The_AT Story_NN1 of_IO Edgar_NP1 Sawtelle_NP1 All_DB that_DD1 winter_NNT1 and_CC all_DB through_II the_AT spring_NN1 ,_, Almondine_NP1 had_VHD known_VVN something_PN1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO happen_VVI ,_, but_CCB no_RRQV31 matter_RRQV32 where_RRQV33 she_PPHS1 looked_VVD she_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX find_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
Sometimes_RT ,_, when_CS she_PPHS1 entered_VVD a_AT1 room_NN1 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ the_AT feeling_NN1 that_CST the_AT thing_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO happen_VVI had_VHD just_RR been_VBN there_RL ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 would_VM stop_VVI and_CC pant_VVI and_CC peer_VVI around_RP while_CS the_AT feeling_NN1 seeped_VVD away_RL as_RG mysteriously_RR as_CSA it_PPH1 had_VHD arrived_VVN ._. 
Weeks_NNT2 might_VM pass_VVI without_IW a_AT1 sign_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT a_AT1 night_NNT1 would_VM come_VVI ,_, when_RRQ ,_, lying_VVG nose_NN1 to_II tail_NN1 beneath_II the_AT window_NN1 in_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 corner_NN1 ,_, listening_VVG to_II the_AT murmur_NN1 of_IO conversation_NN1 and_CC the_AT slosh_NN1 and_CC clink_NN1 of_IO dishes_NN2 being_VBG washed_VVN ,_, she_PPHS1 felt_VVD it_PPH1 in_II the_AT house_NN1 again_RT and_CC she_PPHS1 whisked_VVD her_APPGE tail_NN1 across_II the_AT baseboards_NN2 in_II long_JJ ,_, pensive_JJ strokes_NN2 and_CC silently_RR collected_VVD her_APPGE feet_NN2 beneath_II her_PPHO1 and_CC waited_VVD ._. 
When_CS half_DB an_AT1 hour_NNT1 passed_VVN and_CC nothing_PN1 appeared_VVD ,_, she_PPHS1 groaned_VVD and_CC sighed_VVD and_CC rolled_VVD onto_II her_PPHO1 back_RP and_CC waited_VVD to_TO see_VVI if_CSW it_PPH1 was_VBDZ somewhere_RL in_II her_APPGE sleep_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 began_VVD investigating_VVG unlikely_JJ crevices_NN2 :_: behind_II the_AT refrigerator_NN1 ,_, where_CS age-old_JJ layers_NN2 of_IO dust_NN1 whirled_VVD into_II frantic_JJ life_NN1 under_II her_APPGE breath_NN1 ;_; within_II the_AT tangle_NN1 of_IO chair_NN1 legs_NN2 and_CC living_JJ feet_NN2 beneath_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 table_NN1 ;_; inside_II the_AT boots_NN2 and_CC shoes_NN2 sagging_VVG in_II a_AT1 line_NN1 beside_II the_AT back_NN1 porch_NN1 door_NN1 --_NN1 none_PN with_IW any_DD success_NN1 ,_, though_CS freshly_RR baited_VVN mousetraps_NN2 began_VVD to_TO appear_VVI behind_II the_AT appliances_NN2 ,_, beyond_II the_AT reach_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE delicate_JJ ,_, inquisitive_JJ nose_NN1 ._. 
Once_RR ,_, when_CS Edgar_NP1 's_GE parents_NN2 left_VVD their_APPGE closet_NN1 door_NN1 open_JJ ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD spent_VVN an_AT1 entire_JJ morning_NNT1 crouched_VVN on_II the_AT bedroom_NN1 floor_NN1 ,_, certain_JJ she_PPHS1 'd_VHD finally_RR cornered_VVN the_AT thing_NN1 among_II the_AT jumble_NN1 of_IO shoes_NN2 and_CC drapes_NN2 of_IO cloth_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 lost_VVD patience_NN1 after_II a_AT1 while_NNT1 and_CC walked_VVD to_II the_AT threshold_NN1 ,_, scenting_VVG the_AT musty_JJ darkness_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI begun_VVN her_APPGE search_NN1 in_II earnest_JJ ,_, but_CCB Trudy_NP1 called_VVD from_II the_AT yard_NN1 and_CC she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ forced_VVN to_TO leave_VVI it_PPH1 be_VBI ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 remembered_VVD the_AT closet_NN1 later_RRR that_DD1 day_NNT1 the_AT thing_NN1 was_VBDZ gone_VVN and_CC there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT telling_NN1 where_CS it_PPH1 might_VM have_VHI gotten_VVN to_II ._. 
Sometimes_RT ,_, after_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD searched_VVN and_CC failed_VVN to_TO find_VVI the_AT thing_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO happen_VVI ,_, she_PPHS1 stood_VVD beside_II Edgar_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 or_CC father_NN1 and_CC waited_VVD for_IF them_PPHO2 to_TO call_VVI it_PPH1 out_RP ._. 
But_CCB they_PPHS2 'd_VHD forgotten_VVN about_II it_PPH1 --_JJ or_CC more_RGR likely_JJ ,_, had_VHD never_RR known_VVN in_II the_AT first_MD place_NN1 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR things_NN2 like_II that_DD1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD learned_VVN ,_, obvious_JJ things_NN2 they_PPHS2 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI ._. 
The_AT way_NN1 they_PPHS2 ran_VVD their_APPGE hands_NN2 down_II her_APPGE sides_NN2 and_CC scratched_VVD along_RP her_APPGE backbone_NN1 consoled_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT fact_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, she_PPHS1 wanted_VVD a_AT1 job_NN1 to_TO do_VDI ._. 
By_II then_RT she_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN in_II the_AT house_NN1 for_IF almost_RR a_AT1 year_NNT1 ,_, away_II21 from_II22 her_APPGE littermates_NN2 ,_, away_II21 from_II22 the_AT sounds_NN2 and_CC smells_NN2 of_IO the_AT kennel_NN1 ,_, with_IW only_RR the_AT daily_JJ training_NN1 work_NN1 to_TO occupy_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
Now_RT even_RR that_CST had_VHD become_VVN routine_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX the_AT kind_NN1 of_IO dog_NN1 who_PNQS could_VM be_VBI idle_JJ for_RR21 long_RR22 without_IW growing_JJ unhappy_JJ ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI about_II this_DD1 thing_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ all_DB that_RG much_DA1 more_DAR important_JJ that_CST she_PPHS1 find_VV0 it_PPH1 and_CC show_VV0 them_PPHO2 ._. 
In_II April_NPM1 she_PPHS1 began_VVD to_TO wake_VVI in_II the_AT night_NNT1 and_CC wander_VVI the_AT house_NN1 ,_, pausing_VVG beside_II the_AT vacant_JJ couch_NN1 and_CC the_AT blowing_NN1 furnace_NN1 registers_VVZ to_TO ask_VVI what_DDQ they_PPHS2 knew_VVD ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 never_RR answered_VVN ._. 
Or_CC knew_VVD but_CCB could_VM n't_XX say_VVI ._. 
Always_RR ,_, at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO those_DD2 moonlight_NN1 prowls_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 found_VVD herself_PPX1 standing_VVG in_II the_AT room_NN1 with_IW the_AT crib_NN1 (_( where_RRQ ,_, at_II odd_JJ moments_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 might_VM discover_VVI Trudy_NN1 rearranging_VVG the_AT chest_NN1 of_IO drawers_NN2 or_CC brushing_VVG her_APPGE hand_NN1 through_II the_AT mobile_NN1 suspended_VVN over_II it_PPH1 )_) ._. 
From_II the_AT doorway_NN1 her_APPGE gaze_NN1 was_VBDZ drawn_VVN to_II the_AT rocking_JJ chair_NN1 ,_, bathed_VVN in_II the_AT pale_JJ night_NNT1 light_NN1 that_CST filtered_VVD through_II the_AT curtained_JJ window_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 recalled_VVD a_AT1 time_NNT1 when_RRQ she_PPHS1 'd_VHD slept_VVN beside_II that_DD1 chair_NN1 while_CS Trudy_NP1 rocked_VVD in_II the_AT dark_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 approached_VVD and_CC dropped_VVD her_APPGE nose_NN1 below_II the_AT seat_NN1 and_CC lifted_VVD it_PPH1 an_AT1 inch_NNU1 ,_, encouraging_VVG it_PPH1 to_TO remember_VVI and_CC tell_VVI her_PPHO1 what_DDQ more_RRR it_PPH1 knew_VVD ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 only_RR tilted_VVN back_RP and_CC forth_RR in_II silence_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ clear_JJ that_CST the_AT bed_NN1 positively_RR knew_VVD the_AT secret_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX saying_VVG ,_, no_RGQV31 matter_RGQV32 how_RGQV33 many_DA2 times_NNT2 she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ;_; Edgar_NP1 's_GE parents_NN2 awoke_VVD one_MC1 night_NNT1 to_TO find_VVI her_PPHO1 dragging_VVG away_RL the_AT blanket_NN1 in_II a_AT1 moment_NN1 of_IO spite_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT mornings_NNT2 she_PPHS1 poked_VVD her_APPGE nose_NN1 at_II the_AT truck_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT traveler_NN1 ,_, as_CSA she_PPHS1 thought_VVD of_IO it_PPH1 --_JJ sitting_VVG petrified_JJ in_II the_AT driveway_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 too_RR kept_VVN all_DB secrets_NN2 close_VV0 ,_, and_CC made_VVN no_AT reply_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT Essay_NN1 and_CC Tinder_NP1 accosted_VVD him_PPHO1 together_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM summon_VVI only_RR the_AT strength_NN1 to_TO sit_VVI cross-legged_JJ against_II the_AT wooden_JJ wall_NN1 and_CC bury_VV0 his_APPGE face_NN1 in_II his_APPGE arms_NN2 ,_, counting_VVG by_II sound_NN1 the_AT dogs_NN2 shuffling_NN1 through_II the_AT straw_NN1 in_II their_APPGE pens_NN2 as_CSA rain_NN1 thundered_VVD onto_II the_AT barn_NN1 ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 lifted_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 again_RT ,_, Essay_NN1 and_CC Tinder_NP1 stammered_VVD before_II him_PPHO1 and_CC snaked_VVD their_APPGE necks_NN2 against_II his_APPGE palms_NN2 and_CC shimmied_VVD ._. 
In_II time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 pushed_VVD himself_PPX1 upright_RL ._. 
Patches_NN2 of_IO wet_JJ cloth_NN1 sucked_VVN away_II21 from_II22 his_APPGE skin_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 slipped_VVD out_II21 of_II22 the_AT pen_NN1 and_CC walked_VVD to_II the_AT Dutch_JJ doors_NN2 and_CC stood_VVD with_IW one_MC1 hand_NN1 on_II the_AT latch_NN1 listening_VVG to_II water_NN1 sheeting_NN1 off_II the_AT eaves_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 drew_VVD a_AT1 breath_NN1 and_CC swung_VVD the_AT door_NN1 outward_RL ._. 
The_AT sapphire_NN1 sky_NN1 above_RL floated_VVD a_AT1 small_JJ ,_, lone_JJ cloud_NN1 made_VVD orange_NN1 by_II the_AT sunrise_NN1 ._. 
The_AT new_JJ leaves_NN2 on_II the_AT maple_NN1 stirred_VVN and_CC quaked_VVN ;_; sparrows_NN2 cartwheeled_VVD over_II the_AT wet_JJ field_NN1 like_II glazier_JJR 's_VBZ points_NN2 against_II the_AT sky_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT swallows_NN2 nesting_VVG in_II the_AT eaves_NN2 plunged_VVN into_II the_AT morning_NNT1 air_NN1 ._. 
The_AT house_NN1 burned_VVD white_JJ against_II the_AT green_NN1 of_IO the_AT woods_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Impala_NP1 ,_, neon_NN1 blue_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT torrent_NN1 to_TO be_VBI seen_VVN ,_, not_XX even_RR a_AT1 drizzle_NN1 ._. 
The_AT sound_NN1 of_IO falling_VVG rain_NN1 possessed_VVD him_PPHO1 for_IF one_MC1 moment_NN1 more_RRR and_CC then_RT vanished_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ past_II the_AT milk_NN1 house_NN1 before_CS he_PPHS1 remembered_VVD the_AT syringe_NN1 and_CC turned_VVD and_CC found_VVD it_PPH1 crushed_VVD in_II the_AT center_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 grassy_JJ puddle_NN1 ,_, needle_NN1 snapped_VVD ,_, barrel_NN1 broken_VVN and_CC awash_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 cupped_VVD it_PPH1 in_II his_APPGE palm_NN1 and_CC carried_VVD the_AT pieces_NN2 to_II the_AT old_JJ silo_NN1 where_CS he_PPHS1 pitched_VVD them_PPHO2 through_II the_AT rusted_JJ iron_NN1 rungs_NN2 and_CC listened_VVD as_CSA they_PPHS2 struck_VVD the_AT far_JJ curve_NN1 of_IO cement_NN1 and_CC stone_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 papery_JJ ring_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 walked_VVD up_RP the_AT driveway_NN1 ,_, faster_JJR as_CSA he_PPHS1 passed_VVD the_AT house_NN1 ,_, the_AT orchard_NN1 ,_, the_AT mailbox_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 started_VVD up_II the_AT road_NN1 ,_, wheeled_VVN and_CC headed_VVN the_AT other_JJ way_NN1 ,_, breaking_VVG into_II a_AT1 run_NN1 and_CC then_RT dropping_VVG into_II a_AT1 jerky_JJ reined-up_JJ step_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD again_RT ._. 
After_CS a_AT1 time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 found_VVD himself_PPX1 walking_VVG back_RP down_II the_AT driveway_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 began_VVD to_TO circle_VVI the_AT house_NN1 in_II that_DD1 same_DA halting_JJ stride_NN1 ._. 
Five_MC times_NNT2 around_RP ,_, ten_MC ,_, twenty_MC times_NNT2 ,_, looking_VVG into_II the_AT darkness_NN1 behind_II the_AT window_NN1 glass_NN1 ._. 
Each_DD1 time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 passed_VVD the_AT old_JJ apple_NN1 tree_NN1 its_APPGE lowest_JJT branches_NN2 tugged_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 and_CC he_PPHS1 brushed_VVD them_PPHO2 away_RL until_CS he_PPHS1 finally_RR came_VVD to_TO rest_VVI ,_, panting_VVG ,_, caught_VVN for_IF the_AT umpteenth_MD time_NNT1 ,_, and_CC at_RR21 last_RR22 he_PPHS1 turned_VVD to_TO look_VVI at_II it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 old_JJ tree_NN1 ,_, old_JJ already_RR when_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ born_VVN ,_, maybe_RR older_JJR than_CSN the_AT house_NN1 itself_PPX1 ._. 
At_II eye_NN1 level_NN1 the_AT trunk_NN1 split_VVN into_II three_MC thick_JJ and_CC nearly_RR horizontal_JJ limbs_NN2 ,_, the_AT longest_JJT of_IO which_DDQ arced_VVD toward_II the_AT house_NN1 and_CC ended_VVD suddenly_RR in_II a_AT1 mass_NN1 of_IO waxy_JJ leaves_NN2 ._. 
The_AT branch_NN1 would_VM have_VHI continued_VVN through_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 window_NN1 had_VHD it_PPH1 not_XX been_VBN pruned_VVN mid-limb_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ shaking_VVG and_CC chilled_JJ and_CC his_APPGE fingers_NN2 were_VBDR stiff_JJ but_CCB he_PPHS1 managed_VVD to_TO boost_VVI himself_PPX1 into_II the_AT crotch_NN1 of_IO the_AT tree_NN1 and_CC from_II there_RL he_PPHS1 worked_VVD himself_PPX1 onto_II the_AT limb_NN1 ._. 
The_AT bark_NN1 felt_VVD greasy_JJ from_II long_JJ days_NNT2 of_IO rain_NN1 ._. 
Past_RL halfway_RR it_PPH1 began_VVD to_II buck_NN and_CC wobble_VV0 under_II his_APPGE weight_NN1 ._. 
Rainwater_NN1 cupped_VVN in_II the_AT new_JJ foliage_NN1 showered_VVD him_PPHO1 every_AT1 time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 moved_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 worked_VVD slowly_RR along_RP ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 got_VVD to_II the_AT stump_NN1 end_NN1 he_PPHS1 steadied_VVD himself_PPX1 by_II gripping_VVG a_AT1 hornlike_JJ pair_NN of_IO limbs_NN2 and_CC settled_VVD his_APPGE sternum_NN1 against_II the_AT branch_NN1 and_CC lay_VVD outstretched_JJ ,_, a_AT1 swimmer_NN1 among_II the_AT boughs_NN2 ._. 
The_AT shaking_NN1 and_CC thumping_VVG continued_JJ in_II a_AT1 steady_JJ rhythm_NN1 ._. 
Though_CS there_EX was_VBDZ barely_RR enough_DD room_NN1 between_II the_AT bales_NN2 and_CC the_AT rafters_NN2 ,_, Edgar_NP1 wormed_VVD his_APPGE way_NN1 forward_RL ._. 
Claude_NP1 was_VBDZ working_VVG by_II the_AT long_JJ western_JJ wall_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE head_NN1 five_MC or_CC six_MC feet_NN2 below_II Edgar_NP1 's_GE ._. 
He_PPHS1 wore_VVD a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO canvas_NN1 work_NN1 gloves_NN2 and_CC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ dragging_VVG out_RP bale_NN1 after_II bale_NN1 and_CC letting_VVG them_PPHO2 tumble_VVI to_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX easy_JJ --_NN1 the_AT bales_NN2 were_VBDR stacked_VVN one_MC1 pair_NN lengthwise_RR over_II another_DD1 crosswise_JJ so_CS21 that_CS22 no_AT column_NN1 could_VM shear_VVI away_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD already_RR opened_VVN a_AT1 semicircular_JJ cavity_NN1 ,_, deeper_RRR at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 than_CSN at_II the_AT top_NN1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE shirt_NN1 was_VBDZ dark_JJ with_IW sweat_NN1 halfway_RR down_RP his_APPGE back_NN1 ._. 
Edgar_NP1 could_VM hear_VVI him_PPHO1 gasping_VVG in_II the_AT heat_NN1 ._. 
When_CS thirty_MC or_CC forty_MC bales_NN2 lay_VVD on_II the_AT floor_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 stopped_VVD and_CC pulled_VVD the_AT gloves_NN2 off_II his_APPGE hands_NN2 and_CC picked_VVD up_RP a_AT1 hammer_NN1 from_II the_AT floor_NN1 and_CC knelt_VVD in_II the_AT cavity_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD created_VVN ,_, half_RR concealed_VVN from_II Edgar_NP1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ the_AT screech_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 nail_NN1 pulled_VVN from_II dry_JJ wood_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 board_NN1 clattering_VVG ._. 
Claude_NP1 leaned_VVD back_RP and_CC rubbed_VVD his_APPGE hands_NN2 together_RL as_CS21 if_CS22 reconsidering_VVG ,_, then_RT fetched_VVD his_APPGE work_NN1 gloves_NN2 and_CC put_VV0 them_PPHO2 on_RP and_CC shot_VVD his_APPGE fingers_NN2 together_RL to_TO seat_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
The_AT thought_NN1 crossed_VVD Edgar_NP1 's_GE mind_NN1 to_TO pitch_VVI a_AT1 bale_NN1 down_RP ._. 
Forty_MC or_CC fifty_MC pounds_NN2 of_IO densely_RR packed_JJ straw_NN1 ,_, dropped_VVN from_II that_DD1 height_NN1 ,_, could_VM knock_VVI Claude_NP1 flat_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB what_DDQ would_VM that_DD1 accomplish_VVI ?_? 
He_PPHS1 would_VM n't_XX stay_VVI down_RP ._. 
Besides_RR ,_, Claude_NP1 was_VBDZ already_RR glancing_VVG uneasily_RR toward_II the_AT vestibule_NN1 door_NN1 ;_; in_II such_DA cramped_JJ quarters_NN2 ,_, long_RR before_II Edgar_NP1 could_VM wrestle_VVI a_AT1 bale_NN1 to_II the_AT edge_NN1 and_CC tip_VV0 it_PPH1 over_RP ,_, Claude_NP1 would_VM hear_VVI and_CC look_VVI up_RP ._. 
Then_RT Claude_NP1 was_VBDZ backing_VVG away_II21 from_II22 the_AT bales_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 set_VVD something_PN1 small_JJ and_CC glinting_VVG on_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 bottle_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 old-time_JJ bottle_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 crude_JJ blob_NN1 of_IO glass_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 stopper_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 ribbon_NN1 around_II the_AT neck_NN1 with_IW black_JJ markings_NN2 ._. 
Claude_NP1 stood_VVD looking_VVG at_II it_PPH1 ,_, as_RG mesmerized_JJ as_CSA Edgar_NP1 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 moved_VVD the_AT bottle_NN1 against_II the_AT mow_NN1 wall_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 gloved_JJ hand_NN1 and_CC thrashed_VVD up_RP a_AT1 pile_NN1 of_IO loose_JJ straw_NN1 to_TO cover_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 began_VVD to_TO restack_VVI the_AT bales_NN2 ._. 
Edgar_NP1 retreated_VVD ._. 
Shortly_RR ,_, there_EX were_VBDR footsteps_NN2 on_II the_AT mow_NN1 floor_NN1 ,_, the_AT click_NN1 of_IO the_AT vestibule_NN1 door_NN1 latch_NN1 ,_, and_CC more_DAR footsteps_NN2 on_II the_AT stairs_NN2 ._. 
Edgar_NP1 waited_VVD for_IF the_AT sound_NN1 of_IO Claude_NP1 's_GE boots_NN2 on_II the_AT driveway_NN1 ,_, but_CCB all_DB he_PPHS1 heard_VVD was_VBDZ his_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE voice_NN1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 encouraged_VVD the_AT pups_NN2 in_II the_AT yard_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 elbowed_VVD forward_RL ._. 
Claude_NP1 had_VHD n't_XX bothered_VVN to_TO wrestle_VVI the_AT topmost_JJ bales_NN2 into_II place_NN1 ._. 
Near_II the_AT floor_NN1 ,_, the_AT stacks_NN2 bulged_VVD from_II the_AT otherwise_RR neat_JJ stair_NN1 step_NN1 of_IO yellow_JJ ._. 
Where_CS Claude_NP1 had_VHD momentarily_RR covered_VVN the_AT bottle_NN1 in_II straw_NN1 ,_, Edgar_NP1 now_RT saw_VVD only_RR a_AT1 stretch_NN1 of_IO bare_JJ planking_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 tipped_VVD the_AT coffee_NN1 can_VM to_II his_APPGE mouth_NN1 and_CC then_RT climbed_VVD down_RP ,_, his_APPGE body_NN1 oily_JJ with_IW sweat_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 dragged_VVD away_RL the_AT bales_NN2 Claude_NP1 had_VHD moved_VVN ._. 
The_AT wood_NN1 plank_NN1 was_VBDZ splintered_VVN where_CS the_AT nails_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN pulled_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 pressed_VVD the_AT point_NN1 of_IO Henry_NP1 's_GE jackknife_NN1 into_II the_AT crack_NN1 and_CC pried_VVD it_PPH1 up_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ he_PPHS1 expected_VVD to_TO find_VVI ._. 
The_AT hole_NN1 was_VBDZ dry_JJ and_CC empty_JJ ,_, like_II the_AT one_PN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD found_VVN the_AT night_NNT1 before_RT ,_, though_CS deeper_RRR ._. 
It_PPH1 could_VM easily_RR accommodate_VVI the_AT bottle_NN1 Claude_NP1 had_VHD set_VVN aside_RL --_JJ the_AT bottle_NN1 that_CST had_VHD not_XX been_VBN a_AT1 figment_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE imagination_NN1 ._. 
Or_CC of_IO Ida_NP1 Paine_NP1 's_GE ._. 
It_PPH1 existed_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN it_PPH1 ,_, in_II daylight_NN1 ,_, if_CS only_RR for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 walked_VVD to_II the_AT front_JJ wall_NN1 and_CC cracked_VVD open_RR the_AT mow_NN1 door_NN1 and_CC pressed_VVD one_MC1 eye_NN1 to_II the_AT gap_NN1 ,_, blinking_VVG against_II the_AT midday_NNT1 brilliance_NN1 ._. 
Fresh_JJ air_NN1 poured_VVN across_II his_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, hot_JJ from_II the_AT August_NPM1 sun_NN1 but_CCB soothingly_RR cool_JJ after_II what_DDQ he_PPHS1 'd_VHD endured_VVN in_II the_AT rafters_NN2 ._. 
The_AT mow_NN1 door_NN1 was_VBDZ hinged_VVN on_II the_AT side_NN1 nearest_II the_AT house_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 could_VM see_VVI only_JJ downfield_NN1 ,_, where_CS grasshoppers_NN2 leapt_VVD like_II firecrackers_NN2 ignited_VVN under_II the_AT rays_NN2 of_IO the_AT run_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT Claude_NP1 's_GE footsteps_NN2 sounded_VVN on_II the_AT gravel_NN1 ._. 
The_AT truck_NN1 started_VVD ,_, idled_VVD alongside_II the_AT barn_NN1 ,_, and_CC stopped_VVD again_RT ._. 
Edgar_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 called_VVN the_AT pups_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 would_VM not_XX keep_VVI them_PPHO2 out_RP for_RR21 long_RR22 in_II the_AT heat_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 listened_VVD for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 ,_, then_RT shut_VV0 the_AT mow_NN1 door_NN1 and_CC walked_VVD to_II the_AT top_NN1 of_IO the_AT stairs_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ latching_VVG their_APPGE pen_NN1 door_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 felt_VVD his_APPGE arms_NN2 around_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 let_VVD out_RP a_AT1 brief_JJ pip_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 cry_NN1 before_II a_AT1 hand_NN1 clamped_VVD over_RP her_APPGE mouth_NN1 and_CC another_DD1 was_VBDZ thrust_VVN in_II31 front_II32 of_II33 her_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, fingerspelling_VVG like_II lightning_NN1 ._. 
Quiet_JJ ._. 
Only_JJ sign_NN1 ._. 
Okay_RR ?_? 
She_PPHS1 nodded_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 let_VVD go_VV0 and_CC stepped_VVD back_RP and_CC she_PPHS1 turned_VVD to_TO look_VVI at_II Edgar_NP1 ._. 
