closeagain--no,theyopenagain.Someohrowsablaovermydamp,glisteningwhite,incrediblybeautifulshoulders.Iwhipoutmyharmonidgivethemtwofastchorusesof"RedDevilRag."Standingovatioriumphisplete.

    YouleftoutAlbertSchweitzer,Thomassaid.

    Hardtopatchhimin,saidJulie,butheisthere.

    AtthatmomenttheDeadFatherapproachedThomas,holdingasmallbox.

    Apresent,hesaid,foryou.

    Thankyou,saidThomas,whatisit?

    Openit,saidtheDeadFather.Openthebox.

    Thomasopeheboxandfoundaknife.

    Thankyou,hesaid,whatisitfor?

    Useit,saidtheDeadFather.ething.ethingoff.

    Ispoketoosoon,Thomassaid,heisnotreciled.

    Iwillneverbereciled,theDeadFathersaid,never.WhenIamoffended,Iaunishment.PunishmentisathingImgoodat.Ihavesomeratherfineones.Foranyonewhodarestrifle.Onthefirstdaythetrifleriswelled,withstrongcordsandhungupsidedownfromaflagpoleataheightoftwentystories.Ontheseddaythetrifleristurnedrightsideupandrehungfromthesamestaff,soastoemptythebloodfromhisheadandpreparehimforthethirdday.OhirddaythetriflerisunedandwaiteduponbyalisedD.D.S.whoextractseveryothertoothfromthetoprowahertoothfromthebottomrow,theextrastobemismatgacctotheblueprintsupplied.Onthefourthdaythetriflerisgivenhardthingstoeat.Ohdaythetriflerisfortedwithsoftfinegarmentsandflagonsaentionsoflithesomewomensoastomaketheshockofthesixthdaythemoresevere.OhdaythetriflerisfinedaloneinasmallroomwiththemusicofKarlheinzStockhausen.Ontheseventhdaythetriflerisprickedwithles.Ohthetriflerisslidnakeddownathousan