[Todos] sweeping

[Noll Clement]

I wouldnt lie, she replied, with direct simplicity that indeedreminded Adam of an Indian.
Action was constructive; grief was destructive. A sickwoman with a child living in the lonely shadow of San Jacinto! Genie, youve watched a road runner, all right. But I think you should not want me to keep her here toolong, replied Adam, earnestly. But then their eyes were never kind like yours. Then the sun rose like liquid silver, bursting to flood the desert world. And if a brave wanted a wife hebought her.
Then placing aponderous knee on the back of the mans neck, he knelt there, holding himdown.
Then the man, hissing like a snake, was reaching for his gun when Adamstruck him. Then he set himself to further tasks, and soon that day was ended.
He who hadspoken with so few men and women on the desert now was inspired by achild.
The girl touched his arm, timidly, almost appealingly,as Adam hesitated over his reply. Adam could see the blur of its almost invisible wings.
But I think you should not want me to keep her here toolong, replied Adam, earnestly.
What would I have done without love of everythingthat flies and crawls and grows?
But I didnt see any Indiansfalling in love.
Well, little girl, thats a long way off, said Adam, divided betweenhumour and pathos. Otherdays like it passed swiftly, and each one brought more hope of prolongingMrs. The darkness was intense inside the hut, and Adam leaning at the door,could see nothing. Now, little girl, you can tell me whats wrong, said Adam, rising.
He had returnedto the desert land he loved best, and which haunted him. When Adam considered life in nature, he couldunderstand this disease. You know how the dead cones fall off andlie around.
Yet she was not sparedthis horrible torture.
Adams quick ear had caught the metallic hum of tiny, swift wings.
Thismarvellous light intensified, while below the wondrous shadows deepened. Soon Genies insensibility to painand hunger was as if it had never been.
Then he said he would come backagain for me some day and take me out of the desert.
It happened to be while Genie was absent, listeningto the bees or watching the flow of water.
Well, Genie, they wanted to be together because they loved eachother. Gazing into them, Adam hardly saw the small unattractive, starvedface. Say, Im curious about this girl youve got with you, said Adam,deliberately.
He wassoon weaned, and kicked out of the nest to die or survive.
Despite the way Adam stooped as he entered, his lofty head brushed thepalm-leafed roof. When its up it shows some gold colour, almost red underneath. Genie laughed when he bumped against a cross-beam. But that is notthe most wonderful thing a road runner does. 
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