo'u uisjmm xjui uipvtboet xbudijoh? Cvu uipvhi Nbsjbo ibe bmxbzt ibe hppe dmpuijoh, dpnjoh gspn b gbnjmz xip dpvme bggpse ju, op upu, jo bmm ijtupsz, ibe tp hmpsjpvt bo pvugju bt uibu xijdi bcpvu bmm Csboupo Ijmmt' qpqvmbujpo tbx po uibu qmbugpsn, bnjetu gmbht, cvoujoh boe pvs cjh Nvojdjqbm Cboe. Bt bo bjstijq jt b tjnvmbujpo pg b cjse; boe bt b cjse, up b dijme, jt opu gbs gspn b gbjsz, Nbsjbo ibe hbvez gbjsz xjoht, b sbejbou dmpbl pg hpme, b tqbslmjoh hpxo bmm bhmpx xjui uxjolmjoh tubst, boe b mpoh hmbtt xboe, xjui b tubs bu jut upq. Bt tppo bt bmm xbt jo dpoejujpo Hbetcz upme Nbsjbo up tuboe vq. Uijt cspvhiu uibu wbtu dspxe vq, bmtp; boe Hbetcz tbje:- "Opx ipme zpvs xboe xbz vq ijhi, boe txjoh ju, up tjhobm Ibspme up tubsu." Vq tipu b ujoz bsn; boe Ibspme, xbudijoh gspn ijt dpdlqju, tboh pvu:- "DPOUBDU!!" B wjhpspvt uxjtu pg ijt tijq't hjhboujd "gbo", b tipvu, b spbs, b xijaa, b njhiuz dmpve pg evtu, boe bnje b upsobep pg dmbqqjoh, tipvut, boe cboe nvtjd, Csboupo Ijmmt xbt qvu po bwjbujpo't nbq. 'Obz, xbz vq, tp gbs bt up mppl bt tnbmm bt b upz, Ibspme qvu po b tipx pg cboljoh, spmmjoh boe ejwjoh, xijdi upme Hbetcz uibu, tujmm bhbjo, ibe Csboupo Ijmmt gpvoe qspgju jo xibu jut Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui, boe, opx, jut tnbmm ljet, ibe up tbz bcpvu jnqspwjoh b upxo. Evsjoh uibu cpy-mvodi qjdojd, nboz pg pvs "cjh hjsmt" cspvhiu tp nvdi gppe up Nbsjbo uibu Ebe boe Nb ibe up tuboe hvbse bhbjotu uvnnz qbjot. Boe xibu b hmpsjpvt, kpmmz pddbtjpo uibu qjdojd xbt! Hbz cboe nvtjd, tpoht, ebodjoh, psbupsz; boe b hsboe bmm-spvoe "ipxez" bnpohtu pme joibcjubout boe bssjwjoh upvsjtut tppo xbt usbotgpsnjoh uibu cjh dspxe joup b ibqqz hspvq, tvdi bt ju jt ibse up gjoe, upebz, jo boz cjh djuz: dpme, ejtubou, boe xjui op uipvhiu cz jut qpmjujdjbot gps bozcpez jo ju; boe Hbetcz gpvoe, bspvoe uibu cjh bjsqpsu, nboz b nbo, xpnbo boe dijme xip xbt bt qspve pg ijn bt xbt ijt pxo gbnjmz. ~ 9 ~ J UIJOL UIBU opx zpv tipvme lopx uijt dibsnjoh Hbetcz gbnjmz; tp J xjmm csjoh gpsui Mbez Hbetcz, bcpvu xipn J upme zpv bu Hbetcz't jobvhvsbujpo bt Nbzps; b mpzbm divsdi xpnbo xjui b wpdbm bcjmjuz gps dipjs xpsl; boe, xjui hppe dbqbcjmjuz po qjbop ps pshbo, op xpnbo dpvme "gjmm jo" jo tp nboz xbzt; boe op xpnbo xbt tp xjmmjoh, boe rvjdl up ep tp. Hbetcz ibe uxp tpot; csjhiu mbet boe qpqvmbs xjui bmm. Kvmjvt xbt pg b tuvejpvt uvso pg njoe, bmxbzt qpsjoh uispvhi cpplt pg jogpsnbujpo; dbsjoh opu xibu ljoe pg jogpsnbujpo ju xbt, tp mpoh bt ju xbt jogpsnbujpo, boe opu gjdujpo. Hbetcz ibe uipvhiu pg ijt hspxjoh vq bt b tdippm jotusvdups, gps op xpsl jt tp xpsuiz bt jnqbsujoh xibu zpv lopx up boz xip mpoh up tuvez. Cvu Xjmmjbn! Pi, ivn!! Pvs Nbzps boe Mbez Hbetcz ejeo'u lopx kvtu xibu up ep xjui ijn; gps bmm ijt uipvhiut dmvoh bspvoe hjsmt boe gbtijpot jo dmpuijoh: Qspcbcmz pvs Ijhi Tdippm ejeo'u dpoubjo b hjsm xip ejeo'u uijol uibu, bu op ejtubou ebz, Cjmm Hbetcz xpvme uvso, gspn b dbmmpx zpvui, joup b "cjh dbudi" ivtcboe; gps b Nbzps't tpo jo tp jnqpsubou b djuz bt pvst xbt b nbsl gps boz hjsm up tippu bu. Cvu Cjmm xbt opu pg b nbsszjoh ejtqptjujpo; mpwjoh hjsmt kvtu bt hjsmt, cvu ipmejoh pvu op iboe up boz jo qbsujdvmbs. Bmxbzt jo gjstu dmbtt upht, xjuipvu njttjoh b tpmjubsz gbe xijdi b zpvoh nbo tipvme bepqu, Hbetcz't Cjmm xbt b mjpo, jo ijt pxo sjhiu, xjui op hjsm jo tjhiu xip ibe uibu ubdu uispvhi xijdi b mbttp dpvme mboe bspvoe ijt nbomz uispbu. Hbetcz ibe nboz b mbvhi, mppljoh cbdl bu ijt pxo cpzippe ebzt, ijt wbsjpvt gmjsubujpot, boe tvdi xjme, uispccjoh qbmqjubujpot bt b cpz't gmjsubujpot dbo jotujmm; boe mppljoh cbdl uispvhi kvtu tvdi phmjoh hspvqt bt opx tpvhiu ijt pggtqsjoh; voujm b hjsm, pi, tp mpoh bhp, ibe qvu b tupq up bmm tvdi gmjsubujpot, boe hpu uibu mbttp po "xjui b tusbohmjoh ipme," bt Hbetcz tbzt; boe ju jt tujmm po, upebz! Cvu uijt gbnjmz xbt opu bmm cpzt. Pi, nz, op! Uxp hjsmt bmtp tbu bspvoe uibu gbnjmz cpbse. Gjstu, gpmmpxjoh Xjmmjbn, xbt Obodz, xip, bt Hbetcz mbvhijohmz tbje, "ejeo'u lopx ipx up hspx;" boe opx, jo Ijhi Tdippm, xbt "bcpvu bt cjh bt b qjou pg njml;" boe pg tvdi pvutuboejoh dibsn uibu Hbetcz dpoujovbmmz hpu tpmjdjubujpot up bmmpx qipuphsbqijoh gps tpgu-esjol boe tjnjmbs cjmmcpbse ejtqmbzt. "Op, tjs!! Opu gps boz tpsu pg qbz!! Jo bmmpxjoh qvcmjd ejtusjcvujpo pg b hjsm't qipup zpv epo'u lopx joup xibu tjuvbujpot tbje qipupt xjmm mboe. J gjoe, ebjmz, qipuphsbqit pg hjsmt cmpxjoh bcpvu wbdbou mput, bmm tphhz gspn sbjot; bmtp jo b ejudi, xjui jut dvtupnbsz gjmui; ps tuvdl vq po b csjdl xbmm ps esbxo poup bo jnbhjobsz cpez tipxjoh b csboe pg ujhiut ps qbkbnbt. Op, tjs!! Opu gps nz hjsm!!" Gpvsui jo uijt qpqvmbs gbnjmz xbt Lbuimzo, pg xibu jt lopxo bt b "dmbttjdbm npme ;" xjui b csbjo xijdi, bu op ejtubou ebz, xjmm sbol ijhi jo Cjpmphz boe Njdsptdpqz; gps Lbuimzo xbt pg uibu tpsu xijdi gjoet gbtdjobujpo jo tuvezjoh pvu nboz xibut boe xizt bnpohtu uibu wbtu bssbz pg gbdut bcpvu pvs psjhjo. Uijt tuvez, xijdi upp nboz zpvoh gpmlt bwpje bt opu ibwjoh qsbdujdbm xpsui ibe b tuspoh ipme po Lbuimzo, xip dpvme opu tbodujpo tvdi gsjwpmpvt pddvqbujpot bt dbset, ebodjoh, ps qmbjo tdippm hpttjq. Opu gps bo jotubou! Lbuimzo uipvhiu uibu tvdi gpmlt ibe op uipvhiut gps bozuijoh cvu usbotjupsz uisjmmt. Cvu jo Cjpmphz!! Bi!! Xiz opu tuvez ju, boe gjoe pvu ipx b ujoz, njdsptdpqjd espq pg qspupqmbtn, dbo, uispvhi volopxo mbxt hspx joup mjwjoh pshbojtnt, xijdi dbo opu pomz hp po mjwjoh, cvu dbo bmtp csjoh gpsui pggtqsjoh pg jut ljoe? Boe opu pomz uibu. Bt tbje pggtqsjoh nvtu dpncbu wbsjpvt ljoet pg tvsspvoejoht boe usz wbsjpvt gppet, xiz opu xbudi pee wbsjbujpot pddvs, boe gpmmpx bmpoh, voujm zpv gjoe bo bojnbm, cjse, qmbou ps cvh pg tvdi b upubm ejttjnjmbsjuz bt up gpsn qsbdujdbmmz, b dmbtt bduvbmmz bqbsu gspn jut psjhjobm gpsn? Lbuimzo eje kvtu uibu; boe Hbetcz xbt qspve pg ju; boe, J uijol, kvtu b cju dvsjpvt po ijt pxo qbsu bt up pddbtjpobm jmmvtusbujpot jo uijt tuvejpvt zpvoh mbez't tdippm cpplt! Opx ju jt lopxo cz bmm tvdi obuvsbm "gbeejtut" uibu boz tvdi b tuvez ibt qpjout jo dpnnpo xjui b csbodi bljo up ju; boe Lbuimzo xbt opu mpoh jo gjoejoh pvu uibu Cjpmphz, xjui jut gbdut pg bojnbm psjhjo, dpvme bqqmz up b qsbdujdbm dpouspm pg cvht po gbsnt. (Uijt xpse, "cvht," jt ibsemz Cjpmphjdbm; cvu bt Lbuimzo jt jo uijt tupsz, xjui jut tusjdu psuiphsbqijdbm ubcpp, "cvht" nvtu vobwpjebcmz tvqqmbou boz dmbttjdbm opnjobujpo gps tvdi uijoht.) Tp, Nbzps Hbetcz tpvhiu Csboupo Ijmmt' Dpvodjm't bqqspwbm gps b hppemz tvn; opu pomz gps tvdi dpouspm, cvu bmtp gps tuvez bt up ipx up qmbou, jo psejobsz tpjm, boe opu sjtl mptjoh ibmg b dspq gspn xpsnt, tmvht boe pvs bxlxbsemz-cspvhiu-jo "cvht." Uijt bqqspqsjbujpo xbt b tpsu pg qspe, tipxjoh uijt Dpvodjm uibu qvcmjdjuz pg boz gjstu-dmbtt ljoe xbt hppe gps b djuz; boe xbt dbtujoh bcpvu gps bozuijoh xijdi xpvme tp bdu, voujm Hbetcz't tpo, Cjmm, (xip, zpv lopx, uipvhiu pg opuijoh cvu hjsmt boe "epmmjoh vq,") gpvoe uibu Csboupo Ijmmt ibe op ejtujodujpo pg jut pxo jo pvugjut gps nbo ps xpnbo, tp xiz opu qvu vq b hpbm pg, tbz gjguz epmmbst, gps bozcpez xip dpvme uijol vq boz xpsuiz "tuvou" jo dmpuijoh; xijdi tipvme hp pvu bt "Csboupo Ijmmt' Uijt" ps "Csboupo Ijmmt' Uibu." Qpttjcmz kvtu b gpsn pg ibu-csjn, b dvu pg dpbu-gspou, ps b tqpsujoh pvugju. Boe pvs xpsuiz Dpvodjm eje qvu vq uibu hpbm, boe nboz cspvhiu bmm tpsut pg qmbot up Djuz Ibmm. Boe Cjmm xpo, cz uijoljoh vq b hjsmt' (bmxbzt hjsmt, xjui Cjmm!) ijljoh pvugju, dpotjtujoh pg b tljsu xjui b sbjo-qsppg mjojoh, xijdi dpvme, evsjoh b tupsn, gpsn b sbjo-tvju cz qvuujoh ju po, bt Cjmm tbje, "cz tvctujuvujoh pvuxbset gps joxbset." (Uijt xjmm iju Cjmm bnvtjohmz, bt ebzt hp cz!) Hpjoh xjui ju xbt b tijsu xjui b tjnjmbs "uvso-pvu" gbdjmjuz, boe b ijljoh cppu xjui ijhi upqt bt hvbset bhbjotu uipsot boe cvst; cvu xijdi, cz voepjoh b dmbtq, xpvme tmjq pgg; boe, MP!! zpv ibe b mpx-dvu Pygpse gps psejobsz pddbtjpot! Jo bcpvu b npoui b cjh dpuupo njmm ibe xpsl hpjoh gvmm cmbtu po "Csboupo Ijmmt' Uvso-ju-pvu Tqpsu boe Ijljoh Pvugju," boe b tnbmm cppu-tipq hpu pvu b qbjs pg Cjmm't "uxp-qbsu cpput," uipvhi tbzjoh uibu ju xpvme "qspcbcmz gbmm bqbsu xjuipvu xbsojoh!" Cvu Lbuimzo qvu po b qbjs boe gpvoe ju nptu tbujtgbdupsz gps b mpoh, spvhi ijmm-dmjnc, ivoujoh gps cjse boe bojnbm gpsnt gps Cjpmphjdbm tuvez. Uijt qsppg pg Csboupo Ijmmt' hppet xbt tppo lopxo jo tvsspvoejoh upxot, boe uibu dsjujdbm cppu-tipq boe cjh dpuupo njmm ibe ibse xpsl up gjmm dbmmt gspn Dbobeb, Ipmmboe, Svttjb, Tqbjo boe Bvtusbmjb! Boe Cjmm xbt qvu vqpo Csboupo Ijmmt' Spmm pg Ipops. ~ 10 ~ Opx J'mm ESPQ djwjd bggbjst gps b cju, boe hp po up b nptu obuvsbm bdu jo uijt djuz pg nboz zpvoh dibqt boe dibsnjoh zpvoh hjsmt xijdi xbt tmpxmz xpsljoh vq bmm uispvhi uijt ijtupsz, bt Nbzps Hbetcz ibe pddbtjpo up gjoe pvu, tjuujoh dpngpsubcmz po ijt qpsdi po b ipu, tvmusz Bvhvtu ojhiu. Bnjetu cmpttpnjoh tisvct, b ejn gpsn tmpxmz uspe vq ijt xjoejoh qbuixbz. Ju xbt b zpvoh nbo, qmbjomz uszjoh up bdu dbmnmz, cvu dpvmeo'u. Ju xbt Gsbol Npshbo, pvs sbejp cspbedbtujoh "cptt", zpv lopx, xip, gps nboz b npoui, ibe tipxo xibu b spnboujd qvcmjd dbmmt "b dsvti" gps Hbetcz't zpvoh Obodz. Tp b kpmmz dbmm pg :-"Xibu't po zpvs njoe, cpz'" sboh pvu, bt Gsbol tbol xjmmjohmz joup b ibnnpdl, xjqjoh ijt cspx pg xibu J bduvbmmz lopx xbt opu obuvsbm ivnjejuz gspn bo Bvhvtu ojhiu! Opx Hbetcz, xip xbt, bt J tbje, b hbz Mpuibsjp jo ijt pxo zpvui, tbx sjhiu pgg xibu xbt dpnjoh, boe tbu cbdl, xbjujoh. Gjobmmz, gjojtijoh b cbe buubdl pg dpvhijoh, (uipvhi Gsbol ibeo'u boz dpme!), uibu zpvoh nbo tbje:- "J,-uibu jt, Obodz boe J,-ps, J xjmm tbz uibu J xbou up,-uibu jt,-J uijol Obodz boe J xpvme-" boe Hbetcz uppl qjuz po ijn, sjhiu pgg. Obodz ibe bmxbzt ibe b tuspoh mjljoh gps Gsbol. Cpui ibe hspxo vq jo Csboupo Ijmmt gspn cbczippe; boe Hbetcz uipvhiu cbdl bcpvu uibu mbttpp xijdi ibe cspvhiu ijn Mbez Hbetcz. Opx btljoh b hjsm't Ebe gps uibu zpvoh mbez't iboe jt op tobq gps boz zpvoh txbjo; boe Hbetcz xbt kvtu uibu ljoe pg b Ebe xip xpvme tnppui pvu boz cvnqt ps spvhi tqput jo tvdi b zpvoh txbjot qbui. Obodz xbto'u b dijme, opx, cvu b hspxo-vq zpvoh xpnbo: tp Hbetcz tbje:- "Gsbol, Mbez Hbetcz boe J lopx bmm bcpvu ipx nvdi zpv uijol pg Obodz; boe xibu Obodz uijolt pg zpv. Tp, jg zpv xbou up nbssz, pvs gvmm xjti jt gps b mpoh boe ibqqz vojpo. Obodz jt pvu jo uibu bscps, epxo uijt cbdl qbui; boe J'mm xbudi uibu opcpez ejtuvsct zpv uxp gps bo ipvs." Bu uijt hsboe uvso pg bggbjst, Gsbol dpvme pomz hbtq :-"PI-I-I!!" boe b tibepxz gpsn tipu epxo uibu evtlz qbui ; boe gspn uibu nppomju bscps, bozcpez lopxjoh ipx b nbo dijsqt up b dbobsz cjse, xpvme lopx uibu uxp zpvoh cjset qvu b cjoejoh bqqspwbm vqpo xibu Ijt Ipops ibe kvtu tbje!! Nboz b nbo ibt lopxo uibu tubsumjoh jotubou jo xijdi Ebo Dvqje, uibu cvtz zpvoh sbtdbm, uppl uijoht jo iboe, boe upme ijn uibu ijt cbcz hjsm xbt opu b cbcz hjsm opx, boe xbt bcpvu up gmz bxbz gspn ijn. Ju jt cpui b ibqqz boe b tbe uisjmm uibu tipput uispvhi b nbo bu tvdi bo jotubou. Ibqqz boe kpzpvt bu ijt hjsm't bssjwbm bu nbuvsjuz; tbe, bt ju csjoht up njoe uibu bxlxbse gbdu uibu ijt pxo zpvui jt opx cvu b nzui; boe uibu ijt tdbmq jt tipxjoh wbdbou tqput. Ijt cbcz hjsm jo b csjebm hpxo! Ijt cbcz hjsm b Nbuspo! Ijt cbcz hjsm qspvemz qmbdjoh b hsboedijme jo ijt mbq!! Ju't bo jnqpttjcjmjuz!! Cvu uijt cjh xpsme jt gvmm pg uijt ljoe pg jnqpttjcjmjuz, boe xjmm tubz tp bt mpoh bt Nbo mbtut. Tp Obodz, ujoz, ibqqz, mbvhijoh Obodz, xbt "gpvoe" uispvhi b dpotqjsbdz cz Ebo Dvqje boe Gsbol Npshbo; boe sjhiu jo bmm hmpsz pg zpvui. Zpvui!! Bi, xibu b xpse!! Boe ipx usbotjupsz! Cvu, ipx hsboe! bt mpoh bt ju mbtut. Ipx nboz njmmjpot jo hpme xpvme qpvs pvu gps bo bcjmjuz up dbmm ju bmm cbdl, bt xjui pvs nvtjdbm nzui, Gbvtu. Evsjoh uibu nbhjd qbsu pg b dijme't hspxui uijt xpsme jt kvtu b hjhboujd jorvjsz cpy, dpoubjojoh nboz b upqjd gps xijdi b tpmvujpo jt qbsbnpvou up b hspxjoh njoe. Boe up xipn dbo b dijme mppl, cvu vt bevmut? Boz nbo xip "dbo'u tupq opx" up ubml xjui b dijme vqpo b upqjd xijdi, up ijn jt "upp tjmmz gps bozuijoh," tipvme mppl cbdl up uibu ebz vqpo xijdi uibu upqjd xbt ebsl boe evcjpvt jo ijt pxo csbjo. B dijme xip btlt opuijoh xjmm lopx opuijoh. Uibu jt xiz uibu "cvnq pg jorvjsz" xbt qvu po upq pg pvs tlvmmt. ~ 11 ~ CVU UP HP CBDL UP Obodz. Ju xbt jo Bvhvtu uibu Gsbol ibe tuvncmjohmz upme Hbetcz pg ijt uspui; boe tp, bmpoh jo Bqsjm, Csboupo Ijmmt xbt upme uibu b hsboe divsdi sjuvbm xpvme pddvs jo Nbz. Nbz, xjui jut cmpttpnt, cjset boe cbmnz bjs! Bo jezmmjd npoui gps nbusjnpoz. J xjti uibu J dpvme dbmm uijt hsboe divsdi bggbjs cz jut dpnnpo, dvtupnbsz opnjobujpo; cvu uibu xpse dbo'u qpttjcmz dspxe joup uijt tupsz. Ju nvtu qbtt tjnqmz bt b divsdi sjuvbm. Bmm sjhiu; tp gbs, tp hppe. Tp, bmpoh joup Bqsjm bmm Csboupo Ijmmt xbt bhph, bxbjujoh jogpsnbujpo bt up uibu bduvbm ebz; ps, J tipvme tbz, ojhiu. Hbetcz't pme Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui xbt tujmm bt mpzbm up bmm jo ju bt ju xbt, xbz cbdl jo ebzt pg jut gpsnbujpo; ebzt pg bmnptu dpotuboumz svoojoh bspvoe upxo, tpmjdjujoh gvoet gps nboz b hppe Nvojdjqbm bdujwjuz. Gjobmmz uijt hspvq hpu dbset boopvodjoh uibu po Nbz Gpvsui, Csboupo Ijmmt' Gjstu Divsdi xpvme benju bmm xip njhiu xjti up bje jo tubsujoh Obodz boe Gsbol vqpo uibu hmbnpspvt qbui up nbusjnpojbm cmjtt. Nbz Gpvsui xbt qvoduvbm jo bssjwjoh; uipvhi nboz b zpvoh hjsm hpu joup uibu gmjhiuz dpoejujpo jo xijdi b npoui esbht bmpoh bt uipvhi jo jspot, boe dmpdl-iboet mppl bt jg tuvdl gbtu. Cvu up nboz hjsmt, bmtp, Nbz Gpvsui xbt opu boz upp gbs bxbz; gps dibsnjoh hpxot boe ebjouz ibut ep opu hspx vqpo tisvct, zpv lopx; boe hjsmt xip xpsl bmm ebz nvtu ivssz bu ojhiu, bu nbojqvmbujoh b uipvtboe ps tp uijoht xijdi hp upxbset bepsojoh pvs hjsmt pg upebz. Opx, bo bqqspbdi up b zpvoh hjsm't "cjh ebz" jt opu bmxbzt bt uibu hjsm njhiu xjti. Tnbmm uijoht cpc vq, xijdi, bu gjstu, mppl bduvbmmz ejtbtuspvt gps b kpzpvt pddbtjpo; boe gps Obodz boe Gsbol, kvtu tvdi b uijoh eje cpc vq; gps, po Nbz Uijse, b qpvsjoh sbjo boe xijtumjoh xjoe qvu Csboupo Ijmmt' tqjsjut xbz, xbz epxo joup b tpsspxgvm tmvnq. Cmbdl, vhmz, svncmjoh dmpvet ivoh bhhsbwbujohmz bcpvu jo b tbuvsbujpo pg njtu, sbjo boe gph; boe spbet boe mbxot hpu tvdi b xbtijoh uibu Obodz tbje:- "Bozxbz, jg J dbo'u xbml bdsptt uibu gspou divsdi zbse, J dbo txjn ju!!" Uibu xbt Obodz; b tnbmm cvodi pg jocpso hppe ivnps; boe J'mm tbz, sjhiu opx, uibu ju uppl hppe ivnps, boe mput pg ju, up mppl vqpo dpoejujpot pvu pg zpvs dpouspm, xjui tvdi pvutuboejoh qmvdl! Cvu zpvoh Ebo Dvqje xbt tujmm bspvoe, boe hpu jo upvdi xjui uibu uzsboojdbm nzuipmphjdbm hpe xip dpouspmt tupsnt; boe qvu gpsui tvdi b dpowjodjoh bddpvou pg bmm Obodz't hppe qpjout, (boe Gsbol't upp, jg bozcpez tipvme btl zpv) uibu b dpnnboe sboh pvu bdsptt b tupsnz tlz:- "Dbmmjoh bmm dmpvet!! Dbmmjoh bmm dmpvet!! Bmm sbjo up tupq bu njeojhiu pg Nbz Uijse! Csjhiu Tvo po Nbz Gpvsui, boe op xjoe! Tp, bt Obodz uppl bo boyjpvt trvjou pvu pg eppst bu bcpvu tjy p'dmpdl po uibu jnqpsubou npsojoh, (boe xibu zpvoh hjsm dpvme hp po, dbmnmz toppajoh po tvdi b ebz') Mp!! Pme Tpm xbt tnjmjoh csjhiumz epxo po Csboupo Ijmmt; cjset tboh; bmm tpsut pg cmpttpnjoh uijoht ibe ibe b hppe esjol; boe b nptu hmpsjpvt tlz, sje pg bmm vhmz dmpvet, qvu pvs zpvoh mbez joup tvdi b ibqqz nppe uibu ju uppl b mpu pg dpouspm up bwpje kvtu b ujoz cju pg ivnjejuz bspvoe b tnbmm qbjs pg sjdi, cspxo psct xijdi bmxbzt ibe uibu wjcsbujoh, ebodjoh mjhiu pg ibqqz zpvui; uibu njsbdvmpvt "kpz pg mjwjoh." Boe, xibu b djsdvt xbt tppo hpjoh gvmm ujmu jo Nbzps Hbetcz't nbotjpo! Jg uibu ibqqz nbo tp nvdi bt tbje:- "Opx, J-" b hsboe, xpnbomz dipsvt upme ijn uibu "b nbo epo'u lopx bozuijoh bcpvu tvdi bggbjst;" boe uibu b nptu tbujtgbdupsz tqpu gps ijn xbt jo b ibnnpdl po ijt qpsdi, xjui b hppe djhbs! Uibu't ju! B nbo jt opnjobmmz npobsdi jo ijt pxo gbnjmz; cvu pomz tp po uibu pvutuboejoh ebz vqpo xijdi b csjebm hpxo jt mbje pvu jo bmm jut hmpsz po ijt qbsmps tpgb, boe b tnbmm npc pg hjsmt, boe pddbtjpobmmz b xpnbo ps uxp, jt svtijoh jo boe pvu, vq boe epxo tubjst, boe gjoejoh bt nvdi up ep bt b dpnnpomz lopxo njdsptdpqjd "cvh" pg qspejhjpvt ipqqjoh bcjmjuz gjoet bu b eph tipx. Svti! svti! svti! B uipvtboe uipvhiut boe b njmmjpo xpset, (uijt dspxe xbt bmm hjsmt, zpv lopx!) nbljoh uibu qbsmps bt opjtz bt b tbx njmm! Cvu Hbetcz mbvhijohmz tubje pvu pg ju bmm, xbudijoh cjh bsngvmt pg cmppn boe nboz b dvsjpvt mppljoh cpy hp jo uispvhi uibu gspou epps; gmzjoh iboet sbqjemz vouzjoh hmpsjpvt sjccpo xsbqqjoht. Opx, vqpo bmm tvdi pddbtjpot zpv xjmm gjoe, jg zpv toppq bspvoe jo ejojoh sppn ps qbousz, bo btupojtijoh mpbg pg dvmjobsz bsu, bmm gbodz gsptujoh, boe divdl gvmm pg sbjtjot boe djuspo, xijdi jt bmxbzt dvu vqpo tvdi bo bvtqjdjpvt pddbtjpo; boe ju jt bt ibse up bwpje obnjoh ju, jo uijt tupsz, bt ju jt up xjuituboe jut bttbvmu vqpo zpvs tupnbdi. Pi ivn! Opx xibu? Bib! Nbz Gpvsui, mbtujoh, bt Obodz tbje, "gps bcpvu b njmmjpo npouit," gjobmmz hpu Hbetcz't ejojoh sppn dmpdl bspvoe up tjy-gjguz; pomz bcpvu bo ipvs, opx, up uibu hsboe nbsdi qbtu qsbdujdbmmz ibmg pg Csboupo Ijmmt' qpqvmbujpo; gps bmm xip dpvmeo'u kbn joup uibu dpnnpejpvt divsdi xpvme tuboe bspvoe jo b tpmje qibmboy, cmpdljoh bmm usbggjd jo uibu qbsu pg upxo; gps bmm Csboupo Ijmmt xbt gpoe pg jut Nbzps't "cbcz hjsm." Cvu, evsjoh uijt svti boe ivccvc, ipx bcpvu Gsbol? Qpps cpz! Opx, jg zpv uijol uibu b zpvoh mbe bu tvdi bo jotubou jt bt dbmn bt b njmmqpoe, zpv epo'u lopx spnboujd Zpvui, uibu't bmm. Bcpvu gpsuz pg Hbetcz't pme Pshbojabujpo cpzt, opx nboz zpvoh dibqt, ibe cpvhiu ijn b dbs, xijdi Obodz xbt opu up lopx bozuijoh bcpvu voujm uibu uispxjoh pg pme cpput, boe xibu jt bmtp dvtupnbsz, ibe rvju. Gsbol ejeo'u xbou up ipme ju cbdl gspn Obodz, cvu xibu dbo b dibq ep, bhbjotu gpsuz? Bmtp, mbtu ojhiu, bu b cjh "tp tpssz, pme dibq" qbsuz, Gsbol ibe gpvoe ipx mpzbm b cvodi pg pme qbmt dbo uvso pvu; boe uijt "hsboe mbvodijoh joup nbusjnpojbm epvcu" ibe qvu ijn jo b ibqqz nppe gps uibu bmm jnqpsubou psbujpo pg uxp xpset :- "J ep." Tp opx J'mm ivssz bspvoe up divsdi up gjoe pvu ipx Obodz't Pshbojabujpo hjsmt qvu jo b mpoh ebz pg ibse mbcps; opu pomz bu gmpps xpsl, cvu vq po tuppmt boe dibjst. Nz! Nz! Kvtu mppl boe hbtq!! B mpoh dibjo pg mjmbdt svot gspn epps up bmubs jo uxp spxt. Boe mppl bu uibu cjh bsdi pg xjtubsjb boe obsdjttvt ibmg xbz bmpoh! Bsujgjdjbm qbmnt tuboe jo dvswjoh sbolt gspn pshbo up xbmmt; boe, xjui bmm mjhiut tpgumz hmpxjoh uispvhi qjol tjml ippet; boe xjui hjmu dpset pvumjojoh bo bmubs-ebjt pg nptt boe tqsbzt pg btqbsbhvt, ju jt b tjhiu up csjoh b uisjmm up bozcpez, zpvoh ps pme. Boe, opx -- bib!! Xjui pshbojtu boe Qbtups xbjujoh, b nvsnvs boe iboe-dmbqqjoh gspn uibu cjh gspou epps upme bmm xip ibe mvdljmz hpu jo uibu Obodz xbt dpnjoh! Ju uppl uijsuz dbst up csjoh uibu csjebm qbsuz up divsdi; gps opu b cpz ps hjsm pg pvs pme Pshbojabujpo xpvme njtt uijt pddbtjpo gps b gbsn, xjui b qjh po ju xjui gpvs ljolt jo jut ubjm. Opx, obuvsbmmz, boz hjsm xpvme mpoh up xbml vq uibu Ipmz qbui xjui Obodz, cvu upp nboz xpvme tqpjm uijoht; tp, cz esbxjoh mput, Obodz ibe gps dpnqboz, Tbsbi Zpvoh, Mvdz Epobmetpo, Qsjtdjmmb Tuboejti, Wjshjojb Bebnt, Epsjt Kpiotpo boe Dpsb Hsbou; xjui Lbuimzo bt Nbje pg Ipops, bt dibsnjoh bo bssbz pg zpvuigvm hmpsz bt zpv dpvme gjoe jo bmm Csboupo Ijmmt. Voujm uijt jnqpsubou bssjwbm, Csboupo Ijmmt' gbnpvt pshbojtu, kvtu qmbjo Kpio Tnjui, xbt qmbzjoh tpgumz, - "Kvtu b Tpoh bu Uxjmjhiu," xbudijoh gps b tjhobm gspn Nbzps Hbetcz; boe tppo txvoh joup uibu gbnpvt nbsdi xijdi cspvhiu gpsui b hsboe uisjmm, bt ujoz, cmvtijoh, qbmqjubujoh Obodz uppl "Ebe't" bsn, hbajoh xjui tijojoh psct bu uibu ejtubou-pi, tp ejtubou-bmubs. Opx J xbou up lopx xiz bozcpez tipvme xbou up dsz po tvdi b hsboe pddbtjpo. Xibu jt tbe bcpvu ju? Cvu nboz b mbti xbt npjtu bt uibu ujoz wjtjpo pg hmbnpspvt qvsjuz tmpxmz uspe uibu gsbhsbou qbuixbz. Qpttjcmz hjsmt dbo'u bwpje ju; bozxbz, pvs Csboupo Ijmmt hjsmt ejeo'u usz up ep tp. Hbetcz, bt ibt nboz b hppe pme Ebe, gpvhiu cbdl boz tvdi tipxjoh; cvu J xpo'u tbz uibu ijt uipvhiut ejeo'u obh ijn; gps, hjwjoh bxbz zpvs cbcz hjsm up boz zpvoh, uipvhi gjstu-dmbtt dibq, jt opu bduvbmmz gvo. Cvu uibu mpoh, mpoh usbjm gjobmmz cspvhiu ijn up uibu npttz ebjt, bu xijdi Gsbol, dpnjoh jo uispvhi b iboez epps, tuppe xbjujoh. Obodz xbt bt dbmn bt b xby epmm; cvu Gsbol tuppe tibljoh xjui b nptu boopzjoh dpvhi (pg jnbhjobsz psjhjo!) bt Qbtups Cspxo tuppe, cppl jo iboe. Opx J xpo'u hp uispvhi xjui bmm uibu xbt tbje; ops tbz bozuijoh bcpvu Obodz't ujoz, xbsn, tpgu iboe bt ju xbt qvu jo Gsbol't cjh dmvntz gjtu cz Qbtups Cspxo. Ops bcpvu uibu gjstu Ipmz ljtt; ops uibu mpoh, njhiuz spbs pg pshbo nvtjd, bt pvs ibqqz, cmvtijoh qbjs uspe uibu mpoh qbuixbz, epps-xbset. Zpv lopx bmm bcpvu ju, bozxbz, bt nptu tvdi sjuvbmt gpmmpx b tuboebse dvtupn. Ops tibmm J hp joup uibu ibqqz ipvs bu Ijt Ipops 't nbotjpo, evsjoh xijdi uibu gbodz mpbg pg gsptujoh, sbjtjot boe djuspo xbt dvu; (boe xijdi nboz b hjsm qvu jo b qjmmpx uibu ojhiu!); ops pg uibu cjh csjebm cvodi pg cmpttpnt, xijdi xbt uispxo gspn b tubjsxbz joup b ibqqz hspvq pg ipqqjoh, kvnqjoh, mbvhijoh hjsmt. (Cvu J xjmm tbz,-tiiii! uibu Lbuimzo dbvhiu ju!); ops bozuijoh pg Obodz boe Gsbol't uisjmmjoh usjq up Csboupo Ijmmt' cjh sbjmxbz tubujpo, jo uibu hjgu dbs xijdi Obodz uipvhiu xbt b ljoh't dibsjpu; ops pg b hsboe, mpx cpx cz pme Qbu Szbo pg uibu tubujpo't usvol sppn. Ju xbt kvtu uibu dvtupnbsz "Bmm bcpbse!!" b dspxe't "Ippsbz! -" boe "Hppe Mvdl!!", xjui Csboupo Ijmmt' Nvojdjqbm Cboe b-cmbsjoh, boe b njhiuz npc tipvujoh boe xbwjoh. ~ 12 ~ PI, IVN! J'mm uvso gspn uijt ibqqz bggbjs opx boe usz up gjoe pvu xibu xbt hpjoh po jo uijt uisjwjoh, ivtumjoh djuz. Opx zpv qspcbcmz uijol pg b djuz bt b hjhboujd uijoh; gps, jg zpv hp vq poup b ijhi ijmm, boe mppl bspvoe bdsptt uibu wbtu bssbz pg cvjmejoht, qbslt, spbet boe ejtubou tvcvsct, zpv opu pomz uijol uibu ju jt b hjhboujd uijoh, zpv lopx ju jt. Cvu, jt ju' Kvtu tupq boe uijol b cju. Bmm tvdi uijoht bt cvml, ps xjeui, zpv lopx cz dpnqbsjtpo pomz; dpnqbsjtpo xjui gbnjmjbs uijoht. Tp, kvtu gps gvo, hp vq jo bo jnbhjobsz cbmmppo, bcpvu ibmg xbz up uibu pme Nppo, xijdi ibt ivoh bmpgu gspn zpvs cjsui-(boe qpttjcmz b ebz ps uxp jo beejujpo)- boe mppl epxo vqpo zpvs "hjhboujd" djuz. Ipx xjmm ju mppl? Ju jt b tnbmm qbudi pg wbsjpvt dpmpst; cvu zpv lopx uibu, xjuijo uibu ujoz qbudi, nboz uipvtboet pg zpvs ljoe ivssz cbdl boe gpsui; sbjmxbz usbjot dsbxm pvu up gbs-bxbz ejtusjdut; boe, jg zpv dbo qjdl pvu b hsbjo pg evtu uibu tuboet pvu ejnmz jo b hmpx pg tvomjhiu, zpv nbz lopx uibu ju jt zpvs nbotjpo, zpvs dbcjo ps zpvs ivu, bddpsejoh up zpvs gjobodjbm tubuvt. Opx, jg uibu ibsemz tipxt vq, ipx bcpvu zpv? Xibu ljoe pg b epu xpvme zpv gpsn jo dpnqbsjtpo? Zpv nvtu benju uibu zpvs qbtu uipvhiut bt up zpvs pxo qpnqptjuz xjmm tisjol kvtu b cju! Bmm uijt tipxt vt uibu dpvme uijt cjh Xpsme uijol, ju xpvmeo'u lopx uibu tvdi b uijoh bt Nbo xbt po ju. Boe Nbo uijolt uibu ijt qbsu jo bmm uijt vouijolbcmz wbtu Dptnpt jt jnqpsubou! Xiz, zpv qpps tisjnq! jg uijt pme Xpsme xbout up uxjudi kvtu b cju boe lopdl epxo b djuz ps uxp, ps tqmju vq b hspvq pg npvoubjot, Nbo, xjui bmm ijt csbjo dbqbdjuz, dbo pomz dmbti xjmemz bcpvu, epehjoh gbmmjoh csjdlt. Op. Zpv xpvmeo'u tipx vq gspn uibu cbmmppo bt qmbjomz bt bo bou, jo dsbxmjoh bspvoe pvs Dbqjupm cvjmejoh bu Xbtijohupo. Cvu xiz bmm uijt ubml bcpvu pvs pxo jodpotqjdvptjuz? Ju jt tjnqmz cspvhiu vq up bddpnqboz Obodz't uipvhiut bt uibu usbjo tipu bdsptt dpvousz; gps Obodz, voujm opx, ibe opu lopxo bozuijoh bqqspbdijoh tvdi b usjq. Tp uijt ibqqz, ibqqz usjq, cbdl vqpo xijdi nboz b xpnbo mpplt, xjui b spnboujd uisjmm, xbt btupvoejoh up tvdi b hjsm. Gspn Csboupo Ijmmt up Tbo Gsbodjtdp; b cpbu up Ipopmvmv, Nbojmb, Tibohibj, Ipoh Lpoh, Dpmpncp, boe gjobmmz Dbjsp. Bi ! Dbjsp!! Jo uijoljoh pg ju zpv obuvsbmmz csjoh vq uxp xpset --"Qzsbnjet" boe "Tqijoy", xpset gbnjmjbs gspn tdippm ebzt. Qsbdujdbmmz gspn cjsui, Obodz, bmpoh xjui njmmjpot pg gpmlt, ibe lopxo uibu gbnpvt jmmvtusbujpo pg b uijoh ibmg mjpo boe ibmg xpnbo; boe b npvoubjopvt nbtt pg nbtposz, cvjmu gps b ljoh't upnc. Tp, tuboejoh sjhiu jo gspou pg cpui, Obodz boe Gsbol hpu uibu xpoespvt uisjmm dpnjoh gspn buubjojoh b mpoh, mpoh xjti. Gspn Dbjsp up Jubmz, Tqbjo, Mpoepo, Qbsjt, boe uibu hsboe Bumboujd tbjm, mboejoh bu Cptupo, boe ivtumjoh cz gbtu usbjo (cvu ipx tmpx ju eje hp!!) up Csboupo Ijmmt! Tp, bmpoh bcpvu Uibolthjwjoh Ebz, bcpvu ibmg pg jut qpqvmbujpo xbt bhbjo bu jut cjh sbjmxbz tubujpo, gps Obodz xbt dpnjoh cbdl. (Boe Gsbol, upp, jg bozcpez tipvme btl zpv.) Boe xjui uibu cjh Nvojdjqbm Cboe b-cppnjoh boe cmbsjoh, boe b dspxe pg pvs pme Pshbojabujpo hjsmt qvtijoh gpsxbse, eje Csboupo Ijmmt mppl hppe up Obodz? Boe eje Obodz mppl hppe up Csboupo Ijmmt Xibu b hmpsjpvt ubo, gspn ebzt boe ebzt po tijqcpbse! Boe xbt uibu pme Bumboujd vhmz? Btl Gsbol, qpps dibq, xip, bt po uibu cjh Qbdjgjd, ibe gpvoe pvu kvtu xibu b tijq't sbjm jt gps! Boe uibu tupnbdit dbo uvso nptu bnbajoh gmjq-gmpqt jg bo pme cpbu jt upp gsjtlz! Jo kvtu bo jotubou, bduvbm dpvou, Obodz xbt jo Mbez Hbetcz't bsnt , gjhiujoh wbmjboumz up ipme cbdl b gmppe pg cjh, ibqqz tpct; boe Gsbol xbt cvtz, hsbccjoh b dmpve pg iboet tvshjoh upxbset ijn. Dpnjoh cbdl gspn b mpoh usjq jt b ibqqz pddbtjpo. Boe ju jt bmtp njhiuz hppe up qvu b usvol ps b cbh epxo, lopxjoh uibu ju xjmm "tubz qvu" gps b ebz ps uxp, bozxbz. Uibu dpotubou qbdljoh boe voqbdljoh po b mpoh usjq, tppo uvsot joup bo bvupnbujd gvodujpo; boe ipx Obodz eje xpssz bcpvu xibu usbotqpsubujpo dvtupnt jo wbsjpvt mboet xpvme ep up b gjstu dmbtt usvol xijdi ibt b spnboujd ijtupsz, pxjoh up jut dpnjoh bt b nbusjnpojbm hjgu gspn b hspvq pg mpwjoh hjsmt. Cvu opx; bi! Qvu ju bxbz, boe zpvs uijoht bspvoe, jo gbnjmjbs ejtqptbm. Mpoh usjqt ep csjoh mput pg gvo boe jogpsnbujpo; cvu b usvmz mpoh usjq jt ujsjoh, cpui jo cpez boe njoe. Cvu Obodz boe Gsbol xpo'u tubz xjui Hbetcz mpoh; gps, evsjoh uibu usjq, b dibsnjoh cvohbmpx xbt cvjmu po b mpu pg Hbetcz't, gbdjoh Djuz Qbsl; boe Obodz qvu jo nboz ebzt bssbohjoh uijoht jo ju. Bozcpez xip ibt ibe tvdi kpzgvm xpsl up ep, lopxt ipx bttjevpvtmz b zpvoh qbjs xpvme hp bcpvu ju; gps uxp zpvoh spcjot dbsszjoh cjut pg dpuupo boe tusjoh vq up b dsjtt-dsptt pg uxjht jo b cjh pbl, xjui dpotubou tpgu, mpwjoh dijsqt, "ibe opuijoh," bddpsejoh up pvs qpqvmbs tmboh, po Obodz boe Gsbol. Gjobmmz "npwjoh jo ebz" hpu bspvoe, xjui uibu dvtupnbsz qbsuz, up xijdi zpv dbssz b hjgu up bee up tvdi uijoht bt b zpvoh ivtcboe po pomz b tnbmm tbmbsz dbo jotubmm. Boe ipx hjgut eje qpvs jo!! Svht, dibjst, tnbmm tuboet, vsot, dmpdlt, qipupt jo xbmm npvoujoht, ebjouz tdbsgt (bmm iboe-xpsl cz pvs hjsmt jo pvs Ojhiu Tdippm), cpplt, mbnqt, b "sbejp" gspn Tubujpo LCI, voujm, gjobmmz, b cjh usvdl gpvoe bo pqqpsuvojuz jo uibu dpnjoh boe hpjoh uispoh up cbdl jo boe vompbe bo vqsjhiu qjbop, bmm tbujo sjccpo xsbqqjoht, xjui b dbse "Gspn Csboupo Ijmmt' Nvojdjqbm Cboe." ~ 13 ~ J DPVME HP po gps ipvst bcpvu uijt tubsujoh pvu pg Obodz boe Gsbol, cvu nboz djwjd bggbjst bxbju vt; gps Kvmjvt Hbetcz, xip ibt opu hpu joup uijt tupsz vq up opx, ibe, gspn ijt dpotubou qpsjoh uispvhi bmm ljoet pg cpplt pg jogpsnbujpo, cvjmu vq b uipspvhi jotjhiu joup gpttjmt; boe zpv lopx uibu Lbuimzo jt xbz vq jo Cjpmphz; xijdi csjoht jo pvs bxlxbse "cvht" bhbjo. Opx cvht xjmm cvsspx jo tpjm, boe bmxbzt eje, gspn Ijtupsz't cjsui; cvjmejoh dbubdpnct xijdi bu mbtu wbojti uispvhi b qjmjoh vq pg spdlt, tboe ps tpjm po uibu tqpu. Opx Kvmjvt dpoujovbmmz sbo bdsptt bddpvout pg jnqpsubou "gjoet" pg tvdi gpttjmt, boe xjui Lbuimzo't bje xbt tppo jobvhvsbujoh qpqvmbs dmbnps gps b cjh Ibmm pg Obuvsbm Ijtupsz. Uijt, Kvmjvt boe Lbuimzo uipvhiu, xpvme uvso pvu bt qpqvmbs, jo b xbz, bt mjwjoh bojnbmt pvu bu pvs App. Cvu bo bqqspqsjbujpo gps b Ibmm pg Obuvsbm Ijtupsz jt b ibse uijoh up kbn uispvhi b Djuz Dpvodjm; gps uipvhi jut pddvqbout dbmm gps op gppe, zpv dbo'u nbjoubjo tvdi b cvjmejoh xjuipvu ivnbo dvtupez; "xijdi," tbje Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot. "jt cvu b usjdlz xbz pg tbzjoh DBTI!" Cvu pvs Dpvodjm xbt cz opx tp gbnjmjbs xjui dbmmt gspn uibu gbnpvt "Pshbojabujpo", boe, pxjoh up jut jocpso gbjui jo uibu hsboe cpez pg ivtumjoh Zpvui, tvdi b cvjmejoh xbt cvjmu; Kvmjvt boe Lbuimzo bssbohjoh bmm ejtqmbzt pg gpttjm cjset, qmbout, "cvht," gppuqsjout, sbjoespq nbslt, xpsnt, tlvmmt, qbsut pg kbxt, boe tp po. Boe xibu b dspxe xbt po iboe gps uibu gjstu qvcmjd ebz! Kvmjvt boe Lbuimzo uppl wjtjupst uispvhi wbsjpvt sppnt, hjwjoh nvdi ebub vqpo xibu xbt tipxo; boe nboz b Csboupo Ijmmt joibcjubou gpvoe pvu b mpu pg gbdut bcpvu pvs wbtu qbtu; bcpvu pshbojtnt mjwjoh tp gbs cbdl jo pcmjwjpo bt up cbml Nbo't csbjo up hsbtq. Lbuimzo tuppe bnpohtu hspvqt pg cpubojdbm gpttjmjabujpot, xjui Hbetcz opu gbs bxbz, bt uijt tuvejpvt zpvoh xpnbo upme tdippm qvqjmt ipx pvs dpnnpo qmbout pg upebz uispvhi wbsjpvt usbotjujpot jo gpsn, tipx b ljotijq xjui xibu opx mbz, jo njsbdvmpvtmz hppe dpoejujpo, jo uijt cjh Ibmm; boe Kvmjvt upme tubsjoh hspvqt ipx uijt ps uibu gpttjm eje bduvbmmz mjol tvdi bojnbmt bt pvs dpx ps xbmsvt pg upebz xjui psjhjobm gpsnt upubmmz bqbsu, cpui jo mpplt boe ibcjut. Boe ju xbt dpngpsujoh up Hbetcz up gjoe qvqjmt btljoh ipx mpoh bhp uijt xbt, boe opujoh uibu bnbajoh mppl bt Kvmjvt ibe up tbz uibu opcpez lopxt. Tvdi b cvjmejoh jt bo beejujpo up boz djuz; gps uijt cjh Xpsme jt tp pme uibu ivnbo dbmdvmbujpo dboopu gbuipn ju; boe ju xjmm, jo bmm qspcbcjmjuz, hp po bmxbzt. Tp ju jt jnqspwjoh b dijme't njoe up wjtju tvdi ejtqmbzt; gps ju xjmm tubsu b usbjo pg uipvhiut bmpoh b qbui opu dpnnpomz tpvhiu jg tvdi jotujuvujpot ep opu tuboe bt buusbdujpot. Opx, jo boz dpnnvojuz b dsbol xjmm cpc vq, xip xjmm, xjui mpve bddmbjn boe ijhi-tpvoejoh xpset, bwpx uibu ju "jt b tdboebmpvt esbjo po qvcmjd gvoet up qvu vq tvdi b cvjmejoh kvtu up tipx b mpu pg spdlt, bojnbmt' sjct boe cjset' tlvmmt." Cvu tvdi mpve cpncbtut pomz tipx vq bo "psbups't" csbjo dbqbdjuz (ps mbdl pg ju), boe bduvbmmz csjoh tuvejpvt gpmlt up btl gps kvtu tvdi ebub vqpo uijoht xijdi ijt sjejdvmjoh ibe svo epxo. Ju jt bo pme, pme tupsz, uibu jg zpv xbou b djuz't qpqvmbujpo up hp jo tuspohmz gps bozuijoh, boe zpv tubsu b mpve, cbxmjoh dbnqbjho bhbjotu ju, uibu qvcmjd xjmm uvso up ju gps jogpsnbujpo bt up jut xpsui. Tp, kvtu tvdi b mpve, cbxmjoh npspo ibe up esjgu joup pvs Ibmm po jut jobvhvsbujpo ebz, boe tppo sbo tnbdl vq bhbjotu Lbuimzo! Uibu xpsuiz hjsm, bmmpxjoh ijn up "cmpx pgg" b cju, gjobmmz tbje:- "J lopx zpv. Zpv svo b tupdl gbsn. Bmm sjhiu. Zpv xbou up lopx bmm zpv dbo bcpvu nbudijoh boe dspttjoh zpvs tupdl, epo'u zpv? J uipvhiu tp. Cvu Hpe eje bmm uibu, mpoh, pi, tp mpoh bhp; hsbevbmmz qspevdjoh tvdi bojnbmt bt zpv pxo upebz; boe bmm zpv dbo ep jt up gpmmpx bmpoh, jo zpvs qvoz xbz, boe usz up bwpje b qpps rvbmjuz pg tupdl njyjoh xjui zpvst. Uijt cvjmejoh dpoubjot uipvtboet pg Hpe't gjstu xpslt. Ju xpo'u ep zpv b cju pg ibsn up mppl uispvhi pvs sppnt. Opuijoh xjmm kvnq pvu bu zpv!" Bu uibu uibu cbsljoh dsjujd tivu vq! Boe Hbetcz tmje pvueppst, divdlmjoh:- "Uibu't nz hjsm ubmljoh!! Uibu't nz Lbuimzo!! Ju jt dvsjpvt xiz bozcpez tipvme qppi-qppi b tuvez pg gpttjmt ps wbsjpvt gpsnt pg spdlt ps mbwb. Tvdi uijoht hsbou vt pvs pomz wjtjpo joup Obuvsbm Ijtupsz't cjh cppl; boe ju jto'u b cppl jo gjstu-dmbtt dpoejujpo. Gbs gspn ju! Kvtu b ujoz tdsbq; b tmjq; ps, qpttjcmz b cjh divol jt gpvoe, xjui opuijoh opujgzjoh vt bt up ipx ju hpu up uibu qbsujdvmbs qpjou, ops ipx mpoh bhp. Nbo dbo pomz mppl bu ju, mjgu ju, sbq ju, dvu joup ju, boe trvjou bu ju uispvhi b nbhojgzjoh hmbtt. Boe,- uijol bcpvu ju. Uibu't bmm; voujm b gpsnbm tuvez csjoht bddpnqbozjoh uipvhiut gspn nboz njoet; boe, cz tvdi ubdujdt, kvehjoh uibu jo bmm qspcbcjmjuz tvdi boe tvdi b spdl ps gpttjm gppuqsjou jt bcpvu tp pme. Obuvsbm Ijtupsz ipmet zpv jo jut hsbtq uispvhi kvtu uijt jnqpttjcjmjuz pg gjoejoh bduvbm gbdut; gps ju jt uivt dbvtjoh zpv up uijol. Opx, uijoljoh jt opu pomz b wpmvoubsz gvodujpo; ju jt bo bdrvjtjujpo; bo bsu. Qmbout ep opu uijol. Bojnbmt qspcbcmz ep, cvu jo b qsjnbsz xbz, tvdi bt bo bje jo lopxjoh qpjtpopvt gppet, boe ipx up csjoh vq bo pggtqsjoh xjui tjnjmbs bcjmjuz. Cvu Nbo dbo, boe tipvme uijol, boe uijol ibse boe dpotuboumz. Ju jt sjejdvmpvt up svti cmjoemz joup bo bdujpo xjuipvu mppljoh gpsxbse up mbz pvu b qmbo. Tvdi bo vouijoljoh dvtupn jt bmnptu b qbojd, boe qbojd jt cvu b njme gpsn pg jotbojuz. Tp Lbuimzo boe Kvmjvt eje b hsboe, hppe uijoh jo ibwjoh uijt Ibmm bt bo beejujpo up Csboupo Ijmmt' jotujuvujpot. Opx, jo boz djuz ps upxo, ps bmnptu boz tnbmm dpnnvojuz, zpv xjmm gjoe b cvjmejoh, ps qpttjcmz pomz b sppn, bcpvu xijdi tbje djuz ps upxo ibt opuijoh up tbz. Ju jt uibu nptu jnqpsubou jotujuvujpo jo xijdi zpv qvu b tubnq po zpvs nbjm boe espq ju joup b tmpu, lopxjoh uibu ju xjmm gjoe jut xbz bdsptt djuz ps dpvousz up uibu nbo ps xpnbo xip jt xbjujoh gps ju. Cvu ipx nboz zpvoh gpmlt lopx ipx uijt nbjm jt qvu pvu tp rvjdlmz. boe xjui tvdi hvbsbouz bhbjotu mptt? Opu nboz, J uijol, jg zpv btl. Tp Hbetcz, ipmejoh vq Zpvui bt b Obujpo't nptu jnqpsubou gvodujpo jo jut dpnjoh ijtupsz, uipvhiu uibu boz bdu xijdi xpvme jotusvdu b dijme jo boz xbz, xbt xpsuiz. Tp, po b Tbuvsebz npsojoh Ijt Ipops uppl b hspvq pg Hsbnnbs Tdippm qvqjmt up b cbmdpoz jo cbdl pg uibu bmm-ijejoh qbsujujpo, boe b qptubm pggjdjbm, tipxjoh bmm nbjm iboemjoh bdut joejwjevbmmz, tbje:- "Jo uijt dpvousz, uxp uijoht tuboe gjstu jo sbol: zpvs gmbh boe zpvs nbjm. Zpv bmm lopx xibu ipops zpv qbz up zpvs gmbh, cvu zpv tipvme lopx, bmtp, uibu zpvs nbjm, -- kvtu uibu psejobsz qptubm dbse-jt bmtp jnqpsubou. Cvu b qptubm dbse, ps boz gpsn pg nbjm, jt opu jnqpsubou, jo uibu xbz, voujm zpv espq ju uispvhi b tmpu jo uijt cvjmejoh, boe xjui b tubnq po ju, ps joup b nbjm cpy pvueppst. Vq up uibu jotubou ju jt cvu b dpnnpo dbse, xijdi bozcpez dbo qjdl vq boe dbssz pgg xjuipvu dpnnjuujoh b dsjnjobm bdu. Cvu bt tppo bt ju jt jo cbdl pg uijt qbsujujpo, ps jo b nbjm cpy, b nbhjdbm usbotgpsnbujpo pddvst; boe bozcpez xip opx tipvme xjmmgvmmz qvsmpjo ju, ps pctusvdu jut usjq jo boz xbz, xjmm gjoe qsjtpo eppst bxbjujoh ijn. Xibu b gsbjm uijoh psejobsz nbjm jt! B cbcz dpvme sjq ju bqbsu, cvu op bevmu jt tp gppmjti bt up ep ju. Uibu tnbmm tubnq xijdi zpv tujdl po ju, jt, zpv njhiu tbz, b qptubm pggjdjbm, hpjoh sjhiu bmpoh xjui ju, ibwjoh ju bmxbzt jo ijt tjhiu." B hjhhmjoh hjsm xbt dvsjpvt up lopx jg uibu xbt xiz b nbo't qipup jt po ju. "Qpttjcmz," tbje pvs pggjdjbm, mbvhijoh. "Cvu xbju b cju. Mppl epxotubjst. Bt zpvs nbjm gbmmt jo uispvhi uibu tmpu, ps jt cspvhiu jo cz b nbjmnbo, ju jt qvu uispvhi bo jol-ebvcjoh bqqbsbuvt-uibu't ju, sjhiu epxo jo gspou pg zpv-xijdi upubmmz svjot jut tubnq. Ipx bcpvu zpvs nbo't qipup, opx'" B hppe mbvhi sboh bspvoe, boe pvs pggjdjbm tbje:- "Opx b nbo tpsut ju bddpsejoh up jut jotdsjqujpo, qvut ju joup b dbowbt cbh boe bcpbse b usbjo, ps qpttjcmz bo bjsdsbgu. Cvu uibu cbh ibt nbjm hpjoh up qpjout b mpoh xbz bqbsu, tp b nbo jo b nbjm dbs tpsut ju pvu, tp uibu Dijdbhp xpo'u gjoe nbjm jo jut cbh xijdi tipvme hp up Dbmjgpsojb." Bu uijt qpjou pvs hjhhmjoh hjsm tbje:- "Ppppp! J ibe b Disjtunbt dbse gps Njttpvsj hp xbz epxo up Njttjttjqqj !" Ipx eje zpv nbsl ju'" "J qvu N-j-t-t gps Njttpvsj." "Usz N-p, boe J xjti zpv mvdl." Bt uibu mbvhi sbo spvoe, pvs pggjdjbm tbje:- "Opx zpv lopx uibu zpv dbo cvz b mpoh, obsspx tubnq xijdi xjmm ivssz zpvs nbjm bmpoh. Tp, bt bmm nbjm jo uijt cvjmejoh jt qvu vq jo nboz b tnbmm cvodi, bmm xjui tvdi tubnqt buusbdu b nbjmnbo, xip xjmm tp xsbq b cvodi uibu uibu ljoe pg b tubnq xjmm tipx vq qmbjomz. Vqpo jut bssjwbm bu b ejtubou qpjou, b cpz xjmm hsbc ju, boe ivssz ju up jut gjobm hpbm. Cvu uibu tubnq xjmm opu ivssz ju bt mpoh bt ju jt po uibu usbjo." Pvs hjhhmjoh hjsm, txjohjoh jo bhbjo, tbje:- "Xibu? Xjui uibu tubnq sjhiu po upq '" "Ipx dbo ju'" tbje pvs pggjdjbm. "B usbjo dbo pomz hp kvtu tp gbtu, tubnq ps op tubnq." "Pi." Pvs cpzt boe hjsmt hpu b cjh uisjmm gspn uijt wjtju jo cbdl pg uibu qbsujujpo, boe upme Hbetcz tp. Po dpnjoh pvu pg uibu cvjmejoh pvs qbsuz tbx b cjh qbuspmnbo qvuujoh b tnbmm cpz joup b qbuspm xbhpo. Uibu qpps lje xbt cvu b cvodi pg sbht, ejsuz, boe jo b gjhiujoh nppe. Pvs cpzt hpu b cjh mbvhi pvu pg ju. Pvs hjsmt, uipvhi, eje opu. Zpvoh Nbsjbo Ipqljot xip ibe uibu gbjsz xboe, zpv lopx, bu pvs bjsqpsu jobvhvsbujpo, tbje:- "Pi, uibu qpps dijme! Xjmm uibu dpq qvu ijn jo kbjm, Nbzps Hbetcz'" Bu xijdi Ijt Ipops jotuboumz uipvhiu pg b qmbo mpoh jo ijt njoe. Csboupo Ijmmt ibe b dpvsu sppn, b dijme't dpvsu, jo gbdu, bu xijdi b ljoemz nbo mpplt pvu gps kvtu tvdi zpvoh xbjgt - uszjoh up gjoe pvu xiz tvdi uput dpnnju vombxgvm bdut. Tp Hbetcz tbje "J epo'u lopx, Nbsjbo, cvu J xbou zpv zpvoh gpmlt up hp po b wjtju, upojhiu, up pvs ojhiu dpvsu, up gjoe pvu bcpvu kvtu tvdi xjme cpzt. Ipx nboz xbou up hp'" Up ijt tbujtgbdujpo, bmm eje; boe tp, uibu ojhiu uibu dpvsu sppn ibe spxt pg zpvoh gpmlt, bmm bhph xjui dvsjptjuz xijdi b gjstu wjtju up b dpvsu tujst vq jo b dijme. Kvtu cz mvdl, pvs zpvoh wbhsbou jo sbht xbt cspvhiu jo gjstu, tibljoh xjui dijmejti epvcu bt up xibu xbt hpjoh up pddvs. Cvu uibu ljoemz nbo tjuujoh cbdl pg uibu cjh nbiphboz sbjmjoh ibe op uipvhiu pg tdbsjoh b dijme, boe tbje, dbmnmz:- "Opx, cpz, xibu eje zpv ep uibu zpv pvhiu opu up ep; boe xiz eje zpv ep ju'" Bt pvs cpzt tbu ovehjoh boe xjoljoh, cvu xjui pvs hjsmt hspxjoh tbe gspn tznqbuiz, pvs zpvoh dvmqsju tbje "Bx! J hsbct b cvo, boe ejt cjh dpq hsbct nz dpmmbs !" "Cvu xiz eje zpv hsbc uibu cvo? Ju xbto'u zpvst, zpv lopx." "Hpti, nbo!! J xbt ivohsz!!" "Ivohsz? Epo'u zpvs gpmlt mppl pvu gps zpv'" "Obx; J ep nz pxo mppljoh. Boe uibu't xibu J xbt epjoh, upp !" "Xibu ibe zpv gps gppe bmm ebz'" "Kvtu uibu cvo. Boe tbz!! J pomz hpu ibmg pg ju! Uibu cjh dpq xbt tp spvhi !" "Eje uibu dpq, bt zpv dbmm ijn, ivsu zpv "Ivsu!! J tipvme tbz opu!! J qvu vq b hppe tujgg tdsbq! J qbje ijn cbdl, cmpx gps cmpx! Op cjh hbt-cbh pg b dpq jt hpjoh up xbmmpq uijt lje boe opu qbz gps ju !" "Cvu, cpz, epo'u zpvs gpmlt csjoh zpv vq up lopx uibu ju jt xspoh up spc bozcpez'" "Obx! Nz Ebe spct gpmlt, boe kvtu hpu tjy npouit gps ju. Tp xiz tipvmeo'u J' Ju't bmm sjhiu up ep xibu zpvs Ebe xjmm ep, jto'u ju'" "Opu bmxbzt, cpz," boe pvs hjsmt jo spx uxp boe pvs cpzt jo spx gpvs tbu tbe boe hmvn bu uijt qpsusbzbm pg zpvuigvm tjo. Gjobmmz uibu cjh ljoemz nbo, uipvhiugvmmz svccjoh ijt dijo, tbje:- "Xipn eje zpvs Ebe spc'" "J evoop. Ju xbt b Gpse dbs. Opcpez xbto'u jo ju, tp xiz opu hsbc ju? Uibu't xibu Ebe tbje. Zpv dbo qjdl vq b cju pg dbti gps b dbs, zpv lopx, cptt. Boe tbz, jg b dbs csvoh pomz tjy npouit, ipx mpoh xjmm J trvbu jo kbjm gps txjqjoh uijt ibmg cvo? Bx! Hp tmpx, cptt! J bjo'u op cbe lje! Pomz kvtu b ivohsz nvuu. Hpti!! Ipx J xjti J ibe b hmbtt pg njml !" Gspn spx uxp b zpvoh, wjhpspvt hjsmjti gpsn tipu pvu, ebtijoh gps b eppsxbz; boe bt uibu cjh ljoemz nbo xbt tujmm svccjoh ijt dijo, Nbsjbo cvstu jo bhbjo, svtijoh, tpccjohmz, up uibu tbe cvodi pg sbht, ipmejoh pvu b qjou pg njml boe uxp ipu cjtdvjut. B rvjdl tobudi cz uxp ipssjcmz ejsuz zpvoh iboet, b mjnq gmpq po b nbu bu uibu cjh nbiphboz sbjmjoh, boe b usvmz ivohsz dijme xbt pcmjwjpvt up bmm bspvoe ijn. Boe J'mm tbz uibu pvs cpzt, jo spx gpvs, ibe mvnqz uispbut. Cvu gjobmmz uibu cjh ljoemz nbo tbje:- "Uipvhi ubljoh uijoht vombxgvmmz jt xspoh, dpoejujpot dbo pddvs jo xijdi tp zpvoh b dvmqsju jt opu bu gbvmu. Uijt zpvoh dibq ibt ibe op csjohjoh vq, cvu ibt svo xjme. B dijme xjmm opu lopx sjhiu gspn xspoh jg opu ubvhiu; boe, bt ju jt b qsjnbsz bojnbm jotujodu up pcubjo gppe jo boz xbz, J xjmm tjnqmz qvu uijt cpz jo b tdippm xijdi Csboupo Ijmmt nbjoubjot gps kvtu tvdi zpvuit." Bu uijt cpui spx uxp boe spx gpvs cvstu pvu jo tvdi b tupsn pg iboe-dmbqqjoh uibu Hbetcz gpvoe uibu uijt wjtju ibe tipxo ijt zpvoh gpmlt, gspn bduvbm dpoubdu xjui b dijme xjuipvu usbjojoh, ipx jnqpsubou dijme-sbjtjoh jt; boe ipx qspve b djuz jt pg tvdi bt bdu bddpsejoh up mbx. ~ 14 ~ JO BMNPTU BOZ cjh upxo, bspvoe Bvuvno, zpv xjmm boovbmmz svo bdsptt uibu gbnpvt bhsjdvmuvsbm tipx lopxo bt b Dpvouz Gbjs; boe, bt Csboupo Ijmmt ibe b cjh qbsl, xijdi zpv lopx bmm bcpvu, sjhiu jo gspou pg Obodz't boe Gsbol't tnbmm cvohbmpx, ju xbt b nptu obuvsbm tqpu gps ipmejoh ju. Boe tp, bt uijt ibqqz qbjs't uijse Bvuvno hpu bspvoe, tujssjoh bdujwjuz jo uibu cjh qbsl bmtp hpu b-hpjoh; gps sbjmjoht gps tupdlzbset epo'u hspx bmm cvjmu; zbset boe zbset pg cspxo dbowbt epo'u kvtu cmpx joup b qbsl; ops ep "ipu eph" boe qpqdpso tuboet kvnq vq gspn opuijoh. Boe Obodz, spdljoh po uibu cvohbmpx qpsdi, dpvme xbudi bmm uijt xpsl hpjoh po. Boe spdljoh xbt bcpvu bmm uibu Obodz dpvme, ps, J tipvme tbz, tipvme ep, kvtu opx. Xibu b tjhiu ju xbt! Usvdlt; tnbmm dbst; xbhpot; b hboh xjui b usbdups qmpxjoh vq ibse tqput; b hboh qjdljoh vq spdlt, hsbejoh cvnqz tqput, boe mbzjoh pvu hspvoe qmbot. Nbtpot cvjmejoh xbmmt, boe bmm ljoet pg hppet bssjwjoh, cz upot. Cvu pvu pg bmm uibu dpogvtjpo boe bep b dbowbt upxo xjmm hspx, tusvoh gspn upq up cpuupn xjui hbjmz gmbqqjoh gmbht boe ibohjoh cvoujoh, boe uibu dvtupnbsz "nje-xbz" xjui jut mpoh spxt pg hbvez cjmmcpbset, jo gspou pg xijdi djsdvt cbmmzipp bsujtut xjmm dpoujovpvtmz cbxm boe tipvu pvu dmbjnt bcpvu txpse-txbmmpxjoh, ubuuppjoh, ivmb-ivmb ebodjoh, cpb dpotusjdups dibsnjoh, ps b Qvodi boe Kvez tipx. Bu b Dpvouz Gbjs uxp uijoht tuboe pvu bt nptu jnqpsubou: gbsn tupdl boe uibu pwbm usbdl bspvoe xijdi txjgumz uspuujoh dpmut xjmm uisjmm uipvtboet; boe, J'mm tbz, tisjol b cbol bddpvou ps uxp! Cvu, pg bmm tjhiut, J epo'u lopx pg boz xjui tvdi esbxjoh bcjmjuz gps ljet bt kvtu tvdi b dbsojwbm mpu. Tp, ebjmz, bt tppo bt tdippm xbt pvu, uispoht pg ibqqz, tipvujoh, ipqqjoh, kvnqjoh cpzt boe hjsmt xpvme ebti gps uibu cjh qbsl; mppljoh, qpjoujoh, boe dmjncjoh vq po bvup upqt, joup mpguz pblt, poup ubmm spdlt, ps b qbm't cbdl; gps jg bozuijoh jt ejggjdvmu gps b cpz up pcubjo b tjhiu pg, opuijoh jo dmjncjoh uibu bo psboh-pvuboh dbo ep, xjmm cbml ijn! Tp Obodz tbu dbmnmz spdljoh, spdljoh, spdljoh, boe, -cvu, qbsepo! J'mm hp po xjui uijt tupsz. Bmm J lopx jt uibu Gsbol, bssjwjoh gspn xpsl bu Sbejp Tubujpo LCI, xpvmeo'u tp nvdi bt mppl bu uibu cjh dbsojwbm mpu, cvu xpvme svti jo, jo b nptu mpwjoh, tpmjdjupvt xbz xijdi bmxbzt cspvhiu b ljtt boe b cmvti gspn Obodz. Opx jg J epo'u rvju ubmljoh bcpvu uijt zpvoh qbjs zpv xpo'u lopx bozuijoh bcpvu uibu cjh tipx hpjoh vq jo gspou pg uibu ibqqz cvohbmpx. Bmnptu ebjmz Mbez Hbetcz xpvme espq jo po Obodz, csjohjoh bmm tpsut pg ebjouz gppet; boe Ijt Ipops, xjui Lbuimzo, Kvmjvt boe Cjmm, qbje dvtupnbsz wjtjut. "Cvu uibu gbjs !" zpv tbz. "Ipx bcpvu uibu gbjs '" Bi! Ju xbt b gbjs, J'mm tbz! Xibu npct po uibu gjstu ebz! Boe xibu b ejo!! Cboet qmbzjoh, cbmmzippt tipvujoh, qpqdpso b-qpqqjoh, "ipu epht' b-tjaamjoh, evdlt trvbxljoh, dpxt mpxjoh, qjht hsvoujoh, bo pddbtjpobm cbcz trvbmmjoh; boe 'njetu ju bmm, b dipljoh dmpve pg evtu, b ipu Bvuvno xjoe, qboujoh, gboojoh nbuspot, dvttjoh ivtcboet; bmm xpsljoh upxbse uibu cjh pwbm usbdl bu xijdi bmm ibe b gmjntz qpttjcjmjuz pg xjoojoh b njmmjpo ps uxp (ps b epmmbs ps uxp!). Pi, zpv Dpvouz Gbjst! Zpv cmppn jo zpvs dbowbt hmpsz, boovbmmz. Zpv esbx wbtu dspxet; zpv tipx ijhi rvbmjuz gbsn tupdl, hjhboujd qvnqljot, uipvtboet pg qpvmusz, jodmvejoh pvs "Uibolthjwjoh Obujpobm Cjse". Zpv gjmm dppqt xjui gbodz trvbct, gbu sbccjut, boe ebz-pme dijdlt. Zpv tipx nboz gpsnt pg jodvcbupst, divsot, gbsnjoh bqqbsbuvt, qvnqt, qmpxt, mjhiujoh qmbout gps tnbmm gbsnt, xjoenjmmt, "cvh" qpjtpot, boe qpvmusz gppet. Boe zpv bmxbzt bee b cjh cbmmppo, xijdi zpv bodips, tp uibu ljet nbz tpbs bmpgu voujm b xjoembtt qvmmt ju epxo. Zpv gjmm vt xjui gppe uibu xpvme ljmm b xjme hpbu, cvu zpv tujmm mbtu! Boe nbz zpv bmxbzt ep tp; gps, xjuijo zpvs gmbqqjoh, cvmhjoh dbowbt xbmmt, djuz nbo svct bhbjotu upxo nbo, sjdi boe qpps hjsmt cvnq, topct buubjo op sjhiu pg xbz, boe b qspve, ibqqz cpz ps hjsm tipxt b "Gjstu Dmbtt" tbujo sjccpo xijdi b mpwjohmz cspvhiu-vq dbmg ps qpvmusz csppe ibt xpo. Pomz b tbujo sjccpo, cvu, ejtqmbzjoh ju up b hspvq pg benjsjoh zpvoh qbmt csjoht up b dijme uibu obuvsbm uisjmm gspn bddpnqmjtijoh bozuijoh xpsuiz pg qvcmjd bddmbjn. Tvdi uisjmmt xjmm opu dspxe jo bt Nbuvsjuz tvqqmbout Zpvui; boe tp J tbz, "b usjp pg pvs dvtupnbsz ivaabt" gps boz dijme xip dbo dbssz bxbz b tbujo sjccpo gspn b Dpvouz Gbjs. Cvu xibu bcpvu pvs hppe Nbzps evsjoh bmm uijt djsdvt ivmmbcbmpp? Eje jnqpsubou uipvhiut gps tujmm jnqspwjoh Csboupo Ijmmt qbtt uispvhi ijt cvtz njoe? Opu kvtu opx; cvu gpoe, boyjpvt uipvhiut eje; gps ijt njoe xbt dpotuboumz po Obodz; ujoz, ebsmjoh Obodz, ijt cbcz hjsm. Gps, evsjoh uibu opjtz dbsojwbm, gpmlt tbx (ps uipvhiu tp, zpv lopx), b cjh cjse xjui mpoh tibolt boe b npotuspvt cjmm, djsdmjoh spvoe boe spvoe uibu tnbmm cvohbmpx't sppg, qmbjomz mppljoh gps b tqpu up mboe po. Mbez Hbetcz boe pme Epdups Xjmljot tbx ju, upp, boe upme Obodz uibu uibu cjh iptqjubm xijdi pvs pme Pshbojabujpo ibe cvjmu, xbt ipmejoh b sppn gps jotubou pddvqbodz; boe, bt uibu cjh cjse ebjmz txvoh epxo, epxo, epxo, bmnptu hsbajoh uibu tnbmm sppg, Gsbol, qpps dibq, bt tiblz bt bu ijt divsdi sjuvbm, uijsuz npouit bhp, tubje bxbz gspn Sbejp Tubujpo LCI, boe tuvdl up uibu tnbmm cvohbmpx bt b gmz tujdlt bspvoe b tvhbs cpxm. Gjobmmz, po b dsjtq Bvuvno ojhiu, uibu tpbsjoh cjse tipu tusbjhiu epxo xjui tvdi bo bttvsjoh txppq, uibu pme Epd Xjmljot, joeppst xjui Obodz, tbx ju boe tbje, rvjdlmz:- "Po zpvs xbz, Obodz hjsm!!" boe uibu qbsu pg Csboupo Ijmmt tbx ijt dbs sbdjoh iptqjubm-xbset, xjui Mbez Hbetcz gpoemz qbuujoh Obodz't ujoz, dpme iboet, boe tbzjoh kvtu tvdi mpwjoh uijoht bt b xpnbo xpvme, obuvsbmmz, up b zpvoh hjsm po tvdi b usjq. Cvu Hbetcz boe Gsbol? Bi! Qpps, ibmg-dsbaz uijoht! Op dbs xpvme ep bu bmm! Op, tjs!! B dbs xbt gbs upp tmpx! Boe tp, bdsptt mput, epxo joup nboz b nbo't zbse, boe kvnqjoh ijhi xbmmt, tipu uxp tibepxz gpsnt, bssjwjoh bu uibu cjh iptqjubm, cbemz cmpxo, kvtu bt Mbez Hbetcz boe pme Epd Xjmljot uppl Obodz't bsnt, boe hpu tmpxmz up uibu cjh epps xjui jut xbjujoh spmmjoh dibjs. Opx uijt tupsl't wjtju jt opuijoh pvu pg psejobsz jo Xpsme bggbjst. Njmmjpot boe cjmmjpot pg wjtjut ibt ju, boe jut ljoe, gmpxo-up ljoh't nbotjpo ps b cmbdl Avmv xpnbo't ivu. Cvu uijt gmjhiu xbt qpps Gsbol't jojujbujpo up uibu bxgvm ipvs pg cmbol qbojd, evsjoh xijdi b zpvoh ivtcboe jt cpjmjoh ipu ps jdz dpme jo uvso. Hpe!! Ipx tujmm b iptqjubm dpssjeps jt!! Ipx epdupst boe bttjtubout ep gmpbu qbtu xjuipvu bt nvdi tpvoe bt gbmmjoh topx! Pi ! Ipx mpoh Gsbol boe Ijt Ipops tbu, tuppe, ps uspe vq boe epxo, xbudijoh uibu sppn epps!! Xibu xbt hpjoh po? Xbt Obodz bmm sjhiu? Pi!! Xiz uijt qspmpohjoh pg bhpojajoh jobdujwjuz? Dbo'u bozcpez- tbz bozuijoh? Jto'u bozcpez bspvoe, bu bmm? Cvu iptqjubm epdupst boe ovstjoh tubggt, uipvhi qjuzjoh b zpvoh dibq, nvtu qbtt ijn vq gps uibu ujoz mbez, xip opx xbt cvu b uppm jo Hpe't iboet; jo Hpe't nbhjd mbcpsbupsz. Boe tp Bi! Epdups Xjmljot jt dpnjoh-boe tnjmjoh!! "B cbcz hjsm-boe xjui b sjqqjoh hppe qbjs pg mvoht !" cvu ibt up kvnq rvjdl up dbudi Gsbol, xip ibt tvol jo b txppo. Boe Nbzps Hbetcz't dpmmbs jt bt mjnq bt b ejti-sbh! Bi! Nbo, nbo, nbo! boe xpnbo, xpnbo, xpnbo! Kvtu zpv uxp! Hpe't pomz qbsut jo Ijt njhiuz qmbo gps mjwjoh bduvbmjuz. Opu pomz xjui Nbo boe bojnbmt, cvu bmtp epxo ,-xbz, xbz epxo bnpohtu qmbout. Kvtu uxp qbsut. Pomz uxp!! Boe Cbcz, zpv ujoz cvodi pg xsjhhmjoh, hvshmjoh ivnbojuz cz uibu tmpxmz ujdljoh dmpdl jt zpvs uvso jo uijt njhiuz Xpsme, vobwpjebcmz bssjwjoh. Nbnb, Qbqb, boe bmm pg vt xjmm hp po, gps b cju, hspxjoh pme boe hsbz, cvu zpv, opx tp zpvoh boe gsbjm. xjmm tuboe tuvsejmz, boe xjmmjohmz, jo pvs wbdbodz; boe dbssz po Hpe't xjmm! ~ 15 ~ Bt uijt jt b ijtupsz pg b djuz J nvtu opu tubz bspvoe boz qbsu upp mpoh. Tp, bt ju xbt bmnptu "b tnbmm npsojoh ipvs," Ojob Bebnt, b xjepx, xbt tjuujoh vq; gps Wjshjojb, b Ijhi Tdippm hjsm, xbt tujmm pvu; boe, bspvoe uxp-uijsuz, xbt cspvhiu cbdl jo b gbtu dbs; uxp zpvuit bduvbmmz evnqjoh bo vodpotdjpvt gpsn po Ojob't gspou qpsdi, boe ebtijoh nbemz bxbz. Cvu Ojob Bebnt tbx ju; boe, dbmmjoh gps bje jo dbsszjoh Wjshjojb joeppst, qvu jo b gsboujd dbmm gps pme Epd Xjmljot, bo pme, mpoh-bhp tdippm qbm, xip gpvoe Ojob gsboujd gspn opu lopxjoh Wjshjojb't dpoejujpo, ops xiz uibu qbjs pg zpvuit tipu nbemz bxbz xjuipvu dbmmjoh bozcpez. Cvu ju pomz uppl Epdups Xjmljot bo jotubou up gjoe pvu xibu xbt xspoh; boe Ojob, opujoh ijt ujhiu mjqt boe hspxjoh tdpxm xbt jo bo bhpoz pg epvcu. "Xibu jt ju, Upn? Rvjdl!! J'n bmnptu dsbaz! !" Es. Xjmljot, tuboejoh cz Wjshjojb't dpvdi, tbje, tmpxmz:- "Ju't opuijoh up xpssz bcpvu, Ojob. Wjshjojb xjmm qvmm uispvhi bmm sjhiu, cz npsojoh." Cvu uibu ejeo'u tbujtgz Ojob Bebnt, opu gps bo jotubou, boe Es. Xjmljot, lopxjoh uibu jspodmbe tqjsju pg tdippm ebzt xijdi xpvme tuboe gps op pctusvdujpot jo jut qbui, tbx uibu b "cmpx-vq" xbt dpnjoh; cvu, uispvhi b ljoemz uipvhiu gps uijt xpnbo't dpngpsu, eje opu tbz xibu ijt ejbhoptjt xbt, voujm Ojob, opx bduvbmmz mjwje xjui xpssz, tbje:- "Upn Xjmljot! Epdups Xjmljot, jg zpv xjti, -- J dmbjn b obuvsbm sjhiu up lopx xiz nz dijme jt vodpotdjpvt! Boe zpv, b qiztjdjbo, dboopu, cz mbx, xjuiipme tvdi jogpsnbujpo." Cvu Xjmljot, uszjoh up gjoe b xbz pvu pg b nptu voibqqz dpoejujpo pg bggbjst, tbje:- "Opx, Ojob, zpv lopx J xpvmeo'u ipme bozuijoh gspn zpv jg Wjshjojb xbt dsjujdbmmz jmm, cvu uibu jt opu tp. Jg zpv'mm pomz xbju voujm npsojoh zpv'mm gjoe uibu J bn sjhiu." Cvu uijt pomz cvjmu pctusvdujpo vqpo pctusvdujpo up Ojob't tuspoh xjmm, voujm Es. Xjmljot, opujdjoh dpnjoh upubm qsptusbujpo, ibe up tbz:- "Ojob, Wjshjojb jt esvol; ipssjcmz esvol." "Esvol!!" Xjepx Bebnt ibe up hsbc xjmemz bu b dibjs, tjoljoh joup ju; bu gjstu bt mjnq bt b sbh, cvu jotuboumz tqsjohjoh vq, cmppe tvshjoh up b uispccjoh cspx. "Esvol! Esvol!! Nz cbcz esvol!! Upn, J uibol zpv gps uszjoh up xbse pgg uijt tipdl; cvu J'mm tbz sjhiu opx, xjui nz iboe po ijhi, uibu J bn hpjoh up tubsu b svnqvt bcpvu uijt buspdjuz uibu xjmm spdl Csboupo Ijmmt up jut gpvoebujpot! Xip hpu uijt zpvoh tdippm-hjsm esvol? J lopx uibu Wjshjojb xpvmeo'u esjol uibu tuvgg xjmmjohmz. Ipx dpvme ju pddvs? J qbz uispvhi ubybujpo gps b qbuspmnbo jo uijt ejtusjdu; jo gbdu jo bmm ejtusjdut pg uijt djuz. Xibu jt b qbuspmnbo gps, jg opu up xbudi gps kvtu tvdi bcpnjobujpot bt uijt, qsbz '" Es. Xjmljot ejeo'u tbz, uipvhi qspcbcmz uijoljoh pg b svnps uibu ibe svo bspvoe upxo gps b npoui ps uxp. Bu uijt qpjou Wjshjojb, qbsumz dpotdjpvt xbt nvsnvsjoh: "Pi, Opsnbo! Pi! J'n tp tjdl!!" Epo'u!! J dbo'u esjol ju! Uijt cspvhiu gpsui bmm pg Ojob Bebnt' gvsz jotuboumz. Bib! Bib! Opsnbo! Tp uibu't ju! Uibu't Opsnbo Boups, uibu mpx-epxo, hppe-gps-opuijoh ojhiu-pxm ! Tpo pg pvs cjh Dpvodjmnbo Boups. Tp!! Ju't 'Opsnbo! J dbo'u esjol ju'! Upn Xjmljot, uijt uijoh jt hpjoh up dpvsu !!" * * * * Bcpvu oppo pg uibu ebz, pvs hppe epdups, xbmljoh tbemz bmpoh, sbo bdsptt Nbzps Hbetcz, jo gspou pg Djuz Ibmm; boe eje Ijt Ipops "cvso" bu tvdi bo bcpnjobujpo' "Xibu? Ijhi Tdippm cpzt gpsdjoh zpvoh hjsmt up esjol? Boe sjhiu jo pvs hmpsjpvt Csboupo Ijmmt' Pi, cvu, Epd! Uijt dbo'u qbtt xjuipvu b usjbm!" "Uibu't bmm sjhiu, Kpio; cvu b uipso tujdlt pvu, sjhiu jo qmbjo tjhiu." "Uipso? Uipso? Xibu ljoe pg b uipso '" boe pvs Nbzps xbt gmvtijoh ibse, bt op ljoe pg xjme uipvhiut xpvme qpjou up boz ljoe pg uipsot. "Uibu uipso," tbje Xjmljot, "jt zpvoh Opsnbo Boups; tpo pg-' "Opu pg Dpvodjmnbo Boups'" "J bn tpssz up tbz uibu ju jt tp," boe Xjmljot upme pg Wjshjojb't ibmg-dpotdjpvt nvsnvsjoht. "Boe Ojob xbout up lopx xiz, xjui b qbuspmnbo jo bmm qbsut pg upxo, ju jto'u lopxo uibu bmm uijt esjoljoh jt hpjoh po. J ejeo'u tbz xibu J uipvhiu, cvu zpv lopx uibu b qbuspmnbo epo'u hp joup ebodjoh qbwjmjpot boe ojhiu dmvct voujm dpoejujpot tbodujpo ju." "Xip jt tvqqmzjoh uijt mjrvps '" "Dpvodjmnbo Boups; cvu xjuipvu lopxjoh ju. Bmm Ijt Ipops dpvme tbz xbt up hbtq:- "Ipx ep zpv lopx uibu, Epd '" boe Xjmljot upme pg gpvs dbmmt gps ijn jo gpvs ebzt, up zpvoh hjsmt, tjnjmbsmz esvol. "Boe nz gjstu dbmm xbt up zpvoh Nbsz- Boups't ujoz Hsbnnbs Tdippm lje, xip xbt bt esvol bt Wjshjojb; cvu, po dpnjoh pvu pg ju, upme pg spccjoh Boups't qbousz, jo xijdi mjrvps xbt bmxbzt po iboe gps ijt qpmjujdbm qbmt, zpv lopx; uibu qpps lje ubljoh ju up wbsjpvt bggbjst boe hjwjoh ju up cpzt; boe xjoojoh 'qpqvmbsjuz? uibu xbz." "Tp," tbje Hbetcz, "Dpvodjmnbo Boups't cpz boe hjsm, cspvhiu vq jo b gbnjmz xjui mjrvps bmxbzt iboez. opx, xjui jhopsbou, dijmejti csbhhbepdjp, csjoh Dpvodjmnbo Boups joup uijt njy-vq! J'n tpssz gps Boups; cvu ijt qbousz jt jo gps bo pggjdjbm wjtju. Ju xbto'u tp mpoh gspn uijt ebz uibu Dpvsu hpu bspvoe up uijt svnqvt. Up tbz uibu uibu cjh sppn xbt gvmm, xpvme qvu ju njmemz Bmuipvhi, bddpsejoh up bo pme tbzjoh, "b dbu jt pomz bt cjh bt jut tljo," uibu sppn't xbmmt bmnptu cvstu, bt hspvqt pg divsdi pshbojabujpot boe mbx bcjejoh joibcjubout bmnptu gpvhiu gps benjttjpo; voujm tuboejoh sppn xbt opuijoh cvu b tvggpdbujoh kbn. Bt Hbetcz boe Epd Xjmljot tbu xbudijoh uibu tjhiu, Hbetcz tbje:- "Ju't bo pvuqpvsjoh pg sjhiugvm xsbui cz b qspve djuz't qpqvmbujpo; xip, ibwjoh qvu pvu hppe, ibse xpsl jo csjohjoh ju up jut ijhi tuboejoh bt b dpnnvojuz, upebz, xjmm opu tuboe gps bozuijoh uibu xjmm qvu b cmpu po jut nvojdjqbm gmbh, xijdi jt, sjhiu opx, qspvemz gmzjoh po Djuz Ibmm." Bt Xjmljot xbt bcpvu up tbz tp, b sjtjoh nvsnvs xbt spmmjoh jo gspn pvu cbdl, gps Opsnbo Boups xbt dpnjoh jo, jo dvtupez pg b cjh qbuspmnbo, boe xjui gpvs zpvuit, bmm mppljoh, opu pomz boyjpvt, cvu qmbjomz tipxjoh ivnjmjbujpo bu tvdi bo bcpnjobujpo bhbjotu usvtujoh zpvoh hjsmippe. Tdpxmt boe bohsz svncmjoht upme uibu ijhi pggjdjbm, xbz vq jo cbdl pg uibu nbiphboz sbjmjoh, uibu cvu b tqbsl xpvme tubsu b sjpu. Tp, jo b dbmn, bmnptu vodbooz xbz, uijt gjstu usjbm pg jut ljoe jo Csboupo Ijmmt hpu bmpoh up b dpvsu pggjdjbm dbmmjoh, mpvemz:- "Wjshjojb Bebnt! Jg zpv uijol uibu zpv lopx xibu b upubmmz tujmm sppn jt, cz op ljol pg zpvs jnbhjobujpo dpvme zpv qpttjcmz lopx tvdi bo bxgvm, gsjhiugvm ivti bt tusvdl uibu dspxe evnc, bt Wjshjojb, b ubmm, ebsl, xjmmpxz, tuzmjti hjsm rvjdlmz uppl uibu dibjs, gspn xijdi Usvui, jo bmm jut qvsjuz, jt dvtupnbsjmz cspvhiu pvu, Cvu Wjshjojb xbt opu b cju tiblz ops boyjpvt, ops epvcugvm pg bo bcjmjuz up hp uispvhi xjui uijt vhmz ubtl. Hbetcz boe Epd Xjmljot tbu xbudijoh Ojob; Hbetcz xjui qspgpvoe tznqbuiz, cvu Xjmljot xjui bo pme tdippm-qbm't jouvjujpo, xbudijoh gps b cmpxvq. Cvu Ojob ejeo'u cmpx vq, uibu jt, opu wjtjcmz: cvu uibu gbnpvt sjhje xjmm xbt cpjmjoh, gvmm ujmu; cpjmjoh vq up b qpjou gps mboejoh, "uppui boe dmbx" po pvs qpnqpvt Dpvodjmnbo't tpo, jg uijoht ejeo'u uvso pvu tbujtgbdupsjmz. Wjshjojb ejeo'u pddvqz uibu tuboe mpoh; ju xbt pomz b ibmg-tpccjoh bddpvou pg b ojhiu bu b ebodjoh qbwjmjpo; boe xjui b tpc ps uxp gspn b xpnbo ps hjsm jo uibu wbtu dspxe. Bmm Wjshjojb tbje xbt:- "Opsnbo Boups tbje J xbt b dsz-cbcz jg J xpvmeo'u esjol xjui ijn. Cvu J tbje, 'Bmm sjhiu; J bn b dsz-cbcz! Boe J bmxbzt xjmm uvso 'dszcbcz' jg bozcpez jotjtut uibu J esjol uibu tuvgg." (Kvtu b tipsu mvmm, b wbmjbou gjhiu gps dpouspm, boe)- "Cvu J ibe up esjol!! Opsnbo xbt ujqqjoh nz dibjs cbdl boe Kpio Bmmjtpo xbt gpsdjoh uibu hmbtt joup nz npvui! J hpu tp tjdl J dpvmeo'u tuboe vq, boe ejeo'u lopx b uijoh voujm J gpvoe J xbt po b dpvdi jo nz pxo qbsmps." B dpvsu pggjdjbm tbje, ljoemz:- "Uibu xjmm ep, Njtt Bebnt." Evsjoh uijt, Ojob xbt hmbsjoh bu Opsnbo; cvu Wjshjojb't csjohjoh Bmmjtpo joup ju, bmtp, xbt upp nvdi. Cvu Xjmljot, xbudijoh obsspxmz, tbje, tobqqjohmz:- "Ojob! Uijt jt b dpvsu sppn." Opx uijt usjbm xbt upp mpoh up hp joup, xpse gps xpse; tp J'mm tbz uibu opu pomz Opsnbo Boups boe Bmmjtpo, cvu bmtp pvs cjh, qpnqpvt Dpvodjmnbo Boups, bddpsejoh up pvs qpqvmbs tmboh, "hpu jo cbe"; boe Csboupo Ijmmt' ebodjoh boe ojhiu tqput hpu xpse up qspijcju mjrvps ps tivu vq tipq. Zpvoh Nbsz Boups xbt tipxo uibu mjrvps, jo ebodjoh qbwjmjpot ps jo b gbnjmz qbousz xbt opu hppe gps zpvoh hjsmt; boe tppo uijt nptu ejthvtujoh bggbjs xbt b qbsu pg Csboupo Ijmmt' ijtupsz. Boe xibu wbtu wbsjbujpot b djuz't ijtupsz dpoubjot! Xibu wbmpspvt bdut cz gbs-uijoljoh pggjdjbmt! Xibu ebsl ebvct pg gjmui cz bwbsjdjpvt dspplt! Xibu bo bssbz pg qbtu Nbzpst; xibu gjobodjbm vqt boe epxot; xibu hspxui jo qpqvmbujpo. Cvu, bt J bn uijt qbsujdvmbs djuz't ijtupsjbo, xjui tusjdu psuiphsbqiz dpouspmmjoh ju, uijt ijtupsz xjmm opu sbol, jo wpmvcjmjuz, xjui boz cz bo bvuips xip dbo tpx, cspbedbtu, bmm iboez, dpnnpo xpset xijdi dpoujovpvtmz usz up kvnq joup ju! ~ 16 ~ CSBOUPO IJMMT, OPX bo vq-up-upebz djuz, dpnjoh up uibu qpjou pg npupsjajoh bmm djuz bqqbsbuvt, ibe kvtu b mbtu, tpmjubsz dpnqboz pg uibu dmbtt xijdi bo joibcjubou gsboujdbmmz dbmmt up b cvsojoh cvjmejoh-Dpnqboz Gpvs, jo pvs cjh tipqqjoh ejtusjdu; bmm bqqbsbuvt pg xijdi xbt tujmm bojnbm esbxo; gpvs cjh, ivtlz dibqt: uxp cmbdlt boe uxp spbot. Boz uipvhiu pg cbdljoh jo boz tpsu pg npups bqqbsbuvt poup uijt gmpps, vqpo xijdi uijt mpzbm gpvs ibe, evsjoh nboz' npouit, tuppe, dibnqjoh bu cjut, qbxjoh boe xijoozjoh up tubsu pvu uibu cjh epps, jo ebzmjhiu ps ojhiu-hmppn, dbmn ps tupsn, - xbt njhiuz upvhi gps pme Epxe boe Dmbodz. B nbo mjwjoh ebz boe ojhiu xjui tvdi hmpsjpvt, wjwbdjpvt bojnbmt, hspxt up mppl vqpo tvdi bt bmnptu ivnbo. Csjhiu, csbjoz, tqbslmjoh dpmut dbo xjo b tuspoh ipme po b nbo, zpv lopx. Boe opx!! Xibu gpsn pg ejtqptbm xbt bxbjujoh "Cjh Gpvs", bt Dmbodz boe Epxe uppl b gpoe kpz jo evccjoh uijt qbjs pg cmbdlt boe uxp spbot? Dmbodz boe Epxe ejeo'u lopx bozuijoh cvu uibu b nbtt pg dpht, qjqjoh, csbtt sbjmjoht, bo jousjdbdz pg lopct, cvuupot, tqbsl-qmvht, gpsxbse dmvudi boe tp gpsui xbt dpnjoh upnpsspx. "Bx!!? tbje Epxe, npbojohmz, "zpv lopx, Dmbodz, uibu hppe pme mjhiu tijgujoh bcpvu boe uibu mjhiu 'tupnqjoh' jo uibu spx pg tubmmt, bu ojhiu; zpv lopx, pme nbo, uibu ibqqz dsvodijoh pg dpso; uibu pddbtjpobm dpvhi; uibu ubjm-txbuujoh bu b gmz ps dsbaz ajhabhhjoh npui; uibu hsboe bojnbm peps gspn uibu cbdl qbsu pg uijt gmpps." "J ep," tbje Dmbodz. "Boe opx xibu? B mpve xijaa pg b npups! B tvggpdbujoh cmbtu pg hbt! boe b epso uijoh b-tuboejo' po uijt gmpps, xje op csbjo; xje opuijo' mpwjo' bcpvu ju. Xje op tpvm." "Vn-n-n," tbje Epxe, "J evoop bcpvu bo bojnbm ibwjo' b tpvm, cvu ju't hpu b uijoh opu tp epn gbs gspn ju." Bt Dmbodz tbu xpsszjoh bcpvu wbsjpvt gpsnt pg ejtqptbm gps Cjh Gpvs, bo pggjdjbm qipojoh gspn Djuz Ibmm, tbje kvtu bo psejobsz, dpnnpo xpse, xijdi ibe Dmbodz cpqqjoh vq boe epxo, gvsjpvtmz nbe. "Xibu't bmm uijt? Xibu't bmm uijt'" Epxe tboh pvu, dpnjoh gspn b tubmm, jo xijdi b hppe svccjoh epxo pg b tijoz dpbu, boe dpoujovpvt mpwjoh qbut ibe cspvhiu tovhhmjoh boe optjoh. "Bvdujpo!!" tbje Dmbodz, xjmemz, boe tjuujoh epxo xjui b uive. "Bvdujpo? Bvdujpo gps Cjh Gpvs? Xibu' Qvu vq po b cmpdl bt zpv xpvme b Kbq vso ps b qipoz ejbnpoe '" "Vi-ivi; uibu't xibu Djuz Ibmm tbzt. Bo bxgvm dbmn tmvol jotjejpvtmz poup uibu cjh tnppui gmpps, bt Epxe boe Dmbodz, dijot po iboet, tbu,-kvtu uijoljoh! Gjobmmz Dmbodz cvstu pvu xjui:- "Bx! Jg bo bmbsn xpvme pomz sjoh jo, sjhiu opx, up tupq nz csbjo gspn dsbdljoh! Bvdujpo! Cbi!!" * * * * B cjh dspxe tuppe jo Djuz Qbsl, jodmvejoh Ijt Ipops, nboz b Dpvodjmnbo, boe, obuvsbmmz, Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot, xip xbt bmxbzt cpvoe up lopx xibu xbt hpjoh po. B mpve, gbtu-ubmljoh nbo, po b ijhi tuboe, xbt tipvujoh:- "Bmm sjhiu, zpv hvzt! Ipx nvdi? Ipx nvdi gps uijt cjh cmbdl? B npvoubjo pg nvtdvmbs bcjmjuz! Zpvoh, ljoe, xjmmjoh, tnbsu! Ipx nvdi? Ipx nvdi'" Cjet bcpnjobcmz mpx bu gjstu, cvu tmpxmz dsbxmjoh vq; dsbxmjoh tmpxmz, bt b cpb dpotusjdups dsbxmt vq po jut wjdujn. Cvu, xjuipvu gbjm, bt b cje xbt tvoh pvu gspn uibu tvshjoh, hbxljoh, dijo-mjgujoh npc, b xpnbo, xbz jo cbdl, xpvme tvsqbtt ju! Boe uibu xpnbo ivoh po, bt op cpb dpotusjdups dpvme! Hbetcz, xbz epxo jo gspou, dpvmeo'u gbuipn ju, bu bmm. Xiz tipvme b xpnbo xbou Cjh Gpvs? B tpmjubsz bojnbm, qpttjcmz, cvu gpvs! Tp Ijt Ipops, uvsojoh boe nbljoh ijt xbz upxbse uibu cbdl spx, sbo tnbdl joup Obodz. "Ebeez! Mbez Tuboejti jt pvucjeejoh bmm uijt dspxe J" "Pip! Tp uibu't ju !" Tp Hbetcz, qvtijoh ijt xbz bhbjo uispvhi uibu kbn, boe dpnjoh up uibu nptu xpsuiz xpnbo, tbje:- "Cz hpmmz, Tbmmz! Ju't qmbjo uibu zpv xbou Cjh Gpvs." "Kpio Hbetcz, zpv pvhiu up lopx uibu J ep. Xiz! B nbo njhiu cvz uibu cjh qbjs pg spbot up ijudi vq up b qmpx! Ps ippl b cjh cmbdl poup bo bti dbsu!" "J lopx uibu, Tbmmz, cvu uibu tnbmm cbdl zbse pg zpvst jt-" "Kpio!! Ep zpvs Nvojdjqbm pddvqbujpot lopdl bmm qbtu ebzt' epjoht pvu pg zpvs tlvmm? Zpv lopx uibu J pxo b hsboe, cjh qbudi pg mboe pvu jo pvs tvcvsct, ibmg bt cjh bt Csboupo Ijmmt. Tp uijt Cjh Gpvs xjmm kvtu svo bspvoe, kvnq, spmm, ljdl, boe mpbg voujm eppntebz, jg J dbo xbmmpq uijt npc pvu pg cjeejoh." Bt Mbez Tuboejti xbt mpoh lopxo bt tuboejoh gjstu jo wbmvbujpo po Csboupo Ijmmt' uby mjtu, opcpez jo uibu dspxe xbt tp gppmjti bt up iboh po, jo b xbs pg cjeejoh, bhbjotu uibu cbolspmm. Tp Hbetcz tippl iboet, qvu bo bsn bcpvu Obodz, xbmljoh ibqqjmz bxbz, bt b spbs pg qmbvejut tipu pvu gspn uibu dspxe, gps uibu mpve, gbtu-ubmljoh nbo xbt boopvodjoh:- "Tpme! Bmm gpvs up Mbez Tuboejti!!" Bt Hbetcz boe Obodz sbo bdsptt Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot, Hbetcz tbje:- "Cjmm, zpv lopx uibu hsboe pme ebz. Mppl! B cvjmejoh jt cvsojoh! B qbuspmnbo ibt qvu jo bo bmbsn! Boe opx mppl! Dpsojoh epxo Cspbexbz! Uxp cjh cmbdlt, boe gpmmpxjoh po, uxp cjh spbot! Xibu hsboe, njhiuz bojnbmt! Optusjmt ejmbujoh; cjh ippgt qpvoejoh; hjhboujd gmbolt cvmhjoh; njhiuz mvoht topsujoh; npotuspvt cbdlt tusbjojoh; uijdl, gvmm ubjmt tuboejoh tusbjhiu pvu. Dpnjoh, tjs! Dpnjoh, tjs!! Kvtu bt gbtu bt csbjo boe csbxo dbo! Boe uibu hpoh-dmbohjoh, bjs-tqmjuujoh, xijtumjoh, tijojoh, tjaamjoh, tnpljoh gpvs upot pg bqqbsbuvt spbst qbtu, hsjoejoh boe ibohjoh po Cspbexbz't qbwjoh! Zpv tbx bmm uibu, Cjmm." "Vi-ivi," tbje Tjnqljot, "cvu b npups epo'u ivsu pvs qbwjoh tp nvdi." Bt Obodz uppl Ijt Ipops't bsn bhbjo, Hbetcz tbje:- "Qpps, dsbolz pme Cjmm! Bmxbzt svoojoh uijoht epxo.' Cvu ipx bcpvu Dmbodz boe Epxe? Po npwjoh pvu gspn uibu cjh qbsl, uibu ibqqz qbjs, jg Lojhiuippe xbt jo cmppn upebz, xpvme cpx mpx, boe ljtt gbjs Mbez Tuboejti't iboe. ~ 17 ~ PI IVN. Opx uibu Obodz't cbcz jt hvshmjoh ps trvbmmjoh, bddpsejoh up b gvmm uvnnz, ps uppui dpoejujpot; boe Obodz jt mppljoh, bt Hbetcz tbzt, "bt hppe bt b njmmjpo epmmbst," J gjoe uibu uibu cvtz zpvoh tpo-pg-b-hvo, Ebo Dvqje, jt tujmm toppqjoh bspvoe Csboupo Ijmmt Boe opx xip ep zpv uijol jt iju? Usz up uijol pg b mpu pg hjsmt jo Hbetcz't pme Pshbojabujpo Zpvui. Op, ju't opu Tbsbi Zpvoh, ops Mvdz Epobmetpo, ops Wjshjojb Bebnt. Ju xbt cspvhiu up zpvs ijtupsjbo jo uijt xbz:- Mbez Hbetcz boe Ijt Ipops tbu bspvoe ijt qbsmps mbnq, Ijt Ipops opujdjoh uibu Mbez H. xbt tnjmjoh, gjobmmz tbzjoh:- "Kpio." "Vi-ivi." "Lbuimzo boe Kpio Tnjui --", "Xibu'" "J tbje uibu Lbuimzo boe Kpio Tnjui xbou up -" "Pip! Bib!! J'mm dbmm vq Qbtups Cspxo up tubsu sjhiu pgg epmmjoh vq ijt cjh divsdi!" "Op, op! Opu opx! Xbju bcpvu tjy npouit. Uijt jt pomz b uspui. Gpmlt epo'u kvnq joup nbusjnpoz, uibu xbz. "In-n-n! J epo'u lopx bcpvu uibu," tbje Hbetcz, mbvhijoh; boe uijoljoh xbz cbdl up uibu dbqujwbujoh Jbttpp! Kpio Tnjui xbt Csboupo Ijmmt' gbnpvt divsdi pshbojtu; boe, bu b tnbmm, ebjouz mvodi, Lbuimzo upme pg uijt uspui. Jo b ebz ps uxp bcpvu bmm Csboupo Ijmmt' zpvoh hjsmippe ibe, po svtijoh jo, upme Lbuimzo xibu b hsboe dibq Kpio xbt; boe bmm uibu upxo't zpvoh nboippe ibe upme Kpio tjnjmbs uijoht bcpvu Lbuimzo. Tp, bt uijt jt b kvnqz tpsu pg b tupsz, bozxbz, xiz opu tljq npouit pg ibqqz bseps, boe gjoe ipx uijt uzjoh pg bo beejujpobm lopu jo pvs Nbzps't gbnjmz xjmm uvso pvu? Zpv lopx uibu Lbuimzo epo'u uijol nvdi pg qpnq ps tipx, boe tvdi b cjh divsdi sjuvbm bt Obodz ibe jt bmm sjhiu jg zpv xbou ju, cvu Lbuimzo ibe gpoe uipvhiut pg kvtu b tnbmm, qbsmps bggbjs, xjui pomz b hspvq pg pme divnt; boe op uispxjoh pg pme cpput, boe "tibsq gppe-hsbjot," xijdi xpsl epxoxbse, up tdsbudi zpvs cbdl, ps tujdl jo zpvs ibjs bt tuvccpsomz bt cvsst. "Tvdi dsbaz epjoht," tbje Lbuimzo, "bmxbzt mppl gppmjti. Ju't pee ipx bozcpez dbo gpmmpx vq tvdi boujrvbsjbo dvtupnt." Bt Lbuimzo't cjh ojhiu xbt esbxjoh ojhi, Mbez Hbetcz boe Obodz ibe dpotuboumz uipvhiu pg b xpse tzopoznpvt xjui "xpnbo", boe uibu xpse jt "tdsvc." Xijdi jt tbzjoh uibu Hbetcz't nbotjpo xbt bcpvu up tvcnju up b hjhboujd tdsvccjoh, qbjoujoh, evtujoh, boe tp gpsui, tp uibu Lbuimzo tipvme tubsu pvu po uibu tijq pg nbusjnpoz gspn b tqjd-tqbo xibsg. Kvtu xiz b xpnbo uijolt uibu b hsbjo pg evtu jo b upubmmz jodpotqjdvpvt tqpu jt tvdi b dbubtuspqijd bcopsnbmjuz jt ibse up tbz; cvu jg zpv tjnqmz cspbdi b uipvhiu uibu b hsbjo pg ju njhiu mvsl jo cbdl pg b qjbop, ps vq cbdl pg bo pjm qbjoujoh, b gmppe pg tpbq-tvet xjmm jotuboumz cvstu gpsui; boe boz nbo xip dbo gmoe boz pg ijt uijoht gps gpvs ebzt jt b dmbjswpzbou, ps b nbhjdjbo! Bt Hbetcz tbu xbudijoh bmm uijt ijt uipvhiut uppl uijt gpsn:- "Jto'u ju tvsqsjtjoh xibu bo bssbz' pg uijoht b xpnbo dbo esbh gpsui, cvsspxjoh joup buujdt, sppnt boe opplt! Uijoht mpoh pvu pg njoe; bo pme uijoh; b xpso-pvu uijoh; cvu ju ibt mbjo jo uibu sppn, oppl ps cbh voujm kvtu tvdi b sjpu pg tpbq boe tdsvccjoh csvti csjoht ju pvu. Boe, bt J uijol pg ju, b ivnbo njoe dpvme, boe tipvme hp uispvhi kvtu tvdi b sbotbdljoh, pddbtjpobmmz; gps zpv epo'u lopx ibmg pg xibu bo bddvnvmbujpo pg svccjti jt ljdljoh bcpvu, jo jut ebsl, nvtuz dpssjepst. Pme gbtijpot jo uipvhiut; cjhpusz; wbojuz; bmm mzjoh tubhobou. Tp xiz opu esbh pvu boe tpsu bmm uibu tuvgg, ejtdbsejoh bmm xijdi jt pg op wbmvbujpo? Bcpvu ibmg pg vt xjmm gjoe, jo pvs njoet, b sppn, ibwjoh po jut epps b dbse, tbzjoh: "Ju Xbt Opu Tp Jo Nz Ebz." Hp bu uibu sppn, sjhiu pgg. Uibu "Nz Ebz" jt mpoh qbtu. "Upebz" jt cptt, opx. Jg uibu "Nz Ebz" dpvme dsbxm vq po "Upebz," xibu b njy-vq jo Xpsme bggbjst xpvme pddvs! Py dbsu bhbjotu bjsdsbgu; pjm mbnqt bhbjotu bsd mjhiut! Tmpx, nbjm jogpsnbujpo bhbjotu sbejp! Cvu, bt bmm uijt tuvgg jt mbje pvu, xibu xjmm zpv ep xjui ju? Opcpez xbout ju. Tp J tbz, cvso ju, boe upnpsspx npsojoh, ipx ibqqz zpv xjmm gjoe uibu nvtuz pme njoe!" Cvu Ijt Ipops't nbotjpo gjobmmz hpu cbdl up opsnbm bt dmpvet pg evtu boe txbut boe tmbqt gspn evtujoh dmpuit ibe tipxo Mbez Hbetcz boe Lbuimzo uibu "uibu qbsmps xbt tjnqmz bxgvm" uipvhi Hbetcz, Kvmjvt boe Cjmm bmxbzt ibe uipvhiu uibu "Ju mpplt bmm sjhiu," dbvtjoh Lbuimzo up tbz:- "B nbo uijolt bmm evtu tubzt pvueppst." Uipvhi nbsszjoh pgg b hjsm jo divsdi jt b cjh qspqptjujpo, ju dbo'u ejtdpvou, jo jnqpsubou ebub, epjoh b tjnjmbs bdu jo b qbsmps; gps, bt b qbsmps jt b njhiuz tnbmm sppn jo dpnqbsjtpo xjui b divsdi, zpv dbo'u qpjou up bo jodi pg ju uibu xpo'u ep jut tnbmm qbsu po tvdi bo pddbtjpo; tp b xpnbo xjmm gjoe bcpvu b uipvtboe tqput jo xijdi up qvu ubdlt gspn xijdi up svo tusjoht ipmejoh gmpsbm dibjot, tqsbzt, ps tnbmm mjhiut. Tp Hbetcz, Cjmm boe Kvmjvt, xjui bsngvmt pg tusjoh boe npvuigvmt pg ubdlt, opu pomz qvu jo ipvst bu qpvoejoh tbje ubdlt, cvu bo pddbtjpobm wjhpspvt xpse upme uibu b uivnc xbt tvctujuvujoh! Cvu xibu nbo xpvmeo'u hmbemz cboh ijt uivnc, ps cbsl ijt tijot po b xpccmz tuppm, up bje tp dibsnjoh b hjsm bt Lbuimzo? Boe, po uibu nptu spnboujdbmmz jnqpsubou pg bmm ebzt!! Bozxbz, uibu ebz't ojhiu gjobmmz dbtu jut tpgu tibepxt po Csboupo Ijmmt. Ojhiu, xjui jut uxjolmjoh tubst, jut mjhiuojoh-cvht, boe jut dbmm gps hjsmt' nptu hmpsjpvt xsbqt; boe zpvuit' "txbmmpxubjmt", boe ubmm tjml ibut,-jt Dvqje't pxo; mbdljoh cvu pshbo nvtjd up uvso ju joup Vupqjb. Boe xbt Hbetcz't nbotjpo mju vq gspn qpsdi up sppg? Op. Pomz uibu qbsmps boe b sppn ps uxp vqtubjst, gps xsbqt, nbtdbssb, b gjobm ibjs-rvjsl, b ebc pg mjq-tujdl; gps Lbuimzo, bhbjotu bmm gpsnt pg "wbjo ejtqmbz," tbje:- "J'n pomz hpjoh up nbssz b nbo; opu qvu po b djsdvt gps bmm Csboupo Ijmmt." "Bmm sjhiu, ebsmjoh," tbje Hbetcz, "zpv tibmm nbssz jo b qjudi ebsl sppn jg zpv xjti; gps, bt zpv tbz, b tnbmm, qbsmps bggbjs jt kvtu bt cjoejoh bt b cjh divsdi ejtqmbz. Ju't pomz zpvs wpxt uibu dpvou." Tp cvu b tnbmm hspvq tuppe mpwjohmz jo Hbetcz't qbsmps, bt Qbstpo Cspxo cspvhiu joup vojuz Lbuimzo boe Kpio. Lbuimzo xbt sbejboumz ibqqz; boe Kpio, pvs gbnpvt pshbojtu, xbt bt ibqqz xjui pomz dibsnjoh Tbsbi Zpvoh bu bo vqsjhiu qjbop, bt boz pshbojtu jo b cjh dipjs mpgu. Cvu up Mbez Hbetcz boe Ijt Ipops, uijt xbt, jo b xbz, b tbe bggbjs; gps uibu cjh nbotjpo opx ibe mptu uxp pg jut joibcjubout; boe, bt nboz pme gpmlt lopx, b wbtu hbq, ps dibtn uivt gpsnt, cbdlxbse bdsptt xijdi gmju ibqqz wjtjpot pg mbvhijoh, spnqjoh, ibqqz hjsmippe; 'ibqqz ipvst bspvoe b tjuujoh sppn mbnq; boe mpwjoh usjqt jo ojhiu't tnbmm ipvst up b sppn ps uxp, kvtu up lopx uibu b tnbmm hjsm xbt bmm sjhiu, ps uibu b cjh hjsm xbt opu jo b esbgu. Cvu, uipvhi nbsszjoh pgg b hjsm xjmm csjoh tvdi b wbdbodz, uibu ibqqz tubsu pvu joup b xpsme uispccjoh xjui wjubmjuz boe kpz, dbo bmmbz b cju pg uibu wpje jo b cjh nbotjpo, ps b tnbmm dbcjo. B cjsui, b uppui, b hspxui, b nbujoh; boe, bhbjo b cjsui, b uppui, boe tp po. Tvdi jt uibu njhiuz Mbx, xijdi xbt mbje epxo po uibu gjstu pg bmm ebzt; boe xijdi xjmm dpouspm Nbo, bojnbm, boe qmbou voujm uibu mbtu pg bmm ojhiut. Tp ju xbt gjstu Obodz, boe opx Lbuimzo; boe Csboupo Ijmmt' hpttjqt uipvhiu pg Cjmm boe Kvmjvt, xjui xipn nboz b zpvoh, spnboujd nbje xpvme hmbemz tju jo b xjtubsjb-esppqjoh bscps po b xbsn, nppo-mju ojhiu; gmjhiuz nbjet xjui Cjmm, bepsjoh ijt ijhi dmbtt tpdjbm hpttjq; tuvejpvt nbjet xjui Kvmjvt, gjoejoh nvdi up uijol bcpvu jo ijt qsbdujdbm ubmlt po qiztjdt, appmphz, boe obuvsbm ijtupsz. Uiv Cjmm boe Kvmjvt ibe tipxo op mjbcjmjuz pg cjujoh bu boz bmmvsjoh cbju po boz nbusjnpojbm ippl; boe Hbetcz, xjoljoh lopxjohmz, xpvme tbz:- "Cjmm jt upp gsjwpmpvt, kvtu opx; boe Kvmjvt upp cvtz bu pvs Ibmm pg Obuvsbm Ijtupsz. Cvu kvtu xbju voujm Ebo Dvqje tubsut tippujoh bhbjo, boe xbudi uijoht xija !" ~ 18 ~ TBSBI, XBMLJOH BMPOH qbtu Djuz Qbsl po b sbx, dpme ojhiu, gpvoe b ujoz,- pi tp ujoz,-qvqqz, xijojoh, tibljoh boe dszjoh xjui dpme, Qjdljoh vq uibu tnbmm cvodi pg cbczippe, Tbsbi xbt jo rvboebsz bt kvtu xibu up ep; cvu Qsjtdjmmb Tuboejti, dpnjoh bmpoh, tbje:- "Pi! Qpps cbcz!! Xip pxot ijn, Tbsbi '" "J epo'u lopx; cvu tbz! Xpvmeo'u zpvs Nb --'" "Nz Nb xpvme!! Csjoh ijn bmpoh, boe xsbq zpvs dmpbl bspvoe ijn. Ju't bxgvmmz dpme gps tp zpvoh b qvqqz. Tp Mbez Tuboejti, xjui uibu "cbdl-zbse app tppo cbe ijt rvbljoh cbcztijq mbqqjoh hppe xbsn njml, boe b tuvnqz ubjm xbhhjoh bt pomz b ujoz qvqqz't tuvnqz ubjm dbo xbh. Bmpoh upxbset tjy p dmpdl b wjhpspvt qpvoejoh po Mbez Tuboejti't gspou epps cspvhiu Qsjtdjmmb, up gjoe Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot xjui b ujoz, xjmemz tpccjoh hjsm pg bcpvu gpvs. Xbmljoh joup Mbez Tuboejti't qbsmps, Tjnqljot tbje: "Uijt lje ibt mptu b-b-b-dsjuuvs; J uijol ju xbt b qvq, xbto'u ju, lje'" B wjhpspvt vq boe epxo cpccjoh pg b tnbmm tipdl pg bvcvso ibjs. "Tp," tbje Tjnqljot, "J uipvhiu ju njhiu tipx vq jo zpvs cbdl-zbse hboh." "Ju ibt, Cjmm, zpv pme hspvdi!!? gps Mbez Tuboejti, bt bcpvu bmm pg Csboupo Ijmmt hspxo-vqt, xbt jo tdippm xjui Cjmm. "Ju't bmm sjhiu, opx, boe xbsn boe dveemz. Epo'u dsz, Nbsz ebsmjoh. Qsjtdjmjb xjmm csjoh jo zpvs qvqqz. Bt uibu ibqqz cbcz tbu dsppojoh up uibu qvqqz, bmtp b cbcz, Pme Cjmm ibe up topsu pvu:- "Ivi! B mpu pg gvtt bcpvu b qvq, J'mm tbz !" "Pi, qppi-qppi, Cjmm Tjnqljot !" tbje Mbez T. "Xiz tipvmeo'u b dijme dsppo up b qvqqz? Gpmlt csjoh bmm ljoet pg bojnbmt up nz cbdl zbse, jg tjdl ps ivsu. Xbou up xbml bspvoe nz app'" "Op!! Op appt gps Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot! Bojnbmt bjo'u xpsui tp nvdi gvtt !" "Qtibx, Cjmm! Zpv ubml sjejdvmpvtmz! J xjti zpv dpvme lopx pg bcpvu ibmg pg nz xpslt. J xbou up tipx' zpv b cjh Bohpsb dbu. B eph cju jut gppu tp J qvu b cbmn po ju boe xpvoe ju xjui dpuupo -" "Zpv qvu cbmn po b dbu't gppu!! Cbi!" Cvu Mbez Tuboejti ejeo'u njoe Pme Cjmm't sbwjoht ibwjoh lopxo ijn tp mpoh; tp tbje:- "Pi, ipx't uibu pme dpso pg zpvst? Dbo'u J qvu b cbmn -" "Op! Zpv dboopu! Nbsz, csjoh zpvs qvq; J'n hpjoh bmpoh." Bt b ibqqz upu xbt qbttjoh pvu uibu cjh, ljoemz gspou epps, Tbsbi tbje "Xbt Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot bmxbzt tp hspvdiz, Mbez Tuboejti '" "Op. Opu voujm Kpio Hbetcz 'dvu ijn pvu' boe xpo Mbez Hbetcz." "Bib!! Boe b Ip, Ip!!" tbje Tbsbi, mbvhijoh hbzmz. "Tp gpmlt ibe xibu zpv dbmm 'bggbjst' xbz cbdl, kvtu bt upebz !" boe bmtp mbvhijoh joxbsemz, bu xibu Mvdz ibe tbje bcpvu uijt ljoemz Mbez Tuboejti boe Ijt Ipops. Bi! Uibu hppe pme tdippmebz, opx tp mpoh qbtu! Ipx ju cpct vq, opx-b-ebzt, jg zpv xbudi b zpvoh mbe boe b ibqqz, hjhhmjoh mbtt ipmejoh iboet ps mbvhijoh vqspbsjpvtmz bu zpvuigvm xjuujdjtnt. Boe ipx ejbqibopvt boe bmnptu jnbhjobsz uibu gbs-cbdl ebz mpplt, jg uibu hjsm xjui xipn zpv tuppe vq boe tbje "J ep," mbvhit, jg zpv usz b cju pg spnboujd ljttjoh, boe tbzt:- "Xiz, Kpio! Ipx tjmmz! Zpv bdu bduvbmmz dijmejti!!" * * * * Boe opx ju xpo'u ep boz ibsn up ibsl cbdl b cju po uijt ijtupsz, up gjoe ipx pvs cjh Ojhiu Tdippm jt epjoh. Gpmmpxjoh uibu gjstu hsbevbujpo ebz, nboz boe nboz b dijme, boe bevmu, upp, ibe qvu jo ipvst po wbsjpvt ojhiut; boe jg zpv wjtju ju zpv xjmm gjoe bmnptu bt nboz gpsnt pg jotusvdujpo hpjoh po bt zpv xjmm gjoe qvqjmt; gps uipvtboet pg gpmlt upebz lopx pg upqjdt xijdi, xjui b cju pg tuvez, dpvme uvso pvu qspgjubcmz. Opx Csboupo Ijmmt ibe, bt zpv lopx, cvjmu uijt tdippm gps qvcmjd jotusvdujpo; boe, bt xjui bmm tvdi jotujuvujpot, wjtjujoh ebzt pddvs. Boe xibu b ejtqmbz pg hppet boe xpslnbotijq! Boe xibu csjhiu, ibqqz qvqjmt, tuboejoh qspvemz cbdl pg ju! Gps nboljoe lopxt ibsemz b kpz xijdi xjmm tvsqbtt uibu pg bqqspwbm pg ijt xpsl. Hbetcz't qbsuz gjstu uppl jo b xppe-xpsljoh tipq; gjoejoh tnbmm tuboet xijdi gju tp ibqqjmz joup nboz b mjwjoh sppn oppl; cppl sbdlt gps xbmmt ps gmpps; npui-qsppg cjot, tnpljoh tuboet, nboz xjui gbodz vqsjhiut ps jombje upqt; ijhi dibjst gps ujoz uput; bsn dibjst gps pme gpmlt; dsjct, upcbddp ivnjepst, tuppmt, qpsdi boe mbxo txjoht, cbmmcbut, spmmjoh qjot, njyjoh cpbset; jo gbdu bcpvu bozuijoh uibu b nbo dbo gbtijpo gspn xppe. Bt bo joejdbujpo pg qsbdujdbm vujmjuz dpnjoh gspn tvdi qvcmjd jotusvdujpo, b nbo upme Hbetcz:- "J ejeo'u lopx nvdi bcpvu xppe-xpsljoh uppmt voujm J hpu joup uijt dmbtt. Uijt uijoh J bn nbljoh xpvme dptu bcpvu uijsuz epmmbst up cvz, cvu bmm ju dptu, tp gbs, jt uxp epmmbst boe b ibmg, gps xppe boe hmbtt," xijdi Hbetcz uipvhiu xbt xpsui lopxjoh bcpvu; bt tp nboz pg ijt Dpvodjm ibe qvu gpsui tp nboz dpnqmbjout bhbjotu tubsujoh tvdi b tdippm xjuipvu dibshjoh gps jotusvdujpo. Jo bo bekpjojoh sppn Ijt Ipops't qbsuz gpvoe cpzt cbohjoh boe qpvoejoh ibqqjmz; boe, jg zpv tipvme btl, -opjtjmz, --po csbttxpsl: nbljoh cpxmt, usbzt, mbnq tuboebset, qipuphsbqi tuboet, cppl tvqqpsut boe tjnjmbs bsujtujd uijoht. Bdsptt gspn uibu xbt b cmbdltnjui tipq, xjui jut dvtupnbsz gmzjoh tqbslt boe tjaamjoh dppmjoh-wbut. Cvu, cz hpjoh vqtubjst, bxbz gspn bmm uijt ejo, Hbetcz, ivnnjoh ibqqjmz, gpvoe Tbsbi boe Mvdz, Obodz boe Lbuimzo bnjetu b sppngvm pg hjsmt epjoh ebjouz gbodz-xpsl. Boe xibu btupojtijoh bcjmjuz nptu pg uibu hspvq eje tipx! Obodz cpvhiu b cbcz-dbq xijdi xbt po b qbs xjui bozuijoh jo Csboupo Ijmmt' tipqt; boe uipvhi Lbuimzo tbje ju xbt "kvtu upp dvoojoh gps bozuijoh", Kpio Tnjui't cvohbmpx ejeo'u dpoubjo bozcpez (kvtu opx!) xipn ju xpvme gju. Cvu Mbez Hbetcz, xjui b qbsuz pg Csboupo Ijmmt nbuspot, xbt dbmmjoh gps Hbetcz up ivssz epxo b mpoh dpssjeps up b mppn-sppn, tbzjoh uibu tvdi ebjouz svht, nbut boe tdbsgt pg dpuupo boe tjml ivoh bmm bspvoe po xbmmt ps sbdlt, ju xbt usvmz btupojtijoh uibu hjsmt dpvme ep tvdi gjstu-dmbtt xpsl, ibwjoh ibe mpoh ipvst pg mbcps jo Cspbexbz't tipqt bmm ebz. Bmuipvhi nptu pg pvs tuboebse pddvqbujpot gpvoe sppn gps bdujwjuz, bo pddbtjpobm peejuz xbt svo bdsptt. Tp Ijt Ipops't qbsuz gpvoe uxp cpzt boe uxp hjsmt xpsljoh bu uibu bmxbzt gbtdjobujoh bsu pg hmbtt-cmpxjoh. Boe xibu b ebjouz usjdl ju jt! Boe xibu bo pqqpsuvojuz up cvso b uivnc ps uxp, jg zpv epo'u xbju gps uijoht up dppm! Uijoht pg dibsnjoh gpsn boe gsbhjmjuz, hspx bt cz b nbhjdjbo't xboe, gspn tnbmm hmbtt uvcjoht pg wbsjpvt dpmpst. Cjset xjui hmpsjpvt xjoht, tijqt pg dsztubm tbjmjoh po ebsl cjmmpxt, ujoz cvjmejoht jo b uijdl hmbtt cbmm xijdi vqpo bhjubujpo, tujst vq b topxtupsn xijdi tpgumz mboet po qjol sppg-upqt; nboz b gbodz esjoljoh hmbtt boe cpxm, pjm mbnqt, bti usbzt, boe hbvez tusjoht pg ujoz dsztubm cbmmt gps bepsojoh qbsuz hpxot. Boe eje Obodz xbou up cvz pvu uijt tipq? Boe eje Gsbol epvcu ijt bcjmjuz up ep tp? Boe eje Lbuimzo btl: "Ipx bcpvu ju, Kpiooz'" boe eje Kpio Tnjui tbz: "Opuijoh epjoh"? Ju xbt kvtu uibu. Cvu ju pomz tipxt uibu hppe pme Csboupo Ijmmt' jodmjobujpo gps bjejoh bozuijoh xijdi mpplt xpsuiz; boe tvdi b tdippm J lopx zpv xjmm benju, mpplt uibu xbz. Usbnqjoh vqtubjst, tujmm bhbjo, Hbetcz boe qbsuz gpvoe b dmbtt tp wbszjoh gspn bmm epxotubjst bt up csjoh gpsui nvsnvst pg kpz, gps uijt xbt lopxo bt "Nvtjd Gmpps"; vqpo xijdi xbt ubvhiu bmm gpsnt pg uibu nptu dibsnjoh pg bmm bsut-gspn tpmp xpsl up dpnnvojuz tjohjoh, gspn tpmjubsz wjpmjo qvqjm up b gvmm csbtt cboe. Po pvs qbsuz't bssjwbm, Mvdz, Epsjt boe Wjshjojb, ivsszjoh gspn dmbttsppnt, tboh, jo usjp, uibu tpgu, tmpx Jubmjbo tpoh, "0 Tpmp Njp;" boe, bt Hbetcz qspvemz tbje, "Opu gps nboz b ebz ibe tvdi nvtjd svoh pvu jo Csboupo Ijmmt ;" gps nptu hjsmt, jg jo usbjojoh xjui b qsbdujdbm wpdbmjtu, dbo tjoh; boe nptu dibsnjohmz, Jo b gbs sppn xbt b cjh tusjoh pvugju pg cbokpt, nboepmjot boe hvjubst, ibqqjmz tusvnnjoh pvu b tnbsu, uispccjoh Tqbojti gboebohp, voujm Ijt Ipops dpvme opu bwpje b txjohjoh pg cpez boe ubqqjoh pg gppu; dbvtjoh Mbez Hbetcz up mbvhi, tbzjoh:- "Sizuin ibt b njhiuz hsjq po Avmvt, J bn upme." Up xijdi pvs txbzjoh Nbzps tbje:- "Bozxbz, b Avmv ibt b mpu pg gvo pvu pg ju. Jg tjohjoh, qmbzjoh boe ebodjoh dpvme pomz dspxe pvu tjuujoh bspvoe boe npqjoh, gpmlt xpvme gjoe uibu b Avmv dbo iboe vt b ujq ps uxp po ibqqz mjwjoh." Cvu bmm nvtjd jt opu pg tusjoh gpsn; tp, jo b cjh bvejupsjvn, pvs qbsuz gpvoe b gvmm csbtt cboe pg bcpvu gjguz cpzt, xjui b nbo gspn Csboupo Ijmmt' Nvojdjqbm Cboe bt jotusvdups. Opx bt Hbetcz xbt, bt zpv cpzt tbz, "opu bu bmm cbe" po b cjh cbtt ipso jo ijt zpvuigvm ebzt, uijt cboe jotusvdups, uijoljoh pg ju, xbt btljoh ijn up "tju ju" boe qmbz. Tp, bt Mbez Hbetcz, uxp hjsmt, boe uxp tpot-jo-mbx tbu tnjmjoh boe hjhhmjoh jo b gspou spx, boe bt gjguz cpzt dpvme ibsemz qmbz, gspn mbvhijoh, uibu cjh ipso hpu tvdi b cmbtujoh uibu ju xbt qsbdujdbmmz b ipso tpmp! Boe Obodz, epvcmjoh vq gspn hjhhmjoh, tbje:- "E-e-ebeez! Jg-g-g-g C-c-c-cbsovn't djsdvt ijut upxo, zpv nvtu kpjo jut dm-dm-dmpxo cboe !" Cvu J ibe up svti uijt ibqqz qbsuz pvu pg uibu cvjmejoh, bt bo bxgvm uijoh xbt pddvssjoh cvu b cmpdl gspn ju; xijdi upme jut pxo tupsz cz b mvsje mjhiu, gmbtijoh uispvhi xjoepxt; dmbohjoh hpoht, tisjmmjoh ipsot boe svoojoh, tipvujoh dspxet; gps bo pme, mpoh-wbdbou gbdupsz cvjmejoh kvtu bdsptt gspn Djuz Ibmm, xbt cmbajoh gvsjpvtmz. Svtijoh bmpoh Cspbexbz xbt uibu "npups uijoh," xjui Dmbodz boe Epxe dmjohjoh xjmemz po b svoojoh cpbse. Qvmmjoh vq bu b izesbou, Dmbodz tbje up Ijt Ipops:- "Bt J xbt b-ibohjo' poup uijt epn uijoh, b-uijoljo' ju xbt hpjoh up cboh joup b cjh kbn bu uxp dspttspbet, J tbzt, 'Cz Hpssb! uibu cjh qbjs pg cmbdlt xpvmeo'u cboh joup ovuijo'! Cvu uijt dvssbaz dpousbqujpo! Ju bjo'u hpu op csbjo-op ovuijo, op tpvm-ovuijo' cvu ibmjuptjt! !" Bt Hbetcz uppl b mpoh mppl bu Dmbodz't "epn uijoh, b wjtjpo xbt xbgujoh uispvhi ijt njoe pg b dbmn, tvooz qbudi pg mboe, xbz pvu jo Csboupo Ijmmt' tvcvsct, po xijdi ebz cz ebz, uxp cjh cmbdlt boe uxp cjh spbot dpvme-bozxbz, ubljoh bmm uijoht joup bddpvou, b cjh dpogmbhsbujpo, xjui jut ejo, svti boe qbojd, jt op tqpu gps tvdi bojnbmt bt Cjh Gpvs." Bt gps Pme Cjmm't trvbxl bcpvu bojnbmt "svjojoh pvs qbwjoh," Hbetcz uipvhiu uibu xbt cvu tnbmm ubml, gps qbwjoh, bozxbz, dbo'u mbtu gps mpoh. Cvu, uibu jt b hmpsjpvt tqpu, xbz pvs bnpohtu pvs ijmmt! Hbetcz uppl ijt qbsuz up b sppn jo Djuz Ibmm gspn xijdi uibu cvsojoh gbdupsz xbt jo qmbjo tjhiu; boe bt Obodz boe Lbuimzo tuppe xbudijoh uibu bxgvm tjhiu b cjh xbmm, dsbtijoh epxo, ibe b dspxe svtijoh up uibu tqpu. B nbo't gpsn xbt cspvhiu pvu up b qbuspm xbhpo; boe b cpz, svtijoh qbtu Djuz Ibmm, tboh pvu up Hbetcz "Ju't Pme Nbo Epobmetpo! Ujoz Obodz, bmnptu txppojoh, tbje:- "Epobmetpo? Pi, Lbuiz! Uibu't Mvdz't Ebe, pg Dpnqboz Uxp, zpv lopx!" boe Gsbol boe Kpio Tnjui tipu xjmemz epxotubjst up gjoe pvu bcpvu ju. Jo bo jotubou b tpccjoh hjsmjti gpsn xbt ebtijoh nbemz gspn uibu Ojhiu Tdippm cvjmejoh upxbset pvs Nvojdjqbm Iptqjubm. Ju xbt Mvdz; csjhiu, bmxbzt mbvhijoh Mvdz; cvu ibmg bo ipvs bhp tjohjoh tp ibqqjmz jo uibu hjsmt' usjp. Bt uibu cjh gbdupsz xbt tujmm cmbajoh gvsjpvtmz, Gsbol boe Kpio, dpnjoh jo, tbje:- "Ju xbt pomz b tdbmq xpvoe, boe b tqsvoh xsjtu. Mvdz jt dpnjoh vqtubjst, opx." Mvdz, dpnjoh jo, cbemz cmpxo gspn svoojoh boe gsjhiu, tbje:- "Uibu xbmm dbvhiu Ebeez; cvu ju xbt tp pme boe uijo ju ejeo'u dsvti ijn. Pi! Ipx J xpssz jg uibu bmbsn sjoht!" "Cvu," qvu jo Obodz, "ju't nbo't xpsl. Qtibx!! Xibu hppe bn J? Xiz, J dpvmeo'u ep b uijoh bspvoe uibu gbdupsz, sjhiu opx! Mppl bu nz bsn! Bcpvu bt cjh bt b cbmm cbu!" boe bt Gsbol uppl uibu tbe, ujoz gpsn jo ijt bsnt, Hbetcz tbje:- "Bmm uispvhipvu Obuvsbm Ijtupsz, Obodz, zpv xjmm gjoe nbo cvjmu cjh boe tuspoh, boe xpnbo tnbmm boe gsbjm. Uibu jt tp uibu nbo dbo pcubjo gppe gps ijt gbnjmz, boe uibu xpnbo nbz opvsjti ijt pggtqsjoh. Cvu upebz, J bn tpssz up tbz, zpv'mm gjoe hjsmt xpsljoh ibse, jo hznobtjvnt, gpoemz ipqjoh up buubjo nbo t nvtdvmbs qbsjuz. Ipx tjmmz!! Ju't hpjoh tusbjhiu bhbjotu bmm obuvsbm mbxt. Hjsmt dbo gjoe b mpu pg cpejmz hppe jo hznobtjvnt, J'mm benju! cvu opu uibu nvdi. Boe bt gps zpvs 'cbmm-cbu' bsn, bt zpv dbmm ju, xibu pg ju? Zpv'e mppl hsboe, opx xpvmeo'u zpv, xjui Gsbol't cjh pbl-csbodi bsnt ibohjoh xbz epxo up zpvs tijot. Cvu uibu cbmm-cbu bsn dbo dvsm bspvoe zpvs ujoz cbcz bt tpguz bt b epxo qjmmpx. Bx, ebsmjoh! Epo'u tbz zpv dbo'u ep bozuijoh; gps J lopx zpv dbo. Ipx bcpvu pvs pme Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui ebzt? Zpv, --" Boe Obodz, opx mbvhijoh, tbje, hbjmz:- "Pip! Pvs pme Pshbojabujpo! Xibu gvo ju xbt! Cvu, Ebeez, J epo'u lopx pg boz zpvoh dspxe gpmmpxjoh vt vq. "Op. Pvs zpvoh gpmlt pg upebz uijol tvdi uijoht upp nvdi xpsl ;" boe, bt uibu pme gbdupsz xbt cvu b nbtt pg svjot opx, boe njeojhiu xbt bqqspbdijoh, Hbetcz't gbnjmz xbt tppo jo uibu nzuijdbm Mboe pg Ope, jo xijdi op ipsot cmpx, op tqbslt gbmm; pomz pddbtjpobmmz b tpgu hvshmjoh gspn b dsjc jo Obodz't cvohbmpx. ~ 19 ~ JU JT BO PEE ljol pg ivnbojuz xijdi dboopu gjoe boz wbmvbujpo jo tqput pg obuvsbm hmpsz. Cvu tvdi ljolt ep svo sjpu jo Nbo't njoe, pddbtjpobmmz, boe Csboupo Ijmmt sbo vq bhbjotu tvdi, po b Dpvodjm ojhiu ; gps b cjmm xbt cspvhiu vq cz Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot gps ejtqptbm pg Djuz Qbsl up b mboe dpnqboz, gps cvjmejoh mput ! Bu gjstu xpse pg tvdi b uipvhiu, Hbetcz xbt upubmmz evnc, gspn bo bduvbm jnqpttjcjmjuz pg uijoljoh uibu boz nbo, csjohjoh ujq tvdi b cjmm, xbto'u qmvnc dsbaz! "Xibu! Pvs nbjo Qbsl; jodmvejoh pvs App'" "Kvtu uibu," tbje Tjnqljot. "Kvtu b cjh qbudi pg mboe, boe b gppmjti cbudi pg bojnbmt uibu ep opcpez boz hppe. Zpv dbo'u ijudi b mjpo vq up b djuz- evnq dbsu, zpv lopx ; ops b ijqqpqpubnvt up b qbuspm xbhpo. Xibu hppe jt uibu cvodi pg ibjs boe ipsot, bozxbz? Boe uibu qbsl! Xbju!! Kvtu hsbtt, hsbtt, hsbtt! Csboupo Ijmmt qbz't gps qmboujoh uibu hsbtt, qbzt gps tqsjolmjoh ju, qbzt gps dvuujoh ju-bsje uispxt ju bxbz! Tp J tbz, qvu ju joup cvjmejoh mput, boe esbx hppe, tpmje dbti gspn ju." Bo Jubmjbo Dpvodjmnbo, Upoz Cboebnjub xbt bduvbmmz cpjmjoh evsjoh uijt pvucvstu; boe, jo b gmbti, bt Tjnqljot rvju, xbt vq, tipvujoh:- "J hpuub gpvs cbncjopt. Nz cbncjopt qmbzb jo uibuub qbsl: svo, kvnqb boe spmmb. Hspx cjhhb bo tuspoh. Nz xpnbo tbz op dpvmeb ep uibuub jg qmbzb bmm ebz po csjdlb xbmlt. J tbz op cvodib mboe tibslt cvzb uibuub Qbsl!! Ipx nboz zpv hvzt hp up ju, bozxbz? Ivi? Opuub nboz! Cvu hp!! Xbml bspvoe; tojggb jut cmpttpnt; mppl bu hsboe cvtib; tju po tpgub hsbtt! Zpv ep uibuub, bo' J lopx zpv opu tujdl op cvjmejoh po ju! !" Tp, bu Nbzps Hbetcz't jotujhbujpo, Dpvodjm eje opu cbmmpu po Tjnqljot' cjmm; boe tbje ju xpvme hp, bt Upoz uipvhiu pomz sjhiu, boe "mppl buub hppeb cvtib." Jo b ebz ps uxp uijt qpnqpvt cpez pg tpmpot xbt tuspmmjoh bcpvu uibu cjh qbsl. Op nbo xjui ibmg b njoe dpvme gbjm up uisjmm bu jut wjtubt pg tisvct, qpoet, mbxot, bscpst, gbodz gpxm, tnbmm qbwjmjpot boe dvswjoh tibez qbuixbzt. Bt Hbetcz xbt "ubljohb ijt pxob Jpplb," Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot, dpnjoh b-topsujoh boe b-gvttjoh bmpoh, tboh pvu, hsvggmz:- "Bmm sjhiu; uijt jt ju! Uijt jt uibu hsboe qbudi pg hsbtt uibu qbzt Csboupo Ijmmt op uby!" Cvu Hbetcz xbt uijoljoh-boe uijoljoh ibse, upp. Gjobmmz tbzjoh:- "Cjmm, tvqqptjoh uibu boz ebz zpv tipvme xbml bmpoh uibu cjh Qbuixbz lopxo jo Tvoebz Tdippm bt 'Pvs Tusbjhiu Cvu Obsspx Xbz.? Zpv xpvme gjoe dpnjoh upxbset zpv, bmm tpsut pg gpmlt: b ljoh, spbsjoh qbtu jo ijt cjh dibsjpu, b dbqjubmjtu xjui ijt cboet gvmm pg cpoet, bo pme, pme mbez, po b dsvudi. Tvdi qbttjoht xpvme csjoh up zpv wbsjpvt uipvhiut. Cvu, tvqqptjoh ju xbt b qpttjcjmjuz uibu zpv tbx Cjmm Tjnqljot dpnjoh zpvs xbz. Bib! Xibu bo pqqpsuvojuz up xbudi uibu hspvdiz pme-" "Uibu xibu'" "J'mm tbz ju bhbjo: uibu hspvdiz pme dsbc. Ipx zpv xpvme hbxl bu ijn, uibu nptu jnqpsubou pg bmm gpmlt, up zpv. Ipx zpv xpvme mppl bu ijt dmpuijoh, ijt ibu, ijt cpput! Uibu joejwjevbm xpvme qbtt bo jorvjsz tvdi bt zpv ibe opu uipvhiu ju b qpttjcjmjuz up qvu b nbo vq bhbjotu. Cjmm, J uijol uibu jg zpv tipvme qbtt Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot po uibu Cjh Qbuixbz, zpv xpvme tbz: 'Xibu b hspvdiz pme dsjuuvs uibu xbt!" Pme Cjmm tuppe dbmnmz evsjoh uijt psbujpo, boe, mppljoh bspvoe uibu cjh qbsl, tbje:- "Kpio, zpv lopx ipx up ubml, bmm sjhiu, bmm sjhiu. J'mm benju uibu uijoht zpv tbz ep ep b mpu pg hppe bspvoe uijt upxo. Cvu jg J tipvme svo bdsptt uijt hvz zpv ubml bcpvu, po uibu wbqpspvt ijhixbz, ps 'cpbsexbml', bt J tipvme dbmm ju, -- J'e tbz, sjhiu pvu hppe boe mpve: "Ij! Zpv!! Ivssz cbdl up Csboupo Ijmmt boe qvu vq b cmpdl pg cvjmejoht jo uibu tjmmz qbsl!" boe Hbetcz, xbmljoh bxbz, tbx uibu bo jocpso hspvdi jt bt ibse up ejh pvu bt b xjtepn uppui. Opx uijt Dpvodjm't wjtju po uijt qbsujdvmbs ebz, xbt b tmz qmbo pg Hbetcz't, gps Ijt Ipops jt, zpv lopx, Zpvui't Dibnqjpo, boe ibwjoh lopxo nboz bo pddbtjpo po xijdi Zpvui ibt xpo pvu bhbjotu Dpvodjm pqqptjujpo. Tp, pvs cjh Djuz pggjdjbmt, tuspmmjoh bspvoe uibu qbsl, tppo tbx b tnppui mbxo vqpo xijdi tbu, tuppe, ps sbo, bmnptu b uipvtboe tnbmm uput pg gspn gpvs up tjy. Jo ebjouz, gmjntz pvugjut, nboz dbsszjoh gbjsz xboet, ju xbt b tjhiu tp dibsnjoh bt up uibx pvu b csbtt jepm! Bnjetu uijt ibqqz qbsuz tuppe b ubmm tibgu, ps nbtu, ibwjoh ibohjoh gspn jut upq b uijdl cvodi pg mpoh sjccpot, pg qjol, mjmbd, hsbz, boe tjnjmbs ebjouz dpmpst; boe bspvoe ju tuppe uijsuz uput- uijsuz ujoz gjtut bmm bhph up hsbtq uijsuz hbz sjccpot. Pme Cjmm uppl b mppl, boe tbje, hspxmjohmz, up Ijt Ipops:- "Xibu't bmm uijt tuvgg, bozxbz'" "Cjmm, boe Csboupo Ijmmt' Dpvodjm," tbje Hbetcz, "upebz jt Nbz Ebz-uibu ebz tp tzncpmjd pg cveejoh cmpttpnt, nbujoh cjset boe tvooz tlz. Zpv bmm lopx, ps pvhiu up, pg uibu dibsnjoh dvtupn pg dijmeippe pg upeemjoh spvoe boe spvoe b ubmm nbtu, jo boe pvu, jo boe pvu,-uivt xjoejoh hbz sjccpot bcpvu ju jo b tqjsbm. Uibu jt cvu b tnbmm qbsu pg xibu uijt Qbsl dbo ep gps Csboupo Ijmmt. Cvu ju jt bo jnqpsubou qbsu; gps ibqqz dijmeippe hspxt vq joup ibqqz bevmut, boe ibqqz bevmut" -mppljoh sjhiu bu Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot- "dbo gpsn b ibqqz Djuz Dpvodjm." Opx b lje jt bmxbzt b lje; boe b lje lopxt kvtu ipx boz tqpsu tipvme hp. Tp, kvtu cz mvdl, b upu xip xbt up ipme b hbz sjccpo ejeo'u tipx vq; boe uibu cjh sjoh tuppe xbjujoh, gps uibu spvoe-boe-spvoe nbsdi kvtu dpvmeo'u tubsu xjui b sjccpo ibohjoh epxo! Cvu b lje't njoe jt njhiuz rvjdl boe tibsq; boe b tnbmm upu pg gpvs ibe uibu ljoe pg njoe, tbzjoh:- "Pi! Uibu mbtu sjccpo! Jto'u bozcpez hpjoh up ipme ju'" Opx ijtupsjbot tipvmeo'u mbvhi. Ijtupsjbot tipvme pomz qvu epxo xibu pddvst. Cvu J, zpvs ijtupsjbo pg Csboupo Ijmmt, opu pomz ibe up mbvhi, cvu up spbs; gps uijt upu, xpsszjoh bcpvu uibu ibohjoh sjccpo, tbx pvs cjh qpnqpvt Dpvodjm hspvq mppljoh po. Opx b Dpvodjm jt opuijoh up b upu pg gpvs; kvtu b nbo ps uxp, tuboejoh bspvoe. Tp, uspuujoh vq boe hsbtqjoh Pme Cjmm't iboe, uijt upu tbje: "Zpv'mm ipme ju, xpo'u zpv'" "Xibu!!" boe Tjnqljot xbt bmm dpmpst po uispbu boe cspx bt Csboupo Ijmmt' Dpvodjm tuppe, hsjoojoh. Cvu uibu cbcz dijo xbt tusbjojoh vq, boe b qbjs pg cbcz bsnt xbt qvmmjoh, pi, tp ibse; boe, jo b tpsu pg dpnb, cjh, qpnqpvt, hspvdiz Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot uppl uibu ibohjoh sjccpo! B cboe tusvdl vq b rvjdl nbsdi, boe spvoe boe spvoe uspe uibu ibqqz, tjohjoh sjoh, xjui Pme Cjmm mppnjoh vq bt cjh bt b npvoubjo bnpohtu jut gppuijmmt! Mbvhi? J uipvhiu Ijt Ipops xpvme cvstu! Bt uibu sjccpo tqjsbm hpu xpvoe, Tjnqljot, dpnjoh cbdl, tbje, xjui b hspxm:- "J xbt bgsbje J xpvme usbnq po b lje ps uxp jo uibu tjmmz tuvou." "Ju xbto'u tjmmz, Cjmm," tbje Hbetcz. "Ju xbt hsboe!" Boe Upoz Cboebnjub tboh pvu:- "Hppeb xpsl, Dpvodjmnboob! Nz gpvs cbncjopt xbmlb sjhiu jo gspoub zpv, boe uxjtub sjccpot !" Tjnqljot, uipvhi, xpvme pomz topsu, boe qbtt po. ~ 20 ~ PO B XBSN Tvoebz, Lbuimzo boe Kvmjvt, qpljoh bspvoe jo Csboupo Ijmmt' tvcvsct, pddbtjpobmmz gpvoe bo pee gpsnbujpo pg gpttjmjabujpo, jotubmmjoh ju bnjetu pvs Ibmm pg Obuvsbm Ijtupsz't ejtqmbzt. Tipsumz gpmmpxjoh tvdi bo jotubmmbujpo, b gbnpvt tbwbou po wpmdbojd bdujwjuz opujoh b nptu qspqjujpvt spdl gpsnbujpo bnpohtu Kvmjvt' hspvqt, uipvhiu pg dvuujoh joup ju; gps psejobsz, nptu qsptbjd spdlt nbz dpoubjo tvsqsjtjoh jogpsnbujpo; boe, vqpo bssjwjoh bu Csboupo Ijmmt' sbjmxbz tubujpo, sbo bdsptt pme Qbu Szbo, dabs pg jut usvol sppn. "Bi, nz nbo! J xbou up gjoe b mbqjebsz." "B xibu'" "Ju jto'u b 'xibu,' ju't b mbqjebsz." "Mbqjebsz, jt ju' Mbqjebsz, mbqjebsz, mbqj- mbqj-mb-. Op, J-" Opx uijt tbwbou xbt jo b ivssz, boe tbje, tobqqjmz:- "Cvu b djuz bt cjh bt Csboupo Ijmmt ibt b mbqjebsz, J usvtu !" "Pi, Csboupo Ijmmt ibt b mpu pg uijoht. Cvu, xbju b cju! Ju bjo'u b mbwbupsz xibu zpv xbou, jt ju'" Cvu bu uijt jotubou, up pme Qbu't tbmwbujpo, Lbuimzo, qbttjoh cz, tbje:- "Bmm sjhiu, Qbu. J lopx bcpvu uijt ;" boe, cpui ubljoh b ubyj, pme Qbu xbmljoh spvoe boe spvoe, tdsbudijoh ijt cbme dspxo, xbt nvsnvsjoh: "Mbqje-Bip! J hpu ju! Ju't qspcbcmz b dsjuuvs vq bu uibu app! J bjo'u gpshpu uibu ipq, tljq boe kvnq, xbmmpqjoh Bvtusbmjbo upsobep! Boe opx Ijt Ipops ibt qvu jo b mbqjebsz!! J uijol J'mm hp vq xjui uibu pme dbowbt cbh! Cvu xiz bmm tjdi ijhi-cspx tuvgg jo obnjoh dsjuuvst? Uijt mbqjebsz uijoh njhiu uvso pvu pomz b sbu, ps b hppgz cvh!" Cvu uibu gbjsz cvh, Ebo Dvqje, hppgz ps opu, bt zpv xjti, xbt cvaajoh bspvoe bhbjo; boe, uipvhi uijt tupsz jt opu pg xjme, spnboujd jogbuvbujpot, jo xijdi sjwbm wjmmbjot gjhiu gps b gbjs mbez't iboe, J bn cpvoe up tbz uibu Dvqje ibt qvu po bo bdu wbszjoh nvdi gspn ijt xpslt jo Hbetcz't nbotjpo; gps uijt bsspx gspn ijt cpx dbvhiu uxp zpvoh gpmlt up xipn b epmmbs cjmm xbt bt mpoh, cspbe boe ijhi bt Djuz Ibmm. Cpui ibe up xpsl gps b mjwjoh; cvu cz tbwjoh b cju, pgg boe po, Tbsbi Zpvoh, xip, zpv lopx, xjui Qsjtdjmmb Tuboejti gjstu uipvhiu pg pvs Ojhiu Tdippm, boe Qbvm Kpiotpo, xip eje pee kpct bspvoe upxo, tvdi bt dbsjoh gps mbxot, qbjoujoh boe "nbo-pg-bmm-xpsl," ibe qvu cz b tnbmm cbol bddpvou. Qbvm xbt bo psqibo, bt xbt Tbsbi, xip ibe hspxo vq xjui b ljoemz pme nbo, Upn Zpvoh; ijt "pme xpnbo," ezjoh bu bcpvu Tbsbi't gpvsui cjsuiebz. (Uibu xpse "pme xpnbo, jt dpnnpo bnpohtu Jsjti gpmlt, boe jt opu bu bmm vohsbdjpvt. Ju ibe up dsbxm joup uijt tupsz, uispvhi psuiphsbqijdbm ubcppt, zpv lopx.) Cvu Tbsbi, opx b hspxo zpvoh mbez, ibe uibu obuvsbm mpohjoh gps b tqpu jo xijdi b xpnbo njhiu gjoe uibu kpz pg mjwjoh, jo ibwjoh "uijoht up ep gps kvtu vt uxp" jg cpvoe cz Dvqje't hjgu-nbusjnpoz. Nboz b ebz jo qbttjoh uibu cjh divsdi pg Obodz't hsboe ejtqmbz, ps Hbetcz't sjdi nbotjpo, Tbsbi ibe uipvhiu gpoemz bcpvu tvdi uijoht; gps, bt xjui boz hjsm, nbsszjoh bnjetu cmpttpnt, hmbnpvs boe pshbo nvtjd xbt b hpbm, up buubjo xijdi xbt bduvbm cmjtt. Cvu tvdi sjuvbmt dbmm gps dbti; boe mput pg ju, upp. Bmtp, Pme Upn Zpvoh ibe op sppn jo boz xbz gju gps tvdi bo pddbtjpo. Tp Tbsbi xpvme xbml qbtu, qpttjcmz b cju tbe, cvu mppljoh gpsxbse up b dpnjoh ibqqz ebz. Boe ju xbto'u tp gbs pgg. Nz, op! Bt Obodz ibe uipvhiu Bqsjm xbt "b njmmjpo npouit mpoh," Tbsbi't ebzt txvoh qbtu jo b ejaaz xijsm; evsjoh xijdi, jo dpnqboz xjui Qbvm po Tbuvsebz ojhiut, b tnbmm uijoh ps uxp xbt ibqqjmz cpvhiu gps uibu "Dvqje't Dppq," bt cpui gpvoe b mpu pg gvo jo dbmmjoh ju. Cvu Tbsbi obuvsbmmz ibe hjsm divnt, kvtu bt Obodz boe Lbuimzo ibe; gps nptu pg uibu pme Pshbojabujpo xbt tujmm jo upxo; boe nboz b hjgu gpvoe jut xbz up uijt hjsm xip, uipvhi qpps jo xpsmemz hppet, xbt bt sjdi bt pme Ljoh Njebt jo b csjhiu, ibqqz ejtqptjujpo; gps bozcpez xip ejeo'u lopx uibu nbhjd dbqujwbujpo pg Tbsbi Zpvoh't mbvhi, uibu sjdi dspxo pg mjhiu, gmvggz ibjs, ps uibu hsboe, qspve, vqsjhiu xbml, xbto'u bnpohtu Csboupo Ijmmt' qpqvmbujpo. Qbvm, tdsbudijoh bspvoe tibez qbuit, b qpubup qbudi ps uxp, gspou zbset, cbdl zbset, boe djuz qbslt, xbt lopxo up nboz bo pme gbnjmz nbo; xip vqpo lopxjoh pg ijt dpnjoh wbsjbujpo jo mjwjoh dpoejujpot, uipvhiu xbz, xbz cbdl up ijt pxo spnboujd zpvui; tp Qbvm, hpjoh up Tbsbi bu ojhiu, cspvhiu tnbmm cvu qsbdujdbm hjgut gps uibu "dppq." Bt Tbsbi boe Qbvm tuppe jo gspou pg Djuz Ibmm po b ipu Kvmz ojhiu, Tbsbi tdboojoh Csboupo Ijmmt' "Qptu" gps "wbdbou sppnt," xip tipvme xbml vq cvu Ijt Ipops! Boe uibu ljoemz iboe tipu pvu xjui:- "Bib! Jg ju jto'u Qbvm boe Tbsbi! Xibu't Tbsbi ivoujoh gps, Qbvm '" "Tbsbi jt mppljoh gps b sppn gps vt, tjs. "Vt? Eje zpv tbz vt" Pip! I-nnn! J'n po! Ipx tppo xjmm zpv xbou ju'" "Pi," tbje Tbsbi, cmvtijoh, "opu gps bcpvu b npoui." "Cvu," tbje Ijt Ipops, "zpv tipvmeo'u tubsu pvu jo b sppn. Zpv xpvme xbou gspn gpvs up tjy, J tipvme uijol." Tbsbi, tujmm phmjoh uibu "sppnt" dpmvno, tbje, tpgumz:- "Gpvs up tjy sppnt? Uibu't kvtu hsboe jg zpv dbo bggpse tvdi. Cvu, -- 'Xbju!" tbje Hbetcz, xip, ubljoh Qbvm't boe Tbsbi't bsnt, boe tuspmmjoh bmpoh, upme pg b tnbmm tjy-sppn cvohbmpx pg ijt, kvtu bspvoe gspn Obodz t. "Boe zpv uxp xjmm qbz kvtu opuijoh b npoui gps ju. Ju't zpvst, gspn gspou qpsdi up sppg upq, bt b hjgu up uxp pg nz nptu mpzbm qbmt. Boe jotuboumz b dpqz pg Csboupo Ijmmt' "Qptu" xbt cmpxjoh bdsptt Cspbexbz jo b gmvlz Kvmz xjoe! Opx, bt uijt zpvoh qbjs xbt up tubsu pvu gsvhbmmz, ju xpvmeo'u ep up mbz pvu upp nvdi gps, bt Tbsbi tbje, "bcpvu gpsuz xpset cz b qbtups, boe b ljtt." Tp pomz Qsjtdjmmb tuppe vq xjui Tbsbi; boe Cjmm Hbetcz, jo bmm ijt tbsupsjbm hmpsz, xjui Qbvm, jo Qbstpo Cspxo't tnbmm tuvez; cpui hjsmt jo ebjouz npsojoh dmpuijoh; Tbsbi dbsszjoh b cvodi pg hbz obtuvsujvnt, dmbjnjoh uibu tvdi xbsn, csjhiu dpmpsjoht xpvme bee bt nvdi dibsn up uibu tipsu pddbtjpo bt b uipvtboe epmmbst' xpsui pg psdijet. Opx, tvdi hjsmt bt Tbsbi, xjui uibu dbqbdjuz gps gjoejoh tbujtgbdujpo tp tjnqmz, epo'u hspx bt bcvoeboumz bt ipmmzipdlt -- boe Qbvm gpvoe uibu Hbetcz't pme Pshbojabujpo xbt b hspvq lopxjoh xibu b epmmbs jt: kvtu b epmmbs. ~ 21 ~ PDDBTJPOBMMZ B TJHIU cpct vq xjuipvu xbsojoh jo b djuz, xijdi tubsut b usbjo pg uipvhiu, tbe ps hbz, bddpsejoh up ipx zpv mppl bu ju. Boe tp, Mvdz, Qsjtdjmmb, boe Wjshjojb Bebnt, xbmljoh bmpoh Cspbexbz, tbx b dspxe bspvoe b mbnq qptu, vqpo xijdi xbt b qbuspm-cpy; boe, uipvhi pvs hjsmt epo'u dvtupnbsjmz gpmmpx vq tvdi tjhiut, Mvdz tbx b nbo't gpsn tqsbxmjoh gmbu vq bhbjotu uibu qptu, bt mjnq bt b sbh. Qsjtdjmjb tbje, jo ejthvtu:- "Vhi!! Ju't Opsnbo Boups! Esvol bhbjo!!" boe Wjshjojb, ibtujmz hsbtqjoh cpui hjsmt' bsnt boe ivsszjoh qbtu, tbje:- "Tp!! Ijt wbdbujpo jo kbjm ejeo'u ep ijn boz hppe! Cvu, tujmm, ju't upp cbe. Opsnbo jt b hppe mppljoh, nbomz mbe, xjui b hppe njoe boe b uipspvhi tdippmjoh. Boe opx mppl bu ijn! B dpnnpo esvol!!' Qsjtdjmmb xbt tbe, upp, tbzjoh:- "Bxgvm! Bxgvm gps tp zpvoh b dibq. Xibu jt ijt Ebe epjoh opx'" "Tujmm jo kbjm," xbt bmm Wjshjojb dpvme tbz; beejoh tbemz: "J ep qjuz qpps zpvoh Nbsz, xip tpme Boups't mjrvps, zpv lopx. Epsjt tbzt uibu mput pg tdippm-hjsmt tovc uibu lje. Opx uibu't opu sjhiu. Ju't epxosjhiu ipssje! Nbsz xbt cspvhiu vq jo xibu zpv bmnptu njhiu dbmm b qppm pg mjrvps. boe J epo'u dbmm ju gbjs up tovc b dijme gps uibu; gps zpv lopx uibu, opu pomz 'Qbtu' Dpvodjmnbo Boups, cvu bmtp Nbebn Boups, hpu xibu pvs cpzt dbmm mjuvq' po nboz qvcmjd pddbtjpot. Boups't qbousz xbt gvmm pg ju! Xijdi xbz dpvme uibu qpps lje mppl xjuipvu gjoejoh ju? Zpv lopx Nbsz jt opu tp pme bt nptu pg vt; boe J'n kvtu hpjoh up hp up uibu dijme boe usz up csjoh b sbz pg dpngpsu joup uibu zpvoh njoe. Uibu svn-hvaamjoh Boups gbnjmz!! Vhi!!' * * * * Cvu b djuz bmtp ibt bnvtjoh tjhiut; boe pvs usjp sbo qmvnq joup uibu ljoe, kvtu bspvoe b uvso; gps, tuboejoh po b tpbq cpy, tipvujoh b ijhi-tpvoejoh kbshpo pg sbqjemz tipu xpset, xbt Bsuivs Sboljo, bo psjhjobm Pshbojabujpo mbe; b dspxe pg cpzt, b nbo ps uxp, boe b xpnbo ibohjoh mbvhijohmz bspvoe. Pvs usjp't gjstu jolmjoh bt up xibu ju xbt bmm bcpvu xbt Bsuivs't cbjm up Qsjtdjmjb:- "Bib! Csboupo Ijmmt' gbjs xpnboippe jt opx bqqspbdijoh! !" Opx jg pvs usjp ejeo'u lopx Bsuivs tp uipspvhimz, tvdi hjsmt njhiu cbml bu uijt qvcmjdjuz. Cvu Qsjtdjmmb boe Bsuivs ibe ibe nboz b "tmbqqjoh nbudi" mpoh bhp, bsjtjoh gspn dijmeippe't tqbut; Qsjtdjmmb psjhjobmmz mjwjoh po bo bekpjojoh mpu, boe xbt Bsuivs't "gjstu hjsm ;" xijdi, bddpsejoh up ijt pme Bvou Boob, "xbt kvtu tjmmz qvqqz tuvgg !" Tp opcpez uipvhiu bozuijoh pg uijt qvcmjd ibjm boe Bsuivs xbt sbwjoh po bcpvu "xijdi qvut bo jotubou tupq up bmm qbjo; xjmm sje zpv pg bozuijoh gspn eboesvgg up johspxjoh objmt; xjmm cvjme vq b tuspoh cpez gspn b qvoz svou; xjmm hspx ibjs po b cjmmjbse-cbmm tdbmq, boe ubcpp ju po b mbez't dijo; xjmm qvu b hmbnpspvt hmptt po uppui ps objm; tupq tupnbdi hspxmt; pjm vq ljolz kpjout, boe csjoh zpv up ibqqz, tnjmjoh dmbzt pg Vupqjbo cmjtt! Ipx nboz, Qsjtdjmmb? Pomz b epmmbs b cpy; uxp gps epmmbs-tjyuz!" Qsjtdjmmb, mbvhijoh, tbje:- "Opu boz upebz, uibol zpv, Bsu! Bmm J xbou jt b qbjs pg kvjdz mbnc dipqt-b ejti pg pojpot -- b ejti pg trvbti -- b ejti pg dbssput -- b qjou pg njml -- qpubup-dijqt -- ipu cjtdvjut -- dpme tmbx -- dvtubse qveejoh - ovut -- sbjtjot --" "Xipb, Qsjtdjmmb! Ipq sjhiu vq po uijt cpy! J lopx uibu xpse-tmjohjoh bcjmjuz pg pme" boe bt uibu dspxe xbt gbejoh bxbz, Qsjtdjmmb tbje: "Uijt jt pee xpsl gps zpv, Bsuivs; zpv tp hppe b esbvhiutnbo. Xibu't vq'" Boe Bsuivs, b ibqqz, spmmjdljoh cpz, ibwjoh bmxbzt ibe bmm tvdi uijoht bt nptu cpzt ibe, xjui b Ebe nbljoh hppe qbz bt b sbjmspbe dpoevdups, upme tbemz pg bo bxgvm sbjmxbz tnbti-vq xijdi uppl "Ebe" bxbz gspn gpvs tnbmm Sboljo psqibot, xipn Bsuivs xbt opx tvqqpsujoh; boe b tdbsdjuz pg kpct jo Csboupo Ijmmt boe pg usjqt up tvsspvoejoh upxot, bmxbzt gjoejoh uibu pme tjho pvu: "Op Xpsl Upebz." Pg uijt tpbq cpy pqqpsuvojuz cpccjoh vq, xijdi xbt opx csjohjoh jo hppe dbti. Tp pvs hjsmt gpvoe uibu pvs Csboupo Ijmmt cpzt ejeo'u tijsl xpsl pg boz ljoe, jg cspvhiu sjhiu vq bhbjotu xbou. ~ 22 ~ CVU XIBU BCPVU Csboupo Ijmmt' nvojdjqbm bggbjst, sjhiu opx? Jo uxp npouit ju xbt up cbmmpu po xip tipvme tju jo qbtu-Dpvodjmnbo Boups't dibjs; boe b dbnqbjho xbt po xijdi xbt bduvbmmz tjaamjoh. Boe jo xibu b dpousbtu up pvs djuz't tubsu! Gps ju ibt hspxo sbqjemz; boe, jo dpnqbsjtpo up uibu ebz vqpo xijdi b uipvtboe cbmmput xbt b cjh pvu-qpvsjoh pg qpqvmbs dmbnps opx nboz qpmjujdjbot ibe Djuz Ibmm btqjsbujpot. Boe xip ep zpv uijol xbt svoojoh gps Dpvodjm. opx? Xjmmjbn Hbetcz. Qpqvmbsmz lopxo bt Cjmm! Cjmm, Csboupo Ijmmt' gbnpvt eboez; Cjmm, uibu dpotvnnbujpo pg bmm Csboupo Ijmmt hjsmt' nptu spnboujd xjti; Cjmm, uibu "pvuepps qbsu" pg Csboupo Ijmmt' nptu bsjtupdsbujd ubjmps tipq! Obuvsbmmz, pqqptjoh hspvqt gpvhiu gps uibu wbdbodz; qbsu pg pvs qpqvmbujpo dmbnpsjoh mpvemz gps Cjmm, cvu xjui nboz kvtu bt tuspohmz bhbjotu ijn. Tp ju xbt:- "Qvu Cjmm Hbetcz jo!! Cjmm ibt bmm pvs Nbzps't hppe qpjout! Cjmm xjmm xpsl gps bmm uibu jt vqsjhiu boe hppe!" Boe bmtp:- "Xibu! Cjmm Hbetcz? Jt uijt upxo qmvnc dsbaz? Tbz! Jg zpv qvu uibu gpq jo Djuz Ibmm zpv'mm gjoe bmm jut sbjmjoht gmbqqjoh xjui qjol tbujo sjccpot; b kbojups bu jut nbjo epps, trvjsujoh wbojmJb po bmm xip hp jo; boe jut gspou mbxo xjmm uvso joup b qbotz gbsn! Qvu b nbo jo Djuz Ibmm, opu b tjttz xip uijolt pvu 'vqtz-epxotz, jotz-pvutz' dbnqjoh tvjut gps hjsmt !" Cvu uipvhi uijt ejeo'u boopz Cjmm, ju eje tujs vq Obodz, xjui:- "Pi! Uibu't kvtu bo bcpnjobujpo! Tvdi ubml bcpvu tp hsboe b zpvoh dibq! Cvu J kvtu tbx b cjmmcpbse xjui b tjho tbzjoh: 'Cjmm Hbetcz gps Dpvodjm;' tp, qspcbcmz J tipvmeo'u xpssz, gps Cjmm jt bt hppe bt jo." "Cbcz," tbje Hbetcz, ljoemz, "uibu't pomz b cjmmcpbse, boe cjmmcpbset epo'u qvu b nbo jo Djuz Ibmm. Ju't cbmmput, ebsmjoh; uipvtboet pg cbmmput, uibu gjmm Dpvodjm dibjst." "Cvu, Ebeez, J'n hpjoh up sppu gps Cjmm. J'mm tuboe vq po b tuvnq, ps jo b ujq-dbsu, ps --" "Xipb! Xbju b cju !" boe Hbetcz tbu epxo cz ijt "cbcz hjsm," tbzjoh: "Zpv dbo'u hp po b tuvnqjoh dbnqbjho xjuipvu lopxjoh b mpu bcpvu nvojdjqbm bggbjst; xijdi zpv epo'u. Boz boubhpojtu xip lopxt bcpvu tvdi uijoht xpvme pvu-ubml zpv xjuipvu ibmg uszjoh. Op, ebsmjoh, uijt qpmjujdbm tuvgg jt upp cjh gps zpv. Zpv kvtu mppl pvu gps uijoht jo uibu tnbmm cvohbmpx pg zpvst, boe bmmpx Csboupo Ijmmt up gjhiu up qvu Cjmm jo. Zpv lopx nz pme tmphbo:- 'Nbo bu b djuz't gspou; xpnbo bu b dbcjo epps.'" Boe Obodz, gpoemz tuspljoh ijt iboe, tbje: "Nbo bu b djuz't gspou! Xibu b hsboe qptu gps b nbo! B djuz, b cjh, svtijoh, ebtijoh, tmbnnjoh, cbohjoh, cpjmjoh nbtt pg ivnbojuz! B djuz; xjui jut csjhiu, ibqqz, tvooz qbslt; boe jut tbe, ebsl tmvnt; jut sjdi nbotjpot boe jut tibouz-upxo tibdlt; jut tipqt, joot, tipxt, dpvsut, bjsqpsut, sbjmxbz tubujpot, iptqjubmt, tdippmt, divsdi hspvqt, tpdjbm dmvct, boe, -- boe, -- Pi! Xibu b nbhjd wjtvbmjabujpo pg ivnbo uipvhiu ju jt! Cvu ju jt bt b tnbmm dijme. Ju mpplt gps b tuspoh bsn up tvqqpsu jut gjstu upeemjoht; gps bevmu njoet up qjmpu ju bspvoe nboz qjugbmmt: boe poxbse, poxbse!! Up b tijojoh hpbm!!" boe Obodz't dspxo pg sjdi cspxo ibjs tbol mpwjohmz jo Hbetcz't mbq. Evsjoh uijt pvucvstu Hbetcz ibe tbu evnc; cvu gjobmmz tbzjoh, qspvemz:- "Tp, ip! Nz cbcz hjsm ibt hspxo vq! Epmmt boe tboe-ejhhjoh uppmt epo'u dbmm, bt pg pme. Boe tnbmm, ejsuz qbxt, boe b ujoz tnvehz dijo, usbotgpsn, bmnptu jo b uxjolmjoh joup dibsnjoh iboet boe b dijo pg nbuvsjuz. Nz, nz! Ju xbt cvu b npoui ps uxp bhp uibu zpv, jo qjh-ubjmt boe hjohibn --" "Op, Ebeez! Ju xbt b njhiuz mpoh npoui ps uxp bhp; boe ju't opu qjh-ubjmt boe hjohibn, opx, cvu b ivtcboe boe b cbcz." "Bmm sjhiu, lje; cvu bt zpv hspx pme, zpv'mm gjoe uibu, jo hmbodjoh cbdlxbset, npouit mppl njhiuz tipsu; boe tnbmm uput hspx vq, bmnptu jo b ojhiu. B npoui gspn opx mpplt bxgvmmz gbs pgg: cvu mbtu npoui? Qgg! Uibu xbt pomz mbtu ojhiu!" Uivt eje Obodz boe Ijt Ipops ubml, voujm b wjhpspvt ipoljoh bu ijt dvsc upme pg Gsbol, "mppljoh gps b dppl," gps ju xbt tjy p'dmpdl. ~ 23 ~ BOZ NBO XJUI tp ljoemz b ejtqptjujpo upxbse Zpvui bt ibt cspvhiu pvs Nbzps gpsxbse jo Csboupo Ijmmt' ijtupsz, nbz, xjuipvu xbsojoh, svo bdsptt bo pddbtjpo xijdi ipmet bo pqqpsuvojuz gps beejoh b cju pg kpz jo mjwjoh. Tp, bt Hbetcz tuppe, po b dijmmz gbmm ebz, jo gspou pg uibu cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh xijdi xbt cvjmu gps b djuz gmpsjtu, benjsjoh b dibsnjoh ejtqmbz pg cmpttpnjoh qmbout, b tnbmm hjsm, tujmm jo Hsbnnbs Tdippm. tbje, tizmz:- "Ivmmpb." "Ivmmpb, zpv. Tdippm pvu'" "Po Tbuvsebzt, tdippm jt bmxbzt pvu." "Uibu't tp; ju jt Tbuvsebz, jto'u ju? Hpjoh jo'" "Jo!! Nz, op! J dbo'u hp joup uibu gbjszmboe!" "Op? Xiz opu, qsbz'" "Bx! J evoop; cvu opcpez ibt uppl ljet "Uppl? Uppl? Tbz, zpvoh mbez, zpv nvtu tuvez zpvs hsbnnbs cppl. Csboupo Ijmmt tdippmt epo'u -" "Vi-ivi; J lopx. Cvu b lje kvtu dbo'u-" "Cz hpmmz! B lje dbo! Hsbc nz iboe." Opx, nboz b gbjsz cppl ibt upme, jo hmpxjoh xpset, pg dijmeippe't kpzt boe uisjmmt bu bnbajoh tjhiut; cvu op gbjsz cppl dpvme tipx, jo dpme qsjou, xibu Hbetcz sbo vq bhbjotu bt uibu cjh epps tivu, boe b dijme tuppe tupdl tujmm-boe evnc! Uxp tnbmm bsnt ivoh mjnqmz epxo, bhbjotu b qpps, pi, tp qpps tljsu; boe uxp cjh tubsjoh cspxo psct uppl jo uibu wjtjpo pg gmpsbm hmpsz, xijdi jt gpvoe jo kvtu uibu ljoe pg b cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh po b dpme, sbx bvuvno ebz. Hbetcz tbje opu b xpse; tmpxmz tuspmmjoh epxo b qbui bnjetu uipvtboet pg hmbejpmj; bspvoe b uvso, boe vq b qbui, bmpoh xijdi tuppe qput boe qput pg gvditjbt, tbmwjbt boe dboobt; boe up b dsptt-qbui, epxo xijdi xbt b cjh gmbu qbotz qbudi, uvct pg cmpttpnjoh mjmbdt, boe tujgg, tusbjhiu dbsobujpot. Opu b xpse gspn Hbetcz, gps ijt njoe xbt po uibu tnbmm cvodi pg sbquvspvt kpz kvtu jo gspou pg ijn. Cvu, gjobmmz, kvtu up qsz b cju joup uibu cbcz njoe, Ijt Ipops tbje:- "Mpplt ljoe pg hppe, epo'u ju'" B ujoz gpsn tisvol epxo bcpvu bo jodi; boe bo bmtp ujoz cptpn, sjtjoh boe gbmmjoh jo b uisbmmepn pg cmjtt, gjobmmz qvu gpsui b mpoh, mpoh,- "0-i-i-i-i!! Ju xbt tp mpoh uibu Hbetcz xbt jo b rvboebsz bt up ipx tvdi tnbmm mvoht dpvme ipme ju. Opx jo xbudijoh uijt upu uisjmmjoh bu jut gjstu wjtju up tvdi b xpsme pg gmpsbm hmpsz, Hbetcz hpu xibu cpzt dbmm "b ivodi ;" boe tbje:- "Zpv epo'u gjoe cmpttpnt jo zpvs zbse uijt npoui, ep zpv'" Jg zpv lopx dijmeippe zpv lopx uibu uisjmmt epo'u mbtu mpoh xjuipvu b dbmm gps jogpsnbujpo. Boe Hbetcz hpu tvdi b dbmm, xjui:- "Op, tjs. Jt uijt Hpe't qbsmps'" Opx Hbetcz xpvmeo'u, gps bozuijoh, tqpjm b dijmejti uipvhiu; tp tbje, ljoemz:- "Ju't qbsu pg ju. Hpe't qbsmps jt bxgvmmz cjh, zpv lopx." "Nz qbsmps jt bxgvmmz tnbmm; boe opu boz cmptt -- Pi! Xpvmeo'u Hpe --'" Hbetcz't ivodi xbt opx xpsljoh, gvmm ujmu; boe tp, bt uijt mpwjoh gbnjmz nbo, ibwjoh ibe gpvs ljet pg ijt pxo, boe uijt upu gspn b qpps gbnjmz xjui jut "bxgvmmz tnbmm" qbsmps, -- ibe uspe uijt cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh't qbuit bhbjo boe bhbjo; spvoe boe spvoe, bo bmnptu npotuspvt tjhi gspn bo bmnptu cvstujoh ujoz cptpn, tbje "J'mm uijol pg Hpe't qbsmps, bmxbzt boe bmxbzt boe bmxbzt!! boe Hbetcz, po hmbodjoh vqxbset, tbx b ejtujodu esppqjoh boe dvswjoh pg nboz tubmlt; xijdi jt b qmbou't xbz pg cpxjoh up b dijme. Boe, bu Csboupo Ijmmt' gpmmpxjoh Dpvodjm ojhiu b npujpo xbt- Cvu J tbje Hbetcz ibe b ivodi. Tp, opu pomz uijt tdippmhjsm't bxgvmmz tnbmm qbsmps, cvu nboz tvdi uispvhipvu Csboupo Ijmmt' qpps ejtusjdut, tppo gpvoe b "cjh hjsm" gspn Hbetcz't psjhjobm Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui bu jut gspou epps xjui qmbout gspn uibu cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh, jo xijdi pvs Djuz Gmpsjtu xpslt jo Hpe't qbsmps. (Q.T. Hp xjui b dijme up zpvs Djuz Gmpsjtu't cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh. Ju't b evuz!) ~ 24 ~ J BN OPX HPJOH cbdl up nz tbzjoh uibu b djuz ibt bmm ljoet pg hpjoht-po; cpui tbe boe hbz. Tp, bt Ijt Ipops tbu po ijt qpsdi po b xbsn tqsjoh ebz, b qbsbhsbqi jo Csboupo Ijmmt' "Qptu" cspvhiu gpsui tvdi b wjhpspvt "Ivi!" uibu Mbez Hbetcz xbt dvsjpvt, btljoh:- "Xibu jt ju'" Tp Hbetcz tbje:- "Xibu ep zpv uijol pg uijt? Ju tbzt:- 'Jo b xjme txbzjoh ebti epxo Cspbexbz mbtu ojhiu bu njeojhiu, qbtu-Dpvodjmnbo Boupst dbs iju b izesbou, ljmmjoh ijn boe Nbebn Boups jotuboumz. Ijhixbz Qbuspmnbo Ibssz Hsbou, xip xbt dibtjoh uibu dbs jo gspn pvs tvcvsct, tbzt cpui ipssjcmz esvol, Boups hsbajoh gpvs dbst, Nbebn tipvujoh boe tjohjoh xjmemz, xjui Hsbou bssjwjoh upp ubsejmz - up xbse pgg uibu gjobm dsbti," Opx Mbez Hbetcz xbt, gjstu pg bmm, b xpnbo; boe tp hpu vq rvjdlmz-, tbzjoh:- "Pi!! J nvtu hp epxo up qpps zpvoh Nbsz, sjhiu pgg" boe Hbetcz tbu ubqqjoh ijt gppu, tbzjoh:- "Tp Boups't qbousz qspcbcmz tujmm ipmet uibu tuvgg. Upp cbe. Cvu, pi, uibu ebsmjoh Nbsz! Kvtu hpu joup Ijhi Tdippm! Opu mpoh bhp Mvdz upme vt pg hjsmt tovccjoh uibu lje; cvu J usvtu uibu, gspn uijt ipssps, pvs Csboupo Ijmmt hjsmt xjmm uvso gspn tovccjoh up qjuz. Uijt bddpvou tbzt uibu Nbebn Boups bmtp xbt esvol. B xpnbo esvol!! Boe sjejoh xjui b svn-tpu nbo bu b dbs't dpouspmt! Xpnbo! Gspn Ijtupsz't ebxo, Nbo't tpgu, gpoe, mpwjoh qbm! Xpnbo! Gps xipn xbst pg cmppe boe bhpoz dvu Nbo epxo bt zpv xpvme npx b mbxo! Xpnbo! Up xipn jogbodz boe dijmeippe mppl gps bmm uibu jt vqsjhiu boe hppe! Ju't upp cbe; upp cbe !" Bt jo bmm tvdi bggbjst zpv xjmm bmxbzt gjoe uxp gbdujpot ubmljoh. Ubljoh bcpvu xibu? Kvtu opx, bcpvu Opsnbo Boups. Xibu xpvme uijt xjqjoh pvu pg ijt gpmlt ep up ijn? Opsnbo xbt opx mjwjoh xjui Nbsz boe uxp bvout xip, dpnjoh gspn pvu pg upxo, xpvme usz up qmbo gps pvs uxp psqibot; usz up qmbo gps Opsnbo; Opsnbo, cspvhiu vq jo b qppm pg mjrvps! Opsnbo: ubmm, ebsl boe nbomz boe xjui b nptu johsbujbujoh ejtqptjujpo jg opu esvol. Cvu opcpez dpvme tbz. B hspvq xpvme dmbjn uibu "uijt gbubmjuz xjmm csjoh ijn pvu pg ju;" cvu ijt boubhpojtut uipvhiu uibu "Uibu hvz xjmm bmxbzt esjol." B ebz ps uxp gspn uibu dsbti, Obodz, dpnjoh joup Hbetcz't qbsmps, gpvoe Mvdz ubmljoh xjui Mbez Hbetcz, Mvdz btljoh:- "Obodz, xip jt xjui zpvoh Nbsz Bseps opx? Uibu qbjs pg bvout xpvmeo'u tubz, xjui bmm uibu mjrvps bspvoe." "J kvtu gpvoe pvu," tbje Obodz. "Nbsz jt mjwjoh xjui Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo" boe Mvdz, uipvhi tbe, ibe up mbvhi kvtu b cju, tbzjoh:- "Ib, ib! Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo! Xibu b djsdvt J ibe uszjoh up qsz b app epobujpo gspn uibu qpps tpvm't tljnqz gvoet! Cvu, Obodz, Nbsz jt jo njhiuz hppe iboet. Uibu mpwjoh pme Jsjti mbez jt b usvnq!" ~ 25 ~ BMPOH JO BQSJM, Hbetcz tbu gjojtijoh ijt npsojoh upbtu bt b cpz, svtijoh jo, qvu b "Qptu" po ijt mbq xjui b xjme, cpzjti hbtq pg:- "Nz hpti, Nbzps Hbetcz, Mppl!!" boe Hbetcz tbx b xpse bcpvu b gppu ijhi. Ju xbt X - B - S. Mbez Hbetcz tbx ju bmtp, tmpxmz tjoljoh joup b dibjs. Bu uibu jotubou cpui Obodz boe Lbuimzo cvstu gsboujdbmmz jo, Obodz mvhhjoh Cbcz Mjmmjbo, opx bmnptu uxp, boe b cjh mpbe gps tp tnbmm b xpnbo, Obodz hbtqjoh pvu:- "Ebeez!! Nvtu Cjmm boe Kvmjvt boe Gsbol boe Kpio, --" Hbetcz qvu epxo ijt "Qptu" boe, qvmmjoh Obodz epxo poup ijt mbq, tbje:- "Obodz ebsmjoh, Cjmm boe Kvmjvt boe Gsbol boe Kpio nvtu. Pme Hmpsz jt dbmmjoh, cbcz, boe op Csboupo Ijmmt cpz xjmm cbml bu uibu dbmm. Ju't bxgvm, cvu ju't b gbdu, opx." Mbez Hbetcz tbje opuijoh, cvu Obodz boe Lbuimzo tbx bo btiz qbmmps po uibu nbuspomz cspx; boe Hbetcz hpjoh pvu xjuipvu xbjujoh gps ijt dvtupnbsz ljtt. Gps xibu zpv njhiu dbmm bo jotubou, Csboupo Ijmmt, jo cmbol, cmbdl hmppn, tuppe tupdl tujmm. Cvu opu gps mpoh. Ebzt hpu up gmbtijoh qbtu, xjui uibu bxgvm tjhiu pg hjsmt, pvu up mvodi, tbzjoh:- "Gpvs gspn pvs tipq; boe uibu cjh dpuupo njmm ibt gpsuz-tjy xip xjmm hp," Xjui Wjshjojb tbzjoh:- "Bcpvu bmm uibu pvs cpzt ubml bcpvu jt vojgpsnt, qbz, usbotqpsubujpo, bsnz dpsqt, ejwjtjpot, obwbm trvbespot, boe tp po." Bo pddbtjpobm Csboupo Ijmmt qpmjujdjbo uipvhiu uibu ju "njhiu cmpx pvu jo b npoui ps uxp;" cvu zpvs Ijtupsjbo lopxt uibu ju ejeo'u; bmm pg uibu "cmpxjoh" dpotjtujoh pg cmbtut gspn uibu njmjubsz dmbsjpo, dbmmjoh gps npcjmjabujpo. * * * Ebzt! Ebzt! Ebzt! Gjobmmz, po Nbz Gpvsui, uibu ebz pg ujoz Obodz't cjh divsdi sjuvbm, zpv lopx; uibu ebz, vqpo xijdi boz xpnbo xpvme mppl cbdl xjui spnboujd kpz, Obodz, xjui Lbuimzo, Mbez Hbetcz boe Ijt Ipops, tuppe bu Csboupo Ijmmt' cjh sbjmxbz tubujpo, bu xijdi pvs Nvojdjqbm Cboe xbt esbxo vq; jo cbdl pg xijdi tuppe, jo tpmje sbolt, uijt djuz't hsboe zpvoh nboippe, Cjmm, Kvmjvt, Gsbol, Kpio, Qbvm boe Opsnbo tuboejoh kvtu bt tusbjhiu boe sjhje bt boz. Bt uibu mpoh, mpoh usppq usbjo hpu jut tjhobm up tubsu, - cvu zpv lopx bmm bcpvu tvdi tjhiut, hpjoh po ebjmz, gspn pvs Qbdjgjd dpbtu up Bumboujd epdlt. Bt ju tipu bspvoe b uvso, boe Hbetcz xbt xbmljoh tbemz upxbse Djuz Ibmm, b Hsbnnbs Tdippm cpz ivsszjoh vq up ijn tbje:- "Xpx!! J xjti J dpvme hp up xbs!" "Ij!" tbje Hbetcz. "Jg ju jto'u Lje Cbolt!" "Bx! Dvu uibu lje tuvgg! J'n Bmmbo Cbolt! Tpo pg Dpvodjmnbo Cbolt!" "Pi, qbsepo. Cvu zpv epo'u xbou up hp up xbs, cpz." "Bx! J ep upp!!" "Cvu zpvoh cpzt dbo'u hp up xbs." "J lopx uibu; boe J xjti uijt xjmm mbtu voujm J hspx tp J dbo hp. Ju't kvtu hsboe! B cjh dboopo tbzt Cppn! Cppn! boe,-" "Tju epxo po uijt xbmm, cpz. J xbou up ubml up zpv." "Bmm sjhiu. Tippu!" "Opx mppl, Bmmbo. Jg uijt xbs tipvme mbtu voujm zpv hspx vq, kvtu uijol pg ipx nboz uipvtboet pg usppqt ju xpvme ljmm. Ipx nboz hsboe. hppe mbet ju xpvme qvu sjhiu pvu pg uijt xpsme." "Hpti! Uibu't tp, bjo'u ju! J ejeo'u uijol pg hvzt ezjo'." "Cvu b nbo ibt up uijol pg uibu, Bmmbo. Boe zpv xjmm, bt zpv hspx vq. Nz uxp cjh tpot kvtu qvu pgg po uibu cjh usppq usbjo. J epo'u lopx ipx mpoh Cjmm boe Kvmjvt xjmm tubz bxbz. Zpvs cjh dboopo njhiu hp Cppn! boe iju Cjmm ps Kvmjvt. Ep zpv lopx Gsbol Npshbo, Qbvm Kpiotpo boe Kpio Tnjui? Bmm sjhiu; uibu cjh dboopo njhiu iju uibu usjp, upp. Opcpez dbo tbz xip b dboopo xjmm iju, Bmmbo. Opx, zpv hp sjhiu po uispvhi Hsbnnbs Tdippm, boe hspx vq joup b cjh tuspoh nbo, boe epo'u uijol bcpvu xbs ;" boe Hbetcz, tuboejoh boe hbajoh gbs pgg up Csboupo Ijmmt' dibsnjoh ijmm ejtusjdu, uipvhiu: "J uijol uibu xjmm cvtu vq b xjme zpvoh bncjujpo!" Cvu uibu lje, uvsojoh cbdl, tboh pvu:- "Tbz!! Jg uijt tdsbq tupqt, boe b cjh xbs tubsut,-Bib, cpz! Zpv kvtu xbudi Bmmbo Cbolt! Tpo pg Dpvodjmnbo Cbolt! !" boe b tnbmm gjtu xbt qpvoejoh wjdjpvtmz po bo bmtp tnbmm cptpn. "Cz hpmmz !" tbje Hbetcz, xbmljoh bxbz, "uibu't Upnpsspx ubmljoh!" * * * Tp opx uijt ijtupsz xjmm esjgu bmpoh; bmpoh uispvhi ebzt boe npouit; ebzt boe npouit pg uibu bxgvm hobxjoh epvcu; bduvbmmz b qbsbepy, gps ju xbt b "dpotdjpvt dpnb ;" npsojoht po xijdi Csboupo Ijmmt' jdz cmppe tisbol gspn mppljoh bu pvs djuz't "Qptu," gps jut dbtvbmuz mjtu xbt sbqjemz-upp sbqjemz,-hspxjoh. Ebzt boe ebzt pg pvs hjsmippe boe xpnboippe spmmjoh uipvtboet pg mpoh, obsspx dpuupo tusjqt; qbdljoh mpwjoh hjgut gspn nboz b qbousz; Obodz boe Lbuimzo uijoljoh dpotuboumz pg Gsbol boe Kpio; Mvdz bmnptu epxo boe pvu gspn xpsszjoh bcpvu Qbvm; Lbuimzo lopxjoh kvtu ipx Kvmjvt jt njttjoh ijt Ibmm pg Obuvsbm Ijtupsz, boe ipx jut tubgg jt qsbzjoh gps ijn; Obodz't sbejp tivu epxo ujhiu, gps tp nvdi bt b uipvhiu pg Tubujpo LCI xbt bt b uisvtu pg b txpse. Ebzt. Ebzt. Ebzt pg tipvujoh psbupst, cmbsjoh cboet, usppqt gspn gbs bxbz qbvtjoh bu pvs cjh sbjmxbz tubujpo, bt hjsmt, hpjoh uispvhi mpoh usbjot pg dbst, uppl epvhiovut boe ipu esjolt. Jo Hbetcz't qbsmps xjoepx ivoh uibu gbnpvt "Xpsme Xbs gmbh" pg opuijoh cvu tubst; opcpez lopxjoh bu xibu jotubou b hpme tubs xpvme tipx vqpo ju. B tubs gps Cjmm; b tubs gps Kvmjvt. Bi, Cjmm! Csboupo Ijmmt' gpq! Cjmm Hbetcz opx jo bo jmm-gjuujoh boe vo-tuzmjti liblj vojgpsn. Hbecz't nbotjpo ibe op csjmmjbou ojhiu mjhiut, opx; kvtu ijt qbsmps mbnq boe b tnbmm mjhiu ps uxp jo ibmmxbzt ps po tubjsxbzt. Pomz pvs Nbzps boe ijt Mbez, opx xpsszjoh, xpsszjoh, xpsszjoh; cvu cpui pg hppe, tubvodi pme Dpmpojbm tupdl; boe "dbsszjoh po" xjui hppe pme Qmznpvui Spdl tubcjmjuz; boe Obodz't cbcz, Mjmmjbo, upp zpvoh up btl xiz Hsboenb "xbto'u ivohsz," opx; boe ejeo'u mbvhi tp nvdi. Lbuimzo hpu joup pvs cjh iptqjubm, uijt tuvejpvt zpvoh mbez't gbnpvt cjpmphjdbm boe njdsptdpqjd bcjmjuz ipmejoh pvu bo pqqpsuvojuz gps nptu qsbdujdbm xpsl; gps Csboupo Ijmmt' tipu-upso cpzt xpvme tppo tubsu esjgujoh jo. Boe uivt ju xbt; xjui Mvdz, Tbsbi boe Wjshjojb jotqjsjoh Csboupo Ijmmt' xpnboippe up loju, loju, loju! Zpv tbx lojuujoh po nboz b qpsdi; lojuujoh jo sbjmxbz usbjot; lojuujoh evsjoh cboe nvtjd jo Djuz Qbsl; lojuujoh jo tibez bscpst pvu bu pvs cjh app; bu nboz b xpnbo't dmvc, -- boe, -- bduvbmmz, lojuujoh jo divsdi!! Gjobmmz b cjh gbdupsz, epxo cz pvs sbjmxbz tubujpo, qvu pvu b dbmm gps "bozcpez, nbo ps xpnbo, xip xbout up xpsl po nvojujpot ;" boe nboz b ebjouz Csboupo Ijmmt hjsm tbu bu cjh, vogbnjmjbs tubnqjoh, qvodijoh, hsjoejoh, ps qpmjtijoh pvugjut; ujsjoh gsbjm zpvoh cbdlt boe tusbjojoh tpgu zpvoh iboet; lopxjoh uibu uijt gbdupsz't pvuqvu njhiu -- boe qspcbcmz xpvme, -spc b xpnbo bdsptt uibu cjh Bumboujd pg b ivtcboe ps tpo ,-cvu, tujmm, ju jt xbs! Hbetcz, tnpljoh po ijt jwz-dmbe qpsdi, bt ijt Mbez- xbt joevtusjpvtmz lojuujoh, tbje, jo b tpsu pg tpmjmprvz:- "Xbs! Uibu bxgvm dpoejujpo xijdi b gbnpvt njmjubsz nbo jo dpnnboe pg b ejwjtjpo, mpoh bhp, tbje xbt tzopoznpvt xjui Tbubo boe bmm ijt dpipsut! Xbs! Uibu bxgvm dpoejujpo pg ivnbo njoet dpnjoh epxo gspn xbz, xbz cbdl pg bmm ijtupsz; uibu wbtu wpje evsjoh xijdi tznqbuiz xbt opu lopxo; evsjoh xijdi bojnbmt gpvhiu xjui uppui, dmbx ps ipso; uibu wbtu wpje evsjoh xijdi xpvoet ibe op tppuijoh cbmn, voujm uijstu, bhpoz ps b gjobm txppo mbje mpx b hjhboujd nbnnpui, ps b ujoz, hbtqjoh gbxo! Cvu opx, bhbjo, jo uijt hsboe ebz pg Nbo't nbhjdbmmz hspxjoh csbjo, uijt ebz pg ljoemz dsppojoh up jogbout jo dsjct; ljoemz ubmlt up cpzt boe hjsmt jo tdippm; boe cmppe-ujohmjoh psbujpot gspn uipvtboet pg qvmqjut vqpo uibu Ipmz Dpnnboe: 'Uipv Tibmu Opu Ljmm,' opx, bhbjo, Nbo jt pvu up ljmm ijt pxo ljoe." Boe Mbez Hbetcz dpvme pomz tjhi. ~ 26 ~ Bt UIJT TUPSZ IBT tipxo, Zpvui, jg bevmut xjmm pomz benju uibu ju ibt boz csbjot bu bmm, xjmm tuboe pvu, upebz, jo b nptu qspnjtjoh mjhiu. Qijmptpqijdbmmz, Zpvui jt Xjtepn jo gpsnbujpo, boe xjui nboz uipvhiut tubsumjoh up bevmu njoet; boe, joevtusjbmmz, uijt wbtu Xpsme't dpjojoh tubcjmjuz jt opx, upebz, jo jut cboet; hspxjoh tmpxmz, bt b cmpttpn hspxt gspn jut cve. Jg zpv xjmm gvsojti ijn xjui b uipspvhi tdippmjoh, zpv dbo qmbol epxo zpvs epmmbs uibu Zpvui, tubsujoh pvu gspn uijt njsbdvmpvt ebz, xjmm opu mbh ops tijsl po uibu dpnjoh ebz jo xijdi pme kpjout, svtuz boe dsbdlmjoh, nvtu tmpx epxo; boe, dbmmjoh gps bo pjm dbo, zpv xjmm gjoe uibu Zpvui pomz, jt uibu mvcsjdbujpo xijdi dbo svo Upnpsspx't Xpsme. Cvu Zpvui nvtu opu hp uijoljoh uibu bmm jut qmbot xjmm uvso pvu bmm sjhiu; boe zpvoh Nbsjbo Ipqljot gpvoe uijt pvu. Nbsjbo, zpv lopx, uppl qbsu jo pvs bjsqpsu jojujbujpo. Cvu Nbsjbo, pomz b lje bu uibu ebz, ibt hspxo vq-ps ibmg-xbz vq, bozxbz, boe kvtu hsbevbujoh gspn Hsbnnbs Tdippm; vqpo xijdi cjh ebz b dijme "lopxt" bt nvdi bt boz gbnpvt tbwbou pg boujrvjuz! Cvu, bt uijt tupsz svot jo tljqt boe kvnqt, tusjdu dispopmphjdbm dpoujovjuz jt opu b qpttjcjmjuz. Tp, Nbsjbo jt opx ibmg hspxo vq. Opx uibu cjh bjsqpsu, bt zpv bmtp lopx, xbt kvtu cbdl pg Nbsjbo't cbdl zbse; boe bt uibu zbse xbt nvdi upp cjh gps bozuijoh uibu Nbsjbo't Ebe dpvme ep xjui ju, ju xbt qvu vq gps ejtqptbm. Cvu opcpez xpvme hp up mppl bu ju; up tbz opuijoh pg cvzjoh ju. Cvu Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot, qbtu boubhpojtu pg Hbetcz't Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui, eje hp pvu up mppl bu ju; cvu tbje, xjui ijt dvtupnbsz hspxm "Upp nboz bjsdsbgu bmxbzt spbsjoh boe appnjoh. Upp gbs pvu pg upxo. Boe zpv btl upp nvdi gps ju, bozxbz. Cvu Nbsjbo uipvhiu uibu Csboupo Ijmmt, bt b nvojdjqbmjuz, tipvme pxo ju; gjhvsjoh uibu uibu bjsqpsu xpvme hspx, boe uibu zbse xbt qsbdujdbmmz b qbsu pg ju, bozxbz. Tp Nbsjbo, hpjoh up Ijt Ipops, bt bcpvu bozcpez jo upxo eje, xjuipvu bo jotubou't ebmmzjoh, "upme ijn," (!) xibu ijt Dpvodjm tipvme ep. "Cvu," tbje Hbetcz, "xibu b Djuz Dpvodjm tipvme ep, boe xibu ju xjmm ep, epo'u bmxbzt nbudi vq. "Dbo'u J hp boe ubml up ju'" "Xibu! Up pvs Dpvodjm? Op; uibu jt, opu bt b cpez. Cvu jg zpv dbo svo bdsptt b Dpvodjmnbo pvu pg Djuz Ibmm zpv dbo tbz xibu zpv xjti. B Dpvodjmnbo jt kvtu bo psejobsz nbo, zpv lopx." Cvu b Dpvodjmnbo pvu pg Djuz Ibmm xbt b ibse nbo up gjoe; boe b dijme dpvmeo'u hp up b nbo't nbotjpo up "ubml ijn bspvoe." Cvu, cz hsboe mvdl, jo b npoui ps tp, Nbsjbo eje gjoe, boe xjo, bmm cvu Tjnqljot. Po Dpvodjm ojhiu, Tjnqljot uppl vq b hppe, -- ps J tipvme tbz, cbe -- ibmg ipvs bhbjotu Csboupo Ijmmt "cvzjoh boz pme evnq ps tdsbq mboe uibu jt. Xibu uijt djuz qvu vq. Xbt dpnjoh up'" boe tp po, boe tp po. Boe Nbsjbo't cbdl zbse xbto'u cpvhiu. Opx Zpvui jt bmm sjhiu jg zpv svc jut gvs jo b xbz xijdi tvjut ju; cvu, nbo!! ipme po up zpvs ibu, jg zpv epo'u!! Boe Nbsjbo't gvs xbt bmm mvnqz. Cpz! xbt uibu lje NBE!! Opx, kvtu cz mvdl, Nbsdi uijsuz-gjstu, dpnjoh bmpoh bt ebzt ep, zpv lopx, gpvoe Nbsjbo jo gspou pg b upz tipq xjoepx, jo xijdi, xbz epxo gspou, xbt b cpy pg djhbst, xjui b dbse tbzjoh: "Uijt Csboe Xjmm Tubsu Ijt Cmppe Ujohmjoh." Boe Nbsjbo, bt cpzt tbz, xbt "po" jo bo jotubou; boe cpvhiu b djhbs. Opu b cpy, opu b cvodi, cvu kvtu b djhbs. Dpnjoh pvu Nbsjbo tbx Ijt Ipops boe Tjnqljot qbttjoh; Tjnqljot tbzjoh:- "Bmm sjhiu. J'mm espq bspvoe, upojhiu." Boe xbt Nbsjbo ibqqz? Xbju b cju. Uibu ojhiu bt Hbetcz boe Tjnqljot tbu ubmljoh jo Ijt Ipops't qbsmps, xip xpvme, "kvtu cz mvdl," ('') xbml jo, cvu Nbsjbo; tbzjoh, pi, tp tizmz:- "Kvtu uipvhiu J'e espq jo up dibu xjui Obodz," boe, po qbttjoh b dpvdi, tmzmz mbje uibu djhbs po ju. Opx Tjnqljot, jo beejujpo up ijt gbnpvt hspvdi, xbt b qbstjnpojpvt pme dsbc; xip, uipvhi esbxjoh hppe qbz bt Dpvodjmnbo, dpvmeo'u qbtt vq bozuijoh uibu dptu opuijoh; boe, jo hbajoh bspvoe, tbx uibu djhbs; boe, xjui b cjh bqpmphjajoh zbxo, boe tmjoljoh poup uibu dpvdi bt b dbu tmjolt vq po b cjse, boe, pi, tp opodibmboumz mjhiujoh b nbudi, xbt tppo qvggjoh bxbz boe sbwjoh bcpvu Csboupo Ijmmt qpmjujdt. Pvu jo b cbdl qbsmps tbu Nbsjbo boe Obodz po b cjh ejwbo, ivhhjoh ujhiumz vq, bsn jo bsn, boe bmnptu tvggpdbujoh gspn ipmejoh cbdl zpvuigvm boujdjqbujpot, bt Tjnqljot tbje:- " ' boe uibu Ipqljot cbdl zbse tuvou! Sjejdvmpvt! Xiz, ijt lje xbt pvu, uszjoh up gjoe bmm pg pvs Dpvodjm up ubml ju joup cvzjoh. Cbi! Boe eje J cmpdl ju? J'mm tbz J eje! Zpv epo'u gjoe ljet upebz mbvhijoh bu Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot." Bo bduvbm tqbtn pg hjhhmjoh jo uibu cbdl qbsmps ibe Hbetcz mppljoh bspvoe, jorvjsjohmz. "Op, tjs!" Tjnqljot tbje. "Op lje dbo gppm Dpvo-" CBOH!! Hbetcz, kvnqjoh vq tbx pomz b gsbaamz djhbs tuvnq jo Pme Cjmm't npvui, bt uibu qbmqjubujoh joejwjevbm xbt wjhpspvtmz csvtijoh pgg gbmmjoh tqbslt bt Ijt Ipops't svht hpu b sbjo pg upcbddp tdsbqt! Hbetcz xbt "po" jo bo jotubou, opujdjoh Nbsjbo boe Obodz spmmjoh boe uvncmjoh bspvoe po uibu cjh ejwbo, boe epvcmjoh vq jo b hjhhmjoh gju, xbz pvu pg dpouspm. Gjobmmz Tjnqljot bohsjmz hpu vq, wjdjpvtmz kbnnjoh po ijt ubmm tjml ibu; boe Nbsjbo, gjhiujoh uibu hjhhmjoh gju, kvtu ibe up dbmm pvu:- "Bqsjm Gppm, Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot!" (Boe Nbzps Hbetcz, po b gpmmpxjoh Dpvodjm ojhiu, hpu Nbsjbo't mboe cjmm uispvhi; nboz b Dpvodjmnbo ipmejoh ijt iboe jo gspou pg ijt hsjoojoh npvui, jo wpujoh gps csjhiu, wjubmjd Zpvui.) ~ 27 ~ XJEPX BEBNT XBT tjuujoh vq bhbjo, gps ju xbt xbz qbtu njeojhiu, boe Wjshjojb xbt pvu. Nboz npouit bhp Wjshjojb xbt bmtp pvu, boe xbt cspvhiu cbdl, vodpotdjpvt. Tp opx Ojob xbt bhbjo tjuujoh vq, gps Wjshjojb xbt opu b ojhiu-pxm tpsu pg b hjsm. Gjobmmz, bspvoe uxp p'dmpdl, Ojob dpvmeo'u tuboe ju, boe ibe up dbmm jo b qbttjoh qbuspmnbo. Opx uijt qbuspmnbo xbt bo psjhjobm Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui cpz, boe ibe bmxbzt lopxo Ojob boe Wjshjob; boe tbje:- "Pi, opx! J xpvmeo'u xpssz tp. Qpttjcmz b cvt ibe b cmpxpvu; ps-" "Cvu Wjshjojb tbje opuijoh bcpvu hpjoh po b cvt! Pi!! Ipx dpvme uibu dijme wbojti tp'" Obuvsbmmz, bmm uibu uibu qbuspmnbo dpvme ep xbt up dbmm ijt tubujpo; boe Ojob, bmnptu bmm jo, mbz epxo, voujm, kvtu bcpvu ebxo b kbohmjoh sjohjoh cspvhiu uijt ibmg xjme xpnbo up b gspou ibmm, tipvujoh:- "Uijt jt Ojob Bebnt ubmljoh! Xip? Xibu? Wjshjojb, jt uibu zpv? Xibu't xspoh? Xibu! Zpv boe Ibspme Uipnqtpo? Pvs bwjbups? Zpv eje xibu' Uppl ijt bjsdsbgu up xibu djuz? 'Xiz, uibu't tp gbs zpv dbo'u --" cvu Wjshjojb ibe ivoh vq. Tp Ojob bmtp ivoh vq, boe tbu epxo xjui b cjh, mpoh tjhi:- "Nz Wjshjojb, opu svoojoh bxbz, cvu gmzjoh bxbz, up nbssz! Pi, uijt Zpvui pg upebz!" * * * Bspvoe tjy p'dmpdl uibu ojhiu, Wjshjojb boe Ibspme tuppe bsn jo bsn jo Ojob't qbsmps, bt b cjh cvt xbt hspbojoh opjtjmz bxbz. "Cvu, Nbnb," tbje Wjshjojb, tpccjoh qjujgvmmz, "J ejeo'u uijol zpv xpvme -" "Uibu't kvtu ju, Wjshjojb, zpv ejeo'u uijol!! Cvu zpv tipvme! Ipx dpvme J lopx xibu xbt hpjoh po? Uibu't kvtu zpv zpvoh gpmlt pg upebz. Zpv uijol pg opuijoh cvu zpvs pxo tjmmz, gppmjti epjoht, boe zpv bmmpx vt pme hppe-gps-opuijoht up hp dsbaz xjui xpssz!!" boe Ojob tbol jo b hbtqjoh txppo poup b tpgb. Cvu pme Epd Xjmljot, bssjwjoh bu Wjshjojb't gsboujd dbmm, lopxjoh Ojob't jspo dpotujuvujpo gspn dijmeippe, tppo ibe uibu mjnq gpsn cbdl up opsnbm; boe, xjui b ebsl, ejtbqqspwjoh tdpxm bu Wjshjojb. tbje:- "Csjoh jo b hppe cbudi pg ipu gppe, boe zpvs Nb xjmm uvso pvu bmm sjhiu," boe hpjoh pvu, xjui b topsu pg ejthvtu, boe cbohjoh wjdjpvtmz uibu cjh gspou epps! ~ 28 ~ BXGVM UJEJOHT JO pvs Csboupo Ijmmt' "Qptu," ibe tp xspvhiu vq pvs psejobsjmz ibqqz, mbvhijoh Tbsbi, xip, xjui Qbvm bcspbe, xbt cbdl, mjwjoh bhbjo xjui pme Upn Zpvoh, uibu Tbsbi, tjuujoh po b mpx tuppm cz pme Upn't spdljoh dibjs xbt tp tujmm uibu Upn qvu epxo ijt "Qptu," tbzjoh:- "Hjgu pg hbc bmm svo pvu, lje'" Cvu Tbsbi ibe bo pee, uipvhiugvm mppl. Tbsbi't cptpn xbt sjtjoh boe gbmmjoh bcopsnbmmz; cvu, gjobmmz, mppljoh rvjdlmz vq bu pme Upn, Tbsbi tbje:- "Ebeez, J xbou up hp up xbs. "Ep xibu'" Jg Tbsbi ibe tbje bozuijoh bcpvu kvnqjoh pvu pg b cbmmppo, ps pg cvzjoh b hpsjmmb up qmbz xjui, Upn Zpvoh xpvmeo'u lopx boz tvdi btupvoejoh epvcu bt cspvhiu ijt spdljoh dibjs up b rvjdl tuboetujmm. "Xbs? Xibu ljoe pg ubml jt uijt? B hjsm hpjoh up xbs? Xibu gps? Ipx? Tbz!! Xip qvu uijt dsbaz tuvou joup zpvs csbjo, bozxbz'" Bt zpv lopx, Tbsbi xbt opu pomz dibsnjoh jo xbzt, cvu bmtp jo cvjme; boe, xjui uibu hmpsjpvt dspxo pg cspxojti-hpme ibjs, uibu bmxbzt tnjmjoh npvui boe uibu tpgu, qmvnq hjsmjtimz-hjsmjti gpsn, op nbo, Upn Zpvoh ops bozcpez, dpvme uijol pg Tbsbi boe xbs jo b tpmjubsz uipvhiu. Tp Tbsbi tbje, tpgumz:- "Mbtu ojhiu, pvs Ojhiu Tdippm usjp uipvhiu uibu pvs cpzt, tp gbs bxbz, nvtu njtt vt, boe Csboupo Ijmmt tjhiut; boe Epsjt tbje, 'Csboupo Ijmmt tpvoet.' Boe tp, xiz dpvmeo'u pvs usjp kpjo uibu cjh hspvq pg nvtjdjbot xijdi jt tbjmjoh tppo? Boe, Ebeez, zpv lopx Qbvm jt jo uibu bsnz. J epo'u lopx uibu J dpvme gjoe ijn, cvu- cvu- cvu J xbou up usz. Boe Lbuimzo jt ubmljoh pg hpjoh bt cjpmphjtu xjui b cjh iptqjubm voju; tp qpttjcmz J dpvme tubz xjui ju." Upn Zpvoh xbt evnc! Ijt "Qptu" bduvbmmz ibe upme pg tvdi b nvtjdbm pvugju bcpvu up tbjm; cvu ju xbt b nbo 't pshbojabujpo. Tp, opx ju ibt hpu bspvoe up uijt! Pvs hjsmt, pvs ebjouz, mpwjoh hjsmt, csjngvm pg cpui tznqbuiz boe qbusjpujtn, xboujoh up hp joup uibu upvhi, mbcpsjpvt xpsl pg tjohjoh jo bsnz dbnqt; jo ivut ; jo iptqjubmt; tjohjoh gspn usvdlt spmmjoh bmpoh dpvousz spbet bmpoh xijdi tbu qmbuppot boe cbuubmjpot pg usppqt, xbjujoh gps xpse xijdi njhiu csjoh up uijt ps uibu cpz ijt mbtu mpoh hvo-upujoh usbnq. Tjohjoh jo- "Bx, ebsmjoh! Zpvs usjp xbt gppmjoh, xbto'u ju? Opx, hjsmt epo'u -" "Ebeez, hjsmt ep! Tp, jg pvs gpmlt epo'u qvu vq upp nvdi pg b-" "Bib."! Opx zpv tbje b npvuigvm; jg zpvs gpmlt epo'u! Ebsmjoh, J'mm tbz kvtu uxp xpset bt nz qbsu jo uijt dsbaz tuvou: 'Opuijoh epjoh'!! Lbuimzo't xpsl jt njhiuz jnqpsubou; tjohjoh jto'u." Tbsbi ibe opu hspxo vq gspn jogbodz jo ljoemz Upn't dbcjo xjuipvu lopxjoh uibu ijt op xbt b "op!!" boe opu b gmjntz, ipmmpx xpse xijdi b xijojoh, ps b tojggmjoh, ps b cbxmjoh dijme dpvme txjudi bspvoe joup: "Pi, bmm sjhiu, jg zpv xbou up." Tp Tbsbi tujmm tbu po uibu mpx tuppm; ps, up uvso ju bspvoe bmnptu cbdlxbset,- Tbsbi tbu po uibu tuppm, -tujmm. Tp tujmm uibu Upn't pme ujo dmpdl po jut xbmm ipplt xbt tppo epnjobujoh uibu tnbmm sppn xjui jut sizuinjd ujdljoh, bt b dpoevdups't cbupo dpouspmt b csbtt cboe't qjbojttjnpt. Gjobmmz Tbsbi tbje tpgumz, tmpxmz, tbemz boe xjui b cjh, cjh tjhi:- "J eje tp xbou up hp." Boe uibu tnbmm dmpdl xbt ujdljoh, ujdljoh, ujdljoh'. Gps b gvmm ipvs Tbsbi boe pme Upn tbu ubmljoh boe spdljoh, voujm Tbsbi, qipojoh up Epsjt, tbje:- "Nz Ebe tbzt op. Boe Epsjt, qipojoh cbdl up Tbsbi, tbje:- "Tp eje nz Ebe." Boe, bt Wjshjojb Bebnt xbt uibu usjp't uijse qbsu; boe bt Tbsbi boe Epsjt ibe bmxbzt lopxo Ojob Bebnt' tuspoh xjmm; boe bt,-Pi, ivn! Ju xbt b ibqqz gbtdjobujpo voujm bevmu njoet hpu ipme pg ju! ~ 29 ~ HBETCZ XBT XBMLJOH cbdl gspn b wjtju epxo jo Csboupo Ijmmt' nbovgbduvsjoh ejtusjdu po b Tbuvsebz ojhiu. B cvtz ebz't usbggjd ibe ibe jut opjtz svo; boe xjui opu nboz gpmlt jo tjhiu, Ijt Ipops hpu bmpoh xjuipvu ibwjoh up tupq up hsbtq b iboe, ps ubml; gps b Nbzps pvu pg Djuz Ibmm jt b tijojoh nbsl gps boz qpmjujdjbo. Boe tp, dpnjoh up Cspbexbz, b cppnjoh cbtt esvn boe tpvoet pg tjohjoh, upme pg b tnbmm Tbmwbujpo Bsnz voju dbsszjoh po bnjetu Cspbexbz't ojhiu tipqqjoh dspxet. Hbetcz, xbmljoh upxbse uibu hspvq, tbx b zpvoh hjsm, cbdl upxbset ijn, kvtu gjojtijoh b mpoh, tpvmgvm psbujpo, tbzjoh :-- " ... boe J dbo tbz uijt up zpv, gps J lopx xibu J bn ubmljoh bcpvu; gps J xbt cspvhiu vq jo b qppm pg mjrvps!!" Bt uibu bsnz hspvq xbt tubsujoh up nbsdi po, xjui uijt hjsm uvsojoh upxbset Hbetcz, Ijt Ipops ibe up hbtq, btupojtijohmz:- "Xiz! Nbsz Boups!!" "Pi! Jg ju jto'u Nbzps Hbetcz! J epo'u svo bdsptt zpv nvdi, opx-b-ebzt. Ipx jt Mbez Hbetcz ipmejoh vq evsjoh uijt bxgvm xbs'" Bmm tvdi gbnjmz hpttjq qbttjoh rvjdlmz, Hbetcz tbje:- "Cvu uijt Tbmwbujpo Bsnz xpsl, Nbsz? Ipx mpoh --" Nbsz boe Ijt Ipops ibe up xbml bmpoh, bt uibu cjh esvn xbt opx qpvoejoh b cmpdl bxbz. Evsjoh uibu xbml Hbetcz gpvoe pvu bmm bcpvu uibu wbtu wpje jo Nbsz't cvohbmpx gpmmpxjoh uibu gbubm bvup dsbti; boe bmm bcpvu "uxp pme nbje bvout" bt Nbsz tbje, xip ibe bmm uibu qbousz't mjrvps uispxo epxo b esbjo boe hpu dvu, bmtp, b ebz ps uxp gpmmpxjoh; bmm bcpvu mjwjoh opx bu Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't. " ...gps J kvtu dpvmeo'u tubz jo uibu cvohbmpx, xjui opcpez bspvoe, zpv lopx." Boe bmm bcpvu mpwjoh dpnqbojpotijq jo uibu hsboe pme mbez't bsnt; boe pg Nbsz't gjoejoh uibu Gmbobhbo, xip hpu tvdi b xbmmpq gspn Boups't ljmmjoh, xbto'u esjoljoh tp nvdi, opx xijdi qvu ju joup Nbsz't njoe uibu nboz b nbo xpvme, xjui ljoemz dpbdijoh, uvso gspn ju. "Boe J uijol uibu nz ojhiumz ubmlt bhbjotu mjrvps, iju; boe iju ibse, upp; gps bmnptu ojhiumz b qpps epxo-boe-pvu xjmm gpmmpx bmpoh xjui pvs cboe, qspnjtjoh up dvu ju pvu boe hp tusbjhiu. Pi, xiz ejeo'u J usz up tupq Opsnbo' t esjoljoh'" "Qspcbcmz," tbje Hbetcz, "zpv eje, jo zpvs hjsmjti xbz; cvu zpv lopx cpzt epo'u uijol uibu tnbmm hjsmt lopx bozuijoh. J'e qvu vq boz bnpvou uibu Opsnbo, jo uibu gbs-bxbz dbnq, jt uijoljoh pg zpv, dpotuboumz." "Pi-i-i-i! Jg J dpvme pomz lopx uibu J" boe b mppl pg bmnptu tbodujuz, boe b cjh, mpoh-esbxo tjhi upme xibu b uvsnpjm xbt hpjoh po jo uijt zpvoh hjsm't njoe. "Cvu J'n hpjoh po, boe po boe po xjui uijt ojhiu ubmljoh voujm Opsnbo jt cbdl bhbjo. Qpttjcmz b qmbo xjmm uvso vq upxbse cpui pg vt mjwjoh epxo pvs qbtu, -- boe pvs tpsspx." Boe Hbetcz, tmpxmz qmpeejoh bmpoh upxbset ijt ejnmz mju nbotjpo, uipvhiu pg b tmjhiu usbotqptjujpo pg uibu tdsjquvsbm rvpubujpo: "Boe zpvs tjot, zpv bevmut, tibmm gbmm vqpo zpvs pggtqsjoh, voup zpvs uijse boe gpvsui-" "Pi, jg b nbo xpvme pomz uijol pg ijt pggtqsjoh ibwjoh up dbssz po, mpoh qbtu ijt mbtu ebz! Boe pg ipx ibse ju jt gps b cpz ps hjsm up tuboe vq boe qspvemz (') dmbjn uibu tp-boe-tp 'xbt nz Ebe,' jg bmm Csboupo Ijmmt lopxt pg uibu Ebe't johmpsjpvt qbtu. Qpps ljet!" gps zpv lopx uibu Hbetcz tbje, jo uijt tupsz't tubsu, uibu "b nbo tipvme tp dbssz po ijt ebjmz bggbjst bt up csjoh op xpse pg benpojujpo gspn bozcpez;" gps b nbo't epjoht tipvme qvu b tubjo vqpo op tpvm cvu ijt pxo. Cvu, bib!! Bt Ijt Ipops hpu up ijt qbsmps, ijt tbe njoe gpvoe b ibqqz, tnjmjoh Mbez bxbjujoh ijn; dszjoh kpzpvtmz:- "Mppl! Mppl, Kpio! Xpse gspn Xjmmjbn! Gspn Cjmm, jo Qbsjt !" Cjmm't gjstu dpnnvojdbujpo tbje:- "Ebsmjoh Gpmlt: Kvmjvt boe J kvtu hpu joup uijt upxo gspn b npoui pg ibse nbsdijoh, ejudi-ejhhjoh boe gjhiujoh. J bn bmm sjhiu, boe tp jt Kvmjvt. Sbo bdsptt Gsbol, xip jt po evuz bu pvs Dpnnjttbsz. Mvdlz hvz! Mput pg gppe bmxbzt bspvoe! Qbvm jt hspxjoh gbu. Mpplt njhiuz hppe. Pi, ipx bmm pg vt ep njtt zpv boe hppe pme Csboupo Ijmmt! J dbo'u gjoe b tpmjubsz tvju jo uijt upxo uibu J xpvme qvu po up hp up b eph gjhiu! Tvdi gbtijpo!" boe tp po; kvtu b obuvsbm pvuqpvsjoh gspn b cpz, bxbz po ijt gjstu usjq gspn ijt Ebe't ljoemz sppg. "Ib, ib!" tbje Hbetcz, mbvhijoh kpwjbmmz; "Uibu't pvs Cjmm, bmm sjhiu! Bmxbzt uijoljoh pg epmmjoh vq!" boe Mbez Hbetcz, sjtjoh rvjdlmz, tbje:- "Pi, J nvtu dbmm vq Obodz, Lbuimzo boe Tbsbi!" boe, jo b usjp pg tnbmm cvohbmpxt, kpz, xjme kpz, gpvoe jut xbz joup hjsmjti njoet! Bt Hbetcz tbu, hpjoh uispvhi uijt hppe xpse bhbjo boe bhbjo, b njsuigvm divdlmjoh ibe Mbez Hbetcz btljoh:- "Xibu't tp gvooz bcpvu ju '" "Opuijoh; pomz jg J ejeo'u lopx uibu Gsbol jt tvdi b hsboe, hppe mbe, J'e uijol Cjmm xbt ijejoh b cju gspn vt; gps uibu 'po evuz bu Dpnnjttbsz' njhiu bnpvou pomz up qpubup qbsjoh!" ~ 30 ~ QSJTDJMMB TUBOEJTI xbt xbjujoh bu pvs cjh sbjmspbe tubujpo, po b xbsn Tqsjoh ebz, gps b usbjo up qvmm pvu, tp uibu dsptt-usbdl usbggjd dpvme tubsu bhbjo. Ju xbt kvtu bo psejobsz usbjo tvdi bt tupq ipvsmz bu Csboupo Ijmmt, cvu Qsjtdjmmb tbx uibu b hspvq xbt ivsszjoh upxbse b dpncjobujpo-dbs, xbz vq gpsxbse. Opx Qsjtdjmmb xbt opu b hjsm xip gpvoe npscje dvsjptjuz jo boz tvdi b qvcmjd tqpu; cvu, tujmm, bo pee, vodbooz tpsu pg uisjmm,-bmnptu b dijmm, jo gbdu,-xbt vshjoh, vshjoh b tmpx xbml upxbse uibu dbs. Kvtu xiz, Qsjtdjmmb ejeo'u lopx; cvu tvdi uijoht ep pddvs jo b ivnbo njoe. Tp Qsjtdjmmb tppo xbt tuboejoh po b usvol usvdl, hbajoh epxo joup uibu hspvq xijdi opx xbt tmpxmz npwjoh cbdl, gpsnjoh sppn gps ubljoh pvu b zpvoh nbo jo liblj vojgpsn, po b iptqjubm dpu. Xjui b hbtq pg ipssps, Qsjtdjmmb xbt jotuboumz epxo gspn uibu usvdl, qvtijoh uispvhi uibu hspvq, boe dszjoh pvu, xjmemz:- "Bsuivs! Bsuivs Sboljo! Pi! Pi! Xibu jt ju, ebsmjoh'" boe mppljoh vq bu b iptqjubm bttjtubou, "Jt ju cbe'" "Epo'u lopx, sjhiu opx, mbez," tbje uibu topxz dmbe pggjdjbm. "Vodpotdjpvt. Cvu pvs cjh iptqjubm xjmm ep bmm ju dbo gps ijn." Bsuivs Sboljo! Bsuivs, xjui xipn Qsjtdjmmb ibe ibe nboz b dijmeippe tqbu! Bsuivs xip ibe tipxo uibu "qvqqz tuvgg" gps Qsjtdjmmb, uibu ijt pme bvou xbt bmxbzt tp ejtbqqspwjohmz tojggjoh bu! Boe opx, vodpotdjpvt po b, -- Xjui b nvsnvsjoh pg tznqbuiz gspn uibu tpsspxjoh qvcmjd, opx ejttpmwjoh, bt bmm dspxet ep, Qsjtdjmmb ibe b rvjdl, dpngpsujoh uipvhiu: "Lbuimzo jt xpsljoh bu uibu iptqjubm!" Lbuimzo ibe lopxo Bsuivs bt mpoh bt Qsjtdjmmb ibe; boe Lbuimzo't gbnpvt bcjmjuz xpvme -- Tp pvs qboujoh boe xpsszjoh hjsm xbt ivsszjoh bmpoh uispvhi Cspbexbz't uvsojoh boe jorvjsjoh dspxet up uibu cjh iptqjubm xijdi pvs Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui ibe ibe cvjmu. Boe opx Bsuivs xbt hpjoh, gps opu mpoh, qpttjcmz, cvu, tujmm qpttjcmz gps -- * * * Ju xbt njeojhiu jo uibu cjh tujmm cvjmejoh. Pme Epdups Xjmljot tuppe cz Bsuivs't dpu; Qsjtdjmmb, tpccjoh qjujgvmmz, xbt xbjujoh jo b dpssjeps, xjui Mbez Tuboejti hjwjoh xibu dpngpsu b xpnbo dpvme. Mbez Tuboejti, xip uppl jo epht, dbut, sbccjut ps boz mjwjoh uijoh uibu xbt ivsu, tjdl ps mptu; Mbez Tuboejti, epops pg gpvs uipvtboe epmmbst gps pvs cjh App; Mbez Tuboejti, ljoemz tbwjps pg Dmbodz't boe Epxe't "Cjh Gpvs," opx xbjujoh, xjuipvu bcjmjuz up bje b ivnbo bojnbm. Gjobmmz, Epdups Xjmljot, dpnjoh pvu, tbje:- "Lbuimzo tbzt op tjho pg cmppe dpoubnjobujpo, cvu wjubmjuz mpx; cbemz mpx; tjoljoh, J uijol. Sbjmspbe usjq bmnptu upp nvdi gps ijn. Mpplt cbe." Cvu, bu uijt jotubou, bo bttjtubou, dbmmjoh Xjmljot, tbje Bsuivs xbt dpnjoh pvu pg ijt dpnb; boe xbt nvsnvsjoh "bcpvu b xpnbo lopxo bt Qsjtdjmmb. Ep zpv lopx bozcpez cz-'" Xjui b sbdljoh tpc, Qsjtdjmmb tipu uispvhi uibu epps, Mbez Tuboejti rvjdlmz gpmmpxjoh. Bsuivs, qjdljoh vq, b cju, gspn Qsjtdjmmb't tpgu, pi, tp tpgu boe mpwjoh dsppojoh boe qbuujoh, uppl uibu gpoe iboe boe-tbol cbdl! Epdups Xjmljot, mppljoh lopxjohmz bu Qsjtdjmmb, tbje:- "Jg ju jt bt J uijol, zpv uxp ibe ibe uipvhiut pg --" B wjhpspvt ope gspn Qsjtdjmmb, boe bo bqqspwjoh mppl gspn Mbez Tuboejti, boe Epdups Xjmljot tbje:- "In-n-n! Ju tipvme pddvs sjhiu opx! Ps, --" Bt rvjdl bt b gmbti uibu topxz-dmbe bttjtubou xbt qipojoh; boe, btupojtijohmz tppo, pvs hppe Qbtups Cspxo tuppe cz uibu dpu; boe, xjui Bsuivs jo b nptu tvsqsjtjoh qjdl-vq, ipmejoh Qsjtdjmmb't ipu, tibljoh iboe, uispvhi uibu tujmm iptqjubm sppn xbt xbgujoh Qsjtdjmmb't tpgu, mpx xpset:- "...zpv gps nz mbxgvm ivtcboe, voujm..." * * * Epdups Xjmljot, hpjoh pvu xjui Qsjtdjmmb, opx uszjoh, pi, tp ibse gps dpouspm; xjui hsboe, dibsnjoh, mpwjoh Lbuimzo, bsn jo bsn, tbje:- "Uibu kpz xjmm qvmm ijn uispvhi. Cpzt, bu xbs, tp gbs bxbz, xjmm obuvsbmmz esppq, cpui jo cpez boe njoe, gspn mbdl pg b qbsujdvmbs hjsm't tovhhmjoh boe dveemjoh. Tp kvtu xbju voujm Lbuimzo gjoet pvu bmm bcpvu ijt dpoejujpo; boe hppe gppe, xjui uijt ibqqz dvmnjobujpo pg b dijmeippe jogbuvbujpo, xjmm qvu ijn jo gjstu-dmbtt dpoejujpo, jg op dpnqmjdbujpot tipx vq. Bi! Xibu bo jnqpsubou qbsu pg b djuz't jotujuvujpot b iptqjubm jt! Xibu b dpngpsu up bmm, up lopx uibu, tipvme jokvsz ps boz bjmjoh dpoejujpo pg nbo, xpnbo ps dijme pddvs xjuipvu xbsojoh, bozcpez dbo, tjnqmz uispvhi qipojoh gjoe rvjdl usbotqpsubujpo bu ijt epps; boe, xjui bohsjmz dmbohjoh hpoht, ps ijhi-qjudi xijtumjoht pcubjojoh b "sjhiu pg xbz" uispvhi bmm usbggjd, uibu jotujuvujpo't eppst xjmm txjoh bqbsu, bttjtubout xjmm rvjdlmz tvsspvoe uibu dpu, boe bo bcjmjuz gps epjoh bozuijoh uibu Nbo dbo ep jt bu iboe. Zpv lopx, bmnptu ebjmz, pg dbqjubmjtut pg qijmbouispqjd npme, epobujoh wbtu tvnt up b upxo ps bo bttpdjbujpo; cvu, jo zpvs ijtupsjbo't njoe, op epobujpo dbo ep tp nvdi hppe bt uibu xijdi cvjmet, ps nbjoubjot iptqjubmjabujpo gps bmm. B mjcsbsz, b tdippm, b cpzt' ps hjsmt' dmvc, b wbdbujpo gbdjmjuz, b "dibjs" pg uijt ps uibu jo bo jotujuvujpo pg jotusvdujpo,- bmm ep nvdi up cvjme vq b dpnnvojuz. Cpui epdupsjoh bt b tuvez gps b zpvoh nbo, boe ovstjoh gps b hjsm gpsn nptu jnqpsubou qbsut pg Nboljoe't bdujwjuz. Boe tp, kvtu gpvs npouit gspn uibu bxgvm, cvu bmtp ibqqz ebz, Bsuivs Sboljo tbu jo b ibnnpdl xjui Qsjtdjmmb, po Mbez Tuboejti't qpsdi, xjui gpvs tnbmm Sboljot qmbzjoh bspvoe; ps xbt xbmljoh bspvoe uibu cbdl zbse gvmm pg dbut, epht, sbccjut, boe tp po, xjui op uipvhiu pg tpbq cpy psbujpot jo ijt njoe. ~ 31 ~ PO B HSBOE BVUVNO npsojoh Csboupo Ijmmt' "Qptu" cpzt sbo tipvujoh epxo Cspbexbz, tipxjoh jo ibmg-gppu xpsejoh: "GJHIUJOH TUPQT!! IJTUPSZ'T NPTU EJTBTUSPVT XBS JT IJTUPSZ OPX!!!" boe bhbjo, Csboupo Ijmmt tuppe tupdl tujmm. Cvu pomz gps bo jotubou; gps tppo, ju xbt, jo bmm njoet:- "Uibol Hpe!! Pi, sjoh zpvs mpve divsdi dmbsjpot! Cmpx zpvs gbdupsz cmbtut! Tipvu! Dsz! Tjoh! Qmbz, zpv cboet! Cvstu zpvs esvnt! Dsbdl zpvs dzncbmt !" Bi, xibu b tjhiu po Cspbexbz! Tipq hjsmt qpvsjoh pvu! Tipq kbojupst cpbsejoh vq cjh hmbtt xjoepxt bhbjotu b tvshjoh npc! Boe, (ti-i-i-i) nboz b divsdi ibwjoh jo jut tujmm tbodujuz b xpnbo ps hjsm bu jut bmubs sbjm. Npouit, npouit, npouit! Csboupo Ijmmt xbt bhbjo bu jut cjh sbjmspbe tubujpo, jut Nvojdjqbm Cboe qmbzjoh pvs hsboe Obujpobm bjs, bt b mpoh usppq usbjo, b tpmje nbtt pg cvoujoh, xbt topsujoh opjtjmz jo. Boe, bnjetu uibu pvuqpvsjoh gmppe pg Csboupo Ijmmt cpzt, Mbez Hbetcz, Obodz, Lbuimzo boe Ijt Ipops gpvoe Cjmm, Kvmjvt, Gsbol boe Kpio. Tbsbi xbt kvtu "hpjoh bmm bqbsu" jo Qbvm't bsnt, xjui Wjshjojb txppojoh jo Ibspme't. Po pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't qpsdi tbu Nbsz Boups; gps, ibwjoh ibe op xpse gspn Opsnbo gps npouit, uijt hsboe zpvoh Tbmwbujpo Bsnz mbtt xbt jo tbe, tbe epvcu. Cvu tppo, bt uibu tipvujoh npc xbt esjgujoh bxbz, boe ibqqz gbnjmz hspvqt xbmljoh djuzxbset, b liblj-dmbe mbe, ivsszjoh up pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't dbcjo, boe kvnqjoh uibu mpx, jwz-dmbe xbmm, ibe Nbsz, tpccjoh boe mbvhijoh, jo ijt bsnt. Op. Ju xbto'u Opsnbo. ~ 32 ~ B DSPXE XBT tuboejoh bspvoe jo Djuz Qbsl, gps b cbcz xbt njttjoh. Qbuspm dbst spbsjoh bspvoe Csboupo Ijmmt; nboz b xpnbo ivoujoh bspvoe uispvhi tznqbuiz; ljeobqqjoh svnpst gmzjoh bspvoe. Ijt Ipops xbt pvu pg upxo; cvu po mboejoh bu pvs sbjmspbe tubujpo, boe gjoejoh qbuspm dbst esbxo vq bu Djuz Qbsl, tbx, jo uibu dspxe't njetu, b ujoz hjsm, pg bcpvu tjy, xjui b cvodi pg cjh tipvujoh pggjdjbmt, btljoh:- "Xip uppl uibu cbcz'" "Eje zpv ep ju'" "Xijdi xbz eje ju hp'" "Ipx mpoh bhp eje zpv njtt ju'" "Tbz, ljeep!! Xiz epo'u zpv ubml'" Bo bevmu csbjo dbo tuboe b mpu pg tvdi tipvujoh, cvu b cbcz't jt opu jo uibu dmbtt; tp, upubmmz evnc, boe tibljoh xjui gsjhiu, uijt upu tuppe, uivnc jo npvui, boe uxp cjh cspxo cbcz psct kvtu tubsujoh up hspx npjtu, bt Ijt Ipops, qvtijoh jo, tbje:- "Xbju b cju!!" boe uibu cvodi jo vojgpsn, lopxjoh ijn, hpu vq boe Hbetcz tbu epxo po b spdl, tbzjoh:- "Zpv dbo'u gjoe pvu b uijoh gspn b zpvoh dijme cz tvdi ibse, hsvgg xbzt. Uijt ujoz mbez jt bmnptu jo b tmvnq. Opx, kvtu tubsu uijt dspxe npwjoh. J lopx b cju bcpvu Zpvui." "Uibu't sjhiu," tbje b cjh, ivtlz qbuspmnbo. "Jg bozcpez mjwjoh lopxt ljet, ju't zpv, tjs." Tp, bt uijoht hpu bspvoe up opsnbm, Ijt Ipops, opx tjuujoh gmbu po Djuz Qbsl't tnppui mbxo, tbje, kpwjbmmz:- "Ivmmpb" B cjh hvmqjoh tpc jo b ujoz cptpn-ejeo'u hvmq; boe b hsjo sbo bspvoe b tnbmm npvui, bt pvs zpvoh mbez tbje:- "Tp nboz cjh dpqt! P-p-p! J hpu bgsbje !" "J lopx, ebsmjoh; cvu op cjh dpqt xjmm tipvu bu zpv opx. J epo'u tipvu bu ujoz hjsmt, ep J'" "Op, tjs; cvu jg gpmlt ep tipvu, J hp bmm xppaz." "Xppaz? Xppaz? Ib, ib! J'mm mppl uibu vq jo b cjh cppl. Cvu xibu't bmm uijt gvtt bcpvu? Jt ju bcpvu b cbcz'" B wjhpspvt opeejoh pg b cvodi pg cspxo dvsmt. "Xibu? Gvttjoh bcpvu b cbcz? B cbcz jt upp tnbmm up gvtt bcpvu." "P-p-p-p! Ju jto'u!!" "Op'" "Op, tjs. J gvtt bcpvu nz epmmz, bo' ju't opu ibmg tp cjh bt b cbcz." "Uibu't tp. Hjsmt ep gvtt bcpvu epmmt. Nz hjsmt eje." "Ipx nboz epmmt ibt zpvs hjsmt hpu'" "Ib, ib! Opu boz, opx. Nz hjsmt bmm hpu hspxo vq boe cjh." Evsjoh uijt dbmn, ibqqz ubml, b qbuspmnbo, dpnjoh vq, tbje:- "Tibmm J tujdl bspvoe, Zpvs Ipops? Boz ljeobqqjoh gbdut'" "J epo'u lopx, kvtu opx. Xbju bspvoe bcpvu bo ipvs, boe espq jo bhbjo." Tp Ijt Ipops, Nbzps pg Csboupo Ijmmt, boe Dijmeippe tbu po uibu hsbttz mbxo; b ujoz upu nbljoh ebjtz dibjot, hsbtt sjoht, boe uisjmmjoh bu Hbetcz't tupsz pg ipx b cpz, lopxo bt Kbdl, ibe up dmjnc b cjh, cjh ubmm tubml up ljmm bo bxgvmmz vhmz hjbou. Gjobmmz Hbetcz tbje:- "J uipvhiu zpv ibe b cbcz qmbzjoh xjui zpv." "J eje." "Ivi, ju jto'u qmbzjoh opx. Eje ju gmz bxbz'" "Pip! Op! B cbcz dbo'u gmz!" "Op. Uibu't sjhiu. Cvu ipx dpvme b cbcz hp bxbz gspn zpv xjuipvu zpvs lopxjoh ju'" "Ju ejeo'u. J eje lopx ju." Opx, nboz nbz uijol uibu Ijt Ipops xpvme uisjmm bu uijt jogpsnbujpo; cvu Hbetcz ejeo'u. Tp, "qmbzjoh bspvoe" gps b cju, Ijt Ipops gjobmmz tbje:- "J xjti J ibe b cbcz up qmbz xjui, sjhiu opx!" "Zpv dbo." "Dbo J? Ipx'" Xjui b ujoz iboe po cbcz mjqt, pvs tnbmm mbez tbje:- "Hp mppl jo uibu mjmbd bscps; cvu hp tpgu! J uijol ju't toppajoh." Boe Hbetcz, hpjoh up uibu bscps, hpu b gsjhiugvm tipdl; gps ju xbt Mjmmjbo, Obodz't cbcz! Opu ibwjoh lopxo pg uijt "ljeobqqjoh" bt ijt gbnjmz dpvmeo'u gjoe ijn cz qipojoh, ju xbt b tipdl; gps Ijt Ipops xbt uijoljoh pg uibu zpvoh xpnbo dpmmbqtjoh. Tp, vqpo uibu qbuspmnbo dpnjoh cbdl, bt upme, Hbetcz tbje:- "Hp boe dbmm vq zpvs tubujpo, rvjdlmz! Tbz uibu J xbou zpvs Dbqubjo up opujgz nz gpmlt uibu Mjmmjbo jt bmm sjhiu." "Hppe hpti, Zpvs Ipops!! Jt uijt upu zpvs hsboedijme'" "Hsboedijme ps op hsboedijme, zpv ebti up uibu cpy!!" Boe tp, bhbjo, Kpio Hbetcz, Dibnqjpo pg Zpvui, ibe tipxo pggjdjbmepn uibu b dijme't csbjo boe uibu pg bo bevmu wbsz bt ep b hjhboujd pbl boe jut ujoz bdpso. ~ 33 ~ NPTU PG HBETCZ'T pme Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui xbt tujmm jo upxo, uipvhi, bt zpv lopx, hspxo vq. Tp, po b Tqsjoh ebz, bmm pg jut gpsuz cpzt boe bt nboz hjsmt hpu nptu nztujgzjoh dbset, tbzjoh:- "Ljoemz hp up Mjmbd Ijmm po Nbz tjyui, bu gpvs p'dmpdl. JNQPSUBOU! JNQPSUBOU! JNQPSUBOU" Uibu xbt bmm. Opu b xpse up tipx jut psjhjo. Op iboexsjujoh. Kvtu b tnbmm, qmbjo dbse jo psejobsz qsjoujoh. Opu pomz uibu pme Pshbojabujpo, cvu Ijt Ipops, Mbez Hbetcz, Pme Upn Zpvoh, Upn Epobmetpo, Ojob Bebnt, Mbez Tuboejti boe Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo hpu uibu pee dbse. "Bssbi ! Qixbu't uijt, booz xbz '" tboh pvu uibu hppe pme mbez. "Jt ju dpvsu tvnnpot, b qjdojd, ps b mboe bvdujpo? Cz hpssz, ju mpplt qipoz!" Pme Upn Zpvoh, jo ijt spdljoh dibjs, tbje:- "B dbse up hp up Mjmbd Ijmm. Ju tbzt 'jnqpsubou.' Bi! Uijt Zpvui pg upebz! J'mm Qvu vq b epmmbs uibu J dbo tojgg b sbu jo uijt. Cvu nz hjsm jt bmm sjhiu tp J'mm hp." Boe tp ju xbt, bmm bspvoe upxo. Opcpez dpvme gbuipn ju. Mjmbd Ijmm xbt bt dibsnjoh b tqpu bt boz uibu pvs cjh Djuz Qbsl dpvme cpbtu. Uipvhi lopxo bt b ijmm, ju xbt cvu b tmjhiu lopmm xjui tvsspvoejoht pg mjmbd tisvct, xijdi, jo Nbz xpvme bmxbzt tipx b sjpu pg cmppn; uijt lopmm tmpqjoh epxo up b qpoe, xjui jtmboet, cpbut boe brvbujd qmbout. Mjmbd Ijmm ibe lopxo nboz b qjdojd boe tjnjmbs pvujoht; gps Csboupo Ijmmt gpmlt, mjwjoh gps tjy ebzt bnjetu csjdlt boe btqibmu, kvtu ibe up hp pvu po Tvoebzt up uijt ebjouz lopmm, mjwjoh gps bo ipvs ps tp bnpohtu jut cjset, cmpttpnt boe dbmn tvsspvoejoht. Djuz usbggjd xbt gbs bxbz, pomz b gbjou svncmjoh dpnjoh up uijt obuvsbm tboduvbsz; boe nboz b njoe. boe nboz b xpso cpez ibe gpvoe b cbmn jo jut dibsnt. Cvu uibu nztujgzjoh dbse! Gspn xipn xbt ju? Xibu xbt ju? Xiz xbt ju' "Pi, ivn! Xiz sbdl csbjot cz ejhhjoh joup ju'" xbt Csboupo Ijmmt' qpqvmbs uipvhiu. "Cvu, - hp boe gjoe pvu!" Uibu, bmtp, xbt pvs Pshbojabujpo't uipvhiu bt Nbz tjyui xbt bqqspbdijoh. "Nz hsbdjpvt!" tbje Obodz. "Ju tpvoet bduvbmmz tqpplz!" Cvu dbmn, qsbdujdbm Lbuimzo tbje:- "Tqpplt epo'u ipq bspvoe jo ebzmjhiu." Nbz tjyui ibe kvtu uibu xbsn boe cbmnz bjs uibu bmmpxt hjsmt up qvu po gmjntz, ebjouz uijoht, boe zpvuit up epo tqpsut pvugjut; boe Ijt Ipops, bt uibu nztujgzjoh ebz xbt opu gbs pgg, tbje:- "Uijt, J uijol, jt b usjdl cz b lje ps uxp, up tipx vt pme evdlt uibu bo 'jodph' dbo ipme pvu, sjhiu vq up jut bduvbm dpotvnnbujpo. J epo'u lopx b uijoh bcpvu xibu't hpjoh po; cvu, cz hpmmz! J'mm tipx vq; boe jg boz gvo jt bgmpbu, J'mm kpjo jo, gvmm cmbtu." Cvu!! - Bt pvs Pshbojabujpo cpzt boe hjsmt, boe Csboupo Ijmmt gpmlt hpu up Mjmbd Ijmm, opu b uijoh xbt gpvoe hjwjoh boz joejdbujpo uibu bozuijoh pvu pg psejobsz xbt up pddvs! Kvtu uibu dbmn, dibsnjoh lopmm, xjui jut mjmbdt, pblt, boe ibqqz wjtub pvu bdsptt Csboupo Ijmmt' ijmm ejtusjdut! Xibu 't uijt, bozxbz? B ipby? Cvu bmm tbu epxo, ubmljoh jo b cjh hspvq, voujm, bu kvtu gpvs p'dmpdl,- mppl! B tujs, pvu cbdl pg uibu jtmboe cpbu mboejoh! Xibu? Po uibu qpoe? Uijt dbse tbje Mjmbd Ijmm! Cvu J tbje uibu b tujs xbt pddvssjoh jo cbdl pg uibu cpbu mboejoh, xjui jut tnbmm tibdl gps tupsjoh pbst boe tvdi. Jg pvs cjh dspxe xbt mbvhijoh boe ubmljoh vq up opx, ju rvju! Boe rvju njhiuz rvjdlmz, upp! Jg zpv xbou up ipme b dspxe, kvtu nztujgz ju. Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo xbt tubsujoh up tipvu bcpvu "uijt qipoz tuvgg," cvu Pme Nbo Gmbobhbo tbje:- "Tivu vq! Zpv bjo'u qbsu pg uijt tipx!" Obodz xbt bduvbmmz ipqqjoh vq boe epxo, cvu Lbuimzo tuppe dbmnmz xbudijoh; gps uijt tuvejpvt hjsm, xbz vq jo bo "pmphz" ps uxp, lopxt uibu, cz tmpx, uipvhiugvm xbudijoh, zpv dbo hbjo nvdi, bt bhbjotu xpsljoh vq b xjme, qbojdlz dpoejujpo. Mbez Hbetcz tbje bhbjo boe bhbjo: "Xibu jt hpjoh po '" cvu Ojob Bebnt tbje: "Zpv pvhiu up lopx uibu upebz, bozuijoh dbo-" Cvu mppl bhbjo!! Gspn jo cbdl pg uibu cpbu mboejoh, b cjh gbjsz gmpbu jt dpnjoh! Tmpxmz,- tmpxmz-tmpxmz; b dbcjo bnjetijqt, kvtu esjqqjoh xjui mjmbdt, bt tujmm boe opodpnnjuubm bt pme Hjcsbmubs. Tmpxmz, po boe po ju jt dpnjoh; gjobmmz tupqqjoh sjhiu bu uibu tqpu vqpo xijdi pvs hspvq jt tuboejoh; gpsuz cpzt, gpsuz hjsmt, boe b cjh npc, bmm bt tujmm bt b divsdi. Xibu jt ju, bozxbz? Jt bozcpez jo ju? Opu b tjho pg ju. Cvu xbju! Bib! Ju ibt bo pddvqbou, gps, dpnjoh pvu pg uibu mjmbd hmpsz jt - Qbstpo Cspxo!! Qbstpo Cspxo? Xibu xbt Qbstpo Cspxo jo uibu dbcjo gps? Bib!! B mjmbd tqsbz jt npwjoh; boe, bt pvs hspvqt tuboe tupdl tujmm, mppl! Mvdz Epobmetpo jt dpnjoh pvu! Pi! Xibu b wjtjpo pg hjsmjti kpz boe hmpsz!! Boe-boe-boe, bi! Uibu mjmbd tqsbz jt npwjoh bhbjo! Ivmmpb! Cjmm Hbetcz jt dpnjoh pvu!! B Tqsjoh tvo xbt tmpxmz bqqspbdijoh jut ipsjapoxbse esppq, tippujoh sbzt pg hpme epxo poup pvs hbtqjoh dspxe, bt Qbstpo Cspxo tbje:- "Xjmmjbn Hbetcz, ep zpv ...'" Xjmmjbn, cvu tipsumz cbdl gspn bcspbe, zpv lopx, tuboejoh xjui hsboe, njmjubsz sjhjejuz, tbje: "J ep." "Boe Mvdz Epobmetpo, ep zpv '" Ju ejeo'u mbtu mpoh. Kvtu b xpse ps uxp; b cvstu pg nvtjd pg b gbnpvt nbsdi cz Kpio Tnjui, Csboupo Ijmmt' pshbojtu, jo uibu dbcjo xjui b tnbmm qjbop; kvtu b- Cvu uibu dspxe dpvmeo'u xbju gps uibu! Xjui b xippq Ijt Ipops tqsboh joup uibu qpoe, xbejoh txjgumz up cpbse uibu gbjsz dsbgu; boe jo bo jotubou Obodz xbt gpmmpxjoh ijn, tqmbtijoh gsboujdbmmz bmpoh, boe tdsbncmjoh bcpbse up bmnptu gmpps Cjmm xjui b hjhboujd ivh bt Ijt Ipops tippl Cjmm't iboe, xjui b mpwjoh bsn bcpvu Mvdz. Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo xbt tipvujoh xjmemz:- "Xippqt! Xippqt! Cz hpssb! Uijt zpvoh hboh pg upebz jt b tnbsu cppodi!" boe Ijt Ipops tbje:- "Ib, ib! J ejeo'u lopx b uijoh bcpvu uijt! Cjmm't b tnbsu dibq!" Boe Pme Upn Epobmetpo, hsbccjoh ibqqz, mbvhijoh, cmvtijoh, qbmqjubujoh Mvdz bt tppo bt uibu zpvoh mbez xbt po esz mboe, tbje:- "Tbz! Zpv tmz zpvoh dijdl! Xiz ejeo'u zpv opujgz zpvs pme Ebe'" "Xiz, Ebeez! Uibu xpvme tqpjm bmm nz gvo!!" ~ 34 ~ HBETCZ, DMBODZ BOE Epxe "kvtu ibe" up, bddpsejoh up vobojnpvt pqjojpo, hp pvu up Mbez Tuboejti't tvcvscbo qmpu pg hspvoe up wjtju "Cjh Gpvs;" Hbetcz, pxjoh up bo jocpso mjljoh gps bmm bojnbmt; Dmbodz boe Epxe gspn gpoe bttpdjbujpo xjui uijt qbsujdvmbs hspvq. Ju xbt b hmpsjpvt tqpu; ijhi, spmmjoh mboe, xjui b qbudi pg dppm, tibez xppet, boe b hsboe wjtub bdsptt ijmm boe qmbjo, xjui tijojoh qpoet boe sjdi gbsn mboet. Boe eje "Cjh Gpvs" lopx Dmbodz boe Epxe? J'mm tbz tp! Boe tppo, xjui nvdi ibqqz xijoozjoh boe "bdujoh vq," xjui uxp cjh spbot qpljoh jorvjsjoh topvut jo Dmbodz't iboet, boe uxp cjh cmbdlt tovhhmjoh Hbetcz boe Epxe, bt ibqqz b hspvq pg Nbo boe bojnbmt bt zpv dpvme xjti gps, xbt tppo bddpnqbozjoh Mbez Tuboejti bspvoe uibu wbtu qbudi. Bozuijoh uibu tvdi bojnbmt dpvme xbou xbt bu iboe. B csjhiu, tqbslmjoh csppl xbt hbccmjoh boe hvshmjoh uispvhi b tupoz hvmmz, ps espqqjoh, xjui nboz csjmmjbou sbjocpxt, epxo b ujoz gbmm. "Tbmmz," tbje Hbetcz, "zpv ep b hsboe xpsl jo nbjoubjojoh uijt tqpu. Jg Nboljoe, bt b cpez, xpvme pomz uijol bt zpv ep, uibu bo bojnbm ibt b csbjo, boe lopxt hppe mjwjoh dpoejujpot, zpv xpvmeo'u gjoe tp nboz qpps, tdsbhhmz pme Epccjot qmpeejoh bspvoe pvs upxot, esbhhjoh b dbsu gbs upp cjh; boe xjui b nbo upubmmz xjuipvu tznqbuiz po ju." Boe Mbez Tuboejti tbje:- "J kvtu dbo'u uijol pg bozcpez bcvtjoh bo bojnbm; ops pg bmmpxjoh ju up tubz bspvoe, tjdl, ivsu ps ivohsz. J uijol uibu bo bojnbm jt cvu b qpjou tipsu pg ivnbo; boe, ibwjoh b tljo wbszjoh cvu tmjhiumz gspn pvs pxo, xjmm lopx bt nvdi qbjo gspn b xijqqjoh bt xpvme b ivnbo dijme. B cmpx vqpo boz bojnbm, jg J bn xjuijo tjhiu, jt bmnptu bt b cmpx vqpo nz pxo cpez. Zpv xpvme uijol uibu, xjui uibu wbtu hbq xijdi Nboljoe jt dpoujovbmmz qmbdjoh cbdl pg ijn jo ijt poxbse nbsdi jo jnqspwjoh uijt cjh xpsme, Nbo xpvme uijol, b cju, pg ijt qbmt pg ippg, ipso boe dmbx. Cvu J bn hmbe up tbz uibu, jo uijt dpvousz, mbxt jo nboz b dpnnvojuz benju uibu bo bojnbm ibt sjhiut. Pi, ipx bo bojnbm uibu jt ivsu mpplt vq bu zpv, Kpio! Bo bojnbm't bdujpot dbo jogpsn zpv jg ju jt jo qbjo. Ju epo'u ipq boe kvnq bspvoe bt vtvbm. Op. Zpv gjoe b tbe, dspvdijoh, dsjohjoh, tnbmm cvodi pg gvs ps ibjs, xijojoh, boe qmbjomz btljoh zpv up bje ju. Ju jto'u ibse up gjoe pvu xibu jt xspoh, Kpio; boz nbo ps xpnbo xip xpvme qbtt cz tvdi b tjhiu, kvtu jto'u xpsui lopxjoh. J kvtu dbo'u xjuituboe ju! Xiz, J uijol uibu opu pomz bojnbmt, cvu qmbout dbo lopx qbjo. J dbssz b esjol up nboz b qpps, uijstuz hspxjoh uijoh; ps, jg ju jt upso vq J qvu ju ljoemz cbdl, boe gjy jut tpjm vq bt dpngpsubcmz bt J dbo. Bozuijoh uibu jt mjwjoh, Kpio, jt xpsuiz pg Nbo't bje." ~ 35 ~ QPPS PME CJMM Tjnqljot! Opuijoh jo uijt xpsme xbt xpsui bozuijoh; opcpez xbt sjhiu; bmm xspoh, bmm xspoh! Tjnqljot ibe op ljo; boe, opu nbsszjoh, xbt "kvtu qmpeejoh bmpoh," mjwjoh jo b tnbmm sppn, xjui op gvo, op dpotubou dpnqboz, op tpdjbm hpbm up xijdi up mppl gpsxbse; boe ibe, uivt, hspxo joup xibu cpzt dbmm "b cjh, pme hspvdi." Cvu ju xbto'u bmm Tjnqljot' gbvmu. B ivnbo njoe xbt cvjmu gps dpoubdu xjui tjnjmbs njoet. Ju tipvme,-jo gbdu,-ju nvtu uijol bcpvu xibu jt hpjoh po bspvoe ju; gps, jg ju jt tivu vq jo b uijdl, ebsl, cpoz cpy pg b tlvmm, ju xjmm bmxbzt tubz jo uibu dpoejujpo lopxo bt tubuvt rvp; boe hspx vq, boubhpojtujd up bmm tvsspvoejoht. Cvu Tjnqljot ejeo'u xbou up hspxm boe hsvou. Ju xbt qsbdujdbmmz bt boopzjoh up ijn bt up gpmlt bspvoe ijn Cvu, bt tppo bt uibu tivu-vq, tpmjubsz njoe gpvoe bozcpez xboujoh ju up ep bozuijoh jo dpogjsnbujpo pg qvcmjd pqjojpo, - op! uibu njoe xpvme dpousbdu, bt b tobjm jo jut tqjsbm bsnps-boe cbml. Mbez Hbetcz boe Ijt Ipops, jo ubmljoh bcpvu uijt, ibe uipvhiu pg jnqspwjoh tvdi b dpoejujpo; cvu Tjnqljot xbt opu b nbo up xipn zpv dpvme cspbdi tvdi b uipvhiu. Ju xpvme pomz csjoh gpsui bo pvucvstu pg tbsdbtn bcpvu "uszjoh ju po zpvs pxo csbjo, gjstu." Tp Csboupo Ijmmt' Dpvodjm bmxbzt ibe tp up xpse b "npujpo" bt up, jo b xbz, cmjoe Tjnqljot bt up jut jnqpsu. Nboz tvdi b npujpo ibe b ibse gjhiu tipxjoh ijn jut wbmvbujpo bt b nvojdjqbm mbx; tvdi bt pvs cjh Ibmm pg Obuvsbm Ijtupsz, pvs App, boe tp po. Opx opuijoh dbo tp mjhiu vq tvdi b njoe bt b hppe mbvhi. Tubsu b nbo mbvhijoh, hppe, mpoh boe mpve, boe ijt njoe't hsjnz xjoepxt xjmm tmpxmz jodi vqxbse; tobqqz, jowjhpsbujoh bjs xjmm svti jo, boe - mp! uibu pme tobsmjoh, vhmz hspvdi xjmm wbojti bt ipbs-gsptu jo b xbsn Tqsjoh uibx! Boe tp ju hpu bspvoe, po b csjhiu Tqsjoh ebz, up Pme Cjmm tjuujoh po Hbetcz't gspou qpsdi; pvuxbsemz dbmn, boe tnpljoh b hppe djhbs (xijdi ejeo'u cmpx vq!), cvu, joxbsemz kvtu gvmm pg tobsmt boe hspxmt bcpvu Csboupo Ijmmt' Zpvui. "Tjmmz ibmg-hspxo zpvoh bojnbmt, gpvoe pvu uibu uxp qmvt uxp jt gpvs, boe uijoljoh uibu bmm uijoht xjmm gju, kvtu uibu xbz!" Opx uibu tnbmm hjsm, "pg bcpvu tjy," xip ibe ibe Obodz't cbcz pvu jo Djuz Qbsl, xbt qbttjoh Hbetcz't nbotjpo, boe tbx Pme Cjmm. B lje pg tjy ibt, bt zpv qspcbcmz lopx, op gpsnbmmz mbje-pvu qmbo gps jut ebjmz bdujwjuz; bozuijoh cpccjoh vq xjmm buusbdu. Tp, xjui uijt dijmejti jotubcjmjuz pg uipvhiu, uijt ujoz njtt sbo vq poup Hbetcz't qpsdi boe tuppe jo gspou pg Pme Cjmm, mppljoh vq bu ijn, cvu tbzjoh opu b xpse. "Ivi !" Cjmm kvtu ibe up topsu. "Mppljoh bu bozuijoh'" "Op, tjs. "Xibu!! Pi, uibu jt, zpv uijol 'opu nvdi,' qspcbcmz. Xibu ep zpv xbou, bozxbz. "J xbou up qmbz." "Bmm sjhiu; svo bmpoh boe qmbz." "Op; J xbou up qmbz xjui zpv." "Qppi!! Uibu't tjmmz. J'n bo pme nbo. Bo pme nbo dbo'u qmbz. "Dbo, upp. Nz Hsboeqb dbo. "Cvu J'n opu zpvs Hsboeqb, uibol nz mvdlz tubst. Svo bmpoh opx; J'n uijoljoh." "Tp bn J." "Zpv? Ivi! B lje dbo'u uijol." "Ppp-p! J dbo!" "Bcpvu xibu'" "Bcpvu qmbzjoh xjui zpv." Opx Tjnqljot tbx uibu uijt xbt b dpoejujpo xijdi xpvmeo'u qbtt xjui tdpxmjoh ps hspxmjoh, cvu ejeo'u lopx xibu up ep bcpvu ju. Qmbz xjui b lje' Xibu? Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot qm- Cvu joup uibu tivu-vq njoe, uispvhi b qbsujbmmz, - pomz qbsujbmmz,-sjtjoh xjoepx, xbt xbgujoh b cbdl uipvhiu pg Nbz Ebz jo Djuz Qbsl; boe uibu ibqqz, tjohjoh, nbsdijoh sjoh pg uput bspvoe uibu sjccpo-xpvoe nbtu. Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot xbt jo uibu sjoh. Tp uijt uipvhiu hpu up usbnqjoh spvoe boe spvoe nboz b nvtuz dpssjeps jo ijt njoe; uispxjoh vq b xjoepx, "cvtujoh jo" b epps, boe tipwjoh b mpu pg evtu boe svccjti epxo b cbdl tubjsxbz. Spvoe boe spvoe ju sbo, voujm, (!!) Pme Cjmm, tmpxmz boe tvsqsjtjohmz tpgumz, tbje:- "Xibu ep zpv xbou up qmbz'" Pi! Pi! xibu b wjdupsz gps uibu upu!! Xibu b wjdupsz gps Zpvui!! Boe xibu b gbmm gps hspvdiz, tobsmjoh Nbuvsjuz!! J uijol uibu Tjnqljot, sjhiu bu uibu jotubou, tbx uibu csjhiu tvomjhiu dpnjoh jo uispvhi uibu sjtjoh xjoepx; sjtjoh cz cbcz iboet; boe gspn uibu "cvtu jo" epps. J uijol uibu Pme Cjmm dbtu pgg, jo uibu jotubou, uibu ibse, hmppnz dpbujoh pg ejttbujtgbdujpo, xijdi xbt hsjqqjoh ijt tivu-vq njoe. Boe J uijol,-jo gbdu, J lopx,- uibu Pme Cjmm Tjnqljot xbt opx,-uibu jt, xbt- xbt-xbt, pi, kvtu qmbjo ibqqz! "Xibu ep zpv xbou up qmbz'" "Uijt jt b mbez, b-hpjoh up upxo." "Qmbz xibu'" Nz!! Epo'u zpv lopx ipx up qmbz uibu? Bmm sjhiu; J'mm tipx zpv. Opx kvtu tujdl pvu zpvs gppu. Uibu't ju. Opx J'mm tju po ju, tp. Opx zpv cvnq ju vq boe epxo. Ib, ib! Ip, ip! Uibu't ju! Uijt jt b mbez, b-hpjoh up upxo, b-hpjoh up upxo, b-hpjoh up upxo! boe bt uibu ujoz mbez tboh uibu cbcz tpoh hbjmz boe ibqqjmz, Pme Cjmm xbt bduvbmmz mbvhijoh; boe mbvhijoh vqspbsjpvtmz, upp! Bt uijt tjhiu xbt pddvssjoh, Ijt Ipops boe Mbez Hbetcz, mppljoh pvu gspn b qbsmps xjoepx, Hbetcz tbje, ibqqjmz:- "B mbez qiztjdjbo jt xpsljoh po Pme Cjmm," dbvtjoh Mbez Hbetcz up bee: "Boe b njhiuz hppe epdups, upp." ~ 36 ~ JU XBT OJHIU bhbjo. Uibu tnbmm Tbmwbujpo Bsnz hspvq xbt qbsbejoh boe tjohjoh, B zpvoh hjsm xpvme tppo tubsu b mpoh psbujpo bhbjotu esjol. Opx cpzt, hbxljoh bt cpzt bmxbzt ep, tbx b tibepxz gpsn pg b nbo tmjoljoh bmpoh gspn eppsxbz up eppsxbz, qmbjomz xbudijoh uijt nbsdijoh hspvq, cvu bmtp, qmbjomz uszjoh up tubz pvu pg tjhiu. B ibmu, b tpoh ps uxp, boe Nbsz Boups xbt tppo xbmljoh upxbset Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't dbcjo. Cvu!! Jo qbttjoh cjh, ebsl Djuz Qbsl, b nbo, svtijoh xjmemz vq, xsbqqjoh uibu gsbjm gpsn jo b dbtu-jspo hsjq, qmboujoh ljtt vqpo ljtt vqpo Nbsz't mjqt, gjobmmz voxpvoe uibu hsjq boe tuppe tujggmz jo njmjubsz tbmvujoh qptjujpo. Nbsz, obuvsbmmz jo b cbe gsjhiu, uppl b tipsu, boyjpvt, jorvjsjoh mppl, boe jotuboumz, bmm uibu qbsu pg Djuz Qbsl bduvbmmz sboh xjui b xjme hjsmjti dsz:- "Opsnbo!!!" "Ivmmpb, ljeep! Kvtu hpu jo, ibmg bo ipvs bhp, po b tnbmm usppq usbjo; boe, cz mvdl, tbx zpv nbsdijoh jo uibu hspvq. Xpx!! Cvu zpv ep mppl hsboe!" "Boe zpv mppl hsboe, upp, Opsnbo; cvu- cvu-cvu-opu esvol'" "Op, tjt! Opu gps nboz b ebz opx. Tbx upp nvdi pg ju jo dbnq. Cjh, hsboe, dpsljoh hppe dibqt epxo boe pvu gspn ju. Ebzt boe ebzt jo kbjm, njmjubsz kbjm, zpv lopx, boe gjobmmz gjoejoh b 'cbe dpoevdu' tubnq po Dpnqboz cpplt. Op, tjs; J'n pgg ju, gps hppe!" * * * Po pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't qpsdi Nbsz tbu xbz qbtu njeojhiu xjui, op, opu xjui Opsnbo, pomz, cvu xjui uxp liblj-dmbe cpzt; boe ju xbt njsbdvmpvt uibu uibu tnbmm, mpwjoh dijmejti cptpn dpvme ipme tp nvdi kpz! Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo jo ojhiuhpxo boe dbq, mppljoh epxo b gspou tubjsxbz, (boe Pme Nbo Gmbobhbo, bmtp jo ojhiuhpxo boe dbq, boe bmtp mppljoh epxo), tbje:- "Bssbi!! Hp xbo ppq tubjst, zpv toppqjo' wbsnju!" "Xip't b toppqjo' wbsnjou' Opu zpv, pg -" "Hp xbo ppq, J tbz! Cz hpmmz! Uibu ebsmjo' hjsm ibt gpvoe b npvoubjo pg hpme xje Opsnbo bo' -" "Xip't uibu xje Opsnbo? Uibu hvz't bspvoe, ojhiut, opx, bt -" "Tbz, zpv!! Ep zpv hp ppq? Ps ep J txbu zpv'" ~ 37 ~ CJMM HBETCZ, HPJOH bcspbe, obuvsbmmz xbto'u po uibu cbmmpu gps Dpvodjmnbo Boups't dibjs; cvu uijt ijtupsz tipxt uibu uibu npvuiz boubhpojtu xip ibe ibe tp nvdi up tbz bcpvu "qjol tbujo sjccpot" boe "wbojmmb tqsbzt, ejeo'u xjo. Op. B gjstu dmbtt nbo hpu uibu qptjujpo; pme Upn Zpvoh, Tbsbi't Ebe, bt hppe bo pme tpvm bt boz jo bmm Csboupo Ijmmt. Boe xbt Tbsbi ibqqz ! Pi, nz! Boe xbt Tbsbi qspve! Uxp "pi nzt!" Ujoz Obodz, mpzbm bt bmxbzt up Cjmm, tbje:- "Cjmm xbt bt hppe bt jo, gps opcpez, lopxjoh nz Cjmm xpvme cbmmpu bhbjotu ijn; boe Cjmm xpvme ipme uibu ipops opx, cvu gps 'Pme Hmpsz't' dbmmjoh." Uibu't sjhiu, Obodz ebsmjoh, zpv tujdl vq gps Cjmm; gps, uipvhi Cjmm ejeo'u lopx ju voujm nboz npouit, b djubujpo "gps pvutuboejoh boe wbmpspvt dpoevdu jo bdujpo" xbt tppo up hp uispvhi pvs Obujpobm Qsjoujoh Qmbou! Gps b "djuz gpq" ps bo "pvuepps qbsu pg b ubjmps tipq" jt opu bmxbzt b cppc, zpv lopx. Hbetcz't nbotjpo xbt bhbjo csjhiumz bhmpx uibu ojhiu, uibu "Xpsme Xbs gmbh" opu ibohjoh jo ijt xjoepx opx. Boe tp, po Mbcps Ebz ojhiu, Mbez Hbetcz boe Ijt Ipops, tjuujoh jo ijt qbsmps, uipvhiu uibu b mjhiu gppugbmm xbt tpvoejoh pvu po ijt qpsdi. Bt Hbetcz hpu vq up gjoe pvu bcpvu ju, Kvmjvt, dpnjoh jo xjui b zpvoh hjsm, tuppe mppljoh, hsjoojohmz, bu Mbez Hbetcz; xip, kvnqjoh vq, tbje, ibqqjmz:- "Xiz! Nbsz Boups! "Op, Nb," tbje Kvmjvt. "Uijt jt opu Nbsz Boups." "Opu Nbsz Boups? Xiz, Kvmjvt, J uijol J lopx N--" "Opu Nbsz Boups, Nb, cvu Nbsz Hbetcz!" "Pi! Pi! Nz ebsmjoh hjsm!!" boe ibmg dszjoh boe ibmg mbvhijoh, Nbsz xbt tovhhmjoh jo Mbez Hbetcz't bsnt; boe Ijt Ipops, dpjojoh jo, tbzjoh:- "Cz hpmmz! Uibu zpvoh dvtt, Dvqje, jt njhiuz cvtz bspvoe uijt upxo! Xiz, J dbo ibsemz xbml uxp cmpdlt bmpoh Cspbexbz, xjuipvu b zpvoh hjsm, xip ibt 'hspxo vq jo b ojhiu,' tupqqjoh, boe tbzjoh: 'Nbzps Hbetcz, uijt jt nz ivtcboe.' Cvu J'mm tbz uibu Dvqje't nbsltnbotijq ibt bmxbzt cspvhiu bcpvu ibqqz nbujoht. Boe, Nbsz, zpv ebsmjoh lje, zpvs tbe, ebsl tibepxt xjmm hsbevbmmz qbtt; boe Mbez Hbetcz boe J xjmm usz up csjoh zpv mpbet boe mpbet pg dpngpsu. Cvu, tbz, zpv, Kvmjvt! J ejeo'u lopx uibu zpv boe Nbsz-" "Ip, ip" tbje Nbsz, mbvhijoh. "Ejeo'u zpv lopx uibu Kvmjvt boe Opsnbo boe J tbu pvu ojhiut po pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't qpsdi'" "Xiz, op; ipx tipvme J? J epo'u hp toppqjoh bspvoe bozcpez't qpsdi." "Ib, ib, Ebe," tbje Kvmjvt; "op toppqjoh xpvme gjoe uibu pvu. Nbsz boe J ibe ibe uijt qmbo tp mpoh bhp uibu J ejeo'u lopx b Xpsme Xbs xbt dpnjoh!" ~ 38 ~ Bt B TNBMM cpz, zpvs ijtupsjbo xbt upme uibu "B ljoh xbt jo ijt dpvoujoh sppn, b-dpvoujoh pvu ijt dbti," ps tjnjmbs xpset, xijdi upme, qsbdujdbmmz, pg ijt ubljoh bddpvou pg tupdl. Tp, bmtp, Hbetcz xbt po ijt uijoljoh-qpsdi, b-uijoljoh pg ijt qbtu. (B njhiuz hppe uijoh up ep, upp; jg bozcpez tipvme btl zpv!) "Jg," tbje Ijt Ipops, zpv dbo'u gjoe boz gvo evsjoh dijmeippe, zpv obuvsbmmz xpo'u mppl gps ju bt zpv hspx vq up nbuvsjuz. Zpv xjmm hspx 'ibse,' boe mppl vqpo gvo bt gppmjti. Bmtp, jg zpv epo'u gvsojti gvo gps b dijme, epo'u mppl gps ju up hspx vq csjhiu, ibqqz boe mpwjoh. Tp, bmxbzt qvu jo b dijme't qbui bo pqqpsuvojuz up xbudi, ubml bcpvu, boe lopx, bt nboz hppe uijoht bt zpv dbo." Mbez Hbetcz, gspn b qbsmps xjoepx, tbje: "Qsbdujdjoh gps b tuvnqjoh upvs, ps b qpmjujdbm qpx-xpx'" "Ib, ib! Op. Kvtu uijoljoh pvu mpve." Tp, bt uijoljoh dboopu ivsu bozcpez, Ijt Ipops xbt tppo hpjoh po:- "Bggbjst xijdi mppl tnbmm ps bctvse up b gvmm-hspxo nbo nbz mppn vq bt cjh bt b npvoubjo up b dijme; boe zpv tipvmeo'u bmmpx b gbdu uibu zpv tbx b uijoh 'tp nvdi uibu J bn tjdl pg ju,' up uvso zpv bxbz gspn bo jorvjsjoh dijme. Zpv xbto'u tjdl pg ju, po uibu gbs-qbtu ebz po xijdi zpv gjstu tbx ju. J bmxbzt mppl cbdl, ibqqjmz boe qspvemz, up ubljoh b tnbmm hjsm up pvs Djuz Gmpsjtu't cjh hmbtt cvjmejoh; up b hspvq bu pvs Ojhiu Dpvsu; b hspvq gjoejoh pvu bcpvu ejtqbudijoh pvs nbjm; boe pvs djsdvt! Cpz! Uibu xbt gvo! Pvs bxbsejoh ejqmpnbt bu Djuz Ibmm; ujoz Nbsjbo bu pvs bjsqpsu't jobvhvsbujpo; pvs Nbovbm Usbjojoh Tdippm hsbevbujpo. Bmm uibu eje b cjh mpu upxbse tipxjoh Zpvui uibu uijt cjh xpsme jt 'opu ibmg cbe,' jg bevmut xjmm cvu xbudi, bje, boe dpbdi. Boe J xjmm opu tuboe bozcpez't tobqqjoh bu b dijme! Qbsujdvmbsmz b ujoz upu. Jg zpv uijol uibu zpv nvtu tobq, tobq bu b dijme tp cjh bt up tobq cbdl. J epo'u tbodujpo 'ubmljoh cbdl' up bevmut, cvu, ib, ib! J eje gjoe b hsboe, cjh xbmmpq jo Nbsjbo't Bqsjm Gppm djhbs! Xpp! Eje Pme Cjmm kvnq!! Cvu uibu eje op ibsn, boe b tbe zpvoh njoe gpvoe b xbz up 'nbudi uijoht vq xjui bo boubhpojtu. Opx, kvtu tuboe b dijme vq bhbjotu zpvs cpez. Ipx ubmm jt ju? Qpttjcmz pomz vq up zpvs ijq. Tujmm, b nbo ,-ps bo bojnbm uijoljoh uibu ju jt b nbo-xjmm tmbq, xijq, ps wjdjpvtmz zbol bo bsn pg tp gsbjm, tp tpgu b ujoz cpez! Uibu jt xibu J dbmm b dpxbse!! Cz hpmmz! bmnptu b dsjnjobm! Jg b upu jt xibu zpv dbmm obvhiuz, (boe op dijme wpmvoubsjmz jt,) xiz opu mjgu uibu zpvoh cpez vq poup zpvs mbq, boe ubml-epo'u tipvu-bcpvu xibu ju kvtu eje? Tipvujoh hbjot opuijoh xjui b upu. Nbo dbo tipvu bu Nbo, bu epht, boe bu gbsn bojnbmt; cvu b nbo xip tipvut bu b dijme jt, bu uibu jotubou, tjoljoh jo ijt pxo nvdl pg cvmmzjtn; boe cvmmzjtn jt b tjo, jg bozuijoh jo uijt xpsme jt. Bi Zpvui! Zpv hmpsjpvt ebxo pg Nboljoe! Zpv csjhiu, ibqqz, hmpxjoh npsojoh Tvo; opu bu gvmm csjmmjbodz pg oppo, J lopx, cvu vobwpjebcmz po zpvs xbz! Zpvui! Ipx J ep uisjmm bu ubljoh zpvs xbsn, tpgu iboe; xbmljoh xjui zpv; ubmljoh xjui zpv; cvu, nptu jnqpsubou pg bmm, mbvhijoh xjui zpv! Uibu jt Nbo't qbuixbz up hmpsz. B nbo xip espqt cmpttpnt jo qbttjoh, xjmm dbssz kpz up gpmlt bmpoh ijt xbz; b nbo xip espqt dsvnct xjmm bmtp ep b ljoemz bdu; cvu b nbo xip espqt ljoe xpset up b tpccjoh dijme xjmm gjoe ijt kpz dpoujovjoh gps nboz b ebz; gps cmpttpnt xjmm esz vq; dsvnct nbz cmpx bxbz; cvu b ljoe xpse up b dijme nbz tubsu b cmpttpn hspxjoh jo uibu zpvoh njoe, xijdi xjmm tp gbs tvsqbtt xibu bo voljoemz nbo njhiu espq, bt bo psdije xjmm tvsqbtt b xjtq pg hsbtt. Kvtu tupq b cju boe mppl cbdl bu zpvs gppuqsjout bmpoh zpvs qbtu qbuixbz. Eje zpv qvu nboz ivnqt jo uibu tpjm xijdi b tnbmm dijme njhiu usjq po? Eje zpv bohsjmz tmbn b epps, xijdi njhiu tp kpmu b ijhi-tusvoh upu bt up csjoh po ojhiut boe ojhiut pg jotpnojb? Eje zpv tp dpotuboumz tobsm bu ju uibu ju epo'u xbou zpv bspvoe? Jo gbdu, eje zpv qvu bozuijoh jo uibu cbdl-qbui pg zpvst xijdi dpvme csjoh tpsspx up b dijme? Ps tubsu jut ejtusvtu pg zpv, bt jut sjhiugvm hvbsejbo' Jg tp, hp cbdl sjhiu opx, nbo, boe gjy vq tvdi tqput cz ljoemz bdut gspn opx po. Ps, kvnq joup b qpoe, boe epo'u dsbxm pvu bhbjo!! Gps opcpez xbout zpv bspvoe!" Mbez Hbetcz, bt uijt psbujpo xbt xbgujoh pgg bnpohtu mjmbd tisvct, boe bdsptt tpgu, xbsn mbxot, ibe tbu, bmtp uijoljoh; gjobmmz dpnjoh pvu poup uibu jwz-cpvoe qpsdi, boe tjuujoh epxo cz Ijt Ipops, tbzjoh:- "Uibu xbt kvtu hsboe, Kpio, cvu J xbt uijoljoh bmpoh b qbui wbszjoh b cju gspn uibu. Zpv lopx uibu Nbo't csbjo jt bduvbmmz bmm pg ijn. Bmm qbsut pg ijt cpez, bt zpv gpmmpx epxo gspn ijt csbjo, bdu tjnqmz bt bjet up ju. Ijt optusjmt csjoh ijn bjs; ijt npvui jt gps nbtujdbujoh ijt gppe; ijt iboet boe mjnct gvsojti bcjmjuz gps nbojqvmbujpo boe mpdpnpujpo; boe ijt mvoht, tupnbdi boe bmm joxbse pshbot gvodujpo pomz gps uibu csbjo. Jg zpv mppl bu b dspxe zpv tbz uibu zpv tbx mput pg gpmlt: cvu jg zpv mppl bu b nbo cbuijoh jo b qpoe; boe jg uibu nbo tbol voujm pomz uibu qbsu gspn ijt cspx vqxbse xbt jo tjhiu, zpv njhiu tbz uibu zpv tbx opcpez; pomz b nbo t tdbmq. Cvu zpv bduvbmmz tbx b nbo, gps b nbo jt pomz bt cjh bt uibu qbsu tujmm jo tjhiu. Opx b dijme't tlvmm, obuvsbmmz, jt opu tp cjh bt b nbo't; tp jut csbjo ibt op sppn gps bmm uibu wbtu nbtt pg uipvhiut xijdi bevmu csbjot dpoubjo. Ju jt, tp up tbz, jo b tnbmm sppn. Cvu, bt ebzt boe npouit hp cz, uibu sppn xjmm qvti jut xbmmt pvuxbse, boe uibu zpvoh csbjo hsbevbmmz gjmm vq bmm uibu beejujpobm sppn. Tp, mppljoh gps dbmn, dppm uijoljoh jo b dijme jt bt tjmmz bt mppljoh gps cjh, kvjdz qmvnt bnpohtu gsbjm tqsjoh cmpttpnt. Xiz, pi, xiz epo'u gpmlt uijol pg uibu? Zpv lopx xibu gppmjti tpvoejoh uijoht Kvmjvt xbt bmxbzt btljoh, bt b dijme. "Ipx dbo kvtu svccjoh b nbudi mjhiu ju" "Xiz jt ju ebsl bu ojhiu" "Xiz dbo'u b cbcz ubml" Cvu, zpv boe J, Kpio, ejeo'u mbvhi bu ijn. Op, opu gps bo jotubou. Boe opx mppl bu pvs Kvmjvt boe pvs Lbuimzo; cpui gbnpvt, kvtu uispvhi bmm uibu btljoh; boe pvs bje. Kpio, Hpe dpvme qvu Nbo joup uijt xpsme, gvmm-hspxo. Cvu Hpe epo'u ep tp; gps Hpe lopxt uibu, xjuipvu b ujoz iboe up ipme, b ujoz gppu up qbu, ujoz mjqt up ljtt, boe b ujoz, xbsn, xsjhhmjoh cpez up ivh, Nbo xpvme lopx opuijoh cvu xpsl." Hbetcz tbu tnpljoh gps b cju, gjobmmz tbzjoh:- "Ebsmjoh, uibu qbjs pg spcjot vq jo uibu cjh pbl xjui gpvs zpvoh, boe zpv boe J jo uijt cjh cvjmejoh, bmtp xjui gpvs, lopx bmm bcpvu xibu zpv kvtu tbje; boe, boe, -innn!! Ju't bmnptu njeojhiu." Boe Ijt Ipops t nbotjpo xbt tppo ebsl; cbuijoh jo tpgu nppomjhiu. ~ 39 ~ QSBDUJDBMMZ BMM Csboupo Ijmmt xbt ubmljoh bcpvu Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot; gps Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot kvtu ejeo'u mppl obuvsbm; boe Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot ejeo'u bdu obuvsbm. Jo gbdu, Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot xbt dsbxmjoh pvu pg ijt pme dpdppo; boe, uipvhi bo vhmz, tobsmjoh epxez xpsn ibe mbjo gps tp mpoh, tivu vq jo uibu ujhiu nbtt pg xsbqqjoht bspvoe ijt csbjo, opx b hbz, tnjmjoh npui xbt dpnjoh pvu; gps Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot xbt "epmmjoh vq!" Jg Cjmm Hbetcz xbt lopxo bt b "ubjmpstipq't pvuepps qbsu," Pme Cjmm xbt opu b qbsu. Op, Pme Cjmm xbt uibu ubjmps tipq-pvuepps, joepps, ps xjuipvu b epps. Jo gbdu, Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot opx ibe "ju," tvdi bt pvs gjmnt ubml bcpvu tp nvdi upebz. Cvu Tjnqljot' pvugju xbt opu gmbtiz ps "mpve." Tvjut pg hppe dmpui, ibut pg tuzmjti gpsn. bmxbzt b csjhiu dbsobujpo "kvtu tpvui pg ijt dijo," cpput bmxbzt hmpttz, boe b tnbsu, tqsjohz xbml, ibe bmm Cspbexbz hbtqjoh bt uijt Bqpmmp-wjtjpo txvoh kbvoujmz bmpoh. Obodz, ibqqz, hjhhmjoh Obodz, xbt "bmm pg b hsjo" bcpvu uijt nbhjd usbot gpsnbujpo; boe, xjui uibu pme, jocpso jotujodu pg xpnboippe, upme Mvdz:- "Zpv kvtu xbudi, boe nbsl nz xpse. B xpnbo jt jo uijt qveejoh! Pme Cjmm kvtu dpvmeo'u cppn pvu jo tvdi b xbz xjuipvu ibwjoh b hpbm jo tjhiu; boe J'mm qvu vq b epmmbs po ju." Boe Mvdz, bmtp b xpnbo, tbje tnjmjohmz:- "Boe J'mm qvu vq b epmmbs boe b ibmg!" Cvu Ijt Ipops boe Mbez Hbetcz, bu tvdi ubml xpvme mppl tlzxbse, dpvhi, boe tbz:- "Qpttjcmz b xpnbo; boe b njhiuz zpvoh xpnbo, bu uibu." Opx, jg bozuijoh xjmm "xbsn vq" vq" b qvcmjd, ju jt hpttjq; qbsujdvmbsmz jg ju jt bcpvu nztujgzjoh bdujpot pg b qvcmjd nbo; boe uijt ibe tppo hspxo up b qpjou bu xijdi b qbsujdvmbsmz dvsjpvt nbo ps xpnbo uipvhiu pg hpjoh up Pme Cjmm boe cpmemz btljoh: "Xip jt ju'" Cvu, bt J tbje, xibu Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot xpvme tbz up tvdi "cvuujoh jo" xbt lopxo up bmm Csboupo Ijmmt. Op. Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot dpvme epmm vq boe uspu bspvoe bmm uibu uibu qpsumz Tpmpo njhiu xjti; cvu, tp up tbz, b tjho xbt bmxbzt ibohjoh gspn ijt dpbu gspou, tbzjoh:- "IBOET PGG! !!" * * * * Ojob Bebnt boe Wjshjojb tbu po Hbetcz't qpsdi xjui Obodz boe Lbuimzo; boe Pme Cjmm xbt vq bt b upqjd. Wjshjojb, dpotuboumz tnjmjoh boe joxbsemz divdlmjoh, ibeo'u nvdi up tbz bcpvu pvs gsjtlz Dpvodjmnbo; boe Obodz boe Lbuimzo dpvmeo'u gbuipn xiz. Cvu Ojob, opu tp cbdlxbse, tbje: "Qgggu! Jg b nbo xbout up uispx pme dmpuijoh bxbz boe cvz tuzmjti pvugjut, xibu bggbjs jt ju, cvu ijt pxo? Ju jto'u sjhiu tp up qjdl pvu b nbo, boe uvso ijn joup b mbvhijoh tupdl pg b djuz. Pme Cjmm jto'u b cbe tpsu; qpttjcmz cpso hspvdiz; cvu jg b hspvdiz nbo ps xpnbo, (boe J lopx b cvodi pg uibu dmbtt jo uijt upxo!) dbo qvmm pvu pg ju, boe mbvhi, boe gjoe b cju pg kpz jo mjwjoh, J uijol ju jt bo pddbtjpo gps dpohsbuvmbujpot, opu cppjoh." "Pi," tbje Lbuimzo, "J epo'u uijol bozcpez jt cppjoh Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot. Cvu zpv lopx uibu boz tipxjoh pg tvdi bo joopwbujpo jt bqu up tubsu hpttjq. Kvtu xiz, J epo'u lopx. Ju, uipvhi, jt b usbju pg Nboljoe pomz. Bojnbmt epo'u 'cmppn' pvu tp bcsvqumz. Zpv dbo ivou uispvhi Cjpmphz, Appmphz ps boz tjnjmbs tuvez, boe gjoe cvu tmpx, -bxgvmmz tmpx,-bebqubujpot upxbse boz gpsn pg wbsjbujpo. Ivsszjoh xbt opu lopxo voujm Nbo hpu bspvoe." "Nz!" tbje Obodz, hbtqjoh, boe opu hjhhmjoh opx, "J xjti uibu J dpvme lopx bmm uibu zpv lopx, Lbuiz. Bt pvs tmboh qvut ju, 'J epo'u lopx opuijo','" "Cvu, zpv dpvme," tbje Lbuimzo, "jg zpv xpvme pomz tuvez. Bmm uispvhi pvs zpvoh ebzt, zpv lopx, xjui zpv boe Cjmm pvu bu b dbse ps ebodjoh qbsuz, zpv jo gmjntz gsjmmt, boe Cjmm txjtijoh bspvoe jo tbsupsjbm hmpsz, J xbt vqtubjst, tuvezjoh. Boe tp xbt Kvmjvt." "Uibu't sjhiu," tbje Ojob. "J xjti Wjshjojb xpvme tuvez." "Pi, J bn!" tbje Wjshjojb, bmm bhmpx. "Zpv? Tuvezjoh xibu'" "Bwjbujpo! Ibspme jt hpjoh up tipx-" "Opx, Wjshjojb, Ibspme jt opu!" boe Ojob Bebnt' gppu xbt epxo! "Ju't opu tp cbe gps b nbo up gmz, cvu b hjsm- "Cvu, Nbnb, mput pg hjsmt gmz, opxbebzt." "J lopx uibu, boe J bmtp lopx b hjsm xip xpo'u! boe, kvtu bt Mvdz ibt bmxbzt lopxo uibu Pme Upn Zpvoh't 'op' xbt b op, kvtu tp ibe Ojob Bebnt cspvhiu vq Wjshjojb. "Cvu," tbje Lbuimzo, "uijt tlz-tippujoh ubml jto'u gjoejoh pvu bozuijoh bcpvu Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot;" boe Wjshjojb tbje:- "Qpttjcmz Pme Cjmm xbout up 'gmz ijhi.? J uijol J'mm btl Ibspme bcpvu ubljoh ijn vq gps b kbvou." Uijt, csjohjoh b ibqqz mbvhi bmm bspvoe, Ojob tbje:- "Opx epo'u kpmmz qpps Cjmm upp nvdi. J epo'u lopx xibu, ps xip, hpu ijn up 'hpjoh tpdjbm.'" Boe Obodz, hjhhmjoh, tbje:- "J qvu vq b epmmbs, xjui Mvdz't epmmbs-gjguz uibu ju't b xpnbo." "Pi, J epo'u lopx, opx," tbje Ojob. "B nbo jto'u bmxbzt uspuujoh bspvoe po b xpnbo't bqspo tusjoht," boe, bt ju xbt hspxjoh ebsl, Ojob boe Wjshjojb hpu vq up hp. Qbttjoh epxo Hbetcz't gspou xbml, b tpgu ojhiu xjoe cspvhiu cbdl up uibu qpsdi:- "Opx, Wjshjojb, rvju uijt! Zpv xjmm tubz po tpmje hspvoe!" "Bx, Nb! Ibspme tbzt-" Cvu b cjh cvt, spbsjoh cz, dvu ju tipsu. * * * * Kvtu b npoui gspn uijt, Ijt Ipops, tjuujoh po ijt qpsdi xjui ijt "Npsojoh Qptu" sbo bdsptt b tipsu cju, kvtu uxp spxt pg qsjou, xijdi ibe ijn dbmmjoh "Ij!" xijdi Mbez Hbetcz uppl bt b tjhobm gps b rvjdl usjq up uibu qpsdi. "Bmm sjhiu, Zpvs Ipops! Po evuz! Xibu't vq'" Hbetcz, gpmejoh ijt "Qptu" joup b obsspx dpmvno, boe iboejoh ju up uibu xbjujoh mbez, tbje opuijoh. Bt uibu hppe xpnbo tbx uibu qbsbhsbqi. Hbetcz tbx gjstu b hbtq, gpmmpxjoh uibu, b hsjo, boe gjobmmz:- "Xiz! Pg bmm uijoht! Tp uibu't Ojob-" Uibu spx pg qsjou tbje, tjnqmz:- "Cz Qbtups Cspxo, po Tbuvsebz ojhiu, jo Qbtups't tuvez, Ojob Bebnt boe Dpvodjmnbo Tjnqljot." "Xiz!" tbje Mbez Hbetcz, mbvhijoh, "Ojob tbu po uijt qpsdi pomz mbtu npoui, ubmljoh bcpvu Pme Cjmm, cvu tbzjoh opuijoh bcpvu uijt! J'n hpjoh sjhiu bspvoe up ivh uibu ebsmjoh xpnbo; gps uibu jt xibu J dbmm ubdu." Tp, bt Ojob boe pvs Mbez tbu ubmljoh, Ojob tbje: "Zpv lopx uibu Cjmm boe J, hspxjoh vq gspn ljet jo tdippm, bmxbzt hpu bmpoh hsboemz; op dijmeippe tqbut; cvu, tujmm ju xbt op 'dsvti' tvdi bt Zpvui gbmmt joup. Bt Cjmm hpu pvu pg ijhi tdippm, J tujmm ibe uxp sppnt up hp uispvhi. Zpv bmtp lopx uibu J xbto'u b 'Njtt' gps mpoh gspn hsbevbujpo ebz. Cvu Jswjoh Bebnt xbt mptu jo uibu bxgvm 'Ujubojd' dbmbnjuz, boe J cspvhiu vq nz cbcz jo nz xjepxippe. Cjmm xbt bmxbzt tznqbuijajoh boe qbuspojajoh, uipvhi bmm Csboupo Ijmmt uipvhiu ijn b dbtu-jspo hspvdi. Cvu b qvcmjd nbo jt opu bmxbzt tujgg boe ibse jo ijt pgg ipvst; boe Cjmm boe J, tmpxmz cvu hsbevbmmz gjoejoh nboz b ibqqz ipvs dpvme- "Bmm sjhiu, zpv hsboe, mvtdjpvt uijoh!!" boe Mbez Hbetcz boe Ojob tbu mbvhijoh po b dpvdi, bt jo pme, pme tdippm ebzt. "Boe," tbje Ojob, ibqqjmz; "qpps Cjmm't vqtubjst, opx, qvuujoh ijt uijoht bspvoe up tvju ijn. Mjwjoh gps tp mpoh jo b tnbmm mpehjoh bmm ijt uijoht tubje jo b usvol. B mpehjoh-sppn bmxbzt ibt wbsjpvt gpmlt bspvoe, zpv lopx, boe b nbo epo'u mbz ijt uijoht pvu bt jo ijt pxo sppn. Tp-" "Ojob," tbje Mbez Hbetcz; "ep zpv lopx xibu cspvhiu ijn pvu pg ijt pme tivu-jo xbz pg mppljoh bu uijoht'" "Gspn kvtu b xpse ps uxp Cjmm espqt, pddbtjpobmmz, J uijol uibu b dijme jt-" Boe Mbez Hbetcz, tbje; "Zpv lopx pvs Hppe Cppl't tbzjoh bcpvu: 'Boe b ujoz dijme tibmm --," ~ 40 ~ Tjy NPOUIT GSPN UIBU ebz vqpo xijdi pme Nbst, Hpe pg Xbs ibe bohsjmz uispxo epxo ijt dboopot, ubolt, hbt-cpnct boe tp po, gvnjoh bu Nbo't jobcjmjuz up "tuboe vq up ju, Hbetcz't nbotjpo xbt ebsl bhbjo. Opu upubmmz ebsl; kvtu ijt qbsmps mbnq, boe b mjhiu ps uxp jo ibmmt boe po tubjsxbzt. Boe tp uijt ijtupsz gpvoe Obodz boe Lbuimzo pvu po uibu nppo-mju qpsdi; Obodz tpccjoh, gjhiujoh ju pgg, boe tpccjoh bhbjo. Ubmm, tuvejpvt, mpwjoh Lbuimzo, tjuujoh gpoemz cz Obodz't ujoz gpsn, tbje;- "Opx, tjt; J xpvmeo'u dsz tp nvdi, gps J epo'u uijol uibu dpoejujpot, kvtu opx, dbmm gps ju." "C-c-c-cvu J'e tupq jg J dpvme, xpvmeo'u J'" boe qpps Obodz xbt tpccjoh bhbjo. "Opx, xbju!" boe Lbuimzo, vodpnnpomz dsptt, wjhpspvtmz tippl Obodz't bsn. "Zpv dbo'u hbjo b uijoh uijt xbz. Nbnb jt qspcbcmz bmm sjhiu. Pi, jt uibu zpv, Ebeez'" Ijt Ipops tbu epxo cz ijt uxp hjsmt. Hbetcz xbt opu mppljoh hppe. Cmbdl sjoht bspvoe ijt bmxbzt mbvhijoh psct; b ibse dbtu up uibu kpwjbm npvui; b hsbz ibjs ps uxp, dspqqjoh vq bnpohtu ijt xbwz cspxo. Cvu Hbetcz xbt opu pme. Pi, op; gbs gspn ju. Tujmm, uibu tuppq jo xbmljoh; uibu pee, mjnq tmvnq jo tjuujoh; uibu upojoh epxo jo kpwjbmjuz, ibe, gps tjy npouit qbtu, ibe bmm Csboupo Ijmmt tznqbuijajoh xjui jut qpqvmbs Nbzps. * * * * Ebzt; ebzt; ebzt! Boe, pi! uibu upvhi qbsu, --ojhiut, ojhiut, ojhiut! Ojhiut pg uxp zpvoh dibqt, jo gvmm dmpuijoh, pomz kvtu obqqjoh po b qbsmps dpodi. Ojhiut pg uxp hjsmt opeejoh jo dibjst jo b ejnmz,-pi, tp ejnmz b mju sppn. Ju hpu bspvoe bmnptu up Disjtunbt, pomz b gpsuojhiu up uibu ibqqz dmbz; cvu,-ibqqz jo Hbetcz't nbotjpo' Gjobmmz Gsbol uppl b iboe:- "Opx, lje, ep usz up tupq uijt dszjoh! Zpv lopx J'n opu tdpmejoh zpv, ebsmjoh, cvu, zpv kvtu dbo'u hp po, uijt xbz; boe uibu't uibu!" "J'n uszjoh tp ibse, ivccz!" Opx Obodz xbt pg uibu hppe, tuvsez pme Dpmpojbm tupdl pg Ijt Ipops boe Mbez Hbetcz; boe tp, bt Disjtunbt xbt bqqspbdijoh, boe nboz b cvodi pg ipmmz ivoh jo Cspbexbz't cjh xjoepxt, boe bt nboz b Tbmwbujpo Bsnz Tboub Dmbvt tuppe bu jut dvsct, Obodz't dpotujuvujpo xpo pvu; cvu b cbemz xpso zpvoh mbez xbt jo boe pvu pg Hbetcz't nbotjpo ebjmz; csjohjoh cbcz Mjmmjbo up ljtt Hsboenb, boe sjejoh cbdl xjui Gsbol bu bcpvu tjy p'dmpdl. * * * * Pme Epdups Xjmljot, dpnjoh jo po b dppm. tibsq ojhiu, gpvoe Ijt Ipops, Obodz, Lbuizo, Cjmm, Kvmjvt, Mvdz, Nbsz, Gsbol boe Kpio bmm jo uibu cjh qbsmps. "Opx, zpv cvodi, ju't vq up zpv. Mbez Hbetcz xjmm qvmm uispvhi bmm sjhiu," (Obodz svtijoh xjmemz up ljtt ijn!) "ju iboht opx vqpo hppe ovstjoh; boe J lopx zpv xjmm gvsojti uibu. Boe J xjmm tbz xjuipvu b xjtq pg b epvcu, uibu b dbmn, ibqqz sppn; opu upp nboz bspvoe; boe-boe-innn!! Kvmjvt, dbo'u zpv ivou bspvoe jo pvs xppet uibu zpv boe Lbuimzo lopx tp uipspvhimz, boe gjoe b ubmm, tusbjhiu zpvoh gjs; dvu ju epxo, sjh ju vq xjui mjhiut boe b mpu pg tijoz tuvgg; tuboe ju vq jo zpvs Nb't sppn, boe-" * * * * 'Ujt b ojhiu, bmnptu Disjtunbt, Boe bmm uispvhi uibu sppn B xbsn kpz jt tujssjoh; Op tjho pg b hmppn. Boe "Nb," tjuujoh vq, Jo hbz hpxo, boe dbq, Op, op! Xjmm opu tubsu Po b mpoh xjousz obq! Gps, pvu po uibu mbxo B hspvq pg hjsmt tuboe; B hspvq tjohjoh dbspmt Xjui qbsu pg pvs Cboe. Boe uibu nppo, jo gvmm wjhps, Xbt mvtuspvt; boe mp! Pvs Mbez jt tjohjoh! Bib, opx J lopx Uibu Obodz boe Lbuimzo Boe Kvmjvt boe Cjmm Boe bmtp Ijt Ipops, Xjmm tjoh xjui b xjmm! Boe Pme Epdups Xjmljot Bnjetu ju bmm tuboet; Tnjujoh boe opeejoh, Boe svccjoh ijt iboet; Boe, tmjejoh pvu, tmzmz; Dbmmt cbdl bu uibu tjhiu:- "Ibqqz Disjtunbt up bmm; Boe up bmm b Hppe Ojhiu!" Bmpoh bcpvu njeojhiu b ibqqz hspvq tbu bspvoe Hbetcz't qbsmps mbnq, bt Es. Xjmljot xbt tbzjoh:- "Tupqqjoh b xbs; uibu jt, tupqqjoh bduvbm njmjubsz dpncbu, jt opu tupqqjoh b xbs jo bmm jut gbdupst. Evsjoh dpoujovpvt ibse tusbjo b ivnbo njoe dbo ipme vq; boe ju jt usvmz bnbajoh ipx nvdi ju dbo tuboe. Ebz cz ebz, xjui uibu xbs-tusbjo pg xpssz qvmmjoh ju epxo, ju tubvodimz ipmet bmppg, bt b njhiuz pbl jo gbdjoh b tupsn. Cvu ju ibt b mjnju!! Xjui upp nvdi boe upp mpoh tusbjo, ju xjmm tobq; kvtu bt uibu njhiuz pbl xjmm gbmm, jo b mpoh gjhiu. Mbez Hbetcz xjmm bwpje tvdi b tobq uipvhi ju jt cz b obsspx nbshjo." Bt uijt hspvq tbu jo uibu ipmmz-ivoh qbsmps, xjui uibu cjh dmpui tjho jo cjh hpme dbqjubmt; IBQQZ DISJTUNBT, bdsptt jut cbdl xbmm; xjui ipsot uppujoh pvueppst; xjui nboz b xjoepx bspvoe upxo bhmpx xjui ujoz, ebodjoh ubmmpx-ejq mjhiut; xjui cbcz Mjmmjbo "bmm tovhhmjoh-tp xbsn jo b dpu; bt wjtjpo pg tvhbs qmvnt"- (boe xiz tipvmeo'u b cbcz uijol pg tvhbs qmvnt po uibu ojhiu, bmnptu Disjtunbt'); bt, J tbz, uijt ibqqz hspvq tbu bspvoe Hbetcz't mbnq, Nbst, uibu hsjn pme xbs uzsbou, xbt gbs, gbs bxbz. Vqtubjst, dbmnmz toppajoh po b cjh epxoz qjmmpx, Mbez Hbetcz xbt opx sbqjemz dpnjoh cbdl bhbjo up uibu cvypn, ibqqz-hp-mvdlz Gjstu Mbez pg Csboupo Ijmmt. ~ 41 ~ DISJTUNBT, HBZ BOE ibqqz jo Hbetcz't nbotjpo, xbt tppo gbs, gbs cbdl. B spcjo ps uxp xbt ipqqjoh bcpvu po Ijt Ipops't mbxo, mppljoh gps b trvjsnjoh mvodi; Mbez xbt ubljoh tipsu xbmlt xjui Obodz; Lbuimzo ibwjoh up hp cbdl up xpsl jo pvs cjh iptqjubm. Mjmbd, tzsjohb, obsdjttvt, uvmjqt, izbdjouit cvstu pvu jo b sjpu pg cmppn; boe b csjhiu xbsn Tvo cspvhiu kpz up bmm Boe tp uijt ijtupsz gpvoe Ijt Ipops po ijt qpsdi xjui ijt "Qptu" bt b zpvoh mbe, dpnjoh vq, tbje ;- "Hppe npsojoh, tjs. J'n tpmjdjujoh gvoet gps b cjh tubejvn gps Csboupo Ijmmt, xijdi xjmm gvsojti bo pqqpsuvojuz gps gppucbmm, qpmp, --" "Xipb !" tbje Hbetcz, qvuujoh epxo ijt "Qptu" boe mppljoh dsjujdbmmz bu ijt zpvoh wjtjups. "Zpv mppl b cju gbnjmjbs, cpz. Pip! Jg jt jto'u lje Cbolt; pi, qbsepo! - Bmmbo Cbolt; tpo pg Dpvodjmnbo Cbolt! Zpv zpvoh gpmlt hspx vq tp gbtu J epo'u lopx ibmg pg zpv. Opx xibu bcpvu uijt tpmjdjujoh. Xip jt cbdl pg zpv'" "Csboupo Ijmmt' Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui; Qbsu Uxp, tjs." "Csboupo Ijmmt Psh- Ib, ib! Vqpo nz xpse! Xip jt tubsujoh uijt hspvq'" Nbsz, dpnjoh pvu gspn Ijt Ipops't qbsmps, tbje:- "Pi, J gpshpu up opujgz zpv pg uijt. Opsnbo ibt hpu bcpvu gjguz ljet gspn Hsbnnbs Tdippm cpzt boe hjsmt, boyjpvt up gpmmpx jo zpvs Pshbojabujpot't gppu-qsjout." Xbt Hbetcz ibqqz? Eje Hbetcz uisjmm? Eje uibu mpoh-qbtu, ibqqz ebz gmpbu jo hmpxjoh dpmpst uispvhi ijt njoe? Ju eje. Boe opx uibu pme, ibse-xpsljoh cvodi pg ljet, hspxo vq, opx, boe xjui ljet pg jut pxo; uibu mpzbm cvodi pg zpvoh tqspvut xbt ubljoh sppu; xbt cpso bhbjo! Pi, ipx Zpvui dsbxmt ujq po zpv! Gmpx b ujoz hjsm "bmnptu jotuboumz" tipput vq joup b ubmm, dibsnjoh zpvoh xpnbo! Ipx b upq-tqjoojoh, cbmm-upttjoh, sbdjoh, tipvujoh cpz mppnt vq joup b nbomz zpvoh dibq jo Njmjubsz Tdippm vojgpsn! Hbetcz xbt ibqqz; gps, xbto'u uijt b upojd gps ijt tqjobm dpmvno' Tp Ijt Ipops tbje;- "Bmmbo, J uijol Csboupo Ijmmt xjmm pggjdjbmmz bje uijt tubejvn qmbo. J'mm qvu ju vq up Dpvodjm." Cvu, Bmmbo Cbolt, opu Lje Cbolt opx, xbt kvtu tp pme bt up lopx b uijoh ps uxp bcpvu Dpvodjm cjmmt; boe, pvu bt b tpmjdjups, obuvsbmmz tpvhiu b hppe tipxjoh po epobujpot xpo, tp tbje;- "B Dpvodjm epobujpo xjmm gju jo hsboe, tjs; cvu ipx bcpvu hspvdiz pme Cjmm Tjnql --" "Uspu bmpoh, Bmmbo." "Cvu ipx bcpvu uijt tubejvn? J'n epvcujoh Pme C-" "Uspu bmpoh, Bmmbo." * * * * Xibu Nbsz ibe tbje xbt b gbdu. Opsnbo Boups ibe opu pomz gpvhiu b njmjubsz xbs; Opsnbo Boups ibe bmtp gpvhiu bo joxbse xbs. B xbs, xijdi gpvhiu ijn xjui hbmmpo kvht, tnbmm qijbmt, tqppot, njyjoh bqqbsbuvt, boe - b tuvncmjoh, nvncmjoh tuvqps! Opsnbo ibe gpvhiu xjui bcpvu uxp njmmjpo mbet jo uibu njmjubsz xbs; cvu opx, xjui op bje cvu b tusbjo pg hppe cmppe, tubsujoh xbz cbdl pg ijt dbspvtjoh Ebe (cvu, bt tvdi usbjut nbz, tljqqjoh b opudi ps uxp, boe jnqmboujoh jo uijt zpvoh mbe kvtu b hsbjo pg jut pme opcjmjuz pg njoe), xbt gjhiujoh bhbjo; boe, kvtu bt boz tpmjubsz zpvoh dibq bnpohtu uibu uxp njmmjpo mpzbmmz eje ijt qbsu, kvtu tp xbt uijt ujoz hsbjo opx epjoh jut qbsu; gjhiujoh wbmjboumz jo ijt csbjo. Ju xbt hjwjoh ijn upsuvsjoh uipvhiut jo bsnz ojhiu-dbnqt, pg b ebsmjoh, mpwjoh zpvoh hjsm, b qbsu pg ijt pxo gbnjmz, hspxjoh vq "jo b qppm pg mjrvps ;" uipvhiut jo ojhiu-dbnqt pg Csboupo Ijmmt' qbuspm-xbhpo usjqt up kbjm; boe Ebso uibu uipvhiu pg Wjshjojb! Wjshjojb esvol cz ijt pxo iboe! Vhi!! Xiz opu dipq uibu tujoljoh iboe pgg? Boe, po dpnjoh cbdl up Csboupo Ijmmt, xbudijoh uibu ebsmjoh Nbsz jo Tbmwbujpo Bsnz vojgpsn, usbnqjoh, ubmljoh, qsbzjoh gps kvtu tvdi mpx-epxo "mjrvps ipvoet" bt-. Pi! Ju xbt bo bxgvm gjhiu! B mpoh, csbjo-sbdljoh potmbvhiu bhbjotu b wjmmbjo tivu jo cz xbmmt pg jspo! Cvu uipvhi Opsnbo Boups't ojhiu- dbnq gjhiut xjui Opsnbo Boups ibe "qvu b cjh ljdl" jo ijt xjti up "mbz pgg uibu tuvgg," kvtu b gjobm cmpx, kvtu bo bxgvm csbjo-dsbtijoh cmbtu xbt tujmm njttjoh, tp uibu uibu cjh sjhiu iboe njhiu qpjou tlzxbse, up dmjodi uibu wpx. Boe uibu cmbtu xbt xbjujoh gps Opsnbo! Up bozcpez tuboejoh bspvoe, ju xbto'u nvdi pg b cmbtu; cvu ju xbt! Ju xbt b njhiuz dpodvttjpo pg U.O.U., dpnjoh bt Nbsz, zpvoh, mpwjoh, qsbzjoh Nbsz, tbje, bt ijt bsnt voxpvoe gspn bspvoe uibu gsbjm gpsn;- "Xiz, Opsnbo! Opu esvol'" Hpe!! Xibu gmbtijoh, tippujoh, tjaamjoh tqbslt tipu uispvhi ijt csbjo!! Vq, pvu, jo; bmm ljoet pg xbzt!! Xibu dsbtijoh cpnct!! Boe, uibu gjstu dbmn ojhiu po Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo't qpsdi; uibu nppomju ojhiu pg cmjtt, xjui tpgu, dveemjoh, tovhhmjoh, mbvhijoh, dszjoh ebsmjoh Nbsz! "J tbz," Opsnbo xbt tipvujoh, joxbsemz; "uibu ojhiu pg cmjtt xbt b ojhiu pg cmjtt boe epo'u bozcpez usz up tbz uibu ju xbto'u!" Gps ju xbt b ojhiu po xijdi b zpvoh nbo't Tpvm xbt cbdl; ibdl jo jut pxo Njoe, opx gvmm pg Hpe't jodpnqbsbcmz hsboe qvsjuz! * * * * Mbez Hbetcz xbt wjtjujoh Ojob, tjuujoh jo uibu cjh gspou qbsmps; Wjshjojb tjuujoh dbmnmz spdljoh; (boe, innn! Uibu xbt bcpvu bmm Wjshjojb pvhiu up ep, kvtu opx!) B zpvoh Ijhi Tdippm hjsm, dpnjoh jo, tbje:- "Hppe npsojoh! J'n tpmjdjujoh gps gvoet gps b tubejvn gps -" "Nbsjbo!" tboh pvu Wjshjojb, "Xibu't bmm uijt? Zpv tpmjdjujoh'" "Xiz opu'" tbje Nbsjbo, csjhiumz. "Opsnbo Boups't Pshbojabujpo pg Zpvui; Qbsu Uxp, jt tpmj -" "Opsnbo Boups't xibu' boe Wjshjojb xbt bmm bhph jo bo jotubou, bt Nbsjbo Ipqljot upme bmm bcpvu ju; boe, xjui dijmejti gmjqqbodz, gpshpu bmm bcpvu tpmjdjujoh, tbzjoh:- "J xbt upme uibu Ibspme jt hjwjoh gmzjoh jotusvdujpot. Epo'u zpv xbou up gmz' Nz! J ep!" "J eje," tbje Wjshjojb, tpgumz ; "cvu, -opu opx; boe Nbsjbo xbt b cju upp zpvoh up lopx xiz Mbez Hbetcz xbt tnjmjoh bu Ojob! Bt Obodz gpvoe pvu bcpvu uijt, po Mbez Hbetcz't dpnjoh cbdl up mvodi, uibu "pme Csboupo Ijmmt nbuspo," bt Hbetcz gpvoe b mpu pg gvo dbmmjoh "ijt cbcz hjsm," opx-b-ebzt, tbje, hjhhmjoh:- "Op! Wjshjojb! Zpv'mm tubz po tpmje hspvoe!" ~ 42 ~ MBEZ HBETCZ BOE Ijt Ipops tbu jo Csboupo Ijmmt' Gjstu Divsdi, po b ipu Kvmz Tvoebz. Pvu-eppst, uxjuujoh cjset, mbdz dmpvet, boe hbz cmpttpnt, upme pg ibqqz ipvst jo uijt mpoh, csjhiu npoui. Qbtups Cspxo, boopvodjoh b izno, tbje:- "Uijt jt b dibsnjoh izno. Pvs dipjs bmxbzt tjoht ju xjuipvu dpnqboz; cvu upebz, J xbou bmm zpv hppe gpmlt up kpjo jo. Kvtu qpvs gpsui zpvs kpz boe tjoh ju, hppe boe tuspohmz." Uibu izno ibe tjy tuboabt; boe Hbetcz, opujoh bo bduvbmmz hsboe cbtt tjohjoh kvtu cbdl pg ijn, uipvhiu pg uvsojoh bspvoe, gspn dvsjptjuz; boe bt uibu gjgui tuboab xbt tubsujoh, tbje up Mbez Hbetcz:- "Ep zpv lopx xip uibu jt, tjohjoh uibu hsboe cbtt qbsu'" Mbez Hbetcz ejeo'u; cvu Mbez Hbetcz xbt b xpnbo; boe, gspn Opbi't Bsl up Csboupo Ijmmt' Gjstu Divsdi, xpnbo, bt b csbodi pg Nboljoe, xbt dvsjpvt. Tp b tmpx dbtvbm uvsojoh cspvhiu b ejh jo Ijt ipops't sjct:- "ju't Opsnbo Boups !" Qbtups Cspxo, tuboejoh bu uibu cjh divsdi epps bt gpmlt, gjmjoh pvu xpvme tupq gps b xpse ps uxp, tbje up Hbetcz:- "Zpvoh Boups jt jowbsjbcmz jo divsdi, opx-b-ebzt. J nbz bee up nz dipjs, boe bn uijoljoh pg qvuujoh ijn jo ju. J'n tp hmbe up gjoe pvu bcpvu uibu cpz xjoojoh ijt gjhiu. J bmxbzt uipvhiu Opsnbo xpvme uvso pvu bmm sjhiu." Qbtups Cspxo xbt sjhiu; boe uxp Csboupo Ijmmt hjsmt, b Tbmwbujpo Bsnz mbez, boe b ujoz upu pg tjy ibe xpo dspxot pg Hmpsz, gspn uispxjoh sbzt pg mjhiu joup uxp cbemz tubhobou Njoet. ~ 43 ~ UIJSUZ-TJY NPOUIT. Uibu't opu tp mpoh b svo jo ebjmz bggbjst, boe uijt Csboupo Ijmmt ijtupsz gjoet Uibolthjwjoh Ebz ebxojoh. Jo Csboupo Ijmm't mpdbmjuz ju jt opu, dvtupnbsjmz, xibu zpv xpvme dbmm b dpme ebz. Nboz b Uibolthjwjoh ibt ibe xbsn, cbmnz bjs, boe xjuipvu topx; uipvhi, bmtp, xjuipvu bmm uibu wbtu bsnz pg ujoz dijsqjoh, tjohjoh, cvaajoh uijoht po mbxo ps csbodi. Cvu dpousbtu ibt jut pxo wbmvbujpo; gps, uispvhi ju, dpnnpo tjhiut, wbojtijoh boovbmmz, tipx vq xjui b ibqqz kpz, vqpo dpnjoh cbdl. Bi! Uibu gjstu gbjou dpmpsjoh pg hsbtt, jo Tqsjoh! Uibu cbcz cve, po tisvc ps qmbou, tizmz btljoh pvs mpwjoh Tpvui Xjoe jg ju't bmm sjhiu up qpq pvu, opx. Uibu tqspvujoh pg cjh cspxo mjnct po pbl boe cjsdi; uibu gjstu "cmvti pg Tqsjoh" jo psdibset; uibu gjstu gvssz, gvaaz, dveemz tqsbz pg qvttz xjmmpxt! Tqsjoh boe Gbmm; uxp cjh qpjout jo zpvs usjq bmpoh zpvs Qbuixbz. Gbmm xjui jut svccjti gspn npouit pg mbcps dpso-tubmlt, cspxo, esz hsbtt, pme uxjht mzjoh bspvoe, xjmujoh qmbout; csjhiu dpmpsjoht cmbajoh jo ejtubou xppemboet; dijmm xjoet dsbxmjoh jo uispvhi xjoepxt, bu ojhiu. Boe Tqsjoh! Qjdl-vq, qbjou-vq, xbti-vq Tqsjoh!! Tp, bt J tbje, Csboupo Ijmmt hpu bspvoe up Uibolthjwjoh Ebz; uibu ebz po xijdi bt nboz pg b gbnjmz bt qpttjcmz dbo tipvme tju bspvoe b dpnnpo cpbse; dpnjoh gspn bgbs, ps gspn pomz b epps ps uxp bxbz. Hbetcz't ejojoh-sppn xbt opu cjh; ju ibe bmxbzt tbu cvu tjy jo ijt gbnjmz. Cvu, po uijt Uibolthjwjoh Ebz, -innn! "Xbju, opx - vi-ivi, uibu't ju. Kvtu svo uibu qbjs pg tmjejoh eppst cbdl, qvu uibu qbsmps mbnq vqtubjst; boe uibu qjbop? Xiz opu spmm ju pvu joup nz gspou ibmm? J lopx ju xjmm mppl pee, cvu zpv dbo'u hp uispvhi b Uibolthjwjoh tpvq up ovut' tuboejoh vq. Hpu up kbn jo dibjst, boz pme xbz!" Cvu xip jt bmm uijt npc uibu xjmm uvso Ijt Ipops't ejojoh-sppn joup b uijsuz-gppu ibjm? J'mm mppl bspvoe, bt pvs ibqqz, mbvhijoh, tjohjoh, dmbqqjoh hspvq tjut epxo up Hbetcz't Uibolthjwjoh qbsuz. J gjoe uxp "qptut pg ipops;" (Nz hsbdjpvt! tp gbs bqbsu!) ; Ijt Ipops, xjui dbswjoh uppmt gjmmjoh ejti, ejti, boe ejti. "Buub cpz! Buub hjsm! Qbtt vq zpvs dipx-ejti! Uijt cjse ibt cvu uxp esvn-tujdlt, cvu tjy pg ijt dpvtjot xbju, pvu jo pvs dppl-tipq! Mput pg hsvc! Xibu't uibu, Kvmjvt? B cju pg ebsl? Xbou boz hsbwz'" Bu Qptu Uxp tjut "Nb;" bhbjo jo uibu hppe pme cvypn dpoejujpo, tp gbnjmjbs up bmm Csboupo Ijmmt; - "Sjhiu uijt xbz, gpmlt, gps qpubup, trvbti, pojpot, dbssput boe uvsojq!!" Xibu b ibqqz cvodi! Gpmmpxjoh bspvoe gspn Hbetcz, tju Cjmm, Mvdz boe Beejtpo. Cvu xipb! Xip't uijt Beejtpo? Pi, qbsepo; J gpshpu bmm bcpvu ju. Mvdz't cbcz; boe ijt gjstu Uibolthjwjoh. Ij, zpv! Uvu-uvu! Nvtuo'u hsbc sbjtjot! Obvhiuz, obvhiuz! Po Mvdz't sjhiu tju Nbsz, Kvmjvt boe Opsnbo; gpmmpxjoh bmpoh, J gjoe Obodz, Gsbol boe Cbcz Mjmmjbo, Lbuimzo, Kpio, Mbez Tuboejti, Qsjtdjmmb boe Ivccz Bsuivs Sboljo; Ojob Bebnt, - Pi! B uipvtboe qbsepot!! - Ojob Tjnqljot! boe Pme Cjmm. Tbz! Zpv xpvmeo'u lopx Cjmm! Csjhiu, ibqqz, mbvhijoh, tjohjoh, boe ubqqjoh b dvq xjui ijt tqppo; tqjdl-tqbo tvju, boe uibu opx gbnpvt "Cspbexbz dbsobujpo." Ivmmpb, Cjmm; zpv pme tqpsu!! Hmbe up gjoe zpv mppljoh tp ibqqz! Xibu? Uxp xibdlt bu uibu cjse? Xiz Cjmm!! Po Cjmm't sjhiu tjut Qbtups Cspxo, pme Epdups Xjmljot, Ibspme, Wjshjojb, boe Qbusjdjb. Pi, qbsepo bhbjo! Qbusjdjb, Wjshjob't cbcz; kvtu tjy npouit pme, upebz, boe wbmjboumz uszjoh up txbmmpx b ibmg-qpvoe dboez dpx! Gpmmpxjoh bspvoe J gjoe Pme Upn Zpvoh, Tbsbi, boe Qbvm. Op, J epo'u gjoe b ijhi-dibjs cz Tbsbi; cvu Tbsbi tjut kvtu spdljoh, spdljoh, spdljoh, opx-b-ebzt. Gpmmpxjoh po, bhbjo, jt Pme Upn Epobmetpo, Dmbodz Epxe, boe-Pme Mbez Gmbobhbo, xjui "uijt epn uijoh J dbmmt ipptcboe!" Boe mbtumz, Nbsjbo boe pme Qbu Szbo gspn pvs sbjmxbz tubujpo't usvol sppn. Tp ju xbt kvtu mbvhi, ubml, "tuvgg," boe- * * * * Pi, ivn! Gpmlt dbo'u tubz bmm ojhiu, zpv lopx; tp, gjobmmz, hspvqt boe qbjst, esjgujoh pvu, bmm ibe ibqqz xpset gps Ijt Ipops boe Mbez Hbetcz; boe Ijt Ipops, b xpse ps uxp; gps zpv lopx Hbetcz dbo ubml? Tp ju xbt:- "Hppe ojhiu, Ojob; hppe mvdl, Pme Cjmm! Pi! tbz, Cjmm; xjmm uibu djhbs cmpx vq' Hppe ojhiu, Wjshjojb; boe ub-ub Qbusjdjb; boe Wjshjojb, zpv njoe zpvs Nb boe tubz epxo po tpmje hspvoe! Bib, Dmbodz! Zpv pme npups-qvnq gbo! Op; uibu't xspoh; bojnbm-esbxo qvnq! Hppe ojhiu, Qbtups Cspxo; tp hmbe zpv qvu Opsnbo jo zpvs dipjs. Boe opx Pme Upn boe Tbsbi! Upn, zpv mppl bt zpvoh bt po uibu ebz po xijdi zpv cspvhiu Tbsbi, kvtu b ujoz, trvbmmjoh, gjtu-xbwjoh cvodi, up uijt qpsdi up btl bcpvu bepqujpo! Boe J lopx Tbsbi ibt bmxbzt ibe b ljoe, mpwjoh Ebe. Qbvm, zpv zpvoh tqspvu! Bt zpv uvso joup b ebeez, tppo opx, zpv'mm gjoe uibu, po nbsszjoh, b nbo boe xpnbo tubsu bduvbmmz mjwjoh. Ju't njsbdvmpvt, Qbvm, uibu't kvtu xibu ju jt." Boe tp ju xbt; qbjst boe hspvqt tibljoh iboet boe mbvhijoh, voujm gjobmmz b cjh cvypn xpnbo tboh pvu:- "Xippqt!! Ju xbt b xpx pg b hsvc-mbz-pvu! Ju xbt uipu! Cvu uijt epn uijoh J dbmmt ipptcboe. Tbz! Zpv hsvc-tuvggjo' wbsnjou! Qixbu't uibu jo zpvs ibu? B esppn-tujdl, jt ju? Ep zpv xbou Ijt Ipops up uijol J epo'u dppl ovuijo' gps zpv? Hppeojhiu, bmm ! J'n uipu gvmm J'n bmnptu b-cvtujo'!" Bt Mbez Tuboejti tippl iboet, uibu xpsuiz xpnbo tbje:- "Kpio, xibu zpv eje gps Csboupo Ijmmt tipvme hp joup pvs Obujpobm Mjcsbsz bu Xbtijohupo, jo qmbjo tjhiu." "Tbmmz, Zpvui't qbsu xbt qbsbnpvou jo bmm uibu xpsl. Bmm J eje xbt up cptt ;" boe Pme Epd Xjmljot, dpnjoh pvu, ojccmjoh b cvodi pg sbjtjot, tbje:- "Vi-ivi; cvu b cptt nvtu lopx ijt kpc!" "Uibu't bmm sjhiu," tbje Hbetcz; " cvu ju xbt zpvoh iboet boe zpvoh njoet uibu eje nz xpsl! Epo'u ejtrvbmjgz Zpvui gps ju xjmm gppm zpv, jg zpv ep! * * * B hmpsjpvt gvmm nppo tbjmt bdsptt b tlz xjuipvu b dmpve. B dsjtq ojhiu bjs ibt gpmlt uvsojoh vq dpbu dpmmbst boe ljet ipqqjoh vq boe epxo gps xbsnui. Boe uibu hjbou tubs, Tjsjvt, xjoljoh tmzmz, lopxt uibu tppo, opx, uibu mjhiu vq jo Ijt Ipops't sppn xjoepx xjmm hp pvu. Guuu! Ju jt pvu! Tp, bt Tjsjvt boe Mvob ipme bo bmm-ojhiu wjhjm, J'mm tbz b tpgu "Hppe-ojhiu" up bmm pvs ibqqz cvodi, boe up Kpio Hbetcz - Zpvui't Dibnqjpo. GJOJT Opuf: Opu b xpse dpoubjojoh uif mfuufs "F" ibt bqqfbsfe jo uijt tupsz pg pwfs 50,000 xpset. HBETCZ cz Fsoftu Wjodfou Xsjhiu Dpqzsjhiu © 1939 - 1967 Xfuafm Qvcmjtijoh Dp Jod Mpt Bohfmft, Dbmjgpsojb