,A ,,H\SE ,,= ,,MR4 ,,BISWAS

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                 ,3T5TS             ;III
                                   ,PAGE

             ,"P ,"O 73T47
#E4 ,GRE5 ,VALE 73T47 """"""""""""" #CDC
#F4 ,A ,DE"PURE """"""""""""""""""" #DIC



















                                     ;IV
























         #E4 ,GRE5 ,VALE 73T47      #DCC

  ,E "D ,MR ,BISWAS W5T 6! SITE & EXAM9$
! SKELETON (! H\SE4 ,! WOOD5 PILL>S 7 N
Z BAD Z HE _H FE>$4 ,F A 4T.E !Y LOOK$
/RAI<T & CYL9DRICAL1 3TRA/+ )! SQU>E;S (
! RE/ (! FRAME1 & HE DECID$ T ? 0 PRAC-
TIC,Y A /YLE4
  ,HE _H 6GET FLOORBO>DS2 HE WANT$ PIT*-
P9E = T1 N ! FIVE 9* WID?1 : HE ?"\ COM-
MON1 B ! TWO &A HALF 9*1 : HE _H SE5 9
"S CEIL+S4 ,HE _H 6GET BO>DS =! WALLS1
BROAD BO>DS1 ) T;GUE-&-GROOVE4 ,& HE _H
6GET CORRUGAT$ IRON =! RO(1 NEW %EETS )
BLUE TRIANGLES /AMP$ ON ! SILV]1 S T !Y
LOOK$ L %EETS ( AN EXP5SIVE /"O R ?AN
IRON4
  ,AT ! 5D (! MON? HE SET ASIDE FIFTE5 (
8 TW5TY-FIVE DOLL>S =! H\SE4 ,? 0 EX-
TRAVAGANT2 HE 0 EV5TU,Y LEFT ) T54
  ,AT ! 5D (! SECOND MON? HE CD ADD ONLY
EI<T DOLL>S4
  ,!N ,SE? CAME UP ) AN (F]4
  8,! OLD LADY H "S GALVANIZE 9 ,CEY-
LON10 HE SD4 8,F ! OLD BRICK-FACTORY40
  ,! FACTORY _H BE5 PULL$ D[N       #DCD
:ILE ,MR ,BISWAS 0 LIV+ AT ,! ,*ASE4
  8,FIVE DOLL>S10 ,SE? SD4 8,I DON'T "K
:Y ,I DIDN'T ?9K ( X 2F40
  ,MR ,BISWAS W5T 6,HANUMAN ,H\SE4
  8,H[ IS ! H\SE1 BRO!R-IN-LAW80 ,*9TA
ASK$4
  8,:Y Y ASK+8 ,H>I B.S X1 & Y "K :AT
DOES HAPP5 :5 ,H>I B.S "S?+40
  ,AN& & ,SAVI FOLL[$ ,MR ,BISWAS 6!
BACK1 ": "EY?+ 0 GRITTY )! *AFF F ! NEW
RICE-MILL NEXT DOOR1 &! IRON %EETS 7
/ACK$ L A V OLD PACK ( C>DS AG/ ! F;E4
,! %EETS 7 ( V>Y+ %APES1 B5T1 W>P$ &
RI*LY RU/$1 ) CORN]S CURL$ 96VICI\S-
LOOK+ HOOKS1 CORRUG,NS IRREGUL>LY FLAT-
T5$ \1 & NAIL-HOLES "EY":1 DANG]\S 6!
T\*4
  ,AN& SD1 8,PA1 Y N GO+ 6USE .T80
  8,Y W MAKE ! H\SE LOOK L A %ACK10
,SAVI SD4
  8,Y WANT "S?+ 6COV] YR H\SE10 ,SE? SD4
8,:5 Y >E %ELT]+ F ! RA9 Y DON'T RUN \T-
SIDE 6LOOK AT :AT IS %ELT]+ Y4 ,TAKE X =
?REE DOLL>S40
  ,MR ,BISWAS ?"\ AG (! PRICE (     #DCE
NEW CORRUGAT$ IRON1 (! EXPOS$ FRAME ( 8
H\SE4 8,ALL "R10 HE SD4 8,S5D X40
  ,AN&1 :O _H BE5 4PLAY+ M & M 5]GY S9CE
8 MISADV5TURE AT S*OOL1 SD1 8,ALL ."R6
,G AH1D & BUY X & PUT X ON YR OLD H\SE4
,I DON'T C>E :AT X LOOK L N[40
  8,ANO!R LL PA4L]10 ,SE? SD4
  ,B ,MR ,BISWAS FELT Z ,AN&4 ,HE TOO
DIDN'T C>E :AT ! H\SE LOOK$ L N[4
  ,:5 HE GOT BACK 6,GRE5 ,VALE HE F.D
,MR ,MACL1N4
  ,!Y 7 BO? EMB>RASS$4
  8,I 0 DO+ A JOB 9 ,SWAMPL&10 ,MR ,MAC-
L1N SD4 8,I 0 J PASS+ 0"H & ,I ?"\ ,I WD
DROP IN40
  8,I 0 GO+ 6-E 6SEE Y ! O!R "D10 ,MR
,BISWAS SD4 8,B Y "K H[ X IS4 ,I GOT AB
EI<TE5 DOLL>S4 ,NO1 FIFTE54 ,I J W5T TO
,>WACAS 6BUY "S GALVANIZE =! RO(40
  8,J 9 "T TOO1 BOSS4 ,O!RWISE ALL !
M"OY Y DID SP5D WDA WA/E40
  8,N NEW GALVANIZE1 Y "K4 ,I M1N1 N
BR&-BR& NEW40
  8,! ?+ AB GALVANIZE IS T Y CD ALW MAKE
X LOOK NICE4 ,Y G 2 SURPRIS$ :AT    #DCF
A LL BIT ( PA9T CD D40
  8,!Y H A FEW HOLES "H & "!4 ,A FEW4
,T9Y T9Y40
  8,WE CD FIX ^? UP EASY4 ,MA/IC CE;T4
,N EXP5SIVE1 BOSS40
  ,MR ,BISWAS NOT$ ! *ANGE 9 ,MR ,MAC-
L1N'S T"O4
  8,BOSS1 ,I "K Y WANT PIT*P9E =! FLOOR4
,I "K PIT*P9E NICE4 ,X DOES LOOK NICE &
X DOES SMELL NICE & X EASY 6KEEP CL1N4
,B Y "K X DOES BURN EASY4 ,EASY1 EASY40
  8,I 0 ?9K+ ! SAME ?+10 ,MR ,BISWAS SD4
8,AT .PUJAS WE ALW USE PIT*P9E40 ,6BURN
! (F]+S 9 A QK1 SC5T$ FLAME4
  8,BOSS1 ,I GOT "S C$> PLANKS4 ,A MAN 9
,SWAMPL& (F] ME A :OLE PILE ( C$> = SEV5
DOLL>S4 ,SEV5 DOLL>S =A HUNDR$ & FIFTY
FOOT ( C$> IS A R1L B>GA940
  ,MR ,BISWAS HESITAT$4 ,( ALL WOOD C$>
APP1L$ 6HM L1/4 ,! COL\R 0 PL1S+ B !
SMELL 0 ACRID & CL++4 ,X 0 S* A S(T WOOD
T A F+]NAIL CD M>K X & SPL9T]S CD 2
BITT5 (F ) TEE?4 ,6BE /R;G X _H 6BE
?ICK2 !N XS ?ICK;S MADE X LOOK UNGA9LY4
  8,N[1 BOSS1 ,I "K !Y IS ONLY      #DCG
R\< PLANKS4 ,B Y "K ME4 ,:5 ,I F9I%
PLAN+ !M !Y WD 2 LEVEL LEVEL1 & :5 ,I
JO9 !M TGR Y WDN'T 2 A# 6SLIP A %EET (
BI#-PAP] 2T !M40
  8,SEV5 DOLL>S4 ,T L1VE EI<T = Y40 ,MR
,BISWAS M1NT X 0 LL 6PAY = LAY+ A FLOOR
& PUTT+ ON A RO(4
  ,B ,MR ,MACL1N 0 (F5D$4 8,MY LAB\R10
HE SD4
  ,! CORRUGAT$ IRON CAME T WEEK-5D ON A
LORRY T AL BR"\ ,AN& & ,SAVI & ,%AMA4
  ,AN& SD1 8,AUNT ,SU%ILA BAWL (F ! M5
:5 !Y 0 LOAD+ ! GALVANIZE ON ! LORRY40
  8,%E TELL !M 6?R[ !M D[N H>D1 EH80 ,MR
,BISWAS SD4 8,IS T :AT %E TELL !M8 ,%E
DID WANT !M 6D5T !M UP M1 EH8 ,DON'T
F"R5 6TELL ME40
  8,NO1 NO4 ,%E SAY !Y WASN'T "W+ FA/
5\<40
  ,MR ,BISWAS EXAM9$ ! %EETS Z !Y 7 UN-
LOAD$1 LOOK+ = BUMPS & D5TS HE CD
ATTRIBUTE 6,SU%ILA'S MALICI\S;S4 ,:5"E
HE SAW A CRACK 9 ! RU/ HE /OPP$ ! LOAD-
]S4
  8,LOOK AT ?4 ,: "O ( Y 0 RE-      #DCH
SPONSI# = ?8 ,Y "K1 ,I MAD 5 6GET ,MR
,SE? 6DOCK YR M"OY40 ,T ^W 8DOCK01 S (-
FICIAL & OM9\S1 HE _H GOT F ,JAGDAT4
  ,/ACK$ ON ! GRASS1 ! %EETS MADE ! SITE
LOOK L AN AB&ON$ LOT4 ,NO CORRUG,N ( "O
%EET FITT$ 96! CORRUG,N ( ANY O!R2 !
PILE ROSE HI< & %AKY & AWKW>D4
  ,MR ,MACL1N SD1 8,I CD /RAI<T5 !M \ )!
HAMM]4 ,N[1 AB ! RAFT]S1 BOSS40
  ,MR ,BISWAS _H =GOTT5 AB ^?4
  8,N[1 BOSS1 Y M/ LOOK AT X ? WAY4 ,!
RAFT]S DON'T %[ F ! \TSIDE4 ,ONLY F !
9SIDE4 ,& EV5 !N1 :5 Y GET A CEIL+ Y CD
HIDE ! RAFT]S4 ,S ,I ?9K X WD 2 BETT] &
X WD CO/ Y NO?+ IF Y GET TREE-BRAN*ES4
,:5 Y TRIM !M !Y DOES MAKE F/-CLASS RAF-
T]S40
  ,& :5 ,MR ,MACL1N SET 6"W1 HE "W$
AL"O4 ,MR ,BISWAS N"E SAW ,$G> AG & N"E
ASK$ AB HM4
  ,MR ,MACL1N W5T 6A 8'B&ON01 BR"\ BACK
TREE-BRAN*ES & TRIMM$ !M 96RAFT]S4 ,HE
CUT NOT*ES 9 ! RAFT]S :]"E !Y 7 6RE/ ON
! MA9 FRAME1 & NAIL$ !M ON4 ,!Y LOOK$
SOLID4 ,HE US$ ?9N] BRAN*ES1 LIM-   #DCI
B]1 IRREGUL> & RECALCITRANT1 = CROSS-
RAFT]S4 ,!Y LOOK$ %AKY & REM9D$ ,MR
,BISWAS (! RAFT]S (A DIRT-&-GRASS HUT4
  ,!N ! CORRUGAT$ IRON 0 NAIL$ ON4 ,!
%EETS 7 DANG]\S 6H&LE &! RAFT]S %OOK "U
,MR ,MACL1N'S WEI<T &! BL[S ( 8 HAMM]4
,! WE$S 2L &! FRAME 2CAME COV]$ ) RU/4
,:5 ,MR ,MACL1N _H PACK$ 8 TOOLS 96HIS
WOOD5 SUITCASE & G"O HOME =! "D1 X 0 A
PL1SURE 6,MR ,BISWAS 6/& 2L ! RO( & 2 9
%ADE ": ONLY ! "D 2F1 ONLY T MORN+1 "!
_H BE5 OP5;S4
  ,Z ! %EETS W5T UP1 & !Y 7 5 6COV] ALL
! ROOMS EXCEPT ! GALL]Y1 ! H\SE NO L;G]
LOOK$ S DRAB & UN-2GUN4 ,MR ,MACL1N 0
"R3 ! %EETS DID HIDE ! BRAN*-RAFT]S4 ,B
E HOLE 9 ! RO( GLITT]$ L A />4
  ,MR ,MACL1N SD1 8,I DID M5;N A ?+
CALL$ MA/IC CE;T4 ,B T 0 2F ,I DID SEE !
GALVANIZE4 ,Y WD SP5D Z M* ON MA/IC CE;T
Z ON FIVE-SIX %EETS ( NEW GALVANIZE40
  8,S :AT8 ,I J GOT 6SIT D[N 9 MY NEW
H\SE & GET WET80
  8,": "!'S A W "!'S A WAY1 Z ! P DOES
SAY4 ,PIT*4 ,Y DID ?9K AB T8 ,A     #DDJ
LOT ( P DOES USE PIT*40
  ,!Y GOT ! PIT* FREE1 F A NEGLECT$ "P (
! ROAD ": ASPHALT 0 LAID ON1 )\T GRAVEL1
9 LAVI% LUMPS4 ,MR ,MACL1N PUT SMALL
/"OS OV] ! HOLES 9 ! RO( & S1L$ !M D[N )
PIT*4 ,HE RAN S1L+S ( PIT* AL;G ! $GES (
! %EETS & D[N ! CRACKS4 ,X 0 A SL[1 L;G
JOB1 & :5 HE 0 F9I%$ ! RO( 0 CURI\SLY
PATT]N$ 9 BLACK ) _M R\< L9ES1 /RAI<T
D[N1 ANGUL>LY JA7$ ACR1 & FR1K$ & BLO2$
& G\T$ ALL OV] ) PIT*1 ABV ! 3FUS$ R$1
RU/1 BR[N1 SA6RON1 GREY & SILV] (! OLD
%EETS4
  ,B X "W$4 ,:5 X RA9$1 Z X 0 2G9N+ 6D
N[ E AFN1 ! GR.D 2L ! RO( REMA9$ DRY4
,P\LTRY F ! B>RACKY>D & O!R PLACES CAME
6%ELT] & /AY$ 6DIG ! E>? 96DU/4
  ,! C$> FLOORBO>DS CAME1 R\< & BRI/LY1
& IMPREGNAT$ ! SITE ) _! SMELL4 ,:5 ,MR
,MACL1N PLAN$ !M !Y SEEM$ 6ACQUIRE A
RI*] COL\R4 ,HE FITT$ !M TGR Z N1TLY Z
HE _H SD1 NAIL+ !M D[N ) H1D.S NAILS &
FILL+ 9 ! HOLES AT ! TOP ) WAX MIX$ )
SAWDU/ : DRI$ H>D & CD SC>CELY 2 4T+UI%$
F ! WOOD4 ,! BACK B$ROOM 0          #DDA
FLOOR$1 & "P (! DRAW+ROOM1 S T1 ) C>E1 X
0 POSSI# 6WALK /RAI<T UP 6! B$ROOM4
  ,!N ,MR ,MACL1N SD1 8,:5 Y GET M MATE-
RIALS Y M/ LET ME "K40
  ,HE _H "W$ =A =TNI<T = EI<T DOLL>S4
  ,P]H HE DIDN'T PAY SEV5 DOLL>S =! C$>1
,MR ,BISWAS ?"\4 ,ONLY FIVE OR SIX4
  ,! H\SE N[ 2CAME A PLAYGR.D =! *N (!
B>RACKS4 ,!Y CLIMB$ & !Y JUMP$2 _M TOOK
S]I\S FALLS B1 2+ B>RACK *N1 CAME 6LL
H>M4 ,!Y NAIL$ NAILS 96! CRAPAUD PILL>S
&! C$> FLOOR2 !Y B5T NAILS = NO PURPOSE2
!Y FLATT5$ !M 6MAKE KNIVES4 ,!Y LEFT
SMALL MU4Y FOOTPR9TS ON ! FLOOR & ON !
CROSSB>S (! FRAME2 ! MUD DRI$ &! FLOOR
2CAME DU/Y4 ,! *N DROVE \ ! P\LTRY & ,MR
,BISWAS TRI$ 6DRIVE \ ! *N4
  8,Y BLA/$ LL BIT*ES6 ,LET ME CAT* "O (
Y & SEE IF ,I DON'T CUT 8 FOOT (F40

  ,Z ! SUG>CANE GREW TALL] ! 4POSSESS$
LAB\R]S GREW SURLI]1 & ,MR ,BISWAS 2GAN
6RCV ?R1TS1 DELIV]$ Z FRLY W>N+S4
  ,SE?1 :O _H (T5 SPOK5 (! TR1*]Y &
DANG]\S;S (! LAB\R]S1 N[ ONLY SD1   #DDB
8,DON'T LET !M F"R5 Y40
  ,B ,MR ,BISWAS KNEW (! _M KILL+S 9
,9DIAN 4TRICTS1 S WELL PLANN$ T FEW R1*$
! C\RTS4 ,HE KNEW (! FEUDS 2T VILLAGES &
2T FAMILIES1 3DUCT$ ) C\RAGE1 9G5U;Y &
LOYALTY 0^? SAME LAB\R]S :O1 Z WAGE-
E>N]S1 7 OBSEQUI\S & NEGLIGI#4
  ,HE DECID$ 6TAKE PRECAU;NS4 ,HE SLEPT
)A CUTLASS &A .POUI /ICK1 "O ( 8 "F'S1
AT ! SIDE ( 8 B$4 ,& F ,MRS ,SEEUNG1 !
,*9ESE CAF@E-[N] AT ,>WACAS1 HE GOT A
PUPPY1 A HAIRY BR[N & :ITE ?+ ( 9DET]MI-
NATE BRE$4 ,! F/ NI<T AT ! B>RACKS !
PUPPY :9$ AT 2+ LEFT \TSIDE1 SCRAT*$ AT
! DOOR1 FELL (F ! /EP & :9$ UNTIL HE 0
TAK5 IN4 ,:5 ,MR ,BISWAS WOKE UP NEXT
MORN+ HE F.D ! PUPPY 9 B$ 2S HM1 LY+ Q
/1 XS EYES OP54 ,AT ,MR ,BISWAS'S F/
GE/URE1 : 0 "O ( SURPRISE1 ! PUPPY JUMP$
6! FLOOR4
  ,HE CALL$ ! PUPPY ,T>ZAN1 6PREP>E X =
XS DUTIES4 ,B ,T>ZAN TURN$ \ 6BE FRLY &
9QUISITIVE1 &A T]ROR ONLY 6! P\LTRY4 8,!
H5S /OP LAY+ 2C ( YR DOG10 ! P\LTRY [N]S
-PLA9$1 & X LOOK$ TRUE 5\<1 =       #DDC
,T>ZAN (T5 _H PIECES ( F1!R /UCK 9 !
CORN]S ( 8 M\?1 & HE 0 3T9U,Y BR++ TRO-
PHIES ( F1!RS 6! ROOM4 ,!N "O "D ,T>ZAN
ATE AN EGG & IMMLY DEVELOP$ A TA/E =
E7S4 ,! H5S LAID _! E7S 9 BU%1 9 PLACES
: !Y ?"\ 7 SECRET4 ,T>ZAN SOON GOT 6"K
^! PLACES Z WELL Z ! [N]S (! H5S & HE (-
T5 CAME BACK 6! B>RACKS ) 8 M\? YELL[ &
/ICKY ) EGG4 ,! [N]S (! H5S TOOK _! RE-
V5GE4 ,"O AFN ,MR ,BISWAS F.D ,T>ZAN'S
MUZZLE SME>$ ) F[L DROPP+S1 & ,T>ZAN 9
GRT MIS]Y AT ? NOVEL & 3T9U+ 4COM=T4
  ,! PLAC>DS 9 ,MR ,BISWAS'S ROOM IN-
CR1S$4 ,HE "W$ M SL[LY ON !M N[1 US+
BLACK & R$ E/ATE 9K & P5CILS ( _M COL-
\RS4 ,HE FILL$ ! BLANK SPACE ) DI6ICULT
DECOR,NS & 8 LRS 2CAME 9TRICATE & ORNA-
;T$4
  ,?9K+ X WD HELP HM IF HE R1D NOVELS1
HE B"\ A NUMB] (! *1P ,R1D]'S ,LIBR>Y
EDI;NS4 ,! COV]S 7 D>K PURPLE ) GOLD LR+
& DECOR,NS4 ,9 ! /ALL AT ,>WACAS !Y _H
LOOK$ ATTRACTIVE1 B 9 8 ROOM HE CD
SC>CELY BE> 6T\* !M4 ,! GILT /UCK 6HIS
F+]S &! COV]S REM9D$ HM ( FUN]AL    #DDD
PALLS &( ^? "UTAK]S' HORSES T 7 DRAP$ )!
COL\RS ( D1? E "D4
  ,! SUN %"O &! RA9 FELL4 ,! RO( DIDN'T
L1K4 ,B ! ASPHALT 2GAN 6MELT & HUNG
LIMPLY D[N3 A LEGION ( SLIM1 BLACK1 GR[+
SNAKES4 ,O3A.N,Y !Y FELL1 &1 FALL+1
CURL$ & DI$4
  ,LATE "O NI<T1 :5 HE _H PUT \ ! OIL
LAMP & 0 9 B$1 HE HE>D FOOT/EPS \TSIDE 8
ROOM4
  ,HE LAY /1 LI/5+4 ,!N HE JUMP$ \ ( B$1
GRA2$ 8 /ICK & DELIB]ATELY KNOCK$ AG/ !
KIT*5 SAFE & TA# & ,%AMA'S DRESS+TA#4
,HE /OOD AT ! SIDE (! DOOR & VIOL5TLY
PU%$ \ ! TOP HALF1 8 BODY PROTECT$ 0!
L[] HALF4
  ,HE SAW NO?+ B ! NI<T1 ! /1 COL\R.S
B>RACKY>D1 ! D1D TREES BLACK AG/ ! MOON-
LIT SKY4 ,TWO ROOMS AWAY A LI<T 0 BURN+3
"S"O 0 \1 OR A * 0 ILL4
  ,!N1 MAK+ A LAPP+1 HAPPY S.D1 ,T>ZAN 0
ON ! /EP1 WA7+ 8 TAIL S H>D X /RUCK AG/
! L[] HALF (! DOOR4
  ,HE LET HM 9 & /ROK$ HM4 ,8 COAT 0
DAMP4                               #DDE
  ,T>ZAN1 OV]JOY$ AT ! ATT5;N1 /UCK 8
MUZZLE AG/ ,MR ,BISWAS'S FACE4
  8,EGG60
  ,=A SECOND ,T>ZAN HESITAT$4 ,NO ?R1T
APPE>+1 HE RED\#D 8 TAIL-WA7+1 3T9U,Y
%IFT+ 8 H9D LEGS4
  ,MR ,BISWAS EMBRAC$ HM4
  ,AF T HE ALW SLEPT ) 8 OIL LAMP ON4
  ,HE 2GAN 6FE> T 8 H\SE MI<T 2 BURN$
D[N4 ,HE W5T 6B$ ) AN A4$ ANXIETY2 E
MORN+ HE OP5$ 8 SIDE W9D[ Z SOON Z HE
GOT UP1 LOOK+ PA/ ! TREES = SIGNS ( DE-
/RUC;N2 9 ! FIELDS HE WORRI$ AB X4 ,B !
H\SE ALW /OOD3 ! V>IEGAT$ RO(1 ! FRAMES1
! CRAPAUD PILL>S1 ! WOOD5 /AIRCASE4
  ,:5 ,%AMA CAME HE TOLD H] ( 8 FE>S4
  ,%E SD1 8,I DON'T ?9K !Y WD WORRY AB
X40
  ,& HE REGRETT$ TELL+ H]1 = :5 ,SE?
CAME HE SD1 8,S Y F"R5 !Y BURN X D[N1
EH8 ,DON'T WORRY4 ,!Y N S IDLE40
  ,MR ,MACL1N CAME TWICE & W5T AWAY4
  ,& E "D ! RA9 FELL1 ! SUN BLAZ$1 !
H\SE 2CAME GREY]1 ! SAWDU/1 ONCE FRE% &
>OMATIC1 2CAME "P (! E>?1 ! AS-     #DDF
PHALT SNAKES HANG+ F ! RO( GREW L;G]1 &
_M M DI$1 & ,MR ,BISWAS "W$ M & M ELABO-
RATE MESSAGES ( -=T = 8 WALLS )A /1DY1
UN?9K+ H&1 &A M9D 9 TURMOIL4

  ,!N "O EV5+ A GRT CALM SETTL$ ON HM1 &
HE MADE A DECI.N4 ,HE _H = TOO L;G RE-
G>D$ SITU,NS Z TEMPOR>Y2 H;E=? HE WD
LOOK ^U E /RET* ( "T1 H["E %ORT1 Z PRE-
CI\S4 ,"T WD N"E 2 4MISS$ AG4 ,NO AC;N
WD M]ELY L1D 6ANO!R2 E AC;N 0 A "P ( 8
LIFE : CD N 2 RECALL$2 "!=E ?"\ _H 6BE
GIV5 6E AC;N3 ! OP5+ (A MAT*BOX1 ! /RIK+
(A MAT*4 ,SL[LY1 !N1 Z ?\< UNUS$ 6HIS
LIMBS1 & 3C5TRAT+ H>D1 HE _H 8 EV5+ BA?1
COOK$ 8 M1L1 ATE X1 WA%$ UP1 & SETTL$
D[N 9 8 ROCK+*AIR 6PASS--NO1 6USE1 6EN-
JOY1 6LIVE--! EV5+4 ,! H\SE 0 UNIMPOR-
TANT4 ,! EV5+1 9 ? ROOM1 0 ALL T MATT]$4
  ,& S GRT 0 8 ASSUR.E T HE DID "S?+ HE
_H N D"O = WEEKS4 ,HE TOOK D[N ! ,R1D]'S
,LIBR>Y EDI;N ( ..,! ,HUN*BACK ( ,NOTRE
.,DAME4 ,HE PASS$ 8 H&S OV] ! COV]2 DE-
LIB]ATELY HE OP5$ ! BOOK1 BROKE ! SP9E 9
A FEW PLACES1 DE/ROY+ X -PLETELY    #DDG
9 "O PLACE1 &1 PULL+ UP 8 LEGS ON 6!
*AIR S T HE 0 HU4L$ & COSY1 & SMACK+ 8
LIPS1 : 0 N "O ( 8 HABITS1 HE 2GAN 6R1D4
  ,8 M9D 0 CLE>4 ,HE _H PU%$ "EY?+ A"P F
! ,VICTOR ,HUGO 6! B.D>IES4 ,HE _H MADE
A CLE>+ 9 ! BU%3 T 0 ! PICTURE HE GAVE
HMF ( 8 M9D3 = 8 M9D _H 2COME Q SEP>ATE
F ! RE/ ( HMF4
  ,! IMAGE *ANG$4 ,X 0 NO L;G] A =E/1 B
A BILL[+ BLACK CL\D4 ,UN.S HE 0 C>E;L !
CL\D WD FUNNEL 96HIS H1D4 ,HE FELT X
PRESS+ ON 8 H1D4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT 6LOOK
UP4
  ,SURELY X 0 ONLY A TRICK (! OIL LAMP1
: /OOD DIRECTLY 9 FRONT ( HM ON ! TA#8
  ,HE HU4L$ A LL M ON ! *AIR & SMACK$ 8
LIPS AG4
  ,!N HE 0 S AFRAID T HE ALM CRI$ \4
  ,:Y %D HE 2 AFRAID8 ,( :OM8 ,ESM]ALDA8
,QUASIMODO8 ,! GOAT8 ,! CR[D8
  ,P4 ,HE CD HE> !M NEXT DOOR & ALL D[N
! B>RACKS4 ,NO ROAD 0 )\T !M1 NO H\SE4
,!Y 7 9 ! NEWSPAP]S ON ! WALL1 9 ! PHO-
TOGRAPHS1 9 ! SIMPLE DRAW+S 9
ADV]TISE;TS4 ,!Y 7 9 ! BOOK HE 0    #DDH
HOLD+4 ,!Y 7 9 ALL BOOKS4 ,HE TRI$ 6?9K
( L&SCAPES )\T P3 S& & S& & S&1 )\T !
8OSES0 ,LAL _H SPOK5 AB2 VA/ :ITE PLA-
T1UX1 ) HMF SAFELY AL"O1 A SPECK 9 !
C5TRE4
  ,0 HE AFRAID ( R1L P8
  ,HE M/ EXP]I;T4 ,B :Y8 ,HE _H SP5T ALL
8 LIFE AM;G P )\T EV5 ?9K+ T HE MI<T 2
AFRAID ( !M4 ,HE _H FAC$ P ACR A RUM%OP
C.T]2 HE _H G"O 6S*OOL2 HE _H WALK$ D[N
CR[D$ MA9 ROADS ON M>KET "D4
  ,:Y N[8 ,:Y S SU45LY8
  ,8 :OLE PA/ 2CAME A MIRACLE ( CALM &
C\RAGE4
  ,8 F+]S 7 DU/$ ) GILT F ! PALL-L COV]
(! BOOK4 ,Z HE /UDI$ !M ! CLE>+ 2CAME
OV]GR[N AG &! BLACK CL\D BILL[$ IN4 ,H[
H1VY6 ,H[ D>K6
  ,HE PUT 8 FEET D[N & SAT /1 />+ AT !
LAMP1 SEE+ NO?+4 ,! D>K;S FILL$ 8 H1D4
,ALL 8 LIFE _H BE5 GD UNTIL N[4 ,& HE _H
N"E "KN4 ,HE _H SPOIL$ X ALL 0WORRY &
FE>4 ,AB A ROTT+ H\SE1 ! ?R1TS ( ILLIT]-
ATE LAB\R]S4
  ,N[ HE WD N"E M 2 A# 6G AM;G P4   #DDI
  ,HE SURR5D]$ 6! D>K;S4
  ,:5 HE R\S$ HMF HE OP5$ ! TOP HALF (!
DOOR4 ,HE SAW NO "O4 ,! B>RACKS _H G"O
6SLEEP4 ,HE WD H 6WAIT UNTIL MORN+ 6F9D
\ :E!R HE 0 RE,Y AFRAID4
  ,9 ! MORN+ HE _H A FULL M9UTE ( LUCID-
;Y4 ,HE REMEMB]$ T "S?+ _H NA7$ & EX-
HAU/$ HM ! PREVI\S EV5+4 ,!N1 / 9 B$1 HE
REMEMB]$1 &! ANGUI% RETURN$4 ,HE GOT UP4
,! B$%EET LOOK$ TOR;T$4 ,! MATTRESS 0
EXPOS$ 9 PLACES & HE CD SMELL ! D+Y OLD
COCONUT-FIBRE4 ,SL[LY & C>E;LLY1 L 8 AC-
;NS ! NI<T 2F1 8 ?"\S CAME1 & HE FRAM$
EA* ?"\ 9 A -PLETE S5T;E4 ,HE ?"\3 8,!
B$ IS A MESS4 ,"!=E ,I SLEPT BADLY4 ,I
M/ H BE5 AFRAID ALL "? ! NI<T4 ,"!=E !
FE> IS / ) ME40
  ,\TSIDE1 2Y ! CLOS$ W9D[1 ! LI<T BR1K+
"? ! *9KS & FANN+ \ 9 DU/-%OT RAYS1 0 !
_W4 ,\TSIDE "! 7 P4
  ,HE SPOKE AL\D "S (! ^WS ( -=T T HUNG
ON ! WALLS4 ,!N1 TRY+ 6FEEL !M Z DEEPLY
Z HE CD1 HE CLOS$ 8 EYES & SPOKE !M AG
SL[LY1 SYLLA# 0SYLLA#4 ,!N HE PRET5D$ TO
WRITE ! ^WS ON 8 H1D ) 8 F+]4       #DEJ
  ,!N HE PRAY$4
  ,B EV5 9 PRAY] HE F.D IMAGES ( P1 & 8
PRAY]S 7 P]V]T$4
  ,HE DRESS$ & OP5$ ! TOP HALF (! DOOR4
  ,T>ZAN 0 WAIT+4
  8,Y >E GLAD 6SEE ME10 HE ?"\4 8,Y >E
AN ANIMAL & ?9K T 2C ,I H A H1D & H&S &
LOOK Z ,I DID YE/]"D ,I AM A MAN4 ,I AM
DCVG Y4 ,I AM N :OLE40
  ,T>ZAN WA7$ 8 TAIL4
  ,HE OP5$ ! L[] HALF (! DOOR4
  ,P6
  ,FE> SEIZ$ HM & HURT L A PA94
  ,T>ZAN JUMP$ ^U HM1 EGG-/A9$1 %9+-EY$4
  ,GRIEV+1 HE /ROK$ HM4 8,I 5JOY$ ? YES-
T]"D &! "D 2F4 ,I 0 :OLE !N40
  ,ALR YE/]"D1 LA/ NI<T1 0 Z REMOTE Z
*ILDHOOD4 ,& MIX$ ) 8 FE> 0 ? GRIEF =A
HAPPY LIFE N"E 5JOY$ & N[ LO/4
  ,HE SET AB DO+ ! ?+S HE DID E MORN+4
,AT ! 2G9N+ ( E AC;N HE =GOT 8 PA93
SPLIT SECONDS ( FREEDOM1 RELI%$ ONLY AF
!Y _H G"O4 ,BR1K+ ! HIBISCUS TWIG1 = IN-
/.E1 Z HE DID E MORN+1 6BRU% 8 TEE? ) "O
(! CRU%$ 5DS1 HE AUTOMATIC,Y        #DEA
LOOK$ PA/ ! TREES 6SEE :E!R 8 H\SE _H
BE5 DE/ROY$ DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,!N HE REMEMB]$
H[ UNIMPORTANT ! H\SE _H 2COME4
  ,BRAVELY1 EXPOS+ HMF 6M5ACE1 HE /RIPP$
6BA? AT ! WAT]B>REL4
  ,! LAB\R]S 7 UP4 ,HE HE>D ! MORN+
S.DS3 ! HAWK+1 SPITT+1 ! FANN+ ( COAL-
POTS1 ! HISS+ ( FRY+PANS1 ! FRE%1 BRISK
MORN+ TALK4 ,NEGLIGI#1 NONDESCRIPT P
YE/]"D1 EA* N[ _H 6BE 3SID]$ 9DIVIDU,Y4
  ,HE LOOK$ AT !M & *ECK$4
  ,FE>4
  ,! SUN 0 -+ UP1 LI<T+ ! DEW ON !
GRASS1 ! RO(1 ! TREES3 A COOL SUN1 A
PL1SANT "T ( "D4
  ,Z ) AC;NS1 S ) P4 ,MEET+ !M1 HE 2GAN
6SP1K Z ?\< X 0 YE/]"D4 ,!N ! "Q+ CAME1
&! 9EVITA# ANSW]3 ANO!R REL,N%IP SPOIL$1
ANO!R PIECE (! PRES5T DE/ROY$4
  ,! "D : _H 2GUN1 = T M9UTE :ILE HE 0 /
9 B$1 Z A NORMAL1 HAPPY "D1 0 5D+ ) HM 9
AN EXHAU/+ FR5ZY ( "Q+4 ,HE LOOK$1 HE
"Q$1 HE 0 AFRAID4 ,!N HE "Q$ AG4 ,!
PROCESS 0 TAK+ A FRAC;N (A SECOND4
  ,0! AFN1 H["E1 HE _H MADE "S      #DEB
PROGRESS4 ,HE 0 N AFRAID ( *N4 ,!Y FILL$
HM ONLY ) GRIEF4 ,S M* T 0 GD & B1UTI;L1
F : HE 0 N[ ="E B>R$1 AWAIT$ !M4
  ,HE W5T 6HIS ROOM1 LAY D[N ON ! B$ &
=C$ HMF 6CRY = ALL 8 LO/ HAPPI;S4

  ,"! 0 NO?+ HE CD D4 ,! "Q+ W5T ON
C1SE.SLY4 ,"O PHOTOGRAPH AF ANO!R1 "O
DRAW+ AF ANO!R1 "O /ORY AF ANO!R4 ,HE
TRI$ N 6LOOK AT ! NEWSPAP]S ON ! WALL1 B
ALW HE _H 6*ECK1 ALW HE 0 AFRAID1 & !N
ALW HE 2CAME UNC]TA9 AG4
  ,9 ! 5D ! FUTIL;Y ( LY+ ON ! B$ CAUS$
HM 6RISE & MAKE ANO!R ( ^? DECI.NS HE _H
BE5 MAK+ ALL "D3 DECI.NS 6IGNORE1 62HAVE
NORM,Y1 LL DECI.NS1 LL GE/URES ( DEFI.E
T 7 SOON =GOTT54
  ,HE DECID$ 6CYCLE 6,HANUMAN ,H\SE4
  ,E MAN & WOMAN HE SAW1 EV5 AT A 4T.E1
GAVE HM A TWI/ ( PANIC4 ,B HE _H ALR
GR[N US$ 6T2 X _H 2COME "P (! PA9 ( LIV-
+4 ,!N1 Z HE CYCL$1 HE 4COV]$ A NEW DEP?
6? PA94 ,E OBJECT HE _H N SE5 = TW5TY-
F\R H\RS 0 "P ( 8 :OLE & HAPPY PA/4
,"EY?+ HE N[ SAW 2CAME SULLI$ BY    #DEC
8 FE>1 E FIELD1 E H\SE1 E TREE1 E TURN 9
! ROAD1 E BUMP & SUBSID;E4 ,S T1 0M]ELY
LOOK+ AT ! _W1 HE 0 PROGRESSIVELY DE-
/ROY+ 8 PRES5T & 8 PA/4
  ,& "! 7 "S ?+S HE WANT$ 6L1VE UNT\*$4
,X 0 BAD 5 6DCV ,T>ZAN4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT
6DCV ,AN& & ,SAVI4 ,HE TURN$ & CYCL$
BACK1 PA/ ! FIELDS ^: T]ROR 0 ALR FAMIL-
I>1 6,GRE5 ,VALE4
  ,X O3URR$ 6HM T 0REP1T+ Z F> Z HE CD
ALL 8 AC;NS (! PREVI\S NI<T HE MI<T "SH[
EXORCIZE ! ?+ T _H FALL5 ON HM4 ,S1 )A
DELIB],N T 0 L ! DELIB],N (! "D 2F1 HE
BA!D1 COOK$1 ATE1 !N SAT D[N & OP5$
.,NOTRE .,DAME4
  ,B ! R1D+ ONLY BR"\ BACK ! MEMORY (!
PREVI\S NI<T1 ! 4COV]Y ( FE>1 & LEFT 8
H&S DU/$ ) GILT4
  ,E MORN+ ! P]IOD ( LUCID;Y LESS5$4 ,!
B$%EET1 EXAM9$ E MORN+1 ALW TE/IFI$ 6A
TOR;T$ NI<T4 ,2T ! 2G9N+ (A R\T9E AC;N &
! "Q+ ! "T ( CALM GREW LESS4 ,2T ! MEET+
(A FAMILI> P]SON &! "Q+ "! 0 LESS & LESS
( EASE4 ,UNTIL "! 0 NO LUCID;Y AT ALL1 &
ALL AC;N 0 IRRELEVANT & FUTILE4     #DED
  ,B X 0 ALW BETT] 6BE \ AM;G R1L P ?AN
6BE 9 8 ROOM )! NEWSPAP]S & 8 IMAG9+S4
,& ?\< HE 3T9U$ 6SOLACE HMF ) VI.NS (
DES]T$ L&SCAPES ( S& & SN[1 8 ANGUI%
2CAME ESPECI,Y ACUTE ON ,SUN"D AFNS1 :5
FIELDS & ROADS 7 EMPTY & "EY?+ 0 /4
  ,3T9U,Y HE LOOK$ = "S SIGN T ! CORRUP-
;N : _H -E )\T W>N+ ^U HM _H SECRETLY
G"O AWAY AG4 ,EXAM9+ ! B$%EET 0 "O ?+4
,LOOK+ AT 8 F+]NAILS 0 ! O!R4 ,!Y 7 9V>-
IABLY BITT5 D[N2 B "S"TS HE SAW A ?9
:ITE RIM ON "O NAIL1 & ?\< ^! RIMS N"E
LA/$1 HE TOOK _! APPE>.E 6M1N T REL1SE 0
NE>4
  ,!N1 BIT+ 8 NAILS "O EV5+1 HE BROKE (F
A PIECE (A TOO?4 ,HE TOOK ! PIECE \ ( 8
M\? & PLAC$ X ON 8 PALM4 ,X 0 YELL[ & Q
D1D1 Q UNIMPORTANT3 HE CD H>DLY RECOG-
NIZE X Z "P (A TOO?3 IF X 7 DROPP$ ON !
GR.D X WD N"E 2 F.D3 A "P ( HMF T WD N"E
GR[ AG4 ,HE ?"\ HE WD KEEP X4 ,!N HE
WALK$ 6! W9D[ & ?REW X \4
  ,"O ,SATUR"D ,SE? SD1 :ILE !Y 7 0! UN-
F9I%$ H\SE1 8,:AT'S ! MATT]1 ,MOHUN8 ,Y
>E ! COL\R ( ?40 ,HE PLAC$ 8 L>GE   #DEE
H& ON "O (! GREY UP"RS4
  ,& ,MR ,MACL1N CALL$4 ,"S"O HE KNEW _H
(F]$ HM "S TIMB] AT A B>GA9 PRICE4 ,X WD
2 5 6WALL "O ROOM4
  ,!Y W5T 6LOOK AT ! H\SE4 ,MR ,MACL1N
SAW ! ASPHALT HANG+ F ! RO( B SD NO?+ AB
X4 ,! FLOORBO>DS 9 ! BACK B$ROOM _H 2GUN
6%R9K1 CRACK+ & CAMB]+4 ,MR ,MACL1N SD1
8,! MAN DID SAY T ! WOOD 0 CUR$4 ,B C$>
IS A DAMN FUNNY WOOD4 ,X DOES N"E CURE
AT ALL40
  ,! NEW TIMB] 0 B"\4 ,X 0 C$>4
  8,NO T;GUE-&-GROOVE10 ,MR ,MACL1N SD4
  ,MR ,BISWAS SD NO?+4
  ,MR ,MACL1N "U/OOD4 ,HE _H SE5 ? APA?Y
OV]COME ! BUILD]S ( H\SES AG & AG4
  ,! BACK B$ROOM 0 WALL$4 ,! DOOR 6! P>-
TI,Y FLOOR$ DRAW+ROOM 0 BUILT & HUNG4 ,!
DOOR 6! NON-EXI/5T FRONT B$ROOM 0 BUILT
& NAIL$ 96! DOORWAY3 8,6PREV5T A3ID5T10
,MR ,MACL1N SD1 8IN CASE Y WANT 6MOVE 9
"R AWAY40 ,MR ,BISWAS _H WANT$ DOORS )
PANELS2 HE GOT PLANKS ( C$> NAIL$ 6TWO
CROSS B>S4 ,! W9D[ 0 BUILT 9 ! SAME
FA%ION & HUNG2 ! NEW BLACK BOLTS    #DEF
GL1M$ ON ! NEW WOOD4
  8,X -+ AL;G NICE10 ,MR ,MACL1N SD4
  ,96,MR ,BISWAS'S BUSY1 EXHAU/$ M9D
CAME ! ?"\3 8,H>I B.S$ X4 ,%AMA MADE HM
B.S X4 ,!Y GAVE ! GALVANIZ$ IRON & !Y
B.S$ X40
  ,8 SLEEP 0 BROK5 0DR1MS4 ,HE 0 9 !
,TULSI ,/ORE4 ,"! 7 CR[DS "EY":4 ,TWO
?ICK BLACK ?R1DS 7 *AS+ HM4 ,Z HE CYCL$
6,GRE5 ,VALE ! ?R1DS L5G!N$4 ,"O ?R1D
TURN$ PURE :ITE2 ! BLACK ?R1D 2CAME
?ICK] & ?ICK]1 PURPLE-BLACK & MON/R\SLY
L;G4 ,X 0 A RU2]Y BLACK SNAKE2 X DEVEL-
OP$ A -IC FACE2 X F.D ! *ASE FUNNY & SD
S 6! :ITE ?R1D1 N[ AL A SNAKE4
  ,:5 HE PASS$ ! H\SE & SAW ! BLACK
SNAKES HANG+ F ! RO(1 HE T\*$ A CRAPAUD
PILL> & SD1 8,H>I B.S$ X40 ,HE REMEMB]$
! SUITCASE1 ! :9+ PRAY]S1 ! SPR9KL+ )!
MANGO L1F1 ! DROPP+ (! P5NY4 8,H>I B.S$
X40
  ,HE 0 ON A HILL1 A B>E1 BR[N-GRE5
HILL4 ,X 0 HOT B ! W9D 0 COOL & BLEW 8
HAIR4 ,A WOMAN 0 AT ! FOOT (! HILL4 ,%E
0 CRY+ & -+ 6HM = HELP4 ,HE FELT    #DEG
H] PA9 B DIDN'T WANT 6BE SE54 ,:AT HELP
CD HE GIVE8 ,&! WOMAN--,%AMA1 ,AN&1
,SAVI1 8 "M--KEPT -+ UP ! HILL4 ,HE HE>D
H] SOBS & WANT$ 6CRY 6H] 6G AWAY4
  ,T>ZAN 0 :9+ \TSIDE 8 DOOR4
  ,"O ( 8 PAWS _H BE5 DAMAG$4
  8,Y L E7S TOO M*40
  ,!N HE REMEMB]$ ! 4POSSESS$ LAB\R]S4
  ,"S NI<TS LAT] HE 0 AWAK5$ 0B>K+ &
%\TS4
  8,DRIV]6 ,DRIV]60
  ,HE OP5$ ! TOP HALF (! DOOR4
  8,!Y SET FIRE 6,DOOK9AN L&10 ! WAT*MAN
SD4
  ,HE PUT ON 8 CLO!S & HURRI$ 6! SPOT1
FOLL[$ 0EXCIT$ LAB\R]S4
  ,"! 0 NO GRT DANG] OR DAMAGE4 ,DOOKI-
NAN'S PLOT 0 SMALL & 0 SEP>AT$ F ! O!R
FIELDS 0A TRACE &A DIT*4 ,MR ,BISWAS OR-
D]$ ! B.D>Y CANES (! ADJO9+ FIELDS 6BE
CUT1 &! LAB\R]S1 ?\< 4APPO9T$ AT !
BLAZE1 : F A 4T.E _H PROMIS$ M*1 "W$ )
ZE/4 ,! FIRELI<T LIT UP _! BODIES & KEPT
AWAY ! *ILL4
  ,! TALL R$ & YELL[ FLAMES         #DEH
%RANK2 ! TRA% SM\LD]$1 R$ & BLACK1
CRACKL$ & COLLAPS$1 UNCOV]+ ! R$ HE>T (!
FIRE1 QKLY COOL+ 6BLACK & GREY4 ,GL[+
SCRAPS ROSE1 TW9KL+ R$LY1 BLACK5$ &
DIM9I%$4 ,AT ! ROOTS ! CANES GL[$ L
*>COAL2 9 PLACES X 0 Z IF ! E>? XF _H
CAU<T FIRE4 ,! LAB\R]S B1T ! ROOTS &!
TRA% ) /ICKS2 A% FLOAT$ UP2 SMOKE TURN$
F GREY 6:ITE1 & ?9N$4
  ,ONLY !N1 :5 ! DANG] _H 4APPE>$1 ,MR
,BISWAS R1LIZ$ T = M ?AN AN H\R HE _H N
"Q$ HMF4
  ,9/ANTLY ! "Q+1 ! FE>1 CAME4
  ,:5 ! LAB\R]S RETURN$ 6! B>RACKS _!
*ATT] LA/$ A %ORT "T1 & HE 0 LEFT AL"O4
  ,B ! H\R _H PROV$ "O ?+4 ,HE 0 GO+ TO
GET BETT] SOON4
  ,X 0 ! F/ ( _M 4APPO9T;TS4 ,9 "T HE
CAME 64REG>D ^! P]IODS ( FREEDOM1 J Z HE
NO L;G] EXPECT$ 6WAKE UP "O MORN+ & F9D
HMF :OLE AG4

  ,AT ! 2G9N+ (! ,*RI/MAS S*OOL HOLI"DS1
:5 ! SUG>CANE 0 9 >R[ ONCE M &! ,*RI/MAS
%OP-SIGNS 7 GO+ UP AT ,>WACAS1      #DEI
,%AMA S5T ^W 0,SE? T %E 0 BR++ ! *N TO
,GRE5 ,VALE =A FEW "DS4
  ,MR ,BISWAS WAIT$ = !M ) DR1D4 ,ON !
"D !Y 7 6>RIVE HE 2GAN 6WI% = "S A3ID5T
T WD PREV5T _! -+4 ,B HE KNEW "! WD 2 NO
A3ID5T4 ,IF ANY?+ 0 6HAPP5 HE _H 6ACT4
,HE DECID$ T HE _H 6GET RID ( ,AN& &
,SAVI & HMF1 9 S* A WAY T ! *N WD N"E "K
:O _H KILL$ !M4 ,ALL MORN+ HE 0 POSSESS$
( VI.NS 9 : HE CUTLASS$1 POISON$1 /RAN-
GL$1 BURN$1 ,AN& & ,SAVI2 S T EV5 2F !Y
CAME 8 REL,N%IP ) !M _H BE5 P]V]T$4 ,AB
,MYNA & ,%AMA HE DIDN'T C>E2 HE DIDN'T
WANT 6KILL !M4
  ,!Y CAME4 ,AT ONCE 8 DESIGNS 2CAME IN-
SUB/ANTIAL & ABSURD4 ,HE FELT ONLY RES-
IGN,N &A GRT FATIGUE4 ,&! DECEP;N & ES-
PECIAL PA9 HE _H WI%$ 6AVOID 2GAN4 ,EV5
:ILE HE ALL[$ HMF 6BE T\*$ & KISS$ 0,AN&
& ,SAVI HE 0 "Q+ HMF AB !M1 LOOK+ =!
FE>1 & WOND]+ :E!R !Y _H SE5 ! DECEP;N &
CD TELL :AT 0 GO+ ON 9 8 M9D4
  ,( ,%AMA HE 0 N AFRAID2 ONLY 5VI\S1 =
H] UN?9K+ ASSUR.E4 ,!N ALM IMMLY HE 2GAN
6HATE H]4 ,H] PREGNANCY 0 GRO-      #DFJ
TESQUE2 HE HAT$ ! WAY %E SAT D[N2 :5 %E
ATE HE LI/5$ =! NOISES %E MADE2 HE HAT$
! WAY %E FUSS$ & CLUCK$ OV] ! *N2 HE
HAT$ X :5 %E PU6$ & FANN$ & SW1T$ 9 H]
PREGNANT WAY2 HE 0 NAUS1T$ 0! FRILLS &
EMBROID]Y & O!R ORNA;T,N ON H] CLO!S4
  ,%AMA1 ,SAVI & ,MYNA SLEPT ON B$D+ ON
! FLOOR4 ,AN& SLEPT ) ,MR ,BISWAS ON !
F\RPO/]4 ,DR1D+ ! BOY'S T\*1 ,MR ,BISWAS
BUILT A BANK ( PILL[S 2T ,AN& & HMF4
  ,8 FATIGUE DEEP5$4 ,! NEXT "D1 ,SUN"D1
HE SC>CELY GOT \ ( B$4 ,":AS 2F HE FELT
HE _H 6BE \ (! ROOM1 N[ HE DIDN'T WI% TO
L1VE X4 ,HE SD HE 0 SICK & F.D X EASY TO
SIMULATE ! SYMPTOMS ( MAL>IA4
  ,:5 ,SE? CAME ,MR ,BISWAS TOLD HM1
8,IS AGUE1 ,I ?9K40
  ,AF A WEEK 8 FATIGUE _HN'T LEFT HM4
,SITT+ UP 9 B$ HE MADE KITES & TOY-C>TS
= ,AN& & BUILT A *E/-(-DRAW]S ) MAT*BOX-
ES = ,SAVI4 ,! L;G] HE /AY$ 9 ! ROOM !
LESS HE WANT$ 6L1VE X4 ,HE 2CAME 3/IPAT-
$4 ,YET F "T 6"T HE _H 6G \TSIDE2 !N HE
CAME BACK HURRI$LY1 ANXI\SLY1 RELAX+
ONLY :5 HE 0 ON ! B$ AG4            #DFA
  ,HE 3T9U$ 6OBS]VE ,%AMA CLOSELY1 )
SUSPICION1 HATR$ & NAUSEA4 ,HE N"E SPOKE
6H] DIRECTLY1 B "? "O (! *N2 & X 0 "S "T
2F ,%AMA R1LIZ$ ?4
  ,Z HE 0 LY+ 9 B$ "O MORN+ %E CAME &
PLAC$ H] PALM1 !N ! BACK ( H] H&1 ON 8
=EH1D4 ,! AC;N (F5D$ HM1 FLATT]$ HM1 &
MADE HM UNEASY4 ,%E _H BE5 CUTT+ VEGETA-
#S & HE CDN'T BE> _! SMELL ON H] H&4
  8,NO FEV]10 %E SD4
  ,%E UNDID 8 %IRT & PUT H] H&1 L>GE &
D>K & =EIGN1 ON 8 PALE1 S(T *E/4
  ,HE WANT$ 6SCR1M4
  ,HE SD1 8,NO1 ,I N FAT 5 YET4 ,Y GOT
6PUT ME BACK & FE$ ME "S M4 ,"H1 :Y
DON'T Y J FEEL MY F+]80
  ,%E TOOK H] H& AWAY4 8,"S?+ ON YR M9D1
MAN80
  8,"S?+ ON YR M9D80 HE MIMICK$4 8,"S?+
9 MY M9D & Y "K :AT X IS40 ,HE 0 VIOL5T-
LY ANGRY2 N"E 2F _H HE BE5 S 4GU/$ 0H]4
,YET HE WI%$ H] 6REMA9 "!4 ,HALF HOP+ %E
WD TAKE HM S]I\SLY1 HALF HOP+ ONLY TO
AMUSE & 2WILD] H]1 HE SD 9 8 QK1 HI<-
PIT*$ VOICE1 8,"S?+ 9 MY M9D ALL    #DFB
"R4 ,CL\DS4 ,LOTS ( LL BLACK CL\DS40
  8,:AT Y SAY80
  8,IS A FUNNY ?+4 ,Y "E NOTICE T :5 Y
9SULT P OR TELL !M ! TRU? !Y ALW PRET5D
N 6HE> Y ! F/ "T80
  8,IS MY [N FAULT = M$DL+ 9 :AT IS N MY
BUSI;S4 ,I DON'T "K :Y ,I -E "H =4 ,IF X
WASN'T =! *N--0
  8,S ALL-Y S5D ,H>I ) 8 LL BLACK BOX1
EH8 ,ALL-Y M/ ?9K ,I LOOK L A R1L FOOL40
  8,BLACK BOX80
  8,Y SEE :AT ,I M1N8 ,Y DIDN'T HE> ! F/
"T40
  8,LOOK1 ,I J DON'T H ! "T 6/& UP "H
TALK+ 6Y L ?1 Y HE>4 ,I WI% Y _H A R1L
FEV]4 ,T WD /OP YR M\?40
  ,HE 0 2G9N+ 65JOY ! >GU;T4 8,I ."K Y
WANT ME 6GET A R1L FEV]4 ,I "K ALL-Y
WANT 6SEE ME D1D4 ,& !N SEE ! OLD %E-FOX
CRY+1 ! LL GODS LAU<+1 Y CRY+--DRESS$ UP
L HELL 6BOOT4 ,NICE1 EH8 ,I ."K T IS :AT
ALL-Y WANT40
  8,DRESS-UP & P[D]-UP8 ,ME8 ,ON :AT Y
GIVE ME80
  ,ABRUPTLY ,MR ,BISWAS W5T COLD    #DFC
) FE>4
  ,SE? &! L& &! CORRUGAT$ IRON2 ,H>I &!
BLACK BOX2 ! B.S+2 & N[1 S9CE ,%AMA _H
-E1 ? FATIGUE4
  ,HE 0 DY+4
  ,!Y 7 KILL+ HM4 ,HE WD J REMA9 9 ?
ROOM & DIE4
  ,%E 0 9 ! KIT*5 >EA1 COO+ 6! BABY 9 !
HAMMOCK4
  8,GET \60
  ,%AMA LOOK$ UP4
  ,HE JUMP$ \ ( B$ & GRA2$ ! WALK+-/ICK4
,HE 0 COLD ALL OV]4 ,8 HE>T B1T FA/ &
PA9;LLY4
  ,%AMA CLIMB$ UP ! /EP 6! ROOM4
  8,GET \6 ,DON'T -E 9SIDE4 ,DON'T T\*
ME60
  ,MYNA 0 CRY+4
  8,MAN10 ,%AMA SD4
  8,DON'T -E 96? ROOM4 ,DON'T SET FOOT 9
X AG40 ,HE WAV$ ! /ICK4 ,HE MOV$ 6! W9D[
&1 LOOK+ AT H]1 WAV+ ! /ICK1 2GAN 6DRAW
! BOLT4 8,DON'T T\* ME10 HE BAWL$1 & "!
7 SOBS MIX$ ) 8 ^WS4
  ,%E BLOCK$ ! DOOR4                #DFD
  ,B HE _H ?"\ (! W9D[4 ,HE PU%$ X OP54
,X SWUNG \ %AKILY4 ,LI<T CAME 96! ROOM &
FRE% AIR M+L$ )! M/Y SMELL ( OLD BO>DS &
NEWSPAP]S--HE _H =GOTT5 H[ M/Y !Y
SMELL$4 ,2Y ! FLAT B>RACKY>D HE SAW !
TREES T L9$ ! ROAD & SCRE5$ 8 H\SE4
  ,%AMA WALK$ T[>DS HM4
  ,HE 2GAN SCR1M+ & CRY+4 ,HE PRESS$ 8
PALMS ON ! W9D[-SILL & TRI$ 6HOI/ HMF
UP1 LOOK+ BACK AT H]1 ! /ICK N[ USE.S Z
A W1PON ( DEF;E S9CE 8 H&S 7 O3UPI$4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+80 %E SD 9 ,H9DI4
8,LOOK1 Y W DAMAGE YRF40
  ,HE 0 AW>E ( ,T>ZAN1 ,SAVI & ,AN& 2L !
W9D[4 ,T>ZAN 0 WA7+ 8 TAIL1 B>K+ & L1P+
UP AG/ ! WALL4
  ,%AMA CAME CLOS]4
  ,HE 0 ON ! SILL4
  8,O ,GOD60 HE CRI$1 W9D+ 8 H1D UP &
D[N4 8,G AWAY40
  ,%E 0 NE> 5 6T\* HM4
  ,HE KICK$ AT H]4
  ,%E GAVE A YELP ( PA94
  ,HE SAW1 TOO LATE1 T HE _H KICK$ H] ON
! BELLY4                            #DFE
  ,! WOM5 F ! B>RACKS RU%$ UP :5 !Y HE>D
,%AMA CRY \1 & HELP$ H] F ! ROOM4
  ,SAVI & ,AN& CAME R.D 6! KIT*5 >EA 9
FRONT4 ,T>ZAN RAN 9 PUZZLE;T 2T !M &!
WOM5 & ,MR ,BISWAS4
  8,PACK UP YR CLO!S & G HOME10 ,DOOKH-
NEE1 "O (! B>RACK-WOM51 SD4 ,%E _H (T5
BE5 B1T5 & _H WIT;S$ _M WIFE-B1T+S2 !Y
MADE ALL WOM5 SI/]S4
  ,SAVI W5T 96! ROOM FE>;LLY &1 N LOOK+
AT H] "F1 />T$ 6PACK CLO!S 96A SUITCASE4
  ,MR ,BISWAS />$ & %\T$1 8,TAKE YR *N &
G AWAY4 ,G AWAY60
  ,%AMA1 SURR.D$ 0! B>RACK-WOM51 CALL$1
8,AN&1 PACK UP YR CLO!S QK40
  ,MR ,BISWAS JUMP$ D[N F ! SILL4
  8.,NO60 HE SD4 8,AN& IS N GO+ ) Y4
,TAKE YR GIRL *N & G40 ,HE DIDN'T "K :Y
HE _H SD T4 ,SAVI 0 ! ONLY * HE KNEW1
YET HE _H G"O \ ( 8 WAY 6HURT H]2 & HE
DIDN'T "K :E!R HE WANT$ ,AN& 6/AY4 ,P]H
HE _H SPOK5 ONLY 2C ,%AMA _H M5;N$ ! "N4
  8,AN&10 ,%AMA SD1 8,G & PACK YR
CLO!S40
  ,DOOKHNEE SD1 8,YES1 G & PACK     #DFF
YR CLO!S40
  ,& _M (! WOM5 SD1 8,G1 BOY40
  8,HE IS N GO+ ) Y 6T H\SE10 ,MR ,BIS-
WAS SD4
  ,AN& REMA9$ ": HE WAS1 9 ! KIT*5 >EA1
/ROK+ ,T>ZAN1 N LOOK+ AT ,MR ,BISWAS OR
! WOM54
  ,SAVI CAME \ (! ROOM )A SUITCASE &A
PAIR ( %OES4 ,%E DU/$ H] FEET & BUCKL$
ON A %OE4
  ,%AMA1 ONLY N[ 2G9N+ 6CRY1 SD 9 ,H9DI1
8,SAVI1 ,I H TOLD Y _M "TS 6WA% YR FEET
2F PUTT+ ON YR %OES40
  8,ALL "R1 ,MA4 ,I W G & WA% !M40
  8,DON'T BO!R ? "T10 ,DOOKHNEE SD4
  ,! WOM5 SD1 8,NO1 DON'T BO!R40
  ,SAVI BUCKL$ ON ! O!R %OE4
  ,%AMA SD1 8,AN&1 D Y WANT 6-E ) ME1 OR
D Y WANT 6/AY ) YR "F80
  ,MR ,BISWAS1 ! /ICK 9 8 H&1 LOOK$ AT
,AN&4
  ,AN& 3T9U$ 6/ROKE ,T>ZAN1 ^: H1D 0 N[
UPTURN$1 8 EYES "PLY CLOS$4
  ,MR ,BISWAS RAN 6! GRE5 TA# & AWKW>DLY
PULL$ \ ! DRAW]4 ,HE TOOK ! L;G     #DFG
BOX ( CRAYONS HE US$ = 8 PLAC>DS & HELD
X 6,AN&4 ,HE %OOK ! BOX2 ! CRAYONS RAT-
TL$4
  ,SAVI SD1 8,-E1 ,AN& BOY4 ,G & GET YR
CLO!S40
  ,/ /ROK+ ,T>ZAN1 ,AN& SD1 8,I /AY+ )
,PA40 ,8 VOICE 0 L[ & IRRITA#4
  8,AN&60 ,SAVI SD4
  8,DON'T BEG HM10 ,%AMA SD1 9 3TROL (
H]F AG4 8,HE IS A MAN & "KS :AT HE IS
DO+40
  8,BOY10 ,DOOKHNEE SD4 8,YR "M40
  ,AN& SD NO?+4
  ,%AMA GOT UP &! CIRCLE ( WOM5 >.D H]
WID5$4 ,%E TOOK ,MYNA1 ,SAVI TOOK !
SUITCASE1 & !Y WALK$ AL;G ! PA?1 MU4Y 2T
SP>SE & /U2ORN GRASS1 6! ROAD1 SCATT]+ !
H5S & *ICK5S 2F !M4 ,T>ZAN FOLL[$1 & 0
DIV]T$ 0! *ICK5S4 ,:5 HE 0 PECK$ 0AN AN-
GRY H5 HE LOOK$ = ,%AMA & ,SAVI & ,MYNA4
,!Y _H 4APPE>$4 ,HE TROTT$ BACK 6! B>-
RACKS & ,AN&4
  ,MR ,BISWAS OP5$ ! BOX & %[$ ,AN& !
%>P5$ CRAYONS4 8,TAKE !M4 ,!Y >E YRS4 ,Y
C D :AT Y L ) !M40                  #DFH
  ,AN& %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,Y DON'T WANT !M80
  ,T>ZAN1 2T ,AN&'S LEGS1 HELD UP 8 H1D
6BE /ROK$1 CLOS+ 8 EYES 9 ANTICIP,N4
  8,:AT D Y WANT !N80
  ,AN& %OOK 8 H1D4 ,T>ZAN %OOK HIS4
  8,:Y DID Y /AY !N80
  ,AN& LOOK$ EXASP]AT$4
  8,:Y80
  8,2C--0 ,! ^W CAME \ ?91 EXPLOSIVE1
*>G$ ) ANG]1 AT HMF & 8 "F4 8,2C !Y 0
GO+ 6L1VE Y AL"O40
  ,=! RE/ ( T "D !Y H>DLY SPOKE4

  ,8 9/9CT _H BE5 "R4 ,Z SOON Z ,%AMA _H
G"O 8 FATIGUE LEFT HM4 ,HE 2CAME RE/.S
AG1 & ALM WELCOM$ ! FAMILI> 3/RICT$ TUR-
MOIL 9 8 M9D4 ,HE RETURN$ 6! FIELDS1
TAK+ ,AN& ) HM ON ! F/ "D4 ,AN&1 DU/Y1
IT*+1 SCOR*$ 0! SUN & CUT 0%>P GRASS1
REFUS$ 6G AG1 & "!AF REMA9$ AT ! B>RACKS
) ,T>ZAN4
  ,HE MADE M TOYS = ,AN&4 ,A R.D T9-LID
LOOSELY NAIL$ 6A ROD PROVID$ "S?+ T
ROLL$ :5 PU%$ & GAVE ,AN& A DEEP    #DFI
SATISFAC;N4 ,AT NI<T !Y DREW IMAG9>Y
SC5ES3 SN[-COV]$ M.TA9S & FIR TREES1 R$-
HULL$ YA*TS 9 A BLUE SEA 2L A CLE> SKY1
ROADS W9D+ 2T WELL-KEPT =E/S 6GRE5 M\N-
TA9S 9 ! 4T.E4 ,!Y AL TALK$4
  8,:O IS YR "F80
  8,Y40
  8,WR;G4 ,I AM .N YR "F4 ,GOD IS YR
"F40
  8,OH4 ,& :AT AB Y80
  8,I AM J "SBODY4 ,NOBODY AT ALL4 ,I AM
J A MAN Y "K40
  ,HE %[$ ,AN& H[ 6MIX COL\RS4 ,HE TAU<T
HM T R$ & YELL[ MADE ORANGE1 BLUE & YEL-
L[ GRE54
  8,OH4 ,T IS :Y ! L1VES TURN YELL[80
  8,N EXACTLY40
  8,WELL1 LOOK !N4 ,SUPPOSE ,I TAKE A
L1F & WA% X & WA% X & WA% X1 X W TURN
YELL[ OR BLUE80
  8,N RE,Y4 ,! L1F IS ,GOD'S "W4 ,Y
SEE80
  8,NO40
  8,YR TR\# IS T Y DON'T RE,Y 2LIEVE4
,"! 0 A MAN L Y "O "T4 ,HE WANT$    #DGJ
6MOCK A MAN L ME4 ,S "O "D1 :5 ! MAN L
ME 0 SLEEP+1 ? O!R MAN DROP AN ORANGE 9
8 LAP1 ?9K+1 ,8,I BET ! DAMN FOOL GO+ TO
WAKE UP & SAY T ,GOD DROP ! ORANGE40' ,S
! O!R MAN WOKE UP & 2GAN EAT+ ! ORANGE4
,& ? MAN -E UP & SAY1 ,8,I SUPPOSE ,GOD
GIVE Y T ORANGE40' ,8,YES10' ! O!R MAN
SD4 ,8,WELL1 LET ME TELL Y4 ,IS N ,GOD4
,IS ME40' ,8,WELL10' ! O!R MAN SD1 ,8,I
PRAY$ = AN ORANGE :ILE ,I 0 ASLEEP40'0
  ,AN& 0 IMPRESS$4
  8,N[1 LOOK10 ,MR ,BISWAS SD4 8,SEE ?
MAT*BOX4 ,Y SEE ME HOLD+ X 9 MY H&4
,OOPS6 ,X FALL D[N4 ,:Y80
  8,Y LE7O1 T'S :Y40
  8,N T AT ALL4 ,X FALL D[N 2C ( GRAV;Y4
,! LAW ( GRAV;Y4 ,!Y N T1*+ Y *N ANY?+
AT ALL ^! "DS40
  ,HE TALK$ 6,AN& AB P CALL$ ,COPP]NICK-
US & ,GALILYO4 ,& X GAVE HM A ?RILL 6BE
! F/ 69=M ,AN& T ! _W 0 R.D & MOV$ AB !
SUN4
  8,REMEMB] ,GALILYO4 ,ALW /ICK UP =
YRF40
  ,HE 0 GLAD T ,AN& 0 9T]E/$4 ,X    #DGA
0 ! WEEK 2F ,*RI/MAS & HE 0 FE>+ ! RE-
SULT ( ,SE?'S VISIT4
  ,HE TOLD ,AN&1 8,ON ,SATUR"D WE >E GO+
6MAKE A -PASS40
  ,& ON ,SATUR"D ,SE? SD1 8,:Y Y DON'T
-E HOME1 ,AN& BOY8 ,-E HOME & HANG UP YR
/OCK+4 ,:AT Y DO+ "H ) YR "F80
  8,HE IS N MY "F4 ,X J LOOK 6Y T HE IS
MY "F40
  ,SE? EVAD$ ! !OLOGICAL ISSUE4 8,!Y GO+
6MAKE CAKE & ICECR1M1 BOY40
  ,MR ,BISWAS SD1 8,REMEMB] ,GALILYO40
  ,AN& /AY$4
  ,US+ ! BATT]IES ( 8 ELECTRIC TOR* ,MR
,BISWAS MAGNETIZ$ A NE$LE & /UCK X ON A
DISC ( PAP]2 9 ! C5TRE (! DISC HE 9S]T$
A CAP ( PAP] & RE/$ ! CAP ON ! H1D (A
P94
  8,": ! EYE (! NE$LE PO9TS1 T IS NOR?40
  ,!Y PLAY$ ) T UNTIL ! NE$LE LO/ XS
MAGNETISM4
  ,"S"TS ,MR ,BISWAS SD HE _H AGUE4 ,!N1
WRAPP$ UP TI<TLY & %IV]+1 HE MADE ,AN&
RECITE ,H9DI HYMNS AF HM4 ,& AT ^! "TS1
?\< NO?+ 0 SD1 ,AN& 2CAME A6ECT$    #DGB
0HIS "F'S FE> & REP1T$ ! HYMNS L *>MS4
,! B>RACKROOM1 XS DOOR & W9D[ CLOS$1 XS
$GES 9 D>K;S1 2CAME CAV]N\S & FULL ( M5-
ACE1 & ,AN& L;G$ = MORN+4
  ,B "! 7 -P5S,NS4
  8,TD10 ,MR ,BISWAS SD1 8,I AM GO+ 6%[
Y "S?+ AB A ?+ CALL$ C5TRIFUGAL =CE4 ,G
& GET ! BUCKET \TSIDE & FULL X UP S HI<
) WAT]40
  ,AN& BR"\ ! WAT]4
  8,N 5 SPACE "H RE,Y10 ,MR ,BISWAS SD4
  8,:Y Y DON'T G \TSIDE80
  ,MR ,BISWAS DIDN'T LI/54 8,GOT 6GIVE X
A GD SW+40 ,HE SWUNG4
  ,! WAT] SPLA%$ ON ! B$1 ! WALLS1 !
FLOOR4
  8,! BUCKET 0 TOO H1VY4 ,G & GET "O (!
SMALL BLUE POTS F ! KIT*54 ,FULL T ) "S
WAT]40
  ,&! SECOND "T X "W$4
  ,!Y MADE AN ELECTRIC BUZZ]1 US+ ! TOR*
BATT]IES1 A PIECE ( T9 &A NAIL1 A RU/Y
NEW NAIL1 "O ( ^? ,MR ,MACL1N _H BR"\ 9
NEWSPAP] ON ! AFN ,$G> _H BRU%$ ! SITE =
! H\SE4                             #DGC

  ,"! 7 _M R1SONS :Y ,MR ,BISWAS MOV$ F
! B>RACKS 6! F9I%$ ROOM ( 8 H\SE4 ,X 0 A
POSITIVE AC;N2 X 0 A 3FID5T1 DEFIANT
GE/URE2 "! 0 8 3T9U+ UNEASE AT HE>+ P
MOV+ AB ! B>RACKS4 ,& "! 0 8 HOPE T LIV+
9 A NEW H\SE 9 ! NEW YE> MI<T BR+ AB A
NEW /ATE ( M9D4 ,HE WD N H MOV$ IF HE _H
BE5 AL"O1 = HE FE>$ SOLITUDE M ?AN P4
,B1 ) ,AN&1 HE _H 5 -PANY4
  ,T>ZAN F.D A PREGNANT CAT 9 POSSES.N (
! EMPTY1 DU/Y ROOM & *AS$ H] \4
  ,! ROOM 0 SWEPT & CL1N$4 ,!Y TRI$ TO
SCRAPE ! ASPHALT SNAKES (F ! FLOOR2 B !
ASPHALT1 : MELT$ S EASILY ON ! CORRUGAT$
IRON1 REMA9$ H>D ON ! C$> BO>DS4 ,! ROOM
0 SMALL] ?AN ! B>RACKROOM2 ! B$1 ,%AMA'S
DRESS+TA#1 ! GRE5 TA#1 ! KIT*5 SAFE &!
ROCK+*AIR NE>LY FILL$ X4 8,GOT 6BE C>E;L
N[10 ,MR ,BISWAS SD4 8,C'T ROCK TOO
H>D40 ,& "! 7 O!R 9CONV5I;ES4 ,"! 0 NO
KIT*52 !Y _H 6COOK ON BOXES D[N/AIRS1 2L
! ROOM2 !Y BO? GOT NAUSEA4 ,! RO( _H NO
GUTT]S & WAT] _H 6BE FET*$ ALL ! WAY F !
B>RACK B>RELS4 ,!Y AL _H 6USE !     #DGD
B>RACK LATR9E4
  ,& E "D ,MR ,BISWAS SAW ! SNAKES1 ?91
BLACK1 L5G!N+4
  ,! 9COMPLETE;S (! H\SE DIDN'T DEPRESS
HM4 ,HE SAW ! RAFT]S1 ! OLD CORRUGAT$
IRON1 ! GREY UP"RS1 ! CRACK$ BO>DS ON !
FLOOR & WALLS1 ! DOOR 6! NONEXI/5T B$-
ROOM NAIL$ & B>R$4 ,HE KNEW T !Y _H MADE
HM UNHAPPY2 B T 0 AT A "T S REMOTE HE CD
N[ SC>CELY IMAG9E X4
  ,! SNAKES APPE>$ M (T5 9 8 DR1MS4 ,HE
2GAN 6REG>D !M Z LIV+1 & WOND]$ :AT X WD
2 L 6H "O FALL & CURL ON 8 SK94
  ,! "Q+ &! FE> REMA9$4 ,HE _HN'T LEFT T
AT ! B>RACKS4
  ,! TREES CD 3C1L S M*4
  ,& "O NI<T ,AN& 0 AWAK5$ 0,MR ,BISWAS
JUMP+ \ ( B$1 SCR1M+1 TE>+ AT 8 VE/ Z
?\< HE _H BE5 ATTACK$ 0A COLUMN ( R$
ANTS4
  ,A SNAKE _H FALL5 ON HM4 ,V ?91 & N
L;G4
  ,:5 !Y LOOK$ UP !Y SAW ! P>5T SNAKE1
WAIT+ 6REL1SE "S M4
  ,) POLES & BROOMS !Y TRI$ 6PULL   #DGE
D[N ! SNAKES4 ,! ASPHALT ONLY SWUNG :5
!Y HIT X4 ,6GRAB AT X 0 ONLY 6PULL AWAY
A SMALL SNAKE1 L1V+ ! PREGNANT P>5T ABV4
  ,HE GOT A COCOA-KNIFE & SP5T ! FOLL[+
EV5+ CUTT+ D[N ! SNAKES4 ,X 0 N EASY4
,2L ! CRU/ AT ! ROOTS ! ASPHALT 0 S(T B
RU2]Y4 ,HE SCRAP$ H>D & FELT ! RU/ F !
RO( FALL+ ON 8 FACE4
  ,0! NEXT AFN ! SNAKES _H 2GUN 6GR[ AG4
  ,HE SD HE _H ANO!R T\* ( MAL>IA4 ,HE
WRAPP$ HMF 9 ! FL\RSACK %EET & ROCK$ 9 8
*AIR4 ,T>ZAN _H 8 TAIL CRU%$2 HE L1PT UP
)A YELL1 & W5T \ (! ROOM4
  8,SAY ..,RAMA ,RAMA ,SITA .,RAMA1 &
NO?+ W HAPP5 6Y10 ,MR ,BISWAS SD4
  ,AN& REP1T$ ! ^WS1 FA/] & FA/]4
  8,Y DON'T WANT 6L1VE ME80
  ,AN& DIDN'T REPLY4
  ,? _H 2COME "O ( ,MR ,BISWAS'S FE>S4
,03C5TRAT+ ON X--A P[] HE _H 9 8 /ATE--
HE MANAG$ 6MAKE X ! MO/ OPPRESSIVE ( ALL
8 FE>S3 T ,AN& WD L1VE HM & HE WD 2 LEFT
AL"O4

                                    #DGF
  ,AN& 0 ROLL+ 8 T9-LID AB ! Y>D "O AFN
:5 TWO M5 CAME 6! H\SE & ASK$ :E!R HE
LIV$ "!4 ,!N !Y ASK$ =! DRIV]4
  8,HE 9 ! FIELDS10 ,AN& SD4 8,B HE -+
BACK J N[40
  ,2T ! TREES ! ROAD 0 COOL4 ,! M5
SQUATT$ "!4 ,!Y HUMM$2 !Y TALK$2 !Y ?REW
PEB#S2 !Y *EW$ BLADES ( GRASS2 !Y SPAT4
,AN& WAT*$ !M4
  ,"O (! M5 CALL$1 8,BOY1 -E "H40 ,HE 0
FAT & YELL[-SK9N$ )A BLACK M\/A*E & LI<T
EYES4
  ,! O!R MAN1 :O 0 "Y]1 SD1 8,WE DI7+ =
TR1SURE40
  ,AN& CDN'T RESI/ T4 ,PU%+ 8 T9-LID1 HE
W5T 6! ROAD4
  8,-E ON4 ,DIG10 ! "Y] MAN SD4
  ,! FAT MAN CRI$1 8,YAAH60 & PULL$ \ A
C5T F ! GRAVEL4
  ,AN& W5T 6": ! FAT MAN 0 & 2GAN SCRAP-
+4
  ,!N ! "Y] MAN CALL$ \1 8,AHA60 & TOOK
UP A P5NY F ! GRAVEL4
  ,AN& RAN 6HM4 ,!N ! FAT MAN CALL$ \
AG2 HE _H F.D ANO!R C5T4            #DGG
  ,AN& MOV$ BACK & =? 2T ! M54
  8,B ,I N F9D+ ANY10 HE SD4
  8,"H10 ! "Y] MAN SD4 8,DIG "H40
  ,AN& DUG & F.D A P5NY4 8,I CD KEEP X80
  8,B IS YRS10 ! "Y] MAN SD4 8,Y F9D X40
  ,! GAME W5T ON = "S "T4 ,AN& F.D TWO M
C5TS4
  ,!N ! FAT MAN APPE>$ 6LOSE 9T]E/4 8,!
DRIV] TAK+ L;G10 HE SD4 8,": YR "F1
BOY80
  ,AN& PO9T$ 6! SKY & 0 PL1S$ :5 ! FAT
MAN LOOK$ PUZZL$ & ASK$1 8,! DRIV] IS YR
"F1 N S80
  8,WELL1 "EYBODY ?9K HE IS MY "F4 ,B HE
IS N MY "F RE,Y4 ,HE IS J A MAN ,I "K40
  ,! M5 LOOK$ AT "O ANO!R4 ,! FAT MAN
TOOK UP A H&;L ( GRAVEL & MADE Z IF 6?R[
X AT ,AN&4 8,RUN AWAY10 HE SD4 8,G ON1
HAUL YR LL TAIL40
  8,IS N YR ROAD10 ,AN& SD4 8,IS ! ,,PWD
ROAD40
  8,S Y IS A SM>T MAN 96! B>GA98 ,:O !
HELL Y ?9K Y TALK+ TO80 ,! FAT MAN ROSE4
8,S9CE Y S SM>T1 GIVE ME BACK MY M"OY40
  8,F9D YR [N4 ,? IS M9E40 ,AN&     #DGH
TURN$ 6! "Y] MAN4 8,Y SEE ME F9D X40
  8,L1VE ! BOY10 ! "Y] MAN SD4
  8,I N GO+ 6TAKE *EEK F A LL BOY :O ROB
ME ( MY LA/ FEW C5TS10 ! FAT MAN SD4 8,I
GO+ 6T1* HM A LESSON40 ,HE SEIZ$ ,AN&4
  8,HIT ME & ,I TELL MY "F40
  ,! FAT MAN HESITAT$4
  8,L1VE HM1 ,D9NOO10 ! "Y] MAN SD4
8,LOOK1 ! DRIV]40
  ,AN& BROKE AWAY & RAN 6,MR ,BISWAS4
8,T FAT MAN 0 TRY+ 6?IEF MY M"OY40
  8,AFN1 BOSS10 ! FAT MAN SD4
  8,HAUL YR TAIL4 ,:O ! HELL TELL Y Y CD
LAY YR H& ON MY SON80
  8,SON1 BOSS80
  8,HE TRY 6?IEF MY M"OY10 ,AN& SD4
  8,WAS A GAME10 ! FAT MAN SD4
  8,HAUL (F60 ,MR ,BISWAS SD4 8,JOB6 ,Y
N LOOK+ = ANY JOB4 ,Y N GETT+ ANY EI40
  8,B1 BOSS10 ! "Y] MAN SD1 8,MR ,SE?
SAY HE DID TELL Y40
  8,DIDN'T TELL ME NO?+40
  8,B ,MR ,SE? SAY--0 ! FAT MAN SD4
  8,L1VE !M1 ,D9NOO10 ! "Y] MAN SD4 8,"F
& BLA/$ SON40                       #DGI
  8,IS 9 ! BLOOD10 ! FAT MAN SD4
  8,Y M9D YR M\?10 ,MR ,BISWAS %\T$4
  8,T*A60 ,! MAN SUCK$ 8 TEE?1 BACK+
AWAY4
  ,AN& %[$ ,MR ,BISWAS ! COPP]S HE _H
F.D4
  8,! ROAD FULL ( M"OY10 HE SD4 8,!Y 0
F9D+ SILV]4 ,B ,I DIDN'T F9D ANY40

  ,MR ,BISWAS 0 AWAKE & LY+ 9 B$ :5 ,AN&
GOT UP4 ,AN& ALW GOT UP F/4 ,MR ,BISWAS
HE>D HM WALK AL;G ! RES.D+ BO>DS (! UN-
F9I%$ DRAW+ROOM FLOOR & /EP ON 6! /AIR-
CASE--T 0 A FIRM] S.D4 ,!N "! 0 A SIL;E1
& HE HE>D ,AN& -+ BACK ACR ! DRAW+ROOM4
  ,AN& /OOD 9 ! DOORWAY4 ,8 FACE 0
BLANK4 8,PA40 ,8 VOICE 0 W1K4 ,8 M\? RE-
MA9$ HALF OP5 & QUIV]+4
  ,MR ,BISWAS ?REW (F ! %EET & W5T 6HM4
  ,AN& %RU7$ (F 8 "F'S H& & PO9T$ ACR !
DRAW+ROOM4
  ,MR ,BISWAS W5T 6LOOK4
  ,ON ! L[E/ /EP HE SAW ,T>ZAN1 D1D4 ,!
BODY _H BE5 FLUNG D[N C>E.SLY4 ,! H9D
QU>T]S 7 ON ! /EP1 ! MUZZLE ON !    #DHJ
GR.D4 ,! BR[N & :ITE HAIR 0 CLOTT$ )
BLACK-R$ BLOOD & /A9$ ) DIRT2 FLIES 7
?ICK AB HM4 ,! TAIL 0 PROPP$ UP AG/ !
SECOND /EP1 ERECT1 ! HAIR RU6L$ 9 ! LI<T
MORN+ BREEZE1 Z ?\< X 2L;G$ 6A LIV+ DOG4
,! NECK _H BE5 CUT1 ! BELLY RIPP$ OP52
FLIES 7 ON 8 LIPS & >.D 8 EYES1 : 7 M]-
CI;LLY CLOS$4
  ,MR ,BISWAS FELT ,AN& /&+ 2S HM4
  8,-E4 ,G 9SIDE4 ,I W LOOK AF ,T>ZAN40
  ,HE L$ ,AN& 6! B$ROOM4 ,AN& WALK$
LI<TLY1 V LI<TLY1 Z ?\< RESPOND+ ONLY 6!
PRESSURE ( ,MR ,BISWAS'S F+]S4 ,MR ,BIS-
WAS PASS$ 8 H& OV] ,AN&'S HAIR4 ,AN& AN-
GRILY %OOK ! H& AWAY4 ,! TI<T1 BRITTLE
BODY QUIV]$ & ,AN&1 CLUT*+ 8 %IRT ) BO?
H&S1 2GAN DANC+ ON ! FLOOR4
  ,X 0 "S SECONDS 2F ,MR ,BISWAS R1LIZ$
T ,AN& _H DRAWN A DEEP BR1? 2F SCR1M+4
,HE CD D NO?+ B WAIT1 WAT*+ ! SWOLL5
FACE1 ! 4T5D$ M\?1 ! N>R[ EYES4 ,& !N X
CAME1 A T]RI# :I/LE (A %RIEK T W5T ON &
ON UNTIL X BROKE UP 96GURGLES & /RANGU-
LAT$ S.DS4
  8,I DON'T WANT 6/AY "H6 ,I WANT   #DHA
6G60
  8,ALL "R10 ,MR ,BISWAS SD1 :5 ,AN& SAT
R$-EY$ & SNU6L+ ON ! B$4 8,I W TAKE Y TO
,HANUMAN ,H\SE4 ,TM40 ,X 0 A PLEA = "T4
,9 ! ANXIETY T PALPITAT$ "? HM HE _H =-
GOTT5 ! DOG1 & KNEW ONLY T HE DIDN'T
WANT 6BE LEFT AL"O4 ,X 0 A SKILL HE _H
ACQUIR$3 6=GET ! IMMLY UNPL1SANT4 ,NO?+
CD 4TRACT HM F ! DEEP] PA94
  ,AN&1 TOO1 =GOT ! DOG4 ,ALL HE RECOG-
NIZ$ 0 ! PLEA & 8 [N P[]4 ,HE B1T 8 LEGS
AG/ ! SIDE (! RUMPL$ B$ & /AMP$ ON !
FLOOR4 8,NO6 ,NO6 ,I WANT 6G TD40
  8,ALL "R4 ,I W TAKE Y ? AFN40
  ,MR ,BISWAS BURI$ ,T>ZAN 9 ! Y>D1 A4+
ANO!R M.D 6^? ?R[N UP 0! 5]GETIC ,$G> &
N[ COV]$ )A SK9 ( VEGET,N4 ,T>ZAN'S M.D
LOOK$ RAW1 B SOON ! WE$S WD COV] X2 L
,$G>'S M.DS X WD 2COME "P (! %APE (! L&4

  ,! E>LY MORN+ BREEZE DROPP$4 ,X 2CAME
HAZY4 ,! H1T ROSE /1DILY & NO RELIEV+
%[] CAME 9 ! E>LY AFN4 ,!N ! HAZE ?ICK-
5$1 CL\DS TURN$ F :ITE 6SILV] 6GREY TO
BLACK & BILL[$ H1VILY ACR ! SKY3    #DHB
A WAT]COL\R 9 BLACK & GREY4
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  ,MR ,BISWAS HURRI$ F ! FIELDS & SD1
8,I DON'T ?9K WE C TAKE Y 6,>WACAS TD4
,! RA9 IS GO+ 6-E ANY M9UTE40
  ,AN& 0 3T5T4 ,D>K;S AT F\R O'C 0 AN
EV5T1 ROMANTIC1 6BE REMEMB]$4
  ,D[N/AIRS1 9 ! MAKE%IFT KIT*5 ( BOXES1
!Y PREP>$ A M1L4 ,!N !Y W5T UP/AIRS TO
WAIT =! D[NP\R4
  ,SOON X CAME4 ,ISOLAT$ DROPS1 RAPP+
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W9D FRE%5$1 ! RA9 SLANT$4 ,E DROP T
/RUCK ! UP"RS BLOTT$1 EXP&+1 96! %APE (A
SPE>-H1D4 ,! RA9 T /RUCK ! DU/ 2L ! RO(
ROLL$ XF 96D>K PELLETS ( DIRT1 N1T &
SPH]ICAL4
  ,!Y LIT ! OIL LAMP4 ,MO?S FLEW 6X4
,FLIES1 DCVD 0! D>K;S1 _H ALR SETTL$ D[N
=! NI<T2 !Y 7 ?ICK ON ! ASPHALT L5G?S4
  ,MR ,BISWAS SD1 8,IF Y G 6,HANUMAN
,H\SE1 Y H 6GIVE ME BACK ! COL\R-
P5CILS40
  ,! W9D BLEW 9 GU/S1 CURV+ ! FALL (!
RA94                                #DHC
  8,B Y DID GIVE !M 6ME40
  8,AH4 ,B Y DIDN'T TAKE !M4 ,REMEMB]8
,ANYWAY1 ,I TAK+ !M BACK N[40
  8,WELL1 Y CD TAKE !M BACK4 ,I DON'T
WANT !M40
  8,ALL "R1 ALL "R4 ,I 0 ONLY JOK+4 ,I N
TAK+ !M BACK40
  8,I DON'T WANT !M40
  8,TAKE !M40
  8,NO40
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  ,:5 ! R1L RA9 CAME X ANN\NC$ XF SEC-
ONDS 9 ADV.E 0XS RO>3 ! RO> ( W9D1 ( W9D
"? TREES1 (! DELUGE ON 4TANT TREES4 ,!N
CAME A SWIFT CREPIT,N ON ! RO(1 9/ANTLY
LO/ 9 A 3T9U\S & EV5 HAMM]+1 S L\D T IF
,MR ,BISWAS SPOKE ,AN& CD N H HE>D4
  ,"H & "! ,MR ,MACL1N'S RO( L1K$2 T A4$
6! COSI;S ( %ELT]4 ,WAT] FELL F ! CORRU-
G,NS 9 EV5LY-SPAC$ /R1MS1 5CLOS+ ! H\SE4
,WAT] FL[$ D[N ! SLOP+ L& 2L ! RO(2 !
PELLETS ( DIRT _H L;G 4APPE>$4 ,WAT]
G\G$ \ TORTU\S *ANNELS Z X =C$ XS WAY
D[N 6! ROAD & D[N 6! HOLL[ 2F ! B>RACKS4
,&! RA9 3T9U$ 6RO>1 &! RO( RES.D-   #DHD
$4
  ,= S"EAL SECONDS AT A "T LI<TN+ LIT UP
A %9+ *AOTIC _W4 ,FRE% MUD FL[$ (F ,T>-
ZAN'S GRAVE 9 A ?9 REGUL> /R1M4 ,RA9-
DROPS GLITT]$ Z !Y /RUCK ! SO45 GR.D4
,!N ! ?"U CAME1 GRAT+ & CLOSE4 ,AN& ?"\
(A MON/R\S /1M-ROLL] BR1K+ "? ! SKY4 ,!
LI<TN+ 0 EXCIT+ B X MADE HM FEEL PECU-
LI>4 ,T1 &! ?"U1 S5T HM BACK 6! B$ROOM4
  ,HE SURPRIS$ ,MR ,BISWAS WRIT+ ) 8 F+]
ON 8 H1D4 ,MR ,BISWAS QKLY PRET5D$ T HE
0 PLAY+ ) 8 HAIR4 ,! FLAME (! OIL LAMP1
?\< PROTECT$ 0A GLASS *IMNEY1 WAV]$2
%AD[S DODG$ AB ! ROOM2 ! %AD[S (! SNAKES
SWUNG 9 AN "E-*ANG+ PATT]N ON ! %IV]+
RO(4
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ON ! FLOOR1 AT ! FOOT (! B$1 & HELD 8
>MS OV] 8 KNEES4 ,! D9 ON ! RO( &! B1T (
! RA9 ON ! TREES & E>? MADE HM FEEL
*ILLY4 ,"S?+ FELL NE> HM4 ,X 0 A W+$
ANT1 XS W+S COLLAPS$ & N[ A BURD5 ON XS
WORMLIKE BODY4 ,^! CR1TURES CAME \ ONLY
9 H1VY RA9 & SELDOM LIV$ 2Y X4 ,:5 !Y
FELL !Y N"E ROSE AG4 ,AN& PRESS$    #DHE
A F+] ON ! BROK5 W+4 ,! ANT WRI7L$1 ! W+
0 REL1S$2 &! ANT1 SU45LY BUSY1 SU45LY
DECEPTIVELY :OLE1 MOV$ (F T[>DS ! D>K4
  ,ALL AT ONCE A CYCLE ( H1VY RA9 0 OV]4
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DRIZZLE ON ! RO( & WALLS L %[]S ( S&4 ,X
0 POSSI# 6HE> ! WAT] F ! RO( FALL+ 6!
E>?1 WAT] GURGL+ Z X RAN (F 9 XS NEW
*ANNELS4 ,! RA9 _H SOAK$ "? ! GAPS 2T !
WALL-BO>DS4 ,! $GES (! FLOOR 7 WET4
  8..,RAMA ,RAMA ,SITA ,RAMA1 ,RAMA
,RAMA ,SITA .,RAMA40
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LOCK$ TGR1 8 LIPS MOV+ RAPIDLY4 ,! EX-
PRES.N ON 8 FACE 0 "O ( EXASP],N R ?AN
PA94
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X4 ,HE L1N$ 8 H1D ON 8 >MS CROSS$ OV] 8
KNEES1 & ROCK$ ON ! FLOOR4
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DROPP$ ON ,AN&'S >M4 ,HURRI$LY HE BRU%$
X (F2 ": ! ANT T\*$ HM SEEM$ 6BURN4 ,!N
HE SAW T ! ROOM 0 FULL ( ^! ANTS 5JOY+ !
LA/ M9UTES ( _! %ORT LIFE4 ,_! SMALL
W+S1 /RA9$ 0L>GE BODIES1 QKLY       #DHF
2CAME USE.S1 & )\T W+S !Y 7 )\T DEF;E4
,!Y KEPT ON DROPP+4 ,_! 5EMIES _H ALR
4COV]$ !M4 ,ON "O WALL1 9 ! %AD[ (! RE-
FLECTOR (! OIL LAMP1 ,AN& SAW A COLUMN (
BLACK ANTS4 ,!Y 7 N ! CRAZY ANTS1 ?9
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E/ 4TURB.E2 !Y 7 ! BIT+ ANTS1 SMALL]1
?ICK]1 N1T]1 PURPLE-BLACK )A DULL %9E1
MOV+ SL[LY & 9 /RICT =M,N1 Z SOLEMN &
/ATELY Z "UTAK]S4 ,LI<TN+ LIT UP ! ROOM
AG & ,AN& SAW ! COLUMN ( BIT+ ANTS
/RET*$ DIAGON,Y ACR TWO WALLS3 A R.DAB
R\TE1 B !Y _H _! R1SONS4
  8,HE> !M60
  ,AN&1 WAT*+ ! ANTS1 8 M\? PRESS$ ON 8
GOOSEFLE%$ >M1 DIDN'T REPLY4
  8,BOY60
  ,! ANGUI%1 ! L\D;S (! VOICE RIS+ ABV
RA9 & W9D MADE ,AN& JUMP4 ,HE /OOD UP4
  8,Y HE> !M80
  ,AN& LI/5$1 TRY+ 6PICK UP ! -PON5T "PS
(! D93 ! RA91 ! W9D1 ! RUNN+ ( WAT]1 !
TREES1 ! RA9 ON WALLS & RO(4 ,TALK1 IN-
4T9CT1 A BUM#1 RIS+ & FALL+4
  8,Y HE> !M80                      #DHG
  ,ANY?+ CD S.D L TALK3 ! GURGLE ( WAT]1
B\<S RU2+ AG/ "O ANO!R4 ,AN& OP5$ ! DOOR
A LL WAY & LOOK$ D[N "? ! SP>S (! DRAW+-
ROOM4 ,! GR.D RAN ) %9+ BLACK WAT]4 ,2L
! UNFLOOR$ FRONT B$ROOM1 ": ! GR.D 0
HI<] & N S WET1 TWO M5 7 SQUATT+ 2F A
SMOK+ FIRE ( TWIGS4 ,TWO L>GE HE>T-%AP$
L1VES (! WILD .TANNIA 7 NE> ! M54 ,!Y M/
H US$ ! L1VES Z UMBRELLAS :5 !Y _H BE5
CAU<T 0! H1VI] %[]4 ,! M5 />$ AT ! FIRE4
,"O MAN 0 SMOK+ A CIG>ETTE4 ,9 ! W1K
FIRELI<T1 9 ! /ILL;S (! SC5E 9 ! MID/ (
TURMOIL1 ? ACT ( SMOK+1 S 9T5SE & UN-
RU6L$1 MI<T H BE5 "P ( AN ANCI5T RITUAL4
  8,Y SEE !M80
  ,AN& CLOS$ ! DOOR4
  ,ON ! FLOOR ! W+$ ANTS _H A NEW LIFE4
,!Y 7 POSSESS$ ( SCORES ( BLACK LIMBS4
,!Y 7 2+ C>T$ AWAY 0! BIT+ ANTS4 ,!Y
WRI7L$ & SQUIRM$1 B DID N 4TURB ! EV5
SOLEMN;Y ( _! BE>]S4 ,BODI.S W+S 7 AL 2+
C>RI$ AWAY4
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  ,! HAIR ON ,AN&'S >MS & LEGS /OOD
/RAI<T4 ,8 SK9 T+L$4                #DHH
  8,Y SEE !M80
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HE CDN'T 2 SURE4
  8,BR+ ! CUTLASS40
  ,AN& PUT ! CUTLASS AG/ ! WALL NE> !
H1D (! B$4 ,! WALL 0 RUNN+ ) WAT]4
  8,& Y TAKE ! WALK+-/ICK40
  ,AN& WD H LIK$ 6G 6SLEEP4 ,B HE DIDN'T
WANT 6GET 96B$ ) 8 "F4 ,&)! FLOOR FULL (
ANTS ": X 0 N WET1 HE CDN'T MAKE UP A B$
= HMF4
  8..,RAMA ,RAMA ,SITA ,RAMA1 ,RAMA
,RAMA ,SITA .,RAMA40
  8..,RAMA ,RAMA ,SITA .,RAMA10 ,AN& RE-
P1T$4
  ,!N ,MR ,BISWAS =GOT ,AN& & 2GAN TO
CURSE4 ,HE CURS$ ,AJODHA1 ,PUNDIT ,JAI-
RAM1 ,MRS ,TULSI1 ,%AMA1 ,SE?4
  8,SAY .,RAMA .,RAMA1 BOY40
  8..,RAMA ,RAMA ,SITA .,RAMA40
  ,! RA9 ABAT$4
  ,:5 ,AN& LOOK$ \TSIDE1 ! M5 "U ! H\SE
_H G"O ) _! .TANNIA L1VES1 L1V+ A D1D1
H>DLY-SMOK+ FIRE4
  8,Y SEE !M80                      #DHI
  ,! RA9 CAME AG4 ,LI<TN+ FLA%$ & FLA%$1
?"U EXPLOD$ & ROLL$4
  ,! PROCES.N (! ANTS 3T9U$4 ,AN& 2GAN
KILL+ !M )! WALK+-/ICK4 ,:5"E HE CRU%$ A
GR\P C>RY+ A LIV+ W+$ ANT1 ! ANTS BROKE
UP1 )\T 3FU.N OR HA/E1 RE-=M$1 TOOK AWAY
:AT !Y CD (! CRU%$ BODY & C>RI$ AWAY _!
D1D4 ,AN& /RUCK & /RUCK ) 8 /ICK4 ,A %>P
PA9 RAN UP 8 >M4 ,ON 8 H& HE SAW AN ANT1
XS BODY RAIS$1 XS P9C]S BURI$ 9 8 SK94
,:5 HE LOOK$ AT ! WALK+-/ICK HE SAW T X
0 ALIVE ) BIT+ ANTS CRAWL+ UPW>DS4 ,HE 0
SU45LY T]RIFI$ ( !M1 _! ANG]1 _! V9DIC-
TIVE;S1 _! NUMB]4 ,HE ?REW ! /ICK AWAY F
HM4 ,X FELL 96A PU4LE4
  ,! RO( ROSE & DROPP$1 GR9D+ & FLAPP+4
,! H\SE %OOK4
  8..,RAMA ,RAMA ,SITA .,RAMA10 ,AN& SD4
  8,O ,GOD6 ,!Y -+60
  8,!Y .G"O60 ,AN& %\T$ ANGRILY4
  ,MR ,BISWAS MUTT]$ HYMNS 9 ,H9DI &
,5GLI%1 LEFT !M UNF9I%$1 CURS$1 ROLL$ ON
! B$1 8 FACE / EXPRESS+ ONLY EXASP],N4
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?R[+ ! ROOM 96D>K;S = SECONDS1 !N   #DIJ
%"O AG4
  ,A %AK+ ON ! RO(1 A GROAN1 A PROL;G$
GR9D+ NOISE1 & ,AN& KNEW T A %EET ( COR-
RUGAT$ IRON _H BE5 TORN (F4 ,"O %EET 0
LEFT LOOSE4 ,X FLAPP$ & JANGL$ 3T9U\SLY4
,AN& WAIT$ =! FALL (! %EET T _H BE5 BL[N
(F4
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LOOSE IRON %EET2 ! W9D PU%+ AG/ ! H\SE1
PAUS+1 & PU%+ AG4
  ,!N "! 0 A RO> T OV]RODE !M ALL4 ,:5 X
/RUCK ! H\SE ! W9D[ BUR/ OP51 ! LAMP W5T
9/ANTLY \1 ! RA9 LA%$ IN1 ! LI<TN+ LIT
UP ! ROOM &! _W \TSIDE1 & :5 ! LI<TN+
W5T \ ! ROOM 0 "P (! BLACK VOID4
  ,AN& 2GAN 6SCR1M4
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W9D[1 LI<T ! LAMP4
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RA9 & W9D SWEPT "? ! ROOM ) UNNEC /R5G?
& =C$ OP5 ! DOOR 6! DRAW+ROOM1 WALL-
LESS1 FLOOR.S1 (! H\SE ,MR ,BISWAS _H
BUILT4
                                    #DIA
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  ,RA9 & W9D S"M$ 8 VOICE1 OV]TURN$ !
LAMP1 MADE ! ROCK+*AIR ROCK & SKID1 RAT-
TL$ ! KIT*5 SAFE AG/ ! WALL1 DE/ROY$ ALL
SMELL4 ,LI<TN+1 FLA%+ 9T]MITT5TLY1 /EEL-
BLUE EXPLOD+ 96:ITE1 %[$ ! ANTS 3T9U,Y
4>RAY$1 3T9U,Y RE-=M+4
  ,!N ,AN& SAW A LI<T SWAY+ 9 ! D>K4 ,X
0 A MAN1 B5D+ =W>D AG/ ! RA91 A HURRI-
CANE LAMP 9 "O H&1 A CUTLASS 9 ! O!R4 ,!
LIV+ FLAME 0 L A MIRACLE4
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A JUTEBAG OV] 8 H1D & %\LD]S L A CAPE4
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8 KNEES4 ,! HURRICANE LAMP %[$ GL9T+
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AWAY4
  8,OH1 MY POOR LL CALF60 HE CALL$4
8,OH1 MY POOR LL CALF60
  ,HE CLOS$ ! DRAW+ROOM DOOR4 ,! LAMP
ILLUM9AT$ A WET *AOS4 ,HE /RU7L$ )! W9-
D[4 ,Z SOON Z HE _H PULL$ X A LL WAY F !
WALL 6: X 0 P9N$1 ! W9D1 RIS+1 GAVE A
PU%1 &! W9D[ SLAMM$ %UT1 MAK+       #DIB
,RAMKHILAWAN JUMP BACK4 ,HE TOOK (F !
DRIPP+ JUTEBAG F 8 H1D & %\LD]S2 8 %IRT
/UCK 6HIS SK94
  ,! OIL LAMP 0 N BROK54 ,"! EV5 REMA9$
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:OLE4 ,RAMKHILAWAN BR"\ \ A DAMP BOX (
MAT*ES F 8 TR\S] POCKET & PUT A LI<T$
MAT* 6! WICK4 ,! WICK1 WAT]LO7$1 SPLUT-
T]$2 ! MAT* BURN$ D[N2 ! WICK CAU<T4















            #F4 ,A ,DE"PURE         #DIC

  ,A MESSAGE _H 6BE S5T 6,HANUMAN ,H\SE4
,! LAB\R]S ALW RESPOND$ 6! MELODRAMATIC
& CALAMIT\S1 & "! 7 _M VOLUNTE]S4 ,"?
RA9 & W9D & ?"U A MESS5G] W5T T EV5+ TO
,>WACAS & DRAMATIC,Y UNFOLD$ 8 TALE (
CALAM;Y4
  ,MRS ,TULSI &! "Y] GOD 7 9 ,PORT (
,SPA94 ,%AMA 0 9 ! ,ROSE ,ROOM2 ! MID-
WIFE _H BE5 ATT5D+ ^U H] = TWO "DS4
  ,SI/]S & _! HUSB&S HELD A C\NCIL4
  8,I DID ALW ?9K HE 0 MAD10 ,*9TA SD4
  ,SU%ILA1 ! *ILD.S WID[1 SPOKE ) H]
SICKROOM AU?OR;Y4 8,X ISN'T AB ,MOHUN ,I
AM WORRI$1 B ! *N40
  ,PADMA1 ,SE?'S WIFE1 ASK$1 8,:AT D Y
?9K HE IS SICK )80
  ,SUMATI ! FLO7] SD1 8,MESSAGE ONLY SD
T HE 0 V SICK40
  8,& T 8 H\SE _H BE5 PRACTIC,Y BL[N
AWAY10 ,JAI'S "M A4$4
  ,"! 7 "S SMILES4
  8,I AM SORRY 6CORRECT Y1 ,SUMATI SIS-
T]10 ,*9TA SD4 8,B ,MESSAGE SD T HE
WASN'T "R 9 8 H1D40                 #DID
  ,SE? SD1 8,I SUPPOSE WE H 6BR+ ! PA4L]
HOME40
  ,! M5 GOT R1DY 6G 6,GRE5 ,VALE2 !Y 7 Z
EXCIT$ Z ! MESS5G]4
  ,! SI/]S BU/L$ AB1 IMPRESS+ & MY/IFY+
! *N4 ,SU%ILA1 :O O3UPI$ ! ,BLUE ,ROOM
:5 ! GOD 0 AWAY1 CLE>$ X ( ALL P]SONAL1
WOMANLY ?+S2 M* ( H] "T 0 DEVOT$ 6KEEP+
! MY/]IES ( WOM5 F M54 ,%E AL BURN$ C]-
TA9 EVIL-SMELL+ H]BS 6PURIFY & PROTECT !
H\SE4
  8,SAVI10 ! *N SD1 8"S?+ HAPP5 6YR PAP-
PA40
  ,& !Y /UCK P9S 9 ! WICKS ( LAMPS 6KEEP
MIS=TUNE & D1? AWAY4
  ,9 ! V]&AH & 9 E B$ROOM UP/AIRS B$S 7
MADE E>LI] ?AN USUAL1 LAMPS 7 TURN$ L[1
&! *N FELL ASLEEP1 LULL$ 0! S.D (! RA94
,D[N/AIRS ! SI/]S SAT SIL5TLY >.D ! L;G
TA#1 _! VEILS PULL$ CLOSE OV] _! H1DS &
%\LD]S4 ,!Y PLAY$ C>DS & R1D NEWSPAP]S4
,*9TA 0 R1D+ ! .,RAMAYANA2 %E 3T9U,Y SET
H]F NEW AMBI;NS & AT ! MO;T WANT$ 6BE !
F/ WOMAN 9 ! FAMILY 6R1D ! EPIC F 2G9N+
65D4 ,O3A.N,Y ! C>D-PLAY]S *UCK-    #DIE
L$4 ,*9TA 0 "S"TS CALL$ 6LOOK AT ! C>DS
"O SI/] _H2 (T5 ! TEMPT,N 0 TOO GRT1 &
,*9TA1 ADOPT+ H] FR[N+ C>D-PLAY+ MANN]1
& N SAY+ A ^W1 /AY$ 6PLAY ! H&1 TAPP+
EA* C>D 2F %E PLAY$ X1 ?R[+ D[N ! W9N+
C>D )! CRACK %E CD D S WELL1 !N1 / SI-
L5T1 GO+ BACK 6! .,RAMAYANA4 ,! MIDWIFE1
AN OLD1 ?91 9SCRUTA# ,MADRASSI1 CAME 6!
HALL & SAT ON H] HAUN*ES 9 A CORN]1
SMOK+1 SIL5T1 H] EYES B"R4 ,C(FEE SIMM]$
9 ! KIT*52 XS SMELL FILL$ ! HALL4
  ,:5 ! M5 RETURN$1 DRIPP+1 ) ,AN&
SLEEPILY & TE>;LLY WALK+ 2S !M & ,GOV9D
C>RY+ ,MR ,BISWAS 9 8 >MS1 "! 0 RELIEF1
& "S 4APPO9T;T4 ,MR ,BISWAS 0 N WILD OR
VIOL5T2 HE MADE NO SPEE*ES2 HE DID N
PRET5D HE 0 DRIV+ A MOTORC> OR PICK+ CO-
COA--! TWO AC;NS POPUL>LY ASSOCIAT$ )
9SAN;Y4 ,HE ONLY LOOK$ DEEPLY EXASP]AT$
& FATIGU$4
  ,GOV9D & ,MR ,BISWAS _H N SPOK5 S9CE
_! FI<T4 ,0C>RY+ ,MR ,BISWAS 9 8 >MS
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HE _H ASSUM$ AU?OR;Y'S P[] 6RESCUE &
ASSI/ :5 "! 0 NE$1 AU?OR;Y'S IM-    #DIF
P]SONAL P[] 6=GIVE4
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AF ,AN&1 DRY+ 8 HAIR1 TAK+ (F 8 WET
CLO!S & GIV+ HM "S ( ,VIDIADH>'S1 GIV+
HM FOOD1 TAK+ HM UP/AIRS & F9D+ A PLACE
= HM AM;G ! SLEEP+ BOYS4
  ,MR ,BISWAS 0 PUT 9 ! ,BLUE ,ROOM1
GIV5 DRY CLO!S & CAUTI\SLY (F]$ A CUP (
HOT SWEET5$ MILK ) NUTMEG1 BR&Y & LUMPS
( R$ BUTT]4 ,HE /ILL$ REMA9+ FE>S 0TAK+
! CUP )\T A3ID5T1 & DR9K+ C>E;LLY4
  ,HE WELCOM$ ! W>M? & REASSUR.E (!
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TR\S]S SA7$2 HE _H GR[N ?9N]4 ,HE REMEM-
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(! TWELVE B>RACKROOMS4
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BISCUITS & BUTT] HE TOLD H]1 8,I AM GO+
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& DIDN'T ASK ": HE 0 GO+4
  ,HE 0 GO+ \ 96! _W1 6TE/ X = XS P[] TO
F"R54 ,! PA/ 0 C.T]FEIT1 A S]IES ( *1T+
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HE>D ! *N L1VE = S*OOL HE W5T D[N/AIRS4
,HE 0 SE51 B NO "O CALL$ \ 6HM3 ! SUIT-
CASE 0 N (A SIGNIFICANT SIZE4
  ,! ,HI< ,/REET 0 ALR BUSY4 ,! M>KET 0
ALIVE3 A HI< SMELL ( M1T & FI%1 A /1DY
DULL RO> 5LIV5$ 0%RIEKS &! R++ ( BELLS4
,! HAB]DA%]S 7 -+ IN1 ON HORSE-C>TS1
DONKEY-C>TS & OX-C>TS3 AMBITI\S M5 :O
SET UP LL BOXES & EXPOS$ /OCKS ( -BS &
HAIRP9S & BRU%ES 9 FRONT ( L>GE /ORES T
SOLD ! SAME ?+4
  ,! SPASMS ( T]ROR DIDN'T -E4 ,! KNOTS
( FE> 7 / 9 8 /OMA*1 B !Y 7 S SUBDU$ HE
KNEW HE CD IGNORE !M4 ,! _W _H BE5
RE/OR$ 6HM4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ! NAILS    #EAC
( 8 LEFT H&2 !Y 7 / :OLE4 ,HE TE/$ !M
AG/ 8 PALM2 !Y 7 %>P & CUTT+4
  ,HE WALK$ PA/ ! ,R$ ,ROSE ,TEA ,IS ,GD
,TEA SIGN2 PA/ ! RUM%OP )! VA/ AWN+2 PA/
! ,ROMAN ,CA?OLIC *UR*2 ! C\RT H\SE2 PA/
! POLICE /,N1 PRIMLY O*RE-&-R$1 XS LAWN
& H$GES TRIMM$1 ! DRIVE L9$ ) L>GE :ITE-
WA%$ /"OS & PALM TREES :1 :ITEWA%$ HALF-
WAY UP _! TRUNKS1 LOOK$ L ! LEGS ( ,PRA-
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BU6ALO-POND4













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