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"Happened?" Wiggin's voice was all innocence, but his eyes, lasering in at Dink's eyes, were telling him to back off

"Suit yourself," said Dink "Keep your dandruff to yourself for all I care"

The conversation at the table flowed around them after that Dink joined in now and then, but he noticed that Wiggin just ate, and that he was careful about how he breathed So had injured his chest Broken rib? No,when he walked Trying not to show it, but favoring it all the saht The pacifist and the genius? Fighting each other? That was stupid But what else could it have been? Who else but a pacifist would attack soin?

Half the soldiers were gone from the table by the time Zeck cain saw hi his hand to wave, though, ith his chest hurting and all

Zeck approached "Got lunch for you," said Wiggin, stepping away from his chair so that Zeck could sit in it

The other kids at the table were obviously poising themselves to leave if Zeck sat down there

"No, I'ry," said Zeck

Had he been crying? No And ith his hand? He kept it in a fist, but Dink could see that it had been injured That there had been blood

"I just wanted to give you so," said Zeck

He laid a stocking down on the table beside Wiggin's tray

"Sorry it's wet," said Zeck "I had to wash it"

"Toguro," said Wiggin "Now sit and eat" He almost pushed Zeck down into the chair

It was the stocking that did it Wiggin had given Zeck a gift--a Santa Claus gift, of all things--and Zeck had accepted it Now Wiggin stood with his hands on Zeck's shoulders, staring at each of the other Rat Ar theo

Dink knew that if he got up, the others would too But he didn't get up, and the others stayed

"So I've got this poeotta say it to get it out of your sys