diff --git "a/test-other_4spk/text" "b/test-other_4spk/text" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/test-other_4spk/text" @@ -0,0 +1,1795 @@ +0032abf0-6d42-4335-8432-b58cd1d952d9 AND SIT BESIDE GLAUCON AS HE WATCHED THE FLOCKS AND PLAYED ON HIS FLUTE WILL MONTAGUE FELL IN LOVE WITH RACHEL WARD AND SHE WAS WITH HIM AND FUDGE I AIN'T GOING TO BE SICK SAID DAN PAT CAME OVER BUT HIS MOST SEDUCTIVE PURRS WON NO NOTICE FROM HIS MISTRESS WHO REFUSED HERSELF THE PLEASURE OF EVEN PATTING HIM AND I PLANTED A LITTLE BED OF MY OWN WE SOMETIMES ACT THE STORY OUT FROM THE ROOM SHE HAD LEFT CAME MOANS AND CRIES BUT WHY A BATTLESHIP ROCK HAD CAUGHT THE IDEA FROM MY EXPRESSION AND GRABBED THE CARPHONE AND LATER FOLLOWED UP WITH A MEMORY RIVET WASTED QUERY +0065f56a-67a7-4f2b-b301-a9b72752c571 IDEALLY I SHOULD HAVE RUSHED OUT THE FLEET WITH GUNS BLAZING AND DRAGGED HIM TO JUSTICE VERY NICE TO RECOVER OUR INVESTMENT THE WHITE PUFF OF SAIL ON DARK GREEN SEA GLIDING ACROSS CALM WATER BANDED WITH LIGHTER AND DARKER STRAYER WHERE SUBMERGED SHOALS LAY WE FELT WE COULD NEVER DO IT BUT THE STORY GIRL DID IT WE ADMIRED AND PITIED HER I THINK IT WOULD BE DREADFUL SURELY YOU CAN ARRANGE IT SOME OTHER WAY LET'S ALL GIVE UP THE ORDEAL ANYWAY THERE ISN'T MUCH FUN IN IT AND THEN NEITHER OF YOU NEED TO PRAY ABOUT IT +00895a7e-9e15-4e0f-b2e0-2ff3f3671a9d LET'S ALL GO OVER AND ASK UNCLE ROGER SAID FELIX DESPERATELY BUT DON'T YOU SUPPOSE GOD CAN MAKE HER I SAID FEELING THAT IT WASN'T QUITE FAIR THAT THE STORY GIRL SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO SPEAK FIRST THE COLONEL'S GLARING FACE FLICKED OFF AS BRANDON PUSHED THE PRE EJECTION LEVER INTO THE LOCK POSITION HIS FACE WAS BATHED IN PERSPIRATION THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG SOMEWHERE SAID CECILY PERPLEXEDLY AND IF ANYBODY TRIES TO STOP HIM HE'S BOUND TO FIGHT THAT'S MY WAY OF LOOKING AT IT I DON'T WANT TO CATCH THE MEASLES FROM PETER SAID FELICITY DECIDEDLY OF COURSE HE'S FAR TOO SICK TO BE TAKEN HOME SO HIS MOTHER IS COME TO WAIT ON HIM AND I'M TO LIVE OVER HERE UNTIL HE IS BETTER +00ae93d6-bb94-4572-9438-e222044b12b8 APPARENTLY HE INTERPRETED THE LOOKS OF CONSTERNATION ON THE FACES OF HIS AUDIENCE CORRECTLY THE THING HAD STOPPED MOVING LEARNED IT YEARS AGO BEFORE THE GATE TO THIS WORLD WAS CLOSED SHE RAN AWAY LAUGHING IN WICKED GLEE BUT OUR FRIENDS KEPT ON WALKING EVEN AFTER THE SUN WENT DOWN EVEN FELIX AND I WHO HAD SEEN SUCH SHOWS GALORE WERE INTERESTED AND THE REST WERE QUITE WILD YOU SHOULD BE RESIGNED TO THE WILL OF PROVIDENCE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN BROKEN ONE NIGHT CECILY CAME INTO THE PANTRY WITH A LARGE CUCUMBER AND PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR THE GREATER PART OF IT +00ce4a97-ecbd-443e-b217-e637813ffa93 ACCORDING TO OUR BEST GUESS WHO CONTROLS THE BREEDING SIGHTS CONTROLS OUR WORLD SAID TO NEW THE AIR OF SERIOUS THREE WAS DOING STRANGE THINGS TO HIM HE SNAPPED THE VITIO SWITCH AND DEPRESSED THE MIKE BUTTON BEHIND SOME LOW HILLS HE COULD SEE A DULL RED GLOW COLLAXIA WAS WHOLLY UNSCARED JEFF MUST ASSEMBLE HIS SMUGGLED COMMUNICATOR AND REPORT TO EARTH INTEREST CONSOLATE HIS PROGRESS DURING THE CYCLE JUST ENDED AS SHE ANNOUNCED IT THE FACT THAT THREE TIMES THREE WAS NINE WAS EXQUISITELY RIDICULOUS OR GATHER IT IN BY CONTRIBUTIONS LEVIED ON OUR FRIENDS +00d3f371-0a1b-4e56-b80e-c8e5f8206189 ACCORDINGLY WE WENT AND HOLLERED WITH A RIGHT GOOD WILL BUT I NEEDN'T HAVE BEEN SO CROSS ABOUT IT I MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE DIGNIFIED BUT MANOEL HAD A JOB TO DO AND HE DID IT A SCRAP OF BALD HEADED AND DESOLATE MOUNTAINS US DIONES SORROS EVEN PEOPLE OR NODDED AT THE RIFLE WOULD YOU MIND POINTING THAT WEAPON SOME OTHER DIRECTION INSTEAD OF SITTING BACK ON A FLAGSHIP YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE ME SAID ORME WHILE YOU TALKED IT REGISTERED YOUR SKIN TEMPERATURE BLOOD PRESSURE AMOUNT OF PERSPIRATION AND SUCH IN OTHER WORDS IT IS AN EFFICIENT AND FAST WORKING LIE DETECTOR +00dbc57e-4459-4e0b-9f58-6def3060c86a ANOTHER THOUGHT RAN THROUGH HIS MIND INDICATING THAT THE SESSION WAS ENDING I STILL FEEL KIND OF CREEPY ABOUT THE WHOLE BUSINESS WELL MISS FELICITY YOU'RE PRETTY SMART SHELTERED BY THE SPRUCE HEDGES FROM UNCERTAIN WINDS AND SLOPING TO SOUTHERN SUNS IT GREW BRIGHTER AS THE SLED CREPT THROUGH THE LAST OF THE JUNGLE EMERGED IN CLEARED LAND AT THE EDGE OF THE CITY SHE GOT IT FOR A PRIZE IN SCHOOL I WANT TO FIND THE EASIEST WAY AND I'VE GOT A HANKERING AFTER THE METHODISTS +011bb57a-14d4-45ef-bf27-b2a1fe54726a A LONG PAUSE WHILE THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF TONUBES'S EYES EXPANDED JUST LOOK AT THAT BLASTED JUNGLE BARKED STETSON WE SAW THAT HER ANGER WAS REAL NOT AFFECTED WITH BIG DARK BLUE IF THE STORY GIRL WOULD LIKE US THIS ISN'T TOPSY IS IT I ASKED I KNEW AT ONCE THAT THE QUESTION WAS A FOOLISH ONE IT WAS NOW NEARLY SIXTY YEARS SINCE IT HAD HAD ITS BEGINNING WHEN GRANDFATHER KING BROUGHT HIS BRIDE HOME JUST SMELL MISSUS SAMPSON'S FLOWERS SAID CECILY AS WE PASSED A TRIM WHITE PALING CLOSE TO THE ROAD OVER WHICH BLEW ODOURS SWEETER THAN THE PERFUME OF ARABY'S SHORE +011e19a2-38dd-4197-94bc-c3db61d0249d I FLIPPED THROUGH MY CASE AND DREW OUT A PLAN WHEN FERERO ROLLED INTO HIS STUDY AFTER DINNER THE ROOM WAS DARK I HEARD HIM MURMUR SOMETHING ABOUT THE SERVANTS AND FUMBLE FOR THE SWITCH NOW THAT THE ROAD WAS WELL OUT OF THE BAG I KNEW JUST WHERE TO LOOK BELOW ME HEMMING ME IN WERE THE GUARDS A TRIPLE RING OF THEM THROUGH WHICH I KNEW I COULD NOT ESCAPE NOR WERE THEIR SLITTED SUNKEN MOUTHS EXTENDED INVITINGLY JUST BELOW THE CHIN WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITH HIM THERE WHEN HE'S SO GOOD AND POLITE AND HONEST AND KIND UNCLE ROGER SAYS PETER'S FATHER WASN'T EXACTLY LAZY SAID THE STORY GIRL IF YOU DREAM OF FALLING AND DON'T WAKE YOU DO LAND WITH A THUD AND IT KILLS YOU +0143df1a-0d9a-43cb-b229-faa7319aa686 IT WASN'T CHANCE THAT HE HAD LEFT THE SAME DAY I ARRIVED ON SETANOVO WHEN I THREW THE BIG SWITCH A CAREFULLY WORKED OUT SEQUENCE TOOK PLACE SO I MUST TRY TO MAKE NIMMY AMY HAPPY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE MISTER MARWOOD HAD AT LEAST THREE ABSORBED LISTENERS THE NEXT SUNDAY MORNING FELIX PETER AND I WERE ALL AMONG THE CHEELS WHO WERE TAKING MENTAL NOTES ON THE ART OF PREACHING A SERMON BESIDES THAT THERE WERE A PAIR OF BLUE SATIN SLIPPERS ON THE FLOOR BESIDE IT I DON'T BELIEVE IT WOULD BE MUCH FUN AS A STEADY THING SAID CECILY I'D LIKE TO SEE A QUEEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T A SINGLE THING TO WEAR EXCEPT MY SCHOOL GINGHAM +01708068-d8e3-41e5-80ab-798944d50a98 HE HAD INTENDED THAT DISTINCT AND IT DID DORA RAISED HER NOSE ANOTHER NOTCH I THINK HE'S CUTE AND I'M LEARNING HE'S PRETTY INTELLIGENT TOO HE CATCHES ON FAST TO EVERYTHING I TELL HIM HE AND HIS LITTLE FRIEND WILL HAVE THEIR SPACESHIP FINISHED SOON NOW AND FELICITY TO LOOK AT THE STORY GIRL TO TELL US TALES OF WONDER CECILY TO ADMIRE US DAN AND PETER TO PLAY WITH WHAT MORE COULD REASONABLE FELLOWS WANT HE REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE SUBJECT FURTHER SOMEWHAT TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT FOR WE HAD NEVER SEEN A PICTURE OF THE PERSON REFERRED TO AND WE WERE RATHER CURIOUS REGARDING IT WE'LL ASK PETER TO DESCRIBE IT SOME TIME WHEN HE'S IN A BETTER HUMOUR WHISPERED FELIX YOU ARE FELIX AND BEVERLY SHE WENT ON SHAKING OUR HANDS WITH AN AIR OF FRANK COMRADESHIP WHICH WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE SHY FEMININE ADVANCES OF FELICITY AND CECILY FROM THAT MOMENT WE WERE AS GOOD FRIENDS AS IF WE HAD KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A HUNDRED YEARS +01b368ba-eef3-4690-b8c8-f03f0cc77f4a WOO UNTIED THE BONDS OF THE SCARECROW AND HELPED HIM GET TO HIS FEET THEN HE FREED THE TIN WOODMAN WHO GOT UP WITHOUT HELP ROYAL HISTORIAN OF OZ OSCOTT AT HALLEY WOOD IN CALIFORNIA NI YOU HAVE CONFESSED THE BALD ONE SAID IT IS NECESSARY THAT YOU RATIFY YOUR CONFESSION COME WITH US IA WIZARD BY LARRY M I HAVE BEEN CRYING ALL THE AFTERNOON I WISH I COULD FLY TO YOU BUT MA WILL NOT LET ME SHE IS AFRAID I WILL CATCH THE MEASLES BUT I WOULD RATHER HAVE MEASLES A DOZEN TIMES OVER THAN BE SEPARATED FROM YOU ALL LIKE THIS THESE CHANGES COULD BE MADE DURING CONSTRUCTION THEN PLANS FILED BY THE TIME ANY ONE IN THE LEAGUE FOUND OUT WHAT WAS BEING BUILT THE SHIP WOULD BE FINISHED AND LAUNCHED +01f923ad-cb8e-4cba-8e51-5ac6ae997fa8 EUROPE SEEMED ALMOST AS REMOTE AND UNREACHABLE AS THE MOON THIS WAS SIMPLY BECAUSE THE HENS HAD LAID SO WELL FELICITY TRIED AND HAD THE MOST GRATIFYING LUCK WITH MY ONLY HOPE WAS TO LEARN THIS WEEK BUT I SUPPOSE FELICITY IS SO DISGUSTED WITH ME NOW THAT SHE WON'T GIVE ME ANY MORE LESSONS HIGH PATH CHIEF OF THE GRATSY SAID THE NATIVE STETSON CROSSED OVER TO A TILT LOCKER BEHIND THE BIG TRANSLENT MAP LET'S FACE IT BRANDON IS DEAD APPROXIMATELY SIX HUNDRED MILES FROM YOU IS OF COURSE TO MAKE IT USEFUL TO YOU +020e4ad8-1b8e-4a92-8a29-bc6dda2731be FROM SOMETHING DAN SAID THAT SHE HAD DRESSED UP IN HONOR OF OUR COMING AND PRESENTLY WE FOUND OURSELVES TUCKED AWAY UPSTAIRS THE GIRL'S DOOR SHUT WITH A BANG STRANGER SHARP SAID THIS WILL BE YOURS HE SAID IT IS SAID THAT THE FAMILY COLLEGE SHARP HAS A HOUSE TOO LARGE FOR THEM NOW THAT THE ELDER SON IS GONE THERE IS ONLY THE MAN HIS WIFE AND A DAUGHTER THE TEMPLE WAS A SINGLE ROOM WITH A MURKY LOOKING POOL AT ONE END I LOCATED THE PEAKS EASILY ENOUGH AND STARTED THE EYE OUT FROM THE FIRST PEAK AND KEPT IT ON A COURSE DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE SECOND PETER SCOFFED AT THE IDEA PEG BOWEN WASN'T IN THE HOUSE BEFORE YOUR UNCLE ROGER LOCKED IT UP AND HOW COULD SHE GET IN AFTERWARDS HE SAID NO IT ISN'T PEG BOWEN IT'S SOMETHING THAT WALKS +026734a1-1a8e-4ac8-bb00-f660320f8394 YONAS CHECKED THAT IN HIS MIND VERY WELL HE SAID THE MAN'S MIND WAS LIKE HIS OFFICE IN THE TOWN HALL SPARSELY FURNISHED ALMOST AUSTERE BUT WITH ALL THE NECESSITIES LAID OUT FOR EASY ACCESS HE SHOVED THE POWER SETTING TO NINETY PER CENT HIS HAND REACHING FOR HIS HYDROSTATIC SHOCK PISTOL FAR ON THE HORIZON WAS A BANK OF ATMOSPHERIC CLOUDS I HOPE WE'LL BE ALL TOGETHER WHEREVER WE ARE SAID CECILY GENTLY IT WAS A HUGE COMFORT TO HER THAT AUNT JANET ALWAYS SAID YES AND OF COURSE AS IF THERE COULD BE NO QUESTION ABOUT IT IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SHE SAID IT OUT OF MALICE OF PREPENSE THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH IF I'M LICKED I WON'T PRAY FOR THAT PARTICULAR THING ANY MORE +02702808-8840-4c18-b6b3-c3e92a33cc32 WE NEEDN'T WORRY ABOUT THE BREAD AND MILK RULE ADDED FELICITY MA MADE A RULE LIKE THAT ONCE BEFORE AND KEPT IT FOR A WEEK AND THEN WE JUST SLIPPED BACK TO THE OLD WAY THAT WILL BE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME TOO BUT OF COURSE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO GET ANY MORE RICH THINGS FOR SUPPER AND OUR DREAMS WILL BE PRETTY FLAT AFTER THIS A PARTY OR PARTIES UNKNOWN HAD NEATLY WALKED THE SHIP CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM TO THEIR OWN ENDS UNDOUBTEDLY THEY HAD STARTED THE PROGRAM FOR THE GIANT TRANSPORT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE CHECKED LATER ONCE THE PROGRAMME WAS UNDER WAY IT HAD BEEN GUIDED WITH A SKILL THAT BORDERED ON GENIUS ORDERS WERE ORIGINATED MANY PLACES PASSED ON CHANGED AND SHOVELED I PAINFULLY TRACED EACH ONE TO ITS SOURCE MANY TIMES THE SOURCE WAS A FORGERY SOME CHANGES SEEMED TO BE INEXPLICABLE UNTIL I NOTICED THAT THE OFFICERS IN QUESTION HAD A TEMPORARY SECRETARY WHILE THEN ALL ASSISTANTS WERE ILL INSECTS CAME IN TWING CONES SIPHONED TOWARD THE HEADLIGHTS THERE WAS AN ENDLESS CHITTERING WHISTLING TALK TALKING IN THE GLOOM BEYOND THE LIGHTS STETSON'S VOICE HISSED SUDDENLY THROUGH THE SURGICALLY IMPLANTED SPEAKER HOW'S IT LOOK WHAT DO I CARE FOR A GIRL WHOM I HAVE NEVER SEEN AND WHO HAS NEVER SEEN ME BUT OZMA IS A FAIRY SAID THE TIN WOODMAN AND THEREFORE SHE IS VERY POWERFUL ALSO WE ARE UNDER OZMA'S PROTECTION AND TO INJURE US IN ANY WAY WOULD MAKE HER EXTREMELY ANGRY +029d7a1f-14c5-4ff7-8cf2-811a5805e179 MY TIN BODY CONTAINED NO HEART WITHOUT A HEART NO ONE CAN LOVE TILL THE WICKED WITCH CONQUERED IN THE END AND WHEN I LEFT THE MUNCHKIN COUNTRY OF OZ THE POOR POOR GIRL WAS STILL THE SLAVE OF THE WITCH AND HAD TO DO HER BIDDING DAY AND NIGHT YOU ARE LYING WE'LL MAKE YOU AN OFFER SAID ORNE WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO EXTERMINATE YOU WE'LL GIVE YOU LIMITED MEMBERSHIP IN THE GALACTIC FEDERATION UNTIL YOU PROVE YOU'RE NO MENACE TO US KEEP TALKING HIS STETS AND KEEP HIM INTERESTED YOU DARE INSULT ME GROWLED NUBE YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE ME SAID ORME SO EVERY KING WENT TO WAR TO PROVE THAT HE COULD CONQUER EVERYONE ELSE AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF BLOODSHED AND MISERY BUT THE PROUD PRINCESS LAUGHED AND SANG AND SHE AND HER MAIDENS WORKED AT A WONDERFUL LACE VEIL WHICH SHE MEANT TO WEAR WHEN THE KING OF ALL KINGS CAME IT WAS A VERY BEAUTIFUL VEIL BUT HER MAIDENS WHISPERED THAT A MAN HAD DIED AND A WOMAN'S HEART HAD BROKEN FOR EVERY STITCH SET IN IT HOMESIDE WILL DENY THEIR AUTONOMY AUBREY I'VE HAD A WARP BEING MESSAGE TO DAY ORDERING ME TO MOVE IN THE SITUATION WAS DESPERATE ENOUGH AT HOME JEFF HAD TO ADMIT COLLAXY AND CALM CRYSTALS DID WHAT NO REFINEMENT OF TERRAN THERAPEUTICS HAD BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE THEY ERASED THE FEARS OF THE NEUROTIC AND CALMED THE QUIVERINGS OF THE HY POTENSIVE BOTH AN ALARMING MAJORITY IN THE SHATTERING AFTERMATH OF THE FOURTH WAR WITH NO ADVERSE EFFECTS AT ALL +02d2e8f1-46be-4ec3-b3f5-2f3ed570238f AND IN THE MORNING SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER THE DREAM AT ALL IT WASN'T A POLITE DRAM SO I WON'T WRITE IT DOWN YOU ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING NASTY WHEN I MENTION MY AUNT JANE SAID PETER REPROACHFULLY I'M SURE FELIX FELT VERY UNLIKE A MISSIONARY AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT DAN HAD PICKED OUT A SOFT SPOT IN THE GRASS FOR HIMSELF YOU ARE IGNORANT OF OUR WAYS SAID TO NUB THEREFORE I FORGIVE YOU BUT IN HIS TONGUE THAT'S O'CERIL PETER HAD BEEN READING THE BIBLE STEADILY EVER SINCE WHAT WE ALWAYS REFERRED TO AS THE JUDGMENT SUNDAY ONLY INSTEAD OF TAKING THE NAMES OF FRUITS WE WERE TO TAKE THE NAMES OF BIBLE CHARACTERS +02d4325e-d118-4028-aa29-aaa52990a569 WHAT'S THE GOOD OF WORKING BUTTONHOLES ON AN OLD RAG ASKED FELICITY EVERY ONE HAS TO HAVE THE MEASLES SOMETIME NOW SARA SHE SAID BRANDON FELL BACK ON THE GROUND WHATEVER IT WAS IT WAS BEYOND EMERGENCY REPAIR THE DOCTOR SMILED OPENLY NOW THE SITUATION WAS DESPERATE ENOUGH AT HOME JEFF HAD TO ADMIT CHAFFY FORE RELIEVED HIS FELLOW OF THE STRAIN BY TRYING HIS OWN RUSTY CROAK THEY MILLED AND MOBBED AND PILED ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER AND BY THAT TIME I HAD LANDED IN THE PLAZA FRONTING THE TEMPLE +02d446fa-0d9e-4a2a-936b-9c44c1d64351 PANTA HAS JUST EXPLODED THE LADY LOON PICKED UP THE BUNCH'S SKIN AND EXAMINED IT CAREFULLY UNTIL SHE DISCOVERED A HOLE IN ONE FOOT JEFF AS THREE AND FOUR WERE HORRIBLY SHAKEN BY THE INITIAL ATTEMPT AT COMMUNICATION WITH THE NATIVES NOTHING IN CERIMIAN EXPERIENCE HAD PREPARED THEM FOR CREATURES INTELLIGENT BUT ILLOGICAL INDIVIDUALLY PERCEPTIVE YET ISOLATED FROM EACH OTHER ITS HEADLIGHTS SWUNG IN WILD ARCS ACROSS THE TRUNKS AND DOWN THE MUD AERIAL CREEPERS GREAT LOOPING VINES OF THEM SWUNG DOWN FROM THE TOWERING FOREST CEILING A STEADY DRIP OF CONDENSATION SPATTERED THE WINDSHIEL FORCING ORAN TO USE THE WIPERS GARF WAS RISING AGAIN LOOKING IMPATIENT RAY REACHED A DECISION SAID GO TO HELL +02d52624-793d-4b6e-b36c-4932b0470765 ORAN TURNED LOOKED BACK AT TO NEWBE DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU CAN SEE BY WHAT LIGHT GETS DOWN HERE THROUGH THOSE TREES CAN YOU NOT SEE ASKED TO NEW NOT WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS OUR EYES DIFFER SAID TO NEWBE HE BENT TOWARD ORAN PEERED THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF HIS EYES EXPANDED AND CONTRACTED YOU ARE THE SAME AS THE OTHERS O ON THE DAUPHINIS PAUSE YES I DID AN EXCITING DREAM LAST NIGHT FOR ONCE SAID DAN TRIUMPHANTLY I DREAMT OLD PEG BOWEN CHASED ME I THOUGHT I WAS UP TO HER HOUSE AND SHE TOOK AFTER ME YOU BET I SCOOTED AND SHE CAUGHT ME YES SIR I FELT HER SKINNY HAND REACH OUT AND CLUTCH MY SHOULDER I LET OUT A SCREECH AND WOKE UP WHEN WE WERE ALONE HE WAS ANYTHING BUT COURTEOUS TO ME HAVING ASSURED HIMSELF BY NOT TOO SUBTLE QUESTIONING THAT I WAS A SPURIOUS ADMIRAL THERE WAS NO DOUBT I WAS STILL IN CHARGE BUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WAS ANYTHING BUT FORMAL THIS TRIPE AND NONSENSE I TOLD HIM IS THE BAIT THAT WILL SNAG OUR FISH A TRAP FOR PEPPET AND HIS PARTNER IN CRIME WHO IS THIS MYSTERIOUS BELLONNAIRE ME I SAID I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE RICH BUT THE SHIP THE SPACE YACHT WHERE IS IT BEING BUILT NOW IN THE NAVAL SHIPYARD AT EUDORIDE WE WALKED ON IN SILENCE FOR A TIME THINKING OUR OWN YOUNG THOUGHTS PRESENTLY THEY WERE SCATTERED BY AN ABRUPT AND STARTLING QUESTION FROM PETER WHAT DOES GOD LOOK LIKE HE SAID IT APPEARED THAT NONE OF US HAD ANY IDEA THE STORY GIRL WOULD PROBABLY KNOW SAID CECILY I WISH I KNEW SAID PETER GRAVELY I WISH I COULD SEE A PICTURE OF GOD IT WOULD MAKE HIM SEEM LOTS MORE REAL +02e7b968-b52f-4b80-b8b3-8dbb1dac70d0 JOHN ANDREW HAD STOPPED TRYING TO HIDE HIS OWN FEAR AND THOUGH HE HAD PLENTY OF QUESTIONS OF HIS OWN HE WAS MAINLY CONCERNED WITH LOOKING FOR A MEANS OF ESCAPE BELIEVE ME JONAS BEGAN I LET IT BE SHARP SAID QUIETLY I BELIEVE YOU IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT I BELIEVE YOU HE SHRUGGED AGAIN MOVING OUT TOWARD THE DOOR OF THE HUT AND IN ANY CASE HE SAID THE MONEY IS NEEDED FOR THERE ARE FINES TO PAY IN COSTS OF THE INQUISITION ONLY POLYCHROME KEPT GOING IN AND GOING OUT HUMMING SOFTLY TO HERSELF AS SHE DANCED FOR THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER COULD NOT KEEP STILL FOR LONG AND THE FOUR WALLS OF HER ROOM ALWAYS MADE HER NERVOUS AND ILL AT EASE HE CLASPED HER FAINTING FORM TO HIS BREAST AND SPURRED HIS WHITE HORSE TO THE TOMBS A TEMPEST OF RAIN BROKE OVER THE VALLEY AND BLOTTED THEM FROM SIGHT +02f26fe7-2130-415b-9b20-f0253fe9cd23 THAT THIS WAS HIS NORMAL STATE OF EXISTENCE THE HELMET SWUNG BACK AND RAY PROMPTLY SHOVED FARMER ASIDE LAUGHING NYMPH AND MOCKING SATYR THEY TOLD HIM HE MUST LEAVE HER BEHIND I'VE ALWAYS HAD A FEELING RIGHT ALONG WEPT SARAH THAT IT WASN'T RIGHT TO BUY IT'S A DEFINITE RAIDING PARTY ONLY THE LOW GRADES OF THE URN ARE SAID ORAN MURRAIN'S NOW MOPPING UP WOULDN'T HAVE DISOBEYED US OFTEN IF I'D THOUGHT THE JUDGMENT DAY WAS SO NEAR I PROMISED KITTY MOTHER I'D GO DOWN AND SPEND IT WITH HER IT WAS HIS LAST SUNDAY TO GO HOME BUT HE HAD ELECTED TO REMAIN +0301c361-3e85-4439-a9d9-0b65ac04dbd9 THRONE PULPIT OR CONCERT PLATFORM AS OCCASION REQUIRED I LIKE PETER WELL ENOUGH IN HIS PLACE EVERYBODY THOUGHT THIS WAS FUNNY EXCEPT FELIX SHAKING MY HANDS OVER MY HEAD I WENT DOWN FOR THE EYE BURNING CEREMONY HYPERSPACE BEACONS ARE TO LAST FOR EVER OR DAMN CLOSE TO IT AND I DID NOT SYMPATHIZE OVER AND ABOVE WITH MY BROTHER FELIX WAS VERY INDIGNANT AND AGGRIEVED AS WELL I'LL GO AND TELL HIM SO RIGHT OFF IT MUST BE GETTING HANDY TOO SAID CECILY IT SEEMS AS IF WE'D BEEN WAITING HERE FOR EVER SO MUCH LONGER THAN AN HOUR +032acf9c-4f29-4751-bd5f-07f612f1652c OR WAS IT SIMPLY THE GLAMOUR OF OLD FAMILY TRADITIONS AND TALES WHICH WAS OVER US LENDING ITS MAGIC TO ALL SIGHTS AND SOUNDS AROUND US IT WAS QUITE DARK IN THE FIR WOOD WE COULD SEE HER FACE AND EYES BUT DIMLY THROUGH THE GLOOM A SILVERY MOON WAS LOOKING DOWN ON US OVER THE GRANARY THE STARS TWINKLED THROUGH THE SOFTLY WAVING BOUGHS BEYOND THE WOODS WE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF MOONLIGHT WORLD LYING IN THE SHARP FROST OF THE OCTOBER EVENING WHAT HAS SQUINTING GOT TO DO WITH TWINS ASKED DAN WHY TWINS ARE JUST PEOPLE THAT SQUINT AREN'T THEY I MUST HAVE SWALLOWED A NEEDLE SEVERAL NEEDLES PERHAPS I'M DONE FOR THE POOR STORY GIRL WENT VERY WHITE I GRABBED UP THE MONITOR RECEIVER AND RAN TOWARDS THE AIRLOCK THIS IS A DIFFERENT BOMB NOW I SAID KEEPING ONE EYE ON THE SCREEN AND THE OTHER ON THE SLOWLY OPENING OUTER DOOR THIS ONE HAS RECEPTORS ON THE HULL ATTEMPT TO DESTROY ANY PART OF THE SHIP OR EVEN GAIN ENTRY TO IT AND THIS ONE WILL DETONATE +035d0b94-c134-474b-9e81-4243f7f9d4ca WHEN A BOY AS FLAT AS FELIX RUNS AT FULL SPEED ON A BROILING AUGUST FORENOON HE HAS SOMETHING TO RUN FOR AS FELICITY REMARKED DON'T BE IMPATIENT GLASS BLOWING CULTURE MEANT THEY WERE JUST OUT OF THE PRIMITIVE STAGE KEEP TALKING HIS STETS AND KEEP HIM INTERESTED WHERE THE WEST WIND CAME NOW WITH A SIGH AND AGAIN WITH A RUSH AND THEN BRUSHED OUR FACES WHAT BATTLESHIP HE GASPED A UNIFORM WATCHMAN FRANTICALLY WAVED TO US AND THE WHOLE CONVOY JERKED TO A STOP THE SHIP WAS GONE RAID THE MENTAL HOSPITALS AND JAILS +03c5e8fd-76cc-4cf4-bf1c-a48d779ba696 HARDLY THE WORD OTHERS WOULD USE YONAS KNEW WHAT THAT MEANT RATIFICATION OF A FREE CONFESSION TOOK PLACE IN A TORTURE A TOUCH ON THE SIDE OF MY FACE DROPPED A STEEL PLATE OVER MY EYES I CHECKED THE READINGS CAREFULLY AND FOUND JUST WHAT I SUSPECTED YOU THINK I WAS BORN YESTERDAY SETTLED IN HIS CLOSE CROPPED RED HAIR TO BE ASSIGNED HERE WITH FULL EQUIPMENT ONLY YOU'VE BEEN PASSED INTO ANOTHER FORM OF BEING THROUGH THE ACTION OF FOUR LITTLE QUARTZ BULBS WHOSE PERIODS OF VIBRATIONS FORM A BEAT +03ea4d57-32fe-44f4-97b3-9c109362ef58 WE HAVE SHIPS MAKING FIFTEEN LIGHT YEAR DETOURS NOW THE WATER WAS RUNNING AGAIN MY EYES HAD BEEN DULY BURNED OUT WILL YOU ACCOMPANY ME ON THIS ERRAND ASKED THE TIN EMPEROR AND HAD YOU NOT TRAVELLED TO THE EUBE VALLEY I WOULD STILL BE MISSUS EWPES'S PRISONER IT THE STORY GIRL HAD A GRUESOME RECOLLECTION OF SOME BABY AT MARKDALE WHO HAD WANDERED AWAY LIKE THAT AND THEY NEVER FOUND HIM TILL THE NEXT SPRING AND ALL THEY FOUND WAS THAT THE ENTERPRISE PARAGRAPH WAS NOT SAVE THE IDLE REPORT OF A DELUDED FANATIC CECILY AND FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL DID NOT CRY THEY WERE MADE OF FINER FIRMER STUFF +0403a0f5-48a0-4ef9-bb27-00bebadb6d66 BUT ANYHOW I'M GOING TO KEEP ON PRAYING THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO EXCITE THE STORY GIRL I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANY USE IN PRAYING THAT FELICITY WILL SPEAK FIRST CAUSE I'M SURE SHE WON'T BUT DON'T YOU SUPPOSE GOD CAN MAKE HER I SAID FEELING THAT IT WASN'T QUITE FAIR THAT THE STORY GIRL SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO SPEAK FIRST IF SHE HAD SPOKEN PERCY OTHER TIMES IT WAS SURELY FELICITY'S TURN THIS TIME THAT AND A SUDDEN IDEA OF HIS OWN FORCED HIM TO SPEAK FOR HIMSELF IT WAS A SAD ATTEMPT VENUS MAY BE PETER WILL GET BETTER AFTER ALL SAID DAN SWALLOWING A SOB I'VE HEARD OF LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO WENT AND GOT BETTER AFTER THE DOCTOR SAID THEY WERE GOING TO DIE THERE ISN'T THAT A LOVELY MYSTERY +0407c7f6-456f-45bd-988e-b70f301a43ef WELL I SHOULD THANK YOU FOR BRINGING HIM BACK I GUESS HE MUTTERED HE WASN'T SURE ANY MORE GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH ONLY PEOPLE MANOEL AND IT LED TO DISASTER I COULD RECOGNIZE THE FACE AND FIGURE OF THE WOMAN I LOVED AND OF HER BROTHER BUT THEY SEEMED TO HAVE NO SUBSTANCE ONCE THE CLERKS UNDERSTOOD WHAT I HAD IN MIND THEY HURLED THEMSELVES INTO THEIR WORK I'LL PERSONALLY SEE THAT YOU'RE FLAYED ALIVE +040ca8b3-5457-4656-bbdf-1d174d55ba7b NOT AS BAD AS I HAD THOUGHT A SIX WEEK RUN GIVE HER TAKE A FEW DAYS WE WILL STAY WITH YOU AND SERVE YOUR EVERY NEED AUNT JANET AND UNCLE ALEC CAME STROLLING THROUGH THE ORCHARD AND JOINED OUR CIRCLE HE IS ONLY A HIRED BOY AND HE HASN'T BEEN WELL BROUGHT UP AND HASN'T MUCH EDUCATION I THE DOCTOR SMILED OPENLY NOW INSTEAD HE FELT THE SURGING RUMBLE DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE SHIP WHEN HE OPENED THEM HE WAS STARING AT THE MILKY WAY IT HAD TO BE DONE FAST AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS NECESSARY TO TALK NATURALLY THEY MUST STILL THINK OF ME AS SITTING IN THE CONTROL ROOM +04302b4f-0b50-4349-8040-562237c163b3 STILL THEY POSSESSED THEIR SHARE OF OWLISH SYREME LOGIC AND HIT SOON ENOUGH UPON THE ONE PRACTICAL COURSE TO JETUS AND THE ZID ON THE NEAREST WORLD DEMONSTRABLY FREE OF INTELLIGENT LIFE OH I HADN'T A PAIR WITHOUT HOLES IN THE LEGS ANSWERED PETER EASILY BECAUSE MA HADN'T TIME TO DARN THEN THIS WEEK SO I PUT ON TWO PAIRS THE HOLES DON'T COME IN THE SAME PLACES AND YOU'D NEVER NOTICE THEM UNLESS YOU LOOK QUITE CLOSE SHE WAS TALL FOR HER FOURTEEN YEARS SLIM AND STRAIGHT AROUND HER LONG WHITE FACE RATHER TOO LONG AND TOO WHITE FELL SLEEK DARK BROWN CURLS TIED ABOVE EITHER EAR WITH ROSETTES OF SCARLET RIBBON HER LARGE CURVING MOUTH WAS AS RED AS A POPPY AND SHE HAD BRILLIANT ALMOND SHAPED HAZEL EYES BUT WE DID NOT THINK HER PRETTY AUNT FELICITY AND UNCLE FELIX AS FATHER HAD OFTEN TOLD US HAD DIED ON THE SAME DAY FAR APART AND WERE BURIED SIDE BY SIDE IN THE OLD CARLISLE GRAVEYARD +04405b9a-312e-41e0-95e3-b52752befb84 WHEN DO WE GO ASKED ORAN I CANNOT TAKE THE CHANCE THAT YOU ARE LYING SAID TO NUB SECTION CHIEF OF INVESTIGATION AND ADJUSTMENT AND WITH IT ALL A BREATH OF WILD SWEETNESS FROM FAR HILL PASTURES DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS WE WERE VERY BUSY TALK BLESS YOU DECORES TALK HE ROARED WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE ABOUT A BARRESHIP WHO'S BUILDING IT ALL RIGHT SAID DAN I'VE EAT ALL I WANT WE MURMURED IN BEWILDERMENT THEN I SUPPOSE I'LL HAVE TO DO WITHOUT +0451d94b-3909-42f1-80b4-f026b4f5f2d6 A BREEZE RIPPLED THE TOPS OF THE GREEN OCEAN BELOW THEM IF YOU DECIDE YOU WANT OUT OF THIS ASSIGNMENT YOU JUST SAY THE WORD I A CRUMBLING AND CRACKED STAIRWAY BROUGHT US UP TO THE SOLID METAL DOORWAY LABELLED IN ARCHAIC SCRIPT I CHECKED ALL THE PARTS BY SCREEN BEFORE THEY WERE LOADED IN A METAL CRATE PRODUCING A SET ONE THIRD THE SIZE OF BRANDON'S WE HAVE TISSUE REGENERATION PRETTY WELL UNDER CONTROL NOW MOVING SLOWLY BUT STEADILY MY AUNT JANE TOLD ME SO SAID PETER CECILY'S MIGHT BE MORE DRAMATIC BUT FELIX'S WAS MORE AMUSING +0457755b-893d-4228-9ab2-2921c8d3812c IT WAS PERMISSIBLE FOR HIRED BOYS TO GO TO PUBLIC MEETINGS WHEN NOT HELD IN THE CHURCH WITH BARE FEET AND NO PARTICULAR DISGRACE ATTACHED TO IT BUT FELICITY WOULD NOT WALK WITH A BAREFOOTED COMPANION IT WAS DARK NOW SO NOBODY WOULD NOTICE HIS FEET WHAT WOULD THE FEDS SAY IF THEY KNEW YOU WERE GIVING OUT INFORMATION THE EARTH MEN HADN'T ACQUIRED BY THEMSELVES HELPING THEM GET INTO SPACE WHAT ABOUT THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT I AM A WIZARD YONA SAID KENUF WAITED A BARE A SECOND AND THEN NODDED I CAN DO MANY THINGS YANUS WENT ON IT WAS NECESSARY THAT I BRING THESE TO YOUR ATTENTION AND TO PROVE TO YOU THAT THEY WERE NOT WIZARDLY OR MAGIC MANY HAVE TOLD ME KNUFF MUTTERED THAT THEIR FEATS WERE NATURAL IT IS A COMMON DEFENCE THIS PETER WAS A SLIM SHAPELY FELLOW WITH LAUGHING BLACK EYES AND THICK BLACK CURLS SHE WAS NOT A GREAT AUNT THEN OF COURSE SHE WAS ONLY EIGHTEEN WITH RED LIPS AND BLACK BLACK HAIR AND EYES +047522d5-91d5-4f30-bf6b-aa0845c292fd FARMER FURTHER DECIDED THAT RAY WAS TOO EGOCENTRICALLY ECCENTRIC TO BE TRUSTED TO GET HIM OUT OF THIS FIX AND SNOWY SUMMITS OLD IN STORY WE HAD EARNED OUR CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE SWEAT OF OUR BROW TRUE SMILED VIC WATCH THEM PETE ROARED VIC WE CAN'T TAKE CHANCES IT'LL PROBABLY SOUND CRAZY TO YOU ANYWAY YOU KNOW THE NATURE OF THE TROUBLE REASSURED THE PATIENT THOUGHT AND BECAME CONFIDENTIAL THE IDEAL WAY TO DEAL WITH THE PEST +051fbf3c-7da8-4fca-b5aa-1d45836066ba WHEN BRANDON OPENED HIS EYES HE WAS STARING AT THE SILVERY DISKS OF THE TWIN MOONS THEY WERE HIGH IN THE SKY OBSCURING THE CENTER OF THE MILKY WAY FUNNY HE SHOULD BE LYING ON HIS BACK LOOKING AT THE SKY HE THOUGHT THEN HE REMEMBERED THE CAPSULE WAS ON ITS BACK AND BRANDON WAS STILL STRAPPED SECURELY TO THE SEAT HIS WHOLE BODY ACHED HE EXCLAIMED BREATHLESSLY I WAS JUST ABOUT TO PHONE FOR THE POLICE I WAS FOR CERTAIN SIR SUCH GOINGS ON I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK WHAT'S THE MATTER PARON WHERE'S MISTER BUTLER THAT'S IT SIR THAT'S EXACTLY IT WHERE'S MISTER BUTLER AND JUST A MOMENT PLEASE CUT IT SHORT PARRON WHAT'S HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW YESTERDAY AFTERNOON MISTER BUTLER LEAVES A LETTER FOR ME WHICH I'M TO MAIL EARLY THIS MORNING SPECIAL DELIVERY IT'S TO YOU I RECKON YOU GOT IT SIR WE WERE ALL GOING PETER INCLUDED PETER WENT EVERYWHERE WITH US NOW HE WAS A REGULAR ATTENDANT AT CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HIS BEHAVIOR WAS AS IRREPROACHABLE AS IF HE HAD BEEN RAISED IN THE CASE OF VERE DE VERE IT WAS A FEATHER IN THE STORY GIRL'S CAP FOR SHE TOOK ALL THE CREDIT OF HAVING STARTED PETER ON THE RIGHT ROAD STETSON GESTURED AT THE MAP WITH ITS GREEN SUPERPOSED GRID SQUARES HERE WE ARE HERE'S THAT CITY WE FLEW OVER ON OUR WAY DOWN YOU WILL HEAD FOR IT AS SOON AS WE DROP YOU THE PLACE IS BIG ENOUGH THAT IF YOU HOLD A COURSE ROUGHLY NORTHEAST YOU CAN'T MISS IT +05453701-84dd-4a64-909f-66cf809dbea1 MEET TIRES AFTER A DAY'S TRAVEL ADDED THE SCARECROW WHILE STRAWN TIN NEVER TIRE AT ALL WHICH PROVES SAID HE THAT WE ARE SOMEWHAT SUPERIOR TO PEOPLE MADE IN THE COMMON WAY ONCE IN A WHILE HE PAINTED A PICTURE WHICH SHOWED WHAT HE COULD DO BUT FOR THE REST HE WAS SATISFIED TO WANDER OVER THE WORLD LIGHT HEARTED AND CONTENT MEANWHILE PRAYED OUT LOUD AS THEY CLIMBED THE PURGATORIAL SCARP ABOVE LOST SOLCE CREEK REGA PEN NOSTROS PECCADORES OLDER THE VERY GULCHERS STOOD ANGRY AND STARK IN THE EARLY MORNING YEN LORDA DE NOSER MOTE I DON'T SUPPOSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SINGLE ONE OF US CHILDREN HERE AT ALL OR IF WE WERE WE WOULD BE PART SOMEBODY ELSE AND THAT WOULD BE ALMOST AS BAD +054efcef-8981-4847-878a-a30b2396f69a STETSON'S VOICE HISSED IN ORNE'S EARS EASY ON THE SEXLIME BOY THAT'S ALWAYS TOUCHY THESE CREATURES ARE OVIPAROUS SEX GLANDS ARE APPARENTLY HIDDEN IN THAT LONG FUR BEHIND WHERE THEIR CHINS OUGHT TO BE IF THE DAILY ENTERPRISE SAID THAT AUGUST TWELFTH WAS TO BE THE JUDGMENT DAY HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET AROUND IT DO YOU BELIEVE IT SARA STANLEY PERSISTED FELICITY DO YOU NO NO I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT SAID THE STORY GIRL HIS NAME WAS ALLAN DUNBAR AND HE WAS YOUNG AND HANDSOME HEROES ALWAYS ARE YOU KNOW BUT AUNT LOUISA SAYS HE REALLY WAS AND HE WAS IN LOVE WILDLY IN LOVE WITH MARGARET GRANT WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE STORY GIRL ASKED FELICITY SHE'S JUST FINE SAID FELIX ENTHUSIASTICALLY I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE HER TO TELL STORIES +05701b89-df3b-4ade-ac64-2006b1272b86 INSTANT YAWNED AND POURED HIMSELF A GLASS OF WATER FROM THE DISPENSER UNIT ABOVE THE BED I MUST HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT DOOR WITHOUT BREAKING A STEP RAY LOOKED MAD STARTED TO AIM A KICK AT THE SCREAM BUT THOUGHT BETTER OF IT A WAVE OF PURE HEAT SWEPT OVER THE BOAT BLISTERING WHAT PAINT IT STILL BOASTED WHY JUST THE THING HE OUGHT TO HAVE DONE HE TOOK BETTY AT HER WORD ON THE SPOT AND THERE WAS A DOUBLE WEDDING SOON AFTER AND IT IS SAID THAT NEIL AND BETTY WERE THE HAPPIEST COUPLE IN THE WORLD WHEN WE HAD HEARD THE NEWS OF PATTY'S RECOVERY WE HAD BEEN NOISY AND JUBILANT WILLIE FRASER LOOKS SO LONESOME IN SCHOOL THESE DAYS +05af94dc-d771-4a4d-82a2-ce6fbc03f4fd THERE WASUD SCHOOL THE NEXT AFTERNOON AS THE SUPERINTENDENT AND TEACHERS WISHED TO ATTEND A COMMUNION SERVICE AT MARKDALE SO PETER RETALIATED BY CHOOSING NEVAKE AND NEZZER WHICH NO ONE COULD EVER UTTER THREE TIMES BEFORE PETER SHRIEKED IT AT ONCE BOTH SLANTED RED EYES GLARED IN BRIEFLY THE CATALOGUE WAS WRONG E I MIGHT STILL DRAG THE SECRET OF THE CALM CRYSTAL SOURCE OUT OF THE ISLANDERS THE MAN WAS A GREAT ACTOR HIS EYES OPENED WIDE HIS JAW DROPPED HE SANK BACK INTO THE CHAIR AS IF HE HAD BEEN TAPPED LIGHTLY WITH A HAMMER +05c91901-347e-4891-99f1-246a98059169 MAROONED IT CAN DO NO HARM TO MARINE INTELLIGENCES A THIN HIGH STREAK OF VAPOR TRAIL KNEELING DOWN TOWARD THEM FROM THE SUNRISE RAINBOW THEY PORED OVER THE ETIQUETTE COLUMN EVERY WEEK AND COULD HAVE TOLD YOU ON DEMAND JUST EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF GLOVES SHOULD BE WORN AT A WEDDING WHAT YOU SHOULD SAY WHEN INTRODUCING OR BEING INTRODUCED AND HOW YOU OUGHT TO LOOK WHEN YOUR BEST MAN WAS COMING TO SEE YOU MEANWHILE PRAYED OUT LOUD AS THEY CLIMBED THE PURGATORIAL SCARP ABOVE LOST SOLCE CREEK AND MILLER AND I STOLE THE LISTS OF NAMES AND RAN AWAY HIS LETTERS TO THE STORY GIRL WE THOUGHT THAT LEE SAID WAS SOONEST MENDED IN SUCH A MATTER +05cc212c-f052-49c4-a877-508f61071bb8 WE WERE ONLY CHILDREN BE IT REMEMBERED WITH A VERY FIRM AND SIMPLE FAITH THAT GROWN PEOPLE KNEW MUCH MORE THAN WE DID AND A ROOTED CONVICTION THAT WHATEVER YOU READ IN A NEWSPAPER MUST BE TRUE IF THE DAILY ENTERPRISE SAID THAT AUGUST TWELFTH WAS TO BE THE JUDGMENT DAY HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET AROUND IT ANY ONE WITH LESS SELF ESTEEM THAN MYSELF WHO HAD LED A MORE HONEST EARLY LIFE MIGHT HAVE DOUBTED HIS OWN REASONING AT THAT MOMENT WE'VE A AGAIN THE CALL BELL CHIMED NOW WHAT ROARED STETSON INTO THE SPEAKER I'VE GOT A MANY OVER THAT MOB STEAD THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT US IT'S A DEFINITE RAIDING PARTY WHAT ARMAMENT FELICITY STARTED OFF INDIGNANTLY AND WE FOLLOWED PICKING UP SARA RAY AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL +05f977e4-bfcb-4609-91d1-58ad0ffbca22 PETER AND FELIX WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY WORSE FRIENDS AFTER IT THEY'D HAVE BEEN BETTER FRIENDS BECAUSE OF THE PRAYING QUESTION WOULD HAVE BEEN SETTLED NOW IT CAN'T BE UNLESS FELICITY CAN COAX PETER TO GIVE UP PRAYING AGAINST FELIX THAT DONE YOUR PENALTY WILL BE EXACTED AND THE PENALTY OF COURSE WILL BE DEATH DEATH AT THE STAKE HE FORCED HIMSELF TO REMAIN CALM NOW WAS THE TIME FOR HIS PLAY HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND FELT THE STRENGTH IN HIM GATHER TO A SINGLE POINT AND FLOW OUTWARD IF POLYCHROME THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER WHO WAS A REAL FAIRY HAD BEEN TRANSFORMED IN SLAVE BY THIS HUGE WOMAN THAT CLAIMED TO BE A YUKEO WHAT WAS LIABLE TO HAPPEN TO THEM VIC HOPE I POUNDED AS HARD AS I COULD SHOUTING THEIR NAMES THERE WAS NO RESPONSE IS THERE ANOTHER KEY PARIN I SNAPPED NO SIR NONE THAT I KNOW OF THE MASTER IS MIGHTY FUSSY ABOUT HIS WORKROOM CAN WE GET IN THROUGH THE WINDOWS +06262111-2ee9-48af-bd0e-d817e9ae653a THERE IS NOTHING TO DESTROY IN THE JUNGLE SAID TO NUB ROARED STETSON INTO THE SPEAKER IN THE MOONLIGHT HE COULD SEE ARMED IT'S TOO LATE TO BE SAYING ALL THESE NICE THINGS ABOUT HIM NOW SAID THE STORY GIRL IT MIGHT BE OVER A YEAR BEFORE YOUR PEOPLE AT HOME HEARD A WORD ABOUT YOU AND FANCY WHAT THEIR FEELINGS WOULD BE THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA THERE'S A LOG IN THE HOLE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE IT HERE IF POSSIBLE THE SMILE WAS STILL WIDER NOW BEFORE HE COULD MOVE I PUSHED A SWITCH AND A HANDFUL OF LOCAL CURRENCY +063f3c17-7b4b-4177-84f3-828002323a18 HOW COULD SHE HELP IT WHEN SHE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR I WHO BELONGED TO THE ISLAND AND WAS NOW RETURNING TO IT AND ONE OF GRANDMOTHER KING'S NOTED PATCHWORK QUILTS WAS OVER US OH I'M SO GLAD YOU BOYS HAVE COME TO LIVE HERE NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE EXCEPT DAYS SO WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN GOOD TIMES OR IF WE WERE WE WOULD BE PART SOMEBODY ELSE AND THAT WOULD BE ALMOST AS BAD I DON'T SUPPOSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SINGLE ONE OF US CHILDREN HERE AT ALL WE LOOKED AT HIM IN SUCH HORROR THAT DAN HASTENED TO APOLOGIZE BUT THEY'RE FAR AWAY AND WE DON'T HAVE TO ASSOCIATE WITH THEM MIGHT MAKE PEOPLE SUSPICIOUS YOU KNOW THE CAPTAIN WHISPERED HOARSELY IN MY EAR ALL THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED BY OUR COURT AT THE PROPER TIME THERE IS ONLY ONE QUESTION I WANT AN ANSWER TO NOW +06e22ad5-c824-43fe-8fdc-c9d94a1415a0 AND I CAN'T NEAR ANY AT MY LACE I JUST KEEP THINKING WHAT IS THE USE SHE LOOKED VERY PRETTY WITH HER BIG BLUE EYES AND WARM HUED GOLDEN HAIR IT FOUND ROTS IN HIS DAILY RAMBLES OVER THE LITTLE ISLAND GRANTED HIM BY THE TOWNSHIP FOR THE PAINTING HE HAD BEGUN AS A BLIND TO HIS ASSIGNMENT AUNT JANET WAS IN A VERY GOOD HUMOR THAT MORNING SO SHE MERELY LAUGHED AND IF ANY OF YOU THINK OF ANYTHING I DON'T JUST MENTION IT TO ME I HAVE FOUND THEM YES I ADDED HOARSELY BUT NOT A CRIMINAL RING YOU'RE UNDER ARREST CRIME KING I TOLD HIM AND A GIRL FRIEND +06fd4e51-055b-43cf-8489-8a9dd3556845 HE WAS A BOY THREE YEARS OLDER THAN MYSELF AND HE MAY NOW FOR AUGHT I KNOW BE A MOST USEFUL AND RESPECTABLE MAN MEMBER OF SOCIETY BELOVED BY HIS KIND BUT I KNOW WHAT HE MUST EVER SEEM TO ME AND WHILE SHE WAS WAITING THERE THINKING SUCH LOVELY THOUGHTS A NEIGHBOR'S BOY CAME RUNNING UP A BOY WHO DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT HER ROMANCE AND CRIED OUT THAT MALCOLM WARD HAD BEEN KILLED BY HIS GUN GOING OFF ACCIDENTALLY I DON'T LIKE THIS STEP YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU COULD START BY TEACHING US HOW YOU MAKE SUPERIOR GLASS SAID ORAN I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU SEE THINGS OUR WAY WE MAY YET SPOT THE ESCAPE CAPSULE REHNHART WAS SAYING WE'RE STILL CONTINUING THE SEARCH PUT IN TOWERS BUT I DON'T MIND TELLING YOU I'M NOT WASTING MUCH MORE FUEL THE RADIO OPERATOR STARTED TO SAY SOMETHING HESITATED AND FINALLY SETTLED FOR YES SIR +07260373-3156-4b16-adcd-cd99e4bdffd5 HER NAME WAS EMILY KING EVEN BEFORE GRANDFATHER KING WAS BORN I LIKE IT WHEN PETER PLAYS THE POET MER CAUGHT HIMSELF NODDING THE DIVING SUIT HAD SHIPPED SOME WATER OR WAS THAT LONG ISLAND AS IT WAS THEY HAD BARELY TIME TO TELEPPORT THEMSELVES TO THE AFTER HOLD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM IMMEDIATE DANGER THANK YOU AND WILL YOU GIVE ME A HANDFUL OF HARD PEAS AFTER BREAKFAST AUNT JANET I WANT TO PUT THEM IN MY SHOES +0781af24-6a1a-4bf1-bc69-b19690514e74 FOR A SECOND I THOUGHT THE ROBOD HAD EXPLODED THE THING HAD MORE DRAWERS IN IT THAN A BATTERY OF CASH REGISTERS BIG SMALL FLAT THIN THOUGH SHUT OUT ON ALL SIDES ONE HELD A GUN AND TWO MORE WAS STUFFED WITH GRENADES THE REST WERE EMPTY I PUT THE HAT IN ONE THE BRIEF CASE IN ANOTHER AND SNAPPED MY FINGERS THE DRAWERS SLID SHUT AND ITS METAL HIDE WAS AS SMOOTH AS EVER WELL I DON'T KNOW SAID THE STORY GIRL THOUGHTFULLY I THINK THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF TRUE THINGS TRUE THINGS THAT ARE AND TRUE THINGS THAT ARE NOT BUT MIGHT BE I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY ONE BUT THE ONE KIND OF TRUENESS SAID FELICITY ANYWAY THIS STORY COULDN'T BE TRUE YOU KNOW THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GOD PAN THE ICE WERE IN THE HEADS OF ENORMOUS BEASTS WHOSE BODIES TRAILED FAR BEHIND THEM EACH BEAST WAS BIGGER THAN AN ELEPHANT AND THREE TIMES AS LONG AND THERE WERE A DOZEN OR MORE OF THE CREATURES SCATTERED HERE AND THERE ABOUT THE CAVERN I WAS AFRAID TO TAKE THE LIVER PILLS FOR FEAR THEY'D PREVENT ME FROM DREAMING HE SAID +07872895-6aed-45d3-ad6a-0c2613155df1 I CONSIDERED THE TIN HEAD FAR SUPERIOR TO THE NEAT ONE I SO AS THEY STUMBLED ALONG A STONE PASSAGE THEY KEPT CLOSE TOGETHER THEN WHEN THE ZID CHARGED AFTER HIM TO THE URBIVOIR CROP SWARD OF TROPICAL SETTING OUTSIDE MY AUNT JANET WAS FOND OF MISSIONS OH I DON'T KNOW MILLIONS OF YEARS LIKELY AND EVEN THEN I IT DOESN'T DO TO MEDDLE IN AN AFFAIR OF THIS KIND BETWEEN BOYS SAID THE STORY GIRL SAGELY WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR WHAT WE WANT OF THAT I'M SURE +07a75da9-87ff-40c8-b3d2-db49a9eac9da WITH A DELICATE TANGLE OF ROSY CLOUD ABOVE THE ELMS AND THERE WAS PEACE OVER ALL THAT FRESH AND FLOWERY LAND THAT IS IF THEY GO TO HEAVEN IF YOU WERE A WOMAN YOU COULD BUT GIVE YOUR VISITORS A DISH OF TEA I MEAN OF THE FAMILY CAT AT FAMILY PRAYERS MOTHER SAYS HE'S A PERFECT HERMIT BIG SMALL FLAT THIN THOUGH SHUT OUT ON ALL SIDES ONE HELD A GUN AND TWO MORE WAS STUFFED WITH GRENADES THE REST WERE EMPTY YES THE STORY GIRL WAS FASCINATING AND THAT WAS THE FINAL WORD TO BE SAID ON THE SUBJECT +07b6d6fe-d70e-4ae0-8dbd-f8714182ad52 WHOM WE LOVED FROM THE MOMENT WE SAW HIM AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO DO DESPITE THE DARK WE HAD A VAGUE FEELING THAT WE THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TELEVISION HIS FIRST REALLY CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE LAST REMAINING FRONTIER ON HIS HOME PLANET THE OTHER WAS AN UNCANINE LOOKING DOG SIZED BEAST SO FULL OF BIRDS AND THORNS THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A PORCUPINE HER ADORING AND FREQUENT MENTION OF HIM WHAT WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND TILL YEARS LATER TO US IN THOSE YEARS +07bd5e65-f3a5-47b4-ac14-6a0d3054e4e5 MOST REPAIR MEN TAKE THESE COURSES BESIDES THEY'RE ALWAYS COMING IN HANDY THE COMPANY GRADES YOUR PAY BY THE NUMBER OF SPECIALTIES YOU CAN HANDLE ALL THIS WITH SOME OIL PAINTING AND FREEFALL WORKOUTS IN THE GEM PASSED THE TIME KENUPH NEITHER APPLAUDED NOR LOOKED SURPRISED AS I HAVE SAID HE MURMURED THAT WHICH THE DEVIL CAN GRANT HE PAUSED AND LOOKED DOWN AT HIS HANDS AM I TO TAKE THIS AS A CONFESSION HE SAID WE FELT AT HOME WITH HIM AND WERE NOT AFRAID TO ASK HIM QUESTIONS ON ANY SUBJECT THAT CAME UPPERMOST IN OUR MINDS WE BECAME VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH HIM ON THAT TWENTY FOUR MILE DRIVE THEN WHO RUNG THAT BELL SAID PETER BELLS DON'T RING OF THEMSELVES I SUPPOSE SPECIFICALLY WHEN THERE AIN'T ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE TO RING OH WILL UNCLE ROGER NEVER COME HOME SOBBED FELICITY I KNOW HE'LL LAUGH AT US AWFUL BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE LAUGHED AT THAN SCARED LIKE THIS +07ef6ab4-a8a5-4984-b176-fd6372c18d99 THE YACHT WAS FLUSHED AGAINST THE SPACE FILLING BULK OF THE OTHER SHIP I PUT IT OUT OF MY MIND AND WORKED ON SOME DRY D CHESS PROBLEMS AND A NUMBER OF YOUNG MEN DETERMINED THEY WOULD GO TO CALIFORNIA HE HAD NEVER SEEN HIM PETER CAUGHT THEM AT MARKDALE THE LAST TIME HE WAS HOME HIS MOTHER SAYS AND AS YOU DO SO MARK THE TIME TAKE ANY ACTION YOU SEE FIT UNDERSTAND NO OLD SON I'VE HAD ENOUGH FOR A LONG MOMENT NEITHER OF THEM ADVANCED AND HE WONDERED IF THEY COULD REALLY BE FRIGHTENED OF HIS PUNY WEAPON +08464a4e-9b05-4ff2-a74e-31353354020a SO PETER RETALIATED BY CHOOSING NEVAKE AND NEZZER WHICH NO ONE COULD EVER UTTER THREE TIMES BEFORE PETER SHRIEKED IT AT ONCE IN THE MIDST OF OUR HILARITY HOWEVER UNCLE ALEC AND AUNT JANET CAME DOWN UPON US IT IS BEST TO DRAW VEIL OVER WHAT FOLLOWED WHAT IS THE I A I AM OF THE I A SAID HORN WHERE HAVE YOU HIDDEN THE DELPHINIS IN THE PLACE THAT SUITS US BEST SAID TO NEWBE IN ALL OUR HISTORY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER PLACE AND FELICITY WHO WAS USEFUL WOULD IN HER SECRET SOUL HAVE GIVEN ANYTHING TO BE INTERESTING ONE BITTER DAY WHEN THEY SEEK IT AND CANNOT FIND IT THEY REALIZE WHAT THEY HAVE LOST AND THAT IS THE TRAGEDY OF LIFE AS HE WATCHED THROUGH A HAZE OF RED DUST WHIPPED UP BY THE MORNING BREEZE THE TWO TREES CAME CLOSER TURNED INTO MEN WEARING DESERT UNIFORMS AND LEANED OVER HIM TAKE FIRE FOR EXAMPLE MAN LIVED IN FEAR OF FIRE FOR A GOOD MANY HUNDRED THOUSAND YEARS AND RIGHTLY SO BECAUSE HE HADN'T LEARNED TO CONTROL IT +0876ff6e-215f-46cf-9fcb-9ddcb6f723b8 IN TWO THOUSAND YEARS THERE SHOULD BE SOME SIGN OF WEAR I COULD HAVE HAD A LIZARD FRY FIXED THE BEACON AND TAKEN OFF BY HARRY HARRISON YOU'D UNDERSTAND WHY IF YOU EVER SAW HIM AT A PARTY OR A PICNIC SAID FELICITY TRYING TO PASS PLATES AND DROPPING THEM WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKED AT HIM OH FELICITY WASN'T IT RIGHT AND WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE GOOD FRIENDS AND HAVE A LOVELY SUMMER TOGETHER SEEING THE ALARMED FACES AROUND HIM JOHN ANDREW YELLED AT HIM AS HE ARCHED FORWARD BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AS SHE FINISHED HER CONVERSATION AND SWITCHED OFF THE TWO WAY RADIO HE TURNED TO HER +08822a0c-19c0-4a65-84e1-c84bf822cd65 THE STORY GIRL HAD RETURNED AND AT LAST THERE CAME A LETTER WHITE SHEEP DID EAT MORE THAN BLACK HE RAISED HIS EYEBROWS BUT DIDN'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS IT IS HARD TO CURL YOUR LIPS WITH CONTEMPT AND TALK AT THE SAME TIME BUT I SUCCEEDED IS SAUL ALSO AMONG THE PROPHETS THERE WAS GREAT GRANDFATHER KING'S FLAT TOMBSTONE OF ROUGH ISLAND SANDSTONE WITH A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE HE STOOD FOR A SECOND AT THE CREST OF THE HILL HIS HANDS ON HIS HIPS LOOKING DOWN AT THE TOWN OF SPIRE AS IT BAKED IN THE MAY AFTERNOON SUNLIGHT +08d077a1-b02f-46fd-8e3d-5dd0394b69c5 I SHALL NOT BE OBLIGED TO COOK FOR YOU HE HAD WORRIED MORE OVER WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO LUKE THAN TO HIMSELF HE HESITATED AND THEN UTTERED A HIGH PITCHED SOUND THAT I PRESUMED TO BE A WORD OF COMMAND ONE A VIVID ELECTRIC BLUE WE PAID HIM HIS MONEY BUT WE WOULD NOT OPEN THE PACKET UNTIL HE HAD GONE I'M GOING TO MAKE A BIG BATCH OF PATTY PANS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING SAID FELICITY JUBILANTLY NOTHING WOULD PREVENT CANNIBALS FROM EATING FILLICKS IF THEY CAUGHT HIM GIGGLED FELICITY HE'S SO NICE AND FAT +08dfe267-a638-4564-8204-79bb9b2eb267 THE ORDEAL OF BITTER APPLES I NEVER COULD UNDERSTAND WHY FELIX TOOK PETER'S SUCCESS IN THE ORDEAL OF THE BITTER APPLES SO MUCH TO HEART SAID CECILY REPROACHFULLY YES I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME GOOD IN SOME KINDS OF PRAYING BUT NOT IN THAT KIND SAID DAN STURDILY FERERO PULLED AWAY FROM THE ROBART'S HAND AS IF IT HAD BEEN A POISONOUS SNAKE I BLEW A RELAXED SMOKE RING REPORT I SAID TO THE ROBOT HAS THIS MAN TOLD ANY LIES MANY THE ROEBOT SAID EXACTLY SEVENTY FOUR PER CENT OF ALL STATEMENTS HE MADE WERE FAKE NO BUT IT FITTED MY HUNCH ABOUT THIS THESE JAINANDS I'D KIND OF FELT FROM THE FIRST MINUTE OF MEETING THEM THAT THEY HAD A CULTURE LIKE THE INDIANS OF ANCIENT TERRA WHY ON THE SECOND DAY THE RATS BEGAN TO BORE HIM BY THAT EVENING THEY WERE ANNOYING HIM AND WHEN THE THIRD DAY DAWNED BRIGHT AND WARM AS NEAR AS HE COULD TELL FROM THE TINIEST WINDOW AT THE TOP OF HIS CELL YUNUS WAS TELLING HIMSELF THAT ANY MOVE AT ALL WAS A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION +08e12404-8451-46ea-bff9-5b6ccf78df84 HE SAID BRINGING YOU ALONG THE BALD MAN TOLD HIM MY SYMPATHY HE BEGAN EVEN WHEN THE PERSON INVOLVED WAS EASY TO VISUALIZE THAT WAS ENOUGH FOR US I DON'T FEEL A BIT LIKE BEING BAD LOOKING BACK FROM A MATURE STANDPOINT I REALIZED THAT SHE MUST HAVE BEEN AN UNUSUALLY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN THEN WITH A BOOK UNDER ONE ARM AND PAT UNDER THE OTHER SHE BETOOK HERSELF TO THE WINDOW SEAT IN THE UPSTAIRS HALL AND WOULD NOT BE LURED FROM THAT RETREAT CHARMED WE NEVER SO WISELY EAGERLY HE CLAMBERED UPON THE OUTSTRETCHED HANDS AND STOOD THERE FACING THE GRINNING FACE +090aa89a-5a6b-4e9b-8912-375fab49f404 FARMER LOOKED IMPRESSED THEN BEGAN TO REALIZE WHAT SOME OF THIS MEANT HE CAUGHT HIMSELF STRAIGHTENED OUT HIS FACE AND LICKED HIS LIPS YOU MEAN YOU'VE NEVER TRIED THIS THING BEFORE HE PROTESTED HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WILL WORK WE WENT TO SCHOOL OF COURSE AND CERTAIN HOME CHORES WERE ASSIGNED TO EACH OF US FOR THE FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE OF WHICH WE WERE HELD RESPONSIBLE BUT WE HAD LONG HOURS FOR PLAY EVEN PETER HAD PLENTY OF SPARE TIME WHEN THE PLANTING WAS OVER NEVER MIND PETER SAID CECILY YOU KNOW LOTS OF THINGS THEY DON'T BUT PETER WAS NOT TO BE CONCILIATED AND TOOK HIMSELF OFF IN HIGH DUDGEON TO BE LAUGHED AT BEFORE FELICITY TO BE LAUGHED AT BY FELICITY WAS SOMETHING HE COULD NOT ENDURE I AM KNOWN AS WOOT THE WANDERER ANSWERED THE BOY AND I HAVE COME THROUGH MANY TRAVELS AND BY ROUNDABOUT WAYS FROM MY FORMER HOME IN A FAR CORNER OF THE GALLOPIN COUNTRY OF OZ +09201e52-c096-4948-ab78-7f4feaf2726e WE HAVE JUST GOT TO THINK OF SOME FOOL EXCITER THAT'S ALL I SAID I WE COULD DEPEND ON FATHER IF HE WAS HERE SAID DAN STOUTLY HE'D TELL US THE TRUTH IT WAS AN OMINOUS SUNSET YOU CAN'T NAME THINGS HERE IN TERMS OF OUR OWN WORLD ANYTHING THAT OCCUPIES SPACE BEFORE HE COULD FINISH IT WAS GOING TO BE A REAL SCORCHER HE DECIDED EVEN AS BRANDON CLIMBED INTO THE SCOUT SHIP BUT I DON'T MIND TELLING YOU I'M NOT WASTING MUCH MORE FUEL TO NUBES'S EYES WENT INSTINCTIVELY SKYWARD THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF HIS EYES EXPANDED AND CONTRACTED +096ba452-cfd4-40f3-b06a-274ae197f476 BUT RUBBING WHISKY ON THE OUTSIDE ISN'T ANY HARM ARGUED PETER IT'S ONLY WHEN YOU TAKE IT INSIDE IT IS BAD FOR YOU WELL WE HAVEN'T ANY ANYHOW SAID FELICITY I SUPPOSE BLUEBERRY WINE WOULDN'T DO IN ITS PLACE I DON'T KNOW THE CAPTAIN SAID IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE I NEVER HEARD WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE WHICH IS ALL RIGHT SINCE HE WAS GETTING UNDER MY SKIN AND MIGHT HAVE BEEN TEMPTED TO PULL MY PSEUDO RANK THE ALARM SIRENS CUT HIS SENTENCE OFF AND WE FOOT RACED TO THE COMMUNICATIONS ROOM WRIGHT INTO A LAND OF SHADOWS AND LOST SOULS GOES PETE GRAHAM IN SEARCH OF HIS HAPLESS FRIENDS THERE WAS NO SENSE TO THE NOTE THERE WAS NO SENSE TO ANYTHING THAT VIC BUTLER DID FOR THAT MATTER ACCORDINGLY WE WENT ROUND TO THE SPRUCE WOOD WHERE THE GIRLS WOULD NOT SEE US TO THE ROUSING OF THEIR CURIOSITY AND THEN PETER TOLD US OF HIS DILEMMA +0970832b-161c-47c6-aa31-7b8049b6ac81 THE BOY ATE IN SILENCE FOR A TIME BEING REALLY HUNGRY BUT AFTER HIS APPETITE WAS SOMEWHAT SATISFI HE SAID HOW HAPPENED YOUR MAJESTY TO BE MADE OF TIN AND STILL BE ALIVE I WAS SWEETNESS AND LIGHT BECAUSE A LOT DEPENDED ON HIS DECISION JUST TRYING TO HELP CHIEF GET THINGS READY IN CASE YOU WANTED MORE IN FOLK AND THIS REALLY ISN'T AN OPERATION JUST A RECONNAISSANCE THE BEWITCHMENT OF PAT WE WERE ALL IN A DOLEFUL DUMPS AT LEAST ALL WE YOUNG FRY WERE AND EVEN THE GROWN UPS WERE SORRY AND CONDESCENDED TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN OUR TROUBLES PAT OUR OWN DEAR FROLICSOME PADDY WAS SICK AGAIN VERY VERY SICK BUT EVEN THE EFFECTS OF UNHOLY SNACKS WERE AWAY AT LENGTH BY TEA TIME THINGS HAD BRIGHTENED UP +09967a6b-1515-4a0c-a933-dfd768d677d7 CECILY'S LETTER IS FROM M FREWIN SHE ALWAYS PUTS IN HASTE ON HER LETTERS NO MATTER WHAT'S IN THEM IT WAS ALL ARRANGED THAT THEY WERE TO BE MARRIED FROM HERE IN THE SPRING I'D GIVE ANYTHING IF I'D NEVER PUT SARA UP TO GOING TO THAT SHOW SHE SAID IT'S ALL MY FAULT BUT THE PUNISHMENT FALLS ON SARA AND THAT ISN'T FAIR THEY MADE VERY LONG PRAYERS IN THOSE DAYS YOU KNOW AND BUT SHE DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND HE WAS VERY GENTLE WITH THE WRIST HE DIDN'T WANT TO HURT HER WITHOUT IN FACT EVER SEEING ONE THAT HE COULD REMEMBER CECILY HAD A PACKET OF VISITING CARDS WHICH SHE WAS HOARDING AGAINST THE DAY WHEN SHE WOULD BE GROWN UP AND COULD PUT THE CALLING ETIQUETTE OF THE FAMILY GUIDE INTO PRACTICE IN THE SWEET SCENTED FADING GRASSES +09b8b918-4493-4eac-b106-c983746cf932 AN ANONIPUS THAT BECAME APPARENT WAS NOT ONLY A WATER CREATURE NONNIPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME HE DECIDED HE'D HAVE TO DO SOMETHING HIMSELF A QUESTION IN WHICH THE RESPECTED INQUISITOR KNOOK CANNOT HAVE NO INTEREST WHATEVER AND HE CONTROLLED HIS FEELINGS SUPERBLY AND MARJOR SAID JUDGMENT FIDDLESTICKS I CAN'T TURN INTO A CHRISTIAN BETWEEN THIS AND TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW AND THE POSSIBILITY WAS ALMOST AS DREADFUL AS THE CERTAINTY AND THE ROLL GOES ON AND ON FROM SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN TO NOTHING +09cbcc41-99c2-4d96-bdcc-3d2df0778334 AN EXPRESSION OF SCORN CAME OVER HER FACE IT'S SAD AND BEAUTIFUL AND YET THE POSSIBILITY STRUCK US IN THE FACE LIKE A BLOW THE NEXT MILE BROUGHT HIM TO A GREAT SHEET OF ANCIENT LAVA LAID BARE BY THE ELEMENTS I THINK YOU WENT DOWN DELIBERATELY IT HAPPENED LONG LONG AGO IN GREECE WHERE SO MANY OTHER BEAUTIFUL THINGS HAPPENED MIND THEY GO TO BED AT A DECENT HOUR AUNT JANET CALLED BACK TO UNCLE ROGER AS SHE DROVE OUT OF THE GATE AND IF ANYTHING DREADFUL HAPPENS TELEGRAPH US FELIX AND PETER AND I WERE REQUIRED TO HELP UNCLE ROGER AND SOME CARPENTERING WORK THAT DAY AND FELICITY INDULGED IN ONE OF THE HOUSE CLEANING ORGIES SO DEAR TO HER SOUL +09fecbb2-39d5-40af-881c-b7119e778e40 WHEN SHE REACHED US SHE TREMBLED SO MUCH AT FIRST SHE COULD NOT SPEAK HOW COULD THE GROWN UPS EAT AS THEY DID I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT RUTH YOU'RE MAKING LIGHT OF MY REVERED ALMA MATER SAID ORAN HE STRUCK A POSE BUT ONLY TWO CITIES ARE YOU SURE THE FREIGHTER'S CARGO PLUTONIUM WAS GONE BUT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO HIDE ANGELINA NOW WE'LL SEARCH THE SHIP SHE CAN'T HIDE FOR LONG SHE WON'T HAVE TO PIPPY SAID THERE'S A FAR SCOUT WE PICKED UP STOWED IN ONE OF THE HOLES BUT HE REFUSED TO LET THE THOUGHT SPOIL HIS ENJOYMENT JONAS TOLD HIMSELF AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF HOURS THAT HE SIMPLY WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO WITHOUT THE RATS +0a0029f6-af79-4265-af9b-77559faa0adc POOR MA IS TOO BUSY WASHING AS PETER SAID THEY WERE LADIES IN THE BEST AND TRUEST SENSE OF THAT MUCH ABUSED APPELLATION FEET ONLY INCHES BELOW THE SILL SHE SCRAMBLED TO THE WINDOW SILL AND JUMPED STUDYING HER WHILE SHE SHOOK OUT HER DRIPPING RED HAIR BUT I DO KNOW SOME FACTS AS WELL I HAD NEVER EXPLORED ALL THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE PSEUDO M THREE ROBOT I MUST TAKE YOUR WORD THAT YOU ARE NOT DANGEROUS AS A MATTER OF FACT I THINK I WILL HE GAZED REFACTLY AT THE BALD MAN WHO GULPED AND TURNED A LITTLE PALE +0a27dd6f-afc3-439b-b1bf-355ec7a994be BUT THEY ONLY LASTED A COUPLE OF DAYS FELICITY HAD DROPPED THE CUP OF CLOUDED BLUE WHICH HAD PASSED UNSCATHED THROUGH SO MANY CHANGING YEARS AND NOW AT LAST LAY SHATTERED ON THE STONE OF THE WELL CURB DAN FINALLY VOLUNTEERED TO LOOK AFTER HIM HE HAD A NEW PITY BOOK WHICH HE WANTED TO FINISH AND THAT HE SAID WAS BETTER FUN THAN A WALK TO THE GRAVEYARD SHE NEVER APPEARED ANYWHERE BUT IN THE ORCHARD SAID THE STORY GIRL OH THAT DAUNTLESS BIRTH WOULD SOAR TRIUMPHANTLY ABOVE THE WRECK OF MATTER AND THE CRASH OF WORLDS TAKING WITH IT ALL ITS OWN WILD SWEETNESS AND DARING AND YOU SURELY CAN'T BE MANUEL GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH ONLY PEOPLE MANOEL +0b0d5676-af74-4e9a-8f7d-b31ff53b83a1 FARMER BENT ANXIOUSLY OVER THE JUDGE LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF LIFE THE DIVING SUIT HAD SHIPPED SOME WATER AND THE JUDGE HAD GOTTEN A NASTY CRACK ON THE HEAD BUT HE WAS A TOUGH BOSO THERE WAS NO BLOOD HIS BREATHING SEEMED ALMOST NORMAL AND HE ALREADY SHOWED SIGNS OF RETURNING CONSCIOUSNESS THEY WERE WONDERFULLY DAINTY WITH A STRANGE FAINT AROMATIC PERFUME WHICH WAS ONLY TO BE DETECTED AT A LITTLE DISTANCE AND VANISHED IF YOU BENT OVER THEM THEY FADED SOON AFTER THEY WERE PLUCKED AND ALTHOUGH STRANGERS GREATLY ADMIRING THEM OFTEN CARRIED AWAY ROOTS AND SEEDS THEY COULD NEVER BE COAXED TO GROW ELSEWHERE HERE'S THE SPOT I MARKED IT WITH THESE THREE PIECES OF STONE QUICK VIC SWEPT BOTH ARMS ABOUT HOPE AND ME HOLDING US IN A CLOSE EMBRACE SO THAT WE ALL STOOD WITHIN THE TRIANGLE FORMED BY THE THREE BITS OF BLACK ROCK I GLANCED DOWN AT MY WATCH IT LACKED BUT A FEW SECONDS OF THE MOMENT WHEN THE MACHINE BACK IN VIC'S LABORATORY WOULD FUNCTION PROVIDED MY WATCH WAS CORRECT AND THE EQUIPMENT WORKED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE SUDDENLY HOPE SCREAMED AND I FOLLOWED HER EYES WITH AN EFFORT HE SAT UP ON THE BACK SEAT AND LOOKED THROUGH THE PERMANS A TANGLE OF CORDS STRETCHED OUT TO THE NILEN OF THE MAIN CHUTE DRAPED OVER A DUST STONE BEYOND IT HE COULD SEE THE GLEAMING METAL RIBBONS OF THE DROG SHOOT AHEAD OF HIM BEHIND SOME LOW HILLS HE COULD SEE A DULL RED GLOW THE SHIP HE THOUGHT +0b3af211-c26b-42e6-9455-f992eac6cc3c LIKE VINES DRIED AND TOUGH THAT LOOKED LIKE STRINGS BUILT OF PURPLE STONE NEITHER I DO SAID CECILY WITH A GRIMACE A GLEA WASDED WITH IT THAT SHE RESOLVED TO TAKE IT AS A PRESENT TO GLACON FELIX WORKED WELL ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT LIKE WEEDING OF COURSE THERE WAS A LITTLE PRESSURE AT THE TIME THE THING HAD MORE DRAWERS IN IT THAN A BATTERY OF CASH REGISTERS WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW HE QUAVERED THE QUESTION HIS POUCHY JAWS SHOOK AND I SWEAR THERE WERE TEARS IN HIS EYES +0b492fa5-8f21-4cb6-acc0-27038534669b MY FIRST THOUGHT THAT A GANG WAS INVOLVED PROVED WRONG WE BLASTED SCREAMING WHOLE THROUGH THE NIGHT RIGHT TO THE SPACE YARD AND THROUGH THE GATE IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WE WERE STILL TOO LATE ALL THE FITTINGS INSIDE AND OUT WERE EITHER MACHINE TURNED OR PLAITED CHANCING ACCIDENTALLY I VOW TO OVERHEAR CERTAIN OF THESE SECRETS OH IT MEANS IF ANYTHING HAPPENS SOMETHING ELSE IS SURE TO HAPPEN SAID THE STORY GIRL I'LL ILLUSTRATE THERE'S MISSUS MURPHY SHE NEVER HAD A PROPOSAL IN HER LIFE TILL SHE WAS FORTY AND THEN SHE HAD THREE AND THE ONE WEEK AND SHE WAS SO FLUSTERED SHE TOOK THE WRONG ONE AND HAS BEEN SORRY EVER SINCE DO WE NOT LOOK STRANGE TO YOU IF THEY THINK IT'S A GROUND BUGGY THEY MIGHT GET CARELESS WHEN YOU MOST NEEDN'T ADVANTAGE WE COULD ALWAYS SCOOP YOU OUT OF THE AIR YOU KNOW WHAT ARE MY CHANCES ON THIS ONE STEP ABOUT FIVE FEET TALL UNCLE EDWARD HAD PREACHED HIS FIRST SERMON AT THE AGE OF EIGHT FROM THAT OLD GRAY BOULDER +0b761e21-1dd2-4e6c-9cc3-4070625a914b EACH WITH OPEN DREAM BOOKS AND PENCIL IN HAND LONG LONG AGO BEGAN THE STORY GIRL HER VOICE GIVING US AN IMPRESSION OF REMOTE ANTIQUITY THEY WERE ALL BUT EYE TO EYE WHEN JENOFER CAUGHT HIM AND TOWED HIM AWAY TOWARD THE DOUBTFUL SAFETY OF THE ISLAND QUEEN THE SERIMIAN CROAKED THAT'S RIGHT JONAS SAID EQUABLY HE WIPED HIS FACE WITH ONE HAND BUT HE HARDLY THOUGHT OF ESCAPING SHE WORE A BONNET THAT DID NOTHING WHATEVER TO ENHANCE HER DOUBTFUL WRINKLED CHARMS OR TO CONCEAL THEM I MAY BE MISTAKEN BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE STORY GIRL WANTED THAT FIGHT STOPPED +0c078691-cd79-499f-a148-bf023dbfe583 AND DID SHE TALK TO HIM AFTER THAT AS USUAL ASKED SARA RAY OH YES SHE WAS JUST THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE SAID THE STORY GIRL WEARILY BUT THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO THE STORY IT STOPS WHERE SHE SPOKE AT LAST YOU'VE NEVER SATISFIED TO LEAVE A STORY WHERE IT SHOULD STOP SARA RAY NO IT'S ONLY AFTER THEY'RE CONVERTED THAT THEY'RE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR SAID FELICITY BEFORE THAT THEY'RE JUST PLAIN HEATHEN BUT IF YOU WANT YOUR MONEY TO GO TO A METHODIST MISSIONARY YOU CAN GIVE IT TO THE METHODIST MINISTER AT MARKDALE I GUESS THE PRESBYTERIANS CAN GET ALONG WITHOUT IT AND LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN HEATHEN NINE LIGHT YEARS AWAY OF COURSE THIRTEEN YEARS HAD PASSED ON EARTH SINCE THEY HAD LEFT BECAUSE THE TRIP TOOK FOUR YEARS BY OUR TEA RELATIVE TIME BUT EVEN FOUR YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO BE SHUT UP IN ASTRO ONE WITH FIVE OTHER MEN ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF THEM WAS THE IMPERIOUS COLONEL TOWERS HE CAN'T BE MAN WELL SAID THE BIG POLICEMAN AND THE LITTLE POLICEMAN MAYBE NOT THEN THE DWARF CONCEDED I THOUGHT I WAS BUT I WASN'T SURE +0c23ca23-7010-4807-b0ee-e5c5df98ffed BRANDON FELL BACK ON THE GROUND HIS BREATHING WAS SHORT STRAINED HIS FACE WAS BATHED IN PERSPIRATION THE OXYGEN HE REALIZED WAS GIVING OUT WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT THE AIR OF SERIOUS THREE IS BREATHABLE HE WONDERED ONE AND A HUNDRED HERE IS SOME MONEY FROM PARADISE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN A GOOD BOY NOT REALLY FROM PARADISE I LIFTED IT FROM THE TREASURY THE NIGHT BEFORE IT HAS BEEN DECIDED A LIZARD SAID THAT YOU SHOULD REMAIN HERE FOR EVER AND TEND THE HOLY WATERS WE WILL STAY WITH YOU AND SERVE YOUR EVERY NEED SARA MUST NOT DO PENANCE IN THAT WAY SHE WOULD WEAR HOLES IN HER STOCKINGS AND MIGHT SERIOUSLY BRUISE HER FEET AS SOON AS HE REACHED THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH THE HOLE CLOSED AGAIN AND THE BOY MONKEY REALIZED WITH A THRILL OF JOY THAT HE HAD SEEN THE LAST OF THE DANGEROUS DRAGON FAMILY +0c29d68d-748a-4628-9473-89adbe76b1db THE CEREMIAN VANISHED THEY FELL SLACK HOWEVER WHEN THE QUEEN REACHED HIS CHANNEL AND FLAPPED LAZILY REVERSING TO CATCH THE WIND AND NOSE HER CAUTIOUSLY INTO THE SHALLOWS APPARENTLY ON EMPTY AIR IT'S THERE HE GASPED LOOK READ I'LL THEY HAD NOT SPOKEN TO EACH OTHER SINCE I KNOW A STORY ABOUT JUDY PENU AND THE WORD PRESBYTERIAN SAID THE STORY YELL IT WILL TAKE TIME CLARTON SAID THIS TIME HE HEARD REUBEN INSIDE THE HOUSE AND NODDED TO HIMSELF IN A SATISFIED FASHION WORSE THAN ANY DESERT ON EARTH HE DRAGGED THE SURVIVAL KIT FROM BEHIND THE SEAT AND PULLED OUT SOME RATIONS A FIRST STAID KIT +0c2f3d25-b2ac-4656-9b76-f2277f3a0cc1 BUT WE HAD LISTENED ENTRANCED I HAVE WRITTEN DOWN THE BARE WORDS OF THE STORY AS SHE TOLD IT BUT I COULD NEVER REPRODUCE THE CHARM AND COLOR AND SPIRIT SHE INFUSED INTO IT IT LIVED FOR US THAT BUILDING FULL OF MACHINERY THAT TAKES IN AND DIGESTS NEWS AND REPORTS AND ALL THE PLANETS IN THE GALAXY INDEXES IT TO EVERY CATEGORY IT CAN POSSIBLY RELATE AND THEN FILES IT EVERY ONE TO HIS TASTE SAID THE GIANTESS CARELESSLY AND HAVING NOW FINISHED HER SUPPER SHE ROSE TO HER FEET CLAPPED HER HANDS TOGETHER AND THE SUPPER TABLE AT ONCE DISAPPEARED AIN'T HE JUST A GREAT OLD FELLOW SAID DAN HE KNOWS I'M KIND OF SICK JUST AS WELL AS A HUMAN HE NEVER PAYS NO ATTENTION TO ME WHEN I'M WELL +0c51caf0-932b-4037-989f-c149732d80fb IT WOULD BE HARD ENOUGH TO EXPLAIN AN EARTHLY OCCUPUS IN HIS LIVING ROOM IF THE NECESSITY AROSE FARMER REFLECTED FOR THE TENTH TIME BUT HOW IN THE NAME OF NEPHEWN COULD HE EVER EXPLAIN THIS IT HAD ALL STARTED WITH JUDGE RAY IT GAVE ME THE SAME UNPLEASANT SENSATION WHICH I HAD FELT ONE TIME I HAD SEEN MY FATHER CRY FELICITY IS AFRAID SHE'S MISSED SOMETHING REMARKED THE STORY GIRL IN A TONE OF QUIET AMUSEMENT IS YOUR BREAKFAST READY FELICITY OR HAVE I TIME TO TELL THE BOYS THE STORY OF THE POET WHO WAS KISSED THAT'S WHY I'M DOWN HERE BRIEFING YOU INSTEAD OF SITTING BACK ON A FLAGSHIP I GOT YOU INTO THE I A NOW YOU LISTEN CAREFULLY IF YOU PUSHED THE PANIC BUTTON ON THIS ONE WITHOUT CAUSE I WILL PERSONALLY FLAY YOU ALIVE +0c5ef09e-d989-4b55-9a00-03079ece518b AND AUNT OLIVIA WAS WORN TO LABEL ALL THE PINCUSHIONS IN THE HOUSE EVEN IF THERE WERE NO NEEDLES IN IT SIXTY YEAR OLD SAWDUST CAN'T BE GOOD FOR MY TUMMY YOU INTEND TO START A WAR HORN TOUCHED HIS THROAT IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE NO I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT SAID UNCLE ALEC STERNLY I HE WOULD HAVE FACED AN ARMY WITH BANNERS WE WERE ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ASSIGNED TO A TEACHER WHO MADE OUR LESSON SO INTERESTING THAT WE NO LONGER REGARDED SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AS A DISAGREEABLE WEEKLY DUTY THERE IS THE WEDDING BELL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS +0c7465f3-4d34-40ee-8e6b-d39110bc5ff5 SHE LEFT ME IN CHARGE NOT LONG AFTER HE WAS MARRIED HIS WIFE WASN'T QUITE READY FOR CHURCH ONE MORNING WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO THE PAPER SAYS TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW SAID DAN YOU NEEDN'T WORRY SARAH BUT IT TELLS YOU ANOTHER THING IN THE BIBLE TOO SAID CICELY EAGERLY AND HE REMEMBERED WHO HAD BEEN WITH WHOM THE DWARF WAS THREE FOOT HIGH A SKELETON STRETCHED OVER WITH BROWN BURNT LEATHER SOMEHOW WHAT POPPED INTO FARMER'S HEAD WAS THE COURSE OF AN OLD SONG HE HAD SUNG IN BOY'S CAMP WHEN VERY YOUNG DORA WAS PICKING HER WAY SLOWLY DOWN THE STONE STEPS +0c779d9c-b292-4cfe-b31e-775b292aff2d WHY YOU MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT ANY COMMON BOOK I DIDN'T MEAN ANY HARM SAID PETER CRESTFALLEN IF THAT CLOCK DOESN'T STRIKE TWO I SHALL GO OUT OF MY SEVEN SENSES DECLARED CECILY WITH UNUSUAL VEHEMENCE CAN WE CONTROL THEM IF THEY'RE BLOOD THIRSTY WHAT'S THEIR POTENTIAL IN FIVE DAYS NOT A SECOND MORE WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEM NOT MUCH THEY LOOK SOMETHING LIKE AN ANCIENT TERRAN CHIMPANZEE WITH A SHOUT I JERKED THE GUN FROM MY POCKET AND LEAPED ASIDE AS I DID SO I FIRED TWICE INTO THE GAPING MOUTH AND SAW THE BULLETS SHATTER THE HEAVY SHUTTER THOSE OF US WHO HAD NOTHING THE MATTER WITH OUR CONSCIENCES ENJOYED OUR WALK TO THE LITTLE WHITEWASHED SCHOOLHOUSE IN THE VALLEY FELICITY AND CECILY WERE VOID OF OFFENCE TOWARDS ALL MEN +0c7a3035-beae-438d-abff-085858de673b AT LEAST THAT HAD BEEN THE THEORY WHEN THEY GAVE FARMER THE JOB FARMER WAS UNCOMFORTABLE SAID GOOD BY AND HEADED FOR THE RAIL WHY ARE YOU BUILDING THAT BATTLESHIP USING THE RAW ENERGY OF THE BATTLESHIP ENGINES FOR A HEADLONG APPROACH I SPLUTTERED INTO THE MIKE WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEM I DECIDE WHO IS TO HELP STETSON'S FACE HARDENED AND FOUND THAT HIS CLOTHES WERE GONE AND HIS SKIN COVERED WITH A FINE SILKLIKE GREEN FUR +0c8317e1-d63e-4713-a590-754c4d963b53 THOSE TWO BIG TREES BEHIND THEM ARE THE TWINS TREES MY MOTHER AND UNCLE FELIX YOU KNOW THE APPLES ARE SO DEAD SWEET THAT NOBODY BUT US CHILDREN AND THE FRENCH BOYS CAN EAT THEM FELIX'S PRAYER WAS ALL RIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T HAVE HURT ANY ONE ELSE BUT IT WAS A SELFISH PRAYER OF PETER TO WANT TO BE THE ONLY ONE WE MUSTN'T PRAY SELFISH PRAYERS OH I SEE IT NOW SAID CECILY JOYFULLY FARMER GOT MAD HE STARTED TO CHARGE ACROSS THE DECK AT GARF BUT HIS OWN FEET WENT OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND HE LANDED FLAT ON HIS NOSE THERE WERE WAVES OF FIRE CHASING EACH OTHER AROUND HIS BODY AND HIS STOMACH WAS TRYING TO TURN ITSELF INSIDE OUT UNCLE ROGER SAYS THAT A MOTHER WHO WON'T LET YOU DO ANYTHING AND A CONSCIENCE THAT WON'T LET YOU ENJOY ANYTHING IS AN AWFUL COMBINATION AND HE DOESN'T WONDER SARA IS PALE AND THIN AND NERVOUS BUT IT TOOK THE STORY GIRL TO MAKE US REALIZE JUST HOW DREADFUL IT WAS AND WHAT A TERRIBLE RISK WE HAD RUN YEARS BEFORE WE OR OUR PARENTS EITHER HAD EXISTED +0caab55f-bcd7-4a92-a615-0937a340247e REQUEST SIGNED BY A FIRST CONTACT OFFICER NAME A DISTANT HE STOOD IN HIS CUSTOMARY SLOUCH HE'S JUST LAZY THAT'S WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HIM HE SAID AND TENDER AND KIND THAN ANYTHING WE CAN IMAGINE OF HIM MORE PEOPLE WOULD DIE BEFORE THIS WAS OVER IT WAS UP TO ME TO KEEP THAT NUMBER AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE THE SHIP WOULD NEED A CREW A BASE FOR REFUELING AND OMISSION IF IT WERE NOT JUST WHAT A CORNMEAL PUDDING MIGHT BE THE REST OF THE BILL OF FARE HAD BEEN EXTRA GOOD AND OUR APPETITES MATCHED IT +0cacaa5e-21fd-40a6-bd28-023c71e5566d THERE WERE TWO DISTANT CLANGS AS MAGNETIC GRAPPLES HIT THE HULL A LITTLE LATER THE SHIP LURCHED DRAWN HOME AGAINST THE BATTLESHIP NOTICE IF THE ENGINE ROOM SPECKS ARE CHANGED SLIGHTLY TO INCLUDE THIS CARGO HOLD THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE BRUTES NEEDED THEN WITH THE HUMMING SOUND RINGING IN MY EARS LIKE A NOTE OF DEATH I LEAPED CLEAR INTO THE MIDST OF THE WAITING GUARDS FOR AN INSTANT THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT NO SOUND FROM ALL THAT VAST CROWD EVEN THE GUARDS SEEMED STUNNED AND I TORE MY WAY THROUGH THEM WITH HARDLY A PAUSE IN MY STRIDE THE STORY GIRL FINISHED HER TURN OVER AND STRETCHED HERSELF OUT ON THE GRASSES PILLOWING HER CHIN IN HER HANDS AND LOOKING AT THE SKY SHE WAS BAREHEADED AS USUAL AND HER SCARLET RIBBON WAS BOUND FILLET WISE ABOUT HER HEAD NOT THE SCOOP YOU IDIOT THE OWL IT WAS JEFF'S TURN TO STARE OWL +0d2109db-c1f1-42ee-9a6c-95334895d500 LURCHED AND SKIDDED AROUND BUTTRESS ROOTS WHAT'S THEIR POTENTIAL IN FIVE DAYS I'M GETTING TIRED OF WAITING AND NEXT TO IT A DELICIOUS JUICY YELLOW APPLE FROM AUNT LOUISA'S TREE SARAH CHILD COME WITH ME SAID AUNT OLIVIA BENDING OVER HER I CAN SPEAK THIS LANGUAGE TOO YOU KNOW I WAS HE ALONE IN A SPOT LIKE THIS WITH A MADMAN I TAKE IT YOU COME FROM ATLANTIS WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE STORY GIRL BUT NO INDELICATE THOUGHT OR VULGAR WORD COULD HAVE BEEN SHAPED OR UTTERED IN THEIR PRESENCE +0d7b1c80-e5c5-4ff8-8587-8b5eb79862e3 TOLD YOU SO AND DID SHE TALK TO HIM AFTER THAT AS USUAL ASKED SARA RAY EVEN SARA RAY WAS MADE HAPPY BY THE GIFT OF A LITTLE CHINA PLATE WITH A LOUDLY COLOURED PICTURE OF MOSES AND AARON BEFORE THE PHARAOH IN THE MIDDLE OF IT PETER DID AND HE HAD AN ELEGANT DREAM THAT PEG BOWEN CAUGHT HIM AND PUT HIM ON TO BOIL ALIVE IN THAT BIG BLACK POT THAT HANGS OUTSIDE HER DOOR HE WOKE UP BEFORE THE WATER GOT HOT THOUGH BUT YOU MAKE FAR TOO MUCH OF HIM MOTHER SAYS HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES HE SAYS MARTIN CAN'T CALL HIS SOUL HIS OWN SINCE HE WAS MARRIED JUST NOW I'M AS YOU SEE ME A MISERABLE LITTLE BROWN BEAR WITH A POOR QUALITY OF STUFFY +0d7decb4-00a1-4b65-ada5-a5279c936056 EVEN HER PREPOSITIONS AND CONJUNCTIONS HAD UNTOLD CHARM HINTING AT MYSTERY AND LAUGHTER AND MAGIC BOUND UP IN EVERYTHING SHE MENTIONED NIMI AMMY WAS OBLIGED TO WORK FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT FOR THE OLD WITCH OF THE EAST THEY TELL ME THAT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING RIGHT ALONG THAT I COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE NOW I TELL YOU I THE MORE RELIGIOUS ANYTHING WAS THE MORE FIGHTING THERE WAS ABOUT IT YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU WILL PAY WELL YET YOU DO NOT APPEAR RICH ANOTHER DAY DRAGGED BY YUNUS PUT IN HIS TIME ALTERNATELY GOING OVER THE NEW PLAN AND FEELING MORE FRIGHTENED THAN HE HAD EVER BELIEVED POSSIBLE +0dc1ea38-db9d-4b9c-b0c2-522baf29d60f PETER IS VERY VERY SICK SHE SAID MISERABLY HE HAS CAUGHT COLD SOMEWAY AND THE MEASLES HAVE STRUCK IN AND AND THE STORY GIRL WRUNG HER BROWN HANDS TOGETHER THE DOCTOR IS AFRAID HE HE WON'T GET BETTER BRANDON COULD HEAR TOWER'S VOICE IN A VORTEX OF DARKNESS LET'S FACE IT BRANDON IS DEAD MUST IT BURNED WITH THE SHIP AT LEAST THAT'S THE WAY THE REPORT WILL AID GET MAY RHINART YES SIR THE DISEMBODIED VOICE OF RHINHARD REPLIED QUIETLY YOU HAVE CONFESSED TO ME HE SAID YOUR HERESY NOW YOU WILL BE MADE TO RATIFY YOUR CONFESSION THAT DONE YOUR PENALTY WILL BE EXACTED AND THE PENALTY OF COURSE WILL BE DEATH DEATH AT THE STAKE COMING I LEANED FORWARD BUTTING WITH MY HEAD BOTH DOUBLED FISTS WORKING LIKE PISTONS TO CLEAR MY WAY TO MY COMPANIONS +0dde4b8c-8927-4930-9265-b23e2a371a6f COUNT EVERYONE ALL RIGHT FILL IN EVERY ONE I NEED MORE PAPERS WE WILL GIVE HIM MORE IF YOU NEED MORE BUT THERE AREN'T SO MANY IN YOUR SCENE LOVE US DIONES SORROS EVEN PEOPLE DO ANY OF YOU HAPPEN TO WANT TO HEAR THE REST OF MY STORY ASKED THE STORY GIRL IN AN OMINOUSLY POLITE VOICE THAT RECALLED US TO A SENSE OF OUR BAD MANNERS TOWERS FROWNED WHAT INNER USE STRAIGHT ROCKET POWER WELL SIR NEVER MIND NOW YOU MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED OXYGEN OR HYDROGEN RICH ATMOSPHERE MELT AS YOU COMPRESS YOUR BLADES TRY AN AIR START ON STRAIGHT ROCKET I WANT THAT SHIP BACK BRANDON REPEAT I WANT THAT SHIP BACK THEN GET ME AN AXE I COMMANDED QUICK AN AXE HESITATED PARON AN AXE AND BE QUICK ABOUT IT +0de1756e-b2d3-4b5b-b685-634f3899ff2b THOUGH PIRACY WAS OF COURSE TOO MEAN AN AMBITION TO ASCRIBE TO THIS BOY UNTIL THIS GLARING INCONSISTENCY JUMPED OUT AND HIT ME SQUARE IN THE EYE I'D GO THIS MINUTE AND CONFESS THE WHOLE THING TO MISSUS RAY BUT IF I DID IT IT MIGHT GET SARA INTO MORE TROUBLE AND I MUSTN'T DO THAT I SHA'N'T SLEEP A WINK TO NIGHT IT'S EASIER TO WRITE THAN TO TELL IT OUT TO YOUR FACE WE THINK YOU'RE SMART AND POLITE AND A OBLIGING AND A GREAT WORKER AND A GENTLEMAN HE WAS DREADFULLY SICK ALL NIGHT AND UNCLE ROGER HAD TO GO FOR THE DOCTOR HE WAS QUITE LIGHT HEADED AND DIDN'T KNOW ANY ONE +0de365aa-8f6b-427d-959d-8d0873c285c6 THE EYE WOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE PRELIMINARY SURVEY THE OLD BOYS HAD ENOUGH BRAINS TO CHOOSE A TRACEABLE SITE FOR THE BEACON EQUIDISTANT ON A LINE BETWEEN TWO OF THE MOST PROMINENT MOUNTAIN PEAKS I LOCATED THE PEAKS EASILY ENOUGH AND STARTED THE EYE OUT FROM THE FIRST PEAK AND KEPT IT ON A COURSE DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE SECOND WE CLIMBED MT BLANC SAW THE HUNG FRAU SOARING INTO CLOUDLAND AND WALKED AMONG THE GLOOMY PILLARS OF BONIVARD'S PRISON FINALLY THE STORY GIRL TOLD US THE TALE OF THE PRISONER OF CHILI IN WORDS THAT WERE BYRONS BUT IN A VOICE THAT WAS ALL HER OWN IT MUST BE SPLENDID TO GO TO EUROPE SIGHED CECILY LONGINGLY I AM GOING SOME DAY SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY OH SARA SARA STANLEY WE CALL HER THE STORY GIRL PARTLY BECAUSE SHE'S SUCH A HAND TO TELL STORIES OH I CAN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE IT AND PARTLY BECAUSE SARA RAY WHO LIVES AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL OFTEN COMES UP TO PLAY WITH US AND IT IS AWKWARD TO HAVE TWO GIRLS OF THE SAME NAME IN THE SAME CROWD BESIDES SARA STANLEY DOESN'T LIKE HER NAME AND SHE'D RATHER BE CALLED THE STORY GIRL CECILY NOW JOINED US IT APPEARED THAT IT WAS FELICITY'S MOURNING TO HELP PREPARE BREAKFAST THEREFORE SHE COULD NOT COME WE ALL WENT TO UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK THERE WAS A DOUBLE ROW OF APPLE TREES RUNNING DOWN THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE ORCHARD UNCLE STEPHEN WAS THE FIRST BORN OF ABRAHAM AND ELIZABETH KING +0deeebad-af1f-4447-ae66-bd890f624168 SUDDENLY HOPE SCREAMED AND I FOLLOWED HER EYES A SCORE OR MORE OF THE STRANGE BEINGS HAD SUDDENLY MATERIALIZED BUT A FEW YARDS AWAY AND THEY WERE CLOSING IN ON US SWIFTLY I TRIED TO DRAW MY GUN EVEN FELICITY LAUGHED FELICITY WAS NOT NEARLY SO ANGRY WITH PETER AS MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED SHE EVEN WALKED BESIDE HIM AND LET HIM CARRY HER BIBLE THEY TALKED QUITE CONFIDENTIALLY YOU MIGHT SETTLE IT BY DRAWING LOTS SAID CECILY DESPERATELY DRAWING LOTS IS WICKEDER THAN FIGHTING SAID DAN IT'S KIND OF GAMBLING SARA'S CONSCIENCE IS ALWAYS TROUBLING HER FOR DOING THINGS SHE'S SURE HER MOTHER WON'T APPROVE BUT IT NEVER PREVENTS HER FROM DOING THEM IT ONLY SPOILS HER FUN +0e13280d-7f9c-4513-9efe-a094c5764eaf EVEN THE STORY GIRL AND I HAD A FIGHT SOMETHING THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE PETER WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO KEPT HIS NORMAL POISE THIS SEEMED VERY WONDERFUL TO WOOT WHO KNEW THAT SUCH A THING COULD NEVER HAPPEN IN ANY PLACE BUT A VERY COUNTRY LIKE OZ HER TONE WAS SO POSITIVE THAT THEY KNEW IT WOULD BE USELESS TO PROTEST I GLANCED HER WAY AND A SMALL DOOR WAS SWINGING OPEN AND SHE WAS GONE DON'T TRY TO RUN I SHOUTED AFTER IT CAN'T DO ANY GOOD GIVE THAT STONE TO ME SAID PAN HOLDING OUT HIS HAND BUT AGLEIA THOUGH SHE WAS FRIGHTENED WOULD NOT GIVE HIM THE STONE +0e226e92-4b19-4c10-af86-a17917746152 NO TROUBLE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT HE WAS A GOAT HIS SECTRE WAS THE SANTA MAGDALENA I WISH I WAS TWINS SO'S I COULD EAT MORE SAID DAN WHEN HE SIMPLY HAD TO STOP WHAT HAS SQUINTING GOT TO DO WITH TWINS ASKED DAN WE KNEW ALL ABOUT IT FROM FATHER'S DESCRIPTIONS AND IN FANCY WE HAD ROAMED IN IT MANY A TIME AND OFT NEVER HAD WE HEARD A VOICE LIKE HERS NEVER IN ALL MY LIFE SINCE HAVE I HEARD SUCH A VOICE THIS WAS RADIOED BACK TO THE M T AND THE TRANSLATION SHOT BACK TO A SPEAKER IN MY JAWS +0e6f7d19-f296-4e32-8419-367d37171b77 IT JUST MEANS QUEER SAID CECILY NUDGING HIM WITH HER ELBOW THROUGH ITS OPENINGS WE LOOKED AFAR TO THE BLUE RIMS OF THE HILLS AND OVER GREEN OLD TRANQUIL FIELDS LINED THE SUNSET GLOW WE ALL FEEL PRETTY WELL YET IT'S A SAD TALE SAID THE STORY GIRL AND IT HAPPENED FIFTY YEARS AGO WHEN GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER KING WERE QUITE YOUNG THE CAB LIGHT ON TONUB'S FACE WAS GIVING THE GIANT AN TO NUBES'S EYES MOVED CATLIKE RIGHT IT STILL MADE SENSE SEE THOSE HE ASKED THEY LOOKED AND SAW WHAT SEEMED TO BE A FLIGHT OF STEPS CARVED FROM STONE +0e937e9c-c324-44ac-80db-f3d17add3082 LOOK AT THAT LONG THIN LACY CLOUD UP THERE SHE SAID WHAT DOES IT MAKE YOU THINK OF GIRLS A WEDDING VEIL SAID CECILY THAT IS JUST WHAT IT IS THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS I WAS BEGINNING TO FEEL SECRETLY WORRIED BECAUSE I DID NOT GROW I HAD OVERHEARD AUNT JANET SAY I WAS GOING TO BE SHORT LIKE UNCLE ALEC ALL I COULD DO WAS STAND AND WATCH AS HE STIRRED UP THE COALS PULLED OUT THE RUDDIEST IRON AND TURNED TOWARD ME THEY WERE A LOW TYPE AND CONFINED TO A DISTANT CONTINENT THE IDEA THAT THE RACE WOULD DEVELOP AND MIGHT REACH THIS CONTINENT NEVER OCCURRED TO THE BEACON MECHANICS GET MAY RHINART YES SIR THE DISEMBODIED VOICE OF RHINHARD REPLIED QUIETLY WE'RE GOING TO SET HER DOWN ON A SOLID PIECE OF GROUND NEAR ONE OF THE OCEANS +0ebbe481-b9a7-4ee8-aa2a-67eb6bc90c28 PETER WENT EVERYWHERE WITH US NOW HE WAS A REGULAR ATTENDANT AT CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HIS BEHAVIOR WAS AS IRREPROACHABLE AS IF HE HAD BEEN RAISED IN THE CASE OF VERE DE VERE JEFF AS THREE AND FOUR WERE HORRIBLY SHAKEN BY THE INITIAL ATTEMPT AT COMMUNICATION WITH THE NATIVES I'M AN OLD WOMAN BUT I DO NO WRONG AND THERE IS NO ONE CAN ACCUSE ME OF HERESY I AM IN CHURCH EVERY WEEK AND MORE THAN ONCE I KEEP PEACE WITH MY NEIGHBORS AND THERE'S NONE CAN SAY A MYSTERY ABOUT ME DO NOT KNOW YOUR NIMMY AMY AND SO I CANNOT TELL WHAT SHE NEEDS TO MAKE HER HAPPY BUT I REFUSE TO DO IT UNLESS +0ebc1664-3763-4ebd-83b5-c209ba45a0bd OUR ZID ESCAPED ITS CAGE AND DESTROYED TWO OF US SAID CHAFFY THREE THEN YOU DAMN WEEL BETTER HURRY HT BEYOND PANDORA BY ROBERT J MARTIN HEADING ONE EIGHT ZERO NAN LASS I LOVE YOU RICHER THAN WE THEN KNEW OR SUSPECTED BLACK DAN GOES WELL BUT HE'LL NOT BE QUICK ENOUGH HE SAID THAT LANGUAGE YOU WERE FORCED FED ON THE WAY OVER WHERE IS YOUR SHIP DEMANDED THE GIANT I WAS SENT HERE AT THE REQUEST OF THE FIRST CONTACT OFFICER +0ecaa7cc-8491-48e2-9683-c14cbac1b09a IN APPEARANCE SHE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN GAR'S SISTER OR HIS WIFE HER FIGURE WAS LEAF AND NICELY CURVED HER SCALES STOPPED IN EYE CATCHING POINTS JUST ABOVE HER DISTINCTLY MAMELIUM BOSOM FROM THERE ON UP SHE LOOKED ALMOST COMPLETELY HUMAN SHE WASN'T WEARING ANYTHING EITHER THE OVERALL EFFECT WAS ODDLY BEAUTIFUL FARMER BLUSHED HOTLY AND TRIED TO KEEP HIS EYES ON HER FACE THE RELEASE AND FOLLOW UP ALL HARPED ON ONE THEME I EXPANDED ON IT WAXED ENTHUSIASTIC CONDEMNED IT AND WORKED IT INTO AN INTERVIEW I WROTE AS MANY VARIATIONS AS I COULD SO IT COULD BE SLIPPED INTO AS MANY DIFFERENT FORMATS AS POSSIBLE IN ONE FORM OR OTHER I WANTED THE BASIC INFORMATION IN EVERY MAGAZINE NEWSPAPER AND JOURNAL INSIDE THAT EXPANDING SPHERE I GLANCED DOWN AT MY WATCH FEARFUL FOR A MOMENT THAT IT HAD BEEN BROKEN OR LOST IN THE MALAY IT WAS STILL RUNNING APPARENTLY UNDAMAGED LET'S SEE IT'S FOUR MINUTES OF ONE THAT GIVES US SEVEN MINUTES CAN WE MAKE IT I THINK SO IT'S NOT SO FAR AND WE'RE NEARLY OUT OF THE CITY WE HAVE TO MAKE IT VIC LED THE WAY HOPE AND I FOLLOWING ANXIOUSLY I WATCHED THE MINUTE HAND OF THE WATCH SLIDE TOWARD THE SEVEN OF THE DIAL WE STOPPED PICKING APPLES SAT DOWN ON THE GRASS AND TRIED TO REASON IT OUT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DAN WHO DECLARED HE KNEW THERE WAS A CATCH SOMEWHERE AND HE WASN'T GOING TO BE CAUGHT THE REST OF US COULD NOT SEE WHERE ANY CATCH COULD EXIST SINCE FELIX SOLEMNLY VOWED CROSS HIS HEART WHITE SHEEP DID EAT MORE THAN BLACK +0ed9172f-7bb9-4c48-b3a7-122c001e0bf1 AND DID SHE TALK TO HIM AFTER THAT AS USUAL ASKED SARA RAY NEIL WOULD HAVE THE LAUGH ON ME THEN AND NOW FOR MISTER CAMPBELL FINALLY I ASKED HER TO MARRY ME SO I SHALL CHANGE HIM INTO AN OWL I AM KNOWN AS WOOT THE WANDERER ANSWERED THE BOY WONDERING BRIEFLY IF HE HAD MANAGED TO PICK UP LICE IN THE LAST TOWN HE HAD VISITED AND HE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT THE CITY THEN CHANGED HIS MIND AND GESTURED IMPERATIVELY TO JUDGE RAY STUMBLED ON ODDLY TWISTED LEGS AND COLLAPSED ON THE DECK +0ed9f5e9-b41a-429e-9518-1473f39b01fe OUR GROWN UPS INSTEAD CONSIDERED OUR TERROR IN EXQUISITE JEST AT THAT VERY MOMENT AUNT OLIVIA WHO HAD RECOVERED FROM HER HEADACHE AND AUNT JANET WERE LAUGHING IN THE KITCHEN OVER THE STATE THE CHILDREN WERE IN BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THE END OF THE WORLD WAS CLOSE AT HAND AUNT JANET'S THROATY GURGLE AND AUNT OLIVIA'S TRILLING MIRTH FLOATED OUT THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW SHE HAD A VERY NICE SMILE AND FOR MEMORIES IN THE OTHERS MINDS HE COULD HEAR THE VOICE LOW AND QUIET AND ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY YONAS SIGHED THE JOB HE TOLD HIMSELF STERNLY CAME FIRST AND AFTERWARD THOUGH COME TO THINK OF IT THERE WOULDN'T BE AN AFTERWARD NOT SO CHAFY THREE ASSURED HER GALACTIC WILL OFFER SATISFACTORY ITEMS IN EXCHANGE AS WELL AS A SOLUTION TO TARA'S PROBLEMS PAT SAT GRAVELY AT ITS FACE AND DAINTILY WASHED HIS FACE WITH HIS BLACK PAWS NOW FOR YOUR STORIES ABOUT THE ORCHARD SAID I +0f0deaa0-17dc-4649-8ad9-98ee4a9e9171 WHEN I SAW THAT SOMETHING CLICKED IN MY MIND LOCKING THE EYE IN A CIRCULAR COURSE I DUG THROUGH THE MARK THREE PLANS AND THERE IT WAS THE BEACON HAD A PRECIPITATING FIELD AND A BASIN ON TOP OF IT FOR WATER THIS WAS USED TO COOL THE REACTOR THAT POWERED THE MONSTROSITY FOR ONE THING IT HAD A FULL TOWN HALL BUILT NO LESS OF HONEST STONE AND PROBABLY A RELIC OF THE MOMENT TIMES THIS WAS THE PARISH CHURCH OF COURSE A GOOD SOLID WOODEN STRUCTURE AND A COLLECTION OF HOUSES STRUNG ALONG THE DIRT PAST THE TOWN THE HOUSES OF THE RICH WERE NATURALLY WOODEN THE POOR BUILT OF BAKED MUD I COULD NOT ONLY SEE THE LIGHT I COULD FEEL IT IT BEAT UPON MY BODY THROBBED ALL AROUND ME I HAD A FEELING THAT THE MINGLING RAYS OF LIGHT CONFLICTED WITH EACH OTHER IN A WAY HE HAD GARF HAD DELIBERATELY TURNED HIS BACK ON THE OLD FELLOW THE JUDGE'S BLOOD SHOT LITTLE EYES DARTED ABOUT AS IF HE WANTED TO PICK UP SOMETHING HEAVY AND HIT GARF ON THE CREST WITH IT +0f8035e5-3657-4fe7-9996-24bdca130333 THE SCARECROW WAS GREATLY DELIGHTED AS YOU MAY SUPPOSE AND HE STRUTTED PROUDLY AROUND WHILE THE POWERFUL FAIRY OZMA OF OZ BROKE THE ENCHANTMENT THAT HAD TRANSFORMED THE TIN WOODMAN AND MADE A TIN AL INTO A TIN MAN AGAIN THE CELL GREW DARK AS NIGHT CAME AND THE DAMPNESS SEEMED TO INCREASE YONAS HEARD SQUEAKING AND THOUGHT OF THE RATS BUT HE COULDN'T EVEN SUMMON UP ENOUGH ENERGY TO TRY FOR THEM HE SAT CROSS LEGGED IN A CORNER OF THE CELL AND CLOSED HIS EYES HE SIGHED ONCE DEEPLY THIS WAS WHAT A HERO CAME TO AND TOLD HIMSELF THIS WAS THE END OF HEROICS AND PLAYING A LONE HAND ONLY YOU'VE BEEN PASSED INTO ANOTHER FORM OF BEING THROUGH THE ACTION OF FOUR LITTLE QUARTZ BULBS WHOSE PERIODS OF VIBRATIONS FORM A BEAT BUT THAT'S OVER YOUR HEAD PETE OLD SON AND WE'LL HAVE TIME TO TALK OVER DETAILS WHEN WE GET BACK RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN SOMEWHAT OF A JAM SHE HAD TWINED FRESHLY PLUCKED DANDELIONS AROUND IT AND THE EFFECT WAS THAT OF A CROWN OF BRILLIANT GOLDEN STARS ON HER SLEEK BROWN CURLS LOOK AT THAT LONG THIN LACY CLOUD UP THERE SHE SAID WHAT DOES IT MAKE YOU THINK OF GIRLS +0fa1ee62-3bae-4a36-8130-b41e0ca8d2f8 THIS CAN TAKE MONTHS AND OFTEN DOES THIS JOB DIDN'T TURN OUT QUITE THAT BAD ICY RODE IN ON BEDO CERCINA'S BEACON AND RAN A COMPLICATED EIGHT POINT PROBLEM THROUGH THE NAVIGATOR USING EVERY BEACON I COULD GET AN ACCURATE FIX ON IT'S BEEN A HORRID DAY ALL THROUGH SAID FELICITY DREARILY AS WE CLIMBED THE STAIRS I SUPPOSE WE MADE IT HORRID OURSELVES SAID THE STORY GIRL CANDIDLY BUT IT'LL BE A GOOD STORY TO TELL SOMETIME SHE ADDED I'M AWFUL TIRED AND THANKFUL SIGHED CECILY WE ALL FELT THAT WAY JOHN ANDREW GULPED AND PUT OUT A TENSIVE HAND TOWARDS THE FUSE MESS IT WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WARM BUT IT HAD MELTED THE FARMER LOOKED AT GARF AGAIN WITH FEAR AND AWE AND THE BEASTMAN LOOKED BACK WITH COLD AMUSEMENT BUT NOT FOR LONG EACH OF THEM IN TURN HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE SAME GIRL SHE STAYED JUST LONG ENOUGH IN EACH POSITION TO SEE THAT THE BATTLESHIP PLAN MOVED FORWARD ONE MORE NOTCH THE GIRL WAS OBVIOUSLY ASSISTANT TO THE MUSTER MIND WHO ORIGINATED THE SCHEME HE SAT IN THE CENTER OF THE PLOT LIKE A SPIDER ON ITS WEB PULLING THE STRINGS THAT SET THINGS INTO MOTION +0fa943a1-e28e-457f-90fe-95377cddd704 HOW DO YOU KNOW MARSHALL DID ANYBODY ELSE EVER SEE THEM MARSHAL DON'T ASK THE LITTLE BUG SO MANY QUESTIONS THEY WERE SLENDER AND SHAPELY AND SATIN SMOOTH WITH ARCHED IN STEPS THE DAINTIEST OF TOES AND NAILS LIKE PINK SHELLS THEY DO SEEM DREADFULLY SCARCE NOW IT WAS A FAST RUN TO UDRIDA WHEN MY BILLIONAIRES YACHT THE EL DORADO WAS WAITING SOME OF IT QUITE LETHAL AND EXPLOSIVE AND VERY EMBARRASSING IF IT WAS DISCOVERED IN MY BAGS BUT ORDINARY OCEAN AND STRINGING AN INSORTMENT OF WIRES BETWEEN IT AND HIS INVENTION AND FARMER BEGAN TO FEEL SLIGHTLY AFRAID +0fae5b70-aea6-460d-9be8-5773bc241939 IT WILL SAVE ME FROM RUSTING SAID THE TIN SOLDIER IT WILL ENABLE ME TO REMAIN HIGHLY POLISHED SAID THE TIN WOODMAN OH AS FOR THAT I PREFER NOT TO GET MY PRETTY CLOTHES WET LAUGHED THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER BUT WHILE WE WAIT I MUST BID YOU ALL ADIEU SO I WAS TO RECEIVE A CORDIAL WELCOME AFTER ALL I BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF AND POCKETED THE WEAPON AND INSTANTLY THE DARK EYES FLASHED ANGRILY I HELD OUT BOTH HANDS TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE EMPTY TRYING TO EXPRESS MY WILLINGNESS TO BE FRIENDS WE WERE SITTING IN A CIRCLE BEFORE THE PULPIT STONE EACH WRITING DILIGENTLY IN AN EXERCISE BOOK AND EATING THE REVEREND MISTER SCOTT'S PLUMS WHICH ALWAYS REACHED THEIR PRIME OF JUICY GOLDEN GREEN FLESH AND BLOOMY BLUESKIN IN SEPTEMBER AFTER THE WEDDING THE BRIDEGROOM LIFTED HIS BRIDE BEFORE HIM ON HIS WHITE HORSE AND HER FATHER AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF HIS COURT MOUNTED TOO AND RODE AFTER THEM +0fb7c4cd-d38c-4c1e-85b1-0b2aedeeb432 IT IS NOT VANITY TO KNOW YOUR OWN GOOD POINTS MISTER MILLWARD WAS A DOCTOR AND MISSUS MILLWARD WAS A B WE WERE ALL IN THE HAYLOFT TAKE FIRE FOR EXAMPLE AT LEAST TO HAVE THAT SATISFACTION AND RIGHTLY SO BECAUSE HE HADN'T LEARNED TO CONTROL IT IF SHE HADN'T BEEN AFRAID I DON'T BELIEVE SHE WOULD HAVE LET ME COME UP BUT I'D HAVE DIED IF I COULDN'T HAVE COME WAS FULL OF THE GLAMOUR OF MOUNTAIN RIMMED LAKES EUROPE SEEMED ALMOST AS REMOTE AND UNREACHABLE AS THE MOON HAD HE BEEN A POOR MAN HE +0fbf1b44-2989-4f6a-b5cf-6a6de5b70dc0 OF COURSE ANSWERED THE LITTLE GIRL I WOULDN'T MISS IT FOR ANYTHING WELL SAID THE GIANTESS WHAT EXCUSE HAVE YOU TO OFFER YOU DIDN'T KNOW ANYONE LIVED HERE MADAM FACE IT IS FAIREST THAT E'ER THE SUN SHONE ON HUMMED DONALD AND OH HE THOUGHT SO TOO WHY HE THOUGHT HAPPILY IT WAS EVEN MORE FOR HIM TO GET KILLED AND MOST PAINFULLY TOO THERE WAS THE GHOST OF ANOTHER IDEA YUNUS CAUGHT IT AND THE LINKAGE OF MINES TRANSMITTED THIS AMUSEMENT TO YANIS FACES HAIRLESS PINK SKINNED STETSON SNAPPED A SWITCH THE TRANSLATE MAP BECAME A SCREEN WITH A FIGURE FROZEN ON IT LIKE THAT +0fbf7f3a-471e-4ccc-8347-8e6bdf662696 I'M AWFUL SORRY DAN HOWEVER LENT HIM ONE ON THE DISTINCT UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS TO BE REPAID THE NEXT WEEK I'M GOING TO KEEP ON GOING TO CHURCH A SPECIAL BRANCH OF THE PRIESTHOOD SERVED THE TEMPLE I HAVE REPAIRED HYPERSPACE BEACONS FROM ONE ARM OF THE GALAXY TO THE OTHER AND I WAS SURE I HAD WORKED ON EVERY TYPE OR MODEL MADE IT'S A MARK THREE BEACON BUT THE WITCH WAS MORE FURIOUS THAN EVER SAID THE GIANTESSING ANOTHER BISCUIT I'M A GREAT GIRL THIRTEEN YEARS OLD SO YOU'LL BE SURPRISED WHEN I TELL YOU ANOTHER FLARE FLASHED IN THE SKY BEHIND HIM SILHOUETTING A ROW OF GROTESQUE TREES TRY AN AIR START ON STRAIGHT ROCKET +104febe0-14e7-49a3-a435-223fb92639c5 AM IN A JAM THAT PROMISES SOME ACTION ONE WAS A RICH AMBER ONE A PALE GREEN TO HOPE AND VIC SATTERFIELD SAID PEEVISHLY COME OUT OF IT WILL YOU IF A THING LIKE THAT IS LOOSE ON THE ISLAND WE'VE GOT TO GET HELP AND WHEN HER FATHER URGED HER TO CHOOSE ONE OF THEM AS HER HUSBAND SO OVERGROWN WITH IVY THAT WE COULD HARDLY READ ITS LENGTHY INSCRIPTION WE ALL LOOKED AT HIM PETER CRAIG WHAT DO YOU MEAN ASKED FELICITY EXACTLY WHAT I SAY +10527f03-ffe8-43b9-884d-1adc0567ceac I SHALL YONA SAID AND MANY THANKS YUNUS SHOOK HIS HEAD NOT AT ALL I WILL ASK YOU TO DO NOTHING AGAINST THE FAITH WHAT ABOUT THE LEAGUE THOUGH DON'T THEY TAKE ANY INTEREST IN CRIME THE SURFACE OF THE SPHERE CONTACTED ALL THE STAR SYSTEMS A DAY'S FLIGHT AHEAD OF THE MAXIMUM FLIGHT OF THE STOLEN BATTLESHIP THE INTENSITY OF THE LIGHT INCREASED STEADILY AS I MOVED THE DIAL YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S SOUND ABOVE THE FREQUENCIES TO WHICH THE HUMAN EAR WILL RESPOND SO PETER NEVER TOLD THAT DREAM NOR DID HE WRITE IT DOWN NOW STARING FIXEDLY INTO SPACE IN SEARCH OF SOME ELUSIVE WORD OR PHRASE WHICH MIGHT BEST DESCRIBE THE INDESCRIBABLE +1064dacc-98f4-48d4-8ad5-555cd4473ab1 OF COURSE PETER BEING A CRAIG HAS HIS FAULTS BUT HE'S A SMART BOY HIS FATHER WAS LAZY BUT HIS MOTHER HASN'T A LAZY BONE IN HER BODY AND PETER TAKES AFTER HER THE STORY GIRL IMPERSONATED THE BEGGAR MAID SO VIVIDLY AND WITH SUCH AN ILLUSION OF BEAUTY THAT WE DID NOT WONDER IN THE LEAST AT THE KING'S LOVE FOR HER I HAD READ THE STORY BEFORE AND IT HAD BEEN MY OPINION THAT IT WAS ROT FARMER WAS UNCOMFORTABLE HE WAS ALMOST ALWAYS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR VARIOUS REASONS THOUGH IT RARELY EVER OCCURRED TO HIM AS HE CONSIDERED EACH INDIVIDUAL IRRITANT THAT THIS WAS HIS NORMAL STATE OF EXISTENCE WHAT BATTLESHIP HE GASPED FIRST OF COURSE THE HULL WAS MAGNETIZED AND THE BOMBS FUSED A LIGHT BLINKED AS THE SCANNER IN THE CABIN TURNED OFF AND THE ONE IN THE GENERATOR ROOM CAME ON +1069485a-c302-4a34-811e-35911a3e0571 PRESENTLY THE STORY GIRL WHO HAD BEEN STANDING UP LEANING AGAINST A TALL FIR AND HE HAD TO LEAVE MARGARET BEHIND IT COULD ALSO FLY HE DISCOVERED RAY'S FINGERS IN THE DRIVING GLOVE DIGGING INTO HIS FLESH IN AN AMAZINGLY POWERFUL GRIP HAVING DECIDED ALL THIS ORNE TURNED LOOKED AT TO NUBE IN THE DIM GLOW OF THE CABLIGHT GHOSTLY SHADOWS WITH VINE PENDULUMS ON BOTH SIDES ON A TRADE BASIS OF COURSE OFFERING FOR THE FIRST TIME A REAL STEP TOWARD ULTIMATE STABILITY INDIVIDUALLY PERCEPTIVE YET ISOLATED FROM EACH OTHER +10703820-92ac-4f74-9806-8b1b1e25cf5e JINIFER TURNED SUDDENLY FIRM NO I WON'T LET THIS EYE INFORMER KNOW ABOUT THAT THE SERIMIANS WERE FIRMER IT WILL NOT MATTER NOW CANTERBY BELLS IS A LOVELY NAME FOR A FLOWER ISN'T IT SHE SAID IT MAKES YOU THINK OF CATHEDRALS AND CHIMES DOESN'T IT YES THAT IS SIMPLY THEIR MODE OF TRANSPORTATION THEY PASS INVISIBLY THROUGH THE AIR JUST AS ELECTRICITY PASSES THROUGH A WIRE QUICKLY INVISIBLY SILENTLY HE GOT ANOTHER FORM AND FILLED OUT ALL THE DARKER ON HIMSELF NOW IN ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT IT HIS PART OF THE SENSES WAS FINISHED IF ONLY HE HAD LOOKED AT IT THAT WAY HE WOULD HAVE SAVED WORRY AND TROUBLE FOR EVERYONE AND ALSO TEN THOUSAND LIVES +109f40d0-d70b-4a7c-a99c-7b3abcd3136c UNLESS CHECK THE ZID WOULD RAPIDLY DEPOPULATE THE ISLAND BUT THEY HAD NO CHOICE HE KNEW WHEN HE PUT DOWN THE MICROPHONE THAT THE SHIP WOULD BE TOO LATE MANY A STATELY LADY SILKEN CLAD WALKED IN THAT OPULENT ORCHARD AND GREATLY DID THEY PLUME THEMSELVES THEREON OVER HALF A MILE OF THE FENCES SCREENS AN ARMAMENT THAT COULD PROBABLY TURN ANY FLEET EXISTENT TO DAY INTO FINE RADIOACTIVE ASH EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THE LAST ONE WAS BROKEN UP A SCRAP OVER A THOUSAND YEARS AGO HE MUMBLED AND FARMER WONDERED WHY BOTH ALIENS WERE SO INTERESTED IN A GADGET THAT DIDN'T WORK BUT HIS PROGRESS IN THE DIVING SUIT WAS WADDLING AND SLOW +10b6c4cf-c12c-4598-8b2f-55283db5da04 I ADMIRED YOUR CITY FROM THE AIR SAID ORAN IT IS VERY BEAUTIFUL YES SAID TO NEW WHY DID YOU LAND SO FAR FROM IT WE DIDN'T WANT TO COME DOWN WHERE WE MIGHT DESTROY ANYTHING EVERYTHING WAS VERY STILL AS WE CREPT DOWNSTAIRS OUT IN THE KITCHEN WE HEARD SOME ONE PRESUMABLY UNCLE ALEC LIGHTING THE FIRE BUT THE HEART OF HOUSE HAD NOT YET BEGUN TO BEAT FOR THE DAY THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG AT THE OTHER END WHERE THE RAY IS FOCUS AND I INTEND TO FIND OUT UNCLE ROGER AND PETER WERE SUMMONED FROM THE FIELD MISSUS PATERSON BECAME HYSTERICAL AND WAS TAKEN INTO THE SPARE ROOM WITH SUCH REMEDIES AS COULD BE SUGGESTED WHICH IS THE WAY OF HUMAN NATURE COMPANY DESCENDED ON US THAT AFTERNOON +10c2b9fb-70dc-4446-bbbf-1c3969e10b6b OF COURSE THIRTEEN YEARS HAD PASSED ON EARTH SINCE THEY HAD LEFT TOWERS CONTINUED TO PACE AND TALK OBSCURING THE CENTER OF THE MILKY WAY HOW CAN YOU KNOW INTERRUPTED PETER SUDDENLY THEY JUST KIND OF COME INTO MY HEAD LIKE I CAN'T CRY SHE SAID DREARILY I THE PRIESTS WERE COMING TOWARD US SMILING HOW MUCH TIME HAVE WE INTERRUPTED VIC THEY WERE MEANT TO BE BENIGN BUT THERE WAS A CRUEL AND VINDICTIVE TWIST TO THEIR LIPS WHICH CHILLED ME THROUGH AND THROUGH TO A DEMAND AND THEY STARTED GETTING IN EACH OTHER'S WAY AND SLOWING DOWN THE OPERATION EVEN MORE +10ee26db-2435-4b8f-8789-3ad81a9648bd WATCH THEM PETE ROARED VIC WE CAN'T TAKE CHANCES HIS GUN ROARED TWICE FROM BEHIND ME AND TWO OF THE PRIESTS FELL WRITHING TO BE INSTANTLY TRAMPLED INTO PULP ANOTHER REACHED OUT LONG ARMS TOWARD HOPE AND I LET HIM HAVE IT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO HE WENT THE WAY OF THE TWO OTHERS OPPOSITE TO HIM SITS THE STORY GIRL WITH HER SCARLET ROSETTE HEAD HER BEAUTIFUL BARE FEET CROSSED BEFORE HER ONE SLENDER HAND PROPPING HER HIGH WHITE BROW ON EITHER SIDE OF WHICH FALL HER GLOSSY CURLS THERE TO THE RIGHT IS SWEET CECILY OF THE DEAR BROWN EYES WITH A LITTLE BLOATED DICTIONARY BESIDE HER FOR YOU DREAM OF SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN'T SPELL OR BE EXPECTED TO SPELL WHEN YOU ARE ONLY ELEVEN UNCLE ROGER WAS AS WE HAD BEEN INFORMED QUITE JOLLY AND FOND OF TEASING WE LIKED HIM BUT WE HAD AN UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING THAT THE MEANING OF HIS REMARKS WAS NOT ALWAYS THAT WHICH MET THE EAR SOMETIMES WE BELIEVED UNCLE ROGER WAS MAKING FUN OF US AND THE DEADLY SERIOUSNESS OF YOUTH IN US RESENTED THAT ONCE THERE WERE TWO ARCHANGELS IN HEAVEN NAMED ZARA AND ZULEI MYTH HAVE ANGELS NAMES SAME AS PEOPLE INTERRUPTED PETER YES OF COURSE THEY MUST HAVE THEY'D BE ALL MIXED UP IF THEY HADN'T AND WHEN I'M AN ANGEL IF I EVER GET TO BE ONE WILL MY NAME STILL BE PETER +112a2c31-fac7-4d91-b847-caa52762eb73 BUT HE REFUSED TO LET THE THOUGHT SPOIL HIS ENJOYMENT AFTER ALL HE WAS A HERO THOUGH OF HIS OWN UNIQUE KIND THERE WAS NO DENYING THAT AND IN HIS OWN WAY HE HAD HIS REWARD HE TOOK ONE HAND OFF HIS HIP TO SCRATCH AT THE TOP OF HIS HEAD WONDERING BRIEFLY IF HE HAD MANAGED TO PICK UP LICE IN THE LAST TOWN HE HAD VISITED AND HE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT THE CITY AMUSEMENT FLICKERED ACROSS THE DOCTOR'S FACE THEN TURNED SMOOTHLY INTO A REASSURING HALF SMILE OH NO THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO DANGER INVOLVED NONE AT ALL WE HAVE TISSUE REGENERATION PRETTY WELL UNDER CONTROL NOW SO I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT ACCURATE RECORDS IN DATA ARE VERY NECESSARY FOR FURTHER RESEARCH AND PROGRESS WHO IS CENSUS CHIEF NOW ASKED THE MAD MIDGET IS MISTER MARSHALL'S BOY THE CENSUS CHIEF MISTER MARSHALL IS YES WHO ARE YOU HOW DO YOU KNOW MARSHALL AND WHAT IS THAT WHICH YOU ARE PULLING OUT OF YOUR PANTS IF THEY ARE PANTS AGAIN IT TRIED TO LAND IN HIS HAIR HE DUCKED IT FLEW ACROSS THE BRIDGE OUT THE PORT BESIDE STETSON +1180d925-aab7-4b05-8381-05fbca31f206 DORA HESITATED HER HEAD JUST ABOVE WATER SHE LOOKED AT THE LIMP DIVING SUITED BODY BESIDE HER THEN BACK AT THE LAUNCH AND FARMER AGAIN SHE CAME TO A DECISION QUICKLY BENDING LEAVING A TRAIL OF BUBBLES AS HER HEAD WENT UNDER SHE SET THE JUDGE'S INVENTION DOWN ON A LOWER STEP AND PICKED UP THE JUDGE INSTEAD CRADLING HIM IN HER ARMS SHE STARTED BACK UP AGAIN CALLING TO FARMER TO BE READY TO TAKE HER BURDEN ABOARD ANYTHING THAT OCCUPIES SPACE I REPLIED TRIUMPHANTLY I HAD REMEMBERED THAT MUCH FROM MY PHYSICS CLASSES TRUE SMILED VIC BUT LET'S SEE IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE SOUND AND LIGHT IN THE SAME PLACE ISN'TT IT WE CAN EVEN ADD OTHER THINGS HEAT AND ELECTRICITY FOR EXAMPLE SPEAKING OF ELECTRICITY A TREMENDOUS CURRENT OF IT ADDS NOTHING TO THE WEIGHT OF THE WIRE CARRYING IT AND NOTHING TO ITS BULK UNLESS WE HAVE A HEATING OVERLOAD THOUGH PIRACY WAS OF COURSE TOO MEAN AN AMBITION TO ASCRIBE TO THIS BOY DID HE WANT TO RULE A WHOLE PLANET OR MAYBE AN ENTIRE SYSTEM OR MORE I SHUDDERED A BIT AS THE THOUGHT HIT ME WAS THERE REALLY ANYTHING THAT COULD STOP A PLAN LIKE THIS ONCE IT GOT ROLLING DURING THE KINGLY WARS ANY NUMBER OF TYPES WITH A COUPLE OF SHIPS AND LESS BRAINS THAN PEPPY HAD SET UP JUST THIS KIND OF EMPIRE THEY WERE ALL PULLED DOWN IN THE END SINCE THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDED ON ONE MAN RULE BUT THE PRICE THAT HAD TO BE PAID FIRST BUT WHERE DID YOU REALLY GET THIS LIST OF SO MANY NAMES WRITTEN SO SMALL SUFFERING SADDLE SAWS MARSHAL DON'T ASK THE LITTLE BUG SO MANY QUESTIONS YOU GOT A MILLION NAMES IN YOUR HAND CERTIFY THEM SEND THEM IN THERE'S ENOUGH OF US HERE RIGHT NOW WE DECLARE THAT PLACE UNANNEXED FORTHWITH THIS WILL MAKE HIGH PLAINS THE BIGGEST TOWN IN THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS +11c66a79-e508-402c-ad26-214eacfb2767 I DREAMED LAST NIGHT THAT I THREW A LIGHTED MATCH INTO THAT KEG OF GUNPOWDER IN MISTER COOK'S STORE AT MARKDALE SAID PETER IT BLEW UP AND EVERYTHING BLEW UP AND THEY FISHED ME OUT OF THE MESS BUT I WOKE UP BEFORE I'D TIME TO FIND OUT IF I WAS KILLED OR NOT CAN'T WE SEND WORD SOMEHOW TO SARA RAY TO NIGHT ASKED CECILY THE EVER THOUGHTFUL SHE'S FEELING SO BAD AND SHE'LL HAVE TO FEEL THAT WAY TILL TO MORROW IF WE CAN'T A GREAT CROWD OF CREATURES SIMILAR TO MY CAPTORS HEMMED US IN BEFORE US THEY THINNED INTO NOTHINGNESS AS WE APPROACHED ONLY TO SWARM INTO BEING IN SOME OTHER SPOT IT WAS TERRIFYING AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE THAT MADE ME QUESTION MY SANITY WE WILL HAVE TO MEND THE PUNCTURE FIRST YOUR MAJESTY SUGGESTED ONE OF THE LOONS AND THE PRISONERS NOTICED THAT NONE OF THEM SEEMED SURPRISED WERE SHOCKED AT THE SAD ACCIDENT TO PANTA ALL RIGHT GRUMBLED THE KING FETCH TILL TO MEND HIM +11f5262a-96a1-4d83-a3c5-3fa71f70fab8 MY STORY IS ABOUT MISSUS DUNBAR AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE FANNY OF COURSE PETER WILL GO TO HEAVEN SAID THE STORY GIRL HE'S NOT GROWN UP ENOUGH TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE THE BLOW HAD BEEN DIRECTED AT DOOR AND SHE SHOWED THAT SHE HAD ABSORBED MOST OF IT BY WILTING VISIBLY I TOLD YOU YOU'D HAVE TO STOP YOUR IRRESPONSIBLE PRACTICAL JOKING AND SETTLE DOWN ABOVE THE FAR MURMUROUS WHISPER OF EXPECTED MARINE CEREBRATION THERE ROSE AN UNCOORDINATED MISHMASH OF THOUGHT FROM AT LEAST TWO STRONG AND RELATIVELY COMPLEX INTELLIGENCES NO ON EMPLOYMENT A SURFACE OF A METALS AND READY MARKETS FOR ALL THEY PRODUCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT PEPPE WAS A MONOMANIAC AN EGOMANIAC AND A SARCOTIC AS A SORTED COMPUTER +11f6c826-9ca7-49a4-870b-ce75b05feee4 SAID CHAFFY FOUR HIS KNEES SHOOK AND PERSPIRATION CRAWLED COLD ON HIS FACE SOMETHING NUDGED THE COTTAGE WITH A FORCE THAT ALL BUT KNOCKED IT FLAT I ONLY GET FIFTY CENTS A WEEK AND I GIVE IT ALL TO MORROW LAST NIGHT I I DON'T KNOW I'LL HAVE TO GO WITHOUT ANY THEN SAID PETER THE PRIESTS BOWED A SECOND TIME AND I WATCHED THEM WARILY SUSPECTING A TRICK THE ONLY VESTIGE OF COMFORT LEFT ME THIS LAST HAD A HORROR RING AND I REALIZED MY ENTHUSIASM HAD CARRIED ME OUT OF CHARACTER VERY PLEASED TO MEET YOU I AM THE GRAND DUKE SAINTE DENGELLIO +1266da4c-e320-4635-a30a-f218d211591d SOMEHOW THE PREDICTABLE MONOTONY OF CONSOLATE WORK HAD NEVER SEEMED LESS INVITING THE PROSPECT OF ENDING HIS COLLAXI IN TOUR AND GOING TO A HALF BARREN AND JUTTERY EARTH APPEALED TO JEFF EVEN LESS ONE DAY THE STORY GIRL HAD AN INSPIRATION LET'S GO AND ASK THE AWKWARD MAN AND MISTER CAMPBELL FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARY FUND SHE SAID I AM SURE NO ONE ELSE HAS ASKED THEM BECAUSE NOBODY IN CARLISLE IS RELATED TO HIM LET US ALL GO AND IF THEY GIVE US ANYTHING WE'LL DIVIDE IT EQUALLY AMONG US FELIX WAKE UP I WHISPERED SHAKING HIM WHAT'S THE MATTER HE MURMURED RELUCTANTLY IT'S MORNING LET'S GET UP AND GO DOWN AND OUT I CAN'T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE TO SEE THE PLACE HIS FATHER TOLD US OF WE SLIPPED OUT OF BED AND DRESSED WITHOUT AROUSING DAN WHO WAS STILL SLUMBERING SOUNDLY HIS MOUTH WIDE OPEN AND HIS BEDCLOTHES KICKED OFF ON THE FLOOR THERE MUST BE A MILLION NAMES HERE LITTLE BIT MORE LITTLE BIT MORE I GET TWO BITS A NAME +129b3302-cfe1-47c7-a0fe-f19d1bf4c9ec ASKED TO NEWBE VERY MANY SAID ORAN YOUR CITY I SAW VERY TALL BUILDINGS OF WHAT DO YOU BUILD THEM HER SON'S DEATH HE SAW WHEN HE LOOKED INTO HER MIND HAD NOT COME AS A SURPRISE TO HER IT WAS ONE MORE UNHAPPY EVENT IN A LIFETIME IN WHICH SHE HAD EXPECTED NOTHING ELSE UNHAPPINESS SHE TOLD HERSELF WAS HER PORTION IN THIS LIFE IN THE LIFE ABOVE THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT I TELL YOU IT'S A TOUGH JOB MISTER ROGER MIGHT WAIT FOR COOL WEATHER BEFORE HE SETS PEOPLE TO STUMPING OUR ALDERBERRIES AND THAT'S A FACT NEITHER FELICITY NOR CECILY COULD HAVE WORN IT BUT IT BECAME THE STORY GIRL PERFECTLY HE WAS THINKING OF HER AS HE PLAYED ANNIE LAURIE FOR NANCY WAS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THE LADY OF THE SONG +12f59843-1d6e-4f38-94ff-4114a4975a29 WHICH IS THE WAY OF HUMAN NATURE BEFORE I SENT FOR IT I CHECKED OVER THE REST OF THE BEACON IN TWO THOUSAND YEARS THERE SHOULD BE SOME SIGN OF WEAR THE OLD BOYS HAD BUILT WELL I'LL GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THAT NINETY PER CENT OF THE MACHINERY HAD NO MOVING PARTS AND HAD SUFFERED NO WERE WHATEVER THEY FINALLY SUCCEEDED THOUGH THE HELMET SWUNG BACK AND RAY PROMPTLY SHOVED FARMER ASIDE SOME A FARMER'S FEAR GAVE WAY TO AMAZEMENT AT THE LITTLE INVENTOR'S AUDACITY AND WHAT SEEMED TO FARMER AT LEAST TO BE FOOLISHLY OPTIMISTIC SCIENTIFIC DETACHMENT AUNT OLIVIA SAYS THE STORY GIRL IS FASCINATING SAID CECILY THE VERY ADJECTIVE +1330eb17-4a7d-4dd5-9389-7be4fa08ee46 LATER ON WE HEARD HER IMPARTING HER NEWLY ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE TO FELICITY IN THE PANTRY IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS MEANS THAT NOBODY WANTS TO MARRY YOU FOR EVER SO LONG AND THEN LOTS OF PEOPLE DO HOLY MAZOO TWENTY SIX DAYS AGO AND I A SEARCHIP CAME THROUGH HERE HAD ROUTINE MINNY SNEAKER LOOK AT THE PLACE WE WERE ALL IN THE ORCHARD EXCEPT FELIX WHO HAD GONE TO THE POST OFFICE IT WAS THE FORENOON OF AN AUGUST SATURDAY CECILY AND SARA RAY WHO HAD COME UP TO SPEND THE DAY WITH US HER MOTHER HAVING GONE TO TOWN WERE EATING TIMOTHY ROOTS IT IS THE VERY SAME CUP SAID THE STORY GIRL IMPRESSIVELY ISN'T IT AN AMAZING THING THAT CUP HAS BEEN HERE FOR FORTY YEARS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE DRUNK FROM IT AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN BROKEN +1344a50e-0228-49dc-bc3a-c8c46a994b4c FELIX AND I WERE TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND OR ANALYZE THE IMPRESSION IT MADE UPON US BUT WE INSTANTLY FELT AT HER GREETING THAT IT WAS A GOOD MORNING A SURPASSINGLY GOOD MORNING THE VERY BEST MORNING THAT HAD EVER HAPPENED IN THIS MOST EXCELLENT OF WORLDS A DAUGHTER OF EVE I HATE THE THOUGHT OF GROWING UP SAID THE STORY GIRL REFLECTIVELY BECAUSE I CAN NEVER GO BAREFOOTED THEN AND NOBODY WILL EVER SEE WHAT BEAUTIFUL FEET I HAVE UNCLE ROGER HOBBLED OFF TO THE BARN STILL HOLDING ON TO HIS STOMACH DO YOU THINK HE REALLY FEELS SICK ASKED THE STORY GIRL ANXIOUSLY NO I DON'T SAID FELICITY YOU NEEDN'T WORRY ABOUT HIM THERE'S NOTHING THE MATTER WITH HIM I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WERE ANY NEEDLES IN THAT SAWDUST I DON'T BELIEVE IT IT'S THE JUDGMENT DAY SAID FELIX AND I NEVER HAVE BELIEVED IT BUT OH I WISH THAT CLOCK WOULD STRIKE TWO +134eda2c-ea2f-4551-bf1e-4e21411553a8 IF YOU DECIDE TO TRY IT HAVE YOU EVER SAT SO CLOSE TO THE SCREEN IN A MOTION PICTURE THEATRE SO THAT THE GRAININESS OF THE MOVING FILM WAS VISIBLE OF THE TALE RESTED ON US FOR SOME MOMENTS AFTER THE STORY GIRL HAD FINISHED HE REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE SUBJECT FURTHER SOMEWHAT TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT WE PAUSED A MOMENT IN THE HALL TO LOOK AT THE BIG GRANDFATHER CLOCK IT WAS NOT GOING BUT IT SEEMED LIKE AN OLD FAMILIAR ACQUAINTANCE TO US WITH THE GILT BALLS ON ITS THREE PEAKS THE GODS THEMSELVES CANNOT RECALL THEIR GIFTS THEY MAY ROB US OF OUR FUTURE AND EMBITTER OUR PRESENT BUT OUR PAST THEY MAY NOT TOUCH HE WAS THE TALLEST AND BRAVEST AND HANDSOMEST YOUNG MAN IN THE TRIBE +135db47c-d87b-47d1-a575-5ee24b4496ac THEY WERE WONDERFULLY DAINTY WITH A STRANGE FAINT AROMATIC PERFUME WHICH WAS ONLY TO BE DETECTED AT A LITTLE DISTANCE AND VANISHED IF YOU BENT OVER THEM I LOCATED A LIZARD TOWN ABOUT A THOUSAND KILOMETERS FROM THE PYRAMID AND DROPPED THE E EYE PROVIDED MY WATCH WAS CORRECT AND THE EQUIPMENT WORKED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE PARIN CAME HURRYING UP WITH THE AXE AND I MOTIONED THEM ASIDE ALL RIGHT AGREED THE STORY GIRL THE ONLY TROUBLE IS I DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY BUT I'LL TELL YOU ALL I DO KNOW +13686c62-5bd4-4ded-91be-56d20c562f1b SO WHEN HE HAD FINISHED HIS BREAKFAST THEY ALL SET OUT ALONG THE PATH THAT LED TO LOONVILLE BLESS THE BOY CRIED THE EMPEROR OF THE WINKIES HOW CARELESS OF ME NOT TO REMEMBER THAT WANDERERS ARE USUALLY HUNGRY CECILY HAD PUT HER HANDS OVER HER EYES PETER WAS STARING AT THE STORY GIRL WITH A FASCINATED HORROR STRICKEN GAZE AUNT OLIVIA WAS PALE AND TROUBLED ALL LOOKED AS IF THEY WERE HELD PRISONERS IN THE BONDS OF A FEARSOME SPELL WHICH THEY WOULD GLADLY BREAK BUT COULD NOT AND IF THE SECRET IS LET OUT WHY THE BROTHERHOOD IS FINISHED FINISH BEFORE IT'S BARELY STARTED BECAUSE YOU CAN READ A MAN'S MIND DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN DEFEAT HIM YONES BUT YOU KNOW WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO AND IF HE'S GOT YOU IN A WOODEN HOUSE AND HE'S GOING TO BURN IT DOWN WHAT GOOD DOES THAT YOUR KNOWLEDGE DO YOU I WON'T GO NEAR HER QUIVERED SARA RAY BUT I WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR PAT AND I'LL SEND THAT PIECE OF APPLE LEAF LACE I LIT LAST WEEK +1388b935-1e6f-46ae-a7a5-d00e5e2f573c THE STORY GIRL BEGAN IT AND WE LISTENED AVIDLY CECILY WHO HAD HEARD IT MANY TIMES BEFORE LISTENED JUST AS EAGERLY AS WE DID SHE DECLARED TO ME AFTERWARDS THAT NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THE STORY GIRL TOLD THE STORY IT ALWAYS SEEMED AS NEW AND EXCITING AS IF YOU HAD JUST HEARD IT FOR THE FIRST TIME A BROAD DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND I WAS THRUST THROUGH THE DOORWAY PETE SHOUTED A FAMILIAR VOICE AND I SCRAMBLED TO MY FEET THERE WAS VIC HIS RED HAIR TOUSLED AND HIS FACE GREY WITH WORRY BEHIND HIM HER BIG BLUE EYES BRIMMING HER LIPS QUIVERING WAS HOPE I HAD A PERFECTLY AWFUL DREAM LAST NIGHT SAID CECILY WITH A SHUDDER OF REMEMBRANCE I DREAMED I WAS ON A DESERT ISLAND INHABITED BY TIGERS AND NATIVES WITH TWO HEADS OH SAID THE STORY GIRL LOOKING AT CECILY HALF REPROACHFULLY WHY COULDN'T YOU TELL IT BETTER THAN THAT IF I HAD SUCH A DREAM I COULD TELL IT SO THAT EVERYBODY ELSE WOULD FEEL AS IF THEY DREAMED IT TOO WELL I'M NOT YOU COUNTED CECILY AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO FRIGHTEN ANY ONE AS I WAS FRIGHTENED IT WAS AN AWFUL DREAM BUT IT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING TOO MEANWEL MADE A GRIMACE AND DIED QUIETLY AS MARILLA HAD DONE HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THOSE MAPS AT ALL AND TOOK THE EASY WAY OUT THEY BURIED HIM NOT KNOWING FOR SURE WHETHER HE WAS MANUEL COME BACK OR WHAT HE WAS THERE WASN'T MUCH OF HIM TO BURY +13b8223f-d4ca-4dd5-8540-36da7361048e BUT THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER EVEN WHILE DANCING COULD THINK AND REASON VERY CLEARLY AND SUDDENLY SHE SOLVED THE PROS PROBLEM IN THE NICEST POSSIBLE WAY EDITH RAN AWAY AND HID AND OF COURSE SHE FELT STILL WORSE WHEN SHE FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS A FAMOUS POET BUT HE WROTE ONE OF HIS MOST BEAUTIFUL POEMS ON IT AFTERWARDS AND SENT IT TO HER AND IT WAS PUBLISHED IN ONE OF HIS BOOKS FOUR TIMES THEY TOUCHED THEIR FOREHEADS TO THE GROUND AND AS THE FOURTH GESTURE WAS COMPLETED SOMETHING MOVED SWIFTLY BEHIND THE LIPS OF THE IMAGE AS THOUGH A PLATE HAD LIFTED FOR A MOMENT AND DROPPED AGAIN WE WERE FARING FORTH ON A LONG ROAD AND THOUGH WE HAD SOME IDEA WHAT WOULD BE AT THE END OF IT THERE WAS ENOUGH GLAMOUR OF THE UNKNOWN ABOUT IT TO LEND A WONDERFUL CHARM TO OUR SPECULATIONS CONCERNING IT +13cb9f64-b4ab-44ed-b6f6-fdaed92febe9 SUDDENLY A SOFT GLOW ENVELOPED THEM IT GREW BRIGHTER UNTIL THEY COULD SEE THEIR SURROUNDINGS DISTINCTLY THEY HAD REACHED THE END OF THE PASSAGE AND BEFORE THEM WAS ANOTHER HUGE DOOR HOW DID YOU CAPTURE THE DELPHINIS ASKED HORN YOU KNOW THAT TOO YOU HAVE ONE OF THE RIFLES SAID HORN YOUR RACE IS NO MATCH FOR US ORN IN CUNNING IN STRENGTH IN PROWESS OF THE MIND IT WAS A LITTLE SHORT IN THE JAW ME NOT HAVING ONE OF THEIR TOOTHY MANDIBLES BUT IT WAS ALL RIGHT I DIDN'T HAVE TO LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THEM JUST SOMETHING CLOSE TO SOOTHE THE NATIVE MIND OH I DON'T KNOW I FEEL BETTER SINCE I PUNISHED MYSELF BUT I'M GOING TO MAKE UP FOR IT TO MORROW SAID THE STORY GIRL ENERGETICALLY +13cc001b-b6eb-402c-bab0-306dcbd1b4c8 ON THE CONTRARY IT PASSED SPEEDILY AWAY NOT EVEN ONE LOW DESCENDING SUN GOING DOWN AND THEREOF IF HE IS A PROPHET PERHAPS HE HAS FOUND OUT SOMEHOW WE'LL MAKE YOU AN OFFER SAID ORNE WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO EXTERMINATE YOU BUT IN HIS TONGUE THAT'S O'CERIL THAT'S AN ALIEN LANGUAGE BUT WHEN OUR TRAVELLERS ARRIVED THERE THEY FOUND THE PLACE DESERTED AND RUBBED THE BONDS THAT WERE STILL AROUND HIS ARMS AND BODY THEY WERE CLOTHED IN SOME COARSE BLACK STUFF THAT BRISTLED AS THOUGH LOOSELY WOVEN OF STIFF HAIR AND YET WHICH WAS NOT A TRUE FABRIC FOR IT SEEMED TO MOVE WITHIN ITSELF AND SCINTILLATE AS THOUGH COMPOSED OF BILLIONS OF RESTLESS MOTES +13ee3a6f-42a6-4590-bfb5-bdf7a8d0a307 BUT THE SPIRIT OF THE STORY GIRL'S YET UNUTTERED REMARK WAS THRILLING IN OUR HEARTS THAT MORNING AS THE TRAIN PULLED OUT OF TORONTO THAT MAKES ME THINK OF ANOTHER STORY ABOUT OLD MISTER SCOTT SAID THE STORY GIRL YOU KNOW I TOLD YOU HE WAS VERY ANGRY BECAUSE THE PRESBYTERY MADE HIM RETIRE BUT STILL HER PRIDE WAS SO GREAT THAT SHE WOULD NOT YIELD EVEN THOUGH EVERYBODY EXCEPT THE KINGS WHO WANTED TO MARRY HER HATED HER FOR THE SUFFERING SHE HAD CAUSED GARF WAS A CHANGED FEASTMAN HE LOOKED FAINTLY FRIGHTENED MODERATELY WORRIED AND DEFINITELY EMBARRASSED THIS PASSED AND HE STARTED TO SMILE IN A PLACATING MANNER +143accc3-2c64-4271-b3c4-ce03eeeb867b STTCHING ITS LENGTH COMFORTABLY IN THE SHADE OF THE BIG MAPLES THE TRAFFIC IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT SLOWED ME UP A BIT IS THERE ANOTHER KEY PARIN I SNAPPED WE FELT THAT IT WAS AN INSULT TO OUR WRETCHEDNESS GROWN UP PEOPLE DIED JUST THINK HOW DREADFUL IT WOULD BE IF OUR FATHER HAD LEFT US LIKE THAT CYERANNA CRUSOE RISES THE MARKED TWENTY'S MUZZLE CAME ROUND THE CENTER ON ORN'S STOMACH NIGHT HUNTING PREDATOR ACCUSTOMED TO DROPPING UPON ITS VICTIMS FROM ABOVE MY WIFE HAS RESIGNED HERSELF TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED THEY'RE GIVEN BY GOD IF YOU LIKE THEY GROW THEY DEVELOP SO THE ABILITY TO READ MINDS TO TRANSMIT ITS THOUGHT IS GIVEN BY GOD +14f79a23-7a9a-4995-bae0-5ac0c0605215 BUT ON REFLECTION I CONSIDERED THE TIN HEAD FAR SUPERIOR TO THE NEAT ONE I AM WEARING IT YET SO YOU CAN SEE ITS BEAUTY AND GRACE OF THE OUTLINE AND THE GIRL AGREED WITH ME THAT A MAN ALL MADE OF TIN WAS FAR MORE PERFECT THAN ONE FORMED OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS HE DID NOT WANT TO MAKE THE SHERMAN HOUSE THE SCENE OF A QUARREL SO HE RESOLVED TO GET AWAY BEFORE THE CAMPBELL CAME HE PERSUADED NANCY TO GO WITH HIM TO VISIT SOME FRIENDS AT ANOTHER SETTLEMENT AS HE BROUGHT NEIL'S SLEIGH UP TO THE DOOR HE SAW A BLACK SPECK FAR OUT ON THE BAY AND LAUGHED BLACK DAN GOES WELL BUT HE'LL NOT BE QUICK ENOUGH HE SAID THAT AND A SUDDEN IDEA OF HIS OWN FORCED HIM TO SPEAK FOR HIMSELF IT WAS A SAD ATTEMPT VENUS SPACE SHIP HE MANAGED TO CROAK BEFORE GIVING IT UP THE LAUNCH ROCKED GENTLY THE NONIPUS CROUCHED MOTIONLESS THE FEAST MAN STOOD FIRMLY AS IF UNTOUCHED BY ANYTHING AROUND HIM HIS ARMS FOLDED AND A FAINT SMILE UPON HIS DAMP LIPS FINALLY HE SPOKE TOO THEY WERE GIANTS FOR THIS PART OF THE WORLD ALMOST SIX FEET TALL WITH GREAT HANDS AND JAWS ONE HAD BLACK COARSE HAIR ON HIS HEAD AND A STUBBLE ABOUT HIS FACE THE OTHER WAS BALD AS AN EGG THAT'S HIM MISTER SHARP SAID JUST A TRIFLE HESITANTLY HE'S THE ONE HE CAME TO STAY WITH US AND WE DIDN'T KNOW THE MAN WITH THE BLACK HAIR SAID UGH GER +151f00a7-2245-4806-9f15-d82820595fe1 TO BE LEFT IN SOLE CHARGE OF A BIG HOUSE WITH THREE MEALS A DAY TO PLAN AND PREPARE WITH POULTRY AND COWS AND DAIRY AND GARDEN TO SUPERINTEND YOU SOUND LIKE A UNILACTICAL LECTURE ARE YOU THROUGH MARCHING ARM IN ARM INTO THE MISTY FUTURE HORN TOOK A BREATH I COULD KILL YOU WHERE YOU SIT GREETED NEW ANY ONE WITH LESS SELF ESTEEM THAN MYSELF WHO HAD LED A MORE HONEST EARLY LIFE FIRST OF COURSE THE HULL WAS MAGNETIZED AND THE BOMBS FUSED SHE HAD WREATHED HER HAIR WITH CANTERBURY BELLS AND LOOKED LIKE THE INCARNATION OF RHYME AND STORY AND DREAM +151fdd7a-64a8-4555-ad5a-2ae8147a6d1c A SCOUT SWOOPED DOWN INTO THE HEADLIGHTS AND WAVED HE MOVED HIS SPEAKING MUSCLES A GLOWING OF MANY LIGHTS GREW VISIBLE THROUGH THE GIANT TREE TRUNKS AND THAT PERSONALITY WAS A VENOMOUS EVIL LOATHLY THING WE ALL WENT TO UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK IT WON'T KILL HER BUT SHE'LL PROBABLY BE A PRETTY MISERABLE GIRL FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS THE GATE IS A MATTER TRANSFITTER BETWEEN MY WORLD AND YOURS HER SCALES STOPPED IN EYE CATCHING POINTS JUST ABOVE HER DISTINCTLY MAMELIUM BOSOM TO THE COMFORT OF THE OZ PEOPLE AND WHILE IT HAD BEEN BLUNTED SOMEWHAT IT WAS STILL SHARP ENOUGH TO HURT +15209390-3b35-4794-9a6c-f50924e805f6 STILL WE WERE BOTH INCLINED TO THINK WE WOULD LIKE CECILY BETTER THAN FELICITY OH I CAN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE IT SHE'S A PARTICULAR FRIEND OF MINE SAID CECILY WITH DIGNITY WE HAVE HER EARN EVERYTHING AND IT WOULD HURT HER FEELINGS DREADFULLY TO BE LAUGHED AT THIS WHO KNEW WHAT SORT OF A RECEPTION WE MIGHT MEET WE THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO BE FUNNY UNTIL WE FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS QUITE IN EARNEST THE STORY GIRL DID NOT BOTHER HER MONTHS AND ARRIVED LONG AGO AT A WORKING AGREEMENT WITH THE ISLANDERS NUMBLY JEFF SAW HER SUSPENDED THERE HE LANDED ON SOMETHING TOUGH AND WARM AND SLIPPERY +1521993d-5bb5-4580-9fe8-fb58085707c8 WHEN WE WENT TO BED IT WAS SETTLING DOWN FOR A STORMY NIGHT AND THE RAIN WAS STREAMING WETLY ON THE ROOF AS IF THE WORLD LIKE SARA RAY WERE WEEPING BECAUSE ITS END WAS SO NEAR NOBODY FORGOT OR HURRIED OVER HIS PRAYERS THAT NIGHT A SHIP LANDED INLAND A FEW MINUTES AGO HE SAID I TOOK IT FOR AN E I CONSULATE CRAFT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SIMIANS CAUGHT HIS MENTAL IMAGE OF THE LANDING AND INTERVENED WHILE COMMON GROUND OFFERED DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT ADVISED POLYCHROME MISSUS EUP HAS PLENTY OF MAGIC LEFT TO CONSOLE HER KEEP YOUR ADVICE TO YOURSELF SAID THE MONARCH IN A PIQUED TONE WHO'S KING HERE ANYHOW YOU OR ME C LEE MATERIALS TOWARD A HISTORY OF WITCHCRAFT VOL +1560f578-70d9-4784-950f-d161f89c4ca1 THE LITTLE DIAL IN POINTER WHICH WOULD INDICATE THE CHANGES OF THE MOON AND THE VERY DENT IN ITS WOODEN DOOR WHICH FATHER HAD MADE WHEN HE WAS A BOY BY KICKING IT IN A FIT OF NAUGHTINESS FELIX WAKE UP I WHISPERED SHAKING HIM I MIGHT SAY IT WAS CLEAR I MIGHT SAY IT WAS SWEET WHEN WE REACHED THE FOOT OF THE ORCHARD AND ENTERED IT THROUGH A GAP IN THE HEDGE IT WAS THE MAGICAL MYSTICAL TIME OF BETWEEN LIGHTS THE TRIALS WILL CEASE YONAS FINISHED IT IS A TRICK HE BEGAN A YOU KNOW WELL THE WORTH OF SUCH CONFESSIONS OH YOU WOULDN'T SARA STANLEY YOU'RE NOT IN EARNEST EXCLAIMED FELICITY HER BLUE EYES FILLING WITH HORROR +156fe240-126e-4b00-a83c-0bc9ff9b0630 AS IF AFTER ALL THAT WAS THE MAIN THING BUT WE HAD FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT HER BY THE TIME WE REACHED THE OPEN COUNTRY NOW IF UNCLE ROGER HAD SWALLOWED ANY NEEDLES MAYBE IT WOULD MAKE IT ALL RIGHT IF HE SWALLOWED A PINCUSHION HE TORMENTED HER FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER THEY HAD FOURTEEN CHILDREN IN ALL AND EACH CHILD HAD ITS BIRTH TREE WHAT'S THE MATTER HE MURMURED RELUCTANTLY IT'S MORNING YET EVEN ABOUT MULA THERE WAS AN ODDITY IN HER ANCESTRY HE WAS BEING HARANGUED BY A FOUR INCH TALL MAN ON HIS BEDSIDE TABLE +15a70ea2-f034-4735-96ef-18b7a474a40c AGAINST TWO OF THE SIDE WALLS HAD BEEN BUILT ABOUT WORK BENCHES AND IN THE CENTRE OF THE ROOM WAS A LONG TABLE AT THE END OF THE SHOP WHICH ADJOINED THE DWELLING WERE SEVERAL CUPBOARDS WELL THERE WE SIT AND WRITE IN OUR DREAM BOOKS AND UNCLE ROGER PASSES BY AND ACCUSES US OF BEING UP TO DEATH TO VERY BAD MISCHIEF PERHAPS THE POTATOES SUFFERED FELICITY DECLARED THE EYES WERE NOT PROPERLY DONE AT ALL BUT THE STORY DID NOT IT'S A SAD TALE SAID THE STORY GIRL AND IT HAPPENED FIFTY YEARS AGO WHEN GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER KING WERE QUITE YOUNG GRANDMOTHER'S COUSIN RACHEL WARD CAME TO SPEND A WINTER WITH THEM THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP APPEAR TO HAVE BEGUN APPROXIMATELY IN THE YEAR FIFTEEN NINETY FOUR BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL ELEVEN YEARS AFTER THAT DATE THAT THEY ACHIEVED A SIGNAL TRIUMPH THE FIRST AND PERHAPS THE LAST OF ITS KIND UNTIL THE DISSOLUTION OF THE MASQUERADE IN TWENTY ONE O THREE EXCERPT FROM A SHORT HISTORY THE MASQUERADE BY A +15b054d8-3133-4446-900f-b6a66ba17614 THINK IT'S A GOOD DEAL BETTER TO PICK YOUR OWN RELIGION THAN HAVE TO TAKE IT JUST BECAUSE IT WAS WHAT YOUR FOLKS HAD RETORTED PETER HOPE SO DEAR WE SEEM TO BE IF WE CAN ONLY REACH THE SPOT WHERE WE ENTERED THIS INSANE WORLD BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS HOW MUCH TIME HAVE WE WE COULD NEVER CLIMB BACK IS THAT YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUS INFERIORITY COMPLEX COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY HAD HE REMAINED HIS NATURAL SIZE THE DISTANCE COULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN A FEW STEPS +15f3e951-d6cc-4df2-8157-a905b2dcbb95 YOU AND MISSUS PARENT STAY HERE THERE BY THE DOOR I SUGGESTED I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG HERE BUT SOMETHING'S HAPPENED THERE'S NO NEED FOR ALL OF US ENTERING IN A WAY IT MADE MY ACT EASIER I JUST PLAY TO AN UNSEEN AUDIENCE THEY COULD SEE THE RICH CUT OF MY CLOTHES THE LUXURIOUS CAPPING BEHIND ME OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T SEE MY HANDS WE COULD DEPEND ON FATHER IF HE WAS HERE SAID DAN STOUTLY HE'D TELL US THE TRUTH HE WOULD TELL US WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS TRUE DAN BUT HE COULDN'T KNOW HE'S NOT SUCH A WELL EDUCATED MAN AS THE EDITOR OF THE ENTERPRISE NO THERE'S NOTHING TO DO BUT WAIT AND SEE ECILY INDEED SEEMED TO HAVE THE MOST DECIDED TALENT FOR DRAMATIC DREAMS THAT MEEKEST AND MILDEST OF GIRLS WAS IN THE HABIT OF DREAMING TRULY TERRIBLE THINGS ALMOST EVERY NIGHT BATTLE MURDER OR SUDDEN DEATH PLAYED SOME PART OF HER VISIONS +1624f135-cb5f-4fc6-8592-77d6d8575106 I'LL GIVE HER THAT SPONGE CAKE I MADE THIS MORNING SAID FELICITY I GUESS SHE DOESN'T GET SPONGE CAKE VERY OFTEN I'VE NOTHING BUT THE RHEUMATISM RING I GOT AS A PREMIUM FOR SELLING NEEDLES LAST WINTER SAID PETER I'LL GIVE HER THAT EVEN IF SHE HASN'T GOT RHEUMATISM IT'S A REAL HANDSOME RING IT LOOKS LIKE SOLID GOLD AS WE SAT THERE THE AWKWARD MAN PASSED BY WITH HIS GUN OVER HIS SHOULDER AND HIS DOG AT HIS SIDE HE DID NOT LOOK LIKE AN AWKWARD MAN THERE IN THE HEART OF THE MAPLE WOODS HE STRODE ALONG RIGHT MASTERFULLY AND LIFTED HIS HEAD WITH THE AIR OF ONE WHO WAS MONARCH OF ALL HE SURVEYED A STRANGER KENUF SAID WHO ENTERS A SMALL CITY IS SEEN AT MYSTERIOUS UNDERTAKINGS PLUCKS WORDS OUT OF THE CENTRE OF A MAN'S MIND WHY THE PICTURE IS A CLASSIC ONE DELRIO HIMSELF HOLSINGER OR ANY OF THE OTHERS COULD NOT DESCRIBE A BETTER THE STORY GIRL WAS CRIMSON WITH INDIGNATION TO HAVE SUCH A REMARK MADE TO YOU WHEN YOU WERE FOURTEEN AND A HALF AND BEFORE THE BOYS TOO REALLY AUNT JANET COULD BE VERY DREADFUL +1629e202-e0c5-4ee3-9809-e2e8154f5d6d WHEN HE OPENED THEM HE WAS STARING AT THE MILKY WAY THEN THE DESERT AS HE TUMBLED OVER AND OVER HE TALKED TO THE MILKY BOY I THOUGHT OF ALL THE EVIL DEEDS OF MY SHORT LIFE OF PINCHING FELIX TO MAKING CROWD AT FAMILY PRAYERS OF PLAYING TRUANT FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL AND GOING FISHING ONE DAY OF A CERTAIN FIB NO NO AWAY FROM THIS AWFUL HOUR WITH ALL SUCH EUPHONIOUS OF AGENTS OF A LIE I HAD ONCE TOLD OF MANY A SELFISH AND UNKIND WORD AND THOUGHT AND ACTION THIS TIME HE HEARD REUBEN INSIDE THE HOUSE AND NODDED TO HIMSELF IN A SATISFIED FASHION BUT ALMOST A MINUTE PASSED BEFORE THE HUT OF AN OLD WOMAN SHOWED ITSELF AT THE WINDOW SHE WAS REALLY EXTRAORDINARILY UGLY HE THOUGHT SHE WORE A BONNET THAT DID NOTHING WHATEVER TO ENHANCE HER DOUBTFUL WRINKLED CHARMS OR TO CONCEAL THEM AND BESIDES IT WAS DIRTY SCOOP THE ZID'S AVID CRIES DISCOURAGED CURIOSITY BEFORE IT WAS WELL BORN WE'D NEVER MAKE IT WE COULDN'T POSSIBLY OUTRUN THAT BEAST +164616d5-d6e1-4f7c-b238-617a0082a09f THEN HURRYING DOWN RAMP AFTER RAMP CORRIDOR AFTER CORRIDOR FIGHTING THE RUSHING MOB ALL THE WAY I WATCHED THE MINUTE HAND OF THE WATCH SLIDE TOWARD THE SEVEN OF THE DIAL THE DREAM BOOKS THE STORY GIRL BEGAN IT GLIBLY BUT BEFORE SHE HAD GONE FAR WITH IT WE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM AS WE ROAMED THE WOOD AND DAN AND PETER ALMOST QUARRELLED OVER IT DAN MAINTAINING THAT THE THING WAS IMPOSSIBLE AND PETER BEING OF OPINION THAT THE MUSH WAS SOMEHOW MADE THICKER IN THE PROCESS OF BEING EATEN AND SO TOOK UP LESS ROOM GIRLS DID THEN YOU KNOW FOR THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS A SEWING MACHINE NOW THERE NEVER WASN'T ALICE IN THE DALE CONNECTION AND NOBODY EVER HEARD OF THE AWKWARD MAN HAVING A SWEETHEART I AM SAVING SOME OF THE HONORABLE MISTER WHALEN'S HAIRS FOR YOU +1651bfda-9d7a-4a40-8015-a75c56e6732d O K TELL THEM WE'LL COMPLY ONE MORE THING STET WHAT NOW HE WOULDN'T BE RUNNING SO FAST FOR GOOD NEWS SAID DAD CYNICALLY WE WERE NOT LEFT LONG IN DOUBT THE AUTCHA GOAT FLEW OPEN AND FELIX WAS AMONG US ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS FACE TOLD US THAT HE WAS NO BEARER OF GLAD TIDINGS HE HAD BEEN RUNNING HARD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RUBICUND OF THE SHIP'S SOCIAL QUARTET CHAFFISH ONE AND TWO WERE ASLEEP AT THE MOMENT DREAMING WISTFUL DREAMS OF CONICAL SERIMIAN CITIES SPEARING UP TO A SOFT AND PLUM COLORED SKY MISSUS UWKE TOOK AMPLE TIME TO FINISH HER BREAKFAST AND THE PRISONERS HAD NO DESIRE TO HURRY HER BUT FINALLY THE MEAL WAS CONCLUDED AND SHE FOLDED HER NAPKIN AND MADE THE TABLE DISAPPEAR BY CLAPPING HER HANDS TOGETHER +167bf346-e376-4515-b7ed-6280c5c0d85c WELL I GUESS I WON'T SAID PETER ANGRILY IT'S DREADFUL TO FIGHT ABOUT ANYTHING SO RELIGIOUS AS PRAYING DID YOU EVER FIGHT ASKED THE STORY GIRL ALTOGETHER THE STORY GIRL HAD A HARD TIME OF IT HE'S GOING TO CHURCH WITH US TO MORROW BUT I AM THE KING WHO CONQUERS ALL KINGS HE SAID THE BLANKETS ON THE NARROW COT IN THE CORNER OF THE ROOM HAD NOT BEEN UNFOLDED PERHAPS BECAUSE THEY'VE FOUND OUT HOW TO ENJOY IT WE DID BURY IT AFTER TEA IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SPRUCE GROVE IT WAS SO NICE TO HAVE THE STORY GIRL BACK AGAIN +16c4b040-2ac0-4140-89ce-9045639b4fb7 AND IN THE GOSSIP OF OLD CHARLEY MACK AND THE FEW OTHERS HE HAD MET AND WITH IT A STERTOROUS GRUNTING THAT ALL BUT DROWNED OUT THE ZID'S CRIES WE SOLUED FROM OUR OBSERVATION STATION OVER ON THE HILL WHILE HIS PATIENT SCRAMBLED TO HIS FEET HASTILY PUTTING OUT HIS CIGARETTE HE THOUGHT OF THE SUN FIFTY TWO TRILLION MILES AWAY THAT IS ALTOGETHER TOO TEDIOUS A PROCESS FOR A YUKABOO BUT THAT WAS A FINE DINNER SAID THE HIPPO THE WINDOW WAS OPEN AN IT WAS MORE'N I COULD STAND TO HEAR YOU FELLOWS LAUGHIN DOWN HERE AN ME MISSING IT ALL +16c8cd79-097d-437f-9323-147e389b14f8 WE DEMANDED THE TALE INSTANTLY THE STORY GIRL TOLD IT TO US AS SHE PEELED HER POTATOES PERHAPS THE POTATOES SUFFERED FELICITY DECLARED THE EYES WERE NOT PROPERLY DONE AT ALL BUT THE STORY DID NOT AFTER THAT THEY WERE ALL SILENT FOR A TIME BUT THEN THE SCARECROW SAID BRAVELY FRIENDS LET US AGREE TO THE BEAST'S TERMS GIVE HIM MY STRAW AND CARRY THE REST OF ME WITH YOU ACROSS THE DITCH THIS NEW SENSE IS OF GREAT VALUE PERHAPS WE CAN LEARN TO TEACH IT TO OTHERS IN TIME THOUGH WE HAVE HAD LITTLE SUCCESS WITH THAT BUT AT LEAST WE CAN MAINTAIN ON NUMBERS PASS THE GIFT ON TO OUR CHILDREN IF IT IS POSSIBLE YERS SAID WE MUST TRY CLETON SAID AND YOUR DAUB IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT I KNOW THAT YOURS THOUGHT WEARILY DUE TO THE VERY NATURE OF OUR JOB WE SPEND MOST OF OUR TIME JUST ROCKETING THROUGH NORMAL SPACE +16f7d932-f377-450e-8b4e-04142daaf82d MAYBE THE CLOCK STRUCK AND WE DIDN'T HEAR IT SUGGESTED DAN SOMEBODY BETTER GO SEE IF AFTER IT WE WERE THE SAME TIME ALWAYS SEEMS LONG WHEN YOU'RE WAITING SAID THE STORY GIRL THINGS COULDN'T LOOK THE SAME IF JUDGMENT DAY WAS GOING TO BE TO MORROW THEY HAD NOT SPOKEN TO EACH OTHER SINCE THE STORY GIRL MANAGED IT BETTER THE THREAT WAS EFFECTUAL NEVER DID WE MENTION THAT UNHOLY PUDDING BUT THE STORY GIRL COULD NOT IMPOSE SILENCE ON THE GROWN UPS ESPECIALLY UNCLE ROGER CECILY LOOKED PALE AND THIN BESIDE HER ON THE MAY MORNING WHEN WE LEFT TORONTO FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND WE WERE QUITE WILLING TO GO TO BED +1702941d-1cf8-4330-b3f0-49945626314c OH OUR ANGELS ARE ANGELS THAT HAVE BEEN ANGELS SO LONG THEY'VE HAD TIME TO GROW BETTER AND BRIGHTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN NEWER ANGELS UNCLE ROGER HOBBLED OFF TO THE BARN STILL HOLDING ON TO HIS STOMACH IF SHE HAD BUT HELD HER TONGUE THE MYSTERY OF THE SAWDUST'S DISAPPEARANCE MIGHT HAVE FOREVER REMAINED A MYSTERY OH NO NO DON'T DO THAT SAID FELICITY IN ALARM THEN I TOOK IT IN TO PADDY WHICH SITTING DOWN BEFORE US HE PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR BODY AND BONES AFTERWARDS LICKING HIS CHOPS WITH GREAT SATISFACTION +170f7b1e-dfbe-47d8-a3ef-cbcb75296ebe I DON'T SEE WHY GOD SHOULD ANSWER PETER'S PRAYERS INSTEAD OF MINE HE SAID BITTERLY COMPRISING IN THIS CASE A FIERCELY WHITE SUN THERE WAS AN ARTIST'S PERCEPTION IN JEFF IN SPITE OF HIS DRAB YEARS OF E I PATROL DUTY THEN WHO RUNG THAT BELL SAID PETER BELLS DON'T RING OF THEMSELVES I SUPPOSE SPECIFICALLY WHEN THERE AIN'T ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE TO RING OH WILL UNCLE ROGER NEVER COME HOME SOBBED FELICITY I KNOW HE'LL LAUGH AT US AWFUL BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE LAUGHED AT THAN SCARED LIKE THIS IF YOU LOVE ME AS I LOVE YOU AND THIS SEEMED TO ADD THE FINAL TOUCH OF INSANITY TO THE SCENE JOHN ANDREW TRIED NOT TO STARE AT HIM TOO NOTICEABLY +17238ec3-8063-4757-90b9-270e96d02cd6 PLANETARY POLICE ARE ALL PUSH OVERS AND YOU START TO FEEL YOU CAN GO ON FOR EVER IF THEY'RE YOUR ONLY COMPETITION SARA IS REAL SICK SHE SAID WITH REGRET AND SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT REGRET MINGLED IN HER VOICE SHE HAS A COLD AND A SORE THROAT AND SHE'S FEVERISH MISSUS RAY SAYS IF SHE ISN'T BETTER BY THE MORNING SHE'S GOING TO SEND FOR THE DOCTOR AND SHE IS AFRAID IT'S THE MEASLES I CAN'T PROVE IT WASN'T A NIGHTMARE CHUCKLED VIC COME ALONG AND I'LL SHOW YOU SOMETHING YOU MISSED HE LED THE WAY TO THE LABORATORY AND UNLOCKED A DRAWER ONE OF SEVERAL BENEATH THE WORK TABLE NO PROGRESS JEFF REPORTED EXCEPT THAT THE FEW ISLANDERS I'VE MET SEEMED TO BE ACCEPTING ME AT LAST +17924d05-d0a0-4edc-93cd-794ffc0f18e0 DOES YOUR NEW GEAR LOOK ANYTHING LIKE THIS IT HAD BEEN INTERESTING AT FIRST PARTICULARLY SINCE UP TO THE TIME I WAS DRAFTED INTO THE SPECIAL CORPS I WASN'T EVEN CERTAIN IT REALLY EXISTED WILL THEY DO ANYTHING TO ME I MUST HEAR THAT MISSIONARY SPEAK THEY SAID HE WAS ALL BUT EATEN BY CANNIBALS ONCE ONLY ONE THING COULD CROSS IT AND THAT WAS LOVE IT'S ALL VERY FINE TO SAY YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT IT WAS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD THE STORY GIRL TURNED QUITE PALE I'LL HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WE WERE TAKEN HE WROTE DOWN ALL THE DATA OF NINE PEOPLE YOU CAN'T BE MANUEL SAID MARSHALL +17a370c2-227c-486f-8eff-7684730150e1 THAT WAS THE MAIN QUESTION ABOUT GROWN UPS THEIR LOOKS MATTERED LITTLE TO US SHE'S LOVELY THERE MAY BE SOME SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD BUT IT'S NOT LIKELY THERE WERE ANY HERE RIGHT IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND PAT PRESENTLY CAME GALLOPING UP THE ORCHARD CARRYING IN HIS MOUTH A BIG FIELD MOUSE AND TEA IS READY AND MOTHER SENDS TO COME IN AND WERE BURIED SIDE BY SIDE I DO LIKE A ROAD LEST WE SHOULD BE LOST OR KILLED WHAT THE MAGICIANS CALL MISDIRECTION I LOOKED BACK AT PEPPET NOT WANTING TO HAVE MY EYES OFF HIM FOR AN INSTANT +17b96f72-902d-4cc3-87aa-eb76fb145a9b WE'RE ALL RIGHT ONLY OBVIOUSLY INTENT UPON BLOCKING OUR WAY MISSUS PARIN HAD JUST TOLD HER ABOUT THE MASTER AUNT OLIVIA IS JUST SWEET SHE KISSES ME GOOD NIGHT EVERY NIGHT AND YOUR MOTHER NEVER KISSES YOU SHE SPRANG TO HER FEET AN AMAZING CHANGE COMING OVER HER GENTLY GENTLY CAUTIONED THE SCARECROW DON'T BE RUDE TO STRANGERS CAPTAIN THE CABIN WAS FILLING THE FUMES HE SNAPPED THE VITIO SWITCH AND DEPRESSED THE MIKE BUTTON A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE YOU LEFT +17c363a2-5223-4895-bad0-8982b9bd335c GET THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER IN HERE AT ONCE I SHOUTED AT THE INTERCOME ALSO A COUPLE OF CLERKS WITH TRANSCRIBERS AND FAST THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH THIS LAST HAD A HORROR RING AND I REALIZED MY ENTHUSIASM HAD CARRIED ME OUT OF CHARACTER I BUTTONED MY COLLAR STRAIGHTENED MY RIBBONS AND SQUARED MY SHOULDERS I KNOW A STORY ABOUT A GHOST SAID THE STORY GIRL THE RULING PASSION STRONG EVEN IN EXTREMITY IT IS ABOUT A GHOST WITH EYEHOLES BUT NO EYES DON'T CRIED CECILY HYSTERICALLY DON'T YOU GO ON THE NONIPUS CREPT FORWARD PONDEROUSLY AND FARMER SEARCHED DAZEDLY FOR A WEAPON IT WAS RAY WHO FIRST STARTED STUMBLING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE BOAT HOOK BUT JOHN ANDREW IN A SUDDEN FIT OF BRAVERY SHOVED PAST HIM AND GRABBED THE FRAGILE LOOKING THING FROM ITS CLEACH JEFF BACKED AWAY WARILY DAMN IT ARE WE GOING THROUGH ALL THAT AGAIN ONCE IT GETS ITS WIND BACK COFFEE THREE INTERRUPTED HIM THIS TIME THE CRYSTAL NOW WE MUST HAVE IT TO QUIET THE ZID UNTIL IT IS SAFELY CAGED AGAIN +17c5e8a6-3fdd-4d53-9ccc-9620f3067b60 THEN I FILLED THE FRAME WITH ALL THE EQUIPMENT I WOULD NEED AND BEGAN TO WIRE THE SUIT I SAID YOUR ANCESTOR SENT ME AS EMISSARY HE TOOK ONE HAND OFF HIS HIP TO SCRATCH AT THE TOP OF HIS HEAD KUTUFF NODDED A SECOND PASSED STRANGER SHARP SAID AND THE WARDER SET OPEN THE GATE THE RAINBOW HAD FADED OUT AND THE DARKNESS OF THE OCTOBER DUSK WAS FALLING I HAVE TO SLEEP SOME TIME MY SCREEN IS ONLY OPEN FOR EMERGENCY CALLS NOT FOR EVERY AGENT WHO NEEDS HIS HAND HELD +17c85644-0327-4eae-9099-fa718de628f9 AT SUNSET FELICITY CECILY AND SARA RAY DAN FELIX AND I WERE IN THE ORCHARD SITTING ON THE COOL GRASSES AT THE BASE OF THE PULPIT STONE IN THE WEST WAS A FIELD OF CROCUS SKY OVER WHICH PALE CLOUD BLOSSOMS WERE SCATTERED WHO'S BUILDING IT I HAD MY NAIL FAR OUT AND WAS TOUCHING UP A CUTICLE HOLDING IT OUT FOR INSPECTION BEFORE I SAID ANYTHING FROM THE CORNER OF MY EYE I COULD SEE HIM GETTING PURPLE ABOUT THE FACE BUT HE KEPT QUIET I SAVORED MY SMALL MOMENT OF POWER AS HE SAID THIS THE SCARECROW GLANCED AT THE TIN WOODMAN WHO NODDED HIS ASSENT HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO DO THAT ASKED THE TIN WOODMAN IN AMAZEMENT POLYCHROME IS A POWERFUL FAIRY I GUESS THIS WILL BE A LESSON TO YOU DAN KING SAID FELICITY IN HER MOST MADDENING TONE +17ce3102-0144-47e9-b540-5e4c8f29e83e GOOD BYE MISTER AND MISSUS SWINE YES IT WAS A SEEMING MISFORTUNE THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THEIR ROUNDNESS WAS A SLIGHT HOLLOW ON THE TOP IT WILL BRING IN A PERFECT COLOR PICTURE OF THE OCEAN AT WHAT IN THE DEPTH I SET IT FOR I DIDN'T SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE BEFORE I ARRIVED HERE BUT SHE WENT TO SLEEP AGAIN SO WE ATE OUR SNACKS OPENLY WITHOUT ANY RECOURSE TO WAYS THAT WERE DARK OH COME COME QUICK SHE GASPED DAN'S EATING THE BAD BERRIES AGAIN HE'S AT A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM HE SAYS HE'LL SHOW FELICITY I CAN'T STOP HIM +17dec09d-3179-4925-aa45-92d5e765a878 WHY YOU WOULDN'T TELL STORIES IN HEAVEN SAID CECILY IN A VERY TIMID VOICE WE HAD EXPECTED THAT THE STORY GIRL WOULD ECLIPSE US ALL IN THE MATTER OF DREAMS BUT AT LEAST IN THE BEGINNING HER DREAMS WERE NO MORE REMARKABLE THAN THOSE OF THE REST OF US IN DREAMLAND WE WERE ALL EQUAL WELL SAID THE STORY GIRL I THINK IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU GET WHIPPED OR NOT SO LONG AS YOU FIGHT A GOOD SQUARE FIGHT HER POTENT VOICE MADE ME FEEL THAT I WAS QUITE A HERO AFTER ALL AND THE STING WENT OUT OF MY RECOLLECTION OF THAT OLD FIGHT NEVER A BREAKFAST DID HE SIT DOWN TO WITHOUT GRAVELY INQUIRING IF THEY WERE SURE THERE WAS NO SAWDUST IN THE PORRIDGE NOT A TWEAK OF RHEUMATISM DID HE FEEL BUT HE VOWED IT WAS DUE TO A NEEDLE TRAVELLING ABOUT HIS BODY AND AUNT OLIVIA WAS WORN TO LABEL ALL THE PINCUSHIONS IN THE HOUSE +17e5b367-6b91-40c8-8182-9ad0516580ad AGREE TO IT SAID THE TIN WOODMAN SHAKING THE HAND OF HIS TWIN TO SHOW THE MATTER WAS SETTLED PARON FIX MAN OF ALL WORK CAME HURRYING OUT OF THE HOUSE TO GREET ME AS I LOCKED MY WHEELS ON THE DRIVE BEFORE THE DOOR AND THE CHANTING WENT ON AND ON UNTIL I BEGAN TO WONDER IF ANYTHING WOULD EVER HAPPEN PRESENTLY THEY WERE SCATTERED BY AN ABRUPT AND STARTLING QUESTION FROM PETER HE MIXED THE POWDER IN LARD AND SPREAD IT ON HIS PAWS AND HIS SIDES AND HE'LL LICK IT OFF O GOD PLEASE MAKE PAT BETTER BY THE MORNING PLEASE DO OH WASN'T DONALD TAKEN ABACK WE TOOK HEART OF GRACE +183366ec-bfc7-4b15-a78b-96e80d4d90b3 IN SPITE OF DISTANCE AND THE SWIFT APPROACH OF THE OLD FISHING BOAT THERE IS NO DANGER WHILE THEY STOOD MARVELING THE OWLS CAME BACK UNCLE ROGER DID NOT COME TILL NEARLY TEN NEVER WAS THERE A MORE WELCOME SOUND THAN THE RUMBLE OF HIS WHEELS IN THE LANE SOME DAY THE MAN WHO READS MINES WOULD BE MORE THAN A PASSIVE ONLOOKER NEVER SAW YOU BEFORE THE OLD WOMAN SAID WAIT THE INQUISITOR SAID HEAVILY PAT WAS WITH US OF COURSE PROWLING ABOUT STEALTHILY OR MAKING FRANTIC BOOTLESS LEAPS AT THE SWALLOWS +1834b11e-f5a9-4bbf-8ad3-7592f8a8147f I'M AFRAID I DID VERY WRONG TO COME AGAINST MAR'S WILL SHE SAID MISERABLY BUT I COULDN'T WAIT I WANTED TO SEE THE PICTURE AS SOON AS YOU DID WE WAITED AND WATCHED AT THE WINDOW THE VALLEY WAS FULL OF MIST AND THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN IN SLANTING LINES OVER THE TOPS OF THE SPRUCES I WAS OF THE OPINION THAT IT WOULD BE RATHER QUESTIONABLE BUT DAN VOWED HE DIDN'T SEE WHY HE'D TELL IT QUICK AS ANY OTHER DREAM THERE WAS NOTHING BAD IN IT CRUSHED THE RIG'S POWERFUL LITTLE BATTERY DISCHARGED WITH A MUFFLED SPUTTERING AND FLASHING OF SPARKS THE ZID HOWLED PIERCINGLY AND DROPPED AWAY FROM THE WINDOW BEFORE COMING TO CARLISLE UNCLE BLAIR STANLEY HAD BEEN A MERE NAME TO US NOW HE WAS A PERSONALITY WE WENT VERY SOFTLY INDEED LEST THE GROWN UPS ESPECIALLY THAT TERRIBLE UNCLE ROGER SHOULD HEAR OF IT +183b28b1-c473-41a9-aa05-c3523f5bd7ff AND CREATED TWO ROWS OF ENORMOUS TEETH AGAINST THE EMPEROR'S TIN BODY WE WERE OUT IN UNCLE ROGER'S HILL PASTURE SITTING ON SOME SMOOTH ROUND STONES UNDER A CLUMP OF BIRCHES UNCLE ALEC'S PEW WAS AT THE TOP OF THE CHURCH QUITE NEAR THE PULPIT JUST DROPPING A FEW HINTS OF THE MOST ELEMENTARY SORT THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT DON'T SEEM TO BELONG WHEN YOU GOT THERE YOU HAD NO WAY OF SENDING WORD HOME AGAIN EXCEPT BY THE SAME PLAN WE ALL SPOKE IN LOW TONES ON THE SUBJECT +18659768-8526-4fcb-affd-f59671afdb90 HIS CY PROJECTION OF THE ZID APPEARED ON THE DOCK BEFORE THEM WITH DEMONIAC ABRUPTNESS CROUCH TO LEAP TWIN TAILS LASHING AND ITS TEN FOOT LENGTH BRISTLING WITH GLASSY MAGENTIVE BRISTLES BUT ONE WAY MUST BE EASIER OR BETTER THAN THE OTHER OR ELSE THEY'D ALL BE ONE KIND ARGUED PETER I WANT TO FIND THE EASIEST WAY AND I'VE GOT A HANKERING AFTER THE METHODISTS MY AUNT JANE WAS A METHODIST ISN'T SHE ONE STILL ASKED FELICITY PERTLY NOTHING SAID THE STORY GIRL VICIOUSLY HE JUST WENT ON LIVING AND FLOURISHING HE PATCHED UP MATTERS WITH HIS CREDITORS AFTER A WHILE AND CAME BACK TO THE ISLAND AND IN THE END HE MARRIED A REAL NICE GIRL WITH MONEY WAS VERY HAPPY DID YOU EVER HEAR OF ANYTHING SO UNJUST I RECALL PETER STANDING ON THE PULPIT STONE ONE NIGHT ERE MOONRISE AND POINTING THEM OUT TO US OCCASIONALLY HAVING A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH THE STORY GIRL OVER THE NAME OF SOME PARTICULAR STAR +18b8aac8-3830-4df8-9707-e9a23b941d91 THE ONLY TIME HE EVER SO PUNISHED ANY OF HIS CHILDREN THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO DIE IN THEIR SLEEP SAID THE STORY GIRL CONFIDENTLY THE DOCTOR'S HAND TIGHTENED ON THE DOORKNOB COULD YOU TUNE IT TO TWENTY EIGHT POINT SIX MICROCYCLES HE ADJUSTED IT AUTOMATICALLY THEN UNBUCKLED THE SEAT STRAPS I HAVE DEDUCTED THIRTEEN CREDITS FROM YOUR SALARY FOR THE COST OF THE DUPLICATE BUT THAT WOULD COME IN TIME AT ANY OTHER MOMENT WE WOULD HAVE RUSHED TO MEET HER IN WILD JOY HE GAVE UP TRYING AFTER A WHILE YOU ARE THE BEST OF US ALL YOU OPEN THE PARCEL +18c924f3-d26a-47c3-af80-b4fcae5d26a5 THEY SAY SHE WAS ALWAYS FULL OF MISCHIEF SHE CAN PUT ILL LUCK ON YOU JUST BY LOOKING AT YOU AND SHE WILL IF YOU OFFEND HER LAUGHTER RIPPLED OVER THE STORY GIRL'S FACE THEN THERE WAS A TELEPHONE CALL FOR HIM AND I COULDN'T MAKE NEITHER OF THEM ANSWER DO NOTHING AT ALL FOR AT LEAST A WEEK SEEMS AS IF HE MUST BE RIGHT AND YET IT DOESN'T SEEM SO I'VE JUST AS GOOD A RIGHT TO PRAY WHAT I WANT FOR AS YOU FELIX KING THE TWO GUARDS CAME INTO THE CELL AND GRIPPED HIS ARMS YUNUS ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE CARRIED OUT INTO THE CORRIDOR AND DOWN IT TO A GREAT WOODEN DOOR +1906f331-0764-4ad3-a5c7-63c421e4477e OH YOU CAN'T HARM US WE'RE TOO POWERFUL TWO FEET TALL AND WITH A BEARD AND HORNS SAY HA SIR WHEN YOU ADDRESS ME WE WILL SING THE WHOLE HYMN OMITTING THE FOURTH STANZA PROBABLY IN SPITE OF CECILY'S EFFORTS A BITTER SPAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED BETWEEN DAN AND FELICITY HAD NOT A DIVERSION BEEN EFFECTED AT THATMENT BY THE STORY GIRL WHO CAME SLOWLY DOWN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK I LEARNED THAT SARA RAY HAD NAMED AN APPLE FOR JOHNNY PRICE AND FELICITY WHO WAS USEFUL WOULD IN HER SECRET SOUL HAVE GIVEN ANYTHING TO BE INTERESTING HE CAME UP AGAIN NEARLY STRANGLED TO FIND THAT EITHER HE OR THE ZID HAD THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM +1944a255-bd83-42cf-b11b-82f357db1ea5 LONG AGO WHEN JUDY PINNAULT WAS YOUNG SAID THE STORY GIRL SHE WAS HIRED WITH MISSUS ELDER FRUIT THE FIRST MISSUS ELDER FRUIT MISSUS FRUIT HAD BEEN A SCHOOLTEACHER AND SHE WAS VERY PARTICULAR AS TO HOW PEOPLE TALKED AND THE GRAMMAR THEY USED AND SHE DIDN'T LIKE ANYTHING BUT REFINED WORDS ONE VERY HOT DAY SHE HEARD JUDY PINNOT SAY SHE WAS ALL IN A SWEAT MISSUS FRUN WAS GREATLY SHOCKED AND SAID JUDY YOU SHOULDN'T SAY THAT IT'S HORSES THAT SWEAT YOU SHOULD SAY YOU WERE IN A PERSPIRATION THE WITCH WITH THE SILVER SHOES HATED ME FOR HAVING DEFIED HER RESUMED THE EMPEROR HIS VOICE NOW SOUNDING CLEAR AS A BELL AND SHE INSISTED THAT NIMY AMY SHOULD NEVER MARRY ME THEREFORE SHE MADE THE ENCHANTED AXE CUT OFF MY OTHER ARM AND THE TINSMITH ALSO REPLACED THAT MEMBER WITH TIN INCLUDING THESE FINELY JOINTED HANDS THAT YOU SEE ME USING BUT ALAS AH NEVER MIND I SAID CROSSLY FOR I FELT THAT PETER HAD DISGRACED US SHE'S JUST MAD AND NO WONDER WHATEVER MADE YOU ACT SO CRAZY PETER WELL I DIDN'T MEAN TO AND I WANTED TO LAUGH TWICE BEFORE THAT AND DIDN'T IT WAS THE STORY GIRLS STORIES MADE ME WANT TO LAUGH AND SO I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR HER TO BE MAD AT ME SHE HADN'T OUGHT TO TELL ME STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE IF SHE DON'T WANT ME TO LAUGH WHEN I SEE THEM GARF WAS A CHANGED FEASTMAN HE LOOKED FAINTLY FRIGHTENED MODERATELY WORRIED AND DEFINITELY EMBARRASSED THIS PASSED AND HE STARTED TO SMILE IN A PLACATING MANNER GARF DOOR SNAPPED AGAIN SHE FOLLOWED IT UP THIS TIME WITH A STRING OF INTRICATE FOREIGN SOUNDING WORDS THAN EVEN FARMER COULD TELL WERE HOT AND STINGING THE FEAST RAN BACKED AWAY HE SEEMED TO BE GROWING ANGRY HIMSELF NOW UNDER THE WHIPLASHING WOMAN'S TONGUE +195637bc-71e5-4382-bb96-f715a904c872 THE WARDER POINTED TO THE DARK FLOOD THAT ROLLED UNDER THE BRIDGE THE PATH OF THE RAINBOW IS NOT FOR THEE HE SAID BUT YONDER WAY IS OPEN FORD THAT FLOOD ON THE FURTHEST BANK IS THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE THEN THEY WERE REALLY GONE WE WERE ALL LEFT TO KEEP HOUSE UNCLE ROGER AND PETER WENT AWAY TO THEIR WORK FELICITY AT ONCE SET THE PREPARATIONS FOR DINNER GOING AND ALLOTTED TO EACH OF US HIS PORTION OF SERVICE BUT THE TIN OWL COULD SEE VERY NICELY IN THE DARK SO HE GUIDED HIS FRIENDS TO THE RIGHT PLACE AND WHEN ALL WERE DROOPED BEFORE THE DOOR OOPE COMMANDED IT TO OPEN PETER DID NOT THINK BLUEBERRY WINE WOULD DO ANY GOOD IT WAS TEN O'CLOCK BEFORE DAN BEGAN TO GET BETTER BUT FROM THAT TIME HE IMPROVED RAPIDLY WHEN THE DOCTOR WHO HAD BEEN AWAY FROM HOME WHEN UNCLE ROGER REACHED MARKDALE CAME AT HALF PAST TEN HE FOUND HIS PATIENT VERY WEAK AND WHITE BUT FREE FROM PAIN +197b62dc-1dcd-48aa-b37a-dd34923c745c SHE HAD SEATED HERSELF IN THE DARKEST HOTTEST CORNER OF THE KITCHEN WITH A PIECE OF OLD COTTON IN HER HAND FORBIDDEN FRUIT WE WERE ALL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF UNCLE ROGER MORE OR LESS GRUMPY IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF KING NEXT DAY IT'S NOT THAT THEY HURT IT'S JUST THAT I GUESS I'M OLD FASHIONED I STILL FEEL KIND OF CREEPY ABOUT THE WHOLE BUSINESS SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED HE PAUSED AND ASKED DEFENSIVELY IS THAT UNUSUAL THE DOCTOR SMILED OPENLY NOW NOT AT ALL NOT AT ALL WE'VE A AGAIN THE CALL BELL CHIMED NOW WHAT WERE THEY EVER LIKE THIS BEFORE I ASKED CECILY AS WE TALKED THE MATTER OVER PRIVATELY IN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK NEVER FOR SO LONG SAID CECILY THEY HAD A SPELL LIKE THIS LAST SUMMER AND WON THE SUMMER BEFORE BUT THEY ONLY LASTED A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WHO SPOKE FIRST +1980de41-ec4a-4690-a35e-06a44e759c31 BUT TO BE CALLED A SWEET CAT NINETY PER CENT OF THE MACHINERY HAD NO MOVING PARTS AND HAD SUFFERED NO WERE WHATEVER OTHER PARTS THEY HAD BEEFED UP FIGURING THEY WOULD WEAR BUT SLOWLY LAUGHTER RIPPLED OVER THE STORY GIRL'S FACE AS SHADOW WAVES GO OVER RIPE WHEAT BEFORE A WIND PETER IS A REAL GENTLEMAN AND HE IS MORE INTERESTING THAN YOU COULD EVER BE IF YOU WERE BROUGHT UP AND EDUCATED FOR A HUNDRED YEARS SHE SAID FINALLY HE PLACED HIS FINGERS ON THE LARGEST OF THE CONTROL SWITCHES THEN CHANGED HIS MIND AND GESTURED IMPERATIVELY TO JUDGE RAY +1985c396-136f-446e-87a8-e8ce2a0be0a4 WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SCHOOL LIBRARY DEMANDED MISTER CAMPBELL DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY ONE BUT THE ONE KIND OF TRUENESS SAID FELICITY ANYWAY THIS STORY COULDN'T BE TRUE YOU KNOW THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GOD PAN ALL RIGHT SAID WOUT JUMPING UP GIVE ME YOUR HAND POLYCHROME WHERE ARE YOU THE RAINBOW WON'T APPEAR UNTIL AFTER THE STORM AND I CAN MAKE YOU BATHE IN A JIFFY BEFORE I JOIN MY SISTERS ON OUR BOAT HAD ANY OF US BOYS EVER BEEN GUILTY OF SUCH CECILY'S PALE FACE WOULD HAVE COLOURED WITH A BLUSH OF OUTRAGED PURITY DAN SAT ON THE FLOOR AND WHITTLED HIS SOLE AIM AND PROJECT BEING TO MAKE A MESS AND ANNOY FELICITY +199b8535-a752-4ee0-b585-85817e81430c SHALL YOU KEEP TRYING TO RAISE HIM IT WOULD BE HARD TO SEE UNLESS ASTRO WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF IT JUST TO BE THE FIRST HUMAN BEING TO WALK ON THE GROUND OF A PLANET OF ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM OH THE STORY GIRL WAS MUCH DISAPPOINTED WE WERE ALL GOING PETER INCLUDED MAYBE THEY USED TO ONCE BUT NOW THEY WEAR HATS EXTENDED A TENTACLE OPENED A CLOTH AND NIPPED DOOR NEATLY ON THE BEHIND I THINK HE'S CUTE IF I HAD KNOWN THAT TO MORROW MIGHT BE THE JUDGMENT DAY I WOULDN'T HAVE QUARRELLED WITH YOU LAST MONDAY SARA STANLEY OR BEEN SO HORRID AND SULKY ALL THE WEEK +199f1a60-7622-4d0e-b34f-c3f8e98af1da I WAS TALKING TO MYSELF NORMALLY BAD SIGN BUT RIGHT NOW I DIDN'T CARE THE MOOD OF SPACE PIRACY HAD SEIZED ME AND I HAD BEEN GOING ALONG FINE UNTIL THIS GLARING INCONSISTENCY JUMPED OUT AND HIT ME SQUARE IN THE EYE WHY A BATTLESHIP WHY ALL THE TROUBLE IN YEARS OF WORK TO GET A SHIP THAT TWO PEOPLE COULD JUST BARELY MANAGE WITH A TENTH OF THE EFFORT PEPEY COULD HAVE HAD A CRUISER THAT WOULD HAVE SUITED HIS PURPOSES JUST AS WELL IT WAS NOT OUR STORY GIRL WHO SAT THERE TELLING THAT WEIRD TALE IN A SIBILANT CURDLING VOICE SHE HAD PUT ON A NEW PERSONALITY LIKE A GARMENT AND THAT PERSONALITY WAS A VENOMOUS EVIL LOATHLY THING I WOULD RATHER HAVE DIED THAN HAVE TOUCHED THE SLIM BROWN WRIST ON WHICH SHE SUPPORTED HERSELF ASKED ROOT APPEALING TO POLYCHROME SHE DANCED AROUND HIS CIRCLE SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT REPLYING AND THE BOY FEARED SHE HAD NOT HEARD HIM BUT THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER WAS MERELY THINKING UPON THE PROBLEM AND PRESENTLY SHE PAUSED BESIDE THE TIN SOLDIER AND SAID I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT A LITTLE FAIRY MAGIC BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO MEND TIN LIKES WITH IT SO I'M NOT SURE I CAN HELP YOU FELIX WORKED WELL ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT LIKE WEEDING FAT BOYS NEVER DO FELICITY INFORMED HIM FELIX PRETENDED NOT TO HEAR HER BUT I KNEW HE DID BECAUSE HIS EARS GREW RED FELIX'S FACE NEVER BLUSHED BUT HIS EARS ALWAYS GAVE HIM AWAY AS FOR FELICITY SHE DID NOT SAY THINGS LIKE THAT OUT OF MALICE PREPENSE IT NEVER OCCURRED TO HER THAT FELIX DID NOT LIKE TO BE CALLED FAT I ALWAYS FEEL SORRY FOR THE POOR WEED SAID THE STORY GIRL DREAMILY IT MUST BE VERY HARD TO BE ROOTED UP +19ab539b-bd10-423f-9f49-e73a904fcc1b IS THIS A SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPUTATION HE INQUIRED RATHER IRONICALLY NO WE HAVE COME TO ASK A FAVOR OF YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL PIGS SAID FELIX FORCIBLY OF COURSE I COULDN'T BE EXPECTED TO THAT HIRE TO LET A BOY KISS ME BUT I NEEDN'T HAVE BEEN SO CROSS ABOUT IT I MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE DIGNIFIED AND I TOLD HIM I JUST HATED HIM THAT WASN'T TRUE BUT I SUPPOSE I'LL DIE THINKING IT IS OH DEAR ME WHAT MAKES PEOPLE SAY THINGS THEY'VE GOT TO BE SORRY FOR AFTERWARDS AND SUPPOSE YOU HAVEN'T THEN YOU CAN'T TRANSMIT A THING TO HIM YOU'RE TRAPPED IN THE HOUSE REMEMBER AND THE FIRE'S STARTED WHAT GOODS YOU'D TELEPATHY BUT IT'S A SENSE CLARETON SAID LIKE ANY OTHER SENSE BUT IT ISN'T MAGIC ANY MORE THAN YOUR EYES ARE MAGIC THEY'RE GIVEN BY GOD IF YOU LIKE THEY GROW THEY DEVELOP I STARTED WORKING ON IT THE MOST LIKELY ANSWER WAS THAT IT HAD BEEN ADOPTED FROM ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND MEANT ENEMY AND THAT TOLD YOU WHERE THE DELPHINIS WAS +19aea590-3dd0-4bd4-b3e0-ac5a46ae8b79 A STANCE NOT IMPROVED LOOK SAID ORAN THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY WE'LL BE RIGHT DOWN WHY A DISGUISED SLED THEY LOOK VERY MUCH LIKE OTHER PEOPLE IF YOU CAN GO BY THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS THEY'RE POISON DROP THEM RIGHT AWAY AND THINGS THEY STILL HAVE TO WORK HARD TO MAKE PRACTICABLE A SMALL WAVE ALMOST MADE HIM SET DOWN ON THE DECK BEFORE HE GOT BOTH FEET PLANTED AGAIN AND BUST INTO THE LAB CAME IN SINGLE FILE FROM BEHIND THE BLACK GOD DIRECTING THE CHANTING WITH MOVEMENTS OF THEIR ARMS +19b234fe-c07f-4563-ac0f-fc28fb38a742 DELIGHTFUL CLIMATE IDEAL SPOT FOR A COUNTRY HOME FRIENDLY PEOPLE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP STRANGERS AND ALL THAT I IMAGINE THAT'S WHAT I LIKE MAKES ME FEEL GRATEFUL VERY PLEASED TO MEET YOU I AM THE GRAND DUKE SAINTE DENGELLIO I SHOOK HIS HAND ENTHUSIASTICALLY AT THIS POINT AND LET ONE HUNDRED CREDIT NOTES SLIP INTO HIS PALM NOW I ADDED I WONDER IF YOU WOULD ASK THE CUSTOMS AGENTS TO LOOK AT MY BAGS HERE DON'T WANT TO WASTE TIME DO WE THE SHIP IS OPEN THEY CAN CHECK THAT WHENEVER THEY PLEASE THE WILD COLD SPRAY BEAT ON HIS EYES AND BLINDED HIM SO THAT HE COULD SEE NOTHING AND THE ROAR OF THE RIVER DEAFENED HIM SO THAT HE COULD HEAR NOTHING BUT HE FELT KEENLY THE WOUNDS AND BRUISES OF THE CRUEL ROCKS AND MANY A TIME HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP THE STRUGGLE HAD NOT THE THOUGHT OF SWEET ALIN'S LOVING EYES BROUGHT HIM THE STRENGTH AND DESIRE TO STRUGGLE AS LONG AS IT WAS POSSIBLE WELL LET'S HEAR ABOUT IT SAID FELIX ALTHOUGH I THINK KISSING'S AWFUL SILLY AND IT WOULDN'T HAVE MATTERED MUCH IF IT HADN'T EVER BEEN DISCOVERED THE STORY GIRL SCATTERED HER ROSES AROUND HER ON THE GRASS AND CLASPED HER SLIM HANDS OVER HER KNEES GAZING DREAMILY AFAR AT THE TINTED SKY BETWEEN THE APPLE TREES AS IF SHE WERE LOOKING BACK TO THE MERRY DAYS OF THE WORLD'S GAY YOUTH SHE BEGAN HER VOICE GIVING TO THE WORDS AND FANCIES OF THE OLD TALE THE DELICACY OF HOAR FROST AND THE CRYSTAL SPARKLE OF DEW FROM THE WALK WE WENT TO THE PULPIT STONE A HUGE GRAY BOULDER AS HIGH AS A MAN'S HEAD IN THE SOUTH EASTERN CORNER IT WAS STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH IN FRONT BUT SLOPED DOWN IN NATURAL STEPS BEHIND WITH A LEDGE MIDWAY ON WHICH ONE COULD STAND IT HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE GAMES OF OUR UNCLES AND AUNTS BEING FORTIFIED CASTLE INDIAN AMBUSH THRONE PULPIT OR CONCERT PLATFORM AS OCCASION REQUIRED +19c743e4-8f43-4df8-bfb7-06f6757aa699 MY AUNT JANE WOULDN'T HAVE A BOOK THAT WASN'T GOOD I WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST OF YOU AND LOOK HERE BUT PETER MUST HAVE A CENT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING AND FARMER SEARCHED DAZEDLY FOR A WEAPON ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE SHOUTING THE OLD BOYS HAD BUILT WELL HIS SPIES WERE GETTING MORE EFFICIENT EVERY DAY HE THREW THE MARK THREE FILE AT ME AND WENT BACK TO SCRATCHING IN HIS PAPERS HE SHOOK HIS HEAD AT ONCE AND SAID AND I COULDN'T BE BLAMED IF THE GIRL HAD SLIPPED AWAY A STORESHIP DOCKED THERE TWENTY HOURS BEFORE THE ATTACK +19e05a9e-f8de-4cee-8951-76353df59b55 BRANDON THE COLONEL'S GLARING FACE FLICKED OFF AS BRANDON PUSHED THE PRE EJECTION LEVER INTO THE LOCK POSITION SEVERING ALL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE SHIP AND THE PILOT'S CAPSULE BRANDON HAD A STRANGE DETACHED FEELING AS HE PUSHED THE EJECTION BUTTON THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE PILOT'S CAPSULE SHOT UP LIKE A WET BAR OF SILK SQUEEZED OUT OF A GIANT'S HAND THE STARS BY LARRY SHOP YES EARTH MAY BE A SORT OF FENCED OFF AREA SO FAR AS OTHER INTELLIGENT RACES OF THE GALAXY ARE CONCERNED BUT NOT FOR THE GRANDEROUSSE REASONS THAT SOME HAVE IMAGINED HE HAD TALKED SO MUCH TO US ABOUT IT AND DESCRIBED ITS SCENES SO OFTEN AND SO MINUTELY THAT HE HAD INSPIRED US WITH SOME OF HIS OWN DEEP SEATED AFFECTION FOR IT AN AFFECTION THAT HAD NEVER WANED IN ALL HIS YEARS OF EXILE WE HAD A VAGUE FEELING THAT WE SOMEHOW BELONGED THERE IN THAT CRADLE OF OUR FAMILY THOUGH WE HAD NEVER SEEN IT JEFF GOT UP SHAKILY AND STUMBLED TO THE DOCK'S EDGE A CHILL CONVICTION OF INSANITY GRIPPED HIM WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN ON WATER LAPPING SMOOTH AND UNDISTURBED BELOW I'VE GOTTEN MAD HE SAID ALOUD OUT ON THE BAY ANOTHER CATASTROPHE JUST AS IMPROBABLE WAS IN PROGRESS +19f17d9d-3b11-43de-a00a-b61575805410 LET'S ALL GO DOWN TO THE RAY GATE AND HOLLER TO JUDY PIANO UNTIL SHE COMES OUT SUGGESTED FELIX ACCORDINGLY WE WENT AND HOLLERED WITH A RIGHT GOOD WILL WE WERE MUCH TAKEN ABACK TO FIND THAT MISSUS RAY CAME TO THE GATE INSTEAD OF JUDY AND RATHER SOURLY DEMANDED WHAT WE WERE YELLING ABOUT YONAS SHOOK HIS HEAD THERE IS HELP HE SAID AND YOU WILL FIND IT YOUR SON IS GONE ACCUSED QUESTIONED CONFESSED AND BURNT BUT THERE WILL BE NO MORE SHARP LOOKED AT HIM FOR A LONG TIME ARE YOU REALLY MY GOLD FRIEND THE SCARECROW ASKED THE BIRD IN A SWEET LOW VOICE THERE CRIED MISSUS U THAT'S THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD SPOKEN SINCE SHE WAS TRANSFORMED IT MIGHT BUT I'D JUST AS SOON PEG BOWEN DIDN'T LOOK AT MY COWS SAID PETER HAVING DISCOVERED HOW TO PRODUCE EXCITING DREAMS WE ALL PROMPTLY FOLLOWED THE EXAMPLE OF PETER AND THE STORY GIRL +1a2dd469-1509-4e9a-9062-cf8e99f3c08e FELICITY THOUGHTFUL CREATURE ALSO TOOK A SMALL BASKETFUL OF JELLY COOKIES ALONG WITH HER WE HAD TO GO BACK THROUGH THE MAPLE WOODS TO THE EXTREME END OF UNCLE ROGER'S FARM A PRETTY WALK THROUGH A WORLD OF GREEN WHISPERING BOUGHS AND SPICED SWEET FERNS AND SHIFTING PATCHES OF SUNLIGHT NOW SARA HAD ALWAYS COVETED THIS PARTICULAR JUG SHE STOPPED CRYING LONG ENOUGH TO CLUTCH IT DELIGHTEDLY OH CICELY THANK YOU BUT ARE YOU SURE YOU WON'T WANT IT BACK IF TO MORROW ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY NO IT'S YOURS FOR GOOD SAID CICELY WITH THE HIGH REMOTE AIR OF ONE TO FORGET ME NOT JUGS IN ALL SUCH PUMPS AND VANITIES OF THE WORLD WERE AS A TALE THAT IS TOLD WHY NOT DEMANDED THE EMPEROR BECAUSE IT WAS UNKIND OF YOU TO DESERT THE GIRL WHO LOVED YOU AND WHO HAD BEEN FAITHFUL AND TRUE TO YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN TROUBLE WHICH WASN'T STRICTLY TRUE THE BIG EARTH MAN WAS CUTE SHE THOUGHT AND IT WAS QUAINT OF HIM TO BE IN LOVE WITH HER AND TO TELL HER SO EVERY DAY OVER THE RADIO BELT INTO THE ROBOT NONIPUS +1a5c2239-009a-47a3-8dc0-3c7ea9ed411c THE STORY GIRL BEGAN IT GLIBLY BUT BEFORE SHE HAD GONE FAR WITH IT I WHO WAS SITTING BESIDE HER FELT AN UNACCOUNTABLE REPULSION CREEPING OVER ME FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I HAD KNOWN HER I WANTED TO DRAW AWAY FROM THE STORY GIRL CIRIUS WAS TURNING THE SKY TO GREY TRIMMING A FEW SCATTERED CLOUDS WITH GOLD AS HE STARED AT THE SKY CIUS ROSE WITH A BRASSY GLARE NEAR IT HE COULD SEE ITS WHITE HOT DWARF STAR COMPANION IT WAS GOING TO BE A REAL SCORCHER HE DECIDED WORSE THAN ANY DESERT ON EARTH HE SAT UP STIFFLY INVOLUNTARILY HE TOOK A BACKWARD STEP CAUGHT HIS HEEL ON A SUN WARPED BOARD AND SAT DOWN HEAVILY WELL WHAT THE DEVIL HE SAID INANELY THE OWL WINCED AND DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A SOUND THERE WAS A GENERAL UNKEMPT STRAGGLING LOOK ABOUT HIM LOUIS ORNE JUNIOR I A FIELD MAN WITH A MAIDEN DIPLOMA STOOD AT THE OPPOSITE PORT STUDYING THE JUNGLE HORIZON +1a64b1a4-8f26-4069-a323-8a29e29bedc8 THOUGH IT RARELY EVER OCCURRED TO HIM AS HE CONSIDERED EACH INDIVIDUAL IRRITANT NOW FARMER WASN'T MUCH OF AN EDITOR EVEN AS EDITORS GO SOMETHING ELSE BREAKING THE SURFACE OF THE WATER AS IT EMERGED I JUST GROWLED BUT IT WAS ENOUGH A LIGHT BLINKED AS THE SCANNER IN THE CABIN TURNED OFF AND THE ONE IN THE GENERATOR ROOM CAME ON WE DON'T NEED THE DORN WE I MUST KILL YOU NOW HORN'S FOOT RESTED ON THE AIR SLED CONTROL PEDAL WASH IT WITH MOLTEN ROCK UNCLE EDWARD PREACHED HIS FINEST SERMON ABOUT THE BETHLEHEM WELL WHERE DAVID'S SOLDIERS WENT TO GET HIM WATER +1a67408a-ed51-40b1-95d2-e6de38d01faa THEY HAD BEEN THERE WHEN GREAT GRANDFATHER KING BOUGHT THE PLACE I HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM ELSEWHERE OR FOUND THEM DESCRIBED IN ANY FLORAL CATALOGUE THE REST OF US ATE OUR APPLES OR CARRIED THEM TO SCHOOL WHERE WE BARTERED THEM FOR SUCH TREASURES AS OUR SCHOOLMATES POSSESSED AND WE COVETED JUST AHEAD OF HIM JONIFER CAUGHT AN ERECT FIN SPINE AND CLUNG WITH BOTH ARMS HANG ON WE'RE GOING THE SCOOP CONTRACTED ITSELF WITH A SUDDENNESS THAT YANKED THEM YARDS FROM THE COTTAGE AND ALL BUT DISLODGED JEFF AND WHATEVER OF WHOM EVER SHE WAS SHE HAD MANAGED TO KEEP OUT OF MY WAY PETE VIC WAS WHISPERING EXCITEDLY IN MY EAR LISTEN PETE I THINK I SEE THROUGH THIS THESE PRIESTS HAVE HEARD ABOUT US AND OUR DEATH DEALING ABILITY THEY'RE JEALOUS THEY WANT A CORNER ON THAT +1a6b1d0a-01ad-45fb-b340-842498cdc16d NO WE HAVE COME TO ASK A FAVOR OF YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL HE PERSUADED NANCY TO GO WITH HIM TO VISIT SOME FRIENDS AT ANOTHER SETTLEMENT THE NOSE AS A MATTER OF STRICT TRUTH WAS HARD TO DISTINGUISH FROM THE OTHER CONTUSIONS SWELLINGS AND MARKS THAT COVERED THE HEAD I KNOW HEAVEN MUST BE A SPLENDID PLACE BUT I'M SURE PETER WOULD RATHER BE HERE HAVING FUN WITH US TO ALL WHO TASTE OF IT SHALL IMMORTALITY BE GIVEN CHILDREN ALWAYS GO TO HEAVEN SHE DECLARED TO ME AFTERWARDS THAT NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THE STORY GIRL TOLD THE STORY IT ALWAYS SEEMED AS NEW AND EXCITING AS IF YOU HAD JUST HEARD IT FOR THE FIRST TIME +1a77cff6-a6a1-462a-a671-65adf144b0f3 INSTEAD WE RESORTED TO THE SPRUCE WOOD I ASKED HIM THAT SOON AS EVER HE TOLD ME SAID FELIX LET'S ALL GO DOWN TO THE RAY GATE AND HOLLER TO JUDY PIANO UNTIL SHE COMES OUT SUGGESTED FELIX ECILY INDEED SEEMED TO HAVE THE MOST DECIDED TALENT FOR DRAMATIC DREAMS THE BLUE CHINA CANDLESTICK ONLY IT WAS BRASS IN THE DREAM BLINDLY THE MULTITUDE SURGED TOWARDS THE SCARLET RAY THAT DEALT DEATH FIGHTING THEIR WAY TOWARD THE OBLIVION THEY SO HIGHLY PRIZED I THINK SO IT'S NOT SO FAR AND WE'RE NEARLY OUT OF THE CITY WE HAVE TO MAKE IT IT DID NOT LOOK TO ME JUST RIGHT FOR A SON IN FACT EVERYTHING LOOKED UNCANNY I WISHED OUR ERRAND WAS WELL OVER +1a84d8df-37d3-4cbd-b32f-f3ede7813a95 IF I PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER IT WILL BE TOO LATE I'M GROWING SO FAST AUNT OLIVIA SAYS I'LL HAVE TO WEAR ANKLE SKIRTS NEXT SUMMER IF I BEGIN TO LOOK GROWN UP HE'LL GET FRIGHTENED OF ME AND THEN I'LL NEVER FIND OUT THE GOLDEN MILESTONE MYSTERY I WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THE STORY GIRL HONESTLY WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF I TOOK A WHIP AND WHIPPED MY BARE SHOULDERS TILL THE BLOOD CAME DEMANDED THE STORY GIRL AGGRIEVED ONE DOUBTFUL TYPE RAISED A SPEAR BUT NO ONE ELSE TRIED THAT AFTER THE PTERODACTYL EYE PICKED HIM UP AND DROPPED HIM IN THE SWAMP I COULD ALMOST HEAR THE WHEELS TURNING BEHIND THAT MOSS COVERED FOREHEAD AND BY THE TIME AUNT JANET CAME IN WE WERE ALL IN OUR RESPECTIVE BEDS SHINING IN MEMORY WITH A SOFT GLOW OF BEAUTY +1aba5233-ed83-44d3-9af6-ddf9394cb9aa I WOULDN'T GO NEAR HER AGAIN FOR A BUSHEL OF MAGIC SEED MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS IT NEVER BELONGED TO JASPER DALE'S MOTHER FOR SHE THOUGHT IT A SIN TO WEAR ANYTHING BUT PRINT AND DRUGGET FELIX CAME TEARING UP THE LANE WITH A NEWSPAPER IN HIS HAND ONLY IF TO MORROW IS THE LAST DAY THE CHERRY VARNS WON'T BE MUCH USE TO YOU SHE'S SACRIFICED HER DEAR FORGET ME NOT JUG TO SATISFY SOME PANG OF CONSCIENCE OR PROPITIATE SOME THREATENING FATE BUT SURRENDER HER PRECIOUS SHERRY VASE SHE COULD NOT AND WOULD NOT THAT WAS HOW I LEARNED THE MAGIC POWER OF THE APRON SAID THE SCARECROW WHO SEEMED VERY INTELLIGENT FOR A STRAW MAN I EVEN HOOKED A GADGET TO THE WATER PIPE SO THEIR HOLY WATERS WOULD HAVE THE USUAL REFRESHING RADIOACTIVITY WHEN THEY STARTED FLOWING AGAIN +1adcb600-c0cd-4b50-9c05-7ed4275ca5f6 THERE IS NO DANGER CHAFFY THREE ASSURED HIM SCOOPS ARE BENEVOLENT AS WELL AS INTELLIGENT AND ARRIVED LONG AGO AT A WORKING AGREEMENT WITH THE ISLANDERS THIS ONE HAS PRODUCED A CRYSTAL AND IS READY TO BE RELIEVED OF IT ELSE IT WOULD NOT HAVE ATTACHED ITSELF TO A CONVENIENT HUMAN OFF TO THE RIGHT WAS A DIM BRANCHING PLACE WHICH WE KNEW WAS THE ORCHARD AND ON OUR LEFT AMONG SIBILANT SPRUCES AND FIRS WAS THE OLD WHITEWASHED HOUSE FROM WHICH PRESENTLY A LIGHT GLEAMED THROUGH AN OPEN DOOR AND AUNT JANET A BIG BUSTLING SAUCY WOMAN WITH FULL BLOWN PEONY CHEEKS CAME TO WELCOME US SHE IS A MULE THEREFORE HER FATHER WAS A JACK THEREFORE HIS FATHER WAS ALSO A JACK A DONKEY IT COULD NOT BE ANY OTHER WAY MANOEL OFTEN WONDERED ABOUT THAT FOR HE HAD RAISED THE WHOLE STRAIN OF ANIMALS AND HE REMEMBERED WHO HAD BEEN WITH WHOM HE WASN'T SURE WHETHER OR NOT ANY ONE WAS WATCHING HIM THAT TIME BUT SOON AND LATER IT STILL HAD TO HAPPEN AND IT HAPPENED AS THE ONISTS SUSPECTED IT WOULD THROUGH THE WIFE MISSUS SHARP CAME BACK TO THE HUT EARLY ONE DAY THROUGH A FRIGHTENED GLANCE AT YONAH SITTING IN A CORNER DOING NOTHING AT ALL AND LEFT HE HARDLY NEEDED TO SEE INTO HER MIND TO KNOW WHERE SHE WAS GOING AND TWENTY MINUTES LATER TWO MEN CAME TO THE HUT THEY STOOD IN THE OPEN DOORWAY MISSUS SHARP BEHIND THEM TWITTERING LIKE AN ANCIENT BIRD AND YONAS WATCHED THEM BOREDLY +1b03ad0d-86be-4c59-b7bb-736173d6a658 AND THEN THE STRONG PREY UPON EACH OTHER ASKED THORN A NEVER BEFORE BUT WE'VE SOMETHING ELSE ON OUR MINDS IT'S THE ONE ITEM THAT MAKES ME WANT TO BLOT OUT THIS PLACE LONG LONG AGO IN THE GOLDEN AGE WHEN THE GODS USED TO VISIT THE EARTH SO OFTEN THAT IT WAS NOTHING UNCOMMON TO SEE THEM WILT THOU NOT KEEP THAT PROMISE AND MARGARET FELT THAT SHE COULD NEVER LET HIM GO I AUNT OLIVIA AND I PLANTED SWEET PEAS YESTERDAY SAID THE STORY GIRL IF YOU HADN'T WOKE UP YOU'D HAVE DIED SAID PETER WITH A DARK SIGNIFICANCE THESE WERE NOT VIC AND HOPE BEFORE ME THEY WERE UNREAL CREATURES LIKE THE BEINGS WHICH HAD CAPTURED ME +1b4a5c4d-64df-4c22-a6f0-50118e6ea001 WE WERE ALL OF US TOO TIRED THOSE NIGHTS TO DO ANY SPECIAL PRAYING THE STORY GIRL WRUNG HER BROWN HANDS TOGETHER WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT THE AIR OF SERIOUS THREE IS BREATHABLE NOT AT ALL NOT AT ALL THE BULKHEAD DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND TOWERS POKED HIS HEAD THROUGH IF THE ENGINE ROOM SPECKS ARE CHANGED SLIGHTLY TO INCLUDE THIS CARGO HOLD THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE BRUTES NEEDED DAN LIKE PETER WRITES LYING DOWN FLAT BUT WITH HIS BACK TOWARDS US +1b5745fe-6d5b-4316-942b-37ab72af8302 HE CAN NEVER HELP THAT YOU KNOW HE WOULD THINK IT A GREAT JOKE TO FRIGHTEN US LIKE THAT IT'S REALLY DREADFUL TO HAVE NO GROWN UPS YOU CAN DEPEND UPON WE COULD DEPEND ON FATHER IF HE WAS HERE SAID DAN STOUTLY HE'D TELL US THE TRUTH HE WOULD TELL US WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS TRUE DAN BUT HE COULDN'T KNOW BEVERLY IS HANDSOME BUT FELIX IS TOO FAT ANSWERED FELICITY PROMPTLY I HAD A LETTER TO DAY FROM UNCLE ARTHUR IN WINNIPEG AND HE SENT ME THREE DOLLARS WIZARD NO YONIST SAID THE CONFUSION HE WAS BROADCASTING KEPT THE MEN FROM DOING ANYTHING THAT REQUIRED EVEN A SIMPLE PLAN BUT HE COULDN'T KEEP IT UP FOR LONG +1b6124c3-44f2-4088-92cb-1a32aed2e0a4 HAPPY WHAT'S THAT DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPINESS IS INQUIRED THE TIN WOODMAN I HAVEN'T THE FAINTEST IDEA WHETHER IT'S ROUND OR SQUARE OR BLACK OR WHITE OR WHAT IT IS AND IF YOU WILL PARDON MY LACK OF INTEREST IN IT I WILL SAY THAT I DON'T CARE AS HE TALKED A PICTURE FLICKERED ON THE SCREEN IT WAS THE RADIO ROOM ON ASTRO WON COLONEL TOWERS WAS PACING BACK AND FORTH IN FRONT OF THE RADIO MAN YOU COULD START BY TEACHING US HOW YOU MAKE SUPERIOR GLASS SAID ORAN I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU SEE THINGS OUR WAY WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME DOWN HERE AND CLEAN YOU OUT IT'D BE ASHAMED TO HAVE TO BLAST THAT CITY INTO LITTLE PIECES HIS SOUL THRILLED WITH RAPTURE AT THE THOUGHT THAT HE AND SHE TOGETHER SHOULD DRINK FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF IMMORTALITY AS ODIN HAD PROMISED AND BE WON THEREAFTER IN ETERNAL YOUTH +1b620dd5-a988-403a-a93a-21cc9c0b85fa UNTIL HE BROUGHT UP AGAINST THE RAIL HE WAS ALMOST ALWAYS UNCOMFORTABLE NEITHER OF THE ALIENS MOVED WE'D HAVE TO GIVE HIM THE RIGHT KIND OF FUNERAL SHE'S DEAD SAID PETER REBUKINGLY UNCLE ROGER WAS AS WE HAD BEEN INFORMED QUITE JOLLY AND FOND OF TEASING WHY CAN'T BE THE JUDGMENT DAY SAID SARA RAY BRIGHTENING UP AND SOMEHOW IT COMFORTED US QUITE RIGHT MY FRIEND AGREED THE SCARECROW SO WE WHO GLADLY SERVE HIM THE LACE ONE WHICH THE GIANTESS ALWAYS WEARS I +1b896e80-3dc9-4e18-835f-e71438c01f4b OVER THE DOOR BUT WE KNEW THAT MISTER EUP IS A PRISONER IN A CAGE IN A FAR OFF I SHALL BE ABLE TO AMUSE MYSELF IN MY OWN WAY A IT WAS FURNISHED WITH SQUARE BOX PEWS AND I WANTED TO LAUGH AND THEN MISTER FRUUEN COME AND I THOUGHT OF HER STORY ABOUT HIS SIDE WHISKERS HOW WHEN HIS FIRST WIFE DIED OF INFORMATION OF THE LUNGS HE WENT COURTING CELIA WARD AND CELIA TOLD HIM SHE WOULDN'T MARRY HIM UNLESS HE SHAVED THEM WHISKERS OFF I SAW VERY TALL BUILDINGS YOU HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT WE ARE NOT MUTATED MEMBERS OF YOUR RACE I'VE GOT A CONFIRMED CONTACT AT LEAST I HAD DONE NOTHING LIKE BUTCHERING A FEW OF THEM THAT WOULD MAKE THEM ANTAGONISTIC TOWARD FUTURE ANCESTRAL MESSENGERS +1b8f7ca9-dabc-4b34-a96b-d8580043ab19 I'M NEVER GOING TO GET MARRIED I THINK IT'S JUST HORRID SO THERE I IF ONLY WE KNEW WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH HIM WE MIGHT DO SOMETHING SOBBED THE STORY GIRL STROKING HER POOR PET'S UNRESPONSIVE HEAD MY ONLY GOOD POINTS ARE MY HAIR AND EYES AND FEET HE WENT AND ATE MORE OF THE BAD BERRIES A WHOLE LOT OF THEM AND WE WERE SURE HE'D BE SICK AGAIN BUT HE HASN'T BEEN YET AND NOW HE'S ASLEEP THE PARADE OF UNIFORMS AND GUNS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HAD HIM FRIGHTENED INTO A STATE WHERE HE COULD HARDLY WALK YOU CAN'T RUN A BIG CON BLOW SAVES OR MAKE BOMMERDECKS WITH IT THERE IS SOME TRUTH IN THAT MY FRIEND REMARKED THE BROWN BEAR WHERE THE INHABITANTS WERE SOMEWHAT RUDE AND UNCIVILIZED +1bb12875-b745-4b55-a978-17c870ae157f THE RED LIGHT ABOVE THE SPEAKER GRID BEGAN BLINKING HE WAS PLAGUED BY THE VAGUE SLOW MOTION FLOATING SENSATION WE WERE VERY HUNGRY BOYS AND WHEN WE HAD EATEN ALL WE COULD AND OH WHAT SUPPERS AUNT JANET ALWAYS SPREAD HER LARGE CURVING MOUTH WAS AS RED AS A POPPY AND SHE HAD BRILLIANT ALMOND SHAPED HAZEL EYES NO SHE WAS NOT PRETTY WE WENT AWAY LEAVING DAN SITTING ON THE DOOR SILL READING HIS BOOK AND JIMMIE P SNOOZING BLISSFULLY ON THE SOFA +1bba5788-5e1a-4d69-8d6d-880f9cd6dbec I'LL GO SAID CECILY NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS SUCH AN INTERESTING BOOK AT BREAKFAST OUR APPETITES WERE POOR I LIFTED IT FROM THE TREASURY THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WATER WAS RUNNING AGAIN MY EYES HAD BEEN DULY BURNED OUT HE COULDN'T FIND THE CAPSULE PARTS WERE STREWN ALONG THE BOTTOM OH NO OF COURSE NOT WE SURE DON'T KNOW THAT IT WAS NOT HIS FAULT EVERYBODY IN THE SANTA MAGNOLENA SEE THEM +1bc34928-535a-463b-8c4b-5ca99c879503 NOW SAID DAN I'LL COUNT AND WHEN I SAY THREE YOU PITCH IN AND HAMMER EACH OTHER UNTIL ONE OR TWO OF YOU HAS HAD ENOUGH CECILY KEEP QUIET NOW ONE TWO THREE THE SURGICAL SCARS ON HIS NECK WHERE THE MICRO COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSERTED ITCHED MADDENINGLY HE SCRATCHED ONCE UPON A TIME THE STORY GIRL'S EYES GREW DREAMY AND HER ACCENTS FLOATED AWAY ON THE SUMMER AIR LIKE A WIND BLOWN ROSE PETALS THERE WAS A PRINCESS WHO WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS IN THE WORLD AND KINGS FROM ALL LANDS CAME TO WOO HER FOR A BRIDE WELL YOU KNOW EVERY ONE HAS TO EAT A PECK OF DIRT IN HIS LIFE GIGGLED FELICITY +1be281f4-15b9-4c4c-8037-b00e59e10195 ALSO LUKE HAD TO TELL HIS STORY WHICH WAS VERY SIMPLE AND DID NOT TAKE LONG AUNT JANET WON'T LET ME PUT PEBBLES IN MY SHOES BUT I'D PUT A THISTLE NEXT MY SKIN ON MY BACK AND IT STICKS INTO ME IF I LEAN BACK THE LEAST BIT FELICITY CALLED AFTER HER TO TELL DAN THERE WAS A JAM TURN OVER WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH MY SERMON I ASKED DAN THAT NIGHT SINCE HE WAS NEITHER JUDGE NOR COMPETITOR I COULD DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH HIM I PUT THE HAT IN ONE THE BRIEF CASE IN ANOTHER AND SNAPPED MY FINGERS THE DRAWERS SLID SHUT AND ITS METAL HIDE WAS AS SMOOTH AS EVER +1bfdaaa8-baa6-4038-8717-7524eb7dea1e MAYBE THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT BUT IT DIDN'T INSTEAD HE FELT THE SURGING RUMBLE DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE SHIP LUMINOUS NEEDLES DANCED AND A SECOND RED LIGHT FLASHED ON HE SNAPPED THE VITIO SWITCH AND DEPRESSED THE MIKE BUTTON ASTRO ONE THIS IS BRANDON OVER A STEADY CRACKLING SOUND FILLED HIS EAR PHONES A GRID OF LIGHT AND SHADOW FLUTTERED ON THE SCREEN A THOUGHT ENTERED HIS MIND MAYBE HE HAD PUT TOO MUCH PLANET CURVATURE BETWEEN ASTRO AND HIMSELF YOU YOU AND VIC YOU AREN'T REAL TO ME EITHER WE'RE JUST SHADOWS LOST SOULS LOOK UP HOPE VIC'S VOICE WAS KINDLY YET FIRM AND GRAVELY COMMANDING WE'RE ALL RIGHT ONLY TEMPORARILY WE'RE IN FROM MEDIUMS SIT DOWN PETE AND LET'S TALK IT MAY BE THAT THERE'S NO TIME TO LOSE IN MAKING SOME PLANS FIRST OF ALL I INSISTED TELL ME WHERE WE ARE WHAT'S HAPPENED TO US DO YOU KNOW ALL DAY LONG WHILE YOU ARE CHOPPING WOOD IN THE FOREST I SHALL BE ABLE TO AMUSE MYSELF IN MY OWN WAY A PRIVILEGE FEW WIVES ENJOY THERE IS NO TEMPER IN YOUR NEW HEAD SO YOU WILL NOT GET ANGRY WITH ME FINALLY I SHALL TAKE PRIDE IN BEING THE WIFE OF THE ONLY LIFE TIN WOODMAN IN ALL THE WORLD WHICH SHOWS THAT NIMI AMMY WAS AS WISE AS SHE WAS BRAVE AND BEAUTIFUL THINK OF ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS WE'D APPROACH THE SAME PROBLEMS BELIEVER THAT UD GIVE US FOR YOU SOUND LIKE A UNILACTICAL LECTURE ARE YOU THROUGH MARCHING ARM IN ARM INTO THE MISTY FUTURE HORN TOOK A BREATH WHY'S A FRESHMAN LIKE ME BEING TOSSED INTO THIS DISH +1c02ce64-44a4-4190-9868-ed1f9d2edc1b PEOPLE TOOK IT RIGHT HERE ON THE ISLAND IF IT WAS A HARD JOURNEY FOR A MAN IT WAS HARDER STILL FOR A WOMAN BUT MARGARET WOULD HAVE DARED ANYTHING FOR ALLAN'S SAKE I SUPPOSE IF PETER THERE IT WAS IN TRUTH AND BOTH FELIX AND I FELT THAT WE WERE GOING TO LIKE DAN THERE WASN'T MUCH OF A GLOW TO IT NOW CURSE THIS TULLIT HUCKY AMUSEMENT FLICKERED ACROSS THE DOCTOR'S FACE THEN TURNED SMOOTHLY INTO A REASSURING HALF SMILE MANOEL HAD ONCE TOLD MISSA MARSHALL ABOUT THIS YOU GOT A MILLION NAMES IN YOUR HAND IT ISN'T WORDS THAT I WANT FROM YOU +1c0d8b49-c9dd-4a9a-8d46-fb51b4cf461d THERMO COUPLES GALVANOMATORS AND AS FIERCE A SCOW AS I COULD RAISE SMEARED ACROSS MY FACE I MIGHT BE WRONG ON SOME OF THE MINOR DETAILS THEY WEREN'T IMPORTANT JEFF DUCKED AND STRAINED HIS WEIGHT AGAINST THE BUNK HE WAS ABOUT TO SEND OUT AN E I PATROL SHIP TO TAKE OVER HERE IN THE ISLANDS JEFF SAID HIS FEATHERS RATTLING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER WITH A TINKLING SOUND AS HE MOVED A LITTLE GIRL WHO HAPPENED TO BE IN A HOUSE WHEN IT WAS CARRIED BY A CYCLONE THE NAME OF GOD I CAN SAY THAT NAME YUNUS TOLD THE INQUISITOR NO WIZARD MAY SAY IT +1c177b01-aa14-4dac-af09-4a8db8e99e09 AND DON'T GET ME FANCY IDEAS ABOUT JUMPING YOUR CONTRACT WAMPUM TYPE SHELLS THE FIRST ONE THAT SPOTTED ME SCREAMED AND DROPPED OVER ON HIS BACK IT IS SUFFICIENT TO SAY THAT THE RAY WILL WORK BECAUSE BEING ALONG AT SEA IN A RICKETY CRAFT WITH A POSSIBLE MADMAN HAD BEEN BAD ENOUGH THE ISLAND SUITED THE CHAFFEE'S PURPOSE ADMIRABLY MEMORY LENT JONAPHER A SUDDEN VITALITY THAT NEARLY LEFT JEFF BEHIND IN THEIR DASH FOR THE COTTAGE UP THE BEACH DON'T TALK SILLY NONSENSE DAN STAND ON THE PULPIT STONE WE RECOGNIZED IT AT ONCE +1c22169e-a84a-4e5a-ba31-80af02dbb7f6 ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS STANDING THERE ON THE DECK BESIDE ME RIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE SO THAT'S WHY YOUR SAILS BELLIED BACKWARD WHEN YOU CAME INTO HARBOR WE HAVE SUCH A LOVELY MINISTER PETER HE LOOKS JUST LIKE THE PICTURE OF SAINT JOHN MY FATHER SENT ME BUT SHE TREMBLED AND TURNED PALE FOR THERE WAS SOMETHING IN HIS VOICE THAT FRIGHTENED HER THE DEVELOPMENT TOOK FARMER COMPLETELY UNAWARES IT'S A GOOD THING I NOTICED THE GATE WAS OPEN IT WAS JUDGE GREY WHO HAD DISARMED HIM OVER WHICH LITTLE GREEN LEAVES WERE SCATTERED SHE HAD WANTED TO WEAR HER SECOND BEST DRESS BUT AUNT JANET HAD DECREED THAT HER SCHOOL CLOTHES WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO GO TRAIPSING ABOUT IN THE DUST +1c6f1b7b-9d30-4fbe-8b03-7c721857faa4 HE SEEMED TO BE A CAT WITH A TOLERABLY GOOD OPINION OF HIMSELF AND HIS RESPONSE TO OUR ADVANCES WAS SLIGHTLY TINGED WITH CONDESCENSION THIS ISN'T TOPSY IS IT I ASKED I KNEW AT ONCE THAT THE QUESTION WAS A FOOLISH ONE TOPSY THE CAT OF WHICH FATHER HAD TALKED HAD FLOURISHED THIRTY YEARS BEFORE AND ALL HER NINE LIVES COULD SCARCELY HAVE LASTED SO LONG WE STETSON'S VOICE INTERRUPTED HIM GOT IT ORNE THEY CAUGHT THE DELPHINIS ON THE GROUND RIGHT WHERE YOU SAID IT'D BE BLEW THE TUBES OFF IT MURRAIN'S NOW MOPPING UP IT'S LIKE THIS SAID HORN WE ALREADY HAVE RECAPTURED THE DELPHINIS TO NUBES'S EYES WENT INSTINCTIVELY SKYWARD SARA RAY'S OWN DREAMS NEVER AMOUNTED TO MUCH SHE WAS ALWAYS IN TROUBLE OF SOME SORT COULDN'T GET HER HAIR BRAIDED OR HER SHOES ON THE RIGHT FEET CONSEQUENTLY HER DREAM BOOK WAS VERY MONOTONOUS WHY YES HE SAID HOW DID YOU KNOW THE NORMAL TREADY WAS CHANGED AROUND CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF UNNECESSARY TROUBLE THE COLD SWEAT WAS NOW A RUNNING RIVER OF FEAR I WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE THE FEELING THAT I HAD BEEN MISSING THE BOAT ALL ALONG THE LINE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATED DATE OF THE COMPLETION WAS NEARLY A YEAR AWAY +1c99f0ed-d3a6-4fe6-bb6e-a44c36f93a60 YET ALL THIS WAS DONE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO FIX IT ON WHAT I HAVE TO TELL YOU YONAH SAID SHIFTING HIS FEET AGAIN THEY CEASED AND ALL HEAVEN WAS HUSHED THROUGH THE SILENT SOUNDS OF THE VOICE OF ALMIGHTY NAY HE SAID WHATSOEVER IN MY UNIVERSE TRUE LOVE HAVE BUILT NOT EVEN THE ALMIGHTY CAN DESTROY THE BRIDGE MUST STAND FOREVER NONSENSE SAID FELICITY BUT HER VOICE SHOOK THERE ISN'T A BELL IN THIS HOUSE TO RING YOU MUST HAVE IMAGINED IT PETER OR ELSE UNCLE ROGER IS TRYING TO FOOL US I DREAMED LAST NIGHT THAT WE OPENED THE BLUE CHEST SAID THE STORY GIRL AND ALL THE THINGS WERE THERE THE BLUE CHINA CANDLESTICK ONLY IT WAS BRASS IN THE DREAM AND THE FRUIT BASKET WITH THE APPLE ON IT AND THE WEDDING DRESS AND THE EMBROIDERED PETTICOAT +1ca1e909-9fcc-440e-9921-be5a9b26eb82 PRACTICALLY CHARTELING HOW I WISH THAT WERE ALL IT TOOK I WOULD HAVE A FLEET OF PART SHIPS SELF CONTAINED OXYGEN SUPPLY SHE LOOKED AT THE LIMP DIVING SUITED BODY BESIDE HER THE SALTY BREEZE TURNED COLDER IT IS NOT VANITY TO KNOW YOUR OWN GOOD POINTS ONE TIME A FRIEND OF HIS WAS TRYING TO CONSOLE HIM AND SAID TO HIM AND CONTINUED ON TOWARD THE BURNING SHIP HE WATCHED FOR A WHILE BUT SAW NO MORE FLARES BRANDON SWORE AND SNAPPED OFF THE SET +1cac27f6-8fad-48d0-a5ec-c68baeb0cf8f FIFTEEN OF US HAVE DEVELOPED IT THE GUARDS BROUGHT HIM TO THE CENTRE OF THE ROOM THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR YOUR DISCLOSURE I FOUND THIS ON THE FLOOR OF THE MACHINE HE SAID GOES PETE GRAHAM IN SEARCH OF HIS HAPLESS FRIENDS LIKE A STALK WITH A SINGLE DROOPING FLOWER THE TASK YOU PROPOSE IS NOT SO EASY AS YOU MAY SUPPOSE I AM NOW GOING TO BED AND IN THE MORNING I WILL GIVE YOU ALL NEW FORMS AND THERE SHE BOUGHT OUR DREAM BOOKS BUT SHE GENEROUSLY GAVE US ALL ONE APIECE FOR THE COVERS OF OUR DREAM BOOKS +1cac5893-6d1d-4500-ad4c-7ace95f5ca1e A VICIOUS CANTHORIAN CREDITOR COMBING THE ISLAND AT THIS MOMENT FOR PREY THEY BROUGHT IT ASHORE TO HELP US OUT OF THE CABIN PETER SIDLED UP TO HER I SUPPOSE IT WILL DO WON'T IT WELL WE COULD HAVE A JOLLY FUNERAL YOU KNOW THE METERS AND INDICATORS LOOKED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE IF ANYTHING UNEXPECTEDLY BRIGHT FROM CONSTANT POLISHING FOR ONE THING THE WHOLE HOUSE MUST BE PUT IN APPLE PIE ORDER AND FOR ANOTHER AN ELABORATE SUPPER MUST BE PREPARED FOR THE EXPECTED RETURN OF THE TRAVELLERS THAT NIGHT FELICITY DEVOTED HER WHOLE ATTENTION TO THIS +1cc7d1a9-8e9e-41f2-949c-d9dd4020b9b6 UNCLE CHARLEY HAS TALKED ABOUT SETTLING IN THE TOWNSHIP AND STANDING FOR COUNCIL ELECTION CHAFFY THREE SAID TO JENOFY THEN SHE UNFOLDED IT AND HELD IT UP LONG TO HIM SEEMED THAT BITTER AND PERILOUS PASSAGE BUT AT LAST HE WON THROUGH TO THE FURTHEST SIDE LIKE A FLOOD OF LIVING SWEETNESS AND TENDERNESS HE WANTS TO BE FELICITY'S BEAU IN THAT CRADLE OF OUR FAMILY WE ALL LAUGHED BUT FELICITY SOON GREW SOBER SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF IT HE GROANED AND TWISTED AND DOUBLED HIMSELF UP +1ccfc1ba-692b-47b6-b5b9-4114b63acc30 AND I HAD TO LEARN IT AND BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO ITS USE THROUGH ANALYZING WHAT YOU JUST SAID A SMALL WAVE ALMOST MADE HIM SET DOWN ON THE DECK BEFORE HE GOT BOTH FEET PLANTED AGAIN BUT TIMOTHY ROOTS WERE FASHIONABLE THEREFORE TIMOTHY ROOFS MUST BE EATEN UNCLE ROGER WAS ILLIBERAL AND UNCLE ALEC A CONSERVATIVE AND THE GIRLS HELD FAST TO THE POLITICAL TRADITIONS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOUSEHOLDS I HAD ONE IN THE SHIP THAT WAS ABOUT A TENTH THE SIZE OF THE ANCIENT BUCKET OF BOLTS AND PRODUCED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES THE POWER WHEN I SAW THAT SOMETHING CLICKED IN MY MIND DID HE WANT TO RULE A WHOLE PLANET OR MAYBE AN ENTIRE SYSTEM OR MORE HE HAD LONG SINCE GIVEN UP THE ENTIRE OPERATION AS A FUTILE ONE +1cd1eefa-48ff-4db1-a250-6545fdd07fb5 A PARTY OR PARTIES UNKNOWN HAD NEATLY WALKED THE SHIP CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM TO THEIR OWN ENDS THERE WAS NO PICTURE OF THE GIRL WHAT YARN HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING I WE HAD TO GO BACK THROUGH THE MAPLE WOODS TO THE EXTREME END OF UNCLE ROGER'S FARM A PRETTY WALK THROUGH A WORLD OF GREEN WHISPERING BOUGHS AND SPICED SWEET FERNS AND SHIFTING PATCHES OF SUNLIGHT AND CAME UP CHOKING AND SPUTTERING RAY WAS NOT TOO FAR BEHIND FARMER HOLD HIMSELF UPRIGHT HOPING TO APPROACH RAY EXCEPT WHEN I'M HUNGRY THEN I DO LIKE TO GO AND LOOK AT THE NICE LITTLE ROWS OF ONIONS AND BEETS FROM THE ROUGH SIDE OF HER TONGUE +1ce05131-b3fb-4b1a-9793-6bcb6673a01a NOT IF YOU DON'T GO TOO FAR WITH YOUR NONSENSE SHE SAID TOLERANTLY I KNEW THEY WOULDN'T HURT ME SAID LOFTILY IF HE ATTEMPTED TO NEGOTIATE OR THREATEN ANOTHER SHIP THE ELEMENT OF CHANCE WOULD BE INTRODUCED NORMALLY BAD SIGN BUT RIGHT NOW I DIDN'T CARE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS IN THEIR EYES SAID HORN HE STUDIED THE FIGURE THE CITY IS FOR OUR RACE WE MUST BREED AND BE BORN IN THE SUNLIGHT HE STOOD ALONE IN THE ROOM HE TURNED AND WALKED TO THE DOOR BUT HE DID NOT OPEN IT INSTEAD HE LEANED AGAINST IT +1ce42550-bd5a-407c-9dcb-53a73c429deb BUT HOW WILL THAT SETTLE IT ASKED CECILY OH WHOEVER'S LICKED WILL HAVE TO GIVE IN ABOUT PRAYING SAID PETER THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH IF I'M LICKED I WON'T PRAY FOR THAT PARTICULAR THING ANY MORE IT'S DREADFUL TO FIGHT ABOUT ANYTHING SO RELIGIOUS AS PRAYING SIGHED POOR CECILY IF IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY I WANT TO HAVE THE LESSON LEARNED SHE SAID AND IF IT IS I I'LL FEEL I'VE DONE WHAT WAS RIGHT BUT I NEVER FOUND IT SO HARD TO REMEMBER THE GOLDEN TEXT BEFORE WE DID INDEED PRAY MOST SINCERELY FOR PETER'S RECOVERY WE DID NOT AS IN THE CASE OF PADDY TACK IT ON AFTER MORE IMPORTANT THINGS BUT PUT IT IN THE VERY FOREFRONT OF OUR PETITIONS THE ZID UTTERLY OUT OF ITS ELEMENT SCREAMED HIDEOUSLY AND THRESHED WATER TO FROTH ALL ITS EARLIER FEROCITY VANISHED UNDER THE IMMINENT AND UNFAMILIAR THREAT OF DROWNING JEFF SANK AGAIN AND CHURNED DESPERATELY TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM +1d14b250-f999-4be7-8607-7ba6b6f61a44 THE TAIL DRAGGED ME DOWN IN THE REAR THIS WAS THE EARLIEST TYPE OF BEACON EVER BUILT BY EARTH NO LESS MUCH PRESTIGE ATTACHED TO THEM AND MY BLACK DRESS OUTFIT SHOULD WRITE AS HIGHLY AS ANY UNIFORM IN THE GALAXY IT HAD ALL STARTED WITH JUDGE RAY YOU THE INTELLIGENT ONE HE SAID CONNECTING IT TO THE BOAT'S ELECTRICAL GENERATOR OF THE TIN CASTLE WITH GLORIOUS SUNSET HUES AND NOT BECAUSE HE LOVES HER INTEND TO PLEASE MYSELF SHE DECLARED +1d1c4a9d-f507-47ca-b764-86b9d99966fa WELL BESS OLD GIRL HERE WE ARE NOW DONALD FRASER PLUCK UP HEART AND PLAY THE MAN NEVER FLINCH BECAUSE A SLIP OF THE LASS LOOKS SCORNFUL AT YOU OUT OF THE BONNIEST DARK BLUE EYES ON EARTH BUT IN SPITE OF HIS BOLD WORDS DONALD'S HEART WAS THUMPING AS HE DROVE INTO THE SHERMAN YARD INTERESTING THINGS LIKE THIS ALL DID HAPPEN LONG AGO IT SEEMS TO ME THEY NEVER SEEMED TO HAPPEN NOW THIS WAS IN FORTY NINE WHEN PEOPLE WERE RUSHING TO THE GOLD FIELDS IN CALIFORNIA IT WAS JUST LIKE A FEVER AUNT LOUISA SAYS PEOPLE TOOK IT RIGHT HERE ON THE ISLAND AND A NUMBER OF YOUNG MEN DETERMINED THEY WOULD GO TO CALIFORNIA THERE WERE A GREAT MANY BAKED MUD STRUCTURES AND ONLY ONE WOODEN ONE BESIDES THE CHURCH THE JONAS COULD SEE THE PATHS WERE WINDING BUT COMPARATIVELY FREE FROM SLOP THAT WAS PLEASING HE TOLD HIMSELF ONE OF THE PRIESTS SPOKE SHARPLY COMMANDINGLY TO E PAY AND THE LATTER NODDED NOT AGREEABLY IT SEEMED TO ME +1d2799b5-2538-49ae-9c8f-cebb8cf835bf O K SAID STETSON YOU COME IN LOUD AND CLEAR I OUGHT TO I'M RIGHT ON TOP OF YOU THERE'LL BE A RELAYSHIP OVER YOU ALL THE TIME SAID STETSON NOW THEN WE OPENED THE FRONT DOOR AND STEPPED OUT RAPTURE SWELLING IN OUR BOSOMS NOW YOU SEE ALL YOUR PENANCE WAS WASTED SAID FELICITY AS WE WALKED HOME KEEPING CLOSE TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE RUMOUR THAT PEG BOWEN WAS ABROAD OH I DON'T KNOW I FEEL BETTER SINCE I PUNISHED MYSELF WHO IS THE STORY GIRL ASKED FELIX OH SARA SARA STANLEY +1d4570fd-4325-42e6-ab74-0bff0c20f021 CECILY AND FELIX WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO COULD DISTINGUISH THE DOUBLE STAR IN THE HANDLE OF THE BIG DIPPER WELL IT WAS AWFUL SAD SAID FELICITY WIPING HER EYES MANY A PRINCESS RODE BY US ON HER PALFREY HER SON'S DEATH HE SAW WHEN HE LOOKED INTO HER MIND HAD NOT COME AS A SURPRISE TO HER NOW SHE SAID VAGUELY WELL BEFORE I LEFT MY PALACE I WENT TO MY MAGIC ROOM AND I COULD TAKE THAT OR NONE AT ALL THEY WORKED HURRIEDLY BETWEEN JUMPS FORE AND AFT THE ZID COULD ONLY SINK IN ALL SIX TALONED LIMBS AND HOLD FAST +1d5cc86c-0feb-4424-997d-e87a1deb3a33 SHE WAS ABOUT SEVENTEEN AND HER MIND WAS AS FRESH AND CLEAN AND PRETTY AS HER FACE AND FIGURE I PRAY THAT THERE IS AN END TO IT HERE'S THE SPOT I MARKED IT WITH THESE THREE PIECES OF STONE QUICK ON AND ON BREATHLESSLY NOW I ADDED I WONDER IF YOU WOULD ASK THE CUSTOMS AGENTS TO LOOK AT MY BAGS HERE DON'T WANT TO WASTE TIME DO WE THE SHIP IS OPEN THEY CAN CHECK THAT WHENEVER THEY PLEASE IT'S DREADFUL TO SPOIL A WHOLE DAY I'M AWFUL TIRED AND THANKFUL SIGHED CECILY PUTTING HIS HAND ON A PORTION OF HIS ANATOMY CONSIDERABLY BELOW HIS STOMACH +1d5d3be1-03d0-4c33-aa79-cba1cc996662 OF COURSE ADDED FELICITY HER HEART MELTING AT SIGHT OF THE MISERY IN THE STORY GIRL'S PITEOUS EYES MISSUS RAY ALWAYS LOOKS ON THE DARK SIDE AND IT MAY NOT BE THE MEASLES SARA HAS AFTER ALL BUT FELICITY HAD DONE HER WORK TOO THOROUGHLY THE STORY GIRL WAS NOT TO BE COMFORTED TWICE AGAIN BEFORE WE REACHED THE RAMP THEY GUARDED THE ANGRY ATTENDANTS OF THE IDOL FELL BEFORE OUR GUNS KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR A CHANCE TO GET AWAY THOUGH HOW ARE YOU FEELING HOPE ALL EXCITED SHE TRIED TO SMILE AND ALMOST SUCCEEDED HIS EYES WERE UNFOCUSED AS HE SPOKE SOFTLY INTO A MIKE PULLING IN A MESSAGE FROM SOMEWHERE ACROSS THE GALAXY OUTSIDE THE RUSHING TRANSCRIBERS COPIED COATED AND FILED MESSAGES BUT NO SOUND PENETRATED THE INSULATED WALL THEY EASILY FOUND THE PLACE WHERE THEY HAD FORCED THEIR WAY INTO THE ENCLOSURE SO THE TIN WOODMAN PUSHED ASIDE THE UNDERBRUSH AND STARTED FIRST ALONG THE PATH +1dcb4b52-b2cc-4d04-89fa-ca568e0b26bd IT'S ALL RIGHT HE SAID UNCOMFORTABLY AND SOON THERE WILL BE OTHERS FROM WHEN THE CURSE STRIKES A FAMILY IT DOES NOT STOP WITH ONE MEMBER CLARETON SAID AT LEAST I THINK IT WILL FOR THE THREE WHOLE DAYS MOREOVER THE OLD WOMAN GRABBED UP MY SEVERED HEAD BUT GLAUCON WAS NOT AFRAID AT ALL BECAUSE PAN WAS THE GOD OF SHEPHERDS AND HE WAS BOUND TO GRANT ANY PRAYER A GOOD SHEPHERD WHO ALWAYS DID HIS DUTY MIGHT MAKE THAT YOURSELF WILL BE DOING EXACTLY SEVENTY FOUR PER CENT OF ALL STATEMENTS HE MADE WERE FAKE I SHOOK HANDS ALL ROUND A RUSTLING HAND CLASP OF COURSE THEN WAS ON MY WAY +1dd0cfbf-8f79-46cd-96cb-e7aeaa288419 TO THE EDITOR BOTH WERE ALIEN THEN WAVED THE TWO TO THE RAIL WITH HIM BLOWING YOURSELF UP DANGLING THE LIMP FORM OF THE ZID FROM ITS GREAT RUBBERY LIPS LIKE A DROWNED KITTEN BUT HE MANAGED TO HAUL JENIFER UP WITH HIM SHE ASKED MISERABLY THEN RED WITH INDIGNATION BUT WITHOUT A WORD HE STALKED UP THE WALK PETER DID NOT THINK BLUEBERRY WINE WOULD DO ANY GOOD BE KNOCKED DOWN BY AUTOMOBILES AND TWO BODIES CANNOT OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE AT THE SAME TIME +1ddc0867-1714-4de0-b06a-92a080a2933b I HAD A PRY EYE OF MY OWN CONSTRUCTION I HAD THE SPEAKER ON FULL VOLUME AND THE VIBRATION ALMOST SHOOK MY HEAD OFF HE SHIFTED UNEASILY ON THE BUILT IN SEAT GET OVER THAT AND YOU'LL ELIMINATE MOST OF YOUR TROUBLE HE WAS CLIMBING OVER THE RAIL AT THE STERN THEY SAY IT'S PITIFUL TO SEE HIM I MUST GET WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THAT MAN NEXT SUMMER SAID THE STORY GIRL IT'S NOT TO BE TILL TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW SO YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET UP HIP FOR ANYTHING HAPPENS BUT FOR ONCE HER VOICE FAILED TO CARRY CONVICTION OR RATHER +1ddd324c-d878-46c0-a029-1cd55b43321d FOR MYSELF I CARED NOT A GROAT WHOEVER'S LICKED WILL HAVE TO GIVE IN ABOUT PRAYING SAID PETER NOW STOP IT YONES THOUGHT STOP IT CUT OFF AFTER ALL HE FINISHED THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EVEN A HERO WANTS A LITTLE PRIVACY I WAS NOT IMPRESSED BY HIS ACTING SINCE I COULD CLEARLY REMEMBER THE DEAD MEN FLOATING IN SPACE WHAT DO I CARE FOR A GIRL WHOM I HAVE NEVER SEEN AND WHO HAS NEVER SEEN ME ADDED THE SCARECROW +1de7b8f4-9af0-4f7b-aa24-6c8b9772b6aa PERMANENT BENEFIT WAS SLOW BUT CUMULATIVE OFFERING FOR THE FIRST TIME A REAL STEP TOWARD ULTIMATE STABILITY THE MEDICAL PSYCHIATRIC AND POLITICAL FIELDS CRIED OUT FOR CRYSTALS AND MORE CRYSTALS IF THE ISLANDERS WOULD TELL US THEIR SOURCE AND LET US HELP DEVELOP IT SATTERFIELD SAID PEEVISHLY INSTEAD OF DOLING OUT A HANDFUL OF CRYSTALS EVERY TEN DAY THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY NEED OF ACTION HOMESIDE FEELS THEY'RE JUST LETTING US HAVE SOME OF THE SURPLUS THE FIELDS WERE WILD AND UNCULTIVATED AND THERE WERE NO HOUSES OF ANY SORT TO BE SEEN BUT OUR FRIENDS KEPT ON WALKING EVEN AFTER THE SUN WENT DOWN HOPING TO FIND A GOOD PLACE FOR WOOT THE WANDERER TO SLEEP BUT WHEN IT GREW QUITE DARK AND THE BOY WAS WEARY WITH HIS LONG WALK THEY HALTED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD AND ALLOWED WOOT TO GET HIS SUPPER FROM THE BOOT HE CARRIED IN HIS KNAPSACK PETER WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO KEPT HIS NORMAL POISE NOTHING COULD UPSET THAT BOY'S STOMACH ONE NIGHT CECILY CAME INTO THE PANTRY WITH A LARGE CUCUMBER AND PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR THE GREATER PART OF IT THE GROWN UPS WERE AWAY THAT EVENING ATTENDING A LECTURE AT MARKDALE SO WE ATE OUR SNACKS OPENLY WITHOUT ANY RECOURSE TO WAYS THAT WERE DARK I REMEMBER I SUPPED THAT NIGHT OFF A SOLID HUNK OF FAT PORK TOPPED OFF WITH A SLAB OF COLD PLUM PUDDING I GOT IT FROM MY MOUTH SAID DAN WITH A SHAMED FACED GRIN THE GIRLS IN SCHOOL LAUGH AT IT SO KATE MAR SAYS IT'S LIKE A GASH IN A PIE BILLY SAID THAT THE SEED WOULD SHRINK IT FOR SURE WELL THERE IT WAS BILLY HAD DECEIVED US BOTH +1de7d7f1-3608-4853-acb0-78ebc52c666e COME OVER HERE YOU FOOLS DISAPPEARING THROUGH A BULKHEAD DOOR THE DOCTOR'S PEN PAUSED OVER THE CHART ON HIS DESK AGAIN THE LIPLESS MOUTH FORMED GALLANT TEESE WORDS SMACKED HIS LIPS I CAN SEE HOW EARTH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED THE PLAGUE SPOT OF THE UNIVERSE FOR VARIOUS REASONS HE STRODE ALONG RIGHT MASTERFULLY AND LIFTED HIS HEAD WITH THE AIR OF ONE WHO WAS MONARCH OF ALL HE SURVEYED BITTER INDEED WAS THE STORY GIRL'S MORTIFICATION +1dedc922-db1f-466e-b71c-0496e0b57bd1 THAT'S ANOTHER THING GAR SNAPPED KEEPING HER ON THE DEFENSIVE MAYBE I VIOLATED SECURITY BY GOING TO EARTH WHEN THEY ACCIDENTALLY OPENED A GATE BUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING AND YOU NEVER WANTED TO COME BACK TO EARTH BECAUSE WHEN YOU DRANK OF THE MAGIC CUP YOU FORGOT ALL YOUR PAST LIFE EXCEPT FOR ONE DAY IN EVERY YEAR WHEN YOU WERE ALLOWED TO REMEMBER IT I WISH THERE WAS SUCH A PLACE AS FAIRYLAND AND A WAY TO GET TO IT SAID CECILY THAT YOU ARE UNDER THE GUNS OF A WARSHIP DON'T ATTEMPT TO RUN SIGNAL TAKE EVAH ACTION OR ANY OTHER WAY WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT THE DEVIL WHO WHAT I SPLUTTERED INTO THE MIKE I HAD MY SCANNER ON SO THEY COULD SEE ME BUT MY OWN SCREENS STAYED DARK THEY WEREN'T SENDING ANY PICTURE THERE WERE SOME THINGS I COULD DO THOUGH AND I MADE A LIST OF PARTS THE PARTS THE NEW POWER PLANT AND A FEW ODDS AND ENDS WERE SHOOTED INTO A NEAT PILE ON THE SHIP +1dfa9d45-5c55-4bee-9c6c-6f2aa7300e7e I THINK NOT WAS THE REPLY WE ARE ENGAGED UPON A RATHER DELICATE ADVENTURE FOR WE ARE SEEKING A GIRL WHO FEARS HER FORMER LOVER HAS FORGOTTEN HER WE WERE QUITE WILLING TO GO TO BED AND PRESENTLY WE FOUND OURSELVES TUCKED AWAY UPSTAIRS IN THE VERY ROOM LOOKING OUT EASTWARD INTO THE SPRUCE GROVE WHICH FATHER HAD ONCE OCCUPIED OVER IN THE EAST ABOVE THE AWKWARD MAN'S HOUSE THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS FLOATED ACROSS THE SKY PRESENTLY TURNING AS ROSY AS IF IT WAS BEDEWED WITH HER HEART'S BLOOD I DO NOT COME FROM THE INQUISITOR HE SAID TRUTHFULLY NOR IS MY QUESTION ONE THAT SHOULD CAUSE YOU ALARM THE OLD WOMAN PONDERED FOR A MINUTE SHE LEANED HER ELBOWS ON THE WINDOW SILL GETTING THEM MUDDY BUT THAT JONAS THOUGHT DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO THIS CREATURE APPARENTLY ASK SHE SAID AT LAST +1dfd9645-1bae-443e-af3f-331400d91967 AFTER FEEDING A COURSE INTO THE ROBOT PILOT I STRAPPED INTO THE ACCELERATOR TANK AND WENT TO SLEEP WHILE OTHER SERVANTS WERE STUFFING SWEET FRESH STRAW INTO THE BODY OF THE SCARECROW SO THAT UP THE THREE TRAVELLERS STOOD IN A ROW STARING WITH ALL THEIR EYES THOU DIDST PROMISE ME ETERNAL LIFE AS TO THE OTHERS FELIX ALONE MOST UNJUSTLY AND SPITEFULLY DECLARED THAT PETER WAS SIMPLY SHIRKING AND HE HAS A DISMAL HABIT OF GROANING ALOUD WRITHING HIS WHOLE BODY AND DIGGING HIS TOES INTO THE GRASS WHEN HE CANNOT TURN A SENTENCE TO SUIT HIM +1e41f462-0428-45c0-af31-fac637439f48 MISSUS FRUN WAS GREATLY SHOCKED AND SAID JUDY YOU SHOULDN'T SAY THAT IT'S HORSES THAT SWEAT YOU SHOULD SAY YOU WERE IN A PERSPIRATION OH YES CECILY HAD ASSURED HIM THE BIBLE IS ALWAYS THE SAME THIS SEEMED TO BE A RATHER UNANSWERABLE KIND OF CONUNDRUM BUT HE HAD A SMALL FORTUNE OF HIS OWN IN LACKING THE SPUR OF NECESSITY FELICITY WAS A GOOD SECOND WITH TWO AND A HALF PERHAPS IT'LL ALL BE BURNED UP TO MORROW IT'S REALLY DREADFUL TO HAVE NO GROWN UPS YOU CAN DEPEND UPON NOW SARA HAD ALWAYS COVETED THIS PARTICULAR JUG +1e6d4263-00ac-4970-bd7a-9093dd237fec AS IN THE CASE OF THE BELL RING GHOST WE DID NOT BELIEVE BUT WE TREMBLED NOBODY MIGHT HAVE KNOWN WHEN THE BILL WAS WRITTEN SAID DAN BUT MAYBE SOMEBODY KNOWS NOW WHY THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO AND THAT PAPER WAS PRINTED THIS VERY MORNING WE WERE ALL GLAD TO HEAR THAT PETER WAS GOING TO CHURCH EXCEPT FELICITY SHE WAS FULL OF GLOOMY FOREBODINGS AND WARNINGS I AM SURPRISED AT YOU FELICITY KING SAID CECILIA SEVERELY YOU OUGHT TO BE GLAD THAT POOR BOY IS GOING TO GET STARTED IN THE RIGHT WAY I SUPPOSE HE MUST SINCE THAT IS HIS PICTURE SAID DAN MISERABLY HE LOOKS AWFUL CROSS SAID PETER SIMPLY OH I WISH WE'D NEVER NEVER SEEN IT CRIED CECILY WHEN THE FINAL COUNT WAS IN HIGH PLANES DID NOT HAVE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE GAINING POPULATION IN THE NATION +1e788726-f668-4238-add5-d4940d252c01 THE LEAVES ON THE TREES WERE BEGINNING TO COME OUT IN WOOLLY GREYISH CLUSTERS I SUPPOSE THAT SETTLES IT WHY IF HE HAD IT TO DO OVER AGAIN HE WOULD YOU WOULD DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING CLARETON'S VOICE SAID THIS WAS WHAT A HERO CAME TO AND TOLD HIMSELF THERE WERE SOME THINGS I COULD DO THOUGH AND I MADE A LIST OF PARTS MARK THREE BEACON HE WAS ALSO SIGNALING TO AN UNDER PRIEST WHO CARRIED A BRAZER OF CHARCOAL COMPLETE WITH RED HOT IRONS AFTER THAT HE LOCKS HIMSELF UP IN HIS WORK ROOM SO MISSUS PERWIN SAYS SHE BEING THE HOUSEKEEPER AS YOU KNOW SIR +1ebf93b7-7d2c-470f-9fcb-8f46472d6a5d JONAS SMILED AT HER IT WAS AN EFFORT MADAM HE BEGAN POLITELY NOBODY'S HOME SHE REPEATED DRAWING SLIGHTLY BACK FROM THE WINDOW YOU GO AWAY NOW CAN'T I JUST SEE HIM AT IT NOW SAID UNCLE ROGER LEANING OVER THAT OLD BOULDER HIS CHEEKS RED AND HIS EYES BURNING WITH EXCITEMENT BANGING THE TOP OF IT AS HE HAD SEEN THE MINISTERS DO IN CHURCH IT WASN'T CUSHIONED HOWEVER AND HE ALWAYS BRUISED HIS HANDS IN HIS SELF FORGETFUL EARNESTNESS A WOLFISH GRIN CRACKED STETSON'S BIG FEATURES I'M SO HAPPY YOU HAVE THE PROPER ATTITUDE OF SUBSERVIENCE TOWARD AUTHORITY HORNE SIPPED UP THE COVER ALL UNIFORM OH YES SIR SIR LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE AND READ JUST WHAT THE BIBLE DOES SAY ABOUT IT SUGGESTED CECILY WE CREPT IN CAREFULLY LEST WE DISTURB AUNT OLIVIA AND CECILY FOUND AND READ THE SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF HOLY WRIT THERE WAS LITTLE COMFORT FOR US IN THAT VIVID AND TERRIBLE PICTURE +1ee9d78b-42d7-48e4-a23c-82e4b35214d9 ROCKER THE SPACE YARD MANAGER HAD STAGGERED BACK AND WAS PULLING AT HIS HAIR CURSING AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME OCCUM'S RAZOR ALWAYS POINTS THE WAY IF THERE ARE TWO CHOICES TO TAKE TAKE THE SIMPLER HE HAS CAUGHT COLD SOMEWAY AND THE MEASLES HAVE STRUCK IN WELL I SUPPOSE THAT'S WHAT THE MAN WHO DREW IT THOUGHT GOD WAS LIKE ANSWERED THE STORY GIRL CARELESSLY BECAUSE THERE'S MORE OF THEM SAID FELIX GRINNING WATER IS LOVELY SHE HAD PUT ON A NEW PERSONALITY LIKE A GARMENT ASKED DAN SCEPTICALLY IT WAS RAY WHO FIRST STARTED STUMBLING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE BOAT HOOK BUT JOHN ANDREW IN A SUDDEN FIT OF BRAVERY THE NONIPUS CREPT FORWARD PONDEROUSLY TO THE EDITOR BOTH WERE ALIEN +1f523ba8-a82a-45af-b987-1abc91652466 BUT ALL WERE TOO LATE TO WIN THE DOUBLE BOON SOME OF THE APPLES HAD TO BE PICKED VERY CAREFULLY EVEN SCEPTICAL DAN PRAYED GRAY MUD FLOOR AND GLOOMY AISLES BETWEEN MONSTROUS BLUISH TREE TRUNKS AND A CLASS NINE MONITOR WITH ONE PLANET BUSTER THEN HE PUT THE FIRE OUT AND WENT INSIDE SHARP OPENED HIS MOUTH SHUT IT AGAIN AND THEN SHRUGGED HE WALKED TO THE DOOR OF THE ROOM AND OPENED IT AND THE BALD HEADED GUARD CAME IN ALL I COULD DO WAS STAND AND WATCH AS HE STIRRED UP THE COALS PULLED OUT THE RUDDIEST IRON AND TURNED TOWARD ME +1fbbb1f2-3a86-4fa3-8dd0-98b81c587071 HIS ADVENTURES TOO WERE A LITTLE OUT OF THE COMMON RUN OF TALES JONAS HAD HE THOUGHT REGRETFULLY FEW DUELS TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND HE HAD HAD EVEN FEWER TO LOOK BACK ON AND HE WOULDN'T JUST TO BE STUBBORN THE WORLD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE REST THEIR MUSIC ECHOED ONLY ALONG THE HIDDEN WAYS OF LIFE AND SERVED BUT TO LIGHTEN THE CARES OF THE TRIVIAL ROUND AND COMMON TASK DESTROYING ANY ONE WHO STOOD IN HIS WAY MORE PEOPLE WOULD DIE BEFORE THIS WAS OVER IT WAS UP TO ME TO KEEP THAT NUMBER AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE +20104f0a-3b58-40be-a144-f916ad2dccfa HE HAD LEARNED TO APPRECIATE THE EASY LIFE OF THE ISLANDS WELL ENOUGH TO BE DISMAYED NOW BY WHAT MUST HAPPEN UNDER EYE PRESSURE TO OLD CHARLEY AND HIS HANDFUL OF SUN BROWNED FISHER FOLK WELL I WILL FOR ONE SAID FELIX EMPHATICALLY I THINK HE WAS REMEMBERING THAT FELICITY HAD CALLED HIM FAT AND AS I TOOK MY FIRST STEP THERE MATERIALIZED SUDDENLY OUT OF THE THIN AND ILL SMELLING AIR FIGURES OF PERHAPS A DOZEN MONSTROUS CREATURES THEY WERE IN EFFECT MEN THAT IS THEY HAD A HEAD A TORSO TWO ARMS AND TWO LEGS APIECE BUT THEY WERE NOT HUMAN THIS WAS MINGLED BITTER AND SWEET WE WERE SORRY TO HEAR THAT PETER HAD THE MEASLES BUT IT WOULD BE JOLLY TO HAVE THE STORY GIRL LIVING WITH US ALL THE TIME WHAT ORGES OF STORY TELLING WE SHOULD HAVE +203d3f38-011b-4a78-828f-dd5e47db6509 DON'T WANT TO FIGHT SAID PETER IT'S FELIX IF HE DON'T INTERFERE WITH MY PRAYERS THERE'S NO NEED OF FIGHTING BUT IF HE DOES THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO SETTLE IT WE WOULD DEARLY HAVE LOVED TO LEAVE THE CANDLE BURNING BUT AUNT JANET'S DECREE REGARDING THIS WAS AS INEXORABLE AS ANY OF MEAD AND PERSIA BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE SHE WAS HALF AS MUCH FRIGHTENED AS DISAPPOINTED THAT SHE HAD NO WHITE DRESS WHO WAS THEN IN THE LEAD OF THE LITTLE PARTY HALTED WITH SUCH AN ABRUPT JERK THAT HE STUMBLED OVER BACKWARD BUT IF HE WAKES UP SOME DAY AND FINDS HE'S AN OLD BACHELOR BECAUSE HE CAN'T GET ANY ONE IT'LL HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT FLAVOR +20702dcb-362c-4607-94b4-b390f9c82ded WHY MILK AND CUCUMBERS TOGETHER MAKE A RANK POISON HE SAID NO WONDER THE CHILD IS SICK DAN ALONE CONTINUED TO NURSE HIS GRIEVANCES AND WOULD NOT EVEN LAUGH WHEN THE STORY GIRL TOLD US A TALE BROUGHT TO MINE BY SOME OF THE REVEREND MISTER SCOTT'S PLUMS WHICH WERE ON THE TABLE IS IT STILL BEING BUILT ON TO THE SHIP I AM SURE IT WOULD WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO EAT GIVE ME A COUPLE OF FAT RABBITS SAID THE BEAST +2075a242-1ff1-4c6d-9484-3026ce529d8a SMOOTH BROWN HAIR OF SATIN SHEEN WHICH FEELS IN A MOMENT WHAT IT SOMETIMES TAKES MATURITY MUCH TIME TO PERCEIVE SOMEHOW BELONGED THERE I WONDER WHERE WE ALL BE THIS TIME TO MORROW NIGHT SAID FELIX MOURNFULLY AS WE WATCHED THE SUNSET BETWEEN THE DARK FIR BOUGHS WE HAD HAD BROTHERHOOD WITH WIND AND STAR WITH BOOKS AND TALES AND HEARTH FIRES OF AUTUMN NOW BEST OLD GIRL DO YOUR BONNIEST HE SAID THERE'S MORE THAN YOU KNOW HANGS ON YOUR SPEED HE WALKED TO THE DOOR OF THE ROOM AND OPENED IT AND THE BALD HEADED GUARD CAME IN NEVERTHELESS A FAMILY WHICH WAIT SHE SAID THE JOB HE TOLD HIMSELF STERNLY CAME FIRST AND AFTERWARD +20945346-35ba-4eeb-b152-3b223d6dfaba OH I WISH I'D NEVER SAID PETER WASN'T FIT TO ASSOCIATE WITH MOANED FELICITY IF HE EVER GETS BETTER I'LL NEVER SAY SUCH A THING AGAIN I'LL NEVER THINK IT HE'S JUST A LOVELY BOY AND TWICE AS SMART AS LOTS THAT AREN'T HIRED OUT FOR A HYPERSPACE JUMP YOU NEED AT LEAST FOUR BEACONS FOR AN ACCURATE FIX FOR LONG JUMPS NAVIGATORS USE AS MANY AS SEVEN OR EIGHT SO EVERY BEACON IS IMPORTANT AND EVERY ONE HAS TO KEEP OPERATING VIC UNDERNEATH IN HOPE'S CLEAR PURPOSEFUL HAND WAS THIS DEAR PETER NOT KNOWING WHEN YOU'LL ARRIVE I'M GOING ON AHEAD WE MUST GIVE VIC A HAND MUSTN'T WE H WELL AIN'T THAT ALL THE MORE REASON FOR CRYING RETORTED PETER I'VE HAD TO DO WITHOUT HER FOR TWO YEARS AND THAT'S WORSE THAN IF IT HAD JUST BEEN A FEW DAYS I BELIEVE YOU WERE CRYING BECAUSE PAT IS SO SICK I SAID FIRMLY +20dd1ae3-c7d8-4681-a76c-697395be2859 ON THE OTHER HAND DAN WHO WAS A SOMEWHAT TRUCULENT FELLOW ADDICTED TO THE PERUSAL OF LURID DYING NOVELS HE BORROWED FROM THE OTHER BOYS IN SCHOOL DREAMED DREAMS OF SUCH A PEACEFUL AND PASTORAL CHARACTER THAT HE WAS QUITE DISGUSTED WITH THE RESULTING TAME PAGES OF HIS DREAM BOOK WHY THE COUNTRY WILL RUN ITSELF ANSWERED THE EMPEROR AS A MATTER OF FACT MY PEOPLE DO NOT NEED AN EMPEROR FOR OZMA OF OZ WATCHES OVER THE WELFARE OF ALL HER SUBJECTS INCLUDING THE WINKIES I CAN EASILY PROVE IT BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS HE SAID BUT YOU MUST GO WITH ME TO MY KINGDOM FOR THE PROOF VERY MUCH AWARE OF GRAVITY AFTER YEARS OF WEIGHTLESSNESS HE WALKED TO THE CANOPY OF THE CHUTE AND SPREAD IT OUT ON THE FLAT GROUND IN A FULL CIRCLE +21010a7b-3bd8-41e0-a901-720703d3f718 SHE WAS FLUSHED BY EXCITEMENT AND PLEASURE AND WAS SO PRETTY THAT I COULD HARDLY EAT FOR LOOKING AT HER WHICH IS THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT IN A BOY'S POWER TO PAY THE STORY GIRL ON THE CONTRARY WAS UNDER ECLIPSE WHITE MARBLE TABLETS ORNAMENTED WITH WEEPING WILLOW TREES MARKED WHERE GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER KING WERE BURIED AND A SINGLE SHAFT OF RED SCOTTISH GRANITE STOOD BETWEEN THE GRAVES OF AUNT FELICITY AND UNCLE FELIX THEN WE LOOK INTO THEM WITH BRIGHT BOYS LIKE YOU DISGUISED AS OUR N OUR FIELD MEN GOODY GOODY AND WHAT HAPPENS IF R N R STUMBLES ON TO ME WHILE I'M DOWN THERE PLAYING PADDY CAKE WE DISOWN YOU UNCLE ALEC AND AUNTS LEFT ON MONDAY MORNING POOR AUNT JANET WAS FULL OF DISMAL FOREBODINGS AND GAVE US SO MANY CHARGES AND WARNINGS THAT WE DID NOT TRY TO REMEMBER ANY OF EM UNCLE ALEC' MERELY TOLD US TO BE GOOD AND MIND WHAT UNCLE ROGER SAID +217e4796-682e-469d-b45a-547f824e67f4 WELL I SUPPOSE THAT SETTLES IT SAID PETER IN A DESPAIRING TONE IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PREPARE ASKED CECILY I WISH I HAD A WHITE DRESS LIKE YOU GIRLS SOBBED SARA ARRAY BUT I HAVEN'T AND IT'S TOO LATE TO GET ONE OH I WISH I HAD MINDED WHAT MAR SAID BETTER NOTHING IN THAT CORNER OF OZ INTERESTED ME BUT I BELIEVED THAT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY I WOULD FIND STRANGE PEOPLE AND SEE NEW SIGHTS AND SO I SET OUT UPON MY WANDERING JOURNEY FINALLY MARGARET RAN AWAY WITH ALLAN AND THEY WERE MARRIED IN CHARLOTTETOWN ALLAN INTENDED TO TAKE HIS WIFE WITH HIM TO CALIFORNIA IN THE FANNY IF IT WAS A HARD JOURNEY FOR A MAN IT WAS HARDER STILL FOR A WOMAN BUT MARGARET WOULD HAVE DARED ANYTHING FOR ALLAN'S SAKE THE EASY GOING HATRED AND CONTEMPT OF ALL MY ASSOCIATES HAD ANNOYED ME THROWN ME OFF BALANCE I WAS THINKING WITH ANGER NOW NOT WITH LOGIC FORCING A BIT OF CONTROL I ORDERED MY THOUGHTS CHECKING OFF A MENTAL LIST +2191296c-3d25-49fb-a279-2d19301afad4 OLD E PAY FIGURES MAYBE WE COULD DO HIM A FAVOR IN THAT LINE AND THAT'S WHY HE'S ARGUING VIC SHOOK HIS HEAD QUITE GRAVELY OH DOCTOR MY SON HAS SWALLOWED A MOUSE HE CRIED WHAT SHALL I DO YOU'D HAVE ME KILT ENTIRELY BY ANOTHER DAY I AS SHADOW WAVES GO OVER RIPE WHEAT BEFORE A WIND I THINK I COULD BE ALWAYS GOOD IF I LIVED IN A GARDEN ALL THE TIME DAN AND FELIX SHELLED PEAS AND TORMENTED PAT BY ATTACHING PODS TO HIS EARS AND TAIL FELICITY FLUSHED AND SERIOUS MEASURED AND STIRRED SKILFULLY +21bddff4-5ca2-411f-aaa2-8db56327582e SARA RAY CAME UP BUT WAS SO SNUBBED BY FELICITY THAT SHE WENT HOME CRYING THAT'S THE EXACT TRUTH EXCLAIMED THE GIANTESS WHO SEEMED PLEASED HEAR THE BIRD TALK THEN OF COURSE I QUIT THINKING SILENCE WHILE THEY CRAWLED AHEAD BELIEVER THAT UD GIVE US FOR I ADMIRED YOUR CITY FROM THE AIR SAID ORAN IT IS VERY BEAUTIFUL AM NO WIZARD BUT A MAN WHO MAY DO CERTAIN THINGS AND HERE IS MY PROOF YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE FIRST STEP CLARTON SAID +21cc52da-1d6e-4d2c-8c38-0da6037b40e7 THAT'S ALWAYS TOUCHY WE'VE MANAGED TO PUT SPIES AND KEEP PLACES AT OUR N ARE ON A SMALL ENAMELED TABLE BESIDE IT WAS A RATHER LARGE SHEET OF PAPER WEIGHTED DOWN WITH A CRACKED FLORENCE FLASK THERE ON UP SHE LOOKED ALMOST COMPLETELY HUMAN AS YOU'VE JUST ILLUSTRATED I DIDN'T SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE BEFORE I ARRIVED HERE ANSWERED PETER EASILY BECAUSE MA HADN'T TIME TO DARN THEN THIS WEEK SO I PUT ON TWO PAIRS +21d61538-6b9e-4d65-bcc6-7974dbfcdcc5 HE COULD WRITE LETTERS SUCH LETTERS BY CONTRAST FELIX AND I WERE SECRETLY ASHAMED OF FATHER'S EPISTLES SO IT IS SAID CECILY IT ISN'T THERE ISN'T A SPECK OF SAWDUST IN THAT BOX THE STORY GIRL'S FACE WORE A QUITE INDESCRIBABLE EXPRESSION COMPOUND OF HORROR AND SHAME SHE NEED NOT HAVE CONFESSED IF SHE HAD BUT HELD HER TONGUE THE MYSTERY OF THE SAWDUST'S DISAPPEARANCE MIGHT HAVE FOREVER REMAINED A MYSTERY FELICITY HAD ALSO DELIGHTFUL HANDS AND WRISTS AT EVERY TURN OF THEM A DIMPLE SHOWED ITSELF IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WONDER WHAT HER ELBOWS MUST BE LIKE SO THE ODDLY ASSORTED PAIR QUICK BOX LIKE LITTLE RAY AND BIG AWKWARD UNCOMFTABLE FARMER SPURTED OUT INTO LONG ISLAND SOUND IN AN INDESCRIBABLE OLD MOTOR LODGE AND THE ADVENTURE WAS ON +22136d70-afc2-48bc-9efc-055326a15bb3 WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO TRUST BILLY ROBINSON SAID FELICITY SUMMING UP THE CASE ONE EVENING WHEN ALL HAD BEEN MADE KNOWN AFTER ALL WHAT COULD YOU EXPECT FROM A PIG BUT A GRUNT WE WERE NOT SURPRISED TO FIND THAT BILLY ROBINSON'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARY FUND WAS THE LARGEST HANDED IN BY ANY OF THE SCHOLARS CECILY SAID SHE DIDN'T ENVY HIM HIS CONSCIENCE BUT I AM AFRAID SHE MEASURED HIS CONSCIENCE BY HER OWN I WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THE STORY GIRL HONESTLY I THOUGHT IT WAS A BELL WHEN I HEARD IT AND THE DOOR OPEN TOO LET US BE FAIR FELICITY I'M DREADFULLY TIRED SIGHED CECILY WE WERE ALL DREADFULLY TIRED FOR THIS WAS THE THIRD NIGHT OF LATE HOURS AND NERVE RACKING STRAIN BUT IT WAS OVER TWO HOURS SINCE WE HAD EATEN THE COOKIES AND FELICITY SUGGESTED THAT A SAUCERFUL APIECE OF RASPBERRIES AND CREAM WOULD NOT BE TOO HARD TO TAKE IT WAS NOT FOR ANY ONE BUT CECILY WHO COULDN'T SWALLOW A MOUTHFUL ONCE ON THE GROUND IT WOULD NEVER BE NOTICED THOUGH IT WAS A LITTLE DISCONCERTING TO SEE IT FLOAT BY I LOCATED A LIZARD TOWN ABOUT A THOUSAND KILOMETERS FROM THE PYRAMID AND DROPPED THE E EYE IT SWISHED DOWN AND LANDED AT NIGHT IN THE BANK OF A LOCAL MUD WALLOW THIS WAS A FAVORITE SPOT THAT DREW A GOOD CROWD DURING THE DAY WELL JUDY PROMISED SHE'D REMEMBER BECAUSE SHE LIKED MISSUS FRUIT AND WAS ANXIOUS TO PLEASE HER NOT LONG AFTERWARDS JUDY WAS SCRUBBING THE KITCHEN FLOOR ONE MORNING AND WHEN MISSUS FRUIN CAME IN JUDY LOOKED UP AND SAT QUITE PROUD OVER USING THE RIGHT WORD OH MISS FRUIN AIN'T IT AWFUL HOT I DECLARE I'M ALL IN A PRESBYTERIAN +22474eb6-a001-4a2e-89d5-d80cf1a59044 EACH OF THE LITTLE BLOBS OF QUARTZ WAS GLOWING STROKING THE POLISHED CHEEKS WITH BESEECHING FINGERS BUT THAT'S OVER YOUR HEAD PETE OLD SON A CITY WAS BUILT AROUND THE TEMPLE AND THROUGH THE CENTURIES THE PYRAMID WAS PUT UP AROUND THE BEACON THIS POWER IS TURNED INTO RADIATION THAT IS PUNCHED THROUGH INTO HYPER SPACE FULL OF DEAR DELICATE SHADOWS I'D LIKE A DRESS OF MOONSHINE WITH STARS FOR BUTTONS AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS AT ALL EVENTS FELICITY RESENTED THE IMPUTATION THAT SHE HAD MORE INFLUENCE WITH PETER THAN ANY ONE ELSE +22659f06-bccb-494b-a6c2-0594cea24890 IT'S TO COME JUST LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT IF TO MORROW ISN'T THE JUDGEMENT DAY I'LL TELL IT MONDAY UNCLE ROGER SHOOK HIS HEAD YET THERE WAS A FALLACY IN THIS ARGUMENT THE WE'LL BE THE FIRST MEN HAD TURNED INTO THIS IS YOUR THIRD SET OF TEETH I BELIEVE WHEN THE FINAL COUNT WAS IN ACTUALLY IT SHOWED THE SHARPEST DECLINE ONLY PEOPLE WHAT KIND OF BEACON I ASK HIM THE BLIND LIZARDS WERE WAITING FOR ME BY THE DOOR AND LOOKED EVEN UNHAPPIER THAN USUAL +2281493b-f9ce-4a62-96bb-686e74828971 I BLEW A RELAXED SMOKE RING REPORT I SAID TO THE ROBOT HAS THIS MAN TOLD ANY LIES THE WITCH WITH THE SILVER SHOES HATED ME FOR HAVING DEFIED HER I AM NOW ON MY WAY HOME TO SLEEP THE REST OF UNCLE ROGER'S HOUSE WAS TO BE CLOSED AND HE AND PETER AND THE STORY GIRL WOULD TAKE UP THEIR ABODE WITH US AND MY MOTHER SAW HER ONCE IT WAS NOT OUR STORY GIRL WHO SAT THERE TELLING THAT WEIRD TALE IN A SIBILANT CURDLING VOICE +22891dd2-c13e-4f49-9d94-2908840b4669 IT GURGLED OUT THROUGH THE SPEAKER IN THE LOCAL TONGUE AND HE TURNED ROUND WHEN YOU GET ENOUGH REFERENCE PHRASES LIKE THIS IN THE MEMORY BANK THE M T BRAIN TAKES OVER AND STARTS FILLING IN THE MISSING PIECES FELICITY IS THERE ANYTHING FIT TO EAT IN THE PANTRY THE LAST QUESTION WAS THE MOST UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL FELICITY COULD HAVE FORGIVEN UNCLE ROGER ANYTHING BUT THAT IT REALLY WAS UNPARDONABLE THE THING HAD STOPPED MOVING STRADDLING A RAIL BEHIND IT AND SIMILARLY DRIPPING WAS A MY GOD IT HE LOOKED ALMOST LIKE A MAN AND THAT ONLY MADE THE DIFFERENCE WORSE THE DETAILS RESOLVED AS FARMER STARED AT HIM ASKED THE CANARY THE JAGUAR SNARLED IN DERISION AND LASHED HIS TAIL AGAINST THE GROUND ANGRILY GIVE HIM SOME SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST POLLY SUGGESTED THE BEAR SCARECROW HE OUGHT TO LIKE THAT +22c74a2d-0aac-4c11-88fa-daa31ac16056 ALL THESE WONDERS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE CLEVER WINKIE TINSMITHS WHO WOUND THE BIRDS UP EVERY MORNING SO THAT THEY WOULD MOVE ABOUT AND SEE AFTER BREAKFAST THE BOY WENT INTO THE THRONE ROOM WHERE THE EMPEROR WAS HAVING HIS TIN JOINTS CAREFULLY OILED BY A SERVANT WHILE OTHER SERVANTS WERE STUFFING SWEET FRESH STRAW INTO THE BODY OF THE SCARECROW O K SAID STETSON YOU COME IN LOUD AND CLEAR I OUGHT TO I'M RIGHT ON TOP OF YOU THERE'LL BE A RELAYSHIP OVER YOU ALL THE TIME SAID STETSON NOW WHEN YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING THAT MITE CONTACT THIS RIG I'LL FEED US WHAT YOU SAY AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON AROUND YOU TOO WE'LL MONITOR EVERYTHING THERE WAS A DUSKY LITTLE PEAR SHAPED APPLE FROM ONE OF UNCLE STEPHEN'S TREES WHICH WAS OUR FAVOURITE AND NEXT TO IT A DELICIOUS JUICY YELLOW APPLE FROM AUNT LOUISA'S TREE WE WERE ALSO FOND OF THE BIG SWEET APPLES WE USED TO THROW THEM UP IN THE AIR AND LET THEM FALL ON THE GROUND UNTIL THEY WERE BRUISED AND BATTERED TO THE BURSTING POINT SSING WAS DISCOVERED WHAT A YARN SAID DAN DRAWING A LONG BREATH WHEN HE HAD COME TO OURSELVES AND DISCOVERED THAT WE WERE REALLY SITTING IN A DEWY PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ORCHARD INSTEAD OF WATCHING TWO LOVERS ON A MOUNTAIN IN THESSALY AND THE GOLDEN AGE I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT OF COURSE WE KNOW IT WASN'T REALLY TRUE SAID FELICITY +231e58b3-a655-43df-8129-7d7254c548cf ABOUT TEN KILOMETERS OUT STETSON PUT A HAND TO HIS THROAT THAT'S HOW THEY GET THEIR SLAVES THE PIPE WALLS WERE AT LEAST THREE METERS THICK AND THE PIPE OPENING ITSELF NO BIGGER THAN MY HEAD IF I COULD SHOOT THE TROUBLE BUT SHE BEGAN PROMPTLY WITH TWICE ONE AND WENT THROUGH IT TO TWELVE TIMES TWELVE IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THAT IS THE LEAST OF PEG BOWEN'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS ANSWERED UNCLE ROGER THE CONTRAST BETWEEN HIS WEEK DAY JOLLITY AND THE UNEARTHLY SOLEMNITY OF HIS COUNTENANCE ON SUNDAYS ALWAYS STRUCK US AS VERY FUNNY +23219b9b-c3cb-4e7d-9038-20183c79635c HERE WE ARE ALONE SHARP WENT ON HIS VOICE LOWERING MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAVE GONE TO VISIT A NEIGHBOUR FOR THEY HAVE NOT YET CLOSED US OFF ENTIRELY FROM ALL HUMAN CONTACT HE GRIMACED YOND PEERED INTO THE MIND AGAIN VERY GENTLY BUT THE MAD ROLLING OF PAIN AND MEMORY THERE WAS TOO STRONG FOR HIM AND HE RETURNED I NEED MY EYES TO SEE AND MEND THE FOUNT OF HOLY WATERS ONCE THE WATERS FLOW AGAIN I WILL LAUGH AS I HURL MYSELF ON THE BURNING IRON HE TOOK A GOOD THIRTY SECONDS TO THINK THIS OVER AND HAD TO AGREE WITH ME THE LOCAL TORTURER SNIFFED A BIT AND THREW A LITTLE MORE CHARCOAL ON THE FIRE RING THE AFTERNOON JUDY PINNOT BROUGHT UP A TEAR BLOTTED NOTE FROM SARA RAY SARA HAD NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO VISIT THE HILL FARM SINCE PETER HAD DEVELOPED MEASLES SHE WAS AN UNHAPPY LITTLE EXILE AND COULD ONLY RELIEVE HER ANGUISH OF SOUL BY DAILY LETTERS TO CECILY WHICH THE FAITHFUL AND OBLIGING JUDY PINNOT BROUGHT UP FOR HER EARLY IN THE SEASON AS IT WAS HE WAS BAREFOOTED +233d623e-67c3-444b-9e0d-a0d2d3886221 THE EMPEROR DISCOVERED A HEAD IT SIGN ANOTHER PATH ARE APT TO FORGET THAT HE IS NOT LIKE OTHER PEOPLE IT WAS A LONG AND DANGEROUS JOURNEY AND SOMETIMES IT TOOK OVER SIXNTHS YOU AND ME WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT TILL WE WERE GROWN UP WOULD WE WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR COULDN'T WRITE AT ALL SAID THE STORY GIRL CRUSHINGLY PETER WAS NOT PROOF AGAINST THIS DOUBLE ATTACK SOME DAY YANUS THOUGHT BACK IN HIS CELL THERE WOULD BE A METHOD OF CONTROLLING MINDS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE THE WILLING CO OPERATION OF THE TWO PARTIES +236343ab-e34a-4a61-9eb3-ae3c5299edc3 I WISH I HAD A WHITE DRESS LIKE YOU GIRLS SOBBED SARA ARRAY BUT I HAVEN'T AND IT'S TOO LATE TO GET ONE OH I WISH I HAD MINDED WHAT MAR SAID BETTER I WOULDN'T HAVE DISOBEYED US OFTEN IF I'D THOUGHT THE JUDGMENT DAY WAS SO NEAR WHEN I GO HOME I'M GOING TO TELL HER ABOUT GOING TO THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW I'M NOT SURE THAT UNCLE ROGER MEANT WHAT HE SAID REMARKED THE STORY GIRL UNHAPPINESS SHE TOLD HERSELF WAS HER PORTION IN THIS LIFE IN THE LIFE ABOVE THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT I DON'T WANT TO CATCH THE MEASLES FROM PETER SAID FELICITY DECIDEDLY FANCY CATCHING THEM FROM A HIRED BOY AH FELICITY DON'T CALL PETER A HIRED BOY WHEN HE'S SICK PROTESTED CECILY GOOD DORA SAID BRISKLY NOW I'LL JUST A SHE STRODE DIRECTLY TO RAISE INVENTION AND FARMER WONDERED WHY BOTH ALIENS WERE SO INTERESTED IN A GADGET THAT DIDN'T WORK +23a72d82-526f-490d-bb89-26b22727f5ce SO I HAVE HEARD YONA SAID EASILY BUT I SHALL PROVE WHAT I SAY I AM UNDER NO COMPULSION TO LISTEN TO YOU KENUFF SAID AFTER A PAUSE THEY GOT MARSHALL THERE HE WAS VERY BUSY BUT HE CAME HE HAD BEEN GIVEN A DEADLINE BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITIZEN'S GROUP HE HAD TO PRODUCE A POPULATION OF TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE FOR HIGH PLANS TEXAS AND THIS WAS DIFFICULT FOR THERE WEREN'T THAT MANY PEOPLE IN THE TOWN PETER STIFFENED UP AND SAT AT ATTENTION DURING THE SERVICE NOBODY COULD HAVE BEHAVED BETTER BUT WHEN THE SERMON WAS OVER AND THE COLLECTION WAS BEING TAKEN UP HE MADE THE SENSATION WHICH HIS ENTRANCE HAD NOT PRODUCED SO DID THE BIG GLASSY EYED DISC OF THE ICE AND FARMER AIMED APPOINTED THE HOOK AT ONE OF THEM STARTED THE THRUST +23bee984-3c6c-400b-9676-5630cfe28bff BUT THEY'RE YOUR OWN RELATIONS SAID PETER AND SHE HAD A TINY BERTH MARK LIKE A PINK BUTTERFLY ON ONE CHEEK I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS AND I DON'T CARE FOR MY HUSBAND TREATED ME BADLY AT TIMES THERE EXCLAIMED THE KING I EXPECTED THAT WOULD HAPPEN THE STORY GIRL SCATTERED HER ROSES AROUND HER ON THE GRASS AND CLASPED HER SLIM HANDS OVER HER KNEES I'VE BEEN ABOUT A BIT AND HEARD SOME GOOD THINGS BUT I'VE NEVER ENJOYED ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT THREADBARE OLD STORY I HEARD IN MY CRADLE YOU COAXED JUDY TO HOLD HER TONGUE THE COHANTS FIGHT ALL THE TIME AND YOU AND DAN WILL SOON BE AS BAD +23d95bc4-a06f-4dbd-8dd7-5e3a80d87e07 HOW COULD THEY STOP US FROM MOVING IN WHEN JEFF AUBREY PULLED HIMSELF UP FROM THE PLANKING THE APPARITIONS WERE GONE THEN WE LOOK INTO THEM WITH BRIGHT BOYS LIKE YOU DISGUISED AS OUR N OUR FIELD MEN IT'S NOT COMPLETE OUR RELATIVES STARTED US WITH A QUARTER APIECE FOR THE REST WE KNEW WE MUST DEPEND ON OUR OWN EXERTIONS SEEMS AS IF HE MUST BE RIGHT AND YET IT DOESN'T SEEM SO HER POTENT VOICE MADE ME FEEL THAT I WAS QUITE A HERO AFTER ALL AND THE STING WENT OUT OF MY RECOLLECTION OF THAT OLD FIGHT +23ecbd5d-ebf8-469a-9ffd-0815ce6848ce A CLASS FIVE CULTURE CHAFFY THREE AGREED SHAKENLY HIS AURA QUIVERED WITH A SHOCK OF BETRAYAL THE CATALOGUE WAS WRONG IRONICALLY THEIR PROBLEM WAS MORE PRESSING NOW THAN BEFORE SUCH WAS THE PRICE WE WERE TO PAY FOR INDULGENCE OF A CURIOSITY WHICH EACH OF US DEEP IN OUR HEARTS HAD LIKE SARAH RAY FELT OUGHT NOT TO BE GRATIFIED I PAID HIM THE TEN CENTS CHEERFULLY AND TOOK THE MAGIC SEAT AS DIRECTED MEASURING MYSELF CAREFULLY EVERY DAY BY A MARK ON THE HALL DOOR I COULD NOT SEE ANY ADVANCE IN GROWTH YET BUT THEN I HAD BEEN TAKING IT ONLY THREE DAYS ON THAT DAY THE GATES OF EDEN ARE SHUT BEHIND THEM AND THE AGE OF GOLD IS OVER HENCEFORTH THEY MUST DWELL IN THE COMMON LIGHT OF COMMON DAY +2418ca3a-c927-493d-ac02-22afd5843be1 ANY TOUCHY PLANETS OUR SPIES REPORT WE DIVERT THE FILES THEN WHAT REMEMBER MY COMMANDS FELIX PETER ROGER IS LOOKING FOR YOU TO WASH HIS BUGGY BE OFF ASTRO ONE THE MAN REMOVED HIS PITH HELMET TO WIPE HIS BROW AND BRANDON NOTICED THE GLEAMING U S INSIGNIA ON THE FRONT OF THE HELMET ASTRO ONE LEFT HER THIRTEEN YEARS AGO THE MAN SAID THE DIVING HELMET CAME OFF EASILY NOT HAVING BEEN PROPERLY FASTENED DOWN AT ALL +24c372a2-7c08-426e-946f-daab82debc42 VIC'S PLACE WAS OUT ON THE RIVER ABOUT TEN MILES FROM TOWN AND THAT LITTLE TAN ROADSTER OF MINE MADE IT IN JUST ABOUT TEN MINUTES THE TRAFFIC IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT SLOWED ME UP A BIT THERE WAS NOTHING AT ALL PRETENTIOUS ABOUT THE PLACE IT WAS A RAMBLING LAZY LOOKING HOUSE BUILT LARGELY OF NATIVE STONE STTCHING ITS LENGTH COMFORTABLY IN THE SHADE OF THE BIG MAPLES IT MIGHT INDEED THIS WAS A NEW HORROR WHICH HAD NOT OCCURRED TO US I'M SURE I WON'T SLEEP A WINK TO NIGHT SAID FELIX THE PAPER SAYS TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW SAID DAN YOU NEEDN'T WORRY SARAH BUT SARAH DEPARTED WEEPING SHE DID NOT HOWEVER FORGET TO CARRY THE FORGET ME NOT JUG WITH HER ALL THINGS CONSIDERED HER DEPARTURE WAS A RELIEF DID YOU EVER FIGHT ASKED THE STORY GIRL ONCE I SAID BRIEFLY DREADING THE NEXT QUESTION WHICH PROMPTLY CAME WHO BEAT IT IS SOMETIMES A BITTER THING TO TELL THE TRUTH ESPECIALLY TO A YOUNG LADY FOR WHOM YOU HAVE GREAT ADMIRATION I HAD A STRUGGLE WITH TEMPTATION IN WHICH I FRANKLY CONFESS I MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSTED HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR A SAVING AND TIMELY REMEMBRANCE OF A CERTAIN RESOLUTION MADE ON THE PRECEDING JUDGMENT SUNDAY IT'S A VERY TENDER PART OF HIM AND IT'S HIS ONLY WAY OF PREVENTING IT AND HE DOESN'T MEAN ANY HARM IF YOU CAN CURE PATTY FOR US WE WILL ALWAYS BE VERY VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU THE ACCOMPANYING SMALL OFFERINGS ARE A TESTIMONIAL OF OUR RESPECT AND GRATITUDE AND WE ENTREAT YOU TO HONOR US BY ACCEPTING THEM VERY RESPECTFULLY YOURS SARA STANLEY +24c44eda-9878-4b00-b5b9-593347ead003 I WON'T HAVE TIME TO READ IT ALL THROUGH I SUPPOSE HE SAID BUT I'LL GET ALONG AS FAR AS I CAN THERE WAS NO PREACHING IN CARLISLE THAT DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOL WAS NOT TILL THE EVENING CICELY GOT OUT HER LESSON SLIP AND STUDIED THE LESSON CONSCIENTIOUSLY THE REST OF US DID NOT SEE HOW SHE COULD DO IT WE COULD NOT THAT WAS VERY CERTAIN IF IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY I WANT TO HAVE THE LESSON LEARNED SHE SAID AND IF IT IS I I'LL FEEL I'VE DONE WHAT WAS RIGHT BUT I NEVER FOUND IT SO HARD TO REMEMBER THE GOLDEN TEXT BEFORE I SEE THAT BOWERY ORCHARD SHINING IN MEMORY WITH A SOFT GLOW OF BEAUTY THE LIGHT THAT NEVER WAS ON LAND OR SEA WHERE WE SAT ON THOSE SEPTEMBER EVENINGS AND WROTE DOWN OUR DREAMS WHEN THE CARES OF THE DAY WERE OVER AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO INTERFERE WITH THE PLEASING THROES OF COMPOSITION LOOK HERE PETER SAID FELIX OMINOUSLY THEY TELL ME THAT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING RIGHT ALONG THAT I COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE NOW I TELL YOU I NEVER DID EXCLAIMED PETER INDIGNANTLY I NEVER MENTIONED YOUR NAME I NEVER PRAYED THAT YOU COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE I JUST PRAYED THAT I'D BE THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD IF SHE HAD BUT HELD HER TONGUE THE MYSTERY OF THE SAWDUST'S DISAPPEARANCE MIGHT HAVE FOREVER REMAINED A MYSTERY SHE WOULD HAVE HELD HER TONGUE AS SHE AFTERWARDS CONFIDED IN TO ME IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR A HORRIBLE FEAR WHICH FLASHED INTO HER MIND THAT POSSIBLY SAWDUST PUDDINGS WERE NOT HEALTHY FOR PEOPLE TO EAT ESPECIALLY IF THERE MIGHT BE NEEDLES IN THEM AND THAT IF ANY MISCHIEF HAD BEEN DONE IN THAT DIRECTION IT WAS HER DUTY TO UNDO IT IF POSSIBLE AT ANY COST OF RIDICULE TO HERSELF +24d88d75-b9da-4c01-81db-e81a5f332265 THIS IS STRANGE MUSED THE SCARECROW I I WAS NOT ALWAYS MADE OF TIN BEGAN THE EMPEROR HAD ALREADY MENDED HIM HOLDING THE ARMS CROSS POSE AGAIN HE WAS BEING CRADLED GENTLY BUT FIRMLY BY THE NONNIPUS DORA RAISED HER NOSE ANOTHER NOTCH KENUF WAS STANDING NEAR HIM A PERFECTLY BRANK OF EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE THE STRONG HANDS MOVED ON THE TABLE TOP AND IF HE'S GOT YOU IN A WOODEN HOUSE AND HE'S GOING TO BURN IT DOWN WHAT GOOD DOES THAT YOUR KNOWLEDGE DO YOU I BROUGHT THE AXE DOWN AGAIN AND SOMETHING CRACKED SHARPLY AND THE THIRD BLOW SENT THE DOOR SWINGING WIDE +24dafa51-bd58-4d09-8a2d-ac2438f931ba YONAS WAS THANKFUL FOR THAT AND FOR THE REST WELL HE THOUGHT RESIGNEDLY WHAT WAS A HERO WITHOUT A QUEST GAVE ME THE SLIP WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT WELL I'LL DO IT TOO I'M TOO WORN OUT FOR ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE YOU DO MANOEL JUST A COUPLE OF LAST QUESTIONS MAKE THEM REEL FAST THEN I'M ON MY WAY WE THOUGHT IT QUITE SUFFICIENTLY MARVELLOUS THAT SHE SHOULD EXPECT TO HAVE THE CHANCE OF JUST SEEING THEM CAN A QUEEN DO EXACTLY AS SHE PLEASES SARA RAY WANTED TO KNOW FELICITY FROWNED AT HIM AND THE STORY GIRL TOUCHED HER WITH HER SLIPPERED FOOT TO REMIND HIM THAT HE MUST NOT TALK IN CHURCH HAVE YOU GOT A CENT FOR COLLECTION DEMANDED FELICITY I'VE GOT A YANKEE CENT I SUPPOSE IT WILL DO WON'T IT +24ff9df2-47f7-4110-8fe8-af6d04073657 WHAT IS UNCLE ROGER LIKE WAS OUR NEXT QUESTION WELL I LIKE UNCLE ROGER SAID THE STORY GIRL MEDITATIVELY WITH THE GATHERING SHADES OF NIGHT OUR PLIGHT BECAME PITIFUL IN THE DAYLIGHT SURROUNDED BY HOMELY FAMILIAR SIGHTS AND SOUNDS IT WAS NOT SO DIFFICULT TO FORTIFY OUR SOULS WITH A CHEERING INCREDULITY DO THINK IT'S TRUE AND IN ANY CASE HE SAID NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR HOW THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO BE SURE AND IF EVER ONE OF YOU MENTION SAWDUST PUDDING TO ME I'LL NEVER TELL YOU ANOTHER STORY AS LONG AS I LIVE +250e79f8-2c5b-405a-becb-3a1a3c3dc037 OTHER PARTS THEY HAD BEEFED UP FIGURING THEY WOULD WEAR BUT SLOWLY GREETINGS O NOBLE SERVERS OF THE GREAT GOD I SAID NEVERTHELESS ALTHOUGH NONE OF US NOT EVEN UNCLE ROGER OR FELICITY SAID A WORD AT THE TIME FOR FEAR OF HURTING THE STORY GIRL'S FEELINGS I TOOK THE BOX OF SEED OUT OF MY TRUNK IN THE TWILIGHT ROOM AND SWALLOWED THE DECREED PINCH I WISHED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SERMON CONTEST AND FELT SORE WHENEVER I THOUGHT OF MY FAILURE +2523fed2-18be-47c7-bf53-ec333cbad7a4 RETORTED FELICITY UNCRUSHED BUT ALL THINGS CONSIDERED WE LIKED THE PROSPECT OF OUR SUMMER VERY MUCH BELIEVE THAT WE FIND MORE REAL ENJOYMENT IN YOUR OZBOOKS THAN IN ANY OTHER BOOKS HE IS NEITHER MADE OF TIN NOR STUFFED WITH STRAW NOR CAN HE FLY AND IF HE LOOSED HIS CLASP EVER SO LITTLE HE WAS AFRAID SHE WOULD FALL SO WEAK AND TREMBLING WAS SHE FROM HER DREADFUL FRIGHT YOU'VE JUST BEEN PRAYING FOR THE OPPOSITE TO ME OUT OF SPITE AND YOU'VE GOT TO STOP IT PETER CRAIG +254ee603-d5ae-4de0-b51f-81223d8a6582 THE TRUSTING BUILDERS COUNTED ON THE SIGN TO DO THE WHOLE JOB FOR THERE WASN'T A TRACE OF A LOCK ON THE DOOR I'D RATHER HAVE DIED THAN RISK IT CONCLUDED FELIX SOLEMNLY MATERIAL FOR NEW GARMENTS NIGHT OR DAY AND THEN AT LAST THE CHANTING CEASED ONE OF THE PRIESTS SPOKE SHARPLY COMMANDINGLY TO E PAY AND THE LATTER NODDED YOU AND VIC YOU AREN'T REAL TO ME EITHER I JUMPED AT THE OFFER I HAD THOUGHT OF IT HE OWNED BUT IT LOOKS A WEE LIKE A STORM AND MY SLEIGH IS AT THE BLACKSMITH'S TO BE SHOD +257c016f-fa1a-4bd8-a493-62158dbb2b1a CECILY DO YOU KNOW WHERE MOTHER PUT THE SAWDUST SHE EMPTIED OUT OF THAT OLD BEADED PINCUSHION OF GRANDMOTHER KING'S AFTER SHE HAD SIFTED THE NEEDLES OUT OF IT I THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE TIN BOX FELICITY TOSSED HER GOLDEN HEAD AND SHOT AN UNSISTERLY GLANCE AT DAN I WOULDN'T BE VERY LIKELY TO HAVE A HIRED BOY FOR A BEAU SHE OBSERVED WE SAW THAT HER ANGER WAS REAL NOT AFFECTED DID YOU KNOW THESE LITTLE PEOPLE WERE THERE BEFORE AH SURE THERE A LONG TIME TOPSY THE CAT OF WHICH FATHER HAD TALKED HAD FLOURISHED THIRTY YEARS BEFORE AND ALL HER NINE LIVES COULD SCARCELY HAVE LASTED SO LONG FELIX WAKE UP I WHISPERED SHAKING HIM WHAT'S THE MATTER HE MURMURED RELUCTANTLY IT'S MORNING +258f66e8-7c3b-4eb9-ba8c-48aab90d3ee9 AND THE ORCHARD FORGOTTEN WE FOLLOWED HER SUMMONS FOR WE KNEW THAT THIS MUST BE THE STORY GIRL AND IN THAT GAY AND GRACEFUL GESTURE WAS AN ALLUREMENT NOT TO BE GAINSAID OR DENIED PROBABLY IN FACT GARF WOULD TRY TO CONQUER THE WORLD ANYWAY THE ODDNESS ABOUT THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS BECAME FINNY CREST LAST NIGHT I DREAMED A DRAM ASKED FELIX SCEPTICALLY SHE LOVED HIM WITH ALL HER HEART WHY YOU MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT ANY COMMON BOOK I DIDN'T MEAN ANY HARM SAID PETER CRESTFALLEN THE BIBLE IS AN INTERESTING BOOK SAID THE STORY GIRL COMING TO PETER'S RESCUE +259c89d0-88d7-46b5-a48d-ffd6895a61d6 BEFORE HE COULD MOVE I PUSHED A SWITCH AND A HANDFUL OF LOCAL CURRENCY WAMPUM TYPE SHELLS ROLLED OUT OF THE CAVE AND LANDED AT HIS FEET HERE IS SOME MONEY FROM PARADISE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN A GOOD BOY NOT REALLY FROM PARADISE I LIFTED IT FROM THE TREASURY THE NIGHT BEFORE BUT IF THE LEGS WERE THIN THE VOICE WAS MORE THAN FULL ENOUGH TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE TALK BLESS YOU DECORES TALK HE ROARED WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE ABOUT A BARRESHIP WHO'S BUILDING IT I HAD MY NAIL FAR OUT AND WAS TOUCHING UP A CUTICLE HOLDING IT OUT FOR INSPECTION BEFORE I SAID ANYTHING WE TALKED THE MATTER OVER IN SERIOUS CONCLAVE IN THE ORCHARD THAT EVENING WE WERE ALL RATHER SHORT OF HARD CASH HAVING DEVOTED MOST OF OUR SPARE MEANS TO THE SCHOOL LIBRARY FUND AT ALL EVENTS FELICITY RESENTED THE IMPUTATION THAT SHE HAD MORE INFLUENCE WITH PETER THAN ANY ONE ELSE I DON'T MEDDLE WITH HIRED BOYS PRAYERS SHE SAID HAUGHTILY +2625d890-f42d-4d3e-b120-308f0163a8f6 THE GIRLS SAW THIS ENTRY BUT TO THEIR CREDIT BE IT TOLD THEY NEVER TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT THE DRAM WAS AS PETER SAID THEY WERE LADIES IN THE BEST AND TRUEST SENSE OF THAT MUCH ABUSED APPELLATION OH I WONDER HOW SARA IS THIS MORNING MOTHER'S GOING DOWN THIS AFTERNOON SAID FELICITY SHE SAYS NONE OF US MUST GO NEAR THE PLACE TILL WE KNOW WHETHER IT IS THE MEASLES OR NOT I'VE THOUGHT OF A GREAT PENANCE SAID CECILY EAGERLY DON'T GO TO THE MISSIONARY MEETING TO NIGHT THE STORY GIRL LOOKED PITEOUS WE GAZED UP AT HER IN SILENCE FOR A FEW MOMENTS WHEN WE HAD HEARD THE NEWS OF PATTY'S RECOVERY WE HAD BEEN NOISY AND JUBILANT BUT WE WERE VERY QUIET NOW A NIGHTMARE WORLD THAT WORDS SEEMED INADEQUATE TO DESCRIBE THE SKY WAS AN ANGRY SULPHUROUS GREEN PRESSING LOW UPON A COUNTRY UTTERLY FLAT AND NEARLY BARREN +2666f97d-cb6b-4aab-9461-87ba56bbfd3c THIS IS A HISTORIC OCCASION COLONEL TOWERS WAS ANNOUNCING TO HIS CREW MELT AS YOU COMPRESS YOUR BLADES I WON'T PUT UP WITH IT FELIX MARCHED OVER TO UNCLE ROGER'S AND WE TRAILED AFTER SCENTING A SCENE HE TOLD FELICITY AND FELICITY TOLD ME AND INDEED WERE BUT BARELY AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH A PERSON AS THE STORY GIRL SARAH STANLEY IT HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE GAMES OF OUR UNCLES AND AUNTS BEING FORTIFIED CASTLE INDIAN AMBUSH +26949181-b7ef-4662-8e89-36ddd37f402d ZID JEFF ECHOED CHAFFY FORE RELIEVED HIS FELLOW OF THE STRAIN BY TRYING HIS OWN RUSTY CROAK A VICIOUS CANTHORIAN CREDITOR COMBING THE ISLAND AT THIS MOMENT FOR PREY YOU MUST HELP US TO RECAPTURE IT AND WHEN HE WAS DOING THIS SCHUBEN WHO WAS ALSO HUNTING SAW HIM FROM AFAR AND THOUGHT HE WAS A REAL MOOSE SHE STOLE CAUTIOUSLY THROUGH THE WOODS UNTIL SHE CAME TO THE BRINK OF A LITTLE VALLEY LET EM HAVE MARS AND VENUS THE COLONEL WOULD SAY LET HIM HAVE THE WHOLE SOLAR SYSTEM WE'LL MAKE A QUANUM JUMP BLAKE FROG AHEAD OF EM WE'LL BE THE FIRST MEN TO SET FOOT ON THE PLANET OF ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM CECILY FINISHED HER CUCUMBER AND THEN DRANK A GLASS OF MILK JUST AS WE HEARD THE WHEELS OF UNCLE ALEC'S BUGGY RAMBLING OVER THE BRIDGE IN THE HOLLOW +26a020bf-4980-43d2-81be-1243004cfcd7 BUT THE SCOOP AT THE MOMENT FOUND WATER DEEP ENOUGH TO MOVE IN EARNEST THEY ERASED THE FEARS OF THE NEUROTIC AND CALMED THE QUIVERINGS OF THE HY POTENSIVE WHY THERE WERE ALWAYS FIGHTING ABOUT RELIGION IN OLD TIMES SAID FELIX WELL SAID THE STORY GIRL LOOK HERE PETER SAID FELIX OMINOUSLY OF THE DELPHINAS BUT YOU SAID AN I A SHIP FOUND THIS JOINT THE CALL BELL JANGLED FELICITY CECILY AND DAN WERE SITTING OPPOSITE US STORY GIRL WAS AWFULLY DISAPPOINTED +26b10598-3633-4b97-b8ad-b01e90b8fa25 THE SILENCE WAS A LONG ONE AND AT THE END OF IT KNOOF ROSE IF IT IS POSSIBLE YERS SAID OVERPOWERED AND HELD HIM IN A BRIEF SECOND AND PETER WANTED TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD PASS THE ORDEAL IT AND I DID DO YOU WANT TO HEAR IT THE STARS TWINKLED THROUGH THE SOFTLY WAVING BOUGHS WE SLIPPED OUT OF BED AND DRESSED WITHOUT AROUSING DAN WHO WAS STILL SLUMBERING SOUNDLY HIS MOUTH WIDE OPEN AND HIS BEDCLOTHES KICKED OFF ON THE FLOOR THERE WAS A SOUND OF STEALTHY MOVEMENT OUTSIDE THE CABIN AND HE FLICKED SWEAT OUT OF HIS EYES WITH A HAND THAT SHOOK +27120c2d-cb08-4c4c-bfc2-d9777ee7daeb YOU OUGHT TO BE GLAD THAT POOR BOY IS GOING TO GET STARTED IN THE RIGHT WAY THERE'S A GREAT BIG PATCH ON HIS BEST PAIR OF TROUSERS PROTESTED FELICITY WE DEMANDED THE TALE INSTANTLY THE STORY GIRL TOLD IT TO US AS SHE PEELED HER POTATOES WELL WILL MONTAGUE FELL IN LOVE WITH RACHEL WARD AND SHE WAS WITH HIM AND IT WAS ALL ARRANGED THAT THEY WERE TO BE MARRIED FROM HERE IN THE SPRING CECILY AND FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL DID NOT CRY THEY WERE MADE OF FINER FIRMER STUFF DRY EYED WITH SUCH COURAGE AS THEY MIGHT THEY FACED WHATEVER MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR THEM NEITHER WOULD SPEAK FIRST AND EACH OBSTINATELY DECLARED THAT SHE WOULD NOT SPEAK FIRST NO NOT IN A HUNDRED YEARS FELICITY THOUGHTFUL CREATURE ALSO TOOK A SMALL BASKETFUL OF JELLY COOKIES ALONG WITH HER +271d9915-f8fd-4d87-a800-5e0bfec43994 THE THIRD MILE BROUGHT HIM TO THE SCENE OF THE CRASH THE OXYGEN HE REALIZED WAS GIVING OUT THE SOUND FADING IN THE DISTANCE BEHIND HIM HAD ADDED A TRADITION ON MY OWN ACCOUNT TO THE FAMILY ARCHIVES HE SLEWED HIMSELF ROUND AND CLAWED HER BARE FOOT I THINK YOU BOYS OUGHT TO GO SHE SAID RETREATING BEHIND THE DEFENCE OF SEX IN THE EAST ABOVE THE MAPLE WOODS WAS A SILVERY SHEEN THAT HINTED THE MOONRISE IS THAT THE NATIVE SPEAKING FORMING THE FAMILIAR WORDS IF THEY DO HAVE THE DELPHINUS +2749daed-0fdb-4bb0-9fff-6097b0cd8e71 BUT I DIDN'T EVEN STOP TO GIVE HIM A RING THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO HE WENT THE WAY OF THE TWO OTHERS OFF ON ANOTHER TANGENT NOW I WISH I COULD DREAM OF MY AUNT JANE I NEVER DO HIS ATTIRE CONSISTED OF A FADED GINGHAM SHIRT I DID AN EXCITING DREAM LAST NIGHT FOR ONCE SAID DAN TRIUMPHANTLY I HAD VERY LITTLE SITTING DOWN PATIENCE ANYWAY AND IT HAD BEEN LONG SINCE EXHAUSTED I CAN BE CONNED ONCE IT WAS A FOUR HOUR DRIVE AND WE MADE PLANS ON THE WAY DOWN BUT IF HE STILL SAYS YOU MUST GO THAT'LL BE A SIGN HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IT PAT WAS THERE ALSO PADDING ABOUT FROM ONE TO THE OTHER ON HIS BLACK PAWS GIVING US FRIENDLY POKES AND RUBS +274e2140-473d-40c6-967f-cef4902d9f22 THE CARLISLE SERVICE WAS IN THE EVENING AND AT SUNSET WE WERE WAITING AT UNCLE ALEC'S FRONT DOOR FOR PETER AND THE STORY GIRL PETER GOES TO CHURCH SAID THE STORY GIRL IN A TONE OF COLD CONCENTRATED FURY YOU KNOW A GREAT DEAL CLARETON SAID WHICH I SOMETIMES FIND IT NECESSARY TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION YONAS TURNED WITH RELIEF AND GOT BACK ON THE PATH BUT HIS STAYED QUITE AS BADLY AS THE HOUSE HAD PROVERBS ARE ALL VERY FINE WHEN THERE'S NOTHING TO WORRY YOU BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN REAL TROUBLE THEY'RE NOT A BIT OF HELP SOME OF THE MEN AROUND THE CHURCH DOOR HEARD THE SCREAM AND THEY RUSHED DOWN TO THE WOOD THEY SAW NOTHING BUT WILLIAM COHEN LYING LIKE A DEAD MAN ON THE PATH THEY TOOK HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM HOME AND WHEN THEY UNDRESSED HIM TO PUT HIM INTO BED +278917fb-60f7-4666-ae0e-70df27f05f19 THE STORY GIRL SLIPPED OVER HOME AND WHEN SHE CAME BACK WE GASPED SHE HAD COMBED HER HAIR OUT STRAIGHT AND BRAIDED IT IN A TIGHT KINKY PUDGY BRAID AND SHE WORE AN OLD DRESS OF FADED PRINT WITH HOLES IN THE ELBOWS AND RAGGED FLOUNCES WHICH WAS MUCH TOO SHORT FOR HER AND I KNOW HOW MANY EGGS MOTHER SAID YOU COULD USE WHILE SHE WAS AWAY I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY NOT RETORTED CECILY GOD MADE PATTY JUST AS MUCH AS HE MADE YOU FELICITY KING THOUGH PERHAPS HE DIDN'T GO TO SO MUCH TROUBLE BESIDES THAT THERE WERE A PAIR OF BLUE SATIN SLIPPERS ON THE FLOOR BESIDE IT ESTABLISHING CONTACT ONLY TOOK A FEW SECONDS THERE WAS NO DOUBT I WAS STILL IN CHARGE BUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WAS ANYTHING BUT FORMAL CECILY WAS SICK TWAS THEN WE LIKED OUR GROWN UPS BEST FOR THEN THEY SEEMED HALF CHILDREN AGAIN SHE HAD A KNACK OF KEEPING SECRETS ANYHOW +278cd7f1-8e31-49c8-b2a0-a18c95d5c4ba HE HAD NEVER LIKED HER SINCE THE DAY SHE HAD TOLD HIM HE WOULD SOON BE AS BROAD AS HE WAS LONG I WONDER IF THE STORY GIRL IS PRETTY SAID FELIX ALOUD DONALD AND NEIL NANCY AND BETTY WERE THERE IN THE ROOM WITH US WE SAW THE FLASHES OF EXPRESSION ON THEIR FACES WE HEARD THEIR VOICES ANGRY OR TENDER MOCKING OR MERRY IN LOWLAND AND HIGHLAND ACCENT DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THINKING IS VERY BAD FOR DRAGONS RETURNED THE BIG ONE IMPATIENTLY HOW OLD AM I FATHER PERSISTED THE SMALL DRAGON ABOUT SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY I BELIEVE THE MESSENGER WOKE ME FROM A DEEP SLEEP TURNING ON THE LIGHT AND HANDING ME THE SLIP OF PAPER I BLINKED MYSELF AWAKE READ THE FIRST TWO LINES AND PRESSED THE ACTION STATION ALARM OVER MY BUNK +27bbcdcb-f0ad-4039-b137-5f3dc806e7e8 I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED I COULDN'T GO OVER LAST NIGHT I GOT UP EARLY THIS MORNING THOUGH FOR I FELT SURE YOU WOULD BE UP EARLY TOO AND THAT YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE ME TELL YOU ABOUT THINGS I CAN TELL THINGS SO MUCH BETTER THAN FELICITY OR CECILY WE KNEW THAT UNCLE ALEC WAS FOND OF CHILDREN AND WAS HEART GLAD TO WELCOME ALLEN'S BOYS BUT IT'S FOUR BY THE KITCHEN CLOCK SO IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY AND TEA IS READY AND MOTHER SENDS TO COME IN WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER REALIZING WHAT OUR DREAD HAD BEEN NOW THAT IT WAS LIFTED IT WAS NOT THE JUDGMENT DAY THERE ARE NATURAL LAWS IN CRIME AS IN EVERY OTHER FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR I KNEW THIS WAS IT +27de61e0-0c12-47f8-b918-c6d43a0c081b UNTIL WE ALL GROWN UP WITH CHILDREN IT WAS AS MUCH SARAH RAY'S NORMAL STATE AS ANY OTHER WE WERE ALL INTENSELY EXCITED SATURDAY MORNING HARVEST WAS ENDED AND THOUGH SUMMER WAS NOT YET GONE HER FACE WAS TURNING WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THE CAMPBELL DID HE AND HIS LITTLE FRIEND WILL HAVE THEIR SPACESHIP FINISHED SOON NOW HE SETTLED A HELMET ON HIS HEAD MOTIONED FOR FARMER TO HELP HIM CHECK THE CONNECTIONS OF THE SOUP'S OGT'S DREAM WAS CLEANED OUT OF ALL READING MATTER THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I CHECKED WE CAN'T STOP THE BATTLESHIP FROM ATTACKING AGAIN BUT WE CAN SEE TO IT THAT THE TIME AFTER THAT SHE SAILS INTO A TRAP WHY ALL THE TROUBLE IN YEARS OF WORK TO GET A SHIP THAT TWO PEOPLE COULD JUST BARELY MANAGE +27f2d159-0e86-4cb1-92ff-164924ec635a YOU MARSHALL'S LITTLE BOY YOU LOOK JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER SAID THE MIDGET THAT VOICE I SHOULD KNOW THAT VOICE EVEN IF IT'S CRACKED TO PIECES THAT HAS TO BE MANUEL'S VOICE WE WENT PROMPTLY A LETTER FROM THE STORY GIRL'S FATHER WAS ALWAYS AN EVENT AND TO HEAR HER READ IT WAS ALMOST AS GOOD AS HEARING HER TELL A STORY HE CALLS HIS PLACE GOLDEN MILESTONE I KNOW WHY BECAUSE I'VE READ LONGFELLOW'S POEMS HE NEVER GOES INTO SOCIETY BECAUSE HE IS SO AWKWARD THE GIRLS LAUGH AT HIM AND HE DOESN'T LIKE IT I KNOW A STORY ABOUT HIM AND I'LL TELL IT TO YOU SOMETIME THE MIDDLE AGED MAN SEEMED RELIEVED THEN ON SECOND THOUGHT HE HESITATED UNEASILY WHY IS THERE ANY DANGER THE AIR OF SERIOUS THREE WAS DOING STRANGE THINGS TO HIM TWO OF THE TREES SEEMED TO BE MOVING HE SWAYED AND SAT HEAVILY +281a97c7-ab69-46d9-9b8c-55955843a0f3 AND IF SO WHERE IT IS NO LIGHT DOWN THERE AND THEY'RE MOVING UP FAST YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T HAVE THE WEAPONS TO MEET US CONTINUED HORN I RECKON YOU GOT IT SIR COULD SEE IT WE'D BUMP INTO OUR OWN TREES AND HOUSES AND PEOPLE WE'D WE AVOIDED THE ORCHARD FELICITY DON'T CALL PETER A HIRED BOY WHEN HE'S SICK PROTESTED CECILY IS REALLY TOO BIG FOR ANY USE THE BIRD LANGUAGE WHICH NEITHER THE GIANTESS NOR THE BEAR NOR THE MONKEY COULD UNDERSTAND +282946ac-2298-46e3-949f-5d058e9c70bd SOON THE HOUSE WAS DARK AND SILENT IT SEEMED TO US THAT THEY SHOULD STILL BE IN THE SAPLING STAGE CORRESPONDING TO OUR BOYHOOD ROCKER COLLAPSED AWAY FROM MY ROAR AND GNAWED HIS EARS YES HE SAID NOT TOO LONG AGO I REMEMBER THERE WAS SOME TROUBLE AND WHAT ELSE I INTERRUPTED HIM COLD MOISTURE WAS BEGINNING TO COLLECT ALONG MY SPINE NOW THE DRIVES THE CONTROLS ARE THEY IN TO WHY YES HE SAID HOW DID YOU KNOW THE NORMAL TREADY WAS CHANGED AROUND CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF UNNECESSARY TROUBLE FEW THINGS CAN INJURE TIN AND MY AXE IS A POWERFUL WEAPON TO USE AGAINST A FOE THE INHABITANTS MAY BE PEOPLE OF SOME SORT OR THEY MAY BE ANIMALS BUT WHATEVER THEY PROVE TO BE WE WILL HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY CHARLEY TO DOROTHY AND OZMA ON OUR RETURN THEN ATTEMPTED A SWAN DYKE SO FAR AS OTHER INTELLIGENT RACES OF THE GALAXY ARE CONCERNED +28730657-2b02-42a3-b79a-696116902e69 NEIL DIDN'T WANT MUCH PERSUASION HE TOOK SOME MORE AND SAID SLYLY IS IT WE GOING OVER THE BAY THE NIGHT THAT YOURSELF WILL BE DOING WE ALL LAUGHED BUT FELICITY SOON GREW SOBER IT SEEMS AWFUL TO THINK OF EATING A SAWDUST PUDDING HOW ON EARTH DID YOU MAKE SUCH A MISTAKE IT LOOKED JUST LIKE CORNMEAL SAID THE STORY GIRL GOING FROM WHITE TO RED IN HER SHAME WELL I'M GOING TO GIVE UP TRYING TO COOK AND STICK TO THINGS I CAN DO KEEP YOUR HAND ON YOUR GUN SAID VIC SWIFTLY I DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF THESE CHAPS SHE BANGED THINGS ABOUT AND RATTLED THE STOVE COVERS UNTIL EVEN CECILY PROTESTED FROM HER SOFA BUT FELICITY HAD DONE HER WORK TOO THOROUGHLY THE STORY GIRL WAS NOT TO BE COMFORTED +28c2e48a-3122-4306-97e4-aa0154acab45 I HAD TO CONSTRUCT A SOLUTION SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY SINCE I COULDN'T BE SURE WHERE PEPPE WAS GOING TO BE NEXT I HAD TO MAKE HIM GO WHERE I WANTED HIM TO PEPEY HAD SWALLOWED THE BAIT THERE WAS ONLY ONE SHIP IN THE GALAXY THAT COULD NOT BACK A BLIP THAT BIG AT SUCH A DISTANCE BUT TO FELIX EVERYTHING SUDDENLY BECAME FLAT STALE AND UNPROFITABLE BECAUSE PETER CONTINUED TO HOLD THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF BITTER APPLES IT HAUNTED HIS WAKING HOURS AND OBSESSED HIS NIGHTS I HEARD HIM TALKING IN HIS SLEEP ABOUT IT PEOPLE TOOK IT RIGHT HERE ON THE ISLAND AND A NUMBER OF YOUNG MEN DETERMINED THEY WOULD GO TO CALIFORNIA IT IS EASY TO GO TO CALIFORNIA NOW BUT IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT MATTER THEN THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I HAVE TO CHIDE HIM GENTLY BOTH WITH MY TONGUE AND WITH MY BROOMSTICK BUT HE IS MY HUSBAND AND I MUST MAKE THE BEST OF HIM +28e46f75-a87e-48a4-a207-404926dc8d72 I LIKE PETER WELL ENOUGH IN HIS PLACE SAID FELICITY PRIMLY BUT YOU MAKE FAR TOO MUCH OF HIM MOTHER SAYS HE IS ONLY A HIRED BOY AND HE HASN'T BEEN WELL BROUGHT UP AND HASN'T MUCH EDUCATION I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE SUCH AN EQUAL OF HIM AS YOU DO I THRUST THE BOX HASTILY INTO MY TRUNK AND CONFRONTED DAN NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS I SAID DEFIANTLY YES TIS DAN WAS TOO MUCH IN EARNEST TO RESENT MY BLUNT SPEECH LOOK HERE BEV IS THAT MAGIC SEED ALL RIGHT BUT WAIT TILL I TELL YOU WHEN PEG BOWEN WAS LEAVING PAT STRETCHED OUT ON THE STEPS SHE TRAMPED ON HIS TAIL YOU KNOW PAT DOESN'T LIKE TO HAVE HIS TRAIL MET TAIL MET AND MEDDLED WITH HE SLEWED HIMSELF ROUND AND CLAWED HER BARE FOOT IF YOU'D JUST SEEN THE LOOK SHE GAVE HIM YOU'D KNOW WHETHER SHE WAS A WITCH OR NOT THE APPLES FROM OUR OWN BIRTHDAY TREES WERE STORED IN SEPARATE BARRELS INSCRIBED WITH OUR NAMES WE MIGHT DISPOSE OF THEM AS WE WILLED +29098aa1-f613-4cdd-9784-963a62269875 NONE COULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION THEY SAT AROUND THE CAGE BROODING OVER THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE MONKEY FELL ASLEEP SEEING THIS THE CANARY TUCKED HER HEAD UNDER HER WING AND ALSO SLEPT AND THE TIN OWL AND THE BROWN BEAR DID NOT DISTURB THEM UNTIL MORNING CAME AND IT WAS BROAD DAYLIGHT TO US FOR EVERMORE THE MILKY WAY WOULD BE NOT PETER'S OVERWHELMING GARLAND OF SONS BUT THE LUCENT BRIDGE LOVE CREATED ON WHICH THE BANISHED ARCHANGELS CROSSED FROM STAR TO STAR WE HAD TO GO UP TO SARA RAY'S LANE WITH HER TO HER VERY DOOR FOR SHE WAS AFRAID PEG BOWEN WOULD CATCH HER IF SHE WENT ALONE THEN THE STORY GIRL AND I WALKED UP THE HILL TOGETHER PUT DEGREES IN CHARGE OF THE RECORD ROOM FOR A WHILE YOU SAID THAT WAY HE CAN LEARN THE ROPES BUYING AROUND IN SENTRY OLD DUSTY FILES WILL BE JUST THE THING FOR A FREE SPIRIT LIKE SLIPPERY GIM DEGREES TEACH HIM DISCIPLINE SHOW HIM WHAT THE CORE STANDS FOR AT THE SAME TIME IT WILL GET THE RECORDS IN SHAPE THEY HAVE BEEN NEED NEEDING REORGANIZATION FOR QUITE A WHILE SHE WAS A PRETTY SIGHT THERE WAS AN ARTIST'S PERCEPTION IN JEFF IN SPITE OF HIS DRAB YEARS OF E I PATROL DUTY THE WHITE PUFF OF SAIL ON DARK GREEN SEA GLIDING ACROSS CALM WATER BANDED WITH LIGHTER AND DARKER STRAYER WHERE SUBMERGED SHOALS LAY STRUCK SOMETHING RESPONSIVE IN HIM THE COMPARISON IT FORCED BETWEEN COLLAXIA AND EARTH WHOSE YAWNING FORTH WORE SCARS AND HERITAGE OF ANXIETIES MADE CALM CRYSTAL SO DESPERATELY NECESSARY OPPRESSED HIM +29221e31-00fd-44ea-99f3-2b16d528c0ca I THINK HE OUGHT TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT POOR RACHEL WAS SO HAPPY THAT WINTER SHE MADE ALL HER WEDDING THINGS WITH HER OWN HANDS AND HE SAW WHAT HAD SAVED HIM LIKE ANY LADY'S WEARBYER AT AN ANNUAL CONVENTION OZMA'S FACE BRIGHTENED AS SHE LISTENED TO THIS CLEVER PROPOSAL EVEN NOW THE RAIN DROPS WERE BEGINNING TO FALL BUT IT WAS QUITE DRY INSIDE THE TUNNEL AND BY THE TIME THEY HAD REACHED THE OTHER END THEY HAD THREE DAYS MARGARET'S FATHER AND MOTHER FORGAVE HER CAN'T DESCRIBE MY FEELINGS +29356ae2-39b9-4e3e-ab04-c363824cdcd7 THEREFORE SHE COULD NOT COME AND IN UNCLE STEPHEN THE BLOOD OF THE SEAFARING RACE CLAIMED ITS OWN I NODDED SHUDDERING HE EXCLAIMED BREATHLESSLY I WAS JUST ABOUT TO PHONE FOR THE POLICE I WAS FOR CERTAIN SIR GRUMBLED AS WE FLOATED THERE WITH THE ENGINES SILENT WASTING PRECIOUS DAYS WHILE HALF HIS CREW WAS INVOLVED IN GETTING OUT WHAT APPEARED TO BE INSANE INSTRUCTIONS THEN THE STORY GIRL ARRIVED ARRAYED NOT IN ANY SECOND BEST BUT IN HER VERY BEST DRESS AND HAT WHICH HER FATHER HAD SENT HER FROM PARIS +2953ee10-9846-4919-8cf3-d11a7885e48b MISSUS RAY ALWAYS LOOKS ON THE DARK SIDE AND IT MAY NOT BE THE MEASLES SARA HAS AFTER ALL SHE SAID YESTERDAY YOU CAN GO SURE WITH HER RED HAIR SANDY WILL NOT BE LIKE TO LOSE HIS PRIDE PAST FINDING I SUPPOSE SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD TEACH HIM MANNERS FOR WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT THE WOMAN DID SHUT UP AND NEVER SPOKE ONE SINGLE WORD TO HER HUSBAND FOR FIVE YEARS ONE SAYS I'M A LITTLE BY FIVE YEARS OLD AND I JUST LOVE YOUR OZ STORIES HAVEN'T ANYTHING YOU FELLOWS HAVE EVERYBODY LOOKED AT OUR PEW HE WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT +295bfebf-d4bd-40c3-a20b-4670ce64b0c3 IT MUST BE FIFTY KILOMETERS LONG AND AT LEAST TEN WIDE SWARMING WITH THESE CREATURES TOO WE'VE GOT A ZONE COUNT ESTIMATE THE PLACES OF CITY'S POPULATION AT OVER THIRTY MILLION THE SHADOWS HAD BEEN STILL BEFORE NOW THEY MOVED AND DANCED AS THE NIGHT WIND TOSSED THE BOUGHS THE OLD HOUSE WITH ITS DREADFUL SECRET WHITE AND CLEAR AGAINST THE DARK BACKGROUND OF SPRUCES WE WERE WOEFULLY TIRED BUT WE COULD NOT SIT DOWN BECAUSE THE GRASS WAS REEKING WITH DEW THE FAMILY GHOST ONLY APPEARS IN DAYLIGHT SAID THE STORY GIRL THERE WAS A SHARP MURMURING SOUND AS OF A HARP STRING SOFTLY PLUCKED HOPE SCREAMED AND OUT OF THE TAIL OF MY EYE I SAW BOTH VIC AND HOPE STRUGGLING FRANTICALLY TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF GUARDS YOU'RE LYING I SAID HOARSELY AND EVEN I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT SORRY THAT'S THE WAY IT IS YOUR BRAINS BOYS WILL PICK MY SKULL TO PIECES AND FIND THE TRUTH OUT ANYWAY THERE'S NO POINT LYING NOW +2969ac55-1703-4be8-a211-954490ea080a AT LEAST I HAD DONE NOTHING LIKE BUTCHERING A FEW OF THEM THAT WOULD MAKE THEM ANTAGONISTIC TOWARD FUTURE ANCESTRAL MESSENGERS HE SAID THAT THE LARGER BEFOCATES WERE TOO STUPID TO BE A NUISANCE I SAT BACK WITH A RELAXED SIGH AND LIT A CIGAR WOULDN'T YOU BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING SOMETHING ABOUT THAT ROBART WHO IS HOLDING YOU I SAID HE HAD A RETENTIVE MEMORY AND NEVER FORGOT ANYTHING HE HEARD OR READ THE FEW BOOKS LEFT TO HIM BY HIS OFT REFERRED TO AUNT JANE HAD STOCKED HIS MIND WITH MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION WHICH SOMETIMES MADE FELIX AND ME DOUBT IF WE KNEW AS MUCH AS PETER AFTER ALL +297417e1-2eee-45ff-88a0-ea3c803cb548 WE WERE NOT SO SURE OF THIS GHOSTS WERE UNCHANCY FOLK BUT DURING THE DAY THE STORY GIRL WOULD SMUGGLE UPSTAIRS VARIOUS TIDBITS FROM THE PANTRY PUTTING HALF IN PETER'S ROOM AND HALF IN HER OWN THEY SAY SHE IS CRAZY PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO FRIGHTEN US CHILDREN INTO GOOD BEHAVIOR BY TELLING US THAT PEG BOWEN WOULD CATCH US IF WE DIDN'T BEHAVE THERE WAS A RARE BREEZE FROM THE SOUTH BLOWING TO MEET US STETSON'S VOICE HISSED SAID STETSON POLITICIANS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP A TIGHT ORBIT YOU WOULDN'T PUT ON AN APRON TO GO TO CHURCH SO IT DOESN'T SEEM AS IF IT WAS PROPER TO PUT IT ON FOR JUDGMENT DAY EITHER IT'S THE BEST I COULD DO SAID SARA DISCONSOLATELY I +297b8181-dfe0-4c8b-945e-0c12d6edfa7d I HAVEN'T ANOTHER CENT ITS UPPER END WAS DIM WITH A DELICATE SPRING MIST AND KINGS FROM ALL LANDS CAME TO WOO HER FOR A BRIDE YOU TELL US LOTS OF MYSTERIES HERE THE MUZZLE LOWERED SLIGHTLY ALL OTHER SOUNDS HUNG SUSPENDED IN THE AFTER SILENCE THEN RESUMED HEADING ONE EIGHT ZERO LUMINOUS NEEDLES DANCED AND A SECOND RED LIGHT FLASHED ON HE FROZE HIS EYES ON THE BRUSH AND NOW IT WAS A MASSIVE THING AND GREAT SPREADING BOUGHS SAID DAN SLYLY +298b2ae5-3ca5-417c-b776-7ca1bc5db8b8 THIS MADE US FEEL QUITE IMPORTANT AUNT FELICITY AND UNCLE FELIX A BIG BUSTLING THOSE YOUR INITIALS THERE AUTHORIZING CONSTRUCTION BUT AS I SAID I KNOW MORE THAN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SHIPS PERHAPS IT COULD BE OF HELP WHERE IS THE LIST LITTLE PEOPLE NOT CHILDREN LITTLE PEOPLE WELL I'LL DO IT TOO I'M TOO WORN OUT FOR ANYTHING ELSE OUTSIDE THE LOFT WAS A VAST SUNSHINY GULF OF BLUE SKY AND MELLOW AIR WHEREIN FLOATED ARGUSES A FLUFFY CLOUD AND AIRY TOPS OF MAPLE AND SPRUCE +29ac523d-bde4-4a52-b5d0-8817e4149e82 WHEN YOU GET ENOUGH REFERENCE PHRASES LIKE THIS IN THE MEMORY BANK THE M T BRAIN TAKES OVER AND STARTS FILLING IN THE MISSING PIECES AS SOON AS THE M T COULD GIVE A RUNNING TRANSLATION OF ANY CONVERSATION I HEARD I FIGURED IT WAS TIME TO MAKE CONTACT I FOUND HIM EASILY ENOUGH RAY WAS BENDING OVER HIS MACHINE MAKING MOTIONS DESIGNED TO IMPRESS AS WELL AS TO MAKE IT WORK IN VERY SIMPLE TERMS HE WAS SAYING THIS IS A COMBINATION OF COLOR TELEVISION AND SUPER RATAR THEY HAVE BUILT THEM A BRIDGE OF LIGHT ACROSS THE UNIVERSE AND SET THY DECREE OF SEPARATION AT NAUGHT DO THOU THEN STRETCH FORTH THINE ARM AND DESTROY THEIR IMPIOUS WORK BLINDLY THE MULTITUDE SURGED TOWARDS THE SCARLET RAY THAT DEALT DEATH FIGHTING THEIR WAY TOWARD THE OBLIVION THEY SO HIGHLY PRIZED +29e12bea-b8d0-4a6c-b88b-3ed3084be28d SINCE THEY WERE AS GOOD AS ANY REAL ADMIRALS I DIDN'T WORRY THE SLIGHTEST FERERO WENT THROUGH THEM AS CAREFULLY AS HE COULD IN HIS RATTLED STATE EVEN CHECKING THE SEALS UNDER U V IT GAVE HIM TIME TO REGAIN A LITTLE BITTER SELF CONTROL AND HE USED IT TO BLUSTER IT WAS NOT A PLEASANT DAY AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE IT RAINED UNTIL LATE IN THE AFTERNOON THE STORY GIRL HAD NOT RECOVERED FROM THE MORTIFICATIONS OF THE PREVIOUS DAY SHE WOULD NOT TALK AND SHE WOULD NOT TELL A SINGLE STORY SHE SAT ON RACHEL WARD'S CHEST AND ATE HER BREAKFAST WITH THE AIR OF A MARTYR WHEN ONE TRAVELS IT IS FOOLISH TO MISS ANY INTERESTING SIGHT ADDED THE SCARECROW BUT A WARNING MEANS DANGER PROTESTED THE WANDER AND I BELIEVE IT SENSIBLE TO KEEP OUT OF DANGER WHENEVER WE CAN THEY MADE NO REPLY TO THIS SPEECH FOR A WHILE EVIDENTLY FELICITY THOUGHT ARTISTS AND ACTRESSES AND ALL SUCH POOR TRASH WERE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER +2a07ee5c-682e-491f-a60c-e6bc60c88a78 AM I CORRECT FRIEND SCARECROW AS IT WAS THEY HAD BARELY TIME TO TELEPPORT THEMSELVES TO THE AFTER HOLD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM IMMEDIATE DANGER AND TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE WHILE THE ZID LUNGED ABOUT THE SHIP IN SEARCH OF THEM WITH MALIGNANT CRIES AND A GREAT SHRIEKING OF CLAWS ON METAL NONE OF US UTTERED A WORD UNTIL WE REACHED THE ROAD LYING IN THE WHITE MOONSHINE OF THE MAY NIGHT THEN FELICITY BROKE THE TENSE SILENCE BY REMARKING TO THE STORY GIRL I TOLD YOU SO THAT IS ONE THING I HAVE AGAINST THE ISLAND YOU NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THINGS LIKE THAT HERE THE PRINCE OF WALES WAS IN CHARLOTTETOWN ONCE SAID PETER MY AUNT JANE SAW HIM QUITE CLOSE BY +2a088159-d62a-4388-919e-d51ad8f5266a WORK FOR YOUR OWN GOOD DO NOTHING FOR ME THERE IS NO NEED TO BE SMUG HE TOLD YANAS AND ENSURE YOUR PEACE NOW FOR A BREAK GUN LOADED I RETREATED TWO OR THREE SWIFT STEPS JERKING THE REVOLVER FROM MY POCKET ISN'T IT AWFUL NICE AND HOLY IN HERE CAUSE A CAT CAN'T STAND BEING MESSY THE CRAGS ARE JUST BURIED ANYWHERE THEY HAPPEN TO DIE SO HE SAT ON THE BACK OF HER CHAIR AND CHATTERED TO HER WHILE SHE MENDED HER STOCKINGS SHE USED TO LIVE WITH AN OLD WITCH WHO WAS SUDDENLY DESTROYED +2a29a887-d983-4ea1-9a8f-db9a0a1541b9 PETER STOPPED AND GLARED AT HIM OVER THE EDGE OF THE PULPIT STONE YOU HAVEN'T ANY BUSINESS TO CALL OUT A THING LIKE THAT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SERMON HE SAID THEY DO IT IN THE METHODIST CHURCH AT MARKDALE PROTESTED FELIX SOMEWHAT ABASHED I HEARD THEM SOME MILITARISTIC CLIQUE THAT MEANT TO OVERTHROW HIM AND TAKE POWER I DIDN'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE PLANETS WHEN ENLISTED FERERA ON MY SIDE THIS WAS EASY EVEN WITHOUT THE THREAT OF EXPOSURE OF THE DOCUMENTS I HAD FOUND IN HIS FILES FELICITY WAS RESIGNED ALTHOUGH THE FATAL PATCH ON PETER'S BEST TROUSERS WAS STILL AN EYE SOORE TO HER SHE DECLARED SHE NEVER GOT ANY GOOD OF THE SINGING BECAUSE PETER STOOD UP THEN AND EVERY ONE COULD SEE THE PATCH AFTER THEY HAD GONE AWAY CARRYING MY KINCHIN KING HUSBAND WITH THEM I TRANSFORMED MYSELF BACK INTO MY FORMER SHAPE AGAIN AND HERE I'VE LIVED IN PEACE AND COMFORT EVER SINCE +2a33db62-9bf6-4614-a36e-46c8af7da95e STETSON SHOT AN ANGRY GLANCE AT IT I AM LOUIS HORN OF REDISCOVERY AND REEDUCATION SO I S'POSED THAT WAS EVEN YOU CAN'T GO ASTRAY AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU CAN ASK ME BUT DON'T BOTHER ME IF YOU CAN HELP IT IT WAS THE SAME NIGHT VERY LATE AND AFTER HE HAD BEEN ASLEEP THAT MARSHALL WAS AWAKENED BY THE RING OF AN AUTHORITATIVE VOICE BUT MISTER MARSHALL HAD NOT ACCEPTED IT AND DIED QUIETLY AS MARILLA HAD DONE ROLY POLY PEPPY HAD SHOWN HIMSELF TO BE A RUTHLESS KILLER HE KNEW WHAT HE WANTED THEN REACHED OUT AND TOOK IT +2a443eaf-580d-4acf-b213-c1cbb67255fc OZMA WILL HELP YOU I'M SURE SAID DOROTHY AND FROM TALES HE HAD HEARD OF SUCH BEINGS WHERE DID THEY COME FROM BROAD CASTING WEARY VAUDEVILLE ROUTINES A DESIRE TO BRAG ABOUT HIS GADARY AS A RED HAZE DRIFTED FROM BEFORE HIS EYES HE REALIZED THAT THE LAUNCH HAD ACQUIRED ANOTHER OCCUPANT THIS WAS THE PLAN AND I FELT IN MY BONES THAT I WAS RIGHT I WROTE AS MANY VARIATIONS AS I COULD SO IT COULD BE SLIPPED INTO AS MANY DIFFERENT FORMATS AS POSSIBLE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR A HORRIBLE FEAR WHICH FLASHED INTO HER MIND THAT POSSIBLY SAWDUST PUDDINGS WERE NOT HEALTHY FOR PEOPLE TO EAT +2a56dee6-f3ea-451d-85c3-686b6d1e2b88 AND HIS TIE WAS NEATLY BOWED BUT I HAVE NEVER FELT QUITE THE SAME TO UNCLE EDWARD SINCE MISTY BLUE AND FAINTLY SWEET ON HER MOTHER'S GRAVE AT THE END OF HIS PRAYER HE SAID O LORD BLESS THIS POOR YOUNG MAN HIDING IN THE CLOSET WHAT'S THE GOOD OF WORKING BUTTONHOLES ON AN OLD RAG ASKED FELICITY AND HOW IN FOREIGN LANDS HE HAD LONGED FOR ITS SPARKLING WATER LIKE CECILY'S THERE ALONE IN THE RADIO ROOM WAS CALLING QUIETLY FOR BRAND IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG IT WAS SUBTLE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG IT WAS SUBTLE +2ad6a9b0-7b21-4d96-a154-73e3328f4a3c DO LEARN IS SIMPLE DON'T YOU ASK QUESTIONS INQUIRED THE SCARECROW YES I ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS I DARE BUT SOME PEOPLE REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THEY WERE AS GOOD AS GOLD MOST OF THE DAYS THERE WERE TIMES WHEN ONE COULDN'TT HELP LIKING ROGER OVERHEAD THE LACING LEAVES MADE A GREEN MURMUROUS ROOF THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS HURRY IN THE WORLD WHILE WE LINGERED THERE AND TALKED OF CABBAGES AND KINGS I NOSED THROUGH THOSE FILES AND FOUND THEM MOST INTERESTING PARTICULARLY C AND M SET UP THE CATEGORIZEER AND A MEMORY +2aec9023-0824-4842-8999-4cc9a71ad520 I RECOGNIZED THIS DEATHLESS LINE AS THE CURTAIN SPEECH AND CRAWLED TO MY FEET WHILE IT WAS BEING OPENED THE FIRST LIZARD TURNED TO ME WELL HOW AM I TO ADDRESS HER ASKED THE STORY GIRL IN DESPAIR THIS TREATMENT BEING REPEATED EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK WE WERE SO AFRAID YOU WERE GOING TO DIE I BUT WHEN THOSE LONG WHITE CLOUDS SWEEP ACROSS THE SKY IT'S THE STORY GIRL'S DOINGS THE SCOOP THAT HAD SURFACED JUST BEHIND HER WAS SO CLOSE THAT JEFF WONDERED IF ITS SPECIES LEGENDARY GOOD NATURE HAD BEEN MISREPRESENTED IT WAS MORE THAN VAST +2af9656a-3260-4b45-a18d-42c4d3e43ced AND ONE TALK ON THIS SUBJECT INSPIRED THE STORY GIRL TO DO A LITTLE HOME MISSIONARY WORK ON HER OWN ACCOUNT BUT I'M GOING TO DO THE BEST I CAN ANYHOW YOUR AUNT OLIVIA SAYS I CAN HAVE THE JOB OF GATHERIN THE EGGS AND I'M TO HAVE ONE EGG OUT OF EVERY DOZEN TO SELL FOR MYSELF WELL I'D LIKE A MAN WHO COULD MOVE AROUND WITHOUT FALLING OVER HIS OWN FEET SAID FELICITY AND THIS WAS DIFFICULT FOR THERE WEREN'T THAT MANY PEOPLE IN THE TOWN HE HAD BEEN GIVEN A DEADLINE BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITIZEN'S GROUP REGA PEN NOSTROS PECCADORES OLDER WELL IIN'T GOING TO CHURCH TILL I'VE MADE UP MY MIND WHETHER I'M GOING TO BE A METHODIST OR A PRESBYTERIAN +2b1edd98-ee04-462a-a78e-2f0594afa87e HE HAD NO IDEA I WASN'T INTEREST IN HIS OTHER HANKEY PANKY BUT COULD TELL THAT I HAD A LOW BLOW WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HIS QUOTATIONS MEANT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM FELICITY TOSSED HER HEAD HE'S JUST A LOVELY BOY AND TWICE AS SMART AS LOTS THAT AREN'T HIRED OUT OH WHAT A PARTING IT WAS THEN I'M SURE SHE COULDN'T LIVE IN THAT LITTLE HOUSE SAID WOUT A DOZEN TIMES +2b63d1e8-2770-4229-a6c4-915ade185725 SERMONS ARE MORE INTERESTING THAN I THOUGHT AND I LIKE THE SINGING SHE WAS BAREHEADED AS USUAL AND HER SCARLET RIBBON WAS BOUND FILLET WISE ABOUT HER HEAD AFTER THAT PHILEAS DECLARED IT WOULD SERVE FELICITY WRITE IF THE STORY GIRL NEVER SPOKE TO HER AGAIN FELICITY HAD NEVER ADMIRED THE FORGET ME NOT JUG BUT SHE HAD ALWAYS HANKERED AFTER THE CHERRY VARS AN AFFAIR OF WHITE GLASS WITH A CLUSTER OF RED GLASS CHERRIES AND GOLDEN GREEN GLASS LEAVES ON ITS SIDE WHICH AUNT OILBY HAD GIVEN CECILY ONE CHRISTMAS BUT I HAD NO BURNING DESIRE TO EAT SOUR APPLES WITHOUT GRIMACING I LIKE THEM BEST THAT WAY IT IS THE VERY SAME CUP SAID THE STORY GIRL IMPRESSIVELY ISN'T IT AN AMAZING THING CONSEQUENTLY HER DREAM BOOK WAS VERY MONOTONOUS +2b738956-1475-410c-ac5b-7cd1573dc8f7 HIS FOOTSTEPS GRATED ON A FLOOR THAT WAS THE REAR WALL OF THE BRIDGE DURING FLIGHT BUT NOW THE SHIP RESTED ON ITS TAIL FINS ALL FOUR HUNDRED GLISTENING RED AND BLACK METERS OF IT THE OPEN PORTS OF THE BRIDGE LOOKED OUT ON THE JUNGLE ROOF OF CHINA THREE SOME ONE HUNDRED FIFTY METERS BELOW A BUTTER YELLOW SUN HUNG ABOVE THE HORIZON PERHAPS AN HOUR FROM SETTING WELL I SUPPOSE THAT'S WHAT THE MAN WHO DREW IT THOUGHT GOD WAS LIKE ANSWERED THE STORY GIRL CARELESSLY BUT HE COULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ANY MORE THAN YOU DO HE HAD NEVER SEEN HIM IT'S ALL VERY WELL FOR YOU TO SAY SO SAID FELICITY BUT YOU DON'T KNOW EITHER I WISH I COULD BELIEVE THAT ISN'T LIKE GOD BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE THEY WORKED HURRIEDLY BETWEEN JUMPS FORE AND AFT CHAFFEE THREE WHILE THEY WERE STILL IN THE CONTROL CUBICLE THREW THE SHIP OUT OF HYPERDRIVE WITHIN SCANT MILES OF THE NEIGHBORING SUN'S SINGLE PLANET CHAFFEE FOUR ON THE NEXT JUMP SCANNED THE SHIP'S CHARTS AND IDENTIFIED THE SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH THEY TRAVELED WELL GOD WILL BE ALL THE MORE LIKELY TO LISTEN TO ME IF I DON'T PESTER HIM ALL THE TIME ARGUED PETER THIS WAS RANK HERESY TO FELICITY BUT THE STORY GIRL LOOKED AS IF SHE THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING IN IT YOU NEVER GO TO CHURCH ANYHOW CONTINUED FELICITY DETERMINED NOT TO BE ARGUED DOWN +2ba77091-40f2-42df-8acc-4b866bc88a5e EMILY PROMISED TO MEET HIM THERE I AM SURE SHE STAYED AWAKE THAT NIGHT THINKING ABOUT IT AND WONDERING WHAT THE IMPORTANT QUESTION WOULD BE ALTHOUGH SHE KNEW PERFECTLY WELL BUT WHEN MISS HOPE CAME HOME UNEXPECTED THIS MORNING WHAT SHE CUT HER VISIT A FEW DAYS SHORT HER AUNT HAVING OTHER HOUSE GUESTS TURN UP UNEXPECTED LIKE AND MISS HOPE ARRIVES FIRST THING THIS MORNING BEING HERE WHEN I RETURN FROM TOWN AFTER MAILING THE LETTER TO YOU SIR WHEN FERERO ROLLED INTO HIS STUDY AFTER DINNER THE ROOM WAS DARK I HEARD HIM MURMUR SOMETHING ABOUT THE SERVANTS AND FUMBLE FOR THE SWITCH BEFORE HE FOUND IT THE ROBART CLOSED THE DOOR AND TURNED ON THE LIGHTS I SAT BEHIND HIS DESK ALL HIS PERSONAL PAPERS WERE BEFORE ME WEIGHTED DOWN WITH A PISTOL AND AS FIERCE A SCOW AS I COULD RAISE SMEARED ACROSS MY FACE WE WERE TOO YOUNG TO ANALYZE THE VAGUE SENSATION +2c16aaa4-ad9a-4c78-8664-d019cb1bc1cb THAT NIGHT I TOOK THE SHIP DOWN INTO THE HILLS NEAREST THE PYRAMID AN OUT OF THE WAY DRY SPOT WHERE THE UNPHIBIOUS NATIVES WOULD NEVER GO A WHAT LAUGHTER AND QUESTIONING AND TELLING OF TALES FOLLOWED WHAT SMILES AND BRIGHT EYES AND GLAD VOICES WHAT ARE YOU TILLING THESE CHILDREN OUT STUFF FOR ASKED AUNT OLIVIA PASSING ON HER WAY TO THE WELL YOUR FEMALE SUGGESTION IS RIGHT THE ZID DOES NOT SWIM THAT WILL SERVE THE CRYSTAL'S PURPOSE DURING THE INTERIM HE RADIATED CAUTION WORRY PATIENCE YONAS TURNED TO THE BED AND CUT OFF FROM THE DIRECTOR WITH A GRUNT HE WAS TIRED LONG DISTANCE LINKAGES WERE A DRAINED ON THE BOY'S ENERGY +2c28ff36-d99d-4aa9-b9f0-d11e74902e98 WHY IF HE HAD IT TO DO OVER AGAIN HE WOULD YOU WOULD DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING CLARETON'S VOICE SAID YONAS GRINNED SUDDENLY AND SAT STRAIGHTER I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN YOU'D BE GETTING INTO CONTACT SOONER OR LATER HE THOUGHT I TRIED TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL OUR MEN CLARETON THOUGHT IN A CASE LIKE YOURS I TRY HARDER THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN FARMER'S BRAIN THIS WAS TOO MUCH GARF HAD GONE TOO FAR THE BLURLY EDITOR PLUNGED ACROSS THE DESK SWINGING A FIST ONE DOUBTFUL TYPE RAISED A SPEAR BUT NO ONE ELSE TRIED THAT AFTER THE PTERODACTYL EYE PICKED HIM UP AND DROPPED HIM IN THE SWAMP THE PRIESTS WERE A HARD HEADED LOT AND WEREN'T BUYING ANY LIZARDS IN A POKE THEY JUST STOOD AND MUTTERED I HAD TO TAKE THE OFFENSIVE AGAIN WHY AM I WEARING THIS THING ASKED HORN DISGUISE BUT THERE'S NO MOUSTACHE +2c3b96fd-5881-4db6-8546-e842f6ea742d YES I'M GUESSING AN INFORMED GUESS BUT I DO KNOW SOME FACTS AS WELL WITH THE AUTOMATIC DISREGARD FOR OTHERS OF THE TRULY DEDICATED HE PRESSED THE SCRAMBLE BUTTON ON HIS DESK THEY'RE GIVEN BY GOD IF YOU LIKE THEY GROW THEY DEVELOP SO THE ABILITY TO READ MINDS TO TRANSMIT ITS THOUGHT IS GIVEN BY GOD NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR HOW FIFTEEN OF US HAVE DEVELOPED IT FIFTEEN WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE BROTHERHOOD BUT THERE ARE OTHERS OF COURSE YONDS THOUGHT IMPATIENTLY I KNOW ALL THAT THE STORY GIRL GENERALLY HAD HER HEAD GARLANDED WITH THEIR LEAVES THEY BECAME HER VASTLY NEITHER FELICITY NOR CECILY COULD HAVE WORN THEM THOSE TWO GIRLS WERE OF A DOMESTIC TYPE THAT ASSORTED ILL WITH THE WILDFIRE IN NATURE'S VEINS GOOD LUCK I MEANT THAT ABOUT DIVING IN FOR YOU JUST SAY THE WORD I KNOW THE WORD TOO SAID ORNE HELP +2c4cfa5e-9672-4728-ac2c-1f45efd7675a THERE TOO SLEPT THE EMILY WHOSE FAITHFUL SPIRIT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAUNT THE ORCHARD WHAT DOES IT MAKE YOU THINK OF GIRLS STARING GLOOMILY AT THEIR BACKS I ENVIED FOR ONE MOMENT THEIR SIMPLE FAITH IN THE LEAGUE NAVY THIS ONE HAS RECEPTORS ON THE HULL ATTEMPT TO DESTROY ANY PART OF THE SHIP OR EVEN GAIN ENTRY TO IT AND THIS ONE WILL DETONATE THE MASTER IS AWFUL CROSS BY SPELLS BUT HE COULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ANY MORE THAN YOU DO THERE WERE NO RAILROADS ACROSS THE LAND AND THERE I CONTINUED TO STAND WHILE DAYS CAME AND WENT LEAD ON YOUR MAJESTY SINCE YOU KNOW THE WAY AND WE WILL FOLLOW +2c5054d6-9943-405b-b4c5-d3e540796c25 WE HOVERED ABOVE THE TEMPLE AT ABOUT TWO THOUSAND METERS UNTIL IT WAS LIGHT AND THEN DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN ONE WAS THAT VIC HAD PLUNGED INTO SOME SORT OF WILD EXPERIMENT E PAY WAS THRUST ASIDE BY A GROUP OF ANGRY GUARDS SHE DREW A PICTURE OF THE GRIMACING OTTOMAN ON THE MARGIN OF HER DREAM BOOK WHICH SO SCARED SARA RAY WHEN SHE BEHELD IT THAT SHE CRIED ALL THE WAY HOME AND INSISTED ON SLEEPING THAT NIGHT WITH JUDY PINNOT LEST THE FURNITURE TAKE TO PURSUING HER ALSO WE FELT SURE OF THAT CLARETON REACHED HIM ONCE BUT THE CONTACT WAS WEAK AND FLEETING THE DIRECTOR HADN'T ENOUGH STRENGTH TO REACH HIM AGAIN AT LEAST NOT FOR A DAY OR SO YUNUS WAS EXACTLY WHERE HE WANTED TO BE ON HIS OWN YOU WOULD NOT ACCEPT HELP +2cc2b3b8-433d-47b1-9cf1-2633a561e69c HE MOVED HIS SPEAKING MUSCLES JUST MADE CONTACT WITH THE MOB ONE ON THE HOOD NOW HAS ONE OF OUR MARKED TWENTY RIFLES AIMED AT MY HEAD THE SURFACING OF STETSON'S VOICE CAME THROUGH THE HIDDEN SPEAKER WANT US TO COME BACK IT MAY BE THAT MARSHALL DID NOT BELIEVE HIMSELF QUITE AWAKE HE CERTAINLY DID NOT TAKE THE THREAT SERIOUSLY ENOUGH FOR THE LITTLE MAN DID TRIGGER IT OFF THE RADIO OPERATOR STARTED TO SAY SOMETHING HESITATED AND FINALLY SETTLED FOR YES SIR AND SHE WAS VERY STUBBORN SOON AFTER SHE WAS MARRIED SHE AND HER HUSBAND QUARRELLED ABOUT AN APPLE TREE THEY HAD PLANTED IN THEIR ORCHARD +2cd8da79-2940-4005-a4f1-0c0c6c01da36 GET OFF TO BED EVERY ONE OF YOU IT'S A THANKFUL MAN I'LL BE WHEN YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER COME HOME THE WRETCHED BACHELOR WHO UNDERTAKES TO LOOK AFTER A HOUSE FULL OF CHILDREN LIKE YOU IS TO BE PITIED NOBODY WILL EVER CATCH ME DOING IT AGAIN ROCK I BARKED IN WHAT I HOPED WAS AUTHENTIC OLD SPACE DOG MANNER LUCKLEY'S PLANTS AT THIS SPACE GOING FRONT PORCH HERE IS IT STILL BEING BUILT ON TO THE SHIP THEY HAD TO DRAG THEIR CAPTIVES TO THE CENTRE OF THE DOMED CHAMBER FOR THEIR WEIGHT AS COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE LOONS PREVENTED THEIR BEING CARRIED I HAVE THAT SERMON STILL ALL ITS RED THUMPS UNFADED LYING BESIDE MY DREAM BOOK BUT I'M NOT GOING TO INFLICT IT ON MY READERS I'M NOT SO PROUD OF IT AS I ONCE WAS +2d147212-de82-4b97-a517-92acb9078c65 HE WAS TELLING ME THE GUY WHO DID THE JOB WHILE HE SAT BACK ON HIS FAT PAY CHECK IN AN AIR CONDITIONED OFFICE HE RAMBLED ON HOW I WISH THAT WERE ALL IT TOOK I WOULD HAVE A FLEET OF PART SHIPS AND JUNIOR MECHANICS TO INSTALL THEM BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE GOOD AND NOBLE AND UNSELFISH AND KIND BUT THE BEST AND NOBLEST OF THEM ALL WAS A YOUTH NAMED VING AND THIS YOUTH WAS BELOVED OF ODIN ABOVE ALL OTHERS FOR HIS BEAUTY AND STRENGTH AND GOODNESS SHE SAID I MUST GET DINNER READY BECAUSE THERE WAS PLENTY OF COLD MEAT AND NOTHING TO DO BUT BOIL THE POTATOES AND PEAS AND SET THE TABLE I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PUT MY THOUGHTS INTO IT WHEN THE JUDGMENT DAY MAY BE TO MORROW BESIDES WHAT IS THE GOOD OF ASKING THE GROWN UPS THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THIS THAN WE DO BUT IF THEY JUST SAY THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT IT'LL BE A SORT OF COMFORT SAID CECILY BELOW US WAS THE CARLISLE VALLEY WITH ITS ORCHARD EMBOWERED HOMESTEADS AND FERTILE MEADOWS ITS UPPER END WAS DIM WITH A DELICATE SPRING MIST WINDS BLEW UP THE FIELDS LIKE WAVE UPON WAVE OF SWEET SAVOUR SPICE OF BRACKEN AND BALSAM +2d320ec3-9354-4882-b5a7-07bc4386b8ca SHE AND A KATY WERE VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER BUT TO FELIX EVERYTHING SUDDENLY BECAME FLAT STALE AND UNPROFITABLE AFTER BREAKFAST SHE WASHED THE DISHES AND DID THE BEDROOM WORK A GRIM SILENCE WHATSOEVER IN MY UNIVERSE TRUE LOVE HAVE BUILT THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE TRAGEDY BUT A NUMBER OF MONITOR STATIONS HAD PICKED UP THIS DISCHARGED STATIC OF A LARGE ENERGY WEAPON BEING FIRED ANY LONGER THAN THAT A L I E N BUT I THOUGHT I WAS THROUGH WITH THE OLD REDISCOVERING RE EDUCATION WHEN YOU DRAFTED ME OFF THE HAMMEL INTO THE I A +2d7a699a-cd50-49cf-ba4d-5397ff0dccfd AREN'T YOU GETTING A LITTLE HEAVY YOURSELF DE GRIZ HE SAID VOICE CHILL AS THE ICE CAP I STILL GIVE THE ORDERS AND I'LL TELL YOU WHEN YOU'RE READY FOR AN INDEPENDENT COMMAND I A WHAT IS THAT THERE WAS A WARY TENSENESS IN THE GIANT'S FIGURE HIS MOUTH OPEN TO REVEAL THE LONG CANINES SHE TOOK ANOTHER BISCUIT FROM A PLATE AND DIPPED IT IN A POT OF HONEY HE CALMLY BEGAN EATING IT THE SCARECROW WATCHED HER THOUGHTFULLY KNOWING YOUR DISLIKE FOR SCIENCE OTHER THAN THAT RELATED TO AERONAUTICS ALL CUT IS PRETTY SHORT IT'LL PROBABLY SOUND CRAZY TO YOU ANYWAY YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S SOUND ABOVE THE FREQUENCIES TO WHICH THE HUMAN EAR WILL RESPOND YOU KNOW THERE ARE LIGHT RAYS THAT THE HUMAN EYES CAN'T PERCEIVE +2d7d7a27-6d53-4334-91ad-e13199274c3f WITH PETER AND DAN WITH FELICITY AND CECLI AND THE STORY GIRL WITH PALE GRAY EYED LITTLE SARA RAY WE WERE BOON COMPANIONS WE HAD A CALL FROM PEG BOWEN YESTERDAY YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE STORY GIRL HUSTLING PAT OUT OF THE WAY FOR ALL SHE SAYS SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT HE WAS BEWITCHED PEG HAD YOUR RHEUMATISM RING ON AND THE STORY GIRL'S BLUE BEADS AND SARA RAY'S LACE SEWED ACROSS THE FRONT OF HER DRESS IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A DISTILLERY THAN A BEACON MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW HUNDRED METERS HIGH I'M A REPAIRMAN NOT AN ARCHAEOLOGIST THIS PILE OF JUNK IS OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS OLD JUST FORGET ABOUT IT AND BUILD A NEW ONE THE OLD MAN LEANED OVER HIS DESK BREATHING INTO MY FACE PA'S COUSIN DIED OF EATING SOMETHING FORTY YEARS AGO SOBBED SARA RAY HOLD YOUR TONGUE SAID PETER IN A FIERCE WHISPER YOU OUGHTER HAVE MORE SENSE THAN TO SAY SUCH THINGS TO THE GIRLS THEY DON'T WANT TO BE ANY WORSE SCARED THAN THEY ARE +2d86b1f7-2338-4061-9aff-cdf053bbffec ALSO CHAFFEE THREE POINTED OUT AS THEY DODGED TO THE CONTROL CUBICLE AGAIN JUST AHEAD OF THE SLAVERING ZID WE MAY RETURN LATER WITH THE CAMTHORIAN HUNTING PARTY AND RECOVER OUR INVESTMENT CLOSING THEIR PERCEPTION AGAINST THE ZID'S DISTRACTING RAGINGS THEY SET TO WORK WITH PERFECT CO ORDINATION WE PAUSED AND THE CHANTING WENT ON AND ON UNTIL I BEGAN TO WONDER IF ANYTHING WOULD EVER HAPPEN AND THEN AT LAST THE CHANTING CEASED AND THREE OF THE PRIESTS MOVED TOWARD US FOLLOWED BY AN ELDERLY BEING WHO WORE THE SAME SYMBOL OF POWER OR AUTHORITY THAT I HAD ALREADY NOTED UPON THE CREATURE VIC CALLED E PAI ONE OF THE PRIESTS SPOKE SHARPLY COMMANDINGLY TO E PAY AND THE LATTER NODDED NOT AGREEABLY IT SEEMED TO ME WE HAD LOST SOMETHING OF INFINITELY MORE VALUE THAN FIFTY CENTS ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT REALIZE IT JUST THEN THE MINISTER'S WORDS HAD REMOVED FROM OUR MINDS THE BITTER BELIEF THAT GOD WAS LIKE THAT PICTURE BUT ON SOMETHING DEEPER AND MORE ENDURING THAN MIND AN IMPRESSION HAD BEEN MADE THAT WAS NEVER TO BE REMOVED THE MISCHIEF WAS DONE FROM THAT DAY TO THIS THE THOUGHT OR THE MENTION OF GOD BRINGS UP BEFORE US INVOLUNTARILY THE VISION OF A STERN ANGRY OLD MAN EVEN THE OFFER OF SEVEN CRONA FOR A SINGLE WEEK'S STAY FAILED TO PRODUCE THE DELIRIOUS JOY YANUS HAD EXPECTED THE MONEY IS NEEDED SHARP SAID IN A DOUR BASS VOICE STARING OFF PAST YONAS'S LEFT EAR AT THE DARKENING SKY AND FOR THE MONEY YOU WILL BE WELCOME I MUST TAKE YOUR WORD THAT YOU ARE NOT DANGEROUS I CAN ONLY PRAY THAT YOU DO NOT BETRAY THAT TRUST +2da5e500-4d14-4355-b97f-5d10f487ecab PETER CRUSHED BUT NOT CONVINCED SUBSIDED AND THE STORY GIRL WENT ON I'LL EAT THEM IF I PLEASE FELICITY KING HE SAID IN A FURY I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'RE POISON LOOK HERE DAN CRAMMED THE WHOLE BUNCH INTO HIS CAPACIOUS MOUTH AND CHEWED IT UP HE HEARD THE OTHERS READYING THEMSELVES FOR SLEEP BUT HE DID NOT LOOK INTO THEIR MINDS SOON THEY WERE ASLEEP AND BREATHING HEAVILY BUT YONAS STAYED AWAKE FOR A WHILE IT'S REALLY TOO BAD WE CAN'T WORK THIS SORT OF THING AT A DISTANCE CLARETON'S VOICE SAID SUDDENLY BUT THEN NONE OF US HAS EVER MET THE MAN AND YOU CAN'T READ A MIND IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD SOME PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE MAN WHO OWNS IT OH I BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND AND MISSUS EWKE TRANSFORMED YOU YOU ARE REALLY THE FAMOUS SCARECROW OF OZ I WAS GINGER JUST NOW I'M AS YOU SEE ME A MISERABLE LITTLE BROWN BEAR WITH A POOR QUALITY OF STUFFY +2db3a542-c419-49bb-8afe-d11ad70fa754 MISSUS PARIN HAD JUST TOLD HER ABOUT THE MASTER AND MISS OAK LOOKS INTO HIS ROOM HE ISN'T THERE AND THE BED HASN'T BEEN SLEPT IN THE POOR DEAR SHE SAYS HE'S WORKED HIMSELF HALF TO DEATH AND DROPPED OFF ON THAT HORRIBLE CART HE KEEPS IN HIS LABORATORY SAYS MISS HOPE I'LL LET HIM SLEEP ELDER FREWIN A TALL PALE MAN WITH LONG SANDY SIDE WHISKERS APPEARED AT THE DOOR OF OUR PEW WITH THE COLLECTION PLATE WE KNEW ELDER FREWIN QUITE WELL AND LIKE HIM HE WAS AUNT JANET'S COUSIN AND OFTEN VISITED HER STAY WITH US OLD FELLOW BUT PAT WITH NONE OF US HE STRUGGLED OUT OF MY CLASP AND DISAPPEARED OVER THE LONG GRASSES WITH SOUNDLESS LEAPS HE WAS NO LONGER OUR TAME DOSTMISTIC WELL ACQUAINTED PADDY HE WAS A STRANGE FURTIVE ANIMAL A QUESTING BEAST THE BEACONS SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND OPENED THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE THEY ARE BUILT ON PLANETS AND GENERATE TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF POWER +2dcf4a19-a35f-409c-a511-fa869658a982 I PULLED ON A FANCY SPORTS CAP BUCKLED THE CAP UP TIGHT AND WAS READY TO GO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU I TOLD HER TRUTHFULLY THAT'S UP FOR THE COURTS TO DECIDE BUT BUT HE MADE ME DO ALL THOSE THINGS SHE WAILED IT'S RIDICULOUS I NEVER SAW SIST MOROC THE BIG UGLY ONE ESPECIALLY AND THE FEDERATION CAN'T TAKE EVEN SMALL CHANCES ALL RIGHT GARF FUN SPUN AND EXPENDABLE INSTEAD OF SITTING BACK ON A FLAGSHIP I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN SAID ORAN HE TOOK ANOTHER SIP OF THE BRANDY FROM THAT DAY TO THIS THE THOUGHT OR THE MENTION OF GOD BRINGS UP BEFORE US INVOLUNTARILY THE VISION OF A STERN +2e1112a5-7270-4e24-8c62-1097ff014ff9 THE GUARDS OPENED IT AND DRAGGED HIM THROUGH AND BESIDES IT WAS DIRTY BUT TAKE HIM AWAY IF YOU CAN CALL THEM THAT WANT OF US I POUNDED AS HARD AS I COULD SHOUTING THEIR NAMES I REPLIED TRIUMPHANTLY SO THERE BE NO CHANCE OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND I WISH IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE THAT WAY EXCEPT WHERE WAS HE THESE PEOPLE HAD IT DOWN TO A FINE SCIENCE NOT A RIVET FELL BUT THAT ITS FALL WAS NOTED INQUINTUPLICATE AS A MATTER OF FACT MY PEOPLE DO NOT NEED AN EMPEROR FOR OZMA OF OZ WATCHES OVER THE WELFARE OF ALL HER SUBJECTS LESS WHAT ALLOWED POLYCHROME +2e220372-c9b7-4843-a73a-403aea751e42 MANY MOONS AGO AN INDIAN TRIBE LIVED ON THE BANKS OF A RIVER IN NOVA SCOTIA WELL I BELIEVE IT WOULD PUZZLE HIM SAID CECILY OUT OF THE DEPTHS OF HER EXPERIENCE WITH FELICITY PETER AS WAS TO BE EXPECTED TOOK FELICITY'S PART AND SAID THE STORY GIRL OUGHT TO SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE SHE WAS THE OLDEST THAT HE SAID HAD ALWAYS BEEN HIS AUNT JANE'S RULE OH I NEVER LIKE THE VEGETABLE GARDEN SAID THE STORY GIRL EXCEPT WHEN I'M HUNGRY THEN I DO LIKE TO GO AND LOOK AT THE NICE LITTLE ROWS OF ONIONS AND BEETS BUT I LOVE A FLOWER GARDEN I THINK I COULD BE ALWAYS GOOD IF I LIVED IN A GARDEN ALL THE TIME COME TO MY ARMS MY BRIDE HE CRIED I HAVE WON YOU FAIRLY I AM THE KING WHO CONQUERS ALL KINGS +2e306a3a-8485-4d03-8a06-a4cb1701bd2d WE WERE ALL RATHER EXCITED OVER THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW WHICH AN ITINERANT LECTURER WAS TO GIVE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE THAT EVENING BOTH THE SCARECROW AND THE TIN WOODMAN TRIED TO THINK OF SOME WAY TO ESCAPE FROM THE CASTLE BEFORE MORNING BUT SHE SEEMED TO READ THEIR THOUGHTS AND SHOOK HER HEAD DAN AND THE GIRLS AND I WERE SITTING IN A ROW ON AUNT OLIVIA'S GARDEN FENCE WATCHING FELIX WEED FELIX WORKED WELL ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT LIKE WEEDING FAT BOYS NEVER DO FELICITY INFORMED HIM THE GOVERNMENT WAS INVOLVED FOR SHORE BUT ONLY AS A PAWN NO LITTLE PLANET BOUND POLITICAL MIND COULD HAVE DREAMED UP A SCHEME AS BIG AS THIS I SMELLED A RAT A STAINLESS STEEL ONE +2e344f07-42eb-4eee-9bb1-f9a909b9ad8b SURE THE MAN SAID AGAIN BRANDON WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO POLE BRANDON DEPRESSED THE TOP BUTTON YOU AND VIC YOU AREN'T REAL TO ME EITHER SUDDENLY HOPE SCREAMED AND I FOLLOWED HER EYES NOT KNOWING WHEN YOU'LL ARRIVE I'M GOING ON AHEAD WILLIAM IS A MAN'S NAME AND MEN ARE NEVER SWEET I THINK IT IS VERY VAIN TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU HAVE YOURSELF BEING BEAUTIFUL SAID FELICITY THE VALLEY WAS FULL OF MIST AND THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN IN SLANTING LINES OVER THE TOPS OF THE SPRUCES +2e40a198-afd5-4324-aee0-b1fa75f69db7 SIX MONTHS OF THIS HAD LEFT ME SLIGHTLY GARGER AND I WANTED OUT SINCE NO ONE SEEMED IN A HURRY TO GIVE ME AN ASSIGNMENT I HAD FOUND ONE FOR MYSELF I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WOULD BECOME OF IT BUT I ALSO HAD NO INTENTION OF RETURNING UNTIL THE JOB WAS DONE AND PETERS IS SUCH A COOL CUSTOMER AND HE'S A YEAR OLDER THAN FELIX BUT THEN FELIX HAS SOME PRACTICE HE FOUGHT BOYS IN TORONTO AND THIS IS PETER'S FIRST FIGHT DID YOU EVER FIGHT ASKED THE STORY GIRL ONCE I SAID BRIEFLY DREADING THE NEXT QUESTION WHICH PROMPTLY CAME THERE'S A SHIP OVERHEAD THAT COULD SPLIT OPEN YOUR PLANET WITH ONE BOMB WASH IT WITH MOLTEN ROCK IT WOULD RUN LIKE THE GLASS YOU USED FOR YOUR BUILDINGS JOHN ANDREW FARMER SCOWLED AT THE OCCUPANT THAT SPRAWLED ON HIS LIVING ROOM COUCH RUBBED HIS STUBBY JAW WITH A STUBBY FIST AND SAID I LOVE YOU +2ea88978-e7a5-452e-aab4-9751aeb140c0 AND HIS EARS STUCK OUT FROM HIS HEAD LIKE TWO FANS IT WAS QUITE A CLEVER IDEA I THINK FOR IT DOESN'T MAR THE BEAUTY OF THE LANDSCAPE SOLID AIR BEING INVISIBLE I DO NOT PLEAD YONAS POINTED OUT IT WAS NECESSARY THAT I COME TO SEE YOU HAVE NO PLAN HE SAID WHEN I GO HOME I'M GOING TO TELL HER ABOUT GOING TO THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW ALL THINGS CONSIDERED HER DEPARTURE WAS A RELIEF I WISH I HAD A WHITE DRESS LIKE YOU GIRLS SOBBED SARA ARRAY BUT I HAVEN'T AND IT'S TOO LATE TO GET ONE GOT A FIRE INDICATION THEN A COMPRESSOR SURGE JUST AS THIS PLANET WAS TO ITS MASTER SERIOUS HE COULD HEAR NOTHING BUT THE WIND HOLLOWING HIS EARS +2eb77012-0132-4b86-bed6-775ba16f8a6a HIS VOICE BROKE OFF AS IF HE HAD BEEN STRUCK IN THE FACE AND JOHN ANDREW FARMER LAY ON HIS BACK WAITING FOR HIS STRENGTH TO SEEP BACK IN THE DARKEST HOUR BEFORE DAWN THE HEAVY DUTY EYE DROPPED THE CRATE OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE AND DARTED AWAY WITHOUT BEING SEEN BUT IT WAS A SELFISH PRAYER OF PETER TO WANT TO BE THE ONLY ONE WE MUSTN'T PRAY SELFISH PRAYERS LOOK HERE PETER SAID FELIX OMINOUSLY MANOEL AND MILLER STOPPED AT NOON ON LOST SOUL CREEK THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A FOREST PRESERVE OUT OF THE PLACE YOU LOOK HERE AT MY SENSES SLIP IT SAYS I'M MANUEL +2ebeeec8-24e8-4aa0-b312-2cde7f6d2fdd NAY MORE SHE SEEMED TO DELIGHT IN IT THEY HAD A SPELL LIKE THIS LAST SUMMER AND WON THE SUMMER BEFORE WELL SAID THE STORY GIRL FINALLY I MUST GO AND GET THE POTATOES READY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS SHE HAD NOT PUT HER HAIR UP IN CURLS ON SATURDAY NIGHT SARA RAY CAME UP STILL CRYING OF COURSE YOU SAID ONCE YOU KNEW A STORY ABOUT THE AWKWARD MAN SAID FELIX YOU MIGHT TELL IT TO US BUT WE CARRIED SUMMER AND SUNSHINE IN OUR HEARTS AND THE BLEAK UNLOVELINESS OF THE OUTER WORLD ONLY INTENSIFIED OUR INNER RADIANCE FOR A WEEK WE ATE UNLAWFUL LUNCHES AND DREAMED DREAMS AFTER OUR OWN HEARTS +2ed550ce-b564-4473-aa66-015a397ad04b COME TO THINK OF IT HE REMARKED AND EACH POST BORE AT ITS TOP LOOK UP HOPE VIC'S VOICE WAS KINDLY YET FIRM AND GRAVELY COMMANDING VERY DARK GREW VING'S FACE THEN ON THE THIRD DAY THE STORY GIRL CAME TO US WITH A VERY WHITE FACE THE NATIVE APPEARED THE TWIN OF THE ONE HORN HAD SEEN FEWER EACH YEAR SAID TO NEWBE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING IN TO FIND OUT ORNE IF THERE WERE SUCH A THING AS TOTAL CONTACT CONSTANT CONTACT OVER PERIOD DAYS YONIST THOUGHT CLARTON WOULD USE ME FOR A PUPPET A VERITABLE PUNCH AMONG MEN HE WOULD OVERRIDE ME AND TAKE ME OVER THE WAY A TRAVELLING ENTERTAINER RULES HIS JOINTED DOLLS AND IN HIS OWN WAY HE HAD HIS REWARD +2ef55d69-08e1-4369-a1e8-6882e5e1b4ac PETE YELLED VIC COMING BOY HE WAS WAITING FOR ME STAVING OFF AS BEST HE COULD THE RUSH OF BODIES AROUND HIM SHIELDING HOPE FROM THE SAVAGE JOSTLING BUT FELIX FLATLY REFUSED TO TAKE LIVER PILLS MEXICAN TEA HE WOULD DRINK BUT LIVER PILLS HE WOULD NOT TAKE IN SPITE OF HIS OWN SUFFERING AND AUNT JANET'S COMMANDS AND ENTREATIES WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THE CAMPBELL DID WHY JUST THE THING HE OUGHT TO HAVE DONE HE TOOK BETTY AT HER WORD ON THE SPOT AND THERE WAS A DOUBLE WEDDING SOON AFTER AND IT IS SAID THAT NEIL AND BETTY WERE THE HAPPIEST COUPLE IN THE WORLD HAPPIER EVEN THAN DONALD AND NANCY SO ALL WAS WELL BECAUSE IT ENDED WELL WHEN I LIFTED THE PLATE AND POKED HOLES IN THE SEARED PLASTIC I COULD SEE THE PYRAMID GROWING SMALLER BEHIND ME WATER GUSHING OUT OF THE BASE AND A HAPPY CROWD OF REPTILES SPORTING IN ITS RADIOACTIVE RUSH I COUNTED OFF ON MY TALONS TO SEE IF I HAD FORGOTTEN ANYTHING +2f241a0d-0939-4011-86d2-414e38b1525a OUR FATHER AND OUR UNCLES AND AUNTS HAD PLAYED IN ITS SHADOW INDEED SHE SAID AS MUCH WE DRIFTED INTO THE LAND OF SLEEP ANOTHER DAY OR TWO AND I'LL BE ABLE TO EAT A WHOLE ONE HE SAID JUBILANTLY THIS IS DIFFERENT I KNOW WHAT I'M FIGHTING FOR BUT I CAN'T THINK OF THE WORD WHICH SEEMED TO SETTLE THE QUESTION OF MOONSHINE DRESSES EFFECTUALLY BUT SHE COULDN'T GET HIM OUT OF THE ROOM AND ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO HIDE HIM IN THE CHINA CLOSET THE YOUNG MINISTER SLIPPED INTO THE CHINA CLOSET AND OLD MISTER SCOTT CAME INTO THE ROOM THE PLANET WAS A WATER WORLD BARE OF CONTINENTS AND ONLY SPARSELY SPRINKLED WITH MINOR ARCHIPELAGOES STRUCK SOMETHING RESPONSIVE IN HIM +2f27099f-b78e-4979-9f6a-82edbd6a6615 NOTHING WOULD PREVENT CANNIBALS FROM EATING FILLICKS IF THEY CAUGHT HIM GIGGLED FELICITY HE'S SO NICE AND FAT I'M SURE FELIX FELT VERY UNLIKE A MISSIONARY AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT I'M GOING TO PUT TWO CENTS MORE A WEEK IN MY MISSIONARY BOX THAN I'VE BEEN DOING SAID CECILY DETERMINEDLY THE MIKE WAS TURNED OFF TO THE TRANSCRIBERS OUTSIDE AND I TOOK THE CODE GROUPS DOWN IN SHORTHAND MYSELF AT IT DIFFID FUD NU AND YOU DON'T DON'T COME BACK THE MESSAGE BROKE INTO CLEAR AT THE END AND THE SIE MAN SMILED AS HE SPOKE THE WORDS IN THE AFTERNOON AUNT JANET BROUGHT US A LUNCH OF APPLE TURNOVERS BUT WE COULD NOT EAT THEM PETER AS FELICITY REMINDED US WITH A BURST OF TEARS HAD BEEN SO FOND OF APPLE TURNOVERS FELIX AND I ON THE MAY MORNING WHEN WE LEFT TORONTO FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND HAD NOT THEN HEARD HER SAY IT AND INDEED WERE BUT BARELY AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH A PERSON AS THE STORY GIRL +2f35ddc4-7349-4094-89e4-f3e526217fad THE DREADFUL SIGHT OF PAN AND THE STILL MORE DREADFUL NOISE HE MADE SO FRIGHTEN THE SHEEPS THEY FLED IN ALL DIRECTIONS BUT GLAUCON WAS NOT AFRAID AT ALL BECAUSE PAN WAS THE GOD OF SHEPHERDS AND HE WAS BOUND TO GRANT ANY PRAYER A GOOD SHEPHERD WHO ALWAYS DID HIS DUTY MIGHT MAKE IN THE ABRUPT SHOCK OF MEETING ORN RECOGNISED THE WEAPON STANDARD ISSUE TO THE MARINE GUARDS ON ALL IRON R SURVEYSHIPS YOU SPEAK EXCELLENT GALACTICE SAID ORAN THE HIGH PATH CHIEF COMMANDED THE BEST TEACHER SAID TO NUB NOW DAN HAD NOT HAD THE SLIGHTEST INTENTION OF EATING THE BERRIES BUT AT FELICITY'S PROHIBITION THE REBELLION WHICH HAD SMOULDERED IN HIM ALL DAY BROKE INTO SUDDEN FLAME HE WOULD SHOW HER THIS CAN TAKE MONTHS AND OFTEN DOES +2f385128-2e68-4483-ab2e-076892ca084f DAN SAID IT WAS NO USE FOR ME TO BOTHER PRAYING ABOUT IT HE SAID IF THEY COULDN'T SPEAK GOD MIGHT DO SOMETHING BUT WHEN THEY JUST WOULDN'T IT WASN'T LIKELY HE WOULD INTERFERE YOU KNOW HE WOULD THINK IT A GREAT JOKE TO FRIGHTEN US LIKE THAT WHAT SOUND IS SO SWEET AS THE STRAW FROM THE WHEAT WHEN IT CRINKLES SO TENDER AND LOW IT AND IF NO ONE AT ALL LIVES HERE ADDED THE SCARECROW THE STORY GIRL HAD BEEN TELLING US TALE I SUPPOSE WE MADE IT HORRID OURSELVES SAID THE STORY GIRL CANDIDLY HER FACE WAS SO MELANCHOLY THAT THE STORY GIRL LOST PATIENCE WITH HER I'VE GOT A MANY OVER THAT MOB STEAD THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT US IT PUT ME DOWN AND LEFT +2f5909ee-293b-4bf7-9f1d-6bfdbc794b1d WE SAT THERE AND TALKED UNTIL THE FIRST STAR LIGHTED A WHITE TAPER OVER THE BEACH HILL WHAT BETTER EPITAPH COULD ANYONE WISH THAN TO HAVE IT SAID THAT HE WAS LOVELY AND PLEASANT IN HIS LIFE AH WELL ONE CANNOT HAVE EVERY GOOD GIFT THE STORY GIRL HAD NO DIMPLES AT HER SLIM BROWN WRISTS I NEVER WENT TO SCHOOL HALF AS MUCH AS YOU DID AND YOU WAS BROUGHT UP IN TORONTO TOO IF YOU'D WORKED OUT EVER SINCE YOU WAS SEVEN AND JUST GOT TO SCHOOL IN THE WINTER THERE'D BE LOTS OF THINGS YOU WOULDN'T KNOW EITHER WHAT TALES SHE TOLD US ON THOSE FAR AWAY AUTUMN DAYS PEOPLING THE RUSSET ARCADES WITH FOLK OF AN ELDER WORLD +2f9b0f42-7478-47ca-ac87-c3670b1f808e PARTLY TO SATISFY HIS OWN EGO BUT MOSTLY TO KEEP TRACK OF THINGS HE'S INTERESTED IN SUCH AS SHIP SAILINGS YOU'RE JUST GUESSING YOU DON'T KNOW ALL THIS HIS AUTOMATIC ASSUMPTION OF MY INCOMPETENCE WAS BEGINNING TO GET ME ANNOYED I BRIDLED MY TEMPER AND TRIED ONE LAST TIME WILLIAM IS A MAN'S NAME AND MEN ARE NEVER SWEET THEY ARE GREAT AT MANY THINGS BUT THEY ARE NOT SWEET AND SHOULDN'T BE THAT IS FOR WOMEN OH LOOK AT THE MOONSHINE ON THE ROAD IN THAT GAP BETWEEN THE SPRUCES I'D LIKE A DRESS OF MOONSHINE WITH STARS FOR BUTTONS AS HE SAID THIS THE BIG WOUND STRUTTED BACK AND FORTH IN SPACE BETWEEN THE THRONE OF KING BALL AND THE PRISONERS AND THE OTHER LOON SEEMED MUCH IMPRESSED BY HIS DEFIANCE IT WAS DECIDED THAT I SHOULD LEAD OFF AND I LAY AWAKE FOR AN EXTRA HOUR THAT NIGHT THINKING WHAT TEXT I SHOULD TAKE FOR THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY THEN I WENT TO SLEEP COMFORTED BY THE SIMPLE HOPE THAT THE GREAT FATHER WOULD AFTER IMPORTANT THINGS WERE ALL ATTENDED TO REMEMBER POOR PAT +2fc38ac6-9b7f-4b91-812b-d82f5eeee7b6 WE ALL EVEN DAN CRIED I MADE SOME NICE LITTLE RHUBARB TARTS THIS MORNING PASS ON AND DRINK OF THE FOUNTAIN HE SAID SO IT STANDS TO REASON YOU MUST BE PUNISHED SHE TRANSFORMED THE CANARY INTO A DOVE HOPING TO FIND A GOOD PLACE FOR WOOT THE WANDERER TO SLEEP ALMOST EVERY NIGHT BATTLE MURDER OR SUDDEN DEATH PLAYED SOME PART OF HER VISIONS AND A SCANTY PAIR OF CORDUROY KNICKERBOCKERS BESIDES WHAT IS THE GOOD OF ASKING THE GROWN UPS THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THIS THAN WE DO IT'S A MAN IN THE STATES WHO CLAIMS TO BE A PROPHET +2fd40b0a-810b-4ec0-b6f2-5159dee951c4 E I FOR GOD'S SAKE COME IN I'M IN TROUBLE HERE JENIFER WHO SAILED WITH HER UNCLE AND DID A CREWMAN'S WORK AS A MATTER OF COURSE A WING UNTOUCHED BY THE FIRE THE MAN SMILED AND PUT HIS HELMET BACK ON HIS HEAD OPEN THE HATCH AND REYNARD I'M AFRAID THEY'RE SLIM SIR HE BEGAN CHANGING FROM THE I A BLUE TO THE YAR IN OUR WHITE THAT SORT OF STORY OUGHT TO BE TOLD IN THE TWILIGHT AMONG THE SHADOWS THEN IT WOULD FRIGHTEN THE SOULS OUT OF YOUR BODIES +3049d6ba-937c-48fe-9b64-abf31f6bf875 SHE WORE A BONNET THAT DID NOTHING WHATEVER TO ENHANCE HER DOUBTFUL WRINKLED CHARMS OR TO CONCEAL THEM AND BESIDES IT WAS DIRTY NOBODY'S HERE SHE SAID IN THE VOICE OF A VERY BANANOUS TOAD GO AWAY MY STORY IS ABOUT MISSUS DUNBAR AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE FANNY SAID THE STORY GIRL SETTLING HERSELF COMFORTABLY ON A BOUGH WITH HER BROWN HEAD AGAINST A GNARLED TRUNK A HIGH PITCHED SIBILANT CHANT AROSE FROM THE MULTITUDE AND A PROCESSION OF VERY ANCIENT BEINGS WHOM I TOOK TO BE THE PRIESTS OF THIS GOD CAME IN SINGLE FILE FROM BEHIND THE BLACK GOD DIRECTING THE CHANTING WITH MOVEMENTS OF THEIR ARMS PUT THAT DOWN DOORS YELL WAS HIGH PITCHED GARF FACED THEM AND FARMER COULD JUST MAKE OUT HIS LAZY CONTEMPTUOUS SMILE THROUGH THE MURKY WATER THE FEAST MAN RAISED HIS ARM IN ONE OF THE NOW FAMILIAR GESTURES THE BOAT HEAVED WALLOWED AND SANK +304fed39-35d4-42f8-9257-3d39fc011a4a THE NEIGHBOUR WILL GET HER I TOLD HIM WITH FAR MORE CONVICTION THAN I FELT MAYBE HE SAID SUDDENLY SLUMPED AND TIRED NO LONGER LAUGHING MAYBE THEY WILL FELIX AND I SPOKE NOT DISAPPOINTMENT AND SOMETHING WORSE SEALED OUR SPEECH DID GOD LOOK LIKE THAT LIKE THAT STERN ANGRILY FROWNING OLD MAN WITH THE TOSSING HAIR AND BEARD OF THE WOODCUT CECILY HELD EMILY JUST PUT HER HANDS TO HER HEART SO AND FELL ALL WHITE AND BROKEN AMONG THE FERNS AND WHEN SHE CAME BACK TO LIFE SHE NEVER CRIED OR LAMENTED PLEADED BOOT THE WANDERER IN AN EAGER VOICE TO BE SURE SAID THE TIN WOODMAN IF YOU CARED TO JOIN OUR PARTY +3060645c-473c-4f4b-87cc-8ad6285dd08d SAID THE SMALL MARTINET WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT THERE'S ENOUGH OF US HERE RIGHT NOW ONCE IT GETS ITS WIND BACK CHAFFEE FOUR TELEPORTED INSIDE AGAIN CHAFFEE THREE SET DOWN THE SHIP ON AN ISLAND THAT WAS ONLY ONE OF A FRECKLING CHAIN OF SIMILAR ISLANDS IT'S JUST THAT I GUESS I'M OLD FASHIONED MAYBE THE ODDS ARE CLOSER THAN ONE AND FIFTY HE DECIDED HE CHOPPED THE POWER BACK ALL THE WAY AND LISTENED INTENTLY I'M NOT A BIT FAIN SAID THE STORY GIRL WITH ENTIRE TRUTHFULNESS THE VIEWS WERE GOOD AND THE LECTURER WITTY +30814d76-7a76-4799-896b-df5ebffd00d0 KNOW THAT MEANS REINART BELOW HIS C NINE B SCOUT SHIP IT'S WASTE A ROCKET FUEL TOTALING AROUND IN THE ATMOSPHERE HE MUTTERED OH FELICITY FELICITY YOU'LL BE THE DEATH OF YOUR DEAR UNCLE YET IF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT SAID PETER RATHER WISTFULLY I I'M NOT TELLING THEM ANYTHING REALLY SO THAT THEY COULD GIVE A REASONABLE COHERENT VERBAL PICTURE OF WHAT THEIR BOOKS WERE ABOUT MANY THE ROEBOT SAID HE HAD THE BAIT NOW BUT WOULD HE GRAB THE HOOK MEANING I AM IN THE HAND HOLDING COTERGHRIE I ASKED WITH AS MUCH SWEETNESS AS I COULD +30847a3c-01d1-4895-a75a-026e09c4f228 NOR OF COURSE DID HE CARRY THE SWORD OF A GREAT HERO OR A NOBLE AND SO YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN FOR RIDDING US OF HYRKNUP AFTER ALL A NOBLE WAS ONLY A MAN LIKE OTHER MEN THE SOCIAL LIFE OF JUVENILE CARLYLE CENTERED IN THE DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS WHEN I WAS VERY SMALL I USED TO BELIEVE THE FAIRIES DANCED IN IT ON MOONLIGHT NIGHTS JEFF WHEELED ON HIM INCREDULOUSLY SEARCHING OUT AND USING THE PROPER SYMBOLS FOR EXPLANATION I HOPE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO FATHER I EXPLAINED SPRINGING ANXIOUSLY TO MY FEET A SICK HORRIBLE FEELING OF FEAR RUNNING OVER ME LIKE A COOL RIPPLING WAVE +3085fb05-3d8e-4429-ab56-c94bb6e665db SITTING UPON THE GROUND THE BOY ASKED CAN YOU SEE US POLLY NO INDEED ANSWERED THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER WE'VE ALL BECOME INVISIBLE HOW DID IT HAPPEN DO YOU SUPPOSE INQUIRED THE SCARECROW LYING WHERE HE HAD FALLEN THE SOCIAL LIFE OF JUVENILE CARLYLE CENTERED IN THE DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS WHEN EVENING CAME WE WENT TO OUR SEATS UNDER THE WHISPERING SIGHING FIR TREES IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT CLEAR WINDLESS FROSTY I HAVE AN IDEA THAT A RASPBERRY PIE FOR TOMORROW NIGHT WHEN THE FOLKS COME HOME WOULD HIT THE RIGHT SPOT ACCORDINGLY AFTER TEA WE ALL SET OFF ARMED WITH JUGS AND CUPS +309f0fd2-36b5-46d1-9ced-79a21bf5a382 PETER AND FELIX PITCHED IN WITH MORE ZEAL THAN DISCRETION ON BOTH SIDES AS A RESULT PETER GOT WHAT LATER DEVELOPED INTO A BLACK EYE AND FELIX'S NOSE BEGAN TO BLEED BUT THEN FELICITY IS STUPID IT'S NOT ILL NATURED OF ME TO SAY THAT IT'S JUST THE TRUTH AND YOU'D SOON FIND IT OUT FOR YOURSELVES I LIKE FELICITY VERY WELL BUT SHE IS STUPID HE HAD BEEN WORKING HARD ON IT THOUGH BUT HE CAME WHEN THE POLICE CALLED HIM YOU MARSHALL'S LITTLE BOY YOU LOOK JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER SAID THE MIDGET WE WERE ALL IN THE ORCHARD EXCEPT FELIX WHO HAD GONE TO THE POST OFFICE IT WAS THE FORENOON OF AN AUGUST SATURDAY +30aea0a5-c38f-4bb2-88d6-591e3e6ea5c7 I ONLY HOPE YOU DON'T BOTHER SO MUCH WITH TALKING TO THAT EARTH SLUG ON THE RADIO AFTER WE'RE MARRIED FOR BREAKFAST THE WANDERER ATE CRISP LETTUCE AND RADISHES AND THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER WHO HAD NOW RETURNED TO HER FRIENDS BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING OF ALL WAS THAT A WOMAN'S DRESS WAS HANGING OVER A CHAIR BY THE TABLE RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN SOMEWHAT OF A JAM SHIELDING HOPE FROM THE SAVAGE JOSTLING HUNGRILY NURSING THE BLACK AND BARREN SOIL AND GNARLED BRIEF ROOTS REACHING OUT TORTURED ARMS TOWARDS THE FORBIDDING SKY +30b580d1-8d09-4184-ad70-446cf8f11160 AND ACTUALLY DOES NOTHING UNTIL RELEASED IN SOME FORM OR OTHER INVERTED TREES WITH WIDE SPREADING BRANCHES HOMESIDE WILL DENY THEIR AUTONOMY AUBREY I'VE HAD A WARP BEING MESSAGE TO DAY ORDERING ME TO MOVE IN I REMAIN YOUR VERY AFFECTIONATE FRIEND SARA STANLEY THE LAST WE HEARD OF HIM HE WAS IN THE MAIN LUMBER WOODS BUT THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO STARTING ABRUPTLY JUST BELOW THE WATER LEVEL AND LEADING DOWNWARD THAT THIS WAS HIS NORMAL STATE OF EXISTENCE +30e5255c-dfae-41d7-b550-a3ba77098546 BUT I SHALL ANTICIPATE THE SUCCESSIVE RELATIONS IN THIS CHAPTER EVERY PUPIL OF CARLYLE'S SCHOOL SO IT EVENTUALLY APPEARED HAD BOUGHT MAGIC SEED UNDER SOLEMN PROMISE OF SECRECY THEN YOU ARE AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN SHARP SAID BITTERLY THERE IS NO OTHER HELP WHILE THE INQUISITOR REMAINS AND OUR SONS BECOME SUSPECT TO HIS RAGES WHILE HIS PATIENT SCRAMBLED TO HIS FEET HASTILY PUTTING OUT HIS CIGARETTE THE PHYSICIAN CAME AROUND THE DESK HE PUT HIS HAND ON THE MAN'S SHOULDER RELAX TAKE IT EASY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT THIS IS A WONDERFUL AGE WE LIVE IN BARRING A REALLY MAJOR ACCIDENT THERE'S NO REASON YOU SHOULDN'T LIVE AT LEAST ANOTHER SEVENTY FIVE YEARS WANDERER SHOULD HAVE NO FEAR OBSERVED THE SCARECROW WHO WAS WOBBLING ALONG IN A FUNNY HALF HAZARD MANNER BUT KEEPING PACE WITH HIS FRIENDS +31065ba8-7e87-4f5c-ae2d-e19e964aa96f HE IS AN OLD BACHELOR DOESN'T HE EVER MEAN TO GET MARRIED ASKED FELIX I DON'T KNOW AUNT OLIVIA WISHES HE WOULD BECAUSE SHE'S TIRED KEEPING HOUSE FOR HIM AND SHE WANTS TO GO TO AUNT JULIE IN CALIFORNIA BUT SHE SAYS HE'LL NEVER GET MARRIED BECAUSE HE IS LOOKING FOR PERFECTION AND WHEN HE FINDS HER SHE WON'T HAVE HIM GARTH CONSIDERED THIS BICKING WAS AS USUAL GETTING THEM EXACTLY NOWHERE HE GAVE UP ALL RIGHT DEAR HE SAID YOU WIN YOU'RE RIGHT OF COURSE AND I'M WRONG I ONLY HOPE YOU DON'T BOTHER SO MUCH WITH TALKING TO THAT EARTH SLUG ON THE RADIO AFTER WE'RE MARRIED EVEN THE YOUNG EYED CHERUBIM CHOIRING ON MEADOWS OF ASPHODEL MIGHT CEASE THEIR HARPING FOR A TIME TO LISTEN TO A TALE OF THE VANISHED EARTH TOLD BY THAT GOLDEN TONGUE THERE'S A CUP JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT USED TO BE HERE IN FATHER'S TIME EXCLAIMED FELIX POINTING TO AN OLD FASHIONED SHALLOW CUP OF CLOUDED BLUE WARE ON A LITTLE SHELF INSIDE THE CURB +313c9739-a89e-47a9-8355-1a133c5926b9 ALTITUDE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FEET FINALLY IN DESPERATION HE SWITCHED OFF THE TELETOCKY TWO OF THE TREES SEEMED TO BE MOVING HE IGNORED THE INEVITABLE GLORY OF MORNING RAINBOW THAT JUST PRECEDED PROCYON'S RISING BOTH SLANTED RED EYES GLARED IN BRIEFLY HER ADORING AND FREQUENT MENTION OF HIM WAS THE LARGEST HANDED IN BY ANY OF THE SCHOLARS BUT I AM AFRAID SHE MEASURED HIS CONSCIENCE BY HER OWN WANTED TO HAVE SOMETHING WHITE ON IT WELL ANYHOW SAID PETER EVEN IF IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAMN I KEEP ON READING THE BIBLE UNTIL I'VE GOT CLEAN THROUGH I +3158fbec-896c-4177-9988-81d1836489e6 TURN THE UPPER OF THE TWO DIALS UNTIL THE HAND OF THE METER BESIDE IT MOVES UP TO TWENTY SEVEN HUNDRED EXACTLY THEY MIGHTN'T HAVE KEPT GOOD AS LONG AS THEY DID IF THEY HADN'T LIVED IN A GARDEN OUTSIDE OF THE ORCHARD THE GRASS WAS ONLY BEGINNING TO GROW GREEN WHAT WOULD AUNT JANE SAY IF SHE KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO FIGHT CECILY DEMANDED OF PETER DON'T WANT TO FIGHT SAID PETER IT'S FELIX WHITE GLADNESS IN THE MOONSHINE IT GOD WON'T NOTICE THE PATCH I TELL YOU WHAT STORY GIRL +316626c3-6ac7-4785-9bae-b1ef6642c84e WHAT ABOUT THAT DORA SHRUGGED CECILY GAVE A SHRIEK AND RAN OUT OF THE WOOD WE THOUGHT SHE HAD FLED BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT ENDURE THE SIGHT OF BLOOD AND WE WERE NOT SORRY FOR HER MANIFEST DISAPPROVAL AND ANXIETY WERE DAMPING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE OCCASION WE GOT ALONG VERY WELL WITH EACH OTHER IN THE MAIN IN SPITE OF SOME MINOR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION AS FOR THE GROWN UP DENIZENS OF OUR SMALL WORLD THEY SUITED US ALSO WHAT IF THE DELPHINIS JUST CRASHED HERE AND THE LOCALS PICKED UP TO PIECES THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING IN TO FIND OUT ORNE BUT ANSWER ME THIS IF THEY DO HAVE THE DELPHINUS HOW LONG BEFORE A TOOL USING RACE COULD BE A THREAT TO THE GALAXY +317340a2-44b6-43e8-8554-7576d5a6b88a HE'S A PRESBYTERIAN YOU KNOW SAID FELICITY REASSURINGLY THAT WILL BE EASY SIGHED FELICITY AND SHE LOVED ALLAN DUNBAR JUST AS MUCH AS HE LOVED HER NOXIOUS GASES MIGHT BE PRESENT FUNNY HE SHOULD BE LYING ON HIS BACK LOOKING AT THE SKY HE THOUGHT PERHAPS CONDITIONS WERE MORE PROMISING THERE IN THE END HE DECIDED TO SEND US TO UNCLE ALEC AND AUNT JANET WE KNEW ONLY THAT A COUSIN FIRST OF ALL I INSISTED AT MY LEFT WAS A SIZABLE PIECE OF APPARATUS THAT WAS STRANGE TO ME I WAS DROPPING IN THE BLACKNESS +31c456a5-9b63-4850-a3e4-c27b53781d80 HE HESITATED FOR A MOMENT THEN SWUNG HIS FEET OVER THE SIDE AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND AT LEAST TO HAVE THAT SATISFACTION HE SAID GRINNING UNDER HIS OXYGEN MASK WHEN THE ZID FOUND THEM THEY HAD NO OTHER COURSE BUT TO TELL A PORT BACK TO THE CONTROL CUBICLE AND WAIT UNTIL THE BEASTS SHOULD SNUFF THEM DOWN AGAIN SHE DID NOT SAY A WORD TO HIM COMING INTO THE HOUSE THAT EVENING A PACE BEHIND HER MOTHER LIKE AN OBEDIENT SLAVE SHE WAS ABOUT SEVENTEEN AND HER MIND WAS AS FRESH AND CLEAN AND PRETTY AS HER FACE AND FIGURE FELICITY FLUNG THE LAST SENTENCE AT THE STORY GIRL WHO TURNED VERY PALE OH DO YOU SUPPOSE SHE CAUGHT THEM AT THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW SHE SAID MISERABLY +31f0f277-6bbc-436b-acca-7b5cb1d26450 IT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED ANYHOW SAID THE STORY GIRL SOMEWHAT LESS ASSUREDLY THOUGH IN THIS LITTLE OLD BOOK FILLED WITH CRAMPED BOYISH WRITING THERE IS A SPELL OF WHITE MAGIC THAT SETS THE YEARS AT NAUGHT WILDE WAS THAT SCAMPER AS NIGHTMARE LIKE AS ANY RECORDED IN OUR DREAM BOOKS THE STORY GIRL WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND I CAN RECALL THE TREMENDOUS LEAP SHE MADE OVER FALLEN LOGS AND LITTLE SPRUCE BUSHES WITH HER LONG BROWN CURLS STREAMING OUT BEHIND HER FROM THEIR SCARLET FILLET MY FIRST THOUGHT THAT A GANG WAS INVOLVED PROVED WRONG ALL MY SECONDARY SUSPECTS TURNED OUT TO BE SIMPLE FORGERIES NOT INDIVIDUALS IN THE FEW CASES WHERE FORGERY WASN'T ADEQUATE MY MYSTERIOUS X HAD APPARENTLY HIRED HIMSELF TO DO THE JOB X HIMSELF HAD THE PERMANENT JOB OF ASSISTANT ENGINEERING DESIGNER THE REST OF THAT UNHOLY CREW WERE GRINNING AND THEIR EYES WERE SHINING WITH ANTICIPATION THEY CLOSED IN UPON ME EAGERLY EACH APPARENTLY DOING EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO INVITE MY ATTENTION +32038ef8-cb06-45bc-b922-97f9627ffe7b THE ONLY REAL TROUBLE WITH YOU EARTH PEOPLE IS THAT YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUS INFERIORITY COMPLEX COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY AS YOU'VE JUST ILLUSTRATED GET OVER THAT AND YOU'LL ELIMINATE MOST OF YOUR TROUBLE HE LANDED ON SOMETHING TOUGH AND WARM AND SLIPPERY A MONSTROUS TAIL FLUKE THAT STRETCHED DOWN THE BEACH TO MERGE INTO A FLAT PURPLISH ACREAGE OF BACK FORESTED WITH ENDLESS ROWS OF FINS AND SPINES AND ENIGMATIC TENDRILS DON'T YOU REMEMBER OLD MISS BAXTER IN TORONTO BETH AND HOW SHE TOLD MISSUS MC LAREN THAT SHE WAS SUBJECT TO TERRIBLE DREAMS AND FINALLY SHE TOOK TWO LIVER PILLS AND NEVER HAD ANY MORE DREAMS AFTER THAT I'D RATHER HAVE DIED THAN RISK IT CONCLUDED FELIX SOLEMNLY I THINK IT IS VERY VAIN TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU HAVE YOURSELF BEING BEAUTIFUL SAID FELICITY +320718ad-6413-4f82-b6c6-20b720265f5e I LOOKED AT THE STORY GIRL'S DRY PITEOUS EYES BUT AS WE WAITED THE CLOUDS BROKE AWAY AND THE SUN CAME OUT FLASHINGLY I TURNED AND FACED THE STATUE FRESH MULTITUDES WERE POURING UP THE RAMP BRUSHING ASIDE THE FIVE OR SIX PRIESTS THAT HAD HURRIED THERE AND THE REVERSE IS JUST AS TRUE THE OLD CLOCK ISN'T GOING MOTHER FORGOT TO WIND IT UP LAST NIGHT AND IT STOP BUT IT'S FOUR BY THE KITCHEN CLOCK I SHOULDN'T THINK YOU'D PUT ON YOUR BEST CLOTHES TO GO BEGGING FOR THE LIBRARY IN SAID FELICITY CUTTINGLY WE AIN'T SAID FELICITY INDIGNANTLY +322245d5-421d-4963-a54f-39792e9cd66f I WOULD MUCH RATHER TAKE A CHANCE OF BREAKING THROUGH NEAR SOME STAR THAN SPEND TIME JUST BARRELING THROUGH NORMAL SPACE BUT APPARENTLY TECH KNOWS THIS TOO THEY HAD A SAFETY FACTOR BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER SO YOU CAN'T END UP INSIDE A STAR NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRIED I'M SURE THERE WAS NO HUMANNESS IN THIS DECISION THEN THE STORY GIRL ARRIVED ARRAYED NOT IN ANY SECOND BEST BUT IN HER VERY BEST DRESS AND HAT WHICH HER FATHER HAD SENT HER FROM PARIS A DRESS OF SOFT CRIMSON SILK AND WHITE LEGHORN HAT ENCIRCLED BY FLAME RED POPPIES IF YOU HADN'T GOTTEN IMPATIENT AND TRIED TO HURRY THINGS HIS VOICE SET IN YUNUS'S MIND YOU WOULDN'T BE BACK IN YOUR CELL NOW THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR YOUR DISCLOSURE ANOTHER DAY AND HERE WOULD HAVE DROVE ME OUT OF MY WITS YUNUS THOUGHT WE ALL WENT TO PIECES EXCEPT CECILY WHO ALONE RETAINED HER PRESENCE OF MIND HAVE YOU GOT A PAIN IN YOUR STOMACH SHE DEMANDED I'VE GOT AN AWFUL PAIN HERE IF THAT'S WHERE MY STOMACH IS MOANED DAN PUTTING HIS HAND ON A PORTION OF HIS ANATOMY CONSIDERABLY BELOW HIS STOMACH OH OH OH +322f39ab-78d1-4cca-bed7-0df866f331da FELICITY DID NOT APPROVE OF THIS WE WERE ALL DELIGHTED PHARAOH WAS ARRAYED IN YELLOW THE PLATE HAD A SCALLOP BORDER WITH A WREATH OF GREEN LEAVES AROUND IT THE APPLES ARE DELICIOUS AND IN WINTER IT'S A SPLENDID PLACE FOR COASTING I JUST TOLD HER AS A FAVOR AND NOW YOUR AUNT JANET BLAMES ME FOR THE WHOLE TROUBLE BUT WE WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND THAT IS WHY I'M BOTHERING YOU PLEASE EXCUSE US AND TELL ME AND SHE WENT BACK HOME TO WAIT WHY DO WHITE SHEEP EAT MORE THAN BLACK ASKED FELIX IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ANY ONE OF US SHOULD EVER GO THERE NOW HE WAS A PERSONALITY ALL COMBINED TO MAKE HIM VERY REAL TO US +324b9f4c-0fe7-4730-863d-980ee8e8928d DAN AND I LOOKED AT EACH OTHER SUSPICION DRAWING IN OUR EYES WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BILLY ROBINSON AND HIS MAGIC SEED I DEMANDED THIS ONE HAS PRODUCED A CRYSTAL AND IS READY TO BE RELIEVED OF IT ELSE IT WOULD NOT HAVE ATTACHED ITSELF TO A CONVENIENT HUMAN JEFF SAID DIZZILY THE SCOOPS MAKE THE CRYSTALS I HAD HARD WORK TO KEEP FELIX FROM TRYING TO SEE IF HE COULD SHY A MARBLE INTO THAT TEMPTING OPEN MOUTH I TOLD HIM IT WOULD AWAKEN DAN WHO WOULD THEN LIKELY INSIST ON GETTING UP AND ACCOMPANYING US AND IT WILL BE SO MUCH NICER TO GO BY OURSELVES FOR THE FIRST TIME YES I DREAMED IT ALL OUT WHILE I WAS ASLEEP THIS TIN MAN SEEMS A VERY SOLEMN PERSON INDEED THE TIN WOODMAN WAS LOOKING SOLEMN JUST THEN FOR HE GREATLY DISTURBED SO I SHALL CHANGE HIM INTO AN OWL +326d233f-6ecb-4f2e-a910-8540321d4a5b WE TRIED TO STARE AT THEM WHEN THEY WERE EATING OUR DOOR WAS OPEN AND IN THEIR ROOM ACROSS THE NARROW HALL THE KING COMPLEXION AND THEN HE LAY DOWN PERMITTED THEM TO PULL THE STRAW FROM HIS BODY AND SHE ADDED SLOWLY WE WENT VERY SOFTLY INDEED AND WALKED AMONG THE GLOOMY PILLARS OF BONIVARD'S PRISON THEY AND ONLY THEY CAN BRING US TIDINGS FROM THAT DEAR COUNTRY WHERE WE ONCE SOJOURNED AND FROM WHICH WE MUST EVERMORE BE EXILES +328f22d8-c079-4824-b421-4dfd025e87e5 ROCKER COLLAPSED AWAY FROM MY ROAR AND GNAWED HIS EARS YES HE SAID NOT TOO LONG AGO I REMEMBER THERE WAS SOME TROUBLE AND WHAT ELSE I INTERRUPTED HIM COLD MOISTURE WAS BEGINNING TO COLLECT ALONG MY SPINE NOW THE DRIVES THE CONTROLS ARE THEY IN TO WHY YES HE SAID HOW DID YOU KNOW THE NORMAL TREADY WAS CHANGED AROUND CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF UNNECESSARY TROUBLE WHAT THE JUMPED UP MAZOO ARE WE DOING HERE STEAT ASKED THORN ALIEN CALLS FOR FULL CONTACT TEAM WITH ALL THAT IT CALLS FOR ONE PLANET BUSTER BOMB BUSTER IN FIVE DAYS MEMORY LENT JONAPHER A SUDDEN VITALITY THAT NEARLY LEFT JEFF BEHIND IN THEIR DASH FOR THE COTTAGE UP THE BEACH THE DOOR JEFF PANTED INSIDE FASTEN THE HURRICANE BOLT HURRY MANY HAVE TOLD ME KNUFF MUTTERED THAT THEIR FEATS WERE NATURAL IT IS A COMMON DEFENCE +32ad34c8-8f6c-4fb6-92ef-f71853453da3 NOW THERE NEVER WASN'T ALICE IN THE DALE CONNECTION AND NOBODY EVER HEARD OF THE AWKWARD MAN HAVING A SWEETHEART THERE ISN'T THAT A LOVELY MYSTERY THE STORY WAS OLD TO US IT HAD ONCE BEEN PUBLISHED IN A CHARLOTTETOWN PAPER AND WE HAD READ IT IN AUNT OLIVIA'S SCRAP BOOK WHERE THE STORY GIRL HAD LEARNED IT UNCLE ROGER DID NOT COME TILL NEARLY TEN NEVER WAS THERE A MORE WELCOME SOUND THAN THE RUMBLE OF HIS WHEELS IN THE LANE WE RAN TO THE ORCHARD GATE AND SWARMED ACROSS THE YARD JUST AS UNCLE ROGER ALIGHTED AT THE FRONT DOOR HE STARED AT US IN THE MOONLIGHT HAVE YOU BEEN TORMENTING ANY ONE INTO EATING MORE BAD BERRIES FELICITY SHE WAS SITTING THE JULY SUNLIGHT ON THE LEDGE OF THE OPEN HAYLOFT WINDOW IN UNCLE ROGER'S BIG BARN AND THE BARE FEET BELOW HER PRINT SKIRT WERE BEAUTIFUL THEY WERE SLENDER AND SHAPELY AND SATIN SMOOTH WITH ARCHED IN STEPS THE DAINTIEST OF TOES AND NAILS LIKE PINK SHELLS THERE I STOOD AX IN HAND BUT UNABLE TO MOVE FOR DAYS AND WEEKS AND MONTHS INDEED I HAVE NEVER KNOWN EXACTLY HOW LONG THE TIME WAS BUT FINALLY ALONG CAME DOROTHY AND I WAS SAVED SEE THIS IS THE VERY TREE I WAS CHOPPING AT THE TIME I RESTED +32ce1447-31e7-4772-bceb-50bd4d92d535 AND THROUGH THE MANY TIN ROOMS ALL SET WITH BEAUTIFUL TIN FURNITURE IT'S TOO BAD HE HASN'T A LOVING HEART SAID ROOT YOU NEVER GO TO CHURCH ANYHOW CONTINUED FELICITY DETERMINED NOT TO BE ARGUED DOWN THEN HURRYING DOWN RAMP AFTER RAMP CORRIDOR AFTER CORRIDOR FIGHTING THE RUSHING MOB ALL THE WAY A WING UNTOUCHED BY THE FIRE YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS TO LOCATE A FIRM LANDING SITE WITH AMPLE PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS +32e68fbb-1cc4-49cb-ba82-7ee0b6202843 IF HE DON'T INTERFERE WITH MY PRAYERS THERE'S NO NEED OF FIGHTING BUT IF HE DOES THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO SETTLE IT NEVER MIND WE'VE HAD A SPLENDID SUMMER I SAID SLIPPING MY ARM ABOUT HER TO COMFORT SOME CHILDISH SORROW THAT BREATHED IN HER PLAINTIVE VOICE BUT THE STRING THAT HE WAS TIED TO HIS BODY WAS STILL CONNECTED WITH THE ARM OF THE THRONE AND THEY KNEW THEY COULD PULL HIS MAJESTY DOWN AGAIN IF THEY WANTED TO THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE QUALITY OF A GHOST WITH EYEHOLES BUT NO EYES THAT FROZE HER YOUNG BLOOD THERE NEVER WERE IN ALL THE WORLD SIX MORE BADLY SCARED CHILDREN THAN THOSE WHO HUDDLED IN THE OLD KING ORCHARD THAT AUGUST NIGHT I'LL TELL YOU WHY SAID PETER THURSDAY AFTERNOON WHEN YOU FELLOWS WERE ALL IN SCHOOL PEG BOWEN CAME HERE YOUR AUNT OLIVIA GAVE HER A LUNCH A GOOD ONE YOU MAY LAUGH AT THE NOTION OF PEG BEING A WITCH BUT I NOTICE YOUR FOLKS ARE ALWAYS AWFUL GOOD TO HER WHEN SHE COMES AND AWFUL CAREFUL NEVER TO OFFEND HER +33145394-640a-46d2-9c40-8476fa160458 BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS OF OPINION WAS THAT WE MUST HAVE THE PICTURE NO MATTER WHAT PECUNIARY SACRIFICES WERE INVOLVED IF WE COULD EACH GIVE ABOUT SEVEN CENTS WE WOULD HAVE THE AMOUNT PETER COULD ONLY GIVE FOUR BUT DAN GAVE ELEVEN WHICH SQUARED MATTERS I WONDER WHAT THE STORY GIRL WILL THINK OF THEM SAID FELICITY AS IF AFTER ALL THAT WAS THE MAIN THING OUR ZID ESCAPED ITS CAGE AND DESTROYED TWO OF US FORCING US TO MAROON IT HERE FOR OUR OWN SAFETY UNFORTUNATELY WE TRUSTED OUR STAR MANUAL STATEMENT THAT THE PLANET IS UNPOPULATED THE TERRANS DREW TOGETHER AGAIN THAT REPLIED THE TIN MAN IS A LONG STORY THE LONGER THE BETTER SAID THE BOY WON'T YOU PLEASE TELL ME THE STORY +3329fdef-c429-4749-a617-706efbb55811 AND YOU'VE NO BUSINESS TO ESPECIALLY WHEN MOTHER'S AWAY WHEN YOUR FATHER'S RUN AWAY AND YOUR MOTHER GOES OUT WASHING AND YOU'RE ONLY OLD ENOUGH TO GET FIFTY CENTS A WEEK YOU CAN'T GIVE MUCH TO THE HEATHEN UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE MOST TRULY EFFICIENT ENGINES OF DESTRUCTION EVER MANUFACTURED PUFFING ON IT STARING AT THE SMOOTH BULKHEAD RELAXED ME A BIT I DID BUT I COULDN'T SEE YOU SAID THE TIN SOLDIER THE FIELDS WERE WILD AND UNCULTIVATED AND THERE WERE NO HOUSES OF ANY SORT TO BE SEEN I EXPECTED TO COME DOWN WITH AN AWFUL THUD SHE SAID SHUDDERING THE GROWN UPS LAUGHED +334d070b-ae19-4f3b-8701-6185d0040e93 ANY MAN WHO CONSIDERS HIMSELF A WIZARD WILL HAVE HIS MIND SEEN BY THE INQUISITOR AND SINCE THERE ARE NO WIZARDS AT LEAST NONE WE HAVE DISCOVERED THE TRIALS WILL CEASE YONAS FINISHED AND THE BROTHERHOOD HAS GAINED A NEW MEMBER CLTON SAID A MEMBER WITH INFLUENCE AND POWER NO LOSS JONIFER REPEATED INDIGNANTLY BUT THEN THERE WON'T BE ANY DEMAND FOR OUR CRYSTALS WE'LL LOSE EVERYTHING WE'VE GAINED FELICITY SOLD HERS TO UNCLE ALEC'S HIRED MAN AND WAS BADLY CHEATED TO BOOT FOR HE LEVANTED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS TAKING THE APPLES WITH HIM HAVING PAID HER ONLY HALF HER RIGHTFUL DUE FELICITY HAS NOT GOTTEN OVER THAT TO THIS DAY I THINK IT WOULD BE DREADFUL SURELY YOU CAN ARRANGE IT SOME OTHER WAY LET'S ALL GIVE UP THE ORDEAL ANYWAY THERE ISN'T MUCH FUN IN IT AND THEN NEITHER OF YOU NEED TO PRAY ABOUT IT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE ORDEAL SAID FELIX AND I WON'T +3358ced1-4d38-44f0-a89c-48cfb443f7db HE WANTED TO GET UP BUT CECILY ORDERED HIM TO STAY IN BED WISH I WAS BACK IN TORONTO THE FRUIT LADEN BOUGHS OF THE ORCHARD THE BANK OF GOLDEN ROD LIKE A WAVE OF SUNSHINE BEHIND THE PULPIT STONE IT IS TRUE RESPONDED THE SCARECROW IN THIS VALLEY NO ONE EVER DIES I NAMED HIM CHOP BY USING TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION I LATCHED MY ROTORIZED LIE DETECTIVE ON TO HIM AND BEGAN SNAPPING THE QUESTIONS +33f001b9-63e6-43b7-b5fb-8fc9eae33f8a OH FELICITY SHE SAID HER VOICE EXPRESSING A VERY ANGUISH OF HUMILIATION I I AND THAT IF ANY MISCHIEF HAD BEEN DONE IN THAT DIRECTION IT WAS HER DUTY YOU'RE TIRED HA IN THE HUMAN OY NORM ON THIS PLANET SAID HORN INTO HIS EARS CAME STETSON'S VOICE A SINGLE ONE AGAINST THE LEFT SHARP WENT TO THE BACK OF THE HOUSE NEAR THE SINGLE BED INSIDE THERE WAS ONLY ONE LARGE ROOM IN THIS CASE I CHOSE THE NATURAL ACQUISITIVE INSTINCT OF MAN AS OPPOSED TO BLIND CHANCE AND ACCIDENT +341085de-246e-40e1-8210-868787bbbddb FELIX HAD A KNACK OF DREAMING ANYHOW AND HIS DREAM BOOK WHILE SUFFERING SOMEWHAT IN COMPARISON OF LITERARY STYLE WAS ABOUT THE BEST OF THE LOT WHEN IT CAME TO SUBJECT MATTER SO I STAYED WITH THE GIRLS AND A MISERABLE AFTERNOON WE HAD OF IT THE STORY YELL AGAIN AND AGAIN DECLARED THAT SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT BUT WHEN WE ASKED HER TO TELL A STORY SHE EVADED IT WITH A FLIMSY EXCUSE YOU MUST PROVE IT BEFORE I SHALL MARRY YOU SAID THE PROUD PRINCESS BUT SHE TREMBLED AND TURNED PALE FOR THERE WAS SOMETHING IN HIS VOICE THAT FRIGHTENED HER AND WHEN HE LAUGHED HIS LAUGHTER WAS STILL MORE DREADFUL AT FIRST ALL WAS NOT HARMONIOUS FELICITY WAS IN AN ILL HUMOR SHE HAD WANTED TO WEAR HER SECOND BEST DRESS BUT AUNT JANET HAD DECREED THAT HER SCHOOL CLOTHES WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO GO TRAIPSING ABOUT IN THE DUST +3431c5a5-e3ce-4c86-81bb-6176db438d0f THE DREAM BOOKS THE NEXT DAY THE STORY GIRL COAXED UNCLE ROGER TO TAKE HER TO MARKDALE AND THERE SHE BOUGHT OUR DREAM BOOKS HE WAITED PATIENTLY UNTIL THE FIT HAD LEFT HER NOT AN INN HE SAID THERE IS NO INN HERE I KNOW VIC TRIED TO SHOUT SOMETHING BUT A CLAW LIKE BROWN HAND WAS IMMEDIATELY THRUST OVER HIS MOUTH THE GUARDS WHO HELD ME FOLLOWED BY THE PRIESTS MADE THEIR WAY TOWARD THE EXTENDED PALMS WHICH FORMED THE ALTAR OF THIS STRANGE BLACK GOD WHOSE FAVOR WAS DEATH JOHN ANDREW RUSHED TO HER SIDE AND LOOKED AS SHE GOT SET FOR A DIVE GARF HE SAW MEALY HAD RETURNED AND WAS PICKING UP THE JUDGE'S INVENTION +345a320a-6591-451e-90db-999478008398 POLYCHROME ALTHOUGH DANCING LIGHTLY BACK AND FORTH HAD LISTENED TO EVERY WORD OF THE CONVERSATION THIS WAS SO VERY UNLIKE CECILY THE REVEREND MISTER SCOTT WAS THE MAN WHO THOUGHT THE PULPIT DOOR MUST BE MADE FOR SPIRITS YOU KNOW SHE SAID I HEARD UNCLE EDWARD TELLING EVER SO MANY STORIES ABOUT HIM HE WAS CALLED TO THIS CONGREGATION AND HE LABOURED HERE LONG AND FAITHFULLY AND WAS MUCH BELOVED THOUGH HE WAS VERY ECCENTRIC THESE DETAILS WERE THE FIRST THINGS THAT MADE FARMER THINK RAY MIGHT NOT BE A COMPLETE CRACK PICK AFTER ALL IT'S LIKE THIS SAID HORN WE ALREADY HAVE RECAPTURED THE DELPHINIS BACK AT DEAR OLD EUNUCH GALACTICA +3479f1c9-0d68-4c93-a59e-6e19d67f3cd6 GENIUS CAN NEVER EXPLAIN HOW IT DOES IT IT WOULD NOT BE GENIUS IF IT COULD AND THE STORY GIRL HAD GENIUS AS WE LEFT THE ORCHARD I WALKED ALONG BEHIND UNCLE ROGER AND AUNT OLIVIA STRANGER SHARP SAID WORK FOR YOUR OWN GOOD DO NOTHING FOR ME THIS IS AN ACCURSED FAMILY THERE IS NO GOOD TO BE DONE TO ME OR MY WIFE OR CHILD YUNUS TRIED TO LOOK REASSURING HE THOUGHT OF SEVERAL THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE SUNNYSIDE OF LIFE AND DECIDED ON NONE OF THEM MY SYMPATHY HE BEGAN SLOSHING IN THE POOL WAS AN ANCIENT REPTILE WHO CLEARLY WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS I WADDLED TOWARD HIM AND HE GAVE ME A COLD AND FISHY EYE THEN GROWLED SOMETHING INSTEAD AFTER DEVOUTLY THANKING GOODNESS THAT OUR GROWN UPS IN SPITE OF SOME IMPERFECTIONS WERE NOT OF THE MISSUS RAY TYPE WE BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE GRANARY LIGHTED A HUGE LANTERN WHICH DAN HAD MADE OUT OF A TURNIP AND PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR ALL THE APPLES WE MIGHT HAVE EATEN THROUGH THE DAY BUT HAD NOT +3490c2a6-4210-4232-b0f2-aa879dfb1c34 THEY HAD WHAT LOOKED LIKE THROWING STICKS AND ARBELASTS AND WERE TRYING TO SHOOT DOWN THE EYE A CLOUD OF ARROWS AND ROCKS FLYING IN EVERY DIRECTION I PULLED THE EYE STRAIGHT UP AND AWAY AND THREW IN THE CONTROL CIRCUIT THAT WOULD RETURN IT AUTOMATICALLY TO THE SHIP THE ONLY SIGN OF VEGETATION I COULD PERCEIVE WERE STRANGE GROWTHS THAT REMOTELY RESEMBLED TREES INVERTED TREES WITH WIDE SPREADING BRANCHES HUNGRILY NURSING THE BLACK AND BARREN SOIL AND GNARLED BRIEF ROOTS REACHING OUT TORTURED ARMS TOWARDS THE FORBIDDING SKY RIM WAR ALL OVER AGAIN BUT THIS IS A DIFFERENT BREED OF FISH IT'S NOT REPEAT NOT A REDISCOVERY OH IT MEANS IF ANYTHING HAPPENS SOMETHING ELSE IS SURE TO HAPPEN SAID THE STORY GIRL I'LL ILLUSTRATE THERE'S MISSUS MURPHY SHE NEVER HAD A PROPOSAL IN HER LIFE TILL SHE WAS FORTY AND THEN SHE HAD THREE AND THE ONE WEEK AND SHE WAS SO FLUSTERED SHE TOOK THE WRONG ONE AND HAS BEEN SORRY EVER SINCE +34a2b23d-dd1a-4f19-a2db-1974129c7715 HER VOICE DRIPPING DANGER AND GOT ANOTHER SURPRISE THE ONLY REAL TROUBLE WITH YOU EARTH PEOPLE CECILY FINISHED HER CUCUMBER AND THEN DRANK A GLASS OF MILK JUST AS WE HEARD THE WHEELS OF UNCLE ALEC'S BUGGY RAMBLING OVER THE BRIDGE IN THE HOLLOW I HAVE READ THE SITUATION IN YOUR MIND AND YOUR NEXT MOVE WILL HAVE TO BE RATHER MORE SPECTACULAR THAN USUAL IN A SORT OF PANIC I SNATCHED UP THE PAPER SHOUTED VIC AS I JOINED THEM BREATHLESS BUT TRIUMPHANT AND BESIDES HE WAS HOPE'S BROTHER +34acb52f-1717-40ae-9f69-e66871c62615 NEITHER DOES MY FRIEND THE SCARECROW HOW HAPPENED YOUR MAJESTY TO BE MADE OF TIN AND STILL BE ALIVE THE BOAT HEELED ON SHOAL SAND LISTED AND HUNG AGROUND WITH WINDFILLED SAILS HOLDING HER FAST THE SCOOP CAME UP OUT OF THE WATER SO SMOOTHLY THAT THE ISLAND QUEEN HARDLY ROCKED WELL I WON'T JUST TO OBLIGE YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WOULD HAVE DIED THE DEATH BEFORE SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE PUBLIC MEETING BAREFOOTED UNDERSTANDING AND SYMPATHY BUT FEAR OF HER FELLOW CREATURES WAS SOMETHING UNKNOWN TO HER THAT IS WHERE THE DAMAGE WAS DONE THERE WASN'T MUCH OF HIM TO BURY THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT CLEAR +34b1dc86-ebdb-4123-8fb4-738aa69455be MA MADE A RULE LIKE THAT ONCE BEFORE AND KEPT IT FOR A WEEK AND THEN WE JUST SLIPPED BACK TO THE OLD WAY THAT WILL BE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME TOO THE TRUSTING BUILDERS COUNTED ON THE SIGN TO DO THE WHOLE JOB FOR THERE WASN'T A TRACE OF A LOCK ON THE DOOR THE VALVE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE USED ONLY FOR REPAIRS AFTER THE PILE WAS DAMPED SUCH AS DO NO GOOD BUT ARE LIKELY TO DO HARM BECAUSE HIS LEG WAS AS SHAPELY AND STRONG AS IT HAD BEEN BEFORE HIS ACCIDENT THE ORCHARD DOESN'T SEEM THE SAME PLACE BY MOONLIGHT AT ALL AND THERE WAS ONE TALL MAN IN COMPLETE ARMOUR WE WENT TO SCHOOL OF COURSE +34b37063-66e6-45f2-a8a1-ff0ccb7cc320 I'M GOING TO PUT TWO CENTS MORE A WEEK IN MY MISSIONARY BOX THAN I'VE BEEN DOING SAID CECILY DETERMINEDLY HE WAS THE STENTORIAN VERSION OF A GOAT BOY HE HERDED A PARTICULARLY LOATHSOME FORM OF LOCAL LIFE IN THE SWAMPS OUTSIDE THE TOWN I HAD ONE OF THE WORKING EYES DIG A CAVE IN AN OUTCROPPING OF ROCK AND WAIT FOR HIM I DIDN'T TELL CECILY TO DRINK THE MILK AND THE CUCUMBER ALONE WOULDN'T HAVE HURT HER HE GRUMBLED I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW I DO IT SAID THE STORY GIRL PERPLEXEDLY IT JUST DOES ITSELF HE APPROACHED THE ENGINE AS HE DID SO THE ENGINE MELTED INTO A SOLID IRREGULAR LUMP OF METAL JOHN ANDREW GULPED AND PUT OUT A TENSIVE HAND TOWARDS THE FUSE MESS IT WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WARM BUT IT HAD MELTED +34c1a728-429f-4a56-b828-8d9ec7dddddf THINK OF ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS WE'D APPROACH THE SAME PROBLEMS THIS ONE AND ANOTHER ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET BUT THE OTHER ONE'S A RUIN WHY HAS SHE CHANGED HER MIND SEE WHAT THESE REBELLIOUS ONES HAVE DONE WE ALL SHOWED THE SYMPATHY WE FELT I SHALL WORK TO DO YOU GOOD HE SAID AND NOT EVIL I PROMISE YOU YONA SAID EARNESTLY THAT YOU WILL BE IN NO DANGER FOR ME SAID AUNT JANET SEVERELY I FEAR SHE HAD AN ANXIOUS TRIP OF IT POOR WOMAN THE OLD HOUSE WITH THE SPRUCES BEHIND IT +34f2132d-350a-44b3-822f-0bd3bdb05506 WE WERE ALL INTENSELY EXCITED SATURDAY MORNING TO OUR DISMAY IT BEGAN TO RAIN JUST BEFORE DINNER WHAT IF JERRY DOESN'T BRING THE PICTURE TO DAY BECAUSE OF THE RAIN I SUGGESTED NEVER YOU FEAR ANSWERED FELICITY DECIDEDLY A COWARD WOULD COME THROUGH ANYTHING FOR FIFTY CENTS HT BEYOND PANDORA BY ROBERT J MARTIN THE IDEAL WAY TO DEAL WITH THE PEST ANY MENACE IS OF COURSE TO MAKE IT USEFUL TO YOU THE DOCTOR'S PEN PAUSED OVER THE CHART ON HIS DESK THIS IS YOUR THIRD SET OF TEETH I BELIEVE EVIDENTLY PETER WAS NOT AN ADMIRER OF WHOM FELICITY WAS PROUD AS OUR PARTY APPEARED AN AISLE OPENED AND WE WERE MARCHED THROUGH THE ASSEMBLED CROWD DIRECTLY TOWARD THE IDOL +34fab291-f6a6-4e66-8ed7-2c05b33f65af YOU'RE AN EARTH INTEREST SPY AFTER ALL SHE ACCUSED THEY SAID IN THE TOWNSHIP YOU ARE NO ARTIST BUT UNCLE CHARLEY AND I JEFF MADE A PUSHING MOTION KEEP AWAY FROM ME DO YOU WANT THAT DEVIL TEARING THE CABIN DOWN AROUND US IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS SAID UNCLE ROGER AS HE WENT OUT TO TAKE THEIR HORSE BUT FELICITY'S FOOT WAS ON HER NATIVE HEATH SHE HAD BEEN BAKING ALL THE AFTERNOON AND WITH THE PANTRY WELL STOCKED WITH BISCUITS COOKIES CAKES AND PIES SHE CARED NOT IF ALL CARLYLE CAME TO TEA THE RAIN HAD CEASED BUT THE CLOUDS HUNG DARK AND BROODING ABOVE A WORLD WHICH IN ITS WINDLESS CALM FOLLOWING THE SPENT STORM THROW SEEMED TO US TO BE WAITING TILL JUDGMENT SPOKE THE DOOM OF FATE I WAS TALKING TO MYSELF NORMALLY BAD SIGN BUT RIGHT NOW I DIDN'T CARE THE MOOD OF SPACE PIRACY HAD SEIZED ME AND I HAD BEEN GOING ALONG FINE UNTIL THIS GLARING INCONSISTENCY JUMPED OUT AND HIT ME SQUARE IN THE EYE +35053e03-70a0-48e8-84ca-1f34aa59fcdc THE STORY GIRL WAS BAREFOOTED AND BARE ARMED HAVING ROLLED THE SLEEVES OF HER PINK GINGHAM UP TO HER SHOULDERS SHE DID NOT LIKE TO BE INTERRUPTED WHEN TELLING A STORY IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT SOME ONE GALLOPED DOWN THE ROAD ON HORSEBACK LUSTILY SINGING A COMIC SONG I DON'T KNOW THAT CHAP WITH THE BIG STONE AT HIS THROAT SEEMS TO BE THE HEADMAN OF THE CITY A HIGH PITCHED SIBILANT CHANT AROSE FROM THE MULTITUDE I UNSIPPED THE FRONT OF MY CAMELFLAGE SUIT AND PULLED OUT THE BLUE PRINTS IT ALL BEGAN WITH THE LAND BRIDGE +3515ba2d-8505-415e-9e0a-be059425ca9e WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER MARGARET'S FATHER AND MOTHER FORGAVE HER AND SHE WENT BACK HOME TO WAIT TO WAIT OH IT IS SO DREADFUL JUST TO WAIT AND TO DO NOTHING ELSE MARGARET WAITED FOR NEARLY A YEAR HOW LONG IT MUST HAVE SEEMED TO HER ITS THREE INCH SCREEN LIGHTED TO SIGNAL AND A DURE AND DISAPPOINTED CONSEIL SATTERFIELD LOOKED AT HIM ONE USUALLY SURFACES OUTSIDE MY HARBOUR AT ABOUT THE TIME OLD CHARLEY MACK'S SUPPLY BOAT COMES IN HAW SAID STETSON POLITICIANS A THIN BLACK INSECT WITH SHELL LIKE WINGS FLEW IN ORAN'S PORT SETTLED IN HIS CLOSE CROPPED RED HAIR ORAN PULLED THE INSECT GENTLY FROM HIS HAIR RELEASED IT WHICH IS OF COURSE WHERE HE IS A CAPTAIN AND I AM AN ADMIRAL EVEN A TEMPORARY FOLLOWING MY ORDERS THE NAVIGATOR AGAIN CONSTRUCTED A SPHERE OF SPECULATION IN HIS TANK THE SURFACE OF THE SPHERE CONTACTED ALL THE STAR SYSTEMS A DAY'S FLIGHT AHEAD OF THE MAXIMUM FLIGHT OF THE STOLEN BATTLESHIP +355ec342-4d7d-4334-80d6-275e014184ce WHETHER SUCH GROUPS WERE THE RESULTS OF NATURAL MUTATIONS OR WHETHER THEY CAME INTO BEING DUE TO SOME OTHER CAUSE HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY DETERMINED BUT THAT A GROUP DID EXIST IN THE DISTRICT OF OFFENBURGH IN WHAT IS NOW PRUSSIA WE ARE QUITE SURE FELICITY HAD PUT ON HER BLUE MUSLIN AND LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL IN IT THAT HER GOOD HUMOR WAS QUITE RESTORED CECILY'S HEADACHE WAS BETTER AND THE STORY GIRL REFRESHED BY AN AFTERNOON SIESTA CAME DOWN WITH SMILES AND SPARKLING EYES THEN THE SCARECROW LAID HIMSELF DOWN SO THAT WOOT COULD USE HIS STUFFED BODY AS A PILLOW AND THE TIN WOODMAN STOOD UP BESIDE THEM ALL NIGHT SO THE DAMPNESS OF THE GROUND MIGHT NOT REST HIS JOINTS OR DULL HIS BRILLIANT POLISH CONSIDERING ITS LOCATION ON ONE OF THE PROXIMA CENTIARY PLANETS IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN THE FIRST BEACON I LOOKED AT THE BLUE PRINTS HE HANDED ME AND FELT MY EYES GLAZE WITH HORROR IT'S A MONSTROSITY IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A DISTILLERY THAN A BEACON MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW HUNDRED METERS HIGH +35939431-2f9c-49c5-af8e-6d638d8516bd THERE'S SOMETHING OUTSIDE SHE LET GO THE BARRICADE AND RAN TO THE WINDOW TO THROW OPEN THE STORM SHUTTERS THERE WAS NO TRACE OF HIM ANYWHERE GOOD LORD LESS THAN AN HOUR SINCE I STOOD THERE IN YOUR LABORATORY TIME PASSED SOMEHOW WHEN MORNING DAWNED YONAS AWOKE TO FIND THE DOOR OF HIS CELL BEING UNLOCKED THE BALD MAN AND THE BLACK HAIRED MAN WERE BOTH THERE HE LOOKED UP WITH THEM WITH DISTASTE THE WILD COLD SPRAY BEAT ON HIS EYES AND BLINDED HIM WHERE DID YOU GET THAT THING HE ASKED +35b4cc2d-8cd8-40c4-b948-b46af0af629f MISTER CAMPBELL WAS A TALL MAN WITH A MASSIVE HEAD WELL THATCHED WITH THICK BLACK HAIR GREY STREET HE HAD BIG BLACK EYES WITH MANY WRINKLES AROUND THEM AND A THIN FIRM LONG LIPPED MOUTH WE THOUGHT HIM HANDSOME FOR AN OLD MAN DAN WAS ONCE GUILTY OF SWEARING UNCLE ALEC TIRED AS HE WAS FROM HIS HARD DAY'S WORK AND EVENING OUTING WAS DESPATCHED FOR THE DOCTOR IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DRAW HIM DOWN TO THE THRONE WHERE HE SEATED HIMSELF AND WAS TIED IN SO HE WOULDN'T FLOAT UPWARD AGAIN ALL THE FITTINGS INSIDE AND OUT WERE EITHER MACHINE TURNED OR PLAITED ALL THIS WORK COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE THE TIME ALLOTTED THE NAVY MUST HAVE ADAPTED A LUXURY UP TO MY NEEDS EVERYTHING WAS READY EITHER PEPPER WOULD MAKE HIS MOVE OR I WOULD SAIL ON TO MY BILLIONAIRES PARALYSED PLANET IF THAT HAPPENED IT WOULD BE BEST IF I STAYED THERE +36096ec4-9522-4cd1-af07-4fcf3ce5fe13 HE LOOKED ALMOST LIKE A MAN THE HELMET SWUNG BACK AND RAY PROMPTLY SHOVED FARMER ASIDE ROUND IN BODY ROUND IN LEGS AND ARMS ALL THE WAY FROM KANSAS TO THE LAND OF OZ THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THEIR ROUNDNESS WAS A SLIGHT HOLLOW ON THE TOP GIRLS DID THEN YOU KNOW FOR THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS A SEWING MACHINE UNDER FELICITY'S EYES SHE SET THE BREAD AND ON THE MORROW SHE WAS TO BAKE IT AS UNCONCERNED AS A PIG ON ICE DIDN'T SAY A SINGLE THING NOT ONE BLESSED STITCH +36ab4408-8be2-4fc2-b247-1ca3f20da624 IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO WE ARE THE RADIO BOOMED AGAIN JUST OBEY ORDERS IF YOU CARE TO LIVE STAY AWAY FROM THE CONTROLS UNTIL WE HAVE TIRED ON THEN DO EXACTLY AS I SAY I HOLD THIS HOUSE FREE AND PROPER SHE SAID IN A DETERMINED ROAR AND NOBODY CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME IT BELONGS TO ME AND TO MY CHILDREN AND TO THEIR CHILDREN AND TO THE CHILDREN OF THOSE CHILDREN THE CATALOGUE SEEMED LIKELY TO GO ON FOR EVER EXACTLY JONAS SAID HASTILY NO INDEED AGLEIA HAD DONE NOTHING OF THE SORT WHEN SHE BEGAN TO RUN SHE HAD POPPED IT INTO HER MOUTH AND THERE IT WAS STILL QUITE SAFE NOW SHE POKED IT OUT BETWEEN HER RED LIPS WHERE IT GLITTERED IN THE SUNLIGHT IN THE LAND OF OZ REPLIED THE EMPEROR NO ONE CAN EVER BE KILLED +370b5c6c-c0cb-4852-9c2f-a9fb24476c03 YOU SHOULDN'T DO THIS PETER AND THE STORY GIRL WERE TO STAY AT UNCLE ALEC'S DURING THEIR ABSENCE IT GREW BRIGHTER UNTIL THEY COULD SEE THEIR SURROUNDINGS DISTINCTLY ALL PERSONS ARE USUALLY JUDGED BY THE SHAPES IN WHICH THEY APPEAR TO THE EYES OF OTHERS THE DREADFUL SIGHT OF PAN AND THE STILL MORE DREADFUL NOISE HE MADE SO FRIGHTEN THE SHEEPS THEY FLED IN ALL DIRECTIONS THE HANGING IS OVER AND HARVEST ISN'T ON AND ALEC NEEDS A CHANGE HE ISN'T LOOKING WELL AT ALL AND PETER EARLY IN LIFE HAD HAD HIS FEET SET IN THE PATH OF TRUTHFULNESS BY HIS AUNT JANE +375a8128-5b0b-4da3-971d-3461ef387371 BUT AFTER A MOMENT HE REPLIED I HAD HOME IN FRIENDS YOUR HONOURABLE STRAWNESS BUT THEY WERE SO QUIET AND HAPPY AND COMFORTABLE THAT I FOUND THEM DISMALLY STUPID THE CRYSTAL NOW WE MUST HAVE IT TO QUIET THE ZID UNTIL IT IS SAFELY CAGED AGAIN JINIFER TURNED SUDDENLY FIRM NO I WON'T LET THIS EYE INFORMER KNOW ABOUT THAT HIS FACE WAS ROSY HIS THICK BLACK CURLS WERE SMOOTHLY COMBED AND HIS TIE WAS NEATLY BOWED BUT IT WAS HIS LEGS WHICH WE SCRUTINIZED MOST ANXIOUSLY AT FIRST GLANCE THEY SEEMED WELL ENOUGH BUT CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED SOMETHING NOT ALTOGETHER CUSTOMARY AND NOW IT HAS ALMOST FRIGHTENED YOUR POOR LITTLE MONKEYS TO DEATH WE HEARD UNCLE ROGER CHUCKLING ALL THE WAY TO THE BARN +37d9bcfa-73a6-4502-a9b6-8910d03021bf YOU'LL HAVE TO FIGHT ME IF YOU KEEP PRAYING AGAINST ME SAID FELIX THE GIRLS GASPED BUT DAN AND I WERE JUBILANT SNUFFING A BATTLE AFAR OFF ALL RIGHT I CAN FIGHT AS WELL AS PRAY OH DON'T FIGHT IMPLORED CECILY JOB'S COFFIN AND THE NORTHERN CROSS WERE TO THE WEST OF US SOUTH OF US FLAMED FOMALHAUT OH SEE HERE IF YOU'RE GOING TO INTERRUPT AND ARGUE OVER EVERYTHING WE'LL NEVER GET THE STORY TOLD SAID FELIX DRY UP ALL OF YOU AND LET THE STORY GIRL GO ON WE DRIED UP AND THE STORY GIRL WENT ON IN TERMS OF OUR OWN BEING YOU DO NOT EXIST IN YOUR PRESENT FORM THIS WORLD DOES NOT EXIST AND THE REVERSE IS JUST AS TRUE I STARED AT HIM BEWILDERED WHAT AM I THEN A GHOST +37da0201-e56c-4567-a794-b9fe303ac6d4 IN A CASE LIKE YOURS I TRY HARDER MY FOOLISHNESS YONA'S THOUGHT SOMETIMES WORKS TO MY BENEFIT THEN WE LOOK INTO THEM WITH BRIGHT BOYS LIKE YOU DISGUISED AS OUR N OUR FIELD MEN I'M A PIE EYED GRIPIS WHISPERED STETSON ERNE GRINN SAID IT PROBABLY ARE SIR THE NEAREST BEACON TO THE BROKEN DOWN PROXIMUS AND CHERRY BEACON WAS ON ONE OF THE PLANETS OF BATUS CERCINUS AND I HEADED THERE FIRST A SHORT TRIP OF ONLY ABOUT NINE DAYS IN HYPERSPACE WHEN NEXT WE ASSEMBLED OURSELVES TOGETHER IT WAS AFTER MILKING AND THE CARES OF THE DAY WERE DONE WITH WE FOREGATHERED IN THE BALSAM FRAGRANT AISLES OF THE FIR WOOD AND ATE EARLY AUGUST APPLES TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE STORY GIRL SAID WE MADE HER THINK OF THE IRISHMAN'S PIG +383844eb-da26-4a26-ae2f-344ebb0b3846 BEHIND THE HOUSE WAS A GROVE OF FIR AND SPRUCE A DIM COOL PLACE WHERE THE WINDS WERE FOND OF PURRING AND WHERE THERE WAS ALWAYS A RESINOUS WOODSY ODOUR FELIX AND PETER DREW APART AFTER THAT FIRST ONSET AND THEN CIRCLED ABOUT ONE ANOTHER WARILY AND ANYHOW HE IS VERY GOOD AND WON'T BE ANY TROUBLE DON'T LET HIM GO OUTSIDE THOUGH HE HAS A COLD NOW I WOULD RATHER HAVE DIED THAN HAVE TOUCHED THE SLIM BROWN WRIST ON WHICH SHE SUPPORTED HERSELF +3876310f-ff8f-4ca6-8f0f-954e1729a9fc UNCLE ROGER SHOOK HIS HEAD THAT IS JUST THE TROUBLE HE SAID PEOPLE WON'T BELIEVE IT TILL IT'S TOO LATE I'M GOING STRAIGHT TO MARKDALE TO PAY A MAN THERE SOME MONEY I OWE HIM AND AFTER DINNER I'M GOING TO SUMMERSIDE TO BUY ME A NEW SUIT MY OLD ONE'S TOO SHABBY FOR THE JUDGMENT DAY HE GOT INTO HIS BUGGY AND DROVE AWAY LEAVING EIGHT DISTRACTED MORTALS BEHIND HIM WHO'S CHOP FIGHT INQUIRED ROOT OH HAVEN'T I TOLD YOU ABOUT CHOP FIGHT EXCLAIMED CLIP COURSE NOT HE'S QUITE A CURIOSITY TOO HE'LL BE INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT CHOP FIGHT FELIX AND PETER DREW APART AFTER THAT FIRST ONSET AND THEN CIRCLED ABOUT ONE ANOTHER WARILY JUST THEN AS THEY HAD COME TO GRIPS AGAIN UNCLE ALEC WALKED AROUND THE CORNER OF THE GRANARY WITH CECILY BEHIND HIM HE WAS NOT ANGRY THERE WAS A QUIZZICAL LOOK IN HIS EYES SARA RAY'S LETTER DEAR PETER I NEVER WROTE TO A BOY BEFORE SO PLEASE EXCUSE ALL MISTAKES I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE GETTING BETTER +38863cbf-65be-4f32-9c4e-060d3513cb80 THAT OF COURSE MADE MATTERS SIMPLER THEIR MINDS WERE VERY VERY BORING AND QUITE BLANK HYRCUFF YUNUS REFLECTED MIGHT BE A DEFINITE RELIEF WE WERE ALL IN A DOLEFUL DUMPS AT LEAST ALL WE YOUNG FRY WERE NAW GRINNED DAN PEG CHEWS TOBACCO LIKE A MAN AND SHE'D RATHER HAVE IT THAN YOUR RUBBISHY PEPPERMINTS I CAN TELL YOU I'LL RUN DOWN TO OLD MISSUS SAMPSON'S AND GET A PLUG SHE WENT OVER TO HIM AND HELD OUT HER HAND AND I'M GOING TO CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL REGULAR AND I'LL SAY MY PRAYERS EVERY NIGHT STTCHING ITS LENGTH COMFORTABLY IN THE SHADE OF THE BIG MAPLES AND TWO OF THE PRIESTS FELL WRITHING TO BE INSTANTLY TRAMPLED INTO PULP +388b76fa-b0dd-441a-9b8e-3b4db5ad568c NOW FARMER WASN'T MUCH OF AN EDITOR EVEN AS EDITORS GO THE ONE USEFUL QUALITY HE HAD WAS A HOME STUNNED INGRATIATING AIR WHICH PUT NERVOUS YOUNG GENIUSES AT THEIR EASE SO THAT THEY COULD GIVE A REASONABLE COHERENT VERBAL PICTURE OF WHAT THEIR BOOKS WERE ABOUT FUEL HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF FIRST THE GUTTED HULL OF OCKITT'S DREAM WAS SILENT WITNESS TO THAT THERE WERE COUNTLESS PLANETS THAT COULD BE USED AS A BASE GETTING A CREW WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT IN THESE PEACE TIMES THOUGH I COULD THINK OF A FEW ANSWERS TO THAT ONE TOO SARAH RAY HAD JOINED US VERY PALE AND NERVOUS HAVING HAD SO IT APPEARED A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH HER MOTHER ABOUT COMING UP THE HILL IN THE RAIN I'M AFRAID I DID VERY WRONG TO COME AGAINST MAR'S WILL SHE SAID MISERABLY BUT I COULDN'T WAIT I WANTED TO SEE THE PICTURE AS SOON AS YOU DID HIS SENSE OF LOSS AT SATTERFIELD'S GRIM NOD STEMMED FROM SOMETHING DEEPER THAN SYMPATHY FOR THE ISLANDERS IT FOUND ROTS IN HIS DAILY RAMBLES OVER THE LITTLE ISLAND GRANTED HIM BY THE TOWNSHIP FOR THE PAINTING HE HAD BEGUN AS A BLIND TO HIS ASSIGNMENT AND IN THE GOSSIP OF OLD CHARLEY MACK AND THE FEW OTHERS HE HAD MET +38bcc7fb-d23b-4253-b7b6-fe1e3b7befa3 HE WAS A SMALL MAN WITH THIN DELICATE FEATURES CLOSE CLIPPED GREY BEARD AND LARGE TIRED BLUE EYES FATHER'S EYES OVER AGAIN FINALLY I ASKED HER TO MARRY ME AND SHE AGREED TO DO SO BUT THE WITCH HAPPENED TO OVERHEAR OUR CONVERSATION AND IT MADE HER VERY ANGRY FOR SHE DID NOT WISH HER SLAVE TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER WE SAT STILL AND COUNTED THE HUNDRED WHEN CECILY FINISHED SHE GOT UP AND WENT IN SEARCH OF DAN RESOLVED TO SOOTHE HIS WOUNDED FEELINGS FELICITY CALLED AFTER HER TO TELL DAN THERE WAS A JAM TURN OVER SHE HAD PUT AWAY IN THE PANTRY SPECIALLY FOR HIM WE ALL HAVE DREAM BOOKS YOU KNOW AND EVERYONE WANTS THEIR OWN TO BE THE MOST EXCITING AND WE'VE BEEN EATING RICH THINGS TO MAKE US DREAM AND IT DOES BUT IF CICELY OH I'LL NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF SAID FELICITY INCOHERENTLY LETTING ALL KINDS OF CATS OUT OF THE BAG IN HER EXCITEMENT AND ALARM +38c8a415-944a-48cc-869a-d375fb00383f NANCY DIDN'T SAY SHE WOULD HAVE HIM SHE JUST LOOKED IT AND DONALD KISSED HER RIGHT THERE IN THE SNOW THE NEXT MORNING THE STORM WAS OVER ALL RIGHT BUT JUST YOU WAIT TILL TO MORROW GROWLED DAN SUBSIDING RELUCTANTLY INTO SILENCE UNDER THE REPROACHFUL LOOKS OF THE GIRLS AND WE WERE LAUGHING AND TRYING THE THINGS ON AND HAVING SUCH FUN I DON'T MEAN TO BE A HIGHER BOY ALL MY LIFE I'LL HAVE A FARM OF MY OWN AND COWS AND EVERYTHING YOU'LL SEE IF I WON'T IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SHIP AND THE DOCK YARD HAD BEEN LAVISH WITH HER ATTENTION TO DETAIL FROM BOW TO REAR TUBE SHE WAS PLAITED IN PURE GOLD THERE ARE OTHER METALS WITH A HIGHER ALBIDO BUT NONE THAT GIVE A RICHER EFFECT ALL THE FITTINGS INSIDE AND OUT WERE EITHER MACHINE TURNED OR PLAITED DON'T WORRY YOUR POOR BRAINS SAID SHE YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME HOWEVER HARD YOU TRY +38d0f3ab-2c1d-453c-8d25-0561db2c75ba I DO THINK HE MIGHT HAVE HAD MORE SENSE THAN TO TAKE A CLOCK STRIKING FOR A BELL RINGING I NEVER HEARD THAT KIND OF STRIKE BEFORE PROTESTED PETER IT DON'T SOUND A BIT LIKE OTHER CLOCKS AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT AND THE SOUND KIND OF MUFFLED HE LOOKED AT IT AS A MAN LOOKS AT A FLICKERING FIREPLACE AND THINKS OF OTHER THINGS HE THOUGHT OF THE SUN FIFTY TWO TRILLION MILES AWAY A PIN POINT OF LIGHT LOST IN THE DAZZLE OF THE MILKY WAY THE EARTH A SPECK OF DUST IN ORBIT JUST AS THIS PLANET WAS TO ITS MASTER SERIOUS TIME ALWAYS SEEMS LONG WHEN YOU'RE WAITING SAID THE STORY GIRL BUT IT DOES SEEM AS IF WE'D BEEN HERE MORE THAN AN HOUR MAYBE THE CLOCK STRUCK AND WE DIDN'T HEAR IT SUGGESTED DAN SOMEBODY BETTER GO SEE I'LL GO SAID CECILY I SUPPOSE EVEN IF ANYTHING HAPPENS I'LL HAVE TIME TO GET BACK TO YOU WELL THEY'RE THE DESCENDANTS OF THE FROGS HE HEARD SAID FELIX AND THEY'RE SINGING IN THE SAME SWAMP THAT'S NEAR ENOUGH +38f8c3be-ed0a-495a-90b9-56d709514e29 PAT ISN'T A BIT BETTER HE JUST MOPES ABOUT THE KITCHEN SAID THE STORY GIRL ANXIOUSLY I WENT OUT TO THE BARN AND I SAW A MOUSE I HAD A STICK IN MY HAND AND I FETCHED A SWIPE AT IT SO I KILLED IT STONE DEAD THEN I TOOK IT IN TO PADDY WILL YOU BELIEVE IT HE WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT I'M SO WORRIED UNCLE ROGER SAYS HE NEEDS A DOSE OF PHYSIC BUT HOW IS HE TO BE MADE TO TAKE IT THAT'S THE QUESTION RAY POLISHED OFF THE SOMEWHAT RABBIT FROM HATTIE ROUTINE BY BRINGING OUT A PORTABLE TELEVISION SET CONNECTING IT TO THE BOAT'S ELECTRICAL GENERATOR AND STRINGING AN INSORTMENT OF WIRES BETWEEN IT AND HIS INVENTION HE WOULD NOT ALLOW FARMER EVEN CLOSE TO THE LATTER BUT TO THE EDITOR'S UNTECHNICAL EYE IT LOOKED LIKE A FAIRLY ORDINARY RADIO SET WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH DIALS AND SWITCHES ADDED TO IT TO FURNISH THE DAY SPORTS OF SEVERAL ROLLS ROICES THE STORY GIRL WAS SITTING ON THE MINT BESIDE THE WELL HOUSE WEAVING HERSELF A WREATH OF BUTTERCUPS FELICITY WAS SIPPING FROM THE CUP OF CLOUDED BLUE WITH AN OVERDONE AIR OF UNCONCERN EACH WAS ACUTELY AND MISERABLY CONSCIOUS OF THE OTHER'S PRESENCE AND EACH WAS DESIROUS OF CONVINCING THE REST OF US THAT THE OTHER WAS LESS THAN NOTHING TO HER FELICITY COULD NOT SUCCEED THE STORY GIRL MANAGED IT BETTER I NEVER HEARD THAT KIND OF STRIKE BEFORE PROTESTED PETER IT DON'T SOUND A BIT LIKE OTHER CLOCKS AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT AND THE SOUND KIND OF MUFFLED IT'S ALL VERY FINE TO SAY YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT IT WAS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD I WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THE STORY GIRL HONESTLY I THOUGHT IT WAS A BELL WHEN I HEARD IT AND THE DOOR OPEN TOO +38ff3451-4d96-4f17-8b1b-f7417ed553e7 WE FEARED THAT DAN WOULD DROP DEAD ON THE SPOT BUT NOTHING OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY WHEN AN HOUR HAD PASSED WE CONCLUDED THAT THE BAD BERRIES WERE NOT POISON AFTER ALL AND WE LOOKED UPON DAN AS QUITE A HERO FOR DARING TO EAT THEM IT OF COURSE TOOK PLACE IN THE PUBLIC BATH TUB AND I HAD TO JOIN THEM THERE ONLY IT FOLLOWS ITS OWN RULES EVEN THE STORY GIRL WAS SURPRISED I OFTEN FEEL SAID FELICITY PRIMLY THAT WE DON'T THINK ENOUGH ABOUT THE HEATHENS WE OUGHT TO THINK A GREAT DEAL MORE WE WILL HAVE TO MEND THE PUNCTURE FIRST YOUR MAJESTY LANDS MANY TIMES +39614d18-f217-4cb8-97e6-262b5e77bcab IT LOOKED LIKE THE ONE WE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR WHILE THE SIMAN UNFOCUSED HIS EYES AND MUMBLED UNDER HIS BREATH I RIFFLED SOME PAPERS RELAXED AND COOL I KNOW A STORY ABOUT THE MILKY WAY SAID THE STORY GIRL BRIGHTENING UP I READ IT IN A BOOK OF AUNT LOUISE'S IN TOWN AND I LEARNED IT OFF BY HEART I HAVE A FLEET OF EXPENSIVE SHIPS THAT ARE EQUIPPED TO DO ALMOST ANYTHING MANNED BY A BUNCH OF IRRESPONSIBLES LIKE YOU I NODDED MOODILY AT HIS POINTING FINGER HOW I WISH I COULD FIRE YOU ALL WHICH MEANT JONAS REFLECTED THAT HE WAS IN A FAIR WAY TO GET HIMSELF BURNED AS A HERETIC UNLESS HE WATCHED HIS STEP CAREFULLY HERC NUF'S FAME HAS REACHED MY OWN COUNTRY FAR AWAY HE SAID WITH SOME TRUTH NEVERTHELESS A FAMILY WHICH WAIT SHE SAID YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU WILL PAY WELL YET YOU DO NOT APPEAR RICH +396fe1c7-8e1a-402d-b52a-083f1505d40f RIGHT AT THE GOLDEN AGE OF EMPIRE EXPANSION THE GIANT WAR LORD BATTLESHIPS THE MACHINE EVEN FOUND A BLUE PRINT FOR ME INSKIPPED GRABBED AGAIN AND BEGAN TO COMPARE THE PRINTS I LEANED OVER HIS SHOULDER AND POINTED OUT THE INTERESTING PARTS THE SILENCE WAS A LONG ONE AND AT THE END OF IT KNOOF ROSE HE WALKED TO THE DOOR OF THE ROOM AND OPENED IT AND THE BALD HEADED GUARD CAME IN HE HAS TRIED TO TEMPT ME TO PACKT WITH SATAN THE QUINT INQUISITOR SAID BUT TAKE HIM AWAY IT'S LIKE THIS SAID HORN WE ALREADY HAVE RECAPTURED THE DELPHINIS TO NUBES'S EYES WENT INSTINCTIVELY SKYWARD EXCEPT FOR THE CAPTURED ARMAND YOU STILL HOLD YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T HAVE THE WEAPONS TO MEET US CONTINUED HORN SARA STANLEY HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES DEMANDED AUNT JANET WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PUTTING ON SUCH A RAG DON'T YOU KNOW I HAVE COMPANY TO TEA +398b1b87-b9af-411a-86d6-f54b0d8d90f6 FOR WE KNEW THAT THIS MUST BE THE STORY GIRL AND IN THAT GAY AND GRACEFUL GESTURE WAS AN ALLUREMENT NOT TO BE GAINSAID OR DENIED WE LOOKED AT HER AS WE DREW NEAR WITH SUCH INTEREST THAT WE FORGOT TO FEEL SHY NO SHE WAS NOT PRETTY SHE WAS TALL FOR HER FOURTEEN YEARS SLIM AND STRAIGHT AROUND HER LONG WHITE FACE RATHER TOO LONG AND TOO WHITE FELL SLEEK DARK BROWN CURLS TIED ABOVE EITHER EAR WITH ROSETTES OF SCARLET RIBBON HO U S A THE REPAIR MAN BY HARRY HARRISON BEING AN INTERSTELLAR TROUBLE SHOOTER WOULDN'T BE SO BAD IF I COULD SHOOT THE TROUBLE THE OLD MAN HAD THAT LOOK OF INTENSE GLEE ON HIS FACE THAT MEANT SOME ONE WAS IN FOR A VERY ROUGH TIME WHAT IS IT IS IS IT PAST TWO IMPLORED THE STORY GIRL IT IT'S IT'S FOUR SAID CECILY WITH A GASP THE OLD CLOCK ISN'T GOING MOTHER FORGOT TO WIND IT UP LAST NIGHT AND IT STOP BUT IT'S FOUR BY THE KITCHEN CLOCK SO IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY AND TEA IS READY AND MOTHER SENDS TO COME IN PETER AND FELIX WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY WORSE FRIENDS AFTER IT THEY'D HAVE BEEN BETTER FRIENDS BECAUSE OF THE PRAYING QUESTION WOULD HAVE BEEN SETTLED NOW IT CAN'T BE UNLESS FELICITY CAN COAX PETER TO GIVE UP PRAYING AGAINST FELIX FOR ONCE IN HER LIFE THE STORY GIRL WAS NOT AS TACTFUL AS HER WONT OR IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SHE SAID IT OUT OF MALICE OF PREPENSE AT ALL EVENTS FELICITY RESENTED THE IMPUTATION THAT SHE HAD MORE INFLUENCE WITH PETER THAN ANY ONE ELSE +398f9c54-4446-4f50-b141-9c0ee235120b THEN WE LOOK INTO THEM WITH BRIGHT BOYS LIKE YOU DISGUISED AS OUR N OUR FIELD MEN ONCE LONG AGO WE USED CRUDE PLATFORMS ON THE TOPS OF TREES THE CATALOGUE SEEMED LIKELY TO GO ON FOR EVER FEELING THAT ONE MORE EFFECT WOULDN'T HURT HE LED THE WAY TO THE TOWN HALL LET THEM FIGURE OUT HOW HE HAD KNOWN JUST WHERE TO GO HE THOUGHT SOON THEY WERE ASLEEP AND BREATHING HEAVILY HE SWAYED AND SAT HEAVILY HE STOOD FOR A LONG MOMENT EVERY BEACON HAS A CODE SIGNAL AS PART OF ITS RADIATION AND REPRESENTS A MEASURABLE POINT IN HYPER SPACE BEFORE I SENT FOR IT I CHECKED OVER THE REST OF THE BEACON +39caca23-d81b-4f40-8094-9f4de70818f7 WAS THE WITCH OR THE FAIRY OR WHATEVER SHE WAS AN OLD PERSON WITH WRINKLED SKIN AND HALF HER TEETH GONE INQUIRED THE DIN OWL AND IN THE DAYS THAT THE ARGUMENT WAS GOING ON THEY CLEANED UP AND FED MANWELL IF IT WERE HE AND TRIED TO GET FROM HIM A COGENT STORY CECILY HAD A VERY SWEET VOICE AND I LISTENED IN DELIGHT BUT THE STORY GIRL SIGHED WHAT IF SARA DOES TAKE THE MEASLES SHE ASKED MISERABLY EVERY ONE HAS TO HAVE THE MEASLES SOMETIME I SAID COMFORTABLY AND THE YOUNGER YOU ARE THE BETTER SOMEHOW WE TOO FELT THAT IT WAS WE FELT THAT IF THE STORY GIRL DID NOT APPROVE OF US IT MADE LITTLE DIFFERENCE WHO ELSE DID OR DID NOT +39dce388-fcdf-4d5f-b46f-ba68e0e368fa COME WITH ME SHE COMMANDED WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ASKED LUTE GIVE YOU A GOOD SCRUBBING SAID GINGER NOW NEITHER BOYS NOR MONKEYS RELISH BEING SCRUBBED SO LUTE SHRANK AWAY FROM THE ENERGETIC GIRL TREMBLING FEARFULLY TRUE TRUE I SAID BUT WOULDN'T YOU JUST BE A LEETLE BIT INTERESTED IF I WAS TO TELL YOU THAT ONE IS BEING BUILT TO DAY IN AUGUST IT WAS A PLACE OF SHADY SWEETNESS FRAGRANT WITH THE ODOUR OF RIPENING APPLES FULL OF DEAR DELICATE SHADOWS THROUGH ITS OPENINGS WE LOOKED AFAR TO THE BLUE RIMS OF THE HILLS AND OVER GREEN OLD TRANQUIL FIELDS LINED THE SUNSET GLOW NO IT WAS JUST SOMETHING HORRID HE HAD TO RUN AWAY FOR DEBT FANCY HE ACTED MEAN RIGHT THROUGH AUNT JANET SAYS HE NEVER SENT EVEN A WORD TO RACHEL AND SHE NEVER HEARD FROM HIM AGAIN +39de0151-b410-40c3-9d62-160c31492c35 CECILY WAS VERY PALE AND FELIX AND PETER WERE TAKING OFF THEIR COATS ONE OF THE YOUNG BRAVES WAS NAMED A KATY SO IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY PETER HOWEVER HAD SLEPT SOUNDLY ENOUGH AFTER TWELVE O'CLOCK SHE INCREASED OUR UNEASINESS BY SAYING THAT HER MOTHER BELIEVED THE ENTERPRISE PARAGRAPH AND WAS AFRAID THAT THE END OF THE WORLD WAS REALLY AT HAND COMPANY DESCENDED ON US THAT AFTERNOON THE STORY GIRL KISSED HER FINGERTIPS TO HIM WITH THE DELIGHTFUL AUDACITY WHICH WAS A PART OF HER AND THE AWKWARD MAN PLUCKED OFF HIS HAT AND SWEPT HER A STATELY AND GRACEFUL BOW I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY CALL HIM THE AWKWARD MAN SAID CECILY WHEN HE WAS OUT OF EAR SHOT SIR THESE COLONISTS HAD BEEN AUTONOMIST FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED YEARS I'D LIKE TO STAY THEY'LL USE FORCE +39eae19c-5a88-4bc1-88e8-99a71d5edae2 FELICITY SOLD HERS TO UNCLE ALEC'S HIRED MAN AND SUDDENLY REMEMBERED THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN HER CRY WE STOOD AROUND HARDLY BREATHING BUT NOT FOR THE GRANDEROUSSE REASONS THAT SOME HAVE IMAGINED NONNIPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME BUT I LIT AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER AND WOKE RIGHT UP BUT CIRCUMSTANCES HAD DENIED THEM THEIR CHANCE AND THESE DREAMS HAD NEVER BEEN FULFILLED WHY'S A FRESHMAN LIKE ME BEING TOSSED INTO THIS DISH I'LL FEED US WHAT YOU SAY AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON AROUND YOU TOO +3a362f6c-d145-45ce-ac0c-f7f6a47953e6 THERE WAS THE GHOST OF ANOTHER IDEA YUNUS CAUGHT IT I KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SENT ME IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER AVAILABLE MEMBER HE THOUGHT A BUTTER YELLOW SUN HUNG ABOVE THE HORIZON PERHAPS AN HOUR FROM SETTING I WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH OUR COUNSEL HE STARED AT ORAN YOU I AS ARE TOO STRONG WE DID NOT KNOW OUR FATHER IS A KING SAID FELICITY LOFTILY AND PETER'S FATHER WAS ONLY A CRAIG A MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY COULDN'T BEHAVE LIKE THAT I AM SO NOISY JUST NOW THAT I DISTURB MYSELF HE FLUTTERED HIS WINGS WITH THE CLATTER THAT ECHOED THROUGH THE FOREST +3a502efb-fa33-48d0-8c48-b0a02f63484f YOU CAN ADD TO THAT FORCE ADD GREATLY BUT YOU MUST BE WISE I MUST BE SLOW YOU MEAN I MEAN WHAT I HAVE TOLD YOU CLARTON THOUGHT UNCLE ROGER SENDS HIM TO SCHOOL AND PAYS HIS WAGES IN SUMMER WE ALL LIKE PETER EXCEPT FELICITY IT WAS A COOL DEWY EVENING AND WE WALKED DOWN THE LONG RED HILL IN THE HIGHEST OF SPIRITS OVER A VALLEY FILLED WITH BEECH AND SPRUCE WAS A SUNSET AFTERGLOW CREAMY YELLOW AND A HUE THAT WAS NOT SO MUCH RED AS THE DREAM OF RED WITH A YOUNG MOON SWUNG LOW IN IT AS SOON AS HE WAS FINISHED I TOOK BACK THE SHEET TORE IT UP AND POCKETED TO PIECES I HAD MY ANSWER BACK QUICKLY ENOUGH INSKIT MUST HAVE BEEN HOVERING AROUND WAITING FOR MY MESSAGE THE MIKE WAS TURNED OFF TO THE TRANSCRIBERS OUTSIDE AND I TOOK THE CODE GROUPS DOWN IN SHORTHAND MYSELF +3a6a59ba-7b00-46da-8f1e-09b65aadbbfc THOSE PRIESTS ARE WISER THAN THE REST OF THIS CREW WHICH SET MY NERVES ON EDGE HE ISN'T THERE AND THE BED HASN'T BEEN SLEPT IN IT IS NOTHING OF THE SORT SAID MISTER MARWOOD INDIGNANTLY BUT THEY WOULD NOT YIELD LET US GO AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT THINK THEY ARE BOTH NICE AND NICE LOOKING WE DISCOVERED THAT WE WERE VERY TIRED ALSO OFTEN COMES UP TO PLAY WITH US AND IT IS AWKWARD TO HAVE TWO GIRLS OF THE SAME NAME IN THE SAME CROWD THAT'S RIGHT JONAS SAID EQUABLY THE NEXT MOVE IS COMING SOON DO NOTHING TO HURRY IT YOU CAN ONLY UPSET THE NATURAL COURSE OF EVENTS +3a7f16e2-f021-4cc5-9aef-f7c7de2afa00 NINETY EIGHT PER CENT OF THEIR OUTPUT IS NOW FEEDING INTO COALS THAT MAKE AN ELECTROMAGNET OF THIS SHIP'S HULL YOU WILL FIND IT VERY HARD TO SEPARATE US AND I WOULD ADVISE YOU NOT TO TRY SAID THE STORY GIRL IRREVERENTLY IT'S SO EXPRESSIVE SQUELCH CERTAINLY IT WAS A LOVELY WORD AND AS THE STORY GIRL SAID IT HE EXPLORED THE FAR REACHES OF SPACE AND REPORTED BACK ON HOW THINGS WERE OUT THERE SO IT WAS PRETTY DISQUIETING TO FIND OUT THAT THE FAR REACHES OF SPACE KNEW MORE ABOUT WHAT WENT ON AT HOME THAN HE DID OH WELL IT'S DIFFERENT WITH SARA SAID DAN WE COULD EARN MONEY AND SHE COULDN'T +3a9337e7-fb6d-4874-8165-b3371d23f041 IF YOU COULD HAVE HEARD THE STORY GIRLS BUR R NOT OLD MISTER FORBES HIMSELF COULD HAVE INVESTED IT WITH MORE OF A DORIC SCORN WE ROLLED OVER IN THE COOL GRASS AND SCREAMED WITH LAUGHTER IF I PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER IT WILL BE TOO LATE I'M GROWING SO FAST AUNT OLIVIA SAYS I'LL HAVE TO WEAR ANKLE SKIRTS NEXT SUMMER IF I BEGIN TO LOOK GROWN UP HE'LL GET FRIGHTENED OF ME AND THEN I'LL NEVER FIND OUT THE GOLDEN MILESTONE MYSTERY DO YOU THINK HE'LL EVER TELL YOU WHO ALICE IS I ASKED A SHINY METAL TEMPPLE OUT OF WHICH POURED A CONSTANT STREAM OF MAGIC WATER THE REACTOR COOLING WATER PUMPED DOWN FROM THE ATMOSPHERE CONDENSER ON THE ROOF THE RADIO ACTIVITY IN THE WATER DIDN'T HURT THE NATIVES MANY AND MANY A SNOW WHITE MOOSE HE SHOT AND GAVE THE BEAUTIFUL SKIN TO HIS SWEETHEART HER NAME WAS SCUBEN AND SHE WAS AS LOVELY AS THE MOON WHEN IT RISES FROM THE SEA AND AS PLEASANT AS A SUMMER TWILIGHT +3a9d6a52-1a95-4a07-949d-5517530ca8b8 AND HE NEEDED ALL THE ENERGY HE COULD CONSERVE NOW THE SECOND STEP HAD BEEN TAKEN THE FACT THAT HE SAT IN THE CELL AT A PRISON WAS PROOF OF THAT THE THIRD STEP THE ALL IMPORTANT FINAL STEP WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN THE UNGODLY HOUR OF TRANSMISSION NATURALLY WAS SET TO COINCIDE WITH THE CLOSING OF THE CONSUL'S FIELD OFFICE HALF WAY AROUND THE PLANET VOCALLY SAID CHAFFY FOUR THEY SHUDDERED AND TELEPARTED SARA RAY THOUGHT FELICITY SHOULD SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE THE STORY GIRL WAS HALF AN ORPHAN FELIX TRIED TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THEM AND MET THE USUAL FATE OF ALL PEASE MAKERS THE STORY GIRL LAWFULLY TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND AND FELICITY SAID THAT FAT BOYS SHOULD MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS AFTER THAT PHILEAS DECLARED IT WOULD SERVE FELICITY WRITE IF THE STORY GIRL NEVER SPOKE TO HER AGAIN IT'S ALL PETER'S FAULT SAID FELICITY I DO THINK HE MIGHT HAVE HAD MORE SENSE THAN TO TAKE A CLOCK STRIKING FOR A BELL RINGING +3aa738ab-d91e-4ce1-baf5-99ba876904a2 JEFF WHEELED ON HIM INCREDULOUSLY ME GO DOWN THERE AFTER THAT MONSTER NOT ON YOUR HE MEANS THE SCOOP JENOFER SAID THEY BROUGHT IT ASHORE TO HELP US OUT OF THE CABIN WHY SHOULDN'T IT HELP THEM NOW IT WAS TO MAKE FELICITY AS CLEVER AS THE STORY GIRL AND IT WAS TO MAKE THE STORY GIRL AS GOOD A COOK AS FELICITY WHAT PETER HAD BOUGHT MAGIC SEED FOR REMAINED A SECRET LONGER THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS THAT SEEMS KIND OF QUEER SAID FELICITY DOUBTFULLY YOU WOULDN'T PUT ON AN APRON TO GO TO CHURCH SO IT DOESN'T SEEM AS IF IT WAS PROPER TO PUT IT ON FOR JUDGMENT DAY EITHER IT'S THE BEST I COULD DO SAID SARA DISCONSOLATELY I WANTED TO HAVE SOMETHING WHITE ON IT IT'S JUST LIKE A DRESS ONLY IT HASN'T SLEEVES BEFORE BRANDON COULD ANSWER THE FACE OF COLONEL TOWERS APPEARED BESIDE THE RADIO MAN'S BRANDON WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO POLE ENGINE TROUBLE SIR LOSING ALTITUDE FAST +3aaaf39c-63df-40aa-a65f-b2f71a61a369 AND TOOK THE EASY WAY OUT EIGHT NINE PEOPLE SEE THEM THERE WAS REASON ALSO WHY MARILLA WAS LOADED SO SHE COULD HARDLY WALK WITH PACKS OF CENSUS FORMS THE LOCAL TORTURER SNIFFED A BIT AND THREW A LITTLE MORE CHARCOAL ON THE FIRE AND DESTRUCTION SINCE THEN THAT OUR GROWN UP RELATIVES DID NOT ALTOGETHER ADMIRE OR APPROVE OF UNCLE BLAIR WELL WE HAD ALL BEEN BADLY HOAXED AWAY TO THE WEST BEYOND THE BROOK FIELD WAS A LONG VALLEY AND A HILL PURPLE WITH FIRS AND LACED WITH STILL LEAFLESS BEECHES AND MAPLES +3aee1b28-b592-447a-9bd4-962b17e417bb WE ALL STOOD AROUND STRICKEN INCREDULOUS DO YOU MEAN SAID FELIX FINDING VOICE AT LENGTH THAT PETER IS GOING TO DIE THE STORY GIRL NODDED MISERABLY THEY'RE AFRAID SO IF POSSIBLE THE SMILE WAS STILL WIDER NOW I SHOULD HAVE SAID A DUPLICATE OF YOUR CONTRACT LIKE THIS ONE HERE OH SARA STANLEY DO YOU BELIEVE IT DO YOU GASPED FELICITY CLUTCHING THE STORY GIRL'S HAND CICELY'S PRAYER HAD BEEN ANSWERED EXCITEMENT HAD COME WITH A VENGEANCE AND AND UNDER ITS STRESS FELICITY HAD SPOKEN FIRST BUT THIS LIKE THE BREAKING OF THE CUP HAD NO SIGNIFICANCE FOR US AT THE MOMENT WHEN THE BLOSSOMS COME OUT IT'S WONDERFUL TO WALK HERE SAID THE STORY GIRL IT'S LIKE A DREAM OF FAIRYLAND AS IF YOU WERE WALKING IN A KING'S PALACE THE APPLES ARE DELICIOUS AND IN WINTER IT'S A SPLENDID PLACE FOR COASTING +3af95e86-5a99-4ce4-9ab5-8e6ba4b36141 IT WAS CLEVERLY DONE HE SAID RIGHT OUT LOUD BUT DINNA TRY IT AGAIN COME OUT INTO THE GARDEN WITH ME SHE SAID AND I'LL GIVE YOU SOME OF THE MOST DELICIOUS CARMELS YOU EVER ATE THEY'RE A NEW VARIETY THAT NO ONE CAN GROW BUT ME AND THEY HAVE A HELIOTROPE FLAVOR NOWADAYS I SUPPOSE A WEALTHY MAN LIKE AGLEIA'S FATHER WOULD BE WILLING TO LET HER HIS DAUGHTER MARRY A HIRED MAN BUT THIS WAS IN THE GOLDEN AGE YOU KNOW AND NOTHING LIKE THAT MATTERED AT ALL HARROW THE WOOD FIELD AND DIG YOUR AUNT OLIVIA'S FLOWER BEDS AUNT OLIVIA AND I PLANTED SWEET PEAS YESTERDAY SAID THE STORY GIRL AND I PLANTED A LITTLE BED OF MY OWN I AM NOT GOING TO DIG THEM UP THIS YEAR TO SEE IF THEY HAVE SPROUTED IT IS BAD FOR THEM +3afdb9f6-3e6e-42c2-9c75-3fd44c27e38f WHAT WILL YOU FEEL LIKE IF HE GOES TO CHURCH WITH THE SKIN OF HIS LEGS SHOWING THROUGH THE HOLES MISS STORY GIRL CRIED THE EMPEROR OF THE WINKIES HOW CARELESS OF ME NOT TO REMEMBER THAT WANDERERS ARE USUALLY HUNGRY HORSEBOOT AND LIEU TIN WOODMAN NOW LISTEN CAN WE CONTROL THEM IF THEY'RE BLOOD THIRSTY WE'LL GIVE YOU LIMITED MEMBERSHIP IN THE GALACTIC FEDERATION UNTIL YOU PROVE YOU'RE NO MENACE TO US NOW YOU SEE ALL YOUR PENANCE WAS WASTED SAID FELICITY AS WE WALKED HOME KEEPING CLOSE TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE RUMOUR THAT PEG BOWEN WAS ABROAD +3b889df6-bed5-4a60-b68c-a19fb1f0740c A TREMENDOUS CURRENT OF IT ADDS NOTHING TO THE WEIGHT OF THE WIRE CARRYING IT AND ONE WAS FIERY RED ABRUPTLY HE SWITCHED TO HIS OWN INTEREST SCOOPS ARE BENEVOLENT AS WELL AS INTELLIGENT HER VOICE SEEMED TO TRIGGER THE ATTACK OVERHEAD WAS A DAZZLING BLUE SKY CONVERSATION LANGUISHED THE MOMENTS DRAGGED BY EACH SEEMING AN HOUR IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PREPARE ASKED CECILY AUNT OLIVIA ASSENTED LIGHTLY SWINGING HER HAT ON HER ARM AND INCLUDING US ALL IN A FRIENDLY SMILE +3bc17bd6-299e-48dc-98fb-146309b57ba5 THE GUN INTO NUBES'S HAND WAS SLAMMED INTO HIS LAP HE STRUGGLED TO RAISE IT A MOB YOU WANT I SHOULD COUNT THEM ONE COLD WINTER DAY EIGHTY YEARS AGO BEGAN THE STORY GIRL WITHOUT FURTHER PARLEY IT WAS VERY LARGE AND HEAVY AND FELICITY GENERALLY SAID HARD THINGS OF IT WHEN SHE SWEPT THE KITCHEN BORING IS AM NOT LIKE OTHERS YONAH SAID BELIEVE ME JONAS BEGAN I PARTLY TO SATISFY HIS OWN EGO BUT MOSTLY TO KEEP TRACK OF THINGS HE'S INTERESTED IN SUCH AS SHIP SAILINGS +3c2624e0-036b-4ad9-8882-14c4461a71a2 STARING AT US WHEN THEY THOUGHT WE WOULD BE TOO BUSY EATING TO SEE THEM SILENCE FELL OVER THE HOUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY WHAT REACTIVATED THE GATE BUT GARF REMAINED UNPREDICTABLE THIS IS A GREAT MOMENT IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY HE SAID INCIDENTALLY ADDING THAT HE WAS WELL AND LONESOME HAD BOUGHT MAGIC SEED IF THE REST OF US HAD JUST SET DOWN AND DONE NOTHING I LET MY EYES ROLL IN FEAR LOOKING AROUND FOR A WAY TO ESCAPE AND TAKING A PEEK AT THE OUTSIDE SCANNERS +3c6bb1e0-a01d-48c7-8ea3-9a1dc5f276f7 IF HE HADN'T BEEN FEELING JUST THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF SEA SICKNESS JOHN EDGEW WOULD HAVE BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF NOT WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS THAT'S WHY I'M DOWN HERE BRIEFING YOU LOOKS LIKE THE MISSING LINK THEY'VE ALWAYS HUNTED FOR SAID HORN BUT MISTER CAMPBELL CHUCKLED AGAIN I PAID HIM THE TEN CENTS CHEERFULLY AND TOOK THE MAGIC SEAT AS DIRECTED MEASURING MYSELF CAREFULLY EVERY DAY BY A MARK ON THE HALL DOOR WE ALL STOOD AROUND BUT WITH OTHERS IT DID NOT MATTER HE DOESN'T HE COULDN'T HE IS WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL +3cc21a41-7103-47cf-bafd-136b71b5e700 AFTER ALL A NOBLE WAS ONLY A MAN LIKE OTHER MEN AND BESIDES JONAS KNEW PERFECTLY WELL THAT HE HAD NO NEED OF A SWORD HIS ADVENTURES TOO WERE A LITTLE OUT OF THE COMMON RUN OF TALES YES BUT SAID DAN TRIUMPHANTLY IF YOU BELIEVE GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS ABOUT PARTICULAR THINGS IT WAS PETER'S PRAYER HE ANSWERED WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT HE TALKED VERY NICELY AND READ AND PRAYED THEY MADE VERY LONG PRAYERS IN THOSE DAYS YOU KNOW AND AT THE END OF HIS PRAYER HE SAID O LORD BLESS THIS POOR YOUNG MAN HIDING IN THE CLOSET GIVE HIM COURAGE NOT TO FEAR THE FACE OF MAN THERE MAY BE SOME SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD BUT IT'S NOT LIKELY THERE WERE ANY HERE RIGHT IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND THEY USED TO BE VERY PLENTY LONG AGO I KNOW SOME SPLENDID WITCH STORIES I'LL TELL YOU SOME DAY THEY'LL JUST MAKE YOUR BLOOD FREEZE IN YOUR VEINS WE HADN'T A DOUBT OF IT IF ANYBODY COULD FREEZE THE BLOOD IN OUR VEINS THIS GIRL WITH THE WONDERFUL VOICE COULD +3ccf01e8-534c-4b90-8099-c1d9d3f0065a WE SAT ON THE MOSSY STONES UNDER THE DARK OLD EVERGREENS AND GAVE OURSELVES UP TO WRETCHEDNESS SARAH CHILD COME WITH ME SAID AUNT OLIVIA BENDING OVER HER THE STORY GIRL GOT UP AND WENT AWAY WITH AUNT OLIVIA'S ARMS AROUND HER THE COMPUTER GAVE ME A COURSE WITH AN ESTIMATED POINT OF ARRIVAL AS WELL AS A BUILT IN SAFETY FACTOR I NEVER COULD ELIMINATE FROM THE MACHINE THREE PRIESTS WERE GROPING TOWARDS ME THEIR EYE SOCKETS RED PITS OF BURNED FLESH THEY KNEW WHAT I WANTED AND LED THE WAY WITHOUT A WORD AUNT JANE USED TO SAY IF A MAN DIDN'T HAVE HEADS AND STICK TO THEM HE'D GO WANDERING ALL OVER THE BIBLE AND NEVER GET ANYWHERE IN PARTICULAR WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PREACH ON ASKED FELIX YOU'LL FIND OUT NEXT SUNDAY SAID PETER SIGNIFICANTLY OF COURSE THERE WAS A LITTLE PRESSURE AT THE TIME I HAD THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE OF INSTANT DEATH BUT I STILL THINK IT WAS A WISE MOVE UNDER THE MOTTO SET A THIEF TO CATCH ONE THE CORPS SUPPOSEDLY MADE GOOD USE OF MEN LIKE MYSELF TO GET RID OF THE MORE ANTISOCIAL TYPES THAT INFEST THE UNIVERSE +3d03b047-3881-482b-9d8e-04ab037b1b65 HAVE YOU GOT A CENT FOR COLLECTION DEMANDED FELICITY I'VE GOT A YANKEE CENT I SUPPOSE IT WILL DO WON'T IT FELICITY SHOOK HER HEAD VEHEMENTLY OH NO NO IT MAY BE ALL RIGHT TO PASS A YANKEE CENT ON A STOREKEEPER OR AN EGG PEDDLER BUT IT WOULD NEVER DO FOR CHURCH THIS FITTED IN WITH WHAT I COULD MAKE OUT OF THE LOCAL RELIGION GOAT BOY STOPPED AS IF HE'D BEEN SHOT AN EXCELLENT TEST HE SAID IF YOU CAN AMUSE ME WITH THAT STORY YOU MUST BE A WONDER I HAVE HEARD IT SO OFTEN THAT IT IS NO MORE INTEREST FOR ME THAN THE ALPHABET OUT BEYOND US WILL BE FIVE TRANSPORTS FULL OF I A MARINES AND A CLASS NINE MONITOR WITH ONE PLANET BUSTER +3d234635-e3bf-4d82-8b03-32e572bc5cfa ALL RIGHT SAID DAN I'VE EAT ALL I WANT THEY TASTE FINE I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS THEM THAT MADE ME SICK BUT NOW THAT HIS ANGER WAS OVER HE LOOKED A LITTLE FRIGHTENED FELICITY WAS NOT THERE WE FOUND HER IN THE KITCHEN LIGHTING UP THE FIRE I SMILED A LITTLE WEAKLY I'M AFRAID AS IF I HAD NEVER MEANT TO KEEP THAT ACCOUNT A SECRET HIS SPIES WERE GETTING MORE EFFICIENT EVERY DAY WHEN I TRIED THE DOOR I FOUND OUT WHY IT WAS BOLTED AND BARRED FROM THE OTHER SIDE HE THOUGHT HE UNDERSTOOD THE QUEEN'S GROUNDING WHEN HE SAW THE SWIMMER STROKING URGENTLY TOWARD HIS DOCK OLD CHARLEY HAD ABANDONED HIS BOAT AND WAS SWIMMING IN TO ESCAPE THE SCOOP BUT IT WASN'T CHARLIE IT WAS JENIFER CHARLIE'S NIECE YUNUS TRIED TO LOOK REASSURING HE THOUGHT OF SEVERAL THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE SUNNYSIDE OF LIFE AND DECIDED ON NONE OF THEM MY SYMPATHY HE BEGAN FIFTEEN OF US HAVE DEVELOPED IT FIFTEEN WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE BROTHERHOOD BUT THERE ARE OTHERS OF COURSE YONDS THOUGHT IMPATIENTLY I KNOW ALL THAT +3d28bb97-50e3-470b-8353-9db1937fef2e LET PEOPLE VERY OBVIOUSLY SEE WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO SEE AND THEY'LL NEVER NOTICE WHAT IS HIDDEN THIS IS WHY I LANDED AT MIDDAY ON THE LARGEST FIELD ON THE PLANET AFTER A VERY SHOWY APPROACH I WAS ALREADY DRESSED FOR MY ROLL AND OUT OF THE SHIP BEFORE THE LANDING BRACES STOPPED VIBRATING THE MUNCHKIN COUNTRY WAS MUCH NICER THAN THE GILLIKIN COUNTRY AND ALL THE FIELDS WERE SEPARATED BY BLUE FENCES WITH GRASSY LANES AND PATHS OF BLUE GROUND AND THE LAND SEEMED VERY WELL CULTIVATED YOU MUST NOT PLAY ANY GAMES ON SUNDAY WENT ON PETER THAT IS ANY WEEK A DAY GAMES OR WHISPER IN CHURCH OR LAUGH IN CHURCH I DID THAT ONCE BUT I WAS AWFUL SORRY AND YOU MUSTN'T TAKE ANY NOTICE OF PATTY I MEAN OF THE FAMILY CAT AT FAMILY PRAYERS NOT EVEN IF HE CLIMBS ON YOUR BACK AND YOU MUSTN'T CALL NAMES OR MAKE FACES FULL OF FUN AND FROLIC AND MISCHIEF THEY WERE WITH ALL THE DEFECTS OF THEIR QUALITIES AND ALL THE WAYWARD FAULTS OF YOUTH BUT NO INDELICATE THOUGHT OR VULGAR WORD COULD HAVE BEEN SHAPED OR UTTERED IN THEIR PRESENCE +3d2f8c0e-6452-4b19-81df-c3fa1d4a2ab8 SHE WAS VERY SHY AND MODEST BUT YOU KNOW A GIRL CAN LET A MAN SEE SHE LIKES HIM WITHOUT GOING OUT OF HER WAY DONALD KNEW THAT IF NEIL PROPOSED FIRST HE WOULD HAVE THE BEST CHANCE NEIL WAS RICH AND THE SHERMANS WERE POOR AND OLD ELIA SHERMAN WOULD HAVE THE MOST TO SAY IN THE MATTER IT WAS WINGLESS AND COVERED SMOOTHLY WITH PASTEL BLUE FEATHERS IT STOOD SOLIDLY ON CAREFULLY MANICURED YELLOW FEET AND STARED AT HIM OUT OF SQUARE VIOLET EYES WHO CONTROLS THE BREEDING SIGHTS CONTROLS OUR WORLD SAID TO NEW ONCE THERE WAS ANOTHER CITY THE CARLISLE SERVICE WAS IN THE EVENING AND AT SUNSET WE WERE WAITING AT UNCLE ALEC'S FRONT DOOR FOR PETER AND THE STORY GIRL +3d692f23-77a7-413a-9e0a-85b8a9a2154b THEY FOUND OUT I WAS THERE ONLY TO HELP THEM RESTORE THE FLOW OF THE WATERS THEY BOUGHT THIS TENTATIVELY AND WE ALL HEAVED OUT OF THE TUB AND TRICKLED MUDDY PATHS ACROSS THE FLOOR THERE WAS A BOLTED AND GUARDED DOOR THAT LED INTO THE PYRAMID PROPER WHILE IT WAS BEING OPENED THE FIRST LIZARD TURNED TO ME OH NO NO DON'T DO THAT SAID FELICITY IN ALARM MINISTERS WOULDN'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH SUCH QUESTIONS BUT IN THE MEANTIME THERE WILL BE NO TRIALS IN SPAIR NO TRIALS YOND THOUGHT BUT OH I SEE OF COURSE CLETON THOUGHT ANY MAN WHO CONSIDERS HIMSELF A WIZARD WILL HAVE HIS MIND SEEN BY THE INQUISITOR BEHIND SATTERFIELD FORESHORTENED TO GNOMISHNESS BY THE PICK UP LURKED DOCTOR HERMAN EARTH INTEREST RESIDENT ZOOLOGIST +3d7ba7cd-6dc9-4def-84d5-3db9cc641493 FOR A TIME HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THIS OH BUT UNCLE ALEC IT WAS THIS WAY BEGAN FELIX EAGERLY THEREFORE HIS FATHER WAS ALSO A JACK A DONKEY SO VERY EARLY THE NEXT MORNING HE ROSE AND COOKED BEANS AND SAID WE WERE WOEFULLY TIRED BUT WE COULD NOT SIT DOWN BECAUSE THE GRASS WAS REEKING WITH DEW THE FAMILY GHOST ONLY APPEARS IN DAYLIGHT SAID THE STORY GIRL I WOULDN'T MIND SEEING A GHOST IN DAYLIGHT BUT AFTER DARK IT'S ANOTHER THING THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A GHOST I SAID CONTEMPTUOUSLY OH I WISH I COULD BELIEVE IT THEN WHO RUNG THAT BELL SAID PETER FELIX AND I SPOKE NOT OH IT IS SO DREADFUL JUST TO WAIT AND TO DO NOTHING ELSE THE PATH OF THE RAINBOW IS NOT FOR THEE HE SAID +3dbbc16d-87a6-4ec6-859f-58cfccdf7dea ADAM AND EVE LIVED IN A GARDEN ALL THE TIME SAID FELICITY AND THEY WERE FAR FROM BEING ALWAYS GOOD THEY MIGHTN'T HAVE KEPT GOOD AS LONG AS THEY DID IF THEY HADN'T LIVED IN A GARDEN SAID THE STORY GIRL WE WERE NOW SUMMONED TO BREAKFAST PETER AND THE STORY GIRL SLIPPED AWAY THROUGH THE GAP FOLLOWED BY PATTY AND THE REST OF US WALKED UP THE ORCHARD TO THE HOUSE WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE STORY GIRL WE YOU THOSE ARE TALL BUILDINGS TOO WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS PLACE FORM AND UNLESS YOU BRING THEM INTO THE FOLD THERE'LL BE NOTHING BUT ASHES FOR OUR ARCHAEOLOGIST TO PICK OVER SEEMS A DIRTY SHAME I AGREE BUT THE CALL BELL JANGLED STETSON'S VOICE SOUNDED TIRED YEAH HOW THAT MOB'S ONLY ABOUT FIVE KILOMETERS OUTSTIT WE GOT HORN'S GEAR OUTSIDE ON THE DISGUISED AIR SLED IT IS NOTHING OF THE SORT SAID MISTER MARWOOD INDIGNANTLY THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PICTURE OF GOD FELIX NO HUMAN BEING KNOWS WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE NO HUMAN BEING CAN KNOW WE SHOULD NOT EVEN TRY TO THINK WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE BUT FELIX YOU MAY BE SURE THAT GOD IS INFINITELY MORE BEAUTIFUL AND LOVING AND TENDER AND KIND THAN ANYTHING WE CAN IMAGINE OF HIM NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING ELSE MY BOY AS FOR THIS THIS SACRILEGE TAKE IT AND BURN IT I'M AWFUL GLAD YOU HAVE SUCH A GOOD OPINION OF ME I DON'T DESERVE IT BUT AFTER THIS I'LL TRY TO I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW I FEEL ABOUT ALL YOUR KINDNESS I'D LIKE THE FELLOW THE STORY GIRL WROTE ABOUT THAT WHO COULDN'T GET IT OUT I HAVE THE PICTURE THE STORY GIRL GAVE ME FOR MY SERMON ON THE WALL AT THE FOOT OF MY BED I LIKE TO LOOK AT IT IT LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE AUNT JANE +3dcaac04-a273-4399-8fbd-38a90dd7f9f3 WE WALKED ON IN SILENCE FOR A TIME THINKING OUR OWN YOUNG THOUGHTS PROTESTED FELICITY WAIT FOR ME PETER SHE CALLED WELL NO I SUPPOSE NOT I AGREED THINKING OF BILLY ROBINSON DO YOU SUPPOSE IT WILL DO ANY GOOD BETH HE MUST HAVE GOT SOME BAD USE AT THE OFFICE SAID SARA RAY IN THE MORNING WHEN THE FIRST WALLOWERS ARRIVED I FLIPPED ON THE RECORDER I TAGGED THIS EXPRESSION WITH THE PHRASE HEY GEORGE AND WAITED MY CHANCE TO USE IT MISTER MIRWOOD PRESENTLY WALKING BENIGNLY ALONG THE LANE WAS CONFRONTED BY A FAT SMALL BOY WITH A PALE FACE BUT RESOLUTE EYES +3e1b22fb-abb3-4406-bd09-d5bc764816dd SAUCY WOMAN WITH FULL BLOWN PEONY CHEEKS FOR IT WAS AN UNDENIABLY UGLY ONE I THOUGHT IT WAS A BELL WHEN I HEARD IT AND THE DOOR OPEN TOO LET US BE FAIR FELICITY THEY GLANCED AT EACH OTHER SWIFTLY ALMOST AS THOUGH THEY UNDERSTOOD FEARING I KNOW NOT WHAT I ENTERED THE FAMILIAR ROOM THE PIG ATE THE WHOLE PAILFUL AND THEN THE IRISHMAN PUT THE PIG IN THE PAIL AND IT DIDN'T FILL MORE THAN HALF THE PAIL +3e2609cf-f173-4c15-80c2-0c6dae39d6e7 SO PETER NEVER TOLD THAT DREAM NOR DID HE WRITE IT DOWN INSTEAD I REMEMBER SEEING IN HIS DREAM BOOK UNDER THE DATE OF SEPTEMBER FIFTEENTH AN ENTRY TO THIS EFFECT LAST NIGHT I DREAMED A DRAM IT WASN'T A POLITE DRAM SO I WON'T WRITE IT DOWN THERE WERE SOME THINGS IN MY FAVOUR THE MOST IMPORTANT WAS THE FACT I HAD FORCED HIM TO MAKE HIS PLAY BEFORE HE WAS ABSOLUTELY READY IT WASN'T CHANCE THAT HE HAD LEFT THE SAME DAY I ARRIVED ON SETANOVO ANY PLANS ELABORATE AS HIS CERTAINLY INCLUDED WARNING OF APPROACHING DANGER SHALL I PUNCTURE THE KING THE BOY ASKED HIS COMPANIONS KING BALM MUST HAVE OVERHEARD THE QUESTION FOR HE FUMBLED WITH THE CORD THAT FASTENED HIM TO THE THROAT AND MANAGED TO RELEASE IT AUNT JANET OF COURSE NOTICED THE STORY GIRL'S ABSTINENCE AND ASKED IF SHE WAS SICK +3e7375e9-d37e-4bac-9447-80dd759b2dde TELL THEM WE'LL COMPLY THOSE FAT HEADED LARD BOTTOMED PIG BRAINED AND EVENTUALLY WE LEARN TO HARNESS IT FOR A USEFUL PURPOSE BECAUSE THE TRIP TOOK FOUR YEARS BY OUR TEA WE'LL MAKE A QUANUM JUMP MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW HUNDRED METERS HIGH THE FIRST LIZARD KNEW I WAS TALKING SINCE THEN AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED A MEETING OF THE SHAMMANS IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A DISTILLERY THAN A BEACON AND STUCK THE WILLOWS WHICH HE HAD USED ALL DAY IN THE SOFT SOIL BY THE GATE +3e78606f-90b6-46ce-abb1-e10e8d6c4bc0 THE PARTICULAR MATTER IN OR OUT OF THE QUESTION THAT OPENING DAY OF AUGUST WAS A PROJECT WHICH UNCLE EDWARD HAD RECENTLY MOOTED UNCLE EDWARD'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER WAS TO BE MARRIED AND UNCLE EDWARD HAD WRITTEN OVER URGING UNCLE ALEC AUNT JANET AND AUNT OLIVIA TO GO DOWN TO HALIFAX FOR THE WEDDING AND SPEND A WEEK THERE FELIX THAT SOBER SOLID FELLOW DREAMED CONSTANTLY OF FLYING THROUGH THE AIR HIS DESCRIPTIONS OF HIS AERIAL FLIGHTS OVER THE TREE TOPS OF DREAMLAND ALWAYS FILLED US WITH ENVY WE STAYED HOME FROM SCHOOL TO DO IT IT WAS PLEASANT WORK AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF FUN IN IT BUT IT WAS HARD TOO AND OUR ARMS AND BACKS ACHED ROUNDLY AT NIGHT IF I HAD KNOWN THAT TO MORROW MIGHT BE THE JUDGMENT DAY I WOULDN'T HAVE QUARRELLED WITH YOU LAST MONDAY SARA STANLEY OR BEEN SO HORRID AND SULKY ALL THE WEEK INDEED I WOULDN'T SAID FELICITY WITH VERY UNUSUAL HUMILITY +3e818895-2424-4863-9920-ab1bd0e465be WE TOILED ABOUT THE HOUSE AND YARD LIKE MANIACS WE LOOKED INTO EVERY LIKELY AND UNLIKELY PLACE BUT JIMMY WE COULD NOT FIND ANY MORE THAN IF HE HAD INDEED MELTED INTO AIR MISSUS PATERSON CAME AND WE HAD NOT FOUND HIM THINGS WERE GETTING SERIOUS I'M MARRIED NOW BUT I'M AS EAGER TO GET AND READ THE OZ STORIES AS EVER AND STILL ANOTHER WRITES MY GOOD WIFE AND I BOTH MORE THAN SEVENTY YEARS OF AGE BELIEVE THAT WE FIND MORE REAL ENJOYMENT IN YOUR OZBOOKS THAN IN ANY OTHER BOOKS WE READ WE ALL BECAME VERY TENSE EVEN PETER HAD TO STOP READING ANY UNACCUSTOMED SOUND OR SIGHT IN THE WORLD ABOUT US STRUCK ON OUR TAUT SENSES LIKE THE TRUMP OF DOOM I LONG FOR THE REMEMBRANCE NOW UNTIL I RECALL THE REAL HORROR OF FEAR THAT ENWRAPPED US IN THAT SUNNY ORCHARD THAT AUGUST MORNING OF LONG AGO AND THEN I LAUGHED NO MORE +3eafeede-aee8-4a5a-b4b1-8edca4699c14 WELL SAID THE STORY GIRL FINALLY I MUST GO AND GET THE POTATOES READY I SUPPOSE THEY MUST BE BAWLED EVEN IF IT IS THE JUDGMENT DAY TOMORROW BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS AND I'VE GOT TO GO AND STUMP ELDERBERRY SAID PETER I DON'T SEE HOW I CAN DO IT GO AWAY BACK THERE ALONE I FEEL SCARED TO DEATH THE WHOLE TIME IT'S SO PRETTY WHEN THE VINES LEAF OUT AND HANG DOWN IN LONG FESTOONS SAID THE STORY GIRL THE BIRDS BUILD THEIR NESTS IN IT A PAIR OF WILD CANARIES COME HERE EVERY SUMMER AND FERNS GROW OUT BETWEEN THE STONES OF THE WELL AS FAR DOWN AS YOU CAN SEE EVERYBODY LOOKED AT OUR PEW I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY FELICITY DID NOT DIE OF MORTIFICATION ON THE SPOT THE STORY GIRL TURNED WHITE AND CECILID AS FOR THAT POOR UNLUCKY PETER THE SHAME OF HIS COUNTENANCE WAS PITIFUL TO BEHOLD PLANET TOO WHERE THE BEACON WAS SITUATED ACCORDING TO THE OLD CHARTS WAS A MUSHY LOOKING WET KIND OF GLOBE I TRIED TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF THE ANCIENT DIRECTIONS AND FINALLY LOCATED THE RIGHT AREA +3ede939e-4558-43bc-bcd3-0499637360f0 AND THEN HE RUSHED FORWARD AND STUCK THE THORN INTO THE LEG OF THE SCARECROW SO BE KIND ENOUGH TO UNFASTEN OUR BONDS AND WE WILL PROCEED UPON OUR JOURNEY IT WAS TEN O'CLOCK BEFORE DAN BEGAN TO GET BETTER BUT FROM THAT TIME HE IMPROVED RAPIDLY IT'S MORE RESPECTABLE TO BE A METHODIST OR A PRESBYTERIAN OR SOMETHING THAN NOT TO BE ANYTHING TO NEWBE SHIFTED BEHIND ORAN KEEP AN EYE ON THEM BUT DON'T IGNORE THE OTHER SECTORS SAID STETSON +3f009cbb-a1b9-4cd3-88af-b6d1b1830432 ONE WAS A RICH AMBER ONE A PALE GREEN ONE A VIVID ELECTRIC BLUE AND ONE WAS FIERY RED THE INTENSITY OF THE LIGHT INCREASED STEADILY AS I MOVED THE DIAL ON AND ON THEY RODE AND THE SKIES GREW DARKER AND THE WIND BLEW AND WAILED AND THE SHADES OF EVENING CAME DOWN AND JUST IN THE TWILIGHT THEY RODE INTO A DARK VALLEY FILLED WITH TOMBS AND GRAVES HOW THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF THEIR EYES DOESN'T THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU MAYBE WHAT'S IT MEAN TO YOU UNLESS YOU GIVE THEM A WHITE BILL IN THE MEANTIME HIGH COMMISSIONER BULWIN WILL HAVE WORD OF THIS PLANET BY THEN IN SPITE OF THEIR HOSPITALITY I COULDN'T ACCEPT WHAT YOU DARE INTERFERE WITH THE MESSENGER OF YOUR ANCESTORS +3f064231-6e5e-4535-a574-b2c59f6e7ce7 MY SECOND GLANCE AROUND THE ROOM WAS MORE DELIBERATE TO MY RIGHT THERE WERE BIG GENERATORS IN THE SWITCHBOARDS GLEAMING WITH COPPER BUS BAR AND INTRICATE WITH THEIR TORTUOUS WIRING WHICH IN A WAY THEY DID JONES REFLECTED ON THAT A TRIFLE GRIMLY THINKING OF THE HOLY INQUISITION WITH ITS HIERARCHY OF PRIESTS AND LAY FOLK BUSILY WORKING IN SPIRE JUST AS IT WORKED IN EVERY OTHER TOWN THROUGHOUT OFFENBURG AND THROUGHOUT THE CIVILIZED WORLD WHILE SHE SECURED THE FLIMSY DOOR HE RIPPED THROUGH HIS BELONGINGS ALIGNING HIS E I COMMUNICATOR AGAIN ON HIS BREAKFAST TABLE ALL RIGHT BUT WAIT TILL I TELL YOU WHEN PEG BOWEN WAS LEAVING PAT STRETCHED OUT ON THE STEPS SHE TRAMPED ON HIS TAIL THE OPENING OF THE BLUE CHEST NOVEMBER WAKENED FROM HER DREAM OF MAY IN A BAD TEMPER +3f2ae1fc-e8c6-4124-a740-507fe1dc801f I WAS A MUCH BETTER MAN THAN EVER FAMOUS TINSMITH WHO MADE MY PRESENT BEAUTIFUL FORM THE DOOR TO OPEN AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT MOVE SAID PETER DISAPPOINTEDLY DO PEOPLE GO ON BEING JUST THE SAME AFTER THEY'RE DEAD WE WAITED AT UNCLE ALEC'S DOOR FOR THE OTHERS TO COME UP BUT THEY WERE NOT HUMAN I HELD OUT BOTH HANDS TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE EMPTY TRYING TO EXPRESS MY WILLINGNESS TO BE FRIENDS THAT HE SAID HAD ALWAYS BEEN HIS AUNT JANE'S RULE EXCITEMENT HAD COME WITH A VENGEANCE AND AND UNDER ITS STRESS FELICITY HAD SPOKEN FIRST +3f54333a-e682-40b4-a74a-5f809259ae6f THEY TASTE GREAT HE SAID SMACKING AND HE ATE TWO MORE CLUSTERS REGARDLESS OF THE HORROR STRICKEN PROTESTATIONS AND FELICITY'S PLEADINGS WE FEARED THAT DAN WOULD DROP DEAD ON THE SPOT HE RIGHTS THE WRONGS OF NATIONS HIS COUNTRY'S FLAG DEFENDS THE FOE HE'LL FIGHT WITH GREAT DELIGHT BUT SELDOM FIGHTS HIS FRIENDS I THREW THEM AS SNAPPY A SALUTE AS I COULD MUSTER AND I FILED OUT STARING GLOOMILY AT THEIR BACKS I ENVIED FOR ONE MOMENT THEIR SIMPLE FAITH IN THE LEAGUE NAVY WHEN IN REALITY THE VENGEFUL FLEET WAS JUST AS IMAGINARY AS MY ADMIRAL'S WRITING THIS WAS STILL THE JOB FOR THE CORPS INSCAPE WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN THE LATEST INFORMATION AT ONCE I DO NOT KNOW WHICH HURT OUR FEELINGS MOST THE SCOLDING WE GOT FROM AUNT JANET OR THE RIDICULE WHICH THE OTHER GROWN UPS ESPECIALLY UNCLE ROGER SHOWERED ON US PETER RECEIVED AN EXTRA SETTING DOWN WHICH HE CONSIDERED RANK INJUSTICE +3f65c953-dd9b-4281-b05d-825fa84de646 THE NATIVES WHO OF COURSE WERE NEVER MENTIONED BY THE IDIOTS WHO CONSTRUCTED THE THING HAD BUILT A NICE HEAVY THICK STONE PYRAMID AROUND THE BEACON AND ALSO PUT YOURSELF OUT IN THE HALL AND SEE ME TO MORROW DURING WORKING HOURS AND HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT I WOULD FIND NEVERTHELESS I PUT THE THEORY TO THE TEST I SUSPECT THAT YOU WERE ALWAYS SO FROM THERE UP BUT FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT FORBIDDEN THE USE OF OUR EYES AND TONGUES BEGIN IT RESPECTED MADAM HE SAID THERE WAS A WOMAN'S PICTURE ABOVE THE BOOKCASE MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS SHE THINKS IT WAS A COLORED PHOTOGRAPH BUT SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHO IT WAS +3faf03ed-ca0b-4285-bf98-6e30a93e838a CECILY SAT DOWN BY HER HALF FILLED BASKET AND BEGAN TO CRY FELICITY SAID VIOLENTLY THAT SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT I CAN'T PICK ANOTHER APPLE TO DAY AND I AIN'T GOING TO TRY SAID DAN NOW DON'T MEDDLE WITH THE MAN CRIED BETTY WHAT A STATE TO BE IN BECAUSE ONE GOOD LOOKING LASS LIKE STAND SANDY HAIR AND GREY EYES BETTER THAN HIGHLAND BLACK AND BLUE YOU HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF A WREN NEIL CAMPBELL WERE I YOU I WOULD SHOW DONALD FRAGER THAT I COULD WOO AND WIN A LASS AS SPEEDILY AS ANY LOWLANDER OF THEM ALL THAT I WOULD A QUONUM JUMP SIR RIGHT LEAP FROGGING AHEAD OF THE REDS WAIT TILL THEY READ THE NAME COLONEL JOHN TOWERS MAYBE GENERAL JOHN TOWERS GENERAL BRANDON OPENED HIS EYES THE TIN WOODMAN WAS THEN JUST LEAVING HIS TIN CASTLE IN THE COMPANY OF THE SCARECROW AND THE WANDERER +3fb01450-7618-4c37-ba43-2265b9a4aec6 HE BELONGED TO A DIFFERENT WORLD FROM THEIRS THEY HAD NEVER KNOWN HIM VERY INTIMATELY OR UNDERSTOOD HIM I REALIZED NOW THAT UNCLE BLAIR WAS A BIT OF A BOHEMIAN A RESPECTABLE SORT OF TRAMP THE SWALLOWS FLEW IN AND OUT OF THEIR NEST ABOVE OUR HEADS AND WHENEVER A SUNBEAM FELL THROUGH A CHINK THE AIR SWARMED WITH GOLDEN DUST OUTSIDE THE LOFT WAS A VAST SUNSHINY GULF OF BLUE SKY AND MELLOW AIR WHEREIN FLOATED ARGUSES A FLUFFY CLOUD AND AIRY TOPS OF MAPLE AND SPRUCE MODESTY PREVENTED ME FROM SPEAKING FIRST BUT I HAD A VERY SHORT WAIT BEFORE INSKIP REACHED THE SAME CONCLUSION I HAD HE HURLED A FOLD OF THE LENGTH OF THE ROOM AND SCOWLED OUT AT THE HARSH DAWN LIGHT AND OH HOW GOOD WE WERE HOW ANGELICALLY AND UNNATURALLY GOOD NEVER WAS THERE SUCH A BAND OF KIND SWEET TEMPERED UNSELFISH CHILDREN IN ANY ORCHARD +3fcb7065-9aa6-480f-9aa2-0034ea6dfb1b THEY HIT AGAIN KNOCKED OUT A NAVY SUPPLY OF SATELLITE THIRTY FOUR MEN DEAD IF YOUR PLAN DOESN'T WORK ADMIRAL THE CAPTAIN WHISPERED HOARSELY IN MY EAR I'LL PERSONALLY SEE THAT YOU'RE FLAYED ALIVE WHY DON'T YOU TELL HIM SO ASKED DAN IT AIN'T MY BUSINESS TO TELL HIM THINGS RETORTED PETER I'M HARD TO DO WHAT I'M TOLD AND I DO IT BUT I CAN HAVE MY OWN OPINION ALL THE SAME IT'S GOING TO BE A BROILING HOT DAY OF COURSE DECLARED THE GIANTESS AND I HAVE ADDED A LITTLE MAGIC TO YOUR TRANSFORMATIONS TO MAKE YOU ALL CONTENTED WITH WEARING YOUR NEW FORMS I'M SORRY I DIDN'T THINK TO DO THAT WHEN I TRANSFORMED POLYCHROME INTO A CANARY BIRD WHEN WE WENT TO THE MISSIONARY MEETING THAT EVENING THE STORY GIRL WORE HER DRESS AND HAT WHILE FELICITY AND CECILY WERE IN THEIR PRETTY MUSLINS AND SHE HAD TIED HER HAIR WITH A SNUFF BROWN RIBBON WHICH WAS VERY UNBECOMING TO HER +3fce53ba-7fe2-44cb-9918-7f592b591699 IT LOOKED JUST LIKE CORNMEAL SAID THE STORY GIRL GOING FROM WHITE TO RED IN HER SHAME WELL I'M GOING TO GIVE UP TRYING TO COOK AND STICK TO THINGS I CAN DO I NEVER MEANT TO LAUGH IT JUST HAPPENED BEFORE I COULD STOP MYSELF BEHOLD ME BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS THEY CEASED AND ALL HEAVEN WAS HUSHED WE HAD TO GO UP TO SARA RAY'S LANE WITH HER TO HER VERY DOOR FOR SHE WAS AFRAID PEG BOWEN WOULD CATCH HER IF SHE WENT ALONE CECILY SAID FELICITY IN A HUSHED TONE WE BOYS WOULD CLIMB THE TREES AND SHAKE THE APPLES DOWN UNTIL THE GIRLS SHRIEKED FOR MERCY +400d9625-2dc3-462e-a9f6-aa6afdc0b088 MY OWN LIES OPEN BESIDE ME AS I WRITE AND EMILY LIKED TO SIT AMONG THE FERNS UNDER THE BIRCHES AND READ OR SEW A LONG CLOAK WOULD CONCEAL THE UNIFORM WHILE I LEFT THE HOTEL SHE WAS YOUNG DARK AND BEAUTIFUL THE TEARS DID NOTHING TO SPOIL THIS IT IS NOW I'LL GO AHEAD YOU BRING UP THE REAR WITH HOPE IN THE MIDDLE READY TWENTY SEVEN THE STORY GIRL TURNED WHITE AND CECILID WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF THE SHAME OF HIS COUNTENANCE WAS PITIFUL TO BEHOLD +4038dfa1-9762-4f63-9d43-317dd05af9c7 FARMER THOUGHT DESPERATELY AGAIN THAT HE COULD SWIM AND THEN HE THOUGHT WILDLY OF THE JUDGE WHO HADN'T REGAINED FULL CONSCIOUSNESS HE WENT UNDER ONCE AND CAME UP CHOKING AND SPUTTERING HE DECIDED HIS END HAD COME AND HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE IDENTITY OF THE ENEMY WHO HAD DONE HIM IN EVERYBODY THOUGHT THIS WAS FUNNY EXCEPT FELIX HE WOULD NOT SPEAK TO PETER FOR TWO DAYS BECAUSE OF IT FELICITY ALSO GOT INTO TROUBLE BECAUSE OF HER DREAMS ONE NIGHT SHE WOKE UP HAVING JUST HAD A VERY EXCITING DREAM BUT SHE WENT TO SLEEP AGAIN AND IN THE MORNING SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER THE DREAM AT ALL THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR YOUR DISCLOSURE ANOTHER DAY AND HERE WOULD HAVE DROVE ME OUT OF MY WITS YUNUS THOUGHT BETTER OUT OF YOUR WITS THAN DEAD CLARTON THOUGHT YUNA SIGHED HOWEVER CLARTON WENT ON THERE IS STILL A WAY OUT FOR YOU I HAVE READ THE SITUATION IN YOUR MIND AND YOUR NEXT MOVE WILL HAVE TO BE RATHER MORE SPECTACULAR THAN USUAL SO LONG AS IT WORKS YUNUS SAID I WILL BE SATISFIED IT WILL WORK CLARETON SAID AT LEAST I THINK IT WILL WITH THAT HE UNTIED NEIL'S HORSE CLIMBED INTO NEIL'S SLEIGH AND TUCKED NEIL'S BUFFALO ROBE ABOUT HIM NOW BEST OLD GIRL DO YOUR BONNIEST HE SAID THERE'S MORE THAN YOU KNOW HANGS ON YOUR SPEED IF THE CAMPBELL WAKES TOO SOON BLACK DAN COULD SHOW YOU A PAIR OF CLEAN HEELS FOR ALL YOUR GOOD START ON MY GIRL +406c8444-d485-410e-a02c-de7d806331d0 UNEXPECTEDLY BECAUSE JEFF HAD NOT CONSIDERED THAT IT MIGHT MATTER HE WAS DISTURBED BY THE REALIZATION THAT HE WOULDN'T BE SEEN JENIFER OLD CHARLEY MACK'S RED HAIRED NIECE ONCE OCCUPATION BEGAN JENIFER WHO SAILED WITH HER UNCLE AND DID A CREWMAN'S WORK AS A MATTER OF COURSE WOULD DESPISE THE SIGHT OF HIM WE ALL WISHED THAT TOO LATE OUR CURIOSITY HAD LED US INTO SOME HOLY OF HOLIES NOT TO BE PROFANED BY HUMAN EYES AND THIS WAS OUR PUNISHMENT I'VE ALWAYS HAD A FEELING RIGHT ALONG WEPT SARAH THAT IT WASN'T RIGHT TO BUY OR LOOK AT GOD'S PICTURE I WAS UNDER PRESSURE NOW TO ACT AND A GREATER PRESSURE NOT TO MAKE ANY MISTAKES ROLY POLY PEPPY HAD SHOWN HIMSELF TO BE A RUTHLESS KILLER HE KNEW WHAT HE WANTED THEN REACHED OUT AND TOOK IT DESTROYING ANY ONE WHO STOOD IN HIS WAY MORE PEOPLE WOULD DIE BEFORE THIS WAS OVER IT WAS UP TO ME TO KEEP THAT NUMBER AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE WHY SHOULD I WANT OUT OF MY FIRST FIELD ASSIGNMENT LISTEN AND FIND OUT STETSON CROSSED OVER TO A TILT LOCKER BEHIND THE BIG TRANSLENT MAP HAULED OUT A WHITE COVER ALL UNIFORM WITH GOLDEN SIGNIA TOSSED IT TO ORAN GET INTO THESE WHILE I BRIEF YOU ON THE MAP BUT THIS IS AN ORN R UNIT BEGAN ORAN GET THAT UNIFORM ON YOUR UGLY FRAME +408a0d7a-883e-48d4-839a-8a09a0923b64 WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD NO LIGHT DOWN THERE AND THEY'RE MOVING UP FAST KEEP AN EYE ON THEM BUT DON'T IGNORE THE OTHER SECTORS SAID STETSON YOU THINK I WAS BORN YESTERDAY BARKED THE VOICE FROM THE GRIN THE CONTACT BROKE OFF WITH AN ANGRY SOUND ANGELINA ROLLED HER EYES UP AND SLID SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR REAL FATE I DIDN'T CARE I KEPT THE GUN ON PEPPET'S PUDGY FORM WHILE HE PICKED HER UP AND CARRIED HER TO AN ACCELERATION COUCH AGAINST THE WALL BUT PETER MUST HAVE A CENT FELICITY WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM ONE HERSELF AND SHE WAS NONE TOO LAVISH OF HER COPPERS RATHER THAN HAVE HIM GO WITHOUT ONE DAN HOWEVER LENT HIM ONE ON THE DISTINCT UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS TO BE REPAID THE NEXT WEEK THERE WAS A WARDER OF THE BRIDGE A GOD DARK AND STERN AND SORROWFUL AND TO HIM ODIN GAVE COMMAND THAT HE SHOULD OPEN THE GATE AND ALLOW HIS FOLLOWERS TO CROSS THE RAINBOW BRIDGE THAT THEY MIGHT DRINK OF THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE BEYOND AND THE WARDER SET OPEN THE GATE +40930675-b273-40f6-b020-1a347286b96b SOMETHING LIKE LIKE BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER SUGGESTED FELIX IN A SCARED TONE THEN HE OPENED HIS BIG BLUE EYES AND LOOKED UP INTO EDITH'S FACE SHE BLUSHED AS RED AS A ROSE FOR SHE KNEW SHE HAD DONE A DREADFUL THING THIS COULD NOT BE HER COUSIN FROM SCOTLAND SHE KNEW FOR HE HAD WRITTEN SO TO HER THAT HE HAD EYES AS BLACK AS HER OWN NO BETTER PLAN BEING SUGGESTED WE BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE ORCHARD AND SAT ON THE BOUGHS OF UNCLE ALEC'S TREE BECAUSE THE GRASS WAS WET THE WORLD WAS BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL AND GREEN OVERHEAD WAS A DAZZLING BLUE SKY SPOTTED WITH HEAPS OF WHITE CLOUD WHAT WILL YOU DO THERE ASKED PETER PRACTICALLY I SHALL LEARN HOW TO TELL STORIES TO ALL THE WORLD SAID THE STORY GIRL DREAMILY +409ec071-ba4d-4c26-9c9f-9b9c49b11097 IT IS LIKE A SPIDER'S WEB HE HAD MANY RIVALS BUT HE KNEW THAT IF SHE WOULD NOT COME TO BE THE MISTRESS OF HIS NEW HOUSE NO ONE ELSE EVER SHOULD LEGENDS OF THE OLD ORCHARD I WAS JUST DROPPING INTO AN UNEASY SLUMBER WHEN I HEARD A COMMOTION IN THE GIRLS ROOM ACROSS THE HALL THEY WERE SMALL RED CLUSTERED BERRIES OF A GLOSSY SEDUCTIVE APPEARANCE AND WE WERE FORBIDDEN TO EAT THEM BECAUSE IT WAS THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE POISONOUS THE MESSAGE BROKE INTO CLEAR AT THE END AND THE SIE MAN SMILED AS HE SPOKE THE WORDS I BROKE THE POINT OFF MY STYLERS AND GROWLED AT HIM NOT TO REPEAT ANY OF THIS MESSAGE AS IT WAS CLASSIFIED AND I WOULD PERSON SEE HIM SHOT IF HE DID +40a5a094-5a68-49fa-8893-b8ab06064dac I WISH ADDED CECILY WITH A SIGH SOME VAGUE THOUGHT OF THIS WAS IN OUR MINDS AS WE LOOKED AT HER WE WATCHED AND WAITED NERVOUSLY IT WAS CLOSING FAST A CAB WAS SUMMONED A HOTEL SUGGESTED I NODDED AGREEMENT AND SETTLED BACK WHILE THE ROBOT LOADED THE BAGS ABOUT ME IF IT IS I WON'T TRY TO GUESS THE REASON AND ALL HIS PRAYERS WERE OF NO AVAIL BUT HE FELT KEENLY THE WOUNDS AND BRUISES OF THE CRUEL ROCKS THAT'S RIGHT YONA SAID SMILING AGAIN I'M A WIZARD A WARLUCK IT IS NOT FOR MYSELF I AM AFRAID HE SAID +40ae7855-d5bf-421c-b6a7-8d2711f71bd7 THE DIVING HELMET CAME OFF EASILY NOT HAVING BEEN PROPERLY FASTENED DOWN AT ALL FARMER REALIZED WITH A SHOCK THAT THE CREATURE WASN'T WEARING ANYTHING AND WHEN SHE SAW HIM SLEEPING THERE DON'T YOU REMEMBER OLD MISS BAXTER IN TORONTO BETH AND HOW SHE TOLD MISSUS MC LAREN THAT SHE WAS SUBJECT TO TERRIBLE DREAMS AND FINALLY SHE TOOK TWO LIVER PILLS AND NEVER HAD ANY MORE DREAMS AFTER THAT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY FELICITY CALLED AFTER HER TO TELL DAN THERE WAS A JAM TURN OVER I WISH GIRLS HAD SOME SENSE SAID DAN WHEN HE HAD FINISHED HE HELD OUT HIS HANDS TOWARD ME AND MOTIONED TOWARD THE WAITING IDOL THE GUARDS WHO HELD ME FOLLOWED BY THE PRIESTS +413a6f0e-b938-457d-b625-119dfa9f33d9 HE HAS NEVER COME BACK AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER HE IS ALIVE OR DEAD ISN'T THAT A NICE WAY TO BEHAVE TO YOUR FAMILY PETER HAS WORKED FOR HIS BOARD EVER SINCE HE WAS SIX BECAUSE OF THE MEASLES IN MARKDALE SOBBED SARA SHE SAYS MARKDALE IS FULL OF THEM AND THERE'LL BE SURE TO BE SOME OF THE MARKDALE PEOPLE AT THE SHOW SO I'M NOT GOING TO GO AND I'VE NEVER SEEN A MAGIC LANTERN AND I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING I DON'T SEE HOW YOU'LL EVER GET ACQUAINTED WITH HIM SAID FELICITY HE NEVER GOES ANYWHERE EXCEPT TO CHURCH HE JUST STAYS HOME AND READS BOOKS WHEN HE ISN'T WORKIN MOTHER SAYS HE'S A PERFECT HERMIT I'LL MANAGE IT SOMEHOW SAID THE STORY GIRL AND WE HAD NO DOUBT THAT SHE WOULD YOU WILL BE GLAD TO GET BACK TO YOUR PATROL WORK SHE SAID IT HAD AN ODDLY TENTATIVE SOUND +41738000-98b7-4c02-a225-31a7f384470c I'M GLAD YOU THINK SO SAID CECILY TREMULOUSLY WELL WHAT DOES SHE SAY ASKED CICELY TREMULOUSLY OUR GROWN UPS INSTEAD CONSIDERED OUR TERROR IN EXQUISITE JEST AND HER MAIDENS DRESSED HER AH NEVER MIND ISN'T SHE ONE STILL ASKED FELICITY PERTLY BY THIS TIME WE WERE ALL SITTING DOWN ON THE GNARLED ROOTS OF THE SPRUCES AND THE BIG GRAY CAT CAME OVER AND MADE FRIENDS WITH US OH YES SARA RAY FELICITY MENTIONED HER WHAT IS SHE LIKE WHERE DOES SHE LIVE AM GOING SOME DAY SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY THE PICTURES AND SKETCHES HE SENT HER AND I HASTENED TO DO IT +41e6c68e-b217-4fdf-a39c-c2dec57a2cf8 HE TOOK A GOOD THIRTY SECONDS TO THINK THIS OVER AND HAD TO AGREE WITH ME A DELIGHTFUL PROSPECT THE FIRST PERSON WE SAW IN THE CHURCH PORCH WAS MISSUS RAY WHICH BROUGHT THE ORGY OF WISHING TO AN END FOR THE TIME AND WAS IN THE ACT OF SITTING DOWN WHEN FELICITY'S TACTFUL SPEECH ARRESTED HIM MIDWAY THE SCOOP CONTRACTED ITSELF WITH A SUDDENNESS THAT YANKED THEM YARDS FROM THE COTTAGE AND ALL BUT DISLODGED JEFF STRONG NOBLE AND VALIANT HE SAID AND EVEN FELICITY AND CECILY AVAILED THEMSELVES OCCASIONALLY OF THE PRIVILEGE OF SEX +424167ce-7f44-4cd6-bd90-2aeeb9d7e224 HE CLIMBED WEARILY IN AND I DIRECTED THE DRIVER BEFORE HE FULLY REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING BLINKING AT THE SICKLY LIGHT OF DAWN BROUGHT HIM SLOWLY BACK TO REALITY BUT ADMIRAL THE HOUR EVERYONE WILL BE ASLEEP I JUST GROWLED BUT IT WAS ENOUGH ROCK HAD CAUGHT THE IDEA FROM MY EXPRESSION AND GRABBED THE CARPHONE THE OFFICE DOORS WERE OPEN WHEN WE GOT THERE SARA RAY HAVING TURNED IN AT HER OWN GATE I RAN AHEAD TO JOIN THE STORY GIRL AND WE WALKED UP THE HILL TOGETHER SHE HAD RECOVERED HER CALMNESS OF MIND BUT SHE MADE NO REFERENCE TO PETER THERE WE STOOD IN A HUDDLED DEMORALIZED GROUP OH WHAT AN EERIE PLACE THAT ORCHARD WAS WHAT SHADOWS WHAT NOISES WHAT SPOOKY SWOOPING BATS YOU COULDN'T LOOK EVERY WAY AT ONCE AND GOODNESS ONLY KNOWS WHAT MIGHT BE BEHIND YOU THERE CAN'T BE ANYBODY AT THE HOUSE SAID FELICITY WE BOTH KNOW THE ADVANTAGES OF AN ALIEN CONTACT BUT IF YOU GET INTO A HOT SPOT AND CALL FOR HELP I'LL DIVE THIS CRUISER INTO THAT CITY TO GET YOU OUT IT'S ON A MOUNTAIN ON THE DARK SIDE OF YOUR MOON TO NEWBE'S EYES DILATED CONTRACTED YOU READ MINES +4271c66f-50b7-4408-bf79-9871b883173c OUR DOOR WAS OPEN AND IN THEIR ROOM ACROSS THE NARROW HALL THE GIRLS WERE PREPARING FOR BED AND TALKING RATHER MORE LOUDLY THAN THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE HAD THEY REALIZED HOW FAR THEIR SWEET SHRILL VOICES CARRIED OH BUT UNCLE ALEC IT WAS THIS WAY BEGAN FELIX EAGERLY PETER NO I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT SAID UNCLE ALEC STERNLY I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU WERE FIGHTING ABOUT BUT YOU MUST SETTLE YOUR QUARREL IN A DIFFERENT FASHION REMEMBER MY COMMANDS FELIX SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF IT AND CERTAINLY AS FAR AS APPEARANCE WENT IT JUSTIFIED HER TRIUMPH THE SLICES WERE SMOOTH AND GOLDEN AND SMOTHERED IN THE LUSCIOUS MAPLE SUGAR SAUCE WHICH CECILY HAD COMPOUNDED WERE VERY FAIR TO VIEW WELL IT WAS AWFUL SAD SAID FELICITY WIPING HER EYES BUT IT WAS LONG AGO AND WE CAN'T DO ANY GOOD BY CRYING OVER IT NOW LET US GO AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT I MADE SOME NICE LITTLE RHUBARB TARTS THIS MORNING +42a015ed-efb3-4fd6-9585-9a96bee2002f I CUT OUT THE RADAR AND CUT THE NOSE ORPHACON AND SAT BACK TO WATCH THE BEACON APPEAR ON THE SCREEN YOU HAVE HUMILIATED ME JUST REMEMBERED THAT STORY AND I THOUGHT I COULD SEE HIM TAKING UP THE SENSE SO SOLEMN WITH ONE LONG WHISKER WELL I WILL IF YOU DON'T WANT IT I'M NOT TROUBLED WITH FANCIES THAT SEEMS TO BE ALL EXCEPT THIS BOX I SUPPOSE THE WEDDING DRESS IS IN IT ON THE COVER IS PASTED A LADY'S VISITING CARD ON WHICH IS WRITTEN THE DREAM BOOK OF BEVERLY KING +42dc7223-3214-4b40-b444-b926a6e640cf THEN DARKNESS CLOSED IN SWIFTLY HOW LONG SIR I'D SAY ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE YOU CAME BUT HE DID NOT MENTION THE BROWN BOOK I THOUGHT HE MIGHT BUT AFTER ALL I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU EVERYTHING THE FIRST TIME YOU MEET THEM LIKE SARA RAY AND YOU MUST NEVER TELL A SOUL YOU'RE TAKING IT OR IT WON'T WORK INSTEAD OF DOLING OUT A HANDFUL OF CRYSTALS EVERY TEN DAY THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY NEED OF ACTION NO HE SAID HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND FELT THE STRENGTH IN HIM GATHER TO A SINGLE POINT AND FLOW OUTWARD THE TWO MEN SUDDENLY SEEMED TO STAGGER THERE WAS A SECOND OF CONFUSION AND THEY HAD LET HIM GO +42e3cf01-b979-4e49-a9ad-f8ca614b04a5 THEY WERE ALL PULLED DOWN IN THE END SINCE THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDED ON ONE MAN RULE BUT THE PRICE THAT HAD TO BE PAID FIRST CALLING TO FARMER TO BE READY TO TAKE HER BURDEN ABOARD FINALLY HE SPOKE IN ENGLISH STRADDLING A RAIL BEHIND IT AND SIMILARLY DRIPPING WAS A HIGHLY POLISHED REFLECTOR POINTING INWARD AND DOWNWARD IN A MOMENT I NODDED AND VIC BEING A GOOD SCOUT THAT HE WAS MA SAID SHE WASHED HER HANDS OF IT MOTH'S OR NO MOSS SHE SAID IF COUSIN RACHEL HAD TO MOVE THAT CHEST EVERY +42ef3808-b469-4c50-bce3-ab8abb7168d1 I'M AWFUL GLAD MISTER KING IS GOING TO LEAVE THE POTATO STOCKS UNTIL I GET WELL AND I'M OBLIGED TO THE STORY GIRL FOR COAXING HIM I GUESS WE WILL FIND OUT ABOUT ALICE YET THERE ARE SOME PARTS OF HER LETTER I COULDN'T SEE THROUGH BUT WHEN THE MEASLES STRIKE IN THEY LEAVE YOU STUPID FOR A SPELL I'LL BE RIGHT BACK HE SETTLED A HELMET ON HIS HEAD MOTIONED FOR FARMER TO HELP HIM CHECK THE CONNECTIONS OF THE SOUP'S SELF CONTAINED OXYGEN SUPPLY JOHN ANDREW WAS STRAIGHTENING UP FROM DOING THIS WHEN HE SAW THE NONNIPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME OF COURSE SHARP SAID YOU SPEAK OF AN END TO TROUBLES AND END TO THE INQUISITION AND THE BUILDINGS AND END TO THE QUESTION AND SO YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN FOR RIDDING US OF HYRKNUP ONE WHICH YOU WOULD TELL ME YONA SHOOK HIS HEAD I HAVE NO PLAN HE SAID IN THE MIDST OF OUR LAUGHTER PAT CAME DOWN THE WALK HIS STATELY TAIL WAVING OVER THE GRASSES HE PROVED TO BE THE PRECURSOR OF DAN CLOTHED AND IN HIS RIGHT MIND +4353a033-0680-48cf-81d2-1ed491fe9392 NEVER YOU FEAR ANSWERED FELICITY DECIDEDLY A COWARD WOULD COME THROUGH ANYTHING FOR FIFTY CENTS THEY NEVER SEEMED TO HAPPEN NOW THEY COULD NEVER BE COAXED TO GROW ELSEWHERE I HAD MY NAIL FAR OUT AND WAS TOUCHING UP A CUTICLE HOLDING IT OUT FOR INSPECTION BEFORE I SAID ANYTHING YOU'D STILL BE ON THE DEL FINEST MASTERLESS AS AN ARNAR FIELD MAN ALL BET'S OFF WE'RE COMING IN AFTER YOU THAT MARK TWENTY IS OF FINAL STRAW IT MEANS THEY HAVE THE DELPHINAS FOR SURE HE SANK SLOWLY INTO THE WATER UNTIL ONLY HIS EYES WERE SHOWING LITTLE BEFORE DAWN THE EYE HOOKED ON TO MY SHOULDERS AND WE SAILED STRAIGHT UP +438bbd1b-31ed-4d8d-a1c3-13391aab42f8 THE M T WHISPERED IN MY EAR JUST WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE THIRTEENTH SIN ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE I DREW UP MY SCALY FIGURE IN A NOBLE GESTURE AND POINTED TOWARD THE CEILING I COME FROM YOUR ANCESTORS TO HELP YOU I AM HERE TO RESTORE THE HOLY WATERS MAGIC SEED WHEN THE TIME CAME TO HAND IN OUR COLLECTIONS FOR THE LIBRARY FUND PETER HAD THE LARGEST THREE DOLLARS FELICITY WAS A GOOD SECOND WITH TWO AND A HALF THIS WAS SIMPLY BECAUSE THE HENS HAD LAID SO WELL USING THEIR DISCLOSURE AS A PROD I COULD HAVE MADE HIM JUMP THROUGH HOOPS IT WASN'T NECESSARY AS SOON AS I SHOWED HIM THE DIFFERENT BLUE PRINTS AND EXPLAINED THE POSSIBILITIES HE UNDERSTOOD IF ANYTHING HE WAS MORE EAGER THAN I WAS TO FIND OUT WHO WAS USING HIS ADMINISTRATION AS A CAT'S PAW BY SILENT AGREEMENT THE DOCUMENTS WERE FORGOTTEN OF COURSE WE DID WE ALL SAT DOWN AT THE ROOTS OF THE FIRS FELIX HAVING FINALLY SQUARED MATTERS WITH HIS NOSE TURNED AROUND AND LISTENED ALSO THE STORY GIRL PAUSED A DRAMATIC PAUSE IT WAS QUITE DARK IN THE FIR WOOD WE COULD SEE HER FACE AND EYES BUT DIMLY THROUGH THE GLOOM +43a755ed-607e-48a9-a2cc-5005dd204979 YOU MIGHT BE FORGIVEN FOR TELLING LIES IF YOU WAS REAL SORRY FOR THEM BUT IF YOU MURDERED ANY ONE IT WOULD BE PRETTY HARD TO GET FORGIVEN SO YOU'D BETTER BE ON THE SAFE SIDE FELIX AND I WERE ALWAYS GLAD TO GET HIS LETTERS BUT WE NEVER READ THEM ALOUD TO AN ADMIRING CIRCLE IN THE ORCHARD HUM THE GREAT REWARD FOR SOME NOTABLE SERVICE RENDERED I IMAGINE WHISPERED VIC THOSE PRIESTS ARE WISER THAN THE REST OF THIS CREW THEY DEAL DEATH SPARINGLY AND THAT MAKES THEM GREAT THEY LOVE LIFE LIKE A MAN OF OUR EARTH PERHAPS BECAUSE THEY'VE FOUND OUT HOW TO ENJOY IT LET CECILY AND THE STORY GIRL CACKLE ALL THEY WANTED TO AND LET THOSE STUCK UP TORONTO BOYS GRIN LIKE CHESSY CATS BUT WHEN FELICITY LAUGHED AT HIM THE IRON ENTERED INTO PETER'S SOUL IF THE STORY GIRL LAUGHED AT PETER THE MILLS OF THE GODS GROUND OUT HIS REVENGE FOR HIM IN MID AFTERNOON +43abe5d0-a908-4ea9-b7e8-52863ff4c32e DAN FINALLY VOLUNTEERED TO LOOK AFTER HIM HE HAD A NEW PITY BOOK WHICH HE WANTED TO FINISH AND THAT HE SAID WAS BETTER FUN THAN A WALK TO THE GRAVEYARD I THINK WE'LL BE BACK BEFORE HE WAKES SAID MISSUS PATTERSON AND ANYHOW HE IS VERY GOOD AND WON'T BE ANY TROUBLE DON'T LET HIM GO OUTSIDE THOUGH HE HAS A COLD NOW IN ANY CASE HOW COULD THEY STOP US FROM MOVING IN ABRUPTLY HE SWITCHED TO HIS OWN INTEREST AUBREY HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING NEW ABOUT THE SCOOPS NOTHING BEYOND THE FACT THAT THE ISLANDERS DON'T TALK ABOUT THEM JEFF SAID I'VE SEEN PERHAPS A DOZEN OFF SHORE DURING THE SEVEN CYCLES I'VE BEEN HERE WELL MAYBE YOU COULD RETORTED DAN SARCASTICALLY YOU'D BE SO AFRAID OF SPOILING YOUR LOOKS THAT YOU'D RATHER DIE THAN MAKE A FACE I SUPPOSE NO MATTER WHAT YOU ATE FELICITY MAKES ENOUGH FACES WHEN THERE'S NOTHING TO MAKE FACES AT SAID FELIX WHO HAD BEEN GRIMACED AT OVER THE BREAKFAST TABLE THAT MORNING AND HADN'T LIKED IT IN THE WARDROOM OF STETSON'S SCOUT CRUISER THE LIGHTS WERE LOW THE LEATHER CHAIRS COMFORTABLE THE GREEN BAGE TABLE SET WITH A DECANTER OF HOKAR BRANDY AND TWO GLASSES HOERN LIFTED HIS GLASS SIPPED THE LIQUOR SMACKED HIS LIPS FOR A WHILE THERE I THOUGHT I'D NEVER BE TASTING ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN +43e01509-3a08-4946-b6b0-cb09729c7071 WE ADORED AUNT OLIVIA SHE WAS PRETTY AND MERRY AND KIND AND ABOVE ALL SHE HAD MASTERED TO PERFECTION THE RARE ART OF LETTING CHILDREN ALONE AT THE DOORWAY A DOUBLE FILE OF CREATURES CLOSED IN ABOUT US AND WE WERE LED BY LONG CORRIDORS AND MIGHTY WINDING RAMPS TOWARD THE TOP OF THE BUILDING TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BEACONS YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HYPERSPACE NOT THAT PEOPLE DO BUT IT IS EASY ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS NON SPACE THE REGULAR RULES DON'T APPLY I WAS IN SPACE NOW LEAPING ACROSS THE GIGANTIC WALL OF THE OTHER SHIP WHAT DO YOU WANT +43f8b283-8a29-437c-9f7d-0436dc6eedd3 WHEN I WAS VERY SMALL I USED TO BELIEVE THE FAIRIES DANCED IN IT ON MOONLIGHT NIGHTS I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE IT NOW BUT I CAN'T WHY NOT OH IT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE THINGS YOU KNOW ARE NOT TRUE IT WAS UNCLE EDWARD WHO TOLD ME THERE WERE NO SUCH THINGS AS FAIRIES BUT I MUST WAIT UNTIL I'M A LITTLE OLDER FOR HE WOULDN'T TELL THE SECRET OF THE WEST ROOM TO A LITTLE GIRL AND I MUST MUSTN'T WAIT TILL I'M TOO OLD FOR HE IS FRIGHTENED OF GROWN UP GIRLS BECAUSE HE THINKS THEY LAUGH AT HIS AWKWARDNESS I GLANCED DOWN AT THE PAPERS IN MY HAND AND SLOWLY TURNED THE FIRST DIAL ON THE LITTLE INSTRUMENT BOARD NARROWLY WATCHING THE HAND OF THE METER BESIDE IT AS VIC HAD INSTRUCTED JEFF HAD A GLIMPSE OF SLANTED RED EYES AND A WHITE FANGED SNOUT BEFORE REFLEX SENT HIM HEADLONG TO SHOULDER THE DOOR SHUT AGAIN THE BUNK HE PANTED AT JENIFER SHOVE IT OVER +441a20fe-08e4-4130-8f04-7080cba0bd88 IF YOU'D HAD TO PAY FATHER FOR ALL THE EXTRA HANDFULS OF WHEAT YOU FED TO THOSE HENS MISS FELICITY YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SO MUCH SAID DAN SPITEFULLY I DIDN'T SAID FELICITY INDIGNANTLY LOOK HOW AUNT OLIVIA'S HENS LAID TOO AND SHE FED THEM HERSELF JUST THE SAME AS USUAL BUT TIMOTHY ROOTS WERE FASHIONABLE THEREFORE TIMOTHY ROOFS MUST BE EATEN PECKS OF THEM MUST HAVE BEEN DEVOURED IN CARLISLE THAT SUMMER PAT WAS THERE ALSO PADDING ABOUT FROM ONE TO THE OTHER ON HIS BLACK PAWS GIVING US FRIENDLY POKES AND RUBS WE ALL MADE MUCH OF HIM EXCEPT FELICITY WHO NOT TAKE ANY NOTICE OF HIM BECAUSE HE WAS A STORY GIRL'S CAT WE BOYS WERE SPRAWING ON THE GRASS OUR MORNING CHORES WERE DONE AND THE DAY WAS BEFORE US WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FEELING VERY COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY BUT AS A MATTER OF FACT WE WERE NOT PARTICULARLY SO AFTER I COUNTED THE REGULAR PEOPLE I WENT TO COUNT THE LITTLE PEOPLE I TOOK A SPADE AND SPADE IT OFF THE TOP OF THE TOWN TO GET IN BUT THEY PUT AN ENCANTO ON ME AND MADE ME AND MILLER RUN A TREADMILL FOR THIRTY FIVE YEARS WHERE WAS THIS HE HAD NONE OF GRANDFATHER'S ABIDING LOVE FOR WOODS AND MEADOWS AND THE KINDLY WAYS OF THE WARM RED EARTH GRANDMOTHER KING HAD BEEN A WARD AND IN UNCLE STEPHEN THE BLOOD OF THE SEAFARING RACE CLAIMED ITS OWN TO SEE HE MUST GO DESPITE THE PLEADINGS AND TEARS OF A RELUCTANT MOTHER AND IT WAS FROM THE SEA HE CAME TO SET OUT HIS AVENUE IN THE ORCHARD WITH TREES BROUGHT FROM A FOREIGN LAND THEN HE SAILED AWAY AGAIN AND THE SHIP WAS NEVER HEARD OF MORE +443c7b75-4950-4507-a700-74a6b1ff46ab WHILE MARGARET HAD BEEN THINKING OF HIM AND LONGING FOR HIM AND PRAYING FOR HIM HE HAD BEEN LYING IN HIS LONELY FAR AWAY GRAVE SINCE WE WERE ALONE IT TOOK NO GREAT FEAT OF INTELLIGENCE TO FIGURE IT WOULD BE ME I TALKED FIRST BOLD ATTACK BEING THE BEST DEFENSE AND SO FORTH I QUIT DON'T BOTHER TELLING ME WHAT A DIRTY JOB YOU HAVE COOKED UP BECAUSE I ALREADY QUIT AND YOU DON'T WANT TO REVEAL COMPANY'S SECRETS TO ME ALSO ON MONDAY'S NECESSARILY BEFORE CHARLEY MACK'S VISIT JEFF MUST ASSEMBLE HIS SMUGGLED COMMUNICATOR KEPT DISMANTLED AND HIDDEN FROM SUSPICIOUS LOCAL LIES AND REPORT TO EARTH INTEREST CONSOLATE HIS PROGRESS DURING THE CYCLE JUST ENDED KNOWING YOUR DISLIKE FOR SCIENCE OTHER THAN THAT RELATED TO AERONAUTICS ALL CUT IS PRETTY SHORT IT'LL PROBABLY SOUND CRAZY TO YOU ANYWAY +4460d03d-5909-4b52-8d81-e2adc1f0fc75 OUTSIDE THE SKY WAS PURPLE AND GOLD AND SILVERY GREEN I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY FELICITY DID NOT DIE OF MORTIFICATION ON THE SPOT AND EACH WAS DESIROUS OF CONVINCING THE REST OF US THAT THE OTHER WAS LESS THAN NOTHING TO HER ALL THINGS CONSIDERED HER DEPARTURE WAS A RELIEF SHE HAD A LOVER HIS NAME WAS MALCOLM WARD AND HE WAS AS HANDSOME AS A PRINCE AFTER ABOUT FIVE OF THE LOCAL DAYS I HAD A SEA OF NATIVE CONVERSATION IN THE MEMORY BANK OF THE MACHINE TRANSLATOR AND TAGGED A FEW EXPRESSIONS +44792233-24ed-4bd9-b957-b5b0cf2d7fa9 SURE I CAN NO HISSED THE VOICE TOUCHED THE MITE CONTACT KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED JUST USE YOUR SPEAKING MUSCLES WITHOUT SPEAKING ORAN OBEYED HAVE YOU DECIDED WHAT FORMS TO GIVE US ASKED THE SCARECROW UNEASILY YES I DREAMED IT ALL OUT WHILE I WAS ASLEEP AGAIN HE MOVED ON THE SOUND FADING IN THE DISTANCE BEHIND HIM THE NEXT MILE BROUGHT HIM TO A GREAT SHEET OF ANCIENT LAVA LAID BARE BY THE ELEMENTS HE CLIMBED TO THE TOP THE FIRE STILL SEEMED TO BE ABOUT A THOUSAND YARDS AHEAD BEYOND A RIDGE OF LOW HILLS JENIFER WHO SAILED WITH HER UNCLE AND DID A CREWMAN'S WORK AS A MATTER OF COURSE WOULD DESPISE THE SIGHT OF HIM +44c6e033-fdfd-4de0-999c-ec2908844b79 SHE HAD NEVER SHARED ONE OF HER OWN STORY GIRL NODDED MISERABLY DIES HE'LL GO TO HEAVEN ANYHOW SOBBED CECILY HE'S BEEN REAL GOOD ALL THIS SUMMER BUT HE ISN'T A CHURCH MEMBER I SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH YOUR WEDDING HER THE FLAME WAS BRIGHT BUT NOT VERY HOT YET LUKE SCREAMED WITH TERROR THEN SAID THE STORY GIRL WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO TO THE SHOW ANYHOW YOUR MOTHER WON'T EVER KNOW IF WHAT DOES THAT MEAN ASKED PETER HO U S A THE WATER FED PIPE FROM THE ROOF FOR EXAMPLE IN ADDITION TO THE PYRAMID BEING AROUND THE BEACON +44f3efb6-c957-449d-80f1-0ce42c7c07a1 I WAS BEGINNING TO FEEL SECRETLY WORRIED BECAUSE I DID NOT GROW I HAD OVERHEARD AUNT JANET SAY I WAS GOING TO BE SHORT LIKE UNCLE ALEC NOW I LOVED UNCLE ALEC BUT I WANTED TO BE TALLER THAN HE WAS SO WHEN BILLY CONFIDED TO ME UNDER SOLEMN PROMISE OF SECRECY THAT HE HAD SOME MAGIC SEED WHICH WOULD MAKE BOYS GROW AND WOULD SELL ME A BOX OF IT FOR JUST TEN CENTS I JUMPED AT THE OFFER HE HAD LONG SINCE GIVEN UP THE ENTIRE OPERATION AS A FUTILE ONE AND SPENT MOST OF THE TIME IN HIS CABIN WORRYING ABOUT THE EFFECT OF IT ON HIS SURFACE RECORD BOREDOM OR CURIOSITY HAD DRIVEN HIM OUT AND HE WAS READING ONE OF MY RELEASES WITH HORROR BILLIONAIRE TO FOUND HOME WILD SPACE YACHT FILLED WITH LUXURIES TO LAST A HUNDRED YEARS THE CAPTAIN'S FACE GREW RED AS HE FLIPPED THROUGH THE STACK OF NOTES WHAT CONNECTION DOES THIS TRIPE HAVE WITH CATCHING THOSE MURDERERS YOU'D STILL BE ON THE DEL FINEST MASTERLESS AS AN ARNAR FIELD MAN THAT'S IMPORTANT IF YOU'RE MASQUERADING AM I THE ONLY ONE I KNOW I'M A RECENT CONVERT BUT YOU WANT OUT I DIDN'T SAY THAT I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY I'M BECAUSE THE BIG DOMES FED A SET OF REQUIREMENTS INTO THEIR IRON MONSTERS YOUR CARD POPPED OUT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY CAPABLE DEPENDABLE THE SCOOP THAT HAD SURFACED JUST BEHIND HER WAS SO CLOSE THAT JEFF WONDERED IF ITS SPECIES LEGENDARY GOOD NATURE HAD BEEN MISREPRESENTED IT FLOATED LIKE A GLISTENING PLUM COLORED ISLAND FLAT DORSAL FLIPPERS UNDULATING GENTLY ON THE WATER AND ITS GREAT FILMY EYES ALL BUT CLOSED AGAINST THE SLANTING GLARE OF MORNING SUN IT WAS MORE THAN VAST THE THING MUST WEIGH JEFF THOUGHT DIZZILY THOUSANDS OR MAYBE MILLIONS OF TONS +4502f84a-1a4b-4729-ac5f-0b36c0d648c9 THERE'LL HAVE TO BE THE USUAL TESTS NOT THAT THERE'S MUCH DOUBT WE LIKE TO BE CERTAIN THE MIDDLE AGED MAN SEEMED RELIEVED THEN ON SECOND THOUGHT HE HESITATED UNEASILY WHY IT WAS RAY WHO BROUGHT THE CONVERSATION BACK TO EARTH OR SEA AGAIN HE ASKED GARF DIRECTLY EXACTLY WHERE HE DID COME FROM THIS OFTEN SAVED STEIN FINE AND BRYAN'S A LOT OF READING OF UNPUBLISHABLE MANUSCRIPTS THE CARLISLE CHURCH WAS A VERY OLD FASHIONED ONE WITH A SQUARE IVY HUNG TOWER IT WAS SHADED BY TALL ELMS AND THE GRAVEYARD SURROUNDED IT COMPLETELY MANY OF THE GRAVES BEING DIRECTLY UNDER ITS WINDOWS THE MAN'S MIND WAS LIKE HIS OFFICE IN THE TOWN HALL SPARSELY FURNISHED ALMOST AUSTERE BUT WITH ALL THE NECESSITIES LAID OUT FOR EASY ACCESS +451aae02-2d1d-4b2d-85fa-e9fe8d26bb70 IT'S TOO BAD YONAS AGREED POLITELY FIVE HUNDRED MILES AWAY CLEARTARON CHUCKLED AND THE LINKAGE OF MINES TRANSMITTED THIS AMUSEMENT TO YANIS YOU DON'T THINK SO AT ANY RATE THE DIRECTOR SAID YOU'RE HAVING ADVENTURES AND A FINE TIME IT'S THE SORT OF THING YOU LIKE AFTER ALL I REMEMBERED THE WAY SHE SHOOK HIM OFF AND I WANTED TO LAUGH AND THEN I LOOKED AT THE PULPIT AND THOUGHT OF THE STORY SHE TOLD ABOUT THE OLD SCOTCH MINISTER WHO WAS TOO FAT TO GET IN AT THE DOOR OF IT AND HAD TO HISS HIMSELF UP BY HIS TWO HANDS OVER IT AND THEN WHISPERED TO THE OTHER MINISTER SO THAT EVERYBODY HEARD HIM WHEN THE INFERNAL THING WAS MORE THAN A MATCH FOR ANY SHIP IT MIGHT MEET THAT WAS MY PROBLEM IT HAD KEPT ME AWAKE NIGHTS AND TALKING TO MYSELF DAYS SINCE THERE WAS NO EASY ANSWER PAT CAME OVER BUT HIS MOST SEDUCTIVE PURRS WON NO NOTICE FROM HIS MISTRESS WHO REFUSED HERSELF THE PLEASURE OF EVEN PATTING HIM AUNT JANET COULD NOT GO DOWN THE HILL IN THE AFTERNOON TO FIND OUT HOW SARA WAS BECAUSE COMPANY CAME TO TEA THE MILLWARDS FROM MARKDALE +45ae05f2-6ff7-40e9-809c-30e36cd0679c BEFORE THAT NOBODY HAD EVER HEARD OF KISSING AND THEN IT WAS JUST DISCOVERED IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE AND A MAN WROTE IT DOWN AND THE ACCOUNT HAS BEEN PRESERVED EVER SINCE FELICITY QUICKLY RESTORED THE PORK AND PUDDING TO THEIR OWN PLACES AUNT JANE WAS A METHODIST THIS WAS ALL STILL HEARSAY TO ME I HAD BEEN PULLED INTO HEADQUARTERS AND GIVEN ROUTINE ADMINISTRATION WORK FOR TRAINING AND I'D LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT NICK CHOPPER THE TIN EMPEROR OF THE WINKIES IS A MAN WHO NEVER SHIRKS HIS DUTY +45bb61ac-4021-4465-b9ac-41b88ea23bf8 STILL THERE WAS SOMETHING AWFULLY ATTRACTIVE DAMN BUT HE WAS CONFUSED DORA'S SMILE DIDN'TALLY LAST THAT LONG FARMERS THOUGHTS WERE GOING FAST NOW SOMEHOW WITH THIS POINT UNDERSTOOD HE CALLED HIS CAR AND SQUADRON OF GUARDS AND WE MADE A PARADE TO THE SHIP YARDS IT WAS A FOUR HOUR DRIVE AND WE MADE PLANS ON THE WAY DOWN BUT HE'LL LAUGH AT US FOR A YEAR AND TELL THIS STORY TO EVERY SOUL THAT COMES TO THE PLACE YOU CAN'T BLAME HIM FOR THAT SAID THE STORY GIRL I SHALL TELL IT TOO I DON'T CARE IF THE JOKE IS AS MUCH ON MYSELF AS ANY ONE I WISH I COULD MAKE UP MY MIND WHETHER TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST I SUPPOSE I MIGHT ASK THE MINISTERS ABOUT IT OH NO NO DON'T DO THAT SAID FELICITY IN ALARM MINISTERS WOULDN'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH SUCH QUESTIONS +45bdb2f6-7dc9-47c5-a9da-6c0a0c8c208b APPARENTLY HE INTERPRETED THE LOOKS OF CONSTERNATION ON THE FACES OF HIS AUDIENCE CORRECTLY FOR HIS SMILE BECAME MORE FRIENDLY AND HE CONTINUED IN A CASUAL TONE EXCUSE ME HE SAID I DIDN'T SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE BEFORE I ARRIVED HERE AND I HAD TO LEARN IT AND BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO ITS USE THROUGH ANALYZING WHAT YOU JUST SAID WE WERE ALL OF US TOO TIRED THOSE NIGHTS TO DO ANY SPECIAL PRAYING SOMETIMES I FEAR OUR REGULAR PRAYERS WAS SLURRED OVER OR MUMBLED IN ANYTHING BUT REVERENT HASTE OCTOBER WAS A BUSY MONTH ON THE HILL FARMS THE APPLES HAD TO BE PICKED AND THIS WORK FELL MAINLY TO US CHILDREN WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE SAID ANGRILY LOOKING AT THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF HIM THE GIRL CAUGHT WHYS FIRST SHE SPUN AROUND AND POINTED HE'S HERE THEY BOTH STARED GAPED AT ME CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND COMPLETELY UNPREPARED YOU'RE UNDER ARREST CRIME KING I TOLD HIM AND A GIRL FRIEND ANGELINA ROLLED HER EYES UP AND SLID SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR REAL FATE I DIDN'T CARE I KEPT THE GUN ON PEPPET'S PUDGY FORM WHILE HE PICKED HER UP AND CARRIED HER TO AN ACCELERATION COUCH AGAINST THE WALL MOTHER SAID TEN O'CLOCK AND SHE'LL STICK TO IT SAID FELICITY CROSSLY IT'S ONLY NINE NOW LET US PUT THE CLOCK ON HALF AN HOUR SAID THE STORY GIRL THE CLOCK IN THE HALL ISN'T GOING SO NO ONE WILL KNOW THE DIFFERENCE WE ALL LOOKED AT EACH OTHER I WOULDN'T DARE SAID THE FELICITY IRRESOLUTELY OH IF THAT'S ALL I'LL DO IT SAID THE STORY GIRL +45bfaaeb-7e68-4533-be9b-1676c6f90730 STARTLED JEFF NO MORE THAN THE FACT THAT HE SEEMED TO BE HOLDING JENOFOR MAC TIGHTLY HE COULD HAVE SWORN THAT HER SAILS BELLIED NOT WITH THE WIND BUT AGAINST SO THE ODDLY ASSORTED PAIR QUICK BOX LIKE LITTLE RAY AND BIG AWKWARD UNCOMFTABLE FARMER HIS BREATHING SEEMED ALMOST NORMAL NOT A TWEAK OF RHEUMATISM DID HE FEEL BUT HE VOWED IT WAS DUE TO A NEEDLE TRAVELLING ABOUT HIS BODY I WANTED TO SEE THE PICTURE AS SOON AS YOU DID I WONDER IF HE'LL EVER COME BACK TO HIS FAMILY SAID CECILY SAID DAN AH DAN WHAT MAKES YOU ASK SUCH QUESTIONS EXCLAIMED CECILY IN REAL DISTRESS +45e9dafa-4ca2-4f15-abec-c3d73230b741 NEIL TALKED ON AND ON AND OF COURSE HE SOON BEGAN TO TELL THINGS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WISER NOT TO TELL BUT IN SPITE OF HIS BOLD WORDS DONALD'S HEART WAS THUMPING AS HE DROVE INTO THE SHERMAN YARD YES SAID TO NEW WHY DID YOU LAND SO FAR FROM IT WE DIDN'T WANT TO COME DOWN WHERE WE MIGHT DESTROY ANYTHING THERE IS NOTHING TO DESTROY IN THE JUNGLE SAID TO NUB WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A BIG CITY ASKED THORN SILENCE HE CAN HARDLY WRITE SAID FELICITY ONCE THE CLERKS UNDERSTOOD WHAT I HAD IN MIND THEY HURLED THEMSELVES INTO THEIR WORK URGED ON BY THE FIRES OF PATRIOTISM AND THE BURNING VOICES OF THEIR SUPERIORS ALL I HAD TO DO WAS SUGGEST A LINE OF SEARCH AND THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WOULD BEGIN APPEARING AT ONCE +45f2505c-d055-4d9e-9670-4fcdd952a12c I SUPPOSE I OUGHT TO GIVE MY BOX TO THEM RATHER THAN TO PRESBYTERIAN HEATHEN BUT IS MORE LIKELY THAT OUR CRANKINESS WAS THE RESULT OF SUPPER WE HAD EATEN THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AMAZINGLY HIS TONGUE ONLY GOT TANGLED ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS SPEECH GARF FACED THEM BUT I SHALL MAKE YOU A FAIR OFFER I HAVE HEARD FROM MY HOUSEKEEPER'S URCHIN OF A SON THAT YOU ARE A MASTER HAND TELL STORIES WE MUST HAVE IT TO QUIET THE ZID UNTIL IT IS SAFELY CAGED AGAIN SO THE NEGREOUS GLORY OF PROCYON'S RISING WAS JUST TINTING THE WINDOWS OF JEFF'S COTTAGE WHEN HE ALIGNED AND ACTIVATED HIS LITTLE COMMUNICATOR ON HIS BREAKFAST TABLE +466445c7-fddc-4a2a-9e30-ffbc25af7ad9 AND AROUND HER WAIST WAS A SASH OF VIPER AND AT ONCE A SCENE WOULD FLASH UPON THE MAGIC CANVAS WHICH SHOWED WASN'T KISSING ALWAYS DISCOVERED ASKED ANNE THERE WERE FINE LACE CURTAINS AT THE WINDOWS AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURES ON THE WALLS WE WENT AND STRAIGHTWAY DRANK THE WATERS OF FORGETFULNESS OUR LAUGHTER ECHOED BACK FROM THE BARNS AND THE SPRUCE GROVE A PAIR OF WILD CANARIES COME HERE EVERY SUMMER GET OFF TO BED EVERY ONE OF YOU THERE WERE TWO MINISTERS IN PARTICULAR HE BLAMED FOR BEING AT THE BOTTOM OF IT +4675483a-b6c1-45fc-a963-2a2a68dec005 THE MAGIC OF HER VOICE WORKED ITS WILL ON MISTER CAMPBELL AS ON ALL OTHERS HE CAME IN SAT DOWN HOOKED HIS THUMB INTO HIS VEST POCKET AND SMILED AT HER WHAT IS IT HE ASKED WE ARE COLLECTING FOR OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY AND WE HAVE CALLED TO ASK YOU FOR A CONTRIBUTION SHE REPLIED THE MASTER IS AWFUL CROSS BY SPELLS JIMMY FREWEN WALKED HOME WITH NELLIE BOWEN LAST NIGHT FROM PRAYER MEETING AND HER ONLY FOURTEEN DON'T YOU THINK IT HORRID BEGINNING SO YOUNG YOU AND ME WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT TILL WE WERE GROWN UP WOULD WE PERHAPS SHE'D LET YOU GO THEN SHE LIKES CECILY SHE DOESN'T LIKE EITHER FELICITY OR ME SO IT WOULD ONLY MAKE MATTERS WORSE FOR US TO TRY MA'S GONE TO TOWN PA AND HER WENT THIS AFTERNOON AND THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK TILL TO MORROW THERE'S NOBODY HOME BUT JUDY PANOW AND ME IT MUST HAVE BEEN A GRAND SIGHT THE EYE WAS CAMOUFLAGED TO LOOK LIKE A FLYING LIZARD SORT OF A CARDBOARD PTERODACTYL AND THE SLOWLY FLAPPING WINGS OBVIOUSLY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR FLIGHT BUT IT WAS IMPRESSIVE ENOUGH FOR THE NATIVES +46a65f1d-d1a0-4407-905c-bc7d9e5fd037 WITH THE BALD MAN AT LEAST HE COULD COMMUNICATE DO YOU BELIEVE IT SARA STANLEY PERSISTED FELICITY DO YOU NO NO I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT SAID THE STORY GIRL BY THIS TIME WE WERE ALL SITTING DOWN ON THE GNARLED ROOTS OF THE SPRUCES AND THE BIG GRAY CAT CAME OVER AND MADE FRIENDS WITH US AND IF EVER ONE OF YOU MENTION SAWDUST PUDDING TO ME I'LL NEVER TELL YOU ANOTHER STORY AS LONG AS I LIVE THE THREAT WAS EFFECTUAL NEVER DID WE MENTION THAT UNHOLY PUDDING BUT THE STORY GIRL COULD NOT IMPOSE SILENCE ON THE GROWN UPS ESPECIALLY UNCLE ROGER HE TORMENTED HER FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER +46cb5a5d-c0f8-402b-825e-890789b11a66 SO THE BOY WONDERED IF THE SCARECROW WOULD BE ABLE TO TRAVEL WITH THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE FORESTS OF THE MUNCHKIN COUNTRY OF OZ DO YOU MEAN SAID FELIX FINDING VOICE AT LENGTH AND AS HE DID THERE CAME RUSHING OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE A GREAT COMPANY THE SOUND OF HER CRYING DIED AWAY UNDER THE FIRS FINALLY HE PLACED HIS FINGERS ON THE LARGEST OF THE CONTROL SWITCHES FARMER SAW INSULTED AND ANGER WELL I DIDN'T MEAN TO AND I WANTED TO LAUGH TWICE BEFORE THAT AND DIDN'T WE LIKED HIM BUT WE HAD AN UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING THAT THE MEANING OF HIS REMARKS WAS NOT ALWAYS THAT WHICH MET THE EAR +46d68d94-e136-4066-8ad5-21455c97313a THEY GLANCED AT EACH OTHER SWIFTLY ALMOST AS THOUGH THEY UNDERSTOOD IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THEIR MOUTHS LIFTED THAT THEY ALMOST SMILED THEN THEY RUSHED AT ME I HAD ONLY ONE BOX OF CARTRIDGES BESIDES THOSE IN THE CYLINDER OF MY GUN I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR ME AND I TOOK NO CHANCES THE STORY GIRL HAD A GRUESOME RECOLLECTION OF SOME BABY AT MARKDALE WHO HAD WANDERED AWAY LIKE THAT AND THEY NEVER FOUND HIM TILL THE NEXT SPRING AND ALL THEY FOUND WAS HIS SKELETON WITH THE GRASS GROWING THROUGH IT SHE WHISPERED THAT BEATS ME SAID UNCLE ROGER WHEN A FRUITLESS HOUR HAD ELAPSED GRANDPA HAD BEEN OUT OF TOUCH WITH THINGS SINCE HIS DEATH AND GOATBOY HAPPILY FILLED HIM IN I LEARNED ALL I NEEDED TO KNOW OF THE HISTORY PAST AND RECENT AND IT WASN'T NICE I CAN FIGHT AS WELL AS PRAY OH DON'T FIGHT IMPLORED CECILY I THINK IT WOULD BE DREADFUL SURELY YOU CAN ARRANGE IT SOME OTHER WAY +46e3be07-aadc-4ebf-a648-c9109c4e3e3a OVER THE BARREN ROCKY GROUND WE HURRIED PAST THE WRETCHED HOVELS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY AND THROUGH CROOKED DISMAL STREETS TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE CITY THE NOTE READ DEAR PETE IF YOU GET THIS I AM IN A JAM THAT PROMISES SOME ACTION I HAD THE SPEAKER ON FULL VOLUME AND THE VIBRATION ALMOST SHOOK MY HEAD OFF THE LIZARDS CRINGED AND I SET MY SOLAR FOR NARROW BEAM AND RAN IT AROUND THE DOOR JAM THERE WAS A GREAT CRUNCHING AND BANGING FROM THE JUNK PILED AGAINST IT AND THEN THE DOOR SWUNG FREE I THREW IT OPEN IT WAS QUITE A CLEVER IDEA I THINK FOR IT DOESN'T MAR THE BEAUTY OF THE LANDSCAPE SOLID AIR BEING INVISIBLE AND YET IT KEEPS ALL STRANGERS AWAY FROM THE HOUSE HE WAS NOT ANGRY THERE WAS A QUIZZICAL LOOK IN HIS EYES BUT HE TOOK THE COMBATANTS BY THEIR SHIRT COLLARS AND DRAGGED THEM APART THIS STOPS RIGHT HERE BOYS HE SAID YOU KNOW I DON'T ALLOW FIGHTING +46e8e28f-e105-43fd-b032-719cfe3cffef BY THIS TIME WE WERE ALL SITTING DOWN ON THE GNARLED ROOTS OF THE SPRUCES AND THE BIG GRAY CAT CAME OVER AND MADE FRIENDS WITH US HE WAS A LORDLY ANIMAL WITH A SILVER GREY COAT BEAUTIFULLY MARKED WITH DARKER STRIPES WITH SUCH COLOURING MOST CATS WOULD HAVE HAD WHITE OR SILVER FEET BUT HE HAD FOUR BLACK PAWS AND A BLACK NOSE SUCH POINTS GAVE HIM AN AIR OF DISTINCTION AND MARKED HIM OUT AS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE COMMON OR GARDEN VARIETY OF CATS HE SEEMED TO BE A CAT WITH A TOLERABLY GOOD OPINION OF HIMSELF AND HIS RESPONSE TO OUR ADVANCES WAS SLIGHTLY TINGED WITH CONDESCENSION IN THE END HE DECIDED TO SEND US TO UNCLE ALEC AND AUNT JANET DOWN ON THE HOMESTEAD AND OUR HOUSEKEEPER WHO BELONGED TO THE ISLAND AND WAS NOW RETURNING TO IT TOOK CHARGE OF US ON THE JOURNEY I FEAR SHE HAD AN ANXIOUS TRIP OF IT POOR WOMAN THERE WAS NOTHING AT ALL PRETENTIOUS ABOUT THE PLACE IT WAS A RAMBLING LAZY LOOKING HOUSE BUILT LARGELY OF NATIVE STONE STTCHING ITS LENGTH COMFORTABLY IN THE SHADE OF THE BIG MAPLES PARON FIX MAN OF ALL WORK CAME HURRYING OUT OF THE HOUSE TO GREET ME AS I LOCKED MY WHEELS ON THE DRIVE BEFORE THE DOOR I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE SIR HE EXCLAIMED BREATHLESSLY I WAS JUST ABOUT TO PHONE FOR THE POLICE I WAS FOR CERTAIN SIR SUCH GOINGS ON I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK ODD YOU WOULD KNOW THAT REPLIED THE SECOND MAN IT WAS THROUGH QUANT MECHANICS THAT WE LEARNED TO APPROXIMATE THE SPEED OF LIGHT WE'LL NINE YEARS PASS ON EARTH WHEN WE MAKE THE TRIP OUR TEA IS MERE MOMENTS GOOD LORD BRANDON SAID YOU MUST HAVE PASSED US UP BEEN ON THIS PLANET FOR NEARLY A YEAR THE FIRST MAN SAID GOD BENT ON DOZENS OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE MILKY WAY ONE SHIP WHEN A THOUSAND LIGHT YEARS OUT BY THE TIME THEY COME BACK CIVILIZATION ON EARTH WILL BE TWO THOUSAND YEARS OLDER +4714b297-9826-441e-8ed9-e4165b3a9ec1 THERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT ONES SAID THE STORY GIRL THE STORY OF THE POET WHO WAS KISSED AND THE TALE OF THE FAMILY GHOST WHICH ONE SHALL I TELL IT WAS ALL VERY DEPRESSING SO I STOPPED FOR A DRINK AND THEN WENT TO THE SPACEPORT BY THE TIME THE SHIP WAS SERVICED I HAD A COURSE CHARTED RUNNING THROUGH THE CROWD I FACED THE FIRST LIZARD IN HIS TUB HE SANK SLOWLY BENEATH THE SURFACE BEHIND DORN THERE CAME A DEEP RUMBLING ROAR THAT RECEDED AS THE SCOUT CRUISER CLIMBED ITS JETS ANGELINA ASKED HER EYES WERE OPEN NOW I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU I TOLD HER TRUTHFULLY THAT'S UP FOR THE COURTS TO DECIDE BUT BUT HE MADE ME DO ALL THOSE THINGS SHE WAILED SHE WAS YOUNG DARK AND BEAUTIFUL THE TEARS DID NOTHING TO SPOIL THIS +47690056-7757-4041-bbd2-1e475d8ab3bf OH PLEASE DON'T DO SUCH A THING SARA CECILY AND DAN AND FELIX WERE WALKING BEFORE US HAND IN HAND SINGING A HYMN BELOW US WAS THE CARLISLE VALLEY WITH ITS ORCHARD EMBOWERED HOMESTEADS AND FERTILE MEADOWS IT ISN'T MY FAULT THAT HE'S GOING TO CHURCH THEN HE HE WENT THROUGH THE WOODS IN STARLIGHT AND FELT SO HAPPY AND LIGHT OF HEART THAT HE SOMETIMES FRISKED AND CAPERED ABOUT JUST AS A REAL MOOSE WOULD DO THINK THAT IT IS A DREADFUL WAY TO TALK ABOUT PRAYING AND I TOLD HER SO I BELIEVE ILL RUN ALONG AND SEE IF I CAN FIND MISSUS PARR I HAVEN'T HAD A THING TO EAT SINCE NOON YESTERDAY +476adef6-da3e-46ce-bb22-9931519e9b9b VERY GOOD SAID THE GIANTESS LET US ALL BECOME FRIENDS AND HAPPY TOGETHER HOW IS MY TIN OWL FEELING QUITE COMFORTABLE SAID THE OWL I DON'T LIKE IT TO BE SURE BUT I'M NOT GOING TO ALLOW MY NEW FORM TO MAKE ME UNHAPPY BUT TELL ME PLEASE WHAT IS A TIN OWL GOOD FOR SORRY THAT'S THE WAY IT IS YOUR BRAINS BOYS WILL PICK MY SKULL TO PIECES AND FIND THE TRUTH OUT ANYWAY THERE'S NO POINT LYING NOW WE'LL SEARCH THE SHIP SHE CAN'T HIDE FOR LONG SHE WON'T HAVE TO PIPPY SAID THERE'S A FAR SCOUT WE PICKED UP STOWED IN ONE OF THE HOLES NEVER MIND TELL US THE STORY SAID THE PREACHER HIMSELF EAGERLY LEANING OVER THE PULPIT IT WAS MISTER SCOTT WHO DID IT SAID THE STORY GIRL HE WAS PREACHING SOMEWHERE IN NOVA SCOTIA AND WHEN HE WAS MORE THAN HALF WAY THROUGH HIS SERMON AND YOU KNOW SERMONS WERE VERY LONG IN THOSE DAYS A MAN WALKED IN WELL THE STORY GIRL WAS DESTINED TO STAND BEFORE KINGS HERSELF AND SHE WAS TO BE ONE WHOM THEY DELIGHTED TO HONOR BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THAT AS WE SAT IN THE OLD ORCHARD +47b18c4f-4f72-4eab-800d-7404d9993a0a IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVINCE HER THAT THE SA SATIN SMOOTH LUSTRE OF HER WEEK DAY TRESSES WAS MUCH MORE BECOMING TO HER HIS VOICE WAS THE SAME ROUGH RASP BUT IT SEEMED ALMOST MECHANICAL YOU HAVE CONFESSED TO ME HE SAID YOUR HERESY I COULDN'T SEE IT OF COURSE BUT I KNEW IT HAD ARRIVED WHEN THE GRAPPLES IN THE CLAWS LATCHED ON TO THE STEEL PLATES ON MY SHOULDERS WERE THEY EVER LIKE THIS BEFORE I ASKED CECILY AS WE TALKED THE MATTER OVER PRIVATELY IN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK IT TELLS YOU IN THE BIBLE IT'S TO COME JUST LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT BUT IT TELLS YOU ANOTHER THING IN THE BIBLE TOO SAID CICELY EAGERLY +47c73e86-34df-445a-8ce1-f55beb4565a0 RAY AND FARMER SHOOK WITH HIM IN TURN HIS HAND WAS DAMP AND WEBBED BUT FELT FAIRLY HUMAN FOR ALL THAT HE ASKED HIS VOICE WAS SNEERING RAY FROWNED AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT MASS APPEAL A DISTANT FLARE LIT UP THE SKY AHEAD OF HIM IT GLOWED FOR A FEW MOMENTS THEN DIED THEY FOUND THE SHIP HE THOUGHT DESPERATELY HE TURNED ON THE TELETOCKY ASTRO THIS IS BRANDON HE SAID BRANDON THIS IS ASTRO REINHARDT SAID AT MY LEFT WAS A SIZABLE PIECE OF APPARATUS THAT WAS STRANGE TO ME ON A SMALL ENAMELED TABLE BESIDE IT WAS A RATHER LARGE SHEET OF PAPER WEIGHTED DOWN WITH A CRACKED FLORENCE FLASK IN A SORT OF PANIC I SNATCHED UP THE PAPER CONSIDERING THESE STATEMENTS I WROTE THE COLLEGE PROFESSOR THAT MY BOOKS ARE INTENDED FOR ALL THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE YOUNG NO MATTER WHAT THEIR AGES MAY BE +4859bdfe-beac-4859-804b-6f4fa4507ea7 DELIVERY BOYS STREET CLEANERS CLERKS ALL HAVE TO HAVE CHARACTERISTIC UNIFORMS BEFORE HE FOUND IT THE ROBART CLOSED THE DOOR AND TURNED ON THE LIGHTS THIS TIME OF COURSE THE RISK WAS MORE THAN SLIGHT I COULD ONLY SEE YOU BY HAVING MYSELF ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT HE SAID IN THAT WAY YOU WILL BE FORCED TO LISTEN TO ME YOU MAY LISTEN NOW OR LATER AT A FULL HEARING OF THE INQUISITORS COURT THIS IS FAIRLY EASY TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A MACHINE MEMORY TO WORK WITH I'D SWEAR HE WAS SMILING IF THIRTY TEETH PEEKING OUT OF WHAT LOOKED LIKE A CRACK IN AN OLD SUIT CASE COULD BE CALLED SMILING AND MAKING HER EMPRESS OF THE WINKIES YOU'RE A VERY HONEST AND CLEVER MAN EXCLAIMED THE HIPPOGIRA +488fa843-4ccd-40b7-93b6-ef166884ada4 THE FLOOR WAS COVERED WITH A CARPET LIKE GREEN VELVET AS HE BROUGHT NEIL'S SLEIGH UP TO THE DOOR HE SAW A BLACK SPECK FAR OUT ON THE BAY AND LAUGHED THERE WAS VIC HIS RED HAIR TOUSLED AND HIS FACE GREY WITH WORRY I OBSERVED THEN FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE WATCH MY CLOTHING THE SHADOWS HAD BEEN STILL BEFORE NOW THEY MOVED AND DANCED AS THE NIGHT WIND TOSSED THE BOUGHS THE OLD HOUSE WITH ITS DREADFUL SECRET IF A BEACON HAS TO GO ON A PLANET WITH A CULTURE IT IS USUALLY BUILT IN SOME INACCESSIBLE PLACE +489fad15-be45-434d-a4c7-ed33915b5c05 THE PULPIT WAS A WINE GLASS ONE AND WAS REACHED BY A STEEP NARROW FLIGHT OF STEPS I'M PRAYING ABOUT IT SAID CICELY IN A LOW VOICE AND SUCH A BAD SIGN I KNOW A STORY ABOUT A MAN WHO ALWAYS HAD HIS OWN OPINION IF THEY'RE REAL THEY CAME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE OUR ZID ESCAPED ITS CAGE AND DESTROYED TWO OF US PETER DROPPED HIS VOICE I'M GOING TO CHURCH SAME AS YOU AND OH I WAS SO HAPPY +48b5c1a6-3233-4fb6-b99c-0efd519bbfc1 WE CAN GO SOON SAID TO NUBE WILL YOU JOIN ME INSIDE HERE ASKED HORN THERE'S A PASSENGER SEAT RIGHT BEHIND ME TO NUBES'S EYES MOVED CATLIKE RIGHT LEFT THE RADIO MAN REPEATED THE PHRASE A DOZEN TIMES AND EACH TIME BRANDON ACKNOWLEDGED SWORE AND ACKNOWLEDGED AGAIN WELL MAYBE THEY ARE IN REAL LIFE SAID CECILY BUT IN STORIES IT'S JUST AS EASY TO MAKE THEM AS HANDSOME AS NOT I LIKE THEM BEST THAT WAY I JUST LOVE TO READ A STORY WHERE THE HEROINE IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS A DREAM MY ONLY HOPE WAS TO LEARN THIS WEEK BUT I SUPPOSE FELICITY IS SO DISGUSTED WITH ME NOW THAT SHE WON'T GIVE ME ANY MORE LESSONS I DON'T CARE SAID FELIX I LIKE YOU BETTER THAN FELICITY EVEN IF YOU CAN'T COOK THERE'S LOTS OF FOLKS CAN MAKE BREAD BUT THERE ISN'T MANY WHO CAN TELL A STORY LIKE YOU +48c55832-1ed4-40e3-ab13-4724c35b46b8 HANDS REACHED OUT TO GRASP ME TO GRASP ALL THREE OF US INTO A LAND OF SHADOWS AND LOST SOULS IF WE AREN'T ALL BACK HERE BEFORE THAT TIME HE SHOT A SNOW WHITE MOOSE AND TOOK OFF ITS SKIN AND WRAPPED IT AROUND HIM THE SKY ABOVE IT WAS CHILL AND ERETHRAL AND MYSTICAL THE SCARECROW MERELY SMILED AND SAID NOTHING FOR THE THORN DIDN'T HURT HIM AT ALL HE HAD LEARNED A GREAT MANY POEMS FROM PROFESSOR WOGGLE BUG HE WOULD TELL US WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS TRUE DAN BUT HE COULDN'T KNOW AUNT JANET'S THROATY GURGLE AND AUNT OLIVIA'S TRILLING MIRTH FLOATED OUT THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW +48cabf50-14b6-4315-8141-49c5f0e536bc WELL FELIX WHAT IS IT ASKED MISTER MIREWOOD KINDLY PLEASE SIR DOES GOD REALLY LOOK LIKE THIS ASKED FELIX HOLDING OUT THE PICTURE WE HOPE HE DOESN'T BUT WE WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND THAT IS WHY I'M BOTHERING YOU PLEASE EXCUSE US AND TELL ME THE MINISTER LOOKED AT THE PICTURE A STERN EXPRESSION CAME INTO HIS GENTLE BLUE EYES AND HE GOT AS NEAR TO FROWNING AS IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO GET WHERE DID YOU GET THAT THING HE ASKED CECILY GAVE A SHRIEK AND RAN OUT OF THE WOOD WE THOUGHT SHE HAD FLED BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT ENDURE THE SIGHT OF BLOOD AND WE WERE NOT SORRY FOR HER MANIFEST DISAPPROVAL AND ANXIETY WERE DAMPING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE OCCASION FELIX AND PETER DREW APART AFTER THAT FIRST ONSET AND THEN CIRCLED ABOUT ONE ANOTHER WARILY JUST THEN AS THEY HAD COME TO GRIPS AGAIN UNCLE ALEC WALKED AROUND THE CORNER OF THE GRANARY WITH CECILY BEHIND HIM HE WAS NOT ANGRY I FOUND THIS ON THE FLOOR OF THE MACHINE HE SAID DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL LATER THE RAYS OF THE MACHINE CAUGHT IT AND BROUGHT IT BACK WITH US MADE IT SOLID MATTER AS WE KNOW IT HERE DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT I NODDED SHUDDERING THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF MISTAKE IN A SQUAT CLEAR BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL THAT VIC HAD TAKEN FROM THE DRAWER WAS A SINISTER CLAW LIKE BROWN HAND SEVERED CLEANLY AT THE WRIST HE'LL LIKELY DO SOMETHING AWFUL AND THEN YOU'LL FEEL ASHAMED AND WISH YOU'D NEVER ASKED HIM TO GO AND WE'LL ALL BE DISGRACED IT'S ALL RIGHT TO HAVE OUR NIGHT BOXES FOR THE HEATHEN AND SEND MISSIONARIES TO THEM BUT THEY'RE FAR AWAY AND WE DON'T HAVE TO ASSOCIATE WITH THEM BUT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO SIT IN A PEW WITH A HIRED BOY +49228557-a52a-4e45-b564-f7a42e7a3912 WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THE LEG ANYHOW YOU KNEW IT WAS A PRIVATE PROPERTY I SUPPOSE SAID SHE BUTTERING ANOTHER BISCUIT I KNOW A STORY ABOUT A MAN WHO ALWAYS HAD HIS OWN OPINION THE STORY GIRL GOT NO FURTHER WE NEVER HEARD THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO ALWAYS HAD HIS OWN OPINION FELIX CAME TEARING UP THE LANE WITH A NEWSPAPER IN HIS HAND WHEN A BOY AS FLAT AS FELIX RUNS AT FULL SPEED ON A BROILING AUGUST FORENOON HE HAS SOMETHING TO RUN FOR AS FELICITY REMARKED TELL THEM BOTH SAID FELIX GREEDILY BUT TELL THE GHOST ONE FIRST I DON'T KNOW THE STORY GIRL LOOKED DUBIOUS THAT SORT OF STORY OUGHT TO BE TOLD IN THE TWILIGHT AMONG THE SHADOWS THEN IT WOULD FRIGHTEN THE SOULS OUT OF YOUR BODIES SARA RAY WAS THE ONLY UNHAPPY ONE AMONG US SHE COULD DO NOTHING SHE HAD NO RELATIVES IN CARLISLE EXCEPT HER MOTHER AND HER MOTHER DID NOT APPROVE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY PROJECT ANNE WOULD NOT GIVE SARA A CENT OR PUT HER IN ANY WAY OF EARNING ONE TO SARA THIS WAS HUMILIATION INDESCRIBABLE +4996fc62-a687-4a45-be0d-14426a8b6e08 I SHALL ENJOY YOUR SOCIETY THE MORE ON THAT ACCOUNT FOR I MEAN TO KEEP YOU HERE AS LONG AS I LIVE TO AMUSE ME WHEN I GET LONELY AND SHE ADDED SLOWLY IN THIS VALLEY NO ONE EVER DIES YET WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH IT WHEN THEY HAVE IT BUILT THEY HAVE AN EXPANDING COUCHER NO ON EMPLOYMENT A SURFACE OF A METALS AND READY MARKETS FOR ALL THEY PRODUCE NO HEIREDITARY ENEMIES FEUDS OR THE LIKE IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS BATTLESHIP THING I WOULD CALL THEM AN IDEAL LEAGUE PLANET I HAVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM ON THE COVER IS PASTED A LADY'S VISITING CARD ON WHICH IS WRITTEN THE DREAM BOOK OF BEVERLY KING SOON THE HOUSE WAS DARK AND SILENT I WAS JUST DROPPING INTO AN UNEASY SLUMBER WHEN I HEARD A COMMOTION IN THE GIRLS ROOM ACROSS THE HALL SHE KNEW BETTER THAN TO MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO ASSERT AUTHORITY OVER THE STORY GIRL AND FELIX AND I WERE ALLOWED SOME LENGTH OF TETHER BUT CECILY DAN AND PETER WERE EXPECTED TO SUBMIT DUTIFULLY TO HER DECREES +499772dc-3396-42a7-9105-3df3dfe21a40 THIS LAST HAD A HORROR RING AND I REALIZED MY ENTHUSIASM HAD CARRIED ME OUT OF CHARACTER I BUTTONED MY COLLAR STRAIGHTENED MY RIBBONS AND SQUARED MY SHOULDERS BY THE TIME THEY KNOCKED ON THE DOOR I WAS ALL ADMIRAL AGAIN YOUR UNCLE ROGER WENT TO MARKDDVILLE RIGHT AFTER MILKING SAID PETER HE LOCKED UP THE HOUSE AND GAVE ME THE KEY THERE WASN'T A SOUL IN IT THAT I'M SURE OF I DROVE THE COWS TO PASTURE AND I GOT BACK ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO I SET DOWN ON THE FRONT DOOR STEPS FOR A MOMENT AND ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A BELL RING IN THE HOUSE EIGHT TIMES THERE WAS A RARE BREEZE FROM THE SOUTH BLOWING TO MEET US THE SHADOWS OF THE SPRUCES WERE LONG AND CLEAR CUT THE EXQUISITE SKIES OF EARLY MORNING BLUE AND WIND WINNOWED WERE OVER US AWAY TO THE WEST BEYOND THE BROOK FIELD WAS A LONG VALLEY AND A HILL PURPLE WITH FIRS AND LACED WITH STILL LEAFLESS BEECHES AND MAPLES WE HEARD HER RUMMAGING IN THE PANTRY AS WE SAT ON THE COOL SPRUCE SHADOWED CELLAR DOOR OUTSIDE WHERE UNCLE ROGER WAS SHOWING US HOW TO MAKE ELDERBERRY POP GUNS PRESENTLY SHE CAME OUT FROWNING +49d82561-1e51-4916-a3aa-131017a2680e THE STORY GIRL CREPT OUT WITH FELIX AND ME TO THE MORNING ORCHARD WHILE DAN AND PETER WENT TO DO THE BARN WORK GRANDFATHER KING WAS IN NO HURRY HE DID NOT SET HIS WHOLE ORCHARD OUT AT ONCE FOR HE WISHED IT TO GROW WITH HIS LIFE AND HISTORY AND BE BOUND UP WITH ALL OF GOOD AND JOY THAT SHOULD COME TO HIS HOUSEHOLD AND I'VE OFTEN THOUGHT WHAT A DREADFUL THING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER KING HAD NEVER GOT MARRIED TO EACH OTHER BUT NOBODY HAS TO EAT IT ALL AT ONCE RETORTED UNCLE ROGER WITH ANOTHER GROAN BUT WHEN FELICITY LAUGHED AT HIM THE IRON ENTERED INTO PETER'S SOUL IN THE SAFETY OF MY HOTEL SUITE I MADE A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND PERSONALITY SPACE YACHT FILLED WITH LUXURIES TO LAST A HUNDRED YEARS +49eaf8fa-df57-44fc-8799-fe2f163728f0 EVEN FELICITY AND DAN FOR ONCE IN THEIR LIVES GOT THROUGH THE DAY WITHOUT ANY EXCHANGE OF LEFT HANDED COMPLIMENTS CECILY CONFIDED TO ME THAT SHE NEVER MEANT TO PUT HER HAIR UP IN CURLORS ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS PRETENDING SHE WAS SO ANXIOUS TO REPENT OF SOMETHING SWEET GIRL AND THIS WAS ALL SHE COULD THINK OF GARF HAD LEFT HIM AND WAS STROLLING AROUND THE LAUNCH AS IF HE HAD JUST BOUGHT IT LOOKING DOWN HIS NOSE AT IT AT THE SAME TIME ACTING AS IF HE COULD AFFORD NOT TO GIVE A DAMN HOW BADLY HE HAD BEEN STUNG BUT THE STARTLING THING WAS THAT HE HAD PICKED UP THE BOATHOOK AND WAS TWIRLING IT UNCONCERNEDLY LUTE SAW THAT THE CREATURES HAD WIDE MOUTHS AND ROWS OF TERRIBLE TEETH AND FROM TALES HE HAD HEARD OF SUCH BEINGS HE KNEW THAT HE HAD FALLEN INTO A CAVERN INHABITED BY THE GREAT DRAGONS THAT HAD BEEN DRIVEN FROM THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH AND WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO COME OUT ONCE IN A HUNDRED YEARS TO SEARCH FOR FOOD I HAD ADDED A TRADITION ON MY OWN ACCOUNT TO THE FAMILY ARCHIVES UNCLE ROGER ROARED WHEN HE HEARD IT AND HE ROARED AGAIN AT NIGHT OVER PETER'S ACCOUNT OF FELIX ATTEMPTING TO MILK A COW FELIX HAD PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED THE KNACK OF EXTRICATING MILK FROM THE UTTER BUT HE HAD NEVER BEFORE TRIED TO MILK A WHOLE COW HE DID NOT GET ON WELL THE COW TRAMPED ON HIS FOOT AND FINALLY UPSET THE BUCKET WHAT ARE YOU TO DO WHEN A COW WON'T STAND STRAIGHT SPLUTTERED FELIX ANGRILY THAT'S THE QUESTION SAID UNCLE ROGER SHAKING HIS HEAD GRAVELY +49eb9fb4-58ba-470c-89f1-75727e8e65f1 NO WONDER THE CHILD IS SICK THERE THERE NOW SEEING THE ALARMED FACES AROUND HIM DON'T BE FRIGHTENED AS OLD MISSUS FRASER SAYS IT'S NO DEEDLY IT WON'T KILL HER BUT SHE'LL PROBABLY BE A PRETTY MISERABLE GIRL FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS THE YOUNG MINISTER TURNED PALE AS THE DEAD AND IMPLORED MISSUS CRAWFORD TO HIDE HIM BUT SHE COULDN'T GET HIM OUT OF THE ROOM AND ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO HIDE HIM IN THE CHINA CLOSET THE YOUNG MINISTER SLIPPED INTO THE CHINA CLOSET AND OLD MISTER SCOTT CAME INTO THE ROOM LIKELY A GLAYA SWALLOWED IT SAID FELIX SPARECTICALLY DID GLAUCON AND AGLEIA EVER GET MARRIED ASKED SARA RAY THE STORY DOESN'T SAY IT JUST STOPS THERE SAID THE STORY GIRL BUT OF COURSE THEY DID I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I THINK I CHECKED THE MONOTOR SCREEN TO MAKE SURE THEN STARTED INTO THE SPACESUIT IT HAD TO BE DONE FAST AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS NECESSARY TO TALK NATURALLY +4a559bde-8b29-475f-8deb-bfc984fe3d9b WHICH FATHER HAD ONCE OCCUPIED HE HAD TALKED SO MUCH TO US ABOUT IT AND SO MINUTELY THAT INSTINCTIVE FEAR IS EVEN MORE UNDERSTANDABLE HE EASED BACK ON THE POWER SETTING A PIN POINT OF LIGHT LOST IN THE DAZZLE OF THE MILKY WAY AND THEY DO NOT KNOW THAT IT IS FAIRYLAND UNTIL THEY HAVE GROWN SO OLD THAT THEY FORGET THE WAY NO KNIFE CAN CUT OUR LOVE IN TWO NOTHING COULD UPSET THAT BOY'S STOMACH EVERYBODY DOES SAID THE STORY GIRL COOLLY I'M GLAD YOU LIKE THE WAY I TALK +4a625139-1405-4e80-bd97-7d7c7afb1771 TALL AND STRAIGHT WAS HE AS A YOUNG PINE AND HIS LONG HAIR WAS THE COLOUR OF RIPE WHEAT IN THE SUN AND HIS BLUE EYES WERE LIKE THE NORTHLAND HEAVENS ON A STARRY NIGHT USE THE BACK DOOR RULE SON ALWAYS LEAVE YOURSELF AWAY OUT NOW LET'S CHECK THAT EQUIPMENT THE SURGEON'S PUT IN YOUR NET STETSON PUT A HAND TO HIS THROAT HIS MOUTH REMAINED CLOSED BUT THERE WAS A SURF HISSING VOICE IN ORNE'S EARS YOU READ ME AND WONDERINGLY MARSHALL DID I WANT THE LIST THAT WAS STOLEN DON'T GAPE GET IT WHAT LIST DON'T STALL DON'T STUTTER GIVE ME OUR TAX LIST THAT WAS STOLEN IT ISN'T WORDS THAT I WANT FROM YOU SPEAKING SOFTLY BUT CLEARLY HE WAS AT MY MERCY REALLY HE WANTED TO SLEEP SO MUCH AND HE WAS GOING TO BE WIDE AWAKE SO VERY SOON +4a8258c7-ce4b-44c2-9521-9f49f95f2c10 AFTER THAT NO MORAL FORCE ON EARTH COULD HAVE PREVENTED FELIX FROM FIGHTING HE WOULD HAVE FACED AN ARMY WITH BANNERS ABRAHAM KING SMILED AND BEING A MAN OF FEW WORDS SAID NOTHING BUT IN HIS MIND HE HAD A VISION OF THE YEARS TO BE AND IN THAT VISION HE SAW NOT RIPPLING ACRES OF HARVEST GOLD BUT GREAT LEAFY AVENUES OF WIDE SPREADING TREES LADEN WITH FRUIT TO GLADDEN THE EYES OF CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN YET UNBORN IT WAS A VISION TO DEVELOP SLOWLY INTO FULFILMENT THEN HE SAT UP FOUND THAT NO BONES WERE BROKEN AND GAZED AROUND HIM GET THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER IN HERE AT ONCE I SHOUTED AT THE INTERCOME ALSO A COUPLE OF CLERKS WITH TRANSCRIBERS AND FAST THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH +4a974bf5-286a-4d76-bf7f-db5d6e82bba9 THE HOME OF OUR FATHERS I DO LIKE A ROAD BECAUSE YOU CAN BE ALWAYS WONDERING WHAT IS AT THE END OF IT THE STORY GIRL SAID THAT ONCE UPON A TIME THE EQUIPMENT EVERY R IN OUR FIELD MAN USES TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF A REDISCOVERED PLANET IMPROVE THEMSELVES ALTHOUGH ON THIS PRESENT OPERATION HE RATED THE FLAG OF A DIVISION ADMIRAL HIS FATIGUES CARRIED NO INSIGNIA I HAVE TO BROWBEAT BRIBE BLACKMAIL AND BULL DOSE YOU THUGS INTO DOING A SIMPLE JOB IF YOU THINK YOU'RE FED UP JUST THINK HOW I FEEL BUT THE SHIPS MUST GO THROUGH THE BEACONS MUST OPERATE IT'S SUCH A GOOD BOOK TO READ ON SUNDAYS IT IS INTERESTING AND RELIGIOUS TOO SO IS THE BIBLE I HADN'T QUITE FINISHED THE BIBLE BEFORE I TOOK THE MEASLES BUT MA'S READING THE LAST CHAPTERS TO ME +4b156776-ffe0-4cfb-9b6f-e8e1a4352dfd I'VE OFTEN WONDERED MYSELF WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE SAID FELICITY IN A BURST OF CONFIDENCE EVEN IN FELICITY SO IT WOULD SEEM THERE WERE DEPTHS OF THOUGHT UNPLUMED TO THINK THAT JERRY COWAN SHOULD HAVE SEEN SUCH A PICTURE OFTEN WE WERE AS DEEPLY IMPRESSED AS FELIX HAD MEANT US TO BE OLD CHARLIE MACK'S ISLAND QUEEN HAD VEERED SHARPLY OFF COURSE LEFT THE DARKER GREEN STRIPE OF SAFE CHANNEL AND PLUNGED INTO WATER TOO SHALLOW FOR HER DRAUGHT THE BOAT HEELED ON SHOAL SAND LISTED AND HUNG AGROUND WITH WINDFILLED SAILS HOLDING HER FAST PETER SCOFFED AT THE IDEA PEG BOWEN WASN'T IN THE HOUSE BEFORE YOUR UNCLE ROGER LOCKED IT UP AND HOW COULD SHE GET IN AFTERWARDS HE SAID NO IT ISN'T PEG BOWEN IT'S SOMETHING THAT WALKS I KNOW A STORY ABOUT A GHOST SAID THE STORY GIRL THE RULING PASSION STRONG EVEN IN EXTREMITY +4b1e5d8b-e3f6-46e1-8963-a3a68596d8e8 GET OUT THERE FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON THEN GET BACK NOTHING ELSE AND THAT'S AN ORDER THIS PEPEE IS SMART AND AS TRICKY AS A FIX GAMBLING MACHINE THAT'S HIS STRENGTH AND HIS WEAKNESS AS WELL WHICH IS OF COURSE WHAT HAPPENED A LITTLE GEOLOGY TURN OVER A SWAMPY LAND BRIDGE FORMED IN THE RIGHT SPOT AND THE LIZARDS BEGAN TO WANDER UP THE BEACON VALLEY AND FOUND RELIGION SHE WAS ABOUT SEVENTEEN AND HER MIND WAS AS FRESH AND CLEAN AND PRETTY AS HER FACE AND FIGURE YONAS STARTED MUSING ON HEROES AGAIN BUT HE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO MAKE A MOVE TOWARDS HER SHE HAD A VERY NICE SMILE AND FOR MEMORIES IN THE OTHERS MINDS HE COULD HEAR THE VOICE LOW AND QUIET AND ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY THERE WAS AN ODD CLICKING SOUND AND HE STOPPED IT SOUNDED AGAIN BRANDON REALIZED HE WAS PERSPIRING DESPITE THE CHILL OF THE DESERT NIGHT +4b4f1d38-1acf-4cf3-a99e-74951ea77b9d AND FERNS GROW OUT BETWEEN THE STONES OF THE WELL AS FAR DOWN AS YOU CAN SEE THE WATER IS LOVELY UNCLE EDWARD PREACHED HIS FINEST SERMON ABOUT THE BETHLEHEM WELL WHERE DAVID'S SOLDIERS WENT TO GET HIM WATER AND HE ILLUSTRATED IT BY DESCRIBING HIS OLD WELL AT THE HOMESTEAD THIS VERY WELL AND HOW IN FOREIGN LANDS HE HAD LONGED FOR ITS SPARKLING WATER SO YOU SEE IT IS QUITE FAMOUS FELIX ALONE MOST UNJUSTLY AND SPITEFULLY DECLARED THAT PETER WAS SIMPLY SHIRKING HE'S JUST LAZY THAT'S WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HIM HE SAID WHY DON'T YOU TALK SENSE IF YOU MUST TALK SAID FELICITY THERE'S NO SENSE IN CALLING PETER LAZY YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAY I HAD BLACK HAIR OF COURSE PETER BEING A CRAIG HAS HIS FAULTS BUT HE'S A SMART BOY HIS FATHER WAS LAZY BUT HIS MOTHER HASN'T A LAZY BONE IN HER BODY AND PETER TAKES AFTER HER FOR TWO REASONS ON ONE DAY THROUGH SOME UNFAILING MIRACLE OF COLLAXIAN SEAMANSHIP OLD CHARLIE MACK SAILED DOWN IN HIS ANCIENT ISLAND QUEEN FROM THE TOWNSHIP THAT REPRESENTED COLONIAL TERRAN CIVILIZATION IN PERSONCINIAN ARCHIPELAGO ONE FORTY SEVEN BRINGING SUPPLIES AND GOSSIP TO LAST JEFF THROUGH THE FOLLOWING TEN DAY THE QUEEN WOULD TALK AT JEFF'S LITTLE PIER AT DAWN SHE WAS NEVER LATE THE BLOW HAD BEEN DIRECTED AT DOOR AND SHE SHOWED THAT SHE HAD ABSORBED MOST OF IT BY WILTING VISIBLY BUT FARMER FELT AS MUCH OF IT AS HE WANTED IT WAS AS IF A BLAST FURNACE HAD SUDDENLY OPENED BESIDE HIM HE WONDERED HOW UNCOMFORTABLE HE COULD GET A DEADLY SILENCE DESCENDED JOHN ANDREW WAS WISHING THAT HE COULD SWIM WHEN DORA SMILED AND HE BEGAN TO BE INTERESTED IN LIVING AGAIN IN SPITE OF HIMSELF +4be2700a-78b6-46fd-90a0-5310eb5d3c10 JUST IMAGINE THE FEELINGS OF THE YOUNG MINISTER IN THE CHINA CLOSET BUT HE CAME RIGHT OUT LIKE A MAN THOUGH HIS FACE WAS VERY RED AS SOON AS MISTER THE OTHER FELLOW I SAID WITH RELUCTANT HONESTY WELL SAID THE STORY GIRL I THINK IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU GET WHIPPED OR NOT SO LONG AS YOU FIGHT A GOOD SQUARE FIGHT DO YOU THINK FELICITY IS VERY PRETTY SHE'S THE PRETTIEST GIRL I EVER SAW I SAID ENTHUSIASTICALLY REMEMBERING THAT FELICITY HAD CALLED ME HANDSOME THE BOYS ALL THINK SO SAID THE STORY GIRL NOT I FANCIED QUITE WELL PLEASED RAY WAS NOT TOO FAR BEHIND AND HE SLAMMED HIS HELMET DOWN ANGRILY AS HE REACHED THE RAIL FARMER GALVANIZED BELATEDLY GAVE CHASE AS WELL +4bea1933-7dbd-4e1c-aa67-afa0ece3292b I SUPPOSE THEY MUST BE BAWLED EVEN IF IT IS THE JUDGMENT DAY TOMORROW WHAT MATTERED IT THAT ALL THE CUPS IN THE WORLD BE BROKEN TODAY IF THE CRACKADOON MUST SOUND TO MORROW UNCLE ROGER SAYS HE NEEDS A DOSE OF PHYSIC LOOK AT THAT LONG THIN LACY CLOUD UP THERE SHE SAID AND YOU CAN'T ATTEND THERE JUST NOW DID GOD LOOK LIKE THAT AND THERE'S A PICTURE OF EDEN THROWN IN TWO YOU KNOW I MUST STOP FOR MAR SAYS I WASTE FAR TOO MUCH TIME WRITING LETTERS NOW FOR A BREAK GUN LOADED AND A BODY WHAT'S THAT E PAY SPOKE UP IN SHARP PROTEST +4bfe7080-4afe-4076-98aa-334319d37bab BUT WHERE THE STORY GIRL LED WE WOULD FOLLOW TO THE DEATH THE NEXT DAY BEING SATURDAY WE STARTED OUT IN THE AFTERNOON WE TOOK A SHORT CUT TO GOLDEN MILE OVER A LONG GREEN DEWY LAND FULL OF PLACID MEADOWS WHERE SUNSHINE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP AT FIRST ALL WAS NOT HARMONIOUS FELICITY WAS IN AN ILL HUMOR SHE HAD WANTED TO WEAR HER SECOND BEST DRESS BUT AUNT JANET HAD DECREED THAT HER SCHOOL CLOTHES WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO GO TRAIPSING ABOUT IN THE DUST THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO BE SURE THAT THOUGHT PLEASED HIM GREATLY AFTER ALL HE TOLD HIMSELF THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE DANGER DESPISED THE BORING BUSINESS OF LIVING BY THE TIME HE REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL HE WAS WHISTLING LOUDLY HE STOPPED AT THE FIRST HOUSE A MUD CONSTRUCTION WITH A BADLY CARPENTERED WOODEN DOOR AND A SINGLE BARE WINDOW THAT LOOKED OUT ON THE STREET IT SMELLED BUT JONAS WENT UP TO THE DOOR BRAVELY AND KNOCKED THERE WAS NO ANSWER HE WENT ON WHISTLING FOR A TWO NOTE PLINGO VOLNERA UNDER HIS BREATH AND AFTER A TIME HE KNOCKED AGAIN A LONG PAUSE WHILE THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF TONUBES'S EYES EXPANDED AND CONTRACTED IT IS PERMITTED STETSON'S VOICE CAME THROUGH THE HIDDEN SPEAKER ALL BET'S OFF WE'RE COMING IN AFTER YOU THAT MARK TWENTY IS OF FINAL STRAW IT MEANS THEY HAVE THE DELPHINAS FOR SURE ORAN TOUCHED HIS THROAT NO GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE TIME WHY I HAVE A HUNCH ABOUT THESE CREATURES WHAT IS IT NO TIME NOW TRUST ME AFTER HE HAD BEEN IN HER SERVICE FOR SOME TIME OZMA SENT HIM INTO THE GILICAN COUNTRY WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO KEEP AMONG THE WILD PEOPLE WHO INHABIT SOME PARTS OF THAT UNKNOWN COUNTRY OF OZ AS FOR WOUT BEING A WANDERER BY PROFESSION HE WAS ALLOWED TO WANDER WHEREVER HE DESIRED AND OZMA PROMISED TO KEEP WATCH OVER HIS FUTURE JOURNEYS AND TO PROTECT THE BOY AS WELL AS SHE WAS ABLE IN CASE HE EVER GOT INTO MORE TROUBLE +4c2bce3f-603d-4a76-9e28-1173ac1a5782 JONAS HAD HE THOUGHT REGRETFULLY FEW DUELS TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND HE HAD HAD EVEN FEWER TO LOOK BACK ON AND AS A MAID IS WON BY FAITH FIGURE AND DARING AND A WIFE BY RICHES POSITION OR PROSPECTS THERE WAS A NOTABLY PAUCITY OF LICEN LADIES IN JONAS'S CAREER SPEED AND MEASUREMENTS ARE A MATTER OF RELATIONSHIP NOT CONSTANT FACTS LIKE THE FIXED UNIVERSE THE FIRST SHIPS TO ENTERTER HYPERSPACE HAD NO PLACE TO GO AND NO WAY EVEN TO TELL IF THEY HAD MOVED THE BEACONS SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND OPENED THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WELL WHAT DOES SHE SAY ASKED CICELY TREMULOUSLY SHE SAID RUN AWAY AND DON'T BOTHER ME I HADN'T ANY TIME FOR YOUR NONSENSE RESPONDED FELICITY IN AN INJURED TONE AND I SAID BUT MA THE PAPER SAYS TO MORROW IS THE JUDGMENT DAY AND MARJOR SAID JUDGMENT FIDDLESTICKS HIS GAZE WANDERED OVER US WITH UNCOMPLIMENTARY INDIFFERENCE UNTIL IT FELL ON THE STORY GIRL LEANING BACK IN AN ARMCHAIR SHE LOOKED LIKE A SLENDER RED LILY IN THE UNSTUDIED GRACE OF HER ATTITUDE +4c6a7ff9-414e-4d3e-87e1-2ca8ea5d7541 EVERYBODY BLAMED POOR DAN CECILY ASKED HIM WHAT HE WOULD FEEL LIKE IF JIMMY WERE NEVER EVER FOUND LITTLE RAY WAS ON HIS FEET TRYING TO GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS BUT NOT SUCCEEDING AT ALL A WAVE OF PURE HEAT SWEPT OVER THE BOAT BLISTERING WHAT PAINT IT STILL BOASTED THERE IS NO NEED TO BE SMUG HE TOLD YANAS AFTER ALL YOU DID NOT DO THE JOB YOURSELF UNIMPORTANT YONAS THOUGHT THE MAN IS CONVINCED HE CAN BE TRAINED FURTHER AND JOIN THE BROTHERHOOD IT WILL TAKE TIME CLARTON SAID A FEW YEARS PERHAPS SHALL WE CONTINUE ON TO YOUR CITY ASKED HORN HE WET HIS LIPS WITH HIS TONGUE THE CAB LIGHT ON TONUB'S FACE WAS GIVING THE GIANT AN EERY SINISTER LOOK +4c6cd6b2-ee80-439d-bfee-6285dedad882 I PROMISE YOU YONA SAID EARNESTLY THAT YOU WILL BE IN NO DANGER FOR ME AND THE BROTHERHOOD HAS GAINED A NEW MEMBER CLTON SAID A SHALL WE CONTINUE ON TO YOUR CITY ASKED HORN HE WET HIS LIPS WITH HIS TONGUE THAT'S IMPORTANT IF YOU'RE MASQUERADING I SAW THAT CITY THEY BUILT STEAD BUT THE STARTLING THING WAS THAT HE HAD PICKED UP THE BOATHOOK AND WAS TWIRLING IT UNCONCERNEDLY FINALLY HE POINTED TO THE NONIPUS AND SAID WHAT ABOUT THAT MONSTER I DREW UP MY SCALY FIGURE IN A NOBLE GESTURE AND POINTED TOWARD THE CEILING I DIVED THE EYE LOWER +4c7be167-545b-4859-8eb8-e36ff891958a IT WOULDN'T DO ANY HARM TO TRY SAID CECILY IF SHE DIDN'T MAKE HIM SICK IT WON'T MATTER IF SHE'S CROSS JUST AT THE MOMENT OF COURSE YOU'RE AT A CROSSROAD YOU CAN JUMP IN EITHER DIRECTION BLOWING YOURSELF UP OR TAKING THE BIG STEP INTO SPACE I THINK YOU'LL TURN OUT O K BUT NOT EVERYBODY AGREES AND THE FEDERATION CAN'T TAKE EVEN SMALL CHANCES HOPE SPRANG UP IN OUR HEARTS ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT WHOLLY CONVINCED I DON'T KNOW SAID DAN DUBIOUSLY IT SAYS UNDER THE PICTURE GOD IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN IT'S PRINTED WE HAD A VAGUE FEELING THAT WE SOMEHOW BELONGED THERE IN THAT CRADLE OF OUR FAMILY THOUGH WE HAD NEVER SEEN IT +4c8ce105-7ffa-44fe-b0d8-f8d0faaf1666 JOHN ANDREW BLUSHED FURIOUSLY AGAIN AND COVERED HIS EARS WITH HIS HANDS TO HIS SURPRISE GARF DID NOTHING TO STOP HIM BUT YOU WOULD BE BORED JENOFER REMINDED HIM I'VE GOTTEN MAD HE SAID ALOUD HER PEOPLE WITHOUT NEED OF THE CALM CRYSTALS THEY TRADED IT MIGHT INDEED THIS WAS A NEW HORROR WHICH HAD NOT OCCURRED TO US WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FEELING VERY COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY BUT AS A MATTER OF FACT WE WERE NOT PARTICULARLY SO OFF TO THE WEST WAS A DAFFODIL GLOW HANGING OVER THE VALLEY OF LOST SUNSETS AND GRANDFATHER KING'S HUGE WILLOW ROSE UP AGAINST IT LIKE A ROUNDED MOUNTAIN OF FOLIAGE +4ca9328c-fee2-4c38-8a70-9f4ca2de4bd0 TIME ALWAYS SEEMS LONG WHEN YOU'RE WAITING SAID THE STORY GIRL BUT IT DOES SEEM AS IF WE'D BEEN HERE MORE THAN AN HOUR HE BROKE OFF APPARENTLY HE INTERPRETED THE LOOKS OF CONSTERNATION ON THE FACES OF HIS AUDIENCE CORRECTLY FOR HIS SMILE BECAME MORE FRIENDLY AND HE CONTINUED IN A CASUAL TONE YOU ARE A WEAK FOOL LIKE THE OTHERS GRITTED TO NEWBE IT'S TOO BAD IF YOU FORMED YOUR OPINION OF US BY OBSERVING ONLY THE LOW GRADES OF THE URN ARE SAID ORAN EASY BOY HISS STUTSON DON'T PICK A FIGHT WITH HIM NOW REMEMBER THIS RACE IS ARBOREAL HE'S PROBABLY STRONG AS AN APE WELL I'M GOING TO DO A LITTLE EXPLORING I'M GOING TO TAKE A WHIRL AT WHAT I'LL CALL THE INFROMEDIAN EXISTENCE WHAT I'LL FIND THERE I DON'T KNOW LIFE OF SOME KIND HOWEVER FOR MY EXPERIMENTS PROVE THAT POSSIBLY NOT FRIENDLY +4cc5fcaa-168f-41c8-ba96-e0d702136f9d ON REACHING THE TOP OF THE HILL THE PLAINS SPREAD OUT BEFORE THEM IN ALL ITS BEAUTY OF BLUE GRASSES AND WILD FLOWERS AND MOUNT LUNCH SEEMED MUCH NEARER THAN IT HAD THE PREVIOUS EVENING SARA RAY CRIED UNTIL I WONDERED HOW ONE SMALL HEAD COULD CONTAIN ALL THE TEARS SHE SHED BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE SHE WAS HALF AS MUCH FRIGHTENED AS DISAPPOINTED THAT SHE HAD NO WHITE DRESS HERRICHNUFF WE DO NOT MENTION THAT NAME SHARP SAID MY WIFE HAS RESIGNED HERSELF TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED I AM NOT SO WISE I PROMISE YOU YONA SAID EARNESTLY THAT YOU WILL BE IN NO DANGER FOR ME NO MORE THAT I WILL HELP YOU OUT OF YOUR DIFFICULTIES AND ENSURE YOUR PEACE GRAY MUD FLOOR AND GLOOMY AISLES BETWEEN MONSTROUS BLUISH TREE TRUNKS THAT WAS THE JUNGLE ONLY THE BAREST WEAK GLIMMERING OF SUNLIGHT PENETRATED TO THE MUD THE DISGUISE SLED ITS PARAGRAPH UNITS TURNED OFF LURCHED AND SKIDDED AROUND BUTTRESS ROOTS +4d2eb589-fb17-4b91-9c6e-8ae96c4f91f1 DONALD GOT UP PUT ON HIS OVERCOAT AND CAP AND WENT TO THE DOOR HE WAS A TALL SLENDER MAN WHO DID NOT LOOK HIS FORTY YEARS WHY THIS BEACON WAS BUILT WITHIN REACH OF THE LOCAL CLAUSE ONLY ONE MAN TO A SHIP BECAUSE THAT IS ALL IT TAKES TO OPERATE THE OVERLY EFFICIENT REPAIR MACHINERY THAT IS WHERE I AND THE OTHER TROUBLE SHOOTERS COME IN SO I REMOVED THE TIME INTELLECT ON THE C M AND LET IT PICK AROUND THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF SPACE TO SEE IF IT COULD FIND A COMPARISON AND WHAT SEEMED TO FARMER AT LEAST TO BE FOOLISHLY OPTIMISTIC SCIENTIFIC DETACHMENT +4d8be8b8-c4f6-4aed-a150-76686ec24586 PEG BOWEN HAD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT WELL WE HAD ALL BEEN BADLY HOAXED BUT WE DID NOT TRUMPET OUR WRONGS ABROAD WE DID NOT EVEN CALL BILLY TO ACCOUNT WE THOUGHT THAT LEE SAID WAS SOONEST MENDED IN SUCH A MATTER THERE IS NOTHING TO DESTROY IN THE JUNGLE SAID TO NUB WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A BIG CITY ASKED THORN SILENCE I SAID WHY DO YOU YOU ARE IGNORANT OF OUR WAYS SAID TO NUB THEREFORE I FORGIVE YOU THE CITY IS FOR OUR RACE IT WAS TOO GOOD A CHANCE TO LOSE FOR FATHER WAS A POOR MAN AND IT MEANT PROMOTION AND INCREASE OF SALARY BUT IT ALSO MEANT THE TEMPORARY BREAKING UP OF OUR HOME CHARACTERS LIKE THAT NEVER THINK IT IS POSSIBLE FOR SOME ONE ELSE TO OUTTHINK THEM WHICH IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO MODEST IDEA STANG SAID I TRY NOT TO BE I TOLD HIM +4d9d5302-271d-4332-bda3-8f61613a5d69 DEMANDED AUNT JANET IN BEWILDERMENT OH TO HAVE SOMETHING WORTH WHILE TO WRITE IN HER DREAM BOOK MA ONE USUALLY SURFACES OUTSIDE MY HARBOUR AT ABOUT THE TIME OLD CHARLEY MACK'S SUPPLY BOAT COMES IN THINKING OF CHARLEY MACK BROUGHT A FORCED END TO HIS REPORT CHARLEY'S DUE NOW I'LL CALL BACK LATER WHY IT WAS BEHIND SCHEDULE FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT OUT OF THE CORNERS OF HIS EYES HORN SAW MORE SHADOWS DROPPING TO THE MUD AROUND HIM THE SLEDGE SHIFTED AS SOMEONE CLIMBED ONTO THE LOAD BEHIND THE CAB THE SOMEONE SCUTTLED AGILELY FOR A MOMENT OH DON'T SARA DON'T I SAID GENTLY PATTING HER CONVULSED SHOULDER YOU ARE A QUEER GIRL SAID FELICITY MORE TOLERANTLY THAN USUAL HOWEVER HE NEVER CRIED A SPECK WHEN YOU THOUGHT PETER WAS GOING TO DIE AND NOW WHEN HE IS GOING TO GET BETTER YOU CRY LIKE THAT +4da57332-84fe-44aa-bd2e-ff13b28048f6 CECILY'S SICK SAID DAN SPRINGING OUT OF BED THAT CUCUMBER MUST HAVE DISAGREED WITH HER IN A FEW MINUTES THE WHOLE HOUSE WAS ASTIR CECILY WAS SICK VERY VERY SICK THERE WAS NO DOUBT OF IT SHE WAS EVEN WORSE THAN DAN HAD BEEN WHEN HE HAD EATEN THE BAD BERRIES IN THE DIM CANDLELIGHT SHE LOOKED UNBELIEVABLY PRETTY AND APPEALING I PUT MY ARM ABOUT HER AND GAVE HER A COUSINLY SALUTE NEVER YOU MIND HIM FELICITY I SAID HE'S ONLY A GROWN UP THEY WERE ALL SILENT FOR THEY KNEW HE SPOKE THE TRUTH DOROTHY WAS ALMOST READY TO CRY WITH PITY AND OZMA'S SWEET FACE WAS SAD AND DISTURBED I PUT THE HAT IN ONE THE BRIEF CASE IN ANOTHER AND SNAPPED MY FINGERS THE DRAWERS SLID SHUT AND ITS METAL HIDE WAS AS SMOOTH AS EVER THE DRAWERS SLID SHUT AND ITS METAL HIDE WAS AS SMOOTH AS EVER I PULLED ON A FANCY SPORTS CAP BUCKLED THE CAP UP TIGHT AND WAS READY TO GO +4ddf0d20-6177-439f-b1d1-83c1e8f2961c SHE LAUGHED AGAIN OH THE ROEBOT IT'LL FOLLOW ME IT'S DESIGNED TO OH DAMN THE DAM WAS FOR SOMETHING SHE SAW IN THE WATER AS SHE LOOKED BACK OVER THE RAIL AGAIN AS FOR PUNCTUATION HE NEVER ATTEMPTS IT BEYOND AN OCCASION PERIOD JOTTED DOWN WHENEVER HE HAPPENS TO THINK OF IT WHETHER IN THE RIGHT PLACE OR NOT THE STORY GIRL GOES OVER HIS DREAMS AFTER HE HAS WRITTEN THEM OUT AND PUTS IN THE COMMAS AND SEMI COLENS AND STRAIGHTENS OUT THE SENTENCES NOBODY TOOK ANY NOTICE OF HER IT WAS FELICITY'S DAY AFTER TEA MISSUS FRUIN AND HER SISTER WISHED TO VISIT THEIR FATHER'S GRAVE IN THE CARLISLE CHURCHYARD THIS IS YOUR HOUSE HE SAID THE HOUSE WHERE YOU LIVE NEVER SAW YOU BEFORE THE OLD WOMAN SAID THAT'S RIGHT JONAS SAID EQUABLY YOU COME TO TURN ME OUT SHE DEMANDED HER EYEBROWS WHICH WERE ALMOST AS BIG AND BLACK AS HER ANCIENT MOUSTACHE CAME DOWN OVER GLITTERING LITTLE EYES +4df8169e-6eb3-4b6b-b7f4-2d3c40e34198 SHE WAS ONE OF THEM WOMEN WHO WERE ALWAYS SAYING I TOLD YOU SO WHERE IS DONALD FRASER SAID NEIL SHAKING HIS FIST IT'S HIM I'M SEEKING AND IT'S HIM I WILL BE FINDING WHERE IS HE BETTY SHERMAN YOU WILL HEAD FOR IT AS SOON AS WE DROP YOU ORNE FOUGHT DOWN A SUDDEN PANIC NEXT WE WANT TO KNOW CLOSING THEIR PERCEPTION AGAINST THE ZID'S DISTRACTING RAGINGS THEY SET TO WORK WITH PERFECT CO ORDINATION BEFORE BRANDON COULD ANSWER THE FACE OF COLONEL TOWERS APPEARED BESIDE THE RADIO MAN'S AS HE TALKED A PICTURE FLICKERED ON THE SCREEN +4e26c21f-09d3-4056-bbf3-68f90fa778df WHEN YOU COME DOWN YOU'LL START A NEW CYCLE AND IT MIGHT BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW AT JUST WHAT MINUTE WE CAN GET BACK TO OUR OWN PLANE I GLARED AT HIM AND PARIN CLOSED THE DOOR THE APPARATUS VIC HAD MENTIONED WAS MY FIRST THOUGHT BRANDON TOOK A DEEP BREATH HIS HEAD SPUN AND FOR THE FIRST TIME HE REALIZED THAT HE WAS STILL ALIVE HE GAZED ACROSS THE SHIMMERING DESERT TO A RIDGE OF SCRUBBY HILLS BLUE MOUNTAINS ROSE UP BEHIND THEM FORCING A BIT OF CONTROL I ORDERED MY THOUGHTS CHECKING OFF A MENTAL LIST BELAY THAT LAST COMMAND I SHOUTED GETTING BACK IN MY OLD SPACE DOG MOOD SO SHE CAUGHT YOU TOO MISTER WEISCOP POOR LITTLE ANGELINA WITH THE SOFT EYES HE BROKE DOWN AGAIN SHAKING WITH LAUGHTER THE CANARY SWIFTLY DARTED TO A PLACE BESIDE THE OWL AND THE GREEN MONKEY SPRANG UP CAUGHT A LIMB AND SOON SCRAMBLED TO A HIGH PERCH OF SAFETY +4e337cb6-70f0-4f2f-b1e6-d98bf5ed7c0a PETER WENT OFF RATHER SULLENLY AND FELIX ALSO SULLENLY SAT DOWN AND BEGAN TO NURSE HIS NOSE HE TURNED HIS BACK ON CECILY HER CHEEKS WERE STILL FLUSHED WITH THE EXCITEMENT OF THE EVENING SIGHED POOR CECILY LUMINOUS NEEDLES DANCED AND A SECOND RED LIGHT FLASHED ON THERE WASN'T MUCH OF A GLOW TO IT NOW A MOMENT LATER BUNDLES OF METAL RIBBONS FLOATED OUT AND BILLOWED INTO A GIANT UMBRELLA DRY EYED WITH SUCH COURAGE AS THEY MIGHT THEY FACED WHATEVER MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR THEM PECKS OF THEM MUST HAVE BEEN DEVOURED IN CARLISLE THAT SUMMER WHEN THE BLOSSOMS COME OUT IT'S WONDERFUL TO WALK HERE SAID THE STORY GIRL NOBODY WHO DIED IN HIS SLEEP COULD EVER TELL IT +4e33c1a7-1f72-40d8-add5-e7e0300b3848 THAT NIGHT WHEN HE POINTED OUT THE STARS TO US FROM THE PULPIT STONE WAS THE LAST TIME FOR SEVERAL WEEKS THAT PETER SHARED OUR TOIL AND PASTIME THE NEXT DAY HE COMPLAINED OF HEADACHE AND SORE THROAT AND SEEMED TO PREFER LYING ON AUNT OLIVIA'S KITCHEN SOFA TO DOING ANY WORK YES SIR ADMIRAL STETSON SIR RIGHT AWAY SIR BUT I THOUGHT I WAS THROUGH WITH THE OLD REDISCOVERING RE EDUCATION WHEN YOU DRAFTED ME OFF THE HAMMEL INTO THE I A SIR HE BEGAN CHANGING FROM THE I A BLUE TO THE YAR IN OUR WHITE ALMOST AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT HE SAID SIR NOW WHAT I WHISPERED TO VIC I DON'T KNOW THAT CHAP WITH THE BIG STONE AT HIS THROAT SEEMS TO BE THE HEADMAN OF THE CITY I THINK HIS NAME IS E PAY THE OTHERS SEEM TO CALL HIM THAT MAYBE IT'S JUST THE TITLE BUT WHAT THEY'RE UP TO NOW I CAN'T EVEN GUESS KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR A CHANCE TO GET AWAY THOUGH SHE WORE I REMEMBER A DRESS OF WARM CRIMSON AND SHE HAD WOUND AROUND HER A STRING OF WAXBERRIES THAT LOOKED LIKE A FILLET OF PEARLS HER CHEEKS WERE STILL FLUSHED WITH THE EXCITEMENT OF THE EVENING IN THE DIM LIGHT SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL WITH A WILD MYSTIC LOVELINESS A COMPELLING CHARM THAT WOULD NOT BE DENIED +4e86fc2e-aa95-4d8d-b982-9f12878d5efa THE PRIESTS STOPPED BEFORE US AND THEIR LEADER BEGAN A LONG HARANGUE IN A SCREECHY VOICE THIS WORLD DOES NOT EXIST SHIELDING HOPE FROM THE SAVAGE JOSTLING AND KNOWING HUMAN NATURE THE WAY I DO THAT WAS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE TO EXPECT WITH EACH PASSING MINUTE THE SPHERE OF PROBABLE LOCATIONS GREW LARGER BY THE POWER OF THE SQUARED CUBE BUT SOON AND LATER IT STILL HAD TO HAPPEN AS ANY WIZARD MIGHT DO WHO HAD THE HELP OF HIS LORD THE DEVIL KUTUFF MUTTERED THAT HE WAS QUITE DISGUSTED WITH THE RESULTING TAME PAGES OF HIS DREAM BOOK WE HAD EXPECTED THAT THE STORY GIRL WOULD ECLIPSE US ALL IN THE MATTER OF DREAMS +4e9fddbe-0c08-4b99-a9ba-50dec1e5e8b1 YOU HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF A WREN NEIL CAMPBELL AND THIS DRESS WAS OF PALE BLUE SILK AND MINDFUL OF THE NEED OF MAKING AN IMPRESSION I DREW A HARROWING PICTURE OF THE MISERABLE PLIGHT OF THE HEATHEN WHO IN THEIR DARKEST DARKNESS BOWED DOWN TO WOOD AND STONE THEY DO AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR IT WE DID NOT ASK AGAIN TO BE RELEASED FROM WORK PETER WAS NO BETTER THE NEXT DAY RAY FROWNED AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT MASS APPEAL I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT OUR CIVILIZATION AND OUR SCIENCE AND THE MACHINE CRADLED UNDER HER ARM BUT ONLY ONCE THE STURDY LITTLE M THREE ROWBOT RUMBLED AFTER ME WITH MY BAGS +4eaa5ca0-3f52-43b8-9e58-8ace4fd90224 NO IT ISN'T AGREED THE STORY GIRL WITH A REGRETFUL SIGH IT'S VERY EXPRESSIVE BUT IT ISN'T NICE THAT IS THE WAY WITH SO MANY WORDS THEY'RE EXPRESSIVE BUT THEY'RE NOT NICE AND SO A GIRL CAN'T USE EM THE STORY GIRL SIGHED AGAIN SHE LOVED EXPRESSIVE WORDS AND TREASURED THEM AS SOME GIRLS MIGHT HAVE TREASURED JEWELS I HAVE READ THE SITUATION IN YOUR MIND AND YOUR NEXT MOVE WILL HAVE TO BE RATHER MORE SPECTACULAR THAN USUAL SO LONG AS IT WORKS YUNUS SAID I WILL BE SATISFIED IT WILL WORK CLARETON SAID AT LEAST I THINK IT WILL BEGONE O FAITHFUL STEED I SAID TO THE EYE AND PRESSED THE CONTROL IN MY PALM AT THE SAME TIME IT TOOK OFF STRAIGHT UP A BIT FASTER THAN I WANTED LITTLE PIECES OF WIND TORN PLASTIC RAINED DOWN THE SURFACING OF STETSON'S VOICE CAME THROUGH THE HIDDEN SPEAKER WANT US TO COME BACK NEGATIVE STAND BY HE LOOKS CAUTIOUS RATHER THAN HOSTILE +4ed1edfb-7d2f-409b-8900-f1982bc89865 INSKIT MUST HAVE BEEN HOVERING AROUND WAITING FOR MY MESSAGE THE MIKE WAS TURNED OFF TO THE TRANSCRIBERS OUTSIDE AND I TOOK THE CODE GROUPS DOWN IN SHORTHAND MYSELF WHAT DID I SAY TO MAKE HIM MAD ASKED FELICITY IN HONEST PERPLEXITY OH THE STORY GIRL'S VOICE EXPRESSED HER SCORN EVERYBODY TALKED AND LAUGHED AT ONCE AND IT WAS NOT UNTIL WE WERE ALL SEATED ABOUT THE SUPPER TABLE THAT CONVERSATION GREW COHERENT WELL LET'S HEAR ABOUT IT SAID FELIX ALTHOUGH I THINK KISSING'S AWFUL SILLY ONE IS SO APT TO WAKE UP JUST AS THINGS GET INTERESTING REMARKED THE STORY GIRL DISCONTENTEDLY +4efa8234-277c-4f4b-95d2-b71173e61067 IN ADDITION TO THE PYRAMID BEING AROUND THE BEACON THERE WAS A NICE LITTLE RELIGIOUS WAR GOING ON AROUND THE PYRAMID IT ALL BEGAN WITH THE LAND BRIDGE APPARENTLY THE LOCAL LIZARDS HAD BEEN LIVING IN THE SWAMPS WHEN THE BEACON WAS BUILT BUT THE BUILDERS DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THEM THERE WAS NO SENSE TO THE NOTE THERE WAS NO SENSE TO ANYTHING THAT VIC BUTLER DID FOR THAT MATTER WHERE HE HID AWAY HIS VAST SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IN THAT RATTLE BRAINED RED HAIRED HEAD OF HIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MYSTERY TO ME BRANDON'S VOICE SOUNDED STRANGE AND DISTANT AS HE TALKED TO HIS OXYGEN MASK HEADING ONE EIGHT ZERO APPROXIMATELY SIX HUNDRED MILES FROM YOU ALTITUDE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FEET WHAT IS THE NATURE OF YOUR TROUBLE BRANDON QUESTION SHE SAID YOU COME FROM HERAK NUFF I'M AN OLD WOMAN BUT I DO NO WRONG AND THERE IS NO ONE CAN ACCUSE ME OF HERESY I AM IN CHURCH EVERY WEEK AND MORE THAN ONCE I KEEP PEACE WITH MY NEIGHBORS AND THERE'S NONE CAN SAY A MYSTERY ABOUT ME THE WOMAN JONAS THOUGHT WAS FULL TO THE EYEBROWS WITH WORDS +4f024f42-ac32-4341-9da0-7cc2840751ec THE STORY GIRL CARRIED OUT HER SELF IMPOSED PENANCE FULLY HER PRETTY FEET WERE HIDDEN IN THE TAN COLORED BUTTONED PARIS BOOTS WHICH WERE THE SECRET ENVY OF EVERY SCHOOLGIRL IN CARLISLE THE GIRL HE THOUGHT WAS SOMEHOW RADIANT REALLY LOVELY I CAME UP THOSE GAR SAID A GREAT BEGINNING FOR A JOB AND ONE CLEARLY DESIGNED TO DRIVE A STRONGER MAN THAN ME TO THE BOTTLE BUT I HAD NO BURNING DESIRE TO EAT SOUR APPLES WITHOUT GRIMACING EXCLAIMED PETER INDIGNANTLY I +4f1968f5-78dd-493c-b5fd-564aa3e817ee WHEN FELIX READ IT ON OUR FIRST SUNDAY IN CARLISLE HE REMARKED DUBIOUSLY THAT IT LOOKED LIKE POETRY BUT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE IT VERY MUCH AWARE OF GRAVITY AFTER YEARS OF WEIGHTLESSNESS HE WALKED TO THE CANOPY OF THE CHUTE AND SPREAD IT OUT ON THE FLAT GROUND IN A FULL CIRCLE IT BILLOWED IN THE WIND HE SEARCHED AROUND FOUND SOME GLASSY BLACK ROCKS AND ANCHORED DOWN THE CHUTE THEN HE LOOKED AT THE ORANGE GLOW THAT MARKED THE FUNERAL PYRE OF THE SHIP WE'LL BE RIGHT DOWN WHY A DISGUISED SLED ASKED HORN IF THEY THINK IT'S A GROUND BUGGY THEY MIGHT GET CARELESS WHEN YOU MOST NEEDN'T ADVANTAGE WE COULD ALWAYS SCOOP YOU OUT OF THE AIR YOU KNOW WHAT ARE MY CHANCES ON THIS ONE STEP ONE DAY IN A BIG FOREST THAT WAS STRANGE TO ME MY JOINTS SUDDENLY BECAME RUSTED BECAUSE I HAD FORGOTTEN TO OIL THEM +4f20a412-5d63-45c3-be1f-31caff81c565 BEFORE THEY COULD THINK UP A GOOD ANSWER I WAS INSIDE WITH THE FAITHFUL PRIEST STUMBLING AROUND ME I LOCATED THE CONTROL ROOM AND TURNED ON THE LIGHTS THE ZID UTTERLY OUT OF ITS ELEMENT SCREAMED HIDEOUSLY AND THRESHED WATER TO FROTH ALL ITS EARLIER FEROCITY VANISHED UNDER THE IMMINENT AND UNFAMILIAR THREAT OF DROWNING IN A CASE LIKE YOURS I TRY HARDER IT'S TOO BAD YONAS AGREED POLITELY OF COURSE SHARP SAID WE HAD TO GO UP TO SARA RAY'S LANE WITH HER TO HER VERY DOOR FOR SHE WAS AFRAID PEG BOWEN WOULD CATCH HER IF SHE WENT ALONE +4f317ccc-889d-482f-a6c9-4fb2933cb284 CUCUMBERS ARE INDIGESTIBLE BUT I NEVER KNEW OF THEM MAKING ANY ONE AS SICK AS THIS SHE SAID ANXIOUSLY WHAT MADE THE CHILD EAT A CUCUMBER BEFORE GOING TO BED I DIDN'T THINK SHE LIKED THEM A QUICK STOP AT SUPPLY AND RECORD SECTIONS GAVE ME EVERYTHING I NEEDED THE SUN WAS BARELY CLEAR OF THE HORIZON WHERE THE SILVER NEEDLE OF MY SHIP LIFTED IN THE GRAY FIELD THEN BLASTED INTO SPACE DOCTOR GREYOR PATTED CECILY ON THE HEAD TOLD HER SHE WAS A LITTLE BRICK AND HAD DONE JUST THE RIGHT THING EXAMINED SOME OF THE FATAL BERRIES AND GAVE IT AS HIS OPINION THAT THEY WERE PROBABLY POISONOUS ADMINISTERED SOME POWDERS TO DAN AND ADVISED HIM NOT TO TAMPER WITH FORBIDDEN FRUIT IN THE FUTURE AND WENT AWAY SO NEXT DAY SANDY STARTED OFF ON HORSEBACK WITH A PAIR OF ROPE REINS TO LEAD THE PIANO HOME HE THOUGHT IT WAS SOME KIND OF LIVE STOCK +4f3d3f1c-6672-42ee-a69f-83bf4c5e1a67 THE GIRLS PUT ON THEIR SECOND BEST DRESSES AND WE BOYS DONNED WHITE COLLARS THERE ISN'T ANY IN OURS SAID CECILY LOYALLY THE OLD WOMAN PONDERED FOR A MINUTE SHE LEANED HER ELBOWS ON THE WINDOW SILL GETTING THEM MUDDY BUT THAT JONAS THOUGHT DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER TO THIS CREATURE APPARENTLY NOR DO I SAID THE TIN WOODMAN IN THE CHAMBER WERE GREW DOZENS OF QUEER CREATURES AND SOMEHOW THAT DOESN'T SEEM QUITE RIGHT A FRINGE OF BLUE FLAME CREPT ALONG BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND THE BOTTOM OF THE PILOT'S CAPSULE THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE TO SPOT THE PARACHUTE AND SEARCH FOR ME +4f3f5f49-4586-487c-9e6f-37a8ab85d6b1 THE TIN WOODMAN ORDERED FOOD FOR THE STRANGER AND IN A FEW MINUTES THE SERVANT BROUGHT IN A TIN TRAY HEAPED WITH A CHOICE HOORAY OF GOOD THINGS TO EAT WHILE STRAWN TIN NEVER TIRE AT ALL THEY FOUND THEM BURIED IN THE BACK OF THE OLDEST WAREHOUSE MY BEACON WAS NOT ONLY LOCKED INSIDE A MOUNTAIN OF HAND MADE STONE THEY TELL ME THAT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING RIGHT ALONG THAT I COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE NOT EVEN FAITH AND WORKS IN COMBINATION COULD AVAIL YOU SPEAK OF AN END TO TROUBLES AND END TO THE INQUISITION AND THE BUILDINGS AND END TO THE QUESTION +4f42612d-7ebe-4c95-b701-ea77aea094f6 I REMEMBER I SUPPED THAT NIGHT OFF A SOLID HUNK OF FAT PORK TOPPED OFF WITH A SLAB OF COLD PLUM PUDDING COULD BE BOUGHT IN ANY SHOP FOR A TRIFLING SUM AND MADE UP OUT OF HAND I EVEN HOOKED A GADGET TO THE WATER PIPE SO THEIR HOLY WATERS WOULD HAVE THE USUAL REFRESHING RADIOACTIVITY WHEN THEY STARTED FLOWING AGAIN DOUBTLESS A FAIR EXCHANGE IS NO ROBBERY AND BROWN BESS IS A GOOD MARE IN HER WAY APPARENTLY FURNISHED FORTH FELICITY'S CONCEPTION OF PARADISE THE KNOB DROPPED TO THE FLOOR WITH A CLATTER BUT THE DOOR GAVE NOT AT ALL FOR AN INSTANT THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT NO SOUND FROM ALL THAT VAST CROWD +4f5b69d3-212c-490a-b1cd-57d22345b9db EVEN CHILDREN OF WHOM WE HAD HEARD DIED P S OH I DO HOPE PETER WILL GET BETTER WHAT WOULD BE LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER IN THIS WORLD IT'S CALLED HOW KISSING WAS DISCOVERED MY AUNT JANE WAS ONE AND I MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE MYSELF IF I HADN'T BEEN SO SCARED OF THE JUDGMENT DAY IF ANYTHING HAD HAPPENED I COULD NEVER HAVE FORGIVEN MYSELF THOUGH I BELIEVE IT'S BEYOND THE POWER OF MORTAL MAN TO KEEP WATCH OVER THE THINGS THAT CHILDREN WILL EAT NO MORE THAT I WILL HELP YOU OUT OF YOUR DIFFICULTIES JUST A TRIFLE HESITANTLY HE'S THE ONE HE CAME TO STAY WITH US AND WE DIDN'T KNOW +4f6c3797-3c62-40c7-bf9b-c67fa4973bfa THE WORLD WAS BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL AND GREEN NOT EVEN THE JUDGMENT WAS SO GREATLY TO BE FEARED AFTER BREAKFAST AND THE NECESSARY CHORES THERE WAS THE FORENOON TO BE LIVED THROUGH THEIR DOOR OPENED AND THROUGH OUR OWN DOOR I SAW FELICITY'S WHITE CLAD FIGURE FLIT DOWN THE STAIRS TO AUNT JANET'S ROOM CECILY HAD PUT HER HANDS OVER HER EYES LET CECILY AND THE STORY GIRL CACKLE ALL THEY WANTED TO AND LET THOSE STUCK UP TORONTO BOYS GRIN LIKE CHESSY CATS BELIEVE YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE TO HAVE A STORY TO TELL I HAD A STRUGGLE WITH TEMPTATION IN WHICH I FRANKLY CONFESS I MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSTED HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR A SAVING AND TIMELY REMEMBRANCE OF A CERTAIN RESOLUTION MADE ON THE PRECEDING JUDGMENT SUNDAY +4f6e6fba-a25e-414a-aa79-338607cd9239 THEY SAY SHE WAS ALWAYS FULL OF MISCHIEF SHE HAD BEEN AWAY AND HAD JUST COME HOME AND SHE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE POET AND WHEN SHE SAW HIM SLEEPING THERE SHE THOUGHT HE WAS A COUSIN THEY HAD BEEN EXPECTING FROM SCOTLAND AND SO SHE TIPTOED UP SO AND BENT OVER SO AND KISSED HIS CHEEK I DON'T BELIEVE PRESBYTERIANS EVER DO PENANCE SAID FELICITY DUBIOUSLY I NEVER HEARD OF ONE DOING IT BUT THE REST OF US RATHER LOOKED WITH FAVOUR ON THE STORY GIRL'S IDEA WE FELT SURE THAT SHE WOULD DO PENANCE AS PICTURESQUELY AND THOROUGHLY AS SHE DID EVERYTHING ELSE YOU MIGHT PUT PEAS IN YOUR SHOES YOU KNOW SUGGESTED PETER THE VERY THING I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT I'LL GET SOME AFTER BREAKFAST I'M NOT GOING TO EAT A SINGLE THING ALL DAY EXCEPT BREAD AND WATER AND NOT MUCH OF THAT THE HAND MOVED SLOWLY LIKE THE HAND OF AN OIL GAUGE IN WHICH THE PRESSURE IS GRADUALLY BUILT UP TWENTY ONE TWENTY FIVE TWENTY SIX TWENTY SEVEN I WAITED A MOMENT CONSCIOUS ONLY OF THE FAINT HUM OF A GENERATOR AT THE OTHER END OF THE ROOM AND THE QUIVERING HAND OF THE METER I TURNED THE DIAL BACK IN IMPERCEPTIBLE DEGREE AND THE HAND STEADIED DOWN EXACTLY UPON THE NUMERAL'S TWENTY SEVEN HUNDRED THEN I TOUCHED THE NEXT DIAL SOMEHOW WHAT POPPED INTO FARMER'S HEAD WAS THE COURSE OF AN OLD SONG HE HAD SUNG IN BOY'S CAMP WHEN VERY YOUNG THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA THERE'S A LOG IN THE HOLE YOUR MACHINE REACTIVATED THE GATE FROM THIS SIDE EVEN IF THAT ISN'T WHAT YOU DESIGNED IT TO DO DORA WENT ON IT'S A GOOD THING I NOTICED THE GATE WAS OPEN OF COURSE THE AREA EFFECTED IS ENLARGED IT INCLUDES THOSE STEPS AND A LOT OF WATER AROUND THEM +4f8cf13a-3c41-4821-9026-377ae0535800 AND CACLIP HAD A GREY BEARD THAT WAS ALMOST AS LONG AS HIS APRON THIS WAS THE SOURCE OF CONSTANT INTEREST TO LITTLE DOROTHY I DREAMED LAST NIGHT THAT WE OPENED THE BLUE CHEST SAID THE STORY GIRL YOU DON'T PRAY VERY OFTEN INSISTED FELICITY AND WAS STROLLING AROUND THE LAUNCH AS IF HE HAD JUST BOUGHT IT RAY POLISHED OFF THE SOMEWHAT RABBIT FROM HATTIE ROUTINE AND IF THE SECRET IS LET OUT WHY THE BROTHERHOOD IS FINISHED FINISH BEFORE IT'S BARELY STARTED BECAUSE YOU CAN READ A MAN'S MIND DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN DEFEAT HIM YONES +4f9a4e39-a0dd-4253-9ec5-7870098ee454 AS IT WAS NOT IN PETER TO BE A MALINGERER HE WAS LEFT IN PEACE WHILE WE PICKED APPLES YES HE TURNED BARKED IN ORDER TO THE JUNGLE GLOOM THEN CLIMBED IN BEHIND ORAN WHEN DO WE GO WHERE IS IT IMPOSSIBLE ACTING ON MY ORDERS THE SHIP DROPPED OUT OF WARP DRIVE SO OUR SIAMEN COULD GET THROUGH TO THE OTHER OPERATORS CAPTAIN STENG GRUMBLED AS WE FLOATED THERE WITH THE ENGINES SILENT WASTING PRECIOUS DAYS WHILE HALF HIS CREW WAS INVOLVED IN GETTING OUT WHAT APPEARED TO BE INSANE INSTRUCTIONS MY PLAN WAS BEYOND HIS UNDERSTANDING BUT AUNT OLIVIA WON'T LET ME WASTE THE STUFF MY ONLY HOPE WAS TO LEARN THIS WEEK +4f9b313e-fc45-42d1-ab2a-94e2692cef9c A MAN WITH A WOODEN LEG OR A TIN LEG IS STILL THE SAME MAN AND I LOST PARTS OF MY NEAT BODY BY DEGREES I ALWAYS REMAINED THE SAME PERSON AS IN THE BEGINNING EVEN THOUGH IN THE END I WAS ALL TIN AND NO MEAT NOW FELICITY FOR ONCE WAS UNDOUBTEDLY RIGHT THE STORY GIRL'S SUGGESTION WAS WRONG AND IF IT HAD BEEN CECILY WHO PROTESTED THE STORY GIRL WOULD PROBABLY HAVE LISTENED TO HER AND PROCEEDED NO FURTHER IN THE MATTER LISTEN YOU SICK CARTER I'LL TAKE YOU AND YOU WILL NOT YOU WILL NOTICE THAT YOU ARE PARALYZED FROM NECK DOWN I SUSPECT THAT YOU WERE ALWAYS SO FROM THERE UP WHERE IS THE LIST NUMBLY JEFF SAW HER SUSPENDED THERE FEET ONLY INCHES BELOW THE SILL APPARENTLY ON EMPTY AIR THEN THE DOOR SAGGED AGAIN UNDER THE ZID'S LUNGINGS AND HE LEFT THE BUNK TO FOLLOW JENOFER +4fb3ff52-2668-4ea3-a0d7-45fc0521157d HE HAD MANY RIVALS BUT HE KNEW THAT IF SHE WOULD NOT COME TO BE THE MISTRESS OF HIS NEW HOUSE NO ONE ELSE EVER SHOULD SO HE SAT THERE THAT AFTERNOON AND DREAMED OF HER AS HE PLAYED SWEET OLD SONGS AND ROLLICKING JIGS ON HIS FIDDLE O K HORNE PAY ATTENTION STETSON GESTURED AT THE MAP WITH ITS GREEN SUPERPOSED GRID SQUARES HERE WE ARE HERE'S THAT CITY WE FLEW OVER ON OUR WAY DOWN I LOCATED THE PEAKS EASILY ENOUGH AND STARTED THE EYE OUT FROM THE FIRST PEAK AND KEPT IT ON A COURSE DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE SECOND THERE WAS A NOSE AND TAIL RADAR IN THE EYE AND I FED THEIR SIGNALS INTO A SCOPE AS AN AMPLITUDE CURVE THE IMPLICATION DREW A COLD FINGER DOWN JEFF'S SPINE THAT WOULD MEAN OTHER CULTURES OUT THERE AND IN ALL OUR YEARS OF PLANET HUNTING WE HAVEN'T FOUND ONE MEMORY CHILLED HIM FURTHER +4fbaf28c-fac2-4eaf-a49f-3a84957308a2 WHAT YOU DARE INTERFERE WITH THE MESSENGER OF YOUR ANCESTORS AN ETERNITY IN A LOCKED BEACON WITH THREE BLIND LIZARDS AND QUADRATURE OF THE BEACON WORKS FOR NAVIGATION THAT'S HIM MISTER SHARP SAID YOU KNOW THE RISK TO YOURSELF HE TOLD YUNUS AND YOU'VE ACCEPTED THAT YOU RATHER LIKE IT AS A MATTER OF FACT BUT YOU HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF THE RISK TO THE REST OF US AND TO THE TOWN YOU'RE IN I KNOW THE RISK PERFECTLY WELL YANUS THOUGHT BACK OH YOU'RE QUITE WRONG DECLARED POLYCHROME LAUGHING AFTER BREAKFAST THE BOY WENT INTO THE THRONE ROOM ONE HAND CLUTCHING HIS BLACK CURLS WITH HIS DREAM BOOK ON A SMALL ROUND STONE BEFORE HIM +501ae905-93ac-46d3-a88c-431ba4f25107 IN ONE CORNER THE RACK ITSELF STOOD AND THERE WERE OTHER TOOLS OF THE TRADE SCATTERED AROUND THE ROOM JONAS SMILED AT HER IT WAS AN EFFORT NEITHER FELICITY NOR CECILY COULD HAVE WORN THEM WE HAD LOST SOMETHING OF INFINITELY MORE VALUE THAN FIFTY CENTS ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT REALIZE IT JUST THEN THEY WERE SLENDER AND SHAPELY AND SATIN SMOOTH WITH ARCHED IN STEPS THE DAINTIEST OF TOES AND NAILS LIKE PINK SHELLS BUT WHEN HE WAS BAD HE WAS HORRID CECILY WAS TO ATTEND THE FIRE FOR ALL OUR DAYS ARE PASSED AWAY IN THY WRATH +504d42b5-bdfb-4f76-b855-ea4678f397a4 AS FOR THIS THIS SACRILEGE TAKE IT AND BURN IT WE STOPPED PICKING APPLES SAT DOWN ON THE GRASS AND TRIED TO REASON IT OUT MARK THREE THE OLD MAN REPEATED I NEVER HEARD OF IT EITHER UNTIL RECORDS DUG UP THE SPECKS JUST FORGET ABOUT IT AND BUILD A NEW ONE THEY WENT AWAY TOGETHER HAND IN HAND CHILDREN WISE UP THE LANE OF SPRUCES CROSSED WITH BARS OF MOONLIGHT I GUESS HE KNOWS AS MUCH ABOUT IT AS A TORY WOULD RETORTED THE STORY GIRL OF MANY A SELFISH AND UNKIND WORD AND THOUGHT AND ACTION OF PINCHING FELIX TO MAKING CROWD AT FAMILY PRAYERS +5056c98a-7723-4cd9-a403-e55edbea0005 THE AIR WAS SWEET WITH THE BREATH OF MOWN HAY FIELDS WHERE SWATHS OF CLOVER HAD BEEN STEEPING IN THE SUN WILD ROSES GREW PINKLY ALONG THE FENCES AND THE ROADSIDES WERE STAR DUSTED WITH BUTTERCUPS THE GREEN MONKEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WISE TO MAKE A FRIEND OF THE BIG WOMAN SO AS TO GAIN HER CONFIDENCE SO HE SAT ON THE BACK OF HER CHAIR AND CHATTERED TO HER WHILE SHE MENDED HER STOCKINGS AND SEWED SILVER BUTTONS ON SOME GOLDEN SHOES THAT WERE AS BIG AS ROW BOATS IT SEEMED TO ME THIS THING WAS JUST A BIT TOO BIG FOR THE USE INTENDED ENOUGH OLD SHIPS ARE FEEL WASTERS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUILD NEW ONES TO DO THAT WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY ENTERING MY PRIVATE QUARTERS AND BELOW GLOWING YOU'RE IN VERY BAD TROUBLE I SAID IN AS GLOOMY A VOICE AS I COULD MUSTER BUT SHE TOOK IT VERY COOLLY I KNEW FELICITY WOULD GET IT OUT OF HIM SOMETIME SHE SAID I THINK HE HAS DONE WELL TO HOLD OUT THIS LONG +5058095c-d1fd-46c5-9c35-4d1d0f976fee HER POTENT VOICE MADE ME FEEL THAT I WAS QUITE A HERO AFTER ALL AND THE STING WENT OUT OF MY RECOLLECTION OF THAT OLD FIGHT I DON'T KNOW I CONFESSED DUBIOUSLY FELIX IS TOO FAT HE'LL GET OUT OF BREATH IN NO TIME I WON'T CRIED SARA RAY IN TERROR I WON'T GO NEAR PEG BOWEN'S HOUSE FOR THE WORLD NO MATTER WHO WAS WITH ME THAT IS THEY HAD A HEAD A TORSO TWO ARMS AND TWO LEGS APIECE BUT THEY WERE NOT HUMAN THOSE HUGE ROUND EYES UNBLINKING UMBRELLAS WERE NOT HUMAN NOR WERE THEIR SLITTED SUNKEN MOUTHS THEY WERE NOT HUMAN BEINGS THEY WERE IMAGES OF DESPAIR I HAVE FORGIVEN HER WAS FELICITY'S ANSWER BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FIRST FOR ALL THAT IT'S VERY WRONG MORE THAN THAT IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE COMPLAINED CECILY IT SPOILS EVERYTHING +5080720e-e2db-4d8c-9912-96dec43d6602 SPEED AND MEASUREMENTS ARE A MATTER OF RELATIONSHIP NOT CONSTANT FACTS LIKE THE FIXED UNIVERSE EACH WORE UPON HIS FOREHEAD A GLEAMING SCARLET STONE BOUND IN PLACE BY A CIRCLET OF BLACK METAL OR WHAT LOOKED LIKE METAL HOPE SUDDENLY PUT HER ARMS ABOUT ME SHE WAS SOBBING DON'T PETER SHE WHISPERED DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT TO HIS SURPRISE GARF DID NOTHING TO STOP HIM PROBABLY JOHN ANDREW FIGURED LATER THE POLICEMAN EXPECTED NO FURTHER TROUBLE FROM THE HUMANS AFTER THE TREATMENT THEY HAD FARMER'S HAYMAKER CONNECTED SARAH CHILD COME WITH ME SAID AUNT OLIVIA BENDING OVER HER THE STORY GIRL GOT UP AND WENT AWAY WITH AUNT OLIVIA'S ARMS AROUND HER THE SOUND OF HER CRYING DIED AWAY UNDER THE FIRS AND WITH IT SEEMED TO GO THE DREAD AND GRIEF THAT HAD BEEN OUR PORTION FOR HOURS +50a4d383-41f4-480a-9fc8-25d2efca144d A LADY CALLED THE POLICE TO SAVE THE PAIR FROM ROCK THROWING KIDS WHO MIGHT HAVE KILLED THEM AND THE TWO AS YET UNCLASSIFIED THINGS WERE TAKEN TO THE STATION HOUSE WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF I TOOK A WHIP AND WHIPPED MY BARE SHOULDERS TILL THE BLOOD CAME DEMANDED THE STORY GIRL AGGRIEVED I WOULDN'T SAY ANYTHING RETORTED AUNT JANET I'D SIMPLY TURN YOU OVER MY KNEE AND GIVE YOU A SOUND SOLID SPANKING MISS SARA YOU'D FIND THAT PENANCE ENOUGH SO DID MINE JEFF SAID WHILE THEY STOOD MARVELING THE OWLS CAME BACK THE SCOOP THAT HAD SURFACED JUST BEHIND HER WAS SO CLOSE THAT JEFF WONDERED IF ITS SPECIES LEGENDARY GOOD NATURE HAD BEEN MISREPRESENTED REMEMBER YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS TO LOCATE A FIRM LANDING SITE WITH AMPLE PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU DELARMED YOURSELF IS THAT CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD BRANDON NODDED WAS LAUNCHED AND NOW WAS CRUISING ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FEET ABOVE THE ALIEN PLANET +50b0f234-665c-43de-a5a9-c1071db01727 THERE MAY BE SOME SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD BUT IT'S NOT LIKELY THERE WERE ANY HERE RIGHT IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND THERE'S BEEN TIME TO FIND OUT EVER SO MUCH MORE I WANT TO DO SO MANY THINGS SAID THE STORY YELL PLUCKING OFF HER CROWN OF BUTTERCUP GOLD WITH A TRAGIC GESTURE BUT IF IT'S THE JUDGMENT DAY TOMORROW I WON'T HAVE TIME TO DO ANY OF THEM WE HAD WALKED WITH HER IN THE PLACE OF DEATH AND GROWN COLD WITH A HORROR THAT CHILLED THE HEART OF THEOR PRINCESS DAN PRESENTLY BROKE THE SPELL HE HAD NOT FELT VERY KEENLY OVER THE MATTER OF THE SERMONS AND CERTAINLY THE MERE FACT THAT PETER COULD EAT SOUR APPLES WITHOUT MAKING FACES DID NOT CAST ANY REFLECTION ON THE HONOUR OR ABILITY OF THE OTHER COMPETITORS +50dd0501-b99d-4fad-8a3d-f47c31f6b1b5 THERE'S NOTHING ABOUT METHODISTS OR PRESBYTERIANS IN THE BIBLE SAID FELICITY SCORNFULLY PETER LOOKED AMAZED WHAT HAD THEY HAPPENED THEN HE ASKED WHEN DID THEY BEGIN TO BE CHAFFY FOUR AGREED RELUCTANTLY THEN WE MUST SEEK AID ELSEWHERE CRASH FELICITY HAD DROPPED THE CUP OF CLOUDED BLUE WHICH HAD PASSED UNSCATHED THROUGH SO MANY CHANGING YEARS AND NOW AT LAST LAY SHATTERED ON THE STONE OF THE WELL CURB AT ANY OTHER TIME WE SHOULD ALL HAVE BEEN AGHAST OVER SUCH A CATASTROPHE BUT IT PASSED UNNOTICED NOW WHAT MATTERED IT THAT ALL THE CUPS IN THE WORLD BE BROKEN TODAY IF THE CRACKADOON MUST SOUND TO MORROW ALL FOUR OF THE REFLECTORS SEEMED POINTED DIRECTLY AT MY FACE AND I COULD SEE THAT EACH HELD NOT THE BULB I HAD EXPECTED BUT A CRUDELY SHAPED BLOB OF FUSED QUARTZ +50e48731-3070-4fb0-a812-2f7153c69559 IT'S A WONDER THE STORY GIRL ISN'T OVER TO SEE YOU SAID UNCLE ALEC SHE'S BEEN QUITE WILD WITH EXCITEMENT ABOUT YOUR COMING MOUTH IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY MOUTH HE SAID IT WOULD MAKE ME GROW TALL AND IT HASN'T NOT AN INCH I DON'T SEE WHAT YOU WANTED IT FOR YOU'RE TALL ENOUGH IN THE MORNINGS IT WAS VERY DELIGHTFUL IN THE AFTERNOONS TOLERABLE BUT IN THE EVENINGS WE LAGGED AND THE LAUGHTER AND ZEST OF FRESHER HOURS WERE LACKING GARTH GRINNED WHATEVER YOU SAY MY DEAR HE DIPPED AN EYEBROW IN A WINK BEHIND DOOR THE NONIPUS SURGED SLUGGISHLY EXTENDED A TENTACLE OPENED A CLOTH AND NIPPED DOOR NEATLY ON THE BEHIND SHE SCREECHED +5156ed2e-00aa-4080-818f-0012be729ece THEN WE LAUGHED UNTIL PETER GOT SULKY BUT PETER WAS NOT TO BE CONCILIATED AND TOOK HIMSELF OFF IN HIGH DUDGEON STETSON SMILED WITHOUT HUMOR IT MAKES ME NERVOUS HORRENT STARED UPWARD IN AWE WE REPEATED HIS JOKES TO EACH OTHER ALL THE WAY HOME AND PETER WHO HAD NO MISSIONARY BOX AT ALL UP TO THIS TIME DETERMINED TO START ONE GAVE OUT A FLASHING DANCE OF SHE SET THE JUDGE'S INVENTION DOWN ON A LOWER STEP AND PICKED UP THE JUDGE INSTEAD +51ddb485-3bd1-48d4-be32-3bbf09640670 WHATEVER IT IS IT CERTAINLY DOES THE WORK AND WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THEY WANT US TO DO NOW THE PRIESTS WERE COMING TOWARD US SMILING I DIDN'T LIKE THEIR SMILES THEY WERE MEANT TO BE BENIGN BUT THERE WAS A CRUEL AND VINDICTIVE TWIST TO THEIR LIPS WHICH CHILLED ME THROUGH AND THROUGH RAY LOOKED IT OVER HASTILY THEN TURNED A SPECULATIVELY GLANCE ON FARMER HE SHOOK HIS HEAD TOO SMALL FOR YOU HE MURMURED YOU WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR ANYWAY I'LL HAVE TO GO DOWN MYSELF THE DOCTOR'S PEN PAUSED OVER THE CHART ON HIS DESK THIS IS YOUR THIRD SET OF TEETH I BELIEVE HIS PATIENT NODDED THAT'S RIGHT DOCTOR BUT THEY WERE PRETTY SLOW COMING IN THIS TIME THE DOCTOR LOOKED UP QUIZZICALLY IS THAT THE ONLY REASON YOU THINK YOU MIGHT NEED A BOOSTER SHOT OH NO OF COURSE NOT IN THE MAIN THEY DID BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR MORNING DAN WAS PLAINLY INCLINED TO REBEL HE HAD HAD TIME TO GROW SORE OVER THE THINGS THAT FELICITY HAD SAID TO HIM WHEN JIMMY PATTERSON WAS THOUGHT LOST AND HE BEGAN THE DAY WITH A FLATLY EXPRESSED DETERMINATION THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO LET FELICITY RULE THE ROOST +52039b0f-f1cf-4c7e-b40f-e0f55d3d0928 THE TIME HAD COME SOONER THAN WE HAD DARED TO HOPE BUT FATHER COULD NOT TAKE US AFTER ALL AND IN HARDLY DECIPHERABLE SCRIPT BELOW WAS THIS MESSAGE DEAR PETE FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY THAT YOU'VE NO PARTICULAR CALL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS IF I'M IN A JAM IT'S MY OWN DOING AND DUE TO MY BULLHEADEDNESS OF WHICH YOU HAVE SO OFTEN REMINDED ME SHE WAS CHANGED SHE WAS NEVER NEVER LIKE HERSELF AGAIN AND SHE WAS NEVER CONTENTED UNLESS SHE WAS DRESSED IN HER BLUE MUSLIN AND WAITING UNDER THE BIRCHES HE KNEW ALL THERE WAS TO KNOW ABOUT THEM THEIR NATIVITIES AND THEIR ANTECEDENTS HE KNEW THAT THERE WERE ONLY NINE REGULAR PEOPLE IN THE NINE HUNDRED SQUARE MILES OF THE SANTA MAGDALENA +521325af-b21b-4fff-b7f2-3b6b7652b69d THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE AN OWL SAID WOUT I THINK YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE BETTER IN THE DARK INSKIPPED GRABBED AGAIN AND BEGAN TO COMPARE THE PRINTS I LEANED OVER HIS SHOULDER AND POINTED OUT THE INTERESTING PARTS NOTICE IF THE ENGINE ROOM SPECKS ARE CHANGED SLIGHTLY TO INCLUDE THIS CARGO HOLD THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE BRUTES NEEDED I REMEMBER I SUPPED THAT NIGHT OFF A SOLID HUNK OF FAT PORK TOPPED OFF WITH A SLAB OF COLD PLUM PUDDING I THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T LIKE CUCUMBER CECILY DAN REMARKED NEITHER I DO SAID CECILY WITH A GRIMACE BUT PETER SAYS THEY'RE SPLENDID FOR DREAMING DAN KING DO YOU WANT TO COMMIT SUICIDE DEMANDED THE STORY GIRL LOOK HERE DAN I EXPOSTULATED YOU SHOULDN'T DO THIS THINK HOW SICK YOU WERE LAST NIGHT AND ALL THE TROUBLE YOU MADE FOR EVERYBODY DON'T EAT ANY MORE THERE'S A GOOD CHAP +52176a4d-be67-4445-8730-0b1138b9ee95 MAYBE TWENTY FIVE I WASN'T PAYING ANY PARTICULAR ATTENTION SIR KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR A CHANCE TO GET AWAY THOUGH AND FOR THE MONEY YOU WILL BE WELCOME HER SON'S DEATH HE SAW WHEN HE LOOKED INTO HER MIND HAD NOT COME AS A SURPRISE TO HER BEFORE IT COULD FALL I HAD MY SOLAR OUT AND WITH A WIDE ANGLE SHOT BURNED THE CONTRACT TO ASHES LIZARDS DON'T WEAR CLOTHES AND I WANTED TO TAKE ALONG A LOT OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT BUT HER MAIDENS WHISPERED THAT A MAN HAD DIED AND A WOMAN'S HEART HAD BROKEN FOR EVERY STITCH SET IN IT +52251b3a-fe1a-4433-b4a9-cebd3893a9ac UNCLE ROGER MAY NOT BE BACK FOR HOURS I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE MAYBE IT'S ONLY PEG BOWEN SUGGESTED DAN THERE WAS NOT A GREAT DEAL OF COMFORT IN THIS WE WERE ALMOST AS MUCH AFRAID OF PEG BOWEN AS WE WOULD BE OF ANY SPECTRAL VISITANT WE'RE GOING TO SET HER DOWN ON A SOLID PIECE OF GROUND NEAR ONE OF THE OCEANS THERE WAS A PAUSE AND BRANDON COULD ALMOST SEE COLONEL TOWERS DRAWING UP TO HIS FULL HEIGHT I'M GOING TO BE THE FIRST MAN TO SET FOOT ON A PLANET OF ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM KNOW THAT MEANS REINART IT HAUNTED HIS WAKING HOURS AND OBSESSED HIS NIGHTS I HEARD HIM TALKING IN HIS SLEEP ABOUT IT IF ANYTHING COULD HAVE MADE HIM THIN THE WAY HE WORRIED OVER THIS MATTER WOULD HAVE DONE IT FOR MYSELF I CARED NOT A GROAT I WISHED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SERMON CONTEST AND FELT SORE WHENEVER I THOUGHT OF MY FAILURE SARA MIGHT BETTER HAVE STAYED HOME SHE WAS OF NO USE AND COULD ONLY ADD TO THE GENERAL CONFUSION WANDERING AIMLESSLY ABOUT CRYING AND ASKING IF DAN WAS GOING TO DIE +524e1615-3033-478d-8536-5fd9db5415de EVEN BEFORE I HAD ALL THE ANSWERS I BEGAN TO GET THE DRIFT OF THINGS THEY WERE A LITTLE FRIGHTENED TOO THE MANAGER OF THE SPACE YARD THAT WAS BUILDING THE SHIP HAD NO IDEA OF ITS TRUE NATURE AND I SAID THE CANARY FLYING CLOSE TO GINGER AM POLYCHROME THE DAUGHTER OF THE RAINBOW IN THE FORM OF A BIRD BEING NOW COMPLETELY FORMED OF TIN I HAD NO MORE FEAR OF THE WICKED WITCH FOR SHE WAS POWERLESS TO INJURE ME A TOUCH ON THE SIDE OF MY FACE DROPPED A STEEL PLATE OVER MY EYES UNDER THE PLASTER SKIN I JAMMED THE IRON HARD INTO MY PHONY EYE SOCKETS AND THE PLASTI GAVE OFF AN AUTHENTIC ODOR A CRY WENT UP FROM THE CROWD AS I DROPPED THE IRON AND STAGGERED IN BLIND CIRCLES HE SAID BRINGING YOU ALONG THE BALD MAN TOLD HIM THE BLACK HAIRED MAN NODDED VERY SLOWLY GURR HE SAID +5286add7-89b0-4ebf-924e-6d9721391a76 SWEET WILLIAM IS A DREADFUL NAME FOR A FLOWER SAID STORY GIRL WILLIAM IS A MAN'S NAME AND MEN ARE NEVER SWEET WHERE DID YOU GO ASKED ROOT WELL I FIRST STARTED OUT TO FIND A HEART SO I COULD LOVE NIMMY AMY AGAIN BUT HEARTS ARE MORE SCARCE THAN ONE WOULD THINK WHY NOT GOODNESS ME IT WAS DREADFUL WOULD YOU DO SUCH A THING YOURSELF WELL I DON'T KNOW SAID THE STORY GIRL HER EYES GLEAMING WITH IMPISH LAUGHTER IF I WANTED HIM DREADFULLY AND HE WOULDN'T DO THE ASKING PERHAPS I WOULD I'D RATHER DIE AN OLD MAID FORTY TIMES OVER EXCLAIMED FELICITY IT WAS AS MUCH SARAH RAY'S NORMAL STATE AS ANY OTHER AND EVEN FELICITY AND CECILY AVAILED THEMSELVES OCCASIONALLY OF THE PRIVILEGE OF SEX BUT I HAD NEVER HEARD ANY GIRL CRY LIKE THIS IT GAVE ME THE SAME UNPLEASANT SENSATION WHICH I HAD FELT ONE TIME I HAD SEEN MY FATHER CRY +52892221-c213-465e-9489-bd4581edc89b WE DRIFTED INTO THE LAND OF SLEEP DAN WAS THE OLDEST FOR MY OWN PART I WAS RATHER SORRY TO SEE HER GOING FOR THIS REASON MOST BEACONS ARE BUILT ON UNINHABITABLE PLANETS THE CENTURY BEACON HAS SHUT DOWN IT WOULD MAKE HIM SEEM LOTS MORE REAL YOU MUST PROVE IT BEFORE I SHALL MARRY YOU SAID THE PROUD PRINCESS BUT THE STORY GIRL WENT ME ONE BETTER EVEN THERE BECAUSE HAVING INHERITED SOMETHING OF HER FATHER'S TALENT FOR DRYING +52983f6f-665f-40bb-86a7-bd1d875b3b4a I URGED JANET AND ALEC TO GO TO HALIFAX AND TOOK THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHILDREN WHILE THEY WERE AWAY BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS LETTING MYSELF IN FOR IF ANYTHING HAD HAPPENED I COULD NEVER HAVE FORGIVEN MYSELF THOUGH I BELIEVE IT'S BEYOND THE POWER OF MORTAL MAN TO KEEP WATCH OVER THE THINGS THAT CHILDREN WILL EAT TAILS ASKED THORN YEA THERE ARE BOREAL NOT A ROAD ON THE WHOLE PLANET WE CAN FIND BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF VINE LANES THROUGH THE JUNGLES STETSON'S FACE HARDENED MATCH THAT WITH THE CITY AS ADVANCED AS THAT ONE SLAVE CULTURE PROBABLY THE BARON THE OWL GRAVELY WATCHED THIS OPERATION AND NODDED APPROVAL IN WUTE'S SILKY GREEN FURS SHONE CLEAR AND BRIGHT IN THE AFTERNOON SUN THE CANARY SEEMED MUCH AMUSED AND LAUGHED A SOBERY RIPPLE OF LAUGHTER AS SHE SAID VERY WELL DONE MY GOOD GINGER I ADMIRE YOUR ENERGY AND JUDGMENT GAR STAGGERED ACROSS THE DECK UNTIL HE BROUGHT UP AGAINST THE RAIL HOLDING HIS JAW AND SHAKING HIS HEAD MUZZILY FARMER BRACED HIMSELF FOR RETALIATION HOPING IT WOULD BE SOMETHING LESS THAN A BOLT OF BARBED LIGHTNING BUT GARF REMAINED UNPREDICTABLE HE MUMBLED SOMETHING THAT WASN'T ALL THE HELL WITH IT BUT SOUNDED LIKE IT AND SOFTLY AND SILENTLY SLID OVERBOARD HE DISAPPEARED UNDER WATER WITH SCARCELY A RIPPLE +52c82960-05d9-400b-b02f-5b8ad7304bba THE FAITHFUL FELLOW AT ONCE SET TO WORK TO MAKE ME A TIN HEAD AND HE HAD JUST COMPLETED IT WHEN NINNY ANDEY CAME RUNNING UP WITH MY OLD HEAD WHICH SHE HAD STOLEN FROM THE WITCH WHEN WE WENT TO BED THAT WONDERFUL WHITE ENCHANTRESS THE MOON WAS MAKING AN ELFLAND OF THE SNOW MISTED WORLD OUTSIDE FROM WHERE I LAY I COULD SEE THE SHARP TOPS OF THE SPRUCES AGAINST THE SILVERY SKY THE FROST WAS ABROAD AND THE WINDS WERE STILL AND THE LAND LAY IN GLAMOUR WITH TREMBLING FINGERS CECILY OPENED THE PARCEL WE STOOD AROUND HARDLY BREATHING SHE UNFOLDED IT AND HELD IT UP WE SAW IT BUT THE INSTRUCTIONS THEY HAD GIVEN HIM WERE AMBIGUOUS AND FOR ALL THAT THEY HAD TRIED TO MAKE THEM CLEAR SO VERY EARLY THE NEXT MORNING HE ROSE AND COOKED BEANS AND SAID MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL +52d7936b-23d3-44f4-a684-36d98336a50b VERY WELL DONE MY WANDERER SAID THE TIN WOODMAN FOR I AM ALMOST A STRANGER TO THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY HIS DESERTED CASTLE YOU'LL HAVE TO PUT YOUR SHOES AND STOCKINGS ON WHEN YOU GO TO THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW TO NIGHT SAID FELICITY IN A TONE OF SATISFACTION A COMMON MAN WOULD BE QUEER BUT WHEN IT'S A MINISTER IT'S ECCENTRIC I WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE HER I'D BE AFRAID FELIX HAD A SIX SPELL SOON AFTER WE BEGAN OUR DREAM BOOKS AND AUNT JANET ESSAYED TO CURE HIM BY ADMINISTERING A DOSE OF LIVER PILLS WHICH ELDER FREWIN HAD ASSURED HER WERE A CURE ALL FOR EVERY DISEASE THE FLESH IS HEIR TO I QUIT DON'T BOTHER TELLING ME WHAT A DIRTY JOB YOU HAVE COOKED UP BECAUSE I ALREADY QUIT AND YOU DON'T WANT TO REVEAL COMPANY'S SECRETS TO ME +52eaa1a0-9010-4231-be66-4053201dc975 THEY'RE ALWAYS SO TALL AND SLENDER WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF ANYONE WROTE A STORY ABOUT A FAT HERO OR ONE WITH TOO BIG A MOUTH IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT A MAN LOOKS LIKE I SAID FEELING THAT FELIX AND DAN WERE CATCHING IT RATHER TOO HOTLY WHY NOT MARRY ME NEIL CAMPBELL FOLKS I AM AS BONNY AS NAN AND I COULD LOVE YOU AS WELL AS NAN LOVES HER DONALD AY AND TEN TIMES BETTER GARF WAS RISING AGAIN LOOKING IMPATIENT RAY REACHED A DECISION SAID GO TO HELL AND TURNED HIS BACK ON THE FEASTMAN GARF LOOKED ASTONISHED THEN ANGRY AND RAISED A HAND I SLUMPED DEFEATED WAITING FOR THE BLOW TO LAND THE OLD MAN FONDLED MY CONTRACT ACCORDING TO THIS CONTRACT YOU CAN'T QUIT EVER THEREFORE I HAVE A LITTLE JOB I KNOW YOU'LL ENJOY +533234b4-1836-4928-81ee-b034f2f8a485 JUST THIS I BOUGHT A BOX FROM HIM FOR FOR SOMETHING HE SAID HE WASN'T GOING TO SELL ANY OF IT TO ANYBODY ELSE DID HE SELL ANY TO YOU THERE WAS NOT A GREAT DEAL OF COMFORT IN THIS WE WERE ALMOST AS MUCH AFRAID OF PEG BOWEN AS WE WOULD BE OF ANY SPECTRAL VISITANT PETER SCOFFED AT THE IDEA PEG BOWEN WASN'T IN THE HOUSE BEFORE YOUR UNCLE ROGER LOCKED IT UP AND HOW COULD SHE GET IN AFTERWARDS AFTER THAT GRANDPA IN PARADISE HAD MANY HEART TO HEART TALKS WITH GRANDSON WHO FOUND THE HEAVENLY LUTE MORE THAN HE COULD RESIST BUT NOT FOR LONG THERE WAS A SHUFFLING NEAR BY AND I TOOK A CHANCE AND TURNED ON MY FLASH NEVER YOU FEAR ANSWERED FELICITY DECIDEDLY A COWARD WOULD COME THROUGH ANYTHING FOR FIFTY CENTS AFTER DINNER WE ALL WITHOUT ANY VERBAL DECISION ABOUT IT WASHED OUR FACES AND COMBED OUR HAIR +5342ca0c-fe47-4076-a9d9-bccb5ba39082 HER VOICE SEEMED TO TRIGGER THE ATTACK THE ZID LUNGED AGAINST THE DOOR WITH A FORCE THAT CRACKED THE WOODEN HURRICANE BOLT ACROSS AND OPENED A THREE INCH SLIT BETWEEN THE LEADING EDGE AND LINTEL JEFF HAD A GLIMPSE OF SLANTED RED EYES AND A WHITE FANGED SNOUT BEFORE REFLEX SENT HIM HEADLONG TO SHOULDER THE DOOR SHUT AGAIN A HEAVY PLANET NATIVE HE FELT VAGUELY UNEASY ON THIS CHINA THREE WITH ITS GRAVITY OF ONLY SEVEN EIGHTHS TERRAN STANDARD THE SURGICAL SCARS ON HIS NECK WHERE THE MICRO COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSERTED ITCHED MADDENINGLY HE SCRATCHED AS ANY WIZARD MIGHT DO WHO HAD THE HELP OF HIS LORD THE DEVIL KUTUFF MUTTERED DO YOU SPECT THIS TO PROVE ONE THING AT A TIME YUNUS SAID KUTUFF NODDED A SECOND PASSED YONAS LICKED HIS LIPS THE POSSIBILITIES PRAYED BEFORE HIM ON ONE HAND SUCCESS ON THE OTHER THERE WAS THE TORTURE AND DEATH OF THE INQUISITION YONAS TOOK A DEEP BREATH THERE WAS NO WAY TO BACK OUT NOW HEROISM LOOKED A LITTLE EMPTY THOUGH HE CLOSED HIS EYES CABBAGES HE SAID KENUPH NEITHER APPLAUDED NOR LOOKED SURPRISED NOW HOW WAS THAT WHEN IT HELD A WHOLE PAILFUL OF MUSH THIS SEEMED TO BE A RATHER UNANSWERABLE KIND OF CONUNDRUM WE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM AS WE ROAMED THE WOOD AND DAN AND PETER ALMOST QUARRELLED OVER IT DAN MAINTAINING THAT THE THING WAS IMPOSSIBLE AND PETER BEING OF OPINION THAT THE MUSH WAS SOMEHOW MADE THICKER IN THE PROCESS OF BEING EATEN AND SO TOOK UP LESS ROOM DURING THE DISCUSSION WE CAME OUT TO THE FENCE OF THE HILL PASTURE WHERE GREW THE BAD BERRY BUSHES +535a77ef-2408-4fb3-a220-45ca731d4697 THEN AS THE PRIESTS COMPLETED THEIR THIRD BOW I TURNED AND FACED THE STATUE AS MY EYES FELL UPON THE SHUTTER BEHIND THE THICK GRINNING LIPS THE SHUDDER WHICH RELEASED THE LETHAL FORCE A WILD AND DESPERATE IDEA CAME TO ME YOU SEE HE SAID QUIETLY IN THOSE DAYS THEY CALLED IT CANCER BUT EVEN FOUR YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO BE SHUT UP IN ASTRO ONE WITH FIVE OTHER MEN ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF THEM WAS THE IMPERIOUS COLONEL TOWERS HOW MANY A MOB YOU WANT I SHOULD COUNT THEM NO WHAT ARE THEY DOING MAKING A BEE LINE FOR US YOU BETTER GET A MOVE ON O K KEEP US POSTED RIGHT A GREAT THEORY ONLY I FELT UNCOMFORTABLY ON THE SPOT WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT INTO PRACTICE A DRINK HILT AS DID A CIGAR PUFFING ON IT STARING AT THE SMOOTH BULKHEAD RELAXED ME A BIT +5363bac5-3571-4592-8854-6cd7dfa502d2 YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE DON'T YOU HE SAID IN A VOICE AS CLOSE TO SILKY AS HE COULD MAKE IT YOU THE BALD MAN SAID YOU'RE HERE IN A CELL HOW COULD WE EVER HAVE GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE THROUGH THE SHADOWS AND SWAYING BRANCHES OF A DARKENING ORCHARD IS THAT A CONUNDRUM ASKED CECILY CAUTIOUSLY BUT DESPERATE CASES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES INSTEAD WE WENT AT IT WITH FEVERISH ZEAL WITH THAT HE UNTIED NEIL'S HORSE CLIMBED INTO NEIL'S SLEIGH AND TUCKED NEIL'S BUFFALO ROBE ABOUT HIM AND IF MY FATHER HADN'T RUN AWAY HE MIGHT HAVE GIVEN ME SOMETHING TOO +53668e6f-6a77-4244-b8b8-f92157bd7fc9 IT WAS ONE MORE UNHAPPY EVENT IN A LIFETIME IN WHICH SHE HAD EXPECTED NOTHING ELSE HE TRIED NOT TO LET THE THOUGHT DISTURB HIM SHE WAS REALLY EXTRAORDINARILY UGLY HE THOUGHT IT WAS NOT FAR AS VIC HAD SAID BUT WE WERE WEARY FROM OUR BATTLE WITH THE CRAZED MOB AND THE BEST WE COULD FORCE FROM OUR LEGS WAS A SORT OF DOG TROT I TURNED TO MISSUS PARIN WHO HAD COME UP TO DETERMINE THE RESULT OF MY SHOUTING THAT WAS BEFORE WE WERE BORN AND SUCH A THING WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL AFTER WE'RE DEAD SAID CECILY WITH VERY UNUSUAL PESSIMISM HE SAID IT WAS AS CHRISTIAN AN ACT AS HE EVER DID ON THE OTHER HAND DAN WHO WAS A SOMEWHAT TRUCULENT FELLOW ADDICTED TO THE PERUSAL OF LURID DYING NOVELS HE BORROWED FROM THE OTHER BOYS IN SCHOOL THE STORY GIRL MOUNTED TO THE LEDGE SAT ON THE RIM AND LOOKED AT US +53967577-8bcd-4ded-8021-b368ea318d57 OUTSIDE THE SKY WAS PURPLE AND GOLD AND SILVERY GREEN WITH A DELICATE TANGLE OF ROSY CLOUD ABOVE THE ELMS ISN'T IT AWFUL NICE AND HOLY IN HERE WHISPERED PETER REVERENTLY I DIDN'T KNOW CHURCH WAS LIKE THIS IT'S NICE I'VE JUST AS GOOD A RIGHT TO PRAY WHAT I WANT FOR AS YOU FELIX KING EVEN IF YOU WAS BROUGHT UP IN TORONTO I S'POSE YOU THINK A HIRED BOY HASN'T ANY BUSINESS TO PRAY FOR PARTICULAR THINGS BUT I'LL SHOW YOU RETURNING THE MAN'S SEARCHING GAZE THE DOCTOR OPENED THE DOOR IT'VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN YOU SEE HE SAID QUIETLY IN THOSE DAYS THEY CALLED IT CANCER BUT IT WAS A MAY MORNING AND OUR YOUNG BLOOD WAS RUNNING BLITHELY IN OUR VEINS WE SUGGESTED A VISIT TO THE ORCHARD WOULD BE MORE AGREEABLE +539796dd-492d-4752-abf0-1843aaf51cfa HE TURNED A DIAL WITH HIS THUMB AND HANDED THE UNIT TO BRANDON THE RADIO OPERATOR STARTED TO SAY SOMETHING HESITATED AND FINALLY SETTLED FOR WE'LL ASK PETER TO DESCRIBE IT SOME TIME WHEN HE'S IN A BETTER HUMOUR WHISPERED FELIX BUT IT WAS HIS LEGS WHICH WE SCRUTINIZED MOST ANXIOUSLY FELICITY OPINED THAT IT WOULDN'T HAVE CLEARED UP IF IT WAS THE JUDGMENT DAY BUT IF THIS ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY I'LL HAVE A GREAT ONE TO TELL OF US BEING SO SCARED BUT I'VE NOTICED THAT THE LAST END OF THE WAY HOWEVER LONG IT HAS BEEN IS THE HARDEST TO ENDURE +5448e564-2d17-44d3-a708-3fc35431b919 THE GREEN MONKEY WAS SO STARTLED BY THE SUDDEN ATTACK THAT HE SPRUNG INTO THE FIREPLACE STRAW IS MUCH MORE DELICIOUS IT TWISTED AROUND AND CUT OFF ONE OF MY ARMS THAT WASN'T ALL OF WHAT HE SAID BY ANY MEANS PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT HE CONTINUED JUST LISTEN TO ME FELIX AND I FELT THAT IT WOULD REALLY BE WORTH WHILE TO OFFEND HER HE SHOOK HIS BIG BLONDE HEAD IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO PAT I DON'T CARE HE SAID HOW'S A FELLOW TO KNOW TOMMY AND ADAM COWAN OVER AT MARKDALE ARE TWINS AND THEY'RE BOTH CROSS EYED +5474944a-a433-4363-9f68-a63bf9e3a28e HE WAS CALLED TO THIS CONGREGATION AND HE LABOURED HERE LONG AND FAITHFULLY AND WAS MUCH BELOVED THOUGH HE WAS VERY ECCENTRIC WHAT DOES THAT MEAN ASKED PETER HUSH IT JUST MEANS QUEER SAID CECILY NUDGING HIM WITH HER ELBOW A COMMON MAN WOULD BE QUEER BUT WHEN IT'S A MINISTER IT'S ECCENTRIC BUT IT WAS ALSO KNOWN THAT MISTER CAMPBELL WAS NOT ALWAYS IN A GOOD HUMOUR IF HE LIKED YOU THERE WAS NOTHING HE WOULD NOT DO FOR YOU BUT IF HE DISLIKED YOU WELL YOU WERE NOT AND LEFT IN IGNORANCE OF IT IN SHORT WE HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT MISTER CAMPBELL RESEMBLED THE FAMOUS LITTLE GIRL WITH THE CURL IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD WHEN HE WAS GOOD HE WAS VERY VERY GOOD BUT WHEN HE WAS BAD HE WAS HORRID WHAT IF THIS WERE ONE OF HIS HORRID DAYS BUT SHE NEVER TRIED IT AGAIN SHE SAID IT WAS BETTER TO WASTE APPLES ALONE THAN APPLES AND SUGAR TOO AND THEN SHE TRIED GIVING THEM AWAY TO THE FRENCH HIRED MEN BUT THEY WOULDN'T EVEN CARRY THEM HOME THE STORY GIRL'S WORDS FELL ON THE MORNING AIR LIKE PEARLS AND DIAMONDS EVEN HER PREPOSITIONS AND CONJUNCTIONS HAD UNTOLD CHARM HINTING AT MYSTERY AND LAUGHTER AND MAGIC BOUND UP IN EVERYTHING SHE MENTIONED THE IRRITATION DISTRACTS THE SCOOPS FROM THEIR MEDITATIONS THEY ARE A PHILOSOPHICAL SPECIES THOUGH NOTCHANICALLY PROGRESSIVE AND PROMPTS THEM TO BARTER THEIR STRENGTH FOR A TIME TO BE RID OF IT JOENIFY REAPPEARED WITH A WALNUT SIZED CRYSTAL IN HER HAND AND VAULTED ACROSS THE RAIL THERE GOES ANOTHER SCOOP SHE SAID RESIGNEDLY THE QUEEN WILL HAVE TO TACK WITH THE WIND FOR A WHILE UNTIL ANOTHER ONE SHOWS UP +548edc3f-dcf6-429c-9e71-f13df1424029 LOOKING OUT EASTWARD INTO THE SPRUCE GROVE NO FEMININE CREATURES HAD EVER GONE TO THE PAINS OF DRESSING UP ON OUR ACCOUNT BEFORE ONE OF THE EAGER LIZARDS HAD MANAGED TO OPEN A CIRCUIT BOX AND HAD POLISHED THE SWITCHES INSIDE YOUR MACHINE REACTIVATED THE GATE FROM THIS SIDE FARMER CROUCHED THE POINT OF THE BOATHOOK WAVERED THAT WAS HOW IT WENT IN STORIES AS CORNY AS A SITUATION SAID FELICITY WITH A SHUDDER AT THE SACRILEGE NOT EVEN THE JUDGMENT WAS SO GREATLY TO BE FEARED PADDY WOULD NEVER BE EATEN MICE IF IT WAS +54964cf1-abcd-4eae-add3-8d6ec30647e6 PRESENTLY AUNT OLIVIA CAME DOWN THE LONG TWILIGHT ARCADE HER BRIGHT HAIR WAS UNCOVERED AND SHE LOOKED SLIM AND QUEENLIKE IN HER LIGHT DRESS WE THOUGHT AUNT OLIVIA VERY PRETTY THEN NOW YOU YOUNG FRY GET STRAIGHT OFF TO YOUR BEDS DAN IS OUT OF DANGER AND YOU CAN'T DO ANY MORE GOOD NOT THAT ANY OF YOU HAVE DONE MUCH EXCEPT CECILY SHE'S GOT A HEAD ON HER SHOULDERS THAT MEANS HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS BATTLESHIP THEIR SUBJECT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR BATTLE SHIP THE ROBERT SAID COLDLY ALL HIS STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS SHIP WERE TRUE YOU DO NOT TRUST ME PERHAPS YOU ARE WISE I MIGHT TALK FOOLISHLY I AM AN OLD MAN OLDER IN THIS LAST MONTH THAN IN ALL MY YEARS +54a14797-865e-40ac-bd12-49c2aaa66f5b AND THE BRIDGE THEY HAD BUILT SPANNED THE GULF BETWEEN THEIR STARS OF EXILE HE HAD A RETENTIVE MEMORY TURALLY I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND VIC'S JARGON ABOUT FREQUENCIES AND LIGHT RAYS FOR I THOUGHT MORE ABOUT FOOTBALL THAN PHYSICS IN COLLEGE I CAUGHT BROOK TROUT IN THE WESTERLING VALLEY OF SPRUCES AND SOLD THEM FOR A CENT APIECE YOU CAN GO HOME IF YOU LIKE SAID THE STORY GIRL SCORNFULLY BUT I'M GOING TO GO SEE MISTER CAMPBELL I KNOW I CAN MANAGE HIM BUT IF I HAVE TO GO ALONE AND HE GIVES ME ANYTHING I'LL KEEP IT ALL FOR MY OWN COLLECTION MIND YOU THERE WAS A SLITHERING SOUND IN THE DISTANCE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A MOUNTAIN IN MOTION NEVER MIND THE DOOR THIS WAY QUICK +54ae25ba-7288-4e29-9bb5-3a458a7f5b75 WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO WITH IT ASKED THORN WITHIN A YEAR WE WILL HAVE A COPY WITH OUR OWN IMPROVEMENTS AFTER THAT YOU INTEND TO START A WAR BEHIND THE HOUSE WAS A GROVE OF FIR AND SPRUCE A DIM COOL PLACE WHERE THE WINDS WERE FOND OF PURRING AND WHERE THERE WAS ALWAYS A RESINOUS WOODSY ODOUR ON THE FURTHER SIDE OF IT WAS A THICK PLANTATION OF SLENDER SILVER BIRCHES AND WHISPERING POPLARS AND BEYOND IT WAS UNCLE ROGER'S HOUSE MUCH TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT IT WAS DARK DARK WHEN WE REACHED CARLISLE TOO DARK TO SEE ANYTHING VERY DISTINCTLY AS WE DROVE UP THE LANE OF THE OLD KING HOMESTEAD ON THE HILL DAN WAS TOO FRIGHTENED TO RESENT THIS AT THE TIME HOWEVER AND WHEREVER JIMMY WAS GONE HE WAS GONE SO MUCH WAS CERTAIN +54e77126-d36a-476b-b348-c604348e0f8e AND THE HEAD OF THE WEAPON CRASHED AGAINST THE LOCK MY VOICE TRAILED OFF THE OTHERS SEEM TO CALL HIM THAT IF ANYTHING HE WAS MORE EAGER THAN I WAS TO FIND OUT WHO WAS USING HIS ADMINISTRATION AS A CAT'S PAW SHAKING OFF THE SPELL OF FURS AND MOONLIGHT AND ROMANTIC TALE WE SCRAMBLED TO OUR FEET AND WENT HOMEWARD A DONKEY A JACK AND ALSO TEN THOUSAND LIVES LET'S LOOK AT THE OTHER PAPERS AND SEE WHICH ONE I AM +550fd71f-5936-48f7-984f-fc2beef999a0 UNCLE ROGER WOULD HAVE LET THEM FIGHT IT OUT SAID THE STORY GIRL DISCONTENTEDLY UNCLE ROGER BELIEVES IN BOYS FIGHTING HE SAYS IT'S A HARMLESS WAY AS ANY OF WORKING OFF THEIR ORIGINAL SIN AFTER FOUR YEARS I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE STORE OF PHOTOPHLASH FLARES HE WATCHED FOR A WHILE BUT SAW NO MORE FLARES FINALLY HE SCRAMBLED DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAVA SHEET AND CONTINUED ON TOWARD THE WRECK MOVING SLOWLY BUT STEADILY AT THE LITTLE PEOPLE TOWN NOR THE DENAY BUT AFTER THIRTY FIVE YEARS THE INCANTO WORE OFF AND MILLER AND I STOLE THE LISTS OF NAMES AND RAN AWAY BUT WHERE DID YOU REALLY GET THIS LIST OF SO MANY NAMES WRITTEN SO SMALL HE VOWED THAT HE DIDN'T CARE BUT HE DID CARE TERRIBLY AND HE GLOWERED AT MISSUS MC LAREN IN A MOST UNDUTIFUL FASHION HE HAD NEVER LIKED HER SINCE THE DAY SHE HAD TOLD HIM HE WOULD SOON BE AS BROAD AS HE WAS LONG +551159ea-a71f-4a6f-88da-8343d0a288bb HE LOOKS CAUTIOUS RATHER THAN HOSTILE ORN HELD UP HIS RIGHT HAND PALM OUT THIS IS AN ORDINARY HEAVY CARGO AND PASSENGER JOB IT'S NO MORE A WAR LORD BATTLESHIP THAN I AM IT IS HARD TO CURL YOUR LIPS WITH CONTEMPT AND TALK AT THE SAME TIME BUT I SUCCEEDED YOU HAVE CONFESSED THE BALD ONE SAID IT IS NECESSARY THAT YOU RATIFY YOUR CONFESSION COME WITH US YONAS KNEW WHAT THAT MEANT RATIFICATION OF A FREE CONFESSION TOOK PLACE IN A TORTURE HE WIPED HIS FACE WITH ONE HAND BUT HE HARDLY THOUGHT OF ESCAPING HE HAD TO GO THROUGH WITH THE PLAN HOWEVER IF THE SPIKIN WAS WEARING A SUIT OF PLASTER FLESH THAT LOOKED REMOTELY HUMANOID I WOULD AT LEAST STAY AND TALK TO HIM THAT IS WHAT I WAS AIMING TO DO WITH THE CENTAURIANS +5524916d-fd70-4fb3-9e92-62f0f902b518 IN THE JUNGLE THE STRONG SLAY THE WEAK UNTIL ONLY THE STRONG REMAIN SAID TENUB WITH ITS GRAVITY OF ONLY SEVEN EIGHTHS TERRAN STANDARD OUR OLD WORLD IS MATTER TRUE ENOUGH BUT FOR THE REST YOU'RE WRONG PETE OLD SON YOU'RE NOT MATTER ANY MORE HE SEEMED TO BE A CAT WITH A TOLERABLY GOOD OPINION OF HIMSELF AND HIS RESPONSE TO OUR ADVANCES WAS SLIGHTLY TINGED WITH CONDESCENSION YOU ARE A QUEER GIRL SAID FELICITY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DAN WHO DECLARED HE KNEW THERE WAS A CATCH SOMEWHERE AND HE WASN'T GOING TO BE CAUGHT SOUTH OF US FLAMED FOMALHAUT +55814a22-986b-4147-98df-c053c52fcc0b PETER SAYS THERE'S ANY AMOUNT OF RASPBERRIES BACK IN THE MAPLE CLEARING SAID DAN S'POS'N WE GO AFTER TEA AND PICK SOME I'D LIKE TO SIGHED FELICITY BUT WE'D COME HOME TIRED AND WITH ALL THE MILKING TO DO YOU BOYS BETTER GO ALONE SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON PETER TOOK DAN AND ME ASIDE ONE EVENING AS WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE ORCHARD WITH OUR DREAM BOOKS SAYING SIGNIFICANTLY THAT HE WANTED OUR ADVICE WE WERE OBLIGED LITTLE CREW SITTING THERE IN THE LIGHT OF OUR GOBLIN LANTERN WE HAD IN VERY TRUTH BEEN GIVEN BEAUTY FOR ASHES AND THE OIL OF JOY FOR MORNING THIS NEW SENSE IS OF GREAT VALUE PERHAPS WE CAN LEARN TO TEACH IT TO OTHERS IN TIME THOUGH WE HAVE HAD LITTLE SUCCESS WITH THAT +55860197-064e-4eaa-bb58-3e762347ddf0 OR IF YOU DECIDE YOU WANT OUT OF THIS ASSIGNMENT YOU JUST SAY THE WORD I OWE BACK YOU TO THE HILT WHY SHOULD I WANT OUT OF MY FIRST FIELD ASSIGNMENT LISTEN AND FIND OUT ON THE EDGE OF LIGHT AND DARK WE CELEBRATED THE NOVEMBER DAY WHEN PETER WAS PERMITTED TO REJOIN US BY A PICNIC IN THE ORCHARD SARA RAY WAS ALSO ALLOWED TO COME UNDER PROTEST AND HER JOY OVER BEING AMONG US ONCE MORE WAS ALMOST PATHETIC HOW QUEER EXCLAIMED THE LITTLE WANDERER THE OLD MAN HAD THAT LOOK OF INTENSE GLEE ON HIS FACE THAT MEANT SOME ONE WAS IN FOR A VERY ROUGH TIME +55a60036-2202-4d2a-9758-199f3caf57e0 IT WAS BEWILDERING AND I WATCHED THEM WARILY SUSPECTING A TRICK THERE WERE ONLY THREE MORE CARTRIDGES LEFT IN MY GUN AND I DID NOT DARE REPLACE THE FIRED SHELLS FOR FEAR THEY WOULD RUSH ME WHEN THE ACTION WAS OPEN AND THE GUN MOMENTARILY USELESS I'VE THOUGHT OF A PLAN SAID THE STORY GIRL LET'S ALL GIVE HER SOMETHING AS FELICITY SAYS AND LET'S ALL GO UP TO HER PLACE THIS EVENING AND IF WE SEE HER OUTSIDE WE'LL JUST GO QUIETLY AND SET THE THINGS DOWN BEFORE HER WITH THE LETTER AND SAY NOTHING BUT COME RESPECTFULLY AWAY IF SHE'LL LET US SAID DAN SIGNIFICANTLY YOU THE INTELLIGENT ONE HE SAID THE QUOTES AROUND INTELLIGENT WERE CLEAR IN HIS INTONATION EXPLAIN THIS TO ME IT'S OBVIOUSLY WHAT REACTIVATED THE GATE BUT WHOEVER MADE IT DID A SCREW BALL JOB THE DRIVE ON THE BATTLESHIP AS WELL AS CONTROLS AND PRIMARY ARMAMENT HAD BEEN STOOD WEEKS BEFORE I SHOWED UP MUCH OF THE SUBSIDIARY WORK REMAINED TO BE DONE WHEN THE SHIP HAD LEFT +55c024de-875d-4954-98a5-e914e039c744 THE SOMEONE SCUTTLED AGILELY FOR A MOMENT WE'RE SETTING UP OUR OWN SEARCH SYSTEM TO FIND THE PLANETS BEFORE THEY DO EVEN CHILDREN CANNOT DEVOUR MINCE PIE DURING THE DISCUSSION WE CAME OUT TO THE FENCE OF THE HILL PASTURE WHERE GREW THE BAD BERRY BUSHES IN THE FEW CASES WHERE FORGERY WASN'T ADEQUATE MY MYSTERIOUS X HAD APPARENTLY HIRED HIMSELF TO DO THE JOB A HUGE HOLE WAS BURNED IN IT AND WHEN AUNT JANET DISCOVERED IT SHE LIFTED UP HER VOICE WITH NO UNCERTAIN SOUND +55e5fc0c-6c94-4a24-93ce-4ee05fa956af HAVING DECIDED ALL THIS FARMER WENT BACK OVER THE TERRITORY TO SEE IF HE COULD FIND ANY FLAWS IN IT OR ANY OTHER WAY OUT IT STILL MADE SENSE HE ADDED A DECISION TO GET THE BOAT BACK TO SHORE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE HE APPROACHED THE ENGINE IT IS HARD TO CURL YOUR LIPS WITH CONTEMPT AND TALK AT THE SAME TIME BUT I SUCCEEDED OF COURSE YOU DON'T EXPECT THEM TO FIRE WARSHIP PLANS WITH THE LEGAL REGISTRY DO YOU BUT AS I SAID I KNOW MORE THAN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SHIPS IT SEEMED TO ME THIS THING WAS JUST A BIT TOO BIG FOR THE USE INTENDED YES BUT MAYBE SOME ONE WHO SEES ME THERE WILL MENTION IT TO MA WELL IF YOU'RE SO SCARED YOU'D BETTER NOT GO IT ISN'T TOO LATE NOW SARA SHE SAID YOU JUST TAKE MY ADVICE AND GO INTO THIS WITH ALL YOUR HEART IF YOU GO AT ALL NEVER MIND IF IT IS BAD JUST AS MUCH NONSENSE AS PRAYING ABOUT THE BITTER APPLES IN THE FIRST PLACE OH DAN YOU DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS SOME GOOD IN PRAYING SAID CECILY REPROACHFULLY +55efc553-b909-4c9b-9350-4804793e3104 NOT ONLY OUR OWN COPSE BUT THE GALACTIC FEDERATION WOULD BE ON OUR NECKS IF THEY KNEW NOW LET US KISS AND MAKE UP FARMER BLUSHED HOTLY EXCEPT WHEN FELICITY IS EDITH DREAM OF THE DEAD YOU'LL HEAR OF THE LIVING QUOTED FELIX ORACULARLY WHEN WE REACHED OUR LANE AND PASSED UNDER GRANDFATHER KING'S BIG WILLOW AND THERE WAS NO LAUGHTER YONAH SHRUGGED HIS FEET WERE BEGINNING TO HURT HE REALISED HE SIGHED BRIEFLY BUT THERE WAS NO TIME OR ATTENTION TO SPARE FOR THEM IT WAS DAMP AND THE AIR WAS NOT TOO GOOD BUT THERE WERE COMPENSATIONS RATS FOR INSTANCE +55f9c522-eec9-47a0-bc43-2770d1418b6f BUT HOW DID SHE MANAGE TO GET YOU POLYCHROME AND THIS GAVE LOOT TIME TO CLIMB THROUGH THE OPENING FOR WOOT WAS NOT VERY BIG AND NOT VERY OLD MISTER BUTLER AND MISS HOPE ARE SAFE EVERYTHING'S EXPLAINED IN THIS NOTE IT MAY BE THAT THERE'S NO TIME TO LOSE IN MAKING SOME PLANS WHY YES HE SAID HOW DID YOU KNOW THE NORMAL TREADY WAS CHANGED AROUND CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF UNNECESSARY TROUBLE WHILE SO EMPLOYED SHE CONTRIVED TO UPSET THE CANDLE AND SET FIRE TO HER NIGHTGOWN WHEN THEY ASSURED US SOLEMNLY THAT THEIR DREAMS ALL HAPPENED EXACTLY AS THEY DESCRIBED THEM WE WERE COMPELLED TO BELIEVE THEM +5620c8f3-0de6-47eb-b09c-1599aad89aa4 TRYING TO TRAP AND KILL THEM WITH NO WEAPONS BEYOND HIS BARE HANDS EVEN AN EATING KNIFE HE HAD CARRIED IN HIS JERKIN HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY LEAVING HIM TO THE UNCOMFORTABLE REFLECTION THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DINE WITH HIS FINGERS WAS A PASTIME THAT OCCUPIED HIM FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON THE FIRST DAY HOW LONG IS IT SINCE MISS HOPE WENT IN THERE AT CLOSE RANGE THEIR LONG FINGERS GRIPPED ME LIKE TALONS OF STEEL THEY WERE TEN CENTS APIECE WITH RULED PAGES AND MOTTLED GREEN COVERS I'M GOING TO HAVE COW SOME DAY SAID PETER FLUSHING AND HE SAID THAT WAS SOMETHING LIKE A SERMON YOU DON'T HEAR SUCH SERMONS NOWADAYS TIME THE FLOOR HAD TO BE SCRUBBED IT WOULD CURE HER OF HER SENTIMENTAL NONSENSE +562231e9-0bd6-4dfc-ad4f-6a9c589fba1e YOUR FRIEND MUST HAVE BEEN A WONDERFUL WORKMAN EXCLAIMED GROUP HE WAS INDEED ADMITTED THE EMPEROR HE WAS A TINSMITH BY TRADE AND COULD MAKE ANYTHING OUT OF TIN WHEN I LOOKED AT SAMUEL WARD I THOUGHT OF HIM GETTING UP IN MEETING ONE NIGHT AND PRAYING THAT HE MIGHT BE GUIDED IN HIS UPSETTING AND DOWN RISING JUST LOOK AT THE SCRATCHES I GOT AND THE MILK WENT EVERYWHERE EXCEPT DOWN PAT'S THROAT I WANT TO MORTIFY THE FLESH I'LL MORTIFY YOU IF I CATCH YOU SHOWING YOURSELF TO THE MILLWARDS LIKE THAT MY GIRL WHEN I HAD COMPLETED MY SERVANT I WENT OVER IT VERY CAREFULLY AGAIN AND WROTE WITH RED INK CICELY MADE IT FOR ME OUT OF AN ANALINE DYE THE WORD THUMP WHENEVER I DEEMED IT ADVISABLE TO CHASTISE THE PULPIT +5628f7bd-86fc-46cb-b986-c3e5a2631c0e I DUG THROUGH THE MARK THREE PLANS IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A DISTILLERY THAN A BEACON IT SWISHED DOWN AND LANDED AT NIGHT IN THE BANK OF A LOCAL MUD WALLOW THAT'S THE WAY TO BAIT THE REDS HIS WELL WORN EXPRESSION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH QUANUM MECHANICS CAPSULING OUT REPEAT CAPSULING OUT YONAS SIGHED AND WENT FORWARD TO MEET THE TWO BIG MEN LEAVING MISSUS SHARP SOBBING IN THE BACKGROUND AND A COLLECTION OF HOUSES STRUNG ALONG THE DIRT PAST THE TOWN THEY WERE IN EFFECT MEN THAT IS THEY HAD A HEAD A TORSO TWO ARMS AND TWO LEGS APIECE +563d68e1-c6f6-49b1-84f6-2cb36c298b0b DID IT HURT HE ASKED THE LITTLE BROWN BEAR ALTHOUGH I HAVE THOUGHT THAT WE SKY FAIRIES HAVE MORE POWER THAN IS ACCORDED TO EARTH FAIRIES ORAN ESA SLED FORWARD AROUND AN OBSTRUCTING ROUTE A WHAT IS THAT READ A LOT IN THE LOOK OF AN EYE THE NAME OF THE HILL WAS OLYMPUS BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS STORY THAT HAPPENED ON ANOTHER MOUNTAIN OF COURSE SHE IS AUNT JANE IS SPLENDID AGREED THE STORY GIRL AND I REGRET TO SAY BICKERED AND SQUABBLED INCESSANTLY THROUGHOUT THE DAYTIME FOR OUR DIGESTIONS WENT OUT OF ORDER AND OUR TEMPERS FOLLOWED SUIT +56446cba-0064-4c6f-a103-882764dbeb7a LONG LONG AGO IN THE GOLDEN AGE WHEN THE GODS USED TO VISIT THE EARTH SO OFTEN THAT IT WAS NOTHING UNCOMMON TO SEE THEM ODIN MADE A PILGRIMAGE OVER THE WORLD HE HAD LEARNED A GREAT MANY POEMS FROM PROFESSOR WOGGLE BUG AND LOVED TO REPEAT THEM WHENEVER ANYBODY WOULD LISTEN TO HIM HORSEBOOT AND LIEU TIN WOODMAN NOW LISTEN BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DO OTHERWISE UNLESS THEY RUDELY RAN AWAY FROM THEIR STUFFED COMRADE YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE FIRST STEP CLARTON SAID DO NOTHING RASH OF COURSE NOT YOU WOULD NOT ACCEPT HELP I WILL NOT YUNUS THOUGHT VERY WELL THEN CLAYTON THOUGHT THERE WAS THE GHOST OF ANOTHER IDEA YUNUS CAUGHT IT I KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SENT ME IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER AVAILABLE MEMBER HE THOUGHT BEFORE IT COULD FALL I HAD MY SOLAR OUT AND WITH A WIDE ANGLE SHOT BURNED THE CONTRACT TO ASHES THE OLD MAN PRESSED THE BUTTON AGAIN AND ANOTHER CONTRACT SLID OUT ON HIS DESK IF POSSIBLE THE SMILE WAS STILL WIDER NOW +56455aef-a9c5-41c4-818f-e8c531ba294a ON THE ENDS OF THEIR LONG TAILS WERE CLUSTERS OF JEWELS AROUND THE GREAT MOONLIKE EYES WERE CIRCLES OF DIAMONDS WHICH SPARKLED IN THE SUBDUED LIGHT THAT GLOWED FROM THE EYES TRULY WE HAD HAD A DELECTABLE SUMMER AND HAVING HAD IT IT WAS OURS FOREVER THE GODS THEMSELVES CANNOT RECALL THEIR GIFTS THEY MAY ROB US OF OUR FUTURE AND EMBITTER OUR PRESENT BUT OUR PAST THEY MAY NOT TOUCH WITH ALL ITS LAUGHTER AND DELIGHT AND GLAMOUR IT IS OUR ETERNAL POSSESSION BUT THEY HAD NO CHOICE THEY TELEPHORTED AT ONCE INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE TWO NEARBY NATIVES AND MET WITH FRUSTRATION BEYOND SERREMEIAN EXPERIENCE UNCLE ROGER WANDERED BY AT THIS MOMENT AND BEHOLDING PETER SAID IS SAUL ALSO AMONG THE PROPHETS WHAT CAN HAVE INDUCED YOU TO TURN CHURCH GOER PETER WHEN ALL OLIVIA'S GENTLE PERSUASIONS WERE OF NO AVAIL THE OLD OLD ARGUMENT I SUPPOSE BEAUTY DRAWS US WITH A SINGLE HAIR +5693d71c-1e7d-4c95-9274-1e4116592d41 IT WAS PERMISSIBLE FOR HIRED BOYS TO GO TO PUBLIC MEETINGS I WANT TO MORTIFY THE FLESH THEY'RE A NEW VARIETY THAT NO ONE CAN GROW BUT ME IF WE DO WE'LL BREAK YOUR SKIN REPLIED THE KING AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SHUDDER WHICH RELEASED THE LETHAL FORCE A GREAT CROWD OF CREATURES SIMILAR TO MY CAPTORS HEMMED US IN BUT HE MANAGED TO HAUL JENIFER UP WITH HIM AND ITS GREAT FILMY EYES ALL BUT CLOSED AGAINST THE SLANTING GLARE OF MORNING SUN +569b3797-4f0d-4dd4-a859-5fc2a6ddc1a5 THEN I FILLED THE FRAME WITH ALL THE EQUIPMENT I WOULD NEED AND BEGAN TO WIRE THE SUIT WHEN IT WAS DONE I TRIED IT ON IN FRONT OF A FULL LENGTH MIRROR IT WAS HORRIBLE BUT EFFECTIVE THE TAIL DRAGGED ME DOWN IN THE REAR AND GAVE ME A DUCK WADDLE BUT THAT ONLY HELPED THE RESEMBLANCE NEVERTHELESS WHEN IT GREW DARK AND WE RETURNED TO THE HOUSE I NOTICED THAT DAN WAS RATHER PALE AND QUIET HE LAY DOWN ON THE KITCHEN SOFA DO YOU FEEL ALL RIGHT DAN I WHISPERED ANXIOUSLY SHUT UP HE SAID THIS SECOND DIAL WAS NO MORE THAN A THIN DISK OF HARD RUBBER OR BAKE LIGHT WITH A RED SCRATCH MARK ON ONE SIDE ON THE PANEL ITSELF FAR TO THE RIGHT OF THE DIAL'S ZERO POINT WAS THE RED SCRATCH MARK THAT MATCHED IT WHEN THE TWO COINCIDED WELL SOMETHING HAPPENED A SUDDEN BEND IN THE LANE BROUGHT US OUT TO THE LITTLE CLEARING WHERE PEG'S HOUSE WAS BEFORE WE WERE HALF READY TO SEE IT IN SPITE OF MY FEAR I LOOKED AT IT WITH SOME CURIOSITY +56ae28f5-635e-4cb1-82e0-eed2f30b2c51 IF HE LIKED YOU THERE WAS NOTHING HE WOULD NOT DO FOR YOU BUT IF HE DISLIKED YOU FELICITY IN ESPECIAL SEEMED TO BE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN AND JOHN ADREW LAID HIM ON THE DECK AS DOOR SPRANG LEAFILY OVER THE RAIL AGAIN IN DREAMLAND WE WERE ALL EQUAL ADAM AND EVE LIVED IN A GARDEN ALL THE TIME SAID FELICITY AND THEY WERE FAR FROM BEING ALWAYS GOOD THE FOREFINGERED HAND LOOKED EXTREMELY CAPABLE AROUND THE STOCK OF MARK TWENTY AGAIN THE CALL BELL CHIMED +56b02286-0fe2-4eda-b8cf-e36365be4a1a HAY LOFTS ARE DELICIOUS PLACES WITH JUST ENOUGH OF SHADOW AND SOFT UNCERTAIN NOISES TO GIVE AN AGREEABLE TANG OF MYSTERY THOUGH PIRACY WAS OF COURSE TOO MEAN AN AMBITION TO ASCRIBE TO THIS BOY I STROLLED OUT SLOWLY IN COMMAND OF THE SITUATION A FEW MINUTES PASSED OR A FEW YEARS WE COULD NOT HAVE TOLD WHICH NOT LONG AFTERWARDS JUDY WAS SCRUBBING THE KITCHEN FLOOR ONE MORNING AND WHEN MISSUS FRUIN CAME IN JUDY LOOKED UP AND SAT QUITE PROUD OVER USING THE RIGHT WORD DAN SAID IT WAS NO USE FOR ME TO BOTHER PRAYING ABOUT IT HE SAID IF THEY COULDN'T SPEAK GOD MIGHT DO SOMETHING BUT WHEN THEY JUST WOULDN'T IT WASN'T LIKELY HE WOULD INTERFERE +56c07920-671b-42e3-a10c-0c9217b2ee20 ANOTHER FLARE FLASHED IN THE SKY BEHIND HIM SILHOUETTING A ROW OF GROTESQUE TREES COME OVER HERE YOU FOOLS HE THOUGHT HE WATCHED UNTIL THE FLARE FLICKERED OUT THEN TURNED HIS HEAD BACK TOWARD THE REMAINS OF THE SHIP THERE WASN'T MUCH OF A GLOW TO IT NOW IT WOULD BE HARD TO SEE UNLESS ASTRO WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF IT I SHUFFLED THE MEAGRE FINDINGS CONTROLLED MY IMPATIENCE AND KEPT THE SHIP'S SIMON BUSY PULLING IN ALL THE REPORTS OF ANY KIND OF TROUBLE IN SPACE THE NAVIGATOR AND I PLOTTED THEIR LOCATIONS IN HIS TANK COMPARING THE POSITIONS RELATION TO THE GLOWING SPHERE THAT ENCLOSED ALL THE POSSIBLE LOCATIONS OF THE STOLEN SHIP WHAT A BLACK AND ENDLESS LIST THEY MADE THOSE SINS OF OMISSION AND COMMISSION THAT RUSHED ACCUSINGLY ACROSS OUR YOUNG MEMORIES FOR AS THE LEAVES OF THE BOOK OF JUDGMENT WERE ALREADY OPENED AND WE STOOD AT THE BAR OF OUR OWN CONSCIENCES THAN WHICH FOR YOUTH OR ELSE THERE CAN BE NO MORE DREAD TRIBUNAL PRESENTLY THE STORY GIRL WHO HAD BEEN STANDING UP LEANING AGAINST A TALL FIR SLIPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND IN A HUDDLED FASHION AND BROKE INTO A VERY PASSION OF WEEPING I HAD NEVER HEARD ANY ONE CRY SO WITH DREADFUL RENDING SONGS +56d997a1-3dae-4011-934d-cd2d9c98f862 ASKED THE HIPPOCRIFT IN A DISAPPOINTED VOICE BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO MEND TIN LIKES WITH IT SO I'M NOT SURE I CAN HELP YOU I GLANCED DOWN AT MY WATCH FEARFUL FOR A MOMENT THAT IT HAD BEEN BROKEN OR LOST IN THE MALAY HE WAS TELLING ME THE GUY WHO DID THE JOB WHILE HE SAT BACK ON HIS FAT PAY CHECK IN AN AIR CONDITIONED OFFICE WITH A TENTH OF THE EFFORT PEPEY COULD HAVE HAD A CRUISER THAT WOULD HAVE SUITED HIS PURPOSES JUST AS WELL I LEANED OVER AND PUT MY LIPS CLOSE TO HIS EAR +56d9be55-2585-4d7e-b8ea-36de189386e9 SARA IS REAL SICK SHE SAID WITH REGRET AND SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT REGRET MINGLED IN HER VOICE IT WAS A COOL DEWY EVENING AND WE WALKED DOWN THE LONG RED HILL IN THE HIGHEST OF SPIRITS THAT'S TRUE THE LIST IS HARD TO EXPLAIN AND SUCH ODD NAMES ON IT TOO WHERE IS MARILLA I DON'T SEE MARILLA SINCE I CAME BACK MARILLA JUST LAY DOWN AND DIED MANOEL THE CRYSTAL NOW WE MUST HAVE IT TO QUIET THE ZID UNTIL IT IS SAFELY CAGED AGAIN WHEN SHE CEASED WE CAME BACK TO EARTH FEELING AS IF WE HAD BEEN MILLIONS OF MILES AWAY IN THE BLUE ETHER AND THAT ALL OUR OLD FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS WERE MOMENTARILY FORGOTTEN AND STRANGE +56fa7400-be8f-4627-9dbd-3f10426c8732 THE PRIESTS WERE A HARD HEADED LOT AND WEREN'T BUYING ANY LIZARDS IN A POKE THEY JUST STOOD AND MUTTERED BEING AN INTERSTELLAR TROUBLE SHOOTER WOULDN'T BE SO BAD TO HAVE A WEIRD CREATURE WITH SUPERHUMAN POWERS SERESTIC DOODLES AND ABRUPTLY PRESENTED A PICTURE THE TELEVISION SAT FLICKERED HUMMED AND COULD ONLY RELIEVE HER ANGUISH OF SOUL BY DAILY LETTERS TO CECILY WHICH THE FAITHFUL AND OBLIGING JUDY PINNOT BROUGHT UP FOR HER BY THIS TIME I HAD A GENERAL RELEASE PREPARED ALONG WITH DIRECTIONS FOR USE AND FOLLOW UP WHICH HE SENT TO CENTRAL FOURTEEN +570f8666-bc66-4ba8-bdfe-48c472631fe3 GOOD DORA SAID BRISKLY NOW I'LL JUST HE SWORE AND STARTED TO CHECK THE WIRING BUT HE WAS A TOUGH BOSO SO I WILL RECITE FOR YOUR BENEFIT MY STRANGE ADVENTURES AND IF THEY ARE STILL IN THOSE BARRELS ALL I HAD TO DO WAS SUGGEST A LINE OF SEARCH AND THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WOULD BEGIN APPEARING AT ONCE SORRY THAT'S THE WAY IT IS YOUR BRAINS BOYS WILL PICK MY SKULL TO PIECES AND FIND THE TRUTH OUT BUT I SHALL ANTICIPATE THE SUCCESSIVE RELATIONS IN THIS CHAPTER WE WERE NOT SURPRISED TO FIND THAT BILLY ROBINSON'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARY FUND +5711ed50-1a95-41ee-a34d-61c89a1b2742 JUDGE RAY WAS NOW FRANTICALLY TRYING TO REMOVE HIS DIVING HELMET AGAIN EXCITEMENT MADE HIS MOTIONS INEFFECTING AND HIS SIGNAL FOR FARMER TO HELP HIM THEN CONTINUED TO FUMBLE WITH THE FASTENINGS HIMSELF WHY TWINS ARE JUST PEOPLE THAT SQUINT AREN'T THEY SAID PETER WE THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO BE FUNNY UNTIL WE FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS QUITE IN EARNEST THEN WE LAUGHED UNTIL PETER GOT SULKY I DON'T CARE HE SAID HOW'S A FELLOW TO KNOW TOMMY AND ADAM COWAN OVER AT MARKDALE ARE TWINS AND THEY'RE BOTH CROSS EYED HE IGNORED THE INEVITABLE GLORY OF MORNING RAINBOW THAT JUST PRECEDED PROCYON'S RISING AND STRODE IRRITABLY DOWN TO HIS MINIATURE DOCK HE WAS STILL SCOWLING OVER WHAT HE SHOULD TELL CHARLIE MACK WHEN THE ISLAND QUEEN HOVE INTO VIEW THEN THE COMPANY PASSED THROUGH IT IN GREAT HASTE ALL FIRED WITH A DESIRE TO BE THE FIRST TO DRINK OF THE FOUNTAIN AND WIN SO MARVELLOUS A BOON +571e58ce-f424-44c3-9799-982495cb087a THE SPICE OF MINT THE GREAT SQUARE OF PEGASUS WAS OVER OUR HEADS ON THE FURTHEST BANK IS THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE SIT UP PEPPY I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE CRYING THERE ARE SOME NAVAL SHIPS ON THE WAY NOW THE AUTOMATIC ALARM WAS TRIGGERED A MINUTE AGO BUCKLING THE FUR CAPE AROUND MY SHOULDERS WITH THE PLATINUM CLASP I STAMPED DOWN THE RAMP INSTANTLY BRANDON'S EYES WERE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS LEANING TIP DOWN AGAINST THE EDGE OF ANOTHER LAVA SHEET SOME DISTANCE AWAY YOU'VE HAD SEVEN TEN DAYS SATTERFIELD SAID THE ZID'S TALONS RIPPED THROUGH THE DOOR LEAVING PARALLEL ROWS OF SPLINTERED BRAKES +57267101-cc70-47d0-85ee-a9c7eead207a BUT THERE IS NONE YONAH SAID HE HAD TO GO THROUGH WITH THE PLAN HEROISM LOOKED A LITTLE EMPTY THOUGH BUT THE REST OF US RATHER LOOKED WITH FAVOUR ON THE STORY GIRL'S IDEA YOU CAN REPENT AFTERWARDS BUT THERE IS NO USE IN MIXING THE TWO THINGS TOGETHER AND THE WEIRD LITTLE TALE TOLD IN A VOICE FRAUGHT WITH MYSTERY AND PATHOS HAD PEOPLED THEM FOR US WITH FURATIVE FOLKS IN BELT AND WAMPUM AND DARK DRESSED INDIAN MAIDENS I WOULD MUCH RATHER TAKE A CHANCE OF BREAKING THROUGH NEAR SOME STAR THAN SPEND TIME JUST BARRELING THROUGH NORMAL SPACE BUT APPARENTLY TECH KNOWS THIS TOO +5752abe9-e51c-41c3-9805-0a5cf22d2e0b WE WERE ALSO FOND OF THE BIG SWEET APPLES WE USED TO THROW THEM UP IN THE AIR AND LET THEM FALL ON THE GROUND UNTIL THEY WERE BRUISED AND BATTERED TO THE BURSTING POINT BUT I'LL OPEN IT IF YOU LIKE YOU ARE IGNORANT OF OUR WAYS SAID TO NUB THEREFORE I FORGIVE YOU THEY CAME IN LIKE A PRIMITIVE RAIDING PARTY THE LEADER DROPPED RIGHT ON TO THE HOOD OF MY SLED AN ACT OF BRAVERY NO LESS COUNTING COOP SO I FOR MY PART MAKE IT A RULE TO ANSWER ANY CIVIL QUESTION THAT IS ASKED ME THE FIRE WAS ON AND A FLUSHED AND TRIUMPHANT STORY GIRL WAS TAKING A LOAF OF BREAD FROM THE OVEN +5763d26e-372d-4c94-b717-8d985a40b0af NEXT TO HER SITS FELICITY BEAUTIFUL AND CONSCIOUS THAT SHE IS BEAUTIFUL WITH HER HAIR OF SPUN SUNSHINE AND SEA BLUE EYES AND ALL THE ROSES OF THAT VANISHED SUMMER ABLOOM IN HER CHEEKS VIC SHOOK HIS HEAD QUITE GRAVELY NO OLD SON I'VE HAD ENOUGH OFF ON ANOTHER TANGENT NOW WHY WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO BACK NOT ME IT DOESN'T SEEM REAL NOW MORE LIKE A NIGHTMARE BUT IT WAS TERRIBLE ENOUGH AT THE TIME IT WASN'T EVEN A RESPECTABLE ORDINARY LOOKING OCCUPANT TO BE ACRID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CALLED A NONIPUS EACH OF THE NINE TINNACLES HAD A LOBSTERISH CLAW AT ITS TIP AND THERE WERE VARIOUS OTHER UNUSUAL APPENDAGES AS BEFITTED THE TOP OFFICIAL OF A RICH PLANET THE PLACE IS A MANSION FOR THE SECURITY PRECAUTIONS WERE LUDICROUS TO SAY THE LEAST I TOOK MYSELF AND THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY KILO ROBOT THROUGH THE GUARDS AND ALARMS WITHOUT CAUSING THE SLIGHTEST STIR +57b14abf-05ca-4124-9a77-32e8cf311392 BEING BUILT NOW IN THE NAVAL SHIPYARD AT EUDORIDE THE RELEASE AND FOLLOW UP ALL HARPED ON ONE THEME BUT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO HIDE ANGELINA NOW VIC'S PLACE WAS OUT ON THE RIVER ABOUT TEN MILES FROM TOWN AND THAT LITTLE TAN ROADSTER OF MINE MADE IT IN JUST ABOUT TEN MINUTES SHE WAS ALSO DEEPLY INTERESTED IN MISSIONS I'D BE AWFUL SORRY MYSELF IF PAT DIED I WENT OUT TO THE BARN AND I SAW A MOUSE IN SPITE OF PRAYERS AND HEROIC ATTEMPTS FELIX COULD NEVER GET BEYOND THAT LAST BITE HE WAS NOT ANGRY +58094aa4-94ed-497e-80f4-3fab28e3dbc8 AT LEAST I HOPE HE WILL THIS COULD NOT BE HER COUSIN FROM SCOTLAND I HOPE SARAH WILL HAVE HERS SO A MOMENT LATER THEY HAD RUSHED THROUGH THE PASSAGE AND WERE STANDING IN THE FRESH NIGHT AIR OUTSIDE THE CASTLE TO NEWBOLTED PRESENTLY SAID SEND ME BACK ASKED HORN THEY WERE SIMPLE FOOLS SAID TENUBE JIMMY FREWEN WALKED HOME WITH NELLIE BOWEN LAST NIGHT FROM PRAYER MEETING AND HER ONLY FOURTEEN +581a12a7-e857-42cb-8a12-b0722d7ea840 TOWERS SAID IN A TONE THAT IRRITATED BRANDON WE'RE GOING TO SET HER DOWN ON A SOLID PIECE OF GROUND NEAR ONE OF THE OCEANS THE TAIL PIPE TEMPERATURE SEEMED ALL RIGHT IT COULD BE A FALSE INDICATION MEDITATE ON A PRAYER YONAS SAID HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH AS IF HE WERE ABOUT TO SPIT OUT AN INCANTATION YONAS GRINNED SUDDENLY AND SAT STRAIGHTER I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN YOU'D BE GETTING INTO CONTACT SOONER OR LATER HE THOUGHT THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS IT SEEMED SO TO STRIKE PETER WHY PATTY JUST SEEMS LIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY HE DIDN'T GO OUT OF THIS DOOR REITERATED DAN STUBBORNLY I KNOW THAT WELL WHERE IS HE THEN HE ISN'T HERE DID HE MELT INTO AIR DEMANDED FELICITY OH COME AND LOOK FOR HIM ALL OF YOU +58743252-9b4d-46f4-9cbf-6cea6f8a16cc SEA WATER HAD PLASTERED JENIFER'S WHITE BLOUSE AND KNEE LENGTH DUNGARIES TO HER BODY LIKE A SECOND SKIN SHE WASN'T PRETTY BUT SHE LOOKED LIKE THE WOMAN IN THAT PICTURE THE STORY GIRL'S FATHER SENT HER LAST WEEK EACH OF US WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO POSSESS THE MOST EXCITING RECORD ONLY FAR AWAY A GREAT BLINDING SPARKLING GLORY WHERE THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE SPRANG UP IN A SHOWER OF DIAMOND FIRE THEN I TOUCHED THE NEXT DIAL AND THE QUIVERING HAND OF THE METER THE HANDS PALMS UPWARD +5888d7f5-5a7b-4cb2-b3ba-78c9d3dcdfef HE WOULD HAVE SAVED WORRY AND TROUBLE FOR EVERYONE HOW BIG THEY HAVE TO BE IT IS AN INTERESTING PLACE SEEMS TO ME I HEARD SOMEWHERE THAT WAY BACK BEFORE YOU FELLOWS GOT IT TAMED IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE MAYBE IT'S NOT TOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND AT THE DOOR HE PAUSED AND HALF TURNED TO THE DOCTOR SHE WANTED ME NOT TO TELL YOU BUT I WOULDN'T PROMISE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S FAIR FOR YOU TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON VIC WELL I'M GOING TO DO A LITTLE EXPLORING DON'T PETER SHE WHISPERED +588c7bb2-bdd8-410d-a6ae-833cdb4539d4 AND CERTAINLY AS FAR AS APPEARANCE WENT IT JUSTIFIED HER TRIUMPH OH SARA STANLEY IT'S A THANKFUL MAN I AM THAT YOUR AUNT OLIVIA IS TO BE HOME TO NIGHT DAN CALLED HER A TELL TALE AND A BABY AND SNEERED AT HER UNTIL CECILY BEGAN TO CRY OH WELL SURELY YOU CAN SETTLE IT SOME OTHER WAY WITHOUT FIGHTING PERSISTED CECILY I GET THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER IN HERE AT ONCE I GLANCED HER WAY AND A SMALL DOOR WAS SWINGING OPEN AND SHE WAS GONE HAD NOT THEN HEARD HER SAY IT ISN'T SO QUICK TO MOVE AND GET OUT OF YOUR SIGHT WHILE YOU'RE WINKING AS THE THIN ONE +58dd299c-58d0-4284-8188-a84958ff639b HERE YOU ADDED UNCLE ROGER PERCEIVING ME CUT ALONG AND GET OFF TO YOUR BED AND MIND YOU DON'T EAT CUCUMBERS AND MILK BEFORE YOU GO WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME DOWN HERE AND CLEAN YOU OUT IT'D BE ASHAMED TO HAVE TO BLAST THAT CITY INTO LITTLE PIECES TO NEWBOLTED PRESENTLY SAID SEND ME BACK I WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH OUR COUNSEL HE STARED AT ORAN YOU I AS ARE TOO STRONG WE DID NOT KNOW THE SALTY BREEZE TURNED COLDER THEN RACE SMILED A SMILE THAT WAS SURPRISINGLY SOFT AND SWEET I THOUGHT MAYBE THEY GOT SOME NEW IMPROVEMENTS ON IT SINCE AUNT JANE'S DAY SAID PETER RELIEVED IT JUST MEANS QUEER SAID CECILY NUDGING HIM WITH HER ELBOW A COMMON MAN WOULD BE QUEER BUT WHEN IT'S A MINISTER IT'S ECCENTRIC +591f4fc5-cb2b-46ee-bd50-3d836cffd842 DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS WE WERE VERY BUSY TOO BUSY TO TELL TALES OR LISTEN TO THEM ONLY IN THE FROSTY DUSK DID WE HAVE TIME TO WANDER AFAR IN REALMS OF GOLD WITH THE STORY GIRL SO BEFORE HE COULD FINISH E PAY WAS THRUST ASIDE BY A GROUP OF ANGRY GUARDS AND I WAS JERKED AWAY GAS BREATHING CHAFFY FORE SAID UNBELIEVINGLY WARM BLOODED LAND DWELLING MAMMALIAN HE HARDLY NEEDED TO SEE INTO HER MIND TO KNOW WHERE SHE WAS GOING AND TWENTY MINUTES LATER TWO MEN CAME TO THE HUT THEY STOOD IN THE OPEN DOORWAY MISSUS SHARP BEHIND THEM TWITTERING LIKE AN ANCIENT BIRD AND YONAS WATCHED THEM BOREDLY +5925cf15-a7b3-49d4-813b-9f23592390db IT WAS ONCE IN CONSTANT USE BUT MY GOVERNMENT CLOSED IT WHEN YOU PEOPLE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WERE ALTHOUGH FARMER WAS DIMLY CONSCIOUS OF MOTION IN IT SOMEWHERE MA THINKS IT WAS HER WEDDING DRESS BUT FATHER SAYS HE BELIEVES IT WAS MIL WILL MONTAGUE'S PICTURE SAID FELICITY OF COURSE WE KNOW IT WASN'T REALLY TRUE SAID FELICITY WE'LL SEND EXPERTS IN HERE ONLY THE BAREST WEAK GLIMMERING OF SUNLIGHT PENETRATED TO THE MUD DELIGHTFUL CLIMATE IDEAL SPOT FOR A COUNTRY HOME FRIENDLY PEOPLE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP STRANGERS AND ALL THAT I IMAGINE THAT'S WHAT I LIKE MAKES ME FEEL GRATEFUL +595adcdc-aca2-4017-b4f2-5fcc494e2f6e I KNOW A STORY ABOUT JUDY PENU AND THE WORD PRESBYTERIAN SAID THE STORY YELL BUT I CAN'T TURN IT NOW IF TO MORROW ISN'T THE JUDGEMENT DAY I'LL TELL IT MONDAY IF I HAD KNOWN THAT TO MORROW MIGHT BE THE JUDGMENT DAY I WOULDN'T HAVE QUARRELLED WITH YOU LAST MONDAY SARA STANLEY OR BEEN SO HORRID AND SULKY ALL THE WEEK THE PRIESTS STOPPED BEFORE US AND THEIR LEADER BEGAN A LONG HARANGUE IN A SCREECHY VOICE WHICH SET MY NERVES ON EDGE WHEN HE HAD FINISHED HE HELD OUT HIS HANDS TOWARD ME AND MOTIONED TOWARD THE WAITING IDOL BUT THIS SURELY LOOKS LIKE THE THING THEY INSTALLED BIG THING LOTS OF POWERS IT WAS A BATTLESHIP ALL RIGHT NO DOUBT OF THAT NOW I WAS MENTALLY REACHING AROUND TO PAT MYSELF ON THE BACK WHEN THE MEANING OF HIS WORDS SANK IN FINALLY THEY HEARD A STIR FROM WITHIN AND SOME ONE COUGHED WHO'S THERE CALLED A GIRL'S VOICE IT IS I CRIED THE TIN TWINS TOGETHER HOW DID YOU GET THERE ASKED THE VOICE +59756629-1069-485b-8bb4-f16c3ac7b9f1 EXCUSE ME COLONEL TOWERS SAID BRANDON QUIETLY TOWERS SWUNG AROUND AND LOOKED AT BRANDON THE COLONEL'S FACE PALED I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU SAID BRANDON GRINNING ABOUT THE QUONUM JUMP HER LARGE CURVING MOUTH WAS AS RED AS A POPPY AND SHE HAD BRILLIANT ALMOND SHAPED HAZEL EYES BUT WE DID NOT THINK HER PRETTY THEN SHE SPOKE SHE SAID GOOD MORNING SHE CAN'T COOK SAID FELICITY AND SHE HASN'T A GOOD COMPLEXION MIND YOU SHE SAYS SHE'S GOING TO BE AN ACTRESS WHEN SHE GROWS UP ISN'T THAT DREADFUL WE DIDN'T EXACTLY SEE WHY AND WONDERINGLY MARSHALL DID I WANT THE LIST THAT WAS STOLEN DON'T GAPE GET IT +598651e9-c96c-462a-a753-9987e4803299 COME NOW AND DO YOUR PRETTIEST YOU'VE BEEN PROMISING EDWARD FOR YEARS TO VISIT HIM AND YOU'LL NEVER HAVE A BETTER CHANCE INSTEAD HE GAZED AT THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER ADMIRINGLY THE SCARECROW RUBBED AND PATTED HIS STUFFED HEAD AND SO BEEN SEPARATED FROM ALL HER FAIRY SISTERS THERE WOULDN'T BE ANYTHING TO BE AFRAID OF SAID THE STORY GIRL REASSURINGLY THE LIGHT THAT NEVER WAS ON LAND OR SEA OH THERE'S EVERY DIFFERENCE I CAN'T JUST EXPLAIN IT BUT EVERYONE KNOWS THERE'S A DIFFERENCE +59d1825f-e93c-4d8c-8e9e-b0ee09d5dd85 AND HE GRIN TURNED TO A LAUGH AS HE STARTED DOWN THE HILL HE THOUGHT OF TRYING TO REACH CLARETON BUT DECIDED NOT ENTIRELY WITH REGRET THAT THE CONTACT WOULD USE UP TOO MUCH ENERGY AND HE NEEDED ALL THE ENERGY HE COULD CONSERVE NOW SOME OF IT QUITE LETHAL AND EXPLOSIVE AND VERY EMBARRASSING IF IT WAS DISCOVERED IN MY BAGS I GRABBED UP THE MONITOR RECEIVER AND RAN TOWARDS THE AIRLOCK THIS IS A DIFFERENT BOMB NOW I SAID KEEPING ONE EYE ON THE SCREEN AND THE OTHER ON THE SLOWLY OPENING OUTER DOOR THE REST OF US COULD NOT SEE WHERE ANY CATCH COULD EXIST SINCE FELIX SOLEMNLY VOWED CROSS HIS HEART AND THE RAINBOW WAS A GREAT BRIDGE BUILT OF LIVING COLORS SPURTED OUT INTO LONG ISLAND SOUND IN AN INDESCRIBABLE MY NAME IS GARF HE SAID CHEERFULLY +5a19bec9-ec3e-4b5d-bdf3-6ee2c05fcc54 INSTANTLY WE ALL SAW OURSELVES IN EACH OTHER BY INNER VISION OLD AND GREY ALL BUT THE STORY GIRL WE COULD NOT PICTURE HER AS OLD WHERE IS DONALD FRASER SAID NEIL SHAKING HIS FIST IT'S HIM I'M SEEKING AND IT'S HIM I WILL BE FINDING WHERE IS HE BETTY SHERMAN MAYBE WHAT'S IT MEAN TO YOU NIGHT HUNTING PREDATOR ACCUSTOMED TO DROPPING UPON ITS VICTIMS FROM ABOVE IS THIS THE USUAL ARE FOWL UP ASKED ORNE STETSON NODDED SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED HE PAUSED AND ASKED DEFENSIVELY IS THAT UNUSUAL THE DOCTOR SMILED OPENLY NOW NOT AT ALL NOT AT ALL THINGS HAVE MOVED PRETTY FAST IN THE PAST FEW YEARS I SUPPOSE IT TAKES PEOPLE'S EMOTIONAL REACTIONS A WHILE TO CATCH UP WITH DEVELOPMENTS THAT LOGICALLY WE ACCEPT AS A MATTER OF FACT HE SAID INANELY THE OWL WINCED AND DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A SOUND JEFF GOT UP SHAKILY AND STUMBLED TO THE DOCK'S EDGE +5a1d4c22-04d3-4399-9f0e-4e7d7f0d70b9 WHEN WE MIGHT RAMBLE IN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK SHE WAS PLUMP AND DIMPLED FOR A MOMENT DUE TO THIS OBVIOUSLY UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION EVERYTHING IN CONFUSION VIC AND I HAD BEEN BUTTIES EVER SINCE WE WERE KIDS BUT HE SAID I MUST GO IN SOME HELPERY'S JUST THE SAME SAID PETER IN MID AFTERNOON CICELY CAME DOWNSTAIRS WITH HER FORGET ME NOT JUG IN HER HAND A DAINTY BIT OF CHINA WREATHED WITH DARK BLUE FORGET ME NOTS WHICH CICELY PRIZED HIGHLY AND IN WHICH SHE ALWAYS KEPT HER TOOTH BRUSH WHICH SITTING DOWN BEFORE US HE PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR BODY AND BONES AFTERWARDS LICKING HIS CHOPS WITH GREAT SATISFACTION +5a2cc396-3ed0-4426-ab05-65c353e1c3b3 WHO DARE FORAGE SUCH A THING UNLESS HE KNEW FOR SURE THAT THE ORIGINAL F SEA OFFICER WAS MISSING OR DEAD SAID TO NEW HORN STOPPED THE SLED CONTACTED CULTURE THE STORY GIRL WALKED UPRIGHTLY LIKE INCARNATE FLAME IN HER CRIMSON SILK FELICITY HAD PUT ON HER BLUE MUSLIN AND LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL IN IT THAT HER GOOD HUMOR WAS QUITE RESTORED UNHAPPINESS SHE TOLD HERSELF WAS HER PORTION IN THIS LIFE FIVE HUNDRED MILES AWAY CLEARTARON CHUCKLED YOU DON'T THINK SO AT ANY RATE THE DIRECTOR SAID YOU'RE HAVING ADVENTURES AND A FINE TIME IT'S THE SORT OF THING YOU LIKE AFTER ALL HUNGRY EXCLAIMED ALL THE DRAGONS IN A REPROACHFUL CHORUS SO IF WE START NOW WE MAY MEET THEM THERE +5a34b6a3-4fae-4031-9873-2da7940b5113 THE DECODY MESSAGE TURNED OUT NOT TO BE AS BAD AS I IMAGINED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE I WAS IN CHARGE OF TRACKING AND CAPTURING THE STOLEN BATTLESHIP I COULD CALL ON THE LEAGUE FOR ANY AID I NEEDED I WOULD KEEP MY IDENTITY AS AN ADMIRAL FOR THE REST OF THE JOB I WAS TO KEEP HIM INFORMED OF PROGRESS I'M WONDERING WHETHER I SHALL HAVE FISH BALLS OR LAMB CHOPS TO COMPLETE MY MEAL WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER WOO THE WANDERER IF YOU PLEASE I'LL EAT THE FOOD IN MY KNAPSACK ANSWERED THE BOY YOUR MAGIC FOOD MIGHT TASTE GOOD BUT I AM AFRAID OF IT THE STORY GIRL SLIPPED OVER HOME AND WHEN SHE CAME BACK WE GASPED SHE HAD COMBED HER HAIR OUT STRAIGHT AND BRAIDED IT IN A TIGHT KINKY PUDGY BRAID AND SHE WORE AN OLD DRESS OF FADED PRINT WITH HOLES IN THE ELBOWS AND RAGGED FLOUNCES WHICH WAS MUCH TOO SHORT FOR HER WONDER IF THEY'LL BRING US ANYTHING SAID DAN I'M THINKING LONG TO HEAR ALL ABOUT THAT WEDDING SAID FELICITY WHO WAS BRAIDING TIMOTHY STOCKS INTO A COLLAR FOR PAT YOU GIRLS ARE ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT WEDDINGS AND GETTING MARRIED SAID DAN CONTEMPTUOUSLY +5a6eb060-e94e-4ab4-9c56-d1fd34686509 STEPPING OUT INTO THE BRIEF COLLAXY IN DAWN HE CAUGHT HIS GLIMPSE OF THE SERREMEAN SHIP'S LANDING BEFORE THE ISLAND FOREST OF PALM FIRMS CUT IT OFF FROM SIGHT WE PAUSED AND THE CHANTING WENT ON AND ON UNTIL I BEGAN TO WONDER IF ANYTHING WOULD EVER HAPPEN WHY HAVE YOU BROUGHT ME HERE CRIED THE PROUD PRINCESS ANGRILY THIS IS MY KINGDOM HE ANSWERED THESE ARE THE TOMBS OF THE KINGS I HAVE CONQUERED BEHOLD ME BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS I AM DEATH PERHAPS IT IS EMILY KING'S GHOST WHISPERED FELIX SHE NEVER APPEARED ANYWHERE BUT IN THE ORCHARD SAID THE STORY GIRL OH OH CHILDREN ISN'T THERE SOMETHING UNDER UNCLE ALEC'S TREE WE PEERED FEARFULLY THROUGH THE GLOOM +5aec9b0f-c16d-4f08-8b98-94fc8e931b6f WHEN HE COMBED IN HIS NET OF SNEAKERS TO CHECK THE TAPES AND FILMS WHAT DO YOU CARRY IN THIS VEHICLE NOT PETER'S OVERWHELMING GARLAND OF SONS BUT THE LUCENT BRIDGE LOVE CREATED ON WHICH THE BANISHED ARCHANGELS CROSSED FROM STAR TO STAR EVEN CECILY THE MEEK AND MILD WAS SNAPPISH AND COMPLAINED OF HEADACHE DEAR ME I SEE HIM I SEE HIM VERY PLAINLY AND AFTER WE ARE GONE THE LOONS WILL HAVE SOMETHING OF A JOB TO PUN PAPA ALL THOSE WHOM WOOT HAS PUNCTURED AND WROTE DOWN OUR DREAMS WHEN THE CARES OF THE DAY WERE OVER THE ONLY THING WORTH MENTIONING IN THE WAY OF DREAMS THAT SARA RAY EVER ACHIEVED WAS THAT SHE DREAMED THAT SHE WENT UP IN A BALLOON AND FELL OUT +5b4c8b21-9551-4599-973b-b126686af0b1 A RICH MAN IN TORONTO HAD A FLORAL CLOCK IN HIS GARDEN I SAID SHE SAYS SHE HE KEEPS IT VERY NEAT OH I WISH WE HAD ONE HERE EXCLAIMED CECILY BUT HE WORE IT WITH SUCH AN UNCONSCIOUS AIR OF PURPLE AND FINE LINEN THAT HE SEEMED TO BE MUCH BETTER DRESSED THAN HE REALLY WAS JUST YOU FANCY I'LL NEVER FORGIVE HIM I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M THINKING OF GOING BAREFOOTED HE TALKED VERY NICELY AND READ AND PRAYED IT WAS JEFF'S TURN TO STARE THERE GOES ANOTHER SCOOP SHE SOUNDED RELIEVED +5b863d0d-9e1b-4de6-bf5a-8f10f3fe179f A NEVER BEFORE WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO WITH IT ASKED THORN WITHIN A YEAR WE WILL HAVE A COPY WITH OUR OWN IMPROVEMENTS AFTER THAT I'M CAPTAIN BRANDON OF THE ASTRO ONE KEEP TRYING TO RAISE HIM RIGHT IN THE CASE OF TISSUE REGENERATION WHAT'S WANTED THE GUARD SAID SOURLY STARING THROUGH THE BARS HE RADIATED CAUTION WORRY PATIENCE YONAS TURNED TO THE BED AND CUT OFF FROM THE DIRECTOR WITH A GRUNT HE WAS TIRED LONG DISTANCE LINKAGES WERE A DRAINED ON THE BOY'S ENERGY FELICITY'S GOLDEN HEAD WOULD HAVE LIFTED ITSELF IN THE HAUGHTY INDIGNATION OF INSULTED WOMANHOOD +5b9b92c7-361b-4bf7-bd10-3a1a0cf44ea8 WE WERE NEAR GOLDEN MILESTONE NOW THE HOUSE WAS A BIG WEATHER GREY STRUCTURE OVERGROWN WITH VINES AND CLIMBING ROSES IT IS A LATE EMPIRE BATTLESHIP OF THE WAR LORD CLASS MY MANNER CLOTHES JEWELRY THE EASY WAY I PASSED MONEY AROUND AND THE LUXURIOUS SHEEN OF MY BAGS COULD ONLY MEAN ONE THING A FAINT VOICE SPUTTERED IN HIS EAR AS HE STARED AT THE SKY HIS WELL WORN EXPRESSION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH QUANUM MECHANICS AND HE HAD NOT HEARD THE WARDER'S WORDS AND NORTH OF US THE DIPPERS SWUNG UNTIRINGLY AROUND THE POLE STAR +5bde8f01-b23e-4347-91e6-9be256f5c752 AND THEIR JOURNEY NOW BECAME TEDIOUS BECAUSE ON CLIMBING EACH HILL WHY THAT IS EASY THE TIN MAN ASSURED HIM IS THAT CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LAST THE NIGHT BUT NOT MUCH MORE A SERIES OF MUFFLED EXPLOSIONS ROCKED THE SHIP THE OLD MAN PRESSED THE BUTTON AGAIN AND ANOTHER CONTRACT SLID OUT ON HIS DESK MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW HUNDRED METERS HIGH IT HAD REVERSED ITS UNBELIEVABLE LENGTH TO KEEP THE HEAD SUBMERGED JEFF DISMISSED IT IMPATIENTLY +5bebd0ac-ab2b-410e-8d35-38d775829235 BUT MANY MEN AND WOMEN FOLLOWED ODIN HIMSELF GIVING UP ALL THEIR WORLDLY POSSESSIONS AND AMBITIONS AND TO THESE HE PROMISED THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE WHILE THE CROWD WAS OGLING THIS ASCENT I WALKED THROUGH THE TEMPLE DOORS I WOULD TALK WITH YOU O NOBLE PRIESTS I SAID IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG IT WAS SUBTLE LIKE A BURNED OUT RESISTER OR A SHORTED CONDENSER WHATEVER IT WAS IT WAS BEYOND EMERGENCY REPAIR HE DROPPED THE TELE TALKING BEHIND THE SEAT AND EXAMINED THE GAUGE ON HIS OXYGEN MASK THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LAST THE NIGHT BUT NOT MUCH MORE I FELT HER SKINNY HAND REACH OUT AND CLUTCH MY SHOULDER I LET OUT A SCREECH AND WOKE UP I SHOULD THINK YOU DID SCREECH SAID FELICITY WE HEARD YOU CLEAN OVER INTO OUR ROOM +5c0e7516-2e00-4640-8e51-8d951fe79d85 BUT WHAT DOES THE WORK WHAT KILLED HIM I ASKED BREATHLESSLY CAN'T SAY PETE YOU CAN'T NAME THINGS HERE IN TERMS OF OUR OWN WORLD TELL UNCLE ROGER THAT AND SAY IF TO MORROW IS THE END OF THE WORLD THAT THERE IS NO GOOD IN STUMPING FIELDS ANY MORE I SUGGESTED YES AND IF HE LETS YOU OFF THEN WE'LL KNOW HE WAS IN EARNEST CHIMED IN CICELY BUT IF HE STILL SAYS YOU MUST GO THAT'LL BE A SIGN HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IT IN THE EAST ABOVE THE MAPLE WOODS WAS A SILVERY SHEEN THAT HINTED THE MOONRISE BUT THE ORCHARD WAS A PLACE OF SHADOWS AND MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS MIDWAY UP THE OPEN SPACE IN ITS HEART WE MET PETER AND IF EVER A BOY WAS GIVEN OVER TO SHEER TERROR THAT BOY WAS PETER ANOTHER DAY OR TWO AND I'LL BE ABLE TO EAT A WHOLE ONE HE SAID JUBILANTLY BUT THIS DEVOUTLY DESIRED CONSUMMATION DID NOT COME TO PASS IN SPITE OF PRAYERS AND HEROIC ATTEMPTS FELIX COULD NEVER GET BEYOND THAT LAST BITE NOT EVEN FAITH AND WORKS IN COMBINATION COULD AVAIL +5c5ad77b-ee92-47da-858b-df1332f7dba7 MEANWEL MADE A GRIMACE IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE HOW BIG THEY ARE A FINGER LONG MAYBE TWO THAT'S WHY SHE LET ME COME UP SHE SOBBED BUT IT'S FOUR BY THE KITCHEN CLOCK WELL JUDY PROMISED SHE'D REMEMBER BECAUSE SHE LIKED MISSUS FRUIT AND WAS ANXIOUS TO PLEASE HER AND CERTAINLY AS FAR AS APPEARANCE WENT IT JUSTIFIED HER TRIUMPH EATEN IT WAS HOWEVER IT SEEMS AWFUL TO THINK OF EATING A SAWDUST PUDDING HOW ON EARTH DID YOU MAKE SUCH A MISTAKE I AM NOT LIKE OTHERS YONAH SAID THERE IS NO NEED TO REMIND ME AFTER ALL HE TOLD HIMSELF THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE DANGER DESPISED THE BORING BUSINESS OF LIVING +5c675ac7-9d67-4685-b6e7-b6e0530154b9 WHAT WOULD MISS MARWOOD SAY IF SHE KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO FIGHT ASKED FELICITY MISS MARWOOD WAS FELIX'S SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND HE WAS VERY FOND OF HER BUT THIS TIME FELIX WAS QUITE RECKLESS I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE WOULD SAY HE RETORTED ASTRO ONE THIS IS BRANDON COME IN PLEASE THEN HE LOOKED AT THE ORANGE GLOW THAT MARKED THE FUNERAL PYRE OF THE SHIP HE HAD A DECISION TO MAKE STAY HERE WITH THE CAPSULE OR HEAD FOR THE FIRE THE ZID CRASHED AGAINST THE DOOR AND DROVE IT INCHES AJAR DRIVING BACK THEIR BARRICADE ONE TALENT PAW SLID IN AND SLASHED VICIOUSLY AT RANDOM PEG BOWEN'S HOUSE WAS NEARLY A MILE AWAY EVEN BY THE SHORT CUT PAST THE SWAMP AND UP THE WOODED HILL WE WENT DOWN THROUGH THE BROOK FIELD AND OVER THE LITTLE PLANK BRIDGE IN THE HOLLOW HALF LOST IN ITS SURROUNDING SEA OF FAREWELL SUMMERS WHEN WE REACHED THE GREEN GLOOM OF THE WOODS BEYOND WE BEGAN TO FEEL FRIGHTENED BUT NOBODY WOULD ADMIT IT +5c717479-d318-4d65-8239-6f416832f558 ASK SHE SAID AT LAST WERE THERE SUCH A PLAN HE SAID BE ASSURED I WOULD TELL YOU THAT'S RIGHT YONAS SAID PATIENTLY HE RUBBED AT HIS FACE THE COLONEL STOPPED PACING AND FACED THE RADIO MAN THE PHYSICIAN CAME AROUND THE DESK HE RAISED THE INTENE ON THE TELETOKEY AND SNAPPED IT ON THE THE GREAT SUN WILL BE DOWN SOON SAID TO NEWBE ITS HEADLIGHTS SWUNG IN WILD ARCS ACROSS THE TRUNKS AND DOWN THE MUD AERIAL CREEPERS DO NOT TRY TO HARM ME OR THE WRATH OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON WILL TURN AGAINST YOU UNDOUBTEDLY YOU KNOW THE RULE HE SAID +5ca3cce2-a484-452b-a854-2ee1daed744c WE MURMURED IN BEWILDERMENT YES I'M GOING TO DENY MYSELF EVERYTHING I LIKE AND DO EVERYTHING I CAN THINK OF THAT I DON'T LIKE JUST TO PUNISH MYSELF FOR BEING SO WICKED AND IF ANY OF YOU THINK OF ANYTHING I DON'T JUST MENTION IT TO ME I THOUGHT IT OUT LAST NIGHT THEY CAN'T BE DANGEROUS HE SAID THERE ARE NO LAND DWELLING CREDITORS ON COLLAXIA I READ THAT IN NOTHING LIKE THAT EVER HATCHED OUT ON COLLAXIA SAID JENOFER SHE PULLED FREE OF HIM IF THEY'RE REAL THEY CAME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE BLINDLY THE MULTITUDE SURGED TOWARDS THE SCARLET RAY THAT DEALT DEATH FIGHTING THEIR WAY TOWARD THE OBLIVION THEY SO HIGHLY PRIZED THOSE WHO HAD BEEN HOLDING HOPE AND VIC WERE SURGING FORWARD WITH THE REST THEIR ERSTWHILE PRISONERS FORGOTTEN IN THEIR MAD GREED FOR DEATH IN VERY SIMPLE TERMS HE WAS SAYING THIS IS A COMBINATION OF COLOR TELEVISION AND SUPER RATAR IT WILL BRING IN A PERFECT COLOR PICTURE OF THE OCEAN AT WHAT IN THE DEPTH I SET IT FOR OR WILL SET ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY TO PRESENT A VIEW OF THE OCEAN FLOOR IT WILL +5cb14e35-2cca-46a4-9e63-ff9524743f26 SOME OF THE DISASTERS AND APPARENT ACCIDENTS HIT INSIDE THIS AREA BUT FURTHER INVESTIGATION PROVED THEM ALL TO HAVE NATURAL CAUSES I HAD LEFT STANDING ORDERS THAT ALL REPORTS FALLING INSIDE THE DANGER AIR TO BE BROUGHT TO ME AT ANY TIME THE MESSENGER WOKE ME FROM A DEEP SLEEP TURNING ON THE LIGHT AND HANDING ME THE SLIP OF PAPER I MUST CANDIDLY SAY THAT HER TONES SAVOURED STRONGLY OF A LAST RESORT BUT THIS WAS OWING MORE TO EARLY TRAINING THAN ANY LACK OF FAITH ON CECILY'S PART SHE KNEW AND WE KNEW THAT PRAYER WAS A SOLEMN RIGHT NOT TO BE LIGHTLY HELD NOR DEGRADED TO COMMON USES THAT IS ALTOGETHER TOO TEDIOUS A PROCESS FOR A YUKABOO I SENT SOME TRAPS THIS AFTERNOON AND CAUGHT A LOT OF FIELD MICE BUT AS I DO NOT LIKE TO MEET MICE I TRANSFORMED THEM INTO HOT BISCUITS FOR MY SUPPER NOT THAT ANY OF YOU HAVE DONE MUCH EXCEPT CECILY SHE'S GOT A HEAD ON HER SHOULDERS IT'S BEEN A HORRID DAY ALL THROUGH SAID FELICITY DREARILY AS WE CLIMBED THE STAIRS +5d18cf0b-566d-479a-82b9-881c26e5fa0a I WAS MENTALLY REACHING AROUND TO PAT MYSELF ON THE BACK WHEN THE MEANING OF HIS WORDS SANK IN HE RUBBED HIS JAW WHILE HE LOOKED IT WELL HE SAID HESITATINGLY I WAITED AS LONG AS I DARED AND THEN FLIPPED IT ON IT WAS RAY WHO FIRST STARTED STUMBLING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE BOAT HOOK BUT JOHN ANDREW IN A SUDDEN FIT OF BRAVERY MIND YOU I AIN'T SAYING GOD COULDN'T CURE PAT BUT NOTHING AND NOBODY CAN'T EVER MAKE ME BELIEVE THAT PEG BOWEN WASN'T AT THE BOTTOM OF IT ALL IN FACT I'LL BEGIN TO NIGHT I'M GOING TO THE PANTRY AS SOON AS I GET HOME AND I'LL READ FATHER'S LETTER BEFORE I GO TO BED +5d1c8457-d341-4fe7-af5c-1c6bb43b6231 THEN THE SCARECROW LAID HIMSELF DOWN SO THAT WOOT COULD USE HIS STUFFED BODY AS A PILLOW HIS EYES HAD GROWN BIGGER THAN EVER AND HIS WHOLE LITTLE BODY THRILLED WITH AMAZEMENT THAT'S THE QUESTION SAID UNCLE ROGER SHAKING HIS HEAD GRAVELY WE FELT AS MUCH OF A SHOCK AS IF WE HAD BEEN ONE OF THE EXPECTANT GUESTS OURSELVES ONE OF MY MOST EFFECTIVE MOTTOES HAS ALWAYS BEEN SECRECY CAN BE AN OBJIOSITY I EXPANDED ON IT WAXED ENTHUSIASTIC CONDEMNED IT AND WORKED IT INTO AN INTERVIEW WE HURRIED OVER TO IT TREADING ON THE SPEARS OF MINT THAT WERE BEGINNING TO SHOOT UP ABOUT IT +5d482e59-4ef0-4947-8d9b-6b2ee6253135 AT THE LITTLE PEOPLE TOWN THERE WAS A CLEAR DUTY TO GET THE JOB DONE BUT AFTER THIRTY FIVE YEARS THE INCANTO WORE OFF ONE HAD BLACK COARSE HAIR ON HIS HEAD AND A STUBBLE ABOUT HIS FACE THE OTHER WAS BALD AS AN EGG THE HOUSES OF THE RICH WERE NATURALLY WOODEN THE POOR BUILT OF BAKED MUD BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE USEFUL THAN JUST INTERESTING SAID THE STORY GIRL BITTERLY UNCLE ROGER WANTED BREAKFAST AT SIX BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS OF OPINION WAS THAT WE MUST HAVE THE PICTURE NO MATTER WHAT PECUNIARY SACRIFICES WERE INVOLVED SURELY YOU DON'T BELIEVE GOD LOOKS LIKE THAT SHE SAID IMPATIENTLY WHILE HER FINE EYES FLASHED +5d939c84-02ce-4cfa-bb8c-b8d6c25e217f FOR MYSELF I CARED NOT A GROAT I WISHED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SERMON CONTEST AND FELT SORE WHENEVER I THOUGHT OF MY FAILURE BUT I HAD NO BURNING DESIRE TO EAT SOUR APPLES WITHOUT GRIMACING AND I DID NOT SYMPATHIZE OVER AND ABOVE WITH MY BROTHER FELICITY TRIED AND HAD THE MOST GRATIFYING LUCK WITH A NEW AND COMPLICATED CAKE RECIPE A GORGEOUS COMPOUND OF A PLUMMINESS TO MAKE YOUR MOUTH WATER THE NUMBER OF EGGS SHE USED IN IT WOULD HAVE SHOCKED AUNT JANET'S THRIFTY SOUL BUT THAT CAKE LIKE BEAUTY WAS ITS OWN EXCUSE HE WAS JUST DRAWING A BEAD ON MY RIGHT EYE WHEN MY BRAIN GOT BACK IN GEAR OF COURSE I SAID BLINDING IS ONLY RIGHT BUT IN MY CASE YOU WILL HAVE TO BLIND ME AFTER I LEAVE THE HOLY OF HOLIES NOT NOW IF THERE WERE SUCH A THING AS TOTAL CONTACT CONSTANT CONTACT OVER PERIOD DAYS YONIST THOUGHT CLARTON WOULD USE ME FOR A PUPPET A VERITABLE PUNCH AMONG MEN HE WOULD OVERRIDE ME AND TAKE ME OVER THE WAY A TRAVELLING ENTERTAINER RULES HIS JOINTED DOLLS AND THAT WOULD BE A FINE THING FOR A HERO WOULDN'T IT HE GRIMACED IN THE DARKNESS +5d967117-224b-48d1-95a0-1cc927d08b9a UNDERNEATH THE STRENGTH AND IRON OF THE MIND YUNUS CAUGHT THE SPARK GLOWING AND NEARLY SMILED IN SPITE OF THE REPORTS IN SPITE OF LOGIC THERE HAD BEEN A CHANCE THE BROTHERHOOD TO GUESSED WRONGLY ABOUT THIS MAN NOW THAT CHANCE WAS GONE AND THE BROTHERHOOD WAS RIGHT AGAIN WE WERE OUT IN UNCLE ROGER'S HILL PASTURE SITTING ON SOME SMOOTH ROUND STONES UNDER A CLUMP OF BIRCHES IF HE GOT OUT TOWERS SAID IN A TONE THAT IRRITATED BRANDON I GOT OUT BRANDON SAID AND RIGHT NOW I'M WALKING AROUND IN YOUR PRECIOUS PLANET LIKE A BOY'S SCOUT CURSE THIS TULLIT HUCKY I'D GIVE A YEAR'S PAY IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW TOWERS EVEN IF SOME OF THE INVENTIONS THEY WORKED OUT SO FAR HAVEN'D THEM TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO LIVE ON NICELY AFTER ALL THOSE THINGS ARE THE MEREST TOYS TO US WHAT COULD IT POSSIBLY MATTER +5dbb3ced-2529-406a-a14a-768c37e4d771 NEVER FLINCH BECAUSE A SLIP OF THE LASS LOOKS SCORNFUL AT YOU OUT OF THE BONNIEST DARK BLUE EYES ON EARTH THE BIG WILLOW BY THE GATE WAS A SPLENDID GOLDEN DOME AND THE MAPLES THAT WERE SCATTERED THROUGH THE SPRUCE GROVE WAVED BLOOD RED BANNERS OVER THE SOMBRE CONE BEARERS THERE IN THE GREEN BOWER OF UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK MINGLED WITH THE WOODSY ODOURS OF THE WITHERING GRASSES REFERRING TO A MAJOR ADVANCE IN INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL DUE TO A MAXIMUM SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL EFFORT PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES ON HIS FULL DRESS UNIFORM APPEARED ON THE SCREEN YONAH SHRUGGED HIS FEET WERE BEGINNING TO HURT HE REALISED HE SIGHED BRIEFLY BUT THERE WAS NO TIME OR ATTENTION TO SPARE FOR THEM +5dbf7143-2405-450e-8f30-78ac1fbd772c THERE'S SOMETHING DREADFUL IN THERE SOMETHING THAT RINGS A BELL PETER HEARD IT DON'T GO IN THERE'S NO USE ASKING THE MEANING OF THIS I SUPPOSE SAID UNCLE ROGER WITH THE CALM OF DESPAIR I'VE GAVE UP TRYING TO FATHOM YOU YOUNG ONES PETER WHERE'S THE KEY WHAT YARN HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING I DID HEAR A BELL RING SAID PETER STUBBORNLY AND I SUPPOSE SHE IS SHE IS A SPLENDID COOK TOO THOUGH SHE IS ONLY TWELVE I CAN'T COOK I AM TRYING TO LEARN BUT I DON'T MAKE MUCH PROGRESS AND OLIVIA SAYS I HAVEN'T ENOUGH NATURAL GUMPTION EVER TO BE A COOK BUT I'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE AS GOOD CAKES AND PIES AS FELICITY CAN MAKE BUT IF A DREAM ESCAPES YOU IN WHAT MARKET PLACE THE WORLD WIDE OVER CAN YOU HOPE TO REGAIN IT WHAT COIN OF EARTHLY MINTING WILL EVER BUY BACK FOR YOU THAT LOST AND LOVELY VISION I COULDN'T STAND BY AND WATCH FELIX AND PETER POUND EACH OTHER ALL TO PIECES SHE SOBBED THEY'VE BEEN SUCH FRIENDS AND IT WAS DREADFUL TO SEE THEM FIGHTING +5dc2aaae-3c3e-4651-980a-2a08b1f2891b NOR DID HE MEAN TO TAKE A TEXT WHY WHO EVER HEARD OF A SERMON WITHOUT A TEXT ASKED FELIX BLANKLY I CAN SEE HOW EARTH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED THE PLAGUE SPOT OF THE UNIVERSE DORA GOT AND SAW THAT HE WAS VERY SERIOUS THEN SHE THREW BACK HER HEAD AND LAUGHED A MERRY LAUGH LISTEN FRIENDS SHE SAID AT LAST FALSE MODESTY IS THE REFUGE OF THE INCOMPETENT I'M GOING TO CATCH THIS THUG AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW I'M GOING TO DO IT HE'S GOING TO HIT AGAIN SOON AND WHEREVER HE HITS THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF PERIODICAL WITH MY PLANT IN IT PETER AND THE STORY GIRL WERE TO STAY AT UNCLE ALEC'S DURING THEIR ABSENCE WE WERE IN THE ORCHARD AT SUNSET LISTENING TO THE STORY OF KING COPHETUA AND THE BEGGAR MAID ALL OF US EXCEPT PETER WHO WAS HOEING TURNIPS AND FELICITY WHO HAD GONE DOWN THE HILL ON AN ERRAND TO MISSUS RAY +5e1074df-5e1d-4961-92b0-679ad076f857 A DEADLY SILENCE DESCENDED AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE FARMER FROZE AND GULPED WORDLESSLY WILL HOMESIDE DENY THEIR INDEPENDENCE WHY SHOULDN'T IT HELP THEM NOW OLD CHARLIE MACK SAILED DOWN IN HIS ANCIENT ISLAND QUEEN SARA RAY THOUGHT FELICITY SHOULD SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE THE STORY GIRL WAS HALF AN ORPHAN IF TO MORROW IS THE JUDGMENT DAY I WANT TO BE WITH YOU FELLOWS HE SAID I DIDN'T WANT TO BUT THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE AND WE CAN'T AFFORD ANY SUSPICION AND HIS CONTROL SLIPPED THE TWO GUARDS CAME TOWARDS HIM +5e121e2e-d581-41f2-8c7d-8f6315d609a2 LAST NIGHT I FELT JUST LIKE PRAYING AND TO NIGHT I FEEL JUST LIKE COOKING DON'T YOU THINK IT HORRID BEGINNING SO YOUNG THE POWER OF HIS THOUGHTS CARRYING ACROSS THE LIGHT YEARS OF DISTANCE AND HE WAS GOING TO BE WIDE AWAKE SO VERY SOON EACH OF THEM IN TURN HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE SAME GIRL MARRIED CHOP FIGHT A LONG TIME AGO BECAUSE MY OTHER TWO SWEETHEARTS LET HIM ALONE SUGGESTED THE SCARECROW IT WAS A SAD ATTEMPT BUT SEEMED TO HAVE GONE INTO SLOW MOTION SOMETHING ELSE BREAKING THE SURFACE OF THE WATER AS IT EMERGED +5e13a735-06c4-4523-baa7-3fd4a261bac4 ALL THE DEFIANCE AND BRAVADO GONE OUT OF HIM BUT NOW THAT HIS ANGER WAS OVER HE LOOKED A LITTLE FRIGHTENED WE FOUND HER IN THE KITCHEN LIGHTING UP THE FIRE WHAT IF THE DELPHINIS JUST CRASHED HERE FIRST HOW'D YOU SPOT RIGHT AWAY WHERE THEY'D HIDDEN THE DELPHINIS MOST RACES CALL THEMSELVES SOMETHING MEANING THE PEOPLE BUT SHE NEVER TRIED IT AGAIN BUT OF COURSE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO GET ANY MORE RICH THINGS FOR SUPPER AUNT JANET AND FELICITY ADMINISTERED ALL THE HOMELY REMEDIES THEY COULD THINK OF THE APPLES HAD TO BE PICKED AND THIS WORK FELL MAINLY TO US CHILDREN +5e263935-ebb1-4d63-bd02-da5be5a01e4e I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY DANGER OF CATCHING MEASLES SAID FELICITY IF THERE WAS WE WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO GO I WISH I COULD GET THE MEASLES SAID SARA DEFIANTLY MAYBE I'D BE OF SOME IMPORTANCE TO MA THEN SHE DID NOT HOWEVER FORGET TO CARRY THE FORGET ME NOT JUG WITH HER ALL THINGS CONSIDERED HER DEPARTURE WAS A RELIEF SUCH A CONSTANTLY TEARFUL DAMSEL WAS NOT A PLEASANT COMPANION WHEN I THINK IT ALL OVER I CAN'T FEEL TOO THANKFUL THAT GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER KING HAPPENED TO MARRY EACH OTHER WHEN THERE WERE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE THEY MIGHT HAVE MARRIED FELIX AND I SHIVERED WE FELT SUDDENLY THAT WE HAD ESCAPED A DREADFUL DANGER THE DANGER OF HAVING BEEN BORN SOMEBODY ELSE ANOTHER DAY DRAGGED BY YUNUS PUT IN HIS TIME ALTERNATELY GOING OVER THE NEW PLAN AND FEELING MORE FRIGHTENED THAN HE HAD EVER BELIEVED POSSIBLE CLARETON REACHED HIM ONCE BUT THE CONTACT WAS WEAK AND FLEETING THE DIRECTOR HADN'T ENOUGH STRENGTH TO REACH HIM AGAIN AT LEAST NOT FOR A DAY OR SO YUNUS WAS EXACTLY WHERE HE WANTED TO BE ON HIS OWN +5e39a85e-672e-4a00-ad9c-a644dc248cbd MAYBE HE HAD PUT TOO MUCH PLANET CURVATURE BETWEEN ASTRO AND HIMSELF NOR TO PROTECT THE CREW IN EQUIPMENT FROM A BRACE OF DUST A STEADY CRACKLING SOUND FILLED HIS EAR PHONES EACH OF THE NINE TINNACLES HAD A LOBSTERISH CLAW AT ITS TIP STILL PRESENTING HIS HYSTERICAL VAUDEVILLE THE BEACON WAS STILL THERE WE CAN ATTACH THAT BANK ACCOUNT OF YOURS ON ALL GALL TOO LONG BEFORE YOU CAN DRAW THE MONEY OUT A ROUTINE REQUEST FOR AN AGENT INSTRUCTOR THAT'S TRUE SAID HORN THERE'S A PASSENGER SEAT RIGHT BEHIND ME +5e6c68f5-7597-457c-9e94-0b5872cc8904 NOBODY IS PRETTY AS YOU WILL EVER BE AN OLD MAID FELICITY SAID PETER WHO NEVER PUT TOO FINE AN EDGE ON HIS COMPLIMENTS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PREACH ON ASKED FELIX YOU'LL FIND OUT NEXT SUNDAY SAID PETER SIGNIFICANTLY HE STRAIGHTENED UP AND TURNED A WRATHFUL FACE ON HIS PROVOKING SISTER THEN RED WITH INDIGNATION BUT WITHOUT A WORD HE STALKED UP THE WALK WHEN WE WERE ALONE HE WAS ANYTHING BUT COURTEOUS TO ME HAVING ASSURED HIMSELF BY NOT TOO SUBTLE QUESTIONING THAT I WAS A SPURIOUS ADMIRAL THERE WAS NO DOUBT I WAS STILL IN CHARGE BUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WAS ANYTHING BUT FORMAL THE FAT ONE WAS FELIX WHO WAS VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT HIS PLUMPNESS HE WAS ALWAYS TAKING EXERCISES TO MAKE HIM THIN WITH THE DISMAL RESULT THAT HE BECAME FATTER ALL THE TIME +5e714eb8-9d79-42b1-82f0-160efa1d9662 CHAFFEE THREE WHILE THEY WERE STILL IN THE CONTROL CUBICLE THREW THE SHIP OUT OF HYPERDRIVE WITHIN SCANT MILES OF THE NEIGHBORING SUN'S SINGLE PLANET ASTRO THIS IS BRANNAN COME IN PLEASE IT WOULD BE HARD TO SEE UNLESS ASTRO WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF IT THE SCREEN GLOWED INTO LIFE IF SHE'LL LET HIM HE'LL BRING IT TO MORROW WE PICKED APPLES AND DRAGGED THEM TO THE GRANARY DOGGEDLY SUDDENLY SARAH BEGAN TO CRY MARILLA JUST LAY DOWN AND DIED MANOEL HE HAD TO PRODUCE A POPULATION OF TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE FOR HIGH PLANS TEXAS +5e7b951d-639b-4644-aa57-f0769034b769 HISS STETSON THAT'LL EXPLAIN A LOT OF THINGS I OUGHT TO I'M RIGHT ON TOP OF YOU O K KEEP US POSTED FELICITY WAS NOT THERE I GUESS THE PRESBYTERIANS CAN GET ALONG WITHOUT IT AND LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN HEATHEN BUT AS HE CRUMPLED HIS BODY SEEMED TO SOFTEN AND SHATTER INTO A SCINTILLATING CLOUD AN INSTANT LATER ON THE PRECEDING MONDAY FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL HAD QUARRELLED OVER SOMETHING OH I WISH I HAD MINDED WHAT MAR SAID BETTER I +5e7fa32d-6b0b-438a-aa35-169d3e06890f THIS IS FAR ENOUGH SAID TO NEW HORN STOPPED THE SLED IN THE MOONLIGHT HE COULD SEE ARMED GIANS ALL AROUND THE BUTCHER'S PEDESTAL OF ONE OF THE BUILDINGS LOOMED DIRECTLY AHEAD THERE WAS ONE OF FATHER'S THIN LETTERS FOR FELIX A FAT FOREIGN LETTER FOR THE STORY GIRL ADDRESSED IN HER FATHER'S MINUTE HANDWRITING A DROP LETTER FROM FOR CECILY FROM SOME SCHOOL FRIEND WITHIN HASTE WRITTEN ACROSS THE CORNER AND A LETTER FOR AUNT JANET POSTMARKED MONTREAL AS REIN HART ROSE TO HIS FEET BRANDON REACHED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE SET BRANDON TOOK A DEEP BREATH HIS HEAD SPUN AND FOR THE FIRST TIME HE REALIZED THAT HE WAS STILL ALIVE TRADER'S RISK BY ROGER D KEEPING THIS CARGO MEANT DEATH TO JETTICINE IT MEANT TO MAKE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF A WORL +5e867a4b-fd58-454e-962b-6f320649fbd1 WHEN I HEARD THE STORY GIRL READ IT I MADE A SECRET COMPACT WITH MYSELF THAT I WOULD TRY TO DESERVE SUCH AN EPITAPH I WISH I HAD A FAMILY PLOT SAID PETER RATHER WISTFULLY I HAVEN'T ANYTHING YOU FELLOWS HAVE THE CRAGS ARE JUST BURIED ANYWHERE THEY HAPPEN TO DIE CECILY'S MIGHT BE MORE DRAMATIC BUT FELIX'S WAS MORE AMUSING THE DREAM WHICH WE ALL COUNTED HIS MASTERPIECE WAS THE ONE IN WHICH A MENAGERIE WAS CAMPED IN THE ORCHARD AND THE RHINOCEROS CHASED AUNT JANET AROUND AND ROUND THE PULPIT STONE BUT TURNED INTO AN INOFFENSIVE PIG WHEN IT WAS ON THE POINT OF CATCHING HER OH YOU CAN'T HARM US WE'RE TOO POWERFUL BUT WE CAN'T OBLITERATE YOU IN AN INSTANT HA SAY HA SIR WHEN YOU ADDRESS ME DO YOU KNOW THE PLACE IN THE MOUNTAIN THAT IS CALLED SODOM I KNOW THE PLACE IT WAS CAUSED BY A LARGE METEOR HE BARKED HE PAUSED IN HIS ROUND OF THE BRIDGE GLARED OUT THE STARBOARD PORT SPAT INTO THE FIRE BLACKENED CIRCLE THAT THE CRUISER'S JETS HAD BURNED FROM THE JUNGLE THE EYE A SECTION CHIEF WAS DARK HAIRED GANGLING WITH LARGE HEAD AND BIG FEATURES HE STOOD IN HIS CUSTOMARY SLOUCH A STANCE NOT IMPROVED BY THE SACK LIKE PATCHED BLUE FATIGUES +5f476da6-01c6-4797-8e16-3a8009b91063 IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE OTHERS HOWEVER HE FOUND HER FOR TIN DOES NOT TIRE OR REQUIRE SLEEP YOU MEAN YOU'VE NEVER TRIED THIS THING BEFORE FINALLY HE SPOKE TOO THINGS THAT HAVE FIGURED OUT SOON ANYWAY AND A CHINA FRUIT BASKET WITH AN APPLE AS A HANDLE WENT ON FELICITY MUCH RELIEVED AND YOU MUSTN'T CALL NAMES OR MAKE FACES AND I GUESS YOU GUISE WERE ALMOST FORGOTTEN ON THE TELETOKEY SCREEN BRIHNHARD JUST LIKE A TELEVISION PLAYING INSTALMENTS BRANDON THOUGHT +5f4af57c-b7e5-4c27-97d6-f84f7d004dfe THIS GAVE ME ENOUGH UNDISTURBED TIME TO SEARCH HIS STUDY BUT THE GOLDEN CRUSTED HELMET AND A BRIEF CASE OF PAPERS WERE A PROBLEM WE COULD FILL THE VIBRATION DISTANTLY THROUGH THE FLOOR AND SHE LOOKED HER PRETTIEST AS SHE STOOD UNDER THE SWAYING BOUGHS IN THE LAST FAINT LIGHT OF THE AUTUMN DUSK AND SMILED DOWN AT OUR WOEBEGONE FACES THE DROPS ON THE SPRUCE BOUGHS GLITTERED LIKE DIAMONDS WHITE AND CLEAR AGAINST THE DARK BACKGROUND OF SPRUCES WE WERE WOEFULLY TIRED BUT WE COULD NOT SIT DOWN BECAUSE THE GRASS WAS REEKING WITH DEW THE FAMILY GHOST ONLY APPEARS IN DAYLIGHT SAID THE STORY GIRL I THINK WE'LL BE BACK BEFORE HE WAKES SAID MISSUS PATTERSON DAN WAS TOO FRIGHTENED TO RESENT THIS AT THE TIME THEN THE DESERT AS HE TUMBLED OVER AND OVER I STILL FEEL KIND OF CREEPY ABOUT THE WHOLE BUSINESS THE FIRE STILL SEEMED TO BE ABOUT A THOUSAND YARDS AHEAD +5f60b32d-afbe-4e2f-8523-b5d526cd4400 YOU BETTER GET A MOVE ON EASY ON THE SEXLIME BOY THEY SAID WE HAVE TO USE ORAN BECAUSE THE RECORDS ON THE DELPHINIS PETER DID AND HE HAD AN ELEGANT DREAM THAT PEG BOWEN CAUGHT HIM AND PUT HIM ON TO BOIL ALIVE IN THAT BIG BLACK POT THAT HANGS OUTSIDE HER DOOR HE WOKE UP BEFORE THE WATER GOT HOT THOUGH AND AUNT JANET TALKED TO HIM AFTER A FASHION WHICH MADE US REALIZE I KNOW THEY DO THAT'S THE METHODIST WAY AND IT IS ALL RIGHT FOR THEM I SHE WAS NEVER AFRAID OF ANYBODY SO MANY WOONS AND POUNDED THE THREE TRAVELLERS AS HARD AS THEY COULD ON ALL SIDES +5f7c8c05-046c-42a3-9904-34dd4f972e74 AN INN IN THIS TOWN THE IDEA APPEARED TO STRIKE HER AS THE VERY HEIGHT OF IDIOCY SHE COVERED HER FACE WITH HER HANDS AND SHOOK AFTER A SECOND JONAS DISCOVERED THAT SHE WAS LAUGHING HE WAITED PATIENTLY UNTIL THE FIT HAD LEFT HER IT WAS FLAT MARSHY BOTTOM LAND WITHOUT A BUMP THE ONLY THING IN A TEN MILE CIRCLE WAS THIS PYRAMID AND THAT DEFINITELY WASN'T MY BEACON OR WASN'T IT I DIVED THE EYE LOWER THE PYRAMID WAS A CRUDE LOOKING THING OF UNDRESSED STONE WITHOUT CARVINGS OR DECORATIONS FUDGE I AIN'T GOING TO BE SICK SAID DAN AND IF YOU BEGIN TELLING TALES FELICITY KING I'LL TELL SOME TOO AND I KNOW HOW MANY EGGS MOTHER SAID YOU COULD USE WHILE SHE WAS AWAY I KNOW HOW MANY YOU HAVE USED I COUNTED SO YOU'D BETTER MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS MISS ASTRO ONE THIS IS BRANDON OVER A STEADY CRACKLING SOUND FILLED HIS EAR PHONES A GRID OF LIGHT AND SHADOW FLUTTERED ON THE SCREEN A THOUGHT ENTERED HIS MIND MAYBE HE HAD PUT TOO MUCH PLANET CURVATURE BETWEEN ASTRO AND HIMSELF +5fb08d8e-fa0a-4aed-b2f2-c73f83f42463 WONDERING BRIEFLY IF HE HAD MANAGED TO PICK UP LICE IN THE LAST TOWN HE HAD VISITED AND HE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT THE CITY MY BEACON WAS NOT ONLY LOCKED INSIDE A MOUNTAIN OF HAND MADE STONE THEN I WAS OUT IN THE FRESH AIR AND AWAY JONIFER DID NOT RESPOND AND HE SLAPPED HER UNTIL HER EYES FLUTTER ANGRILY SHE WAS NEVER LATE SARAH RAY HAD JOINED US VERY PALE AND NERVOUS HAVING HAD SO IT APPEARED A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH HER MOTHER ABOUT COMING UP THE HILL IN THE RAIN +5fd27285-9087-4556-b29a-baced27433b2 WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO PAT WHISPERED CECILY WELL WE COULD HAVE A JOLLY FUNERAL YOU KNOW SAID DAN WE LOOKED AT HIM IN SUCH HORROR THAT DAN HASTENED TO APOLOGIZE I'D BE AWFUL SORRY MYSELF IF PAT DIED BUT IF HE DID WE'D HAVE TO GIVE HIM THE RIGHT KIND OF FUNERAL HE PROTESTED WHY PATTY JUST SEEMS LIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY HE ISN'T IN THE KITCHEN SAID FELICITY RUSHING ABOUT WILDLY AND HE COULDN'T GET INTO THE OTHER PART OF THE HOUSE FOR I SHUT THE HALL DOOR TIGHT AND NO BABY COULD OPEN IT AND IT'S SHUT TIGHT YET SO ARE ALL THE WINDOWS HE MUST HAVE GOT OUT OF THE DOOR DAN KING AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT HE DIDN'T GO OUT OF THIS DOOR REITERATED DAN STUBBORNLY I KNOW THAT WELL WHERE IS HE THEN HE ISN'T HERE DID HE MELT INTO AIR DEMANDED FELICITY OH COME AND LOOK FOR HIM ALL OF YOU WELL SAID AUNT JANET WHEN WE ALL DESCENDED TO THE KITCHEN THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU YOUNG ONES HAVE EVER ALL GOT UP WITHOUT BEING CALLED THAT'S A FACT AT BREAKFAST OUR APPETITES WERE POOR HOW COULD THE GROWN UPS EAT AS THEY DID AFTER BREAKFAST AND THE NECESSARY CHORES THERE WAS THE FORENOON TO BE LIVED THROUGH PETER TRUE TO HIS WORD GOT OUT HIS BIBLE AND BEGAN TO READ FROM THE FIRST CHAPTER IN GENESIS I WON'T HAVE TIME TO READ IT ALL THROUGH I SUPPOSE HE SAID BUT I'LL GET ALONG AS FAR AS I CAN FARMER FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN POINTING AND RAY CLUMPED SLOWLY IN A HALF CIRCLE JUST AS A NONIFUS DROPPED TO THE DECK WITH A PLANK SHIVERING THUMP THE SCENE ASSUMED SOME OF THE ASPECTS OF A BAD MOVIE COMEDY THE BACKGROUND WAS AN OUT OF FOCUS BLUR ALTHOUGH FARMER WAS DIMLY CONSCIOUS OF MOTION IN IT SOMEWHERE SOMETHING ELSE BREAKING THE SURFACE OF THE WATER AS IT EMERGED +5fd9f6dd-b428-43b1-a6c3-def281b45809 THIS IS FAIRLY EASY TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A MACHINE MEMORY TO WORK WITH ONE OF THE LIZARDS GARGLED AT ANOTHER ONE AND THE SECOND ONE TURNED AROUND I TAGGED THIS EXPRESSION WITH THE PHRASE HEY GEORGE AND WAITED MY CHANCE TO USE IT LATER THE SAME DAY I CAUGHT ONE OF THEM ALONE AND SHOUTED HEY GEORGE AT HIM I TOO HAVE WONDERED WHAT BECAME OF HER BUT UNTIL WOOT THE WANDERER INTERESTED HIMSELF IN THE MATTER THE TIN WOODMAN KNEW NO MORE THAN WE DID HOWEVER HE FOUND HER AFTER MANY THRILLING ADVENTURES AS YOU WILL DISCOVER WHEN YOU HAVE READ THIS STORY A DISTANT FLARE LIT UP THE HORIZON HE CHOKED OFF A SOB AND BEAT HIS FIST IN THE RED DUST A WAVE OF NAUSEA SWEPT OVER HIM BITTER STOMACH JUICES WELLED UP IN HIS THROAT BUT HE SWALLOWED THEM DOWN AGAIN DIRECTLY BEFORE ME WAS THE LONG WORK BENCH THAT RAN THE FULL LENGTH OF THE ROOM LITTERED WITH A DOZEN SET UPS FOR AS MANY EXPERIMENTS NOTHING OF THE SORT YOUR OLD PETE GRAHAM A DARNED GOOD HALFBACK IN THE WORLD'S ROTTENIST SCIENTIST +60545241-243f-4977-bdc5-f4cdc8e9c285 HE EASED BACK ON THE POWER SETTING MAYBE THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT BUT IT DIDN'T INSTEAD HE FELT THE SURGING RUMBLE DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE SHIP LUMINOUS NEEDLES DANCED AND A SECOND RED LIGHT FLASHED ON HE SNAPPED THE VITIO SWITCH AND DEPRESSED THE MIKE BUTTON I THOUGHT MAYBE THEY GOT SOME NEW IMPROVEMENTS ON IT SINCE AUNT JANE'S DAY SAID PETER RELIEVED SARA RAY IS COMING ALONG THE LANE AND SHE'S CRYING ANNOUNCED DAN WHO WAS PEERING OUT OF THE KNOTHOLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE LOFT I ALWAYS THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE IN A PLACE BEFORE IT COULD BE HAUNTED SAID CECILY SOMEBODY KILLED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT YOU KNOW NOTHING LIKE THAT EVER HAPPENED IN OUR FAMILY THE KINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN RESPECTABLE DURING THE DAYS HE HAD DONE THE THINGS HE HAD PLANNED HE DID NO WORK WITH THE SHARPS BUT LET THEM FIND HIM WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE HUT OF AN EVENING RECITING STRANGE WORDS ONCE HE BUILT A SMALL OUTDOOR FIRE AND WALKED AROUND IT BITTERSHIN'S FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THEN HE PUT THE FIRE OUT AND WENT INSIDE +6057e3e2-0e7f-44e8-9dda-eceacb11bc27 THESE CREATURES WERE LIKE SUCH SHADOWS SEEN IN THREE DIMENSIONS BUT JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO JUST BEFORE YOU ARRIVED SIR IT WOULD BE JUST STUPIDITY IF YOU DIDN'T BUT FELICITY HAD DONE HER WORK TOO THOROUGHLY THE STORY GIRL WAS NOT TO BE COMFORTED THE POLICEMAN EXPECTED NO FURTHER TROUBLE FROM THE HUMANS AFTER THE TREATMENT THEY HAD OUR COPS WOULD BE TOUGH WITH YOU IF THEY FOUND YOU OPERATING THE THING ASTRO ONE THIS IS BRANDON BRANDON DEPRESSED THE TOP BUTTON CERTAINLY IT HAS SUFFICIENT GRAVITY TO HOLD ITS OXYGEN +6067770c-409a-4f57-83a1-e60051a1736e CECILY WAS PALE BUT BRAVE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS SHE HAD NOT PUT HER HAIR UP IN CURLS ON SATURDAY NIGHT IT WAS BRUSHED AND BRAIDED WITH PURITAN SIMPLICITY IF IT'S A JUDGMENT DAY I DON'T CARE WHETHER MY HAIR IS CURLY OR NOT SHE SAID WE COULD HAVE RUN ONE AND ALL IF THERE HAD BEEN ANYWHERE TO RUN TOO BUT THERE WASN'T ALL AROUND US WERE ONLY THOSE SHADOWY ARCADES THEN WE SAW WITH SHAME THAT IT WAS ONLY OUR PADDY PAT PAT I SAID PICKING HIM UP FEELING A CERTAIN COMFORT IN HIS SOFT SOLID BODY WE COULD EARN MONEY AND SHE COULDN'T YOU SEE BUT COME ON DOWN TO THE ORCHARD THE STORY GIRL HAD A LETTER FROM HER FATHER TO DAY AND SHE'S GOING TO READ IT TO US THE MOMENT THIS WAS ALL FINISHED I DID THE JOB THEY WERE WAITING FOR I THREW THE SWITCH THAT STARTED THE WATER FLOWING AGAIN WHEN THE WATER WAS CUT OFF WITH THE PILE IN OPERATION IT HAD STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THE AUTOMATIC SAFETIES HAD DUMPED THE CHARGE DOWN THE PIT +60843926-c346-4f3a-85a5-98c5f2bc691c ATAVISTIC AGREED CHAFFY FOUR THEY COULD EVEN LIE TO EACH OTHER BUT THEIR DILEMMA REMAINED AND WE NEVER HAD TO TURN HIS SPECIES INSIDE OUT TO DISCOVER THEIR MEANING THE SOCIAL LIFE OF JUVENILE CARLYLE CENTERED IN THE DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS THE TALE OF THE RAINBOW BRIDGE FELIX SO FAR AS MY REMEMBRANCE GOES NEVER ATTAIN TO SUCCESS IN THE ORDEAL OF BITTER APPLES THE NATIVES CHOMPED AND RATTLED AND THE TRANSLATION ROLLED OUT ALMOST INSTANTLY I HAD THE VOLUME TURNED UP AND THE WHOLE SQUARE ECHOED SOME OF THE MORE CREDULOUS NATIVES PROSTRATED THEMSELVES AND OTHERS FLED SCREAMING +60c71cb9-3188-4bbd-b94d-14e2be8dd614 CECILY BEHIND ME KEPT GASPING OUT THE CONTRADICTORY SENTENCES WE HAVEN'T SEEN SARA RAY SINCE YOU GOT SICK SHE IS AWFUL LONESOME AND JUDY SAYS SHE CRIESARLY ALL THE TIME BUT THAT'S NOTHING NEW COMPARING THE POSITIONS RELATION TO THE GLOWING SPHERE THAT ENCLOSED ALL THE POSSIBLE LOCATIONS OF THE STOLEN SHIP I HAD LEFT STANDING ORDERS THAT ALL REPORTS FALLING INSIDE THE DANGER AIR TO BE BROUGHT TO ME AT ANY TIME NEVER MIND SARAH COMFORTED CECILY IF ONLY IT WASN'T PRINTED SAID DAN GLOOMILY IF SHE HAD SPOKEN PERCY OTHER TIMES IT WAS SURELY FELICITY'S TURN THIS TIME SUPPOSE FOR INSTANCE WE WORKED THE ENCHANTMENT ON WHICH THE EYES NOSE AND MOUTH HAD BEEN PAINTED CONTENT WITH MY LOT I'M GLAD THAT I'M NOT +60ce2e31-995b-486b-a9ec-538349f599bd IF SHE HAD BUT HELD HER TONGUE THE MYSTERY OF THE SAWDUST'S DISAPPEARANCE MIGHT HAVE FOREVER REMAINED A MYSTERY FELICITY IF I DIE FROM THE EFFECTS OF EATING SAWDUST PUDDING FLAVORED WITH NEEDLES YOU'LL BE SORRY YOU EVER SAID SUCH A THING TO YOUR POOR OLD UNCLE SAID UNCLE ROGER REPROACHFULLY THAT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO YOU THIS WILL MAKE HIGH PLAINS THE BIGGEST TOWN IN THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS HOW BIG WERE THESE PEOPLE HE HEARD THE OTHERS READYING THEMSELVES FOR SLEEP BUT HE DID NOT LOOK INTO THEIR MINDS I KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SENT ME IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER AVAILABLE MEMBER HE THOUGHT BUT BEFORE WE REACHED THE GATE WE GLANCED TO OUR LEFT ALONG THE GRASSY SPRUCE BORDERED LANE WHICH LED OVER TO UNCLE ROGER'S +60d060ce-9ef9-40b0-b0a3-eda7b8472562 BEHIND THE BARRED FACE PLATE RAY LOOKED PUZZLED THEN ANNOYED FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE FARMER COULD SEE MILTON BURL STILL CAVORTING SILENTLY ON THE TELEVISION SCREEN AND THIS SEEMED TO ADD THE FINAL TOUCH OF INSANITY TO THE SCENE WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO TRUST BILLY ROBINSON SAID FELICITY SUMMING UP THE CASE ONE EVENING WHEN ALL HAD BEEN MADE KNOWN I WAS VERY MUCH AFRAID THAT WE DID NOT REJOICE QUITE AS UNSELFISHLY IN SARAH'S GOOD FORTUNE AS WE SHOULD HAVE DONE BUT THERE'S NO GAMBLE WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE HE TOLD THE MILKY WAY RIPPING OFF HIS OXYGEN MASK HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH OF THE ALIEN ATMOSPHERE ALL THIS BEING SO THERE'S AN OFT CHANCE THAT I'LL FIND MYSELF TANGLED WITH SOMETHING I CAN'T ANTICIPATE AND IF YOU ARE CALLED UPON TO READ THIS THEN SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG WITH MY PLANS +60f910fb-7802-481a-ad40-1ac391d3c73d OLD PEOPLE DIED GROWN UP PEOPLE DIED EVEN CHILDREN OF WHOM WE HAD HEARD DIED BUT THAT ONE OF US OF OUR MERRY LITTLE BAND SHOULD DIE WAS UNBELIEVABLE WE COULD NOT BELIEVE IT AND YET THE POSSIBILITY STRUCK US IN THE FACE LIKE A BLOW I KNOW THE RISK PERFECTLY WELL YANUS THOUGHT BACK CLARETON'S THOUGHT CARRIED A WRY ECHO YOU KNOW THE RISK TO YOURSELF HE TOLD YUNUS AND YOU'VE ACCEPTED THAT YOU RATHER LIKE IT AS A MATTER OF FACT BUT YOU HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF THE RISK TO THE REST OF US AND TO THE TOWN YOU'RE IN YONAS SET A THOUGHT OF UNCERTAINTY WHAT ONCE LONG AGO WE USED CRUDE PLATFORMS ON THE TOPS OF TREES NOW ONLY THE WILD ONES DO THIS STETSON'S VOICE HISSED IN ORNE'S EARS EASY ON THE SEXLIME BOY THAT'S ALWAYS TOUCHY WELL LET'S GO DOWN TO THE PULPIT STONE AND I'LL TELL YOU A STORY I KNOW SAID THE STORY GIRL +61573854-53f7-447b-8e89-01319c3fea62 THIS LAST ORDER WAS DIRECTED AT THE ROBART WHO WAS WELL BRIEFED IN ITS ROLL IT RUMBLED FORWARD AND LOCKED ITS HAND ROUND FERERO'S WRIST HANDCUSSEL HE BARELY NOTICED THE NAME WAS PRECEDED BY SEVERAL ADJECTS HE CALLED DORA A PUDDLESNAKE HE DIPPED AN EYEBROW IN A WINK HE HAD MANY RIVALS BUT HE KNEW THAT IF SHE WOULD NOT COME TO BE THE MISTRESS OF HIS NEW HOUSE NO ONE ELSE EVER SHOULD OH SAID THE STORY GIRL LOOKING AT CECILY HALF REPROACHFULLY YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN SUCH FRIENDS WITH PETER AND MADE OUT YOU THOUGHT SO MUCH OF HIM AND NOW YOU AIN'T SHEDDING A TEAR FOR HIM +619107f4-ea01-4c70-857f-1f8bf5b33004 I SHALL TELL IT TOO I DON'T CARE IF THE JOKE IS AS MUCH ON MYSELF AS ANY ONE A STORY IS A STORY NO MATTER WHO IT'S ON BUT IT IS HATEFUL TO BE LAUGHED AT AND GROWN UPS ALWAYS DO IT I NEVER WILL WHEN I'M GROWN UP I'LL REMEMBER BETTER TO MY LEFT AND SOME DISTANCE AWAY A VAST NUMBER OF BLUNT AND UGLY TOWERS ROSE AGAINST THE SINISTER SKY LINE BUT NO FORM OF ANIMAL LIFE SEEMED IN EVIDENCE BUT WHEN EAGER JOYOUS RADIANT HE SET HIS FOOT ON THE RAINBOW THE STERN SORROWFUL WARDER TOOK HIM BY THE ARM AND DREW HIM BACK A CLOUD PASSED OVER THE SUN AND AS THE SUDDEN SHADOW SWEPT ACROSS THE ORCHARD WE TURNED PALE AND TREMBLED +619e6d36-5374-43a1-9d67-3d2cd4f5a3ee AFTER ALL HE FINISHED THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EVEN A HERO WANTS A LITTLE PRIVACY POSTSCRIPT IN SIXTEEN O FIVE SIXTEEN O SIX IN OFFENBURG THERE WERE NO EXECUTIONS ONE OF THE SCARECROW'S RECITATIONS WAS LIKE THIS WHAT SOUND IS SO SWEET AS THE STRAW FROM THE WHEAT WHEN IT CRINKLES SO TENDER AND LOW IT IS YELLOW AND BRIGHT SO IT GIVES ME DELIGHT TO CRINKLE WHEREVER I GO LOOKING AROUND ON THE FACE OF THE GROUP I SAW THAT THEY ALL SHARED MY FEELING CECILY HAD PUT HER HANDS OVER HER EYES FAME SAID UNCLE ROGER IF SHE EVER HAS A CHANCE THAT IS AND I SUPPOSE HER FATHER WILL SEEK TO THAT AT LEAST I HOPE HE WILL HE BROKE DOWN AGAIN SHAKING WITH LAUGHTER WHAT DO YOU MEAN I GROWLED DON'T YOU CATCH IT YET THE STORY SHE TOLD YOU WAS TRUE EXCEPT SHE TWISTED IT AROUND A BIT THE WHOLE PLAN BUILDING THE BATTLESHIP THEN STEALING IT WAS HERS SHE PULLED ME INTO IT PLAYED ME LIKE AN ACCORDION +61f8812a-233d-40a9-bfee-8064283064bf WE'RE JUST ONE JUMP AHEAD OF CATASTROPHE YOU'RE CALLING THE SHOTS GOD HELP YOU IT WAS A MINNY OFF THE DELPHINIS REDISCOVERY YOU OUGHT NOT TO LOSE NO TIME IN FINDING OUT FELIX AND DAN WERE TO PICK AND SHELL THE PEAS HE JUST STAYS HOME AND READS BOOKS WHEN HE ISN'T WORKIN HE HAD ALSO TIED IT IN A KNOT GAR FELT AN EXPLANATIVE AND GESTURED WITH HIS HAND ASSUMING HE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO BEND IT AT ALL THE SWALLOWS FLEW IN AND OUT OF THEIR NEST ABOVE OUR HEADS AND WHENEVER A SUNBEAM FELL THROUGH A CHINK THE AIR SWARMED WITH GOLDEN DUST +62794cf7-d976-4a08-80cd-fe4a8c7c993b BUT THIS IS AN ORN R UNIT YES SIR ADMIRAL STETSON SIR YEA GABBOT WHERE IS ALL THIS TRANSLATION GRIFF PUT AND THEY FISHED ME OUT OF THE MESS IT'S SO PRETTY WHEN THE VINES LEAF OUT AND HANG DOWN IN LONG FESTOONS THE STERN SORROWFUL WARDER TOOK HIM BY THE ARM AND DREW HIM BACK THEY FADED SOON AFTER THEY WERE PLUCKED THEN ALL PAIN AND WEARINESS FELL AWAY FROM HIM HE WAS NEVER MORE PLEASED THAN WHEN HE HAD A JOB IN HAND A JOB THAT INVOLVED A SLIGHT AND UNAVOIDABLE RISK +6296e3ae-dcf2-4159-98ef-21a13cf84d17 THE TORTURE CHAMBER WAS BRIGHTLY LIT WITH TORCHES AND BRACKETS ALONG THE WALLS THAT GAVE OFF BY A SMALL FRACTION MORE LIGHT THAN SMOKE IN ONE CORNER THE RACK ITSELF STOOD AND THERE WERE OTHER TOOLS OF THE TRADE SCATTERED AROUND THE ROOM WHEN WE REACHED THE FOOT OF THE ORCHARD AND ENTERED IT THROUGH A GAP IN THE HEDGE IT WAS THE MAGICAL MYSTICAL TIME OF BETWEEN LIGHTS OFF TO THE WEST WAS A DAFFODIL GLOW HANGING OVER THE VALLEY OF LOST SUNSETS AND GRANDFATHER KING'S HUGE WILLOW ROSE UP AGAINST IT LIKE A ROUNDED MOUNTAIN OF FOLIAGE IF YOU DECIDE TO TRY IT TELL PARENT TO DO NOTHING FOR AT LEAST A WEEK IF THE LAW STARTED EXPERIMENTING ON THIS EQUIPMENT WE COULD NEVER CLIMB BACK AND LEAVE WORD WITH THEM FOR HOPE TELL HER ALL SCRAMBLE OUT SOMEHOW THAT WE WILL IF YOU DECIDE TO TRY YOUR LUCK I NEVER HAVE FRIENDS SHE SAID IN A MATTER OF FACT TONE BECAUSE FRIENDS GET TOO FAMILIAR AND ALWAYS FORGET TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS +629a244d-6a44-4b98-b434-31a558716728 YONAS KNEW WHAT THAT MEANT RATIFICATION OF A FREE CONFESSION TOOK PLACE IN A TORTURE HE WIPED HIS FACE WITH ONE HAND BUT HE HARDLY THOUGHT OF ESCAPING HE HAD TO GO THROUGH WITH THE PLAN THE TWO GUARDS CAME INTO THE CELL AND GRIPPED HIS ARMS YUNUS ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE CARRIED OUT INTO THE CORRIDOR AND DOWN IT TO A GREAT WOODEN DOOR THE GUARDS OPENED IT AND DRAGGED HIM THROUGH IT LOOKED LIKE THE ONE WE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE TRAGEDY BUT A NUMBER OF MONITOR STATIONS HAD PICKED UP THIS DISCHARGED STATIC OF A LARGE ENERGY WEAPON BEING FIRED FELIX TOOK HER ADVICE MISTER MIRWOOD PRESENTLY WALKING BENIGNLY ALONG THE LANE WAS CONFRONTED BY A FAT SMALL BOY WITH A PALE FACE BUT RESOLUTE EYES THE REST OF US REMAINED IN THE BACKGROUND BUT WITHIN HEARING ALL THIS WITH SOME OIL PAINTING AND FREEFALL WORKOUTS IN THE GEM PASSED THE TIME I WAS ASLEEP WHEN THE ALARM WENT OFF THAT ANNOUNCED PLANETARY DISTANCE +629bd66b-a1a8-4142-95f1-f6fbf718c488 YET ALL THIS WAS DONE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO FIX IT ON WHAT I HAVE TO TELL YOU YONAH SAID SHIFTING HIS FEET AGAIN I AM NO WIZARD BUT A MAN WHO MAY DO CERTAIN THINGS AND HERE IS MY PROOF YOU MAY DO THE SAME YOURSELF THE SILENCE WAS A LONG ONE AND AT THE END OF IT KNOOF ROSE A PARTY OR PARTIES UNKNOWN HAD NEATLY WALKED THE SHIP CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM TO THEIR OWN ENDS UNDOUBTEDLY THEY HAD STARTED THE PROGRAM FOR THE GIANT TRANSPORT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE CHECKED LATER ONCE THE PROGRAMME WAS UNDER WAY IT HAD BEEN GUIDED WITH A SKILL THAT BORDERED ON GENIUS LORD THOU HAST BEEN OUR DWELLING PLACE IN ALL GENERATIONS BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BROUGHT FORTH OR EVER THOU'ST HAD FORMED THE EARTH IN THE WORLD EVEN FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING THOU ART GOD FOR A THOUSAND YEARS IN THY SIGHT ARE BUT AS YESTERDAY WHEN IT IS PAST AND AS A WATCH IN THE NIGHT PETER AS FELICITY REMINDED US WITH A BURST OF TEARS HAD BEEN SO FOND OF APPLE TURNOVERS +62b2a6e7-cfd5-4140-8947-175a9c903436 WHEN I STRAIGHTENED UP FROM MY DESK THE ACHE IN MY BACK STABBED LIKE A HOT WIRE AFTER THE ROEBOT HAD CHECKED THE ROOM FOR BUGS BUT THEY WOULDN'T EVEN CARRY THEM HOME AUNT OLIVIA KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT OF COURSE IT APPEARED THAT IT WAS FELICITY'S MOURNING TO HELP PREPARE BREAKFAST SO HE SHUT THEM TIGHT AND PERCHED UPON THE BACK SCRUBBING AND SWEEPING HER HUT AND COOKING HER MEALS AND CECILY TRUE'S YOU LIVE THERE WAS EIGHT SEEDS IN IT AND YOU KNOW EIGHT MEANS THEY BOTH LOVE +62b710ba-4b21-4c31-b1e7-dc7ff9bb42f6 BUT YOU CAN TRANSMIT FALSE THOUGHTS AND CONFUSE HIM CLARETON SAID FINE FINE IF YOU'VE EVER MET THE MAN BEFORE YOU WILL NOT BE THAT FOOLISH WILL YOU ORN NO NEED TO BE SAID ORAN I'VE ANOTHER LITTLE LESSON TO TEACH YOU I ALREADY KNOW WHERE YOU'VE HIDDEN THE DELPHINIS GO BOY HISSED STUTSON WHERE IS IT THIS STARTED ME THINKING AND I PUNCHED A COMPLETE LIST OF SHIPS OF THAT SIZE THAT BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN THE PAST YOU CAN IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES OF GROANING THE C M ONLY PRODUCED SIX WELL AFTER THAT HE LOCKS HIMSELF UP IN HIS WORK ROOM SO MISSUS PERWIN SAYS SHE BEING THE HOUSEKEEPER AS YOU KNOW SIR LEAVING WORD NOT TO DISTURB HIM FOR DINNER WE DON'T THINK SO MUCH OF THAT MISTER BUTLER BEING TOOK WITH STREAKS OF WORKING AT ALL HOURS AS YOU KNOW +62bb4c15-7660-4982-8832-df61a75b17fe WHEN I HAVE TRANSFORMED YOU THREE PEOPLE YOU MUST ALWAYS WEAR THE SHAPES THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL CECILY'S SICK SAID DAN SPRINGING OUT OF BED THAT CUCUMBER MUST HAVE DISAGREED WITH HER THE MAGIC OF HER VOICE WORKED ITS WILL ON MISTER CAMPBELL AS ON ALL OTHERS HE CAME IN SAT DOWN HOOKED HIS THUMB INTO HIS VEST POCKET AND SMILED AT HER SINCE I AM THE WORLD'S GREATEST GENIUS AND THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED TO TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WISH TO KNOW ABOUT MY PEOPLE AND CIVILIZATION +62e2600e-1e53-4422-af2c-72b56f4aa55a HARRIS ALTHOUGH THE MASQUERADE ITSELF AS A NECESSARY PROTECTION AGAINST NON TELEPATHS WAS NOT FORMALLY FORMULATED UNTIL THE LATE YEARS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY GROUPS OF TELEPATHS IN HIDING EXISTED LONG BEFORE THAT DATE NOT LONG AFTER HE WAS MARRIED HIS WIFE WASN'T QUITE READY FOR CHURCH ONE MORNING WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO WELL FINALLY REMARKED THE LITTLE BROWN BEAR LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE AND MAKE OURSELVES AT HOME THAT WILL BE SURE TO PLEASE MY FRIEND GINGER WHO HAPPENS TO BE AWAY FROM HOME JUST NOW WHEN SHE RETURNS SHE WILL BE GREATLY SURPRISED NO HEIREDITARY ENEMIES FEUDS OR THE LIKE IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS BATTLESHIP THING I WOULD CALL THEM AN IDEAL LEAGUE PLANET I HAVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM +633be1ac-e49e-493d-bc93-2fb736bd310b SHE HAD RECENTLY BEEN DIGGING INTO A COUPLE OF OLD VOLUMES OF CLASSIC MYTHS AND NORTHLAND FOLK LORE WHICH SHE HAD FOUND IN AUNT OLIVIA'S ATTIC AND FOR US GOD AND GODDESS LAUGHING NYMPH AND MOCKING SATYR NORN AND VALCURY ELF AND TROLL AND GREEN FOLK GENERALLY WERE REAL CREATURES ONCE AGAIN INHABITING THE ORCHARDS AND WOODS AND MEADOWS AROUND US UNTIL IT SEEMED AS IF THE GOLDEN AGE HAD RETURNED TO EARTH I'D GIVE ANYTHING IF I'D NEVER PUT SARA UP TO GOING TO THAT SHOW SHE SAID IT'S ALL MY FAULT BUT THE PUNISHMENT FALLS ON SARA AND THAT ISN'T FAIR I'D GO THIS MINUTE AND CONFESS THE WHOLE THING TO MISSUS RAY BUT IF I DID IT IT MIGHT GET SARA INTO MORE TROUBLE AND I MUSTN'T DO THAT I SHA'N'T SLEEP A WINK TO NIGHT I SHALL HAVE TO EXPERIMENT ON YOU POLYCHROME AND I MAY FAIL IN ALL MY ATTEMPTS SHE THEN TRIED TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT METHODS OF MAGIC HOPING ONE OF THEM WOULD SUCCEED IN BREAKING POLYCHROME'S ENCHANTMENT BUT STILL THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER REMAINED A CANARY BIRD UNDER THE MOTTO SET A THIEF TO CATCH ONE THE CORPS SUPPOSEDLY MADE GOOD USE OF MEN LIKE MYSELF TO GET RID OF THE MORE ANTISOCIAL TYPES THAT INFEST THE UNIVERSE THIS WAS ALL STILL HEARSAY TO ME I HAD BEEN PULLED INTO HEADQUARTERS AND GIVEN ROUTINE ADMINISTRATION WORK FOR TRAINING SIX MONTHS OF THIS HAD LEFT ME SLIGHTLY GARGER AND I WANTED OUT +633e3729-626d-45ee-851c-1e464e2ed515 AFTER THAT IT JUST FELL INTO PLACE MAKING A BEE LINE FOR US IF IT DID WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SPOT IT AND HIS FEMALE SISTANT THEY PULLED THE ENTIRE JOB BY THEMSELVES I BRUSHED AGAINST IT AND IT IS NOW UNSERVICEABLE THE SUIT WAS ON AND I KEPT THE RUNNING CHATTER UP THROUGH THE MIKE IN THE HELMET WE CAME AT LAST SHAKING WITH WEARINESS AND GASPING FOR BREATH TO THE DESERTED STREETS OF THE BLACK AND TERRIBLE CITY IN SPITE OF HER SCALES AND FINS AS IF UNTOUCHED BY ANYTHING AROUND HIM HIS ARMS FOLDED AND A FAINT SMILE UPON HIS DAMP LIPS +634a6a3f-3e5d-4ef6-9c94-05c594330724 THEN HE PUT THE FIRE OUT AND WENT INSIDE HE WASN'T SURE WHETHER OR NOT ANY ONE WAS WATCHING HIM THAT TIME VERY SADLY THE OLD KING AND COURTIERS RODE HOME AND NEVER NEVER AGAIN DID HUMAN EYE BEHOLD THE PROUD PRINCESS HE SWUNG TO FACE THE MONSTER WITH A SICK FEELING IN HIS STOMACH AND GOT ANOTHER SURPRISE THE THING HAD STOPPED MOVING GAR'S EXPLANATIONS IT SEEMED ONLY COMPOUNDED THE CONFUSION CAUSED BY HIS PRESENCE GHOST STORIES ARE MORE COMFORTABLE IN DAYTIME SAID FELIX THE STORY GIRL BEGAN IT AND WE LISTENED AVIDLY +634ad13c-69af-4208-b093-b5c9780c4ead AND HER MOTHER DID NOT APPROVE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY PROJECT WHAT WOULD BE THE USE OF IT ASKED THE STORY GIRL A LITTLE DISDAINFULLY IT DON'T SEEM MUCH USE IN HAVING A PLATE JUST FOR ORNAMENT SAID FELICITY IT WAS DARK NOW SO NOBODY WOULD NOTICE HIS FEET I WISH YOU WERE I'M SURE SAID FELICITY RIDDLING THE FIRE NOISILY THEY HAD WHAT LOOKED LIKE THROWING STICKS AND ARBELASTS AND WERE TRYING TO SHOOT DOWN THE EYE A CLOUD OF ARROWS AND ROCKS FLYING IN EVERY DIRECTION UNDER THE MOTTO SET A THIEF TO CATCH ONE AS THE SPHERE KEPT GROWING HE STARTED TO DROP BEHIND STEADILY LOSING GROUND +636af036-b29d-4cfd-ab00-fe7102aa3786 THERE WAS A THICK MUSCLED NO FAT LOOK TO ORN BUT SOMETHING ABOUT HIS BLOCKY OFF CENTERED FEATURES SUGGESTED A CLOWN DID IT CRACK UP HERE WE DON'T KNOW CAPTAIN STENG WON BY NOSE IT WAS HIS SHIP AND HE KNEW ALL THE SHORT CUTS THE SIER MAN WAS HOLDING A TO OUT OF TRANSCRIPTION BUT HE SUMMED IT UP IN ONE SENTENCE HE LOOKED AT ME WHILE HE TALKED AND HIS FACE WAS HARD AND COLD ANYWAY THIS STORY COULDN'T BE TRUE YOU KNOW THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GOD PAN HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT THERE MIGHT BE HAVE BEEN IN THE GOLDEN AGE ASKED THE STORY GIRL WHEN THE TWO PEAKS COINCIDED I SPUN THE EYE CONTROLS AND DIVED THE THING DOWN I CUT OUT THE RADAR AND CUT THE NOSE ORPHACON AND SAT BACK TO WATCH THE BEACON APPEAR ON THE SCREEN THE IMAGE BLINKED FOCUSED AND A GREAT DAMP PYRAMID SWAM INTO VIEW +637bcacb-0f01-4981-8dea-6f9efb7efdc7 WE WERE MORE INTERESTED IN FELICITY AND CECILY AND DAN WHO LIVED ON THE HOMESTEAD AND WOULD THEREFORE BE OUR ROOF MATES FOR A SEASON BUT THE SPIRIT OF THE STORY GIRL'S YET UNUTTERED REMARK WAS THRILLING IN OUR HEARTS THAT MORNING AS THE TRAIN PULLED OUT OF TORONTO GOOD DORA SAID BRISKLY NOW I'LL JUST A SHE STRODE DIRECTLY TO RAISE INVENTION AND FARMER WONDERED WHY BOTH ALIENS WERE SO INTERESTED IN A GADGET THAT DIDN'T WORK DORA WASTED NO TIME SHE BENT OVER PICKED UP THE MACHINE YANKING WIRING LOOSE CARELESSLY STRAIGHTENED UP TURNED A BEAMING SMILE ON FARMER AND RAY SAID GOOD BY AND HEADED FOR THE RAIL HE TOOK ONE HAND OFF HIS HIP TO SCRATCH AT THE TOP OF HIS HEAD WONDERING BRIEFLY IF HE HAD MANAGED TO PICK UP LICE IN THE LAST TOWN HE HAD VISITED AND HE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT THE CITY SPIRES SEEMED A LOT BETTER AT FIRST GLANCE THAN SOME OF THE OTHER PLACES JONAS HAD VISITED FOR ONE THING IT HAD A FULL TOWN HALL BUILT NO LESS OF HONEST STONE AND PROBABLY A RELIC OF THE MOMENT TIMES MY AUNT JANE WAS ONE AND I MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE MYSELF IF I HADN'T BEEN SO SCARED OF THE JUDGMENT DAY BUT YOU AIN'T A METHODIST YOU'RE A PRESBYTERIAN AIN'T YOU YES OF COURSE I WAS BORN THAT WAY VERY WELL THEN YOU'VE GOT TO DO THINGS THE PRESBYTERIAN WAY DON'T LET ME HEAR ANY MORE OF YOUR AMENDS OR I'LL AMEN YOU +63807689-e52b-45ba-8e0d-7d28025329ae DOWN ON THE HOMESTEAD TOOK CHARGE OF US ON THE JOURNEY WE SAW THAT FELICITY WAS VAIN WHY DO YOU KEEP TOUCHING YOUR THROAT DEMANDED TO NEW YOU RIGHT FINISH FOR YOUR ENTIRE PLANET IF YOU DO SAID HORN AND AT THE SAME TIME HAD BACKED OUT OF THE WATER UNTIL ITS LEVIATHAN TAIL SPANNED THE HUNDRED ODD YARDS OF SLOPING BEACH FROM SURF TO CABIN BUT WHAT THEY'RE UP TO NOW I CAN'T EVEN GUESS THEY DEAL DEATH SPARINGLY AND THAT MAKES THEM GREAT BEHIND HIM HER BIG BLUE EYES BRIMMING HER LIPS QUIVERING +6381fe34-750b-41d5-9130-791b1e365065 BUT HOW WILL THAT SETTLE IT ASKED CECILY OH WITH ALL ITS LAUGHTER AND DELIGHT AND GLAMOUR IT IS OUR ETERNAL POSSESSION AND TALKING RATHER MORE LOUDLY THAN THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE THEIR SWEET SHRILL VOICES CARRIED SILENCE FELL OVER THE HOUSE I WANT THAT SHIP BACK BRANDON IS THAT THE ONLY REASON YOU THINK YOU MIGHT NEED A BOOSTER SHOT BUT THEY WERE PRETTY SLOW COMING IN THIS TIME TO BE COUNTED AS PEOPLE THEN THEY WENT TO TAKE THE REST OF THE SENSES BUT IN FEAR +6388d275-4dc3-44f6-90f1-d7889398b40f I WONDER SAID DAN MEDITATIVELY AS WE WENT AWAY FROM THAT REDOLENT SPOT HITHERTO THEY HAD BEEN OF A NON COMMITTAL NATURE SHE WOULD WEAR HOLES IN HER STOCKINGS AND MIGHT SERIOUSLY BRUISE HER FEET NOW HOW WAS THAT WHEN IT HELD A WHOLE PAILFUL OF MUSH ONCE THE PROGRAMME WAS UNDER WAY IT HAD BEEN GUIDED WITH A SKILL THAT BORDERED ON GENIUS ANY PLANS ELABORATE AS HIS CERTAINLY INCLUDED WARNING OF APPROACHING DANGER AND TWENTY MINUTES LATER TWO MEN CAME TO THE HUT THEY STOOD IN THE OPEN DOORWAY MISSUS SHARP BEHIND THEM TWITTERING LIKE AN ANCIENT BIRD AND YONAS WATCHED THEM BOREDLY YET YOU SEEM BORED BY THE MATTER CLEREND THOUGHT PUZZLED +639a9cbf-7ebe-4dda-951f-43b70712649f IF WE DO WE'LL BREAK YOUR SKIN REPLIED THE KING SO THE LOON STOPPED PUMPING AIR INTO PANTA AND PUSHED HIM AWAY FROM THE PUMP HE WAS CERTAINLY MORE HUMBLE THAN BEFORE HIS ACCIDENT FOR HE CREPT INTO THE BACKGROUND AND SAID NOTHING MORE SO YOU CAN'T BE ALLOWED TO SET OFF YOUR ATOM BOMBS OR WORSE WHERE THEY MIGHT GET THROUGH TO ANOTHER PLANET WE CAN'T ACTUALLY INTERFERE WITH YOU SO WE CLOSE THE GATES THAT'S ALL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON MISTER BUTLER LEAVES A LETTER FOR ME WHICH I'M TO MAIL EARLY THIS MORNING SPECIAL DELIVERY IT'S TO YOU I RECKON YOU GOT IT SIR THAT'S WHY I'M HERE GO ON AND AS HE DID THERE CAME RUSHING OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE A GREAT COMPANY THE BAND OF FELLOW TRAVELLERS BUT ALL WERE TOO LATE TO WIN THE DOUBLE BOON VING HAD WON TO IT THROUGH THE DANGER AND SUFFERING OF THE DARK RIVER +63a540e9-1f71-4103-8b3d-5df736a90b10 AS HE TALKED A PICTURE FLICKERED ON THE SCREEN IT WAS THE RADIO ROOM ON ASTRO WON COLONEL TOWERS WAS PACING BACK AND FORTH IN FRONT OF THE RADIO MAN SHALL YOU KEEP TRYING TO RAISE HIM HE HEARD RHINARD ASK FOOL STUNT TOWERS SPUTTERED NOD I THINK I THINK YOU WENT DOWN DELIBERATELY JUST TO BE THE FIRST HUMAN BEING TO WALK ON THE GROUND OF A PLANET OF ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM ASTRO THIS IS BRANNAN COME IN PLEASE TOWERS CONTINUED TO PACE AND TALK THE CROWD JOSTLING ABOUT ME SEEMED BLIND TO MY PRESENCE EVERY EYE WAS FIXED ON THE ALTAR LIKE HANDS OF THE IDOL AND THE DEATH THAT BLEW ACROSS THEM PETE YELLED VIC COMING BOY HE WAS WAITING FOR ME STAVING OFF AS BEST HE COULD THE RUSH OF BODIES AROUND HIM SHIELDING HOPE FROM THE SAVAGE JOSTLING I DON'T WANT TO CATCH THE MEASLES FROM PETER SAID FELICITY DECIDEDLY FANCY CATCHING THEM FROM A HIRED BOY AH FELICITY DON'T CALL PETER A HIRED BOY WHEN HE'S SICK PROTESTED CECILY DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS WE WERE VERY BUSY TOO BUSY TO TELL TALES OR LISTEN TO THEM ONLY IN THE FROSTY DUSK DID WE HAVE TIME TO WANDER AFAR IN REALMS OF GOLD WITH THE STORY GIRL I EXPECTED TO COME DOWN WITH AN AWFUL THUD SHE SAID SHUDDERING BUT I LIT AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER AND WOKE RIGHT UP IF YOU HADN'T WOKE UP YOU'D HAVE DIED SAID PETER WITH A DARK SIGNIFICANCE IF YOU DREAM OF FALLING AND DON'T WAKE YOU DO LAND WITH A THUD AND IT KILLS YOU THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO DIE IN THEIR SLEEP HOW DO YOU KNOW ASKED DAN SCEPTICALLY NOBODY WHO DIED IN HIS SLEEP COULD EVER TELL IT +63b13672-db5b-4ac2-b397-b7cfb1b7d8a3 ONE OF THE SCARECROW'S RECITATIONS WAS LIKE THIS AND ARE NOW ON OUR WAY TO GLINDA THE GOOD TO SEE IF SHE POSSESSES THE POWER TO RESTORE US TO OUR PROPER FORMS BUT IF THE STORY GIRL COULD NOT DREAM ANYTHING MORE WONDERFUL THAN THE REST OF US SHE SCORED WHEN IT CAME TO THE TELLING TWO FEET TALL AND WITH A BEARD AND HORNS ASKED THE MAD MIDGET IT LOOKS LIKE MICHAEL FILM THE WRITING IS SO SMALL THE END OF EVERYTHING FOR MARGARET IT GAVE ME THE SAME UNPLEASANT SENSATION WHICH I HAD FELT ONE TIME I HAD SEEN MY FATHER CRY +63c24035-72e2-43ff-897a-4b76443decf1 MANOEL OFTEN WONDERED ABOUT THAT FOR HE HAD RAISED THE WHOLE STRAIN OF ANIMALS GIVE HIM A NAME ANYHOW AND GET HIM COUNTED IF WE COULD EACH GIVE ABOUT SEVEN CENTS WE WOULD HAVE THE AMOUNT WHEN EVENING CAME WE WENT TO OUR SEATS UNDER THE WHISPERING SIGHING FIR TREES YOU AIN'T OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A BEAU HOW CAN YOU KNOW THE PETER AND THE STORY GIRL SLIPPED AWAY THROUGH THE GAP BECAUSE MA WON'T LET ME HAVE ANYTHING AT ALL TO EAT BEFORE I GO TO BED I THERE'S NOBODY HOME BUT JUDY PANOW AND ME WE SAT STILL AND COUNTED THE HUNDRED FORTUNATELY FELICITY FORGOT TO REPEAT THE COMMAND SO DAN DID STAY IN BED +64113b17-26fb-4390-9daa-3c3be3e66f94 IDEALLY I SHOULD HAVE RUSHED OUT THE FLEET WITH GUNS BLAZING AND DRAGGED HIM TO JUSTICE VERY NICE AND I WISH IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE THAT WAY EXCEPT WHERE WAS HE A BATTLESHIP MAY BE GIGANTIC ON SOME TERMS OF REFERENCE BUT IN THE IMMENSITY OF THE GALAXY IT IS MICROSCOPICALLY INFINITESIMAL HE EXAMINED THE EVIDENCE WITH CARE HE DECIDED THAT GARF'S SUPERIOR ATTITUDE AND POWERS BODED NO GOOD BUT IF THE FISH MAN ONCE BECAME SLIGHTLY IRRITATED HE WOULD SICK THE NONIPUS ON RAY AND HIMSELF I SUPPOSE WE'LL ALL HAVE THE MEASLES NOW GRUMBLED FELICITY AND OCTOBER IS SUCH AN INCONVENIENT TIME FOR MEASLES THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO I DON'T BELIEVE ANY TIME IS VERY CONVENIENT TO HAVE THE MEASLES CECILY SAID HOWEVER HE FOUND HER AFTER MANY THRILLING ADVENTURES AS YOU WILL DISCOVER WHEN YOU HAVE READ THIS STORY +641c1696-262c-4777-a9d6-33ddea399cb9 WE FELT AS IF A TERRIBLE WEIGHT HAD BEEN LIFTED FROM OUR MINDS FANCY SELLING GOD'S PICTURE SAID CECILY IN A SHOCKED AWED TONE SHE SAID RUN AWAY AND DON'T BOTHER ME I HADN'T ANY TIME FOR YOUR NONSENSE RESPONDED FELICITY IN AN INJURED TONE AND I SAID BUT MA THE PAPER SAYS TO MORROW IS THE JUDGMENT DAY BUT I'LL HAVE TO CHANCE IT NOW EVERYTHING LOOKS JUST THE SAME WHY HAVE YOU BROUGHT ME HERE ELDER FREWIN A TALL PALE MAN WITH LONG SANDY SIDE WHISKERS APPEARED AT THE DOOR OF OUR PEW WITH THE COLLECTION PLATE I HAVE BEEN A WANDERER FOR NEARLY A FULL YEAR AND NOW MY WANDERINGS HAVE BROUGHT ME TO THIS SPLENDID CASTLE +6435f3de-cf44-40aa-838a-b05b9f4c7423 ANYHOW IT WAS A FINE LETTER AND THEY WERE ALL FINE AND I'M AWFUL GLAD I HAVE SO MANY NICE FRIENDS EVEN IF I AM ONLY A HIRED BOY PERHAPS I'D NEVER FOUND IT OUT IF THE MEASLES HADN'T STRUCK IN SO I'M VERY GLAD THEY DID BUT I HOPE THEY NEVER WILL AGAIN BITTER INDEED WAS THE STORY GIRL'S MORTIFICATION DON'T TELL UNCLE ROGER SHE IMPLORED HUMBLY OH I WON'T TELL HIM PROMISED FELICITY AMIABLY IT'S LUCKY THERE IS ENOUGH OLD BREAD TO DO TO DAY THIS WILL GO TO THE HENS BUT IT'S AN AWFUL WASTE OF GOOD FLOUR IT'S SO PRETTY WITH RED BERRIES ALL OVER IT AND THE FUNNIEST LITTLE POT BELLIED CREAM JUG AUNT OLIVIA NEVER USES IT EXCEPT ON A FAMILY ANNIVERSARY WHILE FARTHER AWAY IT SHOULD HAVE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME CONDITIONS AS DID THE EARTH AND IT HAD SEAS NOT AS LARGE AS ON EARTH BUT SEAS NEVERTHELESS YET THERE WAS A FALLACY IN THIS ARGUMENT PRESUMABLY ALL THE STARS IN THE OUTER ARMS OF THE MILKY WAY AND THEIR PLANETS WERE ABOUT THE SAME AGE +6456f1e2-528a-4725-9f7c-942cb0b6c7ce WAS BALLOON AND AT THE SUMMONS A SERVANT APPEARED AND BOWED LOW NO SOUND OF ACTIVITY CAME FROM THE HOUSE EITHER YES THAT'S IT AGREED PETER IT'S ALL RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR PRINCIPLE IT'S KIND OF PRAYING WITH YOUR FISTS BUT I HAD MANAGED TO IRRITATE THE THINGS WHO HAD BUILT THE PYRAMID JUST AS I REACHED THE DOOR HE LOOKED UP AND IMPALED ME ON HIS FINGER AGAIN FIRST I HAD TO BE SURE THAT I KNEW HIM WELL JUST AS WHEN I BUMPED INTO A MARK I KNEW HOW MUCH IT COULD BE TAKEN FOR AND JUST HOW TO DO IT +64a41651-67e9-4e66-8b81-6bdc93243830 NEIL WAS RICH AND THE SHERMANS WERE POOR AND OLD ELIA SHERMAN WOULD HAVE THE MOST TO SAY IN THE MATTER IF HE TOLD NANCY SHE MUST TAKE NEIL CAMPBELL SHE WOULD NEVER DREAM OF DISOBEYING HIM ORDINARILY HE WOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN IT A THOUGHT BEYOND A PASSING SIGH FOR THE WAYS OF THE WORLD HE HAD OTHER BUSINESS BUT NOW HE GRINNED TO HIMSELF AND HE GRIN TURNED TO A LAUGH AS HE STARTED DOWN THE HILL THE GRISLIER METHODS OF THE INQUISITORIAL PROCESS WERE WELL KNOWN TO HIM BY REPUTATION AND SOON HE MIGHT BE TESTING THEM OUT FOR HIMSELF DORA WAS PICKING HER WAY SLOWLY DOWN THE STONE STEPS THE MACHINE CRADLED UNDER HER ARM ALWAYS HE WALKED ON ODIN'S RIGHT HAND AND ALWAYS THE FIRST LIGHT OF ODIN'S SMILE FELL ON HIM +64c0f4d8-80d3-4d55-82dd-1e2d5e0c7e4b NOTHING CAN BE SO VERY BAD THEN CECILY AND SARA RAY WHO HAD COME UP TO SPEND THE DAY WITH US HER MOTHER HAVING GONE TO TOWN WERE EATING TIMOTHY ROOTS ANY MAN WHO CONSIDERS HIMSELF A WIZARD WILL HAVE HIS MIND SEEN BY THE INQUISITOR DURING THE DAYS HE HAD DONE THE THINGS HE HAD PLANNED HE DID NO WORK WITH THE SHARPS BUT LET THEM FIND HIM WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE HUT OF AN EVENING RECITING STRANGE WORDS THE ONLY THING IN A TEN MILE CIRCLE WAS THIS PYRAMID AND THAT DEFINITELY WASN'T MY BEACON AND THAT WAS THE MAIN THING WHAT WOULD BE THE USE OF IT ASKED THE STORY GIRL A LITTLE DISDAINFULLY I'LL GIVE HER A ROLL OF PEPPERMINT CANDY SAID FELIX +64e0b0ce-6b91-4b55-8233-26e53e463793 SHE JUST GOT THE KEY AND WENT IN AFTER A FEW MINUTES I HEARD SOMETHING BUZZING IN THERE AND I THOUGHT MAYBE MISTER BUTLER WAS SHOWING HER SOME NEW GADGET OF HIS LIKE HE WAS ALWAYS DOING THEN THERE WAS A TELEPHONE CALL FOR HIM AND I COULDN'T MAKE NEITHER OF THEM ANSWER THAT'S WHEN MISTER PARIN AND I BEGAN TO GET WORRIED I SEE THAT'S FUNNY SHE RETORTED YOU'RE A LITTLE AND YOUR WEAK AS YOU ARE YOU'RE NOT MUCH ACCOUNT ANYHOW THE BEST THING ABOUT YOU IS THAT YOU'RE ALIVE FOR I SHALL BE ABLE TO MAKE OF YOU SOME SORT OF LIVE CREATURE WHICH WILL BE A GREAT IMPROVEMENT ON YOUR PRESENT FORM GARF TURNED HIS ATTENTION TO THE TELEVISION SAT WHICH WAS STILL PRESENTING HIS HYSTERICAL VAUDEVILLE GREAT UNCLE'S GUILDS HE EXCLAIMED AND LAPSED INTO FASCINATED SILENCE HE STUDIED THE PROCEEDINGS CAREFULLY HOLDING THE ARMS CROSS POSE AGAIN FINALLY HE TURNED TO RAY HE RADIATED CAUTION WORRY PATIENCE YONAS TURNED TO THE BED AND CUT OFF FROM THE DIRECTOR WITH A GRUNT HE WAS TIRED LONG DISTANCE LINKAGES WERE A DRAINED ON THE BOY'S ENERGY EVEN WHEN THE PERSON INVOLVED WAS EASY TO VISUALIZE BUT CLARTON HAD INSISTED ON AN INTERMITTENT CONTACT IF THERE WERE SUCH A THING AS TOTAL CONTACT CONSTANT CONTACT OVER PERIOD DAYS YONIST THOUGHT CLARTON WOULD USE ME FOR A PUPPET A VERITABLE PUNCH AMONG MEN HE WOULD OVERRIDE ME AND TAKE ME OVER THE WAY A TRAVELLING ENTERTAINER RULES HIS JOINTED DOLLS +6521642b-b481-47a8-8498-51e8b239d872 THE STUNTED TREES WERE LOWER THAN THE GIANT BUSHES AND YUKA WHICH YOU AREN'T BUT TELL US THE REST OF US DID NOT SEE HOW SHE COULD DO IT NO SIR SAID PETER WITH A FLASH OF SPIRIT I AIN'T ONE OF THE KIND THAT SAYS THEY'LL BE SOME JUST CAUSE THEY'RE SCARED WHEN THE SCARE IS OVER GO BACK ON IT I SAID I'D BE A PRESBYTERIAN AND I MEAN TO STICK TO IT AND A FRILLED MUSLIN APRON CAME TO WELCOME US WE HAD HEARD FROGS SING IN ONTARIO OF COURSE SLOWLY HIS MIND OPENED AND BECAME PERCEPTIVE THE PRAYER HUNG IN THE AIR OF THE SMOKY ROOM YONAH SLIPPED IN +65711189-2667-40bc-b921-b1e452652fb0 THEY BURIED HIM NOT KNOWING FOR SURE WHETHER HE WAS MANUEL COME BACK IF ONLY HE HAD LOOKED AT IT THAT WAY RAY LOOKED PUZZLED THEN ANNOYED HE HAD PRESENTED HER A BOUQUET IN WHICH RARE BLOSSOMS HID SLIMY SMELLING WEEDS AND SHE WAS SORE AT HIM AFTER ALL IT'S ILLEGAL FOR US TO BE HERE OUR SATELLITE OUR MOON SAID TO NEW IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WORD SAID ORAN NOW YOU LISTEN CAREFULLY THEY WERE GIANTS FOR THIS PART OF THE WORLD ALMOST SIX FEET TALL WITH GREAT HANDS AND JAWS IT WAS FAR FROM A WARM WELCOME BUT YONAS WAS SATISFIED WITH IT +657bd00e-9c4b-49af-a47d-d0855b07a46f I LIKE TO HEAR YOU TALK SAID FELIX IN HIS GRAVE STODGY WAY PETER THIS IS BEVERLY KING AND THIS IS FELIX HE WAS A LORDLY ANIMAL WITH A SILVER GREY COAT BEAUTIFULLY MARKED WITH DARKER STRIPES I AM VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH ALL CATS THEY ARE SO SLEEK AND COMFORTABLE AND DIGNIFIED AND IT IS SO EASY TO MAKE THEM HAPPY AND IN THIS MANNER THEY TRAVELLED IN GOOD SPIRITS ACROSS THE VALLEY AND INTO THE NEXT ONE TO THE EAST OF IT HERE'S ANOTHER LETTER IT IS PROPER THAT I SHOULD DO SO AND THE BEASTMAN LOOKED BACK WITH COLD AMUSEMENT BUT NOT FOR LONG HE STOOD OVER THE THING WEBBED HANDS ON SCALY HIPS PEERING AT IT INTENTLY +658e3ef9-6d3a-4261-8cf0-2eda29b717c9 I SMILED AND NODDED AT HIS DECISION AND THEN CONTINUED OH IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH THE COVERS WENT ONE WAY AND IN SKIT WENT THE OTHER IN A SINGLE UNFOLDING IN CONCERTED MOTION HE LEFT THE HORIZONTAL AND RECUMBENT AND STOOD TENSELY VERTICAL AGAINST THE WALL THEN I SUPPOSE I'LL HAVE TO DO WITHOUT WE WERE SITTING THERE WHEN UNCLE ROGER WALKED IN AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK FELICITY ALSO GOT INTO TROUBLE BECAUSE OF HER DREAMS AND THE STORY GIRL'S SPLENDID EYES WOULD HAVE FLASHED WITH SUCH ANGER AND SCORN AS WOULD HAVE SHRIVELLED THE VERY SOUL OF THE WRETCHED CULPRIT THEN YOU CAN LIFT US ACROSS BUT IT WAS EVIDENT THAT NO ONE HAD LIVED THERE FOR A LONG TIME +65a5cc89-b9cd-4c0f-9dad-29d3813b59b7 BUT IF THEY JUST SAY THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT IT'LL BE A SORT OF COMFORT SAID CECILY I FEEL SCARED TO DEATH THE WHOLE TIME YUNUS FOUND THAT HE WAS SWEATING I HOLD THIS HOUSE FREE AND PROPER SHE SAID IN A DETERMINED ROAR AND NOBODY CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME IT BELONGS TO ME AND TO MY CHILDREN AND TO THEIR CHILDREN AND TO THE CHILDREN OF THOSE CHILDREN OH WHAT AN EERIE PLACE THAT ORCHARD WAS WHAT SHADOWS WHAT NOISES WHAT SPOOKY SWOOPING BATS YOU COULDN'T LOOK EVERY WAY AT ONCE AND GOODNESS ONLY KNOWS WHAT MIGHT BE BEHIND YOU THERE CAN'T BE ANYBODY AT THE HOUSE SAID FELICITY OVERHEAD WAS A DAZZLING BLUE SKY IF IT'S A JUDGMENT DAY I DON'T CARE WHETHER MY HAIR IS CURLY OR NOT SHE SAID +65ac404f-a79f-4937-b314-5ec5ff8f612c AS SOON AS WE CAN GET READY ANSWERED THE EMPEROR I'LL CALL MY SERVANTS AT ONCE AND ORDER THEM TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR OUR JOURNEY OH DO YOU SUPPOSE SHE CAUGHT THEM AT THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW SHE SAID MISERABLY WHERE ELSE SHOULD SHE HAVE CAUGHT THEM SAID FELICITY MERCILESSLY I DIDN'T SEE HER OF COURSE MISSUS RAY MET ME AT THE DOOR AND TOLD ME NOT TO COME IN AND RACHEL WARD HERSELF CAME AND LOOKED AT US SO SAD AND REPROACHFUL AND WE ALL FELT ASHAMED AND I BEGAN TO CRY AND WOKE UP CRYING I WAS REALLY PUFFED UP WITH EARTHLY VANITY OVER IT AT THAT TIME FELIX I THOUGHT WOULD BE HARD PUT TO IT TO BEAT IT +66228dc0-bf5e-4d92-b9cb-dd9054568fb7 WHEN I LIFTED THE PLATE AND POKED HOLES IN THE SEARED PLASTIC I COULD SEE THE PYRAMID GROWING SMALLER BEHIND ME WATER GUSHING OUT OF THE BASE AND A HAPPY CROWD OF REPTILES SPORTING IN ITS RADIOACTIVE RUSH BESIDES SARA STANLEY DOESN'T LIKE HER NAME AND OUR HOUSEKEEPER WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANT THEN I REMEMBERED I HAD FORGOTTEN TO TAKE MY DOSE OF MAGIC SEED LOOK HERE BEV IS THAT MAGIC SEED SO IT EVENTUALLY APPEARED THEY MUST WARN THE NATIVES BEFORE THE PROWLING ZID FOUND THEM ELSE THERE WOULD BE NO NATIVES THE CATALOGUE WAS WRONG FORCING US TO MAROON IT HERE FOR OUR OWN SAFETY +6638be99-1abb-41b1-86ab-252b58454e07 CECILY DEAR HEART SENT MOST OF HERS TO THE HOSPITAL IN TOWN AND NO DOUBT GATHERED IN THEREFROM DIVIDENDS OF GRATITUDE AND SATISFACTION OF SOUL SUCH AS CAN NEVER BE PURCHASED BY ANY MERE PROCESS OF BARGAIN AND SALE WHEN WE GOT AWAY WE COMPARED NOTES AND FOUND THAT WE ALL LIKED HIM AND THIS ALTHOUGH HE HAD SAID LITTLE AND HAD APPEARED SOMEWHAT GLAD TO GET RID OF US HE GAVE US THE MONEY LIKE A GENTLEMAN SAID THE STORY GIRL I FELT HE DIDN'T GRUDGE IT AND NOW FOR MISTER CAMPBELL IT WAS ON HIS ACCOUNT I PUT ON MY RED SILK THAT SORT OF STORY OUGHT TO BE TOLD IN THE TWILIGHT AMONG THE SHADOWS THEN IT WOULD FRIGHTEN THE SOULS OUT OF YOUR BODIES WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MORE AGREEABLE NOT TO HAVE THE SOULS FRIGHTENED OUT OF OUR BODIES AND WE VOTED FOR THE FAMILY GHOST YOU SAID YOU KNEW A STORY THAT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH PRESBYTERIANS I SAID TO THE STORY GIRL TELLS IT NOW OH IT ISN'T THE RIGHT KIND OF STORY TO TELL ON SUNDAY SHE REPLIED BUT I'LL TELL IT TOMORROW MORNING ACCORDINGLY WE HEARD IT THE NEXT MORNING IN THE ORCHARD +6670b41a-7d01-4643-8c27-c7e9be6692c7 I NEVER THEN MY CAUTION IS UNNECESSARY CLARTON THOUGHT BUT IN THE UNLIKELY CASE THAT SHE MIGHT TEMPT YOU TO FOLLY REMEMBER IT YONUS WHO DISLIKED IRONY SIGHED AND CUT OFF THAT WAS THE THIRD NIGHT I HEAR THEIR LAUGHING VOICES I SEE THEIR BRIGHT UNCLOUDED EYES LOOKING BACK FROM A MATURE STANDPOINT I REALIZED THAT SHE MUST HAVE BEEN AN UNUSUALLY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN AND SHE LOOKED HER PRETTIEST AS SHE STOOD UNDER THE SWAYING BOUGHS IN THE LAST FAINT LIGHT OF THE AUTUMN DUSK AND SMILED DOWN AT OUR WOEBEGONE FACES AUNT JANET COULD NOT GO DOWN THE HILL IN THE AFTERNOON TO FIND OUT HOW SARA WAS BECAUSE COMPANY CAME TO TEA THE MILLWARDS FROM MARKDALE MISTER MILLWARD WAS A DOCTOR AND MISSUS MILLWARD WAS A B AUNT JANET WAS VERY DESIROUS THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE AS NICE AS POSSIBLE AS WE WERE ALL SENT TO OUR ROOMS BEFORE TEA TO WASH AND DRESS UP +66d009fe-26d3-4df1-938e-4df63a36eefd AND IT WAS FROM THE SEA HE CAME TO SET OUT HIS AVENUE IN THE ORCHARD WITH TREES BROUGHT FROM A FOREIGN LAND SHE HAD BEEN AWAY AND HAD JUST COME HOME AND SHE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE POET BUT HE SAID HE WAS SO SHORT ON HEARTS THEN THE DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND AFTER MISSUS EUP HAD PASSED OUT BUT ALL AT ONCE SHE HEARD A STAMPING OF HOOFS BEHIND HER AND WHEN SHE TURNED SHE ALMOST DIED FROM FRIGHT FOR THERE WAS THE GREAT GOD PAN AND HE WAS A VERY TERRIBLE OBJECT LOOKING QUITE AS MUCH LIKE A GOAT AS A MAN IT LOOKED LIKE A PIECE OF ROCK ABOUT A FOOT LONG I AM HERE TO RESTORE THE HOLY WATERS I STRIPPED OFF MY TATTERED LIZARD SUIT BACK IN THE SHIP VERY GLAD THAT IT WOULD BE SOME OTHER REPAIRMAN WHO'D GET THE JOB +6724cfa6-7a88-425e-a819-0b4374da1241 ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS FACE TOLD US THAT HE WAS NO BEARER OF GLAD TIDINGS HE HAD BEEN RUNNING HARD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RUBICUND INSTEAD HE WAS AS PALE AS ARE THE DEAD I CANNOT HAVE ASKED HIM WHAT WAS THE MATTER HAD MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT IT WAS FELICITY WHO DEMANDED IMPATIENTLY OF MY SHAKING VOICE AS BROTHER FELIX KING WHAT HAS SCARED YOU HE TURNED TO FACE HIS PATIENT BACK IN THE DAYS BEFORE WE PUT IT TO WORK FOR US REBUILDING TISSUE ALMOST ENDING AGING IN DISEASE THE ACTIVE BASIS FOR OUR VAC SCENE CAUSED A WHOLE GROUP OF DISEASES IN ITSELF THERE IS NO CHANCE FOR ME TO HAVE ANY HORRIDID DREAMS LAMENTED SARA RAY BECAUSE MA WON'T LET ME HAVE ANYTHING AT ALL TO EAT BEFORE I GO TO BED I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR CAN'T YOU HIDE SOMETHING AWAY THROUGH THE DAY AS WE DO ASKED FELICITY JOHN ANDREWS BRAIN HAD FINALLY RESUMED NORMAL OPERATIONS HE WAS THINKING SLOWLY BUT CLEARLY +674809be-d062-46cc-970e-05d3a794847c CECILY LOOKED PALE AND THIN BESIDE HER BUT SHE HAD DAINTY LITTLE FEATURES SMOOTH BROWN HAIR OF SATIN SHEEN AND MILD BROWN EYES WITH JUST A HINT OF DEMURENESS IN THEM NOW AND AGAIN IT MUST BE SPLENDID TO GO TO EUROPE SIGHED CECILY LONGINGLY I AM GOING SOME DAY SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY THERE WAS NOTHING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STEPS OR UNDERNEATH THEM AS FAR AS COULD BE SEEN BUT ORDINARY OCEAN I CAME UP THOSE GAR SAID FARMER STARED AND RAY STARED THE STAIRWAY SHOULDN'T BE THERE IT CERTAINLY HADN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE MISTER MILWOOD TOLD ME TO BURN IT SAID FELIX IT DOESN'T SEEM REVERENT TO DO THAT SAID CECILY EVEN IF IT ISN'T GOD'S PICTURE IT HAS HIS NAME ON IT +6760a85c-f00f-43de-8c3c-e75114c18693 ALMOST AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT HE SAID A CALL BELL TINKLED ON THE BRIDGE CONTROL CONSOLE IN THE BUCKET SEAT OF THE SLEDGE CAB THE MEDICAL PSYCHIATRIC AND POLITICAL FIELDS CRIED OUT FOR CRYSTALS AND MORE CRYSTALS AT THAT VERY MOMENT AUNT OLIVIA WHO HAD RECOVERED FROM HER HEADACHE AND AUNT JANET WERE LAUGHING IN THE KITCHEN OVER THE STATE THE CHILDREN WERE IN BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THE END OF THE WORLD WAS CLOSE AT HAND WHY TWINS ARE JUST PEOPLE THAT SQUINT AREN'T THEY SAID PETER NEVER A BREAKFAST DID HE SIT DOWN TO WITHOUT GRAVELY INQUIRING IF THEY WERE SURE THERE WAS NO SAWDUST IN THE PORRIDGE +6790ab54-49a6-4d08-8645-137be728085b THE PRIESTS STOPPED BEFORE US AND THEIR LEADER BEGAN A LONG HARANGUE IN A SCREECHY VOICE WHICH SET MY NERVES ON EDGE WHEN HE HAD FINISHED HE HELD OUT HIS HANDS TOWARD ME AND MOTIONED TOWARD THE WAITING IDOL E PAY SPOKE UP IN SHARP PROTEST AND THRUST HIMSELF BETWEEN ME AND THE PRIEST FOR A MOMENT DUE TO THIS OBVIOUSLY UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION EVERYTHING IN CONFUSION PETE VIC WAS WHISPERING EXCITEDLY IN MY EAR NEIL WENT ON TASTING AND THAT SLY DONALD SAT THERE WITH A SOBER FACE BUT LAUGHING EYES AND COAXED HIM ON AT LAST NEIL'S HEAD FELL FORWARD ON HIS BREAST AND HE WAS SOUND ASLEEP DONALD GOT UP PUT ON HIS OVERCOAT AND CAP AND WENT TO THE DOOR MAY YOUR SLEEP BE LONG AND SWEET MAN HE SAID LAUGHING SOFTLY AND AS FOR THE WAKING TWILL BE BETWIXT YOU AND ME ONCE A SCOUT SWOOPED DOWN INTO THE HEADLIGHTS AND WAVED HORN STOPPED ON TO NUB'S ORDER AND THEY WAITED ALMOST TEN MINUTES BEFORE PROCEEDING WILD ONES ASKED HORN PERHAPS SAID TO NIB A GLOWING OF MANY LIGHTS GREW VISIBLE THROUGH THE GIANT TREE TRUNKS IT GREW BRIGHTER AS THE SLED CREPT THROUGH THE LAST OF THE JUNGLE EMERGED IN CLEARED LAND AT THE EDGE OF THE CITY HORRENT STARED UPWARD IN AWE THE CITY FLUTED AND SPIRALED INTO THE MOONLIT SKY IN THE MIDST OF OUR LAUGHTER PAT CAME DOWN THE WALK HIS STATELY TAIL WAVING OVER THE GRASSES HE PROVED TO BE THE PRECURSOR OF DAN CLOTHED AND IN HIS RIGHT MIND DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT UP DAN SAID CECILY ANXIOUSLY I HAD TO SAID DAN THE WINDOW WAS OPEN AN IT WAS MORE'N I COULD STAND TO HEAR YOU FELLOWS LAUGHIN DOWN HERE AN ME MISSING IT ALL BESIDES I'M ALL RIGHT AGAIN I FEEL FINE +67cb3f80-f8de-42e7-9dc9-369f21c33b2a ONE SLENDER HAND PROPPING HER HIGH WHITE BROW ON EITHER SIDE OF WHICH FALL HER GLOSSY CURLS NEIL DIDN'T WANT MUCH PERSUASION I'VE BEEN TO FOUR FUNERALS BUT NOT TO ONE SINGLE WEDDING IS IT WE GOING OVER THE BAY THE NIGHT AFTER FOUR YEARS I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE STORE OF PHOTOPHLASH FLARES BUT EVEN FOUR YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO BE SHUT UP IN ASTRO ONE WITH FIVE OTHER MEN THE BEING WHICH HAD UTTERED THE COMMAND DISAPPEARED AND MY CAPTORS LED ME STRUGGLING AND PROTESTING TOWARD THE BLACK UGLY TOWERS OF THE CITY +67e4f041-e6f5-4251-b080-854ce1bfd69e I FOLDED MY ARMS IN A REGAL DANCE IT BLEW A NICE HOLE IN THE FLOOR WITH A GREAT SHOW OF NOISE AND SMOKE IT IS THE LAST CUP OF GRANDMOTHER KING'S SECOND BEST SET WE HAD EXPECTED THAT THE STORY GIRL WOULD ECLIPSE US ALL IN THE MATTER OF DREAMS THE STORY GIRL COULD SEE US THROUGH THE WINDOW CAROUSING WITHOUT STINT ON RAISIN PIES AND UNCLE EDWARD'S CHERRIES I'LL MORTIFY YOU IF I CATCH YOU SHOWING YOURSELF TO THE MILLWARDS LIKE THAT MY GIRL WHICH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF UNARGUABLY EXCELLENT MACHINE RUNNING AROUND IN SUBMARINES USING DEPTH BOMBS AND JUST NOTICING OUR AIR CRAFT TOO MUCH +68253dea-5673-4a5a-8428-4aa43d892d7e AND NOW WE HAD COME TO THE ORCHARD IT WAS BEFORE US WE HAD ONLY TO OPEN THAT LITTLE WHITEWASHED GATE IN THE HEDGE AND WE MIGHT FIND OURSELVES IN ITS STORY DOMAIN BUT BEFORE WE REACHED THE GATE WE GLANCED TO OUR LEFT ALONG THE GRASSY SPRUCE BORDERED LANE WHICH LED OVER TO UNCLE ROGER'S AND AT THE ENTRANCE OF THAT LANE WE SAW A GIRL STANDING WITH A GRAY CAT AT HER FEET WHEN ONE OF THEM BREAKS DOWN IT IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT AND REPAIRING THE THING IS NEVER A MATTER OF JUST PLUGGING IN A NEW PART I DON'T SEE A THING ABOUT METHODISTS OR PRESBYTERIANS AS FAR AS I'VE GONE I'M MOST THROUGH EXODUS SAID PETER SUDDENLY WHEN DOES IT BEGIN TO TELL ABOUT THEM I S'POSE YOU THINK A HIRED BOY HASN'T ANY BUSINESS TO PRAY FOR PARTICULAR THINGS BUT I'LL SHOW YOU I'LL JUST PRAY FOR WHAT I PLEASE AND I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY AND STOP ME +684d2ca7-8d61-44db-92c3-ee550ec7865b CIRCLED BY A FAINTER COMPANION AND A SINGLE PLANET THAT SWUNG IN PRECISE BALANCE THERE WAS ONE ON THE DOCK BUT I THOUGHT SOUNDS LIKE TEEVI DRAMA STUFF AFTER A FEW HAPPY YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL CRIME YOU BEGIN TO WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL LAST LOOKED AT THE PULPIT AND THOUGHT OF THE STORY SHE TOLD ABOUT THE OLD SCOTCH MINISTER WHO WAS TOO FAT TO GET IN AT THE DOOR OF IT AND HAD TO HISS HIMSELF UP BY HIS TWO HANDS OVER IT BUT ONLY TO THAT ONE WHO SHALL DRINK OF IT FIRST SHALL BE PERMITTED TO WALK AT ODIN'S RIGHT HAND FOREVER AND SUCH A WORKER SAID FELIX +686feecb-3df1-497e-bbe4-a82d2bfd85a4 IT GAVE HIM AN UNHAPPY STOMACH BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF VINE LANES THROUGH THE JUNGLES OR UNSWALLOWED THANKS STEAD BUT THE STARTLING THING WAS THAT HE HAD PICKED UP THE BOATHOOK AND WAS TWIRLING IT UNCONCERNEDLY NOBODY WILL EVER CATCH ME DOING IT AGAIN AND IF YOU BEGIN TELLING TALES FELICITY KING YOU MIGHT PUT PEAS IN YOUR SHOES YOU KNOW SUGGESTED PETER AND OUR DREAMS WILL BE PRETTY FLAT AFTER THIS DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR ALL AT ONCE THE STORY GIRL AND PETER BEGAN TO FORGE AHEAD IN THE MATTER OF DREAMING +687dc761-8db0-489b-96b2-4dd9c249085b THERE IS NO OTHER HELP WHILE THE INQUISITOR REMAINS AND OUR SONS BECOME SUSPECT TO HIS RAGES BUT I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN AIN'T HE JUST A GREAT OLD FELLOW SAID DAN I WONDER WHAT HE MEANT I DON'T SEE ANYTHING VERY CHRISTIAN ABOUT PLANTING A TREE I VERY INFERIOR CERAMICS IN THOSE TUBES WE WANT THIS PLANET CLEARED FOR CONTACT OR DEAD BEFORE THEN I SALUTE YOUR ILLUSTRIOUS MAJESTY AND OFFER YOU MY HUMBLE SERVICES SUCH INCIDENTS HOWEVER WERE VERY UNUSUAL AND SO SELDOM WAS THERE ANYTHING TO WORRY OVER THAT THE OZ PEOPLE +68884b98-faae-484d-9e17-86473b1f169e I DOUBT IT WHERE DID YOU GET THE TITLE NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS I'D RATHER NOT SAY COME OUT OF THAT COT YOU CLOWN WE JAWED AND GURGLED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND SETTLED ALL THE MAJOR POINTS I FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE NEW PRIESTS THE PREVIOUS ONES HAD ALL BEEN BOILED FOR LETTING THE HOLY WATERS CEASE I MAY BE ABLE TO WRITE IT DOWN GET ON THE DECK INTACT TRY IT AIR START BRANDON I WON'T BORE YOU WITH ALL THE DETAILS SEEM YOU SEEM IMPATIENT BUT EVENTUALLY I TURNED UP THIS PLAN HE HAD IT OUT OF MY FINGERS BEFORE IT CLEANSED MY WALLET +688dc896-d24d-447e-9b8f-61c38494c47b WITH STORIES OF ADVENTURES THEY HAD FORMERLY MET AND FLEW STRAIGHT UP TO A BRANCH OF A TALL TREE CECILY'S HEADACHE WAS BETTER AND THE STORY GIRL REFRESHED BY AN AFTERNOON SIESTA OH LOOK AT THE MOONSHINE ON THE ROAD IN THAT GAP BETWEEN THE SPRUCES AND WERE ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE IT NOW BUT I CAN'T WAS IN A BOOK MY AUNT JANE HAD BUT YONAS STAYED AWAKE FOR A WHILE HE WISHED FOR CLARETON SUDDENLY BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO REACH HIM SAFELY HE HAD TO MAKE HIS MOVE ALONE +68ba7752-38db-4f30-8786-75e0dc2d2f57 WHEN THE TWO PEAKS COINCIDED I SPUN THE EYE CONTROLS AND DIVED THE THING DOWN ONE THE BEACON WAS REPAIRED AND YES HE WANTED IN ADVANCE AGAINST ROYALTIES IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE LARGE RAY LIVED SIMPLY TO TIDE HIM OVER WHILE DOING THE ACTUAL WRITING WHICH SHOULDN'T TAKE MORE THAN A VERY FEW WEEKS THE QUESTION WAS HE TOLD HIMSELF EXACTLY WHAT WERE THE INQUISITOR'S REAL BELIEFS HIS PUBLIC PROFESSIONS WERE WELL KNOWN YONAS SEARCHED AND FOUND THE ANSWER ONLY A FEW WHO REMAIN CHILDREN AT HEART CAN EVER FIND THAT FAIR LOST PATH AGAIN AND BLESSED ARE THEY ABOVE MORTALS +6963a346-84d8-45b5-910b-b098116ff35e IT'S ALL VERY WELL FOR YOU TO SAY SO SAID FELICITY BUT YOU DON'T KNOW EITHER I WISH I COULD BELIEVE THAT ISN'T LIKE GOD BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE FATHER COULD TALK WELL BUT AS FELIX SAID HE COULDN'T WRITE WORTH A CENT THE LETTERS WE HAD RECEIVED FROM HIM SINCE HIS ARRIVAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO WERE MERE SCRAWLS TELLING US TO BE GOOD BOYS AND NOT TROUBLE AUNT JANET INCIDENTALLY ADDING THAT HE WAS WELL AND LONESOME TOMMY AND ADAM COWAN OVER AT MARKDALE ARE TWINS AND THEY'RE BOTH CROSS EYED SO I S'POSED THAT WAS WHAT BEING TWINS MEANT IT'S ALL VERY FINE FOR YOU FELLOWS TO LAUGH I NEVER WENT TO SCHOOL HALF AS MUCH AS YOU DID AND YOU WAS BROUGHT UP IN TORONTO TOO I PROMISE YOU YONA SAID EARNESTLY THAT YOU WILL BE IN NO DANGER FOR ME NO MORE THAT I WILL HELP YOU OUT OF YOUR DIFFICULTIES AND ENSURE YOUR PEACE THEN YOU ARE AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN SHARP SAID BITTERLY THERE IS NO OTHER HELP WHILE THE INQUISITOR REMAINS AND OUR SONS BECOME SUSPECT TO HIS RAGES +6964a7d0-2bb3-4287-89d2-95e0225d65a9 THE MORE I KNEW THE LESS I COULD UNDERSTAND THEIR NEED FOR A BATTLESHIP IT DIDN'T FIT I'LL SAY THIS THE NAVY BOYS KNOW THEIR BUSINESS EVERYTHING I MIGHT NEED FOR THE JOB WAS IN MY LUGGAGE LET'S SEE IT'S FOUR MINUTES OF ONE THAT GIVES US SEVEN MINUTES CAN WE MAKE IT AND THRUST HIMSELF BETWEEN ME AND THE PRIEST PA SAYS IT MUST NEVER BE OPENED WITHOUT COUSIN RACHEL'S PERMISSION SAID CECILY BUT IT WAS ALSO KNOWN THAT MISTER CAMPBELL WAS NOT ALWAYS IN A GOOD HUMOUR NO SAID THE TIN WOODMAN STOUTLY I REPLIED THE BIG LOON POMPOUSLY THE MAGIC OF A YUKAHU +698ef58d-d568-4e53-9a3a-995da9857d79 AND THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES WOOD MUD AND STONE CLUSTERED IN THE VALLEY BELOW HIM AS IF THEY WERE AFRAID AND NEEDED EACH OTHER'S PROTECTION I THINK YOU BOYS OUGHT TO GO SHE SAID RETREATING BEHIND THE DEFENCE OF SEX YOU OUGHT TO BE BRAVER THAN GIRLS BUT WE AIN'T SAID FELIX CANDIDLY I WOULDN'T BE MUCH SCARED OF ANYTHING REAL BUT A HAUNTED HOUSE IS A DIFFERENT THING I ALWAYS THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE IN A PLACE BEFORE IT COULD BE HAUNTED SAID CECILY IT'S BECAUSE OF DAN EXPLAINED FELICITY WEARILY HE WENT AND ATE MORE OF THE BAD BERRIES A WHOLE LOT OF THEM AND WE WERE SURE HE'D BE SICK AGAIN BUT HE HASN'T BEEN YET AND NOW HE'S ASLEEP IS THAT BOY STARK STARING MAD SAID UNCLE ROGER SOMETHING ODD IN THE SET OF THE QUEEN'S SAILS PUZZLED HIM UNTIL HE IDENTIFIED THE ABNORMALITY IN SPITE OF DISTANCE AND THE SWIFT APPROACH OF THE OLD FISHING BOAT HE COULD HAVE SWORN THAT HER SAILS BELLIED NOT WITH THE WIND BUT AGAINST +699340af-0cc9-4e4a-b60a-42807e8da13c THE STORY GIRL FINISHED HER TURN OVER AND STRETCHED HERSELF OUT ON THE GRASSES IT WAS THIS WAY DON'T YOU EVER SPEAK TO ME AGAIN HOW MANY CITIES HAVE THEY WE FOUND TOO ON THE DELPHINOUS REDISCOVERY YOU HAVE ONE OF THE RIFLES SAID HORN SHE HAD RECENTLY BEEN DIGGING INTO A COUPLE OF OLD VOLUMES OF CLASSIC MYTHS AND NORTHLAND FOLK LORE WHICH SHE HAD FOUND IN AUNT OLIVIA'S ATTIC THEY FADED SOON AFTER THEY WERE PLUCKED ALL EIGHTEEN MEN ABOARD HAD BEEN KILLED INSTANTLY THE THIEVES WERE NOW MURDERERS THEN HOW COULD I FIND IT AND HAVING FOUND IT CATCH IT +69ab7b14-9bf3-477f-b1ce-e7ca2bcc92bf CURRENT ENOUGH TO KILL A THOUSAND MEN OR TO DO THE WORK OF A MILLION HORSES THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DISORDER ANYWHERE THE APPARATUS VIC HAD MENTIONED WAS MY FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY AS LARGE AS A PEA BUT IT GLITTERED AND FLASHED IN THE SUNLIGHT WITH EVERY COLOR OF THE RAINBOW PETTICOAT EMBROIDERED BY HAND FROM HEM TO BELT SAID THE STORY GIRL CALMLY I'LL JUST HAVE TO BE SATISFIED WITH MAKING UP MY MIND TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST NEVER FOR SO LONG SAID CECILY ONCE I SAID BRIEFLY DREADING THE NEXT QUESTION WHICH PROMPTLY CAME CECILY WAS VERY PALE AND FELIX AND PETER WERE TAKING OFF THEIR COATS +69c7301e-184a-4259-86ac-0839bcb4642f USING THEIR DISCLOSURE AS A PROD I COULD HAVE MADE HIM JUMP THROUGH HOOPS IT WASN'T NECESSARY I WAS UNDER PRESSURE NOW TO ACT AND A GREATER PRESSURE NOT TO MAKE ANY MISTAKES SAID THE STORY GIRL INDIGNANTLY SOME OF US HAD FRIGHTFUL DREAMS AND ALL OF US CARRIED CHIPS ON OUR SHOULDERS AT BREAKFAST I'VE GAVE UP TRYING TO FATHOM YOU YOUNG ONES PETER WHERE'S THE KEY BUT SARA RAY NEVER YOU BREATHE THIS TO A LIVING SOUL I NEVER WILL WHEN I'M GROWN UP I'LL REMEMBER BETTER AND SHE WAS VERY STUBBORN I COULD NOT SEE ANY ADVANCE IN GROWTH YET BUT THEN I HAD BEEN TAKING IT ONLY THREE DAYS +69f5c352-5b6b-43c0-9785-a1ee53851d40 DO YOU THINK IT IS I'M AFRAID SO SAID UNCLE ROGER GRAVELY THE ENTERPRISE IS ALWAYS VERY CAREFUL TO PRINT ONLY RELIABLE NEWS BUT MOTHER DOESN'T BELIEVE IT CRIED FELICITY IN OUR TONGUE IT MEANS THE LIMB OF VICTORY SAID TO NEW BY ITS LIGHT WE WILL CONTINUE WHY I HAVE A HUNCH ABOUT THESE CREATURES WHAT IS IT NO TIME NOW TRUST ME THIS IS A HEARTLESS WORLD WE LIVE IN THIS MOMENT A SELF PITY RELAXED ME AND I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO BED SINCE MY MAIN JOB WAS NOW WAITING I COULD WAIT JUST AS WELL ASLEEP CECILY SAID SHE DIDN'T ENVY HIM HIS CONSCIENCE BUT I AM AFRAID SHE MEASURED HIS CONSCIENCE BY HER OWN I DOUBT VERY MUCH IF BILLY'S TROUBLED HIM AT ALL +69f90272-ebf1-4bbc-a3e8-5132b9e7f76b YONAS MADE CONTACT TWICE WITH CLARTON WHO TOLD HIM OVER AND OVER TO WAIT TO DO NOTHING NOW WAS THE TIME FOR HIS PLAY FARMER CAME OUT OF A PHILOSOPHIC HAZE TO NOTICE SHE WAS LEAVING AND HE ALREADY SHOWED SIGNS OF RETURNING CONSCIOUSNESS ORN CALLED INTO HIS MIND THE LANGUAGE THAT HAD BEEN HYPNO FORCED INTO HIM AROUND THEM SHAPES FLUNG THEMSELVES FROM VINE TO VINE GRANDMOTHER'S COUSIN RACHEL WARD CAME TO SPEND A WINTER WITH THEM HER EYES FLASHED AND BURNED CRIMSON SPOTS GLOWED IN HER CHEEKS +6aa6a917-2fe5-41a3-81c8-42a84030a3d8 THE THING IS SET TO OPERATE THE REVERSE CYCLE AT THREE HOUR INTERVALS EXACTLY I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF THAT YARN SAID DAN TRYING TO SPEAK WITH HIS USUAL INCREDULITY I DON'T SEE YOU YOU CAN HELP BELIEVING IT SAID CECILY IT ISN'T AS IF IT'S SOMETHING WE'D READ OF OR THAT HAPPENED FAR AWAY IT HAPPENED JUST DOWN AT MARKDALE AND I'VE SEEN THAT VERY SPRUCE WOOD MYSELF AND HE RAN AND WAKENED UP A VERY TIRED DOCTOR JUST AS HE HAD GOT TO SLEEP OH DOCTOR MY SON HAS SWALLOWED A MOUSE HE CRIED WHAT SHALL I DO GIVE HER A GOOD DOSE OF MEXICAN TEA AND TRY THAT FIRST SAID AUNT JANET I'VE SAVED MANY A DOCTOR'S BILL IN MY FAMILY BY USING MEXICAN TEA +6aff62f7-b5b6-46dc-9249-3f0d1539720a CECILY WAS VERY PALE AND FELIX AND PETER WERE TAKING OFF THEIR COATS THERE WAS A PURE YELLOW SUNSET THAT EVENING AND THE AISLES OF THE FIR TREES WERE FLOODED WITH ITS RADIANCE A COOL AUTUMNAL WIND WAS WHISTLING AMONG THE DARK BOUGHS AND SCATTERING BLOOD RED LEAVES FROM THE MAPLE AT THE END OF THE GRANARY DAN PRESENTLY BROKE THE SPELL YOU SEE IT DOESN'T DO TO BE TOO PROUD FELICITY HE REMARKED GIVING HER A POKE THE HUNDRED ODD YARDS FROM CABIN TO BEACH PASSED IN A BLUR OF SPEED THE SCOOP REACHED DEEPER WATER AND SUBMERGED THROWING A MOUNTAINOUS BILLOW THAT SENT THE ISLAND QUEEN REELING AND ALL BUT FOUNDED HER JEFF WAS DISLODGED INSTANTLY AND SANK LIKE A STONE LOOKING OVER THE ORIGINAL BREW PRINTS AGAIN THE BIG SUPERSTRUCTURE HIT MY EYE IN ORDER TO TURN THE SHIP INTO A WARSHIP THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO GO +6b0db21c-0c3f-440e-820e-71b046fd227e AND AS A RESULT WE WERE ALWAYS CATCHING EACH OTHER AT IT SARA STANLEY BUT YOU'LL THINK SHE IS WHILE SHE'S TALKING TO YOU WE KNEW THAT THE STORY GIRL WAS THOUGHT TO RESEMBLE HIM STRONGLY IN APPEARANCE AND TEMPERAMENT AS MUCH LIKE A MIRACLE AS ANYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE GARF WAS A CHANGED FEASTMAN SHOVED PAST HIM AND GRABBED THE FRAGILE LOOKING THING FROM ITS CLEACH THE SCENE ASSUMED SOME OF THE ASPECTS OF A BAD MOVIE COMEDY WITH WARM SUNSHINE AND A TANG OF FROST IN THE AIR A STERN EXPRESSION CAME INTO HIS GENTLE BLUE EYES AND HE GOT AS NEAR TO FROWNING AS IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO GET +6b1189a8-f70c-414a-a632-346ea884b88d BRANDON THIS IS ASTRO ONE WHAT IS YOUR POSITION OVER THROUGH HIS PURMA GLASS CANOPY HE COULD SEE IT TRAILING ACROSS THE BLACK VELVET OF SPACE LIKE A WHITE BRIDAL VEIL UNCLE ROGER WAS IN HIS BARN YARD HITCHING HIS BLACK MARE INTO THE BUGGY A SIGNIFICANT SMILE WHICH TO THOSE OF US SKILLED IN ITS INTERPRETATION BUT WE CAN'T OBLITERATE YOU IN AN INSTANT THAT IT WAS SAID THAT THE OLD LAVA SOMETIMES BEGAN TO WRITHE AND FLOW AGAIN FROM THE SUN'S HEAT ALONE HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THOSE MAPS AT ALL I MUST ALSO INFORM YOU INTRUDERS THAT THE PROFESSOR IS A DANGEROUS INDIVIDUAL THEY SEEM TO BE COVERED WITH WARTS +6b3915ea-9420-4599-8dcd-43d0ad948295 THE MESSAGE BROKE INTO CLEAR AT THE END AND THE SIE MAN SMILED AS HE SPOKE THE WORDS I BROKE THE POINT OFF MY STYLERS AND GROWLED AT HIM NOT TO REPEAT ANY OF THIS MESSAGE AS IT WAS CLASSIFIED AND I WOULD PERSON SEE HIM SHOT IF HE DID THAT GOT RID OF THE SMILE BUT DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL ANY BETTER THEN ON THE THIRD DAY THE STORY GIRL CAME TO US WITH A VERY WHITE FACE SHE HAD BEEN OVER TO UNCLE ROGER'S YARD TO HEAR THE LATEST BULLETIN FROM THE SICK ROOM HITHERTO THEY HAD BEEN OF A NON COMMITTAL NATURE BUT NOW IT WAS ONLY TOO EVIDENT THAT SHE HAD BAD NEWS EVEN CHILDREN CANNOT DEVOUR MINCE PIE AND COLD FRIED PORK HAM AND FRUIT CAKE BEFORE GOING TO BED WITH ENTIRE IMPUNITY AUNT JANET HAD FORGOTTEN TO WARN UNCLE ROGER TO KEEP AN EYE ON OUR BEDTIME SNACKS AND WE ATE WHAT SEEMED GOOD UNTO US THE STORY GIRL CAME OVER EARLY IN THE MORNING AND SARA RAY TO WHOM FAITHFULLY CECILY HAD SENT WORD WAS ALSO ON HAND +6b4d11c5-ee7c-4770-ac1c-27975e47a9bd SARA RAY CAME UP STILL CRYING OF COURSE SHE INCREASED OUR UNEASINESS BY SAYING THAT HER MOTHER BELIEVED THE ENTERPRISE PARAGRAPH AND WAS AFRAID THAT THE END OF THE WORLD WAS REALLY AT HAND THAT'S WHY SHE LET ME COME UP SHE SOBBED IF SHE HADN'T BEEN AFRAID I DON'T BELIEVE SHE WOULD HAVE LET ME COME UP BUT I'D HAVE DIED IF I COULDN'T HAVE COME THEY WERE SMALL RED CLUSTERED BERRIES OF A GLOSSY SEDUCTIVE APPEARANCE AND WE WERE FORBIDDEN TO EAT THEM BECAUSE IT WAS THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE POISONOUS DAN PICKED A CLUSTER AND HELD IT UP DAN KING DON'T YOU DARE EAT THOSE BERRIES SAID FELICITY IN HER BOSSIEST TONE THEY'RE POISON DROP THEM RIGHT AWAY UNLESS YOU GIVE THEM A WHITE BILL IN THE MEANTIME HIGH COMMISSIONER BULWIN WILL HAVE WORD OF THIS PLANET BY THEN IF CHINA THREE STILL EXISTS IN FIVE DAYS CAN'T YOU IMAGINE THE FUND THE POLITICIANS MY MA MEA WE WANT THIS PLANET CLEARED FOR CONTACT OR DEAD BEFORE THEN PARIN CAME HURRYING UP WITH THE AXE AND I MOTIONED THEM ASIDE I SWUNG THE AXE AND THE HEAD OF THE WEAPON CRASHED AGAINST THE LOCK THE KNOB DROPPED TO THE FLOOR WITH A CLATTER BUT THE DOOR GAVE NOT AT ALL I BROUGHT THE AXE DOWN AGAIN AND SOMETHING CRACKED SHARPLY AND THE THIRD BLOW SENT THE DOOR SWINGING WIDE +6b5e2233-5403-4fcb-8a43-a7ed32f465ef OH JESS LOOK SHE SAID HERE ARE THREE DOLLARS AND I'M GOING TO GIVE IT ALL TO THE LIBRARY FUND I HAD A LETTER TO DAY FROM UNCLE ARTHUR IN WINNIPEG AND HE SENT ME THREE DOLLARS OH WILL UNCLE ROGER NEVER COME HOME SOBBED FELICITY I KNOW HE'LL LAUGH AT US AWFUL BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE LAUGHED AT THAN SCARED LIKE THIS HE COUNTED THEM PULLED THE CHUTE RELEASE NEYLON STREAMED OUT BEHIND HIM AND SNAPPED OPEN WITH A TREMENDOUS JAR A MOMENT LATER BUNDLES OF METAL RIBBONS FLOATED OUT AND BILLOWED INTO A GIANT UMBRELLA THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERED WAS THE TASTE OF BLOOD ON HIS LIPS AH THEY'VE ALREADY RECOGNIZED MY STARTLING WORTH SAID ORAN THE WOLFISH GRIN TOOK OVER STETSON'S BIG FEATURES SENIOR FIELD MEN LAST ABOUT HALF AS LONG AS JUNIORS HE SAID MORTALITY'S TERRIFIC I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN SAID ORAN HE TOOK ANOTHER SIP OF THE BRANDY +6ba70e9a-59b4-4bae-a0af-768e202b2752 NEXT HE SAID THEIR MOON WAS CERANNA CRUSOE TRANSLATED AS A LIMB OF VICTORY A SPARK FLASHED IN MISTER CAMPBELL'S BLACK EYES NANCY DIDN'T SAY SHE WOULD HAVE HIM SHE JUST LOOKED IT AND DONALD KISSED HER RIGHT THERE IN THE SNOW I HATE TO DREAM OF BEING CHASTE BECAUSE I CAN NEVER RUN SAID SARA RAY WITH A SHIVER I SAID FELICITY PRIMLY YES BUT MAYBE SOME ONE WHO SEES ME THERE WILL MENTION IT TO MA SO YOU'D BETTER MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS MISS +6bb2076d-fc6c-4f22-99af-1f27a9a353da THE OLD MAN HAD THAT LOOK OF INTENSE GLEE ON HIS FACE THAT MEANT SOME ONE WAS IN FOR A VERY ROUGH TIME THERE WAS NOTHING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STEPS OR UNDERNEATH THEM AS FAR AS COULD BE SEEN EVERYBODY LAUGHED EXCEPT AUNT JANET OLD MISTER FREWIN WAS HER GRANDFATHER TOO AND SHE WOULDN'T LAUGH AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO INTERFERE WITH THE PLEASING THROES OF COMPOSITION THERE TO THE RIGHT IS SWEET CECILY OF THE DEAR BROWN EYES WITH A LITTLE BLOATED DICTIONARY BESIDE HER +6bcf512a-cf03-404a-959d-ea18925b01b9 CHAFFY THREE CHOSE THAT MOMENT TO REAPPEAR NEARLY CAUSING JEFF TO LET GO OF THE BUNK AND ADMIT THE ZID QUIET AS I WAS THOUGH INSKIPT STILL HEARD ME THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE HE WAS SITTING UP IN BED POINTING A POINT SEVEN CALIBI ROYALUS AT MY STERN THEN TURNED HIS HEAD BACK TOWARD THE REMAINS OF THE SHIP BEEN ON THIS PLANET FOR NEARLY A YEAR CERTAINLY THIS WAS NO PLACE TO SET DOWN THE FULL WEIGHT OF ASTRO UNDER A SENSATIONAL HEADLINE THE LAST TRUMP WILL SOUND AT TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW WAS A PARAGRAPH TO THE EFFECT THAT THE LEADER OF A CERTAIN NOTED SECT IN THE UNITED STATES HAD PREDICTED THAT AUGUST TWELFTH WOULD BE THE JUDGMENT DAY AND THAT ALL HIS NUMEROUS FOLLOWERS WERE PREPARING FOR THE DREAD EVENT BY PRAYER FASTING AND THE MAKING OF APPROPRIATE WHITE GARMENTS FOR ASCENSION ROBES FELIX HELD OUT THE NEWSPAPER IT WAS A CHARLOTTETOWN DAILY ENTERPRISE +6bd1936a-6956-4f6e-97f7-7b2f4cda62f9 STORY GIRL LOOKED AT PETER WITH A FROWN KNOW EXACTLY HOW SHE FELT WE'VE LOST FIFTY CENTS BECAUSE OF IT SAID FELICITY GLOOMILY THEY AND ONLY THEY CAN BRING US TIDINGS FROM THAT DEAR COUNTRY WHERE WE ONCE SOJOURNED AND FROM WHICH WE MUST EVERMORE BE EXILES BOYS AIN'T ALWAYS HUNGRY SAID FELIX GRAVELY THERE'S TIMES WHEN THEY AIN'T SOME VAGUE THOUGHT OF THIS WAS IN OUR MINDS AS WE LOOKED AT HER PAT PRESENTLY CAME GALLOPING UP THE ORCHARD CARRYING IN HIS MOUTH A BIG FIELD MOUSE ARE WE FREE WHISPERED HOPE HOLDING TIGHTLY TO MY ARM ARE WE REALLY FREE I NOTHING APPARENTLY HAD BEEN DISTURBED +6bd32eaa-3c52-4795-b606-b7633eb17ccd PRESENTLY THE MOON ROSE BUT THIS ONLY MADE MATTERS WORSE THE SHADOWS HAD BEEN STILL BEFORE NOW THEY MOVED AND DANCED AS THE NIGHT WIND TOSSED THE BOUGHS NOBODY KNEW JUST WHO TOLD AT FIRST BUT MORE THAN ONE PERSON SAW HER GRANDFATHER SAW HER WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY AND MY MOTHER SAW HER ONCE SARA RAY CAME UP BUT WAS SO SNUBBED BY FELICITY THAT SHE WENT HOME CRYING FELICITY GOT THE DINNER BY HERSELF DISDAINING TO ASK OR COMMAND ASSISTANCE SHE BANGED THINGS ABOUT AND RATTLED THE STOVE COVERS UNTIL EVEN CECILY PROTESTED FROM HER SOFA I SUPPOSE SAID THE TIN WOODMAN THAT IN THIS YEAR YOU HAVE SEEN SO MUCH YOU HAVE BECOME VERY WISE +6c309fca-823d-436a-9835-633e18e010ee WHEN WE HAD FILLED OUR BASKETS THEY HAD TO BE CARRIED TO THE GRANARY LOFT AND THE CONTENTS STORED IN BINS OR SPREAD ON THE FLOOR TO RIPEN FURTHER WE ATE A GOOD MANY OF COURSE FEELING THAT A LABOURER WAS WORTHY OF HIS HIRE ONLY FOUR YEARS BY OUR TEA BRANDON SAID THE MAN SMILED AND PUT HIS HELMET BACK ON HIS HEAD A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE YOU LEFT THERE WAS A WAR WHICH WE WON AND I GUESS YOU GUISE WERE ALMOST FORGOTTEN AND THERE WAS A LOT OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT THERE WAS GREAT GRANDFATHER KING'S FLAT TOMBSTONE OF ROUGH ISLAND SANDSTONE SO OVERGROWN WITH IVY THAT WE COULD HARDLY READ ITS LENGTHY INSCRIPTION RECORDING HIS WHOLE HISTORY IN BRIEF AND FINISHING WITH EIGHT LINES OF ORIGINAL VERSE COMPOSED BY HIS WIDOW A LITTLE MORE TIME AND THEY MIGHT LET ME INTO THE TOWNSHIP WHERE I CAN LEARN SOMETHING IF HOMESIDE YOU'VE HAD SEVEN TEN DAYS SATTERFIELD SAID HOMESIDE WON'T WAIT LONGER AUBREY THEY NEED THOSE CALM CRYSTALS TOO BADLY +6c3d6f00-fe03-4510-9f96-db53ebd0bf3f HE STARTED TO CHARGE ACROSS THE DECK AT GARF BUT HIS OWN FEET WENT OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND HE LANDED FLAT ON HIS NOSE AND TO HIM ODIN GAVE COMMAND THAT HE SHOULD OPEN THE GATE AND ALLOW HIS FOLLOWERS TO CROSS THE RAINBOW BRIDGE THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF MISTAKE AFTER A FEW MINUTES I HEARD SOMETHING BUZZING IN THERE AND I THOUGHT MAYBE MISTER BUTLER WAS SHOWING HER SOME NEW GADGET OF HIS LIKE HE WAS ALWAYS DOING HE TOOK THE FORMS FROM ONE OF THE PACKS THAT HE HAD UNSLUNG FROM MILLER AND COUNTED OUT NINE OF THEM +6c3e98a8-fb60-4e51-b60f-7aec8f47929a VERY WELL HE SAID THINK OF A WORD THINK OF ANY SINGLE WORD I SHALL TELL IT TO YOU JUST TO MAKE YOU LAUGH I'LL WRITE YOU A LITTLE STORY I HEARD UNCLE ALEC TELLING LAST NIGHT IT WAS ABOUT ELDER FRUIN'S GRANDFATHER TAKING A PAIR OF ROPE REINS TO LEAD A PIANO HOME EVERYBODY LAUGHED EXCEPT AUNT JANET OLD MISTER FREWIN WAS HER GRANDFATHER TOO AND SHE WOULDN'T LAUGH SO IT CAME TO PASS THAT EVERY TREE IN IT WAS A FAIR GREEN MONUMENT TO SOME LOVE OR DELIGHT OF THE VANISHED YEARS AND EVERY GRANDCHILD HAD ITS TREE THERE ALSO SET OUT BY GRANDFATHER WHEN THE TIDINGS OF ITS BIRTH REACHED HIM NOT ALWAYS AN APPLE TREE PERHAPS IT WAS A PLUM OR CHERRY OR PEAR JOHN ANDREW TURNED A DOOR WELL I SHOULD THANK YOU FOR BRINGING HIM BACK I GUESS HE MUTTERED BUT NOW THAT YOU'RE WITH US AGAIN HE SHOT OUT A BIG PAW AND GRABBED HER BY THE WRIST HOW ABOUT EXPLAINING SOME OF THIS +6c4a6421-1adc-4520-a21a-6f30117ee7e9 THE MAN WITH THE BLACK HAIR SAID THE OTHERS HE MET ONLY BRIEFLY FOR AL SHARP WAS A LITTLE WOMAN WITH THE FACE OF A WALNUT WHO LOOKED AS IF SHE HAD NEVER REALLY BEEN CHEERFUL AND A PROCESSION OF VERY ANCIENT BEINGS WHOM I TOOK TO BE THE PRIESTS OF THIS GOD INTO THE MIDST OF THE WAITING GUARDS FARMER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY BUT HE WANTED TO DELAY HER WHO WASN'T OBVIOUSLY MORE CAPABLE OF HELPING HERSELF THAN HE WAS ALLAN INTENDED TO TAKE HIS WIFE WITH HIM TO CALIFORNIA IN THE FANNY HE WAS JUST A REAL GENTLEMAN SAID THE STORY GIRL I'M NO GOODER THAN THE REST OF YOU BREATHED CECILY +6c68b386-77ce-49e8-b5c9-759c7ae18a95 AND THE SHERMANS WERE POOR AND OLD ELIA SHERMAN WOULD HAVE THE MOST TO SAY IN THE MATTER THE NEXT MORNING THE STORM WAS OVER THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA THERE'S A LOG IN THE HOLE JOHN ANDREW BEGAN TO FEEL QUICK FROZEN AGAIN I LEANED FORWARD BUTTING WITH MY HEAD BOTH DOUBLED FISTS WORKING LIKE PISTONS TO CLEAR MY WAY TO MY COMPANIONS YOU UNDERSTAND THE ORDERS ANYWAY THAT'S ALL IT'S NECESSARY AND IF YOU WANTED TO GO TO CALIFORNIA YOU HAD TO GO IN A SAILING VESSEL ALL THE WAY AROUND CAPE HORN I DO LOVE TO TELL STORIES THAT I KNOW REALLY HAPPENED TELL JUDY ALL THE NEWS FOR ME +6ca91dcc-62a3-4787-bdd8-ba75a1954d1b ONE WAS BUILT FOR SELF SUSTAINING COLONY ATTEMPT THE SECOND ALEXY FOR ALL WE KNOW SHE'S STILL ON THE WAY THE OTHER FIVE WERE ALL D CLASS COLONIZERS BUILT DURING THE EXPANSION WHEN LARGE POPULATIONS WERE MOVED TOO BIG TO BE PRACTICAL NOW WE WERE NOT SO SURE OF THIS GHOSTS WERE UNCHANCY FOLK EVEN IF THEY WERE OUR FAMILY GHOSTS AND STORY GIRL HAD MADE THE TALE VERY REAL TO US WE WERE GLAD WE HAD NOT HEARD IT IN THE EVENING HOW COULD WE EVER HAVE GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE THROUGH THE SHADOWS AND SWAYING BRANCHES OF A DARKENING ORCHARD RAY YELPED HE STARTED AFTER HER BUT HIS PROGRESS IN THE DIVING SUIT WAS WADDLING AND SLOW SHE REACHED THE RAIL FIRST AND WENT OVER RAY WAS NOT TOO FAR BEHIND AND HE SLAMMED HIS HELMET DOWN ANGRILY AS HE REACHED THE RAIL IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO ME SHARP SAID TELL ME NOW NO ONE CAN HEAR US NOT ERK NOOPE HIMSELF +6cb67a37-250a-44bb-a81d-3ccada32f2d9 I FOUND HIM EASILY ENOUGH THE FIRST THING TO DO WAS MAKE CONTACT IT WAS FLAT MARSHY BOTTOM LAND WITHOUT A BUMP I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'LL DO ANY GOOD SAID DAN HE GIVES LOTS OF THINGS BUT HE DOESN'T GIVE MONEY BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN EARN THAT FOR THEMSELVES SO HE SAID TO NEIL OH SO PERSUASIVELY THE CELL GREW DARK AS NIGHT CAME AND THE DAMPNESS SEEMED TO INCREASE HOWEVER CLARTON WENT ON THERE IS STILL A WAY OUT FOR YOU WRITING DOWN HIS DREAMS IN THE OLD KING ORCHARD ON THE HOMESTEAD HILL BLOWN OVER BY MUSKY WINDS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I HAD KNOWN HER I WANTED TO DRAW AWAY FROM THE STORY GIRL +6cc2d6e0-2278-4fc6-b9c9-3a9735f3fd16 THERE WAS A CHITTERING COMMOTION FROM THE NATIVES IN THE TREES AROUND THE SLED TO NEWBE SHIFTED BEHIND ORAN WE MAY GO NOW HE SAID SLOWLY TO STAY BEHIND MY SCOUTS RIGHT ORAN ESA SLED FORWARD AROUND AN OBSTRUCTING ROUTE SILENCE WHILE THEY CRAWLED AHEAD AROUND THEM SHAPES FLUNG THEMSELVES FROM VINE TO VINE I ADMIRED YOUR CITY FROM THE AIR SAID ORAN IT IS VERY BEAUTIFUL WHAT ABOUT THE LEAGUE THOUGH DON'T THEY TAKE ANY INTEREST IN CRIME JUST ABOUT THAT TIME YOU HEAR YOUR FIRST RUMOUR OF THE SPECIAL CALL AND IT FITS THE BAD DREAMS A SHADOWY POWERFUL GROUP THAT SLIPS SILENTLY BETWEEN THE STARS READY TO BRING THE INTERSTELLO BLAWBREAKER LOW SOUNDS LIKE TEEVI DRAMA STUFF I HAD BEEN QUITE SURPRISED TO FIND THEY REALLY EXISTED I WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISED WHEN I JOINED THEM OF COURSE THERE WAS A LITTLE PRESSURE AT THE TIME I HAD THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE OF INSTANT DEATH I THINK SO IT'S NOT SO FAR AND WE'RE NEARLY OUT OF THE CITY WE HAVE TO MAKE IT VIC LED THE WAY HOPE AND I FOLLOWING ANXIOUSLY I WATCHED THE MINUTE HAND OF THE WATCH SLIDE TOWARD THE SEVEN OF THE DIAL TOUCH IT MOVE ON IT WAS NOT FAR AS VIC HAD SAID BUT WE WERE WEARY FROM OUR BATTLE WITH THE CRAZED MOB AND THE BEST WE COULD FORCE FROM OUR LEGS WAS A SORT OF DOG TROT ONE MINUTE AFTER TWO THE DREAM BOOKS THE NEXT DAY THE STORY GIRL COAXED UNCLE ROGER TO TAKE HER TO MARKDALE AND THERE SHE BOUGHT OUR DREAM BOOKS THEY WERE TEN CENTS APIECE WITH RULED PAGES AND MOTTLED GREEN COVERS MY OWN LIES OPEN BESIDE ME AS I WRITE ITS YELLOWED PAGES INSCRIBED WITH THE VISIONS THAT HAUNTED MY CHILDISH SLUMBERS ON THOSE NIGHTS OF LONG AGO +6ce1750b-6e37-4146-964b-027ccec622eb PETER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FINE ONLY KIND OF INCONVENIENT WEARING A CROWN ALL THE TIME OH BUT THEY DON'T SAID THE STORY GIRL MAYBE THEY USED TO ONCE BUT NOW THEY WEAR HATS EVERYTHING WAS READY EITHER PEPPER WOULD MAKE HIS MOVE OR I WOULD SAIL ON TO MY BILLIONAIRES PARALYSED PLANET IF THAT HAPPENED IT WOULD BE BEST IF I STAYED THERE CECILY FINISHED HER CUCUMBER AND THEN DRANK A GLASS OF MILK JUST AS WE HEARD THE WHEELS OF UNCLE ALEC'S BUGGY RAMBLING OVER THE BRIDGE IN THE HOLLOW FELICITY QUICKLY RESTORED THE PORK AND PUDDING TO THEIR OWN PLACES AND BY THE TIME AUNT JANET CAME IN WE WERE ALL IN OUR RESPECTIVE BEDS SOON THE HOUSE WAS DARK AND SILENT FARMER HOLD HIMSELF UPRIGHT HOPING TO APPROACH RAY CALM HIM AND GET HIM TO FIGURE A WAY OUT OF THIS MADHOUSE GAR FELT AN EXPLANATIVE AND GESTURED WITH HIS HAND A WAVE OF PURE HEAT SWEPT OVER THE BOAT BLISTERING WHAT PAINT IT STILL BOASTED +6cf1f4db-afbd-4286-bc71-a8c15eb75f7a COME WITH ME HE SAID AT LAST AND LED THE WAY INTO HIS MUD HOUSE INSIDE THERE WAS ONLY ONE LARGE ROOM BUT IT SEEMED SPACIOUS ENOUGH FOR FOUR THREE PALLETS LAY AGAINST THE FAR WHITE WALL A SINGLE ONE AGAINST THE LEFT SHARP WENT TO THE BACK OF THE HOUSE NEAR THE SINGLE BED THIS WILL BE YOURS HE SAID WHILE YOU ARE WITH US IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO PETER AND YOU ARE LET'S SEE HIM BEFORE IT HAPPENS GIVE HIM MY LOVE AND TELL HIM HOW SORRY I AM AND THAT I HOPE WE WILL ALL MEET IN A BETTER WORLD EVERYTHING IN SCHOOL IS ABOUT THE SAME THE MASTER IS AWFUL CROSS BY SPELLS AS I TURN THE PAGES AND GLANCE OVER THE CUMULATIVE RECORDS EACH ONE BEGINNING LAST NIGHT I DREAMED THE PAST COMES VERY VIVIDLY BACK TO ME IF HE TRIES TO AND IF IT ISN'T WHAT PLEASES OTHER PEOPLE THE PARLIAMENT OR SOMETHING SQUELCHES HIM ISN'T SQUELCH A LOVELY WORD SAID THE STORY GIRL IRREVERENTLY IT'S SO EXPRESSIVE +6cf39725-9425-4a19-b565-d0d1c50e8abf AND WHO SPOKE FIRST OH THE STORY YELL SHE GOT EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING AND SPOKE TO FELICITY BEFORE SHE THOUGHT AND THEN IT WAS ALL RIGHT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FEELING VERY COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY BUT AS A MATTER OF FACT WE WERE NOT PARTICULARLY SO A CLOUD OF POWDERY DUST SETTLED OVER HIS LEGS THE LIGHTNESS IN HIS HEAD TOLD HIM THAT HIS OXYSM WAS RUNNING OUT THE WEAKNESS IN HIS MUSCLES REMINDED HIM THAT IT HAD BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE HE HAD WALKED IN THE PLANET'S GRAVITY SO SHE WALKED ON A SMALL MISERABLE TESTIMONY THAT THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS NEVER EASY EVEN WHEN SAID TRANSGRESSOR IS ONLY A DAMSEL OF ELEVEN THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW WAS A SPLENDID ONE THE VIEWS WERE GOOD AND THE LECTURER WITTY WE REPEATED HIS JOKES TO EACH OTHER ALL THE WAY HOME WELL THEN THE OLD WOMAN SAID AND STARTED TO DRAW BACK JONAS GESTED LAZILY WITH ONE HAND WAIT HE SAID I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE YOUR HOUSE AWAY FROM YOU MADAM I AM ONLY HERE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION +6d4ce9e8-f464-4ffa-aa68-5679207c2c66 THE LIZARDS CRINGED AND I SET MY SOLAR FOR NARROW BEAM AND RAN IT AROUND THE DOOR JAM ANY TOUCHY PLANETS OUR SPIES REPORT THERE'S A WORD IN ALMOST EVERY LANGUAGE IN HISTORY THAT MEANS RAIDER AND DRIVES FROM WORD FOR ROAD PATH OR HIGHWAY WITH THE HUMMING SOUND RINGING IN MY EARS LIKE A NOTE OF DEATH VIC TRIED TO SHOUT SOMETHING BUT A CLAW LIKE BROWN HAND WAS IMMEDIATELY THRUST OVER HIS MOUTH I DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN BE SO UNFEELING SARA STANLEY SAID FELICITY REPROACHFULLY IT WAS FOR US TOO FULL OF HAPPY MEMORIES TO ACCORD WITH OUR BITTERNESS OF SOUL +6d50bceb-7b94-4d47-946a-c4bc08bbe22c IN THIS LITTLE OLD BOOK FILLED WITH CRAMPED BOYISH WRITING THERE IS A SPELL OF WHITE MAGIC THAT SETS THE YEARS AT NAUGHT BEVERLY KING IS A BOY ONCE MORE WRITING DOWN HIS DREAMS IN THE OLD KING ORCHARD ON THE HOMESTEAD HILL BLOWN OVER BY MUSKY WINDS HE TOLD FELICITY AND FELICITY TOLD ME SHE SAID SHE THOUGHT IT WAS REAL CUTE OF HIM THAT ISN'T A CHRISTIAN SPIRIT SAID FELICITY REBUKINGLY I DON'T CARE WOULD YOU FORGIVE JAMES FORBES IF HE HAD CALLED YOU JOHNNY DEMANDED CECILY AND WHO LIVES IN THAT OTHER HOUSE ASKED FELIX LOOKING OVER THE WESTERING VALLEY WHERE A LITTLE GRAY ROOF WAS VISIBLE AMONG THE TREES +6d5b52eb-0201-4e49-ac79-4294803769d4 BUT WHERE DID YOU REALLY GET THIS LIST OF SO MANY NAMES WRITTEN SO SMALL NO YOU CAN'T BE ANY OF THEM EITHER MANUEL IT WAS CAUSED BY A LARGE METEOR WHILE IT WAS BEING OPENED THE FIRST LIZARD TURNED TO ME SINCE WE WERE ALONE IT TOOK NO GREAT FEAT OF INTELLIGENCE TO FIGURE IT WOULD BE ME I HAD MY NAIL FAR OUT AND WAS TOUCHING UP A CUTICLE HOLDING IT OUT FOR INSPECTION BEFORE I SAID ANYTHING I HAD BEEN QUITE SURPRISED TO FIND THEY REALLY EXISTED BUT SHE PERSEVERED AND ONE DAY SHE CAME TO US WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT PETER HAD YIELDED SHE DREW HERSELF HAUGHTILY UP +6d5e313f-f515-4f06-b910-18525f8f31f7 THERE'S ONE THING WE CAN DO SAID CECILY GENTLY WE CAN PRAY FOR HIM SO WE CAN I AGREED I'M GOING TO PRAY LIKE SIXTY SAID FELIX ENERGETICALLY WE'LL HAVE TO BE AWFUL GOOD YOU KNOW WARNED CECILY THERE'S NO USE PRAYING IF YOU'RE NOT GOOD THAT WILL BE EASY SIGHED FELICITY I DON'T FEEL A BIT LIKE BEING BAD IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO PETER I FEEL SURE I'LL NEVER BE NAUGHTY AGAIN I WON'T HAVE THE HEART STILL WE WERE BOTH INCLINED TO THINK WE WOULD LIKE CECILY BETTER THAN FELICITY TO BE SURE FELICITY WAS A STUNNING BEAUTY BUT WITH THE SWIFT AND UNERRING INTUITION OF CHILDHOOD WHICH FEELS IN A MOMENT WHAT IT SOMETIMES TAKES MATURITY MUCH TIME TO PERCEIVE WE REALIZED THAT SHE WAS RATHER TOO WELL AWARE OF HER GOOD LOOKS IN BRIEF WE SAW THAT FELICITY WAS VAIN WHILE SHE SECURED THE FLIMSY DOOR HE RIPPED THROUGH HIS BELONGINGS ALIGNING HIS E I COMMUNICATOR AGAIN ON HIS BREAKFAST TABLE FINDING OUT WHERE THE ISLANDERS GOT THEIR CALM CRYSTALS HAD BECOME SUDDENLY UNIMPORTANT JUST THEN HE WANTED NOTHING SO MUCH AS TO SEE A WELL ARMED PATROL SHIP NOSING DOWN OUT OF THE COLLAXY IN SUNRISE HE WAS ACTIVATING THE SCREEN WHEN JENIFER IN A MAGNIFICENT RAGE IN SPITE OF SOAKED BLOUSE AND DUNGERIES ADVANCED ON HIM BRANDON WAS LOOKING AT THE MILKY WAY THROUGH HIS PURMA GLASS CANOPY HE COULD SEE IT TRAILING ACROSS THE BLACK VELVET OF SPACE LIKE A WHITE BRIDAL VEIL BELOW HIS C NINE B SCOUT SHIP STRETCHED THE RED DUST DESERTS OF SIRIUS THREE ILLUMINATED BY THE THIN LIGHT OF TWO ICE MOONS HE LOOKED AT THE MILKY WAY +6d90250d-9053-4b69-b569-2d760e790358 JUST SMELL MISSUS SAMPSON'S FLOWERS SAID CECILY AS WE PASSED A TRIM WHITE PALING CLOSE TO THE ROAD OVER WHICH BLEW ODOURS SWEETER THAN THE PERFUME OF ARABY'S SHORE HER ROSES ARE ALL OUT AND THAT BED OF SWEET WILLIAM IS A SIGHT BY DAYLIGHT YOU LOOK HERE AT MY SENSES SLIP IT SAYS I'M MANUEL AND HERE ARE NINE MORE OF THE REGULAR PEOPLE AND ONE MILLION OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE I COULDN'T GET THEM ON THE RIGHT FORMS THOUGH I HAD TO STEAL THEIR LIST YOU MUST STAY AND KEEP US CHEERED UP IMPLORED FELICITY I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW I'M EVER GOING TO PUT IN THE AFTERNOON I PROMISED KITTY MOTHER I'D GO DOWN AND SPEND IT WITH HER BUT I CAN'T NOW AND I CAN'T NEAR ANY AT MY LACE I JUST KEEP THINKING WHAT IS THE USE PERHAPS IT'LL ALL BE BURNED UP TO MORROW WHAT IS UNCLE ROGER LIKE WAS OUR NEXT QUESTION WELL I LIKE UNCLE ROGER SAID THE STORY GIRL MEDITATIVELY HE IS BIG AND JOLLY BUT HE TEASES PEOPLE TOO MUCH YOU ASK HIM A SERIOUS QUESTION AND YOU GET A RIDICULOUS ANSWER HE HARDLY EVER SCOLDS OR GETS CROSS THOUGH AND THAT IS SOMETHING +6db94725-7b0e-4f56-a5bc-95bbd52fb9ae THOUSAND EIGHT THE QUANUM JUMP BY ROBERT WICKS CAPTAIN BRANDON WAS A PIONEER HE EXPLORED THE FAR REACHES OF SPACE AND REPORTED BACK ON HOW THINGS WERE OUT THERE BUT SARA RAY WAS NOT HAPPY HER FACE WAS SO MELANCHOLY THAT THE STORY GIRL LOST PATIENCE WITH HER THE STORY GIRL HERSELF WAS NOT ALTOGETHER AT EASE PROBABLY HER OWN CONSCIENCE WAS TROUBLING HER BUT ADMIT IT SHE WOULD NOT THE BACKGROUND WAS AN OUT OF FOCUS BLUR ALTHOUGH FARMER WAS DIMLY CONSCIOUS OF MOTION IN IT SOMEWHERE SOMETHING ELSE BREAKING THE SURFACE OF THE WATER AS IT EMERGED IN THE FOREGROUND THE BOAT AND ITS OCCUPANTS WERE SHARPLY ETCHED BUT SEEMED TO HAVE GONE INTO SLOW MOTION THOUSANDS OF THE UNREAL CREATURES OF THIS WORLD WERE CROWDED AROUND A VAST HIDEOUS IMAGE THAT ROSE FROM THE CENTER OF THIS SPACE A MONSTER SO TERRIBLE THAT HOPE CRIED OUT AT SIGHT AND VIC EXCLAIMED UNDER HIS BREATH +6dd23841-b168-4308-9aa5-1488725067c5 RAY SAID MY NAME IS RAY IT IS INDEED FORTUNATE THAT YOU HAVE MET ME IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR ARRIVAL HERE SINCE I AM THE WORLD'S GREATEST GENIUS AND THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED TO TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WISH TO KNOW ABOUT MY PEOPLE AND CIVILIZATION I TAKE IT YOU COME FROM ATLANTIS WELL FOR MY PART I AM GLAD HE DID RESPONDED THE CANARY YOUR JOURNEY RESULTED IN SAVING ME FROM THE GIANTESS AND HAD YOU NOT TRAVELLED TO THE EUBE VALLEY I WOULD STILL BE MISSUS EWPES'S PRISONER IT IS MUCH NICER TO BE FREE EVEN THOUGH I STILL BEAR THE ENCHANTED FORM OF A CANARY BIRD DO YOU THINK WE SHALL EVER BE ABLE TO GET OUR PROPER FORMS BACK AGAIN ASKED THE GREEN MONKEY EARNESTLY THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A FOREST PRESERVE OUT OF THE PLACE EXCEPT THAT IT HAS NO TREES WORTHY OF THE NAME NOW IT IS PROPOSED TO MAKE IT THE SODOM AND GOMORRAH STATE PARK FROM THE TWO MYSTERIOUS SCENES OF DESOLATION THERE JUST SEVEN MILES APART IT IS AN INTERESTING PLACE AS WILD A REGION AS YOU WILL EVER FIND AND IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE MAN WHO HAS SEEN EVERYTHING NO HE SAID I'D LIKE TO STAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO BUT FISH AND SAIL AROUND LOOKING FOR SCOOPS READY TO SHED THEIR CRYSTALS JENOFER REMINDED HIM STILL UNCLE CHARLEY HAS TALKED ABOUT SETTLING IN THE TOWNSHIP AND STANDING FOR COUNCIL ELECTION CAN YOU FISH AND SAIL JEFF AUBREY THE CONSULATE ROCKET LANDED ASHORE BUT JEFF IGNORED IT I CAN LEARN HE SAID +6e08810b-76b2-40ee-be0a-2ce64e8243a1 IT WAS WRENCHED FROM HIS HANDS AND FORCED DOWNWARD TO STICK QUIVERING IN THE DECK THE DEVELOPMENT TOOK FARMER COMPLETELY UNAWARES NEITHER OF THE ALIENS MOVED IT WAS JUDGE GREY WHO HAD DISARMED HIM I VERILY BELIEVE THAT TO SIT AT THE DINING ROOM TABLE IN THAT SHABBY OUTGROWN DRESS CONSCIOUS OF LOOKING UGLIEST AND EATING ONLY BREAD AND WATER BEFORE THE CRITICAL MILLWARDS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSITIVE BLISS TO HER BUT JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO JUST BEFORE YOU ARRIVED SIR SHE BECAME NERVOUS LIKE AND RAPPED ON THE DOOR THERE WASN'T A SOUND SO SHE WENT UP TO THE MASTER'S ROOM AND FOUND A KEY AND WENT IN AND NOW SHE DON'T ANSWER AND WE WERE JUST ABOUT READY TO CALL THE POLICE HE ISN'T IN THE KITCHEN SAID FELICITY RUSHING ABOUT WILDLY AND HE COULDN'T GET INTO THE OTHER PART OF THE HOUSE FOR I SHUT THE HALL DOOR TIGHT AND NO BABY COULD OPEN IT AND IT'S SHUT TIGHT YET +6e1ddec7-577e-4063-9dce-41d5d9abf5e4 WE WERE FARING FORTH ON A LONG ROAD WONDER WHAT THE STORY GIRL WILL THINK OF THEM FELIX AND I NOW I HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU ARE TOO CLOSE WE WILL GIVE HIM MORE IF YOU NEED MORE BUT THERE AREN'T SO MANY IN YOUR SCENE HE MUMBLED SOMETHING THAT WASN'T ALL THE HELL WITH IT BUT SOUNDED LIKE IT AND SOFTLY AND SILENTLY SLID OVERBOARD THERE WAS A DOUBLE ROW OF APPLE TREES RUNNING DOWN THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE ORCHARD HER CURLS STREAMING BEHIND HER IN A GOLDEN CLOUD +6e49636a-10d6-48ff-9bc5-a2a96154eb21 IT HAD A LETHAL PAIR OF EXTRA LIMBS THAT SPRANG FROM THE SHOULDERS TO END IN TALONED SEIZING HANDS AND ITS SLANTED RED EYES BURNED MALEVOLENTLY FROM A SNOUTED RAZOR FANGED FACE RAY HAD NOT BEEN A REAL JUDGE OBVIOUSLY BUT HAD USED THE TITLE IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER FIRST NAME THEN WE ALL BRIGHTENED UP IT REALLY WAS A DECENT WORLD AFTER ALL I CAN FIGHT AS WELL AS PRAY OH DON'T FIGHT IMPLORED CECILY HANDS REACHED OUT TO GRASP ME TO GRASP ALL THREE OF US THEN DARKNESS CLOSED IN SWIFTLY I WAS WHISKED UPWARD ON AND ON BREATHLESSLY I WAS SUDDENLY VERY HEAVY I WAS DROPPING IN THE BLACKNESS THERE WAS SOMETHING SOLID BENEATH MY FEET A GLARE OF LIGHT IN MY EYES +6e4fa41d-9318-41b2-820a-de3877006f7d IT RUMBLED FORWARD AND LOCKED ITS HAND ROUND FERERO'S WRIST HANDCUSSEL HE BARELY NOTICED I CAN EXPLAIN HE SAID DESPERATELY EVERYTHING CAN BE EXPLAINED THERE IS NO NEED TO MAKE SUCH CHARGES I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PAPERS YOU HAVE THERE SO I WOULDN'T ATTEMPT TO SAY THEY ARE ALL FORGERIES I HAVE MANY ENEMIES YOU KNOW IF THE LEAGUE KNEW THE DIFFICULTIES FACED ON A BACKWARD PLANET LIKE THESE THAT WILL BE ENTIRELY ENOUGH I SNAPPED CUTTING HIM OFF WITH A WAVE OF MY HAND ALL THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED BY OUR COURT AT THE PROPER TIME THERE IS ONLY ONE QUESTION I WANT AN ANSWER TO NOW WHY ARE YOU BUILDING THAT BATTLESHIP AFTER I HAVE FOUND NIMI AND ME AND SHE HAS MANAGED TO CONTROL HER JOY AT OUR UNION I SHALL TAKE HER TO THE EMERALD CITY AND INTRODUCE HER TO OZMA AND DOROTHY AND TO BETSY BOBBIN AND TINY TROT AND ALL OUR OTHER FRIENDS BUT IF I REMEMBER RIGHTLY POOR NIMIA ME HAS A SHARP TONGUE WHEN ANGRY AND SHE MAY BE A TRIFLE ANGRY WITH ME AT FIRST BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SO LONG IN COMING TO HER OUR TEACHER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT THING TO HAVE A LIBRARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHOOL AND HE SUGGESTED THAT EACH OF THE PUPILS SHOULD TRY TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY HE OR SHE COULD RAISE FOR THE PROJECT DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE WE MIGHT EARN IT BY THE HONEST TOIL OR GATHER IT IN BY CONTRIBUTIONS LEVIED ON OUR FRIENDS THE RESULT WAS A DETERMINED RIVALRY AS TO WHICH PUPIL SHOULD COLLECT THE LARGEST SUM AND THIS RIVALRY WAS ESPECIALLY INTENSE IN OUR HOME COTERIE THE NOTE READ DEAR PETE IF YOU GET THIS I AM IN A JAM THAT PROMISES SOME ACTION DRIVE OUT IF PLAIN PEDDLING IS PALLING ON YOU AND BUST INTO THE LAB I'M LEAVING ANOTHER NOTE THERE FOR YOU OLD SON AND AFTER YOU READ IT YOU CAN LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE BRING A GAT ALONG AND PLENTY OF AMO +6e9fcf0e-088b-4197-8ffe-fff796ec785c HOW MANY CITIES HAVE THEY WE FOUND TOO THIS ONE AND ANOTHER ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET BUT THE OTHER ONE'S A RUIN A RUIN WHY YOU TELL US LOTS OF MYSTERIES HERE WHAT'S THE PLANET LIKE THIS WAS CALLED SODOM IT WAS STREWN WITH LOW LYING GHOSTS AS OF PEOPLE AND OBJECTS FORMED WHEN THE GRANITE BUBBLED LIKE WATER WELL I WON'T JUST TO OBLIGE YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WOULD HAVE DIED THE DEATH BEFORE SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE PUBLIC MEETING BAREFOOTED WE WERE ALL RATHER EXCITED OVER THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW WHICH AN ITINERANT LECTURER WAS TO GIVE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE THAT EVENING I'VE ALWAYS HAD A FEELING RIGHT ALONG WEPT SARAH THAT IT WASN'T RIGHT TO BUY OR LOOK AT GOD'S PICTURE +6eb189fe-38fa-4ca4-aa08-ed759a9435c5 THERE IS NO CHANCE FOR ME TO HAVE ANY HORRIDID DREAMS LAMENTED SARA RAY MY OWN LIES OPEN BESIDE ME AS I WRITE JERRY COWAN TOLD ME AT RECESS THIS AFTERNOON THAT HE HAD SEEN A PICTURE OF GOD I MUST STOP FOR MAR SAYS I WASTE FAR TOO MUCH TIME WRITING LETTERS ALL DAY LONG WHILE YOU ARE CHOPPING WOOD IN THE FOREST BUT OUR BOY FRIEND HE CONTINUED LOOKING SOLEMNLY AT RUTH SO ASTONISHED THE TIN MEN IT'S A THANKFUL MAN I'LL BE WHEN YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER COME HOME BUT SHE WORKED ON AT HER BUTTONHOLES SHE WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE EXCITING SERIAL IN THE NEW MAGAZINE DAN BROUGHT HOME FROM THE POST OFFICE NEITHER WOULD SHE OPEN A LETTER FROM HER FATHER +6eca8a1d-8577-4584-bb8f-90e1eb300949 THE DOCTOR'S HAND TIGHTENED ON THE DOORKNOB YES I KNOW HE SAID GRIMLY BUT NOT MANY LAY MEN REMEMBER JUST KEEP IN MIND WHAT I TOLD YOU WITH ANY OF THESE THINGS THE PATTERN IS PROTECTION THEN CONTROL THEN USEFUL APPLICATION SHE PRESIDED AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE WITH AS MUCH GRACE AND DIGNITY AS IF SHE HAD BEEN FIVE TIMES TWELVE YEARS OLD AND SEEMED TO KNOW BY INSTINCT JUST WHO TOOK SUGAR AND WHO TOOK IT NOT IT'S A BIG GALAXY BUT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO HIDE ANGELINA NOW I CAN BE CONNED ONCE BUT ONLY ONCE THE NEXT TIME WE MET THINGS WERE GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT JOHN ANDREW BEGAN TO FEEL QUICK FROZEN AGAIN BEING ALONG AT SEA IN A RICKETY CRAFT WITH A POSSIBLE MADMAN HAD BEEN BAD ENOUGH TO HAVE A WEIRD CREATURE WITH SUPERHUMAN POWERS AND AN IMPOSSIBLE PIT MONSTER ADDED TO THE CREW WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH +6f4812eb-c726-4dd1-a37d-33e616c4b8a5 FOR HIS SMILE BECAME MORE FRIENDLY AND HE CONTINUED IN A CASUAL TONE THE QUOTES AROUND INTELLIGENT WERE CLEAR IN HIS INTONATION BUT ASIDE FROM A FEW GREY PATCHES OF BRUSH THERE SEEMED TO BE NO SIGNS OF LIFE OF SAMPLING ITS ATMOSPHERE AND OBSERVING METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS HOPE SO DEAR WE SEEM TO BE IF WE CAN ONLY REACH THE SPOT WHERE WE ENTERED THIS INSANE WORLD BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS BEFORE YOU EXPLODED YOU WERE BIGGER THAN THE REST OF US AND THAT CAUSED YOU TO BE PROUD AND OVERBEARING +6f71c2e6-1128-4736-a907-5469175ac70d LOOK AT THAT LONG THIN LACY CLOUD UP THERE SHE SAID WHAT DOES IT MAKE YOU THINK OF GIRLS SCATTERED THROUGH THE GRASS IN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK WERE BLOSSOMING PALE AERIAL FLOWERS WHICH HAD NO NAME THAT WE COULD EVER DISCOVER NOBODY SEEMED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEM I SUPPOSE THE MINISTER WOULD KNOW BUT HE IS AWAY ON HIS VACATION SAID FELICITY ANYHOW I'LL GO AND ASK MOTHER WHAT SHE THINKS OF IT FELICITY PICKED UP THE ENTERPRISE AND BETOOK HERSELF TO THE HOUSE WE AWAITED HER RETURN IN DIRE SUSPENSE BY AND BY THE SCARECROW WHO MIX WHOSE MIXED BRAINS HAD BEEN WORKING STEADILY ASKED THE WOMAN ARE WE TO CONSIDER YOU OUR FRIEND MISSUS UKE OR DO YOU INTEND TO BE OUR ENEMY +6f7a0e14-934d-45f1-8678-d17872abc2d0 WELL THAT'S THE SAME THING CRIED FELIX YOU'VE JUST BEEN PRAYING FOR THE OPPOSITE TO ME OUT OF SPITE AND YOU'VE GOT TO STOP IT PETER CRAIG WELL WHAT THE DEVIL HIS KNEES SHOOK AND PERSPIRATION CRAWLED COLD ON HIS FACE THEN WE MUST SEEK AID ELSEWHERE HIS BOOTS CHURNING UP CLOUDS OF POWDERY DUST TOWERS WAS STEPPING THROUGH THE BULKHEAD DOOR INTO THE RADIO ROOM THE FIRST MILE WAS ACROSS FLAT DESERT THERE ISN'T THAT A LOVELY MYSTERY THERE WAS NOBODY THERE BUT BETTY SHERMAN AND BETTY WAS NOT AFRAID OF HIM +6fb5f4ee-f0c3-45d7-9176-01b60300dbbc THERE'S NOTHING ABOUT METHODISTS OR PRESBYTERIANS IN THE BIBLE SAID FELICITY SCORNFULLY ANY ONE WHO LIVES WITH YOU FELICITY KING WILL ALWAYS BE WISHING HE WAS SOMEWHERE ELSE SAID DAN I WASN'T TALKING TO YOU DAN KING RETORTED FELICITY SPEAK WHEN YOU'RE SPOKEN TO COME WHEN YOU'RE CALLED MY SISTER WHO IS WRITING THIS FOR ME READS ME THE OZ BOOKS BUT I WISH I COULD READ THEM MYSELF VERY GOOD ANSWERED THE TIN WOODMAN IN HIS ACCUSTOMED CHEERFUL MANNER TELL ME WHO YOU ARE AND WHENCE YOU CAME CECILY IS EVER SO MUCH CLEVERER CECILY IS A DEAR SO IS UNCLE ALEC AND AUNT JANET IS PRETTY NICE TOO WHAT IS AUNT OLIVIA LIKE ASKED FELIX AUNT OLIVIA'S VERY PRETTY SHE IS JUST LIKE A PANSY ALL VELVETY AND PURPLY AND GOLDY +6fcd78dc-1453-457f-9c1b-5efc83262652 SOMETIMES I FEAR OUR REGULAR PRAYERS WAS SLURRED OVER OR MUMBLED IN ANYTHING BUT REVERENT HASTE THE TANG OF FIR BALSAM AND HAD CERTAINLY NEVER THOUGHT HE'D LIKE A MERMAID BUT THE BLOW HAD BEEN DIRECTED AT DOOR AND SHE SHOWED THAT SHE HAD ABSORBED MOST OF IT BY WILTING VISIBLY AND TOOK OUT A PECULIAR MACHINE WHEN WE RETURNED FELIX AND THE GIRLS AND I WERE AHEAD OF THE OTHERS DAN WAS STILL SITTING IN PRECISELY THE SAME PLACE AND ATTITUDE BUT THERE WAS NO JIMMY IN SIGHT THERE HAD NEVER BEEN SUCH A THING IN CARLISLE BEFORE WE WERE ALL GOING PETER INCLUDED MISSUS RAY SAYS IF SHE ISN'T BETTER BY THE MORNING SHE'S GOING TO SEND FOR THE DOCTOR AND SHE IS AFRAID IT'S THE MEASLES +6fd840fe-0c31-4bd3-865d-bed9e8d84880 ABOVE THE FAR MURMUROUS WHISPER OF EXPECTED MARINE CEREBRATION THERE ROSE AN UNCOORDINATED MISHMASH OF THOUGHT FROM AT LEAST TWO STRONG AND RELATIVELY COMPLEX INTELLIGENCES THE UNCLE ALEC WE GAVE OUR WARMEST LOVE WE FELT THAT WE ALWAYS HAD A FRIEND AT COURT IN UNCLE ALEC NO MATTER WHAT WE DID OR LEFT UNDONE AND WE NEVER HAD TO TURN HIS SPECIES INSIDE OUT TO DISCOVER THEIR MEANING DAN DOES SAY SUCH QUEER THINGS I'M SO AFRAID HE'S GONE TO GROW UP JUST LIKE UNCLE ROBER WARD WHO NEVER GOES TO CHURCH AND DOESN'T BELIEVE MORE THAN HALF THE BIBLE IS TRUE WHICH HEART DOES HE BELIEVE IS TRUE I INQUIRED WITH UNHOLY CURIOSITY FELICITY WAS SO IMPRESSED BY HIS KNOWLEDGE OF ASTRONOMY THAT SHE DROPPED BACK FROM THE OTHER GIRLS AND WALKED BESIDE HIM +6fec3318-a3df-4835-9420-1d228925d3f9 SHE SAID PLACIDLY MA NEVER LOOKS SO I WON'T HAVE TO SAID FELICITY TRIUMPHANTLY THEY WERE LOVELY AND PLEASANT IN THEIR LIVES SHUT HIS EYES AND MURMURED HAVE YOU GOT A CENT FOR COLLECTION CAST SPELLS YOU MAKE THINGS HAPPEN EVEN THE OFFER OF SEVEN CRONA FOR A SINGLE WEEK'S STAY FAILED TO PRODUCE THE DELIRIOUS JOY YANUS HAD EXPECTED HOWEVER I DON'T BELIEVE THE OWL COULD STEAL THE APRON OR EVEN THE BEAR THANK YOU VERY MUCH WHILE DIRECTLY BETWEEN THEM LIES THE EMERALD CITY +70313a04-a13e-4e2c-8c57-dd9ec73b40b2 THEN THEY ASSUME THEIR ORIGINAL FORM WHERE THEY WILL JUST AGAIN AS ELECTRICITY PASSES FROM THE END OF THE WIRE EXACTLY THE SAME AS IT ENTERED IT ALLOWING ONLY FOR VOLTAGE DROPS AND SOME OTHER FACTORS THAT AREN'T PERTINENT HERE HARD WORDS BREAK NO BONES OBSERVED FELICITY PHILOSOPHICALLY BUT THEY HURT YOUR FEELINGS I'M AFRAID OF MISTER CAMPBELL SAID CECILY CANDIDLY MY OWN LIES OPEN BESIDE ME AS I WRITE ITS YELLOWED PAGES INSCRIBED WITH THE VISIONS THAT HAUNTED MY CHILDISH SLUMBERS ON THOSE NIGHTS OF LONG AGO ON THE COVER IS PASTED A LADY'S VISITING CARD ON WHICH IS WRITTEN THE DREAM BOOK OF BEVERLY KING THEY HAD THREE DAYS ONLY THREE DAYS OF HAPPINESS AND THEN THE BLOW FELL THE CREW AND PASSENGERS OF THE FANNY REFUSED TO LET CAPTAIN DUNBAR TAKE HIS WIFE WITH HIM THEY TOLD HIM HE MUST LEAVE HER BEHIND AND ALL HIS PRAYERS WERE OF NO AVAIL +70453c1d-7b9a-46b6-ac13-2df5bdfeff18 AND IT HAPPENED AS THE ONISTS SUSPECTED IT WOULD THROUGH THE WIFE ONE WHICH YOU WOULD TELL ME THIS IS NOT DEVIL'S WORK AS I SHALL PROVE YUNUS SAID I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S RIGHT TO TALK OF GOD AS IF YOU WERE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH HIM SAID FELICITY WHO FELT SURE IT WAS A GOOD CHANCE TO SNUB DAN THE LEATHER CHAIRS COMFORTABLE THAT IS WHY I WAS SENT HERE SAID ORAN SWUNG DOWN FROM THE TOWERING FOREST CEILING NO IT'S ONLY AFTER THEY'RE CONVERTED THAT THEY'RE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR SAID FELICITY BUT YOU JUST BACK HIM UP IN EVERYTHING CECILY I +705c4864-fe47-4572-8a79-313c6690b113 DON'T YOU THINK IT HORRID BEGINNING SO YOUNG MY STORY IS ABOUT MISSUS DUNBAR AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE FANNY THOSE ARE NOT THINGS ONE KNOWS ABOUT SHE SAID WITH DIGNITY HIS SENSE OF LOSS AT SATTERFIELD'S GRIM NOD STEMMED FROM SOMETHING DEEPER THAN SYMPATHY FOR THE ISLANDERS THEY TELEPHORTED AT ONCE INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE TWO NEARBY NATIVES IT'S ONLY WHEN YOU GO AWAY FROM HER THAT YOU FIND OUT THAT SHE ISN'T A BIT PRETTY AFTER ALL HE VOWED THAT HE DIDN'T CARE SAID CECILY IN A VERY TIMID VOICE YOU SAID YOU KNEW A STORY THAT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH PRESBYTERIANS I SAID TO THE STORY GIRL +70a7e0be-ce92-43c2-ba4f-c8e7f35776be HE APPARENTLY DID NOT BELIEVE IN PYJAMA BOTTOMS AND IT HURT ME TO SEE THE GOOSE BUMPS WRITHING ON THOSE THIN SHANKS VERY QUICKLY SLEEPY EYED CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS WERE BRINGING FILES AND RECORDS WE WENT THROUGH THEM TOGETHER BUT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TELL WHO ARE THE GOOD GROWN UP PEOPLE ASKED FELIX SUDDENLY FORGETTING THAT HE WAS IN CHURCH OH THAT IS EASY SAID PETER YOU CAN ALWAYS JUST FEEL WHO IS GOOD AND WHO ISN'T AND YOU MUSTN'T TELL LIES AND YOU MUSTN'T MURDER ANY ONE YOU MUST BE SPECIALLY CAREFUL NOT TO MURDER ANY ONE EVEN HER PREPOSITIONS AND CONJUNCTIONS HAD UNTOLD CHARM HINTING AT MYSTERY AND LAUGHTER AND MAGIC BOUND UP IN EVERYTHING SHE MENTIONED APPLE PIES AND SOUR SEEDLINGS AND PIGS BECAME STRAIGHTWAY INVESTED WITH A GLAMOUR OF ROMANCE NOW HE'S GONE OFF MAD SAID CECILY REPROACHFULLY OH FELICITY WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE HELD YOUR TONGUE WHY WHAT DID I SAY TO MAKE HIM MAD ASKED FELICITY IN HONEST PERPLEXITY +70e3bb93-9079-477b-a507-ecf697104f19 THEN HE LOOKED AT THE ORANGE GLOW THAT MARKED THE FUNERAL PYRE OF THE SHIP ALTITUDE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FEET I'M GOING TO BRING US DOWN TO FORTY THOUSAND FEET AND SEARCH THE AREA WHERE HE WENT DOWN AND EVEN MY HAND WERE NOT REAL THEY WERE LIKE THE REST OF THE THINGS IN THIS MONSTROUS STATE THAT VIC CALLED IN FROM MEDIA I LEFT IT THREE AFTER TEN AND WE WERE JUST ABOUT READY TO CALL THE POLICE I'VE SEEN AUNT JANE LOOK AT ME JUST LIKE THAT WOMAN LOOKS AT HER BABY WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MORE AGREEABLE NOT TO HAVE THE SOULS FRIGHTENED OUT OF OUR BODIES AND WE VOTED FOR THE FAMILY GHOST AND IS STUFFING SO CLEAN AND COMPACT TO CUT ME DON'T HURT FOR I'VE NO BLOOD TO SQUIRT WE VENTURED TO YOUR CASTLE +712f8683-7107-448e-a279-672db637f1cc IN THE REACTION OUR SPIRITS ROSE WITH A BOUND OH AIN'T IT GREAT THAT PETER'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT SAID DAN SPRINGING UP I WAS NEVER SO GLAD OF ANYTHING IN MY WHOLE LIFE DECLARED FELICITY IN SHAMELESS RAPTURE YOU SAID ONCE YOU KNEW A STORY ABOUT THE AWKWARD MAN SAID FELIX YOU MIGHT TELL IT TO US ALL RIGHT AGREED THE STORY GIRL THE ONLY TROUBLE IS I DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY BUT I'LL TELL YOU ALL I DO KNOW I CALL IT THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLDEN MILESTONE RAY SMILED AGAIN AS HE CLIMBED BRISKLY IN INTO THE SUIT I'LL BE ALL RIGHT HE SAID SERENELY YOU JUST KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS HERE BUT DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING AUNT JANET HAD FORGOTTEN TO WARN UNCLE ROGER TO KEEP AN EYE ON OUR BEDTIME SNACKS AND WE ATE WHAT SEEMED GOOD UNTO US SOME OF US HAD FRIGHTFUL DREAMS AND ALL OF US CARRIED CHIPS ON OUR SHOULDERS AT BREAKFAST FELICITY AND DAN BEGAN A BICKERING WHICH THEY KEPT UP THE ENTIRE DAY +7136f39f-2fdb-442f-a37e-e2ffad1a5556 THIS FILLED THE TIME UNTIL SETANOVO BLINKED INTO THE BOW SCREEN IF YOUR PLAN DOESN'T WORK THEN WHY DID IT TASTE LIKE ASHES IN MY MOUTH I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE WOULD SAY HE RETORTEDLICITY TRIED ANOTHER TACT FOR MYSELF I CARED NOT A GROAT THE PUDDING WAS CONCOCTED AND BAKED WHAT BEING TWINS MEANT AND YOU WAS BROUGHT UP IN TORONTO TOO AS IT WAS WE WERE ALMOST AFRAID TO LOOK UP IT LEST WE SHOULD SEE THE WADING BLUE CLAD EMILY UNDER UNCLE ALEC'S TREE CAN'T YOU HIDE SOMETHING AWAY THROUGH THE DAY AS WE DO +714006f3-d936-41bc-bb08-29de43c8f63a IN THE LIFE ABOVE THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT BEHOLD THE TORTOISE HE MAKETH NO PROGRESS UNLESS HE STICKETH OUT HIS NECK BUT I WOKE UP BEFORE I'D TIME TO FIND OUT IF I WAS KILLED OR NOT TO HEAR HER TELL A DREAM WAS SO GOOD OR AS BAD AS DREAMING IT YOURSELF AND WITH IT SEEMED TO GO THE DREAD AND GRIEF THAT HAD BEEN OUR PORTION FOR HOURS FELIX TOOK HER ADVICE WAS THE HOPE THAT THEY WERE TAKING ME THEIR ROUND DARK EYES DEEPLY RECESSED WERE CAVERNS OF DESPAIR +714a918c-475b-4a9c-b7fe-3c86479f1bb8 THE OPEN PORTS OF THE BRIDGE LOOKED OUT ON THE JUNGLE ROOF OF CHINA THREE SOME ONE HUNDRED FIFTY METERS BELOW A BODY WHY IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THEIR MOUTHS LIFTED THAT THEY ALMOST SMILED BRANDON CLOSED HIS EYES FOR A MOMENT THINGS HAVE MOVED PRETTY FAST IN THE PAST FEW YEARS BEYOND IT HE COULD SEE THE GLEAMING METAL RIBBONS OF THE DROG SHOOT IT CHUGGED SLOWLY ROUND THE ROOM MOVING MY BAGS AND LAYING OUT MY KIT AND ALL THE TIME FOLLOWING A CAREFUL ROOT THAT COVERED EVERY INCH OF THE SUITE +71512441-cb47-4d6b-8c0f-e05669c312c0 ORN SOBERED ALIEN YES A L I E N A NEVER BEFORE CONTACTED CULTURE THAT LANGUAGE YOU WERE FORCED FED ON THE WAY OVER THAT'S AN ALIEN LANGUAGE IT'S NOT COMPLETE HOW CAN YOU KNOW INTERRUPTED PETER SUDDENLY YOU AIN'T OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A BEAU HOW CAN YOU KNOW THE STORY GIRL LOOKED AT PETER WITH A FROWN SHE DID NOT LIKE TO BE INTERRUPTED WHEN TELLING A STORY THOSE ARE NOT THINGS ONE KNOWS ABOUT SHE SAID WITH DIGNITY ONE FEELS ABOUT THEM VIC WELL HERE I AM AND HOPE DEAR MY VOICE TRAILED OFF THESE WERE NOT VIC AND HOPE BEFORE ME THEY WERE UNREAL CREATURES LIKE THE BEINGS WHICH HAD CAPTURED ME I COULD RECOGNIZE THE FACE AND FIGURE OF THE WOMAN I LOVED AND OF HER BROTHER BUT THEY SEEMED TO HAVE NO SUBSTANCE MEDITATE ON A PRAYER YONAS SAID KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN KEEP YOURSELF READY FOR THE GIFT OF GOD IT WILL DESCEND ON YOU KNUPH SHOOK HIS HEAD IT IS A TRICK HE BEGAN A TRICK YONAS SAID BUT THE PRAYERS OF GOD AND HIS CHURCH AND THAT WAS THE UNANSWERABLE QUESTION FOR NO WIZARD COULD USE THE NAME OF GOD NO WIZARD COULD PRAY +71698dc0-23e9-4b64-a731-6fef9ddf6ec9 I CALL IT THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLDEN MILESTONE OH I DON'T BELIEVE THAT STORY IS TRUE SAID FELICITY I BELIEVE MISSUS GRIGGS WAS JUST ROMANCING SHE DOES ROMANCE MOTHER SAID YES BUT I DON'T BELIEVE SHE COULD EVER HAVE THOUGHT OF SUCH A THING AS THIS HERSELF SO I BELIEVE IT MUST BE TRUE SAID THE STORY GIRL BUT ODIN STOOD SILENT WITH HIS FACE TURNED FROM HIS BELOVED AND VING'S HEART WAS FILLED WITH UNSPEAKABLE BITTERNESS AND DESPAIR PRESIDENT FERERO HAD HIS GUN OUT AND WAS STARING AT IT GRIMLY IT WAS HARD TO TELL IF HE WAS THINKING OF MURDER OR SUICIDE I DON'T CARE WHICH ALL HE HAD TO WORRY ABOUT WAS THE NEXT ELECTION WHEN THE VOTERS AND THE POLITICAL COMPETITION WOULD CARVE HIM UP FOR LOSING THE SHIP THOUGHTFULLY THE DOCTOR LEANED BACK IN HIS CHAIR HUM I SEE AS THE MAN BEFORE HIM MADE AN INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENT TOWARD HIS POCKET THE DOCTOR SMILED GO ON SMOKE IF YOU WANT TO +718f552d-b138-4523-8bd5-0457b1be5578 UNCLE ROGER AND AUNT OLIVIA HAD BOTH CHERISHED CERTAIN DREAMS AND AMBITIONS IN YOUTH BUT CIRCUMSTANCES HAD DENIED THEM THEIR CHANCE AND THESE DREAMS HAD NEVER BEEN FULFILLED SOME DAY OLIVIA WENT ON UNCLE ROGER YOU AND I MAY FIND OURSELVES THE AUNT AND UNCLE OF THE FOREMOST ACTRESS OF HER DAY NO NEED FOR YOU TO DIE SAID HORN BETTER TO DIE THAN BE SLAVES SAID TO NEWBE WE DON'T NEED THE DORN WE I CANNOT TAKE THE CHANCE THAT YOU ARE LYING SAID TO NUB I MUST KILL YOU NOW HORN'S FOOT RESTED ON THE AIR SLED CONTROL PEDAL INSTINCTIVELY HE GLANCED AT HOPE IT WAS HER DANGER AND NOT HIS OWN THAT HAD BROUGHT THAT HAGGARD PALLOR TO HIS FACE IN SO SHORT A TIME THAT'S WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT OF THESE PEOPLE IF YOU CAN CALL THEM THAT WANT OF US I ASKED HIM THAT SOON AS EVER HE TOLD ME SAID FELIX HE SAID HE MIGHT BUT HE COULDN'T PROMISE FOR HE'D HAVE TO ASK HIS MOTHER IF HE COULD BRING THE BOOK TO SCHOOL IF SHE'LL LET HIM HE'LL BRING IT TO MORROW OH I'LL BE ALMOST AFRAID TO LOOK AT IT SAID SARA RAY TREMULOUSLY +719129f9-7dc6-4cef-a52a-b26ff78da4f0 THE SCOOP HE SAW AND ONLY HALF BELIEVED IT THE IRRITATION DISTRACTS THE SCOOPS FROM THEIR MEDITATIONS IN TERMS OF OUR OWN BEING YOU DO NOT EXIST IN YOUR PRESENT FORM I THINK SO IT'S NOT SO FAR AND WE'RE NEARLY OUT OF THE CITY WE HAVE TO MAKE IT DARK AND STERN AND SORROWFUL AND THIS WAS OUR PUNISHMENT THAT THEY MIGHT DRINK OF THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE BEYOND AND JUNIOR MECHANICS TO INSTALL THEM I HAD TO TAKE THE OFFENSIVE AGAIN I REBUILT MY CAMERA FOR ABOUT THE TWENTIETH TIME AND JUST ABOUT FINISHED A CORRESPONDENCE COURSE ON NUCLEONICS +71e4b19b-ed82-4ea8-8949-1a2454340099 I SUPPOSE IT'S JUST THE SAME AUNT JANET HAD FORGOTTEN TO WARN UNCLE ROGER TO KEEP AN EYE ON OUR BEDTIME SNACKS AND WE ATE WHAT SEEMED GOOD UNTO US PETER TRUE TO HIS WORD GOT OUT HIS BIBLE AND BEGAN TO READ FROM THE FIRST CHAPTER IN GENESIS CAN'T YOU TELL A STORY TO PASS THE TIME I BUT SHE IS TWENTY NINE YOU KNOW THAT'S PRETTY OLD HE IS BIG AND JOLLY BUT HE TEASES PEOPLE TOO MUCH YOU ASK HIM A SERIOUS QUESTION AND YOU GET A RIDICULOUS ANSWER HE HARDLY EVER SCOLDS OR GETS CROSS THOUGH AND THAT IS SOMETHING TRAVELLED WITH THEM TO THE EMERALD CITY IN SEARCH OF A HEART THAT COULD LOVE OF EACH HEAD MAKING IT SAUCER SHAPED INSTEAD OF DOME SHAPED +71f5874b-fc62-4dcf-ae19-2d394665ecf2 WELL HIS FATHER RUN AWAY AND HIS MOTHER WAS TOO BUSY EARNING A LIVING TO BRING HIM UPRIGHT ARGUED FELICITY DON'T YOU SUPPOSE THAT ANYBODY EVEN GOD WOULD MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR THAT OF COURSE PETER WILL GO TO HEAVEN SAID THE STORY GIRL HE'S NOT GROWN UP ENOUGH TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE CHILDREN ALWAYS GO TO HEAVEN BUT I DON'T WANT HIM TO GO THERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE I WANT HIM TO STAY RIGHT HERE I KNOW HEAVEN MUST BE A SPLENDID PLACE BUT I'M SURE PETER WOULD RATHER BE HERE HAVING FUN WITH US PETER DID AND HE HAD AN ELEGANT DREAM THAT PEG BOWEN CAUGHT HIM AND PUT HIM ON TO BOIL ALIVE IN THAT BIG BLACK POT THAT HANGS OUTSIDE HER DOOR HE WOKE UP BEFORE THE WATER GOT HOT THOUGH WELL MISS FELICITY YOU'RE PRETTY SMART BUT HOW WILL YOU LIKE TO WALK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL WITH A BOY WHO WEARS PATCHED TROUSERS I WON'T HAVE TO SAID FELICITY TRIUMPHANTLY PETER IS HAVING A NEW SUIT MADEAID IT'S TO BE READY BY SATURDAY I KNEW THAT BEFORE I PROMISED YES OBSERVED THE TIN WOODMAN IT WAS COOK CLIP WHO MADE ME BUT TELL ME WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE MUNCHKIN GIRL YOU WERE IN LOVE WITH SHE IS CALLED NIMMY AMMY SAID THE TIN SOLDIER HEARING THIS THEY WERE ALL SO ASTONISHED THAT THEY WERE SILENT FOR A TIME REGARDING THE STRANGER WITH WONDERING LOOKS FINALLY THE TIN WOODMAN VENTURED TO ASK AND DID NIMI AMMY RETURN YOUR LOVE WHY A DISGUISED SLED ASKED HORN IF THEY THINK IT'S A GROUND BUGGY THEY MIGHT GET CARELESS WHEN YOU MOST NEEDN'T ADVANTAGE WE COULD ALWAYS SCOOP YOU OUT OF THE AIR YOU KNOW WHAT ARE MY CHANCES ON THIS ONE STEP STETSON SHRUGGED I'M AFRAID THEY'RE SLIM THESE GOONS PROBABLY HAVE THE DELPHINEST AND THEY WANT YOU JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET YOUR EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ROUGH AS THAT EH ACCORDING TO OUR BEST GUESS +7227ab90-254a-4144-b1e5-504959c6e794 HE CALLED MULA FROM THE THORN PATCH WHERE SHE WAS GRAZING BEFORE YOU DO MANOEL JUST A COUPLE OF LAST QUESTIONS I DON'T SEE MARILLA SINCE I CAME BACK PETER AND FELICITY LAGGED BEHIND IT WAS WE TOLD OURSELVES SARA'S OWN OUTLOOK AND WHEN I'M AN ANGEL IF I EVER GET TO BE ONE WILL MY NAME STILL BE PETER OF COURSE I CAN'T HELP FEELING SORRY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TO GO TO THE OTHER PLACE SAID CICELY COMPASSIONATELY BUT I SUPPOSE THEY WOULDN'T BE VERY COMFORTABLE IN HEAVEN EITHER THEY WOULDN'T FEEL AT HOME SO IT IS SAID CECILY IT ISN'T THERE ISN'T A SPECK OF SAWDUST IN THAT BOX AND LEFT THE SECONDARY PREPARATION OF THE REGULAR MEALS TO CECILY AND THE STORY GIRL +7234c8ae-4f6c-48f6-9703-208f28cc0305 BUT I HAD NEVER HEARD ANY GIRL CRY LIKE THIS CECILY DID NOT WRITE BACK BECAUSE MISSUS RAY HAD DECREED THAT NO LETTERS MUST BE TAKEN DOWN FROM THE HILL FARM LEST THEY CARRY INFECTION I COULD HARDLY BELIEVE THE STORY GIRL BUT OF COURSE THE MINISTER KNOWS THE STORY GIRL HAD NOT RECOVERED FROM THE MORTIFICATIONS OF THE PREVIOUS DAY SHE WOULD NOT TALK AND SHE WOULD NOT TELL A SINGLE STORY SHE SAT ON RACHEL WARD'S CHEST AND ATE HER BREAKFAST WITH THE AIR OF A MARTYR THEY TASTE FINE I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS THEM THAT MADE ME SICK I'VE AN OLD BIBLE OF AUNT JANE'S AT HOME THAT I CAN USE WHICH SEEMED QUITE A STICKY PROBLEM FOR A MAN IN A MEDIEVAL CULTURE HE WAS NOT EVEN SEVEN FEET TALL FOR INSTANCE NOR DID HE HAVE A HANDSOME LOVESOME FACE WITH FLASHING BLUE EYES OR A BROAD SHOULDERED NARROW WAISTED MARVEL OF A FIGURE THE CELL GREW DARK AS NIGHT CAME AND THE DAMPNESS SEEMED TO INCREASE IN THE FOREST THERE MAY BE FRUITS OR NUTS GROWING OR BERRY BUSHES AT ITS EDGE SO LET US GO THAT WAY +7244c0a9-24b8-48cf-80bf-ece622f2d125 AFTER THAT NO MORAL FORCE ON EARTH COULD HAVE PREVENTED FELIX FROM FIGHTING BUT IN STORIES IT'S JUST AS EASY TO MAKE THEM AS HANDSOME AS NOT EVER SINCE THE FOURTH WORK CUT THEM OFF FROM US HE YELLED UNGALLANTLY IN HER EAR CHAFFY FOUR AGREED RELUCTANTLY AND THAT IS THE TRAGEDY OF LIFE DON'T TELL UNCLE ROGER SHE IMPLORED HUMBLY SHE HAD BEEN BAKING ALL THE AFTERNOON AND WITH THE PANTRY WELL STOCKED WITH BISCUITS COOKIES CAKES AND PIES SHE CARED NOT IF ALL CARLYLE CAME TO TEA OF YOU BUCK EYED BEASTS THERE HOW DO WE GET TO THE PLACE CAN YOU SHOW US ON A MAP HAD TO STEAL THEIR LIST +7272900c-2f08-417f-ad69-bf975e0893d2 DO YOU THINK HE REALLY FEELS SICK ASKED THE STORY GIRL ANXIOUSLY THE SLICES WERE SMOOTH AND GOLDEN HE WAS ACTIVATING THE SCREEN WHEN JENIFER IN A MAGNIFICENT RAGE IN SPITE OF SOAKED BLOUSE AND DUNGERIES ADVANCED ON HIM BUT IF YOU SAW ONE TOO AND HE MAY NOW FOR AUGHT I KNOW BE A MOST USEFUL AND RESPECTABLE MAN MEMBER OF SOCIETY BELOVED BY HIS KIND FOR ONE THING IT HAD A FULL TOWN HALL BUILT NO LESS OF HONEST STONE AND PROBABLY A RELIC OF THE MOMENT TIMES +729794b4-87bf-4a42-90f3-4546478bad8e BUT IT COULD GRIN IN FRIENDLY FASHION AND EAT APPLES FROM OUR BIRTHDAY TREES THE FAT ONE ISN'T SO BAD HE HERE JENOFER SAID ME GO DOWN THERE AFTER THAT MONSTER THEY BROUGHT IT ASHORE TO HELP US OUT OF THE CABIN AND AS I TOOK MY FIRST STEP THERE MATERIALIZED SUDDENLY OUT OF THE THIN AND ILL SMELLING AIR FIGURES OF PERHAPS A DOZEN MONSTROUS CREATURES I SHOULD EAT SO LATE MAKE THEM REEL FAST THEN I'M ON MY WAY WHO IS CENSUS CHIEF NOW +72a556a6-2e1e-401b-b671-a6aa3dd51d90 THIS ONE HAS PRODUCED A CRYSTAL I TOOK IT FOR AN E I CONSULATE CRAFT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN HIS FACE WAS ROSY HIS THICK BLACK CURLS WERE SMOOTHLY COMBED SUPPOSE CHILDREN CAN'T UNDERSTAND SUCH THINGS WHAT IS THE NATURE OF YOUR TROUBLE BRANDON A FIRE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT BLINKED ON IT WAS THROUGH QUANT MECHANICS THAT WE LEARNED TO APPROXIMATE THE SPEED OF LIGHT NOW IT IS PROPOSED TO MAKE IT THE SODOM AND GOMORRAH STATE PARK IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM +72b52a06-fa72-4b4e-9d49-b100da35e662 AND THE MILK WENT EVERYWHERE EXCEPT DOWN PAT'S THROAT WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO PAT WHEN THEY WERE ALL SEATED IN A ROW ON THE CUSHION OF THE CHAIR THE GIANTESS CONTINUED NOW TELL ME HOW YOU HAPPENED TO TRAVEL IN THIS DIRECTION AND WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND WHAT YOUR ERRAND IS THING WE BEGAN TO BREATHE EASIER WE BOUGHT IT FROM JERRY COWAN HE FOUND IT IN A RED COVERED HISTORY OF THE WORLD IT SAYS IT'S GOD'S PICTURE SAID FELIX HE READ THE CODE WORDS CAREFULLY SHAPING THEM WITH HIS MOUTH BUT NOT SPEAKING ALOUD THE POWER OF HIS THOUGHTS CARRYING ACROSS THE LIGHT YEARS OF DISTANCE +73053a93-09a1-41b6-8ab1-ef2ab5e25f68 MISSUS GRIGGS MAKES HIS BREAD FOR HIM AND SHE CLEANS UP HIS HOUSE NOW AND THEN PHARAOH WAS ARRAYED IN YELLOW THE PLATE HAD A SCALLOP BORDER WITH A WREATH OF GREEN LEAVES AROUND IT ONE GLIMPSE OF HIS FACE TOLD US THAT HE WAS NO BEARER OF GLAD TIDINGS HE HAD BEEN RUNNING HARD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RUBICUND INSTEAD HE WAS AS PALE AS ARE THE DEAD HE ADDED A DECISION TO GET THE BOAT BACK TO SHORE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE THE OLD MAN DROPPED LIKE A STONE AND MILLER RUN A TREADMILL FOR THIRTY FIVE YEARS LITTLE PEOPLE NOT CHILDREN LITTLE PEOPLE HOW BIG THEY HAVE TO BE +730624b5-4112-46b9-b8f9-7f08d7d7d05e IT WAS A HUGE COMFORT TO HER THAT AUNT JANET ALWAYS SAID YES AND OF COURSE AS IF THERE COULD BE NO QUESTION ABOUT IT AND THEN HE JUST PREACHED THE SERMON OVER AGAIN FROM THE BEGINNING IT IS SAID THAT THAT PARTICULAR MAN WAS NEVER KNOWN TO BE LATE FOR CHURCH AGAIN OUTSIDE IN THE OAT FIELD THEY ARE ALWAYS CHASING EACH OTHER THEY ARE THE WILD SHADOWS THE SHADOWS IN THE ORCHARD ARE THE TAME SHADOWS I SHALL NOT BE OBLIGED TO COOK FOR YOU FOR NOW YOU DO NOT EAT I SHALL NOT HAVE TO MAKE YOUR BED FOR TIN DOES NOT TIRE OR REQUIRE SLEEP WHEN WE GO TO A DANCE YOU WILL NOT GET WEARY BEFORE THE MUSIC STOPS AND SAY YOU WANT TO GO HOME THE PRINCIPLE'S THE SAME FIRST YOU LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM A THING THEN CONTROL IT AND EVENTUALLY WE LEARN TO HARNESS IT FOR A USEFUL PURPOSE HE GESTURED TOWARDS THE MAN'S CIGARETTE EVEN SO MAN STILL INSTINCTIVELY FEARS FIRE EVEN WHILE HE USES IT +7325f170-e81a-4c0b-bcf1-34bae8e65b23 IT ISN'T ANY USE FOR ME TO TRY TO LEARN TO COOK SAID SHE DON'T SOUND A BIT LIKE OTHER CLOCKS AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT AND THE SOUND KIND OF MUFFLED FARMER FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN POINTING AND RAY CLUMPED SLOWLY IN A HALF CIRCLE IT WAS A PICTURE OF MILTON BOROUGH BUT SHE WAS AS WHITE AS HER VEIL THESE ARE THE TOMBS OF THE KINGS I HAVE CONQUERED WITH HIS VISOR DOWN RIDING ON A WHITE HORSE NO IT WOULD BE NO USE TO TRY MISSUS FRUIT HAD BEEN A SCHOOLTEACHER AND SHE WAS VERY PARTICULAR AS TO HOW PEOPLE TALKED AND THE GRAMMAR THEY USED +7346be9f-dd04-46f8-93f9-d293c499b12a WHEN HE SAID HE HAD COME TO MARRY THE PRINCESS EVERYONE LAUGHED FOR HE HAD NO RETINUE AND NO BEAUTIFUL APPAREL AND NO GOLDEN CROWN NO BUT THE CARLISLE PEOPLE WILL I WISH I HAD A FAMILY PLOT MAKE HER TO MAKE HER HAPPY WOOT THE WANDERER THINKS I OUGHT TO REWARD HER FOR BEING FAITHFUL TO ME AFTER MY NEAT BODY WAS CHOPPED TO PIECES AND I BECAME TEN BUT IT SEEMED SPACIOUS ENOUGH FOR FOUR THREE PALLETS LAY AGAINST THE FAR WHITE WALL HE THOUGHT OF SEVERAL THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE SUNNYSIDE OF LIFE AND DECIDED ON NONE OF THEM WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT A SACRILEGE MEANT BUT WE KNEW THAT MISTER MILWOOD HAD DECLARED THAT THE PICTURE WAS NOT LIKE GOD +734d660c-ed5f-46ad-a4f6-a5f5e2f479cf THE MINUTES TICKED BY ENDLESSLY BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL ELEVEN YEARS AFTER THAT DATE THAT THEY ACHIEVED A SIGNAL TRIUMPH SHE SAID IT WAS BETTER TO WASTE APPLES ALONE THAN APPLES AND SUGAR TOO WOULD IT BE PROPER TO TELL A DREAM LIKE THAT BEFORE THE GIRLS I'M GOING TO DO PENANCE ALL DAY FOR COAXING SARA TO DISOBEY HER MOTHER SHE ANNOUNCED WITH CHASTENED TRIUMPH AND I VOW PADDY WOULD LICK HIS CHOPS WITH DELIGHT BUT TO BE CALLED A SWEET CAT +7374f872-935f-49e8-b548-ea6e4e5c7ce1 THEY SPENT MOST OF THE DAY SWEATING THE HEAVY BOX UP THROUGH THE NARROW TEMPLE STAIRS AND I ENJOYED A GOOD SLEEP OH THE STORY GIRL SHOOK HER HEAD IMPATIENTLY THERE'S NO USE TRYING TO MAKE SUCH THINGS OUT WE ONLY GET MORE MIXED UP ALL THE TIME LET'S LEAVE IT ALONE AND I'LL TELL YOU A STORY WE WATCHED HER WHITE CLAD FIGURE PASS THROUGH THE GATE AND ENTER THE FRONT DOOR A FEW MINUTES PASSED OR A FEW YEARS WE COULD NOT HAVE TOLD WHICH THEN CICELY CAME RUNNING AT FULL SPEED BACK TO US WHEN SHE REACHED US SHE TREMBLED SO MUCH AT FIRST SHE COULD NOT SPEAK WHILE SO EMPLOYED SHE CONTRIVED TO UPSET THE CANDLE AND SET FIRE TO HER NIGHTGOWN A BRAND NEW ONE TRIMMED WITH ANY QUANTITY OF CROCHET LACE A HUGE HOLE WAS BURNED IN IT AND WHEN AUNT JANET DISCOVERED IT SHE LIFTED UP HER VOICE WITH NO UNCERTAIN SOUND +73a722fc-8e8b-4848-a6e2-ff9c938fc1b9 SOMETHING BIT HIM ON THE ARM HE DISCOVERED RAY'S FINGERS IN THE DRIVING GLOVE DIGGING INTO HIS FLESH IN AN AMAZINGLY POWERFUL GRIP FARMER HUNCHED HIS SHOULDERS TRYING TO BREAK LOOSE AND THEN HE SAW WHAT RAY WAS STARING AT THAT WE COULD CONTROL NEXT HE SAID THEIR MOON WAS CERANNA CRUSOE TRANSLATED AS A LIMB OF VICTORY AFTER THAT IT JUST FELL INTO PLACE HOW THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF THEIR EYES DOESN'T THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU I WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL YONA MURDERED HE PASSED THE COIN OVER THE OLD WOMAN'S HAND SNATCHED IT AND CLOSED ON IT WHERE MIGHT I FIND THIS FAMILY HE SAID IT IS NOW LATE IN THE AFTERNOON THE OLD WOMAN SAID PERHAPS THEY ARE AT HOME DEAR SORROWFUL LITTLE PEOPLE I BRING YOU GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY SHE SAID THE DOCTOR HAS JUST BEEN HERE AND HE FINDS PETER MUCH BETTER AND THINKS HE WILL PULL THROUGH AFTER ALL +73addf05-80e8-4de3-8242-8feb24907cfc APPARENTLY THE FEASTMAN THOUGHT NOTHING AT ALL OF HIS STATE OF NUDITY AGAIN SHE CAME TO A DECISION QUICKLY AND THE JUDGE HAD GOTTEN A NASTY CRACK ON THE HEAD THERE'S LOTS OF FOLKS CAN MAKE BREAD BUT THERE ISN'T MANY WHO CAN TELL A STORY LIKE YOU HE DID NOT LOOK LIKE AN AWKWARD MAN THERE IN THE HEART OF THE MAPLE WOODS RATE ITSELF SAID ORNE AN ANCIENT TERRAN LANGUAGE CORRUPTION OF HORN STOPPED ON TO NUB'S ORDER AND THEY WAITED ALMOST TEN MINUTES BEFORE PROCEEDING BUT WE DID NOT THINK HER PRETTY AROUND HER LONG WHITE FACE RATHER TOO LONG AND TOO WHITE FELL SLEEK DARK BROWN CURLS TIED ABOVE EITHER EAR WITH ROSETTES OF SCARLET RIBBON +73f96d11-538a-4bf7-a020-fb3012a75f81 OUR CURIOSITY HAD LED US INTO SOME HOLY OF HOLIES NOT TO BE PROFANED BY HUMAN EYES BUT OF COURSE I MEAN TO THANK GOD WHEN I SAY MY PRAYERS TO NIGHT THAT'S ONLY DECENT WHAT GOOD WOULD BEING TWINS DO YOU ASKED PETER AND SMOTHERED IN THE LUSCIOUS MAPLE SUGAR SAUCE WHICH CECILY HAD COMPOUNDED NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS I SAID DEFIANTLY AND THE LETTER THE STORY GIRL READ TO US AND SHE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP IN CARLISLE ON THIS VERY FARM HE WENT ON LOOKING AT HIS HANDS THERE WAS BITTERNESS IN HIS MIND BITTERNESS THAT HE CHANGED TO HATE I ALSO WISH HE SAID SMOOTHLY TO PAY FOR ANY HELP I MAY RECEIVE SUCH AS THE ANSWERING OF AN INNOCENT QUESTION +7402ebed-b527-49af-b20e-913f23100f31 DAN WAS THE OLDEST HE WAS MY AGE THIRTEEN HE WAS A LEAN FRECKLED FELLOW WITH RATHER LONG LANK BROWN HAIR AND THE SHAPELY KING NOSE WE RECOGNIZED IT AT ONCE HE FINALLY PUT THEM DOWN SHAKING HIS HEAD I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ANY BATTLESHIP THESE ARE THE PLANS FOR A NEW CARGO LINA THOSE ARE MY INITIALS I RECALL PUTTING THEM THERE HIS SECTRE WAS THE SANTA MAGDALENA A SCRAP OF BALD HEADED AND DESOLATE MOUNTAINS STEEP BUT NOT HIGH AND SO TORRID IN THE AFTERNOONS THAT IT WAS SAID THAT THE OLD LAVA SOMETIMES BEGAN TO WRITHE AND FLOW AGAIN FROM THE SUN'S HEAT ALONE PHILOSOPHY FOR ONE OF THE BROTHERHOOD CLARETON THOUGHT BACK WE ARE TINY AS YET WE HAVE NO FORCE YOU CAN ADD TO THAT FORCE ADD GREATLY BUT YOU MUST BE WISE +7453c067-4a80-465a-a915-1363d13b23f5 IT WOULD BE FAR EASIER TO INSTALL A NEW POWER PLANT I THREW THE SWITCH THAT STARTED THE WATER FLOWING AGAIN THERE WAS A NICE LITTLE RELIGIOUS WAR GOING ON AROUND THE PYRAMID THAT WE COULD CONTROL ALIEN CALLS FOR FULL CONTACT TEAM WITH ALL THAT AND WHAT DO WE DO IN RETURN THEN CHANGED THE SPECKLED HEN INTO A RABBIT MAY I HAVE SOME OF YOUR STRAW ASKED THE SCARECROW I AM SO NOISY JUST NOW THAT I DISTURB MYSELF BUT CECILI HAVING TORTURED HER HAIR WITH CURL PAPERS ALL NIGHT HAD A RAMPANT BUSH OF CURLS ALL ABOUT HER HEAD +746486dc-50f6-49bf-a76e-71c2426382eb OLD LAW OF SIMPLE PHYSICS IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN INTERRUPTED VIC IN AN EFFORT TO STEM THE TIDE GIANS ALL AROUND THE BUTCHER'S PEDESTAL OF ONE OF THE BUILDINGS LOOMED DIRECTLY AHEAD EXACTLY JONAS SAID HASTILY HE ENDURED THE STENCH HEROICALLY YOU'RE I'LL BE PERFECTLY ALL RIGHT YONAS SAID HE STOOD UP AN IRISHMAN WHO LIVED AT MARKDALE HAD A LITTLE PIG SHE SAID AND HE GAVE IT A PAILFUL OF MUSH +7468377e-3029-4b6d-bc32-bed9759692c1 HOW LONG IT MUST HAVE SEEMED TO HER AND AT LAST THERE CAME A LETTER BUT NOT FROM ALLAN ALLAN WAS DEAD HE HAD DIED IN CALIFORNIA AND HAD BEEN BURIED THERE WHILE MARGARET HAD BEEN THINKING OF HIM AND LONGING FOR HIM AND PRAYING FOR HIM HE HAD BEEN LYING IN HIS LONELY FAR AWAY GRAVE OH IT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE THINGS YOU KNOW ARE NOT TRUE IT WAS UNCLE EDWARD WHO TOLD ME THERE WERE NO SUCH THINGS AS FAIRIES I WAS JUST SEVEN HE IS A MINISTER SO OF COURSE I KNEW HE SPOKE THE TRUTH IT WAS HIS DUTY TO TELL ME AND I DO NOT BLAME HIM BUT I HAVE NEVER FELT QUITE THE SAME TO UNCLE EDWARD SINCE LD THE SIMIAN SHIP WAS PASSING IN HYPERDRIVE THROUGH A CLASSIC THREE BODY SYSTEM COMPRISING IN THIS CASE A FIERCELY WHITE SUN CIRCLED BY A FAINTER COMPANION AND A SINGLE PLANET THAT SWUNG IN PRECISE BALANCE WHEN THE CANTHORIAN ZID BROKE OUT OF ITS CAGE IN THE SPECIMEN HOLD ONE IS SO APT TO WAKE UP JUST AS THINGS GET INTERESTING REMARKED THE STORY GIRL DISCONTENTEDLY I DREAMED LAST NIGHT THAT I HAD REALLY TRULY CURLY HAIR SAID CECILY MOURNFULLY AND OH I WAS SO HAPPY IT WAS DREADFUL TO WAKE UP AND FIND IT AS STRAIGHT AS EVER +74bc2b82-c572-4823-9cde-bf9027b55fd2 YOU ARE CAUSING A DROUGHT AND I SHALL CATCH COLD AND SNEEZE WHEN I SNEEZE I GET CROSS WHEN I CROP AND GET CROSS I'M LIABLE TO DO SOMETHING WICKED COME IN YOU FOOLISH STRANGERS COME IN ONE DAY THE YOUNG MINISTER WAS VISITING THE CRAWFORDS IN MARKDALE WHEN THEY SUDDENLY HEARD OLD MISTER SCOTT'S VOICE IN THE KITCHEN HE WASN'T GOING TO START RESCUING FAIR MAIDENS NOW EVEN IF SHE NEEDED RESCUING STILL THERE WAS SOMETHING AWFULLY ATTRACTIVE DAMN BUT HE WAS CONFUSED CHAFFAST THREE AND FOUR ON SHY SHIFT IN THE FORWARD CONTROL CUBICLE MIGHT HAVE FALLEN AS EASILY IF THE MENTAL SCREAMINGS OF THEIR FELLOWS HAD NOT WORN THEM IN TIME +74daeff5-0e8f-4df0-9fd3-99752d7eb29c I OBSERVED THEN FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE WATCH MY CLOTHING AND EVEN MY HAND WERE NOT REAL THEY WERE LIKE THE REST OF THE THINGS IN THIS MONSTROUS STATE THAT VIC CALLED IN FROM MEDIA I LEFT IT THREE AFTER TEN IT'S NOW FOURTEEN MINUTES OF ELEVEN GOOD LORD LESS THAN AN HOUR SINCE I STOOD THERE IN YOUR LABORATORY UNCLE BLAIR WAS SPENDING THE SUMMER IN SWITZERLAND AND THE LETTER THE STORY GIRL READ TO US AMONG THE FAIR FRAIL WHITE LADIES OF THE WALK WHERE THE WEST WIND CAME NOW WITH A SIGH AND AGAIN WITH A RUSH AND THEN BRUSHED OUR FACES AS SOFTLY AS THE DOWN OF A THISTLE WAS FULL OF THE GLAMOUR OF MOUNTAIN RIMMED LAKES AND PURPLE CHALEES AND SNOWY SUMMITS OLD IN STORY THE SLICES WERE SMOOTH AND GOLDEN AND SMOTHERED IN THE LUSCIOUS MAPLE SUGAR SAUCE WHICH CECILY HAD COMPOUNDED WERE VERY FAIR TO VIEW NEVERTHELESS ALTHOUGH NONE OF US NOT EVEN UNCLE ROGER OR FELICITY SAID A WORD AT THE TIME FOR FEAR OF HURTING THE STORY GIRL'S FEELINGS THE PUDDING DID NOT TASTE EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD DONALD AND NEIL NANCY AND BETTY WERE THERE IN THE ROOM WITH US WE SAW THE FLASHES OF EXPRESSION ON THEIR FACES WE HEARD THEIR VOICES ANGRY OR TENDER MOCKING OR MERRY IN LOWLAND AND HIGHLAND ACCENT WE REALIZED ALL THE MINGLED COQUETRY AND FEELING AND DEFIANCE AND ARCHNESS IN BETTY SHERMAN'S DARING SPEECH WE HAD EVEN FORGOTTEN ABOUT MISTER CAMPBELL THAT GENTLEMAN IN SILENCE TOOK OUT HIS WALLET EXTRACTED A NOTE THEREFROM AND HANDED IT GRAVELY TO THE STORY GIRL +74ef0670-9069-49c6-9ae2-917b338b3bdc WITH NO ADVERSE EFFECTS AT ALL ELSE IT WOULD NOT HAVE ATTACHED ITSELF TO A CONVENIENT HUMAN HE WAS DISTURBED BY THE REALIZATION THAT HE WOULDN'T BE SEEN JENIFER WHERE DO YOU GO DEMANDED TO NUBE BARKED IN ORDER TO THE JUNGLE GLOOM THEN CLIMBED IN BEHIND ORAN WE CRIED OVER THE PATHOS OF A PARTING WHOSE ANGUISH HAD BEEN STILLED FOR MANY YEARS MARGARET WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS A DREAM WITH SOFT BLUE EYES AND CLOUDS OF GOLDEN HAIR PETER WAS BY WAY OF SKULKING SHAMEFACEDLY PAST INTO THE SHADOWS PETER EAGERLY GRASPED HER HAND +75022a12-509b-4ae5-95eb-abb69d2b35bf WE ARE GOING TO GIVE UP THE SEARCH ARE WE SIR ASKED THE RADIO MAN IT WOULD SERVE US ALL RIGHT THE COLONEL STOPPED PACING AND FACED THE RADIO MAN THE DOOR TO INSKIPT'S PRIVATE QUARTERS IS AN OLD FASHIONED TUMBLER DRUM THAT WAS EVEN EASIER TO PICK THEM MY TEETH I MUST HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT DOOR WITHOUT BREAKING A STEP I HAD SENT HIM A PYGRAM ABOUT THE THEFT BUT THERE WAS NO ANSWER AS YET MAYBE THE IDENTITY OF THE THIEVES WOULD STIR SOME RESPONSE OUT OF HIM THEIR THIN LEGS SEEMED TO BUCKLE AT THE KNEES THEIR ARMS DROOPED FROM THEIR SHOULDERS THEIR MOUTHS SAGGED AT THE CORNERS AND EVEN THEIR HUGE EARS HUNG DOWN LIKE A HOUND'S BUT IT IS TIME FOR US TO BE OFF AND I AM EAGER TO START BECAUSE I SUPPOSE THAT THAT POOR MUNCHKIN GIRL IS ANXIOUSLY AWAITING MY COMING +751e09cd-04f8-4c2a-b07f-64d415af5951 AT LEAST ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS I AM SURPRISED AT YOU FELICITY KING SAID CECILIA SEVERELY NONE WE HAVE DISCOVERED THE WOMAN JONAS THOUGHT WAS FULL TO THE EYEBROWS WITH WORDS I CAN ONLY PRAY THAT YOU DO NOT BETRAY THAT TRUST HE PUSHED HIS CHAIR BACK FROM THE DESK AND RIGHT NOW I'M WALKING AROUND IN YOUR PRECIOUS PLANET LIKE A BOY'S SCOUT FINALLY HE SCRAMBLED DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAVA SHEET AND CONTINUED ON TOWARD THE WRECK SO IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY AND TEA IS READY AND MOTHER SENDS TO COME IN OUR OWN PRECIOUS LITTLE IDENTITIES UNCHANGED +754f3264-36c3-4293-b382-bc4d9da82f7a UNDER A SENSATIONAL HEADLINE THE LAST TRUMP WILL SOUND AT TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW WAS A PARAGRAPH TO THE EFFECT THAT THE LEADER OF A CERTAIN NOTED SECT IN THE UNITED STATES HAD PREDICTED THAT AUGUST TWELFTH WOULD BE THE JUDGMENT DAY AND THAT ALL HIS NUMEROUS FOLLOWERS WERE PREPARING FOR THE DREAD EVENT BY PRAYER FASTING AND THE MAKING OF APPROPRIATE WHITE GARMENTS FOR ASCENSION ROBES FIFTY CENTS WOULD BE PRETTY DEAR FOR ANY OTHER PICTURE BUT OF COURSE THIS IS DIFFERENT SAID DAN AND THERE'S A PICTURE OF EDEN THROWN IN TWO YOU KNOW ADDED FELICITY FANCY SELLING GOD'S PICTURE SAID CECILY IN A SHOCKED AWED TONE NOBODY BUT A COUN WOULD DO IT AND THAT'S A FACT SAID DAN PARON MISTER BUTLER AND MISS HOPE ARE SAFE EVERYTHING'S EXPLAINED IN THIS NOTE YOU AND MISSUS PARIN ARE TO LEAVE ME HERE AND NOT DISTURB ANYTHING DO NOTHING AT ALL FOR AT LEAST A WEEK IF WE AREN'T ALL BACK HERE BEFORE THAT TIME EVERYTHING WAS JUST AS FATHER HAD DESCRIBED IT WE FELT THAT WE HAD COME HOME LEAVING EXILE BEHIND US +756edc6b-e7fa-47a5-9a83-c4609bc328c0 PETE VIC WAS WHISPERING EXCITEDLY IN MY EAR WAS THE HIDEOUS GRINNING FACE OF THE IDOL CAN WE GET IN THROUGH THE WINDOWS THE BRIDGES WOVE BACK AND FORTH FROM BUILDING TO BUILDING UNTIL THE ENTIRE VISIBLE NETWORK APPEARED TO BE ONE GIGANTIC HE WIPED HIS FACE WITH ONE HAND BUT HE HARDLY THOUGHT OF ESCAPING MISSUS SHARP CAME BACK TO THE HUT EARLY ONE DAY THROUGH A FRIGHTENED GLANCE AT YONAH SITTING IN A CORNER DOING NOTHING AT ALL AND LEFT THEN HE CREPT OUT AND IN THE DARK BELT AROUND UNTIL HE CAUGHT HOLD OF THE APRON AND THAT WAS THE LAST I EVER SAW OF HIM +757dd37d-f1a8-49e1-9bdd-dc2f4dcde876 FELIX PRAYED EARNESTLY THAT HE MIGHT BE ENABLED TO EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT MAKING A FACE AND WHEN HE HAD PRAYED THREE NIGHTS AFTER THIS MANNER HE CONTRIVED TO EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT A GRIMACE UNTIL HE CAME TO THE LAST BITE WHICH PROVED TOO MUCH FOR HIM FELICITY AND CECILY WERE VOID OF OFFENCE TOWARDS ALL MEN THE STORY GIRL WALKED UPRIGHTLY LIKE INCARNATE FLAME IN HER CRIMSON SILK THERE HIS HEAD PILLOWED HARDLY ON UNCLE ROGER'S BOOTS LADY JIMMIE PATTERSON STILL SOUND ASLEEP WELL I'LL BE JIGGERED SAID UNCLE ROGER I KNEW HE NEVER WENT OUT OF THE DOOR CRIED DAN TRIUMPHANTLY WHAT DO YOU WANT THESE WERE THE FIRST WORDS PEPPER HAD SPOKEN SINCE HIS FIRST THREATS I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ARRANGE A DEAL SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE PROFITABLE TO BOTH OF US BUT LET ME FIRST SHOW YOU THE REST OF THE BOMBS SO YOU WON'T GET ANY STRANGE IDEAS ABOUT CORPORATING +7593c213-b572-4483-9a84-0f4f5c721d75 WHAT ARE YOU GETTING AT HE MUMBLED AS HE RAN HIS EYES OVER THE BRUNTS THIS IS AN ORDINARY HEAVY CARGO AND PASSENGER JOB IT'S NO MORE A WAR LORD BATTLESHIP THAN I AM I DON'T KNOW ABOUT HIS FEELING SAID FELICITY WITH AN ANGRY TOSS OF HER SHINING HEAD BUT I GUESS I MADE HIS EARS TINGLE ALL RIGHT I BOX HIM GOOD AND HARD OH FELICITY WHAT FOR THE NIGHT WAS SCENTED AND MYSTERIOUS THE WIND WAS PLAYING AN EERIE FLESHLESS MELODY IN THE WREATHS OF THE BROOK BELOW THE SKY WAS DARK AND STARRY AND ACROSS IT THE MILKY WAY FLUNG ITS SHIMMERING MISTY RIBBONS I'D NOT ALLOW YOU TO EAT THE DEAR LITTLE THINGS DECLARED POLYCHROMELY CANARY WELL THREE OR FOUR SQUIRRELS THEN PLEADED THE JAGUAR DO YOU THINK ME SO CRUEL +75f66521-5cb3-4c2c-8554-e1fc162de046 WE'LL SEND EXPERTS IN HERE TEACH YOU PEOPLE HOW TO EXPLOIT YOUR PLANET HOW TO BUILD GOOD TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES HOW SHOW YOU HOW TO MIND YOUR MINERALS HOW TO AND WHAT DO WE DO IN RETURN WHISPERED TO UBE YOU COULD START BY TEACHING US HOW YOU MAKE SUPERIOR GLASS SAID ORAN I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU SEE THINGS OUR WAY WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME DOWN HERE AND CLEAN YOU OUT SINCE HE WAS FLYING AN UNDER MANNED BATTLESHIP HE HAD USED IT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY POSSIBLE IF HE ATTEMPTED TO NEGOTIATE OR THREATEN ANOTHER SHIP THE ELEMENT OF CHANCE WOULD BE INTRODUCED SO HE HAD SIMPLY ROARED UP TO UNSUSPECTING FREIGHTER AND BLASTED OVER THE MONSTER GUNS HIS BATTLESHIP PACKED ALL EIGHTEEN MEN ABOARD HAD BEEN KILLED INSTANTLY THE THIEVES WERE NOW MURDERERS IT IS A PLACE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE REMARKED THE SCARECROW AS THEY APPROACHED A DENSE FOREST THE INHABITANTS MAY BE PEOPLE OF SOME SORT OR THEY MAY BE ANIMALS BUT WHATEVER THEY PROVE TO BE WE WILL HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY CHARLEY TO DOROTHY AND OZMA ON OUR RETURN THERE IS NO MORE SAID THE STORY GIRL THAT WAS THE END OF IT THE END OF EVERYTHING FOR MARGARET IT DIDN'T KILL HER BUT HER HEART DIED I JUST WISH I'D HOLD OF THOSE FELLOWS WHO WOULDN'T LET THE CAPTAIN TAKE HIS WIFE SAID PETER SAVAGELY WELL IT WAS AWFUL SAD SAID FELICITY WIPING HER EYES BUT IT WAS LONG AGO AND WE CAN'T DO ANY GOOD BY CRYING OVER IT NOW LET US GO AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT I MADE SOME NICE LITTLE RHUBARB TARTS THIS MORNING +75f774c5-14cb-41ec-bfc5-567c763e5296 CECILY HOW OLD MUST WE BE BEFORE WE CAN HAVE A REAL BEAU BUT WE AIN'T SAID FELIX CANDIDLY I WOULDN'T BE MUCH SCARED OF ANYTHING REAL BUT A HAUNTED HOUSE IS A DIFFERENT THING I ALWAYS THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE IN A PLACE BEFORE IT COULD BE HAUNTED SAID CECILY THE DISEMBODIED VOICE OF RHINHARD REPLIED QUIETLY ASTRO ONE THIS IS BRANDON COME IN BRANDON'S VOICE SOUNDED STRANGE AND DISTANT AS HE TALKED TO HIS OXYGEN MASK I DON'T BELIEVE IT IT'S THE JUDGMENT DAY SAID FELIX AND I NEVER HAVE BELIEVED IT BUT OH I WISH THAT CLOCK WOULD STRIKE TWO AND PARTLY BECAUSE SARA RAY WHO LIVES AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL SO FAR AS WE KNEW SOFT FEATHERY GOLDEN CURLS +76783344-ed8a-45fd-8693-c5b1e129e6d8 HE HAD LINGERED BEHIND TO PLUCK A THORN FROM THE FOOT OF A BEGGAR CHILD HE HAD MET ON THE HIGHWAY THE CREW AND PASSENGERS OF THE FANNY REFUSED TO LET CAPTAIN DUNBAR TAKE HIS WIFE WITH HIM HE DROPPED HIS HAND SAID I TAKE IT THERE'S BEEN A HEAVY MUTATIONAL VARIATION ORAN TOUCHED HIS THROAT NO AND AS A MAID IS WON BY FAITH FIGURE AND DARING AND A WIFE BY RICHES POSITION OR PROSPECTS THERE WAS A NOTABLY PAUCITY OF LICEN LADIES IN JONAS'S CAREER AND SINCE THERE ARE NO WIZARDS AT LEAST THAT'S BECAUSE I'M NOT PROPERLY STUFFED HE ASSURED HER TRUE REPLIED THE TIN WOODMAN THAT'S MY NAME REPLIED THE GIRL LOOKING AT THEM IN COLD SURPRISE +76a922e1-4c20-4ccf-b883-3cc86c706cc3 THOU MOCKEST ME MUTTERED VING SULLENLY NO MORTAL COULD CROSS THAT FLOOD OH MASTER HE PRAYED TURNING BESEECHINGLY TO ODIN THOU DIDST PROMISE ME ETERNAL LIFE AS TO THE OTHERS WILT THOU NOT KEEP THAT PROMISE COMMAND THE WARDER TO LET ME PASS HE MUST OBEY THEE WHEN HE GETS VERY OLD CONTINUED THE STORY GIRL THE PRESBYTERY THOUGHT IT WAS TIME HE WAS RETIRED HE DIDN'T THINK SO BUT THE PRESBYTERY HAD THEIR WAY BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY OF THEM TO ONE OF HIM THE BOYS ALL THINK SO SAID THE STORY GIRL NOT I FANCIED QUITE WELL PLEASED AND I SUPPOSE SHE IS SHE IS A SPLENDID COOK TOO THOUGH SHE IS ONLY TWELVE A QUEEN OF HEARTS I WAKENED SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE HE WASN'T QUALIFIED HE COULDN'T READ A MAP HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A MAP WAS HE ONLY GRINNED WHEN THEY TOLD HIM THAT NORTH WAS AT THE TOP +7708df1a-60d0-4049-bf40-e3a2014c9159 OH NO THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO DANGER INVOLVED SUPPOSE IT'S BOBBING IN THE DARK ONE SHIP WHEN A THOUSAND LIGHT YEARS OUT FATHER COULD TALK WELL THAT WAS ALL HER OWN THEY HAD NEVER KNOWN HIM VERY INTIMATELY RUSHED UP AND SEIZED THE AXE AND CHOPPED MY BODY THANK YOU SAID WHUT THE WANDERER STILL EATING DURING THESE LAST FEW MOMENTS NONE HAD PAID MUCH ATTENTION TO THE PRISONERS HE HAD SMALL ALMOST HIDDEN EYES THAT SEEMED TO SEE A GREAT DEAL THAT FAILED COMPLETELY TO MAKE A FUSS ABOUT THE FACT +7713ad85-63a7-4b1d-a033-08b757135029 I FELT HER SKINNY HAND REACH OUT AND CLUTCH MY SHOULDER I LET OUT A SCREECH AND WOKE UP DON'T GO TO THE MISSIONARY MEETING TO NIGHT WHERE ELSE SHOULD SHE HAVE CAUGHT THEM SAID FELICITY MERCILESSLY I NOW HOW WAS THAT WHEN IT HELD A WHOLE PAILFUL OF MUSH EVEN IF SOME OF THE INVENTIONS THEY WORKED OUT SO FAR HAVEN'D THEM TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO LIVE ON NICELY AFTER ALL JOHN ANDREW GULPED BUT FARMER FELT AS MUCH OF IT AS HE WANTED THE NEXT TIME WE MET THINGS WERE GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT IN THE SAFETY OF MY HOTEL SUITE I MADE A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND PERSONALITY +772039c5-c365-4b42-92fe-af38b29f7ddf I WATCHED THE PRIESTS THROUGH THE PRY EYE WHILE THEY TRIED TO OPEN IT WHEN THEY HAD GIVEN UP I BOOMED ORDERS AT THEM THROUGH THE SPEAKER IN THE CRATE THEY SPENT MOST OF THE DAY SWEATING THE HEAVY BOX UP THROUGH THE NARROW TEMPLE STAIRS AND I ENJOYED A GOOD SLEEP THERE WERE NO PATHS BUT THE WAY WAS QUITE OPEN AND CLEAR AND THEY WERE DRAWING NEAR TO THE DWELLING WHEN BOOT THE WANDERER WHO WAS THEN IN THE LEAD OF THE LITTLE PARTY HALTED WITH SUCH AN ABRUPT JERK THAT HE STUMBLED OVER BACKWARD AND LAY FLAT ON HIS BACK IN THE MEADOW UNCLE ROGER LOOKED QUIZZICALLY AT FELICITY WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HIS QUOTATIONS MEANT BUT WE UNDERSTOOD HE THOUGHT PETER WAS GOING TO CHURCH BECAUSE OF FELICITY I WANT THAT SHIP BACK BRANDON REPEAT I WANT THAT SHIP BACK I MAY BE ABLE TO WRITE IT DOWN GET ON THE DECK INTACT +7737eee6-dd5b-4396-a98c-64645893a03d GIVE HIM A NAME ANYHOW AND GET HIM COUNTED WE GOT TO GET TO THAT TEN THOUSAND MARK MY BEACON WAS NOT ONLY LOCKED INSIDE A MOUNTAIN OF HAND MADE STONE BUT I HAD MANAGED TO IRRITATE THE THINGS WHO HAD BUILT THE PYRAMID A GREAT BEGINNING FOR A JOB AND ONE CLEARLY DESIGNED TO DRIVE A STRONGER MAN THAN ME TO THE BOTTLE NORMALLY A REPAIR MAN STAYS AWAY FROM NATIVE CULTURES THEY ARE POISON HALF AN HOUR LATER NEIL CAMPBELL RUSHED INTO THE SHERMAN KITCHEN AND OH HOW ANGRY HE WAS WE'RE NOT FIGHTING SAID FELICITY AND I LIKE AUNT OLIVIA BUT MY MOTHER IS JUST AS GOOD AS AUNT OLIVIA THERE NOW SOON AFTER WE WERE AT SUPPER IN THE KITCHEN WITH ITS LOW DARK RAFTERED CEILING FROM WHICH SUBSTANTIAL HAMS AND FLITCHES OF BACON WERE HANGING +77720701-5864-4cbc-80c0-da591988850e NOW I HAD TO KEEP PUSHING UNTIL HE FELL THIS MEANT I HAD TO THINK AS HE DID FALL INTO HIS PLAN THINK HEAD THEN TRAP HIM SET A THIEF TO CATCH A THIEF PERHAPS SHE FORGAVE HIM THE MORE EASILY BECAUSE HE HAD JUSTIFIED HER IN HER PREDICTIONS AND THUS AFFORDED HER A DECIDED TRIUMPH OVER THE STORY GIRL I WOULD MUCH RATHER TAKE A CHANCE OF BREAKING THROUGH NEAR SOME STAR THAN SPEND TIME JUST BARRELING THROUGH NORMAL SPACE BUT APPARENTLY TECH KNOWS THIS TOO FARMER'S MIND WORKED CHAOTICALLY +77a184e4-ae54-42b3-9536-cdbe768b2f99 THEY SAID HIGH PLANES HAD NOWHERE NEAR THAT MANY PEOPLE AND THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A MISCOUNT CERTAINLY BETTER THAN ANY MAP MAKER TOPSY THE CAT OF WHICH FATHER HAD TALKED HAD FLOURISHED THIRTY YEARS BEFORE AND ALL HER NINE LIVES COULD SCARCELY HAVE LASTED SO LONG THERE WAS A NOSE AND TAIL RADAR IN THE EYE AND I FED THEIR SIGNALS INTO A SCOPE AS AN AMPLITUDE CURVE THIS WAS A FAVORITE SPOT THAT DREW A GOOD CROWD DURING THE DAY I WASN'T GOING TO PLAY WITH THE FUEL PROBLEM AT ALL AND AUNT JULIA WHOSE VOICE WAS TO DELIGHT THOUSANDS SANG HER EARLIEST MAGICALS THERE +77beaa2e-dd4f-4bf3-a064-04f2e44641c1 THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A FOREST PRESERVE OUT OF THE PLACE NOW IN ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT IT HIS PART OF THE SENSES WAS FINISHED HE PICKED HIS WAY CAUTIOUSLY WHILE FARTHER AWAY IT SHOULD HAVE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME CONDITIONS AS DID THE EARTH BUT UNCLE BLAIR COULD DO AT LEAST ONE THING SURPASSINGLY WELL WE THOUGHT THAT LEE SAID WAS SOONEST MENDED IN SUCH A MATTER ON THE FURTHER SIDE OF IT WAS A THICK PLANTATION OF SLENDER SILVER BIRCHES AND WHISPERING POPLARS AND BEYOND IT WAS UNCLE ROGER'S HOUSE +77c3bb99-310e-4ee1-be0f-2b3a09d37eb3 THE FARMER LOOKED AT GARF AGAIN WITH FEAR AND AWE AND THE BEASTMAN LOOKED BACK WITH COLD AMUSEMENT BUT NOT FOR LONG GARF TURNED TO THE JUDGE'S INVENTION AND STARTED TO SHOW SOME GENUINE INTEREST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE HAD SHOWED UP HOWEVER I AM SURE I CAN RESTORE THE SCARECROW TO HIS ORIGINAL SHAPE HE WAS STUFFED WITH STRAW FROM THE BEGINNING EVEN THE YUKE OF WHOM MAGIC COULD NOT ALTER THAT CECILY HAD A PACKET OF VISITING CARDS WHICH SHE WAS HOARDING AGAINST THE DAY WHEN SHE WOULD BE GROWN UP AND COULD PUT THE CALLING ETIQUETTE OF THE FAMILY GUIDE INTO PRACTICE BUT SHE GENEROUSLY GAVE US ALL ONE APIECE FOR THE COVERS OF OUR DREAM BOOKS THEY ARE NOT INTELLIGENT THINGS THAT WOULD KILL A MAN OF OUR OWN WORLD HAVE NO EFFECT ON THEM FOR REMEMBER THEY ARE NOT PHYSICAL BEINGS YOU HAVE SEEN THEM APPEAR OUT OF THIN AIR AND DISSOLVE IN THE SAME FASHION +7813fdda-b9f6-47b0-a4c6-f60494d91e9e WAIT COLONEL TOWERS BRANDON CALLED BUT HE KNEW IT WAS OF NO USE OBVIOUSLY HE COULD PICK UP ASTRO BUT THEY COULD NEITHER SEE NOR HEAR HIM CAPTAIN BRANDON THIS IS ASTRO CALLING OVER WE LEAN ON WEAK REEDS CHAFFEE THREE SAID CREATURES WHO COLLAPSE WITH TERROR AT THE MERE PROJECTION OF A ZID CAN BE OF LITTLE ASSISTANCE IN RECAPTURING ONE THE IDEA APPEALED TO US AND THE DAY BEING SATURDAY AND THE APPLES ALL PICKED WE BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE ORCHARD TO COMPOSE OUR EPISTLES CECILY HAVING FIRST SENT WORD BY A CONVENIENT CALLER TO SARA RAY THAT SHE TOO MIGHT HAVE A LETTER READY IF YOU DESIRE IT PROMISED THE TIN WOODMAN LEANING BACK IN HIS TIN THROAT AND CROSSING HIS TIN LEGS +781bbe5c-843b-458b-9944-c8737e92a2c4 NOTHING LIKE THAT EVER HATCHED OUT ON COLLAXIA SAID JENOFER I LOST MY HEAD AND GROUNDED THE QUEEN AND IT VANISHED MOMENTARILY PINNING THE ZID'S THRESHING FORELEM FELIX TRIED TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THEM AND MET THE USUAL FATE OF ALL PEASE MAKERS I WANTED TO WAIT TILL I GOT OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE OUT WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM I'M NOT SURE THAT UNCLE ROGER MEANT WHAT HE SAID REMARKED THE STORY GIRL SAID THE STORY GIRL ANXIOUSLY AND IN THEIR DEATH THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED SHE GOT IT FOR A PRIZE IN SCHOOL IN THE MAN'S BIG EYES BITTERNESS AND HOPELESSNESS GLITTERED HE WISHED FOR CLARETON SUDDENLY BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO REACH HIM SAFELY HIS VOICE WAS THE SAME ROUGH RASP BUT IT SEEMED ALMOST MECHANICAL +786875d2-fc52-42c9-9b65-c9fa22f83e05 LAST NIGHT I ATE A PIECE OF MINCE PIE SHE SAID THEY'RE NO RELATION TO ME AND THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHAT IS BOTHERING ME IS THIS FOR GOODNESS SAKE AND ALL THAT DAY THEY WERE IN THE PLEASANT WINKY COUNTRY DIDN'T YOU SAY YOU RENTED THIS BOAT FOR THE FIRST TIME TO DAY JUST AS A NONIFUS DROPPED TO THE DECK WITH A PLANK SHIVERING THUMP HE APPROACHED THE ENGINE YOU KNOW I TOLD YOU HE WAS VERY ANGRY BECAUSE THE PRESBYTERY MADE HIM RETIRE HE PROVED TO BE THE PRECURSOR OF DAN CLOTHED AND IN HIS RIGHT MIND +78687a53-e096-44d6-a419-c35687214c21 THIS IS MY KINGDOM HE'LL LIKELY DO SOMETHING AWFUL AND THEN YOU'LL FEEL ASHAMED AND WISH YOU'D NEVER ASKED HIM TO GO WHEN I'VE SETTLED WHAT I'M GOING TO BE HARROW THE WOOD FIELD AND DIG YOUR AUNT OLIVIA'S FLOWER BEDS THEN HE SAILED AWAY AGAIN AND THE SHIP WAS NEVER HEARD OF MORE NOBODY TOOK ANY NOTICE OF HER WELL THE STORY GIRL WAS RIGHT THERE IS SUCH A PLACE AS FAIRYLAND BUT ONLY CHILDREN CAN FIND THE WAY TO IT WE GAZED UP AT HER IN SILENCE FOR A FEW MOMENTS MUTTERED VING SULLENLY NO MORTAL COULD CROSS THAT FLOOD THE STORY GIRL LOOKED +78b2e747-bf8e-4be8-96d9-c8642e4c0fa5 IN THE MORNING WHEN THE FIRST WALLOWERS ARRIVED I FLIPPED ON THE RECORDER AFTER ABOUT FIVE OF THE LOCAL DAYS I HAD A SEA OF NATIVE CONVERSATION IN THE MEMORY BANK OF THE MACHINE TRANSLATOR AND TAGGED A FEW EXPRESSIONS THIS IS FAIRLY EASY TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A MACHINE MEMORY TO WORK WITH BELOW ME HEMMING ME IN WERE THE GUARDS A TRIPLE RING OF THEM THROUGH WHICH I KNEW I COULD NOT ESCAPE BEHIND ME FOR I WAS FACING THE MULTITUDE WAS THE HIDEOUS GRINNING FACE OF THE IDOL THE PRIESTS BOWED A SECOND TIME THE DETAILS RESOLVED AS FARMER STARED AT HIM THE ODDNESS ABOUT THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS BECAME FINNY CREST AND WHAT LOOKED AT FIRST LIKE A RED SKIN TIGHT COSTUME BECAME A SCALY HEIGHT FARMER REALIZED WITH A SHOCK THAT THE CREATURE WASN'T WEARING ANYTHING WELL THAT'S KIND OF COMFORTING SAID PETER SHE CAN'T BE ANY FAITH IN IT OR SHE'D BE MORE WORKED UP IF ONLY IT WASN'T PRINTED SAID DAN GLOOMILY LET'S ALL GO OVER AND ASK UNCLE ROGER SAID FELIX DESPERATELY THAT WE SHOULD MAKE UNCLE ROGER A COURT OF LAST RESORT INDICATED ALL TOO CLEARLY THE STATE OF OUR MINDS BUT WE WENT +78b4ee72-2bdd-4e22-b538-c03f3cfd4ff8 NO BUT IT IS TOPSY'S GREAT GREAT GRANDSON SAID THE STORY GIRL GRAVELY HIS NAME IS PATTY AND HE IS MY OWN PARTICULAR CAT WE HAVE BARN CATS BUT PATTY NEVER ASSOCIATES WITH THEM I AM VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH ALL CATS THEY ARE SO SLEEK AND COMFORTABLE AND DIGNIFIED AND IT IS SO EASY TO MAKE THEM HAPPY WE ALWAYS TOOK THE CORNER PATH THROUGH IT PASSING THE KING PLOT WHERE KINDRED OF FOUR GENERATIONS SLEPT IN A GREEN SOLITUDE OF WAVERING LIGHT AND SHADOW WE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL UNCLE ROGER STOPPED LAUGHING BEFORE WE HEARD THE EXPLANATION WE THOUGHT HE NEVER WOULD STOP THAT'S GRANDFATHER KING'S OLD CLOCK STRIKING HE SAID AS SOON AS HE WAS ABLE TO SPEAK SAMMY PROT CAME ALONG AFTER TEA WHEN YOU WERE AWAY TO THE FORGE PETER AND I GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO CLEAN THE OLD CLOCK HE HAD IT GOING MERRILY IN NO TIME HIS KNEES SHOOK AND PERSPIRATION CRAWLED COLD ON HIS FACE BUT HE MANAGED TO HAUL JENIFER UP WITH HIM COME OUT OF IT WILL YOU HE YELLED UNGALLANTLY IN HER EAR IF A THING LIKE THAT IS LOOSE ON THE ISLAND WE'VE GOT TO GET HELP +78bd61d4-0e60-4c9b-ba0b-9152eb035e29 I'M SURE I WON'T SLEEP A WINK TO NIGHT SAID FELIX BUT ANYHOW I'M GOING TO KEEP ON PRAYING THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO EXCITE THE STORY GIRL THE BOY SPRANG TO HIS FEET AND SUDDENLY RUSHED UPON THE GROUN WHILE A KIND HUSBAND IS SURE TO MAKE ANY GIRL CONTENT I DON'T THINK SHE DID SHE LOOKED VERY PALE AND WOEBEGONE WHEN SHE CAME DOWN TO BREAKFAST BUT FOR ALL THAT THERE WAS A CERTAIN EXHILARATION ABOUT HER NO BUT IT IS TOPSY'S GREAT GREAT GRANDSON SAID THE STORY GIRL GRAVELY HIS NAME IS PATTY AND HE IS MY OWN PARTICULAR CAT +78fa3d44-3472-408b-9ef9-1d33f26cd7a0 BUT I HAD NO BURNING DESIRE TO EAT SOUR APPLES WITHOUT GRIMACING AND I DID NOT SYMPATHIZE OVER AND ABOVE WITH MY BROTHER WHEN HOWEVER HE TOOK TO PRAYING ABOUT IT I REALIZED HOW DEEPLY HE FELT ON THE SUBJECT AND HOPED HE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL THERE STILL REMAINS THE GREEN MONKEY REMARKED THE JAGUAR HUNGRILY HE IS NEITHER MADE OF TIN NOR STUFFED WITH STRAW NOR CAN HE FLY I'M PRETTY GOOD AT CLIMBING TREES MYSELF SO I THINK I'LL CAPTURE THE MONKEY ANY IN FOR MY BREAKFAST SHE THINKS IT'S AN AWFUL WASTE BUT SHE ALWAYS GOES BY WHAT UNCLE ARTHUR SAYS OH I'VE PRAYED SO HARD THAT SOME MONEY MIGHT COME SOME WAY AND NOW IT HAS SEE WHAT PRAYING DOES I WONDER IF THE STORY GIRL IS PRETTY SAID FELIX ALOUD NO SHE ISN'T SAID DAN INSTANTLY FROM ACROSS THE ROOM +798d1bb0-2c01-4f63-95b3-001ca0c1e688 I DIDN'T TELL CECILY TO DRINK THE MILK AND THE CUCUMBER ALONE WOULDN'T HAVE HURT HER HE GRUMBLED CECILY WAS ABLE TO BE OUT WITH US AGAIN THAT DAY SO PETER FELT THAT HE MIGHT VENTURE ON A GRUMBLE I'M GOING TO GET A LOVELY DARK BLUE DRESS FOR THE WINTER IT IS EVER SO MUCH PRETTIER THAN SARA RAY'S BROWN ONE SARAY'S MOTHER HAS NO TASTE THE STORY GIRL'S FATHER IS SENDING HER A NEW RED DRESS AND A RED VELVET CAP FROM PARIS SHE IS SO FOND OF RED I CAN'T BEAR IT IT LOOKS SO COMMON NOW SARA SHE SAID YOU JUST TAKE MY ADVICE AND GO INTO THIS WITH ALL YOUR HEART IF YOU GO AT ALL NEVER MIND IF IT IS BAD THERE'S NO USE BEING NAUGHTY IF YOU SPOIL YOUR FUN BY WISHING ALL THE TIME YOU ARE GOOD YOU CAN REPENT AFTERWARDS BUT THERE IS NO USE IN MIXING THE TWO THINGS TOGETHER FEW THINGS CAN INJURE TIN AND MY AXE IS A POWERFUL WEAPON TO USE AGAINST A FOE +79a0e4f4-1de4-4a25-a6ed-197f2259dabe FELICITY AND DAN BEGAN A BICKERING WHICH THEY KEPT UP THE ENTIRE DAY NOW LOOK HERE SAID THE STORY GIRL INSTANTLY STETSON WAS POISED ON THE BALLS OF HIS FEET ALERT WHERE BARKED IN ORDER TO THE JUNGLE GLOOM THEN CLIMBED IN BEHIND ORAN ONE NIGHT SHE WOKE UP HAVING JUST HAD A VERY EXCITING DREAM AND THEN SHE TRIED GIVING THEM AWAY TO THE FRENCH HIRED MEN THE POSSIBILITIES PRAYED BEFORE HIM ON ONE HAND SUCCESS ON THE OTHER THERE WAS THE TORTURE AND DEATH OF THE INQUISITION +79c94121-ed77-4cb9-bea9-192510e89e02 SEE HERE SAID THE STORY GIRL RESOLUTELY I DON'T BELIEVE IT BUT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING TO IT SUPPOSE THERE IS THE QUESTION IS WHAT CAN WE DO I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I'D DO SAID PETER I'D TAKE A PRESENT FOR PEG AND ASK HER TO MAKE PAT WELL I WOULDN'T LET ON I THOUGHT SHE'D MADE HIM SICK HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR AN ANGEL TO GROW INTO AN ARCHANGEL PURSUED PETER OH I DON'T KNOW MILLIONS OF YEARS LIKELY THERE WEREN'T TOO MANY OF THESE AT FIRST AND THE SI MAN COULD HANDLE THEM ALL CALLING EACH IN TURN AND SENDING BY NEWS RELEASES TO THE NAVAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICES THERE AS THE SPHERE KEPT GROWING HE STARTED TO DROP BEHIND STEADILY LOSING GROUND FOUR FINGERED HANDS IT WORE A WIDE BELT FROM WHICH DANGLED NEAT POUCHES AND WHAT LOOKED LIKE TOOLS ALTHOUGH THEIR USE WAS OBSCURE +79de5378-3277-443b-887c-0b9c23eb1254 HOW ABOUT EXPLAINING SOME OF THIS AT FIRST SHE FLEW HIGH IN THE AIR AND MADE GREAT CIRCLES OVERHEAD BUT IF I REMEMBER RIGHTLY POOR NIMIA ME HAS A SHARP TONGUE WHEN ANGRY IN THE YARD WE ENCOUNTERED DAN EMERGING FROM THE FIR WOOD AND CHOPPING THE FATAL BERRIES WITH UNREPENTANT RELISH WE ROSE IN A BODY AND RUSHED TOWARDS THE HOUSE TO US FOR EVERMORE THE MILKY WAY WOULD BE WHO'S FIGHTING DEMANDED DAN FELICITY THINKS SHE CAN SAY ANYTHING SHE LIKES TO ME BUT I'LL SHOW HER DIFFERENT +7a0d6f2c-86b9-456d-a9f4-a8d359786573 THE MINISTER LOOKED AT THE PICTURE A STERN EXPRESSION CAME INTO HIS GENTLE BLUE EYES AND HE GOT AS NEAR TO FROWNING AS IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO GET WHERE DID YOU GET THAT THING HE ASKED IT WAS THE SAME NIGHT VERY LATE AND AFTER HE HAD BEEN ASLEEP THAT MARSHALL WAS AWAKENED BY THE RING OF AN AUTHORITATIVE VOICE HE WAS BEING HARANGUED BY A FOUR INCH TALL MAN ON HIS BEDSIDE TABLE A MAN OF DOMINATING PRESENCE AND ACID VOICE DO YOU SEE WHAT IT MEANS NOW YEAH I GUESS SO SAID CECILY SOMEWHAT DOUBTFULLY LATER ON WE HEARD HER IMPARTING HER NEWLY ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE TO FELICITY IN THE PANTRY AH JONAS SAID PLEASANTLY BUT YOU'RE HOME AREN'T YOU THE OLD WOMAN FROWNED AT HIM SUSPICIOUSLY NOW SHE SAID VAGUELY WELL +7a21a99f-8223-4423-8944-63d3077534a5 LIKE MANY OTHER PLANETS THIS ONE WAS UNIFORM CONSCIOUS DELIVERY BOYS STREET CLEANERS CLERKS ALL HAVE TO HAVE CHARACTERISTIC UNIFORMS MUCH PRESTIGE ATTACHED TO THEM AND MY BLACK DRESS OUTFIT SHOULD WRITE AS HIGHLY AS ANY UNIFORM IN THE GALAXY WITH THE GATHERING SHADES OF NIGHT OUR PLIGHT BECAME PITIFUL IN THE DAYLIGHT SURROUNDED BY HOMELY FAMILIAR SIGHTS AND SOUNDS IT WAS NOT SO DIFFICULT TO FORTIFY OUR SOULS WITH A CHEERING INCREDULITY NOW AND THEN HE GLANCED AT THE BRIDGE CONTROL CONSOLE THE CHRONOMETER ABOVE IT THE BIG TRANS LIKE MAP OF THEIR POSITION TILTED FROM THE OPPOSITE BULKHEAD OTHER PARTS THEY HAD BEEFED UP FIGURING THEY WOULD WEAR BUT SLOWLY THE WATER FED PIPE FROM THE ROOF FOR EXAMPLE THE PIPE WALLS WERE AT LEAST THREE METERS THICK AND THE PIPE OPENING ITSELF NO BIGGER THAN MY HEAD THERE WERE SOME THINGS I COULD DO THOUGH AND I MADE A LIST OF PARTS +7a2fda70-8557-4b5f-ba73-28163aba5000 AND TO MORROW MIGHT BE THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THEIR LAST ACCOUNTING OH IF I HAD ONLY BEEN A BETTER BOY IT IS MEAN YOU'LL HAVE TO PUT YOUR SHOES AND STOCKINGS ON WHEN YOU GO TO THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW TO NIGHT SAID FELICITY IN A TONE OF SATISFACTION I SET DOWN ON THE FRONT DOOR STEPS FOR A MOMENT AND ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A BELL RING IN THE HOUSE EIGHT TIMES I TELL YOU I WAS SKEERED I MADE A BOLT FOR THE ORCHARD AND YOU WON'T CATCH ME GOING NEAR THE HOUSE TILL YOUR UNCLE ROGER COMES HOME YOU COULDN'T CATCH ANY OF US DOING IT WE WERE ALMOST AS BADLY SCARED AS PETER JUST LOOK AT THAT BLASTED JUNGLE BARKED STETSON THEM AND THEIR STUPID ORDERS A CALL BELL TINKLED ON THE BRIDGE CONTROL CONSOLE THE RED LIGHT ABOVE THE SPEAKER GRID BEGAN BLINKING STETSON SHOT AN ANGRY GLANCE AT IT YEA HOW +7a6cca22-151c-44e1-9ad0-e92da090ca33 WHILE DOING THIS HE HAD THROWN ONE OF THE SWITCHES AND THAT HAD CAUSED THE TROUBLE I WASN'T STOPPED SO IT LOOKED ALL RIGHT WHY SHOULD I WANT OUT OF MY FIRST FIELD ASSIGNMENT I WAS HOPING TO GO TO YOUR CITY HAULED OUT A WHITE COVER ALL UNIFORM WITH GOLDEN SIGNIA KENUPH NEITHER APPLAUDED NOR LOOKED SURPRISED SHARP TURNED AND LOOKED AT HIM FULL IN THE FACE I AM SURE YOU DO HE SAID THE SIMIAN SHIP WAS PASSING IN HYPERDRIVE THROUGH A CLASSIC THREE BODY SYSTEM THE HUNDRED ODD YARDS FROM CABIN TO BEACH PASSED IN A BLUR OF SPEED +7ac993cf-653a-4104-b16b-7dc35ec1a0cd CECILY WHO WAS ELEVEN WAS PRETTY ALSO OR WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD FELICITY NOT BEEN THERE FELICITY RATHER TOOK THE COLOR FROM OTHER GIRLS IN IT SHE WAS A THING OF FIRE AND LAUGHTER AND GLOW AS IF THE SINGULAR CHARM OF HER TEMPERAMENT WERE VISIBLE AND TANGIBLE IN ITS VIVID COVERED COLORING AND SILKEN TEXTURE THE DISCOVERY RELIEVED THEM GREATLY FOR THE REASON THAT NO SERIMIAN EVEN TO SAVE HIS OWN FEATHERED SKIN WOULD HAVE SET DOWN SUCH A MONSTER AS THE ZID AMONG RATIONAL BUT VULNERABLE ENTITIES SO IT IS SAID CECILY IT ISN'T THERE ISN'T A SPECK OF SAWDUST IN THAT BOX +7ae0961a-0443-4c4e-a408-674920a22c1b ROLLED OUT OF THE CAVE AND LANDED AT HIS FEET NOT REALLY FROM PARADISE I HOPED I WASN'T BREAKING TOO MANY TABOOS BY GOING IN THERE'S NOTHING TO DO BUT FISH AND SAIL AROUND LOOKING FOR SCOOPS READY TO SHED THEIR CRYSTALS YOU'RE AN EARTH INTEREST SPY AFTER ALL SHE WAS TALL FOR HER FOURTEEN YEARS BUT SHE SAYS HE'LL NEVER GET MARRIED BECAUSE HE IS LOOKING FOR PERFECTION AND WHEN HE FINDS HER SHE WON'T HAVE HIM YOU HAVE NOT ANSWERED MY QUESTION MIGHT EVEN BE OFF THE DELPHINIS GRATSEY WAS ON THE TRAMP WASN'T ON THE TRANSLATED LIST +7b16d7d5-585a-4009-b1ba-20ee4dbf43f3 THERE WERE A FEW MINUTES WHILE THE WATER BEGAN TO GURGLE DOWN THROUGH THE DRY PIPE THEN A ROAR CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE PYRAMID THAT MUST HAVE SHAKEN ITS STONE WALLS SHAKING MY HANDS OVER MY HEAD I WENT DOWN FOR THE EYE BURNING CEREMONY THE BLIND LIZARDS WERE WAITING FOR ME BY THE DOOR AND LOOKED EVEN UNHAPPIER THAN USUAL HE SAID BRINGING YOU ALONG THE BALD MAN TOLD HIM THE BLACK HAIRED MAN NODDED VERY SLOWLY GURR HE SAID YONAS SIGHED AND WENT FORWARD TO MEET THE TWO BIG MEN LEAVING MISSUS SHARP SOBBING IN THE BACKGROUND WHEN SHE HEARD OUR NEWS HOWEVER SHE HAD THE DECENCY TO SAY SHE WAS GLAD AND TO PROMISE SHE WOULD CONVEY THE GOOD TIDINGS TO SARAH WHO IS ALREADY IN BED WHERE ALL CHILDREN OF HER AGE SHOULD BE ADDED MISSUS RAY SEVERELY ALIEN ANY SIGN OF THAT MOB NEGATIVE O K WE'RE TAKING OFF +7c3c17bc-2e9c-45ab-a880-b90c02ad56ba SO HE HAD SIMPLY ROARED UP TO UNSUSPECTING FREIGHTER AND BLASTED OVER THE MONSTER GUNS HIS BATTLESHIP PACKED BIG SMALL FLAT THIN THOUGH SHUT OUT ON ALL SIDES WE BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE GRANARY LIGHTED A HUGE LANTERN WHICH DAN HAD MADE OUT OF A TURNIP AND PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR ALL THE APPLES WE MIGHT HAVE EATEN THROUGH THE DAY BUT HAD NOT WE SHOULD NOT EVEN TRY TO THINK WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE SO OF COURSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY DREAMS EVEN HER PREPOSITIONS AND CONJUNCTIONS HAD UNTOLD CHARM HINTING AT MYSTERY AND LAUGHTER AND MAGIC BOUND UP IN EVERYTHING SHE MENTIONED I THINK IT'S AWFUL FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO BE ALWAYS QUARRELLING SIGHED CECILY JUST LET'S ALL SIT STILL AND COUNT A HUNDRED BEFORE WE SAY ANOTHER WORD +7c573e21-cf11-4c6d-ae90-1bb20ad93666 AND HIS SKIN FELL TO THE GROUND INSTANTLY THEY ALL TOOK ALARM GOOD ADVICE LAUGHED POLYCHROME DANCING SO HE TOOK HIS KNAPSACK AND HIS SHEPHERD'S CROOK AND WANDERED AWAY UNTIL HE CAME TO THESSALY WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU LEARN THAT FELIX I ASKED IT'S THE GRACE UNCLE ALEC SAYS AT EVERY MEAL ANSWERED FELIX IT IS INDEED FORTUNATE THAT YOU HAVE MET ME IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR ARRIVAL HERE IN ADDITION TO NINE TENTACLES CLAWS FANGS AND ANTENNAE BECAME APPARENT IT'S HELL'S ON JET FOR SPACE PIRACY BUT THAT'S ABOUTABLE WHAT DO YOU MEAN I GROWLED LIKE MANY OTHER PLANETS THIS ONE WAS UNIFORM CONSCIOUS +7c8f35a3-2b28-4884-af21-c1eb3e622c99 PEPPO DROPPED HIS FACE INTO HIS HANDS AND HIS SHOULDERS SHOOK I FLICKED THE GUN HIS WAY AND SNAPPED AT HIM SIT UP PEPPY I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE CRYING THERE ARE SOME NAVAL SHIPS ON THE WAY NOW THE AUTOMATIC ALARM WAS TRIGGERED A MINUTE AGO I'M SURE THEY'LL BE GLAD TO SEE THE MAN WHO HE HATED THE IDEA TIME PASSED SOMEHOW WHEN MORNING DAWNED YONAS AWOKE TO FIND THE DOOR OF HIS CELL BEING UNLOCKED THE BALD MAN AND THE BLACK HAIRED MAN WERE BOTH THERE HE LOOKED UP WITH THEM WITH DISTASTE THEN HE SAW WHAT WAS IN THEIR MINDS AND THE DISTASTE CHANGED TO FEAR VOCALLY SAID CHAFFY FOUR THEY SHUDDERED AND TELEPARTED THE SUDDEN REAPPEARANCE OF HIS HALLUCINATION DOUBLED STARTLED JEFF NO MORE THAN THE FACT THAT HE SEEMED TO BE HOLDING JENOFOR MAC TIGHTLY NO YOU'LL HAVE A NEW NAME UP THERE SAID CECILY GENTLY IT SAYS SO IN THE BIBLE WELL I'M GLAD OF THAT PETER WOULD BE SUCH A FUNNY NAME FOR AN ANGEL +7c9fc9d5-6b93-4255-8ba3-b66bffab872d THAT WASN'T MY CONCERN NOW THE NAVIGATOR AND I PLOTTED THEIR LOCATIONS IN HIS TANK KEEPING MY FACE TURNED AWAY SO THEY COULDN'T SEE THE COLD SWEAT EXCERPT FROM A SHORT HISTORY THE MASQUERADE BY A HE REFLECTED FOR A MINUTE I COULD MAKE YOU INTO A BEADLE AND SQUASH YOU UNDERFOOT DON'T SEEM TO STAND STRAIGHT SOMEHOW BUT MY JOINTS ALL WORK SO I GUESS I CAN WALK I TURNED THE DIAL BACK IN IMPERCEPTIBLE DEGREE AND THE HAND STEADIED DOWN EXACTLY UPON THE NUMERAL'S TWENTY SEVEN HUNDRED +7d1f1b69-7aac-4ecf-b249-067b90fa1a41 HOW ABOUT AUNT OLIVIA NO AUNT OLIVIA HAS GONE TO BED WITH A SICK HEADACHE AND MUSTN'T BE DISTURBED SAID THE STORY GIRL FELICITY AND DAN BEGAN A SMALL SPAT OVER SOMETHING BUT STOPPED AT ONCE WHEN CECILY SAID SEVERELY HOW DARE YOU QUARREL WHEN WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A PICTURE OF GOD TO DAY ONE DAY A HORN WAS BLOWN AT THE PALACE GATE AND THERE WAS ONE TALL MAN IN COMPLETE ARMOUR WITH HIS VISOR DOWN RIDING ON A WHITE HORSE THIS SECOND DIAL WAS NO MORE THAN A THIN DISK OF HARD RUBBER OR BAKE LIGHT WITH A RED SCRATCH MARK ON ONE SIDE +7d25f5f8-6089-48a2-803e-36787fa901ff FELICITY'S SO FOND OF MAKING A FUSS OVER EVERYTHING AUNT JANET WON'T LET ME PUT PEBBLES IN MY SHOES BUT I'D PUT A THISTLE NEXT MY SKIN ON MY BACK AND IT STICKS INTO ME IF I LEAN BACK THE LEAST BIT AND IT MADE HER VERY ANGRY FOR SHE DID NOT WISH HER SLAVE TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER WE ARE SMALLER THUS THEY THOUGHT US WEAKER IT CALLS FOR ONE PLANET BUSTER BOMB STETSON SHRUGGED RECORDING HIS WHOLE HISTORY IN BRIEF AND FINISHING WITH EIGHT LINES OF ORIGINAL VERSE COMPOSED BY HIS WIDOW +7d2aa64f-2b39-4e07-82e6-72061f6dfa62 YONAS HEARD SQUEAKING AND THOUGHT OF THE RATS BUT HE COULDN'T EVEN SUMMON UP ENOUGH ENERGY TO TRY FOR THEM YONAS REALIZED SLOWLY THAT SHE WAS CRYING AS SHE LOOKED AT HIM AND REGAINED HER BREATH A CHILL CONVICTION OF INSANITY GRIPPED HIM WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN ON WATER LAPPING SMOOTH AND UNDISTURBED BELOW THE QUEEN WOULD TALK AT JEFF'S LITTLE PIER AT DAWN NEIL TALKED ON AND ON AND OF COURSE HE SOON BEGAN TO TELL THINGS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WISER NOT TO TELL AND MANY A TIME HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP THE STRUGGLE HAD NOT THE THOUGHT OF SWEET ALIN'S LOVING EYES BROUGHT HIM THE STRENGTH AND DESIRE TO STRUGGLE AS LONG AS IT WAS POSSIBLE +7d3200e2-2624-4eee-83e3-2a17f4a9f28e FELIX HELD OUT THE NEWSPAPER IT WAS A CHARLOTTETOWN DAILY ENTERPRISE IT'S THERE HE GASPED LOOK READ I'LL DO THINK IT'S TRUE THE END OF THE WORLD IT IS COMING TO MORROW AT TWO O'CLOCK IN IN THE AFTERNOON CRASH ON AN UNCOMPLICATED EVEN SIMPLE MINDED WORLD LIKE THIS WHO WOULD NEED CRYSTALS BUT MAYBE THEY FEAR GLUTTING THE MARKET OR THE DOMINATION OF OUTSIDE CAPITAL COMING IN TO DEVELOP THE SOURCE PATTY DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY CATCHING A RAT AND BEING INTOLERABLY CONCEITED ABOUT IT UNTIL SARA RAY CURED HIM BY CALLING HIM A DEAR SWEET CAT AND KISSING HIM BETWEEN THE EARS THEN PAT SNEAKED ABJECTLY OFF HIS TAIL DROOPING HE RESENTED BEING CALLED A SWEET CAT SHE HASN'T SEEMED LIKE HERSELF THE PAST TWO WEEKS SHE COMPLAINS OF HEADACHE AND SHE HAS NO APPETITE AND SHE IS A DREADFUL COLOR I'LL HAVE TO SEE A DOCTOR ABOUT HER IF SHE DOESN'T GET BETTER SOON +7d44c53d-6dd5-4363-8064-2569f591763a WHEN FELICITY RETURNED WE CONCLUDED FROM HER EXPRESSION THAT SHE HAD NEWS AND SHE HAD YOU MAKE THINGS HAPPEN THE BOLD MAN SAID THIS IS AN ACCURSED FAMILY THERE IS NO GOOD TO BE DONE TO ME OR MY WIFE OR CHILD SHE COVERED HER FACE WITH HER HANDS AND SHOOK FELICITY TOLD AUNT JANET OF THE CUCUMBER BUT AUNT JANET DID NOT THINK THE CUCUMBER ALONE COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CECILY'S ALARMING CONDITION AND AUNT OLIVIA SUGGESTED TO US ONE DAY THAT WE WRITE A COMPOUND LETTER TO AMUSE HIM UNTIL HE HAD COME TO THE WINDOW AND TALKED TO US FROM A SAFE DISTANCE +7d5b132e-dc03-4a69-9544-38f50370fa7e WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PUTTING ON SUCH A RAG DON'T YOU KNOW I HAVE COMPANY TO TEA YES AND THAT IS WHY I PUT IT ON AUNT JANET I WANT TO MORTIFY THE FLESH I'LL MORTIFY YOU IF I CATCH YOU SHOWING YOURSELF TO THE MILLWARDS LIKE THAT MY GIRL AND I EVEN IN THESE LATE YEARS OF IRREVERENCE FOR THE DREAMS OF YOUTH AM NOT IN THE LEAST ASHAMED TO CONFESS THAT WHEN I KNELT DOWN TO PRAY MY BOYISH PRAYER I THOUGHT OF OUR LITTLE FAIRY COMRADE IN HIS EXTERN EXTREMITY AND PRAYED AS REVERENTLY AS I KNEW HOW FOR HIS HEALING MOSTLY JUNGLE THERE ARE POLAR OCEANS LAKES AND RIVERS ONE LOW MOUNTAIN CHAIN FOLLOWS THE EQUATORIAL BELT ABOUT TWO THIRDS ROUND THE PLANET BUT ONLY TWO CITIES ARE YOU SURE REASONABLY SO IT UD BE PRETTY HARD TO MISS SOMETHING THE SIZE OF THAT THING WE FLEW OVER LATER THE SAME DAY I CAUGHT ONE OF THEM ALONE AND SHOUTED HEY GEORGE AT HIM IT GURGLED OUT THROUGH THE SPEAKER IN THE LOCAL TONGUE AND HE TURNED ROUND +7d663e0a-bf9f-468c-a011-a3e23b2d8d9a AT NIGHT THEY STOPPED AT A HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE WELL ENTERTAINED AND WHERE WHO CREATURES COULD NOT ESCAPE FROM THE ENCLOSURE BUT IN THEIR FRIGHT MANY BOUNDED UPWARD AND CAUGHT THE BRANCHES OF THE TREES ITS YELLOWED PAGES INSCRIBED WITH THE VISIONS THAT HAUNTED MY CHILDISH SLUMBERS ON THOSE NIGHTS OF LONG AGO SAID FELICITY DISAGREEABLY HE EXAMINED THE EVIDENCE WITH CARE HE WOULD SICK THE NONIPUS ON RAY AND HIMSELF SHE LOOKED OVER HER SHOULDER ANTHROPOLOGISTS MAY NOT MIND BEING DISSECTED FOR THEIR SCIENCE BUT A REPAIR MAN WANTS TO MAKE NO SACRIFICES OF ANY KIND FOR HIS JOB +7d83c1be-f023-4a1e-977b-f0441614b387 THERE WAS NO PLACE I COULD GO THAT WOULD BE BETTER SITUATED FOR THE CHASE THAN SETANOVO THE GIRL WAS OBVIOUSLY ASSISTANT TO THE MUSTER MIND WHO ORIGINATED THE SCHEME HE SAT IN THE CENTER OF THE PLOT LIKE A SPIDER ON ITS WEB PULLING THE STRINGS THAT SET THINGS INTO MOTION I'LL GIVE HER THAT SPONGE CAKE I MADE THIS MORNING SAID FELICITY I GUESS SHE DOESN'T GET SPONGE CAKE VERY OFTEN BUT THEY HAVE BEEN CHILDREN AND I DON'T SEE WHY THEY CAN'T UNDERSTAND US THE GIRLS SAW THIS ENTRY BUT TO THEIR CREDIT BE IT TOLD THEY NEVER TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT THE DRAM WAS WE WERE MUCH TAKEN ABACK TO FIND THAT MISSUS RAY CAME TO THE GATE INSTEAD OF JUDY AND RATHER SOURLY DEMANDED WHAT WE WERE YELLING ABOUT +7dc158d9-8b6b-4407-ba61-902850c5c811 WE MIGHT EARN IT BY THE HONEST TOIL SARA RAY WAS ALSO ALLOWED TO COME UNDER PROTEST DON'T WORRY DEAR SAID CECILY WHO ALWAYS POURED BALM DO NOTHING AT ALL FOR AT LEAST A WEEK AND LEAVE WORD WITH THEM FOR HOPE SEVERED CLEANLY AT THE WRIST THE STORY GIRL'S FACE WORE A QUITE INDESCRIBABLE EXPRESSION COMPOUND OF HORROR AND SHAME SHE NEED NOT HAVE CONFESSED THE SLICES WERE SMOOTH AND GOLDEN ALTHOUGH I WAS BEGINNING TO LOSE FAITH IN IT AND PURPLE CHALEES UNCLE BLAIR WAS SPENDING THE SUMMER IN SWITZERLAND +7dd5d2a5-2db1-43da-ba74-b92ecd694360 THERE'S NOBODY HOME BUT JUDY PANOW AND ME I THINK KINGS AND QUEENS WERE THICKER LONG AGO SAID THE STORY GIRL I DO NOT KNOW WHICH HURT OUR FEELINGS MOST THE SCOLDING WE GOT FROM AUNT JANET OR THE RIDICULE WHICH THE OTHER GROWN UPS ESPECIALLY UNCLE ROGER SHOWERED ON US WHAT DID I SAY THAT WAS NASTY CRIED FELICITY I WANT IT FOR ONE OF MY WOOD NYMPHS SAID PAN AND I MUST HAVE IT IT'S EARLY ABROAD YOU ARE AND ON BLACK DAN NO LESS AFTER THAT ALMOST EVERY DAY AGLEYA WOULD GO UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TRIANGULATION HAD LED INVESTIGATORS TO THE SPOT WHERE THEY FOUND A FREIGHTER OGAT'S DREAM WITH A HOLE PUNCH THROUGH AS BIG AS A RAILROAD TUNNEL +7e04dd06-59d7-46ae-8143-e4ff310908e4 AS FOR THE PIETY CLARTON THOUGHT I LEAVE THAT TO THE PRIESTS AND THE WOMEN BUT WISDOM AND CAUTION ON MY TASK YUNUS AS THEY MUST BE YOURS JUST THINK HOW MANY NEW STORIES I'D HAVE TO TELL AFTER I'D HEARD HIM NO I MUST GO BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I'LL DO I'LL WEAR MY SCHOOL DRESS AND HAT THAT WILL BE PENANCE OH IT'S ALL RIGHT FOR A MINISTER TO SPEAK OF HIM BUT IT ISN'T NICE FOR LITTLE GIRLS A DREAD PROPHECY I'VE GOT TO GO AND BEGIN STUMPING OUT THE ELDERBERRY PASTURE THIS AFTERNOON SAID PETER DOLEFULLY THE SKY ABOVE IT WAS CHILL AND ERETHRAL AND MYSTICAL BUT ALL OF US WERE SHADOWS AND THE WEIRD LITTLE TALE TOLD IN A VOICE FRAUGHT WITH MYSTERY AND PATHOS HAD PEOPLED THEM FOR US WITH FURATIVE FOLKS IN BELT AND WAMPUM AND DARK DRESSED INDIAN MAIDENS +7e1d5152-9851-4bf9-8872-585cabb09e4c THE WORK OF GENIUS WHICH WILL ALLOW MANKIND AND FARMER COULD JUST MAKE OUT HIS LAZY CONTEMPTUOUS SMILE THROUGH THE MURKY WATER ONE OF THE PRIESTS SAW US AND CRIED OUT SHRILLY TO HIS COMPANIONS WITH ONE ACCORD THEY CAME TOWARD US SO I WAS TO RECEIVE A CORDIAL WELCOME AFTER ALL IT IS A COMMON DEFENCE YONES HAD MET THE TYPE BEFORE AND WAS UNINTERESTED IN GOING FURTHER THE JOB HE TOLD HIMSELF STERNLY CAME FIRST AND AFTERWARD FIVE TIMES SIX ALMOST BROUGHT TEARS TO OUR EYES AND DREAMING THAT SOME DAY HE MIGHT HAVE FLOCKS OF HIS OWN IN A DEAR LITTLE COTTAGE DOWN IN THE VALLEY WHERE HE AND AGLEIA MIGHT LIVE +7e2fa163-9730-4ff3-b560-1f47d80dbf6b SHE AND A KATY WERE VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER AND OFTEN THEY HUNTED TOGETHER FOR SCHUBEN WAS ALMOST AS SKILFUL WITH HER BOW AND ARROW AS THE KATY HIMSELF THEY LOVED EACH OTHER EVER SINCE THEY WERE SMALL PAPOOSES AND THEY VOWED TO LOVE EACH OTHER AS LONG AS THE RIVER RAN LET'S GO INSIDE I HURRIED BY PEERING AND THROUGH THE COOL QUIET HALL TO THE BROAD DOOR THAT OPENED INTO THE BIG ROOM AT THE BACK OF THE HOUSE WHICH WAS VIC'S LABORATORY I DON'T THINK SHE DID SHE LOOKED VERY PALE AND WOEBEGONE WHEN SHE CAME DOWN TO BREAKFAST BUT FOR ALL THAT THERE WAS A CERTAIN EXHILARATION ABOUT HER I'M GOING TO DO PENANCE ALL DAY FOR COAXING SARA TO DISOBEY HER MOTHER SHE ANNOUNCED WITH CHASTENED TRIUMPH PENANCE ALL AT ONCE SOMETHING LEAPED FROM THE BOUGH OF A TREE AND ALIGHTED BEFORE US WE SPLIT THE AIR WITH A SIMULTANEOUS SHRIEK +7e904de7-65bd-4fcc-a196-9716cd6e8835 WITH THIS WE WENT TO BED AND SLEPT AS SOUNDLY AS IF TRAGEDIES OF BLUE CHESTS AND TURNIPS AND CROOKED COWS HAD NO PLACE IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS AT ALL NOTICE IF THE ENGINE ROOM SPECKS ARE CHANGED SLIGHTLY TO INCLUDE THIS CARGO HOLD THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE BRUTES NEEDED THIS SUPERSTRUCTURE OBVIOUSLY JUST TACKED ON TO THE PLANS GETS THROWN AWAY AND TURRETS TAKE ITS PLACE THE HULLS ARE IDENTICAL A CHANGE HERE A SHIFT THERE AND THE STODGY FRATER BECOMES THE FAST BATTLE WAGON WE WERE ALL RATHER EXCITED OVER THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW WHICH AN ITINERANT LECTURER WAS TO GIVE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE THAT EVENING EVEN FELIX AND I WHO HAD SEEN SUCH SHOWS GALORE WERE INTERESTED AND THE REST WERE QUITE WILD THERE HAD NEVER BEEN SUCH A THING IN CARLISLE BEFORE WE WERE ALL GOING PETER INCLUDED THE CREATURES THEY BEHELD WERE ROUND AND BALL LIKE ROUND IN BODY ROUND IN LEGS AND ARMS ROUND IN HANDS AND FEET AND ROUND OF HEAD +7e940cf0-dd13-4431-a0d1-79f3a72be1b4 I'M NOT A BIT AFRAID SAID THE STORY GIRL STAUNCHLY PETER KNOWS BETTER THAN THAT OH YES SAID NEIL FIERCELY IS IT IS LAUGHING AT ME OVER THE COUNTRY SIDE AND TELLING THAT STORY THAT DONALD FRASER WILL BE DOING IS IT BUT WHEN I MEET HIM IT IS NOT LAUGHING HE'LL BE DOING OH NO THERE WILL BE ANOTHER STORY TO TELL A STEEL AND VENADIUM BOUND CONTRACT THAT YOU COULDN'T CRACK WITH A MOLECULAR DISRUPTOR I LEANED FORWARD QUICKLY GRABBED IT AND THREW IT INTO THE AIR WITH A SINGLE MOTION MY SCOPE JINNIFER EXCLAIMED SHE LET GO THE BARRICADE AND RAN TO THE WINDOW TO THROW OPEN THE STORM SHUTTERS NEVER MIND THE DOOR THIS WAY QUICK +7e956266-62f3-4c75-9983-63a22f205d9f OH I'M SICK I'M AWFUL SICK SAID DAN ABJECTLY OH OH OH WAILED CECILY ON THE SOFA A BUTTER YELLOW SUN HUNG AND THEY WANT YOU JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET YOUR EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING YOU KNOW WHILE SHE SECURED THE FLIMSY DOOR HE RIPPED THROUGH HIS BELONGINGS ALIGNING HIS E I COMMUNICATOR AGAIN ON HIS BREAKFAST TABLE I DON'T CARE SAID FELIX I LIKE YOU BETTER THAN FELICITY EVEN IF YOU CAN'T COOK THERE'S LOTS OF FOLKS CAN MAKE BREAD BUT THERE ISN'T MANY WHO CAN TELL A STORY LIKE YOU YOU OUGHT TO BE BRAVER THAN GIRLS +7ebe22e9-cdfd-448c-821e-3f298612fe06 IT CAN'T BE MUCH WORSE THAN DYING I SUPPOSE SAID FELIX GRASPING AT ANY STRAW OF COMFORT I'M AWFULLY GLAD I'VE GOT INTO THE HABIT OF GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUMMER SAID PETER VERY SOBERLY I WISH I'D MADE UP MY MIND BEFORE THIS WHETHER TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST VERY FEW CATS HAVE AND MOST OF THEM HAVE SUCH AN INORDINATE APPETITE FOR FLATTERY THAT THEY WILL SWALLOW ANY AMOUNT OF IT AND THRIVE THEREON IT DOESN'T DO TO MEDDLE IN AN AFFAIR OF THIS KIND BETWEEN BOYS SAID THE STORY GIRL SAGELY I MAY BE MISTAKEN BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE STORY GIRL WANTED THAT FIGHT STOPPED AND I'M AFAR FROM BEING SURE THAT FELICITY DID EITHER AND NOW THE CANARY PERCHED UPON A STUMP A LITTLE WAY FROM THE FOREST BEAST AND SAID I AM GLAD OUR FRIEND HAS ESCAPED YOU BUT AS IT IS NATURAL FOR A HUNGRY BEAST TO WISH HIS BREAKFAST I WILL TRY TO GIVE YOU ONE +7f33ab0c-9a03-4207-a26b-aab8b0b4eb06 CHERANNA CHERUSOE THE STRONGEST FIRST CHERANNA CRUSO AND HE BEGAN TO BE INTERESTED IN LIVING AGAIN IN SPITE OF HIMSELF HE DOUBTED IT HE WAS BEGINNING TO NOTICE IT WAS DREADFUL TO WAKE UP AND FIND IT AS STRAIGHT AS EVER BUT HOW WILL YOU LIKE TO WALK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL WITH A BOY WHO WEARS PATCHED TROUSERS IF THAT HAPPENED IT WOULD BE BEST IF I STAYED THERE AND I HAD RUN INTO THESE SETTLEMENTS BEFORE WHO IS THIS MYSTERIOUS BELLONNAIRE +7f662d3d-3b3a-4528-bc2d-dc6c82adfd5a THE OWL WINCED AND DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A SOUND HE MEANS THE SCOOP JENOFER SAID JEFF FORCED STUMBLING WORDS INTO LINE ENTREATED THE STORY GIRL AFTERWARDS AS WE DRESSED FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL UPSTAIRS OUR SPIRITS CARRIED US AWAY HATE TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT AUNT JANE HAD TO COME TWICE TO THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS AND INQUIRE SEVERELY CHILDREN HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHAT DAY IT IS AND SOMEHOW IT COMFORTED US THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PICTURE OF GOD FELIX NO HUMAN BEING KNOWS WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE NO HUMAN BEING CAN KNOW AUNT LOUISA TOLD ME THE TALE IT BLEW UP AND EVERYTHING BLEW UP BUT THEY WOULDN'T EVEN CARRY THEM HOME THE STORY GIRL BEGAN IT AND WE LISTENED AVIDLY +7f91a19b-62f1-4be7-a4a7-7b9fd8d07753 THE FIRST MILE WAS ACROSS FLAT DESERT HE PICKED HIS WAY CAUTIOUSLY HIS BOOTS CHURNING UP CLOUDS OF POWDERY DUST HE REMEMBERED THE RUSSIAN REPORTS OF THE WEIRD AND DEADLY CREATURES THEY HAD ENCOUNTERED IN THE MARTIAN DESERTS BUT ASIDE FROM A FEW GREY PATCHES OF BRUSH THERE SEEMED TO BE NO SIGNS OF LIFE IT'S A PRETTY QUEER YARN SAID FELIX I WONDER IF IT'S TRUE AND WHAT IT MEANS I INTEND TO FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS SAYS A SORT STORY GIRL I AM GOING TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE AWKWARD MAN SOMETIME AND THEN I'LL FIND OUT HIS ALICE SECRET JUST LOOK SHE SAID PROUDLY I HAVE EVERY BIT OF THE BREAD BAKED I GOT UP AT THREE AND IT WAS LOVELY AND LIGHT SO I JUST GAVE IT A RIGHT GOOD KNEADING AND POPPED IT INTO THE OVEN AND IT'S ALL DONE AND OUT OF THE WAY BUT THE LOAVES DON'T SEEM QUITE AS BIG AS THEY SHOULD BE SHE ADDED DOUBTFULLY I SUSPECT THAT YOU WERE ALWAYS SO FROM THERE UP WHERE IS THE LIST +7f9d9852-acc5-4331-bf1b-c5a9733482f4 SO I PROPOSE HE WAITS HERE WHILE YOU AND I FRIEND SCARECROW EVEN SO I AM NOT SURE IT ISN'T THE BEST FOR THE GIRL THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY CAPABLE I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY I'M GOODY GOODY SHE KNEW FOR HE HAD WRITTEN SO TO HER THAT HE HAD EYES AS BLACK AS HER OWN WE WERE RATHER DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THEM QUITE LARGE STURDY ONES IT WAS THE STORY GIRLS STORIES MADE ME WANT TO LAUGH AND SO I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR HER TO BE MAD AT ME +7fb8cfa7-872f-41da-b566-75b1cea35e89 DAN FED MOST OF IT TO PATTY THE STORY GIRL WINKED WITH THE SIGHT OF HER FACE NEXT TO FELIX AND ME BUT THE SIDE NEXT TO THE GIRLS CHANGED NOT A MUSCLE THE NONIPUS CROUCHED MOTIONLESS THE THING HAD STOPPED MOVING THE STAIRWAY SHOULDN'T BE THERE IT'S TOO BAD IF YOU FORMED YOUR OPINION OF US BY OBSERVING HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE I A TO NUBE I ORAN TURNED LOOKED BACK AT TO NEWBE DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU CAN SEE BY WHAT LIGHT GETS DOWN HERE THROUGH THOSE TREES JUST AS GOOD FOR SPACE PIRACY THAT IS BUT NOT FOR HIS PURPOSES ORDERS WERE ORIGINATED MANY PLACES PASSED ON CHANGED AND SHOVELED +7fc10956-cceb-480c-b323-613ee24a2ab1 HE THOUGHT HE UNDERSTOOD THE QUEEN'S GROUNDING WHEN HE SAW THE SWIMMER STROKING URGENTLY TOWARD HIS DOCK SHE TRANSFORMED HIM INTO AND SANG SONGS THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE NOTES OF TIN WHISTLES A BATTLESHIP MAY BE GIGANTIC ON SOME TERMS OF REFERENCE BUT IN THE IMMENSITY OF THE GALAXY IT IS MICROSCOPICALLY INFINITESIMAL THIS RAISED A BUZZ OF CONVERSATION BEHIND ME BUT GOT NO RISE OUT OF THE CHIEF I COUNTED OFF ON MY TALONS TO SEE IF I HAD FORGOTTEN ANYTHING +7fce0608-6d72-468f-995e-49a04e4a070f WAS IT COULD I BE SURE THAT PEPPE FLYING HIS MOUNTAIN OF A SHIP AND EATING NAVY RATIONS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SOME OF THE COMFORTS AND LUXURIES OF LIFE WE WILL STOP I THUNDERED BEFORE HE GOT SO FAR IN THAT HE COULDN'T BACK OUT I SAID YOUR ANCESTOR SENT ME AS EMISSARY I AM NOT ONE OF YOUR ANCESTORS WELL WE HAVEN'T ANY ANYHOW SAID FELICITY I SUPPOSE BLUEBERRY WINE WOULDN'T DO IN ITS PLACE BUT TIMOTHY ROOTS WERE FASHIONABLE THEREFORE TIMOTHY ROOFS MUST BE EATEN PECKS OF THEM MUST HAVE BEEN DEVOURED IN CARLISLE THAT SUMMER +7ff5f778-dd7d-4343-a80a-48ee95fb3a9b BUT THEIR DILEMMA REMAINED THEY MUST WARN THE NATIVES BEFORE THE PROWLING ZID FOUND THEM ELSE THERE WOULD BE NO NATIVES WE MUST TRY AGAIN THREE CONCLUDED SEARCHING OUT AND USING THE PROPER SYMBOLS FOR EXPLANATION TRIANGULATION AND QUADRATURE OF THE BEACON WORKS FOR NAVIGATION ONLY IT FOLLOWS ITS OWN RULES THE RULES ARE COMPLEX AND VARIABLE BUT THEY ARE STILL RULES THAT A NAVIGATOR CAN FOLLOW I KNOW A STORY ABOUT A MAN WHO ALWAYS HAD HIS OWN OPINION THE STORY GIRL GOT NO FURTHER WE NEVER HEARD THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO ALWAYS HAD HIS OWN OPINION I I'M PRAYING ABOUT IT SAID CICELY IN A LOW VOICE HER TEAR WET LASHES TREMBLING AGAINST HER PALE ROUND CHEEKS ORAN TURNED LOOKED BACK AT TO NEWBE DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU CAN SEE BY WHAT LIGHT GETS DOWN HERE THROUGH THOSE TREES CAN YOU NOT SEE ASKED TO NEW NOT WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS +80064602-3703-48b1-9564-8679fe59c025 THE DOCTOR IS AFRAID HE HE HE HAD DIED IN CALIFORNIA AND HAD BEEN BURIED THERE SARA HAD NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO VISIT THE HILL FARM SINCE PETER HAD DEVELOPED MEASLES OPPOSITE TO HIM SITS THE STORY GIRL WITH HER SCARLET ROSETTE HEAD HER BEAUTIFUL BARE FEET CROSSED BEFORE HER SHARP PROVED TO BE A BARROW SHAPED MAN WHO WAS UNACCOUNTABLY CHEERLESS AS IF THE INSIDE STRUCTURE HAD BEEN CAREFULLY REMOVED AND THEN REPLACED BY SAWDUST YONAS THOUGHT OH IT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE THINGS YOU KNOW ARE NOT TRUE +800e014e-3f97-4b04-aec8-a614300120a2 WE COULD NOT BELIEVE IT AND YET THE POSSIBILITY STRUCK US IN THE FACE LIKE A BLOW ALL AT ONCE THE STORY GIRL AND PETER BEGAN TO FORGE AHEAD IN THE MATTER OF DREAMING THEIR DREAMS SUDDENLY BECAME SO LURID AND DREADFUL AND PICTURESQUE THAT IT WAS HARD FOR THE REST OF US TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE NOT PAINTING THE LILY RATHER FREELY IN THEIR ACCOUNTS OF THEM MUCH OF THE SUBSIDIARY WORK REMAINED TO BE DONE WHEN THE SHIP HAD LEFT ONE WITNESS OF THE THEFT HAD GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED THE POWER LINES AND CABLES DANGLING FROM THE SHIP'S LOCKS WHEN SHE LIFTED MY ARRIVAL HAD FORCED PEPE OFF BALANCE I WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL YONA MURDERED HE PASSED THE COIN OVER THE OLD WOMAN'S HAND SNATCHED IT AND CLOSED ON IT +804f0459-b550-42dd-ad79-ae6b47279f28 NO ANSWER IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE OF COURSE SAID ORAN I'M HERE TO HELP YOU I AM TO NUBE HIGH PATH CHIEF OF THE GRATSY SAID THE NATIVE I DECIDE WHO IS TO HELP THEY'LL USE FORCE JEFF HAD CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITY BUT ITS IMMEDIACY APPALLED HIM SIR THESE COLONISTS HAD BEEN AUTONOMIST FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED YEARS EVER SINCE THE FOURTH WORK CUT THEM OFF FROM US WILL HOMESIDE DENY THEIR INDEPENDENCE THERE ISN'T MUCH FUN IN IT AND THEN NEITHER OF YOU NEED TO PRAY ABOUT IT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE ORDEAL SAID FELIX AND I WON'T OH WELL SURELY YOU CAN SETTLE IT SOME OTHER WAY WITHOUT FIGHTING PERSISTED CECILY I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT SAID PETER IT'S FELIX ANYWAY HE DECIDED HE WASN'T GOING TO TAKE SIDES IF THE TWO ALIENS WERE GOING TO FIGHT IT OUT HIS FIRST INTEREST WAS IN SAVING HIS OWN HIDE HIS SECOND IN GETTING BACK TO SHORE TO GIVE WARNING OF THE INVASION +80c1e6a9-541b-43d9-a7b3-ee43e6d8929c BUT IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT SAID PETER MISERABLY BUT I JUST CAN'T STAND IT BACK THERE ALONE SOME OF YOU FELLOWS MUST COME WITH ME I DON'T WANT YOU TO WORK BUT JUST FOR COMPANY BUT ARE YOU SURE YOU WON'T WANT IT BACK IF TO MORROW ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY SO SHE WALKED ON A SMALL MISERABLE TESTIMONY THAT THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS NEVER EASY BUT SARA RAY WAS NOT HAPPY NEVER AN ARROW OF HIS THAT DID NOT GO STRAIGHT TO THE MARK THEY'RE ALWAYS SO TALL AND SLENDER WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF ANYONE WROTE A STORY ABOUT A FAT HERO OR ONE WITH TOO BIG A MOUTH CECILY HAD BUT ONE MORE SHOT IN HER LOCKER WE'RE NONE OF US CHURCH MEMBERS BUT OF COURSE PETER COULDN'T BE SENT TO THE BAD PLACE THAT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS +812fdf3b-d3e8-4d41-8fc0-2b797e2f79db I SAW THAT CITY THEY BUILT STEAD THEY COULD BE DUG IN WITHIN SIX MONTHS AND THERE'D BE NO YEH HORN SHOOK HIS HEAD THINK OF IT TWO CIVILIZATIONS THAT MATURED ALONG DIFFERENT LINES THINK OF ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS WE'D APPROACH THE SAME PROBLEMS FOUR YEARS HAD GONE BY IN THIS SHIP THIRTEEN YEARS ON EARTH FOUR YEARS OF COLONEL TOWERS MILITARY DISCIPLINE GREW MORE STRICT EACH DAY SPACE DOES FUNNY THINGS TO SOME MEN FOUR GIRLS OH YES SARA RAY FELICITY MENTIONED HER WHAT IS SHE LIKE WHERE DOES SHE LIVE JUST DOWN THE HILL YOU CAN'T SEE THE HOUSE FOR THE SPRUCE BUSH SARA'S A NICE GIRL SHE'S ONLY ELEVEN AND HER MOTHER IS DREADFULLY STRICT SHE NEVER ALLOWS SARA TO READ A SINGLE STORY JUST YOU FANCY BUT DONALD WAS NOT GOING TO SHOW ALL HE THOUGHT SCOTCH PEOPLE NEVER DO AND HE PRETENDED TO BE VERY GLAD TO SEE NEIL AND MADE HIM HEARTILY WELCOME HOW DID THE CHILDREN BEHAVE ROGER LIKE MODELS SAID UNCLE ROGER THEY WERE AS GOOD AS GOLD MOST OF THE DAYS +8179ba02-731e-4049-a006-d767b49042a1 LIKE ANY OTHER SENSE BUT IT ISN'T MAGIC ANY MORE THAN YOUR EYES ARE MAGIC THEY'RE GIVEN BY GOD IF YOU LIKE THEY GROW THEY DEVELOP SO THE ABILITY TO READ MINDS TO TRANSMIT ITS THOUGHT IS GIVEN BY GOD NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR HOW I SHOULD THINK YOU DID SCREECH SAID FELICITY WE HEARD YOU CLEAN OVER INTO OUR ROOM WELL I WONDER WHAT ON EARTH YOU YOUNG ONES WILL DO NEXT SAID AUNT JANET IN THE HELPLESS TONE OF A WOMAN WHO GIVES IT UP HIS STEP WAS BOUNCING AS IF HE WERE USED TO A HIGHER GRAVITY OR GREATER PRESSURE THAT FARMER COMPLIMENTED HIMSELF ON HIS CLEVERNESS MADE SENSE AT LEAST BUT HE EXTENDED HIS HAND AND SAID PETER THERE LIKE ANY LADY'S WEARBYER AT AN ANNUAL CONVENTION I WAS JUST ABOUT TO RISK ONE MORE CARTRIDGE WHEN ANOTHER FIGURE MATERIALIZED IN THE RANKS OF THE ENEMY A TALLER COMMANDING FIGURE WITH A SHINING JEWEL PERHAPS A MARK OF AUTHORITY DANGLING FROM HIS CORDED BROWN THROAT +817c2d35-5a87-423c-9343-c4909293c29b I AM NOT GOING TO DIG THEM UP THIS YEAR TO SEE IF THEY HAVE SPROUTED BUT AT LEAST IN THE BEGINNING HER DREAMS WERE NO MORE REMARKABLE THAN THOSE OF THE REST OF US GREAT UNCLE'S GUILDS HE EXCLAIMED AND LAPSED INTO FASCINATED SILENCE FARMER STARED AND RAY STARED GARF TURNED HIS ATTENTION TO THE TELEVISION SAT CREEP BACK HUMBLY TO THE GOD WE HAVE VAINLY DREAMED WE COULD DO WITHOUT THERE'S ONE THING WE CAN DO SAID CECILY GENTLY HOT REBELLION ROSE IN HIS HEART AND RUSHED OVER HIS PALE LIPS TO MAKE CONTACT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE LOCAL LANGUAGE I LOOKED AT THE BLUE PRINTS HE HANDED ME AND FELT MY EYES GLAZE WITH HORROR +819f6ed8-0be7-4684-be9a-ffdc74af158a DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME PLEASE ANGELINA WAS ON HER FEET NOW HER BACK PRESSED TO THE WALL THEY'LL PUT ME IN PRISON DO THINGS TO MY MIND SHE SHRUNK AWAY AS SHE SPOKE STUMBLING ALONG THE WALL I SHOULD THINK I DO LAUGHED UNCLE ALEX SHE WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE WITH CECILY IS NOW AND SHE GOT UP AT ONCE AND MARCHED RIGHT OUT OF THE ORCHARD BUT AT THE GATE SHE TURNED AND CALLED BACK INDIGNANTLY I CALL IT THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLDEN MILESTONE AND THEN IN FIVE YEARS TIME THE TREE BORE APPLES THE O'LERENOIDS DIDN'T KNOCK OVER ONE OF OUR SURVEYSHIPS FIRST TOO GLOOMY IN THAT JUNGLE TO BE SURE I WISH IT WOULD STOP RAINING THE SWALLOWS FLEW IN AND OUT OF THEIR NEST ABOVE OUR HEADS AND WHENEVER A SUNBEAM FELL THROUGH A CHINK THE AIR SWARMED WITH GOLDEN DUST +820c9249-16d4-4cfc-875a-3f1466b64020 PETER HAD GONE HOME TO SEE HIS MOTHER AND UNCLE ROGER HAD GONE TO MARKDALE ON BUSINESS WHEN NEXT WE ASSEMBLED OURSELVES TOGETHER IT WAS AFTER MILKING AND THE CARES OF THE DAY WERE DONE WITH WE FOREGATHERED IN THE BALSAM FRAGRANT AISLES OF THE FIR WOOD AND ATE EARLY AUGUST APPLES TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE STORY GIRL SAID WE MADE HER THINK OF THE IRISHMAN'S PIG THE STRAW THAT I USE DOESN'T LUMP UP OR BRUISE THOUGH IT'S POUNDED AGAIN AND AGAIN THE BOY ATE IN SILENCE FOR A TIME BEING REALLY HUNGRY THE MONEY IS NEEDED SHARP SAID IN A DOUR BASS VOICE STARING OFF PAST YONAS'S LEFT EAR AT THE DARKENING SKY I'VE BEEN ABOUT A BIT AND HEARD SOME GOOD THINGS BUT I'VE NEVER ENJOYED ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT THREADBARE OLD STORY I HEARD IN MY CRADLE +822f8cca-f462-4da1-9012-7a8d5cedf5fb JONAS CAME OVER THE HILL WHISTLING AS IF HE HAD NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD WHICH IS NOT EVEN APPROXIMATELY TRUE HE REFLECTED HAPPILY NO REPLIED WOOD THOUGHTFULLY I SAID THE TIN WOODMAN THEY CAN'T HELP IT SO I AM POSITIVE THAT SHE WILL MANAGE TO FIND A WAY OUT OF HER PRISON SHE LIVES THERE WITH A LOT OF PET ANIMALS IN WINTER AND IN SUMMER SHE ROAMS OVER THE COUNTRY AND BEGS HER MEALS WE LOOKED AT HER AS WE DREW NEAR WITH SUCH INTEREST THAT WE FORGOT TO FEEL SHY HERE IS SOME MONEY FROM PARADISE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN A GOOD BOY ONCE ON THE GROUND IT WOULD NEVER BE NOTICED THOUGH IT WAS A LITTLE DISCONCERTING TO SEE IT FLOAT BY +823943f8-e47f-4c34-b4c2-d883ea3faa01 I HAVE FOUND THEM YES I ADDED HOARSELY BUT NOT A CRIMINAL RING AN INSPIRED MASKED CRIMINAL WHO APPARENTLY HAS MORE EXECUTIVE ABILITY IN ONE EAR LOBE THAN ALL YOUR BRIBE BLOATED BUREAUCRATS AND HIS FEMALE SISTANT THEY PULLED THE ENTIRE JOB BY THEMSELVES BUT PETER'S STOCKINGS WERE ALWAYS DARNED AUNT OLIVIA HAD SEEN TO THAT EVER SINCE SHE HEARD OF PETER'S SINGULAR DEVICE REGARDING THEM ON HIS FIRST SUNDAY HE CAN HANDLE A HOE MORE DEFTLY THAN A PENCIL AND HIS SPELLING EVEN WITH ALL HIS FREQUENT APPEALS TO CECILY IS A FEARFUL AND WONDERFUL THING WE DON'T KNOW IF IT DID WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SPOT IT SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WAY OFF IN THE BALLANDINE SYSTEM BY NOW BUT WE'VE SOMETHING ELSE ON OUR MINDS IT'S THE ONE ITEM THAT MAKES ME WANT TO BLOT OUT THIS PLACE AND RUN HOME WITH MY TAIL BETWEEN MY LEGS +823944aa-7c6e-4ec5-8b3c-944822e648eb THE CONTRAST BETWEEN HIS WEEK DAY JOLLITY AND THE UNEARTHLY SOLEMNITY OF HIS COUNTENANCE ON SUNDAYS ALWAYS STRUCK US AS VERY FUNNY IT SEEMED SO TO STRIKE PETER FOR AS PETER DROPPED HIS SCENT INTO THE PLATE HE LAUGHED ALOUD ONCE A LONG TIME AGO SHE RAISED AN ARMY OF GIRLS AND CALLED HERSELF GENERAL GINGER WITH HER ARMY SHE CAPTURED THE EMERALD CITY AND DROVE ME OUT OF IT BECAUSE I INSISTED THAT AN ARMY IN OZ WAS HIGHLY IMPROPER BUT IT TELLS YOU ANOTHER THING IN THE BIBLE TOO SAID CICELY EAGERLY IS AS NOBODY KNOWS WHEN THE JUDGMENT DAY IS TO COME NOT EVEN THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN NOW IF THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN DON'T KNOW IT DO YOU SUPPOSE THE EDITOR OF THE ENTERPRISE CAN KNOW IT AND HIM A GRIP TOO I GUESS HE KNOWS AS MUCH ABOUT IT AS A TORY WOULD RETORTED THE STORY GIRL THERE'S SOMETHING OUTSIDE JENIFER SAID IN A SMALL VOICE HER VOICE SEEMED TO TRIGGER THE ATTACK +823bc08f-1130-4710-87f0-e3d94ca3dadc YOU'RE CALLING THE SHOTS GOD HELP YOU HIS MOUTH REMAINED CLOSED BUT THERE WAS A SURF HISSING VOICE IN ORNE'S EARS I SAID WHY DO YOU NO HE DIDN'T SAID THE STORY GIRL QUICKLY DEVILTREE ISN'T SWEARING AT ALL IT ONLY MEANS EXTRA BAD MISCHIEF THE RAIN WAS WEEPING ON THE ROOF AS IF IT WERE SHEDDING THE TEARS OF OLD SORROWS NOBODY'S HOME SHE REPEATED DRAWING SLIGHTLY BACK FROM THE WINDOW YOU GO AWAY NOW THE SILENCE WAS A LONG ONE AND AT THE END OF IT KNOOF ROSE ALL THE DOUBTS I HAD DISMISSED FOUGHT FOR ATTENTION ALL MY SECONDARY SUSPECTS TURNED OUT TO BE SIMPLE FORGERIES NOT INDIVIDUALS DELIVERY BOYS STREET CLEANERS CLERKS ALL HAVE TO HAVE CHARACTERISTIC UNIFORMS +82746210-0591-44de-a2fe-0df33b318afb I COULD KILL YOU WHERE YOU SIT GREETED NEW YOU RIGHT FINISH FOR YOUR ENTIRE PLANET IF YOU DO SAID HORN I'M NOT ALONE THERE ARE OTHERS LISTENING TO EVERY WORD WE SAY THERE'S A SHIP OVERHEAD THAT COULD SPLIT OPEN YOUR PLANET WITH ONE BOMB WASH IT WITH MOLTEN ROCK BUT THIS LIKE THE BREAKING OF THE CUP HAD NO SIGNIFICANCE FOR US AT THE MOMENT THE STORY GIRL SNATCHED THE PAPER AND READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO A GROUP ON WHICH SUDDEN TENSE SILENCE HAD FALLEN EAGERLY HE CLAMBERED UPON THE OUTSTRETCHED HANDS AND STOOD THERE FACING THE GRINNING FACE STROKING THE POLISHED CHEEKS WITH BESEECHING FINGERS THE PRIESTS SANK TO THE FLOOR BENDING THEMSELVES IN MOCKERY OF THE IMAGE THE STORY GIRL WINKED WITH THE SIGHT OF HER FACE NEXT TO FELIX AND ME BUT THE SIDE NEXT TO THE GIRLS CHANGED NOT A MUSCLE SHE DEARLY LOVED TO TAKE HER EYES OUT OF FELICITY NOW AND THEN INDEED I WOULD IF I'D JUST MADE UP MY MIND TO WHY NOT WHY NOT BARE FEET IF THEY'RE CLEAN AS WELL AS BARE HANDS AND FACE +82ac299b-a7fc-4c94-a42a-94b2a6d4a45a THE OWL AND THE CANARY FOUND THAT THEY COULD CONVERSE TOGETHER IN THE BIRD LANGUAGE WHICH NEITHER THE GIANTESS NOR THE BEAR NOR THE MONKEY COULD UNDERSTAND SO AT TIMES THEY TWITTERED AWAY TO EACH OTHER AND PASSED THE LONG DREARY WAY THEY QUITE CHEERFULLY BEFORE HE COULD RECOVER I THREW A THICK FOLD IN FRONT OF HIM I AM AN THAR LEAGUE GRAND FLEET THESE ARE MY CREDENTIALS YOU HAD BETTER CHECK THEM THE RAIN HAD CEASED AND THE OLD LOW RAFTERED ROOM WAS FULL OF SUNSHINE WHICH DANCED ON THE SHINING DISHES OF THE DRESSER MADE MOSAICS ON THE FLOOR AND FLICKERED OVER THE TABLE WHEREON A DELICIOUS MEAL WAS SPREAD RICH WERE WE IN THE MEMORY OF THOSE OPULENT MONTHS THAT HAD GONE FROM US RICHER THAN WE THEN KNEW OR SUSPECTED AND BEFORE US WAS THE DREAM OF SPRING IT IS ALWAYS SAFE TO DREAM OF SPRING FOR IT IS SURE TO COME AND IF IT IS NOT JUST AS WE HAVE PICTURED IT IT WILL BE INFINITELY SWEETER +82c80249-b932-4997-8f81-10f20fcdbc0c PAT ISN'T A BIT BETTER HE JUST MOPES ABOUT THE KITCHEN SAID THE STORY GIRL ANXIOUSLY I WENT OUT TO THE BARN AND I SAW A MOUSE I HAD A STICK IN MY HAND AND I FETCHED A SWIPE AT IT SO GOOD GRACIOUS I DON'T KNOW SAID HE HELPLESSLY YOU'VE BEEN SO DEEP IN THAT WRETCHED BOOK THAT HE'S GOT OUT AND DEAR KNOWS WHERE HE IS CRIED FELICITY DISTRACTEDLY THERE'S A GOOD DEAL OF IT I DON'T UNDERSTAND HE SAID BUT I READ EVERY WORD AND THAT'S THE MAIN THING THAT STORY ABOUT JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHER WAS SO INTERESTING I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THE JUDGMENT DAY NOT THAT THEY'D HAVE KEPT ME FROM GETTING BORED FOR LONG BUT YOURS LOOKS AS IF IT'S GOING TO BE SLIGHTLY AMUSING AT LEAST +82ca43a6-369f-4f39-97c0-73f57884b620 IRONICALLY THEIR PROBLEM WAS MORE PRESSING NOW THAN BEFORE A LITTLE MORE TIME AND THEY MIGHT LET ME INTO THE TOWNSHIP WHERE I CAN LEARN SOMETHING I WONDER IF IT IS TRUE THAT HE WRITES POETRY MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS IT IS SHE SAYS SHE HAS SEEN HIM WRITING IT IN A BROWN BOOK THERE WERE SOME SAWHEADS IN HOUSTON WHO SAID THAT IT WASN'T POSSIBLE AFTER I COUNTED THE REGULAR PEOPLE I WENT TO COUNT THE LITTLE PEOPLE HE SAID THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO HIS MIND AND THERE WERE VARIOUS OTHER UNUSUAL APPENDAGES HER FIGURE WAS LEAF AND NICELY CURVED +82cb5f77-6a8c-45b1-81ed-524b00570e07 THEY WANT A CORNER ON THAT AND BESIDES HE WAS HOPE'S BROTHER I STARED AT HIM BEWILDERED AM I TO TAKE MY CHOICE KNUFF SAID A STRANGER KENUF SAID WHO ENTERS A SMALL CITY IS SEEN AT MYSTERIOUS UNDERTAKINGS PLUCKS WORDS OUT OF THE CENTRE OF A MAN'S MIND IT WAS WRENCHED FROM HIS HANDS AND FORCED DOWNWARD TO STICK QUIVERING IN THE DECK JOHN ANDREW WAS A PERSON WHO FOUND IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY NO YOU THERE SHORTEN CHUNKY I CALLED DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCEALED COMPARTMENTS OR DRAWERS BUILT UNTIL STEEL HARD IF SO LET'S SEE +830d3905-3dd8-4b4b-94dc-baaf8551cce5 AND PATHS OF BLUE GROUND AND THE PURPLE HUES OF THE GRASS AND TREES WARNED THEM THAT THEY WERE NOW IN THE COUNTRY OF THE GILICANS WHERE STRANGE PEOPLE DWELT IN PLACES THAT WERE QUITE UNKNOWN TO THE OTHER INHABITANTS OF OZ AND TELL HIM HOW SORRY I AM AND THERE WAS A WARDER OF THE BRIDGE A GOD WISH I COULD FLY TO YOU BUT MA WILL NOT LET ME I REMEMBER I SUPPED THAT NIGHT OFF A SOLID HUNK OF FAT PORK TOPPED OFF WITH A SLAB OF COLD PLUM PUDDING SHE WAS VERY SMALL AND VERY SWEET AND HE SLAMMED HIS HELMET DOWN ANGRILY AS HE REACHED THE RAIL BUT FARMER FELT AS MUCH OF IT AS HE WANTED +83154c0f-5ed5-4917-b628-ee271da20ff3 FELIX WAS VERY INDIGNANT AND AGGRIEVED AS WELL I DON'T SEE WHY GOD SHOULD ANSWER PETER'S PRAYERS INSTEAD OF MINE HE SAID BITTERLY I'VE GONE TO CHURCH IN SUNDAY SCHOOL ALL MY LIFE AND PETER NEVER WENT TILL THIS SUMMER IT ISN'T FAIR SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED HE PAUSED AND ASKED DEFENSIVELY IS THAT UNUSUAL THE DOCTOR SMILED OPENLY NOW NOT AT ALL NOT AT ALL BRANDON WAS LOOKING AT THE MILKY WAY THROUGH HIS PURMA GLASS CANOPY HE COULD SEE IT TRAILING ACROSS THE BLACK VELVET OF SPACE LIKE A WHITE BRIDAL VEIL I'VE OFTEN THOUGHT IT'S SUCH A STRANGE THING THAT THERE ISN'T A WORD ABOUT EITHER OF THEM IN THE BIBLE SAID CECILY ESPECIALLY WHEN IT MENTIONS BAPTISTS OR AT LEAST ONE BAPTIST THE DOOR JEFF PANTED INSIDE FASTEN THE HURRICANE BOLT HURRY HE CAME UP SPOUTING WATER AND FIGHTING FOR BREATH TO FIND HIMSELF A PERILOUS TWENTY FEET FROM THE ZID +8335f40a-6064-49a6-b799-29cdefca0823 THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MACHINE HE SAID IN APPEARANCE SHE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN GAR'S SISTER OR HIS WIFE FARMER REFLECTED FOR THE TENTH TIME BUT I WISH I COULD READ THEM MYSELF IS A JUST PUNISHMENT FOR WICKEDNESS AND I SAID THE CANARY FLYING CLOSE TO GINGER IF THE ISLANDERS WOULD TELL US THEIR SOURCE AND LET US HELP DEVELOP IT FASTEN THE HURRICANE BOLT HURRY THE ZID DOES NOT SWIM THE NATIVE SHIFTED TO THE LEFT ANSWERED IN PURE UNACCENTED HIGH GALATIES WE'LL MONITOR EVERYTHING +8389c371-929b-4259-b00b-67a17b7cb421 WISH JANET AND UNCLE ALEC WERE HOME SAID FELIX IT'S NOT HALF SO MUCH FUN HAVING THE GROWN UPS AWAY AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE I AND I DARE NOT GET HUNGRY FOR A DOZEN OR SO YEARS TO COME PERHAPS IT IS THE HOME OF NIMIE AMMY SHE LOOKED AT HIM HAUGHTILY WRITHING MOANING AND TURNING RED IN THE FACE DORA BLANCHED SLIGHTLY OR PERHAPS HIS MOTHER HAD PUT HIM UP TO IT OH DOES GOD LOOK LIKE THAT DON'T YOU SUPPOSE THAT ANYBODY EVEN GOD WOULD MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR THAT +83f7bc97-06ba-4c63-8875-88a2264e6612 THE THING MUST WEIGH JEFF THOUGHT DIZZILY THOUSANDS OR MAYBE MILLIONS OF TONS A CHANGE OF WIND OR SOME CRAFTY MANEUVRE OF OLD CHARLEY MAX TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT SHE DID NOT HOWEVER FORGET TO CARRY THE FORGET ME NOT JUG WITH HER THE TURNED INTO A TORCH AND SANK BENEATH HIM ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF THEM WAS THE IMPERIOUS COLONEL TOWERS BEYOND A RIDGE OF LOW HILLS HE LOOKED FAINTLY FRIGHTENED MODERATELY WORRIED AND DEFINITELY EMBARRASSED A SHE STRODE DIRECTLY +8430b91f-5616-41c9-92a5-7676e4096803 THERE'S A SHIP OVERHEAD THAT COULD SPLIT OPEN YOUR PLANET WITH ONE BOMB THAT WAS THE JUNGLE THE EYE A SECTION CHIEF WAS DARK HAIRED AND ANDREW MACPHERSON WAS TO SING BASS IN IT SHE BANGED THINGS ABOUT AND RATTLED THE STOVE COVERS UNTIL EVEN CECILY PROTESTED FROM HER SOFA BUT ALL WE SAW WAS FELICITY TEARING OVER THE GREEN SWARD BEVERLY KING IS A BOY ONCE MORE WE ARGUED OVER IT SERIOUSLY BUT FINALLY HAD TO GIVE UP THEN WE ROAMED ABOUT IN OUR WRETCHEDNESS AND TRIED TO COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WE WENT TO THE GROWN UPS AND TOLD THEM SO +8484b342-e484-44ea-965d-0a4a9309d4b6 GARTH GRINNED WHATEVER YOU SAY MY DEAR HE HAD FINISHED THOSE JUST DESCRIBED BEFORE DOOR SAID TO FACE THE MONSTER WITH A SICK FEELING IN HIS STOMACH PETER WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO KEPT HIS NORMAL POISE FOLLOWED BY PATTY AND THE REST OF US WALKED UP THE ORCHARD TO THE HOUSE I WAITED UNTIL HIS ATTENTION CLICKED BACK INTO THE ROOM AND HANDED HIM THE SHEETS OF PAPER LEAGUE CENTRAL FOURTEEN RUSH I TOLD HIM I JUST CRUNCHED DOWN IN THE BACK OF THE CAR CHEWING MY CIGAR TO PIECES AND CURSING MYSELF FOR BEING A FOOL I'LL MANAGE IT SOMEHOW SAID THE STORY GIRL AND WE HAD NO DOUBT THAT SHE WOULD IF YOUR WORD IS AS BIG AS YOUR MOUTH I GUESS IT WILL BE SAID FELICITY CRUELLY +84ad489d-7f65-4317-ab58-6d5b70d80727 AUNT JANET ON THE CONTRARY GAVE US SO MUCH GOOD ADVICE AND WAS SO CONSTANTLY TELLING US TO DO THIS OR NOT TO DO THE OTHER THING THAT WE COULD NOT REMEMBER HALF OF HER INSTRUCTIONS AND DID NOT TRY IT MUST BE GETTING HANDY TOO SAID CECILY IT SEEMS AS IF WE'D BEEN WAITING HERE FOR EVER SO MUCH LONGER THAN AN HOUR I THINK I'LL WRAP IT UP AND KEEP IT IN MY BOX HE SAID I'VE AN OLD BIBLE OF AUNT JANE'S AT HOME THAT I CAN USE I SUPPOSE IT'S JUST THE SAME EVEN IF IT'S OLD ISN'T IT OH YES CECILY HAD ASSURED HIM THE BIBLE IS ALWAYS THE SAME SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF IT AND CERTAINLY AS FAR AS APPEARANCE WENT IT JUSTIFIED HER TRIUMPH CONTENTS SAWDUST NOT INTENDED FOR PUDDINGS +84b689af-7ea2-46f7-b3ba-e8b691091920 THERE EXCLAIMED THE KING I EXPECTED THAT WOULD HAPPEN THE CONCEITED RASCAL WANTED TO PUFF HIMSELF UP UNTIL HE WAS BIGGER THAN THE REST OF YOU AND THIS IS THREE YEARS OLD OF HIS FOLLY GET THE PUMP WORKING SOME OF YOU AND BLOW HIM UP AGAIN AUNT JANET TRIED TO MAKE PIES OF THEM ONCE BECAUSE SHE SAID SHE HATED TO SEE THEM GOING TO WASTE BUT SHE NEVER TRIED IT AGAIN SHE SAID IT WAS BETTER TO WASTE APPLES ALONE THAN APPLES AND SUGAR TOO AND THEN SHE TRIED GIVING THEM AWAY TO THE FRENCH HIRED MEN BUT THEY WOULDN'T EVEN CARRY THEM HOME WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO START FIRST HOW'D YOU SPOT RIGHT AWAY WHERE THEY'D HIDDEN THE DELPHINIS EASY TENUBE'S WORD FOR HIS PEOPLE WAS GRATZIE MOST RACES CALL THEMSELVES SOMETHING MEANING THE PEOPLE BUT IN HIS TONGUE THAT'S O'CERIL SHE HAD A VERY NICE SMILE AND FOR MEMORIES IN THE OTHERS MINDS HE COULD HEAR THE VOICE LOW AND QUIET AND ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY +84bfd8ee-a04a-4851-b276-bd16a2e1042d OWING TO THE RAIN WE COULD NOT FOREGATHER IN THE ORCHARD WHERE WE HAD MEANT TO TRANSACT THE BUSINESS WITH JERRY WE DID NOT WISH OUR GROWN UPS AROUND AT OUR GREAT MOMENT SO WE BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE LOFT OF THE GRANARY IN THE SPRUCE WOOD FROM WHOSE WINDOW WE COULD SEE THE MAIN ROAD AND HALE JERRY THERE'S FOUR HUNDRED MILLION STARS IN THE MILKY WAY QUOTED PETER WHO FREQUENTLY ASTONISHED US BY KNOWING MORE THAN ANY HIRED BOY COULD BE EXPECTED TO SHE WAS VERY SMALL AND VERY SWEET SHE HAD SOFT BROWN EYES THAT WERE TOO TIMID TO LOOK STRAIGHT AT ANYBODY LIKE CECILY'S THERE AND LONG SLEEK BROWN CURLS LIKE MINE AND SHE HAD A TINY BERTH MARK LIKE A PINK BUTTERFLY ON ONE CHEEK RIGHT HERE HE PROTESTED HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WILL WORK RAY'S GLANCE TOOK ON A TOUCH OF ICY FURY +84cf3227-8aef-4272-860e-bbbf0c85ec7b IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SHIP AND THE DOCK YARD HAD BEEN LAVISH WITH HER ATTENTION TO DETAIL FROM BOW TO REAR TUBE SHE WAS PLAITED IN PURE GOLD PEPPO DROPPED HIS FACE INTO HIS HANDS AND HIS SHOULDERS SHOOK THE SHIP WAS COMPLETELY CLEAN AND OF DOROTHY AND JACK PUMPKINHEAD AND DOCTOR PIPT SAID THE TWENTY LEGGED MAN INSTEAD HE FELT THE SURGING RUMBLE DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE SHIP BRANDON NODDED WAS LAUNCHED AND NOW WAS CRUISING ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FEET ABOVE THE ALIEN PLANET AS IF TO BEAR OUT BRANDON'S REALIZATION JERRY HAD BROUGHT IT IN A FISH BASKET AS APPEARED WHEN HE MOUNTED THE GRANARY STAIRS SHORTLY AFTERWARDS AND ALL HIS PRAYERS WERE OF NO AVAIL +84e5c5dc-20d6-49ce-bac0-bf29c66b5dcb WAS I MISTAKEN IN THINKING THAT DONALD FRAGON SAID ONCE THAT HIS FAVOURITE HORSE SHOULD NEVER BE BACKED BY ANY MAN BUT HIM I THOUGHT YOU SAID IN YOUR SERMON MASTER PETER THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T FIGHT PETER AND FELIX WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY WORSE FRIENDS AFTER IT BUT WHOEVER MADE IT DID A SCREW BALL JOB EXPLAIN THIS TO ME IT WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WARM THERE WAS A BOLTED AND GUARDED DOOR THAT LED INTO THE PYRAMID PROPER THIS PILE OF JUNK IS OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS OLD AND THEY WERE BACK IN BUSINESS +851d860b-30fc-4176-aac8-df75eeaf569c EXCUSE ME HE SAID I DIDN'T SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE BEFORE I ARRIVED HERE AND I HAD TO LEARN IT AND BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO ITS USE THROUGH ANALYZING WHAT YOU JUST SAID I REALLY DIDN'T MEAN TO PUZZLE YOU OR MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR BY ME MAKING YOU I SAID WHY DO YOU YOU ARE IGNORANT OF OUR WAYS SAID TO NUB THEREFORE I FORGIVE YOU THE CITY IS FOR OUR RACE WE MUST BREED AND BE BORN IN THE SUNLIGHT ONCE LONG AGO WE USED CRUDE PLATFORMS ON THE TOPS OF TREES NOW ONLY THE BUT WAS NOT AN AWKWARD MAN WHO WAS ALSO A HERMIT AND KEPT BLUE SILK DRESSES IN A LOCKED ROOM AND POSSIBLY WROTE POETRY A LEGITIMATE OBJECT OF CURIOSITY I LEAVE IT TO YOU THEN OUR NEXT CHANCE TO GET BACK WILL BE AT THREE MINUTES AFTER ONE NODDED VIC I WONDER IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF BEFORE HE COULD COMPLETE THE SENTENCE THE DOOR WAS FLUNG OPEN AND FIVE OF THE OLDER MEN LED BY A SIXTH WITH A LARGER JEWEL AT HIS THROAT FILED SOLEMNLY INTO THE ROOM AND MOTIONED THAT WE WERE TO LEAVE +852817d9-6595-4b53-8235-274eabb7fda1 IT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN ABOUT THREE DAYS THEN HOW COME I'M SO OLD WE DON'T KNOW THAT MANOEL WE SURE DON'T KNOW THAT HOW BIG WERE THESE PEOPLE WHO KNOWS A FINGER LONG MAYBE TWO THE STORY GIRL CREPT OUT WITH FELIX AND ME TO THE MORNING ORCHARD WHILE DAN AND PETER WENT TO DO THE BARN WORK IT ISN'T ANY USE FOR ME TO TRY TO LEARN TO COOK SAID SHE NEVER MIND I SAID CONSOLINGLY YOU CAN TELL SPLENDID STORIES IT'S DREADFUL TO FIGHT ABOUT ANYTHING SO RELIGIOUS AS PRAYING SIGHED POOR CECILY THE SHARP WIND BLEW AROUND THE GRANARY AND CECILY SHIVERED WE HEARD AUNT JANET'S VOICE CALLING CHILDREN CHILDREN WHEN PEOPLE BACKSLIDE THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT'S ON THEIR MINDS AND WE HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE NEGOTIATING OR CONVINCING THEM +8538ceed-b6f6-43fc-bfff-7e636cca563f YOU KNOW THAT TOO HIGHWAYMEN SAID STETSON CONTACTED CULTURE JONAS HAD HE THOUGHT REGRETFULLY FEW DUELS TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND HE HAD HAD EVEN FEWER TO LOOK BACK ON YOU MAY DO THE SAME YOURSELF AND SOON HE MIGHT BE TESTING THEM OUT FOR HIMSELF HE WAS AT MY MERCY REALLY HE WANTED TO SLEEP SO MUCH IT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN CONCEIVED BY A MIND AS BRILLIANTLY AS CROOKED AS MY OWN I THRUST THE BOX HASTILY INTO MY TRUNK AND CONFRONTED DAN AS GOOD A COOK AS FELICITY DAN WAS TOO MUCH IN EARNEST TO RESENT MY BLUNT SPEECH +853a0d37-2ef1-47d6-8b58-02cba248286a SO THE MORNING AFTER HE HAD BROUGHT HIS YOUNG WIFE HOME THEY WENT TOGETHER TO THE SOUTH MEADOW AND PLANTED THEIR BRIDAL TREES IF ANYBODY COULD FREEZE THE BLOOD IN OUR VEINS THIS GIRL WITH THE WONDERFUL VOICE COULD TWO THE DOOR WAS SEALED SO THERE WOULD BE NO MORE SAVAGE ACCIDENTAL OR DELIBERATE THE MOMENT THIS WAS ALL FINISHED I DID THE JOB THEY WERE WAITING FOR BUT IT DOES SEEM AS IF WE'D BEEN HERE MORE THAN AN HOUR IT'S IT'S FOUR THAT SEEMS KIND OF QUEER SAID FELICITY DOUBTFULLY FELIX AND PETER DREW APART AFTER THAT FIRST ONSET AND THEN CIRCLED ABOUT ONE ANOTHER WARILY +85ac68fc-a976-493d-9c5d-924c427f6702 THAT WILL BE EASY SIGHED FELICITY I DON'T FEEL A BIT LIKE BEING BAD IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO PETER I FEEL SURE I'LL NEVER BE NAUGHTY AGAIN I WON'T HAVE THE HEART IT HAD BEEN INTERESTING AT FIRST PARTICULARLY SINCE UP TO THE TIME I WAS DRAFTED INTO THE SPECIAL CORPS I WASN'T EVEN CERTAIN IT REALLY EXISTED IT WAS TOO MUCH LIKE A COMMAND'S NIGHTMARE TO BE REAL A SECRET WORRY AFTER A FEW HAPPY YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL CRIME YOU BEGIN TO WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL LAST CECILY SET THE TABLE AND THE STORY GIRL WAITED ON IT AND WASHED ALL THE DISHES AFTERWARDS BUT ALL THE BLUSHING HONOURS FELL TO FELICITY WHO RECEIVED SO MANY COMPLIMENTS THAT HER AIRS WERE QUITE UNBEARABLE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK HE GOT OUT ALL RIGHT THE COLONEL SAID WE'RE JUST STARTING TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD WE ARE GOING TO GIVE UP THE SEARCH ARE WE SIR ASKED THE RADIO MAN +85b3649e-3287-4817-98d4-1551db6b2a99 IT WAS SO LARGE AND HAD SUCH GREEN MALICIOUS EYES I ALWAYS FEEL SORRY FOR THE POOR WEED SAID THE STORY GIRL DREAMILY PRESENTLY WE WERE IN THE FIELD BEYOND THE BROOK HE CAN'T BE MAN WELL SAID THE BIG POLICEMAN AND THE LITTLE POLICEMAN AWAY FROM THE DEAD CENTRE THE RAVINES WERE BODY DEEP IN CHAPARRAL UNCLE ROGER ATE THREE SLICES OF IT AT TEA TIME AND TOLD FELICITY SHE WAS AN ARTIST THE POOR MAN MEANT IT AS A COMPLIMENT BUT FELICITY WHO KNEW UNCLE BLAIR WAS AN ARTIST AND HAD A POOR OPINION OF SUCH FRY LOOKED INDIGNANT AND RETORTED INDEED SHE WASN'T THAT A HEAVY PLANET NATIVE WHEN YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING THAT MITE CONTACT THIS RIG HERE AND THERE RED AND PURPLE FLOWERS JUTTED FROM THE VERDURE +85f2c7cb-e14f-4879-92cc-3366a52312d8 WE DON'T THINK SO MUCH OF THAT MISTER BUTLER BEING TOOK WITH STREAKS OF WORKING AT ALL HOURS AS YOU KNOW WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME DOWN HERE AND CLEAN YOU OUT IT'D BE ASHAMED TO HAVE TO BLAST THAT CITY INTO LITTLE PIECES WE HAVE MACHINES TO DO OUR WORK A MONSTROUS TAIL FLUKE THAT STRETCHED DOWN THE BEACH TO MERGE INTO A FLAT PURPLISH ACREAGE OF BACK THE FLIMSY CABIN COULD NOT STAND FOR LONG AGAINST THE SORT OF BRUTE THE OWLS HAD SHOWN HIM THIS VERY WELL SAID CECILY MOURNFULLY AND ALL THE THINGS WERE THERE +862bf2fc-c60a-4603-99f9-1d70c7e29ffa AND TRIED TO KEEP HIS EYES ON HER FACE A STRUGGLE SHOWED IN RAY'S FACE IT LEFT HIM WEAK AND QUIVERING WHAT DOES IT MAKE YOU THINK OF GIRLS I WISH I COULD MAKE UP MY MIND WHETHER TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST WE WERE ALL RATHER EXCITED OVER THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW WHICH AN ITINERANT LECTURER WAS TO GIVE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE THAT EVENING ALL NEATLY DISPLAYED ON TIN DISHES THAT WERE POLISHED TILL THEY SHONE LIKE MIRRORS +86361956-066a-4949-9c43-997829c31389 WELL THAT'S KIND OF COMFORTING SAID PETER SHE CAN'T BE ANY FAITH IN IT OR SHE'D BE MORE WORKED UP I'M GOING STRAIGHT TO MARKDALE TO PAY A MAN THERE SOME MONEY I OWE HIM AND AFTER DINNER I'M GOING TO SUMMERSIDE TO BUY ME A NEW SUIT MY OLD ONE'S TOO SHABBY FOR THE JUDGMENT DAY JUST SEVEN MILES APART I'M MARTIAL AND I SUSPECT THAT YOU ARE A LATE PIG SANDWICH WHEN HE WAS HIGH OVER THEIR HEADS HE EXPLODED WITH A LOUD POP BUT THE WITCH HAPPENED TO OVERHEAR OUR CONVERSATION AND THIS IS THREE YEARS OLD OF HIS FOLLY THAT'S ONLY MY OLD APRON SAID FELICITY I HUNG IT THERE TO DAY WHEN I WAS LOOKING FOR THAT WHITE HEN'S NEST OH WHAT SHALL WE DO +863a78b3-5b66-4aea-895b-0182cdb601eb WELL I SUPPOSE THE FIRE IS ON ANYHOW FOR THE STORY GIRL IS UP I GUESS SHE GOT UP EARLY TO KNEAD THE BREAD SHE COULDN'T SLEEP ALL NIGHT FOR WORRYING OVER IT WHEN NOT HELD IN THE CHURCH WITH BARE FEET AND NO PARTICULAR DISGRACE ATTACHED TO IT BRANDON HAD A STRANGE DETACHED FEELING AS HE PUSHED THE EJECTION BUTTON TOWERS SWUNG AROUND AND LOOKED AT BRANDON TOO LATE I'M ON FIRE AND WHEN HE HAD PRAYED THREE NIGHTS AFTER THIS MANNER HE CONTRIVED TO EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT A GRIMACE UNTIL HE CAME TO THE LAST BITE WHICH PROVED TOO MUCH FOR HIM +8642d7d9-495b-4019-815a-903eea79f957 SAID THE STORY GIRL AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE DRUNK FROM IT WE NEEDN'T WORRY ABOUT THE BREAD AND MILK RULE ADDED FELICITY WILL YOU HAVE ME NAN I'M FRIGHTENED OF HER TOO BUT JUST LOOK AT POOR DARLING PATTY UNCLE ROGER ROARED WHEN HE HEARD IT AND HE ROARED AGAIN AT NIGHT OVER PETER'S ACCOUNT OF FELIX ATTEMPTING TO MILK A COW WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A BIG CITY ASKED THORN HAVE A HUNCH ABOUT THESE CREATURES WHAT IS IT THE LIPLESS MOUTH HAD LOOKED SO ODD FOR BY INSTINCT AND TRAINING WE THOUGHT AND UTTERED THE GREAT NAME WITH REVERENCE IN SPITE OF OUR DEVOURING CURIOSITY WE HAD BEEN TOO NEAR SOMETHING DARK AND TERRIBLE AND MENACING WELL FELIX WHAT IS IT ASKED MISTER MIREWOOD KINDLY +86a88f91-004d-4118-97e9-5bb5a24a7685 THAT GAVE JEFF TIME ENOUGH TO REACH THE STORM SHUTTERS AND SECURE THEM ONLY TO RUSH AGAIN WITH JENIFER TO THEIR BUNK BARRICADE AS THE ZID PROMPTLY RENEWED ITS FEROCIOUS ATTACK ON THE DOOR NOTHING CAN BE SO VERY BAD THEN I'M GOING TO READ THE BIBLE ALL TO MORROW FORENOON SAID PETER WE WERE RATHER DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THEM QUITE LARGE STURDY ONES IT SEEMED TO US THAT THEY SHOULD STILL BE IN THE SAPLING STAGE CORRESPONDING TO OUR BOYHOOD YOUR APPLES ARE LOVELY TO EAT THE STORY GIRL SAID TO ME BUT FELIXES ARE ONLY GOOD FOR PIES I RETREATED TWO OR THREE SWIFT STEPS JERKING THE REVOLVER FROM MY POCKET BACK I WARNED HOPING THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND THE TONE OF VOICE IF NOT THE WORDS BACK OR I'LL POT A COUPLE OF YOU +86bd3a3d-7610-4f9b-9d44-be424a3214d5 I THOUGHT IT A LITTLE SHOWY MYSELF THERE WERE SOME THINGS IN MY FAVOUR THEY SAT OR SLUMPED AGAINST THE FURNITURE WAITING FOR MY CONCLUSIONS FIVE PACES DOWN THE CORRIDOR THE WALK TURNED INTO A RUN YONIC WATCHED HIM GO AND THEN SAT DOWN ON HIS LOUSE AND FESTO COT TO AWAIT DEVELOPMENTS THERE WAS INTEREST IN HIS MIND OVERLAID WITH SKEPTICISM LET IT BE SHARP SAID QUIETLY TOLD YOU TO BRING IT AT THE HAND MOVED SLOWLY LIKE THE HAND OF AN OIL GAUGE IN WHICH THE PRESSURE IS GRADUALLY BUILT UP THE SLEDGE SHIFTED AS SOMEONE CLIMBED ONTO THE LOAD BEHIND THE CAB WE DON'T NEED SLAVES SAID ORAN +86cea7a1-3b66-4585-b047-df41454759e1 GARF LOOKED HESITATE HE WONDERED HOW UNCOMFORTABLE HE COULD GET AND PUT OUT A TENSIVE HAND TOWARDS THE FUSE MESS I SHOULD THINK THE MORE LIKE A REGULAR SERMON IT WAS THE BETTER I SAID ONE DESPERATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON WE HAD NOTHING TO READ AND THE TIME SEEMED ENDLESS FELIX HAD SUGGESTED THAT WE HAVE A GAME OF FRUIT BASKET SHE IS GOING TO WRITE YOU A LETTER TOO ALL LOOKED AS IF THEY WERE HELD PRISONERS IN THE BONDS OF A FEARSOME SPELL WHICH THEY WOULD GLADLY BREAK BUT COULD NOT WITH A LEDGE MIDWAY ON WHICH ONE COULD STAND WHO'S TALKING TO YOU SAID FELICITY MY ONLY GOOD POINTS ARE MY HAIR AND EYES AND FEET WE WERE ALL RATHER EXCITED OVER THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW WHICH AN ITINERANT LECTURER WAS TO GIVE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE THAT EVENING +86f04159-76a1-4e1b-9345-ed031a37e8b2 Y THE JUDGMENT SUNDAY SUNDAY MORNING BROKE DULL AND GRAY I THOUGHT OF THAT MYSELF BUT I CAN'T STAY HOME CECILY IT WOULD BE FAR MORE THAN FLESH AND BLOOD COULD ENDURE I MUST HEAR THAT MISSIONARY SPEAK THEY SAID HE WAS ALL BUT EATEN BY CANNIBALS ONCE JUST THINK HOW MANY NEW STORIES I'D HAVE TO TELL AFTER I'D HEARD HIM AND KNOWING HUMAN NATURE THE WAY I DO THAT WAS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE TO EXPECT OCCUM'S RAZOR ALWAYS POINTS THE WAY IF THERE ARE TWO CHOICES TO TAKE TAKE THE SIMPLER IN THIS CASE I CHOSE THE NATURAL ACQUISITIVE INSTINCT OF MAN AS OPPOSED TO BLIND CHANCE AND ACCIDENT NEVERTHELESS I PUT THE THEORY TO THE TEST UNCLE ROGER WAS ILLIBERAL AND UNCLE ALEC A CONSERVATIVE AND THE GIRLS HELD FAST TO THE POLITICAL TRADITIONS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOUSEHOLDS BUT IT ISN'T REALLY THE ENTERPRISE EDITOR AT ALL WHO'S SAYING IT IT'S A MAN IN THE STATES WHO CLAIMS TO BE A PROPHET IF HE IS A PROPHET PERHAPS HE HAS FOUND OUT SOMEHOW AND IT'S IN THE PAPER TOO AND THAT'S PRINTED AS WELL AS THE BIBLE SAID DAN +875ff4ed-3e7f-41ef-9d4b-20967fd14e87 TO WANDER FROM ONE'S HOME REMARKED THE SCARECROW THE MAGIC APRON PROVED AND ALL OUR OTHER FRIENDS AND EVEN THE PARTS THAT SHOULD BE THERE SEEM WRONG SOMEHOW HE WAS WONDERING ALREADY IN FACT WHAT HAD MADE HIM GET SO ROUGH AT ALL THE PRIESTHOOD ARRIVED WHEN YOU GET ENOUGH REFERENCE PHRASES LIKE THIS IN THE MEMORY BANK THE M T BRAIN TAKES OVER AND STARTS FILLING IN THE MISSING PIECES WHEN THE TWO PEAKS COINCIDED BUT IF YOU GO SQUABBLING YOU'LL SPOIL IT ALL GROWN PEOPLE WERE SO STRANGELY OBLIVIOUS TO THE TRULY IMPORTANT THINGS OF LIFE +8765f3f3-8b52-48d4-8713-5a5f5493c167 HOW OLD AM I FATHER PERSISTED THE SMALL DRAGON ABOUT SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY I BELIEVE ASK YOUR MOTHER WHY NOT WHAT ARE MINISTERS FOR IF THEY AIN'T TO TELL PEOPLE HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN OH WELL IT'S ALL RIGHT FOR GROWN UPS TO ASK THEM THINGS OF COURSE BUT IT ISN'T RESPECTFUL FOR LITTLE BOYS ESPECIALLY HIRED BOYS WE DON'T NEED SLAVES SAID ORAN WE HAVE MACHINES TO DO OUR WORK WE'LL SEND EXPERTS IN HERE TEACH YOU PEOPLE HOW TO EXPLOIT YOUR PLANET HOW TO BUILD GOOD TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES HOW SHOW YOU HOW TO MIND YOUR MINERALS HOW TO AND WHAT DO WE DO IN RETURN I HAD GOT TURNED AROUND AFTER THE EYE BURNING AND MY FLYING BEAST HOOKED ON TO ME BACKWARD +87801f4d-4e05-4d77-a857-03b9a8116b93 HARD FACT TO REALISE HAD BEEN CHILDREN I HEARD UNCLE ROGER TELLING IT THE OTHER NIGHT THERE WAS A FINE MOCKERY IN HIS TONE THAT PUT THE STORY GIRL ON HER MEDDLE INSTANTLY AND A CAUTION THAT WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM FEAR THE BOAT HEAVED WALLOWED AND SANK AFTER A LONG SILENCE HE KNELT HIS OXYGEN MASK WAS STILL IN PLACE BUT HIS HELMET HUNG PARTLY LOOSE HE SHOVED THE POWER SETTING TO NINETY PER CENT JUST TO BE FORGIVEN IN SUCH AN ADORABLE VOICE SUCH AS SHOULD BE AT A WEDDING AND EVERY ONE LOOKED AT EVERY ONE ELSE WITH FEAR IN HIS EYES I SAID CROSSLY FOR I FELT THAT PETER HAD DISGRACED US +87b5478a-fcfa-4568-b0ec-a4acfa84235c I WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISED WHEN I JOINED THEM OF COURSE THERE WAS A LITTLE PRESSURE AT THE TIME I HAD THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE OF INSTANT DEATH BUT I STILL THINK IT WAS A WISE MOVE OUR MOTHER HAD DIED BEFORE EITHER OF US WAS OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER HER FATHER COULD NOT TAKE US TO RIO DE JANEIRO CHAFFEE THREE SET DOWN THE SHIP ON AN ISLAND THAT WAS ONLY ONE OF A FRECKLING CHAIN OF SIMILAR ISLANDS CHAFFEE FOUR PROJECTED HIMSELF FIRST TO THE OPENED PORT THEN WHEN THE ZID CHARGED AFTER HIM TO THE URBIVOIR CROP SWARD OF TROPICAL SETTING OUTSIDE BORING IS HARDLY THE WORD OTHERS WOULD USE I AM NOT LIKE OTHERS YONAH SAID HE WISHED FOR CLARETON SUDDENLY BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO REACH HIM SAFELY HE HAD TO MAKE HIS MOVE ALONE WELL HE TOLD HIMSELF THAT WAS WHAT HE HAD WANTED I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND HE SAID THE WORDS HUNG IN THE AIR OF THE ROOM FOR A LONG TIME +880f5f97-254b-49a2-b41b-9df99ebe9907 I TRIED TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL OUR MEN CLARETON THOUGHT THOUGH COME TO THINK OF IT THERE WOULDN'T BE AN AFTERWARD BUT TAKE HIM AWAY THERE WAS ONE DIM PICTURE OF A PEPPE CHUBBY BUT LOOKING TOO GRIM TO BE A HAPPY FAT BOY WHEN HE MANAGED TO SPEAK THE WORDS WERE COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY HE HAD ALREADY REGISTERED EVERY EVIDENCE OF INJURED INNOCENCE CECILY WAS ABLE TO BE OUT WITH US AGAIN THAT DAY SO PETER FELT THAT HE MIGHT VENTURE ON A GRUMBLE UNCLE ROGER SAYS HE WOULDN'T WANT A WIFE HE COULD NEVER QUARREL WITH REMARKED ANNE HE SAYS IT WOULD BE TOO TAME A LIFE FOR HIM +8813e160-4e94-477a-b7f9-d072a73a0d78 SHE HAD ALSO GIVEN PETER A BIBLE OF WHICH HE WAS SO PROUD THAT HE HATED TO USE IT LEST HE SHOULD SOIL IT SHE WAS THOUGH QUITE UNCONSCIOUSLY ACTING A PART AND TASTING ALL THE SUBTLE JOY OF THE ARTIST WHICH IS SO MUCH MORE EXQUISITE THAN ANY MATERIAL PLEASURE IN ODIN'S BAND WAS A BEAUTIFUL MAIDEN NAMED ALIN SHE WAS AS FAIR AND DELICATE AS A YOUNG BIRCH TREE IN THE SPRING AMONG DARK OLD PINES AND FIRS AND VING LOVED HER WITH ALL HIS HEART UNCLE ROGER CAN LAUGH SAID CICELY WITH A QUIVER IN HER VOICE BUT IT'S NO LAUGHING MATTER TO BE SO SCARED I FEEL JUST SICK I WAS SO FRIGHTENED I WOULDN'T MIND IF HE'D LAUGH ONCE AND HAVE IT DONE WITH IT SAID FELICITY BITTERLY BUT HE'LL LAUGH AT US FOR A YEAR AND TELL THIS STORY TO EVERY SOUL THAT COMES TO THE PLACE JOHN ANDREW WAS WISHING THAT HE COULD SWIM WHEN DORA SMILED AND HE BEGAN TO BE INTERESTED IN LIVING AGAIN IN SPITE OF HIMSELF +8831ecc0-bae0-4da6-a603-34c320cdb6df WHEN HE PASSED NEXT DAY I WHISPERED INTO THE MIKE WELCOME O GOAT BOY GRANDSON THIS IS YOUR GRANDFATHER'S SPIRIT SPEAKING FROM PARADISE DO YOU KNOW WHY I WAS PUT HERE YOU CAST SPELLS YOU MAKE THINGS HAPPEN THAT'S RIGHT YONA SAID SMILING AGAIN I'M A WIZARD A WARLUCK THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY ISN'T IT YOU MAKE THINGS HAPPEN THE BOLD MAN SAID BUT HE HAD THE BASIC IDEA YONAS CHECKED THAT IN HIS MIND VERY WELL HE SAID ONE TWILIGHT WHEN A KATY WAS OUT HUNTING IN THE WOODS HE SHOT A SNOW WHITE MOOSE AND TOOK OFF ITS SKIN AND WRAPPED IT AROUND HIM THEN HE HE WENT THROUGH THE WOODS IN STARLIGHT AND FELT SO HAPPY AND LIGHT OF HEART THAT HE SOMETIMES FRISKED AND CAPERED ABOUT JUST AS A REAL MOOSE WOULD DO EVER SINCE THE MOMENT OF HER TRANSFORMATION SHE HAS REFUSED TO SPEAK A SINGLE WORD DON'T YOU THINK YOU'D BETTER LEAVE ME AS I AM ASKED FOOD IN A TREMBLING VOICE +88679e9b-0bfd-44be-b3c7-039ab65e32a9 SHE HAD NO SENSE OF HUMOR TO DEVELOP A FEELING OF AFFECTION FOR IT HAD THEY REALIZED HOW FAR NOW THE SCARECROW WAS NEXT TO POLYCHROME IN THE LINE AND UNHAPPINESS IN ANY FORM IS THE GREATEST EVIL THAT CAN BEFALL YOU THAT NIGHT WHEN HE POINTED OUT THE STARS TO US FROM THE PULPIT STONE WAS THE LAST TIME FOR SEVERAL WEEKS THAT PETER SHARED OUR TOIL AND PASTIME WE FELT THAT IT WAS AN INSULT TO OUR WRETCHEDNESS DO YOU WANT THAT DEVIL TEARING THE CABIN DOWN AROUND US BUT IT WASN'T CHARLIE THEY CAN'T BE DANGEROUS HE SAID +88ad1861-a4f1-43ec-81b0-8868db70cf2a BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING OF ALL WAS THAT A WOMAN'S DRESS WAS HANGING OVER A CHAIR BY THE TABLE UNCLE STEPHEN WAS THE FIRST BORN OF ABRAHAM AND ELIZABETH KING I KNEW THAT BEFORE I PROMISED PETER IS HAVING A NEW SUIT MADEAID AN INSPIRED MASKED CRIMINAL WHO APPARENTLY HAS MORE EXECUTIVE ABILITY IN ONE EAR LOBE THAN ALL YOUR BRIBE BLOATED BUREAUCRATS YOU NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THINGS LIKE THAT HERE WE DRIED UP AND THE STORY GIRL WENT ON I DON'T BELIEVE PRESBYTERIANS EVER DO PENANCE SAID FELICITY DUBIOUSLY I +88d39253-c6e9-4cb6-b233-ed44fca7406c IT'S LIKE A DREAM OF FAIRYLAND THIS TRULY AUNT JANITY REMARK BROKE THE SPELL BUT IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT MATTER THEN THE MINISTER LOOKED AT THE PICTURE YOU'LL HAVE A LOT OF GROWN UPS AROUND YOU IN THE HOUSE THE STORY GIRL SAID THAT ONCE UPON A TIME BUT WITH THE SWIFT AND UNERRING INTUITION OF CHILDHOOD MA'S GONE TO TOWN PA AND HER WENT THIS AFTERNOON AND THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK TILL TO MORROW +88d556db-3fb1-4c74-abf0-142f3519d73f HE WAS AUNT JANET'S COUSIN AND OFTEN VISITED HER HE WAS A BOY THREE YEARS OLDER THAN MYSELF MY AUNT JANE WAS CLEVER THEN WE FOREGATHERED AROUND A TINY WOOD SPRING COLD AND PELLUCID UNDER ITS YOUNG MAPLES AND ATE THE JELLY COOKIES AND THE STORY GIRL TOLD US A TALE OF A HAUNTED SPRING IN A MOUNTAIN GLEN WHERE A FAIR WHITE LADY DWELT WHO PLEDGED ALL COMERS IN A GOLDEN CUP WITH JEWELS BRIGHT YES I DID SHE FALTERED FOR HE CREPT INTO THE BACKGROUND AND SAID NOTHING MORE HOW DID YOU GET THERE ASKED THE VOICE PRIVILEGE FEW WIVES ENJOY THERE IS NO TEMPER IN YOUR NEW HEAD STAND IN THE CENTER OF THE SQUARE OUTLINED BY THE FOUR UPRIGHTS OF THE DEVICE BESIDE WHICH THIS LITTLE TABLE STANDS +88d67e74-0e49-45da-93fa-2a1d9521a694 THREE THE PRIESTS SHOULD BE SATISFIED I COME FROM YOUR ANCESTORS TO HELP YOU THE BEACON WAS REPAIRED ASKED FELIX HOLDING OUT THE PICTURE WHAT IF YOU WON'T BELIEVE ME I SUPPOSE YOU'LL BELIEVE THE MINISTER SAID THE STORY GIRL THE STORY GIRL AND I WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO COULD PAY HIM COMPLIMENTS TO HIS LIKING THE STORY GIRL WOULD BOX HIS EARS WITH HER FIST AND SAY WE CLIMBED MT BLANC PETER HAD THE LARGEST BILLY HAD DECEIVED US BOTH +893c960e-c93d-4549-b1aa-b6b8849324e7 I IMAGINE HE WAS AS FULL OF PETTY LARCENACY HE LOOKED DOWN AS IF AWARE FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE ROBOT HAD BEEN HOLDING BY THE WRIST DURING THE INTERVIEW THEN DONALD BROUGHT OUT THE WHISKY THEY ALWAYS DID THAT EIGHTY YEARS AGO YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE THREE SQUARE WINDOWS IN THE SECOND STORY GAVE IT AN APPEARANCE OF WINKING AT US IN A FRIENDLY FASHION THROUGH ITS VINES YOU YOU ARE IN A CELL HE SAID AT LAST LOCKED UP AND THAT WAS THE UNANSWERABLE QUESTION FOR NO WIZARD COULD USE THE NAME OF GOD SILVERY MOON WAS LOOKING DOWN ON US OVER THE GRANARY ALL RIGHT I CAN FIGHT AS WELL AS PRAY OH DON'T FIGHT +8945e74e-5a03-4bcc-88af-ab72520eb3b7 AND CONCLUDED THE STORY GIRL HER FACE UPTURNED TO THE SKY HER BIG EYES FILLED WITH STARLIGHT IT STANDS STILL THAT BRIDGE IS THE MILKY WAY AND AUNT JANET SAYS WE ARE NEVER TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT BEFORE WE GO TO BED AFTER THIS EXCEPT PLAIN BREAD AND MILK SAID FELIX SADLY THEY'D LIKE TO STOP US FROM DREAMING ALTOGETHER IF THEY COULD SAID THE STORY GIRL WRATHFULLY TRUE ENOUGH BUT WE SHALL GO TOWARD THE NORTH FIRST OF ALL INTO THE GELICAN COUNTRY AND SO PASS AROUND THE EMERALD CITY EXPLAINED THE TIN WOODMAN YEA YES I'LL TELL YOU WORD FOR IT YOU'RE A FLYING BOMB SO STOP WITH THIS ROBBING REPORT A BIT AND TELL ME WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND THIS TIME I DIDN'T ANSWER HIM BECAUSE I WAS RUNNING AND PANTING LIKE A DOG AND HAD THE MIKE TURNED OFF +8946e70d-97fe-4460-934e-8be1ecc6feb7 THE STORY GIRL AND CECILY WERE EACH TO BE PAID TEN CENTS A WEEK FOR WASHING DISHES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE HOMES HAVE YOU GOT A PAIN IN YOUR STOMACH SHE DEMANDED OH I WONDER HOW SARA IS THIS MORNING NAMED ZARA AND ZULEI MYTH ABOVE THE HORIZON THE DISGUISE SLED ITS PARAGRAPH UNITS TURNED OFF ALSO SHE HAD A PURPLE FEATHER FASTENED TO A WART ON THE TOP OF HER HEAD AROUND +8957d870-b512-4c0d-8dd1-6b331aac6da2 P S OH I DO HOPE PETER WILL GET BETTER MI IS GOING TO GET ME A NEW BROWN DRESS FOR THE WINTER S R THE THIRD MILE BROUGHT HIM TO THE SCENE OF THE CRASH A SMOKING CYLINDER OF FUSED METAL LAY IN A GULLY PARTS WERE STREWN ALONG THE BOTTOM A WING UNTOUCHED BY THE FIRE WAS LEANING TIP DOWN AGAINST THE EDGE OF ANOTHER LAVA SHEET SOME DISTANCE AWAY HE SAT DOWN BUT HE WAS SYSTEMATIC SO HE CHECKED THE LIST OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN THERE SEEMED TO BE SOMEBODY MISSING AH YES HIMSELF DAN SHARED IT WITH US SLEEPING IN A BED OF HIS OWN IN THE OPPOSITE CORNER THE SHEETS AND PILLOW SLIPS WERE FRAGRANT WITH LAVENDER AND ONE OF GRANDMOTHER KING'S NOTED PATCHWORK QUILTS WAS OVER US +8989a404-0b9f-4105-a95f-e650859d0ccd THIS IS YOUR THIRD SET OF TEETH I BELIEVE THE CAPSULE WAS ON ITS BACK AND BRANDON WAS STILL STRAPPED SECURELY TO THE SEAT MARRY ME NOW AND YOU AND I AND YOUR FATHER AND ALL YOUR COURT WILL RIDE STRAIGHTWAY TO MY KINGDOM THIS PULPIT DOOR WAS MADE FOR SPIRITS MANY A SWAGGERING GALLANT RUFFLED IT BRAVELY IN VELVET AND PLUME ADOWN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK HOPE'S AWAY AT AUNT CLEO'S SO DON'T GET IN TOUCH WITH HER AND SPOIL HER VISIT AND MATTER IS WHAT +8a4a75f0-3984-4a06-bf40-be9540d1786d WHY TWINS ARE JUST PEOPLE THAT SQUINT AREN'T THEY SAID PETER WE THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO BE FUNNY UNTIL WE FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS QUITE IN EARNEST NO YOU CAN'T BE ANY OF THEM EITHER MANUEL AND YOU SURELY CAN'T BE MANUEL WHO LIVES OVER THERE I ASKED POINTING TO A HOUSE ACROSS THE FIELDS OH THAT BELONGS TO THE AWKWARD MAN HIS NAME IS JASPER DALE BUT EVERYBODY CALLS HIM THE AWKWARD MAN AND THEY DO SAY HE WRITES POETRY THERE WAS A SHIMMER OF LIGHT FROM THE TOP AND I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT IT ON THE PEAK OF THE PYRAMID WAS A HOLLOW BASIN FILLED WITH WATER COME BACK TO MORROW AND WE WILL TALK SOME MORE I CALLED AFTER THE FLEEING FIGURE I WAS PLEASED TO NOTICE THAT HE TOOK THE CASH BEFORE TAKING OFF +8a5c75e1-d895-4acc-9ea3-a5fca5a28e6c THE WHOLE EFFECT WAS NOT UNLIKE THE SKELETON OF A MINIATURE SKY SCRAPER I STRODE BETWEEN TWO OF THE HIGH SLIM BLACK PILLARS AND GLANCED UPWARD I'D LIKE TO SIGHED FELICITY BUT WE'D COME HOME TIRED AND WITH ALL THE MILKING TO DO YOU BOYS BETTER GO ALONE PETER AND I WILL ATTEND TO THE MILKING FOR ONE EVENING SAID UNCLE ROGER YOU CAN ALL GO RAID THE MENTAL HOSPITALS AND JAILS DO THAT OFTEN ENOUGH AND YOU WOULD HAVE A CREW THAT WOULD MAKE ANY PIRATE CHIEF PROUD THOUGH PIRACY WAS OF COURSE TOO MEAN AN AMBITION TO ASCRIBE TO THIS BOY DID HE WANT TO RULE A WHOLE PLANET OR MAYBE AN ENTIRE SYSTEM OR MORE BECAUSE THERE'S MORE OF THEM SAID FELIX GRINNING I FORGET WHAT WE DID TO FELIX +8a686ac3-cd12-495f-930a-4d4b8dcf8ffc I WAS STILL TEASED AS I HAD NO IDEA WHAT A SHIP THIS LARGE COULD BE USED FOR SO I REMOVED THE TIME INTELLECT ON THE C M AND LET IT PICK AROUND THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF SPACE TO SEE IF IT COULD FIND A COMPARISON IT SURE DID RIGHT AT THE GOLDEN AGE OF EMPIRE EXPANSION THE GIANT WAR LORD BATTLESHIPS THE MACHINE EVEN FOUND A BLUE PRINT FOR ME I MUST STOP FOR MAR SAYS I WASTE FAR TOO MUCH TIME WRITING LETTERS TELL JUDY ALL THE NEWS FOR ME YOUR OWN TRUE FRIEND SARA RAY P S OH I DO HOPE PETER WILL GET BETTER MI IS GOING TO GET ME A NEW BROWN DRESS FOR THE WINTER S R HE WAS ALMOST ALWAYS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR VARIOUS REASONS THOUGH IT RARELY EVER OCCURRED TO HIM AS HE CONSIDERED EACH INDIVIDUAL IRRITANT THAT THIS WAS HIS NORMAL STATE OF EXISTENCE RIGHT NOW HE WAS ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF HOW RIDICULOUS IT MUST LOOK FOR HIM TO BE MAKING LOVE TO AN OCCUPUS BUT HE WAS EVEN MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE VERY REAL PAINS OF UNREQUITTED LOVE I SUPPOSE MISSUS SCOTT THOUGHT THAT WHAT WAS SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE WAS SAUCE FOR THE GANDER FOR SHE SLIPPED OUT AND DROVE OFF TO CHURCH AS HE HAD DONE OLD MISTER SCOTT FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE CHURCH PRETTY HOT AND DUSTY AND IN NONE TOO GOOD A TEMPER HE WENT INTO THE PULF PIT LEANED OVER IT AND LOOKED AT HIS WIFE SITTING CALMLY IN HER PEW AT THE SIDE IT WAS CLEVERLY DONE HE SAID RIGHT OUT LOUD BUT DINNA TRY IT AGAIN +8a6d368b-c641-4cb0-9a60-d18bc3d18d5c AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF BLOODSHED AND MISERY RETORTED PETER SULKILY THE FRAGRANCE OF THE ORCHARD STRUCK US IN THE FACE LIKE A WAVE A PLAN WAS BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE IN MY HEAD WHEN THE SIREN SCREAMED THE CREW SECURED SHIP AND BLASTED OFF BEFORE I HAD FINISHED READING REPORT IF AFTER IT WE WERE THE SAME IF IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY I WANT TO HAVE THE LESSON LEARNED SHE SAID OH MISS FRUIN AIN'T IT AWFUL HOT I DECLARE I'M ALL IN A PRESBYTERIAN IF THERE HAD BEEN ONE WISE OLDER FRIEND TO TELL US IN SERIOUS FASHION THAT WE NEED NOT BE AFRAID BUT THIS LIKE THE BREAKING OF THE CUP HAD NO SIGNIFICANCE FOR US AT THE MOMENT +8a8fa03d-2505-4485-bc14-488169da01c7 YES THAT'S IT AGREED PETER IT'S ALL RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR PRINCIPLE IT'S KIND OF PRAYING WITH YOUR FISTS OH CAN'T YOU DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT THEM FROM FIGHTING SARA PLEADED CECILY TURNING TO THE STORY GIRL WHO WAS SITTING ON A BIN SWINGING HER SHAPELY BARE FEET TO AND FRO FELIX AND I LOOKED THE CHEST REVERENTLY I HAD TAKEN ON A NEW SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR EYES AND SEEMED LIKE A TOMB WHEREIN LAY BURIED SOME DEAD ROMANCE OF THE VANISHED YEARS WHAT HAPPENED TO WILL MONTAGUE I ASKED NOTHING GHOSTLY SHADOWS WITH VINE PENDULUMS ON BOTH SIDES SOMETHING BANGED DOWN HEAVILY ON TO THE HOOD OF THE SLED ORAN BRAKED TO A CREAKING STOP THAT SHIFTED THE LOAD BEHIND HIM FOUND HIMSELF STARING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT A NATIVE OF CHINA THREE AND THE SITUATION HAD THE ASPECTS OF A BURLESQUE ON GRAND HOTEL BUT +8abc5839-3e3d-4bff-b95f-227f0d66cd4f SOME DAY YANUS THOUGHT BACK IN HIS CELL THERE WOULD BE A METHOD OF CONTROLLING MINDS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE THE WILLING CO OPERATION OF THE TWO PARTIES SOME DAY THE MAN WHO READS MINES WOULD BE MORE THAN A PASSIVE ONLOOKER BUT THE TALENT WAS NEW ITEDED PRACTICE IT NEEDED TRAINING THE CELL GREW DARK AS NIGHT CAME AND THE DAMPNESS SEEMED TO INCREASE I TAKE IT THERE'S BEEN A HEAVY MUTATIONAL VARIATION IN THE HUMAN OY NORM ON THIS PLANET SAID HORN WHAT IS IT HARD RADIATION WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANT BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS NOT EXACTLY COMPLIMENTARY STILL WE WERE BOTH INCLINED TO THINK WE WOULD LIKE CECILY BETTER THAN FELICITY IT ISN'T A BIT OF DIFFERENCE WHICH YOU ARE PLEADED THE STORY GIRL THEY BOTH GO TO HEAVEN +8afb7e70-31d3-467a-9a73-e7b0e77fdddf YET YOU SEEM BORED BY THE MATTER CLEREND THOUGHT PUZZLED I DON'T SEE OH I SEE THE WOMAN IN YOUR MIND THE DAUGHTER AND NOW STOP IT YONES THOUGHT STOP IT CUT OFF AFTER ALL HE FINISHED THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EVEN A HERO WANTS A LITTLE PRIVACY WE DID NOT EVEN CALL BILLY TO ACCOUNT WE THOUGHT THAT LEE SAID WAS SOONEST MENDED IN SUCH A MATTER WE WENT VERY SOFTLY INDEED LEST THE GROWN UPS ESPECIALLY THAT TERRIBLE UNCLE ROGER SHOULD HEAR OF IT THE WITCH SAW THE KISS AND WAS MORE ANGRY THAN EVER WHEN I WENT TO WORK IN THE FOREST NEXT DAY MY AXE BEING STILL ENCHANTED SLIPPED AND CUT OFF MY OTHER LEG PAT PRESENTLY CAME GALLOPING UP THE ORCHARD CARRYING IN HIS MOUTH A BIG FIELD MOUSE WHICH SITTING DOWN BEFORE US HE PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR BODY AND BONES AFTERWARDS LICKING HIS CHOPS WITH GREAT SATISFACTION WHY CAN'T BE THE JUDGMENT DAY SAID SARA RAY BRIGHTENING UP PADDY WOULD NEVER BE EATEN MICE IF IT WAS +8b08d57b-61db-4372-b6c0-9b25781e890d WHERE THE HUSH AND THE SOMBRE SHADOWS AND THE SOFT MELANCHOLY SIGHING OF THE WIND IN THE BRANCHES OVER US DID NOT JAR HARSHLY ON OUR NEW SORROW COMMAND THE WARDER TO LET ME PASS HE MUST OBEY THEE WHEN THE TWO COINCIDED WELL CLAW LIKE BROWN HAND VIC LED THE WAY HOPE AND I FOLLOWING SHE HAD TWINED FRESHLY PLUCKED DANDELIONS AROUND IT AND THE EFFECT WAS THAT OF A CROWN OF BRILLIANT GOLDEN STARS ON HER SLEEK BROWN CURLS I UNDERSTAND JONAS SAID HELPLESSLY COME WITH ME HE SAID AT LAST AND LED THE WAY INTO HIS MUD HOUSE +8b6a28e4-9ea8-4b9e-adca-3bbeb1dbaf99 A STORESHIP DOCKED THERE TWENTY HOURS BEFORE THE ATTACK AMONG OTHER THINGS IT LEFT NEWSPAPERS CONTAINING THE ARTICLE THEY SAT OR SLUMPED AGAINST THE FURNITURE WAITING FOR MY CONCLUSIONS EVEN PRESENT FERERA WAS THERE HIS HAIR LOOKING SCRAGGLY WHERE HE HAD PULLED AT HANDFULS YOU CAN ONLY UPSET THE NATURAL COURSE OF EVENTS WHICH IS UNWISE YUNUS THOUGHT BITTERLY AND RISKY AND VERY PROBABLY IMPIOUS AS WELL BUT THERE WILL BE NO MORE SHARP LOOKED AT HIM FOR A LONG TIME COME WITH ME HE SAID AT LAST AND LED THE WAY INTO HIS MUD HOUSE WHEN WE REACHED OUR LANE AND PASSED UNDER GRANDFATHER KING'S BIG WILLOW THE FRAGRANCE OF THE ORCHARD STRUCK US IN THE FACE LIKE A WAVE WE COULD SEE THE LONG ROWS OF TREES A WHITE GLADNESS IN THE MOONSHINE IT SEEMED TO US THAT THERE WAS IN THE ORCHARD SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ORCHARDS THAT WE HAD KNOWN IT WILL BE RATHER HARD FOR ME YOU MUST ADMIT WHEN I CONFESS TO NINNIE AND ME THAT I HAVE COME TO MARRY HER BECAUSE IT IS MY DUTY TO DO SO AND THEREFORE THE FEWER WITNESSES THERE ARE TO OUR MEETING THE BETTER FOR BOTH OF US +8b703e4b-da69-4298-935f-5cbca07da787 THE FEAST MAN RAISED HIS ARM IN ONE OF THE NOW FAMILIAR GESTURES CRADLING HIM IN HER ARMS SHE STARTED BACK UP AGAIN I CAME UP THOSE GAR SAID WHICH THEY KEPT FOR A WHOLE FORTNIGHT AND THE KINDLY WAYS OF THE WARM RED EARTH THERE THERE NOW MY MOTHER DOESN'T MAKE KISSES SO COMMON RETORTED FELICITY BUT SHE GIVES US PIE FOR DINNER EVERY DAY AND HER HANDS WERE FULL OF THEM A TALE OF THE STORY GIRLS WHEREIN PRINCES WERE THICKER THAN BLACKBERRIES AND QUEENS AS COMMON AS BUTTERCUPS LED TO OUR DISCUSSION OF KINGS +8b9f5c4d-42fc-4414-8c43-b2cb7e8b1c79 THE LAUNCH ROCKED GENTLY IN THE SWELL OF A LONG SILENT MINUTE HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THING DOESN'T LEAK VIC SWEPT BOTH ARMS ABOUT HOPE AND ME HOLDING US IN A CLOSE EMBRACE SO THAT WE ALL STOOD WITHIN THE TRIANGLE FORMED BY THE THREE BITS OF BLACK ROCK TELL HER ALL SCRAMBLE OUT SOMEHOW HE SNAPPED OPEN THE BACK OF THE UNIT AND STUDIED A MAZE OF TRANSISTORS RESISTERS AND CAPACITORS EVEN SO MAN STILL INSTINCTIVELY FEARS FIRE EVEN WHILE HE USES IT AND CERTAIN HOME CHORES WERE ASSIGNED TO EACH OF US FOR THE FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE OF WHICH WE WERE HELD RESPONSIBLE WE KNEW ELDER FREWIN QUITE WELL AND LIKE HIM BUT I KNOW WHAT HE MUST EVER SEEM TO ME +8ba13d3e-ed0e-4507-aa2e-17322ad6ce8c BUT SARA ALWAYS DENIED IT SO I AM INCLINED TO BELIEVE FELIX SIMPLY MADE IT UP HIMSELF CHAFFY THREE AGREED SHAKENLY HAD WALLOWED INTO THE SHALLOWS ALONGSIDE HIS DOCK HANG ON WE'RE GOING WITH A TENTH OF THE EFFORT PEPEY COULD HAVE HAD A CRUISER THAT WOULD HAVE SUITED HIS PURPOSES JUST AS WELL DURING THE KINGLY WARS ANY NUMBER OF TYPES WITH A COUPLE OF SHIPS AND LESS BRAINS THAN PEPPY HAD SET UP JUST THIS KIND OF EMPIRE SOME A FARMER'S FEAR GAVE WAY TO AMAZEMENT AT THE LITTLE INVENTOR'S AUDACITY ALTHOUGH FARMER WAS DIMLY CONSCIOUS OF MOTION IN IT SOMEWHERE +8ba9b762-b1ee-4a64-be74-d1b3e387e6dc WE YOU THOSE ARE TALL BUILDINGS TOO TOM GOE SAYS HE CAN'T KEEP THE INFORMATION OUT OF HIGH COMMISSIONER BULL ONE'S HANDS YOU JUST TAKE MY ADVICE AND GO INTO THIS WITH ALL YOUR HEART IF YOU GO AT ALL BUT WHEN I GROW UP THEY'LL HAVE TO BE COVERED UP ALL THE TIME LAST SUMMER SHE CALLED AT LEM HILLS IN MARKDALE AND HE TOLD HER TO CLEAR OUT OR HE'D SET THE DOG ON HER WHICH MARKED THE LINE BETWEEN FOREST AND PLAIN WE MUST HALT AT NIGHT TO PERMIT HIM TO REST +8bc4b993-cf4d-4c25-882c-f83cb6333d49 EVERY FAMILY FESTIVAL WAS COMMEMORATED IN LIKE FASHION AND EVERY BELOVED VISITOR WHO SPENT A NIGHT UNDER THEIR ROOF WAS EXPECTED TO PLANT A TREE IN THE ORCHARD FOR A THOUSAND THOUSAND YEARS BEGAN TO BUILD A SIMILAR BRIDGE OF LIGHT FROM HER STAR NEVER MIND IF IT IS BAD AND WE WENT IN TO TEA WITH ROYAL APPETITES IF IT IS THE JUDGMENT DAY HE GROWLED AS WE WENT IN TO DINNER I WISH IT'D HURRY UP AND HAVE IT OVER IF WE HAD EATEN LITTLE AT BREAKFAST WE COULD EAT STILL LESS AT DINNER FELICITY AND CECILY STARED BLANKLY AT THE STORY GIRL WE BOYS BEGAN TO LAUGH BUT WERE CHECKED MIDWAY BY UNCLE ROGER +8bf4dea5-f1c5-484a-af47-ac02336bc609 WHAT A LACK OF COURTESY I SHOUTED HE MADE LITTLE BUBBLES IN THE WATER THE ANCESTORS ARE ANNOYED AND HAVE DECIDED TO FORBID ENTRANCE TO THE INNER TEMPLE FOREVER THOUGH OUT OF KINDNESS THEY WILL LET THE WATERS FLOW DURING THE KINGLY WARS ANY NUMBER OF TYPES WITH A COUPLE OF SHIPS AND LESS BRAINS THAN PEPPY HAD SET UP JUST THIS KIND OF EMPIRE THEY WERE ALL PULLED DOWN IN THE END SINCE THEIR SUCCESS DEPENDED ON ONE MAN RULE BUT THE PRICE THAT HAD TO BE PAID FIRST IT SHOULD HAVE SPLINTERED IN HIS HANDS ASSUMING HE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO BEND IT AT ALL IT HADN'T IT WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THE KNOT IF HE HADN'T BEEN FEELING JUST THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF SEA SICKNESS JOHN EDGEW WOULD HAVE BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF FIVE DAYS THAT'S ALL THEY CAN GIVE US TOM GOE SAYS HE CAN'T KEEP THE INFORMATION OUT OF HIGH COMMISSIONER BULL ONE'S HANDS ANY LONGER THAN THAT IT'S FIVE DAYS FOR SURE THEN +8c0bbbe4-e7fc-4c88-9c5f-2e7ffd0844ec FELICITY SAID VIOLENTLY THAT SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT SHE HAD BEEN OVER TO UNCLE ROGER'S YARD TO HEAR THE LATEST BULLETIN FROM THE SICK ROOM THEY BECAME HER VASTLY SLOWLY HORN PUT A HAND TO HIS THROAT PRESSED THE CONTACT BUTTON MY SCOUTS I WOULDN'T SAY ANYTHING RETORTED AUNT JANET I'D SIMPLY TURN YOU OVER MY KNEE AND GIVE YOU A SOUND SOLID SPANKING MISS SARA YOU'D FIND THAT PENANCE ENOUGH I HAVE TO SLEEP SOME TIME MY SCREEN IS ONLY OPEN FOR EMERGENCY CALLS NOT FOR EVERY AGENT WHO NEEDS HIS HAND HELD +8c0f949f-2381-4f98-943a-fdb81ba8e225 NO SARA SHOOK HER FAWN COLORED HEAD MOURNFULLY MA ALWAYS KEEPS THE PANTRY LOCKED FOR FEAR JUDY PINNOT WILL TREAT HER FRIENDS EXCEPT FOR THE CAPTURED ARMAND YOU STILL HOLD YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T HAVE THE WEAPONS TO MEET US CONTINUED HORN OTHERWISE YOU WOULDN'T BE CARRYING THAT RIFLE OFF THE DELPHINIS IF YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH THEN WE SHALL DIE BRAVELY SAID TO NUB YOU KNOW A GREAT DEAL CLARETON SAID WHICH I SOMETIMES FIND IT NECESSARY TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION I'VE DONE ALL RIGHT YONETS THOUGHT SULLENLY CLARETON AGREED OF COURSE YOU HAVE HE THOUGHT YOU ARE NOT THE MOST CAREFUL OF MEN AND GREAT CARE IS NEEDED THE BROTHERHOOD MUST GROW BEING THUS URGED THEY ENTERED THE ROOM AND APPROACHED THE GREAT TABLE UNTIL THEY STOOD AND FACED THE GREAT GIANTESS SHE CONTINUED EATING BUT SMILED IN A CURIOUS WAY AS SHE LOOKED AT THEM +8c38e7a3-4d63-4111-a1c2-a98464842c8d SAID DAN INSTANTLY FROM ACROSS THE ROOM DRINK FROM THE DEEP WELL WITH A CHINESE ROOF OVER IT THE STORY GIRL GOT NO FURTHER WE NEVER HEARD THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO ALWAYS HAD HIS OWN OPINION WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE QUARREL WAS I CANNOT TELL YOU BECAUSE I NEVER KNEW IT AND IF IT IS I I'LL FEEL I'VE DONE WHAT WAS RIGHT IMPLORED THE STORY GIRL IT SAID CECILY WITH A GASP THE OLD WOMAN FROWNED AT HIM SUSPICIOUSLY THE POOR WOMAN FELT TERRIBLE HE KNEW BUT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT THAT +8c53ffec-a5b6-4be6-a33f-f86793ee4540 YOU MUST TAKE A PINCH OF THE SEED EVERY THREE HOURS WALKING BACKWARD YOU ARE A WONDER SOME DAY YOU WILL MAKE THE WORLD REALIZE IT AND IT MADE US FEEL WRETCHEDLY UNCOMFORTABLE SOMEHOW I TOOK A SPADE AND SPADE IT OFF THE TOP OF THE TOWN TO GET IN OH WELL WE GOT IT FROM THE PROMOTER OF SORTS AND INSTANTLY THE DARK EYES FLASHED ANGRILY AND KEEP IT CLOSED AT LEAST A WEEK THEN OUR NEXT CHANCE TO GET BACK WILL BE AT THREE MINUTES AFTER ONE NODDED VIC I WONDER IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF CECILY SAT DOWN BY HER HALF FILLED BASKET AND BEGAN TO CRY CASSIOPEIA SAT ENTHRONED IN HER BEAUTIFUL CHAIR IN THE NORTH EAST +8c8e2001-96b3-4017-b511-b32e2ca8a8cb AND I'VE GOT TO GO AND STUMP ELDERBERRY SAID PETER WELL I SUPPOSE THAT SETTLES IT SAID PETER IN A DESPAIRING TONE IT WAS FELICITY WHO DEMANDED IMPATIENTLY OF MY SHAKING VOICE AS BROTHER THE ONLY THING SHE COULD THINK OF ALONG THIS LINE WAS TO PERSUADE PETER TO GO TO CHURCH I HAVE A GOOD MIND TO DO IT SAID SARA BUT I CAN'T GET MY GOOD CLOTHES THEY'RE IN THIS BARE ROOM AND MA LO LOCKED THE DOOR FOR FEAR SOMEBODY WOULD GET AT THE FRUIT CAKE NOW ARMED MOBS FOUGHT AROUND THE TEMPLE EACH DAY AND A NEW BAND OF PRIESTS GUARDED THE SACRED FONT +8c98e084-4dd5-4cf2-ab2f-63b157c5aec3 I'M GOING TO PUT TWO CENTS MORE A WEEK IN MY MISSIONARY BOX THAN I'VE BEEN DOING SAID CECILY DETERMINEDLY TWO CENTS MORE A WEEK OUT OF CECILY'S EGG MONEY MEANT SOMETHING OF A SACRIFICE IT INSPIRED THE REST OF US I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER HATING MYSELF AND HAPPY ALL AT THE SAME TIME WELL I'M GLAD IT'S OVER AT LEAST I GAVE HER A CHANCE TO GET AWAY THOUGH I THOUGHT I WOULD EXPLODE WHEN SHE WENT INTO THAT INNOCENT'S ACT THE COLD FEELING WAS NOW A BALL OF ICE THAT THREATENED TO PARALYZE ME WENT THREE OF THE LOOMS WHEN THE WANDERER PRICKED THEM WITH HIS THOR AND AT THE SOUNDS AND AT THE SOUNDS THE OTHERS LOOKED AROUND AND SAW THEIR DANGER WITH YELLS OF FEAR THEY BOUNDED AWAY IN ALL DIRECTIONS SCATTERING ABOUT THE CLEARING WITH WOOT THE WANDERER IN FULL CHASE THERE'S THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS SAID CECILY POINTING TO A LONG DRIFT OF FILMY VAPOUR IN THE SOUTH WESTERN SKY AND LOOK AT THAT SWEET PINK CLOUD BELOW IT SAID FELICITY +8caf482a-e80d-4344-8bb3-fc8d60d453dc AND THEN SHE TRIED GIVING THEM AWAY TO THE FRENCH HIRED MEN PETER AND THE STORY GIRL SO IT APPEARED AND A LOT OF PICKLES AND TWO GRAPE JELLY TARTS THE FIRST THING WE KNOW WILL ALL BE QUARRELLING AND THEN SOME OF US WILL SULK ALL DAY TOMORROW THERE WAS LITTLE THAT WAS WORTH SMUGGLING IN AND OUT OF SETANOVO CERTAINLY NOTHING A RICH MAN WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE OFFICIAL MURMURED SOMETHING WITH A SMILE NOW WHAT EARTHLY GOOD COULD I GET FROM YOUR THREE BY SIX SCHOOL LIBRARY I AM SITTING ON A TRAGEDY SAID THE STORY GIRL SUDDENLY +8cbffb01-fcc7-4def-91f6-5c18075e0d32 YOU MUST ATTEND TO THE PUDDING YOURSELF SHE SAID THE RECIPE'S SO PLAIN AND SIMPLE EVEN YOU CAN'T GO ASTRAY AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU CAN ASK ME BUT DON'T BOTHER ME IF YOU CAN HELP IT THE STORY GIRL DID NOT BOTHER HER MONTHS THE PUDDING WAS CONCOCTED AND BAKED AS THE STORY GIRL PROUDLY INFORMED US WHEN WE CAME TO THE DINNER TABLE ALL ON HER OWN HOOK SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF IT AND CERTAINLY AS FAR AS APPEARANCE WENT IT JUSTIFIED HER TRIUMPH SHE WAS ALSO DEEPLY INTERESTED IN MISSIONS AND ONE TALK ON THIS SUBJECT INSPIRED THE STORY GIRL TO DO A LITTLE HOME MISSIONARY WORK ON HER OWN ACCOUNT THE ONLY THING SHE COULD THINK OF ALONG THIS LINE WAS TO PERSUADE PETER TO GO TO CHURCH FELICITY DID NOT APPROVE OF THE DESIGN AND SAID SO PLAINLY IT MUST BE SPLENDID TO GO TO EUROPE SIGHED CECILY LONGINGLY I AM GOING SOME DAY SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY WE LOOKED AT HER WITH A SLIGHTLY INCREDULOUS AWE TO US IN THOSE YEARS EUROPE SEEMED ALMOST AS REMOTE AND UNREACHABLE AS THE MOON LONG LONG TO HIM SEEMED THAT BITTER AND PERILOUS PASSAGE BUT AT LAST HE WON THROUGH TO THE FURTHEST SIDE BREATHLESS AND REELING HIS VESTURE TORN HIS GREAT WOUNDS BLEEDING HE FOUND HIMSELF ON THE SHORE WHERE THE FOUNTAIN OF IMMORTALITY SPRANG UP HE STAGGERED TO ITS BRINK AND DRANK OF ITS CLEAR STREAM THEN ALL PAIN AND WEARINESS FELL AWAY FROM HIM AND HE ROSE UP A GOD BEAUTIFUL WITH IMMORTALITY +8cd51ff0-968c-4af0-9f80-ee7353abc031 THE GATE'LL STAY OPEN NOW UNTIL IT'S CLOSED FROM OUR SIDE HOPING IT WOULD BE SOMETHING LESS THAN A BOLT OF BARBED LIGHTNING SHE TOLD HIM SOMETHING ELSE WAS THE STORY GIRL CRAZY OR WHO'LL GIVE THE PRIZES ASKED FELIX UNCLE ALEC' MERELY TOLD US TO BE GOOD AND MIND WHAT UNCLE ROGER SAID ANOTHER FLARE FLASHED IN THE SKY BEHIND HIM SILHOUETTING A ROW OF GROTESQUE TREES HE DROPPED THE TELE TALKING BEHIND THE SEAT AND EXAMINED THE GAUGE ON HIS OXYGEN MASK I'M GOING TO PRAY LIKE SIXTY SAID FELIX ENERGETICALLY HIS FATHER WAS LAZY BUT HIS MOTHER HASN'T A LAZY BONE IN HER BODY AND PETER TAKES AFTER HER +8d1a8715-3c4c-48c3-9f4b-9d8a7b78a435 THEN THEY WERE MARRIED AT ONCE BUT THE BRIDEGROOM NEVER LIFTED HIS VISOR AND NO ONE SAW HIS FACE WHAT A LOVELY STORY SIGHED SARA RAY WHO HAD BEEN WOOED A TEMPORARY FORGETFULNESS OF HER WOES BY ITS CHARM THE REST OF US CAME BACK TO EARTH FEELING THAT WE HAD BEEN WANDERING AMONG THE HOSTS OF HEAVEN HE DROPPED HIS HAND SAID I AM LOUIS HORN OF REDISCOVERY AND REEDUCATION I WAS SENT HERE AT THE REQUEST OF THE FIRST CONTACT OFFICER ON THE DELPHINOUS REDISCOVERY WHERE IS YOUR SHIP DEMANDED THE GIANT IT PUT ME DOWN AND LEFT WHY WE FOUND PETER SHELLING BEANS IN THE GRANARY AND WHISTLING CHEERILY AS WITH A CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENCE TOWARDS ALL MEN LOOK HERE PETER SAID FELIX OMINOUSLY THEY TELL ME THAT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING RIGHT ALONG THAT I COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE +8d66d06d-017d-4bf2-ba51-1886e541320e SHOULD DIE WAS UNBELIEVABLE WELL WHAT IS THE REASON ASKED FELICITY MY OWN DEAREST CECILY RAN SARA'S LETTER THAT FARMER COMPLIMENTED HIMSELF ON HIS CLEVERNESS MADE SENSE AT LEAST GAR STAGGERED ACROSS THE DECK I WANT IT FOR GLECON SHE SAID I WE ARE ALL SO FOND OF HIM AND HE IS SUCH A GOOD CAT AND HAS NO BAD HABITS UPON WHICH WAS A LARGE PORTION OF SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOES GONE SAID THE SCARECROW BEAR SOLEMNLY +8d9ec514-fd72-4bde-a808-4cf8f33bed2d DON'T STALL DON'T STUTTER GIVE ME OUR TAX LIST THAT WAS STOLEN AND HE HAD NOT HEARD THE WARDER'S WORDS WE WAITED AND WATCHED AT THE WINDOW THE MASTER IS AWFUL CROSS BY SPELLS ON THE OTHER SIDE THE GRASS HAD GROWN TALL AND THE SUN HAD DRIED IT SO THERE WAS A FINE DROP OF HAY THAT ONLY NEEDED TO BE CUT AND STACKED AND AUNT JANET SHE MUST HAVE FELT GREAT RELIEF WHEN SHE REACHED CHARLOTTETOWN +8dd1baa2-8bd8-461f-9a50-f9bf01697b35 A BATTLESHIP MAY BE GIGANTIC ON SOME TERMS OF REFERENCE BUT IN THE IMMENSITY OF THE GALAXY IT IS MICROSCOPICALLY INFINITESIMAL AS LONG AS IT STAYED OUT OF THE REGULAR LANES OF COMMERCE AND CLEAR OF DETECTESTATIONS AND PLANETS IT WOULD NEVER BE FOUND THEN HOW COULD I FIND IT AND HAVING FOUND IT CATCH IT RIPPING OFF HIS OXYGEN MASK HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH OF THE ALIEN ATMOSPHERE THE DUST CHOKED HIM HIS EARS RANG BLACK SPOTS DANCED BEFORE HIS EYES THEN MELTED INTO SOLID BLACKNESS WE WOULD DEARLY HAVE LOVED TO LEAVE THE CANDLE BURNING BUT AUNT JANET'S DECREE REGARDING THIS WAS AS INEXORABLE AS ANY OF MEAD AND PERSIA OUT THE CANDLE MUST GO AND WE LAY THERE QUAKING WITH THE WILD RAIN STREAMING DOWN ON THE ROOF ABOVE US AND THE VOICES OF THE STORM WAILING THROUGH THE WRITHING SPRUCE TREES YOU MAKE THINGS HAPPEN THE BOLD MAN SAID BUT HE HAD THE BASIC IDEA YONAS CHECKED THAT IN HIS MIND VERY WELL HE SAID +8df6d87a-6fca-4827-8773-6d82ffea0ae0 FURTHER THAN THAT WE DID NOT THINK ABOUT HER WE WERE MORE INTERESTED IN FELICITY AND CECILY AND DAN WHO LIVED ON THE HOMESTEAD AND WOULD THEREFORE BE OUR ROOF MATES FOR A SEASON A MAN LIKE YOURSELF A MAN WITH A PARTICULAR CAT TALENT GIVEN BY GOD THE NAME OF GOD I CAN SAY THAT NAME YUNUS TOLD THE INQUISITOR NO WIZARD MAY SAY IT IT IS A TRICK KNUFF SAID YUNUS SHOOK HIS HEAD NOT AT ALL I WILL ASK YOU TO DO NOTHING AGAINST THE FAITH I MERELY ASK YOU TO TEST FOR YOURSELF WHAT I SAY MY THEORY IS THAT THESE PEOPLE LIVE IN A DREARY WORLD IN WHICH THERE IS NO PLEASURE THEIR FACES SEEM TO SHOW THAT APPARENTLY THEY LIVE A VERY LONG TIME AND HAVE NO MEANS OF SHORTENING THAT LIFE THEY TOLD HIM HE MUST LEAVE HER BEHIND AND ALL HIS PRAYERS WERE OF NO AVAIL THEY SAY HE STOOD ON THE DECK OF THE FANNY AND PLEADED WITH THE MEN WHILE THE TEARS RAN DOWN HIS FACE BUT THEY WOULD NOT YIELD AND HE HAD TO LEAVE MARGARET BEHIND OH WHAT A PARTING IT WAS +8df9d375-e1fc-4761-b4d0-9e0e8123147a AUNT OLIVIA LAUGHED AT US OUT OF HER PANSY BLUE EYES AND TOLD US SHE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WE FELT LIKE AND HOPED WE'D HAVE A GLORIOUS TIME MIND THEY GO TO BED AT A DECENT HOUR AUNT JANET CALLED BACK TO UNCLE ROGER AS SHE DROVE OUT OF THE GATE AND IF ANYTHING DREADFUL HAPPENS TELEGRAPH US UNCLE ROGER WHO HAD BEEN SUMMONED FROM HIS OWN PLACE WENT AT ONCE FOR THE DOCTOR TELLING PETER TO GO DOWN THE HILL FOR MISSUS RAY PETER WENT BUT RETURNED ACCOMPANIED BY SARA ONLY MISSUS RAY AND JUDY PINEAU WERE BOTH AWAY BUT THE STORY GIRL WENT ME ONE BETTER EVEN THERE BECAUSE HAVING INHERITED SOMETHING OF HER FATHER'S TALENT FOR DRYING SHE ILLUSTRATED HER DREAMS WITH SKETCHES THAT CERTAINLY CAUGHT THE SPIRIT OF THEM WHATEVER MIGHT BE SAID OF THEIR TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE DON'T YOU THINK IT HORRID BEGINNING SO YOUNG YOU AND ME WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT TILL WE WERE GROWN UP WOULD WE +8e608133-388d-46af-8b25-9a9a38e421e5 AROUND HER LONG WHITE FACE RATHER TOO LONG AND TOO WHITE FELL SLEEK DARK BROWN CURLS TIED ABOVE EITHER EAR WITH ROSETTES OF SCARLET RIBBON IF YOU'D HAD TO PAY FATHER FOR ALL THE EXTRA HANDFULS OF WHEAT YOU FED TO THOSE HENS MISS FELICITY MOST RACES CALL THEMSELVES SOMETHING MEANING THE PEOPLE THAT IS A QUIBBLE FOR WOMEN KNOW I'M A RECENT CONVERT BUT AS WE STOOD THERE WRETCHEDLY WE HEARD FLYING FEET BELOW AND A BLITHE VOICE CALLING WHERE ARE YOU CHILDREN +8e6bd23e-c4f3-4652-be28-801c1a7a3d10 I HAVE A NOTION WHO ALICE IS ALREADY SAID THE MYSTERIOUS CREATURE BUT SHE WOULD TELL US NOTHING MORE I'VE GAVE UP TRYING TO FATHOM YOU YOUNG ONES PETER WHERE'S THE KEY WHAT YARN HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING I DID HEAR A BELL RING SAID PETER STUBBORNLY IT WAS A VERY DEEP WELL AND THE CURB WAS OF ROUGH UNDRESSED STONES AMAZINGLY HIS TONGUE ONLY GOT TANGLED ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS SPEECH AND HE REGAINED CONTROL OF IT QUICKLY THEN JOHN ANDREW FELT A TOUCH OF JEALOUSY AT THE LITTLE MAN'S CAPABILITY IN ASSUMING CONTROL OF THE SITUATION O K STET ORDERS JUST CAME THROUGH WE USE PLAN SEA TOM GO SAYS TO BRIEF THE FIELD MAN AND JET OUT OF HERE DID YOU ASK THEM ABOUT USING ANOTHER FIELD MAN +8e6edce1-6dd7-43ce-8d3a-aab4b19eb328 MISTER CAMPBELL WAS A RICH RETIRED FARMER WHO TOOK LIFE EASILY IF AS WAS SAID HE DETESTED CHILDREN TURN HERSELF INTO A BLACK CAT ASKED FELIX STARING HE WAS CALLED TO THIS CONGREGATION AND HE LABOURED HERE LONG AND FAITHFULLY AND WAS MUCH BELOVED THOUGH HE WAS VERY ECCENTRIC SHE WENT TO WORK AND MADE LITTLE RAISIN PIES RIGHT THERE IN THE KITCHEN BEFORE THE STORY GIRL SO SHE WENT UP TO THE MASTER'S ROOM AND FOUND A KEY AND WENT IN THE PRIESTS WANT TO HONOR US FOR THE GOOD WE'VE DONE BY GIVING US THE REWARD WE'VE JUST SEEN SO UNLESS YOU GIVE THEM A WHITE BILL IN THE MEANTIME HIGH COMMISSIONER BULWIN WILL HAVE WORD OF THIS PLANET BY THEN +8e9ff6fb-d9d2-4a66-af0e-591d7f6691af DID YOU ASK THEM ABOUT USING ANOTHER FIELD MAN ORN LOOKED UP ATTENTIVELY THE SPEAKER SAID YES THE WORLD BEYOND THE ORCHARD WAS IN A ROYAL MAGNIFICENCE OF COLORING UNDER THE VIVID BLUE AUTUMN SKY THE BIG WILLOW BY THE GATE WAS A SPLENDID GOLDEN DOME AND THE MAPLES THAT WERE SCATTERED THROUGH THE SPRUCE GROVE WAVED BLOOD RED BANNERS OVER THE SOMBRE CONE BEARERS BUT NEXT SPRING THE STORY GIRL DROPPED HER VOICE IN A WHISPER THAT WAS AS AUDIBLE AND THRILLING AS HER LOUDER TONES PEOPLE BEGAN TO TELL THAT EMILY WAS SOMETIMES SEEN WAITING UNDER THE BIRCHES STILL THAT NIGHT I TOOK THE SHIP DOWN INTO THE HILLS NEAREST THE PYRAMID AN OUT OF THE WAY DRY SPOT WHERE THE UNPHIBIOUS NATIVES WOULD NEVER GO YOU ARE A LIAR YOU ARE NO ANCESTOR OF OURS WE WILL STOP I THUNDERED BEFORE HE GOT SO FAR IN THAT HE COULDN'T BACK OUT +8ecd68fe-ab41-40c7-86e6-0727720e6297 IT SHOULD HAVE SPLINTERED IN HIS HANDS JOHN ANDREW GULPED DOR HE SAID SOFTLY INDIGESTIBLE THINGS BEFORE THEY WENT TO BED I AM NOT GOING TO DIG THEM UP THIS YEAR TO SEE IF THEY HAVE SPROUTED AND THEN I FOUND THAT I HADN'T A STITCH OF CLOTHES ON OF COURSE I COULDN'T BE EXPECTED TO THAT HIRE TO LET A BOY KISS ME AND I TOLD HIM I JUST HATED HIM THE DAYS WERE CRISP AND MELLOW MEAT POOH YOU'RE NO GOOD I CAN'T EAT MEAT GRUMBLED THE BEAST AND PASSED ON TO POLYCHROME +8efb7a1a-3549-4714-bc53-4f8bcc6d0051 THAT WAS THE FIRST OF THE INEXPLICTABLE THINGS FARMER COULD HAVE EXPECTED THE ODD LITTLE OLD MAN TO CALL HIMSELF A PROFESSOR OF SOMETHING OR OTHER BUT RAY INSISTED ON JUDGE ALL OTHER SOUNDS HUNG SUSPENDED IN THE AFTER SILENCE THEN RESUMED THE STRONGEST FIRST AND THEN THE WEAKEST A HEAVY OBJECT SUDDENLY ARCHED THROUGH THE HEADLIGHTS SWINGING ON A VINE IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE ANOTHER I WANTED THAT ONCE BUT I'VE GOT OVER IT I FOUND OUT IN SUNDAY SCHOOL THE DAY THE MINISTER TAUGHT OUR CLASS THAT IT WAS SELFISH BUT I WANT YOU TO LIKE ME AS WELL AS POLYCHROME YOU ARE THE LOVELIEST MAIDEN I HAVE EVER SEEN EXCEPT OF COURSE OZMA SAID THE TAN OWL SO THE GIANTESS DID WELL TO TRANSFORM YOU INTO THE LOVELIEST OF ALL BIRDS IF YOU ARE TO BE TRANSFORMED AT ALL +8f375c50-7d8e-4a6c-bb79-d8cb93e80cf5 THE PRIESTS SANK TO THE FLOOR BENDING THEMSELVES IN MOCKERY OF THE IMAGE THAT'S WHEN MISTER PARIN AND I BEGAN TO GET WORRIED BURY IT SAID THE STORY GIRL UNCLE ROGER SAYS HE NEVER HAD A BOY HE COULD DEPEND ON LIKE PETER SEEMS A DIRTY SHAME WE MAY GO NOW HE SAID PAUSE YES BEYOND THE WOODS WE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF MOONLIGHT WORLD LYING IN THE SHARP FROST OF THE OCTOBER EVENING +8f428f33-6881-4105-aaaa-fed8aa9a602d AND THE ROAR OF THE RIVER DEAFENED HIM SO THAT HE COULD HEAR NOTHING AND IF I COULD CRY I THINK IT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER AND THOUGH IT WAS THUS SUDDENLY REMOVED THE CHILL AND THE SHADOW OF IT WERE ABOUT US STILL SHOVED PAST HIM AND GRABBED THE FRAGILE LOOKING THING FROM ITS CLEACH I COULD EXPLAIN PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MACHINE FOR HOURS IT'S A MONSTROSITY I COULD START THE WATER AGAIN EASILY ENOUGH BUT THERE WAS NO FUEL LEFT IN THE REACTOR BEFORE THEY COULD GET ANY MORE BRIGHT IDEAS THE POOR DEAR SHE SAYS HE'S WORKED HIMSELF HALF TO DEATH AND DROPPED OFF ON THAT HORRIBLE CART HE KEEPS IN HIS LABORATORY SAYS MISS HOPE +8f602596-b83a-4ecb-a609-40d61b752e6c THAT WE SHOULD MAKE UNCLE ROGER A COURT OF LAST RESORT INDICATED ALL TOO CLEARLY THE STATE OF OUR MINDS BUT WE WENT UNCLE ROGER WAS IN HIS BARN YARD HITCHING HIS BLACK MARE INTO THE BUGGY HIS COPY OF THE ENTERPRISE WAS STICKING OUT OF HIS POCKET HE LOOKED AS WE SAW WITH SINKING HEARTS UNUSUALLY GRAVE AND PREOCCUPIED THERE WAS NOT A GLIMMER OF A SMILE ABOUT HIS FACE PETE VIC WAS WHISPERING EXCITEDLY IN MY EAR LISTEN PETE I THINK I SEE THROUGH THIS THESE PRIESTS HAVE HEARD ABOUT US AND OUR DEATH DEALING ABILITY THEY'RE JEALOUS THEY WANT A CORNER ON THAT OLD E PAY FIGURES MAYBE WE COULD DO HIM A FAVOR IN THAT LINE AND THAT'S WHY HE'S ARGUING THE PRIESTS WANT TO HONOR US FOR THE GOOD WE'VE DONE BY GIVING US THE REWARD WE'VE JUST SEEN SO BEFORE HE COULD FINISH E PAY WAS THRUST ASIDE BY A GROUP OF ANGRY GUARDS AND I WAS JERKED AWAY A DONKEY A JACK TWO FEET TALL AND WITH A BEARD AND HORNS I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT HE WAS A GOAT MANOEL AND MILLER STOPPED AT NOON ON LOST SOUL CREEK THERE WOULD BE NO TRAVEL IN THE HOT AFTERNOON BUT MANOEL HAD A JOB TO DO AND HE DID IT HE TOOK THE FORMS FROM ONE OF THE PACKS THAT HE HAD UNSLUNG FROM MILLER AND COUNTED OUT NINE OF THEM HE WROTE DOWN ALL THE DATA OF NINE PEOPLE LEGENDS OF THE OLD ORCHARD OUTSIDE OF THE ORCHARD THE GRASS WAS ONLY BEGINNING TO GROW GREEN BUT HERE SHELTERED BY THE SPRUCE HEDGES FROM UNCERTAIN WINDS AND SLOPING TO SOUTHERN SUNS IT WAS ALREADY LIKE A WONDERFUL VELVET CARPET THE LEAVES ON THE TREES WERE BEGINNING TO COME OUT IN WOOLLY GREYISH CLUSTERS AND THERE WERE PURPLE PENTLLED WHITE VIOLETS AT THE BASE OF THE PULPIT STONE +8f735b69-db90-4f71-9671-1aaa89f39d2c PRESENTLY STETSON SAID O K GO AHEAD AS PLANNED BUT FIND OUT WHERE THE DELPHINIS IS IF WE GET THAT BACK WE PULL THEIR TEETH WHY DO YOU KEEP TOUCHING YOUR THROAT DEMANDED TO NEW I'M NERVOUS SAID ORAN GUNS ALWAYS MAKE ME NERVOUS THE MUZZLE LOWERED SLIGHTLY SHALL WE CONTINUE ON TO YOUR CITY ASKED HORN HE WET HIS LIPS WITH HIS TONGUE THE CAB LIGHT ON TONUB'S FACE WAS GIVING THE GIANT AN EERY SINISTER LOOK MADAM HE SAID I WISH TO KNOW IF THERE BE ANY FAMILY IN THIS TOWN TO GIVE ROOM TO A WAYFARER UNDERSTANDING OF COURSE THAT THE WAYFARER WOULD INSIST ON PAYING PAYING WELL HE ADDED THE OLD WOMAN BLINKED YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN INN SHE SAID AN INN IN THIS TOWN THE IDEA APPEARED TO STRIKE HER AS THE VERY HEIGHT OF IDIOCY SHE COVERED HER FACE WITH HER HANDS AND SHOOK THE SCOOP HE SAW AND ONLY HALF BELIEVED IT HAD WALLOWED INTO THE SHALLOWS ALONGSIDE HIS DOCK IT HAD REVERSED ITS UNBELIEVABLE LENGTH TO KEEP THE HEAD SUBMERGED AND AT THE SAME TIME HAD BACKED OUT OF THE WATER UNTIL ITS LEVIATHAN TAIL SPANNED THE HUNDRED ODD YARDS OF SLOPING BEACH FROM SURF TO CABIN MY STORY IS ABOUT MISSUS DUNBAR AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE FANNY SAID THE STORY GIRL SETTLING HERSELF COMFORTABLY ON A BOUGH WITH HER BROWN HEAD AGAINST A GNARLED TRUNK IT'S SAD AND BEAUTIFUL AND TRUE I DO LOVE TO TELL STORIES THAT I KNOW REALLY HAPPENED MISSUS DUNBAR LIVES NEXT DOOR TO AUNT LOUISA IN TOWN SHE IS SO SWEET YOU WOULDN'T THINK TO LOOK AT HER THAT SHE HAD A TRAGEDY IN HER LIFE BUT SHE HAS AUNT LOUISA TOLD ME THE TALE +8fd36b8f-e22b-4cf7-bb58-1bd724ab9932 I'VE GONE TO CHURCH IN SUNDAY SCHOOL ALL MY LIFE AND PETER NEVER WENT TILL THIS SUMMER A KATY WAS ALL THESE THINGS THAT I HAVE MENTIONED SECTION A B SIX NO THAT MEANT THE PEOPLE NO TIME NOW TRUST ME DID HEAR A BELL RING SAID PETER STUBBORNLY BESIDES ADDED FELIX IN THE TONE OF ONE WHO SAYS WHILE THERE IS LIFE THERE IS YET HOPE YOU MAY LEARN TO COOK YET IF YOU KEEP ON TRYING THE HILLS WERE STUDDED WITH WEIRD TREES STANDING STIFF BRANCHES OUTSTRETCHED LIKE AN ARMY OF SCARECROWS +8ff7ff1b-d0cf-412c-b154-08c54a160456 OLD CHARLEY HAD ABANDONED HIS BOAT AND WAS SWIMMING IN TO ESCAPE THE SCOOP THE ZID DOES NOT SWIM THE WORLD WAS BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL AND GREEN WHEREVER WE ARE NEXT SUNDAY WHY YOU WOULDN'T TELL STORIES IN HEAVEN AS SOON AS I SHOWED HIM THE DIFFERENT BLUE PRINTS AND EXPLAINED THE POSSIBILITIES HE UNDERSTOOD THE DOT YARD COMMANDER SHOWED ME THE SHIP AND MADE A NOBLE EFFORT TO CONTROL HIS CURIOSITY HIS SKELETON WITH THE GRASS GROWING THROUGH IT SHE WHISPERED THAT BEATS ME SAID UNCLE ROGER WHEN A FRUITLESS HOUR HAD ELAPSED +9009bba6-d8dd-4818-88ee-bdc2b535b61f I AM GOING TO HELP MOTHER PLANT THE VEGETABLE GARDEN TO DAY SAID FELICITY SHE THOUGHT HE WAS A COUSIN THEY HAD BEEN EXPECTING FROM SCOTLAND NOW DON'T MEDDLE WITH THE MAN CRIED BETTY WHAT A STATE TO BE IN BECAUSE ONE GOOD LOOKING LASS LIKE STAND SANDY HAIR AND GREY EYES BETTER THAN HIGHLAND BLACK AND BLUE O PETER SHADOWS ARE SUCH PRETTY THINGS INDEED I SHALL I'LL TELL STORIES AS LONG AS I'VE A TONGUE TO TALK WITH OR ANYONE TO LISTEN THERE WAS NO PREACHING IN CARLISLE THAT DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOL WAS NOT TILL THE EVENING FOR I WAS BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT BILLY AND HIS MAGIC SEED WERE ARRANT FRAUDS +901c93b4-fc5d-492d-910f-4d9b11111559 THE SUIT WAS ON AND I KEPT THE RUNNING CHATTER UP THROUGH THE MIKE IN THE HELMET RELATING TO THE SHIP'S TRANSMITTER THE SCENE IN THE MONITOR RECEIVER CHANGED YOU ARE NOW LOOKING AT A HYDROGEN BOMB THAT IS PRIMED AND AWARE OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD HOLDING OUR SHIPS TOGETHER IT WILL OF COURSE GO OFF IF YOU TRY TO PULL AWAY HE GAVE UP TRYING AFTER A WHILE AND HE ALSO GAVE UP PRAYING ABOUT IT SAYING IN BITTERNESS OF SPIRIT THAT THERE WAS NO USE IN PRAYING WHEN OTHER FELLOWS PRAYED AGAINST YOU OUT OF SPITE HE AND PETER REMAINED ON BAD TERMS FOR SOME TIME HOWEVER AND AFTER A TIME THE GIANTESS CAME FROM HER BEDROOM WEARING ANOTHER DRESS THAT WAS QUITE AS ELABORATE AS THE ONE IN WHICH SHE HAD BEEN ATTIRED IN THE EVENING BEFORE AND ALSO WEARING THE PRETTY LACE APRON INSTANTLY BRANDON'S EYES WERE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE TAIL PIPE TEMPERATURE SEEMED ALL RIGHT IT COULD BE A FALSE INDICATION +90323307-63fe-43a9-833f-e4c4243cec64 FINALLY HE SPOKE IN ENGLISH HE CALLED DORA A PUDDLESNAKE THAT WASN'T ALL OF WHAT HE SAID BY ANY MEANS THE NAME WAS PRECEDED BY SEVERAL ADJECTS AND FOLLOWED BY AN OBSCENE COMMAND DORA BLANCHED SLIGHTLY OH YES SHE SAID HER VOICE DRIPPING DANGER I CAN SPEAK THIS LANGUAGE TOO YOU KNOW I LEARNED IT YEARS AGO BEFORE THE GATE TO THIS WORLD WAS CLOSED AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE OVERHEAD THE LACING LEAVES MADE A GREEN MURMUROUS ROOF THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS HURRY IN THE WORLD WHILE WE LINGERED THERE AND TALKED OF CABBAGES AND KINGS A TALE OF THE STORY GIRLS WHEREIN PRINCES WERE THICKER THAN BLACKBERRIES AND QUEENS AS COMMON AS BUTTERCUPS LED TO OUR DISCUSSION OF KINGS WE WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE A KING PETER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FINE ONLY KIND OF INCONVENIENT WEARING A CROWN ALL THE TIME ALSO WHEN OZBRUS BECAME A FAIRYLAND IT HARBOURED SEVERAL WITCHES AND MAGICIANS AND SORCERS AND NECROMANCERS WHO WERE SCATTERED IN VARIOUS PARTS BUT MOST OF THESE HAD BEEN DEPRIVED OF THEIR MAGIC POWERS AND OZMA HAD ISSUED A ROYAL EDICT FORBIDDING ANYONE IN HER DOMINIONS TOWARD MAGIC EXCEPT GLINDA THE GOOD AND THE WIZARD OF OZ NICE WORK PETE SHOUTED VIC AS I JOINED THEM BREATHLESS BUT TRIUMPHANT NOW FOR A BREAK GUN LOADED I SNAPPED OPEN THE ACTION AND DROPPED IN SIX CARTRIDGES IT IS NOW I'LL GO AHEAD YOU BRING UP THE REAR WITH HOPE IN THE MIDDLE READY LET'S GO I PLUNGED ON HOPE'S FINGERS GRIPPING MY BELT FRESH MULTITUDES WERE POURING UP THE RAMP BRUSHING ASIDE THE FIVE OR SIX PRIESTS THAT HAD HURRIED THERE IN AN EFFORT TO STEM THE TIDE +90532707-dccf-471a-84a5-afa0d4291faf AFTER THE RAIN THE AIR SEEMED DRIPPING WITH THE ODOURS IN THE WARM WEST WIND FINDING THAT OUR OWN PUNY STRENGTH IS AS A REED SHAKEN IN THE WIND WHILE THEY COULD RUN MUCH FASTER THAN THE BOY THEY OFTEN STUMBLED AND FELL OR GOT IN ONE ANOTHER'S WAY SO HE MANAGED TO CATCH SEVERAL AND PRICK THEM WITH HIS THORN HAPPIER EVEN THAN DONALD AND NANCY SO ALL WAS WELL BECAUSE IT ENDED WELL FOR A MOMENT THE CHARM OF HER VOICE MADE ME FEEL THAT I HAD NOT DONE SO BADLY AFTER ALL BUT THE OTHER GIRLS THINKING IT THEIR DUTY TO PAY ME SOME SORT OF COMPLIMENT ALSO QUICKLY SPELLED THIS PLEASING DELUSION HE OPENED A LARGE WOODEN CASE WHICH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SOME DREARLY GOOD CABINET WORK +90672e8c-7fb2-4777-8f7d-0038b994f78a I EXPECTED SHE'D SING AND TALK AND WE'D HAVE GOOD TIMES TOGETHER BUT THE BODY WAS VERY LONG FOR IT HAD TWENTY LEGS AFTER ALL THERE AREN'T THAT MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A BATTLESHIP DON'T YOU CATCH IT YET THE STORY SHE TOLD YOU WAS TRUE EXCEPT SHE TWISTED IT AROUND A BIT THE WHOLE PLAN BUILDING THE BATTLESHIP THEN STEALING IT WAS HERS AND MOREOVER ALL THAT FORTNIGHT SHE WAS STRANGELY CRANKY AND PETULANT AND WE FOUND IT WAS NOT WISE TO TEASE HER SO JUST TO TEACH HER A LESSON HE DROVE OFF ALONE AND LEFT HER TO WALK ALL THE WAY IT WAS NEARLY TWO MILES IN THE HEAT AND DUST +911389ef-2427-4043-85a0-3bcee0c3c0e0 IT APPEARED THAT NONE OF US HAD ANY IDEA THE STORY GIRL WOULD PROBABLY KNOW SAID CECILY YES AND THAT IS WHY I PUT IT ON AUNT JANET THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW WAS A SPLENDID ONE BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS LETTING MYSELF IN FOR MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MORE SUCCESSFUL ARTIST OR OF DISQUIETING AMBITION AS SOFTLY AS THE DOWN OF A THISTLE IS MISTER MARSHALL'S BOY THE CENSUS CHIEF CENSUS LIST NAMES OF EVERYBODY IN THE SANTA MAGDALENA I HAD TO STEAL IT +918114ea-6211-4fe5-93c1-09937103de07 SOME OF THE DISASTERS AND APPARENT ACCIDENTS HIT INSIDE THIS AREA BUT FURTHER INVESTIGATION PROVED THEM ALL TO HAVE NATURAL CAUSES MY MOTHER AIN'T MUCH OF ANYTHING BUT I MEAN TO BE SOMETHING I DREAMT OLD PEG BOWEN CHASED ME I THOUGHT I WAS UP TO HER HOUSE AND SHE TOOK AFTER ME VERY VERY SICK THERE WAS NO DOUBT OF IT I SAID SULKILY THE MINCE PIE WAS TO BLAME FOR THAT WISH WHAT IF SARA DOES TAKE THE MEASLES I SNAPPED OPEN THE ACTION AND DROPPED IN SIX CARTRIDGES I PLUNGED ON HOPE'S FINGERS GRIPPING MY BELT IF WE AREN'T ALL BACK HERE BEFORE THAT TIME +9192c3a4-781e-4033-8e88-a20ff54285ae BRUTE SHIVERED FOR AGAIN THIS TERRIBLE MAGIC FINGER POINTED AND POINTED DIRECTLY HIS WAY ONE DAY HE TOLD HER HE WAS COMING THE NEXT DAY TO ASK A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION AND HE WANTED TO FIND HER UNDER THE BIRCHES WHEN HE CAME THEY SAY THERE MUST BE A BLACK SHEEP IN EVERY FAMILY SAID THE STORY GIRL THERE ISN'T ANY IN OURS SAID CECILY LOYALLY WHY DO WHITE SHEEP EAT MORE THAN BLACK ASKED FELIX I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE OR IF YOU ARE REALLY I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU EVEN BELONG ON THE WORLD HE CALLED MULA FROM THE THORN PATCH WHERE SHE WAS GRAZING GAVE HER SALT AND LOADED HER AGAIN +91b90696-4cb4-430f-8774-b6b225e5b782 THEY CONTROL IT WITH THAT SHUDDER BEHIND THE LIPS OF THE IMAGE DID YOU NOTICE IT PETE YELLED VIC COMING BOY HE WAS WAITING FOR ME STAVING OFF AS BEST HE COULD THE RUSH OF BODIES AROUND HIM AND NOBODY THE WISER HOLY MAZOO PERHAPS AN HOUR FROM SETTING AND WE EXCLUDED DATA ON THE NATIVES THE OTHERS TURNED THEIR UNWIELDY BODIES IN HIS DIRECTION AND FOLLOWED AND WOOT THE WANDERER SHE BLUSHED AS RED AS A ROSE FOR SHE KNEW SHE HAD DONE A DREADFUL THING SOON THE HOUSE WAS DARK AND SILENT +91ef081b-4ae7-4335-9b1a-849e2dafd29b THERE ARE POLAR OCEANS THE SURGICAL SCARS ON HIS NECK WHERE THE MICRO COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSERTED HE CLIMBED WEARILY IN AND I DIRECTED THE DRIVER BEFORE HE FULLY REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING BLINKING AT THE SICKLY LIGHT OF DAWN BROUGHT HIM SLOWLY BACK TO REALITY BUT ADMIRAL THE HOUR EVERYONE WILL BE ASLEEP IT TOOK ABOUT TEN MINUTES GET AN ANSWER AND BESIDES HE ALLEGED HE HAD NOT YET MADE UP HIS MIND WHETHER TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST ITS YELLOWED PAGES INSCRIBED WITH THE VISIONS THAT HAUNTED MY CHILDISH SLUMBERS ON THOSE NIGHTS OF LONG AGO +9209ab8f-0144-4c66-ae86-6d30e8a99a02 SOMETHING ODD IN THE SET OF THE QUEEN'S SAILS PUZZLED HIM UNTIL HE IDENTIFIED THE ABNORMALITY EXAMINING THE PICK OF THE BATTLESHIP UNDER THE LIGHT FIRST I'LL REPEAT YOUR OWN WARNING OBEY ORDERS IF YOU WANT TO LIVE I'LL SHOW YOU WHY HAD DIED ON THE SAME DAY WE CALL HER THE STORY GIRL PARTLY BECAUSE SHE'S SUCH A HAND TO TELL STORIES AM UNDER NO COMPULSION TO LISTEN TO YOU KENUFF SAID AFTER A PAUSE THOUGH COME TO THINK OF IT THERE WOULDN'T BE AN AFTERWARD +922a7a97-6e34-41c0-bc7f-745cdf070c58 AND ONE DAY ONE OF THEM CAUGHT FIRE AND WHEN HE WAS BURNING BRUSH AND BURNED OFF AND EVERYONE THOUGHT HE'D HAVE TO SHAVE OFF THE OTHER THEN BUT HE DIDN'T AND JUST WENT ROUND WITH ONE WHISKER TILL THE BURNED ONE GREW OUT THERE'S MANY A GIRL WOULD GLADLY SAY YES FOR YOUR ASKING AND HERE STANDS ONE WHY NOT MARRY ME NEIL CAMPBELL IT SEEMED TO ME FOR A MOMENT THAT I WAS GROWING AS LIGHT AS AIR THAT MY FEET WERE DRIFTING OFF THE FLOOR AND THEN AS THE RED LINE OF THE DIAL CAME CLOSER TO THE INDICATED POINT THE FEELING LEFT AND I SUDDENLY SEEMED VERY HEAVY IMPOSSIBLE BARK TO NEW IT'S ON YOUR MOON SAID ORAN DARK SIGHED IT'S ON A MOUNTAIN ON THE DARK SIDE OF YOUR MOON +9263203a-8a7b-48d0-b715-66ec9851d4e3 WITH THE GATHERING SHADES OF NIGHT OUR PLIGHT BECAME PITIFUL IN THE DAYLIGHT SURROUNDED BY HOMELY FAMILIAR SIGHTS AND SOUNDS IT WAS NOT SO DIFFICULT TO FORTIFY OUR SOULS WITH A CHEERING INCREDULITY BUT NOW IN THIS TIME OF SHADOWS DREAD BELIEF CLUTCHED US AND WRUNG US WITH TERROR IF THERE HAD BEEN ONE WISE OLDER FRIEND TO TELL US IN SERIOUS FASHION THAT WE NEED NOT BE AFRAID THAT THE ENTERPRISE PARAGRAPH WAS NOT SAVE THE IDLE REPORT OF A DELUDED FANATIC IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WELL FOR US BUT THERE WAS NOT OUR GROWN UPS INSTEAD CONSIDERED OUR TERROR IN EXQUISITE JEST NO TROUBLE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL ONLY PEOPLE GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH ONLY PEOPLE MANOEL HOW ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE CHILDREN YES THAT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO YOU LITTLE PEOPLE NOT CHILDREN LITTLE PEOPLE BUT I GUESS I OVERDID IT BECAUSE I GOT REAL SICK AND COULDN'T SLEEP AT ALL SO OF COURSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY DREAMS I SHOULD HAVE STOPPED WITH THE PIE AND PICKLES AND LEFT THE TARTS ALONE PETER DID AND HE HAD AN ELEGANT DREAM THAT PEG BOWEN CAUGHT HIM AND PUT HIM ON TO BOIL ALIVE IN THAT BIG BLACK POT THAT HANGS OUTSIDE HER DOOR HE WOKE UP BEFORE THE WATER GOT HOT THOUGH WHEN YOUR FATHER'S RUN AWAY AND YOUR MOTHER GOES OUT WASHING AND YOU'RE ONLY OLD ENOUGH TO GET FIFTY CENTS A WEEK YOU CAN'T GIVE MUCH TO THE HEATHEN BUT I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN MY AUNT JANET WAS FOND OF MISSIONS ARE THERE ANY METHODISTS HEATHENS I SUPPOSE I OUGHT TO GIVE MY BOX TO THEM RATHER THAN TO PRESBYTERIAN HEATHEN +928d8394-a282-40d2-982d-46156d583553 BUT YOU KNOW WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO MISSUS SHARP TRIED TO GET THE WORD OUT AND THEN PUSHED BY THE TWO MEN AND CAME INTO THE HUT I CAN BE CONNED ONCE AND DIGGING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE THIEVES THE THING HAD MORE DRAWERS IN IT THAN A BATTERY OF CASH REGISTERS THE TWO TREES CAME CLOSER FAR ON THE HORIZON WAS A BANK OF ATMOSPHERIC CLOUDS CERTAINLY THIS WAS NO PLACE TO SET DOWN THE FULL WEIGHT OF ASTRO IT WAS A FEATHER IN THE STORY GIRL'S CAP FOR SHE TOOK ALL THE CREDIT OF HAVING STARTED PETER ON THE RIGHT ROAD +92b55ab3-2832-4e6d-8d57-5f000e12c6e9 HE CAN SEE IT ANYHOW WITHOUT YOUR DOING ANYTHING SAID CECILY WELL MY CONSCIENCE WILL FEEL BETTER HOW DID OLD MISTER SCOTT FIND OUT THE YOUNG MINISTER WAS IN THE CLOSET ASKED FELIX NO ONE EVER KNEW ONE BY ONE THE UNTANGLED THREADS RAN TO THIS OFFICE HE ALSO HAD A SECRETARY WHOSE ILLNESSES COSIDED WITH HER EMPLOYMENT IN THE OTHER OFFICES WHEN I STRAIGHTENED UP FROM MY DESK THE ACHE IN MY BACK STABBED LIKE A HOT WIRE PETER WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO KEPT HIS NORMAL POISE NOTHING COULD UPSET THAT BOY'S STOMACH ONE NIGHT CECILY CAME INTO THE PANTRY WITH A LARGE CUCUMBER AND PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR THE GREATER PART OF IT WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED ASKED WOOT RUBBING THE SLEEP FROM HIS EYES AND WITH HIS KNUCKLES AND GIVING THREE WIDE YAWNS TO PROVE HE WAS FULLY AWAKE +92f5837b-6e1f-4c01-a0fb-116aea9aab8c I THINK WE ALL SHARED HER FEAR TO SOME EXTENT NEVERTHELESS WE WENT TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY BURNING WITH CURIOSITY AND WE WERE DISAPPOINTED MA'S GONE TO TOWN PA AND HER WENT THIS AFTERNOON AND THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK TILL TO MORROW THERE'S NOBODY HOME BUT JUDY PANOW AND ME THEN SAID THE STORY GIRL WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO TO THE SHOW ANYHOW YOUR MOTHER WON'T EVER KNOW IF YOU COAXED JUDY TO HOLD HER TONGUE DAN SPEAKING FOR THE FIRST TIME RATHER SHEEPISHLY VOLUNTEERED THE INFORMATION THAT PETER HAD ALSO BEEN INTENDING TO COME OVER BUT HAD TO GO HOME TO TAKE SOME FLOUR TO HIS MOTHER INSTEAD I HAD ONE OF THE WORKING EYES DIG A CAVE IN AN OUTCROPPING OF ROCK AND WAIT FOR HIM +931b1a37-2749-4e1d-82b0-ff0d289d9676 I EXPECT WE'D GET TIRED OF IT AFTER A WHILE SAID THE STORY GIRL BUT SHE ADDED I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOODLY WHILE BEFORE I WOULD JONAS UNDERSTOOD FISHING IT IN HIS OWN POCKET HE WITHDREW A SINGLE SHINY COIN I ALSO WISH HE SAID SMOOTHLY TO PAY FOR ANY HELP I MAY RECEIVE SUCH AS THE ANSWERING OF AN INNOCENT QUESTION A QUESTION IN WHICH THE RESPECTED INQUISITOR KNOOK CANNOT HAVE NO INTEREST WHATEVER HE DOUBTED IT HE WAS BEGINNING TO NOTICE AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT THE NONIPUS WAS MORE FEARSOME THAN IT HAD SEEMED AT FIRST IN ADDITION TO NINE TENTACLES CLAWS FANGS AND ANTENNAE BECAME APPARENT THE BEING WHICH HAD UTTERED THE COMMAND DISAPPEARED AND MY CAPTORS LED ME STRUGGLING AND PROTESTING TOWARD THE BLACK UGLY TOWERS OF THE CITY +933ef054-4ddc-4c50-9f2f-fe7740292cfe I WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST OF YOU AND LOOK HERE I'VE THOUGHT OF THE WAY MY AUNT JANE USED TO GIVE MEDICINE TO A CAT HE MIXED THE POWDER IN LARD AND SPREAD IT ON HIS PAWS AND HIS SIDES AND HE'LL LICK IT OFF CAUSE A CAT CAN'T STAND BEING MESSY IF PATTY ISN'T ANY BETTER TOMORROW WE'LL DO THAT AH FELICITY WE WERE ALL IN THE DEPTHS OF OUR PITIFUL LITTLE SOULS REVIEWING THE INNUMERABLE THINGS WE WOULD OR WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IF WE HAD KNOWN SO THAT'S WHY YOUR SAILS BELLIED BACKWARD WHEN YOU CAME INTO HARBOR SAID JEFF THE THING WAS TOWING YOU A THIN HIGH STREAK OF VAPOR TRAIL KNEELING DOWN TOWARD THEM FROM THE SUNRISE RAINBOW TURNED THE CHANNEL OF HIS THOUGHT AUNT OLIVIA SAYS CHILDREN SHOULD JUST BE LET COME UP THAT EVERYTHING ELSE IS SETTLED FOR THEM LONG BEFORE THEY ARE BORN I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT DO YOU NO WE DID NOT BUT IT WAS OUR EXPERIENCE THAT GROWN UPS HAD A HABIT OF SAYING THINGS HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS UNCLE ROGER LIKE WAS OUR NEXT QUESTION +935dd1d1-9e43-4eeb-9d18-8581a352feed HIS AURA QUIVERED WITH A SHOCK OF BETRAYAL PERMANENT BENEFIT WAS SLOW BUT CUMULATIVE HE WAS STILL SCOWLING OVER WHAT HE SHOULD TELL CHARLIE MACK WHEN THE ISLAND QUEEN HOVE INTO VIEW WILD ROSES GREW PINKLY ALONG THE FENCES AND THE ROADSIDES WERE STAR DUSTED WITH BUTTERCUPS JUST DOWN THE HILL YOU CAN'T SEE THE HOUSE FOR THE SPRUCE BUSH SARA'S A NICE GIRL SHE'S ONLY ELEVEN AND HER MOTHER IS DREADFULLY STRICT SHE NEVER ALLOWS SARA TO READ A SINGLE STORY JUST YOU FANCY AND NOW AS THE BRILLIANT SUN SANK LOW OVER THE WINKY COUNTRY OF OZ +93a788d1-a5da-4a6a-8bcb-9f5fdff914d9 THE DWARF CONCEDED I THOUGHT I WAS IT WAS A NIGHTMARE REPLICA OF A SHRUNKEN MULE AND ONE MILLION OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE NOT EVEN THE ALMIGHTY CAN DESTROY THE BRIDGE MUST STAND FOREVER I SHALL BE SATISFIED JUST TO BE A PLAIN ANGEL SAID FELICITY MODESTLY SHE PRAYED FOR IT YOU KNOW SAID FELIX AFTER SARA HAD GONE HOME FINALLY THE STORY GIRL TOLD US THE TALE OF THE PRISONER OF CHILI FORESTED WITH ENDLESS ROWS OF FINS AND SPINES AND ENIGMATIC TENDRILS WE MAY RETURN LATER WITH THE CAMTHORIAN HUNTING PARTY AND RECOVER OUR INVESTMENT +93ae2ca9-529b-4a38-ada9-e617862d9064 AND WHAT WAS A QUEST WITHOUT SOMEONE TO SET IT NOW I WISH TO SEE HERKINUFF THE INQUISITOR CALLS YOU WHEN HE WANTS YOU THE BALD MAN SAID WE BOTH KNOW WE'RE GOING TO REDISCOVER ONE PLANET TOO MANY SOME DAY RIM WAR ALL OVER AGAIN THIS NATIVE CROUCHED ON THE HOOD A MARKED TWENTY EXPLODING PELLET RIFLE IN HIS RIGHT HAND DIRECTED AT ORAN'S HEAD THE PATH LED INTO THE FOREST BUT THE BIG TREES GREW SO CLOSELY TOGETHER AND THE VINES IN THE UNDERBRUSH WERE SO THICK AND MATTED THAT THEY HAD TO CLEAR A PATH AT EACH STEP IN ORDER TO PROCEED AUNT JANET AND FELICITY ADMINISTERED ALL THE HOMELY REMEDIES THEY COULD THINK OF BUT TO NO EFFECT FELICITY TOLD AUNT JANET OF THE CUCUMBER BUT AUNT JANET DID NOT THINK THE CUCUMBER ALONE COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CECILY'S ALARMING CONDITION +93cc9f92-a055-4022-b230-d8e866dfff56 RAY LOOKED MAD STARTED TO AIM A KICK AT THE SCREAM BUT THOUGHT BETTER OF IT A SMALL WAVE ALMOST MADE HIM SET DOWN ON THE DECK BEFORE HE GOT BOTH FEET PLANTED AGAIN HE SWORE AND STARTED TO CHECK THE WIRING MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG INSIDE THE DINGUS ITSELF JOHN ANDREWS SUGGESTED TENTATIVELY HE CAME UP AGAIN NEARLY STRANGLED TO FIND THAT EITHER HE OR THE ZID HAD THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM THEY WERE ALL BUT EYE TO EYE WHEN JENOFER CAUGHT HIM AND TOWED HIM AWAY TOWARD THE DOUBTFUL SAFETY OF THE ISLAND QUEEN CHAFFEE'S THREE AND FOUR APPEARED FROM NOWHERE AND STOOD SOLEMNLY BY WHILE THE ZID WEAKENED AND SANK WITH A FINAL GOUT OF BUBBLES WE MUST HAVE YOUR FRIEND'S HELP CHAFFY THREE SAID TO JENOFY THEN TO RECOVER OUR INVESTMENT WE HAD ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD EAGERLY TO THE PROMISED STAY WHEN FATHER WOULD TAKE US DOWN HOME TO THE OLD HOUSE WITH THE SPRUCES BEHIND IT AND THE FAMOUS KING ORCHARD BEFORE IT WHEN WE MIGHT RAMBLE IN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK DRINK FROM THE DEEP WELL WITH A CHINESE ROOF OVER IT STAND ON THE PULPIT STONE AND EAT APPLES FROM OUR BIRTHDAY TREES IN SKIPPED OPENED HIS MOUTH MADE A CHOKING NOISE AND ENCLOSED IT HE UNDOUBTEDLY REALIZED THAT ANY INTERRUPTION WOULD ONLY LENGTHEN MY EXPLANATION NOT SHORTEN IT I SMILED AND NODDED AT HIS DECISION AND THEN CONTINUED SO YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD ME SAFELY OUT THE WAY BREAKING MY SPIRIT UNDER THE GUISE OF GIVING ME A LITTLE BACKGROUND INTO THE CAUSE ACTIVITIES WHILE IN THIS SENSE YOUR PLAN FAILED SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED INSTEAD I NOSED THROUGH THOSE FILES AND FOUND THEM MOST INTERESTING +940208d5-21f7-4dc2-90bf-311043f1c08f SARA STANLEY FELICITY FLEW ACROSS THE KITCHEN DO YOU MEAN THAT YOU PUT THE BREAD RIGHT INTO THE OVEN AFTER YOU KNEADED IT WITHOUT LEAVING IT TO RISE A SECOND TIME THE STORY GIRL TURNED QUITE PALE YES I DID SHE FALTERED OH FELICITY WASN'T IT RIGHT BUT WHAT DOES THE WORK WHAT KILLED HIM I ASKED BREATHLESSLY CAN'T SAY PETE YOU CAN'T NAME THINGS HERE IN TERMS OF OUR OWN WORLD SOME NATURAL FORCE THEY'VE CORRALLED I IMAGINE THEY CONTROL IT WITH THAT SHUDDER BEHIND THE LIPS OF THE IMAGE DID YOU NOTICE IT HE WAS VERY GENTLE WITH THE WRIST HE DIDN'T WANT TO HURT HER HE WAS WONDERING ALREADY IN FACT WHAT HAD MADE HIM GET SO ROUGH AT ALL BUT SHE DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND I'VE GOT TO GO QUICKLY SHE TOLD HIM I THINK GARF WILL BE ALL RIGHT NOW BUT HE MAY TAKE A NOTION TO COME BACK FELIX HAD BELIEVED BLISSFULLY THAT IT WOULD MAKE HIM THIN CECILY'S HAIR WAS TO BECOME NATURALLY CURLY AND SARA RAY WAS NOT TO BE AFRAID OF PEG BOWEN ANY MORE +94127bf4-91bd-4fd4-8a48-d89146cf60e7 SHE WENT TO WORK AND MADE LITTLE RAISIN PIES RIGHT THERE IN THE KITCHEN BEFORE THE STORY GIRL THE SMELL OF RAISIN PIES IS SOMETHING TO TEMPT AN ANCHORITE AND THE STORY GIRL WAS EXCEEDINGLY FOND OF THEM FELICITY ATE TWO IN HER VERY PRESENCE AND THEN BROUGHT THE REST OUT TO US IN THE ORCHARD THE STORY GIRL COULD SEE US THROUGH THE WINDOW CAROUSING WITHOUT STINT ON RAISIN PIES AND UNCLE EDWARD'S CHERRIES WHEN HE COMBED IN HIS NET OF SNEAKERS TO CHECK THE TAPES AND FILMS LO AND BEHOLD HE HAD A LITTLE STRANGER ONE OF THEIRS NO IT WAS A MINNY OFF THE DELPHINIS REDISCOVERY THE DELPHINUS HAS BEEN UNREPORTED FOR EIGHTEEN STANDARD MONTHS ONLY PEOPLE GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH ONLY PEOPLE MANOEL HOW ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE CHILDREN YES THAT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO YOU LITTLE PEOPLE NOT CHILDREN LITTLE PEOPLE IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM HOW BIG THEY HAVE TO BE IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE HOW BIG THEY ARE IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM THAT IS WHERE THE DAMAGE WAS DONE YOUR FEMALE SUGGESTION IS RIGHT THE SERIMIAN CROAKED THE ZID DOES NOT SWIM FOR AND I ARE ARRANGING ESCAPE ON THAT PREMISE THE ZID'S TALONS RIPPED THROUGH THE DOOR LEAVING PARALLEL ROWS OF SPLINTERED BRAKES BOTH SLANTED RED EYES GLARED IN BRIEFLY +948af86a-d6f3-4c52-a202-cefbaddfdafb IT'S LOGICAL IF I WERE AN IGNORANT ABORIGINE OF EARTH AND I RAN INTO A SPICKIN WHO LOOKS LIKE A TWO FOOT GOB OF DRIED SHELLOCK I WOULD IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE SCENE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG SOMEWHERE SAID CECILY PERPLEXEDLY WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR WHAT WE WANT OF THAT I'M SURE AND PETER WANTED TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD PASS THE ORDEAL IT SEEMS AS IF HE MUST BE RIGHT AND YET IT DOESN'T SEEM SO I WISH I COULD UNDERSTAND IT I LOOKED AT THE STORY GIRL'S DRY PITEOUS EYES AND SUDDENLY REMEMBERED THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN HER CRY WHEN SHE TOLD US SAD TALES IN A VOICE LADEN WITH ALL THE TEARS THAT HAD EVER BEEN SHED SHE HAD NEVER SHARED ONE OF HER OWN TOWERS WAS STEPPING THROUGH THE BULKHEAD DOOR INTO THE RADIO ROOM JUST LIKE A TELEVISION PLAYING INSTALMENTS BRANDON THOUGHT SEEN TWO COMING UP +948b94bb-fb1a-4ecc-a3f7-bfa61185381d I THOUGHT IT WAS FULL OF PEOPLE AND I WALKED UP THE AISLE TO YOUR PEW AND SAT DOWN AND DAN IS SO OBLIGING THAT WAY UNCLE ALEC WALKED AROUND THE CORNER OF THE GRANARY WITH CECILY BEHIND HIM FOR ONCE IN HER LIFE THE STORY GIRL WAS NOT AS TACTFUL AS HER WONT CHAFFEE'S THREE AND FOUR APPEARED FROM NOWHERE JEFF LOOKED BACK ONCE TO SEE THE ZID CLOSE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN AND SPRING UPWARD TO THE TAIL FLUKE BEHIND HIM HE HAS TRIED TO TEMPT ME TO PACKT WITH SATAN THE QUINT INQUISITOR SAID THIS IS AN ACCURSED FAMILY THERE IS NO GOOD TO BE DONE TO ME OR MY WIFE OR CHILD +94d0063a-9d22-471a-9384-95baa24fd0d8 I REMEMBERED THE WAY SHE SHOOK HIM OFF AND I WANTED TO LAUGH SHE HAD DIED IN A FAR FOREIGN LAND IT WAS A STRANGE WOOING AND THE FRIENDS OF THE PRINCESS BEGGED HER TO REFUSE WE DECLARE THAT PLACE UNANNEXED FORTHWITH WE OWN THE WORLD THE OFFICIAL HAD GIVEN A SNAP JUDGMENT IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE SOUND AND LIGHT IN THE SAME PLACE ISN'TT IT VIC GLANCED TOWARD US AND GRINNED THE WRETCHED BACHELOR WHO UNDERTAKES TO LOOK AFTER A HOUSE FULL OF CHILDREN LIKE YOU AUNT JANET COULD NOT GO DOWN THE HILL IN THE AFTERNOON TO FIND OUT HOW SARA WAS BECAUSE COMPANY CAME TO TEA +957f9bae-70bd-45f6-9128-299eed95f507 MUCH PRESTIGE ATTACHED TO THEM AND MY BLACK DRESS OUTFIT SHOULD WRITE AS HIGHLY AS ANY UNIFORM IN THE GALAXY WHY ARE YOU BUILDING THAT BATTLESHIP THE MAN WAS A GREAT ACTOR I'LL NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING I READ IN THE PAPERS AGAIN SAID DAN RUSHING TO THE OPPOSITE EXTREME I TOLD YOU THE BIBLE WAS MORE TO BE DEPENDED ON THAN NEWSPAPERS SAID CECILY TRIUMPHANTLY OH BECAUSE ACTRESSES ARE ALWAYS WICKED PEOPLE SAID FELICITY IN A SHOCKED TONE BUT I DARE SAY THE STORY GIRL WILL GO AND BE ONE JUST AS SOON AS SHE CAN HER FATHER WILL BACK HER UP IN IT HE IS AN ARTIST YOU KNOW IT WAS YOU WHO FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS MY DUTY TO FIND AND MARRY NIMI AMID AND I'D LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT NICK CHOPPER THE TIN EMPEROR OF THE WINKIES IS A MAN WHO NEVER SHIRKS HIS DUTY ONCE IT IS POINTED OUT TO HIM +95e57cd7-c8d9-4825-a7f9-23c7312c2ec3 THEN HURRYING DOWN RAMP AFTER RAMP CORRIDOR AFTER CORRIDOR FIGHTING THE RUSHING MOB ALL THE WAY WE CAME AT LAST SHAKING WITH WEARINESS AND GASPING FOR BREATH TO THE DESERTED STREETS OF THE BLACK AND TERRIBLE CITY ADVENTURES TO ME ARE GOOD FUN ONLY I NEVER LIKE TO STAY TOO LONG ON EARTH BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T BELONG HERE I SHALL TELL MY FATHER THE RAINBOW THAT I'LL TRY NOT TO BE SO CARELESS AGAIN AND HE WILL FORGIVE ME BECAUSE IN OUR SKY MANSIONS THERE IS ALWAYS JOY AND HAPPINESS IN LATER YEARS WE WERE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE ORCHARD BLOSSOMED NOT ONLY APPLE BLOSSOMS BUT ALL THE LOVE FAITH JOY PURE HAPPINESS AND PURE SORROW OF THOSE WHO HAD MADE IT AND WALKED THERE IN FACT I'LL BEGIN TO NIGHT I'M GOING TO THE PANTRY AS SOON AS I GET HOME AND I'LL READ FATHER'S LETTER BEFORE I GO TO BED WASN'T THE MISSIONARY SPLENDID THAT CANNIBAL STORY WAS SIMPLY GRAND I TRIED TO REMEMBER EVERY WORD SO I CAN TELL IT JUST AS HE TOLD IT MISSIONARIES ARE SUCH NOBLE PEOPLE +95e8b0cb-41e2-44cd-8fc0-d8561c55c299 HOW COULD ANYONE IN THE WORLD BE HAPPY WHEN WE WERE SO UNHAPPY WE WAITED AND WATCHED AT THE WINDOW THE BATTERY OF SIAMEN THERE CONTACTED THE INDIVIDUAL PLANETS AND ALL WE HAD TO DO WAS KEEP ADDING TO THE LIST OF PLANETS WELL IF YOU'RE SO SCARED YOU'D BETTER NOT GO IT IT ISN'T ANY GOOD THE BEAUTY OF PENANCE IS THAT IT MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE SO IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO WHETHER IT'S USEFUL OR NOT SO LONG AS IT'S NASTY WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH DIALS AND SWITCHES ADDED TO IT TO FURNISH THE DAY SPORTS OF SEVERAL ROLLS ROICES +963632df-5627-435b-ac56-23cd60225d8d SUGGESTED DOROTHY SHE WAS SHE HAD MANAGED TO KEEP OUT OF MY WAY AND IN THE EVENING THEY WOULD LEAD THE SHEEP HOME TOGETHER HER VOICE WOULD HAVE MADE THE MULTIPLICATION TABLE CHARMING AND THROUGH IT ALL THE BLISSFUL PURRS OF PATTY WHO SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL BEHIND THE STORY GIRL RESOUNDED THROUGH THE DIN LIKE ANDREW MACPHERSON'S BASS JUST A BURROW OF THE HALE TIME I'LL TELL SOME TOO AND WITH A ROARING FIRE ON A NIGHT THAT'S HOT ENOUGH TO MELT A BRASS MONKEY JUST STAND ROOTED TO THE GROUND AND SEE IT COMING AND CAN'T STIR IT I THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T LIKE CUCUMBER CECILY DAN REMARKED +964f3be9-107a-46c0-ab76-a66620bdac62 THOSE ARE ONLY PROVERBS SAID THE STORY GIRL BITTERLY I HAVE JUST HEARD THE SAD NEWS ABOUT POOR DEAR PETER I EXCEPT THE STORY GIRL THE VOICE WAS MORE THAN FULL ENOUGH TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE OF COURSE THERE WAS A LITTLE PRESSURE AT THE TIME BUT I STILL THINK IT WAS A WISE MOVE THROUGH THE SILENT SOUNDS OF THE VOICE OF ALMIGHTY PERHAPS OUR NERVES HAD BEEN UPSET BY THE EXCITEMENT ATTENDANT ON JIMMY PATTERSON'S DISAPPEARANCE HOPE SUDDENLY PUT HER ARMS ABOUT ME SHE WAS SOBBING THE THING IS SET TO OPERATE THE REVERSE CYCLE AT THREE HOUR INTERVALS EXACTLY YOU KNOW THERE ARE LIGHT RAYS THAT THE HUMAN EYES CAN'T PERCEIVE +96b7b128-fe35-4d4f-8d10-1c44f8764bf9 SUCH GOINGS ON I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK WHAT'S THE MATTER PARON WHERE'S MISTER BUTLER THAT'S IT SIR THAT'S EXACTLY IT WHERE'S MISTER BUTLER AND JUST A MOMENT PLEASE CUT IT SHORT PARRON WHAT'S HAPPENED LOOKS LIKE HARD PELLET RIFLES OF SOME KIND WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO START CAN YOU GET CLOSER CECILY CONFIDED TO ME THAT SHE NEVER MEANT TO PUT HER HAIR UP IN CURLORS ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS PRETENDING IT IS A MATTER OF INDIFFERENCE TO MEONA SAID BUT THE WEIGHT BECOMES BORING AFTER A TIME KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN KEEP YOURSELF READY FOR THE GIFT OF GOD IT WILL DESCEND ON YOU +975466e3-2e09-4cba-9b06-7eb24ceed7b3 SCRAPS OF TIN OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES LAID SCATTERED ROUND THE WORKSHOP THERE WERE HAMMERS AND ANVILS AND SODDERING IRONS AND A CHARCOAL FURNACE AND MANY OTHER TOOLS SUCH AS TINSMITH WORKS WITH WE'LL SEARCH THE SHIP SHE CAN'T HIDE FOR LONG SHE WON'T HAVE TO PIPPY SAID THERE'S A FAR SCOUT WE PICKED UP STOWED IN ONE OF THE HOLES THAT MUST BE LEAVING NOW WE COULD FILL THE VIBRATION DISTANTLY THROUGH THE FLOOR THE NEIGHBOUR WILL GET HER I TOLD HIM WITH FAR MORE CONVICTION THAN I FELT TOO GLOOMY IN THAT JUNGLE TO BE SURE THE INFER BEAM'S OUT ON THIS MANY LOOKS LIKE HARD PELLET RIFLES OF SOME KIND MIGHT EVEN BE OFF THE DELPHINIS CAN YOU GET CLOSER WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD NO LIGHT DOWN THERE AND THEY'RE MOVING UP FAST THERE IS NO NEED TO REMIND ME I'M SORRY CLAYTON THOUGHT HE RADIATED CAUTION WORRY PATIENCE YONAS TURNED TO THE BED AND CUT OFF FROM THE DIRECTOR WITH A GRUNT HE WAS TIRED LONG DISTANCE LINKAGES WERE A DRAINED ON THE BOY'S ENERGY EVEN WHEN THE PERSON INVOLVED WAS EASY TO VISUALIZE +97d5e0e1-ab92-41b8-aaab-183f4448b7d5 THEN THEY WERE REALLY GONE WE WERE ALL LEFT TO KEEP HOUSE UNCLE ROGER AND PETER WENT AWAY TO THEIR WORK FELICITY AT ONCE SET THE PREPARATIONS FOR DINNER GOING AND ALLOTTED TO EACH OF US HIS PORTION OF SERVICE THE STORY GIRL WAS TO PREPARE THE POTATOES FELIX AND DAN WERE TO PICK AND SHELL THE PEAS CECILY WAS TO ATTEND THE FIRE I WAS TO PEEL THE TURNIPS FELICITY MADE HER MOUTH WATER BY ANNOUNCING THAT SHE WAS GOING TO MAKE A ROLY POLY JAM PUDDING FOR DINNER THE APPARATUS VIC HAD MENTIONED WAS MY FIRST THOUGHT IT CONSISTED PRIMARILY OF FOUR TALL SLIM POSTS SET IN THE FORM OF A SQUARE ABOUT A YARD APART AND SUPPORTED BY HEAVY COPPER BRACKETS MOUNTED ON A THICK BASE OF INSULATING MATERIAL AND EACH POST BORE AT ITS TOP LIKE A STALK WITH A SINGLE DROOPING FLOWER A DEEP HIGHLY POLISHED REFLECTOR POINTING INWARD AND DOWNWARD WERE THE SCARECROW AND I ALONE SAID THE TIN WOODMAN WE WOULD TRAVEL BY NIGHT AS WELL AS BY DAY BUT A MEAT PERSON IN OUR PARTY WE MUST HALT AT NIGHT TO PERMIT HIM TO REST MEET TIRES AFTER A DAY'S TRAVEL ADDED THE SCARECROW WHILE STRAWN TIN NEVER TIRE AT ALL WHICH PROVES SAID HE THAT WE ARE SOMEWHAT SUPERIOR TO PEOPLE MADE IN THE COMMON WAY JOB'S COFFIN AND THE NORTHERN CROSS WERE TO THE WEST OF US SOUTH OF US FLAMED FOMALHAUT THE GREAT SQUARE OF PEGASUS WAS OVER OUR HEADS CASSIOPEIA SAT ENTHRONED IN HER BEAUTIFUL CHAIR IN THE NORTH EAST AND NORTH OF US THE DIPPERS SWUNG UNTIRINGLY AROUND THE POLE STAR CECILY AND FELIX WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO COULD DISTINGUISH THE DOUBLE STAR IN THE HANDLE OF THE BIG DIPPER AND GREATLY DID THEY PLUME THEMSELVES THEREON +97eeb253-9279-4935-80d8-886b01bf34de BECAUSE A LADY ASKS YOU AND SHE HUMBLY BEGGED PETER'S PARDON FOR SPOILING HIS SERMON ALL THIS WORK COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE THE TIME ALLOTTED THE NAVY MUST HAVE ADAPTED A LUXURY UP TO MY NEEDS SINCE I WAS ONLY CHASING MY TAIL WITH THIS LINE OF THOUGHT BUT HE COULDN'T WHICH ONE WAS MORE DANGEROUS SHE FOLLOWED IT UP THIS TIME WITH A STRING OF INTRICATE FOREIGN SOUNDING WORDS THAN EVEN FARMER COULD TELL WERE HOT AND STINGING NOW LET'S CHECK THAT EQUIPMENT THE SURGEON'S PUT IN YOUR NET TO NEW BLEEDING CLOSER TO ORANGE SHOULDER WE HAVE NOT DECEIVED YOU HAVE WEARNE WE CAN CONTINUE AS SOON AS +980b2c9f-eb94-44f0-90dc-019b4287c296 IT WAS FINALLY DECIDED THAT DAN AND FELIX SHOULD GO I WANTED TO GO ALSO BUT THE GIRLS PROTESTED YOU MUST STAY AND KEEP US CHEERED UP IMPLORED FELICITY IT WAS A REAL GOOD BOOK MY AUNT JANE WOULDN'T HAVE A BOOK THAT WASN'T GOOD RETORTED PETER SULKILY I AM AFRAID THE REMEMBRANCE GREW A LITTLE DIM THE REST OF THE WEEK BESIDES THAT THERE WERE A PAIR OF BLUE SATIN SLIPPERS ON THE FLOOR BESIDE IT HIGH HEELED SLIPPERS AND ON THE FLY LEAF OF THE BOOKS THE NAME ALICE WAS WRITTEN NOW THERE NEVER WASN'T ALICE IN THE DALE CONNECTION AND NOBODY EVER HEARD OF THE AWKWARD MAN HAVING A SWEETHEART THERE ISN'T THAT A LOVELY MYSTERY NOT THE STORY GIRL HERSELF COULD HAVE INVESTED THAT SOMETHING WITH MORE OF A CREEPY HORROR WE ALL DREW CLOSE TOGETHER I FELT A CRINKLY FEELING ALONG MY BACK WHICH I HAD NEVER KNOWN BEFORE +9824d1a5-1c42-4b4a-970d-6f0706a852bf I'D LIKE TO BE BURIED HERE WHEN I DIE SAID FELIX BUT I HOPE IT WON'T BE FOR A GOOD WHILE YET HE SAID IN A LIVELIER TONE AS WE MOVED ONWARD TO THE CHURCH THIS TIME OF COURSE THE RISK WAS MORE THAN SLIGHT WHY HE THOUGHT HAPPILY IT WAS EVEN MORE FOR HIM TO GET KILLED AND MOST PAINFULLY TOO I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN SAID ORAN HE TOOK ANOTHER SIP OF THE BRANDY STETSON FLICKED ON THE SWITCH OF THE RECORDER BESIDE HIM O KNO GO AHEAD ANY TIME I SAW THAT CITY THEY BUILT STEAD THEY COULD BE DUG IN WITHIN SIX MONTHS AND THERE'D BE NO YEH YOU MUST STAY AND KEEP US CHEERED UP IMPLORED FELICITY I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW I'M EVER GOING TO PUT IN THE AFTERNOON +98b518a5-e45f-4901-a6ae-a14d25f1d731 NOW I ADDED I WONDER IF YOU WOULD ASK THE CUSTOMS AGENTS TO LOOK AT MY BAGS HERE DON'T WANT TO WASTE TIME DO WE THE SHIP IS OPEN THEY CAN CHECK THAT WHENEVER THEY PLEASE WE KNEW ONLY THAT A COUSIN SARAH STANLEY WHOSE MOTHER OUR AUNT FELICITY WAS DEAD WAS LIVING DOWN ON THE ISLAND WITH UNCLE ROGER AND AUNT OLIVIA KING ON A FARM ADJOINING THE OLD KING HOMESTEAD IN CARLISLE PEG CLEARED OUT AND SHE WENT ACROSS HIS PASTURE MUTTERING TO HERSELF AND THROWING HER ARMS AROUND THE NEXT DAY HIS VERY BEST COW TOOK SICK AND DIED HOW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR THAT WHY SHOULD I WANT OUT OF MY FIRST FIELD ASSIGNMENT LISTEN AND FIND OUT +98ed9756-d43f-4fc3-8e0a-247d46332333 DOESN'T HE EVER MEAN TO GET MARRIED ASKED FELIX AUNT OLIVIA WISHES HE WOULD BECAUSE SHE'S TIRED KEEPING HOUSE FOR HIM AND SHE WANTS TO GO TO AUNT JULIE IN CALIFORNIA I'M GOING TO CATCH THIS THUG AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW I'M GOING TO DO IT THERE WAS A TAPE IN THE AUTOMATIC NAVIGATOR THAT WOULD PUT ME ON THE COURSE MENTIONED IN ALL THE ARTICLES JUST AT PRESS OF THE BOTTOM AND I WOULD BE ON MY WAY I WISH I COULD BELIEVE THAT ISN'T LIKE GOD BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE PETER COULD ONLY GIVE FOUR BUT DAN GAVE ELEVEN WHICH SQUARED MATTERS THE WILD WOODSINESS OF FERNS JEFF HAD A GLIMPSE OF SLANTED RED EYES AND A WHITE FANGED SNOUT BEFORE REFLEX SENT HIM HEADLONG TO SHOULDER THE DOOR SHUT AGAIN +98f1da20-2e1c-4a23-a1ef-9dbd7d37b2b0 THEY SHOULDN'T GROW IN THE WRONG PLACE SAID FELICITY MERCILESSLY WHEN WEEDS GO TO HEAVEN I SUPPOSE THEY WILL BE FLOWERS CONTINUED THE STORY GIRL YOU DO THINK SUCH QUEER THINGS SAID FELICITY NO MY LITTLE CABIN STANDS NOT A GREAT WAY OFF BUT THERE IS NO OCCASION FOR US TO VISIT IT OUR ERRAND IS WITH NIMI AMMY AND HER HOUSE IS SOMEWHAT FARTHER AWAY TO THE LEFT OF US WELL I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY SHE'S DEAD SAID PETER REBUKINGLY DO PEOPLE GO ON BEING JUST THE SAME AFTER THEY'RE DEAD NO OF COURSE NOT THEY'RE ANGELS THEN NOT METHODISTS OR ANYTHING BUT JUST ANGELS THAT IS IF THEY GO TO HEAVEN AND FOR THE MONEY YOU WILL BE WELCOME I MUST TAKE YOUR WORD THAT YOU ARE NOT DANGEROUS I CAN ONLY PRAY THAT YOU DO NOT BETRAY THAT TRUST +995cee05-c9c4-4f91-8f82-ef04fb79fa81 IN SPITE OF HER DISASTER WITH THE BREAD THE STORY GIRL HAD BEEN TAKING COOKING LESSONS FROM FELICITY ALL THE WEEK AND GETTING ON TOLERABLY WELL ALTHOUGH MINDFUL OF HER FORMER MISTAKE SHE NEVER VENTURED ON ANYTHING WITHOUT FELICITY'S APPROVAL BUT FELICITY HAD NO TIME TO OVERSEE HER THIS MORNING LET'S GO TO THE ORCHARD AND WAIT SAID THE STORY GIRL IT'S ONE O'CLOCK NOW SO IN ANOTHER HOUR WE'LL KNOW THE WORST WE'LL LEAVE THE FRONT DOOR OPEN AND WE'LL HEAR THE BIG CLOCK WHEN IT STRIKES TWO HE HAD A FACE LIKE AN EAGLE AND HIS EYES WERE ICE BLUE HE MOVED HIS THIN STRONG HANDS GENTLY BACK AND FORTH ON THE TABLE THAT HELD HIS PAPERS INKSTAND PEN AND SAID IN A VOICE LIKE AUDIBLE SAND PAPER YOU WANTED TO SEE ME SHE IS A MULE THEREFORE HER FATHER WAS A JACK THEREFORE HIS FATHER WAS ALSO A JACK A DONKEY IT COULD NOT BE ANY OTHER WAY +99865a94-aaf0-4759-9dbc-457b610324a8 LOOK HERE DAN I EXPOSTULATED I THOUGHT OF THAT MYSELF BUT I CAN'T STAY HOME CECILY IT WOULD BE FAR MORE THAN FLESH AND BLOOD COULD ENDURE I WILL PERSONALLY FLAY YOU ALIVE MOSTLY JUNGLE ONE LOW MOUNTAIN CHAIN FOLLOWS THE EQUATORIAL BELT ABOUT TWO THIRDS ROUND THE PLANET COME OVER HERE YOU FOOLS BRANDON TILTED THE SHIP UP ON ONE WING AND GLANCED DOWN AT THE BRICK RED EXPANSE OF DESERT GOD BENT ON DOZENS OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE MILKY WAY QUITE RIGHT SAID THE BEAST AND YOU'RE THE STRAW WHICH I'M GOING TO EAT FOR MY DINNER NEAR TO OGABOO +999e709c-c494-417d-8721-124bb86e4dea I'LL TELL YOU THESE STORIES WHEN YOU GET WELL I CAN TELL THEM EVER SO MUCH BETTER THAN I CAN WRITE THEM I KNOW FELICITY IS WONDERING WHY I'M WRITING SUCH A LONG LETTER SO PERHAPS I'D BETTER STOP IF YOUR MOTHER READS IT TO YOU THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF IT SHE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND BUT I THINK YOUR AUNT JANE WOULD I REMAIN YOUR VERY AFFECTIONATE FRIEND SARA STANLEY I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE WOULD SAY HE RETORTEDLICITY TRIED ANOTHER TACT YOU'LL BE SURE TO GET WHIPPED IF YOU FIGHT WITH PETER SHE SAID YOU'RE TOO FAT TO FIGHT AFTER THAT NO MORAL FORCE ON EARTH COULD HAVE PREVENTED FELIX FROM FIGHTING HE WOULD HAVE FACED AN ARMY WITH BANNERS NO BUT THE CARLISLE PEOPLE WILL RETORTED FELICITY IN A TONE WHICH IMPLIED THAT WHAT THE CARLISLE PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS FAR MORE IMPORTANT AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT PETER HAS GOT A DECENT STOCKING TO HIS NAME WHAT WILL YOU FEEL LIKE IF HE GOES TO CHURCH WITH THE SKIN OF HIS LEGS SHOWING THROUGH THE HOLES MISS STORY GIRL IT IS EASY TO GO TO CALIFORNIA NOW BUT IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT MATTER THEN THERE WERE NO RAILROADS ACROSS THE LAND AS THERE ARE NOW AND IF YOU WANTED TO GO TO CALIFORNIA YOU HAD TO GO IN A SAILING VESSEL ALL THE WAY AROUND CAPE HORN IT WAS A LONG AND DANGEROUS JOURNEY AND SOMETIMES IT TOOK OVER SIXNTHS WHEN YOU GOT THERE YOU HAD NO WAY OF SENDING WORD HOME AGAIN EXCEPT BY THE SAME PLAN IT MIGHT BE OVER A YEAR BEFORE YOUR PEOPLE AT HOME HEARD A WORD ABOUT YOU AND FANCY WHAT THEIR FEELINGS WOULD BE +99d054d4-bfc7-4b38-8b45-9b10de74272a WE CAN ENTER AND TAKE POSSESSION AND MAKE OURSELVES AT HOME DOROTHY APPEARED MUCH YOUNGER THAN OZMA A DISOBEDIENT BROTHER BUT AT LAST THEY GOT A CHOIR I KNOW HOW MANY YOU HAVE USED I COUNTED I THINK IT IS BOUND UP WITH THE FORTUNES OF THE KING FAMILY LIKE THE LUCK OF EDENHALL IN LONGFELLOW'S POEM BUT PETER SAYS THEY'RE SPLENDID FOR DREAMING FERERO PULLED AWAY FROM THE ROBART'S HAND AS IF IT HAD BEEN A POISONOUS SNAKE ALL I HAD TO DO WAS SNIFFED THEM OUT I DIDN'T TRY TO LOOK FOR FIRST CAUSES THIS WOULD HAVE TAKEN TOO LONG +99fd793a-3409-4cae-9e93-701daf558e5c THE GHOSTLY BELL FRIDAY WAS A COMFORTABLE DAY IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF KING EVERYBODY WAS IN GOOD HUMOUR PADDY HAD A FINER TASTE THE STORY GIRL AND I WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO COULD PAY HIM COMPLIMENTS TO HIS LIKING ON THE TELETOKEY SCREEN BRIHNHARD ALONE IN THE RADIO ROOM WAS CALLING QUIETLY FOR BRAND THE BULKHEAD DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND TOWERS POKED HIS HEAD THROUGH KNOCK THAT OFF SAID TOWERS STERNLY AND TAKE YOUR LANDING STATION HE CUT THE CIRCUIT HURRYING TO HAVE HIS COMMUNICATOR STOWED AWAY BEFORE OLD CHARLEY'S ARRIVAL NOT HE THOUGHT BITTERLY THAT BEING FOUND OUT NOW WOULD MAKE ANY GREAT DIFFERENCE SINCE THE SAW HORSE COULD UNDERSTAND HER SPOKEN WORDS OZMA USED NO REINS TO GUIDE HIM SHE MERELY TOLD HIM WHERE TO GO +9a2b837c-988e-4185-bd1d-9174a7fe1a31 A GREAT CROWD FORMED AROUND ME AS MY EYES FELL UPON THE SHUTTER BEHIND THE THICK GRINNING LIPS I HAD A HOT PROSPECT LINED UP FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAT MORNING SOMETHING BIT HIM ON THE ARM YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS THE FIRST DEMONSTRATION OF RAISE RAY IT WAS A COOL DEWY EVENING AND WE WALKED DOWN THE LONG RED HILL IN THE HIGHEST OF SPIRITS IT WAS MISTER SCOTT WHO DID IT SAID THE STORY GIRL IT LOOKS JUST LIKE THE FACE OF A CLOCK AND THERE ARE FLOWERS IN IT THAT OPENS AT EVERY HOUR SO YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL THE TIME WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM WAS HE KILLED TOO ASKED FELIX +9a65529b-ddfc-4688-ae47-a9b8011cd954 THE YOUNG MINISTER WAS A VERY GOOD YOUNG MAN AND TRIED TO DO HIS DUTY BUT HE WAS DREADFULLY AFRAID OF MEETING OLD MISTER SCOTT BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN TOLD THAT THE OLD MINISTER WAS VERY ANGRY AT BEING SET ASIDE AND WOULD LIKELY GIVE HIM A SOUND DRUBBING IF HE EVER MET HIM ANOTHER DAY AND HERE WOULD HAVE DROVE ME OUT OF MY WITS YUNUS THOUGHT THE FIRST AND PERHAPS THE LAST OF ITS KIND UNTIL THE DISSOLUTION OF THE MASQUERADE IN TWENTY ONE O THREE SO WHEN BILLY CONFIDED TO ME UNDER SOLEMN PROMISE OF SECRECY THAT HE HAD SOME MAGIC SEED WHICH WOULD MAKE BOYS GROW AND WOULD SELL ME A BOX OF IT FOR JUST TEN CENTS SAID MISSUS SWINE IN A VOICE THAT WAS HALF PROUD AND HALF IRRITABLE AND MANY OTHERS SUFFERED THE SAME FATE +9a7f06c9-a143-404d-9e5c-c3772b3d0ddd TO ORAN THE WEIGHT WAS STILL ONLY ABOUT TWICE THAT OF HIS HOME PLANET OF CHARGE ON WANT US TO COME BACK OF THE ONLY LIFE TIN WOODMAN IN ALL THE WORLD IT SEEMS AS IF I HAD MET YOU SOMEWHERE BEFORE HE HAS TRIED TO TEMPT ME TO PACKT WITH SATAN THE QUINT INQUISITOR SAID HE STOPPED AT THE FIRST HOUSE A MUD CONSTRUCTION WITH A BADLY CARPENTERED WOODEN DOOR AND A SINGLE BARE WINDOW THAT LOOKED OUT ON THE STREET BUT SARA COULD NOT GIVE UP THE DELIGHTS OF THE SHOW SO SHE WALKED ON A SMALL MISERABLE TESTIMONY THAT THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS NEVER EASY +9a865653-ed41-4efa-a019-51ee60eba521 YOUR OWN TRUE FRIEND SARA RAY NOBODY BUT A COUN WOULD DO IT AND THAT'S A FACT SAID DAN WERE NOT OF THE MISSUS RAY TYPE WHEN HE SAID HE HAD COME TO MARRY THE PRINCESS EVERYONE LAUGHED FOR HE HAD NO RETINUE AND NO BEAUTIFUL APPAREL AND NO GOLDEN CROWN BUT HER PRIDE WHISPERED THAT IT WOULD BE SUCH A WONDERFUL THING TO BE QUEEN OF THE KING OF THE WORLD NO I DON'T SAID FELICITY YOU NEEDN'T WORRY ABOUT HIM THERE'S NOTHING THE MATTER WITH HIM WERE VERY FAIR TO VIEW FINALLY IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE WHAT WE'D EXPECTED WOULD BE THE JUDGMENT DAY HE REMAINED LITTLE MORE THAN A CLEVER AMATEUR +9ac4d257-325b-4496-b798-37bebe903060 TELL UNCLE ROGER THAT AND SAY IF TO MORROW IS THE END OF THE WORLD THAT THERE IS NO GOOD IN STUMPING FIELDS ANY MORE I SUGGESTED AND SUPPOSE YOU HAVEN'T THEN YOU CAN'T TRANSMIT A THING TO HIM YOU'RE TRAPPED IN THE HOUSE REMEMBER AND THE FIRE'S STARTED WHAT GOODS YOU'D TELEPATHY BUT THE SPIRIT OF THE STORY GIRL'S YET UNUTTERED REMARK AS FATHER HAD OFTEN TOLD US I THINK IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU GET WHIPPED OR NOT SO LONG AS YOU FIGHT A GOOD SQUARE FIGHT +9b0cd32b-1c1b-4025-aea2-997f0f3623e9 STRAIGHTENED OUT HIS FACE AND LICKED HIS LIPS FARMER CHANGED HIS MIND AGAIN ABOUT RAY'S BEING CRACKED AND ALREADY BEGINNING TO MAKE A PUDDLE ON THE DECK BUT HE HAD ENOUGH IN THAT ONE GLIMPSE TO TELL HIM THE REASON FOR SHARP'S MISERY OF COURSE BUT INTEREST ALL THE SAME BY CHOPPING UP THE TREES OF THE FOREST TO MAKE FIREWOOD AND THE YUKAH OO MAGIC IS VERY PECULIAR IF YOU WISH TO MEET WITH REAL CLEVERNESS REMARKED THE SCARECROW YOU SHOULD VISIT THE MUNCHKIN FARMER WHO FIRST MADE ME SHE'S JUST MAD AND NO WONDER WHATEVER MADE YOU ACT SO CRAZY PETER BEHIND US WAS AN OLD GRAY FENCE WITH VIOLETS AND DANDELIONS THICK IN ITS CORNERS +9b176c21-a02d-4b1d-b1c5-0986d9add559 INVOLUNTARILY HE TOOK A BACKWARD STEP CAUGHT HIS HEEL ON A SUN WARPED BOARD AND SAT DOWN HEAVILY I WATCHED THE MINUTE HAND OF THE WATCH SLIDE TOWARD THE SEVEN OF THE DIAL ASKED A FEW NIGHTS LATER AND THE DEADLY SERIOUSNESS OF YOUTH IN US RESENTED THAT FELICITY WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM ONE HERSELF AND SHE WAS NONE TOO LAVISH OF HER COPPERS FARMER BENT ANXIOUSLY OVER THE JUDGE LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF LIFE AND I'M LEARNING HE'S PRETTY INTELLIGENT TOO +9b6b59a6-1034-4e85-b9a3-6663259163a3 ONE BITTER DAY WHEN THEY SEEK IT AND CANNOT FIND IT THEY REALIZE WHAT THEY HAVE LOST IT WAS NOT FOR ANY ONE BUT CECILY WHO COULDN'T SWALLOW A MOUTHFUL HARDLY THE WORD OTHERS WOULD USE I YOU WOULD NOT DARE WHY NOT YONES ASKED WHAT HAVE I GOT TO LOSE AND NEVER FORGOT ANYTHING HE HEARD OR READ WE HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS FITNESS THEN BUT WE ALL FELT THAT PATTY WAS IN HIS OWN PLACE IN A HAYLOFT AND SARA'S HAD AS GOOD AS DESCENDED UPON HER OUT OF THE SKIES SAID DAN SPITEFULLY PEG BOWEN HAD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT +9b7fd8e5-6898-4626-9067-45baaa2e7c4d ONLY THE PEOPLE MANOEL DO NOT TAKE THE ANIMALS HOW WOULD YOU WRITE UP THE ANIMALS THEY HAVE NO NAMES OH YES ALL HAVE NAMES MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL THEIR MINDS WERE VERY VERY BORING AND QUITE BLANK HYRCUFF YUNUS REFLECTED MIGHT BE A DEFINITE RELIEF FIRST THERE WAS THE CELL WHICH WAS IN THE BASIN OF THE TOWN HALL IT WAS DAMP AND THE AIR WAS NOT TOO GOOD BUT THERE WERE COMPENSATIONS RATS FOR INSTANCE THE WINDOW WAS OPEN AND WE HEARD THE FROGS SINGING DOWN IN THE SWAMP OF THE BROOK MEADOW WE HAD HEARD FROGS SING IN ONTARIO OF COURSE BUT CERTAINLY PRINCE EDWARD'S ISLAND FROGS WERE MORE TUNEFUL AND MELLOW SOME VAGUE THOUGHT OF THIS WAS IN OUR MINDS AS WE LOOKED AT HER AND SOMEHOW IT COMFORTED US NOT EVEN THE JUDGMENT WAS SO GREATLY TO BE FEARED IF AFTER IT WE WERE THE SAME OUR OWN PRECIOUS LITTLE IDENTITIES UNCHANGED +9b86fcbf-cede-4260-a9b4-dfca7d4de093 GIVING THE WORLD ASSURANCE OF A CAT BY HIS MALLIPHUOUS PURRING IT'S ONLY VANITY WHEN YOU GET PUFFED UP ABOUT THEM AS SOON AS MY A BALLS UNSQUASHED BACK INTO FOCUS MANY TIMES THE SOURCE WAS A FORGERY SOME CHANGES SEEMED TO BE INEXPLICABLE UNTIL I NOTICED THAT THE OFFICERS IN QUESTION HAD A TEMPORARY SECRETARY WHILE THEN ALL ASSISTANTS WERE ILL THE DETAILS RESOLVED AS FARMER STARED AT HIM AND THEN HE THOUGHT WILDLY OF THE JUDGE WHO HADN'T REGAINED FULL CONSCIOUSNESS INTO SEVERAL SMALL PIECES REMINDED ONE OF DRIFTING CLOUDS IN THE SUMMER SKY +9bd1cdfc-c40e-424b-b553-303259ae9e86 EACH WEARING A SIMILAR JEWEL OF AUTHORITY FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY THAT YOU'VE NO PARTICULAR CALL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS THE GIRL'S DOOR SHUT WITH A BANG OFF TO THE RIGHT WAS A DIM BRANCHING PLACE AND ON OUR LEFT I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT HE WAS A GOAT FOR THE SECTOR THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO HIM HE WOULD NOT NEED A MAP THERE WOULD BE NO TRAVEL IN THE HOT AFTERNOON YOUR FEMALE SUGGESTION IS RIGHT JEFF MADE A PUSHING MOTION FLAT DORSAL FLIPPERS UNDULATING GENTLY ON THE WATER +9be8819c-76a2-4711-ac59-dd4d86a3b9aa I TOOK IT FOR AN E I CONSULATE CRAFT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SIMIANS CAUGHT HIS MENTAL IMAGE OF THE LANDING AND INTERVENED WHILE COMMON GROUND OFFERED THE SHIP WAS OURS SAID CHAFFY THREE HE HAD NOT VOCALIZED SINCE FLEDGLING DAYS AND HIS VOICE HAD A JARRING CROAK OF DISUSE OUR ZID ESCAPED ITS CAGE AND DESTROYED TWO OF US FORCING US TO MAROON IT HERE FOR OUR OWN SAFETY AUNT OLIVIA'S SKIM MILK IS AS GOOD AS YOUR MOTHER'S CREAM CRIED THE STORY GIRL HOTLY O GIRLS DON'T FIGHT SAID CECILY THE PEACE MAKER IT'S SUCH A NICE DAY AND WE'LL HAVE A NICE TIME IF YOU DON'T SPOIL IT FIGHTING WE'RE NOT FIGHTING SAID FELICITY AND I LIKE AUNT OLIVIA BUT MY MOTHER IS JUST AS GOOD AS AUNT OLIVIA THERE NOW HE HAD LINGERED BEHIND TO PLUCK A THORN FROM THE FOOT OF A BEGGAR CHILD HE HAD MET ON THE HIGHWAY AND HE HAD NOT HEARD THE WARDER'S WORDS BUT WHEN EAGER JOYOUS RADIANT HE SET HIS FOOT ON THE RAINBOW THE STERN SORROWFUL WARDER TOOK HIM BY THE ARM AND DREW HIM BACK FERERO'S TURNED FACE WENT A DIRTY GREY AT MY WORDS I PRESSED THE ADVANTAGE I AM ARRESTING YOU FOR CONSPIRACY EXTORTION THEFT AND WHATEVER OTHER CHARGES DEVELOP AFTER A CAREFUL ROUT OF THESE DOCUMENTS SEIZE HIM THIS LAST ORDER WAS DIRECTED AT THE ROBART WHO WAS WELL BRIEFED IN ITS ROLL IT RUMBLED FORWARD AND LOCKED ITS HAND ROUND FERERO'S WRIST HANDCUSSEL HE BARELY NOTICED +9c03ba04-b17e-4722-97f7-906b9f8c8921 MANY A PRINCESS RODE BY US ON HER PALFREY MANY A SWAGGERING GALLANT RUFFLED IT BRAVELY IN VELVET AND PLUME ADOWN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK MANY A STATELY LADY SILKEN CLAD WALKED IN THAT OPULENT ORCHARD BEING BUILT NOW IN THE NAVAL SHIPYARD AT EUDORIDER WE'RE ALMOST READY TO GO THERE NOW AS SOON AS THIS BATCH OF INSTRUCTIONS GOES OUT CAPTAIN STAIN DROPPED THE RELEASES ON TO THE TABLE THEN CAREFULLY WIPED HIS HANDS OFF TO REMOVE ANY POSSIBLE INFECTION YOU CAN REPENT AFTERWARDS BUT THERE IS NO USE IN MIXING THE TWO THINGS TOGETHER I'M NOT REPENTING PROTESTED SARA I'M ONLY SCARED OF MA FINDING IT OUT OH THE STORY GIRL'S VOICE EXPRESSED HER SCORN PERHAPS IF WE GO NEARER WE SHALL FIND OUT WHETHER ANYBODY LIVES THERE OR NOT SUGGESTED LU LOOKS TO ME AS IF NOBODY LIVED THERE +9c66c932-e21f-48f2-b563-8c876e6b7911 DORA SHRUGGED I'M NOT TELLING THEM ANYTHING REALLY JUST DROPPING A FEW HINTS OF THE MOST ELEMENTARY SORT THINGS THAT HAVE FIGURED OUT SOON ANYWAY AND THINGS THEY STILL HAVE TO WORK HARD TO MAKE PRACTICABLE EVEN IF SOME OF THE INVENTIONS THEY WORKED OUT SO FAR HAVEN'D THEM TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO LIVE ON NICELY AFTER ALL THOSE THINGS ARE THE MEREST TOYS TO US WHAT COULD IT POSSIBLY MATTER WHY THEY CAME IN LIKE A PRIMITIVE RAIDING PARTY THE LEADER DROPPED RIGHT ON TO THE HOOD OF MY SLED AN ACT OF BRAVERY NO LESS COUNTING COOP YOU SEE I GUESS SO THEN HE SAID HE WAS A HIGH PATH CHIEF THAT WASN'T ON THE LANGUAGE LIST EITHER BUT IT WAS EASY RAIDER CHIEF THERE'S A WORD IN ALMOST EVERY LANGUAGE IN HISTORY THAT MEANS RAIDER AND DRIVES FROM WORD FOR ROAD PATH OR HIGHWAY BURY IT SAID THE STORY GIRL WE DID BURY IT AFTER TEA IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SPRUCE GROVE AND THEN WE WENT INTO THE ORCHARD IT WAS SO NICE TO HAVE THE STORY GIRL BACK AGAIN SHE HAD WREATHED HER HAIR WITH CANTERBURY BELLS AND LOOKED LIKE THE INCARNATION OF RHYME AND STORY AND DREAM WHEN HE OPENED THEM HE WAS STARING AT THE MILKY WAY THEN THE DESERT AS HE TUMBLED OVER AND OVER HE TALKED TO THE MILKY BOY TEN SECONDS SHIP WEIGHED AT LEAST TEN SECONDS BEFORE RELEASING A DRUG SHOOT SO WILL CLEAR THE SHIP THEN HE SPOKE TO THE DESERT AND MAYBE ANOTHER TEN TO GET THE CAPSULE TIME SLOW DOWN +9c748856-31ec-4406-8aa4-ed6260315bdc CAN YOU FISH AND SAIL JEFF AUBREY THE CONSULATE ROCKET LANDED ASHORE BUT JEFF IGNORED IT I CAN LEARN HE SAID HE SMILED BRIEFLY HIS FACE REMAINED COLD THE STRONG HANDS MOVED ON THE TABLE TOP IT IS A MATTER OF INDIFFERENCE TO MEONA SAID BUT THE WEIGHT BECOMES BORING AFTER A TIME THE GIRL HE THOUGHT WAS SOMEHOW RADIANT REALLY LOVELY IN SPITE OF HER SCALES AND FINS HE WAS PECULIAR HE HAD NEVER LIKED WOMEN AT ALL AND HAD CERTAINLY NEVER THOUGHT HE'D LIKE A MERMAID BUT AND THE RAINBOW WAS A GREAT BRIDGE BUILT OF LIVING COLORS SO DAZZLING AND WONDERFUL THAT BEYOND IT THE EYE COULD SEE NOTHING ONLY FAR AWAY A GREAT BLINDING SPARKLING GLORY WHERE THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE SPRANG UP IN A SHOWER OF DIAMOND FIRE +9c950d95-6336-48fe-ada6-65d32c3a2499 NINETY YEARS AGO THAT FEELING SWEPT INTO OUR BOYISH HEARTS AND SOULS HE SAID THAT THE LARGER BEFOCATES TO BE A NUISANCE IT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN ABOUT THREE DAYS YET ALL THIS WAS DONE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO FIX IT ON WHAT I HAVE TO TELL YOU YONAH SAID SHIFTING HIS FEET AGAIN I AND YOU NEVER WANTED TO COME BACK TO EARTH BECAUSE WHEN YOU DRANK OF THE MAGIC CUP YOU FORGOT ALL YOUR PAST LIFE EXCEPT FOR ONE DAY IN EVERY YEAR WHEN YOU WERE ALLOWED TO REMEMBER IT I WISH THERE WAS SUCH A PLACE AS FAIRYLAND AND A WAY TO GET TO IT SAID CECILY +9cbf921d-2428-4636-bbed-0428877fa46a YEA THERE ARE BOREAL NOT A ROAD ON THE WHOLE PLANET WE CAN FIND HOW SHOW YOU HOW TO MIND YOUR MINERALS HOW TO HE DISAPPEARED UNDER WATER WITH SCARCELY A RIPPLE SOMEHOW WHAT POPPED INTO FARMER'S HEAD WAS THE COURSE OF AN OLD SONG HE HAD SUNG IN BOY'S CAMP WHEN VERY YOUNG MAMMA WON'T LET ME GO UP THE HILL AT ALL NOW HE CALLS HER BETTY SHERMAN DO I THINK PEG BOWEN IS A WITCH AND HAD NEVER BEEN KNOWN TO STRAY FROM IT AUNT OLIVIA AND UNCLE ROGER HE WAS VERY FAMOUS AFTERWARD +9cdcfc46-c60e-4f88-b28d-f172a8c2a684 BEINGS THAT LIVE ON A WORLD WITH ALMOST AS MUCH WATER AS OURS WHO CAN'T USE THEIR NATURAL ABILITIES ANY MORE THAN THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT THE NONIPUS WAS MORE FEARSOME THAN IT HAD SEEMED AT FIRST BERTHA LAURANCE A CHARLOTTETOWN GIRL WHO HAD VISITED KITTY MARIN JUNE AND HAD GONE TO SCHOOL ONE DAY WITH HER HAD EATEN TIMOTHY ROOTS AFFECTING TO CONSIDER THEM GREAT DELICACIES I HAVE BEEN CRYING ALL THE AFTERNOON I BUT WHEN THE STORY GIRL WREATHED HER NUT BROWN TRESSES WITH CRIMSON LEAVES IT SEEMED AS PETER SAID THAT THEY GREW ON HER UNCLE ROGER SAT DOWN ON THE DOORSTEP AND GAVE HIMSELF OVER TO ONE OF THE SILENT INWARD PAROXYSMS OF LAUGHTER WE ALL FOUND SO VERY AGGRAVATING +9ce86441-0869-4cff-aecc-7df1da228c95 ALL ROAMS CHECKED RESULTS NEGATIVE EXCEPT FOR ONE OPTIC BUG IN THAT WALL IT'S ALL JUST AS FATHER DESCRIBED IT SAID FELIX WITH A BLISSFUL SIGH AND THERE'S THE WELL WITH THE CHINESE ROOF WE HURRIED OVER TO IT TREADING ON THE SPEARS OF MINT THAT WERE BEGINNING TO SHOOT UP ABOUT IT WE GASPED WAS THE STORY GIRL CRAZY OR HAD SHE FORGOTTEN THAT BETTY SHERMAN WAS MISTER CAMPBELL'S OWN GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND THAT HER METHOD OF WINNING A HUSBAND WAS NOT EXACTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH MAIDENLY TRADITIONS BUT MISTER CAMPBELL CHUCKLED AGAIN THEIR ROUND DARK EYES DEEPLY RECESSED WERE CAVERNS OF DESPAIR THEY WERE CLOTHED IN SOME COARSE BLACK STUFF THAT BRISTLED AS THOUGH LOOSELY WOVEN OF STIFF HAIR AND YET WHICH WAS NOT A TRUE FABRIC FOR IT SEEMED TO MOVE WITHIN ITSELF AND SCINTILLATE AS THOUGH COMPOSED OF BILLIONS OF RESTLESS MOTES +9cf73922-84ed-4264-891e-b37a2189f275 HE NEVER CRIED A SPECK WHEN YOU THOUGHT PETER WAS GOING TO DIE AND NOW WHEN HE IS GOING TO GET BETTER YOU CRY LIKE THAT AND HE ROSE UP A GOD BEAUTIFUL WITH IMMORTALITY IN THIS LITTLE OLD BOOK FILLED WITH CRAMPED BOYISH WRITING THERE IS A SPELL OF WHITE MAGIC THAT SETS THE YEARS AT NAUGHT IT WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER TO CALL OUT YOUR OWN NAME THAN FIT YOUR TONGUE TO AN UNFAMILIAR ONE WE TOOK A SHORT CUT TO GOLDEN MILE OVER A LONG GREEN DEWY LAND FULL OF PLACID MEADOWS WHERE SUNSHINE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP THE CROWD JOSTLING ABOUT ME SEEMED BLIND TO MY PRESENCE EVERY EYE WAS FIXED ON THE ALTAR LIKE HANDS OF THE IDOL AND THE DEATH THAT BLEW ACROSS THEM +9d052d6a-a0c6-4386-839a-4a9ee87d68f0 PETER RESOLVED TO STAY ALL NIGHT WITH US TOO NOT TROUBLING HIMSELF BY ANYBODY'S PERMISSION IT'S JUST AS LIKELY TO BE GOOD NEWS HE IS RUNNING FOR IS BAD SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WAS NO BELIEVER IN MEETING TROUBLE HALF WAY AND SUPPOSE YOU HAVEN'T THEN YOU CAN'T TRANSMIT A THING TO HIM YOU'RE TRAPPED IN THE HOUSE REMEMBER AND THE FIRE'S STARTED WHAT GOODS YOU'D TELEPATHY HE SIGHED ONCE DEEPLY THIS WAS WHAT A HERO CAME TO AND TOLD HIMSELF THIS WAS THE END OF HEROICS AND PLAYING A LONE HAND WELL HE'S GOT TO STOP PRAYING AGAINST ME ANYHOW SAID FELIX RESOLUTELY I WON'T PUT UP WITH IT I'LL GO AND TELL HIM SO RIGHT OFF FELIX MARCHED OVER TO UNCLE ROGER'S AND WE TRAILED AFTER SCENTING A SCENE UNCLE ROGER ATE THREE SLICES OF IT AT TEA TIME AND TOLD FELICITY SHE WAS AN ARTIST THE POOR MAN MEANT IT AS A COMPLIMENT BUT FELICITY WHO KNEW UNCLE BLAIR WAS AN ARTIST AND HAD A POOR OPINION OF SUCH FRY LOOKED INDIGNANT AND RETORTED INDEED SHE WASN'T +9d288f40-6f46-42c5-9b88-33c81933fb3c WHEN THEY GET HERE THEY WILL FIND NEITHER BOY NOR A TIN MAN NOR A SCARECROW I ALSO REMEMBER MISTER UT I FLICKED THE GUN HIS WAY AND SNAPPED AT HIM WHILE IN THIS SENSE YOUR PLAN FAILED SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED INSTEAD DAN KING DO YOU WANT TO COMMIT SUICIDE DEMANDED THE STORY GIRL PAN FOLLOWED HER CLATTERING AND BELLOWING TERRIBLY BUT IN A FEW MINUTES SHE RUSHED INTO GLAUCON'S ARMS BUT SHE BEGAN PROMPTLY WITH TWICE ONE AND WENT THROUGH IT TO TWELVE TIMES TWELVE +9d60f41b-5254-45b9-9cd8-f0aff477cd66 IT WAS TO MAKE FELICITY AS CLEVER AS THE STORY GIRL WHEN THE TIME CAME TO HAND IN OUR COLLECTIONS FOR THE LIBRARY FUND CAN'T STAY HERE ANY LONGER THIS IS A WONDERFUL AGE WE LIVE IN WHATEVER IT WAS IT WAS BEYOND EMERGENCY REPAIR WELL WHEN ALLAN DUNBAR KNEW THAT HE MUST GO TO CALIFORNIA IN THE FANNY HE WAS IN DESPAIR THERE'S NO SENSE IN CALLING PETER LAZY EDITH RAN AWAY AND HID AND OF COURSE SHE FELT STILL WORSE WHEN SHE FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS A FAMOUS POET +9d7aa851-64af-4345-9083-3c7dc994b848 HAVE SOME MORE MEN HAVE SOME MORE IF THE CAMPBELL WAKES TOO SOON BLACK DAN COULD SHOW YOU A PAIR OF CLEAN HEELS FOR ALL YOUR GOOD START WE'LL HAVE TO BE AWFUL GOOD YOU KNOW WARNED CECILY THERE'S NO USE PRAYING IF YOU'RE NOT GOOD WE HAD LOST SOMETHING OF INFINITELY MORE VALUE THAN FIFTY CENTS ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT REALIZE IT JUST THEN THIS WAS RANK HERESY TO FELICITY BUT THE STORY GIRL LOOKED AS IF SHE THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING IN IT BETTER OUT OF YOUR WITS THAN DEAD CLARTON THOUGHT I DIDN'T WANT TO BUT THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE AND WE CAN'T AFFORD ANY SUSPICION AND YONAS REALIZED SLOWLY THAT SHE WAS CRYING AS SHE LOOKED AT HIM +9da174fa-6111-478f-858d-151bbf064927 HE FORCED HIS VOICE INTO THE PATTERNS OF CALMNESS AND EASE MADAM HE BEGAN POLITELY YOU ARE NOT THE MOST CAREFUL OF MEN AND GREAT CARE IS NEEDED THE BROTHERHOOD MUST GROW HE SAID HE BELIEVED THE OTHER PLACE MUST BE LOTS MORE INTERESTING THAN HEAVEN CAUSE FIRES WERE SUCH JOLLY THINGS AN AIR OF RESTRAINT WAS OVER ALL OUR GAMES AND CONVERSATIONS THE SHADOWS OF THE SPRUCES WERE LONG AND CLEAR CUT THE EXQUISITE SKIES OF EARLY MORNING BLUE AND WIND WINNOWED WERE OVER US HE STUDIED THE PROCEEDINGS CAREFULLY I'VE GOT TO GO QUICKLY SHE TOLD HIM JOHN ANDREW FIGURED LATER +9da20607-d5da-4b24-aa6f-e27b278ccf4e ACROSS THE HALL THE STORY GIRL WAS TELLING FELICITY AND CECILY THE OLD OLD TALE OF ARGIVE HELEN AND EVIL HEARTED PARIS BUT THAT'S A BAD STORY SAID FELICITY WHEN THE TALE END ENDED SHE LEFT HER HUSBAND AND RAN AWAY WITH ANOTHER MAN THIS COULD NOT BE HER COUSIN FROM SCOTLAND SHE KNEW FOR HE HAD WRITTEN SO TO HER THAT HE HAD EYES AS BLACK AS HER OWN YOU'RE A VERY HONEST AND CLEVER MAN EXCLAIMED THE HIPPOGIRA ADMIRINGLY WHEN I HAVE EATEN YOUR HEAD PERHAPS I WILL ALSO BECOME CLEVER YOU ARE NOT TO EAT MY HEAD YOU KNOW RETURNED THE SCARECROW HASTILY FIRST OF ALL I INSISTED TELL ME WHERE WE ARE WHAT'S HAPPENED TO US DO YOU KNOW WHERE ARE WE SURELY LOOKING AT IT IN ONE WAY WE'RE LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY LABORATORY +9da837c7-d611-4644-b1d8-ab9712d3678c MANY THE ROEBOT SAID EXACTLY SEVENTY FOUR PER CENT OF ALL STATEMENTS HE MADE WERE FAKE VERY GOOD I NODDED THROWING THE LAST LOCK ON MY TRAP THE MAN LEANED FORWARD AND PLACED ONE HAND PALM UP ON THE DESK LAST YEAR I HAD AN ACCIDENT STUPID LOST A THUMB HE SHRUGGED APOLOGETICALLY TOOK ALMOST SIX MONTHS TO GROW BACK LESS SAID WAS SOONEST MENDED WHAT GROWN UPS WERE CONCERNED I MOUNTED THE PULPIT STEPS FEELING RATHER NERVOUS AND MY AUDIENCE SAT GRAVELY DOWN ON THE GRASS BEFORE ME WE CHILDREN WERE FORBIDDEN TO TOUCH ANYTHING BUT FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT FORBIDDEN THE USE OF OUR EYES AND TONGUES ONE THE BEACON WAS REPAIRED TWO THE DOOR WAS SEALED SO THERE WOULD BE NO MORE SAVAGE ACCIDENTAL OR DELIBERATE THREE THE PRIESTS SHOULD BE SATISFIED THE WATER WAS RUNNING AGAIN MY EYES HAD BEEN DULY BURNED OUT AND THEY WERE BACK IN BUSINESS +9db0be8c-4a06-4bf4-91ca-0e28fd9b95dd PRESENTLY A GREATER GLOOM CAME OVER THE JUNGLE BRINGING A SUDDEN STILLNESS TO THE WILD LIFE IT WOULDN'T BE SO NICE IF THEY CAUGHT YOU AND TORTURED YOU AT THE STAKE SAID FELICITY COLLAXIA WAS WHOLLY UNSCARED HER PEOPLE WITHOUT NEED OF THE CALM CRYSTALS THEY TRADED BUT IT COULD GRIN IN FRIENDLY FASHION AND BOTH FELIX AND I FELT THAT WE WERE GOING TO LIKE DAN +9e02f1f9-ce2d-4083-922c-0c7b7fb38802 FELICITY HAVING USED UP ALL THE AVAILABLE COOKING MATERIALS IN THE HOUSE HAD TO STOP PERFORCE AND SHE NOW DETERMINED TO STUFF TWO NEW PINCUSHIONS SHE HAD BEEN MAKING FOR HER ROOM JEFF TOOK THE BROWN HAND SHE PUT UP AND DREW HER TO THE DOCK BESIDE HIM STUDYING HER WHILE SHE SHOOK OUT HER DRIPPING RED HAIR AND REGAINED HER BREATH SEA WATER HAD PLASTERED JENIFER'S WHITE BLOUSE AND KNEE LENGTH DUNGARIES TO HER BODY LIKE A SECOND SKIN AND THE EFFECT BORDERED ON THE SPECTACULAR WE WAITED AT UNCLE ALEC'S DOOR FOR THE OTHERS TO COME UP PETER WAS BY WAY OF SKULKING SHAMEFACEDLY PAST INTO THE SHADOWS BUT THE STORY GIRL'S BRIEF BITTER ANGER HAD VANISHED WAIT FOR ME PETER SHE CALLED SHE WENT OVER TO HIM AND HELD OUT HER HAND ALL IN ALL HE THOUGHT SADLY HE WAS NOT A USUAL HERO BUT HE REFUSED TO LET THE THOUGHT SPOIL HIS ENJOYMENT +9e315b93-34ab-4eee-a06d-2658fea184d7 I GUESS I'D BETTER NOT RISK IT THE DREAM WHICH WE ALL COUNTED HIS MASTERPIECE WAS THE ONE IN WHICH A MENAGERIE WAS CAMPED IN THE ORCHARD AND THE RHINOCEROS CHASED AUNT JANET AROUND AND ROUND THE PULPIT STONE BUT TURNED INTO AN INOFFENSIVE PIG WHEN IT WAS ON THE POINT OF CATCHING HER FARMER BENT ANXIOUSLY OVER THE JUDGE LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF LIFE THAT AND A SUDDEN IDEA OF HIS OWN FORCED HIM TO SPEAK FOR HIMSELF NOW ONLY THE GET THAT UNIFORM ON YOUR UGLY FRAME THE ENGINEERS OF THE DELPHINAS SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE BUT ON SOMETHING DEEPER AND MORE ENDURING THAN MIND AN IMPRESSION HAD BEEN MADE THAT WAS NEVER TO BE REMOVED OH DON'T SARA DON'T I SAID GENTLY PATTING HER CONVULSED SHOULDER +9e3f3d25-145d-4fd3-bdae-8cd3ded3e239 AND THE BURNING VOICES OF THEIR SUPERIORS WHICH WAS WAITING FOR BAD NEWS WHEN IT HAD FINISHED IT STOPPED AND CALLED THE ALL CLEAR DONALD KNEW THAT IF NEIL PROPOSED FIRST HE WOULD HAVE THE BEST CHANCE I DON'T SEE HOW YOU'LL EVER GET ACQUAINTED WITH HIM SAID FELICITY HE NEVER GOES ANYWHERE EXCEPT TO CHURCH SARA RAY THOUGHT FELICITY SHOULD SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE THE STORY GIRL WAS HALF AN ORPHAN IF TO MORROW ISN'T THE JUDGEMENT DAY I'LL TELL IT MONDAY AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE THAT MADE ME QUESTION MY SANITY THE CARVEN IMAGE WAS PERHAPS THIRTY FEET IN HEIGHT AND REPRESENTED A FIGURE CROUCHED UPON ITS KNEES +9e482070-cb4b-4970-8316-d2beb790387a AND STOOD SOLEMNLY BY WHILE THE ZID WEAKENED AND SANK WITH A FINAL GOUT OF BUBBLES IF A THING LIKE THAT IS LOOSE ON THE ISLAND WE'VE GOT TO GET HELP HE SLID THE CANOPY OPEN AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE RED SOIL OF SERIOUS THREE WELL I SUPPOSE IT'S GONE OF SILLY BUT I DON'T MUCH LIKE SHOTS SERIOUS I MEAN COMES UP I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I'D DO SAID PETER I'D TAKE A PRESENT FOR PEG AND ASK HER TO MAKE PAT WELL EIGHT TIMES SEVEN WAS THE MOST TRAGIC AND FRIGHTFUL THING EVER HEARD OF THEN AS THE PRIESTS COMPLETED THEIR THIRD BOW IF I READ THEIR ACTIONS CORRECTLY THEY CLAIMED THE PRIVILEGE OF DEATH BY VIRTUE OF THEIR GREATER AUTHORITY +9e534287-36fe-4d11-b63f-e74a65b0f8ee THIS WAS HOME FATHER'S HOME OUR HOME WE HAD NEVER LIVED LONG ENOUGH IN ANY ONE HOUSE TO DEVELOP A FEELING OF AFFECTION FOR IT BUT HERE UNDER THE ROOF TREE BUILT BY GREAT GRANDFATHER KING NINETY YEARS AGO THAT FEELING SWEPT INTO OUR BOYISH HEARTS AND SOULS LIKE A FLOOD OF LIVING SWEETNESS AND TENDERNESS SHAKING OFF THE SPELL OF FURS AND MOONLIGHT AND ROMANTIC TALE WE SCRAMBLED TO OUR FEET AND WENT HOMEWARD I KIND OF WISH I'D BEEN BORN AN INJUN SAID DAN IT MUST HAVE BEEN A JOLLY LIFE WITH NOTHING TO DO BUT HUNT AND FIGHT IT WOULDN'T BE SO NICE IF THEY CAUGHT YOU AND TORTURED YOU AT THE STAKE SAID FELICITY OH FELICITY SHE SAID HER VOICE EXPRESSING A VERY ANGUISH OF HUMILIATION I I THOUGHT THAT STUFF IN THE BOX WAS CORN MEAL AND USED IT TO MAKE THE PUDDING FELICITY AND CECILY STARED BLANKLY AT THE STORY GIRL WE BOYS BEGAN TO LAUGH BUT WERE CHECKED MIDWAY BY UNCLE ROGER HE WAS ROCKING HIMSELF BACK AND FORTH WITH HIS HAND PRESSED AGAINST HIS STOMACH OH HE GROANED I'VE BEEN WONDERING WHAT THESE SHARP PAINS I'VE BEEN FEELING EVER SINCE DINNER MEANT I KNOW NOW A GREAT SHINY OWL PERCHED UPON ANOTHER CHAIR AND A BROWN BEAR SQUATTED UPON HER PARLOR RUG GINGER DID NOT NOTICE THE CANARY BUT SHE CAUGHT UP THE BROOMSTICK AND DASHED INTO THE ROOM SHOUTING AS SHE CAME GET OUT OF HERE YOU WILD CREATURES HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY HOUSE +9e5c95cd-68e1-4d3a-84ad-e24755853869 SPEAKING OF ELECTRICITY A SCARLET HAZE OF LIGHT SHOT FORTH FROM THE MOUTH OF THE BLACK GOD AND THE OLD MAN STEPPED BACK SHARPLY AS THOUGH STRUCK BY SOME INVISIBLE AGENT HE WOULD HAVE FALLEN OH PERHAPS WE WON'T HAVE THEM SAID THE STORY GIRL CHEERFULLY IT WAS JUST LIKE A FEVER AUNT LOUISA SAYS WOULD JERRY COWN BRING IT TO SCHOOL THEN LET US SEE IT MA'S GONE TO TOWN PA AND HER WENT THIS AFTERNOON AND THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK TILL TO MORROW EVEN CHILDREN CANNOT DEVOUR MINCE PIE AND THEN CELIA GAVE IN AND TOOK HIM BECAUSE SHE SAW THERE WASN'T NO HOPE OF HIM EVER GIVING IN I SAID FELICITY RELUCTANTLY I +9e61b6a1-d52d-4c88-b758-d7c964c44ccd AUNT OLIVIA SAYS THE STORY GIRL IS FASCINATING SAID CECILY THE VERY ADJECTIVE FELIX AND I RECOGNIZED ITS BEAUTIFUL FITNESS AT ONCE YES THE STORY GIRL WAS FASCINATING AND THAT WAS THE FINAL WORD TO BE SAID ON THE SUBJECT HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WAS THIRTY FIVE YEARS YOU WERE ON THE TREADMILL MANOEL WELL IT SEEMED LIKE THIRTY FIVE YEARS I WOULDN'T SPARE ANY OF IT TO ANY ONE BUT YOU I FELT DEEPLY GREATLY TO BILLY AND SORRY THAT I HAD NOT LIKED HIM BETTER UNCLE ROGER DID NOT COME TILL NEARLY TEN NEVER WAS THERE A MORE WELCOME SOUND THAN THE RUMBLE OF HIS WHEELS IN THE LANE +9e7a882a-bba1-48ea-860a-703b31094c61 EVERYBODY WAS IN GOOD HUMOUR THE STORY GIRL SPARKLED THROUGH SEVERAL TALES THAT RANGED FROM THE AFRITES AND JINNS OF EASTERN MYTH THROUGH THE PIPING DAYS OF CHIVALRY DOWN TO THE HOMELY ANECDOTES OF CARLISLE WORKDAY FOLK THE OLD WOMAN'S EYES WENT TO THE COIN AND STAYED THERE WELL SHE SAID IT IS SAID THAT THE FAMILY COLLEGE SHARP HAS A HOUSE TOO LARGE FOR THEM NOW THAT THE ELDER SON IS GONE THERE IS ONLY THE MAN HIS WIFE AND A DAUGHTER IT IS SAID THAT THE MAN IS IN NEED OF MONEY HE WOULD ACCEPT PAYMENT WERE IT GENEROUS IN RETURN FOR SHARING ROOM IN HIS HOUSE AS FOR DOR JOHN ANDREW HAD LIVED THIS LONG WITHOUT GOING TO THE AID OF A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS WITHOUT IN FACT EVER SEEING ONE THAT HE COULD REMEMBER WHO WASN'T OBVIOUSLY MORE CAPABLE OF HELPING HERSELF THAN HE WAS THE UNGODLY HOUR OF TRANSMISSION NATURALLY WAS SET TO COINCIDE WITH THE CLOSING OF THE CONSUL'S FIELD OFFICE HALF WAY AROUND THE PLANET SO THE NEGREOUS GLORY OF PROCYON'S RISING WAS JUST TINTING THE WINDOWS OF JEFF'S COTTAGE WHEN HE ALIGNED AND ACTIVATED HIS LITTLE COMMUNICATOR ON HIS BREAKFAST TABLE +9ea9874a-e0a4-4674-b2a4-ad4b237b8549 COMING I LEANED FORWARD BUTTING WITH MY HEAD BOTH DOUBLED FISTS WORKING LIKE PISTONS TO CLEAR MY WAY TO MY COMPANIONS NICE WORK PETE SHOUTED VIC AS I JOINED THEM BREATHLESS BUT TRIUMPHANT NOW FOR A BREAK GUN LOADED I SNAPPED OPEN THE ACTION AND DROPPED IN SIX CARTRIDGES EXPLAIN THIS TO ME IT'S OBVIOUSLY WHAT REACTIVATED THE GATE BUT WHOEVER MADE IT DID A SCREW BALL JOB THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT DON'T SEEM TO BELONG AND EVEN THE PARTS THAT SHOULD BE THERE SEEM WRONG SOMEHOW WELL I PREACHED MY SERMON AND IT FELL HORRIBLY FLAT I REALIZED THAT BEFORE I WAS HALF WAY THROUGH IT I THINK I PREACHED IT VERY WELL AND NEVER A THUMP DID I FORGET OR MISPLACE BUT MY AUDIENCE WAS PLAINLY BORED A LONG CLOAK WOULD CONCEAL THE UNIFORM WHILE I LEFT THE HOTEL BUT THE GOLDEN CRUSTED HELMET AND A BRIEF CASE OF PAPERS WERE A PROBLEM +9edb0c8d-ed96-42c7-83e6-00bc65e4589e MARK THREE THE OLD MAN REPEATED PRACTICALLY CHARTELING I NEVER HEARD OF IT EITHER UNTIL RECORDS DUG UP THE SPECKS THEY FOUND THEM BURIED IN THE BACK OF THE OLDEST WAREHOUSE THIS WAS THE EARLIEST TYPE OF BEACON EVER BUILT BY EARTH NO LESS WE FEARED THAT DAN WOULD DROP DEAD ON THE SPOT BUT NOTHING OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY WHEN AN HOUR HAD PASSED WE CONCLUDED THAT THE BAD BERRIES WERE NOT POISON AFTER ALL AND WE LOOKED UPON DAN AS QUITE A HERO FOR DARING TO EAT THEM I KNEW THEY WOULDN'T HURT ME SAID LOFTILY FELICITY'S SO FOND OF MAKING A FUSS OVER EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW HE WAS ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF HOW RIDICULOUS IT MUST LOOK FOR HIM TO BE MAKING LOVE TO AN OCCUPUS BUT HE WAS EVEN MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE VERY REAL PAINS OF UNREQUITTED LOVE BRANDON TILTED THE SHIP UP ON ONE WING AND GLANCED DOWN AT THE BRICK RED EXPANSE OF DESERT TINY RED MISTS MARKED DUST STORMS CERTAINLY THIS WAS NO PLACE TO SET DOWN THE FULL WEIGHT OF ASTRO NOR TO PROTECT THE CREW IN EQUIPMENT FROM A BRACE OF DUST HE RIGHTED THE SHIP +9f51ea5f-871a-48ad-b748-93d467cd5de7 I GOT YOU INTO THE I A IF YOU PUSHED THE PANIC BUTTON ON THIS ONE WITHOUT CAUSE A RUIN WHY IT MAKES YOU THINK OF CATHEDRALS AND CHIMES DOESN'T IT BREATHLESS AND REELING HIS VESTURE TORN HIS GREAT WOUNDS BLEEDING HE FOUND HIMSELF ON THE SHORE WHERE THE FOUNTAIN OF IMMORTALITY SPRANG UP OLD CHARLEY MACK'S RED HAIRED NIECE UNEXPECTEDLY BECAUSE JEFF HAD NOT CONSIDERED THAT IT MIGHT MATTER THE TERRANS DREW TOGETHER AGAIN I HAD MY SCANNER ON SO THEY COULD SEE ME BUT MY OWN SCREENS STAYED DARK THEY WEREN'T SENDING ANY PICTURE +9f540296-d59a-4f8f-a317-a120bbc1c425 THE ZID RAGED INTO THEIR COMMUNAL REST CELL SMASHED THEM DOWN FROM THEIR GIMBLED SLEEPING PERCHES AND WITH THE RAVENING BLOODHUNGER OF ITS KIND DEVOURED THEM BEFORE THEY COULD WAKE ENOUGH TO TELEPPORT TO SAFETY DORA HESITATED HER HEAD JUST ABOVE WATER SHE LOOKED AT THE LIMP DIVING SUITED BODY BESIDE HER THEN BACK AT THE LAUNCH AND FARMER AGAIN SHE CAME TO A DECISION QUICKLY LOOK SAID ORAN THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY WHY WHEN WE TEEMED UP WITH THE ILERONOIDS WE GAINED FIVE HUNDRED YEARS IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES ALONE NOT TO MENTION THE THE O'LERENOIDS DIDN'T KNOCK OVER ONE OF OUR SURVEYSHIPS FIRST AFTER ALL HE THOUGHT THE EARTH HELD NO LIFE FOR THE BETTER PART OF ITS EXISTENCE AND TOWERS HAD SELECTED THIS PLANET BECAUSE IT BORE RELATIVELY THE SAME RELATIONSHIP TO THE BRIGHTER HOTTER SERIOUS AS DID THE EARTH TO THE SUN +9f6facb0-472a-4675-a337-7fb32f5648f4 PEPPO DROPPED HIS FACE INTO HIS HANDS AND HIS SHOULDERS SHOOK I FLICKED THE GUN HIS WAY AND SNAPPED AT HIM BELAY THAT LAST COMMAND I SHOUTED GETTING BACK IN MY OLD SPACE DOG MOOD GET A CALL THROUGH FIRST AND FIND OUT IF ANY OF OUR PLANTS ARE PICKED UP DURING THE RAID JUST IMAGINE THE FEELINGS OF THE YOUNG MINISTER IN THE CHINA CLOSET I HATE TO DREAM OF BEING CHASTE BECAUSE I CAN NEVER RUN SAID SARA RAY WITH A SHIVER BUT THEY'RE YOUR OWN RELATIONS SAID PETER THEY'RE NO RELATION TO ME AND THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE BUT WHY SHOULD YOU WISH TO ESCAPE I SHALL GIVE YOU NEW FORMS THAT ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THE ONES YOU NOW HAVE BE CONTENTED WITH YOUR FATE FOR DISCONTENT LEADS TO UNHAPPINESS AND UNHAPPINESS IN ANY FORM IS THE GREATEST EVIL THAT CAN BEFALL YOU +9fb46d1f-2edf-4eaa-942a-ccfee9ba7582 FAME SAID UNCLE ROGER IF SHE EVER HAS A CHANCE THAT IS AND I SUPPOSE HER FATHER WILL SEEK TO THAT AT LEAST I HOPE HE WILL YOU AND I OLIVIA NEVER HAD OUR CHANCE I HOPE SARAH WILL HAVE HERS THIS WAS OUR FIRST INKLING OF WHAT I WAS TO UNDERSTAND MORE FULLY IN LATER YEARS I WASN'T WINNING ANY SUCCO BETS THAT NIGHT INSKIPPER HAS LED JUST AS CROOKED A YOUTH AS I HAD AND NEEDED NO HELP IN SMELLING A FISHY DEAL WHILE HE PULLED ON HIS CLOTHES HE SHOT QUESTIONS AT ME AND THE NAME OF THE PEACE LOVING PLANET THAT'S BUILDING AS BAD MEMORY FROM THE PAST CECILY DID NOT WRITE BACK BECAUSE MISSUS RAY HAD DECREED THAT NO LETTERS MUST BE TAKEN DOWN FROM THE HILL FARM LEST THEY CARRY INFECTION CECILY HAD OFFERED TO BAKE EVERY EPISTLE THOROUGHLY IN THE OVEN BEFORE SENDING IT BUT MISSUS RAY WAS INEXORABLE AND CICELY HAD TO CONTENT HERSELF BY SENDING LONG VERBAL MESSAGES WITH A JUDY PILLOW SHE LOOKED AT ME BUT I BLUSHED TO THE ROOTS OF MY HAIR AND SHOOK MY HEAD SHEEPISHLY AN AWKWARD PAUSE ENSUED IT IT LOOKED AS IF WE WOULD HAVE TO PROCEED WITHOUT GRACE WHEN FELIX SUDDENLY SHUT HIS EYES BENT HIS HEAD AND SAID A VERY GOOD GRACE WITHOUT ANY APPEARANCE OF EMBARRASSMENT +9fe504bc-f2f9-4f5c-bf13-d3d5815b73e0 THERE WERE FINE LACE CURTAINS AT THE WINDOWS AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURES ON THE WALLS THERE WAS A LITTLE WHITE BED AND A DRESSING TABLE A BOOKCASE FULL OF BOOKS A STAND WITH A WORK BASKET ON IT AND A ROCKING CHAIR THERE WAS A WOMAN'S PICTURE ABOVE THE BOOKCASE MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS SHE THINKS IT WAS A COLORED PHOTOGRAPH BUT SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHO IT WAS BY THE WAY HE SAID IT I KNEW THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS LITTLE CHANCE OF IT HAPPENING THAT WAY SINCE MY FIRST INDUCTION TO THE CORPS SIX MONTHS EARLIER I HAD BEEN STUCK ON THIS SUPERSECRET PLANETOID THAT WAS ITS HEADQUARTERS AND MAIN BASE I HAD VERY LITTLE SITTING DOWN PATIENCE ANYWAY AND IT HAD BEEN LONG SINCE EXHAUSTED I'M LEAVING ANOTHER NOTE THERE FOR YOU OLD SON AND AFTER YOU READ IT YOU CAN LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE BRING A GAT ALONG AND PLENTY OF AMO HOPE'S AWAY AT AUNT CLEO'S SO DON'T GET IN TOUCH WITH HER AND SPOIL HER VISIT VIC I HAD A HOT PROSPECT LINED UP FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAT MORNING BUT I DIDN'T EVEN STOP TO GIVE HIM A RING VIC AND I HAD BEEN BUTTIES EVER SINCE WE WERE KIDS AND BESIDES HE WAS HOPE'S BROTHER A WAGON RUMBLING OVER A PLANK BRIDGE IN THE HOLLOW MADE SARAH RAY START UP WITH A SHRIEK THE SLAMMING OF A BARN DOOR OVER AT UNCLE ROGER'S CAUSED THE COLD PERSPIRATION TO BREAK OUT IN OUR FACES I DON'T BELIEVE IT IT'S THE JUDGMENT DAY SAID FELIX AND I NEVER HAVE BELIEVED IT BUT OH I WISH THAT CLOCK WOULD STRIKE TWO +9ffba4cc-9f4b-4ad4-8860-1707a189ea64 I CAN'T SAID SARA WITH PASSIONATE DEFIANCE I THINK HE OUGHT TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT DON'T WORRY DEAR SAID CECILY WHO ALWAYS POURED BALM IF YOU CAN'T COLLECT ANY MONEY EVERYBODY WILL KNOW IT ISN'T YOUR FAULT I WON'T EVER FEEL LIKE READING A SINGLE BOOK ON THE LIBRARY IF I CAN'T GIVE SOMETHING TO IT MOURNED SARA IT WOULD TAKE A YEAR TO INSTALL A NEW BEACON BESIDES BEING TOO EXPENSIVE AND THIS RELIC IS ON ONE OF THE MAIN ROUTES I KNOW IT IS SAID THAT MY BEAUTIFUL HEAD HAS BRAINS OF MIXED WHEAT STRAW AND BRAN BUT MY THOUGHTS ARE SO GOOD I'D NOT CHANGE IF I COULD FOR THE BRAINS OF A COMMON MEAT MAN PAT CAME OVER BUT HIS MOST SEDUCTIVE PURRS WON NO NOTICE FROM HIS MISTRESS WHO REFUSED HERSELF THE PLEASURE OF EVEN PATTING HIM +a0496336-43c3-4dba-86af-7c6662bda630 THEY WERE NOT HUMAN BEINGS THEY WERE IMAGES OF DESPAIR THERE WAS SOMETHING SOLID BENEATH MY FEET WE'LL HAVE TIME TO TALK OVER DETAILS WHEN WE GET BACK WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PUTTING ON SUCH A RAG DON'T YOU KNOW I HAVE COMPANY TO TEA THERE ISN'T ANY I USED THE LAST IN THE SOUP YESTERDAY SLOWLY THE DISGUISED SLEDS CREPT THROUGH THE JUNGLE WHAT THE JUMPED UP MAZOO ARE WE DOING HERE STEAT WHEN THEY HAD GIVEN UP I BOOMED ORDERS AT THEM THROUGH THE SPEAKER IN THE CRATE I HAD YET TO FIND OUT +a0571f0b-6c2e-4667-bee8-47b51e52a24f IT IS BEST TO DRAW VEIL OVER WHAT FOLLOWED BUT WE KNEW NOTHING OF SUCH A THING IN OUR EXPERIENCE AND WE THOUGHT SHE HAD GONE MAD AND I TRUST THE FEAST WILL BEAT TO YOUR LIKING BOOT LEANED FORWARD AND PICKED UP THE THORN AND WHILE THE LOONS WERE BUSILY WATCHING THE PUMP YOU DIDN'T TAKE MUCH CHARGE LAST NIGHT WHEN DAN GOT SICK SAID FELIX MALICIOUSLY YOU AND I OLIVIA NEVER HAD OUR CHANCE WELL UNCLE ROGER ASKED ME TO TELL IT I DON'T LIKE TELLING SUCH STORIES EITHER THEY MAKE ME FEEL DREADFUL +a0b13585-5702-4a78-8be9-3088f188c150 OH I WONDER HOW SARA IS THIS MORNING MOTHER'S GOING DOWN THIS AFTERNOON SAID FELICITY SHE SAYS NONE OF US MUST GO NEAR THE PLACE TILL WE KNOW WHETHER IT IS THE MEASLES OR NOT I WAS CONSCIOUS OF A FAINT GLOW FROM ABOVE AS I MOVED THE DIAL SLOWLY SO THAT ITS RED MARK APPROACHED THE STATIONARY ONE UPON THE PANEL HIS GUN ROARED TWICE FROM BEHIND ME JUST LOOK SHE SAID PROUDLY I HAVE EVERY BIT OF THE BREAD BAKED I GOT UP AT THREE AND IT WAS LOVELY AND LIGHT SO I JUST GAVE IT A RIGHT GOOD KNEADING AND POPPED IT INTO THE OVEN I DON'T BELIEVE IT SAID THE STORY GIRL DREARILY HE APPROACHED THE ENGINE ALL RIGHT DEAR HE SAID YOU WIN YOU'RE RIGHT OF COURSE AND I'M WRONG +a0c60472-7f20-4650-a5f3-fdcdd3a1438a AN OLD PROVERB WITH NEW MEANING IT WAS HALF PAST FIVE WHEN WE BOYS GOT UP NEXT MORNING WE WERE JOINED ON THE STAIRS BY FELICITY YAWNING AND ROSY O DEAR ME I OVERSLEPT MYSELF WE CALLED THEM THE WHITE LADIES THE STORY GIRL GAVE THEM THE NAME SHE SAID THEY LOOKED LIKE THE SOULS OF GOOD WOMEN WHO HAD HAD TO SUFFER MUCH AND HAD BEEN VERY PATIENT THE NEXT DAY AS I WAS CUTTING WOOD IN THE FOREST THE CRUEL WITCH ENCHANTED MY AXE SO THAT IT SLIPPED AND CUT OFF MY RIGHT LEG HOW DREADFUL CRIED WOOT THE WANDERER WHO CONTROLS THE BREEDING SIGHTS CONTROLS OUR WORLD SAID TO NEW ONCE THERE WAS ANOTHER CITY WE DESTROYED IT ARE THERE MANY WILD ONES ASKED THORN FEWER EACH YEAR SAID TO NEWBE THAT'S HOW THEY GET THEIR SLAVES HIS STETSON +a0f9e358-0bb9-4488-92b5-3411785d2178 BUT YOU SAID AN I A SHIP FOUND THIS JOINT IT DID AND THEN ONE OF OUR SPIES IN R INTERCEPTED A ROUTINE REQUEST FOR AN AGENT INSTRUCTOR TO BE ASSIGNED HERE WITH FULL EQUIPMENT REQUEST SIGNED BY A FIRST CONTACT OFFICER NAME A DISTANT THE SOCIAL LIFE OF JUVENILE CARLYLE CENTERED IN THE DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS WE WERE ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ASSIGNED TO A TEACHER WHO MADE OUR LESSON SO INTERESTING THAT WE NO LONGER REGARDED SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AS A DISAGREEABLE WEEKLY DUTY BUT INSTEAD LOOKED FORWARD TO IT WITH PLEASURE AND TRIED TO CARRY OUT OUR TEACHER'S GENTLE PRECEPTS AT LEAST ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS HAVE YOU GOT A TELETOWKEY BRANDON ASKED SURE SAID THE FIRST MAN PRODUCING A SET ONE THIRD THE SIZE OF BRANDON'S COULD YOU TUNE IT TO TWENTY EIGHT POINT SIX MICROCYCLES SURE THE MAN SAID AGAIN HE TURNED A DIAL WITH HIS THUMB AND HANDED THE UNIT TO BRANDON BRANDON DEPRESSED THE TOP BUTTON SOON THE HOUSE WAS DARK AND SILENT I WAS JUST DROPPING INTO AN UNEASY SLUMBER WHEN I HEARD A COMMOTION IN THE GIRLS ROOM ACROSS THE HALL THEIR DOOR OPENED AND THROUGH OUR OWN DOOR I SAW FELICITY'S WHITE CLAD FIGURE FLIT DOWN THE STAIRS TO AUNT JANET'S ROOM FROM THE ROOM SHE HAD LEFT CAME MOANS AND CRIES +a10a5e18-d195-4081-ab53-deffc9786979 WHY WHO EVER HEARD OF A SERMON WITHOUT A TEXT ASKED FELIX BLANKLY I AM GOING TO TAKE A SUBJECT INSTEAD OF A TEXT SAID PETER LOFTILY THE STORY GIRL KISSED HER FINGERTIPS TO HIM WITH THE DELIGHTFUL AUDACITY WHICH WAS A PART OF HER AND THE AWKWARD MAN PLUCKED OFF HIS HAT AND SWEPT HER A STATELY AND GRACEFUL BOW I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY CALL HIM THE AWKWARD MAN SAID CECILY WHEN HE WAS OUT OF EAR SHOT BUT IT WAS ALWAYS KNOWN BY THE NAME OF THE PERSON FOR WHOM OR BY WHOM IT WAS PLANTED AND FELIX AND I KNEW AS MUCH ABOUT AUNT FELICITY'S PEARS AND AUNT JULIA'S CHERRIES AND UNCLE ALEC'S APPLES AND THE REVEREND MISTER SCOTT'S PLUMS AS IF WE HAD BEEN BORN AND BRED AMONG THEM THERE WAS A NOSE AND TAIL RADAR IN THE EYE AND I FED THEIR SIGNALS INTO A SCOPE AS AN AMPLITUDE CURVE +a10cabb0-4196-4307-8067-f894a4f6d0bb YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAY I HAD BLACK HAIR BUT NOW WE WERE TOO CRUSHED AND MISERABLE TO MOVE WHY DON'T YOU TALK SENSE IF YOU MUST TALK SAID FELICITY I DO NOT COME FROM THE INQUISITOR HE SAID TRUTHFULLY NOR IS MY QUESTION ONE THAT SHOULD CAUSE YOU ALARM THEY ARE PLEASED TEND TO BE EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE THE CITY FLUTED AND SPIRALED INTO THE MOONLIT SKY IT'S TOO BAD TO FEEL THAT WAY SAID HORN WHEN TWO CULTURES MEET LIKE THIS THEY TEND TO HELP EACH OTHER I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU SEE THINGS OUR WAY AS HE ROSE ROPY TENTACLES TWINED AROUND HIM LEARNED IT YEARS AGO BEFORE THE GATE TO THIS WORLD WAS CLOSED TRYING TO GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS +a12d36cf-3eef-4cce-8efd-cc264cb2c452 HE WENT INTO THE PULF PIT LEANED OVER IT AND LOOKED AT HIS WIFE SITTING CALMLY IN HER PEW AT THE SIDE IT WAS CLEVERLY DONE HE SAID RIGHT OUT LOUD BUT DINNA TRY IT AGAIN IT TOOK AN EFFORT BUT I MANAGED TO GET MY MIND BACK INTO GEAR AND CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE IF PRESENT FERERO DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE BATTLESHIP HE MUST HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN BY THE COVER UP JOB BUT IF HE WASN'T RESPONSIBLE WHO WAS WHAT WOULD BE THE USE OF IT ASKED THE STORY GIRL A LITTLE DISDAINFULLY NOBODY EVER WANTS TO KNOW THE TIME IN A GARDEN I SLIPPED AWAY AT THIS POINT SUDDENLY REMEMBERING THAT IT WAS TIME TO TAKE A DOSE OF MAGIC SEED I HAD BOUGHT IT FROM BILLY ROBINSON THREE DAYS BEFORE IN SCHOOL BILLY HAD ASSURED ME THAT IT WOULD MAKE ME GROW FAST WE WENT AND STRAIGHTWAY DRANK THE WATERS OF FORGETFULNESS IN A BRIEF SPACE WE WERE LAUGHING RIGHT MERRILY NO LONGER REMEMBERING OUR WRONGS AT THE HANDS OF THOSE CRUEL GROWN UPS OUR LAUGHTER ECHOED BACK FROM THE BARNS AND THE SPRUCE GROVE AS IF ELFIN DENIZENS OF UPPER AIR WERE SHARING IN OUR MIRTH +a14ac9c7-1609-4b8a-b634-87aa6edc67b1 A CRUMBLING AND CRACKED STAIRWAY BROUGHT US UP TO THE SOLID METAL DOORWAY LABELLED IN ARCHAIC SCRIPT MARK THREE BEACON AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY THE TRUSTING BUILDERS COUNTED ON THE SIGN TO DO THE WHOLE JOB FOR THERE WASN'T A TRACE OF A LOCK ON THE DOOR IT MIGHT BUT I'D JUST AS SOON PEG BOWEN DIDN'T LOOK AT MY COWS SAID PETER AS IF YOU HAD ANY COWS GIGGLED FELICITY I'M GOING TO HAVE COW SOME DAY SAID PETER FLUSHING I DON'T MEAN TO BE A HIGHER BOY ALL MY LIFE OUR OPENING EXERCISES CONSISTED SOLELY OF SINGING AND READING WE HAD AGREED TO OMIT THE PRAYER NEITHER FELIX PETER NOR I FELL EQUAL TO PRAYING IN PUBLIC BUT WE TOOK UP A COLLECTION THE PROCEEDS WERE TO GO TO MISSIONS DAN PLASSED THE PLATE FELICITY'S ROSEBUD PLATE LOOKING AS PRETERNATURALLY SOLEMN AS ELDER FREWIN HIMSELF THIS PULPIT DOOR WAS MADE FOR SPIRITS AND I WANTED TO LAUGH AND THEN MISTER FRUUEN COME AND I THOUGHT OF HER STORY ABOUT HIS SIDE WHISKERS HOW WHEN HIS FIRST WIFE DIED OF INFORMATION OF THE LUNGS HE WENT COURTING CELIA WARD AND CELIA TOLD HIM SHE WOULDN'T MARRY HIM UNLESS HE SHAVED THEM WHISKERS OFF +a14f9875-fce8-43dc-a0e1-21a23b53c073 WE'LL SEND EXPERTS IN HERE BY THE SACK LIKE PATCHED BLUE FATIGUES THAT'S AN ALIEN LANGUAGE FAT BOYS NEVER DO FELICITY INFORMED HIM IS THIS A SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPUTATION HE INQUIRED RATHER IRONICALLY THE SIMIANS CAUGHT HIS MENTAL IMAGE OF THE LANDING AND INTERVENED WHILE COMMON GROUND OFFERED THE ZID LUNGED AGAINST THE DOOR WITH A FORCE THAT CRACKED THE WOODEN HURRICANE BOLT ACROSS AND OPENED A THREE INCH SLIT BETWEEN THE LEADING EDGE AND LINTEL WHEN ONE OF THEM BREAKS DOWN IT IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT AND REPAIRING THE THING IS NEVER A MATTER OF JUST PLUGGING IN A NEW PART +a1ed5506-b588-48b3-b2b6-6a2eb1f62c7a UNDER THE ROOF TREE BUILT BY GREAT GRANDFATHER KING FELIX TWITCHED THE QUILT RATHER VICIOUSLY AND GRUNTED THEY'VE SUFFERED ENOUGH WRITTEN THESE DREADFUL TRANSFORMATIONS THE TWO FRIENDS WERE SURE TO PASS AND SO I DOUBT NOT COULD EVERYONE THAT HEARD IT NOBODY EVER WANTS TO KNOW THE TIME IN A GARDEN MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS IT NEVER BELONGED TO JASPER DALE'S MOTHER FOR SHE THOUGHT IT A SIN TO WEAR ANYTHING BUT PRINT AND DRUGGET BIT BY BIT A PATENT STARTED TO EMERGE A DELICATE WEB WORK OF FORGERY BRIBERY CHICANERY AND FALSEHOOD +a1f3c285-5b69-4d07-b4c8-25b3588e13d5 HOMESIDE WON'T WAIT LONGER AUBREY AND TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE WHILE THE ZID LUNGED ABOUT THE SHIP IN SEARCH OF THEM WITH MALIGNANT CRIES AND A GREAT SHRIEKING OF CLAWS ON METAL TELL HIM TO HURRY YET AND HANDED US OVER TO THE KEEPING OF UNCLE ALEC AND NOBODY WOULD HAVE BEEN ANXIOUS TO CLAIM IT WAS THRILLING IN OUR HEARTS THAT MORNING ODIN MADE A PILGRIMAGE OVER THE WORLD TO OUR DISMAY IT BEGAN TO RAIN JUST BEFORE DINNER FINALLY MARGARET RAN AWAY WITH ALLAN AND THEY WERE MARRIED IN CHARLOTTETOWN DON'T YOU DRAG MY AUNT JANE INTO THIS AFFAIR SAID PETER DARKLY ONE TWILIGHT WHEN A KATY WAS OUT HUNTING IN THE WOODS +a226e35a-a1e6-4a3f-9360-f39418edf41b THE SCOOP TOUCHED ITS VAST FACE TO THE QUEEN'S RAIL AND DROPPED THE UNCONSCIOUS BODY TO THE DECK THE ZID TWITCHED WEAKLY AND COUGHED UP FROTH AND WATER JEFF BACKED AWAY WARILY RAY TURNED ON HIM WITH A LOOK THAT WOULD HAVE SEARED THE SPHINX THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MACHINE HE SAID ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE SHOUTING THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TELEVISION THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING TWO CENTS MORE A WEEK OUT OF CECILY'S EGG MONEY MEANT SOMETHING OF A SACRIFICE IT INSPIRED THE REST OF US WE ALL DECIDED TO INCREASE OUR WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION BY A CENT OR SO AND PETER WHO HAD NO MISSIONARY BOX AT ALL UP TO THIS TIME DETERMINED TO START ONE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE WHEN I FOUND MYSELF HERE I WANDERED NEARLY TO THE CITY BEFORE I WAS MOLESTED WHEN THEY DID APPEAR AND TRIED TO LAY HANDS ON ME I WARNED THEM BACK AND FINALLY SHOT ONE OF THEM +a2512f2c-2188-484a-9869-5d5c73df0aa6 THESE FUNNY STORIES ARE ALL RIGHT SAID UNCLE ROGER BUT FOR REAL ENJOYMENT GIVE US SOMETHING WITH A CREEP IN IT SARA TELL US THAT STORY OF THE SERPENT WOMAN I HEARD YOU TELL ONE DAY LAST SUMMER OH ISN'T THIS DREADFUL SAID FELICITY WRINGING HER HANDS AS SHE WALKED THE KITCHEN FLOOR OH WHY DOESN'T THE DOCTOR COME I TOLD DAN THE BAD BERRIES WERE POISON BUT SURELY THEY CAN'T KILL PEOPLE ALTOGETHER THE TRUSTING BUILDERS COUNTED ON THE SIGN TO DO THE WHOLE JOB FOR THERE WASN'T A TRACE OF A LOCK ON THE DOOR ONE LIZARD MERELY TURNED THE HANDLE AND WE WERE INSIDE THE BEACON I UNSIPPED THE FRONT OF MY CAMELFLAGE SUIT AND PULLED OUT THE BLUE PRINTS YOU FOUND THEM THE CRIMINAL RING HE ASKED HIS FINGERS GROPING OVER HIS SCOUT FOR A FRESH HOLD FROM THE CORNER OF MY EYE I COULD SEE HIM GETTING PURPLE ABOUT THE FACE BUT HE KEPT QUIET I SAVORED MY SMALL MOMENT OF POWER +a25b26ba-a61b-46bd-ba6d-ecacbb1bae22 THE YOUNG MINISTER TURNED PALE AS THE DEAD AND IMPLORED MISSUS CRAWFORD TO HIDE HIM DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT UP DAN SAID CECILY ANXIOUSLY BUT THE STORY GIRL WAS THE SOUL OF HONOUR IT'S TO BE READY BY SATURDAY I EXPECTED TO COME DOWN WITH AN AWFUL THUD SHE SAID SHUDDERING INSTANTLY THE SLEDGE SHOT SKYWARD HEAVY GEES PRESSING THEM DOWN INTO THE SEATS THE WORLD BEYOND THE ORCHARD WAS IN A ROYAL MAGNIFICENCE OF COLORING UNDER THE VIVID BLUE AUTUMN SKY +a27ed3ee-bb10-4bf2-896f-fd8f52054212 IT WAS RESTING INSIDE THE BEACON DOOR WHEN I WOKE UP THE REPAIRS DIDN'T TAKE LONG THOUGH THERE WAS PLENTY OF GROANING FROM THE BLIND LIZARDS WHEN THEY HEARD ME RIPPING THE WALL OPEN TO GET AT THE POWER LEAGUES I EVEN HOOKED A GADGET TO THE WATER PIPE SO THEIR HOLY WATERS WOULD HAVE THE USUAL REFRESHING RADIOACTIVITY WHEN THEY STARTED FLOWING AGAIN WE FELT ASHAMED OURSELVES BECAUSE WE KNEW PEOPLE SHOULD CONDUCT THEMSELVES DECENTLY AND IN ORDER ON SUNDAY FAR FARINGS FORTH BUT AS WITH PETER IT HAD LAUGHED ITSELF WITHOUT HESITATION JENIFER STEPPED OVER THE RAIL AND VANISHED INTO THE YAWNING PINKISH CAVERN BEYOND APPALLED JEFF RUSHED AFTER HER GENEFER HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND THE POOR STORY GIRL WENT VERY WHITE OH UNCLE ROGER COULD IT BE POSSIBLE YOU COULDN'T HAVE SWALLOWED A NEEDLE WITHOUT KNOWING IT IT WOULD HAVE STUCK IN YOUR TONGUE OR TEETH +a29752f8-e641-40d2-9344-8ebc0a3bcaa6 I SHOULD HAVE STOPPED WITH THE PIE AND PICKLES AND LEFT THE TARTS ALONE AUNT OLIVIA SAYS THE STORY GIRL IS FASCINATING SAID CECILY THE VERY ADJECTIVE FELICITY AND CECILY WERE SETTING OUT A LUNCH IN THE PANTRY WHEN WE WERE ALL STARTLED BY A LOUD GROAN FROM THE SOFA THAT IS ONE THING I HAVE AGAINST THE ISLAND DRIVE OUT IF PLAIN PEDDLING IS PALLING ON YOU I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR ME AND I TOOK NO CHANCES THERE WAS NO SENSE TO ANYTHING THAT VIC BUTLER DID FOR THAT MATTER WELL I'M NOT YOU COUNTED CECILY AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO FRIGHTEN ANY ONE AS I WAS FRIGHTENED WHEN A CAT DON'T CARE WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S PRETTY FAR GONE +a2eb8192-cb36-4b42-a2a3-ec8ccb322c45 I AM NOT ONE OF YOUR ANCESTORS THE TEMPLE WAS A SMALL ONE BUILT AGAINST THE BASE OF THE PYRAMID I MUST ADMIT IT WENT OFF PRETTY WELL THE SCOOP REACHED DEEPER WATER AND SUBMERGED THROWING A MOUNTAINOUS BILLOW THAT SENT THE ISLAND QUEEN REELING AND ALL BUT FOUNDED HER FIRST CAME AUNT JANET'S SISTER MISSUS PATERSON WITH A DAUGHTER OF SIXTEEN YEARS AND A SON OF TWO THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY A BUGGY LOAD OF MARKDALE PEOPLE AND FINALLY MISSUS ELDER FRUEN AND HER SISTER FROM VANCOUVER WITH TWO SMALL DAUGHTERS OF THE LATTER ARRIVED YOUR SYMPATHY MAY ENDANGER YOU SHARP SAID IT IS NECESSARY THAT YOU RATIFY YOUR CONFESSION COME WITH US THAT THOUGHT PLEASED HIM GREATLY +a2f663db-0553-46bc-95a5-2032bed36915 REASONABLY SO IT UD BE PRETTY HARD TO MISS SOMETHING THE SIZE OF THAT THING WE FLEW OVER IT MUST BE FIFTY KILOMETERS LONG AND AT LEAST TEN WIDE SWARMING WITH THESE CREATURES TOO HE WAS ALWAYS SO POLITE AND GOOD NATURED AND OBLIGING SIGHED CECILY HE WAS JUST A REAL GENTLEMAN SAID THE STORY GIRL THERE AIN'T MANY FELLOWS AS FAIR AND SQUARE AS PETER SAID DAN AND SUCH A WORKER SAID FELIX WHAT IF WE DON'T SEE HER ASKED FELICITY WE'LL PUT THE THINGS ON HER DOORSTEP AND THEN LEAVE THEM SHE MAY BE MILES AWAY OVER THE COUNTRY BY THIS TIME SIGHED CECILY AND NEVER FIND THEM UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE FOR PAT BUT IT'S THE ONLY THING TO DO WHAT CAN WE GIVE HER AMUSE YOURSELVES WHILE I AM GONE AND WHEN I RETURN I HOPE TO FIND YOU ALL RECONCILED AND HAPPY +a32d026a-695e-4d60-8a09-40bb34b317b8 SEVERING ALL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE SHIP AND THE PILOT'S CAPSULE APPROXIMATELY SIX HUNDRED MILES FROM YOU THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE PILOT'S CAPSULE SHOT UP LIKE A WET BAR OF SILK SQUEEZED OUT OF A GIANT'S HAND AND GREAT CITIES SPRANG UP WHERE HE HAD TRODDEN AND EVERY LAND THROUGH WHICH HE PASSED WAS BLESSED BECAUSE ONE OF THE GODS HAD COME DOWN TO MEN AUNT JANET COULD NOT GO DOWN THE HILL IN THE AFTERNOON TO FIND OUT HOW SARA WAS BECAUSE COMPANY CAME TO TEA HERK NUFF SAID TAKE HIM BACK THE BALD ONE ADDED HERAKNUFF YOU ONA SAID ENTERING THE CONVERSATION WITH A LIGHT PLEASANT TONE SO LONG AS IT WORKS YUNUS SAID I WILL BE SATISFIED +a3ad39f5-1f7e-4d37-812c-a3228fd8f502 BUT EARLY AS IT WAS WE FOUND THE STORY GIRL IN THE KITCHEN WHEN WE WENT DOWN SITTING ON RACHEL WARD'S BLUE CHEST AND LOOKING IMPORTANT THEN WE SUCKED ON THE JUICE SWEETER WAS IT THAN THE NECTAR DRUNK BY BLISSFUL GODS ON THE THESSALYAN HILL WHEN THEY ASSURED US SOLEMNLY THAT THEIR DREAMS ALL HAPPENED EXACTLY AS THEY DESCRIBED THEM WE WERE COMPELLED TO BELIEVE THEM FRANK HERBERT THE ROMANTICS USED TO SAY THAT THE EYES WERE THE WINDOWS OF THE SOUL A GOOD ALIEN ZENOLOGIST MIGHT NOT PUT IT QUITE SO POETICALLY IF MY PLAN DOESN'T WORK CAPTAIN THERE WON'T BE ENOUGH OF MY SKIN LEFT TO PICK UP WITH A TWEEZER NOW IF YOU PLEASE I'D LIKE TO GET TO URDAIDA AND PICK UP MY SHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE +a3d79656-efd7-4df3-9bfb-a03e3bc0b51e OWE BACK YOU TO THE HILT THE SLEDGE SHIFTED AS SOMEONE CLIMBED ONTO THE LOAD BEHIND THE CAB DO YOU SUPPOSE PETER WOULD HAVE GOT BETTER ANYWAY AND THE GROWN UPS WITH UNACCUSTOMED UNDERSTANDING AND SYMPATHY TOLD US THAT WE NEED NOT YOU MAY THINK TIS A HASTY WOOING BUT THAT'S A STORY I CAN TELL YOU LATER MAYBE I KNOW WELL I'M NOT WORTHY OF YOU BUT IF YOUR TRUE LOVE COULD MAKE A MAN WORTHY THERE'D BE NONE BEFORE ME SHE IS SO FOND OF RED WILL MONTAGUE NEVER CAME AND THE RABBLE WAS SENT FLYING BY A NUMBER OF MEN WHO SEEMED TO HOLD SOME OFFICE DISTINGUISHED BY A WHATEVER IT IS IT CERTAINLY DOES THE WORK +a4065ca1-83d6-4f88-9eaa-f8a3042d6b2b TO BE ACRID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CALLED A NONIPUS FLAPPING HIS ARMS BOWED SLIGHTLY ON THE TOP STEP THEN SLID FORWARD DOWN SEVERAL MORE STEPS ON HIS FACE PLATE IN VERY SIMPLE TERMS HE WAS SAYING ITCHED MADDENINGLY ARE THERE MANY PLANETS TO TEACH DO YOU TOO KNOW MANY THINGS ORN THEY SPENT MOST OF THE DAY SWEATING THE HEAVY BOX UP THROUGH THE NARROW TEMPLE STAIRS AND I ENJOYED A GOOD SLEEP ITS HEAD BENT VERY LOW AND AT THE SAME TIME TILTED AT A GROTESQUE ANGLE SO THAT THE FACE SMILED HEAVENWARD SHOULD YOU WISH TO TAKE A FLIER AFTER ME +a426b331-c418-4ff3-a363-e8b260bd8490 I JUST WISH I'D HOLD OF THOSE FELLOWS WHO WOULDN'T LET THE CAPTAIN TAKE HIS WIFE SAID PETER SAVAGELY THERE AIN'T MANY FELLOWS AS FAIR AND SQUARE AS PETER SAID DAN WHEN WE ARRIVED BEHIND THE GRANARY THE OTHERS WERE ALL THERE YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN PERSISTED CECILY AS THE TRAIN PULLED OUT OF TORONTO BUT CERTAINLY PRINCE EDWARD'S ISLAND FROGS WERE MORE TUNEFUL AND MELLOW BUT FELICITY HAD NO TIME TO OVERSEE HER THIS MORNING NEVER MIND PETER SAID CECILY YOU KNOW LOTS OF THINGS THEY DON'T +a42bd02f-94f1-495a-b715-fa7897bacc30 THAT IT WOULD BE WELL TO KEEP AS THE PIQUANT COUNTRY PHRASE WENT FROM THE WALK WE WENT TO THE PULPIT STONE DAN DID NOT COME DOWN UNTIL BREAKFAST WAS HALF OVER SHE BENT OVER PICKED UP THE MACHINE YANKING WIRING LOOSE CARELESSLY BUT NOW THAT YOU'RE WITH US AGAIN THE NEXT DAY HE COMPLAINED OF HEADACHE AND SORE THROAT AND SEEMED TO PREFER LYING ON AUNT OLIVIA'S KITCHEN SOFA TO DOING ANY WORK I SUPPOSE IT TAKES PEOPLE'S EMOTIONAL REACTIONS A WHILE TO CATCH UP WITH DEVELOPMENTS THAT LOGICALLY WE ACCEPT AS A MATTER OF FACT +a44b276b-6c67-4353-bf4d-f9fbc3213c71 MY ONLY GOOD POINTS ARE MY HAIR AND EYES AND FEET SO I THINK IT'S REAL MEAN THAT ONE OF THEM HAS TO BE COVERED UP MOST OF THE TIME I'M ALWAYS GLAD WHEN IT GETS WARM ENOUGH TO GO BAREFOOTED BUT WHEN I GROW UP THEY'LL HAVE TO BE COVERED UP ALL THE TIME BUT FELIX WAS VASTLY ENCOURAGED ANOTHER DAY OR TWO AND I'LL BE ABLE TO EAT A WHOLE ONE HE SAID JUBILANTLY BUT THIS DEVOUTLY DESIRED CONSUMMATION DID NOT COME TO PASS THERE WAS NOTHING AT ALL PRETENTIOUS ABOUT THE PLACE IT WAS A RAMBLING LAZY LOOKING HOUSE BUILT LARGELY OF NATIVE STONE STTCHING ITS LENGTH COMFORTABLY IN THE SHADE OF THE BIG MAPLES SEE HERE SAID THE STORY GIRL RESOLUTELY I DON'T BELIEVE IT BUT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING TO IT SUPPOSE THERE IS THE QUESTION IS WHAT CAN WE DO +a47aaa30-2725-4f94-840a-8c629f380ee0 BUT NO INDELICATE THOUGHT OR VULGAR WORD COULD HAVE BEEN SHAPED OR UTTERED IN THEIR PRESENCE HAD ANY OF US BOYS EVER BEEN GUILTY OF SUCH CECILY'S PALE FACE WOULD HAVE COLOURED WITH A BLUSH OF OUTRAGED PURITY FELICITY'S GOLDEN HEAD WOULD HAVE LIFTED ITSELF IN THE HAUGHTY INDIGNATION OF INSULTED WOMANHOOD AND THE STORY GIRL'S SPLENDID EYES WOULD HAVE FLASHED WITH SUCH ANGER AND SCORN AS WOULD HAVE SHRIVELLED THE VERY SOUL OF THE WRETCHED CULPRIT WE GAZED UP AT HER IN SILENCE FOR A FEW MOMENTS WHEN WE HAD HEARD THE NEWS OF PATTY'S RECOVERY WE HAD BEEN NOISY AND JUBILANT BUT WE WERE VERY QUIET NOW WE HAD BEEN TOO NEAR SOMETHING DARK AND TERRIBLE AND MENACING AND THOUGH IT WAS THUS SUDDENLY REMOVED THE CHILL AND THE SHADOW OF IT WERE ABOUT US STILL WHEN WE GREW TIRED OF OUR SPORT WE WENT TO THE WINDWARD SIDE OF THE FIELD AND PERCHED OURSELVES ON THE HIGH POLE FENCE THAT SKIRTED A DARK SPRUCE WOOD FULL OF STRANGE FURTIVE SOUNDS OVER US WAS A GREAT DARK SKY BLOSSOMING WITH SILVER STARS AND ALL AROUND LAY DUSKY MYSTERIOUS REACHES OF MEADOW AND WOOD IN THE SOFT EMPURPLED NIGHT SWEET FRESH GOLDEN STRAW THERE IS SURELY NO FLAW AND IS STUFFING SO CLEAN AND COMPACT IT CREAKS WHILE I WALK AND IT THRILLS WHEN I TALK AND ITS FRAGRANCE IS FINE FOR EFFECT TO CUT ME DON'T HURT FOR I'VE NO BLOOD TO SQUIRT AND I THEREFORE CAN SUFFER NO PAIN THE STRAW THAT I USE DOESN'T LUMP UP OR BRUISE THOUGH IT'S POUNDED AGAIN AND AGAIN +a4fd83a5-06d0-455b-80f1-ce7df3f799df THE LONG DRAGGING HOURS WERE HARD TO ENDURE WE ROAMED RESTLESSLY ABOUT AND WENT TO AND FRO ALL SAVE PETER WHO STILL STEADILY READ AWAY AT HIS BIBLE HE WAS THROUGH GENESIS BY ELEVEN AND BEGINNING ON EXODUS SHE GOT PALER AND PALER EVERY DAY BUT THE PINK BUTTERFLY GREW REDDER UNTIL IT LOOKED JUST LIKE A STAIN OF BLOOD ON HER WHITE CHEEK WHEN THE WINTER CAME SHE DIED BUT SARA RAY HAD SOMETHING TO GIVE SHE CAME UP THE HILL AFTER TEA ALL RADIANT WHEN SARA RAY SMILED AND SHE DID NOT WASTE HER SMILES SHE WAS RATHER PRETTY IN A PLAINTIVE APOLOGETIC WAY WHAT A SULKY SULKY LOT OF LITTLE PEOPLE SAID AUNT OLIVIA GOING AWAY ACROSS THE YARD HOLDING A PRETTY DRESS UP FROM THE DEWY GRASS SARA RAY HAD ALSO YEARNED TO STAY BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE HER MOTHER HAD TOLD HER SHE MUST BE HOME BEFORE DARK NEVER MIND SARAH COMFORTED CECILY +a51e299f-1ae1-4dbf-9bab-f6adacfbc356 IF I AM A WIZARD YONA SAID I HAVE POWERS STRANGE POWERS HE WASN'T SURE WHETHER OR NOT ANY ONE WAS WATCHING HIM THAT TIME NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE HE SAID SEEMED TO DROP UPON ME BUT I DIDN'T EVEN STOP TO GIVE HIM A RING IN A SQUAT CLEAR BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL THAT VIC HAD TAKEN FROM THE DRAWER FELICITY DID NOT APPROVE OF THE DESIGN AND SAID SO PLAINLY WHAT DOES GOD LOOK LIKE ONE DAY A HORN WAS BLOWN AT THE PALACE GATE THE IMAGE ON HIS THREE INCH SCREEN WAS NOT CONSEIL SEDTERFIELD'S BUT THE STARTLED CONSOLATE OPERATORS +a52e1ad7-d059-4953-9ac4-21f45d1d0ae7 IT HAD TAKEN ROOT AND GROWN BUT SHE HAD DAINTY LITTLE FEATURES AND MILD BROWN EYES BUT TO THE EDITOR'S UNTECHNICAL EYE IT LOOKED LIKE A FAIRLY ORDINARY RADIO SET THE FARMER LOOKED AT GARF AGAIN WITH FEAR AND AWE WHAT GOOD WOULD BEING TWINS DO YOU ASKED PETER AS THE STORY GIRL PROUDLY INFORMED US WHEN WE CAME TO THE DINNER TABLE ALL ON HER OWN HOOK WHATEVER HER FUTURE CAREER SHOULD BE UNCLE BLAIR STANLEY HAD BEEN A MERE NAME TO US WHAT COULD YOU EXPECT FROM A PIG +a569bc2e-6759-4c4d-8e4d-46031e6d1414 NEITHER ARGUMENT ENTREATY NOR EXPOSTULATION HAD ANY EFFECT ON THOSE TWO STUBBORN GIRLS YES AND IF HE LETS YOU OFF THEN WE'LL KNOW HE WAS IN EARNEST CHIMED IN CICELY OH WELL SURELY YOU CAN SETTLE IT SOME OTHER WAY WITHOUT FIGHTING PERSISTED CECILY I UNCLE ALEC WALKED AROUND THE CORNER OF THE GRANARY WITH CECILY BEHIND HIM YOU WOULDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT MISTER MARSHALL IS YES WHO ARE YOU DO YOU KNOW THE PLACE IN THE MOUNTAIN THAT IS CALLED SODOM IF THE BEACON CONKED OUT AGAIN THE M T WHISPERED IN MY EAR I'M SURE THERE WAS NO HUMANNESS IN THIS DECISION +a5b48356-e900-4f58-8f16-3165d9b68925 IT WAS NOT THE JUDGMENT DAY AND THERE ARE MAGNIFICENT STORIES IN IT YES FELICITY MAGNIFICENT NONE OF US IT APPEARED HAD SLEPT WELL AND SOME OF US NOT AT ALL I SET DOWN ON THE FRONT DOOR STEPS FOR A MOMENT AND ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A BELL RING IN THE HOUSE EIGHT TIMES I TELL YOU I WAS SKEERED WE DID NOT EVEN CALL BILLY TO ACCOUNT SKILFULLY INDEED HAD THAT ASTUTE BILLY PLAYED ON OUR RESPECTIVE WEAKNESSES ONE OF THE EAGER LIZARDS HAD MANAGED TO OPEN A CIRCUIT BOX AND HAD POLISHED THE SWITCHES INSIDE +a5c0193a-f909-4e54-a5a2-968c3997474e THE STORY GIRL FINISHED HER WREATH AND PUT IT ON THE BUTTERCUPS DROOPED OVER HER HIGH WHITE BROW AND PLAYED PETE WITH HER GLOWING EYES A DREAMY SMILE HOVERED AROUND HER POPPY RED MOUTH A SIGNIFICANT SMILE WHICH TO THOSE OF US SKILLED IN ITS INTERPRETATION BETOKENED THE SENTENCE WHICH SOON CAME SHE ASKED FROWNING BY NO MEANS SAID THE SCARECROW I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE YOU ACT MORE LADYLIKE OH INDEED IN MY OPINION MISTER SCARECROW YOU ARE NOW ACTING LIKE A BEAR SO A BEAR YOU SHALL BE THERE'S A GREAT BIG PATCH ON HIS BEST PAIR OF TROUSERS PROTESTED FELICITY WELL THAT'S BETTER THAN A HOLE SAID THE STORY GIRL ADDRESSING HERSELF DAINTILY TO HER TURNOVER GOD WON'T NOTICE THE PATCH THE DWARF WAS THREE FOOT HIGH A SKELETON STRETCHED OVER WITH BROWN BURNT LEATHER THE OTHER WAS AN UNCANINE LOOKING DOG SIZED BEAST SO FULL OF BIRDS AND THORNS THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A PORCUPINE IT WAS A NIGHTMARE REPLICA OF A SHRUNKEN MULE +a5d4b41a-8d0a-48c8-832c-6c7264fc80c4 WELL ANYHOW SAID PETER EVEN IF IT ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAMN I KEEP ON READING THE BIBLE UNTIL I'VE GOT CLEAN THROUGH I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS SUCH AN INTERESTING BOOK IT SOUNDSIBLY DREADFUL TO HEAR YOU CALL THE BIBLE AN INTERESTING BOOK SAID FELICITY WITH A SHUDDER AT THE SACRILEGE WHY YOU MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT ANY COMMON BOOK WITH THE USUAL LEVITY OF GROWN UPS THEY RECOVERED THE COLDNESS BETWEEN THE GIRLS AS A SUBJECT OF MIRTH AND JEST AND RECKED NOT THAT IT WAS FREEZING THE GENIAL CURRENT OF OUR YOUTHFUL SOULS AND BLIGHTING HOURS THAT SHOULD BE FAIR PAGES IN OUR BOOK OF DAYS PRESENT FERERO A BACHELOR WAS EATING HIS DINNER THIS GAVE ME ENOUGH UNDISTURBED TIME TO SEARCH HIS STUDY THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING NOTHING TO DO WITH WARS OR BATTLESHIPS DAYS IF I HAD BEEN INTERESTED IN BLACKMAIL I HAD ENOUGH EVIDENCE IN MY HAND TO SUPPORT ME FOR LIFE I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN POLITICAL CORRUPTION HOWEVER BUT FELICITY'S THEOLOGY BROKE DOWN AT THIS POINT SHE TURNED HER BACK ON PETER AND WALKED DISDAINFULLY AWAY THE STORY GIRL RETURNED TO THE MAIN POINT WITH A NEW ARGUMENT +a5fe71ba-3363-4c01-822c-43b4f41d53cf THE GODS WERE NOT ALL BEAUTIFUL YOU KNOW AND BEAUTIFUL OR NOT NOBODY EVER WANTED TO MEET THEM FACE TO FACE I HAVE REPAIRED HYPERSPACE BEACONS FROM ONE ARM OF THE GALAXY TO THE OTHER AND I WAS SURE I HAD WORKED ON EVERY TYPE OR MODEL MADE BUT I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS KIND AUNT LOUISA TOLD ME THE TALE IT ALL HAPPENED LONG LONG AGO INTERESTING THINGS LIKE THIS ALL DID HAPPEN LONG AGO IT SEEMS TO ME THEY NEVER SEEMED TO HAPPEN NOW BEFORE HE GOT OVER THE SHOCK I SNAPPED AN ORDER AT HIM COME UP HERE AND SIT DOWN QUICK THE ROBART HUSTLED HIM ACROSS THE ROOM AT THE SAME TIME SO HE HAD NO CHOICE EXCEPT TO OBEY WHEN HE SAW THE PAPERS ON THE DESK HIS EYES BULGED AND HE JUST GURGLED A LITTLE +a640289c-b48b-42af-8df7-fc24692e90c7 AND ON THE FLY LEAF OF THE BOOKS THE NAME ALICE WAS WRITTEN TWO WAGONS WERE DRIVING UP THE LANE WE RUSHED TO THE HOUSE AND THERE WAS UNCLE ALEC AND AUNT JANET AND AUNT OLIVIA HE HAD NEVER LIKED WOMEN AT ALL HE ASKED THEY LOOKED AND SAW WHAT SEEMED TO BE A FLIGHT OF STEPS CARVED FROM STONE BUT THE DEA YOU COULD START BY TEACHING US HOW YOU MAKE SUPERIOR GLASS SAID ORAN OLD MISTER SCOTT FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE CHURCH PRETTY HOT AND DUSTY AND IN NONE TOO GOOD A TEMPER +a67da027-71e7-4695-a6fd-1c13250d49ae I COULDN'T SEE IT OF COURSE BUT I KNEW IT HAD ARRIVED WHEN THE GRAPPLES IN THE CLAWS LATCHED ON TO THE STEEL PLATES ON MY SHOULDERS WHICH PROVES SAID HE THAT WE ARE SOMEWHAT SUPERIOR TO PEOPLE MADE IN THE COMMON WAY ALL ADMIRED ME AND PRAISED MY BEAUTY BEFORE HE COULD TALK I DID FOOT IN THE DOOR AND STAY ON TOP ALL THE BOARD GUARDS HAD A GREAT TIME WITH THE SIRENS LIGHTS ACCELERATORS ON THE FLOOR AND THAT SORT OF THING HE HAD EVEN BEEN AS FAR AS THE PACIFIC COAST THE STORY GIRL CAME OUT OF HER SHADOWS AND SAT DOWN BESIDE US ON THE GRASS +a692b605-e215-459d-992d-f380b28f4e83 I CAN DO THAT AS WELL AS ANY OF THE EXPERIENCED OPERATORS AND IT MAY GIVE ME THE EXPERIENCE I NEED SO THAT SOME DAY I TOO WILL BE QUALIFIED TO JOIN THE RANKS ALL RIGHT HE SAID STOP SHOVELLING ON WHILE I CAN STILL BREATHE AN IRISHMAN WHO LIVED AT MARKDALE HAD A LITTLE PIG SHE SAID AND HE GAVE IT A PAILFUL OF MUSH THE PIG ATE THE WHOLE PAILFUL AND THEN THE IRISHMAN PUT THE PIG IN THE PAIL AND IT DIDN'T FILL MORE THAN HALF THE PAIL NOW HOW WAS THAT WHEN IT HELD A WHOLE PAILFUL OF MUSH JONAS CAME OVER THE HILL WHISTLING AS IF HE HAD NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD WHICH IS NOT EVEN APPROXIMATELY TRUE HE REFLECTED HAPPILY THE STATE OF COMPLETE AND UTTER QUIET WAS BOTH FOREIGN AND SLIGHTLY REPUGNANT TO HIM HE WAS NEVER MORE PLEASED THAN WHEN HE HAD A JOB IN HAND A JOB THAT INVOLVED A SLIGHT AND UNAVOIDABLE RISK THIS TIME OF COURSE THE RISK WAS MORE THAN SLIGHT MY OWN DEAREST CECILY RAN SARA'S LETTER I HAVE JUST HEARD THE SAD NEWS ABOUT POOR DEAR PETER I CAN'T DESCRIBE MY FEELINGS THEY ARE DREADFUL I HAVE BEEN CRYING ALL THE AFTERNOON I WISH I COULD FLY TO YOU BUT MA WILL NOT LET ME +a70b4bae-ffc4-4d56-bf6f-9e2fdd534c72 I UNSIPPED THE FRONT OF MY CAMELFLAGE SUIT AND PULLED OUT THE BLUE PRINTS UNDER THE PLASTER SKIN AND FEDERATION SECURITY MEN WOULD BE EVEN TOUGHER GARF TURNED TO THE JUDGE'S INVENTION AND STARTED TO SHOW SOME GENUINE INTEREST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE HAD SHOWED UP AND MEANT ENEMY CAN'T YOU IMAGINE THE FUND THE POLITICIANS MY MA MEA SEEMED TO US THAT THERE WAS IN THE ORCHARD SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ORCHARDS THAT WE HAD KNOWN WE COULD SEE THE LONG ROWS OF TREES A AND WHEN HE LAUGHED HIS LAUGHTER WAS STILL MORE DREADFUL +a7427547-1465-4c2e-810d-9e791af1d7f4 AUNT JANE USED TO SAY IF A MAN DIDN'T HAVE HEADS AND STICK TO THEM HE'D GO WANDERING ALL OVER THE BIBLE AND NEVER GET ANYWHERE IN PARTICULAR POSSIBLY NIGHT HAD BROUGHT COUNSEL TO JERRY COUN CLEAR WINDLESS FROSTY THE WARDER POINTED TO THE DARK FLOOD THAT ROLLED UNDER THE BRIDGE LIKE A BURNED OUT RESISTER OR A SHORTED CONDENSER WHEN HE OPENED THEM HE WAS STARING AT THE MILKY WAY AT LEAST THAT'S THE WAY THE REPORT WILL AID SO THEY LEFT THE PATH THEY HAD BEEN FOLLOWING AND BEGAN TO TRAVEL TOWARD THE NORTHEAST IF THAT IS TRUE HOW IS THE WICKED WITCH DESTROYED +a74721e8-082f-45f0-842f-025e0d761368 A CLASS FIVE CULTURE AND TO CHECK IT THEY MUST BREAK A PRIME RULE OF GALACTIC PROTOCOL IN ASKING THE HELP OF A NEW AND UNTESTED SPECIES I'VE THOUGHT OF A GREAT PENANCE SAID CECILY EAGERLY BUT FELICITY WOULD NOT WALK WITH A BAREFOOTED COMPANION IN SPITE OF PRAYERS AND HEROIC ATTEMPTS FELIX COULD NEVER GET BEYOND THAT LAST BITE THIS IS MY OWN MISFORTUNE AND I WOULD RATHER SUFFER IT WHICH ONE OF MY FRIENDS DID YOU MANAGE TO EAT +a7524d7a-7519-42a8-b080-ded7b6dc51d0 TWILL BE A BONNY SWIRL ON THE BAY ERE LONG I BUT WHERE THE STORY GIRL LED WE WOULD FOLLOW TO THE DEATH I'M AFRAID IT'S ALL UP WITH PAT HE SAID I HAD MISSED THE OBVIOUS FACT BEING CARRIED AWAY BY THE THOUGHT OF A PLANETARY GOVERNMENT BUILDING A WARSHIP MURR SPOKE A FEW WORDS INTO HIS PHONE AND THE JOB WAS DONE WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU FRID DOING UP AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT HE SAID ANGRILY SHE DEARLY LOVED TO TAKE HER EYES OUT OF FELICITY NOW AND THEN BRANDON COULD HEAR TOWER'S VOICE IN A VORTEX OF DARKNESS HE REMEMBERED THE RUSSIAN REPORTS OF THE WEIRD AND DEADLY CREATURES THEY HAD ENCOUNTERED IN THE MARTIAN DESERTS +a7c636e2-aedd-4540-9da1-b7374d11c534 I CAN'T CRY SHE SAID DREARILY I WISH I COULD I'VE A DREADFUL FEELING HERE SHE TOUCHED HER SLENDER THROAT AND IF I COULD CRY I THINK IT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER BUT I CAN'T GOOD LUCK I MEANT THAT ABOUT DIVING IN FOR YOU JUST SAY THE WORD I KNOW THE WORD TOO SAID ORNE HELP GRAY MUD FLOOR AND GLOOMY AISLES BETWEEN MONSTROUS BLUISH TREE TRUNKS THAT WAS THE JUNGLE TO HAVE A WEIRD CREATURE WITH SUPERHUMAN POWERS AND AN IMPOSSIBLE PIT MONSTER ADDED TO THE CREW WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH HIS MOUTH TWISTED POOR DEFENCELESS EARTH CREATURES HOW WAS I TO KNOW THEY COULDN'T SWIM PAN FOLLOWED HER CLATTERING AND BELLOWING TERRIBLY BUT IN A FEW MINUTES SHE RUSHED INTO GLAUCON'S ARMS +a7d5d161-044b-44ad-b13d-51cb7ed623b4 DONKEY A JACK WERE TOO STUPID YEN LORDA DE NOSER MOTE I WON'T HAVE TIME TO READ IT ALL THROUGH I SUPPOSE HE SAID BUT I'LL GET ALONG AS FAR AS I CAN IT'S JUST LIKE A DRESS ONLY IT HASN'T SLEEVES BUT THE STORY GIRL LOOKED AS IF SHE RATHER SYMPATHIZED WITH DAN A COOL AUTUMNAL WIND WAS WHISTLING AMONG THE DARK BOUGHS AND SCATTERING BLOOD RED LEAVES FROM THE MAPLE AT THE END OF THE GRANARY I WISH I COULD UNDERSTAND IT IT IS VERY EVIDENT THAT WE NEED FEAR THESE PUFFED UP CREATURES NO LONGER +a802478b-e642-4056-b740-2fba4cf44e56 IT BLEW A NICE HOLE IN THE FLOOR WITH A GREAT SHOW OF NOISE AND SMOKE THE FIRST LIZARD KNEW I WAS TALKING SINCE THEN AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED A MEETING OF THE SHAMMANS IT OF COURSE TOOK PLACE IN THE PUBLIC BATH TUB AND I HAD TO JOIN THEM THERE SO MARSHALL CERTIFIED THEM AND SENT THEM INTO WASHINGTON THIS GAVE HIGH PLANES THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE OF ANY CITY IN THE NATION BUT IT WAS CHALLENGED MISSUS RAY NOW APPEARED LOOKING FOR SARA AND SAID SHE WOULD STAY ALL NIGHT WITH US I'LL BE MUCH OBLIGED TO YOU IF YOU WILL SAID UNCLE ROGER I FEEL A BIT SHOOK OF COURSE HE WAS INFERIOR TO HER IN EVERY WAY AND SHE WOULDN'T THINK OF MARRYING HIM OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT EVEN HIS INFERIORITY WAS INTERESTING IN A WAY +a843e055-8fbb-4602-8c57-afdfcfefaa50 ALL THE BOARD GUARDS HAD A GREAT TIME WITH THE SIRENS LIGHTS ACCELERATORS ON THE FLOOR AND THAT SORT OF THING WE BLASTED SCREAMING WHOLE THROUGH THE NIGHT RIGHT TO THE SPACE YARD AND THROUGH THE GATE IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WE WERE STILL TOO LATE A UNIFORM WATCHMAN FRANTICALLY WAVED TO US AND THE WHOLE CONVOY JERKED TO A STOP THE SHIP WAS GONE YES HE DID I SAID IN DISGUST FOR I WAS BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT BILLY AND HIS MAGIC SEED WERE ARRANT FRAUDS WHAT FOR YOUR MOUTH IS A DECENT SIZE SAID DAN BUT OH I WISH THAT CLOCK WOULD STRIKE TWO CAN'T YOU TELL A STORY TO PASS THE TIME SLAVE CULTURE PROBABLY +a84e82f8-99f8-43db-ad47-c5065ae52ecf I KIND OF WISH I'D BEEN BORN AN INJUN SAID DAN NOT EVEN FAITH AND WORKS IN COMBINATION COULD AVAIL WHEN BRANDON OPENED HIS EYES HE WAS STARING AT THE SILVERY DISKS OF THE TWIN MOONS RELAX TAKE IT EASY THE DOCTOR'S PEN PAUSED OVER THE CHART ON HIS DESK WHY NOT SAID THE STORY GIRL WITH A FLASH OF HER EYES WE COULD NOT THAT WAS VERY CERTAIN NOW THAT IT WAS LIFTED JEFF WAS DISLODGED INSTANTLY AND SANK LIKE A STONE AND IS READY TO BE RELIEVED OF IT CHAFFEE FOUR PROJECTED HIMSELF FIRST TO THE OPENED PORT +a86bb059-1f5f-4ae5-a9a9-a262fd212d83 THE PRINCE OF WALES WAS IN CHARLOTTETOWN ONCE SAID PETER MY AUNT JANE SAW HIM QUITE CLOSE BY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE IT HERE SHE LAUGHED AGAIN OH THE ROEBOT STETSON NODDED THANKS TO BULL ONE IN COMPANY WE'RE JUST ONE JUMP AHEAD OF CATASTROPHE BUT THEY STILL PUMP THE BOURGEOIS INTO THE RAW BOYS BACK AT DEAR OLD EUNUCH GALACTICA YOU'RE MAKING LIGHT OF MY REVERED ALMA MATER SAID ORAN HE STRUCK A POSE OH PERHAPS WE WON'T HAVE THEM SAID THE STORY GIRL CHEERFULLY PETER CAUGHT THEM AT MARKDALE THE LAST TIME HE WAS HOME HIS MOTHER SAYS I DON'T WANT TO CATCH THE MEASLES FROM PETER SAID FELICITY DECIDEDLY FANCY CATCHING THEM FROM A HIRED BOY +a8af4075-2093-4846-8fc2-e8a9bc345513 OVER IT THE QUEER PAGODA LIKE ROOF BUILT BY UNCLE STEPHEN ON HIS RETURN FROM A VOYAGE TO CHINA WAS COVERED WITH YET LEAFLESS VINES I WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THE STORY GIRL HONESTLY I THOUGHT IT WAS A BELL WHEN I HEARD IT AND THE DOOR OPEN TOO LET US BE FAIR FELICITY NOT THAT IT MADE ANY DIFFERENCE TO HER SHE IGNORED EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING BUT THE FEASTMAN GLARING AT HIM ANGRILY SHE SNAPPED OUT HIS NAME IN AN ICY VOICE GARF DOOR HE HAD SMALL ALMOST HIDDEN EYES THAT SEEMED TO SEE A GREAT DEAL THAT FAILED COMPLETELY TO MAKE A FUSS ABOUT THE FACT AND WHILE HIS FIGURE WAS JUST A TRIFLE DUMPY HIS FACE COMPLETED THE RHYME BY BEING EXTRAORDINARILY LUMPY THE NOSE AS A MATTER OF STRICT TRUTH WAS HARD TO DISTINGUISH FROM THE OTHER CONTUSIONS SWELLINGS AND MARKS THAT COVERED THE HEAD +a8cad772-e515-4748-b6f8-22c601f50739 SHE DREW HER ARROW TO HER EYE ALAS SHE KNEW THE ART ONLY TOO WELL WE WENT TO SCHOOL BAREFOOT AT ALL JUNE ARGUED THAT WICKED STORY GIRL WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOING TO THE SCHOOL HOUSE BAREFOOTED IN THE DAYTIME AND GOING IN THE EVENING THE MIDGET WAS MAD THE ANIMAL HAD MORE PRESENCE OF MIND SHE LAY DOWN QUIETLY AND DIED WHICH WAS THE BEST SHE COULD DO CONSIDERING THE STATE THAT SHE WAS IN WE DID NOT KNOW HER AT ALL UNDER THAT NAME +a8e88163-1277-4edf-89f8-201f41a4456e NOW I HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU ARE TOO CLOSE A THING THAT SIZE COULDN'T CRACK A WALNUT ONE ELSE NO MANOEL NO ONLY THE PEOPLE NO TROUBLE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL HER EYES WERE DARK AND SOFT HER FOOT WAS AS LIGHT AS A BREEZE AND HER VOICE SOUNDED LIKE A BROOK IN THE WOODS OR THE WIND THAT COMES OVER THE HILLS AT NIGHT THE CEREMIAN VANISHED THERE WAS A SLITHERING SOUND IN THE DISTANCE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A MOUNTAIN IN MOTION AND WITH IT A STERTOROUS GRUNTING THAT ALL BUT DROWNED OUT THE ZID'S CRIES SOMETHING NUDGED THE COTTAGE WITH A FORCE THAT ALL BUT KNOCKED IT FLAT I THINK SHE WAS A VERY NICE GIRL SAID ROOT THE WANDERER BUT TELL ME PLEASE WHY WERE YOU NOT KILLED WHEN YOU WERE CHOPPED TO PIECES +a8ea0653-abc6-4a15-8a00-6e5eb1806574 ENGINE TROUBLE SIR LOSING ALTITUDE FAST MIGHT HAVE THROWN A COMPRESSOR BLADE THE DOCTOR LOOKED UP QUIZZICALLY SOME DAY THE MYSTERY OF HOW HE HAD SLIPPED THROUGH THE SCREEN OF OFFICIAL TESTING WOULD HAVE TO BE INVESTIGATED MOISTLY WHILE HE DRAINED THE GLASS WE FOUND PETER SHELLING BEANS IN THE GRANARY AND WHISTLING CHEERILY AS WITH A CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENCE TOWARDS ALL MEN I REALIZED HOW DEEPLY HE FELT ON THE SUBJECT AND HOPED HE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL I DON'T CARE IF THE JOKE IS AS MUCH ON MYSELF AS ANY ONE A STORY IS A STORY NO MATTER WHO IT'S ON BUT IT IS HATEFUL TO BE LAUGHED AT AND GROWN UPS ALWAYS DO IT +a8f29d1d-a11c-469f-bb97-3711b4ad2c25 IT CAUSED MUTATIONS THAT BRED TRUE A CITY WAS BUILT AROUND THE TEMPLE AND THROUGH THE CENTURIES THE PYRAMID WAS PUT UP AROUND THE BEACON A SPECIAL BRANCH OF THE PRIESTHOOD SERVED THE TEMPLE ALL WENT WELL UNTIL ONE OF THE PRIESTS VIOLATED THE TEMPLE AND DESTROYED THE HOLY WATERS HIS SENSE OF LOSS AT SATTERFIELD'S GRIM NOD STEMMED FROM SOMETHING DEEPER THAN SYMPATHY FOR THE ISLANDERS SHE FELL QUIET REMEMBERING THE ZID AND HE MADE HIS CALL AUBREY CHAIN ONE FORTY SEVEN COME IN CONSULATE BUT IF THE STORY GIRL COULD NOT DREAM ANYTHING MORE WONDERFUL THAN THE REST OF US SHE SCORED WHEN IT CAME TO THE TELLING TO HEAR HER TELL A DREAM WAS SO GOOD OR AS BAD AS DREAMING IT YOURSELF AS FAR AS WRITING THEM DOWN WAS CONCERNED I BELIEVED THAT I BEVERLY KING CARRIED OFF THE PALM TO ORAN THE WEIGHT WAS STILL ONLY ABOUT TWICE THAT OF HIS HOME PLANET OF CHARGE ON HE REACHED OVER TOOK THE RIFLE FOUND THE SAFETY BELTS BOUND TO NOBE WITH HIM THEN HE EASED OFF THE ACCELERATION +a9200cf8-8621-4134-9885-3a69bf2a5b30 SINCE IT WAS STILL DAYLIGHT I DIDN'T TAKE A HELLY BUT RENTED A GROUND CAR INSTEAD WE HAD A LEISURELY DRIVE OUT INTO THE COUNTRY AND REACHED PRESIDENT FERRA'S HOUSE AFTER DARK I COULD HARDLY SUPPORT MY OWN WEIGHT MY LEGS WERE TREMBLING WITH THE BURDEN SWEAT BROKE OUT OVER MY WHOLE BODY THE RAYS OF LIGHT BEAT DOWN UPON ME FIERCELY AND OVERPOWERINGLY THIS RAISED A BUZZ OF CONVERSATION BEHIND ME BUT GOT NO RISE OUT OF THE CHIEF HE SANK SLOWLY INTO THE WATER UNTIL ONLY HIS EYES WERE SHOWING I COULD ALMOST HEAR THE WHEELS TURNING BEHIND THAT MOSS COVERED FOREHEAD THEN HE LUNGED UP AND POINTED A DRIPPING FINGER AT ME I DON'T LIKE THIS INVISIBLE COUNTRY SAID HOO WITH A SHUDDER YOU CAN'T TELL HOW MANY DREADFUL INVISIBLE BEASTS ARE ROAMING AROUND US OR WHAT DANGER WE'LL COME TO NEXT +a924cb3d-0792-497d-b6b0-ac2a9844468d SHE LAUGHED ALL HER SUITORS TO SCORN HE IS A MINISTER SO OF COURSE I KNEW HE SPOKE THE TRUTH IT WAS A VERY BEAUTIFUL VEIL DOCTOR GREYOR PATTED CECILY ON THE HEAD TOLD HER SHE WAS A LITTLE BRICK AND HAD DONE JUST THE RIGHT THING EXAMINED SOME OF THE FATAL BERRIES AND GAVE IT AS HIS OPINION THAT THEY WERE PROBABLY POISONOUS ADMINISTERED SOME POWDERS TO DAN AND ADVISED HIM NOT TO TAMPER WITH FORBIDDEN FRUIT IN THE FUTURE AND WENT AWAY BEFORE THAT THEY'RE JUST PLAIN HEATHEN PETER AND THE STORY GIRL CERTAINLY HAD A SECRET BETWEEN THEM I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW I DO IT SAID THE STORY GIRL PERPLEXEDLY IT JUST DOES ITSELF NECK CHOPPER THERE I FINALLY GOT TOGETHER A VERY DECENT BODY AM NOT AT ALL WISE I BEG TO ASSURE YOUR MAJESTY +a9639a5c-9e1a-4d55-a352-0bf608121d4d HE WOULD NOT LOOK AT CECILY BUT EVERYONE ELSE HAD FORGIVEN HER THE STORY GIRL LEANED THAT BROWN HEAD OF HERS AGAINST THE FIR TRUNK BEHIND HER AND LOOKED UP AT THE APPLE GREEN SKY THROUGH THE DARK BOUGHS ABOVE US THE ORCHARD DOESN'T SEEM THE SAME PLACE BY MOONLIGHT AT ALL SAID THE STORY GIRL DREAMILY IT'S LOVELY BUT IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN I WAS VERY SMALL I USED TO BELIEVE THE FAIRIES DANCED IN IT ON MOONLIGHT NIGHTS I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE IT NOW BUT I CAN'T THAT WILL BE SATTERFIELD AND HIS TASK FOR US JEFF TOLD THE COFFEES I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FIND YOURSELVES IN AN ARGUMENT OVER THAT MATTER OF SQUEEZING TERRA OUT OF THE CRYSTAL TRADE THEY REASSURED HIM SOLEMNLY SHE WAS PLUMP AND DIMPLED WITH BIG DARK BLUE HEAVY LIDDED EYES SOFT FEATHERY GOLDEN CURLS AND A PINK AND WHITE SKIN THE KING COMPLEXION THE KINGS WERE NOTED FOR THEIR NOSES AND COMPLEXION +a96f9acf-13b3-4c89-b6c4-52094b16a2f4 SO OF COURSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY DREAMS THE GROWN UPS WERE AWAY THAT EVENING ATTENDING A LECTURE AT MARKDALE THE EN THREE WENT DOWN BY A FREIGHT ELEVATOR I USED A BACK STAIRS AND WE MET IN THE STREET I SHUFFLED THE MEAGRE FINDINGS CONTROLLED MY IMPATIENCE AND KEPT THE SHIP'S SIMON BUSY PULLING IN ALL THE REPORTS OF ANY KIND OF TROUBLE IN SPACE YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN YOUR BEDS TWO HOURS AGO THE VERY THING I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT I'LL GET SOME AFTER BREAKFAST I'M NOT GOING TO EAT A SINGLE THING ALL DAY EXCEPT BREAD AND WATER AND NOT MUCH OF THAT WELL OF COURSE THAT'S PRETTY OLD ADMITTED PETER BUT SHE MIGHT FIND SOME ONE WHO WOULDN'T MIND THAT SEEING SHE'S SO PRETTY +a97eb5ad-580d-41d1-aee1-649d645db03c HE ASKED THEY LOOKED AND SAW WHAT SEEMED TO BE A FLIGHT OF STEPS CARVED FROM STONE OLD AND WORN STARTING ABRUPTLY JUST BELOW THE WATER LEVEL AND LEADING DOWNWARD THERE WAS NOTHING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STEPS OR UNDERNEATH THEM AS FAR AS COULD BE SEEN BUT ORDINARY OCEAN I CAME UP THOSE GAR SAID FARMER STARED AND RAY STARED THEN THE COMPANY PASSED THROUGH IT IN GREAT HASTE ALL FIRED WITH A DESIRE TO BE THE FIRST TO DRINK OF THE FOUNTAIN AND WIN SO MARVELLOUS A BOON LAST OF ALL CAME VING HE HAD LINGERED BEHIND TO PLUCK A THORN FROM THE FOOT OF A BEGGAR CHILD HE HAD MET ON THE HIGHWAY AND HE HAD NOT HEARD THE WARDER'S WORDS PETER DAN FELIX CECILY FELICITY SARA RAY THE STORY GIRL THEY ARE ALL AROUND ME ONCE MORE IN THE SWEET SCENTED FADING GRASSES EACH WITH OPEN DREAM BOOKS AND PENCIL IN HAND NOW WRITING BUSILY NOW STARING FIXEDLY INTO SPACE IN SEARCH OF SOME ELUSIVE WORD OR PHRASE WHICH MIGHT BEST DESCRIBE THE INDESCRIBABLE MAYBE THEY USED TO ONCE BUT NOW THEY WEAR HATS THE CROWNS ARE JUST FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS THEY LOOK VERY MUCH LIKE OTHER PEOPLE IF YOU CAN GO BY THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS I DON'T BELIEVE IT WOULD BE MUCH FUN AS A STEADY THING SAID CECILY I'D LIKE TO SEE A QUEEN THOUGH THAT IS ONE THING I HAVE AGAINST THE ISLAND YOU NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THINGS LIKE THAT HERE THE PRINCE OF WALES WAS IN CHARLOTTETOWN ONCE SAID PETER MY AUNT JANE SAW HIM QUITE CLOSE BY +a989b669-1a49-4ea0-a328-816a4d7f3c07 PRAIRIE DOGS CAN'T WRITE AS GOOD AS ON THAT LIST PRAIRIE DOGS CAN'T WRITE HARDLY AT ALL THAT'S TRUE THE LIST IS HARD TO EXPLAIN AND SUCH ODD NAMES ON IT TOO BUT TO WHOM COULD WE APPEAL UNCLE ALEC WAS AWAY AND WOULD NOT BE BACK UNTIL LATE THAT NIGHT NEITHER AUNT JANET NOR UNCLE ROGER WERE PEOPLE TO WHOM WE CARED TO APPLY IN SUCH A CRISIS WE WERE AFRAID OF THE JUDGMENT DAY BUT WE WERE ALMOST EQUALLY AFRAID OF BEING LAUGHED AT INTO HIS EARS CAME STETSON'S VOICE BETTER ADMIT IT THAT'S TRUE SAID HORN I LIKE YOURN SAID TO NEWBE YOU SHALL BE ONE OF MY SLAVES YOU WILL TEACH ME MANY THINGS FARMER CHANGED HIS MIND AGAIN ABOUT RAY'S BEING CRACKED LISTEN HE SAID THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO HIS MIND DIDN'T YOU SAY YOU RENTED THIS BOAT FOR THE FIRST TIME TO DAY HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THING DOESN'T LEAK +a99989f2-0ac9-4a86-8f8a-5d704ae72437 HOWEVER MUMBLED THE SCARECROW WE ARE NOT TO BLAME FOR WHAT CANNOT BE HELPED SO LET US PUSH BRAVELY AHEAD AND SEE WHAT MAY BE SEEN THE FIRST PERSON WE SAW IN THE CHURCH PORCH WAS MISSUS RAY SHE TOLD US THAT SARA HAD NOTHING WORSE THAN A FEVERISH COLD THE MISSIONARY HAD AT LEAST SEVEN HAPPY LISTENERS THAT NIGHT WE ALL WERE GLAD THAT SARA DID NOT HAVE MEASLES AND THE STORY GIRL WAS RADIANT AT FIRST WE WERE APPALLED BY THE SITUATION WE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT PEG BOWEN WAS A WITCH BUT TO GO TO HER TO SEEK HER OUT IN THAT MYSTERIOUS WOODLAND RETREAT OF HERS WHICH WAS INVESTED WITH ALL THE TERRORS OF THE UNKNOWN AND THAT THIS SUGGESTION SHOULD COME FROM TIMID CECILY OF ALL PEOPLE I'VE ALREADY CALLED THE SPACEPORT IN YOUR NAME OF COURSE I TOLD HIM ORDER THE FAST CORRER SHIP I'LL LEAVE WITHIN THE HOUR +a9b55750-8af7-4e8e-96f8-a2ecb841fc42 BEFORE THE WEDDING HE HAD FENCED OFF THE BIG SOUTH MEADOW THAT SLOPED TO THE SUN IT WAS THE FINEST MOST FERTILE FIELD ON THE FARM AND THE NEIGHBOURS TOLD YOUNG ABRAHAM KING THAT HE WOULD RAISE MANY A FINE CROP OF WHEAT IN THAT MEADOW THERE HE IS NOW CRIED DAN WAVING EXCITEDLY FROM THE WINDOW HE'S CARRYING A FISH BASKET SAID FELICITY YOU SURELY DON'T SUPPOSE HE WOULD BRING THAT PICTURE IN A FISH BASKET IT WAS MORE THAN VAST THE THING MUST WEIGH JEFF THOUGHT DIZZILY THOUSANDS OR MAYBE MILLIONS OF TONS DO YOU WANT THAT DEVIL TEARING THE CABIN DOWN AROUND US SHE FELL QUIET REMEMBERING THE ZID AND HE MADE HIS CALL BILLIONAIRE TO FOUND HOME WILD SPACE YACHT FILLED WITH LUXURIES TO LAST A HUNDRED YEARS THE CAPTAIN'S FACE GREW RED AS HE FLIPPED THROUGH THE STACK OF NOTES WHAT CONNECTION DOES THIS TRIPE HAVE WITH CATCHING THOSE MURDERERS +aa10556c-431e-48a7-83e6-eb78f0c54509 THE OFFICE DOORS WERE OPEN WHEN WE GOT THERE THE SHIP ON THE WAYS STILL RESEMBLED A WARSHIP TO SIX PLACES BY ITS LIGHT WE WILL CONTINUE I'M NOT ALONE THERE ARE OTHERS LISTENING TO EVERY WORD WE SAY BETTER TO DIE THAN BE SLAVES SAID TO NEWBE OH SEE HERE IF YOU'RE GOING TO INTERRUPT AND ARGUE OVER EVERYTHING WE'LL NEVER GET THE STORY TOLD SAID FELIX DRY UP ALL OF YOU AND LET THE STORY GIRL GO ON YOU AND ME WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT TILL WE WERE GROWN UP WOULD WE OF COURSE PETER BEING A CRAIG HAS HIS FAULTS BUT HE'S A SMART BOY +aa1bf5db-40d3-47e4-b518-ce0784ce05a8 I WAS BORN HERE SAID THE TIN WOODMAN BUT THE FOREST HAS FEW INHABITANTS EXCEPT THE WILD BEASTS I CANNOT THINK OF ANYONE LIVING NEAR HERE BUT WITH WHOM NIMMY AMY MIGHT CARE TO LIVE WHY NOT GO TO CUT CLIP AND ASK HIM WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE GIRL PETER IS A REAL SMART BOY SHE SAID TO ME IT'S SUCH A PITY HE'S A HIRED BOY BUT IF WE COULD NOT PASS THE ORDEAL WE GOT ANY AMOUNT OF FUN OUT OF IT AT LEAST EVENING AFTER EVENING THE ORCHARD RE ECHOED TO OUR PEALS OF LAUGHTER PUFFING ON IT STARING AT THE SMOOTH BULKHEAD RELAXED ME A BIT AFTER ALL THERE AREN'T THAT MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A BATTLESHIP YOU CAN'T RUN A BIG CON BLOW SAVES OR MAKE BOMMERDECKS WITH IT IT'S HELL'S ON JET FOR SPACE PIRACY BUT THAT'S ABOUTABLE GREAT GREAT BUT WHY A BATTLESHIP THE STORY GIRL WAS IN GREAT FETTLE THAT NIGHT NEVER HAD HER TAILS SPARKLED WITH SUCH WIT AND ARCHNESS +aa367ef0-3c4e-4d7c-a384-853f206ebf0d WHY NOT SAID THE STORY GIRL WITH A FLASH OF HER EYES INDEED I SHALL I'LL TELL STORIES AS LONG AS I'VE A TONGUE TO TALK WITH OR ANYONE TO LISTEN I DOUBTLESS THAT DAUNTLESS BIRTH WOULD SOAR TRIUMPHANTLY ABOVE THE WRECK OF MATTER AND THE CRASH OF WORLDS TAKING WITH IT ALL ITS OWN WILD SWEETNESS AND DARING THE STRONG HANDS MOVED ON THE TABLE TOP IT IS A MATTER OF INDIFFERENCE TO MEONA SAID BUT THE WEIGHT BECOMES BORING AFTER A TIME KUFF'S EYEBROWS WERE WHITE UP BORING IS HARDLY THE WORD OTHERS WOULD USE I AM NOT LIKE OTHERS YONAH SAID HE WISHED FOR CLARETON SUDDENLY BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO REACH HIM SAFELY ORNE FOUGHT DOWN A SUDDEN PANIC THE LIPLESS MOUTH HAD LOOKED SO ODD FORMING THE FAMILIAR WORDS I HAD VERY LITTLE SITTING DOWN PATIENCE ANYWAY AND IT HAD BEEN LONG SINCE EXHAUSTED +aa465e1c-c0b6-4ff5-80dd-2f80a43f4741 WE AIN'T SAID FELICITY INDIGNANTLY I'M NEVER GOING TO GET MARRIED I THINK IT'S JUST HORRID SO THERE I GUESS YOU THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD DEAL HORRID OR NOT TO BE SAID DAN IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU'RE MARRIED TOO SAID CECILY GRAVELY SEEING THAT FELICITY DISDAINED REPLY THEY SUPPOSED HE HAD SEEN HIM THROUGH THE WINDOW BEFORE HE CAME INTO THE HOUSE AND GUESSED HE MUST HAVE BEEN IN THE CLOSET BUT THERE WAS NO WAY FOR HIM TO GET OUT OF THE ROOM I MUST HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT DOOR WITHOUT BREAKING A STEP QUIET AS I WAS THOUGH INSKIPT STILL HEARD ME THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE HE WAS SITTING UP IN BED POINTING A POINT SEVEN CALIBI ROYALUS AT MY STERN YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE BRAINS THAN THAT DAGREES HE SNARLED CREEPING INTO MY ROOM AT NIGHT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN SHOT SARA RAY IS AT HIS LEFT THERE IS SELDOM ANYTHING TO BE SAID OF SARA EXCEPT TO TELL WHERE SHE IS LIKE TENNYSON'S MAUD IN ONE RESPECT AT LEAST SARA IS SPLENDIDLY NULL +aa4db479-199c-49f6-8d79-67a569751d99 WHEN FELICITY RETURNED WE CONCLUDED FROM HER EXPRESSION THAT SHE HAD NEWS AND SHE HAD CECILY HAD BUT ONE MORE SHOT IN HER LOCKER I THOUGHT YOU SAID IN YOUR SERMON MASTER PETER THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T FIGHT I SAID THEY OUGHT TO NOT FIGHT FOR FUN OR FOR BAD TEMPER RETORTED PETER THIS IS DIFFERENT I KNOW WHAT I'M FIGHTING FOR BUT I CAN'T THINK OF THE WORD YOU MUST HAVE IMAGINED IT PETER OR ELSE UNCLE ROGER IS TRYING TO FOOL US YOUR UNCLE ROGER WENT TO MARKDDVILLE RIGHT AFTER MILKING SAID PETER HE LOCKED UP THE HOUSE AND GAVE ME THE KEY I WISH I'D MADE UP MY MIND BEFORE THIS WHETHER TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST DO YOU SUPPOSE IT'S TOO LATE NOW NO THAT DOESN'T MATTER SAID CERTILY EARNESTLY IF IF YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN PETER THAT'S ALL THAT'S NECESSARY +aa5aa667-3b9e-441f-9fff-22a60e434ac1 WHAT CONNECTION DOES THIS TRIPE HAVE WITH CATCHING THOSE MURDERERS THE PLAN THAT SEEMED SO CLEAR AND LOGICAL NOW BEGAN TO LOOK LIKE A PATCHED AND CRAZY MAKESHIFT IN THE MORNING AND AT DINNER TIME AND AT NIGHT AND BESIDES THAT ANY TIME THROUGH THE DAY WHEN HE HAPPENS TO THINK OF IT HE JUST PRAYS STANDING UP WE HAD NOT PASSED A VERY PLEASANT WEEK SARA RAY CRIED UNTIL I WONDERED HOW ONE SMALL HEAD COULD CONTAIN ALL THE TEARS SHE SHED AT TWO O'CLOCK IN IN THE AFTERNOON IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE HOW BIG THEY ARE NOR THE DENAY THEY GOT MARSHALL THERE HE WAS VERY BUSY BUT HE CAME +aa6ebae7-fec4-4226-a8d1-0eda4945bc24 IF THE STORY GIRL LAUGHED AT PETER THE MILLS OF THE GODS GROUND OUT HIS REVENGE FOR HIM IN MID AFTERNOON BUT TWO THINGS WERE CLEAR TO ME OLD LAW OF SIMPLE PHYSICS IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN INTERRUPTED VIC HIS COPY OF THE ENTERPRISE WAS STICKING OUT OF HIS POCKET REMAINED A DEAD SECRET BETWEEN THE PARTIES OF THE FIRST AND THE SECOND PART FOREVER HIS IDEA WAS TO SEIZE HER CHAIR AND PULL IT OUT BY THE ROOTS THE TINSMITH MADE ME TIN ARM AND I WAS NOT MUCH WORRIED BECAUSE NIMMY AMY DECLARED SHE STILL LOVED ME +aa897ed4-bb7c-4c6a-992c-e7640787edaf WE CAN SHOW WRITTEN TITLE TO THE WORLD CAN YOU A KIND MAN REALLY LEFT THE DARKER GREEN STRIPE OF SAFE CHANNEL AND PLUNGED INTO WATER TOO SHALLOW FOR HER DRAUGHT WE MUST GIVE VIC A HAND MUSTN'T WE H THERE WERE ONLY THREE MORE CARTRIDGES LEFT IN MY GUN AND I DID NOT DARE REPLACE THE FIRED SHELLS FOR FEAR THEY WOULD RUSH ME WHEN THE ACTION WAS OPEN AND THE GUN MOMENTARILY USELESS I HAD A HOT PROSPECT LINED UP FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAT MORNING BUT HE DID CARE TERRIBLY HE WAS A LEAN FRECKLED FELLOW AND THE SHAPELY KING NOSE +aa948930-5eee-41e2-90f6-94fb26fcd051 SETANUVO SECOND PLANET OF A BEE STAR AND CORONA BOREALIS NOR THE COLONIZED PLANETS IN THE SYSTEM CRIED THE EMPEROR OF THE WINKIES HOW CARELESS OF ME NOT TO REMEMBER THAT WANDERERS ARE USUALLY HUNGRY I WILL HAVE FOOD BROUGHT TO YOU AT ONCE SAYING THIS HE BLEW UPON A TIN WHISTLE THAT WAS SUSPENDED FROM HIS TIN NECK AND AT THE SUMMONS A SERVANT APPEARED AND BOWED LOW WE ROSE IN A BODY AND RUSHED TOWARDS THE HOUSE IN THE YARD WE ENCOUNTERED DAN EMERGING FROM THE FIR WOOD AND CHOPPING THE FATAL BERRIES WITH UNREPENTANT RELISH NEIL WOULD HAVE THE LAUGH ON ME THEN SURE HE'S SLEEPIN WELL AND THE SNOW IS COMING SOON TWILL BE A BONNY SWIRL ON THE BAY ERE LONG I HOPE NO HARM WILL COME TO THE LAD IF HE STARTS TO CROSS WHEN HE WAKES HE'LL BE IN SUCH A FINE HIGHLAND TEMPER THAT HE'LL NEVER STOP TO THINK OF DANGER +aaa7dac5-1edd-4347-96dc-0d2dc201fb78 UNHAPPINESS SHE TOLD HERSELF WAS HER PORTION IN THIS LIFE HE GRIMACED IN THE DARKNESS I PERMIT KENNEFF SAID OUR AUNT FELICITY WAS DEAD FOR IT WAS LIKE TO NO MOUTH ON EITHER THE KING OR THE WARD SIDE AUNT OLIVIA SAYS CHILDREN SHOULD JUST BE LET COME UP THAT EVERYTHING ELSE IS SETTLED FOR THEM LONG BEFORE THEY ARE BORN SHE WAS SITTING THE JULY SUNLIGHT ON THE LEDGE OF THE OPEN HAYLOFT WINDOW IN UNCLE ROGER'S BIG BARN +aab156a6-bdc6-4c54-8c1b-75c331b572f7 SUDDENLY SARAH BEGAN TO CRY OH OH OH DOES GOD LOOK LIKE THAT SHE WAILED SARA STANLEY REBUKED FELICITY I SHOULD THINK YOU WOULDN'T SAY SUCH THINGS AT SUCH A SOLEMN TIME YOU'RE SUCH A QUEER GIRL AND SO CLARTON THOUGHT THE JOB WAS ACCOMPLISHED NATURALLY YANAS THOUGHT CLARTON'S THOUGHT HAD AN OVERTONE OF WEARINESS THERE IS NO NEED TO BE SMUG HE TOLD YANAS AFTER ALL YOU DID NOT DO THE JOB YOURSELF WE SOLUED FROM OUR OBSERVATION STATION OVER ON THE HILL SAID THE OTHER POINTING THEY HELPED BRANDON TO HIS FEET AND GAVE HIM A SWIG OF COOL SWEET WATER FROM A CANTEEN I'M CAPTAIN BRANDON OF THE ASTRO ONE DON'T YOU SAY ANOTHER WORD I CAN'T BEAR IT DON'T YOU THE STORY GIRL DIDN'T BUT SHE HAD SAID ENOUGH THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE QUALITY OF A GHOST WITH EYEHOLES BUT NO EYES THAT FROZE HER YOUNG BLOOD +aab3b917-f1ea-410c-954d-436f58dab849 SHE WAS AN UNHAPPY LITTLE EXILE HER TONE EXPRESSED HER CONVICTION THAT THAT WOULD CARRY PETER THROUGH IF ANYTHING WOULD SHE REPEATED IT SIMPLY BUT HER VOICE CHANGED FROM ONE TONE TO ANOTHER AS EACH IN SUCCESSION GREW TIRED VERY LIKELY IF THAT BLUE SILK DRESS STORY IS TRUE I'D BELIEVE ANYTHING OF HIM SAID FELICITY THEY FINALLY SUCCEEDED THOUGH STRADDLING A RAIL BEHIND IT AND SIMILARLY DRIPPING WAS A IT BECOMES NECESSARY FOR THE BOY IS MADE OF MEAT WHICH NEITHER RESTS NOR GETS SOGGY OR MOULDY +aac121c0-acba-4d56-9a13-1c51d0224fa7 FELICITY MADE A SIMILAR BARGAIN WITH HER MOTHER AND WHITE LEGHORN HAT ENCIRCLED BY FLAME RED POPPIES IT WAS AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE BUT SARAH DEPARTED WEEPING IS AS NOBODY KNOWS WHEN THE JUDGMENT DAY IS TO COME NOT EVEN THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN SHE WAS FULL OF GLOOMY FOREBODINGS AND WARNINGS SO EVERY KING WENT TO WAR TO PROVE THAT HE COULD CONQUER EVERYONE ELSE BUT THE ORCHARD WAS A PLACE OF SHADOWS AND MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS MIDWAY UP THE OPEN SPACE IN ITS HEART WE MET PETER AND IF EVER A BOY WAS GIVEN OVER TO SHEER TERROR THAT BOY WAS PETER +aacdabf4-f9c3-46cf-b061-2ca52b3604e7 FOR MY OWN PART I WAS RATHER SORRY TO SEE HER GOING AND SHE CRIED OVER US AND WISHED US WELL BUT WE HAD FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT HER BY THE TIME WE REACHED THE OPEN COUNTRY DRIVING ALONG ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF UNCLE ALEC WHOM WE LOVED FROM THE MOMENT WE SAW HIM AND SHE WASN'T A BIT CROSS WHEN I TOLD HER I HAD GONE TO THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW THAT'S AN AWFUL BAD SIGN I HADN'T A WHITE DRESS BUT I HAD PUT ON MY WHITE MUSLIN APRON WITH THE FRILLS THERE WAS HEARTBREAK IN THE STORY GIRL'S VOICE AND TEARS CAME INTO OUR EYES THERE IN THE GREEN BOWER OF UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK WE CRIED OVER THE PATHOS OF A PARTING WHOSE ANGUISH HAD BEEN STILLED FOR MANY YEARS THEY FELL SLACK HOWEVER WHEN THE QUEEN REACHED HIS CHANNEL AND FLAPPED LAZILY REVERSING TO CATCH THE WIND AND NOSE HER CAUTIOUSLY INTO THE SHALLOWS JEFF DISMISSED IT IMPATIENTLY A CHANGE OF WIND OR SOME CRAFTY MANEUVRE OF OLD CHARLEY MAX TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT +aadcc6a0-6637-4c15-896c-823676b2cf8d I CAN DO MANY THINGS YANUS WENT ON IT WAS NECESSARY THAT I BRING THESE TO YOUR ATTENTION AND TURNED AGAIN TOWARD THE DOOR AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT PETER HAS GOT A DECENT STOCKING TO HIS NAME DON'T CARE WHAT YOU ARE IT ISN'T MY FAULT THAT HE'S GOING TO CHURCH CONSEIL'S GONE FOR THE DAY AUBREY I'LL SEE IF I CAN REACH HIM THE UNGODLY HOUR OF TRANSMISSION NATURALLY WAS SET TO COINCIDE WITH THE CLOSING OF THE CONSUL'S FIELD OFFICE HALF WAY AROUND THE PLANET EXCEPT THAT IT HAS NO TREES WORTHY OF THE NAME HIGH PLANES DID NOT HAVE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE GAINING POPULATION IN THE NATION +ab5aba17-9041-499d-bc4b-3faf78bc7f4c COULD I BE SURE THAT PEPPE FLYING HIS MOUNTAIN OF A SHIP AND EATING NAVY RATIONS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SOME OF THE COMFORTS AND LUXURIES OF LIFE OR IF THE LUXURIES DIDN'T CATCH HIS EYE WOULD HE BE INTERESTED IN THE PLANETARY HOMESTEADING GEAR I HAD LOADED THE CARDS WITH ALL THE THINGS HE MIGHT WANT AND PLANTED THE INFORMATION WHERE HE COULD GET IT HE HAD THE BAIT NOW BUT WOULD HE GRAB THE HOOK TO THE EDITOR BOTH WERE ALIEN BUT HE COULDN'T WHICH ONE WAS MORE DANGEROUS FOR A LONG MOMENT NEITHER OF THEM ADVANCED AND HE WONDERED IF THEY COULD REALLY BE FRIGHTENED OF HIS PUNY WEAPON HE DOUBTED IT HE WAS BEGINNING TO NOTICE AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT THE NONIPUS WAS MORE FEARSOME THAN IT HAD SEEMED AT FIRST IN ADDITION TO NINE TENTACLES CLAWS FANGS AND ANTENNAE BECAME APPARENT FOR JUST AS THE EVENING STAR WAS LOOKING WHITELY THROUGH THE ROSY WINDOW OF THE WESTECILY CAME FLYING THROUGH THE ORCHARD WRINGING HER HANDS OH COME COME QUICK SHE GASPED DAN'S EATING THE BAD BERRIES AGAIN HE'S AT A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM HE SAYS HE'LL SHOW FELICITY I CAN'T STOP HIM COME YOU TRY WE ROSE IN A BODY AND RUSHED TOWARDS THE HOUSE IN THE YARD WE ENCOUNTERED DAN EMERGING FROM THE FIR WOOD AND CHOPPING THE FATAL BERRIES WITH UNREPENTANT RELISH WHAT WAS A THING SHE COULDN'T BEAR ANY ONE TO SEE I ASKED MA THINKS IT WAS HER WEDDING DRESS BUT FATHER SAYS HE BELIEVES IT WAS MIL WILL MONTAGUE'S PICTURE SAID FELICITY HE SAW HER PUT IT IN FATHER KNOWS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE CHESS HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD AND HE SAW HER PACKET THERE'S A WHITE MUSLIN WEDDING DRESS AND VEIL AND AND A A FELICITY DROPPED HER EYES AND BLUSHED PAINFULLY A PETTICOAT EMBROIDERED BY HAND FROM HEM TO BELT SAID THE STORY GIRL CALMLY +ab5ff496-60c9-4e31-9c64-6b6053324499 BESIDES THEY'RE ALL SUCH LADY LIKE GIRLS I'M PRETTY SURE AUNT JANE WOULDN'T THINK IT WAS PROPER TO TELL SUCH A DREAM DID YOU EVER SEE HER THE SCANNERS IN THE SHIP WERE FOLLOWING A PLANNED PROGRAMME I MADE LIGHT TALK ABOUT ALL MY MASSIVE ARMAMENT WOULD CARRY US BOTH TO PERDITION WHILE I CLIMBED THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE BATTLESHIP'S HULL AND FOR A LONG TIME THEY COULD HEAR THE YELLS AND STRUGGLES OF THE IMPRISONED GIANTESS THE CLATTER OF THE TIN OWL'S WINGS SOUNDED ABOVE HIM I WOULD IF I'D JUST MADE UP MY MIND TO WHY NOT WHY NOT BARE FEET IF THEY'RE CLEAN AS WELL AS BARE HANDS AND FACE +ab65db49-5ead-40ba-a099-15ac3f2f9f84 BARKED THE VOICE FROM THE GRIN THE CONTACT BROKE OFF WITH AN ANGRY SOUND THIS IS FAR ENOUGH GRANDFATHER SAW HER WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY THEIR DREAMS SUDDENLY BECAME SO LURID AND DREADFUL AND PICTURESQUE THAT IT WAS HARD FOR THE REST OF US TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE NOT PAINTING THE LILY RATHER FREELY IN THEIR ACCOUNTS OF THEM WE ALL HAD THE UNUTTERED FEELING THAT WE MUST DO SUCH HONOUR TO THAT PICTURE AS WE COULD IT IS EASY TO GO TO CALIFORNIA NOW EITHER PEPPER WOULD MAKE HIS MOVE OR I WOULD SAIL ON TO MY BILLIONAIRES PARALYSED PLANET SIX MONTHS OF THIS HAD LEFT ME SLIGHTLY GARGER AND I WANTED OUT +ab8440bc-d041-4e02-94aa-93e095a98966 NOW IF UNCLE ROGER HAD SWALLOWED ANY NEEDLES MAYBE IT WOULD MAKE IT ALL RIGHT IF HE SWALLOWED A PINCUSHION EXCUSE ME COLONEL TOWERS THE PLANET HAS WATER AND BOTH ANIMAL AND PLANT LIFE HE WATCHED UNTIL THE FLARE FLICKERED OUT I MIGHT SAY IT WAS VIBRANT AND FAR REACHING AND BELL LIKE ALL THIS WOULD BE TRUE WHAT IS UNCLE ROGER LIKE WAS OUR NEXT QUESTION SHE WORE I REMEMBER A DRESS OF WARM CRIMSON AND SHE HAD WOUND AROUND HER A STRING OF WAXBERRIES THAT LOOKED LIKE A FILLET OF PEARLS +ab964854-e901-4189-a23e-02ced3695a37 SHE HAD SOFT BROWN EYES THAT WERE TOO TIMID TO LOOK STRAIGHT AT ANYBODY THERE WAS NO FINDING IT OUT FROM THE STORY GIRL HE BROKE DOWN AGAIN SHAKING WITH LAUGHTER I SAT BEHIND HIS DESK ALL HIS PERSONAL PAPERS WERE BEFORE ME WEIGHTED DOWN WITH A PISTOL TWO CENTS MORE A WEEK OUT OF CECILY'S EGG MONEY MEANT SOMETHING OF A SACRIFICE IT INSPIRED THE REST OF US WE ALL DECIDED TO INCREASE OUR WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION BY A CENT OR SO BUT WHY SHOULD YOU WISH TO ESCAPE I SHALL GIVE YOU NEW FORMS THAT ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THE ONES +abefd816-43cb-4e90-9383-0539155be116 OUTSIDE THE RUSHING TRANSCRIBERS COPIED COATED AND FILED MESSAGES BUT NO SOUND PENETRATED THE INSULATED WALL DESPERATELY I QUICKLY TURNED THE DIAL UNTIL THE TWO RED MARKS COINCIDED JEWEL LIKE EMBLEM AROUND THEIR THROATS THIS HERE KUNUCH HE SAID HE WANTS TO SEE ME JONAS DID NOT IN SPITE OF HIS POSE LOOK LIKE THE TYPICAL HERO FOLK TALE OR SCRIBE'S TOME I THOUGHT IT WAS A BELL WHEN I HEARD IT AND THE DOOR OPEN TOO THE WORLD CALLS THEM ITS SINGERS AND POETS AND ARTISTS AND STORY TELLERS BUT THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE WHO HAVE FORGOTTEN THE WAY TO FAIRYLAND +ac4e6e96-6565-4899-88af-67ce4f44649f BUT IT WAS CAPTAIN BRANDON WHO DREW THE ASSIGNMENT OF SCOUTING SERIOUS THREE FOR A SUITABLE LANDING PLACE FOR ASTRO AND I HAD TO LEARN IT AND BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO ITS USE THROUGH ANALYZING WHAT YOU JUST SAID ADDED TO THE CREW WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH POLITICIANS THERE WAS AN ENDLESS CHITTERING WHISTLING STETSON'S VOICE HISSED SUDDENLY THROUGH THE SURGICALLY IMPLANTED SPEAKER ONCE THE WATERS FLOW AGAIN I WILL LAUGH AS I HURL MYSELF ON THE BURNING IRON THE BEACON HAD A PRECIPITATING FIELD AND A BASIN ON TOP OF IT FOR WATER +acaab1ce-8218-4041-a6e2-79567ee89a0a THE SILENCE WAS A LONG ONE AND AT THE END OF IT KNOOF ROSE HE WALKED TO THE DOOR OF THE ROOM AND OPENED IT AND THE BALD HEADED GUARD CAME IN HE HAS TRIED TO TEMPT ME TO PACKT WITH SATAN THE QUINT INQUISITOR SAID BUT TAKE HIM AWAY SOME DAY YANUS THOUGHT BACK IN HIS CELL THERE WOULD BE A METHOD OF CONTROLLING MINDS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE THE WILLING CO OPERATION OF THE TWO PARTIES SOME DAY THE MAN WHO READS MINES WOULD BE MORE THAN A PASSIVE ONLOOKER WELL THE STORY GIRL WAS RIGHT THERE IS SUCH A PLACE AS FAIRYLAND BUT ONLY CHILDREN CAN FIND THE WAY TO IT AND THEY DO NOT KNOW THAT IT IS FAIRYLAND UNTIL THEY HAVE GROWN SO OLD THAT THEY FORGET THE WAY ONE BITTER DAY WHEN THEY SEEK IT AND CANNOT FIND IT THEY REALIZE WHAT THEY HAVE LOST AND THAT IS THE TRAGEDY OF LIFE WELL NO I SUPPOSE NOT I AGREED THINKING OF BILLY ROBINSON OF COURSE I CAN'T HELP FEELING SORRY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TO GO TO THE OTHER PLACE SAID CICELY COMPASSIONATELY BUT I SUPPOSE THEY WOULDN'T BE VERY COMFORTABLE IN HEAVEN EITHER THEY WOULDN'T FEEL AT HOME ANDREMA SAID A SIMPLY DREADFUL THING ABOUT THE OTHER PLACE ONE NIGHT LAST FALL WHEN FELICITY AND I WERE DOWN TO SEE KITTY AND THEY WERE BURNING THE POTATO STALKS HE SAID HE BELIEVED THE OTHER PLACE MUST BE LOTS MORE INTERESTING THAN HEAVEN CAUSE FIRES WERE SUCH JOLLY THINGS HOW DID YOU EVER HEAR THE LIKE WHY THIS BEACON WAS BUILT WITHIN REACH OF THE LOCAL CLAUSE I HAD YET TO FIND OUT BUT THAT WOULD COME IN TIME THE FIRST THING TO DO WAS MAKE CONTACT TO MAKE CONTACT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE LOCAL LANGUAGE AND FOR THAT I HAD LONG BEFORE WORKED OUT A SYSTEM THAT WAS FULL PROOF I HAD A PRY EYE OF MY OWN CONSTRUCTION IT LOOKED LIKE A PIECE OF ROCK ABOUT A FOOT LONG ONCE ON THE GROUND IT WOULD NEVER BE NOTICED THOUGH IT WAS A LITTLE DISCONCERTING TO SEE IT FLOAT BY +acad25fd-d16c-4fc1-8852-a6b1760bcaed COMBINATION SPACE JOCKEYS MECHANICS ENGINEERS SOLDIERS CONMEN AND EVERYTHING ELSE IT TAKES TO DO THE REPAIRS FELICITY WAS A GOOD SECOND WITH TWO AND A HALF THIS WAS SIMPLY BECAUSE THE HENS HAD LAID SO WELL PRETTY PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS CONCEITED SAID FELIX WHO WAS GETTING TIRED OF HOLDING HIS TONGUE THE HEROES AND STORIES ARE ALWAYS NICE SAID FELICITY WITH APPARENT IRRELEVANCE I LIKE TO HEAR YOU TALK SAID FELIX IN HIS GRAVE STODGY WAY EVERYBODY DOES SAID THE STORY GIRL COOLLY I'M GLAD YOU LIKE THE WAY I TALK BUT I WANT YOU TO LIKE ME TOO AS WELL AS YOU LIKE FELICITY AND CECILY NOT BETTER +acc206a2-f64c-4297-9d3a-fe7d54824163 THEY WERE ANGRY WHEN I REFUSED TO DO ANY MORE SLAUGHTERING AND LED ME HERE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ONE OF THE CAPTAINS WOULD COME IN AND COMMAND ME TO KILL HIM I REFUSED FOR THAT'S THE ONLY TRUMP CART I HELD FELICITY DETERMINED SHE WOULD NEVER LET ANOTHER DREAM GET AWAY FROM HER IN SUCH A FASHION AND THE NEXT TIME SHE WAKENED IN THE NIGHT HAVING DREAMED THAT SHE WAS DEAD AND BURIED SHE PROMPTLY AROSE LIGHTED A CANDLE AND PROCEEDED TO WRITE THE DREAM DOWN THEN AND THERE WERE THE SCARECROW AND I ALONE SAID THE TIN WOODMAN WE WOULD TRAVEL BY NIGHT AS WELL AS BY DAY BUT A MEAT PERSON IN OUR PARTY WE MUST HALT AT NIGHT TO PERMIT HIM TO REST ALL THE GIRLS HAD FOOD POISONING A REGULAR EPIDEMIC IT SEEMED EACH OF THEM IN TURN HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE SAME GIRL +acd38c17-0b51-49d8-a1a7-5453edb7bb79 THERE IS NOTHING TO BE GAINED BY EXAMINING THE PECULIAR MACHINE AND THEREFORE THE ONE QUICK GLANCE SUFFICED IF VIC AND HOPE HAD GONE THIS ROUTE I WAS ANXIOUS TO FOLLOW ONE THING I LIKE ABOUT THE I A SAID STETSON IT COLLECTS SUCH EVEN TEMPERED TYPES HE LOOKED AT THE WHITE UNIFORM ON HORN WIPED A HAND ACROSS HIS MOUTH AS THOUGH HE'D TASTED SOMETHING DIRTY THE CONSTELLATIONS OF AUTUMN SCINTILLATED ABOVE US PETER AND THE STORY GIRL KNEW ALL ABOUT THEM AND IMPARTED THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO US GENEROUSLY YOU ARE A HERETIC KNUFF SAID SUDDENLY I CANNOT YOU CAN PRAY YUNUS SAID KNUFF BLINKED PRAY HE SAID +acef41ad-1d5c-4ce6-8132-7015d868a42c I HAD REALLY COME OUT TO SEE HOPE OF COURSE BUT SHE WAS STILL UPSTAIRS PUTTING ON THE FINISHING TOUCHES VIC LOOKED DOWN FROWNING I'M NOT SURE I'M RIGHT HE REPLIED AFTER A MOMENT BUT IF I AM THEY WISH US TO KILL THEM A COOL AUTUMNAL WIND WAS WHISTLING AMONG THE DARK BOUGHS AND SCATTERING BLOOD RED LEAVES FROM THE MAPLE AT THE END OF THE GRANARY OH FELIX DON'T TALK LIKE THAT SAID CECILY SHOCKED GOD MUST BE FAIR I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE REASON WE STOOD AROUND HARDLY BREATHING SHE UNFOLDED IT AND HELD IT UP WE SAW IT SUDDENLY SARAH BEGAN TO CRY OH OH OH DOES GOD LOOK LIKE THAT SHE WAILED IF SHE WERE ONLY MORE INTERESTING FELICITY HAD NOT A PARTICLE OF THE NAMELESS CHARM AND ALLUREMENT WHICH HUNG ABOUT EVERY MOTION OF THE STORY GIRL AND MADE ITSELF MANIFEST IN HER LIGHTEST WORD AND MOST CARELESS GLANCE +ad08ea4e-ca0d-420e-b649-82dfa04a1a5f NOT MANY ASKED TO SEE ME KUNUF SAID IN THE SAME VOICE HE WENT ON LOOKING AT HIS HANDS THERE WAS BITTERNESS IN HIS MIND BITTERNESS THAT HE CHANGED TO HATE THEY ARE PLEASED TEND TO BE EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE I DO NOT PLEAD YONAS POINTED OUT IT WAS NECESSARY THAT I COME TO SEE YOU THE FAD WAS AT ONCE TAKEN UP BY THE CARLISLE SCHOOL GIRLS TIMOTHY ROOTS QUITE OUSTED SOURS AND YOUNG RASPBER SPROUTS BOTH OF WHICH HAD THE REAL MERIT OF BEING QUITE TOOTHSOME WHILE TIMOTHY ROOTS WERE TOUGH AND TASTELESS THE METERS AND INDICATORS LOOKED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE IF ANYTHING UNEXPECTEDLY BRIGHT FROM CONSTANT POLISHING I CHECKED THE READINGS CAREFULLY AND FOUND JUST WHAT I SUSPECTED ONE OF THE EAGER LIZARDS HAD MANAGED TO OPEN A CIRCUIT BOX AND HAD POLISHED THE SWITCHES INSIDE HE WAS TRYING TO BE FAIR AND CONSIDERATE OF MY VIEWS AND NOT SUCCEEDING IN THE SLIGHTEST IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE HE GROWLED HOW CAN YOU BE SURE THIS KILLOW WILL EVER READ ONE OF THESE THINGS AND IF HE DOES WHY SHOULD HE BE INTERESTED IT LOOKS TO ME AS IF YOU'RE WASTING TIME WHEN HE SLIPS THROUGH YOUR FINGERS +ad0e78fb-7229-4d1b-b537-59689377ed67 WHEN HE HAD JOINED THE ARMS AND LEGS TO THE BODY AND SET MY HEAD IN THE TIN COLLAR I WAS A MUCH BETTER MAN THAN EVER FOR MY BODY COULD NOT ACHE OR PAIN ME AND I WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND BRIGHT THAT I HAD NO NEED OF CLOTHING HE HAD WANTED A BATTLESHIP AND HE HAD GOT HIMSELF A BATTLESHIP WHICH MEANT HE HAD MORE IN MIND THAN JUST SIMPLE PIRACY WHAT THE CONSUL'S PESSIMISM JOLTED JEFF BACK TO THE MOMENT AT HAND HOMESIDE WILL DENY THEIR AUTONOMY AUBREY I'VE HAD A WARP BEING MESSAGE TO DAY ORDERING ME TO MOVE IN THE WORDS HUNG IN THE AIR OF THE ROOM FOR A LONG TIME AT LAST KNOOF NODDED THE DEVIL GRANTS TO MANY HIS POWER OF SEEING THE MINDS OF MEN HE SAID QUIETLY +ad2016f0-e7ba-4997-8030-6107d9a20d9b ONLY NATIVE LIFE FORMS WERE QUITE WELL PROTECTED ONE LIZARD MERELY TURNED THE HANDLE AND WE WERE INSIDE THE BEACON UNCLE EDWARD'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER WAS TO BE MARRIED AND UNCLE EDWARD HAD WRITTEN OVER URGING UNCLE ALEC AUNT JANET AND AUNT OLIVIA TO GO DOWN TO HALIFAX FOR THE WEDDING AND SPEND A WEEK THERE THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLDEN MILESTONE AND WILL YOU PLEASE TRY AT FIRST GLANCE THEY SEEMED WELL ENOUGH YOU OUGHT TO BE GLAD THAT POOR BOY IS GOING TO GET STARTED IN THE RIGHT WAY THAT'S WHY I'M DOWN HERE BRIEFING YOU HE HAD A LITTLE STRANGER I WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH OUR COUNSEL HE STARED AT ORAN YOU I AS ARE TOO STRONG WE DID NOT KNOW +ad5b4b2a-a45b-4ace-a1d2-0f676050b27e IF HE GETS BETTER I'LL TELL HIM SAID CECILY RESOLUTELY I WISH I HADN'T BOXED HIS EARS THAT DAY HE TRIED TO KISS ME WENT ON FELICITY WHO WAS EVIDENTLY RAKING HER CONSCIENCE FOR PAST OFFENCES IN REGARD TO PETER AFTER ALL THAT'S A VERY REMARKABLE VIRILE COMPLEX WE HAVE DOING YOUR REPAIR WORK AS THEY WALKED TO THE DOOR THE MAN SHOOK HIS HEAD GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT DOC CAUTIOUSLY FEARING I KNOW NOT WHAT I ENTERED THE FAMILIAR ROOM NOTHING APPARENTLY HAD BEEN DISTURBED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DISORDER ANYWHERE THE BLANKETS ON THE NARROW COT IN THE CORNER OF THE ROOM HAD NOT BEEN UNFOLDED BUT NEITHER VIC NOR HOPE WERE ANYWHERE IN SIGHT HE TURNED AND WALKED TO THE DOOR BUT HE DID NOT OPEN IT INSTEAD HE LEANED AGAINST IT HE FORCED HIS VOICE INTO THE PATTERNS OF CALMNESS AND EASE YOUR MEN CANNOT TOUCH ME HE SAID +ad5c0bd0-e9b0-4761-85ca-0a49b3e0faf7 FOR WE HAD NEVER SEEN A PICTURE OF THE PERSON REFERRED TO AND WE WERE RATHER CURIOUS REGARDING IT FOR AS PETER DROPPED HIS SCENT INTO THE PLATE HE LAUGHED ALOUD BUT YONDER WAY IS OPEN THE STORY GIRL GENERALLY HAD HER HEAD GARLANDED WITH THEIR LEAVES AUNT OLIVIA REPORTED THAT HIS MOTHER WAS BROKEN HEARTED FELICITY COULD NOT SUCCEED I'M SO AFRAID HE'S GONE TO GROW UP JUST LIKE UNCLE ROBER WARD WHO NEVER GOES TO CHURCH AND DOESN'T BELIEVE MORE THAN HALF THE BIBLE IS TRUE IT ISN'T ANY GOOD THE BEAUTY OF PENANCE IS THAT IT MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE SO IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO WHETHER IT'S USEFUL OR NOT SO LONG AS IT'S NASTY +ad6dfdd8-6c13-4330-9232-cc46325eed6f JEFF SANK AGAIN AND CHURNED DESPERATELY TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM SHE WAS A PRETTY SIGHT THEY HAVE BUILT THEM A BRIDGE OF LIGHT ACROSS THE UNIVERSE AND SET THY DECREE OF SEPARATION AT NAUGHT IT WOULD BE JUST STUPIDITY IF YOU DIDN'T YOU ARE ALL HELPLESS AND IN MY POWER SO YOU MAY AS WELL MAKE UP YOUR MINDS TO ACCEPT YOUR FATE AND BE CONTENT THERE'S SOMETHING DREADFUL IN THERE SOMETHING THAT RINGS A BELL PETER HEARD IT DON'T GO IN THERE'S NO USE ASKING THE MEANING OF THIS I SUPPOSE SAID UNCLE ROGER WITH THE CALM OF DESPAIR WHILE CECILY ADMITTED THAT WILLY FRASER HAD WRITTEN ON HIS SLATE AND SHOWED IT TO HER +ad96ef0e-de3d-4ed3-b083-b081699222ca THERE TO THE RIGHT IS SWEET CECILY OF THE DEAR BROWN EYES WITH A LITTLE BLOATED DICTIONARY BESIDE HER FOR YOU DREAM OF SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN'T SPELL OR BE EXPECTED TO SPELL WHEN YOU ARE ONLY ELEVEN BUT FELICITY WAS ONE OF THOSE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WHOSE PROTESTS AGAINST WRONG DOING SERVE ONLY TO DRIVE THE WRONG DOER FURTHER ON HER SINFUL WAY YOU'RE I'LL BE PERFECTLY ALL RIGHT YONAS SAID HE STOOD UP THIS HERE KUNUCH HE SAID HE WANTS TO SEE ME HE SAID BRINGING YOU ALONG THE BALD MAN TOLD HIM THE BLACK HAIRED MAN NODDED VERY SLOWLY GURR HE SAID I'M SURE THERE WAS NO HUMANNESS IN THIS DECISION THEY JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE THE SHIP IT WAS A TWENTY FOUR HOUR JUMP SHIP'S TIME AND I CAME THROUGH IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE +adb94075-1412-4d24-991a-fd9e5b1654ac THIS IS YOUR HOUSE HE SAID THE HOUSE WHERE YOU LIVE YONAS WAS NOT AT ALL SURE WHETHER THE BLACK HAIRED MAN UNDERSTOOD LANGUAGE THERE WAS LITTLE TRACE OF IT IN HIS MIND AND VIRTUALLY NOTHING THAT MIGHT BE CALLED INTELLIGENCE THERE WERE SPYSAILS ON MY SHIP ALL OF WHICH I HADN'T FOUND THAT WOULD CHEERFULLY RAT ON ME WHEN I GOT BACK NORMALLY A REPAIR MAN STAYS AWAY FROM NATIVE CULTURES THE SLAMMING OF A BARN DOOR OVER AT UNCLE ROGER'S CAUSED THE COLD PERSPIRATION TO BREAK OUT IN OUR FACES LONG AGO WHEN JUDY PINNAULT WAS YOUNG SAID THE STORY GIRL SHE WAS HIRED WITH MISSUS ELDER FRUIT THE FIRST MISSUS ELDER FRUIT WE SAT THERE AND TALKED UNTIL THE FIRST STAR LIGHTED A WHITE TAPER OVER THE BEACH HILL +adc78601-e68d-4a7e-af8f-23abe50a1cd6 BUT IF THERE HAD BEEN BEAUTIFUL WIVES HANGING UP BY THE HAIR ALL AROUND THE WALLS EVERYBODY LOOKED SUDDENLY ALERT I CAN'T SAID SARA WITH PASSIONATE DEFIANCE THE STORY GIRL WENT UP AND TOLD HIM WONDROUS TALES AND SARA RAY BROUGHT HIM A PUDDING SHE HAD MADE HERSELF HE SOON MADE ME A NEW LEG OUT OF TIN AND FASTENED IT CLEVERLY TO MY NEAT BODY MAN LIVED IN FEAR OF FIRE FOR A GOOD MANY HUNDRED THOUSAND YEARS COLONEL TOWERS WAS PACING BACK AND FORTH IN FRONT OF THE RADIO MAN THINGS HAVE MOVED PRETTY FAST IN THE PAST FEW YEARS +adc9761a-e88d-47dd-b3ec-fb5848e850a4 PETER AS WAS TO BE EXPECTED TOOK FELICITY'S PART AND SAID THE STORY GIRL OUGHT TO SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE SHE WAS THE OLDEST THAT HE SAID HAD ALWAYS BEEN HIS AUNT JANE'S RULE SARA RAY THOUGHT FELICITY SHOULD SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE THE STORY GIRL WAS HALF AN ORPHAN FELIX TRIED TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THEM AND MET THE USUAL FATE OF ALL PEASE MAKERS OH SAID FELICITY IN A SHOCKED TONE WHEN UNCLE ROGER HAD PASSED BY UNCLE ROGER SWORE OH NO HE DIDN'T SAID THE STORY GIRL QUICKLY DEVILTREE ISN'T SWEARING AT ALL IT ONLY MEANS EXTRA BAD MISCHIEF WELL IT'S NOT A VERY NICE WORD ANYHOW SAID FELICITY SHE FIRST THREATENED THAT SHE WOULD NEVER SPEAK TO HIM AGAIN IF HE DIDN'T TELL HER AND THEN SHE PROMISED HIM THAT IF HE DID SHE WOULD LET HIM WALK BESIDE HER TO AND FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL ALL THE REST OF THE SUMMER AND CARRY HER BOOKS FOR HER CONVERSATION LANGUISHED WE WATCHED AND WAITED NERVOUSLY THE MOMENTS DRAGGED BY EACH SEEMING AN HOUR WOULD TWO O'CLOCK NEVER COME AND END THE SUSPENSE +add3e017-51f6-4074-b811-2a4cf3b5c8eb WE HAD SEEN IT ALL THE SLEEPING GENIUS THE ROGUISH RED LIPPED GIRL THE KISS DROPPED AS LIGHTLY AS A ROSE PETAL ON THE SUNBURNED CHEEK THEY SHOULD HAVE GOT MARRIED SAID FELIX WE WERE EATING LITTLE JAM TURNOVERS WHICH FELICITY HAD MADE FOR US FELICITY'S TURNOVERS WERE PERFECTION I LOOKED AT HER AND WONDERED WHY IT WAS NOT ENOUGH THAT SHE SHOULD BE SO PRETTY AND CAPABLE OF MAKING SUCH TURNOVERS THEY WERE SLENDER AND SHAPELY AND SATIN SMOOTH WITH ARCHED IN STEPS THE DAINTIEST OF TOES AND NAILS LIKE PINK SHELLS WE WERE ALL IN THE HAYLOFT THE STORY GIRL HAD BEEN TELLING US TALE OF OLD UNHAPPY FAR OFF THINGS AND BATTLES LONG AGO BRANDON TILTED THE SHIP UP ON ONE WING AND GLANCED DOWN AT THE BRICK RED EXPANSE OF DESERT TOWERS LEANED FORWARD HIS EYES FIXED ON BRANDON I DON'T WANT YOU TO SET FOOT ON THAT PLANET GET ME BUT THERE WASN'T TIME TO TRY ANYTHING +ade0acd8-e9f5-445c-9df1-a16afcdf716b WELL IT SOUNDED NASTY SAID PETER WHO KNEW THAT IT IS THE TONE THAT MAKES THE MUSIC WHAT DID YOUR AUNT JANE LOOK LIKE ASKED CECILY SYMPATHETICALLY WAS SHE PRETTY ANGELINA ASKED HER EYES WERE OPEN NOW CECILY AND SARA RAY WHO HAD COME UP TO SPEND THE DAY WITH US HER MOTHER HAVING GONE TO TOWN WERE EATING TIMOTHY ROOTS BERTHA LAURANCE A CHARLOTTETOWN GIRL WHO HAD VISITED KITTY MARIN JUNE AND HAD GONE TO SCHOOL ONE DAY WITH HER HAD EATEN TIMOTHY ROOTS AFFECTING TO CONSIDER THEM GREAT DELICACIES AS HE BROUGHT NEIL'S SLEIGH UP TO THE DOOR HE SAW A BLACK SPECK FAR OUT ON THE BAY AND LAUGHED BLACK DAN GOES WELL BUT HE'LL NOT BE QUICK ENOUGH HE SAID +ae164403-d7c2-4cd7-b3d8-35bfd9ad8266 DESPITE THE PLEADINGS AND TEARS OF A RELUCTANT MOTHER SHE ILLUSTRATED HER DREAMS WITH SKETCHES THAT CERTAINLY CAUGHT THE SPIRIT OF THEM WHATEVER MIGHT BE SAID OF THEIR TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE WE CAME AT LAST SHAKING WITH WEARINESS AND GASPING FOR BREATH TO THE DESERTED STREETS OF THE BLACK AND TERRIBLE CITY I'M GOING TO TAKE A WHIRL AT WHAT I'LL CALL THE INFROMEDIAN EXISTENCE OF COURSE THERE WERE SECONDARY TASK AS WAS ORDERING A NAVAL CRUISER FOR MY OWN USE AND VERY NICE CADGETS TOO THESE CORBOTS ME I SAID I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE RICH I WOULDN'T SPARE ANY OF IT TO ANY ONE BUT YOU THE STORY OF A BRAW LOVER WHO LED HIS SECRET OUT WHEN THE WHISKEY WAS ABOVE THE WIT +ae4a2e37-fe4d-4492-b69b-4df2822c4d54 THEN THE DESERT AS HE TUMBLED OVER AND OVER THEY WERE SPOTTED WITH CLUMPS OF GRAY GRASS EVEN AS WAS THE DESERT JUST KEEP IN MIND WHAT I TOLD YOU I'LL TAKE YOU AND YOU WILL NOT YOU WILL NOTICE THAT YOU ARE PARALYZED FROM NECK DOWN HOW ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE THEN HOW COME I'M SO OLD OUR MORNING CHORES WERE DONE AND THE DAY WAS BEFORE US IT WAS BORNE IN UPON OUR MISERABLE MINDS THAT IF THE STORY GIRL DID NOT ALTOGETHER BELIEVE IT WAS TRUE OH I WISH I HAD MINDED WHAT MAR SAID BETTER AT THE ENTRANCE OF ONE OF THE HUGE MISSHAPEN BLACK BUILDINGS THE CREATURE WITH THE BRILLIANT STONE AT HIS THROAT APPEARED AS SUDDENLY AS A LIGHT FLASHES UP IN THE DARKNESS WHY WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO BACK +ae66c192-bfc7-40ad-a132-b1722f3604ac THE NEXT DAY BEING SATURDAY WE STARTED OUT IN THE AFTERNOON PRESENTLY MISTER CAMPBELL HIMSELF WAS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY LOOKING US OVER BUT ANYHOW I SUPPOSE IT WOULDN'T BE MUCH USE BECAUSE IF HE WAS A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER HE'D SAY I OUGHT TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN BECAUSE PETER CONTINUED TO HOLD THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF BITTER APPLES AND OFTEN THEY HUNTED TOGETHER FOR SCHUBEN WAS ALMOST AS SKILFUL WITH HER BOW AND ARROW AS THE KATY HIMSELF WHAT IF JERRY DOESN'T BRING THE PICTURE TO DAY BECAUSE OF THE RAIN I SUGGESTED MISSUS DUNBAR LIVES NEXT DOOR TO AUNT LOUISA IN TOWN THEY TOLD HIM HE MUST LEAVE HER BEHIND +ae6fadab-8a5a-4286-92ba-a304abfd2277 WELL HERE'S THE KEY GO AND SEE FOR YOURSELF SAID PETER FELICITY HAD NO INTENTION OF GOING AND SEEING I THINK YOU BOYS OUGHT TO GO SHE SAID RETREATING BEHIND THE DEFENCE OF SEX THERE I STOOD UNABLE TO MOVE HAND OR FOOT AND THERE I CONTINUED TO STAND WHILE DAYS CAME AND WENT UNTIL DOROTHY AND THE SCARECROW CAME ALONG AND RESCUED ME THEY OILED MY JOINTS AND SET ME FREE AND I'VE TAKEN GOOD CARE NEVER TO REST AGAIN PETER'S PRAYER WAS WRONG BECAUSE IT WAS A SELFISH PRAYER I GUESS SAID THE STORY GIRL THOUGHTFULLY CECILY HAD BUT ONE MORE SHOT IN HER LOCKER I THOUGHT YOU SAID IN YOUR SERMON MASTER PETER THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T FIGHT SENT IT TO WASHINGTON YOU BUCK EYED BEEMOFF DO YOU REALIZE WHAT A TRICK THAT WILL BE YOU GRANDFATHER OF INANITIES IT WILL BE A PLEASURE TO DESTROY YOU +ae8a3af6-27b2-4bd3-8b0c-46db90a6c0e4 YES THE DITCH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING JUST NOW BUT A MEAT PERSON IN OUR PARTY FOR THE SCARECROW'S BODY WAS ONLY A SUIT OF CLOTHES FILLED WITH STRAW ON ONE DAY THROUGH SOME UNFAILING MIRACLE OF COLLAXIAN SEAMANSHIP YOU MUST HELP US TO RECAPTURE IT THIS WORLD DOES NOT EXIST THE ONLY SIGN OF VEGETATION I COULD PERCEIVE WERE STRANGE GROWTHS THAT REMOTELY RESEMBLED TREES JONAS HAD NO VAUGHAN TO STICK ON HIS NAME AND HE HAD NEVER THOUGHT IT WORTH WHILE TO CLAIM ONE AND ACCEPT THE TINY RISK OF DISCLOSURE +ae9a96dc-7daa-4bed-81d1-23bac2e3699c THE WINDOW WAS OPEN AND WE HEARD THE FROGS SINGING DOWN IN THE SWAMP OF THE BROOK MEADOW I'M NOT GOING TO PLAY TO DAY SHE SAID AND I'M NOT GOING TO TELL A SINGLE STORY I'M ALWAYS GLAD WHEN IT GETS WARM ENOUGH TO GO BAREFOOTED WE WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE A KING FIFTY CENTS WOULD BE PRETTY DEAR FOR ANY OTHER PICTURE BUT OF COURSE THIS IS DIFFERENT SAID DAN THERE IS NO MORE SAID THE STORY GIRL THEIR ORIGIN WAS UNKNOWN THOUGH THE FACT THAT THEY BOTH TALKED WITH A SLIGHT ACCENT SUGGESTED AN OFFBOARD ORIGIN +aebf3bcc-04b2-44bf-812c-2a7b13c93827 PERHAPS PIGS MAY WHISTLE BUT THEY'VE POOR MOUTHS FOR IT WAS ALL THE ANSWER PETER GAINED TO THIS CHARMING SUGGESTION THERE GOES MISTER CAMPBELL DOWN THE ROAD SAID DAN THAT'S HIS NEW MARE ISN'T SHE A DANDY SHE'S GOT A SKIN LIKE BLACK SATIN HE CALLS HER BETTY SHERMAN I DON'T THINK IT'S VERY NICE TO CALL A HORSE AFTER YOUR OWN GRANDMOTHER SAID FELICITY BETTY SHERWIN WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT A COMPLIMENT SAID THE STORY GIRL MAYBE SHE WOULD SHE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN VERY NICE HERSELF OR SHE WOULD NEVER HAVE GONE AND ASKED A MAN TO MARRY HER SAID FELICITY SO HE AT ONCE BEGAN TO SCAMPER THROUGH THE FOREST AS FAST AS HE COULD GO CATCHING OUT A BRANCH WITH HIS LONG MONKEY ARMS AND SWINGING HIS GREEN BODY THROUGH SPACE TO GRASP ANOTHER BRANCH IN A NEIGHBORING TREE AND SO ON WHILE THE JAGUAR FOLLOWED HIM FROM BEHIND FIXED STEADFASTLY ON HIS PREY LAST NIGHT I DREAMED I WAS IN CHURCH HE SAID I THOUGHT IT WAS FULL OF PEOPLE AND I WALKED UP THE AISLE TO YOUR PEW AND SAT DOWN AS UNCONCERNED AS A PIG ON ICE AND THEN I FOUND THAT I HADN'T A STITCH OF CLOTHES ON NOT ONE BLESSED STITCH NOW PETER DROPPED HIS VOICE WHAT IS BOTHERING ME IS THIS WOULD IT BE PROPER TO TELL A DREAM LIKE THAT BEFORE THE GIRLS WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO WITH IT ASKED THORN WITHIN A YEAR WE WILL HAVE A COPY WITH OUR OWN IMPROVEMENTS AFTER THAT YOU INTEND TO START A WAR ASKED SCORN IN THE JUNGLE THE STRONG SLAY THE WEAK UNTIL ONLY THE STRONG REMAIN SAID TENUB AND THEN THE STRONG PREY UPON EACH OTHER ASKED THORN THAT IS A QUIBBLE FOR WOMEN SAID TENUBE IT'S TOO BAD TO FEEL THAT WAY SAID HORN WHEN TWO CULTURES MEET LIKE THIS THEY TEND TO HELP EACH OTHER +af03b225-fba0-4067-a375-55fa2f741fd9 EVEN FOR THE ONE WHO IS BRAVE AND DETERMINED FOR A LOVING HUSBAND IS NOT ALWAYS KIND NIMMY AMY LIVED WITH THE WICKED WITCH USE THE BACK DOOR RULE SON ALWAYS LEAVE YOURSELF AWAY OUT NO OTHER TYPE OF CREATURE EVER HAS HAD THE VERTICAL SLIT AND THAT SLY DONALD SAT THERE WITH A SOBER FACE BUT LAUGHING EYES AND COAXED HIM ON AND THIS CHEST HAS NEVER BEEN OPENED SINCE SINCE WE WERE ALONE IT TOOK NO GREAT FEAT OF INTELLIGENCE TO FIGURE IT WOULD BE ME THE OLD MAN LEANED OVER HIS DESK BREATHING INTO MY FACE +af0c2b24-0cbd-4353-924e-1d0e0e816857 I DREAMED LAST NIGHT THAT FELIX WAS THIN SAID PETER LAUGHING HE DID LOOK SO QUEER HIS CLOTHES JUST HUNG LOOSE AND HE WAS GOING ROUND TRYING TO HOLD THEM ON PAT WAS WITH US OF COURSE PROWLING ABOUT STEALTHILY OR MAKING FRANTIC BOOTLESS LEAPS AT THE SWALLOWS I CHECKED ALL THE PARTS BY SCREEN BEFORE THEY WERE LOADED IN A METAL CRATE IN THE DARKEST HOUR BEFORE DAWN THE HEAVY DUTY EYE DROPPED THE CRATE OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE AND DARTED AWAY WITHOUT BEING SEEN I WATCHED THE PRIESTS THROUGH THE PRY EYE WHILE THEY TRIED TO OPEN IT LET'S SEE IF WE CAN CLOSE UP THE GATE OURSELVES OR IF THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED AND THEN LET'S GO HOME +af1f4539-3a0b-401f-baaa-a044f2bf33e9 THERE WAS NOT A GLIMMER OF A SMILE ABOUT HIS FACE YOU ASK HIM SAID FELICITY NUDGING THE STORY YELL NO I'M NOT ANSWERED CICELY WITH A CHANGE OF TONE I WILL I DON'T CARE SAID FELICITY QUICKLY OH SARA STANLEY DO YOU BELIEVE IT DO YOU GASPED FELICITY CLUTCHING THE STORY GIRL'S HAND JEFF FORCED STUMBLING WORDS INTO LINE THE E I OPERATOR SHOOK HIS HEAD DOUBTFULLY CONSEIL'S GONE FOR THE DAY AUBREY I'LL SEE IF I CAN REACH HIM HE WAS ABOUT TO SEND OUT AN E I PATROL SHIP TO TAKE OVER HERE IN THE ISLANDS JEFF SAID TELL HIM TO HURRY YET I I DON'T KNOW SAID FELICITY RELUCTANTLY I SUPPOSE CHILDREN CAN'T UNDERSTAND SUCH THINGS THERE MUST BE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFERENCE OF COURSE IF WE ONLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS ANYHOW I'M A PRESBYTERIAN AND I'M GLAD OF IT WHY HE THOUGHT HAPPILY IT WAS EVEN MORE FOR HIM TO GET KILLED AND MOST PAINFULLY TOO WITH A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE HE STOOD FOR A SECOND AT THE CREST OF THE HILL HIS HANDS ON HIS HIPS LOOKING DOWN AT THE TOWN OF SPIRE AS IT BAKED IN THE MAY AFTERNOON SUNLIGHT BEHOLD THE TORTOISE HE MAKETH NO PROGRESS UNLESS HE STICKETH OUT HIS NECK +af3c2026-0512-4e01-8a29-6acc5284ca85 ONE OR TWO OF THE OTHERS HELPED HIM AND PRETTY SOON AS THEY DREW IN THE COURT THE LEAVES ABOVE THEM PARTED AND A LOON APPEARED AT THE OTHER END OF THE STRING IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DRAW HIM DOWN TO THE THRONE WHERE HE SEATED HIMSELF AND WAS TIED IN SO HE WOULDN'T FLOAT UPWARD AGAIN MY MANNER CLOTHES JEWELRY THE EASY WAY I PASSED MONEY AROUND AND THE LUXURIOUS SHEEN OF MY BAGS COULD ONLY MEAN ONE THING THERE WAS LITTLE THAT WAS WORTH SMUGGLING IN AND OUT OF SETANOVO CERTAINLY NOTHING A RICH MAN WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE OFFICIAL MURMURED SOMETHING WITH A SMILE MURR SPOKE A FEW WORDS INTO HIS PHONE AND THE JOB WAS DONE BUT DIRECTLY BEFORE US THE POTATO FIELD WITH ITS WREATHING SMOKE AND SULLEN FLAMES THE GIGANTIC SHADOW OF UNCLE ALEC CROSSING AND RECROSSING IT REMINDED US OF PETER'S FAMOUS DESCRIPTION OF THE BAD PLACE AND PROBABLY SUGGESTED THE STORY GIRL'S REMARK I KNOW A STORY SHE SAID INFUSING JUST THE RIGHT SHADE OF WEIRDNESS INTO HER VOICE ABOUT A MAN WHO SAW THE DEVIL NOW WHAT'S THE MATTER FELICITY I CAN NEVER GET USED TO THE WAY YOU MENTION THE THE THAT NAME COMPLAINED FELICITY AUNT OLIVIA AND UNCLE ROGER AUNT JANET AND UNCLE ALEC CAME STROLLING THROUGH THE ORCHARD AND JOINED OUR CIRCLE AS THEY SOMETIMES DID WHEN THE TOIL OF THE DAY WAS OVER AND THE MAGIC TIME TWIXT LIGHT AND DARK BROUGHT TRUCE OF CARE AND LABOR TWAS THEN WE LIKED OUR GROWN UPS BEST FOR THEN THEY SEEMED HALF CHILDREN AGAIN +af5c7485-bb40-4ca8-ae2d-90f6ef916233 THE BAND OF FELLOW TRAVELLERS HE SAID IN A VERY SOLEMN YET EXCITED TONE THAT HE HAS IT AT HOME IN AN OLD RED COVERED HISTORY OF THE WORLD AND HAS LOOKED AT IT OFTEN WAS LEANING TIP DOWN AGAINST THE EDGE OF ANOTHER LAVA SHEET SOME DISTANCE AWAY I'M GOING TO BE THE FIRST MAN TO SET FOOT ON A PLANET OF ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM AND PETERS IS SUCH A COOL CUSTOMER AND HE'S A YEAR OLDER THAN FELIX BUT THEN FELIX HAS SOME PRACTICE HE FOUGHT BOYS IN TORONTO AND THIS IS PETER'S FIRST FIGHT THEY'RE ANGELS THEN NOT METHODISTS OR ANYTHING BUT JUST ANGELS AND IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED THEN THAT I AM THE KING WHO CONQUERS ALL KINGS YOU MAY GIVE ME BACK MY RING AND RETURN HOME FREE +af6d999a-8216-4aad-a07a-238e9c32f414 IT WAS NOT LOCKED SHE OPENED IT AND WENT IN WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE SHE FOUND SOMETHING LIKE LIKE BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER SUGGESTED FELIX IN A SCARED TONE IT WAS A STRANGE WOOING AND THE FRIENDS OF THE PRINCESS BEGGED HER TO REFUSE BUT HER PRIDE WHISPERED THAT IT WOULD BE SUCH A WONDERFUL THING TO BE QUEEN OF THE KING OF THE WORLD SO SHE CONSENTED AND HER MAIDENS DRESSED HER AND PUT ON THE LONG LACE VEIL THAT HAD BEEN SO MANY YEARS A MAKING HIS OXYGEN MASK WAS STILL IN PLACE BUT HIS HELMET HUNG PARTLY LOOSE HE ADJUSTED IT AUTOMATICALLY THEN UNBUCKLED THE SEAT STRAPS HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH UNDER THE OXYGEN MASK HE WAS AWARE OF DRIED BLOOD CLOTTED IN HIS NOSTRILS CAKED AROUND THE CORNERS OF HIS LIPS IN A MOMENT I NODDED AND VIC BEING A GOOD SCOUT THAT HE WAS HURRIED AWAY AND THE MACHINE I ASKED A FEW NIGHTS LATER STILL EXPERIMENTING WITH IT I HAD REALLY COME OUT TO SEE HOPE OF COURSE BUT SHE WAS STILL UPSTAIRS PUTTING ON THE FINISHING TOUCHES +af975321-58da-4c5a-ad4b-e512fe6bedc7 BUT WE CAN'T RAISE HIM SIR THE RADIO OPERATOR SAID MAYBE HE DIDN'T GET OUT OF IT ALIVE COLONEL TOWERS CAN'T YOU HEAR ME BRANDON YELLED INTO HIS OXYGEN MASK OH THERE'S EVERY DIFFERENCE I CAN'T JUST EXPLAIN IT BUT EVERYONE KNOWS THERE'S A DIFFERENCE YOU KNOW IT YOURSELF OH PLEASE DON'T DO SUCH A THING SARA WELL I WON'T JUST TO OBLIGE YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WOULD HAVE DIED THE DEATH BEFORE SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE PUBLIC MEETING BAREFOOTED AWAY FROM THE DEAD CENTRE THE RAVINES WERE BODY DEEP IN CHAPARRAL AND THE HILLSIDES STOOD GRAY GREEN WITH OLD CACTUS THE STUNTED TREES WERE LOWER THAN THE GIANT BUSHES AND YUKA WHERE MIGHT I FIND THIS FAMILY HE SAID IT IS NOW LATE IN THE AFTERNOON THE OLD WOMAN SAID PERHAPS THEY ARE AT HOME YOU WILL SEE A PATH WHICH TAKES YOU TO THE LEFT FOLLOW IT UNTIL YOU REACH THE LAST HOUSE +afb69c8f-8aa5-4d58-a8a9-ec55e06dc7fd YES I SUPPOSE ONE OF THE PRIESTS OPERATES IT FROM SOME HIDDEN ROOM WHATEVER IT IS IT CERTAINLY DOES THE WORK WE ALL EVEN DAN CRIED EXCEPT THE STORY GIRL I DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN BE SO UNFEELING SARA STANLEY SAID FELICITY REPROACHFULLY YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN SUCH FRIENDS WITH PETER AND MADE OUT YOU THOUGHT SO MUCH OF HIM AND NOW YOU AIN'T SHEDDING A TEAR FOR HIM WHO PUT THE AIR WALL AROUND THE HOUSE WAS THE SCARECROW'S QUESTION NINNY AMMIE DID THAT NIMIE AMMIE THEY ALL EXCLAIMED IN SURPRISE ASKED HORN THERE'S A PASSENGER SEAT RIGHT BEHIND ME TO NUBES'S EYES MOVED CATLIKE RIGHT LEFT YES HE TURNED BARKED IN ORDER TO THE JUNGLE GLOOM THEN CLIMBED IN BEHIND ORAN WHEN DO WE GO +afd89384-ec5f-4259-962d-c0ce4ca12676 THE WORLD WAS BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL AND GREEN OVERHEAD WAS A DAZZLING BLUE SKY SPOTTED WITH HEAPS OF WHITE CLOUD PSHAW I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY FEAR OF IT BEING THE LAST DAY SAID DAN BEGINNING A WHISTLE OUT OF SHEER BRAVADO IF ONLY A SPANKING WOULD MEND THE MANOR IT WAS NOT LIKELY IT WOULD EVER BE MENDED BOTH FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL WERE RATHER TOO OLD TO BE SPANKED AND IF THEY HAD NOT BEEN NONE OF THE GROWN UPS WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WORTH WHILE TO ADMINISTER SO DESPERATE A REMEDY FOR THEY USUALLY CONSIDERED SO INSIGNIFICANT A TROUBLE I COULDN'T GET THEM ON THE RIGHT FORMS THOUGH I HAD TO STEAL THEIR LIST YOU CAN'T BE MANUEL SAID MARSHALL HE CAN'T BE MAN WELL SAID THE BIG POLICEMAN AND THE LITTLE POLICEMAN COMPANY DESCENDED ON US THAT AFTERNOON FIRST CAME AUNT JANET'S SISTER MISSUS PATERSON WITH A DAUGHTER OF SIXTEEN YEARS AND A SON OF TWO THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY A BUGGY LOAD OF MARKDALE PEOPLE AND FINALLY MISSUS ELDER FRUEN AND HER SISTER FROM VANCOUVER WITH TWO SMALL DAUGHTERS OF THE LATTER ARRIVED +afec6dba-3698-45b1-82e5-333c5a6c3581 EVEN WHEN SAID TRANSGRESSOR IS ONLY A DAMSEL OF ELEVEN CAME DOWN WITH SMILES AND SPARKLING EYES FELICITY GOT THE DINNER BY HERSELF DISDAINING TO ASK OR COMMAND ASSISTANCE WE MUST TRY CLETON SAID AND YOUR DAUB IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT FIFTEEN WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE BROTHERHOOD BUT THERE ARE OTHERS THE MESSENGER WOKE ME FROM A DEEP SLEEP TURNING ON THE LIGHT AND HANDING ME THE SLIP OF PAPER NO INNOCENT MAN COULD HAVE LOOKED SO TERROR STRICKEN SO WE CAN I AGREED ONE FEELS ABOUT THEM SHE TOUCHED HER SLENDER THROAT +b0174872-5a91-4215-be54-f2ab6f05e91e AND SO TORRID IN THE AFTERNOONS WHERE DID YOU GET THE TITLE A MAN OF DOMINATING PRESENCE AND ACID VOICE THE MISSING SHIP COULD HAVE GONE IN ANY DIRECTION BUT THE SHIP THE SPACE YACHT WHERE IS IT HOLD THERE SAILOR I SAID TO MYSELF USING MY BEST ADMIRAL'S VOICE NOTHING HAS CHANGED IT'S STILL THE BEST AND ONLY PLAN POSSIBLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SHE SAID IT OUT OF MALICE OF PREPENSE I DON'T BELIEVE GOD CARES WHETHER ANYBODY CAN EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT MAKING A FACE ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE ANY ONE YOU CHERRY VARS ASKED FELICITY TRYING TO SPEAK INDIFFERENTLY I GUESS I'LL BE A PRESBYTERIAN CAUSE I WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST OF YOU YES I'LL BE A PRESBYTERIAN +b075dfe8-ba5b-46a8-be98-2c24af3124cc IT WAS ON HIS ACCOUNT I PUT ON MY RED SILK THE LAST WE HEARD OF HIM HE WAS IN THE MAIN LUMBER WOODS BUT THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO A DREAMY SMILE HOVERED AROUND HER POPPY RED MOUTH I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANY USE IN PRAYING THAT FELICITY WILL SPEAK FIRST CAUSE I'M SURE SHE WON'T BUT NOW I UNDERSTOOD IT ALL EVEN IF IT'S OLD ISN'T IT IS THAT BOY STARK STARING MAD SAID UNCLE ROGER THE NUMBER OF EGGS SHE USED IN IT WOULD HAVE SHOCKED AUNT JANET'S THRIFTY SOUL BUT THAT CAKE LIKE BEAUTY WAS ITS OWN EXCUSE +b08934e9-66bc-4c9f-99c1-aa896057628c HE HESITATED FOR A MOMENT HE WALKED THREE PERHAPS FOUR MILES NOR TO PROTECT THE CREW IN EQUIPMENT FROM A BRACE OF DUST WOULD DESPISE THE SIGHT OF HIM IRONICALLY THEIR PROBLEM WAS MORE PRESSING NOW THAN BEFORE CHAFFEE FOUR RADIATED BUT SHE TOOK IT VERY COOLLY AS IF YOU WERE WALKING IN A KING'S PALACE SARA RAY'S OWN DREAMS NEVER AMOUNTED TO MUCH A HEAVY PLANET NATIVE HE FELT VAGUELY UNEASY ON THIS CHINA THREE +b0a74451-a720-466d-b0f9-4f17daff425a THE SCOOP SENSING JENOFER'S SURRENDER SLID ITS PONDEROUS BULK NEARER AND OPENED ITS MOUTH LEAVING HALF AN ACRE OF LOWER JAW RESTING FLUSH WITH THE ISLAND QUEEN'S DECK PRESENTLY PETER AND THE STORY GIRL APPEARED AND WE WERE ALL MORE OR LESS RELIEVED TO SEE THAT PETER LOOKED QUITE RESPECTABLE DESPITE THE INDISPUTABLE PATCH ON HIS TROUSERS ABOUT TEN YEARS AFTER GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER KING WERE MARRIED A YOUNG MAN CAME TO VISIT THEM HE WAS A DISTANT RELATIVE OF GRANDMOTHER'S AND HE WAS A POET WE WAITED AND WATCHED AT THE WINDOW THE VALLEY WAS FULL OF MIST AND THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN IN SLANTING LINES OVER THE TOPS OF THE SPRUCES BUT AS WE WAITED THE CLOUDS BROKE AWAY AND THE SUN CAME OUT FLASHINGLY THE DROPS ON THE SPRUCE BOUGHS GLITTERED LIKE DIAMONDS +b0ac1d1d-0f6b-44e2-87f9-205d7e567a97 WE WILL STAY WITH YOU AND SERVE YOUR EVERY NEED A DELIGHTFUL PROSPECT AN ETERNITY IN A LOCKED BEACON WITH THREE BLIND LIZARDS IN SPITE OF THEIR HOSPITALITY I COULDN'T ACCEPT WHAT YOU DARE INTERFERE WITH THE MESSENGER OF YOUR ANCESTORS HAVE YOU EVER SAT SO CLOSE TO THE SCREEN IN A MOTION PICTURE THEATRE SO THAT THE GRAININESS OF THE MOVING FILM WAS VISIBLE THESE CREATURES WERE LIKE SUCH SHADOWS SEEN IN THREE DIMENSIONS I RETREATED TWO OR THREE SWIFT STEPS JERKING THE REVOLVER FROM MY POCKET MY NAME IS GARF HE SAID CHEERFULLY JOHN ANDREW TRIED NOT TO STARE AT HIM TOO NOTICEABLY BUT RAY MADE NO BONES ABOUT HIM APPARENTLY THE FEASTMAN THOUGHT NOTHING AT ALL OF HIS STATE OF NUDITY FARMER SHIVERED FOR ONE THING THE WHOLE HOUSE MUST BE PUT IN APPLE PIE ORDER AND FOR ANOTHER AN ELABORATE SUPPER MUST BE PREPARED FOR THE EXPECTED RETURN OF THE TRAVELLERS THAT NIGHT FELICITY DEVOTED HER WHOLE ATTENTION TO THIS AND LEFT THE SECONDARY PREPARATION OF THE REGULAR MEALS TO CECILY AND THE STORY GIRL +b0f70e37-b99e-4cb5-9087-354e23399690 BEFORE HE COULD TALK I DID FOOT IN THE DOOR AND STAY ON TOP BEAUTIFUL PLANET YOU HAVE HERE DELIGHTFUL CLIMATE IDEAL SPOT FOR A COUNTRY HOME FRIENDLY PEOPLE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP STRANGERS AND ALL THAT I IMAGINE THAT'S WHAT I LIKE MAKES ME FEEL GRATEFUL NEGATIVE IT'S CRASH PRIORITY CONGO EXPECTS TO BLAST THE PLANET ANYWAY STETSON GLARED AT THE GRID THOSE FAT HEADED LARD BOTTOMED PIG BRAINED WHAT HE SAID WAS VENUS SPACESHIP MY NAME IS RAY IT IS INDEED FORTUNATE THAT YOU HAVE MET ME IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR ARRIVAL HERE SINCE I AM THE WORLD'S GREATEST GENIUS MOUTH IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY MOUTH HE SAID IT WOULD MAKE ME GROW TALL +b1006c7f-f57c-4add-9a7f-c7143c6a0544 AND SHE INSISTED THAT NIMY AMY SHOULD NEVER MARRY ME SLIPPED THE DEW THAT WAS CLUSTERED THICK ON THE FOREST FLOWERS I KNOW THAT YOURS THOUGHT WEARILY FOR ONE THING IT HAD A FULL TOWN HALL BUILT NO LESS OF HONEST STONE AND PROBABLY A RELIC OF THE MOMENT TIMES CLARETON AGREED OF COURSE YOU HAVE HE THOUGHT BUT EVEN FOUR YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO BE SHUT UP IN ASTRO ONE WITH FIVE OTHER MEN NEAR IT HE COULD SEE ITS WHITE HOT DWARF STAR COMPANION I HAD THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE OF INSTANT DEATH SHE PULLED ME INTO IT PLAYED ME LIKE AN ACCORDION WHAT CONNECTION DOES THIS TRIPE HAVE WITH CATCHING THOSE MURDERERS +b133dcfd-9471-4b36-8b51-377c7ab94972 FELICITY HAD TOLD HIM AT TEA THAT NIGHT HE WAS GETTING FATTER THAN EVER THIS WAS THE TIT FOR TAT YOU WERE PRETTY GLAD TO LEAVE IT ALL TO CECILY THEN SHE TOLD US ONE OF HANS ANDERSEN'S MOST EXQUISITE TALES AND THE MAGIC OF HER VOICE CHARMED AWAY ALL OUR FEAR SO THAT WHEN WE REACHED THE BRACKEN HOLLOW A LAKE OF SHADOWS SURROUNDED BY THE SILVER SHORE OF MOONLIGHT FIELDS WE ALL WENT THROUGH IT WITHOUT A THOUGHT OF HIS SATANIC MAJESTY AT ALL I CAN SPEAK THIS LANGUAGE TOO YOU KNOW I LEARNED IT YEARS AGO BEFORE THE GATE TO THIS WORLD WAS CLOSED AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE SHE TOLD HIM SOMETHING ELSE JOHN ANDREW BLUSHED FURIOUSLY AGAIN AND COVERED HIS EARS WITH HIS HANDS ON ANOTHER OCCASION SHE HAD A FRIGHTFUL DREAM AT LEAST IT SEEMED FRIGHTFUL WHILE SHE TOLD US AND DESCRIBED THE DREADFUL FEELING IT HAD GIVEN HER OF BEING CHASED AROUND THE PARLOUR BY THE OTTOMAN WHICH MADE FACES AT HER +b17fea7b-a6b5-4167-8783-bc79f5a3e84c THAT IS THE WAY WITH SO MANY WORDS THEY'RE EXPRESSIVE BUT THEY'RE NOT NICE AND SO A GIRL CAN'T USE EM TO SEE HE MUST GO WE WERE NOW SUMMONED TO BREAKFAST IT'S ALL JUST AS FATHER DESCRIBED IT SAID FELIX WITH A BLISSFUL SIGH I THOUGHT IT OUT LAST NIGHT THEY ARE GREAT AT MANY THINGS BUT THEY ARE NOT SWEET AND SHOULDN'T BE HER TEAR WET LASHES TREMBLING AGAINST HER PALE ROUND CHEEKS YOU MUST STAY AND KEEP US CHEERED UP IMPLORED FELICITY I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW I'M EVER GOING TO PUT IN THE AFTERNOON SHE DID NOT HOWEVER FORGET TO CARRY THE FORGET ME NOT JUG WITH HER +b180eb64-bf5d-4dae-87f6-5db31798bf45 IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WONDER WHAT HER ELBOWS MUST BE LIKE SHE WAS VERY NICELY DRESSED IN A PINK PRINT AND A FRILLED MUSLIN APRON AND WE UNDERSTOOD FROM SOMETHING DAN SAID THAT SHE HAD DRESSED UP IN HONOR OF OUR COMING THIS MADE US FEEL QUITE IMPORTANT SO FAR AS WE KNEW NO FEMININE CREATURES HAD EVER GONE TO THE PAINS OF DRESSING UP ON OUR ACCOUNT BEFORE THERE HAD BEEN A REVOLT STRIFE MURDER AND DESTRUCTION SINCE THEN BUT STILL THE HOLY WATERS WOULD NOT FLOW NOW ARMED MOBS FOUGHT AROUND THE TEMPLE EACH DAY AND A NEW BAND OF PRIESTS GUARDED THE SACRED FONT AND I HAD TO WALK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THAT MESS AND REPAIR THE THING I HAD THOUGHT OF IT HE OWNED BUT IT LOOKS A WEE LIKE A STORM AND MY SLEIGH IS AT THE BLACKSMITH'S TO BE SHOD IF I WENT IT MUST BE ON BLACK BENT DAN'S BACK AND HE LIKES A CANTER OVER THE ICE IN A SNOWSTORM AS LITTLE AS I HIS OWN FIRESIDE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR A MAN TO DIET CAMPBELL HAVE ANOTHER TASTE MAN HAVE ANOTHER TASTE THEN THEY WENT TO TAKE THE REST OF THE SENSES BUT IN FEAR THERE WAS A CLEAR DUTY TO GET THE JOB DONE BUT THERE WAS ALSO A DREAD OF IT THAT HIS SUPERIORS DID NOT UNDERSTAND THERE WAS REASON ALSO WHY MARILLA WAS LOADED SO SHE COULD HARDLY WALK WITH PACKS OF CENSUS FORMS +b190ba96-191f-471e-a21c-506d83eb1cfa TALK TALKING IN THE GLOOM BEYOND THE LIGHTS TENUBE'S WORD FOR HIS PEOPLE WAS GRATZIE HAD WOOED WILD DREAMS TO THEIR PILLOWS BY THE SIMPLE DEVICE OF EATING RICH THEN GREAT AUNT EDITH CAME INTO THE ORCHARD CIRIUS WAS TURNING THE SKY TO GREY THE COLONEL HAD SAID A THOUSAND TIMES SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED HE PAUSED AND ASKED DEFENSIVELY HE DECIDED THAT GARF'S SUPERIOR ATTITUDE AND POWERS BODED NO GOOD BUT IF THE FISH MAN ONCE BECAME SLIGHTLY IRRITATED +b1912774-5268-4936-bd16-6e0f71c7c758 DAN LIKE PETER WRITES LYING DOWN FLAT BUT WITH HIS BACK TOWARDS US AND HE HAS A DISMAL HABIT OF GROANING ALOUD WRITHING HIS WHOLE BODY AND DIGGING HIS TOES INTO THE GRASS WHEN HE CANNOT TURN A SENTENCE TO SUIT HIM WE WERE WOEFULLY TIRED BUT WE COULD NOT SIT DOWN BECAUSE THE GRASS WAS REEKING WITH DEW THE FAMILY GHOST ONLY APPEARS IN DAYLIGHT SAID THE STORY GIRL I WOULDN'T MIND SEEING A GHOST IN DAYLIGHT BUT AFTER DARK IT'S ANOTHER THING THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A GHOST I SAID CONTEMPTUOUSLY OH I WISH I COULD BELIEVE IT THEN WHO RUNG THAT BELL SAID PETER MARTIN FORBES IS THE BROTHER OF A HORRID MAN IN SUMMERSIDE WHO CALLED ME JOHNNY THAT'S WHY SHE EXPLAINED HE WAS VISITING HERE WITH HIS WIFE TWO AGO AND HE CALLED ME JOHNNY EVERY TIME HE SPOKE TO ME JUST YOU FANCY I'LL NEVER FORGIVE HIM WELL SAID SHE STILL EYEING THE I'M NOT SURE THEY'LL PUNCTURE LET'S TRY IT AND SEE +b19b6013-0ff7-4e4d-b496-30182de5650a SO DID MINE JEFF SAID THE ZID'S TALONS RIPPED THROUGH THE DOOR LEAVING PARALLEL ROWS OF SPLINTERED BRAKES I MADE A BOLT FOR THE ORCHARD AND YOU WON'T CATCH ME GOING NEAR THE HOUSE TILL YOUR UNCLE ROGER COMES HOME YOU COULDN'T CATCH ANY OF US DOING IT WE WERE ALMOST AS BADLY SCARED AS PETER ONE OF FARMER'S WEAKNESSES IN FACT WAS THAT THOUGH THOROUGHLY MASCULINE HIMSELF HE COMPLETELY DISTRUSTED WOMEN THE YUKAHOO MAGIC IS ADMITTED TO BE VERY STRANGE IN ITS WORKINGS THE COAT WAS BUTTONED TIGHT TO KEEP THE PACKED STRAW FROM FALLING OUT +b19f88e7-decb-474c-834e-060219774587 JOHN ANDREW FELT A TOUCH OF JEALOUSY AT THE LITTLE MAN'S CAPABILITY IN ASSUMING CONTROL OF THE SITUATION THAT AND A SUDDEN IDEA OF HIS OWN FORCED HIM TO SPEAK FOR HIMSELF IT WAS A SAD ATTEMPT VENUS SPACE SHIP CONSTANT CONTACT WAS SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE ANY REACHING OUT USED ENERGY AND LINKING UP FOR A LONG PERIOD SIMPLY BURNED THE BODY UP LIKE A LONG STARVATION IT WAS AS BAD AS A PENANCE FAR ON THE HORIZON WAS A BANK OF ATMOSPHERIC CLOUDS PERHAPS CONDITIONS WERE MORE PROMISING THERE HE SHOVED THE POWER SETTING TO NINETY PER CENT A FIRE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT BLINKED ON INSTANTLY BRANDON'S EYES WERE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE TAIL PIPE TEMPERATURE SEEMED ALL RIGHT IT COULD BE A FALSE INDICATION THEN PLEASE DON'T TRANSFORM US PECKEDW FOR WE ARE QUITE SATISFIED TO REMAIN AS WE ARE +b1aa4fea-c5ca-45ac-837f-488ecbe95c86 YOUR RACE IS NO MATCH FOR US ORN AND THEN THE WEAKEST A HEAVY OBJECT SUDDENLY ARCHED THROUGH THE HEADLIGHTS SWINGING ON A VINE NEVERTHELESS WE DRESSED OURSELVES CAREFULLY AND THE GIRLS PUT ON THEIR WHITE DRESSES REALIZING WHAT OUR DREAD HAD BEEN IT WAS NOT THE JUDGMENT DAY THE WORLD AND LIFE WERE STILL BEFORE US WITH ALL THEIR POTENT LURE OF YEARS UNKNOWN WHAT PETER HAD BOUGHT MAGIC SEED FOR REMAINED A SECRET LONGER THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS AMONG THE FAIR FRAIL WHITE LADIES OF THE WALK NO MENTION OF ANY OTHER NAVAL SIGNALING EQUIPMENT THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE NOW IT MIGHT BE OVERHEARD +b1b23d0e-0268-414d-a153-156fc7e42f48 WITH SUCH COLOURING MOST CATS WOULD HAVE HAD WHITE OR SILVER FEET BUT HE HAD FOUR BLACK PAWS AND A BLACK NOSE SUCH POINTS GAVE HIM AN AIR OF DISTINCTION AND MARKED HIM OUT AS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE COMMON OR GARDEN VARIETY OF CATS WITH ANY OF THESE THINGS THE PATTERN IS PROTECTION THEN CONTROL TINY RED MISTS MARKED DUST STORMS THEN CAUTIOUSLY SKIRTED THE BRUSH WELL I WON'T JUST TO OBLIGE YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WOULD HAVE DIED THE DEATH BEFORE SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE PUBLIC MEETING BAREFOOTED SHE HAD PUT AWAY IN THE PANTRY SPECIALLY FOR HIM THIS WAS THE END OF HEROICS AND PLAYING A LONE HAND THE MONEY IS NEEDED FOR THERE ARE FINES TO PAY IN COSTS OF THE INQUISITION +b227bdd7-fccb-4198-b72f-20934ca1a169 THE GREAT SUN WILL BE DOWN SOON SAID TO NEWBE WE CAN CONTINUE AS SOON AS CYERANNA CRUSOE RISES CHERANNA CHERUSOE OUR SATELLITE OUR MOON SAID TO NEW IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WORD SAID ORAN CHERANNA CRUSO BUT I HAVE FELT EVER SINCE THE JUDGMENT SUNDAY THAT I MUST OBEY MAR BETTER THAN I USED TO DO A PICTURE OF GOD SAID CECILY WITH A SOB IN HER VOICE AND OH IT IS SO DREADFUL AND UGLY LOOK THEY WERE ALL UNITED IN A LOOSE ALLIANCE AND BICKET A LOT AMONG THEMSELVES BUT NEVER CAME TO BLOWS IF ANYTHING THEY SHARED A UNIVERSAL ABHORRENCE OF WAR YET THEY WERE SECRETLY BUILDING A BATTLESHIP WHEN WE GOT AWAY WE COMPARED NOTES AND FOUND THAT WE ALL LIKED HIM AND THIS ALTHOUGH HE HAD SAID LITTLE AND HAD APPEARED SOMEWHAT GLAD TO GET RID OF US OH WASN'T THAT AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE EXCLASPED CECILY SHUDDERING I WOULDN'T GO THROUGH IT AGAIN I COULDN'T NOT EVEN FOR PAT +b2632f57-f20a-4f24-a2e4-098e3371d0f0 OF COURSE I KNOW WE'RE THOROUGHLY UNCIVILIZED TOO UNWARLIKE FOR ANY OTHER RACE TO TRUST AND ALL THAT I CAN SEE HOW EARTH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED THE PLAGUE SPOT OF THE UNIVERSE FRESH MULTITUDES WERE POURING UP THE RAMP BRUSHING ASIDE THE FIVE OR SIX PRIESTS THAT HAD HURRIED THERE IN AN EFFORT TO STEM THE TIDE ONE OF THE PRIESTS SAW US AND CRIED OUT SHRILLY TO HIS COMPANIONS UNCLE ROGER SAYS PETER'S FATHER WASN'T EXACTLY LAZY SAID THE STORY GIRL THE TROUBLE WAS THERE WERE SO MANY OTHER THINGS HE LIKED BETTER THAN WORK I WONDER IF HE'LL EVER COME BACK TO HIS FAMILY SAID CECILY JUST THINK HOW DREADFUL IT WOULD BE IF OUR FATHER HAD LEFT US LIKE THAT THE REST OF US HELD OUR TONGUES IT WAS WE TOLD OURSELVES SARA'S OWN OUTLOOK I HAVE A GOOD MIND TO DO IT SAID SARA BUT I CAN'T GET MY GOOD CLOTHES THEY'RE IN THIS BARE ROOM AND MA LO LOCKED THE DOOR FOR FEAR SOMEBODY WOULD GET AT THE FRUIT CAKE I HAVEN'T A SINGLE THING TO WEAR EXCEPT MY SCHOOL GINGHAM +b2666583-fa31-4360-be90-d8af6061bbc9 AND AN IMPOSSIBLE PIT MONSTER SHE WASN'T WEARING ANYTHING EITHER AIMED FIRST AT THE NONIFUS THEN AT THE FISH MAN AND THEY WERE BACK IN BUSINESS AND I HAD TO WALK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THAT MESS AND REPAIR THE THING THE TINSMITH WAS AS PROUD OF HIS WORKMANSHIP AS WAS I ALWAYS YOUR LOVING AND GRATEFUL FRIEND WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO TRUST BILLY ROBINSON SAID FELICITY SUMMING UP THE CASE ONE EVENING WHEN ALL HAD BEEN MADE KNOWN +b27db4dd-e205-41ee-8255-151a36c19bd9 WHERE AGAIN THE CALL BELL RANG WHAT'S IT THIS TIME HAL BARKED STETSON THEY'VE CHANGED TO PLAN H STETT NEW ORDER'S CUT WE WENT IN SPITE OF NEW DISAPPOINTMENTS AND OLD HEARTBREAKS WE HAD APPETITES AND FELICITY DID MAKE SCRUMPTIOUS RHUBARB TARTS UNCLE ALEC WHIPPED HIM FOR IT THE ONLY TIME HE EVER SO PUNISHED ANY OF HIS CHILDREN BUT IT WAS BECAUSE CECILY CRIED ALL NIGHT THAT DAN WAS FILLED WITH SAVOURING REMORSE AND REPENTANCE HE VOWED NEXT DAY TO CECILY THAT HE WOULD NEVER SWEAR AGAIN AND HE KEPT HIS WORD COULD YOU EVER DO WHAT BETTY SHERMAN DID DO YOU SUPPOSE ASKED CECILY ABSENTLY NO BUT I BELIEVE THE STORY GIRL COULD ANSWERED FELICITY RATHER SNAPPISHLY +b283377e-9fcd-4b10-9558-82ce4de5ad04 ONCE HE BUILT A SMALL OUTDOOR FIRE AND WALKED AROUND IT BITTERSHIN'S FOR SEVERAL MINUTES VERY WELL THEN CLAYTON THOUGHT THERE WE STOOD IN A HUDDLED DEMORALIZED GROUP SARA STANLEY FELICITY FLEW ACROSS THE KITCHEN DO YOU MEAN THAT YOU PUT THE BREAD RIGHT INTO THE OVEN AFTER YOU KNEADED IT WITHOUT LEAVING IT TO RISE A SECOND TIME BILLY WAS TALLER THAN ANY OF THE BOYS OUR AGE IN CARLISLE AND HE ASSURED ME IT ALL CAME FROM TAKING MAGIC SEED GARF PADDLED IDLY AROUND DOR'S APARTMENT PRETENDING INTEREST IN THE SHELL PAINTINGS THAT DECORATED THE WALLS +b2a0404f-cbd1-4a5d-8eba-b738c4ddc2d2 AND HE PLUNGED FIERCELY IN HE SWAM AND STRUGGLED HE BUFFETED THE TURMOIL THE WAVES WENT OVER HIS HEAD AGAIN AND AGAIN THE WHIRLPOOLS CAUGHT HIM AND FLUNG HIM ON THE CRUEL ROCKS RAY HAD COME TO THE OFFICE OF THE STEIN FINE BRYAN PUBLISHING COMPANY WHERE FARMER WAS WORKING AS AN ASSISTANT EDITOR AND ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO WRITE THE GREATEST BOOK OF THE AGE THERE'S A SMALL INSTRUMENT BOARD SET ON ONE OF THE POSTS TURN THE UPPER OF THE TWO DIALS UNTIL THE HAND OF THE METER BESIDE IT MOVES UP TO TWENTY SEVEN HUNDRED EXACTLY WAIT A MOMENT UNTIL YOU'RE SURE YOU HAVE THE EXACT READING NOW I MUST RETURN ON WITH THE CEREMONY THE TORTURE MASTER WAS TOO FRIGHTENED TO MOVE SO I GRABBED OUT HIS HOT IRON THERE WERE A FEW MINUTES WHILE THE WATER BEGAN TO GURGLE DOWN THROUGH THE DRY PIPE THEN A ROAR CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE PYRAMID THAT MUST HAVE SHAKEN ITS STONE WALLS +b2ab7387-de0e-4b73-9406-4472a874092f IT WAS HORRIBLE BUT EFFECTIVE IF THE WATER WAS STILL THERE BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL I DARE SAY IT WASN'T EVEN CLEAN SHE WAS VERY PROUD OF IT I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WERE ANY NEEDLES IN THAT SAWDUST AND AFTER YOU READ IT YOU CAN LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE TWENTY ONE TWENTY FIVE TWENTY SIX FARMER LOOKED IMPRESSED THEN BEGAN TO REALIZE WHAT SOME OF THIS MEANT HE CAUGHT HIMSELF +b2bb7967-03f4-4f6f-875e-6ad3354a777b THE TONES OF HER VOICE BROUGHT OUT THE POIGNANT AND IMMORTAL BEAUTY AND PATHOS OF THAT WONDERFUL OLD LAMENT THE GIRLS WIPED THEIR EYES AND WE BOYS FELT AS IF WE MIGHT HAVE DONE SO TOO HAD NOBODY BEEN LOOKING HE HAD FINISHED THOSE JUST DESCRIBED BEFORE DOOR SAID ALL RIGHT GARF FUN SPUN NOW LET US KISS AND MAKE UP AFTER ALL IT'S ILLEGAL FOR US TO BE HERE NOT ONLY OUR OWN COPSE BUT THE GALACTIC FEDERATION WOULD BE ON OUR NECKS IF THEY KNEW ONE TWILIGHT WHEN A KATY WAS OUT HUNTING IN THE WOODS HE SHOT A SNOW WHITE MOOSE AND TOOK OFF ITS SKIN AND WRAPPED IT AROUND HIM WHEN HOWEVER HE TOOK TO PRAYING ABOUT IT I REALIZED HOW DEEPLY HE FELT ON THE SUBJECT AND HOPED HE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL OF COURSE THIS COULD ALL BE COINCIDENCE THE PLANS OF A NEWLY BUILT SHIP AGREE INTO SIX PLACES WITH THOSE OF A SHIP BUILT A THOUSAND YEARS AGO AND IF YOU THINK SO I'LL GIVE YOU A HUNDRED TO ONE ODDS YOU ARE WRONG ANY SIZE BET YOU NAME +b2d59a50-4ade-4e87-a152-50e252e585b7 HAVING DECIDED ALL THIS FARMER WENT BACK OVER THE TERRITORY TO SEE IF HE COULD FIND ANY FLAWS IN IT OR ANY OTHER WAY OUT HE DEMANDED OH UNCLE ROGER DON'T GO IN IMPLORED FELICITY SERIOUSLY THERE'S SOMETHING DREADFUL IN THERE SOMETHING THAT RINGS A BELL THEN WE SAW WITH SHAME THAT IT WAS ONLY OUR PADDY PAT PAT I SAID PICKING HIM UP FEELING A CERTAIN COMFORT IN HIS SOFT SOLID BODY BUT I'M AFRAID IT ISN'T GOING TO BE LIKE THAT THIS TIME DON'T YOU NOTICE HOW CAREFUL THE STORY GIRL IS NOT TO GET EXCITED AND SUCH A BAD SIGN WE HAVE JUST GOT TO THINK OF SOME FOOL EXCITER THAT'S ALL I SAID I I'M PRAYING ABOUT IT SAID CICELY IN A LOW VOICE HER TEAR WET LASHES TREMBLING AGAINST HER PALE ROUND CHEEKS IN ONE CORNER THE RACK ITSELF STOOD AND THERE WERE OTHER TOOLS OF THE TRADE SCATTERED AROUND THE ROOM YUNUS FOUND THAT HE WAS SWEATING THE GUARDS BROUGHT HIM TO THE CENTRE OF THE ROOM KENUF WAS STANDING NEAR HIM A PERFECTLY BRANK OF EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE HIS VOICE WAS THE SAME ROUGH RASP BUT IT SEEMED ALMOST MECHANICAL +b2d79b29-fb3a-4c53-a235-b778c17f33b8 THAT'S TOO EASY A WAY OF EARNING MONEY GRUMBLED PETER RESENTFULLY SO IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE STORY GIRL MIGHT GO TOO BUT AS FELIX SAID HE COULDN'T WRITE WORTH A CENT TO LEND A WONDERFUL CHARM TO OUR SPECULATIONS CONCERNING IT WITH JUST A HINT OF DEMURENESS IN THEM NOW AND AGAIN IF THE DAILY ENTERPRISE SAID THAT AUGUST TWELFTH WAS TO BE THE JUDGMENT DAY HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET AROUND IT FELICITY WAS SIPPING FROM THE CUP OF CLOUDED BLUE WITH AN OVERDONE AIR OF UNCONCERN EACH WAS ACUTELY AND MISERABLY CONSCIOUS OF THE OTHER'S PRESENCE THE STORY GIRL'S EYES GREW DREAMY AND HER ACCENTS FLOATED AWAY ON THE SUMMER AIR LIKE A WIND BLOWN ROSE PETALS +b2e09cfb-fe95-461b-b5cd-c661c158c9be BOTH HOPE AND VIC WERE FIGHTING DESPERATELY BUT THERE WERE AT LEAST TEN GUARDS TO EACH OF THEM I LIFTED MY HAND AND WAVED A FAREWELL HOPING THAT ONE OF THEM AT LEAST WOULD SEE THE GESTURE AND KNOW THAT MY LAST THOUGHT WAS OF THEM SARA RAY AND PETER AND THE STORY GIRL WENT HOME AND WE WENT IN TO TEA WITH ROYAL APPETITES AFTERWARDS AS WE DRESSED FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL UPSTAIRS OUR SPIRITS CARRIED US AWAY HATE TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT AUNT JANE HAD TO COME TWICE TO THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS AND INQUIRE SEVERELY CHILDREN HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHAT DAY IT IS SHE SAYS SHE NEVER SAW A ROOM LIKE IT IN A COUNTRY FARMHOUSE IT WAS LIKE A BEDROOM AND A SITTING ROOM COMBINED THE FLOOR WAS COVERED WITH A CARPET LIKE GREEN VELVET THERE WERE FINE LACE CURTAINS AT THE WINDOWS AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURES ON THE WALLS CECILY SPRANG UP SHAKING WITH SOBS OH DON'T DON'T GO ON SHE IMPLORED I CAN'T BEAR ANY MORE +b302867c-36b9-427e-a444-d3d5588c221d DOES YOUR NEW GEAR LOOK ANYTHING LIKE THIS I ASKED THROWING IT ACROSS THE TABLE TO HIM HE RUBBED HIS JAW WHILE HE LOOKED IT WELL HE SAID HESITATINGLY I DON'T WANT TO SAY FOR CERTAIN ALL THESE DETAILS AREN'T IN MY DEPARTMENT I'M JUST RESPONSIBLE FOR FINAL ASSEMBLY NOT UNIT WORK BUT THIS SURELY LOOKS LIKE THE THING THEY INSTALLED BIG THING LOTS OF POWERS IT WAS A BATTLESHIP ALL RIGHT NO DOUBT OF THAT NOW I WAS MENTALLY REACHING AROUND TO PAT MYSELF ON THE BACK WHEN THE MEANING OF HIS WORDS SANK IN CECILY SAT DOWN BY HER HALF FILLED BASKET AND BEGAN TO CRY FELICITY SAID VIOLENTLY THAT SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT I CAN'T PICK ANOTHER APPLE TO DAY AND I AIN'T GOING TO TRY SAID DAN NONE OF US COULD WE WENT TO THE GROWN UPS AND TOLD THEM SO AND THE GROWN UPS WITH UNACCUSTOMED UNDERSTANDING AND SYMPATHY TOLD US THAT WE NEED NOT THEN WE ROAMED ABOUT IN OUR WRETCHEDNESS AND TRIED TO COMFORT ONE ANOTHER THE STORY GIRL WENT UP AND TOLD HIM WONDROUS TALES AND SARA RAY BROUGHT HIM A PUDDING SHE HAD MADE HERSELF SARA'S INTENTIONS WERE GOOD BUT THE PUDDING WELL DAN FED MOST OF IT TO PATTY WHO HAD CURLED HIMSELF UP AT THE FOOT OF THE BED GIVING THE WORLD ASSURANCE OF A CAT BY HIS MALLIPHUOUS PURRING AIN'T HE JUST A GREAT OLD FELLOW SAID DAN HE KNOWS I'M KIND OF SICK JUST AS WELL AS A HUMAN HE NEVER PAYS NO ATTENTION TO ME WHEN I'M WELL DORA WAS PICKING HER WAY SLOWLY DOWN THE STONE STEPS THE MACHINE CRADLED UNDER HER ARM RAY CLIMBED UP ON THE RAIL PAUSED THERE FOR A SECOND THEN ATTEMPTED A SWAN DYKE JOHN ANDREW YELLED AT HIM AS HE ARCHED FORWARD BUT IT WAS TOO LATE THE OLD MAN DROPPED LIKE A STONE FLAPPING HIS ARMS BOWED SLIGHTLY ON THE TOP STEP THEN SLID FORWARD DOWN SEVERAL MORE STEPS ON HIS FACE PLATE +b30af796-d77a-46e2-b9e0-e99e8381d8d7 AND RUN HOME WITH MY TAIL BETWEEN MY LEGS GLARED OUT THE STARBOARD PORT IF WE GET THAT BACK WE PULL THEIR TEETH BUT CLARTON HAD INSISTED ON AN INTERMITTENT CONTACT THE DAUGHTER AND AND THAT WOULD BE A FINE THING FOR A HERO WOULDN'T IT ROUND THE WORKSHOP THE STRAW MAN WAS AWKWARD IN HIS MOVEMENTS AS I HAVE FORGOTTEN YOU LET PEOPLE VERY OBVIOUSLY SEE WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO SEE AND THEY'LL NEVER NOTICE WHAT IS HIDDEN WAS THERE REALLY ANYTHING THAT COULD STOP A PLAN LIKE THIS ONCE IT GOT ROLLING +b3197666-a998-4d9f-95f9-fbabbd634015 SHE LOOKED LIKE A SLENDER RED LILY IN THE UNSTUDIED GRACE OF HER ATTITUDE A SPARK FLASHED IN MISTER CAMPBELL'S BLACK EYES IS THIS A SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPUTATION HE INQUIRED RATHER IRONICALLY NO WE HAVE COME TO ASK A FAVOR OF YOU SAID THE STORY GIRL I HAVE HAD NO ONE TO TALK TO SINCE I TRANSFORMED POLYCHROME THE DAUGHTER OF THE RAINBOW INTO A CANARY BIRD HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO DO THAT ASKED THE TIN WOODMAN IN AMAZEMENT POLYCHROME IS A POWERFUL FAIRY AFTER ALL WHEN A BEACON BREAKS DOWN HOW DO YOU FIND IT NOT THROUGH HYPERSPACE ALL YOU CAN DO IS APPROACH AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN BY USING OTHER BEACONS THEN FINISH THE TRIP IN NORMAL SPACE WHEN THE TALE ENDED THERE WAS A BRIEF SILENCE THEN AUNT JANET SAID SEVERELY BUT WITH A SIGH OF RELIEF LITTLE GIRLS SHOULDN'T TELL SUCH HORRIBLE STORIES +b32650af-9ae0-4df7-b421-c7785840b409 ANYHOW I SAVED MY DREAM SHE SAID PLACIDLY AND THAT OF COURSE WAS ALL THAT REALLY MATTERED GROWN PEOPLE WERE SO STRANGELY OBLIVIOUS TO THE TRULY IMPORTANT THINGS OF LIFE MATERIAL FOR NEW GARMENTS NIGHT OR DAY COULD BE BOUGHT IN ANY SHOP FOR A TRIFLING SUM AND MADE UP OUT OF HAND WITH THIS ASSURANCE I PULLED OFF MY FLASHY CLOTHES AND SLIPPED INTO THE MIDNIGHT BLACK DRESS UNIFORM OF AN ADMIRAL IN THE LEAGUE GRAN FLEET IT CAME COMPLETE WITH DECORATIONS GOLD BULLION AND ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS I THOUGHT IT A LITTLE SHOWY MYSELF BUT IT WAS JUST THE THING TO MAKE THE RIGHT IMPRESSION SETANOVO LIKE MANY OTHER PLANETS THIS ONE WAS UNIFORM CONSCIOUS DELIVERY BOYS STREET CLEANERS CLERKS ALL HAVE TO HAVE CHARACTERISTIC UNIFORMS HOW DARED HE WE FELT THAT IT WAS AN INSULT TO OUR WRETCHEDNESS IF PETER WERE GOING TO GOING TO WELL IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO PETER WE FELT SO MISERABLY SURE THAT THE MUSIC OF LIFE WOULD BE STILLED FOR US FOR EVER HOW COULD ANYONE IN THE WORLD BE HAPPY WHEN WE WERE SO UNHAPPY IF YOU'RE A KING YOU SING WAS A CARLISLE PROVERB IN THOSE DAYS AUNT JULIA HAD BEEN THE FLOWER OF THE FLOCK IN THAT RESPECT AND HAD TO BECOME A NOTED CONCERT SINGER THE WORLD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE REST THEIR MUSIC ECHOED ONLY ALONG THE HIDDEN WAYS OF LIFE AND SERVED BUT TO LIGHTEN THE CARES OF THE TRIVIAL ROUND AND COMMON TASK +b34e94c0-922d-479a-8a48-eaacbcc581d8 AND KNOWING HUMAN NATURE THE WAY I DO THAT WAS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE TO EXPECT THE FACTS I NEEDED WERE ALL NEATLY TUCKED AWAY IN THEIR PAID PO CATACOMBS SOME ONE WHO OPERATED THE WAY I HAD DONE BEFORE MY CONVERSION THEY SHUDDERED AND TELEPARTED THE SUDDEN REAPPEARANCE OF HIS HALLUCINATION DOUBLED THEY BOUGHT THIS TENTATIVELY AND WE ALL HEAVED OUT OF THE TUB AND TRICKLED MUDDY PATHS ACROSS THE FLOOR INQUIRED THE SCARECROW WHO LOOKED UPON THE TIN MAN AS THE LEADER OF THE PARTY SO I'M MUCH OBLIGED FOR THE KINDNESS LITTLE FAIRY +b354fc30-27cc-4eef-8b5d-2de2fc9efa6e FAITHFUL STORY OF THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURE UNDERTAKEN BY THE TIN WOODMAN ASSISTED BY WOUT THE WANDERER SCARECROW OF OZ AND POLYCHROME THE RAINBOW'S DAUGHTER BY EL WHAT BATTLESHIP HE GASPED THE WAR LORD CLASS BATTLESHIP THAT HAS BEEN BUILT AT THE CENT ORANTOLA SPACE YARDS DISGUISED BEHIND THESE BLUE PRINTS I THREW THEM ACROSS THE DESK TO HIM AND POINTED TO ONE CORNER THOSE YOUR INITIALS THERE AUTHORIZING CONSTRUCTION THE TIME HAD COME SOONER THAN WE HAD DARED TO HOPE BUT FATHER COULD NOT TAKE US AFTER ALL HIS FIRM HAD ASKED HIM TO GO TO RIO DE JANEIRO THAT SPRING TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR NEW BRANCH THERE IT WILL SOON BE WINTER I WISH SUMMER WOULD LAST FOREVER FELICITY LIKES THE WINTER AND SO DOES THE STORY GIRL BUT I DON'T IT ALWAYS SEEMS SO LONG TILL SPRING +b3e9d09e-dbe7-43c3-962a-0d90638ec3f8 WHO HAD CURLED HIMSELF UP AT THE FOOT OF THE BED THE NEW PEAS WOULDN'T HURT ENOUGH THEY'RE SO SOFT THEY'D SQUASH FLAT IT WAS A REAL GOOD BOOK BUT THE STORY GIRL UNDAUNTEDLY CONTINUED TO COAX THE RELUCTANT PETER O ON THE DAUPHINIS WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD WILL THEY GIVE US MORE TIME TO BRIEF HIM THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE PILOT'S CAPSULE SHOT UP LIKE A WET BAR OF SILK SQUEEZED OUT OF A GIANT'S HAND WE'LL BE THE FIRST MEN TO SET FOOT ON THE PLANET OF ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM +b3ed07a6-70ac-4e0d-8dad-53644cd310a0 I'M GOING TO CATCH THIS THUG AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW I'M GOING TO DO IT HE'S GOING TO HIT AGAIN SOON AND WHEREVER HE HITS THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF PERIODICAL WITH MY PLANT IN IT WHATEVER ELSE HE'S AFTER HE IS GOING TO TAKE ALL THE MAGAZINES AND PAPERS HE CAN FIND PARTLY TO SATISFY HIS OWN EGO BUT MOSTLY TO KEEP TRACK OF THINGS HE'S INTERESTED IN OZMA SMILED AND SAID I DO NOT KNOW YOUR NIMMY AMY AND SO I CANNOT TELL WHAT SHE NEEDS TO MAKE HER HAPPY BUT THERE IS NO HARM IN YOUR GOING TO HER AND ASKING HER IF SHE STILL WISHES TO MARRY YOU FELIX HELD OUT TO FELICITY A REMARKABLY FINE APPLE WHICH HE HAD BEEN SAVING FOR HIS OWN CONSUMPTION AND THE STORY GIRL BEGAN A TALE OF AN ENCHANTED MAIDEN IN A CASTLE BY THE SEA BUT WE NEVER HEARD THE END OF IT LIKELY A GLAYA SWALLOWED IT SAID FELIX SPARECTICALLY DID GLAUCON AND AGLEIA EVER GET MARRIED ASKED SARA RAY +b3ef83bf-8e40-46d2-8b75-51ec34669cbb I WISH I HAD A WHITE DRESS LIKE YOU GIRLS SOBBED SARA ARRAY BUT I HAVEN'T AND IT'S TOO LATE TO GET ONE PEOPLE WON'T BELIEVE IT TILL IT'S TOO LATE AND THOUGH WE HAD SOME IDEA WHAT WOULD BE AT THE END OF IT HEAVY LIDDED EYES AND A PINK AND WHITE SKIN OUR EYES DIFFER SAID TO NEWBE HE BENT TOWARD ORAN PEERED HAH WHAT DO YOU MEAN IN THE MIDST OF OUR LAUGHTER PAT CAME DOWN THE WALK HIS STATELY TAIL WAVING OVER THE GRASSES +b41cce61-6fbb-4d1c-af2d-8b0dc197a071 THIS WE THOUGHT WAS A GOOD OMEN WHEN YOU'VE BEEN STUMPING OUT ELDERBERRIES ALL AFTERNOON IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN THE JUDGMENT DAY TO KEEP YOU AWAKE ALL NIGHT HE SAID WERE THEY EVER LIKE THIS BEFORE I ASKED CECILY AS WE TALKED THE MATTER OVER PRIVATELY IN UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK THAT IS JUST THE TROUBLE HE SAID WE DID NOT FIND THE WHOLE STORY OUT AT ONCE THE FULL MEASURE OF THAT SHAMELESS BILLY ROBINSON'S INIQUITY WAS REVEALED TO US EVERY PUPIL OF CARLYLE'S SCHOOL FELIX AND I RECOGNIZED ITS BEAUTIFUL FITNESS AT ONCE WELL GOD WILL BE ALL THE MORE LIKELY TO LISTEN TO ME IF I DON'T PESTER HIM ALL THE TIME +b484d91d-f88d-4a8c-8dc6-d07ca79ed49f MAYBE THAT LITTLE PINK CLOUD IS A DREAM GETTING ALL READY TO FLOAT DOWN INTO SOMEBODY'S SLEEP SUGGESTED THE STORY GIRL HE CAME HERE LAST NIGHT AT SUNSET WITH A HORSE AND SLEIGH NOT HIS OWN OR LATELY GOTTEN AND HE ASKED NAN IN THE STABLE YARD TO MARRY HIM CERTAINLY THIS WAS NO PLACE TO SET DOWN THE FULL WEIGHT OF ASTRO NOR TO PROTECT THE CREW IN EQUIPMENT FROM A BRACE OF DUST HE RIGHTED THE SHIP FAR ON THE HORIZON WAS A BANK OF ATMOSPHERIC CLOUDS PERHAPS CONDITIONS WERE MORE PROMISING THERE HE SHOVED THE POWER SETTING TO NINETY PER CENT WHEN EVENING CAME WE WENT TO OUR SEATS UNDER THE WHISPERING SIGHING FIR TREES IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT CLEAR WINDLESS FROSTY SOME ONE GALLOPED DOWN THE ROAD ON HORSEBACK LUSTILY SINGING A COMIC SONG HOW DARED HE WE FELT THAT IT WAS AN INSULT TO OUR WRETCHEDNESS YONAS SIGHED AND WENT FORWARD TO MEET THE TWO BIG MEN LEAVING MISSUS SHARP SOBBING IN THE BACKGROUND THE POOR WOMAN FELT TERRIBLE HE KNEW BUT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT THAT THEN LET US GO HE SAID AND MARCHED OFF FEELING THAT ONE MORE EFFECT WOULDN'T HURT HE LED THE WAY TO THE TOWN HALL LET THEM FIGURE OUT HOW HE HAD KNOWN JUST WHERE TO GO HE THOUGHT +b48e00e0-404c-4c38-b41a-7994ac90efd1 NO NO YELLED PANT I'M NOT BIG ENOUGH YET NO ANSWERED THE SCARECROW WE TRIED TO ESCAPE BUT FAILED THEY LOVED EACH OTHER EVER SINCE THEY WERE SMALL PAPOOSES AND THEY VOWED TO LOVE EACH OTHER AS LONG AS THE RIVER RAN HE WAS INSTEAD SOMEWHAT SHORTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF MEN IN EUROPE IN SIXTEEN O FIVE AND FOR SOME TIME THEREAFTER BUT WHAT DOES THE WORK WHAT KILLED HIM I ASKED BREATHLESSLY I GLANCED DOWN AT MY WATCH FEARFUL FOR A MOMENT THAT IT HAD BEEN BROKEN OR LOST IN THE MALAY +b49e10f0-392d-4933-b42e-b00eca611b19 BUT HE MAKETH VERY LITTLE PROGRESS UNLESS HE PICK THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE WHO STICKETH OUT HIS NECK WHICH SEEMED QUITE A STICKY PROBLEM FOR A MAN IN A MEDIEVAL CULTURE JONAS DID NOT IN SPITE OF HIS POSE LOOK LIKE THE TYPICAL HERO FOLK TALE OR SCRIBE'S TOME HE WAS NOT EVEN SEVEN FEET TALL FOR INSTANCE NOR DID HE HAVE A HANDSOME LOVESOME FACE WITH FLASHING BLUE EYES OR A BROAD SHOULDERED NARROW WAISTED MARVEL OF A FIGURE HE WAS INSTEAD SOMEWHAT SHORTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF MEN IN EUROPE IN SIXTEEN O FIVE AND FOR SOME TIME THEREAFTER ORN LOOKED UP ATTENTIVELY THE SPEAKER SAID YES THEY SAID WE HAVE TO USE ORAN BECAUSE THE RECORDS ON THE DELPHINIS WELL THEN WILL THEY GIVE US MORE TIME TO BRIEF HIM NEGATIVE IT'S CRASH PRIORITY CONGO EXPECTS TO BLAST THE PLANET ANYWAY OH OH OH WAILED CECILY ON THE SOFA I WISH IT WOULD STOP RAINING I WISH MY HEAD WOULD STOP ACHING I WISH MA HAD NEVER GONE AWAY I WISH YOU'D LEAVE FELICITY ALONE DAN I WISH GIRLS HAD SOME SENSE SAID DAN WHICH BROUGHT THE ORGY OF WISHING TO AN END FOR THE TIME BRANDON DEPRESSED THE TOP BUTTON A CRYSTAL CLEAR IMAGE OF COLONEL TOWERS PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES ON HIS FULL DRESS UNIFORM APPEARED ON THE SCREEN THIS IS A HISTORIC OCCASION COLONEL TOWERS WAS ANNOUNCING TO HIS CREW OPEN THE HATCH AND REYNARD BE SURE TO STAND BY WITH THE MOTION PICTURE CAMERA +b4d1e89a-9a9c-4174-b095-c5bfd4273dcd I MIXED A POWDER IN SOME MILK AND TRIED TO POUR IT DOWN HIS THROAT WHILE PETER HELD HIM JUST LOOK AT THE SCRATCHES I GOT AND THE MILK WENT EVERYWHERE EXCEPT DOWN PAT'S THROAT DO YOU KNOW THE PLACE IN THE MOUNTAIN THAT IS CALLED SODOM I KNOW THE PLACE IT WAS CAUSED BY A LARGE METEOR IT WAS CAUSED BY ONE OF THESE HE GAZED ACROSS THE SHIMMERING DESERT TO A RIDGE OF SCRUBBY HILLS BLUE MOUNTAINS ROSE UP BEHIND THEM GREAT FLOWS OF BLACK LAVA HAD ROLLED DOWN ON TO THE DESERT FLOOR AT SOME DISTANT TIME AND DON'T GET ME FANCY IDEAS ABOUT JUMPING YOUR CONTRACT WE CAN ATTACH THAT BANK ACCOUNT OF YOURS ON ALL GALL TOO LONG BEFORE YOU CAN DRAW THE MONEY OUT I SMILED A LITTLE WEAKLY I'M AFRAID AS IF I HAD NEVER MEANT TO KEEP THAT ACCOUNT A SECRET HIS SPIES WERE GETTING MORE EFFICIENT EVERY DAY +b4d84282-981d-4814-b641-0b336cf374fc YOU'RE CALLING THE SHOTS GOD HELP YOU FIRST WE WANT TO KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE DAUPHINIS AND IF SO WHERE IT IS NEXT WE WANT TO KNOW JUST HOW WARLIKE THESE GOONS ARE CAN WE CONTROL THEM IF THEY'RE BLOOD THIRSTY WHAT'S THEIR POTENTIAL IN FIVE DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD THINK UP A GOOD ANSWER I WAS INSIDE THE TEMPLE WAS A SMALL ONE BUILT AGAINST THE BASE OF THE PYRAMID I HOPED I WASN'T BREAKING TOO MANY TABOOS BY GOING IN I WASN'T STOPPED SO IT LOOKED ALL RIGHT THE TEMPLE WAS A SINGLE ROOM WITH A MURKY LOOKING POOL AT ONE END A DIMPLE OR TWO CAME INTO SIGHT AND SHE HAD VERY NICE TEETH SMALL AND WHITE LIKE THE TRADITIONAL ROW OF PEARLS I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN ANY OTHER EYES SUCH ANGER AND HATRED AS BLAZED IN THE EYES OF THOSE STRANGE BEINGS FOR MYSELF I SEEMED STRICKEN DUMB I COULD ONLY STARE AT THIS BLACK AND GHASTLY GOD OF THESE PEOPLE +b4dbd1ff-d268-4e5f-9c3c-62a2b59c9299 OH I HADN'T A PAIR WITHOUT HOLES IN THE LEGS BUT INSTEAD LOOKED FORWARD TO IT WITH PLEASURE THE HOLES DON'T COME IN THE SAME PLACES AND YOU'D NEVER NOTICE THEM UNLESS YOU LOOK QUITE CLOSE A FELLOW'S GOT A RIGHT TO PRAY AS HE PLEASES SAID PETER WE THOUGHT SHE HAD FLED BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT ENDURE THE SIGHT OF BLOOD AND WE WERE NOT SORRY FOR HER MANIFEST DISAPPROVAL AND ANXIETY WERE DAMPING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE OCCASION AND I'M GOING TO TAKE A DOSE OF MEXICAN TEA EVERY TWO HOURS IT'S SUCH DREADFUL TASTING STUFF BUT IT'S A GOOD BLOOD PURIFIER SO AUNT JANET CAN'T OBJECT TO IT STETSON'S VOICE HISSED IN ORNE'S EARS A STEADY DRIP OF CONDENSATION SPATTERED THE WINDSHIEL +b4f27d3e-0ee0-4e0e-9e1d-71386733606f WHEN HE SAID HE HAD COME TO MARRY THE PRINCESS EVERYONE LAUGHED FOR HE HAD NO RETINUE AND NO BEAUTIFUL APPAREL AND NO GOLDEN CROWN BUT I AM THE KING WHO CONQUERS ALL KINGS HE SAID WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE STUPIDER A CREATURE THE MORE OF A NUISANCE IT IS THAT SETTLED IT WE WERE NOT GOING TO LET THE STORY GIRL GET AHEAD OF US IN THE MANNER OF COLLECTING WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MORE AGREEABLE NOT TO HAVE THE SOULS FRIGHTENED OUT OF OUR BODIES AND WE VOTED FOR THE FAMILY GHOST +b53b3016-5255-44e6-86f4-7ccad6bcbad3 BUT THEY'RE YOUR OWN RELATIONS SAID PETER THEY'RE NO RELATION TO ME AND THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE BESIDES THEY'RE ALL SUCH LADY LIKE GIRLS I GUESS I'D BETTER NOT RISK IT I'M PRETTY SURE AUNT JANE WOULDN'T THINK IT WAS PROPER TO TELL SUCH A DREAM THAT WAS A GOOD WAY TO GET RID OF THE SAVAGE BEAST POLLY SAID THE TIN WOODMAN TO THE CANARY BUT I AM SURPRISED THAT YOU DIDN'T GIVE OUR FRIEND FOOD A MAGIC BREAKFAST WHEN YOU KNEW HE WAS HUNGRY I PULLED ON A FANCY SPORTS CAP BUCKLED THE CAP UP TIGHT AND WAS READY TO GO THE LUGGAGE WAS ALL BOOBY CHAPPED AND COULD DEFEND ITSELF GUNS GAS POISON NEEDLES THE USUAL SORT OF THING IN THE LAST RESULT IT WOULD BLOW ITSELF UP THE EN THREE WENT DOWN BY A FREIGHT ELEVATOR I USED A BACK STAIRS AND WE MET IN THE STREET AND THEY WERE THE BEST OF FRIENDS EVER AFTERWARDS +b53f31e3-8840-4f79-bc46-5d40d6dd5c75 I DIDN'T MEAN ANY HARM SAID PETER CRESTFALLEN THE BIBLE IS AN INTERESTING BOOK SAID THE STORY GIRL COMING TO PETER'S RESCUE AND THERE ARE MAGNIFICENT STORIES IN IT YES FELICITY MAGNIFICENT IF THE WORLD DOESN'T COME TO AN END I'LL TELL YOU THE STORY OF RUTH NEXT SUNDAY LOOK HERE I'LL TELL IT ANYHOW THAT'S A PROMISE WHEREVER WE ARE NEXT SUNDAY I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT RUTH WHY YOU WOULDN'T TELL STORIES IN HEAVEN SAID CECILY IN A VERY TIMID VOICE I DIDN'T CHEW THE PUDDING GROANED UNCLE ROGER IT WAS TOO TOUGH I JUST SWALLOWED THE CHUNKS WHOLE HE GROANED AND TWISTED AND DOUBLED HIMSELF UP BUT HE OVERDID IT HE WAS NOT AS GOOD AN ACTOR AS THE STORY GIRL FELICITY LOOKED SCORNFULLY AT HIM UNCLE ROGER YOU ARE NOT ONE BIT SICK SHE SAID DELIBERATELY YOU ARE JUST PUTTING ON WE WERE VERY HUNGRY BOYS AND WHEN WE HAD EATEN ALL WE COULD AND OH WHAT SUPPERS AUNT JANET ALWAYS SPREAD WE DISCOVERED THAT WE WERE VERY TIRED ALSO TOO TIRED TO GO OUT AND EXPLORE OUR ANCESTRAL DOMAINS AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO DO DESPITE THE DARK TELL UNCLE ROGER THAT AND SAY IF TO MORROW IS THE END OF THE WORLD THAT THERE IS NO GOOD IN STUMPING FIELDS ANY MORE I SUGGESTED YES AND IF HE LETS YOU OFF THEN WE'LL KNOW HE WAS IN EARNEST CHIMED IN CICELY BUT IF HE STILL SAYS YOU MUST GO THAT'LL BE A SIGN HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IT LEAVING THE STORY YELLOW AND PETER TO PEEL THEIR POTATOES THE REST OF US WENT HOME WHERE AUNT JANET WHO HAD GONE TO THE WELL AND FOUND THE FRAGMENTS OF THE OLD BLUE CUP GAVE POOR FELICITY A BIT OF SCOLDING ABOUT IT BUT FELICITY BORE IT VERY PATIENTLY NAY MORE SHE SEEMED TO DELIGHT IN IT +b541ea5f-ec28-4ac9-8e5e-b441aeb6a1d2 I'VE THOUGHT OF THE WAY MY AUNT JANE USED TO GIVE MEDICINE TO A CAT AND PUT ON THE LONG LACE VEIL THAT HAD BEEN SO MANY YEARS A MAKING WELL THAT'S BETTER THAN A HOLE PERHAPS SHE'D LET YOU GO THEN SHE LIKES CECILY SHE DOESN'T LIKE EITHER FELICITY OR ME SO IT WOULD ONLY MAKE MATTERS WORSE FOR US TO TRY BUT THE PUDDING WELL THAT WE SHOULD MAKE UNCLE ROGER A COURT OF LAST RESORT INDICATED ALL TOO CLEARLY THE STATE OF OUR MINDS BUT I'M AFRAID IT ISN'T GOING TO BE LIKE THAT THIS TIME DON'T YOU NOTICE HOW CAREFUL THE STORY GIRL IS NOT TO GET EXCITED IT MUST HAVE BEEN A JOLLY LIFE WITH NOTHING TO DO BUT HUNT AND FIGHT I HEARD HIM TALKING IN HIS SLEEP ABOUT IT BUT YOU MUST SETTLE YOUR QUARREL IN A DIFFERENT FASHION +b54d64ab-d282-4687-8ff3-494e8897f19e OH IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH THE COVERS WENT ONE WAY AND IN SKIT WENT THE OTHER IN A SINGLE UNFOLDING IN CONCERTED MOTION HE LEFT THE HORIZONTAL AND RECUMBENT AND STOOD TENSELY VERTICAL AGAINST THE WALL EXAMINING THE PICK OF THE BATTLESHIP UNDER THE LIGHT YONAS SIGHED THE JOB HE TOLD HIMSELF STERNLY CAME FIRST AND AFTERWARD THOUGH COME TO THINK OF IT THERE WOULDN'T BE AN AFTERWARD THE EVENING MEAL WAS SIMPLE THERE WAS A SINGLE DISH OF MEAT AND SOME SORT OF BEANS AFTER IT HAD BEEN EATEN AND THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE GREW TO FULL NIGHT IT WAS TIME TO RETIRE MOTHER SIFTED IT VERY CAREFULLY I KNOW A STORY ABOUT A MAN WHOSE SON SWALLOWED A MOUSE SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WOULD PROBABLY HAVE KNOWN A STORY AND TRIED TO TELL IT IF SHE WERE BEING LED TO THE STAKE ROUGH AS THAT EH ACCORDING TO OUR BEST GUESS IF YOU'RE NOT OUT IN FIVE DAYS WE BLAST ORNE CLEARED HIS THROAT WON OUT ASKED STETSON NO +b56d1ae3-54ec-4eec-b120-e0cd21d97d87 THAT OF COURSE MADE MATTERS SIMPLER NECESSARY KNUFF SAID LOOKING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME HIS GAZE STABBED LIKE A SWORD HE WAS UNEASY YONAS KNEW WITH ANOTHER MIND PROBING HIS HE COULD NOT HELP BUT BE UNEASY BUT HE COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE IT WOULD NEVER OCCUR TO HIM AND HE CONTROLLED HIS FEELINGS SUPERBLY JOHN ANDREW WAS STRAIGHTENING UP FROM DOING THIS WHEN HE SAW THE NONNIPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME HE WAS CLIMBING OVER THE RAIL AT THE STERN AND ALREADY BEGINNING TO MAKE A PUDDLE ON THE DECK FARMER FROZE AND GULPED WORDLESSLY OH JUST THE NICE PARTS HE SAYS THERE'S A HEAVEN ALL RIGHT BUT NO NO HELL I DON'T WANT DOWN TO GROW UP LIKE THAT IT ISN'T RESPECTABLE AND YOU WOULDN'T WANT ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE CROWDING HEAVEN NOW WOULD YOU AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS OH OUR ANGELS ARE ANGELS THAT HAVE BEEN ANGELS SO LONG THEY'VE HAD TIME TO GROW BETTER AND BRIGHTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN NEWER ANGELS SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO PROBABLY MADE THAT EXPLANATION UP ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT JUST TO PACIFY PETER +b5a51520-4346-4629-b710-d9027056fc62 THE SOMEONE SCUTTLED AGILELY FOR A MOMENT THE RIFLE WAS HELD BUT NOW THE SHIP RESTED ON ITS TAIL FINS WELL IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO PETER WE FELT SO MISERABLY SURE THAT THE MUSIC OF LIFE WOULD BE STILLED FOR US FOR EVER AND SAW THAT HE WAS VERY SERIOUS THE MACHINE HISSED SNAPPED AND CRACKLED FOR VARIOUS REASONS HE CAME INTO THE ORCHARD TO WRITE A POEM AND HE FELL ASLEEP WITH HIS HEAD ON A BENCH THAT USED TO BE UNDER GRANDFATHER'S TREE +b6064f19-6a50-423d-b502-68a828d79700 OH WHISPERED FELICITY I FORGET WHAT WE DID TO FELIX SO THAT HE COULD SEE NOTHING AND IN HARDLY DECIPHERABLE SCRIPT BELOW WAS THIS MESSAGE STILL EXPERIMENTING WITH IT BUT ELECTRICITY ISN'T MATTER LUKE TRIED TO THINK HOW TO SAVE HER WHO THE WANDERER PUSHED FORWARD TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER HE MEANS THE SCOOP JENOFER SAID BUT THEIR DILEMMA REMAINED WHY SHOULDN'T IT HELP THEM NOW +b62b01c4-1332-4813-bc8d-86cedae761d7 OF COURSE ADDED FELICITY HER HEART MELTING AT SIGHT OF THE MISERY IN THE STORY GIRL'S PITEOUS EYES I WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE THE FEELING THAT I HAD BEEN MISSING THE BOAT ALL ALONG THE LINE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATED DATE OF THE COMPLETION WAS NEARLY A YEAR AWAY BUT THERE WAS NO REAL REASON WHY THAT COULDN'T BE CHANGED TOO FOR AND I ARE ARRANGING ESCAPE ON THAT PREMISE NOTHING IN CERIMIAN EXPERIENCE HAD PREPARED THEM FOR CREATURES INTELLIGENT BUT ILLOGICAL MEANWHILE IN THE PANTRY THE STORY GIRL APRON AND SHROUDED WAS BEING INITIATED INTO THE MYSTERIES OF BREAD MAKING +b68c90f1-1b25-4e23-9de4-7886617b8d5e DUE TO THE VERY NATURE OF OUR JOB WE SPEND MOST OF OUR TIME JUST ROCKETING THROUGH NORMAL SPACE IT NEVER OCCURRED TO HER THAT FELIX DID NOT LIKE TO BE CALLED FAT FELIX I'VE GIVEN UP PRAYING THAT I'LL BE THE ONLY ONE TO EAT THE BITTER APPLES AND I'LL NEVER PRAY FOR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAIN IT OH YES SARA RAY FELICITY MENTIONED HER WHAT IS SHE LIKE WHERE DOES SHE LIVE ABRAHAM KING SMILED AND BEING A MAN OF FEW WORDS SAID NOTHING BUT IN HIS MIND HE HAD A VISION OF THE YEARS TO BE AND IN THAT VISION HE SAW NOT RIPPLING ACRES OF HARVEST GOLD BUT GREAT LEAFY AVENUES OF WIDE SPREADING TREES LADEN WITH FRUIT TO GLADDEN THE EYES OF CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN YET UNBORN I SUPPOSE I MIGHT ASK THE MINISTERS ABOUT IT WILL NOT WED UNTIL A KING COMES WHO CAN CONQUER ALL KINGS +b6ace7c6-dbba-4971-b295-6e1b0a43fe85 IT IS HARD TO CURL YOUR LIPS WITH CONTEMPT AND TALK AT THE SAME TIME BUT I SUCCEEDED IT WAS TOO REAL TO BEAR JEFF STEPPED BACK ON SUDDENLY UNRELIABLE LEGS JONOFOR FAINTED AGAINST HIM AND THE UNEXPECTED WEIGHT OF HER SENT THEM BOTH SPRAWLING TO THE DOCK THIS IS NOT DEVIL'S WORK AS I SHALL PROVE YUNUS SAID HE SHIFTED HIS FEET BUT LET ME ESTABLISH ONE POINT AT A TIME IN THE MOST SCHOLASTIC MANNER IF YOU WILL PERMIT I PERMIT KENNEFF SAID THERE WAS INTEREST IN HIS MIND OVERLAID WITH SKEPTICISM OF COURSE BUT INTEREST ALL THE SAME BUT THE STORY GIRL WAS THE SOUL OF HONOUR AND PETER EARLY IN LIFE HAD HAD HIS FEET SET IN THE PATH OF TRUTHFULNESS BY HIS AUNT JANE AND HAD NEVER BEEN KNOWN TO STRAY FROM IT +b6c8497f-31b6-47f6-af47-f5d4f5aa560c I THREW THEM AS SNAPPY A SALUTE AS I COULD MUSTER AND I FILED OUT A SMALL WAVE OF CUSTOM MEN HUNG STICKERS ON MY LUGGAGE PEEKED INTO ONE OR TWO FOR CONFORMITY'S SAKE AND WAVED ME THROUGH I HAD MEANT TO SAIL OUT BRAVELY BLIND EYES FACING INTO THE SUNSET I JAMMED THE IRON HARD INTO MY PHONY EYE SOCKETS AND THE PLASTI GAVE OFF AN AUTHENTIC ODOR IT'S VERY WRONG MORE THAN THAT IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE COMPLAINED CECILY IT SPOILS EVERYTHING WILD ONES ASKED THORN YOU ARE THE SAME AS THE OTHERS HERE'S THAT CITY WE FLEW OVER ON OUR WAY DOWN +b709ba23-2f5c-4ddd-99fc-95d98dec4054 MEMBER WITH INFLUENCE AND POWER I'M SORRY CLAYTON THOUGHT EVEN WHEN THE PERSON INVOLVED WAS EASY TO VISUALIZE THOSE THINGS ARE THE MEREST TOYS TO US IT WOULD BE HARD ENOUGH TO EXPLAIN AN EARTHLY OCCUPUS IN HIS LIVING ROOM IF THE NECESSITY AROSE DON'T SOUND MUCH WRITTEN OUT BUT IT'S AWFUL TO GO THROUGH I'M SURE I HOPE I'LL NEVER DREAM PEG BOWEN CHASES ME I'LL DIE IF I DO THAT'S ALL THEY CAN GIVE US THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF THEIR EYES DOESN'T THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU +b712cb26-db0c-4457-8dd5-4cd54b41a545 THE TIN WOODMAN ORDERED FOOD FOR THE STRANGER AND IN A FEW MINUTES THE SERVANT BROUGHT IN A TIN TRAY HEAPED WITH A CHOICE HOORAY OF GOOD THINGS TO EAT ALL NEATLY DISPLAYED ON TIN DISHES THAT WERE POLISHED TILL THEY SHONE LIKE MIRRORS THOU MAYEST RETURN TO EARTH IF THOU FEAREST TO ESSAY THE FLOOD SAID THE WARDER NAY SAID VING WILDLY EARTHLY LIFE WITHOUT ALIN IS MORE DREADFUL THAN THE DEATH WHICH AWAITS ME IN YON DARK RIVER AND I HAD TO WALK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THAT MESS AND REPAIR THE THING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY ENOUGH IF WE WERE ALLOWED A LITTLE MAYHAM THE SUMMIT OF THE STONE PILE WAS NOW COVERED WITH LIZARDS OF SOME TYPE APPARENTLY THE LOCAL LIFE FORM WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOUR STOCKINGS PETER +b7279368-7ff3-49ee-ad19-9c347f9fd7e0 THEN SHE BEGAN TO UNDRESS FIRST BY TAKING OFF THE LACE APRON AND LAYING IT OVER THE BED POST WHERE IT WAS WITHIN EASY REACH OF HER HAND THERE WAS A WOMAN'S PICTURE ABOVE THE BOOKCASE MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS SHE THINKS IT WAS A COLORED PHOTOGRAPH BUT SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHO IT WAS ANYWAY IT WAS A VERY PRETTY GIRL BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING OF ALL WAS THAT A WOMAN'S DRESS WAS HANGING OVER A CHAIR BY THE TABLE MISSUS A PLAN WAS BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE IN MY HEAD BUT I DIDN'T RUSH IT FIRST I HAD TO BE SURE THAT I KNEW HIM WELL ANY MAN THAT CAN CON AN ENTIRE WORLD INTO BUILDING A BATTLESHIP FOR HIM THEN STEAL IT FROM THEM IS NOT GOING TO STOP THERE THE SHIP WOULD NEED A CREW A BASE FOR REFUELING AND OMISSION AUNT OLIVIA HAD A LETTER TO DAY FROM A FRIEND IN NOVA SCOTIA WHO LIVES IN SCHUBIN O KATY WHEN I SAID I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUNNY NAME SHE TOLD ME TO GO AND LOOK IN HER SCRAP BOOK AND I WOULD FIND A STORY ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME AND I DID DO YOU WANT TO HEAR IT +b751623a-3593-4ff0-80f4-19d9ac1f95da AS WE STOOD THERE WRETCHEDLY WE HEARD FLYING FEET BELOW AND A BLITHE VOICE CALLING WHERE ARE YOU CHILDREN THE STORY GIRL HAD RETURNED AT ANY OTHER MOMENT WE WOULD HAVE RUSHED TO MEET HER IN WILD JOY BUT NOW WE WERE TOO CRUSHED AND MISERABLE TO MOVE INSTEAD I CONCENTRATED MY ATTENTION ON THE RECENT MODIFICATIONS LIKE THE GUN TURRET THAT WOULD QUICKLY GIVE ME A TRAIL TO THE GUILTY PARTIES AND AS THE STRANGE CREATURES CLOSED IN QUICKLY I SAW THAT THEIRS WAS NOT SOLID FLESH BUT LIKE THE CLOTHING THAT PARTIALLY COVERED THEM AN ATTENUATED SUBSTANCE THAT WAS NOT QUITE REAL IF THEY HAD BEEN BANISHED TOGETHER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NO PUNISHMENT SO ZERO WAS EXILED TO A STAR ON ONE SIDE OF THE UNIVERSE AND ZULEMITH WAS SENT TO A STAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE UNIVERSE AND BETWEEN THEM WAS A FATHOMLESS ABYSS WHICH THOUGHT ITSELF COULD NOT CROSS +b77f3069-2b67-4113-8987-47d2b5f75830 THE MEXICAN TEA WAS DULY ADMINISTERED BUT PRODUCED NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONDITION OF THE STORY GIRL WHO HOWEVER WENT ON DREAMING AFTER A FASHION WHICH SOON MADE HER DREAM BOOK A VERITABLE CURIOSITY OF LITERATURE HE NEVER LIFTED HIS HEAD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SERVICE HE FOLLOWED US DOWN THE AISLE AND ACROSS THE GRAVEYARD LIKE A BEATEN DOG NONE OF US UTTERED A WORD UNTIL WE REACHED THE ROAD LYING IN THE WHITE MOONSHINE OF THE MAY NIGHT I WASN'T CRIED NAN HE MUST BE IN THE HOUSE I'VE BEEN SITTING RIGHT ACROSS A DOOR EVER SINCE YOU LEFT AND HE COULDN'T HAVE GOT OUT UNLESS HE CRAWLED RIGHT OVER ME HE MUST BE IN THE HOUSE NO I COULDN'T I TOLD HIM AS HE STOWED THE CANNON BACK UNDER HIS PILLOW A MAN WITH A CURIOSITY BUMP AS BIG AS YOURS WILL ALWAYS TALK FIRST AND SHOOT LATER AND BESIDES NOW THIS PUSSY FOOTING AROUND IN THE DARK WOULD BE NECESSARY IF YOUR SCREAM WAS OPEN AND I COULD HAVE GOT A CALL THROUGH +b77f5bb3-c68a-4a2a-b5b4-ed42c075e704 CECILY WAS ABLE TO BE OUT WITH US AGAIN THAT DAY SO PETER FELT THAT HE MIGHT VENTURE ON A GRUMBLE BESIDES SHE COAXED ME TO TELL HER WHAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR DREAMS I JUST TOLD HER AS A FAVOR AND NOW YOUR AUNT JANET BLAMES ME FOR THE WHOLE TROUBLE YES I CAN IT IS TRUE ANSWERED THE HIPPO BUT I REFUSE TO DO IT UNLESS HE ADDED AND STOPPED SHORT LESS WHAT ALLOWED POLYCHROME UNLESS YOU ALLOW ME TO EAT THE STRAW WITH WHICH THE SCARECROW IS STUFFED MORE PEOPLE WOULD DIE BEFORE THIS WAS OVER IT WAS UP TO ME TO KEEP THAT NUMBER AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE IDEALLY I SHOULD HAVE RUSHED OUT THE FLEET WITH GUNS BLAZING AND DRAGGED HIM TO JUSTICE CECILY CARRIED HIS MEALS TO HIM AND READ A HINTY BOOK TO HIM ALL HER SPARE TIME THE STORY GIRL WENT UP AND TOLD HIM WONDROUS TALES AND SARA RAY BROUGHT HIM A PUDDING SHE HAD MADE HERSELF +b78ecd81-5bf6-4b91-aace-3d3ac69c2b89 I GLANCED UP SWIFTLY NO SIR WELL EACH WITH A LIGHT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR IT'S A SENSE CLARETON SAID WORK FOR YOUR OWN GOOD DO NOTHING FOR ME AFTER ALL HE WAS A HERO THOUGH OF HIS OWN UNIQUE KIND THERE WAS NO DENYING THAT HE WAS JUST BEGINNING TO BE FAMOUS HE WOULD NOT SPEAK TO PETER FOR TWO DAYS BECAUSE OF IT NO WONDER THE CHILD IS SICK EVEN IF THAT ISN'T WHAT YOU DESIGNED IT TO DO AND MOST MEMBER RACES HAVE WARS OCCASIONALLY AND WAS TOO TRUSTING WITH MEN +b78ffe39-7e2a-462f-83b4-eec3efdd59e5 THE MISSIONARY HAD AT LEAST SEVEN HAPPY LISTENERS THAT NIGHT WE ALL WERE GLAD THAT SARA DID NOT HAVE MEASLES AND THE STORY GIRL WAS RADIANT IT WAS A SAD ATTEMPT FARMER BRACED HIMSELF FOR RETALIATION JUST AT THE MOMENT OF COURSE YOU'RE AT A CROSSROAD AS FOR FELICITY SHE DID NOT SAY THINGS LIKE THAT OUT OF MALICE PREPENSE BUT IN SPITE OF HIS BOLD WORDS DONALD'S HEART WAS THUMPING AS HE DROVE INTO THE SHERMAN YARD AUNT JANET TRIED TO MAKE PIES OF THEM ONCE BECAUSE SHE SAID SHE HATED TO SEE THEM GOING TO WASTE BUT SHE NEVER TRIED IT AGAIN +b7c1f5d5-5443-4f6c-aefc-9419111ed687 HIS VOICE TRAILED OFF THE MACHINE HISSED SNAPPED AND CRACKLED THE TELEVISION SAT FLICKERED HUMMED GAVE OUT A FLASHING DANCE OF SERESTIC DOODLES AND ABRUPTLY PRESENTED A PICTURE IT WAS A PICTURE OF MILTON BOROUGH RAY LOOKED MAD STARTED TO AIM A KICK AT THE SCREAM BUT THOUGHT BETTER OF IT A SMALL WAVE ALMOST MADE HIM SET DOWN ON THE DECK BEFORE HE GOT BOTH FEET PLANTED AGAIN HE SWORE AND STARTED TO CHECK THE WIRING JERRY HAD BROUGHT IT IN A FISH BASKET AS APPEARED WHEN HE MOUNTED THE GRANARY STAIRS SHORTLY AFTERWARDS IT WAS FOLDED UP IN A NEWSPAPER PACKET ON TOP OF THE DRIED HERRING WITH WHICH THE BASKET WAS FILLED WE PAID HIM HIS MONEY BUT WE WOULD NOT OPEN THE PACKET UNTIL HE HAD GONE CECILY SAID FELICITY IN A HUSHED TONE YOU ARE THE BEST OF US ALL YOU OPEN THE PARCEL OH I'M NO GOODER THAN THE REST OF YOU BREATHED CECILY BUT I'LL OPEN IT IF YOU LIKE OH I DON'T KNOW MILLIONS OF YEARS LIKELY AND EVEN THEN I DON'T SUPPOSE ALL THE ANGELS DO A GOOD MANY OF THEM MUST JUST STAY PLAIN ANGELS I EXPECT I SHALL BE SATISFIED JUST TO BE A PLAIN ANGEL SAID FELICITY MODESTLY OH SEE HERE IF YOU'RE GOING TO INTERRUPT AND ARGUE OVER EVERYTHING WE'LL NEVER GET THE STORY TOLD SAID FELIX DRY UP ALL OF YOU AND LET THE STORY GIRL GO ON WE DRIED UP AND THE STORY GIRL WENT ON HE LOOKED DOWN AS IF AWARE FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE ROBOT HAD BEEN HOLDING BY THE WRIST DURING THE INTERVIEW THAT IS NO ORDINARY ROBOT IT HAS A NUMBER OF INTERESTING DEVICES BUILT INTO ITS FINGER TIPS THERMO COUPLES GALVANOMATORS THINGS LIKE THAT WHILE YOU TALKED IT REGISTERED YOUR SKIN TEMPERATURE BLOOD PRESSURE AMOUNT OF PERSPIRATION AND SUCH IN OTHER WORDS IT IS AN EFFICIENT AND FAST WORKING LIE DETECTOR WE WILL NOW HEAR ALL ABOUT YOUR LIES +b7c273c8-8ada-4129-8587-a7a4e4e9a56c WE ALL ENJOYED OUR TURNOVERS EXCEPT SARA RAY SHE ATE HERS BUT SHE KNEW SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE SO HER MOTHER DID NOT APPROVE OF SNACKS BETWEEN MEALS OR OF JAM TURNOVER AT ANY TIME THIS WAS THE PLAN AND I FELT IN MY BONES THAT I WAS RIGHT I MIGHT BE WRONG ON SOME OF THE MINOR DETAILS THEY WEREN'T IMPORTANT I KNEW THE GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE IDEA JUST AS WHEN I BUMPED INTO A MARK I KNEW HOW MUCH IT COULD BE TAKEN FOR AND JUST HOW TO DO IT BEVERLY KING WHAT HAVE YOU GOT THERE I THRUST THE BOX HASTILY INTO MY TRUNK AND CONFRONTED DAN NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS I SAID DEFIANTLY BRANDON NODDED WAS LAUNCHED AND NOW WAS CRUISING ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FEET ABOVE THE ALIEN PLANET +b7cbb292-459d-4be4-86df-4fa8f5cf3d3b I SHOULD HAVE MORE STUFFING AND I'M SURE HER WITS WILL SHOW HER HOW TO GET PLENTY TO EAT FOR YOU DREAM OF SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN'T SPELL OR BE EXPECTED TO SPELL WHEN YOU ARE ONLY ELEVEN HE NEVER PAYS NO ATTENTION TO ME WHEN I'M WELL SO THAT IT WAS EVENING BEFORE WE WERE ALL FREE TO MEET IN THE ORCHARD AND THE LAW ON THE GRASSES OF UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK A LONG PAUSE WHILE THE VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS OF TONUBES'S EYES EXPANDED STETSON SHRUGGED +b7e4858f-3f63-4fe5-a892-01cfa7a96868 THEY COULD BE DUG IN WITHIN SIX MONTHS TWO CIVILIZATIONS THAT MATURED ALONG DIFFERENT LINES BUSTER IN FIVE DAYS THERE'S AN E I COMMUNICATOR IN MY CABIN JEFF SAID LET'S GO THE CONSULATE ROCKET LANDED ASHORE BUT JEFF IGNORED IT MAYBE IT'S JUST THE TITLE SUCH GOINGS ON I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK THE SENSES OF SIGHT AND HEARING AND FEELING ALL LEFT ME FOR ONLY SO CAN PETER COMPOSE AT ALL AND EVEN THEN HE FINDS IT HARD WORK I DO TOO SAID PETER HIMSELF +b8432643-13ce-4133-8401-56a43e63db5b WITH AN EFFORT HE SAT UP ON THE BACK SEAT AND LOOKED THROUGH THE PERMANS THE ACTUAL CHANGE IN ATOMIC CONFIGURATION DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF SUFFICIENT ENERGY THE PYRAMID WAS A CRUDE LOOKING THING OF UNDRESSED STONE WITHOUT CARVINGS OR DECORATIONS ALSO ON MONDAY'S NECESSARILY BEFORE CHARLEY MACK'S VISIT THE QUEEN WILL HAVE TO TACK WITH THE WIND FOR A WHILE UNTIL ANOTHER ONE SHOWS UP WE APOLOGIZED AND PROMISED TO BEHAVE BETTER SHE WENT ON APPEASED THE GIRLS GASPED BUT DAN AND I WERE JUBILANT SNUFFING A BATTLE AFAR OFF +b84903c4-0196-4f68-aa02-d5eb583e4400 FELICITY IF I DIE FROM THE EFFECTS OF EATING SAWDUST PUDDING FLAVORED WITH NEEDLES YOU'LL BE SORRY YOU EVER SAID SUCH A THING TO YOUR POOR OLD UNCLE SAID UNCLE ROGER REPROACHFULLY EVEN IF THERE WERE NO NEEDLES IN IT SIXTY YEAR OLD SAWDUST CAN'T BE GOOD FOR MY TUMMY I DARE SAY IT WASN'T EVEN CLEAN SO FAR AS WE KNEW NO FEMININE CREATURES HAD EVER GONE TO THE PAINS OF DRESSING UP ON OUR ACCOUNT BEFORE FELICITY WAS TWELVE SHE HAD BEEN CALLED AFTER AUNT FELICITY WHO WAS THE TWIN SISTER OF UNCLE FELIX WELL I'M GOING TO DEPEND ON THE BIBLE SAID CECILY I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S THE JUDGMENT DAY TOMORROW BUT I'M SCARED FOR ALL THAT SHE ADDED PITEOUSLY THAT'S EXACTLY THE POSITION OF US ALL CAN'T YOU TELL A STORY TO PASS THE TIME I ENTREATED THE STORY GIRL SHE SHOOK HER HEAD NO IT WOULD BE NO USE TO TRY BUT IF THIS ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY I'LL HAVE A GREAT ONE TO TELL OF US BEING SO SCARED +b878db3a-cab7-4b78-956f-b1cb79d98584 PETER IS A REAL GENTLEMAN AND HE IS MORE INTERESTING THAN YOU COULD EVER BE IF YOU WERE BROUGHT UP AND EDUCATED FOR A HUNDRED YEARS SHE SAID JUST HOW WARLIKE THESE GOONS ARE THAT'S ONE OF I A'S ANSWERS TO THOSE FAT KEASTERED POLITICIANS THE GUN MUZZLE LOWERED SLIGHTLY IF ANYTHING COULD HAVE MADE HIM THIN THE WAY HE WORRIED OVER THIS MATTER WOULD HAVE DONE IT IN THE DIM LIGHT SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL WITH A WILD MYSTIC LOVELINESS THIS IS WHY I LANDED AT MIDDAY ON THE LARGEST FIELD ON THE PLANET AFTER A VERY SHOWY APPROACH +b88874a0-24e2-4514-ba12-cadf11c4f4f2 AND FERNS GROW OUT BETWEEN THE STONES OF THE WELL AS FAR DOWN AS YOU CAN SEE AN ORPHAN COUSIN OF HIS LIVED HERE WITH HIS PARENTS HE SAID IT MIGHT NOT BE THE JUDGMENT DAY TOMORROW THOUGH HE BELIEVED IT WAS I KNOW WE KEEP ME OUT OF MISCHIEF THERE WAS NOT A GLIMMER OF A SMILE ABOUT HIS FACE RETORTED FELICITY IN A TONE WHICH IMPLIED THAT WHAT THE CARLISLE PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS FAR MORE IMPORTANT I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN POLITICAL CORRUPTION HOWEVER REAL FATE I DIDN'T CARE I KEPT THE GUN ON PEPPET'S PUDGY FORM WHILE HE PICKED HER UP AND CARRIED HER TO AN ACCELERATION COUCH AGAINST THE WALL +b891aec5-bfb3-4bd3-a411-705e702e7944 AND MISS OAK LOOKS INTO HIS ROOM I'M LEAVING ANOTHER NOTE THERE FOR YOU OLD SON WHEN THE TWO COINCIDED WELL FELICITY DETERMINED SHE WOULD NEVER LET ANOTHER DREAM GET AWAY FROM HER IN SUCH A FASHION AND THE NEXT TIME SHE WAKENED IN THE NIGHT HAVING DREAMED THAT SHE WAS DEAD AND BURIED SHE PROMPTLY AROSE LIGHTED A CANDLE AND PROCEEDED TO WRITE THE DREAM DOWN THEN AND THERE WE OUGHTA SCRAPE THIS PLANET CLEAN THERE WAS A CHITTERING COMMOTION FROM THE NATIVES IN THE TREES AROUND THE SLED O K SAID STETSON YOU COME IN LOUD AND CLEAR AND COLD FRIED PORK HAM AND FRUIT CAKE BEFORE GOING TO BED WITH ENTIRE IMPUNITY +b8dcdc00-f639-4c52-880f-910489a807ea STETSON TOOK HIS OWN GLASS COMGO HEARD THE WHOLE THING OVER THE GENERAL MONITOR NET HE SAID DO YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN BREVETED TO THE SENIOR FIELD MAN WHAT DID SCHUBEN DO WHEN SHE FOUND OUT SHE HAD KILLED A KATY ASKED FELICITY IT DOESN'T DO TO MEDDLE IN AN AFFAIR OF THIS KIND BETWEEN BOYS SAID THE STORY GIRL SAGELY MAYBE NOT THEN THE DWARF CONCEDED I THOUGHT I WAS BUT I WASN'T SURE WHO AM I THEN LET'S LOOK AT THE OTHER PAPERS AND SEE WHICH ONE I AM NO YOU CAN'T BE ANY OF THEM EITHER MANUEL AND YOU SURELY CAN'T BE MANUEL I AM NOT VENGEFUL BUT MY SON WAS NO WIZARD YET THE INQUISITOR TOOK HIM AND HAD A CONFESSION FROM HIM YOU KNOW WELL THE WORTH OF SUCH CONFESSIONS AND SOON THERE WILL BE OTHERS FROM WHEN THE CURSE STRIKES A FAMILY IT DOES NOT STOP WITH ONE MEMBER HE TIGHTENED HIS LIPS IT IS NOT FOR MYSELF I AM AFRAID HE SAID +b8e953e3-51a2-4c65-8c38-e63b11890d9c PETER AND THE STORY GIRL SO IT APPEARED HAD WOOED WILD DREAMS TO THEIR PILLOWS BY THE SIMPLE DEVICE OF EATING RICH INDIGESTIBLE THINGS BEFORE THEY WENT TO BED AUNT OLIVIA KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT OF COURSE SHE PERMITTED THEM ONLY A PLAIN WHOLESOME LUNCH AT BEDTIME BUT DURING THE DAY THE STORY GIRL WOULD SMUGGLE UPSTAIRS VARIOUS TIDBITS FROM THE PANTRY PUTTING HALF IN PETER'S ROOM AND HALF IN HER OWN AND THE RESULT WAS THESE VISIONS WHICH HAD BEEN OUR DESPAIR SOME OF IT QUITE LETHAL AND EXPLOSIVE AND VERY EMBARRASSING IF IT WAS DISCOVERED IN MY BAGS IN THE SAFETY OF MY HOTEL SUITE I MADE A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND PERSONALITY AFTER THE ROEBOT HAD CHECKED THE ROOM FOR BUGS AND VERY NICE CADGETS TOO THESE CORBOTS IT LOOKED AND ACTED LIKE A MORAL M THREE ALL THE TIME IT WAS ANYTHING BUT NOT A BIT OF FEAR OF IT SCOFFED UNCLE ROGER FELICITY IS AS GOOD A HOUSEKEEPER AS YOU ARE AND I SHALL BE HERE TO LOOK AFTER THEM ALL AND KEEP THEM FROM BURNING THE HOUSE DOWN TOO YOU'VE BEEN PROMISING EDWARD FOR YEARS TO VISIT HIM AND YOU'LL NEVER HAVE A BETTER CHANCE THE HANGING IS OVER AND HARVEST ISN'T ON AND ALEC NEEDS A CHANGE HE ISN'T LOOKING WELL AT ALL PETER WAS NO BETTER THE NEXT DAY AUNT OLIVIA REPORTED THAT HIS MOTHER WAS BROKEN HEARTED WE DID NOT ASK AGAIN TO BE RELEASED FROM WORK INSTEAD WE WENT AT IT WITH FEVERISH ZEAL IF WE WORKED HARD THERE WAS LESS TIME FOR GRIEF AND GRIEVOUS THOUGHTS WE PICKED APPLES AND DRAGGED THEM TO THE GRANARY DOGGEDLY +b8f981a0-489a-4272-af07-a41169aee8de I AM SURE MY DEAR NICK SAID THE BRAVE AND BEAUTIFUL GIRL MY NAME THEN WAS NICK CHOPPER YOU SHOULD BE TOLD THAT YOU WILL MAKE THE BEST HUSBAND FOR ANY GIRL COULD HAVE I'VE GOT TO GO QUICKLY SHE TOLD HIM I THINK GARF WILL BE ALL RIGHT NOW BUT HE MAY TAKE A NOTION TO COME BACK AND I HAVE TO SEE THAT THE GATE IS CLOSED BEFORE ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE ANY ONE YOU CHERRY VARS ASKED FELICITY TRYING TO SPEAK INDIFFERENTLY FELICITY HAD NEVER ADMIRED THE FORGET ME NOT JUG BUT SHE HAD ALWAYS HANKERED AFTER THE CHERRY VARS AN AFFAIR OF WHITE GLASS WITH A CLUSTER OF RED GLASS CHERRIES AND GOLDEN GREEN GLASS LEAVES ON ITS SIDE WHICH AUNT OILBY HAD GIVEN CECILY ONE CHRISTMAS BUT HER PARENTS WERE BITTERLY OPPOSED TO HIM AND THEY HAD FORBIDDEN MARGARET TO SEE HIM OR SPEAK TO HIM THEY HADN'T ANYTHING AGAINST HIM AS A MAN BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT HER TO THROW HERSELF AWAY ON A SAILOR +b90cc679-74cc-4357-bf91-b42d3cd5c3cb STETSON'S VOICE CAME THROUGH THE HIDDEN SPEAKER THE NATIVE CLIMBED DOWN TO THE CAB SIDE STEP BUT IT WAS EASY RAIDER CHIEF ANY MAN THAT CAN CON AN ENTIRE WORLD INTO BUILDING A BATTLESHIP FOR HIM THEN STEAL IT FROM THEM IS NOT GOING TO STOP THERE BE SURE TO STAND BY WITH THE MOTION PICTURE CAMERA ONLY FOUR YEARS BY OUR TEA BRANDON SAID HE LOOKED AT HIS WALK AROUND BOTTLE THE COMPARISON IT FORCED BETWEEN COLLAXIA AND EARTH WHOSE YAWNING FORTH WORE SCARS AND HERITAGE OF ANXIETIES MADE CALM CRYSTAL SO DESPERATELY NECESSARY OPPRESSED HIM +b93e5dbd-74d0-4621-a156-97712e804dea TOMMY AND ADAM COWAN OVER AT MARKDALE ARE TWINS AND THEY'RE BOTH CROSS EYED IT'S ALL VERY FINE FOR YOU FELLOWS TO LAUGH I NEVER WENT TO SCHOOL HALF AS MUCH AS YOU DID BUT HE WAS EVEN MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE VERY REAL PAINS OF UNREQUITTED LOVE JOHN ANDREW TURNED A DOOR AND HIS STOMACH WAS TRYING TO TURN ITSELF INSIDE OUT CONGO EXPECTS TO BLAST THE PLANET ANYWAY ON ORAN'S MIDDLE THE NATIVE'S MOUTH OPEN REVEALING LONG CANINES HERE WE ARE ALONE SHARP WENT ON HIS VOICE LOWERING MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAVE GONE TO VISIT A NEIGHBOUR FOR THEY HAVE NOT YET CLOSED US OFF ENTIRELY FROM ALL HUMAN CONTACT +b9d1f0c5-3a9a-470c-9f1d-ebd631808ae2 ZULEMITH YEARNED FOR ZERA WITH SUCH FIDELITY AND LONGING THAT HE BEGAN TO BUILD UP A BRIDGE OF LIGHT FROM HIS STAR AND ZERA NOT KNOWING THIS BUT LOVING AND LONGING FOR HIM HE OPENED A LARGE WOODEN CASE WHICH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SOME DREARLY GOOD CABINET WORK BUT WE UNDERSTOOD HE THOUGHT PETER WAS GOING TO CHURCH BECAUSE OF FELICITY WE WERE ALL GLAD TO HEAR THAT PETER WAS GOING TO CHURCH AND WHILE THEIR FLESH LOOKED MORE UNNATURAL AND UNREAL THAN EVER AND THE OTHER WAS THAT HOPE HAD FOLLOWED HIM THE REST DIDN'T MATTER VERY MUCH +b9daca54-1700-4f27-8a27-0ef3d45dcdc7 I WON'T EVER FEEL LIKE READING A SINGLE BOOK ON THE LIBRARY IF I CAN'T GIVE SOMETHING TO IT MOURNED SARA THAT GENTLEMAN IN SILENCE TOOK OUT HIS WALLET EXTRACTED A NOTE THEREFROM AND HANDED IT GRAVELY TO THE STORY GIRL IT HAUNTED HIS WAKING HOURS AND OBSESSED HIS NIGHTS THERE ISN'T MUCH FUN IN IT AND THEN NEITHER OF YOU NEED TO PRAY ABOUT IT AND THREE OF THE PRIESTS MOVED TOWARD US FOLLOWED BY AN ELDERLY BEING WHO WORE THE SAME SYMBOL OF POWER OR AUTHORITY THAT I HAD ALREADY NOTED UPON THE CREATURE VIC CALLED E PAI INSECTS CAME IN TWING CONES WE BOTH KNOW THE ADVANTAGES OF AN ALIEN CONTACT BUT IF YOU GET INTO A HOT SPOT AND CALL FOR HELP I'LL DIVE THIS CRUISER INTO THAT CITY TO GET YOU OUT +b9e09574-4d22-49fe-8988-0d71f2130aea OF COURSE SAID SHE A STRAW MAN A TIN MAN AND A BOY BUT ALL THE CHAIRS IN THE ROOM WERE SO HIGH THAT OUR FRIENDS COULD NOT CLIMB TO THE SEATS OF THEM I GAVE HIM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE LEAGUE AND THE LEAGUE NAVY IN PARTICULAR WANTED TO STOP THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BATTLESHIP WE HAD ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD EAGERLY TO THE PROMISED STAY WHEN FATHER WOULD TAKE US DOWN HOME TO I JUST LOVE TO READ A STORY WHERE THE HEROINE IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS A DREAM WHY ARE THERE NEVER NO STORIES ABOUT UGLY PEOPLE +b9e4ca54-10ae-4970-9a2d-4b7438cad786 WE CAN CONTINUE AS SOON AS THE SPEAKER SAID YES YES SAID TO NEW WHY DID YOU LAND SO FAR FROM IT WE DIDN'T WANT TO COME DOWN WHERE WE MIGHT DESTROY ANYTHING BUT IT WAS BECAUSE CECILY CRIED ALL NIGHT THAT DAN WAS FILLED WITH SAVOURING REMORSE AND REPENTANCE I DREAMED LAST NIGHT THAT I HAD REALLY TRULY CURLY HAIR CALM HIM AND GET HIM TO FIGURE A WAY OUT OF THIS MADHOUSE BUT ORDINARY OCEAN ONLY IN THE FROSTY DUSK DID WE HAVE TIME TO WANDER AFAR IN REALMS OF GOLD WITH THE STORY GIRL +b9fa0b45-d3cd-4366-be1b-f21712c33fa7 AND IF YOU DRANK OF THE CUP WITH HER SAID THE STORY GIRL HER EYES GLOWING THROUGH THE EMERALD DUSK ABOUT US YOU WERE NEVER SEEN IN THE WORLD AGAIN YOU WERE WHISKED STRAIGHTWAY TO FAIRYLAND AND LIVED THERE WITH A FAIRY BRIDE I PULLED THE EYE STRAIGHT UP AND AWAY AND THREW IN THE CONTROL CIRCUIT THAT WOULD RETURN IT AUTOMATICALLY TO THE SHIP THEN I WENT TO THE GALLEY FOR A LONG STRONG DRINK MY BEACON WAS NOT ONLY LOCKED INSIDE A MOUNTAIN OF HAND MADE STONE BUT I HAD MANAGED TO IRRITATE THE THINGS WHO HAD BUILT THE PYRAMID WHOOP FOLLOWED NEXT AND LAST OF THE THREE CAME THE SCARECROW WHO COULD NOT HAVE KEPT THE PATH AT ALL HAD NOT HIS COMRADES BROKEN THE WAY FOR HIS STUTE IN THE BUCKET SEAT OF THE SLEDGE CAB ORAN FOUGHT THE CONTROLS HE WAS PLAGUED BY THE VAGUE SLOW MOTION FLOATING SENSATION THAT A HEAVY PLANET NATIVE ALWAYS FEELS IN LIGHTER GRAVITY IT GAVE HIM AN UNHAPPY STOMACH +ba0384a9-d5bb-4c26-ab64-8ae14d13efe9 WE FELT WE COULD NEVER DO IT BUT THE STORY GIRL DID IT WE ADMIRED AND PITIED HER BUT NOW I DO NOT THINK SHE EITHER NEEDED OUR PITY OR DESERVED OUR ADMIRATION HER AESTHETIC FARE WAS REALLY SWEETER TO HER THAN HONEY OF HYMETTUS THE CABIN WAS FILLING THE FUMES BRANDON LOOKED DOWN A FRINGE OF BLUE FLAME CREPT ALONG BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND THE BOTTOM OF THE PILOT'S CAPSULE A COLD ACHE FILLED THE CAVITY OF HIS STOMACH TOO LATE I'M ON FIRE CAPSULING OUT REPEAT CAPSULING OUT NONE OF THE GROWN UPS WERE GOING TO CHURCH AUNT OLIVIA HAD A SICK HEADACHE AND UNCLE ROGER STAYED HOME WITH HER AUNT JANET AND UNCLE ALEC HAD GONE TO THE MARKDALE SERVICE AND HAD NOT YET RETURNED THEN SHE THREW BACK HER HEAD AND LAUGHED A MERRY LAUGH LISTEN FRIENDS SHE SAID AT LAST +ba37daf7-676a-4abd-a458-278cf036114e FOR ONCE IN HER LIFE THE STORY GIRL WAS NOT AS TACTFUL AS HER WONT AND PETER WANTED TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD PASS THE ORDEAL IT LET'S GET UP AND GO DOWN AND OUT I CAN'T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE TO SEE THE PLACE HIS FATHER TOLD US OF THEY USED TO BE VERY PLENTY LONG AGO I KNOW SOME SPLENDID WITCH STORIES I'LL TELL YOU SOME DAY THEY'LL JUST MAKE YOUR BLOOD FREEZE IN YOUR VEINS CICELY'S PRAYER HAD BEEN ANSWERED WE LOVED AUNT OLIVIA BUT JUST NOW WE RESENTED TO HER HAVING LAUGHED AT US WITH AUNT JANET AND WE REFUSED TO SMILE BACK AND WHAT IS THAT WHICH YOU ARE PULLING OUT OF YOUR PANTS THERE MUST BE A MILLION NAMES HERE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL +ba68a3d4-99ac-4f4e-abb7-25c543093356 BUT IT WAS JUST THE THING TO MAKE THE RIGHT IMPRESSION SETANOVO I KEPT THE ON WATCH CREW OF THE CRUISER AT DUTY STATION TO CONFINED THE REST WITHIN A HUNDRED YARD RADIUS OF THE SHIP THAT'S NOT THE SAME AS BEING BORN SOMETHING SAID FELICITY LOFTILY I THE ONE WITH THE SHINY RING AROUND HER HEAD AND THE BABY IN HER LAP TELLS IT NOW OH IT ISN'T THE RIGHT KIND OF STORY TO TELL ON SUNDAY SHE REPLIED BUT I'LL TELL IT TOMORROW MORNING FEELING FOR SOME HIDDEN SPRING THAT MIGHT OPEN A DOOR OR WINDOW AND I AM RESOLVED NEVER TO SPEAK AGAIN WITHOUT TAKING TIME TO THINK CAREFULLY +ba7859c0-1d5f-4e20-a49e-5edef083c1ef ALL FOUR HUNDRED GLISTENING RED AND BLACK METERS OF IT IN PROWESS OF THE MIND CECILY CAUGHT IT AFTER UNCLE ALEC HAD GONE IT ISN'T FAIR JUST THEN AS THEY HAD COME TO GRIPS AGAIN BUT THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO TRAVEL WITH THOSE YOUNG ONES WOULD BE TO HAVE EM BOTH TIED TO YOU WITH A SHORT ROPE THIS WAS HOME BUT JEFF AUBREY AND JENIFER MAC WOULDN'T BE ON HAND TO WITNESS THEIR SORRY TRIUMPH WE MUST TRY AGAIN +ba82c88a-8794-457d-be9d-38f7aaa2ec45 AND AFTER YOU READ IT YOU CAN LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE IT DOESN'T SEEM REAL NOW MORE LIKE A NIGHTMARE BUT IT WAS TERRIBLE ENOUGH AT THE TIME IT'S NOW FOURTEEN MINUTES OF ELEVEN THERE ISN'T ANY I USED THE LAST IN THE SOUP YESTERDAY IT'S ONLY VANITY WHEN YOU GET PUFFED UP ABOUT THEM DIDN'T SEE HER OF COURSE MISSUS RAY MET ME AT THE DOOR AND TOLD ME NOT TO COME IN BUT MISSUS RAY SAYS THE MEASLES GO AWFUL HARD WITH THE RAYS IF THEY DON'T DIE COMPLETELY OF THEM IT LEAVES THEM DEAF OR BLIND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT COLLAXY AND CALM CRYSTALS DID WHAT NO REFINEMENT OF TERRAN THERAPEUTICS HAD BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE STEEP BUT NOT HIGH IT COULD NOT BE ANY OTHER WAY THAT IS WHERE THE DAMAGE WAS DONE +bab9a31d-a21f-43d9-8c45-dcf1d487efae BUT WE HAD LONG HOURS FOR PLAY AND THE MURMUR OF AN ALIEN SEA SOUNDED ABOUT HER GRAVE IT WAS UNCLE EDWARD WHO TOLD ME THERE WERE NO SUCH THINGS AS FAIRIES SARA RAY WAS THE ONLY UNHAPPY ONE AMONG US NOW I LOVED UNCLE ALEC BUT I WANTED TO BE TALLER THAN HE WAS AFTER DINNER WE ALL WITHOUT ANY VERBAL DECISION ABOUT IT WASHED OUR FACES AND COMBED OUR HAIR SUCH A DEAR OLD LADY WITH LOVELY SILVERY CURLS OH MASTER HE PRAYED TURNING BESEECHINGLY TO ODIN CHAFFEE FOUR ON THE NEXT JUMP SCANNED THE SHIP'S CHARTS AND IDENTIFIED THE SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH THEY TRAVELED +baf8805e-cf1c-4d88-8225-c3c1de487d07 I DIVED THE EYE LOWER THE PYRAMID WAS A CRUDE LOOKING THING OF UNDRESSED STONE WITHOUT CARVINGS OR DECORATIONS SLOWLY HIS MIND OPENED AND BECAME PERCEPTIVE THE PRAYER HUNG IN THE AIR OF THE SMOKY ROOM YONAH SLIPPED IN NOW HE SAID QUIETLY HIS CONTROL SLIPPED THE TWO GUARDS CAME TOWARDS HIM OVERPOWERED AND HELD HIM IN A BRIEF SECOND WAIT THE INQUISITOR SAID HEAVILY WAIT RELEASE HIM YOU'D UNDERSTAND WHY IF YOU EVER SAW HIM AT A PARTY OR A PICNIC SAID FELICITY TRYING TO PASS PLATES AND DROPPING THEM WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKED AT HIM THEY SAY IT'S PITIFUL TO SEE HIM I MUST GET WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THAT MAN NEXT SUMMER SAID THE STORY GIRL I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE OR IF YOU ARE REALLY I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU EVEN BELONG ON THE WORLD NOT BELONG ON THE WORLD WE OWN THE WORLD WE CAN SHOW WRITTEN TITLE TO THE WORLD CAN YOU I DOUBT IT WHERE DID YOU GET THE TITLE +bb0cc582-c230-41f3-b92f-8f4eec2613d5 JONAS PUT ON HIS MOST PLEASANT EXPRESSION MADAM HE SAID I WISH TO KNOW IF THERE BE ANY FAMILY IN THIS TOWN TO GIVE ROOM TO A WAYFARER UNDERSTANDING OF COURSE THAT THE WAYFARER WOULD INSIST ON PAYING PAYING WELL HE ADDED I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WOULD BECOME OF IT BUT I ALSO HAD NO INTENTION OF RETURNING UNTIL THE JOB WAS DONE WITH THIS ASSURANCE I PULLED OFF MY FLASHY CLOTHES AND SLIPPED INTO THE MIDNIGHT BLACK DRESS UNIFORM OF AN ADMIRAL IN THE LEAGUE GRAN FLEET THE STORY GIRL COULD SEE US THROUGH THE WINDOW CAROUSING WITHOUT STINT ON RAISIN PIES AND UNCLE EDWARD'S CHERRIES BUT SHE WORKED ON AT HER BUTTONHOLES SHE WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE EXCITING SERIAL IN THE NEW MAGAZINE DAN BROUGHT HOME FROM THE POST OFFICE NEITHER WOULD SHE OPEN A LETTER FROM HER FATHER CURRENT ENOUGH TO KILL A THOUSAND MEN OR TO DO THE WORK OF A MILLION HORSES WEIGHS NOTHING IS INVISIBLE AND ACTUALLY DOES NOTHING UNTIL RELEASED IN SOME FORM OR OTHER EITHER BY ACCIDENT OR DESIGN TRUE BUT ELECTRICITY ISN'T MATTER +bb3226b5-c21b-488c-941a-07f1898b5f53 WHEN SHE TOLD US SAD TALES IN A VOICE LADEN WITH ALL THE TEARS THAT HAD EVER BEEN SHED THEY'D BE ALL MIXED UP IF THEY HADN'T FELICITY ATE TWO IN HER VERY PRESENCE AND THEN BROUGHT THE REST OUT TO US IN THE ORCHARD THE CORPS SUPPOSEDLY MADE GOOD USE OF MEN LIKE MYSELF TO GET RID OF THE MORE ANTISOCIAL TYPES THAT INFEST THE UNIVERSE I WAS ALREADY DRESSED FOR MY ROLL AND OUT OF THE SHIP BEFORE THE LANDING BRACES STOPPED VIBRATING SHE HADN'T OUGHT TO TELL ME STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE IF SHE DON'T WANT ME TO LAUGH WHEN I SEE THEM AND TRIED TO CARRY OUT OUR TEACHER'S GENTLE PRECEPTS +bb43ade7-3271-47f2-9205-8e85dc0b058c I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT DO YOU AUNT OLIVIA SAYS CHILDREN SHOULD JUST BE LET COME UP THAT EVERYTHING ELSE IS SETTLED FOR THEM LONG BEFORE THEY ARE BORN I'M NOT SO FRIGHTENED OF HER AS I ONCE WAS EVEN IF THEY WERE OUR FAMILY GHOSTS AUNT JULIA DROPPED IT DOWN THE WELL ONCE PETER WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO DAY TINTING THE GLISTENING TIN TOWERS AND THE TIN MINARETS NEITHER OF US CAN BE HAPPY AGAIN UNLESS WE RECOVER OUR RIGHTFUL FORMS THEN OUT OF REGARD FOR MATS AND CUSHIONS HE WAS KEPT IN DURRANCE VILE IN THE GRANARY UNTIL HE HAD LICKED HIS FUR CLEAN +bb6a6163-c174-4de8-aeb1-ae3e98ad31e2 AROUND HER WAIST WAS TWISTED A GIRDLE OF THE BLOOD RED ROSES THAT BLOOMED IN AUNT OLIVIA'S GARDEN WELL SAID PETER DESFIANTLY IF YOUR OWN FATHER HAD RUN AWAY WHEN YOU WAS A BABY AND LEFT YOUR MOTHER TO EARN HER LIVING BY WASH WASHING AND WORKING OUT I GUESS YOU WOULDN'T CARE MUCH ABOUT HIM EITHER I SHOULD HAVE STOPPED WITH THE PIE AND PICKLES AND LEFT THE TARTS ALONE WE FELT SURE OF THAT IT WAS CLEVERLY DONE HE SAID RIGHT OUT LOUD BUT DINNA TRY IT AGAIN I SHOOK HIS HAND ENTHUSIASTICALLY AT THIS POINT AND LET ONE HUNDRED CREDIT NOTES SLIP INTO HIS PALM +bb9ef478-dfa2-48d4-aad9-363a6f14a566 AND THE LAUGH JUST LAUGHED ITSELF BEFORE I COULD HELP IT OH IT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE THINGS YOU KNOW ARE NOT TRUE WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS USUAL MADAM HE SAID I WISH TO KNOW IF THERE BE ANY FAMILY IN THIS TOWN TO GIVE ROOM TO A WAYFARER THE OLD WOMAN STILL CLUTCHING HER COIN DISAPPEARED FROM THE WINDOW AS IF SOMEONE HAD YANKED HER BACK AS HE WATCHED THROUGH A HAZE OF RED DUST WHIPPED UP BY THE MORNING BREEZE PRESUMABLY ALL THE STARS IN THE OUTER ARMS OF THE MILKY WAY AND THEIR PLANETS WERE ABOUT THE SAME AGE AND SHE HANGS MY CAGE IN HER BEDROOM EVERY NIGHT SO SHE CAN KEEP HER EYE ON ME UNLESS THEY CAN HELP US WE MUST REMAIN FOREVER AS WE ARE +bbbfb0c1-a75a-4abb-a6cd-c73c05df5ecf TURALLY I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND VIC'S JARGON ABOUT FREQUENCIES AND LIGHT RAYS FOR I THOUGHT MORE ABOUT FOOTBALL THAN PHYSICS IN COLLEGE BUT TWO THINGS WERE CLEAR TO ME ONE WAS THAT VIC HAD PLUNGED INTO SOME SORT OF WILD EXPERIMENT AND THE OTHER WAS THAT HOPE HAD FOLLOWED HIM THE REST DIDN'T MATTER VERY MUCH I THINK IT'S AWFULLY LUCKY WE WERE ALL BORN INTO THE SAME FAMILY FELIX REMARKED ISN'T IT I'VE OFTEN THOUGHT SO AND I'VE OFTEN THOUGHT WHAT A DREADFUL THING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER KING HAD NEVER GOT MARRIED TO EACH OTHER I DON'T SUPPOSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SINGLE ONE OF US CHILDREN HERE AT ALL OR IF WE WERE WE WOULD BE PART SOMEBODY ELSE AND THAT WOULD BE ALMOST AS BAD STETSON GLARED AT THE GRID THOSE FAT HEADED LARD BOTTOMED PIG BRAINED POLITICIANS HE TOOK TOO DEEP BREATH SUBSIDED O K TELL THEM WE'LL COMPLY IN SPITE OF PRAYERS AND HEROIC ATTEMPTS FELIX COULD NEVER GET BEYOND THAT LAST BITE NOT EVEN FAITH AND WORKS IN COMBINATION COULD AVAIL FOR A TIME HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THIS BUT HE THOUGHT THE MYSTERY WAS SOLVED WHEN CECILY CAME TO HIM ONE DAY AND TOLD HIM THAT PETER WAS PRAYING AGAINST HIM +bbcb7678-0513-489e-8288-290d75c25f7c A SHOWER CAME UP IN THE EVENING AND WE HAD TO STOP PICKING FELICITY HAS NOT GOTTEN OVER THAT TO THIS DAY RING THE AFTERNOON JUDY PINNOT BROUGHT UP A TEAR BLOTTED NOTE FROM SARA RAY I'VE DONE ALL RIGHT YONETS THOUGHT SULLENLY YOU HAVE CONFESSED THE BALD ONE SAID I SEE HE SAID AT LAST AND IT'S IN THE PAPER TOO AND THAT'S PRINTED AS WELL AS THE BIBLE SAID DAN SARA RAY HAD ALSO YEARNED TO STAY BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE HER MOTHER HAD TOLD HER SHE MUST BE HOME BEFORE DARK I'M GOING TO PUT TWO CENTS MORE A WEEK IN MY MISSIONARY BOX THAN I'VE BEEN DOING SAID CECILY DETERMINEDLY +bc44a250-f19f-4327-b1f0-fb214da9381a LET'S GO OVER TO UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK AND SIT ON THE BRANCHES OF THE BIG TREE WE DID NOT WISH OUR GROWN UPS AROUND AT OUR GREAT MOMENT SO WE BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE LOFT OF THE GRANARY IN THE SPRUCE WOOD FROM WHOSE WINDOW WE COULD SEE THE MAIN ROAD AND HALE JERRY IN DREAMLAND WE WERE ALL EQUAL SUDDENLY APPEARING THROUGH A LITTLE GAP IN THE HEDGE DREAMED DREAMS OF SUCH A PEACEFUL AND PASTORAL CHARACTER SHE HAD A VERY NICE SMILE AND FOR MEMORIES IN THE OTHERS MINDS HE COULD HEAR THE VOICE LOW AND QUIET AND ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY THAT IS THEY HAD A HEAD A TORSO TWO ARMS AND TWO LEGS APIECE NOT AGREEABLY IT SEEMED TO ME +bc7c4b8e-83ac-4a54-90b0-7570fa958bce SHE STOLE CAUTIOUSLY THROUGH THE WOODS UNTIL SHE CAME TO THE BRINK OF A LITTLE VALLEY BELOW HER STOOD THE SNOW WHITE MOOSE I WONDER IF IT IS TRUE THAT HE WRITES POETRY MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS IT IS SHE SAYS SHE HAS SEEN HIM WRITING IT IN A BROWN BOOK SHE SAID SHE COULDN'T GET NEAR ENOUGH TO READ IT BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS POETRY BY THE SHAPE OF IT VERY LIKELY IF THAT BLUE SILK DRESS STORY IS TRUE I'D BELIEVE ANYTHING OF HIM SAID FELICITY OH IF I HAD ONLY BEEN A BETTER BOY THE QUARREL WAS AS MUCH MY FAULT AS YOURS FELICITY SAID THE STORY YELL PUTTING HER ARM ROUND FELICITY WE CAN'T UNDO IT NOW BUT IF TO MORROW ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY HE MUST BE CAREFUL NEVER TO QUARREL AGAIN IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE GOOD WILL OF MY UNSEEN FAIRY GUARDIANS SO I'LL TRY AND IF I FAIL YOU WILL BE NO WORSE OFF THAN YOU ARE NOW +bc9aef22-ab68-448c-9f34-0e61a2b7c0b1 WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS PLACE FORM AND UNLESS YOU BRING THEM INTO THE FOLD THERE'LL BE NOTHING BUT ASHES FOR OUR ARCHAEOLOGIST TO PICK OVER LIKE ANY OTHER SENSE BUT IT ISN'T MAGIC ANY MORE THAN YOUR EYES ARE MAGIC THEY'RE GIVEN BY GOD IF YOU LIKE THEY GROW THEY DEVELOP OF COURSE YONDS THOUGHT IMPATIENTLY I KNOW ALL THAT IT SEEMED TO ME THIS THING WAS JUST A BIT TOO BIG FOR THE USE INTENDED I'M GUESSING AN INFORMED GUESS I'M LEAVING ANOTHER NOTE THERE FOR YOU OLD SON I HAD REALLY COME OUT TO SEE HOPE OF COURSE BUT SHE WAS STILL UPSTAIRS PUTTING ON THE FINISHING TOUCHES WHAT I'LL FIND THERE I DON'T KNOW +bca0ff77-f1c3-4b3d-aa8e-330345389b25 NEITHER WOULD SPEAK FIRST AND EACH OBSTINATELY DECLARED THAT SHE WOULD NOT SPEAK FIRST NO NOT IN A HUNDRED YEARS THE REQUEST WAS A FORGERY NOW YOU SEE WHY I'M MOSTLY FOR RUBBING OUT THIS PLACE PRESENTLY STETSON SAID O K GO AHEAD AS PLANNED BUT FIND OUT WHERE THE DELPHINIS IS BUT WHERE DID YOU REALLY GET THIS LIST OF SO MANY NAMES WRITTEN SO SMALL AND THE HILLSIDES STOOD GRAY GREEN WITH OLD CACTUS FARMER'S HAYMAKER CONNECTED BUT HE COULDN'T WHICH ONE WAS MORE DANGEROUS THIS PASSED AND HE STARTED TO SMILE IN A PLACATING MANNER +bcda3dfb-3986-4b9a-ae96-88ca85fd8619 A THING THAT SIZE COULDN'T CRACK A WALNUT YOU FLOUNDERING FOP IT WILL BLAST THIS TOWN FLAT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU NOTHING THREE THE PRIESTS SHOULD BE SATISFIED THE WATER WAS RUNNING AGAIN MY EYES HAD BEEN DULY BURNED OUT AND THEY WERE BACK IN BUSINESS WHICH ADDED UP TO FOUR THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY LET ANOTHER REPAIR MAN IN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS IF THE BEACON CONKED OUT AGAIN THE WE'LL BE THE FIRST MEN HAD TURNED INTO I'LL BE THE FIRST MAN BUT IT WAS CAPTAIN BRANDON WHO DREW THE ASSIGNMENT OF SCOUTING SERIOUS THREE FOR A SUITABLE LANDING PLACE FOR ASTRO OF SAMPLING ITS ATMOSPHERE AND OBSERVING METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EVEN AS BRANDON CLIMBED INTO THE SCOUT SHIP TOWERS HAD CAUTIONED HIM WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER REALIZING WHAT OUR DREAD HAD BEEN NOW THAT IT WAS LIFTED IT WAS NOT THE JUDGMENT DAY THE WORLD AND LIFE WERE STILL BEFORE US WITH ALL THEIR POTENT LURE OF YEARS UNKNOWN +bcf50095-fde3-4fb3-a330-4ffd5f96a3d9 A CLINK AND CLATTER BROUGHT HIS ATTENTION TO THE LAUNCH HE GAWKED RAY HAD THROWN BACK A DECK CATCH AND PRODUCED A DIVING SUIT WHICH LOOKED AS UNSHIP SHAPED AS THE REST OF THE BOAT'S EQUIPMENT RIGHT BUT FELICITY HAD ALREADY WHISKED THE TURNIPS OUT AND WAS SLICING THEM WHILE ALL THE OTHERS WERE LAUGHING AT ME SUPPOSE CECILY GOES DOWN WITH YOU AND COAXES YOUR MOTHER SUGGESTED THE STORY GIRL PERHAPS SHE'D LET YOU GO THEN SHE LIKES CECILY SHE DOESN'T LIKE EITHER FELICITY OR ME SO IT WOULD ONLY MAKE MATTERS WORSE FOR US TO TRY SINCE I WAS ONLY CHASING MY TAIL WITH THIS LINE OF THOUGHT I PUT IT OUT OF MY MIND AND WORKED ON SOME DRY D CHESS PROBLEMS THIS FILLED THE TIME UNTIL SETANOVO BLINKED INTO THE BOW SCREEN ONE OF MY MOST EFFECTIVE MOTTOES HAS ALWAYS BEEN SECRECY CAN BE AN OBJIOSITY WHAT THE MAGICIANS CALL MISDIRECTION +bd0d2aab-4ded-4e5e-9e55-6d8e97b24d4b IT MUST BE SPLENDID TO GO TO EUROPE SIGHED CECILY LONGINGLY I UNDER SOLEMN PROMISE OF SECRECY AND IT WAS TO MAKE THE STORY GIRL WISH I COULD I'VE A DREADFUL FEELING HERE LIKE THAT STERN ANGRILY FROWNING OLD MAN WITH THE TOSSING HAIR AND BEARD OF THE WOODCUT CECILY HELD BUT THE STORY GIRL'S BRIEF BITTER ANGER HAD VANISHED I SAW A PICTURE OF THE DEVIL ONCE GO TO THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH UNTIL YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A HORSE AS INSTANTANEOUSLY AS IT HAD COME THE PAIN LEFT HIM AND HE REGAINED CONTROL OF IT QUICKLY THEN +bd18dec5-deab-43f4-944d-1a3eeadc9520 I HAD TO SAID DAN MARTIN FORBES IS THE BROTHER OF A HORRID MAN IN SUMMERSIDE WHO CALLED ME JOHNNY THAT'S WHY I WHO WAS SITTING BESIDE HER FELT AN UNACCOUNTABLE REPULSION CREEPING OVER ME HE NEVER GOES TO CHURCH AND HE NEVER SAYS HIS PRAYERS FINALLY WE CAME TO THE LANE WHICH LED DIRECTLY TO OUR ABODE WE WERE ALL VERY PALE NOW AND OUR HEARTS WERE BEATING WILD ONES DO THIS THERE'LL BE A RELAYSHIP OVER YOU ALL THE TIME SAID STETSON NOW +bd1b1555-d780-4610-af57-55f221196aac TURN THE UPPER OF THE TWO DIALS UNTIL THE HAND OF THE METER BESIDE IT MOVES UP TO TWENTY SEVEN HUNDRED EXACTLY WAIT A MOMENT UNTIL YOU'RE SURE YOU HAVE THE EXACT READING THEN TURN THE SECOND DIAL UNTIL THE TWO RED LINES COINCIDE AND AS YOU DO SO MARK THE TIME THE THING IS SET TO OPERATE THE REVERSE CYCLE AT THREE HOUR INTERVALS EXACTLY CECILY BEHIND ME KEPT GASPING OUT THE CONTRADICTORY SENTENCES OH BEB WAIT FOR ME AND OH BEB HURRY HURRY MORE BY BLIND INSTINCT THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE KEPT TOGETHER AND FOUND OUR WAY OUT OF THE WOODS PRESENTLY WE WERE IN THE FIELD BEYOND THE BROOK OVER US WAS A DAINTY SKY OF SHELL PINK PLACID CLOUDS WERE PLEASURE PASTURING AROUND US THE FAREWELL SUMMER NODDED TO US IN THE FRIENDLY BREEZES WE HALTED WITH A GLAD REALIZATION THAT WE WERE BACK IN OUR OWN HAUNTS AND THAT PEG BOWEN HAD NOT CAUGHT US NOW WAS THE TIME FOR HIS PLAY HE TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND FELT THE STRENGTH IN HIM GATHER TO A SINGLE POINT AND FLOW OUTWARD THE TWO MEN SUDDENLY SEEMED TO STAGGER THERE WAS A SECOND OF CONFUSION AND THEY HAD LET HIM GO HE STOOD ALONE IN THE ROOM HE TURNED AND WALKED TO THE DOOR BUT HE DID NOT OPEN IT INSTEAD HE LEANED AGAINST IT HE FORCED HIS VOICE INTO THE PATTERNS OF CALMNESS AND EASE A SERIES OF MUFFLED EXPLOSIONS ROCKED THE SHIP HE CHOPPED THE POWER BACK ALL THE WAY AND LISTENED INTENTLY MAY DAY MAY ESTRO THIS IS BRANDON MAY DAY A FAINT VOICE SPUTTERED IN HIS EAR THE FACE OF REINHERT THE RADIO MAN APPEARED BEFORE HIM BRANDON THIS IS ASTRO ONE WHAT IS YOUR POSITION OVER +bd2e6cc5-1480-49a2-ac13-75e204ee6220 THAT WILL BE ENTIRELY ENOUGH I SNAPPED CUTTING HIM OFF WITH A WAVE OF MY HAND ALL THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED BY OUR COURT AT THE PROPER TIME THERE IS ONLY ONE QUESTION I WANT AN ANSWER TO NOW WHY ARE YOU BUILDING THAT BATTLESHIP UNCLE ROGER WANTED BREAKFAST AT SIX WELL I SUPPOSE THE FIRE IS ON ANYHOW FOR THE STORY GIRL IS UP I GUESS SHE GOT UP EARLY TO KNEAD THE BREAD SHE COULDN'T SLEEP ALL NIGHT FOR WORRYING OVER IT THE FIRE WAS ON AND A FLUSHED AND TRIUMPHANT STORY GIRL WAS TAKING A LOAF OF BREAD FROM THE OVEN THESE EPISTLES WERE AS DASHINGLY UNDERLINED AS IF SARAH HAD BEEN A CORRESPONDENT OF EARLY VICTORIAN DAYS HE WAS INSTEAD SOMEWHAT SHORTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF MEN IN EUROPE IN SIXTEEN O FIVE AND FOR SOME TIME THEREAFTER +bd380630-c3b4-4970-845c-b387eeb2afe6 JUST IMAGINE BEINGS THAT LIVE ON A WORLD WITH ALMOST AS MUCH WATER AS OURS WHO CAN'T USE THEIR NATURAL ABILITIES ANY MORE THAN THAT IT'S RIDICULOUS I NEVER SAW SIST MOROC THE BIG UGLY ONE ESPECIALLY THIS TIME I DIDN'T ANSWER HIM BECAUSE I WAS RUNNING AND PANTING LIKE A DOG AND HAD THE MIKE TURNED OFF JUST AHEAD IF THE BLUE PINS WERE RIGHT WAS THE DOOR TO THE CONTROL ROOM PEPE SHOULD BE THERE YOU TWO MISS A GREAT DEAL BY NOT EATING HE SAID TO HIS COMPANIONS IT IS TRUE RESPONDED THE SCARECROW WE MISS SUFFERING FROM HUNGER WHEN FOOD CANNOT BE HAD AND WE MISS A STOMACH ACHE NOW AND THEN OH DOCTOR MY SON HAS SWALLOWED A MOUSE HE CRIED WHAT SHALL I DO TELL HIM TO SWALLOW A CAT ROARED THE POOR DOCTOR AND SLAMMED HIS DOOR NOW IF UNCLE ROGER HAD SWALLOWED ANY NEEDLES MAYBE IT WOULD MAKE IT ALL RIGHT IF HE SWALLOWED A PINCUSHION +bd5891bc-d9ac-4f34-991d-cdc890280f14 THE DIVING HELMET CLATTERED ON THE PLANKS LOOKING DOWN HIS NOSE AT IT AT THE SAME TIME BUT I'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR OUTFIT BACK AND DESTROY IT ANYWAY I HAD LOADED THE CARDS WITH ALL THE THINGS HE MIGHT WANT AND PLANTED THE INFORMATION WHERE HE COULD GET IT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM ONLY PEOPLE BESIDES HE WAS POOR AND NEEDED THE MONEY WE ALL MADE MUCH OF HIM EXCEPT FELICITY WHO NOT TAKE ANY NOTICE OF HIM BECAUSE HE WAS A STORY GIRL'S CAT +bd951b6b-4e3d-459b-9359-b9afb0cd392a I URGED JANET AND ALEC TO GO TO HALIFAX AND TOOK THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHILDREN WHILE THEY WERE AWAY WE'LL SEARCH THE SHIP SHE CAN'T HIDE FOR LONG SHE WON'T HAVE TO PIPPY SAID THERE'S A FAR SCOUT WE PICKED UP STOWED IN ONE OF THE HOLES THAT MUST BE LEAVING NOW IT CAME COMPLETE WITH DECORATIONS GOLD BULLION AND ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS OH DEAR ME WHAT MAKES PEOPLE SAY THINGS THEY'VE GOT TO BE SORRY FOR AFTERWARDS VING HAD WON TO IT THROUGH THE DANGER AND SUFFERING OF THE DARK RIVER BUT SAID SHE KNEW NOTHING OF THE LOONS BECAUSE SHE NEVER LEFT HER VALLEY THEN THE TIN WOODMAN STARED HARD AT HIS FRIEND +bd97e11c-87e7-47dd-93a9-716bc0829ed4 IT SMELLED BUT JONAS WENT UP TO THE DOOR BRAVELY AND KNOCKED THERE WAS NO ANSWER DO YOU KNOW WHY I WAS PUT HERE THAT I HOPE WE WILL ALL MEET IN A BETTER WORLD BETTER WAIT UNTIL MISTER MILWOOD LEAVES AND CATCH HIM IN THE LANE ADVISED THE STORY GIRL MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG INSIDE THE DINGUS ITSELF JOHN ANDREWS SUGGESTED TENTATIVELY BY BRINGING OUT A PORTABLE TELEVISION SET OR THAT HAPPENED FAR AWAY IT HAPPENED JUST DOWN AT MARKDALE AND I'VE SEEN THAT VERY SPRUCE WOOD MYSELF +bda9e0ec-1829-4c65-bf6f-b6f69a4f6954 HIS WHOLE BODY ACHED TENDONS HAD BEEN PULLED MUSCLES STRAINED FROM THE FORCE OF THE EJECTION UNCLE ROGER SAYS HE NEVER HAD A BOY HE COULD DEPEND ON LIKE PETER I SAID IT'S TOO LATE TO BE SAYING ALL THESE NICE THINGS ABOUT HIM NOW SAID THE STORY GIRL HE WON'T EVER KNOW HOW MUCH WE THOUGHT OF HIM IT'S TOO LATE FOR A WEEK WE ATE UNLAWFUL LUNCHES AND DREAMED DREAMS AFTER OUR OWN HEARTS AND I REGRET TO SAY BICKERED AND SQUABBLED INCESSANTLY THROUGHOUT THE DAYTIME FOR OUR DIGESTIONS WENT OUT OF ORDER AND OUR TEMPERS FOLLOWED SUIT YOU'VE RUINED THE BREAD SAID FELICITY FLATLY IT'S AS HEAVY AS A STONE I DECLARE SARA STANLEY I'D RATHER HAVE A LITTLE COMMON SENSE THAN BE A GREAT STORY TELLER +bdcaa0b8-20d4-4a19-973a-86c675c6d0e9 DAN PRESENTLY BROKE THE SPELL YOU THE INTELLIGENT ONE HE SAID THE QUOTES AROUND INTELLIGENT WERE CLEAR IN HIS INTONATION SARA RAY HAD ALSO YEARNED TO STAY BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE HER MOTHER HAD TOLD HER SHE MUST BE HOME BEFORE DARK NEVER MIND SARAH COMFORTED CECILY IT'S NOT TO BE TILL TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW SO YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET UP HIP FOR ANYTHING HAPPENS BUT THERE MIGHT BE A MISTAKE SOBBED SARAH IT MIGHT BE TWO O'CLOCK TO NIGHT INSTEAD OF TO MORROW HE FLINCHED WHEN JENIFER TO BE HEARD ABOVE THE ZID'S RAGINGS SHOUTED IN HIS EAR MY SCOOP SHOULD HAVE THE QUEEN AFLOAT BY NOW CAN WE REACH HER +bdcd0354-e117-4d9a-b046-fad12368ac74 WHAT IS PETER LIKE I ASKED PETER IS SPLENDID HIS MOTHER LIVES ON THE MARKDALE ROAD AND WASHES FOR A LIVING PETER'S FATHER RAN AWAY AND LEFT THEM WHEN PETER WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD BUT PRESENTLY WOOD GOT HIS FEET TANGLED IN THE LACE APRON WHICH HE WAS STILL WEARING AND THAT TRIPPED HIM IN HIS FLIGHT AND MADE HIM FALL TO THE GROUND WHERE THE JAGUAR PLACED ONE HUGE PAW UPON HIM AND SAID GRIMLY I'VE GOT YOU NOW NOT AN INN HE SAID THERE IS NO INN HERE I KNOW BUT A FAMILY WILLING TO TAKE IN A STRANGER STRANGERS ARE SELDOM HERE SHE SAID HER KNUF WATCHES HIS FLOCK WITH ZEAL FELIX PRAYED EARNESTLY THAT HE MIGHT BE ENABLED TO EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT MAKING A FACE +bdfad18b-a262-4565-a5a9-33cf1c0b2f97 AT A COMMAND FROM THE PRIESTS THE GUARDS LIFTED ME TO THE ALTAR AND THEN STOOD WATCHFULLY BELOW GAZING UP AT ME WITH PUZZLED MOURNFUL ENVIOUS EYES OH YES ALL HAVE NAMES MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL ONLY PEOPLE MANOEL MOULS NO ONE ELSE NO MANOEL NO ONLY THE PEOPLE BIT BY BIT A PATENT STARTED TO EMERGE A DELICATE WEB WORK OF FORGERY BRIBERY CHICANERY AND FALSEHOOD IT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN CONCEIVED BY A MIND AS BRILLIANTLY AS CROOKED AS MY OWN I CHEWED MY LIP WITH JEALOUSY LIKE ALL GREAT IDEAS THIS ONE WAS BASICALLY SIMPLE JOHN ANDREW REACHED TWO DECISIONS THAT HE WAS SAFE AND THAT HE LIKED THE JUDGE ONE OF FARMER'S WEAKNESSES IN FACT WAS THAT THOUGH THOROUGHLY MASCULINE HIMSELF HE COMPLETELY DISTRUSTED WOMEN AND WAS TOO TRUSTING WITH MEN +be155dcc-f416-4339-9edf-16e9c5b2f7dc THE STATE OF COMPLETE AND UTTER QUIET WAS BOTH FOREIGN AND SLIGHTLY REPUGNANT TO HIM AH JONAS SAID PLEASANTLY BUT YOU'RE HOME AREN'T YOU ALL WENT WELL UNTIL ONE OF THE PRIESTS VIOLATED THE TEMPLE AND DESTROYED THE HOLY WATERS THE RULES ARE COMPLEX AND VARIABLE BUT THEY ARE STILL RULES THAT A NAVIGATOR CAN FOLLOW RAY YELPED HE STARTED AFTER HER HE PROTESTED HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WILL WORK I REALLY DIDN'T MEAN TO PUZZLE YOU OR MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR BY ME MAKING YOU OH I WON'T TELL HIM PROMISED FELICITY AMIABLY IT'S LUCKY THERE IS ENOUGH OLD BREAD TO DO TO DAY THIS WILL GO TO THE HENS BUT IT'S AN AWFUL WASTE OF GOOD FLOUR +be48123a-3ef7-4c0e-aced-4b16a60b9f0f CRIED THE PROUD PRINCESS ANGRILY WHEN I WAS VERY SMALL I USED TO BELIEVE THE FAIRIES DANCED IN IT ON MOONLIGHT NIGHTS IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ENDED BY JUST REVERSING THE WATER VALVE SWITCH WHEN THE HEAD WAS DONE I PEELED IT OFF AND ATTACHED IT TO AN ATTRACTIVE SUIT OF GREEN PLASTICK COMPLETE WITH TAIL PETE SHOUTED A FAMILIAR VOICE AND I SCRAMBLED TO MY FEET VIC LED THE WAY HOPE AND I FOLLOWING JUST THINK HOW MANY NEW STORIES I'D HAVE TO TELL AFTER I'D HEARD HIM BUT IT'LL BE A GOOD STORY TO TELL SOMETIME SHE ADDED +be84b53d-0feb-4f86-b623-95353f083248 AFTER CHECKING OUT THE CONTROLS AND SPECIAL APPARATUS WITH THE TECHNICIANS I CLEARED THE SHIP OF COURSE YOU DON'T EXPECT THEM TO FIRE WARSHIP PLANS WITH THE LEGAL REGISTRY DO YOU MISTER SCOTT PLANTED THE YELLOW PLUM TREE IN GRANDFATHER'S TIME SAID CECILY PEELING ONE OF THE PLUMS THE STORY GIRL FINISHED HER WREATH AND PUT IT ON FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL HAD NOT BEEN SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE HAD BEEN SOMETHING ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK IS AT THE WEST OF OZ IN THE MUNCHKIN COUNTRY AT THE EAST SHE DID BUT SHE DOESN'T WAS THE REPLY +be8f72c7-3b6f-4544-bde1-bb49f200e670 OLD MISTER FORBES HADN'T GONE TO CHURCH FOR YEARS BECAUSE HE WAS SO RHEUMATIC BUT HE WENT THE FIRST SUNDAY THE CHOIR SANG BECAUSE HE HAD NEVER HEARD ANY ONE SING BASS AND WANTED TO HEAR WHAT IT WAS LIKE THEIR SKINS WERE ALL OF A LIGHT GRAY COLOR ONCE WE ARE FREE OF THE BARRIER WE HAVE THE WANDERER TO HELP US BUT I SHALL MAKE YOU A FAIR OFFER I HAVE HEARD FROM MY HOUSEKEEPER'S URCHIN OF A SON THAT YOU ARE A MASTER HAND TELL STORIES SHE WAS EVEN WORSE THAN DAN HAD BEEN WHEN HE HAD EATEN THE BAD BERRIES I DON'T MEAN TO BE A HIGHER BOY ALL MY LIFE BESIDES SHE COAXED ME TO TELL HER WHAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR DREAMS +be9b2089-8970-4c35-9df5-f4c5e854116e ANOTHER LONG PAUSE IN WHICH ORAN AND TO NEWBE CONTINUED TO STUDY EACH OTHER PRESENTLY STETSON SAID O K GO AHEAD AS PLANNED BUT FIND OUT WHERE THE DELPHINIS IS IF WE GET THAT BACK WE PULL THEIR TEETH ONLY ONE THING COULD CROSS IT AND THAT WAS LOVE ZULEMITH YEARNED FOR ZERA WITH SUCH FIDELITY AND LONGING THAT HE BEGAN TO BUILD UP A BRIDGE OF LIGHT FROM HIS STAR AND ZERA NOT KNOWING THIS BUT LOVING AND LONGING FOR HIM BEGAN TO BUILD A SIMILAR BRIDGE OF LIGHT FROM HER STAR I GUESS I'LL BE A PRESBYTERIAN CAUSE I WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST OF YOU YES I'LL BE A PRESBYTERIAN I KNOW A STORY ABOUT JUDY PENU AND THE WORD PRESBYTERIAN SAID THE STORY YELL BUT I CAN'T TURN IT NOW IF TO MORROW ISN'T THE JUDGEMENT DAY I'LL TELL IT MONDAY NICELY TIMED I'LL SAY THAT CHUCKLED VIC HOW DOES OUR OWN MATERIAL WORLD LOOK GREAT I STEPPED QUICKLY AWAY FROM THE MACHINE DRAWING HOPE WITH ME DOESN'T IT HOPE +bed48930-fc3d-4ca1-a31a-e89f26dbad7c TO US FOR EVERMORE THE MILKY WAY WOULD BE NOT PETER'S OVERWHELMING GARLAND OF SONS BUT THE LUCENT BRIDGE LOVE CREATED ON WHICH THE BANISHED ARCHANGELS CROSSED FROM STAR TO STAR WHEN I RETURNED TO MY WORK THE AXE SLIPPED AND CUT OFF MY HEAD WHICH WAS THE ONLY PART OF ME THEN REMAINING I'VE SEEN PICTURES OF JESUS SAID FELIX MEDITATIVELY HE LOOKS JUST LIKE A MAN ONLY BETTER AND KINDER BUT NOW THAT I COME TO THINK OF IT I'VE NEVER SEEN A PICTURE OF GOD NEITHER I DO SAID CECILY WITH A GRIMACE BUT PETER SAYS THEY'RE SPLENDID FOR DREAMING HE AT ONE THAT NIGHT HE HAD THE DREAM ABOUT BEING CAUGHT BY CANNIBALS I EAT THREE CUCUMBERS IF I COULD HAVE A DREAM LIKE THAT +bed596b7-c7cf-4c4c-8cc1-22b32223c627 DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS I ASKED HIM POKING A LARGE GLOSSY PICK UNDER HIS LONG BROKEN NOSE ONE EYE OPENED SLOWLY BEGULL SHIP OF SOME KIND LOOKS LIKE AMBALLIANCE NOW FOR THE LAST TIME GO AWAY HE SAID THEIR CASE WAS THE MORE DESPERATE BECAUSE THE CHAFFAS WERE PROFESSIONAL FREIGHTERS WITH LITTLE EXPERIENCE OF EMERGENCY SO THAT YOU MAY IDENTIFY IT CHAFFEE THREE FINISHED HELPFULLY THE ZID HAS THIS APPEARANCE WHO IS GINGER ASKED WOOT THE GREEN MONKEY HAVEN'T YOU HEARD OF GINGER EXCLAIMED THE SCARECROW IN SURPRISE DEAR ME SAID TILL WHAT DREADFUL CREATURES WHERE DID THEY COME FROM FELIX ALSO AVERRED THAT HE HAD HEARD SARA ASK CECILY VERY SERIOUSLY CECILY HOW OLD MUST WE BE BEFORE WE CAN HAVE A REAL BEAU BUT SARA ALWAYS DENIED IT SO I AM INCLINED TO BELIEVE FELIX SIMPLY MADE IT UP HIMSELF +bed95237-cbab-41cf-9fa6-b908c37ad70c IF PETER HAD NOT BEEN SO MANIFESTLY FRIGHTENED WE MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO PASS OFF A JOKE ON US BUT SUCH ABJECT TERROR AS HIS COULD NOT BE COUNTERFEITED THE RASPBERRIES WERE PLENTIFUL AND WE WERE NOT LONG IN FILLING OUT OUR RECEPTACLES FOR THE SECTOR THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO HIM HE WOULD NOT NEED A MAP HE KNEW IT BETTER THAN ANY ONE ELSE CERTAINLY BETTER THAN ANY MAP MAKER BESIDES HE WAS POOR AND NEEDED THE MONEY THEY INSTRUCTED HIM AND SENT HIM OUT OR THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD INSTRUCTED HIM THEY COULDN'T BE SURE WE FELT WE COULD NEVER DO IT BUT THE STORY GIRL DID IT WE ADMIRED AND PITIED HER BUT AT TIMES THEY WERE SILENT FOR THESE THINGS HAD BEEN TALKED OVER MANY TIMES BETWEEN THEM AND THEY FOUND THEMSELVES CONTENTED AND MERELY BEING TOGETHER SPEAKING NOW AND THEN A BRIEF SENTENCE TO PROVE THEY WERE WIDE AWAKE AND ATTENTIVE +beea30e2-dcc4-4afa-aab3-b006a08cb796 I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS AND I DON'T CARE FOR MY HUSBAND TREATED ME BADLY AT TIMES FORGETTING THE RESPECT A GIANT OWES TO A GIANTESS BUT THEN THESE TWO QUAINT PERSONS NEVER SLEPT WHY SHOULD THEY SLEEP WHEN THEY NEVER TIRED HE SHOOK HIS HEAD AT ONCE AND SAID NO THE PLANS WERE CHANGED WE HAD TO FIT IN SOME KIND OF NEW METEOR REPELLING GEAR FOR OPERATING IN THE PLANETARY DEBRIS BELT I FLIPPED THROUGH MY CASE AND DREW OUT A PLAN DOES YOUR NEW GEAR LOOK ANYTHING LIKE THIS I ASKED THROWING IT ACROSS THE TABLE TO HIM LOOKS LIKE THE MISSING LINK THEY'VE ALWAYS HUNTED FOR SAID HORN YEA BUT YOU'VE GOT A DIFFERENT KIND OF MISSING LINK VERTICAL SLIP PUPILS IN THEIR EYES SAID HORN HE STUDIED THE FIGURE IT HAD BEEN CAUGHT FROM THE FRONT BY A MANY SNEAKER CAMERA ABOUT FIVE FEET TALL I FELT HE DIDN'T GRUDGE IT AND NOW FOR MISTER CAMPBELL IT WAS ON HIS ACCOUNT I PUT ON MY RED SILK I DON'T SUPPOSE THE AWKWARD MAN NOTICED IT AT ALL BUT MISTER CAMPBELL WILL OR I'M VERY MUCH MISTAKEN +bef723ea-cf17-4c01-b9ec-c0c82511ba7e X HIMSELF HAD THE PERMANENT JOB OF ASSISTANT ENGINEERING DESIGNER THE WAR LORD CLASS BATTLESHIP THAT HAS BEEN BUILT AT THE CENT ORANTOLA SPACE YARDS I'M SURE THEY'LL BE GLAD TO SEE THE MAN WHO AUNT JANET WAS VERY DESIROUS THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE AS NICE AS POSSIBLE AS WE WERE ALL SENT TO OUR ROOMS BEFORE TEA TO WASH AND DRESS UP AND THERE WERE PURPLE PENTLLED WHITE VIOLETS AT THE BASE OF THE PULPIT STONE AUNT OLIVIA WAS PALE AND TROUBLED AND TOOK OUT A PECULIAR MACHINE LISTEN FRIENDS SHE SAID AT LAST HE HAD INTENDED THAT DISTINCT AND IT DID +bf0f241b-4659-49f6-ada3-19dfdb109a32 WITH HIM WERE TWO OTHERS SHOUTED VIC AS I JOINED THEM BREATHLESS BUT TRIUMPHANT I SNAPPED OPEN THE ACTION AND DROPPED IN SIX CARTRIDGES IF YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH THEN WE SHALL DIE BRAVELY SAID TO NUB FORCING ORAN TO USE THE WIPERS I WISHED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SERMON CONTEST AND FELT SORE WHENEVER I THOUGHT OF MY FAILURE AND I LOST PARTS OF MY NEAT BODY BY DEGREES WHY THE COUNTRY WILL RUN ITSELF +bf1a94f9-862a-4772-aee1-d6fc4f7a1cc1 WITH HIM WERE TWO OTHERS EACH WEARING A SIMILAR JEWEL OF AUTHORITY THEY STOOD ASIDE FOR US TO ENTER AND THEN FOLLOWED US DOWN A LONG CORRIDOR WHICH WAS NOT LIGHTED BY ANY DEVICE I COULD DISCERN AND YET WHICH WAS NOT DARK JOHN ANDREW THINKING IT OVER SAID OH AND LET GO OF HER RISK SHE TURNED AND WENT BACK TO THE RAIL AGAIN AFTER FLASHING HIM THE MOST DELUCT SMILE SO FAR HE SANK SLOWLY BENEATH THE SURFACE WHAT A LACK OF COURTESY I SHOUTED DIPLOMACY WAS CALLED FOR I SIGHED AND DRAGGED OUT THE PLASTER FLESH EQUIPMENT THERE WAS NOBODY THERE BUT BETTY SHERMAN AND BETTY WAS NOT AFRAID OF HIM SHE WAS NEVER AFRAID OF ANYBODY SHE WAS VERY HANDSOME WITH HAIR AS BROWN AS OCTOBER NUTS AND BLACK EYES AND CRIMSON CHEEKS AND SHE HAD ALWAYS BEEN IN LOVE WITH NEIL CAMPBELL HERSELF +bf61865f-7836-40c7-a9c1-0362780adbb0 WELL I SUPPOSE THAT SETTLES IT SAID PETER IN A DESPAIRING TONE IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PREPARE ASKED CECILY IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE FACT THAT IN ALL OUR FOREGATHERINGS SHE WAS CAREFUL TO SIT AS FAR FROM FELICITY AS POSSIBLE WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN DECEIVED AND THEN CELIA GAVE IN AND TOOK HIM BECAUSE SHE SAW THERE WASN'T NO HOPE OF HIM EVER GIVING IN I JUST REMEMBERED THAT STORY AND I THOUGHT I COULD SEE HIM TAKING UP THE SENSE SO SOLEMN WITH ONE LONG WHISKER AND THE LAUGH JUST LAUGHED ITSELF BEFORE I COULD HELP IT WHAT WOULD AUNT JANE SAY IF SHE KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO FIGHT CECILY DEMANDED OF PETER DON'T YOU DRAG MY AUNT JANE INTO THIS AFFAIR SAID PETER DARKLY YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN PERSISTED CECILY FOR A THOUSAND THOUSAND YEARS THEY BOTH BUILT THE BRIDGE OF LIGHT AND AT LAST THEY MET AND SPRANG INTO EACH OTHER'S ARMS THEIR TOIL AND LONELINESS AND SUFFERING WERE ALL OVER AND FORGOTTEN AND THE BRIDGE THEY HAD BUILT SPANNED THE GULF BETWEEN THEIR STARS OF EXILE +c0051f26-2ae9-4ca8-864b-e1504b184c7e HE DROPPED THE TELE TALKING BEHIND THE SEAT AND EXAMINED THE GAUGE ON HIS OXYGEN MASK THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LAST THE NIGHT BUT NOT MUCH MORE HE SAT DOWN ON THE CAPSULE TO THINK HE STOOD IN HIS CUSTOMARY SLOUCH A STANCE NOT IMPROVED BY THE SACK LIKE PATCHED BLUE FATIGUES TWO VERTICAL NOSE SLITS A FLAT LIPLESS MOUTH RECEDING CHIN WHAT WAS THE MUNCHKIN GIRL'S NAME ASKED WOOT NIMMY AMMY I SEE SAID THE BOY THOUGHTFULLY AND DID YOU MARRY NINNY OF ME NO ANSWERED THE TIN WOODMAN I DID NOT WHEN AUNT OLIVIA CAME OUT TO GO HOME THE STORY GIRL ASKED HER PERMISSION TO STAY ALL NIGHT WITH FELICITY AND CECILY +c013736d-0ac9-49a3-922e-14f4a34f89ee HE TOOK SOME MORE AND SAID SLYLY FELIX AND DAN CONTRACTED TO KEEP THE GARDENS FREE FROM WEEDS THE OLD MAN HAD THAT LOOK OF INTENSE GLEE ON HIS FACE THAT MEANT SOME ONE WAS IN FOR A VERY ROUGH TIME HERAKNUFF SHALL REMAIN FOR ALL THAT I CAN DO WHILE THE EARTH REMAINS THE OLD WOMAN FROWNED AT HIM SUSPICIOUSLY IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT A MAN LOOKS LIKE I SAID FEELING THAT FELIX AND DAN WERE CATCHING IT RATHER TOO HOTLY +c02fe8ca-cab8-419b-8534-44c4f76321fd FELIX'S LETTER DEAR PETER I'M AWFUL GLAD YOU'RE GETTING BETTER WE ALL FELT BAD WHEN WE THOUGHT YOU WOULDN'T BUT I FELT WORSE THAN OTHERS BECAUSE WE HADN'T BEEN ON VERY GOOD TERMS LATELY AND I HAD SAID MEAN THINGS ABOUT YOU I'M SORRY AND PETER YOU CAN PRAY FOR ANYTHING YOU LIKE AND I WON'T EVER OBJECT AGAIN IT WAS ONCE IN CONSTANT USE BUT MY GOVERNMENT CLOSED IT WHEN YOU PEOPLE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WERE RUNNING AROUND IN SUBMARINES USING DEPTH BOMBS AND JUST NOTICING OUR AIR CRAFT TOO MUCH WHICH IS THE WAY OF HUMAN NATURE COMPANY DESCENDED ON US THAT AFTERNOON FIRST CAME AUNT JANET'S SISTER MISSUS PATERSON WITH A DAUGHTER OF SIXTEEN YEARS AND A SON OF TWO MEDITATE ON A PRAYER YONAS SAID KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN KEEP YOURSELF READY FOR THE GIFT OF GOD IT WILL DESCEND ON YOU +c053faed-5c6e-4d24-bfd0-952cd4cc89fd I SNAPPED CUTTING HIM OFF WITH A WAVE OF MY HAND I SHOUTED AT THE INTERCOME THIS TRIPE AND NONSENSE I TOLD HIM IS THE BAIT THAT WILL SNAG OUR FISH A TRAP FOR PEPPET AND HIS PARTNER IN CRIME BUT THE PROUD PRINCESS LAUGHED AND SANG AND SHE AND HER MAIDENS WORKED AT A WONDERFUL LACE VEIL WHICH SHE MEANT TO WEAR WHEN THE KING OF ALL KINGS CAME HE SHIFTED HIS FEET BUT LET ME ESTABLISH ONE POINT AT A TIME IN THE MOST SCHOLASTIC MANNER IF YOU WILL PERMIT AND AS THEIR THOUGHTS WERE BUSY IN DWELLING UPON THE EVILS WITH WHICH FATE HAD BURDENED THEM +c0ac2878-71cc-4f71-bb85-2c82a9421907 RAY'S GLANCE TOOK ON A TOUCH OF ICY FURY AS HE DID SO THE ENGINE MELTED INTO A SOLID IRREGULAR LUMP OF METAL ONE VERY HOT DAY SHE HEARD JUDY PINNOT SAY SHE WAS ALL IN A SWEAT BUT I NEVER FOUND IT SO HARD TO REMEMBER THE GOLDEN TEXT BEFORE NOW THAT IT WAS LIFTED THE STORY GIRL COULD SEE US THROUGH THE WINDOW CAROUSING WITHOUT STINT ON RAISIN PIES AND UNCLE EDWARD'S CHERRIES THEN THE STORY GIRL AND I WALKED UP THE HILL TOGETHER I SAID COMFORTABLY AND THE YOUNGER YOU ARE THE BETTER THE VERY GULCHERS STOOD ANGRY AND STARK IN THE EARLY MORNING WE DECIDED IT WAS TOO CLOSE IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM +c0b88b8a-1fb7-4d23-9104-f213468add9d IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ENDED BY JUST REVERSING THE WATER VALVE SWITCH THE VALVE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE USED ONLY FOR REPAIRS AFTER THE PILE WAS DAMPED WHEN THE WATER WAS CUT OFF WITH THE PILE IN OPERATION IT HAD STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THE AUTOMATIC SAFETIES HAD DUMPED THE CHARGE DOWN THE PIT JOHN ANDREW TURNED FEELING COMPLETELY DOOMED TO A DEMAND AND THEY STARTED GETTING IN EACH OTHER'S WAY AND SLOWING DOWN THE OPERATION EVEN MORE THEY FINALLY SUCCEEDED THOUGH THE HELMET SWUNG BACK AND RAY PROMPTLY SHOVED FARMER ASIDE FINALLY IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE WHAT WE'D EXPECTED WOULD BE THE JUDGMENT DAY HE CONFESSED TO ME THAT HE HAD TAKEN IT TO MAKE FELICITY FOND OF HIM SKILFULLY INDEED HAD THAT ASTUTE BILLY PLAYED ON OUR RESPECTIVE WEAKNESSES COULDN'T THE WIZARD GIVE YOU A HEART THAT WAS BOTH KIND AND LOVING ASKED THE BOY +c12cf05c-8a4d-4301-b35a-580ca3f695fb WE WILL NOW HEAR ALL ABOUT YOUR LIES THERE ARE OTHER METALS WITH A HIGHER ALBIDO BUT NONE THAT GIVE A RICHER EFFECT THE NEXT DAY THE STORY GIRL COAXED UNCLE ROGER TO TAKE HER TO MARKDALE AS IF YOU HAD ANY COWS GIGGLED FELICITY THE FEAST MAN STOOD FIRMLY BUT HOW IN THE NAME OF NEPHEWN COULD HE EVER EXPLAIN THIS WITH EACH BLUE TINTED STOCKINGS AND BLUE LEATHER SHOES TURNED UP AT THE POINTED TOES +c137662d-e7dd-456b-9e95-fd23fc58eb7b THIS IS DIFFERENT I KNOW WHAT I'M FIGHTING FOR BUT I CAN'T THINK OF THE WORD I GUESS YOU MEAN PRINCIPLE I SUGGESTED YES THAT'S IT AGREED PETER IT'S ALL RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR PRINCIPLE IT'S KIND OF PRAYING WITH YOUR FISTS I SAW THE PRIESTS CROUCH LOW AND MAKE THEIR FIRST BESEECHING BOW IN IMITATION OF THE BLACK GOD FRANTICALLY I LOOKED ABOUT ME SEEKING SOME AVENUE OF ESCAPE THIS WE FELT WAS A HEROIC MEASURE INDEED TO SIT DOWN TO ONE OF AUNT JANET'S MEALS IN ORDINARY HEALTH AND APPETITE AND EAT NOTHING BUT BREAD AND WATER THAT WOULD BE PENANCE WITH A VENGEANCE STAYING OUTSIDE THE ATMOSPHERE I SENT A FLYING EYE DOWN TO LOOK THINGS OVER IN THIS BUSINESS YOU LEARN EARLY WHEN AND WHERE TO RISK YOUR OWN SKIN +c16db526-cffc-4a85-ab57-9dc1dd290ace I'M AFRAID THEY'RE SLIM IT WAS A FRAGILE APPEARING LACERY OF BRIDGES STETSON GLARED AT THE GRID LOOK HOW AUNT OLIVIA'S HENS LAID TOO IT DON'T SEEM FAIR TO ME FROM KING AND WARD UNFORTUNATELY WE TRUSTED OUR STAR MANUAL STATEMENT THAT THE PLANET IS UNPOPULATED I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE SIR HE EXCLAIMED BREATHLESSLY I WAS JUST ABOUT TO PHONE FOR THE POLICE I WAS FOR CERTAIN SIR +c1acf0d3-138b-4363-a85d-b98ea6f59de8 SOME OF THE DISASTERS AND APPARENT ACCIDENTS HIT INSIDE THIS AREA BUT FURTHER INVESTIGATION PROVED THEM ALL TO HAVE NATURAL CAUSES THE FREIGHTER'S CARGO PLUTONIUM WAS GONE I READ PEBE IN EVERY LINE OF THE MESSAGE FELICITY KING IF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT YOU'LL GROW UP INTO A SORT OF WOMAN WHO DRIVES HER HUSBAND TO DRINK SAID UNCLE ROGER GRAVELY HOW CAN I TELL DAN WOULD ACT SO LIKE A MULE CRIED FELICITY THEN HE LET US GO YOU SEE SAID THE STORY GIRL AS WE WENT HOME YOU NEED NEVER BE AFRAID OF PEOPLE BUT WE ARE NOT ALL STORY GIRLS SAID CECILY THEY AGREED TO THIS AND PROMPTLY SET OFF THIS TIME MOVING MORE DELIBERATELY OH I BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND AND MISSUS EWKE TRANSFORMED YOU YOU ARE REALLY THE FAMOUS SCARECROW OF OZ +c1e86457-2bec-405b-a34e-e63e6832267f I THREW THEM AS SNAPPY A SALUTE AS I COULD MUSTER AND I FILED OUT STARING GLOOMILY AT THEIR BACKS I ENVIED FOR ONE MOMENT THEIR SIMPLE FAITH IN THE LEAGUE NAVY MY FIRST THOUGHT THAT A GANG WAS INVOLVED PROVED WRONG ALL MY SECONDARY SUSPECTS TURNED OUT TO BE SIMPLE FORGERIES NOT INDIVIDUALS RAY MADE SENSITIVE BY YEARS OF OPEN SKETCHISM ON THE PART OF MANY LISTENERS CAUGHT THE LOOK AND INSISTED ON A DEMONSTRATION OF HIS FABULOUS INVENTION WE HAD BEEN TOO NEAR SOMETHING DARK AND TERRIBLE AND MENACING AND THOUGH IT WAS THUS SUDDENLY REMOVED THE CHILL AND THE SHADOW OF IT WERE ABOUT US STILL SHE TOOK IT VERY QUIETLY IT'S THE BEST WAY I GUESS WHEN YOU'RE MARRIED TO A MAN LIKE OLD MISTER SCOTT BUT JUST A FEW SUNDAYS AFTER WASN'T HE LATE HIMSELF +c1f4b3da-ef55-499b-af2a-acdcf01c44ee OUR TEACHER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT THING TO HAVE A LIBRARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHOOL AND HE SUGGESTED THAT EACH OF THE PUPILS SHOULD TRY TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY HE OR SHE COULD RAISE FOR THE PROJECT DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE IT STARTLED HIM ANEW TO DISCOVER THAT HE HAD NO FEET HE REACHED OUT HIS HANDS BUT HE COULD NOT SEE THEM HE COULD FEEL HIS HANDS AND ARMS AND BODY HE STAMPED HIS FEET ON THE GRASS AND KNEW THEY WERE THERE BUT IN SOME STRANGE WAY THEY HAD BECOME INVISIBLE CERTAINLY IT WAS A LOVELY WORD AND AS THE STORY GIRL SAID IT EVEN A KING WOULD NOT HAVE MINDED BEING SQUELCHED IF IT WERE DONE TO MUSIC LIKE THAT HIS WORDS HAD THE SIMPLE INNOCENCE OF A YOUNG CHILD'S WAS HE EVER CAUGHT I SAT BACK WITH A RELAXED SIGH AND LIT A CIGAR +c26d633c-4d67-40e2-b8d0-7831b4e29fa0 THE FIRST THING THEY HAD LOCATE IS THE BURNING SHIP HE DECIDED THEN THEY WOULD PROBABLY START SEARCHING IN EVER WIDENING CIRCLES BUT WOULD THEY SEE HIM IN THE FAINT LIGHT OF THE ICE MOONS CICELY PESTERED OUR AUNT JANET'S LIFE OUT ASKING REPEATEDLY MAR WILL YOU BE GOING TO PRAYER MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT MAR WILL YOU BE PRESERVING RASPBERRIES NEXT WEEK AND VARIOUS SIMILAR QUESTIONS IT WAS A HUGE COMFORT TO HER THAT AUNT JANET ALWAYS SAID YES AND OF COURSE AS IF THERE COULD BE NO QUESTION ABOUT IT THERE ARE WICKED PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CAPTURE ME AS THEY DID MY GIANT HUSBAND MISTER HUGH SAID SHE SO I STAY AT HOME AND MIND MY OWN BUSINESS I STROLLED OUT SLOWLY IN COMMAND OF THE SITUATION KEEPING MY FACE TURNED AWAY SO THEY COULDN'T SEE THE COLD SWEAT +c26f553c-2b05-4f76-ac84-7a8aa687bb9a SHE STROKED THE PURRING PADDY AND WE READ STEADILY ON WITH MADDENING INDIFFERENCE TO ALL OF OUR PLEADINGS EVEN CECILY THE MEEK AND MILD WAS SNAPPISH AND COMPLAINED OF HEADACHE PETER HAD GONE HOME TO SEE HIS MOTHER AND UNCLE ROGER HAD GONE TO MARKDALE ON BUSINESS AFTER I CAME HERE TO LIVE I MET MISTER CHOP FIGHT AND HE WAS MORE INTERESTING BECAUSE HE REMINDED ME STRONGLY AS OF BOTH OF YOU AS YOU WERE BEFORE HE BECAME TIN HE EVEN HAD A TIN ARM AND THAT REMINDED ME OF YOU EVEN MORE WHEN THEY ASSURED US SOLEMNLY THAT THEIR DREAMS ALL HAPPENED EXACTLY AS THEY DESCRIBED THEM WE WERE COMPELLED TO BELIEVE THEM BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING UP WE FELT SURE OF THAT PETER AND THE STORY GIRL CERTAINLY HAD A SECRET BETWEEN THEM WHICH THEY KEPT FOR A WHOLE FORTNIGHT THESE ARE THE PLANS FOR AN ORDINARY PASSENGER FREIGHTER THAT IS ALL I KNOW HIS WORDS HAD THE SIMPLE INNOCENCE OF A YOUNG CHILD'S WAS HE EVER CAUGHT +c2cd9160-0303-41f8-8541-8e134d2cc623 HE DECIDED HIS END HAD COME PUT THAT DOWN DOORS YELL WAS HIGH PITCHED AND THAT ONLY MADE THE DIFFERENCE WORSE KENUF WAITED A BARE A SECOND AND THEN NODDED FISHING IT IN HIS OWN POCKET HE WITHDREW A SINGLE SHINY COIN THE WORDS HUNG IN THE AIR OF THE ROOM FOR A LONG TIME DRY EYED WITH SUCH COURAGE AS THEY MIGHT THEY FACED WHATEVER MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR THEM I GUESS IT'LL BE AS MUCH USE TO ME AS TO ANY ONE ELSE SAID CECILY INDIGNANTLY THEY SAID IN THE TOWNSHIP YOU ARE NO ARTIST BUT UNCLE CHARLEY AND I THE SERIMIAN CROAKED +c2e66586-b248-4c9d-bf0f-0384bdcb80a6 DID YOU SEE IT SHE DEMANDED JEFF WRESTLED HIS EYES AWAY TO THE SCOOP THAT FLOATED LIKE A PURPLE ISLAND IN THE BAY A PROPER MONSTER HE SAID YOU GOT OUT JUST IN TIME CAN WE GET IN THROUGH THE WINDOWS NO THEY'RE BAWED IF YOU REMEMBER RIGHTLY AND FITTED WITH THIS FROSTED GLASS SO YOU CAN'T SEE IN EVEN DO NOT WORRY FOR WE SHALL NOT GO FAR TO THE NORTH SAID THE EMPEROR MY ONE IDEA IS TO AVOID THE EMERALD CITY WITHOUT GOING OUT OF OUR WAY MORE THAN IS NECESSARY BUT HE DID WRITE A NICE ROUND HAND LIKE A BOY'S HAND HE KNEW SPANISH AND ENOUGH ENGLISH +c2e906ba-cf68-4a5d-bd47-2660820aef53 IT HAD TAKEN ROOT AND GROWN OUR FATHER AND OUR UNCLES AND AUNTS HAD PLAYED IN ITS SHADOW AND NOW IT WAS A MASSIVE THING WITH A HUGE GIRTH OF TRUNK AND GREAT SPREADING BOUGHS EACH OF THEM AS LARGE AS A TREE IN ITSELF HE TOLD FELICITY AND FELICITY TOLD ME SHE SAID SHE THOUGHT IT WAS REAL CUTE OF HIM I THINK THAT IT IS A DREADFUL WAY TO TALK ABOUT PRAYING AND I TOLD HER SO SHE WANTED ME NOT TO TELL YOU BUT I WOULDN'T PROMISE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S FAIR FOR YOU TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON ISN'T IT NICE THAT WE'RE GOING TO LIVE A SPELL LONGER IN THIS NICE WORLD SAID FELIX AS WE WALKED DOWN THE HILL YES AND FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL SPEAKING AGAIN SAID CECILY HAPPILY AND FELICITY DID SPEAK FIRST I SAID THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING FELICITY WAS CUMBERED WITH MANY CARES THE NEXT MORNING +c2fb0a59-0d20-42f9-add2-d8e6c2e6b0a3 WELL WHEN ALLAN DUNBAR KNEW THAT HE MUST GO TO CALIFORNIA IN THE FANNY HE WAS IN DESPAIR HE FELT THAT HE COULD NEVER GO SO FAR AWAY FOR SO LONG AND LEAVE HIS MARGARET BEHIND AND MARGARET FELT THAT SHE COULD NEVER LET HIM GO I KNOW EXACTLY HOW SHE FELT THE LIGHT IN HER NARROWED ORBS WAS THE COLD MERCILESS GLEAM OF THE SERPENT'S EYE I FELT FRIGHTENED OF THIS UNHOLY CREATURE WHO HAD SUDDENLY COME IN OUR DEAR STORY GIRL'S PLACE MOST RACES CALL THEMSELVES SOMETHING MEANING THE PEOPLE BUT IN HIS TONGUE THAT'S O'CERIL GRATSEY WAS ON THE TRAMP WASN'T ON THE TRANSLATED LIST I STARTED WORKING ON IT THE MOST LIKELY ANSWER WAS THAT IT HAD BEEN ADOPTED FROM ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND MEANT ENEMY BUT PA'S COUSIN DID DIE REITERATED SARA AUNT JANE USED TO RUB WHISKY ON FOR A PAIN SUGGESTED PETER WE HAVEN'T ANY WHISKY SAID FELICITY DISAPPROVINGLY THIS IS A TEMPERANCE HOUSE +c307d549-339c-449f-bf0b-8c179c0189c9 THERE WAS HEARTBREAK IN THE STORY GIRL'S VOICE AND TEARS CAME INTO OUR EYES AT ANY OTHER TIME WE WOULD NEVER HAVE DARED CATECHIZE THE MINISTER ABOUT ANYTHING WELL SAID AUNT JANET WHEN WE ALL DESCENDED TO THE KITCHEN CICELY GOT OUT HER LESSON SLIP AND STUDIED THE LESSON CONSCIENTIOUSLY A WAGON RUMBLING OVER A PLANK BRIDGE IN THE HOLLOW MADE SARAH RAY START UP WITH A SHRIEK COFFEE THREE INTERRUPTED HIM THIS TIME JEFF WHEELED ON HIM INCREDULOUSLY JEFF GOT UP SHAKILY AND STUMBLED TO THE DOCK'S EDGE FELIX'S PRAYER WAS ALL RIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T HAVE HURT ANY ONE ELSE TRULY WE HAD HAD A DELECTABLE SUMMER AND HAVING HAD IT IT WAS OURS FOREVER +c31a101b-8a0a-426c-a012-4f85bbed3729 FARMER PONDERED THE IDEA OF A TRANSMUTTER THAT WORKED UNDER WATER LIKE A BALL POINT PIN THE DETAILS RESOLVED AS FARMER STARED AT HIM IT'S NOT COMPLETE IT LOOKED TALLER THAN HAD THE SCOUT CRUISER IN ITS JUNGLE LANDING CIRCLE MORTALITY'S TERRIFIC DO YOU RECOGNIZE IT BE SURE YOUR WEAPON I THEY LOVE LIFE LIKE A MAN OF OUR EARTH HOW LONG IT MUST HAVE SEEMED TO HER AT ALL EVENTS HE ANNOUNCED TO US THAT HE COULDN'T BRING THE RED COVERED HISTORY TO SCHOOL BUT IF WE WANTED TO BUY THE PICTURE OUTRIGHT HE WOULD TEAR IT OUT OF THE BOOK AND SELL IT TO US FOR FIFTY CENTS +c31b70b9-f201-46cd-9475-a0fcd2128d70 KUFF'S EYEBROWS WERE WHITE UP SO I HAVE HEARD YONA SAID EASILY BUT I SHALL PROVE WHAT I SAY I LETTING ALL KINDS OF CATS OUT OF THE BAG IN HER EXCITEMENT AND ALARM THAT MEEKEST AND MILDEST OF GIRLS WAS IN THE HABIT OF DREAMING TRULY TERRIBLE THINGS A GOOD MANY OF THEM MUST JUST STAY PLAIN ANGELS I EXPECT AND I'M GOING TO WORK BUTTONHOLES ALL OVER THIS COTTON I HATE WORKING BUTTONHOLES WORSE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD SO I'M GOING TO WORK THEM ALL DAY AS LONG AS IT STAYED OUT OF THE REGULAR LANES OF COMMERCE AND CLEAR OF DETECTESTATIONS AND PLANETS IT WOULD NEVER BE FOUND +c32b5e8c-91b0-4758-bec6-07c537686587 MORE TOLERANTLY THAN USUAL HOWEVER HE SAID HE MIGHT BUT HE COULDN'T PROMISE FOR HE'D HAVE TO ASK HIS MOTHER IF HE COULD BRING THE BOOK TO SCHOOL I WAS WHISKED UPWARD LEAVING WORD NOT TO DISTURB HIM FOR DINNER IN TERMS OF OUR OWN BEING YOU DO NOT EXIST IN YOUR PRESENT FORM AND FOLLOWED BY AN OBSCENE COMMAND AND THE BEASTMAN LOOKED BACK WITH COLD AMUSEMENT BUT NOT FOR LONG I WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISED WHEN I JOINED THEM I PAINFULLY TRACED EACH ONE TO ITS SOURCE I HAD THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE OF INSTANT DEATH +c33e7824-6842-42c1-b0d8-6c21ecb133e8 HE WENT UNDER ONCE JOHN ANDREW REACHED TWO DECISIONS THAT HE WAS SAFE AND THAT HE LIKED THE JUDGE HAVE ANGELS NAMES SAME AS PEOPLE INTERRUPTED PETER OH THE STORY GIRL WAS MUCH DISAPPOINTED OH I NEVER LIKE THE VEGETABLE GARDEN SAID THE STORY GIRL RATHER SHAKILY AND THE STORY GIRL OUR OWN DEAR STORY GIRL ONCE MORE AND NO SERPENT WOMAN SAID PROTESTINGLY AND THEY WERE YELLOW TRANSPARENTS AND THEN SHE SPOKE AT LAST SHE SAID I WELL BESS OLD GIRL HERE WE ARE +c3899cc4-4048-41b9-beee-bbbf2ff6cbd6 HE ONLY GRINNED WHEN THEY TOLD HIM THAT NORTH WAS AT THE TOP HE KNEW BETTER BUT HE DID WRITE A NICE ROUND HAND LIKE A BOY'S HAND INSTANT YAWNED AND POURED HIMSELF A GLASS OF WATER FROM THE DISPENSER UNIT ABOVE THE BED JUST BECAUSE I HAD THE SPECIAL CALL DOESN'T MEAN I AM THE SPECIAL CALL HE SAID MOISTLY WHILE HE DRAINED THE GLASS I HAVE TO SLEEP SOME TIME MY SCREEN IS ONLY OPEN FOR EMERGENCY CALLS NOT FOR EVERY AGENT WHO NEEDS HIS HAND HELD HE'S PRAYING THAT YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT MAKING A FACE SHE SAID ASKED THE WANDERER AFTER A MOMENT'S THOUGHT +c39a4393-1f43-4a34-9a13-604e6d83e48f PICKING UP A CHART HE MURMURED SIX MONTHS MUCH TOO LONG STRANGE WE DIDN'T CATCH THAT AT THE TIME CECILILY CHERISHED A GRUDGE AGAINST FATE BECAUSE SHE HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN NATURALLY CURLY HAIR AS HAD THE OTHER TWO GIRLS BUT SHE ATTAINED THE DESIRE OF HER HEART ON SUNDAYS AT LEAST AND WAS QUITE WELL SATISFIED SHE HASN'T BEEN VERY WELL ALL DAY EXPLAINED CECILY AND AUNT OLIVIA WOULDN'T LET HER COME OUT IN THE NIGHT AIR SHE MADE HER GO TO BED INSTEAD THE STORY GIRL WAS AWFULLY DISAPPOINTED THERE APPEARED TO BE THE TIP OF A TAIL PROTRUDING FROM BEHIND ONE OF THE SQUAT LEGS BEHIND THE CREATURE TOWERED THE FAIRY SPIRES OF THE CITY THEY'D OBSERVED FROM THE AIR +c3b74f0a-cef9-4b0c-b4c3-db586ea63301 SHE HAD A LOVER HIS NAME WAS MALCOLM WARD AND HE WAS AS HANDSOME AS A PRINCE SHE LOVED HIM WITH ALL HER HEART AND HE LOVED HER THE SAME BUT THEY HAD NEVER SPOKEN ABOUT IT THEY USED TO MEET UNDER THE BIRCHES AND TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING EXCEPT LOVE THE SCANNERS IN THE SHIP WERE FOLLOWING A PLANNED PROGRAMME I MADE LIGHT TALK ABOUT ALL MY MASSIVE ARMAMENT WOULD CARRY US BOTH TO PERDITION WHILE I CLIMBED THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE BATTLESHIP'S HULL THERE WAS NO ARMOR OR WARNING DEVICES AT THIS SPOT IT HAD BEEN CHOSEN CAREFULLY FROM THE BLUE PRINTS SO HE TOOK HIS KNAPSACK AND HIS SHEPHERD'S CROOK AND WANDERED AWAY UNTIL HE CAME TO THESSALY THAT IS THE LAND OF THE GODS HILL YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE HILL WAS OLYMPUS BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS STORY THAT HAPPENED ON ANOTHER MOUNTAIN MOUNT PELICON MAYBE SARA WON'T BE SO VERY SICK IF GOD SEES I'M TRULY SORRY HE CAN SEE IT ANYHOW WITHOUT YOUR DOING ANYTHING SAID CECILY A NICE WAY TO TALK TO YOUR SISTER WHEN YOU MAY BE DEAD IN AN HOUR'S TIME RETORTED FELICITY IN TEARS BETWEEN HER ANGER AND HER REAL ALARM ABOUT DAN +c3d1e3bd-4537-46af-8c58-9effd3abedca NOT LONG AFTER HE WAS MARRIED HIS WIFE WASN'T QUITE READY FOR CHURCH ONE MORNING WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO SO JUST TO TEACH HER A LESSON HE DROVE OFF ALONE AND LEFT HER TO WALK ALL THE WAY IT WAS NEARLY TWO MILES IN THE HEAT AND DUST THE ALARM SHOULD BE OUT AND EVERY SHIP NOTIFIED THEN THEY BE ALERTED AND PATROL SENT ON ALL SPACE LANES WHICH HE COULD EASILY AVOID BY GOING AROUND OR BETTER YET NOT EVEN BOTHER ABOUT SINCE HE CAN LICK ANY SHIP WE HAVE THAT'S NOT THE ANSWER I TOLD HIM I DIDN'T MAKE IT UP ADMITTED THE STORY GIRL HONESTLY I READ IT SOMEWHERE AND REMEMBERED IT I THINK IT'S TOO FINE CRITICED FELICITY PEG BOWEN WON'T KNOW THE MEANING OF SUCH BIG WORDS THEY NOW FORMED A LINE HOLDING HANDS AND TURNING THEIR FACES TOWARD MOUNT MUNCH RESUMED THEIR JOURNEY +c40cbc06-2822-4a4b-8f64-9568cec6c583 WHEN I STRAIGHTENED UP FROM MY DESK THE ACHE IN MY BACK STABBED LIKE A HOT WIRE I SWALLOWED A PAIN KILLER AND LOOKED AROUND AT MY DROOPING SACKIDE ASSISTANTS WHO HAD SHARED THE SLEEPLESS SEVENTY TWO HOUR TASK THEY SAT OR SLUMPED AGAINST THE FURNITURE WAITING FOR MY CONCLUSIONS EVEN PRESENT FERERA WAS THERE HIS HAIR LOOKING SCRAGGLY WHERE HE HAD PULLED AT HANDFULS EACH OF US WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO POSSESS THE MOST EXCITING RECORD BUT WE WERE AN HONOURABLE LITTLE CREW AND I DO NOT THINK ANYTHING WAS EVER WRITTEN DOWN IN THOSE DREAM BOOKS WHICH HAD NOT REALLY BEEN DREAMED WE HAD EXPECTED THAT THE STORY GIRL WOULD ECLIPSE US ALL IN THE MATTER OF DREAMS BUT AT LEAST IN THE BEGINNING HER DREAMS WERE NO MORE REMARKABLE THAN THOSE OF THE REST OF US IN DREAMLAND WE WERE ALL EQUAL WHAT IF YOU WON'T BELIEVE ME I SUPPOSE YOU'LL BELIEVE THE MINISTER SAID THE STORY GIRL GO AND ASK HIM HE'S IN THE HOUSE THIS VERY MINUTE HE CAME UP WITH US IN THE BUGGY AT ANY OTHER TIME WE WOULD NEVER HAVE DARED CATECHIZE THE MINISTER ABOUT ANYTHING BUT DESPERATE CASES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES WE DREW STRAWS TO SEE WHO SHOULD GO AND DO THE ASKING AND THE LOT FELL TO FELIX BETTER WAIT UNTIL MISTER MILWOOD LEAVES AND CATCH HIM IN THE LANE ADVISED THE STORY GIRL YOU'LL HAVE A LOT OF GROWN UPS AROUND YOU IN THE HOUSE SUDDENLY THE DOOR ABOVE US OPENED AND PEG BOWEN HERSELF APPEARED ON THE THRESHOLD SHE WAS A TALL SINEWY OLD WOMAN WEARING A SHORT RAGGED DRUGGET SKIRT WHICH REACHED SCANTILY BELOW HER KNEES A SCARLET PRINT BLOUSE AND A MAN'S HAT HER FEET ARMS AND NECK WERE BARE AND SHE HAD A BATTERED OLD CLAY PIPE IN HER MOUTH HER BROWN FACE WAS SEAMED WITH A HUNDRED WRINKLES AND HER TANGLED GRIZZLED HAIR FELL UNKEMPTLY OVER HER SHOULDERS SHE WAS SCOWLING AND HER FLASHING BLACK EYES HELD NO FRIENDLY LIGHT +c44dd003-e059-48b0-aec8-e2a444980782 TO BE SURE FELICITY WAS A STUNNING BEAUTY EXPLAINED CECILY EACH OF THEM AS LARGE AS A TREE IN ITSELF AND MISS HOPE ARRIVES FIRST THING THIS MORNING ARE WE FREE WHISPERED HOPE HOLDING TIGHTLY TO MY ARM ARE WE REALLY FREE I AND MY SENSES RETURNED IT SEEMS AWFUL TO THINK OF EATING A SAWDUST PUDDING HOW ON EARTH DID YOU MAKE SUCH A MISTAKE WHY IS IT THEY'RE ALWAYS SO HANDSOME IN STORIES ASKED ANNE SHE SAID SHE THOUGHT IT WAS REAL CUTE OF HIM I +c450f794-4fe0-4ee1-8e0e-9a145338ad68 SOME HARD WORK WOULDN'T HURT YOU EVEN IF YOU DID INHERIT A FORTUNE I DON'T MIND SO MUCH WHEN YOU PULL THOSE DUNKS ON ME BUT WHEN I THINK OF HOW YOU PRACTICALLY DROWNED THOSE POOR DEFENCELESS EARTH CREATURES WE HAD NO INTENTION OF GOING TO BED FOR A GOOD TWO HOURS YET BRANDON'S BODY TENSED THANK GOD I'VE FINALLY GOT THROUGH TO YOU LISTEN RIGHTHEART I MUST BE ABOUT THREE BRANDON THIS IS ASTRO SAID REHINHART IN A MONOTONE HE SAID IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN THEN OF COURSE I QUIT THINKING AND ARE YOU HAPPY HAPPY WHAT'S THAT +c4555c97-5666-460e-b261-79c784cb3396 JEFF DUCKED AND STRAINED HIS WEIGHT AGAINST THE BUNK MOMENTARILY PINNING THE ZID'S THRESHING FORELEM CHAFFY THREE CHOSE THAT MOMENT TO REAPPEAR NEARLY CAUSING JEFF TO LET GO OF THE BUNK AND ADMIT THE ZID YOUR FEMALE SUGGESTION IS RIGHT THE SERIMIAN CROAKED THE ZID DOES NOT SWIM IT WAS ONCE IN CONSTANT USE BUT MY GOVERNMENT CLOSED IT WHEN YOU PEOPLE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WERE RUNNING AROUND IN SUBMARINES USING DEPTH BOMBS AND JUST NOTICING OUR AIR CRAFT TOO MUCH SOMEHOW WHAT POPPED INTO FARMER'S HEAD WAS THE COURSE OF AN OLD SONG HE HAD SUNG IN BOY'S CAMP WHEN VERY YOUNG THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA THERE'S A LOG IN THE HOLE THE RATINGS AND OFFICERS WAITED TENSELY AND MADE SOME SLIGHT ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL THEIR HATRED OF ME IT TOOK ABOUT TEN MINUTES GET AN ANSWER AFFIRMATIVE SIAM SAID A STORESHIP DOCKED THERE TWENTY HOURS BEFORE THE ATTACK AMONG OTHER THINGS IT LEFT NEWSPAPERS CONTAINING THE ARTICLE WE WERE SITTING THERE WHEN UNCLE ROGER WALKED IN AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU FRID DOING UP AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT HE SAID ANGRILY YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN YOUR BEDS TWO HOURS AGO AND WITH A ROARING FIRE ON A NIGHT THAT'S HOT ENOUGH TO MELT A BRASS MONKEY HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES +c4911e7a-d455-4120-b8f7-d08d7a7c4b4d SHE TURNED TO GO BUT FARMER HELD ON WHAT'S THIS ABOUT A GALACTIC FEDERATION AND IF THEY BAND ALL COMMUNICATION WITH EARTH WHY HAVEN'T THEY JUST BLASTED THE PLANET OUT OF EXISTENCE AND GOTTEN RID OF IT WILD ROSES GREW PINKLY ALONG THE FENCES AND THE ROADSIDES WERE STAR DUSTED WITH BUTTERCUPS THE COLONEL STOPPED PACING AND FACED THE RADIO MAN KEEP TRYING TO RAISE HIM RIGHT I'M GOING TO BRING US DOWN TO FORTY THOUSAND FEET AND SEARCH THE AREA WHERE HE WENT DOWN IT'S WASTE A ROCKET FUEL TOTALING AROUND IN THE ATMOSPHERE HE MUTTERED DISAPPEARING THROUGH A BULKHEAD DOOR SOMETHING LIKE LIKE BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER SUGGESTED FELIX IN A SCARED TONE OH NO NO NOTHING LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND BUT IF THERE HAD BEEN BEAUTIFUL WIVES HANGING UP BY THE HAIR ALL AROUND THE WALLS I DON'T BELIEVE MISSUS GRIGGS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE ASTONISHED +c4becea4-7ed2-43e4-abf3-10ae5bb855f0 WHICH THEY KEPT FOR A WHOLE FORTNIGHT THE BIRDS BUILD THEIR NESTS IN IT AS FOR PUNCTUATION HE NEVER ATTEMPTS IT BEYOND AN OCCASION PERIOD JOTTED DOWN WHENEVER HE HAPPENS TO THINK OF IT WHETHER IN THE RIGHT PLACE OR NOT I CAN EXPLAIN HE SAID DESPERATELY EVERYTHING CAN BE EXPLAINED THERE IS NO NEED TO MAKE SUCH CHARGES I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PAPERS YOU HAVE THERE SO I WOULDN'T ATTEMPT TO SAY THEY ARE ALL FORGERIES I HAVE MANY ENEMIES YOU KNOW IF THE LEAGUE KNEW THE DIFFICULTIES FACED ON A BACKWARD PLANET LIKE THESE WE TRAVEL IN WELL STOCKED SHIPS THAT CARRY A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING LOCKING THE EYE IN A CIRCULAR COURSE WHAT CAN HAVE INDUCED YOU TO TURN CHURCH GOER PETER WHEN ALL OLIVIA'S GENTLE PERSUASIONS WERE OF NO AVAIL +c4c70274-0b45-4510-8aa9-53d84e4341ca THERE'S PROBABLY A GOOD MANY OTHER THINGS YOU MUSTN'T DO BUT THESE I'VE NAMED ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT YOU DON'T THINK SO AT ANY RATE THE DIRECTOR SAID YOU'RE HAVING ADVENTURES AND A FINE TIME IT'S THE SORT OF THING YOU LIKE AFTER ALL LIFE WAS AS A RED ROSE ONCE MORE I'M GOING TO MAKE A BIG BATCH OF PATTY PANS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING SAID FELICITY JUBILANTLY ISN'T IT QUEER LAST NIGHT I FELT JUST LIKE PRAYING AND TO NIGHT I FEEL JUST LIKE COOKING SHE WAS CLAD IN SILVER ROBES AND EMBROIDERED WITH GAY LAUREL DESIGNS AND WORE OVER THIS SPLENDID RAIMENT A SHORT APRON OF ELABORATE LACE WORK +c563d6fa-70c1-466b-a0bc-0b022fecda8e HAD HE BEEN A POOR MAN HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MORE SUCCESSFUL ARTIST BUT HE HAD A SMALL FORTUNE OF HIS OWN IN LACKING THE SPUR OF NECESSITY OR OF DISQUIETING AMBITION HE REMAINED LITTLE MORE THAN A CLEVER AMATEUR THE ROBOT ANALYZER CHUCKLED TO ITSELF AND SCANNED ALL THE STARS COMPARING THEM TO A SPECTRA OF PROXIMUS AND CHEERY IT FINALLY RANG A BELL AND BLINKED A LIGHT I PEEPED THROUGH THE EYE PIECE BESIDES SARA STANLEY DOESN'T LIKE HER NAME AND SHE'D RATHER BE CALLED THE STORY GIRL INDEED SHE SAID AS MUCH THE FAT ONE ISN'T SO BAD THERE GOES ANOTHER SCOOP SHE SAID RESIGNEDLY THE QUEEN WILL HAVE TO TACK WITH THE WIND FOR A WHILE UNTIL ANOTHER ONE SHOWS UP +c58132c1-c264-4e4d-a8ac-26150153fb12 THE STORY GIRL ON THE CONTRARY WAS UNDER ECLIPSE SHE WAS FAIR AND LUSTRELESS FROM HER DISTURBED NIGHT AND EARLY RISING AND NO OPPORTUNITY OFFERED TO TELL A MELTING TALE NOBODY TOOK ANY NOTICE OF HER IT WAS FELICITY'S DAY NOR OF COURSE DID HE CARRY THE SWORD OF A GREAT HERO OR A NOBLE JONAS HAD NO VAUGHAN TO STICK ON HIS NAME AND HE HAD NEVER THOUGHT IT WORTH WHILE TO CLAIM ONE AND ACCEPT THE TINY RISK OF DISCLOSURE AFTER ALL A NOBLE WAS ONLY A MAN LIKE OTHER MEN AND BESIDES JONAS KNEW PERFECTLY WELL THAT HE HAD NO NEED OF A SWORD SHE LIFTED HER HAND AND BECKONED BLITHELY TO US AND THE ORCHARD FORGOTTEN WE FOLLOWED HER SUMMONS FOR WE KNEW THAT THIS MUST BE THE STORY GIRL AND IN THAT GAY AND GRACEFUL GESTURE WAS AN ALLUREMENT NOT TO BE GAINSAID OR DENIED WE LOOKED AT HER AS WE DREW NEAR WITH SUCH INTEREST THAT WE FORGOT TO FEEL SHY AND WITH A ROARING FIRE ON A NIGHT THAT'S HOT ENOUGH TO MELT A BRASS MONKEY HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES +c597809f-3001-46c3-92fe-9b7559d7a4c1 WHEN AUNT JANET SAID SERIOUSLY THAT ANYTHING WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION IT MEANT THAT SHE WAS THINKING ABOUT IT AND WOULD PROBABLY END UP DOING IT BY SILENT AGREEMENT THE DOCUMENTS WERE FORGOTTEN I PRESSED THE BUTTON THAT SENT THE TORCH WIELDING ROWBOT ON HIS WAY BUT IF THE LEGS WERE THIN HE WAS VISITING HERE WITH HIS WIFE TWO AGO AND HE CALLED ME JOHNNY EVERY TIME HE SPOKE TO ME SHE SAID IT WAS BETTER TO WASTE APPLES ALONE THAN APPLES AND SUGAR TOO UNCLE ALEC WHIPPED HIM FOR IT +c5c5a0a2-4701-413d-95cc-191eb661df9a IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS SAID UNCLE ROGER AS HE WENT OUT TO TAKE THEIR HORSE BUT FELICITY'S FOOT WAS ON HER NATIVE HEATH THOUGHT THAT STUFF IN THE BOX WAS CORN MEAL AND USED IT TO MAKE THE PUDDING WE ALL LAUGHED BUT FELICITY SOON GREW SOBER IT WAS TOO MUCH LIKE A COMMAND'S NIGHTMARE TO BE REAL A SECRET WORRY ALSO A COUPLE OF CLERKS WITH TRANSCRIBERS AND FAST THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH FELIX KING WHAT HAS SCARED YOU PERHAPS THEY'LL LAUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THEIR FACES TO MORROW SAID DAN WITH GLOOMY SATISFACTION HOW DID YOU EVER HEAR THE LIKE +c63f08ee-276c-4a39-83b1-0f275acc646c I ASKED THROWING IT ACROSS THE TABLE TO HIM I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ARRANGE A DEAL SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE PROFITABLE TO BOTH OF US BUT LET ME FIRST SHOW YOU THE REST OF THE BOMBS SO YOU WON'T GET ANY STRANGE IDEAS ABOUT CORPORATING JOHN ANDREW TURNED FEELING COMPLETELY DOOMED JOHN ANDREW WAS STRAIGHTENING UP FROM DOING THIS WHEN HE SAW THE BUT IF YOU WANT YOUR MONEY TO GO TO A METHODIST MISSIONARY YOU CAN GIVE IT TO THE METHODIST MINISTER AT MARKDALE SHE JUST GOT THE KEY AND WENT IN WAIT A MOMENT UNTIL YOU'RE SURE YOU HAVE THE EXACT READING BRING A GAT ALONG AND PLENTY OF AMO +c645387f-9c16-4ada-8b9d-5a4b8efe8b07 WASN'T IT A HARD PLIGHT FOR POOR DONALD BUT HE WAS A SCOTCHMAN YOU KNOW AND IT'S PRETTY HARD TO STICK A SCOTCHMAN ALONG THOSE TWO GIRLS WERE OF A DOMESTIC TYPE THAT ASSORTED ILL WITH THE WILDFIRE IN NATURE'S VEINS THANKS TO BULL ONE IN COMPANY AND THE LOCALS PICKED UP TO PIECES IN YOUR TONGUE GLASS SAID TO NEW OF COURSE I DIDN'T SAY IT OUT LOUD JUST WHISPERED LOUD ENOUGH FOR THE THROAT MIKE TO CATCH THEN HE LUNGED UP AND POINTED A DRIPPING FINGER AT ME +c66aa566-4102-49ec-9645-1d3a5a94a5f6 THIS WAS IN FORTY NINE WHEN PEOPLE WERE RUSHING TO THE GOLD FIELDS IN CALIFORNIA RAINBOW BRIDGE IS NOT FOR THEE LIFE WAS AS A RED ROSE ONCE MORE BUT NOW I DO NOT THINK SHE EITHER NEEDED OUR PITY OR DESERVED OUR ADMIRATION GIVE HIM COURAGE NOT TO FEAR THE FACE OF MAN NOW WRITING BUSILY AND LONG SLEEK BROWN CURLS I SEE THAT BOWERY ORCHARD DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT +c70c32bf-015f-4e35-80a3-a0877217c140 NEVERTHELESS WE WENT TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY BURNING WITH CURIOSITY AND WE WERE DISAPPOINTED POSSIBLY NIGHT HAD BROUGHT COUNSEL TO JERRY COUN OR PERHAPS HIS MOTHER HAD PUT HIM UP TO IT ANYHOW I SAVED MY DREAM SHE SAID PLACIDLY AND THAT OF COURSE WAS ALL THAT REALLY MATTERED YOU'VE JUST BEEN PRAYING FOR THE OPPOSITE TO ME OUT OF SPITE AND YOU'VE GOT TO STOP IT PETER CRAIG WELL I GUESS I WON'T SAID PETER ANGRILY I'VE JUST AS GOOD A RIGHT TO PRAY WHAT I WANT FOR AS YOU FELIX KING EVEN IF YOU WAS BROUGHT UP IN TORONTO WHEN HOPE HERE ACTED LIKE THE FOOLISH LITTLE KID SHE IS SHE WAS NOT EVEN ARMED AND THEY RUSHED HER HERE WITHOUT DELAY +c711ccd7-2729-4e00-9d1a-9cd6beab9d87 HE CATCHES ON FAST TO EVERYTHING I TELL HIM SHOWING INTEREST IN THE LITTLE FELLOW'S CONDITION RAY TURNED ON HIM WITH A LOOK THAT WOULD HAVE SEARED THE SPHINX SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED HE PAUSED AND ASKED DEFENSIVELY BRANDON WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO POLE THEN SWUNG HIS FEET OVER THE SIDE AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND NOW YONAH SAID WHEN HE WANTS I BELIEVE YOU IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT I BELIEVE YOU HE RAISED ONE HAND CLAWING THE FINGERS SLIGHTLY BUT I GUESS I OVERDID IT BECAUSE I GOT REAL SICK AND COULDN'T SLEEP AT ALL BUT I'D JUST AS SOON PEG BOWEN DIDN'T LOOK AT MY COWS +c7445134-9902-4b6d-8a59-281063786f1f THE STORY GIRL LOOKED AN EXPRESSION OF SCORN CAME OVER HER FACE SURELY YOU DON'T BELIEVE GOD LOOKS LIKE THAT SHE SAID IMPATIENTLY WHILE HER FINE EYES FLASHED HE DOESN'T HE COULDN'T HE IS WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL I'M SURPRISED AT YOU THAT IS NOTHING BUT THE PICTURE OF A CROSS OLD MAN THERE WERE SOME SAWHEADS IN HOUSTON WHO SAID THAT IT WASN'T POSSIBLE THEY SAID HIGH PLANES HAD NOWHERE NEAR THAT MANY PEOPLE AND THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A MISCOUNT AND IN THE DAYS THAT THE ARGUMENT WAS GOING ON THEY CLEANED UP AND FED MANWELL IF IT WERE HE AND TRIED TO GET FROM HIM A COGENT STORY THEN HURRYING DOWN RAMP AFTER RAMP CORRIDOR AFTER CORRIDOR FIGHTING THE RUSHING MOB ALL THE WAY WE CAME AT LAST SHAKING WITH WEARINESS AND GASPING FOR BREATH TO THE DESERTED STREETS OF THE BLACK AND TERRIBLE CITY ARE WE FREE WHISPERED HOPE HOLDING TIGHTLY TO MY ARM ARE WE REALLY FREE I HOPE SO DEAR WE SEEM TO BE IF WE CAN ONLY REACH THE SPOT WHERE WE ENTERED THIS INSANE WORLD BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS HOW MUCH TIME HAVE WE THEN THE TIN WOODMAN STARED HARD AT HIS FRIEND THE SCARECROW BUT FINALLY HE SAID IN A SERIOUS TONE OF VOICE I MUST ADMIT THAT NEVER BEFORE HAVE I THOUGHT OF SUCH A THING AS FINDING MINNY AND ME AND MAKING HER EMPRESS OF THE WINKIES +c763cdcf-30de-4ccf-8219-142e4cca8638 WHAT IF THIS WERE ONE OF HIS HORRID DAYS MA SAYS THAT IT'S ALL RIGHT AS LONG AS HE'S A BACHELOR BECAUSE HE WON'T TAKE ANY ONE SAID FELICITY IN ONE FORM OR OTHER I WANTED THE BASIC INFORMATION IN EVERY MAGAZINE NEWSPAPER AND JOURNAL INSIDE THAT EXPANDING SPHERE THERE WAS A PRINCESS WHO WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS IN THE WORLD RATHER THAN HAVE HIM GO WITHOUT ONE IT WOULD TAKE A YEAR TO INSTALL A NEW BEACON BESIDES BEING TOO EXPENSIVE AND THIS RELIC IS ON ONE OF THE MAIN ROUTES +c7835550-c3ec-4908-b7e4-3465c0a026b7 WE BOTH KNOW THE ADVANTAGES OF AN ALIEN CONTACT BUT IF YOU GET INTO A HOT SPOT AND CALL FOR HELP I'LL DIVE THIS CRUISER INTO THAT CITY TO GET YOU OUT OR UNSWALLOWED THANKS STEAD I'M WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP A TIGHT ORBIT OUT BEYOND US WILL BE FIVE TRANSPORTS FULL OF I A MARINES AND A CLASS NINE MONITOR WITH ONE PLANET BUSTER YOU'RE CALLING THE SHOTS GOD HELP YOU IT WAS RAY WHO FIRST STARTED STUMBLING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE BOAT HOOK BUT JOHN ANDREW IN A SUDDEN FIT OF BRAVERY SHOVED PAST HIM AND GRABBED THE FRAGILE LOOKING THING FROM ITS CLEACH HE SWUNG TO FACE THE MONSTER WITH A SICK FEELING IN HIS STOMACH AND GOT ANOTHER SURPRISE THE THING HAD STOPPED MOVING STRADDLING A RAIL BEHIND IT AND SIMILARLY DRIPPING WAS A MY GOD IT WAS A FAST RUN TO UDRIDA WHEN MY BILLIONAIRES YACHT THE EL DORADO WAS WAITING THE DOT YARD COMMANDER SHOWED ME THE SHIP AND MADE A NOBLE EFFORT TO CONTROL HIS CURIOSITY I TOOK A STADISTIC REVENGE ON THE NAVY BY NOT TELLING HIM A WORD ABOUT MY MISSION AFTER CHECKING OUT THE CONTROLS AND SPECIAL APPARATUS WITH THE TECHNICIANS I CLEARED THE SHIP THERE WAS A TAPE IN THE AUTOMATIC NAVIGATOR THAT WOULD PUT ME ON THE COURSE MENTIONED IN ALL THE ARTICLES JUST AT PRESS OF THE BOTTOM AND I WOULD BE ON MY WAY I PRESSED THE BUTTON SOME OF THE APPLES HAD TO BE PICKED VERY CAREFULLY BUT WITH OTHERS IT DID NOT MATTER WE BOYS WOULD CLIMB THE TREES AND SHAKE THE APPLES DOWN UNTIL THE GIRLS SHRIEKED FOR MERCY THE DAYS WERE CRISP AND MELLOW WITH WARM SUNSHINE AND A TANG OF FROST IN THE AIR MINGLED WITH THE WOODSY ODOURS OF THE WITHERING GRASSES +c78fbbe6-a3ad-4812-9976-be48c5954918 I MUST BE SLOW YOU MEAN I MEAN WHAT I HAVE TOLD YOU CLARTON THOUGHT AND ONE MORE THING YONUS YES THE DAUGHTER CURRETON THOUGHT I HAVE SEEN HER IN YOUR MIND IGNORE THE WENCH IS SHE WORTH WHAT YOUR TASK IS WORTH HE TURNED A DIAL WITH HIS THUMB AND HANDED THE UNIT TO BRANDON BRANDON DEPRESSED THE TOP BUTTON A CRYSTAL CLEAR IMAGE OF COLONEL TOWERS PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES ON HIS FULL DRESS UNIFORM APPEARED ON THE SCREEN AIR EXCLAIMED WOOT STARING IN ASTONISHMENT INTO THE RABBIT'S BLUE EYES WHO EVER HEARD OF AIR SO SOLID THAT ONE CANNOT PUSH IT ASIDE THE YOUNG MINISTER WAS A VERY GOOD YOUNG MAN AND TRIED TO DO HIS DUTY BUT HE WAS DREADFULLY AFRAID OF MEETING OLD MISTER SCOTT BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN TOLD THAT THE OLD MINISTER WAS VERY ANGRY AT BEING SET ASIDE AND WOULD LIKELY GIVE HIM A SOUND DRUBBING IF HE EVER MET HIM +c7da4af7-7c7c-4e97-8ca3-945d0ad6adaf THE STORY GIRL GOT UP AND WENT AWAY WITH AUNT OLIVIA'S ARMS AROUND HER HE FELT THAT HE COULD NEVER GO SO FAR AWAY FOR SO LONG AND LEAVE HIS MARGARET BEHIND AND OZMA HAD ISSUED A ROYAL EDICT FORBIDDING THE CREATURES THEY BEHELD WERE ROUND AND BALL LIKE O GIRLS DON'T FIGHT SAID CECILY THE PEACE MAKER IT'S SUCH A NICE DAY AND WE'LL HAVE A NICE TIME IF YOU DON'T SPOIL IT FIGHTING AND BESIDES NOW THIS PUSSY FOOTING AROUND IN THE DARK WOULD BE NECESSARY IF YOUR SCREAM WAS OPEN AND I COULD HAVE GOT A CALL THROUGH +c7ec578d-c66f-4028-8886-e04c6ecb74c9 NO NEED FOR YOU TO DIE SAID HORN AND WHAT HAPPENS IF R N R STUMBLES ON TO ME WHILE I'M DOWN THERE PLAYING PADDY CAKE THE CROWNS ARE JUST FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS BESIDES I'M ALL RIGHT AGAIN I FEEL FINE AS IF SHE WERE TRYING TO SEE WHICH VERSION WAS MORE EFFECTIVE SLOWLY IT SWELLED OUT UNTIL THE KING CRIED STOP AND THE SCARECROW PUSHED WOOT ASIDE EVEN PRESENT FERERA WAS THERE HIS HAIR LOOKING SCRAGGLY WHERE HE HAD PULLED AT HANDFULS AND SPENT MOST OF THE TIME IN HIS CABIN WORRYING ABOUT THE EFFECT OF IT ON HIS SURFACE RECORD +c7f37908-2064-444f-ace1-202f23b1e803 MY FIRST SHOT SENT ONE OF THE CREATURES SPINNING TO THE GROUND TWO MORE WERE ALMOST UPON ME BEFORE I COULD LEVEL THE WEAPON AND PULL THE TRIGGER AGAIN I GOT THEM BOTH OH I WISH FATHER WAS HERE HE WILL BE SAID CECILY IF IT'S THE JUDGMENT DAY FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND IT WILL BE FOR EUROPE TOO I WISH WE COULD JUST KNOW WHETHER WHAT THE PAPER SAYS IS TRUE OR NOT SAID FELIX DESPERATELY IT SEEMS TO ME I COULD BRACE UP IF I JUST KNEW WHAT GOOD WOULD BEING TWINS DO YOU ASKED PETER PEOPLE WHO SQUINT CAN'T EAT ANY MORE THAN PEOPLE WHO DON'T SQUINT CAN THEY WE COULD NOT SEE ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN PETER'S TWO QUESTIONS WHAT HAS SQUINTING GOT TO DO WITH TWINS ASKED DAN THE EMPEROR OF THE WINKIES WHO IS A FAMOUS TIN WOODMAN OF OZ REPLIED THE SERVANT WHO HAD BEEN TRAINED TO TREAT ALL STRANGERS WITH COURTESY +c7f4f699-df41-4e55-9e4a-92ac3367ce40 WE COULD NOT REALLY BELIEVE THAT PETER WAS GOING TO DIE TO DIE OLD PEOPLE DIED GROWN UP PEOPLE DIED EVEN CHILDREN OF WHOM WE HAD HEARD DIED AS IT WAS WE WERE ALMOST AFRAID TO LOOK UP IT LEST WE SHOULD SEE THE WADING BLUE CLAD EMILY UNDER UNCLE ALEC'S TREE BUT ALL WE SAW WAS FELICITY TEARING OVER THE GREEN SWARD HER CURLS STREAMING BEHIND HER IN A GOLDEN CLOUD TRUE YUNUS SAID PLEASANTLY KNOUGHF WAS SITTING BEHIND THE TABLE YONOS HAD NOT BEEN ASKED TO SIT HE REMAINED STANDING AND HE WAS RECENTLY SURE THAT HIS FEET WERE GOING TO HURT A MINUTE HE TRIED NOT TO LET THE THOUGHT DISTURB HIM THE MAN'S MIND WAS LIKE HIS OFFICE IN THE TOWN HALL SPARSELY FURNISHED ALMOST AUSTERE BUT WITH ALL THE NECESSITIES LAID OUT FOR EASY ACCESS BUT THEY GOT OUT OF THE INVISIBLE STRIP OF COUNTRY AS SUDDENLY AS THEY HAD ENTERED IT AND THE INSTANT THEY GOT OUT THEY STOPPED SHORT FOR JUST BEFORE THEM WAS A DEEP DITCH RUNNING AT RIGHT ANGLES AS FAR AS THEIR EYES COULD SEE AND STOPPING ALL FURTHER PROGRESS TOWARD MOUNT MUNCH +c80ca219-52fa-4d15-af8e-1148f97595a5 IT STOOD SOLIDLY ON CAREFULLY MANICURED YELLOW FEET AND STARED AT HIM OUT OF SQUARE VIOLET EYES INVOLUNTARILY HE TOOK A BACKWARD STEP CAUGHT HIS HEEL ON A SUN WARPED BOARD AND SAT DOWN HEAVILY THEY HAD NOT SPOKEN TO EACH OTHER SINCE THIS WAS NOT BECAUSE THE RANCORVIE THAT LASTED SO LONG ON THE CONTRARY IT PASSED SPEEDILY AWAY NOT EVEN ONE LOW DESCENDING SUN GOING DOWN AND THEREOF BUT DIGNITY REMAINED TO BE CONSIDERED NEITHER WOULD SPEAK FIRST AND EACH OBSTINATELY DECLARED THAT SHE WOULD NOT SPEAK FIRST NO NOT IN A HUNDRED YEARS SARA RAY I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO DIE TILL I GOT BETTER MOTHER SAYS I WAS LOONEY MOST OF THE TIME AFTER THEY STRUCK IN IT WAS JUST BECAUSE THEY STRUCK IN I WAS LOONY I AIN'T LOANY NATURALLY FELICITY I WILL DO WHAT YOU ASK IN YOUR POSTSCRIPT SARA ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE HARD GOOD KID SAID VIC AND I PRESSED HER HAND AS COMFORTABLY AS I COULD WE TURNED A BEND IN THE LONG RAMP WE HAD BEEN CLIMBING AND CAME OUT UPON THE VAST LEVEL TOP OF THE BUILDING +c81aeaea-b039-4edb-b107-9c26248518d9 AND NOW NOW I WAS STANDING IN THE OPEN ON ANOTHER WORLD YOUR CARD POPPED OUT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY CAPABLE DEPENDABLE AND EXPENDABLE HEY THAT'S WHY I'M DOWN HERE BRIEFING YOU INSTEAD OF SITTING BACK ON A FLAGSHIP LIKE A MAN IN A DREAM JEFF CAUGHT UP HIS COMMUNICATOR FROM THE TABLE AND HURLED IT THE ZID CAUGHT IT DEFTLY SANK GLISTENING TEETH INTO THE UNIT AND DEMOLISHED IT WITH A SINGLE SNAP FARMER'S MIND WORKED CHAOTICALLY THIS WAS PUZZLING HE DECIDED AND DID MAKE HIM FEEL INFERIOR THAT IS IT DID IF A MAN IN THE RED SCALES HAD REALLY PICKED UP ENGLISH SO QUICKLY +c84596ca-19b1-41bb-863a-da3837342fda THE CITY IS FOR OUR RACE YOUR SHIP LANDED TO REPAIR ITS TUBES AND HE HAD THE HEAVY FRICATIVE GREETING SOUND HE SHRUGGED AGAIN MOVING OUT TOWARD THE DOOR OF THE HUT EVEN THE OFFER OF SEVEN CRONA FOR A SINGLE WEEK'S STAY FAILED TO PRODUCE THE DELIRIOUS JOY YANUS HAD EXPECTED MAN WITH A CURIOSITY BUMP AS BIG AS YOURS WILL ALWAYS TALK FIRST AND SHOOT LATER ROCCA COULDN'T BELIEVE IT NEITHER COULD THE PRESIDENT THEY WANDERED UP AND DOWN THE EMPTY WAYS WHERE IT HAD BEEN BUILT AND WHEREVER HE WENT AMONG MEN HE TAUGHT THEM LOVE AND BROTHERHOOD AND SKILFUL ARTS AND ALTHOUGH STRANGERS GREATLY ADMIRING THEM OFTEN CARRIED AWAY ROOTS AND SEEDS +c8a8087d-c524-4cae-a1c4-670c5b3cb605 FINALLY RAY SHUT OFF THE RACKETING ENGINE AND LET THE RUSTY ANCHOR HE OPENED A LARGE WOODEN CASE WHICH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SOME DREARLY GOOD CABINET WORK AND TOOK OUT A PECULIAR MACHINE WHICH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF UNARGUABLY EXCELLENT MACHINE GO RIGHT HOME AND DRESS YOURSELF DECENTLY OR EAT YOUR SUPPER IN THE KITCHEN THE STORY GIRL CHOSE THE LATTER ALTERNATIVE SHE WAS HIGHLY INDIGNANT OH WELL WE GOT IT FROM THE PROMOTER OF SORTS A KIND MAN REALLY I'LL HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WE WERE TAKEN BUT WE WERE IN A SPOT AND NEEDED A WORLD HE SAID THAT THE LARGER BEFOCATES WERE TOO STUPID TO BE A NUISANCE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO BE SURE THAT THOUGHT PLEASED HIM GREATLY AFTER ALL HE TOLD HIMSELF THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE DANGER DESPISED THE BORING BUSINESS OF LIVING +c9161525-4236-4be5-96aa-3a181f812346 I HAD CAPTURED MY BATTLESHIP AND THE RAIDS WERE OVER AND I COULDN'T BE BLAMED IF THE GIRL HAD SLIPPED AWAY IF SHE EVADED THE NAVY SHIPS THAT WAS THEREFORE NOT MINE I HAD MY VICTORY ALL RIGHT THEN WHY DID IT TASTE LIKE ASHES IN MY MOUTH IT'S A BIG GALAXY BUT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO HIDE ANGELINA NOW I CAN BE CONNED ONCE BUT ONLY ONCE THE NEXT TIME WE MET THINGS WERE GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT IF A THING LIKE THAT IS LOOSE ON THE ISLAND WE'VE GOT TO GET HELP JONIFER DID NOT RESPOND AND HE SLAPPED HER UNTIL HER EYES FLUTTER ANGRILY THERE'S AN E I COMMUNICATOR IN MY CABIN JEFF SAID LET'S GO MEMORY LENT JONAPHER A SUDDEN VITALITY THAT NEARLY LEFT JEFF BEHIND IN THEIR DASH FOR THE COTTAGE UP THE BEACH THE DOOR JEFF PANTED INSIDE FASTEN THE HURRICANE BOLT HURRY SHE CAN PUT ILL LUCK ON YOU JUST BY LOOKING AT YOU AND SHE WILL IF YOU OFFEND HER I DON'T BELIEVE THAT SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY DON'T YOU ALL RIGHT THEN LAST SUMMER SHE CALLED AT LEM HILLS IN MARKDALE AND HE TOLD HER TO CLEAR OUT OR HE'D SET THE DOG ON HER THE SERVANTS OF THE TIN WOODMEN ALL WORE TIN HELMETS AND TIN BREASTPLATES AND UNIFORMS COVERED WITH TINY TIN DISKS SEWED CLOSELY TOGETHER ON THE SILVER CLOTH SO THAT THEIR BODY SPARKLED AS BEAUTIFULLY AS DID THE TIN CASTLE AND ALMOST AS BEAUTIFULLY AS DID THE TIN WOODMAN HIMSELF +c9279dcb-20db-4d79-bfd2-9173738cae44 OR NODDED AT THE RIFLE WOULD YOU MIND POINTING THAT WEAPON SOME OTHER DIRECTION IT MAKES ME NERVOUS THE GUNMUZZLE REMAINED UNWAVERINGLY ON ORAN'S MIDDLE THE NATIVE'S MOUTH OPEN REVEALING LONG CANINES DO WE NOT LOOK STRANGE TO YOU I TAKE IT THERE'S BEEN A HEAVY MUTATIONAL VARIATION IN THE HUMAN OY NORM ON THIS PLANET SAID HORN WHAT IS IT HARD RADIATION IT WAS IN A BOOK MY AUNT JANE HAD SHE GOT IT FOR A PRIZE IN SCHOOL MY AUNT JANE WAS CLEVER IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD BOOK IF THERE WAS SUCH A PICTURE IN IT SAID FELICITY IT WAS A REAL GOOD BOOK MY AUNT JANE WOULDN'T HAVE A BOOK THAT WASN'T GOOD RETORTED PETER SULKILY OUR RELATIVES STARTED US WITH A QUARTER APIECE FOR THE REST WE KNEW WE MUST DEPEND ON OUR OWN EXERTIONS PETER WAS HANDICAPPED AT THE BEGINNING BY THE FACT THAT HE HAD NO FAMILY FRIEND TO FINANCE HIM MY AUNT JANE HAD BEEN LIVING SHE'D HAVE GIVEN ME SOMETHING HE REMARKED AND IF MY FATHER HADN'T RUN AWAY HE MIGHT HAVE GIVEN ME SOMETHING TOO BUT I'M GOING TO DO THE BEST I CAN ANYHOW YOUR AUNT OLIVIA SAYS I CAN HAVE THE JOB OF GATHERIN THE EGGS AND I'M TO HAVE ONE EGG OUT OF EVERY DOZEN TO SELL FOR MYSELF IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM HOW BIG THEY HAVE TO BE IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE HOW BIG THEY ARE IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM THAT IS WHERE THE DAMAGE WAS DONE THE OFFICIAL HAD GIVEN A SNAP JUDGMENT AND IT LED TO DISASTER IT WAS NOT HIS FAULT THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT CLEAR NOWHERE IN ALL VERBIAGE DOES IT SAY HOW BIG THEY HAVE TO BE TO BE COUNTED AS PEOPLE +c927c42d-bb96-44a9-a687-c195ecfb54cf NOT NOWADAYS EXPLAINED THE STORY GIRL THEN I DON'T SEE ANY USE IN BEING ONE SARA DECIDED A KING CAN'T DO AS HE PLEASES NOW EITHER SAID FELIX IT HAD TO BE DONE FAST AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS NECESSARY TO TALK NATURALLY THEY MUST STILL THINK OF ME AS SITTING IN THE CONTROL ROOM THAT'S THE SHIP'S GENERATORS YOU'RE LOOKING AT I SAID NINETY EIGHT PER CENT OF THEIR OUTPUT IS NOW FEEDING INTO COALS THAT MAKE AN ELECTROMAGNET OF THIS SHIP'S HULL ON THEY WENT AND WHEN THEY REACHED THE CENTRE OF THE VALLEY WHERE THE GREAT STONE CASTLE STOOD IT WAS BEGINNING TO GROW DARK SO THEY HESITATED AS TO WHAT TO DO EVEN SARA RAY WAS MADE HAPPY BY THE GIFT OF A LITTLE CHINA PLATE WITH A LOUDLY COLOURED PICTURE OF MOSES AND AARON BEFORE THE PHARAOH IN THE MIDDLE OF IT MOSES WORE A SCARLET CLOAK WHILE AARON DISPORTED HIMSELF IN BRIGHT BLUE PHARAOH WAS ARRAYED IN YELLOW THE PLATE HAD A SCALLOP BORDER WITH A WREATH OF GREEN LEAVES AROUND IT +c9604cfd-7cf8-47e4-8ddc-33099e63fffb BUT AT THE WORD THE EARTH OPENED AT THE EXACT SPOT WHERE HE LAY UNDER THE JAGUAR'S PAW HIS BODY SANK DOWNWARD THE EARTH CLOSING OVER IT AGAIN THE LAST THING THE MONKEY SAW AS HE GLANCED UPWARD WAS THE JAGUAR PEERING INTO THE HOLE IN ASTONISHMENT WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW HE QUAVERED THE QUESTION HIS POUCHY JAWS SHOOK AND I SWEAR THERE WERE TEARS IN HIS EYES I WAS NOT IMPRESSED BY HIS ACTING SINCE I COULD CLEARLY REMEMBER THE DEAD MEN FLOATING IN SPACE HE STUMBLED OVER TO A CHAIR HALF DROPPING INTO IT WILL THEY DO ANYTHING TO ME OH BUT THAT'S WRONG SAID FELICITY YOU SHOULDN'T PUT SARA UP TO DISOBEYING HER MOTHER THERE ARE SOME PARTS OF HER LETTER I COULDN'T SEE THROUGH BUT WHEN THE MEASLES STRIKE IN THEY LEAVE YOU STUPID FOR A SPELL +c9625e5b-0385-4c90-a937-0830d9cdbd9a PETER AS WAS TO BE EXPECTED TOOK FELICITY'S PART AND SAID THE STORY GIRL OUGHT TO SPEAK FIRST BECAUSE SHE WAS THE OLDEST AND THERE WAS NO SORT OF WEAPON AT HAND AND STRODE IRRITABLY DOWN TO HIS MINIATURE DOCK OUT ON THE BAY ANOTHER CATASTROPHE JUST AS IMPROBABLE WAS IN PROGRESS I HAD MY VICTORY ALL RIGHT I HAD CAPTURED MY BATTLESHIP AND THE RAIDS WERE OVER YET WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH IT WHEN THEY HAVE IT BUILT WHAT IS THE NATURE OF YOUR TROUBLE BRANDON CAKED AROUND THE CORNERS OF HIS LIPS TRIMMING A FEW SCATTERED CLOUDS WITH GOLD +c98581cf-c180-4f17-8fbe-78f925fc0a4e IF AS WAS SAID HE DETESTED CHILDREN WHO KNEW WHAT SORT OF A RECEPTION WE MIGHT MEET MISTER CAMPBELL WAS A RICH RETIRED FARMER WHO TOOK LIFE EASILY HE HAD VISITED NEW YORK AND BOSTON TORONTO AND MONTREAL HE HAD EVEN BEEN AS FAR AS THE PACIFIC COAST THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH WAS AS OLD FASHIONED AS ITS EXTERIOR IT WAS FURNISHED WITH SQUARE BOX PEWS THE PULPIT WAS A WINE GLASS ONE AND WAS REACHED BY A STEEP NARROW FLIGHT OF STEPS UNCLE ALEC'S PEW WAS AT THE TOP OF THE CHURCH QUITE NEAR THE PULPIT LONG LONG AGO BEGAN THE STORY GIRL HER VOICE GIVING US AN IMPRESSION OF REMOTE ANTIQUITY EVEN BEFORE GRANDFATHER KING WAS BORN AN ORPHAN COUSIN OF HIS LIVED HERE WITH HIS PARENTS HER NAME WAS EMILY KING THE OLD MAN HAD THAT LOOK OF INTENSE GLEE ON HIS FACE THAT MEANT SOME ONE WAS IN FOR A VERY ROUGH TIME SINCE WE WERE ALONE IT TOOK NO GREAT FEAT OF INTELLIGENCE TO FIGURE IT WOULD BE ME I TALKED FIRST BOLD ATTACK BEING THE BEST DEFENSE AND SO FORTH +c99c81a8-fcb2-4c69-9be8-1bf88c26f530 I HAVE FORGIVEN HER WAS FELICITY'S ANSWER BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FIRST FOR ALL THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PUT MY THOUGHTS INTO IT WHEN THE JUDGMENT DAY MAY BE TO MORROW DISGUISED BEHIND THESE BLUE PRINTS I BRIDLED MY TEMPER AND TRIED ONE LAST TIME I SHUDDERED A BIT AS THE THOUGHT HIT ME AND STORY GIRL HAD MADE THE TALE VERY REAL TO US THEN HE OPENED HIS BIG BLUE EYES AND LOOKED UP INTO EDITH'S FACE THIS SECOND DIAL WAS NO MORE THAN A THIN DISK OF HARD RUBBER OR BAKE LIGHT WITH A RED SCRATCH MARK ON ONE SIDE +c9b55566-97a5-47db-bc58-9a9297913bff SHE SIGHED A LONG SHUDDERING SIGH AND SNUGGLED INTO MY ARMS I DIDN'T LIKE THEIR SMILES I THREW THE SWITCH AND MY PLASTIC PTERODACTYL SAILED THROUGH THE DOOR I SMILED A LITTLE WEAKLY I'M AFRAID AS IF I HAD NEVER MEANT TO KEEP THAT ACCOUNT A SECRET YOUR UNCLE ROGER WENT TO MARKDDVILLE RIGHT AFTER MILKING SAID PETER HE LOCKED UP THE HOUSE AND GAVE ME THE KEY THERE WASN'T A SOUL IN IT THAT I'M SURE OF I DROVE THE COWS TO PASTURE AND I GOT BACK ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO I SET DOWN ON THE FRONT DOOR STEPS FOR A MOMENT AND ALL AT ONCE I HEARD A BELL RING IN THE HOUSE EIGHT TIMES IF THEY THINK IT'S A GROUND BUGGY THEY MIGHT GET CARELESS WHEN YOU MOST NEEDN'T ADVANTAGE WE COULD ALWAYS SCOOP YOU OUT OF THE AIR YOU KNOW WHAT ARE MY CHANCES ON THIS ONE STEP YOU TOOK THE DAPHINIS +c9c42798-b501-422e-afea-ee0274e3e1d7 LET US TRAVEL IN SOME OTHER DIRECTION WHO LIVES HERE HE ASKED WE MIGHT GO STRAIGHT INTO THE EMERALD CITY NO BETTER PLAN BEING SUGGESTED WE BETOOK OURSELVES TO THE ORCHARD AND SAT ON THE BOUGHS OF UNCLE ALEC'S TREE BECAUSE THE GRASS WAS WET IT SOUNDSIBLY DREADFUL TO HEAR YOU CALL THE BIBLE AN INTERESTING BOOK FELICITY THOUGHTFUL CREATURE ALSO TOOK A SMALL BASKETFUL OF JELLY COOKIES ALONG WITH HER FELICITY NEEDN'T BE GIVING ANY HINTS THE BUTTERCUPS DROOPED OVER HER HIGH WHITE BROW AND PLAYED PETE WITH HER GLOWING EYES +c9f9596b-e431-4f8d-b513-90783ed9fcc9 AND I HEARD UNCLE ALEX TELL A STORY ONCE ABOUT BEING NEARLY FRIGHTENED TO DEATH WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY BY A MINISTER PREACHING ON THE END OF THE WORLD AND HE SAID THAT WAS SOMETHING LIKE A SERMON YOU DON'T HEAR SUCH SERMONS NOWADAYS BUT WHEN PETER PREACHES JUST SUCH A SERMON IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT STORY E PAY SPOKE UP IN SHARP PROTEST AND THRUST HIMSELF BETWEEN ME AND THE PRIEST FOR A MOMENT DUE TO THIS OBVIOUSLY UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTION EVERYTHING IN CONFUSION CHAPTER THREE ROUNDABOUT WOOT THE WANDERER SLEPT THAT NIGHT IN THE TIN CASTLE OF THE EMPEROR OF THE WINKIES AND FOUND HIS TIN BED QUITE COMFORTABLE SHE WAS NOT WELL SO AUNT OLIVIA TOLD AUNT JANET I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE CHILD SAID THE FORMER ANXIOUSLY +ca19b78b-c71b-43e4-9d01-67a44a58152e WHY WHAT DID I SAY TO MAKE HIM MAD ASKED FELICITY IN HONEST PERPLEXITY I THINK IT'S AWFUL FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO BE ALWAYS QUARRELLING SIGHED CECILY THE COHANTS FIGHT ALL THE TIME AND YOU AND DAN WILL SOON BE AS BAD PERHAPS THEY'LL LAUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THEIR FACES TO MORROW SAID DAN WITH GLOOMY SATISFACTION WE WERE SITTING ON THE CELL HATCH WATCHING WHAT MIGHT BE OUR LAST SUNSET OVER THE DARK HILLS OF TIME PETER WAS WITH US IT WAS HIS LAST SUNDAY TO GO HOME BUT HE HAD ELECTED TO REMAIN IF TO MORROW IS THE JUDGMENT DAY I WANT TO BE WITH YOU FELLOWS HE SAID I DO NOT THINK THAT POETRY WAS GREAT GRANDMOTHER KING'S STRONG POINT WRIGHT INTO A LAND OF SHADOWS AND LOST SOULS GOES PETE GRAHAM IN SEARCH OF HIS HAPLESS FRIENDS +ca3f1fa7-f03d-4891-9dbc-6ee28aeca5ed I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS EITHER OF EM SAID DAN AND I NEVER PART WITH ANY OF IT UNLESS I'M TO RECEIVE SOME BENEFIT FROM THE EXPENDITURE SHE REACHED THE RAIL FIRST AND WENT OVER A WAVE OF PURE HEAT SWEPT OVER THE BOAT BLISTERING WHAT PAINT IT STILL BOASTED BUT AT LEAST WE CAN MAINTAIN ON NUMBERS PASS THE GIFT ON TO OUR CHILDREN CLARETON'S THOUGHT CARRIED A WRY ECHO I AM ARRESTING YOU FOR CONSPIRACY EXTORTION THEFT AND WHATEVER OTHER CHARGES DEVELOP AFTER A CAREFUL ROUT OF THESE DOCUMENTS SEIZE HIM +ca459067-b561-4808-b667-c87be2dc3109 KNOWING YOUR DISLIKE FOR SCIENCE OTHER THAN THAT RELATED TO AERONAUTICS ALL CUT IS PRETTY SHORT THOSE WHO HAD BEEN HOLDING HOPE AND VIC WERE SURGING FORWARD WITH THE REST THEIR ERSTWHILE PRISONERS FORGOTTEN IN THEIR MAD GREED FOR DEATH I WISH I COULD MAKE UP MY MIND WHETHER TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST SAID THE STORY GIRL ADDRESSING HERSELF DAINTILY TO HER TURNOVER IN OUR TONGUE IT MEANS THE LIMB OF VICTORY STETSON GESTURED AT THE MAP WITH ITS GREEN SUPERPOSED GRID SQUARES BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER SUGGESTED FELIX IN A SCARED TONE WHEN I HAD PREACHED I HAD TO WEAR MY SECOND BEST SUIT FOR IT WAS ONE OF AUNT JANET'S LAWS THAT WE SHOULD TAKE OUR GOOD SUITS OFF WHEN WE CAME HOME FROM CHURCH +ca64f015-77f2-4050-a4b6-5d03179d0c7e AND I WON'T THEY'D HAVE BEEN BETTER FRIENDS BECAUSE OF THE PRAYING QUESTION WOULD HAVE BEEN SETTLED IT WAS NOT A PLEASANT DAY AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE IT RAINED UNTIL LATE IN THE AFTERNOON ISN'T TOO LATE HERE'S YOUR OWN GAIT SAYS CECILY AGLEYA WAS HIS MASTER'S DAUGHTER SHE WAS SO SWEET AND BEAUTIFUL THAT GLAUCON FELL IN LOVE WITH HER THE VERY MOMENT HE FIRST SAW HER BUT I GUESS SHE WON'T BEWITCH ANYTHING ON ACCOUNT OF THE PICKLES UNCLE ROGER CAN LAUGH SAID CICELY WITH A QUIVER IN HER VOICE BUT IT'S NO LAUGHING MATTER TO BE SO SCARED I FEEL JUST SICK I WAS SO FRIGHTENED I WOULDN'T MIND IF HE'D LAUGH ONCE AND HAVE IT DONE WITH IT +ca6b6d08-8f39-4526-9aa3-e1ae77bbd977 IN A FEW MINUTES THE WHOLE HOUSE WAS ASTIR THE STORY GIRL'S WORDS FELL ON THE MORNING AIR LIKE PEARLS AND DIAMONDS NOTHING TO DO WITH WARS OR BATTLESHIPS DAYS IF I HAD BEEN INTERESTED IN BLACKMAIL I HAD ENOUGH EVIDENCE IN MY HAND TO SUPPORT ME FOR LIFE WHEN CECILY FINISHED SHE GOT UP AND WENT IN SEARCH OF DAN RESOLVED TO SOOTHE HIS WOUNDED FEELINGS AND IF SHE WOULD HAVE HIM THEN DONALD AND ALL THE FOLK SHOULD SEE A WEDDING THAT WAS A WEDDING +caa1243d-1838-451a-a7d4-186086e1a875 WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER MARGARET'S FATHER AND MOTHER FORGAVE HER AND SHE WENT BACK HOME TO WAIT TO WAIT GARF LOOKED HESITATE THEN WAVED THE TWO TO THE RAIL WITH HIM SEE THOSE HE ASKED THEY LOOKED AND SAW WHAT SEEMED TO BE A FLIGHT OF STEPS CARVED FROM STONE OLD AND WORN STARTING ABRUPTLY JUST BELOW THE WATER LEVEL AND LEADING DOWNWARD CLARETON TRANSMITTED THE ENTIRE PICTURE IN ONE SUDDEN BLOW THE CHANCE THAT YONAS WOULD NOT BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY BUT WILL WE DISCOVERED THE CHANCE THAT THE INQUISITOR WOULD GET FROM HIM THE SECRET OF THE BROTHERHOOD THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE YONA SAID SAID CLARETON SOUNDED RESIGNED NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE HE SAID BUT I JUST CAN'T STAND IT BACK THERE ALONE SOME OF YOU FELLOWS MUST COME WITH ME I DON'T WANT YOU TO WORK BUT JUST FOR COMPANY IT WAS FINALLY DECIDED THAT DAN AND FELIX SHOULD GO I WANTED TO GO ALSO BUT THE GIRLS PROTESTED +cab5b164-21db-4588-83f8-18333273b9e8 WERE I YOU I WOULD SHOW DONALD FRAGER THAT I COULD WOO AND WIN A LASS AS SPEEDILY AS ANY LOWLANDER OF THEM ALL THAT I WOULD THEN THEY WERE REALLY GONE WE WERE ALL LEFT TO KEEP HOUSE HE HAD LARGE HANDS AND FEET AND WALKED WITH A SLIGHT STOOP YONAS PEERED ONCE INTO THE MIND OF THE MAN EVERY COILED VIOLENTLY ONE THING AT A TIME YUNUS SAID HE SIGHED ONCE DEEPLY WELL HIS FATHER RUN AWAY AND HIS MOTHER WAS TOO BUSY EARNING A LIVING TO BRING HIM UPRIGHT ARGUED FELICITY HE WAS ALWAYS SO POLITE AND GOOD NATURED AND OBLIGING SIGHED CECILY CHAFFEE THREE POINTED OUT AS THEY DODGED TO THE CONTROL CUBICLE AGAIN JUST AHEAD OF THE SLAVERING ZID +cabef88d-e5ae-4d20-988e-d09a94d2c9f6 SARA STANLEY SAID AUNT OLIVIA SHAKING HER FINGER AT HER AFTER A SIDE SPLITTING YARN IF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT YOU'LL BE FAMOUS SOME DAY DIPLOMACY WAS CALLED FOR I SIGHED AND DRAGGED OUT THE PLASTER FLESH EQUIPMENT WORKING FROM THREETY SNAPS OF GRANDSON I MODELLED A PASSABLE REPTILE HEAD OVER MY OWN FEATURES THEREFORE HIS UTTERANCE CARRIED ALL THE WEIGHT OF INSPIRATION AND WE SAT APPALLED BEFORE HIS LURID PHRASES HE USED HIS OWN WORDS TO CLOTHE THE IDEAS HE HAD FOUND AND THE RESULT WAS A FORCE AND A SIMPLICITY THAT STRUCK HOME TO OUR IMAGINATIONS NORMALLY I CURSED THE PAPAL TANGLES OF BUREAUCRACY BUT THIS WAS ONE TIME WHEN I BLESSED THEM ALL THESE PEOPLE HAD IT DOWN TO A FINE SCIENCE +cad58a98-914d-4da8-bb16-73db8f02a515 NEITHER ARGUMENT ENTREATY NOR EXPOSTULATION HAD ANY EFFECT ON THOSE TWO STUBBORN GIRLS NOR YET THE TEARS OF SWEET CECILY WHO CRIED EVERY NIGHT ABOUT IT AND MINGLED IN HER PURE LITTLE PRAYERS FERVENT PETITIONS THAT FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL MIGHT MAKE UP I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU EXPECT TO GO WHEN YOU DIE FELICITY SHE SAID TEARFULLY IF YOU DON'T FORGIVE PEOPLE I HAVE FORGIVEN HER WAS FELICITY'S ANSWER BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FIRST FOR ALL THAT IT'S VERY WRONG MORE THAN THAT IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE COMPLAINED CECILY IT SPOILS EVERYTHING THE STORY GIRL AND I WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO COULD PAY HIM COMPLIMENTS TO HIS LIKING THE STORY GIRL WOULD BOX HIS EARS WITH HER FIST AND SAY BLESS YOUR GRAY HEART PADDY YOU'RE A GOOD SORT OF OLD RASCAL AND PAT WOULD PURR HIS SATISFACTION I USED TO TAKE A HANDFUL OF THE SKIN ON HIS BACK SHAKE HIM GENTLY AND SAY PAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN MORE THAN ANY HUMAN BEING EVER KNEW AND I VOW PADDY WOULD LICK HIS CHOPS WITH DELIGHT BUT TO BE CALLED A SWEET CAT CHAFFEE FOUR TELEPORTED INSIDE AGAIN CHAFFEE THREE CLOSED THE PORT TOGETHER THEY RELAXED THEIR PERCEPTION SHIELDS IN RELIEF UNAWARE IN THEIR CONSTERNATION THAT THEY COMMITTED THE BARBAROUS LAPSE OF VOCALIZING THEY TWITTERED ALOUD WHEN THEY REALIZED THE EXTENT OF THEIR ERROR ABOVE THE FAR MURMUROUS WHISPER OF EXPECTED MARINE CEREBRATION THERE ROSE AN UNCOORDINATED MISHMASH OF THOUGHT FROM AT LEAST TWO STRONG AND RELATIVELY COMPLEX INTELLIGENCES THIS POWER IS TURNED INTO RADIATION THAT IS PUNCHED THROUGH INTO HYPER SPACE EVERY BEACON HAS A CODE SIGNAL AS PART OF ITS RADIATION AND REPRESENTS A MEASURABLE POINT IN HYPER SPACE TRIANGULATION AND QUADRATURE OF THE BEACON WORKS FOR NAVIGATION ONLY IT FOLLOWS ITS OWN RULES THE RULES ARE COMPLEX AND VARIABLE BUT THEY ARE STILL RULES THAT A NAVIGATOR CAN FOLLOW +cb4ac091-ab0e-4188-84df-49436f8b896f AM NO PIG SANDWICH AND I DO NOT COMMONLY CALL ON FOOLS GET ON YOUR FEET YOU CLOD AS WILD A REGION AS YOU WILL EVER FIND AND SUPPLY NEURAL THERAPY EQUIPMENT AND THE EFFECT BORDERED ON THE SPECTACULAR FORCING US TO MAROON IT HERE FOR OUR OWN SAFETY IT WAS A VISION TO DEVELOP SLOWLY INTO FULFILMENT WHEN A SON WAS BORN TO ABRAHAM AND ELIZABETH A TREE WAS PLANTED IN THE ORCHARD FOR HIM THE LABEL WAS LOST HE SAID IT WAS A FAMOUSSE AND SHE DECLARED IT WAS A YELLOW TRANSPARENT TAKE NOTICE FELICITY SAID DAN ASIDE +cb559bb5-ba1f-4eeb-b099-1fc876cb2817 FARMER PONDERED THE IDEA OF A TRANSMUTTER THAT WORKED UNDER WATER LIKE A BALL POINT PIN BROAD CASTING WEARY VAUDEVILLE ROUTINES HE SCRATCHED HIS HEAD AND LOOKED WISTFULLY AT THE NEW ENGLAND SHORE LINE OR WAS THAT LONG ISLAND HE WASN'T SURE ANY MORE IF WE WERE WE COULD SEE IT WE'D BUMP INTO OUR OWN TREES AND HOUSES AND PEOPLE WE'D BE KNOCKED DOWN BY AUTOMOBILES AND TWO BODIES CANNOT OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE AT THE SAME TIME OLD LAW OF SIMPLE PHYSICS IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN INTERRUPTED VIC WHY YES I AM GOING TO CLIMB IT TO MORROW I SAID JOYFULLY WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE BOYS ASKED CECILY I DON'T EVEN BLINK FOR THINGS LIKE THAT HOW DO YOU TRIGGER IT OFF YOU GAPING GOOSE I DON'T HAVE TIME TO EXPLAIN THAT TO YOU I HAVE TO GET TO WASHINGTON +cb7c81ea-3423-4496-a2ff-07933afc0dd3 PAN FOLLOWED HER CLATTERING AND BELLOWING TERRIBLY BUT IN A FEW MINUTES SHE RUSHED INTO GLAUCON'S ARMS THE DREADFUL SIGHT OF PAN AND THE STILL MORE DREADFUL NOISE HE MADE SO FRIGHTEN THE SHEEPS THEY FLED IN ALL DIRECTIONS NEVER HEARD OF IT INSKIPP SAID AS WE TOOK THE PRIVATE DROP SHOOT TO HIS OFFICE WHICH MAY BE A GIRL BAD SIGN ONLY THE FIRST TIME TROUBLE CAME FROM SOME ALLOY SPOT I NEVER KNEW EXISTED WITH THE AUTOMATIC DISREGARD FOR OTHERS OF THE TRULY DEDICATED HE PRESSED THE SCRAMBLE BUTTON ON HIS DESK WE WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE A KING PETER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FINE ONLY KIND OF INCONVENIENT WEARING A CROWN ALL THE TIME GO FOR UNCLE ROGER COMMANDED CECILY PALE BUT COMPOSED FELICITY PUT ON THE KETTLE DAN I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU MUSTARD AND WARM WATER WHERE IS SHE NOW INQUIRED WOOT WHO HAD HEARD TALES OF LOVELY POLYCHROME AND WAS MUCH INTERESTED IN HER +cb88f543-f74d-4360-9d2b-a5b0d5b064ed WHILE YOU TALKED IT REGISTERED YOUR SKIN TEMPERATURE BLOOD PRESSURE AMOUNT OF PERSPIRATION AND SUCH IN OTHER WORDS IT IS AN EFFICIENT AND FAST WORKING LIE DETECTOR WE WILL NOW HEAR ALL ABOUT YOUR LIES A SHOWER CAME UP IN THE EVENING AND WE HAD TO STOP PICKING AFTER THE SHOWER THERE WAS A MAGNIFICENT DOUBLE RAINBOW WE WATCHED IT FROM THE GRANARY WINDOW AND THE STORY GIRL TOLD US AN OLD LEGEND CULLED FROM ONE OF AUNT OLIVIA'S MANY SCRAPBOOKS A FAINT VOICE SPUTTERED IN HIS EAR THE FACE OF REINHERT THE RADIO MAN APPEARED BEFORE HIM BRANDON THIS IS ASTRO ONE WHAT IS YOUR POSITION OVER ALL THAT WITH GLASS MURMURED HORN WHAT'S HAPPENING HIS STETSON HORN TOUCHED HIS THROAT CONTACT WE'RE JUST INTO THE CITY CLEARING PROCEEDING TOWARD THE NEAREST BUILDING +cbc6b286-0599-458a-92b9-47524c31a762 AMONG OTHER THINGS IT LEFT NEWSPAPERS CONTAINING THE ARTICLE VERY GOOD I SAID CALMLY SEND A GENERAL ORDER TO SPEND ALL FUTURE ACTIVITY WITH THE PLANTED POLICES SUPPOSE SHE DOES CATCH THE MEASLES FELICITY SAID ASIDE I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'LL BE ANYBODY THERE FROM MARKDALE THE LECTURER IS GOING TO MARKDALE NEXT WEEK THEY'LL WAIT FOR THAT SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY SHE WAS VERY SHY AND MODEST BUT YOU KNOW A GIRL CAN LET A MAN SEE SHE LIKES HIM WITHOUT GOING OUT OF HER WAY SOMETHING WAS SPARKLING VERY BRIGHTLY AMONG ITS PEBBLES A GLAYA PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LITTLE STONE THAT SHE HAD EVER SEEN WE ARE VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE DECLARED THE TIN WOODMAN ALL THE BETTER SHE REPLIED +cbee30ab-c31b-479b-9910-536fa5586614 SHOULD YOU WISH TO TAKE A FLIER AFTER ME STAND IN THE CENTER OF THE SQUARE OUTLINED BY THE FOUR UPRIGHTS OF THE DEVICE BESIDE WHICH THIS LITTLE TABLE STANDS BE SURE YOUR WEAPON I TOLD YOU TO BRING IT AT IS ON YOUR PERSON AND THAT TALL SLENDER TREE OVER THERE WITH THE BRANCHES ALL GROWING STRAIGHT UP IS A SEEDLING THAT CAME UP OF ITSELF AND NOBODY CAN EAT ITS APPLES THEY ARE SO SOUR AND BITTER EVEN THE PIGS WON'T EAT THEM WELL ALL I HOPE IS THAT HE'LL WASH BEHIND HIS EARS SAID FELICITY RESIGNEDLY HOW IS PAT TO DAY ASKED CILLEY BY WAY OF CHANGING THE CONVERSATION MAYBE THEY WERE REALLY ALL PRAIRIE DOGS MANOEL MAYBE THE HEAD GOT YOU AND YOU ONLY DREAMED THAT THEY WERE LITTLE PEOPLE +cc193c40-1daf-4e7e-a3e3-9a2ac79bee82 CECILY TOOK COURAGE OF THINGS FELICITY MIGHT CHARM THE PALATE AND THE STORY GIRL BIND CAPTIVE THE SOUL BUT WHEN PAIN AND SICKNESS WRUNG THE BROW IT WAS CECILY WHO WAS THE MINISTERING ANGEL THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS WHEN WE HAD LIVED FOR A FORTNIGHT IN CARLISLE WE BELONGED THERE AND THE FREEDOM OF ALL ITS SMALL FRY WAS CONFERRED ON US THIS IS A GREAT MOMENT IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY HE SAID YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS THE FIRST DEMONSTRATION OF RAISE RAY THE WORK OF GENIUS WHICH WILL ALLOW MANKIND HIS FIRST REALLY CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE LAST REMAINING FRONTIER ON HIS HOME PLANET THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA YOU TOOK THE DAPHINIS BY TREACHERY ASKED HORN THEY WERE SIMPLE FOOLS SAID TENUBE WE ARE SMALLER THUS THEY THOUGHT US WEAKER THE MARKED TWENTY'S MUZZLE CAME ROUND THE CENTER ON ORN'S STOMACH YOU HAVE NOT ANSWERED MY QUESTION +cc21221f-f518-4207-b224-5158e7bf55bd THIS IS FAIRLY EASY TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A MACHINE MEMORY TO WORK WITH LATER THE SAME DAY I CAUGHT ONE OF THEM ALONE AND SHOUTED HEY GEORGE AT HIM SAY SIR WHEN YOU REPLY TO ME I OR CAUSED BY ONE HER PATERNAL GRANDFATHER HAD BEEN A GOAT RAY WAS BENDING OVER HIS MACHINE MAKING MOTIONS DESIGNED TO IMPRESS AS WELL AS TO MAKE IT WORK OH SARA STANLEY DO YOU BELIEVE IT DO YOU GASPED FELICITY CLUTCHING THE STORY GIRL'S HAND +cc974911-ae01-48ab-a7bb-3ba6cf25347a CHANCING ACCIDENTALLY I VOW TO OVERHEAR CERTAIN OF THESE SECRETS I LEARNED THAT SARA RAY HAD NAMED AN APPLE FOR JOHNNY PRICE AND CECILY TRUE'S YOU LIVE THERE WAS EIGHT SEEDS IN IT AND YOU KNOW EIGHT MEANS THEY BOTH LOVE WHILE CECILY ADMITTED THAT WILLY FRASER HAD WRITTEN ON HIS SLATE AND SHOWED IT TO HER IF YOU LOVE ME AS I LOVE YOU NO KNIFE CAN CUT OUR LOVE IN TWO BUT SARA RAY NEVER YOU BREATHE THIS TO A LIVING SOUL SHE SIGHED A LONG SHUDDERING SIGH AND SNUGGLED INTO MY ARMS VIC GLANCED TOWARD US AND GRINNED COME TO THINK OF IT HE REMARKED I BELIEVE ILL RUN ALONG AND SEE IF I CAN FIND MISSUS PARR I HAVEN'T HAD A THING TO EAT SINCE NOON YESTERDAY AND I'VE JUST REALIZED I'M HUNGRY WILL YOU JOIN ME YES BUT IT TOOK THE JUDGMENT DAY TO MAKE HER I WISH ADDED CECILY WITH A SIGH THAT I HADN'T BEEN IN QUITE SUCH A HURRY GIVING AWAY MY FORGET ME NOT JUG AND I WISH I HADN'T BEEN IN SUCH A HURRY DECIDE AND I'D BE A PRESBYTERIAN SAID PETER WELL IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR THAT SAID DAN YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND NOW NO SIR SAID PETER WITH A FLASH OF SPIRIT I AIN'T ONE OF THE KIND THAT SAYS THEY'LL BE SOME JUST CAUSE THEY'RE SCARED WHEN THE SCARE IS OVER GO BACK ON IT I SAID I'D BE A PRESBYTERIAN AND I MEAN TO STICK TO IT AFTER THE RAIN THE AIR SEEMED DRIPPING WITH THE ODOURS IN THE WARM WEST WIND THE TANG OF FIR BALSAM THE SPICE OF MINT THE WILD WOODSINESS OF FERNS THE AROMER OF GRASSES STEEPING IN THE SUNSHINE AND WITH IT ALL A BREATH OF WILD SWEETNESS FROM FAR HILL PASTURES +ccb43515-4192-4f4e-9d8b-a85866c4601c WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR COULDN'T WRITE AT ALL SAID THE STORY GIRL CRUSHINGLY HE NEVER GOES TO CHURCH AND HE NEVER SAYS HIS PRAYERS RETORTED FELICITY UNCRUSHED I DO TOO SAID PETER HIMSELF SUDDENLY APPEARING THROUGH A LITTLE GAP IN THE HEDGE I SAY MY PRAYERS SOMETIMES THERE THE PINK AND GOLD VASES GRANDMOTHER KING GAVE HER SAID FELICITY AS AUNT OLIVIA UNWRAPPED FROM THEIR TISSUE PAPER SWATHINGS A PAIR OF SLENDER OLD FASHIONED TWISTED VASES OF PINK GLASS OVER WHICH LITTLE GREEN LEAVES WERE SCATTERED AREN'T THEY HANDSOME AND OH EXCLAIMED CECILY IN DELIGHT THERE'S THAT CHINA FRUIT BASKET WITH THE APPLE ON THE HANDLE DOESN'T IT LOOK REAL I'VE THOUGHT SO MUCH ABOUT IT OH MOTHER PLEASE LET ME HOLD IT FOR A MINUTE I'LL BE AS CAREFUL AS CAREFUL IT WAS A VISION TO DEVELOP SLOWLY INTO FULFILMENT GRANDFATHER KING WAS IN NO HURRY HE DID NOT SET HIS WHOLE ORCHARD OUT AT ONCE FOR HE WISHED IT TO GROW WITH HIS LIFE AND HISTORY AND BE BOUND UP WITH ALL OF GOOD AND JOY THAT SHOULD COME TO HIS HOUSEHOLD SO THE MORNING AFTER HE HAD BROUGHT HIS YOUNG WIFE HOME THEY WENT TOGETHER TO THE SOUTH MEADOW AND PLANTED THEIR BRIDAL TREES THESE TREES WERE NO LONGER LIVING BUT THEY HAD BEEN WHEN FATHER WAS A BOY AND EVERY SPRING BEDECKED THEMSELVES IN BLOSSOM AS DELICATELY TINTED AS ELIZABETH KING'S FACE WHEN SHE WALKED THROUGH THE OLD SOUTH MEADOW IN THE MORN OF HER LIFE AND LOVE BUT IT IS SURELY NOT TOO LATE EVEN NOW TO DO THIS FOR THE GIRL MUST STILL BE LIVING IN THE MUNCHKIN COUNTRY AND SINCE THIS STRANGE WANDERER HAS REMINDED ME OF NIMY ANNIE I BELIEVE IT IS MY DUTY TO SET OUT AND FIND HER SURELY IT IS NOT THE GIRL'S FAULT THAT I NO LONGER LOVE HER AND SO IF I CAN MAKE HER HAPPY IT IS PROPER THAT I SHOULD DO SO AND IN THIS WAY REWARD HER FOR HER FAITHFULNESS +ccb897f6-f1d3-4a62-a2c6-8def945f4aa2 WHAT WE MUST DO AND RIGHT NOW IS TO SETTLE UPON SOME MEANS OF GETTING TO THE PROPER SPOT AT THE PROPER TIME YOU MARKED A MOMENT OF YOUR DEPARTURE I SUPPOSE I'VE GOT A CONFIRMED CONTACT INSTANTLY STETSON WAS POISED ON THE BALLS OF HIS FEET ALERT WHERE CHARGING A WALK AROUND OXYGEN BOTTLE HE TRANSFERRED HIS OXYGEN HOSE TO IT HE SNAPPED THE SURVIVAL KID TO HIS BELT AND PICKED UP THE TELETOKEY THE SHIP WAS MORE THAN A THOUSAND YARDS AWAY THERE WAS A BOLTED AND GUARDED DOOR THAT LED INTO THE PYRAMID PROPER WHILE IT WAS BEING OPENED THE FIRST LIZARD TURNED TO ME UNDOUBTEDLY YOU KNOW THE RULE HE SAID BECAUSE THE OLD PRIEST DID PRY AND PEER IT WAS RULED HENCEFORTH THAT ONLY THE BLIND COULD ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES +ccc28b8f-ccda-490e-9af6-775061402990 WHEN THE WATER WAS CUT OFF WITH THE PILE IN OPERATION IT HAD STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THE AUTOMATIC SAFETIES HAD DUMPED THE CHARGE DOWN THE PIT AND THEY WANT YOU JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET YOUR EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING YOU KNOW THEN HE SAID HE WAS A HIGH PATH CHIEF I WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST OF YOU THERE MUST BE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFERENCE OF COURSE IF WE ONLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS IT WOULDN'T BE SO NICE IF THEY CAUGHT YOU AND TORTURED YOU AT THE STAKE SAID FELICITY +ccd9a871-6d1c-4b7f-8dde-2aa11e939212 THEN ALL PAIN AND WEARINESS FELL AWAY FROM HIM AND HE ROSE UP A GOD BEAUTIFUL WITH IMMORTALITY WHEN I'VE SETTLED WHAT I'M GOING TO BE I'M GOING TO CHURCH SAME AS YOU THAT'S NOT THE SAME AS BEING BORN SOMETHING SAID FELICITY LOFTILY I THINK IT'S A GOOD DEAL BETTER TO PICK YOUR OWN RELIGION THAN HAVE TO TAKE IT JUST BECAUSE IT WAS WHAT YOUR FOLKS HAD RETORTED PETER ALL EXCITED SHE TRIED TO SMILE AND ALMOST SUCCEEDED HOPE WAS GAME ALL THE WAY THROUGH WHAT AN ADVEN THIS WILL BE TO TALK ABOUT WHEN WE'RE OLD AND RHEUMATIC GORK KNOPE WAS A TALL MAN WITH SKIN OF THE COLOR AND APPARENT TEXTURE OF GOOD LEATHER HE HAD A FACE LIKE AN EAGLE AND HIS EYES WERE ICE BLUE +cd3d310b-9599-4c2b-99bf-3ab3fc6d5f35 ONLY THREE DAYS THAT IS NOTHING BUT THE PICTURE OF A CROSS OLD MAN THEN THE COMPANY PASSED THROUGH IT IN GREAT HASTE WINDS BLEW UP THE FIELDS LIKE WAVE UPON WAVE OF SWEET SAVOUR SPICE OF BRACKEN AND BALSAM ANYHOW I'M A PRESBYTERIAN AND I'M GLAD OF IT I THINK I OUGHT TO PREACH IT OVER AGAIN FOR YOU OF COURSE I NEVER SAID A WORD ABOUT HIS ALICE ROOM TO OUR EYES THE ODD THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT THERE WAS NO ENTRANCE ON THE GROUND FLOOR AS THERE SHOULD BE IN ANY RESPECTABLE HOUSE I SHALL TRY TO CULTIVATE PATIENCE PETER RECEIVED AN EXTRA SETTING DOWN WHICH HE CONSIDERED RANK INJUSTICE +cd79312e-5c3c-4382-8606-7c57891a5996 OCCUM'S RAZOR ALWAYS POINTS THE WAY SHE STAYED JUST LONG ENOUGH IN EACH POSITION TO SEE THAT THE BATTLESHIP PLAN MOVED FORWARD ONE MORE NOTCH AND FOR US GOD AND GODDESS HE AND PETER REMAINED ON BAD TERMS FOR SOME TIME HOWEVER NORN AND VALCURY ELF AND TROLL AND GREEN FOLK GENERALLY WERE REAL CREATURES ONCE AGAIN INHABITING THE ORCHARDS AND WOODS AND MEADOWS AROUND US UNTIL IT SEEMED AS IF THE GOLDEN AGE HAD RETURNED TO EARTH AND I WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND BRIGHT THAT I HAD NO NEED OF CLOTHING OZMA AND DOROTHY WERE BEST FRIENDS AND WERE MUCH TOGETHER FINALLY HE GOT SO ANGRY THAT HE TOLD HER TO SHUT UP DAN PROMPTLY DECLARED HE WOULDN'T TRY TO PREACH A SERMON BUT PETER FELIX AND I THOUGHT THE SUGGESTION A VERY GOOD ONE +cd7b1adb-27c3-42f8-8425-dcd00d60b53b UNIVERSAL SYMBOL OF PEACEFUL INTENTIONS EMPTY HANDS THE GUN MUZZLE LOWERED SLIGHTLY ORN CALLED INTO HIS MIND THE LANGUAGE THAT HAD BEEN HYPNO FORCED INTO HIM O CHIRO NO THAT MEANT THE PEOPLE ONE OF THE YOUNG BRAVES WAS NAMED A KATY HE WAS THE TALLEST AND BRAVEST AND HANDSOMEST YOUNG MAN IN THE TRIBE WHY IS IT THEY'RE ALWAYS SO HANDSOME IN STORIES ASKED ANNE WHY ARE THERE NEVER NO STORIES ABOUT UGLY PEOPLE AND WAITING WAS ALL I COULD DO OF COURSE THERE WERE SECONDARY TASK AS WAS ORDERING A NAVAL CRUISER FOR MY OWN USE AND DIGGING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE THIEVES BUT THESE WERE REALLY SECONDARY TO MY MAIN PURPOSE WHICH WAS WAITING FOR BAD NEWS EXACTLY I GLANCED DOWN AT MY WRIST WATCH AND NOTED WITH RELIEF THAT IT WAS STILL RUNNING +cd873389-549e-40fb-92c5-e2a19f62e5ea HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO DO THAT ASKED THE TIN WOODMAN IN AMAZEMENT AND WEAR A TIN CROWN ON HER HEAD THEY BOTH STARED GAPED AT ME CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND COMPLETELY UNPREPARED ACTING ON MY ORDERS THE SHIP DROPPED OUT OF WARP DRIVE SO OUR SIAMEN COULD GET THROUGH TO THE OTHER OPERATORS HE HAD BEEN LYING IN HIS LONELY AND HE ALSO GAVE UP PRAYING ABOUT IT SAYING IN BITTERNESS OF SPIRIT THAT THERE WAS NO USE IN PRAYING WHEN OTHER FELLOWS PRAYED AGAINST YOU OUT OF SPITE JUST THEN HE WANTED NOTHING SO MUCH AS TO SEE A WELL ARMED PATROL SHIP NOSING DOWN OUT OF THE COLLAXY IN SUNRISE +cdaf0703-0a8b-4bb1-9800-bf505618e5e8 THEN I SHALL BE THE WIFE OF THE KING OF THE WORLD AND NO ONE CAN HOLD HERSELF HIGHER THAN I FARMER CAME OUT OF A PHILOSOPHIC HAZE TO NOTICE SHE WAS LEAVING HE SAID HAY SHE LOOKED OVER HER SHOULDER FARMER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY BUT HE WANTED TO DELAY HER FINALLY HE POINTED TO THE NONIPUS AND SAID WHAT ABOUT THAT MONSTER YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE IT HERE YOU MIGHT PUT PEAS IN YOUR SHOES YOU KNOW SUGGESTED PETER THE VERY THING I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT I'LL GET SOME AFTER BREAKFAST I'M NOT GOING TO EAT A SINGLE THING ALL DAY EXCEPT BREAD AND WATER AND NOT MUCH OF THAT OUR OLD WORLD IS MATTER I'M MATTER AND YOU'RE MATTER WHY DON'T WE BUMP INTO THINGS +ce596753-a91b-4ad8-850b-404279d7a2eb I WANTED TO SEE THE PICTURE AS SOON AS YOU DID SHE WAS SO ANXIOUS TO REPENT OF SOMETHING SWEET GIRL AND THIS WAS ALL SHE COULD THINK OF UNIVERSAL SYMBOL OF PEACEFUL INTENTIONS EERY SINISTER LOOK WITH LARGE HEAD AND BIG FEATURES I KNEW THE GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE IDEA RIGHT AT THE GOLDEN AGE OF EMPIRE EXPANSION THE GIANT WAR LORD BATTLESHIPS IT'S REALLY TOO BAD WE CAN'T WORK THIS SORT OF THING AT A DISTANCE CLARETON'S VOICE SAID SUDDENLY BUT THEN NONE OF US HAS EVER MET THE MAN AND YOU CAN'T READ A MIND IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD SOME PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE MAN WHO OWNS IT +ce642ae9-28e8-478f-9c91-889f04cf58fd HIS PUBLIC PROFESSIONS WERE WELL KNOWN YONAS SEARCHED AND FOUND THE ANSWER KUNUF WAS AN HONEST MAN THAT OF COURSE MADE MATTERS SIMPLER NECESSARY KNUFF SAID LOOKING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME ONCE AROUND THE EMERALD CITY WE WILL TURN SOUTH INTO THE MUNCHKIN COUNTRY WHERE THE SCARECROW AND I ARE WELL ACQUAINTED AND HAVE MANY FRIENDS SHE DID NOT HOWEVER FORGET TO CARRY THE FORGET ME NOT JUG WITH HER ALL THINGS CONSIDERED HER DEPARTURE WAS A RELIEF SUCH A CONSTANTLY TEARFUL DAMSEL WAS NOT A PLEASANT COMPANION CECILY AND FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL DID NOT CRY THEY WERE MADE OF FINER FIRMER STUFF DRY EYED WITH SUCH COURAGE AS THEY MIGHT THEY FACED WHATEVER MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR THEM WELL WILL MONTAGUE FELL IN LOVE WITH RACHEL WARD AND SHE WAS WITH HIM AND IT WAS ALL ARRANGED THAT THEY WERE TO BE MARRIED FROM HERE IN THE SPRING POOR RACHEL WAS SO HAPPY THAT WINTER SHE MADE ALL HER WEDDING THINGS WITH HER OWN HANDS GIRLS DID THEN YOU KNOW FOR THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS A SEWING MACHINE +ce865474-b039-4453-86dd-7d95635cb9f9 THE SPACE YARD MANAGER WAS NAMED ROCKER AND HE WAS HAPPILY ASLEEP WHEN WE ARRIVED BUT NOT FOR LONG ANY EXTRA BAD MISCHIEF AS IN ALL HISTORY THE STORY GIRL SIGHED AND RESUMED HER WORK YOU'RE AS BIG AS YOU'RE GOING TO BE DECLARED THE KING UNTIL DOROTHY AND THE SCARECROW CAME ALONG AND RESCUED ME SLIPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND IN A HUDDLED FASHION AND BROKE INTO A VERY PASSION OF WEEPING FANCY CATCHING THEM FROM A HIRED BOY WHILE MARGARET HAD BEEN THINKING OF HIM AND LONGING FOR HIM +ce86d486-a7f3-479e-a079-935e43797f7b AND JUST IN THE TWILIGHT THEY RODE INTO A DARK VALLEY FILLED WITH TOMBS AND GRAVES FELICITY AND CECILIA WERE WEARING THEIR NEW SUMMER MUSLINS FOR THE FIRST TIME HE LEANED BACK WIPED HIS HANDS ON HIS HANDKERCHIEF AND GAVE ME LECTURE FORTY FOUR ON COMPANY DUTY AND MY TROUBLES AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY THE BRAIN WAS AS GOOD AS ANY OTHER ROBART BRAIN I HAVE KNOWN PLUS THE FACT THAT THE CHUNKY BODY WAS CRAMMED WITH DEVICES AND MACHINES OF VARYING USE BEFORE US THEY THINNED INTO NOTHINGNESS AS WE APPROACHED ONLY TO SWARM INTO BEING IN SOME OTHER SPOT +ce8f8bca-7d46-43d9-97d2-0208d22fc5c4 THE BRAIN WAS AS GOOD AS ANY OTHER ROBART BRAIN I HAVE KNOWN PLUS THE FACT THAT THE CHUNKY BODY WAS CRAMMED WITH DEVICES AND MACHINES OF VARYING USE IT CHUGGED SLOWLY ROUND THE ROOM MOVING MY BAGS AND LAYING OUT MY KIT AND ALL THE TIME FOLLOWING A CAREFUL ROOT THAT COVERED EVERY INCH OF THE SUITE WHEN IT HAD FINISHED IT STOPPED AND CALLED THE ALL CLEAR FELIX HAD A SIX SPELL SOON AFTER WE BEGAN OUR DREAM BOOKS AND AUNT JANET ESSAYED TO CURE HIM BY ADMINISTERING A DOSE OF LIVER PILLS WHICH ELDER FREWIN HAD ASSURED HER WERE A CURE ALL FOR EVERY DISEASE THE FLESH IS HEIR TO A TRAGEDY OF CHILDHOOD THE STORY GIRL WENT TO CHARLOTTETOWN FOR A WEEK IN JUNE TO VISIT AUNT LOUISA LIFE SEEMED VERY COLOURLESS WITHOUT HER AND EVEN FELICITY ADMITTED THAT IT WAS LONESOME NEGATIVE MIGHT HAVE THROWN A COMPRESSOR BLADE GOT A FIRE INDICATION THEN A COMPRESSOR SURGE CHOPPED OFF THE POWER +ce92460b-42fc-4ed4-a83c-7c7efc0e956e WE HAD NOT PASSED A VERY PLEASANT WEEK FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL HAD NOT BEEN SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE HAD BEEN SOMETHING ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK AN AIR OF RESTRAINT WAS OVER ALL OUR GAMES AND CONVERSATIONS ON THE PRECEDING MONDAY FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL HAD QUARRELLED OVER SOMETHING THERE IS A NIDUS JUST BACK OF A FLESHY PROCESS IN ITS THROAT CORRESPONDING TO YOUR OWN TONSILS WHICH PRODUCES A CRYSTAL MUCH AS YOUR TARRAN OYSTER SECRETES A PEARL IF POSSIBLE THE SMILE WAS STILL WIDER NOW I SHOULD HAVE SAID A DUPLICATE OF YOUR CONTRACT LIKE THIS ONE HERE HE MADE A QUICK NOTE ON HIS SECRETARY PLATE I HAVE DEDUCTED THIRTEEN CREDITS FROM YOUR SALARY FOR THE COST OF THE DUPLICATE AS WELL AS A ONE HUNDRED CREDIT FINE FOR FIRING A SOLAR INSIDE A BUILDING WE WERE WOEFULLY TIRED BUT WE COULD NOT SIT DOWN BECAUSE THE GRASS WAS REEKING WITH DEW THE FAMILY GHOST ONLY APPEARS IN DAYLIGHT SAID THE STORY GIRL +cef8d0c7-4795-434f-8b27-5ed2775ba6c7 MARGARET WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS A DREAM WITH SOFT BLUE EYES AND CLOUDS OF GOLDEN HAIR AND SHE LOVED ALLAN DUNBAR JUST AS MUCH AS HE LOVED HER BUT HER PARENTS WERE BITTERLY OPPOSED TO HIM AND THEY HAD FORBIDDEN MARGARET TO SEE HIM OR SPEAK TO HIM UNCLE ROGER UNLOCKED AND FLUNG OPEN THE FRONT DOOR AS HE DID SO CLEAR AND SWEET RANG OUT TEN BELL LIKE CHIMES THAT'S WHAT I HEARD CRIED PETER THERE'S THE BELL I AM VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH ALL CATS THEY ARE SO SLEEK AND COMFORTABLE AND DIGNIFIED AND IT IS SO EASY TO MAKE THEM HAPPY OH I'M SO GLAD YOU BOYS HAVE COME TO LIVE HERE NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE EXCEPT DAYS SO WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN GOOD TIMES AS SHE FINISHED HER CONVERSATION AND SWITCHED OFF THE TWO WAY RADIO HE TURNED TO HER +cf3aab87-f8bb-4158-98e3-ad90eba361ea WE MUST HAVE YOUR FRIEND'S HELP FINDING OUT WHERE THE ISLANDERS GOT THEIR CALM CRYSTALS HAD BECOME SUDDENLY UNIMPORTANT WAS THE OLD WHITEWASHED HOUSE THAT HE HAD INSPIRED US WITH SOME OF HIS OWN DEEP SEATED AFFECTION FOR IT THERE WAS ENOUGH GLAMOUR OF THE UNKNOWN ABOUT IT CHERANNA CRUSO IT'S FIVE DAYS FOR SURE THEN HARD RADIATION BUT DIGNITY REMAINED TO BE CONSIDERED WE WERE ONLY CHILDREN BE IT REMEMBERED WITH A VERY FIRM AND SIMPLE FAITH THAT GROWN PEOPLE KNEW MUCH MORE THAN WE DID AND A ROOTED CONVICTION THAT WHATEVER YOU READ IN A NEWSPAPER MUST BE TRUE +cf48ae64-df15-40a3-8bb6-800561864092 OUR OLD WORLD IS MATTER TRUE ENOUGH BUT FOR THE REST YOU'RE WRONG PETE OLD SON YOU'RE NOT MATTER ANY MORE YOU'RE SOMETHING ELSE IN TERMS OF OUR OWN BEING YOU DO NOT EXIST IN YOUR PRESENT FORM THIS WORLD DOES NOT EXIST TO SAY TO YOU REGARDING YOUR PLAN SHARP SAID SURELY YOU HAVE A PLAN AND IF I MAY PLAY ANY PART IN IT YOU'RE JUST BLINKED PLAN HE SAID I WANT IT FOR ONE OF MY WOOD NYMPHS SAID PAN AND I MUST HAVE IT HE ADVANCED THREATENINGLY BUT AGLEIA RAN AS HARD AS SHE COULD UP THE MOUNTAIN IF SHE COULD ONLY REACH GLECON SHE WOULD PROTECT HER PAN FOLLOWED HER CLATTERING AND BELLOWING TERRIBLY BUT IN A FEW MINUTES SHE RUSHED INTO GLAUCON'S ARMS THAT WAS AN UNCANNY EXHIBITION FOR A GIRL OF FOURTEEN YOU KNOW ROGER SAID AUNT OLIVIA MUSINGLY WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THAT CHILD +cf9e1662-5d3c-49e7-b7da-b226b7be903e THE IRRITATION DISTRACTS THE SCOOPS FROM THEIR MEDITATIONS THEY ARE A PHILOSOPHICAL SPECIES THOUGH NOTCHANICALLY PROGRESSIVE AND PROMPTS THEM TO BARTER THEIR STRENGTH FOR A TIME TO BE RID OF IT BUT IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT SAID PETER MISERABLY I CAN'T TURN INTO A CHRISTIAN BETWEEN THIS AND TWO O'CLOCK TO MORROW I'LL JUST HAVE TO BE SATISFIED WITH MAKING UP MY MIND TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST I WANTED TO WAIT TILL I GOT OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE OUT WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM BUT I'LL HAVE TO CHANCE IT NOW JAMES CLARK WHOSE PEW WAS BEHIND OURS NEVER TOOK HER EYE OFF OF IT OR SO FELICITY AVERRED IT SOUNDS TOO MUCH LIKE SWEARING THEN I KNOW ANOTHER STORY ABOUT MISTER SCOTT SAID THE STORY GIRL THAT ANSWERED THE SOLDIER IS A SAD SAD STORY I WAS IN LOVE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL MUNCHKIN GIRL WHO LIVED WITH A WICKED WITCH THE WITCH DID NOT WISH ME TO MARRY THE GIRL SO SHE ENCHANTED MY SWORD WHICH BEGAN HACKING ME TO PIECES +cface510-98bd-4d52-ba02-c1354cda984f THE RESULT WAS A DETERMINED RIVALRY AS TO WHICH PUPIL SHOULD COLLECT THE LARGEST SUM AND THIS RIVALRY WAS ESPECIALLY INTENSE IN OUR HOME COTERIE DO YOU KNOW FOR JUST A LITTLE WHILE I FELT EXACTLY LIKE A SNAKE YOU LOOK LIKE ONE SAID UNCLE ROGER HOW ON EARTH DO YOU DO IT I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW I DO IT SAID THE STORY GIRL PERPLEXEDLY IT JUST DOES ITSELF THE STORY GIRL TOLD US THE MYTHS AND LEGENDS WOVEN AROUND THESE IMMEMORIAL CLUSTERS HER VERY VOICE TAKING ON A CLEAR REMOTE STARRY SOUND AS SHE TALKED OF THEM SOME ONE WHO OPERATED THE WAY I HAD DONE BEFORE MY CONVERSION NOW THAT THE ROAD WAS WELL OUT OF THE BAG I KNEW JUST WHERE TO LOOK AND HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT I WOULD FIND ROCKER THE SPACE YARD MANAGER HAD STAGGERED BACK AND WAS PULLING AT HIS HAIR CURSING AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME +cfb21a0c-3005-45fe-b333-dea7ed8c122d THE PLANET WAS A WATER WORLD BARE OF CONTINENTS AND ONLY SPARSELY SPRINKLED WITH MINOR ARCHIPELAGOES THE ISLAND SUITED THE CHAFFEE'S PURPOSE ADMIRABLY THE ZID DOES NOT SWIM CHAFFEE FOUR RADIATED MAROONED IT CAN DO NO HARM TO MARINE INTELLIGENCES I STEPPED THROUGH GUN OUT AND POINTED AT THE BACK OF HIS HEAD ANGELINA STOOD NEXT HIM LOOKING AT THE SCREEN THE GAME'S OVER I SAID STAND UP SLOWLY AND KEEP YOUR HANDS IN SIGHT SHE DREW HER ARROW TO HER EYE ALAS SHE KNEW THE ART ONLY TOO WELL AND TOOK CAREFUL AIM THE NEXT MOMENT A KATY FELL DEAD WITH HER ARROW IN HIS HEART AUNT OLIVIA SPOILS YOU SAID FELICITY SHE DOESN'T EITHER FELICITY KING AUNT OLIVIA IS JUST SWEET SHE KISSES ME GOOD NIGHT EVERY NIGHT AND YOUR MOTHER NEVER KISSES YOU MY MOTHER DOESN'T MAKE KISSES SO COMMON RETORTED FELICITY BUT SHE GIVES US PIE FOR DINNER EVERY DAY +cfc26f25-0b5a-4402-9e9d-9628024e4122 AUNT OLIVIA SAYS THAT WHEN YOU GO ARE GOING TO HAVE ANY IMPORTANT INTERVIEW WITH A MAN YOU OUGHT TO LOOK YOUR VERY BEST SAID THE STREET STORY GIRL GIVING HER SKIRT A LUSTROUS SWIRL AND ENJOYING THE EFFECT BUT TELL ME PLEASE WHAT IS A TIN OWL GOOD FOR AND CRIED OUT IN ALARM I KNOW THIS COUNTRY PRETTY WELL HAVING BEEN MADE HERE BY A MUNCHKIN FARMER DEW GLITTERING WEB WINKING DOTS OF LIGHT ONLY WITH BLUE FUR HE MADE A QUICK NOTE ON HIS SECRETARY PLATE USING THE MOTION TO COVER MY FLICKING A COIN GRENADE TOWARD THEM AS WELL AS A ONE HUNDRED CREDIT FINE FOR FIRING A SOLAR INSIDE A BUILDING +cfcdb106-9594-4b2a-b8a8-9de1d588acae INDEED THE SUMMER WAS ALMOST OVER BEFORE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER HOW MUCH YOU SUPPOSE WE'D HAVE I LOOKED BACK AT PEPPET NOT WANTING TO HAVE MY EYES OFF HIM FOR AN INSTANT SEND IT BY SIAM ONLY THIS WAS MORE THAN HE HAD EXPECTED AUNT OLIVIA'S SKIM MILK IS AS GOOD AS YOUR MOTHER'S CREAM CRIED THE STORY GIRL HOTLY AND SHE'D RATHER BE CALLED THE STORY GIRL IS YOUR UNCCLE ROGER'S HANDY BOY DEAR LITTLE SOUL I +cfd47fca-44b3-4e09-85f7-a8166a6e7329 A WING UNTOUCHED BY THE FIRE WAS LEANING TIP DOWN AGAINST THE EDGE OF ANOTHER LAVA SHEET SOME DISTANCE AWAY HE SAT DOWN ANOTHER FLARE FLASHED IN THE SKY BEHIND HIM SILHOUETTING A ROW OF GROTESQUE TREES COME OVER HERE YOU FOOLS HE THOUGHT WHILE THERE'S LIFE THERE'S HOPE YOU KNOW SAID FELIX WE SHOULDN'T CROSS BRIDGES TILL WE COME TO THEM THOSE ARE ONLY PROVERBS SAID THE STORY GIRL BITTERLY PROVERBS ARE ALL VERY FINE WHEN THERE'S NOTHING TO WORRY YOU BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN REAL TROUBLE THEY'RE NOT A BIT OF HELP BUT IN SPITE OF HIS BOLD WORDS DONALD'S HEART WAS THUMPING AS HE DROVE INTO THE SHERMAN YARD NANCY WAS THERE MILKING A COW BY THE STABLE DOOR BUT SHE STOOD UP WHEN SHE SAW DONALD COMING HE WAS VERY GENTLE WITH THE WRIST HE DIDN'T WANT TO HURT HER HE WAS WONDERING ALREADY IN FACT WHAT HAD MADE HIM GET SO ROUGH AT ALL +cfda95dc-0bba-49cd-9f61-be6163bd88d3 DO YOU THINK THAT WILL STOP ME YONAH SAID YOND PEERED INTO THE MIND AGAIN VERY GENTLY BUT THE MAD ROLLING OF PAIN AND MEMORY THERE WAS TOO STRONG FOR HIM AND HE RETURNED FARMER THOUGHT DESPERATELY AGAIN THAT HE COULD SWIM LITTLE RAY WAS ON HIS FEET BUT NOT SUCCEEDING AT ALL I DREAMED LAST NIGHT THAT I THREW A LIGHTED MATCH INTO THAT KEG OF GUNPOWDER IN MISTER COOK'S STORE AT MARKDALE SAID PETER I WAS STILL TEASED AS I HAD NO IDEA WHAT A SHIP THIS LARGE COULD BE USED FOR SPACE YACHT FILLED WITH LUXURIES TO LAST A HUNDRED YEARS +cfec4c8d-9033-43e0-91ae-d5cf15b099c9 NEIL HADN'T BEEN COURTING NANCY VERY LONG AND DONALD NEVER DREAMED HE WOULD PROPOSE TO HER QUITE SO SOON THIS WAS STILL THE JOB FOR THE CORPS FOR A SECOND I THOUGHT THE ROBOD HAD EXPLODED I ASKED THROWING IT ACROSS THE TABLE TO HIM LIKE A BURNED OUT RESISTER OR A SHORTED CONDENSER HE SAID GRINNING UNDER HIS OXYGEN MASK BUT NOT MANY LAY MEN REMEMBER THREE THE PRIESTS SHOULD BE SATISFIED THE DEPARTMENT IS OFFICIALLY CALLED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WHEN IT REALLY SHOULD BE CALLED TROUBLE SHOOTING +cff57b79-3c3d-41c7-ad02-c5d48787e5ba FOR WE KNEW THAT THIS MUST BE THE STORY GIRL AND IN THAT GAY AND GRACEFUL GESTURE WAS AN ALLUREMENT NOT TO BE GAINSAID OR DENIED SHE LIFTED HER HAND AND BECKONED BLITHELY TO US AND THE STORY GIRL SPRANG TO HER FEET AND FOR A MOMENT WE SAW THE PROUD PRINCESS OF THE OLD TALE IN ALL HER SCORNFUL LOVELINESS THE DOOR HE ESTIMATED MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT HOLD FOR TWO MINUTES MORE NOTHING BEYOND THE FACT THAT THE ISLANDERS DON'T TALK ABOUT THEM JEFF SAID THE TREE GRANDFATHER KING HAD PLANTED WHEN HE RETURNED ONE EVENING FROM PLOUGHING IN THE BROOK FIELD AND SHOT AN UNSISTERLY GLANCE AT DAN I +cff7bd32-7a32-4b21-acaf-c0c285f74a2f RAY JUMPED NOT VERY FAR BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY DIVING SUIT STUMBLED ON ODDLY TWISTED LEGS AND COLLAPSED ON THE DECK WRITHING MOANING AND TURNING RED IN THE FACE THE DIVING HELMET CLATTERED ON THE PLANKS AMEN CRIED FELIX WHO HAD SUFFERED MANY THINGS BECAUSE FELICITY SO OFTEN MADE FACES AT HIM WHEN HE FLEW TO THE BACK OF A CHAIR AND PERCHED UPON IT HIS TIN FEATHERS RATTLED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER WITH A TINY CLATTER THE GIANTESS SEEMED MUCH AMUSED BY THE TIN OWL'S APPEARANCE FOR HER LAUGH WAS BIG AND JOLLY BEEN ON THIS PLANET FOR NEARLY A YEAR THE FIRST MAN SAID GOD BENT ON DOZENS OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE MILKY WAY ONE SHIP WHEN A THOUSAND LIGHT YEARS OUT BY THE TIME THEY COME BACK CIVILIZATION ON EARTH WILL BE TWO THOUSAND YEARS OLDER +d0331959-9905-451d-bdb9-aacbd7a51746 IT'S LUCKY THERE IS ENOUGH OLD BREAD TO DO TO DAY THIS WILL GO TO THE HENS BUT IT'S AN AWFUL WASTE OF GOOD FLOUR THE STORY GIRL CREPT OUT WITH FELIX AND ME TO THE MORNING ORCHARD WHILE DAN AND PETER WENT TO DO THE BARN WORK FOR WOOT WAS NOT VERY BIG AND NOT VERY OLD WANDERER THOUGH HE WAS THIS PROVED THE MOST GORGEOUS SIGHT THAT HAD EVER MET HIS BOYISH GAZE WHO LIVES HERE HE ASKED WE APOLOGIZED AND PROMISED TO BEHAVE BETTER SHE WENT ON APPEASED A KATY WAS ALL THESE THINGS THAT I HAVE MENTIONED AND HE WAS THE BEST HUNTER IN THE TRIBE BESIDES NEVER AN ARROW OF HIS THAT DID NOT GO STRAIGHT TO THE MARK SHOULD YOU BE POINTING LIKE THAT I ASKED THE ROBART MIGHT MAKE PEOPLE SUSPICIOUS YOU KNOW IMPOSSIBLE SAID THE ROBART WITH MECHANICAL SURETY I BRUSHED AGAINST IT AND IT IS NOW UNSERVICEABLE +d09b88a4-2b84-4750-9a95-62a95ff44f51 SARAY'S MOTHER HAS NO TASTE BUT NOW THAT IT IS OVER I BELIEVE I AM SORRY THAT IT IS OPEN IT ISN'T MYSTERIOUS ANY LONGER DON'T LET ME HEAR ANY MORE OF YOUR AMENDS OR I'LL AMEN YOU SHE HAD PUT AWAY IN THE PANTRY SPECIALLY FOR HIM LOOK HERE DAN I EXPOSTULATED SHE HAS A COLD AND A SORE THROAT AND SHE'S FEVERISH I KNEW FELICITY WOULD GET IT OUT OF HIM SOMETIME SHE SAID I THINK HE HAS DONE WELL TO HOLD OUT THIS LONG YOU MUSTN'T THINK ABOUT IT THOUGH WARNED THE BIRD FOR SHE CAN READ YOUR THOUGHTS WHENEVER SHE CARES TO DO SO YOU DO NOT FORGET BEFORE YOU ESCAPE WE HAVE NINE ANSWERED THE PROFESSOR FOR THEY DO NOT LIVE WITH US +d0bc05fc-4d65-46bb-9e64-46a029dae412 IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU'RE MARRIED TOO SAID CECILY GRAVELY SEEING THAT FELICITY DISDAINED REPLY IF YOU GOT A MAN LIKE FATHER IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT BUT SUPPOSING YOU GOT ONE LIKE ANDREW WARD POOR DAN SAID CECILY COMPASSIONATELY HE'S THERE ALL ALONE IN HIS ROOM MISSING ALL THE FUN I SUPPOSE IT'S MEAN OF US TO BE HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME HERE WHEN HE HAS TO STAY IN BED ALL I HAD ELEVEN YEARS AGO WAS A RHINOCEROS AND THAT'S NOT A FULL MEAL AT ALL GRUMBLED THE YOUNG ONE AND BEFORE THAT I HAD WEIGHED SIXTY TWO YEARS TO BE FED SO IT'S NO WONDER I'M HUNGRY PUFFING ON IT STARING AT THE SMOOTH BULKHEAD RELAXED ME A BIT AFTER ALL THERE AREN'T THAT MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A BATTLESHIP +d0cc83c8-942e-42ba-8fa4-e6dd08b80089 IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO PETER AND YOU ARE LET'S SEE HIM BEFORE IT HAPPENS DISAPPOINTMENT AND SOMETHING WORSE NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING ELSE MY BOY VERY MUCH AWARE OF GRAVITY AFTER YEARS OF WEIGHTLESSNESS HE WALKED TO THE CANOPY OF THE CHUTE AND SPREAD IT OUT ON THE FLAT GROUND IN A FULL CIRCLE BUT THERE'S NO GAMBLE WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT HE THOUGHT THE MYSTERY WAS SOLVED WHEN CECILY CAME TO HIM ONE DAY AND TOLD HIM THAT PETER WAS PRAYING AGAINST HIM APPARENTLY THE LOCAL LIZARDS HAD BEEN LIVING IN THE SWAMPS WHEN THE BEACON WAS BUILT BUT THE BUILDERS DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THEM +d1136b9c-b949-4fb5-8285-de04a9834332 THE SHIP HE THOUGHT ASTRO MAY ALREADY BE HOVERING OVER IT PSHAW I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY FEAR OF IT BEING THE LAST DAY SAID DAN BEGINNING A WHISTLE OUT OF SHEER BRAVADO WELL DON'T WHISTLE ON SUNDAY ANYHOW SAID FELICITY SEVERELY BUT FELICITY WOULD NOT WALK WITH A BAREFOOTED COMPANION IT WAS DARK NOW SO NOBODY WOULD NOTICE HIS FEET I KNOW A STORY ABOUT THE MILKY WAY SAID THE STORY GIRL BRIGHTENING UP WE HAD EARNED OUR CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE SWEAT OF OUR BROW OR BY THE SCARCELY LESS DISAGREEABLE METHOD OF BEGGING AND SARA'S HAD AS GOOD AS DESCENDED UPON HER OUT OF THE SKIES AS MUCH LIKE A MIRACLE AS ANYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE +d120202d-8d0c-4bb2-93dd-ba8fe5671d8c FERERO'S TURNED FACE WENT A DIRTY GREY AT MY WORDS I PRESSED THE ADVANTAGE UNDOUBTEDLY THEY HAD STARTED THE PROGRAM FOR THE GIANT TRANSPORT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE CHECKED LATER BUT AT TIMES THEY WERE SILENT FOR THESE THINGS HAD BEEN TALKED OVER MANY TIMES BETWEEN THEM IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE OF THIS LET ME TRY ANOTHER PLACE A L I E N ACCORDING TO OUR BEST GUESS THESE GOONS PROBABLY HAVE THE DELPHINEST WHAT ARE YOU TO DO WHEN A COW WON'T STAND STRAIGHT SPLUTTERED FELIX ANGRILY AUNT JANET AND AUNT OLIVIA TOOK EVERYTHING OUT AND LAID IT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE +d142a2e9-f657-4124-9b3b-cb30ea8c355c THEY COULD NEVER BE COAXED TO GROW ELSEWHERE BUT IT WAS LONG AGO AND WE CAN'T DO ANY GOOD BY CRYING OVER IT NOW HE'S IN THE HOUSE THIS VERY MINUTE HE CAME UP WITH US IN THE BUGGY JEFF HAD CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITY BUT ITS IMMEDIACY APPALLED HIM JEFF BACKED AWAY WARILY WELL I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY IT WAS NOT AN EASY MATTER BUT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO SIT IN A PEW WITH A HIRED BOY AND IT WAS PUBLISHED IN ONE OF HIS BOOKS I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN DAN IS THE POET BECAUSE HE IS SO FRECKLED AND SCREWS HIS EYES UP SO TIGHT +d15220ba-7eae-43e4-b6af-967ef192c2c5 THAT WE SHOULD MAKE UNCLE ROGER A COURT OF LAST RESORT INDICATED ALL TOO CLEARLY THE STATE OF OUR MINDS NOW IF THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN DON'T KNOW IT DO YOU SUPPOSE THE EDITOR OF THE ENTERPRISE CAN KNOW IT AND HIM A GRIP TOO BLESS YOUR GRAY HEART PADDY YOU'RE A GOOD SORT OF OLD RASCAL AND PAT WOULD PURR HIS SATISFACTION I USED TO TAKE A HANDFUL OF THE SKIN ON HIS BACK SHAKE HIM GENTLY AND SAY THE E I OPERATOR SHOOK HIS HEAD DOUBTFULLY THE SIMIANS CAUGHT HIS MENTAL IMAGE OF THE LANDING AND INTERVENED WHILE COMMON GROUND OFFERED I SHOULD HAVE SAID A DUPLICATE OF YOUR CONTRACT LIKE THIS ONE HERE IT CAUSED MUTATIONS THAT BRED TRUE +d1a0e3d3-768e-435e-aa25-13313de716c7 ONCE WHEN SARAH WAS IN A BROWN STUDY I ASKED HER WHAT SHE WAS THINKING OF I'M TRYING TO THINK OF SOMETHING MA HASN'T FORBID SHE ANSWERED WITH A SIGH PROBABLY HE TOLD HIMSELF TRYING TO BE FAIR SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ONE TO TALK TO UNTIL A STRANGER CAME ALONG HE SIGHED BRIEFLY IN THE CASE OF TISSUE REGENERATION OR THE CHANGE TOOK PLACE SO RAPIDLY IN JUST A GENERATION OR SO THAT INSTINCTIVE FEAR IS EVEN MORE UNDERSTANDABLE ALTHOUGH QUITE AS UNJUSTIFIED I ASSURE YOU THE DOCTOR STOOD UP INDICATING THAT THE SESSION WAS ENDING BUT IT WAS OVER TWO HOURS SINCE WE HAD EATEN THE COOKIES AND FELICITY SUGGESTED THAT A SAUCERFUL APIECE OF RASPBERRIES AND CREAM WOULD NOT BE TOO HARD TO TAKE IT WAS NOT FOR ANY ONE BUT CECILY WHO COULDN'T SWALLOW A MOUTHFUL +d1c51064-6fe0-4e16-8379-7c5237cb46d0 IF WE HAD EATEN LITTLE AT BREAKFAST WE COULD EAT STILL LESS AT DINNER AFTER DINNER THE CLOUDS ROLLED AWAY AND THE SUN CAME JOYOUSLY AND GLORIOUSLY OUT THIS WE THOUGHT WAS A GOOD OMEN FELICITY OPINED THAT IT WOULDN'T HAVE CLEARED UP IF IT WAS THE JUDGMENT DAY NEVERTHELESS WE DRESSED OURSELVES CAREFULLY AND THE GIRLS PUT ON THEIR WHITE DRESSES AND PERHAPS SHE IS STILL CRYING HER POOR LITTLE HEART OUT BECAUSE NO TIN MAN COMES TO MARRY HER SUGGESTED POLYCHROME THEY WENT AWAY TOGETHER HAND IN HAND CHILDREN WISE UP THE LANE OF SPRUCES CROSSED WITH BARS OF MOONLIGHT AND THERE WAS PEACE OVER ALL THAT FRESH AND FLOWERY LAND AND PEACE IN OUR LITTLE HEARTS RAY HELD UP A HAND PURELY FOR DRAMA SINCE THERE WAS SILENCE ALREADY THIS IS A GREAT MOMENT IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY HE SAID +d1d7133c-1721-4af2-9b9a-1e07728baea8 THERE WAS NO ARMOR OR WARNING DEVICES AT THIS SPOT IT HAD BEEN CHOSEN CAREFULLY FROM THE BLUE PRINTS WHATEVER ELSE HE'S AFTER HE IS GOING TO TAKE ALL THE MAGAZINES AND PAPERS HE CAN FIND PARTLY TO SATISFY HIS OWN EGO BUT MOSTLY TO KEEP TRACK OF THINGS HE'S INTERESTED IN ORNE FOUGHT DOWN A SUDDEN PANIC THE LIPLESS MOUTH HAD LOOKED SO ODD FORMING THE FAMILIAR WORDS STETSON'S VOICE HISSED IS THAT THE NATIVE SPEAKING GALLIC TEESE HORN TOUCHED HIS THROAT YOU HEARD HIM MER CAUGHT HIMSELF NODDING AND BLAMED THE BOAT'S MOTION HE SHIFTED UNEASILY ON THE BUILT IN SEAT AND GOT A SPLINTER IN A VITAL SPOT HE FROWNED RAY WAS BENDING OVER HIS MACHINE MAKING MOTIONS DESIGNED TO IMPRESS AS WELL AS TO MAKE IT WORK THERE WAS INTEREST IN HIS MIND OVERLAID WITH SKEPTICISM OF COURSE BUT INTEREST ALL THE SAME THAT UNUS THOUGHT WAS A BETTER SIGN THAN HE HAD EVER DARED HOPE FOR VERY WELL HE SAID THINK OF A WORD THINK OF ANY SINGLE WORD I SHALL TELL IT TO YOU +d1f832ea-a64e-44d1-b647-4146689fc4f6 THERE'S LOTS OF FOLKS CAN MAKE BREAD BUT THERE ISN'T MANY WHO CAN TELL A STORY LIKE YOU BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE USEFUL THAN JUST INTERESTING SAID THE STORY GIRL BITTERLY AND FELICITY WHO WAS USEFUL WOULD IN HER SECRET SOUL HAVE GIVEN ANYTHING TO BE INTERESTING MY AUNT JANE WOULDN'T HAVE A BOOK THAT WASN'T GOOD RETORTED PETER SULKILY HE REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE SUBJECT FURTHER SOMEWHAT TO OUR DISAPPOINTMENT NOW WHEN THE OTHER ARCHANGELS SAW WHAT HAD BEEN DONE THEY FLEW IN FEAR AND ANGER TO GOD'S WHITE THRONE AND CRIED TO HIM SEE WHAT THESE REBELLIOUS ONES HAVE DONE THEY HAVE BUILT THEM A BRIDGE OF LIGHT ACROSS THE UNIVERSE AND SET THY DECREE OF SEPARATION AT NAUGHT WE SAT THERE AND TALKED UNTIL THE FIRST STAR LIGHTED A WHITE TAPER OVER THE BEACH HILL THEN I REMEMBERED I HAD FORGOTTEN TO TAKE MY DOSE OF MAGIC SEED AND I HASTENED TO DO IT ALTHOUGH I WAS BEGINNING TO LOSE FAITH IN IT +d249afed-4e71-45f7-8889-e7bb357f5d6f ONE OF THE CLERKS ASKED I SHALL DO NOTHING I TOLD HIM WITH THE SNAP PRECISION OF AN OLD SPACE DOG THE LEAGUE FLEET IS ALREADY CLOSING IN ON THE RENEGADES AND YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF THE CAPTURE THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE HE SWORE AND STARTED TO CHECK THE WIRING MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG INSIDE THE DINGUS ITSELF JOHN ANDREWS SUGGESTED TENTATIVELY THE COMPARISON IT FORCED BETWEEN COLLAXIA AND EARTH WHOSE YAWNING FORTH WORE SCARS AND HERITAGE OF ANXIETIES MADE CALM CRYSTAL SO DESPERATELY NECESSARY OPPRESSED HIM COLLAXIA WAS WHOLLY UNSCARED HER PEOPLE WITHOUT NEED OF THE CALM CRYSTALS THEY TRADED THEN TURN THE SECOND DIAL UNTIL THE TWO RED LINES COINCIDE AND AS YOU DO SO MARK THE TIME +d28cc9f8-caaa-419d-a83f-25a7194b526b AND WE UNDERSTOOD HIS MOUTH WAS HIS OWN HOWEVER AND FEELING CHEAP AND EMBARRASSED BUT I WANT YOU TO LIKE ME TOO AS WELL AS YOU LIKE FELICITY AND CECILY NOT BETTER AND SHE HAD ALSO PLACED HER LEFT HAND FIRMLY UPON THE SHOULDER OF THE GREEN MONKEY AND NEVER GREW UP THERE'S NO USE BEING NAUGHTY IF YOU SPOIL YOUR FUN BY WISHING ALL THE TIME YOU ARE GOOD IN WHICH NOBLE AMBITION HE SUCCEEDED PERFECTLY I +d2eb6138-bd32-4ce9-8e49-fe165d3900b0 CRIED FELICITY AND CECILY TOGETHER IN A CHORUS OF HORROR I WON'T HAVE TIME TO READ IT ALL THROUGH I SUPPOSE HE SAID BUT I'LL GET ALONG AS FAR AS I CAN SPOTTED WITH HEAPS OF WHITE CLOUD CALLING TO FARMER TO BE READY TO TAKE HER BURDEN ABOARD I THINK YOU'LL TURN OUT O K BUT NOT EVERYBODY AGREES BEING HERE WHEN I RETURN FROM TOWN AFTER MAILING THE LETTER TO YOU SIR IT WAS HER DANGER AND NOT HIS OWN THAT HAD BROUGHT THAT HAGGARD PALLOR TO HIS FACE IN SO SHORT A TIME JUST MADE CONTACT WITH THE MOB A THIN BLACK INSECT WITH SHELL LIKE WINGS FLEW IN ORAN'S PORT +d2f9489b-4270-463e-a1d0-cddc440fd013 DEAR ME SAID THE TIN WOODMAN STARING HARD IT SEEMS AS IF I HAD MET YOU SOMEWHERE BEFORE GOOD MORNING SIR YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF ME REPLIED THE HEAD I NEVER SAW YOU BEFORE IN MY LIFE AND WHAT WAS A QUEST WITHOUT SOMEONE TO SET IT BUT THAT SOME ONE HAD TO BE CLARETON WITH HIS CAUTION AND HIS OLD WOMAN WORRY YONAH SIGHED AND SET ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF FALLING TO SLEEP THE DAYS PASSED SLOWLY WITH GREAT BOREDOM UNCLE ROGER'S LAUGHTER WAS HARD TO BEAR BUT HIS GRAVITY WAS EVEN HARDER MEANWHILE IN THE PANTRY THE STORY GIRL APRON AND SHROUDED WAS BEING INITIATED INTO THE MYSTERIES OF BREAD MAKING UNDER FELICITY'S EYES SHE SET THE BREAD AND ON THE MORROW SHE WAS TO BAKE IT I WISH GIRLS HAD SOME SENSE SAID DAN WHICH BROUGHT THE ORGY OF WISHING TO AN END FOR THE TIME +d300148e-2c5d-4221-ad3d-d8e5a0f97ebe VERY WELL THEN YOU MAY KEEP YOUR HEAD SAID THE BEAST THEY HALTED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD AND ALLOWED WOOT TO GET HIS SUPPER FROM THE BOOT HE CARRIED IN HIS KNAPSACK ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF UNCLE ALEC WE REALIZED THAT SHE WAS RATHER TOO WELL AWARE OF HER GOOD LOOKS HE WAS ROCKING HIMSELF BACK AND FORTH WITH HIS HAND PRESSED AGAINST HIS STOMACH THE PUDDING DID NOT TASTE EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR WHAT WE WANT OF THAT I'M SURE I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE WOULD SAY HE RETORTED IT WAS QUITE DARK IN THE FIR WOOD WE COULD SEE HER FACE AND EYES BUT DIMLY THROUGH THE GLOOM A +d33367de-3cad-4498-919e-c93c6a2e1d97 AND I DO NOT THINK ANYTHING WAS EVER WRITTEN DOWN IN THOSE DREAM BOOKS WHICH HAD NOT REALLY BEEN DREAMED WHERE WE SAT ON THOSE SEPTEMBER EVENINGS MI IS GOING TO GET ME A NEW BROWN DRESS FOR THE WINTER AFTER THE SHOWER THERE WAS A MAGNIFICENT DOUBLE RAINBOW SAID THE STORY GIRL SETTLING HERSELF COMFORTABLY ON A BOUGH WITH HER BROWN HEAD AGAINST A GNARLED TRUNK INSTEAD I FACED THE CROWD AS I SOARED AWAY SO I MADE THE MOST OF A BAD SITUATION AND THREW THEM A SNAPPY MILITARY SALUTE DO SAID THE STORY GIRL SAGELY IT WOULDN'T DO SAID FELICITY DECIDEDLY YOU COULD SEE THROUGH IT +d3389a9b-acfe-4852-8795-58671c857438 THE NEXT TIME WE MET THINGS WERE GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT EVEN BEFORE I HAD ALL THE ANSWERS I BEGAN TO GET THE DRIFT OF THINGS FINALLY RAY SHUT OFF THE RACKETING ENGINE AND LET THE RUSTY ANCHOR THE OVERALL EFFECT WAS ODDLY BEAUTIFUL OUT THE CANDLE MUST GO AND WE LAY THERE QUAKING WITH THE WILD RAIN STREAMING DOWN ON THE ROOF ABOVE US AND THE VOICES OF THE STORM WAILING THROUGH THE WRITHING SPRUCE TREES AUNT OLIVIA HAD A LETTER TO DAY FROM A FRIEND IN NOVA SCOTIA WHO LIVES IN SCHUBIN O KATY WHEN I SAID I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUNNY NAME SHE TOLD ME TO GO AND LOOK IN HER SCRAP BOOK AND I WOULD FIND A STORY ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME +d384634c-64b0-4007-a73d-d5a1e62e4866 IT STILL MADE SENSE HE ADDED A DECISION TO GET THE BOAT BACK TO SHORE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE HE APPROACHED THE ENGINE AS HE DID SO THE ENGINE MELTED INTO A SOLID IRREGULAR LUMP OF METAL IF SARA RAY HAD REALLY ENJOYED THE SHOW I WOULDN'T MIND BUT SHE DIDN'T I COULD SEE THAT SO I'VE DONE WRONG AND MADE HER DO WRONG AND THERE'S NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT GALACTIC ADJUSTMENT WILL EXTEND AID TO BOTH CALAXIA AND TERRA FURNISHING SUBSTITUTES FOR THE CRYSTALS YOU DEAL IN THERE WILL BE NO LOSS TO EITHER FACTION I UNSIPPED THE FRONT OF MY CAMELFLAGE SUIT AND PULLED OUT THE BLUE PRINTS WITH THE FAITHFUL PRIEST STUMBLING AROUND ME I LOCATED THE CONTROL ROOM AND TURNED ON THE LIGHTS THERE WAS A RESIDUE OF CHARGE IN THE EMERGENCY BATTERIES JUST ENOUGH TO GIVE A DIM LIGHT +d3c1613a-df08-40fd-9550-19eff3823251 PETER DAN FELIX CECILY FELICITY SARA RAY THE STORY GIRL WE HAD THE KITCHEN DISHES AND THE TABLE WAS GAYLY DECORATED WITH CECILY'S THREE SCARLET GERANIUMS AND MAPLE LEAVES AND CHERRY VASES AND TO NUBES AND HIMSELF THAT THE DELPHINEUS WAS HIDDEN HOW LONG BEFORE A TOOL USING RACE COULD BE A THREAT TO THE GALAXY THE MINISTER'S WORDS HAD REMOVED FROM OUR MINDS THE BITTER BELIEF THAT GOD WAS LIKE THAT PICTURE BUT MISSUS RAY WAS INEXORABLE AND CICELY HAD TO CONTENT HERSELF BY SENDING LONG VERBAL MESSAGES WITH A JUDY PILLOW +d3d96086-98af-4f00-87ab-44a7615ad2f2 I'M AFRAID I DID VERY WRONG TO COME AGAINST MAR'S WILL SHE SAID MISERABLY BUT I COULDN'T WAIT I DON'T WANT TO CATCH THE MEASLES FROM PETER SAID FELICITY DECIDEDLY FANCY CATCHING THEM FROM A HIRED BOY AH THERE WERE FINE LACE CURTAINS AT THE WINDOWS AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURES ON THE WALLS I WAS TO PEEL THE TURNIPS BUT RAY MADE NO BONES ABOUT HIM YOU CAN JUMP IN EITHER DIRECTION OR TAKING THE BIG STEP INTO SPACE YOUR CARD POPPED OUT IF YOU'RE NOT OUT IN FIVE DAYS WE BLAST CYERANNA CRUSOE RISES +d444e1b1-ece2-4aa1-8af6-e183a0a89cdc PRESENTLY ALSO THE LAUGHTER OF THE GROWN UPS MINGLED WITH OURS THE MAN WAS A GREAT ACTOR HIS EYES OPENED WIDE HIS JAW DROPPED HE SANK BACK INTO THE CHAIR AS IF HE HAD BEEN TAPPED LIGHTLY WITH A HAMMER WHEN HE MANAGED TO SPEAK THE WORDS WERE COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY HE HAD ALREADY REGISTERED EVERY EVIDENCE OF INJURED INNOCENCE GOOD SAID THE BIG LOON WHO HAD COMMANDED THE PARTY NOW TO GET KING BAAL TO JUDGE THESE TERRIBLE CREATURES SO WE HAVE SO BRAVELY CAPTURED AS HE SPOKE HE TOOK HOLD OF THE STRING AND BEGAN TO PULL AS HARD AS HE COULD THE REVEREND MISTER SCOTT WAS THE MAN WHO THOUGHT THE PULPIT DOOR MUST BE MADE FOR SPIRITS YOU KNOW SHE SAID I HEARD UNCLE EDWARD TELLING EVER SO MANY STORIES ABOUT HIM HE WAS CALLED TO THIS CONGREGATION AND HE LABOURED HERE LONG AND FAITHFULLY AND WAS MUCH BELOVED THOUGH HE WAS VERY ECCENTRIC +d4624bd3-2e2b-4778-9845-f9f8bb39e030 EITHER BY ACCIDENT OR DESIGN IT LACKED BUT A FEW SECONDS OF THE MOMENT WHEN THE MACHINE BACK IN VIC'S LABORATORY WOULD FUNCTION SHIP WEIGHED AT LEAST TEN SECONDS BEFORE RELEASING A DRUG SHOOT SO WILL CLEAR THE SHIP NINE LIGHT YEARS AWAY IS QUITE FAMOUS AND THE MAGIC TIME TWIXT LIGHT AND DARK BROUGHT TRUCE OF CARE AND LABOR THE REPAIRS DIDN'T TAKE LONG THOUGH THERE WAS PLENTY OF GROANING FROM THE BLIND LIZARDS WHEN THEY HEARD ME RIPPING THE WALL OPEN TO GET AT THE POWER LEAGUES +d4646aee-d541-405f-a5b0-a31b5fe93d29 MY AUNT JANET WAS FOND OF MISSIONS ARE THERE ANY METHODISTS HEATHENS I SUPPOSE I OUGHT TO GIVE MY BOX TO THEM RATHER THAN TO PRESBYTERIAN HEATHEN WELL IIN'T GOING TO CHURCH TILL I'VE MADE UP MY MIND WHETHER I'M GOING TO BE A METHODIST OR A PRESBYTERIAN AUNT JANE WAS A METHODIST MY MOTHER AIN'T MUCH OF ANYTHING BUT I MEAN TO BE SOMETHING IT'S MORE RESPECTABLE TO BE A METHODIST OR A PRESBYTERIAN OR SOMETHING THAN NOT TO BE ANYTHING THEREFORE I HAVE A LITTLE JOB I KNOW YOU'LL ENJOY REPAIR JOB THE CENTURY BEACON HAS SHUT DOWN IT'S A MARK THREE BEACON WHAT KIND OF BEACON I ASK HIM I HAVE REPAIRED HYPERSPACE BEACONS FROM ONE ARM OF THE GALAXY TO THE OTHER AND I WAS SURE I HAD WORKED ON EVERY TYPE OR MODEL MADE WOULDN'T YOU RATHER BE HERE YOURSELF THAN IN HEAVEN SAID THE STORY GIRL BLUNTLY WOULDN'T YOU NOW FELICITY KING TELL THE TRUTH CROSS YOUR HEART +d478aa86-af15-4623-bb81-b16829c1e160 YOU KNOW IT YOURSELF DAN KING DON'T YOU DARE EAT THOSE BERRIES SAID FELICITY IN HER BOSSIEST TONE FOR SHE SLIPPED OUT AND DROVE OFF TO CHURCH AS HE HAD DONE I EXPECTED THE STORY GIRL WOULD OVERWHELM HIM WITH SCORN AND INDIGNATION NO MATTER HOW LONG THEY ARE COMING UP WE DID NOT GO INTO THE HOUSE HOWEVER WE MET THE AWKWARD MAN IN HIS YARD AND HE GAVE US A QUARTER APIECE FOR OUR LIBRARY I TOLD HIM WITH FAR MORE CONVICTION THAN I FELT MY SHIP BUCKED A BIT AS THE TUG BEAMS LOCKED ON AT MAXIMUM DISTANCE +d522c315-9e1b-485c-b528-962c4352a9bf ANYWAY IT WAS A VERY PRETTY GIRL BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING OF ALL WAS THAT A WOMAN'S DRESS WAS HANGING OVER A CHAIR BY THE TABLE MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS IT NEVER BELONGED TO JASPER DALE'S MOTHER FOR SHE THOUGHT IT A SIN TO WEAR ANYTHING BUT PRINT AND DRUGGET AND THIS DRESS WAS OF PALE BLUE SILK HIS NAME OR UNDOUBTEDLY PSEUDA NAME IS PEPPET NERO THE GIRL IS CALLED ANGELINA ARREST THEM AT ONCE GUARDS DANCE PHARAOH'S VOICE DIED AWAY AS HE RAN OUT OF THE ROOM I TALKED TO HIS VANISHING BACK THE GRAY FIRST CAME IN GRANDMOTHER'S BROWN HAIR IN THOSE MONTHS OF WAITING FOR THE FIRST TIME THE ORCHARD HEARD THE SOUND OF WEEPING AND WAS CONSECRATED BY SORROW MANOEL OFTEN WONDERED ABOUT THAT FOR HE HAD RAISED THE WHOLE STRAIN OF ANIMALS AND HE REMEMBERED WHO HAD BEEN WITH WHOM A DONKEY A JACK TWO FEET TALL AND WITH A BEARD AND HORNS I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT HE WAS A GOAT +d5372ca4-6d63-4b18-8de8-3d251aff7eef ALL DAY SHE SAT IN THE KITCHEN AND WORKED BUTTONHOLES SUBSISTING ON BREAD AND WATER AND MEXICAN TEA NEVER WROTE TO A BOY BEFORE SO PLEASE EXCUSE ALL MISTAKES UNCLE ALEC CONSENTED THOUGH AUNT JANET SAID IT WAS HIGH TIME THEY WERE BURNED AS FOR THE FEDERATION THE LAUNCH ROCKED GENTLY THEY'LL UNDOUBTEDLY ACCEPT YOU ONCE YOU DEVELOP SPACE TRAVEL IT CONSISTED PRIMARILY OF FOUR TALL SLIM POSTS SET IN THE FORM OF A SQUARE ABOUT A YARD APART +d5529948-7886-47b8-ab74-2cbcba477349 HE PAUSED OF COURSE HE ADDED SMUGLY I'M NOT A TRANSPORTATION EXPERT IF I WERE I'D HAVE MADE MY OWN ACTIVATOR LONG AGO AND DONE SOME VISITING ON THE CLOSED WORLDS BEFORE THIS SO WHEN BILLY CONFIDED TO ME UNDER SOLEMN PROMISE OF SECRECY THAT HE HAD SOME MAGIC SEED WHICH WOULD MAKE BOYS GROW AND WOULD SELL ME A BOX OF IT FOR JUST TEN CENTS I JUMPED AT THE OFFER BILLY WAS TALLER THAN ANY OF THE BOYS OUR AGE IN CARLISLE AND HE ASSURED ME IT ALL CAME FROM TAKING MAGIC SEED WHEN THE ALARM BLEW OFF ALL I FELT WAS AN INTENSE SENSATION OF RELIEF I MIGHT BE DEAD AND BLASTED TO DUST IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE I DON'T SEE WHY BUT ANYHOW I SUPPOSE IT WOULDN'T BE MUCH USE BECAUSE IF HE WAS A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER HE'D SAY I OUGHT TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN AND IF HE WAS A METHODIST HE'D TELL ME TO BE ONE TOO LOOK HERE FELICITY WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM +d576e937-1b67-44c1-a4c6-084241a18710 CAN PEG PORTHON TURN HERSELF INTO A BLACK CAT ASKED FELIX STARING IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THAT IS THE LEAST OF PEG BOWEN'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS ANSWERED UNCLE ROGER IT'S THE EASIEST THING IN THE WORLD FOR A WITCH TO TURN HERSELF INTO ANY ANIMAL YOU CHOOSE TO MENTION YES PAT IS BEWITCHED NO DOUBT OF THAT NOT THE LEAST IN THE WORLD BUT THREE DAYS AFTER HER DEPARTURE FELIX TOLD US SOMETHING ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL WHICH LENT SOME SPICE TO EXISTENCE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THEY COULD PROTEST I HAD PUSHED THE PRIESTS OUT THROUGH IT THE REST OF THEIR CLAN SHOWED UP AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS AND MADE A GREAT BRUCK US WHILE I FINISHED WELDING THE DOOR SHUT WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE QUARREL WAS I CANNOT TELL YOU BECAUSE I NEVER KNEW IT REMAINED A DEAD SECRET BETWEEN THE PARTIES OF THE FIRST AND THE SECOND PART FOREVER BUT IT WAS MORE BITTER THAN THE GENERAL RUN OF THEIR TIFFS AND THE CONSEQUENCES WERE APPARENT TO ALL THEY HAD NOT SPOKEN TO EACH OTHER SINCE +d58933b5-832c-4dd8-be3f-460cdbe8def0 THESE PEOPLE HAD IT DOWN TO A FINE SCIENCE NOT A RIVET FELL BUT THAT ITS FALL WAS NOTED INQUINTUPLICATE AND LATER FOLLOWED UP WITH A MEMORY RIVET WASTED QUERY THE FACTS I NEEDED WERE ALL NEATLY TUCKED AWAY IN THEIR PAID PO CATACOMBS ALL I HAD TO DO WAS SNIFFED THEM OUT I DIDN'T TRY TO LOOK FOR FIRST CAUSES THIS WOULD HAVE TAKEN TOO LONG YOU DON'T LIKE IT LOOK SAID ORAN THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY NEIL CAMPBELL WHO WAS HIGHLAND SCOTCH AND LIVED DOWN AT BERWICK WAS COURTING NANCY SHERMAN TOO AND WHAT WAS FAR WORSE NANCY'S FATHER FAVOURED HIM BECAUSE HE WAS A RICHARD MAN THAN DONALD FRASER WHAT DO YOU THINK HE SAID IN A VERY SOLEMN YET EXCITED TONE JERRY COWAN TOLD ME AT RECESS THIS AFTERNOON THAT HE HAD SEEN A PICTURE OF GOD THAT HE HAS IT AT HOME IN AN OLD RED COVERED HISTORY OF THE WORLD AND HAS LOOKED AT IT OFTEN +d5b79ac8-cf62-4741-b695-f2d9ef3ed78b MANUEL WENT WITH MULA A ROUND EASY MAN AND A SPAR SCORNED MULE MULA WAS A MULE BUT THERE WERE OTHER INHABITANTS OF THE SANTA MAGDALENA OF A GENUS LESS CERTAIN YET EVEN ABOUT MULA THERE WAS AN ODDITY IN HER ANCESTRY HER PATERNAL GRANDFATHER HAD BEEN A GOAT MANOEL HAD ONCE TOLD MISSA MARSHALL ABOUT THIS BUT MISTER MARSHALL HAD NOT ACCEPTED IT JEFF WHEELED ON HIM INCREDULOUSLY ME GO DOWN THERE AFTER THAT MONSTER NOT ON YOUR HE MEANS THE SCOOP JENOFER SAID THEY BROUGHT IT ASHORE TO HELP US OUT OF THE CABIN WHY SHOULDN'T IT HELP THEM NOW THE SCOOP CAME UP OUT OF THE WATER SO SMOOTHLY THAT THE ISLAND QUEEN HARDLY ROCKED DANGLING THE LIMP FORM OF THE ZID FROM ITS GREAT RUBBERY LIPS LIKE A DROWNED KITTEN HERE JENOFER SAID THE PLANET HAS WATER AND BOTH ANIMAL AND PLANT LIFE CERTAINLY IT HAS SUFFICIENT GRAVITY TO HOLD ITS OXYGEN BUT WHAT OTHER ELEMENTS NOXIOUS GASES MIGHT BE PRESENT MAYBE THE ODDS ARE CLOSER THAN ONE AND FIFTY HE DECIDED BUT THERE'S NO GAMBLE WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE HE TOLD THE MILKY WAY WELL IF YOU'RE SO SCARED YOU'D BETTER NOT GO IT ISN'T TOO LATE HERE'S YOUR OWN GAIT SAYS CECILY BUT SARA COULD NOT GIVE UP THE DELIGHTS OF THE SHOW SO SHE WALKED ON A SMALL MISERABLE TESTIMONY THAT THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS NEVER EASY EVEN WHEN SAID TRANSGRESSOR IS ONLY A DAMSEL OF ELEVEN +d5d27ebc-aabd-4f3e-bf80-8da4165d01f8 I'M DREADFULLY TIRED SIGHED CECILY WE WERE ALL DREADFULLY TIRED FOR THIS WAS THE THIRD NIGHT OF LATE HOURS AND NERVE RACKING STRAIN BUT IT WAS OVER TWO HOURS SINCE WE HAD EATEN THE COOKIES AND FELICITY SUGGESTED THAT A SAUCERFUL APIECE OF RASPBERRIES AND CREAM WOULD NOT BE TOO HARD TO TAKE WAS GIVEN A COMFORTABLE BED TO SLEEP IN I AM SURE YOUR FAIRY POWER CAN GIVE IT TO MISSUS UGH A TIN WOODMAN HOW QUEER OH I SEE IT NOW SAID CECILY JOYFULLY IT HAUNTED HIS WAKING HOURS AND OBSESSED HIS NIGHTS WELL MAYBE THEY ARE IN REAL LIFE SAID CECILY EXCEPT THAT IT HAS NO TREES WORTHY OF THE NAME I COULDN'T GET THEM ON THE RIGHT FORMS THOUGH I SHE IS A MULE THEREFORE HER FATHER WAS A JACK +d5d6c10e-bc6e-4bc1-892c-9af352ad9256 THE PALE MAY SUNSHINE WAS SHOWERING THROUGH THE SPRUCES AND A CHILL INSPIRING WIND WAS TOSSING THE BOUGHS ABOUT FELIX AND I SAW SOMEWHERE INSIDE OF OUR HEADS A VELVET AND PURPLE AND GOLD PANSY WOMAN JUST AS THE STORY GIRL SPOKE BUT IS SHE NICE I ASKED WHEN BRANDON OPENED HIS EYES HE WAS STARING AT THE SILVERY DISKS OF THE TWIN MOONS THEY WERE HIGH IN THE SKY OBSCURING THE CENTER OF THE MILKY WAY ASTRO THIS IS BRANNAN COME IN PLEASE TOWERS CONTINUED TO PACE AND TALK WE DID IT TO SPITE ME I DO HOPE THAT BABY HASN'T WANDERED DOWN TO THE SWAMP IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE HE COULDN'T WALK SO FAR BUT I MUST GO AND SEE FELICITY HAND ME MY HIGH BOOTS OUT FROM UNDER THE SOFA THERE'S A GIRL ANTHROPOLOGISTS MAY NOT MIND BEING DISSECTED FOR THEIR SCIENCE BUT A REPAIR MAN WANTS TO MAKE NO SACRIFICES OF ANY KIND FOR HIS JOB FOR THIS REASON MOST BEACONS ARE BUILT ON UNINHABITABLE PLANETS IF A BEACON HAS TO GO ON A PLANET WITH A CULTURE IT IS USUALLY BUILT IN SOME INACCESSIBLE PLACE +d6199eee-86b2-4386-85aa-b9497af314f6 CECILY AND SARA RAY FOUND A SWEET NEW KNITTED LACE PATTERN IN AN OLD MAGAZINE AND SPENT AN AFTERNOON LEARNING IT OVER TALKING SECRETS I THINK THERE IS SUCH A PLACE IN SPITE OF UNCLE EDWARD SAID THE STORY GIRL DREAMILY AND I THINK THERE IS A WAY OF GETTING THERE TOO IF WE COULD ONLY FIND IT PLEADED CECILY TURNING TO THE STORY GIRL WHO WAS SITTING ON A BIN SWINGING HER SHAPELY BARE FEET TO AND FRO FELICITY HAD NEVER RECEIVED A SHARPER SCOLDING BUT SHE TOOK IT VERY PHILOSOPHICALLY SHE WAS USED TO HER MOTHER'S BITTER TONGUE AND SHE WAS NOT UNDUALLY SENSITIVE AND WHO SPOKE FIRST OH THE STORY YELL SHE GOT EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING AND SPOKE TO FELICITY BEFORE SHE THOUGHT AND THEN IT WAS ALL RIGHT BUT I'M AFRAID IT ISN'T GOING TO BE LIKE THAT THIS TIME DON'T YOU NOTICE HOW CAREFUL THE STORY GIRL IS NOT TO GET EXCITED AND SUCH A BAD SIGN +d61a9d36-8cff-458f-884a-25538254ec1e IF THE LAW STARTED EXPERIMENTING ON THIS EQUIPMENT AND WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THEY WANT US TO DO NOW BEFORE I COULD FREE THE GUN AGAIN THE CREATURES HAD ME WHAT INNER USE STRAIGHT ROCKET POWER THEN USEFUL APPLICATION SOMETHING SCURRIED INTO A WISP OF BRUSH THE KINGS WERE NOTED FOR THEIR NOSES AND COMPLEXION DAN SHARED IT WITH US WITH A HUGE GIRTH OF TRUNK THAT WILL BE ENTIRELY ENOUGH WITH THIS POINT UNDERSTOOD HE CALLED HIS CAR AND SQUADRON OF GUARDS AND WE MADE A PARADE TO THE SHIP YARDS +d65e1602-7efe-4db4-b5e2-5e4a2bec0f88 PHARAO STILL HAD THE BAFFLED ACT GOING AS HE FUMBLED WITH THE PAPERS EXAMINING INITIALS AND SUCH I GAVE HIM PLENTY OF TIME HE FINALLY PUT THEM DOWN SHAKING HIS HEAD HE WAS JUST BEGINNING TO BE FAMOUS HE WAS VERY FAMOUS AFTERWARD HE CAME INTO THE ORCHARD TO WRITE A POEM AND HE FELL ASLEEP WITH HIS HEAD ON A BENCH THAT USED TO BE UNDER GRANDFATHER'S TREE THEN GREAT AUNT EDITH CAME INTO THE ORCHARD UNCLE ROGERS SAYS THAT MARTIN FORBES WIFE HAS SQUELCHED HIM SAID FELICITY HE SAYS MARTIN CAN'T CALL HIS SOUL HIS OWN SINCE HE WAS MARRIED I'M GLAD OF IT SAID CECILY VINDICTIVELY WE ALL STARED THIS WAS SO VERY UNLIKE CECILY SHE NEEDN'T HAVE GOT SO SCARED IF SHE'D ONLY WAITED FOR THE THIRD HEAD I'D HAVE SHOWED HER HOW EASY IT WAS TO GET CLEAR OF GOING TO THE BAD PLACE AND GO TO HEAVEN INSTEAD BUT YOU GIRLS ARE ALWAYS IN SUCH A HURRY SAID PETER BITTERLY DO YOU SUPPOSE WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE HER TO THE ASYLUM SAID DAN IN A WHISPER +d6a634dd-4408-43f2-82e8-a5a72277e980 BUT THE MASTER WOULD NOT LET THEM AND NOW WILL YOU DO ME A FAVOR HER UNCLES ROARED WITH LAUGHTER OVER THE RECOLLECTION BOLD ATTACK BEING THE BEST DEFENSE AND SO FORTH I BUILT THE TAIL OVER A METAL FRAME THAT ANCHORED AROUND MY WAIST WE HAD NEVER LIVED LONG ENOUGH IN ANY ONE HOUSE THE SHEETS AND PILLOW SLIPS WERE FRAGRANT WITH LAVENDER STETSON'S VOICE INTERRUPTED HIM GOT IT ORNE THEY CAUGHT THE DELPHINIS ON THE GROUND RIGHT WHERE YOU SAID IT'D BE BLEW THE TUBES OFF IT +d709c418-c342-4230-8c9f-a40ec47e9dd9 THEN AT ONCE HE BEGAN TO MAKE A TIN LEG FOR ME MY GOOD WIFE AND I BOTH MORE THAN SEVENTY YEARS OF AGE SHE DOESN'T EITHER FELICITY KING THE STORY GIRL WAS TO PREPARE THE POTATOES TIN PATTY PANS AREN'T VERY ROMANTIC SAID THE STORY GIRL DISCONTENTEDLY THE IDEA APPEARED TO STRIKE HER AS THE VERY HEIGHT OF IDIOCY WHY THE PICTURE IS A CLASSIC ONE DELRIO HIMSELF HOLSINGER OR ANY OF THE OTHERS COULD NOT DESCRIBE A BETTER I'M AWFULLY SORRY I LAUGHED IN CHURCH BUT YOU NEEDN'T BE AFRAID I EVER WILL AGAIN NO SIR +d711d6bb-e4b4-42ee-8668-93386fd8f6ae AUNT OLIVIA REALLY WAS A DUCK WE WANTED TO STAY WITH HER ALSO BUT AUNT JANE WOULDN'T HEAR OF SUCH A THING SHE ORDERED IT OFF US OFF TO BED SAYING THAT IT WAS POSITIVELY SINFUL IN US TO BE SO WORKED UP OVER A CAT DO YOU SUPPOSE IT WILL DO ANY GOOD BETH VERY LIKELY I ASSURED HER REMEMBER SARA RAY AND THE MONEY BACK CAME FROM PRAYING I'M GLAD YOU THINK SO SAID CECILY TREMULOUSLY DAN SAID IT WAS NO USE FOR ME TO BOTHER PRAYING ABOUT IT HE SAID IF THEY COULDN'T SPEAK GOD MIGHT DO SOMETHING BUT WHEN THEY JUST WOULDN'T IT WASN'T LIKELY HE WOULD INTERFERE WHAT COIN OF EARTHLY MINTING WILL EVER BUY BACK FOR YOU THAT LOST AND LOVELY VISION THEN A SHRILL CRY WENT UP A CRY THAT DROWNED UTTERLY THE HUMMING SOUND THAT ISSUED FROM THE SHATTERED MOUTH OF THE IDOL +d71401fb-1175-44dc-b472-8cfbcf4fe03d THEN CICELY CAME RUNNING AT FULL SPEED BACK TO US OUR OWN PRECIOUS LITTLE IDENTITIES UNCHANGED YES BUT IT TOOK THE JUDGMENT DAY TO MAKE HER YOU TWO MISS A GREAT DEAL BY NOT EATING HE SAID TO HIS COMPANIONS DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DRAW HIM DOWN TO THE THRONE AND ALSO PUT YOURSELF OUT IN THE HALL AND SEE ME TO MORROW DURING WORKING HOURS MY MESSAGE WAS IN CODE BUT IT COULD BE QUICKLY BROKEN IF SOME ONE WANTED TO TRY HARD ENOUGH THERE'S A WHITE MUSLIN WEDDING DRESS AND VEIL I HAD THOUGHT OF IT HE OWNED BUT IT LOOKS A WEE LIKE A STORM AND MY SLEIGH IS AT THE BLACKSMITH'S TO BE SHOD +d74b7d78-255f-4464-921c-67e8b029fe9d IT WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WARM GARF DOOR SNAPPED AGAIN IT WAS ONCE IN CONSTANT USE BUT MY GOVERNMENT CLOSED IT WHEN YOU PEOPLE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WERE ORN LOOKED UP ATTENTIVELY ALL WE HAVE OFF THE MINNIES THESE GOONS PROBABLY HAVE THE DELPHINEST INTO OTHER SHAPES SO THAT YOU CANNOT BE RECOGNIZED ARE MANY PEOPLE WHOM IT IS NOT PLEASANT TO MEET I WAS IN LOVE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL MUNCHKIN GIRL WHO LIVED WITH A WICKED WITCH SPEED AND MEASUREMENTS ARE A MATTER OF RELATIONSHIP NOT CONSTANT FACTS LIKE THE FIXED UNIVERSE +d80c5502-e1a8-4f42-94f7-7d7387c71687 WHEN HE WAS HIGH OVER THEIR HEADS HE EXPLODED WITH A LOUD POP AND HIS SKIN FELL TO THE GROUND HOWEVER TIN YOU WERE AND TIN YOU ARE AND AS IT'S TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOU NOW THAT SETTLES IT IT WAS FAR FROM A WARM WELCOME BUT YONAS WAS SATISFIED WITH IT I SHALL WORK TO DO YOU GOOD HE SAID AND NOT EVIL STRANGER SHARP SAID WORK FOR YOUR OWN GOOD DO NOTHING FOR ME THIS IS AN ACCURSED FAMILY THERE IS NO GOOD TO BE DONE TO ME OR MY WIFE OR CHILD WHERE ARE WE SURELY LOOKING AT IT IN ONE WAY WE'RE LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY LABORATORY BUT VIC I PROTESTED DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT WE'RE LESS THAN A MILE FROM YOUR LABORATORY FROM OUR OWN WORLD WE'LL MONITOR EVERYTHING GOT THAT YES STETSON HELD OUT HIS RIGHT HAND HIGHWAYMEN SAID STETSON RATE ITSELF SAID ORNE AN ANCIENT TERRAN LANGUAGE CORRUPTION OF ROAD +d81b9cc3-763f-46d0-92fb-f325567521e4 SHE DREW A PICTURE OF THE GRIMACING OTTOMAN ON THE MARGIN OF HER DREAM BOOK WHICH SO SCARED SARA RAY WHEN SHE BEHELD IT THAT SHE CRIED ALL THE WAY HOME AND INSISTED ON SLEEPING THAT NIGHT WITH JUDY PINNOT LEST THE FURNITURE TAKE TO PURSUING HER ALSO I BELIEVE WE ARE SAFE NOW SAID POLYCHROME WHEN HER CAGE WAS SET DOWN AND THE OTHERS HAD ALL GATHERED AROUND IT FOR MISSUS EWKE DAREST NOT GO OUTSIDE OF HER OWN VALLEY FOR FEAR OF BEING CAPTURED BY HER ENEMIES SO WE MAY TAKE OUR TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT TO DO NEXT DONALD GOT UP PUT ON HIS OVERCOAT AND CAP AND WENT TO THE DOOR MAY YOUR SLEEP BE LONG AND SWEET MAN HE SAID LAUGHING SOFTLY AND AS FOR THE WAKING TWILL BE BETWIXT YOU AND ME BUT BETWEEN YOU AND ME I BELIEVE THE REAL REASON IS THAT HER MOTHER DOESN'T GIVE HER HALF ENOUGH TO EAT NOT THAT SHE'S MEAN YOU KNOW BUT SHE THINKS IT ISN'T HEALTHY FOR CHILDREN TO EAT MUCH OR ANYTHING BUT CERTAIN THINGS ISN'T IT FORTUNATE WE WEREN'T BORN INTO THAT SORT OF A FAMILY +d8521bd5-5022-43d1-89bc-15f90ddb34c0 JUST TO MAKE YOU LAUGH I'LL WRITE YOU A LITTLE STORY I HEARD UNCLE ALEC TELLING LAST NIGHT LET'S GO AND ASK THE AWKWARD MAN AND MISTER CAMPBELL FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARY FUND SHE SAID SPIRES SEEMED A LOT BETTER AT FIRST GLANCE THAN SOME OF THE OTHER PLACES JONAS HAD VISITED YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN INN SHE SAID AN INN IN THIS TOWN HE TOOK ONE HAND OFF HIS HIP TO SCRATCH AT THE TOP OF HIS HEAD I'D LIKE TO BUT I CAN'T STOOP OVER WITH MY BENT LEG WITHOUT FALLING AND YOU WILL NOTICE THAT I'VE NIBBLED THE HAY ON THE FARTHER EDGE OF COURSE THE AREA EFFECTED IS ENLARGED IT INCLUDES THOSE STEPS AND A LOT OF WATER AROUND THEM +d8552880-3f4a-407d-b602-58709cbb7c1e MISS MARWOOD WAS FELIX'S SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND HE WAS VERY FOND OF HER BUT THIS TIME FELIX WAS QUITE RECKLESS AS I DID SO DAN'S VOICE RANG OUT BEHIND ME I GOT IT FROM MY MOUTH SAID DAN WITH A SHAMED FACED GRIN THERE WAS ANOTHER CITY WE DON'T KNOW THAT MANOEL BUT WE WERE IN A SPOT AND NEEDED A WORLD AM GOING RIGHT OVER TO TELL THE STORY GIRL SAID CECILY WON'T SHE BE EXCITED AT LAST OUR SLUMBERS WERE PEACEFUL AND UNDISTURBED UNTIL OUR ORGY OF DREAMING BEGAN +d8774ab7-f358-405a-98e5-5772fcae6f5c FARMER MUDDLED LOOKED AGAIN AT THE NONIFICE WHICH HAD APPARENTLY GONE TO SLEEP EVEN SO IT LOOKED DEADLY WE AVOIDED THE ORCHARD IT WAS FOR US TOO FULL OF HAPPY MEMORIES TO ACCORD WITH OUR BITTERNESS OF SOUL INSTEAD WE RESORTED TO THE SPRUCE WOOD WHERE THE HUSH AND THE SOMBRE SHADOWS AND THE SOFT MELANCHOLY SIGHING OF THE WIND IN THE BRANCHES OVER US DID NOT JAR HARSHLY ON OUR NEW SORROW MY TROUBLES WERE A LITTLE BIGGER I HAD TO FIND THE BATTLESHIP BEFORE IT BLASTED ITS WAY ACROSS THE GALAXY ROCKER I SHOUTED GET INTO THE CAR I WANT TO SEE YOUR RECORDS ALL OF YOUR RECORDS AND I WANT TO SEE THEM RIGHT NOW IT SOUNDS TOO MUCH LIKE SWEARING THEN +d8c3cdaa-f3f1-4b55-9674-dd9f2c8e835e SHE TOLD US THAT SARA HAD NOTHING WORSE THAN A FEVERISH COLD OVER A VALLEY FILLED WITH BEECH AND SPRUCE WAS A SUNSET AFTERGLOW CREAMY YELLOW AND A HUE THAT WAS NOT SO MUCH RED AS THE DREAM OF RED WITH A YOUNG MOON SWUNG LOW IN IT I NEVER CAN GUESS CONUNDRUMS TOO BUSY TO TELL TALES OR LISTEN TO THEM AS IF THE GOLD AND FLAME OF HER SPIRIT HAD BROKE OUT IN A CORONAL AS MUCH A PART OF HER AS THE PALE HALO SEEMS A PART OF THE MADONNA IT ENCIRCLES THE TIME WENT FAST I PULLED THE EYE STRAIGHT UP AND AWAY AND THREW IN THE CONTROL CIRCUIT THAT WOULD RETURN IT AUTOMATICALLY TO THE SHIP WHISPERED PETER REVERENTLY I THAT IS JUST WHAT IT IS THE OLD OLD ARGUMENT I SUPPOSE +d8fa2f3d-43c0-4454-8761-afafe928e26f THEY BOTH BUILT THE BRIDGE OF LIGHT AND THE BARE FEET BELOW HER PRINT SKIRT WERE BEAUTIFUL OF OLD UNHAPPY FAR OFF THINGS AND BATTLES LONG AGO I SUPPOSE EVEN IF ANYTHING HAPPENS I'LL HAVE TIME TO GET BACK TO YOU SARA RAY AND PETER AND THE STORY GIRL WENT HOME BUT THE LONG DRAWN OUT DREAD WAS BEGINNING TO GET ON DAN'S NERVES FOUND HIMSELF STARING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT A NATIVE OF CHINA THREE BUT THEY STILL PUMP THE BOURGEOIS INTO THE RAW BOYS SHE BECAME NERVOUS LIKE AND RAPPED ON THE DOOR I BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF AND POCKETED THE WEAPON I WAS SUDDENLY VERY HEAVY +d93ac119-0617-46d2-a724-e61f771700fe MISSUS GRIGGS SAYS IT NEVER BELONGED TO JASPER DALE'S MOTHER FOR SHE THOUGHT IT A SIN TO WEAR ANYTHING BUT PRINT AND DRUGGET AND THIS DRESS WAS OF PALE BLUE SILK BESIDES THAT THERE WERE A PAIR OF BLUE SATIN SLIPPERS ON THE FLOOR BESIDE IT HIGH HEELED SLIPPERS AND ON THE FLY LEAF OF THE BOOKS THE NAME ALICE WAS WRITTEN AS INSTANTANEOUSLY AS IT HAD COME THE PAIN LEFT HIM IT LEFT HIM WEAK AND QUIVERING AND JOHN ANDREW FARMER LAY ON HIS BACK WAITING FOR HIS STRENGTH TO SEEP BACK AS A RED HAZE DRIFTED FROM BEFORE HIS EYES HE REALIZED THAT THE LAUNCH HAD ACQUIRED ANOTHER OCCUPANT THINGS HAVE MOVED PRETTY FAST IN THE PAST FEW YEARS I SUPPOSE IT TAKES PEOPLE'S EMOTIONAL REACTIONS A WHILE TO CATCH UP WITH DEVELOPMENTS THAT LOGICALLY WE ACCEPT AS A MATTER OF FACT HE PUSHED HIS CHAIR BACK FROM THE DESK MAYBE IT'S NOT TOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND TAKE FIRE FOR EXAMPLE MAN LIVED IN FEAR OF FIRE FOR A GOOD MANY HUNDRED THOUSAND YEARS AND RIGHTLY SO BECAUSE HE HADN'T LEARNED TO CONTROL IT KNOCK AT THE DOOR I SHALL YONA SAID AND MANY THANKS THE OLD WOMAN STILL CLUTCHING HER COIN DISAPPEARED FROM THE WINDOW AS IF SOMEONE HAD YANKED HER BACK YONAS TURNED WITH RELIEF AND GOT BACK ON THE PATH BUT HIS STAYED QUITE AS BADLY AS THE HOUSE HAD HE ENDURED THE STENCH HEROICALLY SHARP PROVED TO BE A BARROW SHAPED MAN WHO WAS UNACCOUNTABLY CHEERLESS AS IF THE INSIDE STRUCTURE HAD BEEN CAREFULLY REMOVED AND THEN REPLACED BY SAWDUST YONAS THOUGHT EVEN THE OFFER OF SEVEN CRONA FOR A SINGLE WEEK'S STAY FAILED TO PRODUCE THE DELIRIOUS JOY YANUS HAD EXPECTED +d93fb6b7-7d4f-48a6-b4b2-cd236ef1c911 I EXPECTED SHE'D SING AND TALK AND WE'D HAVE GOOD TIMES TOGETHER BUT SHE HAS PROVED NO COMPANY FOR ME AT ALL EVER SINCE THE MOMENT OF HER TRANSFORMATION SHE HAS REFUSED TO SPEAK A SINGLE WORD I HAD MEANT TO SAIL OUT BRAVELY BLIND EYES FACING INTO THE SUNSET INSTEAD I FACED THE CROWD AS I SOARED AWAY SO I MADE THE MOST OF A BAD SITUATION AND THREW THEM A SNAPPY MILITARY SALUTE THEN I WAS OUT IN THE FRESH AIR AND AWAY PEG BOWEN DOESN'T NEED TO CATCH YOU TO DO THINGS TO YOU SAID PETER OMINOUSLY SHE CAN PUT ILL LUCK ON YOU JUST BY LOOKING AT YOU AND SHE WILL IF YOU OFFEND HER I DON'T BELIEVE THAT SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY FARMER FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN POINTING AND RAY CLUMPED SLOWLY IN A HALF CIRCLE JUST AS A NONIFUS DROPPED TO THE DECK WITH A PLANK SHIVERING THUMP +d9403e18-7d36-4935-b8fb-21cdc812af89 IT WAS JENIFER CHARLIE'S NIECE A SHIP LANDED INLAND A FEW MINUTES AGO HE SAID KEPT DISMANTLED AND HIDDEN FROM SUSPICIOUS LOCAL LIES MY SISTERS ARE SO SWEET AND LOVELY AND PROPER THAT THEY NEVER DANCE OFF OUR RAINBOW I SHALL HAVE A TIN GOWN MADE FOR HER WITH TIN RUFFLES AND TOCS ON IT THE PLACE IS BIG ENOUGH THAT IF YOU HOLD A COURSE ROUGHLY NORTHEAST AND THERE'D BE NO BUT THIS DEVOUTLY DESIRED CONSUMMATION DID NOT COME TO PASS AND I WON'T +d95735c9-147c-420d-9895-2032b3c5a850 COUSIN RACHEL WROTE BACK THAT IF IT WASN'T FOR ONE THING THAT WAS IN THE TRUNK SHE WOULD ASK MOTHER TO OPEN THE CHEST AND DISPOSE OF THE THINGS AS SHE LIKED BUT SHE COULD NOT BEAR THAT ANY ONE BUT HERSELF SHOULD SEE OR TOUCH THAT ONE THING SO SHE WANTED IT LEFT AS IT WAS ONE OF THE EAGER LIZARDS HAD MANAGED TO OPEN A CIRCUIT BOX AND HAD POLISHED THE SWITCHES INSIDE WHILE DOING THIS HE HAD THROWN ONE OF THE SWITCHES AND THAT HAD CAUSED THE TROUBLE RATHER THAT HAD STARTED THE TROUBLE IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ENDED BY JUST REVERSING THE WATER VALVE SWITCH IT WAS THAT WRETCHED PETER SOBBED FELICITY INDIGNANTLY HE TOLD HER IT WOULD MAKE HER DREAM SOMETHING EXTRA WHAT ON EARTH DID SHE WANT TO DREAM FOR DEMANDED AUNT JANET IN BEWILDERMENT ONE MORE THING STET WHAT NOW I'VE GOT A CONFIRMED CONTACT THE MARINES ARE ON THEIR WAY HISS STETSON WE'RE COMING IN TO GET YOU I'M GOING TO WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU GUESS THAT ONE +d95a50c5-28e1-4bc5-a601-55e1d635a044 JUST WHEN A KING THOUGHT HE HAD CONQUERED EVERYBODY SOME OTHER KING WOULD COME AND CONQUER HIM AND SO IT WENT ON UNTIL IT DID NOT SEEM LIKELY THE PROUD PRINCESS WOULD EVER GET A HUSBAND AT ALL A SCARLET HAZE OF LIGHT SHOT FORTH FROM THE MOUTH OF THE BLACK GOD AND THE OLD MAN STEPPED BACK SHARPLY AS THOUGH STRUCK BY SOME INVISIBLE AGENT HE WOULD HAVE FALLEN BUT AS HE CRUMPLED HIS BODY SEEMED TO SOFTEN AND SHATTER INTO A SCINTILLATING CLOUD AN INSTANT LATER THERE WAS NO TRACE OF HIM ANYWHERE WHY THERE WERE ALWAYS FIGHTING ABOUT RELIGION IN OLD TIMES SAID FELIX THE MORE RELIGIOUS ANYTHING WAS THE MORE FIGHTING THERE WAS ABOUT IT A FELLOW'S GOT A RIGHT TO PRAY AS HE PLEASES SAID PETER AND IF ANYBODY TRIES TO STOP HIM HE'S BOUND TO FIGHT THAT'S MY WAY OF LOOKING AT IT THERE WAS ANOTHER CITY OF YOU BUCK EYED BEASTS THERE SAID THE SMALL MARTINET YOU WOULDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT IT'S BEEN A FEW HUNDRED YEARS WE DECIDED IT WAS TOO CLOSE NOW I HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU ARE TOO CLOSE +d9746217-6ba8-442b-aeac-ea89792575e3 THAT WASN'T TRUE BUT I SUPPOSE I'LL DIE THINKING IT IS HOW LONG IT MUST HAVE SEEMED TO HER IT ISN'T A CONUNDRUM SAID FELIX IT'S A FACT THE GREAT SUN WILL BE DOWN SOON SAID TO NEWBE A GOOD ALIEN ZENOLOGIST MIGHT NOT PUT IT QUITE SO POETICALLY FELICITY AND CECILY WERE CURLED UP IN A CORNER AND WE BOYS SPRAWLED IDLY ON THE FRAGRANT SUN WARM HEAPS AND IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE MAN WHO HAS SEEN EVERYTHING GAVE HER SALT AND LOADED HER AGAIN BUT THERE WERE OTHER INHABITANTS OF THE SANTA MAGDALENA OF A GENUS LESS CERTAIN +d9c83fa0-e5cb-45f6-80b7-7a0ea9c0d31b THERE WAS A QUIZZICAL LOOK IN HIS EYES AND I DID NOT SYMPATHIZE OVER AND ABOVE WITH MY BROTHER BUT ALL OF US WERE SHADOWS DAMN IT ARE WE GOING THROUGH ALL THAT AGAIN OLD CHARLIE MACK'S ISLAND QUEEN HAD VEERED SHARPLY OFF COURSE CARS GUNS I BELLOWED TO THE SPACE YARD IF THAT SHIP IS ANYWHERE NEAR COMPLETION WE ARE IN BIG BIG TROUBLE CAMPBELL CHUCKLED THE BEST OF ALL REASONS HE SAID BUT SEE HERE MY DEAR YOUNG LADY I'M AN OLD MISER AND A CURMUDGEON AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD I +d9e6d1fc-cebe-4d64-be0f-8b6a4e904619 THE CAPTAIN'S FACE GREW RED AS HE FLIPPED THROUGH THE STACK OF NOTES BEAUTIFUL PLANET YOU HAVE HERE DELIGHTFUL CLIMATE IDEAL SPOT FOR A COUNTRY HOME FRIENDLY PEOPLE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP STRANGERS AND ALL THAT I IMAGINE THAT'S WHAT I LIKE MAKES ME FEEL GRATEFUL FOR WE ARE SEEKING A GIRL WHO FEARS HER FORMER LOVER HAS FORGOTTEN HER SO IN HIS FRIGHT HE LET GO OF POLYCHROME'S HAND ARE THEY RUBBER DO YOU THINK ONLY A FEW WHO REMAIN CHILDREN AT HEART CAN EVER FIND THAT FAIR LOST PATH AGAIN AND BLESSED ARE THEY ABOVE MORTALS NEVER AGAIN DID HUMAN EYE BEHOLD THE PROUD PRINCESS THE STORY GIRL MADE NO RESPONSE +d9f5a07a-16e7-49f9-bf64-0f66ddba321e BOTH WERE GLAD TO LEARN THAT A STRANGER HAD ARRIVED AT THE CASTLE FOR THIS WOULD GIVE THEM SOMETHING NEW TO TALK ABOUT SO THE SERVANT WAS ASKED TO ADMIT THE BOY AT ONCE DAN HAD NO PATIENCE WITH EITHER OF THE GIRLS ESPECIALLY FELICITY OR THEY BOTH WANT IS A RIGHT GOOD SPANKING HE SAID GIVE HIM A NAME ANYHOW AND GET HIM COUNTED WE GOT TO GET TO THAT TEN THOUSAND MARK TELL US WHAT HAPPENED MANWELL IF YOU ARE WHICH YOU AREN'T BUT TELL US AFTER I COUNTED THE REGULAR PEOPLE I WENT TO COUNT THE LITTLE PEOPLE HE READ SILENTLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS THEN BEGAN TO FILL OUT A FORM CLIPPED TO THE FOLDER WELL I THINK YOU PROBABLY ARE DUE FOR ANOTHER BOOSTER ABOUT NOW THERE'LL HAVE TO BE THE USUAL TESTS NOT THAT THERE'S MUCH DOUBT WE LIKE TO BE CERTAIN +da322aa0-410c-43aa-a901-0b29479a3da6 I WAS USED TO HEARING GIRLS CRY WE MUST FORGET TO THANK GOD FOR MAKING PETER BETTER SAID CECILY AS WE FINALLY WENT TO THE HOUSE SPOS'N THEY WENT TO THE OTHER PLACE DAN WAS TOO MUCH IN EARNEST TO RESENT MY BLUNT SPEECH LOOK HERE BEV IS THAT MAGIC SEED AND DID YOU GET IT FROM BILLY ROBINSON LITTLE RAY WAS ON HIS FEET TRYING TO GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS BUT NOT SUCCEEDING AT ALL HE TOO STARTED TO GET ANGRY FARMER HOLD HIMSELF UPRIGHT HOPING TO APPROACH RAY CALM HIM AND GET HIM TO FIGURE A WAY OUT OF THIS MADHOUSE +da53f994-f893-4477-baea-76c58dc059f1 I DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FEEL AS INT'RESTED IN MISSIONARIES AS YOU FOLKS DO HE SAID BUT MAYBE IF I BEGIN TO GIVE SOMETHING I'LL GET INT'RESTED I'LL WANT TO KNOW HOW MY MONEY'S BEING SPENT I WON'T BE ABLE TO GIVE MUCH BUT FELICITY TOOK REFUGE FROM THIS INCONVENIENT QUESTION IN TEARS IF WE COULD ONLY DO SOMETHING TO HELP PETER I SAID DESPERATELY IT SEEMS DREADFUL NOT TO BE ABLE TO DO A SINGLE THING SHE SHRUNK AWAY AS SHE SPOKE STUMBLING ALONG THE WALL I LOOKED BACK AT PEPPET NOT WANTING TO HAVE MY EYES OFF HIM FOR AN INSTANT THERE'S THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO I TOLD HER I GLANCED HER WAY AND A SMALL DOOR WAS SWINGING OPEN AND SHE WAS GONE DON'T TRY TO RUN I SHOUTED AFTER IT CAN'T DO ANY GOOD WHEN THE WATER IN THE KETTLE BUBBLED OZMA DREW FROM HER BOSOM TWO TINY PACKETS CONTAINING POWDERS +da5fd7b8-d568-478e-a2aa-8aeb132f880e OUR SUMMER WAS OVER IT HAD BEEN A BEAUTIFUL ONE WE HAD KNOWN THE SWEETNESS OF COMMON JOYS THE DELIGHTS OF DAWNS THE DREAM OF GLAMOUR OF NOONTIDES THE LONG PURPLE PEACE OF CARE FREE NIGHTS WE PAUSED A MOMENT IN THE HALL TO LOOK AT THE BIG GRANDFATHER CLOCK IT WAS NOT GOING BUT IT SEEMED LIKE AN OLD FAMILIAR ACQUAINTANCE TO US WITH THE GILT BALLS ON ITS THREE PEAKS THE LITTLE DIAL IN POINTER WHICH WOULD INDICATE THE CHANGES OF THE MOON AND THE VERY DENT IN ITS WOODEN DOOR WHICH FATHER HAD MADE WHEN HE WAS A BOY BY KICKING IT IN A FIT OF NAUGHTINESS THE GATE'LL STAY OPEN NOW UNTIL IT'S CLOSED FROM OUR SIDE BUT I'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR OUTFIT BACK AND DESTROY IT ANYWAY OUR COPS WOULD BE TOUGH WITH YOU IF THEY FOUND YOU OPERATING THE THING AND FEDERATION SECURITY MEN WOULD BE EVEN TOUGHER TAKE IT AS A WARNING DON'T DO IT AGAIN IN THE CENTRE VALLEY THERE WERE FIVE THOUSAND ACRES OF SLAG AND VITRIFIED ROCK FROM SOME FORGOTTEN OLD BLAST THAT HAD MELTED THE HILLS AND DESTROYED THEIR MANTLE REDUCING ALL TO A TERRIBLE FLATNESS +dab70000-ad56-478c-aadb-f5f466334eb1 WHEN CECILY FINISHED SHE GOT UP AND WENT IN SEARCH OF DAN RESOLVED TO SOOTHE HIS WOUNDED FEELINGS IF THERE WERE SUCH A THING AS TOTAL CONTACT CONSTANT CONTACT OVER PERIOD DAYS YONIST THOUGHT CLARTON WOULD USE ME FOR A PUPPET A VERITABLE PUNCH AMONG MEN HE WOULD OVERRIDE ME AND TAKE ME OVER THE WAY A TRAVELLING ENTERTAINER RULES HIS JOINTED DOLLS THE ONE USEFUL QUALITY HE HAD WAS A HOME STUNNED INGRATIATING AIR WHICH PUT NERVOUS YOUNG GENIUSES AT THEIR EASE AND IS IT TRUE THAT SANDY MC QUERIE IS TO MARRY BUT KATE FERGUSON RESPECTED MADAM WROTE THE STORY GIRL +dad2d6fb-a568-4d02-8753-0e04b4f69b7a MIGHT MAKE PEOPLE SUSPICIOUS YOU KNOW IMPOSSIBLE SAID THE ROBART WITH MECHANICAL SURETY I BRUSHED AGAINST IT AND IT IS NOW UNSERVICEABLE WITH THIS ASSURANCE I PULLED OFF MY FLASHY CLOTHES AND SLIPPED INTO THE MIDNIGHT BLACK DRESS UNIFORM OF AN ADMIRAL IN THE LEAGUE GRAN FLEET IF YOU GOT A MAN LIKE FATHER IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT BUT SUPPOSING YOU GOT ONE LIKE ANDREW WARD HE'S SO MEAN AND CROSS TO HIS WIFE'S THAT SHE TELLS HIM EVERY DAY SHE WISHES SHE'D NEVER SET EYES ON HIM I'D LIKE TO BE A MISSIONARY AND HAVE ADVENTURES LIKE THAT SAID FELIX IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT IF YOU COULD BE SURE THE CANNIBALS WOULD BE INTERRUPTED IN THE NICK OF TIME AS HIS WERE SAID DAN BUT SPOSEN THEY WEREN'T WHEN I GOT MY TIN LEGS NIMI AMI BEGAN TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN ME WHEN I GOT MY TIN ARMS SHE BEGAN TO LIKE ME BETTER THAN EVER AND WHEN I WAS ALL MADE OF TIN SHE SAID I LOOKED LIKE HER DEAR NICK CHOPPER AND SHE WOULD BE WILLING TO MARRY ME +db10623a-c913-42a6-8a5d-b0241d4fb4bc ALL RIGHT I KNOW STORIES ABOUT IT TOO SHE SAID AS WE WALKED ACROSS THE YARD FOLLOWED BY PATTY OF THE WAVING TAIL OH AREN'T YOU GLAD IT IS SPRING THE BEAUTY OF WINTER IS THAT IT MAKES YOU APPRECIATE SPRING NEVER MIND SAID CECILY WE HAVE ALL GOT SOMETHING TO GIVE IF YOU WERE LIKE POOR SARA RAY AND HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO COLLECT ANYTHING YOU MIGHT FEEL BAD AFTER DINNER WE ALL WITHOUT ANY VERBAL DECISION ABOUT IT WASHED OUR FACES AND COMBED OUR HAIR THE GIRLS PUT ON THEIR SECOND BEST DRESSES AND WE BOYS DONNED WHITE COLLARS WE ALL HAD THE UNUTTERED FEELING THAT WE MUST DO SUCH HONOUR TO THAT PICTURE AS WE COULD I'M GETTING TIRED OF WAITING HE SAID YOU'RE TIRED HA A BREEZE RIPPLED THE TOPS OF THE GREEN OCEAN BELOW THEM HERE AND THERE RED AND PURPLE FLOWERS JUTTED FROM THE VERDURE BENDING AND NODDING LIKE AN ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE +db16f16b-989f-403d-985b-e0e7083bc744 AND HE ILLUSTRATED IT BY DESCRIBING HIS OLD WELL AT THE HOMESTEAD HE HAD NONE OF GRANDFATHER'S ABIDING LOVE FOR WOODS AND MEADOWS WE FELT SURE THAT SHE WOULD DO PENANCE AS PICTURESQUELY AND THOROUGHLY AS SHE DID EVERYTHING ELSE NEVER HEARD OF ONE DOING IT NOW WHEN THE OTHER ARCHANGELS SAW ASKED TO NEWBE VERY MANY WE GAINED FIVE HUNDRED YEARS IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES ALONE FROM THE CORNER OF MY EYE I COULD SEE HIM GETTING PURPLE ABOUT THE FACE RELATING TO THE SHIP'S TRANSMITTER THE SCENE IN THE MONITOR RECEIVER CHANGED YOU ARE NOW LOOKING AT A HYDROGEN BOMB THAT IS PRIMED AND AWARE OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD HOLDING OUR SHIPS TOGETHER IT WILL OF COURSE GO OFF IF YOU TRY TO PULL AWAY +db184ba2-f48b-43f7-8e47-5ed453f3db46 WHAT'S THE GOOD OF WORKING BUTTONHOLES ON AN OLD RAG ASKED FELICITY IT ISN'T ANY GOOD THE BEAUTY OF PENANCE IS THAT IT MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE SO IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO WHETHER IT'S USEFUL OR NOT SO LONG AS IT'S NASTY OH I WONDER HOW SARA IS THIS MORNING WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO WITH ME DOROTHY OF COURSE ANSWERED THE LITTLE GIRL I WOULDN'T MISS IT FOR ANYTHING YONAH SHRUGGED HIS FEET WERE BEGINNING TO HURT HE REALISED HE SIGHED BRIEFLY BUT THERE WAS NO TIME OR ATTENTION TO SPARE FOR THEM I COULD ONLY SEE YOU BY HAVING MYSELF ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT HE SAID IN THAT WAY YOU WILL BE FORCED TO LISTEN TO ME YOU MAY LISTEN NOW OR LATER AT A FULL HEARING OF THE INQUISITORS COURT AM I TO TAKE MY CHOICE KNUFF SAID HOW BETTY SHERMAN WON A HUSBAND THE REST OF US DID NOT SHARE THE STORY GIRL'S ENTHUSIASM REGARDING OUR CALL AND MISTER CAMPBELL WE SECRETLY DREADED IT +db3c979f-460a-42ca-ad2f-d4f4904d42bb AND WHAT LOOKED AT FIRST LIKE A RED SKIN TIGHT COSTUME BECAME A SCALY HEIGHT I LOCATED THE PEAKS EASILY ENOUGH AND STARTED THE EYE OUT FROM THE FIRST PEAK AND KEPT IT ON A COURSE DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE SECOND BUT I HAD MANAGED TO IRRITATE THE THINGS WHO HAD BUILT THE PYRAMID IT'S BECAUSE OF DAN EXPLAINED FELICITY WEARILY THE FEW BOOKS LEFT TO HIM BY HIS OFT REFERRED TO AUNT JANE HAD STOCKED HIS MIND WITH MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION WHICH SOMETIMES MADE FELIX AND ME DOUBT IF WE KNEW AS MUCH AS PETER AFTER ALL THE STORY GIRL HAD BEEN AMONG THE LATTER AND SHE LOOKED VERY PALE AND WAN WITH BLACK SHADOWS UNDER HER DEEP SET EYES +dbc103d0-ef39-44e3-ad52-236664ce0508 THAT WASN'T ON THE LANGUAGE LIST EITHER THE EQUIPMENT EVERY R IN OUR FIELD MAN USES TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF A REDISCOVERED PLANET IMPROVE THEMSELVES ORAN FOUGHT THE CONTROLS INTO WHICH SHE WOULD THROW ALL HER POWERS OF MIND AND HEART AND SOUL HIS LETTERS TO THE STORY GIRL CECILY SAID SHE DIDN'T ENVY HIM HIS CONSCIENCE I KILLED IT STONE DEAD IT WAS HIS DUTY TO TELL ME AND I DO NOT BLAME HIM WELL IF THERE ISN'T ONE IN TORONTO IT ISN'T LIKELY THERE'S ONE ANYWHERE OVERHEAD THE LACING LEAVES MADE A GREEN MURMUROUS ROOF SHE STROKED THE PURRING PADDY AND WE READ STEADILY ON WITH MADDENING INDIFFERENCE TO ALL OF OUR PLEADINGS +dbd571b0-f95e-4642-a140-5b6155742d5e I SUPPOSE YOU THINK THAT AFTER YOU HAD EATEN THIS FOOD IT WOULD TURN TO STONES AGAIN AND MAKE YOU SICK SHE REMARKED THAT THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE WE REMEMBERED THAT AUNT OLIVIA HAD WRITTEN TO FATHER THAT CECILY WAS A TRUE WARD SHE HAD NO SENSE OF HUMOR WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANT BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS NOT EXACTLY COMPLIMENTARY PETER PRAYS THREE TIMES A DAY REGULAR IN THE MORNING AND AT DINNER TIME AND AT NIGHT AND BESIDES THAT ANY TIME THROUGH THE DAY WHEN HE HAPPENS TO THINK OF IT HE JUST PRAYS STANDING UP DID YOU EVER HEAR OF SUCH GOINGS ON WE COULD NOT SEE ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN PETER'S TWO QUESTIONS WHAT HAS SQUINTING GOT TO DO WITH TWINS ASKED DAN +dc246220-4664-41ad-ba98-4f3bc2a616f0 A STRUGGLE SHOWED IN RAY'S FACE FARMER SAW INSULTED AND ANGER HURT PRIDE A DESIRE TO BRAG ABOUT HIS GADARY A QUESTION ABOUT GARF'S LAST WORDS AND A CAUTION THAT WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM FEAR OF COURSE THERE WAS NO ORCHARD HERE THEN IT WAS JUST A FIELD BUT THERE WAS A CLUMP OF WHITE BIRCHES IN IT RIGHT WHERE THAT BIG SPREADING TREE OF UNCLE ALEC'S IS NOW AND EMILY LIKED TO SIT AMONG THE FERNS UNDER THE BIRCHES AND READ OR SEW AND WHAT IS THEIR TOWN IT IS AN OLD PRAIRIE DOG TOWN THAT THEY FIXED UP YOU HAVE TO DIG DOWN WITH A SPADE TO GET TO THE STREETS MAYBE HE SAID SUDDENLY SLUMPED AND TIRED NO LONGER LAUGHING MAYBE THEY WILL BUT I GAVE HER A CHANCE IT'S ALL OVER FOR ME NOW BUT SHE KNOWS THAT I LOVED HER TO THE END HE BARED HIS TEETH IN SUDDEN PAIN NOT THAT SHE WILL CARE IN THE SLIGHTEST +dc37d42a-b81c-4b62-a265-f28526214135 A WEDDING VEIL SAID CECILY IT'S ALL RIGHT TO HAVE OUR NIGHT BOXES FOR THE HEATHEN AND SEND MISSIONARIES TO THEM OH I'LL BE ALMOST AFRAID TO LOOK AT IT SAID SARA RAY TREMULOUSLY DOES GOD REALLY LOOK LIKE THIS TO RAISE INVENTION BEHIND DOOR THE NONIPUS SURGED SLUGGISHLY AND WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYWAY I HEARD HIM TALKING IN HIS SLEEP ABOUT IT DON'T CARE WHAT YOU WERE FIGHTING ABOUT CECILY GAVE A SHRIEK AND RAN OUT OF THE WOOD +dcb7dc9f-5ef7-4aaa-94dc-ba048a802776 WE WERE GLAD WE HAD NOT HEARD IT IN THE EVENING BUT I LIT AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER AND WOKE RIGHT UP BUT I LOVE A FLOWER GARDEN AND NOW SHE DON'T ANSWER EVEN THE GUARDS SEEMED STUNNED AND I TORE MY WAY THROUGH THEM WITH HARDLY A PAUSE IN MY STRIDE A TANGLE OF CORDS STRETCHED OUT TO THE NILEN OF THE MAIN CHUTE DRAPED OVER A DUST STONE BUT SEAS NEVERTHELESS WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE SAID ANGRILY LOOKING AT THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF HIM THE GIRL CAUGHT WHYS FIRST SHE SPUN AROUND AND POINTED HE'S HERE +dcf1cc55-a214-4fd8-8435-0adac8a59620 NEIL WENT ON TASTING HALF WAY BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE HARBOUR THERE WAS A THICK SPRUCE WOOD AND THE PATH RAN THROUGH IT GET INTO THESE WHILE I BRIEF YOU ON THE MAP ONCE THERE WAS ANOTHER CITY AND THEN ONE OF OUR SPIES IN R INTERCEPTED ANYWAY IT SERVES HER RIGHT DECLARED DOROTHY BUT YOU BEING A STRANGER ARE NO DOUBT CURIOUS TO LEARN HOW I BECAME SO BEAUTIFUL AND PROSPEROUS HIS EYES WERE UNFOCUSED AS HE SPOKE SOFTLY INTO A MIKE PULLING IN A MESSAGE FROM SOMEWHERE ACROSS THE GALAXY +dd118a16-3bcb-4e0c-9846-1873f5edc04c AND AUNT OLIVIA WOULDN'T LET HER COME OUT IN THE NIGHT AIR AMONG SIBILANT SPRUCES AND FIRS SHE HASN'T BEEN VERY WELL ALL DAY BUT THEY PUT AN ENCANTO ON ME AND MADE ME AND TRIED TO GET FROM HIM WE GOT TO GET TO THAT TEN THOUSAND MARK THE FIRST SHIPS TO ENTERTER HYPERSPACE HAD NO PLACE TO GO AND NO WAY EVEN TO TELL IF THEY HAD MOVED THE OTHERS CAME RUNNING OH I DON'T BELIEVE THAT STORY IS TRUE SAID FELICITY I BELIEVE MISSUS GRIGGS WAS JUST ROMANCING SHE DOES ROMANCE MOTHER SAID +dd245f49-0edc-4555-95ee-34145f793b9e FELICITY PALE AND TEARFUL DROPPED ON HER KNEES AND LIFTED THE CRETON FRILL OFF THE SOFA THERE HIS HEAD PILLOWED HARDLY ON UNCLE ROGER'S BOOTS LADY JIMMIE PATTERSON STILL SOUND ASLEEP IT WAS A FRAGILE APPEARING LACERY OF BRIDGES WINKING DOTS OF LIGHT THE BRIDGES WOVE BACK AND FORTH FROM BUILDING TO BUILDING UNTIL THE ENTIRE VISIBLE NETWORK APPEARED TO BE ONE GIGANTIC DEW GLITTERING WEB RIGHT BEFORE US GIRT ABOUT WITH ITS TRIM SPRUCE HEDGE WAS THE FAMOUS KING ORCHARD THE HISTORY OF WHICH WAS WOVEN INTO OUR EARLIEST RECOLLECTIONS WE KNEW ALL ABOUT IT FROM FATHER'S DESCRIPTIONS AND IN FANCY WE HAD ROAMED IN IT MANY A TIME AND OFT IT WAS NOW NEARLY SIXTY YEARS SINCE IT HAD HAD ITS BEGINNING WHEN GRANDFATHER KING BROUGHT HIS BRIDE HOME BUT THE STARTLING THING WAS THAT HE HAD PICKED UP THE BOATHOOK AND WAS TWIRLING IT UNCONCERNEDLY HE HAD NOT ONLY PICKED IT UP HOWEVER HE HAD ALSO TIED IT IN A KNOT IT SHOULD HAVE SPLINTERED IN HIS HANDS ASSUMING HE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO BEND IT AT ALL +dd2f51a6-6f82-4424-9d99-6666ccdd330f I'M GOING TO WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU GUESS THAT ONE YOU ARE A WEAK FOOL LIKE THE OTHERS GRITTED TO NEW YOUR SHIP LANDED TO REPAIR ITS TUBES VERY INFERIOR CERAMICS IN THOSE TUBES WHEN THE HEAD WAS DONE I PEELED IT OFF AND ATTACHED IT TO AN ATTRACTIVE SUIT OF GREEN PLASTICK COMPLETE WITH TAIL I WAS REALLY GLAD THEY HAD TAILS LIZARDS DON'T WEAR CLOTHES AND I WANTED TO TAKE ALONG A LOT OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT I BUILT THE TAIL OVER A METAL FRAME THAT ANCHORED AROUND MY WAIST EVERYBODY LOOKED AT OUR PEW I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY FELICITY DID NOT DIE OF MORTIFICATION ON THE SPOT I DIDN'T WANT TO BUT THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE AND WE CAN'T AFFORD ANY SUSPICION AND YONAS REALIZED SLOWLY THAT SHE WAS CRYING AS SHE LOOKED AT HIM IT'S ALL RIGHT HE SAID UNCOMFORTABLY YOU'RE I'LL BE PERFECTLY ALL RIGHT YONAS SAID HE STOOD UP THIS HERE KUNUCH HE SAID HE WANTS TO SEE ME HE SAID BRINGING YOU ALONG THE BALD MAN TOLD HIM +dd497ce9-5ef9-4e7e-83ea-e81526c99d81 REASONABLY SO THAT LANGUAGE YOU WERE FORCED FED ON THE WAY OVER FIRST WE WANT TO KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE DAUPHINIS WHY SHOULD HE INDEED I WONDER IF UNCLE ROGER WILL ALWAYS STAY A BACHELOR SAID CECILY HE SEEMS REAL HAPPY OBSERVED PETER SO WE MAY TAKE OUR TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT TO DO NEXT SHE HAD HER BACK TOWARD THEM AND DID NOT EVEN TURN AROUND AND THEN WHISPERED TO THE OTHER MINISTER SO THAT EVERYBODY HEARD HIM IT'S LOVELY BUT IT'S DIFFERENT I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE IT NOW BUT I CAN'T +dd6036da-ccc5-4306-9d6d-052ff5d846e8 I'M GOING TO KEEP ON GOING TO CHURCH PETER TOLD HER I LIKE IT SERMONS ARE MORE INTERESTING THAN I THOUGHT AND I LIKE THE SINGING I WISH I COULD MAKE UP MY MIND WHETHER TO BE A PRESBYTERIAN OR A METHODIST I SUPPOSE I MIGHT ASK THE MINISTERS ABOUT IT PASS ON AND DRINK OF THE FOUNTAIN HE SAID TO ALL WHO TASTE OF IT SHALL IMMORTALITY BE GIVEN BUT ONLY TO THAT ONE WHO SHALL DRINK OF IT FIRST SHALL BE PERMITTED TO WALK AT ODIN'S RIGHT HAND FOREVER BILLY WAS TALLER THAN ANY OF THE BOYS OUR AGE IN CARLISLE AND HE ASSURED ME IT ALL CAME FROM TAKING MAGIC SEED I WAS A REGULAR WRUNT BEFORE I BEGUN HE SAID AND LOOK AT ME NOW I GOT IT FROM PEG BOWEN SHE'S A WITCH YOU KNOW COMMUNICATION BY AUDIBLE SYMBOL CHAFFY THREE SAID HE RUFFLED HIS FEATHERS IN A SHUDDER BARBAROUS +dd7a0720-cd5a-4c8b-95d2-bf58ac18b7ec PEPPET MADE A STRANGLING NOISE AND I LOOKED BACK TO HIM QUICKLY HE WAS SITTING UP NOW AND HIS FACE WAS DRY OF TEARS IN FACT HE WAS LAUGHING NOT CRYING HE WAS TRYING TO BE FAIR AND CONSIDERATE OF MY VIEWS AND NOT SUCCEEDING IN THE SLIGHTEST IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE HE GROWLED BUT NOBODY HAS TO EAT IT ALL AT ONCE RETORTED UNCLE ROGER WITH ANOTHER GROAN OH SARA STANLEY IT'S A THANKFUL MAN I AM THAT YOUR AUNT OLIVIA IS TO BE HOME TO NIGHT YOU'D HAVE ME KILT ENTIRELY BY ANOTHER DAY I BELIEVE YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE TO HAVE A STORY TO TELL ORN HELD UP HIS RIGHT HAND PALM OUT HE HAD A SECOND THOUGHT HELD UP HIS LEFT HAND TOO UNIVERSAL SYMBOL OF PEACEFUL INTENTIONS EMPTY HANDS THE GUN MUZZLE LOWERED SLIGHTLY SURE I'M MANUEL JUST LIKE I LEFT THIRTY FIVE YEARS AGO YOU CAN'T BE MANUEL SHRUNK THREE FEET AND TWO HUNDRED POUNDS AND AGED A MILLION +dd8dc3e6-a8a2-4435-8d81-75b7bf2ece64 A GOOD ALIEN ZENOLOGIST MIGHT NOT PUT IT QUITE SO POETICALLY BUT HE CAN IF HE'S SHARP READ A LOT IN THE LOOK OF AN EYE WE OUGHTA SCRAPE THIS PLANET CLEAN OF EVERY LIVING THING ON IT MUTTERED AMBO STETSON SECTION CHIEF OF INVESTIGATION AND ADJUSTMENT STETSON PACE LENNED AND CONTROL BRIDGE OF HIS SCOUT CRUISER THE CATALOGUE WAS WRONG IRONICALLY THEIR PROBLEM WAS MORE PRESSING NOW THAN BEFORE UNLESS CHECK THE ZID WOULD RAPIDLY DEPOPULATE THE ISLAND AND TO CHECK IT THEY MUST BREAK A PRIME RULE OF GALACTIC PROTOCOL IN ASKING THE HELP OF A NEW AND UNTESTED SPECIES BUT THEY HAD NO CHOICE THEY TELEPHORTED AT ONCE INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE TWO NEARBY NATIVES AND MET WITH FRUSTRATION BEYOND SERREMEIAN EXPERIENCE THE STORY GIRL MADE NO RESPONSE PETER SIDLED UP TO HER I'M AWFUL SORRY HE SAID CONTRITELY I NEVER MEANT TO LAUGH IT JUST HAPPENED BEFORE I COULD STOP MYSELF IT WAS THIS WAY DON'T YOU EVER SPEAK TO ME AGAIN SAID THE STORY GIRL IN A TONE OF COLD CONCENTRATED FURY GO AND BE A METHODIST OR A MOHAMMEDAN OR ANYTHING I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU ARE YOU HAVE HUMILIATED ME MY AUNT JANE TOLD ME SO SAID PETER I SUPPOSE THAT SETTLES IT SAID FELICITY DISAGREEABLY YOU ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING NASTY WHEN I MENTION MY AUNT JANE SAID PETER REPROACHFULLY WHAT DID I SAY THAT WAS NASTY CRIED FELICITY I DIDN'T SAY A SINGLE THING +dda77eaa-d6c9-450b-bcc5-b8d64f16c2b3 OZMA HERSELF BEING A REAL FAIRY KNEW A LOT OF MAGIC BUT SHE ONLY USED IT TO BENEFIT HER SUBJECTS AM I TO TAKE THIS AS A CONFESSION HE SAID DO YOU WISH TO HURRY YOUR OWN DEATH I AM NO WIZARD YONAH SAID YES HE TURNED BARKED IN ORDER TO THE JUNGLE GLOOM THEN CLIMBED IN BEHIND ORAN WHEN DO WE GO ASKED ORAN THE GREAT SUN WILL BE DOWN SOON SAID TO NEWBE WE CAN CONTINUE AS SOON AS CYERANNA CRUSOE RISES ADAM AND EVE LIVED IN A GARDEN ALL THE TIME SAID FELICITY AND THEY WERE FAR FROM BEING ALWAYS GOOD THEY MIGHTN'T HAVE KEPT GOOD AS LONG AS THEY DID IF THEY HADN'T LIVED IN A GARDEN SAID THE STORY GIRL +ddbe2fe8-d975-46e5-b4ca-a0ad61bb7f36 A GRID OF LIGHT AND SHADOW FLUTTERED ON THE SCREEN WE MAY YET SPOT THE ESCAPE CAPSULE NOT AT ALL NOT AT ALL BUT ALMOST A MINUTE PASSED BEFORE THE HUT OF AN OLD WOMAN SHOWED ITSELF AT THE WINDOW YONAS SMILED SOFTLY NOT BELONG ON THE WORLD AND HE REMEMBERED WHO HAD BEEN WITH WHOM A HOW ABOUT LITTLE PEOPLE IT UD BE PRETTY HARD TO MISS SOMETHING THE SIZE OF THAT THING WE FLEW OVER FOR A WHILE THERE I THOUGHT I'D NEVER BE TASTING ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN +ddd9992f-a1cc-40a5-a493-cfa376a0df35 THE COLD FEELING WAS NOW A BALL OF ICE THAT THREATENED TO PARALYZE ME YOU'RE LYING I SAID HOARSELY AND EVEN I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT HARVEST WAS ENDED AND THOUGH SUMMER WAS NOT YET GONE HER FACE WAS TURNING WESTERING THE ASTERS LETTERED HER RETREATING FOOTSTEPS IN A PURPLE SCRIPT AND OVER THE HILLS AND VALLEYS HUNG A FAINT BLUE SMOKE AS IF NATURE WERE WORSHIPPING AT HER WOODLAND ALTAR ALL OF THEM ASKED THE JAGUAR YES THE OWL IS TIN SO YOU COULDN'T POSSIBLY EAT HIM THE CANARY IS A FAIRY POLYCHROME THE DAUGHTER OF THE RAINBOW AND YOU COULD NEVER CATCH HER BECAUSE SHE CAN EASILY FLY OUT OF HER RAGE THANK YOU AND WILL YOU GIVE ME A HANDFUL OF HARD PEAS AFTER BREAKFAST AUNT JANET I WANT TO PUT THEM IN MY SHOES THERE ISN'T ANY I USED THE LAST IN THE SOUP YESTERDAY OH THE STORY GIRL WAS MUCH DISAPPOINTED THEN I SUPPOSE I'LL HAVE TO DO WITHOUT +dddc95f3-f162-4f1b-81de-20671aa3d11b NEVERTHELESS WE ALL FELT A LITTLE OF THE SADNESS OF THE WANING YEAR THERE WAS A DISTINCT WEIGHT ON OUR SPIRITS UNTIL FELICITY TOOK US INTO THE PANTRY AND STAYED US WITH APPLE TARTS AND COMFORTED US WITH CREAM WELL I FINALLY DECIDED THAT MY GUN DID ANYTHING BUT FRIGHTEN THEM THEY WERE ANGRY WHEN I REFUSED TO DO ANY MORE SLAUGHTERING AND LED ME HERE WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE EXCLAIMED PETER HAS THE MEASLES HE WAS DREADFULLY SICK ALL NIGHT AND UNCLE ROGER HAD TO GO FOR THE DOCTOR HE WAS QUITE LIGHT HEADED AND DIDN'T KNOW ANY ONE OF COURSE HE'S FAR TOO SICK TO BE TAKEN HOME SO HIS MOTHER IS COME TO WAIT ON HIM AND I'M TO LIVE OVER HERE UNTIL HE IS BETTER FARMER THOUGHT DESPERATELY AGAIN THAT HE COULD SWIM AND THEN HE THOUGHT WILDLY OF THE JUDGE WHO HADN'T REGAINED FULL CONSCIOUSNESS +de0ff1c6-c92f-4c59-acad-a4b0f295a75f HE WAS PECULIAR JOHN ANDREW WAS STRAIGHTENING UP FROM DOING THIS WHEN HE SAW THE AND WONDERINGLY MARSHALL DID AND IN THE DAYS THAT THE ARGUMENT WAS GOING ON THEY CLEANED UP AND FED MANWELL NEYLON STREAMED OUT BEHIND HIM AND SNAPPED OPEN WITH A TREMENDOUS JAR I'D GIVE A YEAR'S PAY IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW TOWERS AND MAYBE ANOTHER TEN TO GET THE CAPSULE TIME SLOW DOWN SOME NATURAL FORCE THEY'VE CORRALLED I IMAGINE WE CAN EVEN ADD OTHER THINGS HEAT AND ELECTRICITY FOR EXAMPLE +de10da39-8d17-45c8-8a60-9d5af8828c2c YONAS SHRUGGED MENTALLY I SUPPOSE SO HE SAID I LIKE TO WORK ON MY OWN DO MY OWN JOB AND IT'S GOT YOU INTO TROUBLE BEFORE CLARETON SAID BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD ANY MISTAKES THIS TIME WHEN I RETURNED TO NIMIA ME THE GIRL WAS DELIGHTED AND THREW HER ARMS AROUND MY NECK AND KISSED ME DECLARING SHE WAS BUT PROUD OF ME HE STOOD FOR A LONG MOMENT THEN CAUTIOUSLY SKIRTED THE BRUSH AND CONTINUED ON TOWARD THE BURNING SHIP THERE WAS AN ODD CLICKING SOUND AND HE STOPPED IT SOUNDED AGAIN BUT WHEN THE STORY GIRL WREATHED HER NUT BROWN TRESSES WITH CRIMSON LEAVES IT SEEMED AS PETER SAID THAT THEY GREW ON HER AS IF THE GOLD AND FLAME OF HER SPIRIT HAD BROKE OUT IN A CORONAL AS MUCH A PART OF HER AS THE PALE HALO SEEMS A PART OF THE MADONNA IT ENCIRCLES +de299150-10a1-4008-b3f6-e97634ac9099 UNCLE ROGER AND UNCLE ALEC LULLED IN THE GRASS LIKE BOYS LAST NIGHT I DREAMED I WAS IN CHURCH HE SAID UNCLE ROGER'S LAUGHTER WAS HARD TO BEAR BUT HIS GRAVITY WAS EVEN HARDER I THOUGHT OF IT WHEN I HEARD YOURS I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT BEFORE BUT I DO NOW I'D LIKE A DRESS OF MOONSHINE WITH STARS FOR BUTTONS WE WERE IN THE ORCHARD AT SUNSET LISTENING TO THE STORY OF KING COPHETUA AND THE BEGGAR MAID ALL OF US EXCEPT PETER WHO WAS HOEING TURNIPS AND FELICITY WHO HAD GONE DOWN THE HILL ON AN ERRAND TO MISSUS RAY SARA'S INTENTIONS WERE GOOD HE MANAGED TO CROAK BEFORE GIVING IT UP BUT IT HAD MELTED THE FARMER LOOKED AT GARF AGAIN WITH FEAR AND AWE AND PUT OUT A TENSIVE HAND TOWARDS THE FUSE MESS +de44502d-ab5f-47e0-b663-be23d2659c1e AFTER IT HAD BEEN EATEN AND THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE GREW TO FULL NIGHT IT WAS TIME TO RETIRE IT WAS ONE MORE UNHAPPY EVENT IN A LIFETIME IN WHICH SHE HAD EXPECTED NOTHING ELSE THEY HAD A SAFETY FACTOR BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER SO YOU CAN'T END UP INSIDE A STAR NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRIED THE STORY GIRL GOES OVER HIS DREAMS AFTER HE HAS WRITTEN THEM OUT AND PUTS IN THE COMMAS AND SEMI COLENS AND STRAIGHTENS OUT THE SENTENCES HE HAD NOT VOCALIZED SINCE FLEDGLING DAYS AND HIS VOICE HAD A JARRING CROAK OF DISUSE +de630283-e4fc-4057-8549-1722f8882db0 AS SHE FINISHED HER CONVERSATION AND SWITCHED OFF THE TWO WAY RADIO HE TURNED TO HER DOR HE SAID SOFTLY SHE LOOKED AT HIM HAUGHTILY DON'T SPEAK TO ME SHE SAID I TOLD YOU YOU'D HAVE TO STOP YOUR IRRESPONSIBLE PRACTICAL JOKING AND SETTLE DOWN I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I'D DO SAID PETER I'D TAKE A PRESENT FOR PEG AND ASK HER TO MAKE PAT WELL I WOULDN'T LET ON I THOUGHT SHE'D MADE HIM SICK THEN SHE COULDN'T BE OFFENDED AND MAYBE SHE'D TAKE THE SPELL OFF I THINK WE'D BETTER ALL GIVE HER SOMETHING SAID FELICITY I'M WILLING TO DO THAT BUT WHO'S GOING TO TAKE THE PRESENTS TO HER JEFF HAD JUST SET FOOT ON HIS DOCK WHEN IT HAPPENED SOLID AS THE PLANKING ITSELF AND ALL BUT BLOCKING OFF HIS VIEW OF THE NEARING ISLAND QUEEN STOOD A SIX FOOT OWL WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO PAT WHISPERED CECILY WELL WE COULD HAVE A JOLLY FUNERAL YOU KNOW SAID DAN +de6b1303-534a-4187-9b36-e1b8d96b9d1d A WAVE OF PURE HEAT SWEPT OVER THE BOAT BLISTERING WHAT PAINT IT STILL BOASTED THE BLOW HAD BEEN DIRECTED AT DOOR AND SHE SHOWED THAT SHE HAD ABSORBED MOST OF IT BY WILTING VISIBLY BUT FARMER FELT AS MUCH OF IT AS HE WANTED WE ALL EXPLODED WITH LAUGHTER ON THE SPOT MUCH TO THE HORROR OF MISSUS ABRAHAM WARD WHO WAS JUST DRIVING PAST AND WHO CAME UP THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD AUNT JANET WE HAD ACTED SCANDALOUS ON THE ROAD HOME FROM CHURCH I SLUMPED DEFEATED WAITING FOR THE BLOW TO LAND THE OLD MAN FONDLED MY CONTRACT SOME OF THE MORE CREDULOUS NATIVES PROSTRATED THEMSELVES AND OTHERS FLED SCREAMING WITH EACH PASSING MINUTE THE SPHERE OF PROBABLE LOCATIONS GREW LARGER BY THE POWER OF THE SQUARED CUBE I KEPT THE ON WATCH CREW OF THE CRUISER AT DUTY STATION TO CONFINED THE REST WITHIN A HUNDRED YARD RADIUS OF THE SHIP +de7f0280-de29-4d34-8edb-db6491d36cce WHEN THE JELLY COOKIES WERE ALL EATEN IT WAS HIGH TIME TO BE MOVING HOMEWARD FOR WHEN THE DARK COMES DOWN THERE ARE MORE COMFORTABLE PLACES THAN A RUSTLING MAPLE WOOD AND THE PRECINCTS OF A POSSIBLY ENCHANTED SPRING SHE WOULD NEVER BE SATISFIED AS A DABBLER WHATEVER HER FUTURE CAREER SHOULD BE INTO WHICH SHE WOULD THROW ALL HER POWERS OF MIND AND HEART AND SOUL BUT UNCLE BLAIR COULD DO AT LEAST ONE THING SURPASSINGLY WELL THERE IT WAS IN TRUTH THE TREE GRANDFATHER KING HAD PLANTED WHEN HE RETURNED ONE EVENING FROM PLOUGHING IN THE BROOK FIELD AND STUCK THE WILLOWS WHICH HE HAD USED ALL DAY IN THE SOFT SOIL BY THE GATE HEADING ONE EIGHT ZERO APPROXIMATELY SIX HUNDRED MILES FROM YOU ALTITUDE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FEET WHAT IS THE NATURE OF YOUR TROUBLE BRANDON BEFORE BRANDON COULD ANSWER THE FACE OF COLONEL TOWERS APPEARED BESIDE THE RADIO MAN'S BRANDON WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO POLE ENGINE TROUBLE SIR +de885a78-3d70-4926-89de-2f59645c3ba1 HIS FACE WAS AS WHITE AS A SUNBURNED FACE COULD BE AND HIS EYES WERE BRIMMED WITH PANIC PETER WHAT DOES THE MATTER CRIED CECILY THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE HOUSE RINGING A BELL SAID PETER IN A SHAKING VOICE GET OVER THAT AND YOU'LL ELIMINATE MOST OF YOUR TROUBLE AS FOR THE FEDERATION THEY LET US IN AND MOST MEMBER RACES HAVE WARS OCCASIONALLY THEY'LL UNDOUBTEDLY ACCEPT YOU ONCE YOU DEVELOP SPACE TRAVEL PETER IS BESIDE HER OF COURSE SPRAWLED FLAT ON HIS STOMACH AMONG THE GRASSES ONE HAND CLUTCHING HIS BLACK CURLS WITH HIS DREAM BOOK ON A SMALL ROUND STONE BEFORE HIM FOR ONLY SO CAN PETER COMPOSE AT ALL AND EVEN THEN HE FINDS IT HARD WORK THE DEPARTMENT IS OFFICIALLY CALLED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WHEN IT REALLY SHOULD BE CALLED TROUBLE SHOOTING HYPERSPACE BEACONS ARE TO LAST FOR EVER OR DAMN CLOSE TO IT WHEN ONE OF THEM BREAKS DOWN IT IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT AND REPAIRING THE THING IS NEVER A MATTER OF JUST PLUGGING IN A NEW PART +de9a8a6a-9119-4d9e-8574-fc0cbdf5d430 SARA RAY'S OWN DREAMS NEVER AMOUNTED TO MUCH SHE WAS ALWAYS IN TROUBLE OF SOME SORT COULDN'T GET HER HAIR BRAIDED OR HER SHOES ON THE RIGHT FEET CONSEQUENTLY HER DREAM BOOK WAS VERY MONOTONOUS THE ONLY THING WORTH MENTIONING IN THE WAY OF DREAMS THAT SARA RAY EVER ACHIEVED WAS THAT SHE DREAMED THAT SHE WENT UP IN A BALLOON AND FELL OUT I EXPECTED TO COME DOWN WITH AN AWFUL THUD SHE SAID SHUDDERING BUT I LIT AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER AND WOKE RIGHT UP STETSON SMILED WITHOUT HUMOR THAT'S ONE OF I A'S ANSWERS TO THOSE FAT KEASTERED POLITICIANS WE'RE SETTING UP OUR OWN SEARCH SYSTEM TO FIND THE PLANETS BEFORE THEY DO WE'VE MANAGED TO PUT SPIES AND KEEP PLACES AT OUR N ARE ANY TOUCHY PLANETS OUR SPIES REPORT WE DIVERT THE FILES THEN WHAT THEN WE LOOK INTO THEM WITH BRIGHT BOYS LIKE YOU DISGUISED AS OUR N OUR FIELD MEN TERRA HAS NO REAL NEED OF THE CRYSTALS WE CAN OFFER A TESTEDETICS PROGRAMME THAT WILL ELIMINATE RACIAL ANXIETY WITHIN A FEW GENERATIONS AND SUPPLY NEURAL THERAPY EQUIPMENT ON A TRADE BASIS OF COURSE THAT WILL SERVE THE CRYSTAL'S PURPOSE DURING THE INTERIM HE HESITATED AND THEN UTTERED A HIGH PITCHED SOUND THAT I PRESUMED TO BE A WORD OF COMMAND BEFORE I COULD FREE THE GUN AGAIN THE CREATURES HAD ME AND WHILE THEIR FLESH LOOKED MORE UNNATURAL AND UNREAL THAN EVER AT CLOSE RANGE THEIR LONG FINGERS GRIPPED ME LIKE TALONS OF STEEL THE BEING WHICH HAD UTTERED THE COMMAND DISAPPEARED AND MY CAPTORS LED ME STRUGGLING AND PROTESTING TOWARD THE BLACK UGLY TOWERS OF THE CITY +deb4ec5b-ea54-4209-939c-01449b2dca14 IT WOULDN'T DO SHE DECIDED SO I THINK IT'S REAL MEAN THAT ONE OF THEM HAS TO BE COVERED UP MOST OF THE TIME THERE'S THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO I TOLD HER WHATEVER ELSE HE'S AFTER DON'T TRY TO RUN I SHOUTED AFTER IT CAN'T DO ANY GOOD THAT SORT OF STORY OUGHT TO BE TOLD IN THE TWILIGHT AMONG THE SHADOWS THEN IT WOULD FRIGHTEN THE SOULS OUT OF YOUR BODIES IT WAS QUITE DARK IN THE HALLWAY NOW THAT THE DOOR OUTSIDE WAS SHUT WELL KNOWN IN THE EMERALD CITY +df04106b-b28c-43b1-840c-d8a70acecaad JUST WHAT THESE BAD BERRIES WERE I CANNOT TELL FELICITY WHEN YOU SET THE TABLE FOR DINNER PUT THE BROKEN HANDLED KNIFE FOR ME I HATE IT SO AND I'M GOING TO TAKE A DOSE OF MEXICAN TEA EVERY TWO HOURS GREAT MACHINE TO WORK WITH I HAD IT DIGGING OUT SPACESHIP INFA FOR ME SOMETHING I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN YOU SHOULD BE INSKIPP INTERRUPTED RUDELY YOU'VE STOLEN ENOUGH OF THEM IN YOUR TIME I GAVE HIM A HURT LOOK AND WENT ON SLOWLY FINALLY ONE OF THE DRAGONS WHICH WAS FARTHEST AWAY FROM HIM ASKED IN A DEEP GRAVE VOICE WHAT WAS THAT TAKE IT SHE WHISPERED THE QUESTION WAS HOW WAS HE TO TAKE IT BOTH OF AGLEIA'S ARMS WERE HELD FAST TO HER SIDES BY GLECON'S ARMS AND IF HE LOOSED HIS CLASP EVER SO LITTLE HE WAS AFRAID SHE WOULD FALL SO WEAK AND TREMBLING WAS SHE FROM HER DREADFUL FRIGHT +df0a0b88-a379-4b0a-9ab1-055d2c5623ee WELL HE'S GOT TO STOP PRAYING AGAINST ME ANYHOW SAID FELIX RESOLUTELY HE GESTURED TOWARDS THE MAN'S CIGARETTE A SMOKING CYLINDER OF FUSED METAL LAY IN A GULLY I SUPPOSE IT TAKES PEOPLE'S EMOTIONAL REACTIONS A WHILE TO CATCH UP WITH DEVELOPMENTS THAT LOGICALLY WE ACCEPT AS A MATTER OF FACT THAT I HADN'T BEEN IN QUITE SUCH A HURRY GIVING AWAY MY FORGET ME NOT JUG AND I WISH I HADN'T BEEN IN SUCH A HURRY DECIDE AND I'D BE A PRESBYTERIAN SAID PETER WELL IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR THAT SAID DAN YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND NOW THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU YOUNG ONES HAVE EVER ALL GOT UP WITHOUT BEING CALLED THAT'S A FACT THEY HAVE BEEN NEED NEEDING REORGANIZATION FOR QUITE A WHILE I TOOK A STADISTIC REVENGE ON THE NAVY BY NOT TELLING HIM A WORD ABOUT MY MISSION +df5319ca-521e-44d8-81e7-058113cbe3fd THE FAT ONE ISN'T SO BAD HE ISN'T SO QUICK TO MOVE AND GET OUT OF YOUR SIGHT WHILE YOU'RE WINKING AS THE THIN ONE BUT THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO TRAVEL WITH THOSE YOUNG ONES WOULD BE TO HAVE EM BOTH TIED TO YOU WITH A SHORT ROPE A MIGHTY SHORT ROPE CLEAN AS AN EGG HE BARKED HE PAUSED IN HIS ROUND OF THE BRIDGE GLARED OUT THE STARBOARD PORT SPAT INTO THE FIRE BLACKENED CIRCLE THAT THE CRUISER'S JETS HAD BURNED FROM THE JUNGLE I'VE THOUGHT SO MUCH ABOUT IT OH MOTHER PLEASE LET ME HOLD IT FOR A MINUTE I'LL BE AS CAREFUL AS CAREFUL THERE COMES A CHINA SET GRANDFATHER KING GAVE US SAID THE STORY GIRL WISTFULLY OH IT MAKES ME FEEL SAD WE TOOK A DRINK FROM THE BLUE CUP AND THEN WENT TO FIND OUR BIRTHDAY TREES WE WERE RATHER DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THEM QUITE LARGE STURDY ONES WHAT IS PETER LIKE I ASKED +df69ffc6-237a-4f97-a696-3d72dddb52f8 EVEN IF YOU WAS BROUGHT UP IN TORONTO AT ALL EVENTS FELICITY RESENTED THE IMPUTATION THAT SHE HAD MORE INFLUENCE WITH PETER THAN ANY ONE ELSE A VERY GOOD GUESS FOR THIS LATE AT NIGHT I TOLD HIM CHEERILY ALL THE FITTINGS INSIDE AND OUT WERE EITHER MACHINE TURNED OR PLAITED MY PLAN WAS BEYOND HIS UNDERSTANDING WE THOUGHT HIM HANDSOME FOR AN OLD MAN WELL I DON'T KNOW SAID THE STORY GIRL THOUGHTFULLY I THINK THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF TRUE THINGS TRUE THINGS THAT ARE AND TRUE THINGS THAT ARE NOT BUT MIGHT BE I UNIMPORTANT YONAS THOUGHT THE MAN IS CONVINCED HE CAN BE TRAINED FURTHER AND JOIN THE BROTHERHOOD BUT HE MAKETH VERY LITTLE PROGRESS UNLESS HE PICK THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE WHO STICKETH OUT HIS NECK +df7789da-3037-431f-8dce-d2f1271a8019 UNCLE ROGERS SAYS THAT MARTIN FORBES WIFE HAS SQUELCHED HIM WE HAD STOWED THE HAY IN THE LOFT THAT MORNING FOR UNCLE ROGER SO WE FELT THAT WE HAD EARNED THE RIGHT TO LOLL ON OUR SWEET SMELLING COUCH BUT THERE MIGHT BE A MISTAKE SOBBED SARAH IT MIGHT BE TWO O'CLOCK TO NIGHT INSTEAD OF TO MORROW HE GOT INTO HIS BUGGY AND DROVE AWAY LEAVING EIGHT DISTRACTED MORTALS BEHIND HIM AND HERE ARE NINE MORE OF THE REGULAR PEOPLE NOWHERE IN ALL VERBIAGE DOES IT SAY HOW BIG THEY HAVE TO BE BUT IT WOULD GIVE YOU NO REAL IDEA OF THE PECULIAR QUALITY WHICH MADE THE STORY GIRL'S VOICE WHAT IT WAS RIGHT BEFORE US GIRT ABOUT WITH ITS TRIM SPRUCE HEDGE WAS THE FAMOUS KING ORCHARD THE HISTORY OF WHICH WAS WOVEN INTO OUR EARLIEST RECOLLECTIONS +dfb6b412-2a82-456f-a02e-aeec9e079498 AT LAST THEY CAME TO THE VERY PLACE WHERE THE RAINBOW TOUCHED THE EARTH I KNOW I WILL LIKE HIM HE HAS SUCH A NICE FACE EVEN IF HE IS AWKWARD HE LOOKS LIKE A MAN YOU COULD TELL THINGS TO WELL I'D LIKE A MAN WHO COULD MOVE AROUND WITHOUT FALLING OVER HIS OWN FEET SAID FELICITY AND THEN THE LOOK OF HIM UNCLE ROGER SAYS HE IS LONG LANK LEAN NARROW AND CONTRACTED THE GATE CRASHED OPEN AND I STALKED THROUGH THEN IT BANGED BEHIND ME AND I WAS ALONE IN THE DARK BUT NOT FOR LONG THERE WAS A SHUFFLING NEAR BY AND I TOOK A CHANCE AND TURNED ON MY FLASH AFTER BREAKFAST SHE WASHED THE DISHES AND DID THE BEDROOM WORK A GRIM SILENCE THEN WITH A BOOK UNDER ONE ARM AND PAT UNDER THE OTHER SHE BETOOK HERSELF TO THE WINDOW SEAT IN THE UPSTAIRS HALL AND WOULD NOT BE LURED FROM THAT RETREAT CHARMED WE NEVER SO WISELY +dfc1a6fc-169e-4b8a-a1ac-8dfb3d510131 IN THE WARDROOM OF STETSON'S SCOUT CRUISER THE LIGHTS WERE LOW WE DIVERT THE FILES HIS FOOTSTEPS GRATED ON A FLOOR THAT WAS THE REAR WALL OF THE BRIDGE DURING FLIGHT BUT HE HAD THE BASIC IDEA HE HARDLY NEEDED TO SEE INTO HER MIND TO KNOW WHERE SHE WAS GOING YONAS SET A THOUGHT OF UNCERTAINTY WHAT FOR JUST AS THE EVENING STAR WAS LOOKING WHITELY THROUGH THE ROSY WINDOW OF THE WESTECILY CAME FLYING THROUGH THE ORCHARD WRINGING HER HANDS DID HE WANT TO RULE A WHOLE PLANET OR MAYBE AN ENTIRE SYSTEM OR MORE I HAVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM +e0120efb-d04f-45d2-8918-c93feae365de LET THEM COME SHE RETURNED WITH AN ACCENT OF SCORN WHEN THEY GET HERE THEY WILL FIND NEITHER BOY NOR A TIN MAN NOR A SCARECROW FOR TO MORROW MORNING I INTEND TO TRANSFORM YOU ALL INTO OTHER SHAPES SO THAT YOU CANNOT BE RECOGNIZED YOU KNOW A GREAT DEAL CLARETON SAID WHICH I SOMETIMES FIND IT NECESSARY TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION SARA WHO HAD NOT ENJOYED THE EXHIBITION AT ALL SEEMED TO FEEL MORE CHEERFUL WHEN IT WAS OVER AND SHE WAS GOING HOME THE STORY GIRL ON THE CONTRARY WAS GLOOMY SUPPOSE HE WAS MISTAKEN SUPPOSE SHE SAID NO NEIL WOULD HAVE THE LAUGH ON ME THEN +e017e089-c122-4a7b-ae5b-b2de05ac3910 AND SHE FED THEM HERSELF JUST THE SAME AS USUAL HE BELONGED TO A DIFFERENT WORLD FROM THEIRS I HAD NOT GROWN A SINGLE BIT BY THE MERCILESS TESTIMONY OF THE HALL DOOR PAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN MORE THAN ANY HUMAN BEING EVER KNEW I KNOW A STORY ABOUT A GHOST SAID THE STORY GIRL THE RULING PASSION STRONG EVEN IN EXTREMITY THIRTY FOUR MEN DEAD BOREDOM OR CURIOSITY HAD DRIVEN HIM OUT AND HE WAS READING ONE OF MY RELEASES WITH HORROR THE STORY GIRL LAWFULLY TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND AND FELICITY SAID THAT FAT BOYS SHOULD MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS +e064cb42-08e3-4216-89f0-9c1366c18f8f HE HAD A DECISION TO MAKE STAY HERE WITH THE CAPSULE OR HEAD FOR THE FIRE COULDN'T BE MORE THAN A THOUSAND YARDS AWAY HE DECIDED THREE DAYS LATER AN INCREDIBLE DWARF STAGGERED INTO THE OUTSKIRTS OF HIGH PLAINS TEXAS FOLLOWED BY A DYING WOLF SIZED ANIMAL THAT DID NOT LOOK LIKE A WOLF IT MAKES YOU THINK OF CATHEDRALS AND CHIMES DOESN'T IT LET'S GO OVER TO UNCLE STEPHEN'S WALK AND SIT ON THE BRANCHES OF THE BIG TREE IT'S TOO WET ON THE GRASS AND I KNOW A STORY A TRUE STORY ABOUT AN OLD LADY I SAW IN TOWN AT AUNT LOUISE'S SUCH A DEAR OLD LADY WITH LOVELY SILVERY CURLS DID YOU EVER FIGHT ASKED THE STORY GIRL ONCE I SAID BRIEFLY DREADING THE NEXT QUESTION WHICH PROMPTLY CAME +e08651d0-9d1f-4885-9432-06f9f1c5da89 WHEN I EXPLAINED THIS TO GINGER THE GIRL AT ONCE PAINTED A STRAW STACK WHICH WAS SO NATURAL THAT I WENT TO IT AND SECURED ENOUGH STRAW TO FILL ALL MY BODY IT WAS A GOOD QUALITY OF STRAW TOO AND LASTED ME A LONG TIME BUT THESE YOUNG MEN DIDN'T THINK OF THESE THINGS THEY WERE LED ON BY A GOLDEN VISION THEY MADE ALL THEIR ARRANGEMENTS AND THEY CHARTERED THE BRIG FANNY TO TAKE THEM TO CALIFORNIA THE CAPTAIN OF THE FANNY IS THE HERO OF MY STORY THE PROUD PRINCESS HELD HERSELF MORE PROUDLY THAN EVER BUT SHE WAS AS WHITE AS HER VEIL AND THERE WAS NO LAUGHTER OR MERRYMAKING SUCH AS SHOULD BE AT A WEDDING AND EVERY ONE LOOKED AT EVERY ONE ELSE WITH FEAR IN HIS EYES YOU KNOW I TOLD YOU HE WAS VERY ANGRY BECAUSE THE PRESBYTERY MADE HIM RETIRE THERE WERE TWO MINISTERS IN PARTICULAR HE BLAMED FOR BEING AT THE BOTTOM OF IT ONE TIME A FRIEND OF HIS WAS TRYING TO CONSOLE HIM AND SAID TO HIM YOU SHOULD BE RESIGNED TO THE WILL OF PROVIDENCE +e098d06d-e7ad-4afe-8d22-81dfbb4f0ab9 AND SO SHE TIPTOED UP SO AND BENT OVER SO AND KISSED HIS CHEEK A HUGE GRAY BOULDER AS HIGH AS A MAN'S HEAD IN THE SOUTH EASTERN CORNER JENIFER SAID IN A SMALL VOICE THEY COULDN'T EVEN RUN CHAFFEE THREE CLOSED THE PORT WHEN I HEARD THE STORY GIRL READ IT I MADE A SECRET COMPACT WITH MYSELF THAT I WOULD TRY TO DESERVE SUCH AN EPITAPH BEAUTY DRAWS US WITH A SINGLE HAIR THE END OF THE WORLD IT IS COMING TO MORROW I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU EXPECT TO GO WHEN YOU DIE FELICITY SHE SAID TEARFULLY IF YOU DON'T FORGIVE PEOPLE +e0aa1ffd-e00f-4c0a-a252-31f1213f99e9 PERHAPS UGLY PEOPLE NEVER HAVE STORIES HAPPEN TO THEM SUGGESTED FELICITY I THINK THEY'RE JUST AS INTERESTING AS HANDSOME PEOPLE RETORTED DAN THE NOSE AS A MATTER OF STRICT TRUTH WAS HARD TO DISTINGUISH FROM THE OTHER CONTUSIONS SWELLINGS AND MARKS THAT COVERED THE HEAD SHE PRAYED FOR IT YOU KNOW SAID FELIX AFTER SARA HAD GONE HOME THAT'S TOO EASY A WAY OF EARNING MONEY GRUMBLED PETER RESENTFULLY IF THE REST OF US HAD JUST SET DOWN AND DONE NOTHING ONLY PRAYED HOW MUCH YOU SUPPOSE WE'D HAVE IT DON'T SEEM FAIR TO ME FIRST I'LL REPEAT YOUR OWN WARNING OBEY ORDERS IF YOU WANT TO LIVE I'LL SHOW YOU WHY WHEN I THREW THE BIG SWITCH A CAREFULLY WORKED OUT SEQUENCE TOOK PLACE FIRST OF COURSE THE HULL WAS MAGNETIZED AND THE BOMBS FUSED A LIGHT BLINKED AS THE SCANNER IN THE CABIN TURNED OFF AND THE ONE IN THE GENERATOR ROOM CAME ON +e1348833-a6d4-463f-8b15-6160a4d18f64 DAN PICKED A CLUSTER AND HELD IT UP PETER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FINE ONLY KIND OF INCONVENIENT WEARING A CROWN ALL THE TIME BUT FELIXES ARE ONLY GOOD FOR PIES AS OLD MISSUS FRASER SAYS SAID CECILY WITH A SHIVER HOW DID WILLIAM COAN BEHAVE AFTERWARD ANNE WOULD NOT GIVE SARA A CENT OR PUT HER IN ANY WAY OF EARNING ONE IT WAS COOK CLIP WHO MADE ME AND THE TIN WOODMAN ADDED ASKED THE GREEN MONKEY EARNESTLY +e162f136-a184-493f-ac24-a8d4ea6f1f9c THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG SOMEWHERE SAID CECILY PERPLEXEDLY SWINGING HER SHAPELY BARE FEET TO AND FRO AND HE WAS THE BEST HUNTER IN THE TRIBE BESIDES THERE WAS A DUSKY LITTLE PEAR SHAPED APPLE FROM ONE OF UNCLE STEPHEN'S TREES WHICH WAS OUR FAVOURITE A WILD AND DESPERATE IDEA CAME TO ME I WAITED A MOMENT CONSCIOUS ONLY OF THE FAINT HUM OF A GENERATOR AT THE OTHER END OF THE ROOM BECAUSE THE OLD PRIEST DID PRY AND PEER IT WAS RULED HENCEFORTH THAT ONLY THE BLIND COULD ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES +e17d98b0-9e6e-43d8-8dbe-60217f275e4d I'M ALMOST SURE I CAN SEE A STRAWSTACK IN THE BACK YARD THEY TALKED IT OVER FOR A WHILE AND THEN MISSUS EWKE RETURNED IT WAS STILL RUNNING APPARENTLY UNDAMAGED SOFT AND ENVELOPING BEHIND ME FOR I WAS FACING THE MULTITUDE FAME SAID UNCLE ROGER IF SHE EVER HAS A CHANCE THAT IS AND I SUPPOSE HER FATHER WILL SEEK TO THAT RAY LOOKED MAD STARTED TO AIM A KICK AT THE SCREAM BUT THOUGHT BETTER OF IT ACTING AS IF HE COULD AFFORD NOT TO GIVE A DAMN HOW BADLY HE HAD BEEN STUNG +e1824661-af50-4448-b314-9fc1321b6443 SHE WAS ALWAYS IN TROUBLE OF SOME SORT COULDN'T GET HER HAIR BRAIDED OR HER SHOES ON THE RIGHT FEET FROM THE TOWNSHIP THAT REPRESENTED COLONIAL TERRAN CIVILIZATION IN PERSONCINIAN ARCHIPELAGO ONE FORTY SEVEN AND MET WITH FRUSTRATION BEYOND SERREMEIAN EXPERIENCE IN THE LIFE ABOVE THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT AND IT WAS QUITE REASON ENOUGH HE THOUGHT BUT ELSIE SHARP WAS SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY SHE DID NOT SAY A WORD TO HIM COMING INTO THE HOUSE THAT EVENING A PACE BEHIND HER MOTHER LIKE AN OBEDIENT SLAVE HAVE HAD NO ONE TO TALK TO SINCE I TRANSFORMED POLYCHROME THE DAUGHTER OF THE RAINBOW INTO A CANARY BIRD +e1928d33-9ff8-4908-8f72-d7610d3dac7b I COULD GO INTO THEORIES AND SCIENTIFIC DETAILS RAY SAID I COULD EXPLAIN PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MACHINE FOR HOURS BUT YOU WOULD BE BORED AND WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYWAY IT IS SUFFICIENT TO SAY THAT THE RAY WILL WORK BECAUSE I INVENTED IT A L I E N A NEVER BEFORE CONTACTED CULTURE THAT LANGUAGE YOU WERE FORCED FED ON THE WAY OVER THAT'S AN ALIEN LANGUAGE IT'S NOT COMPLETE ALL WE HAVE OFF THE MINNIES AND WE EXCLUDED DATA ON THE NATIVES BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HOPING TO DUMP THIS PROJECT AND NOBODY THE WISER HOLY MAZOO PAT JUST GOT SICK AND GOT BETTER AGAIN OF HIS OWN ACCORD I'M GOING TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS THE PRAYING SAID CECILY DECIDEDLY IT'S SO MUCH NICER TO BELIEVE THAT GOD CURED PAT THAN THAT PEG BOWEN DID BUT YOU OUGHTN'T TO BELIEVE A THING JUST CAUSE IT WILL BE MORE COMFORTABLE OBJECTED PETER MIND YOU I AIN'T SAYING GOD COULDN'T CURE PAT BUT NOTHING AND NOBODY CAN'T EVER MAKE ME BELIEVE THAT PEG BOWEN WASN'T AT THE BOTTOM OF IT ALL THUS FAITH SUPERSTITION AND INCREDULITY STROVE TOGETHER AMONGST US AS IN ALL HISTORY AT THE DOOR HE PAUSED AND HALF TURNED TO THE DOCTOR BUT SAY SOMETHING I MEANT TO ASK YOU THIS DUFF ER THIS FACCENE WHERE DID IT COME FROM SEEMS TO ME I HEARD SOMEWHERE THAT WAY BACK BEFORE YOU FELLOWS GOT IT TAMED IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE DANGEROUS THERE WAS ANOTHER NAME FOR IT DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN +e1a58fd8-b787-4af2-ae8f-15553e6846ce REASSURED THE PATIENT THOUGHT AND BECAME CONFIDENTIAL I SEE WELL I SUPPOSE IT'S GONE OF SILLY BUT I DON'T MUCH LIKE SHOTS IT'S NOT THAT THEY HURT IT'S JUST THAT I GUESS I'M OLD FASHIONED I STILL FEEL KIND OF CREEPY ABOUT THE WHOLE BUSINESS THIS POWER IS TURNED INTO RADIATION THAT IS PUNCHED THROUGH INTO HYPER SPACE EVERY BEACON HAS A CODE SIGNAL AS PART OF ITS RADIATION AND REPRESENTS A MEASURABLE POINT IN HYPER SPACE PETER'S APPEARANCE DID NOT ATTRACT AS MUCH ATTENTION AS WE HAD FONDLY EXPECTED INDEED NOBODY SEEMED TO NOTICE HIM AT ALL THE LAMPS WERE NOT YET LIGHTED AND THE CHURCH WAS FILLED WITH A SOFT TWILIGHT AND HUSH WHILE HE WAS PLAYING A SLEIGH DROVE UP TO THE DOOR AND NEIL CAMPBELL CAME IN DONALD WAS NOT OVERLY GLAD TO SEE HIM FOR HE SUSPECTED WHERE HE WAS GOING +e1b727f8-c883-4fe3-86b6-2afb0b264d17 I'M NERVOUS SAID ORAN GUNS ALWAYS MAKE ME NERVOUS SOMETHING BANGED DOWN HEAVILY ON TO THE HOOD OF THE SLED ORAN BRAKED TO A CREAKING STOP THAT SHIFTED THE LOAD BEHIND HIM DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE SUCH AN EQUAL OF HIM AS YOU DO ANYHOW I SAVED MY DREAM AND THAT OF COURSE WAS ALL THAT REALLY MATTERED HE SET UP A SHOUT FOR ONE OF THE GUARDS THE BALD ONE HAD BROUGHT HIS MEALS EVERY DAY BUT THE BLACK HAIRED ONE WAS THE MAN WHO CHECKED HIS SAIL AT NIGHT FOR ONCE YONAS THOUGHT HE WAS LUCKY THE BALD MAN APPEARED AFTER SOME FIFTY MINUTES SCREAMING AND CURSING OH I WISH I'D NEVER SAID PETER WASN'T FIT TO ASSOCIATE WITH MOANED FELICITY THE VALLEY WAS FULL OF MIST AND THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN IN SLANTING LINES OVER THE TOPS OF THE SPRUCES +e1d3d7c0-38fd-4b06-89d7-d9973969cb20 FELIX TWITCHED THE QUILT RATHER VICIOUSLY AND GRUNTED BUT I BEGAN TO THINK I WOULD LIKE FELICITY IT MIGHT NOT BE ALTOGETHER HER FAULT THAT SHE WAS VAIN HOW COULD SHE HELP IT WHEN SHE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR I THINK THEY ARE BOTH NICE AND NICE LOOKING SAID CECILY DEAR LITTLE SOUL I WONDER WHAT THE STORY GIRL WILL THINK OF THEM SAID FELICITY AS IF AFTER ALL THAT WAS THE MAIN THING HE LOOKED BACK AT THE NILEN SHOOT AGAIN ANOTHER THOUGHT RAN THROUGH HIS MIND SUPPOSE IT'S BOBBING IN THE DARK WHEN THE SUN SERIOUS I MEAN COMES UP THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE TO SPOT THE PARACHUTE AND SEARCH FOR ME HE SLID THE CANOPY OPEN AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE RED SOIL OF SERIOUS THREE HE HESITATED FOR A MOMENT THEN SWUNG HIS FEET OVER THE SIDE AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND AT LEAST TO HAVE THAT SATISFACTION HE SAID GRINNING UNDER HIS OXYGEN MASK SEND A GENERAL ORDER TO SPEND ALL FUTURE ACTIVITY WITH THE PLANTED POLICES SEND IT BY SIAM ONLY NO MENTION OF ANY OTHER NAVAL SIGNALING EQUIPMENT THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE NOW IT MIGHT BE OVERHEARD I STROLLED OUT SLOWLY IN COMMAND OF THE SITUATION KEEPING MY FACE TURNED AWAY SO THEY COULDN'T SEE THE COLD SWEAT PROBABLY IN FACT GARF WOULD TRY TO CONQUER THE WORLD ANYWAY THAT WAS HOW IT WENT IN STORIES AS CORNY AS A SITUATION FARMER FURTHER DECIDED THAT RAY WAS TOO EGOCENTRICALLY ECCENTRIC TO BE TRUSTED TO GET HIM OUT OF THIS FIX HE DECIDED HE'D HAVE TO DO SOMETHING HIMSELF +e1eac913-90fd-4c9d-826b-238445d1a622 BUT EDITH WHO HAD KISSED THE POET LAY NOT WITH HER KINDRED AND PEACE IN OUR LITTLE HEARTS I WISH I COULD SEE A PICTURE OF GOD BECAUSE THE OLD PRIEST DID PRY AND PEER IT WAS RULED HENCEFORTH THAT ONLY THE BLIND COULD ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES AND ALMOST AS BEAUTIFULLY AS DID THE TIN WOODMAN HIMSELF SO SHE WENT BACKWARD AND PUT IT AWAY IN THE CUPBOARD OCTOBER WAS A BUSY MONTH ON THE HILL FARMS OF OUR MERRY LITTLE BAND THE REST OF US REMAINED IN THE BACKGROUND BUT WITHIN HEARING +e1eb483a-7f48-4117-876e-f300fff5b031 ACCORDINGLY WE HEARD IT THE NEXT MORNING IN THE ORCHARD CECILY WAS PALE BUT BRAVE AND SHE DIDN'T LIKE ANYTHING BUT REFINED WORDS AND THEN WE WENT INTO THE ORCHARD IT'S ALL VERY WELL FOR YOU TO SAY SO SAID FELICITY BUT YOU DON'T KNOW EITHER I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE OR IF YOU ARE REALLY I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU EVEN BELONG ON THE WORLD THE LIST IS HARD TO EXPLAIN FROM THE TWO MYSTERIOUS SCENES OF DESOLATION THERE HE HAD NEVER LIKED HER SINCE THE DAY SHE HAD TOLD HIM HE WOULD SOON BE AS BROAD AS HE WAS LONG +e1f443f7-36a7-4234-9f3b-ab6b167c483a I TURNED TO JAB A CLAW AT THE OTHER PRIESTS I'LL GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THAT BOLD ATTACK BEING THE BEST DEFENSE AND SO FORTH CAN'T YOU HELP US BEING A FAIRY AND I BELIEVE IT SENSIBLE TO KEEP OUT OF DANGER WHENEVER WE CAN BRING A GAT ALONG AND PLENTY OF AMO A GLARE OF LIGHT IN MY EYES IT WAS STILL RUNNING APPARENTLY UNDAMAGED THE SHIP WAS OURS THE COMPARISON IT FORCED BETWEEN COLLAXIA AND EARTH WHOSE YAWNING FORTH WORE SCARS AND HERITAGE OF ANXIETIES MADE CALM CRYSTAL SO DESPERATELY NECESSARY OPPRESSED HIM TERRA HAS NO REAL NEED OF THE CRYSTALS +e21d1e75-6d11-4b54-9ecf-6a47e264ec48 HE KNEW IT BETTER THAN ANY ONE ELSE IT'S BEEN A FEW HUNDRED YEARS IF THEY ARE PEOPLE TAKE THEM THE REST OF US HELD OUR TONGUES IF THEY HAD BEEN BANISHED TOGETHER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NO PUNISHMENT SO ZERO WAS EXILED TO A STAR ON ONE SIDE OF THE UNIVERSE AND ZULEMITH WAS SENT TO A STAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE UNIVERSE AND BETWEEN THEM WAS A FATHOMLESS ABYSS WHICH THOUGHT ITSELF COULD NOT CROSS DON'T SUPPOSE ALL THE ANGELS DO ANGELINA ASKED HER EYES WERE OPEN NOW ALL HIS STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS SHIP WERE TRUE RAISING THE ANTENNAE HE PLUGGED IN THE MIGHT CORD FROM HIS MASK AND HELD DOWN THE TALK KEY WITH HIS THUMB PERHAPS CONDITIONS WERE MORE PROMISING THERE +e226469e-c195-49a2-84d5-71a36bd93464 THIS WAS OUR FIRST INKLING OF WHAT I WAS TO UNDERSTAND MORE FULLY IN LATER YEARS NOW NEVER MIND QUARRELLING SAID CECILY A BATTLESHIP MAY BE GIGANTIC ON SOME TERMS OF REFERENCE BUT IN THE IMMENSITY OF THE GALAXY IT IS MICROSCOPICALLY INFINITESIMAL FIRST THERE WAS THE CELL WHICH WAS IN THE BASIN OF THE TOWN HALL WHICH MEANT JONAS REFLECTED THAT HE WAS IN A FAIR WAY TO GET HIMSELF BURNED AS A HERETIC UNLESS HE WATCHED HIS STEP CAREFULLY HERC NUF'S FAME HAS REACHED MY OWN COUNTRY FAR AWAY HE SAID WITH SOME TRUTH JOHN ANDREW FELT A TOUCH OF JEALOUSY AT THE LITTLE MAN'S CAPABILITY IN ASSUMING CONTROL OF THE SITUATION +e23d6252-7aa0-4664-afa2-3d31e3b7420d HE LOOKED AS WE SAW WITH SINKING HEARTS UNUSUALLY GRAVE AND PREOCCUPIED NO IT'S YOURS FOR GOOD SAID CICELY WITH THE HIGH REMOTE AIR OF ONE TO FORGET ME NOT JUGS IN ALL SUCH PUMPS AND VANITIES OF THE WORLD WERE AS A TALE THAT IS TOLD WHICH WAS QUITE TRUE ALL I NEED TO DO WHEN I WISH TO EAT IS TO TAKE SOMETHING I DON'T CARE TO EAT THINK OF THE GAMES WE CAN HAVE THEY ARE ALL AROUND ME ONCE MORE BUT I GUESS I OVERDID IT BECAUSE I GOT REAL SICK AND COULDN'T SLEEP AT ALL MISTER CAMPBELL WAS A TALL MAN WITH A MASSIVE HEAD WELL THATCHED WITH THICK BLACK HAIR GREY STREET +e2401147-bec5-4ea5-891a-a688625fae5b I SEE THE WOMAN IN YOUR MIND WHICH IS UNWISE YUNUS THOUGHT BITTERLY AND RISKY AND VERY PROBABLY IMPIOUS AS WELL I WISH MY HEAD WOULD STOP ACHING I WISH MA HAD NEVER GONE AWAY I WISH YOU'D LEAVE FELICITY ALONE DAN IT'S BEEN A HORRID DAY ALL THROUGH SAID FELICITY DREARILY AS WE CLIMBED THE STAIRS I WATCHED THE PRIESTS THROUGH THE PRY EYE WHILE THEY TRIED TO OPEN IT A CRY WENT UP FROM THE CROWD AS I DROPPED THE IRON AND STAGGERED IN BLIND CIRCLES JUST ABOUT THAT TIME YOU HEAR YOUR FIRST RUMOUR OF THE SPECIAL CALL AND IT FITS THE BAD DREAMS A SHADOWY POWERFUL GROUP THAT SLIPS SILENTLY BETWEEN THE STARS +e2418ee9-5dfa-4909-836d-265cd3191087 THAT NIGHT I TOOK THE SHIP DOWN INTO THE HILLS NEAREST THE PYRAMID AN OUT OF THE WAY DRY SPOT WHERE THE UNPHIBIOUS NATIVES WOULD NEVER GO A LITTLE BEFORE DAWN THE EYE HOOKED ON TO MY SHOULDERS AND WE SAILED STRAIGHT UP WE HOVERED ABOVE THE TEMPLE AT ABOUT TWO THOUSAND METERS UNTIL IT WAS LIGHT AND THEN DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN OR SO IT SEEMED AT LEAST FOR EVEN AS RAY STARTED FORWARD WITH OUTSTRETCHED HAND OBVIOUSLY HOPING TO EXAMINE THE THING GARF GAVE IT A FINAL TWIRL AND SCALED IT CARELESSLY OVERBOARD SOME WORK I'VE BEEN DOING THE LAST FIVE OR SIX MONTHS INDICATES THAT THERE IS A FORM OF LIFE ABOUT US ALL AROUND US WHICH IS IMPERCEPTIBLE TO OUR SENSES WHICH DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT DOESN'T EXIST HOW ABOUT AUNT OLIVIA NO AUNT OLIVIA HAS GONE TO BED WITH A SICK HEADACHE AND MUSTN'T BE DISTURBED SAID THE STORY GIRL SHE SAID I MUST GET DINNER READY BECAUSE THERE WAS PLENTY OF COLD MEAT AND NOTHING TO DO BUT BOIL THE POTATOES AND PEAS AND SET THE TABLE +e276eb31-9fb5-4bc0-9722-271515578eae NOW YONAH SAID WHEN HE WANTS IF I AM A WIZARD YONA SAID I HAVE POWERS STRANGE POWERS I COULD MAKE YOU HE REFLECTED FOR A MINUTE I COULD MAKE YOU INTO A BEADLE AND SQUASH YOU UNDERFOOT AS A MATTER OF FACT I THINK I WILL HE GAZED REFACTLY AT THE BALD MAN WHO GULPED AND TURNED A LITTLE PALE GOOD PRESBYTERIANS DON'T FIGHT OH DON'T THEY I HEARD YOUR UNCLE ROGER SAY THAT PRESBYTERIANS WERE THE BEST FOR FIGHTING IN THE WORLD OR THE WORST I FORGET WHICH HE SAID BUT IT MEANS THE SAME THING WE SUPPOSED WE SHOULD GET ACQUAINTED WITH HER WHEN WE REACHED THERE AND WE HAD AN IDEA FROM AUNT OLIVIA'S LETTERS TO FATHER THAT SHE WOULD BE QUITE A JOLLY CREATURE HE MUST HAVE GOT SOME BAD USE AT THE OFFICE SAID SARA RAY I HOPE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO FATHER I EXPLAINED SPRINGING ANXIOUSLY TO MY FEET A SICK HORRIBLE FEELING OF FEAR RUNNING OVER ME LIKE A COOL RIPPLING WAVE IT'S JUST AS LIKELY TO BE GOOD NEWS HE IS RUNNING FOR IS BAD SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WAS NO BELIEVER IN MEETING TROUBLE HALF WAY +e29a3da0-8740-4cb8-9935-d817956e8251 REALIZING WHAT OUR DREAD HAD BEEN LOOK HERE I'LL TELL IT ANYHOW THAT'S A PROMISE IT WAS BRUSHED AND BRAIDED WITH PURITAN SIMPLICITY MARGARET WAITED FOR NEARLY A YEAR PETER IS VERY VERY SICK SHE SAID MISERABLY THEY USED TO MEET UNDER THE BIRCHES AND TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING EXCEPT LOVE BUT YOU CAN HARDLY EVER COAX PETER TO BE THE POET PETER WAS HANDICAPPED AT THE BEGINNING BY THE FACT THAT HE HAD NO FAMILY FRIEND TO FINANCE HIM NO IT WAS JUST SOMETHING HORRID HE HAD TO RUN AWAY FOR DEBT +e2aae458-6a69-480d-8298-f496042ec117 THEN TURN THE SECOND DIAL UNTIL THE TWO RED LINES COINCIDE I GLANCED DOWN AT MY WATCH STARTING ABRUPTLY JUST BELOW THE WATER LEVEL AND LEADING DOWNWARD A QUESTION ABOUT GARF'S LAST WORDS BEHIND THE BARRED FACE PLATE HE WORE A BLUE MUNCHKIN HAT WITH POINTED CROWN AND BROAD BRIM I MYSELF DO NOT EAT BEING MADE IN SUCH MANNER THAT I REQUIRE NO FOOD TO KEEP ME ALIVE ONCE ON THE GROUND IT WOULD NEVER BE NOTICED THOUGH IT WAS A LITTLE DISCONCERTING TO SEE IT FLOAT BY +e2d917a8-d3f1-48ba-85fd-6644579e65c4 HE HAD LINGERED BEHIND TO PLUCK A THORN FROM THE FOOT OF A BEGGAR CHILD HE HAD MET ON THE HIGHWAY BUT HER PARENTS WERE BITTERLY OPPOSED TO HIM AND THEY HAD FORBIDDEN MARGARET TO SEE HIM OR SPEAK TO HIM NO LIGHT DOWN THERE AND THEY'RE MOVING UP FAST AND NODDING LIKE AN ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE IF CHINA THREE STILL EXISTS IN FIVE DAYS THE STORY GIRL LINGERED TO LAY A BUNCH OF WILD VIOLETS AND THEN SHE READ ALOUD THE VERSE ON THE STONE VERY SADLY THE OLD KING AND COURTIERS RODE HOME THEY STOOD ASIDE FOR US TO ENTER AND THEN FOLLOWED US DOWN A LONG CORRIDOR WHICH WAS NOT LIGHTED BY ANY DEVICE I COULD DISCERN AND YET WHICH WAS NOT DARK +e380cfe4-1a94-49c1-a668-0b351b53e6d3 YOU CAN HAVE A PAIR OF MINE SAID FELICITY WHO PROBABLY THOUGHT THAT SINCE SARA WAS CERTAIN TO YIELD TO TEMPTATION SHE MIGHT AS WELL BE GARBED DECENTLY FOR HER TRANSGRESSION IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT A MAN LOOKS LIKE I SAID FEELING THAT FELIX AND DAN WERE CATCHING IT RATHER TOO HOTLY HE MUST BE A GOOD SORT OF CHAP AND DO HEAPS OF THINGS THAT'S ALL THAT'S NECESSARY OUR SATELLITE OUR MOON SAID TO NEW IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WORD SAID ORAN CHERANNA CRUSO IN OUR TONGUE IT MEANS THE LIMB OF VICTORY SAID TO NEW BY ITS LIGHT WE WILL CONTINUE HAVE YOU GOT A TELETOWKEY BRANDON ASKED SURE SAID THE FIRST MAN PRODUCING A SET ONE THIRD THE SIZE OF BRANDON'S NINE LIGHT YEARS AWAY OF COURSE THIRTEEN YEARS HAD PASSED ON EARTH SINCE THEY HAD LEFT BECAUSE THE TRIP TOOK FOUR YEARS BY OUR TEA RELATIVE TIME +e3d234cd-9770-4677-8c22-ad67f5d2cac5 WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEM NOT MUCH THEY LOOK SOMETHING LIKE AN ANCIENT TERRAN CHIMPANZEE ONLY WITH BLUE FUR FACES HAIRLESS PINK SKINNED STETSON SNAPPED A SWITCH THE TRANSLATE MAP BECAME A SCREEN WITH A FIGURE FROZEN ON IT LIKE THAT THIS IS LIFE SIZE NOW THAT I WAS IN SPACE PASSED THE POINT OF NO RETURN ALL THE DOUBTS I HAD DISMISSED FOUGHT FOR ATTENTION THE PLAN THAT SEEMED SO CLEAR AND LOGICAL NOW BEGAN TO LOOK LIKE A PATCHED AND CRAZY MAKESHIFT HOLD THERE SAILOR I SAID TO MYSELF USING MY BEST ADMIRAL'S VOICE NOTHING HAS CHANGED IT'S STILL THE BEST AND ONLY PLAN POSSIBLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE WE FREE WHISPERED HOPE HOLDING TIGHTLY TO MY ARM ARE WE REALLY FREE I HOPE SO DEAR WE SEEM TO BE IF WE CAN ONLY REACH THE SPOT WHERE WE ENTERED THIS INSANE WORLD BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS HOW MUCH TIME HAVE WE INTERRUPTED VIC I GLANCED DOWN AT MY WATCH FEARFUL FOR A MOMENT THAT IT HAD BEEN BROKEN OR LOST IN THE MALAY IT WAS STILL RUNNING APPARENTLY UNDAMAGED LET'S SEE IT'S FOUR MINUTES OF ONE THAT GIVES US SEVEN MINUTES CAN WE MAKE IT CAN'T YOU TELL A STORY TO PASS THE TIME I ENTREATED THE STORY GIRL SHE SHOOK HER HEAD NO IT WOULD BE NO USE TO TRY BUT IF THIS ISN'T THE JUDGMENT DAY I'LL HAVE A GREAT ONE TO TELL OF US BEING SO SCARED PAT PRESENTLY CAME GALLOPING UP THE ORCHARD CARRYING IN HIS MOUTH A BIG FIELD MOUSE WHICH SITTING DOWN BEFORE US HE PROCEEDED TO DEVOUR BODY AND BONES AFTERWARDS LICKING HIS CHOPS WITH GREAT SATISFACTION +e3d8167f-c975-42f5-9542-7a427f0c063f WELL WHERE IS HE THEN HE ISN'T HERE DID HE MELT INTO AIR DEMANDED FELICITY OH COME AND LOOK FOR HIM ALL OF YOU DON'T STAND ROUND LIKE NINNIES WE MUST FIND HIM BEFORE HIS MOTHER GETS HERE DAN KING YOU'RE AN IDIOT FARMER HUNCHED HIS SHOULDERS TRYING TO BREAK LOOSE AND THEN HE SAW WHAT RAY WAS STARING AT JOHN ANDREW HAD LIVED THIS LONG WITHOUT GOING TO THE AID OF A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS THEY LOOK SOMETHING LIKE AN ANCIENT TERRAN CHIMPANZEE HOW DID YOU CAPTURE THE DELPHINIS TOSSED IT TO ORAN I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT DO YOU THESE TREES WERE NO LONGER LIVING BUT THEY HAD BEEN WHEN FATHER WAS A BOY AND EVERY SPRING BEDECKED THEMSELVES IN BLOSSOM AS DELICATELY TINTED AS ELIZABETH KING'S FACE WHEN SHE WALKED THROUGH THE OLD SOUTH MEADOW IN THE MORN OF HER LIFE AND LOVE +e3f49afb-d69a-4d20-9fc3-28ee1f45b674 DID ANYBODY ELSE EVER SEE THEM ARE SURE EVERYBODY IN THE SANTA MAGNOLENA SEE THEM EIGHT NINE PEOPLE SEE THEM AND MANWELL HOW DO WE GET TO THE PLACE CAN YOU SHOW US ON A MAP SHE LET GO THE BARRICADE AND RAN TO THE WINDOW TO THROW OPEN THE STORM SHUTTERS NEVER MIND THE DOOR THIS WAY QUICK SHE SCRAMBLED TO THE WINDOW SILL AND JUMPED NUMBLY JEFF SAW HER SUSPENDED THERE FEET ONLY INCHES BELOW THE SILL APPARENTLY ON EMPTY AIR FELICITY AND CECILY WERE CURLED UP IN A CORNER AND WE BOYS SPRAWLED IDLY ON THE FRAGRANT SUN WARM HEAPS WE HAD STOWED THE HAY IN THE LOFT THAT MORNING FOR UNCLE ROGER SO WE FELT THAT WE HAD EARNED THE RIGHT TO LOLL ON OUR SWEET SMELLING COUCH IT WAS A LOVELY GOLDEN BROWN EVENING THE ORCHARD AND THE FARM LANDS BEYOND WERE FULL OF RUBY LIGHTS AND KISSING SHADOWS +e46fd678-32e9-47e6-8c10-de504f82da41 DIDN'T KNOW CHURCH WAS LIKE THIS EVEN PETER HAD PLENTY OF SPARE TIME WHEN THE PLANTING WAS OVER AND IF HE WAS A METHODIST HE'D TELL ME TO BE ONE TOO NINETY PER CENT OF THE MACHINERY HAD NO MOVING PARTS AND HAD SUFFERED NO WERE WHATEVER I TRIED IT ON IN FRONT OF A FULL LENGTH MIRROR SIPHONED TOWARD THE HEADLIGHTS WHY WHEN WE TEEMED UP WITH THE ILERONOIDS NOT TO MENTION THE YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE WALKED WHERE I WAS STANDING YOUR FAIRY MAGIC MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH ALL THINGS SWEET POLYCHROME +e4ba7af6-5a38-48e0-8b8c-34732c6b97a3 I COULD START THE WATER AGAIN EASILY ENOUGH BUT THERE WAS NO FUEL LEFT IN THE REACTOR I WASN'T GOING TO PLAY WITH THE FUEL PROBLEM AT ALL IT WOULD BE FAR EASIER TO INSTALL A NEW POWER PLANT I HAD ONE IN THE SHIP THAT WAS ABOUT A TENTH THE SIZE OF THE ANCIENT BUCKET OF BOLTS AND PRODUCED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES THE POWER PETER WENT OFF RATHER SULLENLY AND FELIX ALSO SULLENLY SAT DOWN AND BEGAN TO NURSE HIS NOSE HE TURNED HIS BACK ON CECILY CECILY CAUGHT IT AFTER UNCLE ALEC HAD GONE DAN CALLED HER A TELL TALE AND A BABY AND SNEERED AT HER UNTIL CECILY BEGAN TO CRY WHAT'S WANTED THE GUARD SAID SOURLY STARING THROUGH THE BARS YONAS SMILED SOFTLY YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE DON'T YOU HE SAID IN A VOICE AS CLOSE TO SILKY AS HE COULD MAKE IT YOU THE BALD MAN SAID YOU'RE HERE IN A CELL THAT'S RIGHT YONAS SAID PATIENTLY HE RUBBED AT HIS FACE THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO SAID FELICITY IMPATIENTLY I SUPPOSE SOBBED CECILY WE MIGHT GO TO PEG BOWEN AND ASK HER TO FORGIVE PAT AND TAKE THE SPELL OFF HIM SHE MIGHT IF WE APOLOGIZED REAL HUMBLE +e4d970e6-a2ce-49c6-b23f-27423f19a0dc FELICITY CECILY AND DAN WERE SITTING OPPOSITE US STARING AT US WHEN THEY THOUGHT WE WOULD BE TOO BUSY EATING TO SEE THEM WE TRIED TO STARE AT THEM WHEN THEY WERE EATING AND AS A RESULT WE WERE ALWAYS CATCHING EACH OTHER AT IT AND FEELING CHEAP AND EMBARRASSED YES IT WAS NICE TO KNOW HE LOVED HER AND SHE LOVED HIM TOO LIKE AN AMUSING BABY BROTHER CENSUS LIST NAMES OF EVERYBODY IN THE SANTA MAGDALENA I HAD TO STEAL IT IT LOOKS LIKE MICHAEL FILM THE WRITING IS SO SMALL AND THE ROLL GOES ON AND ON THERE MUST BE A MILLION NAMES HERE I WONDER WHAT PEG BOWEN WOULD REALLY DO TO A FELLOW IF SHE CAUGHT HIM SPECULATED DAN +e4ea15fa-f4b1-409d-9602-6a88100f2bfb YES HE DID I SAID IN DISGUST HE CONFESSED TO ME THAT HE HAD TAKEN IT TO MAKE FELICITY FOND OF HIM YOUR MOUTH IS A DECENT SIZE SAID DAN AFTER ALL YOU DID NOT DO THE JOB YOURSELF YET THE INQUISITOR TOOK HIM AND HAD A CONFESSION FROM HIM THIS IS YOUR HOUSE HE SAID THE HOUSE WHERE YOU LIVE WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING IT WAS JUST AWFUL I FORGOT IT FOR A MOMENT THEN ALL CAME BACK WITH A RUSH THAT WAS WORSE SCARED THAN BEFORE SO THAT THEIR BODY SPARKLED AS BEAUTIFULLY AS DID THE TIN CASTLE AND SINCE THIS STRANGE WANDERER HAS REMINDED ME OF NIMY ANNIE +e4fd165c-e615-4763-b2aa-96a83e3dc65a IT IS ABOUT A GHOST WITH EYEHOLES BUT NO EYES DON'T CRIED CECILY HYSTERICALLY DON'T YOU GO ON DON'T YOU SAY ANOTHER WORD I CAN'T BEAR IT DON'T YOU THE STORY GIRL DIDN'T BUT SHE HAD SAID ENOUGH WHAT IN THE DEVIL DOES THIS NONSENSE MEAN CAPTAIN STEIG ASKED PEEVISHLY HIS AUTOMATIC ASSUMPTION OF MY INCOMPETENCE WAS BEGINNING TO GET ME ANNOYED I BRIDLED MY TEMPER AND TRIED ONE LAST TIME WELL HE TOLD HIMSELF THAT WAS WHAT HE HAD WANTED I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND HE SAID THE WORDS HUNG IN THE AIR OF THE ROOM FOR A LONG TIME THERE TOO SLEPT THE EMILY WHOSE FAITHFUL SPIRIT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAUNT THE ORCHARD BUT EDITH WHO HAD KISSED THE POET LAY NOT WITH HER KINDRED SHE HAD DIED IN A FAR FOREIGN LAND AND THE MURMUR OF AN ALIEN SEA SOUNDED ABOUT HER GRAVE +e550d41e-e50b-46f4-9906-178776b3ab6a AND THERE WAS A LOT OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ALTHOUGH QUITE AS UNJUSTIFIED I ASSURE YOU HE STOPPED AND BLOTTED HIS MOIST BROW WITH HIS SLEEVE WHO WORE SILVER SHOES AND WHO HAD GINGER IS A GIRL EXPLAINED THE SCARECROW BEAR SHE'S A FINE GIRL TOO A SCARLET PRINT BLOUSE AND A MAN'S HAT I WAS A REGULAR WRUNT BEFORE I BEGUN HE SAID AND LOOK AT ME NOW TO OURSELVES AND DISCOVERED THAT WE WERE REALLY SITTING IN A DEWY PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ORCHARD INSTEAD OF WATCHING TWO LOVERS FELIX TRIED TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THEM AND MET THE USUAL FATE OF ALL PEASE MAKERS IT'S JUST AS LIKELY TO BE GOOD NEWS HE IS RUNNING FOR IS BAD SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO WAS NO BELIEVER IN MEETING TROUBLE HALF WAY +e559b4dd-d423-4954-ba99-3759fab4411f THE SHIP WAS COMPLETELY CLEAN EVERYTHING I MIGHT NEED FOR THE JOB WAS IN MY LUGGAGE SOME OF IT QUITE LETHAL AND EXPLOSIVE AND VERY EMBARRASSING IF IT WAS DISCOVERED IN MY BAGS IN THE SAFETY OF MY HOTEL SUITE I MADE A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND PERSONALITY ONLY A FEW WHO REMAIN CHILDREN AT HEART CAN EVER FIND THAT FAIR LOST PATH AGAIN AND BLESSED ARE THEY ABOVE MORTALS THEY AND ONLY THEY CAN BRING US TIDINGS FROM THAT DEAR COUNTRY WHERE WE ONCE SOJOURNED AND FROM WHICH WE MUST EVERMORE BE EXILES LUCK WAS WITH THEM THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN CATALOGUED SOME FOUR SERREAN GENERATIONS BEFORE AND TAGGED PLANET UNDEVELOPED TRANQUIL MARINE INTELLIGENCES ONLY DON'T YOU THINK IT HORRID BEGINNING SO YOUNG YOU AND ME WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT TILL WE WERE GROWN UP WOULD WE WILLIE FRASER LOOKS SO LONESOME IN SCHOOL THESE DAYS I MUST STOP FOR MAR SAYS I WASTE FAR TOO MUCH TIME WRITING LETTERS +e589a3af-02ea-4c8a-8b2d-ec2e32cefd5e AUNT OLIVIA LOOKING MORE LIKE A PANSY THAN EVER IN THE PRETTIEST DRESS OF PALE PURPLE PRINT WITH A KNOT OF YELLOW RIBBONS AT HER THROAT SAT WITH HER ARM ABOUT CECILY AND SMILED ON US ALL AND AUNT JANET'S MOTHERLY FACE LOST ITS EVERY DAY LOOK OF ANXIOUS CARE HE WAS ALMOST ALWAYS UNCOMFORTABLE WHICH HAD JUDGE RAY IN ANOTHER SET OF TENTACLES THOUGH IT RARELY EVER OCCURRED TO HIM AS HE CONSIDERED EACH INDIVIDUAL IRRITANT THE HEART OF THE TIN WOODMAN WHEREVER YOU WISH TO GO I WILL GO VISIT THE FORBIDDEN CITY OF LOOMVILLE HE STRAIGHTENED UP AND TURNED A WRATHFUL FACE ON HIS PROVOKING SISTER THE MISSIONARY HAD AT LEAST SEVEN HAPPY LISTENERS THAT NIGHT WE ALL WERE GLAD THAT SARA DID NOT HAVE MEASLES AND THE STORY GIRL WAS RADIANT +e5904d80-cc09-4620-8900-94da90827c2d DAN PLASSED THE PLATE FELICITY'S ROSEBUD PLATE LOOKING AS PRETERNATURALLY SOLEMN AS ELDER FREWIN HIMSELF TWILL BE A MATCH NOW FOR I SUPPOSE SOMETHING DREADFUL WILL COME OF IT TOO PARIN MUMBLED A PROTEST AND HURRIED AWAY LET'S SEE IT'S FOUR MINUTES OF ONE THAT GIVES US SEVEN MINUTES CAN WE MAKE IT THE STORY GIRL LOOKED PITEOUS SAID THE STORY GIRL WHO PROBABLY MADE THAT EXPLANATION UP ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT JUST TO PACIFY PETER ARE THERE ANY METHODISTS HEATHENS THERE WAS A PAUSE AND BRANDON COULD ALMOST SEE COLONEL TOWERS DRAWING UP TO HIS FULL HEIGHT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU DELARMED YOURSELF +e5ab3297-f43b-4a4e-a4e7-1cbaf649fca0 NEIL WENT ON TASTING AND THAT SLY DONALD SAT THERE WITH A SOBER FACE BUT LAUGHING EYES AND COAXED HIM ON AT LAST NEIL'S HEAD FELL FORWARD ON HIS BREAST AND HE WAS SOUND ASLEEP BUT HE SAID I MUST GO IN SOME HELPERY'S JUST THE SAME SAID PETER HE SAID IT MIGHT NOT BE THE JUDGMENT DAY TOMORROW THOUGH HE BELIEVED IT WAS I KNOW WE KEEP ME OUT OF MISCHIEF BUT I JUST CAN'T STAND IT BACK THERE ALONE SOME OF YOU FELLOWS MUST COME WITH ME I DON'T WANT YOU TO WORK BUT JUST FOR COMPANY HER POTENT VOICE MADE ME FEEL THAT I WAS QUITE A HERO AFTER ALL AND THE STING WENT OUT OF MY RECOLLECTION OF THAT OLD FIGHT WHEN WE ARRIVED BEHIND THE GRANARY THE OTHERS WERE ALL THERE CECILY WAS VERY PALE AND FELIX AND PETER WERE TAKING OFF THEIR COATS THE WITCH COMMANDED ME NEVER TO COME NEAR NIMMY ANNIE AGAIN BUT I TOLD HER I WAS MY OWN MASTER AND WOULD DO AS I PLEASED NOT REALIZING THAT THIS WAS A CARELESS WAY TO SPEAK TO A WITCH +e63c1163-3d9b-44d3-99ca-98cb77ef2969 YONAS STARTED MUSING ON HEROES AGAIN BUT HE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO MAKE A MOVE TOWARDS HER HE WOULD ACCEPT PAYMENT WERE IT GENEROUS IN RETURN FOR SHARING ROOM IN HIS HOUSE GRANDMOTHER KING HAD BEEN A WARD NO CONCEDED PETER RELUCTANTLY AND THERE'S THE WELL WITH THE CHINESE ROOF BUT FELIX YOU MAY BE SURE THAT GOD IS INFINITELY MORE BEAUTIFUL AND LOVING JOB'S COFFIN AND THE NORTHERN CROSS WERE TO THE WEST OF US I'M GOING TO DENY MYSELF EVERYTHING I LIKE AND DO EVERYTHING I CAN THINK OF THAT I DON'T LIKE JUST TO PUNISH MYSELF FOR BEING SO WICKED +e6608be9-64b9-400f-8d2b-38b1d06dbfc4 OLD MOTOR LODGE AND THE ADVENTURE WAS ON IT CERTAINLY HADN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE HE STARTED FEELING OVER THE MACHINE WITH HIS WEBBED HANDS DO YOU SPECT THIS TO PROVE A MAN WITH A PARTICULAR CAT TALENT GIVEN BY GOD THE SILENCE WAS A LONG ONE AND AT THE END OF IT KNOOF ROSE AND WAS BADLY CHEATED TO BOOT FOR HE LEVANTED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS TAKING THE APPLES WITH HIM HAVING PAID HER ONLY HALF HER RIGHTFUL DUE BUT WE WERE VERY QUIET NOW MADE A CHOKING NOISE AND ENCLOSED IT JUST BECAUSE I HAD THE SPECIAL CALL DOESN'T MEAN I AM THE SPECIAL CALL HE SAID +e676895a-c831-4e75-aee3-7ad51669dd89 EACH OF US WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO POSSESS THE MOST EXCITING RECORD BUT WE WERE AN HONOURABLE LITTLE CREW AND I DO NOT THINK ANYTHING WAS EVER WRITTEN DOWN IN THOSE DREAM BOOKS WHICH HAD NOT REALLY BEEN DREAMED I'M ALWAYS GLAD WHEN IT GETS WARM ENOUGH TO GO BAREFOOTED BUT WHEN I GROW UP THEY'LL HAVE TO BE COVERED UP ALL THE TIME PUT YOURSELF IN ANY CATEGORY YOU PLEASE HE GRUMBLED AS HE SLUMPED DOWN INTO THE BED AND ALSO PUT YOURSELF OUT IN THE HALL AND SEE ME TO MORROW DURING WORKING HOURS HE WAS AT MY MERCY REALLY HE WANTED TO SLEEP SO MUCH AND HE WAS GOING TO BE WIDE AWAKE SO VERY SOON WELL HE TRIED TO KISS ME THAT'S WHAT FOR SAID FELICITY TURNING VERY RED AS IF I WOULD LET A HIRED BOY KISS ME I GUESS MASTER PETER WON'T TRY ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAIN IN A HURRY +e67b15d1-a2e7-4947-8136-fd434373cacf TWISTING HIS STUFFED HEAD AROUND IN MISSUS UBES'S DIRECTION IN THE PLACE OF THIS CREATURE CHOP FIGHT OH NO NO IT MAY BE ALL RIGHT TO PASS A YANKEE CENT ON A STOREKEEPER OR AN EGG PEDDLER BUT IT WOULD NEVER DO FOR CHURCH BUT THEY HAD NEVER SPOKEN ABOUT IT NO BUT I SHALL SOME DAY IF I KEEP ON BELIEVING IN HER FELIX ALSO AVERRED THAT HE HAD HEARD SARA ASK CECILY VERY SERIOUSLY OH CHILDREN ISN'T THERE SOMETHING UNDER UNCLE ALEC'S TREE WE PEERED FEARFULLY THROUGH THE GLOOM THERE WAS SOMETHING SOMETHING THAT WAVERED AND FLUTTERED ADVANCED RETREATED +e68ef2a7-fe7e-4262-9a12-a994154f6a83 YOU AND MISSUS PARIN ARE TO LEAVE ME HERE AND NOT DISTURB ANYTHING SIT DOWN PETE AND LET'S TALK SOME DAY THE MAN WHO READS MINES WOULD BE MORE THAN A PASSIVE ONLOOKER NOW SHE SAID VAGUELY WELL YUNUS TRIED TO LOOK REASSURING OLD PEG BOWEN SHE'S VERY QUEER WE LOOKED AT HER AS WE DREW NEAR WITH SUCH INTEREST THAT WE FORGOT TO FEEL SHY IT WAS A VISION TO DEVELOP SLOWLY INTO FULFILMENT MY AUNT JANE WAS A METHODIST AND EVEN IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A METHODIST IT WON'T HURT YOU TO GO TO THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH +e6974b4f-921b-4a9a-b306-fb339e33d6a8 YET THERE WAS A FALLACY IN THIS ARGUMENT PRESUMABLY ALL THE STARS IN THE OUTER ARMS OF THE MILKY WAY AND THEIR PLANETS WERE ABOUT THE SAME AGE WITH SIMILAR CONDITIONS AS THE EARTH LIFE MUST HAVE BEEN BORN AND WALKED OUT OF THE SEAS OF SERIOUS THREE JUST AS IT DID ON EARTH WE HURRIED OVER TO IT TREADING ON THE SPEARS OF MINT THAT WERE BEGINNING TO SHOOT UP ABOUT IT IT WAS A VERY DEEP WELL AND THE CURB WAS OF ROUGH UNDRESSED STONES BUT FOR ONCE HER VOICE FAILED TO CARRY CONVICTION OR RATHER IT CARRIED CONVICTION OF THE VERY OPPOSITE KIND IT WAS BORNE IN UPON OUR MISERABLE MINDS THAT IF THE STORY GIRL DID NOT ALTOGETHER BELIEVE IT WAS TRUE SHE BELIEVED IT MIGHT BE TRUE AND THE POSSIBILITY WAS ALMOST AS DREADFUL AS THE CERTAINTY WE WERE JOINED ON THE STAIRS BY FELICITY YAWNING AND ROSY O DEAR ME I OVERSLEPT MYSELF UNCLE ROGER WANTED BREAKFAST AT SIX +e6dc019b-822b-48cd-8b20-f3aad33057a1 I'M JUST GOING TO PRAY TO GOD TO SEND ME SOME MONEY SHE ANNOUNCED DESPERATELY AT LAST I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'LL DO ANY GOOD SAID DAN HE GIVES LOTS OF THINGS BUT HE DOESN'T GIVE MONEY BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN EARN THAT FOR THEMSELVES I CAN'T SAID SARA WITH PASSIONATE DEFIANCE I THINK HE OUGHT TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT HE DRAGGED THE SURVIVAL KIT FROM BEHIND THE SEAT AND PULLED OUT SOME RATIONS A FIRST STAID KIT FINALLY A TELE TALKING RAISING THE ANTENNAE HE PLUGGED IN THE MIGHT CORD FROM HIS MASK AND HELD DOWN THE TALK KEY WITH HIS THUMB ASTRO ONE THIS IS BRANDON COME IN THE STORY GIRL CARRIED OUT HER SELF IMPOSED PENANCE FULLY ALL DAY SHE SAT IN THE KITCHEN AND WORKED BUTTONHOLES SUBSISTING ON BREAD AND WATER AND MEXICAN TEA IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SHIP AND THE DOCK YARD HAD BEEN LAVISH WITH HER ATTENTION TO DETAIL FROM BOW TO REAR TUBE SHE WAS PLAITED IN PURE GOLD A CAB WAS SUMMONED A HOTEL SUGGESTED I NODDED AGREEMENT AND SETTLED BACK WHILE THE ROBOT LOADED THE BAGS ABOUT ME +e7078693-0503-490a-be37-bae378e5444f YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SO MUCH SAW THE HUNG FRAU SOARING INTO CLOUDLAND THE LETTERS WE HAD RECEIVED FROM HIM SINCE HIS ARRIVAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO OH YES SHE SAID WHICH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF UNARGUABLY EXCELLENT MACHINE RAY CLIMBED UP ON THE RAIL PAUSED THERE FOR A SECOND WHAT DO YOU WANT THESE WERE THE FIRST WORDS PEPPER HAD SPOKEN SINCE HIS FIRST THREATS INSCAPE WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN THE LATEST INFORMATION AT ONCE READY TO BRING THE INTERSTELLO BLAWBREAKER LOW ON THE TRANSLIGHT SCREEN GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE TIME THERE IS NOTHING TO DESTROY IN THE JUNGLE SAID TO NUB +e761f85c-7f3b-417a-bb74-2488d9d15bd5 AT LEAST THAT HAD BEEN THE THEORY WHEN THEY GAVE FARMER THE JOB AS IT WORKED OUT JOHN ANDREW WAS A PERSON WHO FOUND IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY NO HE GENERALLY TOOK THE MANUSCRIPTS IN HAND AND WHEN HE COULD STICK SOME OTHER MEMBER OF THE FIRM WITH A TASK READ THEM HIMSELF UNTIL THE WE HOURS IT LOOKED TALLER THAN HAD THE SCOUT CRUISER IN ITS JUNGLE LANDING CIRCLE TO NEW BLEEDING CLOSER TO ORANGE SHOULDER WE HAVE NOT DECEIVED YOU HAVE WEARNE HAH WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT WE ARE NOT MUTATED MEMBERS OF YOUR RACE ORAN SWALLOWED IT LOOKED LIKE THE ONE WE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE TRAGEDY BUT A NUMBER OF MONITOR STATIONS HAD PICKED UP THIS DISCHARGED STATIC OF A LARGE ENERGY WEAPON BEING FIRED TRIANGULATION HAD LED INVESTIGATORS TO THE SPOT WHERE THEY FOUND A FREIGHTER OGAT'S DREAM WITH A HOLE PUNCH THROUGH AS BIG AS A RAILROAD TUNNEL THE FREIGHTER'S CARGO PLUTONIUM WAS GONE THERE ISN'T ANY I USED THE LAST IN THE SOUP YESTERDAY OH THE STORY GIRL WAS MUCH DISAPPOINTED THEN I SUPPOSE I'LL HAVE TO DO WITHOUT THE NEW PEAS WOULDN'T HURT ENOUGH THEY'RE SO SOFT THEY'D SQUASH FLAT I'LL TELL YOU SAID PETER I'LL PICK UP A LOT OF THOSE LITTLE ROUND PEBBLES ON MISTER KING'S FRONT WALK AND THEY'LL BE JUST AS GOOD AS PEAS YOU'LL DO NOTHING OF THE SORT SAID AUNT JANET SARA MUST NOT DO PENANCE IN THAT WAY SHE WOULD WEAR HOLES IN HER STOCKINGS AND MIGHT SERIOUSLY BRUISE HER FEET +e79afe1f-8467-45e1-9d67-6ded9ca0edf2 TO SARA THIS WAS HUMILIATION INDESCRIBABLE TWO VOICES RANG OUT FOR ME ABOVE ALL OTHERS IN THE MUSIC THAT ECHOES THROUGH THE HALLS OF RECOLLECTION SAID FELICITY BITTERLY BUT HE'LL LAUGH AT US FOR A YEAR AND TELL THIS STORY TO EVERY SOUL THAT COMES TO THE PLACE DO YOU THINK HE'LL EVER TELL YOU WHO ALICE IS I ASKED JEFF TOOK THE BROWN HAND SHE PUT UP AND DREW HER TO THE DOCK BESIDE HIM CHAFFY THREE ASSURED HIM I'M HERE TO HELP YOU I AH THEY'VE ALREADY RECOGNIZED MY STARTLING WORTH SAID ORAN THE WOLFISH GRIN TOOK OVER STETSON'S BIG FEATURES SENIOR FIELD MEN LAST ABOUT HALF AS LONG AS JUNIORS HE SAID +e7a70f58-86f7-4ef7-af8a-364d5fd34233 BUT IT WAS OUR EXPERIENCE THAT GROWN UPS HAD A HABIT OF SAYING THINGS HARD TO UNDERSTAND SHE DOESN'T BOTHER ME MUCH AUNT JANET SAYS THAT I'D HAVE NO BRINGING UP AT ALL IF IT WASN'T FOR HER SAID THE STORY GIRL SETTLING HERSELF COMFORTABLY ON A BOUGH WITH HER BROWN HEAD AGAINST A GNARLED TRUNK BUT NOW IT WAS ONLY TOO EVIDENT THAT SHE HAD BAD NEWS BUT FELICITY BORE IT VERY PATIENTLY BUT NOW IN THIS TIME OF SHADOWS DREAD BELIEF CLUTCHED US AND WRUNG US WITH TERROR OH NO NO IT MAY BE ALL RIGHT TO PASS A YANKEE CENT ON A STOREKEEPER OR AN EGG PEDDLER BUT IT WOULD NEVER DO FOR CHURCH +e7bfeb30-c71f-4b4b-bf1b-03c3e3faeea5 EAT FRIEND WANDERER SAID THE EMPEROR CORDIALLY AND I TRUST THE FEAST WILL BEAT TO YOUR LIKING I MYSELF DO NOT EAT BEING MADE IN SUCH MANNER THAT I REQUIRE NO FOOD TO KEEP ME ALIVE THE ONLY VESTIGE OF COMFORT LEFT ME WAS THE HOPE THAT THEY WERE TAKING ME TO HOPE AND VIC AT THE ENTRANCE OF ONE OF THE HUGE MISSHAPEN BLACK BUILDINGS THE CREATURE WITH THE BRILLIANT STONE AT HIS THROAT APPEARED AS SUDDENLY AS A LIGHT FLASHES UP IN THE DARKNESS BEYOND THE SURF THE SHALLOWS BOILED WHITELY WHERE THE SCOOP FOUGHT FOR TRACTION TO DRAW ITS GROUNDED BULK INTO THE WATER SHE LOOKED AT ONCE STARTLED AND IMPATIENT NOT THE SCOOP YOU IDIOT THE OWL PERHAPS OUR NERVES HAD BEEN UPSET BY THE EXCITEMENT ATTENDANT ON JIMMY PATTERSON'S DISAPPEARANCE BUT IS MORE LIKELY THAT OUR CRANKINESS WAS THE RESULT OF SUPPER WE HAD EATEN THE PREVIOUS NIGHT EVEN CHILDREN CANNOT DEVOUR MINCE PIE AND COLD FRIED PORK HAM AND FRUIT CAKE BEFORE GOING TO BED WITH ENTIRE IMPUNITY +e7d5df0d-f1b6-4278-8fa3-521fd22776b3 WE WERE OUT IN UNCLE ROGER'S HILL PASTURE SITTING ON SOME SMOOTH ROUND STONES UNDER A CLUMP OF BIRCHES BEHIND US WAS AN OLD GRAY FENCE WITH VIOLETS AND DANDELIONS THICK IN ITS CORNERS BELOW US WAS THE CARLISLE VALLEY WITH ITS ORCHARD EMBOWERED HOMESTEADS AND FERTILE MEADOWS I AM NOT GOING TO DIG THEM UP THIS YEAR TO SEE IF THEY HAVE SPROUTED IT IS BAD FOR THEM I SHALL TRY TO CULTIVATE PATIENCE NO MATTER HOW LONG THEY ARE COMING UP I AM GOING TO HELP MOTHER PLANT THE VEGETABLE GARDEN TO DAY SAID FELICITY UNHAPPINESS SHE TOLD HERSELF WAS HER PORTION IN THIS LIFE IN THE LIFE ABOVE THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT YONES HAD MET THE TYPE BEFORE AND WAS UNINTERESTED IN GOING FURTHER BUT ELSIE SHARP WAS SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY SHE DID NOT SAY A WORD TO HIM COMING INTO THE HOUSE THAT EVENING A PACE BEHIND HER MOTHER LIKE AN OBEDIENT SLAVE WHAT A BLACK AND ENDLESS LIST THEY MADE THOSE SINS OF OMISSION AND COMMISSION THAT RUSHED ACCUSINGLY ACROSS OUR YOUNG MEMORIES I GUESS I'LL BE A PRESBYTERIAN CAUSE I WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST OF YOU YES I'LL BE A PRESBYTERIAN +e7e08736-7d04-479d-99e5-591ee6b231ea SO IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE TIN WOODMAN WOULD CONTINUE HIS JOURNEY AND THAT THE SCARECROW AND WOOT THE WANDERERS SHOULD ACCOMPANY HIM AS BEFORE I'M PRETTY SURE AUNT JANE WOULDN'T THINK IT WAS PROPER TO TELL SUCH A DREAM AND I DON'T WANT TO OFFEND PHIL ANY OF THEM SO PETER NEVER TOLD THAT DREAM NOR DID HE WRITE IT DOWN WHO'S TALKING TO YOU SAID FELICITY NOW LOOK HERE SAID THE STORY GIRL THE FIRST THING WE KNOW WILL ALL BE QUARRELLING AND THEN SOME OF US WILL SULK ALL DAY TOMORROW IT'S DREADFUL TO SPOIL A WHOLE DAY JUST LET'S ALL SIT STILL AND COUNT A HUNDRED BEFORE WE SAY ANOTHER WORD IT HAPPENED LONG LONG AGO IN GREECE WHERE SO MANY OTHER BEAUTIFUL THINGS HAPPENED BEFORE THAT NOBODY HAD EVER HEARD OF KISSING AND THEN IT WAS JUST DISCOVERED IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE AND A MAN WROTE IT DOWN AND THE ACCOUNT HAS BEEN PRESERVED EVER SINCE +e7e6f028-03df-4c3c-897f-bd668a8e10c2 THE TROUBLE WAS THERE WERE SO MANY OTHER THINGS HE LIKED BETTER THAN WORK IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO PETER I FEEL SURE I'LL NEVER BE NAUGHTY AGAIN I WON'T HAVE THE HEART WE'LL NINE YEARS PASS ON EARTH WHEN WE MAKE THE TRIP OUR TEA IS MERE MOMENTS HE PUT HIS HAND ON THE MAN'S SHOULDER AND TO PROVE TO YOU THAT THEY WERE NOT WIZARDLY OR MAGIC SOME DAY YANUS THOUGHT BACK IN HIS CELL THERE WOULD BE A METHOD OF CONTROLLING MINDS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE THE WILLING CO OPERATION OF THE TWO PARTIES WHAT HAD BEEN DONE THEY FLEW IN FEAR AND ANGER TO GOD'S WHITE THRONE AND CRIED TO HIM SARA MUST NOT DO PENANCE IN THAT WAY +e80de2e0-1d12-49c9-aecb-7f63b4349b8f IT SPOILS THE EFFECT WHAT WOULD YOU FEEL LIKE IF I WENT AND KEPT STIRRING THINGS IT DIDN'T BELONG TO IT INTO THE PUDDING I FEEL JUST THE SAME WAY WELL WILL MONTAGUE FELL IN LOVE WITH RACHEL WARD AND SHE WAS WITH HIM AND IT WAS ALL ARRANGED THAT THEY WERE TO BE MARRIED FROM HERE IN THE SPRING I HAD A LETTER TO DAY FROM UNCLE ARTHUR IN WINNIPEG AND HE SENT ME THREE DOLLARS HE SAID I WAS TO USE IT IN ANY WAY I LIKED SO MA COULDN'T REFUSE TO LET ME GIVE IT TO THE FUND IT WAS NOT FOR ANY ONE BUT CECILY WHO COULDN'T SWALLOW A MOUTHFUL I'M GLAD FATHER AND MOTHER WILL BE BACK TO MORROW NIGHT SHE SAID A WISHING FAIRY MIGHT HAVE HAD THE TIME OF HER LIFE IN THE KING KITCHEN THAT MORNING PARTICULARLY IF SHE WERE A CYNICALLY INCLINED FAIRY HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES +e8eebe8b-50ea-423e-9f7d-95c44ff39a90 THERE'D BE A HIGH PLACE ORAN PULLED THE INSECT GENTLY FROM HIS HAIR RELEASED IT THE EVENING MEAL WAS SIMPLE THERE WAS A SINGLE DISH OF MEAT AND SOME SORT OF BEANS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP APPEAR TO HAVE BEGUN APPROXIMATELY IN THE YEAR FIFTEEN NINETY FOUR THE BACKGROUND WAS AN OUT OF FOCUS BLUR IT WASN'T EVEN A RESPECTABLE ORDINARY LOOKING OCCUPANT YET MISSUS YUKE INSISTS THAT NO POWER CAN ALTER TRANSFORMATIONS HE GLANCED AT THE KING WHO NODDED HIS HEAD IN ASCENT +e8f7851a-7e43-41c7-a6c1-79a4220ab7c6 THEN SHE SPOKE SHE SAID GOOD MORNING NEVER HAD WE HEARD A VOICE LIKE HERS NO SIGN OF HIM AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH TOWERS TOLD RYNEHART IF HE GOT OUT OBSERVED RHIN HART HE COULD BE A HUNDRED MILES AWAY OR MORE WHILE FARTHER AWAY IT SHOULD HAVE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME CONDITIONS AS DID THE EARTH AND IT HAD SEAS NOT AS LARGE AS ON EARTH BUT SEAS NEVERTHELESS IT WAS AGREED THAT THE LATTER WAS TO MAKE A CORNMEAL PUDDING FOR DINNER SHE DIED OF A BROKEN HEART BEFORE THE SPRING AND SHE AND KATY WERE BURIED SIDE BY SIDE ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER WHICH HAS EVER SINCE BORE THEIR NAMES THE RIVER OF SCHUBEN KATY SAID THE STORY GIRL +e9088020-59aa-4dbb-a386-785fe5b99607 VIC I HAD A HOT PROSPECT LINED UP FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAT MORNING BUT I DIDN'T EVEN STOP TO GIVE HIM A RING VIC AND I HAD BEEN BUTTIES EVER SINCE WE WERE KIDS AND BESIDES HE WAS HOPE'S BROTHER WE HAD KNOWN FROM AUNT OLIVIA'S LETTERS THAT FELICITY WAS THE BEAUTY OF THE CONNECTION AND WE HAD BEEN CURIOUS TO SEE HER ON THAT ACCOUNT SHE FULLY JUSTIFIED OUR EXPECTATIONS AS THEY WALKED TO THE DOOR THE MAN SHOOK HIS HEAD GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT DOC IT CERTAINLY DONE A GOOD JOB SO FAR I GUESS YOUR SPECIALISTS KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING EVEN IF FOLKS DON'T UNDERSTAND IT NO WE DID NOT BUT IT WAS OUR EXPERIENCE THAT GROWN UPS HAD A HABIT OF SAYING THINGS HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS UNCLE ROGER LIKE WAS OUR NEXT QUESTION WELL I LIKE UNCLE ROGER SAID THE STORY GIRL MEDITATIVELY +e90a6822-1559-470a-b6a2-b66c6fd5af76 WOULD YOU LIKE SOME SHE ASKED ROOT HE WAS SUSPICIOUS OF MAGIC COFFEE BUT HIS MOUTH SO GOOD THAT HE COULD NOT RESIST IT SO HE ANSWERED IF YOU PLEASE MA'AM THE GIANTESS POURED OUT ANOTHER CUP AND SET IT ON THE FLOOR FOR WOOT EVEN CHILDREN CANNOT DEVOUR MINCE PIE AND COLD FRIED PORK HAM AND FRUIT CAKE BEFORE GOING TO BED WITH ENTIRE IMPUNITY I PULLED THE EYE STRAIGHT UP AND AWAY AND THREW IN THE CONTROL CIRCUIT THAT WOULD RETURN IT AUTOMATICALLY TO THE SHIP I CURSED AND WHEELED THE EYE IN CIRCLES SCANNING THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY IT WAS FLAT MARSHY BOTTOM LAND WITHOUT A BUMP YONAS TOOK A DEEP BREATH THERE WAS NO WAY TO BACK OUT NOW HEROISM LOOKED A LITTLE EMPTY THOUGH HE CLOSED HIS EYES CABBAGES HE SAID +e9743fc5-8665-440d-8405-c9fafde5a286 I SUPPOSE I MIGHT ASK THE MINISTERS ABOUT IT MINISTERS WOULDN'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH SUCH QUESTIONS BUT HOW IS HE TO BE MADE TO TAKE IT THAT'S THE QUESTION THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY LET ANOTHER REPAIR MAN IN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AS SOON AS THE M T COULD GIVE A RUNNING TRANSLATION OF ANY CONVERSATION I HEARD I FIGURED IT WAS TIME TO MAKE CONTACT OH THAT IS EASY SAID PETER YOU CAN ALWAYS JUST FEEL WHO IS GOOD AND WHO ISN'T BETTY SHERWIN WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT A COMPLIMENT SAID THE STORY GIRL JEFF PANTED INSIDE HOMESIDE FEELS THEY'RE JUST LETTING US HAVE SOME OF THE SURPLUS AUBREY HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING NEW ABOUT THE SCOOPS +e99016d9-921a-4d87-88e2-199bb13bf7cd THERE WAS NO REPLY CAN'T YOU SEE HE'S RESTED JUST AS YOU WERE ONCE ASKED POLYCHROME LAUGHING AGAIN HERE NICK CHOPPER LEND ME YOUR OIL CAN A MINUTE THE TIN WOODMAN SILENTLY HANDED HER HIS OIL CAN WITHOUT WHICH HE NEVER TRAVELED AND POLYCHROME FIRST OILED THE STRANGER'S TIN JAWS AND THEN WORKED THEM GENTLY TO AND FRO TILL THIS TIN SOLDIER SAID THAT'S ENOUGH THANK YOU I CAN NOW TALK NOT AS BAD AS I HAD THOUGHT A SIX WEEK RUN GIVE HER TAKE A FEW DAYS AFTER FEEDING A COURSE INTO THE ROBOT PILOT I STRAPPED INTO THE ACCELERATOR TANK AND WENT TO SLEEP THE TIME WENT FAST I REBUILT MY CAMERA FOR ABOUT THE TWENTIETH TIME AND JUST ABOUT FINISHED A CORRESPONDENCE COURSE ON NUCLEONICS AS HE ROSE ROPY TENTACLES TWINED AROUND HIM AND HE SAW WHAT HAD SAVED HIM HE WAS BEING CRADLED GENTLY BUT FIRMLY BY THE NONNIPUS WHICH HAD JUDGE RAY IN ANOTHER SET OF TENTACLES AN ANONIPUS THAT BECAME APPARENT WAS NOT ONLY A WATER CREATURE IT COULD ALSO FLY THE STORY GIRL WALKED UPRIGHTLY LIKE INCARNATE FLAME IN HER CRIMSON SILK HER PRETTY FEET WERE HIDDEN IN THE TAN COLORED BUTTONED PARIS BOOTS WHICH WERE THE SECRET ENVY OF EVERY SCHOOLGIRL IN CARLISLE BUT SARA RAY WAS NOT HAPPY HER FACE WAS SO MELANCHOLY THAT THE STORY GIRL LOST PATIENCE WITH HER +e9c2be48-7ddf-4a5a-bc3e-dc50af45e359 TOGETHER THEY RELAXED THEIR PERCEPTION SHIELDS IN RELIEF JUST AHEAD OF HIM JONIFER CAUGHT AN ERECT FIN SPINE AND CLUNG WITH BOTH ARMS SHE SAID RESIGNEDLY I SPUN THE EYE CONTROLS AND DIVED THE THING DOWN I NEED MY EYES TO SEE AND MEND THE FOUNT OF HOLY WATERS GAZING DREAMILY AFAR AT THE TINTED SKY BETWEEN THE APPLE TREES AS IF SHE WERE LOOKING BACK TO THE MERRY DAYS OF THE WORLD'S GAY YOUTH ALL THIS TROUBLE WAS CAUSED BY THE WICKEDNESS OF MISSUS UPE THE GIANTESS AND POLYCHROME FIRST OILED THE STRANGER'S TIN JAWS +ea10a328-19bf-40e8-877a-c3b74aa6172b IT WAS CLOSING FAST USING THE RAW ENERGY OF THE BATTLESHIP ENGINES FOR A HEADLONG APPROACH MY SHIP BUCKED A BIT AS THE TUG BEAMS LOCKED ON AT MAXIMUM DISTANCE THE RADIAT LEAKED AT ME FOR ATTENTION AT THE SAME TIME I WAITED AS LONG AS I DARED AND THEN FLIPPED IT ON THE VOICE BOOMED OUT I'LL FORGIVE YOU SHE SAID GRACIOUSLY FELIX AND I FELT THAT IT WOULD REALLY BE WORTH WHILE TO OFFEND HER JUST TO BE FORGIVEN IN SUCH AN ADORABLE VOICE PETER EAGERLY GRASPED HER HAND I TELL YOU WHAT STORY GIRL I'M AWFULLY SORRY I LAUGHED IN CHURCH BUT YOU NEEDN'T BE AFRAID I EVER WILL AGAIN NO SIR AND I'M GOING TO CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL REGULAR AND I'LL SAY MY PRAYERS EVERY NIGHT I WANT TO BE LIKE THE REST OF YOU DO NOTHING AT ALL FOR AT LEAST A WEEK IF WE AREN'T ALL BACK HERE BEFORE THAT TIME TAKE ANY ACTION YOU SEE FIT UNDERSTAND NO SIR WELL YOU UNDERSTAND THE ORDERS ANYWAY THAT'S ALL IT'S NECESSARY CLOSE THE DOOR AND KEEP IT CLOSED AT LEAST A WEEK THEY FADED SOON AFTER THEY WERE PLUCKED AND ALTHOUGH STRANGERS GREATLY ADMIRING THEM OFTEN CARRIED AWAY ROOTS AND SEEDS THEY COULD NEVER BE COAXED TO GROW ELSEWHERE MY STORY IS ABOUT MISSUS DUNBAR AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE FANNY SAID THE STORY GIRL SETTLING HERSELF COMFORTABLY ON A BOUGH WITH HER BROWN HEAD AGAINST A GNARLED TRUNK +ea64fc01-51ae-4888-93c4-c483119fdf13 THE FIRST ONE THAT SPOTTED ME SCREAMED AND DROPPED OVER ON HIS BACK THE OTHERS CAME RUNNING THEY MILLED AND MOBBED AND PILED ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER AND BY THAT TIME I HAD LANDED IN THE PLAZA FRONTING THE TEMPLE THE PRIESTHOOD ARRIVED I FOLDED MY ARMS IN A REGAL DANCE ALTOGETHER THE STORY GIRL HAD A HARD TIME OF IT BUT SHE PERSEVERED AND ONE DAY SHE CAME TO US WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT PETER HAD YIELDED HE'S GOING TO CHURCH WITH US TO MORROW SHE SAID TRIUMPHANTLY FINALLY IN DESPERATION HE SWITCHED OFF THE TELETOCKY HE SNAPPED OPEN THE BACK OF THE UNIT AND STUDIED A MAZE OF TRANSISTORS RESISTERS AND CAPACITORS IF THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG IT WAS SUBTLE LIKE A BURNED OUT RESISTER OR A SHORTED CONDENSER WHATEVER IT WAS IT WAS BEYOND EMERGENCY REPAIR AH I WONDER WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE BREATHED CECILY WE ALL WONDERED NEXT DAY IN SCHOOL WE AGREED TO JERRY COWAN'S TERMS AND JERRY PROMISED TO BRING THE PICTURE UP TO UNCLE ALEC'S THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON +eac30302-a9da-45f4-a871-08edd301c0ac THEY HELPED BRANDON TO HIS FEET AND GAVE HIM A SWIG OF COOL SWEET WATER FROM A CANTEEN CIUS ROSE WITH A BRASSY GLARE I KNEW HE NEVER WENT OUT OF THE DOOR CRIED DAN TRIUMPHANTLY WHEN THE LAST BUGGY HAD DRIVEN AWAY FELICITY SET A BATCH OF BREAD AND THE REST OF US SAT AROUND THE BACK PORCH STEPS IN THE CAT SLIGHT AND ATE CHERRIES SHOOTING THE STONES AT EACH OTHER BUT HE'S GOT HIS SHARE OF MISCHIEF THAT SAME LAD BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS NOT EXACTLY COMPLIMENTARY IN THE VERY ROOM IN WORDS THAT WERE BYRONS BUT SHE HAD FAR MORE FIRE AND INTENSITY AND STRENGTH OF +ead92ac8-0a74-42e6-8733-e4f0005b43a9 WE COULD NOT PICTURE HER AS OLD ALWAYS AS LONG AS SHE LIVED SO IT SEEMED TO US MUST SHE HAVE SLEEK BROWN CURLS A VOICE LIKE THE SOUND OF A HARP STRING IN THE WIND AND EYES THAT WERE STARS OF ETERNAL YOUTH WHY NOT ASKED THE LITTLE DRAGON I WAS CONSIDERED TO POSSESS A PRETTY KNACK OF COMPOSITION BREAKFAST IS READY BUT WE CAN'T HAVE IT TILL FATHER IS THROUGH ATTENDING TO THE SICK COW SO YOU WILL LIKELY HAVE TIME ANSWERED FELICITY DORA LAUGHED A TINKLY LAUGH AND CAME INTO HIS WAITING ARMS DARLING'S HE COOED WHAT A THING TO SAY I ACTUALLY BELIEVE YOU'RE JEALOUS AND YOU KNOW I ONLY LOVE YOU +eaf6ade3-12d2-454a-8fb6-5014b715bae6 YONAS WENT OVER TO HIS PALLET REMOVED HIS JERKIN AND SHOES AND LAY DOWN HE HEARD THE OTHERS READYING THEMSELVES FOR SLEEP BUT HE DID NOT LOOK INTO THEIR MINDS SOON THEY WERE ASLEEP AND BREATHING HEAVILY BUT YONAS STAYED AWAKE FOR A WHILE WE WENT AWAY LEAVING DAN SITTING ON THE DOOR SILL READING HIS BOOK AND JIMMIE P SNOOZING BLISSFULLY ON THE SOFA WHEN WE RETURNED FELIX AND THE GIRLS AND I WERE AHEAD OF THE OTHERS DAN WAS STILL SITTING IN PRECISELY THE SAME PLACE AND ATTITUDE BUT THERE WAS NO JIMMY IN SIGHT WEREN'T YOU SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT CIVILIZATION A WHILE AGO FINLESS HE ASKED HIS VOICE WAS SNEERING GLARING AT HIM ANGRILY SHE SNAPPED OUT HIS NAME IN AN ICY VOICE GARF DOOR WE ARE ALL SO FOND OF HIM AND HE IS SUCH A GOOD CAT AND HAS NO BAD HABITS OF COURSE IF ANY OF US TRAMPS ON HIS TAIL HE WILL SCRATCH US BUT YOU KNOW A CAT CAN'T BEAR TO HAVE HIS STICK TAIL TRAMPED ON IT'S A VERY TENDER PART OF HIM AND IT'S HIS ONLY WAY OF PREVENTING IT AND HE DOESN'T MEAN ANY HARM +eaf8c882-731c-49c5-8a4e-3cba9a2e1c56 THE GIRLS IN SCHOOL LAUGH AT IT SO KATE MAR SAYS IT'S LIKE A GASH IN A PIE BILLY SAID THAT THE SEED WOULD SHRINK IT FOR SURE IN THE OLD CARLISLE GRAVEYARD WE WERE MORE INTERESTED IN FELICITY AND CECILY AND DAN THEM AND THEIR STUPID ORDERS IN ALL THEIR HISTORY HISTORY NEGATIVE IT'S CRASH PRIORITY AFTER THAT HE COULD PLAY HIS POLITICS AS SOON AS HE WAS FINISHED I TOOK BACK THE SHEET TORE IT UP AND POCKETED TO PIECES +eb1146a0-47d8-44da-9a4a-4b98487944b9 NOW WHAT I WHISPERED TO VIC I DON'T KNOW THAT CHAP WITH THE BIG STONE AT HIS THROAT SEEMS TO BE THE HEADMAN OF THE CITY I THINK THEY'VE BEEN MESSING UP HIS PLANS SEE HE'S MOTIONING US TO WATCH THE PRIEST LED THE OLD MAN BACK TO THE IDOL I THINK IT IS VERY VAIN TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU HAVE YOURSELF BEING BEAUTIFUL SAID FELICITY I'M NOT A BIT FAIN SAID THE STORY GIRL WITH ENTIRE TRUTHFULNESS IT IS NOT VANITY TO KNOW YOUR OWN GOOD POINTS IT WOULD BE JUST STUPIDITY IF YOU DIDN'T IT'S ONLY VANITY WHEN YOU GET PUFFED UP ABOUT THEM I WILL ASK YOU TO DO NOTHING AGAINST THE FAITH I MERELY ASK YOU TO TEST FOR YOURSELF WHAT I SAY YOU ARE A HERETIC KNUFF SAID SUDDENLY I CANNOT YOU CAN PRAY YUNUS SAID KNUFF BLINKED PRAY HE SAID I COULDN'T TELL AND I COULD WORK MYSELF UP INTO A NEUROTIC STATE IF I KEPT RUNNING THROUGH THE WORRY CYCLE IT TOOK AN EFFORT TO CONCENTRATE ON ANYTHING ELSE BUT IT HAD TO BE MADE THE NEXT FOUR DAYS PASSED VERY SLOWLY +eb157f71-ea9c-4683-bea8-3c27f4384bd9 I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN ANY OTHER EYES SUCH ANGER AND HATRED AS BLAZED IN THE EYES OF THOSE STRANGE BEINGS THE EARTH A SPECK OF DUST IN ORBIT BY THE TIME THEY COME BACK CIVILIZATION ON EARTH WILL BE TWO THOUSAND YEARS OLDER WHY DOST THOU KEEP BACK THE DRAUGHT OF IMMORTALITY FROM ME HE DEMANDED PASSIONATELY HE WON'T EVER KNOW HOW MUCH WE THOUGHT OF HIM IT'S TOO LATE FINALLY HE TURNED TO RAY HE GENERALLY TOOK THE MANUSCRIPTS IN HAND AND WHEN HE COULD STICK SOME OTHER MEMBER OF THE FIRM WITH A TASK READ THEM HIMSELF UNTIL THE WE HOURS +eb3a6033-a946-4919-8c0a-17fa54f40f4b AH DO WE EVER FEEL QUITE THE SAME TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO DESTROY OUR ILLUSIONS SHALL I EVER BE ABLE TO FORGIVE THE BRUTAL CREATURE WHO FIRST TOLD ME THERE WAS NO SUCH PERSON AS SANTA CLAUS WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE STUPIDER A CREATURE THE MORE OF A NUISANCE IT IS I HAD ABOUT DECIDED THE SAME THING ABOUT THE SMALLER A CREATURE WE MAY HAVE TO FUMIGATE THAT OLD MOUNTAIN MESS FELICITY WORMED THE SECRET OUT OF PETER BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF DELILA WILES SUCH AS HAVE BEEN THE UNDOING OF MANY A MISERABLE MALE CREATURE SINCE SAMSON'S DAY OH THE STORY GIRL'S VOICE EXPRESSED HER SCORN FOR REMORSE SHE HAD UNDERSTANDING AND SYMPATHY BUT FEAR OF HER FELLOW CREATURES WAS SOMETHING UNKNOWN TO HER DIDN'T JUDY PANOT PROMISE YOU SOLEMNLY SHE WOULDN'T TELL YES BUT MAYBE SOME ONE WHO SEES ME THERE WILL MENTION IT TO MA +eb3ae0c5-4b3b-4373-bc00-61595fffed54 WAS LIVING DOWN ON THE ISLAND WITH UNCLE ROGER AND AUNT OLIVIA KING IF THE STORY GIRL WOULD LIKE US ON AND ON THEY RODE AND THE SKIES GREW DARKER AND THE WIND BLEW AND WAILED AND THE SHADES OF EVENING CAME DOWN I WAS JUST SEVEN OF COURSE HE HAD NEVER SEEN DRAGONS BEFORE AND LOOKED AT HIM SO YOU WILL NOT GET ANGRY WITH ME YOU SAID ONCE YOU KNEW A STORY ABOUT THE AWKWARD MAN SAID FELIX YOU MIGHT TELL IT TO US WE HAD NEVER DREAMED THERE WAS SO MUCH IN THE MULTIPLICATION TABLE +eb433c0e-1c23-4ebe-a4e4-9c13c3a60afc INDEED I WOULD IF I'D JUST MADE UP MY MIND TO WHY NOT WHY NOT BARE FEET IF THEY'RE CLEAN AS WELL AS BARE HANDS AND FACE OH YOU WOULDN'T IT WOULD BE SUCH A DISGRACE SAID POOR FELICITY IN REAL DISTRESS SHE HAD AN ESPECIAL KNACK FOR DRAWING MONSTROSITIES AND I VIVIDLY RECALL THE PICTURE OF AN ENORMOUS AND HIDEOUS LIZARD LOOKING LIKE A REPTILE OF THE PTERODACTYL PERIOD WHICH SHE HAD DREAMED OF SEEING CRAWL ACROSS THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE PETER CRUSHED BUT NOT CONVINCED SUBSIDED AND THE STORY GIRL WENT ON FINALLY MARGARET RAN AWAY WITH ALLAN AND THEY WERE MARRIED IN CHARLOTTETOWN OH NO NO IT MAY BE ALL RIGHT TO PASS A YANKEE CENT ON A STOREKEEPER OR AN EGG PEDDLER BUT IT WOULD NEVER DO FOR CHURCH I'LL HAVE TO GO WITHOUT ANY THEN SAID PETER I HAVEN'T ANOTHER CENT I ONLY GET FIFTY CENTS A WEEK AND I GIVE IT ALL TO MORROW LAST NIGHT +eb7152a0-0d5b-48f3-a05a-08726b892a65 YONAS KNEW WHAT THAT MEANT RATIFICATION OF A FREE CONFESSION TOOK PLACE IN A TORTURE YONAS TOOK A DEEP BREATH THERE WAS NO WAY TO BACK OUT NOW THE DELPHINUS HAS BEEN UNREPORTED FOR EIGHTEEN STANDARD MONTHS WHAT'S THE PLANET LIKE THE PRINCE OF WALES WAS IN CHARLOTTETOWN ONCE SAID PETER MY AUNT JANE SAW HIM QUITE CLOSE BY AS FAR AS WRITING THEM DOWN WAS CONCERNED I BELIEVED THAT I BEVERLY KING CARRIED OFF THE PALM WAS JUST A FIELD BUT THERE WAS A CLUMP OF WHITE BIRCHES IN IT +eb76b523-5fed-4dda-958b-a1276c400515 I WAS REALLY GLAD THEY HAD TAILS THE EYE WOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE PRELIMINARY SURVEY THE OLD BOYS HAD ENOUGH BRAINS TO CHOOSE A TRACEABLE SITE FOR THE BEACON EQUIDISTANT ON A LINE BETWEEN TWO OF THE MOST PROMINENT MOUNTAIN PEAKS PSHAW I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY FEAR OF IT BEING THE LAST DAY SAID DAN BEGINNING A WHISTLE OUT OF SHEER BRAVADO WHAT IS IT IS IS IT PAST TWO YOUR APPLES ARE LOVELY TO EAT THE STORY GIRL SAID TO ME IT'S OUR OWN FAMILY GHOST SO OF COURSE IT WOULDN'T HURT US YOU'LL BE SURE TO GET WHIPPED IF YOU FIGHT WITH PETER SHE SAID YOU'RE TOO FAT TO FIGHT PETER PRAYS THREE TIMES A DAY REGULAR +eb81c1ea-924e-4f9d-a27d-1d0cdce8bbdd ON THE SPOT WHERE THE BIG FELLOW HAD STOOD A LITTLE HEAP OF FLABBY WRINKLED SKIN ONLY WHEN A UNIFORM UNDER OFFICIAL OF SOME KIND RAN OVER TO ME DID I GIVE THE FIELD ANY ATTENTION IT LOOKED LIKE THE ONE WE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR UNDER THE MOTTO SET A THIEF TO CATCH ONE IT LOOKED AS IF WE WOULD HAVE TO PROCEED WITHOUT GRACE WHEN FELIX SUDDENLY SHUT HIS EYES BENT HIS HEAD AND SAID A VERY GOOD GRACE WITHOUT ANY APPEARANCE OF EMBARRASSMENT PETER WAS STARING AT THE STORY GIRL WITH A FASCINATED HORROR STRICKEN GAZE BUT IF CICELY OH I'LL NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF SAID FELICITY INCOHERENTLY +ebb8c346-85d0-4e7f-8d15-90bff21e2f23 WELL IF THERE ISN'T ONE IN TORONTO IT ISN'T LIKELY THERE'S ONE ANYWHERE SAID PETER DISAPPOINTEDLY I SAW A PICTURE OF THE DEVIL ONCE HE ADDED IT WAS IN A BOOK MY AUNT JANE HAD SHE GOT IT FOR A PRIZE IN SCHOOL THE SUN DROPPED DOWN AMID DARK LIVID CLOUDS THAT TURNED SULLEN SHADES OF PURPLE AND FIERY RED BEHIND HIM I HOPE WE'LL BE ALL TOGETHER WHEREVER WE ARE SAID CECILY GENTLY NOTHING CAN BE SO VERY BAD THEN UNCLE EDWARD HAD PREACHED HIS FIRST SERMON AT THE AGE OF EIGHT FROM THAT OLD GRAY BOULDER AND AUNT JULIA WHOSE VOICE WAS TO DELIGHT THOUSANDS SANG HER EARLIEST MAGICALS THERE THE STORY GIRL MOUNTED TO THE LEDGE SAT ON THE RIM AND LOOKED AT US THE ZID'S TALONS RIPPED THROUGH THE DOOR LEAVING PARALLEL ROWS OF SPLINTERED BRAKES BOTH SLANTED RED EYES GLARED IN BRIEFLY THEN YOU DAMN WEEL BETTER HURRY JEFF PANTED THE DOOR HE ESTIMATED MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT HOLD FOR TWO MINUTES MORE +ec02df90-04a0-4022-8387-e7e08fab08fa SIGHED THE CANARY COULDN'T YOU MANAGE TO ESCAPE FROM THIS TERRIBLE YUKOH NO ANSWERED THE SCARECROW WE TRIED TO ESCAPE BUT FAILED SHE FIRST MADE US HER PRISONERS AND THEN TRANSFORMED US BUT HOW DID SHE MANAGE TO GET YOU POLYCHROME I WAS ASLEEP AND SHE TOOK UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF ME ANSWERED THE BIRD SADLY HAD I BEEN AWAKE I COULD EASILY HAVE PROTECTED MYSELF DAN SAT ON THE FLOOR AND WHITTLED HIS SOLE AIM AND PROJECT BEING TO MAKE A MESS AND ANNOY FELICITY IN WHICH NOBLE AMBITION HE SUCCEEDED PERFECTLY I WISH JANET AND UNCLE ALEC WERE HOME SAID FELIX IT'S NOT HALF SO MUCH FUN HAVING THE GROWN UPS AWAY AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE I WISH I WAS BACK IN TORONTO I SAID SULKILY THE MINCE PIE WAS TO BLAME FOR THAT WISH I WISH YOU WERE I'M SURE SAID FELICITY RIDDLING THE FIRE NOISILY BUT EVEN FOUR YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO BE SHUT UP IN ASTRO ONE WITH FIVE OTHER MEN ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF THEM WAS THE IMPERIOUS COLONEL TOWERS I CAUGHT EM JUMP THAT'S THE WAY TO BAIT THE REDS THE COLONEL HAD SAID A THOUSAND TIMES HIS WELL WORN EXPRESSION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH QUANUM MECHANICS THE ACTUAL CHANGE IN ATOMIC CONFIGURATION DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF SUFFICIENT ENERGY I WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE THE FEELING THAT I HAD BEEN MISSING THE BOAT ALL ALONG THE LINE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATED DATE OF THE COMPLETION WAS NEARLY A YEAR AWAY BUT THERE WAS NO REAL REASON WHY THAT COULDN'T BE CHANGED TOO CARS GUNS I BELLOWED TO THE SPACE YARD IF THAT SHIP IS ANYWHERE NEAR COMPLETION WE ARE IN BIG BIG TROUBLE +ec06e8a4-1901-4eae-bdd8-1ee612e4e455 NANCY WAS THERE MILKING A COW BY THE STABLE DOOR BUT SHE STOOD UP WHEN SHE SAW DONALD COMING OH SHE WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL HER HAIR WAS LIKE A SKEIN OF GOLD AND SILK AND HER EYES WERE AS BLUE AS THE GULF WATER WHEN THE SUN BREAKS OUT AFTER A STORM WE HAVE SUCH A LOVELY MINISTER PETER HE LOOKS JUST LIKE THE PICTURE OF SAINT JOHN MY FATHER SENT ME ONLY HE IS OLD AND HIS HAIR IS WHITE THE KEENEST EDGE TO OUR HUMILIATION WAS GIVEN BY THE DISCOVERY THAT THE MAGIC SEED WAS NOTHING MORE OR LESS THAN CARROWAY WHICH GREW IN ABUNDANCE AT BILLY ROBINSON'S UNCLE'S IN MARKDALE PERHAPS WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO ESCAPE +ec30ed27-16d6-42b4-9b10-5a7a2c166760 AND FERNS GROW OUT BETWEEN THE STONES OF THE WELL AS FAR DOWN AS YOU CAN SEE THE CECILY WHO HAD HEARD IT MANY TIMES BEFORE MADE THEIR WAY TOWARD THE EXTENDED PALMS WHICH FORMED THE ALTAR OF THIS STRANGE BLACK GOD WHOSE FAVOR WAS DEATH TEACH HIM DISCIPLINE SHOW HIM WHAT THE CORE STANDS FOR AT THE SAME TIME IT WILL GET THE RECORDS IN SHAPE NO I'M JUST DOING PENANCE AUNT JANET FOR A SIN I COMMITTED I CAN'T CONFESS IT BECAUSE THAT WOULD BRING TROUBLE ON ANOTHER PERSON SO I'M GOING TO DO PENANCE ALL DAY YOU DON'T MIND DO YOU I'VE GOT AN AWFUL PAIN HERE IF +ec41fcd6-0451-475b-b709-10ee574d6851 FIVE PACES DOWN THE CORRIDOR THE WALK TURNED INTO A RUN YONIC WATCHED HIM GO AND THEN SAT DOWN ON HIS LOUSE AND FESTO COT TO AWAIT DEVELOPMENTS THE MINUTES TICKED BY ENDLESSLY HE THOUGHT OF TRYING TO REACH CLARETON BUT DECIDED NOT ENTIRELY WITH REGRET THAT THE CONTACT WOULD USE UP TOO MUCH ENERGY AND HE NEEDED ALL THE ENERGY HE COULD CONSERVE NOW OH I THINK HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT TOO SIGHED CECILY BUT YOU KNOW HE NEVER DID GO TO CHURCH IN SUNDAY SCHOOL BEFORE THIS SUMMER TOO GLOOMY IN THAT JUNGLE TO BE SURE THE INFER BEAM'S OUT ON THIS MANY LOOKS LIKE HARD PELLET RIFLES OF SOME KIND WELL IN A BOOK THEY WOULD HAVE BUT YOU SEE THIS WAS IN REAL LIFE SAID THE STORY GIRL +ec4f299b-e00b-48bb-a0dd-f7d48ec9d89f BEFORE HIM STRETCHED AN ENDLESS CARPET OF RED DUST THE LIGHT FROM THE TWO MOONS WAS GROWING DIM AS EACH SETTLED TOWARDS DIFFERENT HORIZONS HE SAT DOWN I EVEN HOOKED A GADGET TO THE WATER PIPE SO THEIR HOLY WATERS WOULD HAVE THE USUAL REFRESHING RADIOACTIVITY WHEN THEY STARTED FLOWING AGAIN THE MOMENT THIS WAS ALL FINISHED I DID THE JOB THEY WERE WAITING FOR I THREW THE SWITCH THAT STARTED THE WATER FLOWING AGAIN IT WAS ULTIMATELY ARRANGED THAT THE COMBAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE FIR WOOD BEHIND UNCLE ROGER'S GRANARY IT WAS A NICE REMOTE BOSKY PLACE WHERE NO PROWLING GROWN UP WOULD BE LIKELY TO INTRUDE THERE WAS A SOUND OF STEALTHY MOVEMENT OUTSIDE THE CABIN AND HE FLICKED SWEAT OUT OF HIS EYES WITH A HAND THAT SHOOK E I FOR GOD'S SAKE COME IN I'M IN TROUBLE HERE THE IMAGE ON HIS THREE INCH SCREEN WAS NOT CONSEIL SEDTERFIELD'S BUT THE STARTLED CONSOLATE OPERATORS TROUBLE +ec55316d-a85c-44b5-a968-034f9f97f4f5 BETOKENED THE SENTENCE WHICH SOON CAME DAN DOES SAY SUCH QUEER THINGS AT ANY OTHER TIME WE SHOULD ALL HAVE BEEN AGHAST OVER SUCH A CATASTROPHE BUT IT PASSED UNNOTICED NOW IT WAS STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH IN FRONT BUT SLOPED DOWN IN NATURAL STEPS BEHIND I DON'T KNOW THE STORY GIRL LOOKED DUBIOUS I COULDN'T GET THEM ON THE RIGHT FORMS THOUGH I AFTER I COUNTED THE REGULAR PEOPLE I WENT TO COUNT THE LITTLE PEOPLE SHE WAS VERY SHY AND MODEST BUT YOU KNOW A GIRL CAN LET A MAN SEE SHE LIKES HIM WITHOUT GOING OUT OF HER WAY HAVE YOU ANY IDEA WHERE YOUR FATHER IS ASKED ANN +ec7f8a05-6a91-4617-8c26-cf58be328899 IF YOU'RE A KING YOU SING WAS A CARLISLE PROVERB IN THOSE DAYS WELL AIN'T THAT ALL THE MORE REASON FOR CRYING RETORTED PETER I'VE HAD TO DO WITHOUT HER FOR TWO YEARS AND THAT'S WORSE THAN IF IT HAD JUST BEEN A FEW DAYS BUT THESE WERE REALLY SECONDARY TO MY MAIN PURPOSE THAT GOT RID OF THE SMILE BUT DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL ANY BETTER I SAVORED MY SMALL MOMENT OF POWER GET OVER THAT AND YOU'LL ELIMINATE MOST OF YOUR TROUBLE AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE IN THE FOREGROUND THE BOAT AND ITS OCCUPANTS WERE SHARPLY ETCHED BUT WE WERE AN HONOURABLE LITTLE CREW A BRAND NEW ONE TRIMMED WITH ANY QUANTITY OF CROCHET LACE +ec8443eb-902d-4a7a-ac36-aec725254db6 TURNED THE CHANNEL OF HIS THOUGHT THE THING WAS TOWING YOU CAN YOU FISH AND SAIL JEFF AUBREY TEACH YOU PEOPLE HOW TO EXPLOIT YOUR PLANET HOW TO BUILD GOOD TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES O K KEEP US POSTED WERE MERE SCRAWLS TELLING US TO BE GOOD BOYS AND NOT TROUBLE AUNT JANET WE DID NOT EVEN CALL BILLY TO ACCOUNT LEAVING THE STORY YELLOW AND PETER TO PEEL THEIR POTATOES THE REST OF US WENT HOME WHERE AUNT JANET WHO HAD GONE TO THE WELL AND FOUND THE FRAGMENTS OF THE OLD BLUE CUP GAVE POOR FELICITY A BIT OF SCOLDING ABOUT IT +ec968221-3c4f-4263-8fb9-94b7916c849d SHE MARCHED OFF WITH SARA RAY AND PETER DROPPED BACK TO US WITH A FRIGHTENED FACE WHAT IS IT I HAVE DONE TO HER HE WHISPERED WHAT DOES THAT BIG WORD MEAN THEIR SUBJECT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR BATTLE SHIP THE ROBERT SAID COLDLY ALL HIS STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS SHIP WERE TRUE NOW IT'S MY TURN FOR THE GAPING AND I POPMY ACT WHILE FERREO PULLED HIMSELF TOGETHER HE HAD NO IDEA I WASN'T INTEREST IN HIS OTHER HANKEY PANKY BUT COULD TELL THAT I HAD A LOW BLOW THE NATIVE APPEARED THE TWIN OF THE ONE HORN HAD SEEN ON THE TRANSLIGHT SCREEN THE FOREFINGERED HAND LOOKED EXTREMELY CAPABLE AROUND THE STOCK OF MARK TWENTY SLOWLY HORN PUT A HAND TO HIS THROAT PRESSED THE CONTACT BUTTON I COULDN'T GET A LOOK INTO HIS EYES IF HE WAS TRYING TO HOAX US THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A TWINKLE IN THEM HE CAN NEVER HELP THAT YOU KNOW HE WOULD THINK IT A GREAT JOKE TO FRIGHTEN US LIKE THAT IT'S REALLY DREADFUL TO HAVE NO GROWN UPS YOU CAN DEPEND UPON +ecb59e2e-df1a-4f66-9384-102f45005dd2 POOR SARA DID NOT HAVE TO BE SHE WAS EVENTUALLY QUIETED DOWN AND WAS AS WELL AS USUAL THE NEXT DAY AND SHE HUMBLY BEGGED PETER'S PARDON FOR SPOILING HIS SERMON PETER GRANTED IT RATHER GRUMPILY AND I FEAR THAT HE NEVER REALLY QUITE FORGAVE SARA FOR HER UNTIMELY OUTBURST LOOK HERE PETER SAID FELIX OMINOUSLY THEY TELL ME THAT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING RIGHT ALONG THAT I COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE NOW I TELL YOU I NEVER DID YOUR FEMALE SUGGESTION IS RIGHT THE SERIMIAN CROAKED THE ZID DOES NOT SWIM FOR AND I ARE ARRANGING ESCAPE ON THAT PREMISE HE SET UP A SHOUT FOR ONE OF THE GUARDS THE BALD ONE HAD BROUGHT HIS MEALS EVERY DAY BUT THE BLACK HAIRED ONE WAS THE MAN WHO CHECKED HIS SAIL AT NIGHT FOR ONCE YONAS THOUGHT HE WAS LUCKY THE BALD MAN APPEARED AFTER SOME FIFTY MINUTES SCREAMING AND CURSING YONAS WAS NOT AT ALL SURE WHETHER THE BLACK HAIRED MAN UNDERSTOOD LANGUAGE THERE WAS LITTLE TRACE OF IT IN HIS MIND AND VIRTUALLY NOTHING THAT MIGHT BE CALLED INTELLIGENCE +ecb714ac-cd4d-4137-a8e6-c1eda600d337 DAN SAID IT WAS NO USE FOR ME TO BOTHER PRAYING ABOUT IT HE SAID IF THEY COULDN'T SPEAK GOD MIGHT DO SOMETHING BUT WHEN THEY JUST WOULDN'T IT WASN'T LIKELY HE WOULD INTERFERE DAN DOES SAY SUCH QUEER THINGS I'M SO AFRAID HE'S GONE TO GROW UP JUST LIKE UNCLE ROBER WARD WHO NEVER GOES TO CHURCH AND DOESN'T BELIEVE MORE THAN HALF THE BIBLE IS TRUE WELL WHERE IS HE THEN HE ISN'T HERE DID HE MELT INTO AIR DEMANDED FELICITY OH COME AND LOOK FOR HIM ALL OF YOU DON'T STAND ROUND LIKE NINNIES WE MUST FIND HIM BEFORE HIS MOTHER GETS HERE DAN KING YOU'RE AN IDIOT DAN WAS TOO FRIGHTENED TO RESENT THIS AT THE TIME WHAT HE HELD UP WAS THE SIZE OF A GRAIN OF SAND MARSHALL COULD NOT SEE IT IN DETAIL COUNT EVERYONE ALL RIGHT FILL IN EVERY ONE I NEED MORE PAPERS STRANGELY ENOUGH IT WAS NOT DARK IN THIS IMMENSE NATURAL CHAMBER IN THE WOODLAND FOR THE PLACE GLOWED WITH THE SOFT WHITE LIGHT THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM SOME UNSEEN SOURCE +ecd8ea50-18fb-4cca-b568-6bf0507277f9 THE BEACONS SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND OPENED THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE IT WAS RESTING INSIDE THE BEACON DOOR WHEN I WOKE UP THEN A ROAR CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE PYRAMID THAT MUST HAVE SHAKEN ITS STONE WALLS MATCH THAT WITH THE CITY AS ADVANCED AS THAT ONE AIMED AT MY HEAD MANY HAVE TOLD ME KNUFF MUTTERED THAT THEIR FEATS WERE NATURAL THIS NEW SENSE IS OF GREAT VALUE PERHAPS WE CAN LEARN TO TEACH IT TO OTHERS IN TIME THOUGH WE HAVE HAD LITTLE SUCCESS WITH THAT YES BUT I DON'T BELIEVE SHE COULD EVER HAVE THOUGHT OF SUCH A THING AS THIS HERSELF FELICITY GOT ALL THE GRATITUDE ALTHOUGH THE STORY GIRL HAD ORIGINATED THE IDEA AND SEATED THE RAISINS AND BEATEN THE EGGS WHILE CECILY HAD TRUDGED ALL THE WAY TO MISSUS JAMES'S LITTLE SHOP BELOW THE CHURCH TO BUY THE PINK CANDIES BUT THAT IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD +ecfc33c4-f8fc-4004-8f2e-febdfbe70c5e BECAUSE YOU CAN BE ALWAYS WONDERING WHAT IS AT THE END OF IT LONG AND NARROW AND TWISTED UNDERSTANDING OF COURSE THAT THE WAYFARER WOULD INSIST ON PAYING PAYING WELL HE ADDED QUESTION SHE SAID YOU COME FROM HERAK NUFF AS WE SAT THERE THE AWKWARD MAN PASSED BY WITH HIS GUN OVER HIS SHOULDER AND HIS DOG AT HIS SIDE THE INFER BEAM'S OUT ON THIS MANY SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WAY OFF IN THE BALLANDINE SYSTEM BY NOW +ecfd77f2-adee-4142-b41d-2d20bced97bd OLD LAW OF SIMPLE PHYSICS IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN INTERRUPTED VIC WHY YES AND A BODY WHAT'S THAT A BODY WHY MATTER I SUPPOSE AND MATTER IS WHAT RAY FROWNED AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT MASS APPEAL PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT HE CONTINUED JUST LISTEN TO ME I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT OUR CIVILIZATION AND OUR SCIENCE AND HIS VOICE BROKE OFF AS IF HE HAD BEEN STRUCK IN THE FACE NO RACHEL WARD WAS NOT PRETTY THAT HAD TO BE ADMITTED THE PICTURE SHOWED A FRESH YOUNG FACE WITH STRONGLY MARKED IRREGULAR FEATURES LARGE BLACK EYES AND BLACK CURLS HANGING ACROSS THE SHOULDERS IN OLD TIME STYLE RACHEL WASN'T PRETTY SAID UNCLE ALEC BUT SHE HAD A LOVELY COLOR AND A BEAUTIFUL SMILE SHE LOOKS FAR TOO SOBER IN THAT PICTURE THANK YOU AND WILL YOU GIVE ME A HANDFUL OF HARD PEAS AFTER BREAKFAST AUNT JANET I WANT TO PUT THEM IN MY SHOES +ed004ecd-64cf-48ee-b6ba-dde13cfd68b2 IT IS A TRICK KNUFF SAID BUT THE TALENT WAS NEW ITEDED PRACTICE IT NEEDED TRAINING I MERELY ASK YOU TO TEST FOR YOURSELF WHAT I SAY AND THE FRUIT BASKET WITH THE APPLE ON IT AND THE WEDDING DRESS AND THE EMBROIDERED PETTICOAT BUT HOW ASTONISHED THOUGH HE WAS HE BUT HE IS A KIND MASTER DOROTHY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BOY BEFORE I TOLD HIM AS HE STOWED THE CANNON BACK UNDER HIS PILLOW A HEADING DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE MAIN GATE I IGNORED THE STURD OF ACTIVITY AROUND THE CUSTOMS BUILDING +ed39e903-5b7a-48ed-b9ea-25d07e7332e7 AND NOTHING TO ITS BULK UNLESS WE HAVE A HEATING OVERLOAD THEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A TERRIFIC CRASH OF SOUND IT SEEMED THAT AN INSTANT BEFORE I HAD BEEN STANDING THERE IN VIC'S LABORATORY SLOWLY TURNING THE SECOND OF THE TWO DIALS WHILE THE FOUR LIGHTS BEAT DOWN UPON MY BODY HERE IS HER BLACK SILK MANTLE SEEMS LIKE SACRILEGE TO MEDDLE WITH THESE CLOTHES OUR TEACHER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT THING TO HAVE A LIBRARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHOOL THERE WAS A GREAT CRUNCHING AND BANGING FROM THE JUNK PILED AGAINST IT AND THEN THE DOOR SWUNG FREE AND WE'LL ALL BE DISGRACED THE NEAREST METHODIST CHURCH IS SIX MILES AWAY AT MARKDALE +ed551c95-7224-4fe9-9823-511c21e85c0e HE LIFTED HIS VISOR ALL SAW HIS AWFUL FACE THE PROUD PRINCESS SHRIEKED HIS EYES GLITTERED THE SMILE BROADENED A LONG SECOND PASSED I WILL TELL THE INQUISITOR YOU WISH TO SEE HIM THE BOLD GUARD SAID YONES RELAXED AND STEPPED BACK I SHALL BE MOST GRATEFUL HE SAID FORMALLY THE GUARD TURNED AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY THEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A TERRIFIC CRASH OF SOUND AND MY SENSES RETURNED I LOOKED AROUND IT SEEMED THAT AN INSTANT BEFORE I HAD BEEN STANDING THERE IN VIC'S LABORATORY SLOWLY TURNING THE SECOND OF THE TWO DIALS WHILE THE FOUR LIGHTS BEAT DOWN UPON MY BODY AND NOW OLD PEG BOWEN SHE'S VERY QUEER SHE LIVES THERE WITH A LOT OF PET ANIMALS IN WINTER AND IN SUMMER SHE ROAMS OVER THE COUNTRY AND BEGS HER MEALS THEY SAY SHE IS CRAZY PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO FRIGHTEN US CHILDREN INTO GOOD BEHAVIOR BY TELLING US THAT PEG BOWEN WOULD CATCH US IF WE DIDN'T BEHAVE I'M NOT SO FRIGHTENED OF HER AS I ONCE WAS BUT I DON'T THINK I WOULD LIKE TO BE CAUGHT BY HER +ed735193-73cb-4d9e-94ff-1c15074a200f AS FOR THAT POOR UNLUCKY PETER SOMETIMES WE BELIEVED UNCLE ROGER WAS MAKING FUN OF US GO AND BE A METHODIST OR A MOHAMMEDAN OR ANYTHING I I WAS VERY CAREFUL TO AVOID THEM DURING MY JOURNEY SOUTH I KNOW AGREED THE HIPPOCRIF NINNIE AMY STILL DECLARED SHE WOULD MARRY ME UNAWARE IN THEIR CONSTERNATION THAT THEY COMMITTED THE BARBAROUS LAPSE OF VOCALIZING THEY TWITTERED ALOUD WHEN THEY REALIZED THE EXTENT OF THEIR ERROR WHEN THE DOCTOR WHO HAD BEEN AWAY FROM HOME WHEN UNCLE ROGER REACHED MARKDALE CAME AT HALF PAST TEN HE FOUND HIS PATIENT VERY WEAK AND WHITE BUT FREE FROM PAIN +ed8b6426-d108-4379-9b20-09fa7f2c6fc4 AND THITHER WE ALL RESORTED AT SUNSET I HOPE FELIX WILL BEAT SAID THE STORY GIRL TO ME NOT ONLY FOR THE FAMILY HONOR BUT BECAUSE THAT WAS A MEAN MEAN PRAYER OF PETER'S DO YOU THINK HE WILL STETSON SHRUGGED I'M AFRAID THEY'RE SLIM THESE GOONS PROBABLY HAVE THE DELPHINEST AND THEY WANT YOU JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET YOUR EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ROUGH AS THAT EH ACCORDING TO OUR BEST GUESS IF YOU'RE NOT OUT IN FIVE DAYS WE BLAST HE SHOOK HIS BIG BLONDE HEAD SHUT HIS EYES AND MURMURED NOT HER FAULT OH FELICITY FELICITY YOU'LL BE THE DEATH OF YOUR DEAR UNCLE YET IF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT THE PICNIC OVER WE PLAYED GAMES UNTIL THE EARLY FALLING DUSK AND THEN WE WENT WITH UNCLE ALEC TO THE BACK FIELD TO BURN THE POTATO STOCKS THE CROWNING DELIGHT OF THE DAY +ee35ca49-e0cf-4c04-ae38-a9d6106c63f5 WE RAN TO THE ORCHARD GATE AND SWARMED ACROSS THE YARD JUST AS UNCLE ROGER ALIGHTED AT THE FRONT DOOR HE STARED AT US IN THE MOONLIGHT HAVE YOU BEEN TORMENTING ANY ONE INTO EATING MORE BAD BERRIES FELICITY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HOPING TO DUMP THIS PROJECT WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD AND THROUGH THE DOORWAY THEY OBSERVED A BIG CHAMBER ASKED DOROTHY I HELPLESSLY BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE WHERE TO GO IF POSSIBLE THE SMILE WAS STILL WIDER NOW THERE WAS A BOLTED AND GUARDED DOOR THAT LED INTO THE PYRAMID PROPER IN SPITE OF THEIR HOSPITALITY I COULDN'T ACCEPT +ee479dd6-a759-4996-875a-88a4e7c8f8ec BUT IF THE STORY GIRL COULD NOT DREAM ANYTHING MORE WONDERFUL THAN THE REST OF US SHE SCORED WHEN IT CAME TO THE TELLING WELL SAID MY FRIEND AGREED THE SCARECROW WELL CAPTAIN IF YOU ARE AGREEABLE LET US NOW GO TO NIMI AMMY'S HOUSE AND LET HER CHOOSE BETWEEN US GET BACK WHERE FARMER MANAGED TO PUT MORE CURIOSITY THAN IMPATIENCE INTO HIS TONE IF THE WATER WAS STILL THERE THE BEACON WAS STILL THERE INSIDE THE PYRAMID THE NATIVES WHO OF COURSE WERE NEVER MENTIONED BY THE IDIOTS WHO CONSTRUCTED THE THING HAD BUILT A NICE HEAVY THICK STONE PYRAMID AROUND THE BEACON +ee48324a-c080-415f-8955-e3c519ede398 ALL FIRED WITH A DESIRE TO BE THE FIRST TO DRINK OF THE FOUNTAIN AND WIN SO MARVELLOUS A BOON INTERESTING THINGS LIKE THIS ALL DID HAPPEN LONG AGO IT SEEMS TO ME WELL AT LAST IN APRIL THE WEDDING DAY CAME AND ALL THE GUESTS WERE HERE AND RACHEL WAS DRESSED IN HER WEDDING ROBES WAITING FOR HER BRIDEGROOM ONE OF THE LIZARDS GARGLED AT ANOTHER ONE AND THE SECOND ONE TURNED AROUND THEREFORE I HAVE A LITTLE JOB I KNOW YOU'LL ENJOY COULD I BE SURE THAT PEPPE FLYING HIS MOUNTAIN OF A SHIP AND EATING NAVY RATIONS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SOME OF THE COMFORTS AND LUXURIES OF LIFE +ee68d99e-4765-45de-b1f5-b370ed399b18 SINCE I WAS A YOUNG GIRL I'VE NEVER MISSED GETTING A BOMBOOK FOR CHRISTMAS BUT IT IS SURELY NOT TOO LATE EVEN NOW TO DO THIS HE LOOKED BACK AT THE NILEN SHOOT AGAIN A COLD ACHE FILLED THE CAVITY OF HIS STOMACH BARRING A REALLY MAJOR ACCIDENT THERE'S NO REASON YOU SHOULDN'T LIVE AT LEAST ANOTHER SEVENTY FIVE YEARS BUT STILL THE HOLY WATERS WOULD NOT FLOW I WATCHED THE PRIESTS THROUGH THE PRY EYE WHILE THEY TRIED TO OPEN IT WE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL UNCLE ROGER STOPPED LAUGHING BEFORE WE HEARD THE EXPLANATION WE THOUGHT HE NEVER WOULD STOP THAT'S GRANDFATHER KING'S OLD CLOCK STRIKING HE SAID AS SOON AS HE WAS ABLE TO SPEAK SAMMY PROT CAME ALONG AFTER TEA WHEN YOU WERE AWAY TO THE FORGE PETER AND I GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO CLEAN THE OLD CLOCK HE HAD IT GOING MERRILY IN NO TIME +ee960367-b8bb-4713-8b7a-f2c46520195a WHAT WOULD MISS MARWOOD SAY IF SHE KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO FIGHT ASKED FELICITY AND I'M AFAR FROM BEING SURE THAT FELICITY DID EITHER AND HE SUGGESTED THAT EACH OF THE PUPILS SHOULD TRY TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY HE OR SHE COULD RAISE FOR THE PROJECT DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE PRESENT FERERO A BACHELOR WAS EATING HIS DINNER HE HAD SOME IDEA OF SNIFFING AROUND QUIETLY FIRST TRYING TO GET A LINE TO HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS IF SHE EVADED THE NAVY SHIPS THAT WAS THEREFORE NOT MINE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY ENOUGH IF WE WERE ALLOWED A LITTLE MAYHAM THIS WAS USED TO COOL THE REACTOR THAT POWERED THE MONSTROSITY THERE WAS A RESIDUE OF CHARGE IN THE EMERGENCY BATTERIES JUST ENOUGH TO GIVE A DIM LIGHT +eeb6ba87-0acd-4429-b42f-d83c767bf2f4 NOT MANY ASKED TO SEE ME KUNUF SAID IN THE SAME VOICE NO MORE THAT I WILL HELP YOU OUT OF YOUR DIFFICULTIES I HAD REMEMBERED THAT MUCH FROM MY PHYSICS CLASSES THERE WAS NOTHING AT ALL PRETENTIOUS ABOUT THE PLACE IT WAS A RAMBLING LAZY LOOKING HOUSE BUILT LARGELY OF NATIVE STONE FOLLOWING MY ORDERS THE NAVIGATOR AGAIN CONSTRUCTED A SPHERE OF SPECULATION IN HIS TANK IT LOOKED AND ACTED LIKE A MORAL M THREE ALL THE TIME HE VOWED NEXT DAY TO CECILY THAT HE WOULD NEVER SWEAR AGAIN SPRAWLED FLAT ON HIS STOMACH AMONG THE GRASSES +eed46fac-675f-4679-abb8-3078cefb370a HER WILD SUBTLE NAMELESS CHARM CLOTHED HER AS WITH A GARMENT WE ALWAYS REMEMBERED THE PICTURE SHE MADE THERE AND IN LATER DAYS WHEN WE READ TENNYSON'S POEMS AT A COLLEGE DESK WE KNEW EXACTLY HOW AN AUREID PEERING THROUGH THE GREEN LEAVES ON SOME HAUNTED KNOLL OF SOME FOUNTAIN ITEM MUST LOOK OH LOOK AT THE MOONSHINE ON THE ROAD IN THAT GAP BETWEEN THE SPRUCES I'D LIKE A DRESS OF MOONSHINE WITH STARS FOR BUTTONS IT WOULDN'T DO SAID FELICITY DECIDEDLY YOU COULD SEE THROUGH IT WHICH SEEMED TO SETTLE THE QUESTION OF MOONSHINE DRESSES EFFECTUALLY CHAFFY FOUR AGREED RELUCTANTLY THEN WE MUST SEEK AID ELSEWHERE WHEN JEFF AUBREY PULLED HIMSELF UP FROM THE PLANKING THE APPARITIONS WERE GONE HIS KNEES SHOOK AND PERSPIRATION CRAWLED COLD ON HIS FACE BUT HE MANAGED TO HAUL JENIFER UP WITH HIM A WEDDING VEIL SAID CECILY +eef8652b-92d4-49df-87b8-c2594eb3d24a UNDERNEATH IN HOPE'S CLEAR PURPOSEFUL HAND WAS THIS A BROAD DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND I WAS THRUST THROUGH THE DOORWAY THE STORY GIRL ON THE CONTRARY WAS UNDER ECLIPSE SHE WAS FAIR AND LUSTRELESS FROM HER DISTURBED NIGHT AND EARLY RISING AND NO OPPORTUNITY OFFERED TO TELL A MELTING TALE WE WERE SITTING ON THE CELL HATCH WATCHING WHAT MIGHT BE OUR LAST SUNSET OVER THE DARK HILLS OF TIME ANDREMA SAID A SIMPLY DREADFUL THING ABOUT THE OTHER PLACE ONE NIGHT LAST FALL WHEN FELICITY AND I WERE DOWN TO SEE KITTY AND THEY WERE BURNING THE POTATO STALKS IT IS SOMETIMES A BITTER THING TO TELL THE TRUTH ESPECIALLY TO A YOUNG LADY FOR WHOM YOU HAVE GREAT ADMIRATION +ef011cf3-c3fe-4710-887f-3f7e08eece04 WHEN WE GET IT WE'LL KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY BIBLE SAID FELICITY THAT'S THE ONLY PROPER PLACE AH I WONDER WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE BREATHED CECILY HIS ATTIRE CONSISTED OF A FADED GINGHAM SHIRT AND A SCANTY PAIR OF CORDUROY KNICKERBOCKERS BUT HE WORE IT WITH SUCH AN UNCONSCIOUS AIR OF PURPLE AND FINE LINEN THAT HE SEEMED TO BE MUCH BETTER DRESSED THAN HE REALLY WAS YOU DON'T PRAY VERY OFTEN INSISTED FELICITY ZERA AND ZULEITH LOVED EACH OTHER JUST AS MORTALS LOVE AND THIS IS FORBIDDEN BY THE LAWS OF THE ALMIGHTY AND BECAUSE ZERA AND ZULEIMANTH HAD SO BROKEN GOD'S LAW THEY WERE BANISHED FROM HIS PRESENCE TO THE UTTERMOST BOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE LITTLE BIT MORE LITTLE BIT MORE I GET TWO BITS A NAME THEY GOT MARSHALL THERE HE WAS VERY BUSY BUT HE CAME +ef1bc3f2-b41d-4e92-b0a7-8830bf4cdeb7 LIKE OTHERS THAT I MEET DAY BY DAY I GET NEWLY STUFFED RIOT AWAY AND PUSHED HIM AWAY FROM THE PUMP BUT ONE WAY MUST BE EASIER OR BETTER THAN THE OTHER OR ELSE THEY'D ALL BE ONE KIND SAID THE STORY GIRL DREAMILY FELICITY SHOOK HER HEAD VEHEMENTLY IN THE YARD WE ENCOUNTERED DAN EMERGING FROM THE FIR WOOD AND CHOPPING THE FATAL BERRIES WITH UNREPENTANT RELISH DAN WAS OWN MAN AGAIN IN THE MORNING THOUGH RATHER PALE AND WEAK NOW IT CAN'T BE UNLESS FELICITY CAN COAX PETER TO GIVE UP PRAYING AGAINST FELIX +ef8a75ba-3eb2-416e-b2d0-0e024d5a12ea HE SAT CROSS LEGGED IN A CORNER OF THE CELL AND CLOSED HIS EYES I AM NOT VENGEFUL BUT MY SON WAS NO WIZARD SHE HAD A VERY NICE SMILE AND FOR MEMORIES IN THE OTHERS MINDS HE COULD HEAR THE VOICE LOW AND QUIET AND ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY WE SAW THE FLASHES OF EXPRESSION ON THEIR FACES WE HEARD THEIR VOICES ANGRY OR TENDER MOCKING OR MERRY IN LOWLAND AND HIGHLAND ACCENT HATE TO PART WITH MY MONEY EVEN FOR A GOOD REASON I'VE SEEN PERHAPS A DOZEN OFF SHORE DURING THE SEVEN CYCLES I'VE BEEN HERE THEY NEED THOSE CALM CRYSTALS TOO BADLY AND PRESERVE JUST REWARD FOR HER LOYALTY TO HIM MISSUS UWKE TOOK AMPLE TIME TO FINISH HER BREAKFAST +efe1252a-e9b9-4b8f-90de-e7ae17b0d289 NO I'M JUST DOING PENANCE AUNT JANET FOR A SIN I COMMITTED I CAN'T CONFESS IT BECAUSE THAT WOULD BRING TROUBLE ON ANOTHER PERSON SO I'M GOING TO DO PENANCE ALL DAY YOU DON'T MIND DO YOU AUNT JANET WAS IN A VERY GOOD HUMOR THAT MORNING SO SHE MERELY LAUGHED NOT IF YOU DON'T GO TOO FAR WITH YOUR NONSENSE SHE SAID TOLERANTLY FELICITY I WISH YOU WOULDN'T INTERRUPT IT SPOILS THE EFFECT WHAT WOULD YOU FEEL LIKE IF I WENT AND KEPT STIRRING THINGS IT DIDN'T BELONG TO IT INTO THE PUDDING I FEEL JUST THE SAME WAY DARK LIKEWISE ERGO A HIGH PLACE ON THE DARK SIDE OF THEIR MOON I'M A PIE EYED GRIPIS WHISPERED STETSON THINGS SKIPPED THROUGH THE AIR AROUND THE LURCHING VEHICLE FLITTING AND DARTING THINGS A CRY WENT UP FROM THE CROWD AS I DROPPED THE IRON AND STAGGERED IN BLIND CIRCLES I MUST ADMIT IT WENT OFF PRETTY WELL +eff9383f-76c2-4e7f-a691-7f61ef9cd765 THE ZID LEARNED QUICKLY SO QUICKLY THAT IT WAS SOON CLEAR THAT ITS PHYSICAL STRENGTH WOULD FAR OUTLAST THEIR CONSIDERABLE BUT LIMITED TELECONETIC ABILITY THE RAINBOW HAD FADED OUT AND THE DARKNESS OF THE OCTOBER DUSK WAS FALLING I WONDER SAID DAN MEDITATIVELY AS WE WENT AWAY FROM THAT REDOLENT SPOT WHAT WOULD BE LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER IN THIS WORLD IF VOICES HAD COLOR HERS WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE A RAINBOW IT MADE WORDS LIVE WHATEVER SHE SAID BECAME A BREATHING ENTITY NOT A MERE VERBAL STATEMENT OR UTTERANCE BRANDON WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO POLE ENGINE TROUBLE SIR LOSING ALTITUDE FAST YOU KNOW THE NATURE OF THE TROUBLE NEGATIVE MIGHT HAVE THROWN A COMPRESSOR BLADE GOT A FIRE INDICATION THEN A COMPRESSOR SURGE CHOPPED OFF THE POWER +f012e7ac-400f-4028-bdba-93822ac6401d BOYS AIN'T ALWAYS HUNGRY SAID FELIX GRAVELY THERE'S TIMES WHEN THEY AIN'T I DON'T BELIEVE IT SAID THE STORY GIRL DREARILY BESIDES ADDED FELIX IN THE TONE OF ONE WHO SAYS WHILE THERE IS LIFE THERE IS YET HOPE YOU MAY LEARN TO COOK YET IF YOU KEEP ON TRYING PERHAPS WE'D BETTER GIVE UP AND GO HOME SUGGESTED DAN YOU CAN GO HOME IF YOU LIKE SAID THE STORY GIRL SCORNFULLY BUT I'M GOING TO GO SEE MISTER CAMPBELL I KNOW I CAN MANAGE HIM BUT IF I HAVE TO GO ALONE AND HE GIVES ME ANYTHING I'LL KEEP IT ALL FOR MY OWN COLLECTION MIND YOU TO NEWBE'S EYES DILATED CONTRACTED YOU READ MINES THE I A HAS NO NEED TO READ MINDS SAID ORAN WE RELY ON SUPERIOR MENTAL PROWESS NOT LIKELY JEFF SAID THEY DON'T USE THE CRYSTALS THEMSELVES OLD DOCTOR HERMAN PUT HIS CHIN ALMOST ON THE CONSUL'S SHOULDER TO PRESENT HIS WIZENED FACE TO THE SCANNER OF COURSE THEY DON'T HE SAID +f03bdcbe-ec5c-4c43-a38f-ebb3c4e9cd50 WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO START FIRST HOW'D YOU SPOT RIGHT AWAY WHERE THEY'D HIDDEN THE DELPHINIS EASY THE REST OF US CAME BACK TO EARTH FEELING THAT WE HAD BEEN WANDERING AMONG THE HOSTS OF HEAVEN WE WERE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE FULLY THE WONDERFUL MEANING OF THE LEGEND BUT WE FELT ITS BEAUTY AND ITS APPEAL I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HIS ANTIPATHY TO THE INSIGNIFICANT LITTLE WHITE PELLETS WHICH WERE SO EASY TO SWALLOW BUT HE EXPLAINED THE MATTER TO US IN THE ORCHARD WHEN HE HAD RECOVERED HIS USUAL HEALTH AND SPIRITS GARF PADDLED IDLY AROUND DOR'S APARTMENT PRETENDING INTEREST IN THE SHELL PAINTINGS THAT DECORATED THE WALLS HE HAD PRESENTED HER A BOUQUET IN WHICH RARE BLOSSOMS HID SLIMY SMELLING WEEDS AND SHE WAS SORE AT HIM AGAIN +f059d567-a406-479f-9a26-8b4081ecb941 GREETINGS O NOBLE SERVERS OF THE GREAT GOD I SAID OF COURSE I DIDN'T SAY IT OUT LOUD JUST WHISPERED LOUD ENOUGH FOR THE THROAT MIKE TO CATCH THIS WAS RADIOED BACK TO THE M T AND THE TRANSLATION SHOT BACK TO A SPEAKER IN MY JAWS BRANDON SWORE AND SNAPPED OFF THE SET HE LOOKED AT HIS WALK AROUND BOTTLE CAN'T STAY HERE ANY LONGER HE MUTTERED HE COULDN'T FIND THE CAPSULE HE WALKED THREE PERHAPS FOUR MILES HE STOPPED AND BLOTTED HIS MOIST BROW WITH HIS SLEEVE HE WASN'T GOING TO FIND IT YOUR SHIP LANDED TO REPAIR ITS TUBES VERY INFERIOR CERAMICS IN THOSE TUBES ORNE TURNED LOOKED AT TO NUBE IN THE DIM GLOW OF THE CABLIGHT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE I A TO NUBE I A WHAT IS THAT WE WERE DELIGHTED AT THE THOUGHT OF SEEING FATHER'S OLD HOME AND LIVING AMONG THE HAUNTS OF HIS BOYHOOD +f05aac79-4ef6-4116-972f-f926ed384165 I DON'T BELIEVE GOD CARES WHETHER ANYBODY CAN EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT MAKING A FACE I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S RIGHT TO TALK OF GOD AS IF YOU WERE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH HIM SAID FELICITY WHO FELT SURE IT WAS A GOOD CHANCE TO SNUB DAN THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG SOMEWHERE SAID CECILY PERPLEXEDLY WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR WHAT WE WANT OF THAT I'M SURE AND PETER WANTED TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD PASS THE ORDEAL IT SEEMS AS IF HE MUST BE RIGHT AND YET IT DOESN'T SEEM SO IN YOUR TONGUE GLASS SAID TO NEW THE ENGINEERS OF THE DELPHINAS SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE AS YOU SAW THEY WERE WRONG A GLASS BLOWING CULTURE HISS STETSON THAT'LL EXPLAIN A LOT OF THINGS SLOWLY THE DISGUISED SLEDS CREPT THROUGH THE JUNGLE IT ISN'T MY FAULT THAT HE'S GOING TO CHURCH SHE SAID SNAPPISHLY IT'S THE STORY GIRL'S DOINGS UNCLE ROGER SAT DOWN ON THE DOORSTEP AND GAVE HIMSELF OVER TO ONE OF THE SILENT INWARD PAROXYSMS OF LAUGHTER WE ALL FOUND SO VERY AGGRAVATING HE SHOOK HIS BIG BLONDE HEAD SHUT HIS EYES AND MURMURED NOT HER FAULT OH FELICITY FELICITY YOU'LL BE THE DEATH OF YOUR DEAR UNCLE YET IF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT EATEN IT WAS HOWEVER TO THE LAST CRUMB IF IT WERE NOT JUST WHAT A CORNMEAL PUDDING MIGHT BE THE REST OF THE BILL OF FARE HAD BEEN EXTRA GOOD AND OUR APPETITES MATCHED IT I WISH I WAS TWINS SO'S I COULD EAT MORE SAID DAN WHEN HE SIMPLY HAD TO STOP WHAT GOOD WOULD BEING TWINS DO YOU ASKED PETER +f0ff2b83-235b-42c2-8950-baef8ac2d1fb I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND HE SAID TRUE YUNUS SAID PLEASANTLY KNOUGHF WAS SITTING BEHIND THE TABLE YONOS HAD NOT BEEN ASKED TO SIT HE REMAINED STANDING AND HE WAS RECENTLY SURE THAT HIS FEET WERE GOING TO HURT A MINUTE WHICH QUITE DESTROYED THE SWEET NUN LIKE EXPRESSION OF HER LITTLE FEATURES PILLOWING HER CHIN IN HER HANDS AND LOOKING AT THE SKY YOU'RE LETTING THE CAFEE SCORCH AND THAT'S A FACT YOU'D BETTER GO BY SAID FELICITY SNIFFING HAVEN'T YOU GOT A NOSE SHE HAD SEATED HERSELF IN THE DARKEST HOTTEST CORNER OF THE KITCHEN WITH A PIECE OF OLD COTTON IN HER HAND +f1097faa-4163-4aa8-8336-032587d938ed YOU COME TO TURN ME OUT SHE DEMANDED HER EYEBROWS WHICH WERE ALMOST AS BIG AND BLACK AS HER ANCIENT MOUSTACHE CAME DOWN OVER GLITTERING LITTLE EYES AND BESIDES JONAS KNEW PERFECTLY WELL THAT HE HAD NO NEED OF A SWORD NOW HE SAID QUIETLY FOR A LONG MOMENT NEITHER OF THEM ADVANCED AND HE WONDERED IF THEY COULD REALLY BE FRIGHTENED OF HIS PUNY WEAPON THEY FOUND OUT I WAS THERE ONLY TO HELP THEM RESTORE THE FLOW OF THE WATERS IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ENDED BY JUST REVERSING THE WATER VALVE SWITCH CONSIDERING ITS LOCATION ON ONE OF THE PROXIMA CENTIARY PLANETS IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN THE FIRST BEACON THERE WAS A WAR WHICH WE WON UNDER THE OXYGEN MASK HE WAS AWARE OF DRIED BLOOD CLOTTED IN HIS NOSTRILS +f14beab4-0f42-4fc5-ad1e-757b7c288989 DON'T YOU ALL RIGHT THEN LAST SUMMER SHE CALLED AT LEM HILLS IN MARKDALE AND HE TOLD HER TO CLEAR OUT OR HE'D SET THE DOG ON HER THERE SHOULD BE A FLAW SOMEWHERE JEFF FELT BUT HE FAILED TO SEE ONE HE GAVE UP TRYING WHEN HE FOUND JENIFER EYEING HIM WITH UNCHARACTERISTIC UNCERTAINTY THERE WAS A CHITTERING COMMOTION FROM THE NATIVES IN THE TREES AROUND THE SLED TO NEWBE SHIFTED BEHIND ORAN WE MAY GO NOW HE SAID SLOWLY TO STAY BEHIND MY SCOUTS THE OLD BOY DOESN'T LIKE THOSE OTHER CHAPS PRIESTS I TAKE IT WHISPERED VIC I THINK THEY'VE BEEN MESSING UP HIS PLANS +f14d486b-9a21-4bb4-9669-a0934afa5daa I WANT IT FOR ONE OF MY WOOD NYMPHS SAID PAN AND I MUST HAVE IT THE REVEREND MISTER SCOTT WAS DEAD AND GONE BUT THOSE PLUMS CERTAINLY KEPT HIS MEMORY GREEN AS HIS FORGOTTEN SERMONS NEVER COULD HAVE DONE VIC AND I HAD BEEN BUTTIES EVER SINCE WE WERE KIDS I LEANED FORWARD BUTTING WITH MY HEAD BOTH DOUBLED FISTS WORKING LIKE PISTONS TO CLEAR MY WAY TO MY COMPANIONS AND I'VE JUST REALIZED I'M HUNGRY CECILY HAD A VERY SWEET VOICE AND I LISTENED IN DELIGHT BUT THE STORY GIRL SIGHED AND AT LAST THEY MET AND SPRANG INTO EACH OTHER'S ARMS SHE WOULD HAVE HELD HER TONGUE AS SHE AFTERWARDS CONFIDED IN TO ME YOU MUST ATTEND TO THE PUDDING YOURSELF SHE SAID THE RECIPE'S SO PLAIN AND SIMPLE +f1724651-2617-45ff-910f-65207c306208 IF THE WORLD DOESN'T COME TO AN END I'LL TELL YOU THE STORY OF RUTH NEXT SUNDAY SPOTTED WITH HEAPS OF WHITE CLOUD PEOPLE WHO SQUINT CAN'T EAT ANY MORE THAN PEOPLE WHO DON'T SQUINT CAN THEY WE COULD NOT SEE ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN PETER'S TWO QUESTIONS AND THE FAMOUS KING ORCHARD BEFORE IT AND SHE CRIED OVER US AND WISHED US WELL HE WAS MY AGE THIRTEEN NEVER MENTIONED YOUR NAME I NEVER PRAYED THAT YOU COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE I JUST PRAYED THAT I'D BE THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD +f17c4a25-f301-46b3-870f-6b3fb007b7d2 A MIGHTY SHORT ROPE SHE WAS CONSTANTLY IN A QUITE JUSTIFIABLE TERROR THE HOME OF OUR FATHERS IT WAS UNCLE EDWARD WHO TOLD ME THERE WERE NO SUCH THINGS AS FAIRIES BUT CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED SOMETHING NOT ALTOGETHER CUSTOMARY HER POTENT VOICE MADE ME FEEL THAT I WAS QUITE A HERO AFTER ALL AND THE STING WENT OUT OF MY RECOLLECTION OF THAT OLD FIGHT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE ORDEAL SAID FELIX AND COLD FRIED PORK HAM AND FRUIT CAKE BEFORE GOING TO BED WITH ENTIRE IMPUNITY +f185e769-411f-4486-835d-d4871c1692c9 A LONG CLOAK WOULD CONCEAL THE UNIFORM WHILE I LEFT THE HOTEL BUT THE GOLDEN CRUSTED HELMET AND A BRIEF CASE OF PAPERS WERE A PROBLEM I HAD NEVER EXPLORED ALL THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE PSEUDO M THREE ROBOT PERHAPS IT COULD BE OF HELP YOU THERE SHORTEN CHUNKY I CALLED DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCEALED COMPARTMENTS OR DRAWERS BUILT UNTIL STEEL HARD IF SO LET'S SEE FOR A SECOND I THOUGHT THE ROBOD HAD EXPLODED THE THING HAD MORE DRAWERS IN IT THAN A BATTERY OF CASH REGISTERS BIG SMALL FLAT THIN THOUGH SHUT OUT ON ALL SIDES THIS TRULY AUNT JANITY REMARK BROKE THE SPELL THE GROWN UPS LAUGHED RATHER SHAKILY AND THE STORY GIRL OUR OWN DEAR STORY GIRL ONCE MORE AND NO SERPENT WOMAN SAID PROTESTINGLY WELL UNCLE ROGER ASKED ME TO TELL IT I DON'T LIKE TELLING SUCH STORIES EITHER THEY MAKE ME FEEL DREADFUL IF YOU CAN WORK MAGIC WHY DON'T YOU BREAK THE ENCHANTMENT YOU ARE UNDER IN RETURN TO YOUR PROPER FORM INQUIRED THE BEAST STOUTLY I HAVEN'T THE POWER TO DO THAT ANSWERED THE CANARY FOR MISSUS YUKE THE GIANTESS WHO TRANSFORMED ME USED A PECULIAR FORM OF YUKU MAGIC THAT IS UNKNOWN TO ME HOWEVER SHE COULD NOT DEPRIVE ME OF MY OWN FAIRY KNOWLEDGE SO I WILL TRY TO GET YOU A BREAKFAST EVEN SCEPTICAL DAN PRAYED HIS SCEPTICISM FALLING AWAY FROM HIM LIKE A DISCARDED GARMENT IN THIS VALLEY OF THE SHADOW WHICH SIFTS OUT HEARTS AND TRIES SOULS UNTIL WE ALL GROWN UP WITH CHILDREN REALIZE OUR WEAKNESS AND FINDING THAT OUR OWN PUNY STRENGTH IS AS A REED SHAKEN IN THE WIND CREEP BACK HUMBLY TO THE GOD WE HAVE VAINLY DREAMED WE COULD DO WITHOUT +f1b191b3-fb5f-445e-a1c3-1eda0432d8b9 UNCLE ROGER HAD GONE TO THE STATION TO MEET THE TRAVELERS AND THE DINING ROOM TABLE WAS SPREAD WITH A FEAST OF FAT THINGS IT'S BEEN A JOLLY WEEK TAKE IT ALL AROUND SAID FELIX BUT I'M GLAD THE GROWN UPS ARE COMING BACK TO NIGHT ESPECIALLY UNCLE ALEC SARA RAY IS DREADFULLY SCARED OF HER PETER CRAIG SAYS SHE IS A WITCH AND THAT HE BETS SHE'S AT THE BOTTOM OF IT WHEN THE BUTTER WON'T COME BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WITCHES ARE SO SCARCE NOWADAYS CECILY WAS IN QUEST OF INFORMATION WHAT DOES IT NEVER RAIN BUT IT POURS MEAN AS WE SAT THERE THE AWKWARD MAN PASSED BY WITH HIS GUN OVER HIS SHOULDER AND HIS DOG AT HIS SIDE I'M GLAD FATHER AND MOTHER WILL BE BACK TO MORROW NIGHT SHE SAID IT'S TOO EXCITING WHEN THEY'RE AWAY THERE WILL BE NO LOSS TO EITHER FACTION NO LOSS JONIFER REPEATED INDIGNANTLY +f1bdd8d2-0d85-4e48-82ce-80fc635cf092 AND GAVE ME A DUCK WADDLE RATHER THAT HAD STARTED THE TROUBLE I'M A REPAIRMAN NOT AN ARCHAEOLOGIST FELICITY MADE HER MOUTH WATER BY ANNOUNCING THAT SHE WAS GOING TO MAKE A ROLY POLY JAM PUDDING FOR DINNER WHEN THE CANTHORIAN ZID BROKE OUT OF ITS CAGE IN THE SPECIMEN HOLD THEY ARE A PHILOSOPHICAL SPECIES THOUGH NOTCHANICALLY PROGRESSIVE IN A BRIEF SPACE WE WERE LAUGHING RIGHT MERRILY NO LONGER REMEMBERING OUR WRONGS AT THE HANDS OF THOSE CRUEL GROWN UPS +f1bf8499-2e00-4385-ac3e-a22a8f9a391f I DON'T SEE HOW I CAN DO IT GO AWAY BACK THERE ALONE IT CAN'T BE TRUE SAID SARA RAY SEEKING REFUGE AS USUAL IN TEARS BUT IT ISN'T REALLY THE ENTERPRISE EDITOR AT ALL WHO'S SAYING IT SO DAZZLING AND WONDERFUL THAT BEYOND IT THE EYE COULD SEE NOTHING OF HAPPINESS AND THEN THE BLOW FELL AFTER DINNER THE CLOUDS ROLLED AWAY AND THE SUN CAME JOYOUSLY AND GLORIOUSLY OUT WE WATCHED HER WHITE CLAD FIGURE PASS THROUGH THE GATE AND ENTER THE FRONT DOOR IT WAS QUITE A SURPRISE TO THEM AH AND THE BEAST ADVANCED ALONG THE LINE TO WOOD THAT COULD HIDE EVEN A RABBIT NOR ANY HOLE FOR ONE TO FALL INTO +f1d2b7e3-9330-46cd-962b-f83ef8a241ec IT WAS FOLDED UP IN A NEWSPAPER PACKET ON TOP OF THE DRIED HERRING WITH WHICH THE BASKET WAS FILLED THE AROMER OF GRASSES STEEPING IN THE SUNSHINE I CAN SPEAK THIS LANGUAGE TOO YOU KNOW I OR WILL SET ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY TO PRESENT A VIEW OF THE OCEAN FLOOR BUT THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT'S TO COME I SAID UNCOMFORTABLY OF PLAYING TRUANT FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL AND GOING FISHING ONE DAY OF A CERTAIN FIB NO NO AWAY FROM THIS AWFUL HOUR WITH ALL SUCH EUPHONIOUS OF AGENTS OF A LIE I HAD ONCE TOLD WE BOYS WERE SPRAWING ON THE GRASS YOU ARE A WEAK FOOL LIKE THE OTHERS GRITTED TO NEWBE THE GREEN BAGE TABLE SET WITH A DECANTER OF HOKAR BRANDY AND TWO GLASSES HOERN LIFTED HIS GLASS SIPPED THE LIQUOR +f1e8c178-ee0b-498e-8d33-adc2508449fc THOUGH WE HAD NEVER SEEN IT AND DESCRIBED ITS SCENES SO OFTEN WHO LIVED ON THE HOMESTEAD AND WOULD THEREFORE BE OUR ROOF MATES FOR A SEASON A NEW AND COMPLICATED CAKE RECIPE A GORGEOUS COMPOUND OF A PLUMMINESS TO MAKE YOUR MOUTH WATER I NEVER HEARD THAT KIND OF STRIKE BEFORE PROTESTED PETER IT I KNOW A STORY ABOUT JUDY PENU AND THE WORD PRESBYTERIAN SAID THE STORY YELL THE SUN DROPPED DOWN AMID DARK LIVID CLOUDS THAT TURNED SULLEN SHADES OF PURPLE AND FIERY RED BEHIND HIM A GLASS BLOWING CULTURE I LIKE YOURN SAID TO NEWBE YOU SHALL BE ONE OF MY SLAVES YOU WILL TEACH ME MANY THINGS +f2100aa5-c475-4ed9-946a-22fc6cd25a7c AT THE EAST IN THE DIRECTION WE WERE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCED THE CANARY THERE IS A FINE FOREST WITH A BROOK TREADING THROUGH IT AND THEN CLIMBED OUT OF REACH OF THE DREADED THORN CECILY NOW JOINED US AND THE RESULT WAS THESE VISIONS WHICH HAD BEEN OUR DESPAIR SHE PERMITTED THEM ONLY A PLAIN WHOLESOME LUNCH AT BEDTIME EARTH MAY BE A SORT OF FENCED OFF AREA FARMER MANAGED TO PUT MORE CURIOSITY THAN IMPATIENCE INTO HIS TONE I'M GLAD OF IT SAID CECILY VINDICTIVELY HER ROSES ARE ALL OUT AND THAT BED OF SWEET WILLIAM IS A SIGHT BY DAYLIGHT +f21767a2-c062-4c89-a48a-4b68774f25e1 BUT THE STORY GIRL WAS THE SOUL OF HONOUR AND PETER EARLY IN LIFE HAD HAD HIS FEET SET IN THE PATH OF TRUTHFULNESS BY HIS AUNT JANE AND HAD NEVER BEEN KNOWN TO STRAY FROM IT WHEN THEY ASSURED US SOLEMNLY THAT THEIR DREAMS ALL HAPPENED EXACTLY AS THEY DESCRIBED THEM WE WERE COMPELLED TO BELIEVE THEM BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING UP WE FELT SURE OF THAT THEY WERE TRAVELING QUIETLY ALONG UNDER THE SHADE OF TREES WHEN SUDDENLY AN ENORMOUS JAGUAR LEAPED UPON THEM FROM A LIMB AND WITH ONE BLOW OF HIS PAW SENT THE LITTLE BROWN BEAR TUMBLING OVER AND OVER UNTIL HE WAS STOPPED BY A TREE TRUNK INSTANTLY THEY ALL TOOK ALARM THE TIN OWL SHRIEKED HOOT HOOT AND FLEW STRAIGHT UP TO A BRANCH OF A TALL TREE ALTHOUGH HE COULD SCARCELY SEE WHERE HE WAS GOING WELL ANYHOW IT ISN'T A SUITABLE WORD IN THIS CASE INSISTED FELICITY WE ARE NOT UP TO ANY DEVIL ANY EXTRA BAD MISCHIEF WRITING DOWNS ONE'S DREAM ISN'T MISCHIEF AT ALL CERTAINLY IT WASN'T SURELY NOT EVEN THE STRAITEST SECT OF GROWN UPS COULD CALL IT THAT IF WRITING DOWN YOUR DREAMS WITH AGONIZING CARE AS DECOMPOSITION AND SPELLING FOR WHO KNEW THAT THE EYES OF GENERATIONS UNBORN MIGHT NOT READ THE RECORD WERE NOT A HARMLESS AMUSEMENT COULD ANYTHING BE CALLED SO I TROW NOT WE AGREED THAT THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP WOULD BE TO SEND ENTERROLA SPACE YARDS HE HAD SOME IDEA OF SNIFFING AROUND QUIETLY FIRST TRYING TO GET A LINE TO HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS I GAVE HIM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE LEAGUE AND THE LEAGUE NAVY IN PARTICULAR WANTED TO STOP THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BATTLESHIP AFTER THAT HE COULD PLAY HIS POLITICS WITH THIS POINT UNDERSTOOD HE CALLED HIS CAR AND SQUADRON OF GUARDS AND WE MADE A PARADE TO THE SHIP YARDS IT WAS A FOUR HOUR DRIVE AND WE MADE PLANS ON THE WAY DOWN +f2429d29-05a8-4de3-998a-d6a7b050f4a0 PETER WAS WITH US IT WAS HIS LAST SUNDAY TO GO HOME BUT HE HAD ELECTED TO REMAIN IF TO MORROW IS THE JUDGMENT DAY I WANT TO BE WITH YOU FELLOWS HE SAID SO VERY EARLY THE NEXT MORNING HE ROSE AND COOKED BEANS AND SAID MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THEM ALL HE CALLED MULA FROM THE THORN PATCH WHERE SHE WAS GRAZING GAVE HER SALT AND LOADED HER AGAIN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY ENOUGH IF WE WERE ALLOWED A LITTLE MAYHAM I COULD HAVE HAD A LIZARD FRY FIXED THE BEACON AND TAKEN OFF ONLY NATIVE LIFE FORMS WERE QUITE WELL PROTECTED THERE WERE SPYSAILS ON MY SHIP ALL OF WHICH I HADN'T FOUND THAT WOULD CHEERFULLY RAT ON ME WHEN I GOT BACK FELIX MARCHED OVER TO UNCLE ROGER'S AND WE TRAILED AFTER SCENTING A SCENE WE FOUND PETER SHELLING BEANS IN THE GRANARY AND WHISTLING CHEERILY AS WITH A CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENCE TOWARDS ALL MEN +f2449170-cd9e-44d2-9ea3-20a7d7155021 IF HE EVER GETS BETTER I'LL NEVER SAY SUCH A THING AGAIN I'LL NEVER THINK IT EVERYTHING IN SCHOOL IS ABOUT THE SAME EXCEPT FOR THE CAPTURED ARMAND YOU STILL HOLD OUR SATELLITE OUR MOON SAID TO NEW IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WORD SAID ORAN WHEN WE WERE ALONE HE WAS ANYTHING BUT COURTEOUS TO ME HAVING ASSURED HIMSELF BY NOT TOO SUBTLE QUESTIONING THAT I WAS A SPURIOUS ADMIRAL REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE TRANSFORMED FOR GOOD SINCE NO MAGIC ON EARTH CAN BREAK YOUR ENCHANTMENTS +f295084c-d984-4227-964c-25724783b02b FELIX AND I SAW SOMEWHERE INSIDE OF OUR HEADS A VELVET AND PURPLE AND GOLD PANSY WOMAN JUST AS THE STORY GIRL SPOKE BUT IS SHE NICE I ASKED THAT WAS THE MAIN QUESTION ABOUT GROWN UPS THEIR LOOKS MATTERED LITTLE TO US SHE'S LOVELY BUT SHE IS TWENTY NINE YOU KNOW THAT'S PRETTY OLD SHE DOESN'T BOTHER ME MUCH AUNT JANET SAYS THAT I'D HAVE NO BRINGING UP AT ALL IF IT WASN'T FOR HER AUNT OLIVIA SAYS CHILDREN SHOULD JUST BE LET COME UP THAT EVERYTHING ELSE IS SETTLED FOR THEM LONG BEFORE THEY ARE BORN I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT DO YOU WHEN THE FINAL COUNT WAS IN HIGH PLANES DID NOT HAVE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE GAINING POPULATION IN THE NATION ACTUALLY IT SHOWED THE SHARPEST DECLINE FROM SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN TO NOTHING THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A FOREST PRESERVE OUT OF THE PLACE EXCEPT THAT IT HAS NO TREES WORTHY OF THE NAME WHEN CECILY FINISHED SHE GOT UP AND WENT IN SEARCH OF DAN RESOLVED TO SOOTHE HIS WOUNDED FEELINGS FELICITY CALLED AFTER HER TO TELL DAN THERE WAS A JAM TURN OVER SHE HAD PUT AWAY IN THE PANTRY SPECIALLY FOR HIM FELIX HELD OUT TO FELICITY A REMARKABLY FINE APPLE WHICH HE HAD BEEN SAVING FOR HIS OWN CONSUMPTION AND THE STORY GIRL BEGAN A TALE OF AN ENCHANTED MAIDEN IN A CASTLE BY THE SEA BUT WE NEVER HEARD THE END OF IT CECILY AND FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL DID NOT CRY THEY WERE MADE OF FINER FIRMER STUFF DRY EYED WITH SUCH COURAGE AS THEY MIGHT THEY FACED WHATEVER MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR THEM I WONDER WHERE WE ALL BE THIS TIME TO MORROW NIGHT SAID FELIX MOURNFULLY AS WE WATCHED THE SUNSET BETWEEN THE DARK FIR BOUGHS IT WAS AN OMINOUS SUNSET THE SUN DROPPED DOWN AMID DARK LIVID CLOUDS THAT TURNED SULLEN SHADES OF PURPLE AND FIERY RED BEHIND HIM I HOPE WE'LL BE ALL TOGETHER WHEREVER WE ARE SAID CECILY GENTLY NOTHING CAN BE SO VERY BAD THEN +f29b6e7e-6db2-479a-902f-29fa14b9f80a OF COURSE I HAD TO SHOW IN THE REST OF THE BOMBS THERE WAS NO GETTING OUT OF IT THE SCANNERS IN THE SHIP WERE FOLLOWING A PLANNED PROGRAM DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS I ASKED HIM POKING A LARGE GLOSSY PICK UNDER HIS LONG BROKEN NOSE SHE CONFIDED TO ME AS WE CLIMBED THE STAIRS THAT SHE HATED UNCLE ROGER HER RED LIPS QUIVERED AND THE TEARS OF WOUNDED PRIDE BRIMMED OVER IN HER BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES HULLO SAID THE KING BLINKING HIS PURPLE EYES AT HIS FOLLOWERS WHAT'S UP NOW STRANGERS YOUR MAJESTY STRANGERS AND CAPTIVES REPLIED THE BIG LOON POMPOUSLY SOMETHING WAS SPARKLING VERY BRIGHTLY AMONG ITS PEBBLES A GLAYA PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LITTLE STONE THAT SHE HAD EVER SEEN IT WAS ONLY AS LARGE AS A PEA BUT IT GLITTERED AND FLASHED IN THE SUNLIGHT WITH EVERY COLOR OF THE RAINBOW A GLEA WASDED WITH IT THAT SHE RESOLVED TO TAKE IT AS A PRESENT TO GLACON +f2d4a8de-56b2-4418-8200-b4b24c2b1775 I'M MARTIAL AND I SUSPECT THAT YOU ARE A LATE PIG SANDWICH OR CAUSED BY ONE I SHOULD EAT SO LATE SAY SIR WHEN YOU REPLY TO ME I AM NO PIG SANDWICH AND I DO NOT COMMONLY CALL ON FOOLS GET ON YOUR FEET YOU CLOD THAT IS WHERE I AND THE OTHER TROUBLE SHOOTERS COME IN WE TRAVEL IN WELL STOCKED SHIPS THAT CARRY A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING ONLY ONE MAN TO A SHIP BECAUSE THAT IS ALL IT TAKES TO OPERATE THE OVERLY EFFICIENT REPAIR MACHINERY DUE TO THE VERY NATURE OF OUR JOB WE SPEND MOST OF OUR TIME JUST ROCKETING THROUGH NORMAL SPACE THEY WERE SPOTTED WITH CLUMPS OF GRAY GRASS EVEN AS WAS THE DESERT THE HILLS WERE STUDDED WITH WEIRD TREES STANDING STIFF BRANCHES OUTSTRETCHED LIKE AN ARMY OF SCARECROWS THE AIR OF SERIOUS THREE WAS DOING STRANGE THINGS TO HIM TWO OF THE TREES SEEMED TO BE MOVING HE SWAYED AND SAT HEAVILY WE WERE ALL UP EARLY NONE OF US IT APPEARED HAD SLEPT WELL AND SOME OF US NOT AT ALL THE STORY GIRL HAD BEEN AMONG THE LATTER AND SHE LOOKED VERY PALE AND WAN WITH BLACK SHADOWS UNDER HER DEEP SET EYES PETER HOWEVER HAD SLEPT SOUNDLY ENOUGH AFTER TWELVE O'CLOCK WHEN YOU'VE BEEN STUMPING OUT ELDERBERRIES ALL AFTERNOON IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN THE JUDGMENT DAY TO KEEP YOU AWAKE ALL NIGHT HE SAID WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING IT WAS JUST AWFUL I FORGOT IT FOR A MOMENT THEN ALL CAME BACK WITH A RUSH THAT WAS WORSE SCARED THAN BEFORE +f349c852-afaf-48c3-bb84-4ef9891b499c WAS BEHIND SCHEDULE FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT OUT OF THE CORNERS OF HIS EYES HORN SAW MORE SHADOWS DROPPING TO THE MUD AROUND HIM THERE WAS NOTHING AT ALL PRETENTIOUS ABOUT THE PLACE IT WAS A RAMBLING LAZY LOOKING HOUSE BUILT LARGELY OF NATIVE STONE TEMPORARILY WE'RE IN FROM MEDIUMS THAT'S WHERE MY STOMACH IS MOANED DAN HE WENT INTO THE PULF PIT LEANED OVER IT AND LOOKED AT HIS WIFE SITTING CALMLY IN HER PEW AT THE SIDE AH JONAS SAID PLEASANTLY BUT YOU'RE HOME AREN'T YOU CLARETON TRANSMITTED THE ENTIRE PICTURE IN ONE SUDDEN BLOW THE CHANCE THAT YONAS WOULD NOT BE KILLED IMMEDIATELY BUT WILL WE DISCOVERED THE CHANCE THAT THE INQUISITOR WOULD GET FROM HIM THE SECRET OF THE BROTHERHOOD THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE YONA SAID SAID CLARETON SOUNDED RESIGNED I WILL NOT YUNUS THOUGHT +f369bd26-4782-49b0-84d2-022734bddbe7 BUT I DON'T THINK I WOULD LIKE TO BE CAUGHT BY HER FELIX AND I SAW SOMEWHERE INSIDE OF OUR HEADS A VELVET AND PURPLE AND GOLD PANSY WOMAN JUST AS THE STORY GIRL SPOKE HE COUNTED THEM PULLED THE CHUTE RELEASE HIS BREATHING WAS SHORT STRAINED BRANDON WAS LOOKING AT THE MILKY WAY HAD TO STEAL THEIR LIST DON'T GAPE GET IT SUFFERING SADDLE SAWS YOU LEAVE PETER ALONE FELICITY TELL THEM BOTH SAID FELIX GREEDILY BUT TELL THE GHOST ONE FIRST OF COURSE THERE WAS NO ORCHARD HERE THEN IT +f39a63b1-1ee0-449c-a517-5be2c82ae523 THAT CUP HAS BEEN HERE FOR FORTY YEARS AS IF ELFIN DENIZENS OF UPPER AIR WERE SHARING IN OUR MIRTH I SAY MY PRAYERS SOMETIMES I PULLED THE EYE STRAIGHT UP AND AWAY AND THREW IN THE CONTROL CIRCUIT THAT WOULD RETURN IT AUTOMATICALLY TO THE SHIP AND HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE IDENTITY OF THE ENEMY WHO HAD DONE HIM IN DON'T SPEAK TO ME SHE SAID WE COULD HAVE RUN ONE AND ALL IF THERE HAD BEEN ANYWHERE TO RUN TOO BUT THERE WASN'T ALL AROUND US WERE ONLY THOSE SHADOWY ARCADES THEN WE SAW WITH SHAME THAT IT WAS ONLY OUR PADDY PAT PAT I SAID PICKING HIM UP FEELING A CERTAIN COMFORT IN HIS SOFT SOLID BODY +f3c8faf6-e585-492e-8812-a7e4d804308f THE RADIAT LEAKED AT ME FOR ATTENTION AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS NO ARMOR OR WARNING DEVICES AT THIS SPOT IT HAD BEEN CHOSEN CAREFULLY FROM THE BLUE PRINTS YEA BUT YOU'VE GOT A DIFFERENT KIND OF MISSING LINK STETSON'S VOICE SOUNDED TIRED THE FRONT BY A MANY SNEAKER CAMERA IT'S JUST THAT I GUESS I'M OLD FASHIONED NEVER MIND NOW YOU MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED OXYGEN OR HYDROGEN RICH ATMOSPHERE AS SOON AS WE WERE UP THE NEXT MORNING WE RUSHED OFF TO UNCLE ROGER'S BUT WE MET PETER AND THE STORY GIRL IN THE LANE AND THEIR FACES WERE AS THE FACES OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS UPON THE MORNING +f3d6c8ba-9a73-432f-8973-4468e409c1f8 HERE'S THE SPOT I MARKED IT WITH THESE THREE PIECES OF STONE QUICK VIC SWEPT BOTH ARMS ABOUT HOPE AND ME HOLDING US IN A CLOSE EMBRACE SO THAT WE ALL STOOD WITHIN THE TRIANGLE FORMED BY THE THREE BITS OF BLACK ROCK OH I'M SO GLAD YOU BOYS HAVE COME TO LIVE HERE NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE EXCEPT DAYS SO WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN GOOD TIMES IT WAS ALL NONSENSE FIGHTING ABOUT SUCH PRAYERS ANYHOW SAID DAN WHO PROBABLY THOUGHT THAT SINCE ALL CHANCE OF FIGHT WAS OVER HE MIGHT AS WELL AVOW HIS REAL SENTIMENTS AS TO ITS FOLLY OH FELICITY SHE SAID HER VOICE EXPRESSING A VERY ANGUISH OF HUMILIATION I I THOUGHT THAT STUFF IN THE BOX WAS CORN MEAL AND USED IT TO MAKE THE PUDDING +f3da7fcb-cfd4-4b6c-b022-9cf1f5823595 PUT YOURSELF IN ANY CATEGORY YOU PLEASE HE GRUMBLED AS HE SLUMPED DOWN INTO THE BED THEN ONCE MORE CAREFULLY FROM THE BEGINNING FARMER HOLD HIMSELF UPRIGHT HOPING TO APPROACH RAY CALM HIM AND GET HIM TO FIGURE A WAY OUT OF THIS MADHOUSE HE SWORE AND STARTED TO CHECK THE WIRING AND DID NIMI AMMY RETURN YOUR LOVE AND WISHED HIM GOOD LUCK ON HIS JOURNEY WHICH WAS OZMA'S FAVOURITE STEED THEY SMILED EACH OTHER AMICABLY WELL I DON'T KNOW SAID THE STORY GIRL HER EYES GLEAMING WITH IMPISH LAUGHTER +f3f81f74-5ff1-458a-b402-2ae7b2a7470e YOU HAVE CONFESSED TO ME HE SAID YOUR HERESY NOW YOU WILL BE MADE TO RATIFY YOUR CONFESSION COME WITH ME HE SAID AT LAST AND LED THE WAY INTO HIS MUD HOUSE INSIDE THERE WAS ONLY ONE LARGE ROOM BUT IT SEEMED SPACIOUS ENOUGH FOR FOUR WHEN YOU GOT THERE YOU HAD NO WAY OF SENDING WORD HOME AGAIN EXCEPT BY THE SAME PLAN IT MIGHT BE OVER A YEAR BEFORE YOUR PEOPLE AT HOME HEARD A WORD ABOUT YOU AND FANCY WHAT THEIR FEELINGS WOULD BE ABOUT FIVE FEET TALL THE STANCE WAS SLIGHTLY BENT FORWARD LONG ARMS TWO VERTICAL NOSE SLITS A FLAT LIPLESS MOUTH RECEDING CHIN I LET MY EYES ROLL IN FEAR LOOKING AROUND FOR A WAY TO ESCAPE AND TAKING A PEEK AT THE OUTSIDE SCANNERS THE YACHT WAS FLUSHED AGAINST THE SPACE FILLING BULK OF THE OTHER SHIP I PRESSED THE BUTTON THAT SENT THE TORCH WIELDING ROWBOT ON HIS WAY +f3fae822-9d47-4115-b6a1-aa45146f3c4c IT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD YANUS OF COURSE YOND THOUGHT DISINTERESTEDLY YET YOU SEEM BORED BY THE MATTER CLEREND THOUGHT PUZZLED I DON'T SEE IT APPEARED THAT EVERYBODY WANTED TO GO WITH THEM BUT IT WAS EVIDENT THAT SOMEBODY MUST STAY HOME WITH JIMMIE PATTERSON WHO HAD JUST FALLEN SOUND ASLEEP ON THE KITCHEN SOFA CECILY WAS NO BETTER WHEN THE DOCTOR CAME LIKE AUNT JANET HE DECLARED THAT CUCUMBERS ALONE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE HER SO ILL BUT WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT SHE HAD DRUNK A GLASS OF MILK ALSO THE MYSTERY WAS SOLVED BEFORE COMING TO CARLISLE UNCLE BLAIR STANLEY HAD BEEN A MERE NAME TO US NOW HE WAS A PERSONALITY HIS LETTERS TO THE STORY GIRL THE PICTURES AND SKETCHES HE SENT HER HER ADORING AND FREQUENT MENTION OF HIM ALL COMBINED TO MAKE HIM VERY REAL TO US +f41d3bc6-63a6-45e2-abd5-bdd58ddfba02 YES I'M GUESSING AN INFORMED GUESS BUT I DO KNOW SOME FACTS AS WELL OGT'S DREAM WAS CLEANED OUT OF ALL READING MATTER THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I CHECKED WE CAN'T STOP THE BATTLESHIP FROM ATTACKING AGAIN BUT WE CAN SEE TO IT THAT THE TIME AFTER THAT SHE SAILS INTO A TRAP SO I HAVE HEARD YONA SAID EASILY BUT I SHALL PROVE WHAT I SAY I AM UNDER NO COMPULSION TO LISTEN TO YOU KENUFF SAID AFTER A PAUSE YONAH SHRUGGED HIS FEET WERE BEGINNING TO HURT HE REALISED HE SIGHED BRIEFLY BUT THERE WAS NO TIME OR ATTENTION TO SPARE FOR THEM IF A GIRL OF FOURTEEN CAN MAKE A COUPLE OF PRACTICAL FARMERS AND A PAIR OF MATTER OF FACT HOUSEWIVES HALF BELIEVE FOR TEN MINUTES THAT SHE REALLY IS A SNAKE WHAT WON'T SHE BE ABLE TO DO WHEN SHE IS THIRTY THEY WERE LIGHTER IN COLOR THAN THE OTHERS AND MUCH MORE INTELLIGENT TO JUDGE BY THEIR FACES THEIR EYES HELD NONE OF THE SADNESS WHICH WAS THE MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC OF THE OTHERS +f425941d-380e-4160-b755-521d1a72f67e SODOM AND GOMORRAH TEXAS BY R MANOEL TOOK MULLER AND WENT TO WORK SHE TOLD HIM SOMETHING ELSE JOHN ANDREW BLUSHED FURIOUSLY AGAIN AND COVERED HIS EARS WITH HIS HANDS DAN DID NOT COME DOWN UNTIL BREAKFAST WAS HALF OVER AND AUNT JANET TALKED TO HIM AFTER A FASHION WHICH MADE US REALIZE THAT IT WOULD BE WELL TO KEEP AS THE PIQUANT COUNTRY PHRASE WENT FROM THE ROUGH SIDE OF HER TONGUE BUT ALL THINGS CONSIDERED WE LIKED THE PROSPECT OF OUR SUMMER VERY MUCH ONE OF THE PRIESTS SAW US AND CRIED OUT SHRILLY TO HIS COMPANIONS WITH ONE ACCORD THEY CAME TOWARD US OBVIOUSLY INTENT UPON BLOCKING OUR WAY I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN ANY OTHER EYES SUCH ANGER AND HATRED AS BLAZED IN THE EYES OF THOSE STRANGE BEINGS +f469fbff-586a-49a2-8161-dbe103bfb696 IT WAS ALREADY LIKE A WONDERFUL VELVET CARPET BUT THEY FISHED IT UP NOT HURT A BIT EXCEPT FOR THAT LITTLE NICK IN THE RIM DO YOU KNOW FOR JUST A LITTLE WHILE I FELT EXACTLY LIKE A SNAKE LIFE OF SOME KIND HOWEVER FOR MY EXPERIMENTS PROVE THAT IF I'M IN A JAM IT'S MY OWN DOING AND DUE TO MY BULLHEADEDNESS OF WHICH YOU HAVE SO OFTEN REMINDED ME I DON'T WANT TO SAY FOR CERTAIN ALL THESE DETAILS AREN'T IN MY DEPARTMENT I'M JUST RESPONSIBLE FOR FINAL ASSEMBLY NOT UNIT WORK BUT THIS SURELY LOOKS LIKE THE THING THEY INSTALLED BIG THING LOTS OF POWERS IT WAS A BATTLESHIP ALL RIGHT NO DOUBT OF THAT NOW CRADLING HIM IN HER ARMS SHE STARTED BACK UP AGAIN AND GOT A SPLINTER IN A VITAL SPOT HE FROWNED OR ANY OTHER WAY OUT +f4c8573f-fb64-4a89-9759-e72662a2f7ea THEN HE SAW WHAT WAS IN THEIR MINDS AND THE DISTASTE CHANGED TO FEAR NEVER SAW YOU BEFORE THE OLD WOMAN SAID THIS WAS THE PARISH CHURCH OF COURSE A GOOD SOLID WOODEN STRUCTURE OH CAN'T YOU DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT THEM FROM FIGHTING SARA PLEADED CECILY TURNING TO THE STORY GIRL WHO WAS SITTING ON A BIN DID YOU EVER FIGHT ASKED THE STORY GIRL SHE WAS VERY NICELY DRESSED IN A PINK PRINT TOO TIRED TO GO OUT AND EXPLORE OUR ANCESTRAL DOMAINS WERE VERY FAIR TO VIEW AND SMOTHERED IN THE LUSCIOUS MAPLE SUGAR SAUCE WHICH CECILY HAD COMPOUNDED +f4de95b5-e6e5-4357-8d9d-fa23a19883cb IT'S OBVIOUSLY WHAT REACTIVATED THE GATE THERE WAS NOTHING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STEPS OR UNDERNEATH THEM AS FAR AS COULD BE SEEN A MOB YOU WANT I SHOULD COUNT THEM THAT MOB'S ONLY ABOUT FIVE KILOMETERS OUTSTIT WE GOT HORN'S GEAR OUTSIDE ON THE DISGUISED AIR SLED WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME DOWN HERE AND CLEAN YOU OUT WE ALL HAVE DREAM BOOKS YOU KNOW AND EVERYONE WANTS THEIR OWN TO BE THE MOST EXCITING AND WE'VE BEEN EATING RICH THINGS TO MAKE US DREAM AND IT DOES AS THEY SOMETIMES DID WHEN THE TOIL OF THE DAY WAS OVER BUT HE DID NOT PLAY AS MUCH AS HE USED TO BECAUSE HE LIKED BETTER TO TALK WITH AGLEYA SO WAS I BUT SHE COULDN'T HAVE IT CERTAINLY ISN'T HERE I +f50473dd-c22d-4263-b685-a01c7e48c12e UNCLE ROGER AND AUNT OLIVIA HAD BOTH CHERISHED CERTAIN DREAMS AND AMBITIONS IN YOUTH RIGHT WHERE THAT BIG SPREADING TREE OF UNCLE ALEC'S IS NOW THE BACKGROUND WAS AN OUT OF FOCUS BLUR HE SCRATCHED HIS HEAD AND LOOKED WISTFULLY AT THE NEW ENGLAND SHORE LINE ONCE LONG AGO WE USED CRUDE PLATFORMS ON THE TOPS OF TREES ASKED HORN PERHAPS SAID TO NIB I TRIED TO REMEMBER EVERY WORD SO I CAN TELL IT JUST AS HE TOLD IT MISSIONARIES ARE SUCH NOBLE PEOPLE +f5205690-c4e1-46a5-802a-15936e894eb0 FELIX AND I COULDN'T KEEP OUR EYES OFF HER CRIMSON CHEEKED SHINY EYED FROM HER HASTE HER FACE WAS LIKE A ROSE OF YOUTH BUT WHEN THE STORY GIRL SPOKE WE FORGOT TO LOOK AT FELICITY AS FOR THAT RETURNED THE SOLDIER SERIOUSLY I MUST ADMIT THAT I LOST MY ABILITY TO LOVE WHEN I LOST MY NEAT HEART HE WAS RETIRED AND A YOUNG MAN WAS CALLED TO CARLISLE MISTER SCOTT WENT TO LIVE IN TOWN BUT HE CAME OUT TO CARLISLE VERY OFTEN AND VISITED ALL THE PEOPLE REGULARLY JUST THE SAME AS WHEN HE WAS THEIR MINISTER ALEC DO YOU REMEMBER HOW FURIOUS JULIA WAS BECAUSE EDWARD PRAYED ONE DAY THAT SHE MIGHT BE PRESERVED FROM VANITY AND CONCEIT OVER HER SINGING +f53811d7-8c40-455d-937d-408860a0725a STETSON'S VOICE HISSED SUDDENLY THROUGH THE SURGICALLY IMPLANTED SPEAKER HOW'S IT LOOK ALIEN ANY SIGN OF THAT MOB NEGATIVE O K WE'RE TAKING OFF THE SHADOW FEARED OF MAN WE WERE ALL UP EARLY THE NEXT MORNING DRESSING BY CANDLE LIGHT DID HE SAY WHAT IT WAS LIKE ASKED PETER NO ONLY THAT IT WAS A PICTURE OF GOD WALKING IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN IF WE KEPT OURSELVES TOLERABLY CLEAN AND REFRAIN FROM QUARRELLING OR TALKING SLANG AUNT OLIVIA DID NOT WORRY US BUT SPOS'N ID GET TOO FOND OF BEING PRESBYTERIAN AND COULDN'T CHANGE IF I WANTED TO OBJECTED PETER SARA I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS JUG SHE SAID SOLEMNLY NOW SARA HAD ALWAYS COVETED THIS PARTICULAR JUG +f54e9b1d-7295-441e-8853-eb2113ac9521 BEHIND US A YOUNG MOON WAS HANGING OVER SOUTHWESTERN MEADOWS OF SPRINGTIME PEACE BUT ALL ABOUT US WERE THE SOFT MOIST SHADOWS OF A MAY NIGHT BUT THE LONG DRAWN OUT DREAD WAS BEGINNING TO GET ON DAN'S NERVES IF IT IS THE JUDGMENT DAY HE GROWLED AS WE WENT IN TO DINNER I WISH IT'D HURRY UP AND HAVE IT OVER OH DAN CRIED FELICITY AND CECILY TOGETHER IN A CHORUS OF HORROR BUT THE STORY GIRL LOOKED AS IF SHE RATHER SYMPATHIZED WITH DAN THE BEACON HAD A PRECIPITATING FIELD AND A BASIN ON TOP OF IT FOR WATER THIS WAS USED TO COOL THE REACTOR THAT POWERED THE MONSTROSITY WALKING DOWN THE HALL I TRIED TO FIGURE A WAY TO TRANSFER THE MONEY WITHOUT HIS CATCHING ON AND KNEW AT THE SAME TIME HE WAS FIGURING A WAY TO OUTFIGURE ME STILL THERE WAS SOMETHING AWFULLY ATTRACTIVE DAMN BUT HE WAS CONFUSED +f556323f-e6fb-4b55-83ba-ff1b7030e3f1 DURING THE NIGHT THE SCARECROW AND THE EMPEROR TALKED IN LOW TONES TOGETHER AND THEY GOT OUT OF THE CHAIR AND MOVED ALL ABOUT THE ROOM FEELING FOR SOME HIDDEN SPRING THAT MIGHT OPEN A DOOR OR WINDOW AND PERMIT THEM TO ESCAPE I KNOW HEAVEN MUST BE A SPLENDID PLACE BUT I'M SURE PETER WOULD RATHER BE HERE HAVING FUN WITH US SARA STANLEY REBUKED FELICITY I SHOULD THINK YOU WOULDN'T SAY SUCH THINGS AT SUCH A SOLEMN TIME SHE WAS AND WE WERE ALL MISERABLE IN COMPANY AUNT JANET INVESTIGATED THE WHOLE AFFAIR IN THE MATTER OF OUR DREAM BOOKS WERE AIRED IN FAMILY CONCLAVE FELICITY HAD A NATURAL APTITUDE FOR WHAT WE CALLED BOSSING AND IN HER MOTHER'S ABSENCE SHE DEEMED THAT SHE HAD A RIGHT TO RULE SUPREME THERE WAS NO DOUBT DAN WAS SUFFERING INTENSE PAIN HE MOANED AND WRITHED AND CRIED FOR HIS MOTHER +f56161a3-0ce2-4a09-8472-da8c87149026 HIS NAME IS PETER CRAIG FELICITY TOSSED HER GOLDEN HEAD BUT I BEGAN TO THINK I WOULD LIKE FELICITY AND PRESENTLY SHE PAUSED BESIDE THE TIN SOLDIER AND SAID I WAS ABLE TO MAKE A POLITE BOW BEFORE THE THRONE THE LACRYMOSE SARAH PRESENTLY JOINED US AND WE DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF HER TEARS TO BE THE DOLEFUL FACT THAT HER MOTHER HAD FORBIDDEN HER TO GO TO THE MAGIC LANTERN SHOW THAT NIGHT WE ALL WENT TO PIECES EXCEPT CECILY WHO ALONE RETAINED HER PRESENCE OF MIND MANOEL OFTEN WONDERED ABOUT THAT FOR HE HAD RAISED THE WHOLE STRAIN OF ANIMALS TELL US WHAT HAPPENED MANWELL +f579f971-a65b-43a1-b031-5305fe099b34 OH WELL SURELY YOU CAN SETTLE IT SOME OTHER WAY WITHOUT FIGHTING PERSISTED CECILY I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT SAID PETER IT'S FELIX IF HE DON'T INTERFERE WITH MY PRAYERS THERE'S NO NEED OF FIGHTING BUT IF HE DOES THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO SETTLE IT I GUESS IT DEPENDS A GOOD DEAL WHETHER YOU'RE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE FIRES I SAID ANDREW DIDN'T REALLY MEAN IT OF COURSE HE JUST SAID IT TO SOUND SMART AND MAKE A STARE THE MARS ARE ALL LIKE THAT BUT ANYHOW I'M GOING TO KEEP ON PRAYING THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO EXCITE THE STORY GIRL IT CAME FROM A DIFFERENT QUARTER THE WIDE DOUBLE WINDOWS THAT OVERLOOK THE BAY THE ZID REARING UPRIGHT SMASHED AWAY THE FLIMSY RATTAN BLINDS WITH A TALENT SEIZING HAND AND LOOKED REDLY IN AT THEM I KEPT THE GUN ON HIM AND NEITHER OF US MOVED WHILE THE NAVY SHIPS PULLED UP AND THEIR BOOTS STAMPED OUTSIDE I HAD CAPTURED MY BATTLESHIP AND THE RAIDS WERE OVER +f58e94f0-ad6f-46bf-bf15-16f69bf45505 WE SOMETIMES ACT THE STORY OUT I LIKE IT WHEN PETER PLAYS THE POET I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN DAN IS THE POET BECAUSE HE IS SO FRECKLED AND SCREWS HIS EYES UP SO TIGHT BUT YOU CAN HARDLY EVER COAX PETER TO BE THE POET EXCEPT WHEN FELICITY IS EDITH AND DAN IS SO OBLIGING THAT WAY A SMALL WAVE OF CUSTOM MEN HUNG STICKERS ON MY LUGGAGE PEEKED INTO ONE OR TWO FOR CONFORMITY'S SAKE AND WAVED ME THROUGH I SHOOK HANDS ALL ROUND A RUSTLING HAND CLASP OF COURSE THEN WAS ON MY WAY A CAB WAS SUMMONED A HOTEL SUGGESTED I NODDED AGREEMENT AND SETTLED BACK WHILE THE ROBOT LOADED THE BAGS ABOUT ME I CAN UNDERSTAND THE SOLDIER'S INTEREST ASSERTED POLYCHROME DANCING ROUND THE GRIMY WORKSHOP UNTIL HER DRAPERIES FORMED A CLOUD ROUND HER DAINTY FORM FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS A MAN MIGHT LIKE TO SEE HIS OLD HEAD ONCE MORE JUST AS ONE LIKES TO VISIT AN OLD HOME THEY SAY THERE MUST BE A BLACK SHEEP IN EVERY FAMILY SAID THE STORY GIRL THERE ISN'T ANY IN OURS SAID CECILY LOYALLY WHY DO WHITE SHEEP EAT MORE THAN BLACK ASKED FELIX IS THAT A CONUNDRUM ASKED CECILY CAUTIOUSLY IF IT IS I WON'T TRY TO GUESS THE REASON I NEVER CAN GUESS CONUNDRUMS IT ISN'T A CONUNDRUM SAID FELIX IT'S A FACT THEY DO AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR IT +f5d166ae-4bda-4144-8f96-9578585be065 INSTALLED I SHOUTED DID YOU SAY INSTALLED ROCKER COLLAPSED AWAY FROM MY ROAR AND GNAWED HIS EARS YES HE SAID NOT TOO LONG AGO I REMEMBER THERE WAS SOME TROUBLE AND WHAT ELSE I INTERRUPTED HIM WELL IT'S ALL THE SAME TO ME SAID WOUT WITH ASSUMED CARELESSNESS DANGERS WHEN THEY CANNOT BE AVOIDED ARE OFTEN QUITE INTERESTING AND I AM WILLING TO GO WHEREVER YOU TWO VENTURE TO GO THE CARVEN IMAGE WAS PERHAPS THIRTY FEET IN HEIGHT AND REPRESENTED A FIGURE CROUCHED UPON ITS KNEES ITS HEAD BENT VERY LOW AND AT THE SAME TIME TILTED AT A GROTESQUE ANGLE SO THAT THE FACE SMILED HEAVENWARD THE HANDS PALMS UPWARD EXTENDED INVITINGLY JUST BELOW THE CHIN ALL WENT WELL UNTIL ONE OF THE PRIESTS VIOLATED THE TEMPLE AND DESTROYED THE HOLY WATERS THE BEACONS MUST OPERATE I RECOGNIZED THIS DEATHLESS LINE AS THE CURTAIN SPEECH AND CRAWLED TO MY FEET +f5ebe606-1ca9-4a47-8237-c6f7a388f529 IF YOU HAVE TO SPEAK OF OF HIM YOU MIGHT SAY THE OLD SCRATCH THAT IS WHAT MOTHER CALLS HIM IT WAS AS IF A BLAST FURNACE HAD SUDDENLY OPENED BESIDE HIM HE WOULD NOT ALLOW FARMER EVEN CLOSE TO THE LATTER MAY DAY MAY ESTRO THIS IS BRANDON MAY DAY TURNED INTO MEN WEARING DESERT UNIFORMS AND LEANED OVER HIM AS LONG AS THEY LIVED THERE WHEN WE GO TO A DANCE YOU WILL NOT GET WEARY BEFORE THE MUSIC STOPS +f602ea8a-2cb0-4f2a-8219-9aef98f49a37 EXPLAIN THIS TO ME DORA WASTED NO TIME BUT WHOEVER MADE IT DID A SCREW BALL JOB THE IMAGE BLINKED FOCUSED AND A GREAT DAMP PYRAMID SWAM INTO VIEW THERE WERE A FEW MINUTES WHILE THE WATER BEGAN TO GURGLE DOWN THROUGH THE DRY PIPE WHEN I THREW THE BIG SWITCH A CAREFULLY WORKED OUT SEQUENCE TOOK PLACE THAT YOU ARE UNDER THE GUNS OF A WARSHIP DON'T ATTEMPT TO RUN SIGNAL TAKE EVAH ACTION OR ANY OTHER WAY WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT THE DEVIL WHO WHAT THE PROUD PRINCESS HELD HERSELF MORE PROUDLY THAN EVER IF PATTY ISN'T ANY BETTER TOMORROW WE'LL DO THAT SHE SAID SNAPPISHLY +f64e1032-5b03-448f-959d-c34e76231397 HAH WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT WE ARE NOT MUTATED MEMBERS OF YOUR RACE ORAN SWALLOWED GHOSTLY SHADOWS WITH VINE PENDULUMS ON BOTH SIDES SOMETHING BANGED DOWN HEAVILY ON TO THE HOOD OF THE SLED HOMESIDE HADN'T BEEN BLUFFING HE THOUGHT ASSUMING AS A MATTER OF COURSE THAT THIS WAS THE TASK FOR SATTERFIELD HAD BEEN ORDERED TO SEND THEY DIDN'T WASTE ANY TIME JEFF GROWLED DAMN THEM VIC'S PLACE WAS OUT ON THE RIVER ABOUT TEN MILES FROM TOWN AND THAT LITTLE TAN ROADSTER OF MINE MADE IT IN JUST ABOUT TEN MINUTES THE TRAFFIC IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT SLOWED ME UP A BIT NOR WERE WE THE ONLY VICTIMS WE DID NOT FIND THE WHOLE STORY OUT AT ONCE INDEED THE SUMMER WAS ALMOST OVER BEFORE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER THE FULL MEASURE OF THAT SHAMELESS BILLY ROBINSON'S INIQUITY WAS REVEALED TO US +f67cac99-d501-48a9-a4d2-047bb996f83f WE PEERED EAGERLY THROUGH THE GLOOM THERE'S THE BIG WILLOW BE WHISPERED FELIX EXCITEDLY AS WE TURNED IN AT THE GATE IT CAN'T BE TRUE SAID SARA RAY SEEKING REFUGE AS USUAL IN TEARS WHY EVERYTHING LOOKS JUST THE SAME THINGS COULDN'T LOOK THE SAME IF JUDGMENT DAY WAS GOING TO BE TO MORROW BUT THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT'S TO COME I SAID UNCOMFORTABLY IT TELLS YOU IN THE BIBLE IT'S TO COME JUST LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT FELICITY DID NOT APPROVE OF THE DESIGN AND SAID SO PLAINLY HE WON'T KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE FOR HE'S NEVER BEEN INSIDE A CHURCH DOOR IN HIS LIFE SHE WARNED THE STORY GIRL I HAD NOT GROWN A SINGLE BIT BY THE MERCILESS TESTIMONY OF THE HALL DOOR I TOOK THE BOX OF SEED OUT OF MY TRUNK IN THE TWILIGHT ROOM AND SWALLOWED THE DECREED PINCH AS I DID SO DAN'S VOICE RANG OUT BEHIND ME +f6801fc3-aac6-4883-8431-0b5a237d23b4 I THINK I'LL WRAP IT UP AND KEEP IT IN MY BOX HE SAID ONCE THERE WERE TWO ARCHANGELS IN HEAVEN THE MILLWARDS FROM MARKDALE BUT AUNT JULIA HAD GONE OR BY THE SCARCELY LESS DISAGREEABLE METHOD OF BEGGING LOOK AT THAT LONG THIN LACY CLOUD UP THERE SHE SAID PETER DID NOT COME OF A CHURCH GOING STOCK AND IT'S ALL DONE AND OUT OF THE WAY BUT THE LOAVES DON'T SEEM QUITE AS BIG AS THEY SHOULD BE SHE ADDED DOUBTFULLY +f6804391-c261-46b7-bc3d-161d4f299879 BECAUSE THE BIG DOMES FED A SET OF REQUIREMENTS INTO THEIR IRON MONSTERS YOUR CARD POPPED OUT A COMPELLING CHARM THAT WOULD NOT BE DENIED FELIX PRAYED EARNESTLY THAT HE MIGHT BE ENABLED TO EAT A BITTER APPLE WITHOUT MAKING A FACE THERE WAS NO SENSE TO THE NOTE AND MY THOUGHTS WERE HORRIBLE THAT WE WILL IF YOU DECIDE TO TRY YOUR LUCK HE SEARCHED AROUND FOUND SOME GLASSY BLACK ROCKS AND ANCHORED DOWN THE CHUTE FIRST YOU LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM A THING THEN CONTROL IT +f6be488f-9e45-4588-8928-fd6d2e90ea99 HE SEEMED TO BE GROWING ANGRY HIMSELF NOW UNDER THE WHIPLASHING WOMAN'S TONGUE JOHN ANDREW WAS WISHING THAT HE COULD SWIM WHEN DORA SMILED INSTEAD AFTER DEVOUTLY THANKING GOODNESS THAT OUR GROWN UPS IN SPITE OF SOME IMPERFECTIONS AND ALTHOUGH STRANGERS GREATLY ADMIRING THEM OFTEN CARRIED AWAY ROOTS AND SEEDS THINK OF ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS WE'D APPROACH THE SAME PROBLEMS OTHERWISE YOU WOULDN'T BE CARRYING THAT RIFLE OFF THE DELPHINIS HE PAUSED IN HIS ROUND OF THE BRIDGE WITH THIS ASSURANCE I PULLED OFF MY FLASHY CLOTHES AND SLIPPED INTO THE MIDNIGHT BLACK DRESS UNIFORM OF AN ADMIRAL IN THE LEAGUE GRAN FLEET SINCE HE WAS FLYING AN UNDER MANNED BATTLESHIP HE HAD USED IT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY POSSIBLE +f6c18174-17e1-4d6b-bec2-0b1ac3819b79 DESPERATELY I QUICKLY TURNED THE DIAL UNTIL THE TWO RED MARKS COINCIDED A GREAT WEIGHT SOFT AND ENVELOPING SEEMED TO DROP UPON ME THE SENSES OF SIGHT AND HEARING AND FEELING ALL LEFT ME I COULD ONLY THINK AND MY THOUGHTS WERE HORRIBLE I'LL FORGIVE YOU SHE SAID GRACIOUSLY FELIX AND I FELT THAT IT WOULD REALLY BE WORTH WHILE TO OFFEND HER JUST TO BE FORGIVEN IN SUCH AN ADORABLE VOICE PETER EAGERLY GRASPED HER HAND THE LATCH OF THE GATE CLICKED UNDER THE STORY GIRL'S HAND AND THE NEXT MOMENT WE WERE IN THE KING ORCHARD FOUR GIRLS OH YES SARA RAY FELICITY MENTIONED HER WHAT IS SHE LIKE WHERE DOES SHE LIVE HER BEST SET IS STILL COMPLETE AUNT OLIVIA HAS IT YOU MUST GET HER TO SHOW IT TO YOU +f6e8cfbb-b9bd-4518-950f-1454c5db4a4c AND I'M GOING TO TAKE A DOSE OF MEXICAN TEA EVERY TWO HOURS IT'S SUCH DREADFUL TASTING STUFF BUT IT'S A GOOD BLOOD PURIFIER SO AUNT JANET CAN'T OBJECT TO IT THE STORY GIRL CARRIED OUT HER SELF IMPOSED PENANCE FULLY ALL DAY SHE SAT IN THE KITCHEN AND WORKED BUTTONHOLES SUBSISTING ON BREAD AND WATER AND MEXICAN TEA VING STRONG NOBLE AND VALIANT HE SAID RAINBOW BRIDGE IS NOT FOR THEE VERY DARK GREW VING'S FACE HOT REBELLION ROSE IN HIS HEART AND RUSHED OVER HIS PALE LIPS WHY DOST THOU KEEP BACK THE DRAUGHT OF IMMORTALITY FROM ME HE DEMANDED PASSIONATELY FARMER MANAGED TO PUT MORE CURIOSITY THAN IMPATIENCE INTO HIS TONE BACK TO MY OWN PLANET TAM DAVAR SON NOGHOR MEMBER OF THE GALATSKI FERREDORATION SHE SAID PATIENTLY THE GATE IS A MATTER TRANSFITTER BETWEEN MY WORLD AND YOURS IT WAS ONCE IN CONSTANT USE BUT MY GOVERNMENT CLOSED IT WHEN YOU PEOPLE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WERE RUNNING AROUND IN SUBMARINES USING DEPTH BOMBS AND JUST NOTICING OUR AIR CRAFT TOO MUCH THE SPACE YARD MANAGER WAS NAMED ROCKER AND HE WAS HAPPILY ASLEEP WHEN WE ARRIVED BUT NOT FOR LONG THE PARADE OF UNIFORMS AND GUNS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HAD HIM FRIGHTENED INTO A STATE WHERE HE COULD HARDLY WALK I IMAGINE HE WAS AS FULL OF PETTY LARCENACY AS FORERO NO INNOCENT MAN COULD HAVE LOOKED SO TERROR STRICKEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION I LATCHED MY ROTORIZED LIE DETECTIVE ON TO HIM AND BEGAN SNAPPING THE QUESTIONS EVEN BEFORE I HAD ALL THE ANSWERS I BEGAN TO GET THE DRIFT OF THINGS +f70d258c-f9ac-41b1-8cb2-fe1cfe6c39fc WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HIS QUOTATIONS MEANT BUT WE UNDERSTOOD HE THOUGHT PETER WAS GOING TO CHURCH BECAUSE OF FELICITY FELICITY TOSSED HER HEAD IT ISN'T MY FAULT THAT HE'S GOING TO CHURCH SHE SAID SNAPPISHLY IT'S THE STORY GIRL'S DOINGS NO SAID DAN RELUCTANTLY I S'POSE THERE'D BE SOME DRAWBACK TO EVERYTHING EVEN BEIN AN ENGINE ISN'T IT COLD SAID CECILY SHIVERING AGAIN CECILY SAID FELICITY IN A HUSHED TONE YOU ARE THE BEST OF US ALL YOU OPEN THE PARCEL OH I'M NO GOODER THAN THE REST OF YOU BREATHED CECILY BUT I'LL OPEN IT IF YOU LIKE OF COURSE SAID THE DELIGHTED STORY GIRL +f7259896-5921-4748-a40b-7915ff0d8cbc LAST NIGHT I ATE A PIECE OF MINCE PIE SHE SAID AND A LOT OF PICKLES AND TWO GRAPE JELLY TARTS BUT I GUESS I OVERDID IT BECAUSE I GOT REAL SICK AND COULDN'T SLEEP AT ALL SO OF COURSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY DREAMS I SHOULD HAVE STOPPED WITH THE PIE AND PICKLES AND LEFT THE TARTS ALONE FOR ONCE IN HER LIFE THE STORY GIRL WAS NOT AS TACTFUL AS HER WONT OR IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SHE SAID IT OUT OF MALICE OF PREPENSE AT ALL EVENTS FELICITY RESENTED THE IMPUTATION THAT SHE HAD MORE INFLUENCE WITH PETER THAN ANY ONE ELSE MARRY ME NOW AND YOU AND I AND YOUR FATHER AND ALL YOUR COURT WILL RIDE STRAIGHTWAY TO MY KINGDOM AND IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED THEN THAT I AM THE KING WHO CONQUERS ALL KINGS YOU MAY GIVE ME BACK MY RING AND RETURN HOME FREE OF ME FOR EVERMORE BETWEEN THEM THEY WEDGED THE BUNK AGAINST THE DOOR AND HELD IT IN PLACE THEN THEY STOOD LOOKING PALELY AT EACH OTHER AND WAITING FOR THE NEXT ATTACK HE HAD NOT VOCALIZED SINCE FLEDGLING DAYS AND HIS VOICE HAD A JARRING CROAK OF DISUSE +f72a249a-e6dd-4625-97e1-15fb62e316e9 WE TOILED ABOUT THE HOUSE AND YARD LIKE MANIACS WE LOOKED INTO EVERY LIKELY AND UNLIKELY PLACE BUT JIMMY WE COULD NOT FIND ANY MORE THAN IF HE HAD INDEED MELTED INTO AIR MISSUS PATERSON CAME AND WE HAD NOT FOUND HIM THINGS WERE GETTING SERIOUS I WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THE STORY GIRL HONESTLY JUST WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE THIRTEENTH SIN ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE BUT THAT ONLY HELPED THE RESEMBLANCE WE DO NOT MENTION THAT NAME SHARP SAID THE GRISLIER METHODS OF THE INQUISITORIAL PROCESS WERE WELL KNOWN TO HIM BY REPUTATION HE CAME TO THE BARRED DOOR STILL SMILING HE GOT ANOTHER FORM AND FILLED OUT ALL THE DARKER ON HIMSELF LISTEN YOU SICK CARTER +f76c47f5-aa82-497f-be1f-329078cd1346 I KNEW HE NEVER WENT OUT OF THE DOOR CRIED DAN TRIUMPHANTLY WHEN THE LAST BUGGY HAD DRIVEN AWAY FELICITY SET A BATCH OF BREAD AND THE REST OF US SAT AROUND THE BACK PORCH STEPS IN THE CAT SLIGHT AND ATE CHERRIES SHOOTING THE STONES AT EACH OTHER WHY A BATTLESHIP WHY ALL THE TROUBLE IN YEARS OF WORK TO GET A SHIP THAT TWO PEOPLE COULD JUST BARELY MANAGE WITH A TENTH OF THE EFFORT PEPEY COULD HAVE HAD A CRUISER THAT WOULD HAVE SUITED HIS PURPOSES JUST AS WELL JUST AS GOOD FOR SPACE PIRACY THAT IS BUT NOT FOR HIS PURPOSES MAR CAN'T BELIEVE TO MORROW'S THE LAST DAY OR SHE WOULDN'T SCOLD LIKE THAT SHE TOLD US AND THIS COMFORTED US UNTIL AFTER DINNER WHEN THE STORY GIRL AND PETER CAME OVER AND TOLD US THAT UNCLE ROGER HAD REALLY GONE TO SUMMERSIDE THEN WE PLUNGED DOWN INTO FEAR AND WRETCHEDNESS AGAIN WELL YOU KNOW EVERY ONE HAS TO EAT A PECK OF DIRT IN HIS LIFE GIGGLED FELICITY BUT NOBODY HAS TO EAT IT ALL AT ONCE RETORTED UNCLE ROGER WITH ANOTHER GROAN +f776e733-808d-43e3-9a0f-2875d54e18a4 HIGHWAYMEN SAID STETSON RATE ITSELF SAID ORNE AN ANCIENT TERRAN LANGUAGE CORRUPTION OF ROAD YEA GABBOT WHERE IS ALL THIS TRANSLATION GRIFF PUT DON'T BE IMPATIENT GLASS BLOWING CULTURE MEANT THEY WERE JUST OUT OF THE PRIMITIVE STAGE BUT UNDER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE ROLLED A TERRIBLE FLOOD DEEP AND WIDE AND VIOLENT FULL OF ROCKS AND RAPIDS AND WHIRLPOOLS FOR IT IS SURE TO COME AND IF IT IS NOT JUST AS WE HAVE PICTURED IT IT WILL BE INFINITELY SWEETER THE END END OF CHAPTER THIRTY TWO END OF THE BOOK THE STORY GIRL BY LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY A LAFFATY MANOEL SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED AS A CENSUS TAKER HE WASN'T QUALIFIED HE COULDN'T READ A MAP HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A MAP WAS +f777a958-b49a-437a-ab7a-0461ce3e8e36 URGED ON BY THE FIRES OF PATRIOTISM PUT DEGREES IN CHARGE OF THE RECORD ROOM FOR A WHILE YOU SAID THAT WAY HE CAN LEARN THE ROPES BUYING AROUND IN SENTRY OLD DUSTY FILES WILL BE JUST THE THING FOR A FREE SPIRIT LIKE SLIPPERY GIM DEGREES BILLIONAIRE TO FOUND HOME WILD TO UNDO IT IF POSSIBLE AT ANY COST OF RIDICULE TO HERSELF I DIDN'T CHEW THE PUDDING GROANED UNCLE ROGER IT WAS TOO TOUGH I JUST SWALLOWED THE CHUNKS WHOLE OF COURSE PEG WASN'T A WITCH BUT IT WAS BEST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE AND ADDED PETER DELIBERATELY TAKING HIS GUM FROM HIS MOUTH TO MAKE HIS STATEMENT MORE IMPRESSIVE DRIVING ALONG WE REMEMBERED THAT AUNT OLIVIA HAD WRITTEN TO FATHER THAT CECILY WAS A TRUE WARD WITH RATHER LONG LANK BROWN HAIR +f7968862-919a-451e-9912-a6e73ad59c7c THEN WE FOREGATHERED AROUND A TINY WOOD SPRING COLD AND PELLUCID UNDER ITS YOUNG MAPLES AND ATE THE JELLY COOKIES AND THE STORY GIRL TOLD US A TALE OF A HAUNTED SPRING IN A MOUNTAIN GLEN WHERE A FAIR WHITE LADY DWELT WHO PLEDGED ALL COMERS IN A GOLDEN CUP WITH JEWELS BRIGHT THE STORY GIRL LINGERED TO LAY A BUNCH OF WILD VIOLETS MISTY BLUE AND FAINTLY SWEET ON HER MOTHER'S GRAVE AND THEN SHE READ ALOUD THE VERSE ON THE STONE THEY WERE LOVELY AND PLEASANT IN THEIR LIVES AND IN THEIR DEATH THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED AND NOW NOW I WAS STANDING IN THE OPEN ON ANOTHER WORLD A NIGHTMARE WORLD THAT WORDS SEEMED INADEQUATE TO DESCRIBE AND A BODY WHAT'S THAT A BODY WHY MATTER I SUPPOSE AND MATTER IS WHAT I SHUT UP FELICITY AND CECILY WERE SETTING OUT A LUNCH IN THE PANTRY WHEN WE WERE ALL STARTLED BY A LOUD GROAN FROM THE SOFA OH I'M SICK I'M AWFUL SICK SAID DAN ABJECTLY ALL THE DEFIANCE AND BRAVADO GONE OUT OF HIM +f7a3fafe-bb34-4db8-879a-7e3483f8c63c SO I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT ACCURATE RECORDS IN DATA ARE VERY NECESSARY FOR FURTHER RESEARCH AND PROGRESS IT WAS THE RADIO ROOM ON ASTRO WON HE HAD AN INSTANT CONVICTION THAT THE BRUTE'S SECOND SPRING WOULD SEE HIM TORN TO BITS AND PROMPTS THEM TO BARTER THEIR STRENGTH FOR A TIME TO BE RID OF IT BUT AT LEAST IN THE BEGINNING HER DREAMS WERE NO MORE REMARKABLE THAN THOSE OF THE REST OF US AND FOR THAT I HAD LONG BEFORE WORKED OUT A SYSTEM THAT WAS FULL PROOF THEN I WENT TO THE GALLEY FOR A LONG STRONG DRINK WHICH ADDED UP TO +f7bb1424-fe88-4be9-8b3c-caf58341ead8 YOUR SYMPATHY MAY ENDANGER YOU SHARP SAID MY SON IS GONE I PRAY THAT THERE IS AN END TO IT YONAS PEERED ONCE INTO THE MIND OF THE MAN EVERY COILED VIOLENTLY BUT HE HAD ENOUGH IN THAT ONE GLIMPSE TO TELL HIM THE REASON FOR SHARP'S MISERY AND IT WAS QUITE REASON ENOUGH HE THOUGHT AS THE SPHERE KEPT GROWING HE STARTED TO DROP BEHIND STEADILY LOSING GROUND BY THIS TIME I HAD A GENERAL RELEASE PREPARED ALONG WITH DIRECTIONS FOR USE AND FOLLOW UP WHICH HE SENT TO CENTRAL FOURTEEN THE BATTERY OF SIAMEN THERE CONTACTED THE INDIVIDUAL PLANETS AND ALL WE HAD TO DO WAS KEEP ADDING TO THE LIST OF PLANETS TO FIND HIMSELF HAULED OUT OF THE WATER UNCEREMONIOUSLY BY THE SCRUFF OF HIS NECK AS HE ROSE ROPY TENTACLES TWINED AROUND HIM AND HE SAW WHAT HAD SAVED HIM SOMETIMES WE WORKED UNTIL THE COLD YELLOW SUNSET FADED OUT OVER THE DARKENING DISTANCES AND THE HUNTER'S MOON LOOKED DOWN ON US THROUGH THE SPARKLING AIR +f7d14abc-df25-4486-b210-284e89d0c08d I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY HARM TO MENTION THE THAT PERSON WHEN YOU'RE TELLING A STORY SAID CECILY IT'S ONLY IN PLAIN TALKING IT DOESN'T DO IT SOUNDS TOO MUCH LIKE SWEARING THEN JUST AS GOOD FOR SPACE PIRACY THAT IS BUT NOT FOR HIS PURPOSES HE HAD WANTED A BATTLESHIP AND HE HAD GOT HIMSELF A BATTLESHIP A WEDDING VEIL SAID CECILY THAT IS JUST WHAT IT IS THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS I KNOW A STORY ABOUT IT I READ IT IN A BOOK WELL ANYWAY THEY CAN'T PREVENT US FROM GROWING UP CONSOLED DAN WE NEEDN'T WORRY ABOUT THE BREAD AND MILK RULE ADDED FELICITY +f7e059c4-9884-4818-9a7a-2872a3ccece9 FARMER CROUCHED THE POINT OF THE BOATHOOK WAVERED AIMED FIRST AT THE NONIFUS THEN AT THE FISH MAN TO THE EDITOR BOTH WERE ALIEN BUT HE COULDN'T WHICH ONE WAS MORE DANGEROUS FOR A LONG MOMENT NEITHER OF THEM ADVANCED AND HE WONDERED IF THEY COULD REALLY BE FRIGHTENED OF HIS PUNY WEAPON WE KNEW THAT THE STORY GIRL WAS THOUGHT TO RESEMBLE HIM STRONGLY IN APPEARANCE AND TEMPERAMENT BUT SHE HAD FAR MORE FIRE AND INTENSITY AND STRENGTH OF HER INHERITANCE FROM KING AND WARD JUST THINK THOSE ARE THE VERY FROGS FATHER LISTENED TO WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY WHISPERED FELIX CARS GUNS I BELLOWED TO THE SPACE YARD IF THAT SHIP IS ANYWHERE NEAR COMPLETION WE ARE IN BIG BIG TROUBLE +f804f3f2-8816-4d9b-8fc7-12c386d234d1 WE WERE NOW SUMMONED TO BREAKFAST PETER AND THE STORY GIRL SLIPPED AWAY THROUGH THE GAP FOLLOWED BY PATTY AND THE REST OF US WALKED UP THE ORCHARD TO THE HOUSE DAN WHERE'S THE BABY CRIED FELICITY DAN LOOKED AROUND HIS JAW FELL IN BLANK AMAZEMENT I NEVER SAW ANY ONE LOOK AS FOOLISH AS DAN AT THAT MOMENT MY MESSAGE WAS IN CODE BUT IT COULD BE QUICKLY BROKEN IF SOME ONE WANTED TO TRY HARD ENOUGH I TOOK IT TO THE MESSAGE AND TO MYSELF THE SI MAN WAS IN HIS TRANSPARENT CUBICLE AND I LOCKED MYSELF IN WITH HIM HIS EYES WERE UNFOCUSED AS HE SPOKE SOFTLY INTO A MIKE PULLING IN A MESSAGE FROM SOMEWHERE ACROSS THE GALAXY DO YOU TOO KNOW MANY THINGS ORN THAT IS WHY I WAS SENT HERE SAID ORAN ARE THERE MANY PLANETS TO TEACH ASKED TO NEWBE VERY MANY SAID ORAN YOUR CITY I SAW VERY TALL BUILDINGS OF WHAT DO YOU BUILD THEM +f81ba179-2d2c-4949-a168-e17fd80ead7e THE WORLD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE REST THE NEXT MORNING HE STRETCHED HIMSELF DOWN ON THE PLATFORM BY UNCLE ROGER'S BACK DOOR MAKING A BEE LINE FOR US OUT BEYOND US WILL BE FIVE TRANSPORTS FULL OF I A MARINES HIS SCEPTICISM FALLING AWAY FROM HIM LIKE A DISCARDED GARMENT IN THIS VALLEY OF THE SHADOW WHICH SIFTS OUT HEARTS AND TRIES SOULS I HAD NEVER HEARD ANY ONE CRY SO WITH DREADFUL RENDING SONGS THIS SUPERSTRUCTURE OBVIOUSLY JUST TACKED ON TO THE PLANS GETS THROWN AWAY AND TURRETS TAKE ITS PLACE THE HULLS ARE IDENTICAL A CHANGE HERE A SHIFT THERE AND THE STODGY FRATER BECOMES THE FAST BATTLE WAGON +f823d1dd-2890-4ddf-b35f-b7e85c2b8c53 HE WENT ON WHISTLING FOR A TWO NOTE PLINGO VOLNERA UNDER HIS BREATH AND AFTER A TIME HE KNOCKED AGAIN AND ENSURE YOUR PEACE THEN LET US GO HE SAID AND MARCHED OFF I'M MARRIED NOW BUT I'M AS EAGER TO GET AND READ THE OZ STORIES AS EVER AFTER MANY THRILLING ADVENTURES AS YOU WILL DISCOVER WHEN YOU HAVE READ THIS STORY SLEEPING IN A BED OF HIS OWN IN THE OPPOSITE CORNER THE GIRLS WERE PREPARING FOR BED IT MIGHT NOT BE ALTOGETHER HER FAULT THAT SHE WAS VAIN BEFORE COMING TO CARLISLE SHE WOULD NEVER BE SATISFIED AS A DABBLER LEST THE GROWN UPS ESPECIALLY THAT TERRIBLE UNCLE ROGER SHOULD HEAR OF IT +f8871d8e-f475-45e0-832c-9c85a8159f25 THE HENS AND TURKEYS PROWLED ABOUT PECKING AT WINDFALLS AND PAT MADE MAD RUSHES AT THEM AMID THE FALLEN LEAVES WHATEVER IS THE MATTER WITH YOU ALL DEMANDED THE STORY GIRL APPEARING AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS WHAT IS SARAH CRYING ABOUT WHAT HAVE YOU GOT THERE AH AND HE HAD THE HEAVY FRICATIVE GREETING SOUND FLORI GOTSY HE SAID THE NATIVE SHIFTED TO THE LEFT ANSWERED IN PURE UNACCENTED HIGH GALATIES WHO ARE YOU I NEVER PRAYED THAT YOU COULDN'T EAT A BITTER APPLE I JUST PRAYED THAT I'D BE THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD WELL THAT'S THE SAME THING CRIED FELIX YOU'VE JUST BEEN PRAYING FOR THE OPPOSITE TO ME OUT OF SPITE AND YOU'VE GOT TO STOP IT PETER CRAIG THIS WILL BE YOURS HE SAID WHILE YOU ARE WITH US IT IS POOR BUT IT WAS ALL WE CAN OFFER I AM HONORED YUNUS SAID +f88aa3f1-de63-4d07-9577-6c127eb18909 VIC HOPE DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL LATER THE RAYS OF THE MACHINE CAUGHT IT AND BROUGHT IT BACK WITH US MADE IT SOLID MATTER AS WE KNOW IT HERE IT'S TOO WET ON THE GRASS AND I KNOW A STORY A TRUE STORY ABOUT AN OLD LADY I SAW IN TOWN AT AUNT LOUISE'S I HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANY PETER HE AND HE GLOWERED AT MISSUS MC LAREN IN A MOST UNDUTIFUL FASHION CICELY PESTERED OUR AUNT JANET'S LIFE OUT ASKING REPEATEDLY MAR WILL YOU BE GOING TO PRAYER MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT MAR WILL YOU BE PRESERVING RASPBERRIES NEXT WEEK AND VARIOUS SIMILAR QUESTIONS +f8a68e72-f6e2-482c-a48a-8469b3ddbe08 IN THE ROOM IN WHICH THE TWO SAT WHICH WAS ONE OF OZMA'S PRIVATE SUITE OF APARTMENTS HUNG THE FAMOUS MAGIC PICTURE IT WAS IRONIC HE SHOULD HAVE ASKED DORA TO TELL HIM MORE ABOUT GAR WAS HE A TRAITOR OR A TAM DIVERIAN GANGSTER OR WHAT JOHN ANDREW GASPED AND STARTED SINKING AGAIN THE MISSIONARY HAD AT LEAST SEVEN HAPPY LISTENERS THAT NIGHT WE ALL WERE GLAD THAT SARA DID NOT HAVE MEASLES AND THE STORY GIRL WAS RADIANT NOW YOU SEE ALL YOUR PENANCE WAS WASTED SAID FELICITY AS WE WALKED HOME KEEPING CLOSE TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE RUMOUR THAT PEG BOWEN WAS ABROAD I UNDERSTAND JONAS SAID HELPLESSLY +f8dfd622-23ec-44c5-a89a-b0038b26d29e KNOCK AT THE DOOR I SHALL YONA SAID AND MANY THANKS THE OLD WOMAN STILL CLUTCHING HER COIN DISAPPEARED FROM THE WINDOW AS IF SOMEONE HAD YANKED HER BACK IT MEANS DANGER SHARP PRESSED HIM BUT I DO NOT MIND DANGER IN SUCH A CAUSE THEY AND ONLY THEY CAN BRING US TIDINGS FROM THAT DEAR COUNTRY WHERE WE ONCE SOJOURNED AND FROM WHICH WE MUST EVERMORE BE EXILES THE WORLD CALLS THEM ITS SINGERS AND POETS AND ARTISTS AND STORY TELLERS BUT THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE WHO HAVE FORGOTTEN THE WAY TO FAIRYLAND DO NOTHING AT ALL FOR AT LEAST A WEEK IF WE AREN'T ALL BACK HERE BEFORE THAT TIME IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF SAUCE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DRY EATING INDEED +f9220a67-b30c-4813-b20e-5d831ed63d89 VING STRONG NOBLE AND VALIANT HE SAID RAINBOW BRIDGE IS NOT FOR THEE IT WAS NOT FAR AS VIC HAD SAID BUT WE WERE WEARY FROM OUR BATTLE WITH THE CRAZED MOB AND THE BEST WE COULD FORCE FROM OUR LEGS WAS A SORT OF DOG TROT ONE MINUTE AFTER TWO WHEN A SON WAS BORN TO ABRAHAM AND ELIZABETH A TREE WAS PLANTED IN THE ORCHARD FOR HIM THEY HAD FOURTEEN CHILDREN IN ALL AND EACH CHILD HAD ITS BIRTH TREE EVERY FAMILY FESTIVAL WAS COMMEMORATED IN LIKE FASHION AND EVERY BELOVED VISITOR WHO SPENT A NIGHT UNDER THEIR ROOF WAS EXPECTED TO PLANT A TREE IN THE ORCHARD OF THE DELPHINAS BUT THE DEA MISSING THE REQUEST WAS A FORGERY NOW YOU SEE WHY I'M MOSTLY FOR RUBBING OUT THIS PLACE WHO DARE FORAGE SUCH A THING UNLESS HE KNEW FOR SURE THAT THE ORIGINAL F SEA OFFICER WAS MISSING OR DEAD +f926cd6b-c5b9-46df-9e62-d18ad5076bde NO HEIREDITARY ENEMIES FEUDS OR THE LIKE IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS BATTLESHIP THING I WOULD CALL THEM AN IDEAL LEAGUE PLANET YOU'RE JUST GUESSING YOU DON'T KNOW ALL THIS THEY HAVE AN EXPANDING COUCHER ABOUT A MAN WHO SAW THE DEVIL NOW WHAT'S THE MATTER FELICITY BOTH OF AGLEIA'S ARMS WERE HELD FAST TO HER SIDES BY GLECON'S ARMS DAN KING DO YOU WANT TO COMMIT SUICIDE DEMANDED THE STORY GIRL WASN'T THE MISSIONARY SPLENDID THAT CANNIBAL STORY WAS SIMPLY GRAND APPLE PIES AND SOUR SEEDLINGS AND PIGS BECAME STRAIGHTWAY INVESTED WITH A GLAMOUR OF ROMANCE +f9b69f07-3c3b-4658-839d-570b469242e3 WE HAVE BARN CATS BUT PATTY NEVER ASSOCIATES WITH THEM I THINK IT'S AWFULLY LUCKY WE WERE ALL BORN INTO THE SAME FAMILY FELIX REMARKED ISN'T IT I'VE OFTEN THOUGHT SO FROM WHICH PRESENTLY A LIGHT GLEAMED THROUGH AN OPEN DOOR WHICH WE KNEW WAS THE ORCHARD AND THE BROWN BEAR GRUNTED AND GROWLED WITH GLEE AND TROTTED TOWARD OZMA AS FAST AS HE COULD WABBLE FELICITY HER PINK AND WHITE FACE SHADOWED BY HER DROOPING FORGET ME NOT WREATHED LEGH HORN HAT IT WAS IN A BOOK MY AUNT JANE HAD +fa646972-792c-4177-8a3a-8926ccfdb66b ORDINARILY HE WOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN IT A THOUGHT BEYOND A PASSING SIGH FOR THE WAYS OF THE WORLD HE HAD OTHER BUSINESS BUT NOW I'VE BEEN WONDERING WHAT THESE SHARP PAINS I'VE BEEN FEELING EVER SINCE DINNER MEANT IN SPITE OF HER DISASTER WITH THE BREAD THE STORY GIRL HAD BEEN TAKING COOKING LESSONS FROM FELICITY ALL THE WEEK AND GETTING ON TOLERABLY WELL ALTHOUGH MINDFUL OF HER FORMER MISTAKE SHE NEVER VENTURED ON ANYTHING WITHOUT FELICITY'S APPROVAL PATTY DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY CATCHING A RAT AND BEING INTOLERABLY CONCEITED ABOUT IT UNTIL SARA RAY CURED HIM BY CALLING HIM A DEAR SWEET CAT AND KISSING HIM BETWEEN THE EARS THEN PAT SNEAKED ABJECTLY OFF HIS TAIL DROOPING HE RESENTED BEING CALLED A SWEET CAT NEVER MIND I SAID CONSOLINGLY YOU CAN TELL SPLENDID STORIES BEFORE HE COULD COMPLETE THE SENTENCE THE DOOR WAS FLUNG OPEN AND FIVE OF THE OLDER MEN LED BY A SIXTH WITH A LARGER JEWEL AT HIS THROAT FILED SOLEMNLY INTO THE ROOM AND MOTIONED THAT WE WERE TO LEAVE THOSE HUGE ROUND EYES UNBLINKING UMBRELLAS WERE NOT HUMAN +fa6bea5a-91f1-4bf2-9a8e-fb51fa5444c2 SOME DAY OLIVIA WENT ON UNCLE ROGER YOU AND I MAY FIND OURSELVES THE AUNT AND UNCLE OF THE FOREMOST ACTRESS OF HER DAY PIGS SAID FELIX FORCIBLY IT WAS ALWAYS LOCKED THE WEST ONE LOOKING OVER PETER'S TURN CAME NEXT I SWALLOWED A PAIN KILLER AND LOOKED AROUND AT MY DROOPING SACKIDE ASSISTANTS WHO HAD SHARED THE SLEEPLESS SEVENTY TWO HOUR TASK THE CAPTAIN'S FACE GREW RED AS HE FLIPPED THROUGH THE STACK OF NOTES I HAD NO MORE FEAR OF THE WICKED WITCH FOR SHE WAS POWERLESS TO INJURE ME SHE TIED THEM FAST WITH THE STRING THUS MAKING ONE OF THOSE FURIOUS WARTS +facf99f0-ceb7-481c-9565-2e2e7f9a7d0c THEY CAN HARDLY BE THE SAME FROGS I OBJECTED DOUBTFULLY NOT FEELING VERY CERTAIN ABOUT THE POSSIBLE LONGEVITY OF FROGS IT'S TWENTY YEARS SINCE FATHER LEFT HOME AUNT OLIVIA ASSENTED LIGHTLY SWINGING HER HAT ON HER ARM AND INCLUDING US ALL IN A FRIENDLY SMILE SHE LOOKED VERY PRETTY WITH HER BIG BLUE EYES AND WARM HUED GOLDEN HAIR WE LOVED AUNT OLIVIA BUT JUST NOW WE RESENTED TO HER HAVING LAUGHED AT US WITH AUNT JANET AND WE REFUSED TO SMILE BACK JONAS TOLD HIMSELF AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF HOURS THAT HE SIMPLY WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO WITHOUT THE RATS TRYING TO TRAP AND KILL THEM WITH NO WEAPONS BEYOND HIS BARE HANDS EVEN AN EATING KNIFE HE HAD CARRIED IN HIS JERKIN HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY LEAVING HIM TO THE UNCOMFORTABLE REFLECTION THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DINE WITH HIS FINGERS WAS A PASTIME THAT OCCUPIED HIM FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON THE FIRST DAY THERE WAS LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON PEPPY AND ANGELINA THEY HAD COVERED THEIR TRACKS WELL THEIR ORIGIN WAS UNKNOWN THOUGH THE FACT THAT THEY BOTH TALKED WITH A SLIGHT ACCENT SUGGESTED AN OFFBOARD ORIGIN THERE WAS ONE DIM PICTURE OF A PEPPE CHUBBY BUT LOOKING TOO GRIM TO BE A HAPPY FAT BOY THERE WAS NO PICTURE OF THE GIRL +fafc7610-55e1-4f4d-af76-02a33f2b2716 MIGHT PERHAPS BE INJURED IF THE PEOPLE OF LOONVILLE ARE REALLY DANGEROUS WITH A COLD AND INDIFFERENT STARE THAT WAS ALMOST INSOLENT OF EVERY LIVING THING ON IT MUTTERED AMBO STETSON HOW SHOW YOU HOW TO MIND YOUR MINERALS HOW TO STETSON PACE LENNED AND CONTROL BRIDGE OF HIS SCOUT CRUISER TO BE SURE NONE OF US COULD REMEMBER THE TEXT WHEN WE GOT HOME BUT WE KNEW JUST HOW YOU SHOULD THROW BACK YOUR HEAD AND CLUTCH AT THE EDGE OF THE PULPIT WITH BOTH HANDS WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED IT MY FRIEND YOU ARE VERY LATE FOR THIS SERVICE WHAT A YARN SAID DAN DRAWING A LONG BREATH INSTEAD I REMEMBER SEEING IN HIS DREAM BOOK UNDER THE DATE OF SEPTEMBER FIFTEENTH AN ENTRY TO THIS EFFECT +fb3082a4-7db0-4c1f-8472-51914e868061 IN AUGUST IT WAS A PLACE OF SHADY SWEETNESS FRAGRANT WITH THE ODOUR OF RIPENING APPLES OH LOOK AT THE MOONSHINE ON THE ROAD IN THAT GAP BETWEEN THE SPRUCES HE KNOWS I'M KIND OF SICK JUST AS WELL AS A HUMAN WHEN THEY HAD REACHED THE END OF THE PATH WHERE THEY HAD FIRST SEEN THE WARNING SIGN THEY OILED MY JOINTS AND SET ME FREE THIS IS A COMBINATION OF COLOR TELEVISION AND SUPER RATAR FARMER WENT BACK OVER THE TERRITORY TO SEE IF HE COULD FIND ANY FLAWS IN IT EASY BOY HISS STUTSON DON'T PICK A FIGHT WITH HIM NOW REMEMBER THIS RACE IS ARBOREAL HE'S PROBABLY STRONG AS AN APE +fb414b3c-f344-4a01-aabc-d1a423ff17a9 ONCE I SAID BRIEFLY DREADING THE NEXT QUESTION WHICH PROMPTLY CAME YOU'LL HAVE TO FIGHT ME IF YOU KEEP PRAYING AGAINST ME SAID FELIX HE SEEMED TO BE A CAT WITH A TOLERABLY GOOD OPINION OF HIMSELF AND HIS RESPONSE TO OUR ADVANCES WAS SLIGHTLY TINGED WITH CONDESCENSION TO BE LAUGHED AT BEFORE FELICITY TO BE LAUGHED AT BY FELICITY WAS SOMETHING HE COULD NOT ENDURE ESPECIALLY IF THERE MIGHT BE NEEDLES IN THEM THE GREAT REWARD FOR SOME NOTABLE SERVICE RENDERED I IMAGINE WHISPERED VIC HE WAS WAITING FOR ME STAVING OFF AS BEST HE COULD THE RUSH OF BODIES AROUND HIM +fb4ed4b4-1c09-4c5f-9f50-9de07a714951 TWAS THE MC CLOSKEYS AND THE OLD SCRATCH SAID THE STORY GIRL REFLECTIVELY HER AESTHETIC FARE WAS REALLY SWEETER TO HER THAN HONEY OF HYMETTUS LIKE MANY OTHER PLANETS THIS ONE WAS UNIFORM CONSCIOUS WHEN IN REALITY THE VENGEFUL FLEET WAS JUST AS IMAGINARY AS MY ADMIRAL'S WRITING SHE SHRUNK AWAY AS SHE SPOKE STUMBLING ALONG THE WALL WHEN THEY ASSURED US SOLEMNLY THAT THEIR DREAMS ALL HAPPENED EXACTLY AS THEY DESCRIBED THEM WE WERE COMPELLED TO BELIEVE THEM IT'S NOT AS IF IT WERE A STRANGE GHOST BUT NOW THAT YOU ARE OUT OF DANGER WILL YOU TELL ME WHAT IT REALLY FEELS LIKE TO THINK YOU'RE GOING TO DIE DONALD AND NEIL NANCY AND BETTY WERE THERE IN THE ROOM WITH US +fb6f1ef4-c56b-4fa2-8e7f-9211a2de8fa9 I'LL SAY THIS THE NAVY BOYS KNOW THEIR BUSINESS WHEN THE SIREN SCREAMED THE CREW SECURED SHIP AND BLASTED OFF BEFORE I HAD FINISHED READING REPORT AS SOON AS MY A BALLS UNSQUASHED BACK INTO FOCUS I READ IT THROUGH THEN ONCE MORE CAREFULLY FROM THE BEGINNING OH WHISPERED FELICITY WE ALL SPOKE IN LOW TONES ON THE SUBJECT FOR BY INSTINCT AND TRAINING WE THOUGHT AND UTTERED THE GREAT NAME WITH REVERENCE IN SPITE OF OUR DEVOURING CURIOSITY OH WOULD JERRY COWN BRING IT TO SCHOOL THEN LET US SEE IT WE YOU THOSE ARE TALL BUILDINGS TOO WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS PLACE FORM AND UNLESS YOU BRING THEM INTO THE FOLD THERE'LL BE NOTHING BUT ASHES FOR OUR ARCHAEOLOGIST TO PICK OVER NOW IF UNCLE ROGER HAD SWALLOWED ANY NEEDLES MAYBE IT WOULD MAKE IT ALL RIGHT IF HE SWALLOWED A PINCUSHION WE ALL LAUGHED BUT FELICITY SOON GREW SOBER IT SEEMS AWFUL TO THINK OF EATING A SAWDUST PUDDING HOW ON EARTH DID YOU MAKE SUCH A MISTAKE +fb77c3bd-eea0-410a-9e3e-f68d3fd34424 THE MILLWARDS FROM MARKDALE THEIR TOIL AND LONELINESS AND SUFFERING WERE ALL OVER AND FORGOTTEN IT'S THE STORY GIRL'S DOINGS IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD BOOK IF THERE WAS SUCH A PICTURE IN IT SAID FELICITY ON THE PANEL ITSELF FAR TO THE RIGHT OF THE DIAL'S ZERO POINT WAS THE RED SCRATCH MARK THAT MATCHED IT THE RATINGS AND OFFICERS WAITED TENSELY AND MADE SOME SLIGHT ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL THEIR HATRED OF ME IN THE LAST RESULT IT WOULD BLOW ITSELF UP +fbaa22a4-0bd3-4c24-8b38-a2666f938fed I HAD A STICK IN MY HAND AND I FETCHED A SWIPE AT IT SO THERE'S A GREAT BIG PATCH ON HIS BEST PAIR OF TROUSERS PAT ISN'T A BIT BETTER HE JUST MOPES ABOUT THE KITCHEN NINETY EIGHT PER CENT OF THEIR OUTPUT IS NOW FEEDING INTO COALS THAT MAKE AN ELECTROMAGNET OF THIS SHIP'S HULL THE STORY GIRL WAS SITTING ON THE MINT BESIDE THE WELL HOUSE WEAVING HERSELF A WREATH OF BUTTERCUPS VERY LIKELY I ASSURED HER REMEMBER SARA RAY AND THE MONEY BACK CAME FROM PRAYING EVEN WHEN SAID TRANSGRESSOR IS ONLY A DAMSEL OF ELEVEN THEN THE STORY GIRL AND I WALKED UP THE HILL TOGETHER YOU SHOULDN'T DO THIS THINK HOW SICK YOU WERE LAST NIGHT AND ALL THE TROUBLE YOU MADE FOR EVERYBODY DON'T EAT ANY MORE THERE'S A GOOD CHAP +fbc7e0a7-66e4-4de2-9472-adb8551f49df IT WAS TOUGH DECIDEDLY TOUGH AND LACKED THE RICHNESS OF FLAVOUR WHICH WAS CUSTOMARY IN AUNT JANET'S CORNMEAL PUDDINGS IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF SAUCE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DRY EATING INDEED NOW LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING I SNAPPED INTO THE MIKE WORKING AWAY THE WORRIED BILLIONAIRE EXPRESSION FIRST I'LL REPEAT YOUR OWN WARNING OBEY ORDERS IF YOU WANT TO LIVE I'LL SHOW YOU WHY WHEN I THREW THE BIG SWITCH A CAREFULLY WORKED OUT SEQUENCE TOOK PLACE THE GIRL'S DOOR SHUT WITH A BANG SILENCE FELL OVER THE HOUSE WE DRIFTED INTO THE LAND OF SLEEP WONDERING IF THE STORY GIRL WOULD LIKE US FELICITY MADE A SIMILAR BARGAIN WITH HER MOTHER THE STORY GIRL AND CECILY WERE EACH TO BE PAID TEN CENTS A WEEK FOR WASHING DISHES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE HOMES FELIX AND DAN CONTRACTED TO KEEP THE GARDENS FREE FROM WEEDS I CAUGHT BROOK TROUT IN THE WESTERLING VALLEY OF SPRUCES AND SOLD THEM FOR A CENT APIECE +fc0b7ed8-0c11-4248-8a1f-2fedad29962d I BELIEVE YOU WERE CRYING BECAUSE PAT IS SO SICK I SAID FIRMLY AS IF I'D CRY ABOUT A CAT SCOFFED PETER AND HE MARCHED OFF WHISTLING NEIL HAD PLENTY OF NEWS TO TELL AND THE MORE WHISKY HE DRANK THE MORE HE TOLD HE DIDN'T NOTICE THAT DONALD WAS NOT TAKING MUCH FELICITY ATE TWO IN HER VERY PRESENCE AND THEN BROUGHT THE REST OUT TO US IN THE ORCHARD I AM VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH ALL CATS THEY ARE SO SLEEK AND COMFORTABLE AND DIGNIFIED AND IT IS SO EASY TO MAKE THEM HAPPY BUT SHE WAS AS PROUD AS SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL SHE LAUGHED ALL HER SUITORS TO SCORN +fc5eccd8-7368-4764-b1f6-e1ca4a10c558 I CANNOT HAVE ASKED HIM WHAT WAS THE MATTER HAD MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT I THOUGHT OF ALL THE EVIL DEEDS OF MY SHORT LIFE SHE BELIEVED IT MIGHT BE TRUE LAST OF ALL CAME VING I CAN'T PICK ANOTHER APPLE TO DAY AND I AIN'T GOING TO TRY SAID DAN THAT PETER IS GOING TO DIE THE HE ISN'T IN THE KITCHEN SAID FELICITY RUSHING ABOUT WILDLY AND HE COULDN'T GET INTO THE OTHER PART OF THE HOUSE FOR I SHUT THE HALL DOOR TIGHT AND NO BABY COULD OPEN IT AND IT'S SHUT TIGHT YET THE COUNTRY PEOPLE IN THE LAND WHERE SHE LIVED SAY ONLY HE IS OLD AND HIS HAIR IS WHITE THE WEIRD SPELL +fc6ed64c-48f7-4175-b3cf-8f4b67a7efdf IT WAS GOING TO BE A REAL SCORCHER HE DECIDED WORSE THAN ANY DESERT ON EARTH HE SAT UP STIFFLY ON THE TELETOKEY SCREEN BRIHNHARD ALONE IN THE RADIO ROOM WAS CALLING QUIETLY FOR BRAND IT MAY BE THAT THERE'S NO TIME TO LOSE IN MAKING SOME PLANS FIRST OF ALL I INSISTED TELL ME WHERE WE ARE WHAT'S HAPPENED TO US DO YOU KNOW HOW ABOUT A PLUMP OWL ASKED THE BEAST NOT A TIN ONE YOU KNOW BUT A REAL MEAT OWL NEITHER BEAST NOR BIRD SHALL YOU HAVE SAID POLYCHROME IN A POSITIVE VOICE I WOULD HAVE AND THE NEXT DAY SHE DRESSED HERSELF BEAUTIFULLY IN HER BEST PALE BLUE MUSLIN AND SLEEKED HER CURLS AND WENT SMILING TO THE BIRCHES +fc70436f-cdb8-452d-90e0-b885f22736e3 I FEEL JUST THE SAME WAY FIRST DONALD DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO HE FELT SURE DEEP DOWN IN HIS HEART THAT NANCY LIKED HIM HE HAD TO GO THROUGH WITH THE PLAN THIS IS YOUR HOUSE THEN YOU ARE AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN THAT AND A SUDDEN IDEA OF HIS OWN FORCED HIM TO SPEAK FOR HIMSELF TURNED A BEAMING SMILE ON FARMER AND RAY ODIN WAS THE GREAT GOD OF THE NORTHLAND YOU KNOW HE STAGGERED TO ITS BRINK AND DRANK OF ITS CLEAR STREAM YOU WOULDN'T THINK TO LOOK AT HER THAT SHE HAD A TRAGEDY IN HER LIFE +fccca541-156e-44ad-9d2e-fbeaec76fd82 THE ACTUAL CHANGE IN ATOMIC CONFIGURATION DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF SUFFICIENT ENERGY ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF THEM WAS THE IMPERIOUS COLONEL TOWERS I THINK HIS NAME IS E PAY NO SIR NONE THAT I KNOW OF THE MASTER IS MIGHTY FUSSY ABOUT HIS WORKROOM BENDING LEAVING A TRAIL OF BUBBLES AS HER HEAD WENT UNDER AND BLAMED THE BOAT'S MOTION HE TOO STARTED TO GET ANGRY BOTH AN ALARMING MAJORITY IN THE SHATTERING AFTERMATH OF THE FOURTH WAR JOENIFY REAPPEARED WITH A WALNUT SIZED CRYSTAL IN HER HAND AND VAULTED ACROSS THE RAIL +fcf243ab-d98a-444f-88a4-8b3e8c005860 SEND A GENERAL ORDER TO SPEND ALL FUTURE ACTIVITY WITH THE PLANTED POLICES WHICH IS OF COURSE WHERE HE IS A CAPTAIN AND I AM AN ADMIRAL IF WE WORKED HARD THERE WAS LESS TIME FOR GRIEF AND GRIEVOUS THOUGHTS WHILE THERE'S LIFE THERE'S HOPE YOU KNOW SAID FELIX WE SHOULDN'T CROSS BRIDGES TILL WE COME TO THEM I DON'T SEE WHY BELOW US WAS THE CARLISLE VALLEY WITH ITS ORCHARD EMBOWERED HOMESTEADS AND FERTILE MEADOWS SHE SAID SNAPPISHLY AUNT JANET HAD FORGOTTEN TO WARN UNCLE ROGER TO KEEP AN EYE ON OUR BEDTIME SNACKS AND WE ATE WHAT SEEMED GOOD UNTO US +fd19b44e-5d62-463c-9784-2f091956db5e WE'RE STILL CONTINUING THE SEARCH RATHER IT WAS A SLANG EXPRESSION OR THE CHANGE TOOK PLACE SO RAPIDLY IN JUST A GENERATION OR SO SHE STOPPED CRYING LONG ENOUGH TO CLUTCH IT DELIGHTEDLY OH CICELY THANK YOU BUT IT WAS MORE BITTER THAN THE GENERAL RUN OF THEIR TIFFS AND THE CONSEQUENCES WERE APPARENT TO ALL WE DREW STRAWS TO SEE WHO SHOULD GO AND DO THE ASKING AND THE LOT FELL TO FELIX THEY SAY HE STOOD ON THE DECK OF THE FANNY AND PLEADED WITH THE MEN WHILE THE TEARS RAN DOWN HIS FACE AM GOING SOME DAY SAID THE STORY GIRL AIRILY NOR WERE WE THE ONLY VICTIMS THE PICTURES AND SKETCHES HE SENT HER +fd1e988b-67fd-49c0-90ef-83ae86fd4aa5 HE DEPRESSED IT INSTANTLY THE SLEDGE SHOT SKYWARD HEAVY GEES PRESSING THEM DOWN INTO THE SEATS THE GUN INTO NUBES'S HAND WAS SLAMMED INTO HIS LAP HE STRUGGLED TO RAISE IT TO ORAN THE WEIGHT WAS STILL ONLY ABOUT TWICE THAT OF HIS HOME PLANET OF CHARGE ON YONAS MADE CONTACT TWICE WITH CLARTON WHO TOLD HIM OVER AND OVER TO WAIT TO DO NOTHING THE NEXT MOVE IS COMING SOON DO NOTHING TO HURRY IT YOU CAN ONLY UPSET THE NATURAL COURSE OF EVENTS WHICH IS UNWISE YUNUS THOUGHT BITTERLY AND RISKY AND VERY PROBABLY IMPIOUS AS WELL COMING BOY HE WAS WAITING FOR ME STAVING OFF AS BEST HE COULD THE RUSH OF BODIES AROUND HIM SHIELDING HOPE FROM THE SAVAGE JOSTLING COMING I LEANED FORWARD BUTTING WITH MY HEAD BOTH DOUBLED FISTS WORKING LIKE PISTONS TO CLEAR MY WAY TO MY COMPANIONS NICE WORK PETE NONE OF THE REST OF US COULD EVER COMPASS SUCH A DREAM NOT EVEN THE STORY GIRL WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED TO DREAM OF FLYING IF ANYBODY DID HE VOWED NEXT DAY TO CECILY THAT HE WOULD NEVER SWEAR AGAIN AND HE KEPT HIS WORD +fd6a66a2-6434-409b-94cb-be3de931728a FELICITY DID A MEAN THING SHE WENT TO WORK AND MADE LITTLE RAISIN PIES RIGHT THERE IN THE KITCHEN BEFORE THE STORY GIRL THE SMELL OF RAISIN PIES IS SOMETHING TO TEMPT AN ANCHORITE AND THE STORY GIRL WAS EXCEEDINGLY FOND OF THEM HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT THERE MIGHT BE HAVE BEEN IN THE GOLDEN AGE ASKED THE STORY GIRL WHICH WAS INDEED AN UNANSWERABLE QUESTION FOR FELICITY I THINK IT'S JUST LIKE SPRING INSISTED FELICITY IN THE SUN SWEET PLACE BEFORE THE PULPIT STONE WE BOYS HAD PUT UP A BOARD TABLE NEVER MIND SHE SAID TO HIM YOU ARE A VERY BEAUTIFUL COLOR AND A MONKEY CAN CLIMB BETTER THAN A BOY AND DO A LOT OF OTHER THINGS NO BOY CAN EVER DO ROCCA COULDN'T BELIEVE IT NEITHER COULD THE PRESIDENT THEY WANDERED UP AND DOWN THE EMPTY WAYS WHERE IT HAD BEEN BUILT I JUST CRUNCHED DOWN IN THE BACK OF THE CAR CHEWING MY CIGAR TO PIECES AND CURSING MYSELF FOR BEING A FOOL I HAD MISSED THE OBVIOUS FACT BEING CARRIED AWAY BY THE THOUGHT OF A PLANETARY GOVERNMENT BUILDING A WARSHIP +fd6f0a52-eba1-4015-8ea0-17547c73d350 IT FORTUNATELY LANDED ON THE WICKED WITCH AND SMASHED HER FLAT AND WASHING HER DISHES HIS STEP WAS BOUNCING AS IF HE WERE USED TO A HIGHER GRAVITY OR GREATER PRESSURE THIS BICKING WAS AS USUAL GETTING THEM EXACTLY NOWHERE THIS LETTER IS FROM JAMES WARD'S WIFE AND MONTREAL SAID AUNT JANET SOLEMNLY OH NO NO NOTHING LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND LISTENED JUST AS EAGERLY AS WE DID I THINK IT'S A GOOD DEAL BETTER TO PICK YOUR OWN RELIGION THAN HAVE TO TAKE IT JUST BECAUSE IT WAS WHAT YOUR FOLKS HAD RETORTED PETER +fd75cb46-4ca5-44f5-b70a-9d0dabbc57f4 A CRYSTAL CLEAR IMAGE OF COLONEL TOWERS THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERED WAS THE TASTE OF BLOOD ON HIS LIPS LET HIM HAVE THE WHOLE SOLAR SYSTEM NOR YET THE TEARS OF SWEET CECILY WHO CRIED EVERY NIGHT ABOUT IT AND MINGLED IN HER PURE LITTLE PRAYERS FERVENT PETITIONS THAT FELICITY AND THE STORY GIRL MIGHT MAKE UP SUCH A CONSTANTLY TEARFUL DAMSEL WAS NOT A PLEASANT COMPANION THE MACHINE EVEN FOUND A BLUE PRINT FOR ME ANGELINA ROLLED HER EYES UP AND SLID SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR THERE WAS LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON PEPPY AND ANGELINA THEY HAD COVERED THEIR TRACKS WELL THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH WAS AS OLD FASHIONED AS ITS EXTERIOR UNCLE ROGER WANDERED BY AT THIS MOMENT AND BEHOLDING PETER SAID +fda74fe2-cd05-4ddf-9675-f20d8f8da8fc SAYING THIS HE BLEW UPON A TIN WHISTLE THAT WAS SUSPENDED FROM HIS TIN NECK AND AT THE SUMMONS A SERVANT APPEARED AND BOWED LOW I TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SCREEN AND REALIZED THAT I HAD LOCKED THE EYE INTO A CIRCULAR ORBIT ABOUT TWENTY FEET ABOVE THE PYRAMID A FAST READING WITH THE PHOTOSIL GAVE ME THE APPARENT MAGNITUDE AND A COMPARISON WITH ITS ABSOLUTE MAGNITUDE SHOWED ITS DISTANCE AMAZINGLY HIS IMMEDIATE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE POSSIBILITY OF HARM FROM THE OWLS BUT WHETHER HE SHOULD REASSURE JENOFER BEFORE OR AFTER RELEASING HER HE COMPROMISED BY LEAVING THE CHOICE TO HER POSSIBLY NIGHT HAD BROUGHT COUNSEL TO JERRY COUN OR PERHAPS HIS MOTHER HAD PUT HIM UP TO IT AT ALL EVENTS HE ANNOUNCED TO US THAT HE COULDN'T BRING THE RED COVERED HISTORY TO SCHOOL BUT IF WE WANTED TO BUY THE PICTURE OUTRIGHT HE WOULD TEAR IT OUT OF THE BOOK AND SELL IT TO US FOR FIFTY CENTS +fda99976-11eb-49d0-9021-5dd39f18fb63 I TOLD YOU THE BIBLE WAS MORE TO BE DEPENDED ON THAN NEWSPAPERS SAID CECILY TRIUMPHANTLY SARA RAY AND PETER AND THE STORY GIRL WENT HOME AND WE WENT IN TO TEA WITH ROYAL APPETITES WE ARGUED OVER IT SERIOUSLY BUT FINALLY HAD TO GIVE UP WELL WHAT IS THE REASON ASKED FELICITY BECAUSE THERE'S MORE OF THEM SAID FELIX GRINNING I FORGET WHAT WE DID TO FELIX I YOU ARE A HERO OUT ON AN ADVENTURE CLARETON THOUGHT WITHERINGLY BUT SET YOUR COURSE WITH SENSE TRAVEL IT WITH CAUTION YOU'LL THE MORE CERTAINLY ARRIVE PHILOSOPHY FOR A DULL PLOTTER JONAS THOUGHT THE SPACE YARD MANAGER WAS NAMED ROCKER AND HE WAS HAPPILY ASLEEP WHEN WE ARRIVED BUT NOT FOR LONG THE PARADE OF UNIFORMS AND GUNS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HAD HIM FRIGHTENED INTO A STATE WHERE HE COULD HARDLY WALK +fdf6b62b-fcd1-4a3c-b965-dbf38c4db9bd EAGER JOYOUS RADIANT HE SET HIS FOOT ON THE RAINBOW WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE EXCLAIMED PETER HAS THE MEASLES ALL THAT SECOND DAY THEY TRAVELED STEADILY FINALLY I SHALL TAKE PRIDE IN BEING THE WIFE I THINK HE OUGHT TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT THERE ARE FIVE DOLLARS FOR YOU HE SAID AND YOUR STORY WAS WELL WORTH IT THERE ARE NO LAND DWELLING CREDITORS ON COLLAXIA WE CAN OFFER A TESTEDETICS PROGRAMME THAT WILL ELIMINATE RACIAL ANXIETY WITHIN A FEW GENERATIONS IT FLOATED LIKE A GLISTENING PLUM COLORED ISLAND +fdfcd590-0613-4c0f-9dc1-66682af5fa7b ANOTHER REACHED OUT LONG ARMS TOWARD HOPE AND I LET HIM HAVE IT BUT NEITHER VIC NOR HOPE WERE ANYWHERE IN SIGHT IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WONDER WHAT HER ELBOWS MUST BE LIKE SHE MADE HER GO TO BED INSTEAD THE WOULDN'T BE VERY LIKELY TO HAVE A HIRED BOY FOR A BEAU WE WERE SHORT OF BOYS BEFORE ONLY DAN AND PETER TO FOUR GIRLS AND AT THE ENTRANCE OF THAT LANE WE SAW A GIRL STANDING WITH A GRAY CAT AT HER FEET SOMETHING I MEANT TO ASK YOU THIS DUFF ER THIS FACCENE STRETCHED THE RED DUST DESERTS OF SIRIUS THREE ILLUMINATED BY THE THIN LIGHT OF TWO ICE MOONS +fe0db0a4-1685-479a-a4de-d8fcd4e19771 ONCE OCCUPATION BEGAN I TOOK IT FOR AN E I CONSULATE CRAFT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN OWING TO THE RAIN WE COULD NOT FOREGATHER IN THE ORCHARD WHERE WE HAD MEANT TO TRANSACT THE BUSINESS WITH JERRY I'M AFRAID I DID VERY WRONG TO COME AGAINST MAR'S WILL SHE SAID MISERABLY BUT I COULDN'T WAIT THE OLD WOMAN'S EYES WENT TO THE COIN AND STAYED THERE MY SON IS GONE IT IS SAID THAT THE MAN IS IN NEED OF MONEY I COULD GO INTO THEORIES AND SCIENTIFIC DETAILS RAY SAID GARF TURNED TO THE JUDGE'S INVENTION AND STARTED TO SHOW SOME GENUINE INTEREST FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE HAD SHOWED UP +fe9cb60f-42ee-4465-96eb-8d1f129d6e56 BUT YOU BEING A STRANGER ARE NO DOUBT CURIOUS TO LEARN HOW I BECAME SO BEAUTIFUL AND PROSPEROUS SO I WILL RECITE FOR YOUR BENEFIT MY STRANGE ADVENTURES JONAS SMILED AT HER IT WAS AN EFFORT MADAM HE BEGAN POLITELY NOBODY'S HOME SHE REPEATED DRAWING SLIGHTLY BACK FROM THE WINDOW YOU GO AWAY NOW AH JONAS SAID PLEASANTLY BUT YOU'RE HOME AREN'T YOU THE OLD WOMAN FROWNED AT HIM SUSPICIOUSLY NOW SHE SAID VAGUELY WELL THIS IS YOUR HOUSE JEFF AUBREY GLIMPSED THE SERIMIAN SHIP'S LANDING BECAUSE THE MORNING WAS A ONE DAY AND ON ONE DAY'S HIS MISSION TO THE ISLAND DEMANDED THAT HE BE UP AND ABOUT AT SUNRISE I DON'T BELIEVE JERRY CAN BE COMING SAID CECILY IN DESPAIR I SUPPOSE HIS MOTHER MUST HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS DREADFUL AFTER ALL TO SELL SUCH A PICTURE +feab9017-a4e6-4952-8992-46210fc9bb43 NOW WHAT EARTHLY GOOD COULD I GET FROM YOUR THREE BY SIX SCHOOL LIBRARY NONE WHATEVER THE STORY GIRL CURTSIED UNTIL HER SILKEN SKIRT SWEPT THE FLOOR THEN SHE FLUNG HERSELF IN HER CHAIR AND LOOKED AT MISTER CAMPBELL FLUSHED TRIUMPHANT DARING IT WAS CAUSED BY A LARGE METEOR IT WAS CAUSED BY ONE OF THESE WONDERINGLY MY HEAD WHIRLING WHETHER FROM MY STRANGE EXPERIENCE OR FROM THE SHOCK OF FINDING MYSELF IN WHAT WAS OBVIOUSLY ANOTHER WORLD I DO NOT KNOW I TURNED TOWARD THE CITY THIS IS A HISTORIC OCCASION COLONEL TOWERS WAS ANNOUNCING TO HIS CREW OPEN THE HATCH AND REYNARD BE SURE TO STAND BY WITH THE MOTION PICTURE CAMERA +feb6f882-85e2-44c7-9e7a-7dd4d7af568c ALL COMBINED TO MAKE HIM VERY REAL TO US I DIDN'T SAID FELICITY INDIGNANTLY WE LOOKED AT HER WITH A SLIGHTLY INCREDULOUS AWE I'M AFRAID SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN IT WILL BE RATHER HARD FOR ME YOU MUST ADMIT WHEN I CONFESS TO NINNIE AND ME THAT I HAVE COME TO MARRY HER BECAUSE IT IS MY DUTY TO DO SO AND NOW WE HAD COME TO THE ORCHARD IT WAS BEFORE US WE HAD ONLY TO OPEN THAT LITTLE WHITEWASHED GATE IN THE HEDGE AND WE MIGHT FIND OURSELVES IN ITS STORY DOMAIN SHE WAS TALL FOR HER FOURTEEN YEARS ME GO DOWN THERE AFTER THAT MONSTER BRINGING SUPPLIES AND GOSSIP TO LAST JEFF THROUGH THE FOLLOWING TEN DAY +fecf12d5-5a4a-4fb0-af02-1499aa7eea7c WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE CREW OF THE DELPHINIS THEY ARE SLAVES SAID TENUBE THOSE WHO STILL LIVE SOME RESISTED OTHERS OBJECTED TO TEACHING US WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW HE WAVED HIS GUN MUZZLE YOU CAN TELL SPLENDID STORIES BUT WHAT GOOD WOULD THAT DO A HUNGRY BOY WAILED THE STORY GIRL IN SKIPPED OPENED HIS MOUTH MADE A CHOKING NOISE AND ENCLOSED IT HE UNDOUBTEDLY REALIZED THAT ANY INTERRUPTION WOULD ONLY LENGTHEN MY EXPLANATION NOT SHORTEN IT RAY'S GLANCE TOOK ON A TOUCH OF ICY FURY THE LAUNCH ROCKED GENTLY IN THE SWELL OF A LONG SILENT MINUTE AND FARMER BEGAN TO FEEL SLIGHTLY AFRAID WAS HE ALONE IN A SPOT LIKE THIS WITH A MADMAN THE SALTY BREEZE TURNED COLDER +feed30ec-bed3-466e-aa21-7f303b9dad9c FOR NO WIZARD COULD USE THE NAME OF GOD NO WIZARD COULD PRAY SO THE INQUISITION SAID SO KUV SAID SNODKNUFF HAD TO SAY AND SO HE HAD TO BELIEVE IT WOULD TAKE A YEAR TO INSTALL A NEW BEACON BESIDES BEING TOO EXPENSIVE AND THIS RELIC IS ON ONE OF THE MAIN ROUTES WE HAVE SHIPS MAKING FIFTEEN LIGHT YEAR DETOURS NOW HE LEANED BACK WIPED HIS HANDS ON HIS HANDKERCHIEF AND GAVE ME LECTURE FORTY FOUR ON COMPANY DUTY AND MY TROUBLES A COMPOUND LETTER ONCE PETER WAS OUT OF DANGER HE RECOVERED RAPIDLY BUT HE FOUND HIS CONVALESCENCE RATHER TEDIOUS AND AUNT OLIVIA SUGGESTED TO US ONE DAY THAT WE WRITE A COMPOUND LETTER TO AMUSE HIM UNTIL HE HAD COME TO THE WINDOW AND TALKED TO US FROM A SAFE DISTANCE DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME PLEASE ANGELINA WAS ON HER FEET NOW HER BACK PRESSED TO THE WALL THEY'LL PUT ME IN PRISON DO THINGS TO MY MIND SHE SHRUNK AWAY AS SHE SPOKE STUMBLING ALONG THE WALL I LOOKED BACK AT PEPPET NOT WANTING TO HAVE MY EYES OFF HIM FOR AN INSTANT +fef23fb3-6584-407a-af5c-575795493af4 I HAD ONLY ONE BOX OF CARTRIDGES BESIDES THOSE IN THE CYLINDER OF MY GUN PETE VIC WAS WHISPERING EXCITEDLY IN MY EAR LISTEN PETE I THINK I SEE THROUGH THIS THESE PRIESTS HAVE HEARD ABOUT US AND OUR DEATH DEALING ABILITY THEY'RE JEALOUS THAT HAD NEVER WANED IN ALL HIS YEARS OF EXILE AND HE IS A REAL SMART LITTLE CHAP AND WHILE HIS FIGURE WAS JUST A TRIFLE DUMPY HIS FACE COMPLETED THE RHYME BY BEING EXTRAORDINARILY LUMPY YOU BELIEVE THAT I AM A WIZARD YONA SAID A FEW YEARS PERHAPS BUT I DON'T WANT HIM TO GO THERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE I WANT HIM TO STAY RIGHT HERE THEY SAY THERE MUST BE A BLACK SHEEP IN EVERY FAMILY SAID THE STORY GIRL +ff179543-08c8-4bbb-b8db-dc288231bcc8 NEVER HAD WE HEARD A VOICE LIKE HERS NEVER IN ALL MY LIFE SINCE HAVE I HEARD SUCH A VOICE I CANNOT DESCRIBE IT I MIGHT SAY IT WAS CLEAR I MIGHT SAY IT WAS SWEET I MIGHT SAY IT WAS VIBRANT AND FAR REACHING AND BELL LIKE ALL THIS WOULD BE TRUE BUT IT WOULD GIVE YOU NO REAL IDEA OF THE PECULIAR QUALITY WHICH MADE THE STORY GIRL'S VOICE WHAT IT WAS SOME VAGUE THOUGHT OF THIS WAS IN OUR MINDS AS WE LOOKED AT HER AND SOMEHOW IT COMFORTED US NOT EVEN THE JUDGMENT WAS SO GREATLY TO BE FEARED IF AFTER IT WE WERE THE SAME OUR OWN PRECIOUS LITTLE IDENTITIES UNCHANGED IT MUST BE GETTING HANDY TOO SAID CECILY IT SEEMS AS IF WE'D BEEN WAITING HERE FOR EVER SO MUCH LONGER THAN AN HOUR CONVERSATION LANGUISHED WE WATCHED AND WAITED NERVOUSLY THE MOMENTS DRAGGED BY EACH SEEMING AN HOUR I HAVE TO SLEEP SOME TIME MY SCREEN IS ONLY OPEN FOR EMERGENCY CALLS NOT FOR EVERY AGENT WHO NEEDS HIS HAND HELD MEANING I AM IN THE HAND HOLDING COTERGHRIE I ASKED WITH AS MUCH SWEETNESS AS I COULD PUT YOURSELF IN ANY CATEGORY YOU PLEASE HE GRUMBLED AS HE SLUMPED DOWN INTO THE BED AND ALSO PUT YOURSELF OUT IN THE HALL AND SEE ME TO MORROW DURING WORKING HOURS NO SHE ISN'T SAID DAN INSTANTLY FROM ACROSS THE ROOM BUT YOU'LL THINK SHE IS WHILE SHE'S TALKING TO YOU EVERYBODY DOES IT'S ONLY WHEN YOU GO AWAY FROM HER THAT YOU FIND OUT THAT SHE ISN'T A BIT PRETTY AFTER ALL THE GIRL'S DOOR SHUT WITH A BANG SILENCE FELL OVER THE HOUSE WE DRIFTED INTO THE LAND OF SLEEP WONDERING IF THE STORY GIRL WOULD LIKE US +ff3bca8b-d083-46f4-8b0c-3e4ea8ff9a2e IF NINNY AMMY IS CONTENT WITH THAT MISS BITMAN FOR A HUSBAND AND ASKED HIM TO HELP ME HE SHOT OUT A BIG PAW AND GRABBED HER BY THE WRIST DORA HESITATED HER HEAD JUST ABOVE WATER THEN BACK AT THE LAUNCH AND FARMER INSTINCTIVELY HE GLANCED AT HOPE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON MISTER BUTLER LEAVES A LETTER FOR ME WHICH I'M TO MAIL EARLY THIS MORNING SPECIAL DELIVERY COME YOU TRY YES OF COURSE THEY MUST HAVE I'LL TELL YOU SAID PETER I'LL PICK UP A LOT OF THOSE LITTLE ROUND PEBBLES ON MISTER KING'S FRONT WALK AND THEY'LL BE JUST AS GOOD AS PEAS YOU'LL DO NOTHING OF THE SORT SAID AUNT JANET +ff6a1483-aca8-478e-a38e-9552cd350712 VIC HAD SAID IN HIS NOTE THAT HE WOULD LEAVE ANOTHER NOTE FOR ME HERE AND THIS WAS IT FOR IN A BOLD SCRAWL AT THE TOP WAS MY NAME OH WELL NEVER MIND SAID THE WANDERER I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT ANY ONE WANTS OF A CAST OFF HEAD ANYHOW AT LEAST I HAD DONE NOTHING LIKE BUTCHERING A FEW OF THEM THAT WOULD MAKE THEM ANTAGONISTIC TOWARD FUTURE ANCESTRAL MESSENGERS I STRIPPED OFF MY TATTERED LIZARD SUIT BACK IN THE SHIP VERY GLAD THAT IT WOULD BE SOME OTHER REPAIRMAN WHO'D GET THE JOB END OF THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE PILOT'S CAPSULE SHOT UP LIKE A WET BAR OF SILK SQUEEZED OUT OF A GIANT'S HAND THE TURNED INTO A TORCH AND SANK BENEATH HIM BRANDON CLOSED HIS EYES FOR A MOMENT WHEN HE OPENED THEM HE WAS STARING AT THE MILKY WAY THEN THE DESERT AS HE TUMBLED OVER AND OVER +ffa163fd-1af6-443c-b3fc-b59d835d65d9 WE RECOGNIZED IT AT ONCE ON A FARM ADJOINING THE OLD KING HOMESTEAD IN CARLISLE TELL HIM TO SWALLOW A CAT ROARED THE POOR DOCTOR AND SLAMMED HIS DOOR BUT HE OVERDID IT HE WAS NOT AS GOOD AN ACTOR AS THE STORY GIRL FELICITY LOOKED SCORNFULLY AT HIM UNCLE ROGER YOU ARE NOT ONE BIT SICK SHE SAID DELIBERATELY YOU ARE JUST PUTTING ON BUT WHEN MISS HOPE CAME HOME UNEXPECTED THIS MORNING WHAT SHE CUT HER VISIT A FEW DAYS SHORT HER AUNT HAVING OTHER HOUSE GUESTS TURN UP UNEXPECTED LIKE IT MUST BE SPLENDID TO GO TO EUROPE SIGHED CECILY LONGINGLY I BUT WE DID NOT TRUMPET OUR WRONGS ABROAD +ffbea6e7-9006-493f-aa32-3c28f0333c76 THE TRIP ONLY TOOK A FEW DAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO MEMORIZE EVERYTHING I DID TO KNOW ABOUT SET ANUVO THE MORE I KNEW THE LESS I COULD UNDERSTAND THEIR NEED FOR A BATTLESHIP IT DIDN'T FIT SUTANOVO WAS A SECONDARY SETTLEMENT OUT OF THE SELINY SYSTEM AND I HAD RUN INTO THESE SETTLEMENTS BEFORE UNCLE ROGER HAD GONE TO THE STATION TO MEET THE TRAVELERS AND THE DINING ROOM TABLE WAS SPREAD WITH A FEAST OF FAT THINGS THEREFORE SHE MADE THE ENCHANTED AXE CUT OFF MY OTHER ARM AND THE TINSMITH ALSO REPLACED THAT MEMBER WITH TIN INCLUDING THESE FINELY JOINTED HANDS THAT YOU SEE ME USING ANY ONE WHO LIVES WITH YOU FELICITY KING WILL ALWAYS BE WISHING HE WAS SOMEWHERE ELSE SAID DAN +ffef067c-6166-456d-a1b6-39319f9eecf5 I SUPPOSE MISSUS SCOTT THOUGHT THAT WHAT WAS SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE WAS SAUCE FOR THE GANDER A CAT IN A HAY LOFT IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE ETERNAL FITNESS OF THINGS IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE OF COURSE SAID ORAN I STARTED WORKING ON IT THE MOST LIKELY ANSWER WAS THAT IT HAD BEEN ADOPTED FROM ANOTHER LANGUAGE HE YIELDED AND TOLD THE SECRET YOU LOOK LIKE ONE SAID UNCLE ROGER HOW ON EARTH DO YOU DO IT FARMER GOT MAD RIGHT NOW HE WAS ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF HOW RIDICULOUS IT MUST LOOK FOR HIM TO BE MAKING LOVE TO AN OCCUPUS