n … the idea seemed so ridiculous that I almost laughed。 What I felt like doing was maybe building myself a little house； then shingling it； and plowing a garden in back； and planting it。 All before suppertime。
That's how it is； I thought。 Every day。 All over the world。 That darkness。 All over the world。
〃I'm going to take a turn over to Admin instead。 Got a few things to check over there。〃
〃If you say so。〃
I went to the door and opened it； then looked back。 〃You've got it right〃； I said： 〃r…e…c…e…i…v…e； i before e； except after c。 Most of the time； anyway； I guess there's exceptions to all the rules。…〃
I went out； not needing to look back at him to know he was staring with his mouth open。
I kept moving for the rest of that shift； unable to sit down for more than five minutes at a stretch before jumping up again。 I went over to Admin； and then I tromped back and forth across the empty exercise yard until the guards in the towers must have thought I was crazy。 But by the time my shift was over； I was starting to calm down again； and that rustle of thoughts in my head …like a stirring of leaves； it was … had pretty much quieted down。
Still； halfway home that morning； it came back strong。 The way my urinary infection had。 I had to park my Ford by the side of the road； get out； and sprint nearly half a mile； head down； arms pumping； breath tearing in and out of my throat as warm as something that you've carried in your armpit。 Then