& XSLT 


Gant leaned his face in his powerful hands. Comically, hecould not endure feeling, in the mo
rning, that he was the only oneawake and about. Comically, hecould not endure feeling, in th
e morning, that he was the only oneawake and about. The booming courthouse bell struck eleve
n times. Eugene was three; they bought him alphabetbooks, and animal pictures, with rhymed f
ables below.
He was to remain at home:if all went well he would come out later.
Five minutes later they drove out,and were gone for two hours.
They lived in a white house on the corner.
He grubbed about in themiddle of the road, disappointed in the quality of the cinders.
Something of the old thrill ofyouth touched him.
Thus, later, he saw the first two years of his life in brilliantand isolated flashes. Gant r
eadthem to him indefatigably: in six weeks he knew them all by memory.
Gant, she said in a whisper, pursing her lips. Quietly she opened it; the light blazed brigh
tly on thebed. He nuzzled hissoft face next to Eugenes, fondled and embraced him. You neverk
now when those things will come in handy. We shouldnt have done that, Gant muttered. Years l
ater, Steve, returninghome, said: That sections all built up out there now. Years later, he 
heard it again, a door opened in his brain: shetold him it was Paderewskis Minuet.
O lost, andby the wind grieved, ghost, come back again. Would any of them give a starvingbeg
gar a crust of bread? Hello, son, said Gant, casually entering the room; his heartshrivelled
 as he saw the boy. Eliza gave him ataste; they all shrieked at his bitter surprised face. C
ardiac,referring thus, with shocking and medical coarseness, to this mostroyal imp.
This pleased him: he liked to see her cry.
You neverknow when those things will come in handy.
But her enormous patiencewas wearing very thin because of the daily cycle of abuse. She shoo
k herwhite face at him silently as if unable to speak. The Tarkintons and Duncans streamed i
n: there were tears andkisses.
He passed his second birthday with the light growing. The name charmed him: it flashedconsta
ntly through his brain.
Gant readthem to him indefatigably: in six weeks he knew them all by memory.