,,! ,,DOG ,,:O ,,?"\ ,,HE ,,0 ,,SANTA BY ,BILL ,WALLACE ,VOLUME #B ( #B ,VOLUMES ,BRL ,PAGES P#A-P#C & #IE-AHC ,PR9T ,PAGES #IE-A#AHD ,SPONSOR$ & ,PRES5T$ BY ,! ,AM]ICAN ,AC;N ,FUND ,= ,BL ,*N ,& ,ADULTS #AHJJ ,JOHNSON ,/REET ,BALTIMORE1 ,M>YL& #BABCJ ,WE ,D ,? ,T ,! ,BL ,MAY ,R1D ,PRODUC$ AT ,AM]ICAN ,PR9T+ ,H\SE ,L\ISVILLE1 ,,KY P#A ,COPY"R ^C #BJJG 0,BILL ,WALLACE ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$ ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME ^C ,COPY"R4 P#C ,,! ,,DOG ,,:O ,,?"\ #IE ,,HE ,,0 ,,SANTA ,*APT] #AC ,DON SLAMM$ ! DOOR S H>D1 HE EV5 SC>$ HMF4 ,HE DIDN'T GL.E BACK 6SEE IF HE'D BROK5 "S?+4 ,HE J /OMP$ 96! LIV+ ROOM & ?REW HMF ONTO ! C\*4 ,! L&+ 0 S H>D T ,MOM & ,DAD K9D ( B\NC$ ON EI SIDE ( HM4 8,I'M GONNA KILL H]4 ,I DON'T C>E IF %E IS MY SI/]10 HE MUTT]$4 8,I LOVE H]1 B ,I'M GONNA KILL H] ANYWAY4 ,I'M GONNA B1T H] 6A PULP4 ,DAD C KILL ME "R BACK4 ,X DON'T MATT]4 ,I DON'T C>E IF ! %]IFF -ES & TAKES ME 6JAIL4 ,I'M GONNA--0 ,SU45LY R1LIZ+ H[ /UPID & *ILDI% HE S.D$1 ,DON TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 ,HE SUCK$ ! AIR 9 UNTIL HE CDN'T HOLD ANY M1 !N LET X \ SL[LY1 C.T+ 6T5 9SIDE 8 H1D L ,MOM _H TOLD HM 6D :5 HE GOT MAD4 -----------------------------------#IF ,HE'D SD /UFF L T 2F4 ,?+S L #IE HE HAT$ "SBODY1 OR HE WANT$ A#IF 6B1T "SBODY 6A PULP4 ,MOM & ,DAD DIDN'T L T K9D ( TALK4 ,HE LET 8 BR1? \ SL[LY AG & C.T$ 6T5 A SECOND "T4 ,X 0 "S:AT (A %OCK :5 ,MOM J GL.ED AT HM & V CALMLY SD1 8,DON'T KILL YR BABY SI/]40 8,Y1H10 ,DAD A4$ F ! O!R SIDE1 )\T EV5 LOOK+ AWAY F ! ,,TV4 8,"S?+ L T WD RE,Y MESS UP \R ,*RI/MAS40 ,DON F9,Y MANAG$ 6CLOSE 8 M\?4 ,HE RELAX$ A LL1 TOO4 ,MOM L1N$ OV] & G5TLY RU6L$ 8 HAIR4 8,WDN'T TELL Y80 8.,NO60 HE SNAPP$4 ,!N )A SI< HE A4$1 8,GOT A :OLE LI/ ( /UFF1 ,RA7$Y ,ANN & ,RA7$Y ,&Y DOLLS1 A ,P>*EESI GAME1 PAP] DOLLS %E C DRESS1 NEW %OES T MAT* H] ,SUN"D-G-TO-MEET+ \TFIT4 ,I RE,Y ?9K %E'D L A NEW DRESS1 TOO4 ,%E M5;N$ X1 ONLY %E DIDN'T WANT ME 6WRITE X D[N 2C %E CDN'T DECIDE :AT COLOR4 -----------------------------------#IG 8,B %E WDN'T TELL :AT %E .RE,Y WANTS ,SANTA 6BR+ H]4 ,%E WON'T TELL Y6 ,%E WON'T TELL ,DAD6 ,%E WON'T TELL A#IG ME6 ,I TOLD H] T EV5 ,SANTA DOESN'T "K UN.S %E SAYS X--.\ .L\D60 ,A LL J]K SNAPP$ ,DON'S H1D UP4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,MOM4 8,WAIT4 ,WAIT40 ,HE TAPP$ ,DAD'S LEG 6MAKE SURE HE 0 LI/5+ TOO4 8,? MORN+ %E .DID TELL ME T :5 %E F9I%$ H] PRAY]S1 %E .DOES TELL ,SANTA \ L\D4 ,I GOT X6 ,I "K :AT WE CD D4 ,:5 %E SAYS H] PRAY]S1 TN1 MAYBE ,I CD--0 8,DON40 ,! T"O ( ,MOM'S VOICE /OPP$ HM 2F HE CD GET ! RE/ ( X \4 8,EAVESDROPP+ ON "SBODY'S PRAY]S ISN'T "R40 ,)A SI<1 HE SANK BACK 96! C\*4 8,I "K4 ,I "K4 ,I J C'T FIGURE \ :AT ELSE 6D4 ,:AT"E X IS %E WANTS1 X'S RE,Y IMPORTANT 6H]4 ,X'S "S?+ %E WANTS R1L BAD4 ,%E'S GONNA 2 S 4APPO9T$ IF %E DON'T GET X40 8,DOESN'T40 8,HUH80 ,DON FR[N$4 8.,DOESN'T GET X10 ,MOM SD4 #IG ,DON J NO4$4 8,I M1N1 X'S #IH GONNA BR1K H] HE>T4 ,%E'S GONNA ?9K ,AMY ,COV+TON 0 "R ALL AL;G4 ,T'LL MAKE H] FEEL D[N"R ROTT54 ,MAKE X H>D = H] 62LIEVE 9 .ANY?+40 ,DAD L1N$ OV] & WRAPP$ AN >M >.D ,DON'S %\LD]4 8,4APPO9T;T IS J "P ( LIFE1 SON4 ,EA* & E "O ( U HAS 6LE>N 6H&LE X AT "S PO9T40 8,I "K1 ,DAD4 ,B %E'S S "Y4 ,CDN'T WE J--0 8,"S ?+S WE DON'T H ANY 3TROL OV]10 ,MOM SD4 8,WE'RE GO+ 6,MC,ALE/] TM 6F9I% \R ,*RI/MAS %OPP+4 ,KEEP AN EYE ON H]4 ,MAYBE WE'LL SEE A LOOK 9 H] EYE :5 WE'RE TALK+ AB PRES5TS & M5;N ! 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DOOR4 ,"S?+ 0 "!4 ,ON TIPTOES ,DON CREPT ACR ! ROOM4 ,HE TURN$ ! DOORKNOB1 HOP+ X WDN'T CR1K :5 HE OP5$ X4 ,MOM /OOD "! ) H] E> ALM T\*+ ,SUSAN'S DOOR4 ,DON SLIPP$ BACK 96B$4 ,SLEEP CAME QK & EASY T NIT$ LA/ NIL[ POCKETKNIFE1 : HE WRAPP$ Z WELL4 ,SN1KY 0 H1VY 9 \R ROOM4 ,B :5 ,DON WALK$ OV] & %OOK 8 PI7Y BANK ": HE KEPT ! M"OY HE'D BE5 SAV+ =A NEW LAWNM[] BLADE1 HE SI<$4 ,! SN1KY FAD$ AWAY4 ,HAPPY & "R PR\D DRIFT$ 6MY NOSE4 ,LAT] T EV5+1 ,I SMELL$ SN1KY AG4 ,&( ALL P ''' X 0 -+ F ,MOM6 ----------------------------------#AJE ,:5 ,I'D SNI6$ AT ,DON'S B$ROOM DOOR1 ,I F/ ?"\ %E 0 9 ! HALL MAK+ SURE ,SUSAN 0 TUCK$ 9 & ASLEEP4 ,B ! L;G] %E /OOD "!1 ! M SN1KY ,I'D SMELL$4 ,X WASN'T A SMELL ,I 0 US$ 6ON H]4 ,DON SMELL$ X1 TOO4 ,O!RWISE HE WDN'T H BE5 S QUIET AB TIPTOE+ ACR ! ROOM4 ,HE OP5$ ! DOOR J A CRACK1 !N EAS$ X %UT4 ,B :5 HE CREPT BACK 6HIS B$1 ALL ! WORRY & TR\#S SEEM$ 6SLIP AWAY F HM 9 AN 9/ANT4 ,HE FELL ASLEEP S FA/1 ,I WASN'T EV5 CURL$ 2S ! B$ 2F ,I HE>D 8 BR1?+ *ANGE 6T S(T1 A#AJE EASY RHY?M4 ,AT BR1KFA/ ALL SORTS ( HAPPY SMELLS FILL$ ! KIT*54 ,"! 0 A LOT ( EXCIT$ TALK+1 TOO4 ,ONLY X 0 S(T1 Z IF "S"O MI4 ,T K9D ( 3FUS$ ME 2C :5 !Y SPOKE1 ,I ?"\ .TALK 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE HE>D4 ,B "? ALL ! QUIET TALK1 "! 0 "O ^W T CAME "? Z CLE> Z A BELL4 .,KITT56 ,J ! ^W S5T A *ILL UP MY BACK1 CL1N F ! TIP ( MY TAIL 6! TIP ( MY NOSE4 ,MAYBE ,I _HN'T HE>D X4 ,MAYBE X 0 ANO!R ^W4 ,I ----------------------------------#AJF LIFT$ MY E>S4 ,LI/5$4 ,HOP$ AG/ HOPE T ,I _HN'T HE>D ''' ,! S(T TALK WD RISE1 !N L[] 6A N]V\S SIL;E1 ONLY 6GET L\D ONCE M4 ,MO/LY _! VOICES 7 HU%$4 ,TALK T 0 S S(T EV5 MY BIG FLOPPY E>S CD B>ELY HE>4 ,& ONCE M ,I HE>D T DR1D$ ^W ''' .,KITT56 ,:5 ,SUSAN'S B>E FEET CAME #AJE PA4+ D[N ! HALL1 ALL ! TALK A#AJF 5D$4 ,%E /A7]$ IN1 & NO?+ B SIL;E GREET$ H]4 ,%E /OPP$ & LOOK$ F "O 6! O!R4 ,9/ANTLY ! TALK+ />T$ ONCE M4 ,ONLY ? "T1 _! *ATT] 0 AB "S?+ -PLETELY DI6]5T4 ,!Y TALK$ AB ! 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ROOMS4 ,I FOLL[$ ,SUSAN4 ,:5 %E />T$ PULL+ H] S*OOL CLO!S \1 ,I FIGUR$ !Y 7 GETT+ R1DY 6G (F & L1VE ME AG4 ..,GD "T 6G SEE .,R$1 ,I ?"\ )A WAG ( MY TAIL4 ,MAYBE SP5D+ "S "T ) HM WD KEEP T HORRID ^W--.KITT5--F E*O+ 9 MY E>S4 ,MAYBE HE CD HELP4 ,I TROTT$ 6! BACK DOOR & ASK$ 6BE LET \TSIDE4 ,I CIRCL$ 6! NOR? & CAME 9 F ! ,WATSONS' Y>D4 ,X 0 ! ONLY WAY ! T[N DOGS WDN'T SPOT ME & />T B>K+4 ,WELL1 T &! FACT T ! W9D 0 \ (! S\?4 ,R$'S S5SE ( SMELL WASN'T Z KE5 Z M9E--B ALM4 ,AF ALL1 HE 0 A COONH.D4 ,2+ D[NW9D ----------------------------------#AJH GAVE ME AN ADVANTAGE4 ,PAUS+ 2H ! LILAC BU% =A MO;T1 ,I SCANN$ ! Y>D4 ,MADE SURE HE WASN'T \ & AB1 & #AJG F9,Y SPOTT$ ! B"O4 A#AJH ,ONCE SURE X 0 ALL CLE>1 ,I EAS$ >.D ! BU%4 ,QUIET] ?AN A CAT SN1K+ UP ON A BIRD1 "O G5TLE /EP AT A "T1 ,I CREPT ACR ! 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HILL1 8 TAIL 0 TUCK$ TIRI$ 6*UR*4 ,HE CIRCL$ TO ----------------------------------#AAD SNIFF ,SUSAN1 !N CAME BACK = "O M SNORT AT ,MOM'S ,BI#4 ,9 ! BL9K ( AN EYE1 ,FRANK 0 BACK 6HIS USUAL SELF1 TAIL UP & SWAY+ 9 ! BREEZE Z HE L$ ! WAY HOME4 ,!Y 7 ALM 6! PLACE ": ! PA? SPLIT1 ": ! LEFT =K W5T OV] ! DAM & UP ! HILL 6! M9E1 & ": ! "R =K W5T 6_! H\SE1 :5 ,DON HE>D ! S.D4 ,"EY"O /OPP$4 ,X 0 A DOG B>K+4 ,HE F9,Y SPOTT$ ! COONH.D4 ,X B>K$ A SECOND "T1 !N L1N$ OV] & PICK$ "S?+ UP4 ,DON CDN'T #AAC TELL = SURE :AT X WAS4 ,LOOK$ A#AAD L A B"O OR "S?+4 ,H1D HI< Z A COYOTE BAY+ AT ! MOON1 ! COONH.D LIFT$ ! B"O 9 ! AIR4 ,!N HE PR.ED (F D[N ! HILL4 ,DON _H N"E SE5 A DOG 8PR.E0 2F4 ,B HE CDN'T ?9K ( ANY O!R WAY 6DESCRIBE X4 ,:5 HE GL.ED D[N1 HE SAW A RIDGE ( BRI/L$ HAIR T W5T F ,FRANK'S E>S CL1N 6! TIP ( 8 TAIL4 ,DON WAT*$ HM A SECOND4 ,! 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FLOOR 2T ,MOM & ,DAD4 ,:5 ,MOM ASK$ ,DAD IF HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6PICK UP "S?+1 ,FRANK SNI6$ H] LEG & GAVE H] A FUNNY LOOK4 ,:5 ,DAD ANSW]$1 ,FRANK SNI6$ 8 LEG & GAVE .HM A FUNNY LOOK4 ,X 0 ALM L HE CD TELL !Y 7 LY+4 ,DON ROLL$ 8 EYES4 ..,"! Y G .AG1 HE ?"\4 ..,?9K+ T DUMB OLD DOG C A#AAG ACTU,Y TELL !Y'RE MAK+ UP /UFF4 ,H[ 9 ! _W D Y GET S* CRAZY ID1S /UCK 9 YR .H1D8 ,)A MOAN1 ,DON /RU7L$ 6HIS FEET4 8,I FEEL L ,I'M AB 6BL[ UP10 HE ADMITT$4 8,?9K ,I'LL G =A WALK4 ,SEE IF "! >E ANY DE] TRACKS >.D40 ,FRANK /OOD UP1 SNI6$1 & LOOK$ OV] ! C(FEE TA# AT ,DON ) T SAME FUNNY LOOK HE'D GIV5 ,MOM & ,DAD1 B HE IGNOR$ X4 ,:5 ,SUSAN DIDN'T RESPOND1 HE NUDG$ H] ) 8 FOOT4 8,Y WANNA G ) ME1 SQUIRT80 ,SUSAN J LAY ON ! RUG 9 FRONT (! FIREPLACE4 8,I'M SLEEPY40 8,BETT] G ) HM10 ,DAD SD4 8,X'S FIX9' ----------------------------------#AAH 6TURN COLD4 ,MID ! CREEK T FL[$ 96! LAKE4 ,DON KEPT LOOK+ AT ! SKY1 ?9K+ AB :AT ,DAD _H SD AB ! W1!R & H[ NOBODY S M* Z "Q$ HM4 ,DON _H BE5 SIX :5 !Y'D MOV$ 6,OKLAHOMA F ,P5NSYLVANIA4 ,HE DIDN'T REMEMB] ALL T M* AB ,P5NSYLVANIA4 ,HE DID REMEMB] ! SN[4 ,"! 0 A LOT M ( X1 X 0 DEEP]1 & X /AY$ L;G] ?AN :5 X SN[$ "H 9 ,OKLAHOMA4 ,B T'S AB ALL HE REMEMB]$4 ,:AT HE .DID REMEMB] 0 ! F/ YE> !Y _H MOV$ "H4 ,DAD _H -E HOME F ! M9E "O "D & TOLD !M T "! 0 A /ORM -+4 ,B ! W1!R 0 CLE> Z GLASS1 & "! 0 NO W9D4 ,NO?+ HAPP5$ T NIDS ON ! S\?WE/ CORN] (! H\SE & PUT NEW %+LES ON ! RO(4 ,A WILL[ TREE T /OOD AT ! CORN] (! H\SE 0 B5T & TWI/$ S M* X ALM SEEM$ 6LIE D[N4 ,DAD N"E CD EXPLA9 H[ HE KNEW "! 0 A /ORM -+4 ,B AF T1 ,DON & ,MOM N"E "Q$ HM4 ,!Y J A3EPT$ T ,DAD KNEW :5 "S?+ )! W1!R 0 GO+ 6*ANGE4 ,DON & ,SUSAN 7 -+ BACK F HUNT+ = TRACKS AL;G ! CREEK :5 ,DAD'S TRUCK PULL$ UP4 ,:ILE !Y'D SE5 LOTS ( COON ----------------------------------#ABJ & SKUNK TRACKS1 !Y'D ONLY SE5 A FEW DE] TRACKS4 ,X DIDN'T MATT]4 ,GETT+ ,SUSAN \ (! H\SE S ,MOM CD TALK ON ! PH"O 0 :AT 0 IMPORTANT4 ,MOM 0 9 ! KIT*54 ,MAK+ SURE #AAI HE 0 2T ,SUSAN & H]1 ,DON A#ABJ SMIL$ & WI7L$ 8 EYEBR[S4 8,DAD F9D :AT HE 0 LOOK+ =80 ,MOM DIDN'T SMILE BACK4 8,NOPE4 ,PROBABLY H 6G BACK TM40 8,IS X A ,*RI/MAS PRES5T80 ,SUSAN ASK$4 ,MOM =C$ A SMILE1 !N L1N$ >.D ,DON S %E CD SEE H]4 8,NO1 DE>4 ,J "S?+ =! M9E4 ,OH1 0! WAY1 ,I NE$ Y 6HELP ME )! CAKE & CORNBR1D DRESS+ TM4 ,OKAY80 ,SUSAN'S SMILE ALM LIT UP ! :OLE ROOM4 8,C WE MAKE COOKIES1 TOO80 8,MAYBE40 ,MOM SMIL$ BACK AT H]4 8,DON1 ,I'M GO+ 6NE$ Y 6D A C\PLE ( ]R&S = ME TM4 ,OKAY80 8,YES1 MA'AM40 ,DON WAIT$ PATI5TLY UNTIL ,SUSAN SCURRI$ (F 6H] ROOM4 ,:5 HE HE>D ! DOOR CLOSE1 HE L1N$ T[>D ,MOM4 ----------------------------------#ABA 8,DAD DIDN'T H ANY LUCK80 ,MOM %OOK H] H1D4 8,NO4 ,MOLLY ,TA7]T'S HELP+4 ,GUESS %E'S BE5 ASK+ "EYBODY :O R+S 9 2C %E'S CALL$ ME BACK FIVE "TS40 A#ABA 8,&80 ,DON URG$4 8,& '''0 ,MOM %RU7$4 8,NO?+4 ,! ,BLEV9S' CAT _H A LITT]1 B !Y'VE ALR GIV5 !M AWAY4 ,BE? ,SALY]'S CAT _H A LITT] TWO "DS AGO1 B !Y'RE WAY TOO "Y 6BE W1N$4 ,%E AL CALL$ A C\PLE ( DAIRY F>M]S ON ! F> SIDE (! M9E1 B NEI ( !M ANSW]$ ! PH"O :5 %E CALL$4 ,!Y'VE EI G"O "SPLACE OR \ MILK+ ! C[S4 8,T'S ": Y -E IN4 ,TM MORN+ '''0 ----------------------------------#ABB ,*APT] #AF 8,": 9 ! _W H Y TWO BE580 ,MOM ASK$ ! NEXT "D4 ,MOM'S FR[N ALM MADE MY TAIL TUCK "U1 B ! ANTICIP,N 9 H] VOICE KEPT X WA7+4 ,!N--:5 ,DON SD1 8,"!'S N A KITT5 9 ! :OLE C.TRY0--WELL ''' MY TAIL DIDN'T "K :AT 6D4 ,"P ( ME 0 HAPPY T WE _HN'T F.D A KITT54 ,AF ALL A KITT5 0 J A BABY CAT4 ,F MY D1L+S ) CATS1 ,I'D LE>N$ A L;G "T AGO T !Y 7 BE/ LEFT AL"O4 #ABA ,EV5 IF Y'RE J TRY+ 6SAY H[DY A#ABB OR MAKE FRS ) !M1 !Y EI SPIT 9 YR EYE1 SCRAT* YR NOSE & E>S--OR BO?6 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,SUSAN WANT$ A KITT5 "S?+ FI]CE4 ,MOM1 ,DAD1 & ,DON WANT$ "O = H]4 ,!Y DIDN'T WANT H] 6BE SAD ON ,*RI/MAS4 .,I DIDN'T WANT H] 6BE SAD1 EI4 ----------------------------------#ABC ,S MY TAIL J HUNG "!1 HALFWAY 2T TUCK$ & WA7+1 L X 0 FROZ5 9 MIDSW+4 8,WE /OPP$ AT ! ,VAUM NEXT4 ,2F WE LEFT1 Y TOLD ME HE MIN ": H] HUSB& 0 "W+4 ,:5 ,I F.D HM1 HE A#ABC 0 P.D+ ON 8 TRACTOR4 ,I SD1 ,8H[DY10' & HE J LOOK$ UP & ASK$1 ,8,:AT D Y WANT80' ,X 0 M L A SN>L4 ,K9DA SC>$ ME4 ,FRANK & ,I 7 BO? R1DY 6TAKE (F RUNN+4 ,I F9,Y MANAG$ 6GET \ T WE 7 LOOK+ =A KITT54 ,!N HE UP & ASKS1 ,8,:Y 9 ! _W WD Y WANT A /9K9' CAT80' 8,:5 HE F.D \ T X 0 A ,*RI/MAS PRES5T = MY LL SI/]1 & %E 0 ONLY SIX YE>S OLD ''' WELL1 HE 0 A -PLETELY DI6]5T P]SON40 ----------------------------------#ABD 8,! ,NELSONS >E GD P40 ,MOM NO4$4 8,B !Y -E (F Z CRANKY OR CANTANK]\S OR D[N"R M1N AT F/--Y "K1 TILL !Y GET 6"K Y4 ,IF !Y F9D \ P >E 9 NE$1 !Y'LL GIVE Y ! %IRTS (F _! BACKS4 ,D ANY?+ & "EY?+ "U ! SUN 6HELP Y \40 8,T 0 ,MR4 ,NELSON1 ALL "R40 ,DON ALM LAU<$ \ L\D4 8,:5 HE F.D \ T ! KITT5 0 A ,*RI/MAS PRES5T =A LL GIRL1 HE HELP$ ME SE>* E 9* (! HAY B>N1 ! %$S1 EV5 _! /ORM CELL>4 ,:5 WE DIDN'T F9D ANY KITT5S1 HE LOAD$ ME & #ABC ,FRANK 9 8 PICKUP1 & WE />T$ A#ABD DRIV+4 ,I BET WE /OPP$ AT E F>M F "H TO '''0 ,I DIDN'T HE> ! RE/ ( 8 /ORY 'CAUSE "R AB !N ,I />T$ SNEEZ+4 ,F\R OR FIVE POPP$ \ 9 A R[4 ,I %OOK MY H1D UNTIL MY E>S FLOPP$1 B J :5 ,I ?"\ ,I 0 D"O1 X />T$ 9 AG4 ,!Y LET ME \TSIDE4 ,I 0 GLAD AB T4 ,"! WASN'T ANY NE$ 6HE> ,DON'S /ORY4 ,AF ALL ,I 0 ) HM ! :OLE "T4 ,RID+ 9 ! BACK ( T PICKUP TRUCK _H BE5 FUN4 ,FEEL+ ! AIR RU% PA/ 0 "S?+ ,I'VE ----------------------------------#ABE ALW LOV$4 ,B E "T WE /OPP$ AT A F>M1 ,DON &! F>M] & ,I HUNT$ =A KITT54 ,ALL T SNI6+ >.D 9 ! B>NS GOT MY NOSE CLO7$ UP ) DU/ & ALFALFA L1VES4 ,AL? "! 7 NO KITT5S 6BE F.D1 "! .7 LOTS ( CATS6 ,! SMELL ( !M SEEM$ 6CL+ 6! 9SIDE ( MY NOSE4 ,A BR1? ( FRE% AIR 0 J :AT ,I NE$$4 ,F9,Y MY NOSE />T$ 6CLE>4 ,F/ ?+ ,I NOTIC$ 7 ! RA3OONS4 ,?\< ,I LOV$ SLEEP+ 9SIDE1 T M1NT A#ABE "! 0 NO "O LEFT \TSIDE 6PROTECT ! PLACE4 ,I CD TELL T TWO RA3OONS _H -E ! F/ NIREL4 ,!Y 7 SURE 6BE BACK TN4 ,I'D /AY \TSIDE 6RUN !M (F4 ,O!RWISE1 !Y'D GET S BRAZ51 !Y'D />T TE>+ "S?+ A"P OR MESS+ UP ! PLACE4 ,I SNI6$ >.D A BIT M4 ,MY NOSE 0 ALM BACK 6NORMAL4 ,T'S :5 ,I SMELL$ X4 ,! SC5T 0 FA9T ON ! S(T S\? BREEZE4 ,A MAN4 ,/9K-BAIT4 ,I %OOK MY H1D4 ,NO4 ,X WASN'T /9K-BAIT4 ,X DIDN'T SMELL /R;G 5\<4 ,MAYBE X 0 D\<-BAIT4 ,I RAIS$ MY H1D & SNI6$ AG4 ,"SBODY 0 AT ! LAKE4 ,F ? F> AWAY1 ----------------------------------#ABF &)! SC5T ( CAT / L+]+ 9 MY NOSE1 ,I CDN'T TELL :O4 ,B X J MI.D & MO;N$ ,DON 6FOLL[ !M \TSIDE4 8,NO LUCK )! NEWSPAP]80 %E ASK$4 ----------------------------------#ABH ,DAD J />$ AT ! GR.D & %OOK 8 H1D4 8,DIDN'T F9D A ,8= SALE0' AD 9 ! NEWSPAP] = KITT5S4 ,DIDN'T F9D A ,8FREE KITT5S 6A GD HOME0' AD4 ,ABSOLUTELY NO?+40 ,MOM FR[N$4 8,!N ": H Y BE5 A#ABH ALL ? "T80 ,DAD SI<$ & SAT D[N ON ! /EP4 8,BE5 GO+ DOOR 6DOOR4 ,/>T$ \ AT ! FE$ /ORE4 ,FIGUR$ !Y ALW H A FEW CATS >.D 6KEEP ! MICE \ (! GRA94 ,_H CATS B NO KITT5S4 ,!N ,I J />T$ DRIV+ UP & D[N ! /REETS4 ,KNOCK$ ON P'S DOORS1 ASK$ IF !Y _H ANY KITT5S OR KNEW ANY "O ( _! NEIMS40 ,HE GL.ED UP AT ,DON4 8,LA/ FEW PLACES ,I /OPP$1 !Y TOLD ME ,F>M] ,NELSON1 AL;G )A BOY &A BLOODH.D1 _H ALR BE5 ASK+ AB KITT5S4 ,T'S :5 ,I F9,Y GAVE X UP & CAME ON HOME40 ,DON SAT ON ! /EP 2S HM4 ,MOM 0 ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,DAD PATT$ H] KNEE4 8,Y D ANY GD "H80 HE ASK$4 ,MOM %OOK H] H1D4 8,NO KITT54 ,B ,I TELL Y :AT--T ,MOLLY ,TA7]T HAS TRI$ H] ----------------------------------#ABI BE/4 ,:AT DID Y CALL X 9 ! NAVY--GO+ ABV & 2Y ! CALL ( DUTY80 #ABG ,DAD NO4$4 A#ABI 8,Y "K H[ %E HAS 6KEEP A LOG ( L;G-4T.E CALLS & PAY-PH"O CALLS80 ,DAD NO4$ AG4 8,WELL %E MADE UP A SEP>ATE LOGBOOK4 ,%E WROTE D[N "EY"O :O CALL$ "? H] SWIT*BO>D & ASK$ !M IF !Y _H A KITT5 OR KNEW ANY"O :O DID4 ,%E KEPT ME PO/$4 ,!N AB ?IRTY M9UTES AGO1 %E CALL$ & SD %E _H SPOK5 6"EY"O 9 T[N EXCEPT = FIVE P4 ,%E J GOT "? CALL+ !M4 ,! ,B5SONS 7 \ ( T[N1 VISIT+ RELATIVES4 ,S 7 ! ,GR&ONS4 ,MOLLY CALL$ _! NEI SA9T40 8,:AT Y'ALL TALK+ AB8 ,:O'S A SA9T80 ,! SCRE5 DOOR B\NC$ %UT1 & ALL ?REE ( !M JUMP$1 _! H1DS J]K+ >.D S H>D X'S A WOND] !Y DIDN'T GET :IPLA%4 ,YAWN+ & RU2+ ! SLEEP F H] EYES1 ,SUSAN WA4L$ \ 6SIT ) !M ON ! /EPS4 8,WE 7 ''' UH ''' WE 7 J TALK+ AB ,SA9T ,NI*OLAS10 ,MOM LI$4 8,Y "K ! BOOK ,I R1D E ,*RI/MAS ,EVE8 ,XS ORIG9AL TITLE--Y "K :5 P F/ />T$ R1D+ X 9 NEWSPAP]S & /UFF--X US$ 6BE CALL$ ..,A ,VISIT F ,SA9T .,NI*OLAS40 8,Y1H10 ,DAD AGRE$4 8,SA9T ,NI*OLAS IS ANO!R "N = ,SANTA ,CLAUS4 ,T'S :AT !Y CALL$ HM BACK :5 WE 7 YR AGE4 ,RECKON X'S BE5 A H>D YE> = OLD ,SA9T ,NICK4 ,W>M Z X'S BE51 8 SL$ PROBABLY C'T G Z FA/ Z USUAL )\T ! SN[ 6SLIDE ON4 ,!N "!'S ALL ! P4 ,"!'S A :OLE LOT M FOLKS LIV+ 9 ? OLD _W ?AN :5 ,I 0 A KID4 ,X'S A D[N"R ----------------------------------#ACA MIRACLE T HE C GET 6Z _M ( !M Z #ABI HE DOES40 A#ACA ,SUSAN'S BOTTOM LIP /UCK \4 8,Y M1N ,SANTA MI80 8,SANTA W -E10 ,MOM ASSUR$ ,SUSAN1 R1*+ \ 6HUG H] CLOSE4 8,X'S J ''' WELL1 WE MI1 HE'LL 2 SURE 6BR+ NEXT ,*RI/MAS4 ,ALL WE H 6D IS J KEEP 2LIEV+ 9 HM40 ,DAD MADE A GRUNT+ S.D :5 HE GOT UP F ! /EP4 8,I'M />V+4 ,LET'S G EAT SUPP]40 ,SUPP] 0 PRETTY LIROTS1 POTATOES1 & ONIONS 6MAKE /EW4 ,X 0 GD4 ,B EV5 HUNGRY Z HE WAS1 ,DON TRI$ N 6EAT TOO M*4 ,HE _H 6SAVE ROOM = ,*RI/MAS D9N]4 ----------------------------------#ACB ,"! 7 F\R PANS ( CORN BR1D BAK+ 9 ! OV52 & Z SOON Z SUPP] 0 F9I%$1 A#ACB ,MOM TOOK ! PANS \ (! OV5 6COOL4 ,:5 !Y 7 D"O )! DI%ES1 ,DON HELP$ BR1K ! CORN BR1D 96LL PIECES =! DRESS+4 ,AF A BIT1 ,DON W5T 6! LIV+ ROOM4 ,X 0 8 LA/ *.E4 ,?\< X SEEM$ USE.S1 HE J _H 6TRY "O M "T 6MAKE SURE !Y KNEW :AT HE WANT$ = ,*RI/MAS4 ,HE GOT .,FIELD .& .,/R1M F ! 5D TA# 2S ! C\*4 ,= ?REE WEEKS1 HE _H KEPT MOV+ X S X 0 ALW ON TOP (! MAGAZ9E PILE1 OP5 6! PAGE )! ADV]TISE;T =! ,ZEBCO SP9N+ REEL4 ,T WAY ,MOM & ,DAD CDN'T HELP B NOTICE X4 ,AT L1/ T'S :AT HE HOP$4 ,B ? "T--J L E "T HE W5T 6*ECK--X SEEM$ 6BE BURI$ DEEP] & DEEP] 9 ! /ACK4 ,X 0 CLOSE 6B$"T :5 ,MOM & ,SUSAN F9I%$ )! SWEET ROLLS & TOOK _! BA?S4 ,:5 !Y CAME BACK 6! LIV+ ROOM1 ,MOM BR"\ AN OLD COPY ( ..,! ,NI !M = ,SUSAN & ,DON4 ,AF ,DON PLU7$ 9 ! LIM & H1D AG/ ,DAD'S LEG4 ,ONCE "EY"O 0 SETTL$ &! /> %"O B"R AT ! TOP (! TREE1 ,MOM OP5$ H] BOOK & 2GAN3 ,TWAS ! NIE.1 ,9 HOPES T ,SA9T ,NI*OLAS SOON WD 2 "!4 #ACD ,! *N 7 NE/L$ ALL SNUG 9 _! B$S1 ,:ILE VI.NS ( SUG>PLUMS D.ED 9 _! H1DS4 ,& MAMMA 9 H] 'K]*IEF1 & ,I 9 MY CAP1 ,_H J SETTL$ \R BRA9S =A L;G W9T]'S NAP4 ,:5 \ ON ! LAWN "! >OSE S* A CLATT]1 ,I SPRANG F ! B$-- ,T'S Z F> Z ,MOM GOT ON A3.T (! CLATT] ON _! .[N LAWN4 ,!Y DIDN'T SPR+ F ! C\* 6SEE :AT 0 ! MATT]1 !Y RAN OV] "O ANO!R 6SEE :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,"! 0 A BANG OR CRA% AG/ ! FRONT DOOR4 ,GR[L+4 ,A MAN YELL+4 ,A DOG SN>L+4 ,M YELL+4 ,!N ! 4T9CT S.D ( ,FRANK'S B>K4 ,!N 8 GR[L4 ,X WASN'T "O ( 8 G5TLE GR[LS1 EI4 ,X 0 M1N & ?R1T5+4 ,MOM & ,SUSAN RU%$ 6! FRONT W9D[S 6PEEK "? ! %ADES4 ,DAD & ----------------------------------#ACE ,DON SPR9T$ 6! FRONT DOOR4 ,DAD #ACC GOT "! F/ & YANK$ X OP54 A#ACE 8,:AT'S GO+ ON \ "H80 HE DEM&$4 8,:O'S "!80 ,A MAN /OOD AB FIFTE5 FEET F ! H\SE1 J B>ELY 9 ! POR*'S LIM4 8,SORRY10 HE CALL$4 8,DIDN'T M1N 6/>TLE Y FOLKS4 ,IS T YR DOG80 ,DAD GL.ED D[N AT ,FRANK4 8,HE'S \R DOG4 ,:Y80 ,DON LOOK$ D[N4 ,FRANK _H "S?+ P9N$ 2N 8 PAWS4 ,TEE? B>$1 HE SN>L$ Z IF GU>D+ ! ?+ ) 8 LIFE4 ,DON BL9K$4 ,!N HE BL9K$ AG1 N Q A# 62LIEVE :AT X 0 T ,FRANK 0 PROTECT+4 ----------------------------------#ACF ,*APT] #AH ,=! LIFE ( ME1 ,I CDN'T "U/& ! FUSS4 ,F/ (F ! GUY FOLL[$ ME ALL ! WAY HOME4 ,I EXPECT$ HM 6B>K 7,I M1N YELL7 & *ASE ME =A LL WAYS4 ,T'S H[ ,R$ & ,I ALW PLAY$4 ,X 0 "P (! GAME--PRET5D 6TRAIL =A :ILE1 !N G BACK HOME4 ,B ALL ! WAY888 ,HE WD H N"E F.D ME IF ! A#ACF FI%+ L9E _HN'T SNA7$ ON ! TREE4 ,! /R+ L$ HM "R 6\R FRONT DOOR4 ,& ": DID HE GET (F TELL+ MY FAMILY ,I ./OLE 8 ,ZEBCO ROD & REEL8 ,HE WASN'T US+ X4 ,HE'D LEFT X L1N+ AG/ ! BACK ( 8 /,N WAGON :ILE HE FI%$ ) 8 O!R ROD4 ,T M1NT X 0 UP = GRABS4 ,:Y N LET ,DON PLAY ) X =A :ILE8 ,!N ----------------------------------#ACG :5 HE WASN'T US+ X1 ! GUY 0 WELCOME 6-E & TAKE X BACK4 ,P J DON'T "K H[ 6%>E4 ,HE EV5 CALL$ ME "NS4 ,I 0 .N A ?IEF6 ,MY FAMILY GOT ONTO ME4 ,DAD SCOLD$ ME4 ,DON PRACTIC,Y DRA7$ ME 9SIDE4 ,EV5 ,MOM YELL$ AT ME4 ,I GUESS %E DIDN'T L ME CLIMB+ ON ! C\* S ,I CD B>K \ ! FRONT W9D[ & TELL ! MAN X 0 N 8 TURN 6USE ! ROD & REEL4 ,X J WASN'T FAIR4 ,AF ?+S SETTL$ D[N A BIT1 ,DON /OOD 0! FRONT DOOR1 & ,I QUIT B>K+ S #ACE WE CD LI/54 ,! MAN APOLOGIZ$ A#ACG 6,DAD = N 9TRODUC+ HMF4 ,HE SD 8 "N 0 ,SAMUEL ,DEVL94 ,DAD SD T HE FIGUR$ Z M* 2C ,DON _H M5;N$ MEET+ HM ! O!R NIT$ W9D+ ALL ! FI%+ L9E BACK ONTO ! %9Y SILV] REEL4 ,_! T"O 0 LITL+ Y & YR FAMILY4 ,I SAW A DOG RUN (F ) MY ROD & REEL4 ,I GUESS ,I 0 J S 9T5T ON *AS+ HM D[N1 ,I DIDN'T EV5 ?9K40 8,NO PRO#M10 ,DAD LAU<$4 8,I DON'T H ANY IDEA :AT GOT 96OLD ,FRANK4 ,HE'S A GD DOG4 ,N"E D"O .ANY?+ L ? 2F4 ,I'M J GLAD Y GOT YR ROD & REEL BACK4 A#ACH ,OH1 & 0! WAY ''' X'S ,DELB]T ''' N ,MR4 ,FRANKL940 ,!Y %OOK H&S AG1 & ,MR4 ,DEVL9 SMIL$4 8,MY FRS CALL ME ,SAM4 ,GD 6MEET Y1 ,DELB]T40 ,HE TURN$ & />T$ BACK T[>D ! LAKE4 ,!N ''' SU45LY ''' HE /OPP$1 ALM FROZ51 Z IF HE 0 AB 6/EP ON A SNAKE OR "S?+4 ,"E S SL[LY1 HE TURN$4 ,! SMILE 0 G"O4 ,! SMELL T CAME F HM 0 M EXCIT$ ?AN ANGRY4 8,DID Y SAY .,DELB]T8 ,DELB]T ,FRANKL980 ----------------------------------#ACI 8,YES10 ,DAD ANSW]$4 ,! MAN />$ AT ,DAD =A L;G "T4 ,I CD TELL 0! WAY ,DAD %IFT$ 8 WEIMS4 8,D\BT X4 ,NEW MOON'S BETT] = FI%+ ?AN A FULL MOON4 ,X'S PROBABLY ! COLD FRONT T'S -+ IN4 ,FI% BITE BETT] "R 2F A FRONT40 8,SN[80 ,DAD GL.ED AT ! MOON4 8,PROBABLY4 ,NO BLIZZ>D OR ANY?+ L T4 ,MAYBE AN 9* OR TWO4 ,:Y8 ,:AT >E Y DRIV+ AT1 ,SAM80 8,Y'RE F ,P5NSYLVANIA4 ,A LL T[N CALL$ ,PAXTON1 UP NOR? ( ,H>RISONVILLE40 ,FR[N+1 ,DAD NO4$4 8,BORN "!4 ,GREW UP 9 ,P[ELLS ,VALLEY40 8,Y & YR DAD 7 COAL M9]S1 B YR MOM & DAD BO? PASS$ AWAY :ILE Y 7 9 ! NAVY4 ,Y .7 9 ! NAVY1 W]5'T Y80 ----------------------------------#ADJ ,DAD'S M\? 0 OP5 N[4 ,ONLY HE WASN'T SAY+ ANY?+4 ,HE J NO4$4 8,S]V$ ON A LIMY4 ,B ,I H A MAN :O "WS ) U AT \R OIL -PANY :O S]V$ ON H]4 ,Y DON'T HAPP5 6RECALL A FELLA 0! "N ( ,JAMES ,WALLACE80 ,DAD />$ AT HM4 8,?9K HE 0 A *IEF10 ,MR4 ,DEVL9 A4$4 8,HIS F/ "N 0 ,JAMES1 B "! 7 TWO ,JAMES ,WALLACES ON ! ,LUCKY ,L\40 ,DAD SMIL$4 8,S HE W5T 0HIS MI4LE "N1 : WAS--0 8,LEWIS10 ,MR4 ,DEVL9 9T]RUPT$4 8,T'S 2C HE SD ,LEWIS 0 8 GD-LUCK *>M4 ,LEWIS ON ! .,/4 .,L\IS MADE BO? ( !M ,LUCKY ,L\'S4 ,& HE 0 A MA/] *IEF--0 8,:5 WE />T$ \10 ,DAD AGRE$4 ,N[ X 0 HE :O 9T]RUPT$ ,MR4 ,DEVL94 8,0! 5D (! ----------------------------------#ADA W>1 HE 0 A LIEUT5ANT -M&]40 ,DAD /OPP$ TALK+ & FR[N$ AT ,MR4 ,DEVL9 =A #ACI MO;T4 8,:AT'S ALL ? AB8 ,H[ -E A#ADA Y "K S M* AB ME1 & :Y--0 8,MY BRO!R1 ,TIM1 & ,I [N AN OIL -PANY 9 ,H\/ON10 HE 2GAN4 8,LEWIS HAS BE5 ) U ALM F ! 2G9N+4 ,! ?REE ( U H HUNT$ ALL OV] ,P5NSYLVANIA & ,WE/ ,VIRG9IA1 *ECK$ ) E COAL-M9+ OP],N WE CD1 TRY+ 6F9D ! ,DELB]T ,FRANKL9 :O'D BE5 A COAL M9] 9 ,P5NSYLVANIA4 ,N"E DR1M$ Y MOV$ 6,OKLAHOMA4 ,C'T 2LIEVE X4 ,"R "H 9 ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[4 ,N M ?AN TWO MILES F ,MOM'S H\SE4 ,SP5T YE>S TRY+ 6F9D Y1 & Y 7 "R "U \R NOSES1 ALL ! "T40 8,:Y 7 Y TRY+ 6F9D ME80 ,I'D N"E SMELL$ ,DAD S 3FUS$4 8,LEWIS H1DS UP \R (F%ORE DRILL+ OP],NS4 ,HE TOLD U ! "O P]SON 9 ! :OLE _W :O HE NE$$1 0 A MAN 0! "N ( ,DELB]T ,FRANKL940 ,HE GL.ED AT 8 WAT*4 8,Y M9D WALK+ ) ME BACK 6! LAKE8 ,I'LL TELL Y ALL AB X40 ,I RE,Y WANT$ 6"K :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,L1P+ F ! C\*1 ,I RU%$ 6! DOOR & :9$4 ,B ,MOM WDN'T LET ME G4 ,*APT] #AI #ADB ,DON CDN'T 2LIEVE ,DAD WDN'T LET HM G4 ,HE CLOS$ ! FRONT DOOR & /OMP$ BACK 6! C\*4 ,WA7+ 8 TAIL1 ,FRANK TROTT$ OV] & PUT A PAW ON 8 KNEE4 ,DON GL>$ D[N AT HM4 8,:AT 9 ! _W'S GOTT5 96Y1 DOG8 ,/1L+ A MAN'S FI%+ ROD1 GR[L+1 & B>K+4 ,GET OV] "!6 ,G LAY D[N60 ,FRANK TUCK$ 8 TAIL & CURL$ UP 9 FRONT (! FIREPLACE4 ,DON FOLD$ 8 >MS & P\T$4 ,HE DIDN'T P\T = V L;G4 ,:5 HE GL.ED OV] AT ,FRANK1 X LOOK$ L ! OLD BLOODH.D 0 P\T+1 TOO4 ,!N HE REMEMB]$ SEE+ HM YE/]"D4 ,H[ HE 0 ALL FUZZ$-UP AT ! COONH.D4 ,HE RECALL$ T :5 ! DOG TROTT$ (F ) T B"O1 HE ALM ?"\ ,FRANK 0 SMIL+4 .,DOGS .C'T .SMILE1 HE TOLD HMF4 ..,DOGS ----------------------------------#ADC C'T P\T1 .EI3 ,J ! ?"\ *AS$ ! #ADA SC[L F 8 FACE4 ,X ALM MADE HM A#ADC LAU<4 ,!N HE GOT 6?9K+ AB ! ,ZEBCO REEL4 ,! ?+ 0 S CLOSE1 HE CD ALM T\* X4 ,FRANK M/ H ''' ,DON %OOK 8 H1D4 ..,NO6 ,X CDN'T BE4 ,H[ WD T DUMB DOG "K H[ BAD ,I WANT A ,ZEBCO REEL = ,*RI/MAS8 ,HE'S J A DOG4 ,HE .CDN'T-- 8,GUESS Y TWO BE/ 2 (F 6B$10 ,MOM SD4 8,T5-FIFTE54 ,WAY PA/ YR B$"T40 8,NO60 ,SUSAN SNAPP$4 ,MOM'S EYEBR[S >*$4 8,:AT DID Y SAY1 "Y LADY80 ,DON CR+$4 ..,Y DIDN'T SAY NO 6,MOM OR ,DAD4 ,L1/WISE N 9 T T"O ( .VOICE4 ,SUSAN M/ H REMEMB]$1 TOO4 ,%E K9D ( DUCK$ H] H1D4 8,WE HAV5'T HE>D ! BOOK10 %E SD S(TLY1 ALM :ISP]+4 8,WE .ALW LI/5 6! /ORY ON ,*RI/MAS ,EVE40 ,MOM SI<$4 8,OKAY4 ,I'LL F9I% X1 !N--0 8.,NO60 ,SUSAN SNAPP$ AG4 ,MOM'S EYES FLA%$4 ,FRANK TUCK$ 8 TAIL4 8,"Y LADY6 ,IF Y "E USE T T"O ) ME1 AG1 ,I'LL--0 B#ADC ----------------------------------#ADD 8,B ,MOM4 ,Y DON'T "U/&4 ,DAD'S N "H40 ,TE>S 2GAN 6GA!R AT ! BOTTOM ( H] EYES4 8,WE ALW R1D ! BOOK .TGR4 ,\R :OLE FAMILY4 ,X'S N ,*RI/MAS )\T "EYBODY1 &0--M TE>S--8& ,SANTA WON'T -E0--! TE>S SPILL$ OV] & RAC$ D[N H] *EEKS--8& ONLY ,SANTA "KS :AT ,I RE,Y WANT40 ,SO2+ %E BURI$ H] H1D 9 ,MOM'S LAP4 8,TELL Y :AT40 ,MOM SNI6$4 8,X'S T5-FIFTE54 ,IF YR "F'S N BACK 0ELEV51 BO? ( Y >E GO+ 6B$1 ) OR )\T ! /ORY4 ,"! W 2 NO >GU;T4 ,"U/&80 ,DON CD SEE ! SLIESS$ ,SUSAN'S HAIR1 ,DON NOTIC$ T %E KEPT LOOK+ AT ! CLOCK ALM Z (T5 Z HE DID4 ,! :OLE FAMILY LI/5$ 6..,! ,NIE Y SUPPOS$ 6D80 8,!Y WANT ME 6BE _! W1!RMAN40 8,T'S ALL80 ,DAD %RU7$4 8,T'S X4 ,!Y NE$ 6"K IF "!'S A /ORM -+ & H[ BAD X'S LIA# 6BE40 8,& ? IS ALL F :AT ,LEWIS TOLD !M8 ,F BACK 9 ! W>80 8,LEWIS REMEMB]S :5 ,I TALK$ ,CAPTA9 ,CAMPBELL 96TAK+ ! %IP "? A TYPHOON AF A BATTLE4 ,"! 7 ,JAPANESE SUBS ALL >.D1 & HE FIGURES ,I SAV$ ! %IP :5 ,I TOLD ! CAPTA9 ! /ORM WDN'T 2 T /R;G4 8,I 0 A GUNN]Y MATE1 B ,I SP5T M "T ON ! BRIDGE ?AN ,I DID 2H MY A#ADE GUN4 ,F.D LOTS ( /ORMS = U 6HIDE "U40 ----------------------------------#ADF 8,& Y'LL 2 "W+ \TSIDE80 ,MOM BROKE IN4 8,Y DON'T H 6G "U ! WAT]1 L ^? GUYS Y TOLD U AB 9 ! NAVY1 ! "O :O _H 6WE> ! BIG BUB#-L HELMETS &! L1D BOOTS8 ,X'S N DANG]\S OR ANY?+1 "R80 8,I WON'T 2 "UWAT]4 ,MO/LY ,I'LL 2 ) ,LEWIS1 GO+ F "O RIG 6ANO!R1 6SEE IF "EY?+'S "W+ OKAY4 8,:5 !Y'RE GETT+ A NEW RIG & PLAT=M />T$1 WE MI Z ,I'M 3C]N$1 Y NE$ 6M>* OV] 6! ,DEVL9 PLACE TM1 SOON Z WE F9I% OP5+ ,*RI/MAS PRES5TS1 & TELL HM Y'LL TAKE ! 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(F]--IF X RE,Y SN[S TN4 ,T W MAKE X TWO #ADG ?\S&40 A#ADH ,MOM SMIL$ & NO4$4 8,& ''' ANO!R ?+ ,I =GOT 6M5;N40 ,DAD TURN$ 8 FACE AWAY S %E CDN'T SEE4 8,T'S TWO ?\S& ''' A MON?60 ----------------------------------#ADI ,*APT] #BJ ,X />TL$ ME :5 ,MOM FELL BACKW>D ONTO ! C\*4 ,I'D SE5 MY FAMILY .SIT ON ! C\*1 .PLOP ON ! C\*4 ,DON .B\NC$ ON ! C\* :5 HE 0 LL1 & ,SUSAN ..HOPP$ UP & .D[N ON ! C\* :5 NO "O 0 WAT*+4 ,? 0 ! F/ "T ,I "E SAW "O ( !M .FALL ON ! C\*4 ,MOM L&$ S H>D1 X'S A WOND] %E DIDN'T BUMP H] H1D4 ,I TROTT$ OV] 6SNIFF4 ,H] EYES 7 ALM Z BIG >.D Z ! PANCAKES %E MAKES4 ,!Y 7 GLAZ$1 TOO--ALM GLASSY-LOOK+4 ,H] HE>T 0 GO+ N9ETY-TO-NO?+1 B H] FACE 0 PALE4 ,& :5 ,I SNI6$ ''' WELL ''' "! 7 S _M SMELLS1 ,I CDN'T SORT !M \4 ,EXCITE;T1 4BELIEF1 3FU.N1 HAPPI;S1 AMAZE;T4 ,%E 0 D[N"R 2WILD]$4 A#ADI ----------------------------------#AEJ ,I SNI6$ AG4 ,O!R ?AN ACT+ WEIRD1 FALL+ ON ! C\*1 & LOOK+ FUNNY1 %E 0 OKAY4 ,2SS1 "! 0 "W T NE$$ 6BE D"O \TSIDE4 ,I D>T$ 6! DOOR S ,I CD G ) ,DAD & ,DON4 ,! RA3OONS WD 2 BACK TN1 & ,I _H 6KEEP !M F SPR1D+ JUNK ALL OV]4 8,IS TWO ?\S& A LOT ( M"OY1 ,DAD80 ,DON ASK$4 8,YES1 ,DON4 ,9 MY :OLE LIFE1 ,I N"E FIGUR$ ,I'D "E H A JOB E>N+ T M* M"OY40 8,IS X M ?AN Y MAKE AT ! M9E80 8,WE E>N A LL "U SEV5 ?\S& TWO HUNDR$ A YE>1 DI7+ COAL4 ,=EMAN GETS M ?AN T1 B N M*40 8,!N X'S M4 ,"R80 ,DAD FR[N$ AT HM4 ,HE LAID 8 LOGS AG/ ! H\SE 2S ! FRONT DOOR4 ,DON PIL$ 8 WOOD ON TOP ( !M4 8,Y D MA? 9 S*OOL4 ,TWO ?\S& A MON?4 ,H[ _M MON?S 9 A YE>8 ,Y FIGURE X \40 ,I FOLL[$ !M BACK = ANO!R #ADI LOAD ( FIREWOOD4 A#AEJ 8,T'S M ?AN TWICE Z M*1 ,DAD10 ,DON YELP$4 8,WAY M4 ,N[ GRAB A LOAD ( K9DL+40 ,DON SCRAP$ A :OLE >MLOAD ( SMALL /ICKS ----------------------------------#AEA F :AT !Y CALL$ 8! K9DL+ PILE40 ,AB HALFWAY 6! H\SE1 HE /OPP$4 8,IS X RE,Y SAFE1 OR 7 Y J TELL+ ,MOM T S %E WDN'T WORRY80 8,X'S SAFE40 ,!N ,DAD /OPP$ 6LOOK BACK AT 8 SON4 8,WELL1 X'S AB Z SAFE Z ANY?+ ELSE4 ,:5 Y GET "R D[N 6X1 J 2+ ALIVE ISN'T SAFE40 8,HUH80 ,DON FR[N$4 8,:AT D Y M1N80 ,!Y PUT _! WOOD AG/ ! H\SE4 ,!N ,DAD SAT & PATT$ ! POR* /EP NEXT 6HM4 ,DON SAT D[N4 ,I LAY AT _! FEET4 8,:5 ,I />T$ COAL M9+ ) .MY DAD1 ,I 0 A LOT L Y & YR MOM4 ,E "T ,I W5T D[N 9 ! E>?1 X SC>$ ME4 ,ALW WORRY+ AB A CAVE-IN OR AN EXPLO.N4 ,2+ TRAPP$ 9 ! D>K ) NO AIR4 ,GUESS T'S :Y ,I SIGN$ UP =! NAVY :5 ! W> />T$4 ,! >MY BOYS 7 TAUADISE 6ME4 ,TR\# WAS1 ON A %IP "!'S NO PLACE 6HIDE4 8,S ,I FIGUR$ MAYBE ,I WDN'T 2 S SC>$ ALL ----------------------------------#AEB ! "T1 IF ,I _H A PLACE D[N "U ! DECK ": ,I CD HIDE4 8,I N"E ?"\ M* AB ! 5EMY %IPS OR SUBS--N UNTIL ,JULY SIX4 ,! ,LUCKY ,L\ TOOK A TORP$O AFT B X DIDN'T EXPLODE4 ,SIX "DS LAT]1 "O HIT ! B[ & EXPLOD$ "R "U \R =W>D GUNN]Y PO/4 ,ME &A GUY "ND ,EM]SON--DIDN'T "K HM V WELL--BO? ( U GOT PIT*$ OV]BO>D 0! 3CUS.N4 ,CDN'T HE> =A :OLE WEEK AF T EXPLO.N4 8,KNOCK$ ME \1 ,I GUESS4 ,F/ ?+ ,I CD REMEMB] 0 WAK+ UP1 BO2+ >.D 9 ! WAT]1 & WAT*+ ! ,LUCKY ,L\'S LI$ WE 7 GONNA 2 #AEA LEFT4 ,SC>$ ! %>KS WD GET U4 A#AEB ,SC>$ T -E MORN+ ,JAPANESE PLANES WD -E & PICK U (F4 8,ANYWAY10 ,DAD 3T9U$1 8ME & ,EM]SON 7 BO2+ >.D 9 ! OC1N4 ,WE DIDN'T TALK M*4 ,FIGURE BO? ( U KNEW WE 7 GON]S4 8,& SITT+ "!1 BO2+ UP & D[N 9 ! WAT]1 ,I F9,Y R1LIZ$ H[ /UPID X WAS--:AT A WA/E ( "T & 5]GY X WAS--6BE SC>$ ALL ! "T4 ----------------------------------#AEC 8,FIGURE ,GOD PUT EA* ( U "H =A R1SON4 ,DIDN'T "K :AT ,I 0 "H =4 ,/ DON'T4 ,MAYBE X 0 6DIG COAL--KEEP P F FREEZ+ DUR+ ! W9T]4 ,MAYBE X 0 6HELP 9 ! W> S WE CD LIVE FREE1 )\T "S TYRANT TELL+ U \R E MOVE & E ?"\4 ,MAYBE X'S 6W>N GUYS ON AN OIL RIG \ 9 ! OC1N :5 A HURRICANE'S -+ & GIVE !M 5 "T S !Y C GET 6SAFETY4 ,MAYBE X'S "S?+ ,I HAV5'T EV5 ?"\ AB YET4 8,:AT"E ,GOD PUT ME "H = ''' WELL ''' :5 ,I'VE D"O ALL ,I C ''' :5 ,I'VE F9I%$ MY JOB1 OR AT L1/ TAK5 A GD RUN AT X1 ,HE'LL CALL ME HOME4 ,NO S5SE WA/+ MY "T WORRY+ OR 2+ SC>$4 A#AEC ,DON'T MATT] IF ,I'M D[N 9 A COAL M9E OR ON ! DECK (A %IP1 DODG+ FIRE F AN 5EMY PLANE OR WALK+ ACR A /REET 9 ,MC,ALE/] OR ,DEVL9 ,HOLL[4 ,:5 X'S "T1 X'S "T40 ,DAD L1N$ OV] S HE CD LOOK ,DON SQU>E 9 ! EYE4 8,T'S :AT ,I M1N4 ,! JOB IS Z SAFE Z ANY?+ ELSE4 ,N[ -E ON4 ,WE NE$ 6GET 6B$4 ,O!RWISE X'S GONNA 2 NOON '=E WE GET UP4 ,CL1N MISS ,*RI/MAS MORN+40 ,Z SOON Z !Y W5T 9SIDE1 ,I *ECK$ ! TRA% ----------------------------------#AED C4 ,SURE 5 ! RA3OONS _H SN1K$ UP F ! BACK4 ,!Y'D ALR BE5 "!4 ,"O _H EV5 CRAWL$ UP & TRI$ 6PRY (F ! LID4 ,I GUESS ! S.D ( ,DON'S & ,DAD'S VOICES _H SC>$ !M (F4 ,B !Y'D 2 BACK4 ,I TROTT$ 6! H\SE & MADE MY R.DS4 ,:5 ,I GOT 6,MOM & ,DAD'S W9D[1 ,I CD HE> :ISP]+ F 9SIDE4 ,I /OOD ON MY H9D LEGS & PROPP$ MY FRONT PAWS ON ! W9D[ L$GE4 #AEC 8,?9K !Y'RE ASLEEP YET80 A#AED ,MOM ASK$4 8,DON'T "K10 ,DAD :ISP]$4 8,I D "K T WE'RE SUPPOS$ 6G OV] & TALK )! ,DEVL9S TM4 ,I DON'T WANT 6FALL ASLEEP ON _! C\* :ILE WE'RE VISIT+4 ,IF WE DON'T GET "S SLEEP1 T'S EXACTLY :AT ,I'M GONNA D4 ,Y GET ! LIT$ H&+ /UFF D[N 6,MOM4 ,%E MADE TWO N1T PILES ON ! B$4 ,:5 !Y 7 D"O1 !Y TOOK ! ?+S 6! LIV+ ROOM4 ,DAD _H CLOS$ ! BLS ON ! NOR? SIDE (! H\SE1 S ,I CDN'T SEE :AT !Y 7 DO+4 ,DIDN'T NE$ TO1 ?\<1 'CAUSE ,I ALR KNEW4 ----------------------------------#AEE ,WRAPP$ BOXES & PACKAGES 7 ALR SET 2N ! TREE4 ,! ?+S !Y 7 TAK+ 6! LIV+ ROOM N[1 9 ! MI4LE (! NIG$ >.D ! CORN] (! H\SE4 ,RA3OONS 7 PRETTY EASY 6SC>E (F1 ESPECI,Y IF ,I GOT 6!M 2F !Y F.D FOOD4 ,ONCE !Y DUG "S?+ F ! TRA% C & 7 EAT+1 ?+S WDN'T 2 S EASY4 ,!Y'D FI$ !M (F1 ! SOON] ,I CD SETTLE D[N =A #AEE LL NAP4 ,"! 7 F\R ( !M ? "T4 A#AEF ,B ,I />TL$ !M ) MY M1NE/1 SC>IE/ SN>L4 ,!Y TOOK (F =! HILL1 & ,I TROTT$ BACK 6! POR*4 ,I ?9K ,I'D J DOZ$ (F :5 ,I FELT ! *ANGE4 ,= ,OKLAHOMA X 0 A LL DI6]5T ?AN USUAL4 ,"! 0 NO W9D4 ,! COLD CREPT ACR ! VALLEY1 SLID+ & OOZ+ Z SL[ Z COLD SYRUP CRAWL+ ACR A COOL PANCAKE4 ,X EAS$ XS WAY UP \R HILL1 SWALL[+ ! H\SE 9 A *ILLY BLANKET4 ,X 0 ALM REFRE%+ AF ALL ! W>M W1!R WE'D _H4 ,I MANAG$ 6GET 9 ANO!R NAP 2F "S?+ WOKE ME4 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT X WAS--N AT F/4 ,X 0 M (A S.D ?AN A SMELL4 ,I COCK$ "O ( MY BIG FLOPPY E>S & PEEK$ F 2N X4 ,SN[4 ,G5TLE AT F/1 X 2GAN 6FALL FA/] & FA/] UNTIL ! AIR FILL$ )! S(T1 DRIFT+ :ITE FLAKES4 ,X 0 PRETTY & P1CE;L Z CD BE4 ,B "! 0 "S?+ ELSE4 ,I CDN'T TELL ----------------------------------#AEG :AT4 ,"! 0 NO SMELL4 ,NO S.D4 ,CAUTI\S & CURI\S1 ,I MADE ANO!R R.D (! A#AEG H\SE4 ,I CDN'T F9D ANY?+1 S ,I MADE ANO!R R.D F>!R \4 ,!N ,I CURL$ UP NEXT 6! PILE ( WOOD T ,DAD & ,DON _H LAID ON ! POR*4 ,I 5JOY$ ! SN[4 ,M>VEL$ AT ! /RANGE P1CE;L WOND] T SEEM$ 6-E )! T9Y FLAKES Z !Y 2GAN 6HIDE ! GR.D4 ----------------------------------#AEH ,*APT] #BA ,DON _H A VAGUE MEMORY ( 2+ HALFWAY AWAKE DUR+ ! NI.D 8 *9 & OV] "O E>4 ,SEEMS L EV5 2F ! COV] _H SETTL$1 HE 0 ASLEEP AG4 ,HE'D FELT W>M & COZY & -=TA#4 ,T'S :Y ! SU45 J> 0 S IRRITAT+4 ,HE NE/L$ DEEP] 96! W>M? ( 8 QUILT4 ,! IMPACT CAME AG4 ,!N AG & AG & AG1 ALM Z FA/ & UNSETTL+ Z HE IMAG9$ ! MA*9E GUNS ON ,DAD'S %IP4 ,HE LIFT$ ! QUILT ) AN ELB[ & ROLL$ OV]4 ,SUSAN B\NC$ 2S HM ON ! B$4 #AEG ,:5 %E SAW "O EYE LOOK+ F 2N ! A#AEH BLANKET1 H] SMILE SEEM$ 6B"R5 ! :OLE ROOM4 ----------------------------------#AEI 8,X'S ,*RI/MAS60 %E ANN\NC$1 B\NC+ EV5 H>D] ?AN 2F4 8,WAKE UP6 ,WAKE UP6 ,X'S ,*RI/MAS60 ,DON MOAN$ & CURL$ BACK 6HIS SIDE1 PULL+ ! QUILT 6COV] 8 H1D Z HE DID4 ,SUSAN J TU7$ X (F1 GI7L$1 & B\NC$ A FEW M "TS4 8,ALL "R4 ,ALL "R6 ,I'M UP40 ,DON KICK$ 8 FEET F 2N ! QUILT & PU%$ BACK ! RE/ :5 HE SAT ON ! SIDE ( 8 B$4 8,I GOTTA G 6! BA?ROOM40 ,SUSAN HOPP$ F ! O!R SIDE (! B$4 8,Y /AY "H40 ,H] BOTTOM LIP BULG$ \2 !N %E GR9N$ & CRAWL$ BACK ON ! B$4 8,& DON'T B\NCE ON MY B$10 HE CALL$ OV] 8 %\LD]4 ,A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 ,DON PAUS$ ON ! WAY BACK 6HIS ROOM4 ,HE TILT$ 8 H1D1 FOCUS+ ON ! DOOR 6,MOM & ,DAD'S ROOM4 ,HE HE>D VOICES1 "S": 2T TALK & :ISP]S4 8,AWAKE80 HE :ISP]$4 A#AEI 8,WE'RE AWAKE10 ,DAD SD4 ,DON NO4$ AT ! DOOR & TURN$ BACK 6HIS ROOM4 8,>E !Y UP80 ,SUSAN ASK$4 ----------------------------------#AFJ 8,DON'T "K4 ,2 QUIET4 ,WE'LL G PEEK 9 _! ROOM & SEE40 ,DON KNEW ,SUSAN WDN'T PEEK 9 _! ROOM1 ANY M ?AN %E WD 2 QUIET4 ,B HE TOLD H] T ANYWAY4 ,J L HE EXPECT$1 ! SECOND HE OP5$ 8 B$ROOM DOOR1 ,SUSAN %OT D[N ! HALL1 FLUNG ,MOM & ,DAD'S DOOR OP51 & D>T$ 9SIDE4 ,%E 0 ALR B\NC+ 2T !M ON ! B$ 2F HE CAUL$ & GR[L$ Z HE SMOO*$ H] NECK & FACE4 ,MOM TICKL$ H] SIDES & TUMMY4 ,SUSAN LAU<$ & LAU<$ & LAU<$1 UNTIL ,DON ?"\ %E 0 GONNA WET ! B$4 ,!N !Y MADE ROOM = HM1 & !Y ALL SNU7L$ =A FEW M9UTES4 ,DON #AEI 5JOY$ 2+ 9 ,MOM & ,DAD'S B$4 A#AFJ ,X FELT GD 6BE ) !M4 ,FELT GD 6ACT L A LL KID AG1 SAFE & -=TA# Z X US$ 6BE :5 HE 0 ,SUSAN'S AGE4 ,B X DIDN'T TAKE L;G = ,SUSAN 6/>T WI7L+4 ----------------------------------#AFA 8,I WANT 6G LOOK "U ! TREE10 %E SD4 8,I WANT 6PLAY ) :AT ,SANTA BRUNG40 ,MOM GAVE A LL C\<4 8,BR"\40 ,SUSAN ROLL$ OV] & FR[N$ AT H]4 8,BR"\10 ,MOM REP1T$4 8,I WANT 6PLAY ) :AT ,SANTA .BR"\40 8,Y1H40 ,SUSAN'S SMILE SEEM$ 6TW9KLE4 8,ME TOO60 ,DON CDN'T HELP B LAU< AT ! MIS*IEV\S GR9 ON ,SUSAN'S FACE4 ,DAD TRI$ 6HOLD 8 LAU<1 B X CAME \ Z A SNORT4 ,GL>+ AT BO? ( !M1 ,MOM R1*$ OV] & %OV$ 8 %\LD]4 ,!N %E K9D ( PUN*$ HM4 ,DAD CRAWL$1 OR ) ,MOM'S HELP HALF TUM#D1 \ ( B$1 / *UCKL+ 6HMF4 8,LET'S ALL G SEE :AT ,SANTA .BRUNG40 ,SUSAN />T$ 6FOLL[4 ,DAD SNAPP$ 8 F+]S & PO9T$ AT ! B$4 8,Y /AY PUT TILL ,I GET MY CAM]A4 ,I'LL CALL Y40 ,SUSAN DIDN'T /AY PUT4 ,B A#AFA ,DON HELD H] AT ! DOOR :ILE ,MOM PUT H] ROBE ON4 ,HE DIDN'T RE,Y HOLD H]4 ,!Y ALW F"\ & %OV$1 TRY+ 6SEE :O CD GET \ ! DOOR & 6! ,*RI/MAS TREE F/4 ,DON 0 BI7] & /R;G]1 B HE LET ,SUSAN W94 ----------------------------------#AFB ,ONLY HE DIDN'T LET H] W9 UNTIL HE HE>D ,DAD CALL4 8,R1DY60 ,) T "O ^W1 ,SUSAN SPR9T$ D[N ! HALL1 D>T$ ACR ! LIV+ ROOM1 & SLID ON ! C>PET1 /OPP+ 9 FRONT ( H] PILE ( PRES5TS4 ,DON 0 "R ON H] HEELS4 ,ONLY HE DIDN'T SLIDE 6A /OP 9 FRONT ( 8 PILE4 ,HE J SAT D[N 2C X 0 EASI] ON 8 KNEES4 ,HE HELD UP ! F/ KNIT %IRT & SMIL$ :5 HE LOOK$ AT X4 ,!N HE HELD UP ! SECOND4 ,8 SMILE 0 EV5 BI7] 2C HE NOTIC$ ! FOLD$ PAIR ( :1T J1NS 2N ! %IRTS4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ! SECOND %IRT & LAID X ASIDE4 ,:5 HE PICK$ UP ! :1T J1NS1 HE NOTIC$ A NOTE P9N$ 6!M4 ,ONLY HE DIDN'T R1D X4 #AFA ,T'S 2C1 Z HE LIFT$ ! J1NS1 A#AFB HE SAW ! HI<-TOP ,3V]SE ,ALL ,/>S4 ,DON'S EYES FLA%$ S WIDE HE 0 AFRAID !Y MIE AT !M4 ,SUSAN _H H] .,F> .,*EESY GAME ON ! FLOOR 2S H]4 ,%E PICK$ UP ! ,RA7$Y ----------------------------------#AFC ,ANN DOLL1 HU7$ X1 !N SET X ASIDE 6OP5 H] PAP] DOLLS & />T PUTT+ ! DI6]5T DRESSES ON !M4 ,MOM 0 SITT+ ON ! C\*1 ) H] KNEES TUCK$ "U H] S %E CD WAT* ,DON & ,SUSAN4 ,DON HELD ! %OES 2S 8 FACE4 ,DAD'S FLA% MADE HM BL9K4 ,!N HE M\!D ! ^WS1 8,?ANK Y4 ,?ANK Y4 ,?ANK Y40 ,MOM & ,DAD BO? SMIL$4 ,!N !Y />T$ ON ! PACKAGES4 ,9 A MATT] ( M9UTES1 ! :OLE FLOOR 0 COV]$ ) PAP]4 ,SUSAN _H "S S*OOL CLO!S1 A NEW PAIR ( %OES1 A P9K SW1T]1 "UWE>1 &A NEW NI ,DON1 ..,I "K Y WANT$ "S ( ^!4 ,IF Y MANAGE 6MAKE X "? ,OCTOB] )\T GETT+ GRASS /A9S ON !M1 OR TE>+ HOLES 9 ! KNEES F PLAY+ ----------------------------------#AFD FOOTBALL )! GUYS1 MAYBE ,I C TALK YR MOM & DAD 96GETT+ Y A C\PLE M .PAIRS4 .,LOVE1 .,SANTA ,AG ,DON GL.ED AT ,MOM & ,DAD4 ,& AG ! FLA% W5T (F1 L1V+ A BLUE DOT 9 FRONT ( 8 CLOS$ EYES1 2F HE CD M\?1 8,?ANK Y40 ,MOM & ,DAD OP5$ _! PRES5TS4 ,DAD SEEM$ "R PR\D (! ,B>L[ POCKETKNIFE4 ,MOM LOV$ ! LL SILV] NECKLACE T ,DON _H WRAPP$ 9 ! SMALL BOX4 ,%E EV5 GOT UP F ! C\* 6GIVE HM A HUG & KISS HM ON ! *EEK4 #AFC ,B :5 %E UNWRAPP$ ! PACKAGE A#AFD T ,DAD GAVE H] & HELD UP ! NEW NI.D Z BASEBALLS4 ,X 0 FRILLY & LACY1 ALM Z %ORT Z "O ( ,DON'S %IRTS4 8,I C'T WE> ?10 %E GASP$4 ,SMIL+1 ,DAD JU7L$ A HOT FLA%BULB F "O H& 6! O!R 2F HE CD SET X D[N ON ! C(FEE TA#4 8,X'S N = RUNN+ ----------------------------------#AFE >.D ! H\SE IN10 HE EXPLA9$4 8,Y C PUT YR ROBE OV] X40 ,MOM'S FACE TURN$ R$4 ,:5 "EY"O 0 "? OP5+ PACKAGES1 ,MOM />T$ GA!R+ ! WRAPP+ PAP]4 ,DAD GOT A FEW PIECES & WA4$ !M 96TIRY ! K9DL+ :ILE ,DON GETS "S LOGS40 ,!N %E TURN$ 6,DAD4 8,DELB]T4 ,-E 9 ! KIT*5 & HELP ME A M9UTE4 ,I NE$ Y 6HOLD ! BA/] :ILE ,I TURN ! TURKEY40 A#AFE ,SUSAN SLIPP$ ON H] %OES & WAIT$ = H] OLD] BRO!R4 ,DON HELD ! FRONT DOOR = ,SUSAN & FOLL[$ H] \4 ,%E DIDN'T PICK UP ANY K9DL+ F 2S ! DOOR4 ,9/1D %E RU%$ 6! /EPS & SWOOP$ UP A ,RA7$Y ,&Y DOLL 9 H] >MS4 ,DON GL.ED "R1 !N LEFT4 ,"! ''' 2S ! WOOD PILE ''' 0 A ----------------------------------#AFF B"R1 %9Y METAL TACKLE BOX4 ,X 0 OP54 ,"! 7 TWO FOLD-\ %ELVES ) -"P;TS4 ,A DI6]5T PLUG OR LURE 0 NE/L$ N1TLY 9 EA* SEC;N (! TOP R[4 ,9 ! BOTTOM 0 A /R+]1 ?REE PACKAGES ( HOOKS1 & ''' ----------------------------------#AFG ,*APT] #BB ,"! SURE 0 A LOT ( FALL+ GO+ ON >.D "H4 ,F/ ,MOM FELL ON ! C\* LA/ NIE;LLY ,I 0 AFRAID "S?+ 0 FIX+ 6BITE HM4 ,!N :5 HE PULL$ T B"R SILV]1 %9Y FI%+ REEL F ! BOX ''' ,WELL1 ! LOOK ON 8 FACE ''' ! HAPPY SMELL T CAME F HM ''' ! WAY HE HELD X ''' ----------------------------------#AFH ,I CDN'T KEEP MY TAIL F WA7+4 ,X 0 SW++ BACK & =? S H>D T ,DAD F9,Y /OPP$ %OOT+ PICTURES1 R1*$ D[N1 & %OV$ MY RUMP \ (! WAY S X WD QUIT :ACK+ HM & ,MOM4 ,HAPPY FILL$ ! CRISP W9T] AIR4 ,EV5 ! FEW FLAKES ( SN[ T FELL CDN'T /OP X4 ,HAPPY CAME F ,DON1 ,MOM1 & ,DAD4 ,:5 ,SUSAN CAME 6LOOK AT :AT ,DON HELD1 ! HAPPY SMELL F H] JO9$ ALL ! O!RS4 ,%E EV5 L1N$ OV] & KISS$ H] BIG BRO!R ON ! *EEK4 ,!N ) H] DOLL TUCK$ "U H] >M1 ,SUSAN WALK$ PA/ HM & LOOK$ AT ! F> SIDE (! PILE ( WOOD4 ,%E WALK$ 6! F> A#AFH 5D (! POR* & !N HOPP$ (F ! SIDE & WALK$ 6! BIG WOOD PILE 9 ! Y>D4 ,%E W5T 6! PICKUP1 OP5$ ! DOOR1 & HELD X :ILE %E SE>*$ "U ! S1TS4 ,X TOOK H] A :ILE1 B :5 %E CAME BACK1 %E L1N$ OV] & LOOK$ "U ! POR*4 ,!N %E CAME 6! FRONT & PEEK$ "U ! /EPS4 ,&) EA* PLACE ,SUSAN LOOK$1 EA* SE>*+1 EXPECTANT GL.E AT A DI6]5T PLACE1 ! SMELL ( HAPPY SEEM$ 6FADE1 L1V+ ONLY ! FRE%1 CRISP SMELL (! SN[ 6FILL ! MORN+ AIR4 ----------------------------------#AFI ,! %9Y REEL T ,DON CLUT*$ AG/ 8 HE>T 2GAN A SL[ FALL1 9*+ D[NW>D UNTIL X F9,Y DANGL$ F "O H& AT 8 SIDE4 ,DAD SWOOP$ UP ! FLA%BULBS F ! POR* & %OV$ !M 9 8 POCKET4 ,MOM WIP$ H] EYES )! SLEEVE ( H] ROBE4 ,ALL F\R ( U FOLL[$ :5 ,SUSAN W5T 6LOOK 9 MY DOGH\SE & !N OP5$ ! DOOR 6! LL %$4 ,DON /OOD "!1 WAT*+4 ,!N HE LOOK$ D[N AT ! REEL4 ,I KNEW :AT HE %D D4 ,I CD #AFG SMELL T ,DON KNEW1 TOO4 ,ONLY A#AFI X 0 H>D4 ,SUSAN QUIV]$ & %OOK4 ,I CDN'T TELL :E!R X 0 F ! COLD OR F "S?+ ELSE4 ,/ %E KEPT SE>*+4 ,%E LOOK$ AT ! BACK DOOR4 ,%E LOOK$ "U ! WA% TA# ": ,DAD LEFT ! COAL DU/ :5 HE CAME HOME F ! M9E4 ,%E EV5 LOOK$ 2H ! BIG /UMP ": ,I USU,Y HID ,R$'S & MY B"O4 ,! SN[ 0 CLE> UP 6MY DEW CLAWS1 S DEEP T X SN1K$ OV] ! TOPS ( H] %OES4 ,I CD HE> H] TEE? *ATT]+4 ,/ %E KEPT LOOK+4 ,SE>*+4 ,DON /OPP$ & />$ D[N AT ! REEL AG4 ,MY TAIL WA7$ :5 ,I SMELL$ T HE DIDN'T ONLY "K :AT HE .%D D--HE KNEW :AT HE .WANT$ ----------------------------------#AGJ 6D4 ,:5 ,I NUDG$ 8 H& ) MY NOSE1 HE LOOK$ D[N & GR9N$4 8,QUIT COLD-NOS+ ME4 ,Y ?9K Y'RE ,SANTA OR "S?+8 ,I'M GO+40 ,HE SPUN & TROTT$ T[>D ! FRONT (! H\SE4 ,"R 2F HE /EPP$ UP ON ! POR*1 HE TURN$ & GAVE ME A FUNNY LOOK4 ,!N ,I CD HE> HM MUTT]+ 6HMF1 8,C'T 2LIEVE ,I'M TALK+ A#AGJ 6T DOG L HE KNEW ''' :AT ''' :AT ,I 0 ?9K+ ''' L HE ''' HMM '''0 ,DON 0 SITT+ ON ! FRONT POR* :5 WE CAME >.D ! H\SE4 ,HE HELD "S?+ 2H 8 BACK4 ,) 8 O!R H&1 HE MO;N$ 6,SUSAN4 8,-E "H10 HE CALL$ 9 A :ISP]4 ,H] EYES FLA%$4 ,QUIV]+ & %AK+ ALL OV] )! COLD1 %E B.D$ UP ON ! POR* & RAC$ 6HM4 8,SANTA LEFT "S?+ ELSE = Y4 ,GUESS Y DIDN'T SEE X40 ,HE BR"\ 8 H& F 2H HM & H&$ ,SUSAN ! B"R1 %9Y SILV] ,ZEBCO REEL4 ,%E LOOK$ AT X A MO;T4 8,NO4 ,T'S :AT .Y WANT$10 %E SD1 TRY+ 6H& X BACK 6HM4 8,T'S :AT Y TOLD ,SANTA 9 YR LR40 ----------------------------------#AGA 8,T'S "R10 ,DON AGRE$4 8,T'S :AT ,I TOLD ,SANTA4 ,B ,I WANT$ X = .Y4 ,S Y & ,I CD G FI%+4 ,ONLY ?+1 ,I =GOT 6ASK HM =A ROD 6G ) X40 ,HE SLAPP$ 8 =EH1D )! PALM ( 8 H&4 8,DUMB ME4 ,I #AFI %D H PUT T 9 MY LR4 ,DIDN'T A#AGA EV5 ?9K AB X4 ,B ,I'VE GOT "S M"OY SAV$ UP 6GET A NEW BLADE = MY M[]4 ,X'S ALM 5 =A NEW ROD4 ,Y C USE "O ( MY RODS UNTIL WE C GET--0 8,NO10 %E SD1 P\T+4 8,X'S :AT Y WANT$4 ,X'S YRS40 ,DON %RU7$4 8,OKAY4 ,IF Y DON'T 2LIEVE ME1 R1D ! NOTE HE TAP$ ON ! BOTTOM40 ,SUSAN TURN$ ! REEL OV]4 ,"! 0 A LL PIECE ( R$ PAP] TAP$ 6! BOTTOM T R1D1 8,6,DON40 8,X SAYS1 ,8,6,DON40'0 ,HE %RU7$4 8,TURN ! NOTE OV]40 ,SUSAN'S M\? FELL OP5 :5 %E LIFT$ ! LL PIECE ( R$ PAP]4 8,X SAYS1 ,8,6GIVE 6,SUSAN AT ,*RI/MAS40'0 8,SEE4 ,I TOLD Y S40 ,SUSAN FR[N$ AT HM4 8,B Y DON'T "E LET ME G FI%+ ) Y40 8,WELL ''' UH ''' T'S 2C Y 7 TOO LL4 ,Y'RE BI7] N[4 ,M GR[N-UP4 ,I FIGURE ----------------------------------#AGB Y'RE OLD 5 Y WON'T 2 YAKK+ ALL ! "T & SC>+ ! FI% (F4 ,& ''' WELL ''' A#AGB &10 HE /AMM]$4 8,& IF WE MOVE 6,TEXAS1 ,I WON'T H ,KYLE 6G FI%+ )4 ,& :E!R WE MOVE OR N1 ,I / ?9K Y >E OLD 5 6/>T CAT*+ FI%40 8,B .Y WANT$ X40 ,/ B\NC+ UP & D[N L MAD1 ,SUSAN'S BOTTOM LIP /UCK \4 8,N[ :AT 9 ! _W WD ,I WANT ANO!R ROD & REEL =80 ,DON =C$ A LAU<4 8,I'VE ALR GOT TWO RODS & REELS4 ,:Y WD ,I WANT ?REE8 ,NO WAY ANYBODY CD USE ?REE REELS4 ,X'S YRS4 ,H"O/60 ,DON _H SURE BE5 LETT+ "S /9KIES LATELY4 ,B ? LIE _H K9D (A NICE >OMA 6X4 ,ONLY TR\#1 N[ ,MOM 0 US+ BO? SLEEVES ( H] ROBE 6WIPE H] EYES4 ,DAD /OOD 2H H] & LIFT$ ! BOTTOM ( H] ROBE 6WIPE 8 EYES4 ,:5 %E FELT ! COLD AIR1 %E GL.ED OV] H] %\LD]4 ,%E DIDN'T PULL AWAY UNTIL HE 0 D"O4 8,X'S FREEZ+ \ "H10 %E SD1 CLE>+ H] ?ROAT4 8,SUSAN & ,I >E GO+ 6GET DRESS$1 PUT ON "S DRY %OES & SOCKS4 ,DELB]T1 :Y DON'T Y & ,DON GET ! FIREPLACE />T$80 #AGA 8,C ,I -E IN1 TOO80 ,I ASK$ ) #AGC MY BE/ WAG4 ,I EV5 P]K$ MY E>S4 ,NOBODY SEEM$ 6NOTICE4 ,B :5 ,DON PICK$ UP 8 >MLOAD ( K9DL+1 ,DAD OP5$ ! DOOR = HM4 ,& :5 ,DON HELD ! DOOR OP5 ) 8 FOOT = ,DAD 6BR+ ! LOGS IN1 ,I SLIPP$ 9 2T !M4 ,N[ ? 0 ,*RI/MAS6 ,HAPPY H\SE4 ,HAPPY SMELLS4 ,ME CURL$ UP 0! FIREPLACE1 WAIT+ = !M 6/>T ! FIRE--"O HAPPY DOG4 ,! BOYS _HN'T EV5 PUT D[N _! FIREWOOD1 :5 ,MOM CALL$ F ! O!R ROOM4 8,AB GOT ! FIRE />T$8 ,WE NE$ 6GET "S (! *ILL (F ! H\SE40 ----------------------------------#AGD ,*APT] #BC ,DON H>DLY NOTIC$ H[ *ILLY ! H\SE WAS4 ,B :5 ,MOM CALL$1 HE R1LIZ$ H[ BAD 8 TOES 7 HURT+ F TROMP+ >.D 9 ! SN[4 ,HE ?"\ AB (F]+ 6HELP1 B ,DAD 0 "R "PICUL> AB 8 FIRE-/>T+4 ,! PAP] _H 6BE J "R4 ,! K9DL+ _H 6BE LAID ON TOP 9 A PRECISE MANN]4 ,2SS T1 ,FRANK 0 9 ! WAY4 A#AGD ,HE _H 8 E>S P]K$ UP1 K9D ( /&+ "R NEXT 6,DAD ON ! HE>?4 ,X LOOK$ L ,DAD _H 5 HELP1 S ,DON W5T 6HIS ROOM 6PUT ON DRY SOCKS & 8 NEW T5NIS %OES4 ,:5 HE F9I%$ LAC+ 8 ,3V]SE ,ALL ,/>S1 HE /OOD & LOOK$ D[N AT !M4 ,HE WI7L$ 8 FEET & TRI$ 6TURN 8 ANKLE4 ,!Y FELT .GRT4 ,! MO/ WOND];L %OES HE "E _H4 ,:5 HE GOT BACK1 ,DAD & ,FRANK 7 ----------------------------------#AGE / GETT+ ! FIRE R1DY4 ,)\T LOOK+ ,DAD PO9T$ UP AT ! MANTEL4 8,H& ME ! MAT*ES1 ,DON4 ,WD Y PL1SE8 ,WE'LL H ? BABY RO>+ 9 NO "T40 ,C>E;L N 6CRUN* ,DAD'S F+]S OR ,FRANK'S TAIL1 ,DON /EPP$ 6! HE>? & R1*$ UP 6GET ! BIG BOX ( MAT*ES4 ,HE H&$ !M 6,DAD4 ,T'S :5 HE NOTIC$ ,FRANK4 ,E>S P]K$ UP & TAIL SW++1 HE L1N$ AG/ ,DAD4 ,PU%+ HM AWAY ) 8 ELB[1 ,DAD R1*$ =A MAT*4 ,B 2F HE CD EV5 GET "O \ (! BOX1 ,FRANK %OV$ BACK AG/ HM EV5 H>D] ?AN 2F4 #AGC 8,GET BACK1 DOG10 ,DAD A#AGE GR[L$1 %OV+ HM AWAY4 8,:AT 9 ! _W'S WR;G ) Y80 ,DAD PULL$ A MAT* F ! BOX1 SLID ! BOX CLOS$1 !N ''' ,"R Z HE 0 AB 6/RIKE ! MAT* AG/ ! R\< /RIP ON ! SIDE (! BOX1 ,FRANK R1*$ \ A PAW & KNOCK$ ! BOX CL1N \ ( ,DAD'S H&4 8,:AT 9 ! _W'S WR;G ) ? DOG80 HE SN>L$4 8,/1L+ A FI%+ ROD1 N[ HE'S PAW+ AT ME L ,I 0 A B"O HE'D BURI$ OR ----------------------------------#AGF "S?+4 ,WE MI?4 ,HE /RUCK ! MAT* ON ! SIDE (! BOX4 ,FRANK B.D$ BACK T[>D HM1 B ,DON GOT "! F/4 8,WAIT60 ,DON SD1 GRA2+ ,DAD'S >M4 8,DAD1 WAIT4 ,FRANK SEES "S?+4 ,HE'S SMELL+ "S?+40 ,DAD TURN$ 6FR[N AT 8 SON4 ,DON NO4$ T[>D ! BLOODH.D4 8,SEE ! WAY 8 E>S >E UP4 ,& 8 TAIL4 ,X'S N WA7+ L HE'S HAPPY4 ,HE'S ON 6"S?+4 ,Y "K1 A#AGF L X WAGS :5 HE HITS A TRAIL40 ,DAD ROCK$ BACK ON 8 HEELS4 ,DON KNELT 2S HM & TRI$ 6SEE ": ,FRANK 0 LOOK+4 ,NO?+ MOV$4 ,"! WASN'T A ?+ 9 ! FIREPLACE1 EXCEPT = PAP] & K9DL+4 ,DON GL.ED AT ,FRANK AG4 ,FRANK LOOK$ UP4 ,ALL ?REE ( !M HE>D A FA9T SCRAT*+ S.D4 8,ALICE10 ,DAD CALL$4 8,C Y FET* ME ! FLA%LI+ UP 96! FIREPLACE1 %E DIDN'T EV5 H 6ASK4 ,%E DID ANYWAY4 8,BIRD80 ,DON FIGUR$ ! SAME ?+4 ,LA/ SPR+ TWO />L+S _H GOTT5 9 ! *IMNEY4 ,!Y 7 TRY+ 6MAKE A NE/ OR "S?+4 ,MOM _H HELD ! FRONT DOOR OP5 :ILE ,SUSAN HELD ! BACK DOOR4 ,! SECOND />L+ N"E WD FLY \4 ,DAD F9,Y _H 6CAT* X )A T[EL & PIT* HM \ (! DOOR 6GET RID ( HM4 ,DAD TOOK ! LI 96! FIREPLACE4 8,N AN OPOSSUM TAIL4 ,N A COON40 ,HE MADE A GRUNT+ S.D :5 HE /RET*$ "O >M UP 96! *IMNEY4 8.,OH ''' .MY ''' .GO%60 ,MOM1 ,SUSAN1 & ,DON TOOK A /EP BACK4 8,:AT IS X80 ,ALL ?REE ASK$ AT ! SAME "T4 ----------------------------------#AGH ,DAD DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,HE PUT ! FLA%LIT Z %E SWAY$ G5TLY F SIDE 6SIDE4 8,SANTA KNEW40 ,%E SNI6$4 8,HE KNEW40 A#AGH ----------------------------------#AGI ,*APT] #BD ,SUSAN CALL$ H] ,A%ES4 ,%E SNU7L$ H] KITT5 & HU7$ H] & SMIL$ TILL ,I ?"\ H] FACE 0 GONNA CRACK4 ,! 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M"OY 0 NICE1 B ! .NICE/ ?+ ( ALL 0 ,DAD WDN'T 2 D[N 9 "S M9E4 ,MOM LET ,SUSAN TAKE ,A%ES 6H] ROOM4 ,ONCE SURE !Y 7 TUCK$ 9 & QUIET1 %E CAME BACK & SAT 2T ,DON & ,DAD ON ! LIV+-ROOM C\*4 ,EA* ASK$ ! O!RS .AG IF !Y 7 ! "O :O F.D ! KITT5 & HID H] 9 ! *IMNEY4 ,& AF EA* SWORE T !Y DIDN'T D X1 !Y ALL TURN$ ON ME6 8,_H 6BE ,FRANK10 ,DAD SD4 8,HE'S ! ONLY "O LEFT40 #AGI 8,I DON'T ?9K S10 ,DON SPOKE A#AHA UP4 8,I WAT*$ HM ? MORN+4 ,HE CLIMB$ UP ! WILL[ & ONTO ! RO(4 ,Y "K T C]TA9 WAY 8 TAIL GETS 6GO+ :5 HE SMELLS "S?+1 & H[ 8 E>S P]K UP80 8,YES40 ----------------------------------#AHB 8,DIDN'T HAPP54 ,HE W5T ALL OV] T RO( & >.D ! *IMNEY4 ,I DON'T ?9K X 0 HM4 ,I DON'T ?9K ! CAT CLIMB$ UP "!4 ,I DON'T ?9K "SBODY C>RI$ H] UP "!4 ,IF ,FRANK CD H SMELL$ ! CAT1 OR SMELL$ ": %E CAME F1 HE WD H BACKTRACK$ ! ?+40 8,MAYBE HE CDN'T SMELL )! SN[ ON ! RO(10 ,MOM SU7E/$4 ,DON %OOK 8 H1D4 8,NO4 ,I 0 ) HM LA/ W9T] :5 WE _H T BIG SN[4 ,BET "! 0 EID T A BLOODH.D C EV5 SMELL /UFF T'S D[N "U ! WAT]40 ,HE SI<$ & GL.ED UP4 8,RECKON WE MID SE$1 Y C MOVE M.TA9S40' ,I GUESS IF T LL FAI? C MOVE A M.TA91 X DOESN'T TAKE M* 6MOVE A KITT540 ,!Y LOOK$ AT ! BOOK1 LOOK$ AT "O ANO!R1 & !N TOOK "O LA/ LOOK AT #AHA ME4 ,!N ,DAD WRAPP$ 8 >M >.D A#AHC ,DON'S %\LD] & HU7$ HM S H>D ,I ?"\ ,DON'S EYES 7 GONNA BUG \4 8,:5 Y GET 6BE MY AGE1 Y'LL LOOK BACK ON /UFF Y'VE D"O4 ,IF Y'RE L ME1 Y'LL ?9K AB ALL ! /UPID1 DUMB DECI.NS Y MADE--! ?+S Y DID T Y WI% Y _HN'T OR CD G BACK & *ANGE4 ,O!R ?+S--EV5 AF X'S D"O & Y'VE _H PL5TY ( "T 6?9K X OV]--Y'LL N"E "K :E!R :AT Y DID 0 "R OR WR;G4 ,& SEEMS L1 L1/ ( ALL1 Y'LL REMEMB] A FEW (! GD ?+S Y DID4 ----------------------------------#AHD 8,:AT Y DID ) ,SUSAN ''' WELL ''' Y "K ''' GIV+ H] YR REEL ''' ,I HOPE Y'RE WISE 5 6REMEMB] .T Z "O (! 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