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           OfficialsofNewBaytownandWessexCountywerethisafternoonsubpoenaedtoappearbeforeagrandjurytoanswerchargesrangingfromfixingtrafficticketstotakingbribesandkickbacksontownandcountycontracts...."

           Thereitcame—theTownManager,thecouncil,themagistrates,theworks.Ilistenedwithouthearing—sadandheavy.Maybetheyhadbeendoingwhattheywerechargedwith,butthey’dbeendoingitsolongtheydidn’tthinkitwaswrong.Andeveniftheywereinnocenttheycouldn’tbeclearedbeforethelocalelection,andevenifamanisclearedthechargeisremembered.Theyweresurrounded.Theymusthaveknownit.IlistenedforamentionofStoneyanditdidn’tcomesoIguesshehadtradedthemforimmunity.Nowonderhefeltsorawandalone.

           Marywaslisteningatthedoor."Well!"shesaid."Wehaven’thadsomuchexcitementinalongtime.Doyouthinkit’strue,Ethan?"

           "Doesn’tmatter,"Isaid."That’snotwhatit’sfor."

           "IwonderwhatMr.Bakerthinks."

           "Hewentonaholiday.Yes,Iwonderwhathefeels."

           Allengrewrestivebecausehismusicwasinterrupted.

           Thenewsanddinneranddishesputoffourtripproblemsuntilitwastoolateforadecisionorforfurthertearsandquarreling.

           InbedIgottoshiveringallover.Thecold,passionlesssavageryoftheattackchilledrightthroughthewarmsummernight.

           Marysaid,"You’reallgooselumps,dear.Doyouthinkyouhaveavirus?"

           "No,myfancy,IguessIwasjustfeelingwhatthosemenmustfeel.Theymustfeelawful."