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           Ourhouseshadnocellars;theywerebuiltonstoneblocksafewfeetabovetheground,andtheentryofreptileswasnotunknownbutwasnotcommonplace.MissRachelHaverford’sexcuseforaglassofneatwhiskeyeverymorningwasthatshenevergotoverthefrightoffindingarattlercoiledinherbedroomcloset,onherwashing,whenshewenttohanguphernegligee.

           Jemmadeatentativeswipeunderthebed.Ilookedoverthefoottoseeifasnakewouldcomeout.Nonedid.Jemmadeadeeperswipe.

           "Dosnakesgrunt?"

           "Itain’tasnake,"Jemsaid."It’ssomebody."

           Suddenlyafilthybrownpackageshotfromunderthebed.JemraisedthebroomandmissedDill’sheadbyaninchwhenitappeared.

           "GodAlmighty."Jem’svoicewasreverent.

           WewatchedDillemergebydegrees.Hewasatightfit.Hestoodupandeasedhisshoulders,turnedhisfeetintheiranklesockets,rubbedthebackofhisneck.Hiscirculationrestored,hesaid,"Hey."

           JempetitionedGodagain.Iwasspeechless.

           "I’m‘bouttoperish,"saidDill."Gotanythingtoeat?"

           Inadream,Iwenttothekitchen.Ibroughthimbacksomemilkandhalfapanofcornbreadleftoverfromsupper.Dilldevouredit,chewingwithhisfrontteeth,aswashiscustom.

           Ifinallyfoundmyvoice."How’dyougethere?"

           Byaninvolvedroute.