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"Ah,"To woolen scarf "Perfect Thank you, Grandlad you like it Geet to work on the box froloves or a bracelet Inside arehandkerchiefs embroidered with my initials They’re quite lovely "Thank you," I say

"Practical gifts are always the best, I find," Grandifts is over within minutes Besides the handkerchiefs, I receive a hand mirror and a tin of chocolates from Grandmama, and froiven a shawl to Grandmama, and to Tom, a skull to keep in his office sohted And I’ifts sit under the tree, unopened

"Thoo to his club and ask for him Make soo to the Athenaeuuest of Simon Middleton, ’To," I say

"He’s notI am certain that he will be hoifts he’s traveled to get on a whim somewhere Do you re like Saint Nicholas hi at the htit froers

"He’ll be home Mark my words Doesn’t he always turn up?"

"You’re right, of course," I say, because I want desperately to believe hi fires and steady clocks, the lahtness As it’s after eleven o’clock, the servants have retired to their rooled into her bed, and she thinks I am tucked safely in as well But I can’t sleep Not with Father gone I want him to come home, with or without an elephant So I sit in the parlor, waiting Kartik slips into the room, still dressed in his coat and boots He is out of breath

"Kartik! Where have you been? What is it?"

"Is your brother at hoone out Why do you ask?"

"It’s imperative that I speak with your brother"

I rise to ht"I’ve told you, he is not at home You may tell me"

He takes a poker and stabs at the brittle logs They flare to life He says nothing, and I aine the worst

"Oh, no Is it Father? Do you knohere he is?" Kartik nods"Where?"

Kartik cannot look ate Fields?" I repeat"Where is that?"

"It is the dregs of the world, a place inhabited only by thieves, addicts, murderers, and the like, I am sorry to say"

"But ain, Kartik cannot look at me "He is addicted to opium He is at Chin-Chin’s, an opium den"

It’s not true It can’t be I’ve cured Father He’s been better since the ic, hasn’t asked for a drop of laudanum"How do you know this?"