manners and mutiny (finishing school #4) by gail carriger (preview)

7/23/2019 Manners and Mutiny (Finishing School #4) by Gail Carriger (PREVIEW)

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fiifsdfig smdkkn bkkh tdl ekurtd

Nfttnl, Brkwi aij Mkcpaiy

Ilw Vkrh Bkstki


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!"#$#$ &

Fimkgiftk fi Mdaramtlr

Abann, at nast! Jfcfty Pnucnlfgd-Zlfgicktt saih bamh

fitk dlr mdafr fi jlnfgdt.

At tdl dlaj tabnl, Cajlckfslnnl Glranjfil fiifsdlj

dlr aiikuimlclit wftd a sfcfnar mknnapsl, stays dlav-

fig wftd rlprlsslj lxmftlclit. ]dl wkunj ikt bl attlijfig safj

bann, as sdl ilvlr nlet smdkkn grkuijs, but sdl apprlmfatlj tdatdlr ykuig najfls ke quanf-taywlrl abkut tk ligagl fi a skmfan

lvlit kegrlat fcpkrt. Najy Nfilttl put a glitnfig daij tk tdl

dlajcfstrlsss arc, wary ke a eunn fielmtfki ke fluttlrfigs.

Ft was tkk natl. Zdl smdkkn lruptlj fitk mdattlr.

Fts kiny Buiskis, Prlsdla Buss safj tk Jfcfty. Wl hikw

ann tdl bkys tdlrl, aij ckst ke tdl blst prksplmts davl gkil ki

tk uifvlrsfty.

Kd, bumh up, Prlsdla, jk. Zdat clais erlsd clat. Vku

sdkunj bl tdrfnnlj, sfiml yku prlelr ykur ykuig cli fiikmlit

aij rfpl ekr tdl pnumhfig, sdkt bamh ]kpdrkifa.


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Prlsdla mkunjit rleutl tdatfi a way, ft was quftl tdl mkc-

pnfclit. ]k sdl turilj dlr bamh ki ]kpdrkifa aij dlr erflijs.

]kpdrkifa sfpplj dlr tla, ellnfig vfmtkrfkus, grlli lyls

asslssfig tdl rlamtfkis ke tdksl arkuij dlr. Jfcftys jlnfgdtwas tk bl lxplmtlj. Agatda Wkksckss, tdlfr ktdlr mnksl erflij,

was iktabny rltfmlit wdli mkierkitlj wftd nargl gatdlrfigs

fivknvfig tdl kppksftl slx. ]dl daj vlry flusdlj mdllhs tdat

sugglstlj fitlrlstkr pkssfbny paranytfm elar. Zdl jlbuts wlrl

fi a tfgdt dujjnl kvlr tdl ]mkils ke Fifqufty aij tdl Oac ke

Zrlpfjatfki. Prkelsskr Braftdwkpl was bkuimfig fi dfs mdafr

nfhl a jlnfgdtlj baby, antdkugd dl wkunj ikt bl attlijfig. Prk-

elsskr Nlekuxs nfp was murnlj fi jfsgust as sdl stkkj tk cahl tdl

suplrvfskry rkuijs.

Wdat tk wlar; curcurlj Jfcfty, rknnfig a Mdlnsla bui

bltwlli tducb aij ekrlfiiglr.

Prkelsskr Nlekux pkuimlj. Cfss Pnucnlfgd-Zlfgicktt, wdat

arl yku jkfig tk tdat bui; Vkur fiiglrs arl ann kvlr stfmhy. Kiny

nkkh at tdl mrucbs. Aij ykuvl cfspnamlj murraits. Vku sdkunj

hikw blttlr.Jfcfty jrkpplj tdl bui.

]kpdrkifa oucplj fi. Wl arl wkrhfig ki a naiguagl ekr

mrucb aij murrait mkccuifmatfki.

Prkelsskr Nlekux was ikt ekknlj. Fijllj; Pray mkitfiul.

Zdl iucblr aij nkmatfki ke tdl mrucbs fijfmatls fitlit.

Aij tdl murraits;

Fistrumtfkis, ke mkursl.

Aij dkw jk yku prkpksl tk mkitrkn quaitfty wdli utfnfzfig

nlss ajdlsfvl brlaj ftlcs;


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(

Zdat rlqufrls eurtdlr stujy. ]kpdrkifa was brazli tk

tdl lij.

Prkelsskr Nlekux sifeelj. Plrdaps yku sdkunj stfmh tk nlss clssy

ekrcs ke mkccuifmatfki. But ykur fivlitfvlilss das clrft.Ft was, ke mkursl, fcpkssfbnl tk tlnn wdltdlr tdfs mkcpnfclit

was jfrlmtlj at tdl fjla ke a mrucb mkccuifmatfki systlc kr

wdltdlr Prkelsskr Nlekux was mkcpnfclitfig ]kpdrkifa ki

mkcfig up wftd ai lxmusl ekr Jfcftys cfsdaijnfig ke buis.

Wdatlvlr tdl masl, Prkelsskr Nlekux maugdt sfgdt ke kil ke tdl

jlbuts amtuanny tkssfigdlr bui at aiktdlr gfrn aij jasdlj away

wftdkut eurtdlr mkcclit.

Jfcfty atl dlr stfmhy trlat blekrl ft mkunj rlsunt fi ckrl

uiwaitlj attlitfki. ]dl sdkvlj dlr lcpty mrucb-mkvlrlj

pnatl fi erkit ke ]kpdrkifa. Gk ki, tdli, rlaj tdlc.

Agatda gfggnlj. Nfhl Cajacl ]pltuia.

Wdat jk tdl mrucbs say ke cy euturl; Jfcftys rkuij eaml

was laglr.

]kpdrkifa blit kvlr tdl mariagl aij cuttlrlj, Vku sdann

carry wlnn aij nfvl a nkig aij dappy nfel. ]k nkig as yku avkfjann mkitamt wftd . . . ]dl jrlw kut tdl susplisl.

Jfcfty duig ki dlr wkrjs. Vls;

]turglki.

Wdat, tdl fisd;

]turglki bkjls yku fnn wfnn. Blwarl, kr ann wfnn bl nkst.

Jfcfty grfiilj. Kd gkkjilss cl, dkw kcfikus. Aij dkw

jacp.

Agatda sdkvlj dlr mrucby pnatl amrkss tdl tabnl. Jk cfil;

]kpdrkifa assuclj a slpunmdran tkil. Vku wfnn mausl a stfr


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fi dfgd skmflty wftd ykur wft aij mdarc. Agatda bnusdlj. ]k

nkig as yku annkw ykurslne tk splah ki kmmasfki. Blwarl . . .

Blwarl wdat;

Pdfnkskpdy!Kd, gkkj, Fc anrlajy quftl wary. Jk ykur kwi ekrtuil;

Lvlrykil hikws a gfrn mait prljfmt dlr kwi euturl. Kut

ke tdl mkrilr ke dlr lyl, ]kpdrkifa watmdlj Prkelsskr Nlekux

rlturi tk dlr slat. Najy Nfilttl stkkj aij blgai tk ckvl erkc

kil tla tabnl tk tdl ilxt. ]dl was cahfig ai aiikuimlclit,

glstfmunatfig at lamd stujlit fi turi, aij ckvfig ki, nlavfig

bldfij a cumd qufltlr aij ckrl tdkugdteun gaggnl.

Jfcfty tkkh ]kpdrkifas pnatl. Zdl Mdlnsla bui atkp ft was

uitkumdlj.

Agatda nkkhlj brfgdt lylj aij fiqufsftfvl. Wdat jkls ft

say abkut kur ]kpdrkifa, Jfcfty;

Zdat sdl das tlrrfbnl tastl, aij sdkunj hikw wdli tk stkp

tlnnfig fibs aij sfcpny lat dlr bui.

Agatda aij ]kpdrkifa wlrl bktd startnlj fitk a naugd.

Jfcfty atl ]kpdrkifas bui, sfiml ft was mnlar dlr erflijwasit gkfig tk ammkrj ft gastrkikcfm rlsplmt. Zdli sdl turilj

tdl mkivlrsatfki kitk dlr eavkrftl tkpfm, attfrl. ]k, wdat wfnn

yku wlar tk tdl bann, Agatda;

Zdl rljdlaj nkkhlj jkubteun. ]dl daj rlmlitny lxmdaiglj

cumd ke dlr tubbfilss arkuij tdl cfjjnl ekr lijkwclits eur-

tdlr up. Cajlckfslnnl Glranjfil was ckst fcprlsslj by wdat

sdl rlelrrlj tk as Cfss Wkkscksss fimrlaslj asslts aij alstdltfm

abfnftfls. Agatda was ckrtffilj. Ekrtuiatlny, kr uiekrtuiatlny

erkc Agatdas plrsplmtfvl, sdl daj a eatdlr wdk tkkh a hlli

fitlrlst fi tdl natlst easdfkisckrl ekr wdat ft safj abkut dfs


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clais tdai ekr wdat ft cfgdt jk ekr dfs jaugdtlrs staijfig. As

a rlsunt, Agatda daj caiy gkwis tk mdkksl erkc.

Ik kil ashlj ]kpdrkifa wdat sdl wkunj wlar. Dlr kwi fig-

url was jlmlit likugd aij daj ikt sdfetlj substaitfanny jur-fig dlr tfcl at Cajlckfslnnl Glranjfils Efifsdfig Amajlcy

ekr Vkuig Najfls ke Quanfty. Ekrtuiatl fijllj, as sdl subsfstlj

cafiny ki dlr sfstlrs mastkees. Zdksl sfstlrs davfig carrflj

away, mastkees wlrl fimrlasfigny rarl. ]kpdrkifa daj kiny kil

bann gkwi, aij ft was a traisekrcatfki jrlss tdat slrvlj jkubnl

juty as dlr blst vfsftfig jrlss.

Jlspftl dlr caiy kptfkis, Agatda was a prkbnlc. Fj nfhl tk

wlar tdl custarj.

]kpdrkifa supprlsslj a mdkhl.

Jfcfty was glitnl wftd tdlfr erflij. Kd, but tdl panl nlcki

fs cumd ckrl stynfsd.

Ikt tk clitfki ckrl blmkcfig tk dlr mkcpnlxfki, tdkugdt

]kpdrkifa.

But tdl nlcki fs sk vlry flueey. Agatda jfj ikt uijlrstaij

tdat tdfs was a gkkj tdfig.]kpdrkifa aij Jfcfty lxmdaiglj a nkkh.

Ft das a cumd ifmlr mut, Jfcfty prlsslj.

Fts tkk nkw! Agatda fluttlrlj dlr daijs abkut dlr mdlst.

Jfcfty was wfsteun. Lxamtny! Wdat F wkunjit gfvl tk . . .

Jfcfty daj trflj lvlry rlcljy ekr bust fcprkvlclit tdat

Cajlckfslnnl Glranjfil sugglstlj, erkc cassagl wftd a tfim-

turl ke cyrrd, pfcplriln, lnjlr-flkwlr, aij rlmtffilj spfrfts,

tk prlparatfkis ke iux vkcfma cfxlj wftd Cajlfra, tk a jflt

mkcpkslj cafiny ke mkcekrtfig, brlast-pacplrfig ekkjstuees.

Jfcfty jfj ikt fiij tdl jflt mdannligfig, as ft lcpdasfzlj


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pastry, cfnh, pktatkls, aij sfcfnarny earfiamlkus ekkjs. Dkw-

lvlr, sdl was ansk avkfjfig tla aij rlerafifig erkc fijungfig

fi aiglr, grfle, wkrry, aij olankusy. Lcktfkis, lvlrykil hilw,

aeelmtlj tdl sfzl aij quanfty ke kils lijkwclits. But jlspftldlr leekrts, iktdfig daj, sk ear, fcprkvlj.

F sdkunj gfvl yku cy sdarl fe F mkunj. Agatda was iktdfig

fe ikt glilrkus.

Jfcfty was lxamtny as plrmlptfvl as plkpnl ilvlr gavl dlr

mrljft ekr. ]k sdl stkpplj prlssurfig Agatda aij safj tk ]kpd-

rkifa, Vkurl vlry subjulj tdfs lvlifig. Arl yku ilrvkus;

Abkut a bann; ]kpdrkifa was ckmh keelijlj.

Abkut Elnfx blfig at tdl bann.

Fcagls flasdlj tdrkugd ]kpdrkifas cfij. Elnfxs blautf-

eun panl lyls nfilj fi hkdn. Dfs jarh dafr. Dfs nlg bnlljfig. Dfs

warifig dlr, tkk natl. Aij tdat eatleun sdkt, aij ]kap eannfig.

Ft was ann sk mkcpnfmatljaij tk tdfih dl was krfgfianny iktd-

fig ckrl tdai a clais ekr pramtfmfig flfrtatfki. F mai daijnl

kur jlar Nkrj Clrsly.

Jfcfty was uimkivfimlj. Kd, yls; Zdli lxpnafi tdlclnaimdkny.

Plrdaps Fc bkrlj.

Wftd wdat; ashlj Agatda.

Kd, yku hikw. Enfrtfig, prltty jrlss, lspfkiagl . . . jlatd.

Jfcfty dueelj. Na yku! F sllc tk rlclcblr skclkil lioky-

fig Prkelsskr Braftdwkpls nlsski ki rlskurmleun rltfmunls tdfs

aetlrikki. Lvli fe dl fs ann kvlr jktty.

Zrul. Plrdaps Fc rlstnlss.

]mdkkn ikt lxmftfig likugd aetlr stlanfig trafis; Agatda

skuijlj sycpatdltfm.


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Jfcfty mkmhlj dlr dlaj. Dkgwasd. Clitfki ke tdl bann

brkugdt tdfs ki. Fe fts ikt Elnfx, tdli ]dl pauslj. Kd.

Vku cfss Cr. ]kap. Fts ikt nfhl dl mkunj davl amtuanny lsmkrtlj

yku, ]kpdrkifa.F hikw. Ke fts kwi ammkrj, ]kpdrkifas daij jlnvlj fitk

a slmrlt pkmhlt wdlrl ]kaps natlst cfssfvl, ckitds knj, rlstlj

mrucpnlj aij wlnn rlaj. Zdat sdl dlarj erkc dfc at ann was a

oky, but tdat skclkil lnsl was tlamdfig dfc tk rlaj aij wrftl

was bfttlrswllt. Dl sllcs vlry ear away.

Pkkr nfttnl blai. Jfcfty was a gkkj likugd erflij tk syc-

patdfzl wftd ]kpdrkifas dlartamdl, lvli tdkugd sdl elnt tdat

tdl kbolmt ke tdat aeelmtfki was fiapprkprfatl.

]kpdrkifa apprlmfatlj tdfs. Aij part ke dlr skrrkw was

tdat, fi tdl lij, sdl agrllj wftd Jfcfty. ]kap was fiapprk-

prfatl. Wdat euturl jfj tdly davl kutsfjl ke skmfan kstramfsc;

Dl was, fi tdl lyls ke skmflty, tdl wrkig mnass, tdl wrkig shfi

mknkr, aij ikw, tdl wrkig splmfls. \gd, tdfs fs glttfig cauj-

nfi. Zdlrl fs iktdfig aiy ke us mai jk abkut ft.

]kpdrkifa grkplj jlsplratlny ekr tdl kil tkpfm tdat wkunjguaraitll dlr blst erflijs jfstramtfki. ]k, Jfcfty, wdat wfnn

ykuwlar tk tdl bann;

Jfcfty mdarglj ekrtd tk mkiqulr tdl mkivlrsatfki, tahfig ik

prfskilrs. F was tdfihfig abkut tdl pfih, but ft fs a elw slaskis

knj aij F davlwkri ft blekrl. Wdat jk yku tdfih; Ft prkolmts a

mlrtafi dappy fiikmliml tdat cfgdt bl lxamtny tdl tdfigwdli

surrkuijlj by lvfn glifusls. Zdli agafi, tdlrls tdl olwlnry tk

mkisfjlr. Fj davl tk wlar cy plarns, aij plarns cay bl tkk jrab

ekr a wfitlr bann. But tdly arl rlanny tdl kiny tdfig tdat wkrhs

wftd tdl pfih. ]k tdli F tdkugdt plrdaps tdl kraigl. Ft fs sumd a


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bknj statlclit. Zdl nlvln ke caturfty aij mkisfjlratfki rlqufrlj

tk wlar kraigl at cy agl cfgdt cahl tdl ykuig cli tahl cl

slrfkusny. But jk F waittk bl tahli slrfkusny; Aij tdli F tdkugdt

tdl plamd, but ft ilvlr rlanny rlmkvlrlj erkc tdl wdknl hfjiap-pfig aij wlrlwkne traispkrt kplratfki. ]k tdli F tdkugdt

]kpdrkifa aij Agatda wlrl mkitlit tk nlt dlr racbnl.

Zdlrl was skcltdfig mkcekrtfig abkut tdl ekrml ke fitlnnlmt

Jfcfty brkugdt tk blar ki dlr apparln. Caifpunatfki tdrkugd

prkplr jrlss was by ear dlr blst subolmt. ]dl mkunj prattnl ki

dappfny abkut lxamtny tdl ackuit ke jfsrlgarj liglijlrlj by

lfgdt rueflls, as kppkslj tk sfx, aij wdy kil cfgdt, kr cfgdt

ikt, wait tk ajj a sasd fitk tdl lquatfki.

Zdli Najy Nfilttl arrfvlj at tdlfr tabnl. Vkur attlitfki,

pnlasl. Cfss Buss, yku as wlnn. Ikw, F apprlmfatl yku arl ann

lxmftlj abkut tdl wfitlr bann, but wl tlamdlrs arl ajjfig kur

kwi splmfan twfst tk tdl kmmasfki.

Ik kil at tdl tabnl was surprfslj. Zdly wlrl knj dats at tdfs

hfij ke tdfig. Plrdaps ikt knj dats, but fistlaj, tdly wlrl nast

slaskis gnkvls, skfnlj but stfnn suftlj tk aiy kmmasfki, fimnujfigfimnlclit wlatdlr aij jlaj bkjy jfspksan.

Vku arl ann tk attlij. Vls, lvli yku, Cfss Wkksckss. But

yku arl ikt attlijfig as ykurslnvls. Fistlaj, fi mkisfjlratfki ke

kur rlmlit smdkknwfjl ekmus ki fjlitfty sdfet, yku arl tk attlij

tdfs bann as lamd ktdlr, wftdfi ykur ylar grkup. As yku ekur arl

lstabnfsdlj stujlits, blttlr amquafitlj wftd kil aiktdlr tdai

tdl ykuiglr gfrns, F lxplmt yku tk lxlmutl plrelmtny aij slt a

gkkj lxacpnl. Vku wfnn, ke mkursl, bl lvanuatlj ki ykur plrekr-

caimls. Cfss Zlccfiifmhsdl pkfitlj tk ]kpdrkifayku

arl tk gk as Cfss Wkksckss. Cfss Wkksckss as Cfss Pnucnlfgd-


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Zlfgicktt. Cfss Pnucnlfgd-Zlfgicktt as Cfss Buss. Aij Cfss

Buss as Cfss Zlccfiifmh.

Prlsdla gavl ]kpdrkifa a dkrrffilj nkkh.

]kpdrkifa was tdkugdteun. Zdlrl wlrl jaiglrkus avliuls keckmhlry fidlrlit fi tdfs assfgiclit. Zdly wkunj ann davl tk

bl marleun ikt tk fisunt tdl plrski tdly lcunatlj, wdfnl jkfig

a gkkj likugd okb tk mkivfiml tdl tlamdlrs. Zdat was prkbabny

part ke tdl tlst. Ik jkubt tdly wkunj lamd bl ashlj dkw wlnn

tdly tdkugdt tdl ktdlr plrski liamtlj tdlc.

Agatda nkkhlj tlrrffilj aij Jfcfty ikipnusslj.

Prlsdla waitlj tdl fcpkrtait partfmunars. Jk wl davl

tk bkrrkw lamd ktdlrs mnktdfig; ]kpdrkifa kiny das kil bann

gkwi. Mkunj F usl skcltdfig ke cfil aij cahl ft nkkh as knj-

easdfkilj aij bkrfig as dlr jrlss; Prlsdla anways spkhl fi a

mnfpplj tkil. ]kpdrkifa tdkugdt sdl wkunj davl tk wkrh ki

dlr jfmtfki fe sdl waitlj tk skuij nfhl ]kpdrkifa.

Najy Nfilttl daj blli lxplmtfig tdat qulstfki. Vku cay.

Fts blttlr fe yku mai bkrrkw, but Fc wlnn awarl ikt ann ke yku

davl tdl clais, kr tdl abfnfty, sfzl-wfsl, tk jrlss as kil aiktdlr.Vku arl tk kbly tdl stynl, but ikt ilmlssarfny tdl stftmdfig, ke

tdl assfgiclitas ft wlrl.

]kpdrkifa was prfvatlny rlnflvlj. ]dlj datl tk gfvl dlr kiny

bann gkwi tk Prlsdla. Zdl gfrn wkunj spfnn mraiblrry mkrjfan ann

kvlr ft kut ke purl spftl.

Najy Nfilttl jrfetlj kee, davfig tdrkwi a vlrftabnl stkat

ackig tdl wkkjmkmhs.

Zdl dlavy sfnliml was brkhli by Prlsdlas nkuj Wlnn, at

nlast F jfjit gltAgatda. Mai yku fcagfil; Clfi knfvl jrab.

Dlr varfkus mkdkrts at tdl ilxt tabnl tfttlrlj kbnfgfigny.


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Agatda, ammustkclj tk sumd barbs, jfjit flfimd. F wfnn davl

tk wlar sk caiy sparhnls.

Mai F jrlss yku as cl, Agatda; Jfcfty eafrny vfbratlj.

Kd, yku wfnn nkkh stuiifig!Agatda was jkubteun. Wfnn F fit ykur bkjfml;

Jfcftys scfnl was lvfn. Vkunn davl tk mfimd vlry tfgdt.

Agatda bnaimdlj aij safj durrfljny tk ]kpdrkifa, Vku mai

bkrrkw aiytdfig yku nfhl ke cfil, ke mkursl. Zdl nlcki rueflls,

lvli, antdkugd wlnn davl tk nligtdli tdl shfrt.

]kpdrkifa tdkugdt ylnnkw wkunj cahl dlr nkkh oauijfmlj.

Ft suftlj Agatda wlnn likugd, but ]kpdrkifa daj fijfeelrlit

brkwi dafr, shfi prkil tk erlmhnls, aij tdl kmmasfkian spkt.

Ft wkunj pnay dlnn wftd dlr mkcpnlxfki. Plrdaps tdl brkwi

strfpl; sdl ashlj dlsftaitny.

Jfcfty was appannlj. ]kpdrkifa, ykunn nkkh nfhl a gaigny

sparrkw! Ik keelisl, Agatda.

Ikil tahli.

Vls, but ftnn bl lasflr tk ajj a ruefll tk tdl bkttkc.

Jfcfty daj tk agrll wftd tdfs asslssclit. ]dl daj ft tdllasflst, ekr Prlsdla was anways lnlgait. Wlnn, plrdaps tdat

wasit lasy ekr Jfcfty. ]dlj davl tk nlavl kee dlr mustkcary

olwlnry, aij tdl plrskianfty swftmd was gkfig tk bl rkugd. Jfc-

fty wkunj davl tk bl mruln aij manmunatfig.

]kpdrkifa figurlj Najy Nfilttl daj mdksli splmffimanny wftd

sumd mdannligls fi cfij. Lamd ke tdlc daj blli assfgilj tdl

gfrn ckst uinfhl dlr kwi plrskianfty. Antdkugd ]kpdrkifa blt

Najy Nfilttl was fi ekr a surprfsl. ]dl daj a mlrtafi ackuit

ke Agatda fi dlr. Aij sdlj waglr gkkj ckily Jfcfty mkunj


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bl quftl claisdl was pnlity brutan tk dlr brktdlr gfvli tdl

snfgdtlst prkvkmatfki. ]kpdrkifa ansk elnt Agatda daj uitapplj

sparhnfig abfnftfls. Lvli Prlsdla was ckrl nfhl ]kpdrkifa tdai

sdl nfhlj tk ajcft. Zdly mlrtafiny bktd daj tdl sacl fitlr-lst fi manmunatlj caifpunatfki. Ft was kiny tdat ]kpdrkifa

daj a mkismfliml aij Prlsdla jfjit. ]dl was gratleun Prlsdla

daj blli assfgilj tk amt nfhl dlr fistlaj ke kil ke tdl ktdlrs.

Prlsdlas gkan wkunj bl tk ducfnfatl tdl kbolmt ke dlr fcfta-

tfki, as wlnn as kbly tdl nlttlr ke tdl assfgiclit. ]dl wkunj bl

gkkj at bktd. ]kpdrkifa was abnl tk wftdstaij ducfnfatfki

dlr erflijs wlrl ikt.

Zdus tdl ykuig najfls, kutfittlj fi lamd ktdlrs fiilstaij

lamd ktdlrs plrskianftflsjlsmlijlj upki Buiski aij Nam-

rkfxs Bkys Pknytlmdifqul ekr a wfitlr bann a elw wllhs natlr.

Zdlrl lxfstlj ik nfttnl aifcksfty bltwlli tdl twk smdkkns.

Zdly jfsagrllj ki tdl subolmts ke pknftfms, suplriaturan ammlp-

taiml, tlmdifquls ke fistrumtfki, aij tlatfcl prkvfsfkis. Buttdly wlrl nfihlj by ilmlssfty. Buiskis tkwi, ]wfefll-ki-Lxl,

was tdl way statfki ekr Cajlckfslnnl Glranjfils. Aij rlanny,

wdat ktdlr partilrs mkunj gfrns trafilj fi lspfkiagl fiij at

sdkrt iktfml, lxmlpt bkys trafilj as lvfn glifusls;

Zdl bkys anways lxplmtlj skcltdfig kjj erkc Glranjfils

gfrns, but tdly sllclj uimnlar abkut wdat lxamtny was kmmur-

rfig. Ilvlrtdlnlss, tdly sknjflrlj caieunny fi, rlqulstfig

jaimls erkc kut-ke-mdaramtlr ykuig najfls. Buiskis was ikt a

partfmunarny attramtfvl smdkkn, but tdlyj jkil up tdl bannrkkc


14/37

&'

tk ai lxtrlcl. Lvfn glifus-ilss was nfhl tdatsdkwy. Zdlrl

wlrl autkcatlj naitlris dfgd abkvl finnlj wftd a ylnnkw-

mknkrlj ikxfkus gas, susplijlj ki scann rafns erkc tdl mlfnfig.

Ekur clmdaifmans daj blli rlmkifigurlj as a strfig quartlt fikil mkrilr, wdlrl tdly pnaylj a rktatfig slrfls ke fivl, yls,fivl

wdknl skigs, kvlr aij kvlr. ]kclkils fiian prkolmt, ]kpdrkifa

dlarj tdl wdfsplrs. ]k gkkj dlj blli rlmruftlj jfrlmtny kut ke

smdkkn as a Muntfvatkr-mnass Pfmhnlcai.Ktdlr clmdaifmans mfrmu-

natlj, marryfig nargl brass trays nkajlj wftd ifbbnls aij puimd.

]kpdrkifa was suspfmfkus ke skcl ke tdl ifbbnls (tdly mkunj

bl lxpnksfvl), sk sdl stumh wftd rlmkgifzabnl ekkjstuees. ]kcl-

kil caiaglj tk jucp absfitdl fi tdl puimd, aij ft tkkh tli

wdknl cfiutls ekr Prkelsskr Nlekux tk jfsmkvlr ft aij krjlr a

ilw batmd. Zdfigs wlrl oknny fijllj, ekr tli cfiutls.

Zdl bkys daj mnlailj up as cumd as mkunj bl lxplmtlj erkc

tdksl fimnfilj tkwarj lvfn. Mfvfnftfls wlrl kbslrvlj tk lvli

Najy Nfilttls staijarjs. Marilts jl ban wlrl rlqulstlj aij

finnlj fi. ]kpdrkifa was prkuj ke dlrsft jkubnlj as a garrktl,

ackig ktdlr tdfigs. ]dl jfj ikt dknj ft up laglrny, as dlr mkc-patrfkts jfjtdat was ikt Agatdas way. ]dl shunhlj tk tdl

bamh ke tdl rkkc, fiijfig rleugl fi a scann mrkkh-nlgglj mdafr

dfjjli bldfij a razkr-ljglj cltan elri.

]kpdrkifa watmdlj fitlramtfkis tdrkugd fts eaiglj erkijs.

Zdlrl wlrl a iucblr ke uijlrstaijfigs bltwlli Glranjfils

gfrns aij Buiskis bkys, jlspftl a smdkkn pknfmy tdat fisfstlj

tdlsl bkys wlrl ekr pramtfml, ikt plrcailit nfafski. Zdlrl wlrl

mlrtafiny likugd nkig-ruiifig mkurtsdfps ekr tdl ykuig cli

tk hikw skcltdfig was uiusuan. Zdly apprkamdlj mustkcary


15/37

&(

kbolmts ke flfrtatfki kiny tk bl mkieuslj wdli mkivlrsatfkis

jlvfatlj kr jfj ikt kmmur at ann. Zdl eaml was tdl sacl, but tdl

jrlss aij fitlramtfki wlrl at kjjs wftd ann prlvfkus limkuitlrs.

Prlsdlaas ]kpdrkifawas flfrtfig kutraglkusny. Vlt NajyNfilttl jfj ikt kbolmt. Ac F tdat cumd ke a flfrt;]kpdrkifa

wkijlrlj. Prlsdla was lylfig Elnfx Clrsly aij ljgfig tkwarj

dfc. ]kpdrkifa dfj a sillr. Prlsdla wkunj davl jkil tdat ik

cattlr wdat. But ft sdkwlj sdl was uiawarl ke rlmlit dfstkry.

Ft was trul ]kpdrkifa cfgdt davl sdkwlj dfc eavkr, a ylar agk.

Ikt aiyckrl. Fi tdfs Prlsdla gkt dlr litfrlny wrkig.

Elnfx dajit slli ]kpdrkifa ylt, aij fe sdl daj dlr way, dl

ilvlr wkunj. Dl nkkhlj knjlr aij tfrlj. Dfs dafr was tkk nkig

aij dfs lyls snfgdtny suihli, wftdkut tdlfr mustkcary hkdn

nfilr. Daj dl blli fnn; Kr was tdat gufnt; Dl stfnn nkkhlj blttlr

tdai aiy ktdlr cai fi tdl rkkc, but dlr dlart ik nkiglr flut-

tlrlj at tdl sfgdt. Fistlaj sdl elnt . . . wdat; A snfgdt iausla at

pkssfbnl mkierkitatfki, cfxlj wftd cfikr jfsgust. ]kpdrkifa

daj mut kee ann mkrrlspkijliml wftd dfc nast Elbruary. ]dlj

rlturilj dfs nlttlrs uikplilj.Mrfhly, ]kpdrkifa, wdats tdl cattlr wftd ykur nkt tdfs lvl-

ifig; Ke ann plkpnl, Pfnnkvlr daj ekuij dlr dfjfig spkt.

Jfcftys nfttnl brktdlr daj a nkigstaijfig rlnatfkisdfp

ke sumd masuanilss wftd ]kpdrkifa as tk cahl dfc trlat tdl

bkuijarfls slt by pknftl skmflty wftd brktdlrny jfsrlgarj. ]kpd-

rkifa daj nlarilj tk ammlpt tdfs trlatclit, antdkugd sdl ekuij

ft uimannlj ekr8 aetlr ann, sdl anrlajy daj ckrl tdai dlr eafr

sdarl ke brktdlrs. ]kpdrkifa aij Pfnnkvlr wlrl ansk, sk ear as

]kpdrkifas cktdlr was mkimlrilj, ligaglj.


16/37

&)

Dlrl yku arl, nurhfig nfhl skcl rlnumtait dljgldkg. Ckst

kut ke mdaramtlr. Wdy, ekr gkkjilss sahl; Pfnnkvlr cust bl

ruefllj. \suanny dl ilvlr safj ckrl tdai kil slitliml fi a rkw.

]kpdrkifa nkkhlj at dlr tkls sk as ikt tk sdkw fitlrlst fi tdljaiml. ]dl jlarny nkvlj jaimfig, but Agatda datlj ft. Krjfiar-

fny sdl wkunj davl safj, Pfnnkvlr, ykurl pksftfvlny nkquamfkus.

Arl yku ruiifig a elvlr; But Agatda wkunjit, sk ]kpdrkifa

jfjit.

Dl nkkhlj dlr kvlr, dlaj tk tkl. Aij F mait spkt Bucblr-

sikkt ki yku aiywdlrl. Dl pnkpplj jkwi ilxt tk dlr wftdkut

waftfig ekr ai fivftatfki. Dl daj sdkt up fitk gaignfilss kvlr

tdl mkursl ke tdlfr amquafitaiml, ammfjlitanny muntfvatfig ai afr

ke jfssknutl fjnlilss tdat ckst najfls ekuij easmfiatfig. Zdly

tdkugdt dl daj a brkhli dlart fi illj ke rlpafrs. Fi amtuanfty,

dl was mkiougatfig Natfi vlrsl fi dfs dlaj. As tdlrl was iktd-

fig Pfnnkvlr jfsnfhlj ckrl tdai blfig tdl kbolmt ke elcfifil

attlitfki, dl rlcafilj uttlrny uickvlj by tdlfr fitlrlst. Zdfs,

ke mkursl, kiny cajl dfc ckrl jlsfrabnl.

]kpdrkifa; Pfnnkvlr daj nlet kee mannfig dlr Cfss Zlc-cfiifmh sdkrtny aetlr sdl ekrmlj dfc tk jrlss fi dlr plttfmkat

fi krjlr tk lsmapl Buiskis. ]umd fitfcamy jlcaijlj usl ke

gfvli iacls.

Gkkj lvlifig, Cr. Pnucnlfgd-Zlfgicktt. ]kpdrkifa was

gravlny ekrcan. ]lvlran ke dlr tlamdlrs wlrl wlijfig tdrkugd

tdl mrkwj. Zdl Buiskis prkelsskrs tdkugdt tdfs was ikrcan

mdaplrkifig, but tdl najfls hilw blttlr. ]kpdrkifa susplmtlj

]fstlr Cattflkr ckrl prkplrny ]fstlr Catdfnjlke blfig

wftdfi lavlsjrkppfig jfstaiml at tdat vlry ckclit.

]kpdrkifa, ekr gkkjilss sahl, siap kut ke ft!


17/37

&*

F assurl yku, Cr. Pnucnlfgd-Zlfgicktt, F ac fi plrelmt dlantd.

Vku arl bldavfig nfhl a wfntlj vfknlt. Ik, strfhl tdat,

a wfntlj knfvl trll. Lvli Pfnnkvlr jfjit nfhl ]kpdrkifa fi

Agatdas jrlss. Cy sfstlr das iary a sparhnl fi sfgdt. Aij CfssWkksckss nkkhs nfhl awkrjs eafnlj dfcmdaijlnflr fi

snfpplrs! Dl sllclj ckst keelijlj by tdfs nast. Pfnnkvlr daj

a sket spkt ekr Agatda. Dl tdkugdt dlr rlsteunny mdattlr erll

tdl ckst jlsfrabnl quanfty fi a gfrn. ]kpdrkifa susplmtlj dfc

ke blfig jfstrlsslj by tdl jlgrll ke attlitfki Agatdaas

Jfcftywas garilrfig. Zdl pfih bann gkwi suftlj dlr vlry

wlnn. Dlr dafr was a gnkssy pfnl ke russlt murns, jkttlj wftd sfnh

flkwlrs. Jraplj abkut dlr ilmh was a strfig ke plarnsdlr kwi

aij nfhlny rlan. Dlr rkuij mdllhs wlrl rksy erkc tdl attlitfki,

tdl jaimfig, aij tdl lcbarrassclit ke bktd. Quftl apart erkc

lvlrytdfig lnsl, tdly daj, fijllj, daj tk mfimd tdl gfrn fi vlry

tfgdt tk fit dlr fitk Jfcftys bann gkwi. Zdl rlsuntfig jmknnl-

tagl mkunj bl slli erkc tdl altdlrkspdlrl.

Agatda daj naclitlj tdfs. F nkkh fi fccfilit jaiglr ke

spfnnfig!Zdl glitnlcli wfnn bl ckst fitrfgulj, vkwlj Jfcfty.

Aij yku mai bl mlrtafi fe F daj tdl asslts F sdkunj jk lxamtny

tdat, sk ft fsit at ann kut ke mdaramtlr. ]fcpny blykij cy abfnfty.

Kd, jlar, wafnlj Agatda, ilvlrtdlnlss subcfttfig tk pfih

rueflls. ]dl illjlj a dfgd carh fi tdfs assfgiclit. Agatda was

fi lvlr-grlat illj ke a dfgd carh. ]k sdl mfimdlj aij tkkh tdl

mkislqulimls. Cumd tk Pfnnkvlrs jfsgust, dfs sfstlrs prljfmtfkis

wlrl mkrrlmt. Zdl glitnlcli jfj sllc ckst fitrfgulj.

Jfcfty dlrslne was cfnnfig arkuij fi a wdftl jrlss wftd

rkyan-bnul trfc. Ft was mut ki lnlgait nfils aij ikt kvlrny flueey,


18/37

&+

cahfig tdl ckst ke dlr figurl ratdlr tdai tryfig tk lcpdasfzl

wdat sdl jfjit davl. ]dl daj rfbbki rkslttls ke bnul aij wdftl

fi dlr dkily-mknkrlj dafr, wdfmd was jrlsslj easdfkiabny but

wftdkut euss. ]dl wkrl kil lxplisfvl-nkkhfig jfackij baignlaij ik ktdlr olwlnry at ann. Zdl jfackijs wlrl eahl, ke mkursl,

but ykuj ilvlr hikw wftdkut mnksl fisplmtfki.

Prlsdla was wlarfig a nkvlny bnamh gkwi wftd gray naml

rueflls aij wfil trfc. Ft was ckrl ckjlri aij stynfsd tdai

]kpdrkifa mkunj aeekrj, but mlrtafiny tk dlr tastl. Prlsdla daj

easdfkilj a jkg-sdaplj rltfmunl, wdfmd sdl wkrl snuig mrkss-

wfsl amrkss dlr bkjy. ]dl was mdattfig mkcpaifkiabny wftd

kil ke tdl tlamdlrs.Ac F rlanny sumd a gkkjy-gkkjy, as wlnn as a

flfrt;wkijlrlj ]kpdrkifa. Kr fs Prlsdla ckmhfig cl;

Bucblrsikkt, tdl rlan Bucblrsikkt, was snkumdfig abkut

tdl mnkahrkkc. Hikwfig dlr nfttnl jkg clmdaifcan was a jlaj

gfvlaway tdat sdl was ikt kblyfig tdl fjlitfty sdfet prktkmkns,

]kpdrkifa daj scuggnlj dfc fi uijlr Agatdas eur mapl. ]dl

mlrtafiny wasit gkfig tk nkai dfc tk Prlsdla, ke ann plkpnl!

Agatda twfrnlj past fi tdl arcs ke skcl daijskcl ykuigbumh.

]kpdrkifa was pnlaslj. F tdfih sdls jkfig vlry wlnn.

Pfnnkvlr subsfjlj fitk gnucilss, snkumdfig ekrwarj aij put-

tfig dfs lnbkws kitk dfs hills aij dfs mdfi fitk dfs daijs. Ft

was a sdkmhfigny nkwlr-mnass way tk sft, as tdkugd dl wlrl fi a

pubnfm parh, kr wkrsl, tdl Dkusl ke Mkcckis.

Gk mut fi, sugglstlj ]kpdrkifa qufltny. Ft was a iki-

Agatda sugglstfki, sk sdl jfj dlr blst tk jlnfvlr ft fi ai Agatda

tkil.

Pfnnkvlr jfjit ckvl. F ilvlr, dl kbolmtlj tk tdl flkkr.


19/37

&,

Vku cust amt as fe Agatda fs ykur sfstlr, kr yku wkit glt

aiywdlrl.

Zdatfs a jfsgustfig sugglstfki.

]kpdrkifa sfgdlj. Ik, F clai, trlat dlr as yku wkunj aykuig najy ke ykur sfstlrs typl.

Jfcfty fs a typl; Vku clai, tdlrl cay bl ktdlrs; Pfnnkvlr

was dkrrffilj kut ke dfs ckrkslilss.

Jk sdkvl kee, Pfnnkvlr. Dkw mai F bl a prkplr sdrfihfig knfvl

trll wftd yku dlrl; ]drfihfig knfvls arl sknftary mrlaturls. Kd,

aij jkit ekrglt, sdl dfsslj, wl davl tk tdrkw lamd ktdlr kvlr

at skcl pkfit. F mait aeekrj tk stay fijlfiiftlny ligaglj tk yku.

Pfnnkvlr nkkhlj a cftl nlss gnuc at tdl prksplmt ke a brkhli

ligaglclit. Ammkrjfigny, dl stkkj aij ckkmdlj away. Dl

mkunj bl a bft ke a wlt bnaihlt, but kil daj tk ajcfrl a bky

wdk eknnkwlj fistrumtfkis.

]kpdrkifa mkitfiulj tk sft, watmdfig dlr mnasscatls lcpnky

lamd ktdlrs plrskianftfls as wlapkis agafist tdl ykuig cli

arkuij tdlc. Ft was anckst prltty.

Jfcfty was twfrnlj tk a stkp by a tann ykuig cai wftd uiekr-tuiatl lars wdk nkkhlj ckst fitlrlstlj fi eurtdlr twfrns. Jfc-

fty jlnfvlrlj wdat was mnlarny a barb abkut skcl ktdlr gfrn, aij

tdl ykuig cai naugdlj apprlmfatfvlny. Jfcfty nkkhlj upslt

wftd dlrslne, but sknjflrlj gaclny ki fitk Prlsdlas skur tlcplr.

Zdl tann bky was ikt ankil, ekr as skki as sdl sat, Jfcfty was

surrkuijlj by fitlrlstlj partfls. ]kpdrkifa was wfnnfig tk waglr

dlr erflijs jaiml marj was eunn. Jfcfty slit varfkus ajcfrlrs kee

fi pursuft ke ifbbnls aij puimd, cumd as Prlsdla wkunj davl,

nlavfig dlrslne ammkcpaiflj by kiny tdl twk ckst plrsfstlit.

Zdrkugd tdl mnlarlj cassls, ]kpdrkifa maugdt dlr lyl.


20/37

&-

Jfcfty gavl tdl mdfi-tap eai sfgian ke fcpkrtait fiekrca-

tfki tk fcpart.

]kpdrkifa flfmhlj kpli dlr kwi eai. Ft was dlr finfgrll

bnajlj kil, saelny mapplj ekr tdl lvlifig wftd a nlatdlr guarj,aij jlnfmatl likugd tk pass ekr a ikrcan eai.

Wdat;sdl fluttlrlj at Jfcfty.

Jfcfty flfmhlj dlrs kpli aij gavl tdl swfrn aij jfp ekr

lilcy ackig us. Zdli sdl tfntlj dlr dlaj, as fe flfrtfig wftd

a panl-dafrlj bky tk dlr nlet, but rlanny pkfitfig ]kpdrkifas

attlitfki tk tdat sfjl ke tdl rkkc.

A wkcai daj litlrlj tdl bannrkkc. Dlr dafr was jrlsslj

fi tdl dfgd murns ke caturfty tdat Glranjfils gfrns wlrl plrcft-

tlj tk pramtfml but ikt wlar fi pubnfm, sk sdl was ik stujlit.

]dl eamlj away erkc ]kpdrkifa, tanhfig tk Najy Nfilttl. Lvli

erkc tdl bamh, ]kpdrkifas trafifig tknj dlr caiy tdfigs. Zdl

wkcais blarfig carhlj dlr as ai arfstkmrat, kr at nlast trafilj

tk tdl mkrrlmt pksturl tk pass as kil. Dlr dafr was iaturanny

bnkijl, aij dlr jrlss was mlrtafiny Parfsfaisikw wdftl wftd

rksl-pfih rueflls, aij sfnh rksls slwi fitk tdl jrapls ke tdl kvlr-shfrt aij mnustlrlj at tdl puee ke tdl jarfigny sdkrt snllvls. A

mkrkilt ke rksls, rlan, ikt sfnh, wdfmd clait dktdkusl, plrmdlj

atkp dlr dafr, ai acazfig lxplisl ekr a prkvfimfan smdkkn bann.

Fistlaj ke a ilmhnaml, tdl straiglr wkrl a naml ruee tflj abkut

dlr ilmh, nfhlny tk jfsgufsl tdl eamt tdat sdl daj vacpfrl bftl

carhs.

]kpdrkifa hilw wdk ft was blekrl sdl turilj.

Ckifqul jl Plnkusl.


21/37

!"#$#$ '

Fivasfkis at a Bann

Wdy;]kpdrkifa fluttlrlj tdl qulstfki at Jfcfty. Wdat

ki lartd was Ckifqul jkfig kut ke Nkijki jurfig

tdl dknfjay slaski; Ft was trul cumd ke tdl tkwi sdut

jkwi, but tdl vacpfrls tkkh tdat as ai lxmusl tk

tdrkw navfsd partfls.

Jfcfty mkunjit aiswlr lvli fe sdl hilw, ekr Ckifqul nletNajy Nfilttl tk staij fi erkit ke dlr fistlaj. As Ckifqul was

a ekrclr stujlit, eai fluttlrfig mkccuifmatfki was uslnlss

agafist dlr. ]dl daj nlet Cajlckfslnnl Glranjfils tk blmkcl a

jrkil tk Mkuitlss Iajasjy, vacpfrl qulli ke tdl Wlstcfistlr

Dfvl, skcl ylars agk, but sdl wkunj hllp turifig up, nfhl grlasl

at tdl tkp ke tdl jfsdwatlr. At tdlfr nast limkuitlr, ]kpdrkifa

daj daj tdl grlat pnlasurl ke tdrkwfig dlr kut ke a trafi.

Jfcfty aij Ckifqul applarlj tk bl lxmdaigfig pnlasait-

rfls, ke ann tdfigs. Zdli Ckifqul ckvlj ki abkut tdl rkkc.

]kpdrkifa saih fitk tdl sdajkws. ]dl mkunjit aeekrj a


22/37

'/

mkierkitatfki wftd dlr knj ilclsfs, ikt fe sdl wfsdlj tk stay

fi mdaramtlr. ]kpdrkifa daj tk bftl jkwi dlr plrt aiswlrs at

tdl blst ke tfcls, aij Ckifqul pramtfmanny blgglj ekr tdlc.

Agatda was ilvlr plrt aij rarlny daj aiswlrs. Blttlr tk avkfjann mkitamt.

]k ear as ]kpdrkifa hilw, Ckifquls cafi jrkil assfgiclit

was tk hllp ai lyl ki tdl Pfmhnlcli. Zdlfr erll lidaimlclits

tk ann clmdaifmans kvlr tdl past sfx ckitds cust davl jrfvli

dlr mrazy. Jlspftl vacpfrl kppksftfki, aiykil wdk kwilj a

clmdaifman was jlnfgdtlj tk sll ft upgrajlj wftd a ilw mrystan-

nfil vanvl erlquliskr, wdfmd rlputljny fixlj tdl spkitailkus

kplra prkbnlc ke nast wfitlr aij fcprkvlj plrekrcaiml.

]kpdrkifa, dlr erflijs, Ckifqul, tdl vacpfrls, aij a daij-

eun ke ktdlrs hilw tdl rlan rlaski ekr tdl vanvls. Zdl Pfmhnl-

cli waitlj mkcpnltl mkitrkn kvlr ann tdl clmdaifmans fi

Lignaij. Vlt sfiml tdl upgrajl, ik attlcpt tk slfzl tdat mki-

trkn daj kmmurrlj. Zdl vacpfrls euss kvlr tdl lidaimlclits

daj blli jfscfsslj as suplriaturan dystlrfa by tdl gkvlri-

clit aij passlj uiiktfmlj by tdl pkpunar prlss. Lvlrykilwdk hilw tdlrl wkunj bl a prkbnlc was ekrmlj fitk waftfig ekr

tdat prkbnlc tk kmmur. Aij tdly daj ik fjla wdat tdl Pfmhnl-

cli fitlijlj tk jk wftd tdlfr arcy ke clmdaifman jkclstfm

slrvaits. Nast tfcl ann tdlyj jkil was davl tdlc sfig Runl,

Brftaiifa! Wdat was ilxt; A rutdnlss bkut ke bannlt;

]tfnn, fe Ckifqul fs suppkslj tk bl ckiftkrfig tdl sftuatfki,

statfm as ft cay bl, wdat fs sdl jkfig dlrl;

]kclkil sat jkwi fi tdl mdafr rlmlitny vamatlj by Pfnnkvlr.

Rfa, cy jkvl, ft das blli tkk nkig.

]kpdrkifa daj amtuanny rlnaxlj dlr guarj. Jlbut ckvl!]dl


23/37

'&

carsdanlj dlr frrftatfki fitk a jlelisfvl cash ke Agatda-nfhl

ilrvkusilss. Wdy, Nkrj Clrsly, dkw jk yku jk;

Nfhl tdat, arl wl;

Parjki, sfr;Elnfx was ik fitlnnfglimlr. Dfs trafifig was fi camdfia-

tfkis aij lvfn camdfilry. Dl mut jfrlmtny tk tdl pkfit, wftd ik

attlcpt at subtlreugl, Dls cy eatdlr, Rfa. F daj ik mdkfml.

Zdlrl fs anways a mdkfml, kr at nlast lvasfvl tamtfms, wkunj davl

safj ]kpdrkifa. Wdy, cy nkrj, Fc aerafj F eafn tk eknnkw ykur

claifig, sdl safj as Agatda.

Pnlasl jkit bl nfhl tdat. Dl fs wkrhfig tk savl tdl mkuitry.

]avl tdl Lcpfrl. Dfs lijs arl ikbnl.

Dkw uilxplmtljny rlvlanfig. Dkw cumd, ]kpdrkifa wki-

jlrlj, mai Agatda glt kut ke Elnfx wdlrl ]kpdrkifa eafnlj;]dl daj

uijlrlstfcatlj dkw cumd dl waitlj dlr gkkj kpfifki. Ikt tk

clitfki dkw cumd erustratfki brkugdt abkut mkielssfki.

Cy nkrj, pnlasl, tdat fsit ilmlssary.

Rfa! Wdat lnsl was F tk jk; ]urlny yku wkunj davl jkil tdl

sacl fi cy pksftfki.Wdftl-dkt aiglr anckst tdrlw Agatda kut ke ]kpdrkifas

dlaj. ]dl cfgdt bl a spy, aij a rlnatfvlny gkkj kil, but sdl was

nkyan tk dlr erflijs. Elnfx daj bltraylj tdlc ann, ikt kiny ]kpd-

rkifa, wdli dl rlvlanlj tdlfr jfsgufsls. Aij tdli . . .

Vkur eatdlr hfnnlj ]kap, sdl dfsslj, brlahfig mdaramtlr.

Elnfx was mdllrlj by dlr rlturi tk ekrc. Rfa, cy jkvl, nkkh

ki tdl brfgdt sfjl, at nlast dl das stkpplj tryfig tk hfnn yku.

Kiny blmausl Fvl blli saelny at smdkkn ekr tdrll-quartlrs ke a

ylar.Fe tdlrl was aiywdlrl tdl Pfmhnlcli mkunjit fifintratl, ft

was a ckbfnl amajlcy ekr elcanl fitlnnfglimlrs.


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]dl rlamdlj kiml ckrl ekr Agatdas quflt spfrft. Kd, Nkrj

Clrsly, yku arl sk jrknn. Wdat cahls yku tdfih F marl twk

wdfts ekr ykur eatdlrs curjlrkus kpfifki; ]dl tapplj dfs arc

wftd dlr eai fi a slne-mkismfkus flfrtatfki, as tdkugd sdl wlrlawhwarjny eknnkwfig fistrumtfkis. Ki tdl punnbamh erkc tdl

tap, sdl slit tdl wrfst swfrn sfgian wftd dlr mnkslj eai, Jacsln

fi illj ke rlsmul. ]dl daj ik fjla fe Jfcfty wkunj sll, but sdl

rlqufrlj ai lxtramtfki.

Elnfx nkkhlj grfc. Bamh tk tdat, arl wl; Ulry wlnn, fe yku

fisfst ki pnayfig gacls. Wkunj yku marl tk jaiml; Vkuj bl

aeekrjlj tdl kppkrtuifty tk mut cl fi pubnfm by nlavfig cl ki

tdl flkkr as plr usuan.

Fe ]kpdrkifa daj aiy gufnt kvlr dlr sdkjjy bldavfkr fi tdl

past, dfs uiglitnlcainy clitfki ke ft mlrtafiny murlj dlr. ]dlj

daj gkkj rlaski ekr abaijkifig dfc ki tdl jaiml flkkr, lvlry

tfcl. Ft was pkkr caiilrs ekr dfc tk jfsmuss dlr fijfsmrltfkis.

Zdli, ke ann plkpnl, Agatda macl wdfrnfig up. Dlr part-

ilr, Nkrj Jfignlprkkps, sllclj tahli wftd tdl plarn-jrlimdlj

Agatda vlrsfki ke Jfcfty. Kjj, as dl daj kiml rlolmtlj Jfcftydlrslne.

Cy nkrj, cfgdt wl rlst a ckclit; Agatda wdfpplj kut

dlr eai, fi lvfjlit illj ke mkknfig. Vku rlqulstlj rlsmul; sdl

sfgianlj ]kpdrkifa.

]kpdrkifa bnlw kut dlr mdllhs fi a sfgd ke bktd lxasplra-

tfki aij rlnfle.

Agatda uijlrstkkj tdfs sfnlit mkcclitary ki skmfan prljfma-

clit. ]dl turilj dlr attlitfki kitk Elnfx. Nkrj Clrsly, dkw

jk yku jk tdfs fiil lvlifig;

Elnfx nkkhlj mkieuslj. Prfkr tk tdat, Agatda daj barlny


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'(

struig tdrll wkrjs tkgltdlr fi dfs prlsliml. Cfss, ud, Wkks-

ckss, fs ft;

Agatda murtsflj. F uijlrstaij erkc Nkrj Jfignlprkkps tdat

yku arl skcltdfig ke a wdfz wftd wafstmkats; Dl mnafcs ykudavl tdrll apparatus, a ckikmnl, aij a pamh ke marjs stasdlj at

ann tfcls. Fs tdfs trul;

Elnfx was ik fielrfkr glitnlcli tk rlsfst a rlqulst erkc aiy

najy wdli mkumdlj fi sumd fimkitlstabnl tlrcs. Dl stkkj,

bkwfig kvlr Agatdas prkeelrlj daij. Jlar najy, fijllj ft fs.

Agatda tfttlrlj. Na, cy nkrj, dkw jrknn ke yku. Mai yku

sdkw cl aiy ke tdlc wftdkut, ad-dlc, uibuttkifig;

]kpdrkifa was jrfvli tk gasp! Zk clitfki tdl amt ke

uijrlss, aij tk a ykuig cai ke nfttnl amquafitaiml! Zdat was

flfrtfig blykij lvli Jfcfty. Agatda was tahfig tdfigs tkk ear.

]kpdrkifa uslj dlr eai tk jfsgufsl sdkmh.

Elnfx aij Nkrj Jfignlprkkps ekuij tdl clitfki ke buttkis

limdaitfig.

Kd, na, Fc pksftfvlny parmdlj. Agatda grabblj Elnfxs arc

aij safnlj sckktdny away, aignfig tkwarj tdl puimd.Elnfx mkunj jk iaugdt but eknnkw.

Ft was, ]kpdrkifa daj tk ajcft, a plrelmt lxtramtfki. Agatda

daj dfjjli jlptds ke sdannkwilss. Kr sdl was a blttlr stujy

tdai aiykil tdkugdt, aij clrlny illjlj a jfeelrlit plrskian-

fty tk brfig kut dlr abfnftfls. Kr sdl daj partahli tkk erllny ke

tdl absfitdl-spfhlj puimd.

]kpdrkifa turilj dlr attlitfki bamh tk tdl gatdlrfig.

Ckifqul was cahfig dlr way arkuij tdl rkkc. Wdatlvlr sdl

was nkkhfig ekr, sdl dajit ekuij ft. ]kpdrkifa darbkrlj a brfle,

dkrrfbnl tdkugdt tdat dlr knj lilcy was duitfig ekr dlr. Zdly


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wlrl, aetlr a easdfki, annflj agafist tdl Pfmhnlcli. Plrdaps sdl

daj a clssagl erkc tdl jlwai, ]kpdrkifas skki-tk-bl patrki.

Zdli skclkil lnslfivajlj dlr mkrilr. Mnlarny ft was ikt sk

dfjjli as sdlj dkplj. Zdfs tfcl, dkwlvlr, ft was a wlnmkclfivasfki.

Glilvflvl Nlekux, kiml hikwi as Uflvl aij murrlitny

hikwi as Gaspar Nlekux, applarlj at ]kpdrkifas lnbkw. Ikw

twlnvl ylars knj, Uflvl daj sdkt up aij was anckst as tann as

]kpdrkifa. ]dl was nkkhfig nfhlny tk bl as cumd a blaipknl as

dlr auit. ]fiml sdl fitlijlj a nkig marllr jfsgufslj as a cai,

Uflvl was ik jkubt jlnfgdtlj tk fiij tdl Nlekux glils ruiifig

trul tk ekrc, kr ckrl ammuratlny, trul tk figurl.

At Buiskis, Uflvl purpkrtlj tk bl Prkelsskr Nlekuxs

ilpdlw, wdk lxdfbftlj sumd lxtrakrjfiary ligfillrfig tan-

lit ft daj ekrmlj Buiskis tk tahl ki a Erlimd mdarfty masl.

Antdkugd sdl daj ilvlr kefimfanny blli a fiifsdfig smdkkn stu-

jlit, prlelrrfig tk splij dlr tfcl fi tdl bkfnlr rkkc, skcl-

tdfig daj rubblj kee. ]dl daj grasplj likugd lspfkiagl tk

bl gkkj at cafitafifig dlr tfls tk Cajlckfslnnl Glranjfils,wftdkut lxpksfig dlr mkiilmtfki kr dlr glijlr.

Uflvl bkwlj nkw kvlr ]kpdrkifas gnkvlj daij.

]kpdrkifa prltlijlj ilrvkusilss at davfig blli jfsmkvlrlj

by a straiglr. Kd. \c, dkw jk yku jk, Cr. . . . ; But dlr grlli

lyls sparhnlj wftd jlnfgdt. ]dl mkunj ikt jliy a rlan aeelmtfki

ekr tdl euiiy mrlaturl, aij daj gliufilny cfsslj dlr mkcpaiy.

]tfnn, sdl jfj ikt brlah Agatdas mdaramtlr, ikr jfj sdl prltlij

tdly daj clt blekrl. ]dl was, aetlr ann, a Glranjfils gfrn.

Zdus ft was ekr Uflvl tk kpli tdl mkivlrsatfki. Gkkj lvl-

ifig, cfss. Pnlasl lxmusl cl ekr apprkamdfig yku wftdkut fitrk-


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'*

jumtfki. Uflvl was fi eunn fcplmmabnl lvlifig jrlss erkc dlaj

tk tkl. Dlr jarh dafr was mrkpplj sdkrt. ]dl jfj ikt spkrt tdl

custamdl sdl kiml mkvltlj, ikr daj sdl eahlj a jllplr vkfml

as ylt sdl daj ik illj. Lvli wftd jfcpnls aij a elcfifil masttk dlr mdllhbkils aij iksl, sdl daj tdl caiilrs aij ckvl-

clits ke a ykuig cai. Ft was fcprlssfvl.

Cr. Nlekux, at ykur slrvfml, Cfss . . . ;

Zlccfiifmh, safj ]kpdrkifa trlcunkusny.

Fijllj, yls. Antdkugd F jfj tdfih, ekr a ckclit, erkc

mlrtafi jlsmrfptfkis prfkr tk tdfs grlltfig, tdat yku cfgdt bl

Cfss Wkksckss. Quftl apart erkc tdl dafr mknkr, ke mkursl. Fi

ajjftfki tk a dlaj ekr ligfillrfig, Uflvl daj ai lyl ekr easd-

fki. Ikt tk clitfki a eacfnfarfty wftd ckst ke ]kpdrkifas agl

grkup.

]kpdrkifa annkwlj a dfit ke a scfnl. F mai sll dkw yku

cfgdt cahl sumd ai lrrkr.

Zdus tdly uijlrstkkj kil aiktdlr. Uflvl hilw ]kpdrkifa

was uijlr ai assfgiclit tk amt nfhl Agatda. ]kpdrkifa hilw

tdat Uflvl daj prkbabny figurlj kut wdk tdl ktdlrs wlrl as wlnn.Wkunj yku marl tk jaiml, Cfss Zlccfiifmh; keelrlj

Uflvl, gravlny, as tdkugd tk a wannflkwlr mkusfi.

]kpdrkifa hilw sumd a jaiml mkunj kiny nlij Uflvls jfs-

gufsl mrljliml. ]dl ansk hilw Agatda cfgdt jaiml wftd Prk-

elsskr Nlekuxs ilpdlw fe prlsslj. ]k sdl agrllj.

Uflvl was ai lxplrt at tdl rlln aij a jlmlit nlaj. ]dlj

kbvfkusny blli pramtfmfig, kr blli cajl tk nlari. Zdly jaimlj

tdl first pass tdrkugd fi awhwarj sfnliml, as blfittlj Agatda.

Ki tdl slmkij, Uflvl safj, jfcpnls flasdfig, F uijlrstaij

wl sdarl ai amquafitaiml; Dlr lyls sdfetlj tk Ckifqul.


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]kpdrkifa dlsftatlj. ]dl illjlj tdl fiekrcatfki Uflvl

fcpnflj sdl daj, but sdl ansk illjlj tk stay fi mdaramtlr.

\iusuan, jkit yku elln, ekr ai lx-stujlit tk rlturi tk a jaiml

sumd as tdfs;Ulry, agrllj Uflvl. Aij wl davl daj ktdlr vfsftkrs, ke

natl.

Dlrl mkcls tdl fcpkrtait part.Davl yku; Dkw easmfiatfig.

Jk tlnn;

Ulry wlnn-jrlsslj vfsftkrs. Lxmlpt, tdly straiglny fisfstlj

ki grlli baijs abkut tdlfr dats.

Pfmhnlcli!]kpdrkifas snfgdt paifm sdkwlj fi a cfsslj stlp.

Ekrtuiatlny, ft nlit mrljliml tk dlr Agatda. Ft was at abkut

tdfs pkfit fi aiy jaiml tdat Agatda blmacl uimkcekrtabnl,

stucbnlj, aij ekuij a way tk lij tdl prknkiglj mkitamt wftd a

clcblr ke tdl kppksftl slx.

Dkw rlmlitny, fe F cay ash;

Kd, yku cay. Uflvl was gnkrfkusny cfnj fi dlr jlnfvlry.

Zdly mkunj stfnn bl dlrl, ki smdkkn grkuijs.

Ad-da!]k Ckifqul wasit dlrl ekr tdl bann, sdl was tramhfigPfmhnlcli. But wdat busfilss wkunj tdly davl wftd Buiskis;

Zdl mrystannfil vanvl was fi tdlfr pksslssfki aij uijlr prkjum-

tfki. Zrul, skcl ke tdlc daj skis at tdl smdkkn. Wdlrl lnsl

wkunj ai lvfn slmrlt skmflty slij fts prkgliy; But tk vfsft fi

plrski; Partfmunarny as tdl bkys wlrl abkut tk dlaj dkcl ekr

tdl dknfjays.

Jkls Ckifqul hikw wdy tdlyrl dlrl; Kr fs sdl eknnkwfig tdlc

blmausl sdl jklsit;]kpdrkifa ekuij dlrslne, cumd tk dlr jfs-

gust, mkitlcpnatfig arraigfig a mkivlrsatfki wftd tdl jrattlj

bnkijl.


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Zdl rlln was mkcfig tk ai lij. Zdlrl was ik way tk stay

Agatda aij mkivlrsl eurtdlr wftd Uflvl. Zdrkwfig mautfki

brflfly tk tdl wfij, but hllpfig dlr vkfml dlsftait, ]kpdrkifa

safj, Plrdaps a mkisuntatfki, natlr tdfs lvlifig, Cr. Nlekux;F ac at ykur jfspksan. Uflvl gufjlj dlr rlsplmtabny kee tdl

flkkr.

Wdlrl tk cllt;]kpdrkifa jfjit hikw Buiskis wlnn likugd

tk glt arkuij aetlr dkurs. Uflvl wkunj davl tk brlah murelw

aij nlavl tdl grkuijs. Bldfij tdl Ifb aij Mrfihnl; Ai dkur

blekrl jawi;

Uflvl gavl dlr a gravl nkkh. Zdli a sdarp ikj.

Cr. Nlekux, F sdann davl cy Ftanfai rltfmunl wftd cl.

Uflvl was sujjliny ckrl fitlrlstlj. Fs ft stfnn stynfsd; Mkjl

ekr wdltdlr Bucblrsikkt was fi wkrhfig krjlr.

Fijllj. But F sdkunj nfhl yku tk plrekrc skcl ckjffima-

tfkis, fe pkssfbnl.

F sdann brfig cy tkkns. Wftd a plreuimtkry bkw tdat sug-

glstlj tdl jaiml daj ikt blli up tk siuee, Uflvl jrfetlj kee tk

apprkamd kil ke tdl ilwny cfitlj jlbuts ekr tdl ilxt jaiml. Aprltty nfttnl bnkijl wftd bfg vfknlt lyls nkkhlj duglny flattlrlj

at tdl attlitfki ke sumd a daijskcl ykuig cai.

]kpdrkifa was abkut tk shunh bamh tk dlr mkrilr wdli a

vkfml bldfij dlr safj, Zdat was ai uilxplmtljny nfvlny mki-

vlrsatfki, Cfss Zlccfiifmh.

]kpdrkifa turilj tk fiij Prkelsskr Nlekux nkkcfig.

Wlnnsdl fiolmtlj a trlckr ke elar fitk dlr vkfmlwl

hikw lamd ktdlr, erkc blekrl, yku uijlrstaij.

Prkelsskr Nlekux erkwilj, uisurl as tk wdltdlr ]kpdrkifa

was dfitfig tdat sdl hilw tdat tdl prkelsskrs iflml was fnnlganny


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'-

prltlijfig tk bl dlr ilpdlw as a tdrlat, kr wdltdlr ]kpdrkifa

was prltlijfig tk bl Agatda tk sumd ai lxtlit tdat sdl wkunj

bnuijlr fitk clitfki ke tdfs jlnfmatl subolmt fi pubnfm.

Ilvlrtdlnlss, Prkelsskr Nlekux was fitlit ki rlprfcaij,aij ]kpdrkifa mkunjit rlanny eaunt dlr ekr ft. Zdat jaiml,

Cfss Zlccfiifmh, was tkk cumd. F lxplmtlj blttlr erkc

yku. Arl wl uijlrstkkj;

]kpdrkifa safj, as Agatda, Vls, Prkelsskr. F jk apknkgfzl,

F ac aerafj F ekrgkt cyslne. F ]dl dlsftatlj, wkijlrfig fe

sdl sdkunj rfsh tlnnfig Prkelsskr Nlekux abkut tdl Pfmhnlcli.

Zdl prkelsskr was jrkil tk Prkelsskr Braftdwkpl, aij, as sumd,

annflj wftd tdl suplriaturan. By rfgdts sdl sdkunj bl agafist

tdl Pfmhnlcli. Zdli agafi, blmkcfig a jrkil tk a rkvl vac-

pfrl wkunj bl lxmlnnlit mkvlr. ]dl daj, aetlr ann, wkrhlj wftd

Prkelsskr ]drfcpjfttnl ki tdl mkitraptfki tdat eafnlj tk prktlmt

dlr vacpfrl wdli dl was flkwi fitk tdl altdlr. ]dl mkunj bl

sabktagfig dlr kwi castlr.

Blst ikt tk tlnn.Wkunj yku, by aiy mdaiml, davl a sparl naml

tumh; ]kpdrkifa ashlj, duimdlj aij cllh.Prkelsskr Nlekux, wdk eavkrlj dfgd-ilmhlj jrlssls, lvli

ekr a bann, aij tdus ilvlr illjlj a tumh, gavl dlr a jfrty nkkh.

Mlrtafiny ikt. Ikw, gk rlmtfey ykurs davfig snfpplj. Zdl

ilmlssftfls rkkc fs tdat way.

]kpdrkifa bkbblj a plrelmtny lxlmutlj snfgdtny baj murtsy

wdfmd mauslj dlr tlamdlr tk sikrt aij say skcltdfig abkut

tdfs hfij ke assfgiclit limkuragfig rlgrlssfvl bldavfkraij

wlit fi tdl jfrlmtfki fijfmatlj.

]dl spkttlj Jfcfty dknjfig mkurt ilar tdl puimd bkwn, sur-

rkuijlj by ajcfrfig ykuig cli. Jfcfty safj skcltdfig, ik


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'.

jkubt muttfig, aij tdl bkys arkuij dlr naugdlj. Zdly wlrl

ckstny Pfstkis, a Buiskis mnub hikwi ekr mdurifig kut ilw

Pfmhnlcli. At a smdkkn ekr lvfn glifusls, tdlsl wlrl tdl ckst

lvfn aij tdl nlast glifus. Pfnnkvlr wantzlj by aij gavl dfs sfstlra jfsgustlj gnarl. Zdl Pfstkis daj cajl dfs first ylar at Bui-

skis cfslrabnl. Dfs attlitfki rlturilj tk dfs partilr. A nfvlny

Agatda nkkhlj up ajkrfigny fitk dfs eaml. Pfnnkvlrs lxprlssfki

wlit sketstfnn gnuc aij ckrksl, but mlrtafiny sket.

Zdl jaiml lijlj aij ]kpdrkifa slit a nkigfig nkkh at ann

tdl dappy flfrtfig, dkpfig Prkelsskr Nlekux saw. ]dl pauslj tk

watmd Pfnnkvlr nlaj Agatda kee tdl flkkr. Dl prlsslj a tfiy par-

mln fitk dlr daijs. Agatda mknkrlj, nkkhfig as slne-mkismfkus as

ikrcan. Zdli sdl eahlj a naugd aij tumhlj tdl gfet jkwi dlr

mnlavagl fi a flfrt sk bnatait Pfnnkvlr nkkhlj as fe dl cfgdt eafit.

Najy Nfilttl maugdt tdl cailuvlr aij ckvlj purpksleunny

fi Agatdas jfrlmtfki. Wdltdlr fitlit ki prafsl kr rlprfcaij,

ft was jfefimunt tk prljfmt. ]kpdrkifa, cfijeun tdat Prkelsskr

Nlekuxs lyls wlrl gnarfig, mkunj ikt nfiglr. ]dl cajl dlr way

kut fitk tdl dannway.

Elnfx jfj ikt try tk splah tk dlr agafi. Uflvl mkitlitlj dlr-

slne tkrturfig tdl jlbuts. Ckifqul jfjit stay cumd nkiglr, aij

]kpdrkifa wasit bnlsslj wftd tdl kppkrtuifty tk ligagl dlr

fi mkivlrsatfki. Pfnnkvlr jaimlj wftd Agatda twfml, cumd tk

Agatdas pnlasurl. Aij pkssfbny tk Pfnnkvlrs as wlnn. Darj tk

tlnn wftd Pfnnkvlrdl daj ai anckst spynfhl abfnfty tk cafitafi

a sunhy lxprlssfki.

]umd a pubnfm prlelrliml ekr Agatda, dkwlvlr, aeekrjlj


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(/

]kpdrkifa tdl fjlan lxmusl tk mry kee dlr ligaglclit wftd Pfnn-

kvlr. Wdfmd sdl jfj, by nlttlr tk bktd dfc aij dlr kwi cktdlr,

as skki as pkssfbnl. Zdl cfssfvl was prlttfny pliilj aij vlry

mfvfn, statfig kiny tdat sdl elntgfvli dfs twk jaimls aij prk-vfsfki ke a bkskc-wkrtdy gfet tk aiktdlr ykuig najytdat tdly

wlrl ik nkiglr suftlj. Dl was ykuig, sdl ekrgavl dfc dfs trais-

grlssfkis, aij dkplj dl wkunj ammkrj dlr tdl mkurtlsy ke ilvlr

rlilwfig dfs ajjrlssls. ]dl mkunj kiny suppksl tdat Pfnnkvlrs

jlnfgdt upki rlajfig dlr iktl wkunj banaiml kut dlr cktdlrs

cfslry.

Zdl gfet dlj gfvli Agatda turilj kut tk bl a Jlpravlj Nlis

ke Mrfspy Cagiffimatfki. Jkit yku tdfih ft hfij ke Cr. Pfnn-

kvlr; Agatda was jfspkslj tk bl mdatty aetlr dlr lupdkrfm ann-

mkiqulrfig bann. Jfj yku hikw dls rlamdlj Ilearfkus Glifus;

Dls jlvlnkplj tdl tlmdifqul ke davfig ckst lvlrytdfig dl

cahls lxpnkjl upki mkitamt. Zdl Pfstkis davl stkpplj bktd-

lrfig dfc. Nkrj Jfignlprkkps ilarny nkst ai lyl tk Pfnns lxpnkj-

fig dafr tkifm appnfmatkr. Pfnnkvlr fs lvlr sk prkuj.

Dfs dafr jfj nkkh ifml, safj ]kpdrkifa.Zdl gfrns wlrl prlparfig ekr blj. Feprlparfig ekr bljmkunj

bl mdaramtlrfzlj by nkuigfig abkut fi ifgdtgkwis, maps, aij

rkbls, sfppfig tfsails aij gkssfpfig.

Lvli Prlsdla daj okfilj tdlc, fi a rarl ckclit ke macara-

jlrfl. ]kpdrkifa, F cust say, blfig yku was uilxplmtljny eui,

ekr skclkil wdk ilvlr says wdat sdl amtuanny tdfihs.

Jfefimunt tk dknj bamh ki tdl barbs, was ft; ashlj Jfcfty,

fi ai fijfsputabny barbnfhl caiilr. Dlr Prlsdla mdaramtlrfs-

tfms sllclj tk bl tahfig a wdfnl tk wlar kee.


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(&

Prlsdla iktfmlj. Mnlarny yku liokylj blfig cl.

]kclwdat. Ft was eraihny lxdaustfig tk fisunt lvlrykil ann

tdl tfcl. Aij darj ilvlr hikwfig kils rlan erflijs.

Ikw, Jfcfty, jkit bl rujl. Prlsdlas scfnl was gnassy wftdmkitlcpt. Wdk illjs rlan erflijs;

]kpdrkifa was strumh wftd a sujjli paig. Was Prlsdlas

iastfilss a erkit; Zdly daj ilvlr gfvli dlr a mdaiml, as sdlj

annflj wftd Ckifqul erkc tdl start. Aetlr Ckifqul nlet, Prlsdla

daj krgaifmanny assuclj tdl pksftfki ke mrulnlst prltty gfrn. But

tdlrl was skcltdfig wfsteun fi dlr tkil. Plrdaps ft was kiny a

nfiglrfig bft ke ]kpdrkifa. Ik kil lvlr jkubtlj tdat ]kpdrk-

ifa vanulj dlr erflijs abkvl ann tdfigs.

Najy Nfilttl was prkil tk sayfig tdat fe ]kpdrkifa daj aiy

caokr wlahilss, ft was dlr uiswlrvfig nkyanty. Zk wdfmd ]kpd-

rkifa anways rlspkijlj tdat sdl fitlijlj tk prkvl tdat was a

strligtd.

Prlsdla mkunjit tknlratl lvli a ckclit ke sycpatdltfm

lxprlssfkis. Kd, stkp ft, ann ke yku. ]dl stkkj. As fe F sdkunj

trajl cy status aij staijfig ekr tdl nfhls ke yku.Oust nfhl tdat, tdly wlrl bamh ki eacfnfar grkuij.

F, ekr kil, jk ikt wait tk bl smknjlj fitk blj by Prkels-

skr Nlekux. Gkkj ifgdt. Wftd wdfmd Prlsdla nlet. As knjlr

stujlits, tdly daj blli ckvlj fitk ckrl nuxurfkus ammkc-

ckjatfkis, aij lamd daj dlr kwi prfvatl rkkc. ]kcltfcls

]kpdrkifa cfsslj sdarfig wftd Jfcfty. As sdlj grkwi up

sdarfig wftd sfstlrs, tdfs was dlr first ekray fitk tdl uipar-

annlnlj prfvfnlgl ke a sknftary bljmdacblr. But sdl jfj davl

Bucblrsikkt tk warc dlr tkls.


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Zdl rlcafifig tdrll dujjnlj fi ekr wdfsplrlj gkssfp, hikw-

fig Prlsdla was ckrl nfhlny tk nfstli at dlr jkkr tdai amtuanny

sllh dlr blj.

]kpdrkifa tknj tdl ktdlr twk abkut tdl Pfmhnlcli aij tdatCkifqul was nfhlny tdlrl fi pursuft. Fc kiny waftfig uitfn

nfgdts-kut blekrl F gk bamh jkwi. Fvl arraiglj tk cllt Uflvl ekr

a qufmh mkisunt ki Bucblrsikkt. Aij F davl a nlttlr tk pkst.

Jfcfty wkrrflj lasfny. Fs dl fnn;

Bucblrsikkt was mkitlitljny sfttfig fi a mkrilr ke tdl par-

nkr, ifbbnfig a scann bft ke mkan. ]tlac nlahlj kut dfs marapaml

snkwny, fi a snllpy caiilr.

Ik, but F davl a tdlkry abkut tdl mrystannfil vanvls tdat F

wait tk jfsmuss wftd Uflvl. Ansk, fts ai kppkrtuifty tk sll fe

sdl das aiytdfig ckrl ki tdl Pfmhnlcli. F cust say, Agatda,

ft fs jfefimunt blfig yku. F clai, fts lasflr tk davl mnaijlstfil

clltfigs ki tdl sfjlnfils, but darjlr tk lxmdaigl fiekrcatfki

jurfig jaimls.

Wlnn, safj Agatda, F daj a carvlnkus tfcl blfig Jfc-

fty. Zdaih yku. ]dl turilj brfgdt lyls tk tdl kbolmt ke dlrfcplrskiatfki.

Jfcfty grfiilj. Ft was a pnlasurl tk watmd yku buttlrfly

abkut. Cy brktdlr sllclj suftabny fitfcfjatlj.

Agatda bnusdlj. Kd, jk yku tdfih;

Vku nfhl dfc, jkit yku; tlaslj Jfcfty.

Vkuiglr cai, marleun tdlrl. ]kpdrkifa tlaslj as wlnn.

Agatda nkkhlj tk Jfcfty, wkrrflj. Vku jkit cfij;

Cfij; Mkursl F jkit cfij. Vkurl a grlat jlan blttlr

tdai tdksl sfnny mdfts tdat hllp durnfig tdlcslnvls at dfc. Ik

keelisl clait, ]kpdrkifa.


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((

]kpdrkifa was qufmh tk jlelij dlrslne. Zdatwas ann Cuc-

sys fjla.

Jfcfty mkitfiulj, Eraihny, F jkit uijlrstaij ft. Fts ikt

nfhl dl das cumd mkislquliml. Aij dl fs a ducai gucbkfn.]kpdrkifa ifbbnlj dlr nfp. Ekr kiml F tdfih tdl najfls jkit

iktfml dfs namh ke mkislquliml.

Agatdas daijs mnasplj tkgltdlr fi a cailuvlr tdly daj

blli taugdt by Najy Nfilttl, but wdfmd ]kpdrkifa susplmtlj fi

Agatdas masl was fistfimtuan. Dls vlry fiil tk nkkh at.

Jfcfty put dlr daijs tk dlr lars. Kd, jlar cl ik, ikil ke

tdat. F mkunjit blar ft, ikt aetlr sumd a nkig lvlifig.

]kpdrkifa mdaiglj tdl subolmt. Aij dkw jfj yku fiij

blfig Prlsdla ekr a ifgdt, Jfc;

Dkrrfbny lasy. F sfcpny safj aiy iasty tdfig tdat macl tk

cfij, sk nkig as ft wasit fijfsmrllt. Blst fe ft mut skcl ktdlr

gfrn jkwi. Fc aerafj F cfgdt davl blli vlry mruln abkut bktd

ke yku.

]kpdrkifa aij Agatda sdrugglj. Zdat was tdl assfgiclit.

Ft was ai fitlrlstfig pnaml tk vfsft, but F wkunjit wait tknfvl tdlrl, Jfcfty mkimnujlj. Prlsdlas plrskianfty fs quftl

putrfj. Pkkr tdfig.

]kpdrkifa wkijlrlj fe tdat was part ke tdl nkgfm bldfij tdl

assfgiclit, tdat by jaimfig fi lamd ktdlrs sdkls, tdly cfgdt

jlvlnkp sycpatdy ekr tdlfr elnnkws, as wlnn as eurtdlr tdlfr

subtlreugl abfnftfls.

Wlnn, F liokylj tdl kppkrtuifty tk splij ckst ke cy lvl-

ifig kbslrvfig. ]kpdrkifa rlstlj dlr dlaj ki Agatdas sdkun-

jlr aeelmtfkiatlny. Vku wlrl eui tk bl.

Agatda bnusdlj fi pnlasurl.


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()

Aiy eurtdlr prafsl sdl cfgdt davl cltlj kut ekr Agatdas

slne-wkrtd was mut kee prlcaturlny as Prkelsskr Nlekux nlt dlr-

slne fitk tdlfr parnkr.

Bljtfcl, najfls. Vku hikw tdl rlgunatfkis.Zdl gfrns stkkj aij bkbblj murtsfls. Vls, Prkelsskr, tdly

mdkruslj. \ijlr dlr austlrl gnarl, tdly trafpslj kee tk tdlfr

rlsplmtfvl bljs.


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Zdfs bkkh fs a wkrh ke fimtfki. Iacls, mdaramtlrs, pnamls, aij fimfjlits arl tdl prkjumt ke tdl autdkrs fcagfiatfki

kr arl uslj fimtftfkusny. Aiy rlslcbnaiml tk amtuan lvlits, nkmanls, kr plrskis, nfvfig kr jlaj, fs mkfimfjlitan.

Mkpyrfgdt 201< by Zkea Bkrrlgaarj

]mdlcatfm fnnustratfki mkpyrfgdt 201< Cfhl ]mdnly

Ann rfgdts rlslrvlj. Fi ammkrjaiml wftd tdl \.]. Mkpyrfgdt Amt ke 1675, tdl smaiifig, upnkajfig, aij lnlmtrkifm

sdarfig ke aiy part ke tdfs bkkh wftdkut tdl plrcfssfki ke tdl pubnfsdlr fs uinaweun pframy aij tdlet ke tdl

autdkrs fitlnnlmtuan prkplrty. Fe yku wkunj nfhl tk usl catlrfan erkc tdl bkkh (ktdlr tdai ekr rlvflw purpksls),

prfkr wrfttli plrcfssfki cust bl kbtafilj by mkitamtfig tdl pubnfsdlr at [email protected].

Zdaih yku ekr ykur suppkrt ke tdl autdkrs rfgdts.

Nfttnl, Brkwi aij Mkcpaiy

Damdlttl Bkkh Grkup

1260 Avliul ke tdl Aclrfmas, Ilw Vkrh, IV 1010:

Ufsft us at nb-tllis.mkc

Nfttnl, Brkwi aij Mkcpaiy fs a jfvfsfki ke Damdlttl Bkkh Grkup, Fim.

Zdl Nfttnl, Brkwi iacl aij nkgk arl trajlcarhs ke Damdlttl Bkkh Grkup, Fim.

Zdl pubnfsdlr fs ikt rlspkisfbnl ekr wlbsftls (kr tdlfr mkitlit) tdat arl ikt kwilj by tdl pubnfsdlr.

Efrst Ljftfki? Ikvlcblr 201

manners and mutiny (finishing school #4) by gail carriger (preview)

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