Iingdowntheserecollesofmyearlyyearssofarremovedfromtheirunfolding,Iamfooled,asallare,bytimeitself.Myparents,longgonefrommyworld,liveagain.Theredcoatedwomaonlyonce,abidesmorepersistentlyinmindthanwhatIdidyesterdayorwhetherIhadthistlesandhoneyorelder-berriesforbreakfast.Mysisters,nowgrownintotheirmiddleyears,areeverinfantstome,twomatgcherubs,risofcurls,chubbyandhelplessascubs.Memory,whichsofoundsourwakinglifewithanticipationa,maywellbeourorueearthlysolatioimeslipsoutofjoint.

    Myfirstnighttimeforayintothewoodsleftmeexhausted.Iburrowedbehaheapofcoatsandblasandfurs,andbymidday,afeverburned.Zanzarabroughtmeacupofhotteaandabowlofnastybroth,or-derio"drink,drink,sipit."ButIcouldnotstomachasingleswallow.Nomatterhowmanylayerstheyheapeduponme,Icouldwarm.Bynightfall,Ishookuntrollablywithchills.Myteethrattledandmybonesached.

    Sleepbroughtstrange,horriblenightmareswhereeverythiohappenatonce.Myfamilyinvadedmydreams.Handsjoiheystandinahalfcirclearoundaholeintheground,silentasstones.MyfathergrabsmearoundtheankleandpullsmefromthehollowtreewhereIliehiddenasmeontheground.Thenhereachesinagainandyawinbytheanklesandholdsthemaloft,thegirlsgigglinginfearandpleasure.Andmymotheradmonisheshim:"Dontbesohardontheboy.Wherehaveyoubeen,wherehaveyoubeen?"

    ThenIamontheroad,inthearclightstreamingfromanoldFord,thedeersupihepavement,itsbreathingshallow,andIsynizemyres-pirationwithitsrhythmsandtheredcoatedwomanwiththepalegreeneyessays:"Whoareyou?"Andshebendstomyf