The|DT Black|NNP Willow|NNP Allan|NNP sat|VBD down|RB at|IN his|PRP$ desk|NN and|CC pulled|VBD the|DT chair|NN in|IN close|JJ .|. 
Opening|NN a|DT side|NN drawer|NN ,|, he|PRP took|VBD out|RP a|DT piece|NN of|IN paper|NN and|CC his|PRP$ inkpot|NN .|. 
After|IN filling|VBG his|PRP$ pen|NN ,|, Allan|NNP looked|VBD at|IN his|PRP$ paper|NN in|IN the|DT orange|NN glow|NN from|IN the|DT lantern|NN set|VBN back|RB in|IN the|DT desk|NN 's|POS right|JJ -|- hand|NN corner|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ pen|NN cast|NN a|DT forbidding|VBG line|NN of|IN shadow|NN slanting|VBG across|IN the|DT page|NN ,|, echoing|VBG the|DT inky|NN darkness|NNS crouching|VBG in|IN the|DT edges|NNS of|IN the|DT lantern|NN 's|POS struggling|VBG glow|NN .|. 
The|DT only|RB other|JJ illumination|NN came|VBD from|IN a|DT lurid|NN moonlight|NN filtered|VBN through|IN thin|JJ branches|NNS and|CC clouds|NNS ,|, casting|VBG its|PRP$ bone|NN -|- pale|JJ glow|NN onto|IN the|DT pine|VBP floorboards|NNS .|. 

Allan|NNP unfolded|VBD another|DT page|NN ,|, this|DT one|CD crowded|VBN with|IN ranks|NNS of|IN letters|NNS in|IN tight|JJ formation|NN from|IN left|VBD to|TO right|JJ .|. 
The|DT lines|NNS of|IN letters|NNS stepped|VBD into|IN their|PRP$ divisions|NNS ,|, in|IN the|DT shape|NN of|IN a|DT story|NN 's|POS outline|NN :|: the|DT loose|JJ ,|, dry|JJ skeleton|NN of|IN a|DT tale|NN lay|VB exposed|VBN beneath|IN their|PRP$ feet|NNS ,|, awaiting|VBG tendons|NNS ,|, muscle|NN and|CC blushing|VBG skin|NN .|. 
Allan|NNP reviewed|VBD the|DT troops|NNS ,|, all|DT prepared|VBN to|TO disembark|VBP ,|, their|PRP$ task|NN to|TO form|VB the|DT tale|NN of|IN a|DT young|JJ man|NN returning|VBG home|NN from|IN Life|NNP Abroad|RB to|TO find|VB his|PRP$ childhood|NN friend|NN a|DT bride|NN to|TO -|- be|VB ,|, thus|RB upsetting|VBG the|DT apple|NN cart|NN of|IN his|PRP$ life|NN 's|POS plan|NN ,|, clarified|VBN –|NN of|IN course|NN –|NN by|IN his|PRP$ very|RB time|NN away|RB from|IN her|PRP$ he|PRP loved|VBD best|JJS .|. 

Although|IN the|DT concept|NN was|VBD a|DT simple|JJ one|CD ,|, Allan|NNP thought|VBD it|PRP had|VBD potential|JJ .|. 
Besides|IN ,|, the|DT public|RB liked|VBD a|DT good|JJ ,|, simple|JJ romance|NN .|. 
Perhaps|RB this|DT will|MD be|VB more|RBR saleable|JJ ,|, he|PRP thought|VBD and|CC began|VBD to|TO write|VB .|. 

They|PRP gazed|JJ at|IN each|DT other|JJ ,|, lost|VBD in|IN the|DT rapture|NN of|IN love|NN based|VBN so|RB deeply|RB within|IN their|PRP$ hearts|NNS that|IN they|PRP had|VBD never|RB seen|VBN it|PRP before|RB .|. 
"|'' What|WP about|IN Roger|NNP ?|. "|'' 
she|PRP asked|VBD ,|, knowing|VBG that|IN the|DT answer|NN no|RB longer|RB mattered|VBN .|. 

This|DT is|VBZ good|JJ ,|, he|PRP thought|VBD ,|, pausing|VBG to|TO raise|VB the|DT low|JJ light|NN of|IN the|DT lantern|NN .|. 
I|PRP 'm|VBP almost|RB done|VBN ,|, and|CC the|DT happy|JJ ending|NN is|VBZ just|RB falling|VBG into|IN place|NN .|. 
I|PRP hardly|RB dare|VBP to|TO think|VB it|PRP ,|, but|CC –|NN I|PRP may|MD finish|VB this|DT story|NN !|. 

As|IN he|PRP thought|VBD this|DT ,|, a|DT sinuous|JJ wind|NN encircled|JJ the|DT house|NN ,|, slipping|VBG through|IN the|DT walls|NNS to|TO chill|VB him|PRP .|. 
The|DT papers|NNS and|CC the|DT lantern|NN 's|POS flame|NN trembled|JJ as|IN the|DT thin|JJ fingers|NNS of|IN a|DT great|JJ black|JJ willow|NN rapped|JJ gently|RB on|IN Allan|NNP 's|POS window|NN and|CC wall|NN like|IN a|DT stranger|NN knocking|VBG on|IN his|PRP$ chamber|NN door|NN .|. 
This|DT was|VBD no|DT stranger|NN ,|, however|RB ;|: the|DT twisted|JJ ,|, ancient|JJ thing|NN was|VBD older|JJR than|IN Allan|NNP ,|, its|PRP$ branches|NNS rapping|VBG on|IN his|PRP$ window|NN since|IN his|PRP$ childhood|NN .|. 
Its|PRP$ thin|JJ ,|, drawn|VBN fingers|NNS framed|VBN the|DT bloated|JJ moon|NN ,|, whose|WP$ eerie|JJ radiation|NN now|RB bathed|VBN the|DT room|NN directly|RB .|. 
The|DT great|JJ ,|, jaundiced|JJ eye|NN stared|VBD down|RB unblinkingly|RB at|IN the|DT author|NN ,|, who|WP gazed|JJ up|RB through|IN his|PRP$ window|NN 's|POS tiny|JJ frame|NN with|IN trepidation|NN .|. 
Allan|NNP recalled|VBD himself|PRP and|CC focused|VBN once|RB more|RBR on|IN the|DT incomplete|JJ page|NN before|IN him|PRP .|. 
His|PRP$ pen|NN flickered|VBD forth|RB ,|, words|NNS dancing|VBG out|IN from|IN its|PRP$ nib|NN .|. 
In|IN the|DT author|NN 's|POS eye|NN gleamed|JJ the|DT lantern|NN 's|POS reflection|NN –|NN or|CC was|VBD it|PRP a|DT reflection|NN ?|. 
For|IN while|IN the|DT lantern|NN 's|POS spark|NN shivered|JJ in|IN the|DT chill|NN breeze|NN ,|, this|DT burn|VB was|VBD steady|JJ and|CC true|JJ as|IN the|DT motion|NN of|IN its|PRP$ owner|NN 's|POS pen|NN ,|, scratching|VBG out|RP the|DT rhythm|NN of|IN the|DT willow|NN 's|POS fingers|NNS .|. 

The|DT frenzied|JJ writing|NN ceased|VBN at|IN last|JJ ,|, the|DT author|NN leaned|VBD back|RB with|IN a|DT slight|JJ sigh|NN as|IN if|IN both|DT exhausted|VBN and|CC satisfied|VBN by|IN his|PRP$ effort|NN .|. 
He|PRP held|VBD a|DT hand|NN to|TO his|PRP$ forehead|NN ,|, eyes|NNS closed|VBD and|CC face|VB flushed|JJ .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD it|PRP again|RB ,|, he|PRP thought|VBD .|. 
After|IN all|DT that|DT –|NN so|RB near|IN the|DT end|NN ,|, to|TO lose|VB control|NN again|RB .|. 
His|PRP$ breath|NN returning|VBG to|TO its|PRP$ normal|JJ rhythms|NNS ,|, he|PRP dared|VBD to|TO look|VB at|IN the|DT page|NN before|IN him|PRP .|. 

His|PRP$ face|NN soft|JJ as|IN if|IN caught|VBN between|IN a|DT smile|NN and|CC tears|NNS ,|, he|PRP draped|JJ his|PRP$ loose|JJ cape|NN over|IN her|PRP$ shoulders|NNS .|. 
"|'' Come|VBN ,|, darling|NN ,|, "|'' he|PRP whispered|VBN .|. 
"|'' Where|WRB I|PRP am|VBP to|TO take|VB you|PRP ,|, one|CD need|VBP never|RB think|VBP of|IN those|DT left|VBN behind|IN .|. "|'' 

They|PRP stepped|VBD together|RB into|IN his|PRP$ carriage|NN ,|, her|PRP$ eyes|NNS wide|JJ with|IN wonder|VBP as|IN she|PRP touched|VBD it|PRP and|CC felt|VBD ,|, conveyed|VBD as|IN if|IN through|IN her|PRP$ skin|NN ,|, the|DT unearthly|RB nature|NN of|IN the|DT rails|NNS and|CC reins|NNS ,|, the|DT wheelspokes|NNS .|. 
They|PRP took|VBD their|PRP$ seats|NNS within|IN the|DT car|NN and|CC his|PRP$ driver|NN set|VBD the|DT horses|NNS trotting|VBG .|. 
For|IN a|DT few|JJ yards|NNS ,|, they|PRP kicked|VBD up|RB dust|NN along|IN the|DT roadway|NN ;|: then|RB they|PRP raised|VBD their|PRP$ hooves|NNS and|CC took|VBD to|TO the|DT air|NN .|. 
She|PRP gaped|VBN ,|, afraid|JJ but|CC knowing|VBG that|IN no|DT harm|NN would|MD come|VB to|TO her|PRP by|IN his|PRP$ hand|NN .|. 
The|DT New|NNP England|NNP woods|NNS disappeared|VBD ,|, even|RB the|DT greatest|JJS pines|NNS shrinking|VBG to|TO insignificance|NN as|IN they|PRP mounted|VBD the|DT sky|NN .|. 
Above|IN them|PRP ,|, the|DT Milky|NNP Way|NN drew|VBD near|IN as|IN if|IN the|DT stars|NNS themselves|PRP could|MD be|VB reached|VBN .|. 
A|DT magnificent|JJ glow|NN infused|VBN the|DT carriage|NN as|IN they|PRP merged|VBD with|IN the|DT sky|NN 's|POS glory|NN .|. 

Allan|NNP crushed|VBN the|DT page|NN in|IN his|PRP$ hand|NN and|CC hurled|VBN it|PRP at|IN the|DT window|NN .|. 
"|'' Damn|NNP you|PRP ,|, "|'' he|PRP cried|JJ ,|, "|'' will|MD you|PRP never|RB leave|VBP me|PRP be|VB ?|. 
Shall|NNP I|PRP never|RB finish|VBP a|DT story|NN in|IN peace|NN ?|. "|'' 
He|PRP pounded|VBN his|PRP$ desk|NN in|IN vain|JJ ,|, cursing|NN the|DT foul|JJ muse|NN that|WDT drove|VBD him|PRP .|. 

The|DT next|JJ day|NN ,|, Allan|NNP sat|VBD on|IN a|DT florally|RB patterned|VBN chair|NN in|IN a|DT well|JJ -|- furnished|JJ parlor|NN .|. 
Taking|VBG a|DT measured|VBN sip|NN of|IN white|JJ wine|NN from|IN his|PRP$ crystal|NN glass|NN ,|, he|PRP glanced|VBD at|IN his|PRP$ host|NN –|NN a|DT cultured|JJ man|NN dressed|VBN in|IN a|DT light|JJ suit|NN of|IN the|DT current|JJ fashion|NN and|CC wearing|VBG his|PRP$ pale|JJ hair|NN with|IN a|DT heavy|JJ set|NN of|IN sideburns|NNS –|NN who|WP passed|VBD him|PRP a|DT silver|NN tray|NN .|. 

"|'' Cucumber|NNP sandwich|NN ?|. "|'' 

Allan|NNP took|VBD a|DT sandwich|NN between|IN his|PRP$ fingers|NNS .|. 
"|'' Thank|VB you|PRP ,|, Arthur|NNP .|. "|'' 

Arthur|NNP replaced|VBD the|DT tray|NN onto|IN the|DT lacquered|JJ cherry|JJ table|NN that|WDT stood|VBD in|IN the|DT center|NN of|IN his|PRP$ ordered|VBD chamber|NN .|. 
In|IN a|DT manner|NN delicately|RB balanced|JJ between|IN somber|JJ and|CC genial|JJ ,|, he|PRP refilled|JJ their|PRP$ glasses|NNS .|. 
"|'' How|WRB is|VBZ the|DT writing|VBG these|DT days|NNS ,|, my|PRP$ dear|RB Mr.|NN Clemm|NNP ?|. "|'' 

"|'' Perfectly|NNP dreadful|JJ ,|, my|PRP$ dear|RB Mr.|NN Mason|NNP ,|, "|'' Allan|NNP sighed|VBD .|. 
"|'' I|PRP had|VBD a|DT perfect|JJ story|NN in|IN my|PRP$ pages|NNS ;|: my|PRP$ hero|NN returned|VBD home|NN and|CC reclaimed|VBN his|PRP$ love|NN ,|, I|PRP nearly|RB had|VBD it|PRP tied|VBD together|RB before|IN …|NN "|'' 

"|'' Before|IN ?|. "|'' 

"|'' Before|IN that|DT blasted|VBD impulse|NN came|VBD over|IN me|PRP and|CC I|PRP started|VBD writing|VBG like|IN Edgar|NNP Poe|NNP –|NN though|IN the|DT most|RBS recent|JJ was|VBD not|RB so|RB morbid|NN as|IN my|PRP$ many|JJ others|NNS ,|, thank|VB Heaven|NNP .|. "|'' 

Arthur|NNP 's|POS face|NN assumed|VBD a|DT long|JJ -|- suffering|VBG aspect|NN of|IN authoritative|JJ exasperation|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB familiar|JJ with|IN Mr.|NN Poe|NNP 's|POS works|VBZ ,|, but|CC I|PRP assume|VBP you|PRP 're|VBP referring|VBG to|TO your|PRP$ unhealthy|JJ penchant|NN for|IN the|DT fantastic|JJ .|. "|'' 

"|'' It|PRP 's|VBZ far|RB from|IN a|NNP '|POS penchant|NN ,|, '|'' Arthur|NNP .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ more|RBR like|IN a|DT compulsion|NN ,|, a|DT beast|NN that|WDT lies|VBZ waiting|VBG in|IN the|DT dark|NN for|IN the|DT perfect|JJ moment|NN ,|, then|RB leaps|NNS and|CC takes|VBZ ahold|NN of|IN me|PRP ,|, screaming|VBG out|IN through|IN my|PRP$ quill|NN .|. "|'' 

"|'' How|WRB perfectly|RB awful|JJ .|. "|'' 
Arthur|NNP grimaced|VBD at|IN the|DT vivid|JJ description|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP sure|JJ you|PRP know|VBP that|IN you|PRP must|MD curb|VB this|DT behavior|NN if|IN you|PRP wish|VBP to|TO produce|VB any|DT writing|VBG fit|NN for|IN public|JJ consumption|NN .|. "|'' 

"|'' I|PRP know|VBP ,|, "|'' Allan|NNP replied|VBD ,|, "|'' but|CC how|WRB am|VBP I|PRP to|TO do|VB that|DT ?|. 
You|PRP know|VBP I|PRP do|VBP not|RB wish|VB to|TO make|VB my|PRP$ stories|NNS thus|RB ;|: but|CC it|PRP is|VBZ my|PRP$ nemesis|NN ,|, confronting|VBG me|PRP anew|RB at|IN every|DT turn|NN !|. "|'' 

Arthur|NNP raised|VBD a|DT critical|JJ brow|NN .|. 
"|'' Perhaps|RB you|PRP could|MD make|VB some|DT headway|NN if|IN you|PRP denied|VBD your|PRP$ darker|JJR side|NN the|DT outlet|NN of|IN the|DT colorful|JJ metaphors|NNS you|PRP so|RB enjoy|VBP .|. 
Every|DT action|NN you|PRP take|VBP to|TO deny|VB it|PRP nourishment|NN will|MD bring|VB you|PRP closer|JJR to|TO your|PRP$ goal|NN ;|: and|CC believe|VBP me|PRP ,|, Allan|NNP ,|, you|PRP must|MD take|VB every|DT opportunity|NN to|TO quash|NN this|DT uncivilized|JJ obsession|NN if|IN you|PRP intend|VBP to|TO publish|VB .|. 
There|EX simply|RB is|VBZ no|DT audience|NN for|IN fairy|NN tales|NNS –|NN no|DT literate|NN audience|NN ,|, at|IN least|JJS .|. "|'' 

"|'' It|PRP is|VBZ true|JJ ,|, "|'' Allan|NNP admitted|VBD ,|, fidgeting|VBG with|IN his|PRP$ cufflinks|NNS ,|, "|'' that|IN I|PRP would|MD not|RB dream|VB of|IN submitting|VBG one|CD of|IN these|DT corruptions|NNS of|IN literature|NN to|TO any|DT publisher|NN .|. 
I|PRP 've|VBP even|RB tried|VBN rewriting|VBG the|DT corrupted|JJ sections|NNS ,|, but|CC once|RB my|PRP$ characters|NNS have|VBP gone|VBN down|RB that|DT road|NN ,|, nothing|NN can|MD recall|VB their|PRP$ former|JJ life|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ prodigal|JJ ink|NN -|- blooded|JJ children|NNS simply|RB lose|VBP their|PRP$ vitality|NN when|WRB forced|VBN along|IN the|DT proper|JJ road|NN .|. "|'' 

Arthur|NNP sighed|VBD and|CC sipped|VBD his|PRP$ wine|NN .|. 
"|'' If|IN only|RB you|PRP would|MD restrain|VB this|DT morbid|NN impulse|NN of|IN yours|NNS ,|, you|PRP might|MD write|VB something|NN really|RB worth|JJ reading|NN .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ hard|JJ enough|RB listening|VBG to|TO your|PRP$ wild|JJ speech|NN without|IN seeing|VBG it|PRP appear|VBP in|IN the|DT refined|VBN world|NN of|IN print|NN ,|, like|IN a|DT surly|RB foreigner|NN among|IN a|DT genteel|JJ crowd|NN .|. "|'' 

Allan|NNP hung|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN ,|, holding|VBG his|PRP$ wine|NN with|IN both|DT hands|NNS between|IN his|PRP$ arched|JJ knees|NNS .|. 
His|PRP$ hair|NN was|VBD slightly|RB unkempt|NN after|IN his|PRP$ sleepless|JJ night|NN ,|, and|CC his|PRP$ clothing|NN had|VBD a|DT rumpled|JJ look|NN as|IN if|IN ,|, by|IN mere|JJ proximity|NN ,|, it|PRP had|VBD taken|VBN on|IN the|DT aspect|NN of|IN his|PRP$ weariness|NN .|. 
He|PRP scratched|VBN the|DT back|NN of|IN his|PRP$ dark|JJ -|- haloed|JJ head|NN and|CC blinked|VBD bleary|JJ eyes|NNS .|. 
"|'' I|PRP would|MD drive|VB it|PRP out|IN ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD softly|RB ,|, "|'' but|CC I|PRP fear|VBP for|IN what|WP would|MD remain|VB .|. "|'' 

"|'' Perhaps|RB you|PRP require|VBP a|DT rest|NN from|IN writing|VBG ,|, "|'' suggested|VBD Arthur|NNP .|. 
"|'' You|PRP might|MD find|VB that|IN some|DT time|NN in|IN an|DT honest|JJ occupation|NN would|MD ground|VB you|PRP somewhat|RB ,|, improve|VB your|PRP$ disposition|NN .|. "|'' 

"|'' Perhaps|RB it|PRP would|MD ,|, "|'' Allan|NNP replied|VBD ,|, rising|VBG and|CC vainly|RB straightening|VBG his|PRP$ suit|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP shall|MD consider|VB it|PRP ;|: in|IN the|DT meantime|NN ,|, however|RB ,|, I|PRP must|MD be|VB off|RP .|. 
You|PRP have|VBP been|VBN a|DT gracious|JJ host|NN ,|, as|RB always|RB .|. "|'' 

Arthur|NNP rose|VBD and|CC shook|VBD his|PRP$ hand|NN .|. 
"|'' So|RB dear|RB a|DT friend|NN is|VBZ always|RB welcome|JJ to|TO my|PRP$ counsel|NN and|CC my|PRP$ home|NN ,|, "|'' he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
"|'' I|PRP hope|VBP soon|RB to|TO see|VB you|PRP in|IN better|JJR sorts|NNS .|. "|'' 

They|PRP parted|VBD and|CC Allan|NNP made|VBD his|PRP$ way|NN pensively|RB from|IN Arthur|NNP 's|POS gate|NN .|. 
He|PRP walked|VBD the|DT wheel|NN -|- ruts|NNS ,|, hands|NNS in|IN his|PRP$ pockets|NNS and|CC unshined|JJ shoes|NNS collecting|VBG dust|NN .|. 
Some|DT quarter|JJ -|- mile|NN from|IN Arthur|NNP 's|POS gate|NN ,|, he|PRP halted|VBD ,|, confronted|VBN by|IN a|DT halloo|NN .|. 
"|'' Nathan|NNP ?|. "|'' 
he|PRP called|VBD out|IN to|TO the|DT empty|JJ road|NN .|. 

The|DT reply|NN came|VBD from|IN above|IN him|PRP and|CC Allan|NNP turned|VBD to|TO see|VB his|PRP$ friend|NN reclining|VBG in|IN the|DT fork|VB of|IN a|DT great|JJ tree|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP had|VBD a|DT hunch|NN you|PRP 'd|MD be|VB at|IN Arthur|NNP 's|POS today|NN ,|, "|'' said|VBD Nathan|NNP ,|, "|'' so|IN I|PRP thought|VBD I|PRP 'd|MD wait|VB here|RB for|IN you|PRP .|. "|'' 
Nathan|NNP 's|POS lanky|NN frame|NN ,|, dressed|VBN in|IN a|DT loose|JJ ,|, tan|NN jacket|NN ,|, fit|VB into|IN the|DT branch|NN like|IN an|DT elegant|JJ skeleton|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ hair|NN fell|VBD loosely|RB across|IN a|DT face|NN that|WDT seemed|VBD always|RB to|TO have|VB a|DT knowing|VBG smirk|NN hidden|VBN just|RB beneath|IN its|PRP$ surface|NN ,|, infusing|VBG his|PRP$ body|NN with|IN a|DT rakish|NN energy|NN .|. 
"|'' So|RB ,|, Allan|NNP ,|, "|'' said|VBD Nathan|NNP ,|, unfolding|VBG and|CC lowering|VBG his|PRP$ legs|NNS to|TO the|DT roadside|NN ,|, "|'' how|WRB goes|VBZ life|NN for|IN the|DT quintessential|JJ American|JJ author|NN ?|. "|'' 

"|'' I|PRP would|MD n't|RB know|VB ,|, "|'' replied|VBD Allan|NNP dryly|RB ,|, before|IN continuing|VBG in|IN another|DT tone|NN entirely|RB .|. 
"|'' I|PRP destroyed|VBD another|DT story|NN last|JJ night|NN ,|, Nathan|NNP .|. "|'' 

Leaning|NNP against|IN his|PRP$ tree|NN ,|, Nathan|NNP shook|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN .|. 
"|'' You|PRP mean|VBP ,|, finished|VBD another|DT story|NN .|. "|'' 

"|'' Yes|UH ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ finished|VBN !|. 
Ended|NNP !|. 
Never|RB again|RB shall|MD it|PRP see|VB the|DT rosy|JJ -|- fingered|JJ dawn|NN !|. 
Nathan|NNP ,|, you|PRP 've|VBP read|VBN these|DT abominations|NNS of|IN mine|NN .|. 
You|PRP know|VBP just|RB as|RB well|RB as|IN I|PRP that|IN they|PRP have|VBP no|DT future|NN ,|, no|DT potential|NN .|. 
At|IN best|JJS ,|, they|PRP are|VBP faery|NN tales|NNS ;|: at|IN worst|JJS ,|, expeditions|NNS into|IN macabre|NN realms|NNS no|DT healthy|JJ mind|NN need|MD ever|RB see|VB .|. "|'' 

"|'' So|RB instead|RB ,|, you|PRP would|MD write|VB –|NN what|WP ?|. "|'' 

"|'' Something|NN saleable|JJ ;|: something|NN worth|JJ reading|NN ,|, worth|JJ writing|NN !|. 
I|PRP want|VBP to|TO write|VB as|IN others|NNS do|VBP :|: a|DT tale|NN ,|, set|VBN in|IN our|PRP$ real|JJ world|NN ,|, of|IN characters|NNS who|WP might|MD live|VB therein|RB ,|, not|RB citizens|NNS of|IN some|DT airy|JJ demesne|NN beyond|IN the|DT stars|NNS !|. "|'' 

"|'' Why|WRB is|VBZ that|IN more|RBR desirable|JJ than|IN what|WP you|PRP write|VBP today|NN ?|. "|'' 

"|'' People|NNS will|MD read|VB such|JJ stories|NNS ;|: they|PRP are|VBP worth|JJ publishing|VBG .|. "|'' 

"|'' If|IN you|PRP never|RB finish|VBP such|JJ stories|NNS ,|, how|WRB can|MD they|PRP be|VB worth|JJ publishing|NN ?|. "|'' 

"|'' That|DT is|VBZ precisely|RB why|WRB I|PRP must|MD excise|VB this|DT malignant|JJ instinct|NN !|. "|'' 

"|'' Why|WRB do|VBP you|PRP write|VBP ?|. "|'' 

"|'' …|NN Why|WRB –|NN to|TO earn|VB a|DT living|NN ,|, I|PRP suppose|VBP .|. 
Why|WRB do|VBP you|PRP ask|VBP ?|. "|'' 

"|'' You|PRP choose|VBP to|TO write|VB rather|RB than|IN become|VB a|DT fisherman|NN or|CC a|DT carpenter|NN ,|, though|IN you|PRP face|VBP such|JJ difficulty|NN .|. 
Why|WRB is|VBZ that|DT ?|. "|'' 

"|'' I|PRP suppose|VBP it|PRP is|VBZ because|IN I|PRP enjoy|VBP my|PRP$ craft|NN .|. 
I|PRP would|MD not|RB be|VB happy|JJ ,|, thus|RB separated|JJ from|IN it|PRP .|. "|'' 

"|'' So|RB at|IN its|PRP$ heart|NN ,|, then|RB ,|, your|PRP$ writing|VBG –|NN as|IN opposed|VBN to|TO working|VBG otherwise|RB –|NN is|VBZ for|IN yourself|PRP ?|. "|'' 

"|'' Yes|UH ,|, I|PRP suppose|VBP one|PRP could|MD see|VB it|PRP thus|RB .|. 
But|CC really|RB ,|, Nathan|NNP ,|, your|PRP$ queer|NN habits|NNS of|IN conversation|NN have|VBP reached|VBN a|DT new|JJ level|NN .|. "|'' 

Ignoring|VBG the|DT statement|NN ,|, Nathan|NNP continued|VBD .|. 
"|'' Your|PRP$ writing|VBG is|VBZ for|IN you|PRP ,|, Allan|NNP ,|, not|RB for|IN the|DT publishers|NNS or|CC some|DT imagined|VBN audience|NN .|. 
Since|IN you|PRP seem|VBP unable|JJ to|TO write|VB '|POS normally|RB ,|, '|'' why|WRB not|RB embrace|VB your|PRP$ tales|NNS as|IN they|PRP are|VBP ,|, leave|VB behind|IN the|DT one|CD unhappiness|NN in|IN the|DT art|NN you|PRP admit|VBP is|VBZ a|DT source|NN of|IN pleasure|NN ?|. 
Your|PRP$ stories|NNS strike|VBP a|DT chord|NN with|IN the|DT deepest|JJS ,|, most|RBS ancient|JJ stories|NNS of|IN mankind|NN ,|, the|DT tales|NNS basic|JJ to|TO humanity|NN .|. 
Tell|VB them|PRP ,|, and|CC they|PRP will|MD create|VB an|DT audience|NN .|. 
You|PRP need|VBP not|RB pander|NN to|TO what|WP you|PRP imagine|VBP their|PRP$ wants|VBZ are|VBP ;|: speak|VB ,|, and|CC they|PRP shall|MD listen|VB .|. "|'' 

Allan|NNP crouched|VBD over|IN his|PRP$ desk|NN once|RB more|JJR ,|, pen|NN in|IN hand|NN and|CC mind|VB blank|JJ .|. 
He|PRP contemplated|VBD a|DT story|NN ,|, an|DT outline|NN he|PRP had|VBD laboriously|RB constructed|VBN some|DT time|NN ago|RB .|. 
He|PRP had|VBD filled|VBN his|PRP$ pen|NN and|CC raised|VBD it|PRP ,|, the|DT nib|NN descending|VBG towards|IN the|DT paper|NN ,|, before|IN the|DT sound|NN came|VBD :|: the|DT gentle|JJ ,|, persistent|JJ tapping|VBG of|IN the|DT gnarled|JJ ,|, primeval|NN willow|NN touching|VBG the|DT window|NN with|IN long|JJ ,|, insistent|JJ fingers|NNS .|. 

His|PRP$ eyes|NNS awoke|VBD with|IN a|DT passionate|JJ ,|, determined|VBN flame|NN ,|, though|IN the|DT only|RB light|NN came|VBD from|IN the|DT glutted|JJ moon|NN .|. 
Allan|NNP filled|VBD page|NN after|IN page|NN ,|, the|DT words|NNS escaping|VBG from|IN his|PRP$ mind|NN onto|IN the|DT paper|NN .|. 
Where|WRB before|IN they|PRP had|VBD marched|VBN in|IN regiments|NNS ,|, practiced|VBN in|IN ranks|NNS and|CC followed|VBD their|PRP$ leaders|NNS '|POS commands|NNS ,|, the|DT words|NNS now|RB escaped|VBD in|IN their|PRP$ true|JJ forms|NNS ,|, unhindered|JJ by|IN any|DT stricture|NN .|. 
He|PRP continued|VBD long|RB into|IN the|DT night|NN ,|, until|IN the|DT eldritch|NN orb|NN had|VBD sunk|VBN into|IN the|DT waiting|VBG hands|NNS of|IN the|DT willow|NN ,|, raised|VBD perpetually|RB skyward|RB .|. 

Arthur|NNP looked|VBD up|RB from|IN the|DT results|NNS of|IN a|DT night|NN ’|NN s|VBZ frenzied|JJ labors|NNS and|CC looked|VBD Allan|NNP in|IN the|DT eye|NN .|. 

"|'' What|WP is|VBZ this|DT ?|. "|'' 
he|PRP queried|VBN ,|, indicating|VBG the|DT pages|NNS he|PRP held|VBD in|IN his|PRP$ left|JJ hand|NN .|. 

"|'' I|PRP decided|VBD that|DT …|NN since|IN I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB having|VBG much|JJ success|NN with|IN more|JJR –|NN traditional|JJ –|NN stories|NNS ,|, I|PRP might|MD see|VB what|WP sort|NN of|IN work|NN I|PRP produced|VBD if|IN I|PRP let|VBP my|PRP$ imagination|NN go|NN freely|RB ,|, "|'' Allan|NNP replied|VBD ,|, somewhat|RB less|RBR self|NN -|- assured|VBN than|IN he|PRP had|VBD been|VBN the|DT previous|JJ night|NN .|. 

"|'' What|WP in|IN G-|NNP d|SYM 's|POS name|NN could|MD have|VB possessed|VBN you|PRP to|TO do|VB such|JJ a|DT thing|NN ,|, "|'' cried|JJ Arthur|NNP ,|, nearly|RB raising|VBG his|PRP$ voice|NN .|. 
"|'' After|IN all|DT I|PRP said|VBD the|DT day|NN before|RB ,|, why|WRB have|VBP you|PRP abandoned|VBD centuries|NNS of|IN literary|JJ progress|NN for|IN some|DT self|NN -|- indulgent|JJ fantasy|NN ?|. "|'' 
He|PRP shook|VBD the|DT papers|NNS at|IN Allan|NNP ,|, raising|VBG them|PRP like|VBP a|DT belt|NN above|IN the|DT head|NN of|IN a|DT disobedient|NN son|NN .|. 
"|'' This|DT is|VBZ nothing|NN but|CC a|DT glorified|JJ Grimm|NNP 's|POS tale|NN ,|, a|DT miscarried|JJ child|NN of|IN Stoker|NNP ,|, a|DT creation|NN less|JJR fit|NN to|TO be|VB published|VBN than|IN to|TO be|VB told|VBN around|IN an|DT open|JJ fire|NN at|IN the|DT hovel|NN of|IN some|DT peasant|NN !|. "|'' 
He|PRP spoke|VBD the|DT last|JJ word|NN with|IN such|JJ heavy|JJ intonation|NN that|IN Allan|NNP shrank|VBD back|RB before|IN the|DT physical|JJ wave|NN of|IN sound|NN emanating|VBG from|IN Arthur|NNP 's|POS throat|NN .|. 
"|'' Do|VBP you|PRP hate|VB the|DT modern|JJ system|NN of|IN literature|NN ?|. 
Do|VBP you|PRP personally|RB despise|VB the|DT works|NNS the|DT Enlightenment|NNP or|CC the|DT progress|NN made|VBN since|IN Shakespeare|NNP ?|. 
?|. "|'' 

For|IN a|DT moment|NN ,|, Allan|NNP could|MD hardly|RB do|VB more|JJR than|IN shake|VB his|PRP$ head|NN .|. 
"|'' No|DT ,|, of|IN course|NN not|RB …|NN I–|NNP "|'' 

"|'' Then|RB why|WRB ,|, "|'' Arthur|NNP barreled|JJ on|IN ,|, "|'' do|VBP you|PRP disregard|NN them|PRP all|DT and|CC return|NN to|TO this|DT superstitious|JJ babble|JJ ,|, this|DT morbid|NN ,|, paganistic|JJ drivel|NN ?|. 
Why|WRB do|VBP you|PRP disregard|NN my|PRP$ warnings|NNS ,|, my|PRP$ careful|JJ advice|NN given|VBN in|IN the|DT best|JJS of|IN friendship|NN and|CC designed|VBN only|RB to|TO save|VB you|PRP from|IN sinking|VBG into|IN this|DT very|JJ type|NN of|IN corruption|NN ,|, this|DT literary|JJ debauchery|NN ?|. "|'' 
He|PRP glared|JJ at|IN Allan|NNP ,|, eyes|NNS impaling|VBG him|PRP and|CC demanding|VBG a|DT response|NN .|. 

"|'' Could|MD you|PRP write|VB decent|JJ tales|NNS with|IN that|DT willow|NN at|IN your|PRP$ window|NN ?|. "|'' 
Allan|NNP cried|JJ out|RB at|IN last|JJ ,|, stepping|VBG forward|RB and|CC casting|VBG his|PRP$ arms|NNS open|JJ ,|, confronting|VBG Arthur|NNP with|IN this|DT demanding|VBG ,|, pleading|VBG interrogation|NN .|. 
"|'' Its|PRP$ twigs|NNS rap|NN constantly|RB against|IN the|DT wall|NN ,|, the|DT wind|NN always|RB demanding|VBG my|PRP$ attention|NN .|. 
How|WRB could|MD any|DT writer|NN accommodate|VBP the|DT edicts|NNS of|IN popular|JJ literature|NN with|IN the|DT very|JJ forces|VBZ of|IN nature|NN knocking|VBG upon|IN his|PRP$ door|NN ?|. "|'' 

Arthur|NNP looked|VBD down|RP his|PRP$ nose|NN at|IN the|DT distraught|NN author|NN ,|, viewing|VBG his|PRP$ complaint|NN with|IN pure|JJ disdain|NN scantily|RB concealed|VBN by|IN the|DT veneer|NN of|IN politeness|NNS that|WDT animated|VBN the|DT construct|VB that|WDT was|VBD Arthur|NNP Mason|NNP .|. 
"|'' A|DT tree|NN ?|. 
A|DT tree|NN forced|VBD you|PRP to|TO write|VB this|DT ,|, my|PRP$ dear|RB Mr.|NN Clemm|NNP ?|. 
I|PRP must|MD admit|VB ,|, this|DT seems|VBZ far|JJ -|- fetched|JJ ,|, even|RB by|IN your|PRP$ standards|NNS –|NN even|RB your|PRP$ Nathan|NNP might|MD have|VB difficulty|NN believing|VBG you|PRP .|. "|'' 

"|'' You|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB what|WP this|DT is|VBZ like|IN ,|, "|'' said|VBD Allan|NNP ,|, shaking|VBG his|PRP$ head|NN .|. 
"|'' Nathan|NNP would|MD understand|VB completely|RB .|. "|'' 
Even|RB as|IN he|PRP said|VBD it|PRP ,|, Allan|NNP prayed|JJ that|IN his|PRP$ statement|NN was|VBD true|JJ .|. 

"|'' Very|RB well|RB ,|, "|'' said|VBD Arthur|NNP ;|: "|'' then|RB take|VB your|PRP$ story|NN to|TO that|DT hedonist|NN and|CC let|VB him|PRP defend|VB you|PRP when|WRB no|DT civilized|JJ publisher|NN will|MD approach|VB you|PRP .|. 
If|IN you|PRP insist|VBP on|IN abandoning|VBG me|PRP ,|, I|PRP shall|MD not|RB hold|VB you|PRP .|. "|'' 
With|IN that|DT ,|, he|PRP tossed|VBD the|DT papers|NNS at|IN Allan|NNP and|CC left|VBD the|DT room|NN .|. 

Stunned|VBN ,|, Allan|NNP slowly|RB gathered|VBD up|RP the|DT pages|NNS and|CC placed|VBD them|PRP in|IN order|NN .|. 
He|PRP then|RB turned|VBD and|CC left|VBN through|IN the|DT door|NN opposite|JJ that|IN Arthur|NNP had|VBD taken|VBN ,|, making|VBG his|PRP$ way|NN past|JJ his|PRP$ host|NN 's|POS doorman|NN without|IN assistance|NN and|CC setting|VBG off|IN on|IN foot|NN towards|IN Nathan|NNP 's|POS residence|NN ,|, several|JJ miles|NNS away|RB .|. 

Nathan|NNP read|VBD the|DT package|NN of|IN words|NNS in|IN silence|NN ,|, his|PRP$ only|RB motions|VBZ the|DT steady|JJ progress|NN of|IN his|PRP$ eyes|NNS and|CC occasional|JJ replacement|NN of|IN pages|NNS .|. 
Allan|NNP sat|VBD nervously|RB across|IN from|IN him|PRP in|IN a|DT chair|NN Nathan|NNP had|VBD probably|RB upholstered|JJ himself|PRP ,|, a|DT patchwork|NN design|NN of|IN fabric|NN containing|VBG easily|RB more|JJR stuffing|VBG than|IN any|DT other|JJ furniture|NN item|NN of|IN the|DT period|NN .|. 
At|IN long|JJ last|NN ,|, Nathan|NNP reached|VBD the|DT end|NN and|CC set|VBN down|RP his|PRP$ reading|NN on|IN the|DT table|NN between|IN them|PRP .|. 
Allan|NNP leaned|VBD forward|RB unconsciously|RB .|. 

"|'' It|PRP 's|VBZ the|DT best|JJS story|NN you|PRP 've|VBP ever|RB written|VBN .|. "|'' 

Allan|NNP exhaled|VBD and|CC leaned|VBD back|RB into|IN the|DT chair|NN ,|, his|PRP$ face|NN relaxing|VBG in|IN imitation|NN of|IN his|PRP$ thoughts|NNS .|. 
"|'' So|RB ,|, "|'' he|PRP asked|VBD ,|, "|'' you|PRP do|VBP n't|RB think|VB it|PRP 's|VBZ a|DT waste|NN of|IN ink|NN and|CC paper|NN ,|, a|DT futile|JJ expedition|NN into|IN morbidity|NN or|CC literary|JJ debauchery|NN ?|. "|'' 

"|'' Heavens|NNP ,|, no|DT ,|, "|'' said|VBD Nathan|NNP ,|, aghast|JJ .|. 
"|'' This|DT is|VBZ one|CD of|IN the|DT strongest|JJS works|VBZ I|PRP 've|VBP read|VBN in|IN ages|NNS .|. 
It|PRP speaks|VBZ to|TO the|DT deepest|JJS storyteller|NN 's|POS instinct|NN within|IN us|PRP all|DT ,|, yet|RB is|VBZ entirely|RB original|JJ .|. 
My|PRP$ dear|RB friend|NN ,|, you|PRP have|VBP done|VBN it|PRP .|. 
Oh|UH ,|, they|PRP may|MD rail|NN against|IN you|PRP at|IN first|JJ ;|: they|PRP may|MD decry|NN you|PRP as|IN a|DT heathen|JJ or|CC a|DT literary|JJ savage|NN ;|: but|CC while|IN those|DT in|IN power|NN say|VBP such|JJ things|NNS ,|, others|NNS will|MD read|VB your|PRP$ tales|NNS and|CC see|VB their|PRP$ true|JJ worth|NN .|. 
Believe|NNP me|PRP when|WRB I|PRP say|VBP that|IN you|PRP will|MD be|VB read|VBN a|DT century|NN from|IN now|RB .|. "|'' 

Allan|NNP ,|, though|IN dubious|JJ as|IN to|TO that|DT possibility|NN ,|, felt|VBD some|DT temptation|NN from|IN the|DT compliment|NN ;|: mainly|RB ,|, it|PRP granted|VBD him|PRP the|DT encouragement|NN he|PRP still|RB needed|VBD .|. 
Nathan|NNP promised|VBD to|TO show|VB the|DT story|NN to|TO a|DT printer|NN he|PRP knew|VBD and|CC Allan|NNP left|VBD it|PRP with|IN him|PRP ,|, then|RB walked|VBD home|NN under|IN the|DT spreading|VBG maples|NNS with|IN a|DT smile|NN lingering|VBG on|IN his|PRP$ face|NN .|. 
He|PRP felt|VBD now|RB that|IN perhaps|RB Nathan|NNP was|VBD right|NN ;|: although|IN the|DT man|NN was|VBD somewhat|RB peculiar|JJ ,|, he|PRP had|VBD both|DT an|DT unimpeachable|JJ honesty|NN and|CC a|DT certain|JJ propensity|NN for|IN insight|NN .|. 
Certainly|RB ,|, it|PRP was|VBD undeniable|JJ that|IN the|DT stories|NNS had|VBD an|DT originality|NN to|TO them|PRP .|. 
His|PRP$ mind|NN 's|POS strangest|NN fruit|NN had|VBD ripened|JJ at|IN last|JJ ,|, and|CC he|PRP found|VBD the|DT taste|NN less|RBR bitter|JJ than|IN expected|VBN .|. 
These|DT thoughts|NNS and|CC others|NNS like|IN them|PRP filled|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN as|IN he|PRP walked|VBD the|DT long|JJ road|NN home|NN .|. 

It|PRP was|VBD evening|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT sky|NN burned|VBD orange|NN in|IN the|DT west|NN when|WRB he|PRP neared|VBD home|NN at|IN last|NN .|. 
Passionate|NNP ,|, fiery|NN colors|NNS filled|VBD the|DT western|JJ sky|NN before|IN him|PRP ,|, though|IN the|DT sun|NN itself|PRP had|VBD reached|VBN the|DT trees|NNS and|CC a|DT few|JJ dark|JJ clouds|NNS circled|VBD overhead|NN .|. 
As|IN Allan|NNP drew|VBD closer|JJR ,|, he|PRP distinguished|VBD a|DT new|JJ cloud|NN ,|, a|DT pillar|NN rising|VBG directly|RB ahead|RB ;|: a|DT road|NN of|IN smoke|NN ascended|JJ in|IN the|DT west|NN ,|, its|PRP$ source|NN hidden|VBN by|IN the|DT very|JJ hillock|NN that|WDT concealed|VBN his|PRP$ house|NN from|IN the|DT traveler|NN until|IN one|CD had|VBD nearly|RB reached|VBN its|PRP$ door|NN .|. 

Allan|NNP 's|POS thoughts|NNS fled|VBD as|IN one|CD ,|, scattering|VBG on|IN the|DT breeze|NN that|WDT scattered|VBN the|DT warning|NN plume|NN .|. 
He|PRP ran|VBD the|DT last|JJ distance|NN ,|, crested|JJ the|DT hill|NN puffing|VBG to|TO reveal|VB Arthur|NNP below|IN ,|, walking|VBG to|TO the|DT carriage|NN parked|VBN before|IN Allan|NNP 's|POS house|NN as|IN two|CD laborers|NNS wrapped|VBD a|DT great|RB saw|VBD in|IN oilcloths|NNS and|CC loaded|VBD it|PRP onto|IN the|DT vehicle|NN 's|POS roof|NN .|. 
Arthur|NNP paused|VBD in|IN the|DT door|NN ,|, looking|VBG up|RP at|IN Allan|NNP for|IN a|DT moment|NN ;|: then|RB he|PRP turned|VBD and|CC shut|VBD the|DT door|NN behind|IN him|PRP .|. 
The|DT driver|NN snapped|VBD the|DT reins|NNS and|CC set|VBD the|DT horses|NNS on|IN .|. 
As|IN they|PRP trotted|VBD forth|RB ,|, Allan|NNP 's|POS eyes|NNS remained|VBD trapped|VBN by|IN the|DT carriage|NN ,|, following|VBG it|PRP up|RP the|DT hillock|NN and|CC past|JJ himself|PRP .|. 
The|DT heavy|JJ curtains|NNS had|VBD been|VBN drawn|VBN across|IN its|PRP$ windows|NNS .|. 
He|PRP watched|VBD as|IN the|DT carriage|NN drew|VBD still|RB more|RBR distant|JJ ,|, the|DT horses|NNS '|POS hooves|NNS still|RB kicking|VBG up|RP dust|NN along|IN the|DT roadway|NN .|. 

When|WRB they|PRP had|VBD gone|VBN ,|, he|PRP remained|VBD ,|, stunned|VBD ,|, until|IN the|DT scent|NN of|IN woodsmoke|NN recalled|VBD him|PRP to|TO himself|PRP .|. 
He|PRP turned|VBD to|TO regard|VB the|DT pillar|NN still|RB rising|VBG behind|IN his|PRP$ house|NN and|CC ran|VBD to|TO see|VB what|WP had|VBD been|VBN done|VBN .|. 

Rounding|NNP the|DT corner|NN ,|, he|PRP saw|VBD a|DT great|JJ bonfire|NN .|. 
A|DT mass|NN of|IN flaming|VBG wood|NN stood|VBD before|IN him|PRP ,|, heat|NN singeing|VBG him|PRP and|CC sparks|VBZ flying|VBG too|RB close|RB to|TO his|PRP$ house|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD a|DT moment|NN before|IN he|PRP realized|VBD what|WP else|RB had|VBD changed|VBN :|: near|IN the|DT wall|NN ,|, beneath|IN his|PRP$ window|NN ,|, was|VBD a|DT stump|NN with|IN black|JJ and|CC ancient|JJ bark|NN .|. 

In|IN a|DT thoughtless|JJ panic|NN ,|, Allan|NNP flew|VBD to|TO the|DT stream|NN that|WDT ran|VBD by|IN his|PRP$ house|NN and|CC began|VBD frantically|RB throwing|VBG handfuls|NNS of|IN water|NN onto|IN the|DT pyre|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ thoughts|NNS were|VBD not|RB of|IN the|DT act|NN 's|POS futility|NN ,|, nor|CC even|RB of|IN the|DT nights|NNS spent|VBD tormented|JJ by|IN the|DT twisted|JJ thing|NN ;|: instead|RB ,|, all|DT that|WDT filled|VBD his|PRP$ mind|NN was|VBD the|DT tree|NN 's|POS constant|JJ presence|NN in|IN his|PRP$ life|NN ,|, growing|VBG with|IN him|PRP and|CC beside|IN him|PRP ,|, its|PRP$ persistent|JJ reminders|NNS that|IN he|PRP had|VBD higher|JJR ,|, truer|NN things|NNS to|TO write|VB ,|, the|DT simple|JJ beauty|NN of|IN the|DT great|JJ black|JJ tree|NN for|IN its|PRP$ own|JJ sake|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ handfuls|NNS could|MD do|VB nothing|NN to|TO quench|NN the|DT hewn|VBN ,|, burning|NN logs|NNS ,|, but|CC when|WRB the|DT night|NN sky|NN grew|VBD dark|JJ above|IN him|PRP and|CC the|DT fire|NN dwindled|VBD to|TO black|JJ ashes|NNS ,|, tears|NNS threatened|VBN to|TO spill|VB forth|RB and|CC extinguish|VB the|DT final|JJ embers|NNS .|. 

But|CC he|PRP did|VBD not|RB weep|NN .|. 
Instead|RB ,|, he|PRP bethought|NN himself|PRP of|IN the|DT loss|NN of|IN the|DT tree|NN ;|: considered|VBN also|RB Arthur|NNP 's|POS motivation|NN and|CC whether|IN some|DT good|JJ might|NN not|RB come|VB of|IN this|DT ,|, after|IN all|DT .|. 
Leaving|VBG the|DT circle|NN of|IN ashes|NNS ,|, he|PRP stood|VBD and|CC turned|VBD towards|IN the|DT woods|NNS ,|, in|IN which|WDT it|PRP was|VBD his|PRP$ habit|NN to|TO walk|VB when|WRB in|IN a|DT pensive|JJ mood|NN .|. 
He|PRP stepped|VBD slowly|RB beneath|IN the|DT branches|NNS ,|, a|DT gust|NN of|IN wind|NN stirring|VBG up|RP the|DT ashes|NNS behind|IN him|PRP in|IN a|DT great|JJ ,|, swirling|VBG eddy|NN ,|, a|DT burning|NN brand|NN that|WDT rose|VBD up|RB and|CC dispersed|VBD on|IN the|DT winds|NNS as|IN though|IN it|PRP were|VBD the|DT willow|NN 's|POS last|JJ breath|NN .|. 

Allan|NNP wandered|JJ beneath|IN the|DT trees|NNS for|IN a|DT time|NN ,|, thoughts|NNS drifting|VBG through|IN his|PRP$ mind|NN like|IN great|JJ banks|NNS of|IN fog|NN ,|, strangely|RB beautiful|JJ but|CC impossible|JJ to|TO penetrate|VB .|. 
He|PRP considered|VBD Arthur|NNP 's|POS intervention|NN ;|: considered|VBN that|IN it|PRP might|MD be|VB better|JJR to|TO accept|VB the|DT fog|NN and|CC continue|VB as|IN his|PRP$ lifelong|JJ friend|NN had|VBD suggested|VBN ,|, to|TO write|VB stories|NNS that|IN others|NNS would|MD read|VB ;|: for|IN after|IN all|DT ,|, what|WP purpose|NN writing|VBG if|IN not|RB to|TO be|VB read|VBN ?|. 
And|CC without|IN that|DT torturous|JJ willow|NN ,|, he|PRP might|MD be|VB free|JJ to|TO write|VB whatever|WDT he|PRP saw|VBD fit|VBN .|. 
Indeed|RB ,|, if|IN he|PRP still|RB could|MD not|RB ,|, he|PRP could|MD at|IN any|DT time|NN follow|VB Arthur|NNP 's|POS advice|NN and|CC seek|VB a|DT profession|NN more|RBR grounded|VBN in|IN reality|NN .|. 
Perhaps|RB that|WDT would|MD be|VB more|RBR healthy|JJ for|IN his|PRP$ mind|NN .|. 
He|PRP found|VBD himself|PRP along|IN the|DT bank|NN of|IN a|DT low|JJ ,|, wide|JJ stream|NN and|CC allowed|VBD himself|PRP to|TO follow|VB its|PRP$ current|JJ .|. 
As|IN it|PRP turned|VBD to|TO the|DT deeper|JJR woods|NNS ,|, elder|JJR giants|NNS rose|VBD above|IN him|PRP :|: a|DT beech|NN ,|, smooth|JJ bark|NN a|DT gray|JJ -|- green|JJ pennant|NN hoisted|VBN on|IN a|DT slope|NN and|CC standing|NN out|IN between|IN the|DT dark|NN ,|, cracked|VBN trunks|NNS of|IN the|DT nearer|IN trees|NNS ;|: great|JJ pines|NNS ,|, a|DT few|JJ magnificent|JJ specimens|NNS still|RB bearing|VBG the|DT three|JJ -|- stroke|NN symbol|NN of|IN the|DT British|NNP King|NNP ;|: a|DT towering|JJ black|JJ birch|NN ,|, leaves|VBZ impossibly|RB high|JJ above|IN him|PRP .|. 
As|IN the|DT stream|NN wound|VBD its|PRP$ way|NN through|IN the|DT largest|JJS pines|NNS ,|, grown|VBN so|RB great|JJ as|IN to|TO eclipse|VB that|DT feature|NN of|IN the|DT landscape|NN they|PRP had|VBD once|RB crowded|VBN about|IN for|IN sweet|JJ water|NN as|IN saplings|NNS ,|, Allan|NNP continued|VBD ,|, slowing|VBG his|PRP$ pace|NN to|TO climb|VB across|IN the|DT toes|NNS of|IN the|DT slumbering|VBG giants|NNS .|. 
There|EX was|VBD hardly|RB enough|JJ room|NN for|IN his|PRP$ slim|JJ frame|NN between|IN the|DT trunks|NNS that|WDT overshadowed|VBD any|DT fleeting|JJ mortal|NN trespass|NN .|. 

Emerging|VBG from|IN between|IN the|DT antediluvian|NN trunks|NNS ,|, Allan|NNP set|VBD his|PRP$ feet|NNS softly|RB down|RB onto|IN the|DT carpet|NN of|IN needles|NNS and|CC stopped|VBD .|. 
Before|IN him|PRP ,|, roots|NNS imbibing|VBG the|DT sweet|JJ water|NN of|IN the|DT stream|NN ,|, grew|VBD a|DT stand|NN of|IN black|JJ willows|NNS .|. 
Fallen|NNP trunks|NNS lay|VBP rotting|VBG across|IN the|DT rivulet|NN ;|: the|DT living|VBG elders|NNS oversaw|VBD the|DT grove|NN while|IN younger|JJR trees|NNS ,|, still|RB small|JJ and|CC not|RB yet|RB as|IN knotted|JJ and|CC gnarled|JJ as|IN their|PRP$ forefathers|NNS ,|, sprang|VBD up|RB where|WRB branches|NNS reached|VBD the|DT ground|NN .|. 
Though|IN the|DT elders|NNS '|POS trunks|NNS fell|VBD and|CC died|VBD ,|, their|PRP$ children|NNS ,|, first|JJ roots|NNS grown|VBN from|IN the|DT very|JJ branches|NNS that|WDT now|RB lay|VB dead|NN ,|, continued|VBD unabated|JJ ,|, a|DT continuous|JJ line|NN from|IN the|DT most|RBS ancient|JJ of|IN their|PRP$ ancestors|NNS .|. 

Allan|NNP stumbled|VBD forward|RB ,|, jaw|NN slightly|RB slack|NN ,|, until|IN his|PRP$ outstretched|JJ hands|NNS encountered|VBD the|DT rough|JJ bark|NN of|IN a|DT twisted|JJ ,|, three|JJ -|- trunked|JJ willow|NN whose|WP$ waists|NNS were|VBD each|DT larger|JJR than|IN Allan|NNP himself|PRP .|. 
Collapsing|NNP at|IN its|PRP$ base|NN ,|, Allan|NNP wrapped|VBD his|PRP$ arms|NNS around|IN the|DT stoic|JJ tree|NN and|CC let|VB forth|RB a|DT moan|VB ,|, a|DT cry|NN of|IN purest|NN agony|NN that|WDT escaped|VBD him|PRP as|IN the|DT first|JJ tears|NNS seeped|VBD from|IN the|DT corners|NNS of|IN his|PRP$ eyes|NNS and|CC slid|VBD down|RP his|PRP$ cheeks|NNS ,|, falling|VBG to|TO the|DT ground|NN and|CC seeping|VBG though|IN the|DT fallen|VBN leaves|VBZ and|CC needles|NNS to|TO join|VB the|DT water|NN of|IN the|DT stream|NN ,|, flowing|VBG through|IN the|DT ground|NN beneath|IN them|PRP .|. 

