Chapter 38

           FLAMEANDBILLOWINGSMOKEcameupandfilledthetank."Golly!"Pattysaidreverently."That’sthebestblow-offeverused."

           "Yes,"agreedBeckyjudicially,"theProfessorhimselfneverdreamedupabetterone."

           VanTrompsaidveryquietly,apparentlytohimself:"Instyle.Smartandwithstyle–theladfinishedinstyle."

           Juballookedaroundathisbrothers.Washetheonlyonewhofeltanything?JillandDawnwereseatedeachwithanarmaroundtheother–buttheydidthatwhenevertheyweretogether;neitheroneseemeddisturbed.EvenDorcaswasdry-eyedandcalm.

           TheinfernointhetankcuttosmilingHappyHolidaywhosaid,"Andnow,folks,afewmomentsforourfriendsatElysianFieldswhosograciouslygaveuptheir-"Pattycuthimoff.

           "AnneandDukeareontheirwaybackup,"shesaid."I’llletthemthroughthefoyerandthenwe’llhavelunch."Shestartedtoleave.

           Jubalstoppedher."Patty?DidyouknowwhatMikewasgoingtodo?"

           Sheseemedpuzzled."Huh?Why,ofcoursenot,Jubal.Itwasnecessarytowaitforfullness.Noneofusknew."Sheturnedandleft.

           "Jubal-"Jillwaslookingathim."Jubalourbelovedfatherpleasestopandgrokthefullness.Mikeisnotdead.Howcanhebedeadwhennoonecanbekilled?Norcanheeverbeawayfromuswhohavealreadygrokkedhim.ThouartGod."

           "‘ThouartGod,’"herepeateddully.

           "That’sbetter.ComesitwithDawnandme–inthemiddle."

           "No.No,justletmebe.