itesweaterwasfrayingatthecollarandthesleeves,andIresolvedtolookforareplataswesearchedfortheboy.

    Inglowiters,thesignoutfrontreadOSCARSBAR,andalohelotbehindthebuilding,Békafouersgreenpickup.HeandOnionsjumpedintoitsbedandrode,uedbythedrunkendriver,tothemanshouseoutinthetry.Shelaughedwhenshereadthehemailbox:LOVES.Theymemorizedthelocation,sharingthegoodnewswithuslaterthatnight.Withtheinformationinhand,Igelsetinmotionourreaissandassignedshiftsofteamstowatchtheboyandhisfamilytolearntheirmovementsandhabits.Heinstructedustopaycloseattentiontotheboyscharacteranddemeanor.

    "Iwaailedatofhislife.Doeshehaveanybrothersorsisters?Unclesoraunts?GrammyandGramps?Doeshehaveanyfriends?Whatsamesdoesheplay?Anyhobbiesorspare-timeactivities?Findallthereistoknowabouthisrelationshipwithhisparents.Howdotheytreathim?Isheinedtodaydream?Towanderaboutbyhimselfinthewoods?"

    ItranscribedhiswordsinMesspositionbookandwonderedhowwemightuakesuchatask.Igelwalkedoverandstoodinfrontofme,glaringdownatmyscribbling.

    "You,"hesaid,"willbeourscrivener.Ileterecord.Youaretobehisbiographer.EveryoneelsetellAnidaywhattheylearn.Dontepesteriheverydetail.Wheoryisplete,youtellit.Thiswillbethemostperfectgeinourhistory.Findmeanewlife."

    BeforeIsawthechildagaiasifIknewhimaswellasmyself.Chavisory,forinstance,foundoutthathewaserhisuncleOscar.SmaolachcoulddoapassingimitationofhisvoidKivihadappliedanunknowncalculustoplotouthisheight,weight,andgeneralbodytype.Afteryearsofmeresel