Chapter 18

           ItrainedonSunday,Julythird,asitmust,fatdropsmorewetthanusual.Wenudgedourwayinthedampsegmentedwormsoftraffic,feelingalittlegrandandhelplessandlost,likecage-bredbirdssetfree,andfrightenedasfreedomshowsitsteeth.Marysatstraight,smellingoffresh-ironedcotton.

           "Areyouhappy—areyougay?"

           "Ikeeplisteningforthechildren."

           "Iknow.AuntDeborahcalledithappy-lonesome.Takeflight,mybird!Thoselongflapsonyourshouldersarewings,youjuggins."

           Shesmiledandnuzzledclose."It’sgood,butIstilllistenforthechildren.Iwonderwhattheyaredoingnow?"

           "Almostanythingyoucanguessexceptwonderingwhatwearedoing."

           "Iguessthat’sright.Theyaren’treallyinterested."

           "Letusemulatethem,then.WhenIsawyourbargeslidenear,ONileserpent,Iknewitwasourday.OctavianwillbeghisbreadtonightfromsomeGreekgoatherd."

           "You’recrazy.Allenneverlookswherehe’sgoing.Hemightsteprightoutintrafficagainstalight."

           "Iknow.AndpoorlittleEllenwithherclubfoot.Well,shehasagoodheartandaprettyface.Perhapssomeonewillloveherandamputateherfeet."

           "Oh!letmeworryalittle.I’llfeelbetterifIdo."

           "Ineverhearditbetterput.Shallwetogethergooverallthehorridpossibilities?"

           "YouknowwhatImean."

           "Ido.Butyou,highness,broughtittothefamily.Itonlytravelsinthefemaleline.Thelittlebleeders."

           "Nooneloveshischildrenmorethanyou."