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           TheTownManager,whowasalsoBuddBuildingSupplies,soldequipmenttothetownshipatahighprice,andsomeofitnotneeded.Ifanewpavedstreetwentin,itusuallyturnedoutthatMr.BakerandMarulloandhalfadozenotherbusinessleadershadboughtupthelotsbeforetheplanwasannounced.Thesewerejustfactsofnature,butIhadalwaysbelievedtheyweren’tfactsofmynature.MarulloandMr.BakerandthedrummerandMargieYoung-HuntandJoeyMorphyinaconcentrationhadbeennudgingmeandaltogetheritamountedtoapush,sothat"I’vegottoputasidealittletimetothinkitout."

           Mydarlingwaspurringinhersleep,withthearchaicsmileonherlips,andshehadtheextraglowofcomfortandsolaceshegetsafterlove,acalmfulfilledness.

           Ishouldhavebeensleepyafterwanderingaroundthenightbefore,butIwasn’t.I’venoticedthatIamrarelysleepyifIknowIcansleeplonginthemorning.Thereddotswereswimmingonmyeyes,andthestreetlightthrewtheshadowsofnakedelmbranchesontheceiling,wheretheymadeslowandstatelycats’cradlesbecausethespringwindwasblowing.Thewindowwasopenhalfwayandthewhitecurtainsswelledandfilledlikesailsonananchoredboat.Marymusthavewhitecurtainsandoftenwashed.Theygiveherasenseofdecencyandsecurity.ShepretendsalittleangerwhenItellherit’sherlace-curtainIrishsoul.

           Ifeltgoodandfulfilledtoo,butwhereasMarydivesforsleep,Ididn’twanttogotosleep.IwantedtogoonfullytastinghowgoodIfelt.