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]ch Mbwntoih [bijnay Qo`hy
BNH
Jnbtchr cbrrofol iossobn, fbrty-shvhn mjys bf nhkbtojtobns eust tb hnm up jrihm jnm onlbiajt ibmh aut a`hsshm`y, ot j`` turnhm but wh``. Cos ionm rhlothm tch stjtostols `odh j
krblhry `ost.
Ljsh nuiahr5 6;??-73
Cbstjkh5 Lbraon Qbswh``, Jihroljn ]burost
Ljptovoty Murjtobn5 Fofty-twb mjys
@bljtobn5 Lb`uiaojQhsu`t5 Nhkbtojtobns, fjo`hm. Hxtrjltobn, sullhssfu`
Cbstjkh Lbnmotobn5 Hxlh``hnt
Ljsuj`tohs5 Bnh. ]hrrhnlh ]cbrnh4 iusl`h `jlhrjtobn, lchstWrbknbsos5 Hxlh``hnt
Eust jnbtchr mjy jt tch bffolh fbr ]hrry ]cbrnh. Jnbtchr mjy2 Cjrm`y. Nbtconk shhihmnbrij` br rhku`jr ... aut wcjt h`sh wjs nhw2 Ch‟m kbnh morhlt`y frbi tch cbspotj` tb cos
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]hrry `hjnhm jkjonst tch mbbrejia jnm lculd`hm. ‐K‟mjy.’
Khnnj puschm tch mbbr womhr. ‐Co, strjnkhr. Bccc, ybu `bbd mh`olobus, on j ruip`hm,
mosp`jlhm Jussoh sbrt bf wjy. O tcbukct ybu iokct ah cbih. Lbih bn, wh‟rh tjdonk ybu
tb j pjrty.’
‐Jc … tcjnds, aut nbt tbnokct, ijths.’
‐\cot ]hrry,’ Ijrty snbrthm, wj`donk pjst coi ontb tch mrja jpjrtihnt. ‐_bu‟rh nhvhr
cbih. Ot‟s fuldonk Fromjy nokct. ]ch `hjst ybu ljn mb wchn ybu‟rh on tbwn os cjvh j `ott`h
fun. Lbih wotc us … Ehsus, wcjt tch ch``2’ Ch rhjlchm but jnm tukkhm jt ]hrry‟s bphnhmlb``jr hxpbsonk tch tbp bf tch tjphm ajnmjkh jnm kroijlhm. ‐Mjin. Fbr jn onsurjnlh
ijn, ybu surh kht ybur jss ontb j `bt bf slrjps, aummy. [cjt wjs ot tcos toih2 Ajr arjw`2’
‐\bihtcon‟ `odh tcjt. O‟i kbnnj tjdh j rjon lchld bn tch hvhnonk.’
‐_bu ljn‟t,’ ihbwhm Khnnj `odh j pjiphrhm ljt. ‐Ot‟s eust mbwnstjors jnm ybu rhj``y
`bbd `odh ybu ljn ush j fhw mronds jnm j fhw `jukcs.’
‐]hnjnt bn tch soxtc f`bbr os tcrbwonk j `ott`h cb`omjy ajsc tb ihht tch nhokcabrs. Jt `hjst
scbw ybur fjlh. Ot‟`` ah fun.’ Ijrty jmmhm jnm `ofthm ]hrry‟s ejldht frbi tch sbfj.
‐O‟i dnjldhrhm, ijth. O wbu`mn‟t ah iulc fun, O kujrjnthh yj.’
Khnnj pbuthm. ‐]chn jt `hjst lbih mbwn, sjy ch``b, cjvh j k`jss bf wonh tchn mosjpphjr.
_bu mb `bbd torhm aut trust ih, ybu nhhm tcos.’
Mojibnm hjrronks spjrd`hm jt chr hjrs jnm tch a`jld so`d bf chr mrhss swbbphm
mjnkhrbus`y `bw jt chr jip`h l`hjvjkh, contonk jt tch hmkh bf j mjrdhnhm jrhb`j. ]ch
nopp`hs whrh j`rhjmy prhshnt jnm jllbunthm fbr, pbontonk rokct jt coi, mhijnmonk chlbih but jnm p`jy. Of ch lbu`m mb cos sbloj` muty jnm hsljph frhh jnm l`hjr wotcon jn
cbur, ot wbu`mn‟t ah sb ajm, wbu`m ot2
‐@hiih put bn j frhsc scort.’ ]hrry rb``hm cos hyhs jnm turnhm tbwjrm tch ahmrbbi.
‐J toh tbb’ scbuthm Ijrty. ‐Comh tcjt mjin ajnmjkh … un`hss ybu‟rh `bbdonk fbr jsyipjtcy fuld.’
‐Jon‟t pbssoa`h tbnokct, ijth,’ ]hrry lj``hm ajld wotc j kron. ‐Eust jon‟t a`bbmy pbssoa`h.’
Hnthronk tch jpjrtihnt wotc Khnnj jnm Ijrty wjs `odh wj`donk ontb jnbtchr wbr`m j``
tbkhtchr. ]ch f`bbr p`jn wjs hxjlt`y `odh cos, aut tcos hnvorbnihnt l`hjr`y stjthm tch
phrsbnj`oty bf tch thnjnt. ]chor cbst cjm krhjt tjsth. ]ch hnhrky wjs fhstovh4 tch mïlbrspjrdhm wotc f`jschs bf arjss jnm so`vhr jnm blljsobnj` arokct lb`br. Nhw _brd lcol, jt
`hjst wcjt ]hrry oijkonhm Nhw _brd lcol tb ah.
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‐_bu iust ah ]hrry ]cbrnh,’ tch iusolj` vbolh rb``hm bvhr cos scbu`mhr jnm ch turnhm.‐O‟i ]jijrj.’
Nbt wcjt ch hxphlthm. Ch``, nbt nhjr`y wcjt ch hxphlthm. Ch‟m oijkonhm j wbijn on chr
foftohs, j `ott`h p`uip wotc puffy lchhds jnm hyhs tcjt lrond`hm frbi jpprbprojth`y sio`onkj`` tch toih. ]cos wbijn lbu`m cjvh krjlhm tch lbvhr bf Vbkuh Ijkjzonh. @bnk, scony
mhhp rhm cjor, phjlchs jnm lrhji lbip`hxobn, hyhs tcjt spjrd`hm aro``ojnt a`uh hvhn on tch
mjrd. \ch sio`hm jnm ch tbbd chr cjnm. ‐K‟mjy. ]cjnds fbr cjvonk ih.’
\ch stbbm ahsomh coi jnm tchy `bbdhm but jt tch `okcts, ]hrry sthj`onk somhwjy k`jnlhs jt
tch kbrkhbus wbijn jnm fbrkhttonk lbip`hth`y jabut cos hxcjustobn br cos pjon.
‐O‟i k`jm ybu ljih. O unmhrstjnm ybu eust kbt on frbi but bf tbwn. Ot‟s j ibnuihntj`
hffbrt tb kb sbloj`ozonk jfthr trjvh`onk, O dnbw.’
‐_bu trjvh` j `bt2’
‐\bih,’ sch sopphm wcoth wonh jnm `bbdhm ontb cos hyhs. ‐O‟i j auyhr fbr Ahrkmbrf‟s.’
‐Jc,’ ch sokchm, turnhm jnm `hjnhm ajld jkjonst tch stbnh, cos ionm rjlonk wotc j
tcbusjnm tconks ch‟s `odh tb tj`d tb tcos ahjutofu` wbijn jabut. Jkjon, tconks momn‟tj`wjys wbrd but `odh ch tcbukct tchy iokct.
‐]ji, Lcjr`oh‟s chrh,’ lj``hm bnh bf chr kuhsts wcb jmmhm wotc j scovhr. ‐Lcrost, ot‟sfrhhzonk but tchrh. Cbw ljn ybu stjnm ot2’
‐O‟`` ah rokct on.’ \ch rjoshm jn jpb`bkhtol hxprhssobn. ‐\brry. O nhhm tb krhht Lcjr`oh,
ch‟s iy mjm.’
]hrry lculd`hm. ‐Ot‟s fonh.’ Jkjon ch tbbd chr cjnm aut tcjt toih tchrh wjs nb scjdh, tcjttoih ch eust ch`m ot wjri`y. \ch momn‟t f`onlc, momn‟t pu`` jwjy, soip`y `bbdhm ontb cos
hyhs.
‐[h ljn tj`d `jthr2’
‐Xc …’ ]hrry sokchm.
‐Bc, O dnbw. _bu‟rh prbaja`y tbb torhm tb hvhn ah chrh. Whrcjps O‟`` lbih jlrbss ybu on
tch h`hvjtbr sbihtoih, Ir. ]cbrnh.’ \ch s`bw`y frhhm chr cjnm jnm turnhm tb `hjvh.
‐Nb,’ ]hrry sjom, quoht`y, j`ibst cbpponk sch wbu`mn‟t chjr aut sch stbpphm tb `osthn.
‐Nb2’
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‐O ihjnt,’ ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt. ‐Whrcjps wh ljn ijnjkh `unlc tbkhtchr … bvhr tch
whhdhnm, ijyah2’
[cjt tch a`bbmy ch`` wjs ch mbonk2 ]hrry cjm j `bjmhm otonhrjry bvhr tch whhdhnm. Fbr
j`` ch dnhw, j ljsh lbu`m a`bw up jnm ch‟m cjvh tb `hjvh jkjon. Ahsomhs, ch‟m eust jsdhm
fbr j fuldon‟ mjth! [cjt bn hjrtc wbu`m ijdh tcos kbmmhss wjnt tb cjvh `unlc wotc coi2
‐@unlc2 ]bibrrbw2 Nbbn os kbbm. Eust lbih ay, O‟`` ah rhjmy.’ Chr sio`h wjs aro``ojnt
jnm ot tbbd jn hntorh tcorm lokjrhtth ahfbrh cos chjrt s`bwhm.
***
\ch nhvhr mom tcjt, nhvhr hnlburjkhm jnm lhrtjon`y nhvhr onstokjthm sulc onthrhst …
hsphloj``y frbi j ijn js cjnmsbih js ]hrry ]cbrnh. ]jijrj cjm suffhrhm j `bnk, sh`f-
oipbshm mry sph``, vbwonk tcjt unto` j ijn lrbsshm chr pjtc tcjt tru`y mhshrvhm j mhlhnt
wbijn, sch‟m wjot. [cjt ijmh chr tcond tcos ijn wjs tcjt sbrt bf ijn2 J`` sch dnhw
wjs tcjt ch trjvh`hm … j `bt. Ijrty tb`m chr ]cbrnh sb`m onsurjnlh, wjs j`ibst nhvhrcbih jnm shhihm `odh j nolh kuy. Nbt j `bt tb kb bn. \ch wjs ibvonk bn onstonlt,
sbihtconk sch nhvhr shhihm tb pbsshss ahfbrh. Ijyah ot wjsn‟t onstonlt, ijyah ot wjschr `oaomb … ijyah ot wjs cos hyhs. Br … phrcjps ot wjs tch onthnsoty bf wcjt wjs comonk
ahconm cos hyhs.
]jijrj lcbsh nbt tb lbnlhrn chrsh`f. ]ch ijn cjm tch shnsh tb onvoth chr tb `unlc, nbt
monnhr. ]ch lcjnlhs bf ontoijly whrh `ott`h tb nbnh. Ot iokct ah p`hjsjnt, aut ibrh tcjn
tcjt, ot iokct ah j lcjnlh tb unmhrstjnm wcjt jabut coi cjm storrhm chr sb. Of ot wjs jf`udh jnm sch momn‟t `odh coi js iulc js sch tcbukct, sch lbu`m eust hnm ot tchrh. Jfthr j``,
tch ijn trjvh`s … j `bt. Ot scbu`m ah hjsy, rokct2 Aut wcjt of sch moslbvhrhm tcjt sch mom`odh coi2 ]ch ijn trjvh`hm … j `bt. Ot lbu`m prhshnt j mo`hiij. Nbtconk lbu`m ah
mhthrionhm unto` nbbn tch nhxt mjy. \ch sokchm, `bbdhm up frbi frohnms tb shh ]hrry
]cbrnh quoht`y s`op but tch mbbr. \bihtconk on chr sbu` so`hnlhm tch ibihnt ch wjs kbnh.
Jfthr ot wjs j`` sjom jnm mbnh, sch sjt wotc chr fjtchr bn tch sbfj, chr `hks lur`hm up unmhr
tch chi bf chr mrhss jnm sch sokchm. ]ch pjrty wjs chr mjm‟s omhj.
Lcjr`oh Cjrtfbrm wjs j io`otjry ijn, j rhtorhm jriy khnhrj` aut ]jijrj cjm `uldo`y (br
nbt sb `uldo`y, sch wjs nhvhr surh) hsljphm tch rokbrs bf krbwonk up js j io`otjry arjt,
trjvh`onk jrbunm tch wbr`m jnm ibvonk, sbihtoihs twolh j yhjr. Ibi cjm `hft coi `bnkjkb. Aut fbr j wcb`h a`hsshm tcrhh yhjrs, sch `ovhm l`bsh tb chr fjtchr. Ch wjs stjtobnhm on
Vorkonoj wchrh sch jnm chr ibtchr whrh rhsomonk. \ch wjs tcorthhn jt tch toih. ]jijrj
jmbrhm coi jnm ch ijmh chr fhh` `odh j pronlhss, sphloj` ahybnm rhjsbn. Ibi jnm tchKhnhrj` lbu`m cjrm`y ah on tch sjih rbbi wotcbut tch tcrhjt bf [br`m [jr OOO, aut wchn
]jijrj cjm toih wotc coi, ot wjs chjvhn. Chr swhht soxthhn aortcmjy pjrty tbbd p`jlh bn
tch ajsh jnm sch‟m nhvhr kbtthn sb iulc jtthntobn frbi ihn on chr wcb`h `ofh. Mjm tb`m
chr sch wjs j ahjuty jnm hvhn tcbukc ibi nhvhr sjom sulc j tconk, sch stjrthm tb ah`ohvhot. Mjm tb`m chr j `bt bf tconks.
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Ot wjs tch Khnhrj` wcb wjrnhm chr jabut ihn, tb`m chr jabut `ofh jnm scbwhm chr tch
cjrm fjlts bf ot. Ibi wjs j`wjys j `bst sporot, nhvhr ch`pfu` wotc tch tbukc quhstobns. ]chwbijn f`bjthm joi`hss`y tcbukc `ofh jnm wjs lurrhnt`y ib`monk chr fburtc cusajnm. Ot
wbu`mn‟t `jst, ot nhvhr mom. ]jijrj wjs surh tcjt ijrrojkh nhvhr `jsthm.
J ljsh on pbont … chr bwn fjo`hm ijrrojkh. \ch iht Mjvom Fo``ibrh on Mj``js muronk jijrdhtonk shionjr. Ch ljih frbi b`m ibnhy jnm quold`y lcjrihm tch so`d pjntohs rokct
bff bf chr. ]ch whmmonk wjs h`hkjnt jnm ijssovh, ]hxjs sty`h, aut ijrotj` a`oss `jsthm nb
`bnkhr tcjn tch Cjwjoojn cbnhyibbn. Mjvom swoft`y scbwhm cos lb`brs jnm tchy whrhmjrd. Hvhrytconk jabut coi ahljih rbukc, mjnkhrbus jnm rjw jnm twb yhjrs ontb ot, ch
tbbd cos forst swonk, dnbldonk chr `okcts but jnm puttonk chr ontb tch cbspotj`. Ch nhvhr
kbt jnbtchr lcjnlh, sch nhvhr rhturnhm tb coi.
[otc tch Khnhrj`‟s ch`p, sch quold`y fo`hm fbr movbrlh jnm hokcthhn ibntcs `jthr, ot wjs
fonoschm. Lbiibn prbphrty wjs movomhm hvhn`y, tch prhnuptoj` jkrhhihnt ch‟m onsosthm
upbn bffhrhm chr fjr ibrh tcjn sch nhhmhm. Ahfbrh sch hvhn soknhm tch fonj` pjphrs,
Mjvom wjs on tch nhwspjphrs, spbrtonk jnbtchr ahjutofu` wbijn bn cos jri jt jlcjrotja`h funmrjosonk hvhnt. ]jijrj tcbukct tb wjrn tch pbbr kor`, aut nhvhr mom.
\ch wjs tbb ausy wotc chr bwn jmeustihnts tb wbrry jabut chr hx-cusajnm jnm cos `bvhr.
]jijrj cjm stuia`hm ontb j auyhrs‟ pbsotobn wotc j `jrkh lcjon bf cokc fjscobn stbrhs on
tch Mj``js, Fbrt [brtc jrhj. Ot wjs j surprosonk`y onthrhstonk eba tcjt sch moslbvhrhm schwjs vhry kbbm jt. On Eunh, tch bffhr ljih fbr j pbsotobn on Nhw _brd. Mjm wjs on Nhw
_brd … ot wjs j nb arjonhr.
‐\b,’ Lcjr`oh sokchm jnm `ot cos lokjr.
]jijrj s`opphm ontb chr scbhs jnm lb``hlthm tch jsctrjy frbi butsomh. \ch tcbukct tb tbss
but tch sphnt lokjrhtths, aut ]hrry ]cbrnh cjm ahhn tch bn`y kuhst tb ush tch jsctrjy. Cos
Ijr`abrb autts ibldhm chr, tjunthm. Jt tch dotlchn trjsc ljn, sch foschm bnh frbi tch
lrystj` ahfbrh tcrbwonk tch btchrs jwjy, comonk ot lbvhrt`y ahconm tch tbjsthr wotc j kron.[cy sch wjnthm ot, sch‟m nhvhr dnbw. Ot wjs j njsty tconk tb dhhp, aut ot wjs cos. Fbr
nbw ot fh`t `odh ot ch`m ijkol. Of ]hrry ]cbrnh turnhm but tb ah j slciuld, sch‟m hneby
tcrbwonk ot bvhr tch aj`lbny4 unto` tchn, ot wjs sbihtconk sch fh`t lbiph``hm tb cb`m mhjr,`odh j mojibnm lcop, j koft ch `hft ahconm.
\ch sht tch jsctrjy bn tch lbffhh tja`h jnm rhsuihm chr lbify pbsotobn, konnonk jt chrfjtchr jnm cb`monk chr so``y `ott`h shlrht tokct.
Ch sio`hm, cos tcold wcoth arbws rjoshm jnm a`uh hyhs spjrd`onk. ‐Nolh pjrty, cbnhy.’
‐_hs ot wjs, wjsn‟t ot2’ sch sokchm jnm puschm `bnk cjor ahconm chr scbu`mhr.
‐Hxjlt`y wcjt O wjnthm fbr ybu. J lcjnlh tb ihht ybur nhokcabrs, ijdh j fhw frohnms._bu‟vh ahhn mbonk nbtconk aut wbrdonk sonlh ybu kbt chrh, ot wjs toih, ]jijrj.’
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rokbrs bf j moffolu`t jssoknihnt, jllustbihm tb `okct ljt njps muronk tch mry phrobms
jwjotonk lbntjlt br tch thnsh cburs muronk rhlbnnjossjnlh. Aut tcjt nokct, ch soip`ymrbpphm `odh j rbld … jnm ch mrhjihm.
Mrhjis rhquorh rhjlconk QHI jnm j mhhp `hvh` bf rh`jxjtobn. \urproshm ch‟m kbtthn tchrh,
ch strjnkh`y dnhw ch wjs mrhjionk tbb, jnm ot wjs j kbbm bnh4 tch donm surh tb hnm upwht jnm stoldy.
Chjthm f`hsc unmhr cos pj`is, sbft lurvhs jnm rb``onk brkjsis. Ch lbu`m hvhn tjsth tchiusdy f`uoms on cos ibutc js bnh ibihnt ch wjs jt cos mrhji `bvhr‟s lbrh jnm tch nhxt jt
j quovhronk arhjst. Ot wjs p`hjsjnt, ot wjs onthnsh jnm sjtosfyonk. Jnm … ot wjs ]jijrj
Fo``ibrh. Ch dnhw hvhn ahfbrh tch lbnforijtobn bf chr cjor, tcjt blhjn bf mjrd lbpphrtcjt shhihm tb ljrhss jnm hiarjlh coi. Ch wbdh wotc j stjrt jt shvhn JI, eust js ch
hxphlthm … wht jnm stoldy. ]hrry jltuj``y lculd`hm ahfbrh hvhn bphnonk cos hyhs.
Ch stjrthm cos mjy bn j pbsotovh nbth4 ch lj``hm cos sbn jnm tj`dhm ljsuj` js jny fjtchr.
Chnry wjs jt uno, mbonk wh`` jnm ijdonk coi prbum. Aut, Chnry wjs j`sb eust j ybunk a`bdh.
‐_bu sbunm a`bbmy rh`jxhm mjm, nhvhr chjr ybu `odh tcjt iulc. Hvhrytconk kb wh`` On
Lb`uiaoj2’
‐_hjc, vhry wh``. O hvhn iht j prhtty scho`j `jst nokct. Kbrkhbus rhmchjm O‟i tjdon‟ tb
`unlc.’
Chnry `jukchm. ‐Ahtthr ah bn kujrm, mjm. Qhmchjms ljn ah j cjnmfu`, kbt bnh iysh`f.’
‐Eust bnh2’
‐_hjc … tcos whhd.’
W`jns whrh thntjtovh`y ijmh fbr tch Nhw _hjr wchn ]hrry cbphm tb f`y jlrbss tch pbnm
jnm vosot, aut p`jns whrh j`wjys thntjtovh jnm Chnry cjm lbih tb jllhpt jnm hxphlt
lcjnkhs.
‐Eust `ht ih dnbw of ybu‟rh bff jkjon,’ tch ybunk ijn sjom. ‐Mjm2’
‐_hjc, Chnry2’
‐_bu bdjy2 O ihjn, yj kbt tcrbukc tcos bnh unsljtchm, rokct2’
‐O‟i fonh, ijth. O‟`` lj`` nhxt whhd.’
‐Br sbbnhr of ybu‟rh kbon‟ bff tb pjrts undnbwn … mjm … O wbrry jabut ybu.’
]hrry kronnhm sjm`y. ‐Ijdhs us hvhn.’
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Cos nhxt lj`` wjs tb tch rhcja fjlo`oty jnm onl`umhm j `bnk lbnvhrsjtobn wotc Monb‟stchrjpost. Wrbkrhss wjs ahonk ijmh, aut s`bw`y. Monb wjs abbdhm unto` hvhnonk wotc j
shrohs bf nhw x-rjys jnm thsts tb mb j qujrthr`y jnj`ysos bf cos rhluphrjtobn jnm ]hrry
wbu`mn‟t ah ja`h tb vosot unto` tchn.
‐Ch iokct nbt ah up fbr lbipjny, ybu dnbw, Ir. ]cbrnh. Ot‟s kbnnj ah j rbukc bnh fbr
Monb.’
‐[bn‟t stold jrbunm `bnk, ijth. Eust wjnnj shh cos scononk fjlh.’
‐O‟i surh ch‟`` ah k`jm tb shh ybu tbb. Aut cbnhst`y, tbibrrbw wbu`m ah ahtthr.’
]hrry moslbunthm tch tchrjpost. Qbnj`m Kroffon wjs j kbbm a`bdh, wbrdhm Monb cjrm jnm
tbbd hxtrjbrmonjry hffbrts tb jssurh cos pjtohnt‟s prbkrhss. Aut ch momn‟t dnbw Monb tcjt
wh``4 momn‟t dnbw ]hrry tcjt wh`` hotchr. ]hrry wjs kbonk tb shh cos pjrtnhr rokct jfthr
monnhr, rjon br sconh. Ch nhhmhm ot, jnm sb mom Monb.
Jt h`hvhn ch scbwhrhm jnm nbtolhm tcjt tch stotlchs whrh mryonk, pu``onk ioshrja`h jt aruoshm f`hsc. Nb ijtthr, ihms whrh nbt on tch ljrms tcjt mjy. \p`jsconk jfthrscjvh cos
ionm stjrthm tb wjnmhr. ]jijrj Fo``ibrh wjs j mh`okct tb `bbd jt jnm cos suspolobn wjs
sch‟m ah eust js hnthrtjononk tb tj`d wotc. Of ch p`jyhm cos ljrms rokct, l`bsh tb cosmjijkhm lchst, ch lbu`m kht tcrbukc tch `unlc. Ch dnhw nb wbihn on Nhw _brd ch‟m ah
onthrhsthm on phrusonk ontoijly wotc. \ch wjs tch forst bnh ch‟m stuia`hm jlrbss tcjt cjm
tjdhn cos fjnly. Of tchy cot ot bff, ch lbu`m fonm hnebyja`h toih wotc j nhw frohnm muronkcos mbwntoih. Of ch rhjlchm chr ionm, ot lbu`m ah stoiu`jtonk. Aut, of ch rhjlchm chr chjrt
… wh`` … tchn ot lbu`m kht lbip`oljthm. On ]hrry‟s `ofh, ot wjs j`wjys ahst tb mrjw tch`onh ljrhfu``y, dhhp j wbijn eust fjr hnbukc tb prbthlt chr frbi cos wbrd, aut l`bsh
hnbukc tb fonm iutuj` sjtosfjltobn.
Jt chr mbbr ch chsotjthm, onstonlt th``onk coi tcjt tcos wbijn wjs kbonk tb thst cosrhsb`vh. Aut cos mhlosobn wjs ijmh. ]ch `hss sch dnhw jnm unmhrstbbm jabut cos `ofh, tch
hjsohr ot wbu`m ah tb ijontjon jt `hjst j kbbm frohnmscop. Ch wjnthm tcjt4 lbiprbiosh
wbu`m bn`y ijdh ot cjrm. Ch sokchm jnm tjpphm.
‐]hrry, ybu‟rh rokct bn toih.’ Chr vbolh wjs `odh cbnhy, swhht jnm sibbtc, tch s`okct `o`t
bf j sbutchrn jllhnt. Chr sio`h, sb onvotonk, ch j`ibst rhjlchm but tb tjsth ot.
Ch kronnhm, cbponk tbb iulc bf cos mhhp p`hjsurh wjsn‟t scbwonk. ‐Chrh tb hslbrt ybu tb
`unlc, `bvh.’
Ch hnthrhm js sch kjtchrhm lbjt jnm pursh. ]ch jpjrtihnt wjs l`hjn js j wcost`h. Bnh
wbu`m nhvhr kuhss j pjrty tbbd p`jlh tchrh `hss tcjn twh`vh cburs hjr`ohr. ]ch
cbushdhhphr ljih frbi tch dotlchn, mryonk chr cjnms bn j mosc l`btc. \ch wjs b`mhr, krhywotc j ibtchr`y ijnnhrosi. Iui wjnthm tb dnbw wcjt wjs up, aut ]jijrj ijnjkhm
wotc fonhssh.
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‐O‟`` ah kbnh fbr j fhw cburs, Ljr`j. _bur lchld os bn tch mhsd, eust `bld up wchn ybu`hjvh.’
‐_hs, ij‟ji. \urh ybu mbn‟t wjnt ih tb wjot2 O ljn4 kbt nbwchrh h`sh tb ah tcos
jfthrnbbn,’ sch sjom, hyhonk ]hrry suspolobus`y, ijdonk coi kron jkjon. ]jijrj‟s fjtchrwjs jn oipbrtjnt kuhst jt chr pjrty, jnm nbw tch cbushdhhphr wjs bphn`y prbthltovh. Ch
wjs ahkonnonk tb `odh tcos wbijn ibrh jnm ibrh.
‐Nb, nb. Hneby ybur mjy, Ljr`j.’ ]jijrj turnhm tb ]hrry, f`opponk j `bnk so`d sljrf bvhr
tch scbu`mhrs bf chr lbjt. ]ch so`d wjs pronthm wotc h`hkjnt, onthrtwonhm swor`s, j``
poldonk up tch lb`brs bf chr cjor jnm arokcthnonk chr fjlh. ‐O‟i rhjmy.’
Aut wjs ch2 ]hrry l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt jnm turnhm j sio`h tb tch b`m wbijn ahfbrh tchy `hft.
@unlc wjs ibrh tcjn ch hxphlthm. [cjt sch sjom momn‟t shhi tb ijtthr4 tch fjlt tcjt tchor
lbnvhrsjtobns rb``hm jnm vjlo``jthm, lbvhronk j womh vjrohty bf suaehlts jnm hibtobns,tb`m coi ibrh jabut chr. \ch wjs vhry onth``okhnt, sbft jnm strbnk jt bnlh, js aro``ojnt`y
ahjutofu` tj`donk jabut cjppy tconks js hxp`bronk shrobus ossuhs.
Ch fbunm coish`f fjr ibrh jnoijthm tcjn usuj`, hjso`y s`omonk tch lbnvhrsjtobns frbi
suaehlt tb suaehlt jnm hntcrj``hm wotc chr rhspbnshs. Bc yhjc, tchy whrh bn tch sjih pjkh. ]chy cjm soio`jr wbrd htcols jnm ajldkrbunms, j`tcbukc ]hrry wjs ljrhfu` tb dhhp
cos s`okct`y vjkuh. ]chor vj`uhs whrh lbiibn. Abtc cjm suffhrhm j rbukc ijrrojkh jnm
movbrlh. Abtc pjssobnjth`y `bvhm tchor wbrd … jt `hjst ]hrry wjs pjssobnjth jabut cos.]chrh whrh sb ijny sjlrofolhs onvb`vhm ch lbu`m cjrm`y sjy ch trutcfu``y `bvh ot. Ch wjs
kbbm jt ot. Ot wjs wcjt ch mom.
‐\b,’ ]jijrj sokchm bvhr j shlbnm k`jss bf wonh. ‐Onsurjnlh.’
‐_hs.’ ]hrry fh`t cos kut tokcthn aut chr sio`h wjs sb hntolonk ot `ot on chr hyhs.
‐_bu mbn‟t strodh ih js j nhrm, ]hrry.’
‐Jc, tchn iy lbvhr os sullhssfu`.’ Fuld j``, ch momn‟t wjnt tch ihj` tb hnm aut ot cjm.
Lchld on cjnm ch rjoshm j arbw jnm scrukkhm tb wcolc sch lculd`hm.
‐[h cjvh ahhn chrh j `bnk toih. O kuhss ots toih tb kb ajld. Cjvh ybu tconks tb mb tcos
jfthrnbbn2’
]hrry wjs cb`monk chr lbjt, tcjndfu``y nbt fjlonk chr br surh`y sch‟m cjvh shhn tch cbph
on cos hyhs. Ot wjs jn onvotjtobn. Wurh jnm soip`h.
‐Nbt to`` tcos hvhnonk, vosotonk j ijth on rhcja.’
‐Mruks2’ sch turnhm lbnlhrnhm hyhs.
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‐Jc … nb. Wcysolj` rhcja. Jn jllomhnt, hokct ibntcs jkb. Ch‟s kbt j `bnk, cjrm rbjmjchjm. Eust wjnnj lchld up bn coi.’
‐\onlh ybu‟rh on tbwn sb `ott`h, bf lbursh,’ sch sjom sbft`y.
[js sch mosjppbonthm ch‟m ah ausy tcjt hvhnonk2 Br lbnlhrnhm fbr Monb2 ]jijrj wjs j
lbnunmrui. Hotchr sch wjs ijsthrfu``y ijnopu`jtovh … br unnjturj``y bphnhm, sb
trjnspjrhnt ch wjnthm tb sch`thr chr frbi hvhrytconk. ]chy wj`dhm but bf tch rhstjurjntjnm ]hrry rjoshm jn jri tb cjo` j lja.
Ot cjpphnhm sb fjst ch j`ibst momn‟t cjvh tch lcjnlh tb lbrrhlt ot. J pursh snjtlchrlcjrkhm tch ibihnt ch rh`hjshm ]jijrj‟s jri. Ch s`jiihm ontb chr, slbbtonk bff wotc
tch pursh jnm ]hrry wjs bn j fhvhrosc spront jfthr coi. ]ch a`bdh wjs arutj` bnlh ch cjm
coi ay tch jri, swonkonk cjrm jnm ljtlconk ]hrry‟s lchst wotc j cjrsc a`bw. ]chy whrh
`hss tcjn fofthhn yjrms frbi ]jijrj jnm ]hrry frhhm tch ijn ontb tch lustbmy bf tch
rhstjurjnt mbbrijn jnm slrjia`hm ajld tcrbukc kjtchronk bn`bbdhrs.
]jijrj wjs bn chr autt, bnh bf chr scbhs cjm f`bwn jlrbss tch wj`d. Ch rhtrohvhm ot,`bwhrhm tb bnh dnhh, cjnmhm chr tch pursh jnm s`om tch scbh bntb chr `bvh`y sij`` fbbt.
\ch wjs arhjtc`hss. ‐Ot wjs eust j pursh, nbt wbrtc j`` tcjt … tcjnd ybu … tcjnd ybu.’
Ch `ht chr sot j ibihnt jnm `bbdhm ontb chr hyhs. ‐_bu bdjy, mjr`on‟2’
‐Nb, nbt jt j``. Eust,’ sch scrukkhm, ‐hiajrrjsshm, O kuhss.’ \ch rhjlchm j cjnm fbr coi
tb ch`p chr up tchn kjsphm. ‐Bc! Bc ]hrry! _bu‟rh curt!’
Cos bvhrlbjt jnm ejldht whrh bphnhm jnm j `onh bf a`bbm cjm bbzhm frbi ahconm ajnmjkhs
jnm rokct tcrbukc cos pj`h a`uh scort.
]ch prbiosonk, ljsuj` rh`jtobnscop cjm eust kbtthn vhry lbip`oljthm … un`hss ]hrry
lbu`m ijnjkh sbih lrosos lbntrb` jnm aypjss chr onthnsh`y bavobus wbrry.
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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn
ay Qo`hy
][B
‐@ht‟s kht yj cbih, `bvh. _bu‟rh j `ott`h scjdhn.’ ]hrry ch`phm chr tb chr fhht. Jnunlcjrjlthrostolj``y donm Nhw _brdhr cjm cjo`hm j lja fbr tchi jnm tchy l`oiahm on. Ch
sjom nbtconk muronk tch fofthhn a`bld romh. [cjt wjs tchrh tb sjy2 Ch ch`m chr trhia`onk
cjnm, cbponk wotc j`` cos iokct tcjt sch wjs scjdonk jabut tch jtthipthm pursh snjtlconkjnm nbt tch so``y a`bbm bn cos scort. Jt chr mbbr, sch quold`y un`bldhm ot jnm whnt onsomh,
pu``onk cos jri tb fb``bw. \ch schm chr lbjt, mrbpponk ot ljrh`hss`y bn tch sbfj jnm
rhjlchm tb rhibvh cos.
‐]jijrj, ot‟s nbtconk.’
‐_bu‟rh a`hhmonk, `ht ih jt `hjst l`hjn jnm lbvhr ot fbr ybu.’ Chr fonkhrs ibvhm fjst,unauttbnonk cos scort jnm ch krjsphm tchi tokct, `bbdonk jt chr lbnlhrnhm hxprhssobn wotc
j sokc.
‐O‟`` mb tcjt up stjors. Lbih bn. Ot‟s nbtcon‟.’
\ch wjsn‟t tjdonk brmhrs, nb ijtthr cbw khnt`y ch wjs kovonk tchi. Cos ejldht jnm scortwhrh bff jnm sch cjm tukkhm cos thh scort up, pu``onk ot bvhr cos chjm. A`bbmy ch``, tcos
wjsn‟t cbw ch wjnthm tb ah unmrhssonk wotc chr. Fuld nb, nbt hvhn l`bsh. Cos abmy cjm
kbnh sto``, phriotthm chr wcjt sch mhijnmhm jnm fonj``y, spyonk tch `jrkh a`bbm stjonhm
ajnmjkh sch kjsphm.
‐Bc kbbm Kbm!’
Jnbtchr jtthipt tb stbp chr cjnms aut ch lbu`mn‟t shhi tb fokct chr. Ot wjsn‟t tcjt sch
wjs strbnk br mhthrionhm … ot wjs tcjt sch wjs sb a`bbmy khnt`h. \ch pu``hm jt tch tjph
jnm fonj``y hxpbshm tch hntorh wbunm.
‐Ehsus! ]cos os … thn stotlchs2’
‐]wh`vh,’ ch krbjnhm. \ch wjs onthnt bn tjdonk ljrh bf ot jnm ch wjs rhsoknhm, fb``bwonk
chr tb chr ajtcrbbi wchrh sch pbonthm tb tch ijdhup lcjor jnm ch sjt. Whrbxomh on cjnm… a`bbmy ch``, ch cjthm tcjt scot … sch mrhnlchm j lbttbn aj`` jnm ljrhfu``y, thnmhr`y
l`hjnhm tch a`bbm jwjy. Ch `bbdhm mbwn.
‐\hh, nbtcon‟. Bnh pu``hm `bbsh, nbtcon‟ ibrh. Nbt hvhn a`hhmonk jnyibrh.’
\ch lbntonuhm chr ionostrjtobn jnm ch sjt sto``. ]ch slhnt bf chr ioxhm wotc tch phrbxomh
j`ibst ontbxoljtonk coi4 ch l`hnlchm cos fosts bn cos dnhhs tb dhhp frbi kropponk chr,
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pu``onk chr l`bsh jnm dossonk chr tch wjy ch wjnthm. Hvhrytconk on coi auzzhm tb tbulc
chr. Nbt j kbbm omhj. Nbt nbw. Ijyah nbt hvhr.
\ch fonj``y tjphm nhw ajnmjkhs bvhr tch stotlchs jnm whnt tb wbrd bn cos a`bbm stjonhm
scort. Ch‟m rhp`jlhm tch thh scort, j rhm spbt ab`m bvhr cos chjrt js sch ruschm wjthr
tcrbukc tch fjarol bf tch mrhss scort tchn tbsshm ot ontb tch mryhr lbnvhnohnt`y commhn ahconm tch mbbr on chr ijsthr ajtc.
‐Lbih, ]hrry,’ sch sjom, nbt `bbdonk jt coi. ‐O nhhm j mrond.’
Ch wjs fhh`onk `odh j aot bf j sjm mbk, wj`donk jt chr chh` tb tch `bunkh, jllhptonk j
aburabn tchn sottonk bn tch sbfj. Ot wjsn‟t unto` jfthr sch sjt jnm sopphm cj`f chr k`jss tcjtsch fonj``y l`hjrhm chr tcrbjt. Whrcjps nbw tchy lbu`m kht bn wotc ot. Whrcjps nbw ch
lbu`m fonm j wjy tb ijdh j krjlhfu` hsljph, lj`` ot j`` j wjsc, ahkon tch prblhss bf tryonk
tb fbrkht jabut tch ahjutofu` wbijn `ovonk bn tch soxtc f`bbr. Ot momn‟t kb mbwn `odh tcjt.
\ch momn‟t tcrbw coi but br mhijnm jnswhrs. \ch mjnlhm jrbunm tch suaehlt, s`otchronk
sb l`bsh tb ot ch tcbukct ch wjs kbonk a`onm4 sch wjs kbbm, l`hjn, morhlt on wjys ch momn‟thxphlt.
‐_bu mbn‟t sh`` onsurjnlh, mb ybu, ]hrry.’
‐_hs, O mb sh`` onsurjnlh. Ot‟s … wh`` … O j`sb … tjdh ljrh bf tch onsurhm.’ Kbbm , chtcbukct. Hvjsovh aut nbt j `oh.
Chr aro``ojnt a`uh hyhs iht cos. Chr fjlh wjs s`okct`y f`uschm jnm sch aot chr abttbi `op.‐[cjt ybu mb … os ot `hkj`2’
Bnh somh bf cos ibutc rjoshm j `bpsomhm kron. ‐_hs.’
]jijrj nbmmhm. ‐Jnm … mbonk ybur … onsurjnlh sh``onk wbrd … ybu sbihtoihs kht
curt2’
Ch cjm nb jnswhr, nbnh ch wjnthm tb kovh chr. Cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` mom tchy kht tb tcos
pbont sb fjst2 Xsuj``y ch lbu`m kht jt `hjst j fhw monnhrs on, phrcjps j rb`` on tch schhts ahfbrh j wbijn abtchrhm tb jsd tcbsh quhstobns. Ch `bbdhm bff ontb tch mostjnlh. ‐Ot‟s
eust j lut, mjr`on‟.’
‐Jnm,’ sch sjom sb quoht`y ch j`ibst lbu`mn‟t chjr chr. ‐]ch b`m wbunm on ybur scbu`mhr2
J au``ht2’
Cos lchst mhf`jthm jnm ]hrry cuffhm, ruaahm cos hyhs jnm fokurhm ch‟m try eust j `ott`h
cjrmhr tb sjvh tcos. Ot wjs sbihtconk ch wjnthm tb sjvh. ‐]jijrj … O mbn‟t rhj``y wjnnj
tj`d jabut tcos scot. O mbn‟t `odh tj`don‟ jabut ot wchn O‟i cjvonk sbih quoht toih. O mbn‟t
kht iulc bf ot … jnm wchn ot‟s `odh tcos,’ cos hyhs ljpturhm chrs, ‐O eust donmj … `bbd fbr… O munnb … nbrij`. O dnbw tcjt‟s j `bt tb jsd.’
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‐Nb. Jltuj``y ot‟s potofu` `ott`h tb jsd. O‟i pryonk jnm O‟i sbrry. Ot‟s eust tcjt O `odh ybu,
]hrry. O `odh ybu j `bt. O cjvh nb rokct tb tcond tcos, aut O fhh` `odh O dnbw tconks jabutybu. \bihtconk jabut ybu os … kbbm … rokct.’
\ch sokchm, strukk`hm wotc chr tcbukcts jnm ]hrry wjs mhsphrjth tb chjr wcjt sch cjm tb
sjy. [js ch wjotonk fbr tch jxh2 ]cjt pbont wchrh sch suat`y tb`m coi tb cot tch rbjm, aurohm sbihwchrh ahnhjtc lbip`oihnts2 [js ot cos hkb tcjt nhhmhm tb chjr nolh tconks2
Br wjs ot eust chr vbolh tcjt shhihm tb cypnbtozh coi. \ch wjs shtt`hm jt bnh hmkh bf tch
sbfj jnm ch jt tch btchr, cos dnhh mrjwn up, kovonk chr cos unmovomhm jtthntobn.
‐Nbt j sjont, `bvh.’
‐Nb. Nb bnh os. Aut,’ sch lur`hm chr `hks up jnm fjlhm coi. ‐O `odh tcjt ybu wjnt tb vosot
ybur frohnm, rhlbvhronk frbi tcjt thrroa`h jllomhnt … hvhn tcbukc tcjt‟s nbt rhj``y ahonk
nbrij`. O `odh tcjt ybu wbu`m lbih tb ihht j nhokcabr jt j so``y pjrty, hvhn tcbukc ybu
whrh sb torhm `jst nokct ot wjs wrotthn j`` bvhr ybur fjlh. O `odh … O `odh tcjt ybu wbu`m
lcjsh j pursh snjtlchr … tcjt ybu put iy scbh ajld bn. Ot j`` fhh`s,’ sch scrukkhm,‐nba`h.’
Ch rh`jxhm bn tch sbfj. @ht chr rjia`h bn jnm bn.
‐O mbn‟t cjvh ijny frohnms on Nhw _brd4 O‟vh bn`y ahhn chrh js `bnk js ybu cjvh. O‟i …O kuhss O‟i `bnh`y jnm O fhh` sb lbifbrtja`h wotc ybu. O shnsh tcjt ybu‟rh `bnh`y tbb. \b, O
wbn‟t pry jnyibrh. O eust,’ sch sjom, a`ondonk js chr hyhs k`bwhm wotc ibuntonk thjrs. ‐O
eust …’
‐]chrh jrh btchr tconks tb tj`d jabut, yj dnbw,’ ch kronnhm. ‐Fbr hxjip`h, O kbt j sbn.Ch‟s on unovhrsoty, ajld on @bnmbn. O‟i vhry prbum bf coi.’
\ch sio`hm jnm frbwnhm jnm `osthnhm js ch tj`dhm bf tch rbukc rbjm ahtwhhn coi jnm
Chnry, cbw tchy‟m ijnjkhm tb wbrd jrbunm tch fjlt tcjt ch wjs ajsolj``y jn jashnthhfjtchr, wbrdonk j`` tch toih. Ch spbdh bf cos jijzhihnt tcjt Chnry lbu`m fbrkovh coi fbr
tcjt. Jnm ch tj`dhm jabut iossonk tch oipbrtjnt io`hstbnhs on tch ybunk aby‟s `ofh.
‐O nhvhr cjm j lcjnlh tb cjvh j lco`m,’ ]jijrj sjom wchn ch quohthm. ‐O‟m cjvh `bvhm tcjt
tcbukc.’
Ch aot cos tbnkuh jnm sch rhjm cos tcbukcts.
‐_bu ljn jsd, ot‟s bdjy.’
‐J`okct, `bvh. [cjt cjpphnhm2’
‐[h whrh ijrrohm tcrhh yhjrs. Ot eust nhvhr shhihm `odh tch rokct toih tb lbnsomhr cjvonkj ajay4 j`wjys sbihtconk aok kbonk bn on Mjvom‟s oipbrtjnt `ofh. Jnm ih2 O wjs eust j
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iomm`h ijnjkhihnt ijrdhtonk hxhlutovh. Ot wjs j moslbnnhlthm `ofh fbr tch ibst pjrt.
]chn … ch cot ih. Cjrm.’
‐A`bbmy ch``,’ ]hrry cosshm.
\ch scrukkhm. ‐O `hft coi. Hnm bf stbry. Hnm bf ijrrojkh. Aut … ot‟s rhj``y cjrm nbt tbfhh` tcjt fjo`urh, ybu dnbw2’
‐_bu momn‟t fjo`, ]jijrj. Ch mom. Ot wjs tch hnm bf cos stbry, tch tbsshr.’
]ch mryhr auzzhm jnm sch `hft, rhturnonk wotc cos wjri scort. Ch stbbm jnm pu``hm ot bn,
sibbtconk ot mbwn cos lchst, tyonk cos toh jnm fonj``y rhjlconk fbr cos ejldht jnm lbjt. ‐Oscbu`m `ht ybu kb. Ahhn tjdon‟ up ybur wcb`h jfthrnbbn.’
\ch sio`hm. ‐Ot wjs fun.’ \ch wjnthm tb jsd coi wcjt ch wjs mbonk fbr monnhr, of sch
lbu`m lbbd fbr coi4 jnytconk tb cb`m coi frbi `hjvonk.
‐Kbttj kht tb shh Monb. O‟`` pold up tcjt scotty fjst fbbm ch `odhs, sot wotc coi j wco`h, shh
cbw ch‟s lbion‟ j`bnk.’ \ch wjs stjnmonk sb l`bsh ch tcbukct ch‟m euip rokct but bf cossdon. Cos cjnm tbbd chrs jnm ch`m ot, wjntonk tb pu`` chr ontb jn hiarjlh, sto`` unsurh bf
wchrh tchy stbbm. ‐Ljn O lj`` yj `jthr2’
\ch arokcthnhm. ‐_hs! O `odh cjvonk j frohnm on tch auo`monk. O‟m `odh ot of ybu lj`` `jthr …
br ybu ljn stbp ay … of ybu `odh.’
Cos cjnm lupphm chr fjlh. ]hrry lbu`mn‟t cb`m coish`f ajld jnbtchr shlbnm. Cos ibutc
`bwhrhm, lbu`m fhh` tch chjt bf chr `ops jnm tch mbbrah`` rjnk. Ch sokchm, sthpphm ajldjnm sch a`ondhm. ]ch sph`` wjs arbdhn. \ch rhjlchm jrbunm jnm bphnhm tch mbbr.
‐Mjmmy,’ sch konnhm womh jnm tch b`m ijn hnthrhm, hyhonk ]hrry frbi chjm tb fbbt.
‐Mjmmy, tcos os ]hrry ]cbrnh. ]hrry, tcos os iy fjtchr, Khnhrj` Lcjr`hs Cjrtfbrm.’
‐M‟kjy, Khnhrj`,’ ]hrry sjom rhsphltfu``y, scjdonk tch ijn‟s cjnm.
‐Qhtorhm jriy, ]cbrnh. Nolh tb ihht ybu.’ Ch `bbdhm tb ]jijrj. ‐O‟i sbrry cbnhy4 O
tcbukct ybur `unlc wbu`m ah `bnk bvhr. O ljn pbp ay jnbtchr toih.’
‐Nb wbrrohs,’ ]hrry kronnhm. ‐O wjs eust `hjvonk.’
‐J p`hjsjnt `unlc, O jssuih2’ ]ch b`m ijn‟s auscy wcoth arbws rbsh.
‐Vhry … spjrdhm wotc j aot bf pursh snjtlcon‟ tb dhhp j a`bdh bn cos tbhs. O‟i surh
]jijrj wo`` th`` yj j`` jabut ot. Kbttj run, `bvh.’ Jnm ch `hjnhm mbwn, phldonk j lcjsth
doss bn chr lchhd. ‐O‟`` lj`` `jthr.’
***
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Jfthr lcjnkonk cos scort, sp`jsconk lb`m wjthr bn cos fjlh jnm wbnmhronk of j lb`m scbwhrwjs on brmhr, ch cjo`hm j lja jnm chjmhm fbr Monb. Cos ionm wjs mosebonthm, l`jldonk
jabut on cos chjm. Ot cjm j`` stjrthm wotc j nbt sb pbsotovh oiprhssobn bf tch pjrty cbst jnm
cjm sonlh vjlo``jthm ontb sbihtconk h`sh j`` tbkhtchr. ]jijrj wjs j lbnunmrui, jn
hnokij. Hvhry ibihnt sphnt wotc chr puschm coi ontb jrhjs bf cos `bldhm chjrt ch cjmn‟tshhn on yhjrs. [js ot wosh tb lbntonuh2 ]b wjnt tcos sb iulc2 Ch krbjnhm, wjtlconk
Ijncjttjn s`omh pjst tch wonmbw. [cjt ch mjrhm tb tcond ch wjnthm wjs surh tb lrjsc
jnm aurn. Cos ijrrojkh cjm, hvhry rh`jtobnscop ch hvhr cjm mom tcjt. Frohnmscops whrhrjrh4 rhj` frohnmscops, tch donm wchrh j a`bdh lbu`m tj`d frhh`y jnm `ht but frustrjtobns
jabut wbrd jnm wbihn, `ofh on khnhrj`. ]ch `jld bf tcbsh sbrt bf onthrjltobns `hft ]hrry tb
fhh` onlbip`hth. Ahnhjtc tch wbrm –frohnm‟ wjs ibrh wchn ]jijrj spbdh ot, iulc ibrh.Lbu`m ch cjnm`h … ibrh2 Bc yhjc, ch wjnthm ot, aut wjs ch up tb tch tjsd2
]jsd2 Ch cuffhm jnm scuff`hm on tch lja. Ot wjs j wbijn, nbt j ljsh … nbt j thst bf cos
ihtt`h. Br … wjs ot2
Bvhr IjlMbnj`m‟s aurkhrs jnm frohs, ch sjt jnm lcjtthm wotc Monb, swj``bwonk mbwn tch
thrroa`h fbbm j`bnk wotc cos bashrvjtobns bf cos bnlh pcysolj``y pbwhrfu` ahst ijth. ]chmjijkh wjs mhhp, fjr mhhphr tcjn j snjpphm sponh. _hs, tch tchrjposts whrh wbrdonk
iorjl`hs jnm Monb wjs prbum tb sjy ch jltuj``y wj`dhm … cb`monk strbnk jkjonst twb
rjo`onks aut ot wjs vhrtolj` ibao`oty, j`` tch sjih. Jnm j`` tcos jfthr bn`y hokct ibntcs.
‐Hvhntuj``y, hvhntuj``y,’ Monb kronnhm, stuffonk frohs ontb cos ibutc.
‐Cbw ljn ybu hjt tcos a`bbmy kjrajkh2’ ]hrry lculd`hm, pusconk cos ihj` jsomh jnm
`bbdonk jrbunm. ]ch fjlo`oty wjs tbp nbtlc, tch ahst ibnhy lbu`m auy aut tchrh jrh tconksibnhy ljn‟t auy. ]chy cjmn‟t bnlh tj`dhm jabut tch ausonhss sonlh tch jllomhnt. Cjmn‟t
hxp`brhm tch bavobus nhw mynjiols tchy‟m nhhm tb put on p`jy. Ch jnm Monb whrh tch tbp
nhkbtojtbrs jnm proijry foh`m bphrjtovhs, tjdonk tch `hjm wotc hvhry oipbrtjnt ljsh,
aronkonk jabut pbsotovh rhsu`ts jt j stjkkhronk hokcty-hokct phrlhnt rjth. Aut … wotc bn`ybnh bf tchi wbrdonk tch shrobus ljsh `bjm, tconks whrh abunm tb mhthrobrjth. [cy tch
a`bbmy ch`` cjmn‟t tchy tjdhn tcos sbrt bf pbssoao`oty ontb lbnsomhrjtobn2 Bf lbursh, ch
dnhw wcy. ]b tcond jabut fjo`urh wjs tb onvoth ot. Nhotchr pjrtnhr wjs kbbm jt onvotonkfjo`urh.
‐J`rokct,’ Monb puschm cos wchh`lcjor ajld jnm turnhm ot. ‐Wusc iy sbrry jss, O‟i ahjt.[h kbttj tj`d, aummy.’
]hrry pbsotobnhm coish`f ahconm tch ijn jnm kropphm tch cjnm`hs. J wjvh bf ioshry puiih`hm coi, mosjppbontihnt, fhjr abrmhronk bn mhvjstjtobn. ]chy scbu`m‟vh p`jnnhm
fbr sulc j tconk4 ot lbu`m cjvh hjso`y ahhn coi jnm nbt Monb on j a`bbmy wchh`lcjor.
]conks scbu`m cjvh ahhn prhpjrhm4 ot‟s j lbntonkhnly jny sijrt ausonhssijn wbu`m cjvh
lbnsomhrhm. Jnm nbw2 ]b cjvh put ot bff fbr sb `bnk2 Ot wjs j`ibst `jukcja`h. ‐]ch`bunkh2’ ch jsdhm eust butsomh tch mononk rbbi.
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‐Njc, iy rbbi.’ Ot wjs s so`hnt trop up on tch h`hvjtbr jnm ontb tch rbbi.
]hrry arjlhm coish`f tb `oft tch ijn bntb cos ahm. Ot wbu`mn‟t ah tch forst toih, jnm jfthr
tch rbukc mjy Monb cjm, ot shhihm bn`y rokct.
‐Mbn‟t fuldonk lbmm`h ih. \ot mbwn, ]hrry. [h nhhm tb tj`d.’
‐\urh. \urh, ijth. \‟up2’
‐\tupom quhstobn.’ Monb hyhm cos pjrtnhr jnm ]hrry sokchm. ‐_bu kbt tcrbukc tch Qbswh``
ljsh uncjrihm2’
‐_hjc, O mom.’
‐_bu‟rh j fuldonk `ojr. O iokct `bbd `odh j kbmmjin lropp`h aut O ljn moj` j mjin pcbnh.
Hnbukc wotc tcos scot. O‟i nbt j wbijn ybu nhhm tb prbthlt frbi tch mhtjo`s. O j`rhjmy
dnbw tch mhtjo`s. Jnm … O dnbw ot scbu`mn‟t cjvh cjpphnhm.’
]hrry scrukkhm, stbbm tb `bbd but tch wonmbw. Monb lbntonuhm, ch wjs orrotja`h frbi j``tch thsts jnm ijnopu`jtobns, jnm ch wjs bn j rb``. Nb pbont on hvhn tryonk tb stbp coi.
‐[h‟rh khttonk b`m, ]hrry. Ljrryonk mbua`h muty eust osn‟t sijrt jnm tcjt‟s wcjt ybu‟vh ahhn mbonk. J dnofh wbunm tb tch lchst2 Ehsus fuldonk Lcrost, ijn. [chrh wjs ybur
kbmmjin Dhv`jr2’
]hrry momn‟t jnswhr. ]ch hxtrjltobn ljih cjrm jnm fjst. Ch cjm cos Dhv`jr, aut … ot
wjsn‟t hvhn strjpphm bn. Ch mhshrvhm tch `hlturh jnm ch‟m tjdh ot. Nhhm`hss tb sjy,lbionk frbi Monb ot curt ibrh tcjn tch a`bbmy wbunm.
‐]conks cjvh kbt tb lcjnkh.’ Monb lbntonuhm. ‐[h‟vh kbt shvhrj` mjin kbbm nhkbtojtbrs
jnm jt `hjst sox foh`m bphrjtovhs tcjt jrh rhjmy tb ibvh up. Aronk Mjnlhr on frbi @bnmbn,tcjt kuy‟s kbttj ah `bbdonk fbr wbrd, ch‟s jn jmrhnj`on cbunm jnm mjin kbbm. Xto`ozh
[j``jlh jnm \oipsbn.’
]hrry turnhm tb `bbd jt cos pjrtnhr. Cos cjnms whrh jnoijthm js wjs cos hxprhssobns.
‐[cjt‟rh yj sjyon‟ ijth2’
‐O‟i sjyonk … ybu‟rh krbunmhm fbr j wco`h. ]cjt ljsuj`ty scbu`m cjvh nhvhr cjpphnhm.
_bu‟rh bvhrstrhtlchm, aummy. Kbbm fbr nbtconk aut j mosjsthr on tch ijdonk. O‟vh
onstrulthm tch bffolh tb dhhp ybu but bf tch foh`m fbr j wco`h.’
‐J wco`h2’
‐_hjc. \ox whhds, twb ibntcs, wcjthvhr ot tjdhs tb kht ybur chjm jnm ybur abmyscjrphnhm jkjon.’
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‐Jnm, ybu ijmh tcos mhlosobn j`bnh2 O bwn tch a`bbmy ausonhss tbb, Monb.’
‐O sjom …’ ch turnhm tch wchh`lcjor jnm ijnjkhm on bnh f`op bf jris jnm nhjr`y mhjm
`hks tb ibunt tch ahm. ‐_bu‟rh krbunmhm.’
‐[cy jrh yj mbon‟ tcos, ijth2’
‐Frohnmscop … prjltolj`oty. _bu nhhm sbih fuldonk mbwntoih. O‟i nbt kbonk tb rosd ybu,
]hrry. Hnm bf stbry.’ Ch scuff`hm jnm tukkhm schhts bvhr coish`f. ‐Ahsomh, of tch tja`hswhrh turnhm, ybu‟m mb tch sjih tconk tb ih. Auld up jnm tjdh ot. Nbw, wcb‟s tch
wbijn2’
]hrry a`ondhm, `bwhrhm ontb j lcjor. ‐[cjt ijdhs yj tcond tchrh‟s j wbijn2’
‐O ljn sih`` ot j`` bvhr ybu.’ Monb kronnhm. ‐[cb os sch2’
‐Eust iht chr.’ Ch wjs summhn`y prbthltovh bf j rh`jtobnscop ch momn‟t hvhn cjvh yht.
‐Jc, O shh. O kbt jn onthrhstonk pcbnh lj`` eust ahfbrh ybu kbt chrh. J Khnhrj` Lcjr`hsCjrtfbrm.’
‐A`bbmy ch``,’ ]hrry krbjnhm, rhj`ozonk tcjt jny kbbm fjtchr, hsphloj``y j io`otjry fjtchr,wbu`m nop tcos tconk on tch aum wotcbut j shlbnm tcbukct. ‐Chr fjtchr.’
‐]cjt hxp`jons chr jttrjltobn tb ybur uk`y iuk,’ Monb lculd`hm. ‐Jriy arjts `odhsb`mohrs.’
‐\ch mbhsn‟t dnbw wcjt O mb, Monb. O kuhss sch wo`` nbw.’
‐Nbph. ]ch Khnhrj`‟s jn up frbnt sbrt. Ch jsdhm tch quhstobns tcjn sjom ch wbu`mn‟t sjy
j wbrm tb cos mjukcthr. ]cjt‟s ybur eba. Aut, O mbn‟t tcond ch‟s kbnnj `odh ot iulc of ybuwjot tbb `bnk. \ch prhtty2’
Qhj`ozonk tcjt shx wjs j rhibth pbssoao`oty fbr Monb un`hss j iorjl`h cjpphnhm, ]hrryjvbomhm h`jabrjtonk. ‐_hjc, rhj` prhtty.’
‐Kbbm, kht sbih fbr ih. Nbw … ybu stoldonk jrbunm Nhw _brd br wcjt2’
‐]cbukct ybu kjvh ih jn brmhr,’ ]hrry thjshm.
‐Jnswhr ih, ybu stoldonk jrbunm2’
‐_hjc.’
‐Jt `hjst sox whhds, rokct2’
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]hrry a`ondhm, rhj`ozonk tchrh wjs jn u`throbr ibtovh jt p`jy. Ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt. ‐]chy
slchmu`h jnbtchr surkhry2’
‐_hjc, jnbtchr ijkolj` iysthry tbur tcrbukc iy sponh.’ ]ch ihn whrh so`hnt, `bbdonk jt
tchor cjnms. Fonj``y Monb spbdh quoht`y. ‐_bu‟rh tch bn`y frohnm O cjvh, ]hrry. Kbt nb
fjio`y, nb wofh. Ah nolh tb dnbw sbihbnh‟s kbonk tb ah chrh wchn O wjdh up.’
‐O‟`` ah chrh.’
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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn
ay Qo`hy
]CQHH
]hrry wjsn‟t torhm wchn ch kbt cbih. Ch tbsshm bn j pjor bf swhjts jnm sjt, tchn `bunkhmbn tch sbfj, joi`hss`y swotlconk lcjnnh`s bn tch th``y jnm lchldonk cos wjtlc. Of ch lbu`m
sot tokct unto` thn, ot wbu`m ah bffoloj``y tbb `jth tb pbp mbwn jnm vosot wotc ]jijrj, aut
phrcjps nbt tbb `jth tb lj``. Chr nuiahr wjs tjttbbhm bn tcos arjon, rb``onk jnm rhphjtonk`odh j ijntrj bvhr tch stupom ibvoh p`jyonk bn tch slrhhn, mrovonk coi ijm. Jt thn tb thn
ch stbbm, unjwjrh bf wcjt ch wjs jltuj``y mbonk. J pjor bf ehjns, frhsc scort jnm scbhs
iorjlu`bus`y ibunthm cos abmy jnm ch wjs on tch h`hvjtbr pusconk sox ahfbrh ch rhj`ozhmch wjs kbonk tb chr.
Dnbldonk bn tch mbbr ch summhn`y fh`t tch nhhm tb turn jnm run. Fjlonk chr ihjnt th``onkchr hvhrytconk jnm cos oijkonjtobn wjs p`jyonk but j slhnh bf onnblhnlh, bf puroty.]j`donk ot j`` but tjonthm tcjt vosobn, j`thrhm ot ontb sbihtconk fjr ibrh prhljrobus. Ahfbrh
sch bphnhm tch mbbr ch ijmh j lbnslobus mhlosobn4 shh wchrh ot kbhs, sjy wcjt ch cjm tb
sjy bn`y of ch cjm tb sjy ot, jnm eust cbph fbr tch ahst. Chr sio`onk fjlh lj`ihm cos rjlonkchjrt jnm sphm cos pu`sh jt bnlh. Cos abmy auzzhm wotc tch lbnfusobn jnm jn
hxtrjbrmonjry nhhm ch cjmn‟t fh`t fbr yhjrs. \wj``bwonk cjrm, ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt jnm
jtthipthm j sio`h.
‐Chy, `bvh. _j sjom O lbu`m eust stbp on.’
‐_hs! Bf lbursh. Cjvh ybu hjthn2
‐\bih. ]cbukct ijyah j mrond2’
Aut ch momn‟t fonosc cos tcbukct, cos `ops fbunm chrs jnm tchy stbbm jt tch bphnhm mbbr,
tokct on j frjntol hiarjlh tcjt aurnhm hvhry onlc bf cos f`hsc. ]hrry mrhw on j mhhp arhjtc
jnm arbdh tch doss wotc j kjsp.
‐]bb fjst2 \brry mjr`on‟. \brry.’
‐Nb. Mbn‟t sjy tcjt. O‟i nbt sbrry jnm O mbn‟t wjnt ybu tb ah sbrry. ]hrry, O mbn‟t wjnt j
mrond … O wjnt … ybu.’
Ot cjm ahhn ibntcs sonlh ]hrry cjm tbulchm j wbijn, ibntcs sonlh ch‟m fh`t tch lcjrkonkrusc bf cos a`bbm jt tch shnsjtobn bf sbft f`hsc ahnhjtc cos fonkhrtops. \`bw wbu`mn‟t f`y
chrh, jnm ]jijrj wjs ibvonk wotc coi, fjst jnm mhsphrjth. L`btchs mrbpphm js tchyhiarjlhm, ibvonk, sponnonk tbwjrm chr ahm. Bnh cjnm wbrdhm tch l`ops bf chr arj js tch
btchr kropphm a`jndhts jnm swhpt tchi jwjy. Njdhm, trhia`onk, ch prhsshm chr bntb tch
ijttrhss. Cos `ops sbukct hvhry wjri surfjlh bf chr, hvhry wht p`jlh. Ch `jpphm jnm
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suldhm, ahkkhm rhjltobn tcjt ljih jt cos s`okcthst lbiijnm. ]jijrj sokchm jnm ibjnhm
jnm fonj``y lrohm but.
]chrh wjs nb wjy tb cb`m tch ibihnt, cos abmy mhijnmhm hvhrytconk jnm mhijnmhm ot
nbw. Wrhssonk ontb chr ch wjtlchm chr fjlh. \ulc j ahjutofu` fjlh, chr hyhs k`bwonk, chr
lchhds f`uschm, sbft ibutc pjntonk. Jnbtchr movh fbr j doss tb ljrry coi bvhr tch hmkh.Cos cops pbunmhm cjrm, s`jiionk jkjonst chr sbftnhss. Cos tbnkuh mbvh jnm tcrust tb
ijtlc tch rhst bf coi. J kjsp, j krunt jnm tch hxp`bsobn wjs tchrh, fu``, lbpobus … jnm
j`ibst oiihmojth`y wjntonk ibrh. Ch prhsshm mhhphr, cossonk tcrbukc cos thhtc.
‐Ehsus! A`bbmy ch``!’ Mrbpponk bvhr chr tchy s`om, swhjt jkjonst swhjt aut ch ch`m l`bsh,
rh`hjsonk tch `jst fhw mrbps bf cos bffhronk wotc j krbjn bf jkbnozonk p`hjsurh. ]hrryquold`y ljukct cos arhjtc jnm dosshm chr ibutc, suld`hm j arhjst unto` cos chjrt sibbtchm
tb j nbrij` rcytci jnm ch rh`jxhm jt chr somh.
‐[bw,’ sch sokchm jnm ]hrry lculd`hm.
Lumm`onk chr tokct tb cos lchst chr fonkhrtops s`otchrhm bvhr tch ajnmjkhs jnm ch fh`t cos
chjrt tokcthn, aut ]jijrj jsdhm nbtconk, mhijnmhm nbtconk. \ch snukk`hm l`bshr jnmsbft`y dosshm cos scbu`mhr. ‐Cbw os ybur frohnm2’ Chr vbolh ljih `odh j wcosphr.
Ot wjs j wjvh bf rh`ohf ch mom nbt hxphlt. [js ot pbssoa`h tcos wjs j wbijn wcbrhsphlthm cos woschs2 Ibst momn‟t4 tchy turnhm rhquhsts ontb mhijnms tcjt whrh mhstonhm
tb lruia`h hvhrytconk. ]jijrj shhihm tb lbiprhchnm tch frjko`oty bf ot j``. Cbw lbu`m
ch hvhr rhpjy chr2 Ch ijrvh`hm tcjt cos mhsorh tb scbw chr tch sjih rhsphlt ijmh coiwjnt tb th`` chr hvhrytconk ch wjs cbponk tb cb`m provjth. Ot wjs j lbnunmrui ]hrry
wjsn‟t quoth prhpjrhm fbr. Ch fbunm coish`f kronnonk, `bbdhm mbwn ontb chr fjlh.
‐Monb‟s mbon‟ js wh`` js ljn ah hxphlthm. Cjm j tbukc mjy, sb orrotjao`oty wjs tch njih bf
tch kjih. Ahhn wbrdonk wotc tcjt a`bdh j `bt bf yhjrs4 ushm tb cos orrotjao`oty.’
\ch scuff`hm, wjtlchm coi tj`d. ‐Cbw ajm os ot, rhj``y2’
]hrry scrukkhm. ‐Jt forst tchy sjom ch‟m nhvhr ibvh jkjon, nbw ch ljn `oft coish`f frbiwchh`lcjor tb ahm, khtton‟ strbnkhr tcjt wjy. Cos `hks ljn‟t quoth cb`m cos whokct yht, aut
tchrh‟s j pbssoao`oty ch wo`` wj`d jkjon.’ ]hrry scrukkhm. ‐Ibst wh ljn mb os prjy … jnm
cbph fbr tch ahst hvhry toih tchy kb on jkjon.’
‐Cbw ijny bphrjtobns cjs ch cjm2’ Chr fjlh wjs pj`h wotc lbnlhrn jnm ot ijmh ]hrry‟s
chjrt jlch.
‐]crhh. Jnbtchr bnh os slchmu`hm fbr nhxt ibntc.’
‐Bc mhjr. Cos fjio`y os l`bsh2’
‐Xc … nb fjio`y, `bvh. Cos pjrhnts pjsshm yhjrs jkb, nb wofh.’
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]jijrj sjt up, pu``onk schhts tb lbvhr chrsh`f. ‐Kbbm Kbm, wcjt of ybu‟rh but bf tbwn2[cb wo`` ah tchrh fbr coi2’ \ch a`ondhm, puschm ajld `bbsh mjrd rhm cjor. ‐Of ybu tcond
ch wbu`mn‟t ionm, O‟m ah cjppy tb lchld on bn coi hvhry fhw mjys.’
]hrry‟s chjm to`thm jnm ch scuff`hm tb `hjn jkjonst tch chjmabjrm. ‐_bu‟m mb tcjt2 _jmbn‟t hvhn dnbw Monb.’
]jijrj scrukkhm. ‐Ch‟s ybur frohnm, oipbrtjnt tb ybu. Ot wbu`m ah iy p`hjsurh.’
Ot wjs bnh bf tch ibst unsh`fosc tconks ch‟m hvhr chjrm … jnm j`` tcos jfthr dnbwonk chr
`hss tcjn fbrty-hokct cburs. [cjt cjm ch fbunm on tcos wbijn2 Lbu`m ot ah rhj`2 Jnm …wjs tchrh j lcjnlh ch lbu`m th`` chr ibrh2 Nbt hvhrytconk, nbt yht. Dnbwonk wcjt ch mom
fbr j `ovonk thnmhm tb sljrh wbihn jwjy … br ijdh tchi mhijnmonk cjrpohs, onsostonk
ch stbp mbonk wcjt ch mom ahst. Ijyah ch lbu`m sjy eust j `ott`h2 Ijyah nbt.
‐]cjt‟m ah krhjt, ]jijrj. Monb mbhs jmbrh ahjutofu` wbihn. Aut O‟`` ah stoldonk –rbunmtbwn unto` jfthr tch surkhry, prbaja`y sox whhds.’
Chr hyhs womhnhm, tch schhts tokcthnhm jt chr arhjsts. ‐Bc … uc … O sbrt bf … O tcbukct
ybu iokct ah `hjvonk tbwn jkjon sbbn … O … uc …’
Cos chjrt sjnd. ‐Chy, nb wbrrohs `bvh. Mbn‟t p`jn tb ibnbpb`ozh ybur toih. O kbt wbrd jt
tch bffolh, ybu kbt wbrd. Frohnms. Ba`okjtobns. Eust sbrtj cbphm O lbu`m shh ybu …
blljsobnj``y.’
‐Blljsobnj``y2’ Chr fjlh arokcthnhm jnm sch lculd`hm, `bwhronk chr fjlh tb cos lchst fbrj swhht lumm`h. ‐Ehhzh, ]hrry. O wjnt tb shh ybu ibrh tcjn blljsobnj``y. Ot‟s eust tcjt … of
O dnhw ybu‟m ah cbih jnm nbt rusconk bff jkjon … O iokct cjvh ahhn … wh`` … j `ott`h
`hss wjntbn, ybu dnbw.’
Ch `jukchm, dosshm chr arbw, cos hyhs twond`onk. ‐O tcbukct ot wjs ih … ahon‟ sb …
wjntbn.’
***
Chnry dnhw ahtthr. Ch cjm tb dnbw ahtthr4 cos fjtchr wjs vhry l`hjr bn trjvh`onk js sjfh`yjs pbssoa`h4 cjvonk j l`hjn otonhrjry prbvomonk mostonlt wjys bf ahonk trjldhm. ]cjt ihjnt
`httonk sbihbnh dnbw wchn ch wjs `hjvonk, wchrh ch wjs stjyonk jnm hxjlt`y wchn ch‟m
ah ajld jt uno. Aut tcos toih ot momn‟t kb tcjt wjy. Ot wjs fjst, cos ahst ijth lbionk ontbibnhy jnm wjntonk j `ott`h p`jy toih on Jisthrmji4 j whhdhnm cb`omjy bf iuscrbbis,
njdhm wbihn jnm fun. Orrhsostoa`h. Mjm wbu`m mhfonoth`y nbt jpprbvh … bc, nbt tch fun
pjrt, fun wjs phriotthm wotcon rhjsbn jnm nbtconk wbu`m ah o``hkj`. Ot wjs tch suphr fjst
p`jn tcjt ]hrry wbu`m cjvh au`dhm jt. Chnry rjtobnj`ozhm4 ch wbu`mn‟t hvhn tj`d tb cosfjtchr unto` tch nhxt whhd jnm ay tchn, ch‟m ah cbih, ajld tb l`jsshs jnm wh`` rhlbvhrhm.
J arohf f`okct but, twb mjys jnm nokcts bf p`hjsurh jnm cbih, l`hjn js j wcost`h. Aut,
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Chnry lbu`mn‟t ch`p aut fhh` j aot bf kuo`t jt mbonk ot tcjt wjy, hvhn lbnsomhrhm lj``onk tb
kht cos fjtchr‟s jpprbvj`.
Aut tchn jkjon, wcy2 Ch wjsn‟t j lco`m, momn‟t rhj``y nhhm phriossobn. Jnm ahsomhs,
]hrry lbu`mn‟t pbssoa`y tcond ch mhshrvhm j lbnstjnt upmjth bn Chnry‟s lcbolhs. ]ch ijn
cjm sb `ott`h tb mb wotc cos `ofh fbr ibst bf cos `ofh … rokct2 ]ch rhj` kuo`t momn‟t sht onunto` Chnry l`oiahm bn tch p`jnh, nbt cjvonk nbtofohm cos ibtchr jabut tch `ott`h ejunt
hotchr.
A`bbmy ch``. Ch scbbd ot bff. Ch wjs j krbwn ijn, j rjtobnj` ijn wotc p`jns tb hnthr tch
Qbyj` Ijronhs on twb scbrt yhjrs. Ch wjsn‟t jabut tb mb jnytconk tb ehbpjrmozh tcjt … br
mosjppbont cos pjrhnts … nbt tb ihntobn cos krjnmfjtchr, tch Khnhrj`. Ot wbu`m ah fonh, eust fonh.
Ch `hjnhm ajld on tch shjt jnm rh`jxhm, fbrlonk j kron jnm tryonk tb kht ontb tch sporot bf
tch jmvhnturh jchjm.
***
]hrry sjt jt cos mhsd jnm turnhm frbi tch tcrhjthnonk lbrrhspbnmhnlh on cos cjnm. Ch
swovh`hm tch lcjor jnm sokchm, vohwhm tch loty butsomh tch wonmbw jnm ijrvh`hm jt cbw
soio`jr yht moffhrhnt tconks cjm ahlbih. Cos `ofh cjm tjdhn bn tch fbri bf bvhr`jyonkoijkhs tcjt cjm sbihcbw ahlbih a`hnmhm, ihschm, lrhjtonk nhw pbonts bf vohw ch‟m
nhvhr jltuj``y lbnsomhrhm ahfbrh.
Ahnhjtc cos wbrd wjs ]jijrj. Fbr j whhd tchy‟m ahhn nhjr`y onshpjrja`h. \hnsjtobns bf
stjao`oty jnm surhty cjm lrhpt ontb cos wbrd cburs, sbfthnonk tch onhvotja`h a`bws tcjtljih wotc hvhry ibihnt, hvhry nhw ljsh, hvhry mhlosobn tcjt cjm tb ah ijmh. Cos
shlrhtjry cjm jltuj``y lbiihnthm hjr`ohr tcjt ibrnonk tcjt ch `bbdhm `odh j rjtchr
p`hjsjnt ijn fbr j lcjnkh, tcjt cos hmkh cjm sbfthnhm … jnm tcjt sch‟m `bvh tb cjvh j
`ott`h bf wcjthvhr cjm lcjnkhm ]hrry ]cbrnh. Ch kronnhm, ot wjs jn hnthrtjononk tcbukct,bnh bf tcbsh `hsaojn ibihnts j`` ihn `ht s`otchr ontb tchor psylch hvhry bnlh on j wco`h.
Aut js iulc js ch `odhm cos shlrhtjry … ch wjsn‟t jabut tb hvhn oijkonh scjronk
]jijrj.
]ch –sbftnhss‟ lbiihnt cjm lbnlhrnhm coi j aot, tcbukc. Cos ausonhss wjsn‟t tch donm
tcjt j``bwhm sulc whjdnhss. ]ch `htthr on cos cjnm lbnforihm sulc tconks. J tcrhjt, l`hjrjnm soip`h. ]hrry cjm posshm bff ibrh tcjn j fhw domnjpponk ronks on cos mjy, aut tconks
whrh khttonk rbukchr sonlh Monb‟s jllomhnt. [otc ]hrry cjnm`onk ibst bf tch ijebr
nhkbtojtobns, ch wjs khttonk hjsohr jnm hjsohr tb phk … jnm jppjrhnt`y trjld mbwn. Oftchy dnhw wchrh cos bffolh wjs … jnm dnhw ch wjs tchrh … wcjt h`sh mom tchy dnbw2
Ch cjm j fhw bptobns. Ch lbu`m ibvh, tjdh ]jijrj wotc coi, kht tchi abtc ontb j ibrh
shlurh jpjrtihnt auo`monk. Ch lbu`m fb``bw tch onth``okhnlh, trust tcjt tch tcrhjthnonk`htthr wjs eust tcjt, j `htthr wotc nb onthnt ahconm ot … nbt jn jssuiptobn ch wjs `odh`y tb
jllhpt. Ch lbu`m ahhf cos bwn shluroty up. Ijdh surh ch cjm j tjo` jt j`` toihs.
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Nbw cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` wbu`m ch hxp`jon j`` tcjt tb ]jijrj2
\ox nokcts on chr ahm jnm ch cjm yht tb th`` chr wcjt ch mom fbr j `ovonk. Ahonk –krbunmhm‟
momn‟t shhi tb lcjnkh tch mynjiols bf cos eba4 tchrh whrh sto`` tcrhjts4 ch wjs sto`` nhhmhm
jt j`` cburs bf tch mjy br nokct tb jmvolh cos nhkbtojtbrs jrbunm tch wbr`m4 ch sto`` `bbdhmfbr wjys tb wbrry jnm prbthlt. Jnm nbw, ch cjm jnbtchr phrsbn tb prbthlt. Of ch cjmn‟t
fj``hn on `bvh wotc ]jijrj, ch wjs wh`` bn tch wjy … sb iulc sb, tchrh wjs nb wjy tb
stbp ot hvhn of ch wjnthm tb.
Ch trohm dhhponk ot l`hjr on cos ionm. \ch wjs j Mbwntoih [bijn, nbtconk ibrh …
surh`y jfthr ch mom chjm bff fbr jnbtchr ljsh, sch‟m ah kbnh, bn tb jnbtchr ibrh stja`h,bphnhm ijn jnm ]hrry wbu`m ah j`bnh jkjon. Ot wjs tch ajsol mynjiol bf cos `ofh. Whrobm.
Fj``onk on `bvh wjs nbt tch woshst lcbolh … of ch cjm j lcbolh tcjt os.
Ch momn‟t.
Ch spbdh wotc twb bf cos ihn, tbp onth` jnm j`rhjmy prhpjrhm tb jnswhr cos quhstobns
rhkjrmonk tch `htthr ahfbrh tchy hnthrhm tch bffolh.
‐]cbrnh, fbrkht jabut ot. Ot‟s jn hipty tcrhjt, j`tcbukc wh‟rh rhjmy jnm stjffhm tb put
shluroty bn ybu jnm ybur fhij`h frohnm “’
‐[cjt2’ ]hrry krunthm, scbldhm tchy hvhn dnhw jabut cos provjth toih bn tch soxtc f`bbr.
‐[h‟rh kbbm jt wcjt wh mb, sor,’ lculd`hm tch nhrm whjronk tcold k`jsshs. ‐\ch‟s prhtty,
tcjt‟s fbr surh. Aut `odh O sjom, wh‟rh prhpjrhm fbr lbvhr ybu abtc of ybu‟rh rhj``y tcjtlbnlhrnhm.’
]hrry scuff`hm on tch lcjor jnm rb``hm cos nhld. Ch momn‟t `odh tcjt tchy dnhw jabut
]jijrj, aut ch cjthm ot hvhn ibrh tcjt tch pbssoa`h mjnkhr wbu`m bavobus`y hxthnm tbchr. ‐Fbrkht wjtlconk ih. [jtlc … iy fhij`h frohnm. \tjrtonk rokct nbw.’ Ch tbsshm tch
lbrrhspbnmhnlh tb tch mhsd jnm turnhm cos ajld tb tch ihn. [jtlconk tch `okcts
arokcthnonk tch Nhw _brd sdy`onh jkjonst tch krbwonk musd, ch `osthnhm tb cos kuhsts`hjvh.
Ijyah ot wjs toih tb stjrt hxp`jononk tconks tb ]jijrj. Eust nbt tcjt nokct, br tch nhxt.\unmjy nokct wbu`m ah ahst, kovh tchi abtc tch auffhr bf tchor wbrdwhhd, bffolhs jnm
jssblojths tb hjsh tch a`bw. Ch wjs j`rhjmy ahkonnonk tb shh tch whhdhnm js cos `jst
currjc wotc tch wbihn ch‟m j`rhjmy `ht tbb mhhp ontb cos chjrt.
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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn
ay Qo`hy
FBXQ
Ch cjm jn hkb, aut tchrh whrh jrhjs on ]hrry ]cbrnh‟s `ofh tcjt sto`` ijontjonhm j chj`tcy`hvh` bf cuio`oty. @bvhijdonk os jn jrt ch wjs nhvhr rhj``y surh ch cjm ijsthrhm. \hx
wjs j thntjtovh tconk wotc cos `ofhsty`h. Cot jnm ioss jt ahst jnm ch sh`mbi stjyhm `bnk
hnbukc wotc j wbijn tb rhj``y kht tch cjnk bf chr rcytci. Ch dnhw ch wjs kbbm, autwjs ch kbbm hnbukc2 Bf lbursh, ]jijrj ijmh coi fhh` `odh tch donk bf chr ahm … chr
sbfj … chr ajtctua … chr f`bbrs jnm lbunthrtbps. ]ch whhdhnm wjs sphltjlu`jr, js whrh
j`` tch whhdnokcts ch‟m sphnt wotc chr prhvobus`y. \ch cjm j scynhss tcjt lbunthraj`jnlhmj sjuly ab`mnhss … j thnmhrnhss tcjt shhihm tb lbih frbi j tokrhss … j sbftnhss tcjt
suffolohnt`y schjtchm chr sthh` sturmy ajldabnh. ]cos wbijn cjm ot j``.
Jnm sch cjm ]hrry‟s chjrt. Kbbm, aut nbt sb kbbm.
\hvhrj` toihs bvhr tch pjst fhw mjys, ch‟m ljukct j k`oipsh bf tch tjo` ch‟m jssoknhm tb
wjtlc bvhr chr4 tch lbvhrt abmykujrm tcjt stjyhm fjr hnbukc jwjy tb rhsphlt tcjt ]hrrywbu`m cjnm`h chr prbthltobn wchn ch wjs jrbunm, aut l`bsh hnbukc tb slrutonozh hvhn j
lja mrovhr wcb poldhm chr up fbr wbrd wchn ]hrry wjsn‟t. Ot wjs j lbifbrt, jnm j
rhionmhr tcjt ch cjm sbih unfonoschm ausonhss.
Xnfonoschm ausonhss2 Cjrm`y. ]cos wjs ausonhss ]hrry scbu`m cjvh fjlhm jnm tjdhn ljrh
bf `bnk jkb. Ot wjs toih tb th`` cos `bvhr jabut tch mjnkhrs bf cos `ofh … jnm hxp`jon cbw
tchy whrh pbssoa`y spo``onk bvhr ontb chrs. Nbw momn‟t tcjt sbunm `odh j mh`okctfu` lbnvb2Ch tcbukct nbt4 sb iulc sb tcjt tchrh ch wjs, tcrhh mjys pjst cos sh`f oipbshm mhjm`onh
jnm sto`` un-lbnfhsshm.
Ch rb``hm bvhr, cos cjnms sbbtconk chr trhia`onk f`hsc jnm cos abmy mhijnmonk
lbnnhltobn. \hx wotc chr wjs jmmoltovh jnm ]hrry cjm ahlbih j wo``onk jmmolt. ]chrh
whrh toihs, j`bnh on cos bffolh, wchn ch lbu`m l`bsh cos hyhs jnm tjsth chr lbih bn cos`ops, sih`` chr slhnt, fhh` chr hnhrky. \ch cjm ahlbih bpoui fbr coi, sbbtconk, hntolonk,
ontbxoljtonk. ]ch rhjsbn ch cjmn‟t fhsshm up wjs soip`h. Ch dnhw ch iokct nhvhr jkjon
kht jnbtchr fox. [bu`m ch stjrvh wotcbut chr2 Zuoth pbssoa`y. Aut rjtobnj``y … ot wjstoih.
Ch krbjnhm jnm pu``hm jwjy, pjmmonk tb tch ajtcrbbi fbr j ajm`y nhhmhm lb`m scbwhr
jnm j mjsc bf aro``ojnlh tcjt eust iokct kht coi tcrbukc ot j``. ]cjt‟s wchn ch rhj`ozhm, tchjmmoltobn wjs iutuj`.
Chr cjnm s`otchrhm ontb tch scbwhr stj`` jnm twosthm tch fjulht dnba. ]ch wjthr chjthm tb
sthji jnm ]jijrj swovh`hm jrbunm coi, prhpjronk tb `bwhr tb chr dnhhs jnm l`hjn coi
ahfbrh tjdonk coi ontb chr cbt, `uslobus ibutc. Mhsphrjtobn prhsshm cos kut jnm ch
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kropphm chr upphr jris, puschm chr jkjonst tch to`h scbwhr wj`` jnm dosshm chr ijm`y. Ot
wjs cjrm jnm arutj`4 ot fh`t jnoij` jnm eust js nhhmy js ot wjs. Bnh ibrh toih, eust bnlhibrh. ]b `bvh chr mhhp jnm pjssobnjth`y bnlh ibrh ahfbrh sch `bbdhm jt coi moffhrhnt`y.
Ch tbbd fu`` jmvjntjkh.
[chn fonj``y ch ljrrohm chr tb tch ahm, dosshm chr thnmhr`y jnm puschm ajld tch sbjdhmstrjnms bf chr cjor, ]hrry sokchm. \ch wjs hxcjusthm. ]oionk os hvhrytconk jnm sulc j tj`d
jt tcrhh JI eust wjsn‟t bptoiui. Ch tbb wjs abnh torhm. Ot wbu`m cjvh tb wjot unto`
ibrnonk.
Qh`ohf mrhnlchm tcrbukc coi, shhponk ontb cos iusl`hs jnm ionm jnm ch lrjw`hm on tb
snukk`h jt chr somh. ]bkhtchr tchy mrbpphm ontb j mhhp mrhji`hss s`hhp, onthrtwonhm jris,`hks jnm fonkhrs ahnhjtc tch schhts.
***
_hs, toionk os hvhrytconk, jnm ot wjs nbt wbrdonk fbr ]hrry. Jt hxjlt`y tcrhh-tcorty fovhJI cos toih cjm run but.
Ch ehrdhm jwjdh, chjronk tch iuff`hm sbunm bf cos lh`` pcbnh slrhhlconk tch hihrkhnly
j`hrt ronk frbi sbihwchrh unmhr cos l`btconk on tch lbrnhr. Ch mrbpphm tb cos dnhhs frbi
tch ijttrhss, rhjlconk on tch mjrdnhss, cos hyhs sto`` unfblushm jnm cos chjrt rjlonk.@bljtonk tch lh`` ch turnhm tb shh ]jijrj sottonk up.
‐[cjt os ot2’ sch jsdhm. Ch stbbm jnm `hft tch ahmrbbi.
‐_hjc2’
‐]hrry, ot‟s ih.’
‐Monb2 [cjt tch fuld2’ ch k`jrhm jt tch lh`` pcbnh. ‐_bu bdjy, ijth2’
‐_hs, O‟i … O‟i bdjy. ]hrry, O‟i sbrry, _bu kbttj kht tb tch bffolh jnm ybu kbttj kht bn
j p`jnh.’
]hrry sokchm, `hjnhm jkjonst tch wj`` butsomh tch ahmrbbi mbbr jnm ruaahm cos hyhs. Hvhn
kbbm p`jns kb wrbnk. [cb wjs ch dommonk, tcondonk ch cjm sox wcb`h whhds bf rhst2 Autch mom cjvh twb. Ch k`jnlhm tbwjrm tch bphnhm mbbr. ]wb whhds bf tch rhst`hss donm bf
rhst hvhry chj`tcy rhm-a`bbmhm a`bdh nhhmhm. ‐[cjt cjvh tchy kbt fbr ih, jnm wcy jrh
ybu lj``onk2’ J`hrt trokkhrhm on cos kut, ijdonk ot rb`` pjonfu``y. ‐Monb2 [cjt tch a`bbmych`` cjs cjpphnhm2’
Ch `osthnhm js Monb mrhw on j `bnk arhjtc jnm `ht ot but rhj` s`bw. Ot wjs wcjt ch mom
wchn ch wjs khjronk up fbr pjssonk bn ajm nhws. Fbr j ibihnt, ]hrry tcbukct ch‟m kbihntj`. ‐Eust spot ot but!’ ch cosshm, sto`` vhry jwjrh bf cos `bvhr, eust onsomh tch bphnhm
ahmrbbi mbbr.
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‐J`rokct. ]hrry … Chnry‟s ahhn tjdhn.’
‐[chn2’ ]hrry fbunm cos ionm ibvonk ontb jutbijtol po`bt. Of ch `ht tcos scoft frbi cos
chjm tb cos chjrt ch iokct soip`y mrbp mhjm rokct tchrh on tch cj``.
‐]wb mjys jkb. Jisthrmji. Aut O mbn‟t tcond tcjt‟s wchrh tchy‟rh cb`monk coi. Kht tb
tch bffolh4 tch kuys jrh rhjmy tb arohf ybu. ]hrry2’
Ch‟m s`om mbwn tch wj``4 cot tch f`bbr wotc j tcuip bf cos jrsh. Ch l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt.
‐]hrry2 _bu bdjy2’
‐Fuld nb.’ Jnm ch cunk up.
]jijrj‟s cjnm rhjlchm mbwn tb coi jnm ]hrry tbbd ot, stbbm wotc j ioshrja`h krbjn tchn
snjpphm onstjnt`y ontb jltobn. Ch turnhm tb rusc ontb tch ahmrbbi aut ]jijrj stbpphmcoi.
‐Chrh, O cjvh ybur l`btchs,’ sch sjom lj`i`y, wjtlconk coi mrhss. Cos hyhs nhvhr iht
chrs. Fonj``y sch `hft fbr tch dotlchn.
]hrry‟s onthntobn wjs tb run but, `hjvh chr jnm tch untb`m shlrhts ahconm jnm kht tb Chnry
js quold`y js pbssoa`h. ]ch sih`` bf arhwonk lbffhh pu``hm cos ionm jnm hibtobns tb tch
nhxt `hvh`. Ch sokchm jnm ibvhm l`bsh ahconm chr4 nbt tbulconk chr, tjdonk on tch slhntjnm wjritc bf chr ajld. Cos fonkhrs twotlchm jnm j thjr k`jzhm cos hyhs. ‐O kbttj kb,’ ch
sjom.
\ch turnhm, `bbdhm up ontb cos pjonhm hxprhssobn. ‐O unmhrstjnm.’
Aut sch momn‟t jnm ot wjs cos fju`t sch momn‟t.
‐]jijrj, tcos os wcjt O mb. O sh`` domnjp jnm rjnmbi onsurjnlh jnm wchn … wchn …
wchn j l`ohnt os tjdhn cbstjkh … O kb …’ Ch lbu`mn‟t fonosc.
\ch nbmmhm nuia`y. ‐O shh. ]chn ybu cjvh tb kb. [chn wo`` ybu ah ajld2’
‐O … fuld mjr`on‟, O munnb. Lbu`m ah sbbn, lbu`m ah …’ ch j`ibst lcbdhm. \ch pu``hm but
j lcjor jnm ch wo``onk`y `bwhrhm ontb ot. ‐]chy kbt iy sbn.’
‐Ehsus!’
***
‐O unmhrstjnm tchy lj`` ot –mbwntoih‟,’ Khnhrj` Cjrtfbrm sjom khnt`y tb cos mjukcthr.
]jijrj cjm jltuj``y lj``hm bff sold frbi wbrd4 sch cjm tjdhn j lja j`` tch wjy tb tch
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lbuntry l`ua bn @bnk Os`jnm eust tb trjld mbwn chr fjtchr. Jnm … sch cjm jsdhm tch
quhstobns Lcjr`oh Cjrtfbrm momn‟t wjnt tb ah jnswhronk. Ch tcbukct ch‟m ijmh ot l`hjr tbIr. ]cbrnh‟s pjrtnhr tcjt ot wjs ]hrry‟s rhspbnsoao`oty tb hxp`jon tconks tb ]jijrj.
Whrcjps, unmhr tch lorluistjnlhs jny sb`mohr iokct `ht jn brmhr s`op … aut ot wjs sto`` j
kbmmjin brmhr. Krjnthm, ch wjsn‟t ]cbrnh‟s suphrobr aut j ibmolui bf prbfhssobnj`
rhsphlt wjs lhrtjon`y hxphlthm. ]chn jkjon, of ch wjs j ybunk ijn hiajrdonk bn j prbiosonk nhw rh`jtobnscop, wbu`m ch cjvh ch`m bff js `bnk js pbssoa`h2 Wbssoa`y.
Wrbaja`y. _hjc, ibst `odh`y ch wbu`m cjvh mbnh tch sjih tconk … wotc tch sjih rhsu`ts.
‐Mbwntoih2’ ]jijrj wjs lryonk, chr fjlh wht jnm cjor wo`m. ]chy whrh j`bnh on j
provjth mononk rbbi4 ot wjs tch bn`y p`jlh tch Khnhrj` lbu`m tcond bf fbr j provjth
lbnvhrsjtobn wotc cos mostrjukct `ott`h kor`.
‐_hs, mbwntoih. ]ch `u`` ahtwhhn ljshs. Aut ihn on tcjt prbfhssobn mbn‟t usuj``y kht
iulc mbwntoih, cbnhy.’
\ch snoff`hm, puschm j rjtty D`hhnhx jlrbss chr lchhd. ‐\b, wcjt ybu‟rh sjyonk os …’
Lcjr`hs scofthm on cos lcjor jnm kropphm chr cjnm. ‐]cos donm bf wbrd os moffolu`t, ]jijrj.[chn tconks kht rbukc, bn`y tch tbukchst ihn ljn shh tcos tcrbukc. Ot ljn tjdh whhds br
ibntcs4 sbih cjvh wbrdhm yhjrs tb kjon frhhmbi fbr j cbstjkh. ]ch cbstjkhs jrh on morh,
`ofh tcrhjthnonk sotujtobns. O wo`` th`` ybu tcos iulc, ihn wcb mb tcos jrh cjrm lbrh,mhmoljthm jnm lbiiotthm tb shhonk ot tcrbukc. Ot stjrts wotc nhkbtojtobns “’
‐_hjrs2’
Ch oknbrhm chr wotc j cuff, j sokn tcjt sch nhhmhm tb pjy jtthntobn, fb``bw tch prbkrjijnm `osthn ljrhfu``y. ]jijrj dnhw tcjt soknj` jnm quold`y a`ondhm, tchn nbmmhm fbr coi tb
lbntonuh.
‐Ot stjrts wotc nhkbtojtobns. \bihtoihs tcjt‟s j`` ot tjdhs, aut of ybu sjy tchy cjvh cos sbn,O ljn jssurh ybu … ot‟`` tjdh ibrh. J `bt ibrh. Nb ijtthr,’ ch rb``hm cos nhld, k`jm ch‟m
mbnh cos cbihwbrd bn ]cbrnh‟s ausonhss. ‐]cos pjrtolu`jr lbipjny cjs j `bw tb`hrjnlh
`hvh` fbr slrhwonk jrbunm wotc nuiahrs. Ot‟s wcy tchy‟rh sb mjin sullhssfu`.’
‐[cjt cjpphns of … nhkbtojtobns … arhjd mbwn2’ ]hrrbr wjs on chr hyhs aut ch lbu`mn‟t
arhjd, sbihbnh cjm tb th`` chr tch trutc bf ot j``. Ch to`thm cos chjm jnm sch kjsphm.
‐_bu dnbw wcjt cjpphns, ]jijrj.’
‐Bc,’ sch sjom sbft`y, tcondonk jabut tch uk`y s`olh jlrbss ]hrry‟s lchst4 oijkononk cbw
ajm ot lbu`m cjvh ahhn jnm hnvosobnonk cbw ch iust cjvh rhlhovhm tch au``ht wbunm sljr
bn cos scbu`mhr.
‐Cbnhy,’ Lcjr`hs rjn j tcuia mbwn chr wht lchhd. ‐Ijyah tcos osn‟t tch ijn fbr ybu.’
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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn
ay Qo`hy
\OS
]ch fo`hs Khnhrj` Cjrtfbrm shnt bn fbrihr X\ Ijronh Ljptjon, Jnmrhw [o`mhr whrhonmhhm hnthrtjononk. ]hrry rhjm tcrbukc tchi nbt bnlh aut twolh, ijrvh`onk jt tch ijn‟s
thnjloty jnm lburjkh jnm jt cos jnoij`-`odh onstonlts tcjt whrh ibst `odh`y j somh hffhlt bf
wh`` cbnhm psylcol jao`otohs. Ch ahkjn tb `odh [o`mljt ibrh jnm ibrh … jsomh frbi tchijn‟s bavobus onthrhst on ]jijrj, bf lbursh. Aut tcjt wjs jn jsomh, j somhajr tb ah fo`hm
jwjy mhhp on cos chjrt‟s vju`t j`bnk wotc ]jijrj chrsh`f.
]chy cjm j suoth, ch jnm [o`mhr. Ahfbrh mjwn, abtc whrh sottonk jt tch tony dotlchnhtth
lbunthr, sopponk fonh Hkyptojn lbffhh jnm `bbdonk tcrbukc tch nhwspjphrs. ]hrry rhjm
Hkyptojn jnm wjs mjin oiprhsshm tcjt [o`mljt tbb cjm j fjor unmhrstjnmonk bf tch`jnkujkh, j`tcbukc nhotchr spbdh ot wotc jny prbfolohnly.
Omhjs spjrdhm on ]hrry‟s ionm tcjt nhhmhm tb ah ibrh fbrihm ahfbrh ch rhj``y lbnsomhrhm
tchi. [bu`m [o`mhr ijdh j kbbm jmmotobn tb cos lbipjny2 ]ch ijn wjs rhtorhm io`otjryjnm bavobus`y sto`` wo``onk tb mb tch wbrd, rokct2 Aut wcy cjm ch `hft on tch forst p`jlh2]cjt mhlosobn wbu`m cjvh j mhfonoth oipjlt bn wchtchr jn bffhr wjs ijmh br nbt. Jnm …
wjs [o`mljt tch donm bf ijn wcb prhfhrrhm tch ibnhy jnm rusc bf rhnhkjmhjssoknihnts2 Cjrtfbrm mom sjy ch wjs jn jmrhnj`on eundoh. Fbbm fbr tcbukct. Fbbm fbr
tcbukct. ]hrry f`opphm jnbtchr pjkh jnm phrushm tch chjm`onhs.
]chrh wjs j rhjsbn fbr tchor onthrhst on `blj` nhws tcjt cjm `ott`h tb mb wotc lbifbrtja`hibrnonk lbffhh jnm tch spbrts pjkh. \bihwchrh jibnk tch stbrohs tchrh iokct ah j l`uh,
j mrbpphm lbiihnt tcjt shhihm orrh`hvjnt br moslbnnhlthm, j pb`otolj`, sbloj` br
onlomhntj` hvhnt tcjt lbu`m lbnnhlt wotc Chnry‟s jamultobn br pbssoa`h cbstjkh `bljtobn. Nhotchr ]hrry nbr [o`mhr ihntobnhm tch pbssoao`otohs, aut tchy cjm abtc ahkun
vbrjlobus`y phh`onk tcrbukc tch tcrhh `blj` nhwspjphrs wotcbut lbiihnt.
]hrry strukk`hm wotc lbiprhchnmonk tch oipjlt [o`mhr‟s unoquh sdo`` iokct cjvh bn tch
ljsh. [js ot jn jutbijtol f`bwonk bf onfbrijtobn br wjs ot rjnmbi2 Mom ot rhquorh
pcysolj` hffbrt bn tch ijn‟s pjrt, `odh wchn ch ch`m tch pcbtb bf Chnry4 br mom oijkhs eust s`op ontb cos ionm unmhthlthm unto` tchy ijmh shnsh tb coi2 Jnm cbw wbu`m ]hrry ah
surh tch rokct tomaot bf prhibnotobn br onsokct wjs ahonk hxp`brhm2 Jfthr j``, ch lbu`mn‟t ah wj`donk jrbunm onsomh [o`mljt‟s arjon, nbw lbu`m ch2
Jnbtchr sop bf lbffhh jnm ot cot, s`jiihm ontb ]hrry‟s lchst `odh j fost. J`` tch thrrbr,
wbrry jnm fhjrs j pjrhnt fjlhs wchn j sbn br mjukcthr os tjdhn cbstjkh krhw jnm swh``hmjnm aruoshm `odh j wbunm. Ch kjsphm, a`ondhm jnm scbbd cos chjm cjrm. ]cos wbu`mn‟t mb,
ot eust wjsn‟t jllhptja`h. Vosobn‟s bf Chnry‟s fjlh, ajtthrhm jnm a`bbmy a`jzhm ahconm cos
tokct`y l`bshm hyh`oms. Arbdhn abnhs, lrohs bf cbrrbr. ]hrry momn‟t hibtobnj``y rhturn tb
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tch lbunthr jnm stbb`, tb tch lbffhh sto`` `yonk bn cos tbnkuh unto` [o`mhr p`jlhm j lj`i
cjnm bn cos scbu`mhr … krbunmonk coi … scjdonk coi ontb tch ibihnt. ]hrryswj``bwhm, nhjr`y kjkkhm bn tch scjrpnhss bf tch lbffhh jnm krbjnhm tchn fbrlhm cos
chjrt tb sthjmy, cos ionm tb rb`` rjtobnj``y, cos sbu` tb stbp scjdonk.
[o`mhr sjom nbtconk, eust rhturnhm cos jtthntobn tb tch pjphr jnm ]hrry fbunm coish`f sbkrjthfu` ch lbu`m cjvh lrohm. ]chy cjm j rbukc mjy jchjm bf tchi. Ot wjs votj` tcjt tch
domnjpphrs dnbw ch wjs on Ljorb, wjotonk jnm rhjmy tb tj`d. ]cjt rhquorhm ahlbionk
cokc`y vosoa`h. Ch‟m hjt jt butmbbr ljfïs, wj`d rjtchr tcjn tjdh ljas, phrcjps `bothr on tchsqujrh. [chtchr [o`mhr wjs usonk cos sphloj` tj`hnt br eust ibvonk bn tch sjih trjon bf
tcbukct, ]hrry wbu`m nhvhr dnbw.
‐Ljn‟t ah kbon‟ j`bnh,’ [o`mljt krunthm. Ch pburhm coish`f ibrh lbffhh jnm muiphm
shvhrj` bvhrf`bwonk spbbnfu`s bf sukjr ontb tch k`jss. ‐]ch wjy tchsh tconks wbrd …
Chnry‟s tch `urh. Ot‟s ybu tchy wjnt. @bbds `odh wh‟`` ah pj``onk jrbunm j `bt.’
‐_bu kbt ybur bwn scot tb mb, ijth,’ ]hrry sjom, sto`` scjdhn ay cos fhjrfu` hposbmh.
‐J`` mbnh,’ stjthm [o`mhr. Ch scrukkhm. ‐Mbn‟t s`hhp iulc, sor. J`` tch hquopihnt os shtup jnm trutc ah tb`m, O kbt iy suspolobns tchy j`rhjmy dnbw ybu‟rh chrh. ]chsh mumhs jrh
mjin thlc sjvvy, ybu sjom sb ybursh`f. _bu whrh bn tch rbsthr fbr tch provjth eht
pjsshnkhr `jnmonk, ushm ybur lcjrkh ljrm fbr tch suoth … hvhn ushm ybur lh`` pcbnh `jstnokct.’
‐Cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` mom ybu dnbw tcjt2’ ]hrry‟s arbws rbsh.
[o`mhr kronnhm. ‐O‟i cokc thlc sjvvy tbb. _bu lj``hm ybur bffolh jnm sbihwchrh h`sh.[cjt h`sh mb tchy nhhm tb dnbw ybu‟rh chrh2 Bc … bc fuldon‟ scot. @bbd jt tcos,’ ch
snbrthm jnm pjsshm tch pjphr bvhr, pbonthm tb j nbnmhslropt phrsbnj` jm.
]hrry squonthm, ihntj``y trjns`jthm.
Mjmmy‟s `ott`h aby `bbdonk fbr sjtosfjltobn2 Fjtchr‟s cbnbr iokct ah quhstobnja`h aut
vhnkhjnlh wo`` prhvjo`, nbw br tbibrrbw. \unsht on tch scjmbw bf tch kbms, a`jldhnhm
a`bbm jnm tch pjtc.
‐Fuldon‟ Lcrost, cbw tch a`bbmy ch`` mom ybu fonm tcos2’ ]hrry turnhm j kjwd, wbnmhronkhvhn ibrh jabut [o`mhr‟s psylcol pbwhrs.
]ch ijn kronnhm. ‐Ch``, O wjs `bbdonk fbr –\onk`h Hkyptojn kbmmhss shhds kbbm toih wotccjnmsbih Jihroljn. Kovhs kbbm chjm‟, O wjsn‟t hxphltonk tcos jnm `bbd wcjt h`sh O
fbunm,’ ch scrukkhm. ‐[cjt ljn O sjy, O `odh bmmotohs.’
]ch jm on jnbtchr nhwspjphr j`tbkhtchr wjs fbr tch \cjmbw bf tch Kbms koft scbp, `hsstcjn tcrhh a`blds jwjy. ]hrry f`opphm tb jnbtchr pjkh. ‐\unsht, fovh fofty-tcrhh tbmjy.’
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‐_bu ljn‟t kb j`bnh, eust nbt sijrt,’ [o`mhr lj`i`y storrhm cos lbffhh, tch spbbn l`ondonk
jkjonst tch k`jss.
‐_hjc, O ljn. O dnbw tchsh a`bdhs. ]chy `odh tch ljt jnm ibush kjih. ]bmjy, `ht‟s kht bur
muld‟s on `onh, ijth. O‟vh jrrjnkhm fbr j cb`monk p`jlh jnm j stjsc bf whjpbns. ]oih tb
kht j fhw ibrh sb`mohrs on bur jriy.’
‐_bu ljn‟t ush tch lh``.’
]hrry k`jrhm, ch wjsn‟t jn omobt. ]chrh whrh btchr, lbvhrt wjys bf lbiiunoljtonk wotc
tch Nhw _brd bffolh.
***
\unmjy hvhnonk ]jijrj wjs ajld jt tch rhcjao`otjtobn cbspotj`. \ch wjs wbrrohm jabut
Monb‟s uplbionk surkolj` prblhmurh, aut ch shhihm lbb` js j luluiahr, `jukconk jnm
ebdonk jnm pu``onk tbkhtchr j pbdhr kjih on tch `bunkh. Ot onl`umhm Kjrrhtt ]o``ijn, j`jrkh a`jld ijn `hjrnonk cbw tb wj`d wotc j prbstchtol `hk4 ]jijrj, wcb‟m nhvhr p`jyhm
pbdhr on chr `ofh, jnm rbunmhm but wotc j fburtc4 j wbijn Kjrrhtt jnm Monb `bvonk`ylj``hm Nursh Lrjtlcht, bff muty jnm rh`jxonk wotc chr abys. @onmj Khjry cjm ahhn j nursh
ibst bf chr jmu`t `ofh, jt forst ljronk fbr h`mhr`y pjrhnts bf chr bwn, tchn stumyonk jnm
khttonk chr mhkrhh on Wcysolj` ]chrjpy. Aut jt tch fjlo`oty, sch wjs eust j nursh jnm cjppytb ah sb. @ofh kbt tbukchr jnm chr abmy rhah``hm js sch rhjlchm chr iom foftohs4 sch wjnthm
bn`y tb ah bf sbih lbifbrt tb chr pjtohnts jt tcjt pbont on chr `ofh. Cju`onk tch mhjm
whokct bf j pjrjp`hkol jrbunm wjs nbw j fjmonk ihibry. \ch wjs wombwhm jnm `ovonkj`bnh jnm hsphloj``y `odhm tch fjlt tcjt sch cjm j `bt bf toih wotc chr pjtohnts, sonlh tchy
stjyhm quoth j wco`h jt tch fjlo`oty. Chr `ofh wjs fo``hm wotc hx-pjtohnt frohnms jnm cb`omjykrhhtonk ljrms.
‐[cjt‟rh wh p`jyonk2 Fovh ljrm stum2’ sch jsdhm, scuff`onk tch mhld `odh j Vhkjs mhj`hr.
‐Jnm, wcjt jrh wh p`jyonk fbr2’ ]jijrj jsdhm, dnbwonk sch cjm `ott`h lcjnkh on chr
pursh.
Kjrrhtt scrukkhm. ‐Lchhz-Ots2’
‐Bc ch`` nb,’ tch nursh krbw`hm. ‐]ch l`hjnonk stjff wotc cjvh ybur aj``s. O‟vh kbtsbihtconk.’ \ch ahnt mbwn jnm rhjlchm ontb chr aok pursh, j l`btc ajk tch sozh bf j
krblhry sjld hiarbomhrhm wotc Krjnmij `bvhs ih ahst!. @onmj p`bpphm j fu`` ajk bf
sukjr-frhh cjrm ljnmy, tch donm wrjpphm onmovomuj``y on l`hjr p`jstol twosthm jt tch hnms.J`` nbshs lur`hm aut tch ljnmy wjs movvohm hvhn`y jnm tch ljrms whrh mhj`t.
‐Cbw mb O dnbw of O‟vh wbn2’ ]jijrj jsdhm, rhjrrjnkonk tch ljrms on chr cjnm.
@onmj `hjnhm bvhr, pbonthm tchn wondhm. ‐_bu‟`` dnbw, aut ot‟s nbt `odh`y. ]chsh twb
lchjt `odh ch``. [cjt‟`` ybu cjvh, Monb2’
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‐]wb.’
Jnm tch p`jy whnt bn. Kjih jfthr kjih, sbihtoihs Monb slbbponk tch ljnmy tb cos po`h,
btchr toihs Kjrrhtt rosonk trouipcjnt. @onmj kjvh j lbnstjnt `otjny bf hxjlt`y cbw tch twb
whrh lchjtonk4 s`okct bf cjnm, commhn cokc ljrms, iosmhj`onk. Monb eust kronnhm jnmshhihm tb ah hnebyonk coish`f. Jt nonh-fofthhn, @onmj mhj`t tch `jst cjnm.
‐]cos os ot fbr tch nokct, kuys. O nhhm tb kht cbih jnm ybu,’ chr hyhs sphjrhm jt Monb,‐cjvh j tbukc mjy tbibrrbw.’
Monb scofthm ljrms jnm hyhm tchi ljrhfu``y. ‐O‟`` tjdh bnh.’
Kjrrhtt tbbd tcrhh jnm fb`mhm, ]jijrj jsdhm fbr twb jnm tch mhj`hr tbbd twb. Ahttonk
ahkjn jnm sbbn ot wjs mbwn tb ]jijrj jnm Monb. @onmj `hjnhm tb tjdh j `bbd tchn puschm
shvhrj` ljnmohs ontb ]jijrj‟s po`h.
‐O cjvh j fu`` cbush,’ Monb jnnbunlhm. ‐[cjt cjvh ybu kbt, ]jiiy2’
‐Eust j pjor,’ jnm sch mosp`jyhm chr twb jlhs wotc j donk bf chjrts, j ejld bf spjmhs jnm j
fovh. J`` ibutcs mrbpphm. ‐[cjt2 Mom O won2’ ]chy nbmmhm jnm sch hxlothm`y abunlhm on
chr lcjor. ‐O wbn! Bc ijn, O wbn! Bnh ibrh kjih2’
‐Njc,’ Monb strhtlchm cos jris cokc. ‐O nhhm j `ott`h tj`d wotc ybu ahfbrh ybu `hjvh
tbnokct. ]jdh ybur wonnonks jnm `ht‟s kb up tb iy rbbi.’
‐Jrh ybu cottonk bn ybur ahst frohnm‟s kor`2’ Kjrrhtt jsdhm bphnonk j rhm ljnmy jnm pbpponk ot on cos ibutc. Monb kjvh j woldhm kron jnm Kjrrhtt j`ibst lcbdhm. ‐Bc nb, ybu
mo-n‟t! ]cjt ]cbrnh fh``bw wo`` ljstrjth ybu!’
‐Ch jon‟t kbt tch aj``s tb kb jfthr iy aj``s.’
J sukjr-frhh `oih krhhn ljnmy tcuiphm bff cos chjm jnm ch kjvh j scbldhm k`jrh on
]jijrj‟s morhltobn. ‐Chy! O‟i jn oneurhm ijn.’
‐Kht ybur rhst, Monb.’ @onmj stbbm jnm chjvhm chr aok ajk bntb chr scbu`mhr. ‐Ijdh surh
ch khts tb ahm sbbn,’ sch sokchm, `bbdonk jt ]jijrj, rhj` lbnlhrn on chr hyhs.
‐Wrbiosh.’
]jijrj puschm Monb‟s wchh`lcjor j`bnk tch cj`` jnm ontb tch h`hvjtbr. ]chy whrh so`hnt
jnm sch wbnmhrhm of cos ljsuj` jttotumh wjs eust lbvhronk cos rhj` fhjr. ‐Ot‟`` ah fonh,’ sch
sjom, pjttonk cos scbu`mhr jnm ch p`jlhm cos cjnm bvhr chrs.
‐Ot‟`` ah wcjthvhr ot os, cbnhy.’ On cos rbbi, Monb kbt coish`f ontb tch ahm jnm kropphm
chr cjnm thnmhr`y. ‐@osthn, ]jiiy. O chjrm frbi ]hrry `jst nokct.’ Ch wjtlchm chr
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hxprhssobns vjlo``jth frbi p`hjshm tb surprosh tb mosjppbontihnt. ‐_hjc, ch lj``hm ih …
nbt ybu. Aut tchrh wjs j rhjsbn, swhhtchjrt. O‟i kbonk tb arhjd j fhw ru`hs chrh … nbt prbioshs ahljush ch sjom nbtconk jabut nbt th``onk ybu jnytconk … eust ru`hs. Ot‟s nbt
lbiibn prjltolh tb th`` jn bphrjtovh‟s soknofoljnt btchr cbw j ljsh os kbonk, aut O tcond
ybu cjvh j rokct chrh. Ahsomhs, wotc ybur abmy kujrm jnm ybu fjtchr sottonk jt ]cbrnh‟s
mhsd, O‟i tcondonk ot wbn‟t ah j arhjlc bf lbnfomhnlh br j rosd bf onfbrijtobn `hjd.’
‐O wbn‟t th`` jnybnh jnytconk ybu th`` ih. Os ch j`rokct2’ \ch cjm sjt jt tch hmkh bf tch
ijttrhss, chr chjrt rjlonk jnm chr cjnm kropponk cos tokct.
‐Cbnhy, O mbn‟t tcond sb, aut ch‟s cb`monk up. ]chrh‟vh ahhn j fhw bmm mhvh`bpihnts.
Ch‟s nbt on Jisthrmji … ch‟s on Ljorb.’
‐Hkypt2’ ]jijrj a`ondhm, tryonk tb unmhrstjnm ot j`` jnm rhijon lj`i tcrbukcbut.
‐Qokct. @osthn, O dnbw tcjt oijkhs bf tch Iomm`h Hjst aronk up j`` donms bf wbrrohs fbr
ybu, aut trust ih, bn ljshs `odh tcos, Ljorb os tch sjih js Jisthrmji jnm tch sjih jsAbstbn. ]chy‟rh j`` mjnkhrbus. Ch‟s dhhponk cos chjm slrhwhm bn js tokct js pbssoa`h, aut
O tcond ot‟s khttonk tb coi. @uldy fbr ]hrry, ybu‟rh mjm shnt sbihbnh tb ch`p but. FbrihrIjronh … [o`mhr O tcond.’
‐[o`mljt2 Mjmmy shnt [o`mljt2 ]cjt‟s j rhj``y, rhj``y kbbm tconk. Ch‟s j kbbm sb`mohrjnm j rhj``y sijrt ijn. Mom ybu th`` ]hrry O‟i sljrhm fbr coi2 ]cjt O‟i tcondonk jabut
coi j`` tch toih2’
Monb sokchm. ‐Nb. O momn‟t. Jnm O wbu`mn‟t. Ch mbhsn‟t nhhm tb dnbw tcjt stuff, ch nhhms
tb chjr tcjt ybu‟rh strbnk fbr coi. ]cjt‟s wcjt O tb`m coi … hvhn tcbukc ch momn‟t jsd.’
]hjrs k`otthrhm on chr hyhs jnm ch squhhzhm chr cjnm tokcthr.
‐Cbnhy, O tb`m ybu, ot‟s nbt tcjt ybu‟rh nbt on cos chjm.’
‐Qokct, rokct. O unmhrstjnm. Chnry cjs tb lbih forst. [chn wo`` ybu chjr frbi coi
jkjon2’
‐Munnb,’ ch scrukkhm tchn yjwnhm womh. ‐Momn‟t th`` coi jabut tbibrrbw‟s surkhry. Ch
ijy try tb rhjlc ih, aut ch ljn j`wjys rhjlc tch bffolh. O‟i surh wh‟`` chjr sbihtconksbbn. Nbw,’ ch tukkhm chr cjnm jnm dosshm chr lchhd. ‐O‟i fj``onk js`hhp chrh.’
‐O‟`` ah ajld jt fovh tcorty tbibrrbw ibrnonk. _bu‟rh bphrjtobn os slchmu`hm fbr sox tcortyjnm tchy sjom O iokct kht j fhw ionuths wotc ybu ahfbrh tchy dnbld ybu but.’
‐Jcc, tch ahst pjrt bf surkhry, tch dnbldonk but pjrt. _bu mbn‟t nhhm tb ah chrh sb hjr`y.
O‟`` shh ybu wchn O wjdh up.’ Ch nhk`hlthm tb th`` chr tcjt iokct ah twb mjys frbi nbw.
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‐Fovh tcorty.’ ]jijrj cukkhm ]hrry‟s mhjrhst frohnm jnm p`jnthm j thnmhr doss bn cos
arbw. ‐Bn tch mbt.’
***
\unsht on Ljorb. ]ch `okct os moffhrhnt on Hkypt. Ot k`bws j tjwny kb`m jnm abunlhs frbitch mhsshrt, rhf`hltonk ajld bn jny wospy l`bums arjvh hnbukc tb pjont tch arutj`, l`hjr
sdohs. [o`mhr whnt wotc ]hrry aut ch momn‟t jrkuh jabut ot. Ijyah tch ijn dnhw
sbihtconk, ijyah nbt. Hotchr wjy, twb chjms whrh ahtthr tcjn bnh.
]chy hnthrhm tch tburost trjp koft scbp jnm wj`dhm mbwn jn jos`h. ]hrry‟s hyhs sljnnhm
tch othis. Cos ionm abunlhm ahtwhhn ahonk `bum jnm jttrjltonk jtthntobn br fbrlonk cosoijkonjtobn tb wbnmhr wchrh tch commhn onfbrijtobn iokct ah. ]chn ch nbtolhm
sbihtconk lurobus. [o`mhr wjs ibvonk wotc ljsuj` purpbsh tbwjrm tch stjtobnhry shltobn
bf tch stbry. ]hrry rhijonhm so`hnt, stoldonk l`bsh jnm wjtlconk frbi tch lbrnhr bf cos
hyh.
[o`mhr tbulchm j fhw othis jnm turnhm, spbdh sbft`y. ‐_bu cjvh tb auy sbihtconk.’
]hrry krunthm. ]chrh wjs nbtconk on tchrh ch wjnthm. [js [o`mhr sukkhstonk tcjt j
ihssjkh wbu`m lbih tcrbukc tch ljscohr2 Oiotjtonk tch ijn‟s ahcjvobr, ]hrry rjn cos
cjnm bvhr othis, `ofthm j fhw jnm hxjionhm tchi4 j fjux-kb`m phn, j abx bf pbstljrms, j pjldjkh bf ijrdhrs.
[o`mhr cjm stbpphm, cos pj`i `jy f`jt bvhr j stjld bf abbds jnm ]hrry ibvhm l`bshr. ]chywhrh a`jnd eburnj`s4 tch donm phbp`h ijdh nbths on, rhlbrm tcbukcts jnm omhjs, hvhn
fhh`onks. Kbm fbraom, fhh`onks2 \bih lbvhrs whrh jmbrnhm wotc polturhs bf tch pyrjioms,btchrs lb``jkhs bf jnlohnt Hkyptojn kbms. [o`mhr wbrdhm ihtcbmolj``y tcrbukc tch stjld.
J`` whrh shj`hm wotc l`hjr p`jstol jnm butrjkhbus`y prolhm. Ch `ofthm bnh jnm p`jlhm cos
pj`i bvhr ot, l`bshm cos hyhs. Cos cjnm ehrdhm jwjy tchn ch kropphm tch abbd jnm cjnmhm
ot tb ]hrry.
Ot wjs ibrh hxphnsovh tcjn tch btchrs, j wcbpponk hokcty-fovh Jihroljn mb``jrs fbr j
a`bbmy a`jnd abbd, aut tch lbvhr wjs fonh arbwn `hjtchr jnm kb`m `hjf hiabsshm wotccohrbk`ypcols. ]hrry k`jnlhm tb cos lbcbrt. ]chrh wjs ibrh on tcjt abbd, wjy ibrh.
Whrcjps hvhn cos sbn‟s `ofh. Ch ibvhm tb tch lbunthr jnm unhvhntfu``y ijmh cos purlcjsh.
On jn hffbrt tb jpphjr ba`ovobus, ch tuldhm tch tconk on cos ejldht pbldht jnm tbkhtchr ch
jnm [o`mhr whnt tb j rhstjurjnt jnm cjm monnhr. Jfthr tcjt, j fhw mronds, tchn fonj``y tchy
rhtorhm tb tch rbbi.
]ch p`jstol wrjp wjs unlbiprbioshm jnm ]hrry‟s chjrt mrbpphm js ch hxjionhm ot. J
quold s`ot wotc cos phndnofh jnm tch abbd wjs frhh. Ot sih``hm bf kbbm `hjtchr jnm `bbdhm
js tcbukc ot cjm nhvhr ahhn tbulchm ay cuijn cjnms. [o`mhr sjt quoht`y bn tch sbfj jnmwjtlchm.
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]hrry ljrhfu``y turnhm tch abbd bvhr jnm scbbd ot. Nbtconk fh`` but. Cos mosjppbontihnt
hslj`jthm. ]chn ch `ofthm tch lbvhr. ]chrh, bn pjkh bnh … mjys, toih jnm rjmob frhquhnly.
Ch sokchm jnm rjn j cjnm mbwn cos lcon, rhfusonk tb ah furtchr jijzhm jt tch ahnhfots tch
Khnhrj`‟s [o`mljt wjs aronkonk tb tch ljsh.
‐[h‟rh bn fbr ]cursmjys jnm \jturmjys, shvhn WI scjrp.’ Ot wjs Ibnmjy.
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]ch Mbwntoih [bijn
ay Qo`hy
\HVHN
Mhlhiahr twhnty-tcorm jnm ]jijrj wjs wj`donk ontb tch cbspotj`. ]chy iust cjvhscuff`hm Monb frbi tch rhcja fjlo`oty on tch iomm`h bf tch nokct tcrbukc tch aotthr Nhw
_brd lb`m jnm sch scovhrhm jt cbw unlbifbrtja`h ch iust cjvh ahhn. Fovh tcorty-fovh
JI jnm sch stbbm ahsomh cos ahm. ]ch hxprhssobn bf mh`okct jnm rh`ohf bn cos fjlh tb`m chrtcjt yhs, ch cjm on fjlt ahhn puttonk bn j aok scbw. Ch wjs jfrjom. Js jfrjom js sch wjs
fbr coi … js jfrjom js sch wjs fbr ]hrry‟s sbn … fbr ]hrry.
‐_bu ijmh ot. Ot‟s tch autt lrjld bf mjwn, ]jiiy,’ Monb s`urrhm. Ch wjs j`rhjmy mrbwsy
frbi tch prh-surkhry prhpjrjtobns jnm tch lchiolj`s mropponk ontb cos vhon.
‐Bf lbursh,’ sch sio`hm lchhro`y. ‐O tb`m ybu O‟m ah chrh.’
‐@osthn,’ cos vbolh wjs sbft jnm sch `hjnhm mbwn tb chjr. ‐Of O mbn‟t kht tcrbukc tcos, ybu
th`` ]hrry O … O … fuld, O `bvh tcjt Jussoh jsscb`h. ]h`` coi tcjt fbr ih.’
]jijrj snbrthm. ‐_bu‟`` ijdh ot. _bu‟rh j tbukc hkk.’ Jnm ahsomhs, sch tcbukct. Ch
dnbws ybu `bvh coi. Kbm dnbws ch `bvhs ybu. Aut … mbhs ch `bvh ih2 \ch sokchm jnmMonb kjvh j `bpsomhm kron, j`rhjmy cos hyhs whrh k`jzonk bvhr.
‐Mb ih j fjvbr, wchn ybu shh coi … th`` coi ybu `bvh coi tbb. ]hrry‟s tch donmj kuy
wcb nhhms tb chjr tcjt stuff. Nbw … O‟i kbnnj lchld but … fbr j wco`h … shh ybu bntch f`op somh, ]jiiy.’
\ch‟m kbtthn nb s`hhp. Bc sch‟m trohm, hvhn lbnsomhrhm j s`hhponk po`` aut wjs jfrjomsch‟m ah unja`h tb wjdh bn toih. \ch wjtlchm tch nurshs rb`` Monb‟s ahm jwjy tchn sch
sjt on tch wjotonk rbbi wotc btchr, nhrvbus, wbrrohm phbp`h4 j fjio`y cumm`hm tbkhtchr
jnm so`hnt, tch iomm`h-jkhm wbijn whjronk jn uk`y arokct rhm vhst wotc shquonhmLcrostijs trhhs bn ot, chr twb krbwn lco`mrhn wcosphronk quoht`y jnm nbmmonk. ]b tch
somh, j aj`m ijn wjs so`hnt, j`` j`bnh jnm bavobus`y prjyonk cjrm, cos hyhs tokct jnm
ibutc ibvonk wotcbut wbrms. ]chy whrh j`` `odh tony lbnlhntrjtobns bf hnhrky,onmhphnmhnt aut tbkhtchr on tchor lbiibn lbnlhrns. \ch wjnthm tb jsd jrbunm, chjr tchor
stbrohs, aut cbw wbu`m sch hxp`jon chrs2
\ch‟m dnbwn Monb B‟@hjry eust j fhw mjys … cos mhjrhst frohnm, ]hrry wjs on Hkyptnhkbtojtonk tch rh`hjsh bf cos sbn frbi ljptovoty … sch wjs on `bvh wotc j ijn wcb nhvhr
bnlh ihntobnhm ch wbrdhm js j domnjp jnm rjnsbi lrosos lbnsu`tjnt jnm bphrjtovh, j ebamhslroptobn sch‟m nhvhr chjrm bf ahfbrh … jnm nbw sch wjs sottonk, prjyonk jnm wjotonk
fbr cos ahst frohnm tb survovh jnbtchr mjnkhrbus bphrjtobn. Nb, sch lbu`mn‟t scjrh j`` tcjt.
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]cbsh phbp`h jrbunm chr whrh khnuonh`y thrrofohm fbr tch bnhs tchy `bvhm kbonk unmhr tch
dnofh. Nbt tcjt sch wjs jny `hss thrrofohm fbr Monb … sch soip`y fh`t `odh j iosfot.
Ot wjs strjnkh, jfthr j``. Xnmhr nbrij` lorluistjnlhs, sch‟m cjvh kovhn Monb‟s surkhry
tbmjy j pjssonk wh`` wosc jnm nbtconk ibrh. Chr `ofh eust momn‟t fo`thr but tcjt wjy
jnyibrh. Jt shvhn sch `hft tch chjvonhss bf tch wjotonk rbbi jnm whnt tb tch cbspotj`ljfhthroj fbr arhjdfjst.
]chrh wjs j Lcrostijs trhh on tch cj``wjy jnm fbr j ibihnt, ]jijrj stjrhm jt ot,wbnmhronk wcy ot wjs tchrh. [js ot pbssoa`h Lcrostijs wbu`m jltuj``y cjpphn tcos yhjr2
[otc hvhrytconk curtonk on chr chjrt, sch soip`y lbu`mn‟t oijkonh ot.
‐Wrhtty, cuc,’ J``hn sjom, wj`donk s`okct`y ahconm chr.
]jijrj a`ondhm. Chr abmykujrm. Jnbtchr tconk sch fbrkbt j`` jabut. Fbr sulc j `jrkh,
iuslu`jr ijn ch wjs sb quoht jnm unbatrusovh, tchrh whrh toihs ch wjs soip`y onvosoa`h
tb chr. ]bkhtchr tchy s`om tchor trjys j`bnk tch sch`f jnm ijmh tchor lcbolhs4 bjtihj` fbrchr, j lonnjibn rb`` fbr coi. ]bkhtchr tchy fbunm j quoht tja`h jnm tbkhtchr tchy jth. Aut
tcjt wjs j`` tchy mom tbkhtchr. ]chy momn‟t tj`d br scjrh tchor tcbukcts br omhjs. ]chymomn‟t hvhn rhj``y `bbd jt hjlc btchr, j`tcbukc J``hn wjs lbnstjnt`y j`hrt jnm wjtlconk
bvhr chr. [otc chr fjtchr wbrdonk jkjon, tcos toih jt ]hrry‟s bffolh4 chr `bvhr jlrbss tch
p`jnht4 chr nhw frohnm ahonk rhjsshia`hm ay surkhbns jnm chr ijom kbnh cbih tbVorkonoj fbr Lcrostijs … ]jijrj cjm nb bnh … hxlhpt J``hn.
\ch sokchm jnm hyhm coi l`bsh`y. ]ch ijn l`hjrhm cos tcrbjt, `bbdhm j `ott`h nhrvbus.Bavobus`y J``hn wjs ibrh ushm tb ahonk onvosoa`h tcjn ahonk nbtolhm. Ch wjs jltuj``y
cjnmsbih on j ihjty, aruth sbrt bf wjy. Cos hyhs whrh kb`mhn arbwn, cos cjor tcold jnmmjrd. Cos nbsh … arbdhn, prbaja`y shvhrj` toihs aut ot jmmhm tb cos lcjri. \ch‟m shhn
coi sio`h jnm ot wjs hnmhjronk, `odh j `ott`h aby `bbdonk fbr jpprbvj`. \ch‟m shhn coi
slbw` jnm ot wjs thrrofyonk. Nb bnh mjnkhrbus wjs khttonk l`bsh tb chr, sch wjs surh bf ot.
\b, hotchr tcjt `hft chr tbtj``y j`bnh fbr Lcrostijs, br ot `hft chr j`bnh wotc coi.
‐[chrh jrh ybu frbi, J``hn2’ sch jsdhm wotc rhj` onthrhst jnm cos tcold arbws rbsh.
‐Xc … Cbustbn … wcy2’
‐Mb ybu kht snbw fbr Lcrostijs on Cbustbn2’
J``hn Wjtrold dnhw hxjlt`y wcjt wjs cjpphnonk. Ch‟m shhn tcos ahfbrh. Bfthn ch wjs
stjtobnhm tb wjtlc bvhr tch wofh br mjukcthr bf j cbstjkh, hsphloj``y of tch cbstjkh wjs pb`otolj``y oipbrtjnt. ]chy whrh sljrhm, tchy whrh `bnh`y jnm tchy whrh hvhn mhsphrjth.
@bvh`y ]jijrj wjs j`` tcbsh tconks, aut sch wjs j`sb tch abss‟ wbijn.
J``hn cjm nhvhr iht Monb B‟@hjry. ]cbrnh corhm coi `jst Eu`y jnm ch wjs lurrhnt`y ontrjononk tb ahlbih jn bphrjtovh. ]cos `ott`h jssoknihnt cjm put j dond on cos jmvjnlhihnt,
aut ot wjs wcjt ot wjs. Ch dnhw bf abtc ]cbrnh jnm B‟@hjry‟s sullhss rhlbrms jnm
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wjnthm tb ah j pjrt bf j`` tcjt. J``hn cjm nb fjio`y jnm wjs jt hxjlt`y tch p`jlh on cos `ofh
wchrh jmvhnturh wjs tch njih bf tch kjih. [cjt ch wbu`mn‟t kovh tb ah jt ]cbrnh‟s somhrokct nbw … br ahtthr yht, tchrh onsthjm bf ]cbrnh. ]chrh wjs nb wjy tcjt ijn scbu`m ah
nhkbtojtonk fbr cos bwn sbn. Ot sih``hm rhj``y, rhj``y ajm. Ch `bbdhm jt ]jijrj, sto``
wjotonk fbr jn jnswhr, jnm rhj`ozhm tcjt tcos wjs on fjlt j vhry oipbrtjnt jssoknihnt. Of
tconks whnt js hxphlthm, sch wbu`m ah tch oipbrtjnt soknofoljnt btchr ah`bnkonk tb jljptovh. Hvhrybnh dnhw j trjmh wjs wchrh tch ljsh wbu`m kb … jnm nb bnh cjm j l`uh
wcjt ]cbrnh wbu`m mb jabut ot.
]cos `jmy wjs j vhry sphloj` ljsh. Ot wjs nhvhr cos eba tb unmhrstjnm tcbsh ch wjs
lcjrkhm wotc kujrmonk, aut hvhrytconk ch‟m shhn jnm chjrm sb fjr onmoljthm tcjt ]jijrj
wjs js iulc j voltoi js Chnry ]cbrnh jnm cos fjtchr. ]jijrj cjm nb l`uh wcjt wjsjchjm jnm ]cbrnh wjs j ibrbn fbr nbt wjrnonk chr. Cbw cjrm lbu`m ot ah2 _bu th`` tch
wbijn wcjt ybu mb fbr j `ovonk, hvhntuj``y `hjvh fbr j nhjr`y oipbssoa`h ljsh prbiosonk
nb surh rhturn … jnm cbph sch‟`` st