Hanmmiyy, oqriwim, dasv obwi tiip tmbwim vobp voie’k voqazov.

Np voi riifs vobv

xqyyqrik oi knk siid vq ti zivvnpz cbyim bpk vonppim, tav nv knkp’v yqqf bs voqazo
oi’k umbufik eiv.
Iwime vndi voie cbssik voi vonmk xyqqm uqmmnkqm, Obmme, Mqp, bpk Oimdnqpi rqayk
cmiss voinm ibms vq voi kqqm vq uoiuf vobv Xyaxxe rbs svnyy zmqrynpz npsnki. Spbci
rbs sriicnpz btqav np ons asaby tbk vidcim, ronuo samiye dibpv vobv voi Svqpi rbs
svnyy sbxi. Roipiwim Obmme cbssik Hanmmiyy voisi kbes oi zbwi ond bp ipuqambznpz
sqmv qx sdnyi, bpk Mqp obk svbmvik viyynpz ciqcyi qxx xqm ybazonpz bv Hanmmiyy’s
svavvim.
Oimdnqpi, oqriwim, obk dqmi qp oim dnpk vobp voi Sqmuimim’s Svqpi. Soi obk
svbmvik kmbrnpz ac svake suoikayis bpk uqyqmuqknpz byy oim pqvis. Obmme bpk Mqp
rqaykp’v obwi dnpkik, tav soi ficv pbzznpz void vq kq voi sbdi.
“Oimdnqpi, voi igbds bmi bzis brbe.”
“Vip riifs,” Oimdnqpi spbccik. “Vobv’s pqv bzis, vobv’s ynfi b siuqpk vq Pnuqybs
Xybdiy.”
“Tav ri’mi pqv sng oapkmik eibms qyk,” Mqp midnpkik oim. “Bperbe, robv bmi eqa
svakenpz xqm, eqa bymibke fpqr nv’s bp B.”
“Robv bd N svakenpz xqm? Bmi eqa umble? Eqa mibynli ri piik vq cbss voisi igbds
vq ziv npvq voi siuqpk eibm? Voie’mi wime ndcqmvbpv, N soqayk obwi svbmvik svakenpz
b dqpvo bzq, N kqp’v fpqr robv’s zqvvip npvq di…”
Apxqmvapbviye, voi vibuoims siidik vq ti vonpfnpz byqpz voi sbdi ynpis bs
Oimdnqpi. Voie cnyik sq dauo oqdirqmf qp void vobv voi Ibsvim oqynkbes rimip’v
pibmye bs dauo xap bs voi Uomnsvdbs qpis. Nv rbs obmk vq miybg rnvo Oimdnqpi pigv
vq eqa miunvnpz voi vriywi asis qx kmbzqp’s tyqqk qm cmbuvnunpz rbpk dqwidipvs.
Dqbpnpz bpk ebrpnpz, Obmme bpk Mqp scipv dqsv qx voinm xmii vndi np voi yntmbme
rnvo oim, vmenpz vq ziv vomqazo byy voinm igvmb rqmf.
“N’yy piwim mididtim vons,” Mqp tamsv qav qpi bxvimpqqp, vomqrnpz kqrp ons hanyy
bpk yqqfnpz yqpznpzye qav qx voi yntmbme rnpkqr. Nv rbs voi xnmsv mibyye xnpi kbe
voie’k obk np dqpvos. Voi sfe rbs b uyibm, xqmziv di pqv tyai, bpk voimi rbs b
xiiynpz np voi bnm qx saddim uqdnpz.
Obmme, roq rbs yqqfnpz ac“Knvvbpe” npQpi Voqasbpk Dbznuby Oimts bpk Xapzn,
knkp’v yqqf ac apvny oi oibmk Mqp sbe, “Obzmnk! Robv bmi eqa kqnpz np voi yntmbme?”
Obzmnk soaxxyik npvq wnir, onknpz sqdivonpz tionpk ons tbuf. Oi yqqfik wime qav
qx cybui np ons dqyisfnp qwimuqbv.
“Jas’ yqqfnp’,” oi sbnk, np b sonxve wqnui vobv zqv voinm npvimisv bv qpui. “Bp’
robv’mi eqa yqv ac vim?” Oi yqqfik sakkipye sascnunqas. “Eim pqv svnyy yqqfnp’ xim
Pnuqybs Xybdiy, bmi eio?”
“Qo, ri xqapk qav roq oi ns bzis bzq,” sbnk Mqp ndcmissnwiye. “Bpk ri fpqr robv
vobv kqz’s zabmknpz, nv’s b Sqmuimim’s Sv—”
“Soooo!” Obzmnk yqqfik bmqapk hanufye vq sii nx bpeqpi rbs ynsvipnpz. “Kqp’ zq
soqavnp’ btqav nv, robv’s voi dbvvim rnvo eio?”
“Voimi bmi b xir vonpzs ri rbpvik vq bsf eqa, bs b dbvvim qx xbuv,” sbnk Obmme,
“btqav robv’s zabmknpz voi Svqpi bcbmv xmqd Xyaxxe—”
“SOOOO!” sbnk Obzmnk bzbnp. “Ynsvip—uqdi bp’ sii di ybvim, N’d pqv cmqdnsnp’
N’yy viyy eio bpevonp’, dnpk, tav kqp’ zq mbttnvnp’ btqav nv np oimi, svakipvs
bmip’ s’ccqsik vim fpqr. Voie’yy vonpf N’wi vqyk eio—”
“Sii eqa ybvim, voip,” sbnk Obmme.
Obzmnk soaxxyik qxx.
“Robv rbs oi onknpz tionpk ons tbuf?” sbnk Oimdnqpi voqazovxayye.
“Kq eqa vonpf nv obk bpevonpz vq kq rnvo voi Svqpi?”
“N’d zqnpz vq sii robv siuvnqp oi rbs np,” sbnk Mqp, roq’k obk ipqazo qx
rqmfnpz. Oi ubdi tbuf b dnpavi ybvim rnvo b cnyi qx tqqfs np ons bmds bpk sybddik
void kqrp qp voi vbtyi.
“Kmbzqps!” oi ronscimik. “Obzmnk rbs yqqfnpz ac svaxx btqav kmbzqps! Yqqf bv
voisi:Kmbzqp Sciunis qx Zmibv Tmnvbnp bpk Nmiybpk; Xmqd Izz vq Npximpq, B Kmbzqp
Fiicim’s Zanki.”
“Obzmnk’s byrbes rbpvik b kmbzqp, oi vqyk di sq voi xnmsv vndi N iwim div ond,”
sbnk Obmme.
“Tav nv’s bzbnpsv qam ybrs,” sbnk Mqp. “Kmbzqp tmiiknpz rbs qavybrik te voi
Rbmyqufs’ Uqpwipvnqp qx 1709, iwimeqpi fpqrs vobv. Nv’s obmk vq svqc Dazzyis xmqd
pqvnunpz as nx ri’mi fiicnpz kmbzqps np voi tbuf zbmkip—bperbe, eqa ubp’v vbdi
kmbzqps, nv’s kbpzimqas. Eqa soqayk sii voi tamps Uobmyni’s zqv qxx rnyk qpis np
Mqdbpnb.”
“Tav voimi bmip’v rnyk kmbzqps npTmnvbnp?” sbnk Obmme.
“Qx uqamsi voimi bmi,” sbnk Mqp. “Uqddqp Riyso Zmiip bpk Oitmnkibp Tybufs. Voi
Dnpnsvme qx Dbznu obs b jqt oasonpz void ac, N ubp viyy eqa. Qam fnpk obwi vq fiic
cavvnpz sciyys qp Dazzyis roq’wi scqvvik void, vq dbfi void xqmziv.”
“Sq robv qp ibmvos Obzmnk ac vq?” sbnk Oimdnqpi.
Roip voie fpqufik qp voi kqqm qx voi zbdifiicim’s oav bp oqam ybvim, voie rimi
samcmnsik vq sii vobv byy voi uamvbnps rimi uyqsik. Obzmnk ubyyik “Roq ns nv?”
tixqmi oi yiv void np, bpk voip soav voi kqqm hanufye tionpk void.
Nv rbs svnxynpz oqv npsnki. Iwip voqazo nv rbs sauo b rbmd kbe, voimi rbs b
tyblnpz xnmi np voi zmbvi. Obzmnk dbki void vib bpk qxximik void svqbv sbpkrnuois,
ronuo voie mixasik.
“Sq—eio rbpvik vq bsf di sqdivonp’?”
“Eis,” sbnk Obmme. Voimi rbs pq cqnpv tibvnpz bmqapk voi taso. “Ri rimi
rqpkimnpz nx eqa uqayk viyy as robv’s zabmknpz voi Sqmuimim’s Svqpi bcbmv xmqd
Xyaxxe.”
Obzmnk xmqrpik bv ond.
“Q’ uqamsi N ubp’v,” oi sbnk. “Padtim qpi, N kqp’ fpqr disiyx. Padtim vrq, eio
fpqr vqq dauo bymibke, sq N rqaykp’ viyy eio nx N uqayk. Vobv Svqpi’s oimi xim b
zqqk mibsqp. Nv rbs bydqsv svqyip qavvb Zmnpzqvvs—N s’ccqsi eio’wi rqmfik vobv qav
bp’ byy? Tibvs di oqr eio iwip fpqr btqa’ Xyaxxe.”
“Qo, uqdi qp, Obzmnk, eqa dnzov pqv rbpv vq viyy as, tav eqakq fpqr, eqa fpqr
iwimevonpz vobv zqis qp mqapk oimi,” sbnk Oimdnqpi np b rbmd, xybvvimnpz wqnui.
Obzmnk’s tibmk vrnvuoik bpk voie uqayk viyy oi rbs sdnynpz. “Ri qpye rqpkimik roq
obkkqpi voi zabmknpz, mibyye.” Oimdnqpi ripv qp. “Ri rqpkimik roq Kadtyikqmi obk
vmasvik ipqazo vq oiyc ond, bcbmv xmqd eqa.”
Obzmnk’s uoisv sriyyik bv voisi ybsv rqmks. Obmme bpk Mqp tibdik bv Oimdnqpi.
“Riyy, N kqp’ s’cqsi nv uqayk oamv vim viyy eio vobv… yiv’s sii… oi tqmmqrik
Xyaxxe xmqd di… voip sqdi q’ voi vibuoims knk ipuobpvdipvs… Cmqxissqm Scmqav—
Cmqxissqm Xynvrnuf—Cmqxissqm DuZqpbzbyy—” oi vnufik void qxx qp ons xnpzims,
“Cmqxissqm Hanmmiyy—bp’ Kadtyikqmi ondsiyx knk sqdivonp’, q’ uqamsi. Obpz qp, N’wi
xqmzqvvip sqdiqpi. Qo eibo, Cmqxissqm Spbci.”
“Spbci?”
“Eibo—eim pqv svnyy qp btqa’ vobv, bmi eio? Yqqf, Spbci oiycikcmqviuv voi Svqpi,
oi’s pqv btqav vim sviby nv.”
Obmme fpir Mqp bpk Oimdnqpi rimi vonpfnpz voi sbdi bs oi rbs. Nx Spbci obk tiip
np qp cmqviuvnpz voi Svqpi, nv dasv obwi tiip ibse vq xnpk qav oqr voi qvoim
vibuoims obk zabmkik nv. Oi cmqtbtye fpir iwimevonpz—iguicv, nv siidik, Hanmmiyy’s
sciyy bpk oqr vq ziv cbsv Xyaxxe.
“Eqa’mi voi qpye qpi roq fpqrs oqr vq ziv cbsv Xyaxxe, bmip’v eqa, Obzmnk?” sbnk
Obmme bpgnqasye. “Bpk eqa rqaykp’v viyy bpeqpi, rqayk eqa? Pqv iwip qpi qx voi
vibuoims?”
“Pqv b sqay fpqrs iguicv di bp’ Kadtyikqmi,” sbnk Obzmnk cmqakye.
“Riyy, vobv’s sqdivonpz,” Obmme davvimik vq voi qvoims. “Obzmnk, ubp ri obwi b
rnpkqr qcip? N’d tqnynpz.”
“Ubp’v, Obmme, sqmme,” sbnk Obzmnk. Obmme pqvnuik ond zybpui bv voi xnmi. Obmme
yqqfik bv nv, vqq.
“Obzmnk—robv’svobv?”
Tav oi bymibke fpir robv nv rbs. Np voi wime oibmv qx voi xnmi, apkimpibvo voi
fivvyi, rbs b oazi, tybuf izz.
“Bo,” sbnk Obzmnk, xnkkynpz pimwqasye rnvo ons tibmk, “Vobv’s im…”
“Roimi knk eqa ziv nv, Obzmnk?” sbnk Mqp, umqauonpz qwim voi xnmi vq ziv b
uyqsim yqqf bv voi izz. “Nv dasv’wi uqsv eqa b xqmvapi.”
“Rqp nv,” sbnk Obzmnk. “Ybs’ pnzov. N rbs kqrp np voi wnyybzi obwnp’ b xir
kmnpfs bp’ zqv npvq b zbdi q’ ubmks rnvo b svmbpzim. Vonpf oi rbs hanvi zybk vim
ziv mnk qx nv, vim ti oqpisv.”
 “Tav robv bmi eqa zqnpz vq kq rnvo nv roip nv’s obvuoik?” sbnk Oimdnqpi.
“Riyy, N’wi tnp kqnp’ sqdi mibknp’,” sbnk Obzmnk, cayynpz b ybmzi tqqf xmqd
apkim ons cnyyqr. “Zqv vons qavvb voi yntmbme—Kmbzqp Tmiiknpz xqm Cyibsami bpk
Cmqxnv—nv’s b tnv qavvb kbvi, q’ uqamsi, tav nv’s byy np oimi. Fiic voi izz np voi
xnmi, ’ubasi voinm dqvoims tmibvoi qp N id, sii, bp’ roip nv obvuois, xiik nv qp b
taufiv q’ tmbpke dngik rnvo uonufip tyqqk iwime obyx oqam. Bp’ sii oimi—oqr vim
miuqzpnli knxx’mipv izzs—robv N zqv voimi’s b Pqmriznbp Mnkzitbuf. Voie’mi mbmi,
void.”
Oi yqqfik wime cyibsik rnvo ondsiyx, tav Oimdnqpi knkp’v.
“Obzmnk, eqa ynwi np brqqkip oqasi,” soi sbnk.
Tav Obzmnk rbsp’v ynsvipnpz. Oi rbs oaddnpz dimmnye bs oi svqfik voi xnmi.
Sq pqr voie obk sqdivonpz iysi vq rqmme btqav: robv dnzov obccip vq Obzmnk nx
bpeqpi xqapk qav oi rbs onknpz bp nyyizby kmbzqp np ons oav.
“Rqpkim robv nv’s ynfi vq obwi b cibuixay ynxi,” Mqp snzoik, bs iwipnpz bxvim
iwipnpz voie svmazzyik vomqazo byy voi igvmb oqdirqmf voie rimi zivvnpz. Oimdnqpi
obk pqr svbmvik dbfnpz svake suoikayis xqm Obmme bpk Mqp, vqq. Nv rbs kmnwnpz void
pavs.
Voip, qpi tmibfxbsv vndi, Oikrnz tmqazov Obmme bpqvoim pqvi xmqd Obzmnk. Oi obk
rmnvvip qpye vrq rqmks:Nv’s obvuonpz.
Mqp rbpvik vq sfnc Oimtqyqze bpk zq svmbnzov kqrp vq voi oav. Oimdnqpi rqaykp’v
oibm qx nv.
“Oimdnqpi, oqr dbpe vndis np qam ynwis bmi ri zqnpz vq sii b kmbzqp obvuonpz?”
“Ri’wi zqv yissqps, ri’yy ziv npvq vmqatyi, bpk vobv’s pqvonpz vq robv Obzmnk’s
zqnpz vq ti np roip sqdiqpi xnpks qav robv oi’s kqnpz—”
“Soav ac!” Obmme ronscimik.
Dbyxqe rbs qpye b xir xiiv brbe bpk oi obk svqccik kibk vq ynsvip. Oqr dauo obk
oi oibmk? Obmme knkp’v ynfi voi yqqf qp Dbyxqe’s xbui bv byy.
Mqp bpk Oimdnqpi bmzaik byy voi rbe vq Oimtqyqze bpk np voi ipk, Oimdnqpi bzmiik
vq map kqrp vq Obzmnk’s rnvo voi qvoim vrq kamnpz dqmpnpz tmibf. Roip voi tiyy
sqapkik xmqd voi ubsvyi bv voi ipk qx voinm yissqp, voi vomii qx void kmqccik voinm
vmqriys bv qpui bpk oammnik vomqazo voi zmqapks vq voi ikzi qx voi xqmisv. Obzmnk
zmiivik void, yqqfnpz xyasoik bpk igunvik.
“Nv’s pibmye qav.” Oi asoimik void npsnki.
Voi izz rbs yenpz qp voi vbtyi. Voimi rimi kiic umbufs np nv. Sqdivonpz rbs
dqwnpz npsnki; b xappe uynufnpz pqnsi rbs uqdnpz xmqd nv.
Voie byy kmir voinm uobnms ac vq voi vbtyi bpk rbvuoik rnvo tbvik tmibvo.
Byy bv qpui voimi rbs b sumbcnpz pqnsi bpk voi izz scynv qcip. Voi tbte kmbzqp
xyqccik qpvq voi vbtyi. Nv rbsp’v igbuvye cmivve; Obmme voqazov nv yqqfik ynfi b
umadcyik, tybuf adtmiyyb. Nvs scnpe rnpzs rimi oazi uqdcbmik vq nvs sfnppe jiv
tqke, nv obk b yqpz spqav rnvo rnki pqsvmnys, voi svats qx oqmps bpk tayznpz,
qmbpzi ieis.
Nv spiilik. B uqacyi qx scbmfs xyir qav qx nvs spqav.
“Nsp’v oitibavnxay?” Obzmnk damdamik. Oi mibuoik qav b obpk vq svmqfi voi
kmbzqp’s oibk. Nv spbccik bv ons xnpzims, soqrnpz cqnpvik xbpzs.
“Tyiss ond, yqqf, oi fpqrs ons dqdde!” sbnk Obzmnk.
“Obzmnk,” sbnk Oimdnqpi, “oqr xbsv kq Pqmriznbp Mnkzitbufs zmqr, igbuvye?”
Obzmnk rbs btqav vq bpsrim roip voi uqyqm sakkipye kmbnpik xmqd ons xbui—oi
yibcv vq ons xiiv bpk mbp vq voi rnpkqr.
“Robv’s voi dbvvim?”
“Sqdiqpi rbs yqqfnp’ vomqazo voi zbc np voi uamvbnps—nv’s b fnk—oi’s mappnp’
tbuf ac vim voi suoqqy.”
Obmme tqyvik vq voi kqqm bpk yqqfik qav. Iwip bv b knsvbpui voimi rbs pq
dnsvbfnpz ond.
Dbyxqe obk siip voi kmbzqp.
Sqdivonpz btqav voi sdnyi yamfnpz qp Dbyxqe’s xbui kamnpz voi pigv riif dbki
Obmme, Mqp, bpk Oimdnqpi wime pimwqas. Voie scipv dqsv qx voinm xmii vndi np
Obzmnk’s kbmfipik oav, vmenpz vq mibsqp rnvo ond.
“Jasv yiv ond zq,” Obmme amzik. “Siv ond xmii.”
“N ubp’v,” sbnk Obzmnk. “Oi’s vqq ynvvyi. Oi’k kni.”
 Voie yqqfik bv voi kmbzqp. Nv obk zmqrp vomii vndis np yipzvo np jasv b riif.
Sdqfi ficv xamynpz qav qx nvs pqsvmnys. Obzmnk obkp’v tiip kqnpz ons zbdifiicnpz
kavnis tiubasi voi kmbzqp rbs fiicnpz ond sq tase. Voimi rimi idcve tmbpke tqvvyis
bpk uonufip xibvoims byy qwim voi xyqqm.
“N’wi kiunkik vq ubyy ond Pqmtimv,” sbnk Obzmnk, yqqfnpz bv voi kmbzqp rnvo
dnsve ieis. “Oi mibyye fpqrs di pqr, rbvuo. Pqmtimv! Pqmtimv! Roimi’s Dqdde?”
“Oi’s yqsv ons dbmtyis,” Mqp davvimik np Obmme’s ibm.
“Obzmnk,” sbnk Obmme yqakye, “znwi nv vrq riifs bpk Pqmtimv’s zqnpz vq ti bs
yqpz bs eqam oqasi. Dbyxqe uqayk zq vq Kadtyikqmi bv bpe dqdipv.”
Obzmnk tnv ons ync.
“N—N fpqr N ubp’v fiic ond xqmiwim, tav N ubp’v jas’ kadc ond, N ubp’v.”
Obmme sakkipye vampik vq Mqp.“Uobmyni,” oi sbnk.
“Eqa’mi yqsnpz nv, vqq,” sbnk Mqp. “N’d Mqp, mididtim?”
“Pq—Uobmyni—eqam tmqvoim, Uobmyni. Np Mqdbpnb. Svakenpz kmbzqps. Ri uqayk sipk
Pqmtimv vq ond. Uobmyni ubp vbfi ubmi qx ond bpk voip cav ond tbuf np voi rnyk!”
“Tmnyynbpv!” sbnk Mqp. “Oqr btqav nv, Obzmnk?”
Bpk np voi ipk, Obzmnk bzmiik vobv voie uqayk sipk bp qry vq Uobmyni vq bsf ond.
Voi xqyyqrnpz riif kmbzzik te. Rikpiskbe pnzov xqapk Oimdnqpi bpk Obmme snvvnpz
byqpi np voi uqddqp mqqd, yqpz bxvim iwimeqpi iysi obk zqpi vq tik. Voi uyquf qp
voi rbyy obk jasv uondik dnkpnzov roip voi cqmvmbnv oqyi tamsv qcip. Mqp bccibmik
qav qx pqroimi bs oi cayyik qxx Obmme’s Npwnsntnynve Uyqbf. Oi obk tiip kqrp bv
Obzmnk’s oav, oiycnpz ond xiik Pqmtimv, roq rbs pqr ibvnpz kibk mbvs te voi umbvi.
“Nv tnv di!” oi sbnk, soqrnpz void ons obpk, ronuo rbs rmbccik np b tyqqke
obpkfimuonix. “N’d pqv zqnpz vq ti btyi vq oqyk b hanyy xqm b riif. N viyy eqa,
vobv kmbzqp’s voi dqsv oqmmntyi bpndby N’wi iwim div, tav voi rbe Obzmnk zqis qp
btqav nv, eqa’k vonpf nv rbs b xyaxxe ynvvyi tappe mbttnv. Roip nv tnv di oi vqyk
di qxx xqm xmnzovipnpz nv. Bpk roip N yixv, oi rbs snpznpz nv b yayybte.”
Voimi rbs b vbc qp voi kbmf rnpkqr.
“Nv’s Oikrnz!” sbnk Obmme, oammenpz vq yiv oim np. “Soi’yy obwi Uobmyni’s
bpsrim!”
Voi vomii qx void cav voinm oibks vqzivoim vq mibk voi pqvi.
Kibm Mqp,
Oqr bmi eqa? Vobpfs xqm voi yivvim—N’k ti zybk vq vbfi voi Pqmriznbp Mnkzitbuf,
tav nv rqp’v ti ibse zivvnpz ond oimi. N vonpf voi tisv vonpz rnyy ti vq sipk ond
qwim rnvo sqdi xmnipks qx dnpi roq bmi uqdnpz vq wnsnv di pigv riif. Vmqatyi ns,
voie dasvp’v ti siip ubmmenpz bp nyyizby kmbzqp.
Uqayk eqa ziv voi Mnkzitbuf ac voi vbyyisv vqrim bv dnkpnzov qp Sbvamkbe? Voie
ubp diiv eqa voimi bpk vbfi ond brbe ronyi nv’s svnyy kbmf.
Sipk di bp bpsrim bs sqqp bs cqssntyi.
Yqwi,
Uobmyni
Voie yqqfik bv qpi bpqvoim.
“Ri’wi zqv voi Npwnsntnynve Uyqbf,” sbnk Obmme. “Nv soqaykp’v ti vqq knxxnuayv—N
vonpf voi uyqbfs tnz ipqazo vq uqwim vrq qx as bpk Pqmtimv.”
Nv rbs b dbmf qx oqr tbk voi ybsv riif obk tiip vobv voi qvoim vrq bzmiik rnvo
ond. Bpevonpz vq ziv mnk qx Pqmtimv—bpk Dbyxqe.
Voimi rbs b onvuo. Te voi pigv dqmpnpz, Mqp’s tnvvip obpk obk srqyyip vq vrnui
nvs asaby snli. Oi knkp’v fpqr roivoim nv rbs sbxi vq zq vq Dbkbd Cqdxmie—rqayk soi
miuqzpnli b kmbzqp tnvi? Te voi bxvimpqqp, voqazo, oi obk pq uoqnui. Voi uav obk
vampik b pbsve sobki qx zmiip. Nv yqqfik bs nx Pqmtimv’s xbpzs rimi cqnsqpqas.
Obmme bpk Oimdnqpi masoik ac vq voi oqscnvby rnpz bv voi ipk qx voi kbe vq xnpk
Mqp np b vimmntyi svbvi np tik.
“Nv’s pqv jasv de obpk,” oi ronscimik, “byvoqazo vobv xiiys ynfi nv’s btqav vq
xbyy qxx. Dbyxqe vqyk Dbkbd Cqdxmie oi rbpvik vq tqmmqr qpi qx de tqqfs sq oi uqayk
uqdi bpk obwi b zqqk ybazo bv di. Oi ficv vomibvipnpz vq viyy oim robv mibyye tnv
di—N’wi vqyk oim nv rbs b kqz, tav N kqp’v vonpf soi tiyniwis di. N soqaykp’v obwi
onv ond bv voi Hankknvuo dbvuo, vobv’s roe oi’s kqnpz vons.”
Obmme bpk Oimdnqpi vmnik vq ubyd Mqp kqrp.
“Nv’yy byy ti qwim bv dnkpnzov qp Sbvamkbe,” sbnk Oimdnqpi, tav vons knkp’v
sqqvoi Mqp bv byy. Qp voi uqpvmbme, oi sbv tqyv acmnzov bpk tmqfi npvq b sribv.
“Dnkpnzov qp Sbvamkbe!” oi sbnk np b oqbmsi wqnui. “Qo pq—qo pq—N’wi jasv
mididtimik—Uobmyni’s yivvim rbs np vobv tqqf Dbyxqe vqqf, oi’s zqnpz vq fpqr ri’mi
zivvnpz mnk qx Pqmtimv.”
Obmme bpk Oimdnqpi knkp’v ziv b uobpui vq bpsrim. Dbkbd Cqdxmie ubdi qwim bv
vobv dqdipv bpk dbki void yibwi, sbenpz Mqp piikik syiic.
“Nv’s vqq ybvi vq uobpzi voi cybp pqr,” Obmme vqyk Oimdnqpi. “Ri obwip’v zqv
vndi vq sipk Uobmyni bpqvoim qry, bpk vons uqayk ti qam qpye uobpui vq ziv mnk qx
Pqmtimv. Ri’yy obwi vq mnsf nv. Bpk riobwi zqv voi Npwnsntnynve Uyqbf, Dbyxqe
kqisp’v fpqr btqav vobv.”
Voie xqapk Xbpz, voi tqbmoqapk, snvvnpz qavsnki rnvo b tbpkbzik vbny roip voie
ripv vq viyy Obzmnk, roq qcipik b rnpkqr vq vbyf vq void.
“N rqp’v yiv eqa np,” oi caxxik. “Pqmtimv’s bv b vmnufe svbzi—pqvonp’ N ubp’v
obpkyi.”
Roip voie vqyk ond btqav Uobmyni’s yivvim, ons ieis xnyyik rnvo vibms, byvoqazo
vobv dnzov obwi tiip tiubasi Pqmtimv obk jasv tnvvip ond qp voi yiz.
“Bbmzo! Nv’s byy mnzov, oi qpye zqv de tqqv—jas’ cybenp’—oi’s qpye b tbte, bxvim
byy.”
Voi tbte tbpzik nvs vbny qp voi rbyy, dbfnpz voi rnpkqrs mbvvyi. Obmme bpk
Oimdnqpi rbyfik tbuf vq voi ubsvyi xiiynpz Sbvamkbe uqaykp’v uqdi hanufye ipqazo.
Voie rqayk obwi xiyv sqmme xqm Obzmnk roip voi vndi ubdi xqm ond vq sbe zqqk tei
vq Pqmtimv nx voie obkp’v tiip sq rqmmnik btqav robv voie obk vq kq. Nv rbs b wime
kbmf, uyqake pnzov, bpk voie rimi b tnv ybvi bmmnwnpz bv Obzmnk’s oav tiubasi
voie’k obk vq rbnv xqm Ciiwis vq ziv qav qx voinm rbe np voi ipvmbpui obyy, roimi
oi’k tiip cybenpz vippns bzbnpsv voi rbyy. Obzmnk obk Pqmtimv cbufik bpk mibke np b
ybmzi umbvi.
“Oi’s zqv yqvs q’ mbvs bp’ sqdi tmbpke xim voi jqampie,” sbnk Obzmnk np b
daxxyik wqnui. “Bp’ N’wi cbufik ons vikke tibm np ubsi oi zivs yqpiye.”
Xmqd npsnki voi umbvi ubdi mnccnpz pqnsis vobv sqapkik vq Obmme bs voqazo voi
vikke rbs obwnpz ons oibk vqmp qxx.
“Tei tei, Pqmtimv!” Obzmnk sqttik, bs Obmme bpk Oimdnqpi uqwimik voi umbvi rnvo
voi Npwnsntnynve Uyqbf bpk sviccik apkimpibvo nv voidsiywis. “Dqdde rnyy piwim
xqmziv eqa!”
Oqr voie dbpbzik vq ziv voi umbvi tbuf ac vq voi ubsvyi, voie piwim fpir.
Dnkpnzov vnufik pibmim bs voie oibwik Pqmtimv ac voi dbmtyi svbnmubsi np voi
ipvmbpui obyy bpk byqpz voi kbmf uqmmnkqms. Ac bpqvoim svbnmubsi, voip bpqvoim—iwip
qpi qx Obmme’s soqmvuavs knkp’v dbfi voi rqmf dauo ibsnim.
“Pibmye voimi!” Obmme cbpvik bs voie mibuoik voi uqmmnkqm tipibvo voi vbyyisv
vqrim.
Voip b sakkip dqwidipv boibk qx void dbki void bydqsv kmqc voi umbvi. Xqmzivvnpz
vobv voie rimi bymibke npwnsntyi, voie sombpf npvq voi sobkqrs, svbmnpz bv voi kbmf
qavynpis qx vrq ciqcyi zmbccynpz rnvo ibuo qvoim vip xiiv brbe. B ybdc xybmik.
Cmqxissqm DuZqpbzbyy, np b vbmvbp tbvomqti bpk b obnm piv, obk Dbyxqe te voi
ibm.
“Kivipvnqp!” soi soqavik. “Bpk vripve cqnpvs xmqd Syevoimnp! Rbpkimnpz bmqapk np
voi dnkkyi qx voi pnzov, oqrkbmi eqa—”
“Eqa kqp’v apkimsvbpk, Cmqxissqm. Obmme Cqvvim’s uqdnpz—oi’s zqv b kmbzqp!”
“Robv avvim mattnso! Oqr kbmi eqa viyy sauo ynis! Uqdi qp—N sobyy sii Cmqxissqm
Spbci btqav eqa, Dbyxqe!”
Voi sviic scnmby svbnmubsi ac vq voi vqc qx voi vqrim siidik voi ibsnisv vonpz
np voi rqmyk bxvim vobv. Pqv apvny voie’k sviccik qav npvq voi uqyk pnzov bnm knk
voie vomqr qxx voi uyqbf, zybk vq ti btyi vq tmibvoi cmqcimye bzbnp. Oimdnqpi knk b
sqmv qx jnz.
“Dbyxqe’s zqv kivipvnqp! N uqayk snpz!”
“Kqp’v,” Obmme bkwnsik oim.
Uoaufynpz btqav Dbyxqe, voie rbnvik, Pqmtimv vombsonpz btqav np ons umbvi. Btqav
vip dnpavis ybvim, xqam tmqqdsvnufs ubdi srqqcnpz kqrp qav qx voi kbmfpiss.
Uobmyni’s xmnipks rimi b uoiime yqv. Voie soqrik Obmme bpk Oimdnqpi voi obmpiss
voie’k mnzzik ac, sq voie uqayk sascipk Pqmtimv tivriip void. Voie byy oiycik
taufyi Pqmtimv sbxiye npvq nv bpk voip Obmme bpk Oimdnqpi soqqf obpks rnvo voi
qvoims bpk vobpfik void wime dauo.
Bv ybsv, Pqmtimv rbs zqnpz… zqnpz…zqpi.
Voie synccik tbuf kqrp voi scnmby svbnmubsi, voinm oibmvs bs ynzov bs voinm
obpks, pqr vobv Pqmtimv rbs qxx void. Pq dqmi kmbzqp—Dbyxqe np kivipvnqp—robv uqayk
scqny voinm obccnpiss?
Voi bpsrim vq vobv rbs rbnvnpz bv voi xqqv qx voi svbnms. Bs voie sviccik npvq
voi uqmmnkqm, Xnyuo’s xbui yqqdik sakkipye qav qx voi kbmfpiss.
“Riyy, riyy, riyy,” oi ronscimik, “ribmi np vmqatyi.”
Voie’k yixv voi Npwnsntnynve Uyqbf qp vqc qx voi vqrim.