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Douglas looked down at his sleeves and his pants and his shoes

‘I see you have no better answer than I do,’ observed Quartermain

‘No, sir’

‘It was a long tienerals Appomattox’

‘Yes, sir’

‘Now’ Cal Quartermain leaned forward so his wicker bones creaked ‘What is it you want to know?’

‘Everything,’ said Douglas

‘Everything?’ Quarterently ‘That’ll take at least ten minutes’

‘How about solas finally

‘So, that will take a lifetiue, easy as pie But so to def

ine it So let’s talk about everything instead, for now When you finally unhinge your tongue and find one special eternal forever thing of substance, let me know Promise?’

‘Promise’

‘Nohere e? Life? There’s an everything topic You want to know all about life?’

Douglas nodded, head ducked

‘Steel yourself’