Bright_JJ Young_JJ Things_NN2 THE_AT HANDFUL_NN1 OF_IO WEDDING_NN1 GUESTS_NN2 WERE_VBDR ALREADY_RR assembled_VVN in_II the_AT clapboard_NN1 Lutheran_JJ church_NN1 on_II Main_NP1 Street_NNL1 ,_, and_CC though_CS they_PPHS2 had_VHD been_VBN waiting_VVG for_IF a_AT1 quarter_NN1 hour_NNT1 ,_, any_DD stray_JJ passerby_NN1 might_VM have_VHI noticed_VVN a_AT1 lone_JJ girl_NN1 still_RR loitering_VVG outside_RL ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ past_II four_MC o'clock_RA on_II that_DD1 sleepy_JJ Union_NN1 ,_, Ohio_NP1 ,_, Sunday_NPD1 ,_, and_CC the_AT dappled_JJ afternoon_NNT1 sun_NN1 played_VVN on_II her_APPGE high_JJ ,_, fine_JJ cheekbones_NN2 and_CC on_II the_AT strands_NN2 of_IO her_PPHO1 loosely_RR braided_JJ honey-and-bark-colored_JJ hair_NN1 ._. 
The_AT girl_NN1 was_VBDZ just_RR eighteen_MC ,_, and_CC had_VHD graduated_VVN from_II Union_NP1 's_GE one-room_JJ high_JJ school_NN1 two_MC weeks_NNT2 earlier_RRR ._. 
If_CS that_DD1 passerby_NN1 had_VHD bothered_VVN to_TO ponder_VVI her_APPGE eyes_NN2 --_NN1 which_DDQ were_VBDR the_AT sweet_JJ ,_, translucent_JJ brown_NN1 of_IO Coca-Cola_NP1 in_II a_AT1 glass_NN1 --_NN1 he_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI recognized_VVN in_II them_PPHO2 a_AT1 brewing_NN1 agitation_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 let_VVD those_DD2 eyes_NN2 drift_VVI to_II the_AT glaze_NN1 of_IO sun_NN1 between_II the_AT tree_NN1 branches_NN2 overhead_RL ;_; her_APPGE lips_NN2 parted_VVN ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 let_VVD out_RP a_AT1 breath_NN1 ._. 
The_AT homemade_JJ dress_NN1 she_PPHS1 wore_VVD was_VBDZ of_IO simple_JJ white_JJ cotton_NN1 ,_, and_CC though_CS the_AT style_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX entirely_RR appropriate_JJ for_IF the_AT event_NN1 --_NN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD tried_VVN ,_, but_CCB mostly_RR failed_VVN ,_, to_TO sew_VVI it_PPH1 in_II the_AT shorter_JJR ,_, sportier_JJR fashion_NN1 now_RT worn_VVN in_II cities_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT color_NN1 marked_VVN her_PPHO1 as_II the_AT bride_NN1 ._. 
Through_II the_AT narrow_JJ windows_NN2 she_PPHS1 could_VM see_VVI the_AT guests_NN2 in_II their_APPGE pews_NN2 and_CC the_AT tall_JJ figure_NN1 of_IO the_AT only_JJ boy_NN1 in_II Union_NP1 who_PNQS had_VHD ever_RR paid_VVN her_PPHO1 any_DD attention_NN1 ,_, standing_VVG patiently_RR at_II the_AT altar_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ wearing_VVG his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE black_JJ suit_NN1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE sand-colored_JJ hair_NN1 was_VBDZ a_RR21 little_RR22 overgrown_VVN and_CC rough_JJ around_II his_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ big_JJ and_CC pleasing_JJ but_CCB not_XX yet_RR a_AT1 man_NN1 's_GE ._. 
The_AT sight_NN1 of_IO him_PPHO1 made_VVD her_APPGE agitation_NN1 worse_RRR ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 drew_VVD back_RP a_RR21 little_RR22 and_CC closed_VVD her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
Everything_PN1 had_VHD happened_VVN so_RG quickly_RR ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX really_RR believed_VVN there_RL would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 wedding_NN1 until_CS that_DD1 morning_NNT1 ,_, when_CS she_PPHS1 woke_VVD up_RP and_CC it_PPH1 suddenly_RR dawned_VVD on_II her_PPHO1 that_CST her_APPGE situation_NN1 was_VBDZ quite_RG real_JJ ._. 
"_" Cordelia_NN1 !_! "_" 
She_PPHS1 turned_VVD at_II the_AT sound_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE name_NN1 and_CC saw_VVD her_APPGE best_JJT friend_NN1 ,_, Letty_NP1 Haubstadt_NP1 ,_, whose_DDQGE eyes_NN2 stood_VVD out_RP like_II two_MC pure_JJ blue_JJ planets_NN2 against_II the_AT white_JJ oval_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE dark_JJ hair_NN1 was_VBDZ parted_VVN down_II the_AT middle_NN1 and_CC pinned_VVN back_RP ,_, and_CC her_APPGE petite_JJ body_NN1 was_VBDZ clothed_VVN in_II the_AT same_DA black_JJ dress_NN1 and_CC black_JJ tights_NN2 and_CC black_JJ shoes_NN2 her_APPGE father_NN1 always_RR insisted_VVD she_PPHS1 wear_VV0 ._. 
The_AT sight_NN1 of_IO Letty_NP1 reassured_VVD Cordelia_NP1 some_DD ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 her_APPGE garb_NN1 was_VBDZ a_RR21 little_RR22 funereal_JJ for_IF a_AT1 wedding_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 managed_VVD to_TO almost_RR smile_VVI ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sorry_JJ it_PPH1 took_VVD me_PPIO1 so_RG long_RR ,_, "_" Letty_NP1 told_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, smiling_VVG more_RGR broadly_RR ._. 
Then_RT she_PPHS1 untucked_JJ the_AT folded_JJ yards_NN2 of_IO mosquito_NN1 netting_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN carrying_VVG under_II her_APPGE arm_NN1 ,_, shook_VVD it_PPH1 out_RP ,_, and_CC stood_VVD on_II her_APPGE tiptoes_NN2 to_TO arrange_VVI it_PPH1 over_II the_AT taller_JJR girl_NN1 's_GE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 your_APPGE aunt_NN1 says_VVZ you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX deserve_VVI one_PN1 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 just_RR think_VV0 it_PPH1 would_VM n't_XX be_VBI a_AT1 wedding_NN1 if_CS the_AT bride_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX wearing_VVG a_AT1 veil_NN1 ._. "_" 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 sharp_JJ rapping_NN1 on_II the_AT windowpane_NN1 ,_, and_CC both_DB2 girls_NN2 looked_VVD up_RP to_TO see_VVI Cordelia_NP1 's_GE aunt_NN1 Ida_NP1 ,_, her_APPGE thin_JJ lips_NN2 set_VVN in_II a_AT1 hard_JJ grimace_NN1 ,_, looking_VVG down_RP at_II them_PPHO2 expectantly_RR ._. 
Cordelia_NP1 gave_VVD her_APPGE aunt_NN1 a_AT1 curt_JJ nod_NN1 and_CC turned_VVD back_RP to_II her_APPGE friend_NN1 ._. 
Letty_NP1 handed_VVD her_PPHO1 a_AT1 bouquet_NN1 of_IO yellow_JJ wildflowers_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ she_PPHS1 must_VM have_VHI picked_VVN on_II the_AT way_NN1 there_RL ,_, and_CC then_RT asked_VVD ,_, "_" Are_VBR you_PPY ready_VV0 ?_? "_" 
Cordelia_NP1 glanced_VVD up_RP to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ her_APPGE aunt_NN1 had_VHD returned_VVN to_II her_APPGE seat_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT pulled_VVD the_AT netting_NN1 away_II21 from_II22 her_APPGE face_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 she_PPHS1 could_VM look_VVI directly_RR at_II her_APPGE friend_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 swallowed_VVD hard_RR ,_, and_CC said_VVD ,_, "_" Let_VM21 's_VM22 go_VVI tonight_RT ._. "_" 
Letty_NP1 's_GE smile_NN1 fell_VVD ,_, and_CC her_APPGE face_NN1 grew_VVD pale_JJ ._. 
"_" Tonight_RT ?_? "_" 
"_" You_PPY 'll_VM never_RR be_VBI a_AT1 star_NN1 if_CS you_PPY stay_VV0 here_RL ._. "_" 
Cordelia_NP1 fixed_VVD her_APPGE friend_NN1 with_IW an_AT1 intense_JJ gaze_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ merely_RR saying_VVG out_RP loud_RR what_DDQ they_PPHS2 both_DB2 knew_VVD to_TO be_VBI true_JJ ._. 
"_" The_AT train_NN1 leaves_VVZ at_II six_MC fifty-two_MC from_II the_AT Defiance_NN1 Station_NN1 ._. "_" 
There_EX was_VBDZ only_RR one_MC1 train_VV0 a_AT1 day_NNT1 in_II that_DD1 part_NN1 of_IO the_AT state_NN1 that_CST would_VM carry_VVI you_PPY all_DB the_AT way_NN1 to_II New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 --_NN1 a_AT1 fact_NN1 Cordelia_NP1 had_VHD known_VVN for_IF years_NNT2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 knew_VVD the_AT timetable_NN1 by_II heart_NN1 ,_, for_IF running_VVG away_RL was_VBDZ an_AT1 obsessive_JJ fantasy_NN1 that_CST had_VHD carried_VVN no_AT special_JJ urgency_NN1 until_CS the_AT dawning_JJ hours_NNT2 of_IO that_DD1 particular_JJ day_NNT1 ,_, when_RRQ the_AT notion_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ to_TO be_VBI married_JJ had_VHD ceased_VVN to_TO seem_VVI absurd_JJ and_CC faraway_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 had_VHD begun_VVN to_TO apprehend_VVI it_PPH1 with_IW a_AT1 kind_NN1 of_IO dread_NN1 ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD risen_VVN to_TO help_VVI her_APPGE aunt_NN1 with_IW breakfast_NN1 ,_, the_AT plot_NN1 to_TO leave_VVI had_VHD taken_VVN on_RP a_AT1 decided_JJ shape_NN1 ,_, and_CC though_CS her_APPGE mind_NN1 had_VHD pulsed_VVN with_IW it_PPH1 all_DB morning_NNT1 ,_, Cordelia_NP1 had_VHD not_XX imagined_VVN she_PPHS1 might_VM be_VBI brave_JJ enough_RR to_TO go_VVI until_CS she_PPHS1 said_VVD it_PPH1 out_RP loud_RR to_II Letty_NP1 ._. 
"_" Tell_VV0 us_PPIO2 ,_, "_" chorused_VVD her_APPGE roommates_NN2 ,_, as_CSA they_PPHS2 pushed_VVD themselves_PPX2 up_RP and_CC inclined_JJ themselves_PPX2 toward_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ already_RR hurriedly_RR crossing_VVG the_AT alcove_NN1 by_II the_AT entry_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 pulled_VVD a_AT1 cocoa-colored_JJ felt_NN1 cloche_NN1 over_II her_APPGE bob_NN and_CC pulled_VVD open_RR the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI back_RP later_JJR !_! "_" she_PPHS1 called_VVD with_IW a_AT1 frantic_JJ wave_NN1 of_IO the_AT hand_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT she_PPHS1 went_VVD out_II21 of_II22 the_AT dim_JJ basement_NN1 and_CC into_II the_AT day_NNT1 ._. 
As_CSA she_PPHS1 came_VVD up_RP onto_II the_AT sidewalk_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE embarrassment_NN1 and_CC sorrow_NN1 began_VVD to_TO ebb_VVI ,_, and_CC with_IW it_PPH1 her_APPGE desperate_JJ need_NN1 to_TO flee_VVI ._. 
She_PPHS1 paused_VVD there_RL on_II that_DD1 narrow_JJ ,_, curving_VVG street_NN1 ,_, in_II the_AT kindly_JJ shadow_NN1 of_IO the_AT two-and_CC three-story_JJ brick_NN1 townhouses_NN2 and_CC the_AT tall_JJ trees_NN2 in_RR21 full_RR22 leaf_VV0 overhead_RL ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ when_RRQ she_PPHS1 saw_VVD Grady_JJ Lodge_NN1 across_II the_AT street_NN1 ,_, leaning_VVG against_II his_APPGE black_JJ roadster_NN1 ,_, with_IW his_APPGE hands_NN2 in_II his_APPGE pockets_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 floppy_JJ cap_NN1 created_VVD a_AT1 wedge_NN1 of_IO shadow_NN1 on_II his_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 could_VM not_XX hide_VVI the_AT patient_NN1 yearning_VVG in_II his_APPGE deep-set_JJ gray_JJ eyes_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ wearing_VVG the_AT tweed_NN1 trousers_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 knickerbocker_NN1 suit_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE rust-colored_JJ socks_NN2 visible_JJ to_II his_APPGE knees_NN2 ,_, although_CS the_AT jacket_NN1 was_VBDZ nowhere_RL in_II sight_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ what_DDQ they_PPHS2 called_VVD "_" natty_NN1 ,_, "_" Letty_NP1 supposed_VVD ,_, except_CS21 that_CS22 everything_PN1 about_II him_PPHO1 was_VBDZ just_RR slightly_RR askew_JJ ._. 
"_" Hello_UH there_RL !_! "_" he_PPHS1 called_VVD ._. 
Feeling_VVG bashful_JJ again_RT ,_, she_PPHS1 glanced_VVD behind_II her_PPHO1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT curtains_NN2 to_II her_APPGE apartment_NN1 remained_VVD drawn_VVN ._. 
Seeing_VVG him_PPHO1 in_II the_AT daylight_NN1 was_VBDZ peculiar_JJ ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ happy_JJ now_RT to_TO have_VHI been_VBN given_VVN a_AT1 direction_NN1 ._. 
With_IW a_AT1 little_JJ feint_NN1 of_IO surprise_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 let_VVD out_RP an_AT1 "_" Oh_UH &hellip;_... hello_UH !_! "_" and_CC then_RT crossed_VVN to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 reached_VVD out_RP for_IF her_APPGE hand_NN1 and_CC kissed_VVD her_APPGE knuckles_NN2 ._. 
"_" How_RRQ did_VDD you_PPY know_VVI where_RRQ I_PPIS1 live_VV0 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD when_RRQ he_PPHS1 brought_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 up_RP to_TO look_VVI at_II her_PPHO1 again_RT ._. 
"_" Your_APPGE friend_NN1 Paulette_NN1 told_VVD me_PPIO1 last_MD night_NNT1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 explained_VVD ._. 
"_" Maybe_RR she_PPHS1 felt_VVD sorry_JJ for_IF me_PPIO1 ,_, when_CS she_PPHS1 realized_VVD how_RGQ many_DA2 hours_NNT2 I_PPIS1 'd_VHD sat_VVN at_II the_AT bar_NN1 waiting_VVG to_TO talk_VVI to_II you_PPY &hellip;_... 
"_" For_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 he_PPHS1 appeared_VVD to_TO lose_VVI himself_PPX1 in_II looking_VVG at_II her_PPHO1 ,_, so_RG Letty_JJ simply_RR smiled_VVD in_II a_AT1 girlish_JJ way_NN1 and_CC waited_VVD for_IF him_PPHO1 to_TO say_VVI something_PN1 more._NNU "_" &hellip;_... and_CC when_CS I_PPIS1 woke_VVD up_RP this_DD1 morning_NNT1 ,_, I_PPIS1 thought_VVD perhaps_RR ,_, you_PPY being_NN1 from_II Ohio_NP1 and_CC all_DB ,_, you_PPY would_VM like_VVI a_AT1 tour_NN1 of_IO the_AT city_NN1 ._. "_" 
Reasons_NN2 why_RRQ not_XX brimmed_VVN in_II her_APPGE throat_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT day_NNT1 was_VBDZ lovely_JJ ,_, just_RR as_CSA she_PPHS1 had_VHD told_VVN her_APPGE roommates_NN2 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 had_VHD after_II all_DB not_XX ventured_VVN very_RG far_RR beyond_II Greenwich_NP1 Village_NP1 ._. 
Cordelia_NP1 seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI going_VVG everywhere_RL ,_, and_CC why_RRQ should_VM n't_XX she_PPHS1 ?_? 
"_" Well_RR ,_, all_RR21 right_RR22 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 have_VH0 n't_XX got_VVN the_AT whole_JJ day_NNT1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, trying_VVG not_XX to_TO sound_VVI too_RG eager_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 grin_NN1 filled_VVD his_APPGE boyish_JJ face_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM take_VVI you_PPY for_IF as_CS31 long_CS32 as_CS33 you_PPY can_VM spare_VVI ._. "_" 
Hurrying_VVG around_II the_AT side_NN1 of_IO the_AT car_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 opened_VVD the_AT door_NN1 for_IF her_PPHO1 ,_, posing_VVG in_II a_AT1 courtly_JJ way_NN1 until_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ settled_VVN in_RP ._. 
Once_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD secured_VVN the_AT door_NN1 behind_II her_PPHO1 ,_, he_PPHS1 came_VVD around_RP and_CC started_VVD up_RP the_AT car_NN1 ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 brief_JJ while_CS she_PPHS1 felt_VVD nervous_JJ and_CC a_RR21 little_RR22 shy_JJ ,_, sitting_VVG in_II a_AT1 car_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 stranger_NN1 ,_, but_CCB eventually_RR the_AT sights_NN2 drew_VVD her_PPHO1 in_RP ._. 
They_PPHS2 drove_VVD down_RP blocks_NN2 where_RRQ every_AT1 storefront_NN1 was_VBDZ filled_VVN with_IW flowers_NN2 by_II the_AT bucket_NN1 ,_, and_CC streets_NN2 where_RRQ the_AT signs_NN2 were_VBDR in_II red_JJ Chinese_JJ lettering_NN1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR sensing_VVG how_RGQ foreign_JJ these_DD2 sights_NN2 were_VBDR to_II her_PPHO1 ,_, he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" You_PPY 're_VBR awfully_RR brave_JJ to_TO come_VVI all_DB this_DD1 way_NN1 by_II yourself_PPX1 ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH &hellip;_... 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX ,_, "_" Letty_NP1 replied_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 came_VVD with_IW a_AT1 girl_NN1 named_VVN Cordelia_NP1 ,_, but_CCB we_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI each_PPX221 other_PPX222 anymore_RR ._. "_" 
Grady_NP1 glanced_VVD at_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sorry_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD quietly_RR ._. 
"_" Perhaps_RR I_PPIS1 could_VM help_VVI you_PPY find_VVI her_PPHO1 ?_? "_" 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ very_RG kind_JJ ,_, but_CCB --_JJ but_CCB --_JJ I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX think_VVI she_PPHS1 cares_VVZ about_II me_PPIO1 anymore_RR ._. 
You_PPY see_VV0 ,_, she_PPHS1 came_VVD in_II the_AT club_NN1 last_MD night_NNT1 ,_, but_CCB left_VVD as_CS31 soon_CS32 as_CS33 she_PPHS1 caught_VVD sight_NN1 of_IO me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX imagine_VVI anyone_PN1 not_XX wanting_VVG to_TO know_VVI you_PPY ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ very_RG kind_JJ ,_, "_" Letty_NP1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 ,_, pushing_VVG aside_RL the_AT melancholy_NN1 that_CST had_VHD crept_VVN into_II her_APPGE dreams_NN2 ._. 
The_AT day_NNT1 was_VBDZ so_RG pretty_JJ and_CC the_AT city_NN1 so_RG full_JJ ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX want_VVI to_TO be_VBI sorry_JJ over_II anything_PN1 --_JJ and_CC anyway_RR ,_, it_PPH1 felt_VVD good_JJ to_TO tell_VVI someone_PN1 about_II Cordelia_NP1 and_CC her_APPGE unkind_JJ departure_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 've_VH0 made_VVN better_JJR friends_NN2 since_II then_RT ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD brightly_RR ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ._. "_" 
Cordelia_NP1 turned_VVD to_TO leave_VVI that_DD1 cold_NN1 ,_, hygienic_JJ light_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 he_PPHS1 is_VBZ ._. "_" 
The_AT fear_NN1 and_CC urgency_NN1 that_CST had_VHD driven_VVN Cordelia_NP1 to_II that_DD1 field_NN1 had_VHD dissipated_VVN by_II the_AT time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 settled_VVD back_RP into_II the_AT car_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 ago_RA that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD pointed_VVN a_AT1 gun_NN1 toward_II Thom_NP1 Hale_NP1 's_GE head_NN1 ,_, and_CC longer_RRR still_RR that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD wanted_VVN him_PPHO1 so_RG badly_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD thought_VVN of_IO giving_VVG up_RP everything_PN1 ._. 
Dawn_NP1 was_VBDZ already_RR brightening_VVG the_AT sky_NN1 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX feel_VVI tired_JJ ._. 
The_AT last_MD bedroom_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD called_VVN her_APPGE own_DA was_VBDZ in_II a_AT1 house_NN1 full_JJ of_IO bootleggers_NN2 who_PNQS probably_RR had_VHN little_DA1 interest_NN1 in_II her_APPGE survival_NN1 anymore_RR ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX afraid_JJ ._. 
By_II chance_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN handed_VVN a_AT1 finer_JJR sense_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE powers_NN2 ._. 
Her_APPGE life_NN1 had_VHD taken_VVN a_AT1 wonderful_JJ turn_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT an_AT1 awful_JJ one_PN1 ,_, but_CCB there_EX would_VM be_VBI a_RR31 great_RR32 deal_RR33 more_DAR of_IO it_PPH1 yet_RR ._. 
She_PPHS1 started_VVD the_AT engine_NN1 and_CC turned_VVD the_AT car_NN1 in_II the_AT direction_NN1 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ always_RR heading_VVG for_IF --_NN1 toward_II White_JJ Cove_NN1 ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR waiting_VVG for_IF you_PPY in_II the_AT library_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Anthony_NP1 ,_, the_AT night_NNT1 guard_NN1 ,_, when_CS Cordelia_NP1 pulled_VVD up_II21 to_II22 the_AT gates_NN2 of_IO Dogwood_NN1 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 met_VVD her_PPHO1 on_II the_AT front_JJ steps_NN2 ._. 
Charlie_NP1 and_CC Astrid_NP1 were_VBDR both_RR still_RR wearing_VVG their_APPGE black_JJ funeral_NN1 clothes_NN2 and_CC carrying_VVG a_AT1 woolen_JJ blanket_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ they_PPHS2 wrapped_VVD around_II Cordelia_NP1 's_GE shoulders_NN2 ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 she_PPHS1 could_VM do_VDI nothing_PN1 but_CS glance_VVI from_II one_PN1 to_II the_AT other_JJ ._. 
Charlie_NP1 put_VVD an_AT1 arm_NN1 around_II her_PPHO1 ,_, squeezing_VVG her_APPGE shoulder_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE big_JJ palm_NN1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 'll_VM get_VVI 'em_PPHO2 ,_, do_VD0 n't_XX worry_VVI ._. "_" 
Astrid_NP1 stepped_VVD forward_RL and_CC took_VVD Cordelia_NP1 's_GE face_NN1 in_II her_APPGE hands_NN2 ._. 
"_" You_PPY look_VV0 like_II hell_NN1 ,_, darling_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB we_PPIS2 'll_VM make_VVI you_PPY all_DB better_JJR tomorrow_RT ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 can_VM stay_VVI here_RL ,_, really_RR ?_? "_" 
Cordelia_NN1 said._NNU "_" 'Course_RR ._. "_" 
Charlie_NP1 managed_VVD to_TO give_VVI her_PPHO1 something_PN1 like_II a_AT1 smile_NN1 ._. 
"_" Dad_NN1 would_VM kill_VVI me_PPIO1 if_CS I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX look_VVI after_II you_PPY ._. "_" 
"_" Can_VM I_PPIS1 go_VVI to_II bed_NN1 now_RT ,_, then_RT ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 've_VH0 never_RR been_VBN so_RG tired_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, but_CCB --_NN1 "_" "_" There_EX 's_VBZ someone_PN1 here_RL for_IF you_PPY ,_, "_" Astrid_NP1 finished_VVD his_APPGE sentence_NN1 ._. 
"_" In_II your_APPGE bedroom_NN1 ._. "_" 
Cordelia_NP1 pulled_VVD the_AT woolen_JJ blanket_NN1 around_II her_APPGE shoulders_NN2 as_CSA she_PPHS1 climbed_VVD the_AT stairs_NN2 ._. 
Her_APPGE legs_NN2 ached_VVD ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 took_VVD her_APPGE longer_JJR than_CSN usual_JJ to_TO rise_VVI to_II the_AT third_MD floor_NN1 ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 entered_VVD her_APPGE room_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE lids_NN2 were_VBDR heavy_JJ ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 had_VHD almost_RR forgotten_VVN there_RL was_VBDZ a_AT1 guest_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB then_RT she_PPHS1 opened_VVD the_AT door_NN1 and_CC saw_VVD Letty_NP1 sitting_VVG on_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT stuffed_JJ white_JJ sofas_NN2 by_II the_AT window_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 appeared_VVD more_RGR petite_JJ than_CSN Cordelia_NP1 remembered_VVD ,_, in_II the_AT old_JJ black_JJ dress_NN1 ,_, with_IW her_APPGE slick_JJ dark_JJ hair_NN1 framing_VVG her_APPGE tiny_JJ white_JJ face_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO her_APPGE eyes_NN2 was_VBDZ swollen_VVN and_CC bruised_JJ ,_, and_CC there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 rather_RG scrawny_JJ greyhound_NN1 lying_VVG at_II her_APPGE feet_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 appeared_VVD fragile_JJ and_CC exhausted_JJ ._. 
"_" What_DDQ happened_VVD to_II you_PPY ?_? "_" 
Cordelia_NP1 asked_VVD ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 Letty_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX reply_VVI ,_, and_CC Cordelia_NP1 remembered_VVD that_CST the_AT last_MD time_NNT1 they_PPHS2 had_VHD seen_VVN each_PPX221 other_PPX222 ,_, they_PPHS2 had_VHD been_VBN angry_JJ ._. 
But_CCB then_RT the_AT younger_JJR girl_NN1 giggled_VVD and_CC said_VVD ,_, "_" What_DDQ happened_VVD to_II you_PPY ?_? "_" 
Turning_NN1 ,_, Cordelia_NP1 caught_VVD a_AT1 glimpse_NN1 of_IO herself_PPX1 in_II the_AT mirror_NN1 and_CC laughed_VVD outright_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 neither_DD1 of_IO us_PPIO2 are_VBR at_II our_APPGE best_JJT ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD after_II a_AT1 while_NNT1 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY hate_VVI me_PPIO1 ?_? "_" 
Letty_NP1 lowered_VVD her_APPGE eyes_NN2 and_CC shook_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" No_UH ._. "_" 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY going_VVGK to_TO stay_VVI awhile_RR ?_? "_" 
Letty_NP1 lifted_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, and_CC her_APPGE blue_JJ eyes_NN2 rose_VVD under_II the_AT line_NN1 of_IO black_JJ bangs_NN2 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX have_VHI anywhere_RL else_RR to_TO go_VVI ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
Perhaps_RR she_PPHS1 feared_VVD that_CST sounded_VVD insufficiently_RR grateful_JJ ,_, because_CS she_PPHS1 quickly_RR added_VVN ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VM love_VVI to_II ,_, if_CS that_DD1 's_VBZ all_RR21 right_RR22 with_IW you_PPY ._. "_" 
