“You got three seconds, he says, then they're comin down. He starts to count. One... two...I turn and run.I can still hear him laughin when I'm halfways back to camp.”

“An when Ike walks through that door- after I finish kissin him to death- I'm gonna tie him to that chair an never let him go, cux life's too gawdamn short an it's about time I start takin my own advice. I might need yer help, of course, but I'm sure you won't mind, seein how- Molly! Jack grabs her hand. Stop, Molly, please. Dammit Moll. Ike ain't gonna walk through the door.She goes still. Very still. Her smile fades. Please don't say it, she whispers. He can't bear to. But he has to. Ike's dead, he says. He's dead, Molly. I'm sorry.”

“I turn to Slim. Do I smell? I says. He throws me a startled look. Uh - Ohmigawd, I do. I smell bad. How bad? Go on, you can tell me. Well, he says, you don't smell as bad as some. But you don't smell as good as some neether. I knew it, I says. What'm I gonna do? Yer askin me fer advice? He shakes his head as he says, I'd remind you that I'm wearin a lady dress with no unders.”

“No, I says, He stole it agin. He's a thief an a menace an I'm gonna trade him in fer a umberella.”

“I ain't never seen a creature like that before, she says. He's so smart, he's-More, like a person than a bird? I says.Yeah, she says. That's it.Whatever you do, I says, don't tell him that. I'll never hear the end of it.”

“What does it look like I'm doin? If yer the shy type. I'd advise you to turn around.Oh! I turn ny back on him quick.”

“I drop back a bit. I listen while they chatter on an Lugh makes us laugh. He always does.We're together agin.Lugh goes first, always first, an I follow on behind.An that's fine.That's right.That's how it's meant to be.Lugh turns around. Smiles.Hey, he says, what're you doin back there? I ain't got a clue where we're goin. Git on up here an lead the way.So I do.”