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           Summer’sIceHouseonasummerday!Theysaidthewords,laughing,andmovedtopeerintothattremendouscavernwhereinfifty,one-hundred,andtwo-hundred-poundchunks,theglaciers,theicebergs,thefallenbutnotforgottensnowsofJanuarysleptinammoniacsteamsandcrystaldrippings.

           "Feelthat,"sighedCharlieWoodman."Whatmorecouldyouask?"

           Forthewinterbreathwasexhaledagainandagainaboutthemastheystoodintheglaryday,smellingthewetwoodplatformwiththeperpetualmistshimmeringinrainbowsdownfromtheicemachineryabove.

           Theychewediciclesthatfrozetheirfingerssotheyhadtogriptheiceinhandkerchiefsandsuckthelinen.

           "Allthatsteam,allthatfog,"whisperedTom."TheSnowQueen.Rememberthatstory?Nobodybelievesinthatstuff,SnowQueens,now.Sodon’tbesurprisedifthisiswhereshecametohideoutbecausenobodybelievesinheranymore."

           Theylookedandsawthevaporsriseanddriftinlongswathesofcoolsmoke.

           "No,"saidCharlie."Youknowwholiveshere?Onlyoneguy.Aguywhogivesyougoose-pimplesjusttothinkofhim."Charliedroppedhisvoiceverylow."TheLonelyOne."

           "TheLonelyOne?"

           "Born,raisedandliveshere!Allthatwinter,Tom,allthatcold,DougWhereelsewouldhecomefromtomakeusshiverthehottestnightsoftheyear?Don’titsmelllikehim?Youknowdarnwellitdoes.TheLonelyOne...theLonelyOne..."

           Themistsandvaporscurledindarkness.

           Tomscreamed.

           "It’sokay,Doug."Charliegrinned."