
     ,! ,be/ ,*ri/mas
       ,pag1nt ,"e

  ,,b>b>a ,,rob9son is a native ( ,portsm|?1 ,ohio4 ,%e lives 9 ,b}wyn1 ,p5nsylvania ) h} husb& & two dau<t}s4 ,%e has writt5 s"eal books = *n 9clud+ ,,acr ,,f ,,9dian ,,%ore & ,,trace ,,"? ,,! ,,=e/4 ,h} %ort /ories h appe>$ 9 well-"kn magaz9es4


     ,,! ,,be/ ,,*ri/mas
       ,,pag1nt ,,"e
      ,,b>b>a ,,rob9son
     ,illu/rat$ 0,judi? ,gwyn ,br{n
  ,,an ,,avon ,,ccamelot ,,book
  ,a %ort v}.n ( ? book appe>$ 9 ,mc,call's ,magaz9e "u ! title1 8,! ,*ri/mas ,pag1nt40
  ,,avon ,,books ,a divi.n ( ! ,he>/ ,corpor,n #iei ,ei<? ,av5ue ,new ,york1 ,new ,york #ajjai
,text ,copy"r #aigb 0,b>b>a ,rob9son4
,illu/r,ns ,copy"r #aigb 0,judi? ,gwyn ,br{n4
,publi%$ 0>range;t ) ,h>p} & ,r{ ,publi%}s1 ,9c4
,libr>y ( ,3gress
,all "rs res}v$1 : 9cludes ! "r 6reproduce ? book or por;ns "!( 9 any =m :atso"e4 ,= 9=m,n a4ress ,h>p} & ,r{ ,publi%}s1 ,9c41 #aj ,ea/ #ec rd ,/reet1 ,new ,york1 ,new ,york #ajjbb4 ,f/ ,camelot ,pr9t+1 ,octob}1 #aigc4 ,n9? ,pr9t+ ,,camelot ,,tradem>k ,,reg4 ,u4,s4 ,,pat4 ,,(f4 ,,& ,,9 ,,o!r ,,c.tries1  ,pr9t$ 9 ! ,u4,s4,a4

,transcrib$ 9 ,5gli% ,brl by3
,,9f9idot ,,a3ess ,,s}vices
#dcjc ,s|? ,m4 ,/reet
,tacoma1 ,wa%+ton #ihdjh
7#bec7 #dga-ibdh
,e-mail3 _+sunshine`integrityol.com_:
     fall1 #aiii

 ,= ,jack1 ( c|rse

  ,! ,be/ ,*ri/mas ,pag1nt ,"e

  ,! ,h}dmans 7 absolutely ! wor/ kids 9 ! hi/ory (! _w4 ,!y li$ & /ole & smok$ cig>s 7ev5 ! girls7 & talk$ dirty & bit ll kids & cuss$ _! t1*}s & took ! "n (! ,"l 9 va9 & set fire 6,fr$ ,%oemak}'s old brok5-d{n toolh|se4
  ,! toolh|se burn$ "r d{n 6! gr.d1 & ,i ?9k t surpris$ ! ,h}dmans4 ,!y set fire 6?+s all ! "t1 b t 0 ! f/ "t !y manag$ 6burn d{n a :ole build+4 ,i guess x 0 an a3id5t4 ,i don't suppose !y woke up t morn+ & sd 6"o ano!r1 8,let's g burn d{n ,fr$ ,%oemak}'s toolh|se0 '''b maybe !y did4 ,af all1 x 0 a ,satur"d1 & n m* go+ on4
  ,x 0 a t}rific fire--two 5g9es & two police c>s & all ! volunte} firem5 & five doz5 d|<nuts s5t up f ! ,ta/i-,lun* ,d9}4 ,! d|<nuts 7 suppos$ 6be =! firem51 b 0! "t !y got ! fire | ! d|<nuts 7 all g"o4 ,! ,h}dmans got !m--:at !y cdn't eat !y /u6$ 9 _! pockets & d{n ! front ( _! %irts4 ,y cd actu,y see ! d|<nuts all >.d ,ollie ,h}dman's mi4le4
  ,i cdn't "u/& :y ! ,h}dmans 7 hang+ >.d ! sc5e ( _! crime4 ,"eybody knew ! :ole ?+ 0 _! fault1 & y'd ?9k !y'd h ! bra9s 6get | ( si<t4 ,"o fireman ev5 coll>$ ,claude ,h}dman & sd1 8,did y kids />t ? fire1 smok+ cig>s 9 t toolh|se80
  ,b ,claude j sd1 8,we w}5't smok+ cig>s40
  ,& !y w}5't4 ,!y 7 play+ ) ,l}oy ,h}dman's 8,"y ,e9/e90 *emi/ry set1 : he /ole f ! h>dw>e /ore1 & t 0 h{ !y />t$ ! fire4 ,l}oy sd s4
  8,we mix$ all ! ll p{d}s tgr10 he sd1 8& p|r$ li<t} fluid >.d on !m & set fire 6! li<t} fluid4 ,we want$ 6see if ! *emi/ry set 0 any gd40
  ,any o!r kid--ev5 a m1n kid--wd h be5 a ll bit worri$ if 2 /ole 4#d.ie wor? ( "s?+ & !n burn$ d{n a build+ ) x4 ,b ,l}oy 0 j mad 2c ! *emi/ry set got burn$ up al;g ) "ey?+ else 2f he _h a *.e 6make "o or two bombs4
  ,! fire *ief got u all tgr--"! 7 fifte5 or tw5ty kids /&+ >.d wat*+ ! fire--& gave u a ll talk ab play+ ) mat*es & gasol9e & dang}|s ?+s l t4 8,i don't say t's :at happ5$ "h10 he told u4 8,i don't "k :at happ5$ "h1 b t cd h be5 x1 & y see ! result4 ,s let ? 2 a gd lesson 6y1 boys & girls40
  ,( c|rse x 0 a grt lesson 6! ,h}dmans--!y le>n$ t :}"e "!'s a fire "! w 2 free d|<nuts soon} or lat}4
  ,i guess ?+s wd h be5 di6}5t if !y'd burn$ d{n1 say1 ! ,second ,presbyt}ian ,*ur* 9/1d (! toolh|se1 b ! toolb|se 0 ab 6fall d{n anyway4 ,all ! nei<bors _h pe/}$ ,mr4 ,%oemak} 6d "s?+ ab x 2c x look$ s aw;l & 0 sure 6br+ rats4 ,s "eybody sd ! fire 0 a b.s+ 9 4guise1 & ev5 ,mr4 ,%oemak} sd x 0 a relief4 ,my "f sd x 0 ! only gd ?+ ! ,h}dmans "e did1 & if !y'd "kn x 0 a gd ?+1 !y wdn't h d"o x at all4 ,!y wd h set fire 6"s?+ else '''or "sbody4
  ,!y 7 j s all->.d aw;l y cd h>dly 2lieve !y 7 r1l3 ,ralph1 ,imog5e1 ,l}oy1 ,claude1 ,ollie1 & ,gladys--six sk9ny1 /r+y-hair$ kids all alike except = 2+ di6}5t sizes & hav+ di6}5t black-&-blue places ": !y _h clonk$ ea* o!r4 ,!y liv$ ov} a g>age at ! bottom ( ,spr|l ,hill4 ,nobody us$ ! g>age--anymore1 b ! ,h}dmans us$ 6bang ! door up & d{n j z fa/ z !y cd & try 6squa% "o ano!r--t 0 _! idea (a game4 ,": o!r p _h grass 9 _! front y>d1 ! ,h}dmans _h rocks4 ,& ": o!r p _h hydrangea bu%es1 ! ,h}dmans _h poison ivy4
  ,"! 0 al a sign 9 ! y>d t sd 8,bew>e ,( ! ,cat40 ,new kids alw lau<$ ab t -till !y got a look at ! cat4 ,x 0 ! m1ne/ look+ animal ,i "e saw4 ,x _h "o %ort leg &a brok5 tail & "o miss+ eye1 &! mailman wdn't deliv} any?+ 6! ,h}dmans 2c ( x4
  8,i don't ?9k x's a regul> cat at all10 ! mailman told my "f4 8,i ?9k ~? kids w5t up 9 ! hills & cau<t !mvs a bobcat40
  8,oh1 ,i don't ?9k y c tame a wild bobcat10 my "f sd4
  8,i'm sure y c't10 sd ! mailman4 8,!y'd n"e try 6tame x2 !y'd j try 6make x wild} ?an x 0 62g9 )40
  ,if t 0 _! plan1 x "w$--! cat wd attack any?+ x cd see | ( xs "o eye4
  ,"o "d ,claude ,h}dman empti$ ! :ole f/ grade 9 ?ree m9utes flat :5 he took ! cat 6,%{-&-,tell4 ,he didn't fe$ x = two "ds s x 0 alr mad1 & !n he c>ri$ x 6s*ool 9 a box1 & :5 he op5$ ! box ! cat %ot |--"r /rai<t up 9 ! air1 p sd4 ,x came d{n on ! top blackbo>d l$ge & claw$ f|r big l;g scrat*es all ! way d{n ! blackbo>d4 ,!n x j tore >.d all ov} ! place1 scrat*+ ll kids & %$d+ fur & scatt}+ books & pap}s "ey":4
  ,! t1*}1 ,miss ,br&el1 yell$ = "eybody 6run | 9 ! hall1 & %e pull$ a coat ov} h} h1d & gra2$ a broom & tri$ 6corn} ! cat4 ,b ( c|rse %e cdn't see1 )! coat ov} h} h1d1 s %e j ran up & d{n ! aisles1 holl}+ 8,"h1 kitty60 & smack+ ! broom d{n :5"e ! cat hiss$ back4 ,%e knock$ ov} ! ,happy ,family dollh|se &a globe (! _w1 & broke ! aqu>ium full ( tw5ty gallons ( wat} & ab sixty-five goldfi%4 ,all ! "t %e kept yell+ = ,claude 6-e & cat* 8 cat1 b ,claude _h g"o | 9 ! hall )! re/ (! class4 ,lat}1 :5 ,miss ,br&el 0 slapp+ ,b&-,aids on "ey"o :o cd %{ h} any blood1 %e ask$ ,claude :y 9 ! _w he didn't -e & get 8 cat "u 3trol4
  8,y told u 6g | 9 ! hall10 ,claude sd1 j z if he 7 ! ord9>y k9d ( f/-grad} :o did :at"e t1*}s sd 6d4
  ,! cat settl$ d{n a ll bit once x got "s?+ 6eat--mo/ (! goldfi% & ,ramona ,billian's two pet mice t %e br"| 6,%{-&-,tell4 ,ramona cri$ & c>ri$ on s--8,i c't ev5 bury !m60 %e sd--t !y s5t h} home4
  ,! room 0 a wreck--brok5 glass & pap}s & books & pu4les ( wat} & d1d goldfi% "ey":4 ,miss ,br&el 0 sort (a wreck too1 & mo/ (! f/ grad}s 7 hy/}ical1 s "sbody took !m |tdoors & let !m h recess =! re/ (! "d4 ,claude took ! cat home & af t "! 0 a rule t y cdn't br+ any?+ alive 6,%{-&-,tell4
  ,! ,h}dmans mov$ f grade 6grade "? ! ,woodr{ ,wilson ,s*ool l ~? ,s|? ,am}ican fi% t /rip yr b"os cl1n 9 ?ree m9utes flat ''': 0 j ab :at !y did 6"o t1*} af ano!r4 ,b !y n"e1 n"e got kept back 9 a grade4 ,:5 x came "t = ,claude ,h}dman 6pass 6! second grade he didn't "k 8 ,,abc's or 8 numb}s or 8 colors or 8 %apes or 8 8,?ree ,be>s0 or h{ 6get al;g ) anybody4 ,b ,miss ,br&el pass$ hm anyway4 ,= "o ?+1 %e knew %e'd h ,ollie ,h}dman ! next ye>4 ,t 0 ! ?+ ab ! ,h}dmans--"! 0 alw ano!r "o -+ al;g1 & no t1*} 0 crazy 5 6let h}f 9 = two ( !m at once4
  ,i 0 alw 9 ! same grade ) ,imog5e ,h}dman1 & :at ,i did 0 /ay | ( h} way4--x wasn't easy 6/ay | ( h} way4 ,y cdn't d x if y 7 v pretty or v ugly1 or v sm>t or v dumb1 or _h any?+ unusual ab y1 l r$ hair or d|#-jo9t$ ?umbs4 ,b if y 7 sort (a m$ium kid l me1 & kept yr m|? %ut :5 ! t1*} sd1 8,:o c "n all fifty /ates80 y _h a pretty gd *.e 6/ay cle> ( ,imog5e4
  ,z f> z any"o cd tell1 ,imog5e 0 j l ! re/ (! ,h}dmans4 ,%e n"e le>n$ any?+ ei1 except dirty ~ws & secrets ab "eybody4
  ,twice a ye> we _h 6g 6! h1l? room 6get wei<$ & m1sur$1 & ,imog5e alw manag$ 6f9d | exactly :at "eybody wei<$4 ,"s"ts %e wd hang >.d wait+ =! nurse1 ,miss ,hemphill1 6give h} a ,b&-,aid2 "s"ts %e wd sn1k 2h ! curta9 ": !y kept a fold+ cot & j /ay "! ! :ole "t1 ) "o eye on ! scales4
  8,:y >e y / "h1 ,imog5e80 ,miss ,hemp- hill ask$ "o "d4 8,y c g back 6yr room40
  8,i ?9k y bett} look & see if ,i've got :at ,ollie has40
  8,:at does ,ollie h80
  ,imog5e %ru7$4 8,we don't "k4 ,r$ spots all ov}40
  ,miss ,hemphill look$ at h}4 8,:at did ! doctor say80
  8,we didn't h a doctor40 ,imog5e 2gan scrun*+ h} back up & d{n ag/ ! m$ic9e cab9et4
  8,well1 does ,ollie h a fev}8 ,is he 9 b$80
  8,no1 he's 9 ! f/ grade40
  8,"r n{80 ,miss ,hemphill />$4 8,:y1 he %dn't 2 9 s*ool ) r$ spots6 ,x cd 2 m1sles or *ick5 pox '''any numb} ( ?+s '''3tagi|s ?+s4 ,:at >e y do+80
  8,scrat*+ my back10 ,imog5e sd4 8,boy1 d ,i it*60
  8,! re/ ( y boys & girls g back 6yr classroom10 ,miss ,hemphill sd1 8&1 ,imog5e1 y /ay "r "h40
  ,s we all w5t back 6|r room1 & ,miss ,hemphill w5t 6! f/ grade 6look at ,ollie1 & ,imog5e /ay$ 9 ! h1l? room & copi$ d{n "eybody's wei<t f ,miss ,hemphill's records4 ,yr wei<t 0 suppos$ 6be a big secret1 l :at y got on yr report c>d4
  8,x's nobody's busi;s :at y get on yr report c>d10 all ! t1*}s sd4 ,& ,miss ,hemphill sd ! same ?+--8,x's nobody's busi;s :at y wei<40
  ,n ev5 ! fat kids cd f9d | :at !y wei<$1 b ,imog5e alw knew4 8,don't let ,alb}t ,pelfrey on ! sw+60 %e wd yell at recess4 8,he'll bu/ x4 ,alb}t ,pelfrey wei<s a hundr$ & =ty-?ree p.ds4 ,la/ "t he wei<$ a hundr$ & tbirty-sev540 ,s "r away "eybody knew two ?+s ab ,alb}t--we knew exactly h{ fat he was1 & we al knew t 2 0 gett+ fatt} all ! "t4
  8,y h 6g 6fat-camp ? summ}10 ,imog5e holl}$ at hm4 8,miss ,hemphill wrote x d{n on yr pap}40 ,fat-camp is a place ": !y fe$ y lettuce & grapefruit & cottage *eese & e7s =a mon?1 & y ei give up & *1t or give up & get sk9ny40
  8,i am n60 ,alb}t sd4 8,i'm go+ 6,4neyl& ) my ,uncle ,frank40
  8,t's :at y ?9k60 ,imog5e told hm4 ,alb}t _h 6believe b}--%e 0 alw "r ab ?+s l t--s all ye> he _h fat-camp 6look =w>d 69/1d ( ,4neyl&4
  ,"s"ts ,imog5e wd blackmail ! fat kids if !y bad any?+ %e want$ ''' l ,w&a ,pi}ce's *>m bracelet4 ,w&a ,pi}ce wei<$ ab a ton--%e ev5 _h fat eyes--& h} ho2y 0 ? *>m bracelet4 ,x _h tw5ty-two *>ms & e s+le "o did "s?+3 ! ll :eels turn$1 or ! ll bitty piano keys w5t 8pl9k10 or ! ll t9y draw}s op5$ & clos$4
  ,2ss 2+ a fat kid1 ,w&a 0 al a ri* kid1 s e "t y turn$ >.d %e _h a new *>m4 8,look at my new *>m10 %e wd say4 8,x co/ 4#f.ie )|t ! tax4 ,x's a bird1 & :5 y pu% ? ll knob1 xs w+s flutt}4 ,x co/ 4#f.ie40
  ,!y 7 grt *>ms1 b "eybody got sick ( he>+ ab !m1 s x 0 alm a relief :5 ,imog5e blackmail$ h} | ( x4 8,i "k h{ m* y wei<1 ,w&a10 ,imog5e told h}4 8,i wrote x d{n on ? piece ( pap}4 ,see80 ,x m/ h be5 an aw;l am.t1 2c ev5 ,w&a look$ horrifi$4
  ,s ,imog5e got h} *>m bracelet1 & %e got ,lucille ,gold5's imit,n alligator pocketbook ) 8,s|v5ir ( ,florida0 writt5 on x4 ,=a :ile %e got t5 c5ts a week f ,floyd ,bru%1 till ,floyd cau<t d|# pneumonia & lo/ fifte5 p.ds & didn't c>e anymore4
  ,my fr ,alice ,w5dlek5 0 s na/y-cl1n t %e _h det}g5t h&s 0! "t %e 0 f|r ye>s old4 ,j ! same1 ,alice pick$ up a case ( h1d lice :5 %e 0 at summ} camp1 & "sh{ ,imog5e f.d | ab t4 ,%e wd sn1k up on ,alice at recess & holl} 8,cooties60 & smack ,alice's h1d4 ,%e ne>ly knock$ ,alice cross-ey$ 2f "o (! t1*}s saw h} & took bo? ( !m 9 6! pr9cipal4
  8,n{1 :at's ? all ab80 ! pr9cipal want$ 6"k1 b ,alice wdn't say4
  8,i _h 6hit h}10 ,imog5e told hm4 8,%e's got cooties1 & ,i saw "o crawl+ 9 h} hair1 & ,i don't want !m on me40
  8,y did n see "o60 ,alice sd4 ,i don't h !m anymore60
  8,:at d y m1n1 y don't h !m anymore80 ! pr9cipal sd4 8,did y h !m lately80 ,x re,y %ook hm up--he didn't want a :ole s*ool full ( kids ) cooties4 ,s he s5t ,alice 6! h1l? room &! nurse w5t all "? h} h1d )a f9e-too? -b &a magnify+ glass1 & f9,y sd x 0 all "r4 ,b x 0 too late--"eybody call$ ,alice 8,cooties0 ! :ole re/ (! ye>4
  ,if ,imog5e didn't "k a secret ab a p}son1 %e wd make "o up4 ,%e wd cat* y 9 ! girls' room or | 9 ! hall & :isp}1 8,i "k :at y did60 & !n y'd g crazy try+ 6figure | :at x 0 y did t ,imog5e knew ab4 ,x 0 no gd try+ 6get secrets on ! ,h}dmans4 ,"eybody alr knew ab ! aw;l ?+s !y did4 ,y cdn't ev5 t1se !m ab _! p>5ts1 or holl} 8,yr "f's 9 jail60 2c !y didn't c>e4
  ,actu,y1 !y didn't "k :at _! "f 0 or ": he 0 or any?+ ab hm1 2c :5 ,gladys 0 two ye>s old he climb$ on a railroad tra9 & 4appe>$4 ,nobody blam$ hm4 ,n{ & !n y'd see ,mrs4 ,h}dman1 walk+ ! cat on a l5g? ( *a9 >.d ! block4 ,b %e "w$ d|# %ifts at ! %oe factory1 & wasn't home m*4
  ,my "m's fr1 ,miss ,philips1 0 a social s}vice "w} & %e tri$ 6get "s welf>e m"oy =! ,h}dmans1 s ,mrs4 ,h}dman cd j "w "o %ift & sp5d m "t ) h} *n4 ,b ,mrs4 ,h}dman wdn't d x2 %e lik$ ! "w1 %e sd4 8,x's n ! "w10 ,miss ,philips told my "m1 8& x's n ! m"oy4 ,x's j t %e'd r 2 at ! %oe factory ?an %ut up at home ) t cr{d ( kids40 ,%e si<$4 8,i c't say ,i blame h}40
  ,s ! ,h}dmans pretty m* look$ af !mvs4 ,ralph look$ af ,imog5e1 & ,imog5e look$ af ,l}oy1 & ,l}oy look$ af ,claude & s on d{n ! l9e4 ,! ,h}dmans 7 l mo/ big families--! big "os tau<t ! ll "os "ey?+ !y knew ''' &! pro( ( t 0 t ! m1ne/ ,h}dman ( all 0 ,gladys1 ! "ye/4 ,we figur$ !y 7 h1d$ /rai<t = bell1 0way (! /ate p5it5ti>y ''' until !y got !mvs mix$ up )! *ur*1 & my "m1 & |r ,*ri/mas pag1nt4
  ,"m didn't expect 6h any?+ 6d )! ,*ri/mas pag1nt except 6make me & my ll bro!r ,*>lie 2 9 x 7we didn't want to7 & 6make my "f g & see x 7he didn't want to47 ,e ye> he sd ! same ?+--8,i've se5 ! ,*ri/mas pag1nt40
  8,y hav5't se5 ? ye>'s ,*ri/mas pag1nt10 ,"m wd tell hm4 8,*>lie is a %eph}d ? ye>40
  8,*>lie 0 a %eph}d la/ ye>4 ,no '''y g on & g4 ,i'm j go+ 6put on my ba?robe & sit 0! fire & relax4 ,"!'s n"e any?+ di6}5t ab ! ,*ri/mas pag1nt40
  8,"!'s "s?+ di6}5t ? ye>10 ,"m sd4
  8,:at80 8,*>lie is we>+ yr ba?robe40
  ,s t ye> my "f w5t ''' 6see 8 ba?robe1 he sd4 ,actu,y1 he w5t e ye> b x 0 alw a /ru7le1 & ,"m sd t 0 h} 3tribu;n 6! ,*ri/mas pag1nt--gett+ my "f 6g 6x4 ,b !n %e got1 /uck )! :ole ?+ :5 ,mrs4 ,george ,>m/r;g fell & broke h} leg4
  ,we knew ab ? z soon z x happ5$1 2c ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g only liv$ a block &a half away4 ,we he>d ! sir5 & saw ! ambul.e & wat*$ ! policem5 c>ry h} | (! h|se on a /ret*}4 8,call ,mr4 ,>m/r;g at 8 "w60 %e yell$ at ! policem54 8,%ut (f ! /ove "u my potatoes4 ,9=m ! ,ladies' ,aid t ,i won't 2 at ! meet+60
  ,"o (! nei<bor wom5 call$ |1 8,hel51 >e y 9 m* pa980
  ,& ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g yell$ back1 8,yes1 t}ri#6 ,don't let ~? *n te> up my privet h$ge60
  ,ev5 9 pa91 ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g cd / give ord}s4 ,%e 0 s gd at giv+ ord}s t %e 0 j natur,y ! h1d ( any?+ %e 2l;g$ to1 & at *ur* %e did "ey?+ b pr1*4 ,mo/ ( all1 %e ran ! ,*ri/mas pag1nt e ye>4 ,& "h %e was1 two weeks 2f ,?anksgiv+1 flat on h} back4
  8,i don't "k :at !y'll d n{ ab ! pag1nt10 ,"m sd4 ,b ! pag1nt wasn't ! only pro#m4
  ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g 0 al *airman (! ,ladies' ,aid ,baza>1 & coord9ator (! ,wom5's ,society ,pot-luck ,supp}1 & "! 0 a lot ( telephon+ back & =? 6see :o wd take ov} ~? jobs4 ,"m _h a li/ ( "ns1 & :ile %e 0 call+ p ab ! ,ladies' ,aid ,baza>1 ,mrs4 ,hom} ,mc,c>?y 0 try+ 6call ,"m ab ! pot-luck supp}4 ,b ,mrs4 ,mc,c>?y got "sbody else 6d t1 & ,"m got "sbody else 6d ! baza>4 ,s ! only ?+ left 0 ! ,*ri/mas pag1nt4 ,& ,"m got /uck ) t4
  8,i cd run ! pot-luck supp} ) "o h& ti$ 2h my back10 ,"m told u4 8,all y h 6d is make sure "eybody doesn't br+ m1t loaf4 ,b ! ,*ri/mas pag1nt60
  ,|r ,*ri/mas pag1nt isn't :at y'd call f|r-/> 5t}ta9;t4 ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g br1k+ h} leg 0 ! only unexpect$ ?+ t "e happ5$ 6x4 ,! script is /&>d 7! 9n1 ! /a#1 ! %eph}ds1 ! />71 & s >e ! co/umes1 & s is ! ca/+4 ,prim>y kids >e angels2 9t}m$iate kids >e %eph}ds2 big boys >e ,wise ,m52 ,elm} ,hopk9s1 ! m9i/}'s son1 has be5 ,joseph = z l;g z ,i c rememb}2 & my fr ,alice ,w5dlek5 is ,m>y 2c %e's s sm>t1 s n1t & cl1n1 &1 mo/ ( all1 s holy-look+4 ,all ! re/ ( u >e ! angel *oir--l9$ up ac 6hei<t 2c nobody c s+ "ps4 ,z a matt} ( fact1 nobody c s+4
  ,we're /rictly a no-tal5t |tfit except =a girl "nd ,alb}ta ,bottles1 :o :i/les4 ,la/ ye> ,alb}ta :i/l$ 8,:at ,* ,is ,?80 =a *ange ( pace1 b nobody lik$ x1 especi,y ,mrs4 ,bottles1 2c ,alb}ta put too m* 96x & ran | ( air & pass$ | cold on ! mang} 9 ! mi4le (! ?ird v}se4
  ,aside f t1 ?|<1 x's alw j ! ,*ri/mas /ory1 ye> af ye>1 ) p %u6l+ >.d 9 ba?robes & b$%eets & %>p w+s4
  8,well10 my "f sd1 once ,"m got put 9 *>ge ( x 8"h's yr big *.e4 ,:y don't y c.el ! pag1nt & %{ movies80
  8,movies ( :at80 ,"m sd4
  8,i don't "k4 ,fr$ ,/amp} has five big reels ( ,yell{/"o ,n,nal ,p>k40
  8,:at does ,yell{/"o ,n,nal ,p>k h 6d ) ,*ri/mas80 ,"m ask$4
  8,i "k a gd movie10 ,*>lie sd4 8,we _h x at s*ool4 ,x %{s a he>t op},n1 & two kids got sick40
  8,n"e m9d10 ,"m sd4 8,i guess y all ?9k y're pretty funny1 b ! ,*ri/mas pag1nt is a tradi;n1 & ,i don't plan 6d any?+ di6}5t40
  ,( c|rse nobody ev5 ?"| ab ! ,h}dmans 9 3nec;n )! ,*ri/mas pag1nt4 ,mo/ ( u sp5t all week 9 s*ool 2+ p.d$ & pok$ & pu%$ >.d 0,h}dmans1 & we look$ =w>d 6,sun"d z a r1l "d ( re/4
  ,once a mon? ! :ole ,sun"d s*ool wd g 6*ur* =! f/ fifte5 m9utes (! s}vice & d "s?+ special--s+ a s;g1 or act | a p>a#1 or recite ,bi# v}ses4 ,usu,y ! ll kids sang 8,jesus ,loves ,me10 : 0 all !y 7 up to4 ,b :5 my bro!r ,*>lie 0 9 )! ll kids1 8 t1*} ?"| up "s?+ di6}5t 6d4 ,%e _h "eybody write d{n on a piece ( pap} :at !y lik$ be/ ab ,sun"d s*ool1 or draw a picture ( :at !y lik$ be/4 ,& :5 we all got 9 ! *ur* %e /ood up 9 front (! 3greg,n & sd1 8,td "s ( |r "ye/ boys & girls >e go+ 6tell y :at ,sun"d s*ool m1ns 6!m4 ,betsy1 :at d y h on yr pap}80
  ,betsy ,ca?c>t /ood up & sd1 8,:at ,i l be/ ab ,sun"d s*ool is ! gd feel+ ,i get :5 ,i g "!40
  ,i don't ?9k %e wrote t d{n at all1 b x s.d$ t}rific1 ( c|rse4 ,"o kid sd he lik$ he>+ all ! ,bi# /ories4 ,ano!r kid sd1 8,i l le>n+ s;gs ab ,jesus40 ,ei<t or n9e ll kids /ood up & sd :at !y lik$1 & x 0 alw "s?+ gd ab ,jesus or ,god or *e};l frs or ! nice t1*}4
  ,f9,y ! t1*} sd1 8,i ?9k we h "t = "o m4 ,*>lie1 :at c y tell u ab ,sun"d s*ool80
  ,my ll bro!r ,*>lie /ood up & he didn't ev5 h 6look at 8 piece ( pap}4 8,:at ,i l be/ ab ,sun"d s*ool10 he sd1 8is t "! >5't any ,h}dmans "h40
  ,well4 ,! t1*} %d h /uck ) 8,jesus ,loves ,me10 2c "eybody =got all ! nice *ur*y ?+s ! o!r kids sd1 & j rememb}$ :at ,*>lie sd ab ! ,h}dmans4 ,:5 we w5t 6pick hm up af *ur* 8 t1*} told u1 8,i'm sure "! >e _m ?+s t ,*>lie likes ab ,sun"d s*ool4 ,maybe he w tell y :at "s ( !m >e40 ,%e smil$ at all ( u1 b y cd tell %e 0 re,y mad4
  ,on ! way home ,i ask$ ,*>lie1 8,:at >e "s (! o!r ?+s y l t %e 0 talk+ ab80
  ,he %ru7$4 8,i l all ! o!r /uff b %e sd 6write d{n :at we lik$ be/1 & :at ,i l be/ is no ,h}dmans40
  8,n a v ,*ri/ian s5ti;t1 my "f sd4
  8,maybe n1 b x's a v practical "o10 ,"m told hm--la/ ye> ,*>lie _h sp5t ! :ole second grade 2+ black-&-blue 2c he _h 6sit next 6,l}oy ,h}dman4
  ,9 ! 5d x 0 ,*>lie's fault t ! ,h}dmans %{$ up 9 *ur*4 ,= ?ree "ds 9 a r{ ,l}oy ,h}dman /ole ! dess}t f ,*>lie's lun* box & f9,y ,*>lie j gave up try+ 6d any?+ ab x4 8,oh1 g on & take x10 2 sd4 8,i don't c>e4 ,i get all ! dess}t ,i want 9 ,sun"d s*ool40
  ,l}oy want$ 6"k m ab t4 8,:at k9d ( dess}t80 he sd4
  8,*ocolate cake10 ,*>lie told hm1 8& c&y b>s & cookies & ,kool-,aid4 ,we get refre%;ts all ! "t1 all we want40
  8,y're a li>10 ,l}oy sd4
  ,l}oy 0 "r4 ,we got jelly b1ns at ,ea/} & pun* & cookies on ,*n's ,"d1 & t 0 x4
  8,we get ice cr1m1 too10 ,*>lie w5t on1 8& d|<nuts & popcorn balls40
  8,:o gives x 6y80 ,l}oy want$ 6"k4
  8,! m9i/}10 ,*>lie sd4 ,he didn't "k :o else 6say4
  ,( c|rse t 0 ! wr;g ?+ 6tell ,h}dmans if y want$ !m 6/ay away4 ,& sure 5|<1 ! v next ,sun"d "! !y w}e1 sl|*+ 96,sun"d s*ool1 eyes peel$ =! refre%;ts4 8,": d y get ! cake80 ,ralph ask$ ! ,sun"d-s*ool sup}9t5d5t1 & ,mr4 ,grady sd1 8,well1 son1 ,i don't "k ab any cake1 b !y're collect+ ! food packages | 9 ! kit*540 ,:at he m1nt 0 ! cann$4 /uff we br"| 9 e ye> z a ,?anksgiv+ pres5t =! ,orphans ,home4
  ,x 0 j |r bad luck t ! ,h}dmans pick$ t ,sun"d 6-e1 2c :5 !y saw all ! cans ( spa<etti & b1ns & grape dr9k & p1nut butt}1 !y figur$ "! mi<t 2 "s tru? 6:at ,*>lie sd ab refre%;ts4 ,s !y /ay$4 ,!y didn't s+ any hymns or say any pray}s1 b !y did make a ll m"oy1 2c ,i saw ,imog5e snake a h&;l ( co9s | (! collec;n basket :5 x w5t pa/ h}4
  ,at ! 5d (! morn+ ,mr4 ,grady came 6e class & made an ann|nce;t4 8,we'll 2 />t+ rehe>sals soon = |r ,*ri/mas pag1nt101 he sd1 8& next week af ! s}vice we'll all ga!r 9 ! back (! *ur* 6decide :o w play ! ma9 roles4 ,b ( c|rse we want e boy & girl 9 |r ,sun"d s*ool 6take "p 9 ! pag1nt1 s 2 sure yr p>5ts "k t y'll 2 /ay+ a ll lat} next ,sun"d40
  ,mr4 ,grady made ? same spee* e ye>1 s 2 didn't get any wild applause4 ,2ss1 z ,i sd1 we all knew :at "p we 7 go+ 6play anyway4
  ,alice ,w5dlek5 m/ h be5 a ll bit worri$1 ?|<1 2c %e turn$ >.d 6me ) ? /icky smile on h} face & sd1 8,i hope y're go+ 6be 9 ! angel *oir ag4 ,y're s gd 9 ! angel *oir40
  ,:at %e m1nt was1 ,i hope y won't get 6be ,m>y j 2c yr "m's runn+ ! pag1nt4 ,%e didn't h 6worry4 ,i didn't want 6be ,m>y4 ,i didn't want 6be 9 ! angel *oir ei1 b "eybody _h 6be "s?+4
  ,all (a su45 ,imog5e ,h}dman dug me 9 ! ribs ) h} elb{4 ,%e has ! %>pe/ elb{s ( anybody ,i "e knew4 8,:at's ! pag1nt80 %e sd4
  8,x's a play10 ,i sd1 &=! f/ "t t "d 7except :5 %e saw ! collec;n basket7 ,imog5e look$ 9t}e/$4
  ,all ! ,h}dmans >e big moviego}s1 ?|< !y n"e pay _! {n way4 ,"o or two ( !m />t a fi<t at ! box (fice (! !at} :ile ! o!rs slip in4 ,!y get _! popcorn ! same way1 & !n !y spr1d | all ov} ! place s ! manag} c n"e f9d !m all 2f ! picture's ov}4
  8,:at's ! play ab80 ,imog5e ask$4
  8,x's ab ,jesus10 ,i sd4
  8,"ey?+ "h is10 %e mutt}$1 s ,i figur$ ,imog5e didn't c>e m* ab ! ,*ri/mas pag1nt4 ,b ,i 0 wr;g4
  ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g1 :o 0 / try+ 6run ?+s f h} hospital b$1 sd t ! same p alw got ! ma9 "ps4 8,b x's important 6give "eybody a *.e10 %e told ,"m ov} ! teleph"o4 8,let me tell y :at ,i d40
  ,"m si<$1 & turn$ (f ! h1t "u ! pork *ops4 8,all "r1 ,hel510 %e sd4 ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g call$ ,"m at l1/ e o!r "d1 & %e alw call$ at supp}"t4 8,don't let me 9t}rupt yr supp}10 %e alw sd1 & !n w5t "r ah1d & did x anyway1 :ile my "f pac$ up & d{n ! hall1 say+ ?+s "u 8 br1? ab ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g4
  8,"h's :at ,i d10 ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g sd4 ,i get !m all tgr & tell !m ab ! rehe>sals1 & t !y m/ 2 on "t & pay close att5;n4 ,!n ,i tell !m t ! ma9 "ps >e ,m>y & ,joseph &! ,wise ,m5 &! ,angel (! ,"l4 ,& !n ,i alw rem9d !m t "! >e no small "ps1 only small actors40
  8,d !y "u/& :at t m1ns80 ,"m ask$4
  8,oh1 yes10 ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g sd4 ,lat} ,"m ask$ me if ,i knew :at t m1nt1 ab small "ps & small actors4 ,i didn't re,y "k--n"o ( u did4 ,x 0 j "s?+ ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g alw sd4 ,i guess x m1ns t ! %ort kids h 6be 9 ! front r{ (! angel *oir1 or else nobody c see !m40
  8,i ?"| s10 ,"m sd4 8,x doesn't m1n t at all4 ,x re,y m1ns t e s+le p}son 9 ! pag1nt is j z important z e o!r p}son--t ! ll/ baby angel is j z important z ,m>y40
  8,g & tell t 6,alice ,w5dlek510 ,i sd1 & ,"m told me n 6be s fre%4 ,%e didn't get v mad1 ?|<1 2c %e knew ,i 0 "r4 ,y cd h a ,*ri/mas pag1nt )|t any baby angels1 b y cdn't h "o )|t a ,m>y4
  ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g knew x too4 8,i alw />t ) ,m>y10 %e told ,"m ov} ! teleph"o4 8,i tell !m t we m/ *oose |r ,m>y c>e;lly1 2c ,m>y 0 ! "m ( ,jesus40
  8,i "k t10 ,"m sd1 want+ 6get (f ! teleph"o & cook ! pork *ops4
  8,yes4 ,i tell !m t |r ,m>y %d 2 a *e};l1 happy ll girl :o is unselfi% & k9d 6o!rs4 ,!n ,i tell !m ab ,joseph1 t he 0 ,god's *oice 6be ,jesus' "f1 & |r ,joseph "| 6be a ll boy'''0
  ,%e w5t on & on & got z f> z ! second ,wise ,man :5 ,"m sd1 8,hel51 ,i'll h 6g n{4 ,"!'s "sbody at ! door40 ,actu,y "! 0 "sbody at ! door4 ,x 0 my "f1 /&+ | on ! por* 9 8 coat & hat1 l1n+ on ! doorbell4 ,:5 ,"m let hm 9 he took (f 8 hat & b{$ 6h}4 8,lady1 c y give me "s supp}8 ,i hav5't _h a squ>e m1l 9 ?ree "ds40
  8,oh1 = gd;s sake10 ,"m sd1 8,-e on in4 ,:at w ! nei<bors ?9k1 6see y /&+ | "! r++ yr {n doorbell8 ,& :y didn't y r+ ! doorbell t5 m9utes ago80
  ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g call$ ,"m two m "ts t week--6tell h} t p cd hem up co/umes1 b cdn't cut !m--& 6tell h} n 6let ! angel *oir we> lip/ick4 ,& 0,sun"d1 ,"m 0 alr sick (! :ole ?+4
  ,af *ur* we all fil$ 96! back sev5 pews1 al;g ) two or ?ree ,sun"d-s*ool t1*}s :o 7 suppos$ 6keep "eybody quiet4 ,x 0 a t}ri# "t 6try 6keep "eybody quiet--all ! ll kids 7 tir$ & all ! big kids 7 hungry1 & all ! "ms want$ 6g home & cook d9n}1 & all ! "fs want$ 6g home & wat* ! football game on ,,tv4
  8,n{1 ? isn't go+ 6take v l;g10 ,"m told u4 ,my "f _h sd x bett} n take v l;g1 2c he want$ 6wat* ! football game too4 ,he al want$ 6eat1 he sd--he _hn't _h a dec5t m1l all week4
  8,f/ ,i'm go+ 6tell y ab ! rehe>sals10 ,"m sd4 8,we'll h |r rehe>sals on ,w$nes"ds at #f3cj4 ,we're only go+ 6h five rehe>sals s y m/ all try 6be pres5t at e "o40
  8,:at if we get sick80 ask$ a ll kid 9 ! front pew4
  8,y won't get sick10 ,"m told hm1 : 0 exactly :at %e told ,*>lie t morn+ :5 ,*>lie sd he didn't want 6be a %eph}d & wd 2 sick 6his /oma* if %e made hm 2 "o4
  8,n{ y ll *n 9 ! cradle room &! prim>y class w 2 |r angels10 ,"m sd4 8,y'll l t1 won't y80 ,!y all sd yes4 ,:at else cd !y say8
  8,! old} boys & girls w 2 %eph}ds & gue/s at ! 9n & memb}s (! *oir40 ,"m 0 re,y zipp+ al;g1 & ,i ?"| h{ mad ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g wd 2 ab all ! ?+s %e 0 l1v+ |4 8,& we ne$ ,m>y & ,joseph1 ! ?ree ,wise ,m51 &! ,angel (! ,"l4 ,!y >5't h>d "ps1 b !y're v important "ps1 s ~? p m/ absolutely -e 6e rehe>sal40
  8,:at if !y get sick80 ,x 0 ! same ll kid1 & x made y wond} :at k9d ( ll kid he was1 6be s 9t}e/$ 9 sick;s4
  8,!y won't get sick ei10 ,"m sd1 look+ a ll cross4 8,n{1 we all "k :at k9d ( p}son ,m>y was4 ,%e 0 quiet & g5tle & k9d1 &! ll girl :o plays ,m>y %d try 6be t k9d ( p}son4 ,i "k t _m ( y wd l 6be ,m>y 9 |r pag1nt1 b ( c|rse we c only h "o ,m>y4 ,s ,i'll ask = volunte}s1 & !n we'll all decide tgr : girl %d get ! "p40
  ,t 0 pretty safe 6say1 s9ce ! only p}son :o "e rais$ h} h& 0 ,alice ,w5dlek54 ,b ,alice j sat "!1 *ew+ on a piece ( h} hair & look+ d{n at ! floor '''&! only p}son :o rais$ h} h& ? "t 0 ,imog5e ,h}dman4
  8,did y h a "q1 ,imog5e80 ,"m ask$4 ,i guess t 0 ! only r1son %e cd ?9k (= ,imog5e 6h h} h& up4
  8,no10 ,imog5e sd4 8,i want 6be ,m>y40 ,%e look$ back ov} h} %|ld}4 8,& ,ralph wants 6be ,joseph40
  8,yeb10 ,ralph sd4 ,"m j />$ at !m4
  ,x 0 l a detective movie1 :5 ! nice ll old gray-hair$ lady /icks a gun 9 ! bank w9d{ & says 8,give me all yr m"oy0 & y c't 2lieve x4 ,"m cdn't 2lieve ?4 8,well10 %e sd af a m9ute1 8we want 6be sure t--"ey"o has a *.e4 ,does any"o else want 6volunte} = ,joseph80 ,no "o did4 ,no "o "e did1 especi,y n ,elm} ,hopk9s4 ,b he cdn't d any?+ ab x1 2c 2 0 ! m9i/}'s son4 ,"o ye> he didn't volunte} 6be ,joseph & nei did any"o else1 & afw ,i be>d ,r"e5d ,hopk9s talk+ 6,elm} | 9 ! hall4
  8,y're go+ 6be ,joseph10 ,r"e5d ,hopk9s sd4 8,t's x40
  8,i don't want 6be ,joseph10 ,elm} 6,id hm4 8,i'm too big1 & ,i feel dumb up "!1 & all ~? ll kids give me a pa9 9 ! neck40
  8,i c "u/& t10 ,r"e5d ,hopk9s sd4 ,i c ev5 sympa?ize1 b till "sbody else volunte}s = ,joseph1 y're /uck ) x40
  8,nobody's "e go+ 6d t60 ,elm} sd4 8,i ev5 (f}$ ,grady ,bak} fifty c5ts 6be ,joseph & he wdn't d x4 ,i'm go+ 6h 6be ,joseph =! re/ ( my life60
  8,*e} up10 ,r"e5d ,hopk9s told hm4 8,maybe "sbody w turn up40 ,i'll bet he didn't ?9k ! "sbody wd 2 ,ralph ,h}dman4
  8,all "r10 ,"m sd1 8,ralph w 2 |r ,joseph4 ,n{1 does any"o else want 6volunte} = ,m>y80 ,"m look$ all >.d1 try+ 6cat* "sbody's eye--anybody's eye4 8,janet8 ''',rob}ta8 '''  ,alice1 don't y want 6volunte} ? ye>80
  8,no10 ,alice sd1 s l{ y cd h>dly he> h}4 6,i don't want to40
  ,nobody volunte}$ 6be ,wise ,m5 ei1 except1 ,l}oy1 ,claude1 & ,ollie ,h}dman4 ,s "! 0 my "m1 /uck )a ,*ri/mas pag1nt full ( ,h}dmans 9 ! ma9 roles4 ,"! 0 "o ,h}dman left ov}1 & "o ma9 role left ov}1 & y didn't h 6be v sm>t 6figure | t ,gladys 0 go+ 6be ! ,angel (! ,"l4
  8,:at d ,i h 6d80 ,gladys want$ 6"k4
  8,! ,angel (! ,"l 0 ! "o :o br"| ! gd news 6! %eph}ds10 ,"m sd4
  ,"r away all ! %eph}ds 2gan 6wi7le >.d 9 _! s1ts1 figur+ t any gd news ,gladys br"| !m wd -e )a smack 9 ! tee?4
  ,*>lie's fr ,hobie ,c>mi*ael rais$ 8 h& & sd1 ,i c't 2 a %eph}d4 ,we're go+ 6,philadelphia40
  8,:y didn't y say s 2f80 ,"m ask$4
  8,i =got40 ,ano!r kid sd1 8,my "m doesn't want me 6be a %eph}d40
  8,:y n80 ,"m sd4
  8,i don't "k4 ,%e j sd don't 2 a %eph}d40
  ,"o kid 0 h"o/4 8,gladys ,h}dman hits too h>d10 he sd4
  8,:y1 ,gladys isn't go+ 6bit anybody60 ,"m sd4 8,:at an idea6 ,! ,angel j visits ! %eph}ds 9 ! fields & tells !m ,jesus is born40
  8,& hits 'em10 sd ! kid4 ,( c|rse he 0 "r4 ,y cd j picture ,gladys :amm+ %eph}ds left & "r1 b ,"m sd t 0 p}fectly ridicul|s4 8,i don't want 6he> ano!r ~w ab x10 %e sd4 8,no %eph}ds may quit--or get sick10 %e a4$1 2f ! kid 9 ! front pew cd ask4
  ,:ile "eybody 0 l1v+1 ,"m gra2$ ,alice ,w5dlek5 0! >m & sd1 8,alice1 :y 9 ! _w didn't y raise yr h& 6be ,m>y80
  8,i don't "k10 ,alice sd1 look+ mad4 ,b ,i knew--,i'd he>d ,imog5e ,h}dman tell+ ,alice :at wd happ5 6h} if %e d>! 6volunte}3 all ! ord9>y1 "ey"d ,h}dman-?+s l clonk+ y on ! h1d1 & draw+ pictures all ov} yr home"w pap}s1 & putt+ worms 9 yr coat pocket4 8,i don't c>e10 ,alice told h}4 8,i don't c>e :at y d4 ,i'm alw ,m>y 9 ! pag1nt40
  8,& next spr+10 ,imog5e w5t on1 squ9*+ up h} eyes1 8:5 ! pussy will{s -e |1 ,i'll /ick a pussy will{ s f> d{n yr e> t nobody c r1* x--& x'll spr|t "!1 & x'll gr{ & gr{1 & y'll sp5d ! re/ ( yr life )a pussy-will{ bu% gr{+ | yr e>40
  ,y _h 6admire h}--t 0 ! wor/ ?+ any ( !m "e ?"| up 6d4 ,( c|rse "s p mi<t n ?9k t cd happ51 b x cd4
  ,ollie ,h}dman did x once4 ,he got ? t}ri# e>a*e 9 s*ool1 & :5 ! nurse look$ d{n 8 e> ) h} ll li<t$ tube %e yell$ s l|d y cd he> h} all ! way d{n ! hall4 8,he's got "s?+ gr{+ d{n "!60 %e holl}$4 ,!y _h 6take ,ollie 6! hospital & put hm "u & dig ? spr|t$ pussy will{ | ( 8 e>4 ,s t 0 :y ,alice kept h} m|? %ut ab 2+ ,m>y4
  8,y "k %e wdn't d all ~? ?+s %e sd10 ,i told ,alice z we walk$ home4
  8,yes1 %e wd10 ,alice sd4 8,h}dmans w d any?+4 ,b yr "m %d h told !m no4 ,"sbody %d put ,imog5e | (! pag1nt1 & all ! re/ ( !m too4 ,!y'll d "s?+ t}ri#  & ru9 ! :ole ?+40 ,i ?"| %e 0 probably "r1 & s did lots ( o!r p1 &= two or ?ree "ds all anybody cd talk ab 0 ! ,h}dmans 2+ ,m>y & ,joseph & all4
  ,mrs4 ,hom} ,mc,c>?y call$ ,"m 6say t %e _h be5 ?9k+ & ?9k+ ab x1 & if ! ,h}dmans want$ 6"picipate 9 |r ,*ri/mas celebr,n1 :y didn't we let !m h& | programs at ! door8
  8,we don't h programs =! ,*ri/mas pag1nt10 ,"m sd4
  8,well1 maybe we "| 6get "s pr9t$ & put ! ,h}dmans 9 *>ge ( t40
  ,alice's "m told ! ,ladies' ,aid t x 0 sacrilegi|s 6let ,imog5e ,h}dman 2 ,m>y4 ,"sbody we n"e he>d ( call$ up ,"m on ! teleph"o & sd h} "n 0 ,hazelbeck & %e liv$ on ,spr|l ,hill1 & 0 x true t ,imog5e ,h}dman 0 go+ 6be ,m>y ! "m ( ,jesus 9 a *ur* play8 8,yes10 ,"m sd4 8,imog5e is go+ 6be ,m>y 9 |r ,*ri/mas pag1nt40
  8,& ! re/ ( !m too80 ! lady ask$4
  8,yes1 ,ralph is go+ 6be ,joseph &! o!rs >e ! ,wise ,m5 &! ,angel (! ,"l40
  8,y m/ 2 crazy10 ? ,mrs4 ,hazelbeck told ,"m4 8,i live next door 6t |tfit ) _! yell+ & scr1m+ & _! 9sane cat & _! g>age door go+ up & d{n1 up & d{n all "d l;g1 & let me tell y1 y're 9 =a r{dy "t60
  ,"s p sd x wasn't fair =a :ole family :o didn't ev5 g 6|r *ur* 6b>ge 9 & take ov} ! pag1nt4 ,my "f sd "sbody bett} lock up ! ,wom5's ,society's silv} s}vice4 ,my "m j sd %e wd r 2 9 ! hospital ) ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g4
  ,b !n ! fl{} -mittee took a pott$ g}anium 6,mrs4 ,>m/r;g & told h} :at 0 go+ on & %e ne>ly fell | ( b$1 trac;n b>s & all4 8,i feel p}son,y responsi#10 %e sd4 8,:at"e happ5s1 ,i a3ept ! blame4 ,if ,i'd be5 up & >.d & do+ my duty1 ? n"e wd h happ5$40
  ,& t made my "m s mad %e cdn't see /rai<t4 8,if %e'd be5 up & >.d x wdn't h happ5$60 ,"m sd4 8,t woman6 ,%e m/ 2 surpris$ t ! sun is / -+ up e morn+ )|t h} 6sup}vise ! sunrise4 ,well1 let me tell y--0
  8,don't tell me10 my "f sd4 8,i'm on yr side40
  8,i j m1n t ,hel5 ,>m/r;g is n ! only woman alive :o c run a ,*ri/mas pag1nt4 ,up till n{ ,i'd made up my m9d j 6d ! be/ ,i cd "u ! circum/.es1 b n{--0 ,%e /a2$ a m1t =k 96! pot roa/4 8,i'm go+ 6make ? ! v be/ ,*ri/mas pag1nt anybody "e saw1 & ,i'm go+ 6d x ) ,h}dmans1 too4 ,af all1 !y rais$ _! h&s & nobody else did4 ,& t's t40
  ,& x 0 too4 ,= "o ?+1 nobody else want$ 6take ov} ! pag1nt1 ) or )|t ,h}dmans2 &= ano!r ?+1 ,rev}5d ,hopk9s got f$ up ) all ! -pla9ts & told "eybody ": 6get (f4 ,( c|rse1 he didn't say 8,g jump 9 ! lake1 ,mrs4 ,w5dlek50 or any?+ l t4 ,he j rem9d$ "ey"o t :5 ,jesus sd 8,su6} ! ll *n 6-e unto me0 ,jesus m1nt all ! ll *n1 9clud+ ,h}dmans4 ,s t %ut "eybody up1 ev5 ,alice's "m1 &! next ,w$nes"d we />t$ rehe>sals4
  ,! f/ pag1nt rehe>sal 0 usu,y ab z m* fun z a ?ree-h|r ride on ! s*ool bus1 & j z noisy & cr{d$4 ,? rehe>sal1 ?|<1 0 di6}5t4 ,"eybody %ut up & settl$ d{n "r away1 = fe> ( miss+ "s?+ aw;l t ! ,h}dmans mi<t d4 ,!y got "! t5 m9utes late1 slid+ 96! room l a bun* ( |tlaws ab 6%oot up a saloon4 ,:5 ,l}oy pass$ ,*>lie he knuckl$ hm 2h ! e>1 & "o ll prim>y girl yell$ z ,gladys w5t by4 ,b ,"m _h sd %e 0 go+ 6ignore "ey?+ except blood1 & s9ce ! prim>y kid wasn't ble$+1 & nei 0 ,*>lie1 no?+ happ5$4
  ,"m sd1 8,& "h's ! ,h}dman family4 ,we're glad 6see y all10 : 0 probably ! bi7e/ lie "e sd "r | l|d 9 ! *ur*4 ,imog5e smil$--! ,h}dman smile1 we call$ x1 sly & sn1ky--& "! !y sat1 ! close/ ?+ 6crim9als t we knew ab1 & !y 7 go+ 6repres5t ! be/ & mo/ b1uti;l4 ,no wond} "eybody 0 s "w$ up4
  ,"m />t$ 6sep>ate "ey"o 96angels & %eph}ds & gue/s at ! 9n1 b "r away %e ran 96tr|#4 8,:o 7 ! %eph}ds80 ,l}oy ,h}dman want$ 6"k4 8,": did !y -e f80 ,ollie ,h}dman didn't ev5 "k :at a %eph}d 0 '''or1 anyway1 t's :at he sd4 8,:at 0 ! 9n80 ,claude ask$4 8,:at's an 9n80
  8,x's l a motel10 "sbody told hm1 8": p g 6sp5d ! ni<t40
  8,:at p80 ,claude sd4
  8,jesus80
  8,oh1 h"o/ly60 ,alice ,w5dlek5 grum#d4 8,jesus wasn't ev5 born yet6 ,m>y & ,joseph w5t "!40
  8,:y80 ,ralph ask$4 8,:at happ5$ f/80 ,imog5e holl}$ at my "m4 8,2g9 at ! 2g9n+60
  ,t re,y sc>$ me 2c ! 2g9n+ wd 2 ! ,book ( ,g5esis1 ": x says 8,9 ! 2g9n+'''0 & if we 7 go+ 6h 6/>t )! ,book ( ,g5esis we'd n"e get "?4 ,! ?+ was1 ! ,h}dmans didn't "k any?+ ab ! ,*ri/mas /ory4 ,!y knew t ,*ri/mas 0 ,jesus' bir?"d1 b "ey?+ else 0 news 6!m--! %eph}ds1 ! ,wise ,m51 ! />1 ! /a#1 ! cr{d$ 9n4 ,x 0 h>d 6believe4 ,at l1/1 x 0 h>d = me 6believe--,alice ,w5dlek5 sd %e didn't h any tr|# 2liev+ x4 8,h{ wd !y f9d | ab ! ,*ri/mas /ory80 %e sd4 8!y don't ev5 "k :at a ,bi# is4 ,look :at ,gladys did 6t ,bi# la/ week40
  ,:ile ,imog5e 0 snit*+ m"oy f ! collec;n plate 9 my class1 ,gladys & ,ollie drew mu/a*es & tails on all ! 4ciples 9 ! prim>y-grade ,illu/rat$ ,bi#4 8,!y n"e w5t 6*ur* 9 _! :ole life till yr ll bro!r told !m we got refre%;ts10 ,alice sd1 8& all y "e he> ab ,*ri/mas 9 s*ool is h{ 6make orna;ts | ( alum9um foil4 ,s h{ wd !y "k ab ! ,*ri/mas /ory80
  ,%e 0 "r4 ,( c|rse !y mi<t h r1d ab x1 b !y n"e r1d any?+ except 8,amaz+ ,-ics40 ,& !y mi<t h be>d ab x on ,,tv1 except t ,ralph pd sixty-five c5ts = _! ,,tv at a g>age sale1 & y cdn't see any?+ on x un.s "sbody held onto ! ant5na4 ,ev5 !n1 y cdn't see m*4 ,! only o!r way = !m 6he> ab ! ,*ri/mas /ory 0 f _! p>5ts1 & ,i guess ,mr4 ,h}dman n"e got >.d 6x 2f he climb$ on ! railroad tra94 ,& x 0 pretty cle> t ,mrs4 ,h}dman _h giv5 up "e try+ 6tell !m any?+4 ,s !y j didn't "k4 ,& ,"m sd %e _h bett} 2g9 0r1d+ ! ,*ri/mas /ory f ! ,bi#4 ,? 0 a pa9 9 ! neck 6mo/ ( u 2c we knew ! :ole ?+ backw>d & =w>d & n"e _h 6be told any?+ except :o we 7 suppos$ 6be1 & ": we 7 suppos$ 6/&'''0
  ,joseph & ,m>y1 8 esp|s$ wife1 2+ grt ) * '''0
  8,pregnant60 yell$ ,ralph 8}dman4 ,well4 ,t /irr$ ?+s up4 ,all ! big kids 2gan 6gi7le & all ! ll kids want$ 6"k :at 0 s funny1 & ,"m _h 6hamm} on ! floor )a blackbo>d po9t}4 8,t's 5|<1 ,ralph10 %e sd1 & w5t on )! /ory4
  8,i don't ?9k x's v nice 6say ,m>y 0 pregnant10 ,alice :isp}$ 6me4
  8,b %e was10 ,i po9t$ |4 ,9 a way1 ?|<1 ,i agre$ ) h}4 ,x s.d$ too ord9>y4 ,anybody cd 2 pregnant1 8,grt ) *0 s.d$ bett} = ,m>y4
  8,i'm n suppos$ 6talk ab p 2+ pregnant40 ,alice fold$ h} b&s 9 h} lap & p9*$ h} lips tgr4 8,i'd bett} tell my "m40
  8,tell h} :at80
  8,t yr "m is talk+ ab ?+s l t 9 *ur*4 ,my "m mi<t n want me 6be "h40
  ,i 0 pretty sure %e wd d x4 ,%e want$ 6be ,m>y1 & %e 0 mad at ,"m4 ,i knew1 too1 t %e wd make x s.d worse ?an x 0 & ,mrs4 ,w5dlek5 wd get ma4} ?an %e alr was4 ,mrs4 ,w5dlek5 didn't ev5 want cats 6h kitt5s or birds 6lay e7s1 & %e wdn't let ,alice play ) anybody :o _h two ra2its4 ,b "! wasn't m* ,i cd d ab x1 except p9* ,alice1 : ,i did4 ,%e yelp$1 & ,"m sep>at$ u & made me sit 2s ,imog5e ,h}dman & s5t ,alice 6sit 9 ! mi4le (! baby angels4 ,i wasn't crazy 6sit next 6,imog5e--af all1 ,i'd sp5t my :ole life /ay+ away f ,imog5e--b %e didn't ev5 notice me ''' n m*1 anyway4 8,%ut up10 0 all %e sd4 8,i want 6be> h}40
  ,i cdn't 2lieve x4 ,am;g o!r ?+s1 ! ,h}dmans 7 fam|s = n"e sitt+ / & n"e pay+ att5;n 6any"o--t1*}s1 p>5ts 7_! {n or anybody else's71 ! truant (fic}1 ! police--yet "h !y w}e1 eyes glu$ on my "m & tak+ 9 e ~w4 8,:at's t80 !y wd yell :5"e !y didn't "u/& ! language1 & :5 ,"m r1d ab "! 2+ no room at ! 9n1 ,imog5e's jaw dropp$ & %e sat up 9 h} s1t4 8,my ,god60 %e sd4 8,n ev5 = ,jesus80
  ,i saw ,alice purse h} lips tgr s ,i knew t 0 "s?+ else ,mrs4 ,w5dlek5 wd he> ab--swe>+ 9 ! *ur*4 8,well1 n{1 af all10 ,"m expla9$1 8nobody knew ! baby 0 go+ 6turn | 6be ,jesus40
  8,y sd ,m>y knew10 ,ralph sd4 8,:y didn't %e tell !m80
  8,i wd h told !m60 ,imog5e put in4 8,boy1 wd ,i h told !m6 ,:at 0 ! matt} ) ,joseph t he didn't tell !m8 ,h} pregnant & "ey?+10 %e grum#d4
  8,:at 0 t !y laid ! baby in80 ,l}oy sd4 8,t mang} ''' is t l a b$8 ,:y wd !y h a b$ 9 ! b>n80
  8,t's j ! po9t10 ,"m sd4 8,!y didn't h a b$ 9 ! b>n1 s ,m>y & ,joseph _h 6use :at"e "! was4 ,:at wd y d if y _h a new baby & no b$ 6put ! baby in80
  8,we put ,gladys 9 a bur1u draw}10 ,imog5e volunte}$4
  8,well1 "! y >e10 ,"m sd1 bl9k+ a ll4 8,y didn't h a b$ = ,gladys s y _h 6use "s?+ else40
  8,oh1 we _h a b$10 ,ralph sd1 8only ,ollie 0 / 9 x & he wdn't get |4 ,he didn't l ,gladys40 ,he elb{$ ,ollie4 8,rememb} h{ y didn't l ,gladys80
  ,i ?"| t 0 pretty sm>t ( ,ollie1 n 6l ,gladys "r (f ! bat4
  8,anyway10 ,"m sd1 8,m>y & ,joseph us$ ! mang}4 ,a mang} is a l>ge wood5 fe$+ tr|< = animals40
  8,:at 7 ! wa4$-up clo!s80 ,claude want$ 6"k4
  8,! :at80 ,"m sd4
  8,y r1d ab x-'%e wrapp$ hm 9 wa4$up clo!s40 0
  8,swa4l+ clo!s40 ,"m si<$4 8,l;g ago1 p us$ 6wrap _! babies v ti<tly 9 big pieces ( mat}ial1 s !y cdn't move >.d4 ,x made ! babies feel cozy & -=ta#40
  ,i ?"| x probably j made ! babies mad4 ,till !n1 ,i didn't "k :at swa4l+ clo!s 7 ei1 & !y s.d$ t}ri#1 s ,i wasn't too surpris$ :5 ,imog5e got all excit$ ab t4 8,y m1n !y ti$ hm up & put hm 9 a fe$box80 %e sd4 8,": 0 ! ,* ,welf>e80
  ,! ,* ,welf>e 0 alw *eck+ up on ! ,h}dmans4 ,i'll bet if ! ,* ,welf>e _h "e f.d ,gladys all ti$ up 9 a bur1u draw} !y wd h d"o "s?+ ab x4
  8,&1 lo1 ! ,angel (! ,"l came ~u !m10 ,"m w5t on1 8& ! glory (! ,"l %"o r.d ab !m1 &--0
  8,%azam60 ,gladys yell$1 fl++ h} >ms | & smack+ ! kid next 6h}4
  8,:at80 ,"m sd4 ,"m n"e r1d 8,amaz+ ,-ics40
  8,| (! black ni<t ) horri# v5ge.e1 ! ,mi<ty ,m>vo--0
  8,i don't "k :at y're talk+ ab1 ,gladys10 ,"m sd4 8,? is ! ,angel (! ,"l :o -es 6! %eph}ds 9 ! fields1 &--0
  8,| ( no":1 "r80 ,gladys sd4 8,9 ! black ni<t1 "r80
  8,well''' ,"m look$ unhappy4 8,9 a way40
  ,s ,gladys sat back d{n1 look+ v satisfi$1 z if ? 0 at l1/ "o "p (! ,*ri/mas /ory t made s5se 6h}4
  8,n{ :5 ,jesus 0 born 9 ,2?lehem ( judaea10 ,"m w5t on r1d+1 82hold "! came ,wise ,m5 f ! ,ea/ 6,j}usalem1 say+--0
  8,t's y1 ,l}oy10 ,ralph sd1 8& ,claude & ,ollie4 ,s pay att5;n40
  8,:at does x m1n1 ,wise ,m580 ,ollie want$ 6"k4
  8,w}e !y l s*oolt1*}s80
  8,no1 dumbbell10 ,claude sd4 8,x m1ns l ,presid5t (! ,unit$ ,/ates40
  ,"m look$ surpris$1 &a ll pl1s$1 l %e did :5 ,*>lie f9,y le>n$ ! "tsta#s up 6five4 8,:y1 t's v close1 ,claude10 %e sd4 8,actu,y1 !y 7 k+s40
  8,well1 x's ab "t10 ,imog5e mutt}$4 8,maybe !y'll tell ! 9nkeep} ": 6get (f1 & get ! baby | (! b>n40
  8,!y saw ! "y * ) ,m>y1 8 "m1 & fell d{n & wor%ipp$ hm1 & pres5t$ unto hm gifts3 gold1 & frank9c5se1 & myrrb40
  8,:at's t /uff80 ,l}oy want$ 6"k4
  8,preci|s oils10 ,"m sd1 & fragrant res9s40
  8,oil60 ,imog5e holl}$4 8,:at k9d (a *1p k+ h&s | oil =a pres5t8 ,y get bett} pres5ts f ! firem560
  ,"s"ts ! ,h}dmans got ,*ri/mas pres5ts at ! ,firem5's ,"py1 b ! ,santa ,claus alw _h 6feel all >.d ! packages 6be sure !y w}5't gett+ b{s & >r{s or d>t guns or any?+ l t4 ,imog5e usu,y got sew+ c>ds or jigsaw puzzles & %e n"e lik$ !m1 b ,i guess %e figur$ !y 7 bett} ?an oil4
  ,!n we came 6,k+ ,h}od1 &! ,h}dmans n"e he>d ( hm ei1 s ,"m bad 6expla9 t x 0 ,h}od :o s5t ! ,wise ,m5 6f9d ! baby ,jesus4 8,was x hm t s5t ! crummy pres5ts80 ,ollie want$ 6"k1 & ,"m sd x 0 worse ?an t--he plann$ 6h ! baby ,jesus put 6d1?4
  8,my ,god60 ,imog5e sd4 8,he j got born & alr !y're | 6kill hm60
  ,! ,h}dmans want$ 6"k all ab ,h}od--:at he look$ l1 & h{ ri* he was1 & :e!r he f"| w>s ) p4 8,he m/ h be5 ! ma9 k+10 ,claude sd1 8if he cd make ! o!r ?ree d :at he want$ !m to40
  8,if ,i 0 a k+10 ,l}oy sd1 8,i wdn't let "s o!r k+ pu% me >.d40
  8,y cdn't help x if he 0 ! ma9 k+40
  8,i'd g 2 k+ "s": else40 ,!y 7 re,y 9t}e/$ 9 ,h}od1 & ,i figur$ !y lik$ hm4 ,he 0 s m1n he cd h be5 _! ance/or--,h}od ,h}dman4 ,b ,i 0 wr;g4
  8,:o's go+ 6be ,h}od 9 ? play80 ,l}oy sd4
  8,we don't %{ ,h}od 9 |r pag1nt10 ,"m sd4 ,& !y all got mad4 ,!y want$ "sbody 6be ,h}od s !y cd b1t up on hm4 ,i cdn't "u/& ! ,h}dmans4 ,y wd h ?"| ! ,*ri/mas /ory came "r | (! ,f4,b4,i4 files1 !y got s 9volv$ 9 x1 want$ a bloody 5d 6,h}od1 worri$ ab ,m>y hav+ h} baby 9 a b>n1 & call$ ! ,wise ,m5 a bun* ( dirty spies4 ,& !y left ! f/ rehe>sal >gu+ ab :e!r ,joseph %d h set fire 6! 9n1 or j *as$ ! 9nkeep} 96! next c.ty4
  ,:5 we got home my "f want$ 6he> all ab x4 8,well10 ,"m sd1 8j suppose y _h n"e he>d ! ,*ri/mas /ory1 & didn't "k any?+ ab x1 & !n "sbody told x 6y4 ,:at wd y ?9k80
  ,my "f look$ at h} =a m9ute or two & !n he sd1 8,well1 ,i guess ,i wd ?9k x 0 pretty 4grace;l t !y cdn't f9d any room =a pregnant woman except 9 ! /a#40
  ,i 0 amaz$4 ,x didn't seem natural = my "f 6be on ! same side z ! ,h}dmans4 ,b !n1 x didn't seem natural =! ,h}dmans 6be on ! "r side (a ?+4 ,x wd4 h made m s5se = !m 6be on ,h}od's side4
  8,exactly10 ,"m sd4 8,x 0 p}fectly 4grace;l4 ,& ,i n"e ?"| ab x m*4 ,y he> all ab ! nice w>m /a# ) all ! animals br1?+1 &! sweet-smell+ hay b t doesn't *ange ! fact t !y put ,m>y 9 a b>n4 ,n{1 let me tell y '''0
  ,%e told my "f all ab ! rehe>sal & :5 %e 0 "? %e sd1 8,x's cle> 6me t1 deep d{n1 ~? *n h "s gd 9/9cts af all40
  ,my "f sd he cdn't exactly agree4 8,ac 6y10 he sd1 8_! *ief 9/9ct 0 6burn ,h}od alive40
  8,no1 _! *ief 9/9ct 0 6get ,m>y &! baby | (! b>n4 ,b ev5 s1 x 0 ,h}od !y want$ 6d away )1& n ,m>y or ,joseph4 ,!y pick$ | ! "r villa9--t m/ m1n "s?+40
  8,maybe s40 ,my "f look$ up f 8 newspap}4 8,is t :at f9,y happ5$ 6,h}od8 ,:at did happ5 6,h}od1 anyway80
  ,n"o ( u knew4 ,i _h n"e ?"| m* ab ,h}od4 ,he 0 j a "n1 "sbody 9 ! ,bi#1 ,h}od!k+4 ,b ! ,h}dmans w5t & look$ hm up4
  ,! v next "d ,imog5e gra2$ me at recess4 8,h{ d y get a book | (! libr>y80 %e sd4
  8,y h 6h a c>d40
  8,h{ d y get a c>d80
  8,y h 6sign yr "n40 ,%e look$ at me =a m9ute1 ) h} eyes all squ9*$ up4 8,d y h 6sign yr {n "n80
  ,i ?"| ,imog5e probably want$ 6get "o (! dirty books | (! base;t1 : is ": !y keep !m1 b ,i knew nobody wd let h} d t4 ,"! is ? big *a9 acr ! /airs 6! base;t & ,miss ,graebn}1 ! libr>ian1 c he> x rattle no matt} ": %e is 9 ! libr>y1 s y don't /& a *.e ( gett+ d{n "!4 8,sure y h 6sign yr {n "n10 ,i sd4 8,!y h 6"k :o has ! books40 ,i didn't see :at di6};e x made--:e!r %e sign$ ! c>d ) h} {n "n1 or sign$ ! c>d ,que5 ,elizabetb--,miss ,graebn} / wasn't go+ 6let ,imog5e ,h}dman take any books | (! public libr>y4 ,i guess %e cdn't /op !m f us+ ! libr>y1 ?|<1 2c t 0 ": !y f.d | ab ,h}od4 ,!y w5t 9 t afn1 all six ( !m1 & told ,miss ,graebn} t !y want$ libr>y c>ds4 ,usu,y :5 anybody told ,miss ,graebn} t !y want$ a libr>y c>d1 %e got ? big happy smile on h} face & sd1 8,gd6 ,we want all |r boys & girls 6h libr>y c>ds40 ,%e didn't say t 6! ,h}dmans1 ?|<4 ,%e j ask$ !m :y !y want$ libr>y c>ds4
  8,we want 6r1d ab ,jesus10 ,imog5e sd4
  8,n ,jesus10 ,ralph sd1 8t k+ :o 0 | 6get ,jesus ''' ,h}od40
  ,lat} on ,miss ,graebn} told my "m t %e _h be5 a libr>ian = ?irty-ei<t ye>s & lov$ e m9ute ( x 2c e "d br"| "s?+ new & di6}5t4 8,b n{10 %e sd1 8,i mi<t z well retire4 ,:5 ,imog5e ,h}dman came 9 & sd %e want$ 6r1d ab ,jesus1 ,i knew ,i'd he>d "ey?+ "! 0 6he>40
  ,at ! next rehe>sal ,"m />t$1 ag1 6sep>ate "ey"o 96angels & %eph}ds & gue/s at ! 9n b %e didn't get v f>4 ,! ,h}dmans want$ 6rewrite ! :ole pag1nt & hang ,h}od =a f9i%4 ,!y cdn't /& x t he di$ 9 b$ ( old age4 8,x wasn't j ,jesus he 0 af10 ,ralph told u4 8,he kill$ all k9ds ( p40
  8,he ev5 kill$ 8 {n wife10 ,l}oy sd4
  8,& no?+ happ5$ 6hm10 ,imog5e grum#d4
  8,well1 2 di$1 didn't he80 "sbody sd4
  8,maybe he di$ a horri# d1?4 ,:at did he die (80
  ,ralph %ru7$4 8,x didn't say4 ,flu1 ,i guess40
  ,!y 7 s mad ab x t ,i ?"| !y mi<t quit ! pag1nt4 ,b !y didn't--n !n or "e--& all ! p :o kept hop+ t ! ,h}dmans wd get bor$ & l1ve 7 | ( luck4 ,!y %{$ up at rehe>sals1 "r on "t1 & did j :at !y 7 suppos$ 6d4 ,b !y 7 / ,h}dmans1 & "! 0 at l1/ "o p}son :o didn't =get t =a m9ute4
  ,"o "d ,i saw ,alice ,w5dlek5 writ+ "s?+ d{n on a ll pad ( pap}1 & try+ 6hide x ) h} o!r h&4 8,x's n"o ( yr busi;s10 %e sd4 ,x wasn't any ( my busi;s1 b x wasn't any ( ,alice's1 ei4 ,:at %e wrote 0 8,gladys ,h}dman dr9ks -munion w9e40
  8,x isn't w9e10 ,i sd4 8,x's grape juice40
  8,i don't c>e :at x is1 %e dr9ks x4 ,i've se5 h} ?ree "ts ) h} m|? all purple4 ,!y /1l crayons f ! ,sun"d-s*ool cupbo>ds1 too1 & if y %ake ! ,happy ,bir?"d bank 9 ! k9d}g>t5 room x doesn't make a s.d4 ,!y /ole all ! p5nies | ( t40
 ,i 0 amaz$ at ,alice4 ,i wd n"e ?9k 6g & %ake ! ,happy ,bir?"d bank4
  8,& e "t y g 9 ! girls' room10 %e w5t on1 8! :ole air is blue1 & ,imog5e ,h}dman is sitt+ "! 9 ! ,m>y co/ume1 smok+ cig>s60
  ,alice wrote all ~! ?+s d{n1 & h{ _m "ts ea* ?+ happ5$4 ,i don't "k :y1 un.s x made h} feel gd 6see1 9 black & :ite1 j h{ aw;l !y w}e4 ,s9ce n"o (! ,h}dmans _h "e g"o 6*ur* or ,sun"d s*ool or r1d ! ,bi# or any?+1 !y didn't "k h{ ?+s 7 suppos$ 6be4
  ,imog5e1 = 9/.e1 didn't "k t ,m>y 0 suppos$ 6be act$ | 9 "o c}ta9 way1 sort ( quiet & dr1my & | ( ? _w4 ,! way ,imog5e did x1 ,m>y 0 a lot l ,mrs4 ,santoro at ! ,pizza ,p>lor4 ,mrs4 ,santoro is a big fat lady )a ll sk9ny husb& & n9e *n & %e yells & holl}s & hugs h} kids & slaps !m >.d4 ,t's h{ ,imog5e's ,m>y was--l|d & bossy4 8,get away f ! baby60 %e yell$ at ,ralph1 :o 0 ,joseph4 ,& %e made ! ,wise ,m5 keep _! 4t.e4
  8,! ,wise ,m5 want 6honor ! ,*ri/ ,*10 ,"m expla9$1 =! t5? "t4
  8,!y don't m1n 6h>m hm1 = h1v5's sake60
  ,b ! ,wise ,m5 didn't "k h{ ?+s 7 suppos$ 6be ei1 & nobody blam$ ,imog5e = %ov+ !m | (! way4 ,y got ! feel+ t ~! ,wise ,m5 7 go+ 6hu/le back 6,h}od z fa/ z !y cd & squ1l on ! baby1 | ( pure m1n;s4 ,!y ?"| ab x1 too4
  8,:at if we didn't g home ano!r way80 ,l}oy dem&$4 ,l}oy 0 ,mel*ior4 8,:at if we w5t back 6! k+ & told on ! bab71--": he 0 & all80
  8,he wd murd} ,jesus10 ,ralph sd4 8,old ,h}od wd murd} hm40
  8,he wd n60 ,t 0 ,imog5e1 ) fire 9 h} eye1 & s9ce ! ,h}dmans f"| "o ano!r j z fa/ z !y f"| "eybody else1 ,"m _h 6/ep 9 & settle "ey"o d{n4 ,i ?"| ab x lat} ?|< & ,i decid$ t if ,h}od1 a k+1 set | 6murd} ,jesus1 a c>p5t}'s baby son1 he wd surely f9d "s way 6d x4 ,s :5 ,l}oy sd 8,:at if we w5t back & told on ! baby80 x gave y "s?+ 6?9k ab4 ,no ,jesus '''"e4
  ,i don't "k :e!r anybody else got ? fla%1 ,alice ,w5dlek51 = "o1 didn't4 8,i don't ?9k x's v nice 6talk ab ! baby ,jesus 2+ murd}$10 %e sd1 /it*+ h} lips tgr & look+ s|r4 ,t 0 "o m ?+ 6write d{n on h} pad ( pap}1 & "o m ?+ 6tell h} "m ab ! ,h}dmans 2ss ! fact t !y swore & smok$ & /ole & all4 ,i ?9k %e kept hop+ t !y wd d "o grt big s9;l ?+ & h} "m wd say1 8,well1 t's t60 & get on ! teleph"o & h !m ?r{n |4 8,be sure & tell yr "m t ,i c /ep "r 9 & 2 ,m>y if ,i h to10 %e told me z we /ood 9 ! back r{ (! angel *oir4 8,& if ,i'm ,m>y we c get ! ,p}k9s baby = ,jesus4 ,b ,mrs4 ,p}k9s won't let ,imog5e ,h}dman get h} h&s on hm40
  ,! ,p}k9s baby wd h made a t}rific ,jesus1 & ,alice knew x4 ,! way ?+s /ood1 we didn't h any baby at all--& ? re,y bo!r$ my "m 2c y cdn't v well h ! be/ ,*ri/mas pag1nt 9 hi/ory )! *ief "* miss+4 ,we _h lots ( babies (f}$ 9 ! 2g9n+--all ! way f ,eug5e ,slop} :o 0 s new he 0 / r$1 up 6junior ,caudill :o 0 alm f|r 7his "m sd he cd scrun* up74 ,b :5 all ! "ms f.d | ab ! ,h}dmans !y )drew _! babies4 ,"m _h call$ "eybody %e knew1 try+ 6scrat* up a baby1 b ! close/ %e came 0 ,b}nice ,watr|s1 :o kept fo/} babies all ! "t4 8,i've got a d>l+ ll boy "r n{10 ,b}nice told ,"m4 8,he's ?ree mon?s old1 & s gd ,i h>dly "k he's 9 ! h|se4 ,he'd 2 wond};l4 ,( c|rse he's ,*9ese4 ,does t matt}80
  8,no10 ,"m sd4 8,x doesn't matt} at all40
  ,b ,b}nice's baby got adopt$ two weeks 2f ,*ri/mas1 & ,b}nice sd %e didn't l 6ask 6borr{ hm back "r away4 ,s t 0 t4
  8,li/510 ,imog5e sd4 8,i'll get u a baby40
  8,h{ wd y d t80 ,"m ask$4
  8,i'll /1l "o10 ,imog5e sd4 8,"!'s alw two or ?ree babies 9 c>riages |tside ! ;,a&;,p sup}m>ket40
  8,oh1 ,imog5e1 don't 2 ridicul|s10 ,"m sd1 8,y c't j walk (f ) "sbody's baby1 y "k60
  ,i d|bt if ,imog5e did "k t1 %e walk$ (f ) "ey?+ else4 8,we j won't worry anymore ab a baby10 ,"m sd4
  8,we'll use a baby doll4 ,t'll 2 bett} anyway40
  ,imog5e look$ pl1s$4 8,a doll c't bite y10 %e po9t$ |4 ,: j w5t 6prove t ,h}dmans />t$ | m1n1 "r f ! cradle4
  ,|r la/ rehe>sal happ5$ 6be ! ni<t 2f ! pot-luck supp}1 & :5 we got "! ! kit*5 0 full ( ladies 9 aprons1 c.t+ | di%es & silv}w>e & mak+ applesauce cake =! dess}t4 8,i'm sorry ab ?10 "o (! ladies told ,"m1 8b ) s m* 6d at ? "t ( ye>1 ! -mittee decid$ 6-e 9 ? ev5+ & set up ! ta#s & all4 ,i j hope we won't bo!r y40
  8,oh1 y won't10 ,"m sd4 8,we won't 2 9 ! kit*54 ,y won't ev5 "k we're "h40
  ,"m 0 wr;g--"eybody 9 t 5d ( t{n knew we 7 "! 2f ! ev5+ 0 ov}4
  8,n{1 ? is go+ 6be a dress rehe>sal10 ,"m told u all1 & "r away ?ree or f|r baby angels 2gan holl}+ t !y =got _! w+s4 ,half ! angel *oir _h =gott5 _! robes1 & ,hobie ,c>mi*ael sd he didn't h any k9d (a co/ume4
  8,we> yr "f's ba?robe10 ,*>lie told hm4 8,t's :at ,i d40
  8,he doesn't h a ba?robe40
  8,:at does he hang >.d ! h|se in80
  8,his "uwe>10 ,hobie sd4
  ,i look$ at ,alice ,w5dlek5 6see if %e 0 go+ 6write t d{n on h} pad ( pap}1 b ,alice 0 /&+ all 0h}f 9 a corn}1 patt+ h} hair4 ,h} hair 0 all wa%$ & curl$1 & h} robe 0 cl1n & press$4 ,%e _h ev5 put vasel9e on h} eyelids1 s !y wd %9e 9 ! c&leli<t & "ey"o wd say 8,:o is t lovely girl 9 ! angel *oir8 ,:y isn't %e ,m>y80 ,i guess ,alice 0 afraid 6move1 = fe> %e mi<t spoil h}f4
  8,don't worry ab yr w+s10 ,"m sd4 8,! ma9 po9t (a dress rehe>sal isn't ! co/umes4 ,! ma9 po9t is 6g "r /rai<t "? )|t /opp+4 ,& t's :at we're go+ 6d1 j z if we 7 do+ x =! :ole 3greg,n4 ,i'm go+ 6sit 9 ! back (! *ur* & 2 ! audi;e40 ,b x didn't "w t way4 ,! baby angels came 9 at ! wr;g place & _h 6g back | ag1 &a :ole gang ( %eph}ds didn't -e 9 at all1 = fe> ( ,gladys4 ,imog5e cdn't f9d ! baby ,jesus doll1 & wrapp$ up a grt big memorial fl{} urn 9 ! blanket1 & !n dropp$ x on ,ralph's foot4 ,& half ! angel *oir sang 8,away 9 a ,mang}0 :ile ! o!r half sang 8,o1 ,ll ,t{n ( ,2?lehem40 ,s we _h 6/>t ov} a lot4
  8,i've got ! baby "h10 ,imog5e b>k$ at ! ,wise ,m54 8,don't t|* hm6 ,i "nd hm ,jesus40
  8,no1 no1 no40 ,"m came fly+ up ! aisle4 ,n{1 ,imog5e1 y "k y're n suppos$ 6say any?+4 ,nobody says any?+ 9 |r pag1nt1 except ! ,angel (! ,"l &! *oir s++ c>ols4 ,m>y & ,joseph &! ,wise ,m5 make a lovely picture = u 6look at :ile we ?9k ab ,*ri/mas & :at x m1ns40
  ,i guess ,"m _h 6say ?+s l t ev5 ?|< "eybody knew x 0 a big lie4 ,! ,h}dmans didn't look l any?+ | (! ,bi#--m l trick-or-tr1t4 ,imog5e ev5 _h on grt big gold e>r+s1 & %e wdn't take !m (f4
  8,n{1 ,imog5e10 ,"m sd4 8,y "k ,m>y didn't we> e>r+s40
  8,i h 6we> ~!10 ,imog5e sd4
  8,:y is t80
  8,i got my e>s pi}c$1 & if ,i don't keep "s?+ 9 'em1 !y'll gr{ tgr40
  8,well1 !y won't gr{ tgr 9 an h|r &a half10 ,"m sd4
  8,no ''' ,i bett} l1ve 'em in40 ,imog5e pull$ on h} e>r+s1 : made y %u4}--x 0 l look+ at ! pictures 9 ,n,nal ,geographic ( natives ) _! e>s /ret*$ all ! way 6_! %|ld}s4
  8,:at did ! doctor say ab l1v+ "s?+ 9 !m80 ,"m sd4
  8,:at doctor80
  8,well1 :o pi}c$ yr e>s80
  8,gladys10 ,imog5e sd4 ,t re,y made y %u4}--! ?"| ( ,gladys ,h}dman pi}c+ e>s4 ,i ?"| %e probably us$ an ice pick1 &=! next six mon?s ,i kept wat*+ ,imog5e1 6see h} e>s turn black & fall (f4
  8,all "r10 ,"m sd1 8b we'll try 6f9d "s?+ small} & m appropriate = y 6we> 9 ! pag1nt4 ,n{ we'll />t ag & g "r /rai<t "?1 &--0
  8,i ?9k ,i "| 6tell !m :at 8 "n is10 ,imog5e sd4
  8,no4 ,2ss1 y rememb} x wasn't ,m>y :o "nd ! baby40
  8,i told y10 ,ralph :ack$ ,imog5e on ! back4 8,i "nd hm40
  8,joseph didn't "n ! baby ei10 ,"m sd4 8,god s5t an angel 6tell ,m>y :at 8 "n %d be40
  ,imog5e sni6$4 8,i wd h "nd hm ,bill40
  ,alice ,w5dlek5 suck$ 9 h} br1?1 & ,i cd he> h} scrat*+ d{n on h} pad ( pap} t ,imog5e ,h}dman wd h call$ ! baby ,bill 9/1d ( ,jesus4
  8,:at angel 0 t80 ,ralph want$ 6"k4 8,was t ,gladys80
  8,no10 ,"m sd4 8,gladys is ! angel :o -es 6! %eph}ds )! news40
  8,yes10 ,gladys sd4 8,unto y a * is born60 %e yell$ at ! %eph}ds4
  8,unto me60 ,imog5e yell$ back at h}4 8,n !m1 me6 ,i'm ! "o t _h ! baby60
  8,no1 no1 no40 ,"m sat d{n on a front pew4 8,t j m1ns t ,jesus 2l;gs 6"eybody4 ,unto all ( u a * is born4 ,n{10 %e si<$4 8,let's />t ag1 &--0
  8,:y didn't !y let ,m>y "n h} {n baby80 ,imog5e dem&$4 8,:at did t angel d1 j walk up & say1 ',"n hm ,jesus'80
  8,yes10 ,"m sd1 2c %e 0 9 a hurry 6get f9i%$4
  ,b ,alice ,w5dlek5 _h 6op5 h} big m|?4 8,i "k :at ! angel sd10 ,alice pip$ up4 8,%e sd1 ,his "n % 2 call$ ,wond};l1 ,c|nselor1 ,mi<ty ,god1 ,"ela/+ ,"f1 ! ,pr9ce ( ,p1ce440
  ,i cd h hit h}4 8,my ,god60 ,imog5e sd4 8,he'd n"e get | (! f/ grade if he _h 6write all t60
  ,"! 0 a big cra% at ! back (! *ur*1 z if "sbody dropp$ all ! collec;n plates4 ,b x wasn't ! collec;n plates--x 0 ,mrs4 ,hopk9s1 ! m9i/}'s wife1 dropp+ a :ole tray ( silv}w>e4 8,i'm sorry10 %e sd4 ,i 0 j pass+ by1 & ,i ?"| ,i'd take a peek '''0
  8,wd y l 6sit d{n & wat* ! rehe>sal80 ,"m ask$4
  8,no-o-o40 ,mrs4 ,hopk9s cdn't seem 6take h} eyes (f ,imog5e4 8,i'd bett} g *eck on ! applesauce cake40
  8,y didn't h 6say t10 ,i told ,alice4 8,all t ab ,wond};l1 ,"ela/+ ,"f1 & all40
  8,:y n80 ,alice sd1 patt+ h} hair4 8,i ?"| ,imog5e want$ 6"k40
  ,0t "t "ey"o 0 hot & tir$1 & mo/ (! baby angels _h 6g 6! ba?room1 s ,"m sd we wd take a five-m9ute recess4 8,& !n we'll />t ov}10 %e sd1 look+ sort ( hope.s1 8& g "r /rai<t "? )|t /opp+1 won't we80
  ,well1 we n"e did g "r /rai<t "?4 ,! five-m9ute recess 0 a big mistake1 2c x /ret*$ 6fifte5 m9utes1 & ,imog5e sp5t ! :ole "t smok+ cig>s 9 "o (! johns 9 ! ladies' room4 ,!n ,mrs4 ,hom} ,mc,c>?y w5t 6! ladies' room1 & op5$ ! door & smell$ "s?+ funny & saw "s smoke--& %e ran "r 6! *ur* (fice & call$ ! fire de"p;t4 ,we 7 s++ 8,angels ,we ,h ,he>d on ,hi<0 :5 :at we he>d 0 ! fire 5g9e1 pull+ up on ! lawn (! *ur*1 )! sir5 bl>+ &! r$ li<ts' fla%+4 ,! firem5 hurri$ 9 & made u all g |tside1 & !y dra7$ a big hose 9 ! front door & w5t look+ =a fire 6put |4 ,! /reet 0 full ( baby angels cry+1 & %eph}ds climb+ all ov} ! fire truck1 & firem51 & all ! ladies on ! pot-luck -mittee1 & nei<bors :o came 6see :at 0 go+ on1 & ,r"e5d ,hopk9s :o ran ov} f ! p>sonage 9 8 pajamas & 8 woolly ba?robe4 ,nobody knew :at _h happ5$1 9clud+ ! ,h}dmans1 b ,i guess !y figur$ t :at"e x was1 !y _h d"o x1 s !y left4
  8,:y 9 ! _w did y call ! fire de"p;t80 ,"m ask$ ,mrs4 ,mc,c>?y1 :5 %e f9,y he>d ! :ole /ory4
  ,2c ! ladies' room 0 full ( ?ick smoke60
  8,x cdn't h be510 ,"m sd4 8,y j got excit$4 ,didn't y "k x 0 cig> smoke80
  ,mrs4 ,mc,c>?y />$ at h}4 8,no1 ,i didn't4 ,i don't expect 6f9d cig> smoke 9 ! ladies' room (! *ur*60 ,%e :irl$ >.d & m>*$ back 6! kit*54
  ,b 0t "t ! kit*5 0 full} ( smoke ?an ! ladies' room1 2c1 :ile "eybody 0 mill+ >.d 9 ! /reet1 all ! applesauce cake burn$ up4
  ,( c|rse ! ladies on ! pot-luck -mittee 7 mad ab t4 ,mrs4 ,mc,c>?y 0 mad1 & ,alice sd h} "m wd 2 gd & mad :5 %e he>d ab x4 ,mo/ (! baby angels' "ms 7 mad 2c !y cdn't f9d | :at _h bapp5$--& "sbody sd ,mrs4 ,hopk9s 0 mad 2c ,r"e5d ,hopk9s 0 runn+ >.d ! /reets 9 8 pajamas4
  ,x turn$ | 6be ! "o grt big s9;l ?+ ,alice kept hop+ =4 ,mrs4 ,w5dlek5 r1d ,alice's notes1 got on ! teleph"o t v ni<t & call$ up "eybody %e cd ?9k ( 9 ! ,ladies' ,aid &! ,wom5's ,society4 ,& %e call$ mo/ (! fl{} -mittee1 & all ! ,sun"d-s*ool t1*}s1 & ,r"e5d ,hopk9s4 ,& ,r"e5d ,hopk9s came 6see ,"m4
  8,i c't make h1d or tail ( x10 he sd4 8,"s p say !y set fire 6! ladies' room4 ,"s p say !y set fire 6! kit*54 ,"o lady told me t ,imog5e ?rew a fl{} pot at ,ralph4 ,mrs4 ,w5dlek5 says all !y d is talk ab sex & "uwe>40
  8,t 0 ,hobie ,c>mi*ael10 ,"m sd1 8talk+ ab "uwe>4 ,& !y didn't set fire 6any?+4 ,! only fire 0 9 ! kit*51 ": ! pot-luck -mittee let _! applesauce cake burn up40
  8,well '''0 ,r"e5d ,hopk9s look$ unhappy4 8,! :ole *ur* is 9 an upro>4 ,d y ?9k we %d call (f ! pag1nt80
  8,c}ta9ly n60 ,"m sd4 ,0t "t %e 0 mad1 too4 8,:y1 x's go+ 6be ! be/ ,*ri/mas pag1nt we've "e _h60
  ,( all ! lies %e'd told s f>1 t 0 ! bi7e/1 b y _h 6admire h}4 ,x 0 l ,g5}al ,cu/} say+1 8,br+ on ! ,9dians60
  8,maybe s10 ,r"e5d ,hopk9s sd4 8,i'm j afraid t no "o w -e 6see x40 ,b he 0 wr;g4 ,"eybody came '''6see :at ! ,h}dmans wd d4
  ,! ni<t (! pag1nt we didn't h any supp} 2c ,"m =got 6fix x4 ,my "f sd t 0 all "r4 ,2t ,mrs4 ,>m/r;g's teleph"o calls &! pag1nt rehe>sals1 he didn't expect supp} anymore4 8,:5 x's all ov}10 he sd1 8we'll g "splace & h hamburg}s40
  ,b ,"m sd :5 x 0 all ov} %e mi<t want 6g "splace & hide4 8,we've n"e once g"o "? ! :ole ?+10 %e sd4 8,i don't "k :at's go+ 6happ54 ,x may 2 ! f/ ,*ri/mas pag1nt 9 hi/ory ": ,joseph &! ,wise ,m5 get 9 a fi<t1 & ,m>y runs away )! baby40
  ,%e mi<t 2 "r1 ,i ?"|1 & ,i wond}$ :at all ( u 9 ! angel *oir "| 6d 9 case t happ5$4 ,x wd 2 dumb = u j 6/& "! s++ ab ! ,holy ,9fant if ,m>y _h run (f ) hm4
  ,b no?+ seem$ v di6}5t at f/4 ,"! 0 ! usual big mess all ov} ! place--baby angels gett+ pok$ 9 ! eye 0o!r baby angels' w+s & grumpy %eph}ds /umbl+ ov} _! ba?robes4 ,! spotli<t swoop$ back & =? & up & d{n till x made y sick at yr /oma* 6look at x &1 z usual1 :o"e 0 play+ ! piano pit*$ 8,away 9 a ,mang}0 s hi< we cd h>dly he> x1 let al"o s+ x4 ,my "f says 8,away 9 a ,mang}0 alw />ts | s.d+ l a closet;l ( mice4 ,b "ey?+ settl$ d{n1 & at #g3cj ! pag1nt 2gan4
  ,:ile we sang 8,away 9 a ,mang}10 ! u%}s lit c&les all >.d ! *ur*1 &! spotli<t came on 6be ! />4 ,s y re,y _h 6"k ! ~ws to 8,away 9 a ,mang}0 2c y cdn't see any?+--n ev5 ,alice ,w5dlek5's vasel9e eyelids4 ,af t we sang two v}ses ( 8,o1 ,ll ,t{n ( ,2?lehem10 & !n we 7 suppos$ 6hum "s m 8,o1 ,ll ,t{n ( ,2?lehem0 :ile ,m>y & ,joseph came 9 f a side door4 ,only !y didn't -e "r away4 ,s we humm$ & humm$ & humm$1 : is bor+ & al v h>d1 & 2f l;g doesn't s.d l any s;g at all--m l an old refrig}ator4
  8,i knew "s?+ l ? wd happ510 ,alice ,w5dlek5 :isp}$ 6me4 8,!y didn't -e at all6 ,we won't h any ,m>y & ,joseph--& n{ :at >e we suppos$ 6d80
  ,i guess we wd h g"o on humm+ till we all turn$ blue1 b we didn't h to4 ,ralph & ,imog5e 7 "! all "r1 only = once !y didn't -e "? ! door pu%+ ea* o!r | (! way4 ,!y j /ood "! =a m9ute z if !y w}5't sure !y 7 9 ! "r place 2c (! c&les1 ,i guess1 &! *ur* 2+ full ( p4 ,!y look$ l ! p y see on ! six o'c news-refugees1 s5t 6wait 9 "s /range ugly place1 ) all _! boxes & sacks >.d !m4 ,x su45ly o3urr$ 6me t ? 0 j ! way x m/ h be5 =! r1l ,holy ,family1 /uck away 9 a b>n 0p :o didn't m* c>e :at happ5$ 6!m4 ,!y cdn't h be5 v n1t & tidy ei1 b m l ? ,m>y & ,joseph w}e4 ,imog5e's veil 0 cockey$ z usual1 & ,ralph's hair /uck | all >.d 8 e>s4 ,imog5e _h ! baby doll b %e wasn't c>ry+ x ! way %e 0 suppos$ to1 cradl$ 9 h} >ms4 ,%e _h x slung up ov} h} %|ld}1 & 2f %e put x 9 ! mang} %e ?ump$ x twice on ! back4
  ,i he>d ,alice gasp & %e pok$ me4 8,i don't ?9k x's v nice 6burp ! baby ,jesus10 %e :isp}$1 8z if he _h colic40 ,!n %e pok$ me ag4 8,d y suppose he cd h _h colic80
  ,i sd1 8,i don't "k :y n10 & ,i didn't4 ,he cd h _h colic1 or be5 fussy1 or hungry l any o!r baby4 ,af all1 t 0 ! :ole po9t ( ,jesus--t he didn't -e d{n on a cl|d l "s?+ | ( 8,amaz+ ,-ics10 b t he 0 born & liv$ '''a r1l p}son4
  ,"r away we _h 6s+ 8,:ile ,%eph}ds ,wat*$ ,_! ,flocks 0,ni<t1--& we _h 6s+ v l|d1 2c "! 7 m %eph}ds ?an "! 7 any?+ else1 & !y made s m* noise1 bang+ _! crooks >.d l a lot ( hockey /icks4
  ,next came ,gladys1 f 2h ! angel *oir1 pu%+ p | (! way & /epp+ on "ey"o's feet4 ,s9ce ,gladys 0 ! only "o 9 ! pag1nt :o _h any?+ 6say %e made ! mo/ ( x3 8,hey6 ,unto y a * is born60 %e holl}$1 z if x was1 = sure1 ! be/ news 9 ! _w4 ,& all ! %eph}ds trem#d1 sore afraid--( ,gladys1 ma9ly1 b x look$ gd anyway4
  ,!n came ?ree c>ols ab angels4 ,x took t l;g 6get ! angels 9 2c !y 7 all prim>y kids & !y got n}v|s & cri$ & =got ": !y 7 suppos$ 6g & b5t _! w+s 9 ! door & ?+s l t4 ,we got a ll re/ !n1 :ile ! boys sang 8,we ,?ree ,k+s ( ,ori5t ,>e10 & "eybody 9 ! audi;e %ift$ >.d 6wat* ! ,wise ,m5 m>* up ! aisle4
  8,:at h !y got80 ,alice :isp}$4
  ,i didn't "k1 b :at"e x was1 x 0 h1vy--,l}oy alm dropp$ x4 ,he didn't h 8 frank9c5se j> ei1 & ,claude & ,ollie didn't h any?+ al? !y 7 suppos$ 6br+ ! gold &! myrrh4
  8,i knew ? wd happ510 ,alice sd =! second "t4 8,i bet x's "s?+ aw;l40
  8,l :at80
  8,l '''a burnt (f}+4 ,y "k ! ,h}dmans40
  ,well1 !y did burn ?+s1 b !y _hn't burn$ ? yet4 ,x 0 a ham--& "r away ,i knew ": x came f4 ,my "f 0 on ! *ur* *>ita# "ws -mittee--!y give away food baskets at ,*ri/mas1 & ? 0 ! ,h}dman's food-basket ham4 ,x / _h ! ri2on >.d x1 say+ ,m}ry ,*ri/mas4
  8,i'll bet !y /ole t60 ,alice sd4
  8,!y did n4 ,x came f _! food basket1 & if !y want 6give away _! {n ham ,i guess !y c d x40
  ,b ev5 if ! ,h}dmans didn't l ham 7t 0 ,alice's next idea7 !y _h n"e 2f 9 _! lives giv5 any?+ away except lumps on ! h1d4 ,s y _h 6be impress$4 ,l}oy dropp$ ! ham 9 front (! mang}4 ,x look$ funny 6see a ham "! 9/1d (! fancy ba?-salts j>s we alw us$ =! myrrh &! frank9c5se4 ,& !n !y w5t & sat d{n 9 ! only space t 0 left4 ,:ile we sang 8,:at ,* ,is ,?80 ! ,wise ,m5 7 suppos$ 63f} am;g !mvs & !n l1ve 0a di6}5t door1 s "ey"o wd "u/& t !y 7 go+ home ano!r way4 ,b ! ,h}dmans =got1 or didn't want to1 or "s?+1 2c !y didn't 3f} & !y didn't l1ve ei4 ,!y j sat "!1 & "! wasn't any?+ any"o cd d ab x4
  8,!y're ru9+ ! :ole ?+60 ,alice :isp}$1 b !y w}5't at all4
  ,z a matt} ( fact1 x made p}fect s5se =! ,wise ,m5 6sit d{n & re/1 & ,i sd s4 8,!y're suppos$ 6h -e a l;g way4 ,y wdn't expect !m j 6%{ up1 h& ov} ! ham1 & l1ve60
  ,z = ru9+ ! :ole ?+1 x seem$ 6me t ! ,h}dmans _h improv$ ! pag1nt a lot1 j 0do+ :at came natur,y--l burp+ ! baby1 = 9/.e1 or ?9k+ a ham wd make a bett} pres5t ?an a lot ( p}fum$ oil4 ,usu,y1 0! "t we got to 8,sil5t ,ni<t10 : 0 alw ! la/ c>ol1 ,i 0 f$ up )! :ole ?+ & cdn't wait = x 6be ov}4 ,b ,i didn't feel t way ? "t4 ,i alm wi%$ =! pag1nt 6g on1 )! ,h}dmans 9 *>ge1 6see :at else !y wd d t 0 di6}5t4 ,maybe ! ,wise ,m5 wd tell ,m>y ab _! pro#m ) ,h}od1 & %e wd tell !m 6g back & lie _! h1ds (f4 ,or ,joseph mi<t g ) !m & get rid ( ,h}od once &= all4 ,or ,joseph & ,m>y mi<t ask ! ,wise ,m5 6take ! ,*ri/ ,* ) !m1 figur+ t no "o wd ?9k 6look "!4 ,i 0 s busy plann+ new ways 6save ! baby ,jesus t ,i miss$ ! 2g9n+ ( 8,sil5t ,ni<t10 b x 0 all "r 2c "ey"o sang 8,sil5t ,ni<t10 9clud+ ! audi;e4 ,we sang all ! v}ses too1 & :5 we got to 8,son ( ,god1 ,love's pure li<t0 ,i happ5$ 6look at ,imog5e & ,i alm dropp$ my hymn book on a baby angel4 ,"ey"o _h be5 wait+ all ? "t =! ,h}dmans 6d "s?+ absolutely unexpect$4 ,& sure 5|<1 t 0 :at happ5$4 ,imog5e ,h}dman 0 cry+4 ,9 ! c&leli<t h} face 0 all %9y ) te>s & %e didn't ev5 bo!r 6wipe !m away4 ,%e j sat "!--aw;l old ,imog5e--9 h} crook$y veil1 cry+ & cry+ & cry+4
  ,well4 ,x 0 ! be/ ,*ri/mas pag1nt we "e _h4 ,"eybody sd s1 b nobody seem$ 6"k :y4 ,:5 x 0 ov} p /ood >.d ! lo2y (! *ur* talk+ ab :at 0 di6}5t ? ye>4 ,"! 0 "s?+ special1 "ey"o sd--!y cdn't put _! f+} on :at4 ,mrs4 ,w5dlek5 sd1 8,well1 ,m>y ! "m ( ,jesus _h a black eye2 t 0 "s?+ special4 ,b only :at y mi<t expect10 %e a4$4 ,%e m1nt t x 0 ! mo/ natural ?+ 9 ! _w =a ,h}dman 6h a black eye4
  ,b actu,y nobody hit ,imog5e & %e didn't hit any"o else4 ,h} eye wasn't re,y black ei1 j all pu6y & swoll54 ,%e _h walk$ 96! corn} (! *oir-robe cab9et1 9 a k9d ( daze1 z if %e _h j cau<t onto ! idea ( ,god1 &! wond} ( ,*ri/mas4
  ,& ? 0 ! funny ?+ ab x all4 ,= ye>s1 ,i'd ?"| ab ! wond} ( ,*ri/mas1 &! my/}y ( ,jesus' bir?1 & n"e re,y "u/ood x4 ,b n{1 2c (! ,h}dmans1 x didn't seem s my/}i|s af all4 ,:5 ,imog5e _h ask$ me :at ! pag1nt 0 ab1 ,i told h} x 0 ab ,jesus1 b t 0 j "p ( x4 ,x 0 ab a new baby1 & 8 "m & "f :o 7 9 a lot ( tr|#--no m"oy1 no place 6g1 no doctor1 nobody !y knew4 ,& !n1 >riv+ f ! ,ea/ 7l my uncle f ,new ,j}sey7 "s ri* frs4
  ,b ,imog5e1 ,i guess1 didn't see x t way4 ,*ri/mas j came ov} h} all at once1 l a case ( *ills & fev}4 ,& s %e 0 cry+1 & walk+ 96! furniture4
  ,afw "! 7 c&y canes & ll t9y ,te/a;ts = "ey"o1 &a po9settia plant = my "m f ! :ole ,sun"d s*ool4 ,we put ! co/umes away & fold$ up ! collapsi# mang}1 & j 2f we left1 my "f snu6$ | ! la/ (! tall :ite c&les4 8,i guess t's "ey?+10 he sd z we /ood at ! back (! *ur*4 8,all ov} n{4 ,x 0 q a pag1nt40 ,!n he look$ at my "m4 8,:at's t y've got80
  8,x's ! ham10 %e sd4 8,!y wdn't take x back4 ,!y wdn't take any c&y ei1 or any (! ll ,bi#s4 ,b ,imog5e did ask me =a set (! ,bi#-/ory pictures1 & %e took | ! ,m>y picture & sd x 0 exactly "r1 :at"e t m1ns40
  ,i ?9k x m1nt t no matt} h{ %e h}f was1 ,imog5e lik$ ! idea (! ,m>y 9 ! picture--all p9k & :ite & pure-look+1 z if %e n"e wa%$ ! di%es or cook$ supp} or did any?+ at all except h ,jesus on ,*ri/mas ,eve4 ,b z f> z ,i'm 3c}n$1 ,m>y is alw go+ 6look a lot l ,imog5e ,h}dman--sort ( n}v|s & 2wild}$1 b r1dy 6clo2} any"o :o laid a h& on h} baby4 ,&! ,wise ,m5 >e alw go+ 6be ,l}oy & 8 bro!rs1 be>+ ham4
  ,:5 we came | (! *ur* t ni<t x 0 cold & cle>1 ) crun*y sn{ "ufoot & b"r1 b"r />s ov}h1d4 ,& ,i ?"| ab ! ,angel (! ,"l--,gladys1 ) h} sk9ny legs & h} dirty sn1k}s /ick+ | f "u h} robe1 yell+ at all ( u1 "ey":3 8,hey6 ,unto y a * is born60

  ,a susp5se;l my/}y )a surprise 5d+6 ,,! ,,*ri/mas ,,tree ,,my/}y 0,wylly ,folk ,/4 ,john
  ,be? ,c>lton 0 9 tr|#4 ,%e a3us$ ,pete ,abel ( /1l+ ! ,*ri/mas orna;ts f h} family tree1 "s?+ %e knew he _hn't d"o4 ,& :at 0 worse--! police 2liev$ h}6 ,be? _h two "ds 6prove 6! police t ,pete wasn't a ?ief1 & all %e _h 6g on 0 h} /epbro!r's ~w t ,pete 0 9noc5t4
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  ,all 8 life ,philip _h look$ d{n ~u black-sk9n$ p4 ,n{1 su45ly1 he 0 a refugee f a 4a/r|s %ipwreck & _h 6dep5d on an extraord9>y black man "nd ,timo?y4 ,"! 7 j ! two ( !m on ! b>r5 ll ,c>i21n isl& '''&a crack on ! h1d _h left ,philip bl4 ,an excit+1 mov+ adv5ture /ory1 ,,! ,,cay tells ( _! /ru7le = survival '''&( ,philip's ef=ts 6adju/ 6his bl;s & 6"u/& ! dignifi$1 wise1 & lov+ man :o 0 8 -panion4
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  ,gilly ,gr.d 0 an orphan & all he want$ 0 a ll p1ce & quiet ''' ,,dorp ,,d1d 0,julia ,cunn+ham illu/rat$ 0,james ,spanfell} ,life 9 ! orphanage 0 di6icult 9 _m ways4 ,gilly sp5t z m* "t z he cd 9 ! ab&on$ t{} 9 ! woods4 ,x 0 p1ce;l "!--& x 0 "! t ,gilly met ! ,hunt}4 ,!n1 "o "d1 he 0 plac$ 9 a fo/} home4 ,& ,gilly felt z ?|< he 7 trapp$ 9 a ni<tm>e -e true4 ,an
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  ,ezell ,cork9s _h gd news & bad news =! ,sumpt} ,/reet gang4 ,! gd news 0 t !y 7 6become ! ,atlas ,mov}s '''a r1l ,ll ,l1gue t1m4 ,! bad news 0 t 8 "f1 ,willie ,cork9s1 wd 2 ! coa*4 ,an emb>rass$ ,ezell is cau<t 2t fell{ t1mmates &a "f :o seems less 9t}e/$ 9 baseball ?an 9 b1t+ ! rival coa*4 ,j :at is a fell{ suppos$ 6d8
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