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"I meant that in the nicest, most affectionate way"

"I' into the box

Mother ca to rise out of the chair She pushed him back down, then reached into the box and took out Ender's stocking She reached inside

Peter took the coin out of his shirt pocket and handed it to her "Worth a shot, don't you think?"

"You're still so envious of your younger brother that you have to covet everything that's his?"

"It's a fiver," said Peter, "and he isn't going to spend it I was going to invest it and let it earn hiht years or whatever"

Mother bent over and kissed his forehead "Heaven knohy I still love you" Then she dropped the coin into the stocking, put the stocking into the box, reached out and slapped Peter's hand, and then took the box out of the room

The back of Peter's hand stung from the slap, but it here her lips had touched his brow that his skin tingled the most

3

THE DEVIL'S QUESTIONS

Zeck got into a hovercar with the ot into a different vehicle, a larger one that looked dangerous

"I'an," the soldier said

"I don't care what your name is," said Zeck

Captain Bridegan said nothing

Zeck said nothing