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The man touched a small electronic patch on his belt and immediately the door burst open and a dozen armed men filed in

"I will place your father under arrest," said the regation who resists me"

Mother ca her way past Father and several others "Then you know nothing about us," said Mother "We have no intention of resisting you When a Roive unto hiirls toward the est, too, if you can She doesn't speak yet, but no doubt you have your ways"

"We'll be back for theal But not till they coe"

"You can steal our son's body," said Mother "But you can never steal his heart Train him all you want Teach him whatever you want His heart is pure He will recite your words back to you but he will never, never believe thes to the Pure Christ, not to the human race"

Zeck held himself still, so he could not shudder as his body wanted to Mother's boldness was rare, and always chancy Hoould Father react to this? It was his place to speak, to act, to protect the family and the church

Then again, Father had said several tiive unwelcome counsel to her husband, and a man so foolish that he can't hear wisdom from his wife is not worthy to be any woman's husband

"Go with the man, Zeck," said Father "And answer all questions with pure honesty"

2

ENDER'S STOCKING

Peter Wiggin was supposed to spend the day at the Greensboro Public Library, working on a term paper, but he had lost interest in the project It o days before Christifts," he said to his parents last year "Put the raduate"

"Christmas drives the American economy," Father said "We have to do our part"

"It's not up to you what other people do and don't give you," said Mother "Invest your own ifts"

"Like that's possible," said Peter

"We don't like your gifts anyway," said Valentine, "so you ht as well"