Alexander,Sam,andEdmund.Requestingpermissiontospeak.

    Ofcourse,saidThomas.Whatisit?

    Wellsir,saidAlexander,someoftheboyshavebeenthinking.

    Yes?Whatisittheyhavebeenthinking?

    Wellsir,saidAlexahemenhaveamelancholy.

    Ohmy,saidThomas.Which?

    Wellsir,Iwouldsayitisthepip.Lessasulkthanasourness.

    Whatarethesymptoms?

    Headache,vertigo,singingintheears,muchwaking,fixedeyes,redeyes,highcolor,hardbelly,shortandsharpbelgs,drybrains,andpainiside.Noteahaseverysymptom.Mosthavetwo.Somehavethree.Onehasfour.

    Me,Edmundsaid.

    DidInotdoubletherumration?Thomasasked.

    Youdid,sir,youdid,andwearegrateful.Yet--

    Wellwhatistheissue?

    Wellsir,Iwasingtothat.Theissue,Alexandersaid,isethical.

    Ohmy.Localeneral?

    Wellsir,wefeelmaybeweoughtnottobedoinwhatwearedoin.Wefeelitsasizing,youmightsay.

    Awhat?

    Adarkeningofthetruth.

    Whattruthandhowdarkened?

    Wellsir,Alexandersaid,lookatitthisway.Itisthis:ThegrandFathersbeinallhauly-maulybythelikesofusoverbumpandbumbustandallraggletailedandhispoorbumlegallhurtyandhisgrandauraalltarnagledandJunebeinabadmonthforerprisesandabadmonthforoldenterprisesaccordintothestarchartsandlikethat,wethatistosayusthemenhaveafaintintustitionthatmaybethebestisnottoeintermsofthegrandFatherthemoon-haheeye-in-the-skytheoldmeisterthebeywindowthebitchammerthegaekwardertheingthekhandokidthezamtheshotgunofkyotowingtheprincipalstadtholderthevoivodethetopwali,thisBeing,Isay,being