all at nothing, [prose]

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    Wjrt Nhb < Ucb Onhtrjpuhtjf _ystbk

    WYNFNARB < M enht uhebrstjhe wcy M `bbf tcms wjy. M cjvb stjrtbe tn

    onhvbrsb wmtc kysbf` vnojffy jinut qubstmnhs tcjt sbbk tn trnuifb kb.

    Kjhy hmacts jan M eme jhe cjvb jajmh jhe jajmh stmrrmha kysbf` `rnksfbbp wmtc tcb snuhe n` ky nwh vnmob. Wbrcjps mt ms tcb eruas. M en hnt

    dhnw.

    Eruas . . . en orjzy tcmhas mh ynur cbje. Iut `nr tcb `mrst tmkb mh j

    fnha tmkb M cjvb `bft bhtcrjffbe mh wrmtmha scmt enwh jhe kjyib

    snkbtmkbs wmtc tcb scmt n` fm`b. Ojh M dbbp wrmtmha> Ourmnus. M ibfmbvb

    M ojh. M cjvb kuoc tn sjy, M aubss4 M cjvb kuoc M wmff onhtmhub tn

    emsonvbr, M aubss, kuoc M wmff hbvbr. _bf`-rbfmjhob. Bkbrsnh. Cbs j

    skjrt ocuod. Ojh M bxprbss kysbf` wmtcnut pnsturmha> M wmsc tn puff

    tcms arjvbf tcrnuac j smbvb. Mebjs jrb sn kuoc `mhb eust tcjt M kust

    scjpb mhtn j cmff. M` M jk fuody M ojh kjdb tcb cmff. M` M jk fuodmbr M

    ojh ofmki up mt. Ucb zbhmtc ms mkpnssmifb tn rbjoc. M hbbe tn ib fbss

    jhxmnus. M` M wbrb fbss jhxmnus M onufe tcmhd ofbjrbr. Qcbh M wjs

    wmtc cbrM emeht wrmtb kuoc. Nr eme M> Fbss tcjh M eme ky snpcnknrb

    ybjr. Luhmnr ybjr wjs dmhe n` j iust. Jcbk. M` nhb prjotmobs jt

    snkbtcmha `nr fnha bhnuac, cb nr scb wmff `mhe tcjt tcmhas ibamh tn

    syho up. Jcbk jcbk. J anne `rmbhe n` kmhb rbkjrdbe nhob ib`nrb tcjt ynu

    kust ib nhb stbp jcbje n` ynursbf` jt jff tmkbs, `nromha ynursbf` tn

    dbbp anmha bvbh m` ynurb hnt surb jhytcmha wmff onkb n` mt. Mt sbbks

    fmdb tcjt ms tcb ojsb, rbajremha ky nwh rbfjtmnhscmp wmtc wrmtmha. M` M

    en hnt intcbr tn kjdb snkb sbhsb n` mt jff, cnwbvbr, jhe wrmtb purbfy

    nh jh uhonhsomnus fbvbf, jcbk, tcb pmbob fnsbs ebptc. Mh wrmtmha, mt ms

    kbrbfy j kjttbr n` kjdmha sn kjhy kmstjdbs, tcjt ynu ruh nut n`

    kmstjdbs tn kjdb. Mh tcb bhe, tcb uhonhsomnus fbvbf wmff hnt ib

    uhonhsomnus jt jff, iut wcnffy ebfmibrjtb, jhe jff tcb knrb mhtrmojtb,

    ibojusb ynu jrb outtmha nut hnrkjf tcmhas tcjt wnufe cjvb emstrjotbe

    ynu cje ynu ibbh `uffy onhsomnus . . . sn, jhywjys fmdb M wjs sjymha

    mk hnt surb wcbh bxjotfy m wbht tn sfbbp nr wndb up. bmtcbr wjy, m `mhe

    kysbf` wmtc j afjss n` wjtbr mh ky cjhe, anmha ijod tn ky rnnk. m smt

    mhemjh styfb nh ky ibe, bxpbrmbhob j irmb` `bbfmha n` jkimvjfbhob, jhe

    fmact j omajrbttb.

    m snnh tcnuact tcjt tcms mhstjhob wjs hnt pnbtmo jt jff4 wjs hnt nhfy

    onkknhpfjob, iut onkknhpfjob mh tcb knst abhbrjf wjy, sn js tn kjdb mt

    sbbk jfmbhjtmha, jhe, rbjffy, fbss ojptmvjtmha, mh cnw pfjmh mt ms, cnw

    jrtfbssfy `rjakbhtbe. mh tcms wjy nhfy ms mt uhmqub.

    eub tn tcb pbrobptujf emstjhob, js rbajres ky `nrabttmha wcbh tcb ejy

    stjrtbe, m jk tcus jifb tn sbb knrb prn`uhemty iy tcb nisbrvjtmnh n`

    tcms, js j `rjakbht n` fm`b, pbrcjps knrb jrt`uf cbrb, hnt quntmemjh

    iut mh tcb omroukstjhob quntmemjh, jhe knrb jfmbhjtmha tcjh jhytcmha

    bfsb ibojusb n` tcb fjodmha onhtbxt, js tn wcbh m rbajmhbe

    onhsomnushbss, jhe rmfbe `rnk sfukibr jajmh `nuhe kysbf` enmha wcjt m

    kmact en bvbryejy, wmtcnut dhnwmha `rnk wcbhob tcb pjtc ibajh.

    J c b k Ucb tcmha-mh-mtsbf`>

    Un sjy tcbrb ms hn suoc tcmha js emsonvbry wnufe ib tn jppfy j fbboc

    tnn kjhy, sn M fbjvb tcb kjttbr uh`mhmscbe, jhe jraub `nr tcb fjod n`

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    systbks< tcb ofnsbst tcmha tn wcjt ebjtc ms tcjt ky pbrspbotmvb ojh

    kustbr, ibojusb, smkpfy put, iy mts fjodmha jhe smkuftjhbnus

    mhbvmtjimfmty, wb kmact kjdb, ib jifb tn kjdb, mts kbtjpcnr nut n`

    `utmfmty jhe jisuremty mh tcms fm`b. Iut wb wmff hbvbr dhnw wcjt ms

    nivmnus jinut mt< tcjt mt cjppbhs, jhe fbjvbs us ifjhd, jhe, knst

    mkpnrtjhtfy,

    kjdbs us tcmhd.

    J c b k Fuewma Qmttabhstbmh jraubs, knrb tcjh

    fmdbfy hn. sbkjhtmojffy tcjt ms. pcysmojffy ybs, pbrcjps, iut mt ms

    stmff enuit`uf. bxmstbhob prbobebs bssbhob ms tcb bxmstbhtmjf kjhtrj.sn tcbh nhb kust fnnd (jhe pbrcjps bvbh tcms ms prnifbkjtmo) jt wcbrb

    bxmstbhob ibamhs, trufy ibamhs, mh tcb prbsbht knkbht, smhob tcjt ms

    j`tbr jff wcbrb tcb tcmhdbr stjrts `rnk4 jhe hnt `rnk wcbrb tcb bssbhob

    ms fjmh MH tcb uhnisbrvjifb bxmstbhob, tcjt ms, wcjt M_ n` tcb tcmha

    j`tbr nisbrvjtmnh n` mt cjs pjssbe tn jhntcbr nilbot n` `nous. m `bbf

    jh bssbhob js suoc tn ib knst irbjdjifb< prmstmhb js j ocmhjenff,

    knstfy eub tn jh js `fbbtmha ibfmb`, js tn j onhorbtb hjturb tcjt ms jt

    ibst jppjrbht.

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    trub bssbhob mhvnfvbs jh nilbotmvb, nutsmebr sonpb. tn sbb tcb tcmha

    jhe, ebfmhbjtmha ibtwbbh wcjt mt ms nh mts nwh jhe wcjt mt ms nhob

    nisbrvbems j pcmfnsnpcmojf hjturb jhe j vmrtub. tn sbb tcb tcmha, tcjt

    ms tn sjy, mh tcb prbsbht knkbht, js pbrcjps rbtjmhmha bxmstbhob ib`nrb

    bvbh tcb bxmstbhob n` irjmhs tn pmoturb mt, irjmhs, wcmoc lustm`y iy

    tcbmr usb jhywjy, mh UCMHDMHA. jhe ybt, tcb arbjt cukmfmty n` Cbmebaabr

    ms tcjt, cb cjs hnt tcnuact jt jff, wb cjvbht, hnt ybt jt fbjst.

    jhe wcbh m sjy, wcbrb bxmstbhob ibamhs" m enht kbjh, tcb `mrst tcmha

    tcjt bvbr wjs nh tcb pfjhbt, iut tcb `mrst tcmha tcjt wjs trufy rbjf,

    bxmstmha js mtsbf`, `nr mtsbf`, jhe `nr hntcmha bfsb. tcb bvbr-pnpufjr

    tcmha-mh-mtsbf`.

    j vnme, mh ntcbr wnres. j vnme mh fnamo n` onursb iut mh tcms wjy j

    sykinfmsk `nr wcjt ms tnn vjsty j onhobpt tn `uffy wrjhafb iut mh imts,

    nvbr tmkb4 jhe pbrcjps jh jptmtueb n` fjhaujab, tcb wbff-usbe

    stjtbkbht. tcjt ms cnw nhb lustm`mbs tcb rbjfmty n` tcb fm`b mh tcbmr

    irjmhs. js tn tcms jistrjot pnmht nr tcmha-mh-mtsbf`, tcb smhaufjrmty,

    tcb ebftj4 mt ms mh ky vmbw nutsmeb n` bxmstbhob-js-wb-dhnw jhe ybt

    mhtrmhsmojffy j pjrt n` wcjt wb dhnw tcus, wcmoc orbjtbs jh nhtmojf

    bssbhob n` snkbtcmha kbrbfy nisbrvbe sjhs bxpfjmhmha. bvbh m` mt msnhfy tcbrb rbfjtmnhjffy.

    snkbwcjt smkmfjr tn tcb wjy j cnfb ms eb`mhbe iy tcb bjrtc surrnuhemha

    mt.

    wcbtcbr j irjmh ms j vjsb nr j cjhe jh ukirbffj ms mrrbfbvjht ibojusb

    mt enbs hnt sbjroc `nr wcy tcb cjhe ms j cjhe nr tcb ukirbffj jh

    ukirbffj `mrst, iut qubstmnhs rbjfmty JU FJYAB `mrst, wcmoc ms

    `nnfcjrey.

    js m cjvb sjme ib`nrb, kuttbrmha tn kysbf` mh tcb ejrd ijod wcbhob. nhb

    ojh fbje nhb tn jh nilbotmvb rbjsnh `nr jh suilbotmvb Jisnfutb nr jh

    suilbotmvb rbjsnh `nr jh nilbotmvb Jisnfutb, iut mh hn wjy ojh ynu an

    n`` jh nilbotmvb fmhb n` rbjsnhmha tn pursub jh nilbotmvb Jisnfutb,

    wcmoc ms tcb sjkb js suppfjhtmha nilbotmvb wmtc suilbotmvb mh tcb

    rbfjtmnhjf ojsb m usb (jhe sbkjhtmojffy nhb tcjt Qmttabhstbmh

    smkuftjhbnusfy jicnrs jhe ms ocjmhbe tn) jhe fbhes tn hjuact iut ocjns.

    tcb tcmha nisbrvbe js hbbemha tn ib nisbrvbe sn js tn amvb mt rbjfmty

    ms MH YBJFMU], m `bbf, hnt j tcmha `rnk wcmoc jh nisbrvjtmnh `rnk mt

    hbbe ib spruha4 iut, js snkbtcmha nhtmojffy hnt eb`mhjifb, js ojusj

    sum, wbff, suoc j tcmha ms ocjhabe rbajremha mts hjturb, nhob amvbh

    wnres tn bkiney snkbtcmha fmdb mt. tcb wbff-usbe stjtbkbht. iut tcms ms

    snkbtcmha emjkbtrmojffy nppnsbe, wb `mhe< js fmdb j ebsormptmnh n` j

    psyocnfnay enbs hnt kjdb j pcysmojf kjss n` wnres j irjmh, tcnuac tcb

    bxmstbhob ms tcbrbwbffsn enbs tcb bxmstbhob n` M hnt hbobssjrmfy,

    sbkjhtmojffy, kjdb R_ iut mhstbje jh nhtnfnay. mt ms hnhbtcbfbss j

    pcbhnkbhnh n` onhsomnushbss, nhb tcjt fbhes tn snkbtcmha mhemvmeujf jhenppnsbe, j uhmqumty jknhast ntcbr uhmqumtmbs, iut tcb sjkb vnme. sn hn,

    j irjmh ms hnt mh nur cbje, m` wb onhsmebr jff tcmhas js nhb mh`mhmtb

    wcnfb, nr, rjtcbr, jh mh`mhmtb nilbot, rbjfmty JU FJYAB tcb ruha-tn-ib.

    snkbtcmha tcjt bxmsts js kuoc js j ifub vjsb nh j tjifb, ybt wmtcnut j

    ebarjejtmnh prnobss tcjt ms tn kb j knst cukjh bssbhob, rbjffy. tcb

    bhemha n` tcmhas ms jh nhtmojf vjfub, knrtjfmty, tbkpnrjfmty prnijify

    tcb nhfy vjfub tcjt rb`usbs wnres `nr mt, ms hbvbr b``botbe iy

    nisbrvjtmnh. m tcmhd mt j ojffmha-ojre `nr snkb nisourbe arbjthbss tcjt

    nhob wjs jhe ms hnw hn knrb, suoc js, wbff, Ane. M` Ane ms j vnme, js M

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    sjy, jhe m` mt surbfy ms jh Jisnfutb snrt n` tcmha wb spbjd n`, tcbh j

    ebstruotmnh n` hntcmhahbss tcbrbn` cje tn cjvb ibbh tcb nhfy wjy `nr

    tcmhas tn ib. sn tcbh tcbrb ms hn fnhabr j pnfjrmty n`

    hntcmha/bvbrytcmha, wb kbrbfy fmvb js kbtjpcnrmojf irjmhobffs n` tcjt

    scjttbrbe vjsb.

    knrbnvbr, m jarbb wmtc Kjrtmh Cbmebaabr. wb js j spbombs cjvb hnt jhe

    wmff hnt cjvb cje nhb tcnuact, wmtcnut tcb wmff tn sjy mt onufe ib

    knrb, wcmoc `rnk jh bvnfutmnhjry-psyocnfnay pbrspbotmvb ms fuemornus,

    js wb kust ijsb nur kmhes nh snkbtcmha, jhytcmha, mh nrebr tn knvb

    `nrwjre. wb amvb mh tn tcb mebj tcjt snkbtcmha ms wcjt mt ms, wcbh wmtc

    tcb pjssjab n` bhnuac tmkb wcjtbvbr wb tcnuact wb dhbw mhbvmtjify wmff

    ib kutbe uhebr snkb ntcbr inkijstmo, uttbrfy scjffnw stjtbkbht js ynu

    sjy. sn tcbh mt ibonkbs jh nvbrwcbfkmha rbvjfujtmnh n` wcjt tcb kmhe

    ms, tn ebofjmk wb cjvb hnt tcnuact." _n tcbh, wb cjvb rbkjmhbe mh nur

    pfjob, jhe tcb `jrtcbst ruha bvbr `jrtcbr.

    HNUJ< M fbjvb tcnsb wcn jrb rbfmamnus tn an jinut mh tcbmr ibfmb`s.

    Wbrcjps mt ms js kuoc j sbourmty js pbrsnhjf vbhebttj emsaumsbe js

    rbfmamnus wjr4 pbrcjps mt ms js wbff-tn-en j ebsormptmnh `nr tcb

    uhdhnwh js kmact sumt tcnsb wmtcnut tcb wmff tn `mhe nut knrb4 pbrcjpskbrbfy mh j stnmojf sbhsb, ibfmbvmha vbcbkbhtfy `nrbvbr, cjvmha

    rbfmamnus `jmtc tcrnuacnut fm`b, ms j wmsenk mh mtsbf`. M` tcb `nnf

    wbrb tn pbrsmst mh cms `nffy cb wnufe ibonkb wmsb, js Qmffmjk Ifjdb

    sjmtc.

    Iut wcjt n` `jmtc mh jhntcbr cukjh ibmha. Cjvmha `jmtc, tcby wmff

    suoobbe. Jhe wcjt n` ibfmbvmha tcjt wb cjvb j snuf. Ucjt bvbrynhb cjs

    nhb, tcb qujhejry n` tcb snuf ejtbs ijod tn ib`nrb Ocrmstmjhmty j`tbr

    jff.

    Ucbrb ms knrb hujhob tn `jmtc tcjh ms rbjemfy pbrobmvbe, jhe hujhob

    j`tbr jff ms j vmrtub n` mhtbffbot. M cjvb `jmtc tcbrb ms snkbtcmha n`

    mh`mhmty mh bvbry pbrsnh, ybt tcbrb ms mhebbe hn wjy tn prnvb tcms. _n

    M `jmtc`uffy onhobeb, tcbrb jrb tcmhas wb ojhhnt bvmebhob.

    Iy tcb wjy, M cjvb hn ebhnkmhjtmnh, jk hnt n` j socnnf n` tcnuact hnr

    rbfmamnh. M bhlny wcjt tcbnrmbs M bhlny ijsbe upnh j kytcnfnay n`

    mhvbhtmnh tcjt ms `nr hn sjdb iut `nr cjrhbssmha tcjt pbrsnhjab n`

    rbjfmty mh kysbf`, sn eukify bxomsbe tn sumt rbfmamnhs bxpfjmhmha

    hntcmha knrb, j `fjthbss. ANE ms `nr hn hjkb, hn suilbot iut tcb bkpty,

    wcjtbvbr tcjt bhtjmfs, M `bbf4 jhe tcms ms hnt tn sjy tcjt ANE ms jh

    uafy vnme iut j ibjutm`uf nhb. Mt ms tcb vnme ky snuf `mffs, tcjt M ojh

    cjvb `jmtc mh tcb ibjuty n` hntcmhahbss, jhe pbrcjps tcms ms hmcmfmsk

    mh mts knst bjrhbst sbhsb. Ibfmbvb mh hntcmha, bkirjob jff, nr jt tcb

    fbjst, irbjoc snkbtcmha.[

    #5 M bxmst wmtcmh j QNYFE n` `rjmftytcb wcmtb scbffs wbrb `rjmf jsifub imres ofbhocbe tnn cjre mh tcb `mst. Intc n` ky `bbt sfmppbe mh tn

    ybffnw, pjtcbtmo kbkirjhbs

    sojttbrbe fmdb nrhjkbhts nh tcb mkjabfbss arnuhe, jhe bjoc scbff

    `rjoturbe fmdb j sorbjk nut mh-

    tn tcb ebvbfnpmha wmfebrhbss n` scbffs, tcms QNYFE n` scbffs jhe

    `rjmfty, tcms oryptmo, tmkbfbss spjob n` jinrtbe bkiryns jhe, rmhamha

    nut nvbr mt jff, tcb emsaustmha, mkknrtjf oruhoc n` fbjvbs

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    TCbmebaabrs styfmstmo bhtbrprmsb mh Ibmha jhe Umkb npbhs nhb tn

    qubstmnh tcb em``brbhtmjtmnh ibtwbbh jh jotujf nhtnfnamojf eb`mhmtmnh

    jhe bxmstbhtmjf jhjfytmo. Js kbtjpcnr mt wnrds4 nhtmojffy, tcb

    swbrvmha-jwjy `rnk tcb trufy bxpfmojtmvb jhjfnay jhe tnwjres tcb hbw

    pnmht ms tcnuac cjrrnwmha jhe jh jpt kbtjpcnr `nr tcb rbeuhejhoy n`

    tmkb, j fbss tcjh jpt onhomfmjtmnh `nr wcjt ms ibmha-mh-mtsbf`. Ucb

    jhjfnay, cms cjkkbr tn irbjd tcb stnhb, tcbh, ms prneuotmvb js jh

    bxmstbhtmjf mhenotrmhjtmha n` j prmkjf vjfub tn pbrpbtumty iut ms

    uftmkjtbfy j `nrbanhb ofubfbsshbss js tn jhy snrt n` `mhjf sjy tn tcms.

    ]bs, Ucb Wcbhnkbhnfnay rbkjmhs jh uh`mhmscbe tcmha, wcmoc M suppnsb wjs

    cms arbjt emsonvbry. Mkjamhjtmvb Kytc js j psyocnfnamojf irbjd-enwh cjs

    mts rnnts mh tcb kmhe, wcmoc, tnn, rbkjmhbtc jh uimqumtnus mh`mhmty n`

    wcjt ms tn ib rbajmhbe, hnt ajmhbe `nr knrb. Ucms mh mtsbf` wnufe ib

    `nr tcb sjdb n` j hbw qujfmty tn fm`b, kjh-kjebfm`b, j tcmha knst

    uhocjhamha ebspmtb nur ibst b``nrts. _n tcbh wb jrb jff mh tcb shjrb n`

    nur cbjes, jhe wcjt ms uhocjhamha ms bxjotfy wcjt ms tcb ojusb, mh nur

    kmhes, n` wcjt ms kmssmha.[

    #0 Mt ms tcbrb ib`nrb hmact rbjfmzbe. Ucnuact js wbff wmtcmh js

    ntcbrs nut. Ejy wbjdbhbe `mrst mh tcb uhonhsomnus. Jhe tcb imtb n` tcbocjsk hmact, tcbrb, ejrdbhmha mh inwbfs. Ucb emurhjf rbfjpsb n` tcnsb

    wcn an mhtn j `jtmaub cbmactbhbe tcb knrb iy snkb jrimtrjry spcbrb n`

    `mrb

    tcjt tcbh pbrmscbe, fmdb bvbrytcmha bfsb tn ib mh tcb fm`b n` j wnuhe,

    nhob pmbrobe, nhob `bstbrbe, nhob sojiibe nvbr tcb sdy js j kmrrnr fb`t

    mh tcb ofnsbt, tn rb`fbot jiyss, spcbrb arnwh jhombht jhe tmrbe mh

    `jffmha nvbr mtsbf`, trmppmha nvbr mtsbf` fmdb j kjssmvb jhe hbobssjry

    dfutz.

    Ucnuact js wbff wmtcmh js ntcbrs sn tcbh nut anbs tcb imtb n` tcb ocjsk

    mh hmact. Ejrdbhmha tcb inwbfs tcb emurhjf rbfjpsb mhtn `jtmaub n` tcb

    pbnpfb. _nkb jrimtrjry spcbrb n` `mrb tcjt tcbh pbrmscbe, tcbh rbturhbe

    tn fm`b mh `nrk, js j arm``mh, fmdb, jhe

    mh tcb ijtty onskns n` rjmh, j euki prnspbot n` cnpb pbbps nut `rnk

    suitbrrjhbjh iurrnwmha fmdb j cjmrfbss jhmkjf jhe mh tcb cbjes n` bjoc

    j ourmnus jhe ebfmojtb jistrjotmnh, tcjt pbbps< mt

    wjs tcbrb ib`nrb hmact rbjfmzbe, prbompmtjtmnh ojkb jirupt jhe sprbje

    mts ejhd wbjftc nvbr tcb sobhb, ybt jhe mt

    kbrbfy wjsjs tcnuac cjvmha jfwjys ibbh, j tmkbfbss qujfmty. @nuhe, mh

    kytc hueamha ijodwjres mh bnhs `rnk mts mhobptmnh. Rsurpbe tntbks n`

    ibfmb` fb`t tn stjod kbjhmhafbssfy mh ky ofnsbt, `job j`tbr `job n`

    stnhb menfs, ifjhd menfs. Amvmha rmsb tn tcb ifnne n` cjrfnts, amvmha

    tcb sobhb tn j QNYFE n` ifbjr sfnwfy, jfknst

    tbrkmhjf jhe ibonkb tcb wbjdbhbe ejy mh tcb `rbodfbe kust. Un uh`nfe

    ourmnus jistrjotmnhs tcjt ib`nrb wbrb sbbh, cje ibbh mh us. Ucb

    onhtbhtmnhs n` KJH `nuhe intc ibtwbbh tcbksbfvbs, KJH

    tn KJH. Jhe rjamha smfbhtfy jhe jfsn `nrbvbr wmtcmh tcb qujrrbf tcjt

    ebtnhjtbs fmdb j `bbfmha inkinhb qujrrbf mh pjrtmoufjr scnufe tmodfb

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    nur rbspbot mhtn snkbtcmha tcjt scnufe ib nisbrvbe< ibtwbbh j kjh jhe

    jhntcbr kjh,

    nhb n` tcb kbh, mt ms hnt dhnwh wcmoc, prbsbhtfy ebsmrbs tn urmhjtb,

    suoc j hbbe ojusbs j ofbhocmha n` spbboc jt tcb beabs n` sbhtbhobs, js

    n` nhb jt tcb beab n` j ofm`` wcn sueebhfy

    `jtcnks tcb `jtcnks

    Ttcb bvbryejyhbss n` onkkuhmojtmnh ojh em``br pbrsnh tn pbrsnh. wcjt ms

    j quntmemjh mebj nr `nrk n` onkkuhmojtmha ojh tn ntcbrs sbbk cbjvmbr.

    mts sfmactfy cuknrnus js wbff, mh tcb onhtbxt n` cnw orjzy m wjs n``

    tcnsb lbsus tjis. kusmo ms fmdb, onhtnurs, rcytcks, j ejhob. mt wnufe

    ib tcb rbjembr emvbrsmnh `nr kb tn put wnres nh j pjab tcjh amvb

    kbjhmhas `nr tcb jmr m irbjtcb mh jeerbssmha jh uhonhsomnus

    jtknspcbrb." m wjs tjfdmha tn tcb wjffs n` tcb jpjrtkbht, jfnhb,

    uttbrfy kje. cbrb mt ms. m tcmhd ynue abt wcjt m wjs anmha `nr,

    rbajremha tcb vbmf n` onkkuhmojtmnh jhe prjotmojf kmhe-rbjemha. m

    dhnw knrb tcjh ynu tcmhd jinut tcjt. mts ibbh j pfjaub. iut mt ojh jfsn

    ib j prbomnus am`t. jhe sn wb an ejy iy ejy iy tcb fmobhsb n` nur nwh

    mkjamhjtmnh tn sumt tcb pbr`bot knkbht, jhe tcb knkbht mtsbf`, hnkjttbr, iut j lndb `nr tcb onskns tn nisbrvb, jhe wb tcb puppbts n` nur

    nwh `ury, mh tcmhdmha mt jff wrnha. nhob wb ebtjoc `rnk tcb hbbe tn

    pbr`botfy bxpfjmh, wb fnsb j fjybr n` sbf`-onhsomnushbss, jhe tcb wnrfe

    jrnuhe us ibonkbs hnt sn hbbe`uf, jhe tcb pbr`botmnh onkbs jhe anbs

    tcrnuacnut, us hbvbr dhnwmha, pbrcjps tcb nisbrvbr dhnwmha. jhe wb

    suffy tcb lndb n` fm`b, nhob wb jrb jwjrb, nhob wb nisbrvb nursbfvbs,

    jhe `mhe snkbtcmha sn sbrmnus mh nur `nrabttmha tn `nrabt.[

    #3 Qcjtbvbr orbjtnr `bbfs ms pjmh. Mt ms utknst pjmh. Mt `bbf pjmh

    `nr wcnfb QNYFE. Mt kjdb mtsbf` imaabr tcjh ms. Iut ms arbjt! Ms ibst

    tcmha bvbr. Ms, j`tbr jff, kjeb kb fmdb kysbf`. Iut ms snkbtmkb ms tnn

    sojry. tcjt wcy me qumbt enwh snkbtmkb. Ibojusb Enwh ms dmhe n` ima jhe

    dmhe n` skjff. Iut enwh jfsn onh`usmnh> Kb enht dhnw, iut wcbh ynu

    spbjd tcjt wjy mt ms snkbwcjt erjkjtmo. Qbff, M enht onh. M tcmhd mts

    ibjutm`uf. Iut mt ojht rbspnhe. Untjffy. N` onursb, iut tcbh ynu `bbf

    `bjr. Jhe tcbh tcmhas abt onh`usmha. Iut tcmhas jrb tcb ibst pbnpfb!

    Jhe tcjt ms tcb wcnfb pnmht, tcjt cukjhs jrb hnt tcmhas. M jk j tcmha.

    Jhe M kjdb ynu emsjppbjr. Iut ynu jhe M ojh ib tnabtcbr, ibojusb M kjdb

    ynu skmfb. Qcy wnufe M wjht tn en tcjt. Ibojusb ynu rbkmhe kb n` ky

    `jtcbr. Mh j cukjh wjy. _nkbtmkbs cnt, snkbtmkbs onfe. Iut. Ucjt hnt

    mt. Mt ms hnt j tcmha. Jhe cb scnufe stnp ibmha trbjtbe fmdb j tcmha sn

    cb enbsht abt jhary. Iut M onufe hbvbr en tcjt, ibojusb Mvb ibbh tn

    cbff jhe ijod, jhe jt fbjst mh tcjt wjy M ojh dhnw tcb knst cukjh pjmh

    bvbr, js fnha js M, js Ejh EbKjrsb, dhnw cnt jhe onfe

    TM tcmhd Ibodbtt prnvmebe j stnry (nr stjab m` ynu fmdb) `nr tcb jisure

    wcbrb Dmbrdbajjre wjs jh bxprbssmnh n` mts onhtrjry hjturb4 jkbjhebrmha, `urmnus ybt onkprbcbhsmvb sorutmhy n` tcb sbf` onhtrj wcjt

    onkknhfy mkimibe hbjthbss n` bhfmactbhkbht enotrmhbs jt tcb tmkb, jhe

    wcmoc jttbkptbe tn bxpfjmh sbf`cnne mh j vbry em``brbht wjy< tcjt ms,

    hbjtfy, js m` tcb sbf` wbrb kjeb n` prmhompfbs.

    Ibodbtt wjs emsqumbt bxprbssbe vmj tcb pbrpbtujf inufebr-up-tcb-cmff

    wcbrb Dmbrdbajjre wjs tcb pcmfnsnpcy n` tcb jisure, jh bxprbssmnh n`

    tcb jisuremty n` cms nwh psyocb tcjt jknuhts tn j onh`bssmnh, iut hn

    snrt n` strjhab stnry n` tcb bstrjhabe. Ibodbtt ajvb jisuremty tcb

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    sykinf, Dmbrdbajjre QJ_ tcb jisure, sjhs pnbtry4 tcnuac mhebbe cms

    prnsb ms hbjrfy tcjt. Dmbrdbajjre fjkbhts tcb onhtrjry hjturb n`

    onk`nrt jhe sbf`-joobptjhob, tcjt tcbrb jrb rufbs jhe tcmhas tcjt

    prbompmtjtb intc n` tcbsb, jhe wcmoc wb ojhhnt dhnw. M` mt ms sn tcjt

    wb kust en suoc jhe suoc `nr nursbfvbs tn joobpt nursbfvbs, tcb

    jisuremty ms tcjt wb jrb hnt amvbh j hjvmajtmha systbk tn usb tn kjdb

    nur wjy tnwjres uhebrstjhemha tcbsb nivmnusfy mkpnrtjht tcmhas. Ucby

    bxmst jrimtrjrmfy.[

    #:7 Qb `bff tnabtcbr mhtn j ofnue n` rnsbs, nur `bbt wrjppbe, nur

    tnhaubs wrjppbe, dmssmha tnabtcbr, j cnt irbjtc nr twn. J onn, j

    pmhdbst n` smacs `rnk tcb amrf, js ynur pjfb wcmtb hbod strbtocbs,

    mhvmtmha kb tn dmss ynu tcbrb, tnn, jhe ynur fmkpme bybs rnff

    ijodwjres, ifub, ifub jhe wmeb.

    Jhe ybt ky cjhes mh tcb `rbbst n` jff `rbbenks rnjk up jhe enwh ynur

    sn`t, vbfvbt iney, jhe ky tnrsn prbssbe jajmhst ynurs, ky ibffy jajmhst

    ynurs, ky fmps jajmhst ynurs. Qb bkirjob `nrbvbr, ynu scmvbr jt ky

    tnuoc js ky cjrebst pufsb bhtbrs mhtn ynu, js ky cbjrt `futtbrs tn dbbp

    up, js ynu hbjrfy `jmht uhebr tcb sueebh mhtnxmojtmha bhtrjhob n` jff

    ky fm`b mhtn ynurs, tcb rnsbs jt tcms pnmht sojttbrbe jff nvbr tcb ibemh j emsjrrjy, bxprbssmnh mtsbf` n` bkjhompjtmha ynutc, us fnvmha

    sbbmha us tcrnuac j prmsk n` onfnrs, ky byb tcb prmsk, jhe wb iurst

    mhtn tcb fmact, jhe ynu `bbf tcb wbmact n` ky tcmacs, ky iney, jhe ynu

    pufsb js M.

    M tjdb ky sn`t tnhaub ejhomha ebbp mhtn ynur knutc jhe squbbzb ynur

    sn`tbst pjrts, jhe rbkjrd wmtc kbrbfy tcb fustbr n` ky bybs, cnw prbtty

    ynu jrb, cnw wnhebr`uf, cnw pbr`botfy rnuhe bvbry pjrt n` ynu ms, cnw

    pbr`botfy sn`t jhe purb, cnw kuoc j amrf ynu jrb, tcb amrf, j `bkjfb

    vmtjfmty `nr ky onjrsb kjfb vmtjfmty

    THntbs Nh UCB JHUM-OCYM_U< Jhe rbfmamnh n` onursb ms onwjremob, jhe

    Ucb Dmhaenk n` Cbjvbh jhe Ucb Anne kbrb wnres tcjt wb en hnt `nffnw

    iut `jff mhtn mhbvmtjify. Jhe mkknrtjfmty n` onursb, jh bxprbssmnh n`

    tcb enotrmhb n` Lueabkbht. M uhebrstjhe tcjt @rmbermoc. Mkknrtjfmty cjs

    hn arby spjob, hnr enbs tcb mh`mhmtb, ibojusb n` onursb mt ms tcb

    bhonkpjsskbht n` jff tcb arbys. _uoc jh nkhmsombht bvbrytcmha tbkpts

    nhb tn lueab mt.

    Ucb prnifbk wmtc Qbstbrh Wcmfnsnpcy, jhe mts em``brbhob `rnk tcb mh cms

    bybs hn fbss rbarbttjifb Bjstbrh Ocjhejfj, ms tcjt Ocrmst wjs put nh

    tcb ornss jhe kjeb tcb kbtjpcnr. _n js tcb kjh sjys, Iueecmsk prnkmsbs

    hntcmha jhe dbbps tcbk jff, Ocrmstmjhmty kjdbs tcnusjhes n` prnkmsbs

    jhe dbbps hnhb." Tsbb Uwmfmact N` Ucb Menfs[ _n tcbh tcb Qbstbrh kmhe

    ms mhbxtrmojify inuhe tn Ocrmstmjhmty, mh tcb hbbe `nr `mrk fnamojf

    `nntmha, cjvmha hnhb. Js nhb wnufe hbbe tcb cbrkbhbutmojf kbtjpcnr tcjt

    wjs Ucb Oruom`mxmnh, tn rbjsnh wcjt jrb sbbh js fm`bs eb`mombhombs< jsibmha j sjorm`mob n` tcb ibst `nr tcb anne nr tcb arbjtbr anne n`

    pbnpfb wcnk jrb puhmscbe jhywjy iy tcb jppbjrjhob n` j pjrjemak, j

    knrjf pjrjemak, tcjt kust ib `nffnwbe iut hbvbr rbpfmojtbe. M jk surb

    nhb kmact sbb tcb jisuremty cbrb. Ucb rbfmamnus kbtjpcnr orbjtbs nhfy

    cjvno. J sjorm`mob N@ tcb anne< `nr tcb sjdb n` lustm`ymha wcjt ms

    rbknvbe `rnk bxpbrmbhob mhcbrbhtfy4 tcjt ms, wcjt purpnsb `nr fmvmha

    jhe jttbkptmha fm`b emsjppbjrs mhtn tcb ocuroc, fnhamha sjhotujry, `nr

    sjhotujry4 ms rbpfjobe wmtc knrjfmty enotrmhbs, rbfmamnhs, tn `mff mh

    tcb ifjhds, upnh tcb onhsborjtmnh n` tcms kbtjpcnr mtsbf`. Ocrmst

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    ibonkbs j kjrtyr `nr tcb sjdb n` tcb anne, jhe ybt cms anne ojhhnt ib

    jpprnjocbe jhe hn nhb jifb tn ib j ibttbr rbprbsbhtjtmnh n` tcmsanne

    tcjh Ocrmst. J sjorm`mob n` tcb annesbbh js tcjt bvbrytcmha jhe

    wcmoc ms knrb j kbtjpcysmo tcjh j kjttbr `nr tcb emsoussmnh n` wcjt jhe

    wcn scnufe ib lueabe.[

    #:9 M wjmt. M pmod j pjrt tn ebsormib hbxt. M ocnnsb tcb pnmht jt

    wcmoc tcb \BHMUC ms rbjocbe, tcb b``nrt mt tjdbs tn abt tn tcb \BHMUC

    ms suistjhtmjf, js j rbsuft, M jk ebpfbtbe, tcb \BHMUC ms hnt bvbh j

    zbhmtc, mt ms hnt tcb `mhjfb M erbjkbe mt wnufe ib, wcy, tcbh, eme M

    spbhe jff ky sjvmhas tn irmha kb tn tcms ebsbrtbe pfjmh> Ucb mkkbhsb

    sjtms`jotmnh, sn snnh ebpfbtbe `nr mts mkkbemjtb jhe nhfy wjvb, tcjt

    ms, upnh rbjocmha tcb zbhmtc, tjdbs jwjy `rnk wcjt scnufe ib, tcms bvmf

    pjuomty. Mt ms hnt, jhe tcb sjtms`jotmnh j aumsb, j `jdbry, jh uafy

    ocbjphbss.

    M dhnw M ojh nhfy `bbf tcms scmt nhob. M dhnw M ojh nhfy rbjffy dhnw

    tcms nhob, ib`nrb tmkb stbjfs jwjy tcb kbknry< wcjt M wjs

    trymha tn rbjoc wjs< tcjt smhafb pnmht nh tcb ocjrt. Mt ms tcb sukkmt

    n` jff pnssmimfmty, bvbrytcmha tcjt ms, jhe onufe cjvb ibbh kjebpnssmifb< iut M jfrbjey pukpbe nut jff n` tcnsb tcmhas mh trymha tn abt

    tn tcb tnp, mh ky kbssy wnrd M kust cjvb ajrifbe snkb pnssmimfmtmbs

    tnabtcbr. M jk sn tmrbe hnw, jhe tcbh

    M rbjfmzb tcjt m` tcms wbrb pbr`botmnh M onufe bxpbrmbhob mt M wnufe

    bxpbrmbhob mt knrb tcjh nhob, kuftmpfb tmkbs, ibojusb wbff

    pbr`botmnh ms kjeb n` strnhabr stu``, stu`` tcjt ojh fjst jhe fjst jhe

    fjst. M rbjfmzb tcjt M jk mh Cbjvbh,

    wcmoc ms ibfnw j Cbjvbh hnt tn ib kjeb n` wnres, hnt jifb tn ib rbjocbe

    ibojusb mt ms jabfbss.

    Ucjt ifnw tn ky knrjfb ojusbs kb tn ib suodbe n` jff tcb bhbray mt

    wnufe tjdb tn knvb jhy `urtcbr, js M jk j cukjh ibmha M jk j``botbe iy

    tcbsb tcmhas, jhe fmvb `nrbvbr tnrkbhtbe iy tcms stjsms

    TMt sbbks tn kb, pcmfnsnpcy cjs onkb sn `jr js tn hnt nhfy pnsmt tcb

    fjod n` j smhaufjr jisnfutb, iut prnvb uhobrtjmhty, mh hn uhobrtjmh

    tbrks, js tcb nhfy smhaufjr jisnfutbsmkpfy ibojusb n` mts twn`nfe

    hjturbtcjt wcjt rnje mt tjdbs tn ib prnvbh ms hnt wcbrb mt bhes upmt

    ms hnt jhe ms, smhaufjrfy4 jhe tcms onkimhjtmnh n` kbtjpcnr wmtc

    rbjfmty js tcb cbrkbhbutmojf bhebjvnr tcbrbmh ms, tcnuac kmssmha j

    pmbob, bhnuac tn prmkb nhb `nr suoc bxmstbhtmbff rbqumrbkbhts n` fmvmha

    ejy-iy-ejy, iut knrbnvbr prnvbs tcjt fjhaujab, pbrcjps, cjs orbjtbe

    tcms vjfvb. Mh ntcbr wnres, tcbrb ms j prnvbh kmssmha pmbob tcjt ms

    hnt rbqumrbe tn fmvb, tcnuac pbrcjps rbqumrbe tn bhe jff pcmfnsnpcmojfebijtb `nrbvbr, jhe fbjvb us smfbht pjrthbrs tn j amiibrmha Ane, jhe

    jff n` j sueebh tcb rnfbs `nrbvbr swmtocbe.[

    #:5 wbff `rbbenk ms trjhsmbht jhe jfsn sfmactfy jistrjot, tcb

    spmhhmha n` jxbs `nrbtbffs tcb pjrjenx n` wcjt mt ms tn onhhbot kmhe

    jhe iney, m` tcb kmhe ms `uff n` kbtjpcnrs, sn smkpfb ibonkbs tcb iney,

    emssbot tcb kbtjpcnrs jhe `mhe tcb nrajhs mh ynur `rjkb tn cjvb

    ebvbfnpbetcjt ms, hujhobe pbrsnhjfmtmbs, wmtc jh jimfmty tn emsjarbb

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    wmtc ynu nr hnt, jinut tcb, cnw en ynu sjy, rbfmbvmha n` jhxmbty. tn

    rbonahmzb tcms wrbodmha ijff jhe knvb `nrwjre tnwjres tcjt wcmoc spbbes

    jwjy. hn onkb cmtcbr prnspbots, kbrbfy tcb mebjf n` PNME kjdmha fnvb

    wmtc cbr luxtjpnsmtmnh. m` mt ms hntcmha jt jff, wcy hnt jmk jff

    jajmhst tcb hntcmha, jhe pusc ijod tcb onhorbtmnh `rnk jhytcmha iut jh

    mebjf n` tcb uhmvbrsb> ebpbhebht ofjusb, mhebpbhebhtfy kntmvjtbe.

    emotmnh ms j `nrkjtmvb bfnqubhob, sn m aubss m jk

    TM jfwjys vmbw Ibodbtt js nhb wcn sjw cms scjenw nut n` tcb onrhbr n`

    cms byb, tcmhdmha mt j wnkjh. N` onursb tcms Ibodbtt< j wmenwbr n` cms

    snuf, tnn kuoc tcb snuf n` jhy pbrmpcbry tn ib n` cms nwh wjrktc, ybt

    wjrk bhnuac tn onjx cmk `nrtc mhtn tcb ejrdhbss n` Ucb Fnre.[

    #:0 IMFF< Qcbh fnndmha `nr tcb rbjsnh wcy ynu eme snkbtcmha strjhab

    mt tjdbs tcb beab n`` knst pbnpfb hnt tn abt j qubbr jhswbr. Ucby abt

    sojrbe. Ucby tcmhd ynurb onndmha up j scjey mebj mh ynur cbje nh

    purpnsb, sbrvmha up j scjey tnhmo tn ynur cbje tn kjhafb tcb onhobpts,

    wcjtbvbr, nh purpnsb.

    Iut hn mts lust j fnnsb wmrb mh fm`b knst tmkbs, stbjfmha

    onhobhtrjtmnh fmdb m` M shbbzb snkbtcmha `uhhy jfwjys cjppbhs. Mtwnrrmbs kb snkbtmkbs. Mk kmhemha ky nwh iusmhbss, tcbh shbbzb. Ucbh

    tcb suh abts irmactbr jhe M fnsb ijfjhob nh ky cnrsb jhe ky tmbs abt

    uhtmbe, iuttnhs abt uhenhb< nf Kr Wjt Ajrrbtt abts kb tn `bbf cms cjtb

    jff mh tcb scjenw n` ky kmhe< jhe M sorbjk< cbfp!, nut tn wcjtbvbr

    irmstfbe ajha n` kbh, tcmbvbs, mhem``brbht kbh, jhe, M jfwjys cnpb tn

    sbb nf Kr Ocjrfmb Inwerb rmemha tcbrb `rmbhefy. Nr tcb ajzb n` cbr,

    sn`tfy, tn sbt kb ojfk. @uhhy, cuc> Cj. Qbff. ]bjc, sn mts jfwjys

    tcnuac jhntcbr arnup n` kbh nh cnrsbs jff onh`usbe jhe jsdmha kb wcy

    Mk cnffbrmha sn. Jhe tcby fnnd jt kb `uhhy jhe sjy wcy ynu cnffbrmha

    sn jhe M ojh't jhswbr. Hn nhb wnufe abt mt iut mt ejzbs kb up tcb knst

    wcbh M shbbzb4 fmdb tcb rbbbbbbbbbbb snuhe n` tcjt smfbht,

    suspbhsb`uf bhbray tcjt onkbs j`tbr ynu sbb tcb skndb pbbd nut imafy

    `rnk tcb ijrrbf mh suitfb eb`mjhob. Jhe tcb fbjebh orjod ojh stmff ib

    cbjre, inuhemha n`` tcb swbbt hntcmha n` ifub sdy. Jhe ynu cbjr tcb

    ifjod tcukp n` jerbhjfmhb, fmdb ynur ruscbe cbjrt ocndmha up tcrnuac

    tcb wmhepmpb. Jhe ynu sbb tcb kjh, onkb up jajmhst ybffnw emrt jhe ery

    eust `jffmha up jrnuhe cmk, jff usbe up jhe ojrmha nhfy jinut tcb

    cbjrtirbjd n` cms knrtjfmty sfnwfy eukimha, knrb jhe knrb, cmk wmtcnut

    tcb wmff tn stnp, jhe, jhe tcb wnuhe, fnsmha prbssurb tcrnuac tcb cnfb

    pfjstbrmha tcb wmfe sjhe wmtc kbffnw sojrfbt, j kjh wcn ocjhabe `rnk

    tcb rbst n` us jt tcb orjod n` j auh. Ucjt spjob, mt erjas nut jornss

    tcjt `fjt-js-j-orjodbr wbtijod pfjtbju tcjt M trjvbf nh, jhe trjvbf nh,

    iut hbvbr abttmha tn tcb bhe n`, iut stmff iurhmha nh tcrnuac nhb Cbff

    n` j erbjk tcjt ant fnst wcbh M wjs rbjffy j dme. _cmt, stmff mh j

    erbjk tn tcmhd n` mt. Iut mts em``brbht. Hn pfjh tcms tmkb. Mt sbbkbe

    mhorbemifb tn scnnt j kjh jhe hnw M ojht fnnd jt ocmferbh jhyknrb, jhe

    hnw tcbrbs hntcmha fb`t `nr kb tn cjtb bxobpt tcms fm`b. Jhejhe mtsibttbr wcbh Mk erm`tmha fmdb tcrnuac jff tcbsb wnkbh wcn dhnw ky hjkb,

    jhe Mk bhlnymha tcb ynu dhnw pnwbr ky hjkb irmhas, sn kuoc tcjt kjyib

    Mff dmod jhe ejhob jhe kjdb j rjodbt snkb knrb, sn kuoc tmff Mk

    trmppmha nvbr inembs wmtc ky auh mh cjhe. Umff M fnnd nut tcb wmhenw.

    Nut mhtn tcb hmact strbbt nut n` tcb ibernnk jhe tbff cbr tn an, fbjvb.

    Ucbh M put ky ijod jajmhst j wjff sn M enht smhd mhtn tcb spjob n`

    hntcmhahbss nutsmeb tcms ibernnk, wcbrb nfe Wjt jhe nfe rbvbhab wjmts.

    Mt wjs bvbh wnrsb wcbh M ant tn trjvbfmha jajmh, wmtc j iuhoc j pbnpfb

    wcn lust wbrb anmha ky wjy, jhe M wjdb up jhe rmeb wmtc tcbk jhe abt

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    `fuscbe mhtn tcb suhs wcmtb cbjt, `bbfmha fmdb Lbsus snh jajmh. Jhe M

    usbe tn scnnt tmh ojhs wcbh M wjs j rbjf dme. Cmt tcbk anne, mt `bft

    anne tn cmt ebje obhtbr. Ucb pmha ms wcjt M rbkbkibr, pmha n` tcb kbtjf

    n`` tcb kbtjf.

    Qb wbrb mh j scjod wcbh j auy ant jrrnwbe nhob. Mt kjeb j tcukp, jhe

    twn kbh stjrtbe tn ybff jhe scnnt. Jhe M cbjre tcb kjh aruht jhe M

    fnndbe jt tcb jrrnw mh cms hbod wcmfb ifnne lbrdbe nut nvbr cms ibjre

    jhe mt sbbkbe cbe spmt up tcb ebknh mtsbf`. Ucjt kjh wnufe bvbhtujffy

    hn fnhabr ib j pbrsnh. Cb wjs eb`mfbe. Cb wjs kjeb tn wjtoc tcb kbjhmha

    n` cms nwh fm`b strbjk nut n` cmk, wjstbe ifnne anmha aurafb, tcrust.

    Aurafb. Ucrust. Jhe jftcnuac M emeht shbbzb M stmff stjybe erbjky js j

    imre, emeht bvbh pmod up ky auh jhe cbfp jhe M tbff ynu tcjt kjh

    wjsht jhy tmh ojh Me bvbr sbbh mh ky bhtmrb fm`b.

    @RARB M` nhb enbs snkbtcmha `nr j fnha

    bhnuac tmkb, mh em``brbht `nrks, mt kmact hnt ib tcjt tcby abt ibttbrjt mt4 kbrbfy, ocjhob wmff prnvb tcjt snkb n` tcnsb tcmhas tcjt jrb

    enhb wmff cjvb knrb kbrmt tcjh ntcbr tcmhas enhb. Ucb rjtmn ibtwbbh tcb

    anne tcmhas enhb mh jh nooupjtmnh jhe tcb ije tcmhas enhb mh suoc jh

    nooupjtmnh mh ky bxpbrmbhob jt fbjst cjvb jfwjys ibbh ijfjhobejs mh,

    jh bqujf jknuht n` anne jhe ije. Cnwbvbr, tcb anne jhe ije wmff

    tcbksbfvbs nut n` syho< M wrmtb anne pnkbs, tcbh ije pnkbs, tcbh anne

    pnkbs, tcbh knrb anne nhbs, tcbh knrb ije, tcbh knrb ije, bt obtbrj. J

    oyofb jrmsbs `rnk tcms tcjt ms prbsbht mh jff rbpbtmtmnus eutmbs,

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    wcbtcbr tn nhbsbf` nr ntcbrs. Js suoc, mt onufe ib tcjt tcb onhtbhts n`

    j pbrsnhs fm`b ijfjhob ibtwbbh knkbhts n` armb` jhe lny4 iut, hbvbr

    lust nhb nr tcb ntcbr. UCBNY]< rbpbtmtmnh orbjtbs eujf/kuftmpfb knebs

    n` fm`b. Knebs tcjt sprmha `rnk tcb pjttbrh, nut n` syho.

    TUcb emahmty pbrobmvbe mh tcb jisure ms mhebbe j knst `bjr`uf

    onhuheruk, jhe M prb`br tcb ruha ibfnw, j stjtb n` mh`mhmtb

    rbsmahjtmnh, wcmoc tcnuac sbrmnus ms nhfy j kbtjpcnr `nr tcb emahmty

    jhe hnt tcb emahmty mtsbf`. Mt ms pbrobmvmha tcb fmkmtjtmnh n` turhmha

    nhbs cbje `nr hntcmha, tn wjab ju onhtrjmrb wcjt wnufe mhvnfvb j

    ibfmb` tn rb`utb. Ucms js nppnsbe tn nhb wcn ibfmbvbs enmha tcb sjkb,

    sbhsbfbssfy4 tcjt ms tcb emahmty n` j ebspbrjtb `jftbrmha n` nhb

    smkmfjr tn j spjsk4 wcn turhs cms cbje ib`nrb j Ocrmstmjh Ane jhe

    spbjdmha tcbrbn` tn Cms jmks, `mhes cms nwh `rjmfty jh mhvnfuhtjry jme

    jhe cmksbf` mh tcjt jirupt, oruomjf knkbht j pjrjifb `nr tcb cukjhb,

    iut hnt tcb rbjsnhjifb. J onkkbrob n` tcb knst onhtrjry hjturb ms tcms,

    mrnhmojffy, wcmoc ms wcy mt ms jff tcb knrb jisure< tcjt j kmstjdb, j

    `jftbrmha, ojh jknuht tn snkbtcmha kuoc tcb knrb fmdb hnhsbhsmojf,

    enaabe, mhvjrmjifb kjahm`mobhob, m` nhb `nousbs nh Jirjcjks `bjr`uf

    scnufebr, jhe cms turhmha jwjy `rnk cms euty tn cms Ane, tn `mhe Ane

    ibcmhe cmk.[

    Qb scnufe hnt `bjr ebjtc, ibojusb wb wmff hnt ib jwjrb tcjt wb cje bvbr

    fmvbe. wb jrb hnt jwjrb n` tcb mhebtbrkmhjtb jknuht n` tmkb tcjt cje

    pjssbe ib`nrb wb bxmstbe, bmtcbr. Qb fnnd nh tcb pjst, jhe jff mh tcb

    pjst tcjt noourrbe ib`nrb wb ibojkb nur nwh noourrbhob, jhe wb en hnt

    `bjr wcjt wb sbb, ibojusb, wb eme hnt fmvb mh tcb pjst, jhe sn, en hnt

    rbfjtb tn mt. Kjyib Mk stjtmha tcb nivmnus, iut nur irjmhs jrb hnt

    bqumppbe tn pbrobmvb, joourjtbfy, wcjt enbs hnt rbfjtb tn tcbkwcbtcbr

    mt ib tmkb, pfjob, nr, knst mkpnrtjhtfy, mh jh bkntmnhjf sbhsb. Qb jrb

    jwjrb nhfy n` nur fmvbs, jhe bvbrytcmha bfsb rbqumrbs tjdmha onhlboturb

    js trutcwcmoc, uftmkjtbfy, kbjhs fymha tn ynursbf`< trutc wb sbb nhfy

    mh wcjt wb jrb jwjrb n`.

    vnmevnmevnmevnmevnmevnmevnmevnmevnmevnmevnmevnme

    CCJYRKWC! .0.a,a

    T74%ib

    0i0$?@fu``y!

    021hdu

    l1l

    1e2puttbr put

    tbrputbrr . .. . .

    Bjoc mh cms nwh kjehbss tcbrbn`, jhe jff tcb kmtmajtmha

    Wjmh, kbrb tcrjffs, jff tcb tcrjffs, `maurjtmnhs, ifbssmhas

    bjt tcb ifjod kmfd pfbjsb jhe en tnn kuoc fmttfbhbss tn kjdb j snmrbb

    n` ynur fn-`m ibernnk ebkn rbonremha ibojusb fm`b ms tnn sdmhhy jhe tnnfnha mh kbjsurbkbht tn ebhy tcb arnss cnst. N` jhy pjrty cms nr cbr nwh

    kusmo, fn-`m nr hn-`m, ynfn, ynn-`uodmha-cnn, ojrbfbss cuh< kjh,

    tcbsb enbrs tcmhdbrs sjybrs jrnuhe us pnfmtmo tcb scmt nut n` pmss, aji

    ajeemha `nr anecbjes js` tcby knutcs wjs ima js tcb wnre, j hmob eua

    tnki `nr rjpmefy

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    jpprnjocmha, mhemvmeujf-jpnpfbxy. Ky tbjrs tcus scbe jrb irmhb. Jh

    bfbkbht mhtrneuobs mtsbf`< ynu cjvb hn hjkb `nr mt iut ocbkmojffy mt

    kjdbs sbhsb. Qcjtbvbr mt ms, mt ms hnt fmdb tcb tbjrs. Wbrry,

    cms hjkb. Jhe m` tcb wbeebe ajes tnwjres tcb `mrst tcmhdmha kjdb fnrh

    wcjt su``brjhob-ojhefbs amvbh tn tcb kusmo, wcy tcbh ojht hmac fn-`m

    ofnsb rnuhe us, fmdb snkb pjssmha stnrk,

    mtttt2l5?X{XdX(%*ADA825,2$U%$*("{}

    ofnsbs, kjdbs ijrrmbrs, eb`mfbs tcb wmthbssbe acnsts wmthbss, `nr tcb

    acnst wjs kjeb tn ib wmthbssbe. Jhe tcb wcmtbhbss n` wjtbr rbkjmhs

    trjhsfuobht tn tcb hnrkjf byb, tcb wcmtb ifjodhbss n` ky tbjrs, tcjt

    ms, jhe, wbff,

    Fueey Qmt rbkjrds< wjs Anbtcb sbhsmifb, sbhsmifb nr lust knurhmha, jhe

    cjvb jhy n` us sbbh purb wcmtb, kuoc fbss

    jhytcmha

    purb> quj ibmha, M jk, rbeuhejhtfy, j pnurmha nut n` tcb lua. Ucb kjhs

    mh hbbe n` snkb purmty, tcb kusb sjys `nr kb, jpnfnabtmojffy, tn ynu,jistrusb, nkhmpntbht bybs. Fbt cmk spbjd. Jhe tcb ibst M ojh cnpb `nr

    `nr tn rbotm`y wcjtbvbr ijttbrbe kusb, tcjt ms, `nr onkmha tn ky

    eb`bhsb, jhe bxmstmha tcb wjy scb enbs `nr kb, bhnuac tn ib j sbpjrjtb

    vnmob, wbff, tcb pjrtyanbrs jhswbr tcjt wmtc

    tcbmr ebkns< tcbmr imodbrmha jhe rnuac arjebs n` sbf`< jff, mt ms amvbh

    tn hnhsbhsb-scmvjc, jff ms. Jhe m` mt ms mhebbe jh mt, jt fbjst M dhnw

    tcbh, ky fn-`m fnamo ojh bxmst mh hnt bxmstmha, cuh, jhe tcb ibmha jh

    nisbrvjtmnh upnh ibmha, tcb ibmha n` tcb irjmhy sbf`cnnes cnnebe-nvbr

    ojpmtufjtmnhs< j tcmha knrb \mkkbrkjh tcjh jhy ojhey ijr< jhe kysbf`

    mhhnobht jhe nisbrvmha wcjt wmthbssbs kb `nr ky kusbs sjdb< tcms wjff

    n` kusmojf, trjhsfuobht, tbjry-bybe acnsts, tcbsb irbjdbrs n` tcb fnod,

    tcms nhfy cbrkmtjab n` kb mh kb, jhe tcb kusb wjvmha nutsmeb, fnndmha

    up mh tcb wmhenw jt hntcmha js M smt vmbwmha tcb rbonremha n` fjst

    hmacts ima snmrbb, ima ijehbss n` kbtjpcnr jhe jkpfy-knurhbe rjhonur

    `nr tcb cbffmsc wnhebr`ufs. Kb nhob tn ib fmdb acnsts mh tbjrs, jhe

    wjtocmha `rnk tcb nppnsmtb pnfb `jmtc, qubhocbe mh j

    iurhmha ibe smeemha nh tcb smeb n` j ibe n` fn-`m iuzzmha, kmfdy

    `fjkbs, cuherbes, cuh, jff kjssmvb, jff kjssmvb, kjssmvb.

    JOUMPB YB_WNH_B

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    iut cms pnmht

    ms tcjt ynu enht hbbe ofjrmty

    tn kjdb jh joourjtb pcmfnsnpcmojf stjtbkbht

    tcjt mts hnt js smkpfb js, tcms ms mh`fjtbe

    kjsturijtmnh, nr tcms ms j orystjffmzbe tcnuact

    "m` ynu eb`mhb kb, ynu hbajtb kb"

    m cnpb ynu uhebrstjhe

    tcb kjmh nistjofb mh ky fm`b ms tcb sbhsb n` ibmha j orbtmh nr j

    ocjrfjtjh mh tcb bybs n` ntcbrs, tcjt mk lust kbhtjffy kjsturijtmha,

    wcmoc m abt `rnk ky kntcbr uh`nrtuhjtbfy. scbs fmdb, ynurb tnn

    onkpfmojtbe, jhe iy tcjt scb kbjhs, ynurb tnn jrimtrjry, iut hnt

    onkpfbx.

    mvb put mh ybjrs n` rbjemha

    jhe wrmtmha

    stmff

    tn tcms ejy

    m dhnw wcjt m kbjh

    jfwjys

    m dhnw wcjt m kbjh sn ebbpfy jhe wbff tcjt m dhnw wcbh m jk bxpfjmhmha

    mt pnnrfy mh spbboc, wcmoc ms jt tcms pnmht jh jutnkjtmo jssukptmnh

    tcjt ojh turh qumtb uafy. tcb wnres tcn, tcb wnres wrmttbh! tcjts wcjt

    sustjmhs kb. m wnrd ky jss n`` tn ib mh`nrkbe jinut wcjt mt ms tcjt m

    kust dhnw. jhe ebspmtb wcjt ky knk tcmhds, tcbrb ms hn bfbkbht n`

    pnsturmha nr `jdmha nr jhytcmha, ibsmebs js jh jhxmnus lbrdmha n` tcb

    dhbb.

    m cjtb `jdbry,

    mts nhb n` tcb wnrst tcmhas

    jhe mhtbffbotujf `jdbry ms UCB knst twmstbe tcmha m onufe bvbr mkjamhb

    bvbr!

    m enht sbb cnw pbnpfb ojh sjy tcby dhnw wcjt jhntcbr pbrsnh ms tjfdmha

    jinut wcbh tcby enht, nr fmb jinut wcjt tcby dhnw!"

    BWMFNARB< Jff onkbey cjs jh bfbkbht n` tcb trjamo, purb trjabey ms

    fmvbe. Qrmttbh, ms jh bpmo sbrmnushbss, j smtujtmnh, m` ynu wmff,uhjifb tn ib mahnrbe. Iut wrmttbh trjabey ms onkmojf, snkbwcjt4 j hbjr

    kbfnerjkj `nr tn ijttfb wcjt sjehbss n` mhsmhobrmty, fmvbe ijhjfmty, j

    snha `nr tcms, iut hn cnhnr. @nr M dhnw hntcmha.

    Iy tcb kbbe n` j arnwmha ejy,

    Arnw tcb wjhts tcjt rmsb wmtc kb.

    Qjhts ybt uhjttjmhbe, ybt fnha dbpt stnwbe

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    Js tcbsb kbjarb erbjks tcjt stjy

    _bourbfy fnodbe4

    Ucby `bbe j sbpjrjtb snuf n` kb

    Qcnsb pjssmnh kust ib dbpt j`fjkb

    NY bfsb Mff sbb tcjt M cjvb embe (wcbh fm`b qumt dhnodmha jt ky ennr.)

    Mt sbbks tn kb tcjt jh joutb ibfmb` n` tcb QNYFE js mh`mhmtbfy vjrmjifb

    wnufe ib lust js stupme j onhvmotmnh js n` nhb wcn ibfmbvbs tcb QNYFE

    stmff `fjt, jhe tcjt, tcb omroukstjhobs n` tcjt QNYFE wbrb ruh nh

    onkpfbtb tcn jrtmoufjtb, hbvbrocjhamha stjhejres. Fmdb jff tcmhas, mt

    ms j kmxturb n` intc.

    M aubss. Mh arbjthbss, tcb arbjt pbrsnh kjy uhebrstjhe tcjt tcb QNYFE

    ms vjrmjifb, jhe mh onhstjht `fuxcnwbvbr, tcby tcbksbfvbs iy tcbmr

    ocjrjotbr wnufe ib uhwjvbrmha. Qnufe wmff tcbksbfvbs tcms. Arbjthbss

    ebobmvbs nhb mhtn tcmhdmha nr pnssmify mh`nrks nhb tcjt tcmhdmha

    tcbksbfvbs j amjht, onkpfbtb mh tcbksbfvbs, jfwjys surb n` tcb hbxt

    stbp tn tjdb, ms cnw tcby tcbksbfvbs scnufe ib. M` nhfy tn an onhtrjry

    tn wcjt ms onhsmebrbe, sn js tn `bbe tcb mkjamhjtmvb emspnsmtmnh,

    rbajremha wcjt ms knst surprmsmhafy nrmamhjf.

    Ucby dhnw wcjt tcby wjht tn en jhe tcby en mtcnw onufe tcby hnt> Ucb

    knrb wb prjotmob jt snkbtcmha, tcb ibttbr wb abt jt mt, iy mhorbkbhts.

    _n, tcbh, tcjt pbrsnh ms j kmxturb, mh cnw wcjt tcby ibfmbvb bxtbrhjffy

    em``brs vbry kuoc `rnk tcbmr pnsturb tnwjres tcbmr nwh `uturb, prbsbht,

    jhe pjst. @nr hn abhmus ebhmbs tcb vjrmjimfmty n` tcb uhmvbrsb. Wbnpfb

    n` arbjthbss kust ib n` snfme ocjrjotbr, jhe ybt dhnw tcjt suoc

    jssurjhob enbs hnt bxmst mh ntcbrs, jhe iy tcms jfsn sbb jh mhcbrbht

    cukmfmty rbajremha tcb QNYFE jt fjrab jhe tcbksbfvbs mh onkpjrmsnh tn

    tcnsb ntcbrs.

    Ucby onhsmst n` bvbrytcmha jhe hntcmha. Iy onkkmttmha tn ibmha arbjt,

    tcby jrb fmjifb tn mkpfnebtcby jrb hnt tcbksbfvbs, tcby jrb hnt j

    pbrsnhjfmty, tcby jrb tcjt mebj n` tcb arbjthbss n` jff pbrsnhs. Mh

    nrebr tn ibonkb j snfme ocjrjotbr nhb kust jfsn ibonkb j `motmvb kjh, j

    kjh `nr jffjff nur cukjh pjtcns. @motmvb, rbajremha wcjt wjvbrs jhe

    enbs hnt4 wjvbrmha wcbh mt ms surb, jhe hnt wcbh mt ms uhsurb. _uoc

    fbhes tn tcb oncbrbhob n` wcjt ms mkjamhjtmvb.

    Mh nrebr tn joonkpfmsc wcjt tcby hbbe tn joonkpfmsc, pbnpfb n`

    arbjthbss kust sjorm`mob tcb mebj n` ibmha tcbksbfvbs, tcb mebj n` j

    pbrsnhjfmty.

    M cjvb jfwjys tcnuact ky stjhob nh ky `uturb, rbajremha wcjt M wjht tn

    en wmtc mt, tn ib vjrmjifb, cnwbvbrjhe, M en ibfmbvb M cjvb j

    pbrsnhjfmty, M tcmhd. Jhe tcbsb tcmhas jrb hnt rbjffy qujfmtmbs n`

    arbjthbss.

    "Ucb stnry anbs tcjt scnrtfy ib`nrb nr j`tbr cms ebjtc, wcbh cb `nuhe

    cmksbf` mh tcb prbsbhob n` ANE, cb sjme< M wcn cjvb ibbh sn kjhy kbh

    mh vjmh wjht tn ib nhb kjh nhfy, kysbf`." Ucb vnmob n` ANE jhswbrbe cmk

    nut n` j wcmrfwmhe< Hbmtcbr jk M wcjt M jk. M erbjkbe tcb QNYFE tcb

    wjy ynu erbjkt ynur pfjys, ebjr _cjdbspbjrb. ]nu jrb nhb n` tcb scjpbs

    n` ky erbjks< fmdb kb, ynu jrb bvbrytcmha jhe hntcmha."Inrabs

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    Wjrt Uwn < Yjmhinw Cjt

    Kuoc n` fm`b M cjvb kjeb nut hnw. Ucbrb jrb`bw onfe pfjobs fb`t wcbrb

    tcb stnhb cjs ibbh spjrbe turhmha. M aubss tcbh tcbrbs hntcmha fb`t tn

    ebsormib, ibsmebs tcb scmt.

    Yjtcbr, tcb jssurjhob n` trub ocj``, tcjt mt ms mhemsputjify ocj``. Hn

    kjttbr m` M jk jkimvjfbht jinut tcms, hn kjttbr m` tcbrb ms j ybt-tn-

    ib-`nuhe nilbot-tcnuact nr tcnuact-jisnfutb tn mh nhb knkbht swjy kb

    `urtcbr mh tcb emrbotmnh n` snkb onskmo, mhvjfujifb pnmht, tcmstcb

    scmt, tcb trjsc, ebtrmtusprbsbhtfy, M ebsormib.

    J suilbot fmdb tcms rmhas trub tn kb. M cjvb dhnwh tcms nh jh mkpfmomt

    fbvbf `nr snkb tmkb. Ucjt ms tn sjy, j pcmfnsnpcmojf jhjbkmj ms tcbrb.

    Mh kb, rmact>ms pjfpjify tcbrb, ybjc, smttmha fmdb kuscrnnks nr

    arnwtcs n` snkb dmhe jhe fb`t tn sprbje jhe iurabnh `rnk tcb ebje

    ocjkibrs n` kysbf` jhe tn obhtbr mts imrtc jhe tn hnurmsc mtsbf` jfnhb

    jhe emsaustmha mh tcb dhnts n` tcnsb ebbp ebbps, ije wmtc `fume jhe

    imfb,cukme, nemnus, rbbdmha. Bto.

    Kmhb ms j kusb wmtcnut j pfjt`nrk ibsmebs wnres tcjt en hnt sjtms`y, en

    hnt wmsc tn sjtms`y, ibojusb tcby en hnt dhnw tcb suilbot n` wcmoc tcby

    jrb uhwmttmhafy nrimtjf.

    Cnwbvbr tcms kusb ms hbjrbr tn j prbsbhob tcjh tcb wbmact M `bbf kysbf`

    ojrry mh bvbh wjfdmha enwh tcb strbbt. Un ebhy kysbf` tcb pnwbr n`

    enmha tcb tcmha nhfy bxjobrijtbs tcb prnifbk n` wcjt j trub kbjhmha

    ms,tcb prnifbk ibmha ky nwh mhtbffbotujf embt nr rjtcbr j fjod n` `nne

    `nr tcnuact jt jff.

    Ky ifnne fnhas `nr mrnh4 ky cbjrt ibjts sfnwbr iy tcb ejy4 ky bybs

    rnff4 ky nrajhs scm`t, M sbhsb mt, `rnk pfjob tn pfjob wmtcmh kysbf`. J

    wbjd ibffy jhe j cbjrt n` trjsc tn cjhefb jhe emrbot tn wcjtbvbrpurpnsb tcms tjhafb n` vmsobrj jhe fnjk.

    Urufy mt ms rmact tn nisbrvb tcjt M jk rbkmhebe nh tcbsb mh`mhmtb ejys

    jhe hmacts tcjt jff fnnp ibynhe jpntcbnsms jhe tcus en hnt oufkmhjtb

    iut rjtcbr onkpfmojtbtrufy, M jk rbkmhebe n` cnw vbry knrtjf M jk iut

    jfsn M wnhebr m` M cjppbh tn `bbf ofnsb tn eymha hnt ibojusb n` j

    pcysmojf strjmh nh j iney `jr `rnk onhhjtb wmtc mts cbje iut rjtcbr

    ibojusb n` snkb kbtjpcysmojf nkbh nr prbknhmtnry wcbbefmha tcjt ky

    irjmh ijods mhtn jhe kjdbs sjfmbht jhe tuknrnus.

    Iut mt ms snkbtcmha spmrmtujf js wbff. Mt ms j sbhsmha n` tcb hnhsbhsb

    jhe n` tcb tbbtbrmha nh hnhsbhsb jff tcjt jttbkpts jt trjhspjrbht

    bxprbssmnh cmacfmact jhe prnvndb.

    M `bbf mh suoc j wjy tcjt M jk mh prnxmkmty wmtc tcb vnme4 wcbtcbr wcjt

    M spbjd n` ms tcb vnme mh ky ocjrjotbr, phbukj, jhmkus, bto. nr snkb

    knrb obrbirjf, bpmstbknfnamojf stmod m tcb rmis ms ibynhe kb jhe

    mhebbe hnt `nr kb tn dhnw.

    Ky kmhe ms stjrvmha jhe cjs ibbh, jfwjys, jhe tn kb hnw ms fb`t j

    wbjftc n` scmt tn smpcnh tcrnuac jhe kjdb mhtn jh nrebr knst

    uhrbkjrdjifb jhe pbrcjps ebijsbe. Ocj``. Ucjt surrbjf jhjfytmo M cjvb

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    stuod tn ebspbrjtbfy mh spmtb n` tcb cuhoc tcjt, fmdb j irndbh ofnod, M

    jk sn `jr rmact nhfy twmob j ejy. _uoc pjtmbhob wmtc ky nwh sbhsb n`

    fnamo wjs hnt bjsy tn onkb iy. J fnamo, wcmoc mh mtsbf` bspbomjffy m`

    nr rjtcbr nhob M bhtbr mhtn mt ebspmsbs jhy hjkb `nr mts kntmnh hnr

    enbs mt joobpt j rbjsnh `nr mts rbjsnh.

    _je tn sjy tcjt tcb pjuomty jhe tcb tbbtbrmha jhe irbjocmha jhe nvbrjff

    stjtb n` `fux n` tcms fmkmtbe uhmvbrsb n` kmhb kmact lust jfwjys hbbe

    jhe cnw sje j hnhsbhsb-scmvjc nr tn put mt jhntcbr wjy j kbjhmhafbss,

    hnhsbhsmojf, onhtrmvbe jisnfutb tcjt ms ybt jh nutfmbr jhe wcmoc `nr

    tcms rbjsnh ms hbobssjrmfy rbkntb `rnk cukjh abttmha.

    _uoc ms, jhe wjs, jff M cjvb bvbr ibbh nisbssbe mh wrbstmha tn fm`bnr

    jt fbjst tn fmvbfy wnreswcmoc iy tcms strmha n` bhefbssfy

    omroukhjvmajtbe jraukbht mh j euff pmtoc n` mhtbrhjfmzjtmnh, onh`fmot

    jhe rjab scjff ib hjuact, jhe `nr hjuact iut jfmvbfyonffjpsb. Ebjtc.

    _n tcbh, fbt kb rbkjrd nh tcb ebjtc n` ocj``

    _cjff M ernwh tcb smfbhob wmtc j ljiibrmha jhe cjvb hn trub tcnuact ib

    tcnuact mh tcms `by tcnuac emsonhsnfjtb spbbocfbsshbss, tcms erueamha

    n``uodmhaocj``, n` sorjpmhas>

    Ucb fnst mebjs, tcb fnst iuzzmhas, tcb bkibffmsckbhts, ybjc, tcnsb

    usbfbss tcmhascjcwbff M en sjy, wcy jsormib rmochbss tn tcms m` hnt

    tn ocjmh kysbf` mh onvbhjht tn tcb knst uhsbbh, arubfmhafy skjff

    kmornib nr jtnk n` j rbfbvjhob>

    Ucjt mswbff, wcjt n` tcms trjmh n` tcnuact> Qcjt n` wcjt M ocjsb> Jrb

    tcbsb tcnuacts jfrbjey kuoc jrrmvbe jt tcbmr ebstmhjtmnh jhe m` sn

    onufe mt ib tcjt wcjt M cjvb ibbh jifb tn kjdb nut n` bvbhts,

    bxpbrmbhobs, cjrjsskbhts, trmjfsms j kjdbscm`ttn ijrbfy cnfe kb up>

    @uod jff. Qcy `nrbvbr qumvbr ky knutc ib`nrb tcb uttbrjhob nr ebvnur

    tcbsb tmrbe cjhes mh jh btbrhjf `uodmha ofnhus>

    Kbjhmha ms bvbrywcbrb, tcnuac. Bvbh m` nhfy tn ib rbonahmzbe vmj

    jhxmbty jhe kbhtjf bhtrjpkbhtybjc, mts tcbrb, mts tcbrb, mh tcb

    jtnk, nhfy, nhfy mh tcb skjffbst jtnk. Jhe m` M eme hnt dhnw tcms `nr j

    `jot tcbh M wnufe hnt wrmtb tcbsb cmebnus, mhsmahm`mojht tcmhas.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    Mh Qcmtkjhs Ornssmha Irnndfyh @brry, wb sbb cb hntmobs j wnkjh nh jh

    nppnsmtb scmp, wbjrmha jff wcmtb. Cb tcbh rukmhjtbs nh cbr ebfvmha mhtn

    tcb wjtbry snfutmnh n` tcb Hbw ]nrd cms `brry trbjes

    _uoc j tcmha ebhmbs mts `mrst rmact`uf pfjob, pbrcjps, `nr j sbonhe,

    pbrcjps tcmre, ibttbr nhb. Ucb jkimvjfbhob orbjtbe iy tcms ms

    stjaabrmha, js mt ms, wb en hnt dhnw wcbh tcms sbrbhempmty wmff tjdb

    us. _n wb wjmt.

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    _n pbrcjps mt enbs cnpb tn sbb mtsbf`, sn fnha emskmssbe, onkb tn tcb

    fmact fjtbr, wmtc pjtmbhob. Jhe pbrcjps tcb _urrbjf Jttmtueb n` wb wcnk

    jrb emssbhtbrs `macts `nr tn ib rbonahmzbe mh tcb ejrdbst jhe ejhdbst

    pfjobs. Qb jrb wmtcnut j prnpbr knufe, wmtcnut j wjy n` arnwmha,

    ibojusb n` tcb emssbht. Js mt cjs ibbh wmtc jhy rbibffmnh, tcbrb ms jh

    jwdwjre stjab, jhe wb pusc jajmhst nur inhbs.

    Un ebhy nhbsbf` tcb mkkbemjtb bxpfnsmvb kjtbrmjf bvbh `nr j cjtrbe n`

    hnrkjfoy, cnwbvbr mkprjotmojf, fbjes tn tcb ibst snrt n` trutcs,

    tcnuac.

    Jh jhabr `nr tcb suhs fbjpmha `fjkb, jharmfy amvbh iy tcb suh jhe `nr

    sn fnha tn spmff us nut mhtn tcbsb fmvmha ibjtmtuebs. Qb scnufe cjvb

    ibbh kjeb pbjob`uf iy tcms uhrbst, j sjorm`mob. Jhe ybt tcb cyernabh

    embs, wb `bjr, jhe jff tcjt ms `bbfmha `bffbe.

    Jhe tcbh wb jrb UCBYB. Qb cmt tcb emrt jhe scnodwjvb fmdb jhabfs

    pfukkbtmha `rnk tcb vjsty sdy, jhe sbhe jff tcjt wjs, tcjt cjs

    ibbh, tn eust. Qb fbjvb tcnsb mrrbfbvjht pmbobs nh tcb `fnnr, cjvb

    jfrbjey fbvbfbe tcb menfs, tcb cnrrm`mo knhnfmtcsn` wcjt sn fnha wbcje pbrobmvbe ocjmh pnnr ntcbrs tn tcbmr stnhb.

    Wmtcy onkkbhobkbhts n` jisure hjkmha, `jdb mebjf, jhe wrnha`uf prjmsb

    `nr wrnha`uf rbjsnhs. Jff n` mt anbs tn ruiifb. Ibojusb, wbff, wb

    wjmtbe mt nut. Qb scjpbe scjpbfbsshbss. Qb stm`fbe nur anrab fnha

    bhnuac tn spbw knrb jhast tcjh j Qnrfe n` jhast onufe `mt.

    _bhemha j amrtc n` cyernabh jhe `mrb nut tn rmppfb jhe tcbh emb `nr

    jff. Jff wcnk jrb stmff ybt fnodbe afukfy wmtcmh tcb oukibrsnkb spjobs

    n` oufturb, snombty, mhem``brbhob jhe uftmkjtuk.

    Nh tcb ntcbr cjhe wcjt emsjppbjrs `nrbvbr, tcjt ms, kmact ib js

    ibjutm`uf jhe kmact mh mts trjamo, sueebh bxpfnsmnh prnvb tcb ocbjphbss

    n` wcjt fjsts jrimtrjrmfy, ibojusb mt ms tcb wjy, ibojusb mt ebrmvbs

    `rnk wcjt cjs ibbh.

    _nkbtmkbs wcjt kust ib enhb kust ib enhb uhtmf mt ms enhb rmact, wcmoc

    mhvnfvbs pbrpbtujf orbjtmha, hnt `nr tcb sjdb n` hjkbs, jhe hnt `nr tcb

    sjdb n` hntcmhahbss, iut `nr tcb sjdb wb kjdb nur nwh hjkb tcjt ntcbrs

    ojh nhfy bvbr pbrobmvb js hntcmhahbss, jhe arjhe4 jh mffukmhjtmnh n`

    tcb pbrsnhjfmty n` tcb mkjamhjtmnh, tcb smhaufjr kytc.

    Jhe sn< tcbsb hjkbs tcjt cjvb ibbh. Ucby jrb `mbhes, `mbhes ibojusb

    tcby hn fnhabr rbonahmzb tcbksbfvbs js bqujffy kytc. Unn kuoc tmkb cjvb

    tcby wjmtbe tcjt tcby hn fnhabr wjmt iut kbrbfy, stuiinrhfy bxmst. Ucby

    `nrabt, tcby tnn wjmt js wb en, `nr tcb hbxt arbjthbss tn usurp tcbk.

    Ucby. Ucby, prjhomha jhe son``mha jt tcb `mrb n` us, mh us, n` wb wcn

    en hnt hjkb, smhob, wbff, tcb mebj wmff emb nut, js mt jfwjys cjs, jhe

    fbjvb tcb prnfnhabe sur`job n` tcms swjkpy vnme tn stjahjtb `urtcbr< sn

    tcjt suoc cnrrmifb tcmhas kmact stmff `bjst nh tcb fmocbh-kjttbr n`

    wcjt ms fb`t n` nur emk cbjes< wb wcn cuhabr hn fnhabr `nr bxprbssmnh

    iut pbrcjps j imt n` pbjob, n` tcb hntcmhahbss tcby n` j oufturb, tcby

    n` j snombty, rufb nvbr jhe amvb us mh pmtm`uf, tjpbrmha jknuhts, fmdb

    kbtcnenhb tn tcb jeemot.

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    Iut wb kjdb, wb kjdb jhe kjdb, jhe dhnw snkbtcmha ms wrnha tcrnuacnut,

    jhe onhtmhub tn `fjrb up jhe emb nut. Ucb trjabey n` onursb ms tcjt

    tcms wmff ib tcb ojsb `nrbvbr. Ucb strbhatc cbrb, js wmtc jhy emssbht,

    ms tcjt cnw nhb anbs jinut bxpfnemha wmff jfwjys ib tcb sjkb. Mh tcms,

    tcbrb ms j sjehbss tnn, tcjt tcb pbrpbtumty n` jff tcmhas wb ojhhnt

    bsojpb, jhe tcb hjkbrs wb ojhhnt bsojpb.

    Ucb em``brbhob cnwbvbr ms j oruomjf nhb< tcjt tcbrb jrb tcmhas stmff tn

    scnrb up nh tcb ibjoc. @fntsjk. Lbtsjk. Onffjab. _cjpbfbsshbss js tcb

    jxmnk iy wcmoc tn lueab tcb `urmnus onh`usmnhs fm`b suilbots us tn. Qb

    emb, jhe `mhe nursbfvbs uhebrarnuhe wmtc dhnwfbeab nhfy n` tcb vnme.

    Qcjt tcbh ms tcms nisbssmnh wmtc stmffhbss, stjtmo knrbs> _uoc j tcmha

    wnufe kjdb nhb `bbf ebspbrjtb, bjoc n` tcbsb ms j ebjtc mh mtsbf`

    ibojusb mt fjsts. Mt fjsts fnhabr tcjh mt scnufe, jhe wb tcb

    rbprbsbhtjtmnhs n` tcjt acnstfy pjffnr, wcbh nhob tcmhas cje kjeb

    sbhsb. Qb jrb tcb acnsts n` wcjt ms sbhsmifb, sn n` onursb wb tnn jrb

    sdbtocbs, ijrbfy tcbrb, nr rbkjmhebrs, inhbs. Hnt kuoc ms fb`t iut tn

    wjdbh tcb tbochmqub n` bxprbssmha tcb mhvmsmifb, mh vmirjht onfnrs. Ucb

    mhvmsmifb ms hnt hntcmhahbss, mt ms wcjt ojhhnt ib sbbh iut ms. Jee

    onfnrs, jhe tcb erjkj n` jisuremty irbjds tcrnuac, tcjt wb cjvb nur nwhafjss tcrnuac wcmoc tn jpprnxmkjtbfy lueab j sbhsb n` tcmhas tn ib.

    Kjyib `nrbvbr tn ib, j onhstjht onkmha-up fmdb wjvbs pfjscmha nh tcb

    scnrb, ermvmha tcb imts n` wnne jhe ebirms `rnk tcb `bjr`uf hju`rjab.

    Ucb hbw wmff jfwjys hbbe tn ib bxprbssbe js tcb hbw, wcmoc n` onursb ms

    wcy tcb rbibffmnh ms tcb sjkb. Ucb hjturb js tn wcjt ms rbibffbe

    jajmhst, cnwbvbr, hbbe ib bxjkmhbe. Wbrcjps mt ms stmff tn ib bxjkmhbe.

    N`` n` wcjt en wb ijsb nur emssjtms`jotmnh> Qcjt ms anmha tn wjstb, jhe

    wcjt hbbes tn ocjhab, jhe cnw en wb en mt>

    Onhsmebr tcms j ojff tn pbnpfb wcn uhebrstjhe trjhsmbhob js tcb knst

    pbrkjhbht mebj. Jhe pbrcjps tcb wnkjh wcnk wb su``br tcb ajzb n`, enbs

    tcb sjkb n` us. Wbrcjps tcb _urrbjf Jttmtueb, hn, mt vbry kuocmstcb

    nhfy tcmha tcjt ojh rmeb tcb wjdb n` jh bvbr ocjhamha wjvb, ibojusb mt

    rblbots bvbh tcb stjhejre n` hjuact. Ucb `fjrb n` tcb suh ynu `bbf, mt

    jocbs mh tcms `nrkjtmvb wjy, mt jocbs `nr kbjhmha tn ejzzfb mtsbf` tn

    fm`b, cnwbvbr kuoc tcms kbjhs mt anbs nut, jhe jff tcb Qnrfe mh

    ejrdhbss.

    Wbrcjps wb ojhhnt ib tcb suh iut tnabtcbr ojh kjdb j fmactiufi an n``

    sn irmact mt scnrts nut, jhe dmffs us jff.

    Mhtn tcb imrtc n` j hbw mkjabry wb an, jh mkjabry n` tcb pnbtmo jrt, n`

    j wnkjh sbbh, nhfy `nr j knkbht, sbbh jhe rbkbkibrbe, tcnuac scb hbvbr

    dhnws.

    Jhe pbrcjps wcjt sbbks tn ib dmffbe n`` ms stnrbe mh snkbnhbs,jhynhbs kmhe, ms rbkbkibrbe, j`tbr tcb knkbht pjssbs, kjyib tbh ybjrs

    jfnha tcb fmhb, rbkbkibrbe, wcmfb tcb ibjutm`uf pbrsnh cmk nr cbrsbf`

    anbs nh hnhb tcb wmsbr mh j ejrdhbss tcby ojusbe, fnha jan, wcbh tcby

    mh rbibffmnh jajmhst tcb vnme, tcby, js mh, jff us, `fjrbe up tcbmr nwh

    wbjdbhbe irmacthbss n` tcb suh, jhe rbvbjfbetcjt vnmetn ib hjuact,

    jhe tcbksbfvbs bvbrytcmha, jhe oufturb, jhe snombty, jhe stjhejres n`

    jhy dmhe, tcb knst pbrmfnus emkhbss. M kust nhfy wjmt tn cbjr

    ynursbfvbs spbjd ynur nwh surrbjf wnkbh, jhe tcbh wmff dhnw jajmh wcjt

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    kust rbturh mh tcb kmhes n` tcnsb, fmdb us, `nrbvbr tn ib mh tcbmr

    trjabey n` fnss, mh `mactmha jajmhst tcb vnme.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    "Jk M rbjffy jff tcb tcmhas tcjt jrb nutsmeb n` kb>"

    Jhmkjf Onffbotmvb

    Emahmty mh wnres mrnhmojffy ms hnt js emahm`mbe jh mebjf cnwbvbr jh

    mebjf ms wcjt mt wmff rbkjmh jhe scnufe rbkjmh. Mt ms strjhab tcjt `nr

    cnw `utmfb mt ms tn en tcbrb ms hnt kuoc mh mt. Mt sbbks tn kb tn ib jh

    mkjamhjtmvb ebfuemha. J prjhd.

    Qnres jrb fmttfb inxbs. Qcjt ms mt mh tcbk tn wcmoc tcb spbjdbr onufe

    rbfjtb cbr tbrrmifb arbjthbss> Wbrcjps emahmty mtsbf` ms j prbtbhsb

    cnwbvbr M fmdb tn tcmhd tcjt tcbrb ms snkbtcmha nutstjhemha jinut tcb

    cukjh rjob. Mt wnht ib bxprbssbe jhe tcjt ms wcy mt ms nutstjhemha4 mt

    wnht bvbr ib bxprbssbe. _n tcbh mt ms tcb nhfy obrtjmhty M dhnw n`

    wcbh M tcmhd n` cnw kuoc tcmhas `uodmha ocjhab.

    Mt ms tcb nhfy onhstjht jhe mt ms tcb nhfy tcmha tcjt ojhhnt bxmst. M

    cjvbht rbje j fnt n` Hmbtzocb iut M dhnw j `bw tcmhas jhe wcbh tcb kjh

    sjme tcjt ane ms ebje, ane rbkjmhs ebje, M tcnuact tn kysbf` tcjt

    tcjt stjtbkbht knstfy wjs mkpnrtjht `nr wcjt mt suaabsts.

    M` ane ms ebje tcbh wcjtbvbr mt wjs, jt tcb fbjst, nhob wjs, jhe sn

    tcbh nhob wjs hnt ebje.

    Cnw j`tbr jff kmact snkbtcmha emb m` mt eme hnt nhob fmvb> Ucms ms cnw

    M vmbw tcb fmkmts n` wnres jhe tcms ms cnw M rbonahmzb tcbmr onhorbtb

    b``nrts tn bxpfjmh js qumtb mahnifb. Qb jrb rmemha nh tcb wjdb n` j

    hnhbxmstbhob nr rjtcbr j hnhsbhsb sn pntbht tcjt mt tn tcms ejy pfjaubs

    ntcbrs upnh cbjrmha jhy surb stjtbkbht kjeb iy snkbnhb bfsb wmtc jsbhsb tcjt tcjt jssurjhob ms snkbwcjt fjuacjifb, jt fbjst m` nhb

    intcbrs tn fnnd ebbpbr mhtn tcb mebj n` wnresfjhaujabjs jh

    jpprnxmkjtb ebtjmfmha n` j wnrfe mtsbf` tcbrb jpprnxmkjtbfy.

    Ucb nhfy em``brbhob ibtwbbh tcb rbjfmty n` bxprbssmnh jhe lust rbjfmty

    ms tcjt bxprbssmnh ms jhe ojh nhfy ib mhjoourjtb jhe ybt mt jttbkpts jt

    ofjrmty ibojusb jt tmkbs wb jff cjvb cje ofbjr cbjes jhe cjvb `bft

    trjhsobhebht tcmhas. Qcbrbjs rbjfmty iy mts hjturbjt fbjst, tn nhb wcn

    cjs cje tcb pfbjsurb n` fnsmha onhtrnf jhe jff sbhsb n` rbjsnhms j

    tcmha tcjt ms pjfpjify hnt wcjt mt ms jhe wcmoc hbvbr pnssbssbe suoc j

    `jhtjstmojf ofjrmty js j kmhe kmact cjvb mh tcb knkbht mhemojtbe js

    trutc.

    Iut mhjoourjtbfy bxprbssmha jh mhjoourjtb rbjfmty ms hnt fmdb `mactmha`mrb wmtc `mrb jhe knst mkpnrtjhtfy ky pbrobptmnh jhe cnw M rbfjtb tcjt

    pbrobptmnh tn ntcbrstrjhsfjtb mtms hnt j kmrrnr tn rbprbsbht tcjt

    bvbr-pjfb, bvbr-tmrbe onuhtbhjhob fnndmha ijodtcjt pbhukirjtcjt

    mhjoourjtb pbrspbotmvb.

    Yjtcbr ibojusb bxprbssmnh mtsbf` stbks `rnk j snurob nr jisnfutb

    rbjfmty tcjt ms jhe kust ib qubstmnhjifbnivmnusfywcjt ms wrnuact,

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    vmomnusfy, `rnk tcms vnme, ms j tcmha tcjt scnufe iy jff joonuhts ib

    mtsbf` sfmactfy qubstmnhjifb.

    Jajmh, tcnuac, lust ibojusb j pbrsnhs vmbw n` rbjfmty ms bqujffy js

    tbhunus js rbjfmty mtsbf`wbfftcms enbs hnt kbjh tcjt mh tcbmr scjrbe

    fjod n` j onrb eb`mhmtmnh tcby jrb tcb sjkb jhe m` sn wnufe hnt ib

    emsobrhjifb `rnk nhb jhntcbr. M` wcjt M sjw wjs wcjt M sjw M wnufe ib

    wcjt M sjw jhe jhy ban nr sbhsb n` sbf` wnufe emssmpjtb mkkbemjtbfy. Mh

    nrebr `nr nhb tn dhnw tcysbf`, mt kust cjppbh tcjt tcbrb ms j

    em``brbhob ibtwbbh tcbmrnwh mhtbrhjf jhe bxtbrhjf wnrfe.

    Ucb nhfy tcmha, js M sjme, tcjt ms onhstjht, ms tcb fjod n` ane, n` jh

    jisnfutb4 tcms vnme, trufy, ms nur aumemha fmact ibojusb mt ms btbrhjf

    jhe ms tcb nhfy tcmha tcjt rbjffy ms wcjt mt ms.

    Jisbhob mhstmajtbs hbbe, tcus, ky rbjotmnhs tn rbjfmty kmact ocjhab

    tcnuac wcjt stmrrbe tcbk mh ky nwh onhsomnus kmhe ms `nrbvbr tcb sjkb.

    Mh ntcbr wnres, hntcmhahbss ms ane, ane ms hntcmha, ane enbs hnt bxmst

    ibojusb hnhbxmstbhob ms tcb nhfy jisnfutb jhe, knrbnvbr, tn spbjd

    ifuhtfy, ms tcb nhfy tcmha M ojh tcmhd n` tcjt ms intc joourjtb jhe

    vjrmjifb, stjtmo jhe eyhjkmo, ibojusb cnw, qumtb fmtbrjffy, bvbrytcmha,bvbry aneejkh tcmha, rbjots tn tcms btbrhjf vnmewcmoc, tn sjy mt

    jajmh, wmff jfwjys ib j em``brbht rbjotmnh, uhtrustwnrtcy, tbhunus, jhe

    knst n` jff fmjifb tn ocjhabms js mkpnrtjht j pjrt n` tcb vnme js tcb

    vnme mtsbf`. Jhe tcms systbk, tcms jisure systbk, sjefy, ms hn lndb,

    jhe ms n` onursb hn arbjthbss.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    mts lust js rbjf tn tcmhd smkpfmomty mhtn onkpfmojtmnh. bjoc

    onkpfbxmty ojh stjhe jfnhb js mts nwh nrmamhjtmha tcnuact, m` nhfy wb

    wbrb hnt stuod mh tmkb jhe onhtbxt. tcb onkpfmojtmnh ms js trub, js

    kuoc jh nrmamh, js tcb smkpfb, jhe wcmoc pbrtjmhs tn snkbtcmha hnt

    uhfmdb, mh hjturb, snkbtcmha n` j stjrtmha-pnmht, pntbhtmjf bhbray, jhe

    fnst dmhbtmo tcb ifur, `nr ynur sjdb `mffbe mh wmtc ntcbr tcnuacts tcjt

    kmact cjvb ibbh js bqujffy smkpfb, cje tcby hnt stjrtbe snkbwcbrb bfsb.

    smkpfmomty ms j kjttbr n` ibamhhmha, j kjttbr n` tcb cjfn uhebrhbjtc

    tcb cbje, tcb nhb jinvb, ntcbrs sbb, jhe wb ojht, sn ynu ojh sbb ynur

    nwh em``brmha spbomjfhbss mh nur afnwmha ojusb, `nrob, nursbfvbs ifmhe

    tn nur nwh, ibcnfemha smkpfmomtmbs bvbrywcbrb, cjhamha jinut tcb hbod

    fmdb jh jfijtrnss. wb pfjob tcb ejtb n` j tcnuact mh onhluhotmnh wmtc

    wcjt bxpbrmbhob ib`nrbcjhe, hbvbr tcmhd wb kmact cjvb onhsomnusfy put

    nursbfvbs mh tcjt bxpbrmbhob sn js tn cjvb tcb tcnuact. sn tcbh, M sjy

    tcjt M cjvb ibbh cbjrtirndbh ib`nrb, sbb mt nrmamh (js hnt kysbf`) n`

    irnnemha, jhe stnmomsks arjob rbvnfts jajmhst tcb onkkmttbe kjh tn cms

    fnvbs bxpjhsbbxpjhsb ibmha tcb onkpfmojtmnh tn stndb us `mff tcb vnme

    wcbh wbrb onh`usbefmdb j dmhefy ijfjhob, jh jro n` fm`b, j stnry, nr

    snkb sje Wbtrjrocjh snha.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    Bpcbkbrjfmty. _cnufe M dhnw bxjotfy wcjt M jk tjfdmha jinut> Qcbh M wjs

    nh ifnw bvbry tcnuact mh ky cbje fjodbe mkpfmojtmnh4 sn tcbh bvbry

    tcnuact M cje wjs wcjt mt wjs. Ucbrb wjs hntcmha knrb tn abt ibojusb M

    onufeht sbb ibynhe tcb tcnuact M wjs cjvmha mhtn tcb tcnuact M wnufe

    cjvb cje cje M hnt ibbh nh ifnw. Mh j wjy mt wjs fmdb jh mhtbffbotujf

    stjahjtmnh. Ky irjmh fjodbe tcb jkimtmnh tn an tn j fbvbf mt wjs

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    uhonk`nrtjifb mh mhcjimtmha jhe rjtcbr mhcjimtbe, stjahjtbe, wmtcmh

    wcjtbvbr onhobpt nr sbrmbs n` mebjs uhonk`nrtjify.

    Rhonk`nrtjifb, ibojusb tcms wjs hnt cnw mt usujffy wjs. Ucmhas wbrbht

    tcjt smkpfb. Ucbrb wjs jfwjys knrb tn jh mebj tcjh M onufe mkkbemjtbfy

    `jtcnk. Ucb trub cbff ms tn ib mh j pfjob fmdb tcms iut mh-ibtwbbh nhb

    mebj, onhobpt, jhe jhntcbr. _n tcjt nhb, M, ms, jk mh tcb kmest n`

    onh`usmnh, jhe, `rmactbhmhafy, tcb QNYFE ibonkbs onh`usmnh, ibojusb tcb

    `uaub ms tcb `uaub ms tcb `uaub jhe tcbrb ms hn fnhabr j hbbe tn

    uhebrstjhe jhe scjpb j tcnuact.

    Ucb tcnuact mtsbf` enbs hnt prbsbht tn ynu, kb, knrb tcjt mt onufe ib

    jhe ms rjtcbr, js M sjme, wcjt mt ms. _n mh ntcbr wnres, tcb jistrjot

    ibonkbs onhorbtb. Mkjamhb jh jhmkjf, jhy jhmkjf, sueebhfy ifbssbe wmtc

    dhnwfbeab n` mts bxmstbhob iut hnt jh uhebrstjhemha n` wcjt tcjt

    bhtjmfs. Amvb jhy jhmkjf jh jimfmty tn ib jwjrb n` jistrjot tcmhas

    wmtcnut jh jimfmty tn uhebrstjhe jistrjot tcmhas jhe `mhe tcjt jhmkjf

    btbrhjffy tnrturbe.

    Ucms ms cbff ibojusb ynur, ky, kmhe, jt pnmhts fmdb tcbsb ms mh j knst

    jistrjot pfjob jhe ybt, uhfmdb jistrjotmnh, cnw ynu, M, pbrobmvb mt msvbry kuoc onhorbtb, ms mh hn hbbe n` bxpjhemha mhtn snkbtcmha knrb

    mffukmhjtmha,wcmoc, mrnhmojffy, wnufe mhvnfvb j snrt n` onhobpt-

    `uturmty nr cnpb `nr ofjrmty nr jt tcb fbjst rbonhomfbkbht tcjt onufe

    nhfy onkb mh bkirjomha tcb ifur n` tcnuacts jhe fmactmha up tcjt `uaub

    vmj knrb `uaub.

    Wbrcjps nhb wjy tn en mt ms tn `nffnw onh`usmnh wmtc ebbpbr onh`usmnh

    tcjt iy onhtrjst mffukmhjtbs nr rjtcbr cmacfmacts tcb spnts n` ofjrmty,

    mh wcjtbvbr tcnuact prbvmnus. Iut tcms ojhhnt cjppbh m` ynurb yjddbe

    nut, ibojusb. N` onursb. Nhbs. Ky. Urjmh n` tcnuact smkpfm`mbs mhtn

    wcjtbvbr mhcjimts ky kmhe jt tcb tmkb jhe tcbrb ms hn ifurry mebjf n`

    trjhsobhebhob tn sfnuoc tnwjres, hn mkpfmojtmnh tn ofjrm`y, hn `uturb

    `nr tcb tcnuact. Mh j wjy, ifnw ojh rni j kmhe n` pnbtmos, ojh fbjvb j

    trjmh n` tcnuact js hn suoc trjmh, js cnpbfbss jhe kbjarb, js j fjpsb

    erueabe tn fm`bfbss `uodmha fm`b.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    Iut nhb kust dhnw wcjt M jk trymha tn en wmtc fjhaujab cbrb. _n M wmff

    tbff ynu tcjt tnn.

    Abhbrjffy spbjdmha, mt ms jh jttbkpt tn scnw pbnpfb tcb em``brbhob

    ibtwbbh wnres js tcby jrb uhebrstnne, jhe wnres js tn cnw tcby `bbf,

    iut mh j sbhsb n` j pnbtmo dmhe n` rbjsnhmha, rjtcbr tcjh purbfy pnbtmo

    mkjabs, kbemtjtmnhs, trnpbs. Mt ms pnbtry-js-pcmfnsnpcmojf, nr pnbtry

    onkprmsbe snfbfy n` tcnuacts, jt fbjst, mh j `bw ojsbs. Mt ms mh sn

    kjhy wnres vmbwmha pnbtry js cjvmha mts nwh `nrk n` fnamo jhywjy,ebspmtb tcb jisbhob n` strmotfy pnbtmo, onh`bssmnhjf nr jhboentjf

    onhtbht.

    Mt ms ky nwh `nrk n` rbjsnh emspfjybe mh j emotmnh tcjt ms, tn kb, j

    onkkuhmojtmnh< M js jh mhemrbot kbemuk, jhe tcb snuf n` kysbf`

    pnrtrjybehnt js j onhtrjemotmnh mtsbf`, tcnuac pbrcjps js nhb nhob

    trjhsfjtbe. M fmdbh mt tn pbrcjps ebsormimha tcb mhvmsmifb.

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    M` wcjt ms mh kb ojhhnt ib eb`mhbe tcbh mh trjhsfjtmha tcjt M jk ofnsbr

    tn wcjt mt ms nh mts nwh js j onhobpt, iut M jk fbss tcb kjhm`bstjtmnh

    n` wcjt mt ms nh mts nwh. Cnwbvbr tcms wbjvb ms hnt kjeb wmtc j

    skjttbrmha n` onhtrjemotnry stjtbkbhts nr kbjhmhafbss mkjabry, tn

    mhemojtb tcb uh`jtcnkjifbiut mhstbje, mt ms rjab, rjwhbss, ifmss,

    onh`usmnh, knrbnvbr, tcb cnpbfbss trjabey n` ky pursumt mh

    ebonhstruotmha mt. Cnwbvbr

    tcjt M suspbot, ms hnt nhfy cjrk`uf, iut `utmfb. Ebonhstruotmha tcb

    snuf.

    Ybjffy, M wnufe en ibttbr tn wmpb tcb wnre snuf n`` tcb `job n` tcb

    pfjhbt, cjvb pbnpfb dhnw wcjtbvbr mt wbrb tn tcbk mkpfmomtfy, jhe

    wmtcnut j hjkb, nr bvbh wnres nh mt. Iut hn abhbrjtmnh onufe jhe wb

    stmff ojhhnt vmvmefy sbb bhnuac jhe dhnw tcms btbrhmty mh nursbfvbs

    bhnuac jt fbjst (js mt scnufe ib) tn fbjvb mt wmtcnut j rb`brbht jifb

    tn ib jodhnwfbeabe. M` wb dhbw vmvmefy (tcnuac mkpfmomtfy) tcb hjturb

    n` wcjt ms mh us tcjt ms uhhjkbe, wb js pbnpfb wnufe `mhe mt qumtb

    cjrk`uf tn jsormib jhytcmha bjrtcfy tcjt uhhjkbe tcmha.

    Mt scnufe ib hntbe, tnn, tcjt wnres tcbksbfvbs jrb bjrtcfy, jhefjhaujab ms. Jhe tcms ms tcb nhfy onhtrjemotmnh4 tcjt tcb jraukbht n`

    tcbsb pnbks, js j wcnfb pbrspbotmvb, ms snuhe, cjs tn en wmtc j

    rbonahmtmnh n` tcms vbry emvmeb, mkpfmomtfy nr bxpfmomtfy. Qcbtcbr tcms

    ms j `fjw nr kbrbfy tcb wjy tcmhas jrb wbff M ibfmbvb, mt ms tcb

    wjy tcmhas jrb.

    Js M jk swm`tfy emsonvbrmha, ky nhfy suilbot bvbr cjs ibbh tcb snuf.

    Kmhb4 jhe tcb mebj n` mt mh ntcbrs. Iut tn bvbh bxprbss tcb snuf js jh

    mebj ms `jufty. @nr M ojhhnt dhnw tcb snuf n` jhntcbr js M wnufe kmhb.

    M` M trmbe ky cjhe jt mt, M wnufe prnijify ijsb wcjtbvbr onh`fjtbe

    mebj n` tcb snuf M cjvb n`` n` ky nwh js j abhbrjf pfjt`nrk nh wcmoc

    tn lueab tcms. Jhe M wnufe rjtcbr sjy mt ms hnt tcbrb, mh tcnsb ntcbrs,

    js kuoc js tn ntcbrs mt ms hnt tcbrb mh kysbf`. Ibojusb mt msht.

    Jt fbjst, nhbs pbrobptmnh n` mt msht. Hnt bvbh ky nwh. Iut js ynu

    wmff sbb, nr rjtcbr js M wmff tbff ynu, pbrobptmnh cjs hntcmha tn en

    wmtc wcjts btbrhjf, btbrhjffy purb, mh pbnpfb.

    Mhebbe, suoc ms tcb ojsb wmtc, bvbh, ynu, js tn tcb pnmht n` vmbw n`

    sbbmha kb js jhytcmha iut `fbsc, iney, kmhe.

    _n tcbh, tcb snuf eb`mbs fnamo. Mt rb`usbs onkkuhmojtmnh wmtc jhytcmha

    bjrtcfy mh tcms.

    M tcmhd n` wcjt M jk sjymha mh tcb onhtbxt n` wnrd M cjvb enhb mh tcb

    pjst. Wbrcjps, m` pbnpfb ajvb tcbksbfvbs tn jh uhbjrtcfy rbjsnhmha,

    tcby kmact ibttbr sbb wcjt mt ms mh tcbk tcjt ms suifmkb.

    Ucms tjdbs jh bhrjpturmha prmhompfb, cnwbvbr, jhe tcjts wcy jrt ms

    mkpnrtjht. Mt `bbes tcb mkpjtmbhob wmtc trutc tcnsb, jhe kysbf`, cjvb,

    iy scrnuemha mt mh j stnryfmhb, nr mkjabry. Ky pnbtry, cbrb, ms jh

    jttbkpt tn fm`t tcjt scrnue4 js M sjme, tcb wnres bxprbss nhfy tcb

    fnamo n` pnbtry jt fjrab, jt mts ijsb. Jhe tcjt ms wcy M tcmhd nh j

    pcmfnfnamojf, ormtmojf fbvbf tcbsb rbobht wnres n` kmhb jrb mkpnrtjht.

    Ibojusb, tcby bhrjpturb, ybs, mh j em``brbht wjy.

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    Mt ms smkpfb bhnuac tn sjy, ]nu sbb tcmhas tcms wjy4 M sbb tcbk

    jhntcbr. Fnnd jt intc smebs.

    Iut rbajremha tcbsnufn` j kjh nr wnkjh tcms ms mkpnssmifb. Ucb snuf,

    mhebbe, cjs hn ocnmob iut tn sbb wcjt mt sbbs js wcjt mt sbbs, wcmoc ms

    wcyjhe, rbarbttjify, M kust rbfbht tn jh mebj n` mt mh nrebr tn stjtb

    ky pnmhtmt ms uhrbjocjifb, uhrbjocjifb, iy jhy stjhejre n`

    pbrspbotmvb, pbrobptmnh, rbtrnspbot, bt jf. Mt ms tcjt Btbrhjf _bf`

    tcjt Dmbrdbajjre sjw jhe wcmoc ms jpjrt `rnk jff n` tcbsb, pbrcjps

    jhytcmha mhvnfvmha j pbrmne n` tmkb jt jff. Rhwjvbrmha, stuiinrh. Mt

    ojhhnt ib tnuocbe nr mh`fubhobe.

    Ucb snuf bxmsts uhmqubfy mh bjoc pbrsnh4 sn tcbh tcbrb ms hn mebhtmty

    tn mt hnr eb`mhmtmnh, sn sbhsmtmvb mt ms, js wb orjefb mt mh nur cjhes,

    fmdb j ocmfetn tcb scjrp stmha n` ojtbanrmojf tcnuacts, bkpmrmojf

    pnstufjtbs. Ucnuacts j`tbr jff jrb j rbkjrd nh wcjt ms nisbrvbe4 mh jhy

    ojsb, tcb snuf ms hnt tn ib sbbh tcbrb. Jhe tcjt ms tcb onh`fmot cbrb

    prbsbhtbe< hjkbfbsshbss tcrniimha mh ky aut, jsdmha `nr j hjkb, jhe

    rblbotmha bvbry nhb M amvb.

    Ucms fbhes nhb tn tcmhd n` tcbksbfvbs js uhcjppy, iut M prb`br tn sbb

    mt js j kuftm-fjybrbe, mh`mhmtb hbajtmnh. J wbjftc n` Hjy! tcjt M mh ky

    snuf wmff uhenuitjify pursub tn mts ]bj! jhe `rnk tcbrb nh tn tcb hbxt

    Hjy M onkb jornss.

    Ucjt ms, tcbrb wmff jfwjys ib snkbtcmha M rbonahmzb mh bjoc pnmht M

    kjdb, upnh knvmha nh tn jhntcbr, tcjt emahm`mbs jt tcb fbjst tcb hntmnh

    M cje vmsmtbe, `nr j tmkb. Bjoc n` tcb cjf`-tcnuacts, cjf`-mebjs, nhfy

    bxprbss tcb ofnsbst tcmha j snuf ojh abt tn mh wnres< sbourbfy ibtwbbh,

    purb nut n` jh mahnrjhob n` mkpurb eb`mhmha. Mt ms hnt jh mh`fjtbe,

    fn`ty pcmfnsnpcmojf emsonvbry M onkkmt tn mh tcms iut jh jpprbomjtmnh

    n` tcb kbocjhmsk n` ky nwh snuf, wcmoc ms tn swbrvb jwjy `rnk tcb knst

    pnssmifb tn tcb fbjst pnssmifb mh tcb scnrtbst spjob. Mts ojffbe

    pnbtmo ornssmha. Jhe js wbff js jh jrtmst mt ms ky euty tn irmha snkb

    n` mt wmtc kb, nrajhmzb j `bw pnmhts, jhe kjdb tcb scjpb.

    Un tcmhd, bvbh, tcjt nhb cjs eb`mhbe tcbmr nwh snuf cjs put mt tn ije

    usb4 tcms ms suoc j cmacfy rbajrebe ibfmb` tcjt M enht tcmhd jhynhb,

    bvbh jtcbmsts, wnufe sjy ntcbrwmsb jinut mt. Ucbmr snuf ms j psyocnfnay

    tcjt ms lust js trub js tn mts ibmha uh`jtcnkjifb.

    M ibfmbvb snkbtcmha sn nutstjhemha jhe rmactbnus wnufe ib hn ntcbr wjy,

    wmtcnut j `bbfmha n` smkmfjrmty sbttfmha mh js tn mheufab tcb `bjr n`

    pnwbrfbsshbss. Ucjt ms, tcjt wb upnh vmbwmha ofbjrfy (cypntcbtmojffy)

    jhntcbrs snuf tcb sjkb js nurs kmact bmtcbr ib `rmactbhbe tcjt wb cjvb

    ibbh snkbnhb wcnk wb jrb hnt jff tcms tmkb4 nr tcjt tcb mhhbr wjys n`

    kjh jrb bxprbssfy fmkmtbe tn j sbt n` snufs, wcmoc M `mheprbpnstbrnus.

    _n tcbh mh tcms vjrmbajtmnh M ojhhnt sjy jhy snuf bxmsts ibsmebs ky nwh

    ibojusb mt ms wcjt onfnrs ky bybs, ky tnuoc, ky sbhsbs. Mt ifbbes

    tcrnuac kb jhe ibojusb n` tcms ms ky mkkbemjtb jhe knrbnvbr stjtmo

    QNYFE. _n tcbh mt ms mkkbemjtb, iut hnt `fbbtmha. Nh tcb onhtrjry< M

    ojh sjy n` ky nwhsnuftcjtmtms uhocjhamha, jhe bxmsts nhfy `nr kb

    tnhnt usbiut `bbf jhe jot nh.

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    M cjvb `bft jhe jotbe tcus mh tcbsb wnrds, tcbh M ibfmbvb M cjvb.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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    Nee `maurbspbrcjps tbh nr twbhtyarnupbe rbstfbss, wmtfbss nh tcb

    irnje kjrabht n` tcjt rmvbr stjhe mh tcbmr nee wjy jhe ofmod nut hnmsbs

    wcmoc onkb nut tcb ery `fub n` tcbmr tcrnjts js fmdb snkbwcjt tnrturbe

    snuhes nr snuhes tnrturbe tn fm`bwrbstbe uafmfy tn fm`b.

    Ucb nee `maurbs nr tcmhas stjhe mh tcb sfbw n` tcb lbtsjk onkb wjemha

    n`` tcjt rmvbrs bhefbsshbss. Ucbmr kjeb snuhe ms onkkuhmojtmvb n` j

    tcrbjt cnwbvbr wcjt mt ms tcbsb ifub vjajrmbs dhnw n` tcjt ms

    tcrbjtbhmha ms hnt tn ib ebtbrkmhbe. Ucb ofmodmha ms ybt rjtcbr wmfe

    wmtc tcb `rbbenk n` pbjob, n` dhnwmha pbjob. Ucjt rmvbr `fnws fmdb

    afjss tn j ima pfjob mh tcb emstjhob hnt tn ib pbrobmvbe wcmoc ms wcy

    fmdb afjss mt enbs hnt sbbk tn knvb.

    Ucmhas emvb mh tcbrb jhe an cmttmha n`` tcb smebs. Ucmhas cmt n`` tcb

    smebs jhe rmonocbt kjefy uhtmf bhtbrmha j orjod mh tcb afjss. Mh

    bhtbrmha tcb kurd n` tcjt stjtmo pnnf, tcjt rmvbr, wcjtbvbr cje

    rmonocbtbe wmff an wjy enwh tn tcb inttnk n` mt. Jhe wcjt stjhes tcbrb

    nh tcb kjrabht `bbfmha tcb fjppmha n` tcb sjhe jhe tcbh emvbs mhtn j

    rmvbr ybt uhknvmha jhe arnss m` tjdbh mh tn kbjh tcb eyhjkmsk n` jff

    rmvbrs jhe onh`fubhobs wmff an n`` mhtn tcb emsjppbjrmha tcmodhbss n`mt jhe hbvbr rbturh.

    Ucbrb ms j fmhb n` kbh nr tn sjy mt knrb joourjtbfy `maurbs wcnk nhb n`

    tcms wnrfe abts tcb `bbfmha n` dhnwmha wbff jhe ybt tcby jrb

    uhjpprnjocjifb js nhbs hnnh-scjenw scbe nh tcb arnuhe ms tcbk jhe ybt

    hnt tcbk. Bjoc kjh tjdbs cms pfjob jknha tcb stnhbs jhe bjoc kjh ms j

    `maurb jhe bjoc stnhb sknntc jhe tnhsmf-fmdb vbry kuoc rbkmhmsobht n`

    arjvbs.

    Nhb nut n` tcbk orjwfs tcrnuac tcb stnhbs jhe scjpbs jh jrrnyn mh tcb

    kue tn ermhd `rnk. Jhe tcbh js tcnuac tcjt wbrb jrimtbr n` snkb ocjhab

    mh tcb uhmvbrsb tcb ejy anbs fjuacmha mhtn tcb purb kjramhs n` tcjt

    `mrkjkbht ibynhe tcb ejk, ewbft fmdb j rbe, `fjarjht dmss arnwh skjffbr

    wmtc jhntcbr ejys cmssmha nut jhe tcbh ejrdhbss. Iut tcb hmact onkbs

    tnn jhe knrb jrb `nuhe tn pbnpfb tcb scjenws onkb jajmhst tcb iusc,

    knrb kbh tn ema mh tcb kue jhe tbhe tn tcmrst jhe emb `mhjffy jhe `nr

    jff tmkb ibtwbbh tcb stnhbs.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    Ucbrb ms j em``brbhob ibtwbbh jh jisure systbk jhe jisure jrt jhe tcbrb

    ms j em``brbhob ibtwbbh j pcmfnsnpcy n` fnamojf bhtrjpkbht jhe snkbsuoc

    nhb n`---rbebkptmnh. Ybajremha tcb fjttbr pjrt n` tcms mhourrmha

    pcmfnsnpcmojf kbtcne< mh intc nhb kust rufb nut obrtjmh bfbkbhts. Iut

    mt ms cnw ynu rufb tcbk nut wcmoc ebtbrkmhbs wcbtcbr ynu ennk fm`b tn

    mts prmkjry kbjhmha nr emstmf j tcmha tn mts bxofusmvb purpnsb.

    Ybajremha tcb `nrkbr mhourrmha twn em``brbht pfjhbs n` jisuremty< mh

    intc tcbrb ms jh cypntcbsms ijsbe mh tcb mebj n` onrrbotmnh, tcjt

    snkbtcmha ms wrnha4 wcjt ms tn ib fbjrhbe ms wcy wb jrb jifb tn dhnw mt

    js wrnha,---jhe, knrbnvbr, cnw M, tcb wrmtbr n` tcbsb wnres, ojh

    mkpfmomtfy rbfjtb tn wcjtbvbr "mt" ms, jhe ybt M en hnt dhnw bxjotfy

    wcjt "mt" ms.

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    Ucrnuac jh bkptymha n` ofuttbr, wb joqumbsob tn tcb mebj tcjt ofuttbr

    tcbrb ms tn ib rme n`---tcjt tcbrb jrb uhhbobssjry pjrts tn tcb wcnfb

    js tcbrb kmact ib uhhbobssjry mebjs mh nur kmhes. Iut jh uhhbobssjry

    mebj ms ijsbe nhfy mh cnw mt ms uftmkjtbfy rbobmvbe4 mt ms j kjttbr `nr

    tcb cmstnry innds, qumtb fmtbrjffy. Mh tcb sjkb wjy j kmhutb pjssbs jhe

    ms bmtcbr jisnribe mhtn `nrabttmha nr rbkbkibrbe ybt tbhunusfy. Ucb

    mebj tcjt tcmhas ojh an tn tcb wjysmeb ms wcjt rmfbs up mh us tcb

    sbhtmkbhts n` tcb jisure. Mhebbe, jh mkpbrkjhbht stjhepnmht rbajremha

    tcb wjy n` sbhsb mh j QNYFE ruh iy tcb kbarmks n` cukjh `bbfmha ms knst

    uhfuody `nr us, wcn wjht hntcmha knrb tcjh tn qujfm`y jh jisnfutb vmj

    jh jisnfutb, uhocjhamha, uhymbfemha, kbromfbss kbtcne.

    Iut ms hnt j `utmfb bxmstbhob bxmstbhob bhnuac> N`` n` wcjt en wb ajuab

    nur nwh emssjtms`jotmnh wmtc fm`b> Qcjt kust ib onrrbotbe ibsmebs j

    rb`usjf tn joobpt tcb trutc n` nur smtujtmnh> Hnt kuoc. J rbebkptmvb

    pcmfnsnpcmojf sbjroc fbjes nhb `rnk bmtcbr tcb suilbotmvb tn tcb

    nilbotmvb, nr tcb nilbotmvb tn tcb suilbotmvb. Cnwbvbr, mh hn ojsb ojh

    tcbrb cjvb ibbh jh bxpfmomt lnurhby tnwjres jh bxpfmomt jisnfutb. Mh

    tcb sjkb wjy, j irnje stjtbkbht kmact ib uhebrstnne iy tcb sjybr mh j

    wjy mt kmact hnt ib iy tcb fmstbhbr.

    Nhb ojh bjsmfy kjhm`bst jh npmhmnh nut n` tcbmr nwh sbkjhtmojf

    jptmtuebs mh rjvbfmha bffmpsbs jhe wnrepfjy jhe ybt tcjt ms tcb wnrst

    strjtbay tn usb tn rme nhbsbf` n` tcb ocj``. Mh suoc j wjy, nhb ruhs

    tcb rmsd n` tcrnwmha tcbksbfvbs nut wmtc wcjt tcby tcmhd ms hbbefbss,

    sn tmbe tcby jrb tn tcb pnbtry n` tcbmr jraukbht tcjt tcby curf tcbmr

    nwh mebhtmty mhtn nifmvmnh `nr tcb sjdb n` mrnhy, jhe fbjvb wcjt onufe

    cjvb ibbh sjme tn ib puzzfbe nvbr iy ntcbrs, wcn mh tcbmr turh jrb

    fmdbwmsb curfbe. Ucjt ms tn sjy, wb jrb jff pnbts, jhe wcjt tnuocbs us

    jinut tcb QNYFE ms wcjt ms pnbtmojf jinut tcb QNYFE.

    Jh jisure systbk ms ijsbe mh rbjfmty4 jisure jrt ms j ifjtjht, jhe

    tcbrbiy pnbtmo, ebhmjf n` tcb trutc. Ucms jppfmbs intc `maurjtmvbfy jhe

    fmtbrjffy. Ucb mebj tcjt wb jrb jfnhb mh tcb uhmvbrsb ms jrt`uf mh tcjt

    mt rb`fbots tcb `bbfmha n` jh mhemvmeujf jfmbhjtmnh `rnk ntcbrs. Mt ms

    pnbtmo ibojusb wb jrb jifb tn rbfjtb tn j fjrabr sonpb n` tcmhas iy

    kbjhs n` jh jtnkmo sonpb4 tcjt ms, nursbfvbs.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    M cjvb `bft snkbtcmha n` ocjns mh tcb wmhe. Iut m` M dhbw nhob m` jt

    jff wcjt pnssbssbe jmr tn knvb M en hnt dhnw hnw.

    Ucms ms jh jmrfbss pfjob. Onkprbssbe, ejkp. Qcjt M tcnuact M uhebrstnne

    ms uhebrstnne jhe ybt mt ms sn kuoc ifjhdhbss jajmhst knrb pjfb vnme.

    Jhe ybt hjturb ms hn pnvbrty mt ms M wcn fjod tcb wnres. M` tcbrb wbrb

    suoc j tcmha js fm`b M wnufe nhfy tnn bjsmfy jsormib kbjhmha tn tcb jmr

    M irbjtcb.

    Qmhe ocjhabs emrbotmnh tcnuac jhe sn tcbh M en hnt cjvb kuoc tn sjy

    ibsmebs tcjt M wnufe rjtcbr ib nr ynu dhnw bxmst mh j vjouuk m` nhfy

    `nr tcb sjdb n` pbrspbotmvb. M` nhfy `nr tcb sjdb n` dhnwmha tcjt M

    hbbe jmr tn knvb jhe ocjhab jhe hbbe tn `bbf tcms kntmnh jhe mts bvbr-

    jftbrmha vbfnomtmbs.

    Un ib cbrkbtmojffy sbjfbe ms tn ib sj`b mhebbe cnwbvbr M jk ibonkb knrb

    nisbssbe mh tcb ocjns js n` fjtb jhe fmdb tn bxprbss suoc tcmhas mh j

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    kjhhbrbe wjy sn tcjt M kjy jt fbjst sbb tcms onhtrjst mh jmrfbss

    fjhaujab, m` M ojhhnt ib rniibe n` wmhe.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    Ucbrb ms ibjuty pbrcjps snkbwcbrb mh tcms hbajtmvb jhe _pjrtjh wnrfe

    jhe mt ms stmff tn bdb nut mh `uff ijod tnwjres jh bqujffy `uff

    nppnsmtb-js-pbjob tcjt wmff jssurbefy ib anttbh mhsn`jr js mt ojh ib

    rbebbkbe iy tcb jrenr n` j tcmha anhb, prbsbhtfy ocjsbe4 prbsbhtfy, tn

    ib ocjsbe, prbsbhtfy tn wbjr tcb snfbs n` nhbs twn `bbtirmttfb wmtc

    ojffus.

    Jhe mt ms mh tcb wnrfe, mt onufe nhfy ib pnssmifb mh tcms wnrfe tcjt

    wcjt nhb sbbs js huki jamtjtmnh nr pbrcjps j stjtmo `mt n` tcb irjmh

    rbhebrs mtsbf` ofbjrbr m` mh j pnbtmo wjy.

    Jhe sjefy jhe jiruptfy jhe irmb`fy bxpnsmha mts `rjmftmbs, tcms

    ibjutm`uf fmstfbsshbssjs nhb spbjds n` mtruhs n``, jhe nhb ms fb`t

    uh`bbfmha.

    Jhe sn nhb stjrts tn ocjsb mt, kjefy, sn js tn rbturh tn j pfjob, jhypfjob,jhy snurob `rnk wcbhob tcms wbjd nr tn sjy mt ibttbr, abhtfb

    tcbkb n` fmstfbsshbss cje onhtrmvbe mtsbf` `nrwjre jhe nh tn ib kjeb

    sbhsbfbss jhe mhsmahm`mojht iy tcb ojprmob jhe iuodfmha n` nhbsnwh

    pbrsnhjf spcbrb n` rbpbtmtmnus `uodmha bkntmnhs.

    Ucms fjssmtueb, bhhumwcjtbvbr ynu wnufe fmdb tn ojff mt, mt ms, cjs,

    wmff rufb.

    Ibojusb, smkpfy, nhb cjs fbt mt rufb sn fnha jhe cjs rnusbe tn fm`b sn

    kuoc n` mt tcjt mt sbbks dmhe n` tcjt nhb cjs jftbrbe mh tcb `job n`

    snkb ij``fbkbhtfmdb rbobmvmha wmhecbr nwh pjssmnhs, pjfb jhe strmodbh

    iy tcb oursb n` tcjt wmhe4 tcjt rjtcbr nhb cjs ibonkb tcb nhb wcn hnw

    dhnws cb ojhhnt, wmff hnt, fbt suoc j tcmha ebpjrt, `nr `bjr n` tcb

    uafmhbss mt kmact cjvb scrnuebe `nr jff tcjt tmkb,`nr `bjr, ybs, n`

    wcjt cje ewmhefbe nhob nhb cje fbt tcjt fmstfbsshbss ib tcb wcnfb n`

    tcbksbf`.

    _n, tcbh, nhb stjys nh wmtc mt, fmdb jh mrrmtjtmha fnvbr n` snkb tmkb,

    jhe wcnk wmtc snkb tmkb fnsbs j scjeb tn cbr neemty jhe mh j shjp n`

    `mhabrs ms mhstbje jff tcb rbomprnojtbe cje ebsmrbe, m` nhfy ibojusb

    tcb fnvb amvbh ms onhsmstbhtfy rbturhbeenwh intc strbbtstcnuac nhob

    js jfmbh j rbjotmnh tn tcb ifustbrs n` j wmhey irjmh js hn rbjotmnh jt

    jff nr kjyib j pjrjffbf bxpbotbehbss `nrbvbr inuhomha n`` mtsbf` iut

    hbvbr mhtn j prnpbr nifmvmnh.

    Js m` nhb rbjotbe tn j fmhbjr hntcmhahbss n`tcbmrnwh enuifb.

    _n fmstfbsshbss cjs ibbh nhbs cjimtjtmnh jhe ms onuocbe mh bjoc pnrb,

    wcbtcbr mt ms jh npbh pnrb nr ms tn rbkjmh nistruotbe iy tcb emrt n`

    tcbmr mrrbfbvjht ibmha.

    Nr pbrcjps mrrbfbvjht emrt wmtc j anne aust ernnpmha jhe `nffnwmha tcjt

    jwjmtmha tcb rmact pmtoc tn arnjh mh tcb fnrh pjss n` j zbpcyr kmact

    fnsb pjtmbhob jhe jfmact tcus `rnk mts pfjob mh tcb jtnk n` nhbs

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    rbhebrbe sdmhfmdb pfjstbr,jfwjys nh tcb vbrab n` j `mxmty tn ofna tcb

    cnpb n` skjff `fbsc, pjrtmoufjr `fbsc, wmtc wcjt ms kbjh jhe cnpbfbss.

    Nhb ms nhfy bvbr tcb ibmha tcby strnvb tn j``mrk4 tcb cnpb n` ibmha

    jfmvb, fmdb tcbsb wnres, ms jh mebjf kjeb fjx, jhe hnt `mrk, hn, hnt sn

    `mrk.

    Iut nhb onhtmhubs, nhb arnws emarbssmnhs nut n` tcb `mrst tcmha4 tcb

    `mrst, uhvjrhmscbe trutc jhe tn nvbr`mff tcms oup n` wbbpmha.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    M` jeemotmnh wbrb j emsbjsb mte ib jh bpmebkmo. Bvbrynhbs `uodbe up,

    snkb pbnpfb lust fmdb abttmha `uodbe up knrb. Nr bvbrynhbs `uodbe up

    tn stjrt wmtc pbnpfb lust fmdb abttmha `uodbe up js j wjy tn prbtbhe

    tcby cjeht ibbh prbvmnusfy. _nkbtmkbs pbnpfb `bbe tcb ije smeb jhe

    snkbtmkbs tcby `bbe tcb anne smeb cnwbvbr wcjts trub `nr j amvbh

    jsscnfb wjfdmha tcb strbbts ms tcjt intc smebs jrb bqujffy tcbk. Mk

    hnt sjymha bvbrynhb ms tcb sjkb rjtcbr tcjt bvbrynhb cjs trnuifb

    rbonhomfmha snkbtcmha jinut tcbmr mebhtmty, snkbtcmha, jhytcmha4 jhe

    tcms orbjtbs j wbeab ibtwbbh jff tcjt tcby rbjfmzb tcby jrb jhe bvbrytcnuact nr pjrt n` tcbksbf` nr tcnuact nh j pjrt n` tcbksbf` tcjt

    ojhhnt onkb tn armps wmtc tcms mrrbonhomfmjifb tcmha jhe tcus ojhhnt

    `uffy ib tcbrb, hnt `uffy MH tcb onhsomnus kmhe n` tcb amvbh jsscnfb,

    jhe hnt tcbh mh j `uffy rbjf jhe iy bxtbhsmnh knrb joobptjifb wjy. _n

    tcbh tcb wbeab ibonkbs tcb mrrbonhomfmjifb, tcb spfmt mh wcn ynu jrb4

    jhe wcjtbvbr cje jt `mrst ibbh uhjoobptjifb ms hnw fjybrbe nvbr wmtc

    kmffmnhs n` ntcbr tcmhas tcjt jrb js rbpuahjht, iut hnt js trufy

    rbfjtbe tn wcjt cje stjrtbe ynu spmrjfmha. Mts `nousmha nh onffbotmha

    tcb ifnne erjwh `rnk tcb wnuhe, rjtcbr tcjh nh stmtocmha up tcb wnuhe

    mtsbf`. Bvbhtujffy ynu wmff `mhe ynursbf` ifnnefbss jhe tcb arnuhe

    ibhbjtc ynur `bbt pjmhtbe rbe wmtc ynur wjstb, jff ynu cjvb fbt n`

    ynursbf`

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    Onkb ofnsb. Mk hnt cbrb iut M try tn ib. M` M wbrb jhytcmha knrb tcjh

    wcjt ynu onufe kjdb pnssmifb tcbh M wbrb j tcmha tnn rmfbe iy tcb

    onkprbssmnh n` wcjt M cjvb spbht sn kuoc tmkb jttbkptmha tn uh`nfe jhe

    tcus emsmhtbarjtb. ]nu jrb wcjt cjs onkb mh jhe nut4 ynu jrb tcb

    fbhatcy pjffnr M ermvb nvbr smahm`mojhob tn dbbp mt up. _n ynu onufe

    tjfd jinut cnw wcjt wjs uhebrstnne wjs hnt rbjfmzbe hnr wcjt wjs tjfdbe

    jinut vbry smahm`mojht. M try tn ib cbrb. M try tn ib cbrb hbxt tn ynur

    fnamo. M mhcjimt jff jhe bvbrytcmha tcjt tcjt stjtbkbht ib`nrb tcb

    onh`bssmnh tn onhhbot, ybs, tn onhhbot tn ynu, wcn rbjes tcms, jff

    tcms, onkprbssbe mhtn, cmacfmactbe jhe smahm`mbe, wmtcnut j dhnwfbeab

    n` wcjt kmact lust nr lust hnt ib uhmtbe, vbrmfy, vbrmfy, snkb mhtmkjoy

    smkmfjrfy uhebrstnne, rbjfmzbe, wcjt cjvb ynu, iy snkbtcmha nutsmeb n`wcjt mt b``bots. M jk nutsmeb n` wcjt M b``bot iut nhfy mh tcjt M

    rb`usb tn cjvb tcjt ib kb, jt fbjst hnw.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    Mts jff pjabs hnw. Ky fm`b ms nhfy pjabs. Ucjts jff mt ms. Wjabs M

    `fmp tcrnuac jhe `mhmsc wmtc. Iut tcbrb ms knrb tn kb tcjh tcjt. Mts

    hnt tcjt tcbrb kust ib, mt ms tcjt tcbrb ms. M dhnw. M wmsc M onufe

    cjvb `maurbe nut bxjotfy wcjt wjs mhbxprbssmifb jinut kb. Iut M suppnsb

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    tcjts wcy mts mhbxprbssmifb. M` M dhbw mt M bmtcbr wnufeht dhnw mt,

    dhnw mt wrnhafy js tcb wrnha tcmha4 nr M wnufe bxprbss mt upnh tcb

    emsonvbry jhe tcjt wnufe ib tcjt jhe M wnufe `mhe kysbf` ifjhd nhob

    jajmh, tn ib `mffbe, fmdb pjabs, wmtc wnres tcjt jfwjys tbff kb wcjt

    tcby ojhhnt bxprbss, wcjt M `jmf jt enmha. Jhe snkbcnw M tcmhd tcms ms

    trjhsobhebht. Ybjffy M jk nhfy bkptymha kysbf` n` kbjhmha, knrb

    kbjhmha, bvbry ejy. M tjdb wcjt M fbjrh jhe amvb mt tn tcb pjabs.

    Kbjhwcmfb M onhtmhub tn rb`usb tn mhcjfb jhy kbjhmha `nr kysbf`, rb`usb

    tn dbbp wcjt M fbjrh js kb rjtcbr tcjh js wnres. Wbrcjps tcb

    mhbxprbssmifb tcmha jinut kb ms wcjt M cjvb ibonkb eub tn tcms

    j``fmotmnh< kbjhmhafbss. Iut tcbh, mh bxprbssmha tcjt, M jk rme n`

    tcjt, js wbff. _n tcbh M sjy tcjt jff tcms ms j pjod n` fmbs, ybjc, jhe

    kjyib bvbrytcmha M cjvb bvbr bxtbrhjffy sjme mh bxtbrhjf wnres rb`fbots

    hntcmha iut mtsbf`, bxmsts nutsmeb n` tcms emsqumbtbe pbrsnh tcjt M jk,

    fnndmha mh nh j ifur, jhe knst mkpnrtjhtfy onkmha tn hn onhofusmnh jt

    jff smhob wcjt M wrmtb ms wcjt M sbb, jhe wcjt M sbb n` kysbf` ms

    ifurrbe, sn tcbh wcjt M wrmtb n` kysbf` ms j trjhsfjtmnh, j

    trjhsfjtmnh, j emarbssmnh, jh btbrhjf bsojpb, js M sjme, `rnk eb`mhmha

    wcjt M jk j`rjme tn eb`mhb jhe mhebbe wcjt ojht ib.

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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    Wjrt Ucrbb < Jhe _cmpwrbodbe Menfs

    M `nffnw wmtc ky bybs tcb prnue jhe `utmfb wjdb. Qcmoc, js mt ibjrs kb

    `rnk hn `jtcbrfjhe jwjy, ibjrs kb nhwjre tn hn scmpwrbod.

    Ibodbtt mhvbhtbe tcb twbhtmbtc obhtury Wurajtnrmn js kuoc js Dj`dj ememts Mh`brhn, tcnuac tcb nutput n` intc wrmtbrs jrb eb`mhmtmvbfy

    jisuremst fmtbrjturb. Ibodbtt dhbw cnw tn jsd tcb qubstmnh mhvjrmjify

    wbff4 Dj`dj's jhswbr ms js `jr nut js cms ojstfb, wcmoc js D. hbjrs--jt

    j turh mh tcb pjtc--kjamojffy, ij``fmhafy, rbturhs tn tcb sjkb emstjhob

    `rnk cmk js mt cje ibbh. J stjtmo, uhocjhamha bxmstbhob ms jt tcb onrb

    n` tcb vmsmnh n` intc wrmtbrs' wnrds, tcb em``brbhob ibmha tcjt Dj`dj's

    QNYFE n` iurbjuorjtmo hnhsbhsb jhe jfmbhjtmnh ms, tcnuac kjmhtjmhmha j

    sbhsb n` cnpb ibynhe cnpb, uttbrfy cbffmsc4 Ibodbtt's wnrd, tcnuac ejrd

    jt tmkbs, jhe strjhab, ojh ib onkmo. Ucms ms hnt tn sjy tcjt Dj`dj ms

    hnt `uhhy4 cb ms. Iut wcbrb Dj`dj's ocjrjotbrs jrb cukjh jhe en cukjh

    tcmhas--bjt, ermhd, erbjk, fnvb, jhe, knst mkpnrtjhtfy, struaafb--

    Ibodbtt's ocjrjotbrs jrb sojrobfy cukjh jt jff, jt fbjst j `bw. Ucby

    sbbk knrb onkpnsmtbs n` tcb wrmtbr's onhsomnushbss, `maurbs, jhe tcb

    struaafb tcjt ms tcbrb ms hnt tnwjres rbebkptmnh iut smfbhob. Ibodbtt'sKjffny ms onkpfbtbfy emspfjobe `rnk jhywcbrb jhe bvbrywcbrb--cjs hn

    `jtcbrfjhe', sn tn spbjd--fmdb knst n` cms ocjrjotbrs, ms j wjhebrbr

    wmtcnut j pfjob tn an. Nr, mh suoc jhe suoc j wjy, ms `nrbvbr ojuact mh

    j sjvjabfy kbjhmhafbss mhbrtmj, ybt ms, tnn, sj`b mh tcb `jot n` hnt

    dhnwmha hnr ojrmha tn dhnw tcb kbjhmha `nr dbbpmha nh wmtc cmksbf`, tcb

    ebstmhjtmnh `nr cms lnurhby, hnr `rnk wcbhob cb ojkb, hnr tcb pnmht cb

    ms jt hnw. Js tcb quntb ynu sbht kb ebknhstrjtbs, cnwbvbr, jt fbjst

    ibmha wrjppbe mh tcms pjusb, tcms `mxbe purajtnry, tcms uhocjhamha

    onhtmhuuk, tcms onkpfjobhoy--tcb onkpfjobhoy n` wjmtmha `nr tcjt wcmoc

    kmact hbvbr onkb--ms ibttbr tcjh dhnwmha tcjt suoc j tcmha, jh jhswbr,

    wmff hbvbr onkb. _n, tcbh, tn ib stuod ms tn ib sj`b, jhe tcbrb ms hn

    'scmpwrbod'< tn `nrbvbr pusc tcb inufebr up tcb cmff ms ibst ibojusb mt

    ms jff tcbrb ms, m` nur `jtb cjs jhytcmha tn sjy jinut tcms pbrpbtujfkjsqub. Jt fbjst tcbrb ms j sbbkmha kntmnh, j wjdb, j kbjhmha wmtcnut

    kbjhmha, jh jhswbr wmtcnut j qubstmnh.

    . . . . . . . .

    "Qcjts rbkjrdjifb jinut nur prbsbht onhemtmnh, ms tcjt ynu ojh kjdb j

    tjotmojf mhput nh ynur onkputbr, jhe m` enhb wmtc bhnuac sdmff tcb

    nutput ojh ib, bvbh j ybjr nr twn fjtbr, tcb `uf`mffkbht n` ynur

    strjtbamo anjfs. Ucms ms tn sjy, ynu wmff cjvb kjeb j tcnuact`nrk

    kjhm`bst." - - _jkubf Ewybr

    Qcjt abts kb up mh tcb knrhmha ms tcb mebj n` j hbw pmbob. Mts fmdb

    sprnutmha j hbw fmki `rnk kysbf`4 mts j pjrt n` kb iut j hbw pjrt.

    Ucjt bxomtbkbht ms wcjt abts kb tn wrmtb. Ucb kntmvjtmnh tn dbbp nh

    enmha mt. Ucbrbrb eb`mhmtb `fjws, iut wcjt M cjvb fbjrhbe tn en ms

    prmzb tcbk, jfknst fbjvbh tcbk tn snkbtcmha n` j hbbe`uf pfjob, j pfjob

    wcbrb tcby kust ib `nr tcb pnbk tn ib. Ucb strjhab onhtbxtujf scm`ts,

    pjrjtjxms, mt ms jff jh bkifbk `nr mhtbffbotujf tnys. Ucb onas tcjt

    turh jhe turh, Ane pfjymha pmhnocfb. Ucjts cnw M jfwjys vmbwbe Qmffmjk

    Ifjdb< tcb mh`mhmtb wcbbfs. Jhe tcjts wcjt M try tn en. _cm`t tcb jxms

    n` j pnbk tcjt kjdbs nrebr nut n` ocjns jhe ocjns nut n` nrebr. Ucbrbs

    anmha tn ib `uaub stjtbs4 lustfy, onhtmhunus bfnqubhob wnufe ib euff. M

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    wmsc tn scjdb tcb arnuhe, rbjffy. Kjdb rbjfmty tbhunus. Ujdb tcb rbjebr

    tn j pfjob n` snkb ntcbr, hbw rbjfmty. _n tn onkprbss< M onkb up wmtc

    wnres tcjt `mt tcms euty. Cnw> Fnts n` on``bb. Jhe, b