butshewasgoermyfirstfewvisitstothelibrary,Ishelvedsuchchildishthingsandneveragainlookedatthem.Instead,IembarkeduponajourneymappedbySpeck,whochose,orhelpedmechoose,storiestoholdmyadolesti:bookslikeTheCalloftheWildandWhiteFang,talesofadventureandderring-do.ShehelpedmesoundoutwordsIcouldnotdecipherandexplainedcharacters,symbols,andplotsthatrantoowildordeepformyimagination.Herfidence,asshemovedthroughthestadtlessnovels,inspiredmetobelieveinmyownabilitytoreadandimagine.Ifnotforher,IwouldbethesameasSmaolach,filgicbookslikeSpeedCarterortheAdventuresofMightyMousefromthedrugstore.Orworse,notreadingatall.

    Cozyinourden,sheheldonherlapafatvolumeofShakespeare,thetypesetinaminusculefont,andIwasmidwaythroughTheLastoftheMohis.Theflickeringdlelightspiredwiththesilendweonlyinterruptedeachothersreadingtoshareacasualdelight.

    "Speck,listentothis:Thesechildrenofthewoodsstoodtogetherforseveralmomentspointingatthecrumblingedifidversingintheunintelligiblelanguageoftheirtribe."

    "Soundslikeus.Whoarethesepeople?"

    Iheldupthebooktoshowheritscover,thetitleingiltlettersonagreencloth.Werecededbatoourstories,andanhourorsopassedbeforeshespokeagain.

    "Listentothis,Aniday.ImreadingHamlethereawofellowsein.RosentzandGuildenstern.Hamletgreetsthem:Goodlads,howdoyeboth?AndRosentzsays,Astheindifferentchildrenoftheearth.AndGuildensternsays,Happyinthatwearenotover-happy.OnFortunescapwearenottheverybutton."

    "Doeshemeantheywereunlucky?"