Nineoclock?

    Tenoclock.

    Ihavetohavebedcheckforthemenattenoclock.Whataboutelevenoclock?

    IthinkImakeelevenoclock.Letmelookinmybook.

    Shelookedinherbook.

    Elevenoclock,then,shesaid,writinganoteinherbook.Uhetrees?

    Uhestars,saidThomas.

    Thetrees,saidJulie,lookslikerain.

    Ifnoraihestars,saidThomas.Ifraihetrees.

    Orthehedge,saidJulie.Wetanddripping.Mulchy.

    Whatareying?askedtheDeadFather.Coulditbeanassignation?

    Nothing,saidJulie.Nothingyoushouldyourselfabout,dearoldsoul.

    TheDeadFatherflanghimselftotheground.

    ButIshouldhaveeverything!Me!I!Myself!IamtheFather!Mine!Alwayswasandalwayswillbe!Fromwhomallblessingsflow!Towhomallblessingsflow!Foreverandeverandeverandever!AmeissimePater!

    Heischewihagain,Julieobserved.Onewouldthinkhewouldtireofit.

    Thornasbegansinging,inagoodvoice.

    TheDeadFatherstoppedchewih.

    ThatisoneIlike,hesaid,wipinghismouthwiththesleeveofhisgoldenrobe.

    Forthihomassang,inagoodvoice,isthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglo-ree,for-EVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVWVVVVVVVV-er...

    ThatisoneIlike,saidtheDeadFather,Ihavealwayslikedthatone.

    Thomasstoppedsinging.

    Bytheway,hesaid,letmehaveyourpassport.

    Why?askedtheDeadFather.

    Illtakecareofitforyou.

    Itakeyoort.

    Manypeopleloseorcarelesslymisplacetheirpassports,Thomassaid.Illtakecareofitforyou.

    Verykindofyoubutnotnecessary.

    Alostormisplacedpassportisaveryseriousmatter.Ma