heyellyouwhatyoureallywanttoknow."

    ShetookaSalemoutofitsbox,putitinhermouth,andstruckamatch.Everyday,shesmokedonepackofSalem--nomore,noless.Shedopenanewpathemxandsmokeitupbytheendoftheday.Ididntsmoke.Mywifehadmademequit,fiveyearsear1ier,whensheregnant.

    "WhatIreallywanttoknow."Izumibegan,thesmokefrarettesilentlycurlingupintotheair,"ispehecatsafterward.Didtheauthoritieskillthembecausetheydeatenhumanfresh?Ordidtheysay,Yonguyshavehadatoughtimeofit,givethemapatonthehead,ahemontheirway?Whatdoyouthink?"

    Igazedatthebeeshoverthetableandthoughtaboutit.Forafleetinginstant;therestlesslittlebeesligupthejamahreecatsdevtheoldwomansfleshbecameoneinmymind.Adistantseagullsshrillsquawkoverlappedthebuzzingofthebees,andforasedortwomysciousrayedontheborderbetweeyandtheunreal.WherewasI?WhetwasIdoinghere?Icouldapurchaseouation.Itookadeepbreath,gazedupatthesky,andturoIzumi.

    "Ihavenoidea."

    "Thinkaboutit.Ifyouwerethattownsmayororchiefofpolice,whatwouldyoudowiththosecats?"

    "Howaboutputtingtheminaninstitutiontoreformthem?"Isaid."Turovegetarians."

    Izumididntlaugh.Shetoaretteandeverslowlyletoutastreamofsmoke."ThatstoryremindsmeofalectureIheardjustafterIstartedatmyCatholiihschool.DidItellyouIwenttoaverystrictCatholicschoo1?Justaftertheentranceceremony,oheheadnunshadusallassembleinanauditorium,andtheuptothepodiumandgaveatalkaboutCatholicdoe.Shetoldusalotofthings,butwhatIremembermost?actually