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           I’llbeliketheDevil,andofferyou—Enoughsaid!ButneverdoubtI’llmakeyouwrithe.You’rethemostfascinatingmanI’veevermet.Youthrowyourbeautyinourteeth,contemptuousofourfoolishness.ButI’llpinyoutothewallonyourownweakness,I’llmakeyousellyourselflikeanypaintedwhore.Doyoudoubtit?"

           Heleanedback,smiling."Idon’tdoubtyou’lltry.ButIdon’tthinkyouknowmeaswellasyouthinkyoudo."

           "DoInot?Timewilltell,Ralph,andonlytime.I’mold;Ihavenothingbuttimelefttome."

           "AndwhatdoyouthinkIhave?"heasked."Time,Mary,nothingbuttime.Time,anddust,andflies."

           ***

           Thecloudsheapedthemselvesinthesky,andPaddybegantohopeforrain.

           "Drystorms,"saidMaryCarson."Wewon’tgetrainoutofthis.Wewon’tgetanyrainforalongtime."

           IftheClearysthoughttheyhadseentheworstthatAustraliacouldofferinthewayofclimaticharshness,itwasbecausetheyhadn’tyetexperiencedthedrystormsofdrought-doggedplains.Bereftofsoothingdampness,thedrynessoftheearthandtheairrubbedeachotherrawandcrackling,anirritatingfrictionwhichbuiltupandupandupuntilitcouldendonlyinagargantuandissipationofaccumulatedenergy.