'Amateur_NN1 Barbarians_NN2 '_GE Frost_NP1 scarred_VVD the_AT windows_NN2 ._. 
Old_JJ apples_NN2 ,_, pulpy_JJ and_CC bruised_JJ ,_, lay_VVD strewn_VVN around_II the_AT orchards_NN2 like_II the_AT aftermath_NN1 of_IO some_DD stormy_JJ debauch_NN1 ._. 
Gail_NP1 kicked_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 under_II the_AT covers_NN2 ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 wanted_VVD him_PPHO1 to_TO sleep_VVI ._. 
Finally_RR ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 conceding_VVG the_AT battle_NN1 to_II a_AT1 superior_JJ force_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD clicked_VVN on_II the_AT bed_NN1 lamp_NN1 and_CC reached_VVN for_IF his_APPGE book_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 young_JJ man_NN1 Teddy_NP1 had_VHD no_AT time_NNT1 for_IF reading_VVG ._. 
Books_NN2 were_VBDR for_IF the_AT Philips_NP1 ,_, the_AT moody_JJ ,_, passive_JJ people_NN who_PNQS liked_VVD to_TO sit_VVI alone_RR in_II a_AT1 room_NN1 all_DB day_NNT1 doing_VDG nothing_PN1 ._. 
Teddy_NP1 preferred_VVD the_AT active_JJ life_NN1 ._. 
No_RR21 doubt_RR22 Philip_NP1 would_VM have_VHI preferred_VVN the_AT active_JJ life_NN1 too_RR ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 'd_VHD never_RR quite_RR mastered_VVN it_PPH1 ,_, had_VHD been_VBN too_RG haughty_JJ ,_, too_RG shy_JJ ,_, too_RG laid-back_JJ ,_, too_RR something_PN1 ._. 
Now_RT of_RR21 course_RR22 Philip_NP1 was_VBDZ dead_RG --_JJ really_RR alone_RR in_II a_AT1 room_NN1 ,_, really_RR doing_VDG nothing_PN1 --_JJ and_CC seeing_CS21 as_CS22 how_RRQ he_PPHS1 could_VM no_RR21 longer_RR22 do_VDI much_DA1 reading_NN1 at_II this_DD1 point_NN1 ,_, Teddy_NP1 felt_VVD compelled_VVN to_TO do_VDI it_PPH1 for_IF him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ halfway_RR through_II Thesiger_NP1 's_GE Danakil_NP1 Diary_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ his_APPGE sort_NN1 of_IO book_NN1 :_: outward-bound_JJ ,_, exploratory_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 liked_VVD material_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 extreme_JJ nature_NN1 ._. 
The_AT radical_JJ solitude_NN1 of_IO the_AT desert_NN1 ,_, the_AT dank_JJ resistance_NN1 of_IO the_AT jungle_NN1 ,_, the_AT flare_NN1 and_CC assault_NN1 of_IO tropical_JJ heat_NN1 ._. 
Already_RR that_DD1 year_NNT1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD sailed_VVN up_RP the_AT Gambia_NP1 with_IW Mungo_NP1 Park_NN1 ,_, floated_VVD down_RP the_AT Nile_NP1 with_IW James_NP1 Bruce_NP1 ,_, crossed_VVD the_AT Horn_NN1 with_IW Richard_NP1 Burton_NP1 ,_, galloped_VVD the_AT Levant_NP1 with_IW T._NP1 E._NP1 Lawrence_NP1 ._. 
Now_RT he_PPHS1 'd_VM set_VVI out_RP again_RT ,_, with_IW the_AT cool_JJ ,_, unflappable_JJ Thesiger_NN1 ,_, through_II the_AT Abyssinian_JJ lowlands_NN2 and_CC into_II the_AT Danakil_NP1 Depression_NN1 ,_, the_AT harsh_JJ ,_, primordial_JJ emptiness_NN1 of_IO Afar_RL ._. 
The_AT harder_JJR the_AT way_NN1 ,_, the_AT more_RGR worthwhile_JJ the_AT journey_NN1 :_: that_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT idea_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 felt_VVD ,_, like_II a_AT1 programmer_NN1 scanning_VVG a_AT1 hard_JJ drive_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT trail_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 encoded_JJ truth_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 had_VHD something_PN1 to_TO do_VDI with_IW going_VVG far_RR out_II21 of_II22 your_APPGE way_NN1 toward_II an_AT1 unknown_JJ end_NN1 ,_, then_RT coming_VVG back_RP ._. 
Vanishing_VVG into_II a_AT1 distant_JJ ,_, uncharted_JJ landscape_NN1 ,_, half-mad_JJ with_IW fatigue_NN1 ,_, navigating_VVG by_II dead_JJ reckoning_NN1 ,_, starving_VVG yourself_PPX1 down_RP to_TO sinew_VVI and_CC bone_NN1 ,_, then_RT returning_VVG from_II the_AT brink_NN1 of_IO extinction_NN1 to_TO tell_VVI your_APPGE tale_NN1 and_CC claim_VVI what_DDQ was_VBDZ yours_PPGE ._. 
That_CST it_PPH1 had_VHD become_VVN so_RG much_DA1 easier_JJR to_TO imagine_VVI the_AT vanishing_JJ than_CSN the_AT return_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, Teddy_NP1 supposed_VVD ,_, a_AT1 troubling_JJ sign_NN1 ,_, but_CCB then_RT he_PPHS1 'd_VHD never_RR been_VBN blessed_VVN with_IW much_DA1 in_II the_AT way_NN1 of_IO imagination_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 put_VVD his_APPGE trust_NN1 in_II firsthand_JJ experience_NN1 ,_, trial_NN1 by_II fire_NN1 ._. 
Hence_RR his_APPGE love_NN1 for_IF the_AT explorers_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT cranks_NN2 ,_, the_AT misfits_NN2 ,_, the_AT egotists_NN2 ,_, the_AT desert_NN1 solitaries_NN2 ,_, the_AT hardship_NN1 freaks_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 toted_VVD them_PPHO2 home_RL from_II the_AT library_NN1 in_II a_AT1 leather_NN1 rucksack_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD once_RR intended_VVN for_IF his_APPGE own_DA travels_NN2 ,_, for_IF smelly_JJ ,_, balled-up_JJ socks_NN2 and_CC filthy_JJ boxers_NN2 washed_VVD out_RP in_II some_DD remote_JJ youth-hostel_JJ sink_NN1 ._. 
So_RG far_RR all_DB it_PPH1 had_VHD carried_VVN was_VBDZ paper_NN1 :_: essays_NN2 ,_, lesson_NN1 plans_NN2 ,_, budgetary_JJ requisitions_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB that_DD1 could_VM still_RR change_VVI ._. 
As_II21 for_II22 the_AT books_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 piled_VVD them_PPHO2 up_RP on_II his_APPGE nightstand_NN1 like_II a_AT1 miser_NN1 's_GE currency_NN1 ,_, breathing_VVG their_APPGE dusts_NN2 and_CC molds_NN2 ,_, the_AT powders_NN2 that_CST escaped_VVD from_II their_APPGE bindings_NN2 ._. 
Their_APPGE proximity_NN1 was_VBDZ both_RR goad_VV0 and_CC consolation_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 felt_VVD their_APPGE judgments_NN2 bearing_VVG down_RP on_II him_PPHO1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 slept_VVD ,_, exonerating_VVG him_PPHO1 from_II some_DD crimes_NN2 and_CC indicting_VVG him_PPHO1 for_IF others_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE job_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ,_, was_VBDZ to_TO determine_VVI which_DDQ was_VBDZ which_DDQ ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT only_JJ job_NN1 he_PPHS1 still_RR had_VHN ._. 
Off_RP in_II the_AT foothills_NN2 coyotes_NN2 yipped_VVD and_CC snarled_VVD ,_, chasing_VVG prey_NN1 ._. 
Gail_NP1 turned_VVD onto_II her_APPGE side_NN1 ,_, hogging_VVG the_AT covers_NN2 ,_, indeed_RR the_AT whole_JJ bed_NN1 ,_, as_RR21 usual_RR22 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ her_APPGE bed_NN1 --_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD made_VVN it_PPH1 for_IF her_PPHO1 as_II a_AT1 wedding_NN1 gift_NN1 ,_, wrestled_VVD it_PPH1 from_II the_AT trunk_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 bur_FU oak_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD toppled_VVN with_IW a_AT1 power_NN1 saw_VVD in_II the_AT backyard_NN1 ._. 
"_" Mother_NN1 of_IO god_NN1 ,_, "_" Gail_NP1 had_VHD groaned_VVN when_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD presented_VVN the_AT bed_NN1 ,_, "_" so_RR that_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ you_PPY 've_VH0 been_VBN up_II21 to_II22 out_RP in_II the_AT garage_NN1 ._. 
And_CC here_RL I_PPIS1 thought_VVD you_PPY were_VBDR already_RR tired_JJ of_IO me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM show_VVI you_PPY how_RGQ tired_JJ I_PPIS1 am_VBM ._. 
Get_VV0 in_RP ._. "_" 
"_" The_AT wood_NN1 's_VBZ still_RR warm_JJ ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 blushed_VVD prettily_RR in_II her_APPGE sleeveless_JJ nightgown_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VHD been_VBN married_VVN by_II then_RT for_IF two_MC years_NNT2 ,_, but_CCB so_RR what_DDQ ?_? 
The_AT wooing_NN1 of_IO Gail_NP1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 ongoing_JJ process_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE childhood_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN shorn_VVN away_RL early_RR ._. 
Her_APPGE old_JJ man_NN1 's_GE dairy_NN1 farm_NN1 had_VHD slipped_VVN through_II his_APPGE fingers_NN2 ;_; her_APPGE mom_NN1 ,_, helpless_JJ ,_, abstracted_VVN ,_, would_VM put_VVI daisies_NN2 in_II Gail_NP1 's_GE lunchbox_NN1 but_CCB forget_VV0 the_AT food_NN1 ._. 
Teddy_NP1 's_GE job_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO make_VVI up_RP for_IF their_APPGE inattentions_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX mind_VVI ._. 
In_II his_APPGE own_DA eyes_NN2 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD got_VVN lucky_JJ ;_; he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX mind_VVI dealing_VVG with_IW the_AT infrastructural_JJ stuff_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT lubing_NN1 ,_, oiling_VVG ,_, and_CC filtering_NN1 ;_; the_AT ticket-buying_NN1 and_CC table-reserving_NN1 ;_; the_AT playdate-arranging_NN1 and_CC calendar-keeping_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 he_PPHS1 made_VVD his_APPGE province_NN1 ,_, while_CS Gail_NP1 staked_VVD out_RP the_AT unassigned_JJ territory_NN1 upstairs_RL ._. 
The_AT inner_JJ moods_NN2 ,_, the_AT private_JJ fears_NN2 ._. 
So_RR be_VBI it_PPH1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM deal_VVI with_IW the_AT externals_NN2 ._. 
Doing_VDG things_NN2 ,_, fixing_VVG things_NN2 ._. 
Making_VVG things_NN2 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 it_PPH1 's_VBZ sturdier_JJR than_CSN it_PPH1 looks_VVZ ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 flopped_VVD down_RP onto_II the_AT varnished_JJ platform_NN1 ,_, waving_VVG her_APPGE limbs_NN2 like_II a_AT1 starfish_NN ;_; she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ five_MC foot_NN1 eight_MC but_CCB the_AT bed_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO swallow_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ is_VBZ it_PPH1 ,_, a_AT1 king_NN1 or_CC a_AT1 queen_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" What_DDQ difference_NN1 does_VDZ it_PPH1 make_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" If_CS we_PPIS2 want_VV0 to_TO buy_VVI a_AT1 mattress_NN1 and_CC sheets_NN2 ,_, we_PPIS2 have_VH0 to_TO know_VVI the_AT size_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Let_VM21 's_VM22 call_VVI it_PPH1 a_AT1 king_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Really_RR ?_? 
To_II me_PPIO1 it_PPH1 feels_VVZ more_RRR like_II a_AT1 queen_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Fine_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" call_VV0 it_PPH1 a_AT1 queen_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX that_CST either_DD1 ._. 
The_AT planks_NN2 of_IO untreated_JJ oak_NN1 ,_, left_VVD too_RG long_RR in_II the_AT dank_JJ garage_NN1 ,_, had_VHD warped_VVN over_II time_NNT1 ,_, thereby_RR throwing_VVG off_RP his_APPGE measurements_NN2 ,_, altering_VVG angles_NN2 that_CST had_VHD possibly_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 conceded_VVD ,_, been_VBN drawn_VVN a_RR21 bit_RR22 too_RG hastily_RR to_TO begin_VVI with_IW ;_; and_CC so_RR the_AT platform_NN1 had_VHD turned_VVN out_RP to_TO be_VBI not_XX exactly_RR a_AT1 king_NN1 and_CC not_XX exactly_RR a_AT1 queen_NN1 ,_, but_CCB some_DD odd_JJ transgendered_JJ size_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE own_DA ._. 
Gail_NP1 for_IF her_APPGE part_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX listening_VVG ._. 
Already_RR she_PPHS1 'd_VHD commenced_VVN the_AT long_JJ glide_NN1 toward_II sleep_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE soft_JJ arms_NN2 folded_VVN like_II wings_NN2 ,_, her_APPGE white_JJ legs_NN2 with_IW their_APPGE dark_NN1 ,_, cilialike_JJ hairs_NN2 tucked_VVD in_RP behind_II her_APPGE rump_NN1 ,_, cushioning_VVG her_APPGE fall_NN1 ._. 
Teddy_NP1 stood_VVD there_RL watching_VVG over_II her_PPHO1 ,_, flushed_VVN with_IW tenderness_NN1 and_CC pride_NN1 ._. 
Okay_RR ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX perfect_JJ ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 had_VHD built_VVN her_PPHO1 this_DD1 enormous_JJ ,_, solid_JJ ,_, unclassifiable_JJ thing_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE own_DA hands_NN2 ._. 
And_CC it_PPH1 would_VM last_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 came_VVD from_II strong_JJ New_NP1 Hampshire_NP1 stock_NN1 ,_, from_II hale_NN1 ,_, red-faced_JJ men_NN2 with_IW roping_VVG arteries_NN2 who_PNQS worked_VVD outdoors_RL all_DB winter_NNT1 in_II the_AT construction_NN1 trades_NN2 ;_; for_IF all_DB his_APPGE mistakes_NN2 the_AT workmanship_NN1 was_VBDZ sound_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR now_RT ,_, a_AT1 quarter_NN1 century_NNT1 later_RRR ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ impressed_VVN by_II how_RGQ well_RR the_AT bed_NN1 had_VHD contained_VVN them_PPHO2 ,_, and_CC how_RGQ long_RR ._. 
Sarah_NP1 nodded_VVD ._. 
I_PPIS1 could_VM not_XX make_VVI her_APPGE laugh_NN1 ._. 
Probably_RR I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ just_RR not_XX funny_JJ ._. 
"_" Did_VDD your_APPGE father_NN1 ever_RR grow_VVI yams_NN2 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" No_UH ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
I_PPIS1 feared_VVD ,_, as_CSA interviews_NN2 went_VVD ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ in_II freefall_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX sure_JJ why_RRQ either_DD1 of_IO us_PPIO2 was_VBDZ saying_VVG what_DDQ we_PPIS2 were_VBDR saying_VVG ._. 
"_" Potatoes_NN2 are_VBR grown_VVN from_II the_AT eyes_NN2 of_IO other_JJ potatoes_NN2 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ,_, apropos_RR of_IO God-knew-what_NP1 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ._. "_" 
Sarah_NP1 looked_VVD at_II me_PPIO1 searchingly_RR and_CC continued_VVD ._. 
"_" In_II winter_NNT1 my_APPGE brother_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 actually_RR used_VMK to_TO shoot_VVI them_PPHO2 in_II winter_NNT1 out_II21 of_II22 pipes_NN2 ,_, with_IW firecrackers_NN2 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 added_VVD ,_, now_RT in_II total_JJ free_JJ association_NN1 ._. 
"_" Potato_NN1 guns_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 big_JJ past_JJ time_NNT1 for_IF us_PPIO2 when_RRQ we_PPIS2 were_VBDR young_JJ ._. 
With_IW cold_JJ storage_NN1 potatoes_NN2 from_II the_AT root_NN1 cellar_NN1 and_CC some_DD pvc_NN1 pipe_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 would_VM arrange_VVI little_JJ armies_NN2 and_CC have_VH0 battles_NN2 ._. "_" 
Now_RT it_PPH1 was_VBDZ Sarah_NP1 's_GE turn_NN1 for_IF randomness_NN1 ._. 
"_" When_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ your_APPGE age_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD a_AT1 semester_NN1 abroad_RL in_II France_NP1 and_CC I_PPIS1 stayed_VVD with_IW a_AT1 family_NN1 there_RL ._. 
I_PPIS1 said_VVD to_II the_AT daughter_NN1 Marie-Jeanne_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ in_II my_APPGE grade_NN1 ,_, '_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ interesting_JJ that_CST in_II French-Canadian_JJ French_JJ one_PN1 says_VVZ 'patate'_JJ but_CCB in_II France_NP1 one_PN1 says_VVZ "_" pommes_NN2 de_NP1 terres_58 '_GE ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, 'Oh_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 say_VV0 patate_NN1 ._. '_" 
But_CCB when_CS I_PPIS1 mentioned_VVD this_DD1 later_RRR to_II her_APPGE father_NN1 ?_? 
He_PPHS1 grew_VVD very_RG stern_JJ and_CC said_VVD ,_, "_" Marie-Jeanne_NP1 said_VVD 'patate'_JJ ?_? 
She_PPHS1 must_VM never_RR say_VVI patate_NN1 !_! "_" 
I_PPIS1 laughed_VVD ,_, not_XX knowing_VVG quite_RR why_RRQ but_CCB feeling_VVG I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ close_JJ to_II knowing_VVG ._. 
A_AT1 distant_JJ memory_NN1 flew_VVD to_II my_APPGE head_NN1 :_: a_AT1 note_NN1 passed_VVN to_II me_PPIO1 from_II a_AT1 mean_JJ boy_NN1 in_II seventh_MD grade_NN1 :_: Laugh_VV0 less_RRR ,_, it_PPH1 commanded_VVD ._. 
Sarah_NP1 smiled_VVD ._. 
"_" Your_APPGE father_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 nice_JJ man_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX remember_VVI your_APPGE mom_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" She_PPHS1 hardly_RR ever_RR came_VVD in_RP to_II Troy_NP1 ._. "_" 
"_" Really_RR ?_? "_" 
"_" Well_RR ,_, sometimes_RT she_PPHS1 came_VVD to_II the_AT market_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE snapdragons_NN2 ._. 
And_CC gladioluses_NN2 ._. 
People_NN here_RL called_VVN them_PPHO2 'gladioli_NN2 "_" which_DDQ annoyed_VVD her_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, "_" said_VVD Sarah_NP1 ,_, smiling_VVG ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX like_VVI that_DD1 either_RR ._. "_" 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR in_II polite_JJ ,_, gratuitous_JJ agreement_NN1 mode_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 continued_VVD ._. 
"_" She_PPHS1 grew_VVD flowers_NN2 bunched_VVN them_PPHO2 together_RL with_IW rubber_JJ bands_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR like_II a_AT1 dollar_NNU1 a_AT1 bunch_NN1 ._. "_" 
Actually_RR my_APPGE mother_NN1 took_VVD some_DD pride_NN1 in_II these_DD2 flowers_NN2 ,_, and_CC fertilized_VVD them_PPHO2 with_IW mulched_JJ lake_NN1 weed_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 however_RR took_VVD even_RR greater_JJR pride_NN1 in_II his_APPGE potatoes_NN2 and_CC would_VM never_RR have_VHI used_VVN the_AT lake_NN1 weed_NN1 ._. 
Too_RG many_DA2 heavy_JJ metals_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" A_AT1 rock_NN1 band_NN1 once_RR crashed_VVD their_APPGE plane_NN1 into_II that_DD1 lake_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 joked_VVD ,_, and_CC though_CS that_DD1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 fact_NN1 ,_, the_AT band_NN1 was_VBDZ technically_RR r_ZZ1 and_CC b_ZZ1 ._. 
Still_RR it_PPH1 was_VBDZ true_JJ about_II the_AT water_NN1 :_: murky_JJ at_RR21 best_RR22 from_II gypsum_NN1 mining_VVG up_RP north_ND1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ strange_JJ to_TO think_VVI of_IO this_DD1 woman_NN1 Sarah_NP1 knowing_VVG my_APPGE father_NN1 ._. 
"_" Did_VDD you_PPY ever_RR travel_VVI into_II town_NN1 with_IW them_PPHO2 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
I_PPIS1 fidgeted_VVD a_RR21 bit_RR22 ._. 
Having_VHG to_TO draw_VVI on_II my_APPGE past_NN1 like_II this_DD1 was_VBDZ not_XX what_DDQ I_PPIS1 had_VHD expected_VVN ,_, and_CC summoning_VVG it_PPH1 ,_, making_VVG it_PPH1 come_VVI to_II me_PPIO1 ,_, was_VBDZ like_II coaxing_VVG a_AT1 reluctant_JJ thing_NN1 ._. 
"_" Not_XX very_RG often_RR ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 once_RR or_CC twice_RR my_APPGE brother_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 went_VVD with_IW them_PPHO2 and_CC we_PPIS2 just_RR ran_VVD around_II the_AT place_NN1 annoying_JJ people_NN ._. 
Another_DD1 time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 remember_VV0 sitting_VVG under_II my_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE rickety_JJ sales_NN table_NN1 reading_VVG a_AT1 book_NN1 ._. 
There_EX might_VM have_VHI been_VBN another_DD1 time_NNT1 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 just_RR stayed_VVN in_II the_AT truck_NN1 ._. "_" 
Or_CC maybe_RR that_DD1 was_VBDZ Milwaukee_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 could_VM n't_XX recall_VVI ._. 
"_" Are_VBR they_PPHS2 still_RR farming_VVG ?_? 
I_PPIS1 just_RR do_VD0 n't_XX see_VVI him_PPHO1 at_II the_AT morning_NNT1 market_VV0 anymore_RR ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, not_XX too_RG much_DA1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 sold_VVD off_RP a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO the_AT farm_NN1 to_II some_DD Amish_JJ people_NN and_CC now_RT they_PPHS2 're_VBR quasi-retired_VVN ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 loved_VVD to_TO say_VVI quasi_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ saying_VVG it_PPH1 now_RT a_RR21 lot_RR22 ,_, instead_CS21 of_CS22 sort_RR21 of_RR22 ,_, or_CC kind_RR21 of_RR22 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 had_VHD become_VVN a_AT1 tic_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 am_VBM quasi_RG ready_JJ to_TO go_VVI ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 would_VM announce_VVI ._. 
Or_CC ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM feeling_VVG a_RR21 bit_RR22 quasi_JJ today_RT ._. "_" 
Murph_NP1 called_VVD me_PPIO1 Quasimodo_NN1 ._. 
Or_CC Kami-quasi_JJ ._. 
Or_CC wild_JJ and_CC quasi_JJ girl_NN1 ._. 
"_" Or_CC quasi-something_PN1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 added_VVD ._. 
What_DDQ my_APPGE father_NN1 really_RR was_VBDZ was_VBDZ not_XX quasi-retired_VVN but_CCB quasi-drunk_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX old_JJ ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 acted_VVD old_JJ --_JJ nutty_JJ old_JJ ._. 
To_TO amuse_VVI himself_PPX1 he_PPHS1 often_RR took_VVD to_II driving_VVG his_APPGE combine_NN1 down_II the_AT county_NN1 roads_NN2 to_TO deliberately_RR slow_VVI up_RP traffic_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 had_VHD them_PPHO2 backed_VVN up_RP seventeen_MC deep_RR "_" he_PPHS1 once_RR boasted_VVD to_II my_APPGE mom_NN1 ._. 
"_" Seventeen_MC 's_VBZ a_AT1 mob_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD my_APPGE mother_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY 'd_VHD better_RRR be_VBI careful_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" How_RGQ old_JJ 's_VBZ your_APPGE dad_NN1 now_RT ?_? "_" asked_VVD Sarah_NP1 Brink_NN1 ._. 
"_" Forty-five_MC ._. "_" 
"_" Forty-five_MC !_! 
Why_RRQ I_PPIS1 'm_VBM forty-five_MC ._. 
That_DD1 means_VVZ I_PPIS1 'm_VBM old_JJ enough_RR to_TO be_VBI your_APPGE --_NN1 "_" She_PPHS1 took_VVD a_AT1 breath_NN1 ,_, still_RR processing_VVG her_APPGE own_DA amazement_NN1 ._. 
"_" To_TO be_VBI my_APPGE dad_NN1 ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
A_AT1 joke_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD not_XX mean_VVI for_IF this_DD1 to_TO imply_VVI some_DD lack_NN1 of_IO femininity_NN1 on_II her_APPGE part_NN1 ._. 
If_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX a_AT1 successful_JJ joke_NN1 ,_, then_RT it_PPH1 was_VBDZ instead_RR a_AT1 compliment_NN1 ,_, for_CS I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX want_VVI to_TO ,_, even_RR in_II my_APPGE imagination_NN1 ,_, even_RR for_IF a_AT1 second_NNT1 ,_, conflate_VV0 this_DD1 sophisticated_JJ woman_NN1 with_IW my_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 woman_NN1 so_RG frugal_JJ and_CC clueless_JJ she_PPHS1 had_VHD once_RR given_VVN me_PPIO1 --_JJ to_TO have_VHI !_! to_TO know_VVI !_! to_TO wear_VVI !_! --_NN1 her_APPGE stretch_NN1 black_JJ lace_NN1 underwear_NN1 that_CST had_VHD shrunk_VVN in_II the_AT dryer_NN1 ,_, though_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ only_RR ten_MC ._. 
Sarah_NP1 Brink_NN1 laughed_VVD ,_, a_AT1 quasi-laugh_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 socially_RR constructed_VVN laugh_VV0 --_NN1 a_AT1 collection_NN1 of_IO predetermined_JJ notes_NN2 ,_, like_II the_AT chimes_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 doorbell_NN1 ._. 
"_" So_RR here_RL 's_VBZ the_AT job_NN1 description_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, when_CS the_AT laugh_NN1 was_VBDZ through_RP ._. 
This_DD1 time_NNT1 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ just_RR a_AT1 man_NN1 ._. 
The_AT crowd_NN1 made_VVD way_NN1 for_IF him_PPHO1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 climbed_VVD up_RP onto_II the_AT terrace_NN1 ._. 
From_II his_APPGE bronze_NN1 armour_NN1 shoulder_NN1 guard_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 guessed_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN another_DD1 one_MC1 of_IO the_AT gladiators_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD escaped_VVN the_AT Soul_NN1 Collectors_NN2 '_GE arenas_NN2 after_II Menoa_NP1 's_GE great_JJ fortress_NN1 fell_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 possessed_VVD a_AT1 lean_JJ ,_, hard-muscled_JJ frame_NN1 ,_, and_CC quick_JJ blue_JJ eyes_NN2 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT tavern_NN1 patrons_NN2 slapped_VVD him_PPHO1 on_II the_AT back_NN1 ,_, and_CC led_VVD him_PPHO1 towards_II the_AT bar_NN1 ,_, while_CS the_AT others_NN2 roared_VVD and_CC argued_VVD over_RP their_APPGE sweepstakes_NN2 winnings_NN2 ._. 
Harper_NP1 went_VVD back_RP inside_RL ._. 
The_AT gladiator_NN1 was_VBDZ sitting_VVG on_II a_AT1 stool_NN1 at_II the_AT bar_NN1 counter_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 went_VVD over_RP and_CC sat_VVD down_RP beside_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC leered_VVD at_II her_PPHO1 ,_, then_RT snorted_VVD and_CC faced_VVD the_AT bar_NN1 again_RT ._. 
"_" Get_VV0 me_PPIO1 some_DD of_IO that_DD1 black_JJ stuff_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 pointed_VVD to_II a_AT1 jar_NN1 of_IO the_AT vicious_JJ brew_NN1 Tooks_NP1 had_VHD made_VVN from_II smashed_JJ and_CC boiled_JJ Maze_NP1 wall_NN1 ._. 
More_RGR often_RR than_CSN not_XX ,_, it_PPH1 left_VVD the_AT drinker_NN1 insane_JJ ._. 
