The_AT Lost_JJ Duke_NN1 of_IO Wyndham_NP1 Grace_NP1 Eversleigh_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN the_AT companion_NN1 to_II the_AT dowager_NN1 Duchess_NN1 of_IO Wyndham_NP1 for_IF five_MC years_NNT2 ,_, and_CC in_II that_DD1 time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD learned_VVN several_DA2 things_NN2 about_II her_APPGE employer_NN1 ,_, the_AT most_RGT pertinent_JJ of_IO which_DDQ was_VBDZ this_DD1 :_: Under_II her_APPGE grace_NN1 's_GE stern_NN1 ,_, exacting_JJ ,_, and_CC haughty_JJ exterior_NN1 did_VDD not_XX beat_VVI a_AT1 heart_NN1 of_IO gold_NN1 ._. 
Which_DDQ was_VBDZ not_XX to_TO say_VVI that_CST the_AT offending_JJ organ_NN1 was_VBDZ black_JJ ._. 
Her_APPGE grace_NN1 the_AT dowager_NN1 Duchess_NN1 of_IO Wyndham_NP1 could_VM never_RR be_VBI called_VVN completely_RR evil_JJ ._. 
Nor_CC was_VBDZ she_PPHS1 cruel_JJ ,_, spiteful_JJ ,_, or_CC even_RR entirely_RR mean-spirited_JJ ._. 
But_CCB Augusta_NP1 Elizabeth_NP1 Candida_NP1 Debenham_NP1 Cavendish_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN born_VVN the_AT daughter_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 duke_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD married_VVN a_AT1 duke_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT given_VVN birth_NN1 to_II another_DD1 ._. 
Her_APPGE sister_NN1 was_VBDZ now_RT a_AT1 member_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 minor_JJ royal_JJ family_NN1 in_II some_DD central_JJ European_JJ country_NN1 whose_DDQGE name_NN1 Grace_NP1 could_VM never_RR quite_RR pronounce_VVI ,_, and_CC her_APPGE brother_NN1 owned_VVD most_DAT of_IO East_NP1 Anglia_NP1 ._. 
As_CS31 far_CS32 as_CS33 the_AT dowager_NN1 was_VBDZ concerned_JJ ,_, the_AT world_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 stratified_JJ place_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 hierarchy_NN1 as_RG clear_JJ as_CSA it_PPH1 was_VBDZ rigid_JJ ._. 
Wyndhams_NN2 ,_, and_CC especially_RR Wyndhams_NN2 who_PNQS used_VMK to_TO be_VBI Debenhams_NP2 ,_, sat_VVD firmly_RR at_II the_AT top_NN1 ._. 
And_CC as_II such_DA ,_, the_AT dowager_NN1 expected_VVD certain_JJ behavior_NN1 and_CC deference_NN1 to_TO be_VBI paid_VVN ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ rarely_RR kind_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX tolerate_VVI stupidity_NN1 ,_, and_CC her_APPGE compliments_NN2 were_VBDR never_RR falsely_RR given_VVN ._. 
(_( Some_DD might_VM say_VVI they_PPHS2 were_VBDR never_RR given_VVN at_RR21 all_RR22 ,_, but_CCB Grace_NP1 had_VHD ,_, precisely_RR twice_RR ,_, borne_JJ witness_NN1 to_II a_AT1 curt_JJ but_CCB honest_JJ "_" well_RR done_VDN "_" --_JJ not_XX that_CST anyone_PN1 believed_VVD her_PPHO1 when_CS she_PPHS1 mentioned_VVD it_PPH1 later_RRR ._. )_) 
But_CCB the_AT dowager_NN1 had_VHD saved_VVN Grace_NP1 from_II an_AT1 impossible_JJ situation_NN1 ,_, and_CC for_IF that_DD1 she_PPHS1 would_VM always_RR possess_VVI Grace_NP1 's_GE gratitude_NN1 ,_, respect_NN1 ,_, and_CC most_DAT of_IO all_DB ,_, her_APPGE loyalty_NN1 ._. 
Still_RR ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ no_RR getting_VVG around_II the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST the_AT dowager_NN1 was_VBDZ something_PN1 less_DAR than_CSN cheerful_JJ ,_, and_CC so_RR ,_, as_CSA they_PPHS2 rode_VVD home_RL from_II the_AT Lincolnshire_NP1 Dance_NN1 and_CC Assembly_NN1 ,_, their_APPGE elegant_JJ and_CC well-sprung_VVD coach_NN1 gliding_VVG effortlessly_RR across_II the_AT midnight-dark_JJ roads_NN2 ,_, Grace_NP1 could_VM not_XX help_VVI but_CCB be_VBI relieved_VVN that_CST her_APPGE employer_NN1 was_VBDZ fast_RR asleep_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 had_VHD been_VBN a_AT1 lovely_JJ night_NNT1 ,_, truly_RR ,_, and_CC Grace_NP1 knew_VVD she_PPHS1 should_VM not_XX be_VBI so_RG uncharitable_JJ ._. 
Upon_II arrival_NN1 ,_, the_AT dowager_NN1 had_VHD immediately_RR retired_VVN to_II her_APPGE seat_NN1 of_IO honor_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE cronies_NN2 ,_, and_CC Grace_NP1 had_VHD not_XX been_VBN required_VVN to_TO attend_VVI to_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD danced_VVN and_CC laughed_VVN with_IW all_DB of_IO her_APPGE old_JJ friends_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD drunk_VVN three_MC glasses_NN2 of_IO punch_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD poked_VVN fun_NN1 at_II Thomas_NP1 --_NN1 always_RR an_AT1 entertaining_JJ endeavor_NN1 ;_; he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ the_AT current_JJ duke_NN1 and_CC certainly_RR needed_VVN a_RR21 bit_RR22 less_DAR obsequiousness_NN1 in_II his_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB most_DAT of_IO all_DB she_PPHS1 had_VHD smiled_VVN ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD smiled_VVN so_RG well_RR and_CC so_RG often_RR that_CST her_APPGE cheeks_NN2 hurt_VVD ._. 
The_AT pure_JJ and_CC unexpected_JJ joy_NN1 of_IO the_AT evening_NNT1 had_VHD left_VVN her_APPGE body_NN1 humming_VVG with_IW energy_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ now_RT perfectly_RR happy_JJ to_TO grin_VVI into_II the_AT darkness_NN1 ,_, listening_VVG to_II the_AT soft_JJ snore_NN1 of_IO the_AT dowager_NN1 as_CSA they_PPHS2 made_VVD their_APPGE way_NN1 home_RL ._. 
Grace_NP1 closed_VVD her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 she_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX think_VVI herself_PPX1 sleepy_JJ ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ something_PN1 hypnotic_JJ about_II the_AT motion_NN1 of_IO the_AT carriage_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ riding_VVG backwards_RL --_NN1 she_PPHS1 always_RR did_VDD --_NN1 and_CC the_AT rhythmic_JJ clip-clop_NN1 of_IO the_AT horses_NN2 '_GE hooves_NN2 was_VBDZ making_VVG her_APPGE drowsy_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ strange_JJ ._. 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 were_VBDR tired_JJ ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO her_PPHO1 was_VBDZ not_XX ._. 
But_CCB perhaps_RR a_AT1 nap_NN1 would_VM not_XX be_VBI such_DA a_AT1 misplaced_JJ endeavor_NN1 --_NN1 as_CSA soon_RR as_CSA they_PPHS2 returned_VVD to_II Belgrave_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 would_VM be_VBI required_VVN to_TO aid_VVI the_AT dowager_NN1 with_IW --_JJ Crack_NN1 !_! 
Grace_NP1 sat_VVD up_RP straight_RR ,_, glancing_VVG over_RP at_II her_APPGE employer_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS ,_, miraculously_RR ,_, had_VHD not_XX awakened_VVN ._. 
What_DDQ was_VBDZ that_DD1 sound_NN1 ?_? 
Had_VHD someone_PN1 --_JJ Crack_NN1 !_! 
This_DD1 time_NNT1 the_AT carriage_NN1 lurched_VVD ,_, coming_VVG to_II a_AT1 halt_NN1 so_RG swiftly_RR that_CST the_AT dowager_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ facing_VVG front_NN1 as_RR21 usual_RR22 ,_, was_VBDZ jerked_VVN off_II her_APPGE seat_NN1 ._. 
Grace_NP1 immediately_RR dropped_VVN to_II her_APPGE knees_NN2 next_II21 to_II22 her_APPGE employer_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE arms_NN2 instinctively_RR coming_VVG around_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ the_AT devil_NN1 ?_? "_" the_AT dowager_NN1 snapped_VVD ,_, but_CCB fell_VVD silent_JJ when_CS she_PPHS1 caught_VVD Grace_NP1 's_GE expression_NN1 ._. 
"_" Gunshots_NN2 ,_, "_" Grace_NP1 whispered_VVD ._. 
The_AT dowager_NN1 's_GE lips_NN2 pursed_VVN tightly_RR ,_, and_CC then_RT she_PPHS1 yanked_VVD off_RP her_APPGE emerald_NN1 necklace_NN1 and_CC thrust_VV0 it_PPH1 at_II Grace_NP1 ._. 
"_" Hide_VV0 this_DD1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 ordered_VVD ._. 
"_" Me_PPIO1 ?_? "_" 
Grace_NP1 practically_RR squeaked_VVD ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 shoved_VVD the_AT jewels_NN2 under_II a_AT1 cushion_NN1 all_RR31 the_RR32 same_RR33 ._. 
And_CC all_DB she_PPHS1 could_VM think_VVI was_VBDZ that_CST she_PPHS1 would_VM dearly_RR like_VVI to_TO smack_VVI a_AT1 little_JJ sense_NN1 into_II the_AT esteemed_JJ Augusta_NP1 Wyndham_NP1 ,_, because_CS if_CS she_PPHS1 were_VBDR killed_VVN because_CS the_AT dowager_NN1 was_VBDZ too_RG cheap_JJ to_II hand_NN1 over_II her_APPGE jewels_NN2 --_NN1 The_AT door_NN1 was_VBDZ wrenched_VVN open_JJ ._. 
What_DDQ Jack_NP1 saw_VVD took_VVD his_APPGE breath_NN1 away_RL ._. 
"_" No_PN121 one_PN122 comes_VVZ here_RL but_CCB me_PPIO1 ,_, "_" Grace_NP1 said_VVD softly_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI why_RRQ ._. "_" 
The_AT light_NN1 ,_, the_AT ripple_NN1 through_II the_AT air_NN1 as_II the_AT sun_NN1 slid_VVD through_II the_AT uneven_JJ glass_NN1 of_IO the_AT ancient_JJ windows_NN2 ..._... 
"_" In_II the_AT winter_NNT1 especially_RR ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 continued_VVD ,_, her_APPGE voice_NN1 just_RR a_RR21 little_RR22 hesitant_JJ ,_, "_" it_PPH1 's_VBZ magic_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX explain_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 the_AT sun_NN1 dips_VVZ lower_JJR ._. 
And_CC with_IW the_AT snow_NN1 ..._... "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT light_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT way_NN1 the_AT light_NN1 trembled_VVD ,_, and_CC fell_VVD on_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
His_APPGE heart_NN1 clenched_VVD ._. 
Like_II a_AT1 fist_NN1 it_PPH1 hit_VVD him_PPHO1 --_JJ this_DD1 need_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 overwhelming_JJ urge_NN1 ..._... 
He_PPHS1 could_VM not_XX speak_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM not_XX even_RR begin_VVI to_TO articulate_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, but_CCB --_JJ "_" Jack_NP1 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 whispered_VVD ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ just_RR enough_RR to_TO break_VVI his_APPGE trance_NN1 ._. 
"_" Grace_NP1 ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ just_RR one_MC1 word_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 benediction_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 went_VVD beyond_II desire_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ need_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 indefinable_JJ ,_, inexplicable_JJ ,_, living_VVG ,_, pulsing_VVG thing_NN1 within_II him_PPHO1 that_CST could_VM only_RR be_VBI tamed_VVN by_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
If_CS he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX hold_VVI her_PPHO1 ,_, did_VDD n't_XX touch_VVI her_PPHO1 in_II that_DD1 very_JJ moment_NN1 ,_, something_PN1 within_II him_PPHO1 would_VM die_VVI ._. 
To_II a_AT1 man_NN1 who_PNQS tried_VVD to_TO treat_VVI life_NN1 as_II an_AT1 endless_JJ series_NN of_IO ironies_NN2 and_CC witticisms_NN2 ,_, nothing_PN1 could_VM have_VHI been_VBN more_RGR terrifying_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 reached_VVD out_RP and_CC roughly_RR pulled_VVD her_PPHO1 to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX delicate_JJ ,_, nor_CC was_VBDZ he_PPHS1 gentle_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX be_VBI ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX manage_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, not_XX now_RT ,_, not_XX when_RRQ he_PPHS1 needed_VVD her_PPHO1 so_RG desperately_RR ._. 
"_" Grace_NP1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD again_RT ,_, because_CS that_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ impossible_JJ that_CST he_PPHS1 'd_VHD known_VVN her_PPHO1 but_CCB a_AT1 day_NNT1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ his_APPGE grace_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE Grace_NN1 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ like_CS she_PPHS1 had_VHD always_RR been_VBN there_RL within_II him_PPHO1 ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF him_PPHO1 to_TO finally_RR open_VVI his_APPGE eyes_NN2 and_CC find_VV0 her_PPHO1 ._. 
His_APPGE hands_NN2 cupped_VVN her_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 priceless_JJ treasure_NN1 ,_, and_CC yet_RR he_PPHS1 could_VM not_XX force_VVI himself_PPX1 to_TO touch_VVI her_PPHO1 with_IW the_AT reverence_NN1 she_PPHS1 deserved_VVD ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, his_APPGE fingers_NN2 were_VBDR clumsy_JJ ,_, his_APPGE body_NN1 rough_JJ and_CC pounding_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 --_NN1 so_RG clear_JJ ,_, so_RG blue_JJ --_NN1 he_PPHS1 thought_VVD he_PPHS1 might_VM drown_VVI in_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO drown_VVI in_II them_PPHO2 ,_, to_TO lose_VVI himself_PPX1 within_II her_PPHO1 and_CC never_RR leave_VV0 ._. 
His_APPGE lips_NN2 touched_VVD hers_PPGE ,_, and_CC then_RT --_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ certain_JJ --_NN1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ lost_VVN ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ nothing_PN1 more_DAR for_IF him_PPHO1 but_CCB this_DD1 woman_NN1 ,_, in_II this_DD1 moment_NN1 ,_, maybe_RR even_RR for_IF all_DB his_APPGE moments_NN2 thereafter_RT ._. 
"_" Jack_NP1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 sighed_VVD ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 all_DB morning_NNT1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD used_VVN his_APPGE name_NN1 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 sent_VVD waves_NN2 of_IO desire_NN1 pulsing_VVG through_II his_PPGE already_RR taut_JJ body_NN1 ._. 
"_" Grace_NP1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD in_II return_NN1 ,_, because_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ afraid_JJ to_TO say_VVI anything_PN1 else_RR ,_, afraid_JJ that_CST for_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 in_II his_APPGE life_NN1 his_APPGE glib_JJ tongue_NN1 would_VM fail_VVI him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE words_NN2 would_VM come_VVI out_RP wrong_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM say_VVI something_PN1 and_CC it_PPH1 would_VM mean_VVI too_RG little_DA1 ,_, or_CC perhaps_RR he_PPHS1 'd_VM say_VVI something_PN1 and_CC it_PPH1 would_VM mean_VVI too_RG much_DA1 ._. 
And_CC then_RT she_PPHS1 would_VM know_VVI ,_, if_CS by_II some_DD miracle_NN1 she_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX already_RR ,_, that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD bewitched_VVN him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 kissed_VVD her_PPHO1 hungrily_RR ,_, passionately_RR ,_, with_IW all_DB the_AT fire_NN1 within_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
His_APPGE hands_NN2 slid_VVD down_RP her_APPGE back_NN1 ,_, memorizing_VVG the_AT gentle_JJ slope_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE spine_NN1 ,_, and_CC when_RRQ he_PPHS1 reached_VVD the_AT more_RGR lush_JJ curves_NN2 of_IO her_APPGE bottom_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 could_VM not_XX help_VVI it_PPH1 --_JJ he_PPHS1 pressed_VVD her_PPHO1 more_RGR firmly_RR against_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ aroused_VVN ,_, and_CC wound_VVN more_RGR tightly_RR than_CSN he_PPHS1 'd_VHD ever_RR imagined_VVN possible_JJ ,_, and_CC all_DB he_PPHS1 could_VM think_VVI --_JJ if_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG at_II all_DB --_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST he_PPHS1 needed_VVD her_APPGE close_JJ ,_, closer_RRR ._. 
Whatever_DDQV he_PPHS1 could_VM get_VVI ,_, whatever_DDQV he_PPHS1 could_VM have_VHI --_JJ right_NN1 now_RT he_PPHS1 would_VM take_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" Grace_NP1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD again_RT ,_, one_MC1 of_IO his_APPGE hands_NN2 moving_VVG to_II the_AT spot_NN1 where_CS her_APPGE dress_NN1 touched_VVD her_APPGE skin_NN1 ,_, just_RR at_II her_APPGE collarbone_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 flinched_VVD at_II his_APPGE touch_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 stilled_VVD ,_, barely_RR able_JK to_TO imagine_VVI how_RRQ he_PPHS1 would_VM tear_VVI himself_PPX1 away_RL ._. 
But_CCB her_APPGE hand_NN1 covered_VVD his_PPGE ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 whispered_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ surprised_JJ ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ only_RR then_RT that_CST he_PPHS1 once_RR21 again_RR22 breathed_VVD ._. 
Fingers_NN2 shaking_VVG ,_, he_PPHS1 traced_VVD the_AT delicately_RR scalloped_JJ edge_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE bodice_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE pulse_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO leap_VVI beneath_II his_APPGE touch_NN1 ,_, and_CC never_RR in_II his_APPGE life_NN1 had_VHD he_PPHS1 been_VBN so_RG aware_JJ of_IO a_AT1 single_JJ sound_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT quiet_JJ rasp_NN1 of_IO air_NN1 ,_, brushing_VVG across_II her_APPGE lips_NN2 ._. 
"_" You_PPY are_VBR so_RG beautiful_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 whispered_VVD ,_, and_CC the_AT amazing_JJ thing_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX even_RR looking_VVG at_II her_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ merely_RR her_APPGE skin_NN1 ,_, the_AT pale_JJ ,_, milky_JJ hue_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, the_AT soft_JJ blush_NN1 of_IO pink_JJ that_CST followed_VVD his_APPGE fingers_NN2 ._. 
And_CC so_RR she_PPHS1 'd_VHD sat_VVN with_IW him_PPHO1 ._. 
Tried_VVD her_APPGE best_JJT ._. 
And_CC he_PPHS1 put_VVD up_RP with_IW it_PPH1 ._. 
In_II retrospect_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX believe_VVI that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD not_XX exploded_VVN with_IW frustration_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, perhaps_RR ,_, the_AT oddest_JJT imaginable_JJ show_NN1 of_IO love_NN1 --_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VM let_VVI her_APPGE try_NN1 ,_, again_RT and_CC again_RT ,_, to_TO teach_VVI him_PPHO1 to_TO read_VVI ._. 
With_IW a_AT1 smile_NN1 on_II his_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, even_RR ._. 
But_CCB in_II the_AT end_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD given_VVN up_RP ._. 
She_PPHS1 still_RR did_VDD not_XX understand_VVI what_DDQ he_PPHS1 meant_VVD when_RRQ he_PPHS1 told_VVD her_PPHO1 the_AT letters_NN2 "_" danced_VVD ,_, "_" but_CCB she_PPHS1 believed_VVD him_PPHO1 when_CS he_PPHS1 insisted_VVD that_CST all_DB he_PPHS1 ever_RR got_VVN from_II a_AT1 printed_JJ page_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 headache_NN1 ._. 
"_" Everything_PN1 is_VBZ in_II order_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD now_RT ,_, handing_VVG the_AT documents_NN2 back_RP to_II Jack_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD discussed_VVN the_AT matter_NN1 with_IW her_PPHO1 the_AT week_NNT1 prior_RR ,_, after_II all_DB of_IO the_AT decisions_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN made_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 always_RR did_VDD that_DD1 ._. 
So_CS21 that_CS22 she_PPHS1 would_VM know_VVI precisely_RR what_DDQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ looking_VVG for_IF ._. 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY writing_VVG to_II Amelia_NP1 ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 nodded_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 ca_VM n't_XX decide_VVI if_CS I_PPIS1 should_VM tell_VVI her_PPHO1 about_II John_NP1 's_GE escapade_NN1 in_II the_AT church_NN1 belfry_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, do_VD0 ._. 
They_PPHS2 shall_VM get_VVI a_AT1 good_JJ laugh_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" But_CCB it_PPH1 makes_VVZ him_PPHO1 seem_VVI such_DA a_AT1 ruffian_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" He_PPHS1 is_VBZ a_AT1 ruffian_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 felt_VVD herself_PPX1 deflate_VVI ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 's_VBZ sweet_JJ ._. "_" 
Jack_NP1 chuckled_VVD and_CC kissed_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, once_RR ,_, on_II the_AT forehead_NN1 ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ just_RR like_II me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY need_VM n't_XX sound_VVI so_RG despairing_JJ ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 smiled_VVD then_RT ,_, that_DD1 unbelievably_RR devilish_JJ thing_NN1 of_IO his_PPGE ._. 
It_PPH1 still_RR got_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, every_AT1 time_NNT1 ,_, just_RR the_AT way_NN1 he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD it_PPH1 to_II ._. 
"_" Look_VV0 how_RGQ nicely_RR I_PPIS1 turned_VVD out_RP ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 added_VVD ._. 
"_" Just_RR so_CS you_PPY understand_VV0 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 ,_, "_" if_CS he_PPHS1 takes_VVZ to_II robbing_VVG coaches_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 shall_VM expire_VVI on_II the_AT spot_NN1 ._. "_" 
Jack_NP1 laughed_VVD at_II that_DD1 ._. 
"_" Give_VV0 my_APPGE regards_VVZ to_II Amelia_NP1 ._. "_" 
Grace_NP1 was_VBDZ about_RPK to_TO say_VVI I_PPIS1 shall_VM ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ already_RR gone_VVN ._. 
She_PPHS1 picked_VVD up_RP her_APPGE pen_NN1 and_CC dipped_VVD it_PPH1 in_II ink_NN1 ,_, pausing_VVG briefly_RR so_CS she_PPHS1 might_VM recall_VVI what_DDQ she_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN writing_VVG ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR delighted_JJ to_TO see_VVI Thomas_NP1 on_II his_APPGE visit_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 made_VVD his_APPGE annual_JJ pilgrimage_NN1 to_II the_AT dowager_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS ,_, I_PPIS1 am_VBM sad_JJ to_TO report_VVI ,_, has_VHZ not_XX grown_VVN any_DD less_DAR severe_JJ in_II her_APPGE old_JJ age_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ as_RG healthy_JJ as_CSA can_VM be_VBI --_JJ it_PPH1 is_VBZ my_APPGE suspicion_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 shall_VM outlive_VVI us_PPIO2 all_DB ._. 
Grace_NP1 shook_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 made_VVD the_AT half-mile_JJ journey_NN1 to_II the_AT dower_NN1 house_NN1 but_CCB once_RR a_AT1 month_NNT1 ._. 
Jack_NP1 had_VHD said_VVN she_PPHS1 need_VM n't_XX do_VDI even_RR that_DD1 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 still_RR felt_VVD an_AT1 odd_JJ loyalty_NN1 toward_II the_AT dowager_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX to_TO mention_VVI a_AT1 fierce_JJ devotion_NN1 and_CC sympathy_NN1 for_IF the_AT woman_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD hired_VVN to_TO replace_VVI her_PPHO1 as_II the_AT dowager_NN1 's_GE companion_NN1 ._. 
No_AT servant_NN1 had_VHD ever_RR been_VBN so_RG well-paid_JJ ._. 
Already_RR the_AT woman_NN1 earned_VVN (_( at_II Grace_NP1 's_GE insistence_NN1 )_) double_NN1 what_DDQ she_PPHS1 herself_PPX1 had_VHD been_VBN paid_VVN ._. 
Plus_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 promised_VVD her_PPHO1 a_AT1 cottage_NN1 when_CS the_AT dowager_NN1 finally_RR expired_VVD ._. 
The_AT very_RG same_DA one_MC1 Thomas_NP1 had_VHD given_VVN to_II her_PPHO1 so_RG many_DA2 years_NNT2 earlier_RRR ._. 
Grace_NP1 smiled_VVD to_II herself_PPX1 and_CC continued_JJ writing_NN1 ,_, telling_VVG Amelia_NP1 this_DD1 and_CC that_DD1 --_NN1 all_DB those_DD2 funny_JJ little_JJ anecdotes_NN2 mothers_NN2 loved_VVD to_TO share_VVI ._. 
Mary_NP1 looked_VVD like_II a_AT1 squirrel_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE front_JJ tooth_NN1 missing_VVG ._. 
And_CC little_JJ Oliver_NP1 ,_, only_RR eighteen_MC months_NNT2 old_JJ ,_, had_VHD skipped_VVN crawling_VVG entirely_RR ,_, going_VVG straight_RR from_II the_AT oddest_JJT belly-scoot_NN1 to_II full-fledged_JJ running_NN1 ._. 
Already_RR they_PPHS2 'd_VHD lost_VVN him_PPHO1 twice_RR in_II the_AT hedgerow_NN1 maze_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 miss_VVI you_PPY ,_, dear_UH Amelia_NP1 ._. 
You_PPY must_VM promise_VVI to_TO visit_VVI this_DD1 summer_NNT1 ._. 
You_PPY know_VV0 how_RGQ marvelous_JJ Lincolnshire_NP1 is_VBZ when_RRQ all_DB the_AT flowers_NN2 are_VBR in_II bloom_NN1 ._. 
And_CC of_RR21 course_RR22 --_JJ "_" Grace_NN1 ?_? "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ Jack_NP1 ,_, suddenly_RR back_RP in_II her_APPGE doorway_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 missed_VVD you_PPY ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 explained_VVD ._. 
"_" In_II the_AT last_MD five_MC minutes_NNT2 ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 stepped_VVD inside_RL ,_, closed_VVD the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 does_VDZ n't_XX take_VVI long_RR ._. "_" 
