theraheoldquistadorstaredatusfromthesteeringwheelshub,andasDadmadeaturn,theex-plorerseyesseemedtofollowus.

    Onourapproachtothecity,thefactoriesoskirtsappearedfirst,greatsmokestacksexhalingstreamsofdarkclouds,furhinglowingwithheartsoffire.Abendintheroad—thenallatonce,aviewofbuildingsstretchedtoheaven.Thedowntownssheersizeleftmebreathless,andthecloserwecame,thegreateritloomed,untilsuddenlywewereinthecar-chokedstreets.Theshadowsdeepenedanddarkeacrossstreet,atrol-leyscrapedalong,itspoleshootingsparkstothewiresabove.Itsdoorsopenedlikeabellows,andoutpouredacrowdofpeopleintheirspringcoatsandhats;theystoodonacreteislandireet,waitingforthelighttoge.Inthedepartmentstorewindows,reflesofshoppersandtraffiihdisplaysofnewgoods:womensdressesandmenssuitsonman-nequins,whieinitially,appearingaliveandposingperfectlystill.

    "Idontknowwhyyoufeeltheoeallthewaydowntownforthis.YouknowIdontlikeingintothecity.Illneverfindparking."

    Mhtarmshotout."Theresaspace,arentwelucky?"

    Ridingupintheelevator,myfatherreachedinsidehiscoatpocketforaCamel,andasthedoorsopehefifthfloor,helitup.Wewereafewminutesearly,andwhiletheydebatedoverwhetherornottogoin,Iwalkedtothedooraered.Mr.Martinmaynothavebeenafairy,buthewasveryfey.Tallandthin,hiswhitehairlonginashaggyboyscut,heworeawornplum-coloredsuit.ChristopherRobinallgrownupandgoogen-teelseed.BehindhimstoodthemostbeautifulmaeIhadeverseen.Lac-queredtoahighblaish,thegrandpianodrewallofthevitalityoftheroomtowarditspropped-openlid.Th