,,*APT] #AA


  ,,"S"TS1 :ILE M$ITAT+ ON ^! ?+S 9
SOLITUDE1 ,I'VE GOT UP 9 A SU45 T]ROR1 &
PUT ON MY BONNET 6G SEE H[ ALL 0 AT !
F>M4 ,I'VE P]SUAD$ MY 3SCI;E T X 0 A
DUTY 6W>N HM H[ P TALK$ REG>D+ 8 WAYS2 &
!N ,I'VE RECOLLECT$ 8 3FIRM$ BAD HABITS1
&1 HOPE.S ( B5EFIT+ HM1 H FL9*$ F RE-
5T]+ ! 4MAL H\SE1 D\BT+ IF ,I CD BE> 6BE
TAK5 AT MY ^W4
  ,"O "T ,I PASS$ ! OLD GATE1 GO+ \ ( MY
WAY1 ON A J\RNEY 6,GIMM]TON4 ,X 0 AB !
P]IOD T MY N>RATIVE HAS R1*$3 A B"R
FRO/Y AFN2 ! GR.D B>E1 &! ROAD H>D &
DRY4 ,I CAME 6A /"O ": ! HI<WAY BRAN*ES
(F ON 6! MOOR AT YR LEFT H&2 A R\< S&-
PILL>1 )! LRS ;,W ,H4 CUT ON XS NOR?
SIDE1 ON ! EA/1 ,G41 & ON ! S\?-WE/1 ,T4
,G4 ,X S]VES Z A GUIDE PO/ 6! ,GRANGE1 !
,HEI<TS1 & VILLAGE4 ,! SUN %"O YELL[ ON
XS GREY H1D1 REM9D+ ME ( SUMM]2 & ,I _C
SAY :Y1 B ALL AT ONCE1 A GU% ( *'S
S5S,NS FL[$ 96MY HE>T4 ,H9DLEY & ,I HELD
X A FAV\RITE SPOT TW5TY YE>S 2F4 ,I GAZ$
L;G AT ! W1!R-WORN BLOCK1 &1 /OOP+ D[N1
P]CVD A HOLE NE> ! BOTTOM / FULL (
SNAIL-%ELLS & PEB#S1 : WE 7 FOND ( /OR+
"! ) M P]I%A# ?+S2 &1 Z FRE% Z R1L;Y1 X
APPE>$ T ,I 2HELD MY E>LY PLAYMATE S1T$
ON ! )]$ TURF3 8 D>K1 SQU>E H1D B5T
=W>D1 & 8 LL H& SCOOP+ \ ! E>? )A PIECE
( SLATE4 8,POOR ,H9DLEY60 ,I EXCLAIM$
9VOLUNT>ILY4 ,I />T$3 MY BODILY EYE 0
*1T$ 96A MO;T>Y 2LIEF T ! * LIFT$ XS
FACE & />$ /RAI<T 96M9E6 ,X VANI%$ 9 A
TW9KL+2 B IMMLY ,I FELT AN IRRESI/I#
YE>N+ 6BE AT ! ,HEI<TS4 ,SUP]/I;N URG$
ME 6-PLY ) ? IMPULSE3 SUPPOS+ HE %D 2
D1D6 ,I ?"\- OR %D DIE SOON6- SUPPOS+ X
7 A SIGN ( D1?6 ,! NE>] ,I GOT 6! H\SE !
M AGITAT$ ,I GREW2 & ON CAT*+ SI<T ( X
,I TREM#D 9 E LIMB4 ,! APP>I;N _H
\T/RIPP$ ME3 X /OOD LOOK+ "? ! GATE4 ,T
0 MY F/ IDEA ON OBS]V+ AN ELF-LOCK$1
BR[N-EY$ BOY SETT+ 8 RU4Y C.T5.E AG/ !
B>S4 ,FUR!R REFLEC;N SU7E/$ ? M/ 2
,H>ETON1 MY ,H>ETON1 N ALT]$ GRTLY S9CE
,I LEFT HM1 T5 MON?S S9CE4
  8,GOD B.S !E1 D>L+60 ,I CRI$1 =GETT+
9/ANTANE\SLY MY FOOLI% FE>S4 8,H>ETON1
X'S ,NELLY6 ,NELLY1 ?Y NURSE40
  ,HE RETR1T$ \ ( >M'S L5G?1 & PICK$ UP
A L>GE FL9T4
  8,I AM -E 6SEE ?Y "F1 ,H>ETON10 ,I A4$
GUESS+ F ! AC;N T ,NELLY1 IF %E LIV$ 9 8
MEMORY AT ALL1 0 N RECOGNIZ$ Z "O ) ME4
  ,HE RAIS$ 8 MISSILE 6HURL X2 ,I -M;ED
A SOO?+ SPEE*1 B CD N /AY 8 H&3 ! /"O
/RUCK MY BONNET2 & !N 5SU$1 F ! /AMM]+
LIPS (! LL FELL[1 A /R+ ( CURSES1 :1
:E!R HE -PREH5D$ !M OR N1 7 DELIV]$ )
PRACTIS$ EMPHASIS1 & 4TORT$ 8 BABY
F1TURES 96A %OCK+ EXPRES.N ( MALIGN;Y4
,Y MAY 2 C]TA9 ? GRIEV$ M ?AN ANG]$ ME4
,FIT 6CRY1 ,I TOOK AN ORANGE F MY
POCKET1 & (F]$ X 6PROPITIATE HM4 ,HE
HESITAT$1 & !N SNAT*$ X F MY HOLD2 Z IF
HE FANCI$ ,I ONLY 9T5D$ 6TEMPT & 4APPO9T
HM4 ,I %[$ HM ANO!R1 KEEP+ X \ ( 8 R1*4
  8,:O HAS TAU<T Y ^? F9E ^WS1 MY
BAIRN80 ,I 5QUIR$4 8,! CURATE80
  8,DAMN ! CURATE1 & !E6 ,GIE ME T10 HE
REPLI$4
  8,TELL U ": Y GOT YR LESSONS1 & Y % H
X10 SD ,I4 8,:O'S YR MA/]80
  8,DEVIL DA4Y10 0 8 ANSW]4
  8,& :AT D Y LE>N F DA4Y80 ,I 3T9U$4
  ,HE JUMP$ AT ! FRUIT2 ,I RAIS$ X HI<]4
8,:AT DOES HE T1* Y80 ,I ASK$4
  8,NAU<T10 SD HE1 8B 6KEEP \ ( 8 GAIT4
,DA4Y _C BIDE ME1 2C ,I SWE> AT HM40
  8,AH6 &! DEVIL T1*ES Y 6SWE> AT DA4Y80
,I OBS]V$4
  8,AH- NAY10 HE DRAWL$4
  8,:O !N80
  8,H1?CLIFF40
  ,I ASK$ IF HE LIK$ ,MR4 ,H1?CLIFF4
  8,AY60 HE ANSW]$ AG4
  ,DESIR+ 6H 8 R1SONS = LIK+ HM1 ,I CD
ONLY GA!R ! S5T;ES- 8,I "KN'T3 HE PAYS
DAD BACK :AT HE GIES 6ME- HE CURSES DA4Y
= CURS+ ME4 ,HE SAYS ,I MUN D Z ,I W40
  8,&! CURATE DOES N T1* Y 6R1D & WRITE
!N80 ,I PURSU$4
  8,NO1 ,I 0 TOLD ! CURATE %D H HIS-
TEE? DA%$ D[N HIS-?ROAT1 IF HE /EPP$ OV]
! ?RE%OLD- ,H1?CLIFF _H PROMIS$ T60
  ,I PUT ! ORANGE 9 8 H&1 & BADE HM TELL
8 "F T A WOMAN CALL$ ,NELLY ,D1N 0 WAIT+
6SP1K ) HM1 0! G>D5 GATE4 ,HE W5T UP !
WALK1 & 5T]$ ! H\SE2 B1 9/1D ( ,H9DLEY1
,H1?CLIFF APPE>$ ON ! DOOR /"OS2 & ,I
TURN$ DIRECTLY & RAN D[N ! ROAD Z H>D Z
"E ,I CD RACE1 MAK+ NO HALT TILL ,I GA9$
! GUIDE-PO/1 & FEEL+ Z SC>$ Z IF ,I _H
RAIS$ A GOBL94 ,? IS N M* 3NECT$ ) ,MISS
,ISABELLA'S A6AIR3 EXCEPT T X URG$ ME
6RESOLVE FUR!R ON M.T+ VIGILANT GU>D1 &
DO+ MY UTMO/ 6*ECK ! SPR1D ( S* BAD
9FLU;E AT ! ,GRANGE3 EV5 ?\< ,I %D WAKE
A DOME/IC /ORM1 0?W>T+ ,MRS4 ,L9TON'S
PL1SURE4
  ,! NEXT "T ,H1?CLIFF CAME1 MY "Y LADY
*.ED 6BE FE$+ "S PIGEONS 9 ! C\RT4 ,%E
_H N"E SPOK5 A ^W 6H] SI/]-IN-LAW = ?REE
"DS2 B %E _H LIKEWISE DROPP$ H] FRET;L
-PLA9+1 & WE F.D X A GRT -=T4 ,H1?CLIFF
_H N ! HABIT ( 2/[+ A S+LE UNNEC CIVIL;Y
ON ,MISS ,L9TON1 ,I KNEW4 ,N[1 Z SOON Z
HE 2HELD H]1 8 F/ PRECAU;N 0 6TAKE A
SWEEP+ SURVEY (! H\SE-FRONT4 ,I 0 /&+ 0!
KIT*5 W9D[1 B ,I DREW \ ( SI<T4 ,HE !N
/EPP$ ACR ! PAVE;T 6H]1 & SD "S?+3 %E
SEEM$ EMB>RASS$1 &
DESIR\S ( GETT+ AWAY2 6PREV5T X1 HE LAID
8 H& ON H] >M4 ,%E AV]T$ H] FACE3 HE
APP>5TLY PUT "S "Q : %E _H NO M9D
6ANSW]4 ,"! 0 ANO!R RAPID GL.E AT !
H\SE1 & SUPPOS+ HMF UNSE51 ! SC.DREL _H
! IMPUD;E 6EMBRACE H]4
  8,JUDAS6 TRAITOR60 ,I EJACULAT$4 8,Y
>E A HYPOCRITE1 TOO1 >E Y8 ,A DELIB]ATE
DCVR40
  8,:O IS1 ,NELLY80 SD ,CA!R9E'S VOICE
AT MY ELB[3 ,I _H BE5 OV] 9T5T ON WAT*+
! PAIR \TSIDE 6M>K H] 5TR.E4
  8,YR WOR?.S FR60 ,I ANSW]$ W>MLY3 8!
SN1K+ RASCAL YOND]4 ,AH1 HE HAS CAU<T A
GLIMPSE ( U- HE IS -+ IN6 ,I WOND] W HE
H ! HE>T 6F9D A PLAUSI# EXCUSE = MAK+
LOVE 6,MISS1 :5 HE TOLD Y HE HAT$ H]80
  ,MRS4 ,L9TON SAW ,ISABELLA TE> H]F
FREE1 & RUN 96! G>D52 &A M9UTE AF1
,H1?CLIFF OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,I CDN'T )HOLD
GIV+ "S LOOSE 6MY 9DIGN,N2 B ,CA!R9E
ANGRILY 9SI/$ ON SIL;E1 & ?R1T5$ 6ORD]
ME \ (! KIT*51 IF ,I D>$ 6BE S
PRESUMPTU\S Z 6PUT 9 MY 9SOL5T T;GUE4
  8,6HE> Y1 P MI<T ?9K Y 7 ! MI/RESS60
%E CRI$4 8,Y WANT SETT+ D[N 9 YR "R
PLACE6 ,H1?CLIFF1 :AT >E Y AB1 RAIS+ ?
/IR8 ,I SD Y M/ LET ,ISABELLA AL"O6-,I
BEG Y W1 UN.S Y >E TIR$ ( 2+ RCVD "H1 &
WI% ,L9TON 6DRAW ! BOLTS AG/ Y60
  8,GOD =BID T HE %D TRY60 ANSW]$ !
BLACK VILLIAN4 ,I DETE/$ HM J !N4 8,GOD
KEEP HM MEEK & PATI5T6 ,E "D ,I GR[ MA4]
AF S5D+ HM 6H1V560
  8,HU%60 SD ,CA!R9E1 %UTT+ ! 9N] DOOR4
8,DON'T VEX ME4 ,:Y H Y 4REG>D$ MY
REQUE/8 ,DID %E -E ACR Y ON PURPOSE80
  8,:AT IS X 6Y80 HE GR[L$4 8,I H A "R
6KISS H]1 IF %E *OOSES2 & Y H NO "R
6OBJECT4 ,I AM N YR HUSB&2 Y NE$N'T 2
J1L\S ( ME60
  8,I'M N J1L\S ( Y10 REPLI$ ! MI/RESS1
8,I'M J1L\S = Y4 ,CLE> YR FACE3 Y %AN'T
SC[L AT ME6 ,IF Y L ,ISABELLA1 Y % M>RY
H]4 ,B D Y L H]8 ,TELL ! TRU?1
,H1?CLIFF6 ,"!1 Y WON'T ANSW]4 ,I'M
C]TA9 Y DON'T60
  8,& WD ,MR4 ,L9TON APPROVE ( 8 SI/]
M>RY+ T MAN80 ,I 5QUIR$4
  8,MR4 ,L9TON %D APPROVE10 RETURN$ MY
LADY1 DECISIVELY4
  8,HE MI<T SP>E HMF ! TR\#10 SD
,H1?CLIFF 8,I CD D Z WELL )\T 8
APPROB,N4 ,& Z 6Y1 ,CA!R9E1 ,I H A M9D
6SP1K A FEW ^WS N[1 :ILE WE >E AT X4 ,I
WANT Y 6BE AW>E T ,I "K Y H TR1T$ ME
9F]N,Y- 9F]N,Y6 ,D Y HE>8 ,& IF Y FLATT]
YRF T ,I DON'T P]CV X1 Y >E A FOOL2 & IF
Y ?9K ,I C 2 3SOL$ 0SWEET ^WS1 Y >E AN
IDIOT2 & IF Y FANCY ,I'LL SU6] UNREV5G$1
,I'LL 3V9CE Y (! 3TR>Y1 9 A V LL :ILE6
,M1N"T1 ?ANK Y = TELL+ ME YR SI/]-IN-
LAW'S SECRET3 ,I SWE> ,I'LL MAKE ! MO/ (
X4 ,& /& Y ASIDE60
  8,:AT NEW PHASE ( 8 "* IS ?80 EXCLAIM$
,MRS4 ,L9TON1 9 AMAZE;T4 8,I'VE TR1T$ Y
9F]N,Y- & Y'LL TAKE YR REV5GE6 ,H[ W Y
TAKE X1 UNGRATE;L BRUTE8 ,H[ H ,I TR1T$
Y 9F]N,Y80
  8,I SEEK NO REV5GE ON Y10 REPLI$
,H1?CLIFF LESS VEHE;TLY4 8,T'S N ! PLAN4
,! TYRANT GR9DS D[N 8 SLAVES & !Y DON'T
TURN AG/ HM2 !Y CRU% ^? 2N !M4 ,Y >E
WELCOME 6TORTURE ME 6D1? = YR AMUSE;T1
ONLY ALL[ ME 6AMUSE MYF A LL 9 ! SAME
/YLE1 & REFRA9 F 9SULT Z M* Z Y >E A#4
,HAV+ LEVELL$ MY PALACE1 DON'T ERECT A
HOVEL & -PLAC5TLY ADMIRE YR [N *>;Y 9
GIV+ ME T =A HOME4 ,IF ,I IMAG9$ Y RE,Y
WI%$ ME 6M>RY ,ISABEL1 ,I'D CUT MY
?ROAT60
  8,OH1 ! EVIL IS T ,I AM N J1L\S1 IS
X80 CRI$ ,CA!R9E4 8,WELL1 ,I WON'T REP1T
MY (F] (A WIFE3 X IS Z BAD Z (F]+ ,SATAN
A LO/ S\L4 ,YR BLISS LIES1 L HIS1 9
9FLICT+ MIS]Y4 ,Y PROVE X4 ,$G> IS
RE/OR$ F ! ILL-TEMP] HE GAVE WAY 6AT YR
-+2 ,I 2G9 6BE SECURE & TRANQUIL2 & Y1
RE/.S 6"K U AT P1CE1 APPE> RESOLV$ ON
EXCIT+ A QU>REL4 ,QU>REL ) ,$G>1 IF Y
PL1SE1 ,H1?CLIFF1 & DCV 8 SI/]3 Y'LL HIT
ON EXACTLY ! MO/ E6ICI5T ME?OD ( REV5G+
YRF ON ME40
  ,! 3V]S,N C1S$4 ,MRS4 ,L9TON SAT D[N
0! FIRE1 FLU%$ & GLOOMY4 ,! _S : S]V$ H]
0 GR[+ 9TRACTA#3 %E CD NEI LAY NOR 3TROL
X4 ,HE /OOD ON ! HE>? ) FOLD$ >MS1
BROOD+ ON 8 EVIL ?"\S2 & 9 ? POSI;N ,I
LEFT !M 6SEEK ! MA/]1 :O 0 WOND]+ :AT
KEPT ,CA!R9E 2L S L;G4
  8,ELL510 SD HE1 :5 ,I 5T]$1 8H Y SE5
YR MI/RESS80
  8,YES2 %E'S 9 ! KIT*51 SIR10 ,I
ANSW]$4 8,%E'S SADLY PUT \ 0,MR4
,H1?CLIFF'S 2HAVI\R3 &1 9DE$1 ,I D ?9K
X'S "T 6>RANGE 8 VISITS ON ANO!R FOOT+4
,"!'S H>M 9 2+ TOO S(T1 & N[ X'S -E 6?40
,I RELAT$ ! SC5E 9 ! C\RT1 &1 Z NE> Z ,I
D>$1 ! :OLE SUBSEQU5T 4PUTE4 ,I FANCI$ X
CD N 2 V PREJUDICIAL 6,MRS4 ,L9TON2 UN.S
%E MADE X S AFWS1 0ASSUM+ ! DEF5SIVE =
H] GUE/4 ,$G> ,L9TON _H DI6ICULTY 9 HE>+
ME 6! CLOSE4 ,8 F/ ^WS REV1L$ T HE DID N
CLE> 8 WIFE ( BLAME4
  8,? IS UNSU6]A#60 HE EXCLAIM$4 8,X IS
4GRACE;L T %E %D [N HM =A FR1 & =CE 8
-PANY ON ME6 ,CALL ME TWO M5 \ (! HALL1
,ELL54 ,CA!R9E % L+] NO L;G] 6>GUE )! L[
RU6IAN- ,I H HUM\R$ H] 5\<40
  ,HE DESC5D$1 & BI4+ ! S]VANTS WAIT 9 !
PASSAGE1 W5T1 FOLL[$ 0ME1 6! KIT*54 ,XS
O3UPANTS _H RECOMM5D$ _! ANGRY 4CUS.N3
,MRS4 ,L9TON1 AT L1/1 0 SCOLD+ ) RENEW$
VIG\R2 ,H1?CLIFF _H MOV$ 6! W9D[1 & HUNG
8 H1D1 "S:AT C[$ 0H] VIOL5T RAT+
APP>5TLY4 ,HE SAW ! MA/] F/1 & MADE A
HA/Y MO;N T %E %D 2 SIL5T2 : %E OBEY$1
ABRUPTLY1 ON 4COV]+ ! R1SON ( 8 9TIM,N4
  8,H[ IS ?80 SD ,L9TON1 A4RESS+ H]2
8:AT NO;N ( PROPRIETY M/ Y H 6REMA9 "H1
AF ! LANGUAGE : HAS
BE5 HELD 6Y 0T BLACKGU>D8 ,I SUPPOSE1 2C
X IS 8 ORD9>Y TALK1 Y ?9K NO?+ ( X2 Y >E
HABITUAT$ 6HIS BASE;S1 &1 P]H1 IMAG9E ,I
C GET US$ 6X TOO60
  8,H Y BE5 LI/5+ AT ! DOOR1 ,$G>80 ASK$
! MI/RESS1 9 A T"O "PICUL>LY CALCULAT$
6PROVOKE H] HUSB&1 IMPLY+ BO? C>E.S;S &
3TEMPT ( 8 IRRIT,N4 ,H1?CLIFF1 :O _H
RAIS$ 8 EYES AT ! =M] SPEE*1 GAVE A
SNE]+ LAU< AT ! LATT]2 ON PURPOSE1 X
SEEM$1 6DRAW ,MR4 ,L9TON'S ATT5;N 6HM4
,HE SU3E$$2 B ,$G> DID N M1N 65T]TA9 HM
) ANY HI< FLI<TS ( PAS.N4
  8,I H BE5 S F> =BE>+ ) Y1 SIR10 HE SD
QUIETLY2 8N T ,I 0 IGNORANT ( YR MIS]A#1
DEGRAD$ "*1 B ,I FELT Y 7 ONLY "PLY
RESPONSI# = T2 & ,CA!R9E WI%+ 6KEEP UP
YR ACQUA9T.E1 ,I ACQUIESC$- FOOLI%LY4
,YR PRES;E IS A MORAL POISON T WD
3TAM9ATE ! MO/ VIRTU\S3 = T CAUSE1 &
6PREV5T WORSE 3SEQU;ES1 ,I % D5Y Y "HAF
ADMIS.N 96? H\SE1 & GIVE NOTICE N[ T ,I
REQUIRE YR 9/ANT DE"PURE4 ,?REE M9UTES'
DELAY W R5D] X 9VOLUNT>Y & IGNOM9I\S40
  ,H1?CLIFF M1SUR$ ! HEI<T & BR1D? (!
SP1K] ) AN EYE FULL ( DERI.N4
  8,CA?Y1 ? LAMB ( YRS ?R1T5S L A BULL60
HE SD4 8,X IS 9 DANG] ( SPLITT+ XS SKULL
AG/ MY KNUCKLES4 ,0,GOD6 ,MR4 ,L9TON1
,I'M MORT,Y SORRY T Y >E N WOR? KNOCK+
D[N60
  ,MY MA/] GL.ED T[>DS ! PASSAGE1 &
SIGN$ ME 6FET* ! M53 HE _H NO 9T5;N (
HAZ>D+ A P]SONAL 5C.T]4 ,I OBEY$ ! H9T2
B ,MRS4 ,L9TON1 SUSPECT+ "S?+1 FOLL[$2 &
:5 ,I ATTEMPT$ 6CALL !M1 %E PULL$ ME
BACK1 SLAMM$ ! DOOR TO1 & LOCK$ X4
  8,FAIR M1NS60 %E SD1 9 ANSW] 6H]
HUSB&'S LOOK ( ANGRY SURPRISE4 8,IF Y H
N C\RAGE 6ATTACK HM1 MAKE AN APOLOGY1 OR
ALL[ YRF 6BE B1T54 ,X W CORRECT Y (
FEIGN+ M VAL\R ?AN Y POSSESS4 ,NO1 ,I'LL
SWALL[ ! KEY 2F Y % GET X6 ,I'M
DELI<T;LLY REW>D$ = MY K9D;S 6EA*6 ,AF
3/ANT 9DULG;E ( "O'S W1K NATURE1 &!
O!R'S BAD "O1 ,I E>N = ?ANKS TWO SAMPLES
( BL 9GRATITUDE1 /UPID 6ABSURD;Y6 ,$G>1
,I 0 DEF5D+ Y & YRS2 & ,I WI% ,H1?CLIFF
MAY FLOG Y SICK1 = D>+ 6?9K AN EVIL ?"\
( ME60
  ,X DID N NE$ ! M$IUM (A FLO7+ 6PRODUCE
T E6ECT ON ! MA/]4 ,HE TRI$ 6WRE/ ! KEY
F ,CA!R9E'S GRASP1 &= SAFETY %E FLUNG X
96! HOTTE/ "P (! FIRE2 ":^U ,MR4 ,$G> 0
TAK5 )A N]V\S TREMBL+1 & 8 C.T5.E GREW
D1DLY PALE4 ,= 8 LIFE HE CD N AV]T T
EXCESS ( EMO;N1 M+L$ ANGUI% & HUMILI,N
OV]CAME HM -PLETELY4 ,HE L1NT ON ! BACK
(A *AIR1 & COV]$ 8 FACE4
  8,OH1 H1V5S6 ,9 OLD "DS1 ? WD W9 Y
KNI<?WOOD60 EXCLAIM$ ,MRS4 ,L9TON4 8,WE
>E VANQUI%$6 WE >E VANQUI%$6 ,H1?CLIFF
WD Z SOON LIFT A F+] AT Y Z A K+ WD M>*
8 >MY AG/ A COLONY ( MICE4 ,*E] UP6 Y
%AN'T 2 HURT6 ,YR TYPE IS N A LAMB1 X'S
A SUCKL+ L"EET40
  8,I WI% Y JOY (! MILK-BLOOD$ C[>D1
,CA?Y60 SD H] FR4 8,I -PLI;T Y ON YR
TA/E4 ,& T IS ! SLAV]+1 %IV]+ ?+ Y
PREF]R$ 6ME6 ,I WD N /RIKE HM ) MY FI/1
B ,I'D KICK HM ) MY FOOT1 & EXP]I;E
3SID]A# SATISFAC;N4 ,IS HE WEEP+1 OR IS
HE GO+ 6FA9T = FE>80
  ,! FELL[ APPROA*$ & GAVE ! *AIR ON :
,L9TON RE/$ A PU%4 ,HE'D BETT] H KEPT 8
4T.E2 MY MA/] QKLY SPRANG ERECT1 & /RUCK
HM FULL ON ! ?ROAT A BL[ T WD H LEVELL$
A SLI<T] MAN4 ,X TOOK 8 BR1? =A M9UTE2 &
:ILE HE *OK$1 ,MR4 ,L9TON WALK$ \ 0!
BACK DOOR 96! Y>D1 & F ?;E 6! FRONT
5TR.E4
  8,"!6 Y'VE D"O ) -+ "H10 CRI$ ,CA!R9E4
8,GET AWAY1 N[2 HE'LL RETURN )A BRACE (
PI/OLS1 & HALF-A-DOZ5 ASSI/ANTS4 ,IF HE
DID OV]HE> U1 ( C\RSE HE'D N"E =GIVE Y4
,Y'VE PLAY$ HM AN ILL TURN1 ,H1?CLIFF6
,B G- MAKE HA/E6 ,I'D R SEE ,$G> AT BAY
?AN Y40
  8,D Y SUPPOSE ,I'M GO+ ) T BL[ BURN+ 9
MY GULLET80 HE ?"U$4 8,0HELL1 NO6 ,I'LL
CRU% 8 RIBS 9 L A ROTT5 HAZEL-NUT 2F ,I
CROSS ! ?RE%OLD6 ,IF ,I DON'T FLOOR HM
N[1 ,I % MURD] HM "S"T2 S1 Z Y VALUE 8
EXI/;E1 LET ME GET AT HM60
  8,HE'S N -+10 ,I 9T]POS$1 FRAM+ A BIT
(A LIE4 8,"!'S ! COA*MAN &! TWO G>D5]S2
Y'LL SURELY N WAIT 6BE ?RU/ 96! ROAD
0!M6 ,EA* HAS A BLUDGEON2 & MA/] W1
LIKELY1 2 WAT*+ F ! P>L\R W9D[S1 6SEE T
!Y FULFILL 8 ORD]S40
  ,! G>D5]S & COA*MAN 7 "!2 B ,L9TON 0 )
!M4 ,!Y _H ALR 5T]$ ! C\RT4 ,H1?CLIFF1
ON SECOND ?"\S1 RESOLV$ 6AVOID A /RU7LE
AG/ ! ?REE "UL+S2 HE SEIZ$ ! POK]1 SMA%$
! LOCK F ! 9N] DOOR1 & MADE 8 ESCAPE Z
!Y TRAMP$ IN4
  ,MRS4 ,L9TON1 0 V M* EXCIT$1 BADE ME
A3OMPANY H] UP/AIRS4 ,%E DID N "K MY %>E
9 3TRIBUT+ 6! 4TURB.E1 & ,I 0 ANXI\S
6KEEP H] 9 IGNOR.E4
  8,I'M NE>LY 4TRACT$1 ,NELLY60 %E
EXCLAIM$1 ?R[+ H]F ON ! S(A4 8,A ?\S&
SMI?S' HAMM]S >E B1T+ 9 MY H1D6 ,TELL
,ISABELLA 6%UN ME2 ? UPRO> IS [+ 6H]2 &
%D %E OR ANY "O ELSE A7RAVATE MY ANG] AT
PRES5T1 ,I % GET WILD4 ,&1 ,NELLY1 SAY
6,$G>1 IF Y SEE HM AG TN1 T ,I'M 9 DANG]
( 2+ S]I\SLY ILL4 ,I WI% X MAY PROVE
TRUE4 ,HE HAS />TL$ & 4TRESS$ ME
%OCK+LY6 ,I WANT 6F"R5 HM4 ,2SS1 HE MI<T
-E & 2G9 A /R+ ( ABUSE OR -PLA9+S2 ,I'M
C]TA9 ,I %D RECRIM9ATE1 & ,GOD "KS ": WE
%D 5D6 ,W Y D S1 MY GD ,NELLY8 ,Y >E
AW>E T ,I AM 9 NO WAY BLAMEA# 9 ? MATT]4
,:AT POSSESS$ HM 6TURN LI/5]8
,H1?CLIFF'S TALK 0 \TRAGE\S1 AF Y LEFT
U2 B ,I CD SOON H DIV]T$ HM F ,ISABELLA1
&! RE/ M1NT NO?+4 ,N[ ALL IS DA%$ WR;G2
0! FOOL'S CRAV+ 6HE> EVIL ( SELF1 T
HAUNTS "S P L A DEMON6 ,_H ,$G> N"E
GA!R$ \R 3V]S,N1 HE WD N"E H BE5 ! WORSE
= X4 ,RE,Y1 :5 HE OP5$ ON ME 9 T
UNR1SONA# T"O ( 4PL1SURE AF ,I _H SCOLD$
,H1?CLIFF TILL ,I 0 HO>SE = HM1 ,I DID N
C>E1 H>DLY1 :AT !Y DID 6EA* O!R2
ESPECI,Y Z ,I FELT T1 H["E ! SC5E CLOS$1
WE %D ALL 2 DRIV5 AS"U = NOBODY "KS H[
L;G6 ,WELL1 IF ,I _C KEEP ,H1?CLIFF = MY
FR- IF ,$G> W 2 M1N & J1L\S1 ,I'LL TRY
6BR1K _! HE>TS 0BR1K+ MY [N4 ,T W 2 A
PROMPT WAY ( F9I%+ ALL1 :5 ,I AM PU%$
6EXTREM;Y6 ,B X'S A DE$ 6BE RES]V$ =A
=LORN HOPE2 ,I'D N TAKE ,L9TON 0SURPRISE
) X4 ,6? PO9T HE HAS BE5 4CREET 9 DR1D+
6PROVOKE ME2 Y M/ REPRES5T ! P]IL (
QUITT+ T POLICY1 & REM9D HM ( MY
PAS.NATE TEMP]1 V]G+1 :5 K9DL$1 ON
FR5ZY4 ,I WI% Y CD 4MISS T APA?Y \ ( T
C.T5.E1 & LOOK R M ANXI\S AB ME40
  ,! /OLID;Y ) : ,I RCVD ^! 9/RUC;NS
WAS1 NO D\BT1 R EXASP]AT+3 = !Y 7
DELIV]$ 9 P]FECT S9C];Y2 B ,I 2LIEV$ A
P]SON :O CD PLAN ! TURN+ ( H] FITS (
PAS.N 6A3.T1 2FH&1 MI<T1 0EX]T+ H] W1
MANAGE 63TROL H]F TOL]ABLY1 EV5 :ILE "U
_! 9FLU;E2 & ,I DID N WI% TO 8F"R50 H]
HUSB&1 Z %E SD1 & MULTIPLY 8 ANNOY.ES =!
PURPOSE ( S]V+ H] SELFI%;S4 ,"!=E1 ,I SD
NO?+ :5 ,I MET ! MA/] -+ T[>DS ! P>L\R2
B ,I TOOK ! LIB]TY ( TURN+ BACK 6LI/5
:E!R !Y WD RESUME _! QU>REL TGR4 ,HE
2GAN 6SP1K F/4
  8,REMA9 ": Y >E1 ,CA!R9E10 HE SD2 )\T
ANY ANG] 9 8 VOICE1 B ) M* SORR[;L
DESPOND5CY4 8,I % N /AY4 ,I AM NEI -E
6WRANGLE NOR 2 RECONCIL$2 B ,I WI% J
6LE>N :E!R1 AF ? EV5+'S EV5TS1 Y 9T5D
63T9UE YR 9TIMACY )-0
  8,OH1 = M]CY'S SAKE10 9T]RUPT$ !
MI/RESS1 /AMP+ H] FOOT1 8= M]CY'S SAKE1
LET U HE> NO M ( X N[6 ,YR COLD BLOOD _C
2 "W$ 96A FEV]3 YR VE9S >E FULL ( ICE-
WAT]2 B M9E >E BOIL+1 &! SI<T ( S*
*ILL;S MAKES !M D.E40
  8,6GET RID ( ME1 ANSW] MY "Q10 P]SEV]$
,MR4 ,L9TON4 8,Y M/ ANSW] X2 & T VIOL;E
DOES N AL>M ME4 ,I H F.D T Y C 2 Z
/OICAL Z ANY "O1 :5 Y PL1SE4 ,W Y GIVE
UP ,H1?CLIFF "HAF1 OR W Y GIVE UP ME8 ,X
IS IMPOSSI# = Y 6BE MY FR & 8 AT ! SAME
"T2 & ,I ABSOLUTELY REQUIRE 6"K : Y
*OOSE40
  8,I REQUIRE 6BE LET AL"O60 EXCLAIM$
,CA!R9E FURI\SLY1 8,I DEM& X6 ,DON'T Y
SEE ,I C SC>CELY /&8 ,$G>1 Y- Y L1VE
ME60
  ,%E RANG ! BELL TILL X BROKE )A TWANG2
,I 5T]$ LEISURELY4 ,X 0 5 6TRY ! TEMP]
(A SA9T1 S* S5SE.S1 WICK$ RAGES6 ,"! %E
LAY DA%+ H] H1D AG/ ! >M (! S(A1 & GR9D+
H] TEE?1 S T Y MI<T FANCY %E WD CRA% !M
6SPL9T]S6 ,MR4 ,L9TON /OOD LOOK+ AT H] 9
SU45 -PUNC;N & FE>4 ,HE TOLD ME 6FET* "S
WAT]4 ,%E _H NO BR1? = SP1K+4 ,I BR"\ A
GLASS FULL2 & Z %E WD N DR9K1 ,I SPR9KL$
X ON H] FACE4 ,9 A FEW SECONDS %E /RET*$
H]F \ /IFF1 & TURN$ UP H] EYES1 :ILE H]
*EEKS1 AT ONCE BLAN*$ & LIVID1 ASSUM$ !
ASPECT ( D1?1 ,L9TON LOOK$ T]RIFI$4
  8,"! IS NO?+ 9 ! _W ! MATT]10 ,I
:ISP]$4 ,I DID N WANT HM 6YIELD1 ?\< ,I
CD N HELP 2+ AFRAID 9 MY HE>T4
  8,%E HAS BLOOD ON H] LIPS60 HE SD1
%U4]+4
  8,N"E M9D60 ,I ANSW]$ T>TLY4 ,& ,I
TOLD HM H[ %E _H RESOLV$1 PREVI\S 6HIS
-+1 ON EXHIBIT+ A FIT ( FR5ZY1 ,I
9CAUTI\SLY GAVE ! A3.T AL\D4 & %E HE>D
ME2 = %E />T$ UP- H] HAIR FLY+ OV] H]
%\LD]S1 H] EYES FLA%+1 ! MUSCLES ( H]
NECK & >MS /&+ \ PRET]NATUR,Y4 ,I MADE
UP MY M9D = BROK5 B"OS1 AT L1/2 B %E
ONLY GL>$ AB H] = AN 9/ANT1 & !N RU%$ F
! ROOM4 ,! MA/] DIRECT$ ME 6FOLL[2 ,I
DID1 6H] *AMB] DOOR3 %E H9D]$ ME F GO+
FUR!R 0SECUR+ X AG/ ME4
  ,Z %E N"E (F]$ 6DESC5D 6BR1KFA/ NEXT
MORN+1 ,I W5T 6ASK :E!R %E WD H "S C>RI$
UP4 8,NO60 %E REPLI$ P]EMPTORILY4 ,!
SAME "Q 0 REP1T$ AT D9N] & TEA2 & AG ON
! MORR[ AF1 & RCVD ! SAME ANSW]4 ,MR4
,L9TON1 ON 8 "P1 SP5T 8 "T 9 ! LIBR>Y1 &
DID N 5QUIRE 3C]N+ 8 WIFE'S O3UP,NS4
,ISABELLA & HE _H _H AN H\R'S 9T]VIEW1
DUR+ : HE TRI$ 6ELICIT F H] "S S5TI;T (
PROP] HORROR = ,H1?CLIFF'S ADV.ES3 B HE
CD MAKE NO?+ ( H] EVASIVE REPLIES1 & 0
OBLIG$ 6CLOSE ! EXAM9,N
UNSATISFACTORILY2 A4+1 H["E1 A SOLEMN
W>N+1 T IF %E 7 S 9SANE Z 65C\RAGE T
WOR?.S SUITOR1 X WD 4SOLVE ALL BONDS (
REL,N%IP 2T H]F & HM4