Chapter 19

           Mysonconductedhimselfwell.Hewasrelaxedandkindtous.Hetooknorevenge,orderednoexecutions.Hishonorsandourcomplimentsheacceptedashisdue,withoutvanityandalsowithoutoverdonehumility.Headvancedtohischairinthelivingroomandswitchedonhisradiobeforethehundredsparklershadfizzedouttoblacksticks.Itwasobviousthatheforgaveusourtrespasses.Ineversawaboyacceptgreatnesswithmoregrace.

           Itwastrulyanightofwonders.IfAllen’seasyascentintoheavenwassurprising,howmuchmoresowasEllen’sreaction.SomeyearsofcloseandenforcedobservationtoldmeMissEllenwouldbetatteredandstorm-blownwithenvy,wouldinfactlookoutforsomemeansofminimizinghisgreatness.Shefooledme.Shebecameherbrother’scelebrator.ItwasEllenwhotoldhowtheyweresittinginanelegantapartmentonSixty-seventhStreet,afteraneveningofmagic,casuallywatchingtheC.B.S.latenewsontelevision,whenthewordofAllen’striumphwasannounced.ItwasEllenwhorecountedwhattheysaidandhowtheylookedandhowyoucouldhaveknockedthemoverwithafeather.AllensatremoteandcalmduringEllen’stellingofhowhewouldappearwiththefourotherhonorables,howhewouldreadhisessaywhilemillionslookedandlistened,andMarycluckedhappilyinthepauses.IglancedatMargieYoung-Hunt.Shewasindrawnasshewasduringcard-reading.Andadarkquietcreptintotheroom.

           "Noescapingit,"Isaid."Thiscallsforice-coldrootbeerallaround."

           "Ellenwillgetit.