ch,whichhewouldthenholduptriumphantlybeforeghisturntoZan-zara.

    "Youareacheater,Ragno."

    "Andyouareabloodsucker."

    Icoughed,makingmysciousnessknown.

    "Heylook,kid,hesawake."

    Zanzaraputhisclammyhandagainstmyforehead."Letmegetyousomethi.Acupoftea,maybe?"

    "Youbeenasleepingalongtime,kid.Thatswhatyougetfoingoutwiththoseboys.ThoseIrishboys,theyrenogood."

    Ilookedaroundthecampformyfriends,butasusualatmidday,every-oneelsewasgone.

    "Whatdayisit?"Iasked.

    Zanzaraflickedouthistoastingtheair."IdsayTuesday."

    "No,Imeanwhatdayofthemonth."

    "Kid,Imnotevemonthitis."

    Ragnointerrupted."Mustbegettingtoring.Thedaysaregrow-inglonger,inchbyinch."

    "DidImissChristmas?"Ifelthomesickforthefirsttimeinages.

    Theboysshruggedtheirshoulders.

    "DidImissSantaClaus?"

    "Whohe?"

    "HowdoIgetoutofhere?"

    Ragnopoioapathobscuredbytwreens.

    "HowdoIgohome?"

    Theireyesglazedover,and,holdinghands,theyturnedaroundandskippedaway.Ifeltlikeg,butthetearswouldnote.Afiercegaleblewinfromthewest,pushingdarkcloudsacrossthesky.Huddledundermyblas,Iobservedthegingday,alohmytroubles,untiltheotherscameskitteringhomeonthewind.Theytooknomorenotiethananyotherlumponthegroundonepasseseveryday.Igelstartedasmallfirebystrikingaflintuntilasparkcaughtthekindling.Twoofthegirl