
               ,,*APT] ,,II
        ,MAT!W ,CU?B]T IS SURPRIS$

  ,MAT!W ,CU?B]T &! SORREL M>E JO7$
-=TABLY OV] ! EI<T MILES 6,B"R ,RIV]4 ,X 0
A PRETTY ROAD1 RUNN+ AL;G 2T SNUG F>M/1DS1
) N[ & AG A BIT ( BALSAMY FIR WOOD 6DRIVE
"? OR A HOLL[ ": WILD PLUMS HUNG \ _!
FILMY BLOOM4 ,! AIR 0 SWEET )! BR1? ( _M
APPLE OR*>DS &! M1D[S SLOP$ AWAY 9 ! 4T.E
6HORIZON MI/S ( PE>L & PURPLE2 :ILE  8,! LL BIRDS SANG Z IF X 7           #AG
  ,! "O "D ( SUMM] 9 ALL ! YE>40
  ,MAT!W 5JOY$ ! DRIVE AF 8 [N FA%ION1
EXCEPT DUR+ ! MO;TS :5 HE MET WOM5 & _H
6NOD 6!M--= 9 ,PR9CE ,$W>D ISL& Y >E
SUPPOS$ 6NOD 6ALL & SUNDRY Y MEET ON !
ROAD :E!R Y "K !M OR N4
  ,MAT!W DR1D$ ALL WOM5 EXCEPT ,M>ILLA &
,MRS4 ,RA*EL2 HE _H AN UNCOM=TA# FEEL+ T !
MY/]I\S CR1TURES 7 SECRETLY LAU<+ AT HM4
,HE MAY H BE5 Q "R 9 ?9K+ S1 = HE 0 AN
ODD-LOOK+ P]SONAGE1 ) AN UNGA9LY FIGURE &
L;G IRON-GRAY HAIR T T\*$ 8 /OOP+ %\LD]S1
&A FULL1 S(T BR[N BE>D : HE _H WORN "E
S9CE HE 0 TW5TY4 ,9 FACT1 HE _H LOOK$ AT
TW5TY V M* Z HE LOOK$ AT SIXTY1 LACK+ A LL
(! GRAY;S4
  ,:5 HE R1*$ ,B"R ,RIV] "! 0 NO SIGN (
ANY TRA92 HE ?"\ HE 0 TOO E>LY1 S HE TI$ 8
HORSE 9 ! Y>D (! SMALL ,B"R ,RIV] HOTEL &
W5T OV] 6! /,N H\SE4 ,! L;G PLAT=M 0 ALM
DES]T$2 ! ONLY LIV+ CR1TURE 9 SI<T 2+ A
GIRL :O 0 SITT+ ON A PILE ( %+LES AT !
EXTREME 5D4 ,MAT!W1 B>ELY NOT+ T X ,,0 A
GIRL1 SIDL$ PA/ H] Z QKLY Z POSSI# )\TLOOK+ AT H]4 ,_H HE LOOK$ HE CD        #AH
H>DLY H FAIL$ 6NOTICE ! T5SE RIGID;Y &
EXPECT,N ( H] ATTITUDE & EXPRES.N4 ,%E 0
SITT+ "! WAIT+ = "S?+ OR "SBODY &1 S9CE
SITT+ & WAIT+ 0 ! ONLY ?+ 6D J !N1 %E SAT
& WAIT$ ) ALL H] MI<T & MA94
  ,MAT!W 5C.T]$ ! /,NMA/] LOCK+ UP !
TICKET (FICE PREP>ATORY 6GO+ HOME = SUPP]1
& ASK$ HM IF ! FIVE-?IRTY TRA9 WD SOON 2
AL;G4
  8,! FIVE-?IRTY TRA9 HAS BE5 9 & G"O HALF
AN H\R AGO10 ANSW]$ T BRISK (FICIAL4 8,B
"! 0 A PASS5G] DROPP$ (F = Y--A LL GIRL4
,%E'S SITT+ \ "! ON ! %+LES4 ,I ASK$ H] 6G
96! LADIES' WAIT+ ROOM1 B %E 9=M$ ME
GRAVELY T %E PREF]R$ 6/AY \TSIDE4 ,8,"! 0
M SCOPE = IMAG9,N10' %E SD4 ,%E'S A CASE1
,I %D SAY40
  8,I'M N EXPECT+ A GIRL10 SD ,MAT!W
BLANKLY4 8,X'S A BOY ,I'VE -E =4 ,HE %D 2
"H4 ,MRS4 ,ALEX&] ,SP;ER 0 6BR+ HM OV] F
,NOVA ,SCOTIA = ME40
  ,! /,NMA/] :I/L$4
  8,GUESS "!'S "S MISTAKE10 HE SD4 8,MRS4
,SP;ER CAME (F ! TRA9 ) T GIRL & GAVE H]96MY *>GE4 ,SD Y & YR SI/] 7 ADOPT+    #AI
H] F AN ORPHAN ASYLUM & T Y WD 2 AL;G = H]
PRES5TLY4 ,T'S ALL ,I "K AB X--& ,I HAV5'T
GOT ANY M ORPHANS 3C1L$ "HABS40
  8,I DON'T "U/&10 SD ,MAT!W HELP.SLY1
WI%+ T ,M>ILLA 0 AT H& 6COPE )! SITU,N4
  8,WELL1 Y'D BETT] "Q ! GIRL10 SD !
/,NMA/] C>E.SLY4 8,I D>E SAY %E'LL 2 A#
6EXPLA9--%E'S GOT A T;GUE ( H] [N1 T'S
C]TA94 ,MAYBE !Y 7 \ ( BOYS (! BR& Y
WANT$40
  ,HE WALK$ JAUNTILY AWAY1 2+ HUNGRY1 &!
UN=TUNATE ,MAT!W 0 LEFT 6D T : 0 H>D] = HM
?AN BE>D+ A LION 9 XS D5--WALK UP 6A GIRL
--A /RANGE GIRL--AN ORPHAN GIRL--& DEM& (
H] :Y %E WASN'T A BOY4 ,MAT!W GROAN$ 9 _S
Z HE TURN$ AB & %U6L$ G5TLY D[N ! PLAT=M
T[>DS H]4
  ,%E _H BE5 WAT*+ HM "E S9CE HE _H PASS$
H] & %E _H H] EYES ON HM N[4 ,MAT!W 0 N
LOOK+ AT H] & WD N H SE5 :AT %E 0 RE,Y L
IF HE _H BE51 B AN ORD9>Y OBS]V] WD H SE5
?3
  ,A * ( AB ELEV51 G>B$ 9 A V %ORT1 V
TI<T1 V UGLY DRESS ( YELL[I%-GRAY W9CEY4,%E WORE A FAD$ BR[N SAILOR HAT & 2N   #BJ
! HAT1 EXT5D+ D[N H] BACK1 7 TWO BRAIDS (
V ?ICK1 DECID$LY R$ HAIR4 ,H] FACE 0
SMALL1 :ITE & ?91 AL M* FRECKL$2 H] M\? 0
L>GE & S 7 H] EYES1 : LOOK$ GRE5 9 "S
LI<TS & MOODS & GRAY 9 O!RS4
  ,S F>1 ! ORD9>Y OBS]V]2 AN EXTRAORD9>Y
OBS]V] MI<T H SE5 T ! *9 0 V PO9T$ &
PRON\NC$2 T ! BIG EYES 7 FULL ( _S &
VIVAC;Y2 T ! M\? 0 SWEET-LIPP$ &
EXPRESSIVE2 T ! =EH1D 0 BROAD & FULL2 9
%ORT1 \R 4C]N+ EXTRAORD9>Y OBS]V] MI<T H
3CLUD$ T NO -MONPLACE S\L 9HABIT$ ! BODY (
? /RAY WOMAN- * ( :OM %Y ,MAT!W ,CU?B]T 0
S LUDICR\SLY AFRAID4
  ,MAT!W1 H["E1 0 SP>$ ! ORD1L ( SP1K+ F/1
= Z SOON Z %E 3CLUD$ T HE 0 -+ 6H] %E /OOD
UP1 GRASP+ ) "O ?9 BR[N H& ! H&LE (A %A2Y1
OLD-FA%ION$ C>PET-BAG2 ! O!R %E HELD \
6HM4
  8,I SUPPOSE Y >E ,MR4 ,MAT!W ,CU?B]T (
,GRE5 ,GA#S80 %E SD 9 A PECULI>LY CLE>1
SWEET VOICE4 8,I'M V GLAD 6SEE Y4 ,I 0
2G9N+ 6BE AFRAID Y W]5'T -+ = ME & ,I 0
IMAG9+ ALL ! ?+S T MI<T H HAPP5$ 6PREV5TY4 ,I _H MADE UP MY M9D T IF Y         #BA
DIDN'T -E = ME TO-NI<T ,I'D G D[N ! TRACK
6T BIG WILD *]RY-TREE AT ! B5D1 & CLIMB UP
96X 6/AY ALL NI<T4 ,I WDN'T 2 A BIT
AFRAID1 & X WD 2 LOVELY 6SLEEP 9 A WILD
*]RY-TREE ALL :ITE ) BLOOM 9 ! MOON%9E1
DON'T Y ?9K8 ,Y CD IMAG9E Y 7 DWELL+ 9 M>#
HALLS1 CDN'T Y8 ,& ,I 0 Q SURE Y WD -E =
ME 9 ! MORN+1 IF Y DIDN'T TO-NI<T40
  ,MAT!W _H TAK5 ! SCRAWNY LL H& AWKW>DLY
9 HIS2 !N & "! HE DECID$ :AT 6D4 ,HE CD N
TELL ? * )! GL[+ EYES T "! _H BE5 A
MISTAKE2 HE WD TAKE H] HOME & LET ,M>ILLA
D T4 ,%E CDN'T 2 LEFT AT ,B"R ,RIV] ANYH[1
NO MATT] :AT MISTAKE _H BE5 MADE1 S ALL
"QS & EXPLAN,NS MI<T Z WELL 2 DEF]R$ UNTIL
HE 0 SAFELY BACK AT ,GRE5 ,GA#S4
  8,I'M SORRY ,I 0 LATE10 HE SD %YLY4 8,-E
AL;G4 ,! HORSE IS OV] 9 ! Y>D4 ,GIVE ME YR
BAG40
  8,OH1 ,I C C>RY X10 ! * RESPOND$
*E];LLY4 8,X ISN'T H1VY4 ,I'VE GOT ALL MY
_WLY GDS 9 X1 B X ISN'T H1VY4 ,& IF X
ISN'T C>RI$ 9 J A C]TA9 WAY ! H&LE PULLS
OU--S ,I'D BETT] KEEP X 2C ,I "K ! EXACTKNACK ( X4 ,X'S AN EXTREMELY OLD       #BB
C>PET-BAG4 ,OH1 ,I'M V GLAD Y'VE -E1 EV5
IF X WD H BE5 NICE 6SLEEP 9 A WILD *]RY-
TREE4 ,WE'VE GOT 6DRIVE A L;G PIECE1
HAV5'T WE8 ,MRS4 ,SP;ER SD X 0 EI<T MILES4
,I'M GLAD 2C ,I LOVE DRIV+4 ,OH1 X SEEMS S
WOND];L T ,I'M GO+ 6LIVE ) Y & 2L;G 6Y4
,I'VE N"E 2L;G$ 6ANYBODY--N RE,Y4 ,B !
ASYLUM 0 ! WOR/4 ,I'VE ONLY BE5 9 X F\R
MON?S1 B T 0 5\<4 ,I DON'T SUPPOSE Y "E 7
AN ORPHAN 9 AN ASYLUM1 S Y C'T POSSIBLY
"U/& :AT X IS L4 ,X'S WORSE ?AN ANY?+ Y CD
IMAG9E4 ,MRS4 ,SP;ER SD X 0 WICK$ ( ME
6TALK L T1 B ,I DIDN'T M1N 6BE WICK$4 ,X'S
S EASY 6BE WICK$ )\T "K+ X1 ISN'T X8 ,!Y 7
GD1 Y "K--! ASYLUM P4 ,B "! IS S LL SCOPE
=! IMAG9,N 9 AN ASYLUM--ONLY J 9 ! O!R
ORPHANS4 ,X 0 PRETTY 9T]E/+ 6IMAG9E ?+S AB
!M--6IMAG9E T P]H ! GIRL :O SAT NEXT 6Y 0
RE,Y ! DAU<T] (A BELT$ E>L1 :O _H BE5 /OL5
AWAY F H] P>5TS 9 H] 9FANCY 0A CRUEL NURSE
:O DI$ 2F %E CD 3FESS4 ,I US$ 6LIE AWAKE
AT NI<TS & IMAG9E ?+S L T1 2C ,I DIDN'T H
"T 9 ! "D4 ,I GUESS T'S :Y ,I'M S ?9--,I
,,AM DR1D;L ?91 A9'T ,I8 ,"! ISN'T A PICKON MY B"OS4 ,I D LOVE 6IMAG9E ,I'M     #BC
NICE & PLUMP1 ) DIMPLES 9 MY ELB[S40
  ,) ? ,MAT!W'S -PANION /OPP$ TALK+1 "PLY
2C %E 0 \ ( BR1? & "PLY 2C !Y _H R1*$ !
BU7Y4 ,N ANO!R ^W DID %E SAY UNTIL !Y _H
LEFT ! VILLAGE & 7 DRIV+ D[N A /EEP LL
HILL1 ! ROAD "P ( : _H BE5 CUT S DEEPLY
96! S(T SOIL1 T ! BANKS1 FR+$ ) BLOOM+
WILD *]RY-TREES & SLIM :ITE BIR*ES1 7
S"EAL FEET ABV _! H1DS4
  ,! * PUT \ H] H& & BROKE (F A BRAN* (
WILD PLUM T BRU%$ AG/ ! SIDE (! BU7Y4
  8,ISN'T T B1UTI;L8 ,:AT DID T TREE1 L1N+
\ F ! BANK1 ALL :ITE & LACY1 MAKE Y ?9K
(80 %E ASK$4
  8,WELL N[1 ,I DUNNO10 SD ,MAT!W4
  8,:Y1 A BRIDE1 ( C\RSE--A BRIDE ALL 9
:ITE )A LOVELY MI/Y VEIL4 ,I'VE N"E SE5
"O1 B ,I C IMAG9E :AT %E WD LOOK L4 ,I
DON'T "E EXPECT 6BE A BRIDE MYF4 ,I'M S
HOMELY NOBODY W "E WANT 6M>RY ME--UN.S X
MI<T 2 A =EIGN MIS.N>Y4 ,I SUPPOSE A =EIGN
MIS.N>Y MI<TN'T 2 V "PICUL>4 ,B ,I D HOPE
T "S "D ,I % H A :ITE DRESS4 ,T IS MY
HI<E/ ID1L ( E>?LY BLISS4 ,I J LOVE PRETTYCLO!S4 ,& ,I'VE N"E _H A PRETTY        #BD
DRESS 9 MY LIFE T ,I C REMEMB]--B ( C\RSE
X'S ALL ! M 6LOOK =W>D TO1 ISN'T X8 ,& !N
,I C IMAG9E T ,I'M DRESS$ GORGE\SLY4 ,?
MORN+ :5 ,I LEFT ! ASYLUM ,I FELT S A%AM$
2C ,I _H 6WE> ? HORRID OLD W9CEY DRESS4
,ALL ! ORPHANS _H 6WE> !M1 Y "K4 ,A M]*ANT
9 ,HOPETON LA/ W9T] DONAT$ ?REE HUNDR$
Y>DS ( W9CEY 6! ASYLUM4 ,"S P SD X 0 2C HE
CDN'T SELL X1 B ,I'D R 2LIEVE T X 0 \ (!
K9D;S ( 8 HE>T1 WDN'T Y8 ,:5 WE GOT ON !
TRA9 ,I FELT Z IF "EYBODY M/ 2 LOOK+ AT ME
& P;Y+ ME4 ,B ,I J W5T 6"W & IMAG9$ T ,I
_H ON ! MO/ B1UTI;L PALE BLUE SILK DRESS--
2C :5 Y ,,>E IMAG9+ Y MI<T Z WELL IMAG9E
"S?+ WOR? :ILE--&A BIG HAT ALL FL[]S &
NO4+ PLUMES1 &A GOLD WAT*1 & KID GLOVES &
BOOTS4 ,I FELT *E]$ UP "R AWAY & ,I 5JOY$
MY TRIP 6! ,ISL& ) ALL MY MI<T4 ,I WASN'T
A BIT SICK -+ OV] 9 ! BOAT4 ,NEI 0 ,MRS4
,SP;ER AL? %E G5],Y IS4 ,%E SD %E _HN'T "T
6GET SICK1 WAT*+ 6SEE T ,I DIDN'T FALL
OV]BO>D4 ,%E SD %E N"E SAW ! B1T ( ME =
PR[L+ AB4 ,B IF X KEPT H] F 2+ S1SICK X'S
A M]CY ,I DID PR[L1 ISN'T X8 ,& ,I WANT$6SEE "EY?+ T 0 6BE SE5 ON T BOAT1 2C   #BE
,I DIDN'T "K :E!R ,I'D "E H ANO!R
OPPORTUN;Y4 ,OH1 "! >E A LOT M *]RY-TREES
ALL 9 BLOOM6 ,? ,ISL& IS ! BLOOMIE/ PLACE4
,I J LOVE X ALR1 & ,I'M S GLAD ,I'M GO+
6LIVE "H4 ,I'VE ALW HE>D T ,PR9CE ,$W>D
,ISL& 0 ! PRETTIE/ PLACE 9 ! _W1 & ,I US$
6IMAG9E ,I 0 LIV+ "H1 B ,I N"E RE,Y
EXPECT$ ,I WD4 ,X'S DELI<T;L :5 YR
IMAG9,NS -E TRUE1 ISN'T X8 ,B ^? R$ ROADS
>E S FUNNY4 ,:5 WE GOT 96! TRA9 AT
,*>LOTTET[N &! R$ ROADS 2GAN 6FLA% PA/ ,I
ASK$ ,MRS4 ,SP;ER :AT MADE !M R$ & %E SD
%E DIDN'T "K &= P;Y'S SAKE N 6ASK H] ANY M
"QS4 ,%E SD ,I M/ H ASK$ H] A ?\S& ALR4 ,I
SUPPOSE ,I _H1 TOO1 B H[ Y GO+ 6F9D \ AB
?+S IF Y DON'T ASK "QS8 ,& :AT ,,DOES MAKE
! ROADS R$80
  8,WELL N[1 ,I DUNNO10 SD ,MAT!W4
  8,WELL1 T IS "O (! ?+S 6F9D \ "S"T4
,ISN'T X SPL5DID 6?9K ( ALL ! ?+S "! >E
6F9D \ AB8 ,X J MAKES ME FEEL GLAD 6BE
ALIVE--X'S S* AN 9T]E/+ _W4 ,X WDN'T 2
HALF S 9T]E/+ IF WE "K ALL AB "EY?+1 WD X8
,"!'D 2 NO SCOPE = IMAG9,N !N1 WD "!8 ,BAM ,I TALK+ TOO M*8 ,P >E ALW TELL+    #BF
ME ,I D4 ,WD Y R ,I DIDN'T TALK8 ,IF Y SAY
S ,I'LL /OP4 ,I C ,,/OP :5 ,I MAKE UP MY
M9D 6X1 AL? X'S DI6ICULT40
  ,MAT!W1 M* 6HIS [N SURPRISE1 0 5JOY+
HMF4 ,L MO/ QUIET FOLKS HE LIK$ TALKATIVE
P :5 !Y 7 WILL+ 6D ! TALK+ !MVS & DID N
EXPECT HM 6KEEP UP 8 5D ( X4 ,B HE _H N"E
EXPECT$ 65JOY ! SOCIETY (A LL GIRL4 ,WOM5
7 BAD 5 9 ALL 3SCI;E1 B LL GIRLS 7 WORSE4
,HE DETE/$ ! WAY !Y _H ( SIDL+ PA/ HM
TIMIDLY1 ) SIDEWISE GL.ES1 Z IF !Y EXPECT$
HM 6GOB# !M UP AT A M\?;L IF !Y V5TUR$
6SAY A ^W4 ,T 0 ! ,AVONLEA TYPE ( WELL-BR$
LL GIRL4 ,B ? FRECKL$ WIT* 0 V DI6]5T1 &
AL? HE F.D X R DI6ICULT = 8 SL[] 9TELLIG;E
6KEEP UP ) H] BRISK M5TAL PROCESSES HE ?"\
T HE 8K9D ( LIK$ H] *ATT]40 ,S HE SD Z
%YLY Z USUAL3
  8,OH1 Y C TALK Z M* Z Y L4 ,I DON'T
M9D40
  8,OH1 ,I'M S GLAD4 ,I "K Y & ,I >E GO+
6GET AL;G TGR F9E4 ,X'S S* A RELIEF 6TALK
:5 "O WANTS 6& N 2 TOLD T *N %D 2 SE5 & N
HE>D4 ,I'VE _H T SD 6ME A MILLION "TS IF,I H ONCE4 ,& P LAU< AT ME 2C ,I USE   #BG
BIG ^WS4 ,B IF Y H BIG ID1S Y H 6USE BIG
^WS 6EXPRESS !M1 HAV5'T Y80
  8,WELL N[1 T SEEMS R1SONA#10 SD ,MAT!W4
  8,MRS4 ,SP;ER SD T MY T;GUE M/ 2 HUNG 9
! MI4LE4 ,B X ISN'T--X'S FIRMLY FA/5$ AT
"O 5D4 ,MRS4 ,SP;ER SD YR PLACE 0 "ND
,GRE5 ,GA#S4 ,I ASK$ H] ALL AB X4 ,& %E SD
"! 7 TREES ALL >.D X4 ,I 0 GLA4] ?AN "E4
,I J LOVE TREES4 ,& "! W]5'T ANY AT ALL AB
! ASYLUM1 ONLY A FEW POOR WE5Y-TE5Y ?+S \
9 FRONT ) LL :ITEWA%$ CAGEY ?+S AB !M4 ,!Y
J LOOK$ L ORPHANS !MVS1 ^? TREES DID4 ,X
US$ 6MAKE ME WANT 6CRY 6LOOK AT !M4 ,I US$
6SAY 6!M1 ,8,OH1 Y ,,POOR LL ?+S6 ,IF Y 7
\ 9 A GRT BIG WOODS ) O!R TREES ALL >.D Y
& LL MOSSES & ,JUNEBELLS GR[+ OV] YR ROOTS
&A BROOK N F> AWAY & BIRDS S++ 9 Y
BRAN*ES1 Y CD GR[1 CDN'T Y8 ,B Y C'T ": Y
>E4 ,I "K J EXACTLY H[ Y FEEL1 LL TREES40'
,I FELT SORRY 6L1VE !M 2H ? MORN+4 ,Y D
GET S ATTA*$ 6?+S L T1 DON'T Y8 ,IS "! A
BROOK ANY": NE> ,GRE5 ,GA#S8 ,I =GOT 6ASK
,MRS4 ,SP;ER T40
  8,WELL N[1 YES1 "!'S "O "R 2L ! H\SE40  8,FANCY4 ,X'S ALW BE5 "O ( MY        #BH
DR1MS 6LIVE NE> A BROOK4 ,I N"E EXPECT$ ,I
WD1 ?\<4 ,DR1MS DON'T (T5 -E TRUE1 D !Y8
,WDN'T X 2 NICE IF !Y DID8 ,B J N[ ,I FEEL
PRETTY NE>LY P]FECTLY HAPPY4 ,I C'T FEEL
EXACTLY P]FECTLY HAPPY 2C--WELL1 :AT COLOR
WD Y CALL ?80
  ,%E TWIT*$ "O ( H] L;G GLOSSY BRAIDS OV]
H] ?9 %\LD] & HELD X UP 2F ,MAT!W'S EYES4
,MAT!W 0 N US$ 6DECID+ ON ! T9TS ( LADIES'
TRESSES1 B 9 ? CASE "! CDN'T 2 M* D\BT4
  8,X'S R$1 A9'T X80 HE SD4
  ,! GIRL LET ! BRAID DROP BACK )A SI< T
SEEM$ 6-E F H] V TOES & 6EXHALE =? ALL !
SORR[S (! AGES4
  8,YES1 X'S R$10 %E SD RESIGN$LY4 8,N[ Y
SEE :Y ,I C'T 2 P]FECTLY HAPPY4 ,NOBODY CD
:O HAS R$ HAIR4 ,I DON'T M9D ! O!R ?+S S
M*--! FRECKLES &! GRE5 EYES & MY SK9NI;S4
,I C IMAG9E !M AWAY4 ,I C IMAG9E T ,I H A
B1UTI;L ROSE-L1F -PLEXION & LOVELY />RY
VIOLET EYES4 ,B ,I ,,_C IMAG9E T R$ HAIR
AWAY4 ,I D MY BE/4 ,I ?9K 6MYF1 ,8,N[ MY
HAIR IS A GLORI\S BLACK1 BLACK Z ! RAV5'S
W+40' ,B ALL ! "T ,I ,,"K X IS J PLA9 R$ &X BR1KS MY HE>T4 ,X W 2 MY LIFEL;G     #BI
SORR[4 ,I R1D (A GIRL ONCE 9 A NOVEL :O _H
A LIFEL;G SORR[ B X WASN'T R$ HAIR4 ,H]
HAIR 0 PURE GOLD RIPPL+ BACK F H] ALABA/]
BR[4 ,:AT IS AN ALABA/] BR[8 ,I N"E CD F9D
\4 ,C Y TELL ME80
  8,WELL N[1 ,I'M AFRAID ,I C'T10 SD
,MAT!W1 :O 0 GETT+ A LL DIZZY4 ,HE FELT Z
HE _H ONCE FELT 9 8 RA% Y\? :5 ANO!R BOY
_H 5TIC$ HM ON ! M]RY-G- R.D AT A PICNIC4
  8,WELL1 :AT"E X 0 X M/ H BE5 "S?+ NICE
2C %E 0 DIV9ELY B1UTI;L4 ,H Y "E IMAG9$
:AT X M/ FEEL L 6BE DIV9ELY B1UTI;L80
  8,WELL N[1 NO1 ,I HAV5'T10 3FESS$ ,MAT!W
9G5U\SLY4
  8,I H1 (T54 ,: WD Y R 2 IF Y _H ! *OICE
--DIV9ELY B1UTI;L OR DAZZL+LY CL"E OR
ANGELIC,Y GD80
  8,WELL N[1 ,I--,I DON'T "K EXACTLY40
  8,NEI D ,I4 ,I C N"E DECIDE4 ,B X
DOESN'T MAKE M* R1L DI6];E = X ISN'T
LIKELY ,I'LL "E 2 EI4 ,X'S C]TA9 ,I'LL N"E
2 ANGELIC,Y GD4 ,MRS4 ,SP;ER SAYS--OH1
,MR4 ,CU?B]T6 ,OH1 ,MR4 ,CU?B]T66 ,OH1
,MR4 ,CU?B]T6660  ,T 0 N :AT ,MRS4 ,SP;ER _H SD2 NEI   #CJ
_H ! * TUM#D \ (! BU7Y NOR _H ,MAT!W D"O
ANY?+ A/ONI%+4 ,!Y _H SIMPLY R.D$ A CURVE
9 ! ROAD & F.D !MVS 9 ! 8,AV5UE40
  ,! 8,AV5UE10 S CALL$ 0! ,NEWBRIDGE P1 0
A /RET* ( ROAD F\R OR FIVE HUNDR$ Y>DS
L;G1 -PLETELY >*$ OV] ) HUGE1 WIDE-SPR1D+
APPLE-TREES1 PLANT$ YE>S AGO 0AN E35TRIC
OLD F>M]4 ,OV]H1D 0 "O L;G CANOPY ( SN[Y
FRAGRANT BLOOM4 ,2L ! B\<S ! AIR 0 FULL (A
PURPLE TWILI<T & F> AH1D A GLIMPSE ( PA9T$
SUNSET SKY %"O L A GRT ROSE W9D[ AT ! 5D (
A CA!DRAL AISLE4
  ,XS B1UTY SEEM$ 6/RIKE ! * DUMB4 ,%E
L1N$ BACK 9 ! BU7Y1 H] ?9 H&S CLASP$ 2F
H]1 H] FACE LIFT$ RAPTUR\SLY 6! :ITE
SPL5DOR ABV4 ,EV5 :5 !Y _H PASS$ \ & 7
DRIV+ D[N ! L;G SLOPE 6,NEWBRIDGE %E N"E
MOV$ OR SPOKE4 ,/ ) RAPT FACE %E GAZ$ AF>
96! SUNSET WE/1 ) EYES T SAW VI.NS TROOP+
SPL5DIDLY ACR T GL[+ BACKGR.D4 ,"?
,NEWBRIDGE1 A BU/L+ LL VILLAGE ": DOGS
B>K$ AT !M & SMALL BOYS HOOT$ & CURI\S
FACES PE]$ F ! W9D[S1 !Y DROVE1 / 9 SIL;E4
,:5 ?REE M MILES _H DROPP$ AWAY 2H !M ! *_H N SPOK54 ,%E CD KEEP SIL;E1 X 0     #CA
EVID5T1 Z 5]GETIC,Y Z %E CD TALK4
  8,I GUESS Y'RE FEEL+ PRETTY TIR$ &
HUNGRY10 ,MAT!W V5TUR$ 6SAY AT LA/1 A3.T+
= H] L;G VISIT,N ( DUMB;S )! ONLY R1SON HE
CD ?9K (4 8,B WE HAV5'T V F> 6G N[--ONLY
ANO!R MILE40
  ,%E CAME \ ( H] R"EIE )A DEEP SI< &
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WOND]+ AF>1 />-L$4
  8,OH1 ,MR4 ,CU?B]T10 %E :ISP]$1 8T PLACE
WE CAME "?--T :ITE PLACE--:AT 0 X80
  8,WELL N[1 Y M/ M1N ! ,AV5UE10 SD ,MAT!W
AF A FEW MO;TS' PROF.D REFLEC;N4 8,X IS A
K9D ( PRETTY PLACE40
  8,PRETTY8 ,OH1 ,,PRETTY DOESN'T SEEM !
"R ^W 6USE4 ,NOR B1UTI;L1 EI4 ,!Y DON'T G
F> 5\<4 ,OH1 X 0 WOND];L--WOND];L4 ,X'S !
F/ ?+ ,I "E SAW T CDN'T 2 IMPROV$ ^U
0IMAG9,N4 ,X J SATISFIES ME "H0--%E PUT "O
H& ON H] BR1/--8X MADE A QUE] FUNNY A*E &
YET X 0 A PL1SANT A*E4 ,DID Y "E H AN A*E
L T1 ,MR4 ,CU?B]T80
  8,WELL N[1 ,I J C'T RECOLLECT T ,I "E
_H40  8,I H X LOTS ( "T--:5"E ,I SEE       #CB
ANY?+ ROY,Y B1UTI;L4 ,B !Y %DN'T CALL T
LOVELY PLACE ! ,AV5UE4 ,"! IS NO M1N+ 9 A
"N L T4 ,!Y %D CALL X--LET ME SEE--! ,:ITE
,WAY ( ,DELI<T4 ,ISN'T T A NICE IMAG9ATIVE
"N8 ,:5 ,I DON'T L ! "N (A PLACE OR A
P]SON ,I ALW IMAG9E A NEW "O & ALW ?9K (
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,ROSALIA ,DE,V]E4 ,O!R P MAY CALL T PLACE
! ,AV5UE1 B ,I % ALW CALL X ! ,:ITE ,WAY (
,DELI<T4 ,H WE RE,Y ONLY ANO!R MILE 6G 2F
WE GET HOME8 ,I'M GLAD & ,I'M SORRY4 ,I'M
SORRY 2C ? DRIVE HAS BE5 S PL1SANT & ,I'M
ALW SORRY :5 PL1SANT ?+S 5D4 ,"S?+ /
PL1SANT] MAY -E AF1 B Y C N"E 2 SURE4 ,&
X'S S (T5 ! CASE T X ISN'T PL1SANT]4 ,T
HAS BE5 MY EXP]I;E ANYH[4 ,B ,I'M GLAD
6?9K ( GETT+ HOME4 ,Y SEE1 ,I'VE N"E _H A
R1L HOME S9CE ,I C REMEMB]4 ,X GIVES ME T
PL1SANT A*E AG J 6?9K ( -+ 6A RE,Y TRULY
HOME4 ,OH1 ISN'T T PRETTY60
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0 A POND1 LOOK+ ALM L A RIV] S L;G & W9D+
0 X4 ,A BRIDGE SPANN$ X MIDWAY & F "! 6XSL[] 5D1 ": AN AMB]-HU$ BELT ( S&-      #CC
HILLS %UT X 9 F ! D>K BLUE GULF 2Y1 ! WAT]
0 A GLORY ( _M %IFT+ HUES--! MO/ _SUAL
%AD+S ( CROCUS & ROSE & E!R1L GRE51 ) O!R
ELUSIVE T9T+S = : NO "N HAS "E BE5 F.D4
,ABV ! BRIDGE ! POND RAN UP 96FR++ GROVES
( FIR & MAPLE & LAY ALL D>KLY TRANSLUC5T 9
_! WAV]+ %AD[S4 ,"H & "! A WILD PLUM L1N$
\ F ! BANK L A :ITE-CLAD GIRL TIP-TOE+ 6H]
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CAME ! CLE>1 M\RN;LLY-SWEET *ORUS (!
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:ITE APPLE OR*>D ON A SLOPE 2Y &1 AL? X 0
N YET Q D>K1 A LI<T 0 %9+ F "O ( XS W9D[S4
  8,T'S ,B>RY'S POND10 SD ,MAT!W4
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T L T "N1 EI4 ,I % CALL X--
LET ME SEE--! ,LAKE ( ,%9+ ,WAT]S4 ,YES1 T
IS ! "R "N = X4 ,I "K 2C (! ?RILL4 ,:5 ,I
HIT ON A "N T SUITS EXACTLY X GIVES ME A
?RILL4 ,D ?+S "E GIVE Y A ?RILL80
  ,MAT!W RUM9AT$4
  8,WELL N[1 YES4 ,X ALW K9D ( GIVES ME A
?RILL 6SEE !M UGLY :ITE GRUBS T SPADE UP 9
! CUCUMB] B$S4 ,I HATE ! LOOK ( !M40
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T ?9K T C 2 EXACTLY ! SAMEK9D (A ?RILL4 ,D Y ?9K X C8 ,"!        #CD
DOESN'T SEEM 6BE M* 3NEC;N 2T GRUBS &
LAKES ( %9+ WAT]S1 DOES "!8 ,B :Y D O!R P
CALL X ,B>RY'S POND80
  8,I RECKON 2C ,MR4 ,B>RY LIVES UP "! 9 T
H\SE4 ,OR*>D ,SLOPE'S ! "N ( 8 PLACE4 ,IF
X WASN'T = T BIG BU% 2H X Y CD SEE ,GRE5
,GA#S F "H4 ,B WE H 6G OV] ! BRIDGE & R.D
0! ROAD1 S X'S NE> HALF A MILE FUR!R40
  8,HAS ,MR4 ,B>RY ANY LL GIRLS8 ,WELL1 N
S V LL EI--AB MY SIZE40
  8,HE'S GOT "O AB ELEV54 ,H] "N IS
,DIANA40
  8,OH60 )A L;G 9DRAW+ ( BR1?4 8,:AT A
P]FECTLY LOVELY "N60
  8,WELL N[1 ,I DUNNO4 ,"!'S "S?+ DR1D;L
H1!NI% AB X1 SEEMS 6ME4 ,I'D RU!R ,JANE OR
,M>Y OR "S S5SI# "N L T4 ,B :5 ,DIANA 0
BORN "! 0 A S*OOLMA/] BO>D+ "! & !Y GAVE
HM ! NAM+ ( H] & HE CALL$ H] ,DIANA40
  8,I WI% "! _H BE5 A S*OOLMA/] L T >.D :5
,I 0 BORN1 !N4 ,OH1 "H WE >E AT ! BRIDGE4
,I'M GO+ 6%UT MY EYES TI<T4 ,I'M ALW
AFRAID GO+ OV] BRIDGES4 ,I C'T HELP IMAG9+
T P]H J Z WE GET 6! MI4LE1 !Y'LL CRUMPLEUP L A JACK-KNIFE & NIP U4 ,S ,I %UT   #CE
MY EYES4 ,B ,I ALW H 6OP5 !M = ALL :5 ,I
?9K WE'RE GETT+ NE> ! MI4LE4 ,2C1 Y SEE1
IF ! BRIDGE ,,DID CRUMPLE UP ,I'D WANT
6,,SEE X CRUMPLE4 ,:AT A JOLLY RUM# X
MAKES6 ,I ALW L ! RUM# "P ( X4 ,ISN'T X
SPL5DID "! >E S _M ?+S 6L 9 ? _W8 ,"!
WE'RE OV]4 ,N[ ,I'LL LOOK BACK4 ,GD NI<T1
DE> ,LAKE ( ,%9+ ,WAT]S4 ,I ALW SAY GD
NI<T 6! ?+S ,I LOVE1 J Z ,I WD 6P ,I ?9K
!Y L X4 ,T WAT] LOOKS Z IF X 0 SMIL+ AT
ME40
  ,:5 !Y _H DRIV5 UP ! FUR!R HILL & >.D A
CORN] ,MAT!W SD3
  8,WE'RE PRETTY NE> HOME N[4 ,T'S ,GRE5
,GA#S OV]--0
  8,OH1 DON'T TELL ME10 %E 9T]RUPT$
BR1?.SLY1 CAT*+ AT 8 "PI,Y RAIS$ >M &
%UTT+ H] EYES T %E MI<T N SEE 8 GE/URE4
8,LET ME GUESS4 ,I'M SURE ,I'LL GUESS "R40
  ,%E OP5$ H] EYES & LOOK$ AB H]4 ,!Y 7 ON
! CRE/ (A HILL4 ,! SUN _H SET "S "T S9CE1
B ! L&SCAPE 0 / CLE> 9 ! MELL[ AFT]LI<T4
,6! WE/ A D>K *UR* SPIRE ROSE UP AG/ A
M>IGOLD SKY4 ,2L 0 A LL VALLEY & 2Y A L;G1G5TLY-RIS+ SLOPE ) SNUG F>M/1DS        #CF
SCATT]$ AL;G X4 ,F "O 6ANO!R ! *'S EYES
D>T$1 EAG] & WI/;L4 ,AT LA/ !Y L+]$ ON "O
AWAY 6! LEFT1 F> BACK F ! ROAD1 DIMLY :ITE
) BLOSSOM+ TREES 9 ! TWILI<T (! SURR.D+
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CRY/AL-:ITE /> 0 %9+ L A LAMP ( GUID.E &
PROMISE4
  8,T'S X1 ISN'T X80 %E SD1 PO9T+4
  ,MAT!W SLAPP$ ! RE9S ON ! SORREL'S BACK
DELI<T$LY4
  8,WELL N[1 Y'VE GUESS$ X6 ,B ,I RECKON
,MRS4 ,SP;ER DESCRIB$ X S'S Y CD TELL40
  8,NO1 %E DIDN'T--RE,Y %E DIDN'T4 ,ALL %E
SD MI<T J Z WELL H BE5 AB MO/ ( ^? O!R
PLACES4 ,I _HN'T ANY R1L IDEA :AT X LOOK$
L4 ,B J Z SOON Z ,I SAW X ,I FELT X 0
HOME4 ,OH1 X SEEMS Z IF ,I M/ 2 9 A DR1M4
,D Y "K1 MY >M M/ 2 BLACK & BLUE F ! ELB[
UP1 = ,I'VE P9*$ MYF S _M "TS TD4 ,E LL
:ILE A HORRI# SICK5+ FEEL+ WD -E OV] ME &
,I'D 2 S AFRAID X 0 ALL A DR1M4 ,!N ,I'D
P9* MYF 6SEE IF X 0 R1L--UNTIL SU45LY ,I
REMEMB]$ T EV5 SUPPOS+ X 0 ONLY A DR1M
,I'D BETT] G ON DR1M+ Z L;G Z ,I CD2 S ,I/OPP$ P9*+4 ,B X ,,IS R1L & WE'RE      #CG
NE>LY HOME40
  ,)A SI< ( RAPTURE %E RELAPS$ 96SIL;E4
,MAT!W /IRR$ UNEASILY4 ,HE FELT GLAD T X
WD 2 ,M>ILLA & N HE :O WD H 6TELL ? WAIF (
! _W T ! HOME %E L;G$ = 0 N 6BE H]S AF
ALL4 ,!Y DROVE OV] ,LYNDE'S ,HOLL[1 ": X 0
ALR Q D>K1 B N S D>K T ,MRS4 ,RA*EL CD N
SEE !M F H] W9D[ VANTAGE1 & UP ! HILL &
96! L;G LANE ( ,GRE5 ,GA#S4 ,0! "T !Y
>RIV$ AT ! H\SE ,MAT!W 0 %R9K+ F !
APPROA*+ REVEL,N ) AN 5]GY HE DID N "U/&4
,X 0 N ( ,M>ILLA OR HMF HE 0 ?9K+ (! TR\#
? MISTAKE 0 PROBABLY GO+ 6MAKE = !M1 B (!
*'S 4APPO9T;T4 ,:5 HE ?"\ ( T RAPT LI<T 2+
QU5*$ 9 H] EYES HE _H AN UNCOM=TA# FEEL+ T
HE 0 GO+ 6ASSI/ AT MURD]+ "S?+--M* ! SAME
FEEL+ T CAME OV] HM :5 HE _H 6KILL A LAMB
OR CALF OR ANY O!R 9NOC5T LL CR1TURE4
  ,! Y>D 0 Q D>K Z !Y TURN$ 96X &! POPL>
L1VES 7 RU/L+ SILKILY ALL R.D X4
  8,LI/5 6! TREES TALK+ 9 _! SLEEP10 %E
:ISP]$1 Z HE LIFT$ H] 6! GR.D4 8,:AT NICE
DR1MS !Y M/ H60
  ,!N1 HOLD+ TI<TLY 6! C>PET-BAG : 3TA9$8ALL H] _WLY GDS10 %E FOLL[$ HM 96!    #CH
H\SE4
