EIGHT_CRD 
One_CRD hundred_CRD and_CJC four_CRD degrees_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 shade_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 well_NN1 was_VBD drying_VVG up_AVP ._SENT The_AT0 water_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 tank_NN1 had_VHD to_TO0 be_VBI carefully_AV0 conserved_VVN ,_PUN carried_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 bucketful_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 house_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP night_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP gave_VVD the_AT0 animals_NN2 what_DTQ water_NN1 they_PNP could_VM0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 vegetables_NN2 that_CJT Elsa_NP0 and_CJC Rose_NP0 had_VHD tended_VVN with_PRP such_DT0 loving_AJ0 care_NN1 were_VBD dead_AJ0 ._SENT Between_PRP yesterday_AV0 's_POS wind_NN1 and_CJC dust_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 relentless_AJ0 sun_NN1 ,_PUN every_AT0 plant_NN1 had_VHD either_AV0 been_VBN torn_VVN out_AVP by_PRP the_AT0 roots_NN2 or_CJC lay_VVD wilted_AJ0 and_CJC dead_AJ0 ._SENT 
She_PNP heard_VVD Rose_NP0 come_VVI up_AVP beside_PRP her_PNP ._SENT 
"_PUQ There_EX0 's_VBZ no_AT0 point_NN1 watering_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Elsa_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ No._NN1 "_PUQ 
She_PNP heard_VVD the_AT0 heartbreak_NN1 in_PRP her_DPS mother-in-law_NN1 's_POS voice_NN1 and_CJC wished_VVD she_PNP could_VM0 say_VVI something_PNI to_TO0 help_VVI ._SENT 
"_PUQ You_PNP 've_VHB been_VBN awfully_AV0 quiet_AJ0 today_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Rose_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ Unlike_PRP my_DPS usual_AJ0 chatty_AJ0 self_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Elsa_NP0 said_VVD to_TO0 deflect_VVI a_AT0 conversation_NN1 she_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 want_VVI to_TO0 have_VHI ._SENT 
Rose_NP0 bumped_VVD her_DPS shoulder_NN1 against_PRP Elsa_NP0 's_POS arm_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Tell_VVB me_PNP what_DTQ is_VBZ wrong_AJ0 ._SENT Besides_AV0 the_AT0 obvious_AJ0 ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Loreda_NP0 is_VBZ angry_AJ0 at_PRP me_PNP ._SENT All_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 time_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP swear_VVB ,_PUN before_CJS I_PNP even_AV0 speak_VVB ,_PUN she_PNP gets_VVZ mad_AJ0 at_PRP whatever_DTQ it_PNP is_VBZ I_PNP 'm_VBB about_AVP to_TO0 say_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ She_PNP is_VBZ at_PRP that_DT0 age_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ It_PNP 's_VBZ more_DT0 than_CJS that_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP think_VVB ._SENT "_PUQ 
Rose_NP0 stared_VVD out_AVP at_PRP the_AT0 devastated_AJ0 fields_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ My_DPS son_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ Stupido_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP is_VBZ filling_VVG her_DPS head_NN1 with_PRP dreams_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ He_PNP 's_VBZ unhappy_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Pssht_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Rose_NP0 said_VVD impatiently_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ Who_PNQ is_VBZ n't_XX0 ?_SENT Look_VVB at_PRP what_DTQ is_VBZ happening_VVG ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ My_DPS parents_NN2 ,_PUN my_DPS family_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Elsa_NP0 said_VVD quietly_AV0 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD something_PNI she_PNP rarely_AV0 talked_VVD about_AVP ,_PUN a_AT0 pain_NN1 too_AV0 deep_AJ0 for_PRP words_NN2 ,_PUN especially_AV0 when_CJS words_NN2 would_VM0 n't_XX0 change_VVI anything_PNI ;_PUN Loreda_NP0 's_POS opinion_NN1 of_PRF Elsa_NP0 lately_AV0 had_VHD brought_VVN all_DT0 that_DT0 heartache_NN1 of_PRF youth_NN1 back_AVP ._SENT Elsa_NP0 remembered_VVD the_AT0 day_NN1 she_PNP 'd_VHD taken_VVN Loreda_NP0 ,_PUN swaddled_VVN in_PRP pink_AJ0 ,_PUN to_PRP her_DPS parents_NN2 '_POS house_NN1 ,_PUN hoping_VVG her_DPS marriage_NN1 would_VM0 allow_VVI them_PNP to_TO0 accept_VVI her_PNP again_AV0 ._SENT Elsa_NP0 had_VHD worked_VVN for_PRP weeks_NN2 on_PRP a_AT0 lovely_AJ0 pink_AJ0 dress_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 baby_NN1 ,_PUN trimmed_VVD it_PNP in_PRP lace_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP knit_VVD a_AT0 matching_AJ0 cap._NN1 Finally_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP borrowed_VVD the_AT0 truck_NN1 and_CJC drove_VVD to_PRP Dalhart_NP0 alone_AV0 ,_PUN pulling_VVG up_AVP at_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 gate_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP remembered_VVD every_AT0 moment_NN1 in_PRP detail_NN1 :_PUN Walking_VVG up_AVP the_AT0 path_NN1 ;_PUN the_AT0 smell_NN1 of_PRF roses_NN2 ._SENT Everything_PNI in_PRP bloom_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 clear_AJ0 blue_AJ0 sky_NN1 ._SENT Bees_NN2 buzzing_VVG around_PRP the_AT0 roses_NN2 ._SENT 
She_PNP had_VHD felt_VVN both_AV0 nervous_AJ0 and_CJC proud_AJ0 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 wife_NN1 now_AV0 ,_PUN with_PRP a_AT0 baby_NN1 girl_NN1 so_AV0 beautiful_AJ0 even_AJ0 strangers_NN2 remarked_VVD upon_PRP it_PNP ._SENT 
Knocking_VVG on_PRP the_AT0 door_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 sound_NN1 of_PRF footsteps_NN2 ,_PUN heels_NN2 on_PRP hardwood_NN1 ._SENT Mama_NN1 answering_VVG the_AT0 door_NN1 ,_PUN dressed_VVN for_PRP church_NN1 ,_PUN wearing_VVG pearls_NN2 ._SENT Papa_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 brown_AJ0 suit_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Look_VVB ,_PUN "_PUQ Elsa_NP0 had_VHD said_VVN ,_PUN her_DPS smile_NN1 unsteady_AJ0 ,_PUN her_DPS eyes_NN2 filling_VVG with_PRP unwanted_AJ0 tears_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ My_DPS daughter_NN1 ,_PUN Loreda_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Mama_NN1 ,_PUN craning_VVG her_DPS neck_NN1 ,_PUN peering_VVG down_AVP at_PRP Loreda_NP0 's_POS small_AJ0 ,_PUN perfect_AJ0 face_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Look_VVB ,_PUN Eugene_NP0 ,_PUN how_AVQ dark_AJ0 her_DPS skin_NN1 is_VBZ ._SENT Take_VVB your_DPS disgrace_NN1 away_AV0 ,_PUN Elsinore_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
The_AT0 door_NN1 ,_PUN slamming_VVG shut_AJ0 ._SENT 
Elsa_NP0 had_VHD made_VVN a_AT0 point_NN1 of_PRF never_AV0 seeing_VVG them_PNP or_CJC speaking_VVG to_PRP them_PNP again_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC even_AV0 so_AV0 ,_PUN their_DPS absence_NN1 caused_VVD an_AT0 ache_NN1 that_CJT would_VM0 n't_XX0 go_VVI away_AV0 ._SENT Apparently_AV0 you_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 stop_VVI loving_VVG some_DT0 people_NN0 ,_PUN or_CJC needing_VVG their_DPS love_NN1 ,_PUN even_AV0 when_CJS you_PNP knew_VVD better_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Yes_ITJ ?_SENT "_PUQ Rose_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN looking_VVG up_AVP at_PRP her_PNP ._SENT 
"_PUQ They_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 love_VVI me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP never_AV0 knew_VVD why_AVQ ._SENT But_CJC now_AV0 Loreda_NP0 has_VHZ turned_VVN so_AV0 angry_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP wonder_VVB if_CJS she_PNP sees_VVZ me_PNP the_AT0 same_DT0 way_NN1 they_PNP did_VDD ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 never_AV0 do_VDI anything_PNI right_AJ0 in_PRP their_DPS eyes_NN2 ,_PUN either_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Do_VDB you_PNP remember_VVI what_DTQ I_PNP told_VVD you_PNP on_PRP the_AT0 day_NN1 Loreda_NP0 was_VBD born_VVN ?_SENT "_PUQ 
Elsa_NP0 almost_AV0 smiled_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ That_DT0 she_PNP would_VM0 love_VVI me_PNP as_PRP no_AT0 one_PNI else_AV0 ever_AV0 would_VM0 and_CJC make_VVB me_PNP crazy_AJ0 and_CJC try_VVB my_DPS soul_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Sì_NP0 ._SENT And_CJC you_PNP see_VVB how_AVQ right_AJ0 I_PNP was_VBD ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ About_PRP part_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP guess_VVB ._SENT She_PNP certainly_AV0 breaks_VVZ my_DPS heart_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Yes_ITJ ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 trial_NN1 to_PRP my_DPS poor_AJ0 mamma_NN1 ,_PUN too_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 love_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP comes_VVZ in_PRP the_AT0 beginning_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS life_NN1 and_CJC at_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF yours_PNP ._SENT God_NP0 is_VBZ cruel_AJ0 that_DT0 way_NN1 ._SENT Your_DPS heart_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ it_PNP too_AV0 broken_VVN to_TO0 love_VVI ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Of_PRF course_NN1 not_XX0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ So_AV0 ,_PUN you_PNP go_VVB on_AVP ._SENT "_PUQ She_PNP shrugged_VVD ,_PUN as_CJS if_CJS to_TO0 say_VVI ,_PUN Motherhood_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ What_DTQ choice_NN1 is_VBZ there_AV0 for_PRP us_PNP ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ It_PNP just_AV0 ..._PUN hurts_VVZ ._SENT "_PUQ 
Rose_NP0 was_VBD silent_AJ0 for_PRP a_AT0 while_NN1 ;_PUN finally_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Yes_ITJ ._SENT "_PUQ 
In_PRP the_AT0 distant_AJ0 field_NN1 ,_PUN Tony_NP0 and_CJC Rafe_NP0 were_VBD hard_AJ0 at_PRP work_NN1 ,_PUN planting_VVG winter_NN1 wheat_NN1 in_PRP ground_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD as_AV0 powdery_AJ0 as_PRP flour_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 surface_NN1 and_CJC hard_AV0 beneath_AV0 ._SENT For_PRP three_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN they_PNP 'd_VHD planted_VVN wheat_NN1 and_CJC prayed_VVD for_PRP rain_NN1 and_CJC gotten_VVN too_AV0 little_AJ0 and_CJC grown_VVN no_AT0 crop_NN1 at_PRP all_DT0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ This_DT0 season_NN1 it_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI better_AJC ,_PUN "_PUQ Rose_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ We_PNP still_AV0 have_VHB milk_NN1 and_CJC eggs_NN2 to_TO0 sell_VVI ._SENT And_CJC soap_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Small_AJ0 blessings_NN2 mattered_VVD ._SENT Elsa_NP0 and_CJC Rose_NP0 combined_VVD their_DPS individual_AJ0 optimism_NN1 into_PRP a_AT0 communal_AJ0 hope_NN1 ,_PUN stronger_AJC and_CJC more_AV0 durable_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 combination_NN1 ._SENT 
Rose_NP0 put_VVD an_AT0 arm_NN1 around_PRP Elsa_NP0 's_POS waist_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Elsa_NP0 leaned_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 smaller_AJC woman_NN1 ._SENT From_PRP the_AT0 moment_NN1 of_PRF Loreda_NP0 's_POS birth_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC in_PRP all_DT0 the_AT0 years_NN2 since_AV0 ,_PUN Rose_NP0 had_VHD become_VVN Elsa_NP0 's_POS mother_NN1 in_PRP every_AT0 way_NN1 that_CJT mattered_VVD ._SENT Even_AV0 if_CJS they_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 speak_VVI of_PRF their_DPS love_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC share_VVB their_DPS feelings_NN2 in_PRP long_AJ0 ,_PUN heartfelt_AJ0 conversations_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 bond_NN1 was_VBD there_AV0 ._SENT Sturdy_AJ0 ._SENT They_PNP 'd_VHD sewn_VVN their_DPS lives_NN2 together_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 silent_AJ0 way_NN1 of_PRF women_NN2 unused_AJ0 to_PRP conversation_NN1 ._SENT Day_NN1 after_PRP day_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP worked_VVD together_AV0 ,_PUN prayed_VVD together_AV0 ,_PUN held_VVD their_DPS growing_AJ0 family_NN1 together_AV0 through_PRP the_AT0 hardships_NN2 of_PRF farm_NN1 life_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS Elsa_NP0 had_VHD lost_VVN her_DPS third_ORD child_NN1 —_PUN a_AT0 son_NN1 who_PNQ never_AV0 drew_VVD breath_NN1 —_PUN it_PNP was_VBD Rose_NP0 who_PNQ held_VVD Elsa_NP0 and_CJC let_VVB her_DPS cry_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC said_VVD ,_PUN Some_DT0 lives_NN2 are_VBB not_XX0 ours_PNP to_TO0 hold_VVI on_AVP to_PRP ;_PUN God_NP0 makes_VVZ His_DPS choices_NN2 without_PRP us_PNP ._SENT Rose_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ spoke_VVD for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD time_NN1 about_PRP her_DPS own_DT0 lost_AJ0 children_NN2 ,_PUN had_VHD showed_VVN Elsa_NP0 that_DT0 grief_NN1 could_VM0 be_VBI borne_VVN one_CRD day_NN1 ,_PUN one_CRD chore_NN1 ,_PUN at_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP 'll_VM0 go_VVI water_NN1 the_AT0 animals_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ Elsa_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT 
Rose_NP0 nodded_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP 'll_VM0 dig_VVI up_AVP what_DTQ I_PNP can_VM0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Elsa_NP0 grabbed_VVD a_AT0 metal_NN1 bucket_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 porch_NN1 and_CJC wiped_VVD the_AT0 grit_NN1 from_PRP its_DPS inside_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 pump_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP put_VVB on_PRP gloves_NN2 to_TO0 protect_VVI her_DPS hands_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 blazing-hot_AJ0 metal_NN1 and_CJC pumped_VVD a_AT0 bucketful_NN1 of_PRF water_NN1 ._SENT 
Carrying_VVG the_AT0 sloshing_AJ0 pail_NN1 carefully_AV0 back_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 house_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 wanting_VVG to_TO0 spill_VVI a_AT0 precious_AJ0 drop_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP was_VBD nearing_VVG the_AT0 barn_NN1 when_CJS she_PNP heard_VVD a_AT0 sound_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP a_AT0 saw_NN1 blade_NN1 grinding_VVG over_PRP metal_NN1 ._SENT 
She_PNP slowed_VVD ,_PUN listened_VVD ,_PUN heard_VVD it_PNP again_AV0 ._SENT 
She_PNP set_VVD down_AVP the_AT0 bucket_NN1 and_CJC moved_VVD around_AVP the_AT0 corner_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 barn_NN1 and_CJC saw_VVD Rafe_NP0 standing_VVG by_PRP the_AT0 new_AJ0 crack_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 ground_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS arms_NN2 propped_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 head_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 rake_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS hat_NN1 pulled_VVD low_AJ0 on_PRP his_DPS downcast_AJ0 face_NN1 ._SENT 
Crying_VVG ._SENT 
Elsa_NP0 walked_VVD over_AVP to_PRP him_PNP ,_PUN stood_VVD silently_AV0 by_PRP ._SENT Words_NN2 were_VBD something_PNI she_PNP could_VM0 never_AV0 pull_VVI up_AVP easily_AV0 ,_PUN not_XX0 for_PRP him_PNP ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD always_AV0 afraid_AJ0 of_PRF saying_VVG the_AT0 wrong_AJ0 thing_NN1 ,_PUN of_PRF pushing_VVG him_PNP away_AV0 when_CJS she_PNP wanted_VVD to_TO0 draw_VVI him_PNP near_AV0 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD like_PRP Loreda_NP0 ,_PUN full_AJ0 of_PRF mercurial_AJ0 moods_NN2 and_CJC given_VVN to_PRP bouts_NN2 of_PRF passion_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP frightened_VVD her_PNP ,_PUN those_DT0 moods_NN2 she_PNP could_VM0 neither_AV0 tame_VVI nor_CJC understand_VVI ._SENT So_AV0 she_PNP held_VVD her_DPS tongue_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 know_VVI how_AVQ long_AJ0 I_PNP can_VM0 stand_VVI all_DT0 of_PRF this_DT0 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ It_PNP will_VM0 rain_VVI soon_AV0 ._SENT You_PNP 'll_VM0 see_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ How_AVQ can_VM0 you_PNP not_XX0 break_VVI ?_SENT "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN wiping_VVG his_DPS eyes_NN2 with_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS hand_NN1 ._SENT 
Elsa_NP0 did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI how_AVQ to_TO0 answer_VVI that_DT0 ._SENT They_PNP were_VBD parents_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD to_TO0 stay_VVI strong_AJ0 for_PRP the_AT0 children_NN2 ._SENT Or_CJC did_VDD he_PNP mean_VVI something_PNI else_AV0 ?_SENT "_PUQ Because_CJS the_AT0 kids_NN2 need_VVB us_PNP not_XX0 to_TO0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
He_PNP sighed_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC she_PNP knew_VVD she_PNP 'd_VHD said_VVN the_AT0 wrong_AJ0 thing_NN1 ._SENT 
*_PUN *_PUN *_PUN 
THAT_DT0 SEPTEMBER_NP0 ,_PUN HEAT_NN1 ROARED_VVD across_PRP the_AT0 Great_AJ0 Plains_NN2 ,_PUN day_NN1 after_PRP day_NN1 ,_PUN week_NN1 after_PRP week_NN1 ,_PUN burning_VVG away_AV0 whatever_DTQ had_VHD survived_VVN the_AT0 summer_NN1 ._SENT 
Elsa_NP0 stopped_VVD sleeping_VVG well_AV0 ,_PUN or_CJC at_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN really_AV0 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD plagued_VVN by_PRP nightmares_NN2 of_PRF emaciated_AJ0 children_NN2 and_CJC dying_AJ0 crops_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 livestock_NN0 —_PUN two_CRD horses_NN2 and_CJC two_CRD cows_NN2 ,_PUN all_DT0 bones_NN2 and_CJC hollows_NN2 —_PUN were_VBD being_VBG kept_VVN alive_AJ0 by_PRP eating_VVG the_AT0 prickly_AJ0 Russian_AJ0 thistles_NN2 that_CJT grew_VVD wild_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 small_AJ0 amount_NN1 of_PRF hay_NN1 they_PNP 'd_VHD harvested_VVN was_VBD nearly_AV0 gone_VVN ._SENT The_AT0 animals_NN2 stood_VVD still_AV0 for_PRP hours_NN2 at_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN as_AV0 if_CJS afraid_AJ0 that_CJT every_AT0 step_NN1 could_VM0 kill_VVI them_PNP ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 hottest_AJS part_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN when_CJS the_AT0 temperature_NN1 rose_VVD above_PRP 115_CRD degrees_NN2 ,_PUN their_DPS eyes_NN2 became_VVD glassy_AJ0 and_CJC unfocused_AJ0 ._SENT When_CJS they_PNP could_VM0 ,_PUN the_AT0 family_NN1 carried_VVN pails_NN2 of_PRF water_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 corral_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP was_VBD always_AV0 too_AV0 little_AJ0 ._SENT Every_AT0 drop_NN1 of_PRF water_NN1 that_CJT came_VVD up_AVP from_PRP the_AT0 well_AV0 had_VHD to_TO0 be_VBI carefully_AV0 conserved_VVN ._SENT The_AT0 chickens_NN2 rarely_AV0 moved_VVN ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD so_AV0 lethargic_AJ0 ;_PUN they_PNP lay_VVD like_PRP feathered_AJ0 heaps_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 dirt_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 even_AV0 bothering_VVG to_TO0 squawk_VVI when_CJS they_PNP were_VBD disturbed_VVN ._SENT Eggs_NN2 were_VBD still_AV0 being_VBG laid_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC each_DT0 one_PNI was_VBD like_PRP a_AT0 nugget_NN1 of_PRF gold_NN1 ,_PUN although_CJS Elsa_NP0 feared_VVD that_CJT each_DT0 one_CRD would_VM0 be_VBI their_DPS last_ORD ._SENT 
Today_AV0 ,_PUN like_PRP most_DT0 mornings_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP was_VBD awake_AJ0 before_PRP the_AT0 rooster_NN1 crowed_VVD ._SENT 
She_PNP lay_VVD in_PRP bed_NN1 ,_PUN trying_VVG not_XX0 to_TO0 think_VVI about_PRP the_AT0 dead_AJ0 garden_NN1 or_CJC the_AT0 dried-up_AJ0 ground_NN1 or_CJC the_AT0 coming_AJ0 winter_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS sunlight_NN1 began_VVD to_TO0 stream_VVI through_PRP the_AT0 windows_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP sat_VVD up_AVP and_CJC read_VVB a_AT0 chapter_NN1 of_PRF Jane_NP0 Eyre_NP0 ,_PUN letting_VVG the_AT0 familiar_AJ0 words_NN2 soothe_VVB and_CJC comfort_VVB her_PNP ._SENT Then_AV0 she_PNP put_VVD the_AT0 novel_NN1 aside_AV0 and_CJC got_VVD out_AVP of_PRF bed_NN1 ,_PUN careful_AJ0 not_XX0 to_TO0 waken_VVI Rafe_NP0 ._SENT After_PRP dressing_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP took_VVD a_AT0 moment_NN1 to_TO0 stare_VVI down_AVP at_PRP her_DPS sleeping_AJ0 husband_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN out_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 barn_NN1 until_PRP late_AJ0 last_ORD night_NN1 and_CJC finally_AV0 stumbled_VVD to_PRP bed_NN1 smelling_VVG of_PRF whiskey_NN1 ._SENT 
She_PNP had_VHD been_VBN restless_AJ0 ,_PUN too_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC neither_DT0 had_VHD turned_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 other_NN1 for_PRP solace_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI how_AVQ ,_PUN she_PNP supposed_VVD ;_PUN they_PNP 'd_VHD never_AV0 learned_VVN to_TO0 comfort_VVI each_DT0 other_NN1 ._SENT Or_CJC maybe_AV0 there_EX0 was_VBD no_AT0 comfort_NN1 to_TO0 be_VBI found_VVN when_CJS life_NN1 was_VBD so_AV0 bad_AJ0 ._SENT 
What_DTQ she_PNP knew_VVD was_VBD that_CJT the_AT0 slim_AJ0 hold_NN1 she_PNP 'd_VHD had_VHN on_PRP him_PNP was_VBD loosening_VVG ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 past_NN1 few_DT0 weeks_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP 'd_VHD noticed_VVN how_AVQ frequently_AV0 he_PNP turned_VVD away_AV0 from_PRP her_PNP ._SENT Was_VBD it_PNP since_PRP the_AT0 dust_NN1 storms_NN2 had_VHD ruined_VVN their_DPS fields_NN2 and_CJC tripled_VVD the_AT0 work_NN1 ?_SENT Or_CJC since_CJS he_PNP 'd_VHD planted_VVN the_AT0 winter_NN1 wheat_NN1 with_PRP his_DPS father_NN1 ?_SENT 
He_PNP stayed_VVD up_AVP late_AV0 ,_PUN reading_VVG newspapers_NN2 as_CJS if_CJS they_PNP were_VBD adventure_NN1 novels_NN2 ,_PUN staring_VVG out_AVP windows_NN2 ,_PUN studying_VVG maps_NN2 ._SENT When_CJS he_PNP finally_AV0 stumbled_VVD to_PRP bed_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP rolled_VVD away_AV0 from_PRP her_PNP and_CJC thumped_VVD into_PRP a_AT0 sleep_NN1 so_AV0 deep_AJ0 that_CJT sometimes_AV0 she_PNP feared_VVD he_PNP had_VHD died_VVN during_PRP the_AT0 night_NN1 ._SENT 
Last_ORD night_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS so_AV0 often_AV0 ,_PUN when_CJS he_PNP finally_AV0 came_VVD to_PRP their_DPS bed_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP lay_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 dark_NN1 ,_PUN aching_VVG for_PRP him_PNP to_TO0 turn_VVI to_PRP her_PNP ,_PUN touch_VVB her_PNP ,_PUN but_CJC even_AV0 if_CJS he_PNP had_VHD ,_PUN they_PNP both_AV0 would_VM0 have_VHI remained_VVN unsatisfied_AJ0 ._SENT He_PNP never_AV0 spoke_VVD while_CJS they_PNP were_VBD intimate_AJ0 ,_PUN not_XX0 even_AV0 whispers_VVZ about_PRP his_DPS need_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP rushed_VVD through_PRP the_AT0 act_NN1 as_CJS if_CJS he_PNP regretted_VVD it_PNP before_CJS he_PNP began_VVD ._SENT Sometimes_AV0 Elsa_NP0 felt_VVD lonelier_AJC when_CJS their_DPS lovemaking_NN1 ended_VVD than_CJS she_PNP had_VHD been_VBN before_CJS it_PNP began_VVD ._SENT He_PNP said_VVD he_PNP stayed_VVD away_AV0 from_PRP her_PNP because_CJS she_PNP conceived_VVD so_AV0 easily_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC she_PNP knew_VVD the_AT0 truth_NN1 was_VBD darker_AJC than_CJS that_DT0 ._SENT As_CJS always_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP came_VVD down_AVP to_PRP her_DPS unattractiveness_NN1 ._SENT Of_PRF course_NN1 he_PNP had_VHD difficulty_NN1 wanting_VVG her_PNP ._SENT And_CJC clearly_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP was_VBD not_XX0 good_AJ0 in_PRP bed_NN1 ;_PUN he_PNP rushed_VVD through_PRP it_PNP so_AV0 ._SENT 
In_PRP earlier_AJC years_NN2 ,_PUN she_PNP had_VHD dreamed_VVN of_PRF boldly_AV0 reaching_VVG for_PRP him_PNP ,_PUN changing_VVG how_AVQ they_PNP touched_VVD each_DT0 other_NN1 ,_PUN exploring_VVG his_DPS body_NN1 with_PRP her_DPS hands_NN2 and_CJC her_DPS mouth_NN1 ;_PUN then_AV0 ,_PUN upon_PRP waking_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP 'd_VHD felt_VVN frustrated_AJ0 and_CJC swollen_AJ0 with_PRP a_AT0 desire_NN1 she_PNP could_VM0 neither_AV0 express_VVI nor_CJC share_VVI ._SENT She_PNP 'd_VHD waited_VVN years_NN2 for_PRP him_PNP to_TO0 see_VVI it_PNP ,_PUN see_VVB her_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC reach_VVB out_AVP ._SENT 
Lately_AV0 ,_PUN though_AV0 ,_PUN that_DT0 dream_NN1 felt_VVD far_AV0 away_AV0 ._SENT Or_CJC maybe_AV0 she_PNP was_VBD just_AV0 too_AV0 tired_AJ0 and_CJC worn_VVN out_AVP these_DT0 days_NN2 to_TO0 believe_VVI in_PRP it_PNP ._SENT 
She_PNP left_VVD their_DPS bedroom_NN1 and_CJC walked_VVD down_AVP the_AT0 hallway_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP paused_VVD at_PRP each_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 kid_NN1 's_POS bedroom_NN1 doors_NN2 and_CJC peered_VVD in_AVP ._SENT The_AT0 peacefulness_NN1 in_PRP their_DPS sleeping_AJ0 faces_NN2 squeezed_VVD her_DPS heart_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP times_NN2 like_PRP this_DT0 ,_PUN she_PNP remembered_VVD Loreda_NP0 when_CJS she_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN young_AJ0 and_CJC happy_AJ0 ,_PUN always_AV0 laughing_VVG ,_PUN her_DPS arms_NN2 thrown_VVN open_AJ0 for_PRP a_AT0 hug_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS Elsa_NP0 had_VHD been_VBN Loreda_NP0 's_POS favorite_AJ0 person_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT 
She_PNP went_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ smelled_VVD of_PRF coffee_NN1 and_CJC baking_NN1 bread_NN1 ._SENT Her_DPS in-laws_NN2 did_VDD n't_XX0 sleep_VVI anymore_AV0 ,_PUN either_AV0 ._SENT Like_VVB her_PNP ,_PUN they_PNP held_VVD on_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 unproven_AJ0 hope_NN1 /_PUN belief_NN1 that_CJT more_DT0 work_NN1 might_VM0 save_VVI them_PNP ._SENT 
Pouring_VVG herself_PNX a_AT0 cup_NN1 of_PRF black_AJ0 coffee_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP drank_VVD it_PNP quickly_AV0 and_CJC washed_VVD out_AVP the_AT0 cup_NN1 ,_PUN then_AV0 stepped_VVD into_PRP her_DPS brown_AJ0 shoes_NN2 —_PUN the_AT0 heels_NN2 almost_AV0 worn_VVN away_AV0 —_PUN and_CJC grabbed_VVD her_DPS sun_NN1 hat_NN1 ._SENT 
Outside_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP squinted_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 bright_AJ0 sun_NN1 ,_PUN tented_VVD a_AT0 gloved_AJ0 hand_NN1 over_PRP her_DPS eyes_NN2 ._SENT 
